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How The Political ‘Gang Wars’ Ahead 2015 Are Heating The Polity
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Queen Harriet, Ijaw Girl With Eyes On Nollywood
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Saturday, May 4, 2013
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Wife of Ondo State Governor, Olukemi Mimiko, Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Wife of the Deputy Governor, Alhaja Bejide Olanusi, Deputy Governor, Alhaji Alli Olanusi and others, jubilating after the judgement of the Ondo Election Petitions Tribunal which upheld the election of Mimiko as Ondo State Governor, at the Government House, in Akure…yesterday.
Gunmen Kidnap Elder Statesman, Ali Monguno From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri T was double tragedy for Borno State yesterday and Thursday as four gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram members kidnapped elder statesman, Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno at the Mafoni Central Mosque in Maiduguri, the state capital, at about 2pm. On Thursday, the Secretary of Dikwa Local Government Council, Alhaji Kachallah Umara was shot dead at his Gomari residence at 8.35 p.m. Umara, according to an eyewitness, was trailed by three gunmen in a tricycle to his residence. They asked for him and when he appeared, fired several shots into his chest and head in
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in Borno State. Prof. Abba Kagu of University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) who was kidnapped on February 23, 2013 by suspected Boko Haram gunmen has not been released, as the police or men of JTF are yet to get any clue on the kidnapping of the varsity don who lived at Federal Low cost Housing Estate, Maiduguri. Spokesman of JTF, Lt. Col Sagir Musa, in telephone chat yesterday in Maiduguri, confirmed the abduction of Monguno, the Minister of Petroleum and Steel Resources during Gen. Monguno Yakubu Gowon’s administration. Monguno brings to seven, the He said the JTF is aware of the number of top government offi- kidnapping and that security cials, businessmen and traditional rulers already kidnapped CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Kill Council Secretary In Maiduguri the full glare of his wife and children. The eyewitness said the gunmen did not snatch his vehicle or rob any of his family members, adding that they fled in the same tricycle that had brought them. On the kidnap of Monguno who is 92 years old, a resident of Mafoni who was at the mosque in a telephone interview in Maiduguri yesterday, said: “We were shocked and terrified, when four gunmen dressed in T-shirts and flowing gowns pulled out pistols from their waists and forcefully dragged Dr. Shettima
Monguno into the station wagon vehicle that brought him for the Jumat prayers at the mosque, and zoomed off into unknown destination of Maiduguri metropolis. “The soldiers of the Joint Task Force (JTF) rushed to the mosque 10 minutes after the gunmen had fled with the elder statesman.” As at the time of filling this report, the gunmen had not contacted any member of his family or any Borno State government official to demand the usual ransom. The Guardian on Saturday also learnt that the kidnap of
Tribunal Upholds Mimiko’s Election Dismisses PDP, ACN’s Petitions From Niyi Bello, Akure OR their inability to prove Fhighlighted the various allegations in their individual petitions against the declaration of governor Olusegun Mimiko as the winner of the last October 20 gubernatorial election in Ondo State, the Election Petition Tribunal sitting over the matter, yesterday dismissed the petitions of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing them as lacking in substance. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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Monguno: Gov Shettima Reacts, Promises To Secure His Release Borno Elders Meet From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri
ARELY two hours after B the kidnap of Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital yesterday, Governor Kashim Shettima has
assured his family members and the people of the state Monguno would be rescued from the custody of the abductors. Speaking at the Government Reservation Area (GRA) residence of Monguno, he said the security agencies have been informed of the abduction, which happened around 2pm. “I was in contact with the President. I have spoken with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and I believe all agencies of government and
stakeholders in the system were very much touched by this criminal and dastardly act of kidnapping a 92-yearman. old “For whatever reason, it is the height of criminality and stupidity. By God’s grace, we will secure his release. We will look assiduously and tirelessly to see that we secure his freedom, ” he said. The governor urged the media to exercise decorum
and restraint in their report so that the polity would not be overheated. Meanwhile, Borno Elders, led by Ambassador Gaji Galtimari, have held an emergency meeting with the governor and security chiefs. Galtimari, who chaired the meeting, confirmed that the elder statesman was abducted as he was leaving the mosque.
Shettima, in his reaction shortly before the meeting, said it is “inhuman for anybody to kidnap a 92-yearold man,” saying Monguno is 92, not 87, as earlier reported. On the President’s reaction over the incident, Shettima said: “The President was very much concerned, so also the NSA. Only a lunatic will harm an old man. “But the deed has been done. It is not for us to lament over the sorry state we have found ourselves,
Presidency Distances First Lady From Abuja Land Dispute From Terhemba Daka, Abuja HE Presidency yesterday T moved to distance the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, from an Abuja High Court judgment on Thursday in favour of the wife of the former President, Mrs. Tarai Yar’Adua, in the dispute over a choice Abuja parcel of land located in the Cadastral Zone. Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Bala Mohammed, yesterday stated that the litigation
was an affair between the FCT Administration and Turai and not the African First Ladies Peace Mission, the original allotee of the land. At a press conference on the matter late yesterday in Abuja, the minister, through the Permanent Secretary, John Obinna Chukwu, stated that Mrs. Jonathan, who is the incumbent First Lady, was never a party to the suit. “The FCTA wishes to clarify that the judgment delivered pertained to the process fol-
lowed in the revocation of the said plot of land and that the court case was between the FCTA and Hajia Turai Yar’Adua’s NGO, WAYEF. “For the avoidance of doubt, the FCTA wishes to restate that the litigation was an affair between it and Hajia Turai and neither the African First Ladies Peace Mission, the original allotee of the land, nor Dame Patience, who is the incumbent First Lady of Nigeria, was party to the said suit at the Abuja High Court.”
but to find solution to the problem.” Hundreds of sympathisers, many of them in tears, trooped to Monguno’s house which was surrounded by security operatives. No group had claimed responsibility for the kidnap at the time of going to press. But kidnapping for ransom by the Boko Haram sect has been on the increase in Borno of late, prompting the Joint Task Force to warn residents to be extra careful and vigilant last week.
Gunmen Kill Council Secretary CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 agencies are working round the clock to rescue the elder statesman. Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State who dashed to the Government Reservation Area (GRA) residence of Monguno on hearing of the incidence yesterday, said: “Efforts are being stepped up by security agents in Maiduguri metropolis to rescue our father and elder statesman, Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno in the custody of these gunmen.”
Tribunal Dismisses PDP, ACN’s Petitions Against Mimiko CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
The tribunal therefore upheld the election of Mimiko as declared by the electoral body which conducted the poll and described the petitions against the declaration as lacking in merit and the required ingredients to prove their allegations. After about 180 days of litigation stipulated by the Electoral Act, the three-man tribunal headed by Justice Andovar Kaka’an, delivered its final verdict amid very tight security at the Court 2, Akure High Court Complex venue which was swarming with many uniformed and plainclothe security operatives to prevent a breakdown of law and order. The state Police Commissioner, Patrick Dokumo, in his warning to politicians last Thursday to abide by the outcome of the judgment in good faith, had disclosed that security agencies were collaborating with one another to ensure that there was no breakdown of law and order during and after the delivery of judgment. As the main Hospital Road leading to the tribunal venue was completely cordoned-off, several units of mobile policemen, soldiers and operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) were either patrolling or on surveillance of the streets of Akure, the state capital, to nip any looming trouble in the bud. In the verdict of the tribunal which was read by Justice Kaka’an, it was stated that the election had declared Mimiko as the winner of the poll having garnered 260,199 votes to Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of the ACN’s 143,512 and Olusola Oke of the PDP’s 155,961 and having satisfied the constitutional requirement of spread as stipulated by law. First to be delivered to a courtroom full to the brim with politicians across politi-
cal party divides, was the judgment on the petition filed by Akeredolu and his ACN which was premised on two grounds that Mimiko not lawfully elected because the poll was conducted in a manner that was not compliant with the provisions of the Electoral Act. The ACN candidate prayed the tribunal for a rerun of the election through presentation of loads of documents and calling of 41 witnesses to establish allegations of massive irregularities, including disenfranchisement of scores of voters and illegal manipulation of the Voters’ Register used in the exercise through injection of names that were hitherto not in the original register. After navigating through the arguments of all the counsels in the petition and their submissions in their final addresses, Justice Kaka’an ruled that the petitioner did not prove his case beyond reasonable doubt especially since many of the allegations bordered on criminality which, by law, should be proved beyond any reasonable doubt. According to the tribunal: “It is clear that the petitioner relied on corrupt practices to push the case but Section 131 (1) of the Evidence Act stipulates that election should not be cancelled if it is not substantially noncompliant with the relevant law. “Like soccer, it must show goals scored with figures and the petitioner must not only assert but show evidence that the non-compliant, if proved, substantially affected the results and the outcome of the poll.” The tribunal ruled that for the petitioners to prove that there was non-voting during the poll, the disenfranchised voters must be brought as witnesses and they must show evidences that they were registered
but disallowed from voting through the presentation of their unused voters’ cards and the registers in which their names appear. It was also held that of all the 41 witnesses called, only two who were not in the state during the election tried to establish cases of non-voting thereby making it difficult for the tribunal to accept the allegation of non-accreditation and disenfranchisement. On the allegations of illegal injection of names to manipulate the Voters’ Register, the tribunal held that the petitioners should have challenged that at the High Court before the election was conducted because the third respondent in the matter, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), had given each party copies of the register on November 20, 2012, 30 days before the election in accordance with the Electoral Act. Besides submitting that the matter is a pre-election issue that should have been tackled before the poll over which the tribunal has no jurisdiction, the petitioners did not prove how that affected the outcome of the election. Stressing that it would have been a different case if the petitioners had challenged the alleged flaws noticed in the register before the poll and approached the tribunal with evidences, particularly how it affected the outcome of the exercise with proof of the injected names and who they voted for, the tribunal said with the way it was handled and presented, the allegation held no water. It also held that to argue that the injected names affected the poll, the petitioners must show that the declared winner was credited with were undeserved votes from a manipulated register.
Summing up the testimonies of the petitioners in the Akeredolu petition who were said not to have provided enough evidences to prove cases bordering on criminality, Justice Kaka’an said “their evidences are manifestly unreliable.” Speaking specifically on the testimonies of the expert witness called by Akeredolu, Justice Kaka’an said his submissions were made by an interested party who admitted on cross examination that he was engaged for financial considerations and that he was contracted to look for evidences after the petition had already been submitted. Since the matters thrown up by the petitions had already been streamlined and consolidated, the tribunal applied its verdict on Akeredolu’s petition to similar allegations raised in Oke’s petitions and these included allegations of non-voting, irregularities and alleged injection of hitherto unregistered names. Delivering judgment specifically on Oke’s petition which was different from Akeredolu’s because the PDP candidate prayed the tribunal to declare him as the winner of the poll, the tribunal held that Oke failed to show to the tribunal why he should be declared as the winner of the election. According to the tribunal, Oke would have helped his case greatly if he had presented evidences on how he should be announced instead of Mimiko by showing his scores and how he satisfied the constitutional requirements of declaration. Justice Kaka’an, who dismissed Oke’s petition for lack of merit, said his witnesses were mostly illiterates who knew next to nothing about the conduct of the election they came to testify against and that they spoke from both sides of the mouth.
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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NEWS
ACF Expresses Shock, Urges Immediate Release Of Monguno From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna HOCKED by the kidnap of elder statesman, Alhaji Shettima Ali Monguno in Maiduguri yesterday by unknown gunmen, Arewa elders have condemned what they termed unfortunate turn of event and appealed to his abductors to immediately
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release him unhurt. The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, said it was saddened by the incident, “because given the age of the elder statesman and his services to, not only Borno State, but also the whole country, he is not
expected to be subjected to such hardship and humiliation by any group, be it sectarian or men of the underworld.” The group added: “If, as is being bandied about, Boko Haram members are the kidnappers, in order to press for the release of their detained members by the authorities, ACF wishes to
say they are going about it the wrong way. “Rather, they should press for the release of their members using the mechanism of dialogue put in place by the government, instead of causing the old man any untold hardship. “The kidnappers should, therefore, heed public appeals and
release Monguno forthwith in the interest of humanity and peace dearly needed for meaningful socio-economic and political development of not only Borno State, but also the whole country.” It called on the good people of Borno State to remain calm and not take the laws into their
hands, as the federal and state governments intensify efforts to bring the culture of violence under control, not only in Borno and Yobe states, but also throughout Nigeria.
Ajimobi Vows To Punish Perpetrators Of ACN/AP Ibadan Clash From Iyabo Lawal, Ibadan IQUED by the violence which P broke out among Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and
Manager, Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, NLNG, Mrs. Gloria Ita-Ikpeme; General Manager, External Relations, NLNG, Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke; Member, Advisory Board for Literature, Prof. Ben Elugbe; Chairman, Advisory Board for Literature, Emeritus Professor Ayo Banjo; and Member, Advisory Board for Literature, Dr. Jerry Agada, at the handover of entries for the Nigeria Prize for Literature in Lagos… yesterday.
Rivers Accuses Aviation Authorities Of Witch-Hunt From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt HE Rivers State Government has accused aviation authorities of witch-hunt following allegations of forged documentation and impropriety by aviation officials as it concerns the state-owned Bombardier BD 700 1A11 Global Vision aircraft. The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari while reacting to a statement by the Minister of
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Aviation that several flight clearances previously obtained for the aircraft were got using the name of Caverton Helicopters, described this as both preposterous and embarrassing. Semenitari said while the Rivers State Government will not want to join issues with the Minister of Aviation, it would like to make the clarification that no aircraft can fly into Nigerian airspace illegally and land at various airports within the country unchallenged.
To this end, she insisted that the state owned aircraft has been in operation in Nigeria since October 2012. “The claim that the aircraft insured is owned by ACASS CANADA LIMITED” of 6700 Cote de Liesse, Suite 206, Montreal, QC H4T 2B5, Canada, is a deliberate distortion of facts. An insurance issued to ACASS was used for entry into service while flying between Canada and the USA for pre-delivery tests. Rivers State Government took delivery on October 5,
2012, and duly insured the aircraft and the Certificate of Insurance duly states this,” she said. She explained that the state government had been flying the controversial aircraft since October 2012 with this same certificate and with the knowledge of the Ministry. “We believe that all administrative procedure should and must be complied with. However, the state government is worried at what is beginning to seem like a witch-
hunt of it and related parties that have conducted business with it. “We will continue to engage with aviation officials and follow through with all administrative requirements and processes as is most appropriate,” she added. The certificate of Reinsurance by Colemont Insurance Brokers Limited dated October 31, 2012, made available to The Guardian explicitly indicates that the Bombardier belongs to the Rivers State Government.
...As Police Invade Obio-Akpor Council From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt RMED policemen yesterday sealed off the Obio-Akpor Council of Rivers State thus complicating the already tangled politics in the state. Rivers State House of Assembly had last week suspended the chairman of Obio/Akpor, Mr. Timothy Paul Nsirim, his vice and 17 councilors following allegation of financial impropriety levelled against them by some persons who petitioned the state legislature. The Obio-Akpor Council caretaker committee chairman, Dike David Chikordi, told The Guardianthat at about 2pm yesterday, armed policemen led by the Rumuodumaya Divisional
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Police Officer (DPO), stormed his office saying he had instruction from the Rivers State Commissioner to seal off the council and that the chairman and other members of his executive should vacate their offices. Chikordi said he demanded from the DPO any legal document backing the action but none was presented. Consequently, the chairman said, he directed all members of his executive to remain in their offices. “At about 2pm, the DPO from Rumuodumaya tried to order me and my members out of the council claiming he had order from the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu. Then I asked him where is the
court order that mandates him to … but he could not present any. Based on this, I told him that I and my members were not going out of the council,” he said. Chikordi, who decried the Police action and as a coup d’état, said it was surprising that the Police could be used to perpetrate unconstitutional act in a democratic dispensation. According to him, he refused to yield to the antics of the Police because he was legitimately brought to office by the House of Assembly and sworn into office by the Rivers State government. When The Guardian visited the council, scores of armed policemen had used their vans to
block the main gate to the council. The Policemen who declined to comment on why they had invaded the premises of the council however did not prevent workers from leaving their offices. When contacted, the Rivers State Police command spokesperson, Ben Ugwuegbulam, told The Guardian that the Police had received security report that the council secretariat was about to be attacked and to avert this, policemen were immediately deployed to secure life and property. He denied that the Police received directives from the Presidency to seal off the council. Asked when the Police
would leave the premises, he declined a response. A source however told The Guardian that the plot to forcefully remove Chikordi-led ObioAkpor council caretaker committee might not be unconnected to a brief interaction with the wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, at the Port Harcourt Airport on Thursday evening. It was gathered that Chikordi and some top Rivers State Government functionaries had gone to the Port Harcourt Airport to welcome Mrs. Jonathan. And in the process of introducing dignitaries from the state, Chikordi presented himself as the Obio-Akpor chairman.
Accord Party (AP) supporters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Thursday, Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday vowed to bring perpetrators of the dastardly act to book. He reiterated that his government was predicated on peace and tranquility and would not hesitate to visit the full weight of the law on anyone who breaches the peace of the state. The governor in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo said, “in the last two years, Senator Ajimobi has demonstrated that he is a man of peace. The large-scale infrastructural and urban renewal that our administration has been known by could only have been made possible in an atmosphere of peace. If there is anything we are trying to do in Oyo State and which we have done successfully, it is a paradigm shift from the gangsterism and violence of the past two governments before us, to an era where our people, no matter their party affiliation, can move about freely.” The governor said that the full weight of the law would be brought on anyone who was trying to wind back the hand of the peaceful clock in the state to the forgotten era of brigandage and violence. According to him, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, he would not stand by and allow his most intangible achievement in office to be compromised by anyone. He said he was in contact with the Commissioner of Police to ensure that whoever was involved in violence, no matter their political party affiliation or standing in society, was arrested and punished. “Peace is this government’s greatest asset. But for peace, road dualisations in all the nooks and crannies of Oyo State and a major urban renewal never known to the state would never have been. This is why we would not leave any stone unturned in ensuring that violent people never come back to our state,” he said. However, chieftains of the Accord Party (AP) doubted the indifference of the Governor in the matter, alleging the he was behind the mayhem unleashed on members of the party. The party at a press conference jointly addressed by its National Leader, Senator Rasheed Ladoja and State Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Lawal, alleged that members of the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) led by its chairman, Alhaji Taofeek Oyerinde a.k.a. Fele and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) with the support of men in security uniform in two vehicles of the state security outfit, ‘Operation Burst’, that disrupted the rally of receiving decampees from the PDP and ACN, did so on instruction from the Government House.
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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NEWS We Won’t Merge With Any Party, Says Ogun LP From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta ONTRARY to speculations C that the Ogun State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has began moves to merge with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the party yesterday declared that it had no such plan. The Party’s Secretary, Mr. Sunday Olaposi Oginni who spoke to journalists in Abeokuta, emphasised that the party had not considered to merge or form alliance with the PDP or any other party. Oginni insisted that the party was now well organised in the State and therefore “no politicians from other party, no matter how influential or rich can hijack the party from the founding members.” He dismissed attempts by some “moneybags to disintegrate the party” by speculating that some members of his party’s executive collected between N5mil-
lion and N10million from the leadership of a particular party as a mere propaganda. The LP Scribe said, “We don’t believe in money bags. In Labour Party, it is equal opportunity for all. We welcome everyone to the party but nobody is bigger than the party because party is supreme here. “LP will wipe tears away from the face of our workers who are suffering from neglect by this administration and we shall put food on their table.” Assuring workers in the state Local Government Service of prompt payment of salaries, Oginni implored all workers in the state to embrace LP because it is the party of workers. He, however, scored the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the State low in terms of performance and delivery of dividends of democracy to the people.
JAMb Withholds UTME Results Of 80,419 Candidates In 40 Centres From Lillian Chukwu, Abuja HEADof final conduct of the A three modes of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation board (JAMb) has withheld results of about 80,419 candidates in 40 centres for rescreening for possible examination malpractices. The released results are for the Dual based Test, Paper Pencil Test modes while the Computer based Test is yet to be conducted. The centres’ offences range
from direct money extortion, aiding and abetting by supervisors, teachers or parents, attempted bribery of examination officials to outright ingenious methods of cheating by bringing answer-scribbled sheets into examination centres. Registrar, JAMb, Prof. Disu Ojerinde told journalists yesterday in Abuja that, “If there is no cheating (in the 40 centres) we will release their results but if there is evidence we will cancel their results.” He said the affected centres have an average of 540 candi-
dates and that “results of 68, 309 candidates from various centres are undergoing further screening to ascertain their culpability. Ojerinde added that “12,110 candidates’ results are withheld for possible disciplinary action.” He said that about 40,692 candidates’ results were invalid due to multiple shading or no shading at all while another 47,974 candidates were absentees. The JAMb chief executive urged candidates to check their scores via the board’s website at www.jambresult.com using
their registration numbers. The Registrar said earlier that a total of 1,735, 720 candidates applied for the 2013 UTME with 1,670,833 candidates for university, 28,977 candidates for polytechnic, 28,445 for colleges of Education and 25 candidates for innovative enterprises institutes. He listed this year’s examination fraudulent methods to include misleading social media alerts, Internet and cybercafé deception involving the operators of such business centres issuing fake UTME registration slips.
Suswam Swears In Commissioners, Reshuffles Cabinet ENUE State Governor, b Gabriel Suswam on Thursday, swore-in 12 new commissioners, charging them to remain above board and to be catalysts for meaningful development in the state. Suswam, who also reshuffled his cabinet at the ceremony, reiterated his administration’s commitment in the challenging task of transforming the state. He urged political appointees to abide by the principles of transparency, accountability and openness in the conduct of government business. “Given the myriad of developmental challenges that beset our state, the need to fast-track and reinvigorate the public service delivery machinery has become imperative,” he noted.
In the new cabinet reshuffle, Anthony Onu goes to Science and Technology, Comfort Ajene (Culture and Tourism), Donald Amokaha Ugboho (Agriculture and Natural Resources), John Tondo (Lands and Survey), Egbiri Idah (Youths and Sports) and Elizabeth Allagh (Women Affairs and Social Development). Others are Alex Atime (Housing), Eugene Aliegba (Environment and Urban Development), Conrad Wergba (Water Resources), John Ngbede (Works and Transport), Elizabeth Ugo (Education), Alex Adum (Justice), Omadachi Oklobia (Finance), Justin Amase (Information) and Aondowase Chia (Rural Development).
‘Edo LG Polls Free, Fair, Credible’ From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja IvIL Society Groups accredited to monitor the recently heldLocalGovernmentElection in Edo state have described the electionasfree,fairandcredible, saying that the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) provided a level playing ground for all the political parties in the state to participate in the election. The group stated that the few lapsesnoticedintheelectionare not enough to discredit the entire exercise. Addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, the Secretary of the Coalition, Comrade victor Kalu noted that the state govern-
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ment provided the necessary logistics to EDSIEC to ensure a transparent, violent-free election without any interference on the operations of the electoral management body. Kalu observed that in proving its transparency, the electoral body accredited and mobilized domestic observers to observe the election, adding that eligible voters trooped out in numbers for the election. He however said that the conduct of the election was delayed by late arrival of voting materials, which led to the postponement of the polls in Oredo, Esan North East, Esan West and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas.
Why Anambra House Gave AG Ultimatum From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu MEMbER representing A Anyamelum constituency in the Anambra state House of Assembly, Gabriel Onyewife said yesterday that the state Assembly gave the Auditor General a 14-day ultimatum to furnish it with incomes of the 21 local governments in the state in the last two years to ensure transparency and accountability. He said it was not to witch-hunt anybody but to track how the huge allocations to the third tier government had been spent, especially in the absence of elected council officials. AddressingreportersinEnugu,
he said the House agreed that she will summon the auditorsgeneral under reference to appear before it and defend their positions if the anticipated accounting reports were not received within the stipulated time. The motion, which was entitled: “Motion Calling on the Auditors-General of Local Governments to submit the audited accounts of the 21 local government areas for the year 2011 and 2012 financial year,” was unanimously adopted, as members of the assembly spoke in support of it at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Chinwe Nwaebili.
Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, wife of Lagos State governor; Otunba Johnson Fasawe; Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; and former President Olusegun Obasanjo at the funeral service of the Lisa of Ondo in Ondo State, the late Chief Bayo Akinnola... yesterday.
Expert Raises Alarm Over PIb, Assures On Positives Of PHCN Privatisation By Bankole Shakirudeen Adeshina ORMER President of National FEconomics Association of Energy (NAEE), who doubles as a member of President GoodluckJonathan’sEconomic Management Team, Professor Akin Iwayemi, has enjoined Nigerians to take keen interest inthedebateandscrutinisation of the Petroleum Industry bill currently before the national assembly. According to him, such would prevent further demystification of the original content of the document, when passed into law. Three basic focus of the PIb, as preparedandsubmittedforlegislation in 2009, was to further domesticate the wealth in the oil and gas sector for the benefit of Nigeria; to harmonise all the existing laws in the industry
for easier enforcement and compliance; and to legislate on the rights and benefits due to the host community where the oil explorations have caused serious environmental degradation among others. but Iwayemi said these beautiful motives have either been toned down or suppressed because of overwhelming political interests, which he suspected, “may not eventually serve the larger interest of the populace.” According to him: “In my own opinion, the current Petroleum Industry bill has been completely watered downcompared to the original version that almost scaled through the national assembly in 2009. The current version is an output of a different compromise and clash of interests informed by political influ-
ence. “For instance, unlike the current version of the PIb, the originalunambiguouslystressedthe need to establish or strengthen institutions that will internalize the generated revenues from oil and gas for the development of the host communities and the entire country, among others. The current bill wasn’t explicit on this.” Also the outgoing President of the Nigerian Economic Society, Iwayemi urged Nigerians to repose confidence in the ongoingeffortstotransformtheenergy sector, especially electricity supply and management He said professional evaluation of the ongoing reforms have shown positive signs of better days awaiting Nigerians, especially in the area of uninterrupted power supply and its consequential impact on unemploy-
ment and the resuscitation of the nation’s moribund textile industry. His words: “I think there is still every possibility to achieve the goal. For instance, the presentation of certificates by President Goodluck Jonathan to some of the investors who have successfully made the initial 25 per cent payment has even made this optimism more practically achievable. A good example of this possibility, if the current credible trend is sustained, can be likened to the dramatic turn around that happened in the telecommunication sector. At a time,thewholecountryhadless than one million lines, but with the unbundling of the sector, which was characterized by healthy competition, the statistics has soared, within three to four years, to over 100 million telecommunication lines.”
Merger With APC Nullifies DPP’s Suspension Of Ewerido, Say Leaders From Chido Okafor, Warri HE Delta Central senatorial T district leadership of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) yesterday reacted vehemently to the purported suspension of Senator Pius Ewerido, representing Delta Central and a few others, by the Delta State executive of the party, led by Chief Tony Ezeagu. They described Ezeagu as “a factional chairman” of the party.’ Ewerido’s camp was stunned by a declaration in Asaba on Wednesday that the senator,
who is the highest political office holder of the party, had been suspended from the party. Addressing the media in Ughelli, the Delta Central Chairman and State vice Chairman, Chief Henry Olori, insisted the national executive of the DPP had at their convention merged with the All Progressives Congress (APC) and that a few members of the Delta DPP leaders refused to be part of the merger and orchestrated the suspension of the highest political office holder in the party (Ewerido).
Said Olori: “The purported suspension is a nullity as events have already overtaken the actions of these inconsequential elements within our great party. In March, the National NEC meeting of the party, in Abuja, took a resolution to join the merger of opposition parties in Nigeria under the All Progressive Congress. Some of those masquerading as leaders of the party in Delta State were at that NEC meeting. A committee of 12 was set up to work with leaders of the merging APC to work out the interest of our party members in the mega party.”
According to him, the DPP held series of fruitful meeting with the APC, which culminated in the merger in a special convention in Abuja with majority of DPP members across Nigeria in attendance on April 30. He said it was therefore surprising to them that a handful of “disgruntled, self-centred and inconsequential political bigots” would announce the suspension of the only senator and highest elected office holder of the party. Olori said the purported suspension is “a ruse and an action lacking in tenable locus standi.”
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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NEWS Kwara May Rename University After Saraki From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin HE Governing Council and members of the Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete, have requested for a change of the name of the institution to either Sola Saraki University (SOSU) or Abubakar Sola Saraki University (ASSU) in honour of the state’s political icon, Dr. Abubakar Sola Saraki, who died last year. The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Sen. Muhammed Sha’aba Lafiagi, while making the presentation yesterday in Ilorin to the Kwara State Governor, Dr. Abdulfatah Ahmed, said the request was an acknowledgment of late Saraki’s contributions to educational development in the country. According to him, the university community acknowledged Saraki’s “immense contribution to education through the award of scholarship to indigent students and sponsorship of several youths to universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, aside from frequent monetary intervention to parents and guardians to offset the school fees of their wards”. Lafiagi, who is also a former Governor of Kwara State, said the presentation of the request for name change was made to Governor Ahmed so that the State House of Assembly could amend the relevant law, which established the Kwara State University, to reflect the proposed name change.
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Don Wants Policy To Reduce Inflation From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia ROFESSOR of Economic Policy/Theory, Quantitative and Production Economics at the Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUA) Umuahia Abia state, Prof. Obasi Oji Ukoha , has blamed the nation’s persistent inflationary trend on lagging food supplies, persistent budget deficits, import prices among other factors. Delivering the 18th Inaugural lecture of the University under the Chairmanship of the ViceChancellor,Prof.HilaryEdeoga, the Ukoha said that these structural factors cause increases in the prices of goods and services in the economy without necessarily any increase in demand, and thus cause costpush inflation in the country. Thetopicofhislecturewas“The Response Of The Nigerian Economy To Policy Variables: Issues And The Way Forward”.
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Jonathan, Anyaoku For Confab By Olamide Olayiwola Fadare HARTERED Institute of Administration has plannedadministrativeconference tagged “Administrators in Nigeria’s Transformation Agenda: Roles and Challenges” on July 4 and 5 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. According to the President and Chairman of the Governing Council, Dr. Goddy Idaminabo, while the conference will be declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan, the former Secretary General of the Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, will be chairman of the occasion.
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Chairman of Ondo Election Petitions Panel, Justice Andovart Kaaka’an (middle), flanked by other members of the panel, Justice H.S Mohammed (left) and Justice Kadi Alkali, at the final sitting of the Tribunal in Akure…yesterday.
UN, NGE Seek Freedom For Journalists By Gbenga Salau HE Secretary General of the T United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, has championed press freedom as prerequisite good governance, sustainable development, and lasting peace and security globally. Moon, in a statement to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day yesterday with the theme “ Safe to Speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in all Media”, stated that the theme of this year’s celebration highlights the need for action to uphold the right of
journalists to carry out their vital work. The UN boss, who was represented by Officer-in-Charge, UN Information Centre, Lagos, Mrs. Olajumoke Araba, noted that from traditional media platforms to popular social media, blogs and citizens-led reporting, journalists are increasingly at risk. “Over the past decades, more than 600 journalists have been killed- at least 120 in the past year along. Hundreds more have been detained. The dangersarenotonlyphysical.From cyber-attacks to bullying, the
need for law enforcement agents and journalists to change their mindsets of seeing each other as adversaries, adding that both parties should collaborate to exchange information for national development. Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Frank Mba, speaking on, “The Role of the Nigeria Police in ensuring the Rights of Journalists”, said that, if journalists reduced the risk around them through investigative journalism, it would make it easier for the police to protect journalists.
powerful ones are deploying numerous tools to try to stop the media from shedding light on misrule and misdeeds,” he said. “As we mark World Press Freedom Day, let us pledge to do our utmost to enable all journalists in all media to do their jobs. When it is safe to speak, the whole world benefits.” The President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Femi Adesina, in his paper, “Building Partnerships between the Media and Law Enforcement Agencies”, said that there is the
Minister Decries Climate Change Effects On Lake Chad From John Okeke, Abuja HE dwindling nature of Lake T Chad River has culminated into an economic setback, the Minister of Water Resources Mrs. Sarah Ochekpe has said. The minister, who said this in Abuja yesterday at the National Sensitization Workshop on the Lake Chad Basin Water Charter, said that the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) has develop a master plan to tackle the effect Ochekpe said: “It is on record
that the Lake Chad and its waters have been affected enormously by climate change, which is receding on daily basis. As water recedes, farmers andherdsmenfollowthewater giving rise to conflicts at the same time putting pressure on land and ecosystem.” “Itisinthisrecognitionthatthe commission has come up with the study of judicious use of its resources and the preservation of the ecosystem which brought water charter as a legal basis for equitable use of the
resources of the basin.” Ochekpe also said that charter would ensure the protection and conservation of the biological diversity and the sustainable use of the natural resources of Lake Chad and its basin on the basis of integrated water resources management She noted that the implementation of the water charter, therefore, necessitated the principles of sustainability development and the management of the basin which must meet the demands from the
present generation without compromising its ability to future generation, thereby balancing economic development, the protection of the environment and social development. She said the charter will ensure the prevention of the adverse effects of a planned project on the environment and human health, which must be examined and assessed and appropriate measures designed to eradicateoratleastalleviatethe anticipated harmful effects
Senate Committee Favours Shippers’ Council As Ports Regulator By Onyedika Agbedo GAINST the backdrop of agitations by industry operators that the Federal Government should make the Nigerian Shippers’ Council the commercial regulator of the country’s ports, indications have emerged that the Senate Committee on Marine Transportmighthavefavoured the move. Chairman of the of the committee, Hajia Zainab Kure and a member, Sen. Benedict Ayade, in separate interviews on the issue, said the step was desirable to effectively supervise the
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concessionaires in the system. Kure and Ayade expressed optimism that the transformation would come when the Ports and Harbour Bill, which is currently before the senate, is passed into law. Kure noted that when that is achieved, there would be a forum of stakeholders on the issue and whose views shall be followed. Ayade said the council’s transformation as a regulator would promote transparency, efficiency and close supervision of terminal operators. He said the regulator has a big role to play in capturing
income in the sector as well as checkinganyformoftrademalpractices and injustice. He explained that the intention of the bill is to get the concessionairestorunasoperators while the Ship and Harbour Council acts as regulators. According to him, “when there is effective supervision and regulation on ground, they will be able to capture more income streams.” He added: “With the passage of the bill into law, it will make it very clear that even the Shippers’ Council will transform into a regulatory organ, which will help in effective
supervision of the works of the concessionaires”. On what he thinks the industry willgainiftheShippers’Council assumes the position of a regulator, he said, “the key element in the Shippers’ Council transforming as a regulator is that there will be transparency, efficiency and close supervision of the concessionaires on operation. There will be one point where all complaints received can be addressed; there will be increased security and general improvement because the Ports and Harbour Council will act as core regulator on the eye of government.”
15 Passengers Die In Zamfara Auto Crash From Isah Ibrahim,Gusau IFTEEN people lost their lives yesterday in a ghostly motor accident that also injured five other people at Damba -less than two kilometres away from Gusau, the Zamfara State capital. An eyewitness told The Guardian that the accident, which involved three vehicles, occurred at the early hours of yesterday when two vehicles ran into a trailer parked on the road. The eyewitness added that the two vehicles were coming from Katsina State when the incident happened. The state sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Ibrahim Sarki Abubakar, confirmed the incidence, adding that one of the drivers was yet to be found as at the press time.
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Four Feared Dead As Bridge Collapses From Chido Okafor, Warri OURpersons are feared dead FWarri after a bridge leading to the Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) Jetty collapsed on Thursday evening. A tipper carrying sand and two motorcycles were said to have plunged into the river when the bridge suddenly collapsed A five-year-old school boy, the tipperdriver,hisconductorand one motorcycle operator are missing.When The Guardian visited the collapsed bridge, there were combined team of soldiers and mobile policemen at the scene. Sources revealed that WRPC staff that were on afternoon shift were trapped at the Jetty as vehicles could not crossover the bridge to drop those to take over from them for the night shift. The incident forced the afternoon shift workers to continue working the till next morning, sources said.
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Cross river Salutes Journalists On World Press Day HE Cross river Government T yesterday restated its resolve to continue to support and provide an enabling environment for journalists to operate. In a statement in Calabar to mark the 2013 World Press Freedom Day, the Commissioner for Information, Chief Akin ricketts, saluted Nigerian journalists for their efforts in national development.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Cross river State, I heartily congratulate and rejoice with all journalists, especially those working here in Cross river, and stakeholders in the media industry on this auspicious occasion,’’ ricketts said. He said that Nigerian journalists had played indispensable rolesinshapingeventsinallsectors of the nation’s development and trends in the world.
“Let me here recall the pivotal roles and sacrifices journalists made in nurturing our fast growing democracy till date. “I salute you all on your determination, doggedness, courage, professionalism and show of brinkmanship that has helped to keep the Nigerian stateintactasanentity,’’hesaid. ricketts recalled the hazards faced by media workers in the course of duty, adding that acts of intimidation of journalists
Hope For SMEs As Fashola Launches ITC Supply Chain Management By Sony Neme HErE is a ray of hope for small and medium entrepreneurs as the Lagos State First Lady Dame Abimbola Fashola launched the International Trade Conference (ITC) Supply Chain Management (SCM) programme for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). At the weeklong 2013 Empretec Nigeria Foundation Global roundtable Conference on Supply Chain Management which started on April 29 at the Eko Hotel & Suites Lagos and chaired by Prof. JA Kayode Makinde, the Vice Chancellor of Babcock University, Mrs. Fashola lauded the initiative of ITC to develop the toolkit and encouraged SMEs to take advantage of this unique opportunity to grow
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their businesses. The Global roundtable on SCM themed: “Supply Chain Management: Veritable Platform for Enterprise Competitiveness” was organised by Empretec Nigeria Foundation (ENF) in partnership with the European Union (EU), International Trade Center (ITC), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Swiss - State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Tony Elumelu Foundation. The Country Director, Empretec Nigeria Foundation, Her Excellency Mrs. Onari Duke, in her welcome remarks, highlighted the importance of Supply Chain Management to small, medium, large. Mrs. Duke said, “In view of the fact that even multinational
organisations depend on contribution from SMEs for their production materials. On his part, Mr. Hong Siew Lim, Senior Adviser, Enterprise Value Chain Competitiveness, International Trade Centre (a joint agency of the United Nations and World Trade Organization (WTO)), Geneva, Switzerland, explained that, “To assist SMEs in becoming globally competitive, ITC has developed a toolkit called SCM for SMEs. It is designed to empower SMEs in developing nations with the knowledge and skill sets to effectively enhance the profitability of their businesses and add value to large corporations they relate with. The toolkit helps SMEs to understand the marketplace, manage operations, logistics, purchasing, supply chain partner relations amongst others.”
TheGuardian SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2013
A Vision Gone Blurred OVErNMENT says its vision of making Nigeria one of the 20 most developed economies by 2020 is no longer realistic because previous governments allegedly did not plan well. The point that is missing in that explanation is that between 1999 and now, The Federal Government has earned far more money than all previous governments put together since independence. So, who is really responsible for the failed vision? read all the facts and details in The Guardian on Sunday.
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SPECIAL:
AMANSEA COMMUNITY Life After The ‘Floating Bodies.’
were condemnable. “It is a known fact that many journalists around the world today are facing persecutions, deprivations, kidnappings, imprisonment and in some cases outright death while performing their legitimate duties, especially in war-torn nations and crises flash points. “We join our voices in condemning these acts of injustice, intimidation and unlawful persecution the world over. “We call for restraints from all concerned while seeking for the co-operation of governments around the world for the creation of a free press society in line with democratic principles.” He added: “For us in Cross river State, we are proud of all our journalists for working assiduously with the Gov. Liyel Imokeled administration thus far. “We solicit for the sustenance of this symbiotic relationship in the overall interest of good governance and the citizenry.
Groups Present Joint Summary In Case Against FG In Austria WO pro-Biafran groups, Bilie T Human rights Initiative and Biafra Alliance (Australia), have presented a joint petition and summary of the ongoing court case instituted against the Federal Government to the Australian government. In a meeting organised by Biafra Alliance (Australia), in conjunction with radio Biafra, London, in Canberra, Australia recently, the groups said the petition was part of sensitisation programme aimed at highlighting the sufferings of Southeastern Nigerians at home. It was gathered that the proBiafran groups were represented by four-man delegation led by Nnamdi Kanu, Director of radio Biafra, London, who travelled from United Kingdom to Australia; Mazi Okezie Oguh, the leader of Biafra Alliance (Australia) and two others. The Australian government, it was learnt, was represented by high-ranking officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, situated at the r.G. Casey Building, on John
McEwen Crescent Barton, Canberra, who received the written submission. According to one of those who attended the meeting, Okezie Oguh, the move is “a new approach in the agitation for Biafra, which includes building meaningful international relations and exploitation of new media techniques.” He said that this is the beginning of the new phase of the struggle, “as Biafrans all over the world will be encouraged through radio Biafra worldwide broadcast to lobby the governments of the country of their residence to lend tangible support to the peaceful and democratic agitation for Biafra.” Meanwhile, the case instituted by Bile Human rights Initiative against the Federal Government resumes on June 25. When the case came up on April 30, the judge had adjourned to June, when it would determine the motion by the Federal Government challenging the competence of the suit.
TIMArIV Boss Urges Journalists To Maintain Professionalism From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt S the World Press Freedom A Day was celebrated yesterday, the Controller-General of the rivers State road Traffic Management Authority (TIMArIV), Mr. Nelson Jaja has charged the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to respect the ethics of the journalism profession and take steps to demonstrate good social responsibility in news reporting. Jaja in a statement yesterday said this was necessary particularly in developing countries where the polity is very fragile with a possibility of erupting into violence at any slightest
schism. He advised journalists to consider public interest in report issues, pointing out that even in advanced countries of the world, public interest was usually paramount in reportage. He called on all Nigerians including those in authority to respect the right of expression including that of the press. “The government may have its way but the people must have their say,” he said. He further urged journalists to always report the truth, pointing out that while opinion is free, that facts are sacred in journalism. He further urged to desist from
blackmail in a bid to extort money from public officials, celebrities and other newsmakers. Jaja decried the poor remuneration of journalists in Nigeria and called on media owners to ensure that their members of staff are well paid. It is disturbing to hear that journalists are either under-paid or not paid salaries at all. Media owners should ensure that they do their business in such a way that the people who work for them were well paid,” he said. He appealed to the media in the State to drum up support for TIMArIV by enlightening the public to obey traffic rules.
SUNTAN Wins First Class London Management’s Clothing Distributorship In Nigeria LAGOS-BASED fashion A accessories outlet, SUNTAN has won the sole distributorship for the marketing of all the upscale clothing materials of First Class London Management in the country. Speaking during the event, held at Queensland, London
recently, the Chief Executive Officer of First Class London Management Fashion outlet, Mr. Mustapha Punk, said his company’s resolve to award SUNTAN its monopolistic representation in Nigeria, was based on its credible track records, especially in the area
of marketing penetration and building consumer loyalty. responding to the mandate entrusted in her company, the Executive Director of SUNTAN, Mrs. Bimpe Adeshin, promised to justify the confidence reposed in them.
UN rates Nigerian Press One Of The Freest HE United Nations (UN) resident Coordinator, Mr. Daouda Toure yesterday said that in spite of some hitches witnessed by Nigerian journalists, it was still one of the freest in the world. Toure said this in Abuja at an event organised by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day. According the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Toure said the Press in Nigeria is regarded as one of the freest in the world in spite of some pockets of incidents of impunity and attacks. “Unfortunately and sadly, three journalists and media workers died in the line of duty in Nigeria in 2012.” He said the United Nations family, through UNESCO, had dedicated webpage in the
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PLUS HILIP Asiodu on why Nigeria is not working. Read the outpouring of a super technocrat, who was part of the team that shaped the civil service before the downward cascade into corruption and loss of institutional memory.
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memory of “these gallant colleagues who died while performing their constitutional responsibility.” Toure said the UN system in Nigeria had consistently promoted freedom of expression and public access to information through institutional capacity building and curriculum development for journalism training. He said the UN, through the Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) project, its international partners mainly the European Union, the UK Department for International Development and the Canadian International Development agency, was working to strengthen the voice and capacity of the Nigerian media. According to Toure, this is with the objective of promoting media pluralism and democra-
tisation of citizens’ access to information. He said that DGD project was also supporting the effective implementation of the Freedom of Information Act with government institutions and civil society to promote inclusiveness in the democratic process and accountability of elected officials. Mr. Bayo Atoyebi, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Press Council, called on Nigerian journalists to show more responsibility in their reportage, adding that no story was worth dying for. Hesaid themediashouldshun unbridled sensationalism, adding that they should practise with ethical standard. Atoyebi called on journalists to hold government accountable to the people, adding that professionalism should not be jettisoned on the alter of money.
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Oil Workers Bemoan Casualisation, Outsourcing By Dele Fanimo IL workers under the aegis of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), have raised alarm over current underhand dealings of employers in the oil and gas sector to short-circuit workers’ career. Specifically, the union said that rules of engagement have given way to operational models, which strongly supports casualisation, outsourcing, contract staffing and agency
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labour in place of permanent employment. In a statement signed by its President and General Secretary, Messrs Babatunde Ogun and Bayo Olowosile, the union stated that Nigerian workers, more than ever before, must remain united to resist this growing impunity. The statement read: “Employers now adopt other subtle, even more effective ways of stifling workers’ rights and agitations. Employments are now being determined by
business operational models with strong preference for casual and contract employments. Employers tactically and steadily migrate core and support jobs that were hitherto permanent in nature to contract and agency labour. They hide under the guise of employment relations to deny workers the legitimate and basic rights/benefits while using third party employers. “Employers of labour now circumvent procedures to disen-
gage workers from employment using redundancy, restructuring, termination or acquisition as a cover without recourse to stipulated industry best practices and observance of the extant laws is condemnable. All workers must employ necessary legitimate means to address the purported termination/severance being carried out by the employers under any guise that is not in line with agreed procedures.” It further stated that aside the
hardships faced by workers in the workplace, the harsh conditions in society further imperil the Nigerian worker even as the spate of kidnapping, terrorism, communal clashes and general state of insecurity in the country continued to escalate. PENGASSAN, therefore, stressed that there was urgent need for the National Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) as the delay would continue to be a disincentive to investors.
Pension Scheme, Minimum Wage For Maids, Says Onu By Sony Neme OUSEMAIDS may soon be included in the pension scheme and their wages subjected to minimum wages legislation. This was revealed in an interactive session with Miss. Ifeyinwa Onu, Business Owner, Whitebell Maids Limited, with offices in USA and Nigeria. Onu said, “After a thorough research on home keepers as a career, we decided to make it a respectable profession, with something to look up to on retirement. That way we would be providing employment and encourage them to offer their services better in a more professional manner.” She further said that her motivating factor stems from the important role home keepers (not housemaids’ she insists) play in most households, especially as it affects career mothers in Nigeria. She stated: “Only a female Hercules can attend to her children, husband and house chores without the services of a maid. Your home is a sanctuary, and in maintaining the standards transform the house into a home, you need a helping hand and this brings the domestic helper into the picture.
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Nwadukwe Joins Anambra Guber Race By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku HEnumber of people showing interest in Anambra State Government House, Awka in 2014 has increased by one with the declaration of Richard Chinedu Nwadukwe to contest the governorship election. Declaring his interest in a statement entitled Ozioma (Good News) 2014 recently, the 44 year old native of Ohita, Ogbaru Local Council of Anambra State promised a responsive government that would provide the necessary infrastructure to effect the needed radical transformation in the state. He said such infrastructure “would include but not limited to good roads, healthcare, good learning environment, properly equipped schools, clean water and environment free from pollution.
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L- R: Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nkiru Onyejeocha, Chairperson, NACCIMA Business Women Group (NAWORG), Alaba Lawson, Ogun State First Lady, Olufunso Amosun and Former Speaker, The Gambian Parliament & ECOWAS Parliament, Fatoumatta Jahumpa Ceesay displaying their Awards at the just concluded Women Advancement Forum 2013 which held at Birchwood Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa PHOTO: BISI ALABI-WILLIAMS
Alile, VC, Want Federal Character Abolished, Religious Schools Returned By Tosin Fodeke WO eminent Nigerians, Apostle Hayford Alile and Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Ndufe-Alike, Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe, have called for the abolition of federal character system as well as the return of schools taken from religious bodies. Expert Both experts made the call at a national educational lecture and awards organized by the Hayford Alile Foundation (THAF). Alile, a pioneer DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, in his address at the lecture called on the fed-
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eral government to return schools and colleagues taken from religious organization, adding that morality and character cannot be legislated. He further bemoaned the handicap in the coming generation of youth because of their limited knowledge on how to grow successful enterprise and called on federal government to refocus its effort at developing entrepreneurs. “We at THAF find that the Nigerian educational system is increasingly becoming more mysterious by the day. Nowadays graduates find it difficult to spell their names.
Ogun State Partners Reckitt Benckiser To Fight Malaria By Debo Oladimeji HE Ogun State Government in partnership with Reckitt Benckiser’s Mortein insecticide brand has embarked on an all-inclusive strategy to bring down the current malaria prevalence in Nigeria and entire African continent. Speaking at a joint programme organised by Ogun State and Reckitt Benckiser to mark this year’s World Malaria Day themed: ‘‘Invest in the Future: Defeat Malaria,’’ in Abeokuta, Ogun State recently, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, said due to the strategic placement of Africa as the new hub for the world’s economy, it is impera-
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tive to accord malaria eradication a priority and to give every support needed to overcome the alarming prevalence rate. He commended Reckitt Benckiser for its Mortein antimalaria initiative while calling on other well-meaning corporate organisations and institutions in Nigeria to emulate the company in a bid to make the country malaria-free. He said, ‘‘Complementary efforts of this nature are not only needed but deeply appreciated by the Government of Ogun State. This will certainly go a long way in ensuring that our children and mothers are free from the scourge of malaria.’’
