Sat 11 May 2013 The Guardian Nigeria by The Guardian Newspaper

S A T U R D A Y COVEREXTRA 49

BUSINESSFEATURE 44

Of UTME, Dilapidated

That Nigeria’s Textile Industry May Rise Again

Libraries, Dying Reading Culture And Dwindling

E D I T I O N POLITICS 13

LOVE&LIFE 19

An Unusual Lull Before Fireworks In

RIHANNA

Race To Succeed Obi In Anambra

Parties Bra-less After Brown Split

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,553

Bama/Eggon:

Slain Officers’ Wives Seek Relocation, Husbands’ Bodies By Godwin Ijediogor (News Editor), Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri) and Karls Tsokar (Abuja)

VER 150 widows and orphans of the policemen and prisons officials killed on Tuesday in Bama, Borno State, by Boko Haram gunmen, grudgingly accepted a N5 million donation by Governor Kashim Shettima when he paid a condolence visit to survivors of the attack. This is just as wives of the slain policemen in Nasarawa State barricaded the Akwanga-Abuja

Block Akwanga Road road, causing commuters to be stranded for over four hours. But uneasy calm pervaded the state and Eggon where members of the Ombatse cult killed over 40 policemen on Wednesday. Some residents of the affected and neighbouring communities are apprehensive over possible reprisal action by the police or military. The Bama attacks claimed over 55 lives, including about

22 policemen, and caused the destruction of five Police, Prisons and Nigerian Army formations in the town. Bama is a border town with Cameroun, and is 78 kilometres southeast of Maiduguri, the state capital. Shettima visited the town on Wednesday to assess the damage caused by the Boko Haram gunmen. Moved by the level of destruction of lives and property, he donated N5 million to

Incredible Oshodi!

A night shot of Oshodi Heritage Garden built by the Lagos State Government from the degraded old illegal Oshodi Motor Park/ Market.

N150

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the survivors of the attack with tears flowing down his cheeks. He said: “This is a temporary palliative for all of you here in Bama before something substantial could be done by the Borno State government for compensations and rehabilitations.” But the wife of one of the slain officers and a mother of three children who identified herself as Hamsatu, told the governor: “We are here before you today your Excellency not for this money; we want our

breadwinners back and not this ‘bread’ you have brought to us.” Hamsatu, who spoke on behalf of the other widows, said that no amount of cash or material donations from government or any organisation would be enough to compensate the killings. “Besides killing our husbands or breadwinners by the Boko Haram gunmen, we have been displaced with no place to lay our heads,” she lamented. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Alleged $620,000 Bribe: Farouk, Emenalo Must Stand Trial, Says Court From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja N Abuja High Court yesA terday ruled that former chairman of the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on Fuel Subsidy regime, Farouk Lawan, and the secretary of the committee, Boniface Emenalo, must stand trial over the sevencount charge preferred CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

LOVE&LIFE 18

Help! My Work Is Making Me Impotent And Driving Women Away From Me

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

FG Probes Adoke Over Alleged Graft, Abuse Of Office From Lemmy Ughegbe & Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja NDICATIONS emerged yesIGovernment terday that the Federal may have commenced probe of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN), over allegations of official corruption and abuse of office. Adoke’s probe is sequel to a petition by a civil rights organisation, AntiCorruption Network, dated April 11, this year alleging graft and “outrageous use

of powers against public interest.” However, Adoke claimed that he specifically requested for an investigation into the allegations leveled against him by the group. Specifically, Adoke’s counsel, Raji Ahmed (SAN), said in a press statement obtained by The Guardian: “Following the tendencious allegations made by one Mr. Dino Melaye against the person of our client, we wrote a letter dated 23rd April 2013 to the Inspector General of Police, wherein we requested the I.G to cause an investigation to be carried out in respect of all

the allegations made by the said Mr. Dino Melaye.” Already, the office of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, in a letter signed by Ali Amodu, a Commissioner of Police in charge of X Squad, has written to Melaye to notify him that it is investigating the allegations of corruption, abuse of office and incompetence which his organisation leveled against Adoke. The letter specifically invited Melaye to the Police Force Headquarters in connection investigations the with and directed that a full-scale investigation was being con-

ducted into the allegations by the X-Squad. It reads: “This office is investigating a case of alleged corruption, abuse of office and incompetence leveled against the current Honorable Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (Mohammed Bello Adoke) by your organization. “In view of this, the Inspector General of Police has directed that a full scale investigation be conducted into the allegations by this office. “Consequently, you are invited to meet the undersigned on Friday (yesterday) May 10, 2013 by 10.00 hrs prompt in

Room 1C - 053 First Floor, Police Headquatres, Louis Edet House, Central Area, Abuja.” Although Adoke’s Chief Press Secretary, Ambrose Momoh, was not available to comment on the matter, Ahmed released a statement to clarify the issue, saying: “Following the tendencious allegations made by one Mr. Dino Melaye against the person of our Client, we wrote a letter dated 23rd April 2013 to the Inspector General of Police, wherein we requested the I.G to cause an investigation to be carried out in respect of all the allegations made by the

Alleged $620,000 Bribe: Farouk, Emenalo Must Stand Trial, Says Court CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 against them by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), over alleged receipt of $620,000 bribe. Ruling on Lawan and Emenalo’s application to quash the charges against them, the trial judge, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi dismissed it as he held that the charges, as presently constituted, do not constitute an abuse of court process as claimed by the accused persons. Justice Oniyangi held that the court has jurisdiction to hear the case as he held that the prosecution has established prima facie case from the proof of evidence placed before the court. The court further held that Section 185 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPC) does not require the prosecution to attach witness statement to the proof of evidence. It added that it was a misconception on the part of the accused persons’ counsel to say that the prosecution needed to attach witness statement to the application to prefer charges against the accused. Farouk and Emenalo were accused by ICPC of receiving the sum of $620,000 from a Lagos based oil magnate and businessman, Femi Otedola to influence the report of the committee in favour of Zenon Oil and Gas Limited. They were subsequently arraigned on a seven-count charge in which they pleaded not guilty and were granted bail. At the last adjourned date, counsel to the two accused persons, Ricky Tarfa (SAN) moved an application to quash the charges preferred against the accused persons. Moving the application, Tarfa claimed that the court ought not to have granted the application for leave to prefer the charges because the prosecution failed to provide adequate materials necessary for the judge to grant the application. He asked the court to discharge the accused persons

since no prima facie case had been established against them, adding that the foundation of the case against them was not legally laid. According to him, the prosecutor failed to comply with the provisions of section 185 (1)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Code, which required that statements of witnesses be attached to the application to prefer charges. Opposing the application, the prosecutor, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the application, describing it as frivolous and a delay tactic to waste the time of the court, as well as an abuse of court process. According to Awomolo, the Supreme Court had held in many cases that the purpose of seeking for leave of courts to prefer charges was to

ensure that frivolous criminal charges were not filed, and not to allow the accused persons to see the details of the charges against them. He therefore argued that the charges remained valid, adding that non-attachment of witnesses’ statements did not vitiate the legality of the charges. Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Farouk Lawan (M) and Mr Emenalo Boniface (M) sometime in April 2012 or thereabouts in Abuja within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the jurisdiction of this honourable court did, while acting in the course of your official duties as chairman and secretary (respectively) of House of Representatives adhoc committee on monitoring of fuel subsidy regime, conspire between yourselves and with each other to

corruptly obtain the sum of $3,000,000 for yourselves from Mr Femi Otedola, chairman of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, as inducement to remove the name of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd from the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on monitoring of fuel subsidy regime’s report and did cause the House to remove the name of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd from the said list and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 26(1)(c) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and OtherRelated Offences Act, 2000, and punishable under section 8(1) of the same Act.” In count two, Lawan was accused of corruptly asking for $3,000,000 from Otedola with the intention of favouring him (Otedola) in the report of the ad-hoc committee, an offence punishable

under section 8(1) of the same Act. Lawan, in count three, was said to have corruptly agreed to accept the $3,000,000, count four indicated that he obtained $500,000 from Otedola Otedola. In the same vein, count five accused Emenalo of asking for $3,000,000 for himself from Otedola as a bribe, an offence punishable under section 8(1) of the ICPC 2000 Act. The prosecution alleged in count six that Emenalo was offered bribe by Otedola but he failed to report the offer to any officer of the ICPC, an offence contrary to section 23(1) of the ICPC Act, 2000, and punishable under section 23(3) of the same 2000 ICPC Act. In count seven, Emenalo was equally accused of receiving $120,000 from Otedola.

said Mr. Dino Melaye. “We therefore dispute the headline in the publication contained in the Sahara Reporters of today 10th May 2013 to the effect that ‘President Jonathan Initiates Probe of AGF Mohammed Adoke’. A copy of our letter to the Inspector of General police is herewith attached. We refer to the last but one paragraph where we stated as follows: “Accordingly, we have our client’s instructions to request you to kindly cause an investigation to be carried into all the allegations by promptly inviting the said Otunba Dino Melaye to come and justify all the allegations he has made which we hasten to say are nothing but criminal libel”. “The current exercise being embarked upon by the police is therefore at the instance of our client and not the President as being insinuated. We want to place on record that this is not the first time our client will be submitting himself to a public enquiry because he has nothing to hide. “On a past occasion when our client submitted himself, his accusers came apologising as they admitted that they were misled into publishing what was and is still patently false against him. While our client concedes the right of every individual to freedom of speech, it is our contention that the freedom goes with a duty. It is not a license for anyone to make any unsubstantiated allegations against any individual. And this is why our client has deemed it fit to invite the police authorities to look into the allegations and make appropriate findings.

Wives Of Slain Policemen Barricade Akwanga-Abuja Road CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 She advised the governor to provide vehicles that would convey them to their hometowns, along with what was left of their belongings after the havoc. The protesting widows were however persuaded by government functionaries and traditional rulers that were present at the destroyed headquarters of the 33 Mobile Police Squad, which temporarily serves as their abode, to accept the donation. But they maintained that the presence of their breadwinners was more valuable to them than any amount of money or materials. Visibly moved by the sight of three young boys who lost both parents to the massacre, the governor offered to adopt them and cater for their wellbeing during the visit. Shettima, who left Bama with the three boys, also returned to Maiduguri with about 20 other persons who were injured during the attacks and were immediately sent to Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri for treatment. Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has disclosed that about 300 persons were identified as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bama as a result of last Tuesday’s massacre. The agency noted that measures had been put in place to

establish one or two camps to accommodate the displaced persons. The information officer of the Agency for the Northeast sub-region, Abdulkareem Ibrahim told journalists that affected persons were being temporarily accommodated at the Mobile Police Headquarters. The agency, according to Ibrahim, had provided food, beddings and household items to the victims. He said an assessment team would be sent back to the village yesterday to set up a camp where the affected people would be re-settled. The Guardian also learnt that the Bama Police Area Commander, ACP Sagir Abubakar feared that some of his men were still missing, including the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Bama Police Station that was torched by the armed hoodlums. In Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, Governor Tanko AlMakura confirmed the death of 43 persons in Wednesday’s ambush of some policemen sent to ensure law and order in the town. Speaking while receiving officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Al-Makura announced that 17 more bodies were still being expected. He said the attack was a huge surprise, as the policemen were doing their legitimate

duties to bring about peace. He added that the activities of the cult group had become a problem to the state, having transformed into a militia group and launching attacks on churches and mosques. But he assured residents of government’s plans to bring the perpetrators to justice. Head of the NEMA delegation, Air Commodore Charles Otegbade, assured of the agency’s commitment to bring succour to displaced persons through the provision of relief materials. Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of the zone, Michael Zuokumor, disclosed that calm had returned to the state, saying security agencies were intensifying efforts to prevent a reccurrence. For over four hours, travellers, including a serving minister, passing through Akwanga were trapped by protesting wives of the policemen. Narrating their ordeal to The Guardian, some passengers going from Makurdi to Abuja said the women blocked the road, wielding clubs and sticks and threatening to break the windshield of any vehicle that attempted to cross their barricade. Their grievance, according to one of them, was that the corpses of some of their husbands were still missing, while government is playing politics with the incidence.

One of them said: “If our husbands are killed, let them return their bodies. We are more than 75 that have not seen the corpses of our husbands, as only 18 bodies have been recovered. “So, we want to know if our husbands are dead or not. Their status must be clear to us. Our husbands were sent on national duty by the government, but are yet to return. No one would pass through this place until the bodies of our husbands are returned to us.” Many of the stranded passengers, including the convoy of the Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Chief Samuel Ortom, had to detour and take a bush path that took them three hours to join the road at Wulko, near Nasarawa Eggon. The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, had vowed to arrest the killers and bring the culprits to justice. But as at press time, no one has been reportedly arrested. In Maiduguri, relative peace appears to be holding, as it was devoid of the usual sporadic exchange of gunfire between the insurgents and men of Joint Task Force (JTF), especially since including the release of elder statesman, Dr. Shettima Ali Monguno, who was kidnapped last week Friday by gunmen at Kirenoa area. Even the 12 black spots:

Abaganaram, Zajeri, Gambouru, Zinnari, Kumshe, Zinari, Kaleri, Budum, Lawan Bukar, Lamisula, Shehuri North and Ruwan Zafi wards, identified by the JTF, remained calm as at 6pm. Market women, traders and other residents in taxis and tricycles went about their normal businesses. Gombouru Market, near the Customs House, closed earlier this year, was also opened this week. A resident told The Guardian yesterday that since the release of Monguno, there had not been any sporadic gunshots and killings in Maiduguri for five days. He said: “We can now sleep with our two eyes closed, because the spate of attacks and killings in the metropolis had not been going on for five days now. “The Boko Haram gunmen might have heeded the pleas of people to release Monguno. Maybe that was why they have temporarily ceased their fire in Maiduguri.” It was also learnt that since Monguno’s release, there were no reports of attacks, kidnappings and killings in the metropolis. Speaking on the relative calm in Maiduguri, JTF spokesman, Lt. Col Sagir Musa, yesterday confirmed that he had not received any reports of attacks, killings or bombings, apart from the attacks in Bama, Ngamdu and Banki.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

NEWS

Bama Killings: Doctors Withdraw Services In MaiduguriTeaching Hospital By Chukwuma Muanya (Lagos) and Njadvara Musa (Maiduguri) EMBERS of the Association of Nigerian Resident Doctors (ANRD), University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) chapter, have embarked on an indefinite strike following the shooting of one of their colleagues in the leg over the “rejection and non-deposition” of the bodies of 35 policemen slain by Boko Haram gunmen at the hospital’s morgue.

The policemen were killed during the multiple attacks on police, prison and military formations by the Boko Haram gunmen at Bama on Tuesday, which claimed 55 lives and destroyed properties worth millions of naira. Speaking on the strike, Chairman of the Resident Doctors at UMTH, Dr. Mohammed Yahaya of the Department of Microbiology and Parasitology said: “We have resolved to embark on this indefinite strike caused by

the shooting and injuring of one of our colleagues by the Nigeria Police over the nondeposition of 35 bodies of killed policemen in the UMTH mortuary today (Thursday). The attacks on the hospital facilities by the policemen were uncalled for and against the ethics of the medical profession in the country. “This was not the first time the police harassed our staff, including some of the doctors, because the hospital could not meet the demands of some

security agents in depositing the bodies of killed persons in the morgue, which has already been over stretched. There are also rules and guidelines that should be followed and adhered to in accepting any human corpse for deposition in the mortuary.” He said the police authority was on Wednesday advised to find an alternative means of depositing the 35 bodies as the UMTH morgue was filled up. The national leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association

(NMA) had on Thursday directed all doctors in the UMTH to immediately withdraw from the insecure practice environment until such a time when the security and safety of all health workers and properties in the hospital could be guaranteed by the Federal Government. The NMA also called on the federal, state and local governments to urgently provide adequate security in all healthcare facilities in Nigeria to halt the increasing spate of

violent attacks, kidnapping, robbery and assassination of doctors and other health workers which if not checked may prompt a nationwide withdrawal of medical services. The directive was issued by the President of NMA, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, following yesterday’s “unwarranted brutality and assault of doctors and other health workers of UMTH by men of the Nigeria Police Force (Mobile Police men) on account of the inability of the hospital morgue to accommodate the bodies of slain police men brought in from Bama town.”

I’ve Delivered 70 Per Cent Of My Campaign Promises, Says Fayemi From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti KITI State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi yesterday said he has delivered 70 per cent of his campaign promises to the people within the last two and a half years in office. Fayemi, who scored his administration high on performance, said the era of giving unfulfilled promises had gone because the people were only interested to see what government had done with the resources of the state. The Governor made the disclosure at the opening of the second Executive-Parliamentary parley holding at Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort, IkogosiEkiti. He said the people of the state had got tired of being informed of what was being earmarked for certain projects but were interested in seeing the effect of the judicious use of such funds in terms of tangible development. The programme, an annual event where government’s policies and strategies are evaluated, is being attended by all the members of the State House of Assembly, the state’s representatives in the National Assembly and members of the State Executive Council. Fayemi said the four-day retreat with the theme, “Collaboration: Looking Back, Looking Forward” was aimed at rejuvenating the delivery team and reflecting on how well the administration has been able to consistently pursue the goals of banishing poverty and making life abundant to the people without derailing. He added that the retreat would enable the two arms of government to cement their bond and know the “banana peels” in their relationship and take corrections. The Governor recalled that many of the projects implemented last year by the administration were products of the first parley held last year in Iloko-Ijesa. He added that the second parley would give them the opportunity to know what the administration had achieved, where the gaps are and the direction which the administration should head for.

Head, Rural and Community Development, Abuja Enterprises Agency (AEA), Aisha Ibrahim Dasuki (left); Permanent Secretary, John Obinna Chukwu; Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Olajumoke; and Head of Administration, National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC), Anuforo Samuel, during the handing over of the Social/Affordable Housing Allocation to the NASC and AEA Cooperative Society in Abuja yesterday.

Yobe PDP Denies Defection Of Members To ANPP From Njadvara Musa, Damaturu HE state chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), in Yobe State, Alhaji Lawan Gana Karasuwa has denied the defection of 950 of its members to All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP). In a statement on Thursday in Damaturu, Karasuwa said the so-called defection was neither a ‘threat nor loss’ to the party. Governor Ibrahim Gaidam had on Tuesday received over 950 PDP defectors into ANPP at the Government House, Damaturu, in the presence of party stakeholders and top government officials. The PDP chairman in the statement also said the defectors were in the PDP momentarily as agents of ANPP, noting that they were returning home (ANPP) having completed their contract. The statement also reads in part: “Nobody ever considered them as serious members of the PDP as they came with the aim of causing disunity while nursing some unreasonable expectations for self advancement. “Having failed in achieving their motives, they now returned to the ANPP as aptly alluded to by the Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam when he said ‘we do not consider that you left the party because your spirits and thoughts remain with us.’”

CAN Insists On Compensation For Christian Victims Of Boko HaramAttacks From Emmanuel Ande, Yola HE Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Adamawa State chapter has called on President Good luck Jonathan to set up another committee that can provide succour for the Christian victims of Boko Haraminsurgency in the northern part of the country if government wants to grant amnesty to members of the reli-

gious sect. “We salute the bold steps of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for setting up a peace and amnesty committee to examine and possibly work out modalities of an amnesty for the Boko Haram sect. “We pray and hope that the amnesty proposed will be broad based, taking into serious consideration the dire plight of the numerous

Christian families who have borne the greater proportion of the scourge of the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria,” CAN noted. The chairman of CAN in the state, Reverend Father Moses Taparki told journalists yesterday in Yola at a press conference that the proposed amnesty for the Boko Haram sect will be an exercise in futility and a wasted venture if government fails to

provide succour to the Christian victims of the religious sect. Taparki maintained that since government had set up a committee with Moslems only as members for the proposed amnesty to Boko Haram, the presidency should also set up another committee with only Christians as members for succour to Christian victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in the north.

Atiku, Others Blame Jonathan For Insecurity From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna ORMER Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and members of Africa Diasporal Initiatives (ADI) have expressed shock and dismay on the level of insecurity in Nigeria, while condemning the killings of policemen and other security operatives by unpatriotic elements in the country. Atiku, who spoke in an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Hausa Service monitored in Kaduna yesterday, said: “To tell the truth, all through my lifetime in Nigeria, I have never witnessed such a deteriorating state of security that has reached what is happening now. It has sur-

passed even what happened when we fought the Nigerian civil war.” The Executive Director of ADI, Mr. David Okoror also reacted to the latest attacks on the Police and other security agents by youths in Nasarawa State, and the killings in Bama and Baga communities in Borno State, saying “the signs are that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has lost control as the situation gradually degenerates on a daily basis in the country, and unless the government acts fast, it may be overwhelmed.” The former Vice President, who lamented the level insecurity in Nigeria and the way and manner the Government was handling it, hinged the com-

plex situation of insurgency confronting the country on two premises. He said: “But there are reasons to that. Firstly, our governments could not pay attention to the issue of security; secondly, issues of security presently differed from what obtained in the past. “Before, we had different categories of security agents; we had those at the federal level, at the state level and those at the local government level. But within the past few years, you know, this arrangement was collapsed into one. But the kind of sophistication that is emerging, unless those who understand it are engaged, it would be difficult to resolve all these problems about insecurity.

That is number one. “Secondly, they are unable to pay attention, especially in releasing money on security and training of security agents and purchase security gadgets for the agents to use in the protection of human life and property.” Atiku argued: “This money is stolen, in fact, they steal this money…If not why are we not seeing improvements. We don’t see the security agents today with the gadgets that are necessary for them to work; we don’t see that. In Nigeria, the only thing you see a security agent holding is not more than a gun. A gun is not the only thing a security agent should have, there are many other gadgets”.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

NEWS

Police Won’t Leave Obio-Akpor Council, Says Commissioner From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt HE Rivers State Police T Command has asserted that the Obio-Akpor Local Government Secretariat will remain lock until peace is restored to the trouble council. The State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, who has been accused by Rivers State Government officials of taking directives from the Presidency and compromising security in the state, hinged the one-week Police occupation of the secretariat on security report indicating that the place was about to be bombed by undisclosed persons. Mbu told journalists in Port Harcourt yesterday that it was preposterous for anyone to link him with the ongoing political crisis rocking the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, following an Abuja High Court sack of the pro-Governor Chibuike Amaechi state executive of the party led by Godspower Ake. Obio-Akpor Council has been plunged into crisis following

the April 22 suspension of the chairman of the council, Prince Timothy Nsirim; his deputy, Solomon Eke; and all the 17 councillors by the House of Assembly. Subsequently, Felix Obuah (who was earlier declared chairman of the PDP in the state by an the Abuja High Court), to suspend 27 state lawmakers, including the Speaker, his deputy and leader of the House on April 29. The suspended lawmakers have since dragged the party to court to challenge their suspension. The Police boss who said his deployment to Rivers state was strictly on his professional competency, declared that there was evidence that some persons were planning to attack the council headquarters with explosives which could result in loss of life and property. “We are a law enforcement agency, the key law enforcement agency. Sometimes, I get information and my DPO may not get the information, my Area Commander may not get it. I have more sources, the IG has

more sources than myself, the AIG in the zone has more sources and if there’s a plan to bomb Obio/Akpor Local Government headquarters and we are informed, are we to sit down tight and watch things happen? No, we will move down there just to make sure that we take custody of the place and that is all” he said The Speaker, Rivers State House Of Assembly, Rt Hon. Otelemaba Dan Amachree, had accused the Police commissioner of aiding hundreds of irate youths from Obio-Akpor council who invaded the House of Assembly on Monday and had called for his redeployment from the state. Reacting to the allegation that he was taking sides with the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike-led faction of the PDP in the state, the Police Commissioner asserted that he is a professional police man and has never been partisan in the discharge of his constitutional obligations: “I am a career officer and I am not here to dance to the tune of anybody. You are aware of the changes

that have happened in this state since I took over, my posting here is purely a professional posting. I have worked with you and you always carry my stories, I am proud of you. I will not use one or two persons who have been bought over to drag the Police in Rivers State into whatever intra-party crisis is going on, we are not part of it, we are a neutral body.” Mbu also denied the allegation that, he, on directives from higher authorities, withdrew the mobile policemen attached to the Okrika Council chairman, Tamuno William, after the latter appeared on television to speak on the political crisis in Rivers State and the perceived role of security agents. “Is a local government chairman entitled to security? Is he the governor of this state? ... A local government chairman is entitled to an orderly, but you see, when they want to show elegance, feel as if they are tin gods. I am not aware he has more than one, if he has more than one as his orderly, then it’s shocking”, he

TheGuardian SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2013

NIGER DELTA: Militants Return To The Creeks S militants resume their nefarious activities in the creeks, The Guardian on Sunday is on their trail, to see why they are back. What went wrong with the amnesty progamme to make them go back? Apart from militancy, criminality is on the rise; kidnapping and other anti-social activities are on the rise in the Niger Delta. Why? Find the answers... on Sunday. SPECIAL

Members of Joint Task Force (JTF)

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Presidential Overseas Investment Hunt: Costs And Gains.

Ubah Declares To Contest Anambra Guber Election From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE Chairman of Capital Oil T and Gas, Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, has formally declared his intention to contest this year’s Anambra State governorship election, putting to rest all speculations as to whether or not he is in the governorship race. Ubah, who declared his interest to run for the position during an interactive session with Ikoro, the umbrella body of Igbo journalists in Abuja, said that his cardinal objectives, if elected as the next governor of Anambra State, would be education, security, industrialisation and employment. The oil magnet disclosed that he had provided both moral and financial help to all the state governors of the South East during the electioneering campaign and regretted that they pursued their political

ambitions at the expense of the citizens, rather than using the state resources to benefit them. Also speaking at the occasion, the third Republic Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Agunwa Anaekwe, stated that Ubah has the exposure and the business clout to become the governor of the state, adding that having invested heavily in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria, the time had come for him to replicate same in his home state. He noted that the criteria for anybody aspiring to lead any state should be based on the track record, adding that the only way to put to an end to the present imbroglio in Anambra politics, would be to identify with one who has a track record of performance in one’s community, the state and Nigeria in general.

Gen. Aziza Resigns As UPU President-General HE President General of the T Urhobo Progressive Union (UPU), Gen. Patrick Aziza, has resigned from the position. This was sequel to a resolution reached at a meeting held at the home of a former president general of the union, Gen. David Ejoor, in Warri, Delta State to resolve the festering undercurrents in the leadership of the union, with

the aim of enthroning a new leader at its next delegate conference/election in December. Although the meeting resolved that Aziza be allowed to continue till then, but he chose to resign, thereby creating a leadership vacuum that was eventually filled by his First Deputy, Mr. Charles Oghewro.

ICPC Thumbs Up Imoke On Fiscal Discipline From Anietie Akpan, Calabar HE Independent Corrupt T Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has commended Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State for enthroning fiscal discipline in the management of the state’s resources. The Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Ekpo Nta, who made the commendation while on a courtesy call on Imoke on Thursday in Calabar, said Cross River has put in place a system that ensures prudent management of the state’s funds. According to Nta, Imoke has shown that a governor does not need to have all the resources in the world to perform, noting that “Cross River under Imoke is noted for fiscal discipline.” While commending the state for not joining the bandwagon of states declaring free education, he said the Commission is impressed with the quality of education in the state. He presented a banner captioned “Corruption Denied

His Education, Act Now Against Corruption” to Governor Imoke and remarked that “it was high time governments across the country understood the importance of education as a way of fighting corruption.” He recommended that Cross River should share her education blueprint with other states of the federation. On his part, Senator Imoke noted that Mr. Ekpo Nta has turned around the fortunes of ICPC as its chairman based on his educational background and work ethics, despite its challenges. According to Imoke, the new focus of the Commission is in line with the policy thrust of the state. Imoke explained that the state introduced Due Process as a way of checking corruption and has ensured that the award of contracts is transparent. He said strict adherence to financial discipline has ensured that there are no abandoned projects in the state.

Goodnews Baptist Association Holds Quarterly Fellowship HE Good NEWS Baptist T Association will hold its second quarter fellowship today May 11, 2013 at the Shalom Baptist Church, Oreptal bus stop, Isheri, Lagos. The theme of the fellowship

is”Your Health and Christian Service”. The moderator of the Association, Rev Titi Ajadi said the theme is chosen to further enlighten members on stress management and how to identify threatening health conditions.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

NEWS Corruption May Lead To Anarchy, Says TMG From Adamu Abuh, Abuja PRO-DEMOCRACY outfit, the transition monitoring group (TMG) has expressed concern over the high level of corrupt practices in the polity, warning that those behind the menace are courting anarchy in the polity. TMG’s chairman, comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, who addressed reporters in Abuja, urged the authorities to arrest the ugly trend in the interest of the citizenry. Zikirullahi, who presented TMG’s five-year strategic plan for 2013 to 2018 entitled: “Redefining Relevance, Regaining Leadership”, urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency assist the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and other anti-corruption agencies to “honestly fight corruption and stop the current waste of resources and insincere campaign against corruption.” Lamenting the degree of rot in the polity, he noted: “Unless something decisive is done now to arrest the drift, the country would appear inexorably heading for anarchy and ruin.

NCC Blames Poor Telecom Service On Fake Handsets From Chuks Collins, Awka S the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) consumers in the Southeast geo-political zone of the country expressed intense displeasure over poor service delivery being offered by telecommunications service providers, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has blamed poor network service on fake, unwholesome and substandard telephone handsets being imported from China.

The consumers, who voiced out their anger on Thursday in Awka at the Consumer Outreach Programme of the NCC, said though they welcome the number portability project, the issues targeted by the portability innovation could have been avoided if the telecoms operators and the supervising NCC were up and doing. But NCC officials said they were working hard with the telecoms operators to provide quality and transparent services to Nigerians. NCC Director of Public Affairs,

Mr. Tony Ojobor, blamed some parts of network service failure on fake, unwholesome and substandard telephone handsets imported from China and urged subscribers to access NCC website for the approved list of handsets licensed for use in the country. NCC Executive Commissioner, Mr. Okechukwu Itanyi, said number portability has offered consumers a choice to be with the best network while retaining their telephone numbers. “Be informed that the commission will ensure that the tariff/billing platforms of all

the networks are made transparent while we will continue to emphasise that quality of service index of all networks are published,” Itanyi said. He appealed to consumers to register their SIM cards and avoid buying pre-registered SIM cardstobenefitfromtheporting programme. One of the consumers at the gathering, Marcel Manafa, said: “It is terrible to port and wait for 90 days before one can change to another network if the preferred network turns out to be a problem. I think the best thing is to improve services.”

From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi HAIRMAN of Oju Local Government Area of Benue State, Bright Ogaji Igodo, has expressed concern over the yearly migration of youths in the area in search of greener pastures to western countries, noting that the act has become embarrassment and disgrace to Igede nation. Igodo, who raised the concern while speaking with The Guardian in Makurdi, warned those in the habit of trafficking youths in the area to desist from it or face the wrath of the law. The chairman said that as a step towards curbing the ugly trend, the council has constituted a committee headed by Prof. Ode Ojowu with traditional rulers and associations’ representatives as members.

has commended Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State for enthroning fiscal discipline in the management of the state’s resources. Chairman of the Commission, Mr.EkpoNta,whogavethecommendation during a courtesy call on Imoke in Calabar, said Cross River State has enthroned prudent management of the state’s funds. According to Nta, Imoke has shown that a governor does not need to have all the resources in the world to perform. He said Cross River under Imoke is noted for fiscal discipline.

From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka GOVERNORSHIP aspirant in Anambra State, Mike Okoye, has urged people in the state to shun the practice of demanding and collecting gratification from politicians, saying it undermines the nations electoral process. Okoye, who gave the charge yesterday at Otuocha Civic Centre during his declaration of interest to run for the position of governor in 2014 election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), further argued that such practices encourages throwing up mediocres in governance. PDP representatives from the 21 council areas and Omambala youths pledged their support and promised to work in cooperation with Okoye to ensure the realisation of his dream as governorship. Okoye who hails from Anambra North Senatorial Zone, is a constitutional lawyer, who contested in the 2010 governorship election as a running mate under the Hope Democratic party. Spokesperson for Omambala Youths, Ojukwu Obakasi, said: “We have a quality candidate in the person of Mike Okoye. The Omambala Union is solidly behind you... we pledge to work in partnership and help in realisation of his ambition to emerge as governor from Anambra North Senatorial zone.”

HE Ogun State Government T has closed down about 160 schools operating illegally in

Council Constitutes C’tte To Curb Migration

HE Independent Corrupt T Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)

Okoye Joins Anambra Guber Race

Ogun Shuts 160 Illegal Schools the state. The state’s Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barr. Segun Odubela, in a report issued in Abeokuta yesterday on the kick-off of the second phase of the clampdown of illegal schools, said the schools were shut within the last two weeks. Odubela recalled that first of the five cardinal programmes of the Amosun’s administration is the provision of affordable qualitative education, adding that “in addition to abolishing school fees and providing free education, including the distribution of free textbooks and infrastructural materials to public schools, the government has a statutory duty to regulate education being provided in the private sector”.

ICPC Commends Imoke On Fiscal Discipline

Chief of Air Staff, Vice Marshal Alex Badeh; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Dele Ezeoba and Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, after PHOTO: PHILIP OJISUA security meeting with President Goodluck at the presidential Villa, Abuja…yesterday.

‘Herbal Medicine Market Hits $160 Billion Globally’ By Joseph Okoghenun HE Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) has expressed hope for herbal medicine development, noting that herbal market currently rakes in $160 billion globally annually. NNMDA Head of Product Development Unit and Chief Research Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Orgah, who made the statement yesterday in Lagos during excursion programme to the agency by students of the Department of Plant Science, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU),

Ogun State, regretted that Nigeria’s contribution to herbal global market was still at minimal level in spite of abundance of medicinal plants across the country. In his presentation titled “ Exploiting the Wealth in the Green Estate”, the pharmaceutical chemist, who said that “there have been a steady global growth in demand and trade of herbal medicines”, added that Europe raked in $8.9 billion ahead of North American’s $4.5 billion herbal sales in 2002. Orgah said: “ There’s a growing global interest in alterna-

tive health products and a resurgence in the use of medicinal herbs to improve health or alleviate the symptoms of a wide range of ailments.” The natural medicine development expert, who said secrecy and mysticism were some the challenges development of herbal medicine in Nigeria, listed health benefits of herbal products to include laxatives, weight-loss remedies, immune system enhancers, sexual performance aids,anti-ageing remedies and anxiety and stress relief.

Revealing that Nigeria through the agency has started aggressive development of African traditional and herbal medicine by documenting medicinal plants for pharmaceutical purpose, Orgah said Nigeria needed to act fast in standardising herbal products to curbs her current high level of orthodox medicine importation. “When measured in monetary terms, global production (of orthodox medicine) is geographically a highly concentrated activity, with over 90 per cent of world production located in a few high-income countries,” he said.

INEC’s Recognition Of Umeh As APGA Chairman Faulty, Says Ezenwajiaku From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka NAMBRA State Commissioner for Special Duties and chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Vincent Ezenwajiaku, has faulted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recognising Chief Victor Umeh as the National Chairman of the party. Ezenwajiaku told The Guardian in Awka that aggrieved members of the party would take legal action to

reverse INEC’s decision. He noted “ Umeh will continue to be treated by APGA like a king without a kingdom.” Ezenwajiaku added that Gov. Peter Obi and Chief Maxi Okwu’s faction of the party would not recognise the leadership of Umeh as chairman of APGA. “ All I can say now is that INEC has erred by recognising Umeh as APGA’s Chairman. It is wrong. But I am sure that decision will be reversed in due course,” Ezenwajiaku

said. The commissioner refuted allegation by Umeh that the Anambra State Government contributed a paltry N250, 000 to Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu’s burial, saying that the state’s contribution to the burial cannot be quantified in monetary terms. Ezenwajiaku said Anambra State Government under the leadership of Gov. Obi has been working assiduously and rendering selfless service to attract and promote developments in

the state. On Obi’s selfless service, Ezenwajiaku said: “Apart from being the Chairman of Southeast Governors Forum, it is through his (Obi’s) good relationship with President Goodluck Jonathan that Enugu International Airport and Second Niger Bridge were fast tracked. Presently, he is courting the Federal Government to ensure that the Southeast benefited from the on-going rail line project of the Federal Government.”

Jigawa Paid N164B Salaries In Six Years From John Akubo, Dutse IGAWA State Government has said that it paid over N164 billion as salaries and allowances for state and local government staff in the last six years. The Head of Service, Alhaji Mustapha Aminu, made the disclosure while rendering the account of his stewardship in the past six years of his being at helm of civil service administration in the state. He pointed out that of the amount, N88.9 billion was paid as salaries for local governments and Local Education Authority employees, while over N75.2B was paid as salaries for the state, judiciary and house of assembly staff. Aminu said over 12 000 state civil servants benefited from vehicle loan during the period under review. He said the present administration inherited only three N3 billion, adding that the state has 67,771 employees in the state and local government workforce.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

NEWS Ogun Explains Need For Standard Roads By Azeez Olorunlomeru ETERMINED to construct good roads in the state, the Ogun State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has explained the need to ensure longevity in the all the road construction embarked upon by the Amosun administration. This, it said, informed the decision to use paving stones on the 2.2Km Isheri - Channels Road in Isheri, Obafemi/Owode Local Government area. The Commissioner in the Ministry, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite who made this known in Abeokuta, disclosed that paving stones were used on the road instead of asphalt because the soil in the area is swampy in nature, noting that asphalt is easily washed off when it comes in contact with water because it is not resistant to water.

Cheap Imports Will Drown Local Investments, Palm Oil Producers Warn By Olawunmi Ojo OCAL investors in palm oil production and processing have complained that cheap importation of palm oil will kill local industries, cripple the agricultural transformation agenda of the federal government and turn Nigeria into a dumping ground for imported palm oil unless something urgent and drastic is done. Representatives of key associations within the oil palm value chain made these unsettling

disclosures in Abuja recently in a meeting with the leader of the oil palm transformation team, Dr. Dickson Okolo. Together, they reviewed the oil palm industry under the current West African sub-regional trade regimes and concluded that neighbouring countries are being used as cover-up as sources of the imported palm oil. The national chairman of Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN), Igwe Hilary

Uche, accused Nigerian collaborators of ‘driving’ the importation initiatives in collaboration with their foreign counterparts. The OPGAN chairman lamented that local producers are the worst victims. He expressed confidence in that Nigeria has all the required resources to produce palm oil for local consumption. The groups, in unison, expressed dissatisfaction with PZ Wilmar, a company they

accused of trading duty-free Crude Palm Oil (CPO) in Nigeria. Mr. Fatai Afolabi, representing the Plantation Owners Forum of Nigeria (POFON), noted rather with dismay that, for the past 10 years, some Nigerians have been working with some Asians, and in particular, Malaysians investors to “sabotage our local efforts to grow the oil palm industry.” Wilmar International, Afolabi said, is the largest plantation owner in Malaysia and

Inner Wheel Saves Sickle Cell Patient, Trains Students By Debo Oladimeji O further actualize its 20122013 theme: Be A Friend, the International Inner Wheel District 911 has saved the life of Miss. Tinuola Rasaque, a sickle cell patient with a hip replacement. Speaking during the surgery which took place in Igbobi Orthopedic Hospital, Lagos, the Chairman of the Club, Mrs. Mopelola Adisa said: “This is the second hip replacement done for another sickle cell patient. Before her, Mrs Idowu Akinfenwa was sponsored in February. We have 19 of them on our list. In another two weeks, we may do another operation.

Zamfara Expands Orphanage With N30million From Isah Ibrahim, Gusau UCCOUR has come to the orphans of Zamfara state, as the state governor, Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar awarded a contract worth N30million for the expansion of the state Orphanage home, Gusau, to meet their population capacity. Speaking to newsmen when reporters visited the orphanage, the contractor handling the projects and chairman, Nahoro Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Nasiru Nahoro disclosed that the contract consists of two blocks of story building for orphans’ accommodation and a modern kitchen.

Ondo Community Seeks Strategic Development By Joseph Okoghenun ISSATISFIED with the current state of underdevelopment, sons and daughters of Okeigbo community of Ileoluji/Okeigbo Local council of Ondo State gathered in Lagos yesterday under the aegis of Okeigbo Consultative Forum to seek way forward for the community. Chairman of the forum, Chief Dele Oduwale, who said the Okeigbo Consultative Forum is neither political nor religious, said the forum as a pressure group was concerned about the sorry state of the community with the aim of finding lasting solution to the challenges facing the community.

Indonesia and this is the company that now partners with PZ, its Nigerian ‘trade agent,’ to form PZ Wilmar, working to sell Wilmar’s CPO in Nigeria. He was specific that PZ has established a refinery in Ikorodu, Lagos, “without due regard to the fact that there are no major plantations around to supply its raw materials, which is indeed a ploy for massive import of duty-free and cheap CPO from Malaysia under ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS).” Afolabi did not spare the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) for what he described as “working to achieve policy changes in favour of PZ Wilmar” and MAN’s position in “the past,” which did not favour local plantation developers and processors, such as pursuing downward review of CET from 35 per cent to five per cent in 2012. He frowned at what he described as ‘unacceptable proposal from MAN that any plantation owner that has up to 200 hectares and above should be given a concession to import CPO at zero tariff while some companies are “serving as pipelines to pump CPO from Malaysia and Indonesia to Nigeria.”

Kwara ACN Appoints New Caretaker Committee

ICPC Boss, Mr. Ekpo Nta presenting a gift to Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke when he led a delegation of his management team on a courtesy call on the governor in Calabar.

Court Discharges Doctor Charged With Drug-Trafficking By Joseph Onyekwere FEDERAL High court Lagos, yeasterday, discharged an Onitsha-based medical doctor, charged with illicit drug deal. The trial judge, Okechukwu Okeke also acquitted the accused of all counts of the alleged offence. In his judgment, he held that the prosecution failed to discharge the burden of proof placed on it, by failing to link the accused with the alleged offence. “There is no evidence before this court linking the accused with the commission of the alleged offence. “The prosecution did not tender any evidence before this court, to show that incriminating substances were recovered

from the accused or his office. “Prosecution also failed to lead evidence as to the telephone number which allegedly called the accused in furtherance of the offence. “By my findings, the NDLEA would have waited for the accused to collect the said parcel from DHL, before arriving at a conclusion that he dealt in hard drugs. “It is the judgment of this court, that the case of the prosecution fails, and I so find. The accused is hereby discharged and acquitted”, Okeke ruled. The accused Dr U. C Duru, was charged by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on two-counts of importing and dealing on a restricted narcotic, cocaine.

Meanwhile, in another development, the NDLEA told the Federal High Court, Lagos during the trial of a Lagos businessman, Livinus Amagbu that he was caught in possession of hard drugs. Prosecution witness, Fredrick Atoni said analysis revealed that methaphetamine was recovered from Amagbu. Atoni was testifying before Justice Musa Kurya at the resumed hearing of a suit against the accused, standing trial on a one-count charge of dealing on the restricted narcotic. The witness, an exhibit keeper with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), told the court that he had a duty of receiving exhibits

from various commands of the agency. He said that on January 25, one Elegbede Ezekiel, the exhibit officer in charge of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, brought the accused to the NDLEA headquarters at Ikoyi. “Ezekiel brought the accused together with a big sack popularly called “ghana must go” fully loaded with substances suspected to be hard drugs,” he said. According to the witness, as an exhibit keeper, he took samples from the bag, and conducted a preliminary investigation on it, which showed that the substance was methaphetamine.

Oil Firm Threatens To Sue Insurance Firm Over Bond By Bukola Apata and Victor Olushola N oil service company, UM Petroleum Limited has threatened to drag an insurance company to court for failure to meet up with its obligation on an Advance Payment Bond (APB) it issued on behalf of a sub-contractor to the oil company, allegedly involving an outstanding sum of N4, 202, 771.06 in default. The insurance company, Leadway Assurance Company Limited, is said to have issued

an Advance Payment Bond to a sub-contractor – Control Systems International Company, which allegedly defaulted by not completing aspects of the works in the sub-contract. According to a letter dated April 19, 2013, by Stanley Onyenze Esq., of the B. Chinedu Moore & Associates (Ezedinachi Chambers), on behalf of the UM Petroleum Limited and made available to the media in Lagos, Leadway Assurance Company

Limited, is to pay the outstanding sum of N4, 202, 771.06 or face court action. The Legal chambers letter explained that UM Petroleum Limited had engaged Control Systems International Company as a sub-contractor to execute some jobs for them in 2010, of a total value of the sum of N38, 800, 690.10. The Legal chambers’ letter to the insurance group alleged that “some specified aspects of the jobs for which the subcontractor was paid in

advance, included those covered with an Advance Payment Bond (APB), for N6, 805, 023.06 issued by Leadway Assurance Company Limited. The legal firm’s letter, also stated that, their client, UM Petroleum Limited’s letter dated 10, 18 and 28 November 2011, respectively duly notified Leadway Assurance Company of the default by the sub-contractor in executing the job covered by the APB No. AP/11/00021/LA for N6, 805, 023.06.

From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin. HE crisis tearing apart members of the Kwara State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) may soon be over with the appointment of a new Caretaker Committee to take over affairs of the party from the Kayode Olawepo-led committee. Under the new arrangement, Sola Iji, a chieftain of the party from Ondo state will serve as the new Chairman of the Caretaker committee. According to a letter addressed to Iji from the office of the National Secretary of the ACN, six members of the Kwara ACN would serve as members of the Committee. Beside, the letter, made available to The Guardian in Ilorin and endorsed by the party’s National Secretary, Lawal Shuaibu mandated the committee to reconcile all the warring factions within the party ahead of formal ceremony of merger plan between the ACN and other parties ahead of 2015 general elections. The leadership tussle between Governorship flag bearer of ACN in the last election, Dele Belgore, SAN and National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed almost tore the party apart before the intervention from the national body of the party. According to the letter, other members of the new committee are Prince Shuaib Olanrewaju, Alhaji Abdulraheem Akorede, Alhaji Samari Abdullahi, Issa Umar, Dr Saad Omoiya, and Rev. Bunmi Olusona. The national leadership charged the committee to work towards eliminating all sorts of factionalisation within the party and ensure a seamless transition into the merger process

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

NEWS Stakeholders Identify Pathway To Agricultural Revival By Bankole Shakirudeen Adeshina CADEMICS and stakeA holders have canvassed total reform of the nation’s agricultural sector, saying such was necessary to alleviating poverty, hunger and social unrest associated with unemployment of over 42 million Nigerian youths. The revelation came at the first Nigerian National Merit Award Winners’ Lecture, held at the University of Lagos, Unilag. The theme of the parley:

From Policy Analysis and Advocacy to Policy Implementation: Is the Path Linear, was delivered by a distinguished Professor of Agricultural Economics, Professor F.S. Idachaba. Speaking with The Guardian at the event, former Minister of Agriculture, Professor Ahmed Abdullah reiterated the need for government to prioritise investments in the nation’s agricultural sector, saying such effort offers a lifeline for the nation’s economy, especial-

ly at the post-oil and gas era. Abdullah, a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Faculty of Administration, said one of the ways to ensure sustainable economic development in the country, is to make farming more attractive to the youth and revise the current trend where the elders are predominantly dominating the occupation. To achieve this however, he wanted government to do three things: “Invest massively in the sector so as to revive its economic capacity,

which was proven during the first and second republic; assist farming with subsidies, soft and accessible loans to the real and not political farmers; and thirdly, ensure the certainty of it marketability—that is, ensuring that the farm produce of the local farmers is given preference in the market so as to ensure their profitability and stimulate their interest in the occupation,” he added. In his lecture, Idachaba noted that one of the problems of the Nigeria’s Agriculture

sector is “low and fractured stakeholders” and grand corruption, which has unfortunately permeated the societal structures and eroded public values. He based his analysis on the publications of 10 Nigerian newspapers including The Guardian. “ During the year under review, for instance, in Taraba State, 360 tonnes of fertilizer valued at N28million was reportedly lost; In Katsina, only 3000 out of 82000 tonnes allocated to state were delivered.

Books For Africa Donates One Million Books To Rivers From Ann Godwin, PortHarcourt ORRIED by the declining W reading culture in the country, Books for Africa, a United States based organisation which has been sending books to schools and libraries across the African continent for the past 25 years, in collaboration with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has donated one million books to schools in Rivers State. The books donated covered subjects such as science, Mathematics, and English Language. The Executive Director of Books for Africa, Mr. Patrick Plonski said, the donation was aimed at increasing the literacy level in Africa and also in line with the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. He added that the gesture was also in commemoration of its 25th anniversary, stressing that more than 27 million books have been sent out to 48 different countries within the period; hence making the organisation the world’s largest shipper of books to Africa.

Diocese Of Oleh Holds Synod HE Diocese of Oleh T (Anglican Communion) will hold its second session of

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (centre), his deputy, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo (Right) and others during Healthwalk held in Ibadan on Friday. PHOTO: OYO GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Two Killed In Zamfara Over Grazing Area From Isah Ibrahim, Gusau T LEAST two people were A killed and many sustained various degrees of injuries following a clash that erupted between some communities of Bukuyum and Anka local council area as a result of land grazing area claimed by one community. Fielding questions from reporters yesterday in

Gusau, the state capital, the Bukkuyum local council chairman, Alhaji Shehu Buda Nasarawa, said the incident was not a border crisis between the villages of the two councils rather it was caused as a result of an attempt by one community to hijack a grazing reserve area Thursday last week. He said, the two council chairmen and emirs concern had met along with all security organizations in

Ogboru Faults Bankruptcy Allegation By Joe Adiorho HE Democratic Peoples T Party (DPP) governorship candidate in Delta State in April 2011 general election, Great Ovedje Ogboru, said that there is a grand plan by his detractors to restrain him from contesting future elections in the country. He said some banks that his company had business transactions with, the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCOM) and some individuals are colluding to dub him a bankrupt businessman, an action that threatens his political future. Recounting the tranaction, Ogboru said he took a facil-

ity of 450 million ($3million) from a bank in 2005 and gave them security in excess of 450 million on a revolving Letter of Credit (LC) finance basis. “But we discovered 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.” Upon inquiry, Ogboru said he discovered that the former governors of Delta and Edo states, James Ibori and Lucky Igbinedion respectively, had bought shares worth N5 billion each in that bank.

the area over the issues, pointing out that, necessary measures have been taken to restore peace in the communities. Alhaji Shehu explained that, the two deceased were from Yarjiji village under Gwashi district of Bukkuyum council including the village head son of Yargiji, adding that, few houses were also burnt in the village. ‘There was no boarder problem between Anka and Bukkuyum local councils. What happened was that there was grazing reserve between the two boarders

and every community has no right trespass. But unfortunately one community entered into the grazing reserve which led the other community to attack them and led to the lost of two lives,’ said Shehu. He said the attackers also burnt some number of motor cycles and bicycles, ‘Just yesterday we had a joint security meeting with all the chairmen, emirs, concerned districts, village heads and security operatives in the local councils, where we resolved that all people that have trespassed

the grazing reserve area should vacate with immediate effect and we arranged to visit the area by ourselves for further action,’ When asked whether there was any arrest, the chairman maintained that no arrest was so far made but security operatives are investigating the matter with a view to arresting the culprits. When contacted, the state commissioner of police, Mr. Arkila Usman Gwary, confirmed the incident, and said police are on the trail of the perpetrators.

Federal Government Embarks On Flood Control Measures In Kwara State From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin HE Federal Government T has embarked on flood control measures to mitigate against disaster this year in Kwara state, Chairman, Committee on Flood Disaster and Rehabilitation, Alhaji Mohammed Dabarako has said. Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) recently forecast that heavy rainfall would occur his year which

might result in heavy floods in many states of the federation. Dabarako, who is also the state Head of Service (HOS), added that the federal government’s ongoing dredging of Asa River in Ilorin, the state capital was part of the measures against flood in the metropolis. He said federal government was constructing embankment against overflowing of River Niger at Tsonga-Tada road including erosion/flood control

project at Abata-Asunkere Oke-Male both in Ilorin West and Edu local government areas of the state. “The projects include construction of erosion/flood control project from PatigiGbaradogi community; construction of bridge at Buka-Adana community, construction of DegejiGbajibo road, construction of water channels at Agbabiaka, Danialu all in Moro, Kaiama and Ilorin South local government,” he disclosed.

the 5th Synod from Friday May 10 to Tuesday May 14. This year’s Synod will hold at Ebenezer Anglican Chapelry, Ozoro in Isoko North Local Government of Delta State, according to a statement signed by the clerical Synod secretary, Venerable U. R. Emamezi. The Lord Bishop of the Diocese of Oleh, The Rt. Rev. John Usiwoma Aruakpor appointed to preside at the Synod will deliver the Bishop’s charge on Saturday May 11 while the Synod service will hold on Sunday May 12. A Diocesan spokesman recalls that this is the first Synod to be chaired by Rt. Rev. Aruakpor since his election, consecration and enthronement as Bishop of the Diocese on July 18th, 2012 at St. Paul’s cathedral Oleh, Isoko South L.G.A, Delta State.

