Sat 18 May 2013 The Guardian Nigeria

S A T U R D A Y

E D I T I O N

COVER 53

WOMAN 23

CELEBRITY 25

ENTERTAINMENT 35

State Of Emergency:

Gisting With Malomo, A reseacher And A Good Wife

Garlands For Amayo, Igwe Of Nollywood, At 55 As Afalayan Flies Nollywood Flag In Japan To Promote Figurine, Phone Swap

Doyle Assures On COSON In The Church

For Government, Time To Use Bare Knuckles To Fight Insurgency

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,560

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Gaidam

State Of Emergency:

Military Bombards Boko Haram Camps From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri HE aerial bombardment, T involving jets and helicopter gunships, targeted at Boko

LOVE&LIFE 17

‘Imagine! My Husband Is Cheating And Blames Me For That!’

Haram terrorist training camps in the southern and northern parts of Borno State, continued yesterday with unconfirmed number of militants reportedly killed.

The military suffered minimal casualties, according to a top officer.

The officer spoke in Maiduguri, the state capital, on his return from the twoday “strategic operation” by soldiers at the Sambisa Games Reserves (SGR) located in three council areas of state, where the Boko Haram members first emerged in 2009.

Sambisa is about 50 kilometres southeast of Maiduguri and is an epicentre of Boko Haram activities.

The officer confirmed the shutting down of communication networks shortly before the training camps in

the forest and unspecified number of Boko Haram sect members were identified during the aerial bombard-

ments that lasted over 24 hours in the forest.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Soldiers, Insurgents Battle In Buhari’s Town From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna and Karls Tsokar, Abuja UNMEN, suspected to be G members of the Boko Haram sect, yesterday raided three Police Stations, banks and a prison in Daura, Katsina State, engaging

• Army Allege Use Of Fake Military Uniforms • Wounded Fighters Seek Refuge Close To Emir’s Palace armed soldiers in a fierce gun battle around the emir’s palace, killing three soldiers while two others, including an officer suffered injuries.

Daura is the hometown of former Head of State, Rtd General Muhammadu Buhari.

Besides, unspecified num-

ber of the insurgents who invaded Daura town on Thursday night around 10 pm CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

THe GuARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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Cleric Blames Politicians’ Flamboyant Lifestyle For Crime Wave

By Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief, and Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku (Lagos) He Bishop of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Kaduna Diocese, Dr. Josiah IdowuFearon, has blamed the present wave of crime in the country on the flamboyant lifestyle exhibited by political leaders.

He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that the country’s resources were channelled into development projects that would improve the standard of livings of Nigerians.

Idowu-Fearon, who spoke at the second session of the 19th Synod of the Diocese held yesterday, said “the blatant display of wealth amidst hunger, profligacy, recklessness in the spending of money meant for development by the leaders, in the face of poverty, must stop.”

At the first session of the 3rd Synod of the Diocese of Lagos Mainland held at the All Saints Church, Yaba, Lagos, the state Deputy Governor, Mrs. Victoria Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, called for unshakable faithfulness in God from Nigerians, especially in these trying moments of security challenges across the country.

Her words: “Security situation in the country, economic hardship and various challenges around us makes the world seem unfair. But when we have faith in God, it is then that we can have hope that these problems will be solved.

“Whatever we are passing through now, when we count our blessings one by one and pray to God about it and also feel God’s presence in our lives, states and country, I believe that God will put a stop to this turbulence we are experiencing in our country.”

Idowu-Fearon stated that “the lack of a strong will to be disciplined on the part of our political leaders has continued to encourage young, educated and jobless populace to take to criminal acts like armed robbery and deadly political acts that take on a religious façade, as we are experiencing today, particularly in the northern parts of Nigeria.”

He added: “Synod is calling on all in government to search their conscience and begin to work for the wellbeing of those who went out to vote them into power. “unless there is a definite attitudinal change on the side of our politicians, they

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Adefulire, Akinde Calls For Peace, Security, Justice may not be able to control the implosion that is already rumbling, and which may erupt at any time.”

Speaking under the Synod theme, ‘The Christian Attitude To Money,’ the Bishop stressed the challenge to the Christian church in times of insecurity, arguing: “unfortunately, the prophetic voice of the church in our country has now been virtually silenced, while those who have dared to stand out in defence of what should be the role of the church are vilified, called names and even told to shut up.”

He lampooned clergymen who have sold out to politics, regretting that the church in Nigeria today has deviated from preaching the undiluted messages of God and

“adopted the method, language and style of our politicians, the consequences are felt.” been already Speaking at the synod with the theme, ‘The Faithfulness of God in an unfair World,’ urged Orelope-Adefulire Nigerians to be security-conscious and know the people living around them and those into whose hands they entrust their lives and that of families. their “If there is any uncompleted building around where we live, we should endeavour to know the calibre of people there. inhabit that “We must know the characters and movements of our domestic staffs. We shouldn’t be discussing our movements where they are because they are the insiders whom, if they

know every of our schedules, can disclose to outsiders and collude with them to perpetrate evil against us.

“Also, we shouldn’t be allowing our drivers to take our children to school alone to avoid the incidence of rape of our young girls.”

The Diocesan bishop, Lagos Mainland, Archbishop of Lagos province and the President of the synod, Most Rev. (Prof.) Adebayo D. Akinde called on the government to tackled squarely the issue of insecurity and the killings in the North, seek for help in fashioning policies that will boost the economy and create jobs that will take the youths out of the streets.

“We regret to say that the land still falls short of what is required for the full manifes-

tation of the glory the Lord.

“In a land full of milk and honey, there is hunger; in a land that is generously watered, there is thirst; in a land overflowing with opportunities, there is unemployment, pain and frustration; in a plural society where God has given us a rainbow coalition of His creations to live and work together for His glory, we mindlessly waste lives in the name of religion, politics and ethnicity,” he said.

He condemned the state pardon given to those whom he said “stole from the nation,” stating that “it continues to send wrong signals that we are unserious about our war against corruption.”

Akinde also called for an end to the mindless killings in the North and urged the government to prosecute those arrested in connection with the killings, saying that no one has the moral right to take another person’s life.

ue to space constraints, the ‘Polygamy’ story, scheduled for publication today in The Guardian and earlier promoted in the Friday May 17 edition, has been shifted to next week. The change is regretted.

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Army Allege use Of Fake Military uniforms CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

incident which started at about 10pm on Thursday, when criminals attacked three Police stations and four banks in Daura, Katsina state.

At the end of the operation, even though it extended to this morning, I lost three of my men, two were injured with an officer.” “… we have been able to recover some weapons…and another group of the criminals had a road accident in which three of them died,” he added.

Wahab disclosed that while the Police and Civil Defence also engaged the gunmen in the town, “ One of the vehicles in which they were travelling was seen with so much money. But I have given permission through my boys to allow the Police to count and keep the money in their custody and later return same to the banks. The weapons recovered from that vehicle have been taken over by troops.”

The GOC further explained that the reason he decided to alert the nation about the development in Daura was that “ …we don’t want a situa-

were said to have been killed by the soldiers during the shoot-out which lasted till yesterday morning. Their bodies were said to have been deposited at the General Hospital in Katsina.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), One Mechanized Division, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Kaduna, Major General Garba Ayodeji Wahab, addressing a press conference yesterday, said that the military was on top of the situation to ensure normalcy in Daura where the gunmen had engaged the soldiers in a gun battle after attacking three police stations and carted away huge amount of money from four banks that they vandalized.

According to General Wahab, most of the insurgents who sustained gunshot wounds during the fierce battle ran into many houses close to the emir’s palace wherethey were granted refuge.

The Army boss said: “We are all aware of what is happening in the North east, particularly in Nigeria generally. Our fear is that we don’t want a replication of what is happening in the North east in the North West.

And we are doing all we can, with the support of both CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Army headquarters and Defence headquarters to The Joint Task Force (JTF) ensure that the North West is had in the past tracked down quiet.

Boko Haram members “ unfortunately we had an through their mobile phone signals, prompting the terrorists to attack telecommunications masks and other facilities in the embattled areas.

The officer further disclosed that in addition to aerial attack on the forest, unspecified number of insurgents were killed and their arms, ammunitions and vehicles used recently in attacking Bama, Damboa and Gwoza onslaught destroyed.

He said: “even though the terrorists’ training camps in northern parts of Borno State are isolated in three different locations, the two-day aerial bombardment has already identified and destroyed three main camps in Mafa, Marte and Gambouru/Ngala councils.

tion where people will keep nursing the feelings that the military, especially the Army, is against the civil populace.”

“First and foremost, we are out to secure the average Nigerian. every Nigerian should feel secure and we cannot fold our arms and watch criminals bomb and burn Police stations, rob banks with impunity.”

“And … we will ensure that there is peace and security in Nigeria…”

He appealed to the people of Daura to hand over anybody with gunshot wounds.

“If they don’t, these same people will turn against the same people later. There are rules that we follow and we have tried as much as possible to reduce collateral damage.”

Asked to give the figures of the insurgents killed, Wahab said: “I am not working on numbers, I know that so many of them have been killed and so many have entered Daura town, especially near the emir’s palace with gunshot wounds.

“We don’t want a situation

whereby we would be viewed as if we don’t have respect for traditional rulers. That is why I said they should appeal to those around the emir of Daura’s palace to immediately report those with gunshot wounds who entered their houses. There is also the possibility that they could enter the emir’s palace. All these activities happened around the emir’s palace in Daura and that has been confirmed.”

Meanwhile, the Chief of Civil and Military Relations, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Bola Koleosho, while briefing journalists in Abuja yesterday, said it was discovered that the terrorists used camouflage uniforms in the Daura attacks, thereby confusing the public into believing that it was the army that carried out the attack.

“What happened in Bama has occurred again in Daura.

There is a new tactics now being used by Boko Haram; so the public must not trust just anyone dressed in (military) camouflage uniforms,” he said.

Koleosho noted that the ter-

rorist group’s military camouflage is remarkably different from those worn by Nigerian Army.

“All of us are aware of what happened in Bama, the accusations and all, but it has been discovered that Boko Haram terrorists in camouflage uniforms were actually responsible for the burning of houses and killings of civilians…Our uniforms are being used in disguise,” he explained.

The Army chief lamented: “On a number of instances, the terrorists had burnt down buildings and vehicles in Maiduguri and soldiers of the Nigerian Army were accused of carrying out the acts by onlookers, just because they could not distinguish the fake uniform worn by impersonator.

“The illegal possession and flagrant use of phony military camouflage by the Boko Haram insurgents to unleash mayhem on unsuspecting members of the populace where they choose to operate, is indeed worrisome; hence the need to enlighten the public.”

Scores Killed, As Military Attacks Boko Haram Camps “The number of terrorists killed in the border areas with Cameroun was however higher than those at Mafa and Marte.

“Some of the suspected terrorists attempted to flee into neighbouring Chad and Cameroun but were caught unawares in northern part of the state, with military air and infantry precisions in these successful strategic operations in Borno State.”

Soldiers started attacking the Sambisa Forest Reserve on Thursday where they had converged shortly before President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration.

A resident of Damboa also told The Guardian yesterday that some of the residents attempted to flee their houses to the bushes and farms on sighting the troops in their vehicles and armoured tanks along Biu road on Wednesday, but were advised by men of Joint Task Force

(JTF) deployed to the town early this year to remain indoors until the two-day aerial bombardment of SGR was completed.

On the total number of terrorists killed in the operations, the military officer said it is only Defence spokesman in Abuja, Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who can authenticate and announce the number of insurgents killed after collating the figures from the three states under emergency rule.

A statement later from the Defence Headquarters, signed by Olukolade, said: “Advancing troops of Special Task Force (STF) have destroyed some terrorists camps sited in the forests of northern and central Borno.

“Heavy weapons, including anti-aircraft and anti-tank guns, were also destroyed in the process.

“The special operations, which preceded troops

movement, have resulted in the destruction of much of the insurgents weapons and logistics, such as vehicles, containers, fuel dumps and power generators.

“The casualties inflicted on the insurgents in the cause of the assault will be verified during mop up.”

The statement expressed satisfaction with the progress of the operation and the fighting spirit of participating troops, saying the STF have been enjoined to sustain the tempo.

It stated that the country’s border posts in the axis have all been manned by security agents to prevent escape or infiltrations by insurgents.

Meanwhile, in Adamawa State, heavily armed military men and fighter jets continued to patrol the state and the borders, which have been closed.

The 6pm to 6am curfew in the

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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NEWS

PDP Crisis: Police To Quiz Rivers’ Speaker, Amaechi’s Aide From Kelvin Ebiri and Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt HE political crisis in Rivers State has taken a new twist as the Police yesterday said it would quiz the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr. Otelemaba Dan Amachree, and the Chief of Staff to the state governor, Tony Okocha, over the allegation that the state had uncovered plot to assassinate Governor Chibuike Amaechi.

The disclosure came barely 24

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the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) Rivers State chapter gave their backing to Amaechi during a solidarity visit to him in Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.

The leader of the opposition parties, Dr. Minaebi Dagogo Jack said: “Our main purpose for this visit is particularly on the crisis that is facing the state.

We hear of crisis in the State House of Assembly; we saw women protesting here and there. We saw youths carrying

Opposition Parties Back Gov hours after the Speaker accused the Rivers state Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, of unceremoniously withdrawing nine anti riot policemen attached to him.

Mbu, who confirmed the withdrawal of the policemen, has however warned that as the chairmanofinternalsecurityin the state, he would not fold his arms and allow people to make inflammatory statements and

create tension in Rivers.

Reacting to the purported allegation of the plan to assassinate Governor Amaechi, the Police Commissioner told journalists at the Police headquarters in Port Harcourt yesterday that the Speaker had raised serious issues about security threats and attempts to murder the governor who is the chief security officer of the state.

Mbu hinged his decision to

withdraw policemen attached to certain government officials in the state on what he described as a general tendency to abuse the use of policemen in Rivers State.

EffortstoreachtheSpeakeryesterday proved abortive.

Meanwhile, opposition political parties in Rivers State have expressedsupporttoGovernor Chibuike Amaechi.

The parties under the aegis of

Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, (centre) with leaders of opposition parties in the state who visited him under the umbrella of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) to express their support and loyalty over the crisis in the state at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Fears Over Influx Of Foreigners Into Benue, Abia From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi and Gordi Udeajah, Umuahia HE influx of people suspected to be foreigners into Makurdi and other parts of Benue State in the wake of the security challenges tormenting the country is generating a lot of fears among the indigenes of the state.

Investigations by The Guardian revealed that most of such new entrants hardly speak English or the native languages, but

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can only speak Hausa and engage in commercial motorcycle business popularly called okada, as well as other menial hawking businesses in the cities of the state.

There has also been influx of aliens into Umuahia, the Abia State capital, which retired Navy Captain Chris Osondu, who is the Security Adviser to Governor Theodore Orji, said both Immigration and law enforcement officials were

handling.

In Makurdi, those among them who are into okada business looked strange and were not conversant with the routes in the cities, and even the fares for various destinations.

Reacting to the development, a businesswoman in Makurdi told The Guardian that she had boarded a motorcycle from High-Level Round About to go to the Federal Secretariat but the rider could not know the

location until she guided him.

Similarly, a student, Joseph Akuse said he took an okada to Benue State University but the rider could not know the locationoftheinstitution,anditwas even difficult to communicate with him.

The student who described the influx as worrisome and dangerous called on the Association of Motorcycle Riders in the state to screen its members with a view to appre-

hending impostors in the business and emulate their sister union, the Town Service Buses, by issuing their members with identification numbers so as to fish out fake members.

Reacting to the development, the state chairman, Motorcycle Hirers Association, Mr. Augustine Akaa, intimated that the association had set up a task force to check the trend, adding that a database of their members is also being compiled.

placards here and there in the state; the electronic and print media carrying stories of threat of all kinds and most recently ‘bomb blast’ within the premises of Obio Akpor Local Government Area. Your Excellency, we as leaders of the various opposition parties are greatly worried over these recent increases in security threats as a result of internal problems from one political party, the PDP in which you belong. We are aware that you are the leader of the PDP in Rivers State and more importantly the governor of the state and so as partners of progress we deemed it most appropriate to pay you a visit and to state that Rivers State does not belong to one political party alone, but belongs to all of us including those of us from the opposition political parties.”

They added: “We cannot be quick to forget that some years ago, crises similar to this were pampered until it became a major monster that nearly swallowed everybody. We all felt the negative impact because good people refused to say anything. When you came on board, you took some bold steps to curb the situation.

Everybody that lived in Rivers State then could testify that we later slept with two eyes closed.

And so, we are here to appreciate you for those bold steps and to insist that you take similar bold steps to stop these current wicked acts that could lead the state to another level of crisis. We are indeed worried and are prepared to be by you and support you to put an end to these crisis”.

State party chairmen on the solidarity visits were from ANPP, NAP, SDMP, RPN, COA, SNCP, DPP, PPN, CPP, ACD, ADC, NCP, and ACPN. Others were NNPP, APA, AA, UDP, MPPP, PDC, CPC and Labour Party (LP).

Emergency Rule: Jonathan Acted In Accordance With The Law, Say Reps From Adamu Abuh and Terhemba Daka, Abuja

S far as members of the AHouse of Representatives Gowon,Okoh,CatholicBishopsLamentInsecurity,ChartPathForNation’sPeace are concerned, President

From Nkechi Onyedika, Abuja ORMER Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, has called on religious leaders in the countrytobringsolutiontothe problem of insecurity confronting the country.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBNC) has described as a welcome development various efforts being made by President Goodluck Jonathan toresolvetheBokoHaramcrises and bring under control variouschallengesfacingthecountry.

The Bishops, however, insisted that genuine amnesty should mean offering pardon to repentant militants and not appeasing criminals and their

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sponsors to stay calm.

But the Primate of All Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, has said that for true peace to emerge, the ability of the north to welcome and protect people of otherreligionsintheirmidstas a fact of multi-cultural and multi-religious Nigerian reality must be seriously addressed.

Speaking at the Third Session of the Eight Synod of the Diocese of Abuja, Gowon enjoined Christians to exorcise the spirit of violence by not offering violence in selfdefence and never encouraging religious warfare but looking beyond self and seeking solutions to the various challenges facing the society.

Hesaid:“Withthecriseswehave in our hand today, you must pray without ceasing, the most important weapon of our warfare for peace in our land; you must work hard at helping to restore peace in the land.

“I am saying that as critical leaders of the Christian faith, you have an important role to play.

Be in the vanguards in the fight against corruption, abuse of power, have ideas that would help resolve the crisis of confidence in various facets of national life; cooperate and collaborate with the nation’s leadership in the quest for answers to the problem of growing insecurity in the country.”

Also speaking, Okoh observed that while the country pursues

peace, it must be in the interest of all, adding that true peace must not be only for the Boko Haram sect, the government and its agencies but significantly also for the Church that has been the victim of the activities of the sect.

The Primate posited that “it is in the interest of government and all Nigerians to dialogue with the sect and establish why Boko Haram took up arms against the government, why they target the Church and Christians, why they write letter to Christian communities to relocate or die and why they request communities to convert to Islam or be killed.”

He called on government to expand the Amnesty Committee to ensure that

membership covers every major culture and religion, stressing that the issue is not an exclusive northern or Islamic problem.

Okoh warned that Amnesty Committee not to put Boko Haram in a triumphal, self congratulatory mood but extract from the members of the sect the commitment to yield to peace for all and drop the pursuit of islamising anyone by force of arms.

While addressing journalists yesterday in Abuja, President, Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBNC), Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama said: “We note various initiatives to resolve the Boko Haram issues such as the setting up of the Amnesty Committee.

Goodluck Jonathan acted in accordance with constitutional provisions by declaring a state of emergency in the troubled states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States.

Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Mr. Victor Ogene, explained that President Jonathan got the nod of the National Assembly before he arrived at the decision to declare a state of emergency in the aforementioned states.

Ogene,whoaddressedjournalists yesterday, claimed that the decision by the President to leave behind democratic structures in the affected states was attheinstanceoftheleadership of the National Assembly.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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Ashiru Lists Condition For Suspension Of State Of Emergency From John Okeke, Abuja HE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would suspend the state of emergency on the three affected states only if normalcy returns to the states.

Ashiru who spoke to journalists in Abuja yesterday during the press briefing said that the Federal Government is committed to the safety and protection of lives and property of all Nigerians including diplomats.

Defending the actions of government, he said, “No responsible government would watch wanton destruction of lives and properties in a manner that appears intended to render parts of the country ungovernable.”

He noted that the security challenges in the country has imposed on government the responsibility to respond in a robust manner anchored on a multi-track strategy of negotiation, empowerment, engagement, re-orientation

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• Defends Government’s Action • Explains Jonathan’s Visit To South Africa and military containment.

In maintaining peace and order, the minister said that, “President Goodluck Jonathan has enjoined the security forces to continue to uphold the sanctity of life by respecting the fundamental

human rights of the affected populace, consistent with their rules of engagement and international best practices in counter-insurgency.”

Appealing to the diplomatic corps, he enjoined them to “demonstrate a greater

Emergency Rule: Expert Advises Military To Provide Hotline

By Laolu Adeyemi RESIDENT, Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), Dr. Ona Ekhomu has advised the military authorities to provide hotline and online platforms where citizens could easily provide tips on Boko Haram fighters, their collaborators, financiers and sponsors.

He argued that open communication between the military

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and the residents of the three states under military rule would assist the military in promptly defeating the Boko Haram rebels and their foreign confederates that threaten the sovereignty of Nigeria.

Reacting in Lagos to the declaration of emergency rule in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States due to the incessant killing by Boko Haram terrorists, Ekhomu commended President Goodluck Jonathan

TheGuardian SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2013

STATE-OF-EMERGENCY Col. Abubakar Umar (rtd), Anthony Sani and others take critical look at how to make a difference in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa.

Sani

for declaring a state of emergency in order to combat the burgeoning issue of terrorism in the states.

He however noted that it was unfortunate that the president opted to maintain the political structures in strict construction of the Constitution, rather than resort to direct military rule, which could have enable effective command and control of the security forces.

“Since the law and order model could not contain the Boko Haram insurgency, emergency rule was therefore a logical necessity,” he expressed.

Ekhomu argued that government needs to clarify that powers of the military commanders surpass those of the local politicians in the Counter-terrorism operation.

Given the rules of engagement of emergency rule and the need for secrecy, celerity and

decisiveness the Military Commanders had to take responsibility for counter terrorism operations in the areas under emergency rule. In this regard, field Commanders would be responsible to the Military hierarchy and not to the local political elite.

He said that there was ample evidence that some politicians sponsored and even financed Boko Haram and foreign fighters Ekhomu who is also the President of Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON) advised citizens to cooperate fully with the Military in flushing out Boko Haram terrorists and foreign fighters who were intent on taking over Nigerian territory.

He assured that the Nigerian Military was professional, disciplined and highly trained, adding that he had no fears of human rights abuses.

By Seye Olumide HE Southern Nigerian People Assembly Conference to be hosted by the South West zones will start today and end tomorrow at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos.

The conference, the third in its series, would be presided over by the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF) and leaders from the South West region.

In a statement Friday, the General Secretary, YUF, Senator Anthony Adefuye noted that the highlight of the conference discussion would include the state of the nation that relates especially to constitution review, amnesty to Boko Haram sect and the national insecurity, and the way forward.

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Southeast, Better Under Jonathan, Says PDP As Firm Gets Tour Operation Licence, From Lawrence Njoku (Enugu), Daniel Anazia (Lagos) HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southeast yesterday, gave a pass mark to President Goodluck Jonathan administration, stressing that the zone has fared better under his administration than any period since the First Republic.

Speaking ahead of today’s official flag-off of the remodeled Akanu Ibiam International Airport by President Jonathan, Akobundu thanked the President for fulfilling his election promises to the Southeast.

“Today, the President will officially flag-off remodeling work on the Enugu Airport, which has been upgraded into an international airport.

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Insurance Firm Debunks Allegation Of Bond Default

By Olawunmi Ojo N Insurance Firm, Leadway Assurance Company Limited (Leadway) has debunked an allegation of defaulting to meet its obligations on an Advance Payment Bond (APB) it issued on behalf of a contractor, Control Systems International Company.

In a report published by The Guardian last week, an oil service company, UM Petroleum Limited, threatened to drag Leadway 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.

Leadway was 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.

However, in a reaction, Leadway described the allegations and other issues thrown up in the report as “absolutely false, biased and misleading.”

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Umar

PLUS Experiences From Four Councils In Plateau That Were Under Emergency Rule.

SPECIAL

Succession In Church Is Not Family Business...

— APOSTLE ANSELM MADUBUKO

TUNDE BAKARE: I’m not For Merger, I Only Moved For Dissolution Of CPC.

understanding of the complexity of the challenge that the country is facing and the imperative need for government to live up to its responsibility under the Nigeria constitution.”

The minister also explained

the recent visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to South Africa, saying “ South Africa and Nigeria have a joint responsibility to provide strategic leadership to the Africa continent, adding that this has necessitated a constructive partnership and collaboration with South Africa in a manner that enhances the prosperity, peace, security, stability and development of the continent and its peo-

S’West To Host Conference

RAUF AREGBESOLA: In Spite Of Poor Governance Foisted

By The PDP, Democracy Is Still The Best Option.

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

According to Leadway, it issued various Advance Payment Bonds on behalf of Control Systems International Company Limited, and in favour of UM Petroleum Limited for a petroleum depot upgrade in Calabar, for a total value of N19.3m.

But in a letter to Leadway, dated November 10, 2011, UM Petroleum Limited alleged that Control Systems had failed in the performance of its obligation on the contract; an allegation subsequently denied by Control Systems, which claimed it had carried out the contract in excess of the agreed contract sum.

To resolve the disagreements between the parties, Leadway said it held meetings with them to discuss possible reconciliation of facts and figures. The meeting failed to achieve the desired result, leading to the invitation of an independent Quantity Surveyor (QS) to value jobs done relative to the Bond Value.

“The appointed QS carried out the valuation and submitted its report, which put the value of job done on site at N28, 723, 759.00 against

the total payment of N26, 723, 759.00 paid to the contractor by the Principal. “…As a result, we informed the Principal that our liability was not engaged in view of the valuation report, which posited that the contractor has carried out jobs of higher value than the agreed sum.

“The employer (UM Petroleum Limited) has now resorted to claims that the valuation did not cover jobs executed under a particular Advance Payment Bond AB/11/00221/LA for N6.8m. The employer further claims that the value of job not done was about N4.2m and is claiming that we reimburse it accordingly.

“It is surprising that the Employer did not raise this issue during the site visit with the appointed Valuer and even went ahead to append its signature to the valuation report. It must be noted that a bond is not an independent instrument and only engages where liability for a certain sum is determined under the main contract. It is a conditional and subsidiary document,” Leadway said.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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NEWS

My PikinProducers Bag Seven Years Imprisonment

By Joseph Onyekwere USTICE Okechukwu Okeke of the Federal High Court yesterday convicted the producers of the killer teething syrup, my pikin and sentenced them to seven years imprisonment, ordering the company to be compulsorily wound up and its assets forfeited to the Federal Government.

In his judgment, Justice Okeke convicted the accused on two counts, while he acquitted them on four counts.

He ruled: “The prosecution tendered several exhibits in the trial of the accused, but failed to lead evidence that the accused actually produced the adulterated drugs.

“I hereby find the accused not guilty of counts one, two, five and six, dealing with production and adulteration of drugs, while I find them guilty of counts three and four which is conspiracy and sale of the drugs.

“The accused are hereby convicted as charged.”

The convicts, Adeyemo Abiodun and Ebele Eromosele and their firm, Barewa Pharmaceutical Company Ltd, were charged with the production of killer syrup, my pikin, on an amended six-count charge bordering on the offence by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

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State of Emergency Commendable, Says NANS

Beforesentencingtheaccused, defence counsel, Mr Osaro Eghobamien, made a passionatepleaformercyonhisclients.

He urged the court to make light the sentence of the accused since they have been traumatised for over four years since the case began.

Eghobamien told the court that the Chief Executive Officer of the accused Company, Kola Gbadegeshin died some months ago due to shock arising from the suit.

He, therefore, urged the court to temper justice with mercy.

Shortly after the allocutus by defence counsel, the first accused Adeyemo Abiodun, suddenly started shaking and gradually began to collapse.

The Judge then summoned the medical doctor in charge of the Federal High Court, who after examining the accused, confirmed he was hypertensive, and his blood pressure, very high.

Justice Okeke then ordered that the accused be offered a seat but proceeded with the delivery of the sentence.

“In as much as I appreciate the

passionate plea of learned silk, especially considering the state of the first accused, I am however, bound by the provisions of the law.

“Having found the accused guilty on two counts, the convicts are hereby sentenced to seven years imprisonment eachonthecharge.Thecharges are to run concurrently.

“The company is also ordered to be wound up compulsorily, in line with the provisions of the law, and its assets forfeited to the Federal Government”, Okeke ruled.

In the trial, the prosecution called seven witnesses, while the defence called only one witness. The offence for which the convicts are sentenced, contravenes the provisions of section 1 (a) of the Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and unwholesome processed foods (Miscellaneous provisions) Act No. 25 of 1999. It attracts an imprisonment term not less than five years or more than 15 years, or a fine of N500,000, or both fine and imprisonment.

From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City HE various house unions of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) have denied allegations by the Benin National Congress (BNC) that they were being coerced by the management of the hospital to endorse the sitting Chief Medical Director, Professor Michael Ibadin, whose first tenure as CMD would elapse in July, for reappointment.

Statements by Deputy Chairman, Medical Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Dr Nosa Bazuaye, president, UBTH Chapter, Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Dr Okafor Kingsley, President, Medical and Health Workers of Nigeria, Benson Afekhide, and President, Non Academic Staff Union, Sunday Bello all condemned the statement by the BNC published by some national dailies last week that the CMD was not also appointed by merit.

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‘ACN, A Reactionary Party’

By Abiodun Fanoro HE resuscitated Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) has described the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as a reactionary party, saying that it has descended into conservatism.

The party, which undertook a review of the programmes and goals of the ACN, said ACN has abandoned the progressive ideology as enunciated by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, progenitor of the progressives in the country.

The party’s view on the ACN was made known yesterday at a press conference addressed in Lagos by both the party’s national chairman, Dr Frederick Fasehun and the South-East coordinator of the party, Dr Tony Nwaezeigwe.

The party also used the occasion to correct the wrong impression by some people, especially from the South-East zone of the country, that the late founder of the UPN applied anti-Igbo programme during the civil war.

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Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Habiba Lawal, the Minister, Dr. Zainab Maina and Chairman, Senate Committee on Women and Youth Affairs, Senator Helen Esuene at the celebration of International Day of Families in Abuja… yesterday

From Bridget Chiedu-Onochie, Abuja

HE National Association of GSM Networks Shutdown To Prevent Boko Haram T Nigerian Students (NANS), yesterday lent supported to

Federal Government’s declaration of State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States during the week.

The students’ body represented by its National President, Yinka Gbadebo, said the step taken by the federal government was long overdue.

He lamented that foran organization to emerge from nowhere, “with a foggy and illdefined objective such as repudiating formal education; and to have brazenly unleashed terror for so long with security agencies unable to trace or identify its roots, is a huge indictment on the nation’s security system”.

Gbadebo noted that for the first time since the emergence of a new government, the body is compelled to throw its full weight behind the government on the declaration of state of emergency in the three mentioned states.

He said: “Even as activists, we must bear in mind that in the political system, input and output are complementary; in other words, demand and support functions are interwoven.

“It is therefore incumbent on the civil society and pressure groups to commend the government where it has been seen to perform creditably with the same vigour as it condemns government for not living up to expectation.

UBTH Unions Deny Allegation On CMD’s Re-appointment

Members From Fleeing, Says Military Officer From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri ELLPHONE users in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states are to be “inconvenienced” by the interruption or cutting off of Global System of Mobile Communication (GSM) network services for some days or weeks, until the Military Strategic Operations (MISTO) are completed, and security challenges and Boko Haram insurgency in the states overcome, a top combatant military officer has disclosed.

The interruption or shut-

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down of network services of MTN, Airtel, Etisalat and Globacom in the three states, according to Joint Task Force (JTF) sources yesterday, was a strategic means of preventing the Boko Haram terrorists from “communicating and fleeing” from their suspected hideouts and training camps located in various parts of Borno state.

With the shutdown of networks in Maiduguri and Damaturu, the Borno and Yobe state capitals, network

service was not available to over three million subscribers for two days on Thursday and Friday.

The services were however, temporarily restored for eight hours, commencing from 2a.m on Friday before it was shutdown again by 10a.m in the two affected states, so as to enable the continuation of Military troops’ strategic operations on Boko Haram hideouts and training camps at Sambisa Games Reserves (SAGR), Marte, Mafa

and Gambouru/Ngala in Borno state; and Gashua, Gujba, Yusufari and Geidam in the neigbouring state of Yobe.

Meanwhile, the security situation in Maiduguri, the state capital has been calm since the declaration of state of emergency on Tuesday. The military checkpoints on most roads and streets of Maiduguri are also not congested with vehicles that usually caused chaos and traffic gridlock.

Adamawa Female Lawmaker Commends Presidency Over State Of Emergency From Emmanuel Ande, Yola FEMALE lawmaker, Mrs. Wulbina Jackson, representing Guyuk constituency in Adamawa state has commended President Goodluck Jonathan, over the state of emergency declared in the state, saying that the action was to save lives.

Jackson, who spoke with The GuardianyesterdayinYola,said it was evident that the state government has exhausted its plans and strategies to tackle the massive killings going on for over one year in the state.

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She pointed out that it was the constitutional right of the President to take such action when it was practically evident that the state government has run out of strategies to curb the senseless and heartless killings of Nigerians.

The chemistry teacher-turnedpolitician dismissed the insinuations by some politicians that the state of emergency declared in Adamawa state was politically motivated, stating that the killings in the state by gunmen was taking place every day.

“How can somebody that stays in Adamawa state say that the state is peaceful? Over 40 students were killed at Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, every month not less than 60 people are killed in Adamawa. So how can you say there is peace in the State?

“Some people are saying there is peace because members of their families are not involved and maybe because they are under security cover. Army discovered a bomb factory in Mubi, SSS uncovered another arms armour in Mayo-Belwa

including RPGs. Could someone say that kind of state is in peace?” she asked.

Jackson stressed that the state of emergency will surely bring an end to the terrorists attacks in Adamawa and other parts of the northeast.

She called on the youths to be calm and avoid any lawless acts that can put them in trouble, pointing out that the law enforcement agents are not in the state for politics, but are in Adamawa to maintain law and order and defend the unity of the country.

Zamfara Commences Sales Of Fertilizer From Isah Ibrahim, Gusau AMFARA state governor, Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar on Thursday, flagged off the sales of fertilizer to farmers in the state for this year’s wet season. The fertilizers are to be sold at the cost of N1000.00 per bag.

Speaking at the occasion in Bungudu, headquarters of Bungudu local council, the governor revealed that his administration has procured 40,000 metric tons of assorted fertilizer worth N2.5billion for sales to farmers at the subsidized rate of N1000 per bag.

He said the government was committed to revamping the agricultural sector in order to meet the food needs of the state, and provide gainful opportunities that will positively transform the lives of the citizens.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

NEWS Health Workers Fault Teaching Hospital Boards Composition Want Jonathan To Intervene From Itunu Ajayi, Abuja EGISTERED professional associations in the healthcare sector under the auspices of Assembly of Healthcare Professional Association (AHPA) have faulted the reconstitution of university teaching hospital boards and urged the Minister of Health, Prof.

Onyebuchi Chukwu, to reverse the composition for the interest of the country.

The association is made up of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN), Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) and Health Information Managers Association of Nigeria (HIMAN).

Chairman of AHPA, Dr. Godswill Okara,who spoke with journalists in Abuja, said members of the association are worried by what he described as a calculated attempt by the Federal Ministry of Health to exclude its professionals from the reconstituted boards.

Citing statutory provisions of university teaching hospitals (reconstitution of boards) Act Cap. U15 2004, Section 2, (1), Okara lamented that health minister did not bother to cross-check with the association to see whether those he appointed are genuine members of the aforementioned professional bodies, adding thatnoneofthenamestheassociation forwarded to the minister for appointment made the list of appointees.

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Group Threatens To Disrupt Anambra Election From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka S Anambra State prepares for governorship election in 2014, a group, the National Democratic Movement (NDM), has threatened to mobilise members of the public to boycott the election if the present administration failed to conduct council polls in the state within the next six months.

The NDM, in a 6 point- statement issued at the end of its meeting in Awka yesterday, argued that it was needless conducting the election when the local government system is not in place.

The group boasted that it has the capacity to mobilise various groups, including market women, traders, students, motorists among others, not to participate in the governorship election, adding that government at the grassroots level must be put in place to complement governance at the state.

In a statement signed by Sir. Michale Opia, Rose Uchendu and Thelma Dennis, the coordinator, secretary and legal adviser respectively, the group called on Gov. Peter Obi to immediately conduct council polls before he leaves office next year.

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Nigeria Lost N570 Billion To Last Year’s Flood, Says NIMET From Itunu Ajayi, Abuja HE Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has said that Nigeria lost N570 billion to last year’s flood that affected several states of the federation.

The revelation, has however, made the Nigerian Academy of Science (NAS) to urge the Federal Government to always seek scientific-oriented solutions to national problems.

Speaking in Abuja during the induction of 10 fellows, NAS President, Prof. Oyewole Tomori, said the need of solving national problems with science and technology could

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not overemphasised.

NIMET Director General, Prof.

Anthony Anuforom, who delivered a lecture on “Meteorology, Climate Change and the Nigerian Economy”, said it was imperative for government to strengthen institutional capacities and facilitate dissemination of early-warning meteorological information for disaster-risk reduction.

According to Anuforom, while 57 per cent of flood incidences, which he described as unprecedented, damaged physical and durable assets, 43

per cent of them lead to production losses.

He said the scenario lead to the loss of N570 billion, or 1.4 per cent of real GDP growth of 2012.

The meteorologist said the implementation of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda developed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for wealth creation and food security can only be achieved through the application of science-based climate predictions.

Anuforom lamented that the adverse impacts of climate change is capable of causing

impediment to the sustainability of millennium development goals (MDGs) progress.

“Indeed climate change has the potential to reverse development progress made over several decades and the consequences will be felt not only by those alive today but by future generations as well. Climate change presents significant threats to the achievement of the MDGs, especially those related to eliminating poverty and hunger and promoting environmental sustainability,” Anuforom said.

Group Seeks President’s Intervention In Rivers Crisis HE Rivers Integrity Group T has called on the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and relevant security outfits to intervene to in the crisis rocking Rivers State.

In a statement signed by Philip Ezenna, on behalf of the group, and made available to The Guardian, the group said: “ For us as concerned citizens, there could not have been a better time to speak and condemn this orchestrated evil against our people. According to Edmund Burke, the famous Irish political philosopher, ‘evil thrives when good men do nothing’. Therefore, we call on all men of goodwill within and outside our state to rise and condemn this barefaced impunity on our land. This persecution against Gov. Amaechi, to borrow a popular cliché, is a joke taken too far and we think it must end now.”

Windstorm Kills Scores, Destroys Houses From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri BOUT 50 persons have been feared dead, according to unconfirmed report, when a huge tree uprooted by violent windstorm felled on people on Thursday’s night in Umudagu, Mbieri Local Council, Imo State.

The storm, which started at about 8 pm, buried many people alive when it felled a massive tree known as ukwu uko, which is said to be regarded as shrine by the people in the area.

The storm, which also destroyed several houses, mostly affected traders and buyers who had converged at a market for trading.

The Special Assistant to Governor Rochas Okorocha on Mayoral Affairs, Dr. Kachi Nwaoga, told The Guardianthat a rescue team led by him has exhumed about 12 bodies.

But eyewitnesses told The Guardian that the tree might have buried several people, numbering about 50.

When The Guardian visited the scene yesterday hundreds of on-lookers were seen catching glimpse of the scene located near the residence of eminent politician, Chief Emmanuel lwuanyanwu.

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Deputy Governor of Osun State, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; former Cross River State Governor, Dr. Donald Duke; Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and Managing Director of Ponet, Wolfang Hahn, during a courtesy visit to the governor in Oshogbo, Osun State…yesterday

How To Beat Hypertension, By Experts

By Joseph Okoghenun and Wole Oyebade S Nigeria joined the world to mark World Hypertension Day yesterday, experts have urged Nigerians to take control of their lifestyle as a means of warding off hypertension and its several complications.

Executive Director of Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), Dr. Kingsley Akinroye, speaking in Lagos during an event organised by Global Ocean Engineers Nigeria Limited in partnership with NHF, said hypertension was the leading cause of deaths among heart-related diseases globally, adding it was preventable.

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Akinroyesaidpredisposingfactors leading to hypertension, including genetics, were modifiable if only people are ready to take the right steps to live healthy lives.

The cardiologist urged Nigerians to avoid salty foods, eat five assorted fruits daily, exercise at least for 30 minutes daily, avoid active and passive smoking, take in alcohol moderately, maintain ideal body weight of less than 24 body mass index (BMI) among others to prevent hypertension.

