Sat 10 May 2014

E D I T I O N

S A T U R D A Y COVER 53

WEEKENDBEATS 37

ABDuCTED

A Jazzy Evening In Lagos

GIRLS: Experts Differ On Foreign Assistance

COVER 53

FASHION 40

Southeast APC And The Challenges Within

Ethnic

Chic Meets Fine Leather

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth Saturday, May 10, 2014

Vol. 30, No. 12,917

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

Chibok Abduction: Amnesty Indicts Security Forces

By Godwin Ijediogor (News Editor, Lagos), Debo Oladimeji Lemmy ughegbe (Abuja) and Kelvin Ebiri (Port Harcourt) MNESTY International (AI) A yesterday accused Nigerian security forces of failing to act on advance warnings about Boko Haram’s armed raid on the state-run boarding school in Chibok, which led to the abduction of more than 240 schoolgirls on April 14, this

NEWS 2

• uS, uK Experts Move Into Action • FG Doubts Report, Promises To Investigate year.

Similarly, 60 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) yesterday in Abuja declared that the Federal Government was unserious in tackling the security challenges rocking the country.

This is just as American and British security experts, com-

prising personnel from the military, law enforcement and other agencies, moved into action after arriving Nigeria yesterday to join Nigerian officials in the search for the schoolgirls taken captive by the Islamist group.

But Minister of Information,

Labaran Maku, speaking on Cable News network (CNN) in Abuja, expressed doubt on the authenticity of the AI report, but promised to investigate the allegation of dereliction of duty against the Nigeria military before and after the abduction.

In an electronic statement

credited to Africa Director of Research and Advocacy, Netsanet Belay, AI said: “After independently verifying information based on multiple interviews with credible sources, the organisation today revealed that the Nigerian security forces had more than four hours of advance warning about the attack but did not do enough to stop it.

“The fact that Nigerian security forces knew about Boko Haram’s impending raid, but

failed to take the immediate action needed to stop it, will only amplify the national and international outcry at this horrific crime.”

It added: “It amounts to a gross dereliction of Nigeria’s duty to protect civilians, who remain sitting ducks for such attacks.

“The Nigerian leadership must now use all lawful means at their disposal to secure the girls’ safe release

CONTINuED ON PAGE 2

DHQ Faults

Amnesty

International’s Report On Chibok I Won’t Sleep Until Girls Are Rescued, Says Jonathan • Nyanya Blast Masterminds Have Been Arrested • Rules Out Political Negotiation With Boko Haram • Announces $10m War Chest For Bring Back The Girls Campaign From Mathias Okwe, Assistant Business Editor, Abuja RESIDENT Goodluck P Jonathan has stated that he would “not sleep” or rest on his oars until the over 200 abducted girls in Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, are rescued.

He also disclosed that that the masterminds of the two deadly bomb blasts that rocked Nyanya, a satellite town on the borderline between the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Nasarawa State, have been arrested and are currently helping security agencies with CONTINuED ON PAGE 2

Civil society activists, British MPs, diaspora religious and cultural groups converged on the Nigerian Embassy in London yesterday to stage a rally to put pressure on the Federal Government to rescue the girls abducted from Chibok Government Girls’ High School in Borno State on April 14.

2 | Saturday, May 10, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Borno Declares Three-Day Prayers, Fast Over Schoolgirls From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri ORNO State Governor B Kashim Shettima yesterday declared three-day prayers and fast to seek divine intervention to rescue the 223 abducted schoolgirls from

Chibok by Boko Harm insurgents on Monday, April 14, this year.

The governor declared this while addressing members of the Kibaku Area Development Association (KADA) in Chibok, whose members protested to the Government House, Maiduguri over the abduction

of

the girls.

He said: “The three-day prayers and fast commences next week Monday to Wednesday until these girls are released unconditionally to their parents and guardians in Chibok.

“We are, therefore, calling on all Muslims and Christians in

this state to embark on threeday fasting to seek God’s help toward rescuing our girls.

“All of us must fast, because we worship the same God. There is no politics or religious issues in this matter, because the abduction of the girls is something that should bother us all as parents, uncles and

guardians.”

Shettima also expressed gratitude to the international community for the concern shown over the abduction saga.

Earlier, Alabe Grema, spokesman of KADA, who presented a letter to Shettima for onward delivery to President

Goodluck Jonathan, urged the federal government to take concrete steps to free the girls unhurt before handing them over to their already traumatised parents and guardians, saying his people have faced psychological trauma since the incident.

Nyanya Blast Masterminds Have Been Arrested, Says Jonathan CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 investigation to unmask their financiers.

Speaking at a world press conference to mark the end of the World Economic Forum on Africa (WEF) hosted in Abuja yesterday, the President appealed to parents of the abducted schoolgirls to be patient and cooperate with government, assuring that the girls and their abductors were still within Nigeria.

He assured that with the support of the international community, the satellite imagery to be deployed would locate the girls and they would be safely rescued.

“As a father and the President of this country, I feel pained and I don’t sleep with my two eyes closed.

And I will not sleep with my two eyes closed until these girls are brought safely back to their parents.

“The attackers are in a part of Borno State described as Sambisa Forest and we are working with the experts that will use remote sensor to see that wherever they are, we will see them.

“So, the best we can say is that they are within the Sambisa Forest area. Of course, I agree that there are stories that they have moved outside the country, but if they move that number of girls to Cameroun, people will see. So, I believe that they are still within Nigeria.”

He said he was in touch with a number of Presidents and had been talking to all the Presidents of neighbouring countries of Cameroun, Chad and Niger.

The President added: “I am going beyond that also, because the crisis we have in Nigeria cuts across Africa. I am discussing with the leaders within the region and of course, the world leaders that will support us.

“A number of the countries’ personnel have arrived Nigeria to assist us to find the girls. Collectively we must find these girls.”

Jonathan clarified that contrary to the widely-held belief in some quarters, government was not slow in responding to the abduction when it happened.

“It is a misconception; the response is not slow.

Immediately this incident happened, both the Army and the Air Force have been combing the area.”

The President said anybody thinking that the spate of bombings and other activities of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, in Nigeria would force his administration to negotiate with the insurgents or their sponsors should rather have a re-think, as he ruled out such possibility.

Instead, he declared a total war on the sect, which he described as a “terror group,” promising to rout it from Nigeria and enthrone the relative peace which Nigeria is known for until the sect reared its ugly head.

Accordingly, the President announced a whopping war chest of $10 million as matching funds for efforts to rescue the girls.

Jonathan stated this yesterday while fielding questions from journalists at the end of the 24th World Economic Forum for Africa (WEFA) hosted by Nigeria in Abuja from

May 7 to May 9.

He stated that Nigeria’s successful hosting of the WEFA, in spite of threats by insurgents, was a clear demonstration that the days of Boko Haram were numbered, adding that they would soon be smoked out with the help of remote sensing and made to face the consequences of their actions with the assistance of foreign powers.

His words: “Boko Haram is a terror group. Before the ‘911,’ nobody in the United States (US) or United Kingdom (UK) imagined the dimension of terrorists in the world.

“You cannot be too sure on what ideology drives their leaning. Sometimes, it is from the religious sentiments. It is most times not political. We need to combine so many factors to underscore their driving spirit.

“But I want to advise that the terrorists should also know that they cannot do certain things and get away with it, because most of these activities are criminal and they should know that when they are caught, they would pay dearly for it.

“For instance, I can tell you that the masterminds of the last Nyanya bomb blast have

Jonathan been arrested and would face the long arm of the law.

“I want to assure also that sooner than later, the abducted Chibok schoolgirls would be rescued with the help of the global community, and we will use remote sensing technology to smoke them out to face the consequences.”

Earlier at the closing press briefing, attended by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minster of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-

Iweala, and former British Prime Minister, Mr. Gordon Brown, among other WEF officials, they expressed the desire of the Nigerian government and the international community to continue with the agitations of the ‘BringBackOurGirls’ campaign.

Brown described the abduction of the girls as “disgusting and devilish,” assuring that the international community would not stand by and watch the

DHQ Faults Amnesty International’s Report On Chibok From Madu Onuorah, Abuja HE Nigerian military has T described the allegation by Amnesty International (AI) that the military authorities were informed of the impending attack but failed to nip it in the bud as very unfortunate and untrue.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday, Director Defence Information/Coordinator, MajGen Chris Olukolade, the military said much as the Nigerian military appreciates the global concern and show of solidarity with the country, “falsehood should not be introduced as a means of assessing the situa-

tion.”

It stated that the AI report was unfounded, adding: “Contrary to the claims, troops in Maiduguri did not receive four hours forewarning about the attacks.

“Rather, they received information of an ongoing attack on Chibok community from

FG Doubts Amnesty International’s Report CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and ensure nothing like this can happen again.”

AI said it confirmed, through various sources, that Nigeria’s military headquarters in Maiduguri were aware of the impending attack soon after 7pm on April 14, close to four hours before the insurgents began their attack on the town.

“But an inability to muster troops - due to poor resources and a reported fear of engaging with the often better-equipped armed groups- meant that reinforcements were not deployed to Chibok that night.

“The small contingent of security forces based in the town - 17 army personnel, as well as local police-attempted to repel the attack, but were overpowered and

forced to retreat. One soldier reportedly died.”

Maku told the CNN that the Nigerian authorities were not aware that there was an examination going on in Chibok at the time of the attack.

According to him, the school has been ordered to close down and the students ought to have been transferred to Maduguri, the state capital, for their examination, adding: “Unfortunately the local authority felt otherwise.”

He said that the Nigerian government is concerned about what happened and that some of the information being spread around concerning the incident was not true.

He dismissed reports that some people aware that the students were going to be kidnapped, querying: “If that was true, why did they not

senseless action by Boko Haram to scuttle the education desire of innocent girls.

He declared the international community was already mobilising funds to combat the menace.

“There is nothing going to stand between the Nigerian children from going to school.

There will be a multi-million pounds from the international community.

On her part, Mrs. OkonjoIweala expressed delight and satisfaction over the successful hosting of the WEFA and announced that Nigeria use the opportunity of the Forum to canvass for investments and other networking between its businessmen and foreign investors that attended the meetings.

“We are grateful for the first WEF in Africa. The attendance was very strong, with over 1,000 delegates from all over the world.

“The Forum was a success because it enables us to mobilise the support to bring back the girls. Government is doing everything possible to bring back our girls.

“President Jonathan has announced $10 million to match the one by the international community in the battle to bring back our girls,” she

alert the security agency?”

The minister said there was no way the military would get such a report and would not respond to the distress call, as alleged by some locals.

He said the government was going to further investigate the matter.

The United States (US) Secretary of State, John Kerry, was reported as saying yesterday: “Our interagency team is hitting the ground in Nigeria now and they are going to be working with President Goodluck Jonathan’s government to do everything that we possibly can to return these girls.”

US Navy Rear Admiral, John Kirby, who serves as Pentagon press secretary, was reported as disclosing that the small team of seven would join advisers supporting local efforts to find the abducted schoolgirls.

Kerry said the US team, work-

ing with the Nigerian government, would do everything possible to free the girls and stop the atrocities of Boko Haram.

“The entire world should not only be condemning this outrage, but should be doing everything possible to help Nigeria in the days ahead.”

But Kirby added that there was no plan to send American combat troops into Nigeria.

The UK team, according to a Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesperson, arrived in Abuja to advise and support the Nigerian authorities in the search for the girls.

A statement by Rob Fitzpatrick, Head of Press and Public Affairs, British High Commission in Abuja said the team is drawn from across government, including DfID, FCO and the MoD, and will be considering not just the recent incidents,

but also longer-term counter-terrorism solutions to prevent such attacks in the future and defeat Boko Haram.

It will be working closely with their US counterparts and others to coordinate efforts to rescue the girls and curb the Boko Haram insurgency.

At a press conference on the Chibok abduction and the twin bomb blasts in Nyanya, Abuja resulting in the death of over 100 people, a coalition of 60 CSOs in the Situation Room charged the federal government to outline its strategies of apprehending the abductors and perpetrators of the blasts.

The spokesperson of the Situation Room, Clem Nwankwo, said the abduction has nothing to do with religion or ethnicity.

troops on patrol, who on noting the attack, engaged the terrorists and called for more reinforcement to contain them.

“As the troops on reinforcement traversed the over 120km rugged and tortuous road from Maiduguri to Chibok, they ran into an ambush by terrorists, who engaged them in fierce firefight and a number of soldiers lost their lives.

“Another set of soldiers also mobilised for the mission arrived after the terrorists had escaped, due to a series of misleading information that slowed down the pursuit.”

While debunking the AI report, the Nigerian military stressed: “The information received by troops at the Division Headquarters in Maiduguri was not a forewarning, but the call for reinforcement by troops on patrol. Considering the vastness of the mission area, deployment has been more of patrols than static.

“The imputation of cowardice on the part of troops is particularly confounding, as the military has internal mechanism to deal with such tendencies.

“These spurious allegations are obviously a continuation of the campaign intended to cause disaffection, portray the military in bad light and undermine the counter-terrorism efforts.

“Although the Chibok incident is still subject to more investigation, the Defence Headquarters appeals to individuals and organisations to refrain from circulating spurious allegations that could undermine both the operation and investigation of conduct of the mission generally.”

Saturday, May 10, 2014 3

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NEWS

More Protests, As Nigerians and Others Seek Release Of Kidnapped Chibok Schoolgirls From Tunde Oyedoyin, London OR the major part of three hours, beginning from 10am till 1pm, chants of “bring back our girls, bring back our girls,” and “our girls, not for sale, our girls, not for sale,” reverberated on the streets of the Northumberland Avenue office of the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom and its environs.

The chants emanated from about 200 Nigerians, activists and friends of Nigeria, lined up in front and opposite the

F

Commission, to demand for urgent action that would eventually lead to the rescue and safe return of the over 200 Chibok school girls kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, last month.

The protesters defied the drizzling rain and the accompanying boisterous wind, as they sang and chanted solidarity songs while others prayed.

Meanwhile, there were others who rained curses and abuse at both the nation and the gov-

ernment. Some even vented their anger at the High Commissioner, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, for not coming to address them, though some staff of the High Commission, speaking under anonymity, told The Guardian that he was away, but could not say where or when he would return.

David Lammy MP (Member of Parliament) for Tottenham, and two activists, Kayode Ogundamisi and Funmi Iyanda, took turns to address the energetic crowd, as the

demonstrators increased in number as more and more people them.

Some of the cheerleaders also took time to mimic the video broadcast of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, as they chanted, “there’s God o, there’s God o.”

Also, chants of “Nigeria, our mumu don do, Nigeria, time to stop our sloppiness, Our girls, not for sale,” went on in cycles till the protest ended exactly at 1pm. By then, at least five armed Metropolitan

Policemen were guarding the entrance of the Commission to safeguard it and prevent angry protesters from going in.

But prior to that, Iyanda had condemned the slow pace of response and lackadaisical attitude of the government, saying, “it’s not acceptable.”

Lammy addressed the crowd at 11.15, saying: “I congratulate you and others who have come together to say enough is enough. We will be here again, until we see the young girls back.”

Continuing, he said: “A week

on, since the protests started, we are seeing action but we lament that it has taken long.”

Ogundamisi took the megaphone at 11.43, telling the tireless crowd, “we need to bring the campaign home,” and that “anytime they tell you it’s about the North, tell them it’s about Nigeria.”

Spurred on by the energy of the demonstrators, he urged them not to allow the government and politicians to divide the nation along ethnic, religious or tribal lines.”

Gambouru Death Toll Hits 315 From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri URVIVING traders and SGambouru members of the Volunteer Group

University of Ibadan women and students demanding the immediate release of abducted Chibok schoolgirls in Ibadan… yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

…APC Leaders Pay Solidarity Visit To Borno, Commend Shettima From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri HE Interim National Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Tijanni Musa Tumsa has alleged that the Boko Haram insurgency in the north-east region of the country was a product of Federal Government’s “incompetency” in the fight against terrorists’ activities in Borno and Yobe States in the past four years.

Tumsa spoke at the Government House, Maiduguri, yesterday, when a delegation of the party, which also comprised the Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, paid a ‘sympathy and solidarity’ visit to the Borno State government and its people over Boko Haram insurgency, which led to the recent abduction of 276 students of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok.

He said: “We are here today to sympathise with the government and people of Borno State over Boko Haram insurgency that has claimed many lives and property in the last three or five years in the north-east sub-region of this country. This condolence will

T

also enable our party, the APC, establish solidarity with Shettima’s administration and its citizens on the immediate and unconditional rescue of the abducted schools girls of Chibok by suspected insurgents on Monday, April 14, 2014.”

Tumsa added: “We have come here today to also strengthen your fortitude and resilience in handling terrorists’ activities in Borno.

APC is 100 per cent behind the policies and leadership styles of your administration.”

He, however, noted that there is need for a secured environment for all Nigerians under a democratic governance of APC at the national and state levels.

Tumsa noted that “the protection of people’s lives and property in the nation behooves on the Federal Government and not the affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa in the northeast sub-region of this country,” stressing that the Military and Police are under the Federal Government and not under the affected states.

Directing his speech to the governor, Tumsa stated that constitutionality must be strictly adhered to before the rule of law could prevail in the protection of people’s lives and property, adding that the party was very proud of Borno State and its people.

“Let me make very bold to say here that Boko Haram insurgency was a product of Federal Government’s incompetent fight against insurgency in the North for over three years,” Tumsa alleged.

He regretted that it took two and a half years for President Goodluck Jonathan to visit the two affected states of Borno and Yobe while it also took him two weeks to take a decisive action on the abducted of school girls from Chibok.

Responding, Governor Kashim Shettima admitted that the state and its indigenes were going through trying times, noting that the most important thing was to get the abducted girls that are still being in Boko Haram custody back.

Police, School Principal Debunk Rumours Of Boko HaramAttack On Lagos School

By Odita Sunday HERE was pandemonium yesterday in Mushin, a suburb in Lagos as rumours of Boko Haram attack on Premier School, Mushin, spread like wildfire.

The Guardian learnt that parents whose children were enrolled in the school had rushed to pick them immediately they got the news that Boko Haram insurgents had raided the school and abducted 100 children.

The news, which emanated from the social media, caused

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serious panic in the entire state as other parents rushed to various schools to ensure their children’s safety.

The news put the Lagos State Police Command on its toes as teams of policemen from Area D Police Command were drafted to the school.

It was, however, gathered that the school authority prevented the parents from taking their children home, as the news was a rumour.

When The Guardianvisited the school, the Principal, Femi Erille said: “It was a rumour. I

also heard about it in the radio.

We have 700 children both in the Secondary and Primary School and all of them are still in the school. No one is missing and no parent has complained that his or her child is missing.

In fact, it was false news.”

A parent, Nuga Babatunde, said he also got the information and rushed down to the school only to discover that it was a rumour. “I have four children in the school. That was why I rushed down only to see my children attending classes,” he said.

Reacting to the development, the Lagos State Police spokesperson, Ngozi Braide also said it was a rumour.

“We knew it was a false alarm but we responded swiftly and sent our men to the school to assure the public that we are ever ready to attend to their distress calls,” she said.

Braide, who advised members of the public to stop false alarm, added: “Well you have heard from the school authority and parents that there was nothing like Boko Haram abducting children in Lagos.”

(GBVG) Friday has said that the number of victims killed in last Monday’s Gambouru/Ngala multiple attacks and bombings by suspected Boko Haram insurgents has increased from 255 to 315 yesterday.

Residents arrived at the figure after more bodies were retrieved from the burnt market and 35 other houses and later buried according to Islamic rites.

The retrieved bodies, according to Malam Kolomi, a trader, were recovered yesterday morning and buried in mass graves, as 60 bodies were burnt beyond recognition.

“We have buried about five dozens of killed residents.

We decided to give them mass burial because most of the retrieved bodies from the market square and some destroyed houses could not be recognised for individual burials according to Islamic rites,” Kolomi said, adding that each mass grave contained no less than 10 bodies.

Mamman Abu, a resident also told The Guardian in a telephone chat that there could be more bodies trapped in some of the torched houses, fearing that an epidemic could occur if measures were not taken to clean up the destroyed town.

“The only bridge that links Gamboru from the other side of Borno has also been destroyed. We are in trouble,” Abu added.

A military source, who spoke in confidence also said: “The affected bridge is a vital one connecting Nigeria with Cameroon. The fleeing sect members destroyed the bridge in anger to frustrate troops from pursuing them.

The way they destroyed the bridge, only light vehicles can manage to pass. The damage will not allow armoured vehicles to pass through. The target is to halt the movement of troops across the border. This development has confirmed intelligence report that the insurgents have a well-established base in Cameroon.”

4 Saturday, May 10, 2014

THe GUArDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

NeWS Coalition Of Civil Society Groups Protests Chibok Kidnap In Benin From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City rOTeSTS continued in P Benin City yesterday for the releases of the school girls abducted by suspected members of the Boko Haram

sect.

Members of various groups including Widows Association, Braveheart Initiative, Conference of Non Governmental Organisation (CONGOS) and several others

marched round the streets of Benin City.

At the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Centre in Benin City, spokesperson of the Coalition, Funke Ojeikere wondered how modern tech-

nologies in the sector have not been deployed to quell insurgences in parts of the country.

“Why was protection for our children in schools in North east not intensified even

‘Boko Haram Has Turned Nigerians To Mourners’ From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti He Deputy Governor of T ekiti State, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, and wife of the governor, erelu Bisi Fayemi, yesterday lamented the spate of insecurity and bloodshed causing weeping and mourning across the country.

They bared their mind during a solemn procession of ekiti women to protest the abduction of the 234 female students of the Government Girls’ Secondary School,

Chibok, Bornu State on April 15.

Before the protesters hit the streets, the governor’s wife presented a protest letter addressed to President Goodluck Jonathan to Adelabu, who received the team on behalf of the governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

In the letter, the women called on the President to act decisively and end the regime of ‘promises, diplomacy and pledges’ over the rescue of the girls from the

Anti-Boko Haram Protesters In PH Demand release Of Chibok Girls From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt rOTeSTerS marched through the streets of Port Harcourt over activities of Jam at Ahl as-Sunnah lidda wa wal-Jih d, popularly referred to as Boko Haram.

A member of the national conference, one of the organisers of the protest Ms. AnnKio Briggs, demanded for the immediate release of the over 200 female students abducted by Boko Haram from a secondary school in Chibok,

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Boko Haram enclave.

The deputy governor later led a short prayer session for the timely rescue of the girls and for peace to reign in every part of the country.

Addressing the protesters, the governor’s wife said that ekiti women decided to lend their voices to the incident in solidarity with others across the country and the world at large.

after the devastation and pain of the 59 innocent children murdered in FGC Buni Yadi on February 25, 2014?

How is it that security is not upgraded around institutions even when warnings of potential threat or imminent aggressions are used? The warning after Buni Yadi that girls would be targeted is a case in point.”

The groups wondered why Nigerians were not safer after geometric progression in security votes.

“We speak out today and will do so everyday until these girls are all accounted for. As mothers, fathers and siblings we call for the urgent and complete end to the politicisation of insecurity in Nigeria. Our pain and solution are collective.”

By Debo Oladimeji rS. DOMINGA M Odebunmi, the Director General of the Lagos State Safety Commission has said that there is a lot of sensitization going on the radio engaging people in local languages, as a way of creating security consciousness in the state.

Speaking during the 2nd Private School Safety Management Conference in Lagos, she warned that people to move away any unattended luggage or parcel and draw the attention of security authorities to the situation.

She said that the Lagos State government has put a lot of security measures in place in the state. “We have installed new security cameras. The control centre is being upgraded. The control centre actually views most parts of Lagos State as we speak. We must be vigilant and observant and know who our neighbours are.

The 767 line is a functional one; 112 is also an emergency number that you can use to reach the security agents,” she said.

She said that the security control actually starts from the gate of the schools and teachers need to know where the children are at every point in time.

MOSOP Seeks release Of Three Dutch Citizens Kidnapped In Bayelsa From Kelvin Ebiri, Port Harcourt

Borno State.

Briggs explained that Nigeria is not a terrorist country and that the essence of the protest was to send an equivocal message to the abductors of the female students that Nigerians were not in support of their ignoble and treacherous action.

She advised the members of Boko Haram to sheath their sword and use better ways to express their grievance against the state, rather than using violence and terrorism.

“Nigerian mothers are tired of weeping, mourning and shedding tears over their children. Our children are supposed to survive us; we are not supposed to bury them.”

The wife of the governor used the opportunity to thank and commend members of the international community for lending support to the nation during its trying periods.

Odebunmi Urges Lagosians To Be Security-Conscious

He Movement for the T Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) in The Netherlands led by Goodluck Diigbo has appealed for the immediate release of three Dutch citizens held by kidnappers in Bayelsa and Delta states.

The three Dutch citizens, Mr. erhard Leffers, Mrs. Marianne vos and Mr. Jan Andre Groenendijk were seized by gunmen at

Letugbene community in Bayelsa on May 4, while visiting Nigeria alongside, Mr. Sunny Ofehe, the founder/executive Director, Hope for Niger Delta Campaign.

Diigbo who leads a faction of MOSOP recalled that much of the attention that the Ogoni situation had received worldwide came from people like the Dutch citizens now held hostage.

He explained that after he had communicated with the Nigerian partner of the

Dutch hostages, it was discovered that their mission to Bayelsa State was part of the larger effort at renewed attempt to educate the Dutch people and europeans on the need to be part of the solution to the Nigerian state.

Ofehe who was later released by the gunmen who kidnapped the Dutch citizens whose whereabouts is unknown was later arrested by the police in Bayelsa State and detained for a day before he was left off the hook.

TheGuardian on Sunday

SPECIAL REPORT T enjoyed a lot of menItion in the media, as a TINAPA, beautiful idea of one-

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

SUNDAY, MAY 11, 2014

COVER

Taming The Nomads A Dream And Their Cattle Still So ver wonder about the possibility of having our cattle restricted to particular grazing lands or ranches? Yes, it is possible to separate the cattle from farmland and save the country the recurrent bedlam of deadly clashes between farmers and cattle tenders. While a lot had been said of the clashes and the way forward, The Guardian presents the ABC of ranching and why it might be a better option to the present roaming and maiming!

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How Far Would Churches Go And For What!

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He man was a philosopher and a THE CHIBOK KIDNAP judge. While he lived, he spoke LIST: How And Where I so little, but in rich volumes. See Got The List what vintage Oputa told The Guardian before he passed on.

— OWOJAIYE

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Saturday, May 10 2014 5

Lagos To Prosecute Perpetrators Of Jungle Justice

By Bertram Nwannekanma O avert incessant cases of T jungle justices in the state, Lagos State Government yesterday issued a warning to residents against delivering instant punishment or jungle justice by lynching, burning or killing suspected criminals.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, who issued the

warning yesterday in a press statement on behalf of the government, stated that the full weight of the law would be brought to bear on anyone caught engaging in jungle justice, no matter what the alleged criminal could have done.

According to Ipaye, anybody caught beating, burning or killing any suspect whether alone or in a mob, is himself

engaging in a serious criminal act and is liable to prosecution and punishment.

The Lagos Attorney-General stressed that the warning became expedient following reports that some people were attacked in the State based on mere allegations of kidnapping, stealing or ritual killing.

Ipaye said that the State Government totally condemned these attacks, adding

that the suspects might easily have been wrongly accused.

“Even if they did commit the alleged offence, there is a process for prosecuting and showing the evidence in court so that proven criminals can be properly punished according to law,” he emphasized.

The Attorney -General gave instances of a woman recently accused of attempting to kidnap three primary school

pupils in the Abule-Egba area and another who was alleged to have kidnapped two children at Iyana-Ipaja. Both were reportedly lynched by angry mobs.

“The mob may well be wrong and the helpless victim may be anyone’s child or relative. If the mob was right, instant justice could never be the answer in any civilized community,” he noted.

NEWS ‘Airports remodeling Not Abandoned’

By Ibe Uwaleke HE Federal Airports T Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has debunked reports that the remodeling projects of Nigerian airports initiated by the ousted minister, Stella Oduah, have been abandoned by contractors due to lack of funds.

In a statement issued yesterday by the coordinating general manager of aviation parastatals, Yakubu Dati, FAAN said its attention has been drawn to “misleading and mischievous reports in some sections of the media, alleging that the Airport remodelling Projects have been abandoned because the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Aviation had refused to release funds to contractors handling the project, which she considered a non-priority project”.

Edo Police Kill Five Suspected Kidnappers From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City suspected kidnappers FtheirinIVEEdo State yesterday met waterloo as they were

A section of Nigerian women in London protesting to demand the release of the abducted school girls in Chibok

Uwechue, Ex-Ohanaeze Leader, Buried From Hendrix Oliomogbe, Asaba MIDST encomiums from A top government officials, friends, associates and family members, the remains of Ambassador ralph Uwechue, former President General of Ohanaeze N’digbo, the pan Igbo socio-cultural organization, were laid to rest at Africa House, his country home at Ogwashi Uku, Aniocha South Local Council of Delta State yesterday.

The list of dignitaries included Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim who represented President Goodluck Jonathan; Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and his Deputy, Amos Utuama; former Commonwealth Secretary General, Emeka Anyaoku; former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi and his predecessor, Senator Chris Ngige; another former Anambra Governor, Chief Chkuwuemeka Ezeife; the President General of

Ngige Absent From Fresh APC Congress In Anambra From Chuks Collins, Awka HErEwas strong indications T that Senator Chris Ngige may have chosen to boycott the rescheduled repeat State congresses which began with elections of Ward, Council and State executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra state on Monday, May 5.

The run up process for the congresses commenced last weekend with a well-attended stakeholders meeting organized at Finotel Hotel & Suites, Awka at the instance of the 9-man Congress Committee from the national secretariat of the party.

The meeting spelt out modalities for the exercise that were formulated and resolved.

Distribution of materials and conveyance of same along with the supervising officials started as early as 8am, early morning on Monday at the Finotel temporal secretariat of the Congress Committee.

Secretary of the Congress Committee, Dr Aminu Ahmed, who was among the officials supervising the distribution, praised the cooperative disposition of members from the state. He said the Local Government and state Congresses were scheduled to come up tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday respectively.

Incidentally Senator Chris Ngige and some of his supporters were visibly absent from the congress but few others were seen milling around at the hotel venue for the distribution of the materials, long after the officials left for the wards.

But the larger membership of the party in the state actively participated.

Ohanaeze N’digbo, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariway and a host of others.

At the funeral mass presided over by rev. Michael Elue, the Bishop of Isele Uku diocese, Jonathan eulogized Uwechue who died on March 13 in Abuja, saying that he was not only a pioneer staff of the nation’s foreign service, he came to epitomize the finest ideals of international diplomacy and uncommon commitment to dedicated service to the fatherland.

The President added: “The late diplomat served the nation at the highest levels in various capacities and remain steadfast in the defence of the unity, peace and stability of Nigeria.”

Curiously absent at the funeral mass were the five serving

governors of the South East geo-political zone, an area he served during his time as the President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organizations.

In his oration, Anyaoku traced therelationshipbetweenthem to their days at the University College, Ibadan 59 years ago, describing the deceased ambassador as an uncommon pan-Africanist who believed in the truth of a united Africa for development to the extent that he appropriately named his sprawling house at Ogwashi Uku after the continent.

He lionized him as a true Nigerian patriot, who loved Igbo people and Nigerians with equal passion, stressing that his love for democracy made him join the National

Democratic Coalition (NADECO) during the bad old days of the military junta under Gen. Sani Abacha.

The former Commonwealth scribe said: “He was actively involved in the promotion of friendship and solidarity during his tenure as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. I am confident that his legacy of a worthy character and devotion to public service will endure to the benefit of future generation.”

Uduaghan said that Uwechue was deeply involved in conflict resolution in several African countries, advising that the country needed to tap into the experience of people like him especially now that the nation was facing Boko Haram insurgency in the north.

Senator Esuene Calls For Security Beef-Up From Anietie Akpan, Calabar ISTUrBED with the growD ing security challenges in the country, with the kidnap of the 230 Government Secondary School girls at Chibok, Borno state as key reference, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs and Youths Development, Senator Helen Esuene has called for a total beef up of the country’s security system by acquiring state-ofthe-art combat equipment.

She suggested the need for a

law or deliberate policy “to ensure we secure modern equipment to combat this kind of insurgency in our borders.”

With modern satellite coverage, Esuene expressed the view that we would be able to pick or track movement and it will definitely help.

The Senator told newsmen in Calabar yesterday that the present security situation in the country is not acceptable to anybody. “The general populace including myself is not happy with the response from

the authourities, from the governor of the state to the security operatives, the issue was kept for too long. Nobody told us anything and we did not know the modus operandi. Even up till now the exact number of the children is fluctuating between one number and the other.”

Senator Esuene who is aspiring to be the next governor of Akwa Ibom state, advised Nigerians to be more security conscious.

“All hands must be on deck to ensure that all the wicked ones are frustrated out,” she said.

felled by police bullets in a cross fire in the forests of Oluku along the Benin – Akure road.

Edo state Police Commissioner, Foluso Adebanjo said some suspected kidnappers who had confessed to abducting a lady, had led his men to their hideout when their accomplices ambushed the policemen.

Briefing journalists in his office yesterday, he called on every citizen to be security conscious and volunteer information to law enforcement agencies.

Adebanjo said, “at about 05.30 hours today (yesterday), a team of operatives of the antikidnapping squad went on enquiry with confessed kidnappers, Osaro Victor, Smarth Uchie, Osarumhen Ekibise Jerry, Lucky Ekhator and Osai Friday in connection with a case of kidnapping of one female victim, to a forest in Oluku along Benin-Akure road near a refuse dump to recover more arms and other operational weapons of the kidnappers.”

He said in the process, other members of the gang attacked the police officers. This led to a shoot out and eventual death of the five victims.

He said a pump action gun, 43

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6 Saturday, May 10, 2014

NEWS PDP Chieftains Want Southern Taraba To Produce Next Governor From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo HE ruling PDP Peoples’ T Democratic Party (PDP) elders in Taraba State Northern Senatorial District have called on the party to allow power to be rotated in the state in next year’s election to engender spirit of fair-

ness.

The elders and people of the zone, who made known their stand yesterday while urging the founder of the D.S.K Foundation, Chief David Sabo Kente, to aspire for the number one position in state, stressed the need for PDP to allow the governorship posi-

tion in the state to be rotated to the southern part of the state next year.

Flanked by PDP elders from the six local government councils that made up the zone, the chairman of the forum, Titus Tauru Khanin, said for the spirit of fairness, PDP should not hesitate in

supporting the people of the southern zone of the state to produce the “next state governor”.

Saying that power shift will allow all the zones to have sense of belonging, Khanin, who was a two time member of the House of Representatives, said “we

appeal to the ruling PDP at the state and national level to allow the practice of power sharing. In other words, rotational arrangement to take its full course to ensure peaceful co-existence with all ethnic composition.”

Khanin, who observed that both the North and Central

geo-political zones in the state have produced the governors for the state, said denying the south the opportunity to produce the next governor would be unfair to the people of the zone.

He admonished his people from the north and central presently jostling for the position to as a matter of urgency drop their ambition and allow the south to produce the “next governor in the person of Chief David Sabo Kente.”

Group Calls On Jonathan To Contest 2015 Election HE Freedom Group, a presT sure group within The State Chapter Of The Peoples

Mr. Segun Ogunye; District Governor, District 9110 Rotary Nigeria, Mr. Oluwagbemiga Olowu and Chairman of the Annual Rotary District 9110 Nigeria 2014 Conference, Anthonia Taiwo, during press briefing on the Annual Rotary District 9110 Rotary Nigeria 2014 conference in Lagos PHOTO: SUNDAY AKINLOLU

Lagos Proposes New Housing Schemes

By Tunde Alao O provide opportunity for T the prospective homeowners who want to build their own houses, the Lagos State Government has opened up new sites for various housing schemes.

Unveiling list of the proposed sites, the Permanent Secretary, Land Bureau, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, who spoke at the 2014 Annual Ministerial Press briefing to mark the seventh year of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration, also explained the reasons for the shortfall in the state’s revenue in 2013 where government raked in N8.4 billion compared to 2012 when it generated N10.28 billion.

Muri-Okunola listed the proposed sites to include Agbowa Mixed Development Scheme (Phase 2), Ayobo Residential Scheme Extension, Imota Mixed Development Scheme and Ilu-Tuntun Residential Scheme, Imota.

“It must, however, be emphasised on one hand that Ibeju Coastal City (Lekki subregion), Iberekodo Industrial Town (Lekki sub-region), CBD/Mixed Development Scheme (Lekki sub-region) and Ibeju Mixed Development Scheme (Lekki sub-region) are all designed to fully utilise the development potential of the Lekki axis and the huge government investment in the area”, he said.

Group Debunks APCO’s Allegation LAGOS-BASED democracy A campaigner for credible elections, Democracy Vanguard, has countered what it regards as lies fabricated by Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (APCO) to discredit its noble intentions of preparing the electorate for a free, fair and credible election in Ekiti State and in Nigeria at large.

In a signed statement by its National Coordinator, Mr. Adeola Soetan, the group said statement credited to APCO Director of Information, Gboyega Aribisogun, to the effect that about 200 of

Democracy Vanguard’s members had been recruited by APC as fake election monitors was false and calculated to discredit the reputation of his organisation.

Soetan said: “The organisation is a non-governmental, non-partisan organisation founded to promote democracy, democratic culture and values, top most of which is mobilisation for popular governance, defence of sanctity of elections through people’s ownership of electoral process, and free expression of the inalienable rights of Nigerians to freely choose

their leaders in free, fair and credible elections. This mantra is the philosophy behind the foundation and activities of Democracy Vanguard and we guard it jealously”.

Soetan further said Aribisogun’s allegation that his members were being trained as election monitors was far from the truth, as election monitoring was least of its mandate.

Rather, he said members of his organisation and other volunteers were “daily campaigning in nooks and crannies of the state on voters’

education and interfacing with election managers to guarantee free and fair election in the state”.

He stated further that “in Democracy Vanguard, rather than being a passive observer and reporter of questionable elections, we have been engaging all stakeholders – the electorate, political parties, all institutions involved in elections on the basis of constitutional and legitimate guarantee of the observant of all rules for the attainment of free, fair and credible elections to guarantee participatory, good governance and genuine democracy. “

Danjuma, Akinkugbe Advocate Homegrown Solution To African Problems

By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku HE Nigerian Institute of T Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) and University of Cape Town (UCT), South Africa,have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the management of $5 million endowment fund donated by Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma for legal research in Africa.

The fund, which will be held and invested by UCT, is designed to create fellowships and scholarships for Nigeria postgraduate law students to study with South Africans and people all over the continent at the Centre for Comparative Law in Africa

(CCLA), UCT, South Africa.

Speaking at the launch in Lagos, Danjuma said it was high time Africans rise to the occasion to prevent others from to present the continent in an unjust manner.

He said: “In dealing with these challenges, we need homegrown research by institutions located in African countries and supported by collaborative research with institutions in other countries on the continent grappling with similar issues.

“The concept of the T.Y Danjuma Fund for Law and Policy Development in Africa derives from the need to promote channels and platforms for carrying out development-friendly researches, dis-

semination of research findings and capacity building interventions in a way that pools together expertise from various African countries. The expectation is that these initiatives will generate a critical body of homegrown workable African solutions to address complex challenges confronting the continent.”

Olu Akinkugbe Business Law in Africa Fellowship was also launched. Situated in CCLA, UCT, South Africa, the fellowship will have two fellows from African universities every year. One of the fellows is expected to come from a Nigerian institution to carry out research in UCT. The financier, Olu Akinkugbe, while speaking at

the event said that the endowment was aimed at building capacity to address the subject of co-development through research, which provides the material for evidence-based law and policy making for intraAfrican trade development.

Akinkugbe, who noted that regional integration is important for African development, said that co-development should be vigorously pursued in Africa for sustained mutual development adding that a better vehicle could not have been chosen than promoting compatibility between the continents business laws in order to drive intra-African trade.

Democratic Party (PDP), Kwara State, has declared its support for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in his efforts at addressing the national’s security challenges.

In a statement released and signed by Mr.Tajudeen Abdulkareem after the group’s meeting in Offa, kwara State , the group “ also urged the president to declare his interest in the 2015 Presidential Election” and pledged to mobilise and work diligently for his victory at the polls.

The group further said that it “acknowledges the pragmatic political moves by the national leadership of PDP led

by Dr. Adam Muazu in the judicial quest to re-instate PDP officials and candidates in the Kwara State Local Government Council Elections in the October 2013 elections”, and called on all “its members and the entire PDP family in Kwara State to support the new state executive committee led by Chief Iyiola Oyedepo to enable it steer the party to success in the coming elections”.

Akintola Pays Tribute To Justice Oputa ORMER Deputy Speaker, FAssembly, Oyo State House of Chief Adeniyi Akintola, has expressed regret over the death of Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, describing him as the last of the “philosopher kings” at the apex of Nigeria’s judiciary.

In a tribute, Akintola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), described the late jurist as an erudite, scholarly, witty and practical judge who brought a lot of wisdom to the Supreme Court. He said his death has robbed the Supreme Court of the last judicial philosopher after the demise of Justice Kayode Esho.

“I recall that he rose from the state high court straight to the Supreme Court, by-passing the Court of Appeal. His deserved promotion reinforces the argument that judges at the apex court do not necessarily have to be from the bench. There is no reason why eminent scholars and lawyers cannot become judges at the apex court of the land,” he said.

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Saturday, May 10, 2014 |7

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Arts&Culture Under Kontrol With Beatbox in Abuja From Oludare Richards, Abuja

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HE lobby of the Hilton seemed normal with regular patterns of business and activities and you would have simply moved on through the lobby but for the attraction of the Capital Bar of transcorp Hilton, Abuja on tuesday night. Music radiated through the open doors with such uniqueness, the musical distinction won’t be missed. it was Beatbox.

People of various descriptions filled the bar to see ‘Under Kontrol’ a four-member beat box group from France currently on tour in 24 countries in Africa to spread the Beatbox gospel. they thrilled, engaging the crowd with various Beatbox techniques, one could not help but notice the precision and proficiency in their skillful renditions. With styles including mimics of rap, trumpets, effects, wind instruments, bass and drums with techniques such as the ‘Clickroll’, ‘Vocal Scratching’, ‘Snare’ and the ‘Wind technique’ and other Beatbox techniques employed by the group members to display their unique synchronous renditions of music as they switch genres. the spokesman (English) and member of the group; ‘Faya Braz’ spoke to the guardian about their music and sources of inspiration: “We are a four-member group of Beatboxers from France doing music entirely with our mouth”, he said. “the members include myself; ‘Faya Braz’, ‘tiko’, ‘Mic Flow’ and ‘Mr. Lips”, he said. “We are like every normal band or group, each with parts to play, synchronizing with unison and timing and we have been doing this for over 11 years and are strong together in music”. the highlight of the night probably was when after doing their group performances, had each member do a solo performance, making music entirely without any members help. the crowd was wowed.