Nigerians In UK Hold Memorial Service For Achebe From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu IGERIANS in the United Kingdom (UK) will hold a memorial service and a colourful cultural reception for the late literary icon, Prof Chinua Achebe on May 18 in London as part of series of global activities planned to give him a befitting farewell. Achebe remains which will be committed to mother earth on May 23 will arrive in Abuja on May 12, from London, sparking off a series of events and festivities that will continue until his final interment in Ogidi, Anambra State. Nigeria’s UK Diaspora community in conjunction with his family, the high commission and the wider literary world have decided to organise their own celebration as part of this programme. Their activities will kick off with a memorial service at All Saints Church, New Cross, London. The service will be presided over by the Bishop of Southwark, and it is expected to attract a representative of the Bishop of Canterbury. Ubaka Alex Achebe, the family spokesman, who confirmed the development to The Guardian said: “Apart from the Bishop of Southwark, the Bishops of Woolwich and London will also be there. There will be several cannons and vicars coming too, so we are expecting about a dozen clergymen. Also, the Pan Igbo Association,
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Aka Ikenga, will hold “A Day of Tribute in Memory of Prof Chinua Achebe” on Tuesday 14 at Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos. In a statement signed by the group’s president, Goddy Uwazurike which was made available to The Guardian, the
event is designed to showcase Achebe’s achievements as well as his drawbacks, his expectation and the society he left behind. This is the reason the event was themed: Achebe: There was a Man. “An honour for Achebe is an honour for us all,” the statement reads.
ASUU Crisis: Nsukka Zone Disowns ASUU NAU-Progressives, Says It’s Not Recognised As A Body From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka. S the controversy trailing the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka deepens, the Nsukka Zone of ASUU has disowned the group calling itself as ‘ASUU NAU–Progressives’, saying it does not exist. The zone is made up of Abia state University, Uturu; Anambra state University, Uli; Ebonyi state University, Abakaliki; Enugu state University of science and Technology, Enugu; Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. In a statement issued in Awka yesterday on the development at NAU, the Zonal Coordinator of Nsukka zone, Dr. Chidi Osuagwu of Abia State University who said it is an insult to the body, restated
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that even if the so called ASUU NAU –Progressive exists, it is not recognized by ASUU. Osuagwu in company of some officers of the zone including the Chairpersons of Abia State University, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and NAU, David Chikezie, Ifeanyi Abana and Prof. Ike Odumegwu as well as the financial secretary, Jude Omemma among others, said that the constitution and code of practice of AUU recognize the current congress and executive of ASUU NAU under the leadership of Prof Ike Odumegwu. According to the statement, the attention of the Zone has been drawn to the activities and press briefing by a group that styles itself as ASUU NAUprogressive. It said that for the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that such a body does not exist.
Firm Restates Commitment To Empower Youths By Victor Olushola YOUTH development organisation, The Hindsight Nigeria, has restated its commitment to helping young people to find and fulfill their purpose in life during a meeting in Lagos. According to the Coordinator, Atinuke Odjenima, Hindsight believes in empowerment in all spheres of life. “We hope to breed Godly leaders in business, government, homes, schools and politics. We believe man was made to lead and to have dominion.” She added that every individual is a leader and for this reason “we nurture and groom young people with good morals, right values, positive perspective and skills needed for leadership, success and life management.”
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THE GUARDIAN Saturday, May 4, 2013
THE GUARDIAN Saturday, May 4, 2013
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TheGuardian
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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth
Politics Boko Haram: ‘ACF Should Direct Its Appeal To The Govt’ Leader of the Northern Civil Society Coalition and president of the Civil Rights Congress (CRC), Mallam Shehu Sani, spoke on his rejection of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) plea to return to the committee set up by the federal government to dialogue with leaders of Boko Haram and why he feels the committee would fail in its assignment. From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna HY did you turn down the pleas of the Arewa W Consultative Forum (ACF) to serve in the committee set up by the President to dialogue with Boko Haram leaders to stem their insurgency? When we initially started the issue of dialogue with the leaders of Boko Haram, the ACF did not advise on it. When Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was suggested to mediate between the government and the sect, ACF did not pressurised Buhari to accept that offer. As far as we are concerned, the government has not shown commitment and seriousness on the personal efforts, which we have made. It was not very easy for us to have made initial input, which the government did not recognise, and as far as we are concerned, they have wasted that opportunity. So, I think the ACF should rather direct its appeal to the government to be sincere in what it is doing. But some members of that committee are already assuring of positive dialogue with the leadership of the sect to end the insurgency in the north? Most of these people who are talking are ignorant of the ways insurgents work and operate. They are also very ignorant about the ideology and level of extremism in the in the thoughts of these insurgents. If you look at the ways Islamic insurgents work in Nigerian, it is the same way they work in Pakistan, Yemen and the Maghreb. Islamic insurgents don’t have any policy of speaking to women, as that thought is even a taboo. They way the women are going about this issue is as if they think the insurgents are either an opposition party or governmental organisation. Islamic insurgents don’t relate with women. It is incline in their ideology that they cannot interact with women. So, these women have to understand this. Rather, presenting women before them will irritate them the more. In any case, communicating and talking with insurgents is not about going to sit down and talk with a person. It involves very complex and complicated contacts and connections to send a message and also receive results. It is a very dangerous process of interaction and something that is full of risk, distrust, suspicion and danger. So, we should not just sit down after a plate of eba or tuwo or fufu and think it is as simple as A, B, C to relate with the insurgents. Talking with insurgents requires expertise in the ways that it is done. It requires the building of trust over a period of time. So, I do not think it is simply going to make any meaningful impact because women said they want to talk to insurgents. I do not think Shekau is going to speak with women. How were you able to win the confidence of these insurgents when you took Obasanjo to Maiduguri for a discussion with their leaders? Do you think the committee can also assess the leaders as you did? The truth is that the only persons I know to
have made impact in setting up contact with the insurgents are possibly Mallam Datti Ahmed and I. But what is very clear is that those people who the insurgents trust and had helped us from the background to be able to achieve what we achieved, some want their names in print, some do not want their names mentioned. But, I as a civil right crusader and somebody passionate about peace, I felt I should reach out to the insurgents and provide myself as a guinea pig for a peace process. I was prepared to die for my country and for the sake of peace. That was why I took that very risk. But what we know is that that opportunity was wasted and the insurgents cannot talk to you and cannot relate with you until they do a background check about your person. They do their own assessment and analysis and put your name and profile before their members to see whether you would be acceptable. When people talk about insurgents, they really don’t know much about the ways they talk. These are people with ideology and can die or kill in the process. So, I have nothing order than my profile, as an activist and freedom fighter and someone who believes in justice, equity and a united and more peaceful Nigeria. I think it is on the strength of that that they gave me the opportunity, not only once, but up to three times. At the last opportunity, I had to resign to faith, because the first opportunity did not work. We should also not forget that insurgents are not people of NGOs or political parties you can easily agree and disagree with. They have to do their own research on you. Our refusal to participate in this committee is borne out of the fact that government failed us and humiliated us and disregarded us and treated us as nothing when we initially took the risk of reaching out to the insurgents and submitted report to government. Secondly, we were not consulted on this idea of amnesty or a committee being set up. You did not consult us and you went and announced an amnesty, of which the insurgents said they were not interested. If they are not interested in an amnesty, what am I going to do in an amnesty committee that followed? If you are living in Kaduna and you want to go to Lagos and you took the road to Kano, no matter how fast and how good your car is, you will never reach Lagos. The idea of even starting off or pronouncing amnesty out rightly is faulty. The concept of constituting a committee without the input and carrying the insurgents along is itself faulty. So, I do not see the possibility of any success from the path we have taken, but we always wish them well and hope that they perform magic. The fact that Jonathan told them that go and perform magic is more or else speaking in parable. He is telling them that they are embarking on a mission that is going to fail. Someone like me, who is neither a magician nor a ghost hunter, decided not to be part of the committee. What is your view on the internal wrangling within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the leadership of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and the 2015 elections? First of all, I must commend the principled position of the Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu in standing up against the attempt to prolong Jonathan’s Presidency beyond 2015. I must also commend the involvement and principled position of Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi for the fact that despite coming from the Niger Delta, and also a strong PDP member, he has been able to show unbeliev-
Sani able principles and commitment in the course of defending democracy in the country. All said and done, I think the infighting within the PDP is a sign of an imminent decay and death of the party. It is also culminating to a process of a rebirth and an opportunity for the opposition parties to take and win election and form a government. So, as far as I can see, Jonathan’s war with Amaechi may soon assume a kind of situation that we have seen before in this country under the Obasanjo’s administration. First and foremost, we have seen how Jonathan has completely hijacked the political machinery of PDP in Rivers and grounded his aircraft in Akure, suddenly what we will see in the second half could be the possible inducement or blackmail of members of the state House of Assembly. If Amaechi finally sinks with Jonathan, I think
it is going to be bad for democracy. What we need to understand clearly is that this country cannot afford a civilian dictatorship; we cannot sit down and watch that happen. What is very clear is that Nigeria is easing into a tyrannical leadership and gradually moving into a civilian fascist with the attitude of our leadership. Jonathan’s government has failed in a number of ways, one of which is that it has disappointed Nigerians. Second is that he has weep up and propagate regional sentiments. Thirdly, he has demonstrated that he is name in the history books is more or else confined to his ability to please the people of the place and region he comes from. Fourthly, it is evidently clear that his policies and programmes and ambition have turned his friends into his enemies.
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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
OVERLAPPING WORD GAME with OLULANA KAYODE O8023183727 olulana3@yahoo.com Starting from the square numbered ‘1’, fill in the first word, writing from left to right. Also fill in the second word, starting in the box numbered ‘2’ You will observe that the second word will overlap the first word. Also, the third word will overlap the second word and so on. Keep on filling the words in a clockwise direction until all the squares are completely filled, using the clues/ definitions below:
Solutions To Overlapping Word Game ‘19’
Overlapping Word Game ‘20’ 1. Viola ____, Min. of State 1: Foreign Affairs
1. ABUBAKAR
2. Mock
2. ARRIVAL
3. Bequest made in will
3. LAWAL
4. Large-scale storm system
4. LAMIDO
5. At no time
5. ONDO
6. Destructive animals
6. DOCILE
7. Within
7. LEDGER
8. Wish for
8. ERROR
9. Set aside
9. ROBUST
10. Having rights to
10. TITHE
11. Boring quality
11. HESITANT
12. Sweet yellow fruit
12. ANTHEM
13. Gov. Olusegun Mimiko's State
13. EMBER
14. Hesitant
14. BERATE
15. Defender in football
15. ELIXIR
16. Things still to be done
16. IRANIAN
17. Hubert ___: Late theatre practitioner
17. ANTHER
18. Toleration of hardship
18. RELIGIOUS
19. Without doubt 20. Somebody from India
19. USUALLY
21. Not one person
20. LYRICS
22. Succession of hereditary rulers
21. SCRUB
23. Flowering plant with lance-shaped leaves
22. BLINDFOLD
24. Not in the proper position
23. OLDEN 24. NUDE
On The Path Of Winners
Let Creativity work for you O stay peerless, you must have your next T idea waiting in the wings. That is why you have to cultivate creativity to remain relevant
to your people and the world. Thus, in order to become a genius, you must be on the lookout for creative ideas. You don’t have to be a journalist to value creativity. Moses Wellman, in her book, the Five Faces of Genius, avers: “The most valuable resource you bring to your work is creativity”. Thus, creativity is the greatest gift you can gain no matter what you do for a living. Furthermore, Moser Wellman observes that highly creative people are dedicated to ideas. They don’t rely on their talents alone, they rely on their discipline. Also, imagination is second nature to them. Creative people also explore options. Exploration of options helps stimulate the imagination. As Albert Einstein put it “Imagination is more important than knowledge.” Besides, options provide the key to finding the best solution to a problem, pondering a problem for hours enables you to figure the best solution. It is a foolish man that is always sure which is why geniuses embrace ambiguity. Geniuses don’t see the need to stamp out uncertainty. The creative leader fends off the beaten track, exploring actions which go against the grain in order to obtain solutions. Thus, in order to foster creativity, you must tolerate oddities. Creativity is expressed in the penchant for making connections, associations or expressing ideas in new ways. By such deductions, Police unravel crimes and felonies. Moreover, creative people do not fear failure. No matter what you are now, creativity will add value to your life. One, it can improve the quality of your present life. Being creative is being able to do what
nobody else has thought and done. Just recently, a Nigerian, Mister Adesoye entered the Guinness Book of World Records for inventing the largest Ludo Board ever. He is the first Nigerian to enter the Guinness Book of World Records. Ludo has been in existence for centuries but no one before him thought of inventing a bigger board for it. Two, imaginative thinking quadruples, so, diligently pursue your ambition to become a leader. Following the prediction by Nostradamus (1503-1566) which foretold the September Eleven terror attack on the USA, I vowed from that day to use the rest of my days writing. On September 11, 2001, I watched live on CNN in Newswatch newsroom, how Nostradamus’ prediction, made in his book, Centuries in 1555 came true in 2001, that is, 546 years after. That brought home to me the enormous power of creative imagination. Since then, I have been writing and reading. Hence I have found that imaginative thinking, more than any other genre of thinking, builds on itself and increases the creative imagination of the thinker. The more you use your creative impulse, the more you have. That is why you should nurture your creativity. Three, creative thinking draws people to you and your ideas. Creativity is intelligence having fun. People are fascinated by intelligence and are always attracted to fun. So, cultivate creativity so that you can attract great people. Four, creative thinking enlarges your imagination, helping you to learn more. Creative people know that we rarely, if ever, have all the answers to life’s problems. That encourages us to generate new solutions. Five, to think creatively, you have to challenge
By Bayo Ogunmupe\ 08034673443 http:/ogunmupe.blogspot.com ger creativity is to go to another country to promote creativity with their different culture and orientation, as a new way of seeing and doing things. Also read books that take you out of your area of expertise. Our champion today is Kemal Dervis, Turkish economist and politician who, as Bulent Ecevit’s Minister of Economic Affairs, revolutionized the Turkish economy bringing it at par with other economies of Europe. Born in January 1949 in Istanbul, Turkey to a Turkish father and German mother, Kemal Dervis earned his bachelor (1968) and master’s (1970) degrees in economics from the London School of economics (LSE). He obtained his doctorate from Princeton University, U.S. in 1973. From 1973 to 1976, he taught Economics in Turkey. He also served as adviser to Bulent Ecevit during his premiership of Turkey. From 1976 to 1978, he was a staff of the Department of Economics at Princeton University. In 1977, he joined the World Bank as Divisional chief for Industrial and Trade Strategy. He became vice president of the World Bank for Middle East and Africa, in 2000. When Dervis became Turkey’s Minister of Economic Dervis Affairs in 2001, his country was facing its worst the status quo. Remember the inventors of economic crisis in decades. Kemal Dervis used yore held no respect for the conventions of the support of domestic reformers to push their day. That was why they could set new through a stabilization programme with farstandards of creativity. You can only improve reaching changes, sweeping bank reforms your status through new thinking. Creativity that catapulted Turkey into a modern econis incompatible with the status quo, it only omy. With a reputation for efficiency, good goes hand-in-hand with innovation. contacts in the U.S and Europe, Dervis was able But how do you discover the joy of creative to mobilize $20 billion in loans which engenthinking? Here are points to remember in cul- dered rapid economic growth with inflation tivating creative thinking. There are creativity coming down from 70 percent from the 1990s killers such as following the rules. You cannot to 12percent in 2003. Then the Turkish lira stafollow the rules and invent. You should not be bilized. He resigned as minister to become a afraid of failure. Ask questions. Develop a cremember of Parliament for the opposition Reative environment. Focus on innovation. Place publican Peoples Party in 2003. high value on options; that means you must However in May 2005, the United Nations encourage alternative ways of doing things. General Assembly unanimously confirmed Human progress has flourished outside the Dervis as the Administrator of the UNDP. He rules; otherwise we would never have develdeclined to serve a second term of four years oped the Internet and the computer. in 2009. He was ranked 67th in the Top 100 If you have been using some methods for cap- World Intellectual Poll. He is currently Vice turing your ideas in a notebook, computer or President and Director of the Global Economy filing system, look through the ideas you at the Brookings Institution, Washington, USA. recorded. If you haven’t been doing that, start He is married to his second wife Catherine today. That is the way to put your creative Dervis, an American citizen. He is also the auimagination into action. Another way to trigthor of Recovery from Crisis, published in 2006.
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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POLITICS
‘I Am Not A Spare Tyre’
Fashira
Alhaji Abdulahi Faskari, Deputy Governor of Katsina State, who succeeded Governor Ibrahim Shema as Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice under then governor of the state, the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, said he could not have had a better relationship with his principal. By Godwin Ijediogor
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OW was your tenure in the Justice ministry? It is basically service delivery. You don’t normally see in tangibly what is being done; most of what is being done is rooted in service. Part of what we did, had to do with delay in dispensation of justice, which is mostly caused in delay of preparation of cases. Normally, when the police are investigating a case, they refer it to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution) for advice and possible prosecution. What we did then was to liaise with the police directly and equally the judiciary to ensure that the cases being referred to the ministry for advice are treated as at when due.
We had a number of awaiting trial cases that were not going on in court, such that there were times we would give advice and it would take a while before it reached the court. So, we had to have a link between the police and the judiciary. In fact, at a point I had to write a personal letter to the commissioner of police, who had many cases pending and untreated, and I told him that our hands were tied, regarding the cases and until he could bring these cases forward for advice, there was really nothing we could do about them. We also told him that if the matter should come up for hearing, we will simply tell the court that we were not in a possession of the case therein. Of course, the threat made the commissioner to sit up and they started sending all the cases to our office for advice. What is your relationship with the governor? I think if there is a word better than cordial, I will use it, because that it is what it is. I don’t have any problem with my principal, probably because of a number of reasons, including that the governor himself is a straight forward person and once you understand his own approach to issues or things, it will be easier to go along with him. The governor is a professional colleague; he is a lawyer of inter-
national repute. He was attorney general in the first term of Yar’Adua as governor from 1999 to 2003, while I took over from him in that position, to which he reappointed me in 2007 and later redeployed me to Education, because of my background in that area. All these steps have given one enough time to understudy him on what he likes and doesn’t like and how one can key into his vision for the state. He is a senior professional colleague and in the legal profession, we have our discipline and have been lectured on how you respect our seniors. We are in perfect harmony; it could not have been better than this. How true is the assertion that deputy governors are spare tyres? I don’t think that phrase is applicable to me, because I know of my own peculiar circumstance and system. If others have problems with their principals, it should not extend to me, because everybody in the state can attest that the number of work I have here is enormous. Beyond the fact that one is the deputy governor, I also supervise the Local Government Affairs. There are a lot of assignments delegated to me by the governor, even while he is in town. If you have a good relationship with your principal, the issue of being a spare tyre would not arise. So, I am not a spare tyre. As agrarian state, to what extent is the government assisting farmers in agricultural sector? There are a number of programmes directly affecting agriculture and production in the state. The governor has distributed 340 tractors to farmers at subsidised rate, with repayment spread across five years. So, in a way, you can say the tractors are free. On the issues of fertilizer, which of course is very crucial to agricultural production, the governor took it upon himself to provide fertilizer equally at subsidised rate, both for dry and raining season farming. There is also loan to the farmers free of interest, in addition to a scheme going in the state now in partnership with the Shanghai initiated by the governor, which is an integrated approach to agricultural production. The state government has entered a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with them and the projects are spread across the three senatorial districts and at an advanced stage now. For smooth running, 60 youths were taken to Cotonou, Benin Republic, where the Shanghai training programme is based, to train the trainers, which is why we called it train the trainer. They will replicate the modern ways of farming, as exemplified by the Shanghai farming technique. What is happening in the area of health facilities? Under the health service scheme, we have a number of services, whereby children from birth up to five years old are given free medical care, as well as for pregnant women right from conception. There is free dialysis service, just as accidents victims are treated free until contacts are established with their relatives. There is the ambulance service, which goes to the interior of the towns and villages to take health services to the people, who ordinarily would not have anything doing in town. They are working in all the 30 councils, except if it is serious cases that have to be transferred to the general hospitals. Have you seen the Turai Children and Maternal Hospital started by the late President, but completed by the Shema administration? It is a world-class hospital and that explains why the place is always full of activities. There is also the orthopaedic/specialist hospital, which is going to be one of the best on completion. The other orthopaedic hospital we have around this region is in Kano State and there are times you have problems of admission because of congestion. So, the idea to have it, as conceived by the governor, was to save a lot of lives travelling outside the country and state for such services. We want to reduce medical tourism abroad. To have an efficient and effective service delivery, it is intended to run on public/private partnership, and we have gone far with foreign partnership in the venture. What brought about the new government house, what happens to the present one? Do you fell fulfilled? Alhamdulilahi! Why not? I have been in government for more than 10 years now and there are a lot of people who are even more qualified than I am, but didn’t have the opportunity to serve. I can even say I have taken more than my share in the service of the state, in relation to the number citizens of the state. If you are to distribute this among those eligible, you will understand that I have taken more than my share and that is why I am grateful to god for giving me the opportunity to serve my state. Is it a coincidence that the top three people (the governor, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, and yourself) in this government are lawyers? It is God that has arranged it that way; there is nobody that could have arranged such. It is interesting to know that the SSG succeeded me as attorney general, while I took over from the governor. So, we are all former attorneys general.
THE GUARDIAN Saturday, May 4, 2013
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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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POLITICS Otunba Gani Adams, National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) spoke to OBIRE ONAKEMU on the N2.4 billion contract allegedly awarded to Dr. Frederick Fasheun, founder of the organization for pipeline protection; comments by Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that the contract could truncate the 2015 elections; Fasheun plans to resuscitate the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN); and Boko Haram, among other salient issues.
Adams: Contracting OPC To Secure Pipelines Cannot Truncate Elections In Yorubaland
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HAT do you think of the N2.4 billion pipeline protection contract allegedly awarded to Dr. Fredrick Fasheun? Are you equally interested in it? There is no doubt that every Nigerian has the right to collect a contract from the government, as long as the process is legitimate. I don’t know the amount of the contract. Dr. Fredrick Fasheun and I are citizens of this country and members of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and we have 100 per cent rights to be given the job by the Federal Government. Fasheun is not asking for a commonwealth cake without doing something about it; it is a job that can be given to a group to secure lives and properties, especially considering what has happened across the country through pipeline vandalisation from 2010 till date and the lives that have been lost through the activities of vandals. President Goodluck Jonathan has said that Nigeria is the only country with high records of oil theft, losing up to about $6 billion annually in the process. So, if the government invites a private organisation to complement the job of the police and that of the civil defence corps and spends about N50 billion, instead of losing N1 trillion, I don’t think there is anything wrong in it. It is about forestalling oil theft, saving property and the lives of the people and avoiding the collateral damages that would be involved. There is a reference on ground, as some of our members were given that job for a period of eight years to secure the pipelines from Mosimi in Sagamu to Ore, and there was no any political rancour about it; there was no threat to any election. I may never know where Alhaji Lai Mohammed got information that if the
Adams job were given to OPC, it would truncate the 2015 elections. I have never seen a person who said that it is bad for one to protect lives and properties. Mohammed went to the extent that if the youths of Yoruba land were being given that job, they would truncate the next election that is coming. How could one bring in politics to an organisation’s empowerment? A group is inspiring to get a job from the federal government in its own area to saves lives and property, as well as government’s products, how then can somebody opposes it and say the job shouldn’t be given to them, that the government want to use it to bribe the group to support it.
We are all Nigerians and we are entitled to the commonwealth. We are not saying we want to get this job without working for it. If Mohammed was saying the amount the federal government budgeted for the job is too much or inflated, that would have been another thing and one could then say there is an element of corruption in it. If the youths are hungry and they don’t get the job, what assurance would Mohammed give that the youths wouldn’t cause problems during the elections? So, I don’t see anything wrong in the federal government giving the job to OPC. If government wants to give out pipelines contract, it is not only
Fasheun that would have the large number of members of the organisation; I think the same thing done to Fasheun should be done to the Gani Adams’ group. And in Mohammed’s statement, he didn’t even mention Fasheun until Fasheun himself issued a statement and that is when he mentioned him. Actually, it is OPC and Mohammed’s attack is beyond Fasheun; it is reflected on my own personality and the organisation I am leading. So, I can’t just keep quiet and allow Mohammed to dent the image of our organisation and to stop the advantage given to our organisation based on commonwealth. Alhaji Asari Dokubo was given a job of N1.6 billion to secure the pipelines of certain areas in Rivers State. Incidentally, Dokubo is an ACN member, while the Niger Delta is a PDP-controlled region. The people there didn’t raise any alarm that by giving the job to Dokubo, he will truncate the future elections in the region. Again, Chief Government Tompolo was given a job of N8.5 billion to secure pipelines in Ondo and Delta states and the people didn’t raise an alarm in anyway that probably, he may have a political ambition in the near future and that the job shouldn’t be given to him. I may never know why Mohammed is insinuating that empowering another group outside ACN would truncate their interest, but I condemn the insinuation that giving the contract of securing pipelines in the Southwest would truncate future elections in Yoruba land. Is that the only cause of the disagreement between Fasheun and Mohammed? I think it is beyond the contract. Fasheun is planning to resuscitate the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) and I think the ACN believes that would reduce their power in the Southwest, as well as fears that Fasheun getting so much money from the contract would empowered him to run that party effectively. One thing is that our group is not interested in partisan politics for now; we are not interested in joining any political party.
Fasheun has the rights to take his group to join a political party, but what concerns us most is that it is wrong for anybody to say our group is not entitled to get the contract from the federal government. The fact that somebody has access to the media doesn’t mean he or she can destroy people’s progress, because anything you say today would be on record. So, it is unfortunate for him to say that. How do you see Gen. Muhammadu Buhari’s assertion that the federal government should be blamed for the lingering insecurity in the country? The issue is now beyond the federal government, because all hands must be on deck to ensure effective and efficient security in this country. And Buhari too has a role to play in this, especially as a prominent person from the Northern region. It is good that he (Buhari) supports amnesty for Boko Haram members and all Nigerians have a role to play in this. We shouldn’t say that because Jonathan is the president, he should be Alpha and Omega to give us security. Religious organisation should pray. The various groups should be very careful in their statements and our political leaders should encourage peace through their utterances and activities. So, it is a thing for every one of us; it is beyond the government alone. Information is power and the government needs the citizens to give it information and assist in intelligence regarding happenings in their areas. Do you see the Boko Haram issue different from that of the Niger Delta? The Boko Haram problem is quite different from that of the Niger Delta, because it has a religious undertone. Most of the problems of the NigerDelta are political and economic. The people were agitating for certain percentage of the revenue taken from their own region to be allocated to them. They were equally calling for resource control and that their sons and daughters be given juicy positions. But the issue of Boko Haram has about 80 to 85 per cent religious undertones. Boko Haram is not convenient with the way churches are springing up in the entire country. In Borno State alone, about 60 Catholic churches and several houses belonging to Christians have been burnt and destroyed. Part of their agitation is that Nigeria should become an Islamic state and they believe if they died in the process of the crisis, they would go to Paradise. That is why they are always happy to be involved in suicide bombings.
Nigerians Should Support President exercise were free and fair, they bungled the election and announced the results in favour of their handpicked allies. It was the stiff resistance of our party faithful that made them to postponed elections in some councils when they realised that their tricks could not work. Can you imagine that election materials could not reach most voting centres, even in Benin City, until very late in the night? That showed that the state government had a hidden agenda. If not, why didn’t the SIEC deliver voting materials to voters in time? By Samson Ezea Remember that during the last governorship elections in the state, Governor Adams OW did your party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lose woefully to Oshiohmole called officials of INEC (the Independent National Electoral Commission) the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the recent council polls in Edo State? all sorts of names for late delivery of election Nigerians know that there were no transpar- materials. The SIEC under Oshiomhole’s watch repeated ent council polls in Edo State, because if there the same thing during the stage-managed were any, there was no way the Action council polls, which showed the level of insinCongress of Nigeria (ACN) will defeat the cerity and hypocrisy on the part of our leaders. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Our party is already in court on the matter. What happened was that the state government, in connivance with its allies in the State Let us see how it goes. How would you rate the Oshiomhole governElectoral Commission (SIEC) stage-managed ment in Edo State? what they now referred as council elections. We have seen much of media hype and less Our party participated in the election, hopaction, considering the monthly allocation ing that it would be transparent, but to our from the Federation Account and Internally greatest amazement, it was a sham. When the ACN government realised that they Generated Revenue (IGR) accruing to the state Imansuangbon monthly. We are watching to see how far it can would not win any seat in the election if the
Kenneth Imansuangbon, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) an aspirant in the last Edo State governorship election, spoke on the recent council polls in the state, the crisis rocking the PDP, governance in the state and other issues.
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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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POLITICS
‘There Is A Grand Plan To Stop Me From Contesting By Declaring Me Bankrupt’ The Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) governorship candidate in Delta State in the last election, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru, told Joe Adiorho that he is a governor in waiting and at the appropriate time, the Supreme Court would reverse itself and declare him winner of the 2011 election.
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case relating to Delta State that judgment does not make sense. For instance, in one particular case, there was a sentence, but there was no conviction. In another case, the James Onanefe Ibori had not been properly identified, whereas there were no two James Onanefe Iboris in the entire universe. But that same James Onanefe Ibori was easily identified in London and is now in prison there. Some of those things may have been done in an attempt to punish me or my followers and supporters, but they actually destroyed the foundation of the law and orderliness of our society. Today, judgments coming out of Nigeria are not respected, because a few bad eggs have given the entire lot a bad image in pursuit of personal agenda or aggrandisement. There was a turning point in the case when your lawyer withdrew your case in court. Was it by your authority?
OT much is heard of you and the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) these days. Are you quitting politics? That assertion is not correct! The Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) is fully on ground and has its fair share of the news space. In my own case, I don’t go about trying to unnecessarily create or hug the news, as that, in my view, is not a very prudent way to manage one’s image in the public. We will always be in politics, one way or the other, as long as we are human beings. You seem to personify DPP, with little heard of the chairman or secretary and with no convention held in a long time. Why is it so? That, unfortunately, is not true. I am the least visible person in DPP. The chairman, secretary and a host of others in the party in my state are very active. We have chairmen and their executives in all the councils of Delta State and they are quite active and the senator elected on the platform of our party is quite visible in our national politics. So, DPP is not I personified at all; it is a serious political organisation. Our former leader was Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa and our leader is Gen. Jeremiah Useni. I just happen to be one of those who are influential in the party, but by no means DPP personified. There is this assumption that you appear to be losing in the court? It is a topical issue of what we have come to know as the Nigerian factor, where things that are seemingly equal today are tomorrow not equal, or where one plus one in a particular situation becomes less or more than two in another situation, even when the circumstances are exactly the same. Frankly, some of the Judges that have handled our electoral cases in the past have not been fair to us, Nigerians and people of Delta State in particular. If you had followed the elections tribunals in Delta State, you will realise that it came to a stage where it became clear that nothing good would ever come out of the panelists that sat in the state, because even a teenager in the state knows that government is involved in all sorts of cash and carry politics and judgments. So, it is not surprising that you find in Delta or any Ogboru
We did not authorise the lawyer at any point in time to withdraw our case. As a matter of fact, when that scenario was playing out in the Supreme Court, somebody came out of the court and called me and I told him to go back to the lawyer with his phone and tell him that on no condition should he withdraw our case. We did not give him that mandate and he could not do that. He did not take the call. I told one of our lawyers next to him to tell him that on no account should he withdraw the case, and several other people in the court went and told him not to withdraw the case, but he went ahead, on the pretext that the Justices of the Supreme Court had told him that they would not grant the motion or that they will not grant our request. But that is not true. What step have you taken to remedy the situation? We have reported him by writing to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and the chairman of the panel, and of course, sent a copy to him and told
them in no uncertain terms that he was on his own and we have nothing whatsoever to do with him. Are you still on that case? Yes! We returned to the Supreme Court on March 25 this year. The issue came up and we robustly agued that we have not withdrawn our application for review. They checked the records of the court and found that we wrote to the chairman of the panel and the CJN and I believe that settled the matter. Now, the review is on and in no distant future, we expect the court to make its position known in this matter. With all these mounting cases, will you still run in 2015 or are you moving on? We have not even gotten to that bridge yet. We still believe that we won the 2011 election and the Supreme Court, in its wisdom, will reverse itself, and will give the proper order and declare me the governor. When that happens, the issue of 2015 becomes very irrelevant. Will they not say that it has been overtaken by events? That is not the law of our country. You had been sighted at the All Progressive Congress (APC) meetings. Are you joining them? I am a team player. I could never aspire to join a political party when I am a member of DPP. If DPP takes a collective decision to merge with any other group, I will be part of that decision and what they would do. I have no personal ambition of my own to join any party other than that which DPP agrees to as a group to go into. As for APC, we have not found it necessary so far to continue dialogue with them, as a group. We have left some of our members to discuss with them, because we wrote them a letter indicating an interest to discuss with them and to know exactly what they are all about and how DPP could come into the party or merger, but we didn’t get proper response and so we told ourselves that it is possible this is not the proper place for us. Is it true that your company is under receivership and you have gone bankrupt? Sometime in 2005, we took a facility of $3 million from a bank and gave them security in excess of $3 million on a revolving Letter of Credit (LC) finance basis. But we got there one day to discover that the bank, without even a verbal communication, had unilaterally terminated the facility. No tangible reason was given and every attempt to make them see reason and change their mind failed.
Jonathan, Says Imansuangbon go. Edo cannot afford to remain in the opposition for long, because it will not do the people any good. The people will hold the present government by its words and promises at the end of the day. Why is your party crisis-ridden ahead of the 2015 general elections, especially with the ongoing feud between the Presidency and Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi? Our party is the largest party in Africa and has remained the ruling party in the country since 1999. In every large family, like ours, it is expected that there will always be minor differences here and there. But we have always resolved our differences amicably; bearing in mind that one of the distinctive features of maturity is the ability to dissent without creating dissension. We might always dissent from time to time among ourselves, but that will not create dissension in the country. We will always come out stronger from whatever problem confronting us, because we have a strong leadership. We have absolute confidence in the President; the Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih; and the national leadership of our party, because they are on top of every situation in our party. So, there is no cause for alarm ahead of 2015, because PDP remains the party to beat at all levels. Do you think President Goodluck Jonathan deserves a second term in 2015? Considering the circumstances he met on ground when he took office, he has performed well. The challenges he met, especially in the area of insecurity, were enough to bring any government down. But he has been able to stabilise the polity through his peo-
ple-oriented programmes and pragmatic approach to leadership. He has managed the problem of insecurity well, especially with the recent constitution of a committee to engage the Boko Haram sect in dialogue, which is a right step in the right direction. Some might say that the step is belated, but better late than never. Besides, no amount of sacrifice is too much for the peace of the country, because without security, there will be no development. The security problems facing the country today was not Jonathan’s making; they have been there before he came in and his government has shown enough commitment in tackling it, and I am optimistic that before 2015, the problem will be a thing of the past. In the area of infrastructure development, Jonathan has also done well, but his achievements are under-publicised. Do you think he will contest the 2015 election? As a lawyer, I know that he has the constitutional and inalienable right to seek a second term in office. But he has not told anybody that he will be contesting. So, I don’t know why some people are trying to force words out of his mouth, as his actions and body language has not breached the country’s constitution. He is knowledgeable enough to know what he wants and I believe when the time comes, he will take the right decision. Influence peddlers and attention seekers should allow him to concentrate on delivering democracy dividends to Nigerians. They should stop distracting him with the 2015 election; it is too early for people to be talking about 2015 election now, because nobody knows who will be alive till then. Are you not worried that the possible merger of the opposition parties might upstage PDP in 2015?
As a lawyer, I know that he has the constitutional and inalienable right to seek a second term in office. But he has not told anybody that he will be contesting. So, I don’t know why some people are trying to force words out of his mouth, as his actions and body language has not breached the country’s constitution. He is knowledgeable enough to know what he wants and I believe when the time comes, he will take the right decision. We have seen mergers and alliances in the past and they all ended in fiasco. The present arrangement might not be different, because they are made up of strange bedfellows. PDP is not losing sleep over the formation of the new mega party, because when the chips are down, they will crumble like a pack of cards. I was in the opposition before and I know their problems. Most of those in the opposition today were PDP members that left when their excesses could not be accommodated anymore. Most of them in opposition are not sincere and open. I always laugh whenever they criticise PDP government, because Nigerians know that PDP governments are far better than them. They should understand that good governance goes beyond armchair criticisms and media propaganda. Already, there are obvious hurdles for them to scale through before the merger and whichever way they come out of it will go a long way in determining their success or failure. The fact that they are already fighting over logo and name is a sign of what will come out the arrangement.
Lighthouse
16 |
Truth Has No Elder Brother... ON’T bother to check your dic; you are not likely to find it D there. But gomorrahmy has every right to be in the English dic. After all, that classical biblical story of “God’s” judgement against extreme sexual depravity was against the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Why then is there a word like “Sodomy” and none like “gomorrahmy”. That’s one of the contradictions of the Western psyche… Now, a growing number of countries in that same society are declaring “same-sex” marriage “legal”. But polygamy—- marriage to more than one beautiful women—- remains a “crime”. Imagine! That is, despite the fact that persons most beloved of their “God” —- Abraham, David, Solomon etc—- were celebrated polygamists and one of the sins that spelled destruction for Sodom and Gomorrah —- according to their bible —- was homosexuality. As of April 24, 2013, 10 Western countries have okayed same-sex marriage: the Netherlands (2000), Belgium (2003), Canada (2005), Spain (2005), South Africa (2006), Norway (2009), Sweden (2009), Argentina (2010), Iceland (2010), Portugal (2010), and Denmark (2012), France (2013)
Sodomy, Gomorrahmy And Matters Western…
Fifty one percent of Americans were in support of same sex marriage as at November 14, 2012. And in January this year, Rhode Island became the tenth U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage with a 56-15 vote. Just before he signed the legislation into law, Governor Lincoln Chafee gleefully told a jubilant crowd, “Today, we are making history ... we are living up to the ideals of our founder.” He went on to note, “When your belief and heart is in something, it’s easy work. I am proud to say that now, at long last, you are free to marry the person you love.” One major argument of proponents of same-sex marriage is that: “It is no one else’s business if two men or two women want to get married. Two people of the same sex who love each other should be allowed to publicly celebrate their commitment.” And the law has agreed with them. The implication is that In the West, the boundary between normal and abnormal; natural and unnatural is disappearing. Western men and women, who look spick and span in public, have for long been known to sleep with their dogs and other pets . Soon, western men and women will seek legal marriage to their dogs, their pigs, horses, even fowls etc. Why discriminate against lower animals in the expression of love? After all, men are only higher animals,” they will argue. I learnt that some fathers are already getting married to their daughters on facebook. Gradually, I fear, Western society may cease to be truly human. I stand to be corrected. But I have always felt that what Africa
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
Yemi Ogunsola yemiogunsola@gmail.com 08069074718 needs very badly to overcome its problems are psychologists; whereas what the West needs most urgently are psychiatrists. Despite clear leads in science and technology— and comfortable living—- the West packs the highest percentage of psychotic minds…. Men who inhabit that grey area between insanity and genius. There you find apparently sane persons, after sumptuous meals, belch with satisfaction, then pick rifles to start gunning down fellow humans for “sport”. Barely a week after an American teenager stormed a classroom shooting dead 20 pupils and six teachers, another adult, a sexagenarian this time, set his own house ablaze, then lay in ambush for the firefighters racing to the scene of fire… He picked them off. It was later discovered that the man had served a jail term years ago for killing his own mummy. But he was later released into the public. Sane voices subsequently raised in favour of more strict gun control laws, were shot down by supposedly sane US lawmakers. Poor Barack Obama came close to tears… But I’m almost sure, out of public glare, he wept for his country. Why is it that more European teenagers commit suicide than anywhere else in the world? That is, despite all the over-pampering and strict laws against parental spanking. The message here is that Africans addicted to Western ways must beware. Or they may go “mad in style” like the whites they parrot… As the Igbos put, it’s a housefly which lacks good advisers that follows dead body into the grave. About ten years ago, during a discussion with Bible scholar and philologist, Mr. Modupe Oduyoye, the issue of the relative advancement gap between the West and Africa came up. And at a point, the scholar cited a study in Europe where the number of condoms used by a community was used as the yardstick for gauging the level of development. Then he popped the question: “Is that development or obesity?” Yeah. No doubt, development is desirable. But there’s something called “obesity”. Homosexual tendencies which was clearly a clinical condition treatable with appropriate hormone therapy, has been elevated to a fad, then a habit, then a societal norm. The West has gone beyond development to Obesity. And from Sodomy to gomorahmy…
ISSUES AND POLITICS By Etim Etim
I
T is just about two years before a new governor would succeed the incumbent, Godswill Akpabio, as the chief executive of Akwa Ibom. As the election season draws near, there has been a steady increase in political activities, not only in Akwa Ibom but also in many other states where incumbent governors are finishing their two terms. In recent times, however, there have been interesting and exciting discussions on the role of zoning in the 2015 election in the state. While some argue that the next governor must come from Eket Senatorial District because Obong Victor Attah who governed from 1999 to 2007 come from Uyo Senatorial District and the incumbent is from Ikot Ekpene senatorial District, others believe that although candidates from Eket Senatorial District have genuine right to seek the office, candidates from other zones could not be barred from contesting the election, as has been the case since 1999. It is important to note that the House of Representatives Committee on amendment of the Constitution, last week, recommended that Nigerians do not want zoning or rotation of the office of the president and governor. This report was issued after the lawmakers conducted public hearings in all the federal constituencies and carefully distilled the opinions of the citizens. This is not a surprise because Nigerians have always realized that zoning or rotation or turn-by-turn is a very destructive political arrangement. Over the last few years, there have been dramatic changes inn Akwa Ibom State as one of the poorest and disadvantaged to one of the richest and beautiful states in the federation. I have lived long enough to recall the humiliations and deprivations we suffered. We were derided as ‘Ete man or mmong people’ who were easily recognisable with diminutive statutes and our women were scorned as being wayward, easy-to-take–to-bed breed. The stigma was particularly more dif-
Akwa Ibom 2015: Why Zoning May Be Counter-Productive ficult for some of us who studied at UNN and grew up in Lagos. The Igbos just could not stand these ‘ete mongo people.’ Today, they are buying up everything in Akwa Ibom. How time flies! Today, we are the envy of our nation. Considering the development of other states and their capitals in Port Harcourt, Benin, Asaba, Umuahia and Lagos, Akwa Ibom, in comparison, has taken off and is growing at a faster rate than many others in the country. My main goal in this intervention is to canvass the well known idea that for our state to continue in its upward direction, a better governor must replace Akpabio and the new man must emerge through a fair, peaceful and competitive electoral process. No candidate, irrespective of his ethnic antecedents or senatorial district or party affiliation, must be disadvantaged or barred from the primary and election. The debate on zoning of the office of the governor in the 2015 election has so far thrown up 3 major issues: What really is zoning and how is it different from rotation? Is Eket Senatorial District being denied their right to produce a Governor? What is the way forward? Zoning connotes the practice in which only candidates from a particular section of the country (or state in this case) is allowed to contest an election. For example, if we say that candidates from Uyo and Ikot Ekpene senatorial districts will not be allowed to contest for election for governor because we want the next governor to come from Eket Senatorial district, that will amount to zoning. But this practice has never happened in the
history of Akwa Ibom State and I challenge anybody to tell me in which election this had ever happen. Within PDP particularly, what happens is that after the governorship candidate is nominated, he must choose his running mate from another zone. If the pair wins the election, the rest of the offices like the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, SSG and Head of Service are then zoned to other areas. But rotation (turn-byturn) is a practice in which each of the sub political groups will produce the governor in rotation or one after the other, by whatever sequence. Again, rotation has never been practiced in the state. In all the five governorship elections that have been held in the state since it was created in 1987, there has never been a time when candidates from a particular ethnic origin or senatorial districts are denied the Constitutional rights to contest. It is therefore strange that a few, but vocal politicians are trying to introduce this divisive element into our politics for unknown reasons. I would however imagine that the proponents of zoning in Akwa Ibom are actually referring to rotation even though they have not captured it this way. They are essentially saying that since Victor Attah (from Uyo) had served and Godswill Akpabio (from Ikot Ekpene) is about finishing his stewardship, it should therefore naturally be the turn of Eket Senatorial District in 2015. This argument is flawed for many reasons. One, at no time was rotation discussed or agreed on as the basis of contesting for the governorship position in Akwa Ibom State. Two, because it has never been discussed/or agreed, the
basis of such rotation has not also been discussed/or agreed. For example, would the office be rotated on the basis of ethnicity or senatorial districts? If for example it is rotated on the basis of senatorial districts, we will create more problems of unbalanced representation for ourselves than we bargained for since some senatorial districts are made up of peoples of different ethnic stocks. We will only succeed in creating more problems for ourselves and thus making the situation more complicated than it is now. Similarly, how will we accommodate the interest of smaller sub groups within each of the main ethnic blocks? Among the Ibibios we have a few sub groups like Afaha, Iman Ibom, Nsit, and the like. Don’t forget that there are Nsit people in about three or four LGAs and Afaha people in Uyo and even further down Eket. How then would we achieve fairness in zoning or rotation if we do not zone to them also? Shouldn’t we need to rotate among these sub units also so as to be seen to be fair? Or does fairness not extent to the smaller ones? Even within Oron nation, we have the Okobo who also will require zoning! Finally, where will our kith and kin from Eastern Obolo fit in? There may never be an end to it if we delve into this issue of zoning or rotation. The issue will further factionalise Akwa Ibom State into atomistic units of discords. This will defeat the dream of our Founding Fathers. Even in the United States with a very long history of democracy, all the 44 presidents so far elected have only come from a few states. Even within each state, it is only a few counties that
have produced the governor. It is not because anybody has been barred from contesting election or the positions were zoned to some. Rather, every eligible person is free to run for election and the rules are fair to everybody. And this brings me to my second and third points. What then is the way forward for us in Akwa Ibom? I totally believe in equity and fairness to all the sections and people. But my recommendation is that every section should be free to field candidates and there should be a fair and free election so that at the end of voting, it is the choice of Akwa Ibomites that would prevail. In a democracy, fairness does not entail candidates from one section being barred to allow for other sections to field candidates. It means every person has an equal right to vote and be voted for. Barack Obama did not ask Hispanic or White candidates to withdraw because it was the turn of the black candidates. In the same vein, Eket senatorial district has the same right as Uyo to produce the next governor of Akwa Ibom State. Instead of contemplating asking other people to withdraw for them, they should press for a level playing field for all. I should also advise all Internet campaigners, and indeed reallife politicians and their supporters that the use of foul and abusive language has never won election or delivered victory. Otherwise, MKO Abiola would have been a president. There is nothing NADECO did not do. They called Abacha all sorts of names, yet the man did not hand over power to MKO. Power is never given. It is usually taken. I expect my Eket Senatorial District brothers and sisters to join the race early enough, launch a skilful campaign, reach out to the voters in other parts of the state in peace and love and present their programmes. By resorting to threats and abusive language, you will be alienating your potential supporters and at the end, you will lose the election and Akwa Ibom will move on!
TheGuardian
Saturday, May 4, 2013 17
Conscience, Nurtured by Truth
Love&Life
... Celebrating The Feelings You Share!
With Michael Uchebuaku
IN THIS EDITION True Confession:
‘Imagine! I Had Sex With My Cousin!’
Love Connections
Princess
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Love Adventure: ‘How I Cheated On My Husband Twice In One Night
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Melchizedek, 33, self-employed, needs a supportive and gainfully employed woman of 26 years+ for a relationship that can lead to marriage. BB PIN 2901F3DE. Smith, 24, fair, in Lagos, needs a working woman of 35-42 years for a romantic affair. 08105326305. BB PIN 226826E6. Oluwatobi, female, 27, graduate, from Ondo, needs a responsible, working man for a serious relationship. 08143949051. BB PIN 23884562. *Connect to Mike on WhatsApp or BlackBerry Pin: 21978F71 for details on how to send your BlackBerry or Smartphone Connect request.