Sheraton Launches Wine Programme Tomorrow HERATON Lagos Hotel has SSheraton announced launch of Social Hour, premium wine programme to be offered in the hotel every Sunday, starting from tomorrow. The new programme, developed by premier wine experts and the brand’s global food and beverage team, the hotel said would offer guests a specially-curated menu of premium wines and weekly tasting events. “The Sheraton Social Hour programme offers guests of Sheraton Lagos Hotel wine tasting experience featuring some of the most highly rated wines in the world,” the Area General Manager Starwood Hotels in Nigeria and General Manager Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Mr. Alexander Gassauer, said.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

AFRICA Africa Plundered By Secret Mining Deals, Says Kofi Annan AX avoidance, secret mining T deals and financial transfers are depriving Africa of the benefits of its resources boom, exUN chief Kofi Annan has said. BBC reported that firms that shift profits to lower tax jurisdictions cost Africa $38bn (£25bn) a year, says a report produced by a panel he heads. “Africa loses twice as much money through these loopholes as it gets from donors,” Mr Annan told the BBC. It was like taking food off the tables of the poor, he said. The Africa Progress Report is released every May - produced by a panel of 10 prominent figures, including former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Graca Machel, the wife of South African exPresident Nelson Mandela.

African countries needed to improve governance and the world’s richest nations should help introduce global rules on transparency and taxation, Mr Annan said. The report gave the Democratic Republic of Congo as an example, where between 2010 and 2012 five underpriced mining concessions were sold in “highly opaque and secretive deals”. You do not have the correct version of the flash player. Kofi Annan: “Transparency is a powerful tool” This cost the country, which the charity Save the Children said earlier this week was the world’s worst place to be a mother, $1.3bn in revenues. This figure was equivalent to double DR Congo’s health and

education budgets combined, the report said. DR Congo’s mining minister disputed the findings, saying the country had “lost nothing”. “These assets were ceded in total transparency,” Martin Kabwelulu told Reuters news agency. The report added that many mineral-rich countries needed “urgently to review the design of their tax regimes”, which were designed to attract foreign investment when commodity prices were low. It quotes a review in Zambia which found that between 2005 and 2009, 500,000 copper mine workers were paying a higher rate of tax than major multinational mining firms.

UK Withdraws Some Embassy Staff From Libya HE UK has withdrawn T some embassy staff in Libya in response to “ongoing political uncertainty”, the Foreign Office says.It said it was temporarily withdrawing a “small number” who work with Libyan ministries. Armed militias have recently been blocking access to ministry buildings to push their political demands. However, the UK embassy remains “open as usual”,

including for consular and visa services. Last month a car bomb exploded outside the French embassy in Tripoli, wounding two French guards and several residents. It was the first major attack on a foreign embassy in the Libyan capital. The Foreign Office currently advises against all but essential travel to Tripoli and against all travel to other

parts of Libya, such as the eastern city of Benghazi. The US consulate in Benghazi was attacked by armed men in September 2012, leading to the killing of ambassador Christopher Stevens and three other American officials. Last week the FBI released photos of three men it says were on the grounds of the US consulate in Benghazi when it was attacked last year.

Desmond Tutu: ‘I Will Not Vote For ANC’ OUTH African elder statesman and Nobel laureate, SDesmond Tutu, has said he would no longer vote for the ruling ANC.” I would very sadly not be able to vote for them after the way things have gone,” he wrote in South Africa’s Mail and Guardian newspaper. Inequality, violence and corruption are among the reasons costing the ANC his support, he added. Archbishop Tutu, 81, was a strong supporter of the ANC’s struggle against white minority rule. Former African National Congress leader Nelson Mandela became the country’s first black leader after all-race elections in 1994. Continue reading the main story “The ANC was very good at leading us in the struggle to be free from oppression,” Archbishop Tutu wrote. “But it doesn’t seem to me now that a freedom-fighting unit can easily make the transition to becoming a political party,” he continued. Describing South Africa as “the most unequal society in the world”, he highlighted corruption, unaccountability and weaknesses in the constitution as key issues that need to be addressed. Archbishop Tutu was also strongly critical of past decisions made by the ANC government at the UN, particularly on Zimbabwe. “The things we have voted for or against have been a disgrace. It has been a total

Desmond betrayal of our whole tradition.” Archbishop Tutu campaigned against white minority rule and was awarded the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize.But he has been increasingly critical of the ruling party in recent years. In 2011, he accused the ANC government of “kowtowing” to China, after the government delayed issuing a visa for the Dalai Lama, who had been invited to attend the archbishop’s 80th birthday celebrations. In the opinion piece, he also warned South Africa to prepare for Mr Mandela’s death. “My concern is that we are not

preparing ourselves, as a nation, for the time when the inevitable happens.” “He’s 94, he’s had a rough time, and God has been very, very good in sparing him for us these many years. But the trauma of his passing is going to be very much intensified if we do not begin to prepare ourselves for the fact that this is going to happen at some time,” he added. Although officially retired, Archbishop Tutu continues to speak publicly about the world’s injustices and domestic politics. He was recently discharged from hospital following an infection.

WORLD Prince Harry Carries On Legacy Of Princess Diana To Rid World Of Landmines RINCE Harry made a visit ing landmines, once their time…and then landmines P to Capitol Hill yesterday cleared, that’s it, they’re fin- are history no one else will to tour an exhibit on landtread on a landmine ever. So it

Angels Gave Me Food, Says Woman Pulled Alive From Rubble Of Bangladesh Factory By Debo Oladimeji with agency reports ESCUERS pulled a woman called Reshma from the rubble of a Bangladesh garment factory sixteen days after it collapsed yesterday. Astonishing workmen had been searching for bodies of victims of a disaster that has killed more than 1,000 people. The CNN reported that the woman said angels and some people came to give her food while in the rubble. Reuters said that hundreds of onlookers burst into cheers as army engineers pulled the woman from the basement of the building after a workman helping to clear the wreckage reported hearing her faint cries of “Save me, save me” from beneath the ruins. Pale, drawn and seemingly

unable to walk, the woman, identified by Bangladeshi media only as Reshma, was hoisted out of the rubble on a stretcher, then loaded into an ambulance in scenes broadcast live on television. Mohammad Rubel Rana, a workman who had been cutting iron rods, said he had alerted rescue crews after hearing a feeble voice. “I heard a faint voice saying ‘Save me, Save me’,” Rana told Reuters television. “She was given water, biscuits and oxygen.” “She has been rescued and taken to a military hospital,” said Bangladesh’s army spokesman Shahinul Islam. Rescuers speculated that she may have survived by drinking water that had pooled in the site when firemen doused a

fire that had broken out earlier in the rescue effort. It was not clear if she was one of the thousands of garment workers who had been working in the eight-storey building, which collapsed on April 24, a day after its owner assured factory owners and news crews it would stand for “a century”. The woman was found hours after the death toll from the world’s worst industrial accident since the 1984 Bhopal disaster in India climbed above 1,000 as rescuers struggled to end the salvage operation. Bodies were still being pulled from the rubble of the Rana Plaza complex, and on Friday a spokesman at the army control room coordinating the operation said the number of people confirmed to have been killed had reached 1,045.

mines, a cause dear to the heart of his late mother Princess Diana, and inadvertently won the hearts of flocks of female admirers who followed him to the exhibit. The CEO of the HALO Trust, the charity that organized the Capitol Hill exhibit, told Power Players that Prince Harry “is really carrying on that mantle” of his mother’s work by bringing public attention to the cause. “He really understands that and the thing about clear-

ished; it’s a finite problem that can be defeated,” the HALO Trust’s CEO Guy Willoughby told ABC’s Lama Hasan. Power Players reported that as the HALO Trust marks its 25th anniversary this year, Willoughby is hopeful that Prince Harry’s continued support can help eradicate landmines before his organization makes it to 50 years. “In a lot of countries in five years time, if he keeps the momentum going the interest, then we can finish other countries in 10 years

Imran Khan Gains In Pakistan Vote Pakistani cricket FwasORMER star Imran Khan’s party enjoying a late surge of support yesterday, the eve of a landmark election, raising the prospect of a fragmented parliament that could lead to weeks of haggling to form a coalition government. Reuters reported The failure of the major parties to capture a commanding lead raises the risk a weak government will emerge, clouding optimism over the first transition between civilian governments in a country that has been ruled by the military for more than half its histo-

ry. The party of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif looks set to win the most seats, returning Sharif to power 14 years after he was ousted in a military coup, imprisoned and later exiled. But Khan could end up holding the balance of power if there is no clear-cut winner. In a sign of his popularity, 35,000 supporters turned up on Thursday at a rally in Islamabad that he didn’t even attend. The 60-year-old is in hospital after suffering injuries in a fall from a mechanical lift at a rally this week, which may also win him sympathy votes.

could be a huge success story,” he said. Willoughby named Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Georgia, and Kosovo as countries that are on track to be landmine free in just a matter of years, which will allow the organization to focus more specifically on countries still riddled with landmines, such as Cambodia, Angola, Afghanistan, Columbia, and Zimbabwe. Willoughby reflected on the work of Princess Diana, when she first visited the HALO Trust in Angola 15 years ago, describing her contributions as “amazing.” “She just wanted to raise the awareness at the time, because she was raising two small boys, and she was watching other mothers worried about their boys…kick a football around and step on a landmine,” Willoughby said. Willoughby pointed out that Prince Harry’s interest in the cause is personal to him beyond his late mother’s involvement. “He has also seen soldiers trudging on landmines, and he understands that people in far away, remote villages, trying to exist, cannot exist if their lives are belated by land mines,” he said of Prince Harry, who serves in the British Military as a helicopter pilot.

TheGuardian

Saturday, May 11, 2013 9

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover

Jonathan

Ruquayattu

Ojerinde

Abysmal Performance In JAMB’s UTME, A Reflection Of System Failure By Godwin Ijediogor HE hype on the day this year’s Unified Tertiary T Matriculation Examination (UTME) held was expected to manifest positively in the outcome of the exercise. Alas, the outcome was negative. From the results released penultimate Friday by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), only 10, just 10, out of the 1, 644, 110 candidates who sat for the examination scored 300 and above, with 628 other candidates scoring between 270 and 299. According to JAMB Registrar, Prof Dibu Ojerinde, during a press briefing at the Board’s headquarters in Bwari, Abuja, a total of 12,110 candidates’ results were being withheld for examination malpractices, while the results of another 68,309 candidates from various centres were undergoing further screening to ascertain their capability. A total of 40,692 candidates’ results, he added, were invalid due to multiple shading or no shading at all. He said: “Last year, we had cases of specially designed slippers, otherwise tagged ‘Magic Slippers,’ which desperate candidates used to perpetuate malpractices.

“This year witnessed a new turn, as candidates wore long sleeves shirts that bore imprint of prepared answers. “Information reaching us shows that some Internet fraudsters are already telling candidates that their results could be upgraded in one form or the other. This is pure deceit. “Some even have fake answers on Facebook, calling on candidates to print them out. The public and candidates are hereby advised to disregard these fraudsters since they do not have access to our data. Only the lazy and the gullible will fall victim.” The poor performance of candidates, going by the results, has sent tongues wagging and stakeholders seeking solutions, just as students and candidates are refusing to own up to their inadequacies and unpreparedness for examinations. Stakeholders point to a number of factors as being responsible for the abysmal failure of candidates in major examinations, not just JAMB’s UTME. Some of the factors include laziness and inadequate preparation by candidates who rather resort to cutting corners and the social media for answers that are never really there; involvement of examination officials and even par-

ents to secure cheap high scores for their wards; nefarious activities of coaching centres and their owners; and dilapidating facilities in most public and private educational institutions and inadequate trained staff to man such facilities where they exist, or lack of commitment on the part of such officials. Others are the general craze for paper qualification and easy means to success, inadequate supervision and monitoring of officials, lack of will power to enforce discipline, as well as corruption that have permeated every sector in the country, among others. But some parents and candidates advised JAMB to take more time to scrutinise the results before releasing them to ensure that they were not withheld in error. In Kano, hundreds of candidates staged a peaceful demonstration against the mass failure and withholding of their results. They stormed the premises of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria on motorcycles around noon and carried placards and green leaves to show their anger. Their spokesman, Haruna Maidabam, described the withholding of their results as a deliberate attempt to deny them the opportunity to further their studies, bemoaning that over

10, 000 students who sat for the examination in Kano metropolis have yet to access their results. He called on the appropriate authorities to do something urgently to address their plight. In Edo State, candidates stormed the Benin office of the board to register their complaint about mass failures and withholding of results. But Femi Omokungbe, Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Yaba College of Technology, Lagos chapter, stated that candidates must have self-examination before attempting public examinations, as a way of preparing themselves mentally. He noted that majority of the candidates were not keen about going through the right path in achieving success, but would rather want to cut corners to reach the top by engaging in examination malpractices, despite the consequences. Generally speaking, there is nothing else to say that has not been said in the past about the emerging trends in examination in Nigeria. But the earlier action is taken, the better for the country, the students and their future. “If we look at the number of candidates that made scores of 300 marks and above, compared to the figure that sat for the examination, you will truly discover that we have a long way to go.”

JAMB Result Does Not Guarantee Admission, Says UNILAG VC The statistics of students who scored above 300 in JAMB has never being more than the figures recorded in the just concluded edition of the examination. Basically, the base score is 400 and once you score above 300, you are 75 per cent above. And also, once you score 280, you are already rated 70 per cent, which is Grade A; then next to it, if you look at the statistics, of those who will score 290 to 300 would be so HAT is your reaction to the JAMB many and that is how the statistics results released last week, espe- decreases. cially the fact that not more than 10 of Eventually however, if we go by your the over 1.7 million applicants, scored argument, it would mean that those who would score Grade A JAMB will be above 300 marks? so many.

Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Rahamon Bello says good performance in Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) is not an automatic passport to gaining admission into the university. He spoke with BANKOLE SHAKIRUDEEN ADESHINA.

But analyst have argued that the latest JAMB result was a deliberate attempt by the board to prune down the over 1.7 million applicants to the available admission slots? No, that is not true. I do not belief in that speculation. That is why there is post- UTME, conducted by the universities. The whole admission process is not based on the UTME performance alone. And that is a sign of credibility, if you may ask me. Let me tell you frankly, the same number of students who ought to be admitted will still be admitted eventually. Even when they do not score up to, at least, 200, being the 50 per cent per-

formance and cut-off of most universities? No! Let me give you an example. Those who choose University of Lagos as first choice and scored 200 and above would be invited to come and write Post-UTME. We (UNILAG) are the most subscribed university in the whole of Nigeria And normally, we don’t take more than 10 per cent of them for admission and by the time the admission list is compiled, you can come back and I will give you the real statistics of those who will make it through. It wouldn’t still be different if the 50 per cent of the applicants had scored above 300 marks. That does not count.

Bello

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday May 11, 2013

COVEREXTRA Performance At UTME Worry Stakeholders By Elijah Eda Samuel

his/her establishment would have to go to neighbouring countries to import ‘brains’ STHER Oladimeji, an educationist and (opposite of brain-drain) and, of course, teacher in one of the popular schools they will use our money to better their in Ikeja, said: “The examination came and economy by impoverishing ours. went, and I was expecting mass distinc“Also, examination bodies should secure tion, because a day before the exam, 70 tightly their systems. per cent of students in my area presum“The noble profession of teaching should ably had the questions and the prepared be revamped, so that teachers will not see answers. examination time as a time of enriching “In fact, on Saturday morning, I saw guys themselves.” outside one centre openly dictating the To Adetayo Olokuntoye, Vice Principal of answers to students in the examination Queensland Academy, Okota in Lagos: “I hall via cell phones, despite the “no phone think JAMB candidates are not usually allowed” instruction. ready for this examination; I stand to be “I was so shocked and had to ask one of corrected. them how they came about the questions, “With the standard of JAMB questions, I and he replied that a group of people am afraid fresh secondary school-leavers, hacked into JAMB website and got the for whom the examination is originally questions. designed, may not have been academical“However, two days later, a reliable ly prepared for this examination. source told me there would be mass fail“For instance, most of the questions are ure and I asked why? He replied that the usually drawn from Further Maths UTME board this year devised a means to scheme. How do you expect Commercial outwit the students, saying each candiand Art students who never did Further date must have these four types D,I,B,U, Maths in secondary school to attempt though not necessarily in this order. such? “Therefore, a student that wrote BBIU or “More so, corruption is the bane of major DBUU or BIIU has automatically shown a problems our education is faced with, and misdemeanor. When finally the result many factors are responsible for this. came, I believed the man. Students who are aware their intellectual “So, the failure came as a result of unpre- capacity is below par, with regards to the paredness on the part of students, standard of the examination, but desperbecause they depended on mercenaries, ate to gain admission, would stop at nothwho would feed them with answers. ing to seek an alternative. “The future of the educational sector in “Their parents especially, who are even Nigeria is bleak. Stakeholders do not rise more desperate, readily provide the necesup to the occasion, because this corrupsary support to facilitate their children’s tion has eaten deeper than we thought, as examination success, not leaving the everyone now has a price. examination co-coordinators, supervisor, “In the SSCE examination going on, I invigilators and other officials out. know of a centre where it is even the cus“Most of these people are either poorly todian giving them questions beforeremunerated or greedy; hence they abate, hand. External supervisors encouraging collude and aid students, parents, examiteachers to help their students and parnation centre’s owners, etc in organising ents calling teachers to name their price. smooth examination malpractices. “If this iniquitous trend continues, medi- “Furthermore, the norm and stereotype ocrity will permeate the sector and the beliefs of our society are largely responsientire workforce in the future. ble for this anomaly; leadership is solely to “So, whoever wants good hands in blame.

“A situation whereby so-called leaders indulge in embezzlement, money laundering and sit-tight leadership, the country is denied the benefit of true, patriotic and responsible leaders, who would see education as a veritable tool for national growth and development. “Rather, the legacy they leave behind for the future generations are greed for material wealth and ‘rat race’ for affluent life, to mention but few. “Consequently, everyone strives to enter into universities by all means possible. Since we live in a country that values credentials over credibility, university degrees are sine qua non for employment opportunity, while vocational skills and technical know-how play second fiddle. “These are the reasons for the ‘mad rush’ for university admission and JAMB examination, which is a visa into higher institutions, has proven enigmatic; hence these people must find an alternative means to survive in the rat-race. “Worst still, the fact that students now have more and easier access to play gadgets, Internet-enabled devices and many more, has not helped in the matter. “Students, who recently have allegedly been showing consistent apathy to studying, now have more reasons to withdraw from constructive activities. “These days, anyone can subscribe for the Internet as low as N100. The likes of social media, such as Facebook, BBM, Twitter, Instagram, to mention but few, have diverted the attention of young and old alike, with the younger ones worse for it. “These days, it is common place to see students burn midnight candle on the Internet, chatting with their friends, lovers, etc instead of studying. “However, there is still a glimmer of hope, if stakeholders are truly ready to salvage the situation.

JAMB UTME Results: Candidates React By Laolu Adeyemi and Olamide Olayiwola Fadare

Below are the reactions of some candidates who sat for the last JAMB UTME.

scored below 200?” ‘JAMB Wants To Remains Relevant’ Yemmy Adeyemi scored 197 “Although this is my first time of writing, but that was not my scores. There is no way I will score that going by my answers. I wish my script could be remarked for clarification. I prepared very well because I don’t want to join the rank of candidates who have been JAMB’s customers for many years. “I think JAMB wants is to remain relevant and they don’t wish to be scrapped. And that was what caused this mass failure. Agreed that there the standard of education has been falling, but it can never be this woeful.” Bolutife Olaniyi

Adejumo “Frankly speaking, corruption, which has become a mature, full-fledged monster must first be tackled, if we want to seriously tackle this problem. “Also, JAMB syllabus must be deliberately integrated into the secondary school curriculum. This, somewhat will help prepare students for the examination. “Equally important, officials used for the examination need to be thoroughly screened, retrained and well-remunerated for the purpose of achieving credible conduct of examinations.”

‘My UME Experience’ By Ajibola Amzat

The results may not be a true reflection of a candidate’s intelligence or performance, as the experience of a former candidate reflects here. WROTE the University Matriculation Examinations Igraduation (UME) in 2001, the second I would be writing after my from The Polytechnic, Ibadan in 1997. My

first attempt was the year 2000, but the result never saw the light of the day. My assumption then was that the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) withheld the result because I wrote the examination in Lagos where cases ‘Another Body Should Review Students’ of examination malpractices were reportedly rampant. Performance’ To avoid being a victim of mass failure for a second Akeke Oluwatoyin, a candidate who time, I opted to write the examination in my homescored 194 town, Osogbo, the Osun State capital. “THE fact that about 1.07 million candiIn my estimation, I put in my best. But when the result dates wrote an examination which the was released, my world crashed. My result was 114 out schools available couldn’t admit more of the 400 at stake. than 500,000 is a strong signal that the How do I explain my ‘woeful’ performance to my stuexamination body would do anything to dents? Then, I used to teach English Language and screen students to the available opportuLiterature in English at Aunty Ayo High School on Keffi nities. Having said that, the examination Street, Lagos and majority of my students in that body may be doing this to remain releschool scored well above average and expected their vant. “I think the pressure that government instructor to score higher. “I wish another body could be set up to should scrap JAMB is one of the problems Even my colleagues in the secondary school had high review students’ performance in the last affecting student in the aspect of results. I expectation that UME would be a “walkover” for Mr. JAMB. I am sure the outcome will be tried all my possible best to make good English (as my students used to call me). How do I shocking. I am sure I can never score score but at the end of the day, they gave stand before any of them to say I failed the same examibelow average given a fair marking. My me 160 which I know is not my result. Let nation they passed? father who is also a teacher marked my JAMB reset the exam and see if truly so Somehow, I needed to redeem my pride, and three scripts and expressed optimism when I many students failed or not. options occurred to me. First, I considered going to the got home on the examination day. I wish Anjola Odebyi media to protest. Second, to write a letter of complaint my script could be remarked.” “It’s simply because some student are not to JAMB. And thirdly, to go to the JAMB office in Abuja to ‘JAMB Deliberately Scored Candidates ready to read toward for examinations. All stage a one-man hunger strike. Low’ that they believe is that let them bring the After a deep reflection, none of them appealed to me Agnes John scored 175 in the just released question paper and let them shade. After any longer. I mean, who would care so much to give JAMB results. all, their centre wher they bought their attention to a heady candidate who was demanding a She believes that was not her score, claim- forms will sort everything out all in the re-assessment of his performance? ing the exam body may have underscored name of special centre”. Was he going to be the first to write UME and fail? her. “I did prepare very well for my exam Eketunde Iyewande People would ask, I supposed. But I needed to do somebecause this was my second time of tak“To me nobody, wants to be a failure but in thing fast. ing it. I started preparing for the exam a situation whereby you need only 500 As providence would have it, I ran into Prof. Bello A. since last year and I even attended tutorial candidates and you have 10,000 candiSalim, the then JAMB Registrar, when he came to Lagos classes just to refresh my knowledge. dates who want to buy forms, you don’t to monitor an ongoing Polytechnic/College of I think UTME reduced aggregate scores of have a choice than to sell the forms and Education examination that Saturday. all candidates across board just to send a then find a way of dropping the candiIn fact, Salim was the last man I expected to see in signal of its relevance to government. dates. That’s exactly what JAMB did to us to Lagos, considering that I had earlier thought of travelHow can over 70 per cent of candidates make money.” ing to Abuja.

“You could get to the JAMB office in Abuja, but you may not be allowed in, so don’t waste your time,” a friend had advised me. Therefore, when I saw his convoy entering Aunty Ayo Comprehensive High School, a sister college of the school where I was teaching, I was amazed. Yet, in my state of disbelief, a blinding anger sprang up in me and directed my steps to the school’s gate. Before the Registrar and his entourage could step out of their cars, I had already planted myself in their way. Then a second surprise happened! The Prof. extended his ‘small’ palm towards me in greeting and I grabbed it. Taking me for an invigilator at the examination centre, he started to banter with me. But when I remembered the purpose for which I was there, my mouth went to work. I probably had not spoken so passionately and so eloquently like that in my entire life. Throughout my short speech, Salim did not utter a word. When I was done, he asked: “So, how did you get into this compound?” I explained to him that I was a teacher in another school close by and my meeting with him that day was a pure coincidence. I told him I would be glad if he could help me call for my papers. In retrospect, I think Salim believed me. He asked for my name and my registration number. I gave him my name, but I could not remember my registration number off hand. He then asked me to give him the name of my centre and the town where I sat for the examination, which I did. Two weeks after, I went to the JAMB office in Ikoyi, Lagos to ask for my result for the second time, and my score was 261. That year, I made the admission into the University of Lagos to study Mass Communication. But looking back to that incident, I still wonder what could have happened and whether some students also failed UME in the past due to the oversight of the examination body? Also, could some of those who failed or scored low marks in the last JAMB’s UTME have performed better than the grades credited to them? One may never actually get to know how these grades are actually arrived at, but perhaps a reexamination of its assessment methods by JAMB would be of assistance.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 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 ‘20’

Overlapping Word Game ‘21’ 1. Olajumoke ___: Minister of State, FCT

1. ONWULIRI

2. Demolish

2. RIDICULE

3. Produce

3. LEGACY

4. Official ending of marriage

4. CYCLONE

5. Surrender

5. NEVER

6. Remove from office

6. VERMIN

7. Rarely

7. INSIDE

8. Left out

8. DESIRE

9. Boring

9. RESERVED

10. Unusable

10. VESTED

11. Reduce

11. TEDIUM

12. Fast and agile

12. MANGO

13. Guide

13. ONDO

14. Move ahead

14. DOUBTFUL

15. Middle point

15. FALLBACK

16. Real existence

16. BACKLOG

17. Representative

17. OGUNDE

18. Discount

18. ENDURANCE

19. Grain 20. LGA in Plateau state

19. CERTAIN

21. Sharply defined

20. INDIAN

22. Generosity

21. NOBODY

23. Harsh

22. DYNASTY

24. Stopping of work

23. YUCCA 24. AWRY

On The Path Of Winners

Let Courage Expand Your Talent O succeed in life, it has been discovered that T you need more than talent. Thus, aside of talent, you need courage, passion and an optimistic mindset. This talent mindset is the latest cliché in Nigerian politics. When people achieve greatness, ever so often it is attributed to talent. But that is a misleading way of looking at success. If talent alone is enough, then why do we have highly talented people who are not successful? Talent is never enough. It has been found that there is little correlation between a man’s effectiveness, his intelligence and his imagination. Intelligence, imagination and knowledge are essential resources but only effectiveness converts them into results. Talent isn’t enough because, one, more than 50 percent of chief executives of great companies scored average in school. Two, seventy percent of American Senators came from the bottom of their college classes. Three, eighty percent of American presidents were in the lower half in their schools. And finally, more than 50 percent of millionaire entrepreneurs never finished college. Certainly success is more than talent. Talent can make you do extraordinary things but isn’t enough to make you win a Nobel prize. When I think of people whose courage has elevated or expanded their talent, Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill come to mind. As a youngster, the optimistic mindset made Churchill anticipate greatness for himself. While at Harrow at age 16, Churchill’s answer to a question about his future was bold: “I can see vast changes in a peaceful world. Great upheavals, wars that one cannot now imagine will put the world into danger. London will be attacked and I shall be very prominent in its defence. In the high position I shall occupy, it will fall to me to save the capital and the Empire,” The vision Churchill had of his role was remarkably accurate. After Europe fell to Adolf Hitler, Britain stood

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

In 1899, Churchill resigned from the Army to run for a seat in Parliament. He lost but when later that year war broke out in South Africa, Churchill went there as a correspondent of the Morning Post. Two weeks later while travelling alone against him for two years with Churchill with troops on an armoured train, rebels atas their leader. He defied Hitler and rallied tacked and derailed it. Churchill calmly took Britain and her Empire while they suffered charge and rallied the troops. He cleared the under German ceaseless bombing. Before the rails, allowing the locomotive and tender to eswar, Britain’s strategy was to appease Hitler, cape with the wounded. Then, he went back to but during that time, Churchill vocally ophelp troops commander only to be captured posed such actions. and sent to a prison in Pretoria. In 1940, when Prime Minister Neville ChamHowever, after a month in captivity he made a berlain was forced from office for incompedaring escape. The Boer rebels then posted a tence, Britain looked for a strong leader to reward for his capture. But Churchill made it replace him. The natural successor to Chamto Durban, only to discover he has become a berlain would have been Lord Halifax, the Fornational hero and a global celebrity. After a six eign Secretary. But Halifax knew that he didn’t month stint in the British regiment in South possess the grit needed to lead Britain in war, Africa, he returned to England, where he again he therefore declined the appointment. That ran for Parliament. This time he won. was when Churchill aged 66 was called to step So when Churchill was chosen as Prime Minisinto the gap. Churchill ter in 1940, people knew what the country was Why was Churchill chosen as Prime Minister? getting. His courage and talent has been well He has been out of favour for decades. The anBut as soon as he was stationed in Madras, tested. His life has prepared him for what he swer is that his courage had been tested time India, he grew bored, then he sought action. would face during those five war years. And he and time again, and he had proven his talent. Then, he got attached as a correspondent to did not disappoint his generation. Churchill Growing up, Churchill was in bottom half of the Malakand field force on the northwest carried out his duties as Premier. His responsihis class at Harrow. He didn’t really begin to frontier of India, more than two thousand bilities went beyond defending London and shine until he prepared for a career in the miles from Madras. Soon, he ended up joining the empire. Freedom and democracy hung in Army, the profession of his grand father, Marlthe commanding general’s staff. the balance. But if he has not possessed the borough, Commander – in – Chief of the ImpeHe didn’t have to wait long to see action courage to step up, he never would have disrial Army in his day. Churchill excelled in thereafter. He saw battle when his unit was at- covered the depth of his talent, nor would he History, was an excellent rider, and won the tacked. He was under fire for hours. During have been ready when he had to perform on school’s fencing championship. He left Harrow the battle, his unit suffered 50 wounded and the world stage. As the English writer, Sydney for Sandhurst and in 1895, at 20, he was com17 killed, including the commanding officer. Smith said, “A great deal of talent is lost to the missioned into the 4th Hussars, a cavalry unit When things quieted down, Churchill again world for want of a little courage”. destined for India. looked for action. This time his mother helped If you desire to become a more courageous His long-term goal was to enter politics, as his him get into the 21st Lancers in Cairo, Egypt. person, do the following, one, look for courage father had, but first he wanted to make a name With them he participated in what came to be inside, not outside yourself. Two, grow in for himself in the Armed Forces. While waiting the last great cavalry charge in the history of courage by doing the right thing instead of to go to India, in eagerness for action, he joined the British Army. the expedient thing. Three, take small steps of with Spanish forces in combat in Cuba, as an On their way to Khartoum, his unit spotted courage to prepare you for greater ones. Your observer to test his mettle, Churchill later 150 enemy spearmen. The British charged life changes when you change something you write, “I thought it might be as well to have a them, only to find that they had ridden into a do everyday. private rehearsal, a secluded trial trip in order trap. They ended up in fierce hand to hand Four, recogiuse that a leadership position to make sure the ordeal was not unsuited to combat. Within two minutes, 119 British Army won’t give you courage, but courage can make my temperament.” And Churchill proved him- horses lay wounded, 21 soldiers killed and 50 you a leader. Five, watch your horizons, expand self courageous under fire and was even given more wounded. Churchill unscathed with his with each courageous act. the cross of the order of military merit. unit victorious.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

COVER

Candidates writing JAMB Exam in one of the centres in Lagos last month (Insert: Sulaimon)

DEBO OLADIMEJI finds out the reasons for the poor performances of students in the last Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). EYOND the inadequate library facilities, sevB eral reasons have been given for the failure of students in the last Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). With the advancement in technology, students now devise new methods to cheat during UTME. “This is due to the corruption in the society. Everybody wants the easiest way to make money. Students don’t want to read again,” said Mrs Yetunde Oluwatoyin, a teacher in Ikeja Junior High School, Lagos. Oluwatoyin who was one of the supervisors of the last UTME, disclosed that many of the students who prepared well for the exams allowed themselves to be misled by the wrong answers they got from the Internet. “So many of them just copied the wrong answers,” she said. She added that even some of them brought two Blackberry phones to the exam hall. “They dropped one phone at the entrance and smuggled the other one into the examination hall,” she said. The supervisors had a tough time investigating the students who were scrolling and copying the answers from their phones. She also blamed the Special Tutorial Centres for the failure of the students in the last UTME. “Most of the students had to go to their special centres to get the answers to the UTME questions. They came late and said that they missed their centre. Students ought to know their centres a day before the exams so that they will not have any excuse to come late for the exams,” she reasoned. Oluwatoyin accused some of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) officials of aiding and abetting the students to cheat. “They will bring the answer to the question paper for the students during the examination,” she said. It is now as if teachers are forcing the them to read, she says. “Even the government once said that there should be extra lesson after school hours. “That we should teach the students from 2.30 to 3.30pm. Some of them will doze off, you will have to force them to wake up. Yet, it is as if we are not doing anything but we are trying our best,” she said. Oluwatoyin opined that parents are not helping matters. “Some of them will come to the school to beg the teachers that their children should not be made to repeat the class that they failed. Some of them will say: ‘My husband has two wives and I am the second wife. The first wife’s child is performing very well. Please just help me to promote my child. Anything you want we will give you.’ Some parents will

‘Why Candidates Fail UTME Exam’ come to us during UTME that we should allow the children to cheat. And we refuse.” Some of the private schools, she said, are fond of writing the answers on the board for the students to copy during the West African School Certificate exams. “They don’t fail. They even have special centres they registered their students for UTME,” she said. Her colleague, Areola Babatunde, a teacher in Ikeja Junior High School said that some of the students don’t have role models again educationally. “Members of the society are more conscious of material things. And everybody wants to have quick money. You see students miming songs of successful artists, but they are not serious about their studies,” he said. Babatunde lamented that some of the students are also looking up to the wrong people. “Tell them to sit down and read. No way. They want to be like a star who made it not through education. It is impacting negatively on their studies and the standard of education. “With good parentage coupled with teachers’ efforts, there is a future for a few students that are serious,” he said. Adeleke Adebajo, a staff of Vono Products Plc, Lagos disclosed that the reasons for the mass failure of students in the last UTME are multifaceted: “Unlike in the past when the students were dedicated to their studies, nowadays, social media is taking most of their time.” Also, teachers nowadays, he said, are not as dedicated to their work as in the past. “Some of them also have other businesses and they are saying that the rewards of teachers are no more in heaven but here on earth,” he added. Adebajo said that all hands must be on deck to change the situation. “The teachers must be dedicated to their work. The students must also know that their own destiny is in their hands,” he said. He urged the students to use the Internet for things that will add value to their education. “Parents should inculcate the reading culture in their children. Instead of reading, the children prefer to sit down and watch football. As the saying goes, he said. Adebajo suggested that the government formulates policies that will improve the reading culture. “In the past, students had one hour for prep after school hours. But nowadays, I don’t think that there is anything like that,” he said.

He also wants the government to equip the libraries in the public schools. “The Internet cannot replace books, it can only complement it. The book aspect must not be allowed to fade off. Information that you cannot get in books, you can get them in the Internet,” he said. Mrs. Wemimo Olasanya, a Lagos based trader, said that students have not been working hard to pass the UTME. “They have not been burning candles. They think more of technology, browsing with their phones or going to cybercafé. They should dedicate their time to their studies,” she advised. She said that she usually wakes up her children in the night to read. “I think we should encourage our children to wake up in the night and read. If they can read at least two or three hours every night, they will catch-up,” she said. Olasanya also said parents should stop encouraging their children to go to special tutorial centres. “At the end of the day, when the certificates are bought, the children cannot defend them.” She also wants the government to improve the state of the public school libraries. “They should provide current textbooks for the students. They need good textbooks to improve their vocabulary and their performances in UTME.” Mrs Esther Okojie, a teacher in Army Cantonment Junior Secondary School, Maryland, Lagos said that there is a kind of disparity between rural and urban schools: “ I have been privileged to teach in a school in a rural area. I discovered that some of the students in Senior Secondary School cannot even spell their names correctly.” She also corroborated that fact that parents don’t want their children to repeat a class. “In those days, if you fail a particular class, you repeat. Today, there it is not so especially in private schools. But in the public schools, if a child fails, he or she repeats that class,” she said. She also said some children are not mature enough to be admitted into secondary school. “I was 12 years before I entered secondary school”. Alhaji Lawal Gbeleola, Mr Jamiu Ilori (traders) and Rev. Michael Abikoye of Foursquare Church in Ijegun all say parents are to blame for the poor performances of their children in last UTME. “Parents prefer to register their children in special centres. Instead of reading, the children are

always glued to the screen, watching movies. “It is true that the libraries are not adequate. But even if they equip the public school libraries, are the students ready to make good use of them? Go to the National Library in Yaba, you will hardly find the students there. The solution is to go back to moral education,” they said. Mrs Florence Olatunji Florence, Librarian of Oregun Senior High School, Lagos said that the Lagos State government has already provided books for the libraries in public schools. “Even in each class, they gave the students textbooks. But some of them are not ready to learn at all. “After the school hours, most of them go and learn another job. So they prefer that job. It could be how to repair generator or how to become a mechanic. But some of them are ready to learn,” she said. Olatunji said the solution is to pray for the students because the teachers are doing their best. But she said that the government should still provide more books for the public school libraries. “We need more science and commercial textbooks. They introduced new subjects for the students. We need textbooks for Office Practice in the Library,” she said. She also said that some of the students will borrow textbooks and will not return them. “But they won’t be given their testimonial without returning the books,” she was quick to add. Mrs King I.F, Principal of Oregun Senior High School, said the Lagos State Ministry of Education has a comprehensive report of the reasons why the students are not doing well in UTME. “We have a functional library and our students go there to read,” she said. To Hon. Noibi Sulaimon, Special Adviser to the Chairman of Kosofe Local Government (Lagos) on Environment, students don’t prepare for the UTME. “They look for other means to assist themselves to pass the exams. If care is not taken, the standard of education in Nigeria will fall drastically.” He urged parents to ensure that their children cultivate the reading culture from the foundation. He gave kudos to Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos State for doing his best to provide jobs for unemployed graduates. “At the same time, it is not everybody that can have a the white collar job. That is why we have all these skills acquisition centres which people should embrace on,” he said. He urged the government not to rest on its oars to equip the public schools with good textbooks. Mrs Gbemi Rufai, the chairman Planning Committee of International Inner Wheel District 911, Awareness Campaign on HIV-AIDS and Drug Abuse summed it up: “Charity, they say, begins at home. Parents should not leave everything to the teachers. Teachers are there to guide the children while they are in school but at home, you should ensure that they read their textbooks,” she said.

TheGuardian

13| THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Politics An Unusual Lull Before The Fireworks In Race To Succeed Obi In Anambra From Chuks Collins, Awka

ARRING any unforeseen situation, the 2014 Anambra State governorship election to choose a replacement for the outgoing incumbent, Mr. Peter Obi, would come up between November this year and January next year, while the swearing-in would hold on March 17, next year. But curiously, apart from Walter Ubaka Okeke, Andy Uba, Hygers Ifeanyi Igwebike, Alex Obiogbolu, Annie Okonkwo, Akachukwu Nwamkpo, Ifeanyi Ubah, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Obinna Uzor, Tony Nwoye, Goddy Ezeemo and some hush-hush squeals from the camps of other likely, but visibly shy aspirant, no one else has come out publicly to declare their intention to contest. However, the list of such probable aspirants has continued to mount with each passing day. So far, Emma Anosike, Chinedu Idigo, Dubem Obaze, Emma Nweke, Tony Nnacheta and Oseloka Obaze, Basil Iwuoba, Nnamdi Ekweogwu and Patrick Obianwu have been linked to the polls. Also, Chukwuma Soludo, Chris Ngige, Chinedu Emeka, John Emeka, Dora Akunyili and the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, have all been variously speculated to be nursing idea to contest. But none of them has opened up on the rumours. There are evidently some, whose pastime, platform and perhaps strategy remain badly positioned unauthorised billboards along some roads and street corners in the state, especially Awka, the state capital. These have been described in some political circles as ‘political neophytes,’ who want to test the waters with just billboards, but lack the nerves to come out openly to be identified properly. Again, there were some who neither have a named address, political platform, billboard or any other form of guts other than a one-colour, one-quarter page flier usually handed out at any public event or gathering in the state, sometimes to some visibly reluctant minors to distribute. They shy away from even phone calls.

Ngige

Uba

Obi Even the hitherto ubiquitous Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not really shown any of its traditional patterns of a larger than life approach to activities. The state chairman, Ken Emeakayi, cut short his ward tour abruptly for no reasons and has since remained in Abuja, sorting things out with the Wadata Plaza chiefs. But he was quick to disclose that all machineries were intact and he would only have to call a meeting as soon as the need arises and duties would be assigned. He said the issue of which zone produces the next governor remains in the hands of the electorate, adding that if such would be zoned, the citizens would have to agree on it. Most of the talk about zoning is coming from people of the Anambra North zone, who apparently believe that since Obi has been trumpeting it that he would be succeeded by someone from the zone, it is now theirs for grabs, willy-nilly, thereby making it an allcomers affair. State Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Sam Oraegbunam, had noted that “Obi is only speaking his mind and personal wish” and “not for APGA or anyone else,” as he “does not in any way have the mandate to speak for the embattled party now, because most of the billboards and declarations already seen and made have been mostly by members of his party from the Central and the South zones.” He stated that LP would give everyone a level playing field to choose someone that would take the state to the next level. Unfortunately, despite the hordes of aspirants, there is an unusual lull in political activities in the state and arguments vary on the reasons for this, even though Oraegbunam said his party was ready to go to the polls any

saying: “Power is never given, but taken.” He pointed out that some financiers of the party, including Emeka Offor (South), Mike Nwakalor (North) and Arthur Eze (Central) have variously undertaken to sort out things in their respective zones, so as to return the party to its winning ways again. Okey Umeano, state Chairman and governorship candidate of the newly registered United Progressives Party (UPP), said the party was now ready, after setting up structures at both the state, council and ward levels. He admitted that since all other older parties were in crises, his UPP took into consideration all such issues and has guarded against them. Umeano does not have confidence in Obi on the zoning issue and his having the prerogative to produce the next governor, saying the Obi has no locus standi to determine for the about seven million citizens who would be their next governor. Oraegbunam posited that beyond being a team player, the next governor must be all that Obi was not; a person with the zeal and unrivalled passion for service, someone willing to make the state an A-grade state again. Little wonder Igwebike, a new face in the contest, but a long-standing political tactician and standard bearer of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), said he chose to contest and win because the state has come to a time when a man with knack for human and material resource development took over the leadership. He blamed the elites, who he alleged have no personalised relationship with the state, for the poor state of affairs, insisting: “They come in and go, yet the state remains the same old decrepit arena, because they did not school, live or do business here; hence know nothing about the people’s challenges.” Amechi Obidike, state Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) stated that his partime. ty’s current restructuring efforts were aimed “We are ready for the polls and have conclud- at keeping it and members in top shape for ed restructuring our party’s executives in the the election and the doors of his party open to state, councils and the 326 wards. We have new members. been meeting regularly to rub minds with our members on the way forward towards a very CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 successful outing in the forthcoming governorship election in the state,” he stated. Oraegbunam disclosed that whatever they were doing was to equip candidates that would emerge on the platform of the party, adding that some of the potential aspirants, who had meetings with him, were waiting for the guidelines on the election from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); hence they don’t want to jump the gun. Emma Obiora, who led a failed rally to upstage the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, said the party was ever ready for any election. He acknowledged the existence of crises within the PDP in the state, which culminated Uzor in the loss of the 2010 governorship election. “But presently, the elders, stakeholders and committed members all over the country have been brainstorming to unite the members once again,” he emphasised. Obiora said it was expected that the party would come up with a vibrant executive to lead members to a resounding victory in all the elections henceforth. On why virtually all the political parties have maintained an uncanny docility few months to the election, he reckoned that they were waiting for the PDP to take the first step. “Once we galvanise and come up with a candidate that will be the pride of all, they will all surrender,” Obiora enthused. He also dismissed Obi’s trumpeting of zoning the next governorship to Anambra North,

Ubah

14 |

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

POLITICS

Echoes Of Edo Council Polls From Stakeholders, Monitors

Oshiomhole From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City HE Edo local council election held three weeks ago have continued to generate controversies across the country, not because of the outcome of the election but because of the dramatis persona, Governor Adams Oshiomhole who popularized the mantra - one man, one vote. While election monitoring had previously helped to give a proper perspective of what transpired in an election, identifying the lapses and advising on ways forward, the recent exercise, as revealed over the weekend, indicated that the reports of some observers were far from being a fair presentation of what happened on Election Day. Addressing the media recently, the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) lampooned some election monitors and observers who it alleged where masquerading for some political interests, going by reports they have been publishing on the April 20, 2013 council polls. A member of the Commission, Professor Stanley Orobatror said many of the selfacclaimed election monitors who have been condemning the election in Abuja were those persons that did not meet the criteria for monitoring of election and also failed to force the commission into paying them for monitoring

the election. He said 104 individuals and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) applied to be accredited but that on assessing their applications, “it was discovered that most of these applicants belonged to unregistered bodies while some had forged registration certificates. The commission then screened the applications and reduced the number considerably and issued letters of acceptance indicating the absence of any financial commitment.” He said the commission was shocked when some of them arrived two days before the election and started demanding for money to enable them monitor the election while others came two days after the election demanding that the Commission offset their bills. “It became imperative for the Commission to explain to the observers that it never budgeted for their payment. Embittered by this development, some of them who never submitted any report of their observations of the elections to the Commission went to Abuja to organise a press conference to condemn the election.” He said the Commission “views the action of some of these observers as patently political and unhelpful to the course which they purport to pursue.” He said the so-called observers did not monitor election as is done in civilised world to point out areas of lapses and forward same to the body for correction neither did they do anything to ensure free and fair election. Besides, another coalition of groups, under the aegis of International Coalition of Independent Election Observers (ICIEO), hailed the elections, describing the exercise as one of the best in the nation’s history. On his part, the Coordinator, Justice Research Centre, Nigeria and Geneva, Paul Moore and Inwalomhe Donald of ICIEO praised the EDSIEC Chairman, Solomon Ogoh, for what they termed as “his conduct of free, fair and credible council polls in the 18 local council areas of the state.” They said that 66 foreign and local civil society groups and other stakeholders were accredited to observe the elections. “Conducting elections in river-rine communities portends certain challenges but EDSIEC performed very well. EDSIEC should build upon it to ensure effective distribu-

tion of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials for future elections,” they said in a joint statement. Meanwhile admitting that the late arrival of materials almost marred the exercise in some areas, the umbrella body of NGOs, Conference of Non Governmental Organisations (CONGOS) however dissociated itself from a proposed onemillion-man march against the exercise just as it said the alleged conveners of the march, Coalition of Civil Societies to Save Edo State was not known by registered non-governmental organisation and civil society organisations in the state. Addressing the media in Edo state, President of CONGOS, Jude Obasanmi, said the group, made up of over 130 NGOs, CSOs, Faith-Based Organisations, and Community-Based Organisations, strongly believe that those planning the said protests have some personal interests, which they want to promote using unsuspecting youths and members of associations. In the aftermath of the polls, several groups in Abuja including faith-based associations have condemned the poll, saying it was “fixed” in government house while some even called for cancellation of the exercise and the conduct of a fresh one. But independent observers have continuously said that despite the shortcomings of late arrival of materials, the election complied substantially with electoral regulations. Coming from an unusual quarter, the Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP), which at some point was very critical of all actions of the state government, agreed that despite the late arrival of materials, election held in several places. Its chairman, who is also the National Secretary of Accord Party, Samson Isibor said his party even won some polling units in Uhumnownde local government council. Isibor commended the chairman of EDSIEC, Solomon Ogor who he said despite the hitches, displayed a high level of sincerity in his mission. “Do you know that in remote villages like Idibo, Udeni, Ewoghan villages of Uhumwode council, where it is difficult to reach because of the roads, election took place there. Accord Party candidate won in some units in that area,

what else do we say about that.” Field reports in many parts of state were unanimous that materials arrived late but voting went on in several places. For instance, in Akoko-Edo local council and other parts of Edo North, apart from an incident at a polling unit in Ward I, which led to the cancellation of that unit, and a case of attempted ballot snatching in another unit in Ward 8, there were no negative reports from the remaining eight wards in the council. It was the same story for Owan West where the only reported case was the attempt on the life of former deputy governor of the state, Rev Peter Obadan who was shot at by two gunmen on a motorcycle in Sabongida Ora. Obadan is a chieftain of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). One of the assailants later died after falling from the bike when Obadan’s police orderly returned fire. In Edo Central, the battle ground was Esan North East being the home of Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih and Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, where election is still inconclusive due to violence traced to supporters of both parties. Election was postponed on the 20th due to late arrival of materials but was cancelled on the rescheduled date of April 24. On the said date, there were reports of forced compilation of two sets of results; one allegedly by EDSIEC Unit returning officials supervised by suspected PDP supporters and another by the Commission’s Ward returning officials allegedly supervised by suspected ACN supporters. This led to the cancellation. In Edo South where election was postponed in two councils of Ikpobha-Okha and Oredo, there were no reported cases of disturbance and expectedly, the ACN won all the chairmanship positions. Observers believe that the ACN demonstrated more commitment to the election even though it was in power than the opposition PDP, which initially gave discordant tunes as to whether it would participate in the election or not. And in spite of the challenges and controversies that have trailed it, analysts are of the opinion that it remains a comparatively very fair election.

...The Race for Anambra Governorship Seat CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 He said the political lull in the state could be because no one wants to jump the gun, since INEC was yet to release the timetable and guidelines for the polls. He also pointed out that the state was known to be politically expensive; hence aspirants have been tactful not to come out so early to avoid burning out before the actual contest kicks off proper. On the zoning arrangement that appears to favours Anambra North, Obidike who hails from Aguleri, Anambra East Council, which is part of the zone, said he likes the idea, but would naturally abide by whatever decision his party comes up with. State Chairman of the CPC, Chuba Ikeagwu, said despite the absence of open campaigns, the parties, members and aspirants have been busy with numerous underground consultations in readiness for the INEC green light. Taking a cursory look at the various parties, he noted that the last party to pose a threat in the poll would be APGA, considering its festering internal crises and seeming irreconcilable differences among its leaders. He, therefore, anticipated a situation where his party would sail smoothly into the Government House, Awka in March next year. However, there have been some serious political undercurrents among the top contenders, especially in PDP. Walter Okeke, who has been described as the current political wonder, appear to be upstaging the usual known, but constantly bickering warhorses, including Uba, Ukachukwu and Soludo. The other leg of the tripod has Ngige, Okonkwo and Ubah. But political analysts believe (Walter) Okeke might run on the platform of the PDP, Ngige in the emerging All Progressive Congress (APC), Uba in UPP and Ubah or Ukachukwu in LP. Every apprehension hitherto held about the Emeakayi executive in the state was laid to rest with the setting up of and the presentation of the report by the Justice Paul Obidigwe-led Harmonisation and Reconciliation Committee midweek. One thing has been ascertained, almost with conclusion, which is that the worst nightmare of Uba and Ukachukwu is having the Emeakayi executive leading the party to the primaries and election proper. The duo were alleged to have dissipated so much energy try-

ing to replace the Emeakayi executive, despite the intervention of nine Anglican Bishops, though they agreed to abide by whatever decision the clerics came up with. It is expected that political and indeed electioneering campaigns would pick up in due course once INEC releases the

timetable and guidelines for the election. As things stand, there are nor clear favourites, both in terms of aspirants and political parties, making observers to believe that there might be a level-playing field at the end of the day.

Lighthouse

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

Truth Has No Elder Brother...

Gani Adams And Other Men Of Faith R

EPORTS reached me lately of a Christian woman threatening to leave her equally Christian husband because bullets rained on the man by armed robbers who invaded their home fell off the fellow harmlessly. In fact, the robbers fled in fright. The woman’s grouse is that all the while both of them were attending church faithful like “children of God”, She never dreamed her husband packed such devilish power. Imaging. O woman of little faith! Does she not believe that the power of Jesus can render bullets harmless? The first time the robbers called on the same house, I hear, an attempt was made to molest this same woman. But this same husband, God bless him, recited some Psalms and ordered the robbers to try their luck elsewhere. And the robbers filed out obediently without harming anybody.