“We are inspired in many ways, the Disc Jockey is an inspiration, Funk music, drummers of the

Beatbox group in performance Funk music, like the drummer of James Brown and the Nigerian tony Allen who was with the great Fela Anikulapo Kuti is indeed an incredible drummer. tony Allen is a crazy drummer” Faya Braz said.

He further added: “You see, the music is all linked, Hip Hop came from Funk, Funk from Afro Jazz and Afrobeat. When you listen to Afrobeat, you hear some Funk in it. Afrobeat is crazy; it is harder to play Afrobeat than funk. though it is like Funk, Afrobeat is a more fine music”. they also did collaborations with some

PHOTO: KEMI AKIN-NIBOSUN Nigerian artistes they had worked with at a workshop organized by institut Francaise, Abuja. the artistes were King Faj and Pupayanis. Faya Braz mentioned the importance of the collaborations, as they will be doing with artistes in countries throughout their African tour. “We already have rappers from gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali etcetera, and we hope to work with Nigerians as well”, he said.

“We enjoyed the show, the energy of the crowd and we hope Nigeria joins the world in professional Beatboxing as Nigerians are

Coker’s Teecoks Literary Initiative To Spur Creative Writing Among Students

By Florence Utor

A

towards making the event a success, although family and friends largely support the initiative to make realisable, as a measure of her passion to promote writing.

Ms Coker said the writing competition is intended to be a yearly event hoping that it would grow beyond Lagos in the nearest future so it could achieve the goals of encouraging reading and writing among youngsters. Fiction books written by Nigerian authors were given as prizes to make the young winners to be aware of indigenous authors and books as most of them read mainly foreign books.

Chairman of Lagos State internal revenue, Mr. Babatunde Fowler, was the Chairman of the event, while retired tutor-general, Lagos State, Mrs. M.A. David, was the guest speaker. She encouraged students to cultivate the habit of reading so they could achieve success in their various academic careers. HrM Oba Shefiu Olatunji Adewale, Olu Epe of Epe Kingdom, was the royal father of the day. Other special guests

that attended the event were Joke Silva, President, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Femi Amos, other writers like Mrs. Mobolaji Adenubi and Sola Alamutu were in attendance. the eminent guests harped on the importance of reading and writing and the desire to promote and encourage young people to write and tell our own stories. the students were also told that the ipads given as gifts were to encourage them to be technology inclined and for them to surf the internet for matters relating to their studies and writing, to help them learn more about what they are taught in class, learn about their society and country, meet other writers and read other written works and learn from them. the children were encouraged to incorporate the advantages of modern technology brought to them in a portable way and not get distracted by it but to use it well to improve themselves.

new initiative to stimulate the creative interests of youngsters in writing has made its first outing in Lagos, with 600 medical student of College of Medicine, Univeristy of Lagos, towunmi Coker, as chief driver. She founded teecoks Literary initiative with the desire to promote and encourage reading and writing culture in society. the motive, she said, is to build and train emerging writers and lovers of writing so they could tell their own stories to further promote the art of writing. in this regard, the first award ceremony was held on January 30, 2014, at Memorable gathering, Alausa, ikeja. it came out of a writing competition among secondary school students in Lagos State.

After submission, marking and scrutiny, the winners were awarded prizes, with Sadiku Feyipitan of Maryland Comprehensive School emerging winner. She went home with an ipad, a cash prize of N100,000 (One hundred thousand Naira), six novels, a calculator, a mouse pad, and a school bag among other gifts. the second and third prize winners were also awarded ipads, five and four novels respectively among other gifts. the first ten winners were also rewarded; they were from Maryland Comprehensive School, Methodist girls High School, international School University of Lagos, Chrisland schools, Holy Child College ikoyi, igbobi College, CMS grammar School and Ezekiel international School amongst other schools that participated. the winning school got a printer, as prize.

Coker said the initial plan was to give ipads to the first three winners but as she had rely on her own savings and her parents’ generous funding, she opted to giving laptop to the first prize winner and other forms of tablets to the second and third place winners so as to encourage them to keep writing. But from subsequent editions, Julius Berger has offered to support the competition; this would enable her give the full measure of Towunmi Coker (middle) and some of her guests at the prize-giving ceremony to kick off her debut proposed prizes. Sterling Bank also supported Teecoks Literary Initiative… in Lagos

missing in international championships”.

Abuja and Port Harcourt are the cities they had planned to perform in while in Nigeria and then continue their tour to the rest of the countries in their tour of 24 African countries.

Toni Kan, Peju Akande Launch Online News, Entertainment Wire

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tArtiNg from tomorrow, May 11, 2014, author, toni Kan and his partner, Peju Akande at radi8 Pr firm, will launch their latest media initiative www.sabinews.com, a proudly Nigerian news and entertainment site. it will feature columnists like Ayisha Osori (Mondays), ikhide ikheloa (tuesdays), Joy isi Bewaji (Wednesdays), ruona Agbroko (thursdays) Oshoko Bushushu (Fridays) Music, Books & Movies (Weekends), Sam Umukoro and Kaine Agary (Sundays) as well as business and political views, insights and opinions. www.sabinews.com aims to inform, educate, entertain and provoke. www.sabinews.com will be partial to opinions, satire and all shades of entertainment and it will be launching with an archive of stories from music to movies and books.

As a result, Mr. Kan is asking all his friends, mentors, brothers, sisters, supporters and colleagues to remember them in their prayers for the success of the project.

POEM A Night Cry in Chibok

By Tofunmi Omowumi What if before your very eyes your own daughter turned blue?

What if that angel came into the same room of your blood and seed in a dark coat with a brief case of souls What if your poor girl served him a glass or two and he bore his hands on her bare breasts arrowing through her in countless discharge of faceless men What if she ran cold and her heart became grey after a night’s stand with the immortal giver of mortality What if she just died?

What if you could only watch?

What if? #Bringbackourgirls

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Special Report

Saturday, May 10, 2014

OUTSTANDING LABOUR LEADER IN NIGERIA

WE HAVE ACHIEVED QUITE A LOT IN NULGE LAGOS STATE COMRADE LASISI AKINSANYA , CHAIRMAN, NULGE, LAGOS STATE CHAPTER E is a compassionate leader with strong shoulders H to bear the responsibilities of leading and directing his union members in the right direction. The truth is that Comrade Lasisi Akinsanya has a practical approach to solving trade union issues. In fact, his name is synonymous with patriotic service to his union and his personality has become an endorsement of value.

Comrade Lasisi Akinsanya is a staff of the unified local government at Igando-Ikotun Local Government. He is the Clerk of the House. He is currently in his second term in office as the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE. Prior to being elected Comrade Akinsanya started his unionism career at the former Alimosho Local Government where he was elected as the branch chairman for two terms.

On the factors that affect the effective administration of local governments in Nigeria today, Akinsanya said, “How effective the administration of any local government is depends solely on the pilot at the helm of affairs. In Nigeria, local government has a problem because the constitution that gave birth to them did not clearly state their roles and that gave the states the opportunity to play around with them. This is seriously affecting the administration of local governments”.

Commenting on the suggestion by some delegates at the national conference that local governments should be scrapped, the labour leader said, “For anyone to say that local governments should be scrapped, the person is not reasonable enough because local government is the government that is closest to the people. Nobody will say I want to go to the federal or state government to lay my complaint, but they can easily go to the local

government to lay their complaints, so if anyone is saying it should be scrapped, then that person is not being reasonable”.

On his achievements since assuming office as the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of NULGE, the easy going and disciplined leader said, “Before we came into office, there were certain things we promised to do, some of which include prompt payment of salaries, prompt and adequate promotions of staff, feedback through quarterly forum, prompt payment of allowances. We bless God that all these and many more have been achieved. When I got to office in 2008, I met a backlog of promotions that were not done and immediately met with the Local Government Commission. This backlog of promotions were cleared, we also succeeded in the regularization of staff who have acquired more relevant degrees, we organised a stakeholders retreat - a forum that gave workers opportunity to express themselves, we also organised a workers forum. The union also acquired fifteen hectares of land at Ijoko Ota for interested members where half a plot goes for N150,000 and payment is spread over a 12 month period, to mention a few”.

Speaking on the challenges he has encountered in the course of running the union, he intoned, “There are quite a number of challenges but I don’t want to scare the upcoming Chairman. I will only say that it is not easy and anyone willing to steer the affairs of the union should be ready to work very hard, be ready to sacrifice his leisure, and should also know that he is going to serve and not to be served. However, all these challenges can be overcome with hard work, prayer and closeness to God”.

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Special Report

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SPECIAL FOCUS ON PUBLIC OFFICERS OF REPUTE

Gov. Akpabio Inspires my Leadership Style people as a whole. Love is a platform for which anything positive can be achieved.

If you love your people, you will want to put in your time to change their fortune. If you love your people, you will want to be committed to the service if you have an opportunity to serve. If you love your people, you will want to be dedicated; if you love your people, you will want to be courageous. He has also shown some unprecedented level of honesty and transparency in governance. He is a manager of both financial and human resources, and he brought in the best hands to realise his ‘uncommon transformation’ of the state.

When the roll is called for distinguished public officers who have etched their names on the sands of time, Barrister Emmanuel Moses Enoidem’s name will feature prominently. He has made name for himself not only as an accomplished professional in the legal profession but also as a respected technocrat, astute administrator, change agent and a selfless politician.

Humble, simple, God-fearing but hardworking, Enoidem is a man with an unflinching passion for societal development. A graduate of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Enoidem once served as the Executive Chairman of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom. In 2007, he became a part of the Governor Akpabio-led ‘Uncommon Transformation’ team as the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal. His outstanding achievements at the Ministry saw him posted to the Ministry of Special Duties to oversee the completion of Mega Projects embarked upon by the state. He spoke to Guardian on the progress made thus far the by Akpabio Administration. Excerpts:

When the head is sound, the body must definitely be sound but if the head is sick, the body will be sick. I believe that the drive that Akpabio has exhibited; his attributes in commitment, dedication, sincerity and unquenchable drive to achieve positive results has also infected and affected everyone that is working with him. I am inspired by his leadership qualities and I am glad to be a member of his cabinet.

The All Peoples Congress (APC) is putting forces together to take over power at the Presidency come 2015, what are the chances of PDP retaining power come 2015?

The state government has quite a number of projects ongoing across the state. How soon will these projects be completed and what measures are being put in place to ensure that these facilities are well maintained?

Presently we are working on four landmark projects which include the Akwa Ibom International Airport at Uran, a three-star hotel at Ikot Ekpene, The 20th Anniversary Hospital at Itam, a 30,000 capacity Olympic size stadium and Ibom Tropicana Entertainment Centre which boast of a Cineplex, theme park, 14 floors250 rooms hotel and shopping mall.

Governor Akpabio has no intention of abandoning any project and we have put structures in place as regards the maintenance of our facilities. The Akwa-Ibom airport is one of the youngest in the country and the traffic flow is overwhelming. It is the fourth most used airport in the country and what we have now is an interim terminal building which we are trying to replace with an international standard terminal building that would accommodate both domestic and international flights. It is going to be the only terminal building in the country that has that nexus where a passenger who is on a domestic flight will have the ease of connecting himself to the international wing of the airport. We have finished the foundation, the lift shaft has also been constructed and we are working on the fabrication of the steel members that will be installed.

We are ensuring that all of our projects especially the flagship projects are well structured for proper maintenance and we believe that there will be no government no matter how irresponsible that government will be that will allow us to return to the status quo before the advent of this administration when maintenance was not the priority of attention.

What is the secret behind your achievements under the Gov. Akpabio-led administration?

Basically I believe that what makes one successful is the grace of God. When I was appointed commissioner in 2007, I found an emptiness in me and I asked God to fill that emptiness. When I got into the ministry, I worked with a number of professionals in the building industry, I was like their student and I learnt a lot from them.

I was able to manage all these professionals and we worked together as a team, we

Barrister Emmanuel Moses Enoidem Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Special Duties, Akwa Ibom State shared the same spirit, determination, vision and commitment and we were able to bring out all the achievements we had in that ministry. I think it was on account of those achievements that the governor drafted me to the Ministry of Special Duties to oversee the completion of the four major projects earlier mentioned.

This administration has often been criticized for wasting funds which could have been used in creating jobs on construction, what is your take on this?

Such critics are suffering from ignorance.

The government met a pedestrian state in 2007, as at May 29, 2007, Akwa Ibom was a state people saw no future in but when we came in, we decided to change the fortune of the state. You cannot do everything at the same time and that is why there is need for every government to prioritize its activities to avoid confusion or crisis and this government has put everything in place for the economic take-off of Akwa-Ibom state. We needed the infrastructure, there is no economy that can take off in the world without necessary economic drivers, and the economic drivers are the infrastructure we have in place today. We have good roads, we have tourist facilities in place and we have security in place. We needed all these things in place and His Excellency, Gov. Godswill Akpabio has been able to bring them together. I believe that the true face of development in Akwa-Ibom state will be economic renaissance and that is why we need a man who has a strong grip on economic matters, a man who is rich in economic policies and practice. Setting up of industries is a private sector driven program and now that we have the necessary infrastructure which was orchestrated by the government, players in the private sector are now interested in Akwa-Ibom state. This administration has also setup a Department of Industry to midwife the process of taking their applications and indications of interest to see which of

them is viable and which of them we can work with.

The government is very sensitive to unemployment because it is a breeding ground for all sorts of crimes and that is why this administration has been recruiting into the civil service in other to fill some vacancies left by those who retired or resigned from government. We have created an enabling environment for business and we have not stopped at empowering our people with skill acquisition programmes. I believe that in the next one or two years, unemployment will be reduced to the barest minimum in Akwa-Ibom state on account of the stimulation of the economy that is taking place and will continue to take place.

SMEs are key to the growth of any economy, what is the Akwa Ibom State government putting in place to develop SMEs in the state?

We agree that SMEs are the bedrock for growth in any economy but they also have their limitations. We are partnering with all the necessary institutions that midwife SMEs especially the Bank of Industries, we are partnering also with international bodies with the aim of growing SME activities in the state. This administration has also developed an indigenous SMEs promotion agenda. For instance, we have trained over three thousand graduates in different aspects of agriculture and agro production, and at the end of the training, the state government gave them interest-free loans to the tune of N500,000 to set up agro businesses and those of them who are serious with the scheme are having small scale farm and agro based production everywhere in the state.

What inspires your leadership style?

I will say it is the love I have for my state as also demonstrated by Gov. Akpabio. The governor has an undying love for Akwa-Ibom

It is an administration of strange bird fellows, people who don’t know what they represent. Are they progressive governors? Buhari does not have any democratic culture and benchmark, so how do you trust him to take charge of leadership in Nigeria? I can’t see them taking over power at the Presidency come 2015, that union will need another fifty years to mature because such has never worked in the history of Nigeria. I can tell you that the trust to make the union work does not exist within the APC and that is why they are having problems already. The APC is built around individuals but you can never find that in PDP because PDP is not one man show, it is built around a collectivity of individual interests that matter about Nigeria, that is why the sustainability of PDP cannot be challenged by the exit of certain individuals.

There has been quite a number of criticism as regards the ongoing National Confab, do you think the Confab has all the ingredients needed in sustaining the unity of Nigeria?

Anyone who is criticizing the confab is an opposition person. Nigerians across any divide, across religious borders are in agreement with the presidency in the convocation of the confab and you can see the kind of robust and deep discussion going on at the confab. It is only the confab that can offer that kind of avenue where people come together from different ethnic background, professional institutions, different tribal and religious groups to discuss the unity of Nigeria. The confab is achieving that purpose on a daily basis. I support the confab and I believe that it is going to achieve a whole lot for Nigeria.

After the expiration of this administration, in what capacity do you intend to further your stewardship to the nation?

I will leave that to God to decide because He is the one that brought me to where I am today. I never saw myself becoming a part of this cabinet from the onset but it pleases God to give me a place in this administration, so I will wait on Him to direct my steps for the next stage.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Special Report

Saturday, May 10, 2014

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SPECIAL FOCUS ON PUBLIC OFFICERS OF REPUTE

An Academic Par Excellence A GREAT leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion and not position.’ These words by John Maxwell aptly describes Prof. Hilary Odo Edeoga, the Fourth Vice Chancellor of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State who is unrelenting in his drive to ensure that MOUAU becomes a model university in Nigeria.

‘

A Professor of Plant Taxonomy and Cytogenetics, in his three years at MOUAU, Edeoga prides himself as a public officer who is driven by passion to contribute his quota to national development, particularly, the education sector.

An alumnus of the University of Port Harcourt, he was a Senior Lecturer at Bendel State University, now Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma between 1988 and 1999. He joined MOUAU as the Head of the Biological Sciences Department; a position he occupied between 2000 and 2001.

He was subsequently elevated to the position of Deputy Vice Chancellor between 2001 and 2005 before joining Shell Petroleum Development Company as a Senior Research Adviser between 2006 and 2007. In 2007, he heed the clarion call to serve his state (Enugu State) as the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resource, he left in 2009 to become the Vice Chancellor at MOUAU. It is on record that during his time as a commissioner in Enugu State, he brought in the Vietnamese farmers (Vodaco group) and the Thai-African farmers from Thailand to invest in large scale rice production at Amagunze and Adani, Uzo-Awani respectively in Enugu State. He was also the brain behind the establishment of an organic fertilizer production plant by a USA based company - Earth Care Way in Enugu State and also the establishment of the College of Agriculture and Agro-Entrepreneurship at Iwollo, Ezeagu LGA, Enugu State to mention a few. His achievements so far speaks volume of him as a world-class professional and a change agent in the education sector.

Since he assumed office on March 1, 2011, Edeoga has left no stone unturned in his bid to ensure a total transformation at MOUAU in terms of academics, welfare and infrastructure. He has continued to enforce zero tolenrance for acts of misconducts in the university as well as partisanship in any form. He has ensured that long-awaited hazard allowance was paid deserving staff with effect from 2009 to date and staffers receiving their salaries on or before the 25th of every month. The astute Vice Chancellor has also continued efforts at ensuring that academic programmes in the university meet expected standards. Recently, the accounting department of the institution received full accreditation by ICAN, making MOUAU the first specialized university in Nigeria to achieve such feat.

His administration also secured full

800 KVA gen set

Prof. Hilary Odo Edeoga Vice Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike accreditation for the engineering courses run by the university by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

A major achievement recorded by Prof.

Edeoga is the commissioning of the Ten Block President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Transformation Hostels which has the capacity of accommodating 2500 student and estimated to have cost a total of N1.5billion entirely sourced through Internally Generated Revenue by the university. Prof Edeoga informed that the ten hostels project was commenced in August 2012 and completed under one year. He also stated that the hostels were funded through the university’s IGR without external financial assistance, adding that the library complex Phase 1 and the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology Phase 2 which has been completed were funded from allocation for capital projects. He further disclosed that through persistent efforts, the management of the Univeristy succeeded in getting TETFund to finance the construction of three colleges namely; Agricultural

both teaching and non-teaching staff members are given the opportunity to attend national and international conferences, and also to undergo further studies.

He was able to achieve this by his insistence that TETFund allocation for such, are used for the purposes they are meant for.

It is on record that since the inception of the university, no administration has surpassed this feat. “People should be given the opportunity to develop themselves, travel out and gather more experiences through these exposures for their good and their jobs”, he said. So far, many staffers have been privileged to travel to some African, European, American and Asian countries to attend workshops and conferences.

Within the past one year, the university was blessed with the promotion of twenty three Readers to the rank of professors.

This is another milestone in the history of the university as the Prof. Edeoga -led administration is unrelenting in its efforts to impact positively on the human capital base of the institution.

Challengedriven and goal-oriented, Prof.

Edeoga’s administration has continued to

Economics, Rural Sociology and Extention (CAERSE), Natural Sciences (COLNAS) and Veterinary Medicine (CVM).

bring about excellent innovations to the university community, some of these include the establishment of the MOUAU Campus Shuttle which kickedoff with 25 fleets of 2012 Model Kia Rio cars to ease the movement of students and staffers within the university campus, establishment of Green FM to assist in information dissemination about research findings, extention services and innovations, establishment of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, establishment of the Centre for Project Development and Revenue Generation and the establishment of the Centre for Gender and Child Development amongst others.

In giving back to its host community, the institution through its Extension Centre has continued to organize workshops and seminars for farmers towards ensuring that they are updated with current technological information in some relevant areas of agriculture to boost their productivity.

The Edeoga-led administration at MOUAU is also working in collaboration with some foreign institutions aimed at improving the quality of its workforce and towards academic excellence for its students. One of such collaboration with McGill University, Montreal, Canada brought about a five-day training/workshop on Food Quality and Management Systems which was described as a scientific meeting where topical issues pertaining to food was discussed. The Vice Chancellor disclosed that the University organized the event in order to create an interactive platform that will bring together best brains to train and re-train persons involved in food processing and distribution. Speaking further, he maintained that quality food as well as food that is safe and wholesome are needed to maintain healthy workforce and expressed his belief that the training will be of immense help to the participants once they apply all that they have learnt in their various works.

A distinguished educationist of repute, Prof. Edeoga is a member of several professional bodies which include, the American Society of Planta Taxonomists, Nigerian Society for Experimental Biology, Botanical Society of Nigeria, Genetics Society of Nigeria, Nigeria Society for Plant Protection, Weed Science Society of Nigeria, International Society of Plant Morphologists (India) and Biotechnology Society of Nigeria.

In the area of staff development, Prof. Edeoga has ensured that

Prof. Edeoga has over 120 publications including journals, books, technical papers and reports. He has successfully supervised students at the undergraduate, Masters and Doctorate levels. He has also won several awards within and outside the shores of the country.

ICT equipment

MOUAU campus shuttle

GEJ transformation hostels

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Love&Life

... Celebrating The Feelings You Share!

with SIMON Egbo 07032944123

IN THIS EDITION

True Love Story:

RELATIONSHIP AND LOVE TIPS FOR THIS WEEK:

Princess of

14 Truths About Romantic True Love

Love

Below are 14 ways to help make it happen. You may be surprised to learn that true love is not only attainable; it may be closer than you think.

Romantic true love must be created. It does not ‘just happen.’

You become capable of creating romantic true love when you commit to your own truth.

‘WHAT I KNOW ABOUT BEING SINGLE, NOW THAT I’M IN MY 40s’

You commit to your own truth by dedicating yourself to becoming aware of the complex and wide range of your thoughts, feelings, and experiences as they continually shift and change.

You become aware as you move beyond whatever blocks you from being open to the truth of your experiences.

You move beyond your blocks to truth by learning to observe your thoughts and feelings in a compassionate way, even if those thoughts or feelings are scary or inconvenient.

Once you are committed to your own truth, you can work to create a romantic true love relationship.

Working to create a romantic true love relationship means seeking a partner who is also committed to awareness of his or her own truth, or encouraging an existing partner to commit to awareness of his or her own truth.

LOVE ADVENTURE

‘Am I being selfish? Just found out I’m pregnant and my ex-boyfriend wants me to abort’

Once you and your partner are both individually committed to truth, you can work to build a relationship that supports truth.

In a relationship that supports truth, there is space and respect for both people to have whatever thoughts and feelings they may have, even if those thoughts and feelings are scary or inconvenient.

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

Truth in a relationship does not mean communicating every thought or feeling with your partner and causing unnecessary pain; truth in a relationship means that both partners feel safe to be open and honest about anything that seems important to share.

When there is respect and space for each person’s truth, you do not have to hide from the truth in fear of your partner turning mean, denying or invalidating your thoughts or feelings, or intentionally saying or doing things to hurt or abuse you.

A relationship where it is safe for truth to emerge will challenge and support both partners toward increasing awareness and connection to the spectrum of their own truth.

Romantic Poems Name:

A Better Tomorrow - Yvonne Warren

Gladys Occupation: Student

I never knew there would be a better tomorrow But you’ve come into my life and taken away all my sorrow My days of sadness are a thing of the past Because I have found true love at last My days of emptiness are gone for good Because you fill a void in my heart that you should You’ve opened a window You’ve shown me the light And my love for you will continue to burn bright.

Love Quote He who is not impatient is not in love.

Italian proverbs

Love Connections Women Seeking Relationship/Marriage Stella, 33yrs of age, fair, beautiful and homely, a nurse and employed from Anambra State, needs a devout Christain man, who is employed or into business btw 33yrs and 42yrs of age for marriage. Pls call 08037297847.

Precious, average in height, fair in complexion, needs a mature man for a serious relationship, btw the ages of 40-45 yrs. Pls call 08082962536.

Kemi, 21, student, tall, slim, dark, pretty, needs a responsible wealthy man. 08123518082, 2348033138671.

Sindy, 37 yrs, from Anambra, a teacher needs a cute and Godly guy with a decent job for a serious relationship 30-42. Call 08130433177.

Call professor love on 07032944123 for relationship/marriage counseling and direct hookup.

Pls call before texting your request.

Men Seeking Relationship/Marriage Andrew, from Akwa Ibom State, intelligent and

very hard working needs a very understanding working class or business lady, 30yrs and above for a relationship. Pls call 08062167049.

Silk, tall, chocolate in complexion, simple and easygoing, needs a mature lady btw the ages of 30 -45yrs, working class with very good sense of humour, for a blissful affair. Pls call 07012251411.

Michael, based in Lagos, very hard working, needs a working class lady btw 28-38 yrs for a serious relationship. Call 09092415124.

Ayomiposi, 28yrs, tall, cool and hard working based in Lagos, needs a mature and cool headed lady, working or business class, btw the ages of 35-48yrs for a genuine relationship. Pls call 08188970747.

Kadi, a genius in womanology, humble and intelligent, needs a very mature, intelligent and hard working lady. Pls call 07056823470.

No flashing pls.

Once you and your romantic partner are both committed to being true unto yourselves, and you are building a relationship that supports truth, only time will tell if it is romantic true love.

If it is romantic true love, it will endure, growing and evolving to continue to support truth, integrating whatever arises into its fabric. For example: ‘Sometimes I detest my husband.’ ‘Sometimes I feel thrilled by my partner.’ ‘Sometimes I wish that my wife would just stop talking and leave me alone.’

‘Sometimes I look over at my partner snoring and I find him totally unattractive.’ ‘Sometimes I feel suffocated by my marriage.’ ‘Sometimes I feel incredibly fortunate to be married to my spouse.’

‘Sometimes I feel rejected by my partner.’

‘Sometimes I feel alone, even with my partner sitting right next to me.’ ‘And amid all of this, I still want to be together.’ ‘Our bond remains strong.’ ‘We both keep growing.’ ‘We keep going together.’ ‘We keep loving each other.’ ‘This must be true love.’

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

18 | Saturday, May 10, 2014

LOVE&LIFE WHAT I KNOW ABOUT BEING SINGLE, NOW THAT I’M IN MY 40s’ I’M smiling as I write this, which is a good ‘single sign. I certainly had never expected to be in my 40s. Still, I find myself remarkably happy most of the time. There are moments, of course, of frustration and grief over not having love, marriage and children.

But I have come to realize that I’m happy despite the fact that my life did not turn out as expected. Here are some of the reasons why: I’ve learned to enjoy dating, no matter my romantic feelings for my date.

In my 20s, I put a lot of weight on dating. I was ready to get married and become a mother in my early 20s, so I dated to find ‘the one,’ and not simply to enjoy the date come what may. In my 30s, after a decade of disappointment behind me, I bemoaned dates where there was no attraction or shared values, feeling like I had wasted a night I would never get back. But by age 40, I let go of what the date might mean for my future, or what it meant for my near past. I learned to enjoy the moment. I learned to enjoy the man and his company, whether or not there will be a second date.

I’ve learned that every connection and every moment has a purpose. And while I may not recognize that purpose in that very moment, I know that I will learn something about someone new and probably something about myself. Plus, with that attitude, I often have a great time regardless of how I feel about the man I’m with. It’s a night out, drinks, maybe dinner, maybe a movie, maybe more... what’s not to appreciate?

I’ve learned to forgive myself for being single.

I’ve made mistakes, I’m sure of it. In my 20s and early 30s, there were times when perhaps I wasn’t always mindful and sensitive to the men who courted me unsuccessfully. I also held on too long to men whom I courted who were not mindful of and sensitive to me.

I painted a picture of what my life should look like, and tried to force another person into my picture because I believed he was the missing piece. I tried too hard. I held on too tightly. And it was never meant to be.

And at times, I didn’t try at all. I’d get tired of going to singles events without any dates to follow and so I’d opt out of the next event. I’d go to the movies with a girlfriend instead of a bar where I might meet someone new. And I’m sure my dates and friends from 10 and 20 years ago can point to other things I said or

TRUE STORY FROM ABROAD did, or thought was right, or believed was wrong... and I forgive myself.

We believe that after graduating college and getting a job and paying the rent and all the apparent milestones of adulthood, that we are fully ripened adults. And yet, at age 40, I think many of us can cringe at the immaturity we showed. Forty is when I began to feel humbled by life. I realized that while I may

be the captain of my ship, the ocean rules. I have learned to forgive myself for ever believing I was the ocean.

I’ve learned to immediately forgive the men.

Everything is going great. He appears really into me and I’m charmed by what seems like his sincere charisma and attention. I eventually let down my guard and believe he’s genuine. He’s doing all the right things, after all.

He calls when he says he will. He plans fantastic dates and makes me feel so appreciated. And I appreciate him. He’s unabashedly talking about how he’s waited for me all this time. “Where have you been all my life?,” he asks. And so, after three dates, and a fourth set on the calendar, I breathe easy. He’s fun.

He’s smart. He’s decisive. He’s generous and kind. And he’s into me. He likes me. He’s told me several times.

And then he breaks the date. He has to move it because [fill in the blank] and I say, “Of course, I understand. No, it’s not anything to do with us, I know. Yes, I believe you.

Yes, sure, next week. You’ll call me.

Great.”And that’s the end of that.

And I let it go. Every time it happens – and it happens more often than I’d like to admit – I let it go. I remember how fortunate I am to have had those great dates, with a man who makes me feel special, and beautiful, smart and fun and... well it doesn’t really matter, does it? Because while the situation is disappointing, the reasons for the disappearances are irrelevant. It’s possible they have nothing to do with me. And if they do, it’s not anything I did that another man would think twice about. And I am grateful that these men didn’t just one day disappear further down and further in. So I move on.

I’ve learned that I’m optimistic, but not naïve.

Based on the previous point, you may think that I’m naïve or too much of a romantic.

You may think I’m easily taken advantage of or unable to read “the signs.” But that isn’t so, and I’m sure of it now that I’m in my forties. I’ve experienced too many disappointments, too many curious events, too many heart breaks to know that my experience guides me well. But I haven’t ever lost my optimism that my love is out there, his own experiences and learnings behind him, too. I am optimistic that we have both learned enough to be vulnerable to the possibility of love this time around. I don’t second-guess my hope. I don’t apologize for my optimism.

‘Am I being selfish? Just found out I’m pregnant and my ex-boyfriend wants me to abort’ Y story is a little complicated.

LOVE ADVENTURE M My ex boyfriend and I were together almost four years and from that relationship we have a beautiful little two-year-old boy who we both love.

He eventually ended the relationship in August 2012 after cheating for the second time and telling me he needed to be single for a year and we’d get back together after...

Because I was still completely in love with him and completely blinded I really stupidly carried on sleeping with him on and off as we managed to maintain a civil relationship where he would come every weekend to see our son. He has kept telling me how he still loves me and giving me hope that we are getting back together but just as I’d finally woken up to what I’m doing, how stupid I’m being, I find out I am pregnant.

I look after our son all week on my own, I have my own place, a job and a car and my son is a very happy, healthy boy! I already feel that this new pregnancy is something to protect not destroy and I know I would be able to do it and have the full support of family and friends around me. I told my ex and he really wants me to have an abortion and told me if I have this baby, I will be on my own and he will not support it, just our other son and would have nothing more to do with me except for communicating about our son.

I’m not worried about losing him and I’m not worried about the quality of life and love I could give this unborn child but I am worried that I would be bringing a baby into a world where his/her father treats him/her differently to their brother and of the effect that might have on them.

Another factor making me want to keep the baby is that two weeks before finding out about the pregnancy, I’d been told that I possibly have Endometriosis which I know can affect my chances of conceiving in the future. I was due to have an operation to find out for sure but since I’m pregnant I now can’t have it.

My ex tells me it’s completely my choice but I don’t really feel like it is - he told me if I have the abortion he will support me afterwards and make sure I’m ok, will continue to see our son for the full weekend and will continue to be civil with me. On the other hand he says if I don’t, he will not be civil with me,

won’t take the children out at the same time together because he doesn’t want it, will only see them one day a week and will be resentful of me and this child for the rest of our lives. Obviously this will affect our two year old son and makes me feel incredibly guilty bringing a child into the world like this.

I am also worried about forcing a man to parent and the effect his consequential actions will have on our existing child. I worry that I’m wrong making that decision for him basically. At the same time I don’t want to be forced to have an abortion I know will leave me emotionally scarred. I know I can parent this child on my own even though I am only 23 and it will put back my plans by two years - I’m not scared of re-planning and so I don’t feel like there’s enough reason for me to abort. I feel so stupid for putting myself in this position but I have always thought if you do something stupid you have to deal with the consequences and try to make it right!

I am just so confused and would love some constructive advice or experiences of other people if anyone’s been in a similar situation.

I simply enjoy each experience, each short or longer relationship, knowing they get me one step closer to the next.

I’ve learned that being single is not the same as being alone.

I can’t remember the last time I felt lonely.

Sure, I’ve had summer weekends where I was home alone working on my next book or my business, when it felt like everyone else was at the beach. And I’ve spent my share of holidays preparing a three-course dinner, pouring myself a glass of wine, only to enjoy it all by myself. I’ve walked into an empty apartment after receiving incredible news, with no one there to greet me and hear about it first-hand.

And I’ve been in a room full of people, feeling like I just want to be home, by myself.

But lonely, truly lonely, I haven’t felt in a long time. That’s because, as the saying goes, wherever I go, there I am. And I’ve got a full, rich life, one I’ve created for myself. It is by no means the life I expected to have at age 44, but it’s an abundant life in its own magnificent way. It’s a new kind of happiness I’m quite proud to have achieved and call my own.

My friends are the family I choose.

I have the love of a father and step-mom, a brother and sister-in-law, and a nephew and nieces I am besotted by. And their lives are filled with responsibilities and obligations and happy choices and endeavors that are not mine. But my friends are there for me in the worst of times and the best of times and more importantly, in all the times in between. I’ve learned in my forties that being single is rarely lonely when you’ve cultivated strong relationships with others. My friends are indeed the family I choose.

In my 20s, I never imagined I wouldn’t be a mother in my 40s. In my 30s, or at least until my late 30s, I never imagined I would be single in my 40s. But here I am, single and childless in my mid-40s. And while I would be so grateful to find a for-the-rest-of-my-life kind of love (and with God’s help, motherhood) without delay, I’m right here and right now, single and in my forties. I choose to accept and appreciate my extraordinary life, and continue to live my life to its greatest potential.

Of all the things I’ve learned about being single in my 40s, this is what I know for sure: Love is still ahead of me and I won’t settle for anything less. And if I’m lucky, neither will he.

Melanie Notkin

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Saturday, May 10, 2014 | 19

RELATIONSHIPS

Let Her Know That You Care

By Alita Joseph UR friend, I will call her Bette, and her husband gave us high blood pressure at the beginning of their relationship.

We should not have been involved, but we were in a way; we knew when or rather how they met. He was a teacher; her teacher.

So, it was a surprise to see them in a coupling relationship.

To some of our friends, the shock is not their teacher going out with one of them. As they said, they were big girls in a higher institution so, no big deal, they would say.

The shock was the man himself.

They claimed that the relationship would not survive the first few months because he is “not serious.” They did not give the relationship any chance, because the man was too good-looking and confident.

“He is a womanizer to add salt to injury,” they would laugh. “But above all, he is too strict to give her favourable marks if she does not deserve it.”

Bette on the other side is “too quiet,” they argued, and looked at her with pity or contempt when they heard about what he has done.

So, it was always something akin to “I told you so” when Bette complained of their arguments.

In sober moments, when she confided in me his behaviour towards her, I had thought that they judged him unfairly. Once, after they had had one of their fights, he had left his apartment leaving her alone and lying on the bed. When he came back some hours later, she was still in the same position.

“It was an alarmed man who

O

gathered her in his arms and kept asking her if she had eaten food that day.

“That is his nature; he is quite caring, but they think that his good look is a threat,” she told me.

She made up her mind to stay with him through “thick and thin” when her mother passed on a few years ago.

“I am an only daughter and quite close to my mother. I wept for a long time afterwards. But John not only stayed by my side; he comforted me.

“Anytime he saw me staring into empty space, he asked what was wrong and I could talk about my late mother, because he was interested.”

Now guys, we know that some of you care for your girlfriends, but do not know how to show it. It is not only gifts that show you love her.

Probe deeply, ask her personal questions and dwell on her wellbeing. She will know that you see her as a human being.

Probe by asking questions like: What Is That Under Your Chin?

THEN reach out to touch the object. It could be soot or a smear of lipstick, even a crust left over from the meat pie that both of have just eaten. It may be a lick of vegetable soup from the lunch that has adhered to her skin.

That you notice such a tiny fleck shows that you see her. Next time, she will be extra careful to use her napkin.

How Is Joseph Today?

JOSEPH is her coworker who had got into trouble for misplacing his laptop. The explanation he gave had thrown the whole office into fits of laughter.

By Kemi Amushan OST of us think that it is over and out M when we come out of relationships. Little do we know that it could be fixed. No exceptions whatsoever. All you need are the right things to do and say.

Over the years, I have come across and learnt the most comprehensive ways to fixing broken relationships and you can use it to fix your own relationship troubles today.

It works for me all the time.

Let me tell you a funny story. Some years ago, my nephew came to me and asked me to help him fix his toy car that had stopped working. The batteries had died, so I had to replace them.

The problem: I could not find a screwdriver to open the battery compartment. So, I thought of another way to open it by using a butter knife, a nail file and a paper clip. But nothing worked.

After an hour of trying, I was ready to get a hammer and smash the damn thing open, but at that moment, my nephew whispered in my ears and said “Aunty Kemi, I found a screwdriver,” and I took the screwdriver.

Less than a minute later, the toy car was working again and everyone was happy.

Now the moral of the story is this: Broken relationships are like broken toys. To fix them, you just need the right tools.

I am going to make a bold statement, which is that “any relationship can be fixed.” Any relationship, no exceptions and no matter how broken or damaged or strained it is. With the right tools, it can work again, and everyone will be happy again.

Unfortunately, many great couples today are unable to give themselves a second chance, simply because they are doing it the wrong way.

There are a zillion wrong ways to fix a problem and just a few right ways. In dating and relationships, the worst ways to fix relationship problems are: Waiting For Him To Apologise WHEN we get into a spat with our men, we often wait for him to fix things. We

When you enquire about the light side of work, she thinks that you share her sense of humour and do not see her work as end all.

How Was Your Hospital Visit?

IT is not enough to ask her about the medical appointment, add, “I hope you feel better now?

When she mentions that tests need to be done, show enough interest. She does not ask for financial contribution.

Ask her how soon she intends to

go to the lab and gently point out the necessity to do the test as soon as possible.

Encourage her to follow up if she does not take it as urgent.

What Would You Like To Do? MAKE sure to stress that what you choose as a couple activity is left to her decision alone and not what the two of you want to do.

Make it clear that you want her opinion, so that both of you can decide. If she understands that it

say, which is absolutely silly, as none of that is true. You just used the wrong approach. Period!

Here are a couple of questions to think about: Why did the generations of our grandparents and great-grandparents enjoy a super-low 10 per cent divorce rate (compared to a disturbing 45 per cent today)? How did Back so many couples back then stay together for SOMETIMES, when we do apologise first, we 50, 60 or 70 happy years? do it in a begging, pleading way, trying to Here is an actual answer by a grandmother, gain his sympathy. who had been happily married to her man Unfortunately, if he has already broken up for 65 years: “We were born in a time when if with you, this approach will make you look something was broken, we would FIX it, not needy and desperate, which only makes him throw it away.” think, “Whew, am I glad I broke up with In other words, you need the right approach. her!”

It is as simple as that.

Focusing On The Problem Apologising Anyway AFTER a breakup, we usually spend a week TO fix a problem, it does not matter who apol(or longer) wondering: “What went wrong? ogises first. So, you might as well get the ball What if I did this, would it have made a difrolling by reaching out. ference? If I did that, would we still be toBesides, what is more important to yougether?” your pride or your relationship?

Dwelling on the past never helped anyone, Saying What He Wants And Needs To Hear and it certainly will not help fix your relaIF you really want to connect with a man, you tionship. have to know how to speak in his “language.”

But that is the sad Otherwise, it is always going to be a onething. Many of sided discussion. us use the Instead Of Chasing, Create Space wrong apATTRACTING a man into a life is not about proach over chasing him; it is about turning the situation and over upside-down and making him chase you. again, so the And after a break-up, the easiest way to do relationship that is to create some “space” in your life to becomes an invite him back in. even bigger Focus On The Solution mess.

IN love and life, whatever you focus on will And then when grow. So, why focus on the problems? Why things finally fall focus on whatever caused the breakup? Inapart, we give up and stead, focus on the solution. whine: “All men are basMillions of happy couples have fixed their tards!” “Love is a lie!” “I troubled relationships in the past, why am going to be single fornot do what worked for them by taking the ever!” and all that crap right approach? we all The road to your happiness lies right there in your heart. It is left for you to make that bold step today.

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

Fixing Yourself To A Better Relationship think: “Why should I apologise first? He is the guy; it is his job to fix things.”

Does this mentality fix things? Absolutely not! I never wait for my man to apologise, whether or not he wronged me.

For the sake of peace and to fix the problem at hand, so that everyone is happy, it will not cost a damn thing to apologise and go on with your lives.

Let go of the pride; it would not hurt. Cultivate this habit, as it certainly does not make you the weak one. You are actually the strongest in the relationship if you do so.

Saying What He Doesn’t Want To Hear WHEN we argue with our guys, we often nag, accuse, criticise, insult, blackmail or simply give them the silent treatment. We want them to feel guilty and maybe knock some sense into him.

But the problem is: How often has this approach really worked?

Think about it. Sometimes it works, but not all the time. So, drop it.

Begging Him To Come

is what she wants, she will tell you. She will not shrug her shoulders and say “anything” you decide.

Ask After Her Friends A FRIEND’S husband shows anger anytime he comes home and sees his wife with her friends.

He complains about her friends, although he has never confronted them with his words. Her friends tell her that they wouldn’t visit her if her husband were around.

Your woman would be grateful to you if you enquire about her best friend, especially if she has had some traumatic experience.

You would be the first your girl friend tells about her friend’s problem. Listen to her and express your concern and sympathise.

After some days, ask how her friend is coping. If you are interested in the wellbeing of her friend, she knows that you care about those who are close to her.

So, if you already knew that the said friend was a disaster waiting to happen, hold your tongue, at that time, especially.