Commending Global Ocean Engineers Nigeria Limited for organising the event, Akironye said awareness was one of the

best ways to empower Nigerians to get tips of preventing hypertension.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Executive Director,Dr.DavidIge,whosaid he was impressed with the health initiative, said that health, safety and environment (HES) were paramount to the development of oil and gas industry in Nigeria and added that any of the trio could cause collateral damage if not properly handled.

Head, HES, Global Ocean Engineers Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Ochuwa George, said the organisation had to carry out

the health awareness programme to help Nigerians reduce the incidence of hypertension and health complications.

George explained that the gas and oil industry, where the organisation operates, needs healthy workforce to be able to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Globally, about 9.4 million people die every year because of high blood pressure, making it the biggest single risk factor for death worldwide. The theme for this year’s World Hypertension Day is “Healthy Heart Beat – Healthy Blood Pressure.”

Police Chief Seeks Dissolution Of 14 Years Marriage From Lawrence Njoku , Enugu REA Commander, Onitsha Area Command of the Nigerian Police Force, Mr. Benjamin Wordu, yesterday asked a customary court sitting at Ibagwa –Ani, in Nsukka Local Government Council of Enugu State, to dissolve his 14 years old marriage with his wife, Nkem Juliet Wordu.

Wordu, who is an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), told the court that the mar-

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riage has failed irredeemably, stressing that he was no longer interested in a marriage that his wife would not respect him as the man of the house.

He informed the court that his wife had severally disobeyed him and had relocated with his children to Abuja without his consent, adding that the court should grant him custody of the four children produced by the marriage.

During a cross-examination yesterday, Wordu, who had earlier given his evidence on April 26, told the court that prior to the present crisis-ridden marriage, he had had another wife, who he divorced for undisclosed reasons.

He admitted that the said first marriage produced a son, identified as Wordu Benjamin, Chinurum Jnr. He stated that having divorced his first wife, he had

in 1999 married Juliet from Nsukka.

Wordu, who hail from River State and had served as a Divisional Police Officer [DPO] in Uwani, Enugu, before his transfer to Onitsha, admitted that Benjamin, who was not living with him prior to his marriage with Juliet, moved into his house after the marriage, adding that the boy lived peacefully with Juliet.

Leadership Centre Graduates 62 EFCC Cadets From Isa Abdulsalami Ahovi, Jos HE Acting Director-General, Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Mr. Michael Fawole, has advised the newly graduated Cadets of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to be patriotic, steadfast, uncompromising and should never allow themselves to be used by anyone or group of persons to settle political scores.

Fawole reminded them that they are ambassadors of EFCC, adding that wherever they find themselves they should stand out as agents of change so as to fulfill their strategic responsibility to their fatherland.

He stated this yesterday at the closing ceremony of Course SH.834 exclusive leadership training for EFCC cadets in Jos.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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NEWSINTERVIEW

NASRDA: Fourteen Years Of Fourteen years after its establishment on May 5, 1999, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), stands out as a star performer, among Federal Government parastatals. However, NASRDA’s road to success has been rough, especially, budgetarily…

Dr. Seidu Mohammed, the agency’s second Director General spoke with J.K. Obatala — who recently spent an afternoon at his home.

AY is your Anniversary month. How do you M assess NASRDA at 14?

Of course, you are aware that a 14-year-old child

rockets to ferry astronauts to the International Space Station (I.S.S.). Because of that, policies in Russia are also changing-and we are depending on Russia’s deep space delivery system to reach the I.S.S. So we are watching carefully...But still talking, and also looking at other options.

Let’s move to the National Remote Sensing Centre at Jos. A lot is going on there. Remember, two years ago, we completed a nationwide landuse/land- cover map, at a scale of 100,000 to one. We’ve just started another one, at a scale of 1/50,000. It’s a more detailed map.

With this project, we have saved more than N2billion…We’re also working with NEMA, the National Emergency Management Agency, to produce a map pinpointing communities that are vulnerable to flooding…

I hear the Centre for Geodesy and Geodynamics, Toro, recently had some problems?

Yes. Lightening struck the radio antenna.

But our collaborator, the U.S. Space Agency (NASA), replaced the dish within three days.

Toro is, today, regarded as the most reliable source of data on the African continent.

What kind of data?

They are studying, among other things, the global movement of crustal plates; and NASA is coordinating the research, which is long termed.

Earthquakes are the major concern... We want to understand the characteristics of Earth’s crust and so on.

Has the Nigerian Radio Telescope (N.R.T.) project at the Centre For Basic Space Sciences, Nsukka, been completed?

No. And it’s the same old story—- acute shortage of funds. We have not, for the past one year, paid any money to the Chinese company that is erecting the telescope.

Consequently, they are threatening court action.

The Chinese are threatening to take NASRDA to court?

Yes. We have spoken to the Hon. Minister

is still in grade school. So we are still very, very young.

Yet if you compare us with other countries around the world, you’ll see that Nigeria has made its mark. I want to tell you, that a number of publications presented during the 2011 International Astronautics Congress, in South Africa, put Nigeria far ahead of South Africa, in certain areas of space development.

That notwithstanding, Nigerians must remember that we are just starting and that we are not there yet…We still need to move very, very fast!

We need to move rapidly on the synthetic aperture radar satellite project, for instance, which will enable us to see through cloud cover and perform lots of economically and strategically important tasks.

It is also urgent that we establish an Assembly, Integrated Testing and Design Centre to enable our engineers and scientists build satellites…

Nigeria is on the Steering Committee of the African Space Agency? How far along is this project?

We are still working on it. You know, developing policy and a programme. As soon as it is finished, we’ll pass our results to the African Union Commission—who will process it for AMCOST (the African Ministerial Committee On Science and Technology).

If AMCOST is satisfied, they’ll recommend the document to African Heads of State. When, and if, they approve, there’ll be an African Space Agency…

What are the implications for Nigeria?

If African states have a common Space Agency, it means Nigeria must identify an area in which it can specialize. Because there’ll be several manufacturing centres; and you would expect one of them to be here.

We will not just be onlookers—but will play the leadership role.

What has been NASRDA’s main challenge?

Developing a satellite involves so much, both in terms of the design and the necessary capacity. To be involved in various subsystems—avionics, electrical, mechanical, coordination and all these things—requires a high level of competence.

Yet, gaining access to some of this patented knowledge can be difficult. It requires patience and understanding, which we have demonstrated.

We built Sat-2 with SSTL, then had our own engineers design and build Sat-X. This hybrid approach—buy some and build some—was described by the International Astronautics Federation as “a very good model”...

Are you on course to meet the Space Road Map’s time schedule, for achieving domestic launch capability?

We are on course. But lack of funds is a major problem. Not only that, we are also having some problems keeping to our 2015 schedule for training an astronaut—due to a global policy change…

Policy change?...

Mohammed Yes. The U.S.A. is now using privately-owned

(of Science and Technology); and he has promised to help—to prevent things from going too far. It’s a national obligation…Because N.R.T. is very important, especially since the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project is now taking off in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

This is the biggest astronomy venture in the world, with a projected cost of 1.5 billion Euro.

Stations have already been awarded to eight African countries; and Nigeria deserves to be included. Funds need to be provided, to complete our radio telescope, so NASRDA can be part of the global team that is carrying out these studies.

Give us a little more insight, into China’s threat of litigation.

The long and short of the matter is that we owe them a lot of money. And we’ve not been having budgetary allocation to offset the debt.

The telescope is crucial. Astronomical research in Africa has always meant three countries: South Africa (number one), Egypt and Nigeria.

If we don’t move ahead with N.R.T., we run the risk of losing our position.

I’d also like more detail on the Centre for Satellite Development.

It’s very important, strategically. That’s where most of our engineers are--including those who helped to build our satellites with SSTL and will be designing and constructing spacecraft at NASRDA in the future.

Right now, there are over 100 engineers working at the Centre…They are working on CanSat and PalmSat—one satellite the size of a Coca Cola can and another like your palm.

What would be the function of satellites that size?

Small satellites have very specific applications. You can use them for certain kinds of Earth observation, such as measuring atmospheric pressure, studying the chemistry of various atmospheric strata and that type of thing.

This project is dear to NASRDA, because several university students are involved. We also plan to work with secondary schools, so students will understand early how satellites are built.

This should generate a broader interest in sci-

ence and technology…

This means you will launch more conventional satellites?

Yes. We’ll build and launch more communication and earth observation satellites. There’ll be “NigComSat-2,” “NigComSat-3,” “NigeriaSat-3,” “Sat-4,” etc..

I understand Dr. Tunde Rabiu is heading a new “Space Weather” programme?

Yes. Space weather” is a very important issue, globally. There are lots of research and investment in this area.

The space debris problem is well known. But there are streams of high-speed, electrically charged particles from the Sun which, under certain conditions—-such as after a strong solar flare—can pose serious hazard to orbiting satellites.

Many activities on Earth are also affected by solar flares—-including electric power transmission, oil pipelines and communication.

What is your take on the recent explosion of a meteorite over Russia?

Well, it’s not the first time. It’s happened before. That is why there is a need for Nigeria to have powerful radio telescopes-so we can participate, as a station, in the global effort to monitor space debris, asteroids and comets.

We shouldn’t leave that responsibility to the U.S.A. and Russia alone. We ought, at least, to know where the threats are- even if we cannot, at this time, do anything.

If models are developed, based on our observations, that predict where these incoming objects are likely to land, we can then advise our people accordingly.

Keep in mind that meteorites (solid piece of debris from outer space) frequently land within our borders. It has happened in Bauchi several times as well as in Sokoto. Last year, an object from space also fell in Benue State.

We can’t prevent small, sporadic meteorites from bombarding us...But there are larger objects out there, whose movement and position can and must be monitored continuously.

Because of this, we are planning to establish a powerful “Space Debris Monitoring” desk.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

TheGuardian

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013 | 9

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Politics Politics Of Southeast, South South Govs’ Meeting In Asaba From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba CHOES of regional economic integration E sounded on Sunday, May 12 when 10 of the 11 governors of the South-South and Southeast geopolitical zones met in the Delta State capital, Asaba.

Going by the speeches and resolution after the conclave, it was abundantly clear that high-level politics also took the centre stage.

In attendance were host governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan, Peter Obi (Anambra), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Theodore Orji (Abia).

The governors agreed on the need to speed up the economic integration of the former Midwest and the Eastern regions, now South-South and Southeast geopolitical zones.

While Edo and Delta states, which are part of the South-South geopolitical zone, were formerly in the Midwest Region, the rest were in the old Eastern Region.

But going by the new political arithmetic, the Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states are grouped in the South-South, while the rest are in the Southeast.

A statement jointly read by Obi and Imoke after the governors’ exhaustive deliberation commended President Goodluck Jonathan for his focused leadership and bold, result-yielding transformation agenda.

This, they said, deserved the unwavering support of all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria alike, as “the laudable achievements of the administration in strengthening our democracy, stabilising the polity, growing the economy and improving the quality of life of all citizens continue to unfold.”

While pledging to strengthen cooperation across the board, with particular focus on development of infrastructure linking the region, particularly federal roads, they agreed on economic and political integration of the old Eastern and Midwest Regions.

The governor urged the federal government to rehabilitate all rail lines linking the states in the region and construct railway links among all the states.

They also resolved to work together to ensure the development of all the ports in the regions, including the Abia Dry Port, and called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to facilitate the achievement of this objective.

On the ongoing rehabilitation/modernisation of the airports across the country, particularly those in the two regions, the governors urged the federal government to establish cargo airports at Owerri and additional deep-sea ports in the regions, including Ibaka, Escravos and Agge, while also calling for the dredging of the Calabar Port.

The state chief executives resolved to pull resources together to revive agro-allied industries, particularly in palm and rubber plantations, to exploit the comparative advantage in

Anenih

Uduaghan

Obi that sector in both regions.

They appealed to the federal government to facilitate the full implementation of the Free Trade Zones status amongst the states of the regions.

At the end of an all-night meeting, the PDP Caucus, in acknowledgement of, and response to the deafening calls by different segments of the country for a review of Nigeria’s over 20year-old revenue allocation formula, which has long ceased to reflect the changing realities, called for its urgent, reasonable and pragmatic review to achieve vertical and horizontal equity amongst the tiers of government and better enable the federating units to drive development across the country, as was the case up to the 1963 Republican Constitution.

As for the disproportionate assignment of constitutional responsibilities and fiscal powers, they top recommended drastic and further devolution of functions and fiscal powers from the centre to the federating units to make states more effective engines of growth and development, and decentralise, localise and ease governance across the country without undermining the power of federal government.

The conclave expressed deep concern over underdevelopment at the grassroots across the country.

They called on the executive at the federal and state levels to work with both the national and state assemblies to strengthen the system of Local Council prescribed in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) without compromising their proper placement in a federation as essentially being matters for the federating units (states) to handle, including their boundaries, numbers, funding, etc.

According to them: “Since Nigeria’s constitution provides a solid framework for the suste-

Imoke nance of unity and diversity in an ethnically and religiously plural society, Caucus holds the view that whilst observable lapses in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) need to be addressed, constitutional amendment should not become so routine an exercise as to impair the stability required for our political and socioeconomic development.”

They commended Nigerians and friends of Nigeria for their resolute support for the Jonathan’s administration, the first to be headed by a Nigerian from the geopolitical zone that produces oil, the mainstay of the country’s economy.

“The administration, which is still in its first term, should not be detracted by the antics of a few, but forge ahead with the task of transforming Nigeria and providing good governance, growth and development to all and sundry, knowing that Nigerians, who gave him an overwhelming mandate, are solidly supporting him and his programmes,” they said.

At the meeting were the Chairman of PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih; Chief Edwin Clark; members of the national and state assemblies, including the Senate leader, Ndoma Egba, and House of Representatives Minority Leader, Leo Ogor; and a cross section of state party chairmen and stakeholders.

Observers believed their presence was indicative that the 2015 elections, which Jonathan seems to be interested in, going by his body language, was at the heart of the meeting.

A source said the need to ensure that Jonathan secures emphatic victory in the two zones, as he did in 2011, might be the real reason the likes of Anenih and Clark were present at the SouthSouth Caucus meeting of the party, which held after the governors’ meeting.

The source recalled that a similar meeting of

the governors convened by Uduaghan held in Asaba on Sunday, January 23, 2011 before the April 2011 elections drummed support for Jonathan in that elections.

“With the main opposition parties merging into the All Progressives Congress (APC), the calculation is that Jonathan cannot afford to lose in his home base of the South-South, and the Southeast, where he recorded an overwhelming victory in the last election,” the source said.

The source added that secret resolutions on how to ensure the President wins a second term by reaching out to the four other geopolitical zones were reached, adding that contact and mobilisation committees headed by the governors and other leaders were set up to reach out to their colleagues in other zones, even though the communiqué did not touch these issues.

According to the source: “For obvious strategic reasons, the governors decided to cleverly leave out Jonathan’s quest for a second term in the communiqué.

“Anenih and Clark didn’t come to Asaba to discuss economic integration between the SouthSouth and Southeast, but Jonathan’s second term bid.”

The source disclosed that Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole decided to stay away from the meeting, as his party, the ACN, was currently spearheading the merger of the opposition parties and could be accused of anti-party activities if he had showed up.

Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi was represented by his Deputy, Tele Ikuru.

At the end of the parley at Government House, Asaba, Jonathan was commended for his commitment to the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which they urged all stakeholders, especially members of the National Assembly, to support.

They conceded that internal wrangling within the PDP was an inevitable consequence of democracy and urged all party faithful, especially the party leadership at all levels, to rally round Jonathan as National Leader of the party and work assiduously to put their house in order, saying the stability, progress and development of Nigeria was largely dependent on the continuing stability, cohesion and unity of the party.

They condemned the spate of terrorist activities, its sponsors and collaborators in parts of the country and commiserated with the president, governments, victims and their families and indeed peace-loving Nigerians.

The stakeholders, however, commended Jonathan for the initiative and pursuit of the amnesty policy for Boko Haram and called for the “fundamental views and interests of the victims” to be taken into account along with the rule of law in resolving it and other violence in any part of the country.

The South-South leaders remarked that such action should not be allowed to become an instrument of blackmail, coercion or dictate for political and/or other ends.

It would be recalled that a similar South-South governors meeting held in Asaba late last year called for close economic integration, amidst fanfare, but nothing tangible has come out of it.

Only time will tell if the latest would be different.

Clark

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

POLITICS

‘No Alternative To Zoning In Akwa Ibom In 2015’ Etang Umoyo, former senator and Chairman of Eket Senatorial District Forum, spoke to AYOYINKA OLAGOKE in Uyo on the raging issue of zoning, the 2015 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State and other issues affecting the people of Eket zone.

What is your take on the ongoing agitation for the governorship in 2015 by the people of Eket Senatorial zone?

HE agitation is democratic. The zoning arrangement in the state has been there since the creation of the state. The people of the state agreed to the zoning arrangement to engender political stability, harmony and peace.

It is democratic to the extent that when Akwa Ibom was created in 1987, the political class, opinion and community leaders came together to charted the way forward and said that Uyo, being the state capital, harbouring majority of Ibibios, which is the most dominant ethnic group in the state, should take the first shot at the governorship.

That was why we all came together and put forward the late Obong Akpan Isemin as the first civilian governor of the state.

Unfortunately, the arrangement was aborted by the intervention of Gen Sani Abacha’s regime on November 17, 1993.

With the return of democracy in 1998, we, the stakeholders in the state, met and resolved to continue with the zoning arrangement that has introduced a fair measure of stability and calmness in the political firmament in the state.

We agreed that since Isemin was unable to complete his tenure, common sense and love for peace and harmony demanded that we should still go back to Uyo senatorial zone to complete the tenure, and that was how we zeroed in on the choice of Obong Victor Attah from Uyo senatorial district to complete their tenure.

I was an active participant in the entire arrangements, because I remember very well

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Umoyo that when Chief Ben Okoko from my own senatorial district came to contest the primary election with Attah, I was drafted to stop him.

I joined the panel chaired by late Senator Chuba Okadigbo and reversed the arrangement they wanted to carry out in favour of Okoko to ensure that the zoning agreement agreed upon was not shattered.

I told Okadigbo that all PDP should be interested in was to win Akwa Ibom through the arrangement we had on ground.

I also told him that we had Attah, a knowledgeable person, tested, experienced and mature, as

the governorship candidate of PDP in the election.

That was how Attah emerged as governor of the state for two terms of eight years.

Midway through Attah’s tenure in 2006, we met at Ikot Ekpene and Attah insisted that power should shift to Ikot Ekpene senatorial district after him and Eket senatorial district thereafter.

The state party chairman at that time was Otu Ita Toyo and all of us were there, including Governor Godswill Akpabio, who was then a Commissioner in Attah’s cabinet.

That was how the governorship was zoned to Ikot Ekpene Senatorial district and the major beneficiary of the arrangement is Akpabio.

But Akpabio recently said he was not a product of zoning and will not hand over power on the basis of zoning, but credibility?

The governor has said too many things on the issue of zoning and we are yet to hear the last from him on the issue of zoning.

The governor in February this year said he is a product of zoning and was not opposed to it when Ibibio elders went to see him and the issue of zoning came up, as reported in two national newspapers on Friday, February 22, this year.

On the basis of this, I issued a press statement and thanked the governor for doing so, only to be maligned by some power-hungry individuals, who said the governor didn’t say so.

But to the best of my knowledge, the governor didn’t deny those statements credited to him on the page of the newspapers I have cited. So, where these people got their information beats my imagination.

Also, the governor reechoed his position on zoning at the funeral ceremony of the late Prof I. I Ukpong, where he said Ukpong was an apostle of power to shift from Uyo senatorial district and he became a beneficiary.

Given all those statements and circumstances, the governor cannot deny or refute

that he didn’t say so at the funeral ceremony of Ukpong on April 4, this year, and I repeat, he cannot deny saying so.

Ukpong, who was my leader, told me the role he played in having power shift from Uyo district to Ikot Ekpene district.

When the governor extolled the late Ukpong for his role in ensuring that power shifted to Ikot Ekpene zone at the funeral, my reaction was that power shift will not die with the death of Ukpong, there and then in the presence of the governor and to the hearing of all those who sat near him at the funeral.

So, however you look at it, whether you call it zoning, power shift or rotation, the position of the Eket district is that power shift, power rotation or zoning has come to stay in Akwa Ibom politics.

No one in his honest conscience can deny that it is not so, and whoever wants to do so, commits political hypocrisy and will be thrown out by the people of Akwa Ibom State, who know the truth, respect the truth and always stand by the truth.

Regarding the statements of whoever quotes the governor to suit his own position, what I have said is that the majority of the people of Akwa Ibom knows and will do the right things at the appropriate time.

Do you agree with insinuations that there is no credible candidate from Eket district to take over from Akpabio in 2015?

Those peddling the rumuors should come up with the criteria they used in arriving at that conclusion.

So, I dismiss such argument as being in the realms of speculation of hungry political turncoats, who say so to earn very rich flamboyant packages from their sponsors. They are not serious.

Is it in terms of intellectual prowess, capacity to deliver, experience or knowledge? There is no person or group in Akwa Ibom and in fact Nigeria that can write-off Eket district.

We have them in their numbers.

INEC’s Recognition Of Umeh Is Only Temporary, By Ezenwajiaku Hon. Vincent Ezenwajiaku, a pharmacist and lawyer, is Anambra State Commissioner For Special Duties who wastes no time in replying to every statement either directly made

by Chief Victor Umeh, the court-reinstated APGA National Chairman, or credited to his camp, about the unending APGA crisis. In this interview, he insists that INEC’s recent recognition of Chief Umeh as the ‘authentic’ Chairman of APGA is only a pyrrhic for the politician…

Excerpts:

By Ibukunoluwa Kayode HAT is your response to the current controversy over W non-conduct of council election in /anambra State since Obi came to power?

Anambra State APGA LGA Council Chairmanship aspirants should blame Victor Umeh and not the governor for the crisis in the Party for failing to imbibe the tenets of democracy and step aside since his tenure expired in 2010.

The council chairmanship aspirants through some of their Zonal Leaders who are obviously Chief Umeh’s cronies blamed the governor for non-conduct of local government election in Anambra State and crisis in the party.

A wise and democratic leader must strive to rule by constitution and step aside once his tenure elapses unless the electorate that elected him revalidates his mandate. Also a democrat steps aside once he loses support of those he leads. This is the most important tenet of a democratic rule. The constitutional provision of a fixed tenure and the compulsory requirement to renew one’s tenure is a fundamental principle of democracy. To do otherwise amounts to tyranny, which is the antithesis of democracy.

This is the crux of the crisis in APGA today resulting in the plethora of legal fireworks in various courts in Anambra and Enugu State.

But both the Court of Appeal in Enugu and INEC appear to agree with Umeh’s position on the crisi…

Recently, the Court of Appeal Enugu granted Umeh stay of execution of Enugu High Court order, which sacked Umeh’s National Exco of APGA and ordered a new convention.

Consequent upon the Court of Appeal decision, INEC recently decided to deal with Umeh as National Chairman of APGA pending further court orders. But, the truth is that, as he savours this latest decision of INEC, he should not forget that it is only temporary. It is only for administrative convenience based on Court of Appeal grant of stay of execution, that INEC took that decision. INEC is only an election administration/regulatory institution, not a Court of Law. INEC is bound to change this decision with the unfolding legal fireworks that will ensue the crisis. So it is not yet uhuru for Umeh and his able secretary Alh Shinkafa who are the only two people on Umeh’s camp. It will be pertinent to inform Nigerians that out of the 25 members of the sacked

Umeh’s National Exco, 21 of them are now with Maxi Okwu-led new Exco elected on April 8 this year in Awka.

Only a competent Court of Law can invalidate the APGA National Convention held on April 8, 2013 at Awka, which INEC authorized and witnessed which elected a new National Executive of APGA with Chief Maxi Okwu as National Chairman. Until this happens, APGA members all over Nigeria will continue to recognize and remain loyal to only one APGA led by His Excellency Governor Peter Obi and Maxi Okwu. Just as expected, the Federal High Court sitting in Awka, on Wednesday 15th May vacated the ex-parte order granted Victor Umeh, which barred the New APGA Leadership of Maxi Okwu from acting, thereby allowing Chief Maxi Okwu and his new Exco to move the Party forward.

Why should people blame Umeh for non-conduct of council elections in Anambra?

Victor Umeh has since 2010 refused to conduct wards, Local Governments, State Congresses and National Chairman and run the Party as “One Man Show”. Umeh has led APGA since 2004 till date and yet refuses to restructure the party through Congresses and National Convention every four years as provided in APGA Constitutions. Even when aggrieved party members went to Court and challenged this undemocratic behaviour, which resulted in Enugu High Court sacking his national Exco, he still refused to step aside but preferred to hop from one Court of Law to another, threatening to destroy APGA unless he remains its National Chairman at all cost.

Umeh hides under the non-plausible excuse of non- conduct of Local Government election in Anambra State as reason for the crisis in the party to deceive Ndigbo. Having been APGA Chairman for eight years and savoured power, he finds it difficult to let go. This is a common character of all dictators.

Umeh should be reminded that APGA is neither his nor his father’s property but a political party that has a constitution, the grundnorm which guides its activities, that must be strictly adhered to.

A detailed analysis of the crisis, undoubted confirms that Victor Umeh’s undemocratic behaviour is both the architect and propagator of the APGA crisis. I therefore advise some members of Anambra State APGA LGA Council Chairmanship aspirants who are pointing accusing fingers at the Governor for the crisis in APGA and no conduct of the Local Government Elections in the State to blame Victor Umeh and not His Excellence Peter Obi because apart from the legal actions and other factors militating against the conduct of the LGA election in Anambra State, no credible election can be conducted with both APGA and other political parties in the state in crisis. Umeh should be advised to join the moving train of the newly elected APGA leadership of Chief Maxi Okwu instead of being a clog in the wheel of progress, so that peace shall reign in the party

and allow local government election to be planned and executed as the Governor intends to do as soon as the political atmosphere is conducive for election.

There is need to sustain the current tempo of development in Anambra State through Governor Peter Ob’s ANIDS policy for the State to recover completely from the maladministration by past PDP Governments. This can only be possible if APGA retains the Government House Awka in 2014 and continue with the same tempo of Peter Obi’s administration.

Only then can it be assured that Anambra State will become the most developed State in Nigeria in the next eight years.

This is Governor Peter Obi’s dream for Anambra State.

Presently, Anambra State is not as vibrant as it ought to be with some months left before the 2014 Gubernatorial election in the State.

There isn’t much going on about the Anambra gubernatorial election. Why is this so?

The unusual lull in guber race in the state is due to the lack of confidence amongst the aspirants of other political Parties to summon courage and step into the arena. They are afraid of loosing the election after spending huge amounts of money, realizing that it will be extremely difficult for any of them to match the achievements of Governor Peter Obi of APGA in the State. As Anambrarians are all waiting for Peter Obi’s anointed successor who will surely win the election, so are the other Political Party aspirants, before they can roll out their campaign machineries. Meanwhile, APGA is busy consulting widely while putting its house in order. The waiting game continues while the election is fast approaching.

Ezenwajiaku

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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

On The Path Of Winners

Preparation As Key To Success HAT happens when you are unprepared is W that what you hope for won’t happen.

Preparation positions you correctly. Prepara-

said, “I will prepare and some day my chance will come.” Premier Benjamin Disraeli of England said, “The secret of success is for a man to tion is the difference between winning and los- be ready when his time comes.” Four, preparaing. Spectacular achievement comes from tion for tomorrow must begin today. Your sucadequate preparation. Lack of preparation is cess in life will be determined by your the primary reason for business failures today. preparation. Your future preparation will be That is why banks demand your business plan determined by your ability to anticipate probbefore granting you loans. lems rather than solving them.

Talent may be a given, you have to earn sucFive, preparation leads to seizing opportunicess. Which is why Nigeria is in shambles. No ties when they come. Thus, preparation is useNigerian leader since independence had the less unless it leads you to take action on time. preparation and talent to handle Nigerian real- Preparation does not mean getting all the facts ity. Proverbs 18:16 say: “A man’s gift makes or the answers. It does not mean achieving conroom for him.” Thus, your talent can only give sensus. Margret Thatcher, the longest serving you the opportunity. Preparation alone can en- British premier in the 20th century said, “Conable you take advantage of your opportunity. sensus is the negation of leadership.” PreparaUnited States General Douglas MacArthur tion puts you in a better position to succeed. said, “Preparedness is the key to success and Even a genius needs practice to sharpen his talvictory.” He also put it more bluntly thus, “The ent and reach his potential. more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in Six, practice sharpens your talent. You refine war.” The frustrating aspect of preparation is your skills through practice. Seven, practice that it takes more time than the event you are leads to discovery. Eight, there is a price you preparing for. Understand that no matter your must pay to reach the next level. This is a travcircumstance or talent, certain things are aleler’s principle. Before you enter into a cab, find ways within your grasp, your ability to work out how much the ride is going to cost. If you harder and smarter than anyone else. Always don’t, you may end up paying much more than remember that when preparing for the chalthe ride is worth. Half of knowing what you lenges of your future. want is knowing what you must give up before Above all else, getting ready is the secret of you get it. success. Here are some preparation principles.

Nine, practice demands discipline. Practice One, preparation enables you to tap into your engenders a winning mindset. Excellence is an creativity. Two, preparation is a process, not an art won by practice and habituation. Thus exevent. We live in a world of quick-fixes. We cellence is won through persistence. think in terms of instant gratification preparaThere is a distinction between success and extion doesn’t work that way. This is because it is cellence. Success bases our worth on a comparihuman focused. Human oriented issues are son with others while excellence gauges our process orientated. Like leadership, maximizvalue by measuring it against our own potening your talent develops daily. The best way to tial. Excellence is available to those willing to improve your team is to improve yourself. prepare for success. By making excellence your Three, preparation comes before opportunity. target you attain success easily.

Luck is the point where preparation meets opCharles Dickens was the greatest novelist of portunity. From Abraham Lincoln, Otto von his day. Before he began writing fiction, he was Bismarck and Winston Churchill, preparation already the best newspaper reporter in Engfor opportunity was a common theme. Lincoln land. He could have remained where he was

and stay at the top of his profession. But something inside him told him he was not in his area of excellence. So he shifted his focus in search of his greatest potential. You need to do the same.

At once you should find out where your greatest potentials lies and start practicing there. If you don’t you eventually lose your ingenuity. Potential works exactly opposite from the way a saving account does. When you put your money in a savings account in a bank, as time goes, your money compounds and grows. The longer you leave it untouched, the more it increases. But when it comes to potentials, the longer you leave it untouched the more it decreases. If you don’t tap your talent it wastes away.

The best way you can get the best from yourself is to set high standard for your greatest potential. Even if you do many things right, you need to fashion the right resources. Without adequate resources your efforts may come to nothing. During World War II, US general George Patton was an accomplished face to commander for the Allied Forces. He was innovative, focused and fearless. As a distinguished strategist and tactician, he was in charge of the tanks and soldiers to strike boldly against the Nazis and end the war. But he lacked petrol with which to act. Without fuel his tanks were useless. That prolonged the war. Fashion out adequate resources to accomplish your purpose.

Ten, going the extra mile is a secret of success. Historian Charles Adams, a former president of Cornell and Wisconsin Universities observed: No one ever attains eminence by simply doing what is required of him. It is the excellence of accomplishment over and above the required that determines greatness. The difference between the ordinary and extraordinary is attained while going the extra mile.

That extra effort gains you the prize. You beat 50 percent of Nigerians by working hard you beat 40 percent by being honest among a gen-

Charles Dickens eration of fraudsters. Besides, you must stand for something and the last ten percent is a dogfight in this free enterprise system. If you want to win that dogfight, then take a little extra time to go the extra mile.

The common trait among great people is that they have conquered the temptation to give up. Winning requires perseverance and patience. By cultivating your talent through giving extra time and effort, you cannot succeed without the help of others. You cannot become what you desire to be by remaining what you are. To sharpen your talent, you need more than being open to change. You need to pursue change. Change yourself to improve your circumstances. Do something new to get different results. If you don’t strive for excellence, you are soon settling down to mediocrity. And nobody hails a mediocre.

Of DDB, Lagos And Inside Story Of Saka’s Porting

By Oladele Olasupo T was a couple of weeks ago when MTN’s masterpiece of a mobile number portability advertising campaign broke across various media channels. Since then, newspapers and the social media have been alive with stories and speculations about how the campaign, featuring popular actor and comedian, Hafiz Oyetoro, a.k.a. Saka, was conceived and executed; and how in fact, Saka, who earned his popularity by featuring in various advertising campaigns for a rival network, ported to MTN. It became necessary to sift fact from fiction and where better to sniff around than the Victoria Island offices of MTN’s advertising agency and creative powerhouse, DDB Lagos, which created what is now arguably Nigeria’s most sensational advertising campaign, with over 100,000 hits on Youtube after just one week of release. That is in itself a record, as it has been discovered that the previous record for Youtube hits recorded by a Nigerian TV commercial was 41,000, credited to another MTN ad, featuring Nollywood star Nkem Owoh, a.k.a. Osuofia, dragging a festival ram by a rope.

So, to the question, how did it all happen, a reliable source at DDB said the scepter of number portability had loomed in the horizon for several years. It was for long believed to be the next big thing to happen in the telecommunications industry in Nigeria, and had therefore got the agency guns holding their breath for quite a while. However, it was only in the last quarter of 2012 that the final all-clear signal was received from the Nigerian Communications Commission for number portability to kick off in Quarter 1 of 2013.

First came various levels of briefings, to make sure agency understood how number portability worked and

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also what marketing and communication objectives MTN intended to achieve.

According to the source, the ideas did not start to flow immediately because further research was needed by the project team at DDB, to review case studies of number portability campaigns in a vast number of countries, both in Africa and beyond. Weeks of ideation followed, including co-creating with the client on a variety of potential campaign ideas. Co-creativity is said to be intrinsic to DDB’s processes. Creative Director, Tunde Sule and maverick writer, Chuka Obi, are mentioned as some of the key drivers of the project. It was agreed that the right campaign idea must be relevant, original and impactful; must be humorous and culturally relevant and, given the newness of the concept of porting numbers, must be able to educate the audience on the meaning and basics of number portability.

When gold was eventually struck, continued the source, neither the agency nor the client haboured any doubts. Can there be a better way to illustrate porting than to get someone who is literally the face of a rival network to declare that he/she has ported to MTN? And what personality better symbolized a rival network than Hafiz Oyetoro, a.k.a. Saka? Therefore, get Saka to declare that he has ported to MTN, and make him say it in a manner that would suggest he is delighted doing so. It was simple, yet ingenious, and had all the elements DDB expects from a successful advertising campaign – simplicity, surprise and a smile.

Believing Saka to be way beyond reach, given the extent of his involvement with Etisalat, the initial idea was to get a Saka look-alike to star in the campaign. It was revealed that the idea of a Saka double was further fuelled by Etisalat’s recent spoofing of two MTN commercials. Television

viewers would easily recall that in the aftermath of the highly successful MTN/Osuofia collaborations for MTN Zone and MTN new value propositions, Etisalat had created an Osuofia look-alike in dark goggles holding a ram to queue up to subscribe to an Etisalat product. It has been hinted that some unforgiving agency guys had sworn revenge when they saw the Etisalat commercial, and saw in the Saka idea a chance to have the last laugh.

However, before they could commence what would have been a long and arduous search for a Saka lookalike, it was suggested, with very little hope, that Saka should first be confirmed to be definitely beyond reach.

The source would reveal with a hint of satisfactory smile that to everyone’s surprise and delight, Saka was not beyond DDB and MTN’s reach, after all.

He was in fact not contract tied, and found the idea of starring in an MTN commercial quite exciting. His relationship with Etisalat was said to be on a need-by-need basis, and not on a secured long-term brand ambassadorial basis. In other words, he was on

standby, like any other freelance model, hoping to be approached when ‘something’ came up.

With the first potential hurdle surmounted, and MTN’s blessing received to go for Saka himself, DDB key men embarked on a highly confidential engagement and contract negotiation process that saw Saka signing the dotted lines sometime last February. As the saying goes, the rest is now history.

The ad was scripted and signed off. A secret location was found in Lagos for the shoot. Frontline film production company, Audio Visual First, popular as AVF, was engaged. So was veteran photographer Austin Osagie, for still photography. Back-up singers and musicians were casted and selected for a shoot whose details they had no knowledge of. A choreographer was also engaged. It is said that the level of confidentiality was such that DDB’s Executive Director, Strategy and Business, Igbo Amadi-Obi, personally engaged a Surulere-based designer 48 hours to the shoot, to have the costumes made

and delivered on location. Until April 22, it was said to have been a major challenge to continue to keep it all under wraps, following several postponements of the kick-off of number portability.

Expectedly, DDB has received endless accolades, including letters of commendation from MTN Nigeria and MTN Group. In some of the letters sighted, Larry Annetts, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Nigeria, described the campaign and the reactions that followed it, as “Nothing less than phenomenal.” Kola Oyeyemi, General Manager Consumer Marketing, said: “It is really gladdening to note that we work with the best of the best.” From MTN Group, South Africa, Garth Hewitt referred to the campaign as “…a marketing masterstroke.”

The agency is reputed for uncommon creativity, and features prominently in the annual Lagos Advertising and Ideas Festival, LAIF, where it has pooled the highest number of creative awards since inception.

Only recently, DDB won Nigeria’s first ever EPICA award for a print ad for Nike Foundation titled ‘Speechless No More’. EPICA is one of the top two global awards for excellence in advertising. The highly cerebral print ad was also referenced in Luerzer’s Archive, a globally renowned advertising magazine, in addition to Emerald and Sapphire awards in the maiden edition of African Cristal Awards, another first for Nigeria.

The company also enhanced its reputation for innovation when it recently re-launched the MTN Pulse proposition for youths by organizing Nigeria’s first-ever online party.

DDB Lagos, headed by Ikechi Odigbo, is a member of the DDB Worldwide network of advertising agencies.

Olasupo, a Marketing Communications expert, lives in Lagos.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

POLITICS

Tukur

Jonathan

Anenih

PDP Crisis, APC Merger And Anenih’s Lamentations Ahead 2015

By Samson Ezea INCE the commencement of what is looking like a realistic and possible merger deal by the leading opposition parties in the country, namely Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ahead 2015 general elections, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Presidency had been expressing optimism that the merger will not work and therefore won’t PDP’s dominance since 1999.

But surprisingly, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of PDP, Chief Tony Anenih last Sunday in Asaba, the capital of Delta State, acknowledged that the ongoing merger is a potential threat to PDP in 2015. Anenih warned that the merging All Progressives Congress (APC) posed a threat to the dominance of the PDP. His latest lamentation came just days after his visit to the leadership of the National Assembly with other members of the BoT of the party, to appeal to them to soft pedal on the 2013 budget tango between them and the Presidency, failed to produce result.

He took a swipe at the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), saying it has constituted itself into an anti-Jonathan body. Anenih gave this warning while addressing a meeting of governors, federal legislators and state chairmen of the party from the South-South zone in Asaba, Delta State.

He said: “We must not live under the illusion that our party is invulnerable. Although the existing opposition parties are still too small, fragile and sectional, we must not ignore the possibility that a merger of these parties may constitute a threat to our current dominance of the political terrain. We cannot afford to be complacent. We must expect any eventuality and prepare to overcome them.”

Anenih however chided the APC, describing it as a house built on sand which is likely to collapse with the first rain.

On the NGF, he remarked that the recent activities of the governors’ association portrayed it as an anti-federal government lobby, which is contrary to its avowed mission statement of “providing a common platform for synergy, collaboration among interests,” or “serving as a bi-partisan lobby group which fosters, promotes and sustains democratic ethos, good governance in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.”

His words: “What is now beyond doubt is that the NGF has been hijacked by opposition governors and is no longer promoting the interest of the PDP. It is for this reason that I

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fully endorse the formation of the PDP Governors Forum.”

Anenih also called for a new system of selecting presidential and governorship candidates of the party that would forestall frictions and acrimony.

“We cannot continue this tradition of internal warfare. We must not live under the illusion that we can fight ourselves to the finish and hope that we can continue to have enough energy left to win elections,” he warned.

He therefore advocated a new selection process for flag-bearers at the presidential and governorship levels that leave the candidates enough reserve of energy to face opponents from other parties in the general election.

Since the beginning of the merger plan by the key opposition parties ahead 2015, there had been insinuations that some PDP members, especially state governors on second term, are planning to defect to the opposition parties considering the internal crisis rocking the PDP, but the party leadership and the Presidency had always dismissed the threat with a wave of the hand.

Anenih’s assertion has, apart from being a true confirmation of the APC threat, once again raised questions on the outcome of his recent much publicized peace tour and that of the national leadership of the party led by its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur across the country.

It seems that the peace tours appeared to be an exercise in futility as the crisis rocking the party across the country has remained unabated with the ongoing crisis in the Rivers State chapter of the party that is threatening peace in the state, taking a different dimension.