Gani Adams

It’s this same woman who is now threatening this able protector. Well, let her leave him. I’m sure there are many Christian women out there eager to fill her place. When shall some women learn to be grateful for big mercies? Has this woman not read of Jesus ordering the storm to “sharrap”? And it did. That’s Ase. But of course the Hebrew, Greek or the English won’t call it that because they did not speak Yoruba. The other day too, while Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, he was angered by the uncooperative attitude of a fig tree. The naughty tree did not fruit out of season. So, when Jesus sought fruit on it, he found none. And Jesus cursed it. Put in Yoruba: Jesu ta a l’ase. (Matthew 21:18-19). Of course again, you don’t expect that Yoruba phrase in the Bible because the account was written in Greek. Well, I deliberately held back this next one. There was this occasion when Jesus preached in the synagogue of his own village of Nazareth. Somehow, the congregation did not like his candour. And they mobbed Jesus. The mob dragged him outside the synagogue towards the cliff with the evil intent of pushing him to his death (Luke 4:26-30). But what happened? The son of Mary vanished. O poora. That’s Afeeri Jesus probably hung up a leg to break the circuit of visibility. O ka’se ro. But in fact, it could actually have been outright teleportation: Egbe Yoruba people say Ohun agba fi nje’ko abe ewe l’owa. (what the wise elder uses to complement Eko meal is hidden under the leave wrappings). You don’t expect Jesus to broadcast his secrets to Omoaraye. In fact, he was wisely secretive. He told and showed some things to only his innermost caucus of three with strict instruction not to tell others. Phillip, one of the disciples apparently inherited Jesus’ egbe skill. Shortly after baptizing an Ethiopian eunuch, we are told, he demate-

rialized at that point to rematerialize in Azotus several kilometers away (Acts 8: 38 40). That’s egbe. But they won’t call it that. Sometimes in 1981, Pope John Paul II was shot twice in the chest. But for an emergency surgery, the pontiff would probably have passed on. How could an Ogberi snuff life out of an awo just like that? The church could have been saved that embarrassment, if the Pope had moved closer to Pa Abraham Adesanya (now late). Sharp shooter(s) wielding the best gun(s) in town rained bullets on Abraham Adesanya’s car —- up to 25 by some account! None touched him. It was not a case of missed target. The bullets penetrated the car alright. The bullet holes were there. But neither Adesanya nor his driver was touched. Adesanya headed to church to give glory to God. And God accepted his thanks. Halleluyah! You see, Adesanya was a man of faith. He knew the power of Jesus could stop bullets… Many in the audience were aghast last year when the National Coordination of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams, disclosed that he’s a Christian who attends church. How could he be a Christian? They obviously wondered when so many miracles occur in his life? You see, Brother Gani Adams is a man of courage —-and faith. No wonder miracles are common in his life. There is so little faith around nowadays. That’s why when some miracles happen today, many Christians are quick to attribute them to non-Christian powers. Should a pastor or reverend in full regalia be stabbed in the thick of a revival or fellowship, and the knife/dagger fails to penetrate, the congregation won’t shout “Praise The Lord!” Why? Or will they? Why is it that what is unanimously acclaimed as “miracle” inside the Bible is condemned as devilish when it occurs outside it?

Yemi Ogunsola yemiogunsola@gmail.com 08069074718 No wonder Jesus wondered shortly before he left our planet whether he would meet faith on his return. Lets round off with a story I witnessed it. But you don’t have to believe me. A certain neighbourhood in Ibadan was once under siege by robbers. Bandits stormed the area three times within a month – looting, raping and killing. The first time they called, the robbers raided the houses one after the other. Bu they omitted the compound of an Egba Muslim in the same neigbhourhood. Nobody in the compound was molested not to talk of killed. Some neighbours claimed that those two times, the robbers got to the door but they turned back for no apparent reason. This compound boasted no fence. And the door was never locked even before the robbers’ siege. Rumours made the rounds after the second robbery that the Baba Egba was either in league with the robbers or he was definitely using jazz. I was one of those who subsequently preached in my church then against seeking protection from the Devil. Baba Egba never bothered to respond to all the allegations. At least, not in public. Then the robbers came the third time. It was around 10pm. Of course, by then many had lost faith in the security of their fences and iron doors. You needed to see how men of all faiths shamelessly fled to Baba Egba’s house. Many who remained in their houses that night suffered various injuries from the robbers. But as many as sought refuge in Baba Egba’s residence were “saved”. Baba Egba’s house was in darkness all the while the robbers operated. After they left the neighbourhood, the lights were switched on. You won’t believe the faces I saw. The very first person I noticed was myself…

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

Spotlight on Home Options Home Options...Live well HE Nigerian Furniture and Allied Industry is an evolving one with many foreign and local players. However, in the last 10 years, aided by democracy and the emerging middle class with sizeable disposable cash; style and luxury goods are becoming regular items in Homes. One of the leading indigenous brands helping to achieve such dreams is Home Options Group. The company was set up as a medium construction company and also serves as a major supplier of top quality finishing materials to construction and property development companies and stylish home makers in Nigeria. Incorporated in 2000 to cater for the growing discerning clientele with sound construction operations; Home Options group deals in contemporary and classical home & office Furniture, latest Electronics/Home Appliances and unique Sanitary Wares with its accessories. The Company is strategically positioned to address the taste of the upwardly mobile individuals and Corporate Organisations for the best of quality in home finishing. To effectively achieve this, the company has

contact offices and branches in Lagos, Abuja and Akure with headquarters at 18/20 Aba-PH Road, Rivers State. Home Options is a direct representative of many renowned companies in Europe which include Pamesa Ceramica, Grespania S.L, Mariner, Sanindusa, Maro, Profim, Tres, MAB, etc. The pedigree of qualified professionals at Home Options’ disposal is perhaps the cutting edge. Specific and well defined attention to details is given to every project while its

customer service is unrivalled. Its array of products and services include Tiles, Sanitary Wares, Home and Office Furniture, Home Appliances/Electronics, Bathroom Accessories, Interior Designs Consultancy, Land and Property Acquisitions and Project Management. The time has come for Nigerians to patronise Nigeria’s Companies. Home Options has amply demonstrated its capacity to meet the stylish aspirations of her clients and would-be clients with solid and up-to-date

designs. As the saying goes, the taste of the pudding is in the eating. Walk into Home Options’ showrooms to see firsthand their array of outstanding products. Better still, you can make enquiries by calling 08037746145 or 08099808673. You can also visit them online at www.homeoptionsng.com. The Managing Director, Mr. Eric Ibini insists that Home Options is all about living well which is very cheering news to all style loving Nigerians!

TheGuardian

Saturday, May 11, 2013 17

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Love&Life

... Celebrating The Feelings You Share!

With Michael Uchebuaku

True Confession: ‘The Stressful Nature Of My Job Is Making Me Impotent!’

Special Requests Chukwuemeka, 52, in Lagos, needs a good wife of 30-36 years. 08109851241.

Of Amaka. 08086942601.

Love Adventure: ‘How I Set A Trap For My Husband’s Mistress And She Fell Into It!’

Agulu Crocodile Lake:

Haven Of Sacred Crocodiles!

Professionals Dr Paul, in South Africa, needs a light skinned, pretty, graduate lady or Youth Corps Member of 2535 years for marriage. +27737665308. *If you’re a single & searching nurse, doctor /professional, call/text 07031028714. Blackberry Pin(g) Connect: Exclusive Dating & Marriage Forum For The Smartphone Community Wunmi, 29, from Lagos, needs a graduate, employed, Christian Yoruba guy of 30-35 years. 08023394030. BB PIN 295933DD. Ola, 30, in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy. 08027559545. BB PIN. 28BA2B43. *Connect to Mike on WhatsApp or BlackBerry Pin: 21978F71 for details on how to send your BlackBerry or Smartphone Connect request. Women Looking For Relationship/Marriage Tola, 26, undergraduate, humble and nice, needs a graduate, working man of 30-40 years for a serious relationship. 08143151178. Joy, 27, tall, a Youth Corps member in Ondo, responsible and caring, needs a responsible man for marriage. 08028130246. Anita, 22, pretty, smart and intelligent, needs a man of 35-50 years based in Owerri or Enugu for a serious relationship. 08127817975. Sylvia, 21, needs a rich man that will aid her through her education and for a serious relationship. 08030701522. Tolulola, 28, sexy, busty, romantic, graduate, needs a romantic man of 36-50 years for a serious relationship. 08025423398. Deola, 35, tall, slim, educated, selfemployed, needs a mature, educated and responsible man in the South West for marriage. 08039636075. BB PIN 26D7E82B.

Romantic Jokes Link-Up (Love/Dating Connections)

True Confession From Abroad: Rihanna Parties Bra-Less After Brown Split

Love News ‘And I Took My Sister’s Child Away From Her!’

Love Connections

Princess

IN THIS EDITION

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

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

‘How I Set A Trap For My Husband’s Mistress–And She Fell Into It’ • A Heart-Stopping Confession To Strike Fear Into Every Love Cheat... By Sadie Nicholas NE spring day seven years ago, an amateur detective mission I’d set myself came to fruition. I had amassed the clues and every shred of evidence. I was closing in on my quarry. I can still feel my thudding heart and the dizzy wave of nausea as the moment approached when I would finally confront ‘her’—the other woman, the mistress, the bit on the side! Whatever name I chose to call her, she amounted to the same thing. She was the woman with whom my husband, Stephen, was conducting an affair. The woman for whom he was willing to sacrifice our seven-year marriage and the happy home we’d built for our two sons. And she was here, seated on this train. All I had to do was keep my nerve and find her. Scanning the passengers, I began: ‘Excuse me, is there anyone on board called Sandra?’ I was surprised when a bleached blonde woman — slim, tall and a good eight years younger than me—stood up. ‘I’m Sandra,’ she said. Her look of blank perplexity turned to shock when I replied: ‘And I’m Karen, your lover’s wife.’

Love Adventure I watched the colour drain from her face and in that instant I felt the world recede. I could not tell you how the other passengers reacted. All I knew was that my detective work had paid off. Here I was, face to face with the woman who’d destroyed my life! Until then, I’d envisaged Stephen’s lover as a younger and more successful version of me. Yet, here she was in cheap jeans, a fake Donna Karan handbag and a lurid purple vest top. I felt relieved, but also perplexed, that she wasn’t what I call his type. She was several inches taller than him for a start. I simply couldn’t picture them together. Sandra, meanwhile, was dumbstruck. She meekly followed me off the train, through the station and into a cafe. ‘I knew we’d get found out. He was being so reckless,’ she spluttered. This was swiftly followed by her first ‘I’m sorry’, then another and another. On autopilot, I ordered coffee. Sandra proceeded to tell me everything. She’d met my husband in the bar where she worked as a barmaid. They’d been sleeping together for more than four

months. She was almost 20 years his junior. I bled her for every detail, bar the intimate sexual ones, which, for the sake of my already shredded confidence, I didn’t want to know. And Sandra, in her soft Welsh accent, told me Stephen had fed her all the usual clichés: his wife didn’t understand him and we were more like brother and sister. I shuddered with indignation when she revealed how he had told her the insulting lie that I wore winceyette nighties in bed. ‘My God, and you’re really pretty, too!’ she exclaimed. Stephen had clearly enjoyed embroidering the fiction that I had long since stopped bothering about my appearance. So how did I find myself in a coffee shop talking to the woman who was sleeping with my husband? To understand why I was suspicious of my husband, you need to understand the background. I met Stephen when I was in my early 20s and running a design agency in Birmingham. Then in his late 30s, Stephen had attended a top London public school before going to Reading University. He was suave, attentive and self-assured: a typical product of his elite education and privileged background. We started dating in 1997 and moved to

Devon, where we bought a thatched cottage. In December the following year, our first son, who’s now 14, was born. The following March we married and two months later we moved to New York with Stephen’s job as a director of a property consultancy. Looking back, his behaviour towards me changed almost as soon as we were wed. In New York, bowed down by the stress of a high-powered job, he became irascible. I made excuses for him: his job, I told myself, was taking its toll. We moved again with Stephen’s work, to Hong Kong in 2001, and a year later our second son, now 10, arrived. By 2004, we were back in Britain, again in Devon, where we bought a rambling former rectory in three acres, with five rundown cottages that I renovated as luxury holiday lets. Stephen set up his own consultancy in Birmingham, where we bought an apartment in the city centre. To be continued CULLED FROM: www.dailymail.co.uk. *Do you have an amazing or adventurous love experience to share? Tell us how you met. E-mail your story to: ireto007@yahoo.com. Call 07031028714, 07032944123.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

18 |

LOVE&LIFE Dear Love Doctor, The stressful nature of my work is almost making me impotent. My wife left me because I was always too tired to have sex with her. She walked away when she found out that I couldn’t satisfy her in bed anymore. I’m 43 and my marriage ended four years ago. I can see now it was largely my fault – I have a demanding job and was obsessed with work. My wife got fed up with me working seven days a week. I tried to get on with my life and then met this woman 18 months later. She’s a bit of a workaholic too so she was much more understanding about my working hours than my wife. But the trouble was that two demanding careers took their toll. One of us was always tired – too tired to keep having the fantastic sex we’d

Romantic Jokes Frequent Questions And Answers

Q: What did the hurricane say to the coconut palm tree? A: Hold on to your nuts, this is no ordinary blowjob! Q: What have a condom and a coffin got in common? A: They both hold stiffs but one is cumin and one is going! Q: When is a man most intelligent, before, after or during sex? A: During sex cuz he’s plugged up to the knowledge source! Q: Why do women like to have sex with the lights off? A: They can’t stand to see a man have a good time!

Words Of Wisdom Don’t expect too much from a new lover.

Love Dictionary

Who is a Mistress? mistress is a long-term female A lover and companion who is not married to her partner; the term is used especially when her partner is married. The relationship generally is stable and at least semi-permanent; however, the couple does not live together openly. Also the relationship is usually, but not always, secret. There is an implication that a mistress may be “kept”—i.e., that the lover is paying for some of the woman’s living expenses. The word mistress was originally used as a neutral counterpart to mister or master.

‘Help! The Stressful Nature Of My Job Is Making Me Impotent’ had at the beginning of the relationship. She went away on work earlier this year and when she returned we had a massive row. I’d been too busy and was too tired to make love to her. It felt like the situation with my wife all over again. She walked out on me too. Since then, I’ve been dating two other girls, but I don’t feel anything much for them, it’s just about sex really. One keeps pressing me to make a commitment, which I won’t

new relationship. Both girls in your life right now have their own agendas and are give. The other is using me to get to making you feel used. Don’t stay just her ex, who she really wants. because you fear being alone. My life is a complete mess. I would Would your wife consider having give anything to get my wife back. you back again? Why don’t you try Advice: to reach out to your wife? You really It’s all too easy to assume that getneed to take time to rest from all the ting together with someone new will stress and reorganize your work solve the pain of your marital break- schedule if you are to make any relaup but unless you’ve learned from tionship work. Even if your wife says the break-up, all that happens is you no, you can be single and organized take your unresolved issues into a until the right person comes along.

True Confession

Your say: Do you have advice on this problem? Please share your thoughts. Call 07031028714 or 08131161840. *Send your comments/stories to Love Doctor. E-mail: ireto007@yahoo.com If you’re in a crisis, call 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641. For free marriage/relationships counseling, call Love Doctor Mike 07031028714, 08023700641 or Chris 08023913619. Visit www.romancestory.org

TRUE CONFESSION FROM ABROAD They say blood is thicker than water, and it’s true. I’ve always been there for my nephew James, and our relationship is one of the things I’m most proud of in life. We’ve battled together through some tough times, and I’m so glad he’s grown into such a confident young man. If you met him today, you’d be surprised by what he has been through. James’s father disappeared the moment he was born and his mother Sharon, my younger sister was left to care for him on her own. Only 19 when she fell pregnant, our family abandoned her, except for me. We fell in love with James the minute he opened his eyes. Although Sharon was scared, she swore she’d do everything in her power to raise him “the right way”. Unfortunately, those were just words. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when things began to crumble but I started to suspect Sharon was struggling. She’d never have enough nappies and would let dirty dishes pile up for days. I reminded myself that this was probably typical for a first-time mum. I visited her and James twice a week and helped out with what I could. When James turned one, Sharon decided she would not return to work or study. I was shocked. Sharon had plans for university and now had no interest in getting that “serious job” she’d dreamed of. Then she met Peter, who was in his late 40s. From the outset, Peter made it very clear he had no interest in being a father to James; he’d already raised his kids. Sharon accepted this, and he moved in within a month of them meeting. Peter was also a heavy drinker, and that’s when everything started to slide downhill. Peter parked himself on the couch for most of the day, chainsmoking and knocking back beers. Sometimes he was so spaced out he couldn’t hear James crying just feet away. “You’ve got to say something,” I warned Sharon, “I wouldn’t leave James alone with him.” Sharon looked ashamed and agreed that she’d talk to Peter about it. Six months later, Sharon was drinking nearly as much as him! They’d stay up all night and row; the police would arrive on their doorstep frequently. Now, I was visiting every day to make sure James was fed and

‘And I Took My Sister’s Child Away From Her’ changed. I felt the situation was deteriorating by the day. Peter’s friends visited at all hours of the night to drink and party. A cloud of thick cigarette smoke hung permanently over poor James’s head. “This has to stop. You’re not a teenager anymore, you’re a mother!” I yelled at my sister while collecting the pieces of a broken bottle off the floor. It broke my heart again and again. Sharon called me one day and begged me to take James to see a doctor. Fortunately, the doctor said James was a little dehydrated but other than that, he was quite healthy. I was incredibly relived, but things had to change. “I want James to come live with me,” I said to Sharon when I returned from the clinic, but it only made her angry.

“You can’t do any better! Look at you! You don’t have any kids!” she hissed and kicked me out of her apartment. I sat in the car and cried for over an hour. I’d never felt so helpless. For the next two weeks, I called Sharon every day and pleaded my case. She flat-out refused to let me even see James, and Peter threatened to “sort me out” if I ever showed up at their door. I was out of options and there was only one thing to do. I called the Department of Child Services. It was the most painful decision I’d ever had to make. The reports from the police and the doctor helped my case, and James was placed in temporary foster care and, eventually, with me. Last I heard, Sharon and Peter were still together and they’d had a baby girl.

Sharon and I spoke briefly after James was placed in my care. She accused me of ruining her life. I feel sad for losing my sister, but I don’t regret my decision. Now James is a stunning 17-yearold boy with dreams of university, just like his mother. And I’ll continue to guide him, as I’ve done since day one, because that’s what family is about. 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: womansday.ninemsn.com.au NB: Call Mike on +2347031028714 if you have a story from abroad to share with us.

Love Connection

man in Lagos, needs a working lady for marriage. 08168139954. Lorita, 23, needs a mature man Definition Chidi, 39, needs a good Christian for a relationship, and to take Historically, the term has denoted a woman of 30-39 years for mar“kept woman”, who was maintained care of her. 08148170337. riage. 08142375332. in a comfortable (or even lavish) Jenny, 26, from Enugu, living in Obinna, 38, from Anambra, fair, lifestyle by a wealthy man so that she Abuja, romantic, caring, a stubusinessman in Lagos, needs a will be available for his sexual pleasdent, needs a guy of 28 years+ for lady of 30-36years for marriage. ure. Such a woman could move true love. 07036482234. between the roles of a mistress and 08142062104. a courtesan depending on her situaOdion, 28, needs a working or Ty, 35, law student and businesstion and environment. In modern businessman of 35-40 years, man in Lagos, wants a pretty, times, however, the word “mistress” preferably a Northerner, for mar- mature, Christian, Yoruba girl of is used primarily to refer to the female lover of a man who is married riage. 08162496623, 07086515022. 24-30 years for a relationship. Chioma, 25, HIV-Positive, needs a 08093433082. to another woman; in the case of an unmarried man, it is usual to speak responsible, HIV-Positive man for Destiny, 28, slim, needs a humble, of a “girlfriend” or “partner.” marriage. 08167743874. beautiful and caring rich lady for Historically, a man “kept” a mistress. Wuraola, 26, student, from Osun, marriage. 07061252367. As the term implies, he was responsiBayo needs a slim, financially okay ble for her debts and provided for her wants a doctor and born- again Christian. 07062284186. in much the same way as he did his sugar mummy or sex mate not Kate, 40, from Ogun, wants a wife, although not legally bound to above 45 years. 08185123272. do so. In more recent times, it is more responsible, working man for Emmanuel, 30, needs a working likely that the mistress has a job of marriage. 08187222146. lady of 30 years+ for a relationher own, and is less, if at all, financialship. 08101525726. ly dependent on the man.[4] Victor, 30, from Imo, in Lagos, A mistress is not a prostitute: while a Men Looking For Relationship/Marriage mistress, if “kept”, may, in some needs an older woman for a serisense, be exchanging sex for money, Ezechi, 40, fair, 5.8ft, from Imo, ous relationship. 07064866179. BB the principal difference is that a misbusinessman in Lagos, needs a PIN 26733C42. tress has sex with fewer men and lady of 30 years+ for marriage. Lucky, 39, in Delta, needs a widow there is not so much of a direct quid 08134679413. or mature lady of 40 years+ for a CONTINUED ON PAGE 19 Chibuzor, 40, 6ft, dark, business- relationship. 08084851619.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

Adebayo, 37, 5.8ft, from Ado-Ekiti, self-employed, comfortable, needs a responsible workingwoman of 22-25 years for marriage. 08066554762. Man, 29, graduate waiting for NYSC mobilization, needs a working lady. 08148120278. Joe, 28, student, handsome, dark, 5.9ft, with open teeth, needs a romantic sugar mummy with a motherly heart. 08074567604. Val, 36, in Abuja, needs a sugar mummy in Abuja who likes oral sex. 08163569093. Timi, 34, 5.5ft, dark, in Lagos, electrical engineer, employed, needs a fair, pretty, graduate, working lady of 25-30 years for marriage. 08087219184. Paul, 33, Igbo, slim, handsome, businessman, needs a mature, fat, comfortable lady of 2530years for marriage. 08088229929. Romeo, 35, in Lagos, needs a supportive sugar mummy from any part of Nigeria. 08068553322. Lucky, 32, businessman in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy in Lagos.

08022400184, 08032942627. Jerry, 32, graduate, in Lagos, needs a caring sugar mummy of 32-45 years for a satisfying love affair. 08037245051, 08099351204. Chidera, 40, from Ebonyi, Civil Servant in Port Harcourt, needs a devoted Christian lady of 24-31years with a nice shape and very big bust for marriage. 08037317375. Handsome, 28, in Lagos, very handsome and hairy, needs a rich sugar mummy in Lagos who wants a private relationship. 07057246588. Davis, 33, cute, dark, in Lagos, needs a rich sugar mummy from any part of the country. 08172233174. * 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!

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

| 19

LOVE&LIFE

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

GULU Crocodile Lake is located along Awka A Road in Agulu, Aniocha Local Council of Anambra state. A potential tourist site, it is home to an estimated 300 crocodiles and water turtles. Fishing is not allowed on the lake and the crocodiles, being sacred animals to the people, cannot be killed. Legend says that these crocodiles were instrumental in delivering the town from enemy soldiers during the Nigerian civil war. It is believed that these sacred crocodiles and turtles transformed themselves into beautiful ladies and lured the soldiers unawares into the lake where they disappeared without trace. At noon, the crocodiles and the turtles appear at the banks of the lake to take in sunlight. Anambra State is one of the states with traditional attractions such as scared streams, lake, with potentials for investment and tourism development of which Agulu Lake is one. Agulu Lake is not a common lake: it is traditionally inclined, has cultural landmarks and is believed to be possessed by evil spirits. The lake is used for different spiritual rites performance for traditional worshippers and the water serves as a major source of medicine for different ailments. Interestingly, the traditional lake is also the source of Idemili River, which serves different communities of Anambra. The Lake is characterized by sacred and cultural landmarks of attraction which are gradually being devastated by natural and human factors of flooding, soil and gully erosion as well as landslides effects due to poorly consolidated geological formations, weathering and pollution. Finally, Agulu Lake offers tourists on excursion boat rides and entertainment. The traditional native doctors utilize the water for different medicaments, which are sold in bottles during the market day where people purchase them for various purposes. The lake also promotes the local economy through the fund generated from tourists and medicines sold by native doctors for treatment of V of several ailments. The lake is believe to cure the “Ogbanjes,” which are people possessed by evil spirits. Courtesy: anambra.org; logbabytours.blogspot.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.

Agulu Crocodile Lake: Haven Of Sacred Crocodiles! Love News

Rihanna Parties Bra-less After Brown Split IHANNA shows no sign of heartache as she R parties following her split from Chris Brown. The pop beauty cut a stunning figure as she observed the club-going masses from the loftiness of the VIP area at New York venue Greenhouse. Sipping icy cocktails, the singer sizzled as she went sans bra in a vest top that she tied up to reveal her toned tummy. She appeared in jolly spirits, sharing a laugh with a female companion and making hands gestures for the cameras following her nearby gig at the Barclays Center – the latest date on her Diamonds World Tour. Her merriment comes just days after Chris Brown announced their split, blaming their second break-up on her heavy workload. The R&B singer – who refers to Rihanna as Shawty – said: “I’m gonna do it solo. At the end of the day Shawty doing her own thing; she on the road. “It’s always gonna be love. I’m a grown man, just gotta fast forward. He said: “The way I look at it is, I’m always going to love that person, but people have differences, and people have different wants and needs. “At the end of the day she’s a young girl. “I can’t really be focused on wife-ing somebody that young, and I’m young too. “I just got to step forward and be the man and be the best Chris Brown I can be instead of worrying about whoever else is going to be in my side pocket.” Rihanna has stayed silent on their split so far. Her night-out followed her controversial gig in Boston the previous evening – when the charttopper turned up onstage THREE HOURS late. The 25-year-old was reportedly booed loudly at the rescheduled show – which she originally cancelled after falling ill with laryngitis. After a lengthy wait with no support acts, hordes of ticketholders were outraged that Rihanna performed for just one hour – and some even alleged that she mimed the entire gig. Courtesy: thesun.co.uk *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 three answers. Anita, 25, in Jos, on 07011495020, is asking all men: How do I know if a guy loves me? *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

Fertility Problems/Miscarriages/Seeking Male Child Do you have a sexually transmitted disease/infection; 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, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hook up.

Love Dictionary CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 pro quo between the money and the sex act. There is usually an emotional and possibly social relationship between a man and his mistress, whereas the relationship to a prostitute is predominantly sexual. It is also important that the “kept” status follows the establishment of a relationship of indefinite term as opposed to the agreement on price and terms established prior to any activity with a prostitute. History The historically best known and most-researched mistresses are the royal mistresses of European monarchs, for example, Agnes Sorel, Diane de Poitiers, Barbara Villiers, Nell Gwynand Madame de Pompadour. The keeping of a mistress in Europe was not confined to royalty and nobility but permeated down through the social ranks, essentially to any man who could afford to do so. Any man who could afford a mistress could have one (or more), regardless of social position. A wealthy merchant or a young noble might have a kept woman. Being a mistress was typically an occupation for a younger woman who, if she were fortunate, might go on to marry her lover or another man of rank. The ballad “The Three Ravens” (published in 1611, but possibly older) extols the loyal mistress of a slain knight, who buries her dead lover and then dies of the exertion, as she was in an advanced stage of pregnancy. It is noteworthy that the ballad-maker assigned this role to the knight’s mistress (“leman” was the term common at the time) rather than to his wife. In the courts of Europe, particularly Versailles and Whitehall in the 17th and 18th centuries, a mistress often wielded great power and influence. A king might have numerous mistresses but has a single “favourite mistress” or “official mistress” (in French, “maîtresse en titre”), as with Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour. Source: en.wikipedia.org.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

RELATIONSHIP

Well Done Kano State... But HE Kano state government should be comT mended for organizing the series of mass wedding. Reportedly, 1000 couples were joined together in a grand wedding that was initiated and sponsored by the government on April 27. The April event was said to be the third of such. But as we thank the government for the grand affair, we must point out our misgivings. Take for example the reason they gave for the big match-making —- “marrying off” women. In an interview, the Commandant of the Hisbah Board, the body entrusted with such affairs, said the state has achieved the dream of “marring off women as part of their commitment to mitigating the social malaise we are facing in our society.” It appears therefore that the board simply herded women who were divorcees, widows and some spinsters and gave them to some men. It seems no love or any emotional attachment was adjudged necessary for those marriages that they have lauded as historic in the whole of Africa. I quarrel with the words “marry off” because they do not connote respect. They are not what any of the organizers would use to describe the wedding of his daughter. We read all the time, in the society pages of our journals, how a big man gives his daughter’s hand in marriage; he never “marries her off” as if he does not want to see her again. It conveys the meaning that getting those women hitched leaves the society a better place. In my opinion, that does not portray a high opinion of these women. And if really the government sees them as a nuisance, the sacred institution that is marriage is not for them, not yet anyway. What they need first of all is rehabilitation. The govern-

By Kemi Amushan HERE’S a thousand wrong ways to earn a T man’s affections. For most women, they find it hard making a man love them. What are those right ways to make a man love you? For me it’s all in the way you seduce that man. So, tell me what do you think about the art of seduction? If you think it’s dirty, or slutty, or manipulative, or just a bag of tricks used by cheap women, then I’m sorry to say you’re wrong. Society and TV portrays seduction as a bad thing and that’s not the kind of seduction I’m talking about here. I’m talking about the Art of Seduction. Don’t know if some of you have read that book by Robert Greene. He’s also the author of ’48 laws of power’. Now back to today’s topic, The Art of Seduction is naturally difficult to master. But the main challenge is to “un-learn” everything that society has taught you about seduction and then replacing them with the techniques that really work with men! What exactly do you need to “un-learn?” I’ll give you these very common examples: Seducing Him The Way You Want To Be Seduced Lots of women think about how they want to be seduced for instance, through engaging conversation and little shows of affection (gifts, favors, hugs, etc.) and then try it on the guys. Unfortunately, this almost never works! Why? Because here’s the thing: Seduction for men is different from seduction for women. We might get “won over” by conversation and affection, but not men. So it’s silly to try. What do men want? Less talk, more action. Find recreational activities you can share —- it’s much, much more exciting for him than a simple conversation. Trying To Get Him Into Bed Another common misconception going around is this: “Seduction is all about sex.” Or more specifically, “seduction” is trying to get him to have sex with you. Well, It’s not about sex. If it were that simple, then everyone would be masters of seduction. But everybody is not. Instead, today’s sex-crazy society has led to more broken families, messy breakups, domes-

ment should train them to be worthy human beings first before pushing them into matrimony. Marriage is work and sacrifice and children are born ultimately. It is quite possible that among them are those who knew each other well and desired to get married. It is possible that they took opportunity of the government’s large heart and took part in the mass wedding. But we should not rule out the fleet-footed lover who was never there for the long term. Lust inspires him and the government’s free dowry and furniture makes it cheaper to marry a wife. There is nothing to suggest that the government has any issue with single men; he can leave after he has satisfied his lust. If those women are “married off” because their single status pollutes the society, we still would not benefit from their couplehood. If those unions are not based on love and they married out of fear of the state, there is no love to bequeath to the children and the society is worse from the activities of heartless and mindless children. Still, the government has to be commended for trying to make the early part of their married life as smooth as possible by giving them furniture, kitchen utensils, foodstuff and capital to start small scale businesses. But it is not enough, especially not when as was reported, other people helped the grooms to pay the bride prices. So these guys are simply not ready for the big step of taking care of family. So I think, what it can do is provide amenities that make life better. If the people are happy, they would marry without being pressured. But a government that does not tolerate sin-

glehood among women should educate them in any way it deems appropriate to make them worthy human beings. Start by educating the girl child. Make enrollment in schools compulsory. If a woman is found engaging in acts considered inappropriate, there should be agencies that can counsel and equip her with some skills. It is only when reformation is complete that she can be joined in marriage to a man and thus the cause of mitigating the ills in the society through her marriage. Provide adequate healthcare facilities. If women are confident that they will have good prenatal and maternity care in hospitals, they would not

need to be herded into matrimony. The Men There is no doubt that issues like domestic violence caused some of the women to divorce their former husbands. It becomes urgent for a government who sees matrimony as important to address domestic violence seriously. It becomes the duty of the government to educate the man to take his marriage vows seriously; that he cannot dispose of her at whim. The government should be empathic in its laws where it concerns women. Enact laws that show the woman that she is a citizen valued as much as the man.

over and over again. We want him to think about us all night, every night so much that he can’t help but fall madly in love with us as time goes by. And you can’t make a guy think of you that way if you have sex with him too soon! You’ll want to build his feelings for you slowly and steadily so that after a few months, his physical attraction towards you turns into intellectual attraction. And later on, his intellectual attraction becomes emotional. That’s when he truly falls in love with you, and wants to spend the rest of his life with you. So my advice? Don’t focus too much on physical attraction. It’s easy to catch his attention, but can you keep it going for weeks, months, and years? You most certainly do need to by learning the complete art of seduction. Help yourself by getting the book I talked about earlier. It’s in every bookstore; I’ve even seen it being sold by book vendors in traffic. The concepts discussed above are a simple insight into the art of seduction. They’re enough to turn your luck around and make men notice you more, and maybe even feel that spark of attraction towards you! But if you want to really make a guy fall in love with you, these concepts aren’t enough. You’ll need more. You’ll need the whole package. You’ll need to learn everything about the art of seduction to really turn your love life around. It’s like driving a car. Can you be a good driver if all you know are how to lock/unlock the doors, start the car, and turn on the DVD player? Ofcourse not. You need to know the rules of the road, driver courbut you failed in seducing him. Sex is a man’s prize, tic violence, insurmountable debt, and unfultesy, the limits and capabilities of your car, and if you give it to him too soon, it means you got filled dreams than ever before. So if you think your destination, and so on. The art of seplayed! That’s right, ladies, best believe it. seduction is all about sex, you’re setting yourduction is the same. These concepts are Focusing Too Much On Physical Attraction self up for a lot of pain! enough to get you started, but they won’t Yes, physical attraction is the first step to making a Getting Into His Bed get you to your destination! Do yourself a Another misconception is that seduction is all guy love you. But trust me, it’s not the most imporfavour, get that book now. It’ll give you a tant step. For men, their “target” is a woman’s body. about getting into his bed before the other better understanding of how to women in his life do. Let me tell you why that’s But for us, our main goal is to win his heart and mind. catch/trap that man into your world. It’s like this; our goal isn’t to have sex with him, but to To the happiness we all deserve, good nonsense. When you have sex with a guy you just met, it means he succeeded in seducing you make him think about having sex with us over and luck in love and life. Cheers.

Seduce Or Be Seduced

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

LOVE & LIFE 21

08033832503 Email: amara@amarablessing.com

WEEKEND with AMARA

Masculine Body Hairs

skin. The Pubic Hair Guys, it’s time to clear that bush in your “no trespass” area. Bikini waxing is no longer gender-specific. Your woman may not tell you, but she is irritated by the sight of that forest. I know it could be a very tough task for some guys. If you are one of such people, it will only take a 30 minute visit to the spa to get it done professionally. It shouldn’t cost more than N3,000.Whether you do it at home or in the spa, learn to use a very mild exfoliator 24 hours after. Shaving only takes hair even with the skin, waxing will keep hair away, weeks at a time. Use a cortizone cream if area starts getting itchy. You can also use depilatories which take care of hairs just within five minutes after application. The Back Almost all ladies dislike hair on the back, but are too embarrassed to tell their mate. According to a Harris interactive survey of 1,000, more than 90% of women between the ages of

18 and 44 find back hair unattractive. Women want to see the man’s back smooth and sexy. I would sincerely advice you to visit a trained beauty therapist who will do an analysis of your skin, use the right product or method for your skin type, and advise on home care products. Back and chest waxing cost between N3,000 and N6,000.You can as well decide to shave at home but I must tell you this; shaving, while simple and relatively inexpensive, can leave you prone to ingrown hairs, and may leave the hair more noticeable as it grows due to the blunt tip of the hair shaft. The Nose, Ears And Eyes Guys, stop thinking grooming is a lady’s thing. It’s time you take care of the hairs growing out of your nostrils and ears. Please don’t turn yourself to a goat because you were not created one. A simple trimmer for the nose won’t cost more than a thousand naira. Visit a spa to have the hairs removed professionally. Get the grays off your brows. Let the professionals give you the right arch and thickness to frame your face beautifully. The Underarm The armpit, if left unshaved for a long time can lead to excessive sweating and body odour. Boy, can you boldly lift your arms in public without getting people to speak with their eyes? If your answer is “no”, you have to do something. If you are one of those complaining of dark under arm, try this simple tip. Use a pumice stone to scrub your dark points daily and exfoliate weekly. Apply a brightening serum and a moisturizer after. It’s time to say goodbye for the week but not without an assignment for you. please get rid of those unwanted hairs. ‘Manscaping’ as it is donned, would include trimming and shaving where necessary (or permanent hair removal if you so choose). Most guys move around with freckles on their faces and neck. There are machines available in the beauty industry, specially designed to get rid of those freckles as well as unwanted hair. It will take a course of treatment (4-6 times) to effectively control it.

toward him for he spoke in a tone barely above a whisper. He had turned the meeting completely around and under his authority. I believe this example clearly explains what staying in the sane zone implies. Decorum And Etiquette. Proverbs 22:11 ‘He who loves purity of heart and has grace on his lips, the king will be his friend’ (NKJV) It is important to make a conscious decision to keep a good attitude. Being well-mannered and gentle should not be dependent on other people’s etiquette or lack of it. I admit, some people really do not deserve to be treated with courtesy or respect, but of what value is it then if you are only courteous to those deserving it? We ought to be above certain provocations; above in a manner that no one can make us angry and no one can make us lose control of ourselves. Well, you might say that little niceties have no significant impact on situations where a greater response is required. However, consider this: you

cannot give anything more than what you already have within you when demanding or light situations call upon you. Moreover, it is those seemingly minor situations that indeed build your character for if one is faithful in little he will be faithful in much. (Consider Luke 17:19) Image and Etiquetteaddresses general perceptions, societal norms and expectations and personal expressions with the goal of cultivating social graces, suavity and a dignified presence for interpersonal relationships. If you have questions on Image and Etiquette please send them to askpamela@regalgraces.com or SMS 08038240870. Pamela also covers Online Correspondence Courses, Workshops and Keynote speeches on Corporate Image and Etiquette, and manages Perfect Healthlife Wellness Center. For online correspondence courses email info@regalgraces.com with the title “Online Course (Saturday Guardian)” for our promotional price.

HE hair grows out of the follicle at an angle to the surface of the skin, following the natural contours of the body. A terminal hair consists of two main portions: The root—- below the surface of the skin at the base of the follicle The shaft —- above the skin surface and is made of dead keratinized cells. The masculine nature makes it necessary for a man to have hairs all over his body. Most ladies don’t fancy men that are hairless, but guys, life is all about moderation. I will talk on hairs present on different parts of the body -- the head, the face (eyebrows, nostrils, ears) back, shoulder and the pubic region. There are several methods of hair removal available in the beauty industry; shaving, waxing, laser, sugaring, tweezing, depilatories, threading. The Head The first thing people look at when they come in contact with you is your hair style. It speaks everything about you. It doesn’t matter how you want to carry your hair —- afro, short, dreadlock or bald. What matters is your ability to keep it neat at all times. I must say this, don’t go for a style simply because it’s in vogue. Make sure it’s suitable for your facial structure, career and lifestyle. It should also match your body shape, complexion, eye colour and hair type. It is always advisable visiting a qualified hair stylist if you can’t make this choice alone. Don’t let your hair age you. They say that men with graying hair look distinguished. Well that’s great and all, but please don’t be too eager to welcome the grays. Save the “distinguished” for later. Keeping your hair short if you are balding; it’s better than some sort of combover or funky grow-out where you still have hair. And let’s be honest, a combover isn’t fooling anyone, embrace your balding self. The Face The beauty of a man’s face lies more in his ability to take care of his facial hair. Let’s take a look at the beards. Because the hair on your face is somewhat different from that on your

head, caring for your beards requires a modified set of instructions. From a full beard to a goatee, mustache or soul patch, you should keep clean at all times. In addition to cleaning and conditioning, keeping your beard well maintained is essential. Below are tips on caring for your beard: *Find a good barber and have your beard trimmed professionally. A clear shaving oil will allow you to see what you are shaving and will help ensure clean lines around your beards. *Get a good trimmer Colour carefully if you must. For the boys who want to show off a clean shave that is free of redness and nick, using a glycerine or aloe-based shaving cream will, not only soothe your skin, but will allow your razor to glide across your face. Finish with a soothing after shave balm or your daily moisturizer with a sun protection factor (SPF), not less than 15. Please, stay away from alcoholbased after shaves; they will only irritate your

IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE With Pamela Proverbs 16:32 – ‘He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.’ – (NKJV) OISE is something to be admired, to be desired and to be pursued. Poise is that element you see in precious few

people that keep them composed in every situation, both light and demanding. It is the ability to think on ones feet and still be as courteous and self-controlled as one is required to be. It places people under the flow of your influence and subtly dictates what the prevailing atmosphere should be. Poise is described in the dictionary as “Great coolness and composure under strain” - (Wordweb). Another definition by D. Stark is that “Poise is a power derived from the mastery of self”. For instance, while everyone else is screaming accusations over the top of your head you answer with self-detached reason and great composure. Not being subject to the emotions of others or even of yourself and staying focused on the vital matter at hand; being courteous and even understanding of your critics put them to shame and subjection. The self-detachment doesn’t mean that you are inhuman or indifferent but that you rise above provocation and strong feeling to be able to perceive the crux of a problem and address it matter-of-factly. Some of the advantages of poise, especially those in leadership positions and those aspiring to master themselves and situations are To wield positive influence To get your message across clearly, precisely and with authority To be solution-oriented To be perceptive To be in control of one’s self thereby taking charge of chaotic or uncomfortable situations, etc. From the above, it’s clear that poise is really all about the individual and his mastery of self. Most people are sensual beings and highly predictable; a little provocation here and sometimes a particular word or phrase is capable of

08167089656 (SMS only). E-mail:regalgraces@yahoo.com

Mastery Of Self pushing them into a rage such that a lifetime’s work can be destroyed in a moment of self-indulgence (for this is what is). Emotions, especially, get in the way of the delivery of a message. But a message should not only be heard but understood. There is very little likelihood of convincing or exhorting if a message cannot be understood amidst the rant and tantrum of an underdeveloped adult. To attain poise therefore, one must cultivate an attitude and lifestyle of self-control. Cultivating Poise Breathing deeply to calm an erratic pulse, gently and practically restoring your heart to its steady rhythm. Further from being just a short respite, the very act of being still for a moment and concentrating on the exercise at hand compels your thought pace to slow down and in return puts you in a state where you can rise above demanding emotions. Staying In The Sane Zone Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turns away wrath: but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (NKJV) Anytime I remember this scene, I am still awed. The scene is a meeting held in a boardroom. The room was embarrassingly loud with the raucous and uncontained laughter of men and women in response to a belittling jest that was suspiciously not thought through. The recipient sat still with a slight smile on his lips, unresponsive to careless, provocative questions thrown in for good measure. When he finally opened his mouth to speak, it was not to raise his voice above theirs but to quietly put his accusers in their place in the most noble and courteous of fashions that it established his status as being undeniably – without contest, far above! His gaze was both authoritative and mildly amused. Every voice was hushed and every posture leaned

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

22 LOVE & LIFE

MARITAL SEX

Consequences Of Infidelity I By Juliana Idoko OY is a 35-year-old lady who is pregnant with her third child. She was devastated when her husband owned up to his unfaithfulness and left her for another woman days later. She really wanted her 10-yearold marriage to work. She remembered their wedding, their years together, and the love they shared, or so she thought and she broke down uncontrollably. “Now, I have nothing. No job, no trade, no catfish or goldfish. See me; my husband has followed another woman. I have lost everything!” she lamented. John on the other hand is a street child of about 11 years. Two events have remained indelible in the mind of the poor boy. The day his father drove his mother away against their children’s wish as they pleaded and cried, and the day his step mother poured hot soup on him leaving a big scar on his face. The father carried on well and they lived peacefully after the separation until the other woman (the step mother) packed into the house. “My father always left home at about 6.30am for work and came back by 6.00pm. My step mother was always a different person from 7.00am to 5pm, but my father refused to believe me,” he narrated. “Our home is hell now. I’ll rather live on the street than go back there and die. I know I will find my mother one day,” he said, after running away from home. These are true-life stories of the devastating effects of infidelity to people, families and even the society. Infidelity, which is the breach of that express or implied expectation of exclusivity in sexual matters in marriage has remained the most dreaded word in marriage and spares neither the rich nor the poor. It has never been a good mix with marriage as the aftereffect has always been traumatic and sometimes tragic. Extramarital affair, adultery, cheating or whatever name you choose to

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

call it, marital unfaithfulness has continued to take a tragic toll on families around the world. Each infidelity is different, caused by a different thing but all take the same devastating toll. According to Dr Favour Nwolisa, a counselor and lecturer in the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, “two things control marriage -- sex and money. Most marital problems are traceable to them and the sooner the society acceptet that fact the better for us. Sex within the precincts of marriage should be treated with all the respect, seriousness and sacredness it deserves if the marriage is to succeed,” she said. “When a third party enters a marriage, the faithful spouse is always the worst hit,” she added. “The tendency to feel abandoned and rejected replaces the love and the trust he/she once had for the spouse. He/she feels replaced by a much younger, better, richer or more attractive person. “The pain is always hard to describe and harder to overcome.” The blame game starts and most times, the faithful one is made to pay for the spouse’s bad behaviour. He/she is portrayed as an inadequate partner, which left the cheating spouse with no alternative than to find an adequate replacement. Unfortunately, the fact that always comes out at last, when the damage is already irretrievably done is that the thrill with the intruder is short-lived. It turns from euphoria to ennui in no time. The third party is only out to get whatever he/she can get and ruin whatever you have laboured for and didn’t really love you as you think. There are serious consequences in a family when the lid is blown and the cheating spouse is exposed. All hell breaks loose as the betrayed spouse suffers from indescribable emotional pain, which sometimes leads to suicidal thoughts. That single irrational act of infidelity snowballs and affects terribly, a lot of people you care so much about. We have grouped these consequences of infidelity into social, psy-

chological, health and spiritual effects. Social consequences of infidelity Whatever affects the family indirectly affects the society. Studies have shown that there is a link between the rising number of problems in marriages and the increasing cases of crimes in the society. According to Mrs. Theresa Odunukwe, a counselor and an active member of Counseling Association of Nigeria, “When infidelity happens, the children are always the innocent victims caught in the crossfire,” she said. “If they are living with one of their parents, the step parent may never accept them wholly and most times maltreats them. This can make them to run from home, join the street children, and turn to crime to make a living,” she said. “If the couple choose to stay together and manage instead of getting a divorce, their lives will never remain the same again. The trust, the love and the harmony is gone leaving suspicion and quarrel behind. They will just be cohabiting and children are always fast

Let’s Begin Again

OD likes a restart. He takes away G the old to establish the new. If you read the Bible, you would see New Covenants, New Commandment, New Heart, New Life, New Wine, New Heaven and New Earth. That doesn’t mean that the old things are bad, but He makes the old things in a new way. Sometimes our relationship becomes boring. We wear out. We lose creativity. We seek something new. But we think we shall find fun in a ‘new spouse’, ‘a new partner’, ‘a new relationship’ totally away from the person who already shares our lives. That’s not how it is done. God brings the new of the old. Every relationship should be in constant repair. If we do not take care of our relationship, it will wear out and become outdated. Then we seek another relationship that will in time go sour if not properly attended to. Let your relationships, marriages feel fresh, new and healthy. You don’t need

‘another’; there is no better person out there. Everyone you are married to is someone you can be with and take care of. There are simple things we can do to keep our relationship fresh and exciting. 1. Forget In life, memories are powerful we

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

to discover that all is not as it used to be. This affects them psychologically and they take solace in their peers who may introduce them to what the parents may not like,” she enunciated. “It is good to remember, though, that there is no excuse if your child grows up different from what you wanted him/her to be. Infidelity also deals a considerable blow on the betrayed spouse. The feeling of inadequacy rejection and sometimes guilt rises, especially in the midst of the peers and the society. “Men feel that you are their body,” Mrs Odunukwe said. “You can take anything from a man, but not his wife. That is why he can kill if he finds any man going out with his wife. If the wife gets adulterous, he finds it difficult to cope with the shame and so only a very small percentage of men can still continue with the marriage after an infidelity is discovered,” she explained. “A woman was forgiven by her husband after her confession, repentance and contrition, but was sent away again by

the same husband some months later claiming that he could not live with the shame,” she narrated. “On the part of the woman, she feels dejected, isolated and demoralised after her unfaithfulness is discovered. It is this rejection and isolation by the society that leads to mental illness and other illnesses and not the gods,” she declared. “African society does not condone infidelity but in a patriarchal society like ours, the unfaithful women are the worst hit and their male counterparts go scot free because the society does not frown at their infidelity,” she explained. She ended with a story of a young lady who ran to her elderly sister-in-law to complain of her husband’s philandering and hear the response she got “What do you mean? The fact that my brother married you does not mean that he will not shake his body again-o. You are the one that should keep to your self; but my brother, for goodness sake is a man. Leave him alone!” The poor girl went home dejected not knowing what to do.” To be continued.