Be considerate and not choose that time to run her down. You are talking about someone that your woman likes enough to feel concerned about what is happening to her.

What Shall I Do? WOMEN like to help because it comes naturally to them as mothers. If you ask her opinion when you face difficulties, you are saying that you appreciate what she t h i n k s .

And when two of you solve the problem, it means that you are a team. You see yourself as equal in your relationship.

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Saturday, May 10, 2014

WEEKEND with AMARA

08116706852 Email: amara@amarablessing.com

Women And Childbirth ever the pastor tells us is the truth.

We live in a time when there are wolves, a good number of them, in sheep’s clothing. A greater number of people parading themselves as pastors are nothing but deceivers and agents of darkness. This is why I keep shouting and telling whoever cares to listen: be careful and stop running to men like you for help over every little thing. Many Nigerians today are living in fear and total confusion. They cannot even step out of their house without asking the pastor for a vision and prophecy.

Many Nigerians are very lazy when it comes to self development and this is one weakness that the so called pastors are taking advantage of. You have suddenly become lazy that you can no longer study the Bible and pray for yourself.

Pastors should be careful how they spiritualize every problem people go through. Many Finance have lost their lives because of the ignorance Let us start with the issue of finance. A good of our pastors. Like a pastor friend once said; number of Nigerians do the wrong things, not because they don’t know it is wrong, but “The problem with the church is that pastors now assume every title, with no training, they because of poverty. Ours is a society where the government cares less about the health of now function as trained counselors, doctors…” That one is a pastor doesn’t mean he the masses. This is one nation where people is a counselor. work like elephants and eat as ants.

This has led many educated Nigerians into behaving uneducated. When a man looks into his pocket and finds out he has no money to pay for some emergencies during delivery, he, most times, goes for the cheapest option and as we know, the cheapest option may not be the right option.

I have seen ladies get threatened by their husbands not to return to the house if they don’t give birth to a male child. A lady in this kind of situation will choose to deliver the baby the normal way to avoid incurring the man’s wrath. This is one of the reasons ladies should be independent as that helps in cases like this. You should also learn to put your feet down when it comes to your life; choose the right hospital.

T is sad seeing the number of women we lose daily as a result of complications during child delivery. The hospitals are doing their best to educate couples on how best to deal with certain situations before, during, and after childbirth. God bless our nurses and doctors.

The NGOs are also not sleeping when it comes to cases of women. The government, especially the government of Lagos State, is doing well in health care delivery.

All these governmental and non-governmental agencies have done perfectly well in ensuring that women are safe during childbirth. But there are three major issues that have continuously led to the death of women and their babies: Finance, Religion and Culture.

I

I remember a very rich business man who died some years back because he had to obey his pastor’s instruction refusing to allow the doctor put him on drip. He lost his life and that same pastor is still alive today with good congregation.

Hear this woman; when next they come with that Bible verse that says you will deliver like the Hebrew woman, believe it, but don’t let that blind your sense of reasoning. Faith is not a license for foolishness; we should avoid tempting God. If you are one of those believing you must have your baby supernaturally, you better change that mindset to avoid going the way other women like you did. Don’t kill yourself because of stubbornness. Our doctors and nurses are not stupid people. God gave them the wisdom to be able to take care of you and your unborn child. If God is not behind medicine, He wouldn’t have allowed it come to be.

Many women get medical practitioners so upset during labour that they even lose interest in saving their lives. You should know that for the doctor to suggest surgery, he has seen some danger. That is not a time to call your ignorant pastor who, instead of asking God to

Religion Like the Holy Bible says, my people perish for lack of knowledge. It is sad that Nigerians have suddenly turned their religious leaders to God. We now go to church, not to know God, but for the approval of the pastor. We no longer spend quality time in the study of the word of God. We no longer struggle to have a personal relationship with God and so what-

IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE With Pamela

have His way and use the nurses and doctors right, begins to foolishly deceive you into kicking against the doctors. You can go ahead believing them, but have it in mind that when you die, he moves on with his congregation.

However God chooses to deliver you and your child is supernatural.

Culture This is another one that has left women in miserable conditions. Some women have their pelvic muscles and bones displaced, while some are now on wheel chairs. Some can no longer enjoy the man in their life just because of ignorance and timidity.

I want to use this column today to educate the Nigerian woman. I can remember at least two women who lost their lives because they were trying to prove a point. A very good friend of mine, she gave me my business name, lost her life all in bid to have a male child. The doctors warned my friend. Her husband who loved her dearly did everything to let her know he loved her just like that. The man had her kids in top schools here in Lagos, she was running the man’s accounts and there is nothing he didn’t do to get her relaxed.

These beautiful children became motherless, and their father, a widower. My friend had the baby boy, but lost her life just two days after delivery.

Another woman I know died during labour for her first child just because she was trying to let her friends know she is a woman. She insisted on having her child the “normal way”.

When the consultant gynaecologist told her she was going to have her baby through caesarean section, she turned deaf ears to his warnings. Just a week to her EDD, she decided to leave the hospital where she did her antenatal to another one where the doctor assured her she was going to have her baby normal.

The rest is history as she didn’t leave the labour room alive.

You don’t have to prove any point to anyone.

If you lose your health or your life in that process of childbirth, no one is going to go through it with you. If the doctors tell you not to have more children, please don’t go ahead to try for a son. If your husband is too crazy about you having a son, let him do whatever he wants to do (he determines the sex of the baby because he has XY chromosomes while you have XX), but you have to stay alive to train the ones you have.

Don’t blame anyone for your own mistake.

08116706879 (SMS only).

E-mail:regalgraces@yahoo.com

Virtues Of The Art: Dining Etiquette

“When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to and impatient with the waiters. It is a genthy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite.” – eral idea that table etiquette is an art, rightly so!

Proverbs 23:1-2 (KJV) However, it is played by individuals with diverse attitudes and character. Regardless of the level of one’s hunger, if the individual is of strong character, he or she would keep AVE you got a din- their senses under control – even ask to be ner meeting with a excused if conventional expectation needs to be broken. Therefore, the more good-naclient, your boss, prospective in-laws- someone to whom you ascribe some honor? Noth- tured your character, the more of delightful a dinner guest you will be. ing reveals the true nature of a man than The principles of moderation and kindness when he comes into contact with food. He reveals what kind of education he has had, what are the best guides in most situations and we do well to follow them at the table. Genkind of breeding he is of, what kind of attitude he has and how much exposure he has. If erally, etiquette and good manners stem from those, so never be stingy with your you think people do not care about table virtues; be kind, gentle and patient, be self manners, think again. Your toothpick bluncontrolled and give brotherly love; the kind der might just be the great awakening you that loves the brethren as much as one’s self. never saw coming!

Consider diligently what has been set before Even if you know nothing else, these will keep you in good stead. you – not just the elements of the meal but your dinner guests, your conversation, the waiters, the time, etc. You know how it is said Here Are Some Table Manners That Still Matthat the way into a man’s heart is through his ter: stomach? Well, why don’t we flip that a little; Love and Gratitude: Come bearing gifts! It is if you want to know what is in a man’s heart – lovely to open your door to a basket of fruits, some grape drink, a box of chocolates or if you want to know of what attitude and nasome dainty thing! Yes, I know these are ture a man is, set a meal in front of him. some of the obvious options but they are Doubt it? If he or she is selfish or lacks selfmost often very reliable, especially when control, the meal will be eyed well before it you aren’t sure what to expect. That being reaches the plate. Let the service dish start from him and he would first serve himself be- said, it is an honor to see your gift included fore passing it over. She would make sure her in the occasion (that is, if you put good thought into it!) but please don’t ask that of plate is ample regardless of what is left in your host. there for everyone else; he would be snappy

H

Self-Control: Do not chew with your mouth open, to speak or out of sheer laziness, it’s insensitive. It’s very unpleasant for one to see the contents of your meal in the process of being ground by your teeth – much less to hear the sound that emanates. Enough said.

Humility: If you are the recipient of a toast, do not toast yourself; in other words, do not raise your glass, keep it at arm’s length and do not drink from it. A nod and a simply “thank you” suffices.

Patience: Is your food too hot? Take a hint and wait a moment; do not blow on hot food, not on your spoon with your mouth or in your mouth with your hands. Be patient.

Temperance: Bring nothing but gratitude to the dinner table, not a glass or anything, not your keys or your purse or your cell phone.

Appreciate the food set before you and the company; it is all any host can ask!

Consideration/Brotherly love: Keep your elbows off the table. You can rest your wrists on you the table or on your lap. (In England, you’re much better resting your hands on your lap and in France, etiquette requires that your hands are in sight. In Nigeria, most cultures appreciate the use of your right hand in relation to others; avoid passing or collecting items with your left hand).

Hospitality: Leave your plate where it is when you are finished with a meal. Do not push the plate away from you or stack them up. If you are a guest in a home and your host or hostess has served you, it will not be out of place if you offer to help. Don’t insist and submit to his or her wishes.

Gratitude: Oh, never forget to compliment not just the meal but the hospitality. There is nothing so disappointing as an ungracious guest.

Goodness and Peace: After all is said and done, don’t overstay your welcome. Note subtle cues, avoid talking too much and it will be easier to note. Even if your host or hostess appears to be enchanted with your company, all good things are expected to end and it is wisdom knowing when to call it a day.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) Image and Etiquette: As a young lady, I suffered much from inferiority and timidity. I had an unhealthy distrust of myself and God-given beauty.

By God’s grace, I found answers in the Bible (especially the Songs of Solomon) which transformed me. His Word transformed me from a bitter, angry teenager to a cheerful, content, peace-filled and purposeful woman; Jesus changed me from the inside out. I have a passion for etiquette and image and I know that our outward image and our attitudes are influenced by our heart; therefore, image and etiquette is spirit, soul and body. Having been given the knowledge, experimental application and experience through His grace alone, this is what I teach. Unconventional…yes, but it remains the truth to the degree that I have understood it. For this, I make no apologies. Website: www.regalgraces.com. Email: askpamela@regalgraces.com

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Saturday, May 10, 2014 | 21

WORKING ACTRESS

Bring Back Our Girls

I

AM Omoni Oboli and I represent Naija! I don’t know how to begin to express how I feel about the situation that we find our country today, but bear with me while I try and articulate it through this story. Sixteen years ago, I couldn’t believe the sound I just heard was the wailing of a baby that came from my body. It was the most pain I had ever felt in my life. I cried from pain but the joy of holding my new baby girl and then breastfeeding her comforted me. My husband and I couldn’t wait to see what her life would be like when she grew up, but I was determined to enjoy the journey to her adolescence. Then came when she first took her first steps, and the joy we expressed would have you believe our daughter had won the Olympics race. It didn’t matter because even the slightest advances in her life were like great triumphs for us as proud parents. We watched her cry, and we comforted her, even though sometimes we made her cry so that we could through discipline help shape her into a well behaved lady. We loved her with the love only parents could give, and though we could not afford much of the finer things in life, we gave her a good education. We were so proud of her. We began to notice the changes in our neighbourhood, and my husband promised that as soon as he had saved enough he would move us to another town where we can feel safer.

When we were told that schools had to be closed down due to the state of emergency, our daughter was disappointed that she couldn’t finish her exams so that she could

proceed to the university. This was a time of hoping and praying for things to come to normal. Our prayers were answered when we were told that the school would be holding an exam for one of the subjects that we had missed. The joy we felt knew no bounds. We packed her things and saw her off to the school, waiting for her safe and fruitful return. It didn’t happen!

It started as rumour, but quickly spread around, that a bunch of school girls were abducted from their school during an examination. We couldn’t believe our ears, and quickly went to the local authorities to confirm our fears. We had one daughter and two sons after her, but here we were at the local police station and they were telling us that we should calm down until they could make sense of the situation. We looked around to see many families who had two, three and more daughters abducted along with our precious jewel, and we could not be comforted by any words except the voice of our daughters right next to us.

These were all girls! We refused to rap our heads around the imaginations we had of what they could be doing to them with every moment we stayed around debating what we could do to get them back. My husband was frustrated because his daughter was probably in the arms of an enemy that did not consider

what we have cherished for so long, our daughter, as a jewel of high esteem. He was frustrated that he was powerless to rescue his daughter that he had sworn to protect.

That’s when our lives became a living hell!

Sleep was impossible and the tear tracks were increasing in number, because having a bath was the last thing on anyone’s mind.

Before now, we had our own ideas about the politics of the day, but now, we don’t care. We don’t want to know who is to blame or who should be doing whatever and isn’t doing it. We don’t care whether the government has been complacent or not. We don’t care if the opposition is using this as a way to ridicule the government of the day or not.

We don’t care whether the Boko Haram’s agenda is to destroy the unity of our nation or help a select group. We don’t care if they want us not to have Western education or whatever their agenda is. All we want is for all of us to stop all our differences, our different political agendas, our tribalism, our lack of togetherness and come together for once, with only one unifying purpose in mind, BRING BACK OUR GIRLS. What would it profit me now if I think one party is superior to another, or that one person is incompetent as opposed to another?

There’s a time for everything. If our daugh-

ters are back safely in our arms, we would lend our ears to all the Omoni Oboli great arguments for or against each party or group. When we all come together as a people to fight for our freedom, laying aside those differences that has not helped us so far, we can first of all, get our daughters back, and also stop the onslaught of anarchy that has besieged our dear nation. We can only do this as a people acting in unity. Irrespective of where we come from, geographically, we are all Nigerians first. If a battle ensues between one tribe and another nation, so that the people of the other nation start killing Nigerians, do we think that the other nation would care what part of Nigeria they should kill from? So let us start seeing ourselves as the world sees us, as Nigerians! The pain of childbirth is nothing compared to the pain I feel now.

While we’re still talking, many more people are dying from bombings in the same spot! it is always easy to argue about the issues until one of your own is directly affected. BRING BACK OUR GIRLS, STOP THE VIOLENCE, no smiling!

Twitter:@ omonioboli Facebook: www. Facebook.com/omonioboliac-

JUST HUMAN Little Oluwasemilore, Hole-In-Heart Patient, Needs A Life-Line

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya NTIL he came down ill last year when he was barely one year old, little Oluwasemilore Kingsley Adebanjo looked quite healthy and bubbled with life. But his present story is that of a boy with a hole in the heart. The sum of N2million is needed to keep him alive.

The agony of Oluwasemilore’s condition was etched on the face of his father, Mr. Oluwaseyi Adebanjo as he narrated what has stripped the family of their joy and meagre finances.

“Oluwasemilore will clock two years on August 4, 2014. He is my first son and second child. He was about to turn one year when he took ill. What happened was that my wife called me one afternoon when I was in the office and said he was not feeling well. I asked her to pray for him and take him to the hospital, and I would join them soon. After 30 minutes, she called again and said it was a serious matter; that he fainted.

“When I got to General Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos where he was admitted, I met him being supported with oxygen and the doctor said it would have been a different story if they had come in later than 10 minutes.”

Adebanjo said after a week in the hospital during which period some tests were done, he was discharged. The boy has continued to have difficulty in breathing and he continued his search for a solution by taking him to Massey Children’s Hospital, Lagos and the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Ikeja, Lagos.

At the X-Services Clinics, Alaka, Surulere, Lagos where he did echocardiogram on August 26, 2013, a medical report by Dr. Chinyere Uzodinma revealed that he has “apnoeic spells since the past two months, O/E is cyanosed centrally, small for age” and recommended surgery for him.

Adebanjo, an auto spare parts trader, said he does not have the sum of N2million needed for Oluwasemilore to undergo surgery in Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, India where he has been advised to take him, and is therefore pleading for assistance from the public.

“I am appealing to Nigerians to assist me raise the money to do the surgery to save his life. I love him; I don’t want to lose him. He was a baby full of life until he began to fall ill. Now he gets tired easily. When he is crawling, he will just stop after a few seconds and lie down.

“I have exhausted all I have taking him from one hospital to the other, doing tests to find out what the problem was before it was detected that he has a hole in his heart. I have been buying the recommended drugs to keep him going but I don’t have anything left. Even my wife, a petty trader, has also stopped her business because of his condition. Please come to our rescue,” he pleaded.

Those wishing to assist can do so using the following details: Account Name: Adebanjo, Godswill Oluwaseyi Bank: Zenith Bank Account Number: 2002585833 Phone: 08107337132, 08106376869

U

Kingsley Adebanjo

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Saturday, May 10, 2014

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Saturday, May 10, 2014 | 23

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Weekend

CELEBR ITY

By Shaibu Husseini OTABLE Nollywood actress, Chidi N Ihezie Okafor, showed up last Sunday at the grand premiere of Mama Africa, the movie by Norbert Ajeagbu, directed by Joe Ubaka, and most journalists and moviegoers, who were attracted to the premiere, held at Film House, Surulere in Lagos, kept asking the amiable actress where she had been, having been off the acting radar at a time.

“I have been around. I only went off to make babies and I have since returned,” she answered.

The Obowo Council of Imo State indigene married into the culture of the Isekenesi people of Ideato South, also in Imo State, Chidi’s childhood ambition was to become a newscaster.

But the Mass Communication graduate of Oko Polytechnic in Anambra State later cultivated a new passionacting, which she found irresistible.

It was with that passion and zeal, which germinated after her secondary education that Chidi, who joined Nollywood a little over a decade ago, has risen to become one of the notable faces on the Nigerian home movie turf.

She spoke about her career so far and life.

Where have you been?

I have been around. I have been in my house and also on location. I have been shooting. I started hopping from one location to another since last year. So, I have been around.

I am sure you are asking because at a time I took time off for family- making babies. I like kids. As soon as I got married, I started making babies.

I am now okay, somehow, not that if I see another one tomorrow, I won’t grab it from God. But I am fully back to the industry.

I have been working. Some of my movies have been released and a lot others are in various stages of post-production. So, I am back.

Did you plan to do this as a lifetime career?

Let me be frank. When I was growing up, what I had in mind was news casting. That was why I studied Mass Communication. I never knew I would take acting so seriously like I have taken it now.

But they are somewhat related. I am still communicating to a mass audience through the films that I feature in.

So, I joined and with time, I just discovered that it has become a lifetime career for me and I think I will do it for life, because it gives me joy.

I am happy when I walk around and hear people tell me that they like my acting and the films I feature in. It tells me I am in the right profession.

Has it been rewarding, so far? Yes, somehow I will say it is rewarding. If it were not, some of us would have taken to some other things.

By the grace of God, I am over a decade old in the industry and still counting. So, I will say it is rewarding. At least it has taken me somewhere and has made me recognisable.

Just now as I was walking into this place, a family stopped me and commended me. That gives

’ , s e i b a B g n i k a M ‘ h Done Wit ns To The Turf r u t e R r o f Oka me a lot of joy. That means we are reaching out and affecting lives.

There was even a guy and his wife who were waiting to say hello to me. It made me feel good. I am happy with the job.

So, what can stop you from acting?

I think it will be only death. That will be the only thing that can take me off acting.

My husband? No way! My husband cannot ask me to stop acting. I have an understanding and caring husband who loves what I am doing. He watches my films and gives me notes on how to improve on the next one.

So, such a person cannot just wake up and ask me to stop what he knows gives me joy.

That was the reason I laughed when I read somewhere that my husband stopped me from acting.

No, he didn’t. We both agreed that I should stop a bit for us to have babies. Done with that now, there is no stopping Chidi.

You mean he also does not have issues with your having to kiss in movies?

Every husband should be concerned about what happens to his wife, but my husband

does not have a problem with me acting in a movie that demands that I kiss my sparing partner, as long as that is what the script demand.

My husband is educated and understands it is acting. There was a movie we were shooting in Enugu and the director insisted I must kiss the lead actor, because he likes it real, but I had not done that on set before.

I wanted it to be just a peck, but the director wanted it real, so I called my husband and to my surprise, he gave me the go-ahead, so long as it was professionally done and it was in the script. And that settled it.

Do you still consider your role in Billionaire Club as your most memorable?

Yes, indeed. I love my role in Billionaire Club, even though I consider all my movies memorable.

It is a wonderful movie that gave me most of my fans. We shot it for more than a month in Enugu and I just cannot forget the experience.

But I still remember movies like Authority, which launched me into limelight, and Oh, My Baby, My In-law, and Apology, among others.

Which day would you consider most memorable as an actress or as a mother and a wife?

My most memorable day would be July 11, 2007 when I had a baby boy. After pushing in the labour room and the baby came, I asked the doctor the sex and he told me it was a boy.

That day made me a mother and I continued and today, I am a blessed mother of children.

Two of them have started showing interest in acting.

But I won’t force them to take to acting. Whatever they want to be, they will be. I won’t force them.

You have kept this good look and frame for a long time. What is the secret?

The secret is God Almighty. I have God by my side.

I also have an understanding husband and a peaceful home. That is the secret.

It is when you don’t have any of these that you worry and when you worry, you are bound to age and you loose focus.

I also exercise a lot.

What is your career ambition?

I want to have my world- Chidi’s artistic world, where I will sit down, invite people for auditions and have people talking about the movies I have produced.

I want to be producing good and educative films that will cause positive changes in society and films that will liberate souls.

CelebrityExtra and more….

Mercy Johnson Joins The ‘BringBackOurDaughters’ Campaign “My reality, as a mother, is that I She added: “We need the girls OPULAR Nollywood actress, sole themselves with memories. get to see my daughter every day, P Mercy Johnson-Okojie, has “Let us not for once think that the back. They are innocent; they have while the reality of the mothers of evil-doers, who turn the realities of their future ahead of them. Please joined the growing list of celebrities that have lent their voices to the ongoing campaign to have the schoolgirls abducted from Chibok rescued from the den of the insurgents.

MJ, as the actress is simply called, wants well-meaning Nigerians to help the parent of the girls, “who have been in pain for more than two weeks’ experience the reality of seeing their children again.”

the kidnapped Chibok girls is that they don’t even know where their daughters are” MJ said in a widely circulated letter released by her media company, Bigsam.

Continuing, MJ said: “I looked at my daughter and tears came to my eyes that some mothers have the privileges of seeing their kids on a daily basis, while the mothers of the kidnapped girls can only con-

these mothers to memories, cannot do the same to us if they have the opportunities.

“This is not a war against select group of people; it is a war against all well-meaning mothers in Nigeria, as injustice to one is injustice to all.”

MJ appealed to the security operatives not to relent, but to fight on until the girls were rescued.

do not cut it short.

“I dare say some of them will end up being the solution we desire to restore the lost and battered glory of this nation. Please, don’t kill or damage the future all in the name of militancy.

“Nigeria shall be great, only if we do the right thing and the right thing at this moment is to bring our girls back and alive.”

24 | Saturday, May 10, 2014

GARDENING

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

With Sereba Agiobu-Kemmer

sereba.agiobu.kemmer@ngrguardiannews.com

Spread mulch to stop weeds and conserve moisture

Island flower bed is accessible all round. nutrition and improving soil structure.

Remember that this organic matter gets used up each year and needs to be replenished to keep plants performing their best, so every new season, you want to add organic matter, as this will enrich the soil and help you grow better plants.

Mark out areas for new bed.

HERE is nothing like spending time in a beautiful garden. A T blossoming space, which celebrates nature, soothes the soul and inspires creativity.

But when it comes to planning a garden, the possibilities can seem overwhelming.

Garden Beds “MAKE your bed” is one of the statements that we each must have heard a million times as kids.

As gardeners though, this simple phrase has a different meaning. “Make your bed” is about preparing the soil for planting.

Every gardener gets excited by the thought of finally getting his/her hand in the soil and planting out the newest plant acquisitions.

The joy of finally getting to see the garden come together is a rewarding experience.

However, the key to success starts before the first plant even sees the garden.

Creating New Garden Beds LANTING a new bed or border can really improve your garden. It is interesting to watch new plants grow and develop.

Beds and borders can also be useful to hide eyesores and add interest and colour.

The roots of a plant are the foundation on which it thrives. Good roots will generally mean that you have a happy, healthy plant that can survive the rigors of dry and raining season with aplomb.

A poor root system means your plants cannot grow to their full potential and leaves them vulnerable to damage from insects and disease.

The most important factor for good root is good soil preparation. When planning a new bed or border, consider whether it will be in sun or shade, whether the soil is alkaline or acid and whether the drainage needs improving and how much work you are prepared to spend maintaining the bed or border.

However, there are some simple steps you can take to get your beds and borders ready to be planted.

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New Beds HEN preparing a brand new bed or border, the first step is to kill the existing vegetation. If this is woody material, you will need pruners or perhaps, even a saw.

If the existing weeds are herbaceous plants, things like grass and chickweed, you will have an easier time.

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Mark It HE best way to prepare this type of bed is to define the outline of the bed. It can be helpful to use a garden hose to determine the outline of the bed.

A garden hose can be moved and reshaped until you find exactly the right shape and size of your bed.

Make your new garden the best it can be. Give it a fun shape with flowing curves or use it to echo the lines of your house. Get it just right by laying out a hose to outline your bed.

Once you have the perfect shape, make the edges with a line of sand or flour.

You can be more professional and mark out your bed by purchasing a can of marking paint designed specifically for painting lines on the ground.

You may even find cans of spray chalk, instead of paint for marking out the garden bed. My preference is to use the paint, because the lines will hold up better if they happen to get wet.

Once you have the outline of the garden bed established, you will need to get rid of the existing grass or weeds in that area.

There are two methods- organic and chemical- and both are very effective.

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Organic method TO kill the existing vegetation in your new garden spot, you will be amazed how simple and quickly you can achieve this task. All you need is a stack of newspapers or some old cardboard boxes.

If you are using cardboard boxes, remove any staples or plastic taping from the boxes, and the boxes should be flattened to make them just one long layer.

Use heavy cardboard that is not heavily coloured, or eight to 10 layers of newspaper. Newspapers these days are printed with

Tease plant roots, before putting to ground.

Beds And Borders soy-based ink, so the ink will not create a problem for the plants.

But do avoid using glossy coloured inserts from newspapers.

Spread the layers of cardboard or newspapers over the entire garden bed area, making sure to overlap the edges so the grass beneath is completely covered, then cover it with several inches of topsoil or compost.

The cardboard or newspaper will smoothen the grass, prevent it from getting sunlight and from growing through your new garden bed. Wait a couple of months for the vegetation to die.

The beauty of this method is that it is so easy to accomplish, recycles material that nearly everyone has on hand and it is completely organic.

Over time, the paper and cardboard will moisture and disintegrate and become food for earthworms in your soil. By the time it disintegrates, the grass beneath the garden bed will be dead and any weed seeds that are buried deeply beneath the garden bed will have no chance of germinating.

To Spray Or Not To Spray IF you are ready to plant your bed soon and cannot wait the months required with the organic method, you can try the chemical method, using non-selective herbicide.

People who object to spraying usually do so because they believe the spray is harmful to the environment.

Glyphosate products (like Round-up) are supposed to break down into harmless elements quickly. Whether it is true or not is debatable.

In any event, an important advantage of spraying is that it will kill stubborn perennial weeds. If you only scrape the top, they will regrow from their roots.

Once Round-up has been applied in an area, leave that area alone for 72 hours, which is three days. Round-up is a systemic herbicide, meaning it has to be absorbed by the plant and translocated throughout the plant before that plant will die.

It takes three days for that to happen. If it should rain within 24 hours after the Round-up is applied, the chemical will wash off the plant and it cannot do its job.

So, watch the weather forecast, apply Round-up only when no rain is forecast for at least 24 hours. After Round-up has had a chance to work for three days, your garden bed project can progress.

Some herbicides can remain active in the soil for a period of time after application, so be sure to take this into consideration when planning your bed preparation and planting.

Once the existing vegetation is dead, use a tiller, spade/shovel or garden fork to turn the bed over. When working on the soil, you want the soil to be damp, but not wet. Working on soil when it is moist will help maintain a good air porosity and soil structure.

A tiller will often turn the soil to a depth of six to eight inches. It is good to get down to at least 12 inches (the depth of a spade or shovel), another point in favour of the shovel. If you are really motivated, turning over the soil to a depth of 18 inches is even better, though it is a lot of work. This is often called double digging.

Once you have turned over the soil, spread a layer of organic matter or compost two or three inches thick over the bed and then turn the soil over again to mix the compost into the soil.

The single best thing you can do for soil is to consistently add organic matter. Adding compost will improve the soil by adding

Edging KEEP the lawn from crawling into your garden bed with a good edge. Edging is not a moat to hold in the mulch; it is a barrier to prevent grass that spreads by roots underground from creeping into your bed.

Consequently, to do any good, the edging material has to be wide enough to be sunk five or six inches deep into the soil, with the ends overlapped four inches and secure with edging pins.

As an alternative to edging materials, dig an eight inch deep trench and a couple of inches wide around the bed and fill it with mulch (so the wheel of the lawn mower doesn’t fall in) and it will stop even the worst invaders from crossing. It works just fine and is cheaper.

Mulch Soil IF you treat with “weed and feed” products, do not directly sow your flowers or vegetable seeds into the soil, as they will not germinate.

Weed and feed products kill all germinating seeds, not just the weed seeds. If you use a weed and feed product, you will want to install plants already growing in pots or packs to fill your bed the first time.

By the next planting season, the chemicals should have broken down and you will be able to direct seed, if you so wish.

Site Your Plants ONCE you have prepared your bed and your amended soil is in place, you are ready for the fun part of this project, planting your new garden bed.

Though it takes a little extra time, placing all your plants before you, putting them in the ground can make a world of difference.

This allows you to get the spacing just right and make your plants really look good next to each other.

Get Planting WHEN you know all of your plants are in exactly the right spots, plant them in the ground. It is helpful to loosen or tease the plants’ roots before you put them in the ground, especially if they are root-bound.

After you plant the bed, you may still want to add a layer of compost or mulch to the top of the soil, as this will help keep weeds from growing, makes for a neater look overall and help maintains moisture in the soil.

Mulch OTHER than amending the soil, the best thing you can do to keep your new garden healthy and low-maintenance is to spread mulch.

A two-inch deep layer of shredded wood or other materials will do wonders for stopping weeds and helping your soil conserve moisture during times of drought.

Watering ONCE your bed is planted and mulched, give your plants a good soaking. If your mulch is dry, it may absorb some water before your plants can. Soak dry mulch well to make sure your plants get enough moisture.

Tips For Brand New Beds Work the soil when it is moist.

Turn the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches.

Add two to three inches of compost and turn it into the bed.

Either cover the bed with a thick (three to four inch) layer of mulch or use a weed and feed to help keep weed seeds from germinating.

Top dress with another layer of compost to keep down weeds and preserve moisture.

By now, you know there is more to a good-looking landscape than plants. You have learnt aspects of putting in a new landscape and tips of how to prevent your new garden from being overrun with grass, weeds, suckers and re-growing shrubs.

Now, you know how to “make your bed” successfully and to keep it beautiful.

SHOWBLAST /33

Ike Ojeogwo With John Zerebe,

WEEKENDBEATS /37

A Jazzy Evening, As Enthusiasts Celebrate Jazz Day In Lagos

Takes On Nollywood

MONDAYS–FRIDAYS IN THE GUARDIAN

SATURDAY, May 10, 2014

Nigerian Student wins $350,000 Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship Stories By Falaiye Kola Oluwaseun making the coveted list of FtheOR 1,000 students to have earned Gates Millennium Scholarship 2014, which has less than 10 percent acceptance rate, Oloruntobi Dare, a senior at the Hubert Flowers High School did her school, family, friends and indeed Nigeria proud.

In a commendation letter, by her school, Oloruntobi was commended for her strong leadership quality, community service and academic achievements; as such she was recognised as a leader for America’s future.

The letter announcing her nomination also read in part, “We are very excited for you to join the community of Gates Scholars and we are very pleased to confer this distinct honor that distinguishes you as a Leader for America’s Future.”

Since she started pre-school in the

CAREER /27

Youth & Graduate Jobs Oloruntobi Dare

Boko Haram: MSSN Condemn Sect’s Activities, Call Them Un-Islamic And Devilish HE Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), had described the activities of the Boko Haram insurgent group as un-Islamic and devilish.

The condemnation was made by the President of the group in the North, Malam Yusuf Arrigasiyyu, while condemning the recent bombings at Nyanya in Abuja and abduction of over 200 students in Chibok.

“This bombing and killing of innocent souls by the Boko Haram has to stop.

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TWO WORDS /26

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The teaching of boko haram is not Islamic and they don’t represent Islam, they are not Muslims. Islam is a religion of peace,” he said.

According to him, the present security challenges facing the country has SHOWBLAST /34 some external influences which the government must look into, adding that government should not allow the insurgents continue operating with impunity, rather their activities must be checkmated in the interest of the nation.

The MSSN president cautioned CARTOON SERIES /35 against politicising the current security challenges, and said that fighting terrorism requires collective action. He called on political leaders in the country to discharge their responsibilities with diligence and in the fear of God. He advised youth in the country to seek knowledge so as not to be misled by selfish and bad religious scholars who are espousing wrong ideologies.

He, however, express optimism that the present security challenges facing the country will soon come to an end.

Array of Artistes For MTV Road To MAMAs in Lagos

United States, Oloruntobi has been a consistent talented and gifted, student. She has won several awards before winning the Gates scholarship, and this includes Most Outstanding Science Student, Hubert Flowers High School, Maryland; Winner, Prince George’s Community Church’s 8th Annual African American History Essay Contest; 3rd place winner, Maryland Coalition for Gifted and Talented Education Essay Contest 2014; and Maryland Representative at the commemoration of the 70th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Day Parade.

Now a naturalized American citizen, Tobi as she is fondly called is the

daughter of journalist and author, Sunday Dare, who is now chief of staff to APC national leader, Bola Tinubu.

The scholarship financial package covers tuition and other incidences for the distinguished scholars, and it is renewable up through a doctorate degree in specific fields, and carries an estimated value of up to $350,000.

The Gates scholar can attend any college or university in the country.

Over 10,315 Gates Millennium Scholars have completed a degree since it was established in 1999. The five-year graduation rate is 80.6 percent and the six-year graduation rate is over 86.3 percent.

OAU Approves Five Additional Degree Courses For Adeyemi College of Education Holds Convocation, Graduates 5,147 HE Obafemi Awolowo University T (OAU), Ile-Ife, has granted approval to its affiliate institution, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo, to run degree courses in five additional programmes. With the approval, the college now has 18 programmes being run at degree level.

This was announced by the Provost of the College, Prof Adeyemi Idowu, in Ondo, at a news conference to herald the 50th anniversary and 33rd special convocation of the college.

According to him, the new approved programmes are Social Studies, Integrated Science, Religious Studies, Mathematics and Guidance and Counselling. He added that a total of 5,147 graduates will receive degree and National Certificate of Education (NCE), at the convocation ceremony which climaxes on May 22.

He said the convocation programme would be low key, due to the ongoing strike of workers in Colleges of Education in the country, which would affect the turnout

of people from other institutions in the country.

The College’s Governing Council Chairman, Musa John said authorities of the institution have been working with other stakeholders to upgrade the school to a full university, adding that the school authority was liaising with the National Assembly members, particularly those from Ondo State to ensure success in the effort to upgrade the school. He stated that the convocation ceremony would be for the 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 sessions.

While giving a breakdown of the graduates, John said 3,459 graduates would receive degrees awards, 1,622 would be awarded the NCE while 66 would graduate from the college sandwich programme.

The chairman also disclosed that 10 projects executed from internally generated revenue and from other sources of funding would be commissioned in the course of the ceremony, and some eminent Nigerians who had distinguished themselves in their callings would be awarded the College fellowships.

THE CURSED

Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife.

the GuArDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

26 Saturday, May 10, 2014

CAMPUS

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NYSC Board Chairman urges FG to review Schemes Posting Policy Two Corps Members Killed By Truck In Jigawa AtIONAL Youth Service Corps (NYSC) board N chairman, Chief Gordon Bozimo, has appealed to the Federal Government to expand the areas of posting of corps members beyond the present four key areas, and also called for more funding of the scheme in view of its increasing responsibilities.

According to him, the board has initiated actions to review the existing NYSC posting policy, with a view to addressing the perennial problem of under-utilisation and rejection of corps member.

Meanwhile the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Boni haruna, assured members of the NYSC governing board of the ministry’s maximum support and commitment, and pledged non-interference in their statutory responsibilities. “We are supposed to oversee areas that we can come in as a parent ministry.

We will complement on your effort so that you can deliver on your mandate,” he said. he commended the different programmes being carried out by the scheme, particularly the war against poverty, and added that with the success story recorded in the programme, the proposed national youth development fund was attainable. the minister called for the sustenance of the principle of discipline on which basis the scheme was formed as no meaningful development could be achieved where there is absence of discipline.

In another development, two members of the NYSC Batch C, who were serving in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, were killed, while another sustained injuries when a truck ran over them. the corps members identified as Abubakar Muktar from Yobe State and Mustapha Sani Sufi from Kano State, died on the spot, while Ahmed haruna sustained minor injuries.

According to the Sector Commander, Federal road Safety Commission (FrSC) Jigawa State Command, umar Aminu, who confirmed the incident, the three corps members were all riding on the same bike when the accident occurred.

tension In uNIMAID Over Attacks On Borno Villages Stories By Falaiye Kola Oluwaseun

he said, “What was heard as blast and the OLLOWING an attack by Boko haram insur- shooting had nothing to do with the university. there was an attack by these insurgents last gents on two villages, Marimari and Gremari both in Konduga Local Government night at Marimari and Gremari villages in Konduga local government area.”

Area, an outskirt of Maiduguri, Borno State, he added that the villages were attacked there appears to be tension and panic within because the villagers had recently nabbed and the university of Maiduguri, as students killed some members of the Boko haram and feared the thunderous blasts and shooting they visited for revenge. Luckily the villagers could be an assault on the campus, thereby were able to escape, but the attackers burnt forcing them to stay awake. however, a top officer at the Department of down the two villages.

Security Service (DSS) in the state assured that “the shootings being heard in the university the shooting had nothing to do with the uni- was a friendly firing from soldiers in Dalori versity, as the attack occurred in two villages Quarters, which is just some 2km away from the university campus,” he stated. situated about 12km away from the instituthe top security official tried to assure them tion.

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that the situation was under control, but students were more terrified as most of them were forced to stay awake.

One of the students, who pleaded anonymity, said the Dean of Students’ Affairs (DSA) of the institution was in their hostel alongside some management staff to calm down the already terrified students. he said, “We don’t know from where the explosion and shooting was happening and we could not even run because it was dark and it’s dangerous to do so. It happened around 2am, I was not asleep then. Most of the students that had finished their exams said they cannot wait any longer to conclude their final year projects.”

Nigerian students

Poly Ibadan expels Six Students For Cultism before the Students’ Disciplinary Committee and were found guilty of fraternizing with a cult group called Buccaneers, with attendant engagement in activities that endangered the cult related activities. the institution’s registrar, Mr. hezekiah Ayodele, made this life of staff and students of the institution. known in a statement he issued on behalf of “As a result of this, the affected students, namely; Adigun Olawale, Oluwatimilehin the management. he noted that the students had appeared Samson Gbenga, Olosunde Paul, Oladosu uthOrItIeS of the Polytechnic Ibadan A (Poly Ibadan) have expelled six of its students from the over their involvement in

TWO WORDS

uki@poisenigeria.org,

Adams Layinka, Olayiwola Bariyu, (all in ND ll, department of Accountancy) and Gobe Martins O, (ND ll, department of Surveying and GeoInfomatics), are thereby expelled, and the institution calls on parents and the public at large to note that the aforementioned students have no further academic relationship with the school,” the statement reads.

powered by

Experience is the best teacher, but the tuition fee is very high. I am Uki Dare, C.E.O of Poise’ Graduate Finishing Academy, mother of two and wife of one. I will share with you lessons I have learnt from my experiences around transforming from a young lady with big dreams to a young C.E.O with massive goals. I won’t bore you with long prose and philosophical arguments I promise to be real and answer all your questions in just TWO WORDS.

Uki Dare

Work It

AVe you found your talent as I suggested in ‘Find It’. What then do you do with it? What happens when your talent and your career are in two different fields? how do you turn your talent into your career? I have two words for you…’Work It’. think of your favorite pair of shoes and your oldest pair (the ones still in active service). Which of them do you spend more time polishing when you need to go out? the truth is that your newer shoes need less care in order to look smashing but your oldest pair might need one or two rounds of polishing before they can look half as nice as the new ones. It is the same with your talent and gifts.

A lot of times we focus on polishing and working the areas of our weaknesses and we neglect our strengths, in the belief that we are amazing enough in those areas.

Let’s use Charles as a case in point example:

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natural talent to which they have not added any equipping skills or knowledge development.

everyone has a gift, but what do we do with it?

Some people are so blessed because their careers are already in line with their gifts son who wrote ‘upgrade You’ a few weeks but it does not mean that everyone’s gift Weakness discovered VS response Charles discovered he had the tendency ago, I am here to tell you that this is very must be in line with their careers, after to procrastinate so he took a training on good but even more importantly, you need all many people have multiple gifts. My to ‘work’ your strengths. time Management. advice for you, if you are one of those that he noticed a gap in his ICt skills and ded- Polish them and showcase them. the have discovered their gifts but have not icated time to lots of practice to improve things you do well without anyone teach- yet had the opportunity to use it is this ing or pushing you, are the things you can ‘Work It’. himself. become a master of, with just a little more When you discover your Strength discovered VS response practice or learning.

Charles noticed that he had a way with weakness…upgrade You there is always something more to learn. words and he enjoyed creative writing.

When you find your passion…Learn read to groom and improve in the area of More People always praised the things he your talent. Do not put your career on hold Don’t be an amateur in the area of your wrote since he was a child. he decided for this, because the skills, contacts and not talent…Improve You one day to write a book and it never occurred to him that if he got training in to mention money that you are making roll up your sleeves when you find your today will come in handy. When the time the area of his talent he would be more gifts and…Work It likely to write a best seller than someone comes to pull out and pursue that passion What are some tough questions that you have squarely, when the time is right, you will who didn’t have his natural talent. been unable to ask? Lets discuss strategies for know.

Sometimes, we are like Charles, we get I have seen too many people leave a glow- asking tricky questions on the Poise’ Graduate training in interpersonal skills or emoAcademy Blog ing career to setup a business in the area of Finishing tional intelligence if we feel we are too poisegfs.blogspot.com. Post a comment there their ‘passion’. this is good but the only shy or we read books on financial intellior if it is private you can send an email to problem is that they are still amateurs. uki@poisenigeria.org. I look forward to readgence when we notice that we are not managing our finances right. As the per- they are starting a business based on their ing your comment.