Kaduna: Romantic Jokes Link-Up (Love/Dating Connections)
True Confession From Abroad: ‘I Took Advantage Of A Brain Tumor To Divorce My Husband
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Love News How To Have Sex In Order To Make Babies
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CONTINUED ON PAGE 18
‘How I Cheated On My Husband Twice In One Night!’ ’M afraid this is going to make me sound slutIweak ty. That is not really the case; I have just had moments in my life. I’m going to leave a lot of the mundane details out of this story to make it more interesting. This did happen several years ago but by highlighting the ‘good’ parts, I’m afraid it will sound like all I did was want sex, sex and sex. That was only part of the time I can assure you. I was expecting to hook up with Don at one of the holiday parties and he stood me up. Oh the next day he said he got sick and couldn’t make it but that didn’t make the night any easier for me. I was really looking forward to seeing Don and having sex that night. I took the afternoon off from work and pampered myself. I bathed, I shaved, I brought a new sexy red dress and stay up stockings. I was hanging at the party with some work buddies waiting for Don, dancing every now and then. After dinner and waiting for over two hours, I came to the conclusion he wasn’t going to show. I was getting a lot of attention in my red dress so I just went with the flow and danced and acted flirty. There was this one guy named Bob who was fairly new at work, good looking, and was paying quite of bit of attention to me. Can’t say I minded the attention; I was a bit frustrated and he was cute. We danced, drank and flirted. During the slow songs, he held me close and I could feel him pressing into me.
felt so wrong but so good. One unforgettable night was when Bob and I had sex in my car in our work parking lot. It was dark and almost everyone left work for the mind it would come to this soon. It wasn’t day but it was still early. On the way home I got entirely my fault you know, Don was neglecting a text from Don “911 tonight”. That was our sigme and I was horny and needed affection. One nal that we need sex. So, here I was on my way night, when we were the last two to leave the home with stuff running down my leg and office, we did it. We f***** like two horny Don wanting to meet me in an hour. teenagers on the conference room table (boy I rushed into the house, told my husband I was that awkward every time I had to go in was going back out, bathed, freshened up and there again). changed into one of Don’s favorite outfits and My relationship with Bob ran hot and cold. It went to met Don at his apartment. Don would seems whenever I was with Don, I wasn’t going be pissed if he knew I was seeing Bob; they out of my way to be with Bob. But as it would were somewhat of rivals and didn’t really care usually happen, I would not see Don for a few for each other. We didn’t have much time so it weeks and it seemed I was using Bob during was just normal hot terrific sex with Don. those times. It was the first and only time I had sex with It almost became a ritual for awhile: we would two men the same night and neither one of look at each other and if we both nodded them was my husband. I saw Bob for maybe 6toward the parking lot we would meet in one of 7 months and we had oral or full sex maybe our cars. At first I would give him a BJ and when twice a week. After a while, Bob got a job in I told him I needed relief too he would finger another office and Don and I saw each other me to an ******. more often and I stopped seeing Bob. It was Pretty soon, we became bolder and we would great while it lasted but two lovers did wear have intercourse in the car. It was a bit awkme out! ward and tricky at first but we became quite CULLED FROM: www.huffingtonpost,com. good at it. We would wait until it was dark and we would either drive to a mall and park out of *Do you have an amazing or adventurous love the way or go to the local lover’s lane. After experience to share? Tell us how you met. Emuch kissing or caressing, I would take off my mail your story to: ireto007@yahoo.com. Call pants or hike up my dress and straddle Bob. It 07031028714, 07032944123.
Love Adventure When it was time to leave, Bob was so sweet he offered to walk me to my car. We talked for a bit and then he kissed me goodnight, but he didn’t stop, neither did I. He kept kissing me and I kept responding. Bob unbuttoned my coat and started rubbing my breasts. It felt so good I just kept on kissing him. His hand found its way inside my dress and he was caressing my bare breast now; I continued to kiss him. This continued for a good 10 minutes in the parking lot and when Bob’s other hand worked its way under my dress and started to explore, I pulled away and told him to stop; I didn’t want him to know how soaked I was and I was nervous what it would lead to. After a bit of pleading, he did stop. We kissed goodnight again lol and went on our way. I had some ************ fantasies that’s for sure. I’ll skip the in-between parts but a few weeks later, we both worked late and Bob walked out with me to my car. Repeat. Only this time I was wearing a pants suit and Bob put his hand down the back of my pants. I let him explore this time and he put his finger in my p**** but I stopped him before I had an ******. More subject matter for ************. It didn’t take much longer and I knew in my
the gUArDIAN, saturday, may 4, 2013
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LoVe&LIFe Dear Love Doctor, my cousin (21 now) and I have been really close for a really long time. We’d always go over to each other’s place or go out with each other because we lived very close to each other and got along really well. Anyway, one day we ended up having sex a few times and it was so incredible for both of us. But later on, I started feeling it’s wrong. I grew up with her and she wasn’t just my relative, she was also my friend, which started really affecting me. I sat her down one night and told her that we really need to stop, since we’re really close and I didn’t want this affecting our family and friendship at all. When I told her, she got angry and started insulting me, and saying that she was going to tell the entire family that I blackmailed her into doing it. I had to beg her to calm down and she said we should continue to have sex secretly. We’re still having sex without anyone knowing, but I feel so guilty about it.
Romantic Jokes A Case About A Woman Who Killed Her Husband In Court!! Judge: Now, woman, tell us why you killed your husband. Woman: I was in my sitting room when my husband came in. he rushed to me and dragged me on top of the bed. he removed my clothes, and started romancing me by touching my breast and my jay jay. he spread my two legs and when I was ready for sex, he told me April fool!!! Judge: What!!! that fool deserved to die!!!
Words Of Wisdom Don’t marry for money; marry for love
Love Dictionary
What Is A Threesome? threesome commonly refers to A sexual activity that involves three people at the same time. When sexual activity is centred on one of the threesome, then the activity may be described as a gangbang of the person. “threesome” can also refer to a love triangle, a three-way romantic relationship. though a threesome most commonly is applied to a casual sexual activity involving a sexual activity of three participants, it may also be found in a long-term domestic relationship, such as polyamory or a ménage à trois. A threesome is a common element of sexual fantasy. It is commonly depicted in pornography, but very rarely in mainstream cinema. one of the few films with a threesome is the erotic thriller Wild Things (1998) and its sequels Wild Things 2 (2004) and Wild Things: Diamonds in the Rough (2005), all of which involved a threesome of one man and two women. A threesome is a form of group sex, but involving only three people. It may occur more frequently in private situations, such as spontaneous sexual activity among three friends, or arranged in a community of like-minded swingers or planned as a once-only experience and rarely in anonymous settings, such as at orgies or other sex parties. Among swinging couples, one of the two partners is often the driving force and the other is more passive-supportive of the addition of additional sex parties. some couples use a threesome as a way to develop a love triangle (ménage à trois). source: en.wikipedia.org.
‘Imagine! I Had Sex With My Cousin!’ What do I do to stop it without her blackmailing me? Advice: since your culture forbids it, you have to stop having sex with your cousin whether she likes it or not. Don’t give in to her threat of blackmail. If you continue this way, both of you will surely get exposed sooner or later and things would be worse for you. so, the best thing to do is to
If you’re in a crisis, call 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641. For free marriage/relationships counseling, call Love Doctor mike 07031028714, follow your conscience. take a pre08023700641 or Chris 08023913619. emptive step now by reporting to Visit www.romancestory.org Your say: your parents and seek their underDo you have advice on this problem? *Buy gsm Database of 79 million and standing and support. Your parents e-mail database of one million for Please share your thoughts. Call can discreetly have a meeting with adverts, campaign and others. Visit: 07031028714 or 08131161840. your cousin’s parents and tell them to *send your comments/stories to Love www.eeetonline.blogspot.com discreetly talk to their daughter. In so Doctor. e-mail: ireto007@yahoo.com
True Confession
doing, the matter may not be blown open to the shame of you, your cousin and the entire extended family. good luck!
TRUE CONFESSION FROM ABROAD got married just before I turned 25 Iarated and divorced when I was 26. We sepafter only 11 months of marriage. When people ask, “What happened?” I usually tell them something like, “I was too young,” or “We never should have gotten married,” or “I think there’s a chance he was gay.” All of these things are true. But if I wanted to be completely honest, I would say “his mom got a brain tumor.” I usually don’t say that because, admittedly, it makes me sound like a pretty horrible person. But, if I had to pinpoint what actually happened during my brief marriage that led to its swift demise, it was definitely the brain tumor. It was early December when his mom called to tell him the news. the information was pretty hazy — no one seemed sure what it was or how bad it was, but with brain tumors, it’s usually safe to say that it’s not good. he was, understandably, upset. And when he told me, I remember thinking, somewhat selfishly, “Please don’t let her die.” Now, I genuinely wanted her to be okay, for the normal reasons. But it was also selfish. I had been slowly realizing over the last few months that I was not happy with my life. And a large part of it was that I was not happy with who I had married. I hadn’t yet admitted out loud that I was thinking about divorce, but I was on the brink. And when I learned that his mom might have brain cancer, of all things, I saw a future flash before my eyes. I saw tragedy and grief and I saw myself unable to escape. Because you can’t ask someone for a divorce when his mother has brain cancer. I tried my best to comfort him. I desperately wanted to convince him that she would be fine. And I did want her to be fine — I needed her to be fine…for me. I called my brother, a doctor, hoping he could better explain the limited information we had. I told my distraught husband that my brother agreed with one opinion that it was probably a meningioma. And that if you’re going to have a brain tumor, that is the brain tumor you want. this was good news for me, because I really wanted to leave him. But, nothing would be certain until they operated. she wanted to wait until after Christmas so they scheduled a surgery for late January. It was a stressful period. And as much as I knew that if it were my mom, I’d be a wreck, his constant worry was driving me crazy. I realize that makes me sound cold and uncaring, but on top of the things that were already troubling me about my marriage, I was learning that there were new things too. I was learning that in a crisis, this was not the man I wanted by my side. he actually seemed to thrive on the drama. As genuinely concerned as I know he was, I also got the feeling that he really liked being able to utter the words “my mother’s brain tumor.” I felt embarrassed and uneasy. I don’t think there’s any way to tell this story without sounding like a bad person. so, I’ll just go ahead and say it — I was a bad person. And a bad wife. I didn’t handle it well either. he arranged to fly home for the surgery, telling his boss that he needed to be there for his mom, and I agreed. He needed to be there, but I didn’t. I mean, it wasn’t my mom. For some reason, he accepted that I
‘I Took Advantage Of A Brain Tumor To Divorce My Husband!’ wouldn’t join him. I was a freelancer for a television network and I often got jobs with very short notice. I think that was my excuse. But really, I just needed a break from him. And I just couldn’t imagine being there, acting like part of the family, and consoling someone who I secretly wanted nothing to do with. During the time that he was away, a lot of things became clear to me. I realized that I didn’t feel the way that I should about the man I had married. I realized that I didn’t want to be a part of his family. I realized that I couldn’t imagine forever with this person who I thought I knew so well. And I realized that I was happier without him. I felt guilty. I felt bad about using this time to think about myself and to plan my escape from our marriage. But that’s what happened. And had it not been for the
tumor, I don’t think I would have realized any of this. or at least, not until much later. In the end, his mom was fine. they removed the tumor and it wasn’t cancer. But when I told him that February (less than a month after her surgeries) that I wanted to move out, he said, “so when I was gone, sitting at my mother’s bedside, you were out looking for apartments?” Yes, I told him. I never planned it that way. It’s not as if I got married knowing that I would eventually want to get divorced, but was just waiting for one of my in-laws to develop a serious medical condition. that would be a terrible plan. I learned that while there’s never a good time to ask for a divorce, there can always be a worse time. I didn’t want to be the woman who left her husband dur-
ing a crisis, but it turns out being the woman who left her husband immediately following a crisis doesn’t sound much better. But, however it sounds, I’m glad it happened. I’m glad his mom was okay and I’m glad that I realized what I needed to do before I wasted any more of his time, or mine. Names have been changed. Picture posed by models. Your say: have your say about this true confession... have you had a similar experience? tell us your story. Call 07031028714. Courtesy: huffingtonpost.com; womansday.ninemsn.com.au NB: Call mike on +2347031028714 if you have a story from abroad to share with us.
Love Connection CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 08036236683. Ayo, 29, gentle, sexy, needs a reliable and sexually active man of 3045 years for a lasting relationship. 08066642286. tessy, 21, tall, slim, sexy, needs a sugar daddy. 08145677845. Chidinma, 25, student, dark, plump, from Anambra, in owerri, needs a mature man. 08188670583. matilda, 22, slim, chocolate, from Abia, needs someone to support her. 08105635509. michelle, 23, from rivers, wants a sugar daddy. 08099569461. morayo, 35, tall, plump, busty, in Lagos, needs a mature man of 45-60 years. 08182097850.
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08140652557. Prince Kennedy, 31, 6ft, from Imo, in Lagos, needs a responsible woman of 25-35 years with a good job that is ready to settle down. 08069162932. Kunmi, 29, structural engineer, wants a sugar mummy in Abuja or Lagos. 08176088985. Jude, 27, wants a rich girl for marriage. 07061252367. emmanuel, 30, in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy or mature man. 07030349965. michael, tall, educated, business guy, needs a pretty, intelligent, working lady of 33-40 years for marriage. 08132310960. Paul wants a mature woman of 35years+ for a relationship. 08032414790. Joe, in Uyo, needs a responsible lady for marriage. 08148748642. Chinagorom, 26, from Abia, in onitsha, wants a sugar mummy who can take care of him. 08134127697. okeynna, 37, from Abia, businessman in Lagos, needs a lady of 27-36 years for marriage. 08103963622. obi, from Anambra, tall, fair, needs a
lady of 18-32 years with a very large bust, in Anambra, for marriage. 08066671433. Kelvin, 25, needs a sugar mummy in Abuja, Lagos or Calabar. 08065492203. mena, dark, 6ft, in Lagos, needs a workingwoman in Lagos for a romantic affair. 08023489642, 08098489642. emeka, in Lagos, needs a caring, educated working lady of 35 years in Lagos for a good relationship. 08071484500. Jerry, 32, graduate, in Lagos, needs a caring sugar mummy of 32-45years for a satisfying love affair. 08037245051, 08099351204. Paul, 26, from edo, needs a sugar mummy. 08109607310. * Call mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hookup. *sCAm ALert: Beware of scammers! Please do not respond to any strange numbers besides the official number 07031028714 above for link up or to publish your request. Be warned!
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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
ROMANTIC PLACES & PEOPLE, FLIGHTS & CRUISES ... hotels, airlines, ships, restaurants, clubs, resorts, beaches & more.
LOVE&LIFE ATSIGIRA Waterfalls takes its M source from springs on the Kagoro hills cascading from four different natural funnels off the sheer rock cliff from about 25 metres to form a large pool at the bottom. Situated in Madakiya close to Kafanchan, about 227 kilometers south of Kaduna, the water at Matsirga Waterfalls drops 30 meters into a gorge that has been supported by beautiful rocks. The fresh cool breeze around the area has something to offer for tourists. At the point of impact with the river, the cascading showers of the fall create a rainbow-like mist, which appears and disappears mysteriously. The river formed by Matsirga Waterfalls increase with the rainy season overflowing its banks. A natural rock shelter at the riverbank forms a cover and resting place for picnicking. Like a half umbrella, it provides shade for tourists amidst the wondrous continuous waterfall. A heritage resort known as Madikiya Heritage Resort is being developed by a private investor within the fall area to serve the relaxation needs of tourists and visitors. Also, the proximity of the Kagoro Hills and Nok Museum provides an added advantage to tourists visiting the area. Courtesy: www.cometonigeria.com *Are you an upcoming model, artiste or actor/actress? Call Mike via 07031028714, 07032944123, 08023700641. *If you want to advertize or sponsor Love & Life call 07031028714, 07032944123.
Behold!
The Majestic Matsigira Falls, Kaduna! Love News OU don’t have to be a gymnast or know any fancy yoga posY es, but there are ways you can help the sperm get to its final destination: the egg. You have the timing right, you’re in the mood and you finally get around to doing the business. So what’s the best way to make love in order to get pregnant? Should you be up against a wall or in the missionary position? While it’s possible to get pregnant in any position, there are certain ways that make it a little more likely. Let gravity do the hard work Making sure the sperm are as close as possible to your cervix (the neck of your uterus) is vital for egg fertilisation. Getting sperm to swim up your fallopian tubes is the key, so help them by letting gravity do some of the work, either by lifting your bottom and legs up in the air or leaning them against the wall. You could also try lying on your back in the missionary position with a pillow underneath your hips to give you an extra lift. Be a missionary
It might seem like the boring way to get intimate, but the missionary position, with all that deep penetration close to your cervix, is going to give your partner’s sperm a little extra help in their swim for the egg. Stay in bed Don’t leap out of bed and go straight to an aerobics class after sex: if you want to get pregnant, stay put. Lie on your side and draw your knees into your stomach. Get your partner to bring you tea and croissants in bed and don’t forget to take a pre-pregnancy folic acid tablet with some orange juice. Stick a pillow under your hips, put your feet against the headboard and relax for a while. Try to visualise your body making a miracle. Have an orgasm As well as bringing a smile to your face, good sex makes babies! It’s official: a post-coital study of women found that those who had orgasms and enjoyed sex retained more sperm than those who didn’t. It’s all to do with the muscular contractions you experience during an orgasm, which suck up more sperm. Do your pelvic floor exercises
Strong pelvic floor muscles are good for women, they’re good for him and they’re good for making babies! Well, we don’t know for sure, but a few pulls in and up after sex can’t do any harm, can it? Staying behind Doing it doggy-style is guaranteed to get your partner’s sperm close to that all-important organ, the cervix. Want another position for deep penetration? Lie side by side as you have intercourse. Don’t be on top Get off him! You don’t want to be on top at the end of the action, as all his sperm may come rushing back down again. By all means, do it this way before he comes, but when you know it’s getting serious, swap positions! Don’t rush Enjoy the moment. After ejaculation, ensure your partner stays inside for a few minutes before withdrawing slowly. Courtesy: ninemsn.com.au *If you want to advertize or sponsor Love & Life call 07031028714, 08023700641, 07032944123.
Lovers’ Answers Game The rule: Ask the opposite sex one question about love, and choose your lover from the top 3 answers. Chynwa, 18, in Awka, on 07032551137, is asking all men: “How do you know that a guy loves you?” *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.
Fertility
How To Have Sex In Order To Make Babies
Problems/Miscarriages/Seeking Male Child: Do you have a sexually transmitted infection/disease, find it difficult to conceive, have miscarriages or need a baby boy? Call 07025350586, 08122352054, 08131161840. Premature Ejaculation/Low Sperm Count – Solution is here. Call 07025350586. Baby Sex/Gender Selection – Decide the sex of your baby (male or female). Call 07025350586, 08122352054, 08131161840. Call Mike on 07031028714, 08023700641 to link up and for direct hook up. Also call if you have engagement, marriage, wedding, anniversary or birthday announcements to make.
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
20
RELATIONSHIP
Treating Your Man Right By Kemi Amushan
‘W
HAT do men want?’ is still a question that baffles us women till date. Once we figure out exactly what they want, and how to provide it without compromising our own happiness, obviously there will be an improvement in relationships in general. And you should know by now that what men want are not the same as what we want in a relationship. And it’s important to respect these needs, no matter how much they might annoy you! And trust me, they will annoy you. Do you believe it’s important to choose a man who understands your needs? Of course you do. Likewise, a man will love you more when you understand his needs too. Most times, it’s that simple. Today, I’ll tell you the three things men secretly wish you already knew, so that nurturing and growing your relationship won’t be harder than it needs to be for him. Here’s the first thing he wishes you knew: He Wants To Be Comfortable He needs comfort. He needs to know that if he chooses to love you, settle down with you, if he chooses to grow old with you, then his life would be easier, better, and happier than it was when he was single. Now, some women take offence over this. They say that’s crazy. Marriage isn’t supposed to be easy.” What do you think? Is marriage easy or difficult? Here’s my answer: It depends! It’s totally up to a couple what they want their relationship to be like. You can make your relationship “Heaven on Earth” or “Hell on Earth.” It’s totally up to you! If you want to make your lives easier, better, and happier after you go steady, then here’s my advice: He needs your Support. One of the most important qualities men look for in women is the ability to support them and make things easier for them, not harder. So, focus your efforts on making the relationship, and the home, a happy place. That way it will be a place that he’ll want to come back to over, and over, and over again... for the rest of his life. He Wants To Be Free What’s the biggest reason why a lot of men don’t like the idea of marriage? Withou doubt, it’s the prospect of losing their freedom. Many guys, especially the serious, commitment-ready ones, secretly wish you would let him enjoy at least some of the freedoms he used to enjoy in his bachelorhood. Of course, a guy has to give up certain free-
doms, such as sexual variety, when he enters a serious relationship with a woman. And yes, you have every right in the world to enforce that! But here’s the thing: You don’t need to force him to give up his other, minor freedoms. I’m sure he has certain hobbies he’d like to continue to pursue as they all do. Does he have good friends he’d like to continue to see? Does he have certain rituals in life that he’d like to continue to do? Here’s my advice: As long as it doesn’t betray the trust you have for each other, and as long as it doesn’t cross any lines of decency, and as long as it doesn’t break any laws... then let him be! He Wants To Be Admired Finally, men secretly want to be your hero. Your “knight in shining armor.” They want to be respected, admired, and held in high esteem by you, his better half. Of course, he doesn’t need to be all that. Right? He doesn’t need to take you on expensive vacations, or take you out to fancy dinners, or give you his credit card and say, “Buy something nice for yourself.” (Although all that would be nice every now and then, right?) But he does need to know that you appreciate him. He does need to know that you appreciate all the hard work he’s doing for the relationship even if all he does is buy you chocolate. So, my advice is fairly obvious: Appreciate him! Thank him often, let him know you appreciate his efforts, and once in a while flatter him. Here’s a bonus tip: On special occasions, such as on his birthday or on Father’s Day, write a list of things you admire about him. And on the day itself, tell him: “Love, you know what? I wrote down a list of things I admire about you. And you know what? I do admire you.” You know what he’ll say? He’ll say: “Let me see, let me see!” Nothing feeds a man’s ego and his ability to nurture and grow a relationship with you than your respect and admiration. It can be argued that a man craves respect much, much more than love, so don’t be shy about showing it! Now, just to recap: A man wishes you knew three things about him: * That he wants a comfortable relationship, * He wants to enjoy at least some of his old freedoms, and * He wants your respect as much as, or even more than, your love. Of course, there’s the “fine print,” and you’ll also need to know how to patiently, lovingly achieve these three qualities in your own relationship. In
other words, you’ll also need to develop the following skills: *How to convince your man to do whatever you want, no arguing involved. *How to complain in a constructive, loving way. *How to manage your man’s emotions, especially during tough times. *How to respect him in a way he can appreciate. *How to make him desire you in a respectful, loving, committed way.
*How to properly communicate with him in person, through text, through e-mail, and over the phone. *How to create the kind of sexual tension that attracts him to you. *How to flirt without being slutty. And so on and so forth. The list is endless. Treat him as if he’s a demi god. They all just want attention. A little will not kill you. To the happiness we all deserve, good luck in love and life. Cheers.
dren when there is no steady source of income and you are not even sure that your relationship could stand the test of time. Before you worry unnecessarily, research infertility and try to understand how it affects you personally. That your 38-year-old neighbour fails to conceive five years after marriage does not mean you will have infertility problem yourself. Even your mother’s history may not relate to you. We still acknowledge that infertility and other issues pertaining childbirth are higher among older women. But they are still to be found among women of all childbearing ages. There is cause for concern for the older woman because age decreases her chances of having children. A woman produces less eggs as she matures so that in many cases, menopause starts when she is in her late 40s or early 50s. Also, the older she is, the more chances of birth defects and miscarriage because matured eggs become difficult to fertilize. This means that if you enjoy good health at 30, you need not fear infertility. And at 30 years of age, you must have got enough education and a job good enough to help you start a family. You may not hold the key to a bank’s vault and have unlimited access to money, but you may feel that you are ready to indulge your motherhood instinct. Medically, women between 30-35 By Alita Joseph life in these times more than ever. years old are not considered to be at seriAlthough some women put marriage and child HE issue of infertility has engaged our attention in ous risk of infertility. A 30-year-old may bearing in between the time they are in school and recent times that many women should be wonmanage to cope, but they manage well because they take about six months to conceive, while it dering if it would not be better to shelve personal takes a 35 year-old woman six months to ambitions to start a family. But the advice is no. Plan have men who are committed. fall pregnant. And she should not be conYou should therefore not rush to start a family beyour life: go to school, get a good job first, and then sidered infertile until she has tried unsuccause you are scared you would become infertile. get married. Planning your life and your family recessfully for one year. But even then, other mains important. You need to plan how to live your Try to think of what could happen if you have chilproblems like STDs, blocked fallopian
You And Infertility T
tubes and male infertility should not be ruled out. When you worry about infertility, you could settle for Mr. Wrong. He turns up when you are moaning about your ticking biological clock and you settle down with him. But you can’t just marry any man because you want one to father your child/children. You want a man who is a committed family man. Plan your life and remain focused on your dreams and aspirations. You already know the type of man you want to marry. Look out for him at all times. Do not waste time with relationships that have no potentials to lead to your dreams. If you are matured but have not met a father material in your relationships, do not despair in your search. Experience has taught you some lessons and will still help you because you know what you want in a man who becomes the father of your children. Beat infertility. Don’t waste time. The problem with women is that they forget that infertility comes to a woman earlier than the man. Still they waste time inside hopeless relationships. If you want to beat infertility, treat every relationship as the one that ends the search for Mr. Right. After a few dates, you would recognize him who would be ready to take responsibility at the right time. The one who sneers at you or at other women is giving you the hint that he has no intention to hang around for the long term. It does not matter that he is getting older himself at 30. Leave before you find yourself trying to make him see your good qualities or make him understand that marriage is good. He would not change
LOVE & LIFE 21
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
WEEKEND with AMARA
08033832503 Email: amara@amarablessing.com
Why Do Women Cheat? HEATING husbands used to outnumber C cheating wives; but not any more. Both genders cheat now; the only difference is the motivation. It is a known fact that in having extramarital affairs, men search for more sex or attention, but most times, women look to fill an emotional void. As a counselor, I encounter different issues and people on daily basis and this is why I have decided to write this article. We often make excuses for the man when he cheats; you even find the cheated partner making excuses for the cheat. This is not because she is happy about it or that she doesn’t know the truth, but the society we are in has made us believe that a woman must take and accept everything. Times are changed and we now live in the Twenty first Century where women see, hear, and do everything the man does. Mind you, I am not trying to make excuses for cheating or to encourage women to cheat. Cheating is an act that should be condemned by all. Nobody, male or female wants to be cheated. I know our African society is one where I will be condemned for writing this, but it doesn’t matter. Guys, this article is for your eyes to be opened to the reasons why your wife do what she does. I want you to calm down, put away the male ego, and read this. If at the end of the day you find there are areas where you are guilty, please do everything you can to help your wife because the fact is that she may not be cheating on you now, but would, someday, if things are not placed in their right positions. Now, let us look at some of their reasons for cheating: Sex addiction This is a case of some kind of abnormality. There are women whose libido is very high and who want sex the way they want food. But ours is a society where men are left with so much burden of taking care of the whole family, including extended ones, he may not be able to meet up with her constant demand for sex.When this happens, the woman goes for sex from anyone around —- gateman and driver included. Not enough sex A good number of our men are still very far from the truth. Men still believe a woman doesn’t need sex for anything but procreation. This makes men give her time during her child- bearing years only to ignore her once she is done with babies. I have also seen men who live outside the country or away from their family, punish their wife and starve her of sex. The man enjoys himself all year round with different kinds of girls and comes home to the wife just twice in a year.
trips from Paris to the Caribbean are all she needs for true happiness? Dont worry, keep running after the money and friends, one little boy somewhere is filling the gap. Instead of you going home to your wife after work, you drive straight to the golf course and club where you spend time with friends till midnight. Whatever you do, always have this in mind: the woman is an emotional being who needs some emotional attachment to exist happily. Lack of intimacy Where is the intimacy in your relationship? Have you pushed her to that point where she can no longer depend on you emotionally? Every woman wants to feel protected and cared for emotionally. How much of your wife do you know? Are you aware she desires to share every moment and experience of her life with you? This is one of the issues I have with our general hospitals where men are not allowed in the labour room. This is a very important stage in a relationship and should be shared. The man should be able to go in there to appreciate the woman the more. Some men don’t even care what she goes through during and after pregnancy. I respect men who attend ante-natal this very woman has been on rampage ever Now let us ask ourselves this question: is the classes with their wives. Some men don’t care since. She is now into lesbianism. I spoke to get even when the woman is sick. Sir, ten motherswoman not a human being like the man? Does her to relieve herself of that hurt and u forgive- in-law can never fill that vacuum. If you don’t blood not flow in her? Doesn’t she have emoness for a new life, but she is not even ready to tional needs that must be met? Why then do we handle this well, an ordinary cleaner in the hoslet go because she claimed she suffered for the pital could be the one to help you with the job. punish the woman? wealth of this very man. Self esteem Bedroom boredom I am not making a case for infidelity, but when I wrote sometime about a woman who called Believe it or not, every woman wants to be told you see women who do these things, try to find me telling me she was going to deny the man sex she is beautiful and sexy. Your wife could be actout why. Some Nigerian men do terrible things because he doesn’t even care about her in the ing like it doesn’t matter to her, but sir, please to their wives that it can only take a woman don’t accept that as true. We see men spend so bedroom. To a good number of men, women are much and say what they don’t mean just to woo a with the heart of God to stay faithful. How there to satisfy them and never to be satisfied. many times have you beaten your wife just be- This woman told me how the man will always woman to marriage. But everything becomes strange and forgotten the moment she comes in cause she had issues with your house help and make her give him a blow job only for him to resecretary? and delivers one baby. This is actually the time member he is a titled chief when the woman Feeling neglected she needs reassurance and appreciation. When asks for a suck. I tried to be sure it wasn’t because last did you remind your wife how much you love Our ‘great’ men of God and top executives are of some bad odour from her genitals, and to my mostly guilty of this. You jump from nation to her? When was the last time you took her out on a surprise, he has never done that for her. Guys, date? When was the last time you looked straight nation and kingdom to kingdom preaching please keep your chieftaincy and religious titles and winning souls while losing your own into her eyes and reminded her she is your away from your bedroom. The woman must queen? I advise you do that now and regularly be- home. We now have our preachers move about enjoy sex. Dont forget they see and read a lot town in convoy with their female assistants fore someone else does it for you. when it comes to sex styles and it is their desire and protocol officers who are sometimes other to practice those positions with their man. If you Revenge/payback for past wrongs people’s wives. If you can move about with that Women come to me for counseling and one are not ready to make this come to pass, the next woman, why not your wife? You keep giving thing I have realized is that truly, times have thing is for your money to be used because she her a thousand and one reasons why she must has made up her mind to get it. changed. These women now look straight into be home. We agree she has to face the local my eyes and tell me they must cheat. A woman Exit strategy whose infidelity is not hidden to anyone told me church and the kids, but sir, is that a good Some women use this when they are tired of a enough reason to neglect a woman? why she does what she does. According her, she relationship. They just want to be caught cheatused to be very decent and godly until the day her Mr. managing director, when was the last time ing because that is the only way they could you took your woman out on a date or to a husband gave her the beating of her life over a spend time with that other man they have given girlfriend. This woman said the man beat her into good resort for a weekend getaway? Do you their heart to. unconsciousness and when she eventually recov- think the fleet of cars and attendants at her Like I said earlier, cheating won’t end now and ered, she made up her mind to deal with him. Yes, beck and call are enough to give her the attenthere are women who must cheat. But sir, make tion she desires? Do you think her numerous they still live together and smile out there, but sure you are not the one leading her into that.
IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE With Pamela HE desire of most T young people today is fame and fi-
nancial riches. They have as models and a beacons, a handful of show business personnel, a lot of whom can be termed as the blind guiding the blind. The world in general measures success on the yardstick of fame and money (which has never brought anyone true happiness). This kind of success becomes an end to achieve which any means is permissible...sadly. I believe we would have greater men and women if more people stopped looking outwards for the answer to their life’s question/s and looked inwards – into the will of the Creator engraved within their hearts. Your place and purpose One person, compared to billions of others in the earth can be likened to a drop in a mighty ocean. How insignificant one person seems from this perspective —- this is a reality! How can anyone stand out? We have this evidence of the possibility of standing out; the fact that not one person, dead or alive, has the same fingerprint! This is God’s unique personal seal on every man born. We are all distinct and special, wouldn’t you say? Albeit, we have not all been called into the spotlight, neither have we all been called to achieve great feats (for many measure success by this too). However, to every man God has given a portion of faith; to everyman some talents according to grace and therein lies our niche and responsibility. It is when we compare ourselves with oth-
08167089656 (SMS only). E-mail:regalgraces@yahoo.com
Great Drops In A Mighty Ocean ers; when we desire the attention and status of another that we often miss the mark. This, I believe, is one of the great robbers of destinies – comparing ones self to others. It ought not to be so for we all have different purposes. It is a devaluation of ones potential and a discredit to ones capabilities to assess ourselves by the performance of others, for we are all judged by the yardstick of God. The value of contentment Here is an illustration. Although a laptop, when the lid is down, can serve as a means of support by reason of its smooth, flat surface, it was not made to be a place mat. Though it might yearn to be arrayed as one of the place settings on a dining table, it was not made to be that. Using a laptop as a place mat only abuses its purpose and is near to being at the end of its purpose. Sadly, this is the sort of life a lot of men live. When we indulge the desires of our heart which is contrary to our purpose, it can only birth abuse, discontentment and bitterness. We have each been called to a place, and there will always be greater persons than ourselves; we must learn to be content with this fact. This will be a check for us when we want to compare ourselves with others. Jeal-
ful as well. In whatever you have, be diligent and prove yourself a faithful steward in the sight of God and not man. It should console us that God hasn’t called everyone to be a Moses of his time, however, he requires us to be faithful, like Moses was, in all that He has given unto us (Hebrews 3:1-5). God who sees in secret would reward you openly in this time and in the one to come. Whatever gifts or calling has been given to you, he has empowered you and has made provision for you to be faithful. The Fourth Wise Man There is a story I read a long time ago called The Fourth Wise Man. He was scheduled to have met the baby Jesus with the other three wise men, however, he couldn’t make it because he stopped on his journey to help one in need. Three times in his lifetime he had the opportunity to meet the Jesus and three times he stopped in his journey to help one in dire need. Finally, when he died, he saw Jesus, who thanked him for the three times he was of assistance to him saying “When I was hungry, you fed me, when I was thirsty you gave me a drink...” Astonished he replied “Lord when ousy and/or envy is birthed in this way and when did I help you?” Jesus answered “Verily I say unto those emotions take firm root in our souls, we you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my miss our way and fall from grace. brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.” The value of faithfulness Mathew 25:35-40 (ASV). One man was born with a silver spoon in his Likewise, whatever we find we are empowered to mouth, much love and attention from family and do, we should do it faithfully. friends. Meanwhile, another man was born orImage and Etiquette addresses general perceptions, phaned, very little love was given and opportuni- societal norms and expectations and personal exties for his development were limited. However, pressions with the goal of cultivating social graces, they both have this requirement in common; in suavity and a dignified presence for interpersonal rewhatever measure you have been given, you are ex- lationships. If you have questions on Image and Etipected to be faithful. To a rich man, so much more quette please send them to is expected and much more will be required of askpamela@regalgraces.com or SMS 08038240870. him. Also, to the poor man, in whatever little he has received, he is required to show himself faith-
22 LOVE & LIFE
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
MARITAL SEX
Better Quit Than Be The Late By Juliana Idoko
OD created the family and made G man the leader. A leader is a person of influence who directs and guides. The husband is to love his wife and the wife is to respect her husband. He is to love her the way Christ loved His church, the way Prophet Mohamed loved His wives and the way our sacred African culture teaches. The love of the husband brings out the best in the wife and makes her more beautiful and more respectful. The family is created to be a place of love and unity and not a battleground, a place of exploitation, manipulation and death. At what point did we now get it wrong? Why have we thrown away our moral and societal values and replaced it with alien cultures? Are we partnering with the devil to destroy the precious creation of God? Consider the rate at which couples batter and murder each other these days for God knows why. Isn’t it disturbing? And when it happens, we have to depend on the testimony of the surviving couple and the sketchy evidences of neighbours because the dead cannot rise to object. This leaves the puzzle unsolved. Then, whether the murderer is sentenced to death or life in prison, the obstinate fact remains that the victim’s precious life is gone forever and the children suffer untold hardship. Women were always the worst hit, but nowadays, some women are taking the bull by the horns in selfdefence leading to some female inmates at the homicide section of Nigerian prisons. Whichever way we look at it, neither the husband nor the wife has any right to batter or take the life they did not create. Infidelity and insecurity have been fingered as the leading causes of these wanton violence and killings.
“And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18 vs 2).
Most of the time, there is a third party, a lover whom one of the couples has found to be more attractive than the spouse. And getting rid of the despised spouse by hook or crook becomes an obsession. This leads to a dysfunctional rela-
tionship and unresolved resentment, which fuels anger at the slightest provocation. Most of the time, the women murdered are hard- working women who are even the breadwinners for their families, raising the question
of male insecurity as another possible cause. Marriage is a negotiation and besides infidelity and insecurity, sweeping matters under the carpet for the sake of peace has always resulted in the destruction of the
The Preposition For Children
“Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.” Psalm 128 vs 3. HERE should the children be? W In most organizations, children are not allowed, they are not planned for. If their staff (female) gets pregnant and gives birth, they sack her. In fact, they do not have a programme for the children born in that organization. But Jesus set a child in the midst of them. The child should be in the centre of the plans and programmes of the organization. Anyone will put his life into any job that makes space for their children. At a time Jesus told a woman that the children should be filled first. Eventually, Jesus responded because the woman cared so much about her daughter, she could accept being called a dog. Her daughter was also part of the children, she got it. She might be a dog, but her daughter wasn’t. Jesus loved children. While people threw children away because they have downs syndrome or they are a bit special in formation, Jesus asked the man to bring the child to him. While many people don’t adopt because of the superstitious fears of adopting a witch for a child, Jesus asked a man to bring the child with the spirit of infirmity to Him. Where do we place the children? We say they are disturbing so we put them outside. No, they should be fed first, placed in the centre of that project or plan. Interestingly in the family, the home of that child, the position is different. While the child should be
same peace it seeks to achieve. Experts have always advocated positive communication among couples where issues are handled and trashed adequately to avoid mutual dissatisfaction, resentment and disconnection. When things go awry and you think that there is no headway, progressive culture demands that you communicate, negotiate with your spouse and take a walk if you can’t take it again, instead of resorting to violence. It is high time couples realised that relationship is like glass, sometimes it is better to leave it broken than to hurt yourself trying to mend it. Marriage problems are facts of life and should be nipped at the bud to avoid situation where couples turn their homes to battlegrounds where only the fittest survive, a situation that has become a subject of discussion in many fora and food for thought for all. However, in as much as we advocate peaceful marriages and forgiveness, especially after an infidelity and violence, we also advise couples to consider first and foremost, if the marriage is really worth saving. Some of the stupidest mistakes we make in life is believing that the one who has hurt you the most will not hurt you again. Seeking help, separating for some time or even outright divorce becomes the only solution to this new madness. Once it becomes a threat to your life, please advise yourself and take a walk. It is better to be alive and suffer from heartbreak or hardship and stigmatization than die in the name of patience and marriage. People are now wondering if the ‘for better for worse till death do us part’ still counts. Good enough, even our different religions have now come to realise that things have fallen apart and life is much more important. my father’. That was important to note. He called him father twice! Jesus never referred to Mary as mother, or even Joseph as father. My father is not here today. I am sure he doesn’t know what has become of me. But he gave me to the world. More people own me than my immediate parents and siblings. So don’t let any child separate you both. c. The child is the father of the man, as it is said. They would leave someday. The bible says the man leaves father and mother to cleave to his wife. The woman leaves too. They will go after their dreams, their heart, their pursuits, their lives. You will have only your spouse as a partner. Think about that.
in the centre of plans, programmes in churches or organizations, in the integral, nuclear family unit, the child should be round the parents, not between. If you put a child between you (father and mother), the distance begins. The feelings, emotions of the children, the needs of the child overshadows the needs of the couple who brought them into the world. There are many homes broken today because the child or children stayed between. The child makes a preference of the father or the mother. Each parents tries to claim ownership, or exclusive authority
over the child. There would be conflict. But when the children are around you, they make you stick together. Picture you and your spouse in an intimate hug, and the children dance around you: you see how beautiful it seems. You won’t separate. They form a wall, a tie that binds you together. If you put a sticker in between two things, they would one day pull off. The sticker would want some fresh air. But if you tie those things around, they stay that way till the rope wanes. Why should children stay around, or round us, not in between? a. Children are a gift. Before
the child came, you came. You promised to share your lives together. In the vows of marriage, we don’t even mention children, except in prayers. They are just a gift. If they come treat them special, but remember, they are still a gift. It doesn’t mean you are better than those who do not have children. The core is your relationship with your spouse. b. Not the person who gave birth to the child actually owns the child. We are where we are today because of those who took us as their own even when they didn’t give birth to us. Elisha called Elijah ‘my father
d. They function well if we function well. The greatest love you can give a child is to love each other. If parents are in love, in unity, the children have found a model for life. Most dysfunctional children come from homes where the parents didn’t get along well enough. The children witnessed things that destroyed the good in them. They grow around us. You see how we put a stick to help a yam grow well? That’s how we are. If we love each other, stay strong and committed to our home, our children will grow too. If we protect and preserve each other, we are actually doing it for our children. e. The bible says children stay round the table. We are the table prepared. Do we have a table prepared for them? Meals? Communion? Values? Conviction? See, our children will justify us. Wisdom is justified of her children. The bible says so. Selah ! E. C. SAMUEL Intimatefaithministry@yahoo.com 08027173447 SMS ONLY
TheGuardian
Saturday, May 4, 2013 23
Conscience, Nurtured by Truth
Life&Style
WOMAN
Celebrating Ezekwesili At 50
By Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai recall vividly that bright sunny day in IteeSTILL 2000 that I met Oby Ezwkwesili at a commitroom of the House of Representatives. She
was in her thirties, dressed in colorful skirt and blouse made from locally-manufactured Ankara, looking modest yet elegant with her trademark low-cut hair. She confidently walked up to me after a powerpoint presentation on the Federal Privatization Program, and introduced herself - “I am Oby Ezekwesili”. And like a Japanese business person, simply handed over her name card to me. It was the beginning of a relationship that included not only strong family ties, but hundreds of hours of brainstorming sessions, mental battles and emotional moments in the service of our country, during which Oby and I grew in our jobs and roles to cabinet level positions. Today, Oby is 50 years old and my threeyear chronological advantage appears slightly dented – after all, we are now both “in our fifties”! My sister Obiageli Katryn Exekwesili, known by virtually everyone as simply ‘Oby’ is a woman of no mean repute, a public servant that is wellknown for her astonishing achievements not only in Nigeria, but in Africa and globally. What many do not know is just how young Oby is. As she attains this golden age today, it is only fitting that the few of us that know her well pay this special tribute to a Nigerian that has consistently made our nation and Africa proud. Oby’s parents were originally from Anambra State but she grew up mostly in Lagos and is fluent in Yoruba. Her father was a public servant employed by the Nigerian Ports Authority and early in life, instilled in Oby a sense of self-worth and confidence that she remembered fondly and applied consistently in our public service days. She got her initial tertiary education from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and subsequently qualified as a chartered accountant while employed by Akintola Williams Deloitte & Touché. She obtained a Masters degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos followed by a second Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. At the Kennedy School, Oby got special recognition when she won the Robert F. Kennedy award for exceptional public service. Oby’s work experience includes auditing and consulting, financial services, civil society and government, thereby traversing the private and public sectors as well as the non-governmental. The combination of Oby’s disciplined and cosmopolitan upbringing, sound education and multidisciplinary skills mix was bound to produce an exceptional individual which Oby has turned out to be by any standard. It is therefore
not surprising that in addition to all her workrelated achievements, Oby is also a Pentecostal pastor, wife and mother of three wonderful young men. Oby began her working life as an audit trainee and after qualifying moved to financial services, while also active as a founding director of Berlin-based Transparency International, an anti-corruption watchdog. She met General Obasanjo at this point when he chaired the board of the international NGO. She was then exiled by the Abacha regime for her activism and spent time in the UK before moving to Harvard University as an Edward Mason Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government. Upon graduation, Oby was employed by Professor Jeffrey Sachs at the Harvard Centre for International Development. She returned to Nigeria to assist the Obasanjo administration in the broad area of economic reforms in 2000. It was at that point
that we met. Oby was then appointed Special Assistant to the President on Budget Monitoring and Price Intelligence, initially reporting to Steve Oronsaye who was Obasanjo’s principal private secretary. She created the system of major contract prices review before award that saved Nigeria billions of dollars between 2001 and 2005 that came to be known as ‘Due Process’. Indeed, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, then finance minister gave Oby the title “Madam Due Process” which stuck. The Due Process office became institutionalized as the Bureau of Public Procurement in 2007. Oby was then promoted to the cabinet in 2005 where she initiated broad ranging reforms and legislation that brought sanity to the Nigerian mining sector. She was Education Minister for 12 months and took earth-shaking steps to bring sanity and order to the chaotic and often incompetently managed ministry. It was her performance record and personal
qualities that earned Oby an invitation by then World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz to take up the dream job of every World Bank official – the Vice President, Operations for the Africa Region in March 2007. Once again, Oby delivered on the assignment and got retained, and her contract extended by Wolfowitz’s successor Robert Zoellick. Oby returned home in 2012, and now advises some selected African governments on economy policy and reforms under the auspices of the Soros Foundation. It is evident from this that Oby is a workhorse and focused implementation machine. She is deep thinker and combines rare talents of numeracy, literary creativity and oratory. In a nation full of timorous souls unwilling to step on toes to get the work of the people done, Oby stands out as a consistent producer of results under the most challenging environments. Oby’s nearly single handed initiation, design and implementation of procurement reforms, our extractive industry transparency initiative and cleaning up Nigeria’s mining cadastre are well-known testimonies. Her bold plan to hand over the management of federal secondary schools to other private, non-governmental and non-federal entities would have focused the Federal Ministry of Education on setting standards and raising the quality of our beleaguered tertiary education sector. Sadly, most of Oby’s reforms have been allowed to flounder by mostly hapless and greedy successors. So is my fifty year-old sister the perfect human specimen? Of course not! Only God is perfect. Oby is simply among the best I have come across in recent years. She is honest, incorruptible, and fiercely loyal to her friends, family, colleagues and country. In her interactions and relationships, she is not utilitarian. She is the friend one can count on through thick and thin. She does not do what is wrong or against public interest because it is popular or demanded by influential people or nations. She lacks guile and incapable of being conspiratorial. With Oby, what you see is what you get. What she says about you behind your back is what she will repeat to your face. Oby is a genuine person. I am fortunate to have her as a friend and sister. My children and indeed, many Nigerian youths are fortunate to have her as a mentor. As Oby celebrates her fiftieth birthday today, I join Mama, Pastor Chinedu, Chinemelum, Chinwuba, and Chidera Ezekwesili, and all wellwishers to pray for long life in good health, with happiness and prosperity for her, her family and indeed all well-meaning citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May our future be
Obioma Imoke: Spearheading C’River’s Quest For Industrial Revolution By Leonard Madu HE World Bank has described Cross River State as one of the best places to do business in Nigeria. After doing your business, it has the best places for you to relax. A tourist haven located in Southeastern Nigeria, it has a population of over three million people, a per capita of over $3, 200, and a GDP of about $12 billion. Blessed with a long coastline, abundant water resources, an international airport and rich arable land, Cross River State is primed for an industrial revolution. One of the most articulate promoters of investments in Cross River State is Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke. A quite, dignified and charismatic figure, she is quickly becoming the shining light of the state. Humble, polite and without the unnecessary pomposity that surrounds Nigerian officials, she knows how to keep time, and apologises when she is late. With the vision of Margaret Ekpo, the steely reserve of Indira Gandhi and the populism of Eva Peron, she is certainly a woman of the people and of the future. Her organisation, POWER, is gradually becoming a powerhouse for social transformation and social justice.
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Devoid of personal aggrandisement, she speaks with passion about helping vulnerable people, forging partnerships with relevant organisations and attracting investments to her state. However, not all investments are welcome. According to her, Cross River State needs investments that are people-friendly, practical and suitable to the climatic conditions of the state. What makes the First Lady and Governor Liyel Imoke unique is their understanding of the preeminent role people in the diaspora can play in the development of the state. In this regard, they are following the examples of China, South Korea and India whose people in the diaspora were instrumental in their industrial and technological take-off. While Dung Tsiao Ping articulated the four modernisations in China, the Chinese diaspora brought the necessary ingredients to make it work. The Cross River State government believes people in the the diaspora can do the same for the state and has created an office of Diaspora Affairs to co-ordinate these efforts. For any potential investor in the state, the list of sectors to invest in
GARDENING
are endless. Agriculture, information technology, gas exploration, food processing, household good, software development, water resources, security, power and energy, including solar and other alternative forms of energy. The state is also rich in minerals, such as limestone, gold, graphite, kaolin, among others. The state is also a tourist haven and welcomes investments in tourism. The world famous
Obudu Ranch and Resort, and the Tinapa Business Resort are all located in the state. The yearly Calabar Carnival has been called “Africa’s largest street party.” Editor’s Note: Dr. Leonard Madu is President of the African Caribbean Institute and Chamber of Commerce. He is also a Fox TV analyst and writes fromNashville, Tennessee.