Many also believe that his declaration in Asaba was the outcome of his findings during the tour which a source revealed was more of reading the political minds of the aggrieved PDP governors mainly from the North than suing for peace in the party.

Others are also of the view that for such confession to come from Anenih, it means that all is not really well in PDP ahead of 2015.

But obviously, it would be recalled that since 1999, PDP has been enmeshed in deep and major crises which Anenih was in the thick and thin of, and the party had always survived it, but not without the adoption of ‘do or die’ approach.

Nigerians witnessed it during the Audu Ogbeh/ President Olusegun Obasanjo crisis over Anambra 2003 governorship election when Ogbeh was forced to resign as the national chairman of the party; Governor

Rashidi Ladoja of Oyo State and Joshua Dariye of Plateau State were legally impeached at ease; the Presidency masterminded the successive impeachment of several Senate Presidents. The Obasanjo/ Atiku crisis nearly marred the 2007 general election.

Also since 1999, the fear of Anenih in PDP was the beginning of wisdom for any member of the party including state governors because his words were law and were binding on all members. There was nothing he could not fix politically in the party and beyond.

But it seems his age-long political magic wand is now on the brink of dwindling following the political blow he and his party suffered in the hand of the Governor Adams Oshiomhole during the last year Edo governorship election.

Why was Anenih lamenting? Have the problems in the PDP now been protracted and overwhelming that Anenih, with the Presidency’s backing, cannot fix it as usual ahead 2015? With the clear threat posed

by APC to PDP’s dominance, won’t 2015 election be “do or die” affair?

What appears like a serious crack in the wall of PDP is that today, despite having 23 state governors and two opposition party governors of Ondo and Anambra who appear to be more PDP-inclined, the party has not been able to have a strong grip on its governors so that the Presidency can always have her way in the governance of the country.

Most of the PDP governors appear to be more critical and opposed to some federal government policies and programmes more than the opposition governors, especially those policies that they consider anti-people.

Investigations revealed that this was as result of the Presidency and national leadership of the party’s desperate effort to whittle down the powers of the governors in the party ahead of 2015 election, a development many believe is backfiring as it has stoked more crises in the party than peace, giving room for the opposition parties to latch on the situation to lure their members.

Even the sudden formation of PDP Governors’ Forum to divide the rank and file of Nigerian Governors’ Forum with the Akwa Ibom State, Mr Godswill Akpabio who is enjoying the backing of the Presidency and the national leadership of the party as its pioneer chairman, has not provided the needed panacea to achieve peace in the party.

In the National Assembly, the party has more members than the opposition parties put together, but till today, row between the Presidency and members of National Assembly over 2013 budget has remained unresolved, just one month to the end of the second quarter of the year.

The national leadership of the party has failed to convene the constitutional National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party since last year when they had the last one.

Reacting to Anenih’s assertion, the National Publicity Secretary of the Conference Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Mr Osita Okechukwu told The Guardian that Anenih’s early realization of the threat posed by APC to PDP’s dominance ahead of 2015 general, is a threat to free and fair election in 2015.

He said he would prefer Anenih and his party members to be living in delusion that their party’s dominance in the polity since 1999 is insurmountable, only to be taken unawares by the APC in 2015 general election.

“Anenih’s recent declaration means that 2015 election will be a do or die affair considering the antecedents of the PDP chieftains like Anenih in the past election since 1999. So, Nigerians must be vigilant because Mr Fix It will definitely try to fix it at all costs in 2015.

“Was Anenih not the one who visited Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State and the next day, Amaechi’s house was engulfed in crisis. That was typical and vintage Anenih style of politics since the defunct Second Republic,” Okechukwu said.

But a member of BoT of the party, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, disagreed with Anenih’s assertion. He argued that the ongoing merger plan will collapse despite the progress they have made so far.

He said: “I do not agree with Anenih that APC poses a threat to PDP in 2015, although no political party can be underestimated.”

Will the PDP put its house in order before 2015 general election? It may or may not, but whichever way it choses might determine its failure or success in 2015 general election as the opposition waits in the wings to reap from their internal crisis.

But one clear thing is that with the strong opposition within the PDP against Jonathan’s second term ambition, coupled with the seeming political threat posed by APC against PDP dominance, Nigerians might witness another round of do or die election in 2015.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

TheGuardian

Saturday, May 18, 2013 17

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Love&Life

... Celebrating The Feelings You Share!

With Michael Uchebuaku

Love Connections

IN THIS EDITION

Princess Of

True Confession:

Love

‘I’m No Longer Attracted To My Wife Because She Is Now Fat’

Love Adventure: ‘My Husband Said I Made Him Cheat’

Zuma Rock:

“Watchman”

One time World Beauty Queen and India’s most decorated actress, Aishwarya Rai...

Of The F.C.T. Romantic Jokes Link-Up (Love/Dating Connections)

True Confession From Abroad: ‘I’m The Reason Mum Tried To Commit Suicide’

Love News Angelina Jolie Reveals: ‘I Had A Double Mastectomy’

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

Call: 07031028714, 07032944123.

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Odion, 28, needs a working or busiCONTINUED ON PAGE 18

‘Imagine! My Husband Said I Was The Cause Of His Cheating’ want to share my story with you because Ihave my husband is constantly telling me that I no right to be upset/suspicious. I am going to make this as short as possible, so here is my story.

I caught my husband seeing a girl behind my back a few months after moving in together. I asked him to stop, he said he did.

She then e-mailed me and told me he cheated. He flew off the handle, saying if I believed her that he was going to dump me.

I told him I didn’t believe him, but that I would stay with him anyways, and we needed to try to move on from this trauma. I later caught him with another female. I flipped because of everything we had already been through the first time. He said he didn’t do anything (again) and changed his phone number (that was, in his mind, somehow supposed to prove that he only wanted me).

From that point forward (the next two years), I thought everything was great with us. We ended up buying a house, getting engaged, and planning a future together.

Then, about three months ago, I found out

Love Adventure he was talking to the other woman the entire time, and using his work phone to do so. He also screwed the bitch on my couch in our home we bought together, within two weeks of having bought the home - and he gave me HPV (Human papilloma virus) because he didn’t use protection.

When I finally found out, we had already gotten married and our son was seven months old. He keeps telling me to get over it, gets raging mad at me (screams so loud the baby cowers into my shoulder and hides) when I break down about it or even if I mention it, and otherwise treats me pretty horrible. Am I the happiest person in the world right now? No. I am sure I am difficult to live with because I am so depressed, angry, and hurt over what happened; but if he hadn’t spent the first year and a half of our relationship destroying the trust, I wouldn’t be those things.

I still do my best to be happy though, but whenever I can’t keep the facade, he flips out on me —- so bad that one night he was arrested. He says all of our problems are because of me, because I can’t get over it and just trust him. He tells me that it was my fault he cheated. I don’t know what I did wrong. I waited on him hand and foot, gave him the best sex of his life (he admits to that, along with my other five ex’s —- I am not tooting my own horn and am shy talking about myself in bed.. but I figure you people will never know who I am), was always there for anything he needed, and dumped all of my “acquaintances” for him so I could spend 99% of my time with him.

He said that because I was independent, he cheated —- my fault. I didn’t know being independent gets you cheated on. Am I supposed to hang on his every word and action?

Plan my life around the possibility that he may want me to do something? Back then,

before I had a son (which is when he did all the cheating, according to him), I had friends and family that I saw every so often, and he always had an open invitation to join me. How does that amount to deserving to be cheated on? The only thing I have asked of him over the last three months is to enroll in personal counseling to resolve his anger and lying issues, and to take the Wellbutrin prescribed to him on a regular basis (which is supposed to help with the mood swings). None of which he has done over the last three months.

I need support, because he has me convinced at times that I am the crazy one. I just need confirmation either way. Am I crazy? Is this all my fault? Should I be over it by now and able to restore to him implicit trust?

CULLED FROM: www.experienceproject.com *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 18, 2013

18 |

LOVE&LIFE ‘I’m No Longer Attracted To My Wife Because She Is Now Fat’

Dear Love Doctor, MARRIED my wife because she was hot and I knew there was no way I should even have a shot with her —- let alone a relationship. For some reason, she really loved me and wanted to marry me. I didn’t want to lose her because I loved her body, her face, her breasts, everything. Being with her made me feel so good, touching her at any opportunity made me crazy. She was so perfect, but other than that, we have nothing in common. That was 12 years ago. Now we have two kids and that body I was obsessed with is gone.

She has put on like 25-30 kgs at least. I get so mad at her sometimes for letting herself go even though I know having kids can do that and it’s not her fault. She’s such a good person I would never say anything, but the reason I fell in love with her is gone.

I feel trapped sometimes, but I know it is my fault for being so superficial.

Lately, I feel myself looking longer at other women and fantasizing about having sex with a hot woman again. I just can’t accept that I will never have amazing hot sex again when it used to

be so mind-blowing. I have even been thinking about my ex girlfriend who was not even remotely attractive but who was my best friend at the time. I left her for my wife and I wonder if that was the biggest mistake of my life...giving up a quality relationship for beauty now seems so foolish.

Advice: You say you had nothing in common, but you were happy enough for 12 years. Looks matter and anyone can feel quite resentful if their partner changes dramatically, especially by putting on that amount of weight. No woman should put on so much weight just as a result of two pregnancies. So you need to consider all the options before making lifechanging decisions.

Could she have postnatal depression or be comfort- eating because she knows how much looks mean to you and was unhappy with putting on weight in pregnancy? You have

Love Dictionary

TRUE CONFESSION FROM ABROAD

I

Being a full-time mother can be draining and even a bit boring and there are all sorts of possible reasons two young children to consider and behind her weight gain so it isn’t fantasizing about other women isn’t doing either of you any favours to the ideal way forward. Stop looking ignore it. You do need to consider back at the past and try to make the depression and that’s not an easy future better for all of you. Talk to subject to broach – maybe you could your wife when you won’t be interdo some research before you chat rupted so you can really concentrate and find out if there are any support on her. Don’t criticise or threaten to groups in your area. She should also leave her if she doesn’t get fit; see her doctor no matter what in instead, tell her that you’re worried case there’s any other underlying about her and you appreciate she’s health issue causing severe weight very busy with two children but gain. you’re concerned that she always However tactfully you approach puts her own needs last and it’s time this, she won’t be able to lose that she looked after her health. amount of weight overnight, so you Some exercise you can do as a family need to do some serious thinking. and you can also happily look after You’ve been very honest about what the children so she’s able to go to fit- attracted you to your wife, but if she ness classes. Tell her that being a par- doesn’t lose weight, is your marriage ent has made you tired and less fit over? If so, take the long view regardand that you’d like both of you to ing future relationships. Everyone sort this out, so that also means ages, so could this obsession with healthy eating as a family. looks affect other relationships if

True Confession

your marriage doesn’t last?

You felt you didn’t deserve your wife at first which hints at low selfesteem and could go some way to explaining your obsession with looks. So, counselling could really help both of you and guide you to making the right decisions for your children and yourselves.

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 *Buy GSM Database of 79 million and E-mail database of one million for adverts, campaign and others. Visit: www.eeetonline.blogspot.com

HEN I was 14, I turned from a What Is Rape?

W good, if not naive, child, into my parents’ worst nightmare.

HE rape of noblewoman, Lucretia, I’ve always been a bit of a lonTwas a starting point of events that Ierthink and although I had friends in priled to the overthrow of the Roman Kingdom and establishment of the Roman Republic. As a direct result of rape, Lucretia committed suicide. Many artists and writers were inspired by the story, including Shakespeare, Botticelli, Rembrandt, Dürer, Artemisia Gentileschi, Geoffrey Chaucer, Thomas Heywood and others.

Rape is forced, unwanted sexual intercourse.

Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person’s consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent, such as one who is unconscious, incapacitated, or below the legal age of consent. The term is most often defined in criminal law.

Internationally, the incidence of rape recorded by the Police during 2008 varied between 0.1 in Egypt per 100,000 people and 91.6 per 100,000 people in Lesotho with 4.9 per 100,000 people in Lithuania as the median. According to the American Medical Association (1995), sexual violence, and rape in particular, is considered the most under-reported violent crime. The rate of reporting, prosecution and convictions for rape varies considerably in different jurisdictions. The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (1999) estimated that 91% of U.S. rape victims are female and 9% are male, with 99% of the offenders being male. Rape by strangers is usually less common than rape by persons the victim knows, and several studies argue that male-male and female-female prison rape are quite common and may be the least reported forms of rape.

When part of a widespread and systematic practice, rape and sexual slavery are recognized as crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Rape is also recognized as an element of the crime of genocide when committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a targeted ethnic group.

Victims of rape can be severely traumatized; in addition to psychological harm resulting from the act. Rape may cause physical injury, or have additional effects on the victim, such as acquiring of a sexually transmitted infection or becoming pregnant.

Furthermore, following a rape, a victim may face violence or threats from the rapist, and, in some cultures, from the victim’s own family and relatives.

Source: en.wikipedia.org.

mary school, I was never the most popular and looking back I remember feeling different and lonely most of the time.

Once I started high school, I found it even harder to be noticed in the crowd and it didn’t take me long to discover that I had something all the boys wanted and I thought that the way I acted gave me an edge on the other girls and made me popular with the boys.

The problem was, I was never respected, and I was never the girlfriend. I would be the one the boys looked to for a good time before choosing a girlfriend, or going back to their girlfriend.

Upon realising this, I became even more unhappy and lost respect for myself, as everyone else had already done. Tough girls that used to call me a slut and pick on me relentlessly must have picked up a vibe from me and started to invite me out with them.

I started smoking pot, drinking and staying out for days without calling home. I thought my parents were really square and were trying to make my life miserable for making me follow all their rules and curfews.

The more they tried to lay down the law, the less I went home. My parents had me drug tested, sent me to therapists and once had me admitted to a psychiatric hospital for a month. I think just for the peace of mind that they knew I would be safe.

Little did they know, the hospital was full of teenagers like me, who introduced me to even more than I already knew. Around the time I was 14, I started using speed (amphetamine drug), and medications that had the

‘I’m The Reason Mum Tried To Commit Suicide’ same effect.

A girlfriend a year younger than me had three older brothers, one of whom was prescribed a medication I took for fun. Her house to me was heaven. There was drinking, drugs and drag racing every night, and the parents didn’t care, and even joined in.

We’d walk to a service station and buy chips and pies when we wanted to eat, no one ever had a curfew or had to clean the house, and my friends mum wasn’t too fussed whether we went to school or not. I thought it was the most fantastic place ever.

I stayed there and even told my parents I wanted to move there and that I wanted my friend’s mum to be my guardian. My friend’s mum agreed, which now seems totally unbelievable to me and I’m not even a parent.

In reality, my friend’s house and family were everything that would now disgust me. It stank, was dirty, the people were dirty and disrespectful and they’re probably still living in the same squalor all these years later.

A mediation session was arranged for my friend’s mum, my mum, dad and myself to meet at my parents house with a counsellor and I went there staunchly determined that I was going to hold my ground and leave there free of my parents and their rules.

For over an hour I put forth my case, my parents put forth their case, and my friend’s mum sat in my parents’ immaculate home in silence, listening to my parents break down in tears and tell her how they worried whether I was safe, where I was when they had calls from school to say I hadn’t been there and wanting to

know what they’d done to deserve this and why hadn’t my friend’s mum ever contacted them to discuss the fact that their 14-year-old daughter had moved into her home without their consent.

The counsellor asked that my friend’s mum leave and I stay for a while to discuss everything further and that the counsellor would drop me back around to my friend’s house when we were done.

If you need support or information about suicide prevention contact us.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

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

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Timi, 34, 5.5ft, dark, in Lagos, Electrical Engineer, employed, needs a fair, pretty, graduate, working lady of 25CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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LOVE&LIFE

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

dusty veil hangs over Zuba. The Sun had A slipped into her night gown of romantic crimson, saying goodbye and goodnight over the jagged skyline of granite inselbergs.

A mighty rock stands bold, undaunted by the coming dusk. It bears a face: one that looks straight ahead, staring at the setting sun. It is never distracted. For centuries, her gaze has remained unchanged; a gaze that threatens to swallow its admirer, one that looks you in the eye if you look it in the eye. With a slightly opened mouth, it proudly declares its royal location.

This is Zuma Rock, the ‘monolith’that marks the center of our Nation’s landmass with a human face. It is located in Niger State, just north of Abuja (F.C.T.). It dominates the Abuja-Kaduna express way, rising to an height of about 700m.

The Zuma Rock Nigerian village constructed behind the rock is a vantage spot to savour the wonders of Zuma; it has chalets and other facilities for relaxation.

Zuma Rock remains the unquestionable watchman of the F.C.T.

Zuma Rock:

“Watchman” of The F.C.T. Love News

Angelina Jolie Reveals: I had A Double Mastectomy NGELINA Jolie has had a double mastectomy in A the hope of avoiding cancer.

The star has written an open letter in The New York Times saying “the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy”, but that the procedure has decreased her chances of getting breast cancer from 87 per cent to 5 per cent.

The mother of six, who has been uncharacteristically out of the spotlight for a number of months, says she feels “empowered” following her treatment.

“My doctors estimated that I had an 87 per cent risk of breast cancer and a 50 per cent risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman,” she writes.

“Only a fraction of breast cancers result from an inherited gene mutation. Those with a defect in BRCA1 have a 65 percent risk of getting it, on average.

“Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimise the risk as much as I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy. I started with the breasts, as my risk of breast cancer is higher than my risk of ovarian cancer, and the surgery is more complex.”

Angelina, whose own mother died of breast cancer at 56, finished her treatment on April 27 following three months of medical procedures during which time, she says, she was able to go on with her usual work, keeping the matter private.

In the letter, which she penned to tell other women about her experience, Angelina explains in detail the procedures and thanks her husband, Brad Pitt, for his continued support.

“I am fortunate to have a partner, Brad Pitt, who is so loving and supportive. So, to anyone who has a wife or girlfriend going through this, know that you are a very important part of the transition,” she writes.

She also goes on to talk about how her six children dealt with her decision.

“It is reassuring that they see nothing that makes them uncomfortable. They can see my small scars and that’s it. Everything else is just Mummy, the same as she always was.

“And they know that I love them and will do anything to be with them as long as I can. On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity.”

Angelina, who is set to marry Brad this year, says

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.

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Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hook up. Also call if you have engagement, marriage, wedding, anniversary or birthday announcements to make.

Love Dictionary CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18

they made the decision together.

“We knew this was the right thing to do for our family and that it would bring us closer. And it has.”

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Romantic Jokes Free Tonight A hot secretary came out of her boss’s office angry.

Her colleague asked: “What happened? You went in happy and came out angry.

She replied: “He asked me if I am free tonight? I said absolutely free! Then the bastard gave me 45 pages to type!

Words Of Wisdom “A relationship is like a shark, if it doesn’t move, it dies.” - Woody Allen.

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20

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

LOVE & LIFE 21

08033832503 Email: amara@amarablessing.com

WEEKEND with AMARA

Masturbation HE word, masturbation is not new to our ears.

T Masturbation simply means touching one’s own body for sexual pleasure. People masturbate in lots of ways. The sole aim of masturbation is sexual satisfaction.

Masturbation is a very common act in our world of today. Statistics have shown that 95 to 98% of men as well as 56 to 89% of women have at one time or the other been involved in masturbation.

I have been receiving messages from my readers for a very long time asking me to treat this topic.

But I had to take my time to ask questions and find out more about it before going into it.

I took my time to talk to medical doctors. I also talked to a protégée who was in it for a very long time. Religious leaders were also not left out.

Masturbation is one activity that is aimed at producing orgasm. Just like every other kinds of sexual activity, there are times you will not reach orgasm through masturbation. In this article, we are talking solely about male masturbation. Men usually masturbate by stroking or rubbing their penis. They also masturbate by pressing their penis against a mattress. Another guy who opened up to me said he does it by going into his bathroom, because he shares a room with his friends, and uses soap on his wet hands to push the penis up and down and as he does this, he is in a world of fantasies.

According to a medical doctor who is a Christian, but decided to speak from the medical perspective, masturbation is a very healthy activity.

According to him, masturbation can help ease sexual tension or desire without the risk of diseases. Men who masturbate believe they can easily escape into their fantasies without being judged by their partners. He also claimed masturbation is just like the Kegel exercise which tones the penis.

But according to this medical practitioner, a research conducted recently revealed that young men who masturbate frequently are at a greater risk of prostate cancer while frequent masturbation can actually lower the risk of prostate cancer in older men who are in their fifties. In men over 50, the research showed that masturbation helps drain the prostate of fluids that may con-

tain cancer-causing substances.

Another negative effect of masturbation is that it may not help in cases of infertility. The frequent ejaculation of the fluid, semen, reduces the quality of the sperm as it gets watery.

Frequent masturbation can irritate the skin of the penis, though the average guy sees that as the only negative effect of masturbation. Let me shock you a bit by telling you that constant masturbation with the penis pressed down against the sheets can injure the urethra in such a way that urine leaves the penis, not in a stream, but in a hard-to-control spray. Doctors can tell you that men who engage in this style of masturbation are left with urethral trauma so severe that they are no longer able to use the urinal and must urinate while seated.

Some men also become so obsessed with solo sex that they begin to lose interest in having sex with their partner. The resulting hurt feel-

IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE With Pamela Hi Pamela, I am attempting to re-title your excerpt in Saturday’s Guardian as my email subject heading states: Little Drops That Could Control All The Waters In The Ocean.

The problem we have is that there is no real role model for Christianity in Nigeria and on the Earth.

People aspire to follow whatever is displayed to them, that is partly a work of the evil one which albeit is helped and goaded by the fleshy desires of humans and lack of discipline.

I disagree with you, on your comment about Moses, we are all called to do greater works than even Christ did on earth, then again have we or has anyone in our generation answered the call? The mythical assumption that once one becomes a Christian or Born-Again in the way the world knows it we have answered the call is not the true case.

All the great (men & women) chronicled in the bible took decisions that would be simply labelled as…the wasting of a life...in their days and the same should apply in our days to achieve the desired status of a role model for Christianity.

If one (man or woman) can stand in that gap in our days...you will discover that we (Christians) are actually the real role models for humanity and by extension the ones bequeathed with the power to control all the waters in the ocean...if your faith is the size of a mustard seed....you can move a mountain Jesus said....think then what you could move if it grows into the size of a drop of water.

Via Email, B.T. Dear Mr. B.T,

ings and alienation a partner feels can make it hard to sustain the relationship. Men who masturbate often fail to satisfy their wives during sex. As you keep masturbating, your desire for your partner decreases and this is one of such situations that can spell doom for your relationship.

Experts also warn that men who frequently stimulate themselves sexually in ways different from what their partner does can develop retarded ejaculation. This is a type of sexual dysfunction where you find it difficult to climax during sex with your partner. In your effort to reach the peak that remains unreachable to you due to frequent masturbation, you get your partner injured and frustrated.

I don’t know what you think about masturbation, but I see it as morally wrong. Christians believe that there is no difference between someone who masturbates and someone who has a sexual partner. You can never masturbate

without fantasies. You will agree with me, just like the guy who opened up to me that you rarely or never fantasize about your wife or your steady partner. That on its own is deceit.

You could be one of those struggling with this issue and it is beginning to affect your relationship with your partner. The first step out of masturbation is self control. You must get to that level where you bring your thoughts under subjection. Sexual thought is a normal thing, especially teenagers. What makes it wrong is when you allow yourself to dwell on that thought. Once it comes to your mind, please take it off instantly.

This is why you have to be extremely careful what you see with your eyes. I wonder what will make a matured adult go out of his way to buy blue films. I see guys stay awake at night during the big brother shows just to be able to watch the shower hour. You keep watching blue films and porn magazines.

Why spend your time in what will get you sexually stimulated when you know you are not married or your woman is not there to satisfy you? There is no way you can look at such movies and magazines and remain the same person. Be careful what you see.

The issue of masturbation has led to broken homes. It will get to a point where you value masturbation above sex with your partner.

Men who masturbate also get to that point in their relationships where they take their partners as nothing but sex toys. You see yourself having a different interpretation of the word sex.According to a friend who talked about his days on campus when he had a very faithful, loving, girlfriend, but still engaged in masturbation, he got to a point where, during sex, he always wished it came to an end to enable him rush into the bathroom, lock the door and masturbate. He found himself not bothered about how she felt after sex.Masturbation will turn you to a very selfish partner if you don’t deal with it.

You may not agree with me in totality because as an individual, I expect you to have your own views in life, but having looked at the merits and demerits of masturbation, I leave you to make you choice.

I won’t fail to tell you that I have received a good number of messages from women who confessed to be practicing masturbation. You see; it’s not purely a man’s thing.

Deal with your mind; that’s the first step out of masturbation.

08167089656 (SMS only).

E-mail:regalgraces@yahoo.com

Re: Great Drops In A Mighty Ocean Everyone Is Not Called To Be A Moses Of His Time

Hebrews 3:1-2 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

Faithfulness in Commission: The apostle is referring here to the testimony God gave of Moses in Num 12:7. Now, Jesus cannot be likened to Moses in terms of His personality for only One (Jesus) is Holy. What then is referred to here?

We can see it very clearly in the 5th verse: “And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant…” God appointed Moses to His house or the household of Israel. Moses was a steward and was faithful in his discharge in the office (authority, function, position) of a prophet. To that God considered him faithful. Likewise, Jesus, over all of mankind, sacrificed His precious blood for our redemption and His blood fully satisfies God. He too, as stated in scripture, was faithful in His office as Messiah.

We are not all called to be a Moses in our time because we’re not all called to the same office.

Consider the parable of talents Christ told in Mathew 25. He speaks of three stewards; to one He gave 5 talents, to another 3 and yet another 1.

It is said; “according to his several ability” God Thank you very much for your input. It is alcommitted talents to each man – some greater ways encouraging to see fellow Christians who than others. This God did, according to His infibelieve in the Word and His power. nite wisdom. Therefore, it goes without saying What space could not allow in the last column that a man who is to rule over thousand should, I have tried to make up for here just so that we of necessity, have greater ability than one who might have greater understanding. rules over tens. Likewise, if God would give to

5:10).

Elymas the sorcerer was struck blind by the word from Paul (Act 13:11).

Christ restricted his ministry chiefly to the confines of Judea – The apostles spread the doctrine of Christ far and wide.

Christ preached in the language of the country of Judea only - the apostles - speaking in diverse tongues, preached through the most of the known world then, and in all the languages of all countries. Acts 2:5-13 Yet, I believe the greater works refer to the immense multitudes that were brought to the kingdom of God in the name of Jesus. The greatest work is not walking on water or even healing the sick but bringing a lost soul into the kingdom of God. Since the time of the apostles multitudes have been brought to Christ and are still being brought. However, it is very important to understand that all these one man more talents than another this were done by the power of God “for apart from means that he has bestowed on him greater me you can do nothing”. John 15:5. It is Christ authority than most other men over His himself who works in us to will and act accordhouse. ing to His good purpose. No man has that Conclusion: Summarizing the above a. God power of himself. was alluding to the office of Moses and Jesus, There are great Christians in the world today. not of the personality and b. God gives talents They do not necessary have to be visible – that or positions of authority, to men severally, is in the spot light, but God knows those who some greater than others according to the are His. The presence of gross darkness does ability He deposited in them. Yet, to every not mean the absence of even greater light man He gives a talent He requires that they (see Isaiah 60). profit and remain faithful.

Can we as Christians do better than we are Greater Works now? Absolutely! We can do all things John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that be- through Christ who strengthens us. And furlieveth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; thermore, according to 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, and greater works than these shall he do; bewe can be transformed into the very image of cause I go unto my Father. the perfect role model, Jesus Christ Himself.

This is my own understanding of this saying and its manifestation. It is okay if you do not Sincerely, agree with this.

Pamela Some accounts of such great works were: Image and Etiquette addresses general perPeter’s shadow healed the diseased (Act 5:15). ceptions, societal norms and expectations and Many diseases were cured, and demons cast personal expressions with the goal to cultivate out, by applying to people handkerchiefs and social graces, suavity and a dignified presence aprons that had touched the body of Paul (Act for interpersonal relationships. If you have 19:12). questions on Image and Etiquette please send Peter spoke by the word and Ananias and Sap- them to askpamela@regalgraces.com or SMS phira were struck dead, (Act 5:5, Act 5:9, Act 08038240870.

22 LOVE & LIFE

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

MARITAL SEX

His Top Secret Wishes

By Juliana Idoko T wedding ceremonies, couples A pledge fidelity to each other.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long before they start looking out and trouble starts creeping in. Could it be boredom or dearth of interest? What could have happened to all that love they professed to each other during courtship and on their wedding day?

Redbook polled about 5,000 married men and then 5,000 married women to find out the secrets of their sex lives.

One flattering result they got is that more than half the men say they lust after their spouses as much as they did when they met. Some want their wives even more than they used to.

However, many of them, in spite of their answers still have a lot going on in their minds. They have some secret wishes they wouldn’t mind their wives tried. Some of those wishes which their wives take for granted, are what they search for, outside their marriages. According to the survey, those wishes include the following: Enthusiasm. Three things are involved here. They wish their wives liked having sex with them. “We’d go

ape wild if you initiated sex more often. And we would like a little more spontaneity and a little less convenient sex.”

Variety. They wish you’d agree and love to try something new. “We wouldn’t mind picking up a new sex book and reading it with you.

Laughing and making jokes while we do it. We just want to try out some wacky sex positions. Let’s do any little or big thing to change things up every other month.”

Adventure. They want the wives to be very, very naughty, at least, once in a while. “Some ideas from book and videos can be a good guide for us. The quickies, playful spankings and others. How can you play out your fantasy in light-hearted but adventurous ways?”

Generosity. They want their wives to stop being stingy with sex. “They feign all kinds of sicknesses and hoard sex. We wish they are more truthful, open and more generous.”

Authenticity. According to the survey, men wish women stopped faking orgasms. “Faking orgasms is a no-no. Making like you’re having fun when you’re not is another unsexy thing to do. Speak up, tell

me what you want and like. I’ll love you long time for it.”

Attention. They wish you make time to bond with them, not just in bed but at other times, too. “Let’s talk when the kids go to bed. Let’s watch a TV show together. Make a glass of tea or maybe vodka every once a while when the house is quiet.”

Courage. They wish you could speak up about your sexual desire. “Talk openly if you want more sex. Even if we don’t, we would reach a compromise. Then talk about it again soon.

The person who gets rejected—-and

it can be the man or the woman who wants it more—-feels badly if you don’t talk. And definitely just take those clothes off and do it whenever you can.”

Confidence. They wish you could overcome your insecurities and enjoy sex. “This is the sexiest—and cheapest—thing you can wear to bed. Own that body of yours. Own what you can do with it. If you work it, he will enjoy the ride.”

Physical Attraction. Everybody likes good things. Men wish you package your body well, look and feel sexy in

spite of your weight. “We are not worried about what you weigh. He just wants you to maybe not wear those cover-all nighties so often.

Believe him when he says you’re beautiful and sexy. And, hey, it doesn’t hurt to have sexy hair, too.”

Get Away. They wish for more fun and adventure with you. “Can you go on a second honeymoon? Maybe you can spring for a sitter and get a hotel room. You just need a getaway—however big or small. Just once in a while, to reconnect and have great sex.”

Sex, Safe, Sweet And Satisfying Nevertheless to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every women have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. (I Cor. 7 vs 2 – 3). is beautiful. It is one of God’s SnotEXgreat relief treatments. It should be exhausting, it should be refreshing. It is only exhausting when we want to be rated; so we perform. But if expressed with love, it is soothing. Sex is natural. Let’s not begin to attach superstition to it. We should avoid fornication, but we can’t avoid sex. It is part of us. So Paul encourages us to marry. To do justice to our article this week, let’s see what we can do.

1. Have our own partner: You should have sex only with your own. How can someone be your own if you are not legally married, or you meet in hotels, and secret places to have sex? Just settle down with this person, and enjoy without guilt or fear, your love trip.

2. Stay clean for your partner. To really be attractive, be clean. Bathe reqularly. Cut nails, trim pubic hair, share neatly, keep clothes clean.

Control offensive body odours.

3. Stay healthy. Avoid infections. Be

faithful to your partner. Save yourself the pressure and filth of guilt.

Treat infections promptly.

4. Render it benevolently. Some things we call sex is not benevolent at all. It should be what we offer to our spouse, not what we intend to

get. Paul said the man should ‘render due benevolence’. The goal is to make your spouse satisfied. There are things that can be done if there is a deficiency.

5. Be open to each other. Share experience, fantasies and love with each

and love it, it is definitely enough.

All those things you think others have that your wives do not have are, in your imagination. Enjoy each other.

7. ‘Due benevolence’ starts with fore play. Sex in marriage needs plenty of love, tenderness, caressing, kissing, touches – not just ‘banging’ and ‘jerking’. You need to simply enjoy each others’ body. See, no one has it all. And nothing is a total disadvantage. No matter the biological problem, enjoying each other, staying with each other, and using available means of excitement will bond you more.

8. You are not in a show, or are you trying to impress? We have somehow over exaggerated sex that we think we are in the stadium whenever we have sex. We want to perform. A hug, a hold, tender whispers, touches, plays, will reach the heart faster. As a matter of fact, it is not the dick or bum, or breast that is the only sex organ of the body. The largest sex organ is the skin. Touch other. Let your spouse know what everywhere, feel each other, and you turns you on. Don’t be difficult to would be surprised how nature please. Let your spouse know what favours affectionate intimacy. you want and how.

6. Enjoy what you have. Big dick is not E. C. SAMUEL what satisfies, it is the man that does Intimatefaithministry@yahoo.com satisfy. If you accept what you have 08027173447 SMS ONLY

TheGuardian

Saturday, May 18, 2013 23

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Life&Style

WOMAN

Professor (Mrs.) Sylvia Omonirume Malomo is a Molecular Biochemist at the University of Ilorin. She is the first female Dean of Science in the institution and her research interests revolves around biological membranes, toxicology and enzymology. She gives insight into issues surrounding the malaria scourge.

By Fatima Abubakre ANYscholars have come up with different soM lutions to the problem of tackling malaria globally especially through the ‘Rollback Malaria’

Malomo: A Researcher And Devoted Wife and obesity. She, however, advocates a diet rich in protein especially in infants and growing children to ensure that mitochondrial metabolism is not compromised.

“The food and drinks we consume contain some other chemicals different from the basic nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals required for growth and maintenance and these find their way into our tissues and cells. These include preservatives, colouring agents, flavourings and food enhancers. Similarly, chemical constituents of cosmetic products are absorbed through the skin” adding that, “the burden therefore lies on researchers in the area of toxicology to validate claims regarding new chemicals and ensure safety.”

Being the first female Dean of Science in the

’

programme. Also, health experts have successively come up with various policies, all in a bid to eradicate malaria in Nigeria. But these efforts do not seem to be yielding the desired results.

Nevertheless, Professor (Mrs.) Sylvia Omonirume Malomo, a Molecular Biochemist at the University of Ilorin has a remarkably distinctive viewpoint on the scourge of malaria borne out of the belief that unless extensive research into the development of new drugs, vaccines and diagnostics in the treatment of malaria are vigorously pursued, concerted efforts being made to tackle the scourge globally through the ‘Rollback malaria’ programme, would be hindered because of the increasing resistance of malaria parasite, P. falciparum to the few available anti-malarial drugs.

Mrs. Malomo is the first female Dean of Science in the institution whose research interests revolves around biological membranes, toxicology and enzymology. According to her, the number of effective drugs available to treat malaria is small; noting that the few existing drugs are plagued by increasing resistance, particularly in the tropics, at a rate which outpaces the development of new anti-malarial drugs.

Malomo said that the emergence of anti-malarial drug resistance is as a result of the occurrence of a genetic change or mutation in a malaria parasite, which interferes with the parasite’s susceptibility to a drug, pointing out that, ‘a single mutation may be sufficient to confer almost complete resistance to some drugs. This has significant economic and political impact on the underdeveloped world.”

To prevent the development of resistance to antimalarial drugs, she noted that a new therapeutic approach, through the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) was endorsed by the World Health Organisation as a policy standard for all malaria infections in areas where malaria parasite is predominant.

She disclosed that most pharmaceutical companies disengaged from research into tropical diseases in the 1970s, leaving a gap in the development of new and affordable tools to manage malaria. “Though affecting millions, the lack of ability to pay for market financed drugs, results in insufficient market incentive to drive the development of innovative products by “big pharmaceutical companies,” she explained.

Prof. Malomo, who warned on the dangers of combining drugs based on herbs with pharmaceuticals for therapeutic purposes, noted that some toxic effects may not be reversible; urging government agencies like the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to ensure that new chemicals and pharmaceuticals introduced into the Nigerian market were subjected to thorough toxicological evaluation to prevent any health disasters.

Not only does mutation affect malaria parasite, Malomo discloses that it could affect genes regulating cell functions which could result in mitochondrial diseases that could affect several organs of the body, leading to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson disease, and health problems like diabetes

University, Malomo admits it was a ‘challenge’.

“I am somebody who feels challenged by any assignment; if you give me an assignment, I like to deliver and being the Dean was one of those I considered as an assignment. I needed also to be sure that I didn’t set a bad example, I think that the people in the Faculty had confidence in my ability to deliver; that is why they elected me Dean out of the four of us that contested for the position.”

As the daughter of a junior policeman whose father was often times transferred to different parts of the country, she reveals that she had learnt to take responsibilities at an early age. “I had a happy childhood because my father was a family man and when I say family, not just the nuclear family, but the extended family.”

Malomo, an Urhobo woman from Delta State

“The food and drinks we consume contain some other chemicals different from the basic nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals required for growth and maintenance and these find their way into our tissues and cells.

These include preservatives, colouring agents, flavourings and food enhancers.

WOMAN

PEOPLE

GARDENING

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is married to a Yoruba man from Kwara State.

“My husband supports whatever makes me happy. He is a priest and a neurosurgeon who works much harder than I do, so we have to support each other. I thank God for giving me an understanding partner,” she said when asked on the challenges of combining her career with the home front.

She has this advice for women: “Remain faithful to your husband and your family; nurture the family because if you don’t nurture, everything will go haywire. It is in the power of women to mould and nurture, and women must not forget this first assignment that has been given to them and to work hard at it. If you have children, train up your child the way they should be because they will be the leaders of tomorrow and by the time you are old, they will be the one that will give you the peace that you need.”

As a mother, she says, “We should avoid spoiling our children with virtually everything. A little deprivation is good for a child because he/she should be made to realise that things don’t come easily.”

On her philosophy about life, she has this to say: “I put God first in my life. I like to be guided by what God says.”

Born in Warri on 7th April 1957 to the Sakpere family in Orhuwhorun, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, Sylvia Malomo attended Oriel Girls’ School, Ebute-Metta, Lagos from 1965 to 1966 for her primary education. She also attended Ladi-Lak Institute, Yaba, Lagos from 1967 to 1969. She proceeded to Federal Government College Warri for her O’levels and Advanced levels from 1970-1976.

She obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree, Masters and a PHD in Biochemistry from the University of Ibadan from 1979 to 1985. She has won scholarships and prizes and has many publications to her credit. Married to Professor Adefolarin Malomo, a neurosurgeon and a priest in the Anglican Church, the marriage is blessed with four children.

HOME & DECOR

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

24 |

PEOPLE

Ekwugum… That People May Run Life’s Race Effectively

By Olawunmi Ojo ECENTLY, Jackson Ekwugum, R Publisher/Editor of LifeWay, Africa’s premier gospel magazine and Head Strategist at Jack Neilsen and Associates, a Brand Management Consulting firm, turned 50. The celebration was, however, a twin-event as he used the occasion to launch his book, The Race: Discovering and Following God’s Plan for Your Life, a book that teaches and equips Christians to understand the essence and purpose of the Christian life.

One with broad experience in journalism and media work spanning over 20 years, Ekwugum began his journalism career at The Guardian, Nigeria’s flagship newspaper, in 1988 from where he moved to Abuja Newsday as pioneer News Editor in 1989. He was also General Manager, Concepts and Images, an Advertising and PR firm (1991-1997). Before starting LifeWay in 2001, he was Corporate Affairs Manager, Equitorial Trust Bank.

An alumnus of the Institute of National Transformation, Lagos, Nigeria, Ekwugum has in the last two years, led Jack Neilsen to organised Effective Church Communication seminars designed to create awareness of the branding process, develop strategic thinking by those in leadership, and strengthen the media ministry of the church.

In his latest effort, The Race: Discovering and Following God’s Plan for Your Life, Ekwugum offers heavenly insights into the race of Christian life, what it takes to run, and how to overcome the inevitable setbacks to win the prize.

The Biblical examples and real-life illustrations in the book will help anyone to discover and prepare for each of the three stages of the

Christian race, know the seven tests every Christian must face and understand the sacredness of “secular” work. They would also help people to appreciate the importance of following God’s plan for one’s life, avoid the traps of the enemy and make life count for eternity.

