The Nation December 17, 2011

‘I got only Govt moves N7,500 after 4,400 containers leading out of Lagos people to Page ports today 11 rob my Page grandfather’ 5

Omar Suleiman, NPA boss

Page Fed Govt 5 plans N794bn local debts to finance 2012 deficit

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL.05 VOL.05N0.

N0.1977 1977 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

N150.00

Fuel subsidy:

Jonathan mounts pressure on Mark, Tambuwal 5 Page

President desperate to avert clash with lawmakers

I miss Whymy I stopp ed real actingbreasts! nude roles —Nollywood act, Linda Ejiofor

Jonathan

Mark

Page

23

Tambuwal

IN THE NEWS

Boko Haram invades Air Force school, kills three officers Page

5

DIG 4dies in Lagos hotel Page

2 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

T

HEY grumble almost on a daily basis after suffering one form of humiliation or the other. Yet the majority of them find it extremely difficult to leave the hostile environment in Malaysia and head back home.

That is the sad story of many Nigerians who are resident in Malaysia , particularly the students who are undergoing studies in various fields.

The number of Nigerian youths in Malaysia is estimated at about 4,000. This, of course, is unofficial, as many of them had entered the country illegally. But each time the Malaysian Police strike, both the saints and the sinners suffer.

The recent clamp down on Nigerians in the far east country was not only painful but humiliating.

Neither the host schools nor the Nigerian High Commission in Malaysia could do anything to help the situation. The operation, codenamed ‘OPS TIONG’, involved many security agencies in Malaysia. It lasted for more than five hours from dusk to dawn. It was a raid Nigerian students in the country would not forget in a hurry. No fewer than 12 of them spent 11 torturous days in the Malaysian cell.

For one of the detained students, Nkem Okpa Obaji, who arrived the country in 2007, and currently a research student at the Institute of Technology Management of the Universiti Teknologi, Malaysia, life could not be more cruel.

He was arrested in his sitting room around 11.35 pm on November 21, while he was watching a football match. It was a baptism of fire.

According to Obaji, he had never imagined that he could be subjected to such an inhuman treatment in his entire life. By the time it dawned on him that he would be sleeping in the cell, his psyche was dealt a big blow. He said it was the first time he would be arrested by the Police.

Obaji, who is billed to complete his studies in Malaysia in 2014, said he informed the Nigerian High Commission in Malaysia that some Nigerians, including himself, had been arrested, but he was disappointed with the response he got.

He said: “The first day we were put in cell, I called the High Commission. I told them that there was a massive arrest of Nigerians, including myself, the previous night. But the respondent told me that the High Commission could not do anything unless the Police informed them.”

While Obaji would not confirm or deny that some Nigerians are engaged in shady deals in the Asian country, he believes that the Police in the country had not been fair to Africans, especially Nigerians.

“When policemen came to our apartment, they told us that the locals complained that some Africans were disturbing their neighbourhood and that was why they came. I feel they are unfair to Africans in general and Nigerians in particular. Also, majority of the locals don’t like Nigerians,” he said.

The university was said to have pledged to take up the matter with the security agency that arrested the students. In the report he was asked to submit to the university on the incident, a copy of which was made available to The Nation, Obaji wrote: “A team of policemen invaded our apartment at Ampang shortly after we finished watching the Indonesia – Malaysia football match of the South East Asia (SEA) 2011 Games.

“They searched the three rooms of our flat and the sitting room but did not find anything incriminating. They told us that they came because they received reports from the locals that some Africans living within the Condominium were disturbing.

“We told them that we were all students, but they queried, ‘If you are students, why do you have refrigerators in every room and how come you have 27 inches flat screen television?’ They also asked why almost everybody had laptop computers.

“Meanwhile, when they came in, there were two laptop computers in use. One of my flat mates was using his own in the sitting room where he was googling a particular topic relating to his school examination, which he was supposed to take at 10 am the next day, which he definitely missed as a result of our incarceration.

“They demanded for our International passports in order to determine the validity of our visas. These we presented to them and they verified their authenticity through phone calls to the Immigration Headquarters. They eventually confirmed that our passports were valid.

“While the verification was still going on, local

•The main building of University of Technology, Malaysia

Our raw deal in the hands of Malaysian Police, by Nigerian students Gbenga ADERANTI, Assistant Editor journalists bumped into the house and started covering the incident. When we understood some of the Malay words (e.g. tipu and menipu) used by the journalists during the coverage, we sharply resisted the coverage and drew the attention of the police team. Immediately, the journalists stopped the coverage and went outside the door.

“After this, the team wanted to check all our laptop computers in the house, but suddenly, another police officer, who claimed to be their boss, came in and told them that all of us would be going to the station where they would check our laptops, visas and urine, and that if no problem was found, we would immediately be released. So, they brought out handcuffs and chained all of us together. The whole event depicted the slave trade era.

“As we were about to leave the front door of our flat, cameramen started taking pictures and recording us, which we protested against.

Unfortunately for us, we were already in chains and we couldn’t do much.

“When we got downstairs, we found that other Africans were already inside their vehicles. When they found that the vehicles would not be enough for all of us, they called for the Black Maria. When the Black Maria came, they transferred all of us

into it and zoomed off in a convoy to a location we all thought to be Bukit Aman Police Headquarters. But in the morning, we were told that the place was Police Training School at Jalan Semarak opposite UTM City Campus, KL. “When we got to the training school, they just dumped us on the cold floor of the hall with the handcuffs still on all of us and started doing our documentation, which lasted up till 10 am the next day. After that, they took us back to Ampang Jaya Police Station. In the course of the documentation, they called us one by one and hung a tag around our neck with Bukit Aman inscription and assigned a number which ended with “/2011”. They asked each of us in turn to hold the tag while they took our pictures both in Portrait and landscape formats.

“At the Training School, we saw other Africans arrested who were from other parts of KL which include among others, Cheras, Kepong, Pandah Indah, Sentul.

“When we arrived at the Ampang Jaya Police Station, they removed the handcuffs and registered our personal belongings like phones, wallets, belts and shoes. After that, they put us in the cell.

“It the cell, on the first and second days, the tap flowed. But after the second day, there was no

•Suspected Nigerian drug dealer killed in Malaysia more water. After every meal, they gave some inmates who were lucky to get a small quantity of water in a water proof plastic bag to flush the toilet and clean up.

“They served us little quantity of rice every day. In some cases, especially in the morning, one slice of bread and a sachet of local flavoured drinks, which contains a lot of sugar, which is against what most of us need in our system. All through our incarceration, they didn’t give us even a drop of drinking water.

“On Monday November 28, 2011, they brought us to the investigation office where we met for the first time the police officer in charge of the case. She called us one after the other to provide our basic information like name, nationality, passport number, name of school, family background, etc. After that, they took us back into the cell.

“On Wednesday November 30, 2011 , she called us again to the investigation room and checked our passports/visas and informed us that she would be going to Putrajaya for the verification of our visas and passports.

“On Thursday December 1, 2011, around 6 pm,

NEWS 3

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

•Aerial view of the University Putra, Malaysia

•A view of the University of Technology

•Some Nigerians and others looking at the body of a slain Nigerian

•Some Malaysian policemen they called us to meet the Investigation Officer in the investigation room. At this time, she told us that we had been released but that our registered belongings, including our mobile phones, wallets and house keys would be collected the next day as the office where our belongings were had closed for the day.

“On Friday December 2, 2011 , around 9.am, we went to the Ampang Jaya Police Station and collected our registered belongings. On the same Friday December 2, 2011, around 6.pm, we went to the Bukit Indah Police Station to pick our laptop computers.”

Obaji said he was still trying to get back to his normal mental state, which he said was “bruised as a result of the incarceration. In my wildest dream, I never expected myself to be in that kind of situation.”

Another student, Wole, (surname withheld), expressed fear over the hostile attitude to blacks and Nigerians in particular. According him, while the raid was going on, the security agencies involved invited journalists from the print and electronic media to record the proceedings.

“My colleagues were handcuffed and hurled into a Black Maria like common criminals. These are students with valid papers. Despite having valid visas, some were kept in police net for 10 days before they were released,” he said.

Wole, who is currently a Ph.D. student in one of the leading universities, was miffed over the way the whole matter was handled by the High Commission. He said things could have been better if the High Commission had acted promptly. “Our embassy refused to help these people despite the fact that those who were arrested registered with the embassy. Malaysian security agents are out to tarnish the image of Nigerians in Malaysia,” he added.

All efforts made by one of the universities to vouch for one of the students were said to have been rebuffed by the Police.

Wole said the authorities at the Universiti Teknologi , Malaysia , called the Police but they refused to entertain their plea. “Universiti Teknologi, Malaysia , is ranked No.1 in Malaysia.

There, you see many Nigerians,” said Wole.

Wole is constantly living in fear because Malaysian security agents would come down on them if their names and photographs are published in the newspapers.

•Auwal Dankaka Hussain was kidnapped

•Another university, UNITAR As if to confirm the alleged contempt the Malaysian authorities have for Nigerians, the security agents allegedly refused to apologise to the unjustly detained Nigerians, even when they did not find anything incriminating on them.

A new twist was added to the arrest saga when Orugo, a Ph.D. graduate who had been at the forefront of the battle for the release of the detained students was arrested a few day after the 12 detained Nigerians were released. Orugo, who got a very outstanding award for his performance in the Ph.D. class, was himself allegedly detained for five days. It took the intervention of his lawyer to get him off the hook of the Malaysian security agents. As a measure of appreciation of his brilliant performance, The Nation gathered that Orugo has been engaged to lecture at the Universiti Kebangsaan.

However, some sources said while the Malaysian security agents should be blamed for allegedly irrational arrests, the attitude of some Nigerians leaves much to be desired. Early this month, a 32-year-old Nigerian, whom the Malaysian Police accused of dealing in illegal drugs, was shot dead on his hospital bed.

According to a report, the Malaysian Police said

they did so in self-defence because the Nigerian allegedly ran amok and overpowered a policeman.

In October 2007, two Nigerian students were found dead in their rooms. The two were business information systems freshmen. Though described as brilliant by the authorities of the school, some argued that they were probably killed by an overdose of drugs.

Some Nigerians in Malaysia are believed to sometimes make life difficult for those with genuine intentions. A Nigerian was once reported to have connived with his Malaysian girlfriend to fake her (girlfriend’s) kidnap. According to the report, the Malaysian lady and her Nigerian boyfriend were arrested by security agents for an alleged attempt to get a ransom of US$500,000 (N76, 124,988) from her father.

The cry of persecution by some Nigerians also attracted condemnation from a student, Paul (not real name), who is currently undergoing a Ph.D. programme in Malaysia . He was a lecturer in one of the private universities in Nigeria before he left for Malaysia. Paul disagreed with the arrested students. According to him, “Malaysians are good to us. Some of these Nigerians constitute

a nuisance here. It is so bad that it is difficult to greet your fellow Nigerians, even if they have their papers. They actually need to arrest those Nigerians,” he submitted.

When this reporter told him that the arrested people have valid papers, he said curtly: “If they have their papers, they (Police) will never do that to them. Ask them what they are doing in Malaysia.”

He said he would probably do worse than the Police if he were a part of the system. “I would have probably done worse. I just hate some of these Nigerians. They make life difficult for us, doing all manner of rubbish,” he said.

Meanwhile, in spite of the negative perception, some of the students are doing quite well. For example, in October, this year, 51 Nigerians bagged Ph.D, while 36 successfully completed their Master’s degree. One of them, Khadija Adedoyin Opatokun, who graduated with M.Ed in Education Administration, earned the best Master’s Student Award of the institute of education in one of the universities.

A message was sent to both the Nigerian High Commission in Malaysia and the Malaysian High Commission in Nigeria for their official comments on the allegedly indiscriminate arrest of the Nigerian students, but at the time of filing this report, there had not been any response from either of them.

4 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

Power supply now steady, says Minister

M

INISTER of Power and Energy, Professor Barth Nnaji said in Kaduna yesterday that electrcity consumers in the country are now enjoying steady power supply, even as most of Kaduna metropolis have been without light for sometimes.