Obioma Liyel Imoke (centre), Wife of the Cross River State Governor flanked by Margaret Dureke (right) Founder and President WE
HOME & DECOR
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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
WOMAN
Rogers-Saliu: The Rise and Rise Of A Consultant Extraordinaire The new Secretary-General to the Hon. Consul of the Republic of Djibouti in Nigeria is Dr. Fola RogersSaliu, an international Project Management/Training Consultant for both state and non-state actors. In her new job as the Secretary-General to Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, MON, the Consul General of the Republic of Djibouti in Nigeria, Dr. Rogers-Saliu is expected to bring to bear her experience as an international consultant, and assist the consular draw Djibouti and Nigeria into a closer economic embrace. Last week, the career educationistturned-diplomat clocked 54. In a chat with AJIBOLA AMZAT, she spoke about people who shaped her career, the passion which drives her success and the profession which gave her an international reputation. HE occasion was the 48th birthday cereT mony of Tokunbo Isama, the third son of Brigadier-General Alabi Isama (Rtd). The music was good, the food delicious, and the wine smooth. Then came dancing time, and the general requested for a dance partner. She was the preferred partner. To the admiration of guests, both swayed and revolved to the music of the 80s. While they danced, someone passed round call cards that bore a double barrel name: Dr. Fola Rogers-Saliu, Secretary-General to the Hon. Consul of the Republic of Djibouti in Nigeria. That is the woman dancing with the general... Soldier and diplomat on the dance floor! Dr. Rogers-Saliu is a social butterfly who mixes well with all people, regardless of their station. At parties or ballrooms, at conferences or training seminars, the Ibadanborn woman is good company. “I picked up social skills quite early in life,” she said. “Though I was the only child of my mother, I grew up among many children. My mother was a mother to many children and that helped a lot.” Fola, as friends prefer to call her, was an independent child too. At the time when other young girls were still clinging to the apron strings of their mum, her mother, Mrs. Bernice A. Onashile ensured she grew her own individuality. “She was convinced that I would be divinely protected anywhere I am.” Her first test of independence came when she decided to attend a boarding catholic secondary school in Oyo and also a High school in Ayetoro-Egbado for her A ‘Levels. Her mum blessed her choice. In no time, the school authorities noticed her good character and leadership trait, and made her a school prefect. She was the House Prefect in Oyo and the Social Prefect in Ayetoro. “My mother indeed is a great influence in my life,” she said, a glimmer of gloom flashing across her face as she reminisced on the death of her mother. The old lady passed away in 1990, while Fola’s father also died just six weeks after. Apart from her mum whom she described as a “strong woman,” there are four other individuals whose influence shaped the career of Rogers-Saliu. First was Esther Osunsade, the late sister of Dr. Mike Adenuga (Jr.) GCON, the Nigerian business mogul. By the way, Adenuga and Osunsade are first cousins of Fola. So is Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland. But it was Mrs. Osunsade who mentored Fola to taking teaching profession. “In fact, aunty (Mrs. Osunsade) got me my first teaching job when I was barely 17 years.
Rogers-Saliu
Then I had just completed my secondary education.” Her debut appearance in a classroom as a teacher was at St. James Primary School, Oke-Ado, Ibadan. She would laterenrol for a degree in Education/Guidance and Counseling at the University of Ibadan (UI). It was at UI that she met another role model, Professor C.G. M. Bakare who had done stellar works in child psychology and education. The academic achievement of Prof. Bakare would later rub off on her when she relocated to Lagos after teaching at St. Teresa College and Christ High School,
all in Ibadan. Lagos opened up opportunities that would not have come without the support of her mentor. Through the assistance of Prof. Bakare, she got the job as Headmistress of ABC Nurseryland Ikeja and a consulting job with several private schools in Lagos including Starland School, Stepping Stones, Fribeks School for Learning Disabilities and Related Disorders (which she founded in 1995), Vivian Fowler School, Corona School Trusts/Mobil Pegasus School Eket, WAPCO
I met my husband at a bus stop in Yaba, Lagos… we were both waiting at the bus-stop for a taxi to take us to Victoria Island. But there were other people waiting for cab too. So each person began to bid higher fare. I wasn’t willing to part with more than the normal price of N80…
Special school Sagamu and others. “Within that period, I came across Chief (Mrs.) Leila Fowler who believed so much in me.” That was another huge influence in Dr. Rogers-Saliu’s career, for the latter brought many consulting jobs her way. Life was going pretty well until a tragic interlude halted her career progress. Her first marriage collapsed. The trauma delayed the PhD programme she started in 1984 for seven years. With three kids in tow, she could hardly find strength to trudge on. Then came a knight in shining armour in person of Mr. Rogers Saliu, a UK-trained lawyer, the fourth influence that shaped Fola’s career – perhaps the most significant influence. “I met my husband at a bus stop in Yaba, Lagos,” she declared, a small smile spread across her broad face. “We were both waiting at the bus-stop for a taxi to take us to Victoria Island. But there were other people waiting for cab too. So each person began to bid higher fare. I wasn’t willing to part with more than the normal price of N80. So was the man next to me. Eventually, we were the only two people left at the bus stop. We later combined our fares, negotiated a lower price and boarded together to VI.” Well, one thing led to another. The stranger turned out to be a family friend. And that was the man who later assumed the role of surrogate father of her three kids (the three are now successful professionals in England), who drove Dr. Fola to Ibadan 52 times while she was gathering data for her dissertation, and who later ended up as a business partner with her. When the time was ripe, none of them needed any persuasion to consummate the relationship. “We were joined together in a traditional Marriage at the Oba Sikiru Adetona’s Palace in Ijebu Ode and God has blessed the union with two lovely children.” Sojourning in UK A little matter of health made Dr. Fola decide to relocate to UK. The special school she established in Lagos was already flourishing. Her consulting job was blooming. But with the job came the stress, which led to other health issues. The only sensible option for the new couple was relocation. In England, Dr. Rogers-Saliu was the first manager, African Emotional Support Counseling Service at Terrence Higgins Trust (THT), London. She was the first staff to win the ‘THT Service Development Award’ in 2005. This was preceded in 2004 by the ‘British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy (BACP), UK Team Award’ for Advancement in Counseling.’ She also worked as Associate Senior Lecturer at the College of Venereal Diseases Prevention, London, among other appointments. She returned to Nigeria in 2012 and was appointed as Secretary-General to Hon. Consul General to Djibouti to carry out day-to-day running of the consulate in Lagos. With her new job, a new era may have just begun not only for Nigeria and Djibouti, but for 18 other countries in Western Africa, with the recent appointment of her boss, Dr. Afolabi as the Regional Chairman of Western Africa body of Honorary Consuls by the World Federation of Consuls (FICAC). Born in 1959 to the family of the late Mr. and Mrs. Adamson Onashile, a prominent IjebuIgbo family, Fola Rogers-Saliu is the second of the two children. She attended St. Bernadines Grammar School Oyo, Comprehensive High School Ayetoro and the University of Ibadan for B.Ed, M.Ed and PhD in Education/Guidance and Counseling. She has certificat d’aptitude en francais from the University of Lagos, Post Graduate certificate in Emotional Education, University of Derby, United Kingdom, Postgraduate Diploma International Health Consultancy at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, University of Liverpool, UK. Her works as an accomplished and professional covers International consulting in Sexual Health & HIV, Education and Training of Young Children, Adolescent and Adult Learners and Corporate organizations in diverse communities across the globe.
TheGuardian
Saturday, May 4, 2013 | 25
Conscience, Nurtured by Truth
Weekend
CELEBRITY
Celebritygist… Applause for South African Filmmakers For Winning AMAA OUTH AFRICA’S Arts and Culture Minister, Paul Mashatile, has congratulated South African actors, filmmakers and producers for winning several awards at the 9th African Movie Academy (AMA) Awards, held in Nigeria, on Saturday, April 20, 2013. South African films received numerous nominations in various categories and they eventually received the crest for
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Best Actress in a lead role: Florence Masebe in the movie Elelwani; Best Cinematography: Uhlanga, The Mark; Best Production Design: Elelwani; Best Animation: Zambezia “We congratulate our artistes who have made us proud at this year’s AMA Awards. They have proven, once more, that South African film can hold its own against the best in our Continent and in the world,” said Mashatile. The Minister pledged government’s continued
support to the local film industry. MJ pulls a double-barreled show T was something of a double-barreled show last Sunday for sultry actress, Mercy Johnson Odianosen Okojie. Not only did she dedicate her bundle of joy to the Lord, MJ, as Mercy is simply called by colleagues and fans also showed off her tastefully furnished and beautiful family home to her fans and colleagues. Trust MJ to always do things in style.
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Queen Harriet: A Voice For The
Ijaw Girl Child, With Eyes On Nollywood Her Royal Majesty, Queen Edide Harriet, is the current Miss Bayelsa. The budding actress and University of Port Harcourt undergraduate was crowned the thirteenth queen of the 13-year-old pageant in January 2013. And since then she has been combing the nooks and crannies of Ijaw land talking to Ijaw girls child on the need to be educated. ‘’That is the thrust of my pet project’’ she said. But Queen Harriet wants to do even more. She wants to ‘reach them’ using the medium of film. The silky-skinned proud Ijaw girl also hopes that she will get a lot of them inspired with her exploits in Nollywood. “We don’t have many Ijaw ladies in front of the camera. I can count them. So my entrance will swell the number and get a lot of our young people interested. I believe that if they see that one of them can do it, then they will try it’’ Harriet said shortly before curtain raised on the April 20 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) held in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State.. By Shaibu Husseini It was my second try at the pageant T was my second time of contesting as Miss Bayelsa. I first contested in 2010, but I lost. I decided to try again this year after that last experience and I made it this time around. I was crowned Miss Bayelsa and I got a brand new car and a wardrobe allowance. Basically, the inspiration came from my watching beauty shows and programmes and as a young girl growing up, people always told me that I am beautiful and that they were sure that if I entered for a beauty contest, I would win or if I auditioned for a movie role or as a model I would be selected. That is the first inspiration for me. Besides, I have always had this burning desire to be an ambassador of Bayelsa State and to represent my state in other places with my beauty, and most especially, my brain. So,when this opportunity came, I gave it a try and today it feels good to be called “Her Royal Majesty”. My interest is the average Ijaw girl child My pet project is basically on educating the female child. Fortunately, we have a governor in Hon. Serieke Dickson who has made education free for all ijaw children. So that has in a way made my job easy. Mine is to mobilize Ijaw children, especially the girl child in our rural areas and communities, to take advantage of the free education policy of the state government. I move around to tell them the importance of education and the importance of being educated. I was talking somewhere recently and I told them that if you are hanging around with a guy and he gets you pregnant, it is not the guy that is going to suffer. The guy will continue his life, but you will be at home unable to continue with your education. So they have to get up and realize that they will be the ones at the losing end. So they need to be focused and stick to the plan of getting themselves educated first so they can aspire to any level in society. I strongly hold that if you educate a female child you have educated an entire family and the nation because as a girl child, you are a potential mother and there is no way you will be educated and it will not rub off on the children you will raise. I am both a village and city girl I am from Odi town in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. I was born in my village, but I was raised in Port Harcourt. I had part of my early education in Bayelsa, then Port Harcourt and then I returned to Bayelsa to write my school certificate exams. I am currently in University of Port Harcourt, studying linguistics and communication studies. Growing up was fun. I didn’t spend much time in the village. We left to Yenegoa during the Odi crisis and from there we relocated to Port Harcourt. So, I was raised in the village and in the city but mostly in the city and so it was city life all through. I didn’t have the opportunity of experiencing village life like going to the
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Harriet
farm, fetching water from the river and all that. But am glad that I came back to Bayelsa. At least, I can speak my language very well. And as an ijaw girl I know everything about the ijaw people. I can swim very well but am not sure I can go fishing now. Dress sense and role model I dress comfortably. I wear anything that fits. Also I like to put on clothes that potray and promotes the ijaw culture. I also have to dress like a queen now. As for role models, I admire Genevieve Nnaji a lot. She is a huge star and very sophisticated. I admire her and I admire Stephanie Okereke and Agbani Darego. But that I am venturing into acting now is because of Genevieve Nnaji and Stephanie Okereke. I love their art and I look forward to acting in a movie with them soon. Favourite food and music I like oil rice and dried catfish. It is my local food and I like it so much. For music, I listen a lot to gospel and then rhythm and blues. I like Davidio, Tuface, Psquare, Flavour and then Ebeano, a gospel artiste. He sings like mad. He takes you to “cloud nine” with his brand of gospel music. I like Ebeano and Frank Edwards and also Lara George. My most valued fashion item is my lip-gloss. I am not comfortable walking about with my lips cracking. I also don’t do without making up —- l ike putting on a foundation. So I would say my foundation and lip-gloss. The other fashion item I like is wristwatch. I like wrist watches a lot. I don’t insist on designer wears. No, the tailor that makes my clothes here is not a known designer and does not have any clothing line or label but he makes clothe to my perfection. Clothes that bring out my curves and people see it and commend me. Parental support From day one, I got all the support from my mum. My dad wasn’t around very much when I entered for the pageant. He just came back and heard the good news and he hosted a party in my honour. They are very much in support of what I am doing and where I am headed. Loss of privacy The moment you become a beauty queen or you are in the limelight, people would want to take advantage of you. In short, you lose your privacy. But I have a very good manager who has helped me to remain focused. Our operating code is for me to always stick to the plan. So with my manager, I have been able to wade through all the hassles. Career ambition My career ambition is to continue to represent my state in different capacities. It could be as a queen, an actress or a model. I just want to remain an ambassador. I also want to get deep into acting and also venture into broadcasting upon graduation. I don’t think my interest for acting will disturb. No, it will not. I know people who do
THe GUARDIAn, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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FITneSS With Oyinkan Talabi (Bodyworks)
Five Snack Ideas
ne of the biggest challenges on the fitness journey is snacking. With O the new theories on keeping the metabolism up by eating 5-6 times in your day, snacking regularly is now a necessity. So what do we snack on? Remember, a snack is not a meal, its purpose is not to fill you up, but to Take the edge off your hunger, Keep your blood sugar level, Keep the fire in your engine burning and If you are having a hectic day, it is important to eat at regular healthy foods that give you the fuel you need to keep going. So, below are five great snack ideas that are locally available, and won’t disrupt your journey. Cereal: Yes, this is one of my all-time favorites; you can keep a box in your drawer at work and nibble during the course of the day. Go for whole grain cereals; they keep your memory and concentration sharp. It’s also higher in fiber, giving you plenty of energy. nuts: Groundnuts, almond nuts, cashew nuts are all available locally and a handful is great for taking the edge off. nuts and seeds provide protein, so you will feel fuller longer. They are high in fat, but it’s mostly monounsaturated, a healthy kind of fat. nuts and seeds are high in calories, however. So, don’t eat them in large quantities. Be careful about them, though, as sometimes, it is hard to stop; don’t keep the bottle nearby. Fruits And Vegetables: need I say more? If you have no health restrictions, go for whatever fruits are in season. Low-fat yogurt: is a good source of calcium and protein, plus many other vitamins and minerals. Choose the low-fat versions. Some yogurts have extra-added sugar, so look for natural, plain, low-calorie or “light” ones Garden eggs: is naturally low in fat, calories and very filling. It helps to control blood glucose levels. Love your body… and it will love you right back!
WeLLneSS & BeAUTY By Victoria Ekanem
Causes Of Dark Circles Under The Eyes (3) Fatty & Fluid Tissue The fluid or fatty tissue that naturally collects under and around the eyes may become more prominent. This could be a hereditary problem or may occur as you grow older. Whatever the reason, this fluid or tissue build-up can result in the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. Sleeping with your head slightly raised may help to reduce the build up of fluids and fatty tissues under your eyes. Salty foods can cause the area around the eyes to retain fluid, so try to cut down your salt intake.
Ill Health Chronic illness — especially the kidney or stomach complaints as well as thyroid problems — can cause darkening of the skin around the eyes. This may be a common symptom or may simply be a
result of your body’s weakened state due to the condition. even minor ailments, such as the flu, can leave you with dark circles under the eyes. Whether chronic or minor, if ill health is the cause of your dark circles, treating and curing the illness should rid you of the dark circles. Seek medical advice for the condition and remember to mention the dark circles as one of your symptoms.
Kidney Or Stomach Dark circles under the eyes can be indicative of kidney or stomach complaints. This may be because of serious health issues — notably problems with your adrenal glands — that should be treated by a physician but they can be for less drastic reasons. Skipping meals, drinking too much caffeine and even
having fruit juice or fruits with meals may be the culprit. If you have other symptoms of kidney problems (burning during urination, lower back pain, etc) you should seek medical advice immediately. Ditto for severe stomach problems. If you do not appear to be suffering from any serious condition but you do drink a great deal of caffeine or fruit juice, try to reduce your intake. You should eat regularly and ensure that your diet is balanced and rich in vitamins and minerals.
Menstruation Many women find that they develop dark circles under their eyes during their periods. This is due to lack of iron, which is lost during menstruation. Taking iron supplements during your period should help to reduce the dark circles.
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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
HOME&DECOR
Lighting For Style And Function tion of all these can be used in the main living areas. Ambient lighting is used to provide overall illuN planning your home decor, it is not enough to focus just on the selection of the right furni- mination and helps in easy movement through a room. These include ceiling or wall lights, ture and paint colours to create a harmonious chandeliers and track lights. and inviting space in every section. Lighting is Chandeliers are highly cherished for their decanother way to make a space feel charming and orative value. They are commonly used in dinliveable. Besides helping you to perform tasks and mak- ing rooms. It becomes the focal point taking centre stage and enhancing the beauty of fine ing you feel safer, lighting can add beauty and drama when used effectively. You turn the lights furnishings. Chandeliers can also be added to a on to do cleaning, prepare dinner and turn them formal living room to add grandeur and beauty to the room. down to relax or entertain. The right lighting is Task lighting is lighting focused on a specific also a cost-effective way to make a small space area to make it easier to do a visual task such as look bigger or a large space more intimate. Achieving this simply entails knowing the funda- cooking, reading, sewing and playing games. It includes portable lamps and recessed lighting. mentals and then deciding on what suits your Ambient lighting is used for overall illuminapurpose. tion and helps you move easily through a room. Home lighting falls into different categories: Example of ambient light include chandeliers, ambient, task and accent lighting. A combina-
By Ekwy P. Uzoanya
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ceiling or wall mounted fixtures, recessed or track lighting. With accent lighting, the eyes are drawn to areas of visual interest such as artworks and plants. Such lighting is usually brighter than the general light in the place.
The Dining Table INING table shape, size and durability are important in givD ing the dining room its look and comfort at mealtime. The chairs that accompany the table must be of good quality and design. The design and construction of the tables and chairs should pay attention to quality of the furniture and comfort of diners. Round tables are space savers because they do not have sharp
corners, which make it easy for diners to move in and out of their seats in a small dining room. They soften the overall look of furnishing and make for greater intimacy of diners Oval tables also save space in terms of the floor space they take up but the oval shape reduces space, especially for those sitting at the ends. Concerning chairs, quality is important because dining
chairs go through a lot of stress. An important feature of quality chair is its possession of a comfortable backrest, which should slant backwards. This provides lumber support as well as comfort. A chair with a simple angled back provides little lower support and a reduced level of comfort, which does not make for a pleasurable dining experience. Those with armrest take up more space than ordinary chairs.
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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ELIZABETH DREAM WEDDINGS withBADEJO elizabethbadejo2002@yahoo.com eb_africadreamwedding@yahoo.com 08097360766
‘Who Will Walk Me Down The Aisle?’ W
aside on such an important day; after all, every child deserves a chance to experience the joy of marital bliss which was once evident in their parents’ lives. It will be rather selfish if a parent decides to express a show of shame and disrespect their new family irrespective and insensitive to the couple’s feelings and the efforts of everyone involved including the wedding guests. Absent Mum In some cases, the absent parent may be your ‘mother’ whose significance cannot be over emphasized in your life. During the planning process, your ‘step mother’ will be saddled with responsibilities; she may live up to her expectations if she has been able to sustain a loving relationship with you. On the other hand, if she is a stepmother from hell and your biological mother also decides to dominate the entire wedding process, consider engaging the services of a wedding planner or take charge of the plan and restrict your mother and step mother to areas you prefer them to handle. Absent Dad A father’s role on the big day is so crucial and so sensitive that many fathers irrespective of their situation or relationship with the mother
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of the bride, desire to do their little girls proud this last time and walk her down the aisle. For those who have justified the role and are reaping the fruits, it is graceful and a beautiful experience. But for others who abandoned their role, things can be complicated for him and for others —- especially emotional. Your mother may frown at the idea of your father walking you down the aisle on your big day, especially if your step father has been playing your father’s role. If your step dad has played a fatherly role in your life from a young age, it is only fair that he should be given the opportunity to share in your big day too, but with family intervention and prayer, your mother may find a place in her heart to forgive and allow your father to play a role too. Open Communication It could be easier said than done, but it is also important to cast your worries aside and get everyone talking. Initiating the move will be very difficult, especially if one or both parties are still very hostile. You may also want to talk to them separately or together. Remember that the conversation should not be centered on past issues and regrets; it is your one last chance to manage the situation at hand and
A father’s role on the big day is so crucial and so sensitive that many fathers irrespective of their situation or relationship with the mother of the bride, desire to do their little girls proud this last time and walk her down the aisle
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EDDING ceremonies in Nigeria are the most celebrated and cherished part of custom and tradition. They are so important that both parents’ presence and contributions are fundamental. For most parents, it is their day as well as their children’s. The wedding day is a day for looking back at those good old days of parenting, the challenges, fears, anxieties, sacrifices, ecstasy. And the mixed emotions when they finally have to let go can be overwhelming…even though many parents say it’s such a relief, it is never without emotion for both parties. Planning a wedding is not without its own hitches for couples who need the support of their parents and prayers even when families are intact. For couples whose parents are separated, it can be very tough. They may need the intervention of key family members to reach a compromise and resolve the crisis before the wedding. In Nigeria, most divorces and separations are not settled amicably leaving parents exceedingly bitter afterwards, such parents will continue to hold grievances against one another and eventually everybody moves on leaving the issue unresolved. A father may insist that the absent mother stays away from the wedding ceremony or may even threaten to boycott the wedding if his wishes are not granted. On the other hand, there are divorced parents who joyfully share their children’s wedding expenses and special moments too. But they are rare. Parents must learn to put their differences
not to apportion ‘blame’. Consider your purpose for the meeting; even though you may be hurting too, try to express your feelings and your fears so that they can put their past behind and not hinder the prospect of a strong relationship with your new family. Such move, if managed well can kick-start the much awaited healing process and create room for forgiveness too, Tips For My Diva Bride Do not focus on your parents limitations rather set your mind on possibilities, remember ‘You’ are the most important person in all of these and the good decisions you make now will mend the broken hearts and rebuild your relationships afterwards Focus your mind on building a better marital life and avoid making the same mistakes your parents made. Rather than dwell on the past, look forward to a better future with perseverance, courage and optimism. If your parents are not ready to tolerate each other even after all your efforts, accept the things you cannot change and let your spouse know your fears and worries so that you can both work together to put things right. Sort out sitting arrangements and order of photograph and brief your master of ceremony (MC) so that he knows how to address your parents and their partners if they are coming together. Avoid the high table setting and recognize your parents from where they are seated. If possible locate them with other family members or their own guests and enjoy a dignified and beautiful wedding ceremony.
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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FOOD&DRINKS
Puerto Rican Rice And Beans By Chinelo Nwagbo
HE combination of Puerto Rican rice and beans otherwise T known as rice and beans is a staple food in many cultures, for many good reasons. Whether served as a side dish or entree, the combined nutritional impact plus low cost of rice and beans together add up to its frequent appearance on tables in nearly every type of household. This nutritious dish is a good source of protein, manganese, thiamin (vitamin B1), molybdenum, dietary fibre, phosphorus, iron, copper, magnesium, potassium vitamin K, niacin, vitamin D, calcium and folate. It is good for both healthy and ill persons. Beans, one of the main ingredients of this dish is a great source of antioxidants; the darker the beans the higher the antioxidant level. Beans are valued for their high protein, which is easy to digest. Consuming beans helps to reduce the risk of some cancers and heart problems. Rice is a source of complex carbohydrates, which are primary source of energy. It also has all the amino acids the body needs to maintain and produce muscle tissue, antibodies, enzymes and hormones. Intake of this dish contributes to healthier skin, hair, eyesight, nervous system and blood vessels. Studies have shown that regular consumption of rice and beans helps in reducing elevated cholesterol, which is the main cause of diseases such as stroke, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease. Rice and beans is essential food for brain cell/cognitive function. Eating this nutritious food helps people who are dieting to attain ideal weight. Those that want to maintain a healthy heart, prevent cardiovascular diseases, and constipation can also benefit from consuming it. Recommendation Rice and beans dish is recommended for those that want healthy skin and also for healthy and ill persons.
Ingredients Quantities Red kidney 1 can Adobo seasoning ½ teaspoon Cooked ham or Canadian bacon 1 slice Garlic powder ½ teaspoon Seasoning cube 1 Sofrito sauce 1½ teaspoons White rice 1½ cups
Make sure when you are done cooking to let excess water out of rice. In saucepan, heat oil on low-medium heat and put in the ham, salted pork, or Canadian bacon. Once it starts to sizzle, add the garlic powder and Adobo seasoning. Then add the adobo and any other seasoning cube of your choice, stir. Add red beans (drain most of liquid, just a little bit is needed to pull the sauce together). Mix and serve.
Method of preparation Cook white rice as indicated on the package.
E-mail: chineloeby@yahoo.com
Savour The Moment With Malbec Tizac By Ibukunoluwa Kayode HEN it’s time to get set in the mood of refreshing the W palate, Malbec Tizac is the right choice of wine to relax with. This Argentina signature grape wine has over the years served its consumers with delectable and satisfying taste. Malbec Tizac is a red wine that comes with velvety-spiced bramble jelly and dark chocolate flavour with soft tannins. This wine lushes the palate with beautiful scented brambles and wild red berries, making it soft, silky and memorable for the drinker. It holds little base alcohol volume that makes it flexible for anyone to enjoy without getting drunk. This medium sweet wine can be taken and enjoyed at any giving occasion ranging from birthdays, weddings and cocktail parties to dinners and beach parties. Malbec can be purchased at any wine market across Nigeria’s local markets and high-end wine shops to get the feel of the dashing refreshment. The vintage red wine is extremely food-friendly and ultra accommodating. Considering a variety of beef, game, lamb, chili, stews, mushrooms, sausage and barbecue sauces are great options of foods to enjoy Malbec with.
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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With Sereba Agiobu-Kemmer
sereba.agiobu.kemmer@ngrguardiannews.com
GARDENING
Indoor Plants As Air Purifiers OU may have a plant or two around the house as a nice accent to your home’s decor. But the truth is, they are doing a lot more for you and your family than you may know. As a matter of fact, Science tells us you should have as many live plants in your home as possible. Often people do wonder why they feel sick on a regular basis and why we develop symptoms that worsen over time. We can hardly suspect that inside our houses and offices, various toxins are present at any time: tolene, xylene, ethyl acetate, methylene, acetone and chloroform, none of which are healthy. Among other toxins present, three are of major concern: benzene, trichloroethylene and formaldehyde which could lead to serious health problems like asthma, cancer and various allergies. Plants have been proven to remove airborne
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Aglomena modestum
Bamboo palm
Rubber plant
Chrysamthemum morifolium
harmful contaminants. Most people spend majority of time indoors at home or at work. Air conditioning, improved insulation, all reduce air exchange in buildings, so we breathe the same air again and again. Because in modern buildings design, the internal environment is virtually hermetically sealed off from the outside to avoid energy loss from heating and air conditioning. Moreover, the synthetic materials used in modern construction, modern synthetic furnishing, computers, electrical equipment and everyday household products have been found to produce harmful pollutants that remain trapped in these unventilated buildings. ‘The indoor environment is 5 to 10 times more polluted than the exterior’ (1994 CSIRO review). These all contribute to the well recognised ‘sick building syndrome’ Polluted indoor air, contaminated by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), is a major cause of headaches, nausea, sore and itchy eyes, loss of concentration and other ‘sick building’ symptoms. There is a wealth of scientific study into the beneficial effects of live plants in the interior environment, including a large US National Aeronautics And Space Administration (NASA) programme. The NASA study was originally intended to find ways to purify the air for extended stays in orbiting space stations, the study proved to have implications on Earth as well. It was discovered that there are various house plants that keep our interior spaces (office, home etc) air clean and pure and balance indoor humidity. Not only do these plants absorb pollutants, they scrub harmful gases out of the air and help fight pollution! The simple addition of interior plants is a natural way to help remove these pollutants significantly. Humidity is another important and often underestimated factor in human health. When humidity levels are too low, individuals are more likely to develop viral infections; when humidity is too high, vulnerability to other disease increase. Plants tend to control humidity to within the optimum range for human health. It is a known fact that plants absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into oxygen through photosynthesis and emits into the air. This obviously reduces the carbon dioxide, but also the increased oxygen level refreshes the air —- and you—- leading to increased concentration and productivity While NASA found that some plants were better than others for absorbing these common pollutants, all of the plants had properties that were useful in improving overall indoor air quality. The advantage that so-called houseplants have over other plants is that they are usually tropical plants that are adapted to tropical areas where they grow beneath dense tropical canopies and must survive in areas of low light. These plant are ultra-efficient in processing the gases necessary for photosynthesis. Thus, they have a greater potential to absorb other gases, including potentially harmful ones. NASA spent two years testing 19 different common houseplants for their ability to remove these common pollutants from the air. Of the 19 plants studied, 17 are considered true houseplants, and two, Gerbera or Transvaal daisies and ohrysanthemums, are more commonly used indoors as seasonal decorations. NASA also noted that some plants are better than others in treating certain chemicals. For example Gerbera daisies, peace lily, mother-in-law’s Tongue, English ivy, bamboo palm, chrysanthemums, Dracaena ‘warneck-
Dracaena Jade
ei’ were found to be the best plants for treating air contaminated with benzene. Benzene is a commonly used solvent in such items as gasoline, inks, oils, plastic and rubber. The peace lily, gerbera daisy, dracaena marginata and ‘Janet Craig’ and bamboo palm were very effective in removing concentrations of Trichloroethylene from the air. Additionally, NASA found that bamboo palm, mother-in-law’s Tongue, dracaenas (‘Janet Craig’ and marginata), peace lily, golden pothos (Devil’s ivy, money plant) and green spider plant worked well for filtering Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is found in virtually all indoor environments. Its major sources include urea-formaldehyde foam insulation, particle board or pressed wood products. Consumer paper products, including grocery bags, waxed paper, facial tissue and paper towels, are treated with urea formaldehyde resins. Many household cleaning agents contain formaldehyde. It is estimated, as a result of this research, that 15 to 20 of these test plants can purify the interior of a typical house of 1,800 square feet. They also recommend that the plants be grown in six-inch containers or larger. As well as purifying the air we breathe, the presence of indoor plants have been shown to have many other beneficial effects. These are some of the easiest plants to grow and most attractive to use for interior decorating plants around the house give a feeling of freshness, aliveness to any room. Interiors feel spacious, clean and looked after, it will even be perceived as ‘more expensive.’ Areca Palm (Chrysalidocarpus lute scens) Also known as yellow palm or butterfly palm, the areca palm is one of the most popular and graceful palms. This plant is consistently rated among the best purifying indoor plants for removing all indoor air toxins tested. Not only does it purify and clean the air, it is also reported to humidify the air by releasing copious amounts of moisture into the air. It can be kept anywhere in the house, especially next to newly vanished furniture or in carpeted areas. Best in direct, bright sunlight. Peace lily (spathiphyllum ‘mauna loa’) is my top houseplant, which can be rated overall as a great plant. It is known to reduce harmful indoor toxins that may cause cancer. An easy-to-care-for houseplant, the peace lily is a great pollution fighter and air purifier. It possesses all the qualities to make it one of the best indoor plants. The peace lily excels in the removal of alcohols, acetone, trichloroethylene, benzene and formaldehyde. Its ability to remove air pollutants and its excellent performance in all categories makes it a most valuable houseplant. For its outstanding foliage and beautiful white spathes, peace lily should always be included when seeking a variety of indoor plants. Best in indirect, medium to low sunlight. Rubber Plant It doesn’t need much care and looks beautiful. Bred for toughness, it will tolerate dim light, cool temperatures and even neglect. This plant is easy to grow and is great for removing chemical toxins from the indoor environment, particularly formaldehyde. Best in direct bright sunlight to indirect, medium sunlight. Today we can see the effect of global warming and pollution on human health as well as plants. Why not decorate your house with some of these life-saver plants?
Spider plant
Areca palm (Chrysoldocarpus lutescens) – butterfly palm, yellow palm
Peace lily (spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’)
Gerbera, Transvaal daisy (Gerbera Jamesonii)
Mother-in-law’s-tongue (Sauseviera trifasciata, laurentii) snake plant
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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
FASHION
AFWL 2013-Africa Set To Take Over London In Style Activities are gearing up for the biggest fashion event outside of the continent that will take place in August INCE the inception of Africa Fashion Week London in August 2011 S5,000 with a weekend celebration of African fashion attracting almost visitors, the CEO, Nigerian entrepreneur Ronke Ademiluyi has worked tirelessly to provide an international platform for emerging African and African inspired fashion designers. And now in its third year, back on the schedule for a whopping three days from August 1 to August 3, Africa Fashion Week London (AFWL) is set to be the biggest fashion event outside of the continent. “We were expecting 500 people in our first year, and almost 5000 people turned up. It was something people had clearly been waiting for,” says Ademiluyi of AFWL, which attracted 20,000 visitors last year at the height of the summer Olympics and is set to receive 25,000 visitors more this year at its new home, Old Truman Brewery in the hip London district of Shoreditch. With a few months left to the three-day extravaganza, AFWL already have a number of exciting names on board. In December 2012, at the press day that was held at the first AFWL concession store Studio 29 on 29 Opebi Road, Ikeja, Mrs. Fifi Ejindu, the Nigeriabased architect and businesswoman and Yinka Shonibare MBE, the London-based globally celebrated Nigerian fine artist were unveiled as the patrons for 2013. Both names are well known for their support of African arts and fashion on the continent and in the diaspora. “As the AFWL team we are excited to have such highly renowned male and female patrons who are both hugely successful in their fields and both supporters of African fashion lending us their support for 2013. You can expect AFWL 2013 to be a much bigger fashion affair than both the debut and sophomore editions,” promises Ademiluyi. “Our aim is to make sure we deploy the support of established fashion designers as well as valued patrons and sponsors to help provide a platform for emerging designers which otherwise they do not often have the means to reach on their own and help turn the spotlight on them and create buyer awareness and international publicity,” Ademiluyi says of the initiative. Publicity has indeed come thick and fast both on the continent and in the diaspora with AFWL garnering column inches in leading Nigerian dailies and fashion magazines as well as pan-African magazines FAB and New African Woman, French Magazines Miss Ebene and Fashizblack, British glossies, Black Hair, Pride and Black Beauty and Hair as well a two-page feature by Arise Magazine editor Helen Jennings in Metro, the world’s largest free newspaper and the third biggest newspaper in the UK with 1.3 million copies distributed across the UK daily.. Equally important for a highly publicized fashion week as designers are the models. Last year’s sophomore event saw 50 models of diverse ethnicity grace the runway and this year the organisers are looking towards casting 100 male and female models. The Face of AFWL 2013 will represent the event on all promotional material and social platforms. Meanwhile, in a bid to bring together the best in fashion and beauty this August, AFWL has partnered with MIZANI, L’Oréal’s premium professional haircare range for Afro Caribbean and mixed-race hair textures. MIZANI offers a complete collection of in-salon relaxers and treatments as well as premium shampoos, conditioners and styling products that will be used to style Europe’s largest fashion event in August. “It is a delight to partner with AFWL 2013 as the official hair spon-
sors for London’s most prestigious fashion event; one that specifically applauds the works of extremely talented African inspired designers. By providing the artistic teams for the three-day event, our role is to ensure that we are showcasing the best of catwalk hair trends using MIZANI’s premium styling range of products,” said Tumi Soyinka, MIZANI Senior Product Manager of the partnership. “We are also pleased to see that our celebrity brand ambassador, Shingai Shoniwa, lead singer of Noisettes, is also the ambassador for AFWL 2013. It is truly the perfect partnership,” she added. Ronke Ademiluyi, CEO and founder of Africa Fashion Week London, said, “Having MIZANI as hair sponsors for the second year running is proof that there is great synergy with the two brands and with MIZANI’s support, we hope to bring the best of African fashion and beauty to the Old Truman Brewery runway this August.” With still a few spaces left for runway and exhibition space, Africa Fashion Week London 2013 is accepting applications till June 30 from designers who wish to showcase on the runway and/or exhibit their merchandise over the three-day exhibition. Here are some pictures from AFWL 2012.
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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FASHION
Secrets to a healthy long hair
Long parting
Black hair
Feed your hair with miracle foods for that beautiful bounce and shine By Ibukunoluwa Kayode NE of the biggest myths about black hair is that it doesn’t grow as quickly as other types of hair. You may be right to an extent as an African breed but will disagree technically, except if you have a generic slow hair growth, which is absolutely understandable. All hairs grow at an average of half inch per month, but it is how you treat your hair that determines how much you will retain. The most important factor is
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what you eat, how important you take your diet. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a routine that must be strictly observed by women who would love to keep in place a full healthy long hair without frizzy ends or shredding. Some women swear by vitamin regimes that call for popping pills all day long. Truthfully, there are no mumbojumbos involved in hair growth. Having to pay so much to acquire
Long hair
Long bob
those basket-loads of hair treatment prescriptions from the hair stylist, that doesn’t yield results, can be very frustrating. The secret is just to focus on how to stay healthy in order to have healthy long, shiny hair. Coupled with hair treatments formulated for the African American woman, you are on your way to acquiring a long and healthy hair that is a cut above the rest. In order to treat your tress, here are some nutritious foods to indulge in: Salmon: Of all the foods listed here, salmon packs the most punch when it comes to your locks. It is full of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron and vitamin B-12. Salmon helps to add shine, prevent dry scalp and improve hair growth. This delish fish is a mir-
acle food for your hair. Eggs: This is perhaps the most versatile food on this list, there are countless ways you can work eggs into your healthy-hair diet. Eggs are rich in biotin, which is a B vitamin essential for scalp health and hair growth. Eggs are also high in iron, which carries oxygen to the hair follicles. Have an egg with breakfast a few times a week. Nuts: Keep a small bag of nuts in your purse for a quick snack such as almonds, pecans, cashews and walnuts that all contain zinc, which minimizes hair shedding. Walnuts also contain a high level of omega-3 fatty acid, which helps boost shine and fullness. Bright-coloured fruits: Mango,
strawberries, kiwi, pineapple and peaches are all rich in vitamin C, an essential for making collagen that gives structure to hair. Sweet potatoes: This antioxidant vitamin is converted to vitamin A once in the body, which is necessary for cell growth, including your hair! A vitamin A deficiency often results in dull, dry skin that then flakes off of your scalp as dandruff. Dark green vegetables: Greens like spinach, kale and broccoli are all major sources of vitamins A and C. These vitamins help produce sebum, scalp oil that acts as a natural hair conditioner. Poultry: Poultry feeds are full of protein, zinc, iron and B vitamins to keep your locks full and strong.
Etisalat celebrates first male Nigerian idol IGERIAN Idol Season 3, sponsored by N Etisalat, finally reached the climax that millions of viewers home and abroad waited for, when Moses Obi Adigwe became the first male contestant to win the competition. He joins the likes of Mercy Chinwo and Yeka Onka, winners of seasons 1 and 2. The show was a thrill for all who attended the grand finale recently at the Dream Studio in Omole, Lagos. The company delivered, as promised, a brand new SUV to the new Idol, who will also receive a 7.5-million-naira cash prize and a recording contract worth another N7.5 million. First Runner-up, Debbie Rise went home with a brand new Kia Picanto, also courtesy Etisalat Nigeria, and 1.5 million naira whilst second runner-up Safeeyat was rewarded with a one million naira cash prize. The telecom operator also presented cash rewards and devices to the finalists of the top 12 who joined Moses and Debbie on stage. Opening guest performance of the night was by Yeka, winner of the first season Nigerian Idol. The performance was followed by Mercy’s captivating rendition of her song – “You Go Remember Today”. Koko Master, D’Banj, graced the stage with his signature electrifying atmosphere, while Omawumi did not disappoint with a delivery of her popular track, ‘Bottom Belle’. The star performance of the night was that of multiple Grammy Award nominee and Afrobeat singer, Femi Kuti, who doubled as one of the judges on the show. The afrobeat wonder gave an energetic delivery of his new single, ‘No Place for my Dream’. Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Steven Evans, who was represented at the event by the Director, PMO and Operational Strategy, Ndidi Okpaluba, said the company recognises Nigerian Idol as a platform for identifying young talented Nigerians and a springboard for showcasing the winners to the international audience. “The Etisalat brand is youthful, dynamic and innovative. We believe all these qualities are
associated with the Nigerian Idol brand. Etisalat’s promise to you is that we will continue to provide new products and opportunities such as the Nigerian Idol,” Evans said. CEO, Optima Media Group (OMG), Rotimi Pedro spoke in the same vein, and thanked Etisalat Nigeria for its support over the past three seasons. “We specially appreciate
Etisalat Nigeria, who has been with us through the last three years. Without them we wouldn’t have had Seasons 1, 2 and 3. Together, we’ve built Nigerian Idol to become an international brand.” He also thanked the viewers and followers of this season’s show, and disclosed that this season which searched through five cities across
Nigeria for the Voice of Tomorrow, has enjoyed over 30 million hits on its website and added 96,000 new friends on Facebook. One of the judges, Femi Kuti praised Nigerians for their choice. According to him: “Moses shows there is great potential in Nigeria. I am very impressed. What we need to do is lay the foundation for them to grow upon.”
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SOCIETY
For Long Life, Eventful Career, Dare Fetes Family, By Olawunmi Ojo FTER years of meritorious A service at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Chief Yemi Dare recently retired as Manager, Public Affairs from the corporation. Also, the ebullient Dare recently turned 60. To celebrate both momentous occurrences in his life, the former NNPC chief hosted family, friends and associates in a grand ceremony. After a thanksgiving service at Methodist Church, Ipaja, Lagos, guests were treated to a reception at All Seasons’ Plaza, Agidingbi, Ikeja. Below are some photographs of the twin-event.
Former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala directing the cake-cutting ceremony while the celebrant, Chief Yemi Dare and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Yemi Dare look on in admiration
Former Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC), Amos Adamu with Mr. Kola Omonijo, a PR Consultant
Chief (Mrs.) Titilayo Dare with ace actress, Madam Kofo (real names, Alhaja Abiola)
Mr. Demola Wande with the Depot Manager, NNPC Mosimi, Alhaji Aliyu Maikano at the occasion
Chief Dare with Mrs. Grace Ogundimu and Mrs. Funmi Unuigbe
The celebrant (2nd right), Mr. Demola Dare (3rd right), Mrs. Tawa Ogundero (2nd left) and Mr. Cobam of NNPC (left)
Chief and Chief (Mrs.) Yemi Dare pose with Mr. Bashir Mohammed of NNPC (right), Mr Tunde Morafa and Mr. Ademola
The celebrant with Executive Director, Services, NNPC, Alhaji Ibrahim Barwa (2nd right) and other NNPC staff
Celebrant and wife with Princess Simbiat Oyewunmi (right), Mr. Isaac Ojo (2nd right) and Mrs Biodun Dare (left)
Chairman/CEO Snippers Restaurants Ltd., Mrs. Bimpe Adeyemi-Wilson; Manager, NNPC, Lagos Zonal office, Mr. Olu Adebola and Wole Otitoju, a lawyer
Bishop Bamgbose, Bishop Isaac Olawuyi; Very Rev. S. O. Ojelade and Rev. Sunday Olagbenro during the church service held at Metodist Church, Ipaja, Lagos.
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SOCIETY
Day Abia Govt Empowered The Youths ECENTLY Abia State R Government empowered 4500 youths with free cars, buses, laptops, sewing machines, tricycles and others. Part of activities to mark the youth empowerment program at Umuahia was the first annual Ochendo lecture where the Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi delivered lecture on the future of Nigerian youths. In attendance were the beneficiaries of the scheme, prominent Nigerians and top government officials.
Minister of Labour Chief Emeka Wogu, Former Senate President and Chairman of the occasion, Chief Adolphus Wabara, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and keynote speaker, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia state and his wife Lady Mercy Orji at the event.
Orji welcoming Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor central bank, Nigeria to his office in Umuahia for the first annual Ochendo lecture series
Director-General Nigeria Stock Exchange, Ms Arumma Oteh; Sanusi, Mrs. Mercy Orji, Governor Orji and Minister of Labour, Mr. Emeka Wogu
Gov. Theodore Orji presenting key of a Hummer bus to one of the beneficiaries of Abia State Youth Empowerment program, Mr. Sonny Nwakodo, Chairman NURTW Abia State.
Orji receiving an award for his support to the party from the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Chief Olisah Metu
Udanang Mounts The Throne Of His Forebears Recently His Highness Owong Edet Abika Udanang was enthroned as the village head of Adaeba-Ebughu of Mbo local council of Akwa-Ibom State. Here are the faces that graced the occasion
Newly enthroned Village head of Adaeba-Ebughu His Highness, Owong (Elder) Edet Abika Udanang
The Village head (left) and a high Chief Dr. Esin Nkereuwem, (right) engaging in a traditional rite
Udanang and Mrs. I.E Udanang
The royal family: Princess Gloria Udanang, Elder Udanang, Chief (Prince) Uduak Udanang and Princess Akon Inyang
Paramount ruler of Urue-Ofong Oruko L.G.A, His Royal Majesty Ofong E.R. Amasi and Village Head Eyesin Ebughu, His Highness Owong A.A. Mfon,
TheGuardian
Saturday, May 4, 2013 | 35
Conscience, Nurtured by Truth
Entertainment
Sony Neme nemesony@yahoo.co.uk 08111813096
MI
Onyeka
Lagos Hosts X-Factor May 26 As Audition Moves To Ghana A
FTER successful auditions in Port Harcourt and Abuja in Nigeria, the singing talent reality TV show, X Factor, moves to Ghana this weekend. According to a statement made available by Mr. Arinze Anapugar of Globacom, “The Ghana auditions would be held in Kumasi on Saturday, May 4, and Sunday, May 5, while that of Accra takes place the following weekend on May 11 and 12. Thereafter, the judges will return to Nigeria for the final audition to be hosted in Lagos on Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26 respectively.” It further stated that, “The three X Factor judges, Onyeka Onwenu, Nigeria’s musical legend; Africa’s number 1 rapper, MI, and father of Hiplife, Reggie Rockstone of Ghana, thanked Globacom for offering a rare opportunity to African youths to explore their talents. Onyeka reportedly said, “I am greatly excited to be part of this great show and I will definitely have fun while the competition lasts. I promise to be fair in my judgment, add humour to the game, be a good ambassador of Glo and display the greatest form of integrity which Globacom is known for.” On his part, M.I commended Glo for making history as the first company to bring the show to Africa. His words: “I am very happy about this. It is going to be the biggest ever reality show in Africa and that’s the truth. It’s more than just about Nigeria or West Africa. It’s about the whole of Africa. I’d be glad if another great artiste comes out from this pack
to upstage people like us but such a person has a lot of work to do because he needs the X Factor to get to the top of the pack.” Rockstone said he is excited because X Factor is designed to find new talents. Hear him: “I am optimistic because there are a lot of talents here in West Africa. I have seen them and I am delighted I am one of the judges. The $150,000 prize money for me is very enticing and the opportunity to have new talents stimulated my interest in the show. I can only be scared about new comers, and the part I love is that I’ll double as judge and coach. That is awesome,” he declared. Beat FM’s Tolu Oniru (Toolz), who was unveiled as the presenter of X Factor, was not left out of the of exciting moment. “It’s the biggest ever reality show that Nigeria and Africa have ever seen. N24 million isn’t child’s play; no other musical show has beaten that. And you know this year marks the 10th anniversary of Globacom and this programme, I believe, is part of the company’s modest way of thanking its numerous subscribers,” he said. In Abuja, hundreds of aspiring singers took part in the two-day audition. Identical twins: Clinton and Blair Roberts, sang together with the group named DNA Twins. The performance of the duo from Madonna Secondary School, Owerri, Imo State, was one of the high points as the event ended on an exciting note with 22 aspiring singers/groups making it to the next stage of the contest.
KSA, Femi Kuti, Ali Baba, Don Jazzy, 2Face, others honHE maiden edition of the Nigerian EnterT tainment Conference which took place last week at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos witnessed lots of exciting moments with stars and major players in the entertainment industry in attendance. As part of the activities, some people were honored, including ex-Mo’ Hits super-producer, Don Jazzy and artiste D’banj. So also were Kenny Ogungbe and Dayo Adeneye,
music producer, Nelson Brown; Afro beat legend, Femi Kuti; African pop icon, 2Face Idibia; Juju legend, King Sunny Ade and Godfather of Nigerian comedy, Ali Baba. Also honoured were Fuji icon, K1 De Ultimate; Movie Makers, Ama Igwe and Tunde Kelani; Distinguished publishers, Kunle Bakare, Mayor Akinpelu and Femi Akintunde Johnson; Showbiz Practitioner, Edi Lawani and Nigeria’s number One DJ, DJ Jimmy Jatt.