“Whether you are called to serve in the business world or on the mission field, in an operating room or a classroom, The Race will equip you to complete the incredible journey set before you, fulfill your God-given destiny, and win the ultimate prize,” the author adds.

Ekwugum understands what many Christian leaders have missed—that you cannot become a true disciple of Jesus Christ just by sitting in a church once or twice a week, or by identifying yourself with a popular Christian movement. In both Nigeria and the United States we have churches full of people and crowds singing praise choruses. But this has not changed either nation. Sadly, our faith is a mile wide and an inch deep. We have painted a veneer of Christian faith on our culture, but it is pathetically thin. And more often than not, our commitment to Christ has been in word only, not in deed.

In The Race, Ekwugum calls for a radical change in the way believers are discipled today. He makes it clear that it is not how we start the race, but how we finish it that matters. Regardless of where you are in this race, or even if you are presently sitting on a bench by the track, he urges on the need to discover fresh inspiration to keep running.

Giving insights into why he wrote the book, he points outs

Ekwugum being assisted by his family to cut the birthday cake that many people come into the church for many reasons - some to get married, to get a child, to make money, while yet others see it as a place of escape from the troubles of the world. And while none of these things are in themselves wrong, he says the Christian life is far beyond above them. The book, he reveals, therefore seeks to make Christians understand that Christianity is a race.

“The Race makes a clear, Biblical dis-

tinction between the multitudes and disciples of Jesus Christ. When you read the characteristics of a disciple, you will be able to tell whether you are a disciple or just part of the multitude. Also, one of the most misunderstood teachings in the church is that of trials and temptations. The book makes a distinction between trials and temptations, and helps the reader to understand the nature, purpose, and dangers of trials. There is

something in the book for every Christian, whether they are just starting out in the Christian race, have been Christians for years or are even in leadership positions.

“After reading this book, readers will be able to understand and appreciate their calling and purpose in life, and help them to navigate their way through the issues of life in order to finish well, and finish strong. It is a book every Christian must read,” he says.

‘For Society To Work, Everyone Must Have Sense Of Responsibility’ Olakunle Soriyan runs a Total Life Management (TLM) and Nation Building, Training and Consulting Firm.

From being a failure at some points in his life, he now runs a firm that adds value to organisations, government agencies, religious houses and youth development organisations. A Philosopher, Soriyan also serves on the Board of various organizations. He spoke with OLUSHOLA VICTOR and BUKOLA APATA OR Olakunle Soriyan, his goal is to ensure Fof the that organisations and Africans rise to be one most purposeful and inventive entities by the year 2035. And he is seriously working on that. Through his company, Olakunle Soriyan Company, he does business for profit growth, works with the government to look at policy formulation and other issues, and works with Non Governmental Organisations to support their causes.

His firm is strictly research driven and works with home grown methodology. “We develop products like software, audio CD and we have an online publication. We have a philosophy that we believe in and which can help our people. We are called to Africa and we are working tenaciously from here,” he says of his activities.

Olakunle Soriyan Company has been teaching and organising seminars to impact on the society. The Principal Transformation Strategist, Soriyan handles over 100 talks yearly, travels locally and internationally to speak about options critical for businesses and how they can find those options and embrace them. Also, the company has run a “zero to hero” seminar on

almost all campuses in Nigeria, and won accolades, which he is so proud of.

Moving ahead, he explains that this is the time for them to amplify their message to get a multiplier effect. To achieve this, he is set to use radio platform as launchpad. “We have plans for television, YouTube where we could have videos for people to view and DSTV. But the radio programme is important to drive change; this is happening on Smooth FM 98.1 everyday. Smooth-Life with Olakunle Soriyan starts 7am to 7:15 am Monday till Friday; there is also a one hour phone-in live programme every Monday evening between 6:30pm and 7:30pm.”

In the search for solution to societal problems, Soriyan does not belong to the school of thought that people should look up to the government. For him, government did not create the society but the society created the government because it has been in existence before government.

The problem, he notes, is that in this part of the world, “people neglect their ‘Personal Social Responsibility.’ We have delegated that responsibility to government to manage for us and it can never work. Progress is a personal thing. This is why I have serious problem with people going to protest and carrying planks. Ask their leaders how many of them have succeeded by such acts.”

He admits that he respects the civil society a lot but “it is a great deception to deceive the masses.” In as much as the government needs to change, Nigerians should understand the need to change themselves too because it is only the person that is medically well that can donate blood.

“The cry of a poor man is so weak because power does not recognise any other thing except power. Cries everywhere do not change the economy but what is going to change the economy is for people to make the right investment of time, energy and mind,” Soriyan emphasises.

Soriyan In Nigeria also, he observes that friends, loved ones and associates are being killed because of misdirected anger. According to him, it is legitimate to get angry but anger from that direction is nuisance and it cannot lead to solution. He says the way forward is for all individuals to accept responsibilities for the peace and balance they so desire. And he thinks a serious campaign is needed to push that.

Over the last 50years, he points out that Nigerians as a people have invested a lot in luring government to see why she should take its responsibility but “have we ever invested in trying to make the people to understand they have

certain responsibilities?”

He laments that the environment cannot continue to determine our status and there must be something special about an individual regardless of the environment. “I am not saying that the government is right, I am saying that the pathway is not giving us the dividends of change. You will find somebody with three wives who has refused to take responsibilities and has terrible habits of drinking and visiting the clubs. Yet, such person would be pointing accusing fingers at the government that they are not responsible and his own children are crying at home.

TheGuardian

Saturday, May 18, 2013

25

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Weekend

CELEBRITY

By Shaibu Husseini AGGING Amayo Uzo Phillips is by no means an T easy task. The multi-award winning actor, producer, director and scriptwriter represents so many things to so many people. The Enugu-based director and producer of many credits and a 1984 graduate of Theatre Arts of the University of Jos was first known nationally for throwing up two of Nollywood’s best-known actors – Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme.

Amayo it was, who produced and directed Aki Nu Ukwa, the comedy flick that turned Ikedieze and Iheme, both recipients of the national honours of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR), into household names. It was their participation in that commercially successful comic movie that earned Ikedieze and Iheme the alias of Aki and Paw Paw. With Aki Nu Ukwa, Amayo became noted as one of Nigeria’s finest comedy directors, producers and scriptwriters. Members of his generation, particularly those who trained with him in Jos and who followed him as he let out impeccable portrayal on stage as an actor, know him as a dependable stage actor and director. But with the emergence of the Nollywood phenomenon, Amayo became the undisputed ‘King’ or ‘Igwe’ of movie making east of the Niger and one of the most respected producers and directors in Nollywood.

A devout Christian and father of five who clocked 55 last week, Amayo has always been in the arts.

His journey down this road started while he was in secondary school. The Weight of Life, the first script he penned shortly after he left secondary school in 1978, was produced to critical acclaim.

To prepare himself for career and life, Amayo enrolled to study Theatre Arts at the University of Jos. He graduated in 1984 and was sent to undergo the compulsory National Youth Service programme (NYSC) in Lagos, from where he helped to establish the NYSC drama group. Upon completion of the NYSC scheme, Amayo stayed on to practice theatre arts and even partnered at some point with the late Funsho Alabi and since then, he has not done anything outside theatre practice. “I don’t regret the decision I took to remain a theatre artiste. I have achieved a lot,” he said.

Humble and unpretentiously friendly, Amayo hit the right notes when he produced and directed the critically acclaimed two- part comic movie Aki Nu Ukwa. It was the success of that movie that announced him just as the movie turned the lead actors into instant celebrities.

What motivated the production of the movie that is recorded as one of the highest selling movies in Nollywood? He offers: “I just wanted to do something different and in my usual way, I wanted to throw up new talents in the area of acting. That is all I do now, really training and discovering talents and also helping the newly discovered talents to find their feet in the industry. Chinedu who played Aki was already with us in the industry for a while but there were no kiddies’ stories that time. So, he got frustrated and started following Lancelot Imaseun to do continuity but before then, the industry was more prone to doing rituals and blood money stories and I was not comfortable with that trend.

“Besides, the ritual and blood money clips were already giving Nigeria a bad name outside the country. So, when I returned, I resolved to do

Garlands for Amayo, Igwe of Nollywood at 55 something different. So I started writing comedy scripts but the marketers won’t touch them because of the fear that they won’t sell. Luckily, I met the boss of KASVID Productions who asked me to do a story on a problem child, something around the movie Home Alone. I took up the challenge and by the time the script was ready, the first person that came to mind was Chinedu Ikedieze who was then a student at the Institute of Management Technology (IMT). He had done a few things on screen that I saw and so I sent for him. I was later told that there was someone like Chinedu called Osita but he was based in Aba. So I sent for him too. It was on my set that they met for the very first time, became friends and today they are inseparable.

“We shot that movie in only two and half

days. After that, I went on to shoot another movie and while I was doing that, Aki Nu Ukwa came out and it blew like a storm. It was everywhere. That was how Chinedu and Osita shot to limelight. I am very happy for them because each success they record is my success. They eat with kings now and get red carpet reception wherever they go. When they were each given the MFR title, I was extremely delighted. I am happy to be a part of their story. Each time I remember them, I always remember that God is able to do all things, taking somebody of their nature from nothing to something. Those men are brand names now’’.

Director of Drummer Boy and director, writer, producer and actor of the epic movie The Python, Amayo is of the opinion that one of the things that have stifled Nollywood is the lack of professionalism in the industry. “There are a lot

of quacks in Nollywood,” he says. Amayo thinks that the industry needs ‘regulation’ if it must develop further. He said: “The truth is that the industry we have now is running on its own and it lacks proper regulation. We are hoping there will be sanity once we have a body like the Motion Picture Practitioners Council (MOPPICON) in place. We need such a structure to regulate practice as we have with advertising, the law profession and others. The guilds also have to be organized. But proper organization, I think, will come with MOPPICON”.

A stickler for professionalism whose interest is in discovering talents and nurturing them to stardom, Amayo, director of the movies, Wives, Zoza, Recharge Card, Bullet, Died to Save, Baby Police, Sacred Tradition, Good Mother, Lion Finger and the award winning flick Pastor’s Blood, is not happy that movies produced in Igbo language have suddenly disappeared from the radar. In the glory days of Nollywood, it was movies produced in Igbo language that sustained it.

Amayo however blames the dearth of Igbo language movies on some practitioners who as he said “got very lazy and started copying”.

He explained that there is an ongoing effort to reverse the trend. “I think the problem is that after sometime, we started to copy rather than being original. You run out of ideas when you are not original. But I started a movement in 2007 called Omenigbo and the idea was to revive and sustain Igbo language movies and I started shooting Igbo movies. That actually led to the shooting of the film Odum Na Akwa Eke which was a huge success. Then we also released Ikenna, which made waves. I am aware of several other efforts aimed at reviving movies in Igbo language. But we must be original to be able to get the audience to buy the movies”.

Director of critically acclaimed movies like Naked Wrestler, Cain and Abel, Toronto Connection, Chicken Madness and the Prof and Den-Gun, Amayo says he still has a long game to play in Nollywood and would keep playing the game as long as God spares him.

“There is no retirement in the game. You stay on until your body says ‘no, I cannot continue’. There are stories that have not been told that we still have to tell. So we will keep writing, acting, directing and producing. We have not even scratched the surface of the stories that we have in Nigeria, not to talk of stories that abound in Africa. I thank God for my life and I pray He grants me long life and keep me in good health to be able to do more exploits and to be able to train my children”.

A word for upcoming acts and Amayo offers: “I will advice them to be themselves and to come into the profession with an open mind. They must also not be desperate to make it. It is the desperation to make it at all cost that destroys. It is not a do or die affair. If you are good, you will definitely be discovered. Even if it looks as though it won’t happen, one day, God will use someone to discover you some day. I believe that if you persevere and don’t fall into the sex-for-role trap, your time will definitely come. People who offer sex for roles, are never taken seri-

Celebritygist…

Kunle Afolayan In Japan With Figurine, Phone Swap WARD-winning actor and movie A director, Kunle Afolayan, is making another groundbreaking entry into the Asian movie market as he takes his recent works, Figurine and Phone Swap to Tokyo, Japan.

His foray into Tokyo is at the invitation of Cinema Africa, a non-profit organization established in 2006 to develop understanding and appreciation of Africa in Japan through African films made by African filmmakers or producers.

The film festival billed to take place between May 18 and 23,

would screen Phone Swap on May 17 and Figurine May 18 at the Auditorium Shibuya, Tokyo. In recognition of his immense contributions and recognition of his works, Afolayan will be hosted to a dinner at the Nigerian High Commission in Tokyo.

The organizers of the festival aimed at introducing African films by African directors, producers, for cultural exchange between Africa and Japan, have also lined up a chain of activities for Afolayan and these include a short talk on his perspectives on Nigerian film and a series of back

to back interviews with major newspapers and the nation’s television stations.

In his reaction to the development, Afolayan said: “It is no doubt another opportunity to showcase and promote African cinemas to the Asian world. It will also afford many people to have a direct experience of cinemas in Africa, made by Africans, understand our stories as told by us.

Africa and Africans can no longer allow their stories to be told from Hollywood’s perspectives or other’s eyes. I hope the African and Nigerian

communities in Japan would seize this opportunity to enjoy quality film and let’s celebrate a new beginning in African cinema.”

Afolayan thanked the Presidency and the Lagos State Government for providing the necessary logistic support for his participation at the festival. He is also billed to leave Tokyo for Paris to attend the Nollywood Festival in Paris where Phone Swap would also be screened. The Cinema Africa holds May 18-23 and is supported by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18 2013

FITNESS With Oyinkan Talabi (Bodyworks)

Make Time To Work-Out KNOW trying to strike a balance between life work and Imuch working out can seem daunting sometimes. There is so to consider, like, when do I workout? When is the best time to work out—in the morning before work, or in the evening after work?

The thought of getting up even earlier in the morning, to jog/ walk especially when it is still dark out there does not really appeal, and after work, you are likely to be tired from the stress of the day and you have your family to connect with. Besides, you don’t really know how to go about it; you’ve tried it

before and couldn’t keep up.

These are concerns, but are they enough? Let’s start with time. It is the most frequent excuse. Lack of time or when is the best time to work out? Morning? Afternoon? After work?

Well, it all depends on the individual. I for one don’t have a particular workout time—sometimes I workout in the morning, sometimes in the evening; it all depends on my schedule and my mood (we all know how PMS can be).

Like every other important thing, you have to make the time to work out. If you are a morning person, then do your workouts in the morning; it might mean waking up a few minutes earlier but you will get used to it after a couple of times. What can you do? Go for a jog or a brisk walk. This might not sound like a safe option, however. A lady I know, Eniola who had this problem, decided to organize a walk group with a couple of her neighbors and friends that live nearby. They have enjoyed safety in numbers and extra motivation for over three years now. Why not try her strategy?

You don’t even have to leave your compound to work out. Do you have a compound or a flight of stairs? Well that’s all you need, walk/jog/run around your compound, up and down your flight of stairs (this is actually how I started working out myself; I must add that good music helps too!). You can also join a gym and

work out on your way to work in the morning. If you are not the outdoorsy type, why not invest in a couple of aerobic DVDs’ and workout in your house or get a personal trainer (you can also do this as a group). My favorite is the skipping rope. You’ll get a fantastic cross training workout (this is quite high impact so get an all clear from your doctor if in doubt).

Working out at home after work I agree can be tricky—you can’t always determine how the day will go. However, you can workout before you get home. Join a gym near either your home or office. You can also go for a walk around the office while you wait out the traffic before setting off for home.

If you have to go home immediately after work, change into your workout clothes complete with trainers. My housemate funmi used to do this and found that she was able to snatch 5 mintues here and there in between her chores. The same options of working out in the morning can apply: walk around your compound or up and down your stairs, dance to your favorite music and have your kids join in (put some of their energy to good use) or get a personal trainer to come round the house (they are not as expensive as you think).

In all of this, you need to start slow if you haven’t worked out in the last two months. 10 minutes twice a week should do; build up to 20 minutes upwards.

Let me know how you get on.

Remember, love your body…and it will love you right back!

WELLNESS & BEAUTY

By Victoria Ekanem Fatty & Fluid Tissue HE fluid or fatty tissue that naturally collects under and around the eyes may become more prominent. This could be a hereditary problem or may occur as you grow older.

Whatever the reason, this fluid or tissue build up can result in the appearance of dark circles under the eyes.

Sleeping with your head slightly raised may help to reduce the build up of fluids and fatty tissues under your eyes. Salty foods can cause the area around the eyes to retain fluid, so try member to mention the dark circles as one of to cut down your salt intake. your symptoms.

T

Ill Health Chronic illness — especially the kidney or stomach complaints as well as thyroid problems — can cause darkening of the skin around the eyes. This may be a common symptom or may simply be a result of your body’s weakened state due to the condition.

Even minor ailments, such as the flu, can leave you with dark circles under the eyes.

Whether chronic or minor, if ill health is the cause of your dark circles, treating and curing the illness should rid you of the dark circles.

Seek medical advice for the condition and re-

Causes Of Dark Circles Under The Eyes (3)

Kidney Or Stomach Dark circles under the eyes can be indicative of kidney or stomach complaints. This may be because of serious health issues — notably problems with your adrenal glands — that should be treated by a physician but they can be for less drastic reasons. Skipping meals, drinking too much caffeine and even having fruit juice or fruits with meals may be the culprit.

If you have other symptoms of kidney problems (burning during urination, lower back pain, etc) you should seek medical advice im-

mediately. Also if you are experiencing severe stomach problems.

If you do not appear to be suffering from any serious condition but you do drink a great deal of caffeine or fruit juice, try to reduce your intake. You should eat regularly and ensure that your diet is balanced and rich in vi-

tamins and minerals.

Menstruation Many women find that they develop dark circles under their eyes during their periods. This is due to lack of iron, which is lost during menstruation.

Taking iron supplements during your period should help to reduce the dark circles.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

HOME&DECOR

Lift With Furnishing During The Rains

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya

During rainy season, your upholstery work may get fungal attack due to moisHE rains are here again, and it is welcome devel- ture and humidity. To avoid this, during opment after the dry and hot spell. But it does warm and sunny days, open your winnot have to be cold and gloomy indoors just bedows to allow maximum sunlight and air cause it is the rainy season. Your furnishing can still inside. If possible you can sun them outbe maintained to give your home the beautiful look side. that you always crave for.

Rearrange your furniture to create alterA great deal of materials used in homes at this pe- native seating or play space for your kids riod come under the weather and need to be prosince they are not going to be able to play tected to retain their beauty. outside most of the times.

Flooring materials such as rugs, carpets, tiles and Bringing out your colourful throw pilwood laminate floors unarguably are the most lows will add spark to the room and cheer bashed at this period, given that they come in con- you up. tact with wet feet. Protect their shine by investing This is the time to make use of the lamp that you have been using in mops and cleaning agents because cleaning will as a decorative piece in your home by switching it on to create a be more frequent at this period. Getting a hardspecial atmosphere. wearing natural fibre entrance mat will absorb the Colourful lined curtains lift your room and protect you and the wetness and can be easily aired every now and then. family from cold.

T

Decorating With Dried Flowers T is not just the right selection of furniture, Iriorfloor covering or curtains that make an intespace look beautiful. You can improve the look of a space significantly by using very nice decorations like paintings, decorative bowls or simply a vase of fresh flowers.

A room may be cast in a better, livelier and joyous atmosphere with placement of fresh flowers. But it is not every time that fresh flowers will be available, so you can do some other trick to use flowers – by just using dried ones.

Dried flowers allow for once beautiful blooms to be preserved for posterity. If taken care of properly, dried flowers can last a long time.

Dried flower arrangement can be a thing of enormous beauty worthy of showing off to guests who enter home or merely to have around as cherished keepsake.

Decorating with dried flowers need not be difficult. There are many ways to use them in your

home decor or merely to have around as cherished keepsake.

Decorating with dried flowers need not be difficult.

There are many ways to use them in your home dĂŠcor.

There are many specialised shops that sell decorating arrangements where choices can be made.

Some tips will be useful in this regard. Display the dried flowers in a bowl in your china cabinet or in wicker basket, clay or plastic container. Like in all aspects of decoration, think of harmony in choice of colours. Use flower colours that complement the colours of the china in your collection. Tie a ribbon around the bowl that matches the china and the flowers.

Place on an appropriate place like a shelf to show off any pretty floral arrangement. Make sure that the flowers are far enough away from any fire source.

THE GUARDIAn, Saturday, May 18, 2013

28

RELATIOnSHIP

You Can Give Him An UltimaBy Alita Joseph HEn you have gone out for several years and W your guy refuses to propose marriage, give him an ultimatum. Declare that if he does not value your love enough to make it permanent you are calling it quits. Look at it this way; what is the point of staying together for five or six years without the marriage vows. If you have spent such long a time in a relationship, you have done so much together you should not fear to live together until forever after.

Make demands, ask for that engagement ring, tell him that the altar beckons and you want him by your side at all times.

Yes, these five years have been wonderful with him, but you feel that it would even be more enchanting if you wear that wedding gown and with him in his cute suit, looking so desirable. Give him a time frame, suggest that if the wedding photographs are not up on your walls by October 2013, that you will be miserable. Prod him, if you keep quiet, he will assume that you are comfortable with the slow pace.

Many men like relationships that have no strings attached. And as in any long-term relationship, you are already doing things that a wife does —- cooking, cleaning etc. And if you do not hint that you want a marriage, he would assume that you too desire a situation where you could wake up one day and end everything because you have become bored. But a man who could spend such a long time with you may have permanency in mind and could surprise you by announcing it to another woman.

My male friend lived with a woman for four years.

Their second year together, she gave birth to a baby boy. She assumed that living together assured his commitment to her. At the boy’s second birthday, he married another woman in a big wedding. His ex-

planation was that the mother of his first child did not appear interested in marrying him so he never asked her. Although a pregnancy may open the eyes of some men to the good qualities of their girl friends and inspire them to wed, it does not work with some.

If you know that you want to spend you life with him and you are sure that he feels the same way about you, give him an ultimatum that you want to get married soon. Make sure not to sound threatening. Handing out an ultimatum is not the issue, but how you do it. You are not giving him an order but asking him to share the rest of his life with you.

Tell him for example that you have enjoyed happy and challenging times together and you know now that that the two of you can conquer this world together, side by side. But in asking him to share his life, you are also offering yours. You are therefore not pleading. Just know how to present your case.

Know the Right Time You cannot be giving a man a marching order when your relationship is only six months. If you have met only four months ago, you cannot ask him to choose to marry or lose you. But that does not mean that two people who have known each other for only six months do not marry and live happily together. But the couple who take this giant step may know at first sight that they want to live together forever. So they do not need to issue deadlines.

But one year on, you can know, certainly that you go a long way together. You do not have to wait for seven or 10 years.

When you make that demand, tell him what you want--marriage. Do not speak in tongue by dropping hints, he would not understand. If you use words like “Eh the other day, my mother asked me

when we are getting married… If you take that line, his answer will likely be ‘what is her business?’

Start by saying good things, “I have enjoyed this period of knowing you, but I want us to make a progress.”

Having said your mind, give him time to think over what you said. Do not mention it again for some time. Look for ways to make your relationship better.

If he thinks over your words, his reply will decide what happens next – whether

he wants to marry you or not. Some men are blunt to the point of brutality. My friend who married another woman told the mother of his child that he never thought of marriage to her and felt trapped with her pregnancy.

So he may tell you that all he wanted was a good time and thought that you felt the same way. This means that he does not want marriage to you, now and in the foreseeable future. He may also say that he is not ready to get married yet. Therefore the decision to hang around until he is ready

When Dating An Emotionally Bankrupt Man…

By Kemi Amushan CERTAIN somebody inspired me to write about this. I love him very much and I hurt to see him feel the way he feels. You may learn more, do more, see more, but you’ll never be any more perfect than you are right this moment. You know who you are, open your heart.”

Most times it’s hard to make a man commit to a serious relationship. And that’s because most men are emotionally unavailable. So my question is ‘How can you make a man commit’? If he loves you, but he doesn’t want to get married, then you simply need to connect to him in a deeper way. It’s that simple.

So are you the victim of an emotionally unavailable man? Today, more and more men don’t want marriage. Instead, they prefer a “cohabiting” setup, where they basically settle down with a woman, have kids, and basically do everything a married couple does but without the marriage,

“A

and without the legal responsibilities. Of course, that poses a problem for us women! We don’t get any marriage benefits, and we don’t have any peace of mind. If he decides to leave, we can’t stop him, and there’s nothing we can do.

So why do some men avoid marriage? How can you make a guy who’s not interested in marriage change his mind? Here’s the bad news: When it comes to making a man love you...

(1) You can’t convince him.

(2) You can’t force him.

(3) You can’t blackmail him.

So if you tried using logic, force, or fear to make him love you, then you made a very bad move!

But here’s the good news. While you can’t convince, force, or blackmail a man to love you, you can motivate him to love you. And that’s the great thing about us being women, we’re great motivators by nature! But here’s the catch: You

have to learn how to use this special “motivating” skill. (Most women never do, and end up in miserable relationships for the rest of their lives. Don’t you make that mistake!)

Here are three ways to motivate an emotionally unavailable man to transform himself and start loving you too: See If He has A Wounded Soul Let’s quickly answer this quiz! When a man can have sex with you, but doesn’t want to get married, it means he’s a hopeless player. True or false? The answer is false. Sure, virtually all players love having sex with multiple women, but won’t commit to any one for fear of losing their freedom. But what about a guy who loves only you and no other woman but still doesn’t want to get married? That’s no player, that’s a “wounded soul”. I define “wounded souls” as people who have gone through some trauma in the past, and this is making them avoid taking certain decisions in life, such as getting married.

For instance, a man who got cheated on by a woman he loved may not want to get too involved with another woman. Or a man who lost his wife to an accident may not want to get married again. You get the idea. Here’s my message: Don’t be so quick to judge! Don’t call a man a player, and don’t treat him like one, until you’ve found out the reason behind his reluctance to commit. So how can you know what his “past trauma” is? Try and find out from him.

Go way back, his background, growing up days. Try and find out if he had a great childhood or not; if his parents were separated at some point or one of the parents died when he was young and was boxed with the responsibility of becoming the head of the house at a very young age. Or maybe he was sexually abused when he was young. It could be a million and one things, but make sure you get to

the root of the matter if you truly love him.

Make Him Give Affection Freely Let me say that again -- you can’t force a man to fall in love with you. He has to fall in love with you all by himself!

In other words, a man should be willing to give you his love and affection freely before he can even begin to think about marrying you. Think about it. If you were at a point in your life when you didn’t have the time, money, or energy to handle a relationship and a man tried to force you to love him, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t! So if a man isn’t ready, why force him? He has to be ready first!

How do you make a man feel more “ready” to love and commit to you?

That’s the best part: Make Him Lower His Defences If you want a man to start seeing you as a lover and not just a bed friend, then you have to lower his defences.

As I mentioned before, he just might be a wounded soul. He may have some unresolved issues in the past keeping him from spending his future with you. What are those issues?

What does he need to get over those issues? And how can you help? That’s the main challenge of dating an emotionally unavailable man! In the beginning, he may not want to tell you about his past. He may not trust you 100% just yet. And it’s easy to take that personally. Worse, if you nag him about it, or criticize him for not trusting you, then he just might withdraw entirely and when he does, there’s nothing you can do to get him back.

Don’t make that mistake!

It’s a gradual process ladies, make him trust you gradually and completely. To the best relationships we all deserve, good luck in love and life.

Cheers.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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With Sereba Agiobu-Kemmer

sereba.agiobu.kemmer@ngrguardiannews.com

GARDENING

Tickle Me Plant Mimosa Pudica HE plant, Mimosa pudica goes by many T common names like: “sensitive plant,” “touch me not plant,” “sleepy head,” “I died, I Lived” “Shy plant” “false death” humble plant.

Few can resist touching the compound leaves of Mimosa pudica and watching them fold up in response. The plant is popular in cultivation around the world, it is enjoyed by many for its curiosity value. Its touch-sensitive leaves create interest among adults and children alike, helping to inspire interest in plant life generally.

Mimosa pudica (from latin: “Pudica” shy, bashful or shrinking to contact). The generic name “Mimosa” is derived from Greek mimos (meaning mimic) in reference to the fact that the leaves move in response to something moving against

Acacia dealbata (Mimosaceae)

Mimosa Verrucosa

Fruit of Mimosa Pudica

them.

Mimosa is a genus of about 400 species of herbs and shrubs, in the sub family Mimosoideae of the legume family Fabaceae. There are two species in the genus that are notable. Mimosa pudica, which is widely cultivated for its curiosity value, both as a house plant in temperate areas and outdoors in the tropics. The other species in the genus is Mimosa tenuiflora which is best known for its use in shamanic ayahuasca brews due to the psychedelic drug, dimethyltryptamine, found in its root bark.

Description Members of this genus are among the few plants capable of rapid movement; examples outside of Mimosa include the “telegraph plant” and the “venus fly trap.”

The leaves of the plant close quickly when touched. Some Mimosa raise their leaves in day, time and lower them at night. Mimosa pudica is well known for its rapid movement. Like a number of other plant species, it undergoes changes in leave orientation termed “sleep” or nyctinastic movement.

The foliage closes during darkness and reopens in light.

The leaves also close under various stimuli, such as touching, warming, blowing, or shaking. These type of movements have been termed seismonastic movements. The movement occurs when specific regions of cells lose turgor pressure, which is the force that is applied onto the cell wall by water within the cell vacuoles and other cell contents. When the plant is disturbed, specific regions on the stems are stimulated to release chemicals, including potassium ions, which force water out of the cell vacuoles and the water diffuses out of the cells, producing a loss of cell pressure and cell collapse, the deferential turgidity between different regions of cells result in the closing of the leaflets and the collapse of the leaf petiole.

This characteristic is quite common within the Mimosoideae subfamily of the legume family, Fabaceae.

The stimulus can also be transmitted to neighbouring leaves. It is not known exactly why Mimosa pudica evolved this trait, but many scientists think that the plant uses its ability to shrink as a defense from predators. Animals may be afraid of a fast moving plant and would rather eat a less active one. Another possible explanation is that the sudden movement dislodges harmful insects. It may also be response against leaching loss of nutrients, or desiccation.

It is not the only member of the legume plant family (leguminosae) to move in response to stimuli, more species of mimosa show sensitivity to touch. Other legumes, for example some members of the genera are Neptunia, Acacia, Albizia, and Samanea, respond to a lesser degree by showing sleep movement (nyctinasty) in their natural habitats.

This involves the closing of the leaves a few hours before dusk, and re opening of the leaves a few hours before dawn. It is thought that, these sleep movements aid water conservation as well as defence against herbivory.

Mimosa pudica is native to South America and Central America, but is now pantropi-

Mimosa “silk tree”

cal in distribution.

The stem is erect in young plants, but becomes creeping or trailing with age. It can hang very low and become floppy.

The stem is slender, branching, and sparsely to densely prickly, growing to a length of 1.5m (5ft). The leaves of Mimosa pudica are compound leaves. The leaves are bipinnately compound, with one or two pinnae pairs, and 10-26 leaflets per pinna. The petioles are also prickly.

Pedunculate (stalked) pale pink or purple flowerheads arise from the leaf axils with more and more flowers as the plant gets older. The globose to ovoid heads are 8-10mm in diameter (excluding the stamens). On close examination, it is seen that the floret petals are red in their upper part and the filaments are pink to lavender. The fruits consists of clusters of 2-8 pods from 1-2 cm long each, these prickly on the margins. The pods break into 2-5 segments and contain pale brown seeds some 2.5mm long.

The flowers are pollinated by the wind and insects. The seeds have hard coats which restrict germination.

In India, leaf-sap is applied for sinus disorders, and rubbed onto sores and piles.

Chemical Constituents Mimosa Pudica contains the toxic alkaloid, mimosine, which has been found to also have antiproliferative and apoptotic effects. The extracts of Mimosa pudica immobilize the filariform larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis in less than one hour. Aquevus extracs of the roots of the plant have shown significant neutralizing effects in the lethality of the venom of the monocled cobra (Naja Kaouthia). It appears to inhibit the myotoxicity and enzyme activity of cobra venom. Extracts of the plant have been shown in scientific trials to be a moderate diuretic, antidepressant, promote regeneration of nerves, reduce menorrhagia, and the roots extracts to be a strong emetic.

Ecology Mimosa pudica plant grows on most well-drained soils, even scalped or eroded subsoils and soils with low nutrient concentrations. It requires disturbed soils to establish itself. Repeated burning may encourage its spread in pastures. It is shade-intolerant and does not compete with tall vegetation or grow under forest canopies.

Agricultural Impact The species can be a troublesome weed to tropical crops, particularly when fields are hand-cultivated as it has prickles along its stems. Crops it tends to affect are corn, coconuts, tomatoes, coffee, bananas, soybeans, papaya, upland rice, sugar cane, rubber.

It can be controlled by a number of commercial broad leaf herbicides: on the other hand, it is tolerated or valued as a forage plant in pastures.

Mimosa pudica can form root nodules that are habitable by nitrogen-fixing bacteria able to convert atmospheric nitrogen, which plants can not use, into a form that plants can use. This trait is common among plants in the Fabaceae family.

Mimosa boreal

Propagation is generally by seed.

The seed is scarified (scratched) and soaked in water overnight. The seed germinates easily and it is possible to see the beginning of root growth by the next day. legumes).

Medicinal Uses Mimosa has been used widely in traditional medicine. Pulped leaves are used in India on glandular swellings and in the Republic of the Congo (Congo Brazaville) the entire plant is pulped and rubbed onto people suffering pains in the body sides and kidney. In Senegal, the leaves are used for lumbago and nephritis. All parts of the plant have been used to combat grandular tumours and uterine cancer.

Mimosa arenosa

Mimosa Laxiflora

Mimosa Leaves before a touch and with folded-in leaves immediately after a touch

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DIARY

Nigeria’s First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan (second left) being decorated by the wife of the Deputy Senate President, Mrs. Nwanneka Ekweremadu with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) scarf while ITU Director, BDT, Brahima Sanou and the Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons and Impact West Africa Regional Representative, Mr. Tim Akano watch during the presentation of letter appointing the Nigerian Fist Lady as Global Champion, Child Online Protection by UN-ITU-IMPACT in the State House, Abuja, recently.

Assistant Director, Safety Skill Development, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Adeyinka Adebiyi (left); President Of Interior Designer Association Of Nigeria (IDAN), Mr. Anslem Tabansi; Secretary General Of IDAN, Ms Titi Ogufere and Head Research and Development, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr. Taiwo Akinoso, at the Safety First Seminar Organised By IDAN in Lagos…recently

(R-L): Parents of a recipient of Chrisland Educational Organisation’s Scholarship, Mr. and Mrs. Owobu with their little daughter, Omongidale Owobu and the Managing Director of Chrisland School, Mrs. Ibironke during the presentation of the scholarship certificate in Lagos recently

Alhaja (Chief) Mrs. Temitope Asabi Adesina, (second right), being supported by her husband, Babaloja of Yewaland, Chief Adewale Adesina and the children during her 40th birthday celebration in Abeokuta…recently

Former Miss Damilola Sowale and Mr. Olayemi Abifarin after their wedding ceremony at the new Estate Baptist church in Lagos…recently

(R-L) Mrs. Iyabo Akinniyi, Mrs.Rashidat Afolabi, Hakeem Atiku (middle) Mrs. Adijat Odunsi and Mrs. Iyabo Mutairu at the 10 years remembrance of their mother, Madam Ramota Yusuff in Lagos… recently

Mr. Innocent Udo Tom and former Miss Patience Moses Peter after their wedding ceremony at the Assemblies of God’s church in Ogun State…recently

Dr Olutope Savage and his wife, Barrister, Miss Tolulope Onasanya after their wedding ceremony at St Philip’s Anglican Church, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State…last Saturday

Mr Adeyemi Oyekanmi and former Miss Rebecca Settle during their wedding at Akure South Local Government, Akure, Ondo State… recently

Mr. and Mrs. Adeolu Oluwaseun Adediran Oyin-Adejobi shortly after signing the dotted lines recently at Ado-Ekiti Local Council Registry, Igirigiri Road, Odo-Ado, Ado-Ekiti

Favour Ihuoma Chineme and her mother during her 9th year birthday in Lagos…recently

TheGuardian

Saturday, may 18, 2013 | 35

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Entertainment

Sony Neme nemesony@yahoo.co.uk 08111813096

Celebrities Celebrate Fred Amata At 50 Today HE gathering of ex-Super Eagles Twood stars who filed out against Nollycelebrities on wednesday at the Campus Square, Lagos Island, is an apparent indication that Fred Amata’s 50th birthday today will be a grand event.

It was a battle of the stars as Aki and Pawpaw, okey Bakassi, Basorge Tariah Jnr, Frank Edoho and host of other entertainers tackled ex-football stars such Jayjay okocha, Samson Siasia, mutiu Adepoju, Emma okocha, Victor Ikpeba, Peter rufai and a host of other notable footballers. Coaches Shuaibu Amodu and Joe Erico were technical advisers to the entertainers and footballers respectively. mor okonkwo, a soul music performer, rendered the national anthem before the eventual kick off.

The white Tie birthday celebration which will climax today at The Shell Hall, mUSoN Centre onikan, Lagos, has revealed that the goodwill that the leader of second generation of the Amata dynasty enjoys is no fluke.

Top on the bill of expected dignitaries are Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan and his Lagos State counterpart, Babatunde Fashola; movie people, sportsmen and others too numerous for mention.

After three decades in the theatre industry, Fred Amata will today host the cream of the society to a star-studded 50th birthday. The Theatre Arts graduate’s birthday is clearly a celebration of talent and passion that have driven his career and attitude to life basically.

After an entertaining soccer event on wednesday, he will be on stage to perform a short story with notable names in the industry in a theatre performance of excerpts from Fred Agbeyegbe‘s stage play The King Must Dance Naked.

Those expected to join Fred on stage are Nobert Young, Kate Henshaw, Segun Arinze, Keppy Ekpeyoung Bassey, Bimbo manuel, Bimbo Akintola and chidi mokeme among others.

From Saturday, may 4 when City People magazine set the ball rolling, it has been an outpouring of goodwill messages for the actor whose passion for football dates back to his school days. Interestingly, today has also been set aside as a ‘Night of Tributes for Fred’.

A peep at the events lined up for today reveals that Black Carpet reception will precede other events at exactly 5pm. The celebration will be concluded with an allstar visit to the less privileged to donate gifts.

Doyle

Doyle Assures On COSON In The Church … Panam Percy Paul, Obey, Rosemary Chukwu, Asu Ikiye, Dizzy K Falola Confirmed omorrow is the beginning of the seven days of spectacle T that CoSoN has promised Nigerian. The activities will start with a church service with a difference at the exquisite auditorium of the Household of God Church, oregun, Lagos where the big events are expected to leave guests with memories of a lifetime.

Patrick Doyle who with his lovely wife, Ireti Doyle will compere COSON in the Church, has assured Nigerians of a good outing as the first of the mega events of the much talked about CoSoN week unfolds tomorrow.

The ace broadcaster and actor who spoke during a working meeting on monday, may 13 at the CoSoN headquarters in opebi, Lagos, said: “COSON in the Church is an event of its kind never experienced before as anyone who steps in to the Household of God auditorium will be happy indeed.” He also revealed that arrangements have been concluded with several partner stations to beam the event live to the world.

NTA Network will be the host station.

The event, he further explained, will feature Nigeria’s best gospel acts such as Panam Percy Paul, Evangelist Ebenezer obey, Buchi, Bouqui, rosemary Chukwu, Princess Anne Inyang, Asu Ikiye, Dizzy K Falola.

“There will also be several of the nation’s best ministers of the gospel who will be offering prayers and invocation to the almighty for the Nigerian nation. An elaborate red carpet ceremony will take place before the main event as Nigeria’s most famous people in music, movies, government, diplomacy and business are expected to grace the red carpet. “our immense gratitude goes to the Pastor of Household of God Church, Pastor Chris okotie and Evangelist Ebenezer obey, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the CoSoN music Foundation, for their efforts in making COSON in the Church one of the most expected events in history of the nation. meanwhile, I can assure everyone that Ireti and I are ready to give everyone a fabulous time,” Doyle enthused.

ThE GUArDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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ENTErTAINMENT Stories by Sony Neme

Twins Qualify As Glo X Factor Auditions In Accra hE beat goes on as the world’s biggest T singing TV reality show, X Factor, brought to Africa for the first time by Glo, continued in Accra, Ghana last Saturday at the Alisa hotel. According to the organizers: “Attendance exceeded expectation with over 1,000 contestants turning up for the audition, giving organizers a hectic time gleaning out the gold amongst the pool of talents available. A major point on the first day was the emergence of female twins, Lamberta and Lambertina hansen who, after qualifying for the next stage, said they to battle DNA Twins from Nigeria for the $150,000 prize money.