Nnaji told newsmen after inspecting Kaduna power project that the government has achieved over 4,000megawatts of electricity, which he said has made power supply in the country to become stable.

According to him, the factors that prevented stable power supply in the past was due to lack of discipline in the system and not necessarily the money needed to address the problems in the sector, adding that such issues have been addressed.

While assuring that there will be no more system collapse, the minister exornerated importers of electrical parts and generators who many have accused of sabotaging the system.

He said: “Importers of generating sets are not sabotaging our effort. Let them be doing their own; we are doing our own.”

On the recent strike embarked upon by electricity workers, he argued that the strike was embarked upon out of fear in view of the reforms being carried out by the government in the sector.

Tony AKOWE, Kaduna He noted that rather than dread the reform, the workers should realise that it would make the system to function better.

He said: “We have made quite a lot of efforts for Nigerians to enjoy steady power supply. You can see that we have increased power. We achieved over 4,000 megawatts and power is stabilised.

“Things that prevented power stability happened not to be things that are about so much money but real issues that could be addressed by minor tracking of system or just discipline in the system, and we have addressed quite a lot of those things. So, there is significant drop in system collapse.

“There used to be a time we had about three to four cases of collapse every month, and that has gone significantly down.

Even in the last couple of months, we haven’t had any system collapse.

“I am in Kaduna for two purposes; one is that the elder brother of the Minister of State for Power passed away, so I came to pay a condolence visit to him.

The second is that the Vice President directed that I go and take a look at the work going on at the Kaduna power plant project, and that is why I am here.’’

Police DIG dies in Lagos hotel in mysterious circumstances Jude ISIGUZO

Privatisation: Senators angry over plot to kill report T HERE is an uneasy calm in the Senate over alleged plot to dump the report of its Ad hoc Committee on Privatisation and the probe of the Bureau of Public Enterprise.

Also, some of the owners of the privatised firms have allegedly infiltrated the Senate to halt the consideration of the report of its Ad-hoc Committee But Senators are angry over the way the report of the Adhoc Committee was mysteriously dropped from the Order Paper on Thursday.

The Senate Committee, headed by Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (ANPP, Yobe North), had submitted its report to the Senate on November 22.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that attempts to table the report for debate six times had been frustrated by some forces in the Senate.

Out of the six times, the report was slated for discussion only three times but the moves were aborted.

It was gathered that the situation got to a ridiculous extent on Thursday when the plenary of the Senate was delayed by about one and a half hours.

It was learnt that the consideration of the report, which was initially on the Order Paper on Thursday, was changed at the last minutes.

A reliable source, who spoke in confidence, said: "The debate of the report of the Senate Adhoc Committee on Privatisation was removed when the

•Owners of privatised firms infiltrate the Senate •Report mysteriously dropped from Order Paper Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation Senate was due for its plenary on Thursday. Ideally, we should sit at 10 am, but because of intrigues over the debate, we sat after 11 am.

"By the time we were set for the plenary, the Order Paper had changed with the consideration of the report deleted. Nothing can tell you better that some forces are at work."

A Senator from the SouthEast, who spoke on the development, said: "Some of us are angry that some forces have invaded the Senate to kill the report of the Ad-hoc Committee.

"We are aware that some of those who bought the privatised companies at ridiculously low prices have been lobbying to prevail on the Senate to dump the report.

"I think the heavyweights involved in the privatisation scam are too hot for the Senate to handle."

Also, a senator from the North-West said: "Members of the Ad hoc Committee are regretting that the Senate exposed them to danger with the assignment when the leadership knew that it does not have the cour-

age to expose the scandals behind the privatisation.

"These committee members are regretting that some people are saying they are foolish for not compromising.

"We are only mouthing patriotism. What evidence do we need when a committee discovered that only N146 billion of the N501 billion realised from the sales of privatised firms was paid into government treasury?"

When contacted, a member of the committee, said: "We have done our best. It is left for the Senate to rise to the challenge.

"From the way we are going, if the report is not considered before we begin our Christmas and New Year recess on December 23, the outcome of our committee is as good as dead. That will be sad."

On his part, a Senator from the South-West said: "We will not accept this tactical delay of the report in the Senate. We cannot be ridiculed over an issue already in the public domain.

Just wait and see."

The Panel had indicted all former directors-general of the BPE, including Mallam Nasir ElRufai, Dr Julius Bala, Mrs. Irene Chigbue and recommended the sack of the incumbent, Mrs. Bolanle Onagoruwa.

Among others, the Senate demanded immediate cancellation of the sale of Transcorp Hilton, Sheraton Hotel and Towers Abuja, Delta Steel Company to Global Infrastructure Holding, the Aluminum Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) located in Akwa Ibom State valued at $3.2 billion and sold to Dayson Holding BV for the sum of $130 million. The BPE had earlier valued ALSCON at $250 million but turned back and discounted $120 million to the Russians in September 2006.

The report also recommended that "Presidential interference in the privatisation process should be avoided in the future."

The Ad-hoc Committee chairman, Lawan, said: There is only at the moment N146 billion that was paid into the privatisation account. They are holding N8 billion at the moment. They used such funds with impunity.

They do not go for any appropriation. We cannot tolerate this. In fact, the current DG lied under oath. The Eleme Petrochemical was sold to Indorama for $225 million. The amount remitted was less than 30 per cent of the total proceeds.

"We are not questioning the low rate yet because there was higher rate. By the law, the core investor is entitled to only 75 per cent of the shares of Eleme petrochemical, but the current DG of BPE fraudulently wrote Indorama to ask if they were interested in only five per cent that was for us the people of Nigeria."

UST a few hours after representing Inspector General of Police Hafiz Ringim at a function in Ikeja,Lagos,the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) ‘D’ Department (Investigation),Mr.Ganiyu Dawodu, died on Thursday in a hotel room at Ikorodu,Lagos State.

He was said to have died of heart attack. A female Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in whose presence he was said to be showing signs of problem with his breathing raised the alarm. He gave up before help could come.

At the launch of a televison series of Crime Fighters where he represented IG Ringim earlier in the day, he spoke extempore saying he took after his boss. He also told the story of an illiterate public official for whom a written speech was prepared by a professor for delivery at a public function.

According to him, the public official soon ran into difficulty in reading the speech when he came across the word ‘participants’. He could not pronounce it and ended up saying “pa pa pa pa pa. “The audience burst into laughter before he went on to give a short lecture on why people should be security- conscious and assist the police in doing their job of protecting the society.

A source said he recently returned from South Africa where he had gone for heart-related treatment.

He was promoted a DIG on September 29th, 2010 alongside six others following the dissolution of the former police Force management team by the Federal Government after the appointment of the present IGP. The Inspector General of Police, Ringim, who confirmed the death through an obituary advertisement on the Nigeria Police website said he regretted the development.

His words: “The Inspector-General of Police Hafiz Ringim on behalf of the Police management regrets to announce the death of DIG Ganiyu Dawodu NPM, mni.”

J

Stock market rebounds with N62bn gain Taofik SALAKO and Tonia OSUNDOLIRE

T

HE Nigerian stock market closed the week with a strong recovery as leading stocks rallied the market to a gain of N62 billion, pushing total market capitalisation of all quoted equities from N6.269 trillion to N6.331 trillion.

The benchmark value index, the All Share Index (ASI), which measures the general pricing trend at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rose by 1.0 per cent to 20,025.94 points as against opening index of 19,828.40 points.

The bullish rally was orchestrated by appreciable gains recorded by leading stocks including Nestle Nigeria, Guinness Nigeria, Seven-Up Bottling Company, First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Nigerian Breweries, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Access Bank.

With food and beverages and banking stocks leading the rally, Nestle Nigeria led the advancers with a gain of N20.21 to close at N424.46. Guinness Nigeria followed with a gain of N10.90 to close at N228.90. Seven-Up Bottling Company gained N1.71 to close at N47.90. Nigerian Breweries rose by 99 kobo to N98 while Okomu Oil Palm gained 72 kobo to close at N22.

Other top gainers included FBN, which gained 40 kobo to close at N8.40; Stanbic IBTC Bank, which added 38 kobo to close at N8.02 while Access Bank, GTB and Unilever Nigeria gained 22 kobo each to close at N4.65, N13.52 and N27.22 respectively.

•The Human Resources Director of Flour Mills, Mrs Mary Uraih being presented with one of the tickets for all-expense-paid trip to Manchester, UK in an end-of-year bonanza for Globacom Postpaid customers by the company's Group Chief Operating Officer, Mohammed Jameel, in Lagos, yesterday.

End-of-year bonanza: Glo gives out Manchester return tickets, other prizes

S

ECOND National Operator, Globacom, has presented five lucky postpaid subscribers on its network with allexpense-paid return tickets to Manchester, UK, in an end-year gesture. The return tickets were part of an elaborate package given out by the leading telecoms company in appreciation of their loyalty and commitment to the brand.

Also shared to other subscribers were gifts of Apple I-Pad Tablets and Units of Blackberry devices and free Internet access for two months.

Speaking at the company’s end-of-year Corporate Postpaid

Customer Forum, which held at the Villa Medici Restaurant in Lagos on Thursday, Globacom’s Chief Operating Officer, Mohammed Jameel, thanked the customers for their trust and commitment to the network. He noted that the Glo PostPaid subscribers represent an elite group that symbolises the unique services that the network provides. ‘’We recognise your uncommon trust in our business and could not think of a better time to express our gratitude than at the yuletide period,’’ he said.

Jameel, who reviewed the business outlook with the team promised them a better deal in

the coming year. ‘’We are happy to note your observations, and these will form the fulcrum of our innovation sustenance as we take newer and more robust steps in our technology update.’’

He added that the Glo Postpaid platform is easily the industry leader, boasting of the very best tariffs and services.

Also speaking at the event, the company’s Executive Director, Human Resources, Adewale Sangowawa, said that the company would strive to be closer and quicker in resolving issues with its customers, especially those on the Postpaid platform. ‘’Our concern as a wholly indig-

enous company is to provide a network that is functional and remains the best for our people,’’ he said, adding that Glo would continue in its tradition of empowering Nigerians.

Only on Wednesday, the company launched a new product, G-BAM Hi5ive, which boasts of the cheapest call rate ever on any network. And in the last week, over 20 lucky Nigerians have been presented with cheques for one million naira each in the ongoing Glo Sim Registration promo.

The company thanked all Nigerians, especially its loyal customers, and extended hearty season’s greetings to all.

NEWS 5

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

Fed Govt plans N794bn local debts to finance 2012 deficit Taofik SALAKO and Akinola AJIBADE

T

•Senator Ali Ndume (left), departing for Kuje Prison, after his plea for bail failed at the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday.

Boko Haram invades Air Force school, kills three officers G

UNMEN suspected to be members of the militant Boko Haram sect have killed three Air Force officers and injured one other in Kano.

The gunmen, numbering about 15, were said to have stormed the Nigerian Air Force Comprehensive Secondary School located in the village of Kwa, along Kano-Katsina Road, where a heavy exchange of gunfire ensued.

According to the Air Force authorities in Kano, the gunmen launched the ferocious attacks on the Air Force formation at about 8.30 pm.

They attacked the four officers on guard in an attempt to gain entry into the premises, ostensibly to massacre the JSS 1 students in the hostel.

The four officers were said to have resisted the gunmen, who however, overpowered them, killing two on the spot and inflicting heavy injuries on two others, one of whom later died

Kolade ADEYEMI, Kano at the Eemergency Ward of the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano (AKTH).

A reliable source at the teaching hospital, who pleaded not to be named for security reasons, confirmed that one of the critically injured officers died on arrival at the hospital, while doctors were said to be battling to remove bullets that lodged in the the other injured officer’s body.

When our correspondent who visited Kwa, about 15 kilometres from Kano, there were bloodstains at the entrance of the school, while the gate was riddled with bullets.

Smashed windows also indicated a serious gun battle.