Rockstone They were joined in the last stage by 57year-old Ben Collins Nwachukwu from Kaduna who was the centre of attraction as the oldest person in the crowd of singing enthusiasts at the Sheraton Hotel venue of the second audition. The contestants were mainly teenagers and others in their 20s. But for Collins, there was no age barrier to talent, saying it had been his dream to be in a big reality show. His words: “X Factor is not for the youth alone. It is for those who are talented and here I am. I wish to also bring my skills to the lime light.” DNA Twins had this to say: “For us, X-Factor is the ultimate show and we have been looking forward all our lives to participating in the programme. This is the dream we have been waiting for. Just participating in the audition is deeply fulfilling but we also want to go ahead and win,” they chorused. They also praised Globacom for bringing opportunities of stardom to youths. Another attraction was Adesiyan Olakitan, who impressed the crew with his rendition of the National Anthem. Olakitan, a worker in Abuja, said she was hoping that X Factor would be the springboard that would bring her to prominence as a musician. “This is the first time I have performed in public,” she added.
Chibuzor Christopher, a ten-year-old boy who came with his father, Christopher Chris, also created a stir at the Ladi Kwali Hall venue of the audition. D. Omalicha’s, Becky Inyang and Josephine Onyejebose, students of the Federal Polytechnic Auchi returned on Sunday in their identical blue costume. But this time, with the X-Factor badge emblazoned on their chest. The DNA Twins and D Omalicha’s who had received an express advance over the audition on Saturday, returned for the final Abuja selection on Sunday. The final audition will bring together all the contestants that made it in Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kumasi, Accra and Lagos preliminaries. While Port Harcourt and Abuja have held their auditions, Kumasi will host Ghanaian contestants on May 4, Accra on May 11, while Lagos audition will hold on May 25 and 26. The winner of the show will get $150,000 and a recording contract with the internationally acclaimed Sony Music for the recording of an album and professional management of the winning individual or group. X Factor is designed to find new singing talents, and offers a platform for aspiring singers of all ages, sex and style as well as solo acts and groups to pursue their ambition. The other stages of the competition include the evictions, the judge’s day and the grand finale.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Kelvin
Luciano Gabriel-Led EXCO Poised For A New PMAN A
S part of his plans for the Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Mr Kevin Lucciano Gabriel has restated his desire to attract younger musicians, through an all- embracing change to the union. Luciano, who spoke exclusively with The Guardian from his Victoria Island, Lagos office, said his vision and mission for a new PMAN is among others, “Uniting stakeholders, revenue generation for the benefit of stakeholders and proper restructuring of the union to meet with the vision and mission of its founding fathers and mothers. Another major area that this interim government must tackle with all seriousness that it deserves is ensuring that we carry the young generation stakeholders along and make them part of the union leadership.” This he said, has started as his team kick-started activities needed to put structures in place, barely three days after their historic elections that has united all major actors. Mr. Luciano, who doubles as the boss of Questionmark Entertainment, recently emerged as the new interim president of PMAN. He emerged after Mr. Skid Ikemefuna, his only opponent, stepped down on popular demand. Others elected in the keenly contested elections were music legend, Mike Okri as First Vice President. Azeezat emerged as the new treasurer for the interim government, while Maureen, also known as Mama Entertainment, emerged second deputy president. Interestingly, there has been a deluge of interest like never before since the emergence of Luciano, especially from the young generation musicians who had hitherto distanced themselves from the group’s activities. In a related development, award-winning rap artiste, Jude Abaga, a.k.a MI,
Luciano
like others of his generation had expressed concern about the lon- troubles of union. This fear has however been allayed by Luciano who has vowed to use all possible means to make the young generation musician a part of his government through regular town hall meetings across the country “That way, members will be free to help us serve them better. I must tell you this, you can only perform better when you put the interest of members first, instead of making your interest the priority in any given leadership position, this we have come to represent. We are here to save them of the past embarrassment to the industry,” he further reassured. MI had advocated a ‘coup' as a way out. He had expressed his views at the recent Nigerian Entertainment conference held Friday, April 26 at the Grand ballroom of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos where incidentally no executive member of PMAN was present. According to MI, "There is a systemic breakdown at PMAN. It has remained an embarrassment to the industry... We don't know the way forward as PMAN no longer represents the Nigerian artiste, so there is the need to be a coup". That coup apparently took place on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at Mega plaza, Victoria Island, Lagos. It was a day that the young generation of musicians and music promoters set aside their seven-year-old differences to elect new leaders saddled with the responsibilities of returning the union to its glorious days. At the maiden meeting of the NWC at Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday, April 30, it was obvious that PMAN is on a genuine drive towards a new dawn for its teeming members. At the meeting which had all key officers and five other interim officers in attendance, the new president, Luciano took some decisive steps towards making PMAN a more respectable union.
Fine Outing At Nigeria Entertainment Conference HE much anticipated showbiz T summit tagged Nigerian Entertainment Conference was held as scheduled on Friday, April 26, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The well-attended event with the theme “Building the Industry of Our Dreams” actually enveloped all the sectors associated with the entertainment industry from fashion, music, movies/films and media. The conference that was aimed at steering the different sectors of the Nigerian entertainment industry in the right direction also looked at sports, arts in general, IT, comedy and events. The panel of discussants included Mr. Kenny Ogungbe, CEO, Kennis Music, DJ Jimmy Jat, Sound Sultan, MI and Weird MC. Pertinent industry issues raised were, ‘Looking at the music scene through the eyes of talents, labels, investors, consumers, regulatory bodies’. ‘The role of an artiste in the digital age’ and lastly, ‘Surviving in a peculiar in-
dustry like Nigeria’. Questions were also fielded from participants. The NET Newspapers Limited, publishers of Nigerian Entertainment Today and organizers of the event, got it right with what they have started as annual umbrella conference for the Nigerian entertainment industry. The inaugural edition succeeded in bringing practitioners in Nigeria together to study the global trend, understand it, master it, and put it to use for the benefit of practitioners, consumers, corporate and society. That was the main objective of the summit, and it was achieved going by the quality of attendance and panel discussions. According to Ayeni Adekunle, NET founder, “The Nigerian Entertainment Conference is an invaluable initiative needed at this critical time in our industry to steer the different sectors in the appropriate direction. The Nigerian entertainment industry has shown its capacity – if we have been able to generate billions of dol-
lars without any visible structures or government support then, imagine what would happen if we are able to put our house in order.” Adekunle’s advice is for stakeholders to, “Put our house in order because no one will do it for us- not the government, not the ‘corporate community.’ If it is ever going to happen, then practitioners will have to be the ones to spearhead it and it all starts with this conversation.” Other key note speakers were General Manager, Consumer Marketing MTN Nigeria, Kola Oyeyemi; Iyiola Ayoade, Charterhouse Ghana founder. A show of shame almost marred the event when two bigwigs in the music industry- Kennis Music Boss, Mr. Kenny Ogungbe and the Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria COSON, Chief Tony Okoroji, violently exchange wordsover the payment royalties. Weird MC in her opening remark had raised questions on the exploitation of the artistes’ works.
Sound Sultan
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ENTERTAINMENT HE Board of Trustees of the COSON Music T Foundation will be inaugurated in Lagos on Tuesday, May 7. The inauguration will take place at Protea Hotel, GRA Ikeja, Lagos with Miliki music exponent, Evangelist (Dr) Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi MFR tipped as the chairman. Others pencilled down to serve as members are music industry personalities like Prof (Sir) Victor Uwaifo MON JP, Erelu Keji Okunowo, Mr. Edi Lawani, Mr. Toju Ejueyitchie and Chief Osita Okeke among others. According to COSON Chairman, Chief Tony Okoroji, “The Board of Trustees will be responsible for the prudent management of the funds of the foundation. At the Tuesday event, the COSON Advisory Council, also headed by Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, will be inaugurated.” He also emphasized that, “Each of the seven big events of the forthcoming COSON Week is in support of the COSON Music Foundation, which is a big non-profit trust being set up for Nigerian music and musicians in a profession where there is no pension, gratuity or an insurance scheme.” Okoroji said he would use the occasion to present a comprehensive briefing on the state of the different events as the trophy of the COSON Song Awards is for the first time unveiled. He further said the foundation that will be formally launched on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, during the COSON Week, will provide support for artistes in distress and also provide funding for music education. “The launch at the special event tagged, the COSON Green Ball, is a key objective of THE
COSON Inaugurates Music Foundation Board Of Trustees …To Unveil Song Awards Trophy, As Lecture Coincides With Birthday COSON WEEK 2013, that will grip the attention of the nation from May 19, 2013 and rise to a crescendo on May 25, 2013 when the COSON SONG AWARDS is staged at the New Ball Room of the regal Lagos Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island,” he reiterated. In a related development, the premises of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos will witness significant activities on Monday, May 20 as the COSON Lecture, another major event of the anniversary. His words: “It was on May 20, 2010 that the copyright collective management revolution
Obey
in Nigeria anchored by COSON and propelled by the now famous COSON slogan, ‘Let the music pay!’, officially began. To mark the day with pomp and pageantry, COSON has invited one of the most revered brains in the world, Professor Helge Ronning of the Department of Communications, University of Oslo to speak on Intellectual Property, Communications, International Co-operation and National Development.” Professor Ronning is also Chairman of the Norwegian Copyright Development Association (NORCODE) with significant development work in copyright around the world.
Uwaifo
MTN Excites Consumers With MTN Pulse Campaign By Tony Nwanne TN Pulse recently actiM vated its online campaign to the delight of its over 7 million youth community, as it created the platform for
youths, in choice locations, across Nigeria and on the social networks, to exhibit their passion and freedom. With thousands of tweeted images and facebook displays, participants were re-
warded with prizes that ranged from Blackberry Z10, Nokia Lumia 920, DVD Players to loads of recharge cards at the events’ locations in Calabar, Lagos and Port Harcourt.
Ola Emmanuel Debuts With Eledumare (Almighty) By Tony Nwanne
ent problems,” she said. The six-tracker album comprises songs like ExLTHOUGH Ola Emmanuel is not popularly ceeding Grace, Miracle, praise Medley, Orin to dun, Everything and Arugbo Ojo. known in the gospel music scene, one sure thing is that her music has continued to speak vol- Born into a Muslim family, Sis Ola, as she is umes for her in the gospel circle, as she launched fondly called, found joy in using her talents to her debut titled, Eledumare (Almighty) last week- glorify God, at the same time winning souls for Christ through her music. end. “Deep down inside me, I knew I could influence The launching, which took place at the Repeople positively with my kind of music bedeemed Christian Church of God, Covenant cause I have been ordained by God to do this.” Chapel, Ikeja, had in attendance gospel music Her album, Eledumare, is a fusion of Yoruba lovers who came to celebrate Ola Emmanuel. Currently the head of the Sound of Many Waters and Igbo praise and worship songs. Her inspiraMinistry, a gospel musical group, her journey into tion, according to her, comes from God. She sees female gospels artistes making waves singing professionally started in 2005, having been the lead choir of her church way back. “God in the music scene generally because they have been able to create a niche for themselves in actually initiated the whole idea. I decided to the industry. People like Tope Alabi, Bukola Are delve into music just to glorify the name of the lord and at the same time preach the message of among others are among artists who have inGod to people who are downtrodden with differ- spired her.
A
“Already a high-powered panel of discussants will also be present to analyze the issues around the lecture. On the panel are Professor Bankole Sodipo, President, Intellectual Property Law Association of Nigeria (IPLAN); Professor Adebambo Adewopo, former Director-General of the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) is a professor of Intellectual Property Law at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies; and Professor Emevwo Biakolo, Dean, School of Media & Communication, Pan Africa University,” he said. Ms Tarja Koskinen-Olsson, a global expert in copyright from Finland has also been confirmed as one of the panelists. Ms Koskinen-Olsson is a Honorary President, International Federation of Reprographic Rights Organizations (IFFRO) . Also on the panel is Mr Afam Ezekude, current Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC). “His Excellency, Mr Rolf Ree, the Ambassador of Norway to Nigeria, has graciously accepted to be the Special Guest of Honour at the COSON Lecture. We promised that we will not leave any stone unturned to make the event a huge success during the COSON Week, and we will keep our promise. We are also inviting notable Nigerian lawyers with interest in intellectual property, communication experts and Nigerian creative community to the COSON Lecture. We believe that knowledge is power and Intellectual Property is the big subject of today. It is the new frontier around which several battles will be fought at home and abroad. As a result Nigeria must prepare herself for these battles,” Okoroji said.
The MTN Pulse campaign is an effort by the largest mobile telecommunications company in Africa, MTN, to capture the passion and desire of its customers and provide improved services that match that desire in the 21st Century. One of the participants and prize winners at the Calabar location, Lilian Anumba, a student of the University of Calabar, was elated as she declared MTN Pulse ‘the biggest youth-centric offering’. According to the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Kola Oyeyemi, ‘the MTN Pulse is specially packaged to fit into the lifestyles of youths and create a platform for endless socializing’. This is why the MTN Pulse campaign, which has the ‘Pulse of Life’ as its thematic thrust, offers such mouth-watering benefits, which include 8.34kobo per second billing, free access to Facebook, weekly megabyte for endless pulse chats and midnight calls to the over 7million largest community of youths.
OLLYWOOD actress and N nursing mother, Mercy Johnson Ozioma (Mercy Johnson), on April 28, 2013 dedicated her daughter, Purity's to God. It was double celebration for the talented thespian as she made the day memorable, with house warming as she and her family have finally relocated from Omole, Ikeja to her own residence in Lekki also in Lagos. The new landed property was a beehive as celebrities swarmed the tastefully furnished white and cream coloured all-marble interior to celebrate with one of their own. It is a thing of joy for the kind hearted lady who in a recent interview lamented that a lot
Mercy Johnson Dedicates Daughter, Warms Lekki Home of untrue things have been said about her. “For instance, they said I stole money, while some said I snatched people’s husbands. I have come to realise that it doesn’t cost people anything to cook up lies about me and those were not coming until a telecommunication company called me for a deal. The next day, scandalous stories started flying and honestly, I lost the N50 million deal because of that,” she had ex-
Mecry Johnson with hubby and Baby Purity
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DIARY
Skybird Air team, Director, Alhaji Zanna Mohammed; Air Chief Operating Officer/Accountable Manager, Mrs. Toyin Magbagbeola; Managing Director, Mr. Samuel Ayodele; Acting Managing Director, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Joyce Nkemakolom (fourth from left) and other officials of NCAA shortly after Skybird received the Airworthiness Operating Certificate (AOC) in Lagos…recently
Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (left), Leader of the delegation of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, Rear Admiral Amin Ikioda (middle) and Senior Research Fellow, (NIPSS) Prof. Solomon Williams, (sitting right), during the visit of the institute’s delegation to the governor’s office in Ibadan…recently
Mr. Ola Akintonwa of Citinet; Chairman ICON Hotel Limited, Chief Abimbola Aboderin and Prince Ayo Gbadebo of Citinet at a dinner in honour of Prince Aboderin in Lagos…recently
Mr. Jones Umunna Amaechi of Skye bank, Micheal Onuoha, (Winner) MoneyGram Share the passion and Win Big, Mr. Wale Arowojolu of Skye bank and Marketing Executive, Anglophone West Africa, MoneyGram Mr. Kofi Akyea, during the MoneyGram Share the passion and Win Big prize presentation held in Lagos…recently
L-R: Marketing Director Nigerite Limited, Arc. Toyin Gbede, Head, Dry Construction Business Unit, Builder Wale Ogungbe and Head, Roofing and Ceiling Business Unit, Nigerite Limited, Engr. Chris Adegbile during interactive forum on Building Construction in the 21st Century organised by Nigerite Limited at Eko Hotel, Lagos yesterday.
Groom men; the couple, Mr. Tope and Mrs. Oreoluwa Fadahunsi and bridesmaids at the wedding ceremony of the Fadahunsis held in Lagos… recently
Head of Department of Marketing, Pentagon Real Estate Investment Ltd; Mr. Cosmos Ogiri, Mrs. Anietie Mbosowo; Mr. Kingsley Akijuobi; Chairman/CEO of the company, Mr. Kenedy Okoruwa; Mr. Abraham Olusegun; Mrs. Chukwudi Okere Nympha posed for a shot at the plots allocation exercise to the allotees of Mainland Park held at Mowe, Ogun State…recently
Founder of Healthcare and Former Commissioner for health in Kwara State, Dr Bola Olaosebikan (OON) with the Award he received recently at University of Ilorin as “Architect of Medical Development”
Mr. and Mrs. Tope Ayanwale after their wedding ceremony in Lagos…recently
Members of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) during the inauguration ceremony of the civil society at Iwe Irohin House, Abeokuta during the week
TheGuardian
Saturday, May 4, 2013 39
Conscience, Nurtured by Truth
Arts&Culture Relocate If You Can’t Dislocate An
Inconvenient System, Says Kole Omotoso By Anote Ajeluorou most intellectuals of his day in the 1980s LwereIKE and the 1990s in Nigerian universities, who fiercely radical and marxist in thinking, Omotoso had had to relocate when the scorching heat of the military era drew too close for comfort. This was quite apart from the Structural Adjustment Policy (SAP) that had begun to turn to shreds every vestige of academic prestige Nigerian universities previously enjoyed. Early in the 1980s, he wrote the only book in which Nigeria is the central character, Just Before Dawn, which got him into trouble with the establishment, with characters like Olusegun Obasanjo heading to the courts to stop the publication and other Northern elements, who protested against the books in its fact-fictive narrative that cut too close to those to whom truth was a dangerous inconvenience. So, Prof. Kole Omotoso relocated to South Africa, according to him, since he couldn’t quite dislocate the terrible system that had firmly taken root in his native country, with the military’s reluctance to return to the barracks for democracy to flourish. In the question and answer session at Government House in his hometown, Akure a fortnight ago and as part of the celebration of his 70th birthday, Omotoso gave insight into some of the things that shaped his artistic and political life and how much the two, together with the religious element, have affinity in his formative years in Akure. Omotoso stated categorically that when an individual couldn’t dislocate current stiffling system that breeds social anomaly, the right option would be for him to relocate to where he could engagingly make contributions. He said, “When you can’t dislocate, relocate; do not get used to nonsense. If the resources you have cannot dislocate what is an inconvenience then relocate. It wasn’t easy to go. My problem was that of national identity, which nobody was ready to solve. Nigerians are ready to accommodate anything – mediocrity, lack of service, including constant power outages. “Never make a habit of emergency measures. No way will I live in a house with a generator even if it means not coming back to Nigeria. In Nigeria, through mediocrity and absence of integrity, governance has become impossible. In South Africa, people don’t keep quiet when things don’t work; they keep talking and protesting about them. We’re being boiled progressively and we don’t complain. We must not leave issues of governance to government alone; there must be alternatives to governance.” Now that he is 70 and Ondo State Government is prevailing on him to return home, it is hard to see how much his abhorrence for the systemic failures back home will serve as deterrence to remain away. With Chinua Achebe’s death at 82 in exile still raw in the nerves of the literary community, it would be a wonder if Omotoso wouldn’t do a volteface in his exile years. This is in spite of previously making a will to have his remains and that of his late wife cremated when he couldn’t return to get a new passport whene it expired during the dreaded days of Gen Sanni Abacha. MOTOSO’s formative years could best be described as romantically idyllic. As a child he had his fill of the thrill of oral tradition swamping him from all sides and he almost got sucked into its irresistible vortex of intermingling of traditional music, drumming, storytelling but particularly that of becoming an Alagbe, an itinerant street musician who performs for money. That was how much allure oral performance and street theatre had on the young Omotoso. He recalled fondly, “I was cut out to be an alagbe! There were some music I’d hear in Akure and I couldn’t move. I didn’t want to go to school; it was one parental imposition I hated. I was attracted very much to the street
O
Ofeimun explains Omotoso’s photo exhibition to Governor Mimiko. Omotoso is second from left
We’re being boiled progressively and we don’t complain. We must not leave issues of governance to government alone; there must be alternatives to governance theatre. I’d hide my books in the bush and wander after performers, but parents have the best intention for their children”. On his growing up years in Akure, Omotoso also nostalgically recalled, “I grew up on the streets of Akure at former Bourdillon Road. I grew up in a place where there was interface between oral culture and literary culture. The other was the performance, which was a critical part of the daily life. It was a congregation of the politics, where no two people belonged to one political party or religion in one house yet there was no friction or acrimony. “It was easy for me to combine the political in an artistic purpose, and to blend the two. I always talk about the need to link the political and artistic purpose”.
But, indeed, imagine Nigeria’s art community without an Omotoso! Such a sad loss it would have been if he had followed his passion for alagbe, street theatre performer! Although he missed out on it, Omotoso was to make up for it in his seemingly quaint choice of study – Arabic literature and theatre! He’d been admitted to study English at University of Ibadan, but he didn’t see any challenge in that course of study having read virtually all the literary works available at the time. He needed a challenge and Arabic came handy. Omotoso had been fascinated by a mate’s Arabic name and the chanting of Arabic letters and figures as he passed by a mosque and just couldn’t get over the sheer charm of that language. When the opportunity presented itself after he decided against English, he promptly enrolled for Arabic and became one of the first non-Moslems to study that course. But it came with a price when he began to teach; some zealot in the Arabic Department at University of Ibadan rose against him as a non-Moslem teaching; for them, it was sacrilegious. He was forced to relocate to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, then University of Ife. According to him, “Arabic is a fascinating culture. I was fascinated by Arabic; that was why I studied it. But by wearing an Islamic dress, I was accused of defaming Islam”. ARLIER, Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun E Mimiko was conducted round ‘The Kole Omotoso Exhibition — Akure to Jo’burg’, a photograph exhibition mounted by Omotoso birthday organisers, the Odia Ofeimun-led Hornbill House of the Arts at Akure Cultural Centre. In the photographs could be seen Omotoso right from his formative years through adult life and some of the milestone
events that shaped both his artistic and political vision as a cultural producer. It provided a fascination both for Mimiko and other guests for whom the photographs afforded a certain cultural-historical trajectory as seen through the life of Omotoso as an artist and humanist. Ofeimun said the photographs would be donated to any cultural organisation in Akure that has the capacity to exhibit them as educational materials that would inspire young ones and the public alike about the life of Omotoso.
POETRY Here, where I grew By Sotanmide Oluwatobi Moses Thrived one-time warlord, Unforgotten now retired, A mount amidst many vales Why this quiet, whose yard Bleats and lows so ever, and Lives on laps of fatted feast? Cheapness for sale, The common must come, To feast of their own wealth Kiss the god lest he be angry, Pay your due and live at will, Loot the throne but spare some grains! Lousy voice of expediency, Fancied this too has come to stay, Scarce know it too will fade.
THE GUARDIAN Saturday, May 4, 2013
40 ARTS By Dr. Ken Amobi ELECTING the burial date of a prominent Stentious Ogidi man can be a complex and conaffair. When the person is a “big masquerade” the size of Chinua Achebe the problem assumes a humongous proportion. Demands of nuclear family members clash with those of Nigerian government officials; interests of international bodies collide with local religious bodies; involvement of professional associations tangle with those of traditional societies. This list can be long and unwieldy. The announced burial date for Ogidi High Chief, Chinua Achebe, is slated for May 23, 2013. For the uninitiated this Thursday will be a great day for such an important funeral. Achebe passed away on March 21, 2013 and for the gullible his burial is overdue. Some discerning voices might worry about the rains. The rainy season may have returned in full force by May 23. However, those who deeply believe in the metaphysics of rain-making and rain-dispersal would firmly counter, saying that the best rain ‘doctors’ will be engaged and no rain will fall on May 23. These musings, much as they provide lively debates and exchange of ideas, are not anywhere near the anticipated concern some Ogidi people may throw up about May 23. Some may predict that agwo no na akilika (a ferocious snake is lurking among the seemingly benign waste dry grass). The die-hard will intimate that there is trouble in the offing. May 23 is Nkwo market day in Igbo Calendar. Again, for a novice in Ogidi culture, this may seem unimportant and inconsequential. But is it? Both Thisday and The Guardian newspapers reported on Monday April 22, 2013 that the Chairman of the South-East Governor’s Forum and Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi has announced the May 23 date. Thisday reported that “The decision was reached after a meeting of the South-East governors with the family of the late Achebe.” It appears that this decision is now cast in stone. Was there any consultation with Ogidi NdiIchie? Was there any input from the Ogidi Union of Nigeria? This writer has unsuccessfully tried finding answers to these questions. At best, the information available is convoluted and confusing. In Ogidi culture a titled man is buried on an Oye (Orie) market day. This practice is almost as old as modern Ogidi nation. Inquiring minds will like to know why Oye day is chosen. But to fully understand this issue you have to know that for some Igbo people there could be more than one burial for a dead man: there is the burial of the “flesh” and burial of the “soul.” The soul is also called mpkuluchi. In Onitsha customs the burial of the soul is called ido igbudu. According to High Chief Mike Areh, Ede Gbogbogaga of Onitsha, burial of the flesh can take place on any Igbo market day. It is the burial of the soul of the departed that should occur on an Oye day. Ede reminded this writer that even the great Zik of Africa, the Owele of Onitsha, Nnamdi Azikiwe, was buried on Nigerian Government appointed day, which was not an Oye day. That was just the ‘flesh’ burial. The ido igbudu, the soul burial, happened on an Oye day. But why is the soul burial reserved for an Oye day? Put this question to many Igbo people, even people who claim to be custodians of Igbo culture, and you will be surprised to learn that they lack clear, precise knowledge about it. One Ogidi chief said that they are buried on Oye day because “that is the day they go.” This
The Late Achebe
Chinua Achebe’s Burial Date: Is Ogidi Culture Observed? cannot be an acceptable answer. An inescapable follow-up question has to be: Why is it the day they go? An Igbo chief from Ufuma in Anambra State, Chief Vincent Obiano, Oku da ibibe, was the first person to point out to this writer that May 23 is an Nkwo day, not an Oye day. The eagle-eyed Chief Obiano, a devout Christian and versed in Igbo tradition, vehemently cautioned about making sure that Achebe’s burial is carried out in accordance with Igbo custom. Quoting Ofo and Ogu metaphysics, Chief Obiano prognosticated that Igbo titled men are buried on Oye (Orie) day, because, according to him: “You know the dead man is believed to be joining his ancestors, right? In Ofo and Ogu metaphysics, Orie is holy, like Sunday. Communication with deities and between the living and the dead is most effective and seamless on Orie.”
Obiano could be talking about soul burial, or referring to a situation in his community if flesh burial and soul must jointly take place. Areh did some consultation and reported his findings to me on Saturday April 27, 2013. Onitsha people believe that Oye day is the day that the spirits from the land of the dead are on the prowl in the land of the living. It is their rest and free day; a day most convenient for them to commune with and receive new initiates to this realm of existence. It is the day the souls of the dead are most freely accepted to join their ancestors in the spirit world. Oye day is also significant because it is the day when titles are conferred on people with the approval of the denizens of the spirit world. The Igwe of Onitsha and Igwe of Ogidi, both perform their respective major ceremonies like Umatu and Ofala on Oye days, ostensibly a day most suitable for propitiations and appeasement of their ancestors.
Let history be our guide. Soul ‘burial’ of Igwe Amobi I of Ogidi who died on December 18, 1925 was an Oye day. The soul ‘burial’ of Igwe Amobi II of Ogidi was on Saturday February 9th, 1974; you guessed it, on Oye market day. Igwe Amobi III of Ogidi joined his ancestors on Saturday, February 1, 1986 an Oye market day. Igwe Amobi IV of Ogidi was ‘buried’ on October 31, 1998, another Oye market day. By the way, notice that cautious use of the word ‘burial’ when reporting the departure of the above listed Igwes of Ogidi. It is strongly believed that the Igwe of Ogidi never dies; he merely joins his ancestors. The ceremony marking his departure is called the ‘last Ofala’. Need I say more about Oye soul burial? Perhaps, yes. The remains of High Chief Ernest Nzeadi Amobi, Onowu II of Ogidi, was committed to mother earth on November 14, 2008. But that was the flesh burial. The soul burial took place the next day and it was an Oye market day. Professor (Chief) Clement Chibuzor Amobi, Ezeamalu of Ogidi, was buried on April 30, 2011 an Oye market day. Amobi received a combined flesh and soul burial on this Oye day. Ogidi custom for burying a titled man is akin to that of Onitsha. Ogidi people will allow ‘flesh’ burial on any day other than Oye day. However, for buoyant families of the departed, it is preferred that flesh burial is within four days to the next Oye day, when the soul burial can take place. Members of Ndi-ichie Ogidi, as a group, will come to pay their last respects to departed on this Oye day. Ndi-Ichie Ogidi, as a group, does not view the body of a deceased member, they merely commune with the soul of the departed during their brief ceremonies at the bed on which he is laid in state. It is, however, instructive that Oye day burial for titled men is not pervasive in all of Anambra State, or for that matter, in Idemili Local Government Area. In Abatete, no specific Igbo market day is reserved for burying titled men. Chief Laz Igbokwe, Chinyelugo, of Abatete stated unequivocally that any Abatete titled man could be buried on any Igbo market day. One notable wrinkle is that Eke day being the main market day in Abatete, most burials are shifted away from Eke day. He went on to clarify that if burial ceremonies were fixed on an Eke day, absentees will not be penalized for not attending. Chief Chukwudi Amobi, Ezeogo, on assignment from this writer, interviewed Chief Pius Chiezie, former President of Ndi-Ichie Ogidi on this issue. Chief Chiezie explained that the Oye day burial practice was introduced in Ogidi by Igwe Amobi I of Ogidi. The provenance of this ancient practice is not in doubt. Igwe Amobi I must have borrowed this custom from his association with Onitsha culture. As a onetime interpreter in the palace of Obi Anazonwu, the Igwe of Onitsha, it’s little wonder that Igwe Amobi I transported this custom to Ogidi when he became the Igwe. Chief Theo Okonkwo, Nnanyelugo Chinyelugo of Ogbunike in Anambra State, a proud recipient of two titles, also weighed in on the Oye burial matter. He explained that the burial of a titled man in Ogbunike takes place on an Oye day. In Ogbunike the flesh and soul burial happens on the same day. Ogbunike Ndi-Ichie, as a group, will view the body of their departed member while lying in state. And now to the burial of Ogidi’s illustrious son, High Chief Chinua Achebe (Ugo belu n-oji); May 23 is an acceptable burial date for his flesh. Security considerations, transportation and other logistic imperatives may have prompted the selection of this date.
. . .A Prophet Without Honor In His Own Country EANWHILE, the New York Senate M in Albany has adopted a resolution honoring Professor Chinua Achebe, who died on March 21, as part of its tradition of paying tribute to the lives of those esteemed individuals of international renown who distinguished themselves through their life’s work. The legislative body highlighted Achebe’s life of writing and dedication to excellence, including working up until the time of his death as David and Marianna Fisher University Professor and Professor of Africana Studies at Brown University The resolution also indicated that New York’s Bard College, where the famous writer worked before moving to Brown University, will continue to be a primary home for his projects. Also in Washington DC, Mayor Vincent
C. Gray has paid tribute to Professor Achebe. “Along with the District’s African community and the entire world, I grieve the passing of Chinua Achebe,” he said. “His respected legacy will be the young writers he inspires to tell their stories for future generations to enjoy.” Text of the resolution by the Senate of New York: J1186-2013: Mourning the death of paramount novelist Chinua Achebe, founder and pioneer of African literature. LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of paramount novelist Chinua Achebe, founder and pioneer of African literature WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to the lives of those esteemed individuals of international renown who distin-
guished themselves through their life’s work; and WHEREAS, foremost novelist, Professor Chinua Achebe, died on Thursday, March 21, 2013, at the age of 82; and WHEREAS, Born Albert Chinualumogu Achebe, on November 16, 1930, Chinua Achebe was a Nigerian novelist, poet, professor, and critic; he was best known for his 1958 novel, Things Fall Apart, selling over 12 million copies around the world, and having been translated into 50 languages, making him the most paraphrased African writer of all time; and WHEREAS, Raised by his parents in the Igbo town of Ogidi in southeastern Nigeria, Chinua Achebe excelled academically and earned a scholarship for undergraduate studies; he became fascinated with world religions and traditional African cultures, and began writ-
ing stories as a college student; and WHEREAS, After graduation, Chinua Achebe worked for the Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS) and soon moved to the metropolis of Lagos; he gained worldwide attention for Things Fall Apart; his later novels include: No Longer at Ease (1960), Arrow of God (1964), A Man of the People (1966), and Anthills of the Savannah (1987); and WHEREAS, When the region of Biafra broke away from Nigeria in 1967, Chinua Achebe became a supporter of Biafran independence and acted as ambassador for the people of the new nation; the war ravaged the populace, and as starvation and violence took its toll, he appealed to the people of Europe and the Americas for assistance; and WHEREAS, When the Nigerian government retook the region in 1970,
Chinua Achebe involved himself in political parties, but soon resigned due to frustration over the corruption and elitism he witnessed, thereby deciding to devote himself to academia; he lived in the United States for several years in the 1970s, and returned there in 1990 after a car accident left him partially disabled; and WHEREAS, Chinua Achebe’s novels focus on the traditions of Igbo society, the effect of Christian influences, and the clash of Western and traditional African values during and after the colonial era; his style relies heavily on the Igbo oral tradition, and combines straightforward narration with representations of folk stories, proverbs, and oratory; he also published a number of short stories, children’s books, and essay collections.
* Source from the net
TheGuardian
Saturday, May 4, 2013 |41
Conscience, Nurtured by Truth
Healthfeature WHO-AFRO Accreditation Checklist: Not Yet Uhuru For Nigeria’s Laboratories By Joseph Okoghenun
HE role of laboratory medicine in quality health delivery cannot be overemphasised. Treatment devoid of evince-based medicine is at best a conjecture with lots of hazardous implications. But most laboratories in Nigeria, experts said, are below standard. This situation has led not only to misdiagnosis but also deaths of prominent Nigerians. The scenario sadly cuts across most African countries. It was such situation that forced the Africa Regional Office of the World Health Organisation in partnership with Centre for Disease Control (CDC), American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the Clinton Health Foundation to developed Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme, also known as WHOAFRO accreditation checklist– a tool for strengthening laboratory management towards global standardisation. In 2010, the WHO/AFRO advocated that laboratories in the Africa sub-region, especially in Nigeria, should embrace the SLMTA programme. The SLMTA scheme is an 18-month cycle with 12-quality essential components baseline assessment of laboratories, SLMTA stepdown workshops and supervisory/assessment visits. At each assessment visit, laboratories are scored using the checklist and ranked on a graded scheme from zero to 5-Star so that laboratory that scored less than 55 per cent upon assessment would be awarded zero star; laboratory that scored between 55-64 per cent gets 1- star and between 65-74 per cent gets 2-star ranging. A laboratory that scored between 75- 84 per cent gets 3- star ranking; between 85-94 per cent gets 4-star ranking and above 95 per cent gets 5-star ranking- the highest on the checklist. On attainment of the 5-star ranking, laboratories would have achieved quality management system (QMS) that meet international standards and are advised to apply Prof. Chukwu for International Organization for Laboratory and the Pathcare Ltd Another factor was that in sub-Saharan Standardisation (ISO) 15189 accreditation. Africa, South Africa alone had amassed sigWHO, however, sounded a warning that Laboratory),” Idigbe said. nificant accreditation experience, boastThe WHO-AFRO checklist is a result of the purpose of the WHO-AFRO accreditation scheme is not to replace College of background works of over two years. In ing of a network of several hundred accredAmerican Pathologists (CAP), ISO, Joint 2008, in Mozambique, African Caribbean ited facilities, many of which are in the priCommission International (JCI) South and Pacific Group of States leaders joined in vate sector. A July- 2009 survey of online African Development Community the Maputo Declaration. As part of a larger registers of leading accreditation Accreditation Service (SADCAS) and South set of health goals, the declaration included providers found that 312 of 340 accredited African National Accreditation System global efforts to strengthen laboratory sys- laboratories in sub-Saharan Africa were in (SANAS), but to serve as an accreditation tems and services in resource-limited coun- South Africa. The survey further found out scheme to assist the laboratories in Sub- tries. Later that year, in Senegal, the WHO that although government-run laboratoSahara Africa in obtaining these interna- African Regional Office (AFRO) laboratory ries conduct the bulk of patient testing in tionally recognised accreditation stan- network called for the establishment of a most countries, the continent’s remaining “step-wise” accreditation process. In July 28 accredited laboratories were almost dards. Three years down the line of the WHO- 2009, in Kigali, Rwanda, WHO-AFRO, exclusively private, parastatals, or donorAFRO accreditation programme, Nigeria’s together with US partners and a group of supported research facilities. progress could best be described as loco- health experts and policymakers from 13 Registrar/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of motive. Nigeria today can comfortably African countries launched the WHO-AFRO Medical Laboratory Science Council of boast of only three laboratories that have step-wise laboratory accreditation pro- Nigeria (MLSCN), Prof. Anthony Emeribe, a haematologist, who is a member of SLMA obtained 5-star status under the scheme. gramme. They are 445 Nigerian Air Force Hospital The programme was necessitated by sever- Governing Board’s Technical Advisory (445 NAFH), Nigeria Institute of Medical al factors. Some of the factors included Group, believed that Nigeria has made Research (NIMR) HIV laboratory and tremendous increases in development appreciable progress in the scheme. funding for global health, with nearly $22 Emeribe said: “MLSCN over the last one Pathcare Limited Laboratory Former Director General of NIMR and billion available in 2007 alone; support for year had trained over 100 laboratory manmember of SLMTA Steering Committee, health systems in developing countries agers, quality and safety officers from variProf. Oni Idigbe, said last year that Nigeria’s necessitating major focus of many donors ous health institutions on National progress was not encouraging. “The level of (including the World Bank, the US Laboratory Accreditation processes and laboratory accreditation in Nigeria is President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief preparedness. The trainings equip the labextremely very low and appalling. There are (PEPFAR), the Global Fund for AIDS, oratory personnel to institute quality mancurrently over 6000 medical diagnostic Tuberculosis and Malaria, the Global agement system in laboratory services, laboratories operating in Nigeria. Health Initiative) on efficient and reliable which is a prerequisite for accreditation Disappointingly, only 2 of these 6000 (0.03 laboratory services and networks that are preparedness currently lacking in most per cent) laboratories have either ISO certi- essential for effective, well- functioning laboratories in the country “In the last quarter of 2012, the council, in fication or accreditation (NIMR HIV health systems.
T
collaboration with the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) organised a training programme for laboratory auditors drawn from Anglophone West and Central African Countries in Abuja. This is part of the strategic goal of the council to change the current statistics indicating that 95 per cent of the accredited medical laboratories in Africa are located in South Africa with the rest of African countries sharing the remaining 5 per cent. The council has deployed the WHO/AFRO checklist in the assessment of over 40 tertiary and secondary medical laboratories in the country”. Idigbe said several factors are responsible for the level of progress that the country has attained. “The…. identified factor is low level of awareness and culture for laboratory accreditation. Nigeria embraced the SLMTA programme in 2010 and 23 laboratories under the PEPFAR programme were supported for the programme. However, successful implementation of the SLMTA programme requires a critical mass of trained personnel to roll out the laboratory workshops and assessments. As at July 2012, there were only seven trained personnel in the entire country with adequate expertise to conduct SLMTA workshops and assessments. Also there were no SLMTA master trainers in the country. This level of available human capacity in the country was grossly inadequate,” Idigbe said. With the aid of International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI) in partnership with CDC, Nigeria got three new master trainers additional 24 SLMTANs last year. Second National Vice-President, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Raheem Toyosi, said Nigeria needs the WHO-AFRO accreditation scheme, adding that government needs to give adequate support to the programme. He further said that the country needed to pay urgent attention of medical laboratory sites at primary health centres (PHCs). In spite of the existence of the WHO-AFRO checklist in the past three years, most PHCs do not have medical laboratory- a situation that often make doctors at PHCs to refer patients to private medical laboratory centres whose test results they (doctors) cannot attest to or verify. Toyosi said: “ When we talk of reduction of maternal mortality and infant mortality rate without necessary medical laboratories at the grassroot (PHCs),it would be difficult to achieve them. For instance, when we talk of maternal health, there is need to access whether there is anaemia in pregnancy or not; where there is need to determine whether there is malaria, diabetes or need for blood transfusion could be determined at PHCs if we have at least one medical laboratory scientist and a laboratory assistant. It is only one requires other higher level of testing that one can say a patient should be refer to secondary or tertiary health institutions. We need to really enhance the capacity of laboratories at the various PHCs. The closest health facilities to the people are PHCs. And if the laboratories are deficient in PHCs, they would rob off on the quality of services that would be given to people at that level of care. It is our opinion as an association that government must begin to lay emphasis on how to strengthen the capacity of medical laboratory at our various health centres in Nigeria because people in rural areas, semi-urban centres need PHC, and the laboratories must be seen to be functioning.”
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
42
SHORT STORY By Segun Durowaiye (08055356855) ENEDICT Obunem’s greatest passion and B desire was to be rich, either by hook or crook. He resigned from his former place of work because he felt he was earning peanuts. His utmost desire was to be on his own in the risky world of business. The get-rich-quick bug had eaten deep into his body and soul. He disclosed to his close friends that he would be very rich in some months’ time. He boasted that he knew the secret of making megabucks and would soon be a multimillionaire within a short time. That very day when he dropped his letter of resignation to the Marketing Manager of Tilux Group of Companies it was like a joke, but sincerely, he meant every word in the letter. “I’m tired of collecting little crumbs from the master’s table,” he bluffed that sunny afternoon to the surprise of his boss. Benedict had actually made up his mind to dust off the shameful particles of poverty, penury and lack. It wasn’t that he had gotten another job with a better package but he felt he couldn’t continue to waste his precious time on a job that couldn’t fetch him the luxuries of life. Benedict was in his early 30s and he felt he had the whole world in his palm. What with the array of rich friends that swarm around him. He was a university graduate with a degree in Sociology. But he was not the kind of person to keep hoping for a better tomorrow. The three years he spent working with Tilux Group of Companies, to him, were a sheer waste of time. Even though the management of the company promised to elevate him very soon, it fell on deaf ears. “Damn it. I’ve made up my mind to reap the bounties of life and live in utopia,” he concluded as he stormed out of his boss’ office. The following weekend, he was with some of his rich friends, enjoying the bliss of life in an expensive three star hotel located in highbrow Victoria Island, Lagos. He was mapping out the next strategy that would bring him money as he was eager to join the billionaires’ club. Benedict was tall, light-skinned and handsome. He had a glossy and shiny moustache and a cool disposition. As he was chatting lively with his friends and sipping choice wine in between, a robust-looking, bald-headed man wearing a flowing brown guinea brocade strolled gaily towards them. “How are you doing gentlemen?,” the potbellied man asked politely. “We are doing real fine, Chief Donald,” enthused one of the young men sitting close to Benedict. Instantly, the whole gathering of friends stood up and did obeisance to the elderly man. “Hello Benedict, meet Chief Donald Nwachukwu, the multi-billionaire businessman,” Benedict’s friend introduced. “How are you chief? I’m happy to meet you sir!” exclaimed Benedict. “Hey, hullo gentleman, I’m sure you’re new here,” the chief replied smacking his lips. Then he continued: “Well, I’m an international businessman with concern in oil, banking and airline. I can turn your fortune to superabundant wealth in the quickest way you can ever imagine. Is that right? Are you interested in making multimillions of naira?” “I’m very ready Chief Donald. I’ll be glad to join the millionaires’ club,” he replied excitedly. The rotund chief snapped his right fingers twice and a bevy of beautiful ladies sauntered towards him, one with two briefcases and the other with a tray of mouth-watering oriental delicacies. He opened the two briefcases instantly. Unimaginable! The two briefcases were filled to the brim with crisp bales of N1,000 notes running into some cool millions. “Eat and drink to your satisfaction, Benedict, life is sweet!” the chief gestured. “When you’re okay, I’ll give you a deal that’ll fetch you millions of naira, and permanent smile will radiate over your face forever!” “I’ll be glad to do anything chief! Thanks for your kind assistance sir,” Benedict exclaimed for the umpteenth time. Chief Donald tucked his right hand into a folder inside one of the briefcases and took out his complimentary card. He handed it to Benedict. Benedict was all smiles as he looked at the card. “Benedict, see me tomorrow at my Victoria Island office,” Chief Donald said with a toothy smile. “We’ll talk business in the presence of a couple of my business partners. I’ll be expecting you at 12 noon.” He gave Benedict three bales of the crisp N1,000 notes totaling N300,000. The young
Where Are The Godfathers? man was extremely happy. He thanked the chief warmly and bade his friends goodbye, promising to be there at the exact time. The following day, Benedict was at Chief Donald’s office at the appointed time. The chief and a couple of his business associates were already waiting for him. He was surprised to see it was a multi-million naira office complex; an architectural masterpiece. He was ushered into the main office by a very beautiful secretary who was a mulatto. Pronto, he sat down and the ebullient chief introduced him to his partners. The chief told him he would be their international agent, that would take their ‘consignment’ to the United States and Europe. He was told he would swallow some pellets of cocaine and heroin that would be concealed in tested and safe packs. Chief Donald promised him that his first trip would fetch him N50 million. An international passport was procured for him within one week. He was to travel the following week. Surprisingly, Benedict took the first trip and delivered his ‘consignment’ to their business partners in New York City. He was really happy when he came back and the sum of N50 million was paid to his account. Life became sweet and fantastic for him. He started living life on a fast lane, rol-
licking with millionaires and spending money as if there was no tomorrow. Benedict continued the shady deal with the drug cartel and within a period of four months, he was already stupendously rich and lived in an exotic mansion located in the neighbourhood of billionaires. Eight months into the illicit trade, Benedict was summoned to carry a very large ‘consignment’ of drugs to their base in Chicago. If he became successful in the trip N500 million would be waiting for him. The drugs – cocaine, heroin, crack cocaine, ecstasy, opium, morphine and marijuana – were cleverly hidden in his luggage and he had swallowed big quantities too. It was the biggest drugs haul in his heinous business career. Their link man at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos had ‘settled’ the customs and immigration officials. There was absolutely nothing hindering the success of the business trip. Benedict was full of hope as he reached the check-in counter. Swiftly, he was checked in. He had scaled through about two other security hurdles. He was about to board the foreign airline when the police, acting on a tip-off, arrived at the scene and demanded he should be properly screened. “What for? I’ve been screened,” Benedict said
sweating as the bespectacled Inspector of Police swooped in for the final search. The police and men of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency conducted a special search and before one could say Mammon, Benedict was frisked and different grams of drugs were found in his luggage and on his person. The drugs were worth millions of dollars. He was led to a waiting van and driven to the Police Headquarters for statement. Two days in police custody, Benedict started excreting pellets of drugs. In his confessional statement to the Police Intelligence Unit, he gave names and telephone numbers of his godfathers and drug barons he was working with. The numbers were called but none among the numbers went through, suggesting they never existed. “Oh God, I’ve been used and dumped. I’m finished,” Benedict wailed, to the surprise of the bewildered security operatives. About two weeks later, Benedict was arraigned in court. When his case came up, he was sentenced to life imprisonment without bail for dealing in such illicit drugs that were deadly and harmful to mankind. “Where’s Chief Donald? God, where’s he?” he asked in tears, as he was led to the waiting van on his way to Kirikiri Maximum Prisons to serve his prison term.
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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
TOURISM Mr. Derek Drew is the Managing Director of Epe Resort and Spa located in serene Epe town near Lagos. The Southern African tourism expert, who has worked in Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique and South Africa for over 30 years, says Nigeria is far behind in tourism development. Aside proffering solutions to tourism development in the country, Drew speaks on Epe Resort and Spa, which has just opened to the public. By Joseph Okoghenun OW will you appraise tourism sector in H Nigeria in comparison with South Africa where you are coming from? Unfortunately, there is no basis for comparison. Nigeria is left far, far behind. I have seen no visible support from the tourism board. Tourism is very underutilised; it is crying out for more facilities. There has to be a big mind shift towards relaxation and game parks. There has to be a huge shift as far as I am concerned. What do we do to get that shift? You need government’s support and huge amount of money. Spending on tourism is almost equal to each tourist. If a tourist spends N500,000 on holiday, one must have spent one-third of that to bring the tourist here. Yes, we spend 100 per cent to bring a tourist here. Otherwise, you are not going to get him. There is just too much competition for tourists. In Africa for instance, tourists are attracted to go to Uganda, Rwanda, Ivory Coast and Cameroun. There are huge game parks that attract people in those countries. There is no evidence of that in Nigeria. There is much work for government to do. Tourism is important. But nothing seems to be happening; oil seems to have taken over. And everybody is concentrating on making dollars from oil. The manufacturing sector in Nigeria seems to be very slow. So, you need to bring other things on board people can spend their money on. I mean, Nigerians are crying out for facilities to go to places so that they can relax and enjoy themselves. Lagos residents probably realise how stressful it is to live in Lagos with noise, traffic, and infrastructural decay in the city. We need to create pathway to get away from it. And that is what we are trying to create in our Epe Resort and Spa. I stayed in Lekki, Lagos for a month but never saw a bird. But in our resort, you wake up in the morning to see birds singing. What are we losing by not developing the tourism sector? Nigeria is losing serious money. Nigerians are well connected especially in English, French and American towns. If Nigerians are here to put their money where their mouth is, they will get people to get on board. When we are talking of a country of population of over 150 million people, there have to be people who want to spend money and use facilities as well. At this stage, there are not enough facilities. What do you think needs to be done to promote tourism in the Lagos State megacity plan? Infrastructures need to be created. The basics are not right and conducive for tourism. Ikoyi, for instance, has potholes of one and half feet deep with water. Tourists may drive in and get stuck. That is not conducive for tourism. Government needs to get the basics right: build decent roads and decent infrastructure for people to use. How far do you think that insecurity especially in Northern part of Nigeria affects tourism in the country? We have to divide tourism into two because local and international tourisms are completely different. Locally, I do not think insecurity is affecting tourism. I think that Nigerians are used to the insecurity situation in the country; they are used to hearing at least once a week that Boko Haram members bomb places. I think Nigerians do not feel threatened as much. Therefore, local tourists still patronise us. In overseas, however, Nigerians are very security conscious. One of the first questions that come to people’s mind in the international arena is what is your security outlook like. So, insecurity does play on their minds. Every time bomb are detonated and thousands of people get killed, many people think twice about coming to Nigeria. Security in Nigeria is a huge business and it is having effect on business and people’s psyche. Knowing that insecurity has become bane of tourism in Nigeria, what measures have you put in place in your Epe Resort and Spa?