The duo who graduated from Accra Polytechnic and who sing with the stage name Latino, reportedly said: “We are grateful to have sailed through the first day. We are very happy now because we are a step nearer the prize money. We hear there is a set of twin guys who also made it through the Abuja auditions in Nigeria. We are female twins from Ghana and with our parents and entire family and the whole of Ghana behind us, we wish to send the Nigerians a message that they have a fight on their hands. We will

Lamberta and Lambertina Hansen

NGO Denies Knowledge Of Goldie’s Donation To Charity hE last may not have T been heard about Susan harvey, popularly

is past) would be donated to Project Alert. We have also been approached by jourknown as Goldie, who nalists asking the same died earlier this year. questions and we have had In a news release made to tell the, that we have not available by Project Alert been formally informed by on Violence Against Goldie’s family and know Women, the group denothing about the sales of clared that, “it has in the her property and donation last few weeks read reof proceeds to Project Alert.” ports on various social The unsigned release media that the proceeds added: “For the records, of late Susan harvey’s Goldie was a Project Alert (Goldie) property to be Ambassador who strongly auctioned on May 1 (which believed in our vision and

mission. On several occasions, she had embarked on speaking engagements advocating for zero tolerance for all forms of violence against women, and supported Project Alert in many ways. Very outstanding was her active participation in the 10th Anniversary Shelter Fund raising Event in May 2009.” it however, concluded that, “We will always remember her with fond memories, and pray that God Almighty comforts her husband, parents and siblings. May her kind and gentle soul rest in peace amen.

A Galland For iroko TV Boss

By Ibukunoluwa Kayode hE Chief Executive Officer and coT founder of iroko TV Jason Njoku, voted as one of Forbes ‘Ten Young African Millionaires to watch,’ and thought to be the world’s largest distributor of African movies and Nollywood movies online with over one million unique visits each month, was recently confirmed as an official Growth Ambassador for the Alternative Securities Market (ASeM), a specialized board for listing small and mid-sized companies with high growth potential part on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

Njoku has over the years promoted Nollywood movies streamed online for free with a track record in building a successful global Nigerian tech company and promoting best busines practice. At only 32-yearsold, he is the youngest member of the Growth Ambassador programme for the ASeM and will be working with advisors to look at how Nigeria’s young, budding entrepreneurs, notably in the technology and Internet sphere, can access funding and mentorship from business veterans and investors.

On joining the ASeM Growth Ambassador programme, he said: “It is a huge honour to be recognized by the Nigerian Stock Exchange for my work within Nigeria’s business and technology sector and I look forward to starting an immediate dialogue on how we can collectively encourage and support the young Nigerian entrepreneurs of the future.

Jason “I believe there are a lot of very smart young men and women out there who have awesome ideas and are desperate to start their own companies, but too many fall at the first hurdle because they cannot access funding or navigate the bureaucracy of starting a business here. For me this is a challenge to foster the spirit of entrepreneurship in Nigeria’s SME market in the coming months and years for both the ASeM and myself which will be extremely interesting”.

Njoku was also joined by dignitaries from the Nigerian Stock Exchange, the CEO, Oscar Onyema and other representatives of the Nigerian government, organizations and business entrepreneurs alongside the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Omatek Ventures Plc, Mrs. Florence Seriki as an official ASeM Growth Ambassador.

give them a good run for their money.

“We know this is our time and our God will never fail us. Glo is just superb. The way the officials are even talking to us makes us feel we have already won the money. This is really a good experience”. reports from Accra reveal that events on the first day of the Accra selection were interesting as participants came from all walks of life. Among those who made it worthwhile was co-host of ‘This Morning’, (Viasat 1 weekday’s morning show), Kokui Selormey. Unfortunately, she could not progress to the final stage. however, she was very excited at the opportunity and prayed that Glo would continue this offer of a lifetime in order to bring up more superstars.

Our source at the event revealed: “The hotel auditorium was filled with excitement as participants thrilled the audience in Africa’s first X Factor selection process.

The oldest participant of the day was 54year-old robert Adinyira, and there was also 53-year-old Jonathan Seshie who sang with the group, Crosscrown.”

On their experience, Crosscrown said: “We have been singing together since we completed Form Five in 1976 at Denu, a

suburb of ho in the Volta region. This is the best opportunity that has ever come our way.

That is why we travelled all the way here to participate.” reports have it that over 360 passionate youths had queued up at the west wing of the hotel by 6 a.m. where the selection was billed to take place. Most of them were above 17 years old. The young and old took turns in solo and group performances to snatch a spot in the next stage of X Factor.

“Participants generally went through three stages and will be facing a final phase of screening at the National Theatre next Tuesday and Wednesday. All singers were given the opportunity to perform their own genre of music, and each was allotted a maximum of two minutes to exhibit their best,” the report further hinted.

It also revealed that teeming youths from the various parts of the region were joined by others who had come from the Eastern and Volta regions, hoping for an opportunity to kickstart their musical career. Each of the groups or soloist who pulled through the preliminary selection stages will be mentored by a judge towards the $150,000 cash prize, plus a recording contract with Sony music. Accra was the second venue of selection in Ghana after Kumasi.

American Empowerment Award For Obioma Imoke IFE of the Cross river State Governor, Obioma W Liyel-Imoke, will yet again receive another award for her immense contributions to community development. This special award – The Obioma Liyel-Imoke Award for Community Empowerment – will be presented during the Miss Africa USA Pageant at Fillmore, Silver Spring, Maryland United States in June. She will also be one of the Chair Ladies of the occasion.

This was contained in a release made available to the The Guardian, by Enuma Chigbo, a media consultant.

Kate Njeuma, founder Miss Africa USA pageant in a letter addressed to Mrs Imoke’s office, said: “It will be an honour to have her Excellency as one of our Chair Ladies. We are very proud of her work in Cross river State and we know that behind every successful man, is a strong and dynamic woman. Our goal is to inspire our young women so that they too can aspire to achieve great success like these people.”

Miss Africa USA Pageant has come to be known as the biggest pageant which celebrates African women in the US. It is one of the most highly anticipated yearly community events. It enables African young women in the US to beam the spotlight on Africa.

According to Njeuma, there will be other women of very high esteem at the event which will include celebrities from hollywood, White house staff and female African ambassadors.

Sophie Dijeh, the Carnival Calabar Queen is expected to be on Mrs Imoke’s entourage at the event.

“It would be very honourable for us to be given the opportunity to host the Carnival Queen as well. We will give her the opportunity to talk about tourism

Obioma Imoke in Cross river State and her position as Queen,” Njeuma added.

The Carnival Calabar Queen Pageant, an initiative of the wife of the Cross river State governor, was launched in December 2007.

The lucky queen doubles as the face of tourism in Cross river State as well as Mothers Against Child Abandonment (MACA), another initiative of the wife of the governor. In her duty as the face of MACA, the queen is a role model to teenagers, preaching abstinence and the dangers of pre- marital sex which leads to unwanted pregnancies and other societal ills.

Imoke’s role in the Silver Spring event could be seen as a strategic partnership for the future where people who share a common passion, combine efforts to forge stronger links. Preliminary talks have begun as to how both parties can exchange ideas.

From very humble beginnings in two different parts of the world – Calabar, Nigeria’s first capital and the Miss Africa USA, an event which started as a small scale pageant in Atlanta, joining forces can only pave the way for a phenomenal future.

Victor Tour in PH, moves to Calabar May 23 told us that the reception he has received at the stations he has visited so is “simply mashe visits the cities as part of a sive and overwhelming. The people have been wonderful; three month nationwide promotional tour of his new and my single has been receiving massive airplay deven besingle, ‘Ijo Wa.’ fore I stepped into the city.”

The three cities’ tour which From Port harcourt, the prostarted in Port harcour on Thursday May 16 will take the motional tour which he tagged: reggae musician to radio and ‘Victory Tour’ will move to Calabar.

TV statiions in the cities.

Kupa will land Calabar with Presently in Port harcourt, his crew on May 23 and is exthe capital of oil rich rivers State, Kupa, who is making a pected to visit major nightclubs in the tourism come as a recording artistes ALAbAr, Abuja and Port C harcour will this month play host to Kupa Victory as

destination state in addition to doing radio and TV visitation.

The next port of call after Calabar according to his schedule is Abuja.

In Abuja like Port harcourt and Calabar Kupa will be at all the electronic media houses as well as the happening clubs before returning to Lagos.

‘Ijo Wa’ is coming 10 years after Kupa Victory’s last album that fetched him so many awards from existing award giving bodies in the entertainment scene then.

THe GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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eNTeRTAINMeNT

Nine Consumers Win Legend Stout’s N1 Million Dubai Shopping Voucher Stories by Sony Neme He odds certainly worked for Mr. Temitope Ogunyemi, as he emerged one of the nine star prize winners in the ongoing Legend Real Deal National Consumer Promotion. It was a night he had just left home to catch fun as he was so depressed due to events that occurred earlier in the day. That was how mother luck, last weekend, smiled on him. He was part of the first set of consumers who have been picked to travel to Dubai where he will stand the chance of shopping for items worth N1 million naira within 60 seconds in Dubai’s biggest shopping malls.

Ogunyemi, who was dazed after being picked, revealed that he had not gone out to a bar to hang out in over five months.

The first raffle draw to pick winners for Legend’s unique Dubai shopping experience was held at De Dems Bar. Other winners that emerged through an electronic raffle draw device were: James Nweke from Kano; Akoji Oche John from Abuja; Solomon Okorike from Imo State; Uchechukwu Dennis Chukwu from ebonyi; Nwabuokei Ikechukwu Ambrose from Delta State; Oluwasuyi Kelvin Olubusuyi from Ado ekiti; Aghedo Cyril Sadiq ehinoria from Lagos and Austin Nwadife, also from Lagos.

In his speech, Ogunyemi said: “I didn’t want to go out on Friday night because I was depressed, but my friends persuaded me to come to De Dems, that a promo was going on. I strongly longed for the trip inside because I have never travelled out of the country before. I will like to thank Legend for this wonderful opportunity it has extended to us consumers to travel to Dubai. The N1million shopping experience is the icing on the cake.”

T

For Nwadife, an aluminium fabricator in Dopemu Akowonjo, it was his wife who made him to come to the bar. Hear him: “I didn’t plan to go out this night, but my wife insisted I must take the family out.

After a lot of pressure, I yielded and we decided to come to De Dems Park. We didn’t even know a promo was going on there until we entered the premises and saw the place filled up. When it as time for the raffle draw, my name was announced as one of the winners that will go to Dubai. I am dedicating this victory to my wife.”

The night also witnessed the emergence of some winners who claimed the instant prize gifts which are also up for grabs in the promo. They are Oladimeji Bankole, a structural engineer, Godwin Agu, a civil A recipient of the LEGEND Dubai trip winner engineer and Bolude Adebisi, who works with a global media company. each carted home 32-inch LCD TV sets. Gbenga Ogunsote, another civil engineer won a 130 ltr refrigerator.

NeW label, Quintessential Records is planning a Mr Agu, an official of Legend, said: “I am major upset in the music industry. Thus it has not surprised that consumers are excited put together a music studio in Ikeja Lagos that is tonight. This is because whatever Legend equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to meet says it will do, it must do. And for those with modern demands. To further take their plans who are still in doubt, the consumers that to their desired level, the record label owners are have won tonight speak volumes of the ready to seize the air waves with three singles from opportunities abound in the promo. The their two in-house artistes, Ibironke Oluwasey Loopportunity is in the hands of the conlade, stage name (Inborn d drummer boi) and Kool sumers. Use the powers that you have, go Kid, and Quintessential All Stars. The management down to your favourite bars, buy bottles of also revealed plan for the full album launch in OcLegend, open the crown corks and what tober. you see is what you get. The promotion is The singles are titled Fly, Komole and High. The Afro just a few days old. We have until the end pop and upbeat sounds were produced by David of June 30 for this promo, so there’s a lot Jones David who is behind the new efforts that may of time for you to participate and be part soon the take music listeners through a new revoof those that may win the trip to Dubai.” lution in music production.

High point of the occasion was the presSaid David, who is a partner in the new music entation of prizes to the winners by popu- label: “Our dream is to take the Nigerian music inlar hip-hop artiste, 9ice of Gongo Aso fame. dustry to another level as we have been in this inThe compere of the day was De Don.

Quintessential Records Debuts With Three Singles

A

dustry for decades and know exactly what it takes to be at the top. This is an opportunity we have been waiting to express ourselves. So Nigerians should expect the best from Quintessential.

“Our approach will be total as we shall be hitting all radio stations in the country. All online avenues will be accessed as we go on a multimedia approach for our promotions because we have good products that we want to sell to deserving members of music community. We will also be involved in caller tunes and media link sharing. In fact, it is going to be total publicity. That is why the three singles will be on air across the country from this month.”

As part of their promo strategy, the artistes were unveiled to the media at Beerhugz located within the Shoprite premises in Ikeja, Lagos, recently. Inborn d drummer boi is an artist, song writer and a graduate of Lagos State University who started playing the drum since he was five years old.

DJ Humiliti, Sasha and Don T

Female Hip-Hop Acts Feted At Str8 Up Hip-Hop He just-concluded April edition of T Str8 Up Hip-hop was not just a gathering of female hip-hop acts and their fans, but also a convergence of their male counterparts who came out to support the hardworking ladies. The event which was hosted by the amazing Toni Payne, was exciting from start to finish as guests were treated to the best of hip-hop by B-Girl showcase, graffiti, freestyle sessions and battle emcee sessions won by the defending champion, Yung Soss.

Outstanding performances by Butafly, Splash, Thelma and Kiss, as well as captivating spoken word by Dolapo, impressive deejaying by DJ Lambogini and DJ OZ, contributed to an unforgettable experience. The large turnout no doubt indicated that females in the Hip-hop scene are truly appreciated and loved by the hip-hop community.

Str8 Up Hip-hop seized the occasion to honour Sasha P and Weird MC for their

selfless contributions to the growth of hip-hop in Nigeria. Sasha P performed some of her classic songs, including her timeless hit Adara, while Weird MC gave an electrifying performance of her hit song remix, Ijo Ya. In her appreciation speech, Weird MC said: “When I started out, we were very few female artists compared to what we have now. The effort of upcoming female artistes in Nigeria is commendable and I encourage them to keep pressing forward in their pursuits even with more determination and resilience.”

Also, the first ever Nigerian female DJ, late DJ Lokshai was honored in recognition of her status as a bonafide hip-hop pioneer and a financial donation was presented to her daughter, Jadesola. A very touching documentary which was put together by Buckwyld Media Production shed more light on the exploits of the late DJ and her unwavering determination to put female DJs in the limelight.

Psalm Ebube Signs Deal With UK Management Firm gospel singer-cumFalsoAST-rising writer, Samuel Oluwasesan, known as Psalm ebube, who is currently gaining the reward of his hard work over the years as the Kabiosi crooner, has been signed to an international label, Slimz Promotion Limited, United Kingdom. The deal was revealed by a close friend of Psalm ebube who pleaded anonymity.

The source added: “Psalm has been working hard over the years and this is actually the best time for him to explore the international scene.” The one

year deal, it was gathered, would take Psalm on a tour of different european countries on the bill of his new UK management firm and would also afford him the opportunity to release an album.

Psalm ebube whose Kabiosi video has been enjoying massive airplay since it was released a few months back, is out of the studio two new singles and has been busy promoting his efforts at different shows across the country weekly. He is also said to be working on his forthcoming album which would be released towards the end of the year.

The decision to sign Psalm, according to the owner of Slimz Promotions, Akinlolu Jikiemi, stemmed from the success of his album, Kabiosi which earned him notable local and international awards.

Jikiemi said: “The decision to sign Psalm ebube didn’t just happen overnight. It was from constant dialogue and research. I realised that we share the same passion, vision and goal with the right chemistry that brought about the synergy, hence we decided to put pen to paper and take his career to the next level.”

TheGuardian

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Saturday, May 18,

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Arts&Culture Ibadan Hosts Scholars To Celebrate Ade Ajayi

By Gregory Austin Nwakunor CHOLARS, academic and intellectuals, who SCelebration are contributing to the Festcshrift: A Of J. F. Ade Ajayi, will converge on the Ojobadan Avenue, Ibadan residence of Professor Ade Ajayi on May 24, by 11am, for final deliberations of the forthcoming book project on the erudite scholar.

The meeting is geared towards making May 2014 book launch a reality, when the great historian will clock 85.

The Guardian gathered that contributors would be given about 10 minutes each to report on the progress made on their chapters and to confirm that the final text of their contribution would be available within the next five months for the publisher.

The professor emeritus and former vice chancellor of University of Lagos told The Guardian that he is in a “fortunate position that others believe there is a story about my life worth telling. As an academic, I have spent a professional lifetime emphasising the importance of collective memory.”

He continued, “our understanding of our history helps to shape our destiny as individuals and as a nation. As an individual, there is a natural curiosity; what will others have to say about me? However, I have always believed that the way in which to positively influence what people think, say and write about you is by living life to the best of your abilities.”

Prof. Ajayi said, “I have tried to do so and now it is right for me to leave it to others to make what they will of those efforts. I have not sought to influence the work of the contributors or the direction of the biography. I am however appreciative of their efforts and look forward to the successful conclusion of the endeavour.”

Professor Michael Omolewa, who is coordinating the event in cooperation with Mrs. Yetunde Taiwo, Professor Ade Ajayi’s eldest child, is delighted by the quality, spread and diversity of contributors covering all the parts of the world and highlighting all the major facets and phases of the life and work of the academic and intellectual icon.

He, however, noted, that the forum would not

Ade Ajayi just be all about books, as guests would be treated to sumptuous meal. His words: “Those who are able to make the meeting will have the opportunity, later in the afternoon, to explore the private papers and collections that are kept at the Ade Ajayi Library after a good meal of pounded yam, hopefully accompanied by bush meat and efo riro, rice, chicken, and some wine and green tea.”

The proposed chapters are Birth and Childhood to be written by Gabriel Nyityo and Dipo Ajayi; Secondary Education by Professors Jide Osuntokun and Michael Omolewa; and Post Secondary Education by Professor Festus Ogunlade.

Others include Marriage and Home Building

by Dipo Ajayi and Professor Michael Omolewa; The University Of Ibadan Segment by Professor

Obaro Ikime and Professor Kunle Lawal, The Scholarship Of Ade Ajayi: Professor Tunji Oloruntimehin and Professor Jide Osuntokun; The Unilag Chapter: Ambassador Olusegun Akinluyi, Professor Ade Adefuye, Professor Tajudeen G. O. Gbadamosi, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Mr. Olurotimi Shodimu and Professor Ayo Ogunye.

Other chapters are Ade Ajayi And His Encounter With University Students: Pastor Laolu Akande (also with contribution from Ebenezer Babatope and Olurotimi Shodimu); Post UNILAG: A New Beginning: Professor Kunle Lawal and Professor Funke Adeboye; Ajayi And The Wider World (with Professor Toyin Falola coordinating): The North America, USA, the Caribbean, African Studies in the US, issue of reparations, the Abiola Lecture, consultancy at

the World Bank by Toyin Falola; Ajayi And The Legacy Of Friendship Across Boundaries: Professor Lalage Bown; Ade Ajayi And The Historical Society Of Nigeria: Professor Kyari Mohammed; Ade Ajayi And The Collaboration In Research And Scholarship: T. G. O. Gbadamosi; Ade Ajayi And The Teaching And Writing Of The History Of Africa: Professor B. A. Ogot General Editor of the UNESCO General History of Africa coordinating; and Professor Hassan Ahmed Ibrahim; Professor Ade Ajayi And The Pedagogy Of African History Across The Atlantic: Professor Ibikunle H. Tijani (FRHS).

The conclusion is titled: The Future Of The Past (A reflection) by Prof Charles Adesina and Professor Michael Omolewa.

Professor Louis Munoz, whose piece is titled, My Friendship with Emeritus Professor Jacob AdeAjayi, struggled to complete his chapter and died a few days after submitting it. The Ade Ajayis were at his funeral to celebrate their friendship.

Emeritus Professor Ayo Bamgbose, who will be unable to attend Friday, May 24 event, has observed: “I am sure the proposed book will turn out to be a splendid compendium and a worthy tribute to a world-renowned scholar and university administrator”.

Professor JDY Peel from the UK who was the first to complete his own chapter is glad to be part of the project.

Professor Akin Mabogunje who has also completed his chapter but will not be present at the Friday event has sent a message, “wishing the enterprise great success”.

Meanwhile, Professor Jim Morrison, from Canada has already completed his paper on Ajayi And The Wider World (with Prof. Toyin Falola coordinating).

Professor Segun Oke, from London, the UK has completed his paper, while Dr. William Rea, from Leeds, UK has identified the subject and focus of contribution.

Prof. Toyin Falola, Texas, United States has completed one of the chapters he will be contributing to the volume and Pastor Laolu Akande, New York, United States has started work on his own chapter.

Quintessentially Nigerian!

By Sandra Mbanefo Obiago UINTESSENCE, our cultural icon, which sits just off the famous Falomo roundabout in Ikoyi, is moving to a new home today. After 38 years, the large Q hanging over dusty Awolowo Road, will no longer beckon culture-seekers to escape the traffic and enjoy browsing through always updated collections of art, music, jewelry, arte-facts, toys, leather, antique and modern fabric, fashion and of course, the latest books! We will have to drive down the tarmac-like highway bursting through the once tree lined old Ikoyi neighborhood, to visit their new location at the entrance of Parkview Estate.

I grew up in Enugu in the early 1970s, and always looked forward to stopping by at Quintessence in Lagos, on our way abroad, to buy original, quirky and colorful gifts, proudly made in Nigeria. I remember in 1985 my mother and I got stranded in a small village at nightfall, driving back from Kaduna to Enugu, because we had spent too much time browsing and shopping

Q

at the Jacaranda Pottery and at Quintessence in Kaduna! We spent the night in a bush motel somewhere past Lokoja, and since we had spent all our money at Quintessence, we had to beg the amused hotel owner to give us a free room, and we would send the driver back the following day with the cash. We were offered the best suite in the hotel (which was a dive) but were totally happy with our purchases, and never for a moment, regretted our embarrassing predicament.

So, my family and I have been loyal clients of Quintessence for many years, always intrigued by their great selection, always welcomed by their excellent staff, and always relieved to purchase high quality, made-inNigeria gifts.

Quintessence needs to be celebrated for a number of reasons. The most obvious is that they have stayed the test of time, and have kept their focus. Many arts and culture SMEs have folded over the years. The landscape is just a bit too tough. And many have reverted to selling things predominantly made in east or

southern Africa. Many have moved from one location to another, never being able to “settle” and connect with old clientele. But Quintessence has continued to innovate, continued to present a broad selection of antique and contemporary Nigerian and African art, and continued to be a very important platform for the creative industry.

The Quintessence team is led by inspiring Chief Aino Oni-Okpaku, a Swedish textile specialist who married and settled in Nigeria, and has done so much to celebrate, showcase, and also develop local Nigerian talent. Oni-Okpaku, who has both an eye for quality and also a deep commitment to excellence, has invested in and strengthened Nigerian artists together with long-time curator, Moses Ohiomakaere, and a team of dedicated staff. Quintessence is one of the rare places you can still buy precious old aso-oke and akwete fabric, kente cloth, and bakuba strips.

Over the years, they have organized many innovative workshops and exhibitions such as creating a platform for Nigerians to co-create with

Display of artworks at Quintessence Scandinavia and Latin America artists, developing fusion art in ceramics and weaving. Recently, they organized a fascinating exhibition of wool carpets bearing the motifs and images of famous Nigerian artists including Chief Nike Okundaye, Prof.

Bruce Onobrakpaeya, and Sam Ovraiti.

Proceeds from Quintessence help to support the Ebunoluwe Foundation for children with learning disabili-

ties that has given life and a bright future to so many orphans and abandoned kids.

Last week, my husband and I stopped by Quintessence and found some amazing treasures: exquisite bronze sculptures by Ben Osawe, old bronzes from Benin, wonderful wood sculptures from Oshogbo, an old Igbo door from eastern Nigeria, and an amazing collection of textiles.

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, May 18, 2013

ARTS 39

By Godini G. Darah

(The Kole Omotoso @ 70 Lecture delivered at The Cultural Centre, Akure, Ondo State, April 20, 2013) N the immediate aftermath of the Nigerian Iature, Civil War (1967-1970) a radical tradition of literliterary criticism, and creative arts developed in the country. The stimulus point and nucleus of the tradition was the University of Ibadan where a number of Marxist scholaractivists were tenured staff. The ideological inspiration for the novel and unorthodox approach to literary and cultural studies was provided by Omafume Friday Onoge of the Department of Sociology in the Faculty of Social Sciences. He completed his doctorate in social anthropology from Harvard University in the United States of America during the civil war years. The title of his dissertation was, “Aiyetoro, the Successful Utopia: A Sociological Study of the Holy Apostles Community in Nigeria” In the early 1970s, Onoge was the first in Nigeria to introduce the radical course “Sociology of Literature” which became instantly popular among students due to the Marxist, revolutionary perspectives he brought into it. The Faculty of Arts where English and other literary courses were taught was under the siege of conservative, anti-socialist, art-for-art-sake teachers, some of them expatriates from Britain and France.

At that time Biodun Jeyifo was undertaking his research in the Department of Theatre Arts. He later went to the United States of America to complete his Ph. D studies and returned to join the Marxist bloc of academics and activists.

Jeyifo was a perfect twin figure with Onoge; both were the most informed about the classical works of Marxism and its African manifestations. The ponderous profile of Wole Soyinka hovered like a colossus on campus, having just been freed from two-year imprisonment by the General Yakubu Gowon military junta for supporting the besieged Biafra Republic. We knew Soyinka then more as the father-figure behind the anti-establishment Pirates Confraternity than as an avatar of radical literature and criticism. But those were our initial impressions made in the absence of praxis.

Strangely enough, Kole Omotoso, was quarantined in the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies; he did his doctoral studies on contemporary Arabic Theatre for the University of Edinburgh (1969-1972). Omotoso’s fame on campus rested more squarely on his stylistically innovative fictional works such as the Combat, Sacrifice and Edifice. He relocated to the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, as senior lecturer in the Department of African Languages and Literatures. In Ife, he was an early bird rebel in a community of dissidents and iconoclasts that grew around and, sometimes, beyond Soyinka.

Omolara Ogundipe-Leslie was the radical in the Department of English at Ibadan. Her profile for us students was high because she earned a first class honours degree in the Department and she was freshly returned from the US where the militant tradition of African American scholarship and politics was on the ascendancy. OgundipeLeslie was an inspiration to the students and young academics who yearned to learn about the insights of feminism in which she was a pioneer critic. She associated with the Marxist camp of scholars, and her contacts with the African American world of letters were an added advantage…

Radicals and Literature in Post-War Nigeria: As pointed out at the Introduction section of the lecture, the Civil War shattered many ideological taboos and superstitions in Nigeria. The betrayal of the Western nations of Britain, France, and the United States of America has been alluded to. In her desperate quest for allies to contain the Biafra rebellion, Nigeria looked for assistance in the Soviet bloc. Egypt, under the radical, socialist government of Gamel Abdel Nasser, was the linchpin in the diplomatic breakthrough. Soviet military hardware and support was channelled via Egypt. This intervention, done in the name of Afro-Asian solidarity, was pivotal in turning the outcome of the war in favour of the federal side. In January 1970, the bloody war ended, hallmarked by massive physical destruction and death of about one million innocent souls. Thenceforth, the image of the Soviet Union and socialism improved in the popular imagination. The Nigerian Marxist academics and activists took advantage of the positive attitudes to intensify propagation of the ideas of socialism, class analysis, and anti-imperialist agitation. The Marxist caucus in Ibadan was the spearhead of this renaissance.

The Ola Oni-headed Nigerian Academy of Arts,

Guest lecturer, Prof. Godini G. Darah; Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and his wife; Prof. Kole Omotoso and chairman of the occasion, Prof. Ishola Akinwunmi applauding the performance of Omotoso’s play Yes to the Freedom Chatter performed by Hornbill House of the Arts in Akure last month

Radicals, Literature And Nigeria: Just Before 2014 Sciences, and Technology floated the political organ of the New Left Movement which undertook a nation-wide tour of higher institutions to reorganise the socialist forces for the struggle against military dictatorship and the overthrow of capitalism and imperialism.

In the East of the country, the group met with Nkenna Nzimiro, Chinua Achebe, Chimere Ikoku, Okwudiba Nnoli, and Arthur Nwankwo who were then operating under the ideological rubric of Frantz Fanon Centre.

In the Northern states, the New Left Movement interacted with members of the Aminu Kano NEPU such as Balarabe Musa, Abubakar Rimi, and Baba Omojola who ran the Toilers’ Brigade in the Bohemian quarters of Kano City. In Zaria, there were meetings with Yesufu Bala Usman, Bala Mohammed, Mahmud Turkur, and the Jamaica-born Patrick Wilmot.

For centres in the southwest, the touring comrades rallied the support of Ebenezer Babatope, then a senior administrative staff of the University of Lagos. At the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, the interactive sessions were held with notable left-wing scholars – Segun Osoba, Seinde Arigbede, Toye Olorode, Idowu Awopetu, Biodun Adetugbo, Segun Adewoye, Bayo Ademodi, most of them young Marxists just beginning their academic careers. The outcome of the nation-wide tour enabled the New Left Movement to gauge the mood of the Marxists regarding the necessity to build a socialist political platform to push the fortunes of the radicals in the country. There were, naturally, disagreements and contradictions among the groups in the various parts of the country, but the experience was valuable in the mid-1970s when the military

By 1980, the Marxist caucus at Ife outgrew that of Ibadan, with the relocation to the University there of Biodun Jeyifo, Ropo Sekoni, Kole Omotoso, Yemi Ogunbiyi, and Femi Osofisan for a brief period. He left Ife for the University of Benin to develop the drama and theatre department there. In the early 1980s, the Ife Marxist school of literature and criticism was the most active in the country.

junta of Murtala Mohammed-Obasanjo lifted the ban on partisan politics.

The Onoge course on the Sociology of Literature developed in this milieu of intense political activism. The evolution and popularity of the course have been treated in the introductory section. From the middle of the 1970s, new universities were opened, thus expanding space of radical thoughts to contend in controversy. By 1980, the Marxist caucus at Ife outgrew that of Ibadan, with the relocation to the University there of Biodun Jeyifo, Ropo Sekoni, Kole Omotoso, Yemi Ogunbiyi, and Femi Osofisan for a brief period. He left Ife for the University of Benin to develop the drama and theatre department there. In the early 1980s, the Ife Marxist school of literature and criticism was the most active in the country. Large classes in departments of Literature in English and Drama and Theatre audited the courses featuring these approaches.

There was a mandatory course on Literature and Ideology at the Literature in English department. From about 1981, the department inaugurated the seminar series that provided room for hard and vigorous exchanges on the emerging discourse on literature, society, and revolution in Africa. Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s books on the politics of writing and languages were freshly published. All Marxist-oriented lecturers and students on campus attended the seminars. From the African Languages and Literature department, seminar papers by Olasope Oyelaran, Eileen Wilson (African American) Akinwunmi Isola, and Karin Barber enriched the growing radical discourse.

Akinwunmi Isola raised the ideological stakes higher by writing plays that celebrated hitherto ignored heroines of Yoruba mass struggles such as Madam Tinubu of Egba-Lagos and Efunsetan of Ibadan. The Marxist dramaturgical tendency and techniques of the German, Bertolt Brecht were liberally applied in the Drama and Theatre section. Wole Soyinka’s “guerrilla theatre” group popularised the radical alternatives. Soyinka’s bestseller musical album, “Unlimited Liability Company” that burlesqued the iniquities of the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) was the mantra of the campuses and opposition radio stations.

Chief Bola Ige, the then elected governor of Oyo State that included Ife at the time, was engaged in the radical intellectual discourses in the campuses. He contributed immensely to

the setting up of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) at Ife in 1981 where Chinua Achebe and Kole Omotoso were elected President and Secretary respectively. Governor Bola Ige also subscribed a weekly column in The Tribune newspaper controlled by his Unity Party of Nigeria under Awolowo’s leadership.

One of the first Master’s degree projects I supervised in the early 1980s was Kunle Ajibade’s study of Marxist aesthetics in Festus Iyayi’s debut novel, Violence. The radical efflorescence at Ife was facilitated by the presence of Marxist scholars in other disciplines. Segun Osoba was in History, Dipo Fashina, Geoff Hunt (British) and Femi Taiwo were in Philosophy In this dynamic setting Kole Omotoso produced works in all populist genres – drama sketches for television, juvenile, whodunit, espionage thrillers like Fella’s Choice, “Uncle Very Very” short stories, and theoretical forays like The Form of the African Novel. His drama works were Shadows in the Horizon and Crisis in which feature fictive representatives of the poor masses who struggle to overcome false consciousness preparatory to engaging their class oppressors in hegemonic and counterhegemonic wars. Jeyifo ran the “Bamako Jaji” column in the Ibadan-based Sketch newspaper whilst he engaged in field research on the Yoruba popular travelling theatre on which he published a book-length study. Within the Ife circuit of socialist academics, a fraction opted for peasantry-based guerrilla warfare. The group’s activities were coordinated by Dr. Seinde Arigbede who was based in the Odeomu forest for training. He was joined by Jeyifo and Eddy Madunagu, a Marxist mathematics teacher at the University of Lagos. It was in 1981 that the budding poet, Niyi Osundare inaugurated the “Sunday Poetry” column in the Sunday Tribune newspaper that ran for years and provided material for subsequent anthologies of his poetry. These were the years when Femi Osofisan collaborated with others at Ibadan to initiate the Opon Ifa poetry broadsheet that helped new writers to overcome the obstacles of getting published by established book houses. Osundare is one of the major discoveries of this “guerrilla” channel of publishing.

Professor Godini G. Darah is of Department of English and Literary Studies, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria TO BE CONTINUED

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

40

SHORT STORY

Family From Hell

By Segun Durowaiye (08055356855) AMA Idowu, you’re the most evil and “M ungrateful person I’ve ever seen in my life! Your children and you shall be stricken with calamity and a maiming disease because of the evil things you always think about me!”

Those were the words of the eldest wife of Chief Banjoko Olubunmi that eventful Friday afternoon. The chief himself was getting highly irritated with the ceaseless fights of his five wives every day. He was fed up with the whole painful embarrassment. As she was about standing up, Mama Idowu replied: “I’ll show you pepper today, you crazy old witch!

You think you can hurt my children and I with your witchcraft, heh? Thunder will strike you dead one day, you harlot, wicked, good-fornothing woman! You think you’re the apple of our husband’s eye? Let me tell you, I always hear what you say behind me, and I am ready for you today! I’m ready to kill you and your stupid children with this cutlass in my hand!” she spurted angrily.

When Mama Idowu brandished the shining cutlass, the chief knew that blood would flow in a matter of seconds. He sighed, turned and moved towards her.

“You can’t do that Risi,” the chief begged, “put down your cutlass…give it to me. You’re all

fond of fighting each other. One day, I’ll run away and leave you all to do your worst. Please, give me the cutlass, I don’t want bloodshed.”

Just then, one of the children of the first wife appeared, brandishing a knife. “Leave her alone, Baba,” the young man by name Victor, said to his dad. “If she wants to join her maker today, let her insult my mum again. I’ll stab her in the neck!”

The uproar and confusion was really getting out of hand. The three other wives were around and they soon joined in the altercation. All available objects were freely used – bottles, planks, iron, and even buckets. Their neighbours was terrified. They were petrified as the chief’s whole children and wives engaged themselves in a dangerous free-forall fight.

An onlooker, a woman in her late 70s, was aghast at the sight of blood that she collapsed and went into coma. Some concerned neighbours rushed to the nearby police station to make a report about the apocalyptic situation in Chief Banjoko’s household. At the mention of the chief’s house, the police officer on duty shrugged his shoulder and said: “If it’s the chief’s house, we can do nothing about it. It’s a family affair. That’s how they always fight each other on daily basis. The Nigeria Police doesn’t dabble into family problems, thank you.”

After the fight that day, the chief was always pensive and moody, thinking what life would be like

when he finally joins his ancestors. He wondered why his wives and children always fight one another over some flimsy reasons. Chief Banjoko was in his early 50s when this unhappy development began in his family. His children were becoming wayward and unruly. His wives too were getting more rude and disrespectful.

At a stage the chief broke down and cried, wondering what would become of his 25 children and wives when he dies.

He had about three houses in Lagos. He wondered if his wives and children would not kill one another after his exit over his properties.

Truly, the chief was ageing very fast. The cantankerous nature of his wives and children was gradually damaging his physique and taking a toll on his health. He that was once full of life, vibrant and lively now looked wrinkled and worn.

In those good old days, he used to be tall, handsome, fresh and chubby. Now, he looked like someone who was in his late 90s, whose shoulder bore the troubles and problems of the whole world!

The rancour and bitterness in his household got so much that he became sad and withdrawn. At times, he would start gesticulating and talking to himself when he was alone. The soliloquy was getting too much; but his wives felt unconcerned and never worried about his

state of health. It didn’t bother them that chief was gradually losing his mind.

The chief regretted marrying many wives. Before very long, his blood pressure began rising at an alarming rate. As if that was not enough, he suffered stroke two months later and was always indoors for most part of the day. But his condition didn’t stop his wives from fighting and screaming at each another every day at the slightest provocation and over flimsy reasons.

The chief always adjusted and changed his will every month. He became a confused and unhappy man. His romantic life way back in the 70s that started on a happy note , was now as sour and bitter as a month-old grape. His health was getting worse every passing day.

Sadly, he died one Sunday morning. Surprisingly, his wives and children were not worried about his death. Immediately he was confirmed dead, his wives rushed inside his room and started ransacking it in order to get his will and cash in his wardrobe. The speed with which all of them scurried into his bedroom, ransacking it to seize his personal properties was amazing. After searching painstakingly for close to one hour, the first wife discovered the sum of N500,000 under the rug.

A fight ensued over the discovered money.

The violence was just indescribable. It was a matter of life and death – nay, more of death.

“Haaa! We will all die today if anybody tries to take this money from me!” roared the first wife.

“That’s a lie, you can’t take that money away,” objected another wife, a tall and heavily built woman.

“I won’t depend on this will alone. My own children do not benefit much from it, we’re going to court,” cursed another wife, a mother of four children. The shouts, the screams, uproar and hullabaloo that heralded the chief’s death could only be imagined. It was like Armageddon.

A year after his passing, the usual fight in his household degenerated. Voodoo and juju were the order of the day. It didn’t take long for the family to record the first casualty. The first wife had five children for the late chief.

Her first son suddenly lost his mind and started behaving funny, chanting strange languages and stripped himself naked on the streets.

The following week, the last born of the third wife developed a terrible typhoid fever. The three-year-old died before he could be rushed to hospital. Charms, magical amulets and concoctions were seen at every corner of the spacious house of the Banjokos. The third wife swore that her enemies would know no peace and that she would avenge the death of her child.

Something spectacular and strange also occurred in the family house of the Banjokos one Saturday afternoon. One of his wives, fondly called Mama Rachael, went to a nearby market to buy foodstuff only to come back only to meet her room in flames. The mysterious fire consumed everything inside. Mama Rachael was terrified and aghast and she swore that she would unravel the mystery, vowing that the culprits wouldn’t go unpunished.

Three years after chief’s death, the problems, troubles and calamities increased at an alarming rate. Ibrahim, the first child of the second wife, had been down with a strange illness for the past one year. He later became blind.

Ibrahim’s mum took him to various spiritual homes and hospitals all to no avail. Five months after, Ibrahim died, leaving behind a wife and three children.

The problems and calamities that befell the entire family of the late chief were too much to bear for some of his children. Some who couldn’t withstand the juju and voodoo attacks ran away. Some of them who had good jobs while he was alive, lost them. A lot of his children became beggars on the streets and would pilfer anything they saw. Some of his female children took to prostitution to make ends meet.

A bespectacled, rotund man of God living very close to the Banjokos and who had been following the events in the family, wondered if the chief would have a peaceful rest in his grave with all the tragedies.

“I can see the spirit of Chief Banjoko moving restlessly, unsettled and angry at what is happening,” he said. “Chief was a man who struggled day and night to free himself from

TheGuardian

Saturday, May 18, 2013

41

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Health Natural Health With G. C. Ihesie

Mobile phone no: 08033065263, E-mail: ihesie84@yahoo.com.

Natural Ways of Maintaining Prostate Health (VI) OME Remedies for Benign H Prostatic Hyperplasia or Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) In one of our publications we noted that prostate enlargement rarely causes symptoms before age 40, that its problems come much later in life: more than 50% of men in their late fifties and sixties and as many as 90% in their seventies have some symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

However, not every person who has prostate enlargement requires treatment. The need for treatment is usually considered only when the symptoms become severe enough. And there are many treatment options. For example, most health-care practitioners may first of all want to clear up any urinary tract infections with an effective antimicrobial remedy before determining the best ways of managing the BPH itself, because in most cases, benign prostatic hyperplasia can cause urinary tract infections due to urine retention in the bladder. This treatment may then be followed by the administration of either muscle relaxants or enlarged prostate shrinking medications.