Remember good times in that relationship, it will gradually drown the bad memories. Life is too short. Don’t carry a baggage of wrongs and bad feelings all through. Remove things that should remind you; the letters, pictures, documents, texts that have wounded the marriage in the past. Put away some pictures deliberately. Focus on the good and expect better. There were once good times. Relive them. 2. Do old things in a new way (Mark 14 Vs 25). Jesus spoke of drinking the wine “new” in the kingdom of God. Celebrate your love again. Watch your wedding movies and pictures. Give your spouse surprise meals at work. Send messages to the Internet, drop flowers, cards. Call a pastor to the house, renew your vows. Go on vacation. Go to places you have not gone before. Make love in a special new way. You can even change the outlook of your home. 3. Speak new tonuses Use new language. Let the insults and abuses go. Don’t call each other bad, nasty names. Joke some more. Laugh some more. Smile some more. Change the entire vocabulary in your home. Words can set the mood and atmosphere in your home. Develop the right language for situations. Even when you argue and want to correct a wrong, say it well. Let words be seasoned with grace. Call your spouse a special endearing pet name. Give a new name that redefines your relationship. God gives new names too. 4. Allow for human error There is no perfect person. Accept that

first. Everyone in this part of the world wants to be a leader; no one wants to learn. Many books on leadership; little on loyalty and submission. That is the trouble in our world. We are too ‘assertive’, we forget the benefits of being a follower. Submission and loyalty is now a foreign word because we have ‘fantasies’ and expectations that must be met. That someone is your head is not merely a function of expertise, it is divinely arranged. No matter how bad our parents are, we are to honour them, treat them with love and regards, otherwise we may not live a fulfilled life. We want to make everything perfect and destroy good. We eventually do not have perfection because only God is. There are things we should simply ignore. In a bid to make a cloth clean, we wash it torn. Is it tears? Is a bitter realization in human relationships I hope we will understand. 5. Make a way in the wilderness. Make difficult things easy. Make some efforts to be better. Develop your moral muscles. Beat expectations. Help your spouse solve a challenge. Don’t ask your spouse to make a way, you do. Divide the Red Sea so that they could pass. Provide rivers in the desert. Be creative, make things happen in your home. Bring in some innovations. Be the answer they need. E. C. Samuel Intimatefaithministry@yahoo.com 08027173447 SMS ONLY

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

WOMAN

Akumabor: Battling To Put Education On Right Track Dr. (Mrs.) Patricia Akumabor is an educationist and Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Babatunde Fafunwa Educational Foundation. She is recipient of the foundation’s award for excellence in PhD thesis writing, which was established in 2001. She takes a look at some of the problems confronting education in the country and what is being done to bring it back on the right track. By Ozo Mordi R. (Mrs.) Patricia Akumabor thinks that D people who are graduating in doctorate degrees need to work harder to maintain good standard. Degree programmes have been watered down, she laments. Mrs Akumabor is the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Babatunde Fafunwa Educational Foundation. The foundation was the legacy that a former Minister of Education, late Prof Babatunde Fafunwa left behind as his personal contribution to the growth of the sector. But two years since the erudite professor passed on, Akumabor laments that the foundation could be grounded if all concerned fail to pay attention. She is not happy about this, she says, because many people have benefited from the organization, adding that they ought to help in any way they can. “They don’t respond to call to attend meetings, neither do they take part in activities. They claim that they are busy. This is a selfless service. There is no money to give to anybody. The foundation needs money to assist indigent students and to celebrate excellence in writing PhD thesis. What we expect is that former recipients would give of their time to assist the foundation to grow. “Also, getting organizations to fund activities is like forcing a camel to pass through the mouth of a needle. But we are hoping that the Lagos State government will assist us. The Commissioner for Education was present at our last event and they have told us to make a list of what we need,” she said. According to her, Prof Fafunwa established the organisation with the aim of celebrating excellence in education. While he awarded scholarships and equipped secondary schools, he instituted a foundation that would examine PhD thesis in six universities – University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ahmadu Bello University and University of Nigeria. Lagos State University represents state-owned university, while the others are meant to represent federal universities. According to her, although the award for excellence in writing PhD thesis was established in 2001, the foundation already existed,

adding that what Prof. Fafunwa did was to invite other professors and doctors from the academia to deliver lectures, which were published. He gave money to schools to establish science laboratories and visited them to see how they fared. He also set up Focus Secondary School, she said. “Usually, the PhD presentations comes up September 18 yearly. Papa’s came one week after; that was where he gave out the cheques to winners,” she revealed. Akumabor is the first person to win the first prize in PhD thesis writing in 2001. She emerged the best candidate from the University of Lagos and won the university’s first prize in thesis writing. She reminisced: “Two Vice-chancellors were present – UNILAG Vice Chancellor and that of the UNN – because the second winner came from the University of Nigeria. All the deans of schools in UNILAG were present and we fielded questions from members of the public. “As the first awarded therefore, I would not be happy to see that it is not able to achieve the objectives. They have had two outings since Prof. Fafunwa passed on”, she says, adding that the one held in September 2012 addressed entrepreneurial education. On the observation that women are beating men to excel in education, she agrees, adding that the foundation recognised three females and one male who did well in PhD that year. “The boys are not reading. They are looking for money. But they want to marry a career woman or the one who has a PhD. “At some point, they discover the disparity in the arrangement. They find that it is difficult to interact with the wife or discuss issues at home. There are many of them at Lagos State University.” She stresses that 25 years is a record age to obtain a PhD in Nigeria. “But it does mean it takes natural intelligence to achieve such feat. Nature is present, but nurture can be considered. A child who grows up in an environment where everybody reads – there is the Internet too – that child will excel, provided that there is no disability.” On the observation that the quality of education has gone up in recent times, she says: “What has happened is that the Federal Government sees that education needs to be addressed. All

the governors are taking it seriously. There is retraining of teachers through the National Teachers Institute in Kaduna. They are being taught subjects like Mathematics, English Language and science subjects. “State governments are doing the same thing. Lagos has done very well. They not only retrain, they have upgraded schools to the level they should be. “They rebuilt or sand-filled waterlogged schools and painted shabby buildings. Children want to belong to beautiful environments. Lagos schools are connected to the Internet; inspectors are more committed and visit schools often. Teachers no longer need to sell yams at Mile12 market to augment their pay because salaries have been increased. With these, quality should improve. But we won’t say that it is perfect, it will take time, but we are on the right track.” She blames families for the fall in moral values, pointing out that parents are too busy. “If a child erred in the past, a neighbour could correct him. But these days, a mother takes offence. Teach your child to be honest by example. You cannot do so when you pay someone to write examination for your child. There is a clash and it is affecting the children. They cannot understand what is happening.” Akumabor said she was inspired to read up to PhD because of one Dr. Pat Bello. “She was my lecturer and very brilliant. She was my namesake and I saw her as a mentor. So I decided to go back to UNILAG four times, beginning with the National Certificate of Education (NCE). I have tried to go back the fifth time to do a Masters in Literature, but I can’t combine it with my job.” She urges people who think that they can no longer go to school: “Register in an adult school near you.” One of such women has just finished a Bachelor of Science degree. She has

advised her to aim for a PhD. She advises that a late bloomer needs not confide in people what she does because she may become discouraged. She had an experience when she decided to go for the doctorate degree. A friend asked her what she wanted to do with it. “Please, leave that for your children,” she told her. “If I had listened to her, I would have been worse off. She feels satisfied too because the said friend called recently to announce that she is studying for a PhD in America. A mentor of women, she advises that a woman should imbibe change. “Positive change is important. Acquire skills and competence. She has a big beautifully framed mirror in her office. “I have them in the staircase at home at Umunede (Delta State). You have to like what you see because that is what people see. Marriage does not stop a woman looking good. Some women throw in the towel once they are married. I tell my friends not to give their husbands the cause to be unfaithful. Challenge those girls outside. If you believe that the attraction is the trimness, go to the gym, see the dietician to plan your diet. The moment you notice that your dress size has gone up, do something about it.” A very beautiful woman, her flawless skin is admirable. “My beauty comes from God and I am happy and contented with what I have.” She has been married for 43 years to Sir Norbert Akumabor. They have four boys and her husband jokingly calls himself, ‘Life president, Boys’ Brigade of Nigeria.’ But her three younger sisters have been raised as their daughters. One is a medical doctor, another one a manager in a bank while the other is an entrepreneur. Humour is one the main ingredients of their successful union, they say. But one thing was what they were told the day they got married. Sir Norbert says: “When we got married on December 27, 1969, my father told me that he would give me a bitter pill to swallow, but told me that it would become sweet later. “He told me to apologise if I notice that my wife feels upset, but that I should not choose that moment to explain my actions because she would not listen. He said that she might explode, which may lead to myself becoming angry. The result would be two angry people. It has worked for us.” His wife gives him credit for her success. “In my acknowledgement, I said that I would not have been able to complete the programme. He gave me peace of mind. When I achieve, he is happy. Some men look for ways to drag down their wives. He makes me feel like a queen. He realises that combining career and house chores is difficult, so he helps me. He is a good cook.” Dr. Akumabor was until last year the Dean, School of Technical Education, Yaba College of Technology. Between 2005 and2007, she was Assistant Professor, Mekelle University, Ethiopia. She is a consultant.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

24 |

PEOPLE

‘Given Opportunity, I’ll Live As I’ve Done For 75 Years’ materials and quality teaching are available. The standard is high where students are well For Chief Emmanuel Adesoye, the groomed, and where examination standards Offa, Kwara state-born industrialist are not lowered. So it is very wrong to say that standard has fallen or risen. and educationist, longevity that is not the In this era of joblessness when government is combined with good health is not thinking of the best way out, one of your business concerns has been rested, I mean Okin desirable. Adesoye, who succeeded Biscuits at Offa. What are you doing to resuscithe doyen of Kwaran progressive poli- tate this company to at least serve as a channel of employment to qualified people? tics, Chief Josiah Sunday Olawoyin Okin biscuit is passing through a rehabilitation (CON) as the ‘Asiwaju’ of Offa, spoke process. When we finish with that we shall come back. It requires a good atmoswith ABIODUN FAGBEMI at his Offa surely phere to continue to be in business in Nigeria. country home on the occasion of his We need to get it right from here. I will not say more than this. 75th birthday recently. The Federal Government recently constituted a committee aimed at brokering peace with HAT motivated you to set up one of the members of the dreaded Islamic Sect in the leading post primary schools in Nigeria country. Do you see the step by the governsome 26 years ago? ment as the right one? Adesoye College is a co-educational college The issue of insecurity in the Northern part of founded in January 1987 to educate boys and Nigeria is not an isolated phenomenon. It girls from all the states of Nigeria as well as from overseas whose parents want to have the exists everywhere, in Britain, America and even best of upbringing for them. With this compli- the Middle East. So Nigeria can’t be an isolated ment of students, the school strives to achieve case. One interesting thing about it is that an international character. The college provides there is no single solution to curb it. This is a science oriented education and encourages a because every affected nation has its own peculiarities. In the Nigerian situation therefore, the wide range of interests within a disciplined government has taken the step it deemed best framework. Are you of the view that the standard of educa- for the nation, all we need to do is to allow the system to work so that peace can continually tion has fallen in Nigeria? The answer I will give you is yes and no. Yes, in follow us. The Federal Government is doing its best in this circumstance. the sense that there is that yearning demand for growth in the sector. People’s expectations As the ‘Asiwaju’ of Offa, the occupier of a very are very high on education but government is important office in the hierarchy of Offa not meeting those needs. Government-owned Traditional Institution, what are your plans for your people especially in ensuring a permaschools are left uncatered for. There is infranent peace between them and their neighbourstructural decay and there is that dearth of ing Erin–Ile community? instructional materials and so on. Again, the We have taken some steps to halt a future standard is high where all the above listed

recurrence of the ugly internecine crisis between members of the two communities. I believe those steps would work and our generation and those of our children will continually live together in peace and harmony. I don’t want to talk more on this on the pages of newspapers so that I will not be acting like a betrayer of trust. But I can tell you that as ‘Asiwaju’ of Offa, I am facing many challenges, especially those that require us to bring together our people. Look, it is even one thing for them to agree to come together as a people, and another thing is for them to agree to live together in peace and harmony. But we are trying our utmost to bring back the lost glories of our people in Offa, via love, hard work and fear of God. But you will always need a dynamic leader to show the way forward in such areas as socio-economic and political sectors. Assess the performances of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led government in your state. Adesoye I think so far the government is trying its best. If it must conIf I have the opportunity to tinually be relevant, it must up live my life all over again, I hold the principle of fairness to will do exactly what I had all the parties involved in the done in the past 75 years. I project called Kwara state. have no regret over the way I At 75 years, any regret about the had lived my life. Again don’t ways you spent your life and forget that I am Emmanuel would you pray to live up to a Adesoye. So I could not have 100 years? lived like somebody else. God

At 43, Gani Adams Marches On With Assured Steps tradition. According to him, “when I was in detention, I remember my people organising my birthday for me with thousands of in attendance. I am very happy and grateful to God for good health.” While growing up, he attended several primary schools because of frequent relocation of his parents. He began his education at Army Children’s School, Benin in 1976 but later moved to Ondo State and Lagos to continue with the struggle of life. He attended Ansar-Ud-Deen Secondary School, Surulere. He could not get the best of his education due to finances. But he remained undaunted. He went to learn Furniture Making and Interior Decoration where he served as an apprentice for years. After sometimes, he set up a small-scale firm of Furniture Making and Interior Decoration. Since those early days, Adams has however grown in status, taking on an almost larger Gani Adams than life stature in the polity. Aside being the National Coordinator/Leader of OPC and the Chief Promoter of Olokun Festival Foundation, he is a businessman and the By Victor Olushola CEO of Donyx Global Concept Limited. He now holds Diploma in International ECENTLY, all roads led to Anchor Event Law and Diplomacy from Lagos State Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, where Otunba Gani University, Ojo and is presently studying Adams celebrated his 43rd birthday anniversary. for Bachelor’s degree in Political Science in This year’s celebration attracted dignitaries from the same university. Also, he was awarded all walks of life including state governors’ repre- an Honorary Doctorate of Letters by sentatives, actors and actresses, musicians, entre- Bradley University in 2007 and another preneurs, activists and clerics. They came in Honorary degree in Public Relations from beautifully dressed and with immense applause the prestigious Isles International for Adams. Universite, Belgium. For the past 13 years, even while in detention, In almost all Yoruba communities, Gani Adams has made his birthday ceremony a Otunba has taken chieftaincy titles. He is

the Jagunmolu Olu-Ode of Ibadan, Akinrogun of Ode-Omu, Akinrogun of Erin Osun and Apagunpote of Igbeji. The titles were given to him in recognition of his selfless contributions to the development of the Yorubas. Using the occasion of his joyous day, he urged Yorubas to be united so as to achieve a common desired goal. He said: “We Yorubas need unity to achieve development, to fight a good course and we need unity to bring back our people in Diaspora. We can be like the Arabs, Chinese and the Europeans if there is unity because the truth is we have a lot of potentials.” From his activities over the years, the use of culture for national integration has been a platform through which he is venting his quest for peace in Nigeria. This has also been displayed in all the activities the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) has been organising especially various culture-promoting beauty pageants open to young women in Nigeria Born on April 3Oth, Adams picked May 1 as the day to celebrate his birthday because of the public holiday that comes along with it. He wished Nigerian workers “a memorable celebration.” He described the day as a day set aside to honour workers for the great things they are doing for the nation. To him, the workers are the ones keeping the nation moving. “If not for the workers, it will not be easy to run any nation. Without workers, resources cannot be annexed or utilized.” Speaking on the reported pipelines’ vandalisation and purported awarding of the contract to secure it to OPC, Adams said as that as a group that has always been conscious of security, it automatically has the advantage to secure the pipeline, especially in Yorubaland. He insisted that if the opportunity is given to the group,

created us with individual ability and peculiarities I am happy for who I am. You see, nobody loves to die at any age whatsoever, but I will only pray to live for a 100 years only if God will guarantee me good health. What is the essence of life when the health is bad?

they shall not disappoint Nigeria. “Some of us have been securing the pipelines from Shagamu to Ore and the axis of Ikorodu. They have been doing it for nine years and we have not heard any incident of vandals since then, let alone when I get involved with the entire family. I think we will achieve great results in minimizing the level of vandalisation. We have members everywhere, so I think we have the advantage. In his opening prayer and brief speech to kick-start the ceremony, the founder Holy Michael Church of the Lord (Aladura), Egbe, Lagos, Samuel Kogberegbe praised Adams for all the works he has been doing to ensure peace in Yorubaland. He presented a bible to him as a birthday gift, urging him to do more in ensuring unity in the land. The Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group and Publicity Secretary, Ijaw National Congress, INC, Comrade Joseph Evah described Gani Adams as a symbol of struggle. According to him, the Awolowo generation produced Jakande’s generation while Jakande’s generation produced the Gani Adams’ generation. Among those who heaped accolades on the celebrant was also Dele Taiwo, a musician, who said he was not new to Adams’ anniversary. “I have been part of the ceremony ever since he marked his 37th birthday. My coming here is to give kudos to Otunba and perform with my crew members to celebration him.” He also described Adams as generous, as one who always thinks of people around him ahead of himself. “I see him doing greater things in the near future,” a Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike said, disclosing that the respect he has for Adams emanated from the fact he has shown that he is a true son of the soil overtime. One of the highlights of the programme was the performance of the legendary Shina Peters, a good friend to Gani Adams. He brought the stage alive with his songs and energetic dance steps. Also, Lanre Teriba, pupolarly known as Atorise, was on hand to entertain guests.

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

25 Saturday, May 11, 2013

Weekend

CELEBRITY

By Shaibu Husseini she debuted in ‘Kaskon Wuta,’ and in SthatINCE ‘Rai Dangin Goro’, two Kannywood movies were reputed to be way ahead of their time, young, pretty, tall, slim and personable Hannatu Bashir has not left anyone in doubt about her desire to walk steadily up the top rung of the acting profession. An approachable personality and an alumnus of the Kano State School of Health Technology who joined the screen acting turf a little near a decade ago, Halima, an old girl of Gezewa Girls Secondary School, Kano has continued to impress roundly. The soft-spoken actress has not gone a point less her Rai Dangin Goro exploits. She has continued to impress and has just within a short time emerged a household name among fans of Kannywood movies. Star of ‘Makahon Tunani’, ‘Garkuwa’ and ‘Sallamar Bankwana,’ among other critically acclaimed productions, Halima’s passion, even though she studied nursing, tilted towards acting. Her career wish was to become a doctor. But the more she was exposed to Indian, Chinese and early Kannywood movies, the more she had a change of mind. “I watched a lot of films. In fact, I became a film addict and would act out some interesting scenes I saw in a movie and people would say I would do well as an actress”, she said. In fact, the more Halima watched films, the more she became propelled to try out acting. “Those films I saw and the actors were the main motivation for me. As I watched them, I was confident and convinced that I could pull a role through if given an opportunity. So as soon as I made up my mind, I approached a leading producer and director, Hassan Giggs who is like a mentor and I told him I wanted to go into acting. He encouraged me and today I have taken part in countless movie productions with so many others that are yet to come out.” Although she has not foreclosed returning to ‘the medical line’, Halima says she is so busy now on the turf that she has not thought of branching out to do any other thing. “I am still very young. I am in my 20s and there is life in front of me. I could still return to pursue my nursing career or go back to school to qualify as a doctor. I could even go into business. But I am not thinking of all that now because I have found acting fulfilling and engaging. It gives me joy and I am sure you would want to continue what gives you joy. So I am happy in it and I can’t leave it for any other thing. At least not now,’’ she said. Born to parents who reside in Kano, Halima never had any issues with her parents when she decided to join the acting vocation. They never objected. She simply mentioned it to

Sent To Study Nursing,

Halima Rides High On Kannywood Movie Plane ‘daddy and mummy’ when she was ready to join Kannywood, and as she said they gave her their blessings. “There was no objection from them. Once I was ready, I mentioned my intention to join the movie industry and they gave me their

blessings. They only thing they warned me against is getting involved in scandals and all the negative things they read or have been told about artistes. They just warned me to be careful, not to be desperate and to know people I make friends with and people I interact with. They also advised to always seek Allah’s guidance in all that I do and not to compromise my moral integrity even if for a million dollars. They have heard stories of people who have compromised their integrity like posing nude and going to the extreme in the name of acting and I have been so lucky. No producer or director has ever

tried to take advantage of me. I have earned all my roles on merit and not just because of my beautiful face as some people would say, or that I know this person or that person. All the roles I have gotten have been on merit”. Which is her most memorable or challenging movie role? Halima who hinted that she is in a steady relationship, picked the role she played in the movie ‘Rai Dangin Goro’ as her most memorable and challenging. She explains: “The shooting schedule was tedious because it had a local setting or what I want to call village setting. So we shot mostly outside the city and having to be moving around in that kind of epic film made it more tedious. But the movie came out well and its acceptance made up for all the stress we went through realizing it. I look forward to taking on such role again even though this time I will be ready and prepared to shoot outside the city aware now of the challenges of shooting in such areas”. When Halima is not on any movie set, she spends her off-screen moments at home “with the family”. She confessed not to be “an outdoor person” or “someone who will be found outside for no just cause’’. She says her friends and fans would only find her outside her home if it is very necessary. She said: “I like staying in the comfort of my family home when I am not on set. We spend most of the time shooting and so the only time we have should be spent with the family and friends. I am not just an outdoor person. I hardly just go out and when I do, it must be for a good reason”. Halima is attracted easily to people who are honest, caring and God fearing. She would do anything to avoid “liars, gossips, greedy people and people who don’t have the fear of God in them”. She explains: “That is why I don’t keep plenty of friends because it is hard to find people with all these qualities. But the few I call my friends have these qualities and that is why I have them as friends. I cut off from you the moment I find that you lie and gossip a lot’’. Is Halima in acting for a long ride or she will detour if she finds something more lucrative? “No, I won’t quit:, she snapped. “Why should I quit”, she asked. “Acting is a profession and it is big business now. People live and survive on acting alone. The more jobs you get, the more money you will get in terms of artiste fee and the more comfortable you will get. So acting pays now. It is good business. It is no longer what people do as a hobby. It is now pure business even though sometimes you want to do a job not just for what you are going to be paid but because you love the job and like the script. So I won’t quit. I am in it as long as Allah permits. I am really enjoying it. If I was not enjoying it, I would have found something else to do. What I pray for is more jobs and endorsement opportunities’’.

Celebritygist… TS Two Continental Pips For Duker, YetIyearly Notable filmmaker and founder of the Abuja International Film Festival

Duker

(AIFF), Fidelis Duker was last Sunday in Johannesburg, South Africa elected the Regional Secretary for West Africa 1 of the Federation of Pan African cineaste otherwise called FEPACI. With secretariat in South Africa and its headquarters in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, FEPACI is the umbrella body for all filmmakers working in and outside of Africa. Duker replaces fellow compatriot, Madu Chikwendu who though attended the FEPACI congress held in Johannesburg between May 3 and 5, did not recontest the position of regional secretary. The contest for the po-

sition of regional secretary for Anglophone Africa was between Duker and Ghanaian’s Akofa Asiedu but Asiedu conceded the position to Fidelis and she was later appointed National Coordinator for Ghana. It will be the second time the Cross River born former President of the Director Guild of Nigeria (DGN) will be decorated with a continental pip. He was in February 2013 appointed President of the African Film Festival Network (AFRIFESTNET). So, when next you call up Duker and he says he is in a country in West Africa, spare him please. Temitope Duker’s husband has become a citizen of Africa as far as film matters are concerned. Next will be a world citizen and that time, Celebritygist will not wait to be invited to the ‘washing’ party.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

26 |

FITNESS With Oyinkan Talabi (Bodyworks)

TrainingShoes! HE most important items of clothing for T your workout is your footwear. Your footwear protects your feet, while giving your feet good traction and support for your ankles and heels. Wearing the correct trainers is very key as it reduces your risk of injury especially in the lower back and knees. Your choice of activity also determines the type of footwear you have to use. Running trainers are very different from walking ones and you can’t wear football trainers in the gym. So what are the types of trainers we have? Running Shoes. Running is great cardio but is hard on the joints. Wearing the correct shoes really makes a difference. You have to pay attention to your feet and buy the correct shoe for your feet arch type. There are three arch types: Underpronation (high arch), neutral pronation (normal arch) and overpronation (flat arch). Well-cushioned shoes are for people with high arches; stability shoes are for normal to slightly flat arches; motion-control shoes give extra lift in the arch area and benefit severe flat feet. Be sure to buy shoes ½ to 1 ½ sizes bigger than you usually wear as your feet swell when you work out. Walking Shoes Walking shoes are designed to allow your foot to roll forward and down instead of slapping onto the ground. Walking shoes need to be more flexible in the toe area than running shoes, and should allow your feet to breathe. Cross-Training Shoes Cross-training shoes can be used for different activities, but as great as this sounds, it also has a big disadvantage. They are good because they provide the minimum comfort, cushioning, stability and durability characteristics needed for almost any activity, so you don’t need a number of different trainers if you take part in a lot of activities. However, the bad side is that they are heavier than other sport specific trainers and so weigh you down. Soccer Shoes There are also many different kinds of soccer shoes. Molded cleats are a basic soccer shoe design and have spikes attached to the soles. The soles are a hard, molded plastic or rubber that allows players better control while on any playing field. Detachable cleats have studs in the soles that can be removed and replaced easily. Turf shoes are designed to provide traction for hard outdoor surfaces and indoor arenas. Indoor shoes are designed just for the arena use. Golf Trainers Golf shoes are worn to help improve your game by increasing your traction. Soft spikes are made of polyurethane and do not damage greens. Carbide- or ceramictipped spikes are for serious golfers. They are durable and will usually outlast the shoe uppers. Metal spikes are also very durable. These spikes require cleaning and drying so they do not rust into the outsole. Metal spikes are not allowed on greens. After removing the spikes from the shoes, clean the holes out with a cotton swab and place petroleum jelly in the holes. This will make spike removal easier and will prevent rust. Cycling Trainers If you ride casually you may not need a cycling-specific shoe at all in which case, try cross-trainer. However, cycling shoes are designed with stiffer soles to provide more efficient energy transfer as you pedal away. These stiff soles also protect your feet while

riding and offer support that reduces cramping and fatigue. The uppers are also relatively rigid for extra support. Cycling shoes are usually paired with a compatible pedal to hold your feet securely on the bicycle. Where you cycle also determines your trainer choice, as mountain cycling, city cycling and off road cycling all have different requirements. Lawn Tennis Trainers Tennis shoes are different dependent on the surfaces you’ll be playing on– synthetic, grass and clay. Unlike other sports, lawn tennis trainers should be in the correct size so it adapts ergonomically to the foot. Otherwise, they cannot provide stability. An-

other important factor is the impact absorption. If this isn’t sufficient, it can lead to joint problems. The heavier you are, the more cushioning of the foot you need . Special insoles can help improve the damping effect of tennis shoes. Tennis shoes are in most cases made of leather though a blend of leather and imitation leather are becoming poplar , to help im-

prove the mobility and promote breathability of the trainers. Try not to work out wearing the wrong shoes, they are so key, yes they can be expensive but it’s a necessary investment and you’ll save on the injury prevention. Love your body.... bodiworks@gmail.com

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

HOME&DECOR

Updating Home Look to a new one will be quite in tune with your idea of giving the home an elevated look. There is good selection of styles available to make your entrygood decoration infuses life and style into a way look elegant and welcoming. home. A lot of people think that it costs a fortune to have a beautifully decorated home. But this Doing away with clutter will give your home a spacious look. You may not realise it, but over needs not be so. With a little imagination, you can time, you collect so many things and keep adding do home decorating yourself that will catch the without taking away that more often than not, fancy of any guest. clutter builds up. Here are some useful ideas that can pep up your Find storage space and come up with creative home. Remember that the doormat is the first thing you ways to store things. For instance, besides using closet space, you can come up with ideas like storand your guests see when entering your place. If you have a plain and worn out doormat, upgrading ing things in the base of furniture. Brighten up the house. White definitely adds brightness and lightness to a room. Accessories in white such as bathroom towels, lampshades, candles, picture frames and throw pillows, used in the barest minimum. Reduce the size of furniture is essential in freeing up space. Otherwise, use smaller furniture. Getting the appropriate size of furniture for a particular space will give a sense of balance to your décor. Furniture rearrangement from time to time gives a room a new look. Where carpets are used, changing the room’s traffic pattern will also give it a new look. Window treatments can be accentuated by valences and tiebacks for a fresh presentation. Placing plants at strategic places add interest to your home. Go for plants with low water needs that work well in homes in your area. Use mirrors to create the illusion of space and add brightness and lightness to a room. By Ekwy P. Uzoanya

Concrete Floor And Oil Stain Removal ONCRETE surfaces do get stains in the cause C of engaging in activities at home. Oil can drip from automobiles and generators, creating

using a nylon scrub brush. Rinse thoroughly. Tips: • Clean oil from the surface of the concrete immedian unsightly mess. Because concrete is porous, ately to prevent deep stains. oil will actually penetrate it. Therefore, the ear• Properly dispose of all oil-soaked cleaning rags and lier it is removed, the better the chances and the soaking agents in an environmentally safe method. easier the job. If oil is allowed to sit on the sur• Use proper ventilation when working with any chemiface for an extended period of time, it becomes cals. If cleaning a concrete floor inside garage, open all almost impossible to remove it. That is how the doors to allow good air circulate. some driveways get permanently stained. • Do not use a wire brush when cleaning a concrete surWith instructions, oil stains from the surface of face as pieces of the brush may become lodged in the concrete can be avoided along with tips and pre- concrete and cause future rust problems. vention methods. • Apply cleaners to large areas of oil stained concrete To clean fresh oil from your driveway or car on cloudy days to prevent the area from drying too shed, cover the oil stain with a layer of sawdust. quickly. Allow the sawdust sufficient time to soak up the • Prevention of oil stain on concrete surface like driveoil, which could take a day or more. Completely way is easier than cleaning the stain. If a home has an sweep the concrete free of the sawdust and disautomobile that tends to leak oil, consider laying down pose it properly. If the stain is still present, a piece of cardboard to absorb the oil before it has a scrub it with a solution of detergent and water chance to soak into the driveway or car shed.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

ELIZABETH DREAM WEDDINGS withBADEJO elizabethbadejo2002@yahoo.com eb_africadreamwedding@yahoo.com 08097360766

Have A ‘Fun Wedding’, Bend The Rules And Wow Your Guests EDDINGS are special occasions but fun W weddings are ‘rare’. Every wedding is different and unique; it is the perfect place where

with your spouse and pass the flame to your maid of honor, best man and the rest of your bridal party. This marks the beginning of a two very special people are expected to radiate brighter future ahead, a romantic and powertheir personalities in different ways as long as ful atmosphere you are sure to create in the it is fun, exciting and entertaining for them minds of your guests. and their wedding guests. It sets the mood and opportunity to celebrate, articulate and Create A Cocktail Area interpret the true meaning of love, coupled Waiting at the reception can be very insensiwith a blend of both personalities and a distive especially if the food and drinks are deplay of emotions. layed till the couple’s arrival. For guests who Wedding guest are always very curious and have to travel between the church and recepanxiously waiting to be entertained at the tion venue, on arriving the venue, you can wedding reception which will usually have a plan a small cocktail area at the reception larger number of guests than the religious where they can spend time socializing and ceremony and there is no better way to make getting to know each other while drinks are them comfortable than making your big day served. A great WOW FACTOR and a unique absolutely amusing and engaging from start way for families and friends to connect and to finish. get acquainted with one another before the More efforts and funds goes into weddings party starts. today but the proceedings are usually the same, making wedding receptions dreary and Engaging Reception monotonous. Your reception can be fun and engaging too, There are no rules guiding wedding recepmiles away from the usual reception proceedtions. I attended three different weddings in ings we often witness as wedding guests. Make Lagos on a Saturday and each one had very yours engaging and youthful. You can call similar itinerary. Every prospective couple your friends to give a few minutes talk about should aspire to WOW their wedding guests you and your husband and may also take us and leave lasting memories after the big day. down memory lane talking about your school You should plan to entertain as well as engage days and how much fun you all had together, a your guest with innovative ideas. Couples great way to involve your friends in your celemust take charge of the day’s proceeding and bration. plan each aspect to compliment their unique personalities as there are no set ways. Reveal Your Party Girl Image Step into the venue in a beautiful party dress Ideas To Impress of your choice and the transformation is sure Personalize Your Wedding Invitations to wow your guests who were expecting to see Start with your wedding invitation. Set your you back at the venue in your wedding outfits. own style and trend with your wedding invita- Your husband may also want to compliment tion. It is the ‘first glimpse’ of your event and you nicely; you can choose a great outfit that is your guests should be kept waiting for more perfect for the evening. Great if you have both surprises to unveil the day. Think outside the decided to dance the night away. box, be unique and different. You can incorporate your wedding theme, hobbies, lifestyle, Choreograph Your First Dance fantasy and other great ideas. You can also do Take time out to learn a dance routine toit yourselves. gether and explore your creative sides. Learn a dance style with the help of a professional Write Your Own Vow dance trainer for two hours or more at the Writing your own vows is a great way to add weekends. Pick your favorite love song and your personalities to start your big day. Many work out a dance routine you are both combrides and grooms are writing their own wed- fortable with. Salsa, tango, calypso and conding vows today. It is as simple as telling your temporary African dance are sure to earn you spouse to write a poem or a few sentences a standing ovation as you wow your guests. about you and why he made the decision to make that commitment to spend the rest of Love Song/Poem his life with you. If the church insists that you Music they say is the food of love. Bring out read the sacred vows laid down by the church, the romance in you with a song or poem. Dedialso ask that you read your own vows aftercate it to your spouse in appreciation of the wards. love you share or you may also decide to dedicate it to your parents, a great way to say ‘ Light Up Your Beginning You may also want to light a unity candle THANK YOU.’

TIPS FOR MY DIVA BRIDE •You can be different without over spending. Stick within your budget. Spend a little more time to find ways to personalize your wedding details so that every aspect becomes a reflection of who you and your spouse really are. •If you are a creative bride, do it yourself should be your watchword in areas such as personalized invitations and name cards for your reception tables. You will save a considerable amount of money if you take time out to design and create your own cards. •Your cocktail area can be fun, cheap and cheerful without spending so much on alcohol and expensive cocktail mixes. Cranberry, orange, blackcurrant and other juice varieties on ice can be replaced with expensive cocktails to cut down your cost. Assorted biscuits on cheese and cup cakes on little fancy trays make perfect accomplishments for your waiting guests.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

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FOOD&DRINKS

Ogbono Soup Served With Plantain Fufu (Ideal Food For Overall Wellbeing And Weight Reduction) By Chinelo Nwagbo GBONO soup is a traditional Nigerian deliO cacy, typical of the Eastern part of Nigeria. As the name implies, it has Ogbonu as its basic ingredient. Ogbono is the seed of the African wild mango. Amongst the Yorubas, it is called oro. Ogbonu soup is a highly nutritious soup with numerous medicinal properties. This soup is a good protein, provitamin A, B group vitamins, vitamin C, E, magnesium, iron and fibre. Researchers have found that ogbono intake could be used to reduce abdominal fat, stop diarrhoea and ulcer. It can also be used to treat diabetes and as a form of appetite suppressant. A new study published in Lipids in Health and Disease suggests that an extract derived from the ogbono may help overweight people shed kilograms, lower their cholesterol and chances of developing degenerative diseases. Ogbono soup is an excellent food for children to help attain maximum growth and development. Pregnant and lactating mother can benefit from this soup consumption for their wellbeing and for the health of their babies. It is an ideal food for people recovering from serious diseases and surgery. Intake of this soup helps in anaemia and constipation prevention because of its high iron and fibre content. It is ideal dish for those who want to help prevent stomach disorder (stomach ulcer) because of its high soluble mucilage fibre content. Ogbono soup is also an ideal food for the diabetic because of its low carbohydrate and high fibre content, which is well tolerated in cases of diabetes mellitus. Ingredients Quantities Beef 8 medium pieces Dried fish 1 medium size Ogbono (dica nut) ¼ cup Palm oil 2 cooking spoons

o g bono pot. Stir and reduce the heat. Wash and shred the pumpkin leaves and add to the soup. Then add salt. Simmer for about 10 minutes and remove from heat, then serve with plantain fufu.

Cray fish (ground) 2 tablespoons Dry pepper (ground) A pinch Pumpkin leaves (green) 1 bunch Seasoning cube 2 Water 1 litre Salt to taste Method Of Preparation Season the meat with salt onion and one seasoning cube. Add two cups of water and dried fish and continue cooking until meat and fish are tender. Heat the oil in another pot. Melt the ogbono in hot oil and stir thoroughly to prevent lump formation, add water and stir. Pour in the meat with the fish and stir. Do not cover the pot to prevent losing the resilience of the ogbono. Add the remaining seasoning cube, pepper and crayfish to the

Plantain Fufu Plantain fufu is made from unripe plantain flour and is a staple food in many parts of Africa like Nigeria and Ghana. Unripe plantain is a good source of vitamin C, B1, B2, E, potassium and magnesium, which help to control high blood pressure and protect the heart. It is also rich in fibre and this makes plantain fufu an ideal food for diabetics, obese persons and those who want healthy bowel system. Ingredients Quantities Plantain flour 113g Water 1 cup Method of preparation Bring a cup of plain water to boil in a saucepan. Divide water into two parts. Add 113g of plantain flour to the heated water in saucepan and stir with a wooden spoon. Gradually add the remaining heated water and stir. Place over medium heat and knead thoroughly for about four minutes or until a smooth but thick consistency is achieved. Allow fufu to cool and serve. E-mail: chineloeby@yahoo.com

Nocello Liquer: Nutty But Nice and house warming. Nocello Walnut Liqueur comes in a 750-milOCELLO is a liqueur made from walnuts limetre bottle of velvety chocolate-coloured and hazelnuts. It comes with a refined liqueur with hints of sweetness and a and pleasant aroma, smooth, and nutty slightly bitter finish. It is also known as a diflavour, and an alcohol content of 24 per gestive aid, which means that it can be taken cent. It is produced in Italy. after meal to make the food digest with ease. This wine can be served straight, chilled A perfect sweet ending to meals like pizza, from the freezer or by adding ice cubes for meat pie, fried rice or seasoned chicken and delectable taste. Nocello also serves as a chips, it can also be served over ice cream, wonderful addition to coffee and can be an with nut tortes, mixed with cognac and ingredient to a variety of cocktails, which cream. can be served at different occasions ranging Nocello can be purchased at any supermarfrom refreshments at birthdays, weddings, ket or wine shop at affordable prices. By Bukola Apata

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

With Sereba Agiobu-Kemmer

Crassula Ovata - Money Plant

Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix Roebelenii)

sereba.agiobu.kemmer@ngrguardiannews.com

Flowering Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Gerber Daisy (Gerbera Jamesonii)

GARDENING

Heart leaf Philodendron (Philodendron Oxycardium)

Plants Clean Air, Energize, Beautify... Aglaonema

Azalea (Rhododendron simsii)

Bamboo Palm

Chrysanthemum (Chrypanthemum Morifolium)

Crassula Ovata - Money Plant, Jade tree UMANS have evolved over hundreds of H thousands of years. We evolved surrounded with plants. Our environment and lifestyle have changed dramatically; however, genetically, we have not! Plants provide us life support in so many ways. They clear the air in our environment and fill it with oxygen, they are also a source of food, medicine and protection against deadly pests. They also improve the quality of the air and

raise the energy of any space to make us moods and raises norepinephrine levels, which healthier bringing much needed mental clari- is a brain chemical linked to mood and behavty and physical performance while providing ior. Lemon balm is easy to care for and thrives in a compact area with indirect light. beautiful decoration. Luckily for us, some of the best house plants Snake plant and Mother-In-law’s tongue for cleaning our air are also very easy to grow. (Sanseviera trifasciata and S. trifasciata laurentii Sometimes the Mother-In-Law’s Tongue plant, With just a little attention to appropriate lighting, watering, and temperature, your plant also called Snake Plant is considered a bad feng will go to “work” to clear the air in your sur- shui plant. However, this is not true, because the rounding for a long time to come and also dec- snake plant can bring very helpful feng shui energy. This plant clears the VOCs in the indoor orate it. Some orientals even believe plants release environment, while releasing strong protective certain energies referred to as ‘chi’ capable of energies. Actually, in the same family that influencing the state of one’s being even mate- includes dracaena and liriope, there are many rially in the practice known as “feng shui.” In varieties of sanseviera that are exceptionally traditional feng shui, there are good and bad tough. Boston Fern (Nephrolepsis exaltata bostonienfeng shui plants. The good feng shui plants we can divide into sis) It acts as a natural humidifier. By releasing two categories. The feng shui plants known as top purifying plants. Many beautiful plants moisture into the air, it removes nasty air polluare in this category – from the tall and graceful tants such as benzene, formaldehyde and Areca palm to the abundant lush Boston Fern. xylene, providing clean air inside the home or The good feng shui also known as traditional interior space. There are many cultivars of feng shui money plants. There are at least two Boston fern available. Some are compact forms, plants that are widely used as feng shui others are large spreading plants with graceful money plant. The truth, however is, you can fronds up to two feet in length. Beautiful and use any healthy, vibrant lush plant as a money lush, its a favorite for any home or office. Dwarf Date Palm (Phoenix Roebelenii) plant. It is a slow grower that can reach a height of The energy of the feng shui money tree is in its vibrant and well-rooted energy; a growing about 5 or 6 feet, very attractive plant, it can tolenergy that you would like to see reflected in erate low levels of light, while removing most pollutants especially xylene from the home or your own money. But specifically commonly used ‘feng shui office. Philodendron Plant money trees’ are the: This climbing vine plant is not a good option if Crassula Ovata also known as the jade tree, it is a succulent plant easy to look after. It does you have kids or pets – it is toxic when eaten, but it is a work horse for removing all kinds of VOCs. have an abundant feel to it. Philodendrons are particularly good at batPachira Aquatica A type of bonsai tree that can grow quite high. tling formaldehyde from sources like particle Its characteristics are several braided trunks board. It is on the list of NASA recommend plants as and multi-foliage leaves, another money most effective for treating indoor air pollution. plant. Natives of tropical jungles, philodendrons are The so-called bad feng shui plants are usually those that can bring undesired energy into great for low light. one’s home or environment. The Cactus is a Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) Technically a dracaena species, lucky bamboo classic example of a so-called bad feng shui plant, because its energy is very “spiky.” I is the perennial office plant. Untold pots of would not go so far as to say that there are bad these thrive in awful conditions sporadically watered with bad lighting and poor quality air. feng shui plants and good feng shui plants. Plants are always excellent feng shui for a Nevertheless, lucky bamboo lives on. Many peohome, office and any living interiors. As long ple believe they bring good luck and enhance as the plants are kept healthy, placed in a good the chi energy of their surroundings. position (as well as visually pleasing pots), you Ivy (Hedera helix) English Ivy A study found that the plant reduces air-borne can be sure they are good feng shui. If only from a practical point of view, create a fecal-matter particles. It has been shown to have contaminant free living interior using plants amazing ability to filter out formaldehyde and as natural air filters and purifiers and for good benzene and to off-gas various chemicals released from synthetic materials and some feng shui. One can explore the various plants and tips household cleaning products. Thus it keeps the inside air non-toxic. Despite its poisonous given below. leaves, English Ivy is beneficial for people with Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii) It adds a peaceful, tropical, exotic feeling to asthma and allergic conditions. any environment. It removes Benzene, Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) Spider plants are one of the easiest house Trichloroethylene and Fomaldehyde. Its leaves have a gracious flow that will soften the ener- plants to grow. Even if you tend to neglect houseplants, you’ll have a hard time killing this gy of any home or office space. One of the best plants to improve indoor air resilient plant. Those without a green thumb quality, popular and easy to care for. Most can achieve great success growing these hardy plants. resistant to insect infestation. Spider plants make excellent hanging baskets, Lemon Balm (Melisa officinalis) Aside from literally cleaning the air, repelling with lots of rich foliage and tiny white flowers. insect pests, sniffing lemon balm plant can This elegant plant is great at removing poisonincrease your alertness and enhance your ous as well as other impurities like benzene, memory, according to a study in the formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, cylene. International Journal of Neuroscience. The Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis) scent of lemon balm improves people’s The medicinal properties of Aloe Vera have been known and recorded since biblical times. It has

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Pachira Aquatica “bonsai tree” money plant

Lucky Bamboo (Draacaena Sanderiana)

Lemon Balm

Hedera Helix - IVY been used for a variety of ailments as well as ingredient in various beauty preparations. All Aloes are tropical or semi tropical sun-loving succulents plants containing 95 per cent water.They help clear formaldehyde and benezene, which can be a by-products of chemical-based cleaners, paints and more. Aloe is a smart choice. Beyond its air cleaning abilities, the gel inside an aloe plant can help heal cuts, burns and rashes. The older specimen may even bloom.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

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SOCIETY

…When Boma And Ominini Cole Tied The Nuptial Knot Recently Boma and Ominini Cole were joined in the holy matrimony in Abuja. Here are some faces that graced the occasion.

Boma and Ominini Cole during their wedding ceremony in Abuja

A guest, Mr. Tonye Cole, Ambassador Dele Cole, Boma Cole, Former Governor Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke and Julius Agwu

A guest (left), Chinwe Ezeanya with Boma and Ominini Cole

Ambassador Dele Cole with Boma and Ominini Cole

Ominini, Mrs. Dele Cole, Mrs.Olusanmokun

Editor The Guardian Newspapers, Mr. Martins Oloja and his wife and the Groom’s father, Ambassador Dele Cole

Marillyn Ogar, Tonye Cole, the Groom’s father Ambassador Dele Cole

Chief and Mrs. Nwodo and Ambassador Dele Cole

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

32 |

SOCIETY

Glitz, Glamour As Utuama Gives Daughter In Marriage Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN) recently gave out his daughter, Barr. Oghenefejiro in marriage to Engr. Edwin Smooth, son of Chief Tunde Smooth. The wedding ceremony, which took place at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Warri last weekend, was well attended by dignitaries across the state. Below are some of the faces at the event.

(R-L) Mother of the groom, Mrs. Doris Smooth, Father of the bride and Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), wife of the sponsor, Mrs. Pricilla Oditah, groom, Engr. Edwin Smooth, bride, Barr. Fejiro, sponsor, Prof. Fidelis Oditah (QC, SAN), father of the groom, Chief Tunde Smooth, mother of the bride, Dr. Nelly Utuama and officiating Catholic Priests led by Archbishop of Benin Archdiocese, Most Rev. Augustine Akubeze

Bride and Groom, Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Smooth

Mother of the bride, Dr. Nelly Utuama (right), Father of the bride and Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), father of the groom, Chief Tunde Smooth and his wife, Mrs. Doris Smooth

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba; Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), Delta State Chairman of PDP, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi and mother of the bride, Dr. Nelly Utuama

Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark (right), former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and former Chief of Army Staff, Gen David Ejoor (rtd)

First Civilian Governor of Delta State, Chief Felix Ibru and Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Real Admiral John Jonah

Senior Special Adviser to Delta State Governor on Foreign Relations, Mr. Oma Djebah and Political Adviser to the Governor, Chief Fred Majemite

Wife of Delta State Governor, Mrs. Roli Uduaghan and Delta State Chairman of PDP, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu and his wife, Endurance Odubu

Speaker Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei and his deputy, Barr. Basil Ganagana

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

SOCIETY

Oghenefejiro Utuama’s Day Of Glory

Prof. Utuama (SAN), Chief Edwin Clark (right) and his wife, Dr. Bisola Clark

Bride and Groom, Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Smooth with Catholic Bishop of Bomadi Vicarage, Most Rev. Hyacinth Egbebo

Edo State Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu and Secretary to Delta State Government, Comrade Ovuozourie Macaulay

Mother of the bride, Dr. Nelly Utuama and wife of the state governor, Mrs. Roli Uduaghan

President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN)

Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei (left), his wife Hanatu and Senator James Manager, representing Delta South

…That Skybird May Fly Recently, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) gave Skybird Air, a new airline, Airworthiness Operating Certificate (AOC) to enable the airline operate in the country as charter airline. Here are some of the faces at the event, which took place at NCAA headquarters in Lagos

Skybird Air team, Director, Alhaji Zanna Mohammed; Managing Director, Mr. Samuel Ayodele and Air Chief Operating Officer/Accountable Manager, Mrs. Toyin Magbagbeola shortly before receiving NCAA’s Airworthiness Operating Certificate (AOC)

Mr. Samuel Ayodele in a warm handshake with Acting Managing Director, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Mr. Joyce Nkemalokom and another Senior NCAA official before receiving the certificate

Mohammed, Magbagbeola, Ayodele and NCAA Acting Managing Director, Nkemakolom (fourth from left) and other officials of NCAA shortly after the ceremony

Ayodele and Nkemakolom displaying the Certificate

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

DIARY Abia women collecting tally for breast and cervical cancer screening, sponsored by Pink Pearl foundation in Umuahia, Abia State… recently

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (right) being presented with souvenirs by the President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole (middle), while the Vice President and President-Elect of the Institute, Dr. Nelson Uwaga (left) watches during NIM visit to Atiku’s house in Yola during the week

Mr. Philip and Mrs. Comfort Ojisua during their wedding solemnization in Abuja…recently

Mrs. Vero Oduyemi, Mr. Tony Itseumah, Alhaji Kayode Musa, his wife Alhaja Kayode Musa, Barrister Anthony Etiuzale (celebrant) and his wife, Mrs. Pat Aliu, Pastor Ojo Etiuzale and Mrs. Tayo Itseumah at the 50th birthday party of Barrister Etiuzale in Abuja… recently

Mr. Philip and Mrs. Comfort Ojisua during their wedding solemnization and birthday celebration, being supported by children (all born in the month of April) in Abuja…recently

International Coordinator, Degree Foundation Programme, Cambridge College, Ikeja Lagos, Akinbulu Adetunji, poised with some of the graduating students during the school’s valedictory service in Lagos …recently

Engr. Festus Adefiloye, Ven. Segun Ajayi, Mr. Adebare Adetoye and Mr. Ayodeji Olopade - Members Oke-Igbo Consultative Forum at the Maiden Edition of Oke Igbo Agenda Summit (Issues and the way forward) held at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos… recently

Mrs. Yetunde Akintunde, exchanging pleasantries with the Obiri of Aiyepe, Oba Adebisi Okubanjo at the memorial banquent for Mrs. Akintunde’s father-in-law at Island Club in Lagos

Administrator, Covenant Seeds School, Ikeja, Lagos, Mrs. Olabisi Ibitayo; Chairman of the day, Elder Seni Adegbite; Queen of Sapphire House, Busola Womiloju and a guest, Mrs. Lillie Adegbite at the Interhouse sport of the school held in Lagos…recently

Mother in Israel Esther Akinadewo celebrated her 40th birthday at the weekend in Lagos. She is assisted by her husband, Senior Superintendent Gabriel Akinadewo to cut the cake.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

FASHION

Snuggle In Flannel For Comfort Both young and old blokes can dazzle in this retro fashion element By Ibukunoluwa Kayode

HEN thinking fashion for men, flannel seldom W comes to mind. The retro fashion shirt described as one of the upscale fashion pieces of the 60’s is beginning to make a comeback on men’s fashion radar.

Since men seek out comfort before style, flannel is a good piece of shirt designed to deliver comfort for any occasion. These shirts are also designed to fit into both work and casual outfits. By history, flannel is an outfit with rap inspired looks that came into mainstream fashion via musical background. In recent times the revamp in style by various designers is seizing the day creating eye-popping attention. Flannel fashion might be ancient in history but this disheveled trend of fabric is living an important note of classic style in recent times thereby gaining more recognition to show off the wearer’s creativity. It also offers a bit of colour and texture delivering warmth, comfort alongside affordability. Now, long gone are the days when flannels were just for lumberjacks. Today’s men flannels blend utility and fashion for a comfortable, complementing look. This shirt comes in a variety of materials, from rugged wool perfect for outdoor projects on cold rainy days, to thinner cotton options that work great for a business-casual work environment. Since flannel can fit into both formal and informal occasions, it is necessary for every fashion conscious male to stock his closet with two or more of this trendy retro masculine sophistication as wardrobe essentials. To grab an eye-popping attention, choose fitted trendy flannels- no oversized, please. Also, pair it with the right trousers to blend. Since this is a shirt that seems to be coupled with stripes in fabric design, plain coloured trouser is advisable for pairing in order to avoid fashion flaws. Chinos and jeans will be a great match to fit. So, why waste time? Give yourself a treat; go get one or two flannels to shake up the fashion street for a statement.

TheGuardian

36 | Saturday, May 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Entertainment

Sony Neme nemesony@yahoo.co.uk 08111813096

EMEMBER Stephen Ukem Nwokoma Okemezie the chubby R faced trumpeter. He was a major force within the famous Fela Anikulapo`s Egypt 80 Band who specialized in trumpet. He held sway for 24 years with the Afrobeat creator. Report reaching us from the US confirms that the Amakor, Umuaka, Imo State born entertainer is dead. He died on April 9, 2013 and will be buried on Friday May 17, 2013 at his country home, Amakor where it will lie in state for two hours before going for a church service at St. Michael`s Catholic Church, Amakor at 10am. According to a family source, “At noon his body will be laid to rest in his compound, which will be followed with a reception and celebration of his life. From 1973 Stephen rose to fame as the favorite trumpeter in the 1970’s and 80`sversion of Kalakuta Republic when he booked his place in history within Egypt 80 by teaming up with Fela and other members of Fela`s Band for a series of albums. In 1973, Stephen Ukem, as he was popularly called, joined the Kalakuta Republic, Fela`s Band and commune, after serving in the Nigerian Military Band, Onitsha; and as the music instructor at the Biafra school of music, Umuahia in the present day Abia State, Nigeria. With Stephen`s trumpet, Afrobeat music became very popular among the Nigerian public and Africans in general. Interestingly, an international non-profit organization, the Humanity for Africa Foundation, Inc. (HFAF) whose mission is to promote education, arts and African Cultural Heritage has adopted to institute what it calls Stephen Okemezie Annual Memorial Lecture to immortalize this great trumpeter and his contribution to Afrobeat music. According to a tribute by his brother, Honourable Okemezie of Humanity for Africa Foundation, USA, “As a child traditional trumpeter, guided by his father, a renowned traditional trumpeter of his time, Stephen tried to master the traditional ‘opi’ originally; and played the ‘opi during ‘ekeleke’ cultural dance in his community. As Stephen travelled to Lagos after his primary education and served as a cook in a Lebanese restaurant, he fell in love with the trumpet. Stephen self-taught himself to master the art of playing the instrument and started playing with popular musicians then.” In his condolence message to the Okemezie family, Ambassador Habib B. Habu, OON, expressed that, “The loss of Stephen for those of us who are aficionados of Afrobeat, is the gradual coming to the end of a beautiful chapter of Nigeria history. The Abami Eda was a giant tree but it was people like Stephen that complimented to turn Fela Anikulapo Kuti, into a huge forest.” In that vein, HFAF stated that, “The purpose of the lecture will be to contribute to the public debate about contemporary issues in Afrobeat music, and that lecturers will be drawn from distinguished musicians, academic or policy makers and will be chosen on the basis of their ability to illuminate some important topics or issues which have wide relevance for Afrobeat musicians, policy makers, and business people”. A committee for the lecture will be established at the reception and celebration of this great trumpeter, Stephen Okemezie at 2pm on the same Friday May 17, 2013. “A close look at the style and influence of Stephen in Africa highlife music strikes a parallel appear with Louis Armstrong of United States who made jazz what it is today. Louis, a living legend is such a great influence in the world of music. He is a great communicator of the art. Like Armstrong, people around the world know Stephen`s voice and music. We will be dust someday, but the world will continue to remember the name Stephen as one of the major influences in music who literally took the world of Afrobeat and said ‘this is how you swing.’ his power was and is unmatched,” Okemezie further explained. The tribute further read: “Stephen`s style is unmistakable, anytime you hear that punchy sound, you know it’s him. That is hard to be said of many players. That is mastery, when one’s musical identity is so saturated through the sound of his/her instrument, that with just one note, you know who it is, even if you can’t see them. That is how Stephen played, and hearing his

Life And Times Of Okemezie - Fela’s Trumpeter

horn will communicate to you that Stephen was on stage. Like Armstrong, Stephen set the stage for all multi-talented trumpeters in Nigeria and defined the era of the Afrobeat music. “He developed a sophisticated style, employed the perfect combination of fantastic skill and exquisite emotion while playing his horn. What separated Stephen from others was his ability to combine a reverence for the past with an inquisitive orientation that drives his playing into the audience. Stephen is a highlife music icon who reigned during Bobby Benson, E.T Mensah of Ghana, Stephen Amaechi, Zeal Onyia, CelestineUkwu, Orlando Julius, Alaba Pedro, Fatai Rolling Dollar, Chief OsitaOsadebe and Victor Olaiya.” In 1975 the Band released the album, Expensive Shit and Water No Get Enemy while in 1977, the album “Zombie”, was released as a scathing attack on Nigerian soldiers using the zombie metaphor to describe the methods of the military institution in Nigeria. The album was a smash hit that infuriated the government, setting off a vicious attack against the Kalakuta Republic, during which about one thousand Nigerian soldiers attacked the Republic. It will be recalled that Fela and other members of the band including Stephen were severely beaten, and Fela`s elderly mother was thrown from a window, causing fatal injuries. “Working for his boss, Fela other albums that were released included “Teacher Don`t Teach Me Nonse; Beast of No Nation; Alagbon Close/Why Black Man Dey Suffer; Everything

Scatter/Noise for Vendor Mouth; Johnny Just Drop (JJD); Underground System; Excuse O/Monkey Banana; Yellow Fever/Na Poi; and Follow Follow. With the band, Stephen made successful tours of the United States and Europe. In 1986, they performed in Giants Stadium and the Robert Treat Hotel in New Jersey and other cities of the United States of America as part of the Amnesty International’s ‘A Conspiracy of Hope’ concert. In 1989, the Band released the anti-apartheid “Beasts of No Nation” album which depicts on its cover U.S. President Ronald Reagan, UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and South African Prime Minister Pieter Willem Botha,” he recalls with nostalgia. He said that, the importance of the input of Stephen in the creation of Afrobeat music cannot be overstated, because, “Fela himself realized this when he once stated that ‘without Stephen Ukem, Afrobeat is not complete’. After their December Christmas concerts, Stephen would come back to his community to entertain his people with his trumpet, using the instrument to sing their traditional songs; and during moonlights, it was always a big entertainment for his community when he plays his horn to entertain the people”. Stephen is survived by his wife Victoria Okemezie, two sons: Michael Ikechukwu Okemezie and Henry Okechukwu Okemezie, two daughters: Christiana Chinwendu Okemezie and Chinelo Okemezie, a granddaughter, his sister, Calista Owowoh and his brother, Okems Innocent Okemezie.