Drew
‘Nigeria’s Tourism Sector Backward, Needs Government’s Support’ We have in place security measures. There are security men and armed policemen patrolling our premises 24-hours. We have towers in each corner of our premises and closed-circuit television (CCTV). We feel that we are very secured and we have covered the basics as far security is concerned. What differentiates your resort from others? We are about 55 minutes drive from Victoria Island, Lagos. We currently have 40 rooms at this stage and a building for spa. We have fully functional restaurant for meals and recreational facilities like tennis court, numerous sport games, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, and mini-football pitch. At this stage, there are many games to keep our clients busy. We are building a swimming pool to be completed in the next two
months. At this stage, our focus is very much on corporate retreats, conferences, workshops for people to get away from the busy life in Lagos without distractions. People come to our resort to work. We have wide-open spaces. We pride ourselves in how we started our business. We have some big companies that have already used us. If we have for instance 60 people we can comfortably accommodate them in our quarters; we have had 76 people sleeping over in one night. We had 56 executive team of Shell Petroleum Development Company last recently. We have done pretty well. We do two or three retreats every month. Leisure business is very slow because we are at the early stage of it. We want people to recognise us; we are a one-stop leisure destination. Although we have not finished the project, in
In Africa for instance, tourists are attracted to go to Uganda, Rwanda, Ivory Coast and Cameroun. There are huge game parks that attract people in those countries. There is no evidence of that in Nigeria. There is much work for government to do. Tourism is important. But nothing seems to be happening; oil seems to have taken over. And everybody is concentrating on making dollars from oil. The manufacturing sector in Nigeria seems to be very slow. So, you need to bring other things on board people can spend their money on.
10 years’ time, we would be the first choice destination in Nigeria; we would have a resort that is of international standard. The area, the rooms, service will be of international standard. We can utilise our surrounding areas, the lagoon surrounding us, we can utilise the boats in the lagoon and the forest nearby. We have that as a plus. Our rates are reasonable. People are very price conscious in Nigeria. We can’t increase this time. We have to keep our price cheap to attract people. What arrangements do you have for expansion in the nearest future? If nearest future means next two years, we are not thinking of expanding immediately. We think we need to fix the product. We feel we are not there yet. When we fix the product and running at 90 per cent, we can be talking of expansion. That would be in the next five years. We have huge area of ground where we can expand. We have about 60 hectare of land. There seems to be big expansion of wellness and spa centres in Lagos. But there is nothing yet on ground to compare what we envisage in our resort centre. If we have a wellness centre, we would not only be able to render massage but have a dietician and optician rendering specilialised health services that Nigerians travel to London to do. That is our big scheme of things. It is very important that people get away from their source of stress in Lagos. What is your message to Nigerians? You have gotten a great country. People in Nigeria are very loving. Look for opportunities to build the country and look for places where you can relax. Enjoy yourself with nature.
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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
INTERVIEW
Why ESUT Is Embarking On N10 Prof. Cyprian Ogbonna Onyeji is the Vice Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Enugu. A Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Onyeji assumed office three years ago with a six-point agenda through which he has been systematically repositioning the university on the path of academic excellence to the toast of members of staff and students of the institution who now calls it the “NEW ESUT”. In a bid to further transform the university, the launching of a N10 billion appeal fund for infrastructural development is scheduled for May 10, this year. Onyeji spoke with SAM-LOCO SMITH on the project and other issues. EFORE your appointment as the Vice B Chancellor, what was your impression of ESUT? Before my appointment as the VC of ESUT, I had never had any opportunity of coming to ESUT. I had always been reading about ESUT through the newspapers, friends and probably through acquaintances that are in the university. My impression of ESUT then was that of a university that has been grappling with a deluge of problems and challenges just like most other Nigerian universities. At the same time, I also knew that those problems and challenges could be resolved with the application of wellarticulated global standards. So, those were my thoughts then. Now that you are the VC, are there any shifts on your thoughts? I must say that with the ongoing application of the global standard, things have really changed positively. And even the staff and the entire student population of 23, 000 plus acknowledge the fact that there is a very big transformation going on to the extent that they have renamed the university a “NEW ESUT”. When they compare ESUT before I came or before we started and now, there is a very big transformation and the difference is very clear. I must say that there is transformation in almost every facet of the university’s activities. This is because I came in with a six-point agenda that is aimed at transforming the university and making it a world-class university; the target is to reposition and reinvent the university primarily to be on the path of excellence. From all indications, I think systematically we are working towards actualising those areas. If I have to enumerate the six-point agenda, one of which is the pursuit of academic excellence and community services, also we had to follow the issue of funding; we also had to tackle the issues of academic development that is staff development, training, welfare of the staff and students’ discipline, and most importantly, physical infrastructural development and quality management. The six-point agenda holistically encapsulate all the areas that need to be addressed, which we have actually succeeded in doing to some extent. Let me also say here that in the bid towards making ESUT to become outstanding internationally as a respected teaching and research institution with commitment to rigorous and vibrant scholarship and social responsibility, we have developed a five-year strategic development plan. The thrust of the five-year strategic development plan with the theme “That we may become greater” is a systematic phased out development of the university, the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the university, and at the same time maximising the opportunities. I must commend Prof. Fred Ede, the immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences and his team for a wonderful work. That document will now serve for the next five years and my successor would build on it. The five-year strategic development document
Onyeji is a systematic development of ESUT in almost all the areas of development. Interpretatively, it means that as I am going with my own agenda, ESUT is also developing in an orderly and wellstructured manner and fashion. So, we are working very hard, utilising all the resources available to create a conducive environment for all staff and students so that graduates produced by the university can favourably compete with their counterparts all over the world and contribute to the advancement of local and international scholarship through teaching, research and public service. Is the N10 billion appeal fund project one of the steps towards actualising the six-point agenda? Yes it is; I have just mentioned funding. No individual can be appointed a VC if the person does not have good plans for the funding of the university. This is because we all know that whether federal or state universities, no government on its own can effectively and efficiently fund a tertiary institution. So, anyone that aspires to be a VC must have a clear idea about how to raise funds to complement the subventions from government. This is because the subventions from government are really not suffi-
cient. You know that the general pattern has been that subventions from government have consistently been significantly lower than the budgetary requirements of the university. Therefore, what we are doing is moving out of the box; this became primary for the university to be able to meet its goals and strive towards becoming a world-class academic and research institution. So, innovative and creative avenues must be explored to continually increase the revenue base of the university. As a result, within my first year as the VC, we started an Endowment Fund and then the new Council came up with the idea of the Trust Fund. The Trust Fund is a better package because it is registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). It is a legal entity and we have trustees that will be managing the fund. So, it is part of the development agenda of the university. This is very important because without funds no matter how great your ideas are, there is absolutely nothing you can do about it. Infrastructural development requires a lot of funds and that is the essence of the N10 billion infrastructural development appeal fund launch. What have been the development challenges of
We are already clear in our minds where the funds will go. Primarily, the expected funds will be channeled towards infrastructural development in the university. I must say that the N10 billion is just an initial target; we are hoping that at the of the launching we should be able to raise the N10 billion and that it will not end at that. It is an open-ended process. So, people can continue to donate to the Trust Fund.
the university over the years? Like I said earlier, the challenges I thought ESUT had were challenges that could really be resolved through the application of global best standards and strategies. It was deficient then. So, the first thing we did was to run the university using the committees system. Universally, the universities are known to be committees driven. With the committees system, administration of the university becomes very effective and very smooth. So, that was one of the first things we did to make everyone realise that running the university successfully is not about an individual or VC and a few management staff. It involves everyone in the university by breaking it down into different committees that handle different areas of the university administration. We also came in with an open and transparent leadership process that involves the entire major stakeholders. We made everyone realise the fact that the failure or success of the university depends on all of us. We also believe in leadership by example. We believe that if we tell people to do as we say but not as I do, that won’t work. So, we believe in showing good examples by showing honesty, dedication, integrity and transparency in all our dealings. As a result, people now follow us in that direction because they see and know that we are sincere in what we are doing. They see that we have the best interest of the university at heart. So, the quality management area is just one aspect which I think sincerely has been helping us to move the university forward. And in the area of staff development and welfare, we are working very hard on it. Staff training and development is a top priority in ESUT. In the last one year, we have sponsored up to 200 staff on local and international scholarships.
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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
INTERVIEW
Billion Fund Raising Project, By VC Some of the staff had never travelled out of Nigeria, and when they go and come, they feel very excited about the fact that they were exposed to international standards and academic processes outside the university environment. Staff welfare is also another top priority area. Today, we don’t have the issue of non-payment of salaries. Salaries are paid as at when due. We are up to date on staff promotions. These steps have really motivated the staff to work more efficiently. So, one can say that in ESUT, we have a highly motivated work force. And they are working together to ensure the actualisation of the transformation agenda. That is one of the reasons for saying that ESUT is changing or we now have a “NEW ESUT”. What actually informed the N10 billion appeal fund for infrastructural development? If you remember very well, ESUT moved into the permanent site in 2006 in a hurried fashion. That is why you find that a lot of buildings have not been completed. We have deficiencies in laboratories, lecture theatres, office blocks and completion of hostels, staff quarters for senior management staff and the fencing of the university, which covers a geographical area of 803 hectares spreading across Agbani, Obe, Umueze and Amuri. And there is no way to raise funds except to appeal to philanthropic Nigerians, the private sector, corporate bodies and the alumni of the university to come to the aid of the institution to enable it move to a higher pedestal. This is because that is what we are planning for the university. How will the funds be managed if they eventually come? We are already clear in our minds where the funds will go. Primarily, the expected funds will be channeled towards infrastructural development in the university. I must say that the N10 billion is just an initial target; we are hoping that at the of the launching we should be able to raise the N10 billion and that it will not end at that. It is an open-ended process. So, people can continue to donate to the Trust Fund. That is why we have a Board of Trustees that will be managing the Trust Fund. So, once the funds are there, the committee will meet and prioritise depending on the funds available. We already have an idea about the cost implication of executing each of the projects. We are going to prioritise and due process will be followed in advertising and awarding the contracts. Therefore, I don’t think there will be any problem about the management of the expected funds. This is because members of the Trust Fund are people with very high integrity who have the interest of ESUT at heart. In addition, they have the burning desire and the passion to ensure that ESUT becomes a world-class university. Is the university 100 per cent dependent on government subventions? The state government gives the university a subvention, and that subvention does not carry the wages. So, we have to do all we can to ensure that salaries are paid and are paid as at when due like I said earlier. So, salaries are paid from students’ school fees and other internally generated income. Therefore, if we rely on government subventions alone, that simply means that we can’t do anything. That is part of the reasons we are launching the N10 billion Trust Fund. You just have to raise funds from other sources to physically develop the infrastructural status of the university. Meanwhile, we have ventures committee to mop funds. Recently, we started a commercial farm, which has a great potential of generating and bringing in millions of naira to the university. In addition, we are planning a portable water production system and a press centre and all these require funding. We are sure that in the next two to three years, these ventures would be generating funds to the university. How supportive is the state government towards the university’s vision and mission? The University enjoys a wonderful support from the visitor and the governor of Enugu State in terms of keen interest in the progress of the university, which is supported with specific interventions. These interventions such as the provision of municipal services like water reticulation, upgrading of the road network and specific budgeting provisions, are primarily aimed at uplifting the institution. What is the relationship between the university and the host communities? The university has a very cordial relationship with our immediate communities. I must say here that one of the core functions of the university is the engagement in public/ community services as this is in line with the mission of being socially responsible. So, we have this at the back of our mind. For example, every time we are employing junior manpower like security, gardeners, and the rest, we first of all call on the chiefs in the communities to send in candidates. We do this because we know that it is part of the core function of the university to be socially responsible with the community in which it operates. This is very primary because first and foremost they are also vital stakeholders, don’t forget the fact that they contributed to the land in which the university is located. In fact, the community here has some percentage of staff allocation given to them once they are qualified. This is a way of showing that we realise their importance and appreciate their contributions towards the university as primary stakeholders. Are there plans to have ESUT primary and secondary schools? Yes we do! The drawing is already there with the bill of quantity. Again that is one of the things we are seeking funds for. We want the university to be a community where people are living. Right now, most of the senior staff are not living there. We have the senior staff quarters that have not completed. We have the junior staff quarters, which are fully completed, and 100 per cent occupied. Most of the senior staff are living outside the university because their children have to go to schools. And once you
have a primary and secondary school in place, they will be interested in the university staff quarters. The whole idea of the ESUT primary and secondary schools is to make the university a community base or community town on its own, just like you have in other universities. So, once we realise funds from this launching, that is one of the things we are going to consider. What plans are in place to bring the ESUT Business School back to its glory? The limitation we have with ESUT Business School is that the National Universities commission (NUC) says that you cannot go more than 200 kilometers from the parent university base. Interpretatively therefore, it means that we can only operate within Enugu and limited to 200 kilometres. In spite of the limitation, we have a committee working right now on bench marking—comparing the standards of the school with other business schools like Harvard Business School. The idea of bench marking is to raise the standards and make it to be comparable with international standards of Business Schools. Once the report is submitted, we will look at it carefully to determine what we are doing and what we are not doing. What are the security challenges that face the university and how are they being tackled? Before we came, ESUT had security challenges. But like I told you earlier, with the application of certain strategies, the issue of security has been reasonably put under control. Right now, I can tell you with all certainty that things have been put under control although no security is perfect. We established a counseling unit, which was not there before. The unit is charged with the responsibility of rigorously counseling students. So, through rigorous counseling and also increase in security surveillance, we have been able to put in place an efficient security system. Now students can move around freely at anytime and nobody gets harassed anywhere. What would you consider as your success stories so far as the VC of ESUT? Well, we are still here. If you ask me this question in the next two years I will be able to answer. However, I can say that we are making some progress almost in every aspect of the university. If I want to give it clearly, I will look at the pursuit of academic
In the bid towards making ESUT to become outstanding internationally as a respected teaching and research institution with commitment to rigorous and vibrant scholarship and social responsibility, we have developed a five-year strategic development plan. The thrust of the five-year strategic development plan with the theme “That we may become greater” is a systematic phased out development of the university, the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the university, and at the same time maximising the opportunities.
Onyeji
excellence, staff development and welfare, students’ welfare and discipline and quality management of the university. In almost every aspect of the university’s activities, we have done very well and we are still working hard to improve on what we have been able to put in place in the last three years. I will not single out one area because they all work collectively towards making the university become the “NEW ESUT”. Have you been encountering challenges while trying to implement your six-point agenda? That was initially, not now. It was that of apathy because they did not really know where the VC was coming from, the background, and the direction he is heading to. However, it did not last long. Within a couple of months they were able to know the direction I was heading to. And they all bought into the idea of the six-point agenda. This is very important because if staff and the entire student population don’t buy into the agenda you will not make any headway. The truth is that we are all on it together because the university doesn’t belong only to the VC, few management staff or the University Council. The university belongs to everybody and everybody is a stakeholder in the bid towards transforming it. What would you consider your most challenging experience as the VC? The most challenging experience is knowing what to do and not getting the funds to do it. This is why we are very serious about the N10 billion appeal fund project. Whatever is realised will be to the benefit of students and the university. So, the major challenge is actually funding for infrastructural development of the university. What is your typical day like? My day starts every day by 7am. By 7am, I am already dressed up and I am in my study. Immediately, I start working and treating files; I don’t believe in files piling up on my table; the maximum is 24 hours and your file is out of my office. Work begins fully when I get to the office when I attend statutory meetings like the appointments and promotions committee and Senate meetings. I leave the other committees to my deputies, deans and other university functionaries. So, a typical day is centred on meeting with people and consultation in and outside the university. With the necessary infrastructure in place, the VC and other staff and even students can stay in the office till late. That is why we want to make the university a community with the necessary infrastructure in place. At home who is the ESUT VC? At home, I just come to the level of being at home. In the office, it is the same thing. I can operate at whatever level with anybody be it students, family members, staff, etc. I relate with everybody at his or her own level so that everyone will be very free to relate with me at his or her own level too. At home, I am just a father living as a human being. I don’t bring my VC status to the home. At the end of your five-year tenure, how do you expect ESUT look? ESUT is already changing, so at the end of five years, ESUT will be a much better university. ESUT will be a university to be seriously reckoned with not just in Nigeria but also in Africa, and indeed globally. This is because of all the strategies and policies being put in place by the Council, which are being implemented by the management. So, you will see that ESUT will be greatly transformed especially when it becomes fully residential which I am very sure will happen after May 10 when we would have realised the N10 billion appeal fund for infrastructural development of the university. Once we have the primary and secondary schools in place with staff residing fully, there will be a big difference in the productivity of staff.
THE GUARdIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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METRONOTES work in the country is weak and cannot wheel a power load greater than 5,000 MW. What government needs to do at this moment is to urgently put in place a robust transmission expansion master plan to cope with the expected massive increase in generation. It is on record that the gap between the power production profile and the effective wheeling capacity of the country’s grid is in excess of 1,200MW per day of stranded generation. This development is unhealthy and cannot be tolerated in this expected new dawn of increased power generation, especially when the private investors take over. Efforts should, therefore, be intensified by the government to address the issue of the present radial network and dominant single- circuit network which industry experts said were responsible for grid fragility. There is also the issue of accumulated maintenance neglect throughout the network which power sector experts should also look into, to avoid the increasingly weak handshake at the implementation and progress so far recorded in TX/dX interface, causing frequent feeder-line the privatization process of the sector. tripping and declining efficiency of transmisGoing by the power Road map it is expected that sion-level fault detection and protection sysin no distant time, the generation and the distri- tems. bution companies would be handed over to some of the new owners who have indicated their readiness to pay the 75 percent balance immediately and start business. The only component of the power sector that will remain wholly owned by government is the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN). To ensure expert management and quick overhaul of the transmission network a management contract between Manitoba Hydro of Canada and the Federal government has been put in place for TCN. This is aimed at bringing global best practice to bear in the expansion and management of the nation’s grid. The TCN Supervisory Board has also been inaugurated and the Schedule of delegated Authority (SOdA) has been issued to Manitoba Hydro. What all these means is expected massive increase in the quantum of power generation and distribution in the country. But can this expectation be sustained in view of the state of the present transmission network available in the country and the huge financial investment required strengthening the transmission network? The Minister of Power, Professor Nebo, recently revealed for instance that a total capital outlay of 3.4 billion US dollars is required up to 2016 to fix the country’s transmission grid to be able to evacuate all generated power estimated at Nebo 20,000MW. At present, the transmission net-
Achieving A Robust Power Transmission Network Jonathan
By Uche Aneke WATCHEd with zeal and enthusiasm the ISigning recent Presidential Power Reform Transaction Summit at the State House Abuja. At that Summit, the preferred bidders for the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Successor Generating and distribution Companies who have paid the initial 25 percent of the bid prices were handed over their 25 percent payment certificates. The balance of 75 percent is expected to be settled within 6 months. That event to me was indeed a major step forward in the implementation of the power sector reform. The Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo in his speech at the event described the summit as a “further boost to the reform momentum and investment confidence.” I say so because the critics of the ongoing privatization efforts in the power sector did not believe that the process would reach the present stage of its journey. Their skepticism was initially hinged on the opinion that privatization of the power sector was not an answer to Nigeria’s quest for uninterrupted power supply and therefore concluded that the project would not work.
Today, we have gone beyond the unbundling of the PHCN to the sale of the successor companies. It is also becoming increasingly clear that the solution to interruptions in power supply in the country lies in the hands of the Private Investors, given the enormity of the financial investments that are required to revitalize and transform the sector for efficiency and lasting results. For instance to achieve the projected 40,000 MW in the country by the year 2020, requires an annual ten billion dollars investment in the power sector for the next ten years. This means that a whopping one hundred billion dollars is required urgently with generation alone, taking up thirty five percent of the funds injection. Obviously, this huge capital outlay is not available to the federal government now or in the near future. The level of interest shown by investors in the privatization of the power sector is, to say the least, tremendous. Impressed with the investors’ market confidence in the power sector, President Goodluck Jonathan during the Power Reform Transaction Signing Summit stated that he was encouraged by the sustained interest in the sector and the meaningful investments that had been prompted in gas processing, power generation, power distribution and transmission. The President is not alone on this impressive note. Major industry players present at the well attended event as well as senior government officials, friends and partners of Nigeria gave their endorsement and expressed confidence in the
Enugu, Kogi Celebrate Road Construction Flag-off FROM Lawrence Njoku, Enugu HE Central School, Umuida, a priT mary school where the Senator representing Enugu north at the National Assembly, Ayogu Eze attended his primary education was filled to capacity. The school built before the war was playing host to a major event in the community: the flag-off ceremony of the rehabilitation work of the N12. 9 billion Ogurute –Umuida –Unadu Akpanya –Odolu Road, which links communities in Enugu and Kogi States. The gathering also included people of the neighbouring Kogi State. Although the residents may have seen several roads rehabilitated in the area, this one was significant because it traverses many villages and homesteads where residents farm all year round. The road, which originates at Ogurute, headquarters of Igbo-Eze North Local Council area passes through Umuida village also in IgboEze North and Unadu town in IgboEze South Local Council area, both in Enugu State, and cuts through Akpanya, Ogbodibo, Eda, Agbokete, Ogbolibomi, Ojigbe, Alakwa and terminates at Odolu in Igalamela/Odolu local government of Kogi state. To show appreciation, even when it was the native market day, the people had shunned the activities of the day and trooped to the venue in their large number. From the contract details, the commencement date was recorded as February 5, 2013, and was expected to be completed by February 5, 2015.
To underscore the importance of the road, Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, who performed the ceremony, said it was a demonstration of the Goodluck Jonathan administration’s economic transformation and empowerment of the people of Enugu state and South-East, adding that it was in response to the “unceasing demand and effort” of Senator Ayogu Eze. “When completed, it will link up all the towns and villages along the corridor, increase commercial activities and the transportation of agricultural produce between Enugu and Kogi states. In addition, it will provide alternative route from the SouthEast/ South –South zones to the northern part of the country,” the Minister said. He charged the contractor, PW Nigeria Limited to deliver the job as scheduled, tasking the people of the area to avoid unnecessary obstruction/hindrance that could lead to the non-realization of the laudable project. Senator Eze recalled how as a child, he was being led to the primary school where the event held. He said the knowledge imparted on him in the early days had guided him this far. He said, since winning the Senate election in 2007, he had attracted other projects including Nigeria Television Authority [NTA] station at Nsukka and Udi, rehabilitation of several roads including Nsukka –Isiuzo –Ebonyi federal roads (which is still ongoing), rehabilitation of various school buildings, electricity projects as well as a N3 billion dam project. He called on the people of the area to
continue to support the Jonathan administration as well as government in the state, stressing that so much would be achieved when peace reigns in the state. Governor Sullivan Chime, who was represented by the Commissioner of Works, Godwin Madueke, described Eze as a ‘goal getter’, stressing that the state was proud of his achievements, since joining the senate in 2007.
Reminding the federal government about some federal projects executed by the state government, which had not been refunded, the governor said that the state would do more when funds spent on federal roads were reimbursed. Comrade Friday Sanni, who represents Igalla Mena Odonu constituency in the Kogi House of Assembly, described the road project as one
that has united the people of Enugu state with their Kogi state counterparts. He said to the Senator, “You have again united the people of this area with Kogi state. The history of our people and our co-existence cannot be over emphasized, every son and daughter of this area knows that an Akpanya man is an Unadu man and every Unadu man is an Enugu –Ezike man, an Enugu –Ezike man is an Odolu man, that is how we have related over the years.
Flag off of Ogrute-Umuida-Akpanya-Odolu Road: Works Minister, Arc. Mike Onolememen cutting the tape to flag off the road and flanked by Senator Ayogu Eze, Chairman, Senate Works Committee, Rt. Hon. Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, House of Reps Works Committee Chairman, Eng. Goddy Madueke, Enugu State Works Commissioner, representing the Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime and Barr. Humphrey Abah, former Police Affairs Minister
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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
BRANDINTELLIGENCE
With DESMOND EKEH desmondekeh@yahoo.com; 08023215535
MTN’s Portability Advert: Marketing Lessons From Saka’s Sagacious Move By Ntia Usukuma
NE fascinating thing about the marketO ing and communication arena is that intermittently, it throws up issues that generate intense interest and attention. The wise option for observers, players and commentators is to draw invaluable lessons from each scenario. It could be a thought provoking television commercial, a short personality interview on television or a brief presentation ceremony to winners at a popular reality show. Less than a decade ago, a sizzling advert was produced for Guinness Foreign Extra Stout that made the phrase ‘my friend Udeme’ the most popular slang in bars and beer parlours across Nigeria. MTN’s ‘Mama na boy’ television commercial also generated so much reactions and attention that even campaigners for gender equality within Nigeria and outside had to mount an aggressive campaign against what they thought was an archaic African culture that displays unnecessary preference for the male gender. Lately, the opportunity for Mobile Number Portability (MNP) in Nigeria’s telecoms industry flagged-off by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) threw up a scenario that has virtually captured the information super highways in the last few days. For some years now, Afeez Oyetoro, known simply as Saka, was the face and voice of Etisalat. Initially, some observers found him somewhat irritating but his many performances with Etisalat warmed up to a successful level. Centerspread Advertising, the agency that recruited the Saka character for Etisalat, had sought to create in him a character that could connect with the lower segment of the Nigerian population. The belief was that hiphop star, Banky W, had already reached out to the more sophisticated middle and top class. Etisalat’s Saka grew up into a successful advertising icon because of his ability to connect effortlessly with the lower class of the population through his humanness, comic relief, and cultural connection. The centrality of humanness, culture and popular imagination as a key instrument in connecting to the people is a strategic lesson every brand person must learn from Saka’s success. Kenny Badmus, a tenacious adman with Centerspread Advertising puts it succinctly: “People love characters. Characterisation is the holy grail of great storytelling. And if you are lucky to have one working for your brand, you had better recognise and keep it like gold. There is nothing as powerful as that cultural connection and that humanness factor we display as brands. As I watch from a distance the recent Saka phenomenon I can only bow to this timeless advertising principle. “Culture eats strategy for breakfast. We must come down from our high horses as advertisers and start recognising local
nuances and cultural elements in our storytelling. I don’t know where we got the theory that ‘looking good is great advertising’. Great adverts may look good but that is not their intentions. They normally have that verisimilitude to the lives of the people they serve. They are usually humanly populist, interesting and sometimes funny.” Etisalat undoubtedly found in Saka a great instrument to consolidate on its presence in Nigeria’s advertising space. That was until Monday April 22, 2013, when mobile number portability came into effect in Nigeria. MTN must have noticed some loopholes along the line before the brand moved in smartly to win over this brand icon. Embedded in the snatch of Saka from Etisalat are many valuable brand lessons. In the words of Lekan Ishola, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Redline, a leading Public Relations agency, “for MTN, the snatching of Saka who was the main face and strength of a competitor’s marketing offensive, is a winning brand warfare strategy that any student of brand management must applaud. MTN had successfully deployed this strategy in the past with Who Wants to be a Millionaire Show, which originally was a strong brand asset of Airtel (then V-Mobile). Unfortunately, V-Mobile could not protect the asset and MTN snatched and improved upon it till date. So, MTN is a predator; a brand hungry for improved market share and ready to grow its brand muscle using all fair means.” Ishola added: “For Etisalat, it is unfortunate that a brand that came into the market with promise of aggressiveness, innovation and smartness could exhibit an unpardonable attribute of a slacker. Its failure to assess its market advantage and guard such jealously is a bad marketing characteristic. Etisalat gave room for MTN to hit it with an upper cut and MTN only seized the chance. That Saka moved from Etisalat to MTN is not a crime. He is a brand and has the right to associate with any other brand that can add value to him. Also, he has his own brand values to harness and protect and will definitely always look out for best opportunities to do so. Finally, he has the right to review his brand association, to enhance his positioning and give himself an edge over other so-called brand ambassadors and advertising models.” Lead Strategist of Absolute PR, Akonte Ekine,
The advert is nice but I don’t see its value beyond entertainment. Saka has been profiled for raising awareness. Porting is a change issue. The success story Saka had in Etisalat was not only because of the character called Saka but the efficient service delivery most subscribers enjoy using Etisalat Network. If MTN fails to improve on it service delivery, a thousand Saka will make little or no impact on her subscriber base.
also shared his insight on this move by MTN in its new number portability campaign. He said: “MTN has adopted a strategy that best explains the number portability. It shows that they were proactive in their thinking as communication practitioners, using an existing character from a competitor to introduce the new portability project. It further goes to show that there was no contract management even when the character Saka has been strongly associated with the brand. This tells us that they never carried out any empirical research on the impact of their brand, if they did this from time to time they would have known the importance of retaining Saka. It is the job of the brand to treat characters as assets for brand equity.” Many creative persons agree that work on Saka’s MTN television commercial itself was painstakingly unique. From the music to the creative visual rhythms of dance steps that accompany it, the sheer exquisiteness, the lyricism of the song, the dexterous performance, and above all, the aptness of its timing and some other factors make the new MTN advert one of the most imaginative ads in the history of advertising in contemporary Nigeria. Analysing the advert, Media Manager of Swift Media, Temidayo Ariyo said, “with good audience participation achieved through various theatrical features, MTN’s I don port advert does not only show that a
good advert requires longterm planning, creative research and strategic delivery, but it also reinforces the needed traditional essentialities of a good advert: grab attention, create some fun, show your message instead of merely telling it, and quite importantly, call for action. All these are contained in this unique television commercial. Saka Indeed, more credit should be given to the creator of the advert for his ability to create such a concept. It might look easy but who thought of it before now?” For Ikem Okuhu, Editor of Brandish, the situation Etisalat has placed itself would be a strong wake–up call to all brand owners. In his opinion, “everyone would now be compelled to audit the value of his or her so-called brand ambassadors to draw up deeper value. Brands need to learn how to utilise their brand ambassadors comprehensively the way Western Union is utilising Victor Moses. His online value is obvious. But you find ambassadors of brands like Glo radiating idleness. Brands must learn to personalise their characterisation which will give room for them to use the character in various forms.” Now, will every viewer of the advert port to MTN? The CEO of Research Links, Emmanuel Young, does not think so. He noted: “The advert is nice but I don’t see its value beyond entertainment. Saka has been profiled for raising awareness. Porting is a change issue. The success story Saka had in Etisalat was not only because of the character called Saka but the efficient service delivery most subscribers enjoy using Etisalat Network. If MTN fails to improve on it service delivery, a thousand Saka will make little or no impact on her subscriber base.”
Etisalat, EDC Empower SMEs With E-Learning Solutions S part of its commitment A to continually empower Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and guide them to maximise their potentials for growth, Etisalat Nigeria recently hosted SMEs at the 2013 SME Toolkit Nigeria Conference in partnership with the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan African University. The conference, which took place at the Lagos Business School (LBS), was held on Wednesday, April 10. The SME Toolkit is an inter-
national online platform of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank, available in over 35 countries of the world which offers free business management information and training for SMEs. The SME Toolkit global partner conference brings together about 300 trainers, users, experts, content and service providers to discuss how to effectively deploy the e-learning methods through the online platform. The conference was held in Nigeria for the first time, which also
coincided with the 10th anniversary of the SME toolkit globally. Speaking at the conference, Head, High Value Events and Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Ebi Atawodi, said that partnering with the EDC in promoting the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises through the SME Toolkit conference was one of the core platforms the company has chosen to drive the development of businesses in Nigeria. “At Etisalat, we believe that the growth and proliferation
of SMEs is one of the key areas that will invariably help in developing our country. “It has always been our strategic objective to promote schemes that will better the community at large. It is for this reason that Etisalat has built a partnership with the SME Toolkit, which has a clear objective of delivering relevant content that assists in developing Small and Medium Scale businesses in Nigeria and around the world,” she added.
Etisalat MD, Steven Evans.
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BRANDNEWS CAP Unveils Dulux Mobile Room Make-Over
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HEMICAL and Allied Products (CAP) Plc, a subsidiary of UAC of Nigeria Plc (UAC) and the technological licensee of AkzoNobel, world’s largest paints and coatings company and manufacturers of Dulux premium brand of paint, has unveiled an experiential campaign tagged ‘Dulux Mobile Room MakeOver Activation’. The road show was formally activated by the Executive Director, Corporate Services, of UAC, Mr. Joe Dada with a call to Dulux customers to take advantage of the campaign to add both colour and value to their lives. Speaking at the occasion, the Managing Director of CAP Plc, Mrs. Omolara Elemide, said the ‘Dulux Make-Over Activation’ is aimed at creating visual experience on how consumers can enhance the ambience of their homes and offices using the right blend of colours either working with interior decoration experts or using the Do-It- Yourself (DIY) approach. Elemide pointed out that the ‘Dulux Mobile Room Make-Over’ Activation campaign is another innovative initiative from Dulux to reinforce its global leadership position in paint. “With over 12,000 colours, Dulux is established as the custodian of knowledge in the area of colours with the objective of helping customers realise their wellbeing. The brand has consistently and innovatively introduced different colours to its customers worldwide over the years,” she added. She stressed that the activation, which will be in three phases will last for three months and urged consumers to take full advantage of the unique platform by Dulux to learn how to make over their homes and offices.
BRANDINTELLIGENCE Actis, Primrose, Laurus Launch Heritage Place Project CTIS, one of the most expeA rienced private equity real estate brands in sub-Saharan Africa and Primrose Development Company Limited, a leading Nigerian real estate company have confirmed the launch of Heritage Place, a 14-storey office development located in the heart of Ikoyi. Actis, working in joint venture with Primrose Development Company, plans to break ground in the second quarter of this year pending all necessary government approvals. The project will be co-developed by Primrose Development Company and Laurus Development Partners, an Actis portfolio company dedicated to the construction of Agrade real estate in West Africa. Actis Real Estate Director, Funke Okubadejo said: “There
is a demand-supply gap in Lagos when it comes to high quality office space, so Heritage Place could not be better timed. This development will redefine the local market both in terms of its design and its adherence to world-class sustainability standards. It builds on Actis’s track record of delivering top quality real estate in subSaharan Africa. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Primrose Development Company, Jide Balogun said: “Following on with Primrose Group’s heritage of developing exceptional residential developments for discerning tenants, we conceived the Heritage Place project and partnered with Actis to deliver an office development that will certainly raise the bar and be the reference point for grade-A office space in the Lagos market.”
Cake Maestro To Unveil Tallest Cake In Africa May 16 RAND enthusiasts are watching with bathed breath as multiple-award winning Cake Maestro, Tosan Jemide is on the B verge of being showcased in the Guinness Books of World records. Having showcased his skills in several cake and sugar craft exhibitions around the world, Jemide has concluded plans to build and exhibit the Tallest Cake in Africa. Jemide has earned the brand reputation as being the number one cake brand in Nigeria, creating designs that are exclusively qualitative and aesthetically appealing. The giant cake will be unveiled on Thursday May 16, 2013 at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island Lagos, in an event that will be attended by government functionaries, captains of industry, cake enthusiasts, school pupils, friends and fans of Jemide as well as members of the media. Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Jemide revealed that the project is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility to Nigerians. “This project is not about money, it is more about giving back to the society. Hence, the money realised through this milestone will be channelled towards building infrastructure in public schools in the country,” he promised.
Exp. Nigeria Hosts African Experiential Marketing Summit HE 2013 African Experiential Marketing Summit (AEMS) will T be taking place in Lagos, Nigeria, for the first time since the annual African summit was initiated in 2007, having previously
Executive Director, Corporate Services, UACN Plc, Mr. Joseph Dada (left); Managing Director, CAP Plc, Mrs. Omolara Elemide; Managing Director, Wow Road Shows Limited, Mr. Tokunbo Odebunmi; and Marketing Manager, CAP Plc, Mr. Dominic Oladeji at the unveiling of the Dulux Mobile Room Make-Over Experiential campaign recently.
Fidson Restates Commitment To Employees Wellbeing S the global community A marked the International Workers Day on May 1, Fidson Healthcare Plc has reinforced its commitment to the health and wellbeing of its employees. According to the Human Resources Manager of the company, Mr. Ernest Onyejekwe, Fidson places top priority on staff wellbeing and good working environment. “The company understands the importance of employee
wellbeing to their productivity and the growth of the organisation. We believe the health of our employees is the health of the company. Having healthy employees increase job satisfaction, staff morale, reduce illness and injuries and also increase productivity. We therefore maintain a health and wellness structure that assists our staff to achieve a healthy balance of the mind and body, and an overall feeling of wellbeing and job satisfaction,” he said.
Indomie Commences Search For Heroic Nigerian Children UFIL Prima Foods, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles, has D commenced the search for the sixth edition of the Indomie Independence Day Award for Nigerian children who exhibit heroic acts. The award is geared towards the recognition of children who have against all odds exhibited extraordinary acts of heroism in the face of danger/societal challenges, which have sometimes brought them injury. Speaking on the initiative at a press conference, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Deepak Singhal said: “The search for the 2013 heroes in which three outstanding children would be picked, recognised, rewarded and then celebrated for their acts of heroism has began. These children would have made notable sacrifices at the risk to themselves while striving to survive despite the unfavourable condition they found themselves. “This initiative is in consonance with the core deep rooted belief of our company and the brand that every child indeed possesses an innate ability to become great.
been held in South Africa and Kenya. The summit will be hosted by Exp. Nigeria at the Civic Center, Lagos, on July 12, 2013. The aim of the summit is to give marketers from the West African region insight into how to better their campaign goals. The one-day summit, with the theme “Re-invent Your Experiences”, will feature some of the world’s leading experts such as Dan Hanover, Editor and Founder of Event Marketer Magazine (USA) and Kim Skildum-Reid of Sponsorship Author and Consultant (Australia). Along with other notable marketing experts, Hanover and Skildum-Reid will showcase more than 100 case studies, highlighting top trends, the latest best practices, video tours of events in action as well as demonstrating how using live experiences amplify reach, convert customers and drive sales. As Africa’s largest and leading experiential marketing agency with over 30 years experience on the African continent, Exp. Nigeria will use the Summit as a platform to drive thought leadership in activation, sponsorship, events and digital marketing. Announcing the summit, Exp. Group CMO, David Boon explained AEMS as part of Exp’s vision of making it easier for marketers from across the continent to personally experience the experiential marketing revolution that is heating up in Africa and around the world.
Glo Wins Four Awards At BoICT Night LOBACOM has emerged G the biggest winner at the 2013 edition of the Beacon of ICT (BoICT) Awards held recently, taking home a total of four awards for its outstanding performance in the telecoms sector. At the award ceremony, which was held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Globacom won the Telecoms Company of the Year, Best GSM Company of the Year, Most Innovative Mobile Player of the Year, and Broadband Company of the Year. The BoICT Awards were instituted to reward the vision and enterprise of individuals and companies that have contributed to the growth of the ICT industry in Nigeria. The winners were deter-
mined through a poll conducted by the organisers, CommunicationsWeek Media. Readers of the magazine and telecom industry stakeholders were allowed to cast their votes by email or through voting on a portal created for the purpose on the company’s website. Special Guest of Honour at the event and chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators (ALTON), Gbenga Adebayo, commended the organisers for recognising innovation and excellence in the telecom industry. He expressed optimism that the award would achieve its objective of providing a benchmark for validating outstanding contributions to the country’s quest for growth in the ICT sector.
MTN Link Forum Engages Entrepreneurs In Calabar TN Link Forum, an M engagement platform for young, budding entrepreneurs, will make a stop today in the beautiful city of Calabar to engage entrepreneurs and professionals within and around the metropolis. The Forum is aimed at providing young, talented and promising entrepreneurs and professionals the opportunity to connect to their aspirations by engaging and interacting with accomplished entrepreneurs and business
icons who come to share with them their success stories. The event will have as guest speakers, the Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor’s Office, Nzan Ogbe; an Architect and Business Consultant, John Etim Bassey, and insurance magnate, Ekerete Gam-Ikom. General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN, Kola Oyeyemi, described the forum as one of the many initiatives by MTN to enrich lives.
Chief Operating Officer (COO), Glo 1 and Glo Gateway, Steve Stretch; Head of Gloworld, Titilayo Ebinisi; Glo Business Directors, Kunle Akanmu and Joel Nwanze showcasing the awards won by Globacom at the Beacon of ICT Awards
Jemide at a function.
Grand Soya Oil Sponsors Workshop For Women In Media HE United African Company T of Nigeria (UACN), through one of its brands, Grand Pure Soya Oil, sponsored the first edition of the women in media workshop recently in Lagos. The workshop, which brought together leading bloggers, online PR professionals, social and digital media experts deliberated on issues concerning the digital media space in Nigeria, particularly the social media trend, online PR and digital advertising, with speakers illustrating the
need for strategic digital media switch and handling of digital campaigns and online PR by professionals across the country. Speaking on the readiness and determination of the brand to support the media, the Senior Brand Manager, Grand Cereals Limited, a subsidiary of UACN, Mr. Tope Banjo said, “the brand is fully ready to support all media activities that would promote healthy living and good health.”
MasterCard Extends Online Payment Solution To SMEs EADING global payment solutions company, MasterCard, Lgateway has launched a new addition to its existing internet payment solution in Nigeria. Targeted at Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the introduction of SME Online to the market further demonstrates the commitment of MasterCard to building a cashless ecosystem in Nigeria. According to the Country Manager, MasterCard West Africa, Omokehinde Ojomuyide, “with the likes of Jumia.com, Nigeria’s No.1 Online Retailer, and wakanow.com, Nigeria’s No.1 Online Travel Website, already signed on to the MasterCard Internet Gateway Service (MIGS) payment gateway solution, shoppers in Nigeria are already enjoying the benefits of convenient and seamless online shopping. SME Online will extend these benefits to thousands of smaller merchants and open the world of online shopping to millions of Nigerians.” The MIGS provides a comprehensive internet payments solution which banks can offer to their merchant customers who seek to accept payments on their websites from cardholders of all major card schemes wherever they are. The newest addition, SME Online, is a suite of value-added services that works seamlessly with MIGS and extends the benefits of online card acceptance to a broader merchant segment. The features include invoice payments, batch payments, reoccurring scheduled payments, virtual terminal and web shop. It’s a simple to implement, easy to use web-based payment solution that banks can offer to their SME merchants. A key benefit for merchants is that the system can be self-managed. It is designed to enable SME merchants to establish an internet presence for their businesses, including website design and processing of batch and individual card payments.
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49 Saturday, 4, 2013 Saturday,May January 5, 2013
Conscience, Nurtured by Truth
Cover
Jega
By Samson Ezea HEAD of the 2015 general elections, the political atmosphere A is already tense as intrigues, permutations and schemings appear to have taken the centre stage instead of good governance which the governments were voted into office for in the 2011 general election. From the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the leading opposition parties namely Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress For Progressives Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the situation is the same. In APGA, the battle is between the faction loyal to Anambra State governor, Peter Obi and embattled ousted national chairman of the party and Obi’s kinsman, Chief Victor Umeh. Already, there are several court cases pending in courts which many believe might hinder the party’s participation in the 2015 election if not dispensed before then. While the major opposition parties namely ACN, CPC, and ANPP are doing everything possible to see the birth of a mega opposition party that will dislodge PDP from power in 2015, some alleged agents with the ruling PDP are doing everything to ensure that the proposed mega opposition party does not see the light of the day as another rival group with acronym African Peoples Congress (APC) has emerged overnight to challenge the proposed mega opposition party’s claim of the acronym APC. As the accusation and counter-accusation between PDP and opposition parties over who were the real sponsors of African People Congress (APC) in a bid to frustrate the merger arrangement of the major opposition parties, continue to linger, the cat and mouse relationship between the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and the Presidency degenerated to a personal political difference between President Goodluck Jonathan and Rivers State governor and Chairman Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi. The development has led to the formation of PDP Governors’ Forum which has the tactical support and endorsement of the Presidency, and the national leadership of PDP led by Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. It would be recalled that since the emergence of Tukur as the national chairman of the party with the backing of President Jonathan against the position of the most PDP governors, especially from Northeast zone, all has not been well between the majority of the governor and the national leadership of the party under Tukur.
Political Tensions And Intrigues Ahead 2015
Jega Worsening the situation was Tukur’s alleged role in the controversial court judgment that led to the removal of the national secretary of the party and former governor of Osun State, Olagunsonye Oyinlola, whom many see as the eye of the governors in the party. Also, Tukur’s dissolution of Adamawa State PDP executive loyal to Governor Murtala Nyako and replacing it with the Joel Madaki led executive loyal to him without the backing and approval of the members of the National Working Committee of the party, overheated the political atmosphere in the state and in the party as the governors have insisted that unless the decision is reversed, there will be no peace in the party. Some of them have openly called for Tukur’s resignation for peace to return to the party.
Buhari
After if that was not enough, a curious court judgment was delivered against Godspower Ake led state executive of the party loyal to Amaechi. The judgment which was delivered based on the originating summon presented to the court by the Edo State PDP chairman, Chief Dan Orbih who was also Chief Tony Anenih’s pointsman. It confirmed Mr Felix Obuah led executive loyal to Minister of State for Education, Mr. Nyesom Wike as authentic state executive of the party. As Amaechi was struggling to overcome the political hurricane that shove aside the state party exco loyal to him, the Rivers State government plane being used by the governor was grounded with contradicting positions from the federal aviation authorities on the reasons for the grounding. Today, it is obvious that the Presidency has opened up a new front to fight governors perceived to be disloyal to the President Jonathan ahead 2015. Rightly or wrongly, what is happening to Amaechi is a sign of what lies ahead for other PDP governors who might dare to go against President Jonathan’s interest. It is clear that despite several denials by President Jonathan, that he has not made up his mind on whether he will be contest in 2015 or not, successive events in the recent times have shown that President Jonathan will be contesting in 2015. Now, the focus is on 2015 and the Presidency appears to be leaving no stone unturned in a bid to ensure that 2015 PDP ticket is secured for President Jonathan. While political observers in Africa, especially in Nigeria, agree that a goal is hardly ever achieved in politics without a fight, many are however stunned by the extent to which President Goodluck Jonathan is presently taking his fight to achieve reelection in 2015. The removal of allies of the opponents from key party positions has gone very smoothly. The Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees was elected under the dictates of the Presidency against fierce resistance from the opponent’s camp and party business now rests on the platform provided by the Presidency. The way with which the President took over the party machinery from his powerful opponents in these intra-party squabbles seems to have given him a taste of the power of incumbency. As President Jonathan and the governors slug it at the centre for the soul of the party ahead 2015, so also the governors in their various states are battling for the soul of the party with other party chieftains. Whichever way one looks at it, the political atmosphere is charged as politicians and public office holders appear to have abandoned the business of governance to politicking almost two years to 2015 general election.