But if the medications do not seem to give reliable result, then doctors may recommend surgery to help relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

Our main concern in this article is to examine some of the useful self-help or home remedies that have been proven over the ages to be very helpful both in alleviating the symptoms of BPH and in preventing the prostatic enlargement in susceptible individuals (e.g. those who have the family history of the disorder).

It is equally important to note that many practitioners of natural medicine have also successfully used some natural remedies in the management or treatment of prostate disorders.

Nutritional and Dietary Considerations It is now known that there is significant increase in the occurrence of BPH symptoms with the frequent consumption of certain common foods; and that there are some foods also that play key roles in the successful prevention and treatment of prostate enlargement.

Foods and Things that Worsen the Symptoms of BPH Studies have shown that increased consumption of eggs, dairy products (e.g. milk, cheese), red meats high in saturated fat, highly refined foods, refined sugar and refined flour, hydrogenated oils, fried foods, fatty foods, highly seasoned foods, foods contaminated with pesticides and hormones, etc., may increase the blood level of cholesterol. And cholesterol contributes to prostate disorders.

Beverages containing caffeine (e.g. coffee, cola and black tea), saccharin, carbonated drinks or fizzy drinks can aggravate the symptoms BPH, e.g. nocturia, and urinating frequency and urgency.

The intake of alcoholic beverages, particularly very chilled beer and liquor within 2 hours before bedtime can worsen the symptoms of prostate enlargement.

Besides, alcohol raises the prolactin levels in the body, and this hormone contributes to the occurrence of benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

The nicotine and other harmful substances present in tobacco smoke irritate the prostate gland and urinary bladder and make the symptoms of BPH worse.

Cold and sinus medications may contain some ingredients known as decongestants and antihistamines which can worsen the symptoms of prostate enlargement.

For effective management or treatment and prevention of benign prostatic hyperplasia or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), the above mentioned foods and other items should be avoided.

Prostate-Shrinking Foods and Supplements Generally, healthy diet high in dietary fibres, complex carbohy-

drates, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and very low in animal fat is the key to a healthy prostate.

A patient with prostate problems may adopt a wholesome and well-balanced diet based on the basic food groups, namely: (i) fruits, (ii) vegetables, (iii) whole grains, (iv) proteins, (v) nuts, seeds and coldpressed oils.

The patient should generously take fruits like citrus fruits (oranges, red grape-fruit, diluted lemon or lime juice), paw-paw, mangoes, melons, red guava, water melon, apples, pears, strawberries, avocado pear, fresh-green vegetables, spinach, parsley, cucumber, tomatoes, carrots, red peppers, broccoli, potatoes, cauliflower, kale, garlic onions, legumes, soy products, whole grains e.g. wholegrain breads and cereal, watermelon seeds, pumpkin seeds, cashew nuts, olive oil, soy oil, sunflower oil, virgin coconut oil, sea foods, white meat, etc.

Generally speaking, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grains, etc., are excellent sources of dietary fibres (that prevent constipation), and they are rich in powerful antioxidants such as beta carotene, lycopene, carotenoids, vitamins C and E, zinc and selenium – which are highly beneficial in shrinking prostate tumours and BPH and for maintaining prostate health.

Some Specific Food Items That Have Been Proven to Be Highly Effective in the Management and Prevention of Prostate Disorders: Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) Tomatoes are rich sources of several important nutrients like lycopene, carotenoids and vitamin C. Lycopenes extracted from tomatoes have been found to be the world’s

most powerful antioxidants that help in the treatment of BPH, and in the prevention and the treatment of prostate cancer. Recent studies have revealed that as little as 2 servings of tomatoes, tinned tomatoes, tomato soup, tomato puree or cooked tomatoes a week, or adding cooked tomatoes to menu each day can help men reduce by half, their risk of prostate enlargement and prostate cancer.

Other sources of lycopene are pink grapefruit, watermelon, pink guava and papaya.

Pumpkin Seeds (Curcurbita pepo) Pumpkin seeds contain zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, beta-sitosterol, carotenoids, fibre, etc. Pumpkin seeds have been used for centuries as a self-help/ home remedy for BPH. A handful or quarter cup of raw or roasted seeds can be eaten as a healthy snack per day. Also, decocted (boiled) handful of the shelled fresh pumpkin seeds can be taken daily to help shrink an enlarged prostate gland. Pumpkin seeds are a source of zinc and are widely used in shrinking, preventing and relieving the symptoms of prostate enlargement and for maintaining prostate health.

Watermelon Seeds Watermelon seed is also a good source of lycopene, vitamin C and zinc, and it has diuretic properties and has been found very helpful in flushing out the prostate gland and the urinary bladder. Usually up to 750 ml of watermelon seeds decoction is taking daily for 14 days for this purpose.

Other sources of zinc include sunflower seeds, spinach, portalaca olerrcea, beans, nuts and some mushrooms.

TO BE CONTINUED.

PetLife With Dr.Tunji Nasir

The Tie When Dogs Mate S a child, I was once on my way home from A school when I saw a lot of people, including fellow pupils gathered round a spectacle;

they were all jeering and grinning. And they seemed to be enjoying it all.

As an impressionable seven-year-old, I was not prepared for what I saw when I joined the crowd of onlookers. There, they stood carefree in their world, two dogs glued together at their rumps, both of them panting and dragging each other here and there within the little space left for them by the crowd.

What in the world could have caused this?

Why are these people so excited? My little mind searched the faces of the adults present for non-existent answers; they were too excited to care about inquisitive people like me and other children who looked up to them for explanations.

Then suddenly, someone screamed from the crowd, “get more nails, hammer them to the ground, they will stay longer!” There and then, someone was doing just that and I became more confused. Could they have nailed these two dogs together? How wicked could people be?

A little while after, what seemed like eternity abruptly ended, with both dogs breaking loose from each other. I did not wait to see the end of the story so to speak, as my mortal fear of dogs then, instructed my heels to search for our residence, which was nearby.

After this encounter, I was left with a floodgate of unanswered questions. And through-

out my growing up years, the spectacle repeated itself. It became a re-occurring event in my neighbourhood, which was then full of stray dogs. With no apparent answers, we were all lost, like the British beagle satellite searching for a place in mars.

The only clue I had till I left for secondary school was, it only happened to a dog (male) and a bitch (female dog) when they mate and according to my elderly source, they must be joined together before separation after several minutes. And that was all.

However, my cloud of ignorance was cleared by a piercing wind of knowledge as soon as I was admitted into the University of Ibadan, when my adorable Professor of veterinary anatomy, Tom Aire, who now renders his services to the more serious community of University of Pretoria, South Africa, provided me with all the answers to this apparently natural phenomenon.

It was a myth after all. Professor Aire told me, and I soon found out, that when a dog mates a bitch and the intromission of the male organ is achieved within the female organ, a structure in the male organ called the bulbus glandis swells to fill the vaginal cavity of the bitch during the process of copulation and subsequent discharge of semen. It takes an average of about 15-30 minutes before the swollen structure returns to its original size. Sometimes, it also swells when the dog is just excited.

At this time, the male will not be able to disengage himself from the bitch until normalcy is established around his swollen endowment. No doubt, knowledge is power. Riding horses on moonless nights in an unfamiliar terrain only leads one to stumbling and crashing.

I am sure that till this day, a lot of people including educated ones still believe that when dogs mate, a spirit can be conjured to keep them together by driving nails into the ground. At least, that was what I believed until I had the log in my eyes removed by my lecturers in the veterinary school.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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HEALTHFEATURE Dr. Bamgboye Afolabi, Chief Executive Officer of Health, Environment and Development Foundation, is a consultant malariologist and paediatric epidemiologist, who had worked with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) as National Professional Officer in Malaria Unit and Chief Medical Research Fellow respectively. As Nigeria joined the world to mark World Malaria Day last Thursday, the former consultant to the National Malaria Control Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health, who conducted clinical trials on Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) in 2002 and 2004, x-rays what Nigeria loses as a result of malaria.

UITH CMD: Building A Hospital For The Future From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin HE Chief Medical Director of University of T Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Prof Abdulwaheed Olatinwo has put a stop to what he called “medical tourism abroad” by some privileged Nigerians, by turning UITH into a model for other teaching hospitals in the country.

Olatinwo, a Professor of Gyneacology who took over the leadership mantle of the hospital from Prof Suleiman Kuranga, a surgeon, some three years ago, said it is shameful that a lot of privileged Nigerians troop out of the country in search of quality health for themselves and their family members.

He believes that with the efforts of the Federal Government on supply of medical equipment to its hospitals, such hospitals by now should be capable of handling most of the medical challenges being taken abroad for treatment.

Besides, he challenged his colleagues all over the federation to restore the lost glories of teaching hospitals in the country which he called the last referral spot for any Nigerian patient.

Olatinwo spoke in Ilorin during the recent presentation of 2013 Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award to him by the All African Students Union (AASU) and induction into AASU Hall of Fame. According to the leader of the union, Yinka Dallas, the AASU secretariat initiated the award 14 years ago to honour distinguished Africans in their fields of endeavours.

Past recipients of the award include, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former South African President, Thabo Mbeki, Koffi Annan, President Goodluck Jonathan, Ambassador Buba Marwa, Aare Afe Babalola and Prince Bola Ajibola.

Dallas said: “It is imperative for us to state here today that our choice of Prof Olatinwo for this award was never politically motivated but a testimony of the dedication of a true African son having the dream of the development of our continent. He has persistently exhibited the urge for an improved standard of health care and a better Nigeria.

“We want to hereby state that our decision to confer this honur on him is not just the celebration of achievements of an outstanding performer, but also should be considered as a clarion call on the recipient not to relent in his effort by giving more of his attention and support to health in Nigeria and Africa at large. This award should serve as a wake-up call on others to realize that there is a critical observation of their effort and every deed, either good or bad.”

Thanking the union for noticing his modest contributions to health growth “in my little corner here in Ilorin,” Olatinwo unfolded some of the reformative policies he implemented since he assumed office under a one point agenda of ‘Total Care for Quality Health Care: Patients’ Satisfaction.’

According to him, while savouring the joy of having quality and capable workers to work with, he facilitated complete move-

ment of all the sectors of the hospital from the temporary site to its Ilorin-Jebba Road permanent site. He said the movement has greatly enhanced proper planning and prudent management of the scarce resources of the hospital.

Already, under his leadership, he has facilitated the movement of College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin to the UITH permanent site, just as he established Dental,

Our focus is to begin to build a hospital for the future. I envision that more health care services will be provided outside the hospital setting. Technology will become more important as hospitals become smaller and reserved for the most acutely-ill patients.

Stroke, Palliative Care and Assisted Reproductive Technology units.

Besides, under his administration, he has built Cardiothoracic, Malaria Research, Infection Control and Behavioural Sciences centres. He recently facilitated the building and donation of a Trauma Centre by an Ilorin based legal icon, Malam Yusuf Ola-Olu Ali (SAN). Perhaps one area in which the management under Olatinwo has excelled is the hosting of ORBIS DC Flying Hospital with free medical and surgical treatment to more than 5,000 Nigerians.

For the CMD, without the immense contributions of all his predecessors, he would not have accomplished the modest achievement under his administration, just as he extolled the virtues of Nkrumah after who the award is named, especially his unrelenting war against imperialism in Africa.

He stated: “Nkrumah as we all know, fought to rid Africa completely and forever of imperialism and its hand-maidens: colonialism and neo-colonialism. He regarded himself first and foremost as an African and then only as a Ghanaian. He was in his lifetime always talking of the need for all Africans to work together faithfully for the achievement of African freedom and unity: Total liberation of our continent and its political and economic unification.”

Olatinwo reminisced on when Nkrumah was made the Chancellor of University of Ghana in 1962 and his famous statement on the need for the university to be responsive to the sense of urgency that existed in a developing nation; to use its resources imaginatively and effectively to contribute to the economy of the social organization; to interpret their studies to the benefits of the people and to learn from their problem. For the CMD, the statement is still relevant today as it was in the past.

Speaking more on his transformational agenda for the UITH, he said: “My vision to turn UITH into a continuously improved product offering to clients and customers are borne out of my passion as well as the commitment to meet and even surpass the stated objectives using cutting edge technology and strategies patterned after global best practices in management.

“When I took over the headship of this hospital three years ago, my immediate focus was to restore hope and improve morale of all categories of staff, create a service oriented system towards full capacity attainment through equity, probity, fear of God and love to fellow human beings. Since then, my watch words have been discipline, sacrifice and integrity with a bid to enhance core values and improve public perception of our hospital.

“By the end of my second year in office, my approach moved towards cultural transformation of the hospital. We created open forum with stakeholders where we talk together, understand ourselves better to the extent that every staff has begun to take ownership of the hospital.”

Already, the UITH has commenced processes where patients with certain identified ailments could be treated at home rather than making them in-patients of the hospital under a new scheme introduced by Olatinwo.

He said the development remains the most modern way of treatment in all reputable hospitals worldwide, noting that UITH could not afford to lag behind in innovation drive.

UITH was listed among the five star hospitals in Nigeria during Obasanjo’s tenure. It was one of the hospitals so listed that enjoyed the facilities under the VAMED arrangement.

“There is no need keeping patients in the hospital whereas such patients could be treated at home and our team just doing a follow up on them where necessary. This is what is in vogue now and we can’t afford to lag behind.

“Besides, our focus is to begin to build a hospital for the future. I envision that more health care services will be provided outside the hospital setting. Technology will become more important as hospitals become smaller and reserved for the most acutely-ill patients.”

Olatinwo believes that staffers of the hospital should firstly be trained to start seeing patients and their relatives as their own relations. He added that the new system, apart from alleviating the sufferings of the patients and their relatives, would reduce the cost of long term treatment in the hospital.

He opined that there would no longer be a hiding place for truants as all the medical workers of the hospital would be more engaged and more committed to the care of the patients

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

YOURMONEY

INTERVIEW Recently, President Goodluck Jonathan presented certificates of ownerships to some private investors who have successfully made the 25 per cent acquisition payment for some of the nation’s power generating and transmitting plants. While stakeholders say such was evidence of the credibility of the privatization process, some analysts insist that certain efforts, such as the timely delivery of the Independent Power Projects and the passage into law of the Petroleum Industry Bill are essential to improving the power situation. Professor Akin Iwayemi, a former President of the Nigerian Association of Energy Economics (NAEE), and current President of the Nigerian Economic Society spoke to BANKOLE SHAKIRUDEEN ADESHINA on the prospects of ongoing efforts.

OING by the vision 20:2020, in the next seven G years, Nigeria would have improved its electricity generation from the current 4,000

Prof. Iwayemi

‘Nigeria Can Hit 35,000 Megawatts If…’

‘

For instance, instead of having it scattered like that, we are now saying we should have regional GEMCOs (Electricity Generating Companies) and TRASCOs (Electricity Transmission Companies) that will be more robust. And interestingly, it is far easier for regional TRASCOs and GEMCOs to bring in investors than the centralized system we cur-

‘

megawatts to 35,000 megawatts and uninterrupted power supply across the country. Are there signs Nigeria will achieve this?

The issue of vision 20:2020 and its possibilities, as related to energy was one of the fundamental topics we treated elaborated at the 16th annual conference of the Nigerian Association of Energy Economics, which ended on Tuesday, April 23, at Sheraton here in Lagos.

The theme of the two-day parley was Energy Resource Management In A Federal System: Challenges, Constraints and Strategies. Nigerian government is constituted into three tiers: Federal, State and Local Government. And the bulk of revenue that services the whole constituents come majorly from Oil resource. Hence the need for stakeholders to look critically at the likely challenges that face revenue generation and management in a federal structure like Nigeria’s.

The conference also looked at the oil and gas, with specific discussions on the sector reform and the Petroleum Industry Bill, which is presently before the national assembly. One laid point of the conference was the need for decentralization of revenue generation in the country, which has greatly contributed to fiscal leakages in the country. This approach is also expected to be replicated in the area of electricity generation; give states and even local governments freedom to generate their electricity, determine it distributions and transmissions. Let the same thing happen to it revenue generation. When each tier is given the freedom to generate it revenue, it would drastically block the fiscal leakages we have been having because of the porosity of the collection system. The fact remains that the advantages of a decentralized system of this sector far outweighs it disadvantages.

How does this translate to improved electricity generation and uninterrupted supply?

In terms of electricity generation, the issue came up that the government should decentralize the one-grid-for-the-nation’ addiction. Going by global trend, we should be thinking of regional grids that will be interconnected. In the current centralized grid, if there is a system failure in one part, the whole system goes down. But if we have a situation where all the geo-political zones are independently generating, distributing and transmitting electricity and are as well interconnected; surplus in one area can be moved to the other and things become a lot better.

The point is that there are so many inefficiencies that come with centralized system. And this was largely expanded during the military era, which successfully smuggled the centralized system into our constitution. This has made things so difficult, epecially in the area of electricity transmission and distribution, decentralization is the key. It is agreed (at the parley) that generation is being done at different places: there are private individuals, corporate bodies, some states, even local governments generating already. Therefore, there should also be same for distribution and transmission.

mission in the country?

In my own opinion, the current Petroleum Industrial Bill has been completely watered down compared to the original version that almost scaled through the National Assembly in 2009. The current version is an output of a different compromises and clash of interests caused by political influence.

For instance, unlike the current version of the PIB, the original unambiguously stressed the need to establish or strengthen institutions that will internalize the generated revenues from the oil and gas for the development of the host communities and the entire country, among others. The current bill isn’t explicit on this.

However, the fundamental thing in ensuring that things work efficiently eventually, is a functional regulatory system. Just like the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), we also need, in the upper and downstream section of the nation’s oil and gas, a regulator that will ensure that standards are followed and the operations of the operators are in compliance with global standards.

Are these conditions taken care of in the current version of the PIB before the National Assembly?

I think what is most important now is that businesses in the industry will still go on, based on the existing rules and the investors are likely to face daunting challenges. This is because oil and gas is being discovered in more African and European countries every now and then, making the commodity’s competitiveness less attractive and lucrative globally.

SallGuard of the United States of American has virtually collapsed the NLG Port in the country.

Sweden, which hitherto was not an oil country, has discovered gas in large quantity. Things like this have been shrinking the special market for NLG gas globally.

So, we need to be very strategic so as to be able to attract investors to Nigeria, especially to help develop the gas market. Currently, Nigeria is the second largest gas-flaring country in the world! We need to utilize this resource for the development of the country.

Gas alone has tremendous potential to transform the nation’s economy. This is a commodity that can power the sufficient and efficient management of electricity and even revive the manufacturing sector back to live.

My advice to the government however is to sustain the current perceived credibility in the unbundling process of the electricity sector.

The issuance of certificates for the investors that have paid the 25 per cent takeoff benchmark is indicative of the seriousness of the government and the credibility of the process so far.

What we need now is the right environment that will promote a win-win situation for the operators, the government and the masses.

Given the calibre of private investors coming to take over the PHCN, are you optimistic that Nigeria will achieve its desired result eventually?

Just like what happened in the telecommunication sector, when the sector is opened up to private investors and there are level playing ground and no political interference whatsoever and the Nigeria Independent Power Projects set to takeoff, I believe the story will change positively and dramatically in the next two years.

Are you saying that Nigeria’s Vision 20:2020 agenda, especially for electricity generation and distribution, is still achievable in spite of over rently operate. This is because of its efficiency 30,000 megawatts shortfall? and streamlined operation.

I think there is still every possibility to achieve The conclusion after brainstorming was that the goal. If the current credible trend is susin every aspect of our lives, the more we decen- tained, can be likened to the dramatic turn tralize, the more efficient we can become. around in the telecommunication sector. At a Do you think the Petroleum Industry Bill, if time, the whole country had less than one mileventually passed into law, can boost the effort lion lines, but with the unbundling of the secto increase electricity generation and transtor, which brought healthy competition, the statistics has soared, within three to four years, to over 100 million telecommunication lines.

When you allow those who have the technical know-how and the comparative advantage to do things, the result will be the leapfrog currently enjoyed in the nation’s telecommunication industry. This is because privatization is driven by competition and the need to have an edge over others requires credible product or service, which of course will be a win-win situation to both the operators and the consumers.

The growth of the economy, especially one driven by peoples’ welfare, is frustrated now because of the epileptic power supply. Once that is fixed, almost everything else becomes easier.

I think there is still every possibility to achieve the goal. If the current credible trend is sustained, can be likened to the dramatic turn around in the telecommunication sector. At a time, the whole country had less than one million lines, but with the unbundling of the sector, which brought healthy competition, the statistics has soared, within three to four years, to over 100 million telecommunication lines. When you allow those who have the technical know-how and the comparative advantage to do things, the result will be the leapfrog

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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Consumer Electronics: Sony May Stir Market With New Expansion Strategy In Africa

By Ntia Usukuma (Just back from Cape Town, South Africa) IGERIA’S Electronics market where Samsung N and LG Electronics are the major players presently would soon witness some earth-shaking rumbles as global market leader, Sony, is poised to execute her extensive blueprint for expansion across the African continent.

Defined by a rigorous 360degree immersion plan, Sony unveiled to about 40 journalists from 32 African countries at a cozy atmosphere in Cape Town, South Africa, a three-pronged plan to transform the African consumers’ experience in the electronics sector. The focus of this new plan include an aggressive channeling of the latest technology products into the African market, introducing experiential Sony brand stores, and setting up authorised service centres in almost every country in Africa.

On the operational front, Sony plans to establish new zonal offices in Morocco, Ghana, Nigeria and Angola, employing local human resources and identifying new business partners with the capacity to compliment the Sony growth strategy in Africa.

These revelations were also made at an exclusive dealers’ conference in Cape Town, South Africa, where Sony highlighted to her top distributors the company’s global ambitions and the significance it places on Africa in the international marketplace.

Speaking at the conference, Managing Director, Sony Middle East and Africa, Hiroyasu Sugiyama revealed that Sony has set a three-year target to achieve US$1.4 billion market share in Africa’s consumer electronics industry. In Sugiyama’s words, “Africa is undoubtedly one of the most important markets for Sony. By 2015, we hope to achieve a $1.4 billion share in the consumer electronics space, including the fast-growing mobile phone business. The numbers certainly look exciting, but our immediate focus is to identify tactics that help us move towards our target. The Sony roadmap for Africa constitutes a four-pillared strategy based on product, customer, community, and operation.”

Recognising the demand for its top-of-theline products in local markets, Sugiyama revealed that Sony would synchronise its international launches to include the African continent in its entirety. “From the award-winning Sony Xperia Z smartphone, the XPERIA tablet and the BRAVIA 4K TVs to the world’s most powerful audio system, the Shake 7 stereo, Sony will look to reduce the wait-time and increase the availability of its products, especially those tailored for African consumers,” he explained.

Incidentally, a recent study has revealed that Sony stands number one in the audio products category in Africa, commanding a market share of over 40 per cent. In South Africa alone, one in two customers seeking audio products opt for Sony.

Looking to transform the experiential prospects for African consumers, Sony is also set to roll out its unique branded stores, Sony World, in key markets to give potential buyers a chance to see and feel the unmatched quality of its products. The first of these open-display stores has been successfully launched in the Ivory Coast.

Journalists invited to the special media conference in Cape Town were taken on a guided tour of what the open display stores would showcase at each location. For more than three hours, the journalists had the unique opportunity of being among the first people on the continent to see and feel different quality products Sony was about releasing into the continental market.

At the event, it was obvious that Sony’s attention to quality does not end at the point of sales, as the brand announced it would launch 67 authorised service centres in Africa this year, which will be increased to 87 centres by March 2014.

Sugiyama added: “Africa is a vast continent, and we understand that it is made up of different and diverse countries with many languages and cultures that require localised communication. We are moving fast to satisfy these requirements and preferences through

Managing Director, Sony Middle East and Africa, Hiroyasu Sugiyama. vehicles such as a multi-lingual Sony website in Africa’s predominant languages including French, Portuguese, English and Arabic. We are also looking to launch a dedicated Sony Facebook page for Africa.”

Over the years, Sony has extensively engaged with the African community with campaigns that propose the company’s goal to work ‘With Africa’ as opposed to ‘For Africa’. These include initiatives such as the South Africa Mobile Library Project in partnership with a non-profit organisation, South African Primary Education Support Initiative (SAPESI). In addition, Sony has partnered with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Fund to Fight AIDS, and Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) to imple-

ment highly successful public cinema-viewing projects in Tanzania, Ghana and Cameroon.

Other community support projects include Folktales in Malawi, a joint initiative with the Malawi National Commission for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and the Global Future Charitable Trust (GFCT), to protect and preserve the heritage of intergenerational story telling in print and audio formats. The widespread Eye See Digital Photo Project headed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) was additionally extended to children in Rwanda, Liberia, Madagascar, South Africa, Ethiopia, Mali, and Tunisia to give them a voice of expression through photography.

Speaking on Sony community initiatives, Sugiyama said: “We at Sony believe that we must be a part of the local community wherever we do business. Ever since its inception in 1946, Sony has endeavored to provide amazing entertainment experiences through our products that inspire and fulfill our consumers’ curiosity. We continue to replicate this guiding philosophy that is embedded in our DNA across all the community-focused initiatives that we deliver globally.”

Sony Middle East and Africa is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Sony Corporation. The company is in charge of Sony Corporations’ activities in the Middle East and Africa regions. In more than 40 countries, the company handles the business activities involving Sony Consumer Electronics, VAIO laptop computers, Computer Peripherals, Data media, Recording Media and Energy (Batteries), Mobile Electronics (Car Audio) and Computer Entertainment (PlayStation) products. Apart from stock operations in the Jebel Ali Free Zone Establishment in Dubai, Sony Middle East and Africa leads execution of various logistics, sales, marketing, advertising and customer services activities through its business partners and representative offices. A representative office in Kenya and Pakistan, in addition to 497 accredited third party service centres reinforces Sony’s presence in key markets in the region.

PR Experts Urge Strategic Communication Of Africa’s Achievements, Potentials T the First All Africa Public A Relations and Strategic Communication Summit held recently in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, experts were of the view that governments of the different countries in Africa must develop their own channels of telling their stories to the world to checkmate the continued misrepresentation of facts about the continent by the international media.

The three-day event, which was organised by African Public Relations Association (APRA), took place at the African Union New Complex saw the cream of Africa’s best in professional public relations practice and strategic communications consultancy in full attendance. Also, special guests and government officials graced the occasion, which featured an air of friendship and promise for the continent.

In his opening address, a public relations fellow and the President, Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Mr. John Dramani Mahama, represented by the country’s Minister for Information and Communication commended the recent developments in Africa where most countries are experiencing growth and development.

He identified communication as one of the major drivers of this new development and urged African communication and PR practitioners to help Africa maintain sustainable development through strategic communication of the positive things happening in the continent.

The President of APRA, Mr. Peter Mutie expressed his gratitude on

the huge number of delegates that were present at the conference as most of the African countries were represented. He re-echoed the new wave of economic growth and positive developments in Africa. He was, however, disappointed by the misrepresentation of the African continent in the media.

According to him, “the image of Africa has for a long time been misrepresented. Stories about progress and two digit economic growth are drowned by negative images that are flashed on screens of international media. For a long time, Africa has been portrayed as the continent of civil strife, diseases and starvation. These and other miserable images dominate African stories in the international media.”

He believes that there is a missing link between Africa’s rise in economic growth and negative images painted in the media. That missing link, he said, is communication. He therefore recommended that Africans should tell their own story themselves. He further asserted that the responsibility lies on PR and communication experts in Africa, noting that, “until the lions tell their story, only the hunters will be heard.”

The Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission, His Excellency, Mr. Erastus Mwencha in his presentation condemned the present position where economic policies being implemented by African governments are foreign brewed without inputs from African people. Also, he pointed out the case for media representation of events in Africa, which according to him, are portrayed by foreign media

conglomerates in the interest of their patrons and not in the interest of Africa and her people. He called on African governments to think towards creating their own channels and mouthpiece to tell their own stories.

Meanwhile, a leading Pan-African brand-focused magazine published in Lagos, BrandiQ, received public commendations from Mutie during the conference.

He praised the selfless effort of the publication in serving as the official journal of the first APRA Summit.

He equally commended the magazine’s effort in promoting public relations and strategic communications among students in tertiary institutions across Africa.

In his response, the Editor –in –Chief of the magazine, Mr.

CEO, Synthesis Communications, Mr. Desmond Ekeh; CEO, Red Ribbon, Mr. Babatunde Shofowora; CEO, Prospers Strategy Ltd, Mr. Lanre Alabi; Secretary General of African Public Relations Association (APRA), Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya; President, APRA, Mr. Peter Mutie, and MD/CEO, Publics Ltd, Mr. Edward Adebanjo, at the APRA Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia…recently.

Desmond Ekeh, promised that the magazine would publish an extensive pull out on the APRA summit in

its next edition to help in publicising the good works of APRA across the continent.

FG, DDB Unveil Media Partners For Centenary Project DB Lagos, the Exclusive Centenary Marketing friend to the media and we believe that jointly, we can tell D Company appointed by the Federal Government for Nigerians what we are doing to celebrate our nation for Nigeria’s Centenary Celebrations, on Thursday unveiled turning 100 years.” its media partners in the project.

Speaking at the event, which held at Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos, the Minister of State for Works, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, who represented the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Anyim Pius Anyim, said the centenary celebration is very dear to the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration, the nation and the entire citizenry, hence the partnership with the media.

He said: “The president has said over and over again that the celebration is purely private sector driven. The media consultant has been appointed; his duty is to be telling Nigerians each stage of the celebration. We have lined up a lot of activities for the celebration and this is just one of the most important aspects. We need the media; we are a

The media partners unveiled at the event include: The Guardian, BusinessDay, Daily Trust, The Nigerian Tribune, and Vanguard newspapers; Tell, Marketing Edge, and The News magazines; NTA, AIT, and Channels televisions; Cool FM, Nigeria Info FM, Ray Power FM, Wazobia FM, Classic FM, The Beat FM, and Radio Nigeria; and Keniss Music.

DDB Project Director, Mr. Ikemefuna Mordi, who unveiled the media partners, noted that the centenary celebration represents a remarkable milestone in the life of the country.

“One hundred years of existence is not a small feat for any nation; it represents a big milestone. It is therefore time for us to tell our own stories. We are tired of other people telling our story as a country. That is why we are partnering the media in this project because they are the ones to do the job,” he said.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

With DESMOND EKEH desmondekeh@yahoo.com; 08023215535

Lagos NIPR Roles Out Activities For AGM HE Lagos State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has unveiled plans for its forthcoming 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM)/Public Relations Week.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, Chairman, NIPR Lagos State Chapter, Barr. Olajide Ologun said: “This year’s theme mirrors the concerns for good governance of our dear nation. It is also meant to x-ray how professional and public relations strategies and methodology could be deployed to enhance participation and cooperation of all, for effective political leadership.

Besides, since Nigerians yearn for a wholesome transformation of the country that would guarantee sustainable and efficient infrastructure, good governance, peace and security, the lecture would provide answers to the roles public relations professionals could play to achieve them.”

According to him, the topic of this year’s lecture entitled “Public Relations and Good Governance: What Synergy?” will be delivered by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN).

The event will hold on July 4 at the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) House, situated at Plot A 2, Hakeem Balogun Street, Central Business District, Alausa, Ikeja at 10 am. Other activities lined up to mark the weeklong event will start on June 28 and climax on July 5, 2013.

The annual general meeting/public relations week has evolved into a strategic and resourceful forum for technocrats and change agents in the society.

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Biographies Vital For Personality Branding, Says Ikiebe HE Head of the Editorial team that packaged the recently T published Kolade’s Canons, Mr. Richard Ikiebe of the School of Media and Communications, Pan African University, has revealed that incisive biographies of Nigeria’s national heroes can help in ensuring that such personalities transform into ageless brands.

Ikiebe noted in an interview that, “today, we really don’t have definite stories of leaders like Akintola, Ahmadu Bello, and many others whereas Nelson Mandela has over 120 titles on him. One of the reasons we engaged in publishing the Canons is our strong belief that we need to tell our stories. Kolade caught our attention as a bold, adventurous and courageous man who left a top-level public sector job to the untested waters of the private sector even when his career was not threatened in any way. Having followed him over the years, I saw in him as a man who had a story that can motivate every Nigerian.”

Ikiebe frowned at the fact that most case studies in schools today are foreign, saying they don’t touch or connect with the Nigerian culture.

The three-volume compilation of speeches and lectures delivered over the years by Dr. Christopher Kolade titled Kolade’s Canons were unveiled recently at a colourful event held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Lagos.

Cross River Commissioner Commends MTN On Link Forum HE Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Cross River State, Patrick Ugbe has commended telecommunications giant, MTN, on its MTN Link Forum initiative, which he described as a transformation catalyst for youths in the state.

Speaking at the MTN Link Forum event held recently at the Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, Ugbe remarked that since making its first appearance in the state, MTN Link Forum has added value, in terms of capacity building to the youths of the state.

“What MTN Link Forum has succeeded in doing, is to encourage a lot of youths in Cross River State to be bold and take up the challenge of becoming their own bosses, although it is a difficult step to take, considering that they are stepping into the unknown. But by listening to those who have done it and made a success of their businesses, they are inspired to also become entrepreneurs and add value to the economic development of the state,” he said.

Sharing his success story, Nzan Ogbe, a Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor, harped on the need for self-discovery and staying focused. According to him, knowing who you are and what value you have been created to add to the human race is the first step to becoming an entrepreneur and a successful one at that.

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Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor, Nzan Ogbe (left); insurance magnate, Ekerete Gam-Ikom; and an architect and business consultant, John Etim Bassey, sharing their success stories at the MTN Link Forum in Calabar…recently.

Amstel Malta, Tuface Thrill UNIBEN SC Johnson Unveils Scratch Your Way To Millions Promo Community C Johnson Nigeria Limited, the maker of Raid and Baygon ARELY few weeks into a new semester, students of the B University of Benin had cause to be extremely excited when Sinsecticides brands, has activated a nationwide promo that Africa’s singing sensation, Tuface Idibia, in collaboration with will afford loyal consumers of the two insecticides the opporAmstel Malta, stormed the campus recently in continuation of the ongoing Campus Connect Tour of Tuface and Friends.

The university had gone agog when the news filtered through that Tuface would be performing in the campus. As expected, the event witnessed a mammoth crowd. Over 5000 students were in attendance and the university sports complex, which served as venue for the concert, was a beehive of activity.

Speaking on the rationale behind Amstel Malta’s partnership with Tuface and friends, Brand Manager Amstel Malta, Mrs. Adedoyin Owotomo said: “Our partnership with Tuface is borne out of the desire to encourage our consumers at all levels to be the best in whatever they find themselves doing”.

After a thrilling performance that kept the students on their toes for hours, an excited Tuface thanked the crowd for coming out to listen to him and his friends and promised to revisit the school again.

He expressed his excitement about the tour. “I am really excited about this partnership with Amstel Malta and looking forward to more of this. It has been a long time that I interacted with the students; it is going to be an emotional return to these campuses. I have received and still enjoy massive support from these spots. They are my ‘personal’ people.”

E-savers Promo: GTBank Rewards Winners UARANTY Trust Bank has continued to reward loyal cusG tomers of its trendy, card-based interest-bearing undergraduate account called GTCrea8 e-savers Account.

According to the bank, six winners emerged from the third draw held on recently at its Corporate Headquarters in Lagos.

The winners include: Bemigbelu Bunmi, a student from Lagos State Polytechnic who won a Galaxy Tab for Lagos region; Alonge Orekunle from University of Abuja, who won a Laptop from Abuja region and Kelvin Joy, who won a Blackberry phone for the southeast region.

Others are: Ajiboye Tunde from Federal Polytechnic, Offa, who won an LED TV for the South West region, Guv-Hart Joy from River State College of Arts and Science, who won a refrigerator and Gambo Nafi’u, who won an ipod touch for the northern region.

Foresight Takes Touch-screen Whiteboard To Schools

tunity to win instant recharge cards and cash prizes.

The promo tagged, “Scratch Your Way To Millions” will provide consumers with the opportunity to win cash prizes up to N1 million in monthly draws that will run till August 14, 2013.

They will also be able to win instant recharge cards during the three months period.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos, the Managing Director, of the company, Mr. Kwame Wiafe, noted that “malaria is a leading killer of our population and this is its peak season. That is why SC Johnson, a leading family company in Nigeria, is working hard to prevent the scourge and reward its customers at the same time.”

MasterCard To Thrill Customers With Wembley Trip S part of its continued support of the Cashless Nigeria A initiative, MasterCard, proud official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, is running a spectacular consumer promotion that will bring all the action and excitement of the UEFA Champions League right into the heart of Nigeria.

The promotion, which debuted in Nigeria in 2011, provides MasterCard cardholders an opportunity to win the four tickets to watch the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final live in London at the legendary Wembley Stadium.

Announcing the promotion, Vice President and Area Business Head, West Africa, MasterCard, Omokehinde Ojomuyide revealed that in addition to the four tickets to watch the final live at Wembley, there are additional 500 double tickets to watch the game at the exclusive UEFA Champions League Fan viewing event in Lagos.

“To enter the competition, all a cardholder has to do is use his or her Debit MasterCard, the more they use their Debit MasterCard card, the more chances they have of winning,” she said.

The participating banks in the promotion are Guaranty Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Skye Bank, United Bank of Africa, First Bank, Wema Bank, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Unity Bank, Ecobank, Keystone Bank and Enterprise Bank.

Explaining the purpose for building exciting experiences around the football contest for Nigerians, Ojomuyide said, “Nigeria is very important to MasterCard and is the hub for MasterCard in Sub-Sahara Africa.”

He added: “The Nigerian government has taken bold and progressive steps to encourage cashless transactions, which aligns with our vision of a ‘World Beyond Cash’.

“The passion of Nigerians for football is tremendous and that is why MasterCard is committed to giving its card holders an unforgettable football experience this year.”

Experts Seek Efficient Document In Oil And Gas Sector

PERATORS and regulators in the Nigerian Oil and Gas secORESIGHT Computer Technology has introduced a new FInformation touch-screen whiteboard, Cleverboard 4, to aid the Otor have been advised to improve on their document conand Communication Technology (ICT) drive in trol and management processes to guarantee business effiNigerians schools.

The advanced learning technology made by Sahara, a United Kingdom (UK) company, is to facilitate interactive learning in schools.

Presenting the technology to stakeholders at an event held recently at Oxbridge Tutorial College, Ikeja, Lagos, Managing Director of Foresight, Louis Ijenwa, said the new interactive whiteboard was designed to suit the peculiar nature of the Nigerian environment and give adequate return on investment.

He noted that since Nigeria was still on the lower base of the technological ladder, “any school or organisation considering the introduction of the Interactive Whiteboard into their classrooms or conference room should consider the durability, versatility, maintainability and the functionality of the board as a whole.”

Red Star Embraces Eco-Friendly Courier Bags line with world’s best practices and commitment to susIticsNtainable development, Red Star Express Plc, a one-stop logiscompany, has embraced the use of biodegradable polythene envelopes as its official flyers.

With the increasing global warming campaign, Red Star Express is actively seeking ways to reduce the carbon footprint by using biodegradable materials.

Speaking on this new development, the company’s Marketing Manager, Ngozi Ochokwu said, “our company has chosen to use bio-degradable polythene envelopes to parcel goods in keeping with environmental-friendly global best practices. We believe that our transition to the use of biodegradable flyers would have a great impact on the health of the country and the world as a whole.”

Research has shown that the impact of plastics and other nonbio-degradable on the people is hazardous and a major pollutant to the environment.

“We are constantly seeking new ways to support sustainable development, over and above existing international conservation standards.

ciency and stem the tide of corruption and inefficiency currently threatening the sector, and by extension, the nation’s economy.

At a recent workshop put together by Young & Bailey Nigeria Limited, a leading document and electronic content management firm with the theme “Document Control and Management: Turning Challenges into Opportunities”, lead paper presenter, Shola Adeola who is also Information Technology manager, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, noted that document control and management requirement is one of the most difficult and ineffectively implemented requirements in the nation’s oil and gas sector, leading to errors, delays, costs, poor records management and non-conformities.

While submitting that the relevance and impact of proper document control and management processes in oil and gas servicing organisations cannot be over emphasised, Adeola said lack of proper document control can lead to dissatisfaction of Contractors, Engineers and Project Managers, thereby resulting invariably in project failures.

He, therefore, challenged document control managers in the various spheres of the nation’s economy to update their knowledge base as well as adopt cutting edge, world-class solutions in order to protect the integrity of their organisations.

IM/T Manager, Makon Engineering and Technical Services Limited, Mr. Kayode Adebayo (left); Managing Director Young and Bailey Nigeria Limited, Mr. Joseph Olutoyin Munis; IM and IT Manager, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company, Mr. Shola Adeola; and Manager, Projects and Solution, Mr. Julius Macaulay-Agbi, during the Young & Bailey Workshop on Document Control and Management held in Lagos…recently.