The Commandant of 339 Base Services Group (BSG), Nigeria Airforce Kano, Air Commodore Sani Ahmed confirmed the incident. He said: “We lost three

of our officers at the Nigeria Airforce Comprehensive Secondary School at Kwa village in Kano.

“Some gunmen numbering about 15 stormed the school between 7 pm and 8 pm and engaged our men in a gun duel in an attempt to gain entry into the school premises.

“They were however overpowered by my men and, in the process, two of my officers were instantly shot dead. One of them died in the hospital while the third one is currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

The Commander described the attack on his men as criminal, saying “the attack by the suspected armed robbers cannot shake us. And I want to clear the air so that everyone would know exactly what happened.

Ahmed, however, disclosed that “investigations are on. For now, we cannot say if they are members of the Boko Haram

sect or any other group. But I want to assure the general public that nobody can shake us.”

In a separate incident at Hotoro Quarters in the Kano metropolis, gunmen, also suspected to be members of Boko Haram, shot a mobile police officer, and allegedly dispossessed him of his AK47 riffle.

The police officer was said to be on admission at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Magaji Majia Musa, who confirmed the incident, said the mobile police officer, Sergeant Alhassan Sefiyanu, was shot by some gunmen at about 6 am yesterday.

Musa said: “The police officer saw three men who pretended to be in distress, and in his attempt to assist them got shot by the suspects, who took to their heels immediately. So far, no arrest has been made. But investigation is on to ensure their arrest.”

Fuel subsidy: Jonathan mounts fresh pressure on Mark, Tambuwal •President desperate to avert clash with lawmakers

D

ETERMINED to actualise the proposed removal of fuel subsidy, President Goodluck Jonathan is mounting fresh pressure on the President of the Senate, Chief David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mallam Aminu Tambuwal, to prevail on members of the National Assembly to have a rethink on the issue.

It was also gathered that worried by an imminent face-off with the National Assembly on the issue, the President has begun a fresh lobbying of the lawmakers.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that although the Presidency has succeeded in dividing the Senate, it has been difficult for it to penetrate the House of Representatives.

It was learnt that a powerful intra-cabinet lobbying group, headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, is wooing senators and members of the House of Representatives.

A top source said: “The President does not want outright clash with the National Assembly over the proposed withdrawal of subsidy. A clash with the lawmakers may ground the economy in the long run.

“Instead of a cold war, the President has decided to renew its lobbying of Senators and Representatives. A major headache the government is facing is the House of Representatives, which has remained opposed to the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

“That is why Mark and Tambuwal are under intense pressure to save the situation. How the Presidency will wriggle itself out of this challenge remains to be seen.’’

Responding to a question, the source said: “A restricted cabi-

Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation net team spearheading the new lobbying is already operating covertly because fuel subsidy is central to the consideration of the N4.7 trillion 2012 budget.

“Members of the team are embarking on one-on-one lobbying of Senators and Representatives to convince them to go along with the President over the withdrawal of subsidy.

“We learnt that some aggrieved lawmakers in the House are even desperate to go to court to halt the plan to withdraw fuel subsidy.”

According to findings, the President is also banking on some opposition parties to secure a simple majority to douse tension in the National Assembly over the withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

Another source added: “The President has been in touch with key opposition figures to stave off mass protest that could erode the gains of our return to democracy since 1999.

“Jonathan might likely meet some political leaders, especially those in opposition, next week over his plans.”

A top officer of the House said: “There is no doubt that our leaders, especially Tambuwal, are under pressure, but they are also treading carefully. That was why they decided to take Senators and Representatives to the Presidential Villa for the President to feel their pulse on fuel subsidy directly.

“We are aware that since the government is shifting the date for the withdrawal of fuel subsidy to April, they are taking advantage of all windows to lobby the Senate and the House.

“But the reality is that while the Senate may compromise, the situation is dicey in the House where many members are prosubsidy.”

HE Federal Government plans to raise about N794 billion through domestic bond issues in 2012 to finance nearly three-quarters of the deficit estimated in the 2012 budget presented last Wednesday by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Debt Management Office (DMO), the debt management agency of the Federal Government, which oversees debt issues by the government, yesterday in Lagos confirmed the bond issue plan for 2012.

The income and expenditure profiles presented by President Jonathan indicated a deficit of N1.11 trillion, representing nearly a quarter of the total expenditure estimate of N4.749 trillion. Total revenue available for the Federal Government’s budget had been estimated at N3.644 trillion.

Director General, DMO, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, said the deficits would be financed largely by domestic borrowings while government would augment with incomes from other sources.

Nigeria’s domestic debt stood at N5.3 trillion, equivalent to $34.4 billion, while external debt totaled $5.6 billion, bringing total indebtedness to $40 billion as at September 30, 2011. This represented debt-to-Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio of 19.6 per cent.

Speaking during a media parley in Lagos yesterday, Nwankwo said the concerns of the public should be the utilisation of proceeds of bond issues, probity and accountability. He noted that Nigeria’s indebtedness is comparatively low compared with global benchmark and national economic variables.

He said the global standard for debt-to-GDP is 40 per cent and Nigeria has set a restrictive standard of 25 per cent for itself. At 19.6 per cent, Nigeria is still far below its personal and global standards.

Unlawful detention of ship: Court awards N6.346bn against NIMASA Eric IKHILAE

F

OR abusing its powers and unlawfully detaining a commercial vessel laden with kerosene for five years, a Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to pay the ship owners - Hensmor Nigeria Limited - about N6.346 billion.

The amount is an aggregation of the various sums awarded by the court in favour of Hensmor Limited, against NIMASA and its District Surveyor, Engineer Dominic Alim, in a judgment by Justice Okon Abang, on the suit brought against them by Hensmor.

The judge, aside awarding the monetary compensation for the plaintiff, deprecated NIMASA for what he described as extreme reprehensible conduct and a gross disregard for the rule of law.

NIMASA had apprehended the ship - MT Aigbomien - on March 14, 2006, alleging that it was unseaworthy on the grounds that its statutory and mandatory certificates had expired.

It refused to release the ship in spite of entreaties from all quarters until Justice Abang pronounced on the case on December 2 this year. The court wondered how NIMASA and its official were able to determine the seaworthiness of a ship they admitted never examining its engine and other vital parts.

While the ship was under its detention, 63 metric tons of its content - dual purpose kerosene (DPK) - was stolen. The ship owners lost a daily income estimated at $7,000 and having been confined to a single spot for about five years, the vessel, valued at $25 million, became unserviceable.

The court in its judgment, granted all the plaintiff's prayers, except that which sought the voiding of the ship's detention, on the grounds that it had been overtaken by events.

After a thorough analysis of evidence adduced by parties, Justice Abang held that the detention was not only unlawful, the steps taken by NIMASA in respect of the vessel amounted to an abuse of office. The court held that the arrest was fraudulent as it prepared ground for the theft and unlawful sale of the ship's content.

The court accordingly declared the vessel's arrest from March 14, 2006 till December 2, this year, when the judgment was given, was among others, unjustified and illegal. It also granted the plaintiff's claim of loss of $7,000 daily income on account of the unlawful arrest.

Justice agreed to the applicant's claim that it was entitled to a N5.02 million compensation, being the cost of the stolen kerosene, and 425miilion, being the value of the ship that was rendered useless, having been detained in a spot by NIMASA for about five years.

The cost also awarded a N20,000 cost against the defendants.

Fed Govt moves 4, 400 containers out of Lagos ports today Oluwakemi DAUDA

T

HE Federal Government begins the decongestion of the nation’s seaports today with the evacuation of 4, 400 overtime cargo (containers) from Lagos ports.

Some of the containers have been in the ports for more than two years, and stakeholders believe they are part of the key issues affecting business at ports, as they occupy a lot of space at the affected terminals.

The Federal Government has also directed the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and other agencies at the ports to commence 24 hours operations so that the nation’s seaports would compete favourably with the ports in neighbouring countries and boost revenue.

Addressing reporters at Apapa, Lagos yesterday, the Special Adviser to the President on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation and Chairman, Presidential Committee to Monitor the Ports, Prof Sylvester Monye said the movement of the containers from Apapa and Tin-Can Island ports to Ikorodu bonded terminal is part of President Goodluck Jonathan’s agenda to decongest the ports and make them attractive for business.

The ports, the Federal Government insist, are the second largest income earner for the country and need to be repositioned for efficiency, hence the movement of the containers out of the Lagos ports, which Prof. Monye said would take two weeks.

6 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 , 2011

Ajimobi pledges to prevent reoccurrence of flood disaster in Oyo

G

OVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State has promised that his administration would do everything possible to prevent a reoccurrence of flood disaster in Ibadan, the state capital, and other towns in the state.

The governor gave the promise while declaring open a three-day workshop on Capacity Building for Disaster Preparedness held at the International Insti-

tute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan.

While highlighting the various steps his government had so far taken since the August 26 flood disaster which ravaged the Ibadan metropolis, Ajimobi said the recommendations of the Dr. Bolanle Wahab Technical Committee on Flood Prevention and Management were being looked into with a view to guiding against future occurrences.

He said the workshop was not only timely, but was also

an important step in the ongoing attempt at effectively managing natural disasters, stressing that it would result in critical knowledge transfer that would enable the people of the state to respond better in future.

In his remarks, the Special Adviser to the governor on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Alhaji Waheed Gbadamosi, commended the governor for demonstrating the ability to reform the state through the support of various organiza-

tions and development partners.

Gbadamosi noted that most of the development partners who had been to the state after the flood disaster had engaged the state government in meaningful discussions on how to prevent future occurrences.

He expressed the optimism that the government’s preparedness, coupled with the awareness amongst the citizenry, would mitigate the devastating effects of the disaster in the state.

Mimiko names culture ambassadors

O

NDO State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has named six popular artistes from the state as his culture and tour ism ambassadors.

They are Jibola Dabo, Yemi Olatunji a.k.a Yemi Black, Funsho Adeolu, Bimbo Oshin, Mo Abudu and Aralola Olumuyiwa a.k.a Ara, the talking drummer.

Mimiko, while unveiling them at the Government House in Akure during a cocktail get-together organised for them and Mare mountain climbers from South Africa, described his state as the centre of tourism and socio-economic revolution of the country.

Mimiko said his administration had decided to make Idanre Hills a global attraction because of its uniqueness and aesthetic nature, expressing confidence that the annual Mare festival would boost the tourism potential of the state.

He pledged that his administration would continue to position the state and its programmes as benchmarks not for Nigeria, but for the continent of Africa.

He said: “As with all our initiatives, I want to assure you that we are determined to up the ante in Idanre so that it will also be a benchmark for tourism not only in Nigeria, but for the continent of Africa. Our Abiye programme was globally accepted as a benchmark for the continent of Africa. In our mother and child hospital, we have taken 8,000 deliveries, 2,000 of them through caesarean sessions in the last two years. All these were done at no cost. I want to congratulate you as proud sons and daughters of this great state. We must work together to make our state great”.

In their responses, the ambassadors appreciated the transformations that have taken place in the state in the recent time and vowed to make their impacts felt by the people of the state.

Lagos Assembly begins budget scrutiny

L

AGOS State ministries, parastatals and agencies have be gun budget defence at the Lagos State House of Assem bly.

It would be recalled that Governor Babatunde Fashola on November 14 presented the 2012 budget to the state assembly.

The purpose of the budget defence is to justify funds appropriated to the ministries and agencies. Similarly they are expected to give details of how the funds allocated to them in the 2011 budget were spent.

The exercise is also to cater for the needs of the citizenry and evaluate the performances of the ministries in accordance with financial rules and regulations.

Ondo NDP joins ACN

•Governor Abiola Ajimobi (second right), his wife, Florence, and Mr. Abiodun Akinkunle at the Government House, Ibadan during the governor’s 62nd birthday celebration yesterday.

PHOTO: Femi ILESANMI

I

Aregbesola’s wife partners foreign organisation against child trafficking

N line with the quest of the Osun State govern ment to tackle human trafficking, the Office of the Wife of Governor in the state is to partner a United State-based organisation, Safehouse International, to fight child trafficking.