I Go Die, Basketmouth, Others Join Glo Laffta Fest Train HE best of Nigeria’s comedy will be T on display as they have been shortlisted to perform in the next edition

I Go Die

of the popular comedy, music and dance show, Glo Laffta Fest. On the list is the don of comedy, Okey Bakassi, who will be joined by Basketmouth, I Go Die, Gordons, Seyi Law, Funny Bone and Akpororo. They will be entertaining Nigerians across five major cities. The show, which enters its sixth edition this year is expected to kick off in Benin City, Edo State at the Bestwestern Hotel, Sapele Road, on May 26. Globacom said in a statement issued in Lagos that the show would also be staged in Owerri, Imo State on June 9, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on June 23, Abuja on July 7 and Lagos on July 21. The statement further hinted that the Glo Laffta Fest is coming in a re-invigo-

Bakassi, I Go Die, Gordons, Seyi Law, Akpororo and Funny Bone as well as Naeto C, Flavour, Bez and Chidynma, will fearated format to suit the needs of its ture at the Abuja edition. For the Lagos teaming subscribers across the coun- show, Basketmouth, Ali Baba, Akpororo, try. Seyi Law, Bovi, Funny Bone, MI, Waje, According to the statement, “Artistes Omawunmi and Burna Boy have been billed to perform at the Benin edition scheduled to perform”. of the show include Basketmouth, I Go It further revealed that, “There will be Die, Akpororo, Bovi, Oke Bakassi, Gorspecial appearances and drama skits by dons and Dan D Humorous, while Nollywood stars such as Chioma ChukFlavour, Wande Coal and Lynxx will wuka-Akpotha, Noso Diobi, Funke feature from the music industry. For Akindele and Odunlade Adekola as part the Owerri show, Basketmouth, I Go of the entertainment package for the Die, Akpororo, Gordons, Funny Bone, audience. Bovi, 2cantalk, Wande Coal, Naeto C Admission to the show is free. “All suband Omawunmi, are scheduled to en- scribers need to do is to recharge their tertain the audience. Glo lines with either N1,000, N2,000 or “Those that will perform at the Port N5,000 in the preceding month to qualHarcourt show are Okey Bakassi, Seyi ify for the regular, VIP and VVIP seats reLaw, Basketmouth, Funny Bone and spectively. All intending subscribers Akpororo while musicians such as MI, need to do is to send Laffta Fest to a toll Bez, Burna Boy and Waje, will enterfree short code 33001”, the company extain at the event. Basketmouth, Okey plained.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

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ENTERTAINMENT Stories by Sony Neme

Music Foundation Novel, Says Obey …As Awoko Is Unveiled As Song Awards Plaque VANGELIST (Dr.) Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi E MFR has described the COSON Music Foundation as a novel idea. Obey bared

tegrity of people that will serve with me as trustees of the foundation, I like to assure you all of our openness, fairness and equihis mind at the inauguration of the eight- table administration of the fund that will accrue to the foundation to the general member Board of Trustees of the COSON good of the music industry and welfare of Music Foundation Board that will be remusicians.” sponsible for the management of the In a related development, COSON Chairfunds of the foundation. The board, which has Obey as chairman, man, Chief Tony Okoroji, has explained that the idea behind the COSON Song Awards is include Prof. (Sir) Victor Uwaifo MON, JP; to reward music writers. Okoroji made the Erelu Keji Okunowo, Mr. Edi Lawani, Mr. clarification at Protea Hotel, GRA Ikeja on Toju Ejueyitchie, Dr. Ben Ofoeze, Chief Tuesday, May 7, while unveiling the plague Osita Okeke and a Representative of the for the awards. Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC). Obey said, “The idea of the music founda- He said, “The difference is that the COSON Song Awards is not out to celebrate the pertion itself is no doubt a novel one and a former or musician. It will celebrate the creright step in the right direction. The music foundation will provide necessary ators, songwriters or composers of songs, resources and leadership to trigger a new the basic building block of the music we economic and Cultural Revolution as well love. There are many times when the composer of the music is not the performer as provide much needed resources to intensify the battle against piracy and other whom we are familiar with. Our objective is forms of abuse of the rights of musicians to promote the beautiful art of songwriting and composition in Nigeria so as to build a in Nigeria, as this will improve the inmore durable industry.” come of musicians through their Also inaugurated at Protea Hotel was the recorded works. With the calibre and in-

Hollywood Star K.D. Aubert Set To Grace Turning Point Premiere

Aubert HE management of Hekcentric Films has anT nounced Friday, May 24, as a day to celebrate movie lovers with the premiere of Turning Point at the Silverbird Galleria. The event which is being put together to herald the release of the movie in Nigerian Cinemas will be filled with lots of glitz, pomp and razzmatazz as the guests are treated to a cinematic masterpiece from the stables of the director of Twisted.

recently appointed 11-man COSON Advisory Council appointed by the COSON Board of Directors as an important think tank consists of distinguished music industry personalities and others who have special experiences or skills, to offer useful advice to the society. While unveiling the plaque for the COSON Song Awards, Chief Okoroji said, “…We picked out a bird which has been given the special talent by the Almighty to sing - the nightingale. In our minds, we perched the nightingale on the cone of the metal gong, the scintillating musical instrument common among the peoples of Nigeria.” He further disclosed that “The basic concept was discussed with a young Nigerian artiste and sculptor, Dare Adenuga, a product of Yaba College of Technology, who has come up with a masterpiece which from now on, will be called Awoko. Awoko is the master singing bird celebrated in many songs of Yoruba master songwriters. Reputed to have out-of this-world lyrics and singing talent, when Awoko shows up, every other bird bows. On May 25, only the very gifted will go home with the Awoko.”

The flick, which was produced by Hekcentric Films and directed by Niyi Towolawi, got two Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) nominations at the recently concluded awards ceremony held in Bayelsa State. According to Hekcentric Films’ Niyi Towolawi, “The premiere will be attended by movie lovers, corporate players, representatives of the Lagos State Government, celebrities and cast of the film which includes Patience Ozokwor, Jackie Appiah, Igoni Achibong to name a few. He also added that as a special deal to the premiere, K.D. Aubert who played the lead actress in the movie will be in Nigeria to share the experience with the Nigerian cast and other invited guests. “Apart from being part of the premiere, K.D. Aubert and other cast members will be doing a special autograph signing session for fans at a yet-to-be-confirmed location. This special autograph signing event is to give a wider range of fans an opportunity to interact with the cast of the movie.” Towolawi explained that the film tells a compelling tale of complacence, karma, moral justifications and redemption as it follows the life of Ade (Igoni Archibong), a playboy NigerianAmerican investment dating a keen-to-marry African-American Stacey (KD Aubert). Her family (Ernie Hudson, Cynda Williams) had been cautious of this “African” but begins to warm to him due to his professional success and charm. But his manipulative mother (Patience Ozokwor) back in Nigeria would rather her son gets serious and dumps “that girl with no traceable roots” in favour of a wife from within her social circle. He is tricked into visiting Nigeria only to discover an arranged marriage had already been conducted on his behalf with a complete stranger. The unfolding drama is a series of battles that makes Ade realise how easily his enviable lifestyle could be taken away. With the going getting tough and friends growing thin, Ade mounts a final showdown that will be a turning point for everyone. An excited Towolawi expressed his appreciation for the brands that had committed their resources to the successful preparations. “I really want to thank the Lagos State Government, LASAA, Cool Fm, Wazobia Fm, Nigeria Info, WAP TV for their enthusiastic support of this project.”

Obey

Nollywood Agog For Fred Amata @ 50 CTOR, producer and diA rector, Fred Amata, is counting the days to his big day as he turns 50 on Saturday, May 18. To make the even a memorable one, friends and colleagues are partaking in a flurry of events lined up to celebrate the Nollywood icon. This is coming as City People Media Group set the pace with a lavish party on May 4, 2013 as they hosted Fred at ‘A Night with Fred Amata’ at Abibiz restaurant & lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos. The events will continue celebrity charity challenge which will be a novelty

…As City People Set The Pace to fredamataat50@gmail.co football match where a select team of Nollywood stars, actors, musicians, comedians, television and radio personalities, challenge, the 1994 nations cup winning Super Eagles team, made up of Kanu Nwankwo, J Jay Okocha and other eagles players to, ‘Soccertainment’ for charity. The after party will be sponsored by Hennessey and the half time entertainment will be courtesy Timaya. Guest are requested to send their names as they would want it on their jersey and number choosing from 0-99

P Square, Flavour, J Martins, Others Rock Abia At Ochendo Concert N what may be termed a clash of giants Igetic in the Nigerian music scene, the enerP Square were joined by fellow super stars Flavour, J Martins, Terry G, Morachi, Deejays Waxy and Jimmy Jatt to thrill their fans in Umuahia. At an event tagged Abia Alive concert’, which took place at Umuahia township stadium, the gate was flung open as a crowd of music enthusiasts and supporters of the Ochendo Youth Foundation rushed to clinch seats ahead of the concert that came back to back from the A-list event According to the event organizers, “The aim was to engage the youth meaningfully and keep them away from unwholesome behaviour under an umbrella of entertain-

P Square ment and relaxation”. The show lived up to its billing as the day was a memorable one for both the artistes and their fans. In an interview, the duo of P Square shared their excitement at the acceptance accorded to them thus, “We are happy to be surrounded by a huge number of fans who have shown us so much love over the years. It was a moment we will live to remember. What I must say here is that Abia state is a homely state.” On his part, the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji said, “It’s no longer business as usual, because the youths of Abia have to set the pace for other youths in Nigeria, and that’s our commitment”. It was also an avenue for the display of creOf the Lord was a blend of allegro and majestic exativity by 2flame, a fast-rising entertainpression. ment outfit led by CEO Don Lulu as they O Thou That Tellest, which began on a soft pedestal succeeded in evoking ecstasy in the audi- proved their mettle as show promoters. The event we reliably gathered would be ence as it truly conveyed the joy that it professed. For Unto Us A Child Is Born was of no less delight. periodic even as the state unfolds more plans for capacity-building, as many apDominic Daniel showcased his mastery of the art. As he recited Why Do The Nations So Furiously plauded the efforts, saying it has opened the state to more possibilities and as the Rage Together, Let Us Break Their Bonds Asunder, and Thou Shall Break Them, an atmosphere of ag- next business and tourism destination in Nigeria. gression and brutality was engendered.

When Lagos City Chorale Celebrates With The Song Of Jubilee: Handel’s MESSIAH By Elijah Eda Samuel EORGE Frederic Handel’s Messiah is a G classic and evergreen oratorio. A display of artistry and piety, Handel found a medium to depict the prophesies on birth, the passion of Christ, and the redemption of the world through Jesus Christ in a music setting. For the performance of the world’s most popular and favorite oratorio, classical

music enthusiasts had thronged the Agip Recital Hall Of the MUSON Centre penultimate Sunday. So, when finally at 5.37pm., the Lagos City Chorale, conducted by Sir Emeka Nwokedi, started the performance of the evening with the opening Overture, the audience was ecstatic. Fred Duke began the rendition of the opening solos: Comfort Ye My People and Every Valley Shall Be Exalted with a rather assuring velvety tone. The following first chorus, And The Glory

m as jerseys will be printed for all celebrity participants. However, certain numbers are automatically seeded; No 1, No.10, NO.9 and especially NO.12 which is reserved for Gov. Babatunde Raji Fashola who will be the Player of Honour on the Day. The events will also include a white tie dinner and red carpet event which will showcase Fred Amata and other stars in a theatre performance of excerpts from Fred Agbeyegbe‘s stage play: “The King Must Dance Naked”. The celebration will conclude with an all-star visit to charity homes to spread gifts and goodwill.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

38 |

ENTERTAINMENT Building Industry Of Our Dream Is AMAN’s Vision, Declares Enebeli Stories by Sony Neme ARTISTES Managers Association in Å Nigeria (AMAN) President, Mr. Collins Ifeanyi Onwuneme Ajereh Enebeli a.k.a Mavin GrandPa has declared that the unity of artiste managers in Nigeria under a common umbrella remains a vision that will be pursued. He made this observation to The Guardian after he met with a group of young artiste managers who paid him a courtesy call at his Lekki, Lagos residence. Enebeli seized the opportunity to hail the organizers of the recent Nigerian Entertainment Conference for a job well done. According to Enebeli, “To state the obvious, Nigerian Entertainment Conference that was just held at the Grand Ball Room of the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos may have started to yield positive dividends. And there is the need to commend the efforts of the organizers of the conference with its theme ‘building the industry of our dreams’. The very impressive turnout of the industry stakeholders is an indication of the acceptance of the relevance of a conference of this nature.” He expressed joy at seeing various in-

dustry moguls and distinguished entertainment entrepreneurs discussing and offering their position statements on the state of the industry. His words: “One of the very positive aspects of the conference is the opportunity that it offered stakeholders to once again in an intellectually charged atmosphere to discuss the way forward and possibly put in place the mechanisms of networking together to achieve progressive results in the overall good of all. This conference have once again highlighted the obvious need for the entertainment industry to be run and managed in utmost professional conduct for rewarding dividends that will guarantee economic prosperity for stakeholders. He further explained that, “It was a welcome delight when it seems there was an overwhelming consensus on the part of the conference participants to recognize the missing links and resolve to see reasons to rebuild the industry of our dreams in line with the conference theme”. This clarion call for him, gave a boost to AMAN as most participants who before then were nursing the hope of affiliating to official professional artiste man-

agement body took the bold step to make the move in joining AMAN when they met the AMAN president Mr. Enebeli at the conference venue. “For the new artiste managers, it was like finding theirs missing ribs and returning to their roots. And I used the opportunity provided by the conference to make a spirited call to all artiste managers in Nigeria to come together and identity with the association so that together they can pull their strings and clout to reposition the association to make good it’s dreams and vision for the entertainment industry which is developing very fast”. The AMAN president stated that plans are underway to host a major homecoming and welcoming ceremony for new artiste managers on a date , time and venue to be announced soon after which intensive AMAN seminars and workshop will be held during a business luncheon which will also take place soon. He thanked the organizers of the Nigerian Entertainment conference and declared that AMAN have benefitted and plan to ensure that the gains are not lost but will justify the efforts of our collective will to build an industry of our dreams. Enebeli

Darey

Fashola, RMD Others Extol Efere’s Virtues T was a night of tributes for enIOzako, tertainment lawyer, Eferer as Lagos State Governor,

Kardashian

Exit Of The Ultimate Arrival RAWING a correlation between Kim D Kardashian’s visit to Nigeria, and the The Ultimate Arrival, Gulder beer’s televi-

The word has become synonymous with Gulder. Secondly, the dominant colours in the advert materials were red and black, sion commercial is a hard deal. This is be- which are also the colours which the precause the events bear a striking mium beer is synonymous with. Thirdly, a semblance, from their conception to exe- golden helmet was conspicuous at the cution as both events were heavily hyped base of the advert material. The golden across various media channels. Interest in helmet was a replica of the helmets which the ‘Love Like A Movie’ musical concert have been featured on several seasons of soared at the news that Kim Kardashian Gulder Ultimate Search, the brand’s flagwould co-host the show alongside Darey ship sponsorship platform. Art Alade, the host. In the same vein The The campaign script of the TVC was writUltimate Arrival drew suspense as billten by Insight Communications and proboards and newspaper adverts showcased duced by RedDot while the music sound the premiere of a movie with an untrack “Fever” was a rendition of an origiknown cast. Both events had movie nal work by the legendary Elvis Presley. themes. Landmark shots such as the National Arts Darey’s concert was titled ‘Love like a Theatre and the Sea Port, both in Lagos, movie’ while The Ultimate Arrival reveal were showcased; while the Lagos traffic was positioned as a movie premiere. As also depicted that the Gulder Man is an inNigerians waited with bated breath for habitant of the earth. the arrival of Kim Kardashian, so did they The new TVC was unveiled on Thursday, express keen interest in the The Ultimate April 25, 2013 to a select pool of journalArrival movie which was set to debut – ists, and later that evening, it was unveiled oddly enough - on selected local television on selected television stations for the first stations. Then the D-day for both events and only time, because The Ultimate Arcame as Kim Kardashian left the stage of rival will never be seen again on televiEko Hotel no sooner than she stepped on sion. it. But this was after she had muttered the Mr Yusuf Ageni, the Corporate Affairs Adwords “Hello Naija.” And that was it! viser, Nigerian Breweries Plc., represented Her duration on stage – from stage entry by Mr Edem Vindah, Corporate Media and to exit – which was less than three minBrand PR Manager, lauded the novelty of utes, generated divergent comments as The Ultimate Arrival TVC, which he deThe Ultimate Arrival turned out to be a scribed as: “The-first-of-its-kind television new Gulder television commercial and commercial, a different kind of advertisnot a movie, as depicted. The advert ing which highlights a different way of spanned a little over four minutes. Dedoing beer advertising in Nigeria that it spite the suspense that characterized the would be the main component of the Gulreveal, as the first giveaway was the der brand campaign for the rest of the moniker – The Ultimate. year.”

Babtunde Fashola, SAN, and his wife Dame Abimbola Fashola led a host of dignitaries to the service of songs held at Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos. It was an outpour of who and what the late Efere represents as family, friends and colleagues took turns to speak volumes of the good times they had with the ever friendly Warri boy. For his sister, Maero, it was difficult to complete her speech as she sobbed over a departed brother that was celebrated even in death. Richard Mofe damijo on his part took time to explain how painful it was missing such a wonderful friend. RMD who combined prose and poetry in his delivery ended on a comic note, “Efere you yab”. Since the sad news occurred on April 17, it has been an outpour of

goodwill in the blogs and the newspapers on the unfortunate passing of lawyer, entertainment industry authority, and publisher, Efere Ozako – who was confirmed dead at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. The service of songs put together by Opa Williams, Eddy Lawani and friends was a gathering of top lawyers, musicians, comedians, actors, entertainment entrepreneurs and others who paid their respects. Sammy Okposo was at hand to entertain with some gospel tunes. Ozako, a lawyer and publisher, popularized the (viral) Wetin Lawyers Dey Do Self? programme (supported by an outdoor campaign) which was aimed at demystifying law and bringing it to the grassroots. He founded Dtalkshop, publishers of Takaii magazine, one of Nigeria’s premier law enlighten-

ment tabloids and hosts of the Wetin Lawyers Dey Do Sef ? Ozako also maintained a litigation practice and was well known for the works he had done in the Nigerian entertainment industry, especially in the areas of intellectual property rights and the campaign for the new Nollywood. Ozako had represented artistes and institutions in the industry, including Ali Baba, Opa Williams, Mnet Africa and others, and played a very active role in the development and restructuring of Nollywood. He was a member of the Federal Government committee that streamlined the functions of the National Film and Video Censors Board, which also wrote the blueprint for setting up the Motions Picture Practitioners Council. He was also a member of the committee that drafted the Nigeria Film Policy. He is survived by his wife and two children.

Abiodun Koya Set For The Big Stage form at some big events across the globe. Speaking on her visit to Nigeria, with her new music video singles ti- she said, “It was part of my plans to build a stronger base with my tled Kabiyesi O and The Lord’s prayer. Both gospel tunes were shot home fans and to discuss with in the United States. The Ogun-State some management companies that have shown interest in born singer who has been in the working with me on the promocountry to promote her genre of tion of some of the songs I have music and to work with a notable recorded while in the States.” artist management company has Her main genre is Opera/Jazz set her mind on the big stage. but she recorded and released With a music career that has some of these gospel selections spanned over a decade, Abiodun as a way of giving back to God for who spent most of her formative her many talents and achieveyear abroad said she is ready to ments. Her words: “I am happy make her mark, hence her resolve to be in Nigeria to promote some to come home, promote her songs and prove to people that she has got of the works I did in the US. It has always been my dream to do what it takes to raise her game to a something like this and I am so meaningful. happy that I have been meeting Accordingly, Abiodun Koya who has won the hearts of her American with people who understand my mission and have bought into and Asia-based fans with her the idea; the experience has been Opera/classical style of music has awesome in the last two months. promised to present her Nigerian Also part of the plan is to do a fans with a feel of her talent that collabo with long time friend, has won her many awards and afAdewale Ayuba down the road.” forded her the opportunity to perIGERIAN-BORN US-based classiN cal singer/songwriter, Abiodun Koya is ready to hit the big stage

Abiodun

TheGuardian

Saturday, May 11, 2013 39

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Arts&Culture Author Of Nine Books Tasks President Jonathan On Piracy, Book Development By Anote Ajeluorou IS commitment to his writing craft is someH thing to envy him for. In just last year, Chukwunyere Chukwu published seven books. These he presented to a select few last week together with the two he previously published. His writing craft ranges from fiction, poetry, plays to inspirational and motivational materials, which he said are based on his keen observation of his environment and its kaleidoscope of happenings that continue to fascinate him. Chukwu’s books include Dynamics of Positive, Songs of Wisdom, Echoes from the Jungle, Aru! Avenge the Avenger, Dan Iska! The Place of Exploit, Owanbe! One Good Turn Deserves Another, Are you Ready? For Chukwu, these books are products of his deep passion to want to cause a change in his society. As he said at University of Lagos, where he spoke to reporters, “To be a writer, one must have passion, zeal and determination”. These elements he said he aptly combined to produce the works, adding, “My writing is a gift”. Chukwu said his books were gifts from God to whom he owes inspiration. He indicated that the ideas for the books had long been in his marrow and that he only brought them out at the appropriate time, which he said was now. Although everyone wants to write and make money immediately from his books, for Chukwu, the writing vocation offers another incentive, which is in passing life-changing messages to one’s generation. This, he said, was reward in itself! Apart from a lecturer at Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos, who motivated him by reading his first book, Are You Ready!, the Lagos chapter of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) is another arena of support that Chukwu has found for his writing career, noting, “ANA Lagos has been my source of inspiration and Folu Agoi (a former ANA Lagos chapter chairman) took me to ANA. All my inspiration has come from the environment – the things and people I see every day.” However, Chukwu’s fears are the various anomalies that serve as threats to writers, which might make them not to realise their

true potentials. Prominent among these is book piracy, which he tasked President Goodluck Jonathan to help fight. He also asked the President to pay more attention to agencies that are in the frontline of book development so as to strengthen them for effectiveness. He lamented that the “film industry has taken over our President’s attention even after he launched Bring back the Book project two years ago. He must return his attention to the book for us to have a healthy society!” Chukwu said he was desirous of using the ebook format and other online avenues to market his books to the public and was open to partnerships in that direction. LSO, ANA Lagos chapter used the opportuA nity of Chukwu’s presentation to intimate the public of its new focus and other initiatives to reposition the association and reclaim its glory days. Its vice chairman, Femi Onileagbon opined that the new ANA Lagos would have a functional board of trustees and it would take active interest in all issues affecting Nigerians even while remaining non-partisan. He tasked the Prof. Remi RajiOyelade-led national organ of the association to lead an inclusive association that everybody would proud of and not just an association for a clique. He stated, “ANA Lagos need to have a voice in all issues!” As part of the new reorganisation, Onileagbon said a platform would be estabANA Lagos chapter vice chairman, Mr. Femi Onileagbon; former chairman, Folu Agio and author of nine works, lished for junior authors to air their works, Chukwunyere Chukwu at the event and that it would be done in partnership with state governments. According to with effective participation of its executive lish accounts and budgets of the association; Onileagbon, “There were structures that were the constitution to be drafted will be made members. But indications emerged that some destroyed in ANA that must be rebuilt. Every of the executive members went by the name available for every potential member for structure for effectiveness must be rebuilt; only as they never participated or initiated wider input. In fact, there is so much potential there will be guilds within the chapter that any activity to move the association forward. in ANA but it is not being tapped”. will give expert advice on the way forward. Onileagbon stated with a measure of caution Agoi said the new ANA Lagos chapter was There will online registration and ANA chapthat although the new vision was possible possible with the right mindset of its drivers. ter in every local government area in Lagos with some dedication from its drivers, no mirAlthough as rosy as Onileagbon’s vision for State through Members Care Units (MTUs). acles should be expected. But he assured that the association sounds, the absence of other “We will revive relationships with culture he would work hard with other dedicated key members of the association like the chairagencies like British Council, Goethe Institut, members to bring about a new ANA Lagos man, Mr. Dagga Tolar, who was said to be out French Cultural Centre and there will be a cal- of town, raised eyebrows. A revamped associachapter that would be the pride of all writers endar of activities for the year. We will pubwithin the sweltering Lagos metropolis. tion such as ANA Lagos can only be possible

Mudiaga’s Caustic Verses On Maladministration, Terrorism By Christy Anyanji

IGHTMARES in Paradise (Bulkybon Publications Company, Lagos; 2013) by Adjekpagbon Blessed Mudiaga comes with a captivating title and an attractive cover design reminiscent of hell on earth. What comes across are images of fear. Dreaded animals like leopards, elephant, snake, buffalo, and spooky birds that signify misery, hopelessness, pain, and eventual death that are quite contradictory to a paradise, evoke scare from the book’s cover. Nightmares in Paradise can best be described as a mirror of the flaws, ills and ironies, which the poet satirises in terms of socio-political, economic and psychological spheres in the Nigerian society and the world. The book contains 89 poems written over a period of 15 years, from 1998 to 2013, according to the date at the end of each poem. The volume is divided into three sections- Political Poems, Spiritual/Religious/Sociological Poems and Love Poems. They satirise the activities of individuals as well as groups in both political and social circles in Nigeria and the globe. Some poems in all the sections are also specially dedicated to individuals. Section One mirrors the ills in society, especially among the ruling class in Nigeria, Africa and the world. Corruption, looting, dishonesty,

greed, maladministration, hypocrisy are the bane of Nigeria’s politics. The masses that voted politicians into power live in abject poverty. An average politician’s utmost aim is to get into power, after which the people’s mandate becomes secondary. For instance, in the poem, ‘The Ocean weeps’ the poet sees Nigeria as a weeping ocean. The political climate is in disarray due to bad leadership. Both past military and civilian administrations do not live up to expectations. This has been responsible for discontentment, misery, poverty and the likes. The present administration that promised to right the wrongs’ have disappointed the masses as these lines in ‘The Ocean weeps’ say: “...A Sandaless chameleon came promising to restore care/...Of all civil maladministration, this is the boss/...” at page 19. ‘Discordant rainbow’ is another political poem in which the poet examines the fact that Nigeria’s mess could also be traced to its tribal/dialectical sentiments, which is inimical to the realisation of a united country as these lines depict: “...An average ngbati-ngbati is inherently deceitful/An average container-onsea is mostly money ritualistic/An average buga shi is an incurable murderer...” at page 31. Moreover, the Spiritual/Religious/Sociological Poems section has two poems that are most interesting amongst others. ‘Wiser than the

oracle’ (dedicated to all Boko Haram’s victims) is an excellent piece. It satirises the belief of a particular sect, which decided to take over power from their object of worship, by maiming and killing innocent people in the guise of religion. According to the poet, the killers by their actions tell God in the following lines: “...Go to sleep and leave universal administration for us/...We also want to help you to kill all blasphemers/Of your holy name because you are too mute/...” This is laughable as it shows their ignorance. Since all the poems are dated, it is safe to say that they relate to significant events in the life and experiences of the poet. The commonest feature of all the poems in the book remains the fact that they delve into issues of common interest.

POETRY Man’s Travails “Every condition can change and whatever happens to anyone Can happen to you” Seneca (Dialogues and Letters) By kayoed Are In the distillation of reason A mentation per chance wrought Through confrontation with travails Adduced by cognate experience or vicariously From the rendition of victims or sympathisers Even a stone heart will tremble In the abyss of merriment A realization of transience of joy And the inevitability of occasional sadness Excited by recalls of insipid outcomes and all With the variability of rupture and rapture A reveller cannot but muse In the heart of middle class opulence A sprinkling of human misery subsists Vagrants, psychotics and loafers Products of fate or invidious human interaction What with the glaring oddity of want beside plenty An observer cannot help being amused

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

ARTS

By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku HE true test of love, they say, is sacrifice and T in times of war, sacrifice is an important rudiment of victory. This is well captured in Wole Oguntokun’s premiere of the play Legend of Moremi Ajaasoro in conjunction with MUSON Centre. Set in the ancient kingdom of Ile-Ife, the play narrates the brave sacrifice of a young woman and her undying love for her husband and his people. Originally from Offa, Moremi’s heart easily warmed to the people of Ile-Ife. The play is premised on the tragedy that plagued Moremi after she discovered the secrets of Ugbo people, who raided and terrorized the people of Ile-Ife. The revelation of their secret weaponry by Moremi led to their defeat. Though warned by her beloved husband, Oranmiyan not to carry out her espionage plans, Moremi sought the help of the gods with a promise to make a costly sacrifice if victorious. She allows herself to be captured by the Ugbo warriors during one of their raids and would later be the wife of the king of Ugbo. After the people of Ile-Ife conquered their longtime enemies, Moremi returned to the Esimirin shrine to fulfill her promise to the gods. It never occurred to her that the gods would demand for her only son, Ela. Thus, till date, Edi festival is celebrated in IleIfe as a hopeful wish that Ela, the son of Moremi, would return someday to reap the fruits of her labour. Performed at MUSON Centre recently, Renegade Theatre’s efforts to celebrate one of A scene fron the play the festival deities in the Yoruba land lived up to expectations. The stage was appropriately set in a traditional design, thus setting the mood for the audience to travel back in time and relive the sacrifices made by a courageous woman. The transition from each scene was seamless as it carried the audience along to a crescendo. Starting off with the rabble rouser played by Precious Anyanwu, who bickered endlessly to the annoyance of his fellow soldiers, which was a bit lengthy and could have been boring if not for the quick switch to the narrator played by Sunkanmi Adebayo accompanied by mournful citizens of Ile-Ife. Onwards, the play transcends to a flashback where the audience captures the beginning of the love tale. Moremi was a blend of gentility, bravery and The stage manager, Anike Alli-Hakeem made wisdom. For instance, she cleverly deceives her good effects in the lighting by dimming the best friend Ajike and escapes into the battlelights during mournful scenes and lighting field where she could easily be captured by the up the stage in stronger scenes. The costumes invisible Ugbo raiders. The audience was left to used were mostly traditional attire peculiar to their imagination on how the Ugbo raiders the Yoruba. A fog effect was also used to signidefeated the people of Ile-Ife as only cries of fy the presence of Esimirin, the god of Ile-Ife. defeat and victory could be heard, accompaThe director Oguntokun really scouted for nied by vibrant dancing or mournful singing. the best cast to bring action into this drama. Oranmiyan (Rotimi Fakunle), Moremi’s husAjike, Moremi’s best friend, played by Barbara band on the other hand, was a gentle warrior. Babarinsa, stole the show with her funny Though very loving, he is very strict and antics and undying devotion to her friend. exudes this when he reprimands Ajike for Though quite a talker, she was admirable in allowing his queen to leave the palace her act, and knew when to portray the expectunguarded. He is a loving husband to his wife ed character. and a fearless commander in the battlefield. The lead character Moremi, played by However, the weak character in the cast is the Jumoke Ladi Bello, was also a strong one. king of Ugbo played by Austine Onuoha. As a Described as a brave young woman, one terror to the people of Ile-Ife, one expected a would expect the contemporary outright very callous being or intimidating character. stubborn nature of bravery but in this case, Despite this, he is still able to play his part well

Tragedy Of Love In Legend Of Moremi Ajaasoro in his gentle manner. The play draws themes from friendship, loyalty, sacrifice as we as ignorance. The people of Ile-Ife are mystified by the mask-wearing Ugbo people, and thought them to be spirits who could not be defeated not until Moremi returned with the secrets of Ugbo marauders. This clearly depicts the fearful nature of mankind sometimes caused by naivety. Ajike’s death in the play is very touching and renders justice to the subject matter: love and sacrifice. In an attempt to save her friend from being caught by the Ugbo soldiers, Ajike stays back in the palace, pretending to be Moremi while her friend escapes in the night to her beloved land, Ile-ife. Another interesting feature of the cast are IleIfe citizens. The synergy exuded by these characters is simply impeccable. They really execute the traditional approach of the director through their protestations and victory

chants. The music and dance performances by the characters are entertaining to say the least. As much as the cumulative scenes peaks with the defeat of the Ugbo raiders after Moremi’s return to Ile-Ife, the narrator quickly snatches this feeling of happily-ever-after by announcing Moremi’s promise to Esimirin. A joyful Moremi is seen dancing excitedly in the shrine as she presents gifts to the gods in appreciation of her victory only to be reminded of the demand of Esimirin of something very dear to her through flashback. A heartbroken Moremi is consoled by her fellow women as she watches painfully as her only son Ela, is kidnapped by the servant of death to Esimirin. This provokes feelings of compassion and pity from the audience, and serves as a wicked reminder of the wishes of mankind and the costly price they have to pay.

Lagos City Chorale And Orchestra Celebrates 25th Anniversary At MUSON Centre ILLED to capacity with no Fdescribes standing room best the attendance of the

Lagos City and Orchestra during the celebration

recently held silver Jubilee celebration of Lagos City Chorale and Orchestra held at the Agip Hall of MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. A number of dignitaries turned up to support the international award-winning choir, which also had in the group a number of choristers from the Musical Society of Nigeria itself. The 25th anniversary was marked with the presentation of perhaps the world’s most popular and imperishable oratorio “The Messiah” composed by George Frideric Handel and was delivered as composed in its three parts with text from the bible that expresses musically the birth of Christ, the

passion of Christ and the hope of redemption of the world. Superbly delivered, it held the audience spellbound for over two hours’ presentation. It featured 3 soprano soloists, 2 Alto soloists, 2 Tenor soloists and 2 Bass soloists. Leader of the orchestra was kehinde Davis and on the organ was Alaba Akinselure. The over 70-man strong choir and orchestra was directed by Sir Emeka Nwokedi who is currently the director of MUSON choir. Nwokedi, has been in the forefront of chorale music for over 40 years and cofounded the Lagos City Chorale with the late Senator Lere Adesina in 1988. Only last year in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S., the choir won three silver medals for Nigeria in

three categories when they contested in the World Choir Games. The event had a congregation of 350 choirs from 65 countries in attendance. This, along with other international appearances, is putting them on the world map as a force to be reckoned with in chorale music. The choir has been invited to participate in the forthcoming 1st European Choir Games taking place in Graz, Austria from July 14 – 21, 2013. The Lagos City Chorale has special interest in developing Nigerian indigenous chorale music to the point of universal value, international recognition and acceptance, hence it showcases sufficiently Nigeria’s rich indigenous chorale music at all its international performances.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

SHORT STORY

By Segun Durowaiye (08055356855) HIEF Ogungbemi was unrepentantly C wicked. He had a strange mental attitude. He believed stealing was a good virtue. And so he stole blindly from anybody that did business with him. A lot of people had fallen victim to him. He lived on the outskirts of Ikorodu where he was a building contractor. He believed so much in the efficacy of charms and juju. He would always boast of his supernatural prowess in the world of voodoo. Truly, a lot of people who mistakenly did business with him always left their landed properties and ran away without coming back to their properties again. Such was his skill in the use of juju that he would sell your landed property in your presence and there was nothing you could do if you value your life. He was a short, stocky and darkskinned man with a very mean visage. But he was a good pretender who could cleverly lure you into parting with your money after blindfolding you with powerful charms. Some of his unlucky victims died in mysterious circumstances and he would claim ownership of their landed properties the next moment. Mr. Olaoluwa was Ogungbemi’s next victim. The gentle, kind and easy-going man had recently won a contract that fetched him multi-millions of naira and he intended building a sophisticated house after buying a land very close to where

many hospitals for the cure to his swollen leg but got no solution. Medical experts tried many drugs but couldn’t understand his health condition and he spent several thousands of naira, all to no avail. Ogungbemi would call him on phone and tell him that work was going on steadily at the site. Meanwhile, Ogungbemi was looking for buyers for the landed property. Once a while, Olaoluwa would sign cheques in the Ogunbemi’s name for the project. He thought his building project was going on without any hitch. Olaoluwa was a tall, slim and handsome man. The wicked chief would snap the picture of another person’s house and show him to make him fall for the ruse. He tried every possible trick to make him swallow his poisonous bait. Even in his illhealth and worse condition, the demonic chief was still collecting money from Olaoluwa under false pretences. To finally kill Olaoluwa, the wicked chief targeted the last day in the month of June. He had made every arrangement and did the necessary spiritual rites. He built a spiritual effigy in Olaoluwa’s name and placed a sharp dagger beside it. A spiritual effigy is a dummy or replica of a person to be killed through voodoo or juju. It’s only practiced by wicked spiritualists. The sharp dagger would be used to strike the innocent man’s heart on the very last day of June. He was working on the orders from his gods. Gradually, the days in the month of June continued to pass by. At that very moment it was on the 15th of June. Ogungbemi waited patiently like the vulture. He continued his satanic rituals every now and then but was very eager to see the end of the month of June when he would end Olaoluwa’s life. The soft-spoken and kind rich man wasn’t aware that the source of his present predicament was someone he trusted and whom he thought was his confidant. The agonizing pains continued unabated. He bore it stoically and enduringly, wondering what actually caused this strange illness. Every now and then, painful tears would stream down his eyes. When the end of the month of June finally came, Ogungbemi prepared earnestly to kill Olaoluwa. He started chanting some powerful and demonic incantations. He moved closer to the spiritual effigy and deftly raised his sharp dagger up with the intention of piercing Olaoluwa’s heart. As he was about bringing down the dagger, there was a loud thunderclap and then suddenly lightning struck his two houses. They went up in flames. It was a mysterious fire! The tongues of flames was so devastating that it consumed the houses and he couldn’t take a pin out of them. It was so calamitous! His only son was caught up in the mysterious fire and he died from the burns he suffered. Ogungbemi cried his eyes out. He knew that it was retributive justice from the Creator Himself. But all these happenings were child’s play compared to developments a couple of weeks later. The chief started emaciating to his shock and surprise. Everybody knew all was not well with him. Within one month, he was as thin as a broom stick. He vomited any food he ate and suffered terrible pains. He consulted his gods and did all the necessary spiritual sacrifices but he got thinner the more. He cried and cried as the excruciating pains continued and he suffered greatly. Three months later, he became a begtime, Ogungbemi had built two storey-buildOgungbemi lived. Little did he know he was gar on the streets of Lagos. ings for himself out of the ill-gotten wealth he making a terrible mistake when the Chief conOne Tuesday morning, he sat by the cortacted him and he fell hook, line and sinker for stole from Olaoluwa. Ogungbemi’s wealth increased stupendously and he became very, very ner of the road and burst into uncontrolled his sugar-coated tongue by giving him the tears. “Ah, this suffering is too much for me happy. Olaoluwa didn’t know that the wicked building contract. to bear! I can’t take it any longer! I wish Olaoluwa trusted Ogungbemi wholeheartedly chief was using 99 per cent of the building proj- death would come speedily to take me to its ect money for his personal needs. The more he and he didn’t know he was dining with the bosom. It’s not morally and spiritually right pumped money into the project, the more the devil himself. Every week, the evil chief would pocket of the greedy chief got bigger. The chief to cheat fellow human beings!”, he wailed. chant strange incantations before setting out Six months later, he died when his blood had would frame up dirty lies that work was going to meet the kind and soft-spoken rich man. dried up completely beside a popular refuse on at the site. His juju had gotten the better of Olaoluwa would give him millions of naira depot in Mushin, Lagos. without even seeing what he did with it. He was Olaoluwa’s faculty that he didn’t bother to visit Happily and surprisingly, Olaoluwa’s the site, thinking everything was in order. unmistakably acting under a supernatural health started getting better. A week after It had reached a stage where Ogungbemi spell. Ogungbemi’s death, he was back on his feet started planning to kill Olaoluwa so as to take “Ha, haa, haaa!,” Ogungbemi laughed misagain, hale and hearty. He got a multi-milover his landed property. He consulted his chievously, “the frogs cannot reject the call of lion naira contract from a reputable oil the stream and neither will the birds reject the mean gods for the right voodoo to kill company at the end of that very month. He Olaoluwa. The first wicked arrow from call of the sky. Whatever I tell Olaoluwa is a built three exotic mansions in the highbrow command and is binding. He must do my wish Ogungbemi’s voodoo hit Olaoluwa on the leg area of Victoria Island in Lagos within six and he started feeling terrible pains. He forever. Ha, haa, haaa!” months. Almighty God gave him other opcouldn’t go out for several weeks. His right leg Ogungbemi hurriedly built the foundation portunities to make more millions and have started swelling and he felt some excruciating of Olaoluwa’s house to fool him and he began pains that numbed his senses. Olaoluwa visited resounding good health to enjoy the fruits to milk him dry steadily. Within a very short of his labour.

Thunderbolt Of The Almighty

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

HEALTHFEATURE From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo AD it been such steps were taken earli“H er by the relevant authorities, I am very much certain that my two sisters would have still been alive today.” These were the words of Hassana Adamu whose two sisters died of HIV/AIDS. With tears trickling down her cheeks, Hassana spoke with The Guardian On Saturday through an interpreter during the recent quarterly meeting of the Taraba State Agency for the Control of Aids (TACA) where several items donated by the World Bank to be used in waging war against HIV/AIDS in the nooks and crannies of the state, were distributed out to the coordinators of Local Action Committee on Aids (LACA). She lamented that such gestures “are coming when my sisters have gone.” Like Hassana, many persons who witnessed the ceremony, bemoaned how their loved ones died as a result of HIV/AIDS. The meeting which took place at the multipurpose hall of the state branch of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) was geared towards preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS which prevalence rate has risen to 5.8 per cent. The prevalence rate which is presently giving TACA and partner agencies sleepless nights, is said to be the highest in the NorthEast region of the country. Although distraught at the loss of her sisters, Hassana takes consolation in the fact that all hope is not lost for sufferers. “Although my late sisters were not as lucky as the present HIV/AIDS infested persons, but all the same, I thank God that the present government has deemed it fit to reach out to those suffering from the sickness. “When I lost my sisters, the level of awareness then was very low. But with what I have seen today, certainly there is a lot of hope for those living with the disease,” she said. Items distributed to LACA coordinators from the the 16 local government councils of the state include motorcycles, laptops and printers. The items which were donated by the World Bank, according to the permanent secretary of TACA, Dr. Ambita Siman, would go a long way in reducing to the barest minimum, the high rate of HIV/AIDS in the state. Determined and optimistic that the current prevalence rate would be brought down so long as the much needed data are not only collected by the coordinators who have been empowered but made available to TACA, the sky, he believes, will be “the starting point in flushing out HIV/ AIDS from our state.” Imploring the coordinators to make judicious use of the items, TACA, Siman

World Bank Assists Taraba In Fight Against HIV/AIDS declared, would continue to work round the clock alongside partner agencies to address the HIV/AIDS issue which has eaten deep into the fabric of the state. He praised the state government for not only paying its counterpart funds, but for also providing an enabling environment for TACA to operate effectively. For the war against HIV/AIDS in the state to succeed, rich individuals, especially the elected council chairmen, he suggested, should join the crusade so as to reduce over dependency on the World Bank and other foreign donors. Dr. Garba Danjuma whom The Guardian learnt was the project manager, said if the donated items are use as directed, the

prevalence rate “of HVI/AIDS in this state, would soon be a thing of the past.” Some of the participants who also spoke at the occasion were of the opinion that

With these equipment, I am very much certain that our quest to make the state free of HIV/AIDS will surely come to reality because my colleagues and I will from this day on do all we can to reduce it.

HIV/AIDS would have been tackled effectively but for the lukewarm attitude of former leaders. On their own parts, the LACA coordinators collectively agreed to increase the level of awareness campaigns against HIV/AIDS, saying that their collective actions would help in the fight against the scourge. Gabriel Nyavo, one of the coordinators, said: “With these equipment, I am very much certain that our quest to make the state free of HIV/AIDS will surely come to reality because my colleagues and I will from this day on do all we can to reduce it.” Like Nyavo, other coordinators were very much hopeful that their efforts would go a long way to help those living with HIV/AIDS.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

JUSTHUMAN

Time Running Out For Mercy… By Ibukunoluwa Kayode ARELY two weeks after her birth, twoB year-old Mercy Ohale, the first and only child of Mr and Mrs Raymond Ohale was diagnosed with a hole in the heart. According to the mother, Ijeoma Ohale, Mercy’s was however being treated for malaria. “… I discovered her breathing was too fast and she was not growing normally. So, we decided to take her to the hospital in the East where she was treated repeatedly, but we noticed her health was not improving so I decided to bring her to Lagos. When we got to Lagos her health started deteriorating I noticed she was changing color then she fainted often.” “ The first time she fainted, we rushed her to Oguntolu General Hospital at Palmgroove, where she was stabilzed. Thereafter, she was referred to Gbagada General Hospital from where after much treatments we were referred to Mercy Hospital on the Island some X-rays and test. After so much test carried out on my daughter the doctor referred us to Ikeja General Hospital, Ayinke House but we could not see the doctor due to massive crowd. We took her to a nearby hospital and after close observation by the doctor we were referred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital LUTH at Idi Araba for a comprehensive check, from there she was refered to Mecure Laboratory at Oshodi for more tests which cost us a lot of money. It was there she was diagnosed with a hole in the heart.” According to the Health report issued November 12, 2012 by the Consultant Pediatrician, Professor C.A Okoromah of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital Idi Araba (LUTH) : “Mercy requires further cardiovascular evaluation and possible heart surgery to correct the heart abnormality in order to prevent irreversible and life-threatening complications. Open-heart surgery is not currently available in our hospital. We have good surgical outcomes from our

Mercy requires further cardiovascular evaluation and possible heart surgery to correct the heart abnormality in order to prevent irreversible and life-threatening complications. Openheart surgery is not currently available in our hospital. We have good surgical outcomes from our patients referred to MIOT hospital in Chennai, India but the parents can choose to go to any preferred pediatric cardiovascular care patients referred to MIOT hospital in Chennai, India but the parents can choose to go to any preferred pediatric cardiovascular care.” Due to Mercy’s condition had to stop her business of petty trading to look after her ailing daughter. The father Raymond who lost his job few years fends for his family with epileptic commercial Okada. “… I have to take her to the hospital every two weeks for her drugs and checkup... little income the father makes is not enough to buy even her drugs let alone the surgery since...” the mother lamented. The total cost of the surgery (with other expenses) to be carried out on Mercy in India is N3million. “I feel so sad seeing my daughter excruciating day by day. One side of her chest is already swollen ... Iam appealing to kind-hearted Nigerians to please help save Mercy, she is my first and only child and I don’t want to watch her die.” Mercy’s mother pleads. Help can reach the Ohale’s through: A/C name: Ebere Anointing Ohale A/C NO: 6040367764 FIDELITY BANK GSM: 07035279621

Mercy

having his haemodialysis session regularly, which is worsening his health status everyday. A report by Dr. K. E. Asomugha of Dialyzers Medical Centre, Oshodi, Lagos on Onyedika’s condition states: “He is a sickle cell patient who was diagnosed of having sickle cell nephropathy in India where he had his first session of haemodialysis.” Onyedika was further diagnosed of chronic kidney disease associated with reduction in urine output, respiratory disease, pale looking, afebrile, anicteric and bilateral pitting oedema. It states further: “He has been counseled and he is currently making efforts to have a suitable donor for the transplant operation in India with a total cost of six million naira (the cost estimate excludes travel expenses and then, they have been taking him to hospitals total accommodation).” for medical attention. Pleading for help to save Onyedika, his “Last year,” he said, “one of our town’s man who had a similar problem told us that we can father said: “All the money I and my wife have go to India and give him vaccine which can last worked for has been pumped into his health. We have now resorted to borrowing in order for five years to cushion the effects of the conto keep my son alive. Look at these dialysis dition.” receipts. For the month of March (2013) With support from family members and alone, I have spent a total of N208, 000. This friends, they raised funds and took him to is what I have been doing. How long will this India for the purpose. It was in the course of last? My work stopped in the course of caring undergoing the treatment in India that the doctors revealed that he was having kidney dis- for him, and my wife who is a teacher cannot do much as she earns little. ease. They recommended that he would need “Help me, help me! I need help. Nigerians, to undergo kidney transplant to stay alive. please help me, he is my first son. I plead with The doctors did the first session of haemodialNigerians, Governor Peter Obi, Governor ysis for Onyedika but he could not continue Babatunde Raji Fashola and other people to because the family ran out of funds, and he come to my help.” had to return home. Onyedika who hails from Nnewi in Anambra “The hospital in India told us that before we State needs your help to live and be happy can do anything, they (hospital in India) will have to do transplant a kidney for my son,” his again. Readers can send donations to: Account name: Ben Udebuani father said. Account number: 0018558102 With a heavy heart, he said that owing to Bank: Access Bank financial constraints, Onyedika has not been Phone: 08035698183

Please, Help Onyedika To Live

Onyedika

By Chidi Iloamaeke HE life of Onyedika Udebuani, 24 years, is T gradually ebbing away, but he can be helped to live if help comes to him urgently. Onyedika’s father, Mr. Ben Udebuani, lamenting the agony his ailing son is passing through, said. “He does not sleep, eat, bath like a normal human being. His body swells as the days go by. He has stopped schooling due to his health condition. He is under excruciating pains from his kidney. The pains, agonies and tears he experiences

every second he takes a breath are enough to take the life of this intelligent and promising young Nigerian. When he was attending school, he was brilliant. At a point, he was attending classes twice a week but he has now stopped as a result of the sickness. But we managed until he concluded his secondary education”. He disclosed that Onyedika was nine months old when had a terrible sickness, which necessitated their spending several weeks in the hospital where he was diagnosed as having sickle cell anaemia. Since

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

BUSINESSFEATURE

Olanrewaju

Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Trade and Investment

Sachdev

‘Govt Should Revive Textile Industry, Encourage Local Production’ ous effects on the economy. “I don’t know whether government didn’t have that premonition. We told them and they said that there was nothing that they could do. They have signed the World Trade Organisation (WTO) agreement and that is it. Within four or five years, a lot of textile companies closed down,” he said. In the mid-seventies and eighties, he said, over 175 companies were members of the association. By 1994 it had dropped to124 members companies. By 2002 about 70 companies had closed HE textile industry used to be a main down. source of employment in Nigeria. Over Today, only about 30 textile companies are in 350,000 workers used to be employed in the Nigeria. The multiplier effects cannot be overestiindustry. That time, the industry used to mated. “Almost half a million workers lost their export fabrics to countries in the West jobs,” he said. African sub region. Workers worked in shifts He regretted that governments sometimes don’t in Aswani, Afprint and other textile indusdo adequate homework before they comes fortries in Lagos, Kaduna, Kano and Aba. Today, mulate policies. “I wouldn’t say that SAP didn’t Afprint has metamorphosed into Kewalram have some useful effects because it restricted Group, buying and selling the latest importation then, but we still had to import Mitsubishi cars in the country. majority of our raw materials, dyes and chemiAswani Textile has changed to Chellarams cals,” he said. Plc, producing nylon and selling bicycles. In Olarewaju noted that we produce short, medithose days, there used to be Kaduna Textiles um and staple length cotton in Nigeria. “So, peoLimited, Nigerian Textile Mills Ltd, Bendel ple who want to produce fabrics still import long Textile Mills Ltd among others. Indian, stable cotton from countries in West Africa. They Lebanese, Syrian, Chinese and other nationimport from Chad, Niger, even from Cameroun,” als started manufacturing in Lagos and he said. Kano. At the end of the civil war, many comThe government, he added, cannot go back to panies sprang up. It is on record that from banning importation of fabrics from other counfewer than five companies in 1962, the industries because the whole world is moving towards try had as many as 150 units (big, medium trade liberalisation. “So there is no guarantee that and small) in 1975. government will come back with any ban on forCompanies continued to develop due to the eign fabrics. What we are asking government to ban on importation of grey fabrics from 1978 do is to give incentives to local manufacturers as and the banning of importation of yarn as it is being done in other parts of the world,” he from 1984 led to backward integration into said. spinning, ginning and cotton farming. The In some countries, he added, government imposperiod was viewed as the flourishing period es high tariff to discourage importation of forof the industry. eign fabrics. “People may have to pay 100 percent The situation started deteriorating after the duties on foreign goods to encourage people to mid-80s when the Structural Adjustment patronise local products. As of today, you can Programme (SAP) was introduced by the gov- import virtually anything on the street. Toilet ernment. In 1997, the government lifted the rolls, toothpicks are imported into the country. ban on importation of foreign fabrics. The The government should encourage the local proliberalisation opened the country to all sorts duction,” he said. of foreign fabrics from any part of the world. Citing the case of some places in India which like “Nobody was alerted that it was going to Nigeria faces challenges of power supply, he said: happen. Even in 1996 we had a summit in “If you generate your own power with 10 dollars Kaduna where we asked government to con- in India, government will possibly give you two tinue to protect the textile industry. A lot of other recommendations were made to the government. Unfortunately, in January 1997, they lifted the ban on importation of fabrics. Within two to three months, the whole country was flooded with foreign fabrics,” said Jaiyeola Paul Olarewaju, Director General, Nigerian Textile Manufacturer Association and Nigerian Textile Garments and Tailoring Employers Association. He recalled that the association warned the government that the policy would have seri-

The textile industry was at a time a main source of employment in Nigeria. Unfortunately today, it is moribund. DEBO OLADIMEJI takes a look at the industry and how it could be resuscitated.