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JOBS & CAREERS

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JOBS & CAREERS

30 Saturday, May 10, 2014

JOBS & CAREERS

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National Development Strategy Series worry about what they are wearing to work before you start trying to see if they are being productive. A cousin of mine came to me one day and asked me to introduce him to a Federal Minister so he could get a Job in one of the Federal Ministries. I asked why that I could help more with the Private sector and not the Federal Government. He insisted that it was the Federal Government work that he wanted and nothing else. I was taken aback and so I became curious why was getting to work with the Federal Government so important to him I NICHOLAS OKOYE, asked. Well he replied that he wants to start a Founder EMPOWER NIGERIA Initiative, new business and the new business will require his undivided attention at least for the first five years. I said well you have it then you FROM THE DESK OF THE CEO do not need a job if you are to focus on your new business. He laughed and laughed at me. I really felt stupid that day but I summed up the courage to ask him why he was laughing at me, PILLAR TWO : had I become a comedian all of a sudden? He said no, but he was laughing at my naivety. I asked him to please put me out of my misery as the suspense was killing. So he told me that since I did not know, he will enlighten me. He O we need to look at Nigeria again in its entire- said it was common practice in Nigeria and had become somewhat of a culture, ( a NIGERty if we are serious about creating a new sysIAN SYSTEM) for every civil servant in Nigeria to tem in Nigeria. The present Nigerian System is own and operate a separate business while in too much associated with crime, corruption, inefficiency, poor maintenance, laziness, closed service. I said owning a business is not against mindedness, and lack of innovation. And that is a the law or is it? No he said but it is certainly against the law when the Civil service job fact. As we continue to advocate the Pillars that are required for National Development we must allows you to come to work at about 11am study our systems and agree that what is wrong (when you are required to start at 8am) and to and what needs fixing. How do we go about fixing a System that is deeply rooted in culture?

And in some cases deeply rooted in Religion? We certainly have our work cut out for us right? Well we only need to study History and we will see that many other Nations have passed through this stage many years ago and somehow their Leaders summed up the courage to take on the institutions that gave them a corrupt and inefficient system and they were able to tear it down and build up a new system that has been largely responsible for the progress of these Nations today. So if the Judiciary and the Nigeria police are in need of reform, what are the chances that a reformed Judiciary and a reformed Police will change Nigeria? We need to go deeper and we should go to the root of the matter.

SYSTEMS, STRUCTURE AND INFRSTRUCTURE PAPER 2

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leave at 2pm (when you are required to leave at 3.45pm or 4pm). In many offices he said you do not even need to show up sometimes for months. He called one of his friends who confirmed that he got a federal civil service job two years ago, and he has only been to the office about ten times during that period. He doesn’t even have a desk at the office and all he does is to hang around aimlessly whenever he goes there so he stopped showing up. However he still gets paid every month and gets all the benefits accruing to him as a staff of the (name withheld) Federal Ministry. I was dumbfounded. So I made a few inquiries and it seems that the rush for Federal Government Jobs by recent graduates in Nigeria is largely because the jobs are well suited for people who do not intend to work hard. In the Federal Civil Service there is little or no scrutiny for work done, no key performance indicators, no measurements and no monitoring. And that is the Nigerian System, it did not start RECENTLY and so is NOT a creation of this administration, in fact it has been an unwritten secret for many many years of Nigerian history. And nobody has bothered to take on this very deep and very destructive culture or system. It has eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian work force and it requires a very deep surgery with the help of shook therapy to get the Nigeria Civil service back on its feet.

The United States is by every standard the most successful Nation on earth, and in history. And its greatness can be linked directly to the vision National Systems and Organized Religion of the foundering fathers, those brave men that took on British Empire and risked their lives in My first disclaimer here is that religion and the process. Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin belief in God are two different things. And what Franklin, John Adams and George Washington were men that stood tall during their time and are still celebrated today and will be celebrated for thousands of years in the United States as the founders of a new nation that has been so successful. However before we credit their achievement to their strong belief in the church and in organized Religion supported by the guiding hand of a Pastor as we do in Nigeria here are some of their quotes…….

The National System and Culture The Nigeria System is deeply rooted in Culture and in some cases can be very hard to set aside but set aside we must if we are building a Nation that will be regarded in this World. In Nigeria I have had the pleasure of visiting many Federal and State Government Offices especially the Ministries and a few things always hit me when I visit. First of all the workers seldom some to work on time, and when they do they are dressed in the most inappropriate dressing for work. Our flowing traditional gowns, red caps, and long flowing overalls that sometimes come in three pieces are not and will never be well suited for work. However these materials and these clothes are our cultural dresses and anybody that dears to challenge the wearing of the native wear in GOVERNMENT offices may be termed a saboteur.

If the truth be told these native dresses are just too flowing and just too big and flamboyant for any serious work to get done by the person wearing them, they need to be redesigned and that is a fact. That is why in the private sector the dress style is completely different from the Government offices and it is not because the Government workers love Nigeria more but the Private sector are more interested in getting their work done and so they will wear more comfortable and more appropriate dress designed for maximum productivity. It is no wonder then that some of the very serious Federal Government Offices such as the Central Bank, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, Bank of Industry, and the Nigerian Communications Commission and so on, you find them dressing more like the Lagos style private sector folks because they cannot afford not to get their jobs done. In the Federal government Secretariats it is a totally different story. You will be lucky if the people you seek come to work at all, than to start talking of if they come to work on time. Then to

I am talking about here is Organized Religion and not belief in GOD. My belief in GOD, I hold dearly in my heart and do not discuss this in public because of the sensitivities that go with it. Having said that, In order to discuss the negative effects Organized Religion is having on our ability to attain Peak Performance in Nation building and National Development I must first of all take us to the greatest Nation on God’s earth the United States. And Before I talk about the drive to separate Religion and State which is badly needed in Nigeria we must look at the Nations of Europe and how they were able to overcome the combination of Church and State which was the main reason many European Nations were able to move into the industrial age. It is on record that many religious beliefs in those days had condemned science, technology and all progress as the acts of Witch craft, many of the World’s greatest Scientists were burned as witches because they either challenged the thinking of the day or they were able to conduct experiments that looked like magic and hence was termed Witchcraft which surely led to their early death by burning conducted by the religious leaders of the time. The Spanish Inquisition was notorious for this.

John Adams (Founding Father and second President of the United States and co-author of the Declaration of Independence) “As I understand the Christian religion, it was, and is, a revelation. But how has it happened that millions of fables, tales, legends, have been blended with both Jewish and Christian revelation that have made them the most bloody religion that ever existed?” John Adams -letter to F.A. Van der Kamp, Dec. 27, 1816 Thomas Jefferson (Founding Father, third President of the United States and co-author of the Declaration of Independence and Arthur of the United States Constitution “If by religion we are to understand sectarian dogmas, in which no two of them agree, then your exclamation on that hypothesis is just, “that this would be the best of all possible worlds, if there were no religion in it.” But if the moral precepts, innate in man, and made a part of his physical constitution, as necessary for a social being, if the sublime doctrines of philanthropism and deism taught us by Jesus of Nazareth, in which all agree, constitute true religion, then, without it, this would be, as you again say, “something not fit to be named even, indeed, a hell.” — Letter from Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, May 5, 1817 “Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined, imprisoned; yet we have not advanced an inch towards uniformity. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over the earth.” “Notes on Virginia” by Thomas Jefferson More on National Systems and Religion in paper 3.

Thomas Jefferson author of Declaration of Independence, first Secretary of State of the United States and third President of the United States. He was a strong believer in the separation of the Church and State, as his writings show that he did not believe that the new Country that he and his co-founders that built :the United States, could survive let alone strive if Religion was allowed to be used to choose or guide the Leaders. In their vision they created a secular State, he also created the University of Virginia the United States’ first secular University.

32 Saturday, May 10, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

EMPOWERNIGERIA CASE STUDY

YOUTHMAGAZINE

GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURAL LEADER

Guide to Personal Development

Steve Jobs:

By Nicholas Okoye

nokoye@empowernigeria.com N the Guide to personal Development we have outlined three levels in which every young person must be able to improve. That is for your personal development to be complete and for you to achieve success and happiness you must somehow cover these three levels.

I

Personal Mind Set. You must have made up your mind that you will succeed and that you must succeed. You must therefore develop a positive attitude towards your life even if it is over bearing and there is no hope insight. When adversity hits find a way a laugh about it. We always say “ONE DAY WE WILL ALL BE LAUGHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM: right and in all cases once time passes we do laugh about it, a problem we had once thought would consume us all. So here is an idea why don’t we laugh about the problem now, and see how much better yon will feel. Don’t way for a few months or a few years laugh now and you would have succeeded in developing a positive mental attitude.

Apple

TEVE Jobs showed an early interest in electronSHewlett-Packard ics and gadgets. While in high school, he called co-founder and President

million.

By 1980 Apple faced stiff competition and the sales of the Apple III were less than impressive.

William Hewlett to ask for parts for a school proj- In 1984 Jobs introduced the Apple Macintosh, ect. Impressed by Jobs, Hewlett not only gave the first personal computer to feature a graphihim parts but also offered him a summer intern- cal user interface controlled by a mouse. It was ship. It was there Jobs met Steve Wozniak, a a breakthrough and was easy to use, but there young engineer. was no market for it. Jobs envisioned it to be a After graduating high, Jobs enrolled in Reed home computer but at $2,495 it was too expenCollege and took a part time job designing video sive and as a business computer it had little games for Atari before travelling to India to study memory, no networking capability and no Eastern culture and Religion. When Jobs hard drive. The machine had no feature corporeturned to the US he met with Wozniak who rate America wanted. had been trying to build a small computer. To Steve Jobs clashed with the board of directors, Wozniak it was a hobby but Jobs saw it as a great and in 1983 was ousted from the board by CEO business idea and convinced Wozniak to go into John Sculley, who Jobs handpicked to help run business with him. In 1975 Jobs and Wozniak set Apple. He sold his shares and resigned in 1985. up shop in Jobs’ parents’ garage and named the Using a portion of his money from stocks sale, venture “Apple” .Steve Jobs sold his Volkswagen Steve Jobs launched NeXT computer with a goal microbus and Steve sold his Hewlett Packard cal- of building a breakthrough computer. In 1988 culator.

NeXT computer launched. It boasted of a host Although they mostly sold to hobbyists it gener- of innovations notably faster processing speed, ated enough cash to enable Jobs and Wozniak exceptional graphics and optical disk drive. But improve and refine their design. In 1977 they priced at $9,950 it was too pricey to attract introduced the Apple II the first personal comenough sales to keep the company afloat. An puter with color graphics and a keyboard undeterred Steve Jobs switched his focus from designed for beginners the user friendly Apple II hardware to software and began paying more was a tremendous success ushering in the era of attention to his business Pixar animation stuthe personal computer. First year sales were $3 dios. million two years later sales ballooned to $200

He cut a three picture deal with Disney and set out to create the first animated movie. In November 1995 he released “Toy Story” and it struck gold. Led by the success Jobs took Pixar public in 1996 and by the end of the first day of trading his 80% share of the company was worth $1 billion an amazing feat after 10 years of struggling.

At the end of March 1997 Apple announced a loss of $708 million. Apple bought NeXT for $400 million and reappointed Jobs to the Apple board as first an advisor to Apple chairman and subsequently Interim CEO after the CEO quit. Jobs developed the iMac a newline of affordable home desktops released in 1998.

Apple quickly transformed to profitability and by the end of 1998 boasted of $5.9 billion in sales.

Over the next decade the company rolled out a series of revolutionary products including the iPod in 2001, an online market place Apple iTunes store in 2003, the iPhone in 2007 and the iPad in 2010. Apple has sold more than 300 million iPods, over 100 million iPhones, more than 15 million iPad and over a billion songs from its iTunes store. Steve Jobs died as one of the most influential people in technology of all time. At the time of his death Apple was listed as one of the most valuable companies in the World.

Activity. What you do, what you say, who you say it to and where you go, are all a part and parcel of your success plan. You must act in order to succeed.

You must choose your business or your profession and you must dedicate all your energy towards its success and possible global domination. Your choosing a business idea from the EMPOWER NIGERIA line up, your action to raise the money you need from friends and family first and then subsequently from one of the EMPOWER NIGERIA partners if your friends and family are not forthcoming. Activity is key. Nothing happens without ACTION. The fact that you have eaten this morning is because either you or someone else has taken the time and the effort to prepare the meal. The meal did not prepare itself. So if you really want to be a successful man or woman loo deeper at this level of activity.

Environment. And yes we are talking about the Nigerian environment. So it is very important that our Leaders create an environment that is business friendly. We are working on this and in some cases they are listening. Some States are getting it more than others.

And some Ministers on the Federal level are getting it more than others. I understand Nigeria has slipped again on the Global “Doing Business in” Index prepared by the World Bank. This is unacceptable. We should now examine ourselves deeply and find out why we are slipping like this. If it is a matter of personnel then we need to et the right personnel into Government to make the changes that are required. We are all in this struggle together and that is what our civil servants and politician need to understand. So the more we make it difficult for business to operate the more peace will elude us and we will not reach our goals.

Join the EMPOWER NIGERIA initiative and let’s change Nigeria together

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Friday, May 10, 2014 33

SHOWBLAST

YOUTHMAGAZINE

With John Zerebe, Ike Ojeogwo Takes On Nollywood • Lands Davido First Movie Role Stories by Chuks Nwanne AVING made name for himself as a H musician, hip-hop singer David Adeleke, otherwise known as Davido in the showbiz circle, is set to make a dedut in acting with a movie titled John Zerebe.

Produced by his cousin, Ikechukwu Francis Ojeowgo, the movie, which will be shot on locations in Lagos and Osun State, will be directed by topnotch Nollywood director, Teco Benson.

An action packed movie with suspense, and a little bit of romance, John Zere is story of a young, smart guy, who wants to live a big life at an early age; he wants to achieve everything within a twinkle of an eye. This led him into different abuses, doing all sorts of things to become rich quick.

In a chat with the produce in his Lekki home, the Banking and Finance graduate of the Babcock University described the movie as his first major work in Nollywood, adding that he has come to make a statement.

“I’ve actually done some other little jobs before now, like Bella’s Place; that was when I was still learning to act. But this is my first major work. It’s more of other people’s experiences and a little of my personal experiences. Like you know, Davido is my cousin; we all have this entertainment in our family. But instead of music, I’ve decided to go into fimmaking,” he said.

Though he generated the storyline, Ike brought other professionals to work on the script.

“I came up with the story, but I had to involve professional scriptwriters to put the whole thing together. Personally, I like being professional in whatever I do.

So, people like Frankline Ubah, Michael Osuji, as well as Teco Benson all worked on the script. At the end of the day, you have a solid script.”

While the production crew is getting set to hit location, the producer and director are currently speaking with different actors that will be part of the movie.

“We hope to unveil our full cast soon, but we are currently talking to some people to be part of the project. For instance, we’ve been talking to Uti Nwachukwu and others. However, anybody that will be part of this production, regardless of the fact that it’s my project, the director must be involved in taking that decision.

All I can tell you now is that my cousin

Davido will play a role in the movie,” he assured.

While many might see the idea of having Davido on the movie project as a strategy by the producer to ride on the fame of his musician brother, Ike feels otherwise.

“To be honest with you, I didn’t feature him because he’s popular; the choice of Davido is not to make the film to be accepted by the general public. I believe that my cousin, Davido really fits into the role for which he was chosen.

Though he may have become a huge success in the music world, this would be his first time in a movie. I will be playing the lead role, at the same time, the producer,” he explained.

As for the choice of Teco to direct the movie, “his choice is obvious; this is an action packed movie. For those who know Teco very well, this is his kind of film,” Ike said.

To ensure a hitch free production, the producer has set aside N10 million for the project.

“We have budgeted a lot for it, and as we speak, I have set aside N10 million.

Movie is my passion; it’s something I love so much. It’s going to be unique, different from what we’ve been watching.

That’s why I’m giving my time, money and energy to make the production a success. In essence, I am doing this to project Nigeria Nollywood in a brighter light,” he enthused.

From all indication, making money from the movie is not the major concern for the young producer. As far as the Delta State native is concern, John Zerebe is aimed at making a big statement in the industry.

“Since it’s a passion, I have to keep going; that’s life. If you have passion for something, and because it didn’t go right the first time doesn’t mean it’s a failure. You have to keep going till you achieve the desired result. So, whatever happens, I will move on, because it’s a passion! Maybe I will get it right in my subsequent attempt,” he said.

Right from his childhood, young Ike has always been a creative person, especially in the area of acting.

“It has been my childhood dream; I used to belong to a drama group. I have a huge passion for acting, but after school, I decided to go more professional, which is Nollywood, with specialisation in movie making. I have travelled

wide and I have seen how it’s being done in Hollywood. With my experience, I am ready to impact positively into Nollywood. I am not the Jesus of Nollywood, but I am going to add my own quota.”

He continued: “I’ve always been passionate about filmmaking; I’m fascinated with the way they put the whole thing together to make an interesting viewing. Film is about techniques and I love the craft; till date, when I watch Coming to America, I still feel great,” he said.

And with the support from his family, the coast is clear for Ike to explore.

“I thank God for the support from my family, especially from my mother; she has been very supportive. In fact, I won’t be here without her support. I developed this idea to go into acting before David became Davido and known all over the world; she told me she would be supportive. I’m happy with the kind of family I have; they give us everything in order to achieve our dreams.”

What exactly is the relationship between you and Davido?

“Well, I’m from Ubulu Uku, Delta State, but my mother if from Osun State; she’s a daughter of Adeleke. So, I have a little bit of Yoruba blood in me. I was born in Delta, but I was raised in Lagos as the only male in a family of five; four girls surround me. So, that’s the connection.”

Michelle Bello Headlines Nolly Silver Screen Online Magazine HE 2014 Africa Magic T Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) Trailblazer winner, Michelle Bello is the headline for the May edition of

Nolly Silver Screen online magazine. Bello, producer and director of Flower Girl and Small Boy spoke to Editor, Isabella Akinseye, about true love, Flower Girl and being a woman in Nollywood.

Also in this edition, newspaper columnist and film critic, Wilfred Okiche profiles ten Nollywood actors, who have acted in English and indigenous languages in his ‘Cross Over Stars’ piece, which includes Kate Henshaw, Liz Benson, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Nkem Owoh and Mike Ezuruonye among others.

Featured in this edition too are interviews with Ghollywood star Eddie Watson, the creative force behind Render to Caesar, Desmond Ovbiagele and the producer of

Murder at Prime Suites, Jumafor Ajogwu. Agina Eberechukwu’s article ‘Pornography in Nollywood: a rising trend’ explores the proliferation of X rated movies and its effect on society.

The 2014 Africa Movie Academy Awards nominations are also fully covered from photo stories to personal essay as well as the full nominations list. Also in this edition are pictures from the set of Kunle Afolayan’s upcoming feature October 1. Phindile’s Heart (2014 Africa Movie Academy Awards nominee) and Yellow Fever (Afrinolly finalist) are reviewed by Deputy Editor, Innocent Ekejiuba, while Olumuyiwa Awojide of Sodas and Pocorn gives his take on the movie Brave.

Isabella Akinseye reviews

the unofficial trailer of Stephanie Linus’ upcoming feature Dry, while Innocent Ekejiuba compiles a list of the Top 5 Nollywood Cinemas. Gbolahan Adams returns with a third installment of ‘Rollicking Nollies’ cartoon strip with a focus on the AMAAs, while the regular dose of Nolly Silver Screen staples such as Nolly Pop Quiz, Wisdom from the Stars, DVD Releases and Vox pop are featured in this issue which can be read up at www.nollysilverscreen.com

Ike

34 Friday, May 10, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

SHOWBLAST

YOUTHMAGAZINE

Lil Miss Miss Joins Kim Wonder In Celebrate Now Stories by Chuks Nwanne HE fact that Kim Wonder T isn’t new in the entertainment game does not stop her from projecting new, fresh and crispy tunes; she’s very good at creating great excitements.

Just recently, Kim released her latest single titled Celebrate Now. Featuring Lil Miss

Kim

Miss, the song, which is produced by DelB, has the potentials to become a hit in a matter of moment, just like she did with previous recordings such as There Was A Boy (remix), Kilo Kilo, Work Rock & Dance, How You Dey and others.

From the instrumentation to the lyrics and delivery, Kim showed her creativity on the track. And with Lil Miss Miss, they formed a perfect pair and gave life to the song.

Chances are that you would want to put the song on replay; every line had a picture of an enjoyable gathering, social event, undeniable fun mixed with happy people.

Also, the feel good track would surely put you in celebration mood; the groove will surely have you on your feet.

Mafikizolo

DJ Caise Lends Voice To Bring Back Our Girls Campaign OTABLE Lagos-based disc N jockey, DJ Caise, has lend his voice to the on going campaign to bring back over 200 girls, who were abducted by the Boko Haram men in Chibok, Borno State over three weeks ago.

In a statement issued by the DJ, he said, “I’m living my dreams at the moment because I’m safe, alive and free to pursue those dreams. My loved ones are at peace because they do not have to fear for my whereabouts or welfare. For this I thank God. “Unfortunately, there are families in Borno State Nigeria, especially in the Chibok community, who have no luxury of enjoying this peace.

Their hearts are filled with grief because their daughters have not returned home for the past three weeks. Snatched from their schools by agents of discord and dis-unity, these girls, whose only crime was their desire to advance in life via education, are devoid of the comfort of their homes.

Young girls in the hands of monsters!”

The statement t continued: “I imagine the pain these parents would feel; I can only imagine- the tears, the hope,

the prayers that the most unimaginable horrors would not have been visited on these angels. I’m saddened that this is how low humanity has degenerated, that innocence will be stolen from our sisters and daughters at gunpoint.”

He therefore called on all Nigerians to help in the struggle for a safe nation.

“We all may not be able to bear arms to free our girls, we may not all be available to formulate policy to ensure they are returned safely to their mothers and fathers, but we can all join our voices to the cry to #BringBackOurGirls,” he concluded.

ing youth-oriented talents showcasing program tagged Unleash Your Talents, gets underway.

According to Miss Blessing Erivona, who is the project Coordinator, the initiative is a youth re-orientation program designed to discover talents as well as serving as a platform for promotion of discovered budding talents in the entertainment sector of Ikorodu division.

“The concept is geared towards encouraging Ikorodubased youths with special talents in Dance, Comedy, Music and Modeling to actualize their dreams.”

Burna Bay

Davido

The event which is an initiative of Fanafillt Integrated Concepts (the brains behind the highly successful Miss Institutes Beauty Pageant), is also to enhance the growth of entertainment industry in Ikorodu division, boost the socio-economic growth of the division and provide avenue for youths to channel their energy towards productive ventures.

This year’s edition is billed for Sunday, May 29, 2014, with leading telecommunications company Airtel Nigeria and Intercontinental Distillers, Dansa Foods, Diamond Bank, O’jez Records, Legendary Gold, Glorious Opportunity and a host of Ikorodu-based firms as prospective sponsors.

Kcee

Array of Artistes For MTV Road To MAMAs in Lagos Stories by Chuks Nwanne HEAD of this year’s edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA), billed to hold in Durban, South Africa, the organizers have unveiled an all-star line-up of the hottest MAMA nominees and DJs to headline Nigeria’s very own Road To MAMA party. Laying fair claim to be the party of the year, the pan-African club tour arrives in Lagos on May 30, at the Marquee, Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

MAMA nominees Davido, Ice Prince, KCee, Burna Boy and Chidinma will be thrilling party lovers at the Lagos edition of the show, alongside top DJs such as DJ Caise, DJ Obi, DJ Humility and DJ Spinall.

To spice up the lineup, MTV Base has also revealed that South African Afro Pop group, Mafikizolo, will storm Lagos, Nigeria for the concert, which features contemporary artistes and music, mak-

A

ing waves across the continent, crisscrossing the continent in the build up to the MAMA awards.

However, Road to MAMA Nigeria provides an electrifying taster of the upcoming award, which is taking place in South Africa for the first time at the ICC, Durban on 7 June, 2014. Nominees will compete in 18 different categories including Best Male, Best Female, Song of the Year, Artist of the Year and Best Video.

Tied for first place in the nominations for the 2014 MAMA are Davido and South African artists Mafikizolo and Uhuru, who each scored 4 nominations, while going directly head-to-head for Song of the Year, Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration. Following closely behind with 3 nominations each are P Square (Best Group, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year), South Africa’s Mi Casa (Best Group, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year), and Angolan artist Yuri Da Cunha (Song of the

DJ Caise

Unleash Season III Set To Begin In Lagos KORODU, Lagos is poised to I3rdexperience a boost as the edition of the life-impact-

Chidimma

Year, Best Lusophone and Best Collaboration).

Broadening the scope of the MAMA awards in 2014, achievement in nonmusic fields is recognised in three ‘lifestyle’ categories including Personality of the Year, Transform Today by Absolut, and the MTV Base Leadership Award.

The MTV Base Leadership Award is awarded to a young African man or woman under the age of 40, who is inspiring young Africans by their leadership and extraordinary achievement in a prominent field (including but not limited to: the arts, business, politics, science, entrepreneurship and charitable work).

Personality of the Year category recognises personalities and achievers active outside of the music space, who are excelling in their chosen field and who are representing Africa in a positive light, both at home and abroad, in disciplines such as comedy, fashion literature and

Future Award Africa 2014 Berths FTER moths of working beA hind the scene, the National Working Committee has unveiled the Future Africa Awards & Summit 2014. The formal launch was performed at the closing gala for SHAPE Africa 2014 in Abuja on Tuesday, just before the World Economic Forum on Africa began.

Speaking at the event, Adebola Williams, who is cofounder of the awards, noted that this would be the 9th season of the awards.

“As the world focuses on Africa, with global leaders weighing in on our most pressing solutions; we are excited to launch yet another season of the premier event for Africa’s young leaders.”

He informed that the Future Africa Awards & Summit

(TFAAS) has, this year, fully expanded its mission across the continent, to identify exceptional young leaders, celebrate their achievements, and present them as leading the new set of young Africans who will be shaping the future of Africa and the world.

Nominations have now opened for the following categories: The Future Awards Prize in Advocacy, The Future Awards Prize in Agriculture, The Tony O. Elumelu Prize in Business, The Future Awards Prize in Community Action, The Future Awards Prize in Education, The Future Awards Prize in Enterprise Support, The Future Awards Prize in Entertainment, The Future Awards Prize in Public Service, The Future Awards Prize in Technol-

ogy and The Future Awards Prize for African Young Person of the Year.

Nominees must be of African origin, and be aged 18 31. To nominate, go to thefutureafrica.com/awards or send an email to nominations@thefutureafrica.com.

You can also send an SMS to +234 802 222 6712.

Also, the award has also been

expanded to The Future Africa Awards & Summit, a 2-day ideas-fest, where the continent’s most influential leaders and institutions with portfolios on youth, will gather to chart immediate action-points for expansion of jobs and opportunities, as well as good governance and citizen engagement.

Adebola Williams and Joycee Awojoodu at the event

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

KEEP IT REAL...

Amushan Kemi

35

YOUTHMAGAZINE

with Kemi Amushan

The Wrong Kind Of Love

’M sure we all know and believe that love is the strongest and the best feeling ever. It makes us better and makes life more meaningful. But why does it often happens that loving a guy makes us suffer like never before? I know, I know, it’s the same old story every time. Whether we like it or want to believe it or not, men play a major role in a woman’s life.

So you are having problems with your man, and you’ve found out that you cannot live a single day without that guy and the fact he ignored your message can spoil your mood for the entire day. In such cases, you think that your feelings are really strong for this guy but I bet you that it’s abnormal. Such symptoms may be the sure signs of love addiction.

To some it may sound weird to call the love an addiction. But sometimes such an unhealthy love, when you feel sick without a partner but don’t feel well by his side is the same as addiction. When you are addicted, your relationship will only make you suffer. That’s what I call Toxic.

So, how can you recognize if you are not just in love, but addicted?

•You can’t get him out of your head: Our head is full of various thoughts during the day, but if all your thoughts are about him, if you remember him or imagine the details of when next you are going to see him, then there’s something wrong somewhere. This is not okay.

•You spend the most of your day with him, or communicating with him on the phone, via chat, or social networks. If not only your mind, but your life is taken up with him, and you gave up your friends and hobbies, it’s a sure sign of the obsession.

•Your friends say that he’s not your kind of guy: If one or two of your friends dislike him, it’s ok, but when just everyone around you say that he doesn’t suit you, you should at least think over it. Trust me.

•You believe that he is the one, and if you lose him, you’ll never meet someone like him again. Which means that you cannot imagine yourself in a relationship with any other guy.

•You spy him all the time by checking his Facebook/blackberry entries and his friends, especially girls. OBSESSION. •He’s your only source of positive emotions: I mean, common ladies. If your life has not much interesting stuffs going on in it and lacks bright colours, then such strong feelings become your only source of joy, and when your partner is out of reach, you feel inevitably down. You need to wake up and get a life.

•At the beginning of your relationship you feel very good by

I

Saturday, May 10, 2014

his side and bad when he’s not around. Later on, you feel bad with him too, but breaking such relationship is like a death to you.

If you noticed several of the above signs, then you’re really addicted to your partner. So now that you’ve realized the problem, it’s time to overcome it fast before you hurt yourself.

The main mistakes of the addicted women is that they think that as their love is so strong and they take so much effort to hold the partner, then one day they will be happy. It’s nothing but the illusion. An addicted person will never be happy in this kind of relationship. But if you break this circle, you’ll be able to build happy, healthy relationship based on love and trust, not on the addiction.

To overcome such addictions, you need to: Love Yourself I’m sure you are tired of me saying this over and over again.

Loving yourself is the greatest thing you can do for yourself.

Most of the people who become addicted with love don’t love themselves enough. They usually have low self-esteem. They feel the lack of love and that’s why they expect others to love them as they cannot do that themselves. So, if this is about you, try various methods of positive psychology to love and accept yourself.

It Goes Without Saying That You Should Break This Relationship.

Break everything that ties you to the partner and never turn back. Yes, it can be very, very hard. But without it, you will never recover.

Move Or At Least Go Abroad For A Week Or Two. If you’ve just come out of a relationship and you still find yourself in the same environment, everything will remind you of him. So, a change of environment will do you good and trust me, you will find it easier to forget.

Find A New Hobby Or New Friends.

Distract yourself from the painful emotional experience with something completely new.

Try Falling In Love Again And Go Dating.

Most people will not agree with me on this but just coming out of a relationship doesn’t mean the world should end, you have got to pick yourself up and try again as many times as possible. Maybe, at the beginning you’ll have to force yourself to do so. But this method is the best when you need to forget the unhappy love from your past.

Trust me, it’s for your own good. To our happiness, Cheers.

BY SEGUN DUROWAIYE

Events

In association with

Date(s): 11/05/2014 Location: Terra Culture, Tamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Promoter: M-IKAZ TICKETS: 3,000.00, 5,000.00 MORE INFO: www.afritickets.com

Sweet Mothers Ball 2014 Date(s): 11/05/2014 Location: The Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Promoter: 2910 Limited TICKETS: 25,000.00, 200,000.00 MORE INFO: www.afritickets.com

One Week Intensive Event Planning And Management Training Date(s): 12/05/2014 Location: The Q&Q Place, 5 Alade Lawal street, opposite Anthony Village, Lagos.

Promoter: Pleasant Jay TICKETS: 30,000.00 BUY TICKETS HERE: www.afritickets.com

Public Speaking And Presentation Training Workshop In Lagos Date(s): 17/05/2014 Location: Precinct Comfort Hotel, YabaSurulere, Lagos.

Promoter: LiveSpeech Coaching TICKETS: 31,500.00 BUY TICKETS HERE: www.afritickets.com

African Fashion Week Nigeria Date(s): 18/05/2014 Location: Eko Hotel and Suites, Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos Promoter: 2910 Limited TICKETS: 5,000.00, 15,000.00 BUY TICKETS HERE: www.afritickets.com

36 Saturday, May 10, 2014

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YOUTHMAGAZINE

WEEKENDBEATS

‘With MEGA Award, There’s No Stopping Me’ Stories by Chuks Nwanne ROM the point she was declared winner Fat the of the New Artiste Of The Year category maiden edition of the Music & Entertainment Gospel Awards (MEGA) held last year in Lagos, it was obvious that a fresh tonic had been added into Taiwo Oladoye’s music career. For sure, for the young lady to emerge winner in the category that had other young talented singers such as Doris Dumah, Salmplus and Hadassah, she is obviously not a flash in the pan.

In fact, few weeks after winning MEGA, the talented singer also clinched The Best New Artiste and Best Indigenous Song (Alternative Category) awards at the 2013 edition of the Nigerian Gospel Music Awards (NGMA). Somehow, the two new awards is a pointer to the fact that the jury at the MEGA 2013 made the right choice in Taiwo.

“From the day I was nominated for MEGA 2013, I was very excited; grateful to God. For me, it was an extension of God’s grace and loving kindness. As for winning the award, yes, I thought of it because I desired that God’s hands would rest on my works and bring me fame and fortune. I give God all the glory,” she said.

No doubt, winning MEGA award for the Best New Artiste means a lot to Taiwo and has greatly affected her music career positively. However, to the artistes, it means there’s more work to be done.

“It means people are connecting with my music and they like it; this makes me glad.

I appreciate the love and support of everyone in making them a reality. The award certainly means there’s no stopping me by God’s grace. On the other hand, it means there’s more to be done. But the most important thing is that God has opened the way and I must keep moving,” she said.

And to the organisers of the awards, “I appreciate the efforts they put into organising and promoting the project, in partnership with various arms of media. I particularly appreciate the efforts put into the selection of nominee and voting process. For me, it’s a good thing, especially for the Gospel music genre and I pray it grows bigger and better each year.”

A native of Ogun State and graduate of Accounting from The Polytechinic, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, Taiwo the twin was born with natural talents for music, though she

Taiwo

Fun, Excitement, As Stars Rock Ekwulobia kwulobia town in Anambra State, came E under heavy sound of music last week, as top Nigerians music stars stormed the area for the Star Music Trek. Aside from singer Tiwa Savage, who cut shot her honey mood to entertain her fans, the live music concert, which attracted large crowd of fun seekers, also had Phyno, Dr. SID, Mr Raw and Kcee live on stage.

Though conceived as a platform for fun and excitement, Tiwa Savage used the opportunity to add her voice to the call for the release of the over two hundred schoolgirls abducted almost two weeks ago. Dressed in a shimmering green panelled outfit, the artiste spoke emotionally to thousands of fans, who converged at Ekwulobia Township Stadium.

Raising silent fingers in the air, the audience calmly chanted ‘bring back our girls’ after her, effectively joining the nationwide call to find the over two hundred female students abducted from a high school in Chibok, Borno State on April 14, 2014.

The beautiful diva went on to give one of her most stage stunning performances yet, serenading the audience and an eager male fan in particular who was invited to join her on stage. Her duet with Dr Sid on Dorobucci was the icing on a delicious performance with the audience going wild in delirious excitement Host, Gbenga Adeyinka on his part, provided the teeming audience with a sidesplitting show - part comic and part music- keeping thousands of male and female fans who surrounded the massive Trek stage glued to their feet for the over 10 hour performance.

Dressed in colour coordinated yellow,

white and black outfits, Kcee and Harrysong got the audience swinging their waist in excitement, as they performed a medley of their hit songs Beta Pikin and Buelinu Jesu Limpopo, Okpekete, Give it to Me and Pull Over as well as other hits.

As expected, Phyno’s performance drew high praise from guests who surged towards the singer repeatedly rapping enthusiastically to his chart toppers Man of the Year, Alobam, Ghostmode, Parcel and more.

Despite Dr Sid’s swift run down of his popular songs even right back to his Mo’Hits years, his hit song with Don Jazzy Surulere had the fans screaming in excitement right till he left the stage. However, the highpoint of the night was when raveof-the-moment rapper, Phyno joined Mavin Records artiste and latest MTN ambassador, Dr Sid to perform the remix of his hit single, Surulere.

It was gyration all the way, as Mr. Raw and his live band mounted the stage; their exceptional performance is still the talk of the city as the veteran artiste delivered many of his popular tunes including Hip Hop Gyration, Angel and Spiritual Conji.

Meanwhile, Fayrouz Chilled Out Bar was the site for the pre-gig on May 2 in Awka, Anambra State, with many excited consumers carting away fantastic prizes from a raffle draw. Oluchi Cosmas won an LED TV presented to him by popular rap artiste, Mr Raw. Other fantastic prizes such as branded rugs, headphones, home theatres and more were won.

Since March 29 2014, Star Music Trek has toured six cities across Nsukka, Makurdi, Uyo, Umuahia and Orlu bringing together thousands of fans across the country to

watch scintillating live performances from many of Nigeria’s biggest artistes. The seventh Star Music Trek concert holds in Onitsha today, as the music concert continues its exciting 10 week 10 city pan Nigerian tour.

Tiwa Savage rockinh with a male fan

paid little attention to the skill in her early days. In fact, after her NYSC, she was more interested in practicing her profession.

“Then, I was actually more concerned with getting a job in line with my discipline. But God in His awesome ways, after a brief stint at Omega Bank, provided the opportunity of a career in advertising via the Insight Communications Management Traineeship program in 2004. Today, I hold a Snr Management position as a Media Strategist with Media Perspectives, a member of Troyka Holdings, Nigeria’s foremost Marketing Communications Group,” she enthused.

Though she picked a job in the corporate world, music has always been part of Taiwo, having been born into a family of music lovers.

“Well, it’s a gift from God; it’s in-born. In fact, my parents were members of the choir where they met and got married. So, I kept exploring this gift as a chorister right from my secondary School till date. Currently, I’m a member of the Faith Tabernacle Choir of the Living Faith Church, aka Winners Chapel,” she noted.

Though she’s musically inclined naturally, her professional career actually began in 2012 when she teamed up with her husband to stage a live music concert tagged An Evening With Jesus, which actually gave birth to her debut album “It was an interesting experience. Afterwards, we decided to release my debut album titled, Shake Up The Heaven, with the hit track No Be Me, Na God,” she enthused.

Produced by Tosin Paul of Rote Entertainment, working on her debut album was a fulfilling experience for Taiwo who combined his corporate job with making music in the studio.

“It was very interesting but demanding; I had my own sessions at night to ensure there was no clash with my job. For the two weeks we worked on the album, I was going from the office to the studio. But it was an enriching experience and I thank God for the entire team; their passion was contagious,” she said in appreciation.

Asked how the album is doing commercial, the twin who has since dropped videos for No Be Me, Na God and Oruko Re Ti Niyin To, said, “Thank God we are making progress; the tracks are now listed on various online music stores such as Spinlet Nigeria, Itunes, Amazon, Google Play etc. They are also registered as Callertunez on MTN, Airtel and Glo networks. And through my PR Team, Tosh Mag PR, based in the UK, I am now registered on Wikipedia & Vevo Youtube.”

Though music today is a major source of income for a lot of artistes, for Taiwo, it is a powerful tool to reach out to people.

“The ultimate plan is in God’s hands, but we are open to know and keep following His instructions. I’m trusting God that my music at every point, will be a tool in God’s hands for healing, restoration of joy and hope to people all over the World,” she said.

Like her parents, Taiwo also met her musician husband in the choir.

“Besides running his business and responsibilities, he is the CEO of Waves Record, my record label. He’s a man on a mission; always mindful of making the most of every instruction God drops in his heart.”

As for support, “he gives me all the support I need and a lot more. He has sacrificed a lot financially and in many other ways unquantifiable. I can only pray that God will continue to bless and uphold him in all his ways. I am grateful to God for blessing my children and me with him,” she enthused.

Having made a bold statement with her debut effort, Taiwo is currently working on a follow up album, which is expected to drop by June this year.

“I trust God for a lot more albums and videos and awards. But above all, for me to be a very relevant force in the lives of people, especially youths through my music. This will be my contribution to nation building and the world at large.”

Taiwo did not conclude without saying a prayer for Nigeria.

“I pray that God will heal Nigeria and bring her to her true destiny as a land flowing with milk and honey. I also pray that God will open the eyes of each and every one of us, to discover our place in destiny, and the courage to pursue it until we fulfill it. When we each take our places, playing our roles correctly, Nigeria will be restored,” she prayed.

Saturday, May 10, 2014 37

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YOUTHMAGAZINE

WEEKENDBEATS

The Chronicles Of Ushbebe Live RADUALLY and steadily, G Justice Emonaerere Nuagbe has grown his com-

A jazz band entertaining the audience at the International Jazz Day celebration ... in Lagos

A Jazzy Evening, As Enthusiasts Celebrate Jazz Day In Lagos Stories by Chuks Nwanne The Jazz Appreciation Month celebration came to a climax recently, as jazz enthusiasts, educators, organisers and performers converged at the Agip Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, to mark this year’s International Jazz/Dance Day. Organised by the US Consulate General in Nigeria, in collaboration with the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON), the concert was put together

by Ayoola Shadare-led Inspiro Productions.

It will be recalled that in November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe. International Jazz Day is chaired and led by Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General, and legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as a UNESCO Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and Chairman of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.

The Institute is the lead nonprofit organization charged with planning, promoting and producing this annual celebration.

The project brings together communities, schools, artistes, historians, academics, and jazz enthusiasts all over the world to celebrate and learn about jazz and its roots, future and impact;

raise awareness of the need for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding; and reinforce international cooperation and communication. Each year on April 30, this international art form is recognized for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity; eradicating discrimination; promoting freedom of expression; fostering gender equality; and reinforcing the role of youth in enacting social change.

International Jazz Day is the culmination of Jazz Appreciation Month, which draws public attention to jazz and its extraordinary heritage throughout April. In December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly formally welcomed the decision by the UNESCO General Conference to proclaim April 30 as International Jazz Day. The United Nations and UNESCO now both recognize International Jazz Day on their official calendars.

The city of Osaka in Japan was this year’s official city to celebrate the day as it was also being celebrated in other countries worldwide. Nigeria too was not left out of the celebration as the Agip Hall, MUSON Centre, was filled to capacity on that day.

The Eko brass band kicked off the show ushering guests into the venue.

The evening proceeded with various presentations and performances,

these included the one beat program alumnus Biodun Kuti, who performed and shared his experience in the US. The MUSON Jazz Band also performed an adaptation of a popular African piece.

Sarah Boulous ED of SPAN whose presentation was accompanied by a powerful dance display and Dr. Sheyi Kehinde, a lecturer at the department of creative arts university of Lagos, gave an academic discourse on the origins of Jazz and its African influence and demonstrated this practically with some of the students of the creative arts department from the university of Lagos. They played their version of the popular David Brubeck Jazz Standard Take Five and thrilled the audience with Fela’s Water no get enemy in a performance that got guests dancing on stage.

However, the highlight of the evening was the Jam session conducted

by Queen Anheva Anheva that had all the musicians come on stage and perform. This sprung up a lot of surprises from most that were in the crowd. Eko brass band kicked it off, followed by Yinka Davis and was joined in dance on stage by Latoya Ekemode and Orlando Julius. Others, who participated, included Bright Gain, Dr. Sheyi Kehinde and others, until the stage was practically filled with musicians and dancers.

The event ended with a vote of thanks from the Rhonda Watson of the United States consulate in Lagos.

edy career to the next level.

From working as an assistant to comedian AY, Ushbebe as he’s fondly called, has become a major force in the comedy business in the country.

Aside from the regular stand up comedy, which most comedians do these days, Ushbebe is involved in TV sitcoms and has recently joined Naija FM as a presenter. On a closer observation, the young man has done well for himself in the industry.