At a partnership meeting with the wife of the governor in Osogbo on Wednesday, the Founder and Cofounder of the organisation, Mr. David Moscrip and Dr. John Laoye respectively, said the organisation was encouraged to partner the state because to its personal commitment and passion to work to impact the lives of youths and motivate them to realise their full potential.

They said the organisation was specifically motivated by the efforts of the first lady, Mrs Sherifat Aregbesola, in tackling the menace of child trafficking in the state.

“One of the articles read in newspapers about what had been done on child trafficking by the wife of the governor informed our commitment to stand by you and even the state government to ensure that every child has the privilege to enjoy the abundant life that God created him for,” said the organisation.

Mrs. Aregbesola said it was her passion for women and children that propelled her to be working towards ensuring that all children

have at least basic education from which they could move to be whatever they want to be in life.

She frowned at the negligence of some parents who hold their children back home to work for them when they are supposed to be in schools, saying that such trend must be corrected with a view to ensuring that the children who are the leaders of tomorrow become successful.

According to her, the measure against the negligence on the part of the affected

parents does not mean that the children should not assist their parents, but they should be allowed to render the assistance after school hours with a view to allowing them to go to school and face their studies.

Mrs Aregbesola also appealed to parents to use the opportunity of total free education introduced in the state by Governor Rauf Aregbesola administration to ensure that their wards are not distracted by sending them on frivolous errands.

In his address, David Moscrip said the organization was focussed at creating a new environment for children who were denied such.

The Commissioner for Environmental Sanitation, Prof. Olubukola Oyawoye, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Needs, Honourable Biyi Odunlade, said the administration of Aregbesola was determined to fight child trafficking and rehabilitate of destitute, urchins, beggars and people with special needs with a view to making them useful to the society.

I ‘ll focus on technical education for youths, says LCDA boss

T

HE Chairman of the Bariga Local Council Development Area, Hon. Omoyele Sulaiman, has said his administration will place high priority on providing technical education in the empowerment programme for the youths in the area.

Hon. Sulaiman stated this at a pre-budget stakeholders meeting held at the council secretariat yesterday with the Community Development Associations (CDAs) and the Community Development Committees (CDC) to intimate them with the council’s development programme for 2012.

The council boss explained that providing voca-

tions training-cum-technical education for the teeming youths would go a long way in preparing them for future endeavours, as well as addressing youth unrest in the LCDA, adding that he would make a presentation to the state government in this regard.

According to the chairman, another major priority area to come up in the council 2012 budget is security which he said would be diligently approached by building additional two police posts in the area to complement the efforts of the police in ensuring adequate security for his subjects.

Other areas of priority listed by the chairman in-

clude enforcement of environmental law to maintain proper sanitation, building more health centres and equipping the existing ones to cater for the health of the people and the repair and construction of access roads to make the people feel positive impacts of his administration.

Responding to various presentations made at the meeting by members of the CDAs and CDCs present, Hon. Sulaimon promised that most of the demands made by the people on the construction of roads and other issues would be well addressed within the available budget of the council.

M

EMBERS of the National Democratic Party (NDP) in Ondo State yesterday declared their intention to join the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

The chairman of the party, Elder Dele Omoniyi, who led other executive members of the party to the ACN secretariat along Oyemekun Road, Akure, described the ACN as the foremost progressive party.

Omoniyi said: “The conviction to join the ACN was hinged on the party’s vision and mission for the masses. After the last general elections in which the party won all the states in the south west, it is crystal clear that the state will be the next to join the dominant party in the south west”.

The ACN state chairman, Mrs Jumoke Anifowoshe, who received them, promised to carry them along in the scheme of things. ”I promise that the party leaders will do everything possible to accommodate Omoniyi and his followers who have retraced their steps back home from political slavery”, she said.

Keep to ethics of your profession, journalists told

J

OURNALISTS have been advised to strictly adhere to the ethics and practice of the noble profession rather than being used and sponsored by some unscrupulous politicians who are so desperate in seeking for power by all means.

The caretaker Chairman Ibarapa Central Local Government area of Oyo State, Hon. Yemi Akinlabi. According to a release signed by the Council Information Officer, Mr. Adetokun Musibau, “Akinlabi is the current Chairman of Ibarapa Central Local Government and still enjoying the support and confidence of his people.

He, however, enjoined journalists to be fair and objective in their .

Akinlabi, however, reiterates his confidence in the integrity of the Nigerian journalists who are alive to the codes and practice of the profession.

Cleric congratulates Tinubu on victory at Conduct Tribunal

L

AGOS-based cleric, Primate Ayoola Omonigbehin of the World Christian Council Association, has congratulated Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on his victory at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, Abuja.

In a statement signed in Lagos, Primate Omonigbehin said the victory at the court was an intervention of God who had gracioiusly answered the many prayers offered on behalf of the people’s leader so as to prepare the Asiwaju for a greater responsibility in a nation groping for political direction and economic liberation.

“While we thank God for the victory and rejoice with him and his family, it must be stated that this is the divine work of God who has a definite programme for the Asiwaju to enable him make a lasting impact in this country which has been groping for political direction and economic liberation,” Primate Omonigbehin further said.

More stories on Pages 57 & 59

THE NATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

7

8

THE NATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

9

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

F

UTURE outlook and prospects are an essen tial prerequisite for any business environment analysis of any modern economy. Other ingredients of any such project would include corporate governance, human relations, industrial relations, infrastructure, and financial architecture. But nowadays, and more often than not, the business environment has become subordinate to the political system in most nations.

Consequently any healthy business certificate for any nation may not be worth the paper it is written on, if the government cannot guarantee the safety of not only its citizens and their properties but is also able to keep industries and firms working at optimal capacity.

That is the issue we confront today in all its ramifications because the pursuit of a solution to this problem has led to nations importing brains from outside particularly from global financial institutions to come as it were to lend their foreign skills and expertise to solve what HSBC bank would call glocal–problems. Which in real terms means that we are using global expertise to solve local problems.

Nigeria has used or adopted this strategy in finance and economic management for some time and is a fact that has to be boldly admitted. The present Minister of Finance was brought in during the Obasanjo regime from the World Bank to which she returned on promotion after her assignment. She was said to have been paid in foreign currency then at her first calling. Which somewhat explains why at her second coming under the present Jonathan Administration the good president was at pains to explain that even though brains have been imported to solve our financial management problems no one was being paid in foreign currency.

Aside from this the predecessor of the present Finance Minister was a guru in some foreign bank before he was brought in to replicate his wizardry on Nigerian soil first in finance and now as Minister of Investment and Trade. Whilst I have no objection to having the best brains at the beck and call of government, I insist that the measure of the efficacy of such strategy is how far the Nigerian economy has benefitted in terms of positive growth and new ways of managing our economy better, given the sterling global exposure of our imported economic magicians.

For now that seems a mirage as the economy was literally comatose under the Obasanjo regime and youth employment was at a dismal low and is even so bad now that both the incumbent president and his predecessor have both raised the alarm of an imminent unemployed youth revolution in Nigeria in the last few weeks at different fora. To make matters worse it seems the President believes only his imported brains can save Nigeria as it was widely in the news media that the President is personally leading the government team to convince the trade unions that fuel subsidy removal, which most informed people think is a political hemlock for this

Managing the future from now

administration, is the panacea to our financial and economic problems.

Before going further into the economic throw ups of imported brains let me illustrate in rather crude terms the subordination of the financial and business sector to the political sector in recent times. Egypt this week went into the second round of elections after the street revolutions that removed the Mubarak dictatorship, but the elections were marred in violence and business life has ground to a halt and there is great insecurity in Egypt. Equally in the Democratic Republic of Congo – former Congo, Kinshasa- where the recent presidential results favored the incumbent President Kabila there have been violent disputation and protests over the elections which have paralysed business and created insecurity in a volatile area where the late elected PM Patrice Lumumba was killed in the sixties and where the lesson in corruption, Mobutu Sese Seko held tyrannical and oppressive power for decades.

In nearby Ivory Coast where elections were held last week the turn out was low thus questioning the legitimacy of the new President Alasane Ouattara and the reason is political. The supporters of deposed President Laurent Gbagbo are smarting from the whisking of their hero to the International Criminal Court[ICC ] at the Hague to face charges of Genocide and Crime against humanity for his role in the violence that followed the last presidential elections in that nation which Gbagbo’s support-

ers insisted that he won. Again business is paralysed in Ivory Coast as a difficult peace, the eerie one of the grave yard persists like a sword of Damocles over the Ouattara administration in that nation.

The same volatile situation persists in Russia over the parliamentary elections won

by Russia’s strongman Vladmir Putin’s party United Russia.

Thousands of protesters have taken to and remained on the streets in protests similar to the ones that brought down the USSR in 1989. Putin’s ingenious political manipulation and invention in returning to power in next year’s presidential elections seem to have run into a dangerous ambush as the protesters are calling for his resignation something quite unthinkable before the elections when he was regarded as the most popular politician in Russia in recent times. Again insecurity is high in Russia and the business of government and industry has grounded to an unexpected and embarrassing halt for the Putin government.

However while there is fear, anxiety, and uncertainty in the business environment of the nations mentioned before including Nigeria and the developed world, especially the Euro zone because of poor economic and financial management there is a part of the world that has for some time now been immune to the economic woes of these unfortunate nations. That part of the world is Latin America or South America. A few weeks ago the new IMF boss Christine Lagarde visited

Latin America, Brazil to be precise, and she had no lesson to give as usual as Brazil was on course economically and booming and had not taken any loan from the IMF calling for sermons on financial prudence and management with the attendant cost cutting remedies at inhuman social costs. It is Brazil’s experience that I want us to share in the light of the new budget presented to the National Assembly last Tuesday by the President of Nigeria, which really is a budget midwife by our imported economic brains who do not see anything wrong in the removal of the fuel subsidy.

In an article titled ‘The Brazilian Model‘ the new President of Brazil a lady Dilma Rousseff said that changes are going on in the world that world leaders must acknowledge and adopt to better the lot of their citizenry and lessen the price and tension of governance.

She did not say much that was new because her government’s policy is a continuation of the policies of her predecessor in office former President Lula Da Silva who was in power for two terms of 8 years before hand picking Dilma, his Chief of Staff as the presidential candidate of the ruling party in the presidential elections which she won. Dilma was proud to write that the current global economic crises have bypassed Brazil and that in the last 8 years the Brazilian government had been able to lift over 40m Brazilians out of poverty into the middle class with access to health, education, credit and

formal employment.

She was quick to point out that 40m was almost the size of Spain a developed nation in the euro zone reeling under the dire consequences of economic palliatives administered in the eurozone by the IMF. To follow the Brazilian success story the Brazilian President called on nations to balance the relations between markets and government. Governments should allow markets to do what they do best which is to promote innovation and increase productivity. Governments should however avoid instability and income inequality stemming from unregulated markets. Dilma asked governments in 2012 to pursue a policy of economic growth instead of bickering over trade and fiscal matters as this would hasten recovery in the developing world and improve development in the emerging world. In addition Dilma asked world governments to raise wages in line with productivity so as to reduce income inequalities and raise people out of poverty in the developing world and make recovery to benefit the middle class in the developed world. To round up the markets alone Dilmar stressed, do not improve income distribution as government action is needed and crucial.

It is in this light that we look at the new Nigeria budget sent to the National Assembly. The budget of N4.749tn gave almost 20 per cent, actually 19.41 which amounts to N921.91bn to Security and less than 4 per cent actually 3.40 which amounts to N161.42bn to power. The budget will operate at a fiscal deficit of 2.77 per cent of GDP while recurrent expenditure [ non debt at N2.472tn is 52 .05%of budget and outstrips capital expenditure at N1.319 tn which is 27.77% of budget. The allocations in terms of size speak volumes about government priorities and commitment to the welfare of the electorate that put it in power.