‘

dollars as an incentive to cushion the cost of production. That is what we are asking government to do in Nigeria to cushion the effects of poor infrastructure which forces textile mills and other industrial establishments into self-provisioning to generate their own electricity, supply their own water and fuel/oil (LPFO)” he stated. Olarewaju said that government itself should implement the idea of buying made-in-Nigeria goods. “Because if people are importing and government agencies are importing, how are they encouraging the local producers? We want the government to help us to continue to be in business,” he said. He disclosed that before now, no commercial bank wanted to do business with textile industries because they felt the industry was not doing well. “The government intervention funds helped to provide loans to people who are investing in the textile industry. But what we are asking from government is not only money. All these other things I discussed should also be addressed,” he said. He stressed that something should to be done to bring down the cost of production of local fabric. “It is not that our goods are not competitive when you talk about quality. The cost of production is the problem.” He cited employment as one of the many benefits of reviving the textile industry, stressing that unemployment is the main cause of insecurity in the land. “That is what is happening in the Northern part of the country,” he said. On his part, Chief Eleanya Agu Okoroji, President, Aba Chamber of Commerce, said that the glorious days of the textile industry in Nigeria were those past years when local raw materials such as cotton were used to manufacture high quality textile materials for Nigerians. “Between 1975 and 1990, at least four textiles mills and a rug factory were active in the East. The textile mills in the east directly employed about 3,000 Nigerians and offered downstream jobs to over 5,000 people. At least 7-9% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The boom days of the textile industries improved cotton cultivation in the North East and North West of Nigeria,” he said. Cultivation of cotton seed, he said, also boosted cotton seed oil production and cotton cake for the poultry industry. “The problem in the indus-

In those days, people in the North preferred to work in the textile industries in Kaduna, Niger and Kano states. But virtually all the textile companies have folded up. The textile companies would have provided jobs for the people and thus reduce insecurity in the North,

try began when government reduced duty charges on imported textile materials, coupled with erratic power supply. The solution is to open and expand existing textile mills, improve power supply and access to finance,” he said. He recalled Aba Textile Mills Ltd, Aba General Cotton Mills, Onitsha Nibletex Industries Ltd, Ojike Lane, Aba Niger Garment Industries Ltd and Aba Rosies Garments Ltd were once very active in the East, lamenting that no textile company exists in the East today. Lynnley Perry of Lenbon Deigns Ltd, an Australian investing in the fashion industry in Nigeria, urged government to encourage the growth of textile industry to boost foreign investment. “I did a feasibility study on China earlier. The cost of labour is 40 cents an hour whereas in Nigeria, it is 7 cents. It is very encouraging for any company that wants to set up a company in Nigeria to do so,” she said. Perry wants the government to encourage farmers to produce high quality cotton needed to make fabrics. “The fabrics we are producing in Nigeria are better than those of South Africa. I know that Nigerians can do better,” she said. Bonny Egbo, a trader from Benue State, said Northern governments should be the most interested in revamping the textile industry. “In those days, people in the North preferred to work in the textile industries in Kaduna, Niger and Kano states. But virtually all the textile companies have folded up. The textile companies would have provided jobs for the people and thus reduce insecurity in the North,” he said. The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mahesh Sachdev, corroborated the fact that inadequate power supply is a challenge to the textile sector in Nigeria, noting that Indian investors in the textile sector have moved to other sectors of the economy. “Indians who were in the textile industry in the past have moved on to invest in other sectors from pharmaceuticals to airlines. Nigeria can import yarn from India and Indians are ready to work in the textile industry in Nigeria provided there is stable power supply. I also know that with the privatisation of the power sector there is hope about power improving in Nigeria. “I would also mention here that we are partnering with Nigerians in building human capacity in the sector. One of the prime objectives of the governor of Kano State, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, when he visited India, was to attend the 50th India International Garment Fair, the largest in India. He has leveraged on his experience at the fair to set up garment incubating centres all over Kano State,” he said.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

With DESMOND EKEH desmondekeh@yahoo.com; 08023215535

Bollywood Centenary: The Success Story Of Indian Film Market And Lessons For Nollywood By Abiodun Obisesan HE impact of the Bollywood movie industry has continued to elicit positive reviews within the rank and file of global moviemakers, thespians, movie buffs, marketers, tourists, brand strategists, and the world at large owing to its mammoth financial capacity and strategic brand artefacts. No doubt, this Indian cinematic tradition which commenced May 3, 1913 without “Bollywood’’ nomenclature, spanning a full-circle centenary milestone, has been hailed not only for having successfully exported its rich socio-cultural values, embedded in its soulful music and synchronised dance troupe repertoire, but have also deployed timeless themes that encapsulate human experience in an holistic sense. Bollywood, the name given to India’s Mumbaibased movie industry, is one of the world’s largest movie-making entities, the largest the planet has ever seen. Little wonder global market experts and researchers peg India’s Bollywood film industry at a whopping $2 billion, making it a force to compete with the likes of Hollywood in America. About three decades ago, the ubiquity of Bollywood films in Nigeria was so intense that movie buffs swamped various cinema centres to catch a view of Indian films, which usually produced the most amazing cathartic feelings. This was largely based on the fact that Bollywood’s escapist fantasies had long held mass appeal because there was enough realism in the common man’s life. Interestingly, the Nigerian movie market was not the only ‘victim’ of Bollywood’s rampaging influence. India’s huge movie brand, in recent decades, has also spread out to Europe, Britain and North America, where a large Indian Diaspora had long settled. According to market experts, by 2016, Bollywood’s revenue is expected to reach $4.5 billion. Bollywood gross receipts have almost tripled since 2004. But since ticket prices are so much lower in India than in the U. S., Hollywood generates much higher revenue—as much as $51 billion annually, according to

Desmond Elliot

Bollywoodcountry.com. One of Nollywood’s finest and multi-talented actors, Joseph Benjamin, bared his mind on the legendary and phenomenal achievement of the Bollywood industry. “Bollywood as a unique film industry has really come of age. This is because, they can be regarded as pace setters and a standard bearer as far as the global movie industry is concerned. They are much organised and synchronise their acts in such an amazing manner. Apparently, Bollywood’s movie artistry has redefined and refined the act of movie production globally. Indeed, they deserve all the attention the world seems to be showering on them. They have had a very strong bearing and influence on all across the globe. I grew up watching Bollywood films with a strong devotion and they have consistently surprised us with their smooth script delivery. They have a lot of stars like Amir Khan, Dramenda and others, who can hold their own anywhere in the world,” Benjamin said. On Bollywood’s achievement and how Nollywood could bolster its professional capacity, Benjamin stated: “Nigeria’s Nollywood needs patience and perseverance to get to the point where Bollywood is today. Presently, Nollywood is undoubtedly the biggest employer of labour in Nigeria. We must take into cognisance some of these market indices before giving Nollywood a bad name. Although, it could be said that we are not exactly where we are supposed to be, Nollywood has also grown in leaps and bounds. The government, private individuals, multi-nationals, and brands are all rallying round us in the Nollywood industry and things will definitely get better. It is true that Nollywood is currently battling a lot of challenges. Let us not forget that it took Bollywood 100 years to get to the point in their movie production. We really need to continue to give Nollywood the support it can get in order to get even among global players.” Also, veteran Nollywood actor, Zach Orji, shared his opinion about Bollywood’s centenary and lessons Nigeria’s motion picture can learn from it. “Bollywood is one of the best motion picture brands in the world. It has been able to write its name in world history with this top-notch medium of storytelling that cannot be faulted. Bollywood has been hugely successful because it has a clever way of infusing its cultural ethos and peculiarities into motion picture practice. Hence, the production and packaging are home made without wrongful translation of language into other languages,” Orji said. With respect to Nollywood, he bemoaned the unrefined and mediocre reality of movies made in Nigeria. “The large proportion of the challenges facing our Nollywood industry is poor treatment of scripts. Most of the scripts flying in Nigeria’s motion picture industry are mediocre and poorly delivered. Until we wake up from this anomaly, we may not be able to compete very well on the global stage like Bollywood. Sadly, some movie producers in Nollywood are oblivious of the dangers of translation from one language to another. There is a high disregard for language, diction and other nuances of communication in Nollywood. Sometimes, they

tend to forget that the Nigerian consumers are the primary beneficiary and target of movies. Our cultural values should also be streamlined in our storylines like Bollywood is doing. More cinemas should also be built to compliment the effort of DVD production.” Since the emergence of the Nollywood industry, Nigerians have indeed supported the sector. This development has remarkably reduced the influence of Bollywood movies in Nigeria. So far, Nollywood has earned its pride of place in West Africa, the Diaspora and other countries. However, in spite of this commendable feat, the industry still faces a wide range of challenges, which has stunted its market potentials till date. A renowned movie producer in the Nollywood industry, Emem Isong, highlighted some of these challenges. He said: “Piracy is the biggest challenge facing this industry. Piracy is a chaotic distribution of the system. Distribution is a major problem right now. We make movies even if we don’t have enough cinemas. The challenge is not necessarily funding; even if you get funds, you cannot make returns on investment if the endemic challenge of piracy remains unresolved. Hence, we must tackle and resolve the distribution problem before we can smile. If you make a film and you cannot boast of selling 100,000 copies in a country of over 150 million people, then there is a problem somewhere.” Isong reiterated that piracy has become endemic and urged stakeholders to tackle it headlong. “I am a core film maker and I know that beyond other challenges facing the industry, piracy is the ugliest. More so, there are other issues like premature taxing of the film industry. When a filmmaker takes a film to the cinema, the cinema gets 70 per cent while we get only 30 per cent. From this 30 per cent, you will have to pay all sorts of taxes. How can we survive? I think that the Nigerian filmmaker is an endangered specie. We built this industry on nothing. There are no funds from anywhere; even the one that we should get has not been released,” she bemoaned. The aesthetic and melodramatic quality of Bollywood is noteworthy. Its plotlines, more often than not, involve stars breaking into song. This is usually in picturesque far-flung locations, a distinct brand style that may bemuse a Western audience, but one that helps to set Indian cinema apart. This dance-drama tradition no doubt differentiates Bollywood from other movie industries; sound tracks are carefully couched to become an instant hit. Although Nigeria’s Nollywood industry has produced iconic actors, movie producers, scriptwriters, cinematographers, and other paraphernalia of movie productions, the

IBM Appoints Ndu Emuchay As Distinguished Engineer NIGERIAN Arch. Ndu A Emuchay has been appointed as Distinguished Engineer with IBM Corporation in the United States of America. Each year IBM awards the title of Distinguished Engineer (DE), one of the company’s highest technical honours, to the top experts who demonstrate strong potential for continuing technical contributions and reflecting work that truly represents innovation that matters. He is one of the select of the corporation to be so honoured. With the DE appointment comes added responsibility: DEs are integral members of their units’ executive teams, demonstrating leadership across the company by consulting with

management on technical and business strategies and their implementation. Emuchay’s new role as Distinguished Engineer in the IBM Corporate Strategy Team will enable a confluence and application of his expertise and experience to support IBM clients, strategic IBM initiatives, thought leadership and innovation with a focus on Middle East and Africa, and to drive technical skill development in the region. Emuchay attended Federal Government College (FGC) Warri (1983), graduated with Bachelor of Science (1988) and Master of Science Architecture (1990) degrees from the Abia State University, and Master of Science

Emuchay degree in Information Systems and Technology (1996) from City University London, UK. He is a member of IBM Academy of Technology, and core member of various IBM Architecture Boards.

Genevieve Nnaji epic centenary milestone of Bollywood should begin to engender more professional practice in the industry. Government, corporate organisations and the entire citizenry must not relent in providing moral and financial support to further the cause of the industry around the world. No doubt, Bollywood has succeeded in its pursuit of telling its story to the outside world without necessarily distorting its contents and defacing core cultural values. Consequently, movie practitioners in Nollywood should also advance a more appealing cause in a bid make its centenary momentous like Bollywood.

Jim Iyke

Star Rewards Consumers With Recharge Cards As League Heats Up ETERMINED to ensure that con- avenue for consumers to display their creD sumers do not expend resources as ativity as they enjoy their favourite Star they participate in the ongoing Star lager beer. The pan Nigeria challenge has League ‘Text and Play’ challenge, leading beer brand, Star Lager beer, from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc, has started a reward programme where participants would receive N500 recharge cards each to appreciate them for playing in the league. This cuts across the major networks in the country. Over 7, 000 participants have had their lines credited and a total of 28,000 will be credited through this process of reward that Star promises would continue till the end of the promo. As the promo heats up, Lagos is maintaining its lead on the league table, with other states recording increasing participation. Star League – ‘Text & Play’ is an exciting

been garnering accolades and excitement from consumers, who in the process have opportunity of winning fantastic prizes. Billed to run from April 2 to May 31, this year, the Star League-Text & Play is generating huge interest and following as evidenced by the large number of participants on the league table. To participate, consumers are expected to look under the crown cork of their Star beer bottle for a unique code and SMS the code under with their full name, age and state of residence to a short code 30383. The consumer will instantly receive a feedback message stating the number of points the consumer has earned. The SMS system works with all major telecoms operators in the country.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

BRANDNEWS

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

DStv Mobile Joins Konga.Com Services Flytxt Get ‘Cool Vendor’ Recognition EADING pay entertainment service provider, MultiChoice In Emerging Markets 2013

LNigeria has announced that its DStv Mobile range of products are now available for online purchase through Nigeria’s online retailer, Konga.com. By this development, the DStv Mobile range of innovative Mobile devices can now be ordered conveniently through Konga.com and delivered three days within Lagos and within three to five days outside Lagos in all cities with DVB-H coverage at no additional cost. The range of products which include the Walka 7 (N18, 900), Walka 3.5 (N10, 000), Wi-Fi Drifta (N12, 250), Drifta USB (N8, 500) and iDrifta (N9, 500) can be used to access some of the exciting content that DStv is synonymous with, including sport, music, general entertainment, news and children’s programming, among others. Also, DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact and Family subscribers can access the DStv Mobile service as a value-added feature at no extra monthly subscription fee. “To order a device, a customer simply needs to visit the Konga.com web site, read through the list of features of each device and select his preference,” the company said.

LYTXT, the provider of Big Frevenue Data analytics powered and customer experience management solutions for CSP’s, summarily mobile marketing and advertising, has announced its inclusion in the list of Cool Vendors in Gartner’s report Cool Vendors in Emerging Markets 2013. According to Gartner, “Cool vendors focus on recognising support business interest in the last one year because they offer innovative or intriguing technologies or solutions. In this research, we highlight vendors that have an impact specifically on emerging markets.” Speaking on the occasion, Flytxt CEO, Dr. Vinod Vasudevan said: “We are

pleased to be recognised by Gartner for our unique focus on generating more than 10 per cent economic value from operator data by leveraging Big Data Analytics as well as for our proven and highly adopted revenue sharing model in emerging telecom markets”. VP, Product and Marketing, Flytxt, Mr. Abhay Doshi, while expressing satisfaction over getting included in ‘Cool Vendors’ list commented: “We have many strong use cases in the highly competitive prepaid markets demonstrating our value proposition of enabling high impact marketing campaigns for increasing ARPU, reducing churn and increasing customer loyalty.”

NIPR Lagos Election Holds July 4 HE current chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public T Relations, Lagos chapter, Mr. Jide Ologun has officially announced the date for NIPR’s elections. NIPR is the professional body backed by law to regulate the practice of Public Relations (PR) in Nigeria. It also focuses on grooming seasoned PR professionals guided by global best practices and ethics in Nigeria. Speaking with The Guardian, Ologun said: “The elections will hold on July 4, 2013. So far, two candidates have indicated their interest for the position of chairman. NIPR, as a professional body, has expanded its areas of operations and has ensured strict compliance to adhering to the professional ethics of Public Relations in Nigeria. We have carried out a mass campaign against unregistered PR agents masquerading as professionals in the industry. Our major aim is to increase the drive and enforce professionalism in Public Relations. So far, we have done creditably well. In the past years, we have also enhanced government relation in relation to practitioners and also expanded our area of influence to the international realm.” The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations is working closely with Public Relations Consultancy Association (PRCAN) as a consultancy affiliate. Some of its aims and objectives are to raise and maintain standards in the practice of the profession; and to provide facilities for government, public bodies, professional associations, industrial concerns, financial institutions, social, cultural and religious organisations.

La Casera Fetes Trade Partners N appreciation of the remarkable efforts and unparalleled loyICompany alty portrayed by its numerous distributors, The La Casera Plc, makers of La Casera, one of the leading brands in

Head, Public Relations, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Segun Fayose (left); General Manager, DStv, Mr. Mayo Okunola; Vice President, Business Development, Konga.com, Mr. Philip Akesson; and Vice President, Marketing, Konga.com, Mr. Onyeka Akumah during the announcement of DStv’s partnership with Konga.com held in Lagos recently.

Bobo Rolls Out Super Kids Promo OBO Foods and Beverages, B makers of popular children flavoured milk drink, Bobo, has flagged off the Bobo super kids and school support promo. The annual support programme for children and their schools, which will focus on nine states from across the federation, will run till December 2013. According to the Marketing Manager, Mr. Eric Ewhubare Birhiray, “the Super Kids and Schools Support Promo seeks to contribute towards educational development in the

country by rewarding Nigerian kids and their respective schools for choosing Bobo Fruit Milk Drink as the milk drink of their choice.” Birhiray said the promo will run in two phases to enable all kids within the coverage areas enjoy the promo and prizes on offer. The first phase, which took off in April, will end in July 2013 and will cover Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Edo and Delta States while the second phase will run in Lagos and Ogun States between September and December 2013.

the Carbonated Soft Drink (CSD) market, recently rewarded its trade partners with over 500 prizes worth several millions of naira for their performance in the year 2012. Tagged ‘Soaring Higher’, the 2013 Partners’ Conference was graced by more than 500 trade partners from the four business regions—West, East, North and South. They converged at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos recently in an atmosphere of celebration and merriment. The high point of the event was the announcement and presentation of several prizes ranging from recharge cards, generating sets, plasma television, luxury cars and a grand cash prize of N7 million to the top winners who impressed the company in 2012. In his welcome address at the occasion, the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer of The La Casera Company Plc, Mr. Dileeban Ponniah expressed the company’s appreciation to the trade partners for their continued loyalty and esteemed partnership over the years which he said was responsible for the success of the brand. Ponniah noted that 2012 was a very positive year for the company and its brands—La Casera, Latina and Nirvan. He then charged the trade partners to aspire to do even more and improve on the performance of 2012.

Diamond Holiday To Award Seven Cars, Three Villas To Members OMMITTED to promoting traveling, tourism and humanity, C Diamond Holiday Travel (DHT), Africa, is poised to reward seven of its members with cars and three villas during its Third International Convention and launching of its co-branded visa card at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, on May 18. Speaking during a press briefing during the week at Westown Hotels, Ikeja, President, DHT Nigeria, Moses Onyebuchi Ofili said that their member’s database is growing but there is need for a proper penetration. “We have been in Nigeria for the past two years and our members stand to enjoy discount in shopping, health, education and traveling. But we are having our Third National Convention this year in Nigeria and have decided to give out luxury cars and villas to deserving members. We had the last edition in Ghana last year,” he said. Ofili added that the company is expecting over eight African countries in Nigeria and 400 to 500 foreigners at the convention.

Airtel Offers Subscribers Borderless Service HARTI Airtel, the global B telecommunications services provider with operations in countries across Asia and Africa has introduced the ONE AIRTEL service, which will further ease the burden of roaming costs whilst travelling. The newly introduced service will further enhance communication for travelers from Africa by enabling them access data and SMS, in addition to the currently available voice roaming, at a flat attractive rate whilst travelling within Africa and South Asia. Commenting on the service,

Chief Marketing Officer for Airtel’s operations in Africa, Andre Beyers said, “Data usage has increased exponentially over the past few years, alongside the growing number of smartphones. There are an increasing number of excellent apps that can be used whilst on the go internationally. By introducing a flat and attractive roaming rate for data and SMS use, Airtel will help lower the communication cost for millions of frequent business and leisure travelers across the countries that we operate in.”

Chief Operating Officer, The La Casera Company Plc, Dileeban Ponniah (left); Group Technical Director, Jotna, Sanjeev Chhetri; Co-winner of N7Million Grand Prize, Chief Collins Ezenwa; Director, The La Casera Company Plc, Mr. Bankole Animashaun and the Managing Director, Jotna, Sushil Ramchandani at the La Casera 2013 Partners Conference in Lagos recently.

‘Rapid Infrastructure Development Needed To Address Africa’s Challenges’ State Governor, Mr. LhasAGOS Babatunde Fashola (SAN), advocated rapid infrastructure development in Africa as a solution to her development challenges. The governor noted that infrastructure deficiency has locked-in the vast opportunities inherent in the Continent for economic growth. Fashola, who was hosted on a special interactive session anchored by the Chairman, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Mr. Jim O’Neil, with the theme: “Delivering Nigeria’s Growth Promise” at the Goldman Sachs Growth Market Summit in New York, said there are much more opportunities in-locked in Africa that are yet unreachable because the infrastructures that could enable people, goods and services to move

more easily are yet insufficient. “I know that there are much more opportunities in-locked in Africa that are yet unreachable because the infrastructures that can facilitate easy movement of people, goods and services are still in short supply,” the Governor said adding that most African countries are also bogged down by leadership challenges. Fashola said the African Continent, with its vast resources, including mineral and human resources, has the potential to develop more rapidly than most other economies of the world if sufficient infrastructure such as roads and good transportation were put in place to enable easy movement of people, goods and services among the countries of the continent and beyond.

NIPR, Chairman, Jide Ologun

KFC Launches Tasty “Snacker” FC, the world’s most popular quick service restauK rant, recently launched a new scrumptious and yummy eat–as-yougo “Snacker” much to the satisfaction of its consumers. Snacker offers an unbeatably tasty range that appeals to snack-lovers and fun loving youths and people in Lagos and Ibadan. KFC Snacker is a toasted sesame bun with one-piece crispy strip, lettuce and pepper mayonnaise. According to KFC Head of Marketing, Mr. Vikram Varma, “people especially youths and students are tired of regular meat pies, hot dogs and rolls and are looking for something real. KFC in line with consumers’ expectation now has a real snack, which is affordable as well as great tasting. It is believed that customers

need to be able to re-fuel throughout the day to maintain optimal energy level and that’s where KFC Snacker comes in. It also fills in certain gaps between regular meal periods.” The organisation said it has put programmes on ground to ensure that KFC Snacker becomes the first choice of snacks for all categories of its customers. “KFC has come up with some simple and exciting games, “KFC SNACKER GAMES” to enable customers participate and win a free Snacker voucher. This will be carried out in selected tertiary institutions and locations from Saturday May 11 to Wednesday May 22, 2013, in Lagos and Ibadan. This would provide an opportunity for customers and lovers of snacks to taste and enjoy the new KFC Snacker.”

Mi-Fone Celebrates Five Years In Emerging Markets I-FONE, the first African mobile device brand, has clocked M five years of providing aspirations within reach for Africa’s mass-market consumers. Mi-Fone has successfully managed to create its name in the world’s most competitive industry since 2008, and this month they celebrate their five-year milestone. Since its inception, Mi-Fone has focused on the “bottom of the pyramid” consumers. Mi-Fone has always offered stylish and powerful handsets, offering superior functionality that deliver on performance at pocket-friendly prices. The team at MiFone has managed to keep its offering consistent since the launch of its Mi-OBAMA handset in 2009, and consistent innovation along the way has managed to keep the company relevant in the mobile market. In 2009, before any other brand, Mi-Fone had Facebook phones in the African marketplace with a direct Facebook key as part of the company’s handset design. Mi-Fone successfully introduced SIM-embedded handsets to operators in 2010, and in 2011 introduced Dual-SIM branded operator handsets in Africa. The innovation continued with the first Android 3G launched in May 2011. This was followed by Africa’s first 60-day battery standby smart-feature phone introduced in 2012, and in 2013, Mi-Fone is set to release handsets that further provide solutions for the African consumer.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

METRONOTES A Search For Peace In A Crisis-ridden Nation, SPSP Opens Debate In Abeokuta. In its efforts to contribute to the prevention and mitigation of violent conflicts in Nigeria, the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) invited members of public to a symposium where the topic, Religious Tolerance as Panacea for Peace and Development was presented for dialogue at the Nigerian Union of Journalists Secretariat (Iwe Irohin House), OkeIlewo, Abeokuta Ogun State. AJIBOLA AMZAT reports. ECENTLY, guests from different councils in R the state thronged Iwe Irohin House in Abeokuta, Ogun state. In the Gateway state, peo-

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We all need to contribute our quota by being vigilant and mindful of what we do or say that could steer up religious uproar.

Audience at the event

A Search For Peace In A Crisis-ridden Nation, SPSP Opens Debate In Abeokuta According to Adedayo, religious faithfuls manifest decadence through religious intolerance. He urged adherents of the two dominant religions, Islam and Christianity to learn the ethos of the traditional religion, which shows greater concern for the progress of the community rather than the prosperity of individuals. Traditional religion ‘seeks good health of the society first, well ahead of that of any individual, including the king.” Not only that, “traditionalists do not discriminate against other faiths, they are more concerned about yesterday and tomorrow than today and they look inward for mistakes and seek to correct same, instead of laying such blames at the doorsteps of others.” Adedayo added that society stands to experience progress if these precepts are practiced by other religions. Among the four tenets, however, “We urgently need Nigeria to return to the love of communal well-being. It is not enough to have wealth, but the wealth you cannot enjoy in your immediate environment is of little value,” he concluded. In his paper, President of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organization (NACOMYO), Alhaji Kamalddin Akanbi Akintunde, identified factors responsible for religious intolerance in Nigeria as religious pluralism and particularity, fanaticism and propagation of a religious faith, lust for political power, greed, unhealthy rivalry, aggressive religious evangelism and propagation, among others. The NACOMYO president described Boko Haram campaign as a case of religion intolerance, which contradicts the teachings of Islam. He said Islam, according to Quran Chapter 2:256 and 109 recognises freedom of religion and peaceful co-existence with people of other faiths. He nevertheless faulted the media’s charac-

terization of Boko Haram group as Muslims, whereas the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND) and Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) populated mostly by Christians are not characterised as a Christians. He argued that, linking Boko Haram group to Islam is a sign of religious intolerance, more so when a similar militant group in the Southis not given a religious tag.” Religious tolerance and inter-religious harmony is a moral foundation for peace and development, he submitted. Ways of achieving tolerance among followers of different religious faiths, as listed by Akintunde, include regulation of religious activities through a law that emphasized the freedom to practice any religion of one’s choice, promotion of inter-religious relations through dialogue, religious education for all, banning of public preaching and distribution of tracts in public spaces, teaching of religion tolerance in places of worship, among others. For the Rector, Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, Abeokuta, Professor Dapo Asaju, represented by Venerable George Ugo Njoku, the conception of religion in popular sense is narrow. According to him, theistic religion and ideological consideration are subsumed in religion, which is defined as a state of “being grasped by an ultimate concern,” according to Paul Tillich. He invited the audience to therefore view religion in that broader context. He, however, distinguished Christian faith from others that teach unchanging moral laws which must be literally obeyed. He noted that, despite the difference, Christianity acknowledges other world religions. The decline of belief in the supernatural, he said, characterizes the contemporary Christian morality, and this neo-Christian ethos leads to relative judgment of morality that creates ten-

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He urged adherents of the two dominant religions, Islam and Christianity, to learn the ethos of the traditional religion, which shows greater concern for the progress of the community rather than the prosperity of individuals. Traditional religion ‘seeks good health of the society first, well ahead of that of any individual, including the king.

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ple of three different religions have co-existed peacefully for decades. Yet in a quest to sustain the relative peace in the state, the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) organized a symposium where religious tolerance as a means of sustaining peace and development in the society was debated. The chairman of SPSP, Ogun State Branch, Mr. Lekan Oketokun, noted that the event was organized not only to boost peace and security in Ogun State but also to inaugurate the state branch of SPSP. The civil society body, SPSP, was established in 2005 to support and promote non-violent approaches to conflict resolution through research actions. At the symposium titled, Religious Tolerance as a Panacea for Peace and Development, speakers deconstructed religious tolerance and how it can serve the nation in promoting peace and development. The chairman of the occasion, Hon. Segun Williams, a member of Ogun the State House of Representative wondered how religion, which is supposed to forge unity and harmony, has now become a tool of fragmentation in the hands of religion adherents. He recalled the time when people of all faiths used to celebrate religious festivals as cultural activities. That was the time, he noted, when religion served as effective unifier of people. Not anymore. Today, William lamented, national unity is threatened, especially by the perennial insurgence of Boko Haram group. In the interest of peace, he advised the insurgent group to accept the offer of dialogue by the Federal Government and implored the government to avoid using violence to resolve conflicts. He especially condemned the alleged Baga killing by the JTF. Mrs. Adeyemi who represented the wife of Ogun State governor, Mrs Funso Amosun, urged religious leaders to continually condemn acts of violence by religious faithful and called on the civil society like SPSP to continue sensitizing people on the need to maintain peaceful existence. According to her, the state government has recently distributed 125 patrol vans and armoured personnel carriers to the Nigeria Police Force and the army to combat crime in the state. Notwithstanding, she said the issue of security should not be left to the government alone. “We all need to contribute our quota by being vigilant and mindful of what we do or say that could stir up religious uproar.” One of the papers presented at the occasion was “Traditional Religion as Foundation for Peace and Development in Nigeria” by the CEO, Journal Communications Limited and former Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ogun State Government, Wale Adedayo. He pointed out that the causes of insecurity and instability in the polity is not limited to the militant activities of Boko Haram in the North-East and NorthWest, but include also the hostility in the NorthCentral, the kidnapping in the South-East and South-South, the spate of armed robbery and vicious land-grabbing in the South-West. He located these crises in the frustrating economic condition established by the power class in the country. “The basic necessity of life, which a responsible government should provide for its people, continues to remain beyond the reach of the average Nigerians”, he lamented, noting that though Nigerians are religious, their humanity is hardly ennobled by their religious practice.

sion in the society. According to him, history is full of haters of Christian values, but the Holy book has encouraged believers to “not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Njoku also identified the new technology as part of the development ruining the moral of the people of this generation. Quoting Cyril Garbett, he said,“The greatness of man’s discoveries will result in his ruin unless his moral and spiritual faculties increase so that he can use wisely the inventions he has made.” By and large, the central thesis upheld by discussants is that, Nigeria could achieve peace and development if every citizen understands that he or she is an extension of every other citizen regardless of his or her religious bias or ethnic background.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

NEWSMAKER The Lagos City Chorale (LCC), an independent musical group, was born in February 1988 and had its first performance in April 1988 at L’hotel Eko Meridien. Since then, it has featured prominently in major national and international events. The Chorale performed during the visits to Nigeria of President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al-Gore and former British Prime Minister, John Major. The chorale also performed at the 40th and 44th Independence Anniversary Celebrations, the All African Games in 2003 and featured at programmes organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and state governments. The performances climaxed at its participation in the World Choir Games Competition at Cincinnati, Ohio, USA in 2012 where it came 2nd out of 350 choirs. In this chat with ELIJAH EDA SAMUEL, Sir Emeka Nwokedi, the maestro who co-founded the chorale with the late Senator Lere Adesina, spoke on his youth, vision and how LCC was born after a brilliant outing… S a lad, he had been thrilled by “the sound of A church music and the organ.” At nine, he was enrolled as a choir boy in the local church. This was the genesis of a blissful and enthralling music career that is the story of the maestro: Sir Emeka Solomon Nwokedi. Born in Ichida, Anaocha, Anambra State, Nwokedi grew up savouring every moment of his childhood, especially as he was left to do what he enjoyed most. “I was a choir boy at the age of nine. It was fun to be at the singing rehearsals. Moreover, the sound of church music and the organ has always enchanted me.” He recalled. Like many people of his time, he nursed academic ambitions. He dreamt of career in Engineering. So, after a short stint with the Federal Office of Statistics in 1974, Nwokedi decided to seek admission to read Engineering at the University Of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN). But this was never to be as “the interest in music was domineering.” He switched to music as a course in the university. Expectedly, dumping Engineering for what was perceived as a worthless career in music met with stiff resistance from parents, friends and relatives. But Nwokedi was undeterred. “I went ahead irrespective of objections from many quarters. I knew music was a natural calling for me.” In 1981, after a degree in music, Nwokedi was in the Nigerian Army for the one-year mandatory national service. At the end, he had an offer to join the army, but he declined because “ it didn’t interest me… because of the regimented life of giving and taking orders. I opted out and joined Radio Nigeria.” Not satisfied with his functions at Radio Nigeria, he resigned and took up a lecturing appointment at the Lagos State College of Education because of “the urge to impart knowledge of music into young people.” From the time of his breaking forth into music, Nwokedi has had a steady rise, availing himself of other opportunities to hone his skills Today, saddled with the herculean responsibilities of overseeing and directing many choirs, he seldom plays in public. How has he been juggling family responsibilities with his career? “What’s important is time management. If you are able to manage your time, plan ahead and be disciplined, there won’t be any problem. “I don’t return home early everyday. They are used to it. But my wife is very understanding. she manages the family in my absence. I deliberately didn’t want to marry somebody who is into music because all of us will be too busy. “The children are all into music, but not as professionals. They all have passed graded exams in music. They began their music initiation at the age four or five, ” he responded. Sir Emeka Nwokedi, who quietly celebrated his diamond jubilee recently, revealed: “I didn’t teach them music, and that’s the problem I had with my wife. She protested that I didn’t have time to teach and prepare the children for the competitions, ‘but you have time to teach other people’s children’. But when they went for the competitions, behold, they won!”

Maestro Nwokedi And Lagos City Chorale, A Romance In Melody… Believing so much in the unity of Nigeria, the Knight of the Anglican Communion underscores the gains of including music into the school curricula: “The government should ensure that music is sufficiently incorporated in the school curricular, right from the primary through secondary school. Music, as an art helps to develop a child’s intellectual ability. It also helps to mould character. “By the time a child learns how to sit down for two hours to practise the piano, that settles his nerves: it helps to sharpen their intellectually ability. It develops their memory; builds their sense of touch; and makes them grow up to be cultured and focused.” He added: “Music is one of the things that give value to life if we entrench it seriously into our curricular: get qualified teachers and pay good salaries. “A research carried out by universities in the United States shows that the people at the top in corporate organisations had musical education at their early years, especially the aspect of playing one instrument or the other.” Although six decades have sped by, Emeka

Solomon Nwokedi remains dedicated and unwavering in his calling. But how was the idea of the city chorale (LCC) born? He smiled in recollection: “It came as a result of my meeting with the late Senator Lere Adesina, the secretary of the synod of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos, who had organized a singing competition. The choir I took to the competition, St. Bartholomew Anglican Church Choir, Aguda won. At the time, I was a young graduate just about four years into the field. An impressed Lere Adesina told me later ‘the professionalism which we see in you will not go unnoticed.’ That cemented our friendship. We then saw the need to extend the singing beyond the church; that the general public should also know more of what good choral singing is all about. “I also had the desire to train young people in the art of quality singing and to perform major works. This was because there was no choir then that could do these works.” Nwokedi revealed. According to him, he was a lecturer then at the Lagos State College of Education, Ijanikin. This somewhat facilitated recruitment of members

Sir Nwokedi conducting the Lagos City Chorale during its SilverJubilee Celebration concert at the MUSON Centre, recently in Lagos. PHOTO: ELIJAH EDA SAMUEL

because he “had students who were trained in classical singing; I was also running church choirs ... Others who knew about the plan came and joined. We were about 30.” On the popularity and acceptability of that genre of music, the multiple-award winning music master posited: “I think it’s a popular genre, it is gaining acceptability in a way. But for concert purpose, Nigerians are not forthcoming in terms of saying ‘I want to go and listen to good music so that I can relax.’ This is unlike overseas where you’ll see people rushing out to buy their tickets in advance. But it’s picking up these days.” So what efforts are being made to make it gain wider acceptance? “What we are doing is what we are doing now: organize, coordinate group competitions among secondary schools. The intention is to make it popular among the upcoming youths at the grassroots. The acculturation must begin right from the primary school. When it’s well entrenched, the students grow with it. Thus, the corporate bodies and the government should get actively involved in this process.” Lamentably, funding has been a challenge. “It’s difficult finding people to sponsor our performances. They tend to associate choral music with church. When we went to Cincinnati for The World Choir Games —-a congregation of 350 choirs from 65 countries—- it was really tough to get sponsorship. Many did not understand what we were talking about. But choral music is one aspect that could help rebrand Nigeria, even more than football and other sports that we all talk about because it’s an international language.” So what good has LCC done for the country? The Knight of Anglican Communion declared: “We went for the competition on our own but represented Nigeria and our flag was hoisted. When we appeared in the national colours, the people were excited because we were the only Black African country featuring at the event. We sold the country very well to the world: we came second and brought back three silver medals. “When we got back into the country, we went to Lagos and Abuja to show them what we’ve been able to achieve for the country. They only commended us. No reward of whatever kind accompanied it.” The group, he said, accepts invitation from governments, corporate bodies, religious organisations etc. for a fee. He added however: “If you take like N200,000 for about 30 to 40 people performing, it’s peanuts. When you try to discuss with the organizers, they will make excuses, but the same persons will call Lagbaja for N5 million. But I’m not in this to make money. If I wanted, maybe, I will have rebranded like Lagbaja or Fela. But it’s not what I wanted to do. This music is for the sage; it elevates.” Any succession plan for LCC? “I don’t want it to turn to Emeka Nwokedi’s affair. I’ve spoken to a few people so that we can put down a structure that can make Lagos City Chorale outlive any personality. But the problem is that because it’s not a money-yielding venture, it’s difficult to attract the calibre of persons that you think should be on the board to run the affairs of the group.” “Also, we are branding and polishing, showing the positive ability of Nigeria through music. With what we are doing now, I think it will be easier to get people into the board of trustees who will say “I want to identify with this group”. The Knight of Anglican Communion declared: “We went on our own but represented Nigeria and our flag was hoisted. When we appeared in the national colours, the people were excited because we were the only Black African country featuring at the event. We sold the country very well to the world: we came second and brought back three silver medals. “When we got back into the country, we went to Lagos and Abuja to show them what we’ve been able to achieve for the country. They only commended and no reward of whatever kind accompanied it.” But the group accepts invitation from governments, corporate bodies, religious organisations etc. for a fee? He added: “If you take like N200,000 for about 30 to 40 people performing, it’s peanuts. When you try to discuss with the organizers, they will make excuses but the same persons will call Lagbaja for N5 million. But I’m not in this to make money. If I wanted, maybe, I will have rebranded like Lagbaja or Fela. But it’s not what I wanted to do. This music is for the sage; it elevates.”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday May 11, 2013

COVEREXTRA

The Pathetic And Dwindling Fortunes Of Libraries Across The Country mining the success or failure of its education sector, as well as students. In Nigeria today, the case appears to be quite pathetic, as The LL over the world, functional libraries, whether electronic or Guardian investigation revealed that most public and private manual, are storehouses for those seeking knowledge in any libraries, including those owned by schools at different levels, field of human endeavour. That is why governments, schools, which were functional in the early 1980s are now shadows of individuals and organisations pay so much attention to equip- themselves, with their environment hardly conducive for ping and upgrading their libraries with modern books. learning, reading and researching. The state of libraries in any country goes a long way in deterWhile some of them are without modern and up-to-date text-

By Samson Ezea

books and modern facilities, others have become places where people go to discuss private issues, play and disperse. Even in some states that claimed to have embarked on elibrary projects to replace the existing ones, end users are yet to see the efficacy and impact of such projects. Despite huge annual budgets for the education sector by the successive governments at all levels over the years, the impact is yet to be felt or seen in the library facilities across the country, as The Guardian investigations indicate.

Gate of National Library Lagos under lock for months now over workers” strike

Libraries Everywhere In Lagos, But No Books To Read By Joseph Okoghenun TRUGGLING. Slowly asphyxiating. Old-fashSbestioned. Antiquated. These are probably the words any wordsmith could use to describe the state of libraries in Lagos State. When The Guardian visited some libraries owned by the federal, the Lagos State government and Lagos Mainland council, it was the same story of neglect and dilapidation. The Central Medical Library (CML), located at the Medical Compound in Yaba, is supposed to solely carter for medical researchers in Lagos where more than half of the country’s medical personnel live. But the place is currently in a deplorable condition. The decking of the storey building easily tells a story of lack of maintenance, as it is falling off dangerously. The library is not automated, so when there is power failure, with no generating set to substitute, the place is suffocating. Although there are air-conditioners, they were never put on, on the two occasions The Guardian On Saturday visited. Chairs meant for readers are not only torn, but also unkempt from disuse, and the floor and louvres are dirty. Of about 20 stacks provided for books in the library, half of them are almost empty. On critical look, it was discovered that most of the few books in the library are outdated. That ostensibly explains the low patronage by readers.

On this particular day, there were no readers around and a critical look at the register revealed only five names of readers who probably came to read newspapers earlier. It was learnt that because of the critical condition of the library, it has become unpopular among medical personnel in Lagos. For Damson Adams, a radiographer trained at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), although his lecture centre is a few metres away from the library, he was not aware of the existence of the library, let alone ever making use of it for the five years he spent in the university. A senior librarian at the facility revealed that the library which is under the Federal Ministry of Health, has not received any allocation since October last year. He added: “Our challenges are enormous as Nigerians do not read, but only go for examinations. We also have challenges with funds and

Politics is affecting the growth of library…When a budget is presented before government, its officials do like to see such a budget as necessary, because the complaint is that the library does not have the capacity to generate funds.

inadequately trained librarians. We need retraining of librarians. “But the Federal Government is not doing anything in that regard. Some of us have not been trained for the past 21 years and staffers are not motivated. “In 2011, government released N50 million for CML, but in that year, there was no light, water and other amenities, and the money was used for such facilities. “Books that were supposed to come from the annual budget did not come and last year, no book was bought for the library.” The state of the Herbert Macaulay Library owned by the Lagos State government, is not different, save for its higher patronage. At about 2pm on the day The Guardian on Saturday visited, about 84 readers had made use of the facility. Like the CML, it does not appear to have a generating set to ensure uninterrupted power supply in case of failure from the national grid, and if there was any, it was not switched on on that day, as darkness enveloped everywhere immediately there was power outage. This made readers to either fan themselves with books they brought from home or unbutton their shirts halfway. The condition of the facility does not indicate that government is thinking of connecting it to the Internet soon. Most readers were not even aware that books on the shelves were outdated. But they did not mind, as long as they could

see a place called a library that offers a serene environment for them to read their own books. “I know there are no modern books in the library, that is why I usually bring my books in. I come to the library just to escape the noise and disturbance at home,” said Rachael Odokwoma, who was using the facility to prepare for the last Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB). A senior official at the library noted that the different libraries are at different stages of development, adding: “We know that the Internet is paramount in the use of library and automation, but these are not things one could jump into, especially the automation part, because of lack of adequate funds. “There must be adequate funding before we can begin to talk of library that is 21st century compliant. What we have on ground is partial.” Although The Guardian could not gain access to The National Library on Herbert Macaulay Street because of workers’ strike at the time, some readers indicated that there was nothing to write home about the facility. Emmanuel Jidemi, a marketing researcher who claimed to regularly use the library, said: “The National Library is deplorable as the facilities are becoming horrible. The books there are outdated and archaic. “The place is not connected to the Internet, thereby making it as local as anything, and the chairs are in bad conditions. Does it mean that we do not have money to put our libraries in proper condition? “If government puts in about N200, 000 into the refurbishment of the library, the place would look different. I wonder how foreigners would see us when they enter our libraries to read. “The Minister and Commissioner of Education should monitor what is happening in libraries to know whether the public are getting the needed service. There is no single fan there, the benches in the library are rotting away, while the toilet is in a horrible condition.” The facilities at the Ikorodu Divisional Library are appalling and dilapidating, with the leather chairs torn and tables meant for reading peeling off. The morning The Guardian On Saturday visited, one of the librarians was seen fanning himself with a book, just as some of the readers came with hand fans, bearing in mind that electricity supply is not regular in the library, even though it boasts of I better pass my neighbour generator. The library has only one computer, which, good enough, is connected to the Internet. But it is hidden away, like a shrine, from readers, who are expected to pay a token for printing of documents, since there is budget for such. A senior librarian with one of the Lagos Stateowned facility bemoaned that paucity of funds is the bane of libraries in the state. Another reckoned that the state government is not interested in funding libraries because they are unable to generate funds. “Politics is affecting the growth of library,” a chief librarian said. “When a budget is presented before government, its officials do like to see such a budget as necessary, because the complaint is that the library does not have the capacity to generate funds. “The sad thing is that these government leaders benefited from the library when Nigeria was good. But as soon as they became leaders, they turned their backs on the system that they benefitted from. “Negligence on the part of our lawmakers is another part of the challenge libraries are facing. This is because nothing stops a lawmaker from making library a constituency project.”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday May 11, 2013

COVEREXTRA

In Delta, Indigenes Donate Books To Libraries Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson is the Acting Director of Delta Library Services. She spoke on the state of public libraries in the state and how to encourage reading culture amongst Nigerians, especially the youths. From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba Government alone cannot fund libraries HE government is trying but you know that the government cannot handle it. We have to appeal to public-spirited individuals and organizations to help us. In that regard, we have received donations from various organizations and individuals as well. We have 26 libraries and they are spread across the 24 local councils in the state. It is only Patani and Udu Local Councils that do not have while Ika South and Ika North have two. In our various branches, indigenes, especially those abroad, donate books to the libraries in their communities like in Agbor. What we normally ask councils to do is to provide a place so that we can establish libraries there. In some cases, the government establishes

libraries. Even when they do, the communities can still provide a place. In Uvwie and Okpe Local Councils, people also donate. Even recently the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) made donations too to the libraries. We encourage the youths to come and read so that we can encourage reading culture. Measures to encourage the youths The books are there which we provide. The facilities are there. When some of the youths come, they tell others of the facilities there. They come mostly during the holidays when they are writing their projects. We don’t go on air except we are having special programme when we talk of libraries on television and the radio. Each time they are opening new libraries, with the ceremonies going on, they become aware. Our libraries are always full and the government is presently building a befitting library on Okpanam Road, Asaba. In Nigeria, it is only during examination that people read. We still have people who come to look for information in the library. Workers come there to check the gazettes and find out about retirement. Even farmers come because it is a public library. It is open to everybody irrespective of age, sex, culture and all of that. There is a big hall at the library in Asaba and a collection department downstairs where we acquire books and process them. Each book is unique. We brand them. Government gave us money for new books about three years ago. We catalogued them before taking them to the reference library. We have a big reading room at the library near Grand Hotel on Nnebisi Road, Asaba and it can accommodate between 60 and 100 people. At peak period when there is examination, it is very full but reduces after then a little. People always come, even children because we have children’s section. I know that with the e-library which is being set up by the National Communication

Commission (NCC), there will be internet facilities for those want to make research. There will be computers and it will soon be opened. There are 50 computers there and browsing there is going to be free. As soon as it is commissioned, it will be made open to the public. Our conditions for borrowing books are not too stringent. You have to register and have a reputable person as your guarantor. We screen people before we lend them books. Only those resident in Asaba can borrow books so that if they default, we can easily reach them. We open Mondays to Saturdays except on public holidays.. Assessing the reading culture in Nigeria It has dwindled a lot but we can still do a lot to improve it if books are made available. I mean, current and up-to-date books. If there are Internet facilities, they will come. People come to read newspapers and for leisure. On the recent poor JAMB result Everything starts from the home. As parents, we must encourage our children to start reading early. We should establish little libraries in our homes. Once we encourage our children to read while they are young, that habit will continue for life. Most parents are running after money and so don’t have time to check what their children have done. Most children are either watching television or playing video games. We have to check that and encourage them to read. There should be school libraries. When we went to school, we had good libraries in the school. We encourage schools to have library hours where they read and not play. Teachers should make them to summarize what they have read during library hour and once they know that they are being assessed, they will be more serious. Government has to establish libraries and stock them with books. Reading culture starts from the home We should discourage examination malpractice as so many students depend on it. We have to discourage them. If we make them read and check the things that they do on a daily basis, I think we will discourage examination malpractices. We should invest more money on books for our children so that they won’t go looking for cheap ways to pass examinations. We should also check the books that they use in school. The Ministry of Education should go round and check the quality of books. Many students fail English language. The books should be interesting so that we can catch the children young. Reading culture must start from the home. We should check their school work, correct them and make them tell us what they were thought in school. When they know that their parents are going to ask them what they were thought in school, they will be prepared before they come back from work. It has to start from the home and then the school. Knowledge is power If you are educated, you can stand up to talk anywhere but if you are not, you have that inferiority complex. We should encourage reading so that we can be better citizens of this country.