“It’s been a very wonderful and interesting one for me. The comedy industry has come of age and it’s doing very well considering the rate at which people are patronising us and our shows,” he observed.

Come May 18, Ushbebe will be staging a special concert in Lagos tagged The Chronicles Of Ushbebe Live.

Holding at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, the show will open with a red carpet reption starting from 5pm.

“The Chronicles Of Ushbebe Live is the different shades of what I do as an entertainer on TV and in my quiet time, this time, taking it to the stage, so that my fans can feel a more physical presentation of Ushbebe,” he said.

Aside from the host, the show parades some of the notable names in the country’s showbiz industry, who will take their turn to thrill the audience.

“This is not s solo show; my brother, you just don’t come and do a solo concert, when you know the industry you are in, especially when you have to work with your own resources. For the relationships I’ve built over the years with my colleagues, they all gave their blessings thus they are supporting my movement.”

On parade include AY, I go dye, Gordons, Buchi, Seyi Law, Elenu, I Go Save, Kcee, Harrysong, Iyanya, Ice Prince, Sean Tizzle, Yemi Alade, Chidima, Emma Nyra and others.

“The concept is to relate

With Fuji To Bam, Goldberg Scoops Fuji Music Talents N line with its resolve to promote Ihunt Nigerian musical content, music talent platform, Fuji to Bam, is set to give

celebrates consumers and their traditional values. Fuji music enjoys huge followership across Nigeria, which has led opportunity to young talents to express the brand to provide the Fuji T’o Bam one themselves in the on-going auditions of the platforms to further engage and across the country. connect with our consumers.”

Organised under Goldberg brand from Describing the programme as a sucthe stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc, the cessful project, he noted that, “the Goldinitiative has been attracting fuji music berg brand believes that many parts of lovers and artistes, thronged audition the country are endowed with talents in venues such as De Palace Bar, Ilesha; music yet to be discovered and I believe Kwality Express Bar, Oshogbo and La that as the talent hunt contest moves to Cuisine Bar, Ibadan, as the contest for other locations, Fuji to Bam will discover the coveted cash prize of N750, 000 and more Fuji talents that will become great other exciting prizes heightened. music icons like KWAM1, Pasuma, Saidi Speaking on the project, the MarketOsupa and others,” he said. ing Director Nigerian Breweries Plc, WalAfter a competitive contest, Ejire Perter Drenth expressed great satisfaction former and Okikiola emerged as winners over the huge turnout of fuji lovers and in Oshogbo, Salau Dauda and Akeem Raartistes, while explaining the rationale heem grabbed the tickets from Ilesa, behind Goldberg’s Fuji to Bam initiative. while Twinszobia Twins and Muhideen “Goldberg is a quality lager beer that Adisa were victorius in Ibadan. Winners

in these centres have automatically qualified for the quarter final stage of the contest.

Meanwhile, Twinzobia, who emerged from the Ibadan audition centre, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity the brand has provided for upcoming stars to showcase their talent and be rewarded for their skills.

Akeem Okikiola applauded the brand for the innovation to discover talents and the contribution to the development of Fuji music, a local music genre. ‘‘It is like a dream come true for me; I have been listening to fuji music from a very tender age. Goldberg has really demonstrated itself as a brand that has respect for tradition and celebrates with people,’’ he said.

The quarter-finals is scheduled for Ilesha, while the semi-finals holds in Akure. However, the city of Ibadan will host the grand finale.

Ushbebe

with my many admirers and fans from the different platforms I have used to reach them; from AY Show, Ay’s Crib, The Chronicles Of Ushbebe (my TV show), Naija Fm and other numerous comedy shows I have perfumed and hosted. I intend to use the platform to task myself on my growth so far.”

Speaking on life as a radio presenter, the comedian said, “radio has been amazing because I get to do what I love to do everyday, from Monday to Friday. But unlike live show where you have your audience either in the hall or you use the camera crew and your directors, radio na blind theatre,” he noted.

On the difference between radio on stage shows, Ushbebe explained that, “the intention for all is to entertain educate and inform, but there are differences in delivery for stage, TV and radio because they all have their styles.

Yes, the basics are similar, but you can’t use the basics only for delivery, so you have to imagine your audience and relate with them on radio. On stage, you practically lead them into the business of what you are about as they watch you. For television, you cook mannerism that will make them want to identify with you,” he said.

However, doing radio comes with its limitations.

“Yes o, NBC get rules o! So, we have to keep it simple and still very entertaining; that one no mean say we no dey talk truth. Well, I’m on air with two wonderful and talented people, Godwin and Sabina; they make it interesting to enjoy and also I add my comic blend to the show called Morning Runs on Naija fm 102.7.”

On the secrete of his success in the industry, the comedian said, “well, all this I will trace to the tutelage AY gave me; for the times I spent working under him after I resigned from the bank. Also, my stations management, Megalecetrics, have been a great support to this movement,” he said in appreciation.

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Saturday, May 10, 2014

FASHION

By Kemi Amushan and Myles Igwebuike

Designer Of The Week: Ogochukwu Akabogu GOCHUKWU Akabogu is a fashion O designer from Anambra state. She comes from a family of 5 of which she’s the last child of her parents. She was Born and raised by academics, a lawyer and a language instructor in the eastern part of Nigeria, Enugu to be precise. She graduated from the University of Nigeria Nsukka in 2007 from the department of foreign languages and literature. She served her nation, worked at a couple of places before rediscovering her flair for fashion.

As an upcoming designer in the fashion industry, she said she hasn’t worked with any of the big names yet, but she has worked with and is currently working with the would be big names of our generation. “I can only say that in a couple of months and subsequent years, the Nigerian and international market will have my label “lines by chaab” to reckon with” she said.

In the fashion industry, Ogochukwu is fascinated by the speed at with the fashion industry is booming, most especially the Nigerian fashion industry. “The sheer talent that exists in this industry is amazing, the ability of individuals from different spheres of life to create designs that people can relate to is mind boggling” She added. Her new line ‘Lines by chaab’ is about breaching all cultural, social, and religious gap that exists between people from different backgrounds through clothing. It’s a line that speaks a universal language by use of colour, prints, lines and shapes.

It is a representation of art on clothes, and its aim is to unite a chaotic world through clothing. And she started this line because of her obsession with lines, prints, embellishments, colours, abstract

designs and attitude.

On a cold day, she shared that the only attire she would be seen in would be a cashmere blazer worn over a woolen vest and a pristine white collared shirt, a dark blue bootcut jeans and ankle black boots to keep the heat in. And on a warm day, she would go for a floral print chiffon top over biker shorts and a pair of flat sandals.

One of her fashion must haves is the little black dress. It’s a timeless classic and a must have for every woman, fashion conscious or nay. Her fashion icons are Michelle Obama and Rihanna.

Ogochukwu personally thinks the term ‘fashion faux pas’ should be scrapped because they are no rules in fashion; it’s an expression of self and relies heavily on the mood of an individual.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, May 10, 2014

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FASHION

Young Stars Rising: Akah Nnani First an Mtn customer service agent now a TV presenter Akah NNani is definately a Young star risin. Myles Igwebuike and Kemi Amushaninterview him to talk about his career, struggles and journey so far.

KAH Nnani is from Oguta, Imo State. He’s a very A happy person and likes good food and music. He comes from a family of 6. His love for R’N’B and gospel music has nothing to be compared with, but he loves great music in general. Akah grew up in a middle class family that had everything they needed. His parents made sure of that and he said he’s blessed to have them.

Growing up was fun for Akah. He had uncles and aunties living in and they made it full of activity. A lot of the time they played tricks and pranks on his parents. They told funny stories and he remembers well that he had an aunt that told the best animal kingdom stories! They gave him his first exposure to music. They played it and it would boom around the house every Saturday morning while there was house sanitation. “You know, Saturdays were cleaning days, so I listened to Celine Dion, Tevin Campbell, All 4 one, West Life, R. Kelly, Joe and so on. That was my first exposure to music”. He said. He shared that he felt connected to R. Kelly and became a deep-rooted fan.

Akah attended Pampers Private School, Topgrade Secondary school, Faith Academy and then Covenant University to study Mass communication.

Akah is a VJ/TV Host or Presenter, as some people like to call it, Professional/Wedding Singer, Emcee, and Media Owner. He co-owns an online radio station called River Media Radio. The site is www.rivermediaradio.com. He used to work at a telecoms company as a customer service agent and he honestly liked the Job and was great at it too. He loved the people he worked with and all the drama that came with them and the job. But after a year he felt it was time to leave.

It became as though he couldn’t breathe again. He knew that it wasn’t his life and had to break through the wall of fear and the thick fog of uncertainty and take a shot at building his own destiny. And it was as though he said ‘if I die I die’, there was no other job I was going to; in fact all I knew was that I belonged to the entertainment industry and that God had my back”. So he heard of an opening and he auditioned for the position of a co-host at TVC for the show Entertainment Splash. Months after leaving the old job and trying out at Glo XFactor which he became 10th position at. He also had the time to start off the online radio station, River Media Radio.

He further told The Guardian that every job he does now gives him the opportunity to express a different side of himself and that’s a privilege. Whether its when he’s singing to a bride as she walks down the isle to her husband, or when he’s being talkative and funny and also opinionated on TV, or when he’s serving people good music or giving them the opportunity to air their music on the radio station. Of which, the radio station has been awesome! Having people like Tye Tribbette, Mary Mary, Lamar Campbel, personally mail them to give their music airplay. These are world-class gospel artists!! And this radio station has footprints in 49 countries of the world already.

Akah shared that he can’t wait to get to the next level with it. “ When i emcee, it’s thrilling because then, my voice is the voice. I just talk and people listen”.

His dream is basically having his own fun show (something like what Ellen DeGeneres does) and being a top class emcee and get more recognition as a professional and wedding singer and he also wants to explore radio!! “Being on radio would just be really awesome!! And also acting!! I have been begging Desmond Eliot and Emem Isong to give me a chance ooh! (laughs). I hope they read this and see that I am serious”.

Akah shares with us what his take on fashion and the industry is, his comments goes thus: “Fashion is a language. It’s a message that is interpreted when it becomes clothing. The fashion industry is a powerful sector of any nation or even of the world in general.

It’s so powerful that you can start a movement that will affect lifestyle and even politics with it. The fashion industry in Nigeria is amazingly growing stronger, more vibrant and more recognized. We are accepting and patronizing our indigenous designers and you know, our designers are encouraged to be more creative and build international brands practically out of nothing. If there is anything I have to say, it’s that we have to step up our textile production

game”.

For Akah, it’s not all about the trend. He quoted Karl Lagerfeld saying, “Never use the word “cheap”.

Today everybody can look chic in inexpensive clothes (the rich buy them too). There is good clothing design on every level today. You can be the chicest thing in the world in a T-shirt and jeans — it’s up to you.” So it all comes down to it looking good on whatever he wears. If it makes him look great and he likes it, then fine.

He shared one of the most embarrassing stories of his life saying: My friend (Tayo) was having a birthday party, we were in school and so I was going to his room. I was in 100 level at the time. I had this shirt that I got from the UK. It was very porous and it was floral too. This shirt was massive like agbada! But I thought I could rock it. So I wore this shirt to my friend’s room and he said “what are you wearing? It looks like fishing net. You look sick”. I had not recovered from that when another friend (Gbubemi, now known as Chef Fregz) came in and looked at me from head to toe, shook his head and said “you look horrible.

Please remove what you are wearing”. I thank God I made that mistake in my friends room. I changed immediately and never wore it again.

His parting words were “Be a part of the solution. It’s a sorry case that Nigeria is where it is today. Catch your dream, fight for it, be different and you will shine. Believe in yourself and help the next person.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

40 Saturday, May 10, 2014

FASHION

By Nike Sotade F you are a lover of structured bags or not, these Ibold statement colourful collection will certainly convince you about the beauty and functionality of the bags.

A breath of fresh air from the everyday looks, these structured bags where ethnic print mixes with quality leather are the latest collection from the stables of London-based luxury fashion brand DIDI. According to Tina Ugo, the Creative Director at DIDI: “The inspiration for this collection is from my personal love for leather, African prints, colours, structured bags, timeless and vintage inspired pieces.

Each handbag is handmade, using the finest polished calf leather and batik prints. The roomy compartments mean each piece can be used for multi purpose.”

And which class of women can carry these bags and purses? Tina explains: “The structured bags can be carried by any classy woman who appreciates good leather and attention to detail.

However, the entrepreneur, working class or corporate woman will probably appreciate the DIDI bag more.”

She also added: “Our box clutches and purses have been handcrafted using the best acrylic and gold plated panels. The detachable quilted batik print in some makes it unique and will definitely stand the carrier out from any crowd. It is the perfect size for cell phone, lipstick and compact powder.”

“All our purses are ideal for evening attires; whether African, American, Asian or European.

They can also be used in accessorising any outfit suitable for red carpet events, dinners, parties, weddings, cocktail events etc.”

This limited edition of structured bags and box clutches are certainly a must-have for every fashionista who wants to add a pop of colour to their wardrobe.

Matched with stylish statement jewellery pieces also stringed by DIDI as modeled here, everything would be on offer at a sales party scheduled for tomorrow at the Morning Side Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Ethnic Chic Meets Fine Leather Add a pop of colour to your wardrobe with these bold handbags by DIDI

DIDI Holds Sales Party Tomorrow HE unveiling of the latest collecT tion of premium quality bags, jewelleries and other accessories by

Unilever Introduces Vaseline Creams and Lotions NILEVER Nigeria Plc, houseU hold name and manufacturers of diverse home and personal care consumer products such as Omo, Closeup, Knorr, Sunlight, Blueband, Lipton, Pears, Sunlight, Royco and Vaseline, has launched a new range of Vaseline Lotions and Creams into the Nigerian market.

The two new products-Vaseline Total Moisture and Vaseline Cocoa Glow were revealed at a media session organized by Vaseline in Lagos penultimate Friday.

Addressing the media, the

Marketing Director, Personal Care, Unilever Nigeria Plc, David Okeme, stated that the products were launched with the Nigerian woman at the centre. “Our aim is to get Nigerian women to fall in love with Vaseline lotions because Vaseline lotions and creams have Stratys-3, which ensures all three layers of the skin are moisturised to give soft, smooth skin all day long. We believe that truly healthy skin starts with deep healing, it is not something you get by masking problems or through quick fixes.”

Also speaking at the media session, Category Manager Deodorant and Skin Care, Unilever Nigeria Plc, James Inglesby stated that the two new products are a combination of vitamins, minerals and conditioning moisturisers. While Vaseline Total Moisture works like a moisture multi-vitamin to replenish your skin with 100 per cent of the daily hydration and nutrient your skin needs, Vaseline Cocoa Glow on the other hand penetrates deeply to ignite the skin’s natural glow from the inside out. Made with a combination of moisturisers and

pure Vitamin E, Vaseline Cocoa Glow smoothens away all the roughness and dark spots to help the skin maintain an even tone and a healthy glow. “This is great news for everyone who desires beautiful skin” Inglesby added.

Vaseline Total Moisture and Vaseline Cocoa Glow are both available in lotions and creams. Lotions are fast absorbing and light feeling on the skin while creams are thicker and used for deep moisturizing especially when your skin requires higher levels of moisturizing.

the luxury fashion brand, DIDI, will hold tomorrow at a sales party inside the prestigious Morning Side Suites on 11b Teslim Elias Close, Off Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Tagged “The Unveiling” the sales party will hold from 1pm to 8pm.

Silky Touch Marks 30th Anniversary ILKY Touch Emporium, the fine Ssince clothier and fashion consultants 1994, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a special offer on its products throughout the anniversary month.

From May 16 to June 15, 2014 all goods will be sold at a whopping 30 per cent discount to all customers who patronize the branches of the luxury goods shops in Ikeja, Victoria Island and Abuja.

Saturday, May 10, 2014 | 41

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SOCIETY

Ondo Stands Still For Florence Arowojolu From Oluwaseun Akingboye, Akure EOPLE from all walks of life gathered amidst pomp and pageantry to commit the remains of late Chief Mrs. Flo-

P

rence Arinola Arowojolu to the mother earth at the ancient town fondly called, is the wife of the first minister in the old Okitipupa Division. The octogenarian, born on June 4, 1932 was a rare gem of Ode Ajagba, in Irele Local Council. and a woman of exceptional qualities.

Late Chief Mrs. Florence Arowojolu, “Mama Flo� as she was

The children of mama Florence Arowojolu

The Green Maker Choir with Pastor Arowojolu and wife

Prof. Ayo Arowojolu with Chief Akintade former Abia State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Commissioner

The only daughter of mama and her sisters-in-law

Imo Honours Nwauwa, Nzeribe And Others

By Laolu Adeyemi ECENTLY, Imo State Orientation Agency recognized some well-meaning Nigerians with ambassadorial awards in

R

Owerri, Imo State. Among them was the Executive Director of Emergency Response, Nigeria Ltd., Dr. Mrs. Chinese Nwauwa who was honoured for mentoring youths on the essence of

good social and moral values.

Here are some faces of recipients of the ambassadorial awards and other dignitaries that graced the occasion.

Executive Director, Emergency Response Nigeria Ltd. Dr Mrs. Chineze Nwauwa with Dr Mrs. Esther Ozumba (second right) Nwauwa with her mother, Dame Esther Onyedineke; Dr. Mrs. Emily Nzeribe and other her mother, Dame Esther Onyedineke awardees

Director General, Imo State Orientation Agency, Chief Princeford Ozumba congratulating Nwauwa

Nwauwa being congratulated by Former House of Representative member, Hon. Chuka Nwauwa

Bishop Stanford Nwaogu presenting the award to Nwauwa

42 Saturday, May 10, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

DIARY

Former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar with the Chief Executive, Quicklink International Network, Dele Agekameh and his son, Dele Agekameh (jnr), a student of Babcock University, Illishan, Ogun State during the recent formal launch of The Cable, an online newspaper at the City Hall, Lagos

PDP’s National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, in a handshake with Anambra State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Chief Ken Emeakayi, with a member of the House of Representatives, Charles Chinwendu Odedo when he returned to PDP at the party national headquarters in Abuja… recently

Former Lagos State Health Commissioner, Dr Leke Pitan (left), congratulating Mrs. Esther Aworinde and Bisola Aworinde, Chairman and Executive Director respectively, May Clinics, shortly after the opening of the hospital’s new branch in Lagos…recently

Anambra State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, Chief Ken Emeakayi; party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh; and member of the House of Representatives, Charles Chinwendu Odedo when he returned to the PDP at the party national headquarters in Abuja… recently

Managing Consultant, DACA Consults Ltd, Mr. Adebayo Ayoade (left); President, Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Management of Nigeria (CIPSMN), Alhaji M. Jimoh Aliyu; General Manager, Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, Akin Onimole; Associate Consultant, DACA Consults Ltd, Mr. Salaudeen Adekanmbi; and Chairman, Board of Fellows, CIPSMN, Mr. Niyi Fadipe, at the maiden edition of DACA Consults Procurement Academy in Lagos…recently

Officials of Mission Africa at Central School Item, Abia state during the one day free Medicare provided to the rural community by the Mission…recently

The Chief Executive Officer, Highbrow Downtown Salon, Mr. Abogo Ugwuokebe, flanked by his staff as he prepares to cut his birthday cake at the popular salon in Surulere, Lagos… recently

The Immediate Past President (IPP) of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele, with the President of the World Medical Association (WMA), Dr. Margaret Mungherera, during the free National Medical Mission/Outreach organized in Evbuotubu community of Egor Local Council Area of Edo State, by the national body of NMA… recently

Front row: Commander Abiodun Somuyiwa, Abiola Mabadeje, Oyinlola Shomuyiwa, Mrs Ajibola Mabadeje Oladele, Hon. (Dr.) Obafemi Somuyiwa; Back row: Mojisola Mabadeje, Prince Olalekan Oyegunwa, Pastor David Somuyiwa, Oluwafunminiyi Mabadeje during the final burial outing of their mother, Late Princess Esther Abosede Badejoko Mabadeje who was buried…recently in Ogun State

Mr. and Mrs. Destiny Enabulele during their traditional marriage in Benin, Edo State…recently

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, May 10, 2014 |43

44

Saturday, May 10, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

HOME&DECOR

Beauty With Upholstered Furniture

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya PHOLSTERED furniture is U both a decorative and functional piece. Apart from being a part of an interior decorative scheme, its major function is to provide comfortable seating.

It is interesting that this type of furniture can be designed in different styles and sizes to suit your lifestyle and lend beauty to your home. The interesting patterns and textures of the fabric when used on furniture in the home or office can change the look of a room while playing off the other pieces in a room.

Before you make a choice from an array of upholstery fabric samples, use a sample and how your choice see fits into your own home and test the colours with other furnishing you may already own.

Upholstery, like any textile, is particularly susceptible to damage from light. That is why some people use loose covers made from such

materials as silk, linen or cotton to prevent expensive upholstery from being damaged by dust and light. To protect it from fading and premature wear it should be positioned away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep at least a 30 centimetres from heat sources such as radiators to prevent colour change or permanent marks occurring.

Handling spills Blot the spill immediately with kitchen paper to absorb the liquid. Repeat this until every trace of the liquid that you can possibly notice is removed. Do not try to use heat, for example a hair dryer, to speed the drying as this can cause the fabric to shrink or permanently fix stains.

After blotting, stop and consider whether to accept the remaining damage or try to remove more stain. If in doubt, limit your remedy to blotting and consult an upholstery or textile conservator for further advice on treatment.

Window Treatments HE look of your windows can go a T long way in enhancing the overall interior design. Therefore, giving your windows some beauty touches can transform a dull room to an inviting one. Some of the things that can bring transformation include the use of curtains, rods and even the design of the windows.

For instance, adding crown moulding to the top of a window frame can give a serious yet simple facelift to it.

Whatever thing you are doing, know that function comes first and will limit your curtain choices, in a good way. To provide privacy or darkness, lined curtains are needed. Where light is required, light unlined will work to allow light to filter through.

Though lining adds to the cost of a curtain, it has other advantages. It can shield fabric from sun damage, thereby making the curtain to last longer.

Lining also adds heft, which protects against drafts and helps fabric fall more luxuriously.

When making a decision on a choice of fabric for your curtains, knowing the different types of fabrics available will guide in choosing what suits a particular style.

Decorative curtain rods can transform a room. Curtain rod styles range from traditional to contemporary and add a finished quality to a living space.

You can also give your curtains style and sophistication with beautiful tieback tassels.

TheGuardian

Saturday, May 10, 2014 | 45

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

NaturalHealth Natural Health With G. C. Ihesie

Mobile phone no: 08033065263, E-mail: ihesie84@yahoo.com.

Your Liver And Your Health HOSE who are chronically angry and irritable or those who frequently experience inner conflict, sadness, unpleasant moods or melancholy and those who are having other numerous health challenges are usually advised to watch their liver, as it may be congested, weak or may be insufficient in its activities, for radiant health and healthy liver are inseparable.

It is said that “one cannot be healthy without a healthy liver.”

What Is Liver?

THE liver is the largest internal organ in the body weighing about 3½ pounds. It has two main separate lobes of unequal sizes and shapes and each of the lobes function independently of each other.

It is located right behind the bottom of the rib cage on the upper right side of the abdomen.

The liver is a complex and an amazing organ; a lifesaver, which is considered critically important to radiant health and vitality of all body systems.

Liver Functions THE liver performs many important and more complex functions (over 500 functions) more than any other organ in the human body.

Detoxification Action Of The Liver THE primary role of the liver is to keep the human blood free of toxins. Studies have shown that within 24 hours, the liver filters about 1,200 liters of blood, thus removing and destroying or rendering poisonous substances less harmful before passing them on to the kidneys for subsequent elimination via the urine.

Liver is the main organ of detoxification; it acts like a filter that removes toxins and impurities from the bloodstream.

Poisons and impurities, such as chemicals contained tobacco smoke (benzopyrene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, cyanide, acetaldehyde, tars, etc), drugs, alcohol, microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) and dead cells can enter the bloodstream and irritate the

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body cells and such chronic irritation can trigger abnormal changes in the cell’s DNA and consequently initiates growth centres (benign or malignant) in the body.

Through its detoxification action, the liver is now known to occupy a key position in the fight against all kinds of growth benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous) in the body.

Other Functions Of The Liver OTHER function of the liver include the miracle of converting various foods and their nutrients into living energy for the necessary maintenance and sustenance of the life and the health of the physical body.

The liver is responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates (sugars), proteins, fats and

minerals.

It helps to store fat-soluble vitamins (A, E, D and K), glucose (as glycogen) and extra blood, which can be quickly released when needed.

It synthesises blood clotting factors and immune substances, such as gamma globulin, and numerous enzymes that regulate metabolic activities throughout the body, bile, cholesterol, hormones and proteins that maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, etc.

Studies have shown that keeping our liver clean and healthy has tremendous physical health benefits, such as helping to: (i) Improve the balanced activities of the hormones. (ii) Heighten the activities of the immune system. (iii) Improve the body’s ability to withstand stress and promote psychological wellbeing. (iv) Promote mental clarity. (v) Prevent the establishment of degenerative diseases, including growths (both benign and malignant), cardiovascular problems, like hypertension and stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, male and female reproductive insufficiencies, allergic reactions, chronic fatigue, visual defects, etc.

It has now been recognised that most of our common and generative diseases stem from the insufficient activities of the liver and “poisoned” blood.

It is also a known fact that in serious liver diseases, like cancer, cirrhosis, hepatitis, etc, abnormal liver function tests may be noticed However, a poorly functioning or sluggish liver may show no obvious abnormal liver function test, but may manifest as: 1. Hormonal imbalance that can result in menstrual disorders, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), infertility, scanty menstrual flow, chest or breasts pain, etc.

2. Growths (which may be benign or malignant).

3. Low libido (i.e. declining sexual appetite).

4. Hypoglycemia (disorders in blood sugar regulation).

5. High level of blood cholesterol, unexplained weight loss, edema (swelling, water retention).

6. Recurrent fatigue, low energy, general malaise and joint weakness and pain.

7. Sensitivities to oily foods, chemicals and odours and allergies.

8. Periodic nightmares, constant eye dryness, burning sensation under the feet, bitter taste in the mouth, insomnia, etc.

9. Recurrent microbial infections, malaria and lowered ability to resist common diseases, etc.

10. Nervous system disorders, stress, neck and back tension, fatigue and muscular pain.

11.Anger, frustration, resentment, impulsiveness, impatience, depression, moodiness, difficulty in making decisions, poor judgment, mental rigidity and negativity.

12. Diabetes, constipation, gas, bloating, arthritis, hypertension, migraines, dizziness, ringing in the ears, skin problems, difficulty in breathing, etc.

The most common diseases of the liver are as follows: Fatty Liver KNOWN medically as steatosis, it is a chronic liver problem that can result in inflammation of the liver, cell death, fibrosis and cirrhosis if it is not identified and treated.

Hepatitis IT simply means the inflammation of the liver. It could be acute or chronic and is usually due to a variety of causes, which can be grouped under two broad headings- toxic hepatitis and hepatitis caused by infections.

Cirrhosis Of The Liver (Scarred Liver) IT occurs when due to the chronic inflammation of the liver, scar tissue replaces the normal liver tissue.

Liver Cancer Also known as hepatocellular carcinoma, there are of two types- primary liver cancer that starts in the liver, and metastatic liver cancer, which starts elsewhere and then spread to the liver.

To Be Continued.

PetLife With Dr.Tunji Nasir

By Dr Karen Becker WO years ago, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) canine vaccination task force updated their vaccination guidelines.

The task force changed the previous annual protocol for core vaccines (Parvo, Distemper, Adenovirus and Rabies) to an every three-year protocol, with the exception of one-year rabies shot, which is a requirement of the law in areas where three-year rabies vaccine is administered.

The task force also acknowledged in the updated guidelines that for nonrabies core vaccines, immunity lasts at least five years for distemper and parvovirus, and at least seven years for adenovirus.

This means that even the updated three-year protocol is overkill.

Veterinarians, who are vaccine minimalists, and certainly I am one of them, viewed this protocol change as a small step in the right direction.

We feel re-vaccinating pets against diseases they are already immune poses significant and unnecessary health risks.

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Why Are 60% Of Vets Still Doing Annual Re-Vaccinations?

SADLY, despite the new guidelines that are now two years old, members of the traditional veterinary community have been slow to adopt the new recommended protocol.

According to Mark Kimsey, a DVM, who works for Boehringer

It’s Now War: The Outdated Vet Vaccination Advice That Can Harm Your Pet Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., a veterinary pharmaceutical company: “Basically, what we’re seeing is there’s a gradual trend toward threeyear protocols.”

Dr. Richard Ford, a DVM, who is on both the AAHA canine vaccination task force and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) feline vaccination advisory panel, agrees with Kimsey.

“It’s a slow change,” says Ford. “Most practices still recommend annual vaccinations. All the vet schools are teaching triennial vaccinations.”

Ford believes, based on feedback from vaccine manufacturer sales reps, that 60 per cent of veterinary practices are still re-vaccinating on annual, rather than every three-year basis.

“Some acknowledged the reality and changed their protocols, while others, fearing loss of a major source of revenue, argued against anything other than the time-honoured paradigm: annual boosters,” said Ford.

It appears there is no shortage of vets out there willing to openly admit they don’t want to lose the income from unnecessary vaccinations and new, safer protocols be damned.

Hopefully, you are not taking your own pet to a veterinarian with a similarly misguided, dangerous practice

philosophy.

Unwilling To Change? Addicted to Easy Money? Or A Bit of Both?

ACCORDING to Veterinary Practice News, Dr. Gary D. Norsworthy, owner of Alamo Feline Health Center in San Antonio (United States) and a practicing vet for 40 years, is among the 60 per cent who aren’t budging from an annual vaccination schedule for their patients.

His rationale is that he has a number of clients who will only bring their cats in for wellness examinations if they believe vaccines are needed.

Norsworthy says he is determined

not to lose the opportunity to do annual checkups on cats in his practice. So, he uses only the one-year rabies vaccine and tells his clients he must see their cats yearly.

Norsworthy believes “Internet chatter” scares cat owners into believing vaccines are dangerous.

He notes that his practice vaccinated 25 per cent fewer cats in 2012, compared to 2007.

He says he sees only one case of feline vaccine-associated sarcoma for every 65,000 vaccines he injects.

Clearly, Dr Norsworthy, like many conventional vets, makes no connection between other feline health problems and repeated unnecessary annual vaccinations.

Like Norsworthy, many DVMs don’t know or don’t choose to know about the dozens of other health crises that can arise as the result of vaccines, and especially as the result of repeated revaccinations.

Rather than figure out how to give clients logical, legitimate reasons to bring their pets in for regular wellness examinations, the majority of vets apparently prefer to continue the risky business of re-vaccinating their patients year in and year out.

Could it be this approach to pet care is why veterinary visits have steadily declined in recent years?

Is it really so difficult to explain to pet owners the benefits of bringing their dog or cat in for at least one wellness visit a year?

From my experience, it is not difficult at all. I see the majority of the patients in my practice for wellness visits twice a year, and it is extremely rare that I administer any vaccine to an adult animal, excluding the mandatory threeyear rabies.

Also, according to Ford, there are some DVMs who would like to follow the new guidelines, but are concerned that vaccine product labels include text that reads “annual booster recommended.”

This seems a very strange argument in favour of continuing annual vaccinations, doesn’t it?

If canine and feline vaccination advisory panels have established new recommended guidelines, why would a vet choose instead to take the advice of the vaccine manufacturer’s product label?

So What’s A Concerned Pet Owner To Do? I AM very much an advocate of “less is more” when it comes to vaccinating animals.

If your veterinarian is still recommending yearly core vaccinations, ask him (or her) instead to do titers to measure your pet’s current immunity.

Chances are excellent, if your pet was vaccinated properly as a puppy or kitten, that he is protected for life.

46 | Saturday, May 10, 2014

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SHORT STORY

By Segun Durowaiye (08055356855) O die on a railway line, to him, was a brilliant idea because they live very close to the railway line. So instantly he stood up, put on his over-patched shirt and headed for the railway line. He dropped a short note for his friend that had gone out in search of his wife and kid. It was about ten minutes trek to the railway line. Many sad and pessimistic thoughts flashed through his mind on his way to the railway line. ‘Oh, God,’ he thought, ‘so this is how I am going to end my life?

Well…it’s better to die this way than continue living in abject poverty…I’ll be a celebrity in death…I know God will credit me for taken a bold step…I don’t give a damn…my wife can go to hell, and all the fair-weather girlfriends…I don’t care a hoot!’

He was now approaching the railway line.

About two minutes later, he was on the tract.

He sat on the railway line when he got there.

He didn’t want anybody to suspect that he was about committing suicide. Passersby were going up and down, very near the railway line. There was a very busy road very near the railway line too, and motorists zoomed off, unmindful of the tragic drama that was about to happen. People walked briskly past him not knowing his intention. At the moment there was no train in sight. Bola prayed to God to forgive him his sins and accept his soul. He murmured some psalms he knew by heart. A painful tear dropped from the corner of his eyes when he finally lied on the railway line. He begged God for forgiveness of his sins… but he wondered again if there was God at all because he believed he shouldn’t have gone through this terrible experience if there was God. He lay, stretched across the railway line and he was crying. Silent tears continued to flood his face. He just couldn’t control his mood or emotions.

Bola had been lying on the railway line for the past twenty minutes with no train in sight.

Then at exactly twenty three minutes later he heard the distant humming of the train’s engine. Then the train hooted a warning when it got to about thirty metres to where Bola was lying. He knew there and then that death itself was around the corner. Instantly, Bola started reciting some powerful psalms. He

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FITNESS

By Oyinkan Talabi(Bodyworks@theequilibrumcenter)

No Money, No Love (2) started with the highly prayerful psalm 23.

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, he maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters, he restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, for his names sake, yeah through I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me, thou prepareth a table before me, in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the lord forever.” As he was muttering the prayerful notes he was visibly shaken and crying. Oh, Bola sobbed! He wept like a three-month old baby feeling the pangs of hunger. The train’s engine continued to hum louder and louder. Then once again it gave a shrilling hoot that was so earth-shaken and deafening. The sound reverberated fearfully and Bola felt like defecating when gripped with fright. In fact he peed in his trousers when he realized that he was now face-to-face with death. An usual crowd had gathered very close to the spot where Bola was lying. People could be seen screaming at the top of their voices to the young man about to kill himself. Some passersby put their hands on their heads in utter surprise, shock and bewilderment!

“Ha! That man don die today!” screamed a young man hawking plantain chips. The crowd that gathered at the tragic scene were about a thousand at the moment. Even several motorists parked to catch a glimpse of the bizarre drama. The train was hooting deafeningly and speeding at a fast and breath-taking pace.

The sound: “Ppoooooohhffff!” made by the approaching train drained the last strength and courage in the heart of Bola. The train was some few metres away when suddenly, out of nowhere appeared a bespectacled, tall and rotund man. The man was wearing a brown suit; he had a towering figure. Like a flash of light he dashed into the center of the teeming crowd and paved his way towards the unfortunate man (Bola) who was about committing suicide. Like quicksilver, he jumped on the young

Heel Pain

common injury I have come across is A heel pain and surprisingly, it isn’t limited to only exercisers, non-exercisers also suffer from it.

Heel pain is often caused by tissue damage in the Plantar Fascia ligament, which is the bowstring-like ligament that stretches across the bottom of the foot from the heel bone to the toes.

This tissue damage can be mild or severe, just over use/ over stressing the ligament can cause pain. As much as exercise is one of the culprits, high heels, bad posture, standing for long hours, improper footwear can all cause stress to the ligament.

Some simple stretches will help make the tissue stronger and more flexible, helping to not only ease the pain, but also to prevent it.

The specific areas that should be stretched are the Plantar fascia ligament, the Achilles tendon and the Calf muscles.

These often add stress on the fascia if they are tight, particularly during walking, running or any of type of exercise.

A simple exercise is placing under your foot, a tennis ball, a bottle or any small object you can roll, ( I’m using a tin of milk below) Next, roll the foot over the ball, allowing the tin to roll over the bottom of the foot.

Despite its simplicity, this exercise is useful for stretching the plantar fascia. By doing this, you are making it more flexible and this will help reduce tension and pain. Regularly doing this exercise helps to keep the ligament flexible and strong.

2) Another great stretch foe the calf is to stand two feet away from the wall and lean your upper body forward towards the wall. Feel the stretch down you calves.

Hold for 20- 30 counts.

3) Stand on a step as shown above. Be sure to hold on to the banister or wall.

Slowly let your heels down over the edge of the step as you relax your calf muscles.

You should feel a gentle stretch across the bottom of your foot and up the back of your leg to your knee.

Hold the stretch about 15 to 30 seconds, then tighten your calf muscle a little to bring your heel back up to the level of the step. Repeat 2 to 4 times.

You should do these exercises several times each day, before and after working out.

I hope this helps. Love your body….info@bodyworksnigeria.com.

man trying to kill himself and pushed him away from the railway line. In a split second timing he saved Bola from the snares of death.

It was a narrow escape for the two people. The scenario looked like an action in a crime movie.

The crowd roared out of overwhelming surprise at the bespectacled man’s bravery and valour. Bola was stunned and confused. He was actually dumbfounded and sad.

“Hey,” he screamed, “why d ’you have to save me?” he asked. “Let me die…please let me die I beg you in God’s name mister man…” he pleaded.

“D’ you realize the fact that you’d have been mangled and crushed to death by your action some few seconds ago?” the man said after regaining his composure.

“Then what is your concern?” Bola asked quickly.

“What’s your problem, young man?” the bespectacled man asked in return.

“Poverty. Abject poverty. No money. I’m poor, mister man, let me die I beg you…” Bola replied him.

“Get up, young man,” the man said, “I want to have a word with you. My name is Fatoye Adebayo, and I work with First Bank, Marina Branch. I’m a Branch Manager. What’s your qualification, perhaps I could be of help?” The last sentence instantly arrested the attention of Bola. He stood up and answered the gentleman politely: “My name is Bola Oyinlola. I am an Accounting graduate from the University of Nigeria Nsukka. I was once employed, but lost my job. I’ll appreciate it if you can get me a job.”

“Not to worry. This is my card, see me tomorrow with your credentials and I’ll try my best to get you a good job.” The man replied; then he moved toward a grey coloured Toyota Camry Car parked beside the road. Bola was lost for words as the man entered his car, waved him goodbye and drove off instantly.

Bola was surprised at the development. When he got home that day he narrated his experience to his friend the following day. Bola was at the First bank’s premises as early as 6a.m.

Mr. Fatoye Adebayo drove in around 8am. Bola was very optimistic immediately he set eyes on the ebullient bank manager. Mr. Fatoye beckoned on him, collected his credentials and told him he’d give him a call that very week. It was on Friday when Bola’s old handset rang and the person at the other end was the First Bank’s branch manager Mr. Fatoye. It was good news once again! He was told to come for an interview the following Monday. After the interview Bola was employed and directed to resume work on Wednesday. That was how God put smiles on the face of the formally hopeless young man. Fortune was good to him once again.

Four months later, he was back on his feet again as a rich man. His salary and other packages was attractive and even better than what he expected. Women of easy virtue came calling once again. Young, sexy-looking girls made seductive passes at him to win his love. But this time around Bola was very, very careful with his dealings with women and life generally.

Once bitten twice shy they say; he couldn’t afford to fall again in his life. He led a quiet lifestyle even with all the wealth he now acquired.

A year later Bola had built his own personal house on a choice location. On a Saturday afternoon when he was about driving out to see his old friend Gbenro, he met a shocker! His estranged wife, Lara, was standing beside his gate with his kid. When their eyes met Lara burst into tears, knelt down in front of his car and begged him for forgiveness. She was not properly dressed and the kid too wasn’t looking okay. Bola got down from his car and moved towards her. The young woman was still crying and wiping the tears away with her right hand.

“Please, Bola, for God’s sake, take me and the kid back into your life. I’m so sorry for my misdeed. Please, darling…” she begged, still kneeling down.

Bola was moved to pity. He took her closer in his arms, mopped her tears away and hugged his little kid too. He took his wife and kid inside his beautiful bungalow and they began a new life. Thus Bola learnt a bitter and philosophical lesson that, ‘Without money the percentage of love people have for you is always very low’.

Concluded.

46 | Saturday, May 10, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

SHORT STORY

By Segun Durowaiye (08055356855) O die on a railway line, to him, was a brilliant idea because they live very close to the railway line. So instantly he stood up, put on his over-patched shirt and headed for the railway line. He dropped a short note for his friend that had gone out in search of his wife and kid. It was about ten minutes trek to the railway line. Many sad and pessimistic thoughts flashed through his mind on his way to the railway line. ‘Oh, God,’ he thought, ‘so this is how I am going to end my life?

Well…it’s better to die this way than continue living in abject poverty…I’ll be a celebrity in death…I know God will credit me for taken a bold step…I don’t give a damn…my wife can go to hell, and all the fair-weather girlfriends…I don’t care a hoot!’

He was now approaching the railway line.

About two minutes later, he was on the tract.

He sat on the railway line when he got there.

He didn’t want anybody to suspect that he was about committing suicide. Passersby were going up and down, very near the railway line. There was a very busy road very near the railway line too, and motorists zoomed off, unmindful of the tragic drama that was about to happen. People walked briskly past him not knowing his intention. At the moment there was no train in sight. Bola prayed to God to forgive him his sins and accept his soul. He murmured some psalms he knew by heart. A painful tear dropped from the corner of his eyes when he finally lied on the railway line. He begged God for forgiveness of his sins… but he wondered again if there was God at all because he believed he shouldn’t have gone through this terrible experience if there was God. He lay, stretched across the railway line and he was crying. Silent tears continued to flood his face. He just couldn’t control his mood or emotions.

Bola had been lying on the railway line for the past twenty minutes with no train in sight.

Then at exactly twenty three minutes later he heard the distant humming of the train’s engine. Then the train hooted a warning when it got to about thirty metres to where Bola was lying. He knew there and then that death itself was around the corner. Instantly, Bola started reciting some powerful psalms. He

T

FITNESS

By Oyinkan Talabi(Bodyworks@theequilibrumcenter)

No Money, No Love (2) started with the highly prayerful psalm 23.

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want, he maketh me to lie down in green pastures, he leadeth me beside the still waters, he restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness, for his names sake, yeah through I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me, thou prepareth a table before me, in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over. Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the lord forever.” As he was muttering the prayerful notes he was visibly shaken and crying. Oh, Bola sobbed! He wept like a three-month old baby feeling the pangs of hunger. The train’s engine continued to hum louder and louder. Then once again it gave a shrilling hoot that was so earth-shaken and deafening. The sound reverberated fearfully and Bola felt like defecating when gripped with fright. In fact he peed in his trousers when he realized that he was now face-to-face with death. An usual crowd had gathered very close to the spot where Bola was lying. People could be seen screaming at the top of their voices to the young man about to kill himself. Some passersby put their hands on their heads in utter surprise, shock and bewilderment!