In the first instance the budget relegates supply of electricity to the background given the 3.4% of budget allo-

cated to power. Which shows simply that the government has been misadvised by its economic brains. The constant supply of power will boost industrial capacity, create employment and boost consumption and vice versa. Lack of power ipso facto creates unemployment, insecurity and serious income disparities that overheat the entire socio-economic fabric of the total Nigerian environment. If you add to this the grim outlook of a future of removal of oil subsidy with petrol costing N100 from the present debilitating price of N650 and you cost the multiplier effect of that on transport fares, food prices and production costs of needed goods and services, then you see that the purchasing power of the average Nigerian worker will be nil given the National minimum wage of NI8000.

So if this is the best budget the imported brains of this administration can produce the President should start looking inwards fast to local brains who know the havoc the generator sellers and gasoline importers are doing to our economy and its future. Also we know that the National Assembly in practice naturally raises the budget costs in vetting, instead of lowering it, in order to accommodate its members emoluments. We say again, this too is an issue of national concern and if the legislators put their ears to the ground they will know that their predilection in this matter is becoming an issue of serious security concern amongst the Nigerian electorate that put them in power. Overall we say with all sense of responsibility that the budget has not addressed the concern and economic outlook of the average Nigerian in the next 12 months . We find this really pathetic given the huge cost of governance , the high expectations of Nigerians for a brighter future and in retrospect the naïve and misplaced confidence of the Jonathan administration in imported brains that have only succeeded in delivering an impotent budget with a grim and dark future for all Nigerians both young and old .

10 COMMENTARY

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

Time ticks for a nation on tinder box With

Vincent Akanmode 08077536312

vincentakanmode@yahoo.com

W

E are at that point of the year when seers, prophets and parapsychologists stare into the future to give us a picture of the coming year. Were it to be in the glorious days of Prof. Godspower Oyewole and Dr. Gabriel Okonzua, we would have known by now if the coming year would be one replete with cheerful happenings or tragic occurrences.

They would give a panoramic vista of the dimension the current face-off between Nigeria and powerful nations like Britain and America over the phenomenon of same-sex marriage will assume in the New Year. They would tell us if we should fasten our belts for the worst case scenario in the power sector or prepare for the food crisis in its virulent form.

With a glance or two into their crystal balls, they would tell us if President Goodluck Jonathan and members of his cabinet would change their go-slow approach to critical issues deserving urgent national attention. We would be regaled with an insight into the dimension the Boko Haram threat would take in the weeks ahead. We would know if the North East will remain a part of Nigeria or would be officially yielded to the forces of the militant sect in keeping with the dreams of the late Major Gideon Orkah who once announced in a failed coup during the Babangida era that that part of the country had been excised. Were they alive in the build-up to the April elections, they most probably would have told us the kind of leader that would emerge and fortify our minds against the shocks we have been getting left, right and centre since the present

administration came on board. Indeed, they would have hinted if Year 2012 is our year of redemption or the year of Armageddon.

My biggest gift of prophecy is to predict that the current year will end on December 31 and a new one will begin on January 1. But I have seen, heard and read enough in the last couple of weeks to know that except President Jonathan heeds the warnings from wellmeaning Nigerians and changes his mind about some unpopular economic policies he appears bent on foisting on the nation, the coming year will be anything but rosy. Mercifully, he himself has admitted the possibility of a convulsive revolution. The surprise, however, is that he is bent on pandering to the promptings of the agents of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to remove the so-called subsidy on fuel, devalue the naira and push Nigerians into further misery.

It is a development that reminds one dreadfully of the slave country the Babangida administration made of our once prosperous nation with the introduction of the twin policies of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) and Second-tier Foreign Exchange Market a few months after he plotted his way into office in 1995. In one fell swoop, the naira, which in the pre-Babangida era was almost twice the value of the dollar, collapsed from N8 to N22. Since then, the Nigerian currency has enjoyed a free fall against the dollar and other foreign currencies, standing today at more than N160 to a dollar.

Yet even more dreadful is the dimension the threat of the Boko Haram has assumed lately.

Wittingly or unwittingly, the rippling impact of the militant sect is spreading beyond its cocoon in the North East, setting the nation inexorably on the edge of the precipice. Last Sunday, a bomb exploded in a mosque on Hausa Road, Sapele, Delta State, injuring one Tanko Musa. Surprisingly, the significance of the incident was played down by most of the media reports, which attributed the explosion to an internal rancour within the affected mosque. While most newspapers reported that

‘

The shadow that hangs on the wall should tell any wellmeaning Nigerian that the sun is going down and the nation is drifting to the edge of the precipice

An open letter to Toyomi

D

EAREST wife, it is that time of the year when the exigencies of a likely economic gloom is forcing many heads of the family to reappraise their financial plans for the incoming year. If you would be sincere with yourself (and I know I can rely on that), you will agree with me that I have refused to tamper with the funds appropriated for housekeeping allowances in the last two years. Although it has not been easy, I have managed to place our heads above the murky economic waters. Somehow, and in spite of all odds, we have managed to tag along as a family. I do appreciate all the efforts and sacrifices you have made in the past to keep the home front running. Sometimes, you have had to ‘loan’ me some money to keep the beats going.

I owe you a truckload of gratitude for those bad debts. That, I believe, is why we have remained as husband and wife in seasons and off seasons.

Oh, you are wondering where all this is getting to and you want me to spill it out in black and white? I’ll do that immediately.

All I know is that this open letter is not a prelude to filing divorce papers. With wives like you, I doubt if any right-thinking man would ever give a thought to divorce. I am not about pushing you to the wall either. All I ask is your understanding and patience to read this short letter through. And because this has to do with our survival as a family, I pray that the Almighty God give you the grace to absorb the tight but inevitable fiscal measures that would, henceforth, govern our conjugally enforced business relations as we enter the New Year. On this matter, we all have to tighten the belt skin-deep if we want to transform and live to see the days beyond the Jonathan era. Therefore, view this letter as a proactive response from a caring husband to a likely economic stagnation that is waiting to happen once President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan goes ahead with his ‘no more fuel subsidy’ threat!

Having listened to all the ‘turenchi’ that President Ebele Goodluck Jonathan vomited while presenting the 2012 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly on Tuesday, as well as his screaming silence on the non-populist plans to cream off subsidy funds from the appropriation bill; it is now very clear to me that there is an urgent need to readjust the family’s economic projections with immediate effect.

Sorry dear if that sounds like a military language. Now don’t give me that grunting look yet. What we need now is prayer, a large dose of it. To survive in this economic reality, we have to redirect our thinking caps to meet the demands of the Jonathan budget of ‘transformation’. Someone interprets it as ‘Full transformation to perpetual paupery?’

Transformation to where? You asked? Well, that was the question on my mind until some economic analysts started breaking down the facts behind the figures. Do I need to tell you that the revelations are unnerving and quite scary? In its headline of Wednesday, December 14, the Nigerian Tribune came out with a screamer: “Rice, bread, beer to cost more...as FG increases tariffs on wheat, rice.” Then the Daily Trust kept its readers on the edge with a headline that captures the crying impotence of the government to put an end to the growing cases of criminality in the land. The headline reads: “As Jonathan presents 2012 budget…Security beats 12 ministries combined.” The Guardian’s straight-to-the-point lead story on the day reads: “Overhead takes

’

the explosion was launched by some indigenous members of the mosque protesting an attempt to conduct its service in Hausa language, an online publication (247u reports), whose version I considered more factual and logical, reported that it was the handiwork of a militant Ijaw group known as Egbesu Mightier Fraternity. Before the Sunday incident, the group had reportedly issued a warning to the Boko Haram sect to stop the killing of southerners and Christians in the North or face reprisals against their northern kinsmen and fellow Muslims residing in the South.

Another statement reportedly signed by the group’s Joint Revolutionary Council, claiming responsibility for Sunday’s incident reads in part: “The continued killing of Christians in the North is unbearable to us now. Boko Haram has been leaving bombs around churches and other places. Why all these killings of innocent Niger Deltans? With this trend, we can’t leave together. Leave Niger Delta now!!!

Your failure to leave at the expiration of this letter, we’ll start to kill any Muslim we see in the Niger Delta region. Full stop and no going back...

“Muslims can’t live in our land (Niger Delta)

72% as government budgets N4.75tr for 2012 while the Nigerian Compass focuses on the apocalyptic picture of a ‘tough 2012’ painted

by Jonathan in his address to the nation. And then, beyond the removal of fuel subsidy as inferred by ThisDay following Jonathan’s silence on the matter, the paper also quotes a seemingly upbeat President telling anyone who cares to listen that “this is our walk to economic freedom.” I may not know those walking with him but I do know many Nigerians are not prepared for that walk!

Jonathan is, indeed, a bold man to have insisted on the removal of subsidy in spite of the looming crisis with organized labour and the admonition by the European Union that the government should tread softly in its haste to bully a cynical citizenry into swallowing yet another bitter pill. We wait to see how far he can go.

Dear wife, that is the scenario behind the motivation to write this unusual Christmas season letter. The sage says a stitch in time saves nine. This is my own stitch and it couldn’t have come at a better time than now. And so, I unfold my economic agenda which must be strictly followed by all members of the house. My blueprint for economic survival is made up of few nuggets which are within the understanding of the children.

First, from January 1, embargo has been placed on the purchase of bread in the house. If it must be bread, then it has to be cassava bread! In any case, Aso Rock has tasted the bread and it has unilaterally decided for the rest of us that it must be a compulsory item on the breakfast table, notwithstanding the likelihood of constipation or kwashiokor. Though I am yet to have a munch but, after watching the cassava bread-eating communion service conducted by Mr. President with the cabinet members some weeks back, I assume that a special task force would be set up to monitor how many of them comply to Oga Jonah’s directive. I also assume that the task force would be saddled with the responsibility of stationing its officers at strategic locations in Abuja where the high and mighty visit to buy the kinds of assorted bread that befit their status!

So darling, encourage the children to learn how to enjoy cassava bread. Tell them that the government has granted bakeries ten months within they must transit from wheat to cassava use and that, starting from the next fiscal year, cassava flour equipment would be duty free. Explain to them that there is nothing wrong with eating cassava bread in the morning, top it up with cassava flakes in the afternoon and go to bed after plenty morsels of eba or akpu had settled in the stomach. It is called balanced diet!

Rice? Oh, there is always a way round it. We have been told by those who should know that this country is capable of producing many tons of rice for local consumption and more. Now that waiver has been removed from the importation of rice, the Asians who have taken over the business of rice importation and reaping billions of naira from the waivers would have to leave the stage for our local farmers who can now export Abakaliki and Ofada rice to all parts of the world. And since charity must necessarily begin at home, we must show the rest of the world how to sieve the stones from the rice. Besides, we have been told that the local rice is more nourishing than the parboiled rice from Thailand. So, let us take the positives from this new economic agenda. A bird squealed to me that Aso Rock has even ordered tons and tons of Abakaliki and Ofada rice to be distributed as Christmas hampers to the men of

freely while Boko Haram will be killing our people in their land. This is our message: if you like, stay and test our ultimatum and see what will happen. We are fully ready to kill if Muslims test us. What happened in Warri today is minor and we shall continue (to do) more if they don’t leave our land. Every Muslim should leave now or (there will be) blood. We have tasted bloody war during the days of our agitation for equal rights. These Boko Haram live among you and pray in the same mosque.

So, you can’t claim that you don’t know where Boko Haram is... We the Egbesu Mightier Fraternity have given you our word. We have killed and we will not hesitate to kill again if you dare us.”

It is instructive that a few days before the Sapele incident, the militant Oodua People’s Congress had staged a protest in Lagos against the activities of the Boko Haram and general insecurity in the country, according to its leader, Dr Frederick Fasehun. Numbering almost a thousand, the protesters marched from the old toll gate through Ojota, Maryland, Ikorodu Road and Ojuelegba to the National Stadium, brandishing guns and other weapons. In July, a militant group that goes by the name Akhwat Akwop had emerged in Kaduna State, vowing to act as a counter-force to the Boko Haram and threatening to unleash their venom on Muslims whenever Boko Haram attacks or kills a Christian in any part of the North.