In Edo, Public Libraries Are ‘Old School’ some weeks now and repairs have not been suffered from poor funding. effected. “You needed to be here a few weeks to WAEC In the social science, science, philosophy, literaexamination and the whole place was crowded. T a point, former Bendel State, now Edo ture and other sections, the shelves were half Students sat outside as there were no spaces for State, point was proud of owning some of them to sit. In fact, at a time, I gave away my seat empty. the best library facilities in the country to the “The major problem we have here is poor extent that people came from far and near for to one of the students since I was not writing funding. It is as if this sector has been neglected examination. I just came to read newspapers research work. by the state government. Most of the books are which I could not even get,” a research student The libraries in the then Midwest Region and outdated and out of stock. Government doesn’t later Bendel State were built during the military from the University of Benin, told The Guardian supply books because some people say workers at the Central Library in Benin City On Saturday administration of Brigadier-General Samuel will steal them, but that is not true. It is for the Ogbemudia as he then was, with at least a gov- on Thursday. sake of the children and public education,” a At the library complex, fans were working in ernment library in ever headquarter of the staff who preffered anonymity, reluctantly volthe reading halls but none of the over eight airlocal government councils across the three senunteered. conditioners counted were functioning. It also atorial zones of the state. The Director, Edo State Library Services was gathered that there is no functional borehole in The library system in the state so flourished not available to comment as she was said not to the complex as the one there had been faulty for that it even pride itself of having a Will Library which was explored by legal luminaries and wealthy persons who did not want to create acrimony for their children when they depart the earth. For years, it had a board of its own and was run as an independent body until it was merged with the Ministry of Education under the supervision of the Commissioner for Education. The state of the libraries began to deteriorate in the late 1990s when the military administration of Group Captain Baba Iyiam insisted that all government agencies and parastatals should be self sustaining. Salaries were to be paid from internally-generated revenue and students were made to pay stipends before they could enter public libraries in the state to read. The no funding policy of that administration led to the deterioration of public libraries in the state as workers made do with few available books and no attention was further paid to infrastructure. However, since 1999 when the country returned to civilian rule, the Library Board has Dilapidated front view of Edo State library Complex in Benin city

From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City

be on seat while the Commissioner for Secondary, Technical and Higher Education under whose ministry the Library services was, was fired on Wednesday by Governor Adams Oshiomhole. This development hampered efforts to get official reaction to the state of public libraries in the state. A visit to the various public libraries across the state showed a poor state of infrastructure. Dilapidated buildings insufficient staff, low productivity and lack of books. In fact, the last set of books in some of the libraries were supplied 20 years ago while for instance, the one in Igarra, headquarters of Akoko-Edo Local Government area, has not been replenished by the authorities for many years. Some of the buildings have been overgrown with weeds. An educationist and politician who also did not want to be mentioned for political reasons, said: “We lost the glory of our libraries during the military era. Even though they blossomed during the time of Ogbemudia, their deterioration also started during the military. At a time in Edo State, all public schools had functional libraries but it is no longer so and this has also led to a drop in reading interest of the youths. It used to be a competition among our youths on how many novels you can read in a day, a week, a month. Information was shared. Those who were not reading were looked upon with disdain.” He went further to say that the elite have also contributed to the fallen culture. “The elite of our country are trying to divest children of the poor, make them more ignorant so that their children will continue to lord over them. The rich take their children who could not pass JAMB here abroad to mushroom universities where they learn how to speak and when they come back, they foist them on the people.”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday May 11, 2013

COVEREXTRA Despite Govt Intervention In Education, No Functional Library In Imo From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri HE pitiable state of public and secondary T libraries in Imo State is rooted in the many decades of neglect by successive administra-

Sorry state of the Taraba State library in Jalingo

Taraba Govt’s Indifference Killing Education, Say Stakeholders From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo HE timely renovation of the National T Library on Hamaruwa Way in the heart of Jalingo, the capital, by the Federal Government, saved Taraba State the embarrassment of being the only state in the federation without a single public library. But even now, it is not getting the needed attention from the authorities. Sadly, the building is now playing host to reptiles of various sizes and kinds; a situation which has compelled the staff to stay away. Those who are well connected, have been able to transfer their services to other sectors. Although a new structure is said to have been in progress elsewhere within the state capital, some of the staff who bared their minds to The Guardian On Saturday, opined that the government has no single plan for the education sector in the state. Government’s inability to make available to the sector, the budgetary allocation meant for it, is said to be one of the causes of the fast dwindling standard of education in the state, hence the constant mass failure of students from the state in public examinations. “How will you cast the blame on us teachers for students’ poor performances in national examinations? We make do with what is available to us. So, blame the government for their lukewarm attitude to the education sector,” a head teacher who spoke on condition of anonymity, said. He added: “So long as the state government continues to treat those of us in the sector like lepers, students’ performance in any examination will continue to be poor” “Can you believe that a large percentage of students don’t know how to make use of the library? And to be honest with you, you don’t have to blame them because apart from the National Library which is not even well stocked with relevant materials, the state government is still battling to erect one.” Wondering why education in the state has continued to diminish while other states of the federation are rolling out resources to catapult the sector to great heights, bemoaned that budgetary allocation meant for the sector always get stuck in the hands of “those who have no single interest in the development of the state.” He went on: “My friend, you and I know that the yearly proposed budget for this sector (Education) has never for once been released to the right people. So, let us stop deceiving ourselves because educationally, we are going nowhere in this country.” Citing the funding of the state university

which is presently threatening the existence of the institution, he lamented that those “at the helm of our affairs here in Taraba are only paying lip service.” Another public school principal who conducted our reporter round his school, admitted that performance in all examinations is nothing to write about “because of the total absence of conducive learning environment.” He added: “From what you have seen in this premises, is there anything, including structures, that will motivate both the students and teachers to achieve their dreams? “If you can take your time to go through recent JAMB results, you will discover that the result from our state is one of the worst in the entire federation. This is due to lack of motivation and provision of instructional materials by government.” Corroborating his colleagues’ views, he said: “Unlike those days when we used to make use of the library to enrich our knowledge, the reverse is now the case because the libraries are not even there talk less of accessing them.” “The so-called National Library, you will agree with me that the only thing that attract people there are the newspapers. Outside that, you can hardly find textbooks that are relevant to your studies there. So tell me, where do we go from here? How do you expect students from the public schools to perform?” Students still study in makeshift classrooms in the nooks and crannies of the state. This often leads to the termination of schools’ activities as soon as the raining season comes knocking. The state of public schools in the entire state is indeed worrisome as most of the schools now go cap in hand soliciting for funds. But unlike the public schools, the private ones are smiling to the bank daily as children and wards of top government functionaries and politicians, make the bulk of their students. Although there are many private schools in the state, The Guardian On Saturday reliably gathered that majority of them were not even registered by the Ministry of Education. But few of them, as noticed by our reporter, are well

If you can take your time to go through recent JAMB results, you will discover that the result from our state is one of the worst in the entire federation. This is due to lack of motivation and provision of instructional materials by government.

equipped with modern facilities. One of the public school principal who admitted that private school students’ performances in national examination “are far better than the public school” alleged that “the greater part of the budgetary allocation for education in the state goes to private schools because all the government functionaries have their children in various private schools.” Citing one of the most equipped private schools that was owned by the impeached deputy governor of the state, he said: “Tell me, where did he got such money to establish that school because as I am talking to you now, the school has all it takes to compete with any school in the country. “That is why public schools in this state and other parts of the country are dragging while the private once are thriving because those people stole public funds to establish and equip the private once.” He averred that for public schools to succeed, civil servants and public office holders must, as a matter of urgency, be discouraged from sending their children to private schools “and if possible, discourage them also from owning schools because it is the public money they always divert there.” The proliferation of private schools as well as the refusal of government to make funds available to public schools, according to parents who bared their minds, have adverse effects on students attending public schools. According to Adamu Sani: “Public schools are gradually giving way to private schools because researches have shown that students in private schools perform better in any examinations than their counterparts in public schools. This is so because the schools are well equipped with all the needed facilities which include libraries and quality teachers.” Speaking in the same vein, some public school students, especially those currently writing the ongoing SSCE, told our reporter of their predicaments and doubted if they would come out with flying colours. “As a matter of fact, some of us who are doing science subjects have never for once been taken to any science lab because we don’t have any. So, we are afraid if we are going to make it,” Ishak Adamu said. He added: “I don’t think we deserve to be blame if we fail because all the guidance we deserved were not given to us by the government. Do you know that we don’t even have library in my school? “So tell me, how do you expect us to make it? I really wish I was from a well to do home. Nothing would have stopped me from going to one of the best private schools because their results are always better than ours.”

tions. While the Rochas Okorocha administration has expressed commitment to revitalise educational institutions, libraries in the state are not yet being given attention. A visit to the state library located close to the Government House in Owerri exposed the many inadequacies bedeviling libraries in the state. A staff of the facility urged the government, individuals, organisations and donors to come to their aid by supplying them with up to date books, learning and reading materials. He said: “We are supposed to have functional libraries in the state capital, Owerri, and in all the 27 council of the state. But you can see that what we can boost of now is just the repainted house here in the state capital. “There are no better libraries in the rural areas. What we have in the state capital is not even desirable, not to talk of the rural areas. “What we need in this modern time are elibraries, equipped with aids that are of 21st century books and not old books and outdated facilities. “Students and researchers who come here are not getting the best of the facilities, not even near to what we need now.” As for schools, especially secondary schools, it is obvious that they require urgent attention.

Noisy Environment, Lack Of Modern Books Bane Of Rivers’ Libraries From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt HE standard of education in Rivers State has T improved under the Governor Chibuike Amaechi administration, but functional libraries to match the improvement in the school system appear lacking. One of the state-owned libraries is located close to the Civic Centre in Port Harcourt City Council. A visit to the two major libraries showed that the books were obsolete, the infrastructures dilapidated, the e-library not yet functional due to lack of electricity to power it, while the toilet system remains in a pitiable state. Residents and users of the facility faulted its location, which they said is in a noisy area, close to the Civic Centre, which regularly hosts social activities and church programmes, thereby distracting the readers. Victor Chituru, a medical student of the University of Port Harcourt, said: “The staff seem not to have the requisite training for the job, while most of the books are outdated, and of course there is the problem of electricity supply and we are tired of government promises over power supply.” Another undergraduate of same institution, who was carrying out a research on e-library, Austin Okoro, said there are no evidence of elibrary, but sets of non-functional computers. “There are no current books in the library and the location of the library is not good, as there are several social activities around here that affect the pace of reading. “There is need for a better and model library and e-library to boost the reading culture,” he stated. Okoro also urged the state government to match the ongoing developments in the model primary and secondary schools across the state with model libraries to make for educational growth. A senior officer in the State Library Board who spoke on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the inadequacy of the structure and its location. He explained that the e-library is on ground at the Jubilee Library in D/Line, but noted that lack of constant power supply has made the session not functional. The source also acknowledged that books on the shelves have become obsolete and stressed the need for a model library fully equipped with modern infrastructures.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

COVEREXTRA

In Ogun, Many Schools Lack Functional Libraries By Ajibola Amzat GLANCE is enough to show that its final collapse is near. In fact, just a full-blown wind A can do the job in seconds. That is the precarious state of the library at Macjob Secondary Schools, Onikolobo, Abeokuta, Ogun State. In 2011 when the roof caved in, the former principal of the 57year-old school ordered that the books in the library be evacuated and stored up in a storeroom. That was the last time students used library facility in that school. Yet, if the students of Macjob could at least see the relic of their old library, students from many other schools in Ogun State could not boast of such advantage. Many secondary schools today do not have library facilities, the Ogun state Director of Library service, Mr. Lateef Adebola Benson confirmed to The Guardian On Saturday. Adebola’s statement is not only unpretentious; it also reinforces findings from the investigation on the state of school libraries carried out by The Guardian On Saturday in Abeokuta, the capital city. At Gateway Secondary School (GSS), Abeokuta, students were seen loitering about the school premises. It was their break time. A couple of SS3 students sat by the school fence poring over some textbooks, perhaps those recently provided to them by the state government. In an interview, a senior staff of the school who was asked where the school library was, scoffed and said: “Which library? The school does not even have adequate classrooms for the students let alone a building for library.” Prodded further, she added: “We have about 1,400 students at the senior level, but all we have is a block of twostorey building to serve as classrooms. We share exam hall with the junior classes. And our science students do not know how a science laboratory looks like.” The teacher said although GSS, which was moved from Ijeja High School compound, is embroiled in a land dispute with Owu Baptist Church, she argued that the government could have intervened in the matter in the interest of the students. Anglican Girls’ Grammar School is another school without a functional library. This reporter arrived at the school compound when the SS3 students were writing the Senior Secondary School Examination. The school’s

Principal, Mrs. Gbagura refused to entertain questions on the state of her school library, insisting that the reporter obtains approval from the Zonal Inspector at the Ministry of Education before she could talk. When she called the ZI, a Mrs. Ogunnaike, the latter warned the principal against speaking to journalists. This reporter attempted to call her a few minutes after she declined the principal’s request, but her phone had been switched off. Notwithstanding, a source within the school confirmed that AGGS’s library is a contraption that serves any purpose but a refuge for readers. The story is slightly different for African Church Grammar School (Afrogram). The secondary school was established in 1955. It was one of the few schools that benefitted from the largesse of the federal government through the 2009 Development Goals Nigeria Quickwins project commissioned in 2010. But it is uncertain that the building facility benefits the students in a significant way. When The Guardian On Saturday visited the ICT building, the 28 computers in the ICT lab

HAT is your budget for the secondary W school libraries in the state for 2013? I don’t know. What do you mean by budget? There is nothing like budget for libraries. Do you mean there is no amount allocated to upgrade school libraries this year? It doesn’t work like that. We don’t allocate money to libraries. We don’t have any budget like that. So how do you disburse money allocated to your ministry to schools and which part goes to the development of libraries? Maybe you should go and talk to the state Director of Library Service. He would show you the budget paper.

Odubela

We Will Not Relent At Delivering Free, Qualitative Education, Says Amosun

Dilapitated school library of MACJOB Secondary School, Abeokuta, Ogun State

‘We Have No Budget For Upgrading Libraries In Ogun’ Ogun State Commissioner For Education, Science and Technology, Hon. Segun Odubela spoke with AJIBOLA AMZAT on the state of secondary school libraries in the state.

had gathered dust. An assistant at the ICT lab attributed the neglect to regular power outage. Another reason why the computers are abandoned is because there is no Internet subscription on the computer system. “The Internet subscription expired a month after the commissioning of the ICT building”, says a senor staff in the school. A computer instructor at the school said because the ICT building is a Federal Government property, the school authorities have been warned not to stock the books supplied to the students in the facility. But the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr. Segun Odubela denied this claim, saying the school at least could have stamped the books provided by the state government in order to distinguish it from whatever books the federal government may provide later.

But generally, what is the policy thrust for education in Ogun State? Free education. Does the fact that education is free account for non-functioning of libraries in the state? We are trying to bring them back. Why are they not functioning at the moment? It was the previous governments that abandoned them. We just came in; we have only spent two years. We have been giving all students books free of charge. Some of them get as many as 12 textbooks. But our public libraries in different places within the state are equipped. We have libraries in Shagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Ilaro and Abeokuta. In fact, some of our men are just coming back from a press conference where they spoke about latest books distribution to schools. We just donated books to some tertiary institutions in the state. We do have partnership with some foreign schools that donate books to us. I had earlier tried to speak to some of the heads of schools whom I think can speak authoritatively on the state of the libraries in their schools. They refused to speak, saying there is embargo on speaking to the press on any issue concerning school administration. Why did your ministry place embargo on speaking to the press? There is no such embargo. It is just a civil service rule. Civil servants can only be seen, but cannot be heard. It is an elementary rule of civil service. You could go and ask for permission from the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). He is the one who has power to authorize any civil servant to speak, not me. But you are the Commissioner for Education, and we are talking about education matters? I don’t have such power. Who is a commissioner? I am just an appointee of the governor and I report to the governor. I cannot even approve more than N500, 000 and I have three limits in a quarter.

Ogun State Director of Library Service, Abdul Lateef Adebola Benson, who supervises all the secondary schools’ libraries in the state, including public libraries in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Ilaro, as well as those in government agencies, spoke to AJIBOLA AMZAT on the state of libraries in the state.

GUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has assured that in spite of the O numerous challenges inherited by the present administration, government will not compromise the delivery of quality and free education to the people of the state. The measure, he noted, was in line with the administration’s mission to create ‘Ogun Standard’. Amosun, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Alhaji Ambali Ishola at the National Sales Conference of Learn Africa Plc at Ijebu-Ode observed that since the administration was inaugurated two years ago, about 26 per cent of the state’s yearly budget have been earmarked to the educational sector. The per centage which Governor Amosun said was above the United Nation Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recommendation led to purchase of 143, 034 text books to junior secondary schools students and 120, 857 text books to the senior secondary counterparts.

PHOTO:AJIBOLA AMZAT

‘We Will Soon Rebuild Libraries In The State’

HAVE been to a number of secondary Inotschools in the state, and many of them do have library. Why? Your observation is correct, but that is the manifestation of years of neglect. In the past library or study rooms used to be at different places in the state. Things get bad for a number of years and to correct it, it will take time. We have started the rehabilitation process. We will soon rebuild libraries in the state. What is the budget for the library this year? Our budget is N66 million. We are in the fifth month now, how has the budget been implemented so far? That is a big question. In budget we have recurrent and capital expenditure. For our capital, we have not been able to do more than 15 to 20 per cent. Why? Because we don’t have enough fund to take care of what we need. So what programme do you have for secondary school libraries in the state this year? Our programme for secondary school libraries is similar to the programme we have for the public libraries. Remember that the school libraries are few throughout the country compare to the number of the people who need library. So we want to rebuild and refurbish libraries in secondary schools because the libraries have been neglected for many years. There are

Benson books given to us by some NGOs, unfortunately, some school managers lock the available books away because they don’t have appropriate space for library. So we want to have library being constructed in secondary schools. We also want to build up electronic libraries for the model schools in the state. These libraries will grow as the schools grow. So building a library will not be an after-thought. And we are also planning to train our library personnel. The library mangers need to be more efficient in their operation. We have a three-week training workshop coming up sometimes in July or August. We would be conducting the training in batches for Ijebu zone, Egba zone, Remo zone, and Yewa/Awori zone. When last did you receive request from schools to re-build library? To build library is construction, and such requests don’t come to us. It is not within our budget. We could advise on structure and the place, but we are not in charge of building.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

COVEREXTRA

ICT Affects Students’ Library Patronage In Zamfara From Isah Ibrahim, Gusau N Zamfara State, patronage of Iresearch libraries for reading and other purposes has been low due to the deterioration of library services in most of the public libraries of the state and emergence of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) in every nook and cranny. The Guardian’s investigation in Gusau, the state capital, revealed that apart from the Library Board headquarters, federal and state tertiary, as well as a few private and public schools and a few private Islamic libraries, there are no private libraries. However, top civil servants, including permanent secretaries, lecturers and students of tertiary institutions troop to the very few libraries in Gusau for different purposes. It was further gathered that some of the secondary schools students have no access to libraries, as their schools don’t have standard and functional libraries. Even the state government is yet to build a standard library as the current one which used to be a cinema prior to the introduction of the Sharia legal system in 2000, was later converted to a state library board headquarters during the Ahmad Sani Yarima administration. A source told The Guardian On Saturday that the administration of Mamuda Aliyu Shinkafi commenced the construction of a multi-million naira permanent state library, which has now been abandoned. The source further disclosed that all the past governments in the state since its creation 16 years ago, failed to procure new books for even the state library board headquarters, except those donated by some international organisations such as the British Council, individuals, relatives of deceased and other groups. An official of the state library board

disclosed that it was the present government of Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar that awarded a contract for the total renovation of the board headquarters to offer conducive environment for reading and research. The source hinted of plans by the board to introduce 12-hour services for users to meet the demands of library users. The library, according to the source, is to be open from 8am to 8pm, as against the current 8a.m to 3.30pm. It was not possible to ascertain the condition of the state secondary and primary schools libraries, as they are currently on break and the libraries closed. Haruna Abdulmumin, the Assistant Chief Liberian of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Gusau, said with the introduction of modern information technology, the level of patronage of the students range between 50 and 60 per cent. Being a female-only institution, he stated that the library is rich, “but we have to be using our experience to orientate them on the importance of going to the library and how to utilise it properly.” He added: “That is why even the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) introduced one core course called Introduction to Library Studies. With that, we are able to orientate the students and even the lecturers, so that whenever they give them assignments, they would ask them not to rely on the Internet materials alone, but also to go to the library to look for other relevant materials. That is why the patronage is on the increase. “When you came in, you saw many students were patronising our various sections in the library. Our library is very rich in the sense that whatever level you are, you have enough materials to consult. “We are also receiving external students, including PhD and other categories of students, from different terti-

Students inside Abia State Library, Umuahia ary institutions in the country who carry out different forms of research in this library, because we have all the necessary materials you can think of. In this library, we have materials that can accommodate university demands. “The ICT development, which led to the provision of powerful handsets, iPad and other technologies, has made the students reluctant to use libraries, and that is a general phenomenon. “Basically, it would affect their reading attitude, as reading requires a conducive, silent, and resourceful environment that only the library can provide the students.” Also commenting on the issue, President of the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools, Zamfara State chapter, Alhaji

Old Books Dot Jos Library, As Govt Tinkers Relocation From Isa Abdulsalami-Ahovi, Jos ARYAM Adefabi, a Business M Administration and Management student of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, who was reading in the Plateau State Library because her school was on strike, has a misgiving about the facility. She said: “The library is very scanty. Many shelves are without books. They don’t have updated books and we cannot do any research here because the books are outdated. “But I can say the environment is quiet and conducive for learning. Even though the library is close to the main road, the noise from vehicles passing by does not disturb reading.” Her schoolmate, Aisha Olawoye, of the Marketing Department, said the library would have been good but for the outdated books on the shelves. “I think that the state government should help them to provide current books and other reading materials. The reading environment is conductive; the noise around does not disturb me,” she stated. Their colleague, Fatima Zakariah Abdulkadir, of the Public Administration Department, is satisfied with the environment. She noted: “I have not checked the shelves to find out whether the books are new or old. I am just reading my notebooks and handouts because our examination commences on May 27.” But a medical student of the University of Jos,who had been using the library, Maduka Obumneme, had a different assessment of the library. He described the situation as typical of a normal Nigerian library where old books dot the shelves everywhere. “The particular books that

I need to read or study, I can’t find them here. The ones here are all old books of the 1970s. This is not what obtains in good libraries of the present century,” he bemoaned. He said government knows its obligation, adding: “The basic challenge we have now, as Nigerians, is the issue of Boko Haram. Once that is settled, we can then start talking about libraries and all that because you cannot study in an environment that is not peaceful. We need peace first. “Secondly, let them improve on the books in the library. I think the Ministry of Education has to work and do good things. We need to have a good and refined library, as obtainable in some West African countries.” Unlike others, Obumneme does not fancy the location of the library. He said: “This location is not conducive at all because the library is facing one of the major motor parks in Jos, Plateau Riders’ Park. “Then the noisy Terminus Market is also close to the library, while there is a church behind the library. You can even hear the noise of welding machine near us here. “The location is not perfect. If possible, the library should be relocated from its present noisy environment.” But the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Yiljap Abraham, who supervises the state library, told The Guardian that government was planning to build a digital library for the state. He added that digital books would also be provided so that books can be obtained and read online. He acknowledged that the present location is too noisy and not conducive for proper reading and learning, explaining that the state’s Head of Service would supervise the relocation of the library.

Sani Aliyu Moriki, disclosed that government has awarded a multi-billionnaira contract for the general renovation of all boarding schools in the state, including their libraries. Sani, who is also the Principal of Government Science Secondary School, Gusau insisted that the introduction of ICT has not brought any setback to the patronage of school libraries by the students, as they are being made to utilize the facility for assignments and reading purposes. “Our schools’ libraries are functional and students are making proper use of the resources available in the libraries. Some secondary schools have enough books that are very rich for their students,” Moriki said. Some students of the Zamfara State College of Arts and Science (ZACAS) interviewed spoke on their usage of

libraries. Aisha Halliru Ammani, a Diploma student in English, Hausa, and Islam, said: “Actually, sometimes we go to the library to cross check some issues that were very complicated to us, and often we stay even at home to use our laptops or handsets because of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) development. In our library, up to an hour, no student will enter into the library for any purpose. That is why you always have very few students in the college library. Fatima Umar Sanda Sahabi, a diploma student in Computer Science, said: “Utilization of library by any student is a key to his success because it serves you as a reference environment towards solving things that have been very difficult to grasp through reading and research”.

Abia To Build E-Library, Renovate Public Ones From Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia N Abia State, libraries exists at the state, IUmuahia, local government and schools levels. In the state capital, there is a functional state library with a capacity for 1,000 readers, plus the children’s section that has recreation facilities. There are also 11 others located in the outstations in each of the three senatorial districts. Specifically, there are state-owned public libraries at Igbere, Abriba, Ohafia, Arochukwu, Aba, Uzuakoli, Isuikwuato, Umuosu , Umuazo and Eziama. The state government recently embarked on building what is being referred to as an elibrary which is to become the state headquarters in Umuahia. The Director of Curriculum in the state Ministry of Education, Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Nwagbara said that there are well established libraries in the state including in many secondary schools and that the state government, through the ministry and State Universal Basic Education Board, from time to time supplies or distributes books to them. She listed some beneficiaries as Wilcox Memorial Secondary School, Aba; Methodist College, Uzuakoli; Government College, Umuahia and William Memorial School, Afuguri among others. Nwagbara however said that due to insecurity in the schools, the books are hidden in some schools. Commenting on the state of libraries in the state, the Director / Chief Executive of the State Library Board, Mr Okey Asonye said that they depend on donations, copyrights presentations because funds to purchase modern books were lacking. “In the absence of current books, we buy every day at least four newspapers for the head office and the out stations. We also still lend out books and operate the specialized

areas like consultancy, research for which we charge some token service charge,” Asonye said. He expressed optimism that the scenario will change for the better now that the state government has set out building a multi-billion naira e-library. According to him, the state library faces the challenges of dilapidated structures, poor patronage resulting from poor reading culture of the public, computer illiteracy and craze for money. He urged the public to begin early to embrace Information Communication Technology (ICT) to be able to move in line with the trend when the state e-library comes on stream. “The reading public have to be computer literate to able to use the e-library,” he said. To sustain the libraries, Asonye called for a review of the library law to provide for them to operate a bit commercially to be able to generate funds. At the 84-year-old Government College, Umuahia, the Principal, Mr Jerry Onyemachi said that although a befitting library is in place, “there are moribund and outdated books which we try to make do with.” He said that the school library is heavily patronised day and night by the 2,000 day and boarding students. To him, a modern school library should have a building stocked with modern books, journals, periodicals. He appealed to publishers of newspapers and magazines to be donating copies to schools while government should approve library subventions. Speaking generally on schools libraries, Onyemachi said that in some schools, they are non-existent while in some, what used to be libraries had dilapidated and lauded the state government’s move to redress the situation.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

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POLITICS

Chime

first civilian governor of the state in the person of Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, the former national secretary and national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who hails from Ukehe in Igbo-Etiti local government of the state. The argument then was that with the creation of the Enugu state, Onoh had fallen into the Enugu West zone, while his predecessor in office, Chief Jim Nwobodo fell into Enugu East zone. So, it was agreed that Enugu North should produce the first governor of the state. Major contenders for the seat then were Rev. Hyde Onuaguluchi and Dr. Joe Nwodo on the platform of National Republican Convention (NRC) and Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Despite that Onuaguluchi and Gbazuagu were from Enugu West zone, just like Onoh, Onoh mobilized other political stakeholders in the state against Onuaguluchi and Gbazuagu insisting that Enugu North must produce governor, having not tasted political power in Old Anambra State. When the General Ibrahim Babangida administration banned Nwodo, Onuaguluchi and other politicians across the country from further participation the transition programme, Joe’s younger, Okwesilieze was drafted into the race as his replacement. Nwodo won the election, but his administration alongside others across the country was truncated by the military coup of late Head of State, General Sani Abacha on November 17, 1993. With the return of democracy in the country 1999, the search for the governor of the state was zoned to Enugu East Senatorial zone although there were contenders from the other two zones namely Enugu North and Enugu West but the major political stakeholders in the state including Chief Nwobodo, Onoh and others threw their weight behind Enugu East zone to produce the governor. Chief Victor Nduka Agu from Enugu West zone and Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani from Enugu East zone were the two major contenders on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). While the likes of the Nwodos supported Agu to emerge as the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Onoh, Nwobodo and others threw their weight behind Nnamani. That was how Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani emerged governor of the state on the PDP platform in 1999 and served two terms in office. So, Nnamani’s choice of Chime from Enugu West zone as his successor in 2007 with a deputy from East and Speaker from North was seen by many as wise, considering what had become a tripod power sharing in the state since its creation. Thus, the expectations and N the build-up to the 2007 governorship elec- political permutations are that by 2015, the lot tion in Enugu State, Mr. Sullivan Iheanacho will again fall on the people of Enugu North Chime who was then the State Attorney zone to produce the governor of the state. General and Commissioner of Justice was not But, it appears that the persistent false Chimeinitially in the picture as the candidate death rumours ahead of 2015 are creating favoured by the former governor, Chimaroke political tension in the state. Nnamani to succeed him. To be sure, Chime On assumption of office in 2007, Governor was a member of Nnamani’s kitchen cabinet Chime parted way with his predecessor, for eight years. Nnamani and took total control of governance There were speculations then that Governor in the state. This development that did not go Nnamani was disposed to retaining the gover- down well with Nnamani and his Ebeano politnorship seat in his Enugu East senatorial zone. ical loyalists who saw Chime’s action as a Alleged to be favoured in the scheming then betrayal. was Prince Sam Ejioffor, a close confidant of Chime adopted different approaches to poliNnamani’s and his special adviser on political tics and governance in the state that was quite matters and local government affairs. different from that of his predecessor and Along the line also, some other names even estranged godfather. outside government circles, cropped up as Instead of dwelling too much on media hype Nnamani’s possible successor, but in the end, and creating undue political crisis by going Chime who hails from Udi in Enugu West zone after perceived political enemies in the state, of the state, was chosen as Nnamani’s succesChime’s administration had concentrated sor. much of its attention on provision of basic But, while Nnamani and the PDP were riginfrastructures especially roads. Today, Enugu, marolling and foot-dragging on the choice of the state capital has taken the look of a modNnamani’s successor, former governor of Old ern city under his administration. Anambra State, the late Chief Christian But, despite what many might assume as the Chukwuma Onoh who also was among the sterling performance of the governor in office arrowheads that championed the creation of so far, which his government did not deem the state in 1991, had on several occasions necessary to publicise like his predecessor warned Governor Nnamani and his party never Nnamani, political opponents mainly from the to retain the governorship seat in his Enugu defunct Ebeano political dynasty have continEast senatorial zone, arguing that in the interued to fight his government from all fronts. est of equity and fairness, political power This became more pronounced following should move to Enugu West senatorial zone, Nnamani’s loss of Enugu East senatorial seat to after which the Enugu North senatorial zone Gil Nnaji of PDP in the 2011 general elections, a would take over in 2015. development that has worsened Nnamani’s His argument was that the governorship seat political woes, coupled with his ongoing trial should rotate among the three senatorial by the Economic and Financial Crimes zones in the state to avoid suppression, marCommission (EFCC) over alleged corrupt pracginalization and political rancour among the tices, while in office as governor of the state. people of the state. Following Chime’s decision to embark on This was the same position the late Onoh and accumulated leave in September last year after other major political stakeholders and elders writing to the Speaker as required by the 1999 in the state took in 1991 upon the creation of Constitution as amended, there were rumours the state when they threw their weight behind and speculations on the social media that he the people of Enugu North zone to produce the had terminal ailment and had been hospital-

Ahead 2015: Who Wants Gov Chime Dead? Sometime September last year, Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State proceeded on accumulated leave, which lasted for several months. While on leave, Chime was an outpatient (that is, un-admitted patient, a certain indication of the non-gravity of the ailment) in a hospital in London where he had gone to remove a non-malignant tumour from his nose. As the Enugu governor was to tell the media on his return, it was a very successful operation. But despite the protestations to the contrary of Chime’s media aides while he was still receiving treatment in London and the governor’s own admission that doctors had declared him cured of the non-malignant cancer of the nose, the rumour mongers still persistently claimed that Chime had died. Now, Chime has been in the country since his return in mid-February, doing his work how best he knows, but that is not enough to placate his foes: those behind his death rumours were at it again last week when rumour broke that he was dead in an Indian hospital! And, then, like the proverbial cat with nine lives, Chime appeared, bright and early, at the Okpara Square Enugu on Wednesday this week, to swear in 57 Chairmen of development centres in Enugu State! What would the death wishers now say? In this report, SAMSON EZEA takes a look at these persistent Chime-death rumours, their connection with the political intrigues and permutation in the state ahead of 2015 election.

ized in an undisclosed hospital overseas. On several occasions, it was also rumoured that he was dead. But his Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke consistently maintained that his boss was neither sick nor dead, rather he was enjoying his accumulated leave. Chime’s prolonged absence from the state was the fillip that the Ebeano group needed to stoke political tension in the state. With members like former Commissioner of Information in the state and one of Nnamani’s strongest allies, Igbonekwu Ogazimorah, Maxi Okwu, Willy Ezugwu, Ebeano regrouped under the aegis of Save Enugu Group (SEG) and created a big media hype out of Chime’s absence, in one breadth declaring him dead and in another calling for his impeachment since his whereabouts were unknown! One of SEG’s most notable allegations was that members of Chime’s kitchen cabinet had rendered Chime’s deputy, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi who was the acting governor and hails from Enugu East zone, redundant and powerless to perform his official functions. An embarrassed Onyebuchi had to vociferously debunk the allegation when the Good Governance Team led by Minister of Information Mr Labaran Maku came on tour of the state. Onyebuchi made it clear that the government was running smoothly in the absence of the governor and that nobody had put a limit on his approval of state funds for the day- today activities of government in the state. Apprehension, speculation and rumour surrounding Chime’s state of health and whereabouts for months were brought to an end upon his return to the country early February this year to resume work as governor of the state. During an interview with journalists in Enugu, Chime made it clear that he went on his accumulated leave and decided to use the opportunity to treat what looked like a tumour in his nose. He maintained that he was not sick when he was proceeding on leave and wondered why some people were peddling false rumour that he was dead. Observers argued that as a state governor, the people ought to know his whereabouts all the time. Ahead of 2015 general elections with agitations from the people of Enugu North zone that it is their turn to produce the next governor coupled with the rumoured governorship ambition of the deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremmadu who hails from Enugu West zone as Chime, there was another round of false rumour on the social media last week that Governor Chime was dead. Responding to the rumour, Ugwoke said the governor was hale and hearty and described the rumour as the handiwork of mischiefmakers in the state. He disclosed that the governor would be inaugurating the 57 administrators of the Development Centres in the state next week (this week). True to Ugwoke’s position last week, Governor Chime was at the Okpara Square Enugu on Wednesday where he inaugurated the appointed administrators of the development centres in the state. This was Chime’s second appearance amidst his growing death rumours ahead of 2015 general election. Meanwhile, there are insinuations in some quarters that Chime might be contesting for the Enugu West senatorial seat in 2015 that is currently occupied by Ekweremmadu. Also alleged to be jostling to succeed Chime in 2015 from Enugu North zone is Senator Ayogu Eze, the senator representing Enugu North zone in the upper chamber of the National Assembly, Hon. Eugene Odo, the current Speaker State House of Assembly, the state chairman PDP Engr Vita Aba, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the House of Representatives and others. Also in the picture is Senator Ekweremmadu whose posters flooded Nsukka recently amidst severe criticisms by some political leaders from Enugu North zone. But in the face of all these political developments and intrigues ahead of 2015, Chime who is known for his taciturnity appears to be keeping the choice of his likely successor and future political career to his heart for now. But, the question begging for answer is; who wants Chime dead before 2015 and why? Of what benefit are his death rumours to those behind it and the people of the state? How will such rumours affect the political permutations in the state and affect governance? Soon, very soon, the nation will know.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May, 11, 2013

Change of Name ABBEY: formerly miss Gold Monday Abbey now Mrs. Gold Adokiye Jack. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. ABOGAN: Formerly Olayinka Folasade Abogan now Olayinka Folasade Oyelami. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADABALE: Formerly Miss Adabale Morufat Mojisola now Mrs. Olakojo Morufat Mojisola. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ADAMS: Formerly Miss Ayobola Olufolake Adams now Ayobola Olufolake Charles. Previous documents valid. General public note. ADEBAYO: Former Miss Adebayo Abimbola Abike now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Olaniran Abimbola Abike. Former documents remain valid. General public note. ADEBISI: Formerly Miss Omotayo Ifeolu Adebisi now Mrs. Omotayo Ifeolu Fajebe. Former documents valid. Public note. ADEGBOYE: Formerly Miss Esther Ibidun Adegboye now Mrs. Esther Ibidun Adefisayo. Former documents valid. Public note. ADEJUWON: I, formerly Miss Adeola Olubusola Adejuwon now Mrs. Adeola Olubusola Jeremiah. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. ADENOPO: Formerly Miss Adenopo Aderonke Olasile now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adeyanju Aderonke Olasile. All documents remain valid. Public please note. ADEOYE: Formerly Miss Adeoye Yetunde Florence now Mrs. Idowu Yetunde Florence. All former documents remain valid. General public note. ADEPOJU: Formerly Miss Adepoju Folashade Adesola now Mrs. Jiboku Folashade Adesola. Former documents valid. Public note. ADESANYA: Formerly Miss Adesanya Olamide Adedamola now Mrs. Adediwura Olamide Adedamola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADEWALE: Formerly Miss Adewale Olubanke Olamide now Mrs. Raphael-Iromini Olubanke Olamide. Former documents valid. First Bank and public note. AGBONWANEGBE: Formerly Miss Ozege Agbonwanegbe now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Salisu Ozege. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

AGU: I, formerly known as Miss Ngozi Mercy Agu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ngozi Mercy Ofodum. All former documents remain valid. The general public please take note. AGUOMBA-OJUKWU: Formerly Nnenna Ogechukwu AguombaOjukwu now Nnenna Ogechukwu GodswillKalu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AHMADU: Formerly Miss Anetu Ahmadu now Mrs. Precious Philip Yusufu. All documents remain valid. Federal Polytechnic, Idah, Kogi State, Insourcing Limited, First Bank Nigeria Plc & general public please take note. AIYAUHONMON: Formerly Miss Aiyauhonmon Isi Blessing now Mrs. Albert Isi Blessing. General public note. AJAGUS: Former Miss Angela Chinazor Chiz Ajagus now Mrs. Angela Chiz Aguogbuo. Public note. AJAYI: Former Miss Ajayi Oluwasola Blessing now addressed as Mrs. Bayode Oluwasola Blessing. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AJAYI: Formerly Mrs. Ajayi Olubukunola Ademola (Nee Ademola) now Mrs. Yemi-Ajayi Olubukunola Adesola. Documents valid. NMCN, public note. AJIBADE: Formerly Oluwatosin Sarah Rashidat Ajibade now Oluwatosin Sarah Essien. Documents remain valid. Public note. AJOSE : Formerly Miss Ajose Rekiya Tiwalade. now MrsÂ Ajelero Rekiya Tiwalade Former Documents remain valid. Public note. AKINDELE: Former Miss Iretioluwa Ayomide Akindele now Mrs. Iretioluwa Ayomide Adekunle. Former documents remain valid.

ALONGE: Formerly known as Miss Tolulope Elizabeth Alonge now Mrs. Tolulope Elizabeth Alabi. Former documents remain valid. General public note. AMOBI: Formerly Miss Felista Ifunanya Amobi now Mrs. Felista Ifunanya Emezie-Chukwunenye. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AMOKE: Formerly Miss Amoke Rejoice Amauche now Mrs. Eze Rejoice Amauche. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ANAEJEM: Formerly Miss Anaejem Kassa Onyetugo now Mrs. Egbuka Kassa Onyetugo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ANELE: Formerly Miss Anele Maureen Ugonma now Mrs. Ibedu Maureen Ugonma. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ANI: Formerly Miss Ani Nnenna Florence now Mrs. Ezeh Nnenna Florence. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ANIAKOR: Former Miss Amarachi Sandra Aniakor now Mrs. Amarachi Sandra Nwabueze. Former documents remain valid. General public note. ANIBUEZE: Formerly Miss Anibueze Benedette Ifeyinwa now Mrs. Ogili Benedette Ifeyinwa. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. ANIDIOBI: Formerly Miss Anidiobi MaryAnn now Mrs. Ebunyebe Chinyere MaryAnn. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ANIMASHAWUN: Formerly known as Miss Oluwakemi Animashawun now wish to be known as Mrs. Oluwakemi Davies. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKINLUDE: Formerly Miss Oluwasola Bukola Akinlude now Mrs. Oluwasola Bukola Oshun. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANTHONY: I formerly Miss Anthony Feyikemi Elizabeth now Mrs. Makinde Feyikemi Elizabeth. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKINYEMI: Formerly Miss Akinyemi Omodele Adebola now Mrs. Adeniran Omodele Adebola. Former documents valid. Public note.

ANUCHE: Formerly Anuche Uchenna Juliet now Ofonedu Uchenna Juliet. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKINYEMI: Formerly Miss Abimbola Bolaji Akinyemi, now Mrs Abimbola Bolaji Okonkwo. Former documents valid. Public note. AKINYOOLA: Former Miss Akinyoola Janet Oluwafunmilayo now Mrs. Ibikunle Janet Olufunmilayo. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

ANUMUDU: Formerly Miss Maudlyn Amaka Anumudu now Mrs. Maudlyn Amaka Olaomi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ANYANSI: Formerly Miss Anyansi Assumpta Chidimma now Mrs. Anakwenze Assumpta Chidimma. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ARCHIBONG: I, formerly

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BAMIRO: Formerly Miss Adefunke Bridget Bamiro now Mrs. Adefunke Bridget Sobitan. Former documents valid. Public note. BARUWA: Formerly Miss Olaide Shakirat Baruwa, now Mrs Olaide Shakirat Baruwa-Ajayi. Former documents valid. Public note. BELLO: Former Miss Kafilat Abake Bello now known and addressed as Mrs. Kafilat Abake Bello Ayeola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. BELLO: Former Miss Rukayat Adeola Bello now Mrs. Rukayat Adeola Cardozo. Former documents remain valid. General public note. CHINAKA: I, formerly Miss Chioma Eunice Chinaka now wish to be known as Mrs. Chioma Eunice Afigbo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CHUKWU: I, formerly known as Miss Patricia Ejutu Chukwu now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Patricia Ejutu Mbuko. All former documents remain valid. Public note. DANJUMA: Formerly Miss Mary Fatima Danjuma now Mrs. Mary Fatima Babatunde Ogunleye. Former documents remain valid. Public note. DAWODU: Formerly Miss Dawodu Olatoun Feyintola now Mrs. Ihimoyan Olatoun Feyintola. Documents valid. Neuro-psychatric Hospital, Aro, public note. DEDE: Formerly Chioma Dede now known as Miracle Iheme-Madukairo. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, NYSC take note. DELE-ADEDEJI: Formerly Miss Ikeoluwa Adejoju Dele-Adedeji, now Mrs Ikeoluwa Adejoju Gbenusola. Former documents valid. Public note. DISU: Formerly Miss Disu Temitope Aina now Mrs. Jacob Omolara Temitope Aina. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AWOYALE: Formerly Miss Olufunmi Adebola Awoyale now Mrs. Olufunmi Adebola Elly-Erin. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EBENINE: Formerly known as Amaka Ebenine now Ifeyinwa Igbonanu J. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BALOGUN: Formerly Miss Balogun Olukemi Olusola now Mrs. Ojo Olukemi Olusola. Documents valid. Public note.

ECHENDU: Formerly Miss Echendu Blessing Chinyere now Mrs. Cleopas Blessing Chinyere. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BAMIDELE: Formerly Mrs. Helen Bamidele Dania now Mrs. Helen Bamitale Dania. Former documents remain valid. Public note. BAMIDELE: Formerly Bamidele Esther Olubunmi now Ogundana Esther Olubunmi. Documents valid. Public note.

EDIONWE: Formerly Miss Abieyuwa Isi Edionwe now Mrs. Abieyuwa Isi Alugo. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EFE: Formerly Miss Udoh Joy Efe now Mrs. Onyenobi Udoh Joy Herphzerl. Former docu-

ments note.

valid.

Public

EFUNLOYE: I, formerly Miss Ololade Efunloye hereby notify the general public of my new name as Mrs. Ololade P. Makinde. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EGANA: Formerly Miss Thelma Enayi Egana now Mrs. Thelma Enayi Ovat. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EGBON: I, formerly Miss Egbon Bridget now wish to be known as Mrs. Dickson Bridget. All former documents remain valid. AOCOED and general public note. EGWU: Formerly Miss Kelechi Esobe Egwu, now Mrs Kelechi Esobe Morah. Former documents valid. Public note. EJERE: Formerly Ejere Charles Chijioke now known as Charles Temi Brian. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EKETTE: Formerly Ekette Godfrey E. now Edwin Godfrey Ugwu. Former documents remain valid. PHCN Plc, public note. EKOIGIAWE: Formerly Titi Omorovbiye Ekoigiawe now Mrs. Titi Omorovbiye Kabuoh. Former documents valid. Public note. EKWE: Formerly Ekwe Josiah Ugochukwu Favour now Okorie Ugochukwu Favour. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ELESO: Formerly Miss Eleso Adesumbo Kanyinsola now Mrs. Odeseye Adesumbo Kanyinsola. Former documents valid. Public note. EMERUWA: Formerly Emeruwa Blessing Oluchukwu now Anene Blessing Oluchukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ENEH: Formerly Eneh Oluchi Martha now Aziegbe Oluchi Martha. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ENEJE: I, formerly known as Miss Onyinye Loveth Eneje now wish to be known as Mrs. Onyinye Loveth Ochomma. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ENYIOKO: Formerly Victor Maobughichi Enyioko now Victor Maobughichi Mosy. Former documents valid. UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH(QUA IBOE CHURCH NIGERIA), public note.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May, 11, 2013

Change of Name ETIM: Formerly Gloria Essien Etim now Gloria Nseabasi Justin. Former documents valid. Mobil Producing Nig Unlimited and public note.

GREEN: Formerly Belinda Idawarifa Green now Mrs. Belinda Idawarifa Akinyelure. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EZEMA: formerly Miss Ezema Peace Akunne now Mrs Okpaka Peace Akunne. former documents valid. Public note. EZENWOSU: Formerly Miss Ezenwosu Chinelo Lovina now Mrs. Rosemary L. C. Udoye. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IBEAKUZIE: Formerly Uchenna Cynthia Uju Ibeakuzie, now Mrs Uchenna Cynthia Uju Nnodu. Former documents valid. Public note.

EZEOKEKE: Formerly Miss Nnenna Agnes Ezeokeke now Mrs. Nnenna Agnes Eze. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EZEUKWU: Formerly Miss Modesta Ugochi Ezeukwu now Mrs. Modesta Ugochi Ochonma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IBENEGBU: Formerly Miss Ibenegbu Nonyelum now Pharm. (Mrs.) Aduba Nonyelum Rosemary. Former documents remain valid. Public note. IBEZIMAKO: I, formerly Miss Ibezimako Blessing Chinyere now called Mrs. Ukachukwu Blessing Chinyere. Former documents remain valid. IRRUA Specialist Teaching Hospital, Nursing & Midwifery Council of Nigeria, note.

EZUGWU: Formerly Miss Maureen Ezugwu now Mrs. Maureen Leonard. Former documents valid. Public note.

IBIGBAMI: Former Miss Oluwatoyin Olawunmi Ibigbami now Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olawunmi Olamilehin. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

FAKUNLE: I, formerly Miss Ibukun Oluwaseun Fakunle now Mrs. Ibukun Oluwaseun Mayadenu. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IDOWU: Formerly Idowu Rashidat Oluwafemi now Mrs. Agbolade Rashidat Oluwafemi. Documents valid. Public note.

FARAYOLA: I, formerly Miss Farayola Rashidat Oluwakemi now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Jimoh Rashidat Oluwakemi. Digiprints Intl Ltd and general public take note. All former documents remain valid. FATAI: Former Mr. Fatai Olaide Muraina now known and addressed as Mr. Fatai Olaide Muraina Oladunni. Former documents remain valid. Public note. FATUNDE: Former Miss Oreoluwa Fatunde now Mrs. Oreoluwa Oni. Former documents remain valid. Public note. FOLORUNSO: Formerly Miss Folorunso Oluwayemisi Abosede now Mrs. Famurewa Oluwayemisi Abosede. Former documents valid. Leadcity University, FUNAAB, public note. GBOGIDI: Former Miss Elo Oghene Tessy Gbogidi now Mrs. Elo Oghene Tessy Ovie. All former documents remain valid. Public note. GIDIGBIH: Formerly Miss Gidigbih Olushola Asisat now Mrs. Gidigbih â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Mustapha Olushola Asisat. Former documents remain valid. Public note. GODWIN: Formerly Miss Godwin Happiness Ikechukwu now Mrs. Chidi-Oha Happiness Ikechukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IFEDIORAH: Former Miss Ifediorah Pepgora Ijeoma now addressed as Mrs. Okonkwo Pepgora Ijeoma. Former documents remain valid. Public note. IGBA: Formerly Miss Deborah Okuafo Igba now Mrs. Deborah Okuafo Fanimehin. Former documents valid. Public note. IGBEGU: Formerly Miss Igbegu Edith Egbimhanlu now Mrs. Alagbe Edith Egbimhanlu. Former documents valid. Public note. IGBO: Formerly Miss Igbo Dorathy Ogochukwu now Mrs. Obiano Dorathy Ogochukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. IGBOKWE: Formerly Miss Igbokwe Eucharia Obioma now Mrs. Okoli Eucharia Obioma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ILESANMI-NEE: Former Mrs. Temitope Yenukunmeh Ilesanmi-Nee Agannanoh now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajanaku Agannanoh Temitope Yenukunmeh Alimot. All former documents remain valid. Lagos State Government and general public note. ILORI: Formerly Miss Ilori Wuraola Adenike now Mrs. Adesiyan Wuraola Adenike. Former documents remain valid. Public note. IWUALA: Formerly Miss Anthonia Ogechi Iwuala now addressed as Mrs. Anthonia Ogechi Amadi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. IWUCHUKWU: Formerly Miss Iwuchukwu Evangeline Chidinma now Mrs. Ogu Evangeline Chidinma. Former documents remain valid. Public note. IYANDA: Formerly Adijat Olajumoke Iyanda now Mrs. Khadijah Olajumoke Adebayo-Saliu. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. JAMES: Formerly Calista James now Mrs. Calista Michael. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. JEGEDE: Formerly Miss Titilola Abiola Jegede, now Mrs Titilola Abiola Odesola. Former documents valid. Public note. JIBESIN: I, formerly Miss Titilayo Elizabeth Jibesin now wish to be called Mrs. Titilayo Elizabeth Toluwalase. Former documents remain valid. LASG and PCN take note. JINADU: Former Miss Mojisola Iyabode Tinadu now Mrs. Mojisola Iyabode Bajomo. All former documents remain valid. Public note. JIMMY: Isaac Jimmy Adewale Adekoya and Isaac A. Adekoya is still the same person. Former documents valid. UBA, public note. JOHNSON: Former Miss Johnson Margeret Rossean Gbemisola now Mrs. Ambode Rossean Gbemisola. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

IHEDIUKO: Formerly Miss Peace Chinaenye Ihediuko now Mrs. Peace Chinaenye Iheukwumere. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

JOHNSON: I, formerly Johnson Richard now addressed as Otegbeye Oludayo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IJIWOLE: Formerly Miss Temitope Adebola Ijiwole now to be known as Mrs. Temitope Ehimare Alfred. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

JOLAOSHO: Formerly known as Oreoluwa Otosin Jolaosho now wish to be known as Oreoluwa Joan Fadahunsi. All documents remain valid. Public please take note.

IKHARO: Formerly Miss Ikharo Efe Anthonia, now Mrs Idowu- Deifa Efe Anthonia. Former documents valid. Public note.

LAWAL: Formerly Miss Lawal Adetola Aminat, now Mrs Babalakin Adetola Aminat. Former documents valid. Public note.

LEWIS: Formerly known and addressed as Miss Kehinde Oladunni Lewis now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Kehinde Oladunni Sam-Akhigbe. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWACHUKWU: Formerly Nwachukwu Chioma Ijeoma now Omattah Chioma Ijeoma. Former documents remain valid. NYSC, PSN, PCN and UCH take note.

LIVINGSTONE: Formerly Miss Belynda Amy Livingstone, now Mrs Belynda Amy Kings. Former documents valid. Public note.