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover

Jonathan

STATE OF EMERGENCY

Nyako

Shettima

Gaidam

Govt Bares Its Fangs In Fight Against Boko Haram

By Godwin Ijediogor (News Editor) O many Nigerians, the state of emergence in T some states announced by President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday following the senseless killings in parts of the country, particularly Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Kano, Plateau and most recently Bayelsa, Taraba, Benue and Nasarawa States, took a long time coming. To some others, it would not solve the problem of insurrection in the northern part of Nigeria.

The President said in the nationwide broadcast: “Following recent developments in the affected states, it has become necessary for government to take extraordinary measures to restore normalcy.

“After wide consultations, and in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of Section 305, sub-section 1 of the Constitution, I hereby declare a State of Emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states…

“The troops and other security agencies involved in these operations have orders to take all necessary action, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists.

“This will include the authority to arrest and detain suspects, the taking of possession and control of any building or structure used for terrorist purposes, the lock-down of any area of terrorist operation, the conduct of searches, and the apprehension of persons in illegal possession of weapons.”

“I want to reassure you all that those who are directly or indirectly encouraging any form of rebellion against the Nigerian state, and their collaborators; those insurgents and terrorists who take delight in killing our security operatives, whoever they may be, wherever they may go, we will hunt them down, we will fish them out, and we will bring them to justice.

“No matter what it takes, we will win this war against terror.

Section 305 (1) states: “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the President may by instrument published in the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency in the Federation or any part thereof.”

It adds that the President shall have power to issue a proclamation of a state of emergency only when the federation is at war; the federation is in imminent danger of invasion or involvement in a state of war; there is actual breakdown of public

order and public safety in the federation or any part thereof to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security; and there is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the federation or any part thereof requiring extraordinary measures to avert such danger.

Other conditions are when there is an occurrence or imminent danger, or the occurrence of any disaster or natural calamity, affecting the community or a section of the community in the Federation; there is any other public danger which clearly constitutes a threat to the existence of the Federation; or the President receives a request to do so in accordance with the provisions of subsection (4) of this section.”

Section 217 (2 a-d) states the functions of the Armed Forces of the Federation to include defending Nigeria from external aggression; maintaining its territorial integrity and securing its borders from violation on land, sea, or air; suppressing insurrection and acting in aid of civil authorities to restore order when called upon to do so by the President, but subject to such conditions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly; and perform such other functions as may be prescribed by an Act of the National Assembly.

Following earlier hints of the action, though initially dismissed by federal government officials, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) urged the central government to ignore agitation for a state of emergency in some parts of the country.

Its Chairman and governor of Rivers State, Chubuike Amaechi, in statement issued on Monday, contended that people who do not wish Nigeria well and who were bent on plunging the country into a deeper crisis were making calls for a state of emergency in Borno and Yobe.

The governors cautioned the federal government not to allow itself to be distracted from the collective goal of curbing the insurgency in parts of our country once and for all.

Their plea appeared to have been heeded until the late Tuesday announcement by the President.

Shortly before the formal declaration by Jonathan, there had been movement of battleready troops to the affected areas, perhaps giving an indication of what was to come.

Already, governors of the affected states have accepted the action. Well, they really have no choice in this matter and are lucky to have escaped being asked to step aside for the duration of the emergency rule.

Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe on Thursday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Information, Abdullahi Bego, in Damaturu, the state capital, agreed with the President on the imposition of state of emergency in Yobe State, as there is no alternative to peace.

He acknowledged the need to take more effective measures to address the problems of insecurity in the country, as the Boko Haram insurgency have claimed many lives and property in the last four years.

While calling on the people of the state to be law abiding and to go about their normal business, the statement said “the Yobe State government will continue to partner with the military Joint Task Force (JTF) and other security agents to ensure normalcy across the state.”

The governor also assured the public that the state government would continue to work closely with the security agents and ensure that the conduct reflects the spirit of the emergency declaration by the President and the rules of the engagement specified for that purpose.

In Adamawa, the military has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew (6pm to 6am) across the state. Army spokesperson in Adamawa, Lt. Ja-afar Mohammed Nuhu, in a press statement on Thursday, urged all the residents to abide by the curfew.

But Governor Murtala Nyako has queried the decision to extend the action to Adamawa, which “has been judged the most peaceful state among the six states in the North East region was included.”

In a broadcast to residents of the state, Nyako, a retired Admiral, however, pledged his support for the emergency rule and urged residents to be calm and prayerful during the period and warned parents to keep an on eye on their wards.

Earlier, their Borno counterpart, Kashim Shettima, admitted that the President acted within his constitutional powers to curtail the violence and it is also the duty of any responsible state government to support lawful efforts that would guarantee the security of lives and properties.

In an address to residents of the state on Wednesday, Shettima advised them to “take personal steps, as citizens, to avoid being caught by the strange rules,” as a period of state of emer-

gency is that which comes with rules that are different from those that guide their day-to-day lives.

He added: “It can never be the wish of any guarded democratic government to have the military directly involved in the affairs of any federating unit, except for unfortunate and painful causes.

“I will seize this opportunity for the umpteenth time to call on our brothers in the Jama’atu ahliss Sunnah lil Da’awatu wal Jihad to embrace dialogue so that we can solve this problem on the table through collective bargaining, offers and compromises.”

There have been concerns that the action could ultimately result in human right abuses by the military, but the President’s speech appeared to have addressed that.

While some commend the declaration, especially the retention of democratic structure in the affected states, others feel the President should have gone the whole hog by removing the elected officials, like former President Olusegun Obasanjo did when he took a similar action in Plateau and Ekiti states, following the real or perceived political impasse there.

Instructively, the relevant sections of the constitution empowering the President to take such action did not state categorically that the President should or can dismantle elected political institutions, as did Obasanjo, or cannot or should not, as Jonathan has done.

This has made analysts to believe that it is only left at the discretion of the President, just that many would expect a democratically elected leader to retain the structures, as Jonathan has done.

In any case, it has to be borne in mind that while the issues that led to the declaration of state of emergency under Obasanjo were mainly political, they are mostly security-related in the current scenario.

This has led many to believe that Jonathan acted more democratically than Obasanjo and is reflective of their different backgrounds, more so, given the interplay of politics and ethnicity in the present situation.

Tired of the killings and destructions in the affected and others states listed by the President in the broadcast, it is hoped that the declaration would curtail the criminal impunity senseless destruction of lives and property, especially of security agents, as well as enable the country reclaim parts of Nigeria held by the terrorists.

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COVER More Nigerians Flee To Niger

STATE OF EMERGENCY

Benue People Express Mixed Feelings was asked to step aside for six months.

“Why is it that the President did not do the same?

This action will not achieve any purpose,” he statHE declaration of state of emergency in Borno, ed.

Yobe and Adamawa states is attracting mixed Shuluwa, who is one of the founding members feelings from a cross section of Benue people, with of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue majority in support of the action.

State, also queried why the President did not A frontline politician and People’s Democratic declare state of emergency in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Party (PDP) stalwart, Chief Abu Shuluwa, in a telephone interview with The Guardian, described the Kano, Bayelsa, Benue, Plateau and Bauchi states, where there have also been serious security chalaction of the President as lacking focus.

Shuluwa questioned the rationale in declaring a lenges.

On his part, retired Commissioner of Police, state of emergency in only three states and leaving the state governors and Assembly members to Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, reckoned that it would only give the military legal backing to kill and harass continue to administer, wondering who then innocent citizens in the affected states, noting that would be in control in charge the states. it is not good enough in a democracy.

“I recall that under former President Olusegun Tsav insisted that military force is not a good soluObasanjo, state of emergency was declared in tion to tackling insurgence in the country, stressPlateau State and then governor, Joshua Dariye,

From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi

From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri OLLOWING the recent attacks on Baga and Geidam council areas of Borno and Yobe states by suspected Boko Haram gunmen, some residents and businessmen in the affected communities have continued to take refuge in the border town of Maine-Sarowa in Diffa Province of Niger Republic.

The fleeing residents, according to the district head of Maine-Sarowa, Alhaji Goukini Gassou, are from Geidam in Yobe State and Damasak, Baga and Maiduguri towns in Borno State, adding that some of them came with their family members, properties and vehicles.

He said: “I started to notice the influx of our brothers and sisters from Nigerian border towns of Geidam, Baga and even Maiduguri in February this year.

“The well-to-do fleeing Nigerians have built houses here, while some of them come for holidays and return to their respective areas in Nigeria.

“The concern of the authorities of Maine-Sarowa is not the increasing number of fleeing Nigerians to Niger Republic, but the sudden rise in armed robbery and car-snatching.

“This is why it is mandatory for any alien entering this town to identify him or herself before being registered as visitor on either business or holidaying mission.”

He attributed the sudden influx of Nigerians to his domain to the incessant attacks and killings by Boko Haram gunmen in the border town of Geidam, 30 kilometres from Maine-Sarowa, Baga and even far away Maiduguri.

He disclosed that more Nigerians are crossing the border into Niger Republic to take refuge in MaineSarowa, some 242 kilometres north of Maiduguri.

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Survivors of Boko Haram attack at a police station in Maiduguri, Borno State capital recently running for safety

ing that dialogue remains the panacea to the security challenges.

He said: “I view the declaration as a mere formality. Why did the President refuse to comment on Asari Dokubo’s statements that tend to spark further violence in the country? Now he has gone ahead to declare state of emergency in some states.”

On the slaying of police officers in Nasarawa State recently, Tsav said what happened was an indication that Nigeria’s security apparatus was failing and urged the Federal and Nasarawa State governments to quickly compensate families of the deceased officers, grant scholarships to their children and pay their death benefits.

But former Chairman of the state chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Donatus Zuanah, told The Guardian that declaring state emergency was in most of the states was long overdue, noting that the armed insurgency and terrorism in the affected states amounted to a declaration of war against the country.

He maintained that no responsible government would continue to tolerate such a situation, adding that full state of emergency should have been declared in entire states at the time it was done in some councils.

He said it was failure to do so encouraged the terrorists and insurgents to kill people and destroy properties almost at will.

On who should take orders from who, the legal expert said he saw no issue in that, stressing that soldiers take orders from their superior officers or commander in chief, especially as governors do not control security agencies; hence there may be no conflict on where to take orders from.

“I think leaving the governors in place is to ensure a political balancing and avoid being accused of ulterior political motives to take over the states for political gains in 2015,” he averred.

Zuanah however expressed concern that the people of the states under emergency would suffer some infringement on their civil liberties, such as detention without immediate trial and seizure of properties without due process, adding that laws enacted that conflict with the objectives or operation of the emergency rule would be suspended.

The former NBA boss quoted Section 305 of the 1999 constitution, as amended, saying the President does not have to remove governors or legislators or political office holders in situations like this, as Obasanjo did it in Plateau and Ekiti states in the past.

‘It Is A Ploy To Attract Military, Financial Aid From Western Countries’ Former Solicitor General of K aduna State during the Second Republic and National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Malam Aliyu Umar spoke on the imposition of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states by President Goodluck Jonathan. He also spoke on sundry national issues of interest.

From Saxone Akhaine, Northern Bureau Chief HAT is your reaction to the emergency rule declared by the W Federal Government in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states?

The declaration of state of emergency in the North Eastern Nigerian States of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa is clearly a strategic move by the President to attract military and financial aid from Israel, United States of America and other Western countries under the cover of fighting terrorism as defined from the American perspective. There is nothing more to it than that.

Those in control of political power in Nigeria today, like their predecessors, are mere agents of Western neocolonial powers; and as such, they cannot appreciate the glaring fact that these Western powers are now desperately struggling to re-colonize Nigeria and the rest of the Africa by continuing to plant open security challenges. The President of Nigeria and his colleagues in other African countries should understand that the American-inspired global economic gambling game is nearing its end; and as such, America and its allies in the West are doing all they can to hopelessly save the capital system by taking control of the riches of Nigeria and the rest of Africa.

The clear route these countries have taken and have been taking, is to ensure that African countries remain unstable by planting the most devastating weapon of terror, which is corruption in rich African countries like Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The President of Nigeria should remember that the amount of money British citizens spend daily to feed their pet dogs and cats is more than what the entire people of Africa (including their Presidents) spend

daily to feed themselves. It is in order to live in this level of luxury that rich Africa must one way or the other be re-colonized.

How would you describe the way the government has been handling the insecurity situation in the country before now?

In Nigeria, there are people exercising political power at the highest level. To such people in power, it is just about power without responsibility and without accountability, which is disaster waiting to happen. And this is the insipid reality staring Nigeria in the face. As we all know, corruption does not only kill human lives, it also destroys the souls of nations. So the real source of insecurity in Nigeria is corruption and to resolve the insecurity challenges, law and order must be restored at all levels. As things stand now, the Nigerian constitution is just a veritable working document and not the fundamental binding agreement the multi-ethnic, the multi-religious people of Nigeria signed to live under God. The way out is to go back to the basics and begin the processes of re-building the country starting from grassroots levels of the Nigerian society. And this is where traditional institutions, political parties and other grassroots organizations become highly relevant and they should immediately be brought in to lay the solid foundation of rebuilding the heart of Africa, Nigeria.

In what way again would you describe the actions and activities of Boko Haram?

I am only aware of Boko Hallas. Islam enjoins every Muslim to seek education anywhere in the world. The security challenges facing Nigeria today has no religious characteristics. In the constitution of Nigeria, there is freedom of religion. If anybody

The declaration of state of emergency in the North Eastern Nigerian States of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa is clearly a strategic move by the President to attract military and financial aid from Israel, United States of America and other Western countries under the cover of fighting terrorism as defined from the American perspective. There is nothing more to it than that.

thinks any religion despises the so-called Western education, that is his/her own belief. But the reality is that there is nothing like Western education. Education is a global human product that transcends civilizations. After all, when the Africans, the Egyptians and the Chinese taught the first principles, the Western man was living in caves. So, education is a product of human intellect developed through the ages. In other words, education is a common heritage of mankind. Therefore, the few lightly armed youths that are nick-named Boko Haram are in reality Boko Hallas and as members of the communities facing security challenges, they can easily be reached through the well established African extended family system and community leaders without declaring war against them as the President has wrongly done.

Aliyu

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

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CoVER

STATE OF EMERGENCY

It Is Ill-Advised, Says Yadudu From Abba Anwar, Kano HE recent imposition of state of emergency T in Borno, Yoba and Adamawa states by President Goodluck Jonathan, has elicited

the states during his tenure, the action had no constitutional basis.

“What President Jonathan did by maintaining the elected officials in the three states to hold their position, is constitutionally obtainable. It is in compliance with the constitutional provisions.

It is not a favour done to them at all.” on his part, a political scientist in the Department of Political Science, Bayero University, Kano, Dr Sa’idu Ahmad Dukawa, observed that most of the military people who

mixed reactions in Kano State. While some described it as constitutionally appropriate, others said it is uncalled for under the present situation in the affected states.

A renowned professor of constitutional law, a university don and former adviser to the former Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, Prof Auwalu Hamisu Yadudu, said: “There is no question of the constitutionality of the action in the first place. You cannot tell me that all other things taking place in these areas to douse tension are not working.” According to him, the state of emergency option was used in the past but it did not work.

Emergency rule, in his view, would only cause misery and untold hardship for the people in the affected states. When asked about the possibility of the emergency rule working hand in hand with the recently constituted committee that would look into the possibility of dialogue between the federal government and the Boko Haram members by the President, Prof Yadudu said he did not know how the two could go together.

“I do not know the terms of reference of the committee. But then, the committee itself was ill-advised as the state of emergency is illadvised.” Yadudu stressed. on the legality or otherwise of why did the president maintained the elected public office holders of the affected states, Yadudu said when former President olusegun obasanjo suspended the governor of Ekiti and Plateau states when he imposed a state of emergency in Yadudu

‘Jonathan’s Action Is In Compliance With The Constitution’ A Jos-based constitutional lawyer, Mr. Emmanuel Akhayere in this interview, examines the legal implication of the declaration of the state of emergency in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states on Tuesday by President Goodluck Jonathan.

From Isa Abdusalami Ahovi, Jos HAT is the legality or otherwise of this declaration which allows political office holders, especially the governors, to still remain in office?

I think your question centres on the fact that in the last state of emergency that was declared by former President olusegun obasanjo, the governors were removed from office and other political office holders were removed from office as well. It is the provisions of Section 305 of the 1999 constitution that guide the proclamation of a state of emergency. And in the section, the constitution does not provide for the removal of holders of political office. All the political office holders remain in the office even though there is a proclamation of a

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Akhayere

ruled Nigeria would be happy about the state of emergency, because it would appear to them as if the political class has failed.

He opined that there are two classes in the society, the military class and the political class. “In political science, the military is an institution of its own. That is why you get military class and political class in governments.”

Dukawa dismissed the state of emergency, saying it has not worked anywhere in the world.

He gave examples of Somalia, Pakistan,

state of emergency in those states.

What obasanjo did in his time, was an aberration. It was illegal because there is no such provision in the constitution for the removal of political office holders upon the declaration of a state of emergency.

Unfortunately, the then Plateau State governor, Joshua Dariye at that time, did not go to court to challenge his removal from office upon the declaration of a state of emergency. I am certain that if he had challenged his removal from office by the then President in a court of law, he would have won.

How far-reaching is this action by President Jonathan?

The action that Mr. President has taken is in complete compliance with the provisions of the constitution. A President shouldn’t be seen as acting outside the powers given him under the constitution. This is a President that has followed strictly constitutional provisions. The essence is not to remove office holders from their states. The essence is to bring about peace and order in that state with the federal might. I read the papers today that troops have been deployed to all those states now. There is border patrol in those states now. I have no doubt in my mind that the action the President has taken is to bring back peace in those states.

How will the declaration of emergency check Boko Haram’s activities?

The whole essence of the declaration of a state of emergency is to ensure that the federal presence is heavy on ground. There should be security in every nook and cranny of those states. of course, the Boko Haram many still operate from here and there but the heavy presence of the federal security on ground will go a long way towards checking their activities. Right now, the presidency handles the issue of security in those states with the declaration of the state of emergency.

The people in those states should be law-abiding and go about their normal business.

What message is the declaration of emergency sending to the insurgents?

It is very clear. The message that the action is sending to the insurgents is that look, enough is enough. The Presidency would no longer stand aside, the government of this nation would no longer stand aside and watch riff-raffs kill innocent persons at will with impunity. No. That is the message it is sending.

In essence, you don’t see this action bringing hardship to the residents? No. With the presence of Boko Haram in those states, there is no hardship that the residents could bear much more than that. The federal might is not going there to kill innocent persons, that is, the citizens. They are going there to protect the lives and property of innocent citizens. So, it will not be correct to say that the proclamation of a state of emergency in those states will make life more unbearable. I don’t agree with that. I don’t think so.

Afghanistan and Syria. He said those were typical examples to tell people that military intervention is not always a solution.

“Is there any foreign influence in this? Is it a preparation ahead of 2015? The two states are APC states and Adamawa was just used as a cover up,” he said.

Dukawa said that the emergency rule was nothing but a negation of the recently constituted dialogue committee.

But Dr Mamman Lawan Yusfari of the Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, said that there is nothing illegal about the presidential pronouncement.

“What remains now is for him to immediately after the pronouncement, take a gazetted pronouncement to the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives for their notice and ratification. And they will now summon their sessions to discuss about the rule.

There must be two-thirds of the members agreeing on it before it can continue as a rule,” he explained.

Yusufari advised the residents of the affected states to be very cautious, saying anything could happen to anybody. “So I am advising people to limit their movements in their states, unless when it is necessary”.

A human rights activist and former National Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Isah Tijjani, opined that there was no wisdom in the imposition of the emergency rule in the affected states. “It has already been politicized. I am not happy with it at all,” he said.

He said it is doubtful if the emergency rule will produce the needed result. “We need to get a smooth resolution of the conflict and I don’t see it coming,” he said.

Soldiers Cannot Be Trusted In Emergency Rule Situation, Says Tofa Alhaji Bashir Tofa, the Presidential candidate of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the botched 1993 presidential election, spoke on the recent declaration of state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa state.

From John Akubo, Dutse oW did you receive the news of the H declaration of state of emergency in three northern states?

recruits. The whole thing can easily get out of hand. Again, there must be a time limit to this and help must be poured into these states at the same time so that people will see that there is something positive also going on.

I mean, it should be similar to the American State of emergency when the President declares it in times of some natural disasters. It is to help, rather than to destroy. It is to bring people together for a common cause, rather than to alienate them. Care must be taken. This must be properly managed.

State governors must be given realistic powers and responsibilities otherwise the soldiers will overdo it and the President must bear the responsibility alone.

But what if it gets out of hand and trouble shifts to other states not covered by the emergency? Will similar declaration be the answer?

The President must think about this and be ready with his answers. If you know how to get in, you must know how to get out at the right time. It is all our duty to pray for our country.

I was very apprehensive about it when the rumour filtered in early in the week before it was declared by President Jonathan. I thought it would be similar to the type President olusegun obasanjo declared some years ago. At least, the President has thought deeply on the declaration. It is not a take over.

Nonetheless, I am still apprehensive if it will work. I do not know whether the National Assembly will approve it. But the big question is whether this declaration means the termination of the amnesty committee for Boko Haram members that were just inaugurated?

We have to pray that it works to bring peace and tranquility to the affected states and the country in general.

Sometimes, some good will come out of what we fear. I hope, truly, this action will result in the good that it is intended to serve. My advice is that, 100 per cent freehand must not be given to the soldiers who know only how to destroy and kill.

Flooding the affected states with armed and furious soldiers much more than before, may portend greater risks and danger. The President must always be in the know in everything that needs to happen. People will obviously be scared; some may later revolt if there are excesses, which are more than likely going by previous experiences.

Boko Haram may have more willing Tofa

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May, 18, 2013

56

Change of Name ABIODUN : Formerly Miss Abiodun Olukemi Olusanya. now Mrs Keshinro Olukemi Olusanya. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

ABORIGHO: Formerly Miss Aborigho Francisca Emosivwe, now Mrs Lambo Francisca Emosivwe. Former documents valid. Public note.

ABURIME: Former Miss Cynthia Omoye Aburime now Mrs Cynthia Edet Lawrence. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEBUNMI : Formerly Miss Adebunmi Kemi Rashidat. now Mrs Owoyele Kemi Rashidat.

Former documents remain valid. General public note ADEDAMOLA: Formerly Miss Adedamola Oluwabukola Victoria now Mrs. Joan Oluwabukola Victoria.

Documents valid. Public note.

ADEGOROYE: Formerly Miss Adenike Temitope Adegoroye now to be known as Mrs. Adenike Temitope Adebayo. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEJARE: I formerly Adejare Raheemat Bisola now Mrs. Adekanmbi Raheemat Bisola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEJOBI: Formerly Miss Adejobi Adenike Patricia now Mrs. Abiola Adenike Patricia. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEKUNLE: Formerly Mrs. Adekunle Oluwatoyin Omobolanle now Mrs. Olanipekun Oluwatoyin Omobolanle. Former documents valid.

LGSC, Access Bank, Stanbic IBTC please, take note.

ADENIJI: Formerly Miss Adeniji Bosede Olaide now Mrs Abolarinwa Bosede Olaide. Crawford University & public note ADENIPEKUN: I, formerly Deborah Adenike Adenipekun now Mrs Deborah Adenike Ajayi.

All former documents remain valid. Public note ADESANYA: Formerly Adesanya Aminat Abiodun now Mrs. Akinbola Abiodun Aminat. Documents valid. Public note.

ADEYEMI: Former Miss Adeyemi Abigail Folake now Mrs. Olasehinde Abigail Folake. Former documents remain

valid. Public note.

ADEYALE: Former Ibitayo Ibilolawa Adeyale now Mrs Ibitayo Ibilolawa Akinbobola. Former documents remain valid.

ADEYINKA: Former Miss Adeyinka Taiwo Susan now wish to be known as Mrs Falade Taiwo Susan. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

ADINKWUYE: I, formerly known as Joy Ndidi Adinkwuye wish to be known as Mrs Joy Ndidi Eyefia. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

ADIKA: Formerly Adika Adebola Amdallah now Busari-Adika Adebola Amdallah. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ADIZIE: Formerly Miss Adizie Cecilia Ngozichukwu now Mrs Ewurum Cecilia Ngozichukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AGBASONU: Formerly Miss Jovita Agbasonu now Mrs Jovita Anyanwu. Former documents valid. Public take note.

AGBOLUAJE: Formerly Miss Agboluaje Maryam Toyosi now Mrs. Badru Maryan Toyosi. Documents valid. Public note.

AGUGUA: Formerly Miss Agugua Ijeoma Oluwaseun now wish to be addressed as Mrs Odukoya Ijeoma Oluwaseun.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

AHAMIOJIE: I formerly known as Miss Perpetual Aimiende Ahamiojie now Mrs. Perpetual Aimiende Okejimi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

Aneke Nnenna Onyinyechukwu now Mrs. Ohagwu Nnenna Onyinyechukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AJETUNMOBI: Formerly Miss Olubukola Dupe Ajetunmobi now Mrs. Olubukola Dupe Ikupolati. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AJOGWU: Formerly Ifeyinwa Cynthia Ajogwu now Mrs. Omeje Cynthia Ifeyinwa. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

now Mrs. Maria Oluwatosin Fawole.

Former documents remain valid. Public take note.

ALABEDE: Formerly Miss Alabede Qudrat Bolaji now Aiyedun Francisca Bolaji. Former documents remain valid. Public.

ALARIBE: Formerly Miss Alaribe Precious Nwakaego now Mrs. Efobi Precious Nwakaego.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AJOGBOR: Formerly Mrs Agbon Ajogbor now to be known as Mrs Agbon Eromosele. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ALIMI : Formerly Miss Alimi Olusola Latifat. now Mrs Agunbiade Olusola Latifat. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

AKINBO: Formerly Miss Akinbo Morufat Morohunke now wish to be addressed as Mrs Onabule Morufat Morohunke.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

ANIBABA: Formerly Miss Seki Abiola Anibaba now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Kazeem Seki Abiola. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AKINJIOLA: Formerly Akinjiola Olatunji now Akinjiola Olatunji Gabriel.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKIN-OJO: I, formerly known as Miss Morenike Esther AkinOjo now wish to be known as Mrs. Morenike Esther Ohue. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

AKINOLA: Formerly Miss Akinnola Abimbola Micha, now Mrs Odujebe Abimbola Feyisola.

Former documents valid. Public note.

AKINOLA: Formerly Miss Akinola Oluwakemi Florence now Mrs. Ekunseitan Oluwakemi Florence. Documents valid. Funnab, public note.

AHONSI: Formerly Monica Ahonsi now Monica Ahonsi Ikhenoba. Former documents valid.

Public note.

AKINTONDE: Formerly Miss Akintonde Taiwo Oladunni now wish to be addressed as Mrs Olonire Taiwo Oladunni. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

AINA: Formerly Miss Aina Omotara Pitan now Mrs Adegoke-Atiba Omotara. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

AKINWA: Formerly Miss Grace Inumidun Akinwa now Mrs Grace Inumidun Balogun.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AJALA: Formerly Ajala Okechukwu Victor now Iheanacho Okechukwu Victor. Former documents remain valid.

Management of ESUT and public note.

AKPAN: Formerly Miss Jenny Francis Akpan now Mrs. Jenny Isodje.

Previous documents valid. General public note.

ANEKE: Formerly Miss

ALARA: Formerly Miss Maria Oluwatosin Alara

ANIEDOZIE: Formerly Miss Aniedozie Stella Anulika now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Uwaezuoke Stella Anulika. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

ANIFOWOSE: Formerly Miss Abimbola Kofo Anifowose, now Mrs Abimbola Kofo Ganiyu. Former documents valid. Public Note.

ANIKWENZE: Formerly Nathaniel Anozie Anikwenze now Nathaniel Anozie Nathaniel.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANYIKAMBA: Formerly Miss Anyikamba Nkeiruka Cynthia now Mrs. Fayombo Nkeiruka Cynthia. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

AMAECHI: Formerly Nneka Ngozi Amaechi now Mrs. Nneka Ngozi Ike. Former documents remain valid, public note.

AMODU: I, Miss Amodu Omowunmi Oluwafunmilola wish to be addressed as Mrs. Adebisi Omowunmi Oluwafunmilola. Former documents valid.

Public note.

AMUSAT: Formerly Miss Raheemat Abolore Amusat now Mrs. Raheemat Abolore Abubakre.

University of Ilorin &

public note. Former documents valid.

ARCHIBONG: Formerly Miss Nnanke Archibong Bassey now Miss Cyndi Nnanke Bassey. Former documents valid. Public note.

ARUYA: Formerly known as Oluwatoyin Joyce Aruya now wish to known and addressed as Mrs Olaamo Oluwatoyin Joyce/ Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ATEKOJA: Formerly Miss Adesimisola Atekoja, now Mrs Adesimisola Ladipo. Former documents vlid. Public Note.

AWOYOMI: I, formerly Miss Awoyomi Oluwayemisi Mary now wish to be known as Mrs. Adesina Oluwayemisi Mary. All documents remain valid. Marakeem Global Services and general public take note.

AYIDE: Formerly Miss Ayide Sheila Omoitokpako now wish to be called Mrs. Akoyon Sheila Omoitokpako.

Former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

AYOADE: I, Miss Ayoade Adeyinka Comfort wish to be addressed as Mrs. Kayode Omotayo Adeyinka Comfort. Former documents valid.

Public note.

AYOBOLA: Formerly Miss Ayobola Olufolake Adams now Mrs. Ayobola Olufolake Charles. Previous documents valid. General public note.

BADMUS: Formerly Badmus Olaide Adenike now Mrs. Adu Olaide Adenike. Former documents valid. Public note.

BALOGUN: Formerly Miss Adejoke Ramat Balogun now Mrs Adejoke Ajike Adetola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BANJOKO: Formerly Miss Modupe Deborah Banjoko now Mrs Modupe Deborah Benjamin Okwumabua. Former document remain valid.

Public note.

BANKOLE: Formerly Miss Bankole Abosede Rafiat now Mrs. Thomas Abosede Oyinade. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BELLO: Formerly Miss Bello Tawakalit Folasade now Mrs. Hassan Tawakalit Folasade. Documents valid. Public

note.

CAMPBELL: I, formerly known as Campbell Dorothy Oyinkansola now wish to be known as Mrs. Asegbeloyin Dorothy Oyinkansola.

All former documents remain valid. Greensprings School and public take note.

CHUKWU: Formerly Miss Chukwu Juliet Ogechi now Mrs. Lebeanya Ogechi Juliet.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

DANIEL: Formerly Hope Daniel now Mrs. Hope Solomon. Former documents remain valid. Ministry of Interior, Immigration Service, public note.

DAVE: Formerly Dave Oyindeyinfa Fakrogha now David Oyindeyinfa Fakrogha. Former documents valid.

Mobil Producing Nig. Unlimited and public note.

DERE: Formerly Miss Dere Tawakalitu Bibitayo now Mrs. Saheed Tawakalitu Bibitayo. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

DICKSON: I, formerly Miss Osunyameye Natalie Obeletuo Dickson now Mrs. Osunyameye Natalie Obeletuo Wegner. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

DONALD: Formerly Anyama Obinna Donald now Anyama Eze Don. Former documents valid. Public note.

EDEM: Formerly known as Miss Joy Edem now Mrs Joy George. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EFFIONG: Formerly Miss Agnes Michael Effiong now Mrs Agnes Caroline Chioke. Former documents valid.

Public note.

EGWU : Formerly Miss Egwu Sylvia Onyeka. now Mrs Enukpere Sylvia Onyeka. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

EKEOCHA: Formerly Ekeocha Chinedu Emmanuel now Cyric Chinedu Emmanuel.

Former documents valid. public take note.

EKPO: Formerly Miss Effanga Ekpo Archibong now Miss Effanga Eme Archibong.

Former documents valid. Pub-

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May, 18, 2013

57

Change of Name lic note.

ELECHI: Formerly Miss Elechi Adline Chinenye now Mrs. Oluwabunmi Adline Chinenye Aluko.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EMEFO: Formerly Miss Emefo Jennifer Oge A. now Mrs. Kela-Onwuchekwa Jennifer Oge A. Former documents valid. Public note.

EZEUDU: Formerly known as Anthonia Unoma Ezeudu now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nwakwudo Tonia Unoma.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EKEANYANWU: Former Miss Chidinma Nkechi Ekeanyanwu now wish to be addressed as Mrs Chidinma Nkechi Ifeagwu. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

EZE: Formerly Miss Eze Maureen Nnedimma now Mrs. Ugwu Maureen Nnedimma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EZUGWU: Formerly Miss Ezugwu Lovelyn Nkiru now Mrs. Ugwunnadi Lovelyn Nkiru. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EZENWAFOR: Formerly Miss Ezenwafor Nonyelum Vivian now Mrs. Ezeh Nonyelum Vivian. Former documents remain valid.

UNIZIK, MRTBN and public note.

FADIPE: Formerly Miss Fadipe Esther Olajumoke now Mrs Babatunde – Tijani Esther Olajumoke.

Former documents valid.Public note.

GIWA: Formerly Mrs. Giwa Anotu Niyilola Ayoka now Shanu Anotu Niyilola Ayoka.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IBE: Formerly Ibe Gertrude Nkiruka now Mrs. Abara Gertrude Nkiruka. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ILODIANYA: Formerly Ilodianya Chizoba Gloria now Mrs. Ambrose Chizoba Gloria. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

FAMAKINWA: Formerly Miss Famakinwa Jumoke Georgina now Mrs. Ilo Jumoke Georgina. Documents valid. Public note.

FADIMU: Formerly Temitope Oluwaseun Fadimu now Mrs Olayi-

wola Temitope Oluwaseun.

Former documents remain valid, Public note FARINLOYE: Formerly Farinloye Rebecca Adenike now Mrs. Ayodeji Rebecca Adenike.

Documents valid. Public note.

FATOYE: Formerly Miss Bukola Christiana Fatoye now wish to be known as Mrs. Bukola Christiana Soaga. All former documents remain valid. General public, take note.

FRANK: I, formerly known as Miss Emem Anne Nyong Frank now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Emem Anne Okuonghae. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

IHEANAETU: Former Miss Iheanaetu Agatha Cynthia is now Mrs. Onwughalu Agatha Odoegbulam IKINO: Former Ikino Moses Avwerosuoghene now Brownson Moses Avwerosuoghene. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

IDEMUDIA: Formerly Miss Idemudia Nekpen Jennifer now wish to be Addressed as Mrs Amazigie Nekpen Jennifer. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

IFEDE: Formerly Miss A d e j u m o k e Oluwadamilola Ifede, now Mrs Adejumoke Oluwadamilola Adetoro. Former documents valid.

IDOKO: Formerly Miss Mary Idoko and/or Mrs. Mary Friday now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mary Friday Abah. All Former documents remain valid. General public note.

IDUMAH: Formerly Miss Idumah Francisca Nkemdirim now Mrs. Jacob Francisca Nkemdirim.

Documents valid. Public note.

IGBOEBISI: Formerly Miss Mary Chinelo Igboebisi now Mrs. Obayomi Mary Chinelo.

Former documents remain valid. PHCN, public take note.

IKWUAZOM: Formerly Miss Ikwuazom Ukamaka Justina now Mrs. Ugochukwu Ukamaka Justina. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ADENUSI: Formerly Adekemi Oluwatoyin Adenusi now Inetagbo Adekemi Oluwatoyin.

Former documents valid. Public note.

ISEMIN: Formerly Miss Isemin Mkpoikana Mary. now Mrs Sam Mkpoikana Mary. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

Olayinka Kolaru now addressed as Mrs. Dorcas Olayinka Emmanuel.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

LEDUM: This is to confirm that Mr. Ledum Namanee was mis-spelt instead of Namanee Ledum to Namanle Ledum. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

ISIKA: Formerly Miss Isika Ifeoma Bridget now Mrs. Adekola Ifeoma Bridget. Former documents remain valid. Public take note.

MAJOLAGBE: I, formerly Miss Majolagbe Tolulope Opeyemi now known as Mrs Tolulope TunjiPopoola. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

IWUALA: Formerly Miss Gift Onyinyechi Iwuala now Mrs Gift Onyinyechi Godwin.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

MANUEL: Formerly Miss lillian Tom Manuel now Miss lillian Ukpong Eshiet. Documents valid.

Public note.

IYANDU: I formerly Mrs. Iyandu Lovina Nkantol now Mrs. Udoh Lovina Iyandu-Augustine. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

JAMIU: Formerly Jamiyu Ademola Ojo now wish to be addressed as Joseph Ademola Ojo. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

JINADU: Formerly Miss Sidikat Owolabi Jinadu now Mrs. Sarah Owolabi Tinubu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

JUNAID: I, formerly Junaid Oluwafunmilola Simiat now to be address as Mrs. Oluwo Oluwafunmilola Simiat.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

JOHNSON: Formerly Olushola Bashirat Johnson now wish to be known as Olushola Bashirat Balogun. All former documents remain valid. University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), and Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) should take note.

JOSEPH: Formerly Joseph Ronke Janet now Salako Ronke Janet. Former documents valid.

Public note.

KAREEM: Formerly Kareem Bilikis Adenike now Mrs. Oloyede Bilikis Adenike. Documents valid. Public note.

KAREEM: Formerly Kareem Mojisola now Mohammed Ojonla Mojisola Monsurat. Former documents valid.

Public note.

KOLARU: Formerly known as Miss Dorcas

MORGAN: Formerly Miss Loveth Morgan now Mrs Loveth Nwabunwanne.

Former documents valid. Public note.

MUSA: Formerly Miss Jamila Musa, now Mrs Jamila Umoru. Former Documents Valid. Public note.

MUSTAPHA: Formerly Miss Mustapha Olayinka Falilat, now Mrs Ade-Ojo Olayinka Asabi Falilat.

Former documents valid. Public note.

NDEM: Formerly Ndem Marie Solange now Mrs. Afolorunsho Marie Solange. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NDUBUISI: I, formerly Chisom Ugonma Ndubuisi now Mrs. Chisom Irene Ugonma Ochulor. Former documents remain valid.

Public take note.

NMEZI: Formerly Miss Nmezi Goodness Nma now Mrs Nwaugo Goodness Nma. Former documents remain valid.

Bozac Continental Ltd, public note NKWOR: Formerly Miss Uzoma Peters Nkwor now Mrs. Uzoma Peters Onyedinachi. Former documents valid. Public note.

NJEMANZE: Formerly Miss Doctor Chioma Njemanze now Dr. Mrs. Chioma Kemafor Ojiegbe. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NNAMDI: Formerly Mr. Nnamdi Emelu now Mr. Alpheus Nnadikwe Emelu. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWANDU:

Formerly

Miss Nwandu Helen Chinwendu now Mrs. Akubue Helen Chinwendu. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWANGWU: Formerly Miss Nwangwu Joy Nwamaka now Mrs. Nwokike Joy Nwamaka. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWANAFORO: Formerly Miss Nwanaforo Linda Chinwe now Mrs. Mbah Linda Chinwe. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWANKWO: Formerly Miss Nwankwo Chinelo Jacinta now Mrs. Obika Chinelo Jacinta. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWANONENYI: Formerly Miss Nwanonenyi Amaka Grace now Mrs. Nduaguba Amaka Grace.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NTI: Formerly Mr. Solomon Nti now Mr Solomon Augustine Godwin. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWAGBARA: Formerly Mr. Ogbonnaya Chidi Nwagbara now Mr. Ogbonnaya Chidi Azubuike. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWAHIWE: Formerly Miss Goodluck A. Nwahiwe now Mrs Goodluck A. Nwachukwu.

Former documents valid. public n o t e .

NWAMARA: Formerly Miss Virginia Ojiugo Nwamara now Mrs. Virginia Ojiugo PaschalEkpo.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWAOPARA: Formerly miss Chisom Onyekachi Nwaopara now Mrs Chisom Onyekachi Rejoice Mbaike. Former documents valid. CRUTECH, NYSC, Public note.

NWOBI: I formerly Miss Nwobi Udoka Stella now known and addressed as Mrs Okotete Udoka Stella. Former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

NWOKONKWO: Formerly Miss Nwokonkwo Ugonma Ruth now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Nwokoma Cosmos Ugonma Ruth. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

NWANYINNAYA: I, formerly known as

Nwanyinnaya Ihunna Uwaeme hereby wish to be known as Ruby Ihunna Uwaeme. All documents in the former name remain valid NWOSU: Formerly Mr. Nwosu Princewill Chigozie now Mr. Akujobi Princewill Chigozie. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWOSU: Formerly Miss Nwosu Obianuju Blessing now Mrs. Ifeduba Obianuju Blessing. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWOSU: Formerly Miss Philomena .C. Nwosu now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Philomena .C. Hart. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OBAGADE: Formerly Miss Adeola Olubukola Obagade now Mrs Adeola Olubukola Musa.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OBANYE: Formerly Miss Obanye Princess Amaka now Mrs. Anammah Princess Amaka. Former documents remain valid.

UNIMAID, MRTBN and public note.