The shadow that hangs on the wall should tell any well-meaning Nigerian that the sun is going down and the nation is drifting to the edge of the precipice. If the Jonathan government is not blinded by how much blood it can drain from a populace whose sweat is already exhausted, it will realize that the house of cards we are advertising as a nation is at a point where we can no longer pretend about the necessity of a national conference. Like I once warned, the imperative of a conference of national unity clings tightly to us like a cloak.

We have the choice of recognising it and dealing constructively with it or ignoring it and living in bondage to it.

Knucklehead With

Yomi Odunuga E-mail:yomi.odunuga @thenationonlineng.net SMS only: 07028006913 power. As a law abiding wife, all you need to do is to purchase more sifters so that the children can join in the battle to separate stones from rice if they must eat the stuff! I humbly offer my assistance in the kitchen whenever rice-sifting is the subject.

I am sure you are getting tired of my canticles. No, don’t be.

There is no easy walk to economic freedom anywhere. Some walks are often embarked on by clear-eyed persons; not drunken sailors.

And that is why we must appreciate the ban on wheat which may lead to an increase in the cost of a bottle of beer. In any case who needs a beer when our local palm wine tappers are crying for attention and begging for patronage? I believe Mr. President should be commended for the ingenious way he has been encouraging our local foods and drinks. What better way is there to justify local content than when the President of Africa’s sleeping giant eats cassava bread, akpu or eba and washes it down with a gourd of freshlytapped palmwine instead of Moet, Hennessy or any of those expensive foreign spirits that ruin our economy?

Dear Toyomi, I would have loved to go on with this microeconomic analysis gleaned from the perspective of a concerned husband, but the day is far spent and there is still a lot to be achieved.

I am bracing up for the challenge of paying more for power consumption as an invidious New Year gift from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria. I have also started a crash course in fleeing from danger spots as labour and the civil society organizations prepare for fuel subsidy removal ‘war’ with the government. Believe me; the large chunk budgeted for security is not just for tackling the Boko Haram menace or the brazen armed robbery cases in banks or orgy of killings and bombings in Jos. It is a war chest to be deployed to silencing the voices of dissent in the land - be it civil, political, religious or otherwise. I just hope my crash course would come in handy.

In conclusion wife, do not despair. Let me see a smile on that inquisitive face as you read this letter. See the rainbow and its gleaming colours, for this cup shall pass too. As an optimist, I have no doubt that President Jonathan meant well when he told us, in his inauguration speech that: “You have entrusted me with your mandate, I will not let you down. I know your pains because I have been through it and I am one of you. The time of lamentation is over.”

Or has the lamentation begun already? Cheer up wife, cheer up as we forage for faith and hope through a ‘transformation’ regime that is far beyond the understanding of millions of ordinary citizens!

12

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

‘I got only N7,500 after leading people to rob my grandfather’

O

OPERATIVES of the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), Lagos State Police Command, have arrested all

the members of a nine-man robbery gang allegedly hired by a 19-year-old man to rob his grandfather.

Parading the suspects, the Police said the nine were arrested after a tip-off received by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Yakubu Alkali, to the effect that an insider was involved in the attack, considering the kind of questions the robbers asked during the operation at the old man’s residence in Epe, Lagos.

Confessing his role in the robbery incident, the victim’s grandson, Dapo Olukoya, who allegedly organised the robbery, said: “I am an electrician. I reside at No. 44 Ituwu Oloja Street, Epe, and the man we robbed is my grandfather.

“I was the one who organised the robbery operation. I hid myself three poles away from the robbery scene because I did not want them to see me. They are my family members. If they see my face, they would scream. Even after the operation, I watched my grandfather narrating his experience in the hands of his attackers, not knowing that I was monitoring the operation from a distance.”

Asked how he planned and executed the o p e r a t i o n , Olukoya said: “My father is the secretary of our family meetings.

It was through him that I knew that the family wanted to sell about seven acres of land and that the would-be buyers had broken kola w i t h N350,000, from which those who were present when the sale of the family land was b e i n g bargained collected o v e r N20,000 each.

“Although my father did not mention the amount the seven acres of land had been priced, I heard him say that the money was too much. From that day, I could no longer sleep. I started thinking about what to do to get some of the money.

“Although I did not know other members of the gang, I knew Abiodun Salau. The following day, I went to him and told him that my family had sold about seven acres of land and that the sum involved was much. I also told him that the money was with my grandpa.

“I then asked him what we could do to get the money. He said if I cooperated with him, I would get a reasonable sum.

He also told me he would arrange how to get the money once I was sure that it was with my grandpa.

“At about 7.48 pm on a Sunday, he called me on the phone and told me that I had messed up by telling him that the money was with my grandpa. At the background, I could hear the groaning of someone in pains. He said my people, including my grandfather, were not cooperating and that they would kill all of them if they failed to produce the money.

“I told Abiodun not to allow his members to carry out the death threat. I said: ‘Don’t kill anybody, please. They are of the same blood with me. Search well, you will see the money.

They have not taken the money to the bank.

They intend to share it. It is too big to be hidden.’

“But they gave one of my grandpa’s sons a serious wound. They allegedly broke his head with a bottle of gin. He is receiving treatment

• Jamiu, the suspected gang leader

Ebele BONIFA at the hospital now and I know that God will not allow him to die.

“A day after the operation, Abiodun (Salau) called me on phone to meet him at Aiyetoro Market in Epe. When I got there, I saw him buying assorted electronics and cartons of noodles. I asked him to tell me how much he collected and he said N30,000.

I was angry and told him that he should tell me the truth or I would expose the gang. He said I was a small boy and that I should pocket my threat. He gave me N7,500.

“The following day, my grandfather called us together and told us that the gang collected N300,000, cell phones and jewellery. They wounded my brother, Dayo, and tortured him (my grandfather). I pitied my grand father. I did not know how to comfort him or tell him that I masterminded the robbery. I followed him to the hospital and even wept when I saw the deep cut inflicted on his head by one of the gang members. I felt like fighting the idiot who inflicted my brother with such wound.”

Salau (19), a final year student of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Epe

said: “On the November 18, 2011, I saw Dapo (Olukoya), who is a friend to me. He told me that he had been looking for me and that he had something to discuss with me. I asked him what the matter was. He asked if I knew the boys that worked as thugs during the last general election. I said I knew a few of them, including Jamiu.

“Dapo then told me that his grandfather wanted to sell their family land and had collected a lot of money. He asked me whether the thugs I knew used guns during the elections and I said yes. He said he needed some boys to come on November 20 to rob his grandpa. The day we discussed was November 18, 2011.

“On November 20, he called me on the phone and said he saw some traces of money paid and that I should try and call Jamiu Ayinde. Jamiu promised to call his boys to come around. When they came, I informed Dapo and two motorcycle riders with two other guys from Ikorodu. They discussed about the house and the his grandpa. Dapo drew the map on how to enter the house and hold everybody hostage.

“At about 7.30 pm, we sat together and planned again. Around 8 pm, we entered the house. I had told Jamiu earlier that I would not be able to show up because the grandpa and his son know me. But I later entered after wearing Jamiu’s mask to avoid being recognised. I also stood outside to watch out for intruders.

“On November 23, as I was resting in my house, SARS operatives came and there was no way for me to escape. I stretched out my hands for their handcuffs. I bought only one rechargeable lantern from my share of N25,000.”

The third suspect, Jamiu Ayinde, 22, said: “I was in charge when we entered grandpa’s house. We asked grandpa where he kept the money and he said although they brought the money to his house, he told them to take it back; that he only needed a cheque. We threatened to shoot him, telling him that he was lying. We pointed a gun at him, and when he still would not show us where he kept the money, we ordered one of his sons to show it to us, but he said his grandpa returned the money because it was too much and he had no way of protecting it before the family meeting.

“We later ransacked everywhere and saw N100,000. We ransacked grandma’s room and got N50,000 worth of jewellery, phones and grandpa’s camera and flash.”

The gang members allegedly recruited by Jamiu from Ikorodu included the fourth suspect, Lukman Rasak, 22, a bus driver from Ijebu Waterside, Ogun State.

He said: “As we entered the house, I was with one locally made pistol. We met the grandpa in the parlour. We pointed the gun at him, dragged him up and ordered him to give us the money he collected from the sale of the family land. I stayed with grandpa. He was not afraid. He looked as if he was not hearing us.

“At this point, I stayed with him while others went into the rooms to ransack it.

Abiodun found N150,000. Ayo held a glass cup and told grandpa that he would break •Continued on Page 14

13

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

‘I was deceived by fake engineer to sell company’s car in my possession’ , A ROBBERY suspect detained in the cell of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command, Gabriel Sampson, 29, has blamed buyers of stolen goods for the spate of armed robberies in the country. Gabriel Sampson, an indigene of Ini Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, said without people to buy stolen vehicles, there would be no car snatchers. Sampson argued that no one would snatch a car for personal use.

The robbery suspect, who spoke with our correspondent on Sunday, said: “I was arrested for stealing a Toyota Camry given to me officially to work with. The company that gave me the car was a car hire company called Sheriville Global International, located at No. 2, Akin Osiyemi Street, Allen Avenue.

The car they gave me was a Toyota Corolla with registration number DN642JJJ. “They (Sheriville) gave me the car and posted me to Aka Lamboghini, a different company in Lagos. There, I served all the members of staff at the management level.

Any of them could wake me up at any time and ask me to take him out for lunch. When we got to any hotel or restaurant, he or she would leave me in the car, telling me not to leave the car because of the inscription that cars were parked at owners’ risk, even though the people collected N100 for parking. After eating and drinking to their satisfaction, my bosses would order me to take them back to the office.

“I could not relate well with those I called my ogas (bosses), because none of them cared about my welfare. They were too greedy and selfish. Their one kobo never dropped for me.

“With time, however, I started getting familiar with the people I took to restaurants or hotels for lunch. Some of them bought me food, others gave me money. After some time, the money they gave me started controlling me. In fact, to me, life was meaningless without money. I followed anybody who gave me money and called him master or madam depending on gender.

“That was the situation when I was posted from Aka Lamboghini to another company called Alcatel-Lucent, where I was given this vehicle. At Alcatel-Lucent, there was an engineer who usually asked me to take him out for lunch, pleasure or site seeing. Any time I took him out, he treated me like his younger brother. Whatever food or drink they served him, he ordered my own too.

“Because I was hungry, I could not ask the man what kind of engineer he was or where his office was in the company. I was carried away by the brotherly way he handled me.

At times, they would issue me a query to explain my whereabouts after they must have searched for me in vain to take the manager somewhere. The same engineer, who I did not know was fake, would tell me not to worry about the query.

“My trouble started when on a sunny day, the engineer came again and asked me to take him to a bank. Because my brain was not working normally as a result of hunger and frustration, I did not ask him which bank. I brought the car for him to enter, praying silently that he would give me bigger money this time.

“On the way to the bank, he told me to stop.

Then he told me there was something he would show me that would transform my life. I obeyed and parked by the side of the road. He told me to come and see what he had in the bag I had put in the booth for him. I opened the booth and shifted the bag for him to open. Believe me, I saw bundles of dollars and naira notes filling the bag to the brim. He asked me why I looked surprised and asked whether I had not seen big money like that before. I told him that since I was born, I had not even touched the dollar not to talk of seeing such a huge sum.

“He told me that the love he had for me was divine, and that he would give me some of the money to change my life. He said the money he would give me, I would be able to build my own house in a choice place,

My trouble started when on a sunny day, the engineer came again and asked me to take him to a bank. Because my brain was not working normally as a result of hunger and frustration, I did not ask him which bank. I brought the car for him to enter, praying silently that he would give me bigger money this time

,

•Gabriel

Ebele BONIFACE buy my dream car and stop being other people’s messenger. I was very happy and grateful.

“But he said there was only one condition

under which he would give me money from the suitcase. I told him I would abide by any condition as far as it was within my power.

He told me to bring the sum of N200, 000 or more. I told him I had no savings anywhere and that I could only boast of the N3, 000 he gave me earlier. I had not even received my

salary. It was only queries I had been receiving in Alcatel-Lucent since they posted me there.