NWACHOR: formerly Miss Nwachor Nkechinyere now Mrs. Okeoma Nkechinyere Gitf. Former documents valid. public note

MADUBUOBI: Formerly Miss Madubuobi Chinelo Mary-Ann now Mrs. Nworah Chinelo MaryAnn. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MAMMAN: Formerly Miss Mamman Ladidi Vivian now Mrs. Ozigagu Ladidi Vivian. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MBELU : Formerly Miss MbeluÂ Nwamaka Janet, now Mrs. Nnoli Nwamaka Janet. Former Documents remain valid. Public note.MOLOKWU: Formerly Miss Irene Chineze Molokwu now Mrs. Irene Chineze Nwankwo: All former documents remain valid. Public note. MUSA: Formerly known as Dr. Mrs. Philomena Musa now addressed as Dr. Mrs. Philomena Adeyinka Adesoye. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NDIBE: Formerly Miss Chelsy Ezigbochim Ndibe now known as Mrs. Chelsy Ezigbochim Onukwube. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NDUNEWE: I formerly Miss Amarachi Grace Ndunewe now wish to be known as Mrs. Amarachi Grace Justice Jinyemiema. All former documents remain valid. Public note. NKOLE: Formerly Miss Nkole Achama Uko now Mrs Ositadinma Achama Victoria. Former documents valid. Public note. NNABUIFE: Formerly Miss Nnabuife Agatha Chinonye now Mrs. Onwuugbufor Agatha Chinonye. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NNANOR: We Formerly Mr. Osita Innocent Nnanor, Mrs. Obioma Clementina Nnanor, Chisom Anastasia Nnanor, Chidubem Henry Nnanor now Mr. Osita Innocent, Mrs. Obioma Osita, Chisom Anastasia Osita, Chibueze Veronica Osita, Chidubem Henry Osita. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NEVO: Formerly Miss Nevo Juliet Oluchi now Mrs. Eze Juliet Oluchi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWABIA: Formerly Miss Nwabia Chisom Uchenna now Mrs. Anieto Chisom Uchenna. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWAGBARA: Formerly Mr. Ogbonnaya Chidi Nwagbara now Mr. Ogbonnaya Chidi Azubike. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWAGBARA: Formerly Mrs. Anurika Odinakachi Cynthia Nwagbara now Mrs. Anurika Odinakachi Cynthia Azubuike. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWAGBARA: Formerly Miss Chimamanda Elizabeth Iheoma Nwagbara now Miss Chimamanda Elizabeth Iheoma Azubuike. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWAINOKPOR: Formerly Ngozi Mary Nwainokpor now Mrs. Ngozi Mary Olabode. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWAKANMA: Formerly Miss Nwakanma Onyinye Tina now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ikwuagwu Onyinye Tina. Former documents remain valid. General public note. NWANKWO: Formerly Miss Nwankwo Angela now Mrs. Ozougwu Angela Uzoyibo. Former documents remain valid. Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria and public note. NWARUSI: Formerly Miss Nwarusi Patience Chineme now Mrs. Onu Patience Chineme. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWARUO: Formerly Nwaruo Chinonso Mary now Mrs Okpeh Chinonso Mary. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. NWICHI: Formerly Miss Stella Adanma Nwichi now Mrs Godfrey Stella Adanma. Former documents valid. Public note. NWODO: Formerly Mr. Nwodo Ikechukwu Jude now Mr. Joseph Ikechukwu Jude. All former documents remain valid. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike and public take note. NWOKE: Formerly Miss Linda Ifeanyichukwu Nwoke now Mrs. Rosemary Linda Ifeanyichukwu Collins-Akachukwu. Former documents remain valid. General public take note. NWOSISI: Formerly Mrs Elizabeth Nwosisi, now Mrs Elizabeth Taiwo. Former documents valid. Pub-

lic note. NWOSU: Formerly Nwosu Christian Ugochukwu now Christian Ugochukwu Linus, and Nwosu John Onyedikachukwu now John Onyedikachukwu Linus. Former documents remain valid. Public note. NWOSU: Formerly Miss Nwosu Salome Ego Akuoma now Mrs Obisike Salome Ego Akuoma. former documents valid. OSISIOMA NGWA LGA, Public note. NWOSU: I, formerly Miss Cynthia Uloma Nwosu now known as Mrs. Cynthia Uloma Edward. Former documents remain valid. General public take note. OBASI: Formerly Mrs. Laura Obas now Ms. Laura Dare Kakulu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OBERE: Formerly Miss Obere Uvie Imoitsemhe now Mrs. Olajide Uvie Imoitsemhe. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OBIKA: Former Obianuju Destiny Obika now Mrs. Obianuju Destiny Obierika. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OBILO: Formerly Miss Obilo Sylvia Chinwendu now Mrs. Ohuawunwa Sylvia Chinwendu. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. OBINNA: Formerly Miss Uzoamaka Obinna now Mrs Uzoamaka Chigozie Ekwelem. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OBOT: Formerly Miss Stella Ima Obot, now Mrs Stella Ima Pius. Former documents valid. Public note. ODEKOMAYA: I, formerly Miss Odekomaya Adejoke Busola now known as Mrs. Adejoke Adeniji. Former documents remain valid. NYSC, general public take note. OGBAJE: Former Miss Ogbaje Ada Ojonoka. now Mrs. Yusuf Ada Ojonoka. All former documents remain valid. Public to note. OGBEMI: Formerly Miss Ogbemi Roseline Misan now Mrs. Edogun Roseline Misan. Documents valid. Public note. OGBONNA: Formerly Miss Chioma Ogbonna now Mrs Chioma Obinna. Former documents valid. Nigeria Police Force, ABSU, public note. OGBONNA: Formerly Miss Ogbonna Amaka Valerie Hope now Mrs. Ogbu Amaka Valerie. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May, 11, 2013

Change of Name OGOKO: I, formerly called Miss Ogoko Nkeiru Doris now wish to be called Mrs. Ndukuba Nkeiru Doris. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNBOLA: Formerly Miss Ogunbola Funmilayo Elizabeth now Mrs. Afolabi Funmilayo Elizabeth. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNDELE: Formerly Miss Ogundele Adeola Omotayo now Mrs. Olatunde Adeola Omotayo. All documents remain valid. LASMAB and public note. OGUNFEYIMI : Formerly Mr Ogunfeyimi, Olalekan Cyril now Mr Olayinka, Olalekan Cyril. Former Documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNS: Formerly Miss Oguns Tunray Abiodun now Mrs. Afolabi-Dansu Tunrayo Abiodun. All former documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNSANYA: Formerly Miss Oluwatoyin Bola Ogunsanya now Mrs. Oluwatoyin Bola Adebayo. Former documents valid. Public note. OIWOH: Formerly Miss Oiwoh Christianah Egbihalu now Mrs Ubuane Christianah Egbihalu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OJEAH: Formerly Miss Ojeah Mary Ekene now Mrs. Elumelu Mary Ekene. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OJO: Formerly known as Miss Ojo Fatimat Adenike now wish to be known as Mrs. Akande Fatimat Adenike. Former documents remain valid. YABATECH, public note. OJURONGBE: Formerly Miss Ojurongbe Aminat Funmilayo now Mrs. Awolaja Aminat Funmilayo. Documents valid. Public note. OKACHI: Formerly Miss Okachi Sussan Nwakaego now Mrs. Omene Sussan Nwakaego. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKAFOR: We, formerly Mr Linus Okafor and Mr Sylvester Okafor now wish to be known as Mr Linus Mbamaonyeukwu and Mr Sylvester Mbamaonyeukwu. Former documents valid. Land Registry, Umuahia, public take note.

Olaniyan Olubukola Mojisola. Former documents remain valid. General public note. OKEKE: Formerly Miss Okeke Cecilia Ebuchiyego now Mrs. Nwikpor Cecilia Ebuchiyego. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKEKE: Former Miss Okeke Oge Peace now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Okoli Oge Peace. Former documents remain valid. General public note. OKEREKE: Formerly Miss Okereke Agnes Kelechi now Mrs. Okechukwu Agnes Kelechi O. Former documents remain valid. Nigeria Bar Association and public note. OKEZIE: Formerly Miss Chinomso Deborah Okezie, now Mrs Chinomso Deborah Egwim. Former documents valid. Public note. OKHIULU: Formerly Miss Patience Okhiulu now Mrs. Patience Okonofua. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKOEHHIAN: Formerly Miss Okoekhian Racheal now Mrs. Jikeme Racheal. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. OKONGWU: Formerly Okongwu Nkechi Felicia now Nwofor Nkechi Felicia. Documents valid. Public note. OKONKWO: Formerly Miss Angela Okonkwo now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Angela Chibuike Nwatu. Former documents remain valid. NYSC and public take note. OKONKWO: Formerly Miss Okonkwo Gloria Njideka now Mrs. Udeh Gloria Njideka. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKORO: Formerly Miss Okoro Ngozi Florence now Mrs Chidi Ngozi Florence. Former documents valid. Public note. OKOYE: Formerly Okoye Frank Ekene now Ndibe Ekene Frank. Former documents remain valid. General public take note. OKPALA: Formerly Miss Okpala Rita Ngozi now Mrs. Ikegwuonu Rita Ngozi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Esther Chika now Mrs. Nwalozi Esther Chika. Former documents remain valid. Fed Poly Oko, NYSC, FCT Water Board, FCDA, FCTA and general public note.

OKPERE: I, formerly Vera Obehioye Okpere now wish to be known henceforth as Vera Obehoye Aderibigbe. All documents remain same, public note.

OKE: Former Miss Oke Olubukola Mojisola now to be addressed as Mrs.

OLADIMEJI: Former Miss Oladimeji Iretiola Ifeloju now Mrs. Chukwujama

Iretiola Ifeloju. Former documents remain valid. General public note. OLAITAN-SALAMI: Formerly Olaitan-Salami Mustapha Eniasoro now Olaitan Mustapha Eniasoro. Former documents valid. Public note. OLALEYE: Formerly Miss Olaleye Damilola Olufunke, now Mrs Falode Damilola Olufunke. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OLATUNDE: Formerly Miss Olatunde Oluwatoyin Bolatito now Mrs. Adedokun Oluwatoyin Bolatito. Documents valid. Public note. OLAWALE: Formerly Miss Olawale Folasayo Adekitan now Mrs. Oluwafemi Folasayo Adekitan. Documents valid. Public note. OLAWEPO: Formerly Miss Funmilola Margret Olawepo now Mrs. Funmilola Margret Awomosu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OLAYIWOLA: Formerly Miss Opeyemi Olayiwola now Mrs. Tawakalitu Opeyemi Olusesi. All former documents remain valid. General public note. OLEBUNNE: Formerly Miss Olebunne Bibian Obiageri now Mrs. Emejuru Bibian Obiageri. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OLUBODUN: Formerly Tunrayo Tolulope Olubodun now Tunrayo Tolulope Olajuwon. Former documents remain vlaid. Public note. OLUMILUA: I, formerly Miss Kehinde Oluwasayo Olumilua now Mrs. Kehinde Oluwasayo Komolafe. All former documents remain valid. Member House of Representatives and public note. OLUSEYI: Formerly Miss Oluwayemisi Idara Oluseyi now addressed as Mrs. Oluwayemisi Idara Oderhohwo. All former documents remain valid. Olabisi Onabanjo University. Public note. OMENIHU : Formerly Miss Doris Omenihu now Mrs. Orji Doris Ifeoma. Former documents valid. Public note. OMEREONYE: Formerly Miss Omereonye Odinaka Prisca now Mrs. Nwizu Odinaka Prisca. All former documents remain valid. Public note. OMOTOSHO: Former Miss Aminat Omotosho now Mrs. Aminat Sanusi. Former documents remain valid. General public note. ONI: Formerly Miss Oni Mojisola Abigael now Mrs. Olujimi Mojisola Abigael. Documents valid. General Public note.

ONUIGBO: Formerly Miss Joy Oluchi Onuigbo now Mrs. Osita Joy Oluchi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ONWUKA: Formerly Onwuka Ubachukwu Precious now Peter Ubachukwu Precious. Documents valid. Public note. ONWUZULIGBO: Formerly Miss Onwuzuligbo Tobechi Rita now Mrs Anyalewechi Tobechi Rita. Former documents remain valid. public take note. ONYEKA: Formerly Miss Onyeka Chika Anna now Mrs. Idaguko Chika Anna. Former documents valid. Public note. OPARA: Former Miss Opara Joy Chidinma now to be addressed as Mrs. Okonkwo Joy Chidinma. Former documents remain valid. General public note. OPARANOZIE: Formerly Oparanozie Nwanyinna Irene now Mrs Nwanyinna Irene Kemas Erukpeme. former documents remain valid. NPS and public note. OREKOMAYA: Formerly Miss Gbemisola Orekomaya now Mrs. Gbemisola Omilabu. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ORUOGHOR: Formerly Miss Oruoghor Eseoghene Edith now wish to be known as Dr. (Mrs.) Imafidon Eseoghene Edith. Former documents remain valid. W.A.C.P, N.P.M.C.N and the public take note. OSHO: Formerly Miss Osho Eniola Jarinat now Mrs. Adekanmbi Eniola Jarinat. Former documents valid. Public note. OSUAGWU: Formerly Mr. Osuagwu Chrysogonus Eze now Mr. Ukanwoke Chrysogonus Eze. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OWOADE: I formerly Owoade Aderiyike now Mrs. Oyetunji Aderiyike. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OWOYELE: Formerly Miss Owoyele, Suliat Abolanle now Mrs Megbehingbe, Elizabeth Abolanle. All Former documents remain valid. Public note. OYINDEYINFA: Formerly Dave Oyindeyinfa Fakrogha now David Oyindeyinka Fakrogha. Former documents valid. Mobil Producing Nig Unlimited and public note. OYETUNDE: Formerly Miss Aderonke Oyetunde now Mrs. Aderonke Oyewade Atoyebi. Former documents remain valid. NYSC, EKSU & public note. PALMER: Formerly Miss Odezi Joy Ofoh Appeal

Palmer, now Mrs Odezie Joy Penda. Former documents valid. Public note RENNER: Formerly Miss Renner Oluwatobi Kofoworola now Mrs. Adetona Oluwatobi Kofoworola. Documents valid. Public note. SELESI: Formerly known as Miss Selesi, Modupe Olusola, now Mrs. Atoe, Modupe Olusola. All former documents remain valid. General public note

public take note. UGWUMADU: Formerly Miss Ugwumadu Queen Ugochi now Mrs. Udochukwu Queen Ugochi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UKEGBU: Formerly Ukegbu Chinedu now wish to be known as Smart John Chinedu. Former documents valid. Public take note.

SEMUGHANA: I formerly Semughana Michael Bala now Musa-semughana Michael John. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

UMAEFULAM: Formerly Miss Umaefulam Onyekachi Ogadinma now Mrs. Olugbue Onyekachi Ogadinma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

SERIKI: Formerly Misturat Feyisara Seriki now Mrs. Misturat Feyisara SerikiElebute. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

UMANAH: Formerly Miss Cecilia Archibong Umanah now Johnny Cecilia Samuel. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

SHEKONI: Formerly Adebimpe Aina Shekoni now Mrs. Adebimpe Aina Ibiloye. Former documents remain valid. LAWMA, public note.

UMEOKEOMA: Formerly Miss Umeokeoma Amarachi Ifeyinwa now Mrs. Ochigbo Esther Amarachi I. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

SOBOLA: Formerly Miss Tolulope Oladuni Sobola now Mrs. Tolulope Oladuni Ugbo. Former documents valid. Public note. SOKOYA: Formerly Miss Oluwabusayo Omolara Adebowale Sokoya, now Mrs Oluwabusola Omolara Ogun. Former documents valid. Public note. SOLANKE: Formerly Miss Olubanke Linda Solanke now Mrs. Olubanke Linda Akinsanya. Former documents remain valid. Public note. TAIWO: Formerly known as Miss Taiwo Modupe Maria now to be known as Mrs. Tijani Modupe Maria. Former documents remain valid. Public note. THOMPSON: Formerly Miss Thompson Bolaji now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Oluwole-Dada Bolaji. Former documents remain valid. General public note. UBATU: Formerly Ekene Chinenye Maryann Ubatu now Mrs. Ekene Maryann Ubatu-Udeze. Former documents remain valid. Public note UBOM: I, formerly Miss Anne Asi Ubom now Mrs. Anne Asi Nsikan Nkanang. All former documents remain valid. General public note. UGWAKA: Formerly Chiemezie Felicia Ugwaka now Mrs. Chiemezie Felicia Muojama. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UGWU: Formerly Miss Amarachi Hilda Ugwu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Amarachi Hilda Nwodo. Former documents remain valid. NYSC and

UMOREN: Formerly Miss Eduobong Joshua Umoren now Mrs. Eduobong Emmanuel Adasigwungs. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UNYIME: Formerly Akpan Edem Unyime now Akpan Christiana Crystal. Former documents remain valid. Public note. URUNMATSOMA: Formerly Miss Tosan Theresa Urunmatsoma now Mrs. Tosan Theresa Omagbemi. Former documents valid. Public note. UZOR: Formerly Uzor Tochukwu Emmanuel now Nnaji Tochukwu Emmanuel. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. WILLIAM-PARK: I formerly Miss Kalanne Oseleiprinye William-Park now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Kalanne Oseleiprinye Ebiye- Okripamo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. IF FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS CHANGE Of NAME YOU WANT TO BUY A COPY PLEASE CALL 0802 306 4437

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

TRANSITION

Remembering Prof. Gabriel Olakunle Olusanya (1936-2012) By Onyedika Agbedo HEN he passed to the afterlife on Sunday February 26, 2012, Nigeria’s academic community knew that they had lost a major stakeholder whose valuable contributions to the development of the education sector and entire Nigerian society would be sorely missed. A Professor of History, the late Prof. Gabriel Olakunle Olusanya knew where the rain started to beat Nigeria and did not only put it in perspective through books, articles, and public lectures, among others but also worked assiduously to bring about a change in the system by serving the country in various capacities during his lifetime. He was also active within the African continent and globally pursuing a better society. He was Consulting Editor, Annals of the Social Science Council of Nigeria; Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Management; Member, Ogun State University Governing Council (1984-1991); Member, Nigerian Section, Amnesty International; Member Social Science Council of Nigeria; Member, National Committee Against Apartheid (1984-1991); Member and Vice-President (West Africa), African Association of Political Science (AAPS) (1978-1991); Member and one-time Consultant, African Association for Public Administration and Management; Member, Board of Scholars, The Life and Peace Institute, UPSALA, Sweden; Member, Nigerian Society of International Law; Member and one-time vice-president, Society for International Affairs, Nigeria; and Sustaining member, Young Men’s Christian Association, among others. At the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, where he lectured for decades, he was Master, Jereton Mariere Hall, UNILAG (19691976); Member, Board of Continuing Education, UNILAG (19691976); Member, Advisory Committee of the Lagos Area Research Project (1967-1979); Member Committee on All-Nigerian Festival of Arts and Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (1977); Member, Library Board, UNILAG (1969-1978); Member, Ad-hoc Committee for the Maintenance of University Facilities, UNILAG; Member, Sub-Committee of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors on Commonwealth Scholarship; Sole Commissioner, Investigation into the Accommodation Crisis into the Students’ Hostels, UNILAG (Sept. 1971); Head Department of History, UNILAG (1975-1979); Chairman, Conference Centre Management Board, UNILAG (1976-1979); and Member, Board of the Centre for Cultural Studies, UNILAG (1975-1979), among others. In recognition of his contributions to society, the late Olusanya was rewarded with the following honours and awards: Lagos Rotary Club, Certificate of Honour (1988); Royal Institute

Olusanya of Chartered Surveyors, Nigeria Group, Certificate of Honour (1988); Methodist Boys’ High School National Association, Merit Award (1992); Obafemi Awolowo Foundation Appreciation Award (1996); Eko Foundation, Eko Week ’96, Appreciation Award (1996); Students Historical Society of Nigeria, University of Ibadan, Distinguished Alumnus Award (1998); and Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (40th Anniversary) Appreciation Award in recognition of years of dedicated service to the institute. Others include: Lasuma Heritage Appreciation Award (2003); University of Ibadan Department of History Distinguished Alumnus Award (2003); Centre for Investment Sustainable Development Management and Environment (CISME), Fellowship Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Knowledge (2003); Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered), Distinguished Lecturer Award (2004); Institute of Strategic Management, Nigeria, Commendation Award (2007), Y’s Men 7th Africa Area

Adieu, Anthony Dapo Irefu T was a sad moment for the IEdo,people of Ososo in Akoko Edo State, recently, when the body of the Chief Medical Director of Echo Scan, Dr. Anthony Oladapo Irefu arrived the town for burial. The body was first taken to All Saints Anglican Church, Ososo, amidst tiers from both young and old, before being laid to rest in his compound. Irefu was born into the family of High Chief Michael Irefu, the Ede-Ikuru of Ososo, on October 5, 1962 at Ilaro, Ogun State. He began his elementary education at llaro, Ogun State, and later continued at Ososo Primary School, Ososo, between 1968 and 1974 after the family had relocated home. He proceeded to Saint Aloysius Grammar School now

Irefu Ososo Grammar School Ososo, where he had his secondary education, passing out with Aggregate Six, in 1979. That same year, he was offered admission to study Physiology at the University of Ibadan,

Ibadan, but because of his dream of becoming a medical doctor, he rejected the admission and rather enrolled for a Lower Sixth programme at Edo College, Benin City. The following year, he wrote the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination, choosing Medicine as his first choice of course. He was admitted into the University of Benin, to study his dream course. He graduated in 1986 with an MBBS Degree. After graduation, the young Doctor was posted to Mallam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano for his housemanship and later did his compulsory service at the same hospital, where he excelled in practice.

Mohammed Shaba Umar (1947-2013) HE death has occurred of Dr. Mohammed Shaba Umar. Born on T April 15, 1947, into the royal family of Etsu Nupe, Bologi Umar, the sixth Emir of Patigi in Patigi Local Council Area of Kwara State, he died on April 22, this year, at 66 years. He attended Patigi School, Patigi Government Craft School, and Ilorin Technical School. He then proceeded to the University of London to obtain a Higher Diploma in Prosthetic and Orthotics and later M.A in Prosthetic and Orthotics. He obtained his PhD in Business Administration in Northgate University, Balham.

He was a member of British Institute Of Surgical Technologist, and the Institute of Prosthetic and Orthotics. The late Umar was also involved other services to humanity such as Managing Director, Orthopedic Supplier, Kano; President, Yamashid Fountain Computer Ltd; Chief Executive, Northern Airline Services; Chairman, Technogist (Nigeria) Ltd; and Director, Telpan Investment Ltd. He is survived by wives, children and grand children and has since been buried according to Islamic Umar rights.

By Oghogho Obayuwana HE remains of Madam Lydia Akuchukwu Nyereugwu, a homely community leader of Umuchu in Aguata Local Council Area of Anambra State and mother of the Abuja Bureau Chief of The Guardian, Madu Onuorah, were committed to mother earth recently. And there was a surfeit of eulogies, conviviality and ecclesiastic appeal. All was agreed that the departed had lived a good life and had banqueted a simple but majestic legacy, which her descendants can proudly bequeath to coming generations. The transition from earth ceremony was heavily laced with hymns and corresponding songs of sobriety most of which was done in Igbo language. At exactly 12.20 p.m. when the body was low-

Convention Humanitarian Award (2007); and Lisibi Club (Nigeria) Distinguished Persons Award (2010). Born on July 2, 1936, the late Olusanya attended Methodist Boys’ High School, Lagos (1949-1954); Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology, Ibadan (1955-1957); University College, Ibadan (1957-1960), where he bagged his B. A. (Hons) London; University of British Columbia Canada (1960-1961) where he got his M. A. with Distinction in History; and University of Toronto, Canada (1961-1964), where he capped his academic quests with a Ph.D in History. The late Olusanya obtained the following undergraduate and postgraduate fellowships: University Scholar, University of Ibadan (1958); World University Service Fellowship (1960-1961); Canada Council Fellowship, the highest academic award for postgraduate work in Canada (1961-1963); Sir Joseph Flavella Fellowship, University of Toronto (1963); and Sir Alexander Mackenzie Research Fellowship in Humanities (1963-1964). Olusanya served as a lecturer at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1964-1966. Between 1969 and 1973, he served as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Lagos. He was Senior Visiting Lecturer, Centre of West African Studies, University of Birmingham, England from January to June 1974. Appointed a Professor of History by the University of Lagos in 1976, Olusanya served as the Director of Studies, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru from July 1979 to December 1981. He also served as Professor and Director, Correspondence and Open Studies Institute, UNILAG (19831984); Director General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos (1984-1991); Nigeria’s Ambassador to France, (1991-1995); Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Management (1997-2004); and Founder and Chief Executive, Africa Research and Management Consultancy (AFREMC). The late Olusanya was indeed an achiever who did not pass through life unnoticed but brilliantly sought to make the society better. He was a caring husband, father, scholar, mentor, diplomat and astute administrator. His positive exploits towards the advancement of humanity earned him mention in Who’s Who in Nigeria; Who’s Who in Africa; Biographica Nigeriana; International Register of Profiles; Who’s Who in the Commonwealth; International Who’s Who in Education and Who’s Who in France (1992). He is being remembered by his wife, children, grandchildren, relatives and associates who wish his soul everlasting peaceful repose in the bosom of the Lord.

Goodbye, Lydia Akuchukwu Onuorah (1938-2013) ered into the grave, her first son, Madu, was visibly wrecked by the all-powerful emotions that sometimes make men seem like women. After the third shovel throw of red earth, the ‘General’ wept clinging unto a relative for support. This unsung heroine of Umuchu was finally elevated to the status of valiant in death by no other than her son who captured her essence thus: “Finally, I have to say goodbye. It is tough but I thank God that I am saying goodbye to you with absolute gratitude and full knowledge that God has been good to you…” Maintaining that those she left behind have enough fond memories to last a lifetime, he continued: “In small ways, you taught me great lessons. With your soft, slow voice, you did. With the head of a broom (your favourite tool for punishment) you demanded discipline and obedience. And in your cries of what could become of me if I don’t obey, you whipped me into God’s line.” Through her son’s tributes, the world came to know that the late Madam Onuorah was a lady of faith and prayers. During the tough days as she tried to raise her children in the midst of denial of some basic needs, her recourse was an inspiring Igbo phraseChukwu ga ewete meaning, God will bring! She always told her children that she had stored enough prayers in heaven to last them a lifetime. This can be gleaned

Madam Onuorah through Madu’s eulogy that further read: “You once told me that your recourse to prayers was because you knew you lacked enough physical prowess and human connections to confront the difficulties of life. So, you opted for the weapon available for you. Your favourite Bible verse was -Be careful for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. You quoted it until I found it in Philippines 4:6. And I also found that any situation can be effectively handled by prayer (Luke 14: 17; First Kings 8:15; and Daniel 2:16-19). From you, I first learnt that God does not speak empty words. He speaks according to his size. That is why your favourite name for God was ‘Ome Ihe Ukwu’—One who does great things!”

TheGuardian

60 Saturday, May 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports By Gowon Akpodonor ENYA’S Moses Masai, who barely broke K sweat while completing the Okpekpe 10km Road Race in 29.39 minutes, was full of smiles as he walked up to Governor Adams Oshomhole to pick the $25,000 prize money. For Masai, winner of the 1st Okpekpe International Marathon men’s category, there should be more of such marathon races in Nigeria. “I was really refreshed. I appreciate the organisers of this race in Nigeria and I look forward to coming back to Nigeria to compete again,” Masai told The Guardian shortly after picking his prize at the Okpekpe. In recent years, some Nigerian state governors have turned the country into a ‘gold mining ground’ for long distance runners from countries like Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda. They stroll in from different African countries to pocket thousands of dollars in competitions they have comparative advantage over their Nigerian counterparts. The rush to stake huge amount of dollars on long distance races seem to be on the increase since Governor Donald Duke of Cross Rivers took the first initiative in 2005. In that year, the country witnessed the birth of Obudu Mountain Race, which has become an annual 11.25 km mountain running competition, where athletes from Kenya, Ethiopia and other parts of the world easily pick dollars. It usually holds in late November. The Obudu marathon has the largest total prize-money available of any mountain race and is known as “the world’s richest mountain race.” The men and women’s competition winners receive US$50,000 each, and there is a total prize pot of around $250,000 annually. Over $2 million may have been sunk as prize money into the Obudu marathon race from its maiden edition in 2005 till the 2012 edition. The rewards on offer makes Obudu Mountain Race a center of attraction to world-class roadrunners as well as mountain running athletes. As the foreign athletes filed out one after the other to receive the juicy prizes from Governor Adams Oshiomhole at the end of Okpekpe road race last weekend, a board member of the AFN, Jide Josiah, from Ekiti State wondered what had become of the nation’s athletics. “It is obvious that marathon races are alien to this part of Africa,” Josiah told The Guardian. “People just misconstrue the races’ motives. Obudu marathon is just to showcase the ranch resorts to the rest of the world and Okpekpe road race was political just to show that Governor Oshiomhole is also developing roads in the hinterland. “In the past, MTN and Glo marathon was for mass participation and fun run in competitive terms. The races are of no use as no past Nigerian winner has come in the first 100 positions in any international marathon outside the country. So it was just an advert stunt. The only benefit to the athlete is just the little cash money they win after

the race,” Josiah stated. To the AFN board member, if half of the money channeled into Obudu marathon and Okpekpe road race are invested in short distance races (100m, 200m), quarter mile, jumps and the relays, the nation would continue to reap the fruits. In the good days of Nigerian athletics, Cross River produced the likes of Emilia Edet,

Marathon Races: What Benefit For

Nigeria’s Ogho Oghene Egwero leading other foreign athletes in a 100m race

who went on to rule the 100m hurdles after losing the gold to highflying Modupe Oshikoya at the 1973 All Africa Games in Lagos. Apart from Edet (now a coach), Cross River also produced great sprinters like Ikpoto Iseme, who was part of Nigeria’s 4x100m gold medal winning team at Brisbane ‘82 Commonwealth Games, Gabriel Okon and ex-African female sprint champion, Mercy Nku. They did not rise through marathon races. Edo State, on the other hand, has produced great athletes who went on to rule Africa and the world in the short sprint from the days of old Mid-west region to Bendel. Midwest, from which Bendel and Edo State metamorphosed, was the bedrock of Nigeria’s sports. The likes of Charlton Ehizuelen, Maria Usifo, Isaac Akhioye, Abraham Ordia, Jimmy Omagbemi and Awoture Eleyae ruled Africa and world athletics at different times. They were not marathon runners. Just before the Okpekpe Road race, Nigerian athletes staged a protest at the AFN Golden League at the University of Benin to press home among other things, their demand for a downward revive of the standard set by the AFN as qualification mark for World championship and payment of cash prizes for eight win-

Masai of Kenya after winning Okpekpe Road Race

ners in each category of the Golden League. The protest led to the ban of three athletes and suspension of the Golden League. Some athletics buffs have argued that a state governor like Oshiomhole could as well draw world best runners in short distance races to places like Auchi if top facilities are put in place. To them, a Nigerian sprinter will go the extra mile to train to meet any standard set by AFN or organisers of any event, if such mouthwatering prize money as $25,000 is at stake in a short distance race. They can promote tourism by bringing the likes of Usain Bolt from Jamaica and others to run in short distances races provided the facilities are in place. “This is not to say that some political enemies are at work. From the way some of our state governors are going with this marathon races, our traditional stronghold in sports, which is short distances races, may suffer more and Nigeria athletics will be in trouble,” one athletics coach reasoned during the week. Speaking further, the coach said: “What I am saying in effect is that these governors need to change direction as quickly as possible because there is no way we can beat Kenya, Ethiopia or Uganda in long distance races. We are just deceiving ourselves. We have our area of strength, which are the short distance races. Why develop events, where the Kenyans will

Nigeria’s Obinna Metu (right) competing with Jamaica’s Bolt at the London 2012 Olympics

easily come and clear everything from time to time? “I am sure no governor in Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda will finance an event for short distance runners. I expect our governors to reason the same way. In less than three months, the 14th IAAF World Athletics championship will take place in Russia and don’t be surprised to see these Kenyans and Ethiopians hauling medals for their countries. These same governors will be the ones blaming Team Nigeria for failing to do its homework. We need to invest in our area of strong hood in sports.” The Obudu Mountain Race was created by the ex-Governor Duke, who devised it as a means of raising awareness for the Obudu Cattle Ranch, a tourist resort. The inaugural edition in 2005 was the firstever professional mountain race to be held in Nigeria. It comprised mainly of Nigerian runners and a select group of invited professional mountain runners. The Europeans and their South American counterparts dominated the competition. The following two editions (2006 and 2007) saw prominent mountain runners mix with established roadrunners for the first time. Kenya’s Francis Kibiwott won the men’s title in 2006, while Ethiopia’s Rehima Kedir got the women’s title. The $50,000 prize money for the 2007 Obudu marathon race was pocketed by Ethiopia’s Habtamu Fikadu Awash (men), with Rita Jeptoo Sitieni of Kenya smiling home with the women’s title. Mountain Running World Champion, Andrea Mayr, from Australia won the 2008 edition setting a new course record in the women’s event. In 2009, WMRA president Danny Hughes and Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross Rivers State decided to inaugurate the first men’s African Mountain Running Championships as part of the Obudu Mountain race. Habtamu Fikadu became the first African Mountain Running champion, while Geoffrey Kusuro of Uganda took silver and Abebe Dinkesa settling for the bronze. Even in the team competition, Ethiopia and Uganda were ahead living the hosts Nigeria with the minor medals. Perhaps, Nigeria’s biggest achievers in the Obudu marathon race were the likes of Deborah Pam, Janet Dung and Aderonke Olumudi in the female category and the duo of Emmanuel Gyang and Gideon Goyet in the male. But their achievements in terms of financial benefits have been nothing compared to what goes to the Kenyans, Ethiopians and Ugandans. The prize monies for best Nigerian finishers (male/female) in the Obudu marathon remain unchanged with the top three finishers going home with $2,000, $1,500 and $1,000 respectively. At the 2012 edition of the race, Ethiopia’s duo of Abebe Dinkesa and Etenesh Dironeda won the male and female categories respectively. Dinkesa has therefore pocketed $150,000 (N24 million) having won the 2008 and 2010 editions. Though, there are other marathon races organized by different state governments and corporate organisations in Nigeria, a new ‘gold spot’ may have been discovered by the East Africans and other traditional long distance runners following the birth of Okpekpe Road race.

Osayomi Daramola after anchoring the Nigeria’s 4x100 relay team to victory

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, May 11, 2013

SPORTS

Globacom’s Courageous Life-Support! not pretend that I know much about the politics that has Inot,WILL engulfed Nigerian football in the past couple of months. I do as I have had to face my own personal challenges these past couple of months. From a distance, however, I have been observing that there are some issues about Stephen Keshi and his employers. I wondered what prompted him to resign from his hard-earned job one day after winning the most coveted trophy in African football? Something must have gone terribly wrong. I also read about the agitations of a few national team players (Yobo, Odemwingie, Anichebe, Martins) against Chief Coach Keshi that seems to be heating up the system. What is it also about the sudden termination of the appointments of some of Keshi’s assistants that worked with him in winning the African Cup of Nations after a 19-year-long season of famine? All of these things are distractions that may now pose a threat to Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup. I heard also about a few other lingering national football issues, the worst of which is the brewing crisis in football administration at national level between ‘club owners’ and the League Management Committee, a new ad-hoc body set up by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), incorporated as a company by the CAC, and embraced by the National Sports Commission (NSC) to fix the seemingly intractable problem of the proper management of the Nigerian Premier League? Why would club owners rise against a body that sets out to enrich, empower and bring them their long-sought-after true independence? I truly do not know the details of any of these issues, except that there seems to be more to the matter than meets the eye. Suddenly, from this chaotic labyrinth comes some great news. Globacom, the single largest sponsor of the Premier League and all the Nigerian national teams in the past decade, introduces a breath of fresh air and hope. It did this by opening its vault very wide, and bravely deciding to resume funding the Premier league! Beyond the confusion of rights and wrongs about the legal status of the different bodies, beyond the unwanted politics surrounding the board and management of the league, I can sense the intention of Globacom to rise above the bedlam and provide domestic Nigerian football with a ‘life-line’ it badly needs to sustain the game at that level and to restore some integrity to the league. To have gone ahead with the sponsorship deal reportedly worth almost N2 billion is a bold step that must be commended. At the rate things were going, domestic Nigerian football stood a very real risk of dying from ‘financial asphyxia.’ Globacom’s action must be regarded in that context. Globacom’s next steps must now be guarded. It must now dis-

tance itself from the consuming politics of the league board and its management. The organization must now focus on fully utilizing the opportunities its sponsorship offers to drive its own company objectives, support the growth and development of the Premier league, particularly in the area of venue ambience and spectator-friendly activities. Through proper packaging, Globacom can start to slowly and steadily bring back spectators to various stadia around the country through the re-orientation and ‘education’ of all stakeholders, clever incentives for the clubs, spectators and match officials that perform well, and the introduction of many other novel ideas that its creative department can bring up to re-position domestic Nigerian football in a bright new light. Supersport is already doing a great deal in that regard through their first class live-coverage of some of the matches. Globacom must take that effort a notch higher knowing the Nigerian football terrain. Ten years of a relationship with Nigerian football, even if frosty at times, provides Globacom with the unique experience and knowledge to chart this new course and navigate through the landmines that lie everywhere around the management of the Nigerian Premier League. This is one bright candle in the darkness. Finally, Globacom must insulate itself from the consuming politics of the administration of the game. I use this opportunity to wish Dr. Mike Adenuga (Jnr), GCON, Chairman of Globacom, the Guru, a belated but very sincere, happy 60th birthday! Jossy Lad – The Exit Of Another Shooting Star! I am tired. I am tired of carrying bad news. This year alone I have had to announce the death of seven of my football colleagues. Last Thursday afternoon, I received yet another one of those phone calls that I now dread from a family member informing me that another one of us has bitten the dust. This time, it was Tunji, one of the sons of Joseph Ladipo, aka Jossy Lad. In the past few months Tunji and I have been in regular communication as the twists and turns in Jossy’s health continued to create worry amongst all of us that knew him. Former Chief Coach of the Falcons, Jossy Lad, has been fighting for his life for several months in and out of the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan. The Oyo State government has been helpful every time we called upon them to inform them of his condition, and needed support. Finally, Jossy Lad went to rest. Santa (that’s what I called him throughout our 30-year relationship) is the most likeable person in the world. He was simple, unassuming and humble to a fault. He was a man who had not even one ounce an evil thought, or a harsh word in his being. In all my years of knowing him and relating with him very closely I never heard his voice rise in anger, defiance, protest, or in agitation for anything! He genuinely loved people, and people were forced to recipro-

Segun Odegbami cate a similar feeling by the sheer force of his humility and gentleness. That must explain the longevity of his relationship with the club he helped to found in the 1960s – Shooting Stars FC! Coach Jossy is the only member of the Shooting Stars family that has been everything in the club - player, captain, coach, general manager, and Chairman! His death, last Thursday, is once again a reminder of the vulnerability of the retired sportsman to the other side of stardom. As we all get older and nature starts to take its pound of flesh for the treatment we gave our bodies playing football, we always find ourselves unprepared and helpless against the forces of poor health, poverty, and neglect. Jossy was no exception. I believe that in the long run, his death must have been some kind of relief both to himself and to his family that had to endure the pain, uncertainties, anxiety, and huge financial strain the battle to keep him alive took. I believe Jossy Lad has gone HOME to his creator to rest in peace. The finality of death makes us mourn because we already surely miss him. But the inevitability of death, coming when it will come, humbles us, and reminds us that our time on earth is short, and that we should strive to live well whilst we have life, and to leave behind deeds that will make us live forever in the hearts of those that love us. Jossy Lad will live in the hearts of many of us for as long as we live. Adieu, Santa Isabella Burundi’! A Little Taste Of Heaven! Permit me this week to indulge myself by paying tribute to a few people that gave me the opportunity to have a taste of heaven last Thursday. That was the day I celebrated yet another milestone event in my life. I was honoured by a lot of people with their presence at the presentation of my new book, and lifted by their very kind words and unbelievable moral and financial support. I wish to use this medium to thank them all.

Sunshine Angels Beat Coal City Queens By Adeyinka Adedipe

Sunshine Angels, Taraba Hurricanes take on GT-2000 UNSHINE Angels of Akure Bank is called, will have to con- while First Deepwater takes Plateau moved closer to the defeated Coal City Queens of finals with another victory over tend with First Deepwater on Nigeria Customs. Enugu 107-50 yesterday at the Benue Princess with the game Basketball Club, winners of the In other encounter, IGP second phase of the Zenith Queens slug it out with last three editions of the ending 46-35 while Nigeria Bank Basketball League, which Customs is assured of a place in league. Oluyole Babes, Plateau Rocks comes to an end today in take on Dolphins, Delta Force In today’s final games, Coal the final with its 57-19 points Asaba. confront First Bank while victory over Taraba Hurricanes. City Queens take on AHIP The Akure team was the better First Bank also maintained its Queens. FCT Angels battle Benue Princess draws bye. side and made its dominance unbeaten run in the league count with the emphatic victo- defeating IGP Queens 83-46. ry over the new comers. The First Bank have long booked Angels from Akure bounced their place in the final and back from their disappointing would be looking to improve loss to First Deepwater to beat their performance in the final ment yesterday by Delta FA By Gowon Akpodonor Coal City Queens, who might phase in Lagos, as it chases its Secretary, Friday Onothoja. fail to qualify for the finals in first title in four years. The State FA will organize the HE first university graduate Lagos. The Elephant Girls, as First primary school football comto play for the then Green petition in conjunction with Eagles, Dr. John Oganwu, has the State Ministry of donated N2 million to enable Education. the Delta State FA stage a priMeanwhile, the Delta State FA mary school football competition. The winner of the compe- is set for the commissioning of a N150 million football secretition will participate in the tariat named after the former annual Channels TV Kids Cup NFA Secretary General, late tournament in Lagos. Oganwu, who hails from Illah, Patrick Okpomo in August. the home town of Super Eagles The project called ‘Patrick Okpomo Football House’ also Coach, Stephen Keshi, and got N1 million support from renowned sports administrathe philanthropist, Dr. tor, Pa John Ojidoh, said he Oganwu. would continue to assist the It would be recalled that State FA in developing school Oganwu was honoured with football, particularly at prithe DFA Lifetime Achievement mary and secondary levels. “I am a product of school foot- Award during the Delta Lagos Islanders’ Seun Akinwale (right) trying to beat Ajodoh Ugboaje of ball and I will continue to play Federation Cup finals held last Police Baton during the 2012/2013 DStv Basketball Premier League held weekend at Warri City my part in developing the in Lagos…recently. game,” Oganwu said in a state- Stadium.

Zenith Bank Basketball League

Ex-Green Eagles Star, Oganwu, Lifts Delta Youth Football

Golden Eaglets’ stars, Akinjide Idowu (left) and Mustapha Abdulahi, are products of the Lagos Junior League, which holds an award to reward achievers at the end of the 2012/2013 season…today.

FMCG Games: PZ Cussons, Dufil Prima In Opening Fixture Z Cussons and Dufil Prima P will play in the opening match of the football event of

have designed it to be consistent with the quality we deliver for other industry games the maiden Fast Moving like the Bankers Games, Consumer Goods (FMCG) Insurance and Games kicking off today at the Telecommunications Games of Lagos Sports Complex. The with the objective being to second match of the day will provide a platform for healthy be between Unilever Nigeria competition in an atmosand GlaxoSmithKline. phere of friendship and fun,” Group Executive Director, remarked Sogbesan. Projects at Mediavision He further declared that all Limited, Jimmy Sogbesan, the the teams are in good spirit organisers of the tournament, ahead of this inaugural edisaid the teams will compete tion of the competition and for medals in other events listed some of the companies including Table Tennis, Tennis, that will be flying their flags Scrabble, Chess, Draught and on the opening day to include Athletics. market leaders such as “Being the first industry Unilever Plc., Dufil Prima, PZ games for the FMCG family, we Cussons and GSK.

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, May 11, 2013

SPORTS European Round-Off

Moyes Wasn’t Planning Goodison Park Exit AVID Moyes insists he D wasn’t planning on leaving Everton this summer but admitted there was no way he could turn down the opportunity to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. In an emotional press conference, his first since confirmation on Thursday he would be leaving Goodison Park after 11 years, it was clear how much Everton means to Moyes. However the lure of Old Trafford was something he simply could not resist. “I’m disappointed to be leaving such a great club,” he said. “The club has been such a great part of my life.” But when asked if he had considered turning down United’s approach, Moyes said simply: “I have to be honest and say no.”

The Toffees manager’s contract was due to expire in the summer but claimed he wasn’t planning to leave prior to signing a six-year contract to succeed Ferguson, who retires at the end of the season. He said: “I wasn’t planning on leaving. My contract was running out but we were planning for pre-season. All we’ve ever done here is keep planning.” Moyes added: “The fans have been great to me from day one here. I would like to say thank you for that support they’ve always given me. “It was very difficult meeting with the chairman this week. I have great respect for him and we’ve had a great relationship. “The chairman has never been critical of me and he

has always tried to give me everything he possibly can to support me. “The chairman has been really good for me and he will be really good for the next manager because he is a great Chairman. “I think Sunday will be emotional because I’ve been so close to the players and the people around Goodison. “As a manager I might have got more mellow. I hope I’ve not lost that intensity but maybe learned to use it in the right ways. “I’m sure there will be lots of good people interested in this job and no wonder, because it

ERGIO Ramos wants everyStogether one at Real Madrid to stick as the champions face the possibility of losing their Primera Liga title this weekend. Jose Mourinho’s men take on Espanyol today knowing that even if they win, Barcelona will secure the title with victory over Atletico Madrid tomorrow. A successful title defence has long been out of the picture at the Bernabeu, but the Copa del Rey final against city rivals Atletico next Friday provides Real with the opportunity to end the season on a high. It has been a chaotic week for the Whites, with coach Jose Mourinho publicly criticising club captain Iker Casillas and defender Pepe and then being booed by fans before Wednesday’s 6-2 win over

Record In Sight For Juventus UVENTUS may have Jalready, wrapped up the Scudetto but they could still

Moyes

is a great place to work. “Whoever comes in (as manager) will get a well-run club, great set of players. I’m disappointed to be leaving such a great club. “This club when I took over was bobbing along near the bottom of the PL. Now we’re competing around 5th 6th spot every season. “When I came in and mentioned the people’s club it was from my heart how I felt about the club. The 11 years haven’t disappointed me. “The players this year have been exceptional and I would hate to think Sunday and next week are about David Moyes.”

Ramos Calls For Unity At Real Madrid

set a new league points’ record in the final two games of the season. They welcome Cagliari to the Juventus Stadium today knowing a win would take them to within two points of the previous record which they set in 2006 under Fabio Capello. That would just be just an added bonus attached to winning their final two games of the season, according to coach Antonio Conte, who will not accept his side lowering their guard following last weekend’s title celebrations. “All we are interested in is continuity,” he said. “The way to get that is with the right mentality and by finishing the season in the best possible way. “If we then get this record, then it would be a further satisfaction. Of course we are just two wins away from smashing an important record and this gives us even

more motivation. “But we always go out to win games and that is what we will do tomorrow.” Conte rotated his side sig-

nificantly for the trip to Atalanta in midweek, but an Alessandro Matri goal was still enough to earn them all three points in Bergamo.

Laudrup Dismisses Everton Speculation WANSEA manager, Sfirmed Michael Laudrup, has conhe has no intention

Buffon

Bayern Look At Tradition, Golden Oldies In Title Party HAMPIONS League finalC ists, Bayern Munich, urged fans yesterday to get their traditional Bavarian attires out of the closets for today’s Bundesliga title party, with the club parading 22 of their best players of the past. Bayern will lift their 22nd Bundesliga trophy after their home match against Augsburg on Saturday having secured the title weeks earlier following a dazzling season. “We are Bavarian” is the title celebrations’ motto and we urge all fans to come to it wearing their tracht (traditional Bavarian dress),” the club said in a statement. In a victory parade to Munich’s central square after the game, the players’ convertible vehicles will be accompanied by an open-top bus carrying 22 former Bayern players, including Gerd Mueller, Franz

Malaga. The club then cancelled today’s pre-match press conference for the match against Espanyol, only the third time this has happened in Mourinho’s reign, which looks to be coming to an end with the Portuguese strongly linked with a return to Chelsea. But Ramos wants the club to remain united between now and the end of the season, and told Spanish TV station La Sexta: “It’s time to put a stop to all the controversy, whether about the manager, Iker or Pepe. “Now we need to find our team spirit, get focused and concentrate on the final. That’s all that matters. “We need to leave our egos aside and think about winning the final. Then we’ll see.” Espanyol forward Sergio Garcia is hopeful he and his team-mates can take advantage of the current turmoil in the capital. The Barcelona-based club are sat comfortably in mid-table and Garcia would have no qualms with handing the Primera Liga title to their city neighbours. “The atmosphere at Madrid at the moment is not the best,” he said. “That could improve before they face us but they should not come here expecting a walk.”

Beckenbauer, Lothar Matthaeus, Paul Breitner, Oliver Kahn and Bixente Lizarazu. Bayern, who lost in the Champions League final in

Lahm

Munich last season, are looking to bounce back in style and become the first German team to win the German league, Cup and Champions League treble of titles.

of leaving this summer, amidst speculations linking him with Everton. The Dane has been mentioned as a possible candidate to succeed David Moyes at Goodison Park following the Scot’s switch to Manchester United. But Laudrup’s agent Bayram Tutumlu has already insisted his client will not be on the move and Laudrup has now re-iterated his desire to stay put. “I’ve said many times that my intention is to be here next season,” said Laudrup. “It is pure speculation once more. I don’t have dreams; I like to live in the present.” Laudrup, who has enjoyed a successful first year in charge of Swansea highlighted by their Capital One Cup victory, recently signed a new deal at the Liberty Stadium.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 11, 2013

TheGuardian

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Ahead Brazil 2014 World Cup Qualifiers

Doha 2013 IAAF Diamond League

Keshi Picks Akpala, As Emenike Dangles Cash On Super Eagles

Okagbare Sets New African Long Jump Record

• To Pay Houndounou’s Salary UPER Eagles’ Coach, SWerder Stephen Keshi, has chosen Bremen striker, Joseph Akpala, as replacement for the injured Emmanuel Emenike ahead of the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifiers, and the Confederations Cup scheduled for next month. The 26-year-old Akpala was picked ahead of Turkey-based striker Michael Eneramo, reports MTNFootball.com. The powerful, direct-playing former Club Brugge of Belgium striker last featured for Nigeria in 2010 after he made his long-awaited international debut in September 2008 against South Arica. He has scored twice for the Eagles including the winner against France in a friendly in June 2009 . Incidentally, Akpala has just returned to training with his German Bundesliga side after a long-term knee injury. The injured Emenike has been ruled out of action for two months, but he still monitors the Super Eagles’ preparations for their games. And to motivate the team to success in the World Cup qualifiers, the Spartak Moscow striker has promised a $50,000 reward to the team if they qualified for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Nigeria leads a qualifying group for Brazil 2014 that includes Malawi, Kenya and Namibia with five points from three matches. Emenike, who is out of next month’s World Cup qualifiers in Kenya and Namibia due to recent injury to his knee, said he has been a Super Eagles fan long before he debuted for Nigeria in 2011 against Sierra Leone in Lagos. “I promise the whole team $50,000 if they qualify for the World Cup in Brazil,” Emenike s a i d . “As I said before that we have team who can make this coun-

try proud, and I am doing this from the bottom of my heart just to motivate the team. I am not doing this to intimidate anybody, but just to show my total support to the team because I grew up supporting the Super Eagles.” He added: “I am really behind the team. I don’t want them to miss me because there are other players who can get them the goals. “Before I decided to play for Nigeria, even before I dreamt of becoming a professional footballer, which I am today by God’s grace, I have been a passionate fan of the Super E a g l e s . “I could remember when I used to watch the team way back at the 1994 Nations Cup and World Cup, and I am speaking today as a Super Eagles player, it is a great honour, so the team means a lot to me and that is why I deem it fit to support the team in my little way. “I never knew I will play for Nigeria. This is a reward for what I have done in Europe and it is time I supported my country even more.” The big striker is following the path set by the likes of his friend Samuel Eto’o, George Weah and Mohammed Kallon, who have personally financed their various national teams. Meanwhile, Coach Keshi has opted to now pay his Togolese assistant, Valere Houandinou, who was affected by a recent backroom shake-up. Valere, who also worked with Keshi to qualify Togo to the 2006 World Cup, was laid off by a broke Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) recently. “Keshi has decided to shoulder the burden of paying Valere’s salary after the NFF said it was running low on funds to carry the huge wage bill of the Super Eagles,” Keshi’s brother and manager, Emmanuel Keshi.

Madrid Masters: Serena Rallies To Semifinals ORLD number one, W Serena Williams, needed to rally yesterday to claim a quarterfinal win at the Mutua Madrid Open. Williams, the event’s defending champion, defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues 3-6, 6-0, 7-5 by winning five of the last six games. One day after she lost only two points on serve in the third round, Williams serve was broken five times Friday. That included a pair of thirdset breaks that put Medina Garrigues, who won four consecutive games, up 4-2 in the final set. Williams quickly broke Medina Garrigues’ serve and then posted another break to go up 6-5. She served out the match, winning the final game at love.

Second-seeded Maria Sharapova won nearly 70 percent of the points on serve in a 6-2, 6-4 win over Kaia Kanepi. Sharapova lost her serve once but also cashed in four of her 12 break chances. Also yesterday, seventh-seeded Sara Errani topped Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 6-3 with a pair of breaks in each set and 16th-seeded Ana Ivanovic ousted No. 6-seeded Angelique Kerber behind six breaks. Williams draws Errani, against whom she is 4-0 in her career, in today’s semifinals. The all-Russian other semifinal sees Sharapova against Ivanovic. Sharapova is 6-2 lifetime versus Ivanovic, including a three-set win earlier this year in Germany.

Blessing Okagbare yesterday leaped to 7.14 metres, which is a new African record, at the first leg of the 2013 IAAF Diamond League holding in Doha, Qatar.

By Christian Okpara, With Agency Reports EIJING 2008 Olympic B Games bronze medalist, Blessing Okagbare, yesterday at the IAAF Diamond League holding in Doha, Oatar, set a new African long jump record of 7.14 metres, eclipsing the 7.12 metres set by Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa at the Atlanta 1996 games. The competition is the first leg of the Diamond League, which features the world’s best athletes in search of fame and fortune. Okagbare’s jump yesterday was good enough for the silver medal, as the London 2012 Olympic Games’ gold medalist, United States’

Britney Reese, leaped to world leading 7.25 metres for the crown. Reese’ jump is also the meet’s record in the event. Another American, Janay Soukop Deloach, took the third position with a 7.08 jump, while Nigerian-born American, Funmi Jimoh, came fourth with 6.92 metres. Okagbare, who is the world leader this season in 200 metres race, is also listed for the 100 metres event. The 2013 IAAF Diamond League kicked off yesterday at the Hamad Bin Suhaim Stadium in Doha. Several Olympic and World champions lined up for the opener, as they continued preparation for this summer’s IAAF World Athletics Championship in Moscow.

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Among the expected highlighted clashes on the schedule are that of Botswana’s World champion Amantle Montsho against London Olympic 200m champion, Allyson Felix of USA, in the women’s 400m and the 800m clash between Olympic champion and World record-holder, David Rudisha, against Ethiopia’s Mohammed Aman. Montsho currently holds the world-leading mark of 50.14 seconds and she faces Felix, who will start unbeaten in 10 races in Doha since making her first appearance in 2005. It is expected to be a very exciting match, with Montsho holding the upper hand after getting the better of her American rival on the last two occasions. Two-time Olympic Games 100m champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce highlight the list of sprinters who will face the

starter in the women’s 200m dash. Fraser-Pryce, who copped a silver medal at this event over last summer’s London Games, is coming off a 22.38 seconds seasonal best winning performance at the Jamaica Invitational last weekend and faces Okagbare, who is the current world-leader with 22.31. “I just want to execute a good 200m and see what is the best I can do,” FraserPryce said at the 2013 Doha press conference on Thursday. “The 200m is not my best event and it’s something I am learning. It is a new challenge. “I didn’t used to like it because I found it difficult to distribute the speed all the way round. I am learning the best strategy and I am looking forward to the Moscow World Championships.”