‘PDP In Adamawa State Is Being Repositioned’ Deputy Speaker of Adamawa State House of Assembly, Kwamoti Laori, representing Numan Constituency since 2007, spoke on the crisis rocking the state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the role of the Governor Murtala Nyako and other stakeholders and other national issues. From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna hat is the genesis of the crisis within the rulW ing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State? THE genesis of this problem is injustice. Where there is injustice, of course, you will expect what is happening today to come up. The crisis in PDP was very open, as the party’s constitution was bastardised, there was no longer any transparency in the party and those that were supposed to settle the matter were sidelined. Even when you are in the party, you were not regarded as bonafide member of the party. People were sad and it was quite obvious that the
way they were running the party was no longer based on its constitution. For instance, there is no transparency, no federalism in the party, with the governor and the state chairman coming from the same place. The governor was told many times to change the chairman, but he refused. How can you have the same people from the same ward in such positions at the same time? It is quite unfair. During his first term as governor, of course, it was understandable that when he was elected, he met the state chairman who was already elected. It was by accident that they came from the same
place. During his second term, stakeholders told him to shift the position of the state chairman to another zone so that there would be balance. Again, he refused and the party was no longer being run from the Secretariat but from the Government House. They were holding meetings of the party at the Banquet Hall and in the governor’s house. You can’t run a party in that way. There was hardly any meeting that was called at the party office. Obviously, all these put together culminated in what brought up the crisis in Adamawa PDP. What steps has the national headquarters of the PDP taken to reconcile the various interests involved in the crisis? Obviously, this crisis started a long time ago. All the stakeholders had gone to see the President almost on three or four different occasions, but the governor was adamant. The change that has happened now was as a result of the support of the national secretariat,
which is a welcome idea. If you go round to feel the pulse of the people in the state, they will tell you they are happy with what happened in the change of the baton and the change of the system and what happened in Adamawa State. At least now, people are beginning to have a sense of belonging. Otherwise, the party was hijacked by a small cabal and run as a private enterprise without accountability. If you go to a meeting, they will give you direction. Sometimes people were not even allowed to ask questions. Hitherto, the governor and the state chairman never went to sit down with various local government executives to find out what was going on. But now, the intervention of the national secretariat has taken care of all the interests. All those that felt sidelined have been asked to come back and contribute their quota so that we can form a new executive to pilot the affairs
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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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Crises Rocking The PDP Is Normal, Says Princewill Prince Tonye Princewill is a Rivers State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and a governorship aspirant. He told KELVIN EBIRI in Port Harcourt that the crises rocking the PDP is not new and that the party has over the years proven its resilience to overcome its challenges. From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt HAT is your take on the distrust amongst W the president, PDP leadership and the governors as depicted in the crisis rocking Rivers State? It is politics and I don’t know why people are surprised about it. If you ask me, I will tell you that this is pretty normal. I have said it before now that the North is not talking to the South and the South is not talking to the North. East is not talking to the West. There is no conversation going on, there is no dialogue and that suggest to me that ethnic interests are taking precedent and not national interest. Of course, that means one thing: leading up to 2015 everybody will be in their corner and they are going to guard it jealously. The consequences of that is that the South will block together and the North will block together. The West and East will do the same and people will protect their territory. Now we have a president from the South-South, so the immediate calculation is that people will gather together and anybody who does not support the president will be isolated. I don’t think that anything that is happening now is a surprise. I think it is either you are supporting the president or you are not. And I think in the case of those people that are not clearly supporting the president, they are isolated. So, politics is playing out. 2015 definitely has a role to play and don’t forget that the enemy of your enemy is your friend. People who have other interests have come together under a different platform and they are executing what is quite clearly typical PDP politics. For those of us who are in PDP, we know how this game is played and it is not a surprise to us. What makes me
laugh is that people who are victims of it are complaining. They should not complain at all. This is PDP politics at play. It is happening because nobody has decided to do things differently. Is this the reason why Governor Chibuike Amaechi is apparently being pressurized by the Presidency? I think many people misconstrue Amaechi’s statement to mean he is against the president. I don’t think so. I think his statement is that he is against the system. But the mistake he makes is to think that the custodian of the system is very different from it and if you criticize the system that it is wrong, you must recognize that the custodian of the system ultimately is the guardian of the system. And I must say that this system which is PDP’s own, has been designed to protect itself. As we are sitting down in this room, if somebody wants to come and take us out, the first thing we will do is to go and lock the door. So once we have locked the door, we will take advice from people who are inside the room and anybody who is outside of this room, we have one solution for the person and that is to keep the person out. So, this system can only change when people who mean well can walk into the room and proffer advise, suggestions. I have said it to both Amaechi and Atiku (former Vice President) to help Jonathan and from them I got a clear positive response. As I said to them, the election is in 2015 and right now, the man needs all the help he can get. So let us help him and move the country forward but unfortunately in Nigeria, because of this fight for power, there is mistrust on both sides. The people who want to get into the room are perceived as wanting to take the person who is sitting on the seat out. Once the door is opened the fear is that these people will come and take you out. So what happens in this system is that people who are a threat are always kept outside and I think that unfortunately we miss good people that way. If the good people put political ambition to one side and focus on country ambition, I think the country will move forward and this system that we are complaining about will be more transparent, more useful to Nigerians. Isn’t the president’s ambition for a second term overheating the polity?
Princewill run. I think he should be left to take the deciI don’t think so at all. If a man has a constitutional right to run, allow him to run. There is not sion as at when he wants. On the subject of heatreason why you should trouble him whether he ing up the polity, why should the polity be heatis running or not running. I think he should be ed up? If he wants to run and his body language is suggesting that he wants to run, then let us allowed to go about the issue of governance which is very difficult and he needs all the help he have hear of another alternative. I will be very can get. I am not one of those people in 2011 who happy to hear of an alternative to Jonathan said he cannot run. That is a sure way to ensure because I think that an alternative to Jonathan that somebody runs. You don’t tell a grown man which is credible, which is strong and widely who has a constitutional right that he cannot run accepted, will make Jonathan sit up and Nigeria or else because that is exactly what will make him will improve even more within now and 2015.
‘Frequent Constitution Amendment, Cause Of Crises In PDP’ If there is anything that has destroyed governance in Nigeria, it is personal ambition of public office holders, especially the President. The President has refused to see how God brought him to office. He is now thinking that it was by his personal effort or charisma or personal ambition. The President started this idea of overheating the polity immediately he was sworn in HAT is your view of the crises of confidence when he said four years was not sufficient for among PDP leadership, PDP governors and him and contemplated the amendment of the the Presidency which is already manifesting in constitution to provide for a seven-year single Rivers State? term. This is a man that had just been elected and Crisis is imminent because PDP has been in has done nothing but said four years were not power since 1999. Now, the frequent amendsufficient for him, meaning that he does not ment of the constitution of the party has appreciate the nature and quality and quantity of removed the party’s supremacy from the politithe mandate given to him. cal party leaders to the public office holders. The Secondly, the surreptitious manipulation of the President is said to be the leader of the party at legal process; the removal of the judges and judithe national level, the governors are said to be cial officers, the tinkering and undue interferleaders of the party in their respective states ence in the National Judicial Council, the retireand local government chairmen hold fort at the ment and removal of very young military offilocal council levels. This is against the tradition cers, the removal of some public servants and the of party supremacy whereby the party chaircontemplation of appointment of his people, all man is the leader of the party and he superinthese add up together as ground plan that is now tends over the implementation of the manibeing described as the President’s body language festo of the party. This derogation from estabthat for him 2015 is a war which he must conquer lished traditional culture over time has given Nigeria. The idea of taking it too personal is quite Dalung birth to what they are witnessing today. And it unfortunate. The Presidency is not his personal is based on the fact that the death of Yar’Adua in breach of agreement and it is the sum total of property. It is the property of Nigeria and the office and the succession by the heir apparent what is happening now. It means that the party occupant of that office must conduct himself in a the President, and then the zoning formula of has failed the Nigerian people and it is now facmanner befitting the status of the office. It is a the party which was reversed. ing the consequence of the betrayal of their man- show of shame which was demonstrated by All these add up together plus the President’s date over years. It is natural and I think the days whosoever to have grounded the aircraft of the ambition now of contesting the election in 2015 of the party are getting over and 2015 is just by Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi. The when even he had earlier signed an agreement the corner. We shall see how events unfold. attitude is condemnable; it is very crude and is with the governors in 2011 that he was going to President Jonathan, despite his denial, everynot found in any encyclopedia of democracy. do one term and this was captured by President thing points to the fact that he wants to re-conThat was a threat to the personal life of the goverObasanjo at the grand finale of the PDP conven- test. The way he is going about it, don’t you think nor and that legally is an attempt to assassinate tion. This development signifies betrayal and he is overheating the polity?
Solomon Selcap Dalung, a former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) member and a lecturer at the University of Jos, spoke with JOHN AKUBO in a telephone interview on the crises in the PDP fold.
W
him because grounding his aircraft exposes the governor to the danger of the environment where he went. If they can ground his aircraft, it means they can equally shoot at the aircraft and that is a serious crime. I call on the police and security agencies to arrest the person and try him for treason because that was an attempt on the life of an executive governor. Don’t you think the Presidency has opened is fighting on many fronts ahead of 2015? My opinion is that the President should concentrate and work for Nigeria. I believe that Nigerians are very good people and the President should abandon these many battle fronts he has opened and concentrate on good works. Let him fix one, two or three aspects of the Nigerian economy. Let him tackle educational development; let him tackle road construction and rehabilitation sincerely. Let him genuinely and sincerely tackle corruption headlong. We are not saying he is an angel but he should admit his shortcomings as it relates to corrupt practices either by him or his inability to control his subordinates and declare that he is going to face corruption headlong. Once he does these things, Nigerians are people that can easily understand. They may change their minds and begin to look at him as a leader. But the guerrilla political warfare which his foot soldiers and political tacticians are suggesting for him, is not too healthy. Today they have driven the President into a guerrilla ambush and anybody that makes any comment against the government they will attack the person. That is not the best way the President should go about it. So the President should go into sober reflection and free himself from these people that have captured him.
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 4, 2013
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The Amaechi-PDP Feud:
To Stem The Slide Towards The Precipice... By Ibukunoluwa Kayode T is like a gathering storm, a political tornaIwhen do that is certain to cause a lot of damage it lands. It is, to be sure, a dangerous
power game, one that sadly reminds of the egoistic, system-atrophying feud between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Vice President Atiku Abubakar, a battle that practically grounded the nation for all of four years—from 2003 to 2007. The pattern remains the same: a self-righteous presidency is up in arms against an elected state government in the federal republic, ready to use the might of the federal government to bludgeon the state government into submission—seemingly without a care in the world. It is, indeed, a carry-over from the heady Obasanjo days when an all-powerful presidency brooked no opposition from any quarters, when any criticism of the president was seen as an invitation to war with Aso Rock. As at the time of this write-up, the police in Rivers had sealed up the Obio-Okpo Local Council headquarters for no justifiable, verifiable reason. The official plane of the Rivers State government has been grounded by the federal authorities on trumped charges of ‘illegal importation’, even when the plane had hitherto been taking off and landing in airports across the country since October last year. Five members of the Rivers State House of assembly are reportedly in hiding, allegedly performing plans to impeach the governor, even with their inferior number and an ‘inferior mace’. Things are happening so fast that every one fears they might just spin out of hand. And to think that these unwholesome events are taking in a democracy not piloted by a General Obasanjo but by a Dr. Jonathan, a civilian intellectual! It all began from rumours (poster rumours, damn it!) that Rivers Governor Chibuike Amaechi and Jigawa Governor Sule would contest the 2015 presidential election, an obvious direct challenge to the second term ambition of the sitting President. Soon, Lamido’s son was arrested with $40,000 on his way to Dubai and charged for money laundering. And then somebody just remembered that Amaechi was the Chairman of the very influential Nigeria Governors’ Forum and sent feelers around the corridors of power that he must be stopped or he could use the forum to ‘spoil things for us!’ And so, the battle to get a new chair for the NGF began. It has been raging ever since. The latest in the plethora of events, which have now been dubbed Amaechi-Jonathan feud, began last Thursday when the aviation authorities temporarily grounded the Rivers Governor’s jet on the grounds that the pilot did not declare the flight manifest. In another breath, they said it was because the plane was imported into the country illegally. But, no matter. The question is, did the plane fall short of any of these two requirements? According to David Iyofor, Amaechi’s Chief Press secretary, everything about the plane was correct and intact. He narrated: We had set out from Abuja in the morning of Friday April 26, 2013 to Imo State to attend the funeral rites of the younger sister of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Emeka Ihedioha. Our plane, a Bombardier jet owned by the Rivers State Government, landed at the airport in Owerri. It was in Owerri that the pilot of our plane was first tipped off that there is a plot to ground our plane in Owerri that friday. Fortunately for us, we took off from Owerri airport and arrived at Akure airport en-route to Ekiti for the burial of the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State Funmilayo Olayinka without any incident. On the flight to Akure was the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal who we met in Imo State and was also heading to Ekiti for the burial of Mrs Olayinka. Also on the flight were the Governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Director-General Nigeria Governors Forum(NGF) Asishana Bayo Okauru, Kalabari prince and politician Prince Tonye Princewill, some aides of the Governor
and me. Once our party left the Akure airport for Ekiti, our pilot went to the airport offices to make statutory airport payments and fees, file his flight plan and declare his manifest.After filing his fight plan and declaring his manifest, our pilot was told to go and see the Controller. The Controller bluntly told him that the Rivers Government plane would not be allowed to leave the airport. In other words, the plane had been grounded! He said that the plane should have been grounded in Owerri. The Controller on duty at the airport in Akure mentioned some vague issues relating to the customs papers of the plane, which has been flying in Nigeria air space for many months. That didn’t make any sense to the pilot. He enquired on whose orders the plane was being grounded, he was told that it was the Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NAMA). And that he should reach the NAMA MD. By the time our party, which now included four House of Representatives Honourable members- Mohammed Sani Idris Kutigi, Daniel Rayeineju, Idris Ahmed Wase and Ifedayo Abegunde- returned to the Akure airport, there was confusion everywhere. Speaker Tambuwal, the Honourable members and Governor Amaechi and his team, were all stranded at the airport. The plane that brought Speaker Tambuwal and Governor Amaechi to Akure could not leave Akure airport. Calls were being made as these two democratically elected leaders, furious and perplexed, tried to fathom what could have caused this monumental embarrassment to them and their offices. After trying fruitlessly for some time to get the plane released, Speaker Tambuwal then offered to fly Governor Amaechi to Port Harcourt with the plane(another small aircraft) that brought the other four Honourable members to Akure. To accommodate Governor Amaechi in the small aircraft, one of the House of Representatives members offered his seat to the Governor. And the plane left for Port Harcourt. The pilot of the Rivers State Government plane was already locking up the aircraft for us(the plane crew, the remaining members of Governor Amaechi team and the Honourable member who gave up his seat for the Governor) to leave for Lagos by road when a call eventually came through that the plane could now leave. The Controller received a directive to allow the plane fly out of Akure. The decision to let us go, we later learnt, was due to the pressure brought on the aviation authorities by Speaker Tambuwal. It is indeed most shameful and ludicrous that NAMA and the Aviation authorities are now saying that they grounded the Rivers State Government plane because the pilot did not file a flight plan and declare a manifest. That’s not true. The pilot filed the flight plan and manifest, and paid all the statutory airport fees and charges shortly after the plane arrived at the Akure airport in the afternoon. If the pilot filed a flight plan and manifest at the airports in Abuja and Owerri, where he flew from same day, why won’t he then do the same in Akure? It is instructive to note that all through the traumatic time we spent in Akure, no official of the airport or aviation staff came to tell Governor Amaechi that we were grounded because our pilot “refused to file a flight plan and manifest.” All they kept saying was that they were just obeying directives, it was beyond them and we should call Abuja. Speaker Tambuwal and the other four members of the House of Representatives are living witnesses to that charade. Similarly, the Rivers State Government denied the allegation that the plane is operating illegally in the country. In a release, Commissioner of Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari said: “…For purposes of clarification and in keeping with its policy of rendering transparent and accountable stewardship to Rivers people, we would wish to state the following for the avoidance of doubt: Aircraft N 566 RS arrived Nigeria and has been operating since October 2012.
Anenih
Bamanga Tukur
Amaech
It was bought by Rivers State Government and registered as a US Aircraft in the first instance, to preserve value and provide ease of operation and sourcing of available pilots. To qualify for N registration, operator must be a US citizen hence RVSG entered into a trust with Bank of Utah Inc, a bank that specialises in Aircraft trust. The relationship between the state government and Bank of Utah is that of a trustor and trustee. All N registered Aircraft enjoy the privileges of a US citizen, Trust agreement for the purpose of N registration is common in the aviation industry. It is important to state that there are other aircraft owners in Nigeria with N registered aircraft. This practice is because of the ease of movement that N registered aircraft are privileged to enjoy. We do not therefore under-
stand why Rivers State Government has been singled out. The clearance referred to was PH- Accra- PH and not Accra PH Accra as stated. Aircraft was being operated through a local operator, Caverton Helicopters, pending approval of importation licence by Minister of Aviation. Request for this license was filed by the operator on behalf of the Rivers State government and this was expressly stated in the request filed on August 27, 2012 and received in the Minister’s office on September 4,2012. The Rivers State government is a responsible sub national and guardian of the resources of its people. It will at all times and in all circumstances act within the confines of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.” Now, who is telling the truth? Time will tell.
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‘There Is No Crisis In Adamawa PDP’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 49 of the party in the state, and that was what has been done. That has actually taken care of the interests of all the people that matter. Before now, the founding fathers were maligned, sidelined just like that, which is most unfortunate. I must commend the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, for making the changes in Adamawa. Incidentally, he was the one at that time when trouble started that led the delegation to the national secretariat in Abuja and read the protest of all the founding members of the PDP in the state. Now that he is there, as the chairman, what do you expect of him, order than to correct those ills. So, I believe with what is happing now, PDP in Adamawa State is been repositioned for the better. What has been the reaction of the government
Nyako
of Nyako? You cannot expect him to agree because he The change that has happened now wants to perpetuate himself. He wants to was as a result of the support of the make sure he brings who he wants to succeed him in 2015. That is why he is fighting tooth national secretariat, which is a weland nail to retain control of the party. Really, it is a misnomer for a governor to be come idea. If you go round to feel saying that he is the leader of the party in the the pulse of the people in the state, state and that is why we cannot have free and fair primaries in the party because whatever it they will tell you they are happy with is, they will just sit down and do what they what happened in the change of the want to do and bring out the results. Yes, he is not happy and he is fighting here baton and the change of the system and there, going all over the country to restore and what happened in Adamawa his stooges back into office. But we believe he cannot succeed and if he is allowed to do that, State. definitely there will not be PDP in this state again. Did the governor accept the new political You are in better position to verify this. You go order in the party and the leadership endorsed and ask him of his reaction. It is not about him; by the national secretariat? it is about the people. What always pains me is that once people are elected and in positions, they think they are more intelligent, more effective and efficient and even better than King Solomon. They forget that when they were campaigning, they pleaded with the people for votes, but once they are in positions, they look at the people like dirt, like they are the lower form of human beings that cannot think. Leadership is not for you to put people in a straight jacket; it is to feel the pulse of the people, know what they want and work toward it in achieving development. There are certain decisions the people should be allowed to partake in. For instance, he said there were local government elections recently, but where were the primaries held? Nobody can tell you. The governor just handpicked people and said they were candidates for the elections and rigged everything. It is not possible to say in the whole state, the same party won all the local governments and just swear them in just within 24 hours. This is laughable; it is never done. It shows that there is something wrong. Definitely, you won’t expect him to just take
Former governor of Kaduna state, Alhaji Balarabe Musa spoke on the face-off between President Goodluck Jonathan and some of the governors of his party and other contemporary issues as it relate to the 2015 general elections. From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna ome opposition parties are working towards forming a mega Stiative? party under the umbrella of APC, are you part of the new iniAPC is a proposed merger of ACN, ANPP, CPC and APGA. We are not included and we are not interested in the merger for ideological reasons. These four parties that are merging believe in the leading role of private enterprise in the economy, while we believe in the opposite. We believe in the leading role of the State in the economy to ensure peace, equality and dignity of man. There is a fundamental difference between our party, Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and those working for merger. But because of certain factors in the country, we supported the APC merger. This is because we believe that there cannot be any progress in this country unless PDP is defeated in the 2015 elections. We are going to help APC or any party or group that can defeat PDP in the 2015 general elections, we are going to support it, and we don’t need a formal agreement to support it. We did that before, we supported others without any formal agreement for patriotic reasons. How will you describe the ongoing crisis rocking the PDP especially with the current face-off between President Jonathan and some governors? President Jonathan is bound to have this problem because of three reasons. He lacks moral and popular legitimacy, and he is not performing. In particular, he has not been able to deal with the level of corruption, stealing and criminal waste of resources. His recent action of granting a state pardon to a convicted former governor who was convicted for criminal offence of looting public treasury has seriously eroded his political credibility. So, it is not surprising that he has these problems. He has not been able to deal with the basic problem of the country. We know that he inherited some problems, but we expected him to do something about them, particularly the rate of corruption. Are you indirectly saying that the inability of the President to wade into the PDP crisis is a sign of his weakness as a political leader? I have already told you his weaknesses, and the reasons for his weaknesses. He lacked moral legitimacy and so on. Look at the crisis within the PDP and as the leader, he has not been able to do something to resolve it. Rather he is even making things very dif-
it, because there are changes that affected his personal interest. Every governor in his second term knows he is going and is fighting to control everybody and bring his stooges in. But one thing I see in the politics of Nigeria is that even if you bring your son, he is going to fight you, because I have not seen any governor that brought anybody that has not fought him. The good thing is that the people have given you their confidence and mandate, so allow them to choose who they want. Don’t come and manipulate and say you are going to impose as if the people don’t matter again and should not have a choice. How would you rate the performance of the governor? Is it satisfactory? No, it not satisfactory. He initially started very well, that you must give to him, but getting to this last lap, he has derailed. Just go round the state and show me what is working, in correspondence with what we are getting from the federation account. There are a lot of things left undone now. The state government is derailing, that is why the issue of second term is always bringing problems. I found out that any governor will perform very well in his first tenure, but when he is in his second tenure, he now remember that he is going. Hardly can you see anything good happening as before because in the first place, you have to perform for you to at least show that you deserve a second term ticket. It is something Nigerians have to seriously look at. You cannot blame the governors if they don’t perform; it is the system that allows it. Where are the checks and balances? They are not there! The state Assembly is just there. Even if the lawmakers want to travel, they have to go the governor to approve. For their salaries and allowances, they have to go to the governor for approval. They are not financially independent, so what do you want them to do? If they do anything contrary to the interest of the governor, he could withhold their salaries. If really we want this democracy to work, then we have to make every segment or component to be really independent. We should have an independent judiciary and we should have an independent legislature. The legislator is there, but there is
‘PDP Crisis Will Be To The Advantage Of The Opposition In 2015’ ficult by eroding whatever support he may have in his zone South-south. President Jonathan opened political fight against his successor in Bayelsa, Mr Timpre Sylva and disgraced him out of office. Now he is quarrelling with someone everybody regards as his friend, that is Governor Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers State. He is already destroying his political base. A person like this is bound to have problems all over. What, in your own perception could be the aftermath of all these political problems in the PDP ahead 2015? It will give a greater chance to APC or other opposition parties to challenge Jonathan and his party effectively. This is an added advantage to the opposition party, because it will be easier to deal with the President and defeat him if he contest or bound to do so in 2015. The chairman of the Northern State Governors Forum and Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu is at the forefront of challenging President Jonathan in 2015. Do you think he has what it takes to withstand President Jonathan? He has credibility. It is quite clear that the President is quarrelling with the PDP governors. And the President is trying to remove the Chairman of the 36 Governors Forum, Rotimi Ameachi, and the governors are annoyed and the governor of Niger state, at least appears to be talking on behalf of the majority of the 36 governors of the country. Can the present position of some of the PDP governors erode the chances of Jonathan for the 2015 Presidency? Yes of course. Without the support of the governors there is no way he can make it. He can rig the election because he can use incumbency to any extent but in spite of that, it is doubtful because these governors can ensure that he doesn’t get enough votes to win from their states. How possible is such? The governors are closer to the people in their various states than the President. They can convince their people to vote against him after all he is not performing. In the first place, it will be very
Musa
President Jonathan opened political fight against his successor in Bayelsa, Mr Timpre Sylva and disgraced him out of office. Now he is quarrelling with someone everybody regards as his friend, that is Governor Rotimi Ameachi of Rivers State. He is already destroying his political base. A person like this is bound to have problems all over. difficult for Jonathan to come back in 2015 if the reality must be said. If he rigs the election against the wishes of everybody, including members of his party, it means he will not be able to perform. The situation will be even worse than it is already now. Looking at political events as they play out today, what do you think of the nation’s democratic future? There is no democracy in Nigeria. What is happening in Nigeria has nothing to do with real democracy. We have democratic aspiration that is quite correct, but we don’t have democracy. What Nigerians are confusing is civil rule as opposed to military rule. It is this civil rule that they are calling democracy, but democracy means more than civilian rule. It means fundamentally, the supremacy of the will of the people. Now, is there any evidence of the supremacy of the will of the people in what is happening in Nigeria today? There is no evidence of it. What we have today is clearly civilian dictatorship of the worst type.
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TRANSITION
Prof. Ernest Olagbade Obe (1935-2012) Stories by Olamide Olayiwola-Fadare HE late Prof. (Chief) Ernest Olagbade Obe was a great icon, T scholar, foremost academician and an elder statesman. He was a High Chief in Ondo State that occupied the position of the Bobajiro of Ikale land. He was also the Baba Ewe of St. John’s Church, Igbotako, Ondo State and served as the Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, Akoka, between 1994 and 1998. Born on September 12, 1935, into the family of the late Chief Rufus Akinsuroju Obe and the late Mrs. Omonike Felicia Obe in Oke-Anaye Street, Isema Quarters in Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government Area, Ondo State, the late Obe rose from a humble beginning to become a Professor at the University of Lagos in 1992. Prof, as he was fondly called, started his primary education in 1944 at St. John’s Primary School, Igbotako, where he got his Standard IV Certificate. He later moved on to C.M.S Central School, Igbotako, in 1950 where he got his Standard V and Standard VI Certificates, attaining the first overall position during his set in the whole Okitipupa Division. In 1952, while staying with his late uncle, Ezekiel Obe, in Lagos, he sat for the National Common Entrance Examination into King’s College and attained the second overall position in the whole country. This great opportunity earned him a Federal Government Scholarship. The brilliant Obe further enrolled for his Higher School Certificate (HSC) in King’s College. He came out successfully in 1958 with Distinctions in Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics. He worked briefly with Barclays Bank, Lagos, now Union Bank Plc, before proceeding to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to study Mathematics and Statistics. He was, indeed, amongst the first set of students admitted into the university in 1960. Due to his academic excellence, he still studied at the UNN with a Federal Government Scholarship. He graduated from the university in September 1963 with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Mathematics and Statistics (First Class Honours). In the same year, the Federal Ministry of Works, Lagos, employed him as a Surveyor and made him the head of the Department of Area Survey. He was charged with the responsibility of mapping. However, while on a special assignment to a particular location in Sokoto with his subordinates, they had a close encounter with death when they came across two lions that nearly killed them. They escaped by God’s grace and on arriving back to Lagos, he resigned his employment with the Federal Ministry of Works. He was immediately offered employment by his alma mater, King’s College, Lagos, as a teacher until he travelled to the United States of America for his post graduate studies in Mathematics at the University of California, Los Angles (UCLA) through
Obe a U. S. government scholarship programme. He graduated from UCLA in 1965 with a Masters Degree in Mathematics. The late Obe returned to Nigeria in 1965 and joined the Nigeria Aptitude Testing Unit (NATU). His services were later transferred to the West African Examination Council (WAEC). He also worked as a lecturer at the Federal Advanced Teachers College in 1968. In 1969, he travelled back to the U. S. for his PhD programme, bagging a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1971. On returning to Nigeria, he joined the University of Lagos as Lecturer 1 in the Faculty of Education. He shortly progressed to position of Senior Lecturer and served as the Head of the Department of Educational Foundations in 1985. He became a Professor in 1992 and was Dean, Faculty of Education from 1994 to 1998.
Simon Peter Chukwuemeka Eze (1941-2013) HE death has occurred of T Barr. Simon Peter Chukwuemeka Eze. A retired civil servant and lawyer, the late Eze passed on after a protracted illness at 71 years. He hailed from Iheakpu-Awka in Igbo-Eze South Local Council Area of Enugu State. After his retirement from the Ministry of Justice, Enugu State, he went into private legal practice until he was struck down by illness. He was known for his forthrightness, simplicity and honesty. His remains were laid to rest yesterday in his hometown, Ikolo, Iheakpu-Awka. Born on September 12, 1941, the late Eze was the first son of the late Pa Matthew Eze Nweze and the late Mrs. Veronica Ogbuanyinya Eze, nee Ezema of Umuebara, Ikolo, IheakpuAwka. Notwithstanding the fact that both were uneducated locals and of humble means, the late Pa Mathew and his wife did not deny their first son the opportunity of western education considered a rare privilege at that time. He was enrolled into St. Patrick’s Primary School, Iheakpu-Awka (now Awkanobara Primary School, IheakpuAwka). He later completed his primary school education at St. Mary’s Primary School, Ogurute, Enugu-Ezike. As a testament to his desire to further his education, he sat for and qualified for enrollment as a student in St. Theresa’s College, Nsukka in 1959, where he excelled in academics and in character, graduating in 1963. In 1966, at 25 years, he got a job as a Clerk in the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning in the then Eastern Region. He rose to the
Eze position of Assistant Executive in the same Ministry. In 1982, he got admission to study Law at the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu campus. He would combine his studies with his job at the Ministry. Undaunted by the challenge, Eze stemmed the tide and was able to obtain his LLB in 1987. Between 1987 and 1988, he bagged the Bachelor of Laws at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, and was eventually called to the Nigerian Bar on October 14, 1988. As a qualified legal practitioner and a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Eze worked as a Legal Officer with the Ministry of Justice, Enugu State. Besides his duties as State Prosecutor, he
was also attached to Mentabel Chambers, Enugu, where he became renowned for his high sense of dedication and commitment to duty. After his retirement from the Ministry of Justice in 2001 as Assistant Chief Legal Officer, he concentrated on private practice with Mentabel Chambers while handling some private cases of his own. Until his death, he was an active member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Enugu branch; St. Theresa’s Old Boys Association (STOBA Class 63) where he was the Secretary; and St. Mulumba’s Catholic Church, New Haven, Enugu. Born a Roman Catholic, his zeal and love for God and his church saw him hold various
posts in the church, including but not limited to the Chairman Church Council, St. Martin’s Catholic Church, 82 Division, Army Barracks, Enugu; Chairman, Holy Family Association and Choir Master, St. Martins Catholic Church, among others. In his tribute, his son, Anthony Chikaodili, a lawyer wrote: “He was gentle but firm in his principles. He enjoyed a very healthy relationship with his children and grandchildren. He was a devoted father and just like his parents before him, he was an ardent believer in western education. Though it was a struggle for him, he made sure that his eight children all got formal education and became graduates. Never compromising on moral values, he was always there to offer invaluable advice to his children when needed. He would spend hours with each of his children putting them through especially on his favourite subjects: English Language and Law. “A man who was always calm and believed in God’s time, he will be fondly remembered as a loving husband, a caring father and grandfather who gave his best for his children, a good brother and a peaceful man.” He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Esther Nwanyiuzo Eze, nee Agbo; eight children, comprising four lawyers, a medical doctor, an accountant, a medical laboratory scientist and a graduate of public administration; and 10 grandchildren, among many relatives and in-laws. May his gentle soul rest in the bosom of the Lord, Amen!
Endowed with great intellectual ability, the late Obe was a pathfinder per excellence. He wrote many books, amongst which are: Education and Testing in West Africa with Continuous Assessment; School Indiscipline and Remedies; and An appraisal of continuous Assessment and National Examination in Nigeria. He retired from the University of Lagos after over 30 years of meritorious academic and administrative work that impacted the lives of thousands of students that passed through him. Post retirement, Obe was an avid player in the Nigerian Stock Market. He also took great interest in the development Ikale land generally and Igbotako specifically. Having been highly instrumental to the establishment of Community Grammar School, Igbotako, in 1974, which has paid off well for the community, he advocated the establishment of a Technical College in the town to enhance the skills of the youth and provide them with an opportunity for higher education and self-employment. He personally mentored hundreds of people educationally and vocationally including providing free accommodation and financial support to them. The late Obe cherished books and was a voracious reader. He encouraged good education and reading especially among youths. He established OBERN Securities with the purpose of “utilising the proceeds in awarding scholarships to deserving students from my extended family and hometown.” He also had an educational foundation called OBEROL, which he called ‘A school and Scholarship Programme.’ Prof. Obe lived life to the fullest, and was a rallying point for the Obe and larger Lomuwa-Akingboju families in Lagos, as well as for the whole of Ikaleland. He was a people person. He regularly brought family and friends together through the meetings and parties he regularly hosted. He cherished culture and was a member of Igbotako Social Club and Igbotako Youth League. He was a multiple chief and a Prince of Ikale land, who preached unity at all times. He was conferred the title of “Bobajiro of Ikale land” by His Royal Highness, Oba G. B. Faduyi, The Abodi of Ikale land. Obe was the Chairman of the Education Development Committee Igbotako, Lagos Branch. He was an active member and elder of St. John’s Anglican Church, Igbotako, where he was made the “Baba Ewe”. He was also the Vice President of the YMCA, All Saints Anglican Church, Montgomery Road, Yaba, Lagos. Prof. Obe lived a happy and fulfilled life. He passed away on May 2, 2012 at 77 years. His wife, children and grandchildren, who fondly remember him today and always, sorely miss him. They also wish to use this medium to thank the many individuals and institutions that stood by them during his burial activities in May last year, praying God to support them in their endeavours.
Joel Iwuchukwu Onukwube (1930-2013) HIEF Joel Onukwube was C born in Adagbe Abomimi Enugwu-Ukwu of Anambra State on June 30, 1930. He had his primary education in Enugwu-Ukwu after which he proceeded to Aggrey Memorial College, Arochukwu in Abia State, for his secondary education. He later acquired a Diploma in Banking, Economics and Finance from the London School of Economics through Correspondence Programme. He taught Accounting and Economics at Prince Commercial Secondary School, Onitsha, for many years before moving to Jos to join the private sector. He worked in the Accounting Department in Kingsway Stores, Jos, and later became the Northern Regional Manager of Terco Nig Ltd. He served in that capacity until the outbreak of
Onukwube
the 1966 crisis in the country when he returned to Eastern Nigeria. At the end of the civil war in 1970, he established a private business in Umuahia, the present day Abia State capital. He ran a successful business outfit until his retirement in 1982. While at Umuahia, he served as Pastor’s Warden at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Umuahia from 1970 to 1982. He was also Chairman of Ridge Club Umuahia for many years. His remains will be laid to rest in Enugwu-Ukwu on May 9, 2013 after a funeral service at St. Peter’s Anglican Church Enugwu-Ukwu. He is survived by his wife, seven children and many grandchildren including Mrs. Edith Ekpe, a Public Health worker in Dallas, Texas, USA.
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TRANSITION
Assassination Of Bernard Ogbo Edoga: Too High A Price By Sim Ochi
T
HE 2012 brutal murder of Bernard Ogbo Edoga, a loving, peaceful family man, and a philanthropist has yielded many agonising days for his family and friends. For me, his death brought back many painful memories of other senseless killings in Igbo land. Many innocent children from Ogbo’s generation witnessed and probably still remember the atrocities and brutality inflicted on Igbo indigenes during the Nigerian Civil War. Over a million Igbos perished during that war, including women and children who were slaughtered as they fled many parts of Nigeria. Those killings were characterised, among others, as ethnic cleansing, or genocide— crimes against humanity. These days, the horrible carnage perpetuated by ruthless Igbo people against so many individuals in ala Igbo (Igbo land) is much worse than the killings during the war. Granted, there is a substantial difference between killings during wartime and peace time. However, the common denominator is that Igbos have been killed in large numbers in both cases, and the effects have devastated many families, leading to an obvious question: Why are Igbos killing their own? It is hard to imagine that these repeated very high-profile killings can be perpetrated with such frequency in the heart of Igbo land by outsiders. The recent murderous mayhems in Igbo land are worse than genocide because not only are the acts senseless, but even morons or animals know enough not to kill their own. Regrettably, when Igbos were being slaughtered during the pogrom, or the civil war, other ethnic groups in Nigeria, largely watched or were involved in the killing. Indeed, the three years of civil war continue to be the reference points by which other ethnic groups view Igbo people. This is the basis for the external harms to Igbos. But more critical, and far more enduringly damaging, they are also the reference points by which Igbos see themselves. That is the basis for the internal harm. Like so many projects within my engineering field, the exploration of this external-internal duality takes its place alongside my nostalgic cultural
upbringing in Igbo land. But unlike engineering, in this endeavour, I have no guiding principles such as conservation of energy or momentum by which to frame my current dilemma. Although I realise that ethnicity is the major subtext of nearly all socio-political dialogue in Nigeria, I am not grounded by any laws of nature that would enable me to grasp the present confusion in Igbo land. One can review how the Jews responded to Holocaust and gather from vast research that Jews did not turn around to put their own to death through gas chambers. Rather, they banded together to form one of the strongest democratic societies with greatest values placed on the lives of their citizens. So, what baffles me most is why Igbos are not responding with one voice with deafening outrage at the carnage going on in our fatherland, or demonstrating in unity to show that we reject such evil in our land. Can Igbos be likened to colonised people, who at the time of slavery were considered intellectually incapable of contributing to their own governance, or is this deafening silence on the killings an indication that we are truly intellectually inferior and incapable of contributing positive changes to the society? Or perhaps, it is a loud demonstration of the character of individualism rampant amongst us. History has shown that the rights of individuals cannot be achieved without devoted struggle for justice. Yet, it seems the Igbos, by accepting domestic terrorism confronting her borders, have given up their rights for free passage in their own backyard and for human dignity. Nowadays, many Igbo youths seem to have lost any sense of their ancestral rich history, intense culture, and ardent work ethic. Thus, they often underestimate the efforts required to be successful and soon become easily enticed by the “get-rich-quick” scheme. Our ancestors, even without formal education, understood and practiced hard work to earn honest, albeit, modest living. That generation gave birth to the young men and women who fought and died to save the Igbos from extinc-
tion. The deficits in some Igbo youths of those endearing qualities fundamental to the love of learning and earning a living by honest means is disturbing and disheartening. It is undeniable that Igbo parents and elders are hugely responsible for the demise of scruples in Igbo youths of today. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, elders of the state and custodians of Igbo culture helped to perpetuate greed and ostentatious lifestyle by conferring unmerited chieftaincy titles to wellknown criminal elements, who claimed to have acquired wealth through businesses with no traceable locations, merchants, products, or services. Today, same parents, elders, and custodians of traditions comfortably look the other way while their sons and daughters actively train and carry out assassination as a trade or simply subscribe to domestic terrorism for whatever reason. Even worse still, those occupying the corridors of power from local government offices to the highest offices in our land have remained silent as the alarming crimes and blatant terror reign. It is truly astonishing that Igbos have shamelessly abandoned the customary great Igbo values to embrace the damaging currency of greed, cheats,
Edoga
Ezinne Majorie Chiyemugo C Keshi (1920-1913) By Laolu Adeyemi
T
HE death of Mrs. Ezinne Majorie Chiyemugo Keshi on Saturday March 23, this year, was indeed a colossal loss to the entire family of Ambassador Joe Keshi, a former Nigerian envoy to United States of America. Even though she passed on at the ripe age of 93 years, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and relatives had wished her greater longevity. However, her good works live on and will endure the times. And so, it would be difficult for the immediate family of the matriarch and close relatives to forget her motherly care, which played a big part in molding them and showing them the path to follow in life. Born in Ilabor Village of Igbodo to Ezekiel and Eunice Nwajei on June 27, 1920, Mama Keshi left her parents at an early age to live with her uncle, Mr. Ikulu, in Emekuku in the eastern part of the country. She completed her primary school education there and ventured into petty trading. In 1942, she got married to Mr. Vincent Iwebuka Keshi, who had just joined the Police Force, at the Catholic Cathedral Church, Onitsha. From Onitsha, they moved to Enugu before relocating to Zaria, Lagos and Ibadan as Mr. Keshi’s job demanded. Mama Keshi and her husband had seven children— four girls and three boys— in the course of the transfers. After settling in Ibadan, Mama Keshi went into petty trading in her bid to contribute to the growth and maintenance of the family. Gradually, she began the importation of textile materials from Ghana. Years later, she negotiated with a cousin in Jos in the present day Plateau State to supply her smoked fish, which she sold at a rented shop in Dugbe market, Ibadan. When they both retired to Benin, Edo State, she opened a variety store within the family house. However, she never lost sight of the need to be a good wife and mother, as she joined hands with
Keshi her husband to give each of her seven children good upbringing and sound education. She was an affectionate, industrious, dedicated, dependable, inspiring, selfless, extremely caring, and devoted wife and mother. Mama Keshi also extended her motherly care and encouragement to many others, especially young police recruits, whom she made to realise that their lives and careers could become better enhanced with education. In February 1992, after close to 50 years of blissful and fruitful marriage, her husband passed on. Since then, Mama Keshi had lived a quiet, peaceful and devotional life of prayers. As she became older, she devoted her life to services in the church, surprising her children by attending church functions in different parts of Ika where she was a leader of some church societies. She was agile unto the end, a living testimony of God’s faithfulness to her. She is survived by her children, 16 grand children and 10 great grand children and numerous relatives.
lies, and murder with the greatest priority assigned to MONEY, by any means necessary. Despite these obstacles, few Igbos, like Ogbo Edoga found ways to effect positive, tangible changes in their communities. Mr. Edoga returned to Nigeria in December 2012 to join efforts to fight poverty and to address healthcare needs of his people. All he wanted was to be a source of hope for current and future generations of Igbo people. Instead, he met a gruesome end. He did not commit any crime that warranted punishment by death; rather, he merely engaged in lawful activities for the goodness of a society. No words can properly express my outrage for having been deprived of Ogbo’s pre-eminence and valuable contributions of exemplary life. From now onwards, I cannot, honestly, tell my children that their ancestral home is a place with which they should associate themselves. Ogbo’s death has done immeasurable damage to the people of Aku Diewa and Nsukka as a whole. It is really hard not to feel the loss, if you really knew the man. Dr. Ochi is a member, Nsukka-USA
HIEF (Dr.) Samuel Igbayilola Adegbite (OFR) was an accomplished industrialist, lawyer and distinguished banker whose death on March 17, this year, created a wide vacuum in Nigeria’s industrial and private sectors. Born on January 3, 1940 in Ibadan, Oyo State, he attended Mapo Day School, Ibadan for his primary school education before proceeding to Local Government Teachers’ Training College, Ibadan, between 1958 and 1959. In 1960, he passed the General Certificate of Education, Ordinary Level, University of London in flying colours. In 1963, the late Adegbite proceeded to the United Kingdom to further his education. He studied at the West London College where he obtained a Diploma in Banking of the Institute of Bankers, London, in 1964 and also became an Associate, Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrators, London, in 1967. In the same year, Adegbite was admitted to the Holborn College of Law, London from where he obtained LL.B (Hons) degree, University of London in 1969. When he returned to Nigeria in 1970, he enrolled at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar as Solicitor and Advocate, Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1971. Before he travelled to London, he had worked as a Clerk at the Standard Bank of West Africa (now First Bank of Nigeria Plc) from 1961 to 1963. In the UK, he worked as Executive Officer, Her Majesty’s Ministry of Housing and Local Government, London. On his
Adieu, Samuel Igbayilola Adegbite (1940-2013) return to Nigeria, he served as Assistant Secretary (Administrative Class), Ministry of Education, Western State of Nigeria in 1971. In the same year, Chief Adegbite joined the National Bank of Nigeria as Bank Officer and was later transferred to the Kaduna branch as Branch Manager. Between 1974 and 1980, he worked at NAL Bank Plc as their Credit Manager and was later promoted as a Departmental Head, Loan Syndication and Project Finance. He joined Wema Bank in 1981 as Executive Director (Banking Operations). He was appointed Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the bank in 1983 and voluntarily retired as Vice Chairman/CEO in December 1998. The late Adegbite was a Fellow, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Niger and London;
Adegbite
Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Management and Fellow, Chartered Institute of Secretaries and Administrator. He was a member of the Nigerian Institute of Directors, the Nigerian Bar Association, and International Bar Association. He was also President/Chairman in Council, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria from 1987 to 1988. He also served as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho (2004-2006). Until his demise, he was Chairman of Oasis Insurance Plc and Honorary Vice President, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, among others. Adegbite had an eventful and fulfilling career indeed and gave back to the society through the Samuel Adegbite Foundation, which he used to promote Christian values, quality education, social development, healthy living and eradication of poverty. A devout Christian, Adegbite was the foundation president, Christian Friends Society, Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral (AVMCC), Ikeja. He belonged to other organisations in the Church and played worthy roles towards the promotion of the Anglican faith. He was the Baba Ijo of St. John’s Church, OgboOloyin, Ibadan. He was also the Diocesan Economic and Investment Adviser to the Bishops of the Dioceses of Lagos West and Ibadan South.
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May, 4, 2013
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Change of Name ABASI: Formerly Miss Abasi Brenda Nta Henshaw now Mrs. Brenda Ini Ita. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ABUBAKAR: Formerly Abubakar Faridah Unique now Omnekhai Faridah Unique. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ABUBOKHAI: Former Rosemary Avedoya Abubokhai now Mrs. Rosemary Idornigie. Previous documents remain valid. Public note. ADEAGA: Formerly Miss Gbemisola Priye Adeaga, Now Mrs Gbemisola Priye Olabode. Former Documents Valid. Public note. ADEBANJO: Formerly Miss Adebanjo Yetunde Kikelomo now Mrs. Lateef Yetunde Kikelomo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADEBAYO: Formerly Miss Adebayo Sherifat Oluwabisola now Mrs. Adetola Sherifat Abolore Oluwabisola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
Public note. ADELEYE: Formerly known as Adeleye Bimbo Oluwafunke now Mrs. Abimbola Oladipo Rufal. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADERIBIGBE: Formerly Miss Aderibigbe Oluwakemi Adewuni now Mrs. Madojemu Oluwakemi Adewuni. Former documents valid. Public note. ADESANYA: Formerly Adesanya Oluyinka Grace now Mrs. Idowu Oluyinka Grace. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADETOLURE: Formerly Miss Adetolure Titilayo Elizabeth now Mrs. Oyebisi Titilayo Elizabeth. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADETONA: Formerly Sekinat Moyosore Adetona now Sekinat Moyosore Asafa. Documents valid. Public note.
ADEBAYO: Formerly Miss Adebayo Omobola now wish to be known as Mrs. Omobola Thomas Chunuwe. Former documents remain valid. General public note.
ADEWOLE:. Formerly Miss Damola Marufat Adewole, now Mrs Marufat Adedamola Akinlabi. Former documents valid. Public note ADEYEMO : Formerly Miss Adenike Oluwatoyin Adeyemo now Mrs Adenike Oluwatoyin Omoroga All former document remain vaild. General public note.
ADEDIRAN: Formerly Adediran Shade Alimat now Ajisafe Shade Haleemah. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
AGAH: Formerly Miss Veronica Nkiru Agah now Mrs. Veronica Nkiru Kalu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
ADEEN: Formerly Miss Adeen Temilade Olubusola now Mrs Onabokun Temilade Olubusola. All former Documents remain valid. Public note.
AGBONYIN: Formerly Miss Aderonke Temitope Agbonyin now Mrs. Aderonke Temitope Showemimo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
ADEFOLARIN: Former Miss Adefolarin Oluwatobi Oluwatobi Oluranti now Mrs. Andre Oluwatobi Oluranti. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADEGBITE: Formerly Miss Adegbite lbukunola Oluwafunmilayo now Mrs. Biobaku Ibukunola Oluwafunmilayo. Documents remain valid.
AGU: Formerly Miss Chinwe Esther Agu, now Mrs Chinwe Esther Eze. Former documents valid. Public note. AHARA: Formerly Miss Ahara Linda Ezinne now Mrs. Ogbata Linda Ezinne. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AJANI: Formerly Anna
Abidemi Ajani now Anna Abidemi Olumole. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AKANMU: Formerly Miss Akanmu Adejoke Odunayo now Mrs. Falaju Adejoke Odunayo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AKINLADE: Formerly: Miss Akinlade, Mojisola Olamide now: Mrs Olusunmade, Mojisola Olamide Documents valid Public note AKWARANDU: Formerly Ms Pleasure Uche Akwarandu, now Mrs Pleasure Uche Maxwell. Former documents valid. Public note. ALABI: Formerly Miss Alabi Bolanle Khadijat now Mrs. Ibrahim Bolanle Khadijat. Former documents valid. NANNM, public note. ALABI: I, formerly Miss Alabi Temitope Olayemi now Mrs. Ademulegun Temitope Olayemi. Public note. ALATISHE: Formerly Alatishe Shadia Bimpe now Tijani Shadia Bimpe. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ALAWODE: Formerly Miss Alawode Rebecca Folashade now Mrs. Shona Shade Ajike. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ALIGBE: Formerly Miss Aligbe Stella Chizzy now Mrs. Chizzy-Stella George Okeibunor. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ALIU: Formerly Aliu Aminat Blessing now Mrs. Ilufoye Aminat Blessing. All documents remain valid. Public note. AMAEFULA: Formerly Miss Amarachi Favour Amaefula now Mrs Okoro Amarachi Favour Okechukwu. Former documents valid. Public take note. AMANARI: Formerly Miss Amanari Chinyere Chinonso now Mrs. Onyegbula Chinyere Chinonso. Former documents remain valid. Public
note. AMULEYA: Formerly Miss Rejoice Modupe Amuleya now Mrs. Rejoice Modupe Amao. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AMUSAN: Formerly Miss Amusan Ibiyemi Omotoyosi now Mrs. Alarape Ibiyemi Omotoyosi. Former documents valid. Public note. ANABI: Formerly Miss Anabi Maria-Assumpta Ngozi, now Mrs Efiom-Ita MariaAssumpta Ngozi. Former documents valid. Public note. ANAJEMBA: Formerly Miss Anajemba Chiamaka Emmanuela (Nee Nwankwor) now Mrs. Emmanuel Chiamaka Emmanuela. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. ANIETO: Formerly Mrs. Anieto Adaobi Obianuju now Mrs. Anieto Adaobi Obiageli. Former documents remain valid. PHCN and general public take note. ANIGBO: Formerly Miss Anigbo Chidimma Cynthia now Mrs. Ogbu Chidimma Cynthia. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ANUNOBI: I, formerly Miss Lilian Anunobi now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Lilian Ehimen. Public note.
lade Olusola Fapohunda. Former documents valid. Public note.
gawan Esther. Previous documents valid. FCE(T)Akoka. Public note.
AROMOLARAN: Formerly Miss Aromolaran Adebukola Risi now Mrs. Ogunsola Adebukola Risi. Previous documents valid. FCE(T)Akoka, public note.