OBIDIKE: Formerly Mr. Obidike Micheal Chukwuma Udemadu now Mr. Chukwuma Obiajulu Obadiah. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OBINWA: Formerly Miss Obinwa Obianuju Dorathy now Mrs. Ndubuaku Obianuju Dorathy. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

ODIGIE: Formerly Miss Oluwatamilore Itohan Ifeoluwa Odigie now Oluwatamilore Ruth Adetayo. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ODUOBI: Formerly Miss Oduobi Ngozi Jovita now Mrs. UcheAkalonu Ngozi Jovita Oduobi (abbreviated to Njo). Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

OGAKWU: Formerly Miss Ogakwu Ifunanya Regina now Mrs. Udeji Ifunanya Regina. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGBEMI: Formerly Miss Ebisan Enyang Ogbemi now which to be address as Mrs. Ebisan Oluwatamilore Ogun-

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May, 18, 2013

58

Change of Name tuyo. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

OGBONWA: Formerly Miss Ogbonwa Akarachi Peace now Mrs. Nwanna Akarachi Peace. Former documents valid. Public take note.

OGUNBONA: I, Miss Ogunbona Oluwabusolami Odunayo wish to be addressed as Mrs. Olaokun Oluwabusolami Odunayo. Former documents valid. Public note.

OGUNDE: I, formerly known as Mrs. Ogunde Elizabeth Adedoyin now wish to be known as Mrs. Ajala Elizabeth Adedoyin. Previous documents remain valid.

General public and British Embassy take note.

OGUNREMI: Formerly Miss Ogunremi Mojisola Olusola Sharon now Mrs. Oguntoye Mojisola Olusola Sharon. Former documents remain valid.

Nigeria Police Medical Services, Eleweran Abeokuta, public note.

ONOMAKPOSE: Former Sunday Onomakpose now Jenkins Okeremute Watakpo. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OGUNFADEBO: Formerly Ogunfadebo Olamide Sola now Mrs. Umeri Adesola Olamide. Former documents remain valid; public note.

OGUNFOWOKAN: Formerly Miss Abiola Sherifat Ogunfowokan, now Mrs Abiola Sherifat Owolabi. Former documents valid. Public note.

OGUNNIYI : Formerly Miss Ogunniyi Fumilola Bolanle. now Mrs Adebayo Fumilola Bolanle.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OGUNTUASE: Formerly Miss Oguntuase Morenike Olamide now Mrs. Oluyemi Morenike Olamide. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

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

OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Clara Ifeyinwa Okafor now Mrs Clara Ifeyinwa Oke. Former documents valid. Public take note. OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Celina Obiageli now Mrs. Molokwu Pre-

cious Celina Obiageli.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Favour Ogochukwu now Mrs. Anisi Favour Ogochukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKANLAWON: Formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Yewande Odeseun Okanlawon now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwaseun Femi-Okanlawon. All former documents remain valid.

Nigerian Ports Authority and general public take note.

OKEKE: Formerly Stella Ijeoma Okeke now Mrs Stella Ijeoma Umeh. Former documents remain valid. Public note OKEREKE: Formerly Miss Onyinyechi Love now Mrs. Chigozie Onyinyechi Love. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKEREKE: Formerly Mrs. Okereke Chizoba Rita now Mrs. Samson Chizoba Rita. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKHILUA: Formerly Miss Okhilua Anne Florence now Mrs. Oke Oluwaseyi Florence. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

OKOCHA: formerly Miss Okocha Anurika Jane now Mrs Blessed Jane Jacobs. Former documents valid. NYSC, Public note.

OKOLI: Formerly Miss Okoli Nnenne Margaret now Udeogu Nnenne Margaret. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OKONKWO: Formerly Miss Okonkwo Chigozie Nwabugo now Mrs. Achi Chigozie Nwabugo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKORO: Formerly Miss Chinemerem Ugonnaya Okoro now Mrs. Chinemerem Ugonnaya Johnson. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKUSANYA: I formerly known and addressed as Mrs. Okusanya Aminat Mopelola now known and addressed as Mrs. Hassan Aminat Mopelola. Former documents valid. Public note.

OLADEJI: Formerly Miss RachaelAdetoro now Mrs Adjahoueze Rachael Adetoro. Crawford Uni-

versity & public note.

OLAGUNJU: Formerly Olagunju Iyabode Rukayat now Olagunju Oluwalayomi Iyabo. Former documents remain valid. General Public note.

OLAWORE: I, formerly known and addressed as Oluwayemisi Olanike Olawore now wish to be known and addressed as Nike Angelina Lawore.

All former documents remain valid. The general public take nore.

OLAYEMI: Formerly Miss Olayemi Rachael Folashade now Mrs Adekoya Rachael Folashade.

NYSC, Adamawa & public note OLAYEMI: Former Miss D e b o r a h Oluwawemimo Olayemi now Mrs Deborah Oluwawemimo Bello.

Former documents remain valid.

ONU: Formerly Miss Esther Nathaniel Onu now Mrs. Esther Bassey Offiong. All former documents remain valid.

Nigeria French Language Village and public note.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

TRANSITION

Ezekiel Olawale Olojo (1940-2013)

By Olamide Olayiwola-Fadare

Masters Degree in Geophysics at the Dalhousie University in Canada was a very rare feat indeed. He also had a Certificate of HIEF Ezekiel Olawale Olojo was born to the late Pa Joshua Olanipekun Olojo and the late Merit at the Federal University of Technology, Akure, in 1993.

Emily Adeleye (nee Olusesi) on November 23, He worked in several places spanning 1940, at Ilesa, Osun State. The Olojo family belongs to the larger Famojuro Family of Ilesa. Pa many years. He worked briefly at the Union Olojo (aka Baba Onikoko) was a cocoa magnate. Bank of Nigeria immediately after his secondary school education (1960-61). After His mother was a trader who used her meager resources to assist her husband in ensuring that training in Lagos, he was transferred to Kano where he established a quick reputayoung, intelligent Olawale was educated. tion as the trailblazer in all the training proOlojo had his primary education at Otapete grammes of the bank. According to one of Methodist School, Ilesha, from 1947 to 1954 his colleagues in Union Bank, “being sent on where he obtained Grade A in Primary School Leaving Certificate Examination. At that tender the same course with Olawale Olojo automatically meant scrambling for second age, he was made the Health Monitor in 1954.

He proceeded to Ilesa Grammar School in 1955 place. We all knew the first position was not and left in 1959 on completion of his secondary in contention. It was his by right.”

After graduating from UNN, he taught at school education with Grade One in the West African School Certificate Examination (WAEC). the Ilesa Grammar School as a Graduate Teacher from May 1965 to September 1968.

In 1961, he proceeded to the University of NigePrior to taking up the Ilesha Grammar ria, Nsukka (UNN), where he studied Physics, School appointment, he had many interestgraduating in 1965 First Class Honours. ing job offers including one from Shell BP. He did his postgraduate studies in Dalhousie He also had an opportunity to join the University Halifax N.S., Canada, where he finNigerian Navy. H e turned these offers down ished his Masters Degree in Geophysics in a because he strongly felt he needed to do his record time of nine months. own bit to develop the next generation of Noted for many academic awards and Certificates of Merit, which he obtained through hard leaders from Ilesha and the best way he could do this was by sharing his knowledge work and dedication to studies, Olojo’s Intelligence Quotient (IQ) was definitely off the charts. with the students of his alma mater.

He left for the University of Ife, (now In Ilesa Grammar School, he was appointed as Senior Prefect by virtue of his sterling academic Obafemi Awolowo University) where he served as a Graduate Assistant from October record. He also won the Shell BP First Prize for 1968 till August 1969. He later left for the Academic Excellence in Secondary Schools in Technical College (now Ibadan Polytechnic) 1959. In 1965, he won the “Dean’s Prize for Acaas a Lecturer in September 1969. In 1981, he demic Brilliance” at the University of Nigeria, transferred his services to the Satellite CamNsukka. The nine months record he set for his

C

neering Company, a firm he set up along with three of his brothers.

From March 1991 to 1999, he could not resist the lure of the academic world and served as a Lecturer on Contract at the Federal University of Technology, Akure. This was where he finally “rested his chalk”.

He produced two papers in: The Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences (CJES), November 1978 edition titled “40 Ar/39 Ardating of dikes from the Frontenac Axis and Implications for Greenville Palegmagnetism; and The Nigerian Journal of Technical Education (NBTE) of October 1987 titled “Towards a New Structure of Technical Education in Nigeria”.

He was reputed for strict devotion to Christian worship at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Ifofin. He was emotionally attached to church’s activities as a result of the influence of his mother who regularly worshipped there before her demise in 1980. He left Ibadan regularly to worship at home (Ilesha). On November 9, 1996, the Church honoured him with Chieftaincy title of “Asiwaju Okunrin Ijo”. He served the church in many ways. He was the Internal Auditor of the Church for a few years up till 2004. The Youth Fellowship gave him an Award for his meritorious services rendered towards the development of the Fellowship and the Olojo church as a whole.

He was a member of the Christian Pioneers pus of the Esa-Oke Polytechnic, again based on the strength of his emotional connection Society and served as the Society’s President until his demise. to Ijeshaland. He rose to become the Acting He married Grace Olufunmilayo (nee Director of the College in January 1985.

Mejule) on September 11, 1965. The marriage In August 1985, he voluntarily retired from the Polytechnic. From September 1985 to Feb- was blessed with two boys and a girl— Olaolu, Oladiran and Opeyemi. ruary 1991, he was a Director of Johfot EngiUntil his death on March 7, 2013, Olojo enjoyed reading novels, journals on education and watching movies.

Margaret Wuraola Ogunwusi, One Year After YEAR after she passed on at exactly 66 years and four A months, the memories of her love and motherly care are still very green in the minds of her husband, children, grandchildren, relatives and associates. The late Mama Margaret Wuraola Sidikat Abegbe Ogunwusi, nee Olasoji Soji-Opa, led a life that was deeply rooted in God and so she manifested the true essence of living in every aspect of her life. She was a hard working, caring, compassionate, and generous wife and mother who deployed her virtues and material resources towards the good of her family and the whole society.

The first child of her parents, the late Pa Sunmola Olasoji SojiOpa, who hailed from Ile-Opa’s compound, Ile-Ife, and Madam Faramobi Comfort Ajoke Olasoji, the late Ogunwusi was born on October 29, 1945. Her father was a prominent cocoa merchant in Ile-Ife and a renowned transporter during his time.

Her mother was a trader, buying and selling raw food items from all over Nigeria.

The late Ogunwusi’s was enrolled for her primary school education at the Salvation Army Primary School, Ajamopo, Ile-Ife, in 1956. She completed it in 1960 with a Grade ‘A’ Primary School Leaving Certificate result. She then gained admission to pursue a three-year course at the African Modern School, Omi-Okun, Ile-Ife. However, she crossed to Ife Girls High School, Ile-Ife, for her secondary school education. She finally completed her secondary school education at Oranmiyan Memorial Grammar School, Sabo, Ile-Ife. The late Ogunwusi tried her hands in business but later joined the services of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, in 1968 as a Records Officer in the Records Department. She served UCH meritoriously for 30 years until she voluntarily retired in 1998.

Blessed with a loving husband and wonderful children and grandchildren, the late Ogunwusi spent the rest of her life caring for her family. A devout Christian of the Anglican faith, she was also dedicated to the service of God. Baptised at Christ Church, Mapo, Ibadan, and later confirmed on February 19, 1980, she was fervent in fasting and praying.

Paying tribute to her departed wife, Prince John Oluropo Ogunwusi wrote: “Wuraola Agbede, the wife of my youth, I thank God for your life. You stood by me as a colossus during my time in the wilderness of life with constant prayers, fasting, understanding, and words of encouragement backed by a forgiving spirit.

“You have been a virtuous women, a good and faithful wife, a dependable and loving mother and grandmother. No wonder all our children rallied round and did all their best to save your life which belongs to God who has taken it to the paradise of rest…You have been an epitome of a good disciplinarian. Memories of your effective moral, physical, and spiritual discipline of our children during their formative years are still very fresh in our minds…When the music is finished, the melody so they say lingers on and decays later. However, your

Ogunwusi

own melody of life’s legacy is a living and everlasting one in the family.”

His son, Adegboyega Abimbola Ogunwusi also wrote: “Your death has left a vacuum in my life and in all the people you have touched. Mummy, you always stood by us; I know you gave up your life for us, your children, to live.

“The exemplary simple lifestyle based on Christian teachings and doctrines are the basic legacy you left behind. Your short life made me to realise that it is not how long we live on this earth but how we impact on others positively…I will always love you my sweet mother, Omo Soji Opa. I will never forget you. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.”

Adetunji, also his son wrote: “Mummy, Hnmmm…to think that you were going to depart so soon is the least that I expect, but I rest my hope and faith in God. “I thank God for you and the life that you lived, the examples you gave on the abiding rules of life and the fact that you taught me that life can only be lived successfully with prayers and thanksgiving. I was told how much strength and grace you showed from the time I was born (hence the reason my name is Adetunji); my Dad was sick in bed with little or no hope of recovery and you nursed me all alone until Dad got well and saw me for the first time 13 days after I was born. I thank you for showing much love while raising me to be a man…

The late Ogunwusi passed on to glory on April 29, 2012. She was buried exactly a year ago today and is being fondly remembered by her husband, Prince John Oluropo Ogunwusi; children— Adegboyega, Adetunji, Folasade, Adesola, Adeyeye and Adebimpe Ogunwusi; and grandchildren.

TheGuardian

60 Saturday, May 18, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports

By Gowon Akpodonor HE Nigerian female national team, Super T Falcons and their Japanese counterparts, Nadeshiko, have some things in common.

Though, the Japanese women team occupies the front row in global football, having conquered the world at the last FIFA Women World Cup in Germany, their success at the world stage seems not to have insulated the team from its difficulties.

Japan became the first Asian country to win the Women World Cup when they defeated USA in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup final through a penalty shootout.

A British female sports journalist, Miho Sugita, currently working for NHK, a Japanese Public Broadcaster, is commissioned to get stories from African nations, with particular focus on the Super Falcons, the Falconets and the Flamingoes. The NHK is the Japanese equivalent of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

The success recorded by the Japanese women’s team, Nadeshiko, at the last FIFA Women World Cup in Germany has raised women football in the Asian country to the ‘phenomenal’ level.

“The Japanese now pay special interest in any news regarding woman’s football,” Sugita told The Guardian during the week from her base in London. “They have ‘very big’ interest in women football, though the girls struggle financially and their wages and expenses are much lower than Men’s team.

“But I can see that the Japanese women’s team is in better position compared to what is happening in Nigeria.

“We are commissioned to make stories from African nations running up to 2014 and 2015 World Cup. It would be great to feature Super Falcons in our ‘Soccer Planet’ because apart from being the strongest in Africa, the team has been a source of inspiration to many women across the African continent and the World at large,” Sugita said.

With the hope that the six-time African champions (Falcons) and the junior teams (Falconets and Flamingoes) have commenced preparations for the 2014 and 2015 World Cup programmes, Miho was assigned to gather information regarding their sched-

uled training/fixtures. She is having a serious challenge.

“I gathered that there is no scheduled training/fixture for Nigerian women national teams and I wondered why it is so. There are few information I could gather about the Nigerian teams. Does it means the Falcons, Falconets and Flamingos don’t have any schedule of training/matches at the moment?” she asked.

At the last World Cup in Germany, the Falcons led by former player, Uche Eucharia, could not go beyond the first round after losing their first two matches 0-1 to France and 0-1 to the host country. Their 1-0 victory over Canada in the last game in Dresden was a mere formality.

The Falcons went to the African Women Championship (AWC) in Equatorial Guinea and surrendered their title in the semi final to South Africa. They were also beaten in the third place match by Cameroun, a performance football faithful described as ‘a big insult’ to female football in Nigeria.

While some attributed the big fall to the declining standard of the game, others simply blame it on ‘negligence’ by the concerned authorities.

Sweden-based Perpertua Nkwocha once said that the poor organization and neglect of the

Nigeria Women Professional League (NWPL) was the main reason for the poor standard exhibited by the various female national teams in recent times.

The Falconets could not get to the final at the last FIFA U-20 championship in Japan after making giant strides at the 2010 edition in Germany. The Flamingoes merely made up the numbers since their participation at the FIFA U-17 World Cup. According to Nkwocha, the quality of the Nigeria Women Professional League is greatly affecting the national teams. “I say that because it was exhibited at the 2012 Africa Women Championship in Equatorial Guinea where we did not do well. The Super Falcons especially do not have quality players anymore. If the league can improve, then we can have strong and formidable national teams,” the Sunnana SK Club of Sweden attacker said.

Since Pepsi pulled out from the sponsorship of Nigeria female football in 2002, the women’s league has not been the same.

To Nkwocha, there is no equality in the administration of male and female teams in the country. “Preference should not be accorded to the male teams alone. The Nigeria Football Federation and fans usually

What Falcons Have In Common With Japan’s Nadeshiko

Japanese celebrate after beating USA in the final at Germany 2011 FIFA Women World Cup

focus more on the men when it comes to competitions. And in terms of the Nigeria Premier League, the men are even more recognized. It is not fair. Sponsors should identify with the NWPL and female football to ensure it grew and become strong like their foreign counterpart. “‘Why do you think countries like U.S.A, Sweden and Brazil are strong in the world today? It is because they invest in their female teams,” Nkwocha said.

The only time the Falcons made it beyond the first round in the FIFA World Cup was at USA ’99, where the coach Ismaila Mabo-led Falcons got to the quarterfinal. All other attempts in five appearances had ended at group stages.

In 2003, the Super Falcons turned out to be the biggest disappointment of the first round, failing to score a goal and losing all three group matches. It did little better in 2007, drawing only one of its group B matches.

Women football in Japan began in the 1970s, when a number of women players and teams increased in the country with teams making up regional leagues in various parts of Japan.

In 1980, all-Japan Women’s Football Championship” was held, and in 1981 the Japan women’s national football team played its first international match in Hong Kong.

In 1989, the “Japan Women’s Football League” (abbreviated to “L. League”) was established, and the women’s national team qualified for the “1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup” in China.

However, Japan’s women football witnessed a major crisis soon after leading to failure to qualify for USA ’99 World Cup. The crisis led to the withdrawal of a series of teams from the L. League and Japanese women’s football was on the verge of decline until the appointment of coach Eiji Ueda, who gradually improved the team before it gained wide support in Japan.

Japan qualified for the London 2012 Summer Olympics by finishing first in the Asian qualifier in September 2011, only six weeks after winning the Women’s World Cup. After finishing second in their group behind Sweden, Nadeshiko Japan defeated Brazil 2–0 in the quarterfinals, followed by the 2-1 victory over France, whom Nadeshiko had lost to in a friendly match right before the Olympics, to reach the final. Nadeshiko was unable to win the gold medal as they lost to USA in the final.

Nigeria’s Desire Oparanozie tries to control the ball in their third place match, which Nigeria lost to Cameroun at the last AWC in Equatorial Guinean

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, May 18, 2013

61

SPORTS

Bayern Are Favourites, But Dortmund May Have It! vEN as a columnist, I cannot disguise my interest in FC E Barcelona. I never hide my love for their style of play that is created and cultured at Camp Nou. Several times that sentiment beclouds and influences my expressions on the European Champions League. So, forgive me for referring to them again, even as my eventual ‘destination’ is Wembley Stadium in London, where, on May 25, the German El Classico will take place to mark a truly befitting end to a championship that has been a great advertisement for the variety of European club football.

That FC Barcelona (and Real Madrid for that matter) are not in the final of the championship surely does not mean the end of the Spanish Giants. Far from it. Coaches in Europe will still spend the next few years contending with trying to understand and counter the impact of Barcelona’s unique style of play that has been the greatest innovation in football since the Dutch introduction of the ‘Total Football’ philosophy of the early 1970s.

Without question, that the two Spanish Giants, Real and Barca, were beaten so badly by German Clubs in the manner they did, has elicited intellectual inquiry and must interpret as a genuine possible shift in European football from Spain to Germany.

How long that would sustain would have to be seen when the

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will meet again in the final of the UEFA Champions League.

next football season resumes again, plus how the German national team performs as the battle for the World Cup in 2014. Without question, Club football affects and influences national teams’ performances in many instances, with England as one of the few possible exceptions where its club football high rating is a far cry from how the national team plays.

Now, back to the oncoming battle at Wembley.

Once again, the emergence of FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund FC at the 2013 European League Champions final was not accidental. It was well earned. Both teams, loaded with exceptional talented players have been consistent, tactically disciplined and well-organised, supremely focused in their performances and lucky at one point or the other along the course of their victories.

At the semifinal hurdle, it became clearly a contest between the technical organization of German football and the artistic and individual expressions of Spanish football. With FC Barcelona it also reinforced the argument by some that FC Barcelona without Messi is like tea without sugar.

As the German El Classico approaches, the world is preparing for a match of two teams that wiped each other out in their immediate past confrontations and may do so again in the final. It is hard to find what could separate them. Perhaps penalty kicks at the end.

I am looking at the recent battles between the two teams and it stares me in the face that Bayern Munich may have the slight advantage in statistics and Borussia Dortmund in history.

Bayern have won this trophy several times in the past, and in the last season have been knocking on the door of the championship. They got to the finals last year and lost narrowly. They are back again, ‘hungrier’ and clearly more determined.

Dortmund on the other hand have only ever been at the finals once. When they did in the 1990s they won it! Although, their arrival at the finals again has been unexpected and a surprise even to them, this could give them the psychological impetus setting (lesser pressure) to play with more freedom and win!

This season, both teams sit atop the German league and the matches between them do not give a clear indication of what to expect in London. The matches have been very close and the teams almost inseparable.

The four league matches between them this season have ended in draws. I read that there were two other matches in the Super Cup that were narrowly won by Bayern, with one goal separating them in both matches.

The setting for the final match provides a platform to settle their differences. This is neutral ground, on Wembley Stadium turf, the ultimate theatre where the small details will make the big difference between winning and losing. So technical are both

Segun Odegbami teams that it is likely they once again will cancel each other out on the night, the match will be another draw, and will be settled by penalty kicks.

Should that be the case, the team that will be under greater pressure to win will lose!

That’s the only way that FC Borussia Dortmund can repeat the history that the only time they ever reached this stage of the championship they won it!

Only Nigeria Can Defeat The Super Eagles!

I do not like what I see around Nigerian football as the Super Eagles prepare to go to Brazil for the Confederations Cup. All does not appear to be well with Nigerian football.

The feeling I get from reports around the corridors of football is that only a few months after becoming undisputed champions of Africa, the country has not seized the opportunity to advance the cause of the development of the game in the country and of building a solid national team.

Politically, the failure of the country to close ranks and install one of its own into the CAF Executive Committee has polarized the powerful forces controlling the country’s football. There is a silent war going on between the football association, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the third force loyal to Amos Adamu, who eyes a return to CAF when his suspension by FIFA ends within the year.

The NSC wants to control and curb the perceived excessive powers and independence of the NFA since it still foots a substantial part of the bills of the NFA. Also, unlike all the other sports federations, the NFA has been untouchable by the NSC with the backing of FIFA’s insistence of the independence from government intervention in the activities of its members.

The NFA and its successful national coach, Stephen Keshi, have been at cold war since before and after AFCON 2013. Keshi believes he won the championship without the help and input of the association and never fails to show. The bitterness between them is still simmering!

Encomiums For CBN As 35th Nigeria Senior Open Ends

By Tony Nwanne T was another exciting moment of tennis at I(CBN) the 35th edition of Central Bank of Nigeria Senior Tennis Tournament, with tennis lovers, who trooped to the National Stadium, Lagos to be part of the championship, getting their feel of the exciting moments. They got more glamour than they envisaged following the inclusion of the wheelchair tennis in this year’s edition.

Not even the 2013 Madrid Tennis Masters Open tournament in Spain could have stopped the excitement that was noticed on the faces of the bigwigs that watched the grand finale on Saturday May 4,2013 at the centre court of the stadium.

Among them were the CBN Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who was represented by the Director of procurement and support services, Olakanmi Gbadamosi, the Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi, who was represented by Dr. Mrs Toyin Aluko an Assistant Director with the NSC and the president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Sanni Ndanusa, who is also the president of Nigerian Tennis Federation (NTF), among others.

Being the most prestigious tennis tournament in West Africa, the championship witnessed the presence of players from such neighboring countries as Togo and Benin Republic among the over 600 players that registered for the championship.

At the end of the battles, Henry Atseye, the 2011 men’s singles winner, retained his crown by beating hard fighting Clifford Enosoregbe 75 on 6 retired to pocket the N.7m price money.

Ronke Akingbade, who entered the main

draw of the women singles category through a wild card, beat tournament seed three, Christy Agugbom 46 ,75 ,63 to win the women singles title.

Like the men’s singles winner, Akingbade carted home the giant trophy plus the N.7m cash prize attached to it.

The men doubles title went to the pair of Abdulmumuni Babalola and Shehu Lawal, who defeated Samuel Omoile and Nonso Madueke 63, 60, in the final, while Blessing Samuel paired with Christy Agugbom to lift the women’s doubles trophy when they defeated the duo of Sarah Adegoke and Ibrahim Omotayo 75 ,62.

In the wheel chair cartegory, second seed, Alex Adewale outclassed top seed Wasiu Yusuf 76 on four and 61 to win the men’s singles title.

The Women wheel chair single title went to the women top seed, Remilekun Basanya, who defeated seed two, Oluwatoyin Dawodu 53, 53 to emerge champion.

But the tournament did not end without upsets to show the class and standard of this year’s edition of the competition.

In the Men’s singles category, tournament top seed, Abdulmumi Babalola’s loss to seed four, Henry Atseye, in one of the semifinals was seen as an upset, while George Abamu’s victory over tournament seed six, Nonso Madueke, in the second round of the Men’s singles event was another upset owing to the fact that Abamu came to the main draw through the qualifiers.

Also in the Women’s singles category, Ronke Akingbade, who came into the main draws via a wild card, proved bookmakers wrong by stopping tournament seed two, Blessing Samuel in the semifinals to book a place in the final where she beat tournament seed three, Christy Agugbom, in the final.

At the end of the competition, tennis fans at the

Henry Atseye won the men’s single title at the 2013 CBN Senior Tennis Championship venue applaud the CBN for the consistency in the sponsorship of the annual senior tournament for the past 35 years.

It is on record that the tournament is the only annual national tennis championship in Nigeria, which is the main reason why all the players across the country eagerly look forward to it every year.

The fans commended the CBN for involving the physically challenged players in the competition with the inclusion of the wheel chair category in the 2013 edition.

Aside that, they also hailed the bank for increasing the prize money and also fulfilled its promise to pay then same amount of money as cash prizes for the winners in both the men and women’s categories of the competition.

Speaking at the end of the competition, CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, acknowl-

edged the excellent performance of the players, saying it showed the rising profile of the championship, adding that it was no surprise that the tournament has become the avenue for the selection of Nigeria’s representatives in international tennis tournaments.

He added: “That is why this year’s tournament is being held a bit earlier to serve as the major trails for the selection of players to represent Nigeria at the African Zone Group III Davis Cup Tournament in Cario, Egypt.

“I am pleased to state that the CBN has also contributed significantly to ensure the participation of the selected players at the African Zone Group III Tournament in Cairo, Egypt.

“We are happy to inform you of the inclusion of wheel chair tennis in the championship as you have witnessed this year. This is as a result of the Bank’s determination to add value and expand the CBN Senior Tennis Championship and also encourage the participation of the physically challenged in sporting activities.

“It is pertinent to state that the winners of the CBN Wheel Chair Tennis will represent Nigeria at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup scheduled to hold in Turkey from May 17 to 26, 2013.

“In order to make participation in the event more competitive and attractive for players, the total prize money for winners in the 2013 edition was reviewed upwards from N9, 060,000 to N14, 300,000. Thus, this year’s edition saw the winners in men’s and ladies singles categories collecting a sum of N700,000 each, while the runners up in both the men and women categories went home with N500,000 each.

“The winners of the Wheel Chair Tennis where not left out as the champions in both the men’s and ladies singles received N250, 000 each.

There were many other monetary prizes distributed to winners, runners up and participant in

THe GUARDIAN Saturday, May 18, 2013

62

SPORTS English Premiership

Lampard Keen On Mourinho’s Return HeLSeA midfielder, C Frank Lampard, believes the return of Jose Mourinho would help the blues challenge for the Premier League title again.

Real Madrid boss Mourinho is the red-hot favourite to fill the Stamford bridge vacancy this summer with interim boss Rafa benitez stepping aside after Sunday’s Premier League finale with everton.

The Portuguese coach enjoyed huge success during his first four-year spell in West London, winning backto-back Premier League titles on top of securing FA Cup and League Cup glory.

Chelsea’s last title triumph came in 2010 under Carlo Ancelotti and Lampard, who signed a new one-year deal with the club on Thursday,

believes that Mourinho’s anticipated comeback could help them challenge Manchester United and Manchester City.

“Our league consistency hasn’t been good enough these last two years. That’s

something we must address this summer,” he said.

“City and United have raised the bar and we need to get back to that battering ram mentality we had before, winning games 1-0 even when we’re not at our best.

Pardew Laughs Off Rooney Claims eWCASTLe boss, Alan Pardew, has laughed off claims that he will try to sign england striker Wayne Rooney this summer.

A report on the Sports Direct news website, which is linked to club owner Mike Ashley’s business, this week claimed preliminary talks had already taken place with the 27-yearold’s future at Manchester United uncertain after he handed in a transfer request.

The story was quickly retracted and Pardew is not expecting the club to renew its interest in Rooney after making a failed £25million bid for him when he was a teenager.

Pardew said: “When Demba [ba] went in January and we didn’t secure [Loic] Remy, it was obvious that we were going to need to bring in a striker or two in this summer window, and hopefully we can.

ObeRTO Martinez has R promised he will make a quick decision about his

Lampard (left) with Mourinho

Villas-boas Wants To Keep NDRe Villas-boas has reitA erated his desire to keep Gareth bale at Tottenham. bale has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 30 goals for club and country.

The Welshman’s contract runs out in 2016, but Tottenham have a history of improving the terms of a player’s deal if they have had an outstanding season.

Reports on Friday morning suggested the 23-year-old was close to signing a new and improved contract that would see him earn up to

£170,000 a week.

Villas-boas was unsure whether bale is close to signing a new deal, but the Tottenham manager is in no doubt that he wants the former Southampton man at the club next season.

“I’m not sure (about whether bale is close to signing a new deal), our interest is for the player to continue here and I’ve made that very clear,” Villas-boas told a press conference this morning.

“Whatever is happening, the idea is for the player to be here next season.

Julio Cesar Confirms QPR exit the summer, but was coy on a future destination.

A string of clubs are reportedly interested in the brazil international, with AC Milan hoping to lure the former

Cesar

influence referees during his time at Old Trafford, as he approaches his final game with the club.

The 71-year-old will bow out against West brom on Sunday at the Hawthorns, with everton boss David Moyes set to replace him.

Sir Alex has become infamous for his touchline demeanor, and he admits he put pressure on referees to try and help his side - but insists he only played mind games with opposing managers.

“The fourth official on Sunday [against Swansea] showed me the board and it said eight minutes,” Sir Alex told reporters. “I said, ‘Think again’. That’s been a part of it the pressure you try and put on referees. but I saved mind games for opponents.”

When asked about his plans for retirement, the manager joked that he plans to “drink all the vineyards dry”, and reflected on the need for a new challenge, which brought him to Old Trafford

I Influenced Referees, Ferguson Admits in the first place.

“At Aberdeen, I’d been there eight-and-a-half years, and I got to the point where I needed a new challenge,” Ferguson said.

“My old chairman at Aberdeen [Dick Donald] said

to me, ‘The only club that will ever satisfy you is Manchester United.’ The connection was his son had played for Manchester United. That was six months before I came here and it all came true the following November.”

Ferguson

Martinez eager To Sort Out Future With Wigan

N

PR goalkeeper, Julio Q Cesar, has confirmed he is to leave the relegated club in

ANCHeSTeR United manM ager, Sir Alex Ferguson, has admitted that he did try to

Inter man. Cesar has recently won his place back in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s brazil side and is reportedly keen to avoid playing in the Championship with the Rs and risk his spot at the World Cup on home soil, but he refused to comment on details of a summer switch.

“It is confidential,” Cesar told Sportv.

“My future today is a question mark. I have three more years on my contract, but the manager has already made it clear that it will be hard for me to stay at the club. I am happy he thinks that way, it is a sign that my work is being recognized. I dedicated as much as I could to QPR.” With QPR set to play its final Premier League game before demotion, Cesar has revealed that manager Harry Redknapp will afford him a start as the club looks to avoid

last place. “[Redknapp] had told me that I wouldn’t start any more games as I won’t be staying at the club,” Cesar said. “Now he has asked me to play the last game, and that makes me happy. I will try to play well and do my best.”

future at Wigan.

The Spaniard has been heavily linked with the vacancy at everton and the Latics’ relegation on Tuesday only heightened speculation that Martinez’s four years in the DW Stadium hotseat may be up.

With the high of Wigan’s surprise FA Cup triumph last Saturday followed only three days later by the low of defeat

by Arsenal to seal their fate, Martinez insists he has not yet thought about where his future lies.

He will meet with chairman, Dave Whelan on Monday and Martinez, a former Latics player, knows it is important the man in charge next season has as much time as possible to prepare for life in the Championship.

He said: “I know it can sound a bit stupid but I’ve never, ever thought about my situation yet. It’s important you get through those feelings.

We had the opportunity to do that with the players over the last two days and now we’re just focusing on Sunday.

“We really want to enjoy our time, as a football club it’s a big day. After that we’ll have enough time to look at individuals and see how we feel.

Week 38 Fixtures Chelsea v Everton (1500) Liverpool v QPR (1500) Man City v Norwich (1500) Newcastle United v Arsenal (1500) Southampton v Stoke (1500) Swansea v Fulham (1500) Tottenham v Sunderland (1500) West Bromwich v Man United (1500) West Ham v Reading (1500) Wigan v Aston (1500)

“It’s going to be very straightforward and, whatever it is, it’s going to be good for Wigan.

“One thing that we’re going to do very quickly is understand where we are next season and what we have to do internally.

“Whoever is the manager at the football club will be

ready and already thinking about the next campaign and make sure we’re ready to start in the Championship and not starting the campaign still feeling hurt.

“This football club has got incredible, solid foundations and whoever is going to be the manager is going to have a very successful time.

Martinez

Table Team Man Utd Man City Chelsea Arsenal Tottenham Everton Liverpool West Brom Swansea West Ham Stoke Norwich Newcastle Southampton Fulham Aston Villa Sunderland Wigan Reading QPR

P 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37 37

GD 43 33 35 34 37 16 27 -4 -1 -10 -11 -18 -22 -11 -13 -22 -12 -26 -28 -29

Pts 88 78 72 70 19 63 58 48 46 43 41 41 41 40 40 40 39 35 28 25

69

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, May 18, 2013

63

TheGuardian

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

English Premiership

Potential Arsenal, Chelsea Play-Off Set For May 26 RRANGEMENTS for a A potential third-place playoff clash between Chelsea and Arsenal are well underway with the Premier League yesterday announcing that the match will be held at Villa Park should the scenario arise.

It has become a very realistic possibility that the two London clubs could finish the season level on points, goal difference and goals scored and, with the sides’ head-tohead records bearing no influence, the problem would have to be resolved in the first ever third-place playoff in the Premier League’s history.

Not wanting to be caught offguard, the Premier League have already put plans in place for the extra game, for which the date has been confirmed as Sunday, May 26, although the time has only be determined as ‘early afternoon’ at this point.

Tickets will be priced at £30 and £20 with concessions for

Nigeria’s Oboh Set For European Junior Golf Championship

By Omiko Awa ITTLE Georgia Oboh will fly off to Scotland today, where she is billed to fly Nigeria’s flag at the forthcoming European Junior Golf Championship.

Oboh, who paired with her mother, Evelyn, to win the just concluded Erin Magazine golf tourney, is expected to battle for honours against other players from across the world.

The Ikoyi Club golf course, Lagos, recently hosted golfers, who played to raise money for the less privileged kids and to support Erin Magazine that has been championing the cause of oral health in the country.

Initiated by Smile 360, the competition made up of mostly women saw mother and child, Evelyn Oboh and Georgia Oboh, emerge winners.

While the 12-year old Georgia emerged the overall best player and is traveling today to Scotland to represent Nigeria in the European Junior Championship, the mother, despite her pregnancy, came second.

According to Dr. Amy B. Traore-Shumbusho, head, Smile 360, “the golf competition was organised to raise fund for Appailing Kids Initiative, a charity home that supports challenged children and Erin Magazine.”

Speaking on her qualification to represent Nigeria in Scotland, Oboh, who started playing golf at a very tender age, said, “ it is one of the greatest things to do because Nigeria is my fatherland; though, I am born in the UK, I feel at home in Nigeria.”

L

children and senior citizens priced at a 50 per cent reduction.

A statement released by the Premier League read: “The Premier League has consulted with the two clubs throughout the process of planning for this potential match with all parties in agreement that, should it be required, it should take place as soon as possible after the end of the season.

“Discussions with Londonbased stadia did take place as part of that process but limited availability and calendar restrictions, combined with the desire to use a large capacity ground that has experience in organising and delivering neutral matches, rendered Villa Park the most suitable choice.

“Further information, including ticketing details, will be disclosed by the Premier League and the two clubs on Monday May 20 should results require the match to take place.”

In order for this scenario to become true, Arsenal must beat Newcastle by a one-goal margin while at the same time scoring two more goals than Chelsea, who in turn will have to be held to a draw by Everton.

Germany’s Dimitri Outcharov plays against Hong Kong’s Peng Tang, during the third Round of Men’s Singles of the World Table Tennis Championships in Paris, France…yesterday.

NSC Charges Federations To Strive For Independence From Ezeocha Nzeh, Abuja HE men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force were mobilized yesterday to ensure that law and order prevailed at the National Stadium, Abuja, where the Minister of Sports/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi, inaugurated the elected members of the boards of the nonconcessioned sports federations.

The decision of the NSC to mobilize the large number of police officers, The Guardian gathered, was to avoid a repeat of the election day incident, where some aggrieved stakeholders tried to use the police to disrupt activities at the polls following the alleged omission of real stakeholders in the list of nominated members of some of the boards.

While inaugurating the boards, the minister reminded the federations’ presidents and board members of the big challenges to reposition the game in the country, while urging them to appoint their secretaries and technical directors.

He also warned them that the era of the Federal

T

Court Stops Inauguration Of Handball Board Government spoon-feeding the federations were over.

Abdullahi, however, disclosed that the commission has put on hold the inauguration of the Handball Federation board in obedience of a court injunction, which ordered its suspension pending the determination of a case filled by a group of stakeholders challenging the process that led to the re-election of the board’s president, Yusuf Dauda.

He added: “After the London Olympics, we came under tremendous pressure to disband all the boards of the sports federations, but we are committed to following due process and laid down procedure at all times and that was why we did not toe the part everyone wanted us to follow.

“That was why we waited till this time to allow the tenure of the incumbent to play out and organize the election at the appropriate time. By

Davis Cup Africa Group III Play-off

Nigeria Loses To Egypt, Misses Out On Promotion To Group II

By Olalekan Okusan NOTHER attempt by Team Nigeria to return to the elite group of the Europe/Africa Zone of the Davis Cup tournament was thwarted yesterday, as the Benson Ishicheli-captained side lost to Egypt in their

A

last group match of Group III played at the Smash Tennis Academy in Cairo.

Despite beating Zambia and Botswana, the Nigerian side could not overcome the Egyptians in the deciding encounter of the group.

In the first match,

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FELIX OGUEJIOFOR ABUGU

doing so, therefore, we have fulfilled our commitments to the laid down procedures and the interest of democracy we are trying to deepen in our country.

“Coming out of the Presidential retreat last October, the National Sports Commission was charged to derive a new vision for Nigerian sports development, especially in the areas of administration and management.

“This new vision lays empha-

sis on grassroots sports development and increasing mass participation in sports across the entire country. We hope that the development policy will be the priority of the sports federations in the country.

“It is our conviction that the increased grassroots participation is guaranteed to feed the elite athletes pipeline. The Presidential target for this administration for five gold medals in Rio 2016 Olympic Games and to improve on it in 2020 and beyond is very much achievable.

E-mail letters@ngrguardiannews.com; www.ngrguardiannews.com

••ABC

Abdulmumuni Babalola, who has been playing in the doubles, was beaten by Egypt’s Sherif Sabry 6-2, 6-1, while the spirited effort by Clifford Enosoregbe could not prevent him from losing 6-4, 6-2 to Mohamed Safwat.

Also the paring of Shehu Lawal and Babalola could not salvage the team in the doubles as they fell to the duo of Karim-Mohamed

Maamoun and Karim Hossam to ensure that the host team topped the group to enter in the final playoff for promotion into Group II. The top four teams that will compete for the two slots in Group II are Morocco, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and Egypt.

Nigeria will now compete for the fifth and eight positions in the group.