“Ha! That man don die today!” screamed a young man hawking plantain chips. The crowd that gathered at the tragic scene were about a thousand at the moment. Even several motorists parked to catch a glimpse of the bizarre drama. The train was hooting deafeningly and speeding at a fast and breath-taking pace.

The sound: “Ppoooooohhffff!” made by the approaching train drained the last strength and courage in the heart of Bola. The train was some few metres away when suddenly, out of nowhere appeared a bespectacled, tall and rotund man. The man was wearing a brown suit; he had a towering figure. Like a flash of light he dashed into the center of the teeming crowd and paved his way towards the unfortunate man (Bola) who was about committing suicide. Like quicksilver, he jumped on the young

Heel Pain

common injury I have come across is A heel pain and surprisingly, it isn’t limited to only exercisers, non-exercisers also suffer from it.

Heel pain is often caused by tissue damage in the Plantar Fascia ligament, which is the bowstring-like ligament that stretches across the bottom of the foot from the heel bone to the toes.

This tissue damage can be mild or severe, just over use/ over stressing the ligament can cause pain. As much as exercise is one of the culprits, high heels, bad posture, standing for long hours, improper footwear can all cause stress to the ligament.

Some simple stretches will help make the tissue stronger and more flexible, helping to not only ease the pain, but also to prevent it.

The specific areas that should be stretched are the Plantar fascia ligament, the Achilles tendon and the Calf muscles.

These often add stress on the fascia if they are tight, particularly during walking, running or any of type of exercise.

A simple exercise is placing under your foot, a tennis ball, a bottle or any small object you can roll, ( I’m using a tin of milk below) Next, roll the foot over the ball, allowing the tin to roll over the bottom of the foot.

Despite its simplicity, this exercise is useful for stretching the plantar fascia. By doing this, you are making it more flexible and this will help reduce tension and pain. Regularly doing this exercise helps to keep the ligament flexible and strong.

2) Another great stretch foe the calf is to stand two feet away from the wall and lean your upper body forward towards the wall. Feel the stretch down you calves.

Hold for 20- 30 counts.

3) Stand on a step as shown above. Be sure to hold on to the banister or wall.

Slowly let your heels down over the edge of the step as you relax your calf muscles.

You should feel a gentle stretch across the bottom of your foot and up the back of your leg to your knee.

Hold the stretch about 15 to 30 seconds, then tighten your calf muscle a little to bring your heel back up to the level of the step. Repeat 2 to 4 times.

You should do these exercises several times each day, before and after working out.

I hope this helps. Love your body….info@bodyworksnigeria.com.

man trying to kill himself and pushed him away from the railway line. In a split second timing he saved Bola from the snares of death.

It was a narrow escape for the two people. The scenario looked like an action in a crime movie.

The crowd roared out of overwhelming surprise at the bespectacled man’s bravery and valour. Bola was stunned and confused. He was actually dumbfounded and sad.

“Hey,” he screamed, “why d ’you have to save me?” he asked. “Let me die…please let me die I beg you in God’s name mister man…” he pleaded.

“D’ you realize the fact that you’d have been mangled and crushed to death by your action some few seconds ago?” the man said after regaining his composure.

“Then what is your concern?” Bola asked quickly.

“What’s your problem, young man?” the bespectacled man asked in return.

“Poverty. Abject poverty. No money. I’m poor, mister man, let me die I beg you…” Bola replied him.

“Get up, young man,” the man said, “I want to have a word with you. My name is Fatoye Adebayo, and I work with First Bank, Marina Branch. I’m a Branch Manager. What’s your qualification, perhaps I could be of help?” The last sentence instantly arrested the attention of Bola. He stood up and answered the gentleman politely: “My name is Bola Oyinlola. I am an Accounting graduate from the University of Nigeria Nsukka. I was once employed, but lost my job. I’ll appreciate it if you can get me a job.”

“Not to worry. This is my card, see me tomorrow with your credentials and I’ll try my best to get you a good job.” The man replied; then he moved toward a grey coloured Toyota Camry Car parked beside the road. Bola was lost for words as the man entered his car, waved him goodbye and drove off instantly.

Bola was surprised at the development. When he got home that day he narrated his experience to his friend the following day. Bola was at the First bank’s premises as early as 6a.m.

Mr. Fatoye Adebayo drove in around 8am. Bola was very optimistic immediately he set eyes on the ebullient bank manager. Mr. Fatoye beckoned on him, collected his credentials and told him he’d give him a call that very week. It was on Friday when Bola’s old handset rang and the person at the other end was the First Bank’s branch manager Mr. Fatoye. It was good news once again! He was told to come for an interview the following Monday. After the interview Bola was employed and directed to resume work on Wednesday. That was how God put smiles on the face of the formally hopeless young man. Fortune was good to him once again.

Four months later, he was back on his feet again as a rich man. His salary and other packages was attractive and even better than what he expected. Women of easy virtue came calling once again. Young, sexy-looking girls made seductive passes at him to win his love. But this time around Bola was very, very careful with his dealings with women and life generally.

Once bitten twice shy they say; he couldn’t afford to fall again in his life. He led a quiet lifestyle even with all the wealth he now acquired.

A year later Bola had built his own personal house on a choice location. On a Saturday afternoon when he was about driving out to see his old friend Gbenro, he met a shocker! His estranged wife, Lara, was standing beside his gate with his kid. When their eyes met Lara burst into tears, knelt down in front of his car and begged him for forgiveness. She was not properly dressed and the kid too wasn’t looking okay. Bola got down from his car and moved towards her. The young woman was still crying and wiping the tears away with her right hand.

“Please, Bola, for God’s sake, take me and the kid back into your life. I’m so sorry for my misdeed. Please, darling…” she begged, still kneeling down.

Bola was moved to pity. He took her closer in his arms, mopped her tears away and hugged his little kid too. He took his wife and kid inside his beautiful bungalow and they began a new life. Thus Bola learnt a bitter and philosophical lesson that, ‘Without money the percentage of love people have for you is always very low’.

Concluded.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, May 10, 2014 47

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

With DESMOND EKEH desmondekeh@yahoo.com; 08023215535, 08111813032

Can PR Bodies Learn From APCON’s War Against Quacks?

By Abiodun Obisesan VER the last decade, protectionism has O been a topical issue among stakeholders and experts within the Nigerian marketing communication industry. This is bearing in mind that professional bodies and institutes, like the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Institutes of Architects, Nigerian Institute if Management (NIM), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and others, are specialists within a distinct discipline who ensure that intruders, both locally and globally, hands-off their professional business activity.

Apart from the insidious impact of the untrained and unregistered agents on any professional activity, the violation of the ethics of the profession and the deprivation of qualified practitioners of a fair share of business opportunities, the danger of tolerating ‘Industry Cowboys’ whose sole aim is to make quick money off non discerning clients is a common sight especially in Third World countries.

It was in pursuance of protectionism also that the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) recently clamped down on advertising agencies and organisations that violated its code of practice by engaging uncertified persons in advertising practice.

Some of the illegal advertising agents that were arrested and quizzed by the police, it would be recalled, included Mr. Manomahan Chandroth, Product manager, Samsung; Mr. Kayode Adunmadeyin, Marketing Manager, Radio Lagos; Omololu Omigbule, Commercial Manager, Top Radio; Yemi Egbebiyi, Head of Client Service, Blue Seal Communication; Fifemayo Aiyesimaju, Strategy and Business Executive of DDB, Lagos; Akinola Salu, Marketing manager of Multi-Choice Nigeria; and Kholeka Maringa, Head DStv Media Sales.

According to a press statement from the apex advertising regulatory body signed by the Head, Planning, Research, Corporate Affairs and Strategy, Mr. Ralph Anyasor, after several sensitisation visits to advertising establishments and warning notices to illegal persons in advertising practice, the body commenced the arrest and prosecution of offenders. It was said that the crackdown on illegal practitioners, which has begun in earnest, took the enforcement team of APCON to advertising agencies and media organisations identified as employing unlicensed persons.

It was in view of this development that concerned experts within the rank and file of the NIPR are expressing their opinion about the brazen and ubiquitous manner in which unqualified persons execute PR jobs. An advertising practitioner, who craved anonymity, opined that the situation has been heightened by the erroneous belief that PR is all about achieving media mentions for clients or brands.

“Most of them are operating under the guise of PR, whereas what they do is essentially media relations. Moreover, NIPR lacks the right structure to bring about sanity. APCON has been quite successful because it is organised and enjoys the backing of the Federal

Oladele Government.”

In the view of the former President of NIPR Lagos Chapter, Jide Ologun, NIPR needs the support of the government and stakeholders to check the illegal activities of unregistered persons.

“Managing the change is not what you can rush into; so the opportunity that is given is to pass out warnings to practitioners who are affected, to try and come up and regularise before we start harassing them. In the Lagos State chapter, we have arrested and charged a defaulter to court because it was deemed a criminal charge. However, we have a national chapter that can wield its authority and influence on the issue. I believe that this issue is uppermost in the mind of the new President of NIPR. The NIPR Act of National Assembly 16 of 1990 is still very effective.”

Speaking further, Ologun expressed optimism that the challenge would be tackled headlong. “Under the new dispensation, we are expectant that they can expedite actions on some of these thorny issues because they are of great concern to us. It will also enhance the financial capacity of the institute. We have discussed this in the media and stern warnings have gone out that unregistered players should desist from carrying out PR services. We are also asking for the support of the Attorney General and the relevant government ministries. Efforts have been on before now, but we need to go about it in a

strategic manner; it may not be true that we are not serious about it. We are giving those who are qualified the opportunity to regularise before we go after the stubborn ones.”

Willy Ogbudi, Chief of Staff to the National President of NIPR, Mr. Rotimi Oladele, who spoke on the president’s behalf, sought for useful information that would be helpful in nailing culprits.

“We need to point out that there is an institute that is charged with the duty of regulating the practice of public relations. The media can also help us with useful information in

fishing out culprits because information is actually needed. Those at the national office are not likely to be everywhere and will only act on information that is available. But the institute is not resting on its oars,” he said.

Also, he advised unregistered persons or firms to adhere to the spirit of fair play by going through the appropriate channel before practising public relations.

“We have stepped up accreditation processes and given people a window of opportunity to regularise their practice, especially for those who are interested in the profession.

We are not people who want to play to the gallery, so we are giving people ample time to do the needful after which we would now enforce the law. The enforcement committee is in place and headed by a senior member of the Institute. I can assure you that the Institute will do the right thing in sanitising the profession but we would need the support of the media and other relevant institutions to curb this menace,” he added.

In a similar vein, the CEO of Noveli Porter, Emeka Maduegbuna, believes that violators of the NIPR regulations must be fished out in earnest. “The law is very clear that those who are not licensed to practice PR should not practice. Although, there are other fundamental issues bordering on who is licensed to practice, but those who have the responsibility to enforce the law should do so. We see ourselves as experts in the area of strategic communication and as business advisers.

PRCAN has done a lot, in terms of awareness, training and standards.”

He implored NIPR to address some internal issues that could be responsible for challenges raised. “There are still a lot to be done.

The challenge is that the NIPR Act makes it both a regulatory body and a trade union, which is an anomaly. That is why all this shenanigans are happening. We need an organisation which is focused on standards and regulation, and then we can also have a trade association that focuses on welfare and other issues. Both should complement one another but should not be collapsed. When the NIPR Act was promulgated it was good, but things have changed. Even within APCON, we should have a situation where it is ensured that those at the helm of affairs are those who understand the practice, not parttime practitioners,” he said.

XLR8 Wins BAT’s PR Account OLLOWING a competitive pitch and an Fprocess, extensive and painstaking evaluation Lagos-based communications management consultancy, XLR8, has been appointed to manage the public relations account of British American Tobacco (BAT) Nigeria.

According to Head of Corporate Affairs for BAT West Africa, Oluwasoromidayo George “XLR8 presented a very strategic and compelling proposition.”

In addition, “the feedback we received from its roster of current clients was excellent.

There is no doubt that the quality of its work is very well regarded and that XLR8 is held in high esteem by its clients.”

Chief Executive Officer of XLR8, Calixthus Okoruwa, enthused that “we are delighted at the opportunity to work for a blue chip corporation of the calibre of BAT and are humbled to have been selected ahead of other, no doubt, competent consultancies.”

He assured that “BAT is a good company as has been graciously attested to by our esteemed clientele.”

XLR8 is a leading communications management consultancy and serves a clientele spanning industries that include banking and financial services, broadcasting and entertainment, information and communications technology and fast moving consumer goods.

APRA Conference Begins May 27

WEFA Recognises Interswitch For Global Growth Company

HE 26th edition of the annual African Public Relations Association (APRA) conference themed ‘Advancing Africa,’ is set to hold in Mauritius from May 27 to 31, 2014.

Now in its 26th year, the conference will attract over 500 delegates cutting across different communication sectors and professional groupings from all over Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America.

Confirmed speakers include President and CEO of The Holmes Group, Paul Holmes, who is the chairman of the judges for SABRE Awards and Manager of the Global Public Relations Summit.

Also speaking is the former World President of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) and public relations and marketing expert

AN-AFRICAN integrated payP ments Company, Interswitch Transnational, has been recognised

T

with 50 years of experience in communication, Mrs. Loula Zaklama; one of the UK’s 500 most influential people as named by The Sunday Times, Debrett’s Jeremy Galbraith; and football marketing guru, Ian Riley, who was involved in 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup bid for South Africa.

Other speakers include Chairman and CEO of Burson-Marsteller, Robyn de Villiers; Black House Media (BHM) Founder/CEO, Ayeni Adekunle; a media and public relations expert, who was recently listed by the Business Day newspaper as one of the top 40 Nigerian entrepreneurs under 40, Group CEO of Frontiers International Services Limited, Muyiwa Afolabi; and Head of Corporate Communications and CSR at Airtel Ghana, Mr. Donald Gwira.

The conference will also witness the inaugural APRA Pyramid Awards for Professional Excellence and Outstanding Leadership in Africa.

The awards is to celebrate remarkable PR achievement in its numerous dimensions and bring to note deserving recipients nominated by members that have placed Africa in positive light on the global landscape.

APRA is a non-governmental, nonprofit and non-political professional association, which is strongly committed to “selling Positive Africa” through the instrumentality of the public relations profession. Founded in 1975, the annual conference gathers stakeholders from around the continent and beyond to pave the way for a positively perceived and prosperous Africa.

for membership in the World Economic Forum’s community of Global Growth Companies (GGC).

Membership of the GGC community is recognition of Interswitch’s status as a high-growth company and industry leader.

This appointment reflects Interswitch’s commitment to driving change through financial technology that improves infrastructure and enables interoperability.

Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Interswitch Transnational Holdings, Mr. Mitchell Elegbe, said: “We are thrilled to have been appointed as a World Economic Forum Global Growth Company.

This is both an honour and a significant milestone for Interswitch. The GGC membership is a reflection of Interswitch’s growth to date, the high standard of our corporate citizenship, our leadership and our positive impact on the payment processing sector both in Nigeria and further afield.”

Managing Director and Head of the New Champions at the World Economic Forum, David Aikman, said: “When choosing entrants to our Community of Global Growth Companies, we assess companies on their business model, annual revenues and growth rates, executive leadership and market position. Interswitch is a dynamic group with clear potential to shape the future in its relevant business sectors and so is a perfect fit to our GGC community.”

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, May 10, 2014 |49

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

50 | Saturday, May 10, 2014

ISSUES &POLITICS

Peter Obi And The Burden Of Accountability

By Ndubuisi Onuigbo NCE upon a time, there lived a man named Okoloigwe in the land of Umuigwe. Okoloigwe was one of those men who left the village early in life to the city in search of greener pastures. This exposed him a lot as he acquired experience particularly in the construction industry where he worked for many years and rose to the position of a foreman. He latter retired to his hometown of Umuigwe at his early 50s and engaged himself in the business of building construction within the locality. His popularity grew as he acquired a new title of ‘Engineer’which became even more popular than his real name. Nearly every successful young man within the environ sojourning in the city or abroad engaged Engineer to construct his village house. He was doing very well and enjoyed a lot of respect from both the young and old.

One day, his town decided to build a Town Hall and it naturally fell on Engineer to handle the project. The town union continuously raised money through levies and donations from their wealthy indigenes and Engineer was given a free hand to handle the project because of the seeming trust he enjoyed from most people who believed that he would not only perform but also render a good financial account after the project. The town hall project went on smoothly to completion.

Everyone was happy and full of praises and commendation for him for a job well done. The town union then set a date for the formal handover and rendering of financial account for the project. This was where Engineer’s problem started. He was not only careless with the town’s finances; he also helped himself with a large chunk as he was at the same time also developing his private residence.

On the appointed day, the people were disappointed because Engineer could not give a good account of the public funds left at his disposal. All he could manage to say, without much confidence, was that the money he received was able to complete the project and that the town did not owe him neither was he owing the town. This did not go down well with the people as many

O

Obi demanded a proper account while some began to call him uncomplimentary names. The story of Engineer and the town hall soon spread like wild fire to far and near. Within a very short time, Engineer’s popularity nose-dived. He lost his integrity amongst the people and became a laughing stock. The once vibrant, ebullient and respected man was totally deflated and could no longer raise his head up. When the situation became too unbearable, he ran to the city.

The problem with Engineer was not about performance. It was that he forgot that in dealing with public funds, accountability is usually more important than performance. He passed the performance test but failed the crucial test of

accountability and that relegated his much taunted performance to the background and exposed him to public opprobrium.

Mr. Peter Obi, the immediate past governor of Anambra state is my man. He scored so many firsts in his eight years regime as governor and continues to receive accolades and commendations from the high and mighty in the society for his superlative performance and development of all sectors in Anambra state. I am also one of those who believe that ‘Okwute’ as Peter is fondly called, came, saw and conquered. But perhaps what I consider the most significant aspect of Mr. Obi’s tenure was the seeming character, integrity and transparency he brought to governance. He has sold himself as a man of very strong character and high integrity. To prove his transparency, Mr. Obi attempted to render an account of his stewardship with a breakdown totaling N75 billion, which he claimed he left in the coffers of Anambra State. This was the only point of departure between Mr. Obi and the story of Engineer and the town hall. I must confess that I and most Nigerians who had shown interest in the affairs of Anambra State are guilty of being blinded by the performance of Mr. Peter Obi to the extent that we lost sight of the accountability angle.

In recent publications in major Nigerian newspapers, a group called Anambra State Concerned Professionals took Mr. Peter Obi’s public accounts to the cleaners, raising a lot of critical and relevant questions as well as allegations in the financial score card presented by the former governor. For instance, Mr. Obi had told the whole world severally that he has kept aside money for the completion of contracts he awarded as well as two years salary for the newly recruited graduates into the state civil service, but no mention was made about these in Mr. Obi’s breakdown. The publication posed questions as regards the number of shareholding by Anambra State on the investments made by the former governor which was not disclosed and therefore subject to abuse.

Such investments includes; INTAFACT — N3.5

Billion, Onitsha Hotel — N1 Billion, Agulu Hotel — N1Billion, Awka Shopping Mall — N0.9Billion, etc.

The publication also raised questions on the business interest of NEXT International, a company owned by Mr. Peter Obi, in these investments made by his administration. The group further alleged that Mr. Obi spent Local Government SURE-P Fund for security purposes whereas he collected about N45O million monthly as security vote and that instead of the declared surplus of N75 billion, Mr. Obi rather left commitments and liabilities in excess of N12O billion. Another point of controversy raised by the group was the N10 billion Federal Government approved refund ostensibly for Federal Government road rehabilitation project in Anambra State.

Rehabilitation works on the Amansea – Amawbia on the Enugu/Onitsha Express Road was commenced about two weeks to the end of Mr. Peter Obi’s administration and of which less than 20 per cent mobilisation was paid to the contractors.

It would therefore be wrong and deceptive to include the entire sum of N10 billion as savings whereas the state government still has outstanding of more than 80 per cent to pay before the completion of the project. All these are very weighty questions and allegations that if not well addressed would cast doubts on the integrity of the former governor.

We all agree that Mr. Peter Obi did very well in terms of development in Anambra State but he should also end well by rendering proper accounts to the people of the state. Here lies the burden of accountability in public office. He must not allow his good name to be dragged to the mud by questions of corruption and compromises here and there. He should clear his name of any wrong doing because good name they say is better than silver and gold. Mr. Peter Obi should speak out now so that his case does not end like the story of Engineer and the town hall. .Onuigbo wrote from Abuja

TheGuardian

Saturday, May 10, 2014 | 51

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Politics

Oni

Fayemi

Fayose

Ekiti 2014: Oni’s Defection And Possible Implications From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti HEN Ekiti State Governor Kayode W Fayemi in February, this year dropped the hint that his predecessor in office and arch political rival, Chief Olusegun Oni, will join the All Progressive Congress (APC), many thought he was hallucinating.

Indeed, Fayemi sounded like a typical politician known for building a castle in the air.

But by Monday, Fayemi proved wrong the doubting Thomases and proved right the mantra that nothing is impossible in politics and there are no permanent enemies, but permanent interests, as his political net caught a big fish in the murky water of Ekiti politics.

Ordinarily, it would be difficult for anybody to believe that Oni, a former National Vice Chairman (Southwest) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would dump the party that produced him as a governor for Fayemi and the APC at this moment when PDP is about to face an election that could determine its future in the Southwest.

Besides, Oni is not just a leader of the PDP in Ekiti, his political group, Irewolede, is arguably the strongest and largest political family in the party.

The group held sway until 2012, when it lost the control of the party to the political alliance between the former Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, and the party’s governorship candidate and former governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose.

Irewolede fielded Mr. Akin Omole for the chairmanship, while Fayose/Olubolade put forward Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe.

Omole polled 310 votes, while Ogundipe scored 318 to gain control of the party and efforts by the group to install a parallel executive was aborted by the national secretariat of the party.

It was also at that period that Oni was removed as the National Vice Chairman of the party via court order in the case instituted by an Ijebu Igbo-born businessmanturned politician, Prince Kashamu Buruji, who challenged the zonal congress that produced Oni as a national officer of the party.

Since then, the once formidable political group had been in disarray, with members splintering into any party to remain relevant.

Omole decamped with some members to the Labour Party (LP) and is currently its state chairman, about two other members in the LP’s executive.

Prince Dayo Adeyeye, another leader of the group and second in command to Oni, remains in the PDP. He lost the governorship ticket of the party to Fayose, but he is being sponsored to become a minister and this promise has ostensibly kept him and a chunk of Irewolede group members in PDP. For sometime, Oni had been in the wilderness with some members of the group, but by last Monday, they surprised many when they played host to Fayemi and APC chieftains at Oni’s Ifaki-Ekiti country home and announced their decision to join the APC. Sources close to the former governor said Oni took the final decision to join the APC immediately Fayose emerged as PDP’s candidate.

The source said Oni considered it “morally wrong to work with Fayose, who he said lacks character and integrity to govern the state.”

To him, “PDP does not mean well for the state by fielding Fayose and the only option he had was to quit the party.”

Though analysts say Oni might have taken the decision to dump the party to take his own pound of flesh and pay back Fayose for what he did to him during the 2009 governorship re-run election.

Fayose, at that time, teamed up with Fayemi to defeat Oni in the election, leading to the subsequent three and half years legal battle that terminated Oni’s regime on October 15, 2010.

For Oni, it may be pay back time, and he seems to be telling Fayose pointedly that whatever went around must come around.

Though his decision to join forces with Fayemi to defeat Fayose may have changed political permutations in the state, but many PDP members argue that while Oni’s head might have gone to the APC, his body remains in the PDP. However, there is a big joy in the APC camp following his defection to the party.

Before finally dumping PDP, some of his close allies had gone to test the water. Chief Taiwo Olatunbosun, a former commissioner for Information during his tenure, was the first to join the then Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN), APC’s fore bearer.

A few weeks after, 200 PDP women leaders, led by Mrs. Omotunde Fajuyi, wife of the late military administrator of the old Western Region, Major Adekunle Fajuyi, also left PDP for APC. Speaking at the rally to formally launch the women wing of the APC in the state, tagged: Obirin Kete, Mrs. Fajuyi said the decampees had no choice, but to leave PDP because of positive developments Fayemi has recorded in the last three and half years.

She also said the women found it “amoral to work with Fayose,” who she said “did not have a record to win the heart of descent people in the state.”

Other leaders of the Irewolede group that followed Oni to the APC include former commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Abiodun Bamiteko; his Lands counterpart, Kayode Babade; a serving member of the state House of Assembly, Bunmi Oriniowo; former House Majority Leader, Lai Oke; and former Special Adviser on Strategy, Ben Oguntuase.

Speaking on why he dumped PDP for APC, Oni said: “Today, we are erecting a new platform to build the future for Ekiti. To us, the future is paramount in our hearts and what our children would say about us.

“Though we might have a past that was rough, but we have to let the past be past. We must think of who can take the right decisions for us to build a prosperous future for Ekiti.

“I am not talking of perfection here, but something that is better and who can give us a better future.

“Ekiti people must ask themselves what type of legacy they want to bequeath to the generations yet unborn. We have to think of how we can make our tomorrow better than our past and today.”

Oni expressed fear that Ekiti could be plunged into trouble should it make the wrong choice in the forthcoming election, urging the people to be passionate about the progress of the state rather than to think of selfish material gains.

Fayemi, who could not hide his excitement, described Oni’s intention to join the party as a lesson to the country that leadership is about the people and should not be seen from a narrow perspective.

The governor declared that what actually fascinated him about Oni was the fact that he (Oni) could not be accused of lacking

in integrity, character and respect for the people.

He said: “My brother has demonstrated that he is a true leader, because the step he has taken is the least materially benefiting one.

“He could have chosen to stay put and make demands, because the PDP is still the ruling party at the centre. But he decided to follow his conscience and conviction and demonstrated courage for the common good of Ekiti people.”

Fayemi, however, advised APC members to be tolerant and refrain from seeing anybody as joiners, saying: “We are all members of the same family. We are all contributing to Ekiti progress.

“Besides, Oni and I are not foreigners in Ekiti, despite our past political divides.”

According to him: “The platform we have created today cannot be called APC or new PDP, but it can only be called Ekiti.

“The decision my brother has taken is not about perfection, because only God is perfect, but it is about character and performance, which is obviously now around us.

“The choice before Ekiti in the next election is about wrong and right. It is about character and brigandage and between progress and retrogression.”

Fayose has described Oni’s defection as good riddance to bad rubbish, saying it was long over due, boasting that PDP would not miss him.

He said: “We have no regret over Oni’s departure. He is of ACN, just returning to where he was before he was imposed as PDP candidate in 2007.

“If he wants to come back to PDP, he will not be granted a waiver. Oni felt uncomfortable to remain in Ekiti PDP because of the rising profile of Fayose.

“We wish to remind him that the likes of Dayo Adeyeye, Bisi Kolawole, Dipo Anisulowo, Ojuawo, Aborisade, Tunde Adeniran, Biodun Olujimi, Ayo Arise, who he can call his foot-soldiers, are with us in Ekiti PDP. “We wish him well in the bosom of Fayemi, who stole his mandate.”

But to many observers, while Oni’s defection may have been a big loss to PDP, which brightens the chances of Fayemi to win the election, it is the events in the coming weeks, when many politicians in the state are expected to jump ship, that would give a clearer picture of who laughs last.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

52 | Saturday, May 10, 2014

POLITICS

Ahead 2015: Southeast APC And The Challenges Within

By Samson Ezea EFORE last year’s merger of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) into the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is now the major opposition party in the country, each of the parties had no political stronghold in the southeast zone.

The geo-political zone had been dominated by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999.

The PDP however lost Anambra state to APGA in 2006 when the governorship candidate of the party in 2003 election, Mr. Peter Obi won his election case against Dr. Chris Ngige of the PDP. Also in 2007, due to the political crisis in PDP in Imo and Abia states, the party lost the governorship seats to Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA).

Before the end of their first tenure in office, the two governors, Mr. Theodore Orji of Abia State and Mr. Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State defected to PDP due to some irreconcilable political differences with the PPA leadership.

After his removal from office, Ngige joined other politicians of like mind, namely former governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Tinubu, former vice-president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and others to form the now defunct Action Congress ahead of the 2007 general elections.

As at then, the only major opposition party in the Southeast zone was APGA who was in control of government in Anambra State, while the majority of the state and National Assembly seats were occupied by the PDP. Ngige was the governorship candidate of the defunct AC in Anambra state in 2007 before the Supreme Court judgment that brought Governor Obi back to complete his tenure of office.

While majority of those who contested election in the zone in 2007 on the platform of AC and other opposition parties defected to PDP, Ngige remained in AC, which later transformed into ACN before the 2011 general elections. Ngige was also the ACN governorship candidate in the state in 2010 election, which was characterised by missing names in the voters’ register.

Many see Ngige as the face of opposition party in the zone, even though some people perceived and tagged the party a Yoruba party.

Ahead of 2011 general elections, the likes of Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, former governor of Imo State, Chief Achike Udenwa, and others joined the party. Araraume was the party’s governorship candidate in Imo State. After the elections, out of the five states in the Southeast zone, it was only in Anambra state that the party recorded some electoral victory.

Apart from Ngige who won the Anambra Central senatorial seat, the party won five House of Assembly seats in Idemili North, Idemili South, Onitsha South, Anambra West, Nnewi South and a House of Representatives seat in Idemili North/South.

With this it was obvious that it was only in Anambra state that ACN has strong political presence in the zone with Ngige as the party leader. Araraume, Udenwa and others returned to the PDP for reason best known to them Ahead of the party’s merger with other political parties to become All Progressives Congress (APC) last year, the Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha who was elected on the platform of APGA in 2011 defected to ACN alongside some of his political allies in the zone which include Senator Annie Okonkwo from Anambra State.

Okonkwo was the senator that represented Anambra Central from 2007 to 2011 on the platform of PDP. He was denied the PDP’s senatorial ticket in 2011 by the combined forces of Senator Andy Uba and other party chieftains. Afterwards, he defected to Accord Party, contested the election and lost to Ngige.

With the successful merger, Okonkwo was appointed the interim National Deputy Chairman, South, APC. He was prevailed on by the party leadership to step down for Ngige in the party’s governorship primaries in Anambra last year.

He was later nominated to serve as DirectorGeneral, Ngige Campaign organisation, a position he resigned before the election citing irreconcilable differences with Ngige. He allegedly worked against the party’s victory in the election.

The development led to his suspension by the party national leadership, which set up a committee chaired by Senator Kabiru Gaya to inves-

B

Okorocha tigate the allegation. Since then nothing much has been heard of Okonkwo’s suspension and the outcome of the investigation.

During the recent crisis-ridden ward, council, and state congresses of the party across the country, the southeast zone had their share of the crisis.

In Imo state, the party state chairman and Woman Leader Prince Marshall Okaforanyanwu and Lady Chidimma Akasike defected from the party ahead of the exercise, alleging frustration and high-handedness. In Ebonyi and Abia, there were parallel congresses by two factions of the party battling for control of the party structure in the state.

In Anambra State, a faction of the party backed

by Okonkwo allegedly tried to hijack the congresses from other party members mostly loyal to Ngige, which later emerged victorious. Apart from this, Mr. Charles Odedo, member representing Idemili North/South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives defected to PDP, saying that he is not sure of his return ticket on the party platform in 2015. A state member of the party told The Guardian that Odedo’s move was not unconnected with alleged goodies being handed down to defectors by the PDP-led government.

“Since 1999, politicians from Idemili South have been occupying the seat till date, leaving the Idemili North people with nothing. It would be recall that Hon Jerry Ugokwe from Nnobi, the same ward with Odedo occupied the seat for eight years. By 2015, Odedo would have been there for eight years and he wants to go back for third term in 2015. It is not possible,” the members said.

Also recently, there was an advertorial in some national newspapers announcing fresh ward, council and state congresses in Anambra State, which was supposed to commence on Monday May 5.

The Guardian investigation reveals that the move was orchestrated by Okonkwo in connivance with some members of the interim national leadership of the party to set aside the outcome of the party’s earlier congresses in the state.

It was revealed that the leadership cancelled

the move following protest by majority of the party members in the state, who threatened to defect en masse from the party if such happens.

Many believe that with the unfolding intrigues and squabbles in the party in the zone ahead 2015 election, the party members have a lot to do to reposition for better performance.

Speaking on the developments, the party’s zonal Spokesman, Mr. Osita Okechukwu told The Guardian that he was taken aback when he read bold advertorial in major newspapers, talking of repeat congresses in Anambra, saying that he is till at a loss how any sane and committed APC member will still care about Senator Annie Okonkwo, a Deputy Chairman, who betrayed his party in a crucial gubernatorial election.

He said: “All Progressives Congress (APC) is a child of many fathers - the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressives Change (CPC) and factions of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“A lot of pundits easily forget that APC is a child born by many parents at the right point and right time to what can be termed the necessary circumstance to stop Nigeria’s dangerous slide into a failed state, arising from one party state dominance.

“Being a father of many parentage, it is also akin to being puerile to think that the harmonization of these contending tendencies will be seamless. It cannot be and that is why the constitution and guidelines of APC were constructed in such a manner to provide veritable cushion to prepare the party to the challenge the PDP behemoth.

“Records show that PDP never elected candidates, chairmen or presidential candidates through democratic election, it had been through selection.

He said that the registration of APC on July 31 last year provided the veritable platform, which encouraged the five governors and uncountable legislators to exit from years of bondage in the so-called largest party in Africa.

“This is what one can best describe as the attainment of the zenith of democracy, where

two political parties prevail in a multi-party system and where neither PDP nor APC will win 2/3 of the National Assembly nor the governors of the 36 states of the federation.

“In fact, none of the two parties will win 53% in the 2015 presidential election, so it is a desperate bid to regain the lost comfort zone that is making the leadership of PDP to poach people like Chief Achike Udenwa and Hon. Charles Odedo. Hence, there is nothing like mass exodus per se, what is at play is political brigandage to even with the five governors that slipped into the APC under their watch.

“As stated earlier, the truth is that the harmonization of the various tendencies has not been very easy and it is not peculiar to the South East.

It is the problem of the polygamous household.

The party leadership envisaged this kind of hitches and accordingly provided the necessary lubricants in the constitution of our great party and the guidelines, which governed the congresses.

“For instance, Article 20 of the constitution stipulates three modes of electing candidates for party executives and candidates for general elections. The first talks of consensus, the second talks of direct primaries and thirdly, of indirect primaries. The guidelines in tandem provided for Appeal Panels to address the complaint of aggrieved members. And to the best of my knowledge, we are not yet done with the congresses and the Appeal, so one cannot climb to the rooftop now and shout of marginalization.

“However the conduct of some State Congress Committees like in Abia and Ebonyi States leaves much to be desired. They acted as if we are prosecuting a general election in a do-or-die affair. They forgot that APC is a child from many parentage and could have devoted more time in building the much needed consensus.

“The Abia State Congress was so bad that the State committee broke into two factions, the chairman conducting congress with a faction in the National War Museum, a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the secretary walking away with another. In this, one is worried because PDP’s signature seems to be at play.”

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Saturday, May 10, 2014 | 53

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Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover

Jonathan

Obama

Cameron

Abducted School Girls: Between Foreign

By Samson Ezea

A

T the wake of consistent and wanton killing of innocent Nigerians in various villages in Borno State some weeks ago by the Boko Haram insurgents, despite the emergency rule in the state, the state governor, Ibrahim Kashim Shettima became furious and rushed to the presidential villa for briefing and possible urgent solution.

After meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, which outcome seemed not to have been satisfactory and remedial, Governor Shettima angrily made it clear to the journalists at the presidential villa that the insurgents are better equipped and motivated than the Nigerian military. The governor also stated that the country was in a state of war in his state following the growing spate of killings and attacks by the Boko Haram sect.

The presidency and its foot soldiers interpreted the damning verdict by Governor Shettima as an indictment and affront on Federal Government’s fight against the rampaging insurgents.

Responding to Governor Shettima’s statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe said the governor’s comments were based purely on civilian perception because it is wrong to assert that Nigeria’s armed forces cannot defeat Boko Haram or to

insinuate that the insurgents are better armed.

“It is clear that Governor Shettima does not have the expertise to categorize or classify the effectiveness of any weapon,” he said.

He said the recent attack on villages by the insurgents is the result of their dislodgment from their strongholds and hideouts in the mountainous forest areas of Borno State. He added that in recent times, these areas have been heavily bombed aerially by the Nigerian Air Force and ‘combed systematically’ by ground troops.

For several weeks, there was war of words between Governor Shettima’s loyalists and President Jonathan’s supporters and allies, which include state governors.

That was the situation until the insurgents took their operation to a more daring and dangerous dimension on April 14 when they abducted more than 200 school girls from Government Secondary School Chibok, Borno State and took them into captivity till date.

Initially, the military authority gave Nigerians and international community false hope when they said that these girls were rescued and freed. As days passed by, it became obvious that the military’s assurance was a fluke, as the girls were still held captive by their captors. Also introduced into the abduction saga were religious and political senti-

ments from the different divides of the country.

Following weeks of no possible clue from the Nigeria security agencies on the whereabouts of the abducted school girls and how they can be rescued, angry Nigerians took to the streets across the country to protest the abduction and government’s inability to rescue them weeks after. The development, which has drawn the attention of the international community, has also attracted severe protests, criticisms, and condemnation across the globe.

It has also prompted the super powers like the United States, Britain, France and others to offer to join in the search for the abducted girls, an offer, the Federal government accepted without hesitation.

In what looked like a confirmation of Governor Shettima’s assertion on the illequipped state of the Nigerian military to fight the insurgents, President Jonathan in a recent media chat said that the Nigerian military has not been properly equipped for years before now.

Before the abduction of the school girls and the protests that have trailed it, there has been ongoing debate whether or not to seek the assistance of foreign countries in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

Those opposed to seeking foreign assistance in the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency had argued that such would undermine the sovereignty and internal security of the country. Those in support are of the view that it is very important and urgent, especially as efforts of the country’s security agents to curtail or combat the menace effectively has proved abortive.

Others advise that having accepted the offer of assistance from foreign countries in the fight against terrorism, the Federal Government should ensure that the country’s internal security should not be surrendered to them.

It is worthy of note that the insurgents have killed a lot of people in the state and other states across the country especially in the northeast, and each time the government would condemn the act, and assure that the security agents are on top of the situation, even as the insurgents continue to waste lives of innocent Nigerians at will.

Now that the foreign security personnel have arrived the country to assist in rescuing the abducted school girls, all eyes and hope are on them to see if the abducted girls will regain their freedom, and return to their families. Such is the expectation to calm frayed nerves. There is no doubt that this is a critical time in the country’s political cum security

‘Jonathan’s Acceptance Of Foreign Countries’ Offer Is A Surrender Of Nigeria’s Sovereignty’ great esteem or he would not have omitted this country twice in his itinerary to Africa. Even white US Presidents like George Bush and Clinton never made such costly miscalculations in respect of the world’s largest black nation...

Does the inability to contain insurgency arise more out of the corruption and poor intelligence sharing within HAT is your view on the ter having the temerity to make a the security agency, or simply because Federal Government accept- direct telephone call to the President insurgency is too big for the Nigerian ing the offer by the USA to of the country, instead of the US government to tackle alone? assist Nigeria rescue the Chibok President himself, an act of outright I totally agree that corruption and lack girls? patronizing disrespect and breach of of synergy between the country’s secuthe principle of parity in internationThe Boko Haram imbroglio has rity forces in addition to poor intellial relations. exposed the soft underbelly of the gence apparatus and a fractious politiIn what way could this gesture Jonathan presidency. It has concal class have contributed, more than firmed the naivety and total befud- undermine or strengthen the soveranything else, to underscore the fact of Oyebode dlement, if not indeed, sheer incom- eignty of Nigeria?

Nigeria being a giant with feet of clay. petence of this government. Its help- The fact that GEJ on bent knees was nation’s sovereignty to other powers, Countries less endowed than Nigeria, compelled to seek and accept help lessness and hopelessness are especially those which had always treated such as Uganda or Rwanda have been revealed in its failure to discern the from whoever and wherever is this country with disdain. After all, Barack able, relatively speaking, to stave of breach of protocol in a foreign minis- indicative of the surrender of the Obama himself had never held Nigeria in insurgency and insurrection. So, the

Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence at the University of Lagos, Akin Oyebode has criticized the presidency for accepting foreign countries’ offer to assist in the rescue of abducted school girls in Chibok, Borno State. In this interview with AJIBOLA AMZAT via e-mail, Oyebode described the decision as surrender of Nigeria’s sovereignty to other powers.

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alibi of vastness of the size or complexity of the political and socio-economic mix of the country can no longer suffice.

Some people are of the view that the information management on terrorism is poor to the extent that the terrorists are often aided by the free flow of the information in the media. Do you share this view?

I am on record as having suggested that it was necessary to throw a wet blanket on the Boko Haram in order to be able to contain it. Regrettably, however, we are not in Maggie Thatcher’s Britain but living in a country where terrorists are not denied the oxygen of publicity while crowds gather in crime scenes only to put their hands on their heads, wailing and praying to God to come and save us.

There is a general assumption that a CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

54 | Saturday, May 10, 2014

COVER

‘There Is Need For A Review Of ECOWAS’ Protocol In The Fight Against Insurgency’ Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, the Director General of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) spoke to DEBO OLADIMEJI on Boko Haram insurgency and the way forward to security in Nigeria and among Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) countries.

C

OULD the abduction of the school girls in Borno State not have been prevented?

What the First Lady Patience Jonathan did was quite encouraging. She enquired from the West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the principal of the school. We could now see clearly that at the end of the day there is nothing to suggest that the community, Chibok was not an accomplice. There is nothing to suggest that they have not been aiding and abetting because we were told that WAEC first of all sent a letter to the governor. The Office of the Governor did not respond to the letter until after the incident. How do you explain that?

Second, the attention of the principal of the school was drawn to the insecure environment. We were told that the community said they did not want relocation, that the school had security. What we were told was that the school is a girls’ school.

But nobody told us that there were about 189 boys coming for their examination there. At the end of the day the principal of the school cannot claim ignorance of the problem. I want to believe that the people of the community have questions to answer.

People are saying that WAEC should have written to the security agencies to find out whether there is security on ground or not?

Some people have access to the security agencies some do not. It is easier to reach directly the stakeholders involved. Are the security agencies in

Borno State not under the governor? If WAEC did a letter and sent to the principal asking for information, what else could they have done?

At the end of the day the critical problem in Nigeria is that most Nigerians, especially the enlightened Nigerians are not security conscious. And it begins with don’t care attitude when their fellow compatriots are suffering, languishing on the road. So if you have a dead person on the road, do you waste your time on that person or you try to focus on how to prevent another death. These are the issues involved.

How do you think that they can get the abducted girls rescued?

Before you can rescue you must know where they are kept. Rescue mission is not as simple as people take it. I remember when an aircraft carrying basically the citizens of Israeli, the plane was hijacked and taken to Entebbe, Uganda in the middle the 70s. Fortunately, for them, the Israeli built the airport in Entebbe; so, they have the map. If a plane flew to Entebbe it can only be in that airport. And since there were over 200 people, the Israelis calculated that it could only be at the room where 200 people can be kept.