“He sympathised with me and advised me to sell the Toyota Camry so that I would replace it for the company when I had made bigger money. I had not involved myself in anything like this before. I did not know where to get a buyer. Just then, the name of my old friend in Calabar came to my mind.

I called him on the phone. His name is Shakiru. After explaining everything to him, he asked me to drive the car down to Calabar.

“When I got to Calabar, that was around July, I met Shakiru and he took the car to Ikot-Ekpene where it was sold for N500, 000.

But I lied to engineer that I sold the car for N200, 000. He said he would collect all the money. That was the point at which we started having misunderstanding. He eventually collected the money and disappeared.

“Going back to the company became a problem. So, I decided to remain in Calabar. When they did not see me, they reported to the Police. The police stations they reported at could not get me, so they reported me to SARS and here I am, writing a statement.

“What is important to me now is my health.

I have not been taking my drugs. Sometime in November, I saw this oga (SP Abba Kyari) when his boys arrested me and took me before him in his office. He sent his boys to Calabar where they arrested me. I also took them to Ikot-Ekpene where I sold the vehicle.

I was arrested in Calabar, but the car was recovered in Ikot-Ekpene. I took SARS men there and they recovered the car. The engineer who put me in trouble is a fraudster.

He is a fake engineer. The place he took me to was Obiaroko in Delta State.”

Sampson wondered why he was still being held by the Police after the car had been recovered. “Let me go and treat myself. I am on drugs. The car in question, I sold for N500,000. The buyer paid N300, 000. The fake engineer disappeared with N200, 000. I have finished the N100,000 in Calabar. The buyer is still owing me N200, 000.

“I heard that they arrested the buyer.

Please, tell the buyer to give me the balance.

If I have the N200, 000 balance, I will be happy, because with it, I can feed till the case is over.

“Let them leave me to go and treat myself.

They have recovered their car, what business do I still have with them? What type of wickedness is this? I took SARS to Ikot-Ekpene to recover the car. Why am I still here? I have no more case to answer.”

14

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

•From left: Jamiu,Adedaku&Saheed

‘

The following day, my grandfather called us together and told us that the gang collected N300,000, cell phones and jewellery. They wounded my brother, Dayo, and tortured him (my grandfather). I pitied my grand father.

I did not know how to comfort him or tell him that I masterminded the robbery. I followed him to the hospital and even wept when I saw the deep cut inflicted on his head by one of the gang members...

•Continued from Page 12

•From left,Olarikan, Dare, Dapo, Aboidun,Lukman & Ayo

‘I got only N7,500 after leading people to rob my grandfather’ motorcycle (okada) rider. Confessing to the crime, he said: “I was one of them. I had a charm on me, but when I got there, I lost faith in the charm and decided not to follow them inside.

“What I did was to stand by at the robbery scene, ready to carry two or three members into escape after the operation. We were disappointed that Dapo said his grandpa had collected millions of naira in cash. They ransacked everywhere and they could not get even one million naira. We were disappointed.”

The sixth suspect, Saheed Sulola, who said he was born in 1986 and practised auto mechanic in Ikorodu, Lagos, said: “They asked us to wait three streets away from the house they robbed, to enable us carry them away after the operation. That was my third operation. The second one was an attack on a man that dealt in whole sale beer and other drinks. We collected about N200,000 from him. It was a successful operation”.

“The seventh suspect, namely Bakare

’

his son’s head if he failed to bring out the money. Before we knew it, Ayo landed the glass cup on the grandson’s head and left him in a pool of blood.”

The fifth suspect, Akin Adedapo, 24, a native of Akimorin in Oyo State who resides in Ikorodu, said he was a commercial

•Aboidun

Olariko, 24, a student, said: “It was my second operation. The first one was at Kpoka in Epe area. We robbed one old man, an Alhaji, of the sum of N400,000. We were four on that day, namely myself, Dare Sonubi, Abiodun Salau and Jamiu. We got N100,000 each.

“I was not a part of the last operation for which they were arrested. They exposed me when they were arrested by informing SARS that I participated in the first operation, which was successful.”

The eightieth suspect, Dare Sonubi, 24, also claimed to be an ex-student of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education. He said it was because he had no job that he joined the gang.

He said: “I would rather join the gang and die as an armed robber than die of hunger.”

The ninth suspect, Ayo Oladeji, 43, said he hit Dayo on the head with a glass cup in order to force him to comply. “I just wanted to teach him a lesson. I am in charge of torture.

Nobody I tortured ever remained the same.

That was why people feared our gang in Epe and Ikorodu areas,” he boasted.

Asked why he would wound or kill people from whom they had collected money, Jamiu, who claimed he had participated in five successful robbery operations before the last one, said: “It is simple: failure to cooperate.”

But Lukman, who claimed he have participated in more than six operations, said: “Apart from failure to cooperate, some of us derive joy in beating our victims because of in-born wickedness and drugs.

But it is good to cooperate to avoid trouble.”

Items recovered from the gang included four locally made pistols, a short axe, bloodstained cloths of their victims, the mask one of them used to cover his face, six cell phones and a pair of a hand glove the gang leader wore to avoid being identified through fingerprint. There was also an amulet and cartridges.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Samuel Jinadu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said the nine-man gang would soon be charged to court.

15

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

Unmask my son’s killers, Anambra Surveyor-General tells Abia Police W

HO would wipe the tears off the face of the parents of Chinwonba Pius Onwubuya, a 24-year-old graduate of Agricultural Economics gruesomely killed by unknown persons? The parents of the deceased graduate would need more than one handkerchief each to wipe the tears they have been shedding over the loss of their promising first son.

Our correspondent gathered that the deceased had obtained his first degree from the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, and was in the school to secure the clearance to enable him participate in the National Youth Service scheme when some unknown persons attacked and killed him.

Recalling the circumstances in which his son was murdered, distraught 58-year-old father of the deceased, Mr. Anthony Onwubuwa, who is also the Surveyor-General of Anambra State, said: “My late son had just graduated from the Department of Agricultural Economics, Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, in January 2011, but was murdered in cold blood by unknown assailants in his hostel at about 7 pm on Tuesday March 1, 2011.

“He went to the school to complete his clearance in readiness for his youth service.

“I was told about the incident at Awka the following day through a telephone call from the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, who I suspected got my telephone number from my late son’s mobile phone, which was with him at the time he was killed.

“He told us that my son was seriously wounded and that he was lying unconscious at the casualty ward of the hospital.

I thought I was getting the true picture of the situation until I arrived at the hospital only to be told that my son had died the previous night from gunshot injuries before he could receive medical attention.”

Speaking further on the incident, Onwubuwa said: “The hospital’s CSO assured me that the Police were already investigating the matter and that some detectives had inspected the corpse at the hospital’s morgue. He subsequently took me to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Umuahia, after I had identified the body as that of my son.

“I later visited the scene of the incident at California Hostel with the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), where we discovered a trace of blood, probably from my son as he attempted to escape from his killers. The Police asked me to come back on Friday March 4, 2011 for the release of the corpse.

They assured me that they were closing in on my son’s killers.

“When I went there on that Friday, I was surprised to find that the Police doctor had not done any autopsy. Hence, I could not remove my son’s corpse. I protested to the Police that the cause of my son’s death was known to them and that they had refused to disclose it to me. But they were adamant.

I was even pressured by the Police into negotiating the cost of the post-mortem with a doctor they recommended at the hospital. I was eventually able to collect my son’s remains for interment at my country home at Abagana, Anambra State on Saturday March 12, 2011.”

He lamented the intrigues that followed the assassination of his son and the indifference of the Police in Abia State. He said: “Although the IPO had already submitted the case file to the officer in charge of the CID section in my presence, what pained me most is that as I speak, the Police are yet to disclose the extent of their investigation into the matter.

“I have a feeling that the Police are trying to cover up something in this matter because a student that was injured during the attack on my son had disclosed the identity of one of the assailants to the Police. The boy was also admitted at the hospital where the body of our son was deposited. But when I asked the Police who the killer was,

•The late Chinwonba

,

When I asked the Police who the killer was, they declined. They said they were closing in on the killers, yet, it is nine months since my son was gruesomely murdered. The incident has affected my health. I have just been discharged from the hospital where I spent about three weeks...

,

Kunle AKINRINADE

they declined. They said they were closing in on the killers, yet, it is nine months since my son was gruesomely murdered.

“The incident has affected my health. I have just been discharged from the hospital where I spent about three weeks.

“I see no reason why the Police should hide anything from us in this matter. I have written petitions to many quarters, including the Abia State Commissioner of Police and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State and the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, without any result.

“That is why I am now shouting out to

the media to help me ask the Police to fish out my son’s killers.”

Elder sister to the deceased, Uchenna, described her late brother as unassuming and shy, adding that those who knew him could attest to his character.

She said: “We are a family of four and my late brother was an epitome of humility. He was also a very diligent student. Like my father told you, he had gone to school on that day to complete his clearance when he was killed by some hoodlums.

“The most painful thing is that the incident has taken a toll on my father’s health as he is yet to get out of the shock from the loss of my brother.

“The Police have become so indifferent to the plight of our family. They refused to ap-

received any

prehend one of the culprits identified by a boy that sustained injuries during the attack on my late brother.

“We have written several letters to the police authorities but nothing has been done to date. We want whoever was responsible for the killing to be apprehended and brought to justice.”

Our correspondent sought the response of the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abia State Police Command, Mr. Geoffrey Ogbonna, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), but he was yet to respond at press time.

16

THE NATION, SATURDAY,DECEMBER 17, 2011

I did not kill my mother, says 34 -year-old accused of butchering mum•I once attacked her with a shovel, he admitted E sounds incoherent, uncoordinated and disorganised in an encounter with our reporter in a police station, in a bid to hear his own side of the allegation of murder against him.

Emmanuel Usha is today cooling off with the Kaduna State Command of the Nigerian Police Force on allegation of killing and butchering his mother, Martina Usha.He was alleged to have thereafter dumped her remains in the well at the back of their house at the Mararaba Rido, an emerging settlement on the outskirts of Kaduna metropolis not too far from the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC) where she retired from.

Although he denied killing or fighting his mother, Emmanuel admitted once attacking her with a shovel. According to him, “I don’t fight her always; but on one occasion, I used a shovel to injure her when I came to collect my phone from her, but she refused to give it to me. Rather than giving me the phone, she was not paying attention to me and refused to give me transport money to go back home.

I had to trek home that night. So I became annoyed and attacked her that night. I was not living with her then, but with my father in Ungwan Television while she was living in Sabo”.

But why did he have to kill and dismember her? Emmanuel denied being the one who killed his mother, saying: “I did not kill her. I was framed. I was framed by people who didn’t want to believe that I graduated from the military school. I graduated in 2010 from Arizona Airforce Academy and presently teaching in my mother’s school. I didn’t kill my mother.

Those who didn’t want to believe I graduated from the military school killed her. Some of them are our neighbours. Some of them even stole my uniform and the riffle I got from the academy. They didn’t want me to achieve anything and I know some of these people”.

If Emmanuel did not kill his mother, when was she killed? He was asked. “It was sometime in the evening. I was at home earlier in the day before going out to go and smoke. By the time I came back, the deed had already been done”.

Even though he claimed that the deed had been done when he came back, he claimed that when he came back home, “there was nothing unusual in the house and there was nothing to show that somebody had attacked her”, giving the impression that he still met her alive. He told The Nation that when he discovered that his mother was missing, he went to his father’s house without saying when exactly he did that and for what purpose.

In his words: “After my mum disappeared from the house, I went to my father’s house that same night.

When I came back, there were people around the house waiting for me to come and open the gate.

When I did that, they started searching and discovered the body

H

I feel very bad because people believe that I killed my mother. I am actually the one in need of my mother because she promised to give me all the things she seized from me before going to stay with my brother in Sabo

Tony AKOWE, Kaduna in the well”. But Emmanuel will not say for how long the mother had been missing before the search, which led to the discovering of her remains inside the well.