BUSARI: Formerly Aisha Abiola Busari now Mrs. Aisha Abiola Kuku. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
ASIA: Formerly Asia Clement Akhere now Eromosele Clement Akhere. Documents valid. Public note. AWOLOLA: Formerly Miss Awolola Awonike Agnes now Mrs. Salami Awonike Agnes. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AWORUWA: I, formerly known as Miss Oluwayemisi Racheal Aworuwa now Mrs. Oluwayemisi Racheal Olangin. All former documents remain valid. Public note. AYANBAJO: Formerly Miss Ayanbajo Olapeju Olaoluwani now Mrs. Olusanya Olapeju Olaoluwani. Previous documents valid. FCE(T)Akoka, public note. AZODO/OKOLI: Formerly Miss Azodo Nneka Stella now Mrs. McOkoli Nneka & Formerly Mr. Okoli Okechukwu Godwin now Mr McOkoli Okechukwu Godwin. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
BUSARI: Formerly Busari Serifat Oluwatosin now Mrs. Ayanwale Serifat Oluwatosin. Former documents valid. ADOODO/OTALGEA, OGUNSUBEB, public note. CHIBUEZE: Formerly Chibueze Henry Okeke now Chibueze Henryson. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. CHUKWUDI: Formerly Chukwudi Nwaogwugwu now Simeon Chukwudi Christopher. Former documents valid. NYSC, general public take note. DADA: I, formerly Miss Morenike Temitayo Dada now Mrs. Morenike Temitayo Ogunnwa. All former documents remain valid. Public note. DIMNWAKA: Formerly Mr. Chigbo Nnaemeka Dimnwaka now Mr. Chigbo Nnaemeka Dimnwaka-Obed. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.
AYEGBUSI: Formerly Miss Ayegbusi Modupe Elizabeth now Mrs Okeowo Modupe Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. Public note.
EFFIONG: Formerly W/CPL Miss Akon Effiong now W/SGT Mrs. Akon Asuquo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
ANYALEWECHI: Formerly Miss Anyalewechi Jovita Anulika now Mrs Ubeh Jovita Anulika Daniel. Former documents valid. Public take note.
AYOUNI: Former Ayouni Chukwuemeka Williams Chukwuduebi now to be known as Illoh Chukwuemeka Williams Chukwudumebi. All former documents remain valid. Nigerian Immigration Service and public note.
EGWUONWU: Formerly Miss Egwuonwu Nneka Chinwe now Mrs. Nwague Nneka Chinwe. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
AREGBESOLA: Formerly Aregbesola Ronke Omowunmi now Sorunke Ronke Omowunmi. Documents valid. Public note.
BABALOLA: Formerly Olajumoke Yetunde Babalola now Mrs. Adenaiye Olajumoke Yetunde. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
ARIBA: Formerly Miss Omolade Olusola Ariba now Mrs. Omo-
BASSEY: Formerly Miss Esther Bassey now Mrs. Okere Obon-
A N W A N G A O B O N G: Formerly Miss Anwangaobong Emmanuel Etim now Mrs. Anwanga Edidiong Osmund. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.
EHUJUO: Formerly Miss Ehujuo Victoria Chinyere now Mrs. Nwachukwu Victoria Chinyere. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EKETTE: Formerly Okette Godfrey E. now Mrs. Edwin Godfrey Ugwu. Former
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May, 4, 2013
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Change of Name documents remain valid. Public note.
remain valid. Public note.
EKHAZE: Formerly Miss Jackline Omokhoyere Ekhaze now Mrs. Jackline Omokhoyere Aigbe. Former documents valid. Public note.
EZE: Formerly Miss Eze Melody Ifeoma now Mrs. Okey Melody Ifeoma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
EKONG: I, formerly Miss Patience Anderson Ekong now known as Mrs. Fagbola Patience Anderson. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.
EZE: Formerly Miss Eze Blessing Chinasaokwu now Mrs. Igwe Blessing Chinasaokwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
ELESO: Formerly Miss Eleso Adesumbo Kanyinsola now Mrs. Odeseye Adesumbo Kanyisola. Former documents valid. Public note. EMMANUEL: Formerly Emmanuel Oladayo Afolabi now Emmanuel Oladayo Afolabi Balogun. Former documents remain valid. General public note. EMUAN: Former Patricia Osas Emuan now Mrs. Patricia Henry Oboro Abari. Former documents valid. FCMB, public note. ENEMUO: Formerly Miss Chioke Ujunwa Joy now Mrs. Enemuo Ujunwa Joy. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EPEGA: Formerly Epega Abimbola Opeyemi now Haastrup Opeyemi Abimbola. Former documents remain valid. LASU, NYSC note. ERETAN: Formerly Miss Oluwatoyin Modupeore Eretan now Mrs. Oluwatoyin Modupeore Umukoro. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ESINYADE: Miss Rebecca Igho Esinyade now Mrs. Rebecca Francis Ige. Public take note. ETONYE: Formerly Miss Etonye Edonyafa now Mrs. AsemotaEtonye Edonyafa. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EVEREST: I, formerly Mr. Oghonim Onyelelue Everest now Mr. Oghonim Onyelelue Anderson. All former documents
EZEKWE: Formerly S t e p h e n Ekenedirichukwu Ugochukwu Ezekwe now Stephen Solut i o n Ekeledirichineke. All former documents remain valid. General public note. FADIRAN: Formerly Miss Fadiran Abigael Aduke now Mrs. Ajose Abigael Bukky. Documents valid. Public note. GILBERT: This is to confirm that Miss Gilbert Deborah is the same person as Gilbert Deborah Idoreyin. All documents remain valid. S.S.C.E. and public take note. HABBOR: Formerly Miss Habbor Fester Ihuoma now Mrs Ogbonna Favour Ihuoma. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.
Josephine Ikuomola, now Mrs Arinola Josephine Jinadu. Former documents valid. Public note.
ola Olusola Haruna. All former documents remain valid. Daystar Christian Centre and public take note.
ISAH: Formerly Miss Isah Jamilat Jubril Patience now Mrs. Nwafor Patience Jamilat. All former documents remain valid. Public note. KPENOU: Formerly Miss Angela Nwalokomobi Kpenou now Mrs. Angela Nwalokomobi Izegbu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
MUOEDUM: Formerly Muoedum Chinenye Cindy now Obi Chinenye Cindy. Documents valid. Public note.
LAWAL: Formerly Miss Lawal Aminat Oluwatoyin now Mrs. Ramon Aminat Oluwatoyin. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
MUOTOE: Formerly Mr. Felix Onwuegbuchuna Muotoe now Mr. Felix Onwuegbuchuna Ezenwa. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NGWACHUKWU: Formerly Miss Ngwachukwu Ngozi Virginia now Mrs Ibezim Ngozi Virginia. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
MADUKASI: Formerly Miss Madukasi Chioma Fidelia now Mrs. Okpalaononuju Chioma Fidelia. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MAKANJUOLA: Formerly Miss Makanjuola Olubunmi Funmi now Mrs. Fadipe Olubunmi Funmi. All former documents remain valid. General public note. MBAH: Formerly Miss Ijeoma Eunice Mbah now Mrs. Chikezie Ijeoma Eunice. Former documents valid. Public note.
IBEKE: Formerly Miss Ibeke Rosemary Ifeoma now Mrs. Chukwuifo Rosemary Ifeoma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
MBELU: Formerly Miss Mbelu Nwamaka Juliet now Mrs Nnoli Nwamaka Juliet. All former documents remain valid. Public note.
IBENEME: Formerly Miss Chinyeaka Vivien Ibeneme now Mrs. Vivien Chinyeaka I-Farayibi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
MERAIYEBU: Formerly Titilayo Mary Meraiyebu now Mrs. Titilayo Mary Ife Ogunbanbi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
IFEANYI: Formerly Miss Mary Chioma Ifeanyi now Mrs. Mary Chioma BenNwankwo. All former documents remain valid. The public take note.
MERE: Formerly Miss Amarachi Adaku Mere now Mrs. Amarachi Nene Kenneth NTA. Former documents remain valid. VISAFONE and public note.
IGUNBOR: Formerly Celestine Igunbor, now Celestine Chukwuemeka Rapheal. Former documents valid. Public note. IKUOMOLA: Formerly Miss Arinola
MICHAEL: Formerly Michael Ani now Myke Odison Ani. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MOLUGA: Formerly Miss Adeola Olusola Moluga now Mrs. Ade-
MUOGILIM: Formerly Dr Miss Ifeyinwa Nancy Adaora Muogilim, now Dr Mrs Ifeyinwa Nancy Aremo. Former documents valid. Public note.
NGWU: Formerly Ngwu Ejike now Ngwu Felix Kingsely. Former documents remain valid. General public take note. NGWU: Formerly Miss Ngwu Anthonia Chinedu now Mrs. Nwatarali Anthonia Chinedu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NKEMAKOLAM: Formerly Nkemakolam Chinyere Georgenia now Okorie Chinyere Georgenia. Former document sremain valid. Public note. NNEJI: I, formerly Miss Nneji Endurance Akunna now Mrs. Udeh Endurance Akunna. Former documents remain valid. National Open University, NTI Kaduna, general public take note. NNAJI: Formerly Nnaji Adline Chinyere now Ezirim Adline Chinyere. Documents valid. Public note. NWANERI: Formerly Miss Nwaneri Stella Chinyere now Mrs. Ayoka Stella Chinyere. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWOGU: Formerly Miss Yvonne Kelechi Nwogu now Mrs. Yvonne Kelechi Osi. Former documents
valid. Public note. NWOKEDI: Formerly Miss Nwokedi Chioma Maureen now Mrs. Machi Chioma Maureen. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWOSU: I, formerly Miss Nwosu Chioma Eunice now known as Mrs. Chioma Omonua. Former documents remain valid. General public take note. OBASA: Formerly Miss Obasa Oludayo Modupe now Mrs. Oloye Oludayo Modupe. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OBI: Formerly Miss Obi Ngozi Bernadine now Mrs. Ezechukwu Ngozi Bernadine. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OBIORAH: Formerly Miss Obiorah Ifeoma Edith now Mrs. Ebele Ifeoma Edith. All former documents remain valid. General public note. OBOT: Formerly Miss Stella Ima Obot, now Mrs Stella Ima Anietie. Former documents valid. Public note. OCHIGBO: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ochigbo Iyawo Blessing now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Onoja Ihotu Blessing. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. ODUMOSU: Formerly Miss Odumosu Titilayo Atinuke now Mrs. Osuntunde Titilayo Atinuke. All former documents remain valid. General public note. ODURONBI: Formerly Miss Oduronbi Stella Funmilola now Mrs. Lawal Stella Funmilola. All former documents remain valid. Public note. OFEL: Formerly Miss Mgbe Sandra Ofel now Mrs. Achonwa Sandra. All former documents remain valid. Public note. OFILI: I, formerly Miss Ofili Sylvia Adaeze Nmadili now Mrs. Bazuaye Sylvia Adaeze Nmadili. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
OGIDIOLU: Former Miss Ogidiolu Yetunde Wonuola now Mrs. Alakija Yetunde Wonuola. Former documents remain valid. General public note. OGUEJIOFOR: Formerly Miss Oguejiofor Helen Onyekachi now Mrs. Athanatius Helen Onyekachi Asodike. Former documents remain valid. AIFCE, UNN, NYSC, public note. OGUNBODE: Formerly Miss Omobolanle Olabisi Ogunbode now to be addressed as Omobolanle Olabode Faola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNWALE: Formerly Ebunoluwa Funmilayo Ogunwale now Ebunoluwa Funmilayo Ayibiowu. Former documents valid. Yaba Tech, NYSC note. OJAKOVO: I, Miss Esegbuyota Faith Ojakovo is the same person as Miss Ojakovo Esegbuyota Faith. All documents remain valid. Public note. OJIKE: Formerly Miss Ojike Jovita Chika now Mrs. JK-Agu Jovita Chika. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OJO: Formerly Miss Anjolaoluwa Opeyemi Ojo now Mrs. Anjolaoluwa Opeyemi Aworinde. Previous documents valid. General public note. OJO: Formerly Miss Ojo Foluso Blessing now Mrs. Oguntuase Lanre Foluso Blessing. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKAM: Formerly Miss Okam Sandra Chisa now Mrs. Adiewere Sandra Chisa. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKEKE: Formerly Miss Agatha Nwamaka Okeke, now Mrs Agatha Nwamaka Okeke Ogbuafor. Former documents valid. Public note. OKEREKE: Formerly Miss Emmanuella Oluchi Okereke now Mrs Emmanualla
THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May, 4, 2013
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Change of Name Oluchi Amogu. Former documents valid. Public note. OKOLIE: Formerly Miss Tessy Nwakaego Chukwuedum Okolie, now Mrs Tessy Nwakaego Chukwuedum Hart. Former documents valid. Public note. OKOLI: Formerly Miss Okoli Ijeoma Chimezie now Mrs. Ugboaja Ijeoma Chimezie. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKOLOCHA: Former Miss Rita Nkonye Okolocha now Mrs. Rita Nkonye Okushi. All documents remain valid. Public note. OKOLO: Formerly Miss Okolo Uchechukwu Joy now Mrs. O k o n k w o Uchechukwu Joy. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKOLO: Formerly Miss Okolo Ifeoma Adaeze now Mrs. Obodoechina Ifeoma Adaeze. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKONKWO: Formerly Miss Okonkwo Cecilia Chinazor now Mrs. Adibe Cecilia Chinazor Frumentus. Former documents remain valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, public note. OKONKWO: Formerly Miss Okonkwo Chinazom Lilian now Mrs. Oguamanam Chinazom Lilian. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKORONKWO: Formerly Miss Mary Nwadirichi Okoronkwo now Mrs Mary Osita Okereke. Former documents valid. Public note. OKOYE: Formerly Miss Okoye Chikodili Chinwendu now Mrs. Okudo Chikodili Chinwendu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKOYE: Formerly Miss Okoye Ujunwa Jacinta now Mrs Robert Ujunwa Jacinta. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note. OLABISI: Formerly Miss Omobolanle Olabisi Ogunbode
now to be addressed as Omobolanle Olabode Faola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OLADIRAN: Formerly Miss Oladiran Adetola Elizabeth now Mrs. Omiwole Adetola Elizabeth. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OLAGBENDE: Formerly Miss Olayemi Olamide Olagbende now Mrs. Olayemi Olamide Akinfe. Former documents valid. Public note. OLAMIJU: I, formerly known and addressed as Ella-Marcelle Oluwadamilola Modupeola Olamiju notifies the public of change of name to Ella-Manuella Godisgood. Former documents remain valid. OLANIYI: Formerly Miss Olaniyi Bukola Adenike now Mrs. Daniel Bukola Adenike. Former documents remain valid. General public take note. OLAOSEBIKAN: Formerly Miss Olaosebikan Funmilola Christiana now Mrs Onafowope Funmilola Christiana. All former documents remain valid. Public note. OLAWOYIN: Formerly Miss Adebukola Olubunmi Olawoyin, now Mrs Adebukola Olubunmi Olaleye. Former documents valid. Zenith Bank & public note. OLUDAIYE: Formerly Miss Florence Ibukun Oludaiye now Mrs. Florence Ibukun Popoola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OLUFOWOSE: I former Miss Olufowose Olufunke Veronica. Now wish to be known as Mrs Agboola Olufunke Veronica.All former documents remain valid . Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko,Federal University Oye and general public take note. OLUGBOJI: Formerly Miss Olugboji Oluwakemi Anu now Mrs. Adeboye Oluwakemi Anuoluwapo. Former
documents remain valid. Public and LUTH note. OLUWAFEMI: Formerly Oluwafemi Oluwatoyin Margaret now Mrs. Akinyemi Oluwatoyin Margaret. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
Miss Onipede Oyekemi Modupe, now Mrs Omotoso Modupe Oyekemi. Former documents valid. Public note. ONU: Formerly Miss Esther Nathaniel Onu now Mrs. Offiong Onu Esther. All former documents remain valid. NFLV & general public note.
OMATSEYIN: Formerly Miss Doreen Omatseyin now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Doreen Olufolahan. Former documents remain valid. General public note.
ONYEMENE: Former Miss Onyemene Obiageli Rose now Mrs. Obiageli Rosecharles Eze. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
OMESIETE: Formerly: Miss Omesiete, Edith Nwakaego now: Mrs Akumah, Edith Nwakaego Documents valid. Public note.
ONYENMA: Formerly Gift Uloma Onyenma now Mrs. Treasure Gift Uloma Anumadu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
OMOHIMORIA: I, formerly known and addressed as Omohimoria Helen Elizerbeth now wish to be known and addressed as Falola Helen Oluwatoyin. All former documents remain valid. Nursing & Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba-Lagos and the general public should take note.
ONYENSO: Formerly addressed as Miss Gift Onyenso now known as Mrs Gift Iwengwa. Former documents valid. ABIA-POLY, public note.
OMORIONE: Formerly Miss Omorione Helen Erhiyovwe now Mrs. Ehiaguina Helen Erhiyovwe. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
ONYEUWAOMA: Formerly Miss Theresa Onyeuwaoma now Mrs. Theresa Ofoegbu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.
OMOTESHO: I, formerly Mrs. Omotesho Rita Oluseye now known as Miss Taiwo Rita Oluwaseye. Former documents remain valid. American Embassy, general public take note.
OPARANOZIE: Formerly Miss Oparanozie Nwanyinna Irene now Mrs Irene Kemas Erukpeme. Former documents valid.NPS, public note.
OMOVIYE: Formerly Omoviye Uyoyo Anita now Aizebeokhai Uyoyo Anita. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ONABANJO: Formerly Miss Onabanjo Fatimoh Olayinka now Mrs. Shitta Fatimoh Olayinka. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ONILE-ERE: Formerly Habeeb Olalekan Onile-Ere now Habeeb Olalekan Okunola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ONIPEDE:
Formerly
ONYENYIRIONWU : Formerly Miss Chinazor Onyenyirionwu now Mrs Chinazor James-Ajibulu. All former documents remain valid. Public note.
OREH: Formerly Miss Ngozi Oreh Ebina now Mrs. Ngozi Henry Eboh. All former documents remain valid. The public take note. ORJI: Formerly Miss Orji Kate Nwanyinna now Mrs Sunday Kate Nwanyinna. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note. OSHIOKAMEH: Formerly Miss Oshiokameh Judith Egbeya now addressed as Mrs. Onasode Judith Egbeya. Former documents valid. FAAN and public note. RAJI: I, formerly Zainab Ifedolapo Raji is now Mrs. Zainab Ifedolapo Folaranmi. Former
documents remain main valid. Public valid. NYSC, public note. note. UNAKALAMBA: ForSALAU: I, formerly Miss merly Miss UnRafiat Olamide Salau akalamba Pet O. now now Mrs. Rafiat Mrs Pet Chinyere S. Olamide Amusa. For- Mba. Former documer documents re- ments valid. Public main valid. General take note. public note. UMEIGWEGBU: Formerly Miss UmeigSAMUEL: Formerly wegbu Amaka Gladys Miss Samuel Oluwanow Mrs Daniel sola Rabacca, now Mrs Amaka Gladys. ForFaluyi Oluwasola mer documents valid. Rabacca. Former documents valid. Public Public note. note. USMAN: Formerly Miss Usman Keji AmiSANYA: Formerly nat now Mrs. AdegRafata Adebimpe boruwa Keji Aminat Sanya now Mrs. Rafata Adebimpe Jinadu. For- Ayinke. Former documer documents re- ments remain valid. main valid. Public take Public note. note. USMAN: Former Miss SOFODU: Formerly Usman Otse Khadijat Miss Oyedotun Jessica now known as Mrs. Otse Sofodu now Mrs. Oye- Seghosime dotun Jessica Bakare. Khadijat. Former docFormer documents uments remain valid. Edo State House of Asvalid. Public note. sembly (EDHA), public SOWUNMI: Formerly note. Miss Sowunmi Oluwakemi Elizabeth UZOARU: Formerly now Mrs. Adesanya Miss Juliet Adaku Oluwakemi Elizabeth. Uzoaru now Mrs. Frank Documents valid. Pub- Juliet Nwaokoro. Former lic note. documents valid. UNITAIWO: Formerly Miss PORT, NYSC, public Odunayo Olubukola note. Taiwo now Mrs. Odunayo Olubukola UZOR: Formerly Uzor Fagbohun. Former Chika Cecilia now documents remain Mrs. Ezenwa Chika Cecilia Favour. Former valid. Public note. documents remain OSSIA: Formerly Miss valid. Public note. Tina Lolita Ossia now Formerly Mrs. Tina Lolita Dada. YAKUBU: Former documents Yakubu Nana Fatima Omonekhai valid. Corona Schools now Trust Council, public Nana Fatima. Former documents remain note. valid. Public note. OSUALA: Formerly Miss Mirian Nwaobiara Os- YUSSUFF: Formerly uala now wish to be Miss Adunola Modknown as Mrs. Mirian upe Yussuff now Mrs. Nwaobiara Orjiakor. Adunola Modupe OluAll former documents modimu. Former docremain valid. Public uments remain valid. General public note. note. OYERINDE: I, formerly Miss Oyerinde Idayat Aduke now known as Mrs. Ogungbade Idayat Aduke. Former documents remain valid. KPMG Professional Services and note. UGWU: Formerly Miss Felicia Nkeiru Ugwu now Mrs. Felicia Nkeiru Ogbu. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. UKAZU: Former Miss Blessing Chimuanya Ukazu now Mrs. Blessing Chimuanya Okore. Former documents re-
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THE GUARDIAN Saturday, May 4, 2013
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TheGuardian
60 Saturday, May 4, 2013
Conscience, Nurtured by Truth
Sports AHEAD RUSSIA 2013 IAAF WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP
AFN President, Solomon Ogba
By Gowon Akpodonor IKE a group of dissident soldiers, LAthletics some athletes took officials of the Federation of Nigeria (AFN) by surprise at the University of Benin (Uniben) Sports Centre, last weekend, when they started a protest that led to the cancellation of the second leg of the AFN Golden League. The athletes refused to come out for the competition in Benin, saying they would not participate in the Golden League any further unless the AFN lower the qualifying standard for the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championships holding in Moscow, Russia. It will run from August 10 to 18. So, the AFN vowed to deal with the athletes involved in the ‘mutiny.’ But the athletes stuck to their guns. Worried by the face off, some stakeholders believe that the problem if not sorted out immediately portends a bad omen for the country. After Team Nigeria flopped at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the leadership of the AFN felt something had to be done to avoid such disasters and they decided to begin a new era with the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Russia. The AFN said the era of going to international competitions just to make up the numbers was over. So, it decided to set certain standards as qualification marks for the athletes for Russia 2013. For the 100m, the AFN standard was 10.46 seconds for the male and 11.50 seconds for female. In the 200m, the set standard was 21.32 seconds for the male and 22.04 seconds for the female sprinters, while in the 400m race, it set 47.56 seconds for men and 52.00 seconds for women. In the long jump, the standard is 7.70 meters, triple jump 16 .00 meters, 1500m (3 minutes 52 seconds), 800m (1 minute 52 seconds) and in the high jump, the standard set was 2.00m. The first leg of the AFN/Solid Works Limited Golden League was held at the Gateway Stadium, Sagamu, mid last month and the athletes did not show any sign of grievances against the standard set by the AFN. Every preparation for the second leg of the Golden League at University of Benin (UNIBEN) was concluded with Edo State government providing accommodation and transportation for the athletes. But when they got to the venue, the athletes simply refused to come out for their events. On inquiry, they said they would not compete unless the federation changed its position on the qualification standard. All efforts by the AFN officials and coaches to make them (athletes) see reasons fell on deaf ears. The athletes’ demanded that the AFN should review the standard it set for the World Championship downwards and at the same time reward the top eight athletes in each Golden League event with cash prizes. The AFN refused to yield to the demands. “We have chosen to do something different from what we were doing in the past in order to get a different and better result at the IAAF World Championships in Russia and other subsequent events, including the Commonwealth and Olympics Games,” AFN Technical Director, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama,
Much Ado About AFN Qualifying Standard explained in an email to The Guardian. “No athlete is forced to participate in any AFN meet. It is entirely voluntary. Track and field is not a trade union and we will not operate it as such. Indiscipline and unruly behaviour has been noticed and this negates the AFN Code of Conduct promulgated in 2010 under my direction as Chairman Security and Discipline committee. It is unfortunate that those who do not mean well for the athletes are misleading them.” The AFN said it would not allow the ‘rebelling’ athletes go unpunished. Apart from suspending the Golden League competition, the ‘ring leaders,’ Saheed Osayande, Afeez Imama and Lekan Soetan, who allegedly instigated the boycott, got three-year bans each from all AFN organised activities. The AFN directed states and clubs affiliated to it to apply to the AFN with a guarantee that their athletes would abide by the contents of the AFN Code of Conduct. One of such stakeholders, Coach Tobias Igwe, who is of the view that if the problem is not checked, the spill over might have damaging effects on the country’s preparation for the World Championship.
months camping are not good for a country like Nigeria. “Perhaps, if the camp for the World Championships is running well in Abuja, I am sure the athletes won’t have the time to stage such protest in Benin. I am sure the AFN has not received money for the camping and the athletes should know it.” Long jumper, Stanley Gbagbeke, toed the line of coach Igwe, saying that the AFN did the right thing in banning the ‘rebelling’ athletes. In a chat with The Guardian, Gbagbeke said: “This is the year of the World Athletics Championship and it is proper for the AFN to set standards for us to meet so as to get good results at the competition. The AFN wants a situation where only the best athletes make the team for the World Championships in Russia. “I am sure those who want the standard lowered at this stage of our preparation are those who feel they can’t make it. If you must go to the World Championships as an athlete, you must be ready to prepare well and meet the standard set by the federation. I am not in support of what those athletes did in Benin.” But female sprinter, Knowledge Omovoh, have a different view. She said: “We have to fight for our rights and what we did in Benin was to tell the AFN that the standards it set for the World Although Coach Igwe says the ban handed to Championship were too high. They have to the ‘rebelling’ athletes by the AFN was in order, reduce it. The AFN decision to ban those athletes he warned that the country could pay dearly was too harsh. They should also listen to us,” for such face-off coming barely three months Omovoh said. With this development, all seems not to be well to such an important competition as the and the club owners have to act fast to save the World Championship. Speaking with The Guardian, Toblow said: “I situation. At a meeting with AFN Technical don’t see any sense in the protest carried out byCommittee during the week, 12 clubs backed the the athletes. Top athletes now easily run sub 10 action taken against the ‘rebelling’ athletes. seconds in the 100m but the AFN set 10.49 sec- Among other things, the states AAAs/club owners/military and para military officials resolved onds as standard and the athletes are comthat every genuine reform process by the AFN plaining. What for? “Majority of our athletes are lazy, but there are would naturally come with resistance and so the some who want to achieve success. Those who action of the athletes was one of the natural phenomenon of resistance to change. instigated the protest are not relevant. They The club owners agreed that the AFN set stanjust want to cause trouble. “I expected them to complain and go ahead to dards should be upheld in order to encourage compete in the Golden League and then wait improved performance of the athletes. for the response of the AFN. I don’t support the “Apart from points gained for achieving nationprotest. My major worry is the preparation for al record performance, such performances should attract additional financial rewards,” they the World Championships, which is barely stated. three months away. The club owners also said that all athletes inter“In preparing for the Barcelona ‘92 and the Atlanta ’96 Olympics Games, we camped for ested in competing in the Golden League must nine months and the results are there for all to register and compete under a state AAA/club or see. The IAAF World Championship is just like Para military body, adding that unattached aththe Olympic Games and all these two or three letes would no longer be entertained.
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SPORTS
Governor Fashola And My New Book! SuRRENdER this page today to my boss, my brother, my strikIBabatunde ing partner and my friend, His Excellency, Governor Raji Fashola SAN, who graciously wrote the foreward to my new book, ‘Me, Football and More”. I reproduce it for all to read. Foreword The pleasure I have to write a foreword to a book by Chief Olusegun Odegbami, MON; aka Big Seg is immeasurable, because he has been an inspiration to me for over three decades. Since he first came into my consciousness, my admiration for Big Seg has continued to grow in leaps and bounds. First, it was for his mathematical precision on the pitch, which earned him the sobriquet Mr Mathematical Odegbami in the 70s that has stuck till today. After his retirement from professional football in 1984, it became for his uncanny ability to reinvent himself and remain relevant in the scheme of things. From footballer, to shrewd businessman, to journalist, to author, to respected commentator, sports ambassador and sports administrator- you name it, he has done it. And this is apart from his lesser-known interests in the arts, literature, television and travel. I have always been drawn to individuals whose dedication to a worthwhile venture; any worthwhile venture is total and consistent. A dependable columnist of many years and an avowed apostle of sports as a catalyst for development, Segun Odegbami has demonstrated a greater dedication to the development of Nigerian sports; particularly football, than perhaps any other Nigerian dead or alive. And nowhere is this more demonstrable than in the pages of this collection of articles, where his love for football and sports generally, is palpable. This book is a football lovers delight. It is a treasure trove of sporting facts and is sure to become a bible and a one-stop reference for Nigerian sports and football. The article Who Wins, IICC or Sharks, is an invaluable slice of history. We learn how the Black Scorpion, Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle contributed to making Big Seg a better goal scorer. And those who did not know will now be able to understand why the Lagos State Stadium was named after Teslim Thunder Balogun. Big Seg reminds us of other long-forgotten heroes of Nigerian football like Father Tiko, whose antics on the training field belied his age; Segun “Rock” Olumodeji, Sam Sagalo Opone and Isaac Akioye; takes us back down memory lane to August 1979 when arguably the first ever match-fixing scandal in Nigerian history was played out to the horror and amazement of 40,000 spectators at the National League final between Water Corporation FC and Bendel Insurance FC; and throughout the book he shows off his remarkable analytical (and sometimes prophetic) prowess.
He takes on his colleagues in Nigerian Footballers are Dedicated. We share in the joy of his recognition in far away Borno State and are half alarmed, half amused by the account of his chance encounter with a Lepers Colony in Kano. In You can have your cake and eat it, Big Seg shows that you can actually have it all- be a well-educated sportsman or woman and therefore be self-reliant after retirement. This particular article struck me with its uncommon candour and is a must-read; not just for aspiring sportsmen and women, but for anyone who wants to make a mark in life. An incisive and analytical writer, his considerable ability makes the book a fascinating read. There is an effortlessness to his craft that would make trained journalists green with envy and Mr. Mathematical Odegbami leaves no one in doubt that his nickname is as apposite off, as it is on the field of play. At the beginning of the book, he declares: ‘I have always looked upon Pele as both an idol and a standard.’ For me this is a very subtle but nonetheless profound reminder that you can idolise someone and yet not bother to measure yourself against him or her, thereby never attaining or even exceeding your own full potential. The collection is called Me, Football & More, so it is hardly surprising to read about the mystery of the beautiful Mount Kagara, that makes one want to rush there immediately to see it for oneself, or articles like A Little of My Mum in Nigerian Female Athletes and There is an Angel Missing in Heaven, that have little to do with sports. Indeed articles like these, as well as the moving epilogue, The Houses My Father Built imbue the discerning reader with gratitude at the privilege of sharing in such personal details of Big Seg’s life. In Lagos, the Eden of our Time and in the prologue, an article on Oshodi that he wrote in 2002, the reader can feel the deep pride he has for his adopted city. Football gave Big Seg a passport to a world of limitless opportunities. He grabbed it with both hands and has still not let go. By his own admission, he managed to stay on top of his game by acknowledging his limitations and leading a disciplined life. One can see that it has stood him in good stead and therein lies the lesson for us all. If this book teaches us anything at all, it teaches us that what we consistently do shape our lives and that there is no magic or mystery to success. It is simply the natural consequence of continually applying the basic rules. This theme is omni-present throughout the book. It peeks out at you subtly from under layers of prose in some places. In others, it envelopes you like a warm blanket. In yet others, it hits you right in the face with its boldness and clarity. Consequently, although he is far from modest, and he unabashedly blows his own trumpet in parts of the book, it does
Segun Odegbami not diminish him or the book in any way; first because it is the truth and secondly because he does not spare himself from his characteristically brutal frankness. I commend this collection to all sports lovers and all who share Segun Odegbami’s passion for meaningful contribution to the advancement of humanity and his desire to constantly present the best version of himself to the world. Me, Football & More, presents to us a man determined not just to fit in but also to stand out. In that, he has certainly succeeded. Finally, let me say thank you for a chance encounter that has remained impactful all my life as I remember it vividly to this day. For me, the sobriquet Big Seg is more apt than many might think, in describing our author. For those who knew me as a teenager, Segun Odegbami was my football hero. I idolised and venerated him. One school day in 1976 when I was thirteen, I decided to play truant. IICC Shooting Stars were camped in a hotel behind Tejuosho market preparing for a continental match and I had strayed there hoping to catch a glimpse of my hero. I ended up in a sports store at the end of Iyun Street, adjacent to the hotel. I was admiring a pair of green football shorts but certainly could not afford to buy them. If dreams come true for children, mine came true many fold that day. As I was longingly admiring the shorts, the man I came to catch a glimpse of walked in and asked me if I liked them and when I nodded, he asked me to take it and told the shop keeper that he would come back to pay for it. Big Seg was big then in my eyes and he remains even bigger today. So, I seize this opportunity to say thank you for the smile you put on my face on that fateful day. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Governor of Lagos State. March 2013. I thank him sincerely for letting me experience a little of heaven last Thursday!
All Eyes On Okpekpe, As World Stars Race For Glory OdAy, the sleepy town of Okpekpe in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State, T famous for its mountainous landscape, will be agog as established road runners troop in from the length and breadth of Africa and other parts of the world to take part in the maiden edition of Okpekpe Road Race. Promoted by Mike Itemuagbor’s Pamodzi Nigeria Limited, a sports marketing company and organised by the Athletics Federation of
Nigeria (AFN), Okpekpe Road Race is a long distance competition of 10 kilometers over hills and sandy path, which will be flagged off by an official of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) and which will attract over 3,000 local and international runners. The race, which is of highest international standard with route measured and certified by the IAAF and the African Athletics Confederations (AAC) will start in Apama Road and end
Lagos’ Aminat Olowora (left) with Delta’s Deborah Pam will be among the athletes that will compete at today’s Okpekpe Road Race in Edo State
in Okpekpe, with the best athlete going home with $25,000, making it the highest paying 10 kilometers race in Nigeria. Already, top runners on the continent have been confirmed for the race with the Kenyans, Eritreans, Ethiopians, known for their long distance prowess and Cameroonians leading the pack. Nigerian athletes have also been in camp for some time now in Auchi working hard for the competition. It then promises to be a riveting championship as it is a straight fight between the local athletes who are ready to give the established foreign athletes a run for their money. With the road race, Itemuagbor will go down in history as the individual that has drawn world’s attention to the small town of Okpekpe, tying the idiosyncrasy of the community to sports as a platform. Having performed creditably well in sports marketing, pioneering initiatives that have resulted in the improved perception and acceptance of different national teams, he felt it was time to give back to his community, exploring a path less trodden in this clime – road race; the fad, from Lagos to Onitsha and to the seat of Caliphate, Sokoto, being one form of football championship or the other. This laudable initiative has secured the backing of the Edo State government who has become a major partner in the project and who has been mobilising the citizens to ensure a successful competition. And to demonstrate the government’s readiness to provide the necessary support and the enabling environment for a hitch-free event, the number one citizen of the state, Governor Adams Oshiomole, had weeks back, completed and submitted his registration form to participate in the epoch making race. He has also vowed to finish the race. This is a clear demonstration of faith in what the race is capable of achieving. Just like many discerning Nigerians, the government too is
seeing the larger picture, the enormous benefits of championships of this nature. The road race will create a link between the community and the world as it is meant to expose Okpekpe and its environs to athletes of repute from the allover the world. It presents the local community with the rare opportunity to have a firsthand feel of hosting an international event, while enjoying some of the economic benefits that could come with it. This, as a matter of fact, has been creating excitement among the people of the community, its environs and their traditional leaders. To them, it is a breakthrough that such international event is holding in their community. In terms of tourism, the area covers the highest point and famous for its position on the hilltop in the Edo North Senatorial district and its huge agricultural and investment potentials, and quite a suitable tourism destination. Another major benefit of the championship is that it is conceptualised as a way of promoting distant and endurance related races for the country’s athletes. It could serve as high altitude training platform for our athletes for future competitions. The gradient is about 1:3. Many local athletes have been encouraged to take part in the competition. With this, the Okpekpe Road Race, since it will be an annual event as hinted by the organisers, becomes a platform to discover young talents to groom to become future stars. It is a fact that Nigeria has no established stars in long distant races. The race then, for the local athletes, is an empowerment tool that is bound to take a lot of youths out of anti-social activities. Preparations have reached fever pitch level, with the director of organisation for the race, Zack Amadu, confirming that all is set for a hitchfree race. To guard against any ugly incident, critical aspects of the championship, including medicals and security, received very special attention.
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SPORTS English Premiership
Arsenal’s Future Looking Bright, Says Wenger RSENAL are in a “very, very A strong position for the future”, manager Arsene Wenger said yesterday as an eighth season without a trophy reaches a nervy conclusion. Wenger also played down any talk of him leaving the Gunners before his current contract ends next year and said he felt as committed to Arsenal as he has done since arriving in the red half of North London in 1996. Arsenal are in a fight with their arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea for the two remaining Champions League places for next season as they seek to compete
in the elite European competition for a 16th successive season. They are currently fourth in the Premier League, two points above Tottenham and one behind Chelsea, and could consolidate their position today when they make the short trip across London to already-relegated Queens Park Rangers. Spurs are at home to Southampton today while Chelsea travel to newlycrowned champions Manchester United tomorrow. Talking to reporters at the club’s London Colney training base in Hertfordshire,
Wenger said: “We have gone through a period that was very sensitive, we are coming out of it now and everything is here to have a great future. “We have a good fan base, we now have a strong financial situation, we have good young players and a squad with a bright future with the quality of the young players we have. “It is just to manage it well now.” Wenger has been under some pressure during the past two seasons with Arsenal failing to mount a realistic title challenge and falling short of adding to the three Premier League titles or
four FA Cups that he won between 1996 and 2005. Despite that, they have never fallen below fourth since Wenger arrived, have moved from the 38,000capacity Highbury to the 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium and have played in the Champions League every season since 1998-99. There have been rumours in the past that the 63-year-old Frenchman might leave Arsenal and these gained ground last week with rumours of a move to Paris St Germain, but he has ruled out an imminent return to his homeland. “I have answered that ques-
Ferguson Not Planning Big Spree ANCHESTER United manM ager, Sir Alex Ferguson, believes he only has to make
Wenger
Mancini Hints At Sinclair Exit ANCHESTER City boss, M Roberto Mancini, has hinted that winger Scott Sinclair’s future could lie away from the Etihad Stadium. The 24-year-old has started just three games for City since his £6.2million move from Swansea last August. Sinclair has been linked with a return to Swansea ahead of City’s Barclays Premier League trip to the Liberty Stadium this weekend. Mancini accepts he has not given the Great Britain Olympic player much opportunity and could understand if he was frustrated. Mancini said: “This situation
with Sinclair is difficult because I didn’t give him a lot of chances to play. He is very unlucky. “It is my fault, not his fault. A young player like Scott who is a good player deserves to play always. “For him, it was a really difficult year this year.” When asked if that might mean Sinclair deserves to play somewhere else, Mancini, speaking at his regular press conference, said: “Scott is young and he has good quality but this year was difficult for him. “I think it is better if he can have another solution. “If he stays here, maybe,
everything can change but I can understand his frustration in this moment because he didn’t play a lot of games. “For me, he is a good player. We have one team. For him, it was difficult. “I repeat - he did everything well, he worked well, he is a good guy, he deserves to play. “I can understand when one player can’t play often it is difficult.” Sinclair’s potential exit could be part of a busy summer at Eastlands as Mancini reshapes his squad following the loss of the Premier League title to Manchester United.
Fixtures Today Fulham Norwich Swansea Tottenham 15:00 West Brom West Ham QPR Tomorrow Liverpool Man Utd
v v v v
Reading 15:00 Aston Villa 15:00 Man City 15:00 Southampton
v v v
Wigan Newcastle Arsenal
15:00 15:00 17:30
v v
Everton Chelsea
13:30 16:00
Sinclair
minor changes to his squad after regaining the Premier League title. United secured the league crown with four games remaining this season as bigspending rivals Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham all failed to maintain their push for top spot. United chief executive Ed Woodward admitted earlier this week that there was no need for a “major retooling” of the club and Ferguson has echoed this view. “Tweaking is the right word, we will look at one or two bodies,” said Ferguson. “We have to take the fact that other teams are going to strengthen into consideration. You also have to consider ages of some players but in the main we know where we are in regards to players.” The Scot insists that too many new faces can unsettle a squad, but is confident he will be able to land the transfer targets he wants. “We have great strength in depth,” he said. “We don’t want to confuse ourselves and have too many players. Any time I have asked the Glazers (Manchester United’s US-based owners to sanction a transfer) they have delivered.” United’s title success will not stop them from fielding a strong side against Chelsea today as Ferguson wants to be fair to the other teams who are chasing a top-four place. “Chelsea are chasing a Champions League position too so we should be playing as strong a team as we can,” he said.
tion already. I respect my contracts,” he said. “I believe a big club should be run where everybody does his job and I try to do my job. The only thing I can say is that I do it with a lot of commitment and a lot of loyalty. I try to do as well as a I can for this club. “I want to stay if I do well and if I consider or the club considers that I do well, that
is all.” Of more immediate concern is this weekend’s match at QPR and taking three points to keep up their top four challenge. “The only thing we know is it can only be decisive if we win our games. That is compulsory. We focus on winning our games and then look at the results of other teams.”
Benitez Is Manager Of The Month HELSEA interim manager, C Rafael Benitez, has been named Premier League manager of the month for April. The Spaniard, 53, is the first Chelsea boss to collect the monthly award since Carlo Ancelotti in April 2011. Benitez, who last won the accolade in charge of Liverpool in March 2009, will leave this summer, with Chelsea fans chanting for Jose Mourinho’s return. Unbeaten in the Premier League in April with three wins from four, Benitez has guided the blues to third place. Ahead of tomorrow’s meeting with Chelsea at Old Trafford, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has conceded Benitez has done a good job “in the last few weeks”. The pair have had a fraught relationship since Benitez’s time at Liverpool, with the Spaniard accusing Ferguson of ignoring a handshake before March’s FA Cup quar-
ter-final. “He is very concerned about his CV. He refers to it quite a lot,” said Ferguson, whose United side have already been crowned champions. “But you can’t dispute the fact he has done a good job in the last few weeks. “The key to it is that the fans have settled down a little bit. They have left him alone. He has got on with managing his job. “It can’t be easy, listening to pressure from the fans all the time. “They have eased up. It has allowed him to relax and they have produced some good results.” Chelsea are hoping to close in on a place in next season’s Champions League, and Benitez has also guided them to the Europa League final. He remains unpopular among large sections of the Stamford Bridge crowd and now has to deal with the growing whispers surrounding Mourinho’s Real Madrid future.
Benitez
Table Team Man Utd Man City Chelsea Arsenal Tottenham Everton Liverpool West Brom Swansea West Ham Fulham Stoke Southampton Norwich Sunderland Aston Villa Newcastle Wigan QPR Reading
P 35 34 34 35 34 35 35 34 34 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 34 35 35
GD 43 30 33 30 17 14 25 2 -1 -8 -9 -10 -10 -21 -12 -22 -23 -23 -27 -28
Pts 85 71 65 64 62 59 54 48 42 42 40 40 39 38 37 37 37 32 25 25
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Saturday, May 4, 2013
Conscience, Nurtured by Truth
Curtain Draws On 35th CBN Senior Open Tennis Championship By Olalekan Okusan HE 35th Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Senior Open Tennis Championship will climax today at the National Stadium with final matches of all the events holding. The tournament, which has become a platform for the players to showcase their talents attracted lots of participants within and outside the country. In yesterday’s semifinal ties, Christy Agugbom walked over teenage sensation, Sarah Adegoke who failed to show up for the match following Adegoke’s involvement in the ongoing West Africa Certificate Examination (WAEC), while returnee Ronke Akingbade came from a set down to beat Blessing Samuel 4-6, 7-5, 6-1. In the ladies’ final, Agugbom will tackle Akingbade for the mouth-watering prize money. Defending champion and number one seed, Abdulmumuni Babalola met his waterloo in the semifinal encounter against 2011 champion, Henry Atseye. Babalola, who has been in blistering form since the tournament began on Monday, was dazed when Atseye demysti-
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fied him to emerge winner in the clash at 1-6, 6-2, 6-4. To reaffirm his intention to lift the trophy this year, Clifford Enosoregbe also shattered Shehu Lawal’s dream of clinching the title with Enosoregbe easily winning the tie at 6-1, 6-4 to set up a final clash with Atseye. “I am in the competition to win the title for this first time. At several occasions, I had made it to the last four but this year, I am hoping to win the competition,” Enosoregbe told The Guardian. For Atseye, nothing can prevent him from carting home the N.7m cash prize. He said: “My first round was difficult but I know I will try my best to win back the title after being dethroned last year by Babalola,” he stated. Also, the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) is expected to name the list of players that would compete for places in the squad that would represent the country at this month’s Davis Cup in Cairo, Egypt. To ensure that Nigeria’s participation in the Davis Cup is certain, CBN has promised to bankroll the team’s campaign.
Nigeria Yet To Pull Out Of CHAN, Says Official TOP official of the Nigeria A Football Federation (NFF) has said the country is yet to formally withdraw from the 2014 Championship of African Nations(CHAN). A broke NFF first raised alarm over their inability to finance a CHAN qualifier against West African rivals, Cote d’Ivoire at the end of June. However, a top official has now told MTNFootball.com: “The NFF are yet to officially communicate CAF of their position on the CHAN qualifier. “We have not given up on the Eagles participation. We are hoping that we can raise the money to ensure that the efforts of the federation in
Liberia FA Boss Gets Six Months Ban HE president of Liberia’s football association, Musa Bility, has been banned from all soccer activities for six months for using confidential Confederation of African Football (CAF) documents without permission, CAF announced on Thursday. The documents were executive committee minutes, but no further details of the decision were provided by CAF’s disciplinary committee. A $10,000 fine was also imposed on the Liberia Football Association, a CAF statement said. Earlier this year, Bility was at the forefront of an unsuccessful bid to overturn a change to CAF election rules that ensured long serving African football leader, Issa Hayatou recently won another term as CAF president. Last September, a specially convened CAF Congress passed new election rules that allow only the organisation’s executive committee members with full voting rights to stand for the presidency, a thinly veiled effort to eliminate Hayatou’s rival Jacques Anouma from the election.
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camping these home boys in the last one year are not in vain. “You would agree with me that we are yet to make an impact in the CHAN. It’s not a thing of pride that Nigeria have not featured in CHAN since its inception.” Nigeria have failed to feature at the first two editions of the CHAN, losing out in the qualifiers first to Ghana and then Niger. The 2014 CHAN, which is for players who are featuring in their respective domestic leagues, will be staged by South Africa.
Super Eagles’ defender, Godfrey Oboabona (left) contests with Mali’s Seydou Keita of Mali during the 2013 African Cup of Nations Semifinal match at Moses Mahbida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.
Blatter Plans To Stay On As FIFA President IFA President, Sepp Blatter Fstand again hinted he plans to for another four-year term as the head of world soccer during a speech to AFC delegates in which he called for more World Cup places for Asian teams. The 77-year-old Swiss, speaking at the Asian Football Confederation Congress in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, was discussing his reform plans before he appeared to reveal he was not going to quit the presidency in two years time. “This will be the last term of, not of office, the last term of the reform,” Blatter said, smiling as he delivered the message. Blatter went on to describe that the reform period,
May Reduce Europe’s WC Slots brought in to clean up the scandal-hit body that has seen members routinely banned on graft charges, would end in 2015. The Swiss ignored reporters’ requests to clarify his position after the Congress. Blatter had previously said he planned to step down from office at the end of his latest four-year term in 2015 but opened up a loophole in March by adding that was providing he could find someone to carry on his legacy. UEFA president, Michel Platini, who watched on Thursday as Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of
Bahrain won the AFC presidential election in a landslide, has long been tipped to replace Blatter. Sheikh Salman said he was grateful for the backing Blatter had given the AFC and said he would reciprocate should the Swiss choose to stay on. “If he announces, of course,” Sheikh Salman told reporters. “He has always been a supporter of Asian football and if he can fulfil and continue as a president of course I’ll support him.” Blatter also questioned the logic of Platini’s European confederation having so many World Cup places in
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FELIX ABUGU
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what could be seen as a campaign for votes in Asia. “We have to start to see the access to the World Cup, the access to the World Cup should be a little bit better balanced,” Blatter said. “In 2014 in Brazil 32 teams, one has qualified from South America (Brazil as hosts) and then you have 13 teams from one of the continents, which is Europe, and possibly five more from South America,” Blatter said. “If this happens then you have 19 out of 32, there is no chance to kick them out before one of them is in the semi-finals. This is the law of the numbers. “We shall have a look on this, you should have a look on that and bring such items on the agenda because we should have a better bal-
ance.” Asia has four guaranteed places at the next World Cup in Brazil with a fifth possible if another side beats a South American team in an intercontinental playoff. Sheikh Salman, also head of the Bahrain Football Association, welcomed talk about more places for Asia. His country has never qualified for a World Cup finals and were denied a place at the 2010 tournament when they were beaten by New Zealand in a playoff. “I think it has to be looked at, it has to be studied,” he told reporters after the congress. “We have to look at the future and the interest of Asian teams and national associations. The teams have progressed very well in the last few years and I hope we can earn more seats at the World Cup.”