Now they flew there themselves fully armed and they launched an attack.

And released virtually all of the people held hostage. Probably there was one of them killed. This was possible because they had information on where the people were kept.

The first thing will be to locate where the girls are. So, you can’t save the girls if you don’t know where they are.

Another thing is that if the girls are not

Akinterinwa in Nigeria, some have said that they are being married to some people in Chad. We also do know that Cameroun is a safe haven. What we can do as I suggested is that Nigeria should close all her international borders with the immediate neighbours, including the boundaries with Benin Republic where for now there is no threat of Boko Haramism. Then the border will not be opened for the next three months. The attack on Boko Haram should be intensified. After three months if the environment is propitious, good enough for negotiation, Nigeria should reach an agreement with the neigbouring countries in terms of the need for joint enforcement of security in all their countries.

None of these countries can survive closure of boundaries with Nigeria for a long time. Then with air surveillance, the Nigerian aviation will be in a better position to contain Boko Haram threat.

Do you see Economic Community of

West African States (ECOWAS) protocol on free movement of persons constituting a threat to sub-regional peace and security?

The protocol has two important dimensions. If you are from any of the 15-member states of ECOWAS, you are referred to as a community citizen. So, a community citizen can move freely within the West African region excluding Mauritania that opted out of ECOWAS. Free movement means that if you have valid documents that can identify you as a community citizen you can travel.

You don’t have to apply for visas.

That is why we have ECOWAS passport. The protocol said that you can move freely for 90 days within the region. But if after 90 days you want to still stay in the country you are visiting, that is where the second dimension comes in. They call it right of establishment; that is as a community citizen, you can decide to stay in any country and work and trade and marry and do whatever you want. But in that case you have to apply to the authority and meet the qualification for you to settle.

Now the problem in term of regional security is that it has not always been easy to control and contain the movement of light arms and weapons. Especially because intraECOWAS trade is essentially going on underground, more of smuggling.

They are not recorded.

What should be done is to seek a review of the ECOWAS protocol. Not that free movement of people and goods should not be. But people should move through particular international frontiers where they would be properly controlled. In Nigeria under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, the Nigeria Immigration Service is expected to establish their offices in all the 774 local Council in the country. But they have not pro-

vided money to enable them to do all these.

What are measures that should be taken to protect the South West from Boko Haramism?

One should commend the Governor of Lagos State Babatunde Fashola’s administration very well, because his administration is farsighted. I did a letter yesterday (Monday) to acknowledge the letter sent to us and to commend the governor. They are talking of the registration of every person living in Lagos. They are doing this within the general framework of the Federal Government. They are asking people to either register online and just come for capturing. When you know who is living where, when you are not registered in Lagos if there is any problem when you are caught, it is be easy to deal with you. If we know who is living where, if you foment any trouble you can be easily arrested.

The second thing that is commendable is the effort at putting CCTV on all the major roads. That is what they do all over major cities of the world to monitor people.

In the area of South West, Boko Haram in the North is only challenged by the government. If they bring Boko Haramism to Lagos it may not be as simple as they have calculated it, because the Muslims in the South don’t have any problem with the Christians. I don’t know whether there is any family in the South West that is not made up of Christians, Muslims living under the same roof.

The issue is that the Odua People Congress (OPC) may come out as another Yoruba militant group to take up a counter insurgency group. And this one will only be complementary to the military. Meaning that all the Boko Haramists having interest in Lagos may have their interest undermined. Those who are aiding and abetting Boko Haram are not likely to have the courage of trying it in Lagos.

Fear Of Boko Haram Is Affecting Our Studies, UNIMAID Students Cry Out From Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri HESE are not the best of times for stuT dents in Northeast because of the activities of Boko Haram in the region.

For instance, students and teachers of University of Maiduguri have continued to live in fear and anxiety since the insurgency started.

A student in the institution, Miss Beatrice Adams (not real name) told The Guardian that she and her fellow students were scared of the massive killings in the state arising from the activities of Boko Haram .

She said: “Pertaining to Boko Haram attacks and killings in Maiduguri, we are very scared. The fear does not allow

us to read either in the libraries or hostels. We can’t perform well in our examinations. We are even afraid of attending lectures.

“We don’t know when the security situation will improve, but we pray that God will help us and protect us.

On the incessant attacks and bombings, Beatrice added: “We feel very, very bad. Whenever there is a blast near our campus or in Maiduguri metropolis, we directly feel it, and it seriously affects our level of concentration. As we shiver, we can’t read anymore.

“I could remember a recent incident where there were sporadic gunshots near the campus. All of us in the class had to run out and flee into our hostels for safety”

Acceptance Of Foreign Countries’ Offer Is A Surrender Of Sovereignty, Says Oyebode ECOWAS nationals should not blind one to the laudable intentions of the number of outlaws terrorising Nigeria founding fathers of the organization. are indeed citizens of neighbouring To do so would really be tantamount states. How should ECOWAS deal with to throwing away the baby with the this precarious situation without subbath water. verting its goal of achieving free move- The situation calls for Nigeria to perment of Africans within Africa? form its rite of passage as a growing The ECOWAS Protocol on Free nation-state by tightening its control Movement of Persons, Goods and over its porous border areas without Establishments formed the kernel of prejudice to the ultimate goal of inteefforts towards integration in the subgration, not just in West Africa, but region. The difficulties Nigeria is curindeed continental union. rently enduring on account of the Boko As someone who had drafted the AU Haram insurgency and the nefarious Treaty on Trans border Cooperation activities of some misled collaborators in Africa, I just cannot afford to misof the terrorist group who happen to be take the wood for the trees.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 53

She also said that when her parents heard of the attacks and shootings, they get worried.

Another student, Deborah Musa (not real name) of Faculty of Social Studies and Management also told The Guardian that because of the incessant attacks and killings, her parents are considering sending her siblings to study in other universities outside the state.

She said that some of her friends in other departments are also considering transferring to other universities in the southern part of the country.

“Since the commencement of Boko Haram insurgency in Borno and Yobe states, the academic performances of students have dropped by 25 to 50 per cent, compared to their performances in the last five or six years at the University of Maiduguri,” she said.

Although University teachers are divided over the “genesis and effects” of insurgency on students’ and teachers’ performances, many are not in doubt of the reality of terrorism in the state and its environs.

Dr. Mohammed Gujbawu of the Department of Mass Communication is of the opinion that external forces are behind the insurgency.

Gujbawu said: “I think external forces are involved in these premeditated killings. But the most annoying thing is the lackadaisical attitude of the Federal Government towards the problem, thereby fueling speculation in the North that the region is being targeted for genocide.

The response by security forces is virtually non-existent, despite trillions of naira voted for security annually.

Shettima Government should be honest and sincere on these local beliefs that the insurgency is a phantom one created for the purpose of next year’s elections in the country.

“The Boko Haram insurgents are targeting schools and to deny future leaders of the country of education, as some members of the Islamists sect cannot access education and improve their living conditions.”

Alhaji Yinusa Alli (not real name), a

parent of five children in a school in Gomari ward, Maiduguri, said that the Boko Haram attacks, killings and kidnapping will not deter him from sending his children to schools.

He said the attacks on schools and subsequent abductions of schoolgirls, was one of the tactics of insurgents to fight Federal Government on systemic corruptions that has defied all solutions.

Saturday, May 10, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

55

COVER ‘How School Managers Should Prepare Against Terrorism’ country.

I am aware that people are saying we should close our borders. Even when we say we should restrict people’s movement, the question you then ask yourself is how do you enforce it? Do we even have borders?

We do not have borders. We have landmass that stretches into several kilometres. For us to be able to effectively monitor our borders, we have to recruit personnel and arm them.

We do not even have enough manpower to do it. But the only way to do that is through technology. But you and I know the type of country we come from. Even if a type of technology would cost us N1 billion, by the time it goes through the tender board, the N1 billion would become N25 billion. We are spending more money than we should spend in getting things done. If we were living in a corruption free country, we would have been able to achieve so much than we are achieving now.

Part of the problem we have in fightBy Joseph Okoghenun ing this war, is that we are unable to infiltrate into the terrorists’ enclave Is not high time we reviewed because security agencies have Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) protocols in primed themselves out of the group the face of increasing activities of ter- of people that can infiltrate terrorists.

Look how clean experts from the rorists in Nigeria?

State Security Service (SSS) are. Do you HEN the ECOWAS protocols think, that as clean as they are, they came into been several years ago, it was done because the mem- can infiltrate Boko Haram? The only people that can infiltrate Boko ber countries believe that they Haram are men from the police needed to remove restrictions and force. But they would not because hindrances that would prevent the level of motivation is low. The their nationals from doing business among themselves. The type of only people we can rely on are the insecurity we are having in our inter- SSS people because of the level of their training and the way they are national history or in the West motivated. If people at the helm of Africa Sub-region was not in existence at that time. Insecurity we had affairs can rejig them and make them fit into the way of life of terthen been related to cross border rorists…. If you want to fight tercrime, which the member nations rorists, you must understand their believed, that with the right level of minds- the way their minds work cooperation, they could handle. and the way they think so that you But also remember that terrorist challenge we are having is not some- can infiltrate them. And if we must win this war, we must look at the peothing that is spread in the whole of West Africa sub-region. It is localised. ple from Northern Nigeria, even if it It is localised to Nigeria; the Republic means we have to send them out for training and infiltrate into the group of Niger bears a brunt of it because most of the trainings are done in that from outside the country to come in

Mr.Wilson Esangbedo is the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Institute for Industrial Security (NIIS) and Regional VicePresident, American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) International, Region 11, which covers West and Central Africa with four chapters in Ghana, Abuja , Lagos and Port Harcourt.

Esangbedo, who trained as a lawyer before venturing into security, said the recent upsurge of Boko Haram activities, which has led to the kidnap of school girls in Chibok, is a signal that school owners and managers need to start preparing themselves and students against possible attack by terrorists.

W

Esangbedo and work with them.... that is the only way we can get information.

What do we do as a people?

All these problems we have about Boko Haram would stop when people believe that Nigeria is their business. What we need is to believe in the Nigeria project with the belief that this is our country; we have no other country. This Boko Haram crisis must stop, and it is our responsibility to identify these elements in our midst. Once our eyes are opened and we see strangers who come into our locality, we inform the police before they even start gathering together so that they

make sure that they reinforced security in their schools. When the children come into the school and there are security guides, the security guides must be trained to know what to look out for. If they see a strange person who says he wants to enrol his child in the school, but they examine the person and believe that this is not the type of person who can enrol a child in a school, they should let the head of the school know. The head of the school should also receive comprehensive training on what to look out for so that when there are tell tales signs that show that there may be problem, they know how to react. And order must be given that the gate must not be opened under any circumstances.

Vehicles should be mandated to park outside school premises, even when there are spaces for vehicles to park inside schools, except there are equipment to check vehicles to be sure that cars are not carrying weapons to cause damage to the school. Even school children should be taught , in their syllabus, basic security tips- things to look out for and tell them that if they see strange things in their midst ,they should let their parents know.

Remember that these children play around in communities, and if they see strange things and let their parents know, these are the people that will give away information to security personnel. are picked up… The few successes If terrorists want to do things that we had recorded in the past where would cause people a lot of pains, few terrorists were caught were they would go to a boarding because we had members of the public who saw people behaving like school. When you look at our boarding schools, what level of security beggars but using very expensive phones, and they were able to call the do they have and what preparations police who arrested some of them. have they put in place to make And they saw some with foreign cur- sure that if their schools are attacked, they would be able to rencies and upward of N1 million.

Where do beggars get that kind of prevent the attack? What relationship do they have with security money? Those monies are actually agencies? If they are under attack meant to finance operations.

What signs do we look out specifically when the gate is locked, do they for in schools, churches and crowdknow who to call? Have they gone to ed area to forestall terrorism ? a nearest police division to get inforThose who have schools should mation about what they should do?

‘Nigerian Military Can Overcome Challenges At Hand Without Foreign Assistance’ Security Expert and retired Captain of Nigerian Army, Mr. Umar Aliyu speaks on the Federal government’s acceptance of offer by some foreign countries to assist in rescuing the abducted school girls in Chibok, Borno State.

By Samson Ezea Federal Government has accepted offer from US, Britain and others to assist in rescuing the abducted school girls. Are we not compromising the internal security of the country? ccepting assistance or asking for it from the US comes at this time (given the trend of events post SOE declaration) as yet another dimension to what can be termed a situation mismanaged. It is hoped the invitation of experts to work with our own forces will be optimally utilised by all involved, to learn and upgrade.

Having said this I must here opine that yet another opportunity to give a good account of security in our home and country was lost by all stake holders, not because the skill set and resources are lacking, but because there is, and persistently too, a dearth of innovation, imagination and will power, mainly within law enforcement and security agencies, to tackle the issue at hand; not less so the rather befuddling postulations and conduct of political heavy weights, which either complicates matters or compromises the entire aim of the endeavour as it were.

I am confident our specialist friends from the US are not going to reinvent the wheel per se;

A

more like, I look to see them do things differently, in ways that are not beyond us, with equipments we could very well afford. We are about to see a group of imaginative, innovative and result oriented persons, get into the act of concactinating past events, situational recurrences, and other allied variables, to get to the heart of a very straight foward matter...

Talking about internal security levels being compromised, I think it cant be any worse than it is already...with some luck, it can only get better. Security will ever remain what we make of it, and not what the US teaches us or helps us to achieve. If our security agencies and leaders retain their seeming inclination, never to accept superior argument; nor imputs from an array of homegrown resource persons and specialists with relevant experience and antecedents; resorting to far gone stereotypes, and a tradition of institu-

Aliyu

tional stagnation, where only the boss knows it all... ; and not the least so, turn important security office nomenclature and designations into rehabilitation grounds for cronies and cohorts; then all the US stands to accomplish in our situation, will sooner than late, be lost.

We must understand that the US may help us find those girls, (if there are as many missing as being claimed) but will not by any means do the duty our law enforcement and leaders owe the country. Our law enforcement officers must be men of proven mettle, not just ranks and badges.

Why not seek for such offer before now, knowing full well that we do not have the capacity to overcome the insurgency?

We can overcome the challenge at hand. We are just plain uncommitted in our approach and methodology, assuming there is a methodology at all. Petty and pecuniary gains, indecision, political myopism, and a failure by security, Intelligence and other allied agencies to seize the moment when it mattered most has brought us to this most sorry state. Not reaching out for help earlier than now, was not borne of an inability to arrest the situation, but was most likely informed by the habitual/ egoistic and somewhat antagonistic mentality of our security agencies to believe they are a repository of knowledge in any and all matters

I still remain confident that our US colleagues are only coming here to show us that which we have, but do not know we do, because we just did not stretch our innovative and imaginative selves, nor allow those who could any chance to try.

security, while resorting to platitudes and double speak even when events clearly say otherwise.

We have consistently seen agencies that misuse their endorse as our national security custodians to misinform Nigerians of our own safety,...that line of thought was exploited by the adversary to do humiliation and agony to us all. I still remain confident that our US colleagues are only coming here to show us that which we have, but do not know we do, because we just did not stretch our innovative and imaginative selves, nor allow those who could any chance to try.

Do you think the Presidential Committee on the rescue of abducted school girls is necessary?

Talking about our President and the committee, I really do empathise with a man whose successes should be driven by a team that seems to almost-always be at a loss for what to do. I have seen numerous special aides engage in semantic excersises, while trying to explain away one bad situation or the other. If the president had to set up a presidential committee himself, it is certainly indicative of how successful or not his security chiefs have performed in same regard; it also speaks volumes on where the President’s confidence in resolving the crucial matter at hand lies. If you asked me, I will say the committee is a tacit vote of no confidence on as many agencies as there were on ground who could not wrap their hands around our challenges; despite huge financial allocations and declaration, and by so doing drive the presidents success in that area of our national existence. May their arrival, our friends from the states, open a new chapter, sound a wakeup call, nay jolt our pride or what’s left of it, to do our mettle bit, to make Nigeria strong again.

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THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Change of Name ABDULMUMEEN: Fomerly Abdulmumeen Faizzat Shaban now Shobowale Shaban Faizzah. Former documents remain valid.

ABOKO: Formerly Miss Princess Kioba Aboko now Mrs. Princess Kioba Shielu. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

ADAOBI: Formerly Miss Adaobi Soludo, now Mrs. Adaobi Soludo-Obiaju.

Former documents remain valid. NYSC, UNEC, public note.

ADAMU-MARO: Formerly Miss Wilma Adamu-Maro now Mrs Wilma Lydia Komolafe, former documents remain valid, public note.

ADEAGA: Formerly Kemi Elizabeth Adeaga, now Mrs Kemi Cynthia Emmanuel. Former documents valid. Public note.

ADEBARI: Formerly Miss Adebari Omotolani Basirat now Mrs Fadipe Omotolani Basirat. Documents valid. Public note.

ADEBAYO: Formerly Miss Adebayo Yemisi Rebecca now Mrs. Adebayo Yemisi Rebecca. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEGBESAN: Former Miss Oluwakemi Elizabeth Adegbesan now Mrs. Oluwakemi Elizabeth Ayegboyin. Kewalrams Plc and public note.

ADENIBA: Formerly Miss Omobola Adeniba now Mrs Omobola Ayo. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ADESINA: I, formerly known as Miss Adesina Adeyinka Esther now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Oyekan Adeyinka Esther. General public note.

ADESOPE: Former Miss Silifat Adenike Adesope now Mrs. Silifat Adenike Emiola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADETUNJI: Formerly Adetunji Adegboyega Babatola now Ajibade Babatola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEWALE: Formerly known as Miss Adewale Oluwaranti Stella now addressed as Mrs. Akinsola Oluwaranti Stella. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ADULOJU: Formerly Miss Aduloju Deborah Motunrayo now Mrs. Ayorinde Deborah Motunrayo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADEYEMO: Formerly Adeyemo Omolara Idayat now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Adeyemo-Olagunju Omolara Idayat.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AFEME: Formerly Miss Afeme Ewomazeno Irene now wish to be addressed as Mrs Eze Ewomazeno Irene. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

AFOLABI: Formerly Oluwabunmi Janet Afolabi now Mrs. Oluwabunmi Janet Alayaki. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

AGBADUBO: Formerly Miss Oluwatoyin Alero Agbadubo, now Mrs Oluwatoyin Alero Okoruwa. Former documents valid. Public note.

AGBANA: Formerly Agbana Yetunde Ruth now Aina Yetunde Ruth. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AGBOOLA: Formerly Agboola Foluke Beatrice now Mrs. Adebayo Foluke Beatrice. ICAN, US Embassy and public note.

AIHUNHEN: Formerly Miss Aihunhen Pedetin Ayotunde now Mrs Dairo Pedetin Ayotunde. Documents valid. Public note.

AJEKWU: Formerly Miss Adaora Ajekwu,now Mrs Adaora Opara. Former documents valid. Public note.

AJIBIKE: Formerly Miss Ajibike Tinuade Hamdallah, now Mrs Arasi Tinuade Hamdalah. Former documents valid. Public note.

AJUOGU: Formerly Miss Ajuogu Ogechi Teressa now Mrs Okpara Chizoba Christy Ogechi. Former documents remain valid.

General Public note.

AKANIMODO: Formerly Miss Akanimodo Bilikisu Oluwatoyin now Mrs. Matti Bilikisu Oluwatoyin. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

AKANDE: Formerly Akande Sunday Felix now Akande Sunday Oluwabunmi, former documents remain valid.

General Public note.

AKINLABI: I, formerly known as Oluwakemi Aina Akinlabi now wish to be known as Oluwakemi Aina Obisesan. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

AKINLOTAN: Formerly Miss Akinlotan Temitayo Opeyemi now Mrs. Oyekanmi Temitayo Opeyemi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AKINSANYA: Formerly Miss Elizabeth Oluwafunmilayo Akinsanya, now Mrs Elizabeth Oluwafunmilayo Wilson. Former documents valid. Public note.

AKPAN: Formerly Miss Itoro Okon Akpan now Mrs. Stella Itoro Ihesiulo.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ALABI: Formerly Miss Alabi Omowunmi Lydia now Mrs. Ige Omowunmi Lydia. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ALAMUTU: Former Miss Bilikis Adeyanju Alamutu now Bilikis Adeyanju Salami. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AMAIFE: Formerly Amaife Jude Nkemdilim, now Rev. Jude Nkemdilim Chukwumaife. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ANEKE: Formerly Miss Promise Eberechukwu Aneke, now Mrs Chime Promise Eberechukwu.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANGIATING: Formerly Joseph Angiating now Joseph Angiating Undie.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ANIKE: Formerly Miss Juliet Eloabuchi Anike, now Mrs Juliet Eloabuchi Attama. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AROGUNDADE: Former Omolayo Oyebolaji now Mrs. Makinde Omolayo Oyebolaji. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ARIDEGBE: Former Miss Aridegbe Omolara Olatorera now Mrs. Akinsola Omolara Olatorera. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ASIELUE: Formerly Nkechi Maryjane Asielue now Mrs. Nkechi Maryjane Dike. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ASIRIABO: Formerly Miss Asiriabo Folashade Hawau now Mrs Lamid Folashade Hawau. Former Documents valid.

Public note.

ATOBATELE: Former Miss Olajumoke Atobatele now Mrs. Olajumoke Ibukun Onanuga. Former documents remain valid.

ERICSSON Nigeria. Public take note.

AYENI: Formerly Miss Damilola Elizabeth Ayeni, now Mrs Damilola Elizabeth Ogunfowote. Former documents valid.

Public note.

AYODELE: Formerly Ayodele Martin now Akinboroye Abiola Alaba.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

AYOOLA: Formerly Edun Olatunbosun Ayoola now Edun Olatunbosun Elizabeth. Former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, public note.

AYEDUN: Formerly Miss Ayedun Abiola Adesola now Mrs Elegbede Abiola Adesola.

Documents valid. Public note.

AZEKWO: Formerly Miss Liza Ngozi Azekwo now Mrs. Liza Ngozi Ndukuba.

All former documents remain valid. Public note.

AZIKIGBO: Formerly Miss Azikigbo Sandra Yadilichi now Mrs Nwaiwu Sandra Yadilichi. Former documents remain valid. General Public note.

BABALOLA: Formerly Babalola Biliki Folashade now Mrs. Abioye Biliki Folashade. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

BABATUNDE: Formerly Miss Babatunde Omowumi Ruth now Mrs. Omowumi Ruth Oshadahun. Former documents remain valid.

NYSC, public note.

BALLAH: Formerly Rose Kwabala Ballah now Mrs. Rose Ekele Eze. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

BALOGUN: Formerly Balogun Oladayo Oladiran now to be known as Mrs. Balogun Oladayo Victoria Oladiran. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

BALOGUN: Formerly Miss Abimbola Mudirakat Balogun now Mrs Abimbola Mudirakat Sanusi, Former documents remain valid, public note.

BAMIRO: Formerly Bamiro Aderonke Endurance now Mrs Feyisupo Aderonke Endurance. Documents valid. General Public note.

BARUWA-ETTI: Formerly Olatoye Mutiat BaruwaEtti now Olatoye Mutiat Etti Isa. All documents remain valid. Public please take note.

BELLO: Formerly Bello Blessing Temitope now Mrs Omodayo Blessing Temitope. Documents valid. Public note.

BELLO: Formerly Miss Bello Mutiat Oreoluwa now Mrs. Oreoluwa Olabisi Ogunaike. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

BUSERI: Formerly Doubara Ikuromo Buseri, now Doubara Abiri. Former documents remains valid. Public note.

CHIDOKWE: Former Miss Chidokwe Nkiruka Clara now to be known as Mrs. Ofoegbu Nkiruka Clara.

Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHUKWUEKE: I formerly known and addressed as Miss Chukwueke, Chika Elizabeth, now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs. Njoku, Chika Elizabeth. All former documents still remain valid.

General public please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: EMMANUEL: Emmanuel Owodehe Agajere, is the same person as Emmanuel Owodehe Doran Agajere. Documents for both names remains valid. Public note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME: SANNI: Mr Luqman Oladimeji Sanni is also Mr Luqman Oladimeji Ephraim Sanni . All documents remain valid. Public note.

DANIYAN: I, formerly Mrs. Akpo Ekaruo Gloria Daniyan now to be known, called and addressed as Ms Akpo Ekaruo Gloria Gordon. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

DARAMOLA: Former Miss Daramola Oluwatumininu Anjola now Mrs. Adu Oluwatumininu Anjola.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

DAVID: Formerly Miss David Imaobong now Miss Adekunle Oluwaseun. Former Documents valid. General Public note.

DIALA: Formerly Miss Diala Fausta Chinyere, now Mrs Diala-Obi Fausta Chinyere. Former documents valid. Public note.

DIRE: Formerly Miss Dire Juliana Ugochi now Mrs. Dire-Ibenacho Juliana Ugochi. Former documents remain valid.

WAEC, School of Nursing, Umuahia, School of Midwifrey, Ihiala and public note.

EBOSA: I, formerly Ebosa Moses now Akporoghenobo Ebosa Moses. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EDEH: Formerly Miss Edeh Abigail Amara now Mrs Ngene Abigail Amara. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EDU: Formerly Miss Lorretta Edima Edu now Mrs. Lorretta Edima Omibiyi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EDWARD: Formerly Mrs. Korede Tawakalitu Edward now Mrs. Korede Tawakalitu Solaja-Edward. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EGBELE: Formerly Miss Chimuanya Lovetta Eg-

bele now Mrs. Chimuanya Darlington Orjiewulu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EHIOMELE: Formerly Osara Christian Ehiomele now Mr Osara Christian Edwin. Documents remain valid. Public note.

EKPOUDOM: Formerly Miss Mfoniso Boniface Ekpoudom now Mrs. Mfoniso Idongesit Etim.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

EKUNDAYO: Formerly Miss Ekundayo Oluwatobiloba Mary now Mrs Ekundayo Oluwatobiloba Mary. Documents valid. Public note.

EKUNJESU: I, formerly Ekunjesu Ecom Ade, now wish to be known and addressed as Ekunjesu Gabriel Aderemi. All documents bearing the former name remain valid.

Public note.

ELETU: Formerly Miss Eletu Niyilola Monsurat now Mrs. Awoniyi Niyilola Monsurat. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ELISHA: Formerly Blessing Umi Elisha now Mrs. Blessing Umi Joseph Angiating. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ELUWA: Formerly Miss Esther Chinoso Eluwa now Mrs Ibe Esther Chinoso. Former documents valid. NYSC, public note.

EMESUE: Formerly Miss Emesue Linda Anulika, now Mrs Osayi Linda Anulika. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EMMANUEL: Formerly Vannessa Ofa Emmanuel now Vannessa Adetola Onome Ofa. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ENEFIOK: Formerly Miss Success Abasiama Enefiok now Mrs. Success Abasiama Ajilore. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ENWENEDE: Formerly Miss Ewomazino Constance Enwenede, now Mrs Ewomazino Constance Ojogbo. Former documents valid. Public note.

ESHO: I, formerly Esho Rachael Olawunmi now Mrs. Adedeji Rachael Olawunmi. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

ETUK: Former Miss Iffiok Mary Etuk now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Iffiok Mary Izere.

All former documents remain valid. General public please note.

Saturday, May, 10, 2014

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

57

Change of Name ETUKUDOH: Formerly Etukudoh Queensley Sharon, now known as Etukudoh Queensley Diamond. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

EYAN: Formerly Eyan Mary Aina now Mrs Oladipupo Mary Aina.

Documents valid. NeuroPsychiatric, Aro, Abeokuta, public note.

EYO: Formerly Nancy Anietimfon Eyo now Mrs. Nancy Udomsamson Essien. Former documents valid. Public note.

EZE: Formerly Miss Eze Doris Uzoamaka, now Mrs Madu Doris Uzoamaka.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

FAGBEJI: Formerly Fagbeji Sessi Margaret now Fagbeji-Agemo Sessi Margaret.

All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

FAKAYODE: I, formerly known as Miss Eniola Oluwatoyin Fakayode now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Eniola Oluwatoyin Olaolorun. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

FANIYI: Formerly Miss Faniyi Temitope Ruth, now Mrs Ajibare Temitope Ruth. Former documents valid. Public note.

FAWEHINMI: Formerly Miss Yetunde Omoyiwola Fawehinmi now Mrs. Omoyiwola King. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

GEGELI: Formerly Miss Victoria Chinoye Gegeli now Mrs. Victoria Chionye Ossai. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

HASSAN: Former Miss Hassan Rashidat Arinola now Mrs. Adesope Rashidat Arinola. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

IBRAHIM: Formerly Miss Ibrahim Olaitan Aduke now Mrs. Adewale Olaitan Aduke. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IBRAHIM: Formerly Ibrahim Mutiu Ajiboye now Moses Oyekunle Ajiboye. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IDENYI: Formerly Miss Idenyi Chinyere Goodness, now Mrs Omanchi Chinyere Goodness. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IDOWU: Formerly Miss Idowu Olapeju Beatrice, now Mrs Momodu Olapeju Beatrice. Former documents valid. Public note.

IDOWU: Formerly Miss

Idowu Ganiyat Olabisi now Mrs. Gbadela Ganiyat Olabisi. Former documents remain valid. ADOO D O / O T A L G E A , OGUNSUBEB. Public note.

IFEJIKA: Formerly Miss Cindy Ifeanyi Ifejika now Mrs. Cindy Ifeanyi Okonji.

All former documents remain valid. Public note.

IGHAGBON: Formerly Miss Gloria Ewere Ighagbon now Mrs. Gloria Ewere Ibeh. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IHIMEKPEN: Formerly Miss Ihimekpen Ofure Cynthia now Mrs Adekeye Ofure Cynthia. Former Documents valid. Public note.

IKE: Formerly Miss Ike Chinyere Inyang, now Mrs Kalu Chinyere Inyang. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

IKECHUKWU: Formerly Ikechukwu James Amaefula now Jamie Pajoel. All documents bearing the former names & the new names remain valid. Public please take note.

IKUJUNI: Formerly known as Modupe Elizabeth Ikujuni now wishes to be known as Modupe Elizabeth Temidayo. All former documents remain valid. public note.

IKUJUNI: Formerly known as Ayodele Amos Ikujuni now wishes to be known as Ayodele Amos Temidayo. All former documents remain valid.

General public take note.

JAMGBADI: Formerly Miss Cynthia Upe Jamgbadi now Mrs. Cynthia Upe Adewusi. All documents remain valid. Public note.

JIAKPONNA: Formerly Miss Uloma Cecilia Jiakponna now Mrs Uloma Cecilia Ogadinma. Former documents valid. Public note.

JOMBO: Former Miss Evioghene Oluwakemi Jombo now Mrs. Evioghene Oluwakemi Kalejaiye. Public note.

KEKEREOGUN: Former Miss Kekereogun Omowunmi Saliat now Mrs. Adeleke Omowunmi Seliat. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

KUPONIYI: Formerly Miss Oyedapo Morenike Kuponiyi, now Mrs Oyedapo Morenike Sobande. Former documents valid. Public note.

LALA: Formerly Miss Lala Dorcas Temitope now Mrs Martins Dorcas Temitope.

Documents valid. Public note.

LAMEED: Formerly Lameed Afusat Adedayo now Mrs. Apuma Afusat Adedayo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

LOLA: I Formerly Known And Addressed As Miss Lola Maugbe George now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Damilola Winifred Ochang. All former documents remain valid. Public please take note.

MADUKWE: Formerly Miss Madukwe Rosemary now Mrs Njoku Rosemary. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

MATTI-BALOGUN: Formerly Matti-Balogun Saheed Olasupo now Matti Saheed Olasupo. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

MELAFIA: Formerly Miss Melafia-Aishat Remilekun now Mrs. Adetona-Aishat Remilekun. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

MOKWE: Formerly Mokwe Blessing, now Kachikwulu Blessing. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NDUKA: Formerly Nduka Ebere Grace, now Mrs Obiano Ebere Grace. Former documents remain valid. Public take note.

NDAJI: Formerly Miss Ndaji Chinenye Charity, now Mrs Owoh Chinenye Charity. Former documents remain valid. General Public take note.

NDIWE-OGU: Formerly Miss Eberechukwu Florentina Ndiwe-Ogu now wish to be addressed as Mrs Eberechukwu Florentine Anikpo. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

NEBO: Formerly Miss Nebo Onyinyechukwu Nneoma, now Mrs Eneh Onyinyechukwu Nneoma.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NNADI: Formerly Nnadi Lawrence. I, now Ezeugwu Onyebuchi Indices Lawrence. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NNADI: Formerly Miss Nnadi Grace Nkechinyere now Mrs. Grace Nnadi Okeugo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NNANYELUGO: Formerly Miss Anulika Maryann Nnanyelugo now Mrs. Anulika Maryann Agbadugo.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NNEBEDUM: Formerly Mrs Nnebedum Ngozi Sybil, now Mrs Ume Ngozi Sybil.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NOME: Formerly Miss Nome Ndidiamaka Margaret, now Mrs Onwe

Ndidiamaka Margaret.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWACHUKWU: Formerly Nwachukwu Michael .I. now Nwachukwu Franklin Chidozie. All Former documents remain valid. General Public note.

NWAFOR: Formerly Miss Laurel Chioma Nwafor now Mrs. Laurel Chioma Nwadinobi.Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWAFOR: Formerly Miss Oti Ngozi Nwafor now Mrs. Amamba Ngozi Nnamdi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWANKWO: Formerly Miss Nwankwo Maryann Uchenna, now Mrs Eze Maryann Uchenna. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWANKWO: Formerly Ebubechi Miracle Nwankwo now Ebubechi Miracle Udokoro. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

NWEME: Formerly known as Nweme Effiong Eyo now known as Nweme Eyo Precious. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWOGBE: Formerly Miss Gladys Blessing Nwogbe now Mrs Gladys Blessing Iyoha-Ojie. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWOGU: Formerly Miss Chioma Nkiruka Nwogu, now Mrs Chioma Nkiruka Abia. Former documents valid. Public note.

NWONU: Formerly Miss Helen Ukamaka Nwonu, now Mrs Okeke Helen Ukamaka. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NWOSU: I, formerly Miss Nkechi Cynthia Nwosu, now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Nkechi Cynthia Oshikoya. Former documents remain valid.General Public take note.

NZEKE: Formerly Miss Nzeke Ogechi Camerita now Mrs. Kolawole Ogechi Camerita. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OBIEFUNA: I formerly known as Miss Chidiogo Amaka Obiefuna, now wishes to be known and addressed as Mrs. Chidiogo Amaka Issacs. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OBIEKWE: Formerly Miss Juliana Ifeatu Obiekwe, now Mrs Juliana Ifeatu Sanni. Former documents valid. Public note.

ODERINDE: I, formerly Miss Oderinde Olukemi

Ope now wish to be known as Mrs. Oluwagbemiga Olukemi Ope. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ODIASE: Former Miss Odiase Omoye Esther now Mrs. Shobanke Omoye Esther. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OFFOH: Formerly Offoh Lyngel Okwuoma now Mrs. Offoh Chigozie Okwuoma. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGEDEGBE: Former Miss Ogedegbe Joy now Mrs. Figbele Joy. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGHENEKENO: Formerly known as Oghenekeno Uruemuezi Othe now Mrs. Oghenekeno-Ken Egbelughe. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNBIYI: Formerly Miss Jumoke Folasade Ogunbiyi now Mrs. Jumoke Folasade Jackson. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

OGUNKUADE: Formerly Ogunkuade Bolanle Funke now wish to be known as Ajonibode Bolanle Funke Mary. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNLANA: Formerly Miss Ogunlana Omotade Omotola now Mrs. Atanda Omotade Omotola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNMUYIWA: Formerly Miss Ogunmuyiwa Adesola Hannah now Mrs Adefarasin-Owodunni Hannah Adesola. Documents valid. Public note.

OGUNNAIYE: Formerly Ogunnaiye Oluwatosin Fehintola now Awogbami Oluwatosin Fehintola. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNRINOLA: Formerly Miss Olabisi Idowu Ogunrinola now Mrs. Eborka Olabisi Idowu. Former documents remain valid.

Lagos State Government and public note.

OGUNSANWO: Formerly Ogunsanwo Iyabo Oluwafunmilayo now Mrs. Akingboye Iyabo Oluwafunmilayo. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OGUNSINA: Former Miss Temilade Yetunde Ogunsina wants to be known and called now as Temilade Yetunde Akinlolu. Stabilini Visinoni Limited and general public should take note.

OGUNTAYO: Formerly Oguntayo Oluremi Olutosin now Mrs. Olanrewaju Oluremi Olutosin.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OGUNWOOLU: Formerly Miss Ogunwoolu Latifat Oluwakemi now Mrs Sofoluwe Latifat Oluwakemi. Documents valid. Public note.

OJELADE: Formerly Demilade Deborah Ojelade now to be known as Demilade Deborah Davids.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Amarachukwu Doris, now Mrs Ikeh Amarachukwu Doris. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Nkiru Cynthia, now Mrs Eguebe-Okafor Nkiru Cynthia. Former documents remain valid.

ESUTH Parklane , Public note.

OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Okafor Chidubem Diana now Mrs. Okafor Chidubem Diana. Former documents remain valid.

Public note, OKAFOR: Formerly Miss Uzoamaka Obioma Okafor now Mrs. Uzoamaka Obioma Okoye.

Documents valid. Public note.

OKAGBARE: Formerly Esther A. Okagbare now Mrs. Esther A. Abiri-Okagbare. Former documents remain valid. FBN, FIRS, DELTAPOLY, public note.

OKANLAWON: Formerly Miss Okanlawon Bolanle Latifat now Mrs. Bankole Bolanle Latifat. Former documents valid. NSCDC & public note.

OKEKE: Formerly Mrs.Okeke Nnenna Edith now Mrs.Okoye Nnenna Eneje Edith. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKHIHIE: Formerly Miss Monica Eseohe Okhihie now Mrs. Monica Eseohe Aigbe. All documents remain valid. Public note.

OKOLI: Formerly Miss Okoli Stella Agezi, now Pastor (Mrs) Chukwumaife Favour Agezi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKOLIE: I, Formerly Okoli Mary Izofotere now wish to be called Okolie-Douglas Mary Izofotere. Former documents remain

58

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Saturday, May 10, 2014

Change of Name valid. Public note.

OKORO: Formerly Miss Lynda Osariemen Okoro, now Mrs Lynda Osariemen Oviosa. Former documents valid. Public note.

OKOROAFOR: Formerly Miss Tochi Blessing Okoroafor, now Mrs Tochi Blessing Okoli. Former documents valid. Public note OKOUGHA: Formerly Faith Ehinomen Okougha now Faith Ehinomen Orhue. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OKPALA: Formerly Miss Chidinma Obiageli Okpala now Mrs. Chidinma Obiageli Ezeani. All former documents valid.

Public note.

OLADIPUPO: Formerly Miss Oladapo Abosede Oladipupo, now Mrs Oladapo Abosede Inegbedion. Former documents valid. Public note.

OLADOSU: Former Miss Abodunde Olufunmilola Oladosu now Mrs. Abodunde Olufunmilola Adedoyin. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OLOGUN: Formerly Ologun Oyifunke Abisola now Olaloko Oyifunke Abisola. Former Documents Valid. Public note.

OLALUDE: Formerly Olalude Abiola Adefunke now Omosigho Abiola Adefunke. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OLAOYE: I, formerly Miss Olaoye Iydia Oluwabunmi now to be addressed as Mrs. Adewale Iydia Oluwabunmi.

General public take note.

OLATUNJI: Formerly Mrs. Olatunji Olajumoke Iyabo now Miss Olaitan Abisola Abosede. All documents remain valid. General public note.

OLAYEMI: Formerly Miss Oluwaseyi Olayemi now Mrs Oluwaseyi Fadairo. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OLOWOKERE: Formerly Miss Olowokere Oluwaranmilowo Ayotunde, Now Mrs Awoliyi Oluwaranmilowo Ayotunde. Former documents valid. Public note.

OLUGBEMI: I, formerly known as Ms. Mojisola Olugbemi now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Mojisola OdetolaOdeleye. All former documents remain valid.

Kenna Partners and the general public should please take note.

OLUGESIN: Formerly Miss Sarah Oluseyi Olugesin now Mrs. Sarah Oluseyi Oshibowale. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

OLUKOJU: Formerly Oyin-

damola Mosunmola Olukoju now Mrs. Oyindamola Kemi Adewumi.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OMASIKWO: Formerly Miss Worgu Omasikwo Hope now wish to be known and addressed as Worgu Hope Ntemuse. All documents remain valid.

Public please take note.

OMELIHU: Formerly Miss Omelihu Gift Chinenyenwa now wish to be addressed as Mrs Omelihu Chinenyenwa Gift Turner. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

OMEOKWE: Formerly Miss Henrietta Nkechi Omeokwe, now Mrs Henrietta Nkechi Ejimogu. former documents valid.

Fidelity Bank & public note.

OMONIYI: Formerly Miss Omoniyi Oluwaseun now Mrs Adeyemo Oluwaseun.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OMOPARIOLA: Formerly Miss Esther Yetunde Omopariola now Mrs Oladapo Esther Yetunde.

Previous documents remain valid. Public note.

OMOPARIOLA: Formerly Miss Yetunde Rebecca Omopariola now Mrs. Yetunde Rebecca Faniyi.

Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OMOR: I, formerly Miss Julie Omor now to be addressed as Mrs. Julie Akpotor. All former documents remain valid.

OMORUYI: I, formerly Miss Faith Izogie Omoruyi now wish to be known as Mrs. Faith Izogie Osekpulu. All former documents remain valid.

Public take note.

OMOTEJI: Formerly known as Miss Omoteji Akinwole Abiodun Ifeoluwa now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Ilori Oluwatosin Bello Grace Taiwo. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONABOLU: Formerly Miss Morenikeji Adetoro Onabolu now Mrs. Morenikeji Adetoro Adesina. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONAFOWOKAN: Formerly Onafowokan Taiwo Adekemi Deborah now Mrs. Dada Taiwo Adekemi Deborah. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONAFOWOKAN: Formerly Olushola Onafowokan now known as Olushola Williams Agbonifo. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONAKOYA: Formerly Miss Oluyomi Oluleke Onakoya now Mrs. Oluyomi Oluleke Moses. Former

documents remain valid.

Public note.

documents remain valid.

Public note.

ONEDIBE: Formerly Miss onedibe Eyiuche Nkolika, now Mrs Uchechukwu Eyiuche Nkolika. Former documents valid. Public note.

OWOYEMI: Formerly Miss O l u w a m a y o w a Oluwaseun Owoyemi now Mrs. Oluwamayowa Oluwaseun Adekunle.

Former documents remain valid. Access Bank, public note. ote.

ONUORAH: Former Amaka Jennifer Onuorah now Amaka Iweka Janet.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONUORAH: I, formerly known as Onuorah Ogochukwu Veronica Naomi now wish to be called Igbonanu Ogechukwu Veronica Naomi. All documents remain valid. Public take note.