In another breadth, Emmanuel admitted mopping the floor when those who searched the house arrived. He said: “I was mopping oil stain on my shoes because I stepped on engine oil when I was entering the house to collect the key for the generator room so that I can fuel the

generator”.

But what was the relationship between Emmanuel and his late mother? He told The Nation that even though they had cause to disagree sometimes, he had a very cordial relationship with his mother. According to him, “My mother was the one who brought me to Maraban Rido to live with her after I couldn’t discover my house because I forgot and these people were taking my things away. I couldn’t remember I was having a house like that.

“She was the one who brought me into the house and organised my school for me. She was the one who was paying my school fees. I was

staying with my father in U/Television before and was doing nothing because when I left school, I did not make my papers. I finished from Mossi Gabriel, I also went to New Breed and also Labayi International School where I took some exams, but didn’t make any of the papers. I also schooled abroad at Arizona Airforce Academy and that was what my mother always put forward for me even though she wasn’t telling me anything”.

If he did not kill his mother, who did he suspect did that? He said: “I suspect our neighbour, especially the people she used to keep the things she took away from me with”. But when asked what the

items were, he said: “My uniform and my rifle. I have a rifle which I was given at the Arizona Airforce Academy when I finished”.

As a private person and in a country where owning a riffle is an illegal act, how come he has a riffle?

“It was given to me at the Airforce academy. When you are a scholar with them, they give you a rifle for protection. They signed it for me and I was supposed to finish with my commission”.

Mrs Usha was said to have accused him of stealing her handset which may have led to her death?

Emmanuel said: “She travelled and came back that morning and we didn’t have time to talk. So when I came back in the evening from school, she asked me about the handset, accusing me of selling it and I denied taking the handset.

Later, she discovered that the second handset was missing and this made her very annoyed because she was not having the communication system in the house. So while she was bragging at me, I went to the room and she went out. That was the last time I saw my mother alive”.

He admitted that the Police recovered a sharp knife, which was allegedly used to kill her mother in his room and a shovel under his bed, but claimed that “it is the knife I used in peeling oranges whenever my mother bought some for me.

The shovel is my rifle that I was using while at the in Arizona academy. It was a gun, but they changed it to a shovel for safety.”

He also admitted smoking cannabis, popularly referred to as Indian hemp, and the report that he had once been taken to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) rehabilitation centre in Zaria, but claimed that it was because alcohol was not good for his system and his mother had to complain to the NDLEA. “Several times, my mother took me for rehabilitation. I don’t drink because when I drink, I vomit and I fall very sick; so my mother was concerned. She told my father about it and they went to complain to NDLEA about it. They took me there for rehabilitation. Since then I don’t drink alcohol again. I only smoke”.

He claimed that he was initiated into drugs while in school, saying: “In the school, it was a project that we should continue smoking. It became something that I used to avoid boredom. We were trained that way in school to smoke. When my mother gave me my ID card, I realised that I was supposed to be in the army and that the clothes given to me were that of the army; but my eyes could not see the colour well. I don’t see green colour when I am not wearing my eye glasses”.

Emmanuel said he felt very bad that his mother is no more, saying: “I feel very bad because people believe that I killed my mother. I am actually the one in need of my mother because she promised to give me all the things she seized from me before going to stay with my brother in Sabo”.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

17

INTERVIEW

18

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

In my early days of politics, I was almost frustrated, but...

— Reps Majority Leader, Mulikat Adeola-Akande

, I was marginalised.

I complained here and there but nothing happened, nothing was done. But I still believed in the party, so I decided to stay on, even when many of my supporters were very angry and suggested that we should move to other parties, after all we had more support in the party.

But I exercised restraint because I believe that God’s time is the best

,

•Hon MulikatAkande

Hon. Mulikat Adeola-Akande is the Majority Leader, House of Representatives. A 1982 Law graduate from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Hon. Adeola –Akande went into politics in 1998 as the country was preparing to go into democratic governance, after a rewarding working experience in the banking industry. In this interview with AUGUSTINE AVWODE, the lawyer cum banker turned politician from Ogbomoso, Oyo State, who is a two term lawmaker, says challenges and a sense of appreciation are two important things that motivate her in life. She explains her guiding philosophies as well as those factors she looks at in choosing her friends, among other things. Excerpts:

F

OR a start, tell us how growing up was like for you?

Thank you very much. Well, though a native of Ogbomoso in Oyo State, I was born in Kaduna about 51 years ago. I had my primary and secondary school education in Kaduna. I did my Law studies in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, after which I went to the Law School, and went to do my National Youth Corps Service with

NAL Merchant Bank in Lagos. That was my first time of going to the South West really. So the first 21 years of my life were spent in the North.

And, after the youth service, knowing that education is key to whatever success one would make in life, I decided to go and do my Masters Degree in Law at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), which I finished in 1985. After that, I joined

some law firms and practised as a lawyer. I later decided to join the banking industry. In 1988, I joined Continental Merchant Bank. Then in 1997, I went to open my own chambers in Surulere, Lagos.

Today, you are known more as a politician than a lawyer and a one time banker. How did you get into politics?

By the time I opened my chambers, it was also getting to the pe-

riod of returning Nigeria to civil rule, so I was like saying to myself then that this will be an opportunity for me to contribute my little quota to the development of our dear country. And it was to me, an opportunity to serve my people, too. So I joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) there in Surulere, Lagos. And by 1999 when the elections were held and they were successful, I said okay, let’s go ahead then.

Then in the year 2000, I had to look at Lagos and Ogbomoso to decide where I would operate from. I came to the conclusion that Lagos is such a metropolitan place, well advanced in all things. So, I said let me go to Ogbomoso where my impact would be felt more by my people. So I went to Ogbomoso and I was given a very encouraging welcome. They were very happy to see me, especially when they realised that my family had been of help one way or another to them.

They promised to give me all the support and to give me a chance.

And so in 2002, when the elections were coming up, I showed interest in the House of Representatives and they supported me. But like so many other women, I was marginalised.

But that did not discourage me.

By then I had not mastered the ropes of politics very well and I did

not quite know the terrain or environment much then, so I was marginalised. I complained here and there but nothing happened, nothing was done. But I still believed in the party, so I decided to stay on, even when many of my supporters were very angry and suggested that we should move to other parties, after all we had more support in the party. But I exercised restraint because I believe that God’s time is the best.

May be this was influenced by my northern upbringing where the belief system is that everything that happens to one is as God has ordained it. If you don’t get something now, it is because it is not yet time as ordained by God. When the right time comes, nobody can stop it. So we continued, I did not leave the party, I kept supporting the party and making myself visible, even when I had to be shuttling between Lagos and Ogbomoso.

So by 2006, the road was already clear. They just believed that they should try a woman this time around and even though there was opposition, those who supported me were more and I was able to win the primary and went on to win the main election. And since then, we have been in it and we thank God. What would you say was the parental influence on you as you were growing up?

I would say it is discipline. My father was somebody who believed in discipline and then the religious training we had influenced me a lot.

I am a Muslim; he inculcated into all of us the fear of God. When you have the fear of God, you are bound to do the right thing in so many things. That apart, he ensured that we were all well educated. It is a thing of joy because the moment you have a father who values education and he is ready to support you to have the best education possible, you must count yourself lucky.

What was he doing?

My father was a businessman, dealing in general merchandise, the same with my mummy. Unfortunately, my mum died when I was still very small.

Did your father influence your reading Law or what would you say informed your choice of career?

You mean my studying Law? Yes. Was it daddy’s choice or what was it?

No, it was not his choice and he did not choose it for me either. I would say it just came naturally because, as an individual, I am someone who fights injustice naturally. I don’t like seeing people being cheated or oppressed. Right from when I was in primary school, I was always at the fore front to make my case known. I will rather think that such a disposition from a young age must have informed my choice of career as a lawyer so as to be able to protect people and also fight my case because I don’t like being cheated or seeing people being cheated by others.

Apart from the philosophy of whatever God has ordained must come to pass at its right time, what other philosophies do you hold dear?

The need to help people! As we grow and go along in life, whatever God does for you is not just doing it for you but to see what you can make out of it by assisting and helping other people. There is the need to be able to touch the lives of people so that at the end of the day, they can be happy. You can’t be an Island to yourself in the midst of many, who have nothing and you have and you are not giving. In giving to you, God wants you to help others too.

In choosing your friend, what do you look at? What are the qualito •Continued on Page 48

19

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

Social life in Uyo

Saturday

THRILLER

20

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

•Pix 1 - 4: Scenes of residents in moments of relaxation

Social life in Uyo KAZEEM IBRAHYM writes on how most residents spend their social life, especially at night, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital

N

IGHT life in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, is what most residents normally look forward to. Fun seekers usually besiege drinking bars of their choice after the close of work. They visit these bars for several reasons.

For instance, Tunde Ogbeha Avenue, a bubbling neighbourhood in Uyo, is named Maitama, just like the Maitama district in Abuja, due to its popularity among fun lovers.

The area, which is located in C Line, Ewet Housing Estate, is an eyebrow area, housing most of the government officials and politicians in the state. The area also has a night club (Wimpy Bar) that operates on a daily basis and a drinking joint, 2nd Baze, and other bars. If you are

the type that prefers noodles and barbecue, Tunde Ogbeha Avenue is the right place for you to be at night, as you could do so to your satisfaction.

The area has over the years become an attractive place for prostitutes seeking to make brisk business. The prostitutes move about in skimpy wear in search of men. One wonders why people prefer to hang out in such a hot spot at night. The prosti-

tutes, mostly teenagers, have always blamed the bad economy coupled with the lack of employment opportunities for choosing prostitution as a means of livelihood.They are not disturbed by the reports of the HIV/AIDS cases in the state.

Some of these ladies are from neighbouring states of Abia, Imo and Anambra.

Despite the arrest of some of the prostitutes by the

surveillance team on trafficking, child abuse and other related matters of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, their activity is still booming.

Recently, the team arrested 54 suspected commercial sex workers around Maitama area, Wimpy Bar, Ikot Ekpene Road and Udotung Ubo Streets all in the state capital. The suspected sex workers were paraded at the

Women Development Centre, Uyo. The state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Eunice Thomas, lamented that the people of Akwa Ibom are known for high moral standards and are held in high esteem due to their ethical culture.

She expressed worry that some persons would decide to change the status which the state is

21

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

‘

From observation, hardly will one move in a street in Uyo without noticing at least two or three drinking joints popularly known as beer parlours where the residents hang out at night. Kenneth, the owner of Extreme Bar along Nwaniba Road, said every night at his bar was like celebrating Christmas

known and recognised for.

Also, the Director of Women Affairs, Mrs. Bassey Essiet, explained that the arrest was part of government’s efforts at fighting the HIV/AIDS in the state.

According to Joseph Bassey, a year-three student of the University of Uyo, night life in Uyo is interesting. He explained that he always looked forward to Wednesday and Friday. Asked why, Bassey said with his meagre pocket money, he could go to clubs with his girlfriend. His words: “What I normally do on a Wednesday night is to drink three bottles of Star beer outside before going to the club. With that, I will be able to dance well and forget my sorrow.”

To Aniefiok Ita, the best place

for him is Emila Bar after the close of work from the state secretariat. The choice of the bar, according to him, is its closeness to his house. He said he would just go to the house to inform his family of his arrival from work, after which he would return to the bar.

“With N500, you could eat chicken and drink a bottle of Guinness stout and I can stay at the bar to watch football. Sometimes, I return home around 11pm,”said Ita. Even as most workers complain of lack of money, The Nation observes that the beer parlour business is a lucrative venture in Uyo because the number of parlours keeps increasing on a daily basis. One of the Guinness salesmen, who

’

preferred anonymity, told our correspondent that he normally supplies about 300 crates of Guinness stout, Harp and other products to his customers on a daily basis.

His words: “Akwa Ibom is a fertile land for beer business.

From observation, the indigenes prefer beer to spirit. You can even see it from the table here.

People are drinking beer and not spirit.”

A customer at the bar told The Nation that “an average Akwa Ibom man likes enjoyment no matter his status in the society.

Nothing is really