ONYEANISI: Formerly Miss Nkechi Uzoamaka Onyeanisi now Mrs. Nkechi Uzoamaka Destiny. Former documents remain valid. Cleen Foundation and public note.

ONYEZE: Formerly Chidinma Onyinyechi Onyeze now Mrs. Chidnma Onyinyechi Nwachi. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ONYIA: Formerly Miss Onyia Adaeze Jennifer, now Mrs Chigbo Adaeze Jennifer. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OPANUGA: I, formerly known as Opanuga Misturah Yetunde now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Kareem Misturah Yetunde.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OREDUGBA: Formerly Mrs Oredugba Omolara Olufunmilayo, now Miss Olaniyi Omolara Olufunmilayo. Former documents valid. Public note.

OSCAR: I, formerly Miss Oscar Christiana Matthew now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Oluseyi-Ogunsola Christiana. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

OZA: Formerly Miss Oza Charity Effiom now Mrs. Akintunde Charity Ayodele. All former documents remain valid.

General public note.

OZONWEKE: Formerly Miss Ozonweke Christiana Chiamaka now Mrs Alex Christiana Chiamaka, former documents remain valid, public note.

OZOUGWU Formerly Miss Ozougwu Louisa Chika, now Mrs Iwuogo Louisa Chika. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

PETER: Formerly Miss Peter Obiageli Theresa, now Mrs Peters Ikechukwu Obiageli Theresa. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

PETER: Formerly Miss Peter Amaka Chioma now Mrs Emmanuel Ndukwe Princess. Former documents valid. Abia-poly, public note.

POPOOLA: Formerly Miss Bukola Yemisi Popoola now Mrs. Bukola Yemisi Oyeshola. All former documents remain valid.

Public note.

RUQUAYAH: Formerly R u q u a y a h Oluwafeyikemi Aregbe now Ruquayah Oluwafeyikemi AregbeMohammed. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

SAIBU: Former Miss Tawakalit Joke Ogunfunmilayo Saibu now Mrs. Tawakalit Joke Ogunfunmilayo Sanyaolu. Former documents remain valid.

Public and Lagos State Government take note.

Public note.

SOLAR: Formerly Miss Olubusola Solar, now Mrs Olubusola Ayo-Adekanmbi.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

SULAIMON: Formerly Miss Sulaimon Kudirat Abolanle now Mrs. Fashina Kudirat Abolanle.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

SOTUMINU: Formerly Abimbola Olusola Sotuminu now Mrs. Abimbola Olusola Mohammed. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

SYLVANOUS: Formerly Miss Sylvanous Precious Itseme now Mrs. Oyeniyi Precious Itseme. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

TAJUDEEN: Formerly Miss Tajudeen Abosede fasilat now Mrs. Soboyede Abosede Fasilat. Former documents valid. Public note.

THERESA: Formerly Miss Fasehun Tiwalola Theresa now Mrs. Fasehun Tiwalola Edu. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

THOMAS: Formerly Jennifer Grace Nwakaego Nnenoma Ademola Thomas now Jennifer Adaego Nwachukwu. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

TIAMIYU: Formerly Tiamiyu Latifat Omotolani now Adebayo Latifat Omotolani. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

TOBI: I, formerly Miss Linda Tobi now to be known as Mrs. Linda Tobi Isiekwena. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

TOBIAS: Formerly Onye Tobias now Onye Vincent.

Former documents remain valid. Public note.

TOLUHI: I, formerly Miss Ralie Moronmubo Toluhi now Mrs Ralie Moronmubo Omattah. Former documents remain valid .National Population Commission and public take note.

SANGOTOYE: Formerly Mr Olayinka Stephen Sangotoye, now Mr Olayinka Stephen Olatoye. Former documents valid. Public note.

TUBI: Formerly Miss Tubi Olabimpe Mary now Mrs. Enifeni-Tubi Olabimpe Mary. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OTAGBO: Formerly Miss Otagbo Olufunmilayo now Mrs Chukwuka Achwugbue Olufunmilayo. FCE Osiele, Abeokuata, public note.

SHOBOWALE: Formerly Shobowale Omolola Olufunmilayo now Mrs. Adekoya Omolola Olufunmilayo. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

UDENGWU: Names Udengwu Mathias Nnamdi Romanus and Udengwu Nnamdi Romanus refer to one person and the same. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OTUNG: Formerly Miss Victoria Otung now Mrs. Victoria Otung Usanga. All former documents remain valid. General public note.

SHODUNKE: Formerly Miss Victoria Olabisi Shodunke, now Mrs Victoria Olabisi Osigbemhe.

Former documents valid.

Public note.

OWOLABI-ARIYE: Formerly Miss Owolabi-Ariye Folasade now Mrs. Obasohan Folasade. All former

SOKUNBI: Formerly Jamiu Akanni Sokunbi now Muhjamiu Akanni Zakariya. Former documents remain valid.

OSUNBOR: Formerly Miss Osariemen Stella Osunbor now Mrs. Osariemen Stella Enyagam. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

UDOH: I, formerly known as Miss Udoh Emem Joseph now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Emem Oluwaseyi Adeola. All former documents remain valid. UNIBEN, NYSC, public note.

UDOM: This is to confirm that the person Mrs.

Udom Cecilia Jesuorobo is the same person as Mrs. Udom Cecilia. All former documents remain valid.

Public take note.

UFOMADU: Formerly Miss Olive Nneoma Ufomadu now Mrs Olive Nneoma Obiajunwa. Former documents valid. Public note.

UFUAH:Formerly Augusta Onokhuomen Ufuah now Mrs. Augusta Onokhuomen. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

UKWUEGBULEM: Formerly Miss Ifeoma Cynthia Ukwuegbulem, now Mrs Ifeoma Cynthia Oguntuyo. Former documents valid. Public note.

UMEJIEGO: Formerly Miss Geraldine Nkiruka Umejiego now Mrs Geraldine Nkiruka Udeajah. Former documents remain valid.

Public note.

UMOH: Formerly Known As Uduak Samuel Umoh, and now known as Uduak Aniedi Bassey. University of Uyo, Meadow Hall School Lekki, Guaranty Trust Bank, and public take note.

UZOMA: Formerly Mr Uzoma John Uzowuru now Mr Geophrey John.

Former documents remain valid. Public take note.

UYANNAH: Former Miss Uyannah Blessing Nwamaka now Mrs. Onyeukwu Blessing. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

VINCENT: Formerly Miss Olusola Olufunlayo Vincent now Mrs. Olusola Olufunlayo Aiyede. Former documents remain valid. Public take note.

WHYTE: Formerly Miss Dimabo Whyte now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Dimabo Ehimhen Eriaye.

All former documents remain valid. General public note.

YAKUBU: Formerly Miss Yakubu Selimot Omolara now Mrs Oyekunle Selimot Omolara. Former documents remain valid.

General public note.

YUSUF: I, formerly Miss Kafayat Olabimpe Yusuf now to be known as Mrs. Olabimpe K. Olayemi Adisa. Former documents remain valid. General public take note.

IF FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS CHANGE OF NAME YOU WANT

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Saturday, May 10, 2014 59

TRANSITION Gladys Aduke Vaughan: Exit Of A Quintessential Educationist

By Laolu Akande FOREMOST Nigerian educationist and pioneer of quality private schools in Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Gladys Aduke Vaughan, 93, (nee Akinloye) passed away on April 15, this year, in Ibadan. She was the founder and proprietress of Omolewa Nursery and Primary School, Oritamefa, Ibadan, where folks like me learned about the strength of character, picked up the finer elements of self-confidence and where many of us reinforced the value of faith.

Omolewa did all of those and more for thousands of youngsters and continues to do so till date. It was the plan of Mrs. Vaughan, a.k.a Mama Omolewa. She dreamt of a nursery and primary school that would imbibe strong values and fervency for learning in children at a time that Nigeria was still fresh from independence.

She loved children, and I am a witness to that.

According to the school’s website, “the love of children has been the only factor that motivated Mother Gladys Vaughan into founding the school.” Many will witness to the fact that Mama lavished every affection in her upon the Nigerian child right from the time she went to England in 1958, at the middle age of 35, for further training and the period she returned to Nigeria to actualise her dream.

The ethos that Mama Omolewa brought to bear was formidable. People like her were in charge of the educational space and they set high moral and academic standards. We must question ourselves as a community these days what has happened to that space.

Not only was she formidable as an educationist who knew what she wanted, she commanded the respect of the society, both the people and their leaders. She enforced discipline, regard to time and a general sense of diligence and purpose in her dealing with teachers and the students. I remember that arrival time was non-negotiable for students — 7.30am— and teachers would have arrived 30 minutes earlier. You can only be late at your own peril. As the clock ticks past 7am, a continuous stream of cars rolled into the school grounds, often compelling a slow traffic as the minutes tickled to the deadline.

And all shades of cars drove in from those of

A

Vaughan the opulently rich to those of the upper-middle class parents. There were also students who came from families that were not considered rich at all – mostly sustained by the constant scholarship that Mama Omolewa gave to students who showed promise even if their parents could not pay the fees. Omolewa was not just an elitist, but egalitarian.

She had started very small on October 1,1962, when Omolewa opened its doors at a rented apartment not far from its present site. Then the school was only made up of very few students including her son, now US-based Professor of Political Science, Olufemi Vaughan.

She was a pioneer in the field of education, and notable education historians and journalists have already attested to that, including veteran

journalist’s Lere Fagbola’s edited book on her titled A Cherished Legacy published in 2002, and currently listed in the Stanford University libraries here in the United States.

For instance, when she started Omolewa Nursery and Primary School, the concept of a nursery education was either mostly rare if not absent in the country. The idea was that children should start education from ages six and seven. But Omolewa opened the door for children from ages four. Mama Omolewa’s own son started at four, just like I did myself in that prestigious school. And today that concept is well received and accepted. Chief Mrs. Vaughan takes the credit for that!

Mama Omolewa had always loved working with children, even while trying to decide

whether to be a nurse, before she settled for teaching while in England. On return, she worked briefly at Maryhill Convent School; a private primary school in Ibadan owned and managed by the Catholic Church. The school had the reputation as among the top in the city. But she needed to actualise her dream and started Omolewa Nursery and Primary School soon after.

The school’s website tells the story of those earlier days well. “On her return from England, she worked at Maryhill Convent School for a while to save some money to start the school. The school began in a rented building not far away from its present site with eight children. At the inception, it operated boarding facilities with children ranging from four years to five years old.”

According to the school information, it started with only one teacher, Mrs. Ayo Fayose, who was later joined by Mrs. Modupe Kola and Mrs. Moji Sanda under Mrs. Vaughan’s direct supervision.

These teachers were doing very well, and they could cope on their own. By the time I joined, the school had named its first Headmaster, the redoubtable Mrs. J.M. Ajibola, then called Supervisor, whom we all feared, not in the negative sense, but you would not want her to catch you napping in anything!

A quick historical sketch of Mama Omolewa reveals that she hailed from a lineage of very strong and hardworking women of enterprise, and it was no surprise that she picked the name of her paternal grand mother, Omolewa, as the name of the school! Her grandparents were indeed among the very first set of Christian converts of the CMS in Ibadan, and this explains her devotion to matters of Christian faith. She was a woman of diligence, discipline and destiny.

Mama was laid to rest on May 8! I join with many of her products and “children,” all around the world today including top lawyers, doctors, professors, professionals, politicians, teachers, business gurus etc to celebrate Mama Omolewa.

Her soul is resting in the Lord, her rock and stay!

People like Mama Omolewa don’t die; they only transit, because in our hearts, she lives on, even in her new abode with Jesus our good LORD! .Akande is a New York based teacher, reporter and preacher

Benjamin Oluigbo Uzomah (1919-2014): Exit Of The Peoples’ Monarch

By Prof. Jasper F. Jumbo HE death was announced a couple of T weeks ago of His Royal Majesty (HRM), Eze Benjamin Oluigbo Uzomah, (Eze Emenaha II, Eze-Ukwu VI) of Owerre-Ebeiri Ancient Kingdom, Orlu Local Council Area of Imo State who served as a Monarch in Nigeria for 70 years on the throne. He was aged 94.

Eze Uzomah was born 94 years ago to His Royal Highness (HRH), Eze Robert and Ugoeze Janet Erigbuaka Uzomah of Ezemenaha family Ezeala-eke Owerre-Ebeiri in Orlu Local Council of Imo State. He was the first born among the 12 children of the family.

The death of his father when he was barely 13 years old left him entirely in the care of his mother who made him acquire the necessary formal and informal training, enculturation and socialisation meant for a royal child.

Uzomah had his primary school education at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, Umuna, where he obtained his first School Leaving Certificate in 1941. While in school, he exhibited leadership qualities through his social and humanitarian services. He had special interest in physical education, customary activities and music. He organised and captained the first football team in the community. He was also known for his efficiency and expertise in the beating of Okonko and Okorosha dance drums. During his school days, he also showed much enthusiasm in religious affairs. He was the first to be baptised among his age mates. While in school as a boy, his uncles helped him in handling the traditional ruler-ship as regents until he came of age.

When the late Eze Uzomah completed his standard education in 1941, he joined the Nigerian Police Force and was enlisted into Police Training School, Lagos. He served the country as a police officer for three years before heeding to his peoples’ demand to come

Uzomah

home and ascend to the throne.

Uzomah sat fully on throne as the traditional ruler of the community in 1944; he became a native court member in Ebeasator representing Owerre-Ebeiri and Umuowa. He joined the likes of Eze Patrick Acholonu, the Igwe of Orlu and other traditional rulers in representing their communities in court. In 1953, Uzomah became the Chairman of Customary Court at the Ebeasator and also the tax assessment chairman in old Orlu Division. He was once the Chairman, Orlu Local Government Council of Ndi Eze. Uzomah was a man of peace who peacefully and diligently served his community for 70 years with humility and was recognised as the longest serving Monarch in Nigeria, until he passed on at the age of 94. He was fully committed to the enthronement of peace, understanding and unity among his people and beyond. This was evidenced in many cases he settled for different people and communities at different times.

He no doubt made a lot of positive contributions to project Owerre-Ebeiri to the limelight. For instance, it is on record that Owerre-Ebeiri made the highest contribution to Imo State in the Airport Appeal Fund among other communities in old Imo State, then under Uzomah’s coordination.

He was instrumental to the establishment of the first water borehole that supplied water to all communities in old Orlu Division. Also under his ruler-ship, the community donated large acres of land for the building of paper packaging industries during Dr. Sam Mbakwe’s administration. The community also donated the lands on which the Modern Timber Shade was built, College of Medicine of Imo State University Teaching Hospital and currently the Imo State School of Nursing and Health Sciences.

As far back as 1944, Uzomah made connections with Rev. Fr. Quin, a Scotish Priest and established St. Martins Primary School, Owerre-Ebeiri, in 1972. To crown his genuine love

for his peoples’ education, another School, Premier Primary School, was also established in the community. Eze Uzomah also saw to the establishment of Community Secondary School, Owerre-Ebeiri, with the help and cooperation of the Town Union leaders.

Uzomah also supported the churches. He encouraged the elevation of St. Martin’s Catholic Church, Owerre-Ebeiri, to parish status in 1987 and also supported the establishment of a second parish, Our Lady of Lourdes’ Catholic Church, Owerre-Ebeiri.

Those who witnessed the civil war saw how God used Uzomah in saving the lives of many of our people from hunger and starvation. During the war, he made connections with International Red Cross and Caritas International including World Council of Churches requesting for food to be given to his dying people. His appeal was granted and consequently food and assorted relief materials were supplied lasting till the end of the war. The civil war disorganised the Town Union but soon after the war, Uzomah called his people together, re-organised and renamed it Owerre-Ebeiri Development Union.

Uzomah lived a fulfilled life being adjourned the longest serving monarch in Nigeria which made the then President Olusegun Obasanjo to pay a surprise fact-finding visit to him in his palace. Obasanjo and his entourage on receiving royal blessing had made a promise to construct the only road leading to the palace from Ama-Luke junction. He was not happy that this promise was not fulfilled and wished the road would be given a facelift before his burial.

Our great traditional ruler, we will miss your words of wisdom and encouragement. Though you lived long with openness of mind, we will miss you because there is no end to knowledge which springs from great sage like you.

He is survived by his wife Ugoeze Patricia, 11 children, numerous grand children and other relations.

His remains will be laid to rest today in his palace at Owerre- Ebeiri. .Prof. Jumbo wrote in from Port Harcourt

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Saturday, May 10, 2014

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Sports

Moses

Keshi

Oduamadi

‘Benchwarmers’ And The Unsteady Flight To Brazil

By Gowon Akpodonor HEYwerethebestoffriendsintheirplayingdays T in the then Green Eagles. Adokie Amasiamaka and Stephen Keshi played together briefly in the team before the ‘Chief Justice’ called it quits when the Eagles lost the Espana ‘82’ World Cup ticket to the Desert Warriors of Algeria.

Before then, Keshi had assumed the role usually played by ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu and had formed a good partnership with other members of the team, supplying passes from the defence for the likes of Amasiamaka to finish upfront.

But he was dropped for an ‘unfit’ Chukwu, who wasjustreturningtotheteamafteralongabsence, for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Algeria.

The rest is now history.

Since his retirement from the national team, Amasiamaka has not hidden his emotion, especially, when he feels that things are going wrong.

Keshi announced his 30-man provisional list for the Brazil 2014 World Cup earlier this week and many Nigerians are not comfortable with it. To majority of the people, Keshi’s provisional squad leaves a lot to be desired.

But Amasiamaka thinks the other way round. He is of the opinion that Keshi should not be castigated for picking benchwarmers in his provisional squad for the Mundial.

Rather, he wants Nigerians to put the blame on the ‘system,’ which according to him, has failed to produce a credible football programme to groom talented youngsters at their formative years.

Amasiamaka notes that the performance of the players in their clubs was a reflection of the poor state of football organization in Nigeria and wonders why people would apportion blames on Keshi for selecting players not regular in their clubs. “ I don’t think Keshi should be blamed for selecting mostly benchwarmers for the World Cup preparations. The poor state of football development in the country gave birth to this present predicament of parading average players.

Nigerian footballers don’t get the basic training at their tender age before getting the opportunity to play professional soccer.

“We cannot cheat nature. It is quite unfortunate that Keshi will be working with this caliber of players at the World Cup. He does not have any option because they are the best the country can offer.

“With due respect to Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, they are the big players in the present Eagles squad, but they are not regular in their clubs. This is a clear indication that our developmental programme is nothing to write home about,” Amasiamaka said.

Former Super Eagles striker, Jonathan Akpoborie will rather hit the nail on the head: “Is this the strongestsquadthatNigeriacantaketotheWorld Cup? My answer to that would be no,” he said in an interview.

AkpoboriethenproceededtopickholesinKeshi’s selection. “I don’t believe any coach in his right mind would take any player who is still injured, who hasn’t played a game after his injury, in his World Cup squad.

“Secondly, we have a player who is Nigeria’s best striker in Europe and has scored goals to help us qualify for this tournament and you are leaving him at home.

“Meanwhile, there is somebody else who has played only two or three games and he is in that list. So you ask, are we going there to participate like we did at the Confederations Cup, or are we going there to win games?

“And this is the reason why I have a problem with a Nigerian handling our Super Eagles. There is always sentiment involved in selection and I don’t think the coach made this list all by himself,” Akpoborie added.

The decision by Keshi to recall the duo of Osaze OdemwengieandJosephYobointheSuperEagles provisional list ahead of the Brazil 2014 World Cup is giving former Green Eagles winger, Adelabu Adegoke, cause for concern.

Speaking with The Guardian yesterday, Adelabu said: “I don’t see any sense in recalling the likes of Osaze and Yobo to the team after staying away for so long. It could land the Eagles in serious trouble when the World Cup hostilities begin.”

In his playing days, Adelabu was one of those that made the then Green Eagles a delight to watch.

With his pace, skillful runs and dribbles, the exShooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan winger was able to overshadow England-based John Chidozie in the battle for jersey in the qualifiers for Espana ’82 World Cup. Adelabu played alongside Keshi, Henry Nwosu, Humphrey Edobor and Kennedy Boardman in the Flying Eagles team that lost to Cameroun in the qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1981.

HesaidyesterdaythatrecallingplayerslikeOsaze and Yobo to the team could be counter productive in Brazil. “At the African Nations Cup last year in South Africa, both NFF and Keshi told all Nigerians that they were re-building. But suddenly the boys made it to the final and won the trophy. I can’t see any professionalism in what is currently playing out in the team. I love those players (Osaze and Yobo), but sincerely speaking, I don’t welcome this idea of including them in the World Cup team.

“Yobo was at the Nations Cup last year but didn’t contributemuchtotheteam’ssuccess.Hedidnot play a role in the team’s qualification to the World Cup. Does Yobo still have that energy to assist the Eagles in the battle for success in Brazil?

“Osaze has been away from the team and all of a sudden, he is included in the World Cup provisional list. It does not work that way. All these while, Keshi had been saying he had no business with these players in his World Cup team. Why the sudden turn around? He may be under pressure from the NFF. “To me, Keshi should have stood his ground because if things go wrong in Brazil, the same NFF will wash its hands off the team. We must learn to do things right instead of praying for mother luck all the time,” Adegoke said.

While Amasiamaka, Akpoborie and Adegoke are picking holes in Keshi’s provisional list, players of Bendel insurance FC of Benin and their supporters are commending the wisdom of Keshi and that of the NFF in bringing back Osaze to the national team.

SpokesmanofBendelInsuranceFC,Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, said yesterday that Osaze has proven to the people of Edo State, Nigeria and the

world that he is a true son of Benin with his recent donation of equipment and cash to the club.

“We commend Coach Stephen Keshi and NFF’s wisdom in recalling our brother, Osaze Odemwingie, to Super Eagles. We in Bendel Insurance are proud of him as our former player.

We will be praying for him from time to time. And we know, he will excel in Brazil.”

Edo State Sports Commissioner, Chris Okaeben, also expressed Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s gratitude to Keshi and the NFF for recalling their son to the Super Eagles.

Keshi recalled Stoke City striker Odemwingie and team captain Yobo, to the team from the international wilderness.

But there was no place for Villarreal FC striker, Ikechukwu Uche, whom Keshi swore will not be part of his team. Uche has hit a rich vein of form for his club and many soccer pundits are of the opinion that he could be a superb backup for Emenike, the Eagle’s most reliable striker, in front of goal based on his exposure and current form.

There were new additions in the team with Joel Obi making his first return to the national team in over two years. Five players from the Nigeria league team are also part of the provisional squad.

Many Nigerians are of the opinion that if Ike Uche was excluded from the list, Osaze should not also make the list, given that the coach sees the duo as indisciplined. Osaze is known for his antecedents with past Super Eagle coaches; Amodu Shuaibu, Las Largerberg, Samson Siasia as well as Steve Clarke, his coach at West Brom Albion, before he moved to Stoke City.

Some analysts have suggested that there could be more to Keshi’s sudden turn around on Osaze than Nigerians know. The coach had previously sworn never to have him in his team.

Odemwingie fell out with Keshi when he was left out from last year’s African Nations’ Cup, but his inclusion in the squad suggests the duo may have patcheduptheirdifferences.Helastplayedforthe team against Rwanda in a 2013 Cup of Nations qualifier.

The list of final 23-man squad will be announced on June 2.

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, May 10, 2014 61

SPORTS

Keshi’s List - Who Is On The Super Eagles Plane To Brazil?

Agbim IKE most other Nigerians, I have been waiting eagerly for Lplayers. the release of Stephen Keshi’s provisional 30-man list of The final list of 23 players going on the platform of Nigeria’s Super Eagles to Brazil will now only be released in early June.

All serious commentary on the players and the team, therefore, will have to wait until after May 28. On that date the Nigerian national squad will assemble at Craven Cottage, Fulham FC’s stadium in London to play their first preparatory friendly match against Scotland.

Without doubt, unless something of a catastrophic dimension occurs, we can safely assume that we know most of the players whose tickets have already been bought and their seats confirmed on board Keshi’s plane to Brazil.

There are some players previously on the fringes of the Super Eagles, whose places in the World Cup bound team cannot be guaranteed. Add to that a few new and untested, who can only join the team now following a performance at Craven Cottage that will convince all Nigerians that they deserve to displace one of the heroes of Nigeria’s recent past.

That’s why all eyes will be focused on May 28, and all roads will lead to London for the big match.

But before then let me play Devil’s Advocate. Permit me to peer into the crystal ball once again and attempt to see how the players are placed in the different Classes aboard the Super Eagles’ plane to Rio. The players are separated into five Classes - First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy Class, Economy Class and Stand-by for those awaiting availability of any leftover spaces on board!

First Class.

These are the players, whose position in the team is critical and indisputable. They have been the backbone of the resurgence and achievements of the new Super Eagles under Stephen Keshi. Their seats in the aircraft are guaranteed, and they are permanent fixtures in every match unless if incapacitated by injury, by dismissal through cards or put up a truly horrendous performance in a match.

These are the 10 I see clearly in this Class: Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Godfrey Oboabana, Kenneth Omeruo, Elderson Echiejile, Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, and Ogenyi Onazi.

Business Class This is a Class just a step below First Class. The players here are just as assured and confident as their colleagues in First Class.

They are regulars in the team. They will enjoy this status unless there is a last-minute dramatic entry into the team by a new player that puts up a truly exceptional performance in the friendly matches just ahead, or by one of the returning ‘old’ masters.

Otherwise the players here will join those in First Class to make up the core of Nigeria’s starting line-up for most of matches during Brazil 2014!

Joseph Yobo would have been in this Class but I see him more on the bench than on the field during the championship. Even then he would still have to earn the right to even go on the trip to Brazil. May 28 is a very crucial date for him (and Peter Odemwingie to a lesser extent) when he must erase all doubts about his return to the team.

In this Class are: Efe Ambrose, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Ahmed Musa, Peter Odemwingie and Joel Obi. Premium Economy This is a Class immediately below Business Class. The players are in seats slightly more comfortable than those in Economy Class below them, even if their chances to play during the championship are just as dim as those in economy class. Some of them will get to play a few matches at one point or the other, either for strategic tactical purposes, or to fill a void created by any one of several factors affecting the team during the competition.

They have confirmed reservations for the flight to Brazil!

They are: Sunday Mba, Joel Obi, Obinna Nsofor and Reuben Gabriel.

Economy Class These are the players whose strategic place is on the bench.

They are available for any match without holding a first team or permanent place.

A few of them may even be as good as the players in the Classes above them but inconsistent performances gives them only temporary status, usually creating the spaces in the team for several players on Stand-by Class anxiously waiting. These players may not get to play in any match, and even when they do, they are hardly ever expected to change the course of a match. They are fillers!

Like those on Stand-by, these players are likely to constitute most of the seven players to be dropped from the 30-man present list, when the final list is to be drawn up in early June before the team departs for the training camp in the United States of America.

Through the hazy lenses of the crystal ball I see the following here: Shola Ameobi, Azubuike Egwekwe, Ejike Uzoenyi, Joseph Yobo, Babatunde Michael and Nosa Igiebor.

Stand-by There is great anxiety on the faces of the players here. They have not even boarded the flight yet.

For most of the players in their Class their journey to the World Cup will terminate here. Seven players will be dropped from Keshi’s present list after Craven Cottage.

Only a last-minute truly extra-ordinary performance will save their drop from the team. To survive means a player already established within Stephen Keshi’s so-far successful squad would have to be dropped. That will be a tough call.

The friendly match(es) may be the last opportunity, so it is going to be a do-or-die affair at Craven Cottage in almost three weeks time.

One of the remaining two goalkeepers, Daniel Akpeyi and Chigozie Agbim, will have to drop out at this point. It is likely to be Agbim. His performance during the African Nations Championship (CHAN) has now become an Albatross! Keshi would find it hard defending his choice ahead of Akpeyi.

The players waiting anxiously, wishing and praying for some divine intervention are: Daniel Akpeyi, Chigozie Agbim, Juwon Oshaniwa, Kunle Odunlami, Ramon Azeez, Uche Nwofor and Michael Uchebo.

General comments It is unfortunate that the process of selecting even the 30 players in the provisional list was turned into a circus, an unnecessarily protracted, controversial and suspicious drama.

In the end the list leaves several unanswered questions about a

few of the selected players, particularly a few players from the obscurity of their small European clubs to emerge as possible candidates in the biggest theatre of football in the world without earning the right visibly on the football field.

The good thing is that the names are an insignificant few. The other issues are the inclusion of Peter Odemwingie and Joseph Yobo, two players that many people felt had given their best in the past, were past their prime, may not have much to offer, and would be a distraction from what had been a calm and growing camp of new Super Eagles; the inclusion also of Agbim, the goalkeeper, whose poor performances during the CHAN cost Nigeria dearly and left many people wondering where he came from; the inclusion of a Shola Amoebi, whose best form is in the distant past, like those of several others no longer in the Eagles team; and the exclusion of a younger and more potent Ike Uche, whose current form, age and talent are worth considering for a invitation into Keshi’s provisional list.

These are all the ongoing and raging arguments. The next few weeks will either justify Keshi or diminish him!

62

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, May 10, 2014

SPORTS

Man City, A Point Away From Glory T 21.39BST on April 16, it did A not seem possible.

Manchester City had just been held to a 2-2 draw by then-bottom club Sunderland and it looked for all the world like Liverpool was going to march on and collect its first Premier League title in 24 years.

Samir Nasri’s strike two minutes from time, a goal that could, in the end, make all the difference for City, rescued a point against the Black Cats after two goals from Connor Wickham, but with the Merseysiders in imperious form, there only appeared one outcome; Liverpool was going to be the champion.

How things can change. A quite remarkable collapse from Brendan Rodgers’s side, where it picked up just one point from two games against Chelsea and Crystal Palace, saw the title dramatically slip from its grasp.

City, meanwhile, held its nerve to record four wins on the spin and knows that just a point in its final game of the season against West Ham would, should Liverpool fail to put 13 goal past Newcastle, see it crowned champion.

With the Champions League places decided after Everton’s defeat to Manuel Pellegrini’s men - which ensured that Arsenal will finish fourth attention turns to the Europa League spots and the battle to finish sixth.

Manchester United’s dismal campaign comes to an end at Southampton tomorrow in what is set to be Ryan Giggs’s final game in charge before Louis van Gaal takes control after his World Cup commitments with Netherlands.

The Red Devils could sneak into Europe’s secondary competition should Tottenham, which currently has a threepoint cushion over United, but a far inferior goal differ-

ence, suffer defeat to Aston Villa and Giggs leads his side to victory at St Mary’s Stadium.

Also, Crystal Palace and Sunderland could cap what has been an extraordinary end to the season for both sides by finishing 10th and 12th, respectively.

Tony Pulis, who has been nothing short of a revelation since replacing Ian Holloway at Selhurst Park back in November, has lifted the Eagles from the bottom three to 11th and could still finish above former side Stoke City in the table.

Sunderland, meanwhile, has pulled off something of a great escape with the Black Cats capable of finishing as high as 12th in the table, having been rock bottom just two weeks previously, should they come out on top against Swansea City and West Ham falls to defeat at Manchester City.

Diego Costa

Lionel Messi

Spanish Title Fight Down To Atletico, Barca HE Spanish league title race through the closing stages of a ward Pedro Rodriguez said.

T now looks like a two-way turbulent season.

“The league has given us a secWith two matches remain- ond chance. We’ve got to go fight, with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona heading for a championship showdown in the last round if they both win this weekend.

Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw at Real Valladolid on Wednesday improved Atletico’s chances of winning its first league title since 1996, although it will probably have to hold off Barcelona at Camp Nou in the last round. However, Atletico could be crowned champion with a victory against Malaga tomorrow if Barcelona fails to win at Elche.

Madrid’s untimely draw gifted Barcelona the chance to win its fifth title in six seasons despite the defending champions recent stumbles

ing, Atletico has 88 points, Barcelona 85, and Madrid 84.

Barcelona hosts Atletico on the final match day, and would defend its title if it wins the last two games.

Here are five things to know about the 37th round of matches: Barcelona In The Hunt Barcelona has been the big winner in Atletico and Real’s recent slip-ups, having written off its title defense two weeks ago. But now there is suddenly renewed hope that the team can avoid a first season without a major trophy since 2007.

“I never thought these results would happen,” Barcelona for-

for it.”

Injury Woes Madrid must decide whether it will continue fighting for the league title despite slim chances of winning, or focus on getting the squad healthy for the Champions League final on May 24.

Forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria and defender Pepe all came away with injury problems from the draw at Valladolid, while Gareth Bale missed the match completely along with defenders Dani Carvajal and Raphaele Varane.

“We’ll know soon. I don’t think Cristiano Ronaldo has a

major problem,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said ahead of Sunday’s game at Celta Vigo. “Pepe finished the game and we’ll see. I don’t think Di Maria is a big worry.”

Sleeping Like A Baby Atletico coach, Diego Simeone is not losing any sleep over his team’s title challenge. Atletico returns to its Vicente Calderon Stadium for the final time this season, hopeful it can clinch the championship on home turf against Malaga.

Atletico has to recover from a demoralizing 2-0 loss at Levante, which came days after its rousing victory over Chelsea to reach the Champions League final.

Unlike Madrid, Atletico does-

n’t have the option of resting players with the Lisbon final in mind, knowing every point can be decisive.

The Argentine coach is enjoying the unexpected position Atletico finds itself in. “I sleep well because this is my passion and I’m in the place where I want to be, coaching the team I want to,” Simeone said. “I can’t complain.”

Celta’s Prized Coach Celta Vigo doesn’t expect to be losing coach Luis Enrique just yet.

Enrique met with Barcelona sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta earlier this week, fueling speculation the former Barcelona player would be replacing Gerardo Martino next season.

Tasty Time, Brandvision, Doregos Boost Abesan Cup HEAD of the year’s final of A the Abesan Cup billed for the 29th of this month, Tasty

Skye Bank football team celebrating after winning the Remita Corporate Championship Cup final match against Etisalat at Campus Square, Lagos … recently

Time has donated four sets of jerseys to the organisers, Abesan Football development.

General Manager of Tasty Time, Mayowa Kole said his company would continue to identify with Nigeria youth through sports. He noted Tasty Time, which is for the past two years has been the official water of the competition, would continue to support the Abesan Cup. “Our company is located at Ipaja where the Abesan Cup takes place every year. So, identifying with the competition is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility. We need to support our youth to ensure they rise to stardom.”

In a related development, the organisers have also taken delivery of 20 match balls donated by Brandvision for the final game.

Presenting the match balls at a press conference, Managing Director of Brandvision, Prince Femi Akinyele said his organisation was proud of the impeccable records set by the Abesan Football Development.

He commended the body for helping to discover the likes of Pius Ikedia, Taiye Taiwo, Lukman Haruna, Mutiu Adegoke among others.

“We have followed your commitment and have decided to identify with you. These balls are just few of what we intend do for you. This is the best grassroots competition with tremendous records. We

assure the organisers of more support nest year.”

Akinyele, who is also a patron of the competition, enjoined more individual and corporate bodies to partner the Abesan Football Development for the good of the game.

Meanwhile, the winner of the 2014 Abesan Cup will smile home with a new trophy courtesy of Grand Patron of the competition, Clementina Doregos.

The new trophy will replace the old one won last year by Midas FC. The renowned educationist, who also sponsor the Doregos Inter schools Baskestball Competition, she would continue to improve the lives of Nigerian youths through sports by supporting grassroot initiatives like the Abesan Youth Cup.

Saturday, May 10, 2014 63

THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com

SPORTS Owerri All Stars Rally Support For Ailing Former Red Devil, Shedrack Ajaero 1960s and the early IoneN70s,theofShedrack Ajaero was the stars that lured football lovers to the stadium during league and cup games.

A permanent fixture in the senior national team, the Red Devils, before the Civil War, Ajaero, had his time in the sun. But now, the former darling of Nigerian ball fans is in pains.

Ajaero, now 83, has been bogged down for over a year by an injury that has ravaged his right leg such that he can no longer move about unaided. His condition is worsened by the lack of support from the Imo State government that he served as coach for several years. This situation that has made it impossible for him to get the required treatment for his condition.

For those, who don’t know, Ajaero played in the Red Devils’ team that had Paul ‘Wonderboy’ Hamilton, Uwalaka, Cyril Okosieme, Godwin Achebe, Peter Anieke and Austin Ofoukwu, among others.

Recently, the Owerri All Stars, a group comprising retired footballers resident in the city, visited the bedridden Ajaero, where once again, the travails of some of the country’s retired footballers came to the fore.

Coming barely three weeks after the demise of another great retired Nigerian footballer, Albert Onyeanwuna,

their thoughts were on how to save Ajaero before it becomes too late.

Led by the interim chairman of All Stars International Football Club Owerri, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Felix Kigigha, the retired footballers pledged to assist the ailing Ajaero in every way they can.

He said: “I like to remind all that we have a big figure Shedrach Ajaero, the former Enugu Rangers and Green Eagles forward, who is now 83 years old among us here.

“His welfare is of concern to us and the club will look at what can be done to assist him in old age.”

Kigigha, who is being assisted by such renowned former

footballers as Sylvester Oparanozie, Monday Ibekwe, Ramson Madu, Kelechi Emeteole, Mike Obi and the Assistant Comptroller of Customs in the state, pledged to drum support from within and outside the state to help Ajaero.

He also promised to institute functional programmes aimed at uplifting the welfare of members.

Kigigha, a CAF/FIFA Referees fitness Instructor, who is also a member of the Anambra State Football Association, promised: “We will take steps to call on members to suggest ways by which this club can be more vibrant and relevant in the lives of members.”

All Stars of Owerri Interim Chairman, ACP Felix Kigigha (left), presents a gift to former national team star, Shedrack Ajaero, when the club visited the retired footballer in his Owerri home…recently.

TheGuardian

www.ngrguardiannews.com

Saturday, May 10

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Congratulations…..Liverpool’s striker, Suarez (left) seems to tell Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany ahead of tomorrow’s last game of the English Premier League. Man City needs a draw against West Ham to get the crown.

Photo: AFP.

Liverpool Pray For Miracle, Atletico Battle Barca HERE does the time go?

W It doesn’t seem five minutes since the 2013-2014 season kicked off in the glorious August sunshine and now it’s almost over.

The Premier League draws to a close this weekend without perhaps the thrilling finish we had hoped for, but Manchester City and Liverpool know it isn’t quite over yet.

In the end, it’s going to be a bit of an anti-climax. Or is it?

Liverpool’s remarkable col-

lapse in the home straight and City’s inexorable goalscoring and points accumulation appear to have ensured the Premier League trophy will remain in Manchester for another year.

Manchester City clocked up 100 for the season in their 4-0 win over Aston Villa, a game in which Edin Dzeko scored twice, to put one hand on the Barclays Premier League table After Liverpool surrendered a three-goal lead in Monday

night’s ‘Crystanbul,’ City did the hard graft in the rain to beat Villa 4-0 on Wednesday night and put one hand on the famous trophy for the second time in three seasons.

The dreamers on Merseyside still hope their former players Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing will do them a favour at the Etihad, and that City will choke like they almost did against QPR back in 2012.

But the odds are pretty slim.

West Ham aren’t great on the

Abah-Chukwu, Adamu Shine At CBN Tennis Open

By Samuel Ifetoye th

HE 36 edition of the CBN T Tennis Open Championship served off yesterday in Lagos with the qualifying round of pre-preliminary and preliminary matches.

In the female category, former Nigeria Number two and winner of the 2012 National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt, Chidinma AbahChukwu, capitalised on the inexperience of Beauty Oghenekwve, who she dismissed 4-0, 4-0, to qualify for the next round.

However, in the men’s game,

Ahmed Adamu from Abuja showed his level of preparedness, giving a sign as one of the players to watch out for in the tournament. He gave his opponent no breathing space, winning in a 10-point match to also progress to the next round.

In other results, Esther Lasoju defeated Rukayat Edidi 4-0, 4-0, while Grace Sunday beat Celina Abang 40, 4-1 to qualify for the next stage.

Oluwabukola Popoola also dismissed Esther Jimoh, just as Amamze Udochi recorded victory over Kate Ebisan and Suzanne Onyewenu overpowered Tomiloa Ayodele.

Lilian Ighodaro overcame Usiwo Ethan to progress, while Sarah Gbadamosi also beat Funmilayo Ajayi.

Meanwhile, the preliminaries matches continue today, with qualifiers expected to emerge for Monday’s main draw.

road and they have won just two of their 25 league visits to City, losing 20 of them.

Sam Allardyce’s team have only had one worse Premier League season than this in terms of defeats (19 this term so far, 21 in 2006-2007) and another seems inevitable against a City side that reached a century of goals this week.

After months of denying they had a sniff, even Manuel Pellegrini conceded on Wednesday that he ‘expected’ City to lift the title.

Astonishingly, they have only topped the table for 11 days of this eight-month campaign - talk about good timing.

‘Winning the title is very important but so is the way we are going to win it,’ Pellegrini said.

‘There are many ways to win it but I choose this one attractive football.’

It doesn’t really matter how attractive it is tomorrow, as long as they avoid defeat. If they do lose, Liverpool will be ready to pounce against Newcastle United at Anfield.

They themselves can reach the 100-goal mark by scoring just once and, should they manage that, it will be the

first time since 1960-1961 that more than one team has topped a ton in a top flight season.

Unfortunately, I suspect it won’t come as much of a consolation after coming so near, and yet so far.

A week of closing chapters and new beginnings at Manchester United as a season of suffering finally draws to a close at Southampton.

With Ryan Giggs still seeking that elusive goal to have scored in every Premier League season, you imagine he’ll play himself for at least some of his final match in charge as interim manager.

Only Giggs knows whether it will be his last as a player and time will tell whether he remains in the Old Trafford fold under the new regime of Louis van Gaal.

One player certainly lining up in a United shirt for the final time is their warrior defender Nemanja Vidic, who is bound for Inter Milan this summer.

It will be interesting to note the body language of some of the others at the end to see if there’s any clues as to who expects to move on, or be moved on, during the close season.

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TAIWO AKERELE

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United fans will also appreciate another glimpse at young striker James Wilson, who scored twice against Hull.

Despite a lowly seventhplace finish, United will actually boast the best away record of any Premier League team if they win at St Mary’s (it would be 36 from 19 games).

Southampton will not catch United in the table but they have already smashed their previous points best of 55 and can reflect with great satisfaction on a season in which they turned many heads.

In the La Liga, Real Madrid effectively waved the white flag in their attempts to win championship on Wednesday as they dropped two precious points at Valladolid, leaving the gap between them and city rivals Atletico standing at four points with just two matches to play.

So that leaves Atletico and Barcelona to fight it out for the title, with their last day encounter at the Nou Camp set to be the decider.

First, they must stay on track this weekend, with simultaneous matches at 4pm on Sunday afternoon.

Atletico, who reached the Champions League final by beating Chelsea last week, host Malaga, while Barcelona play away to Elche.

• Culled From DailyMail.Co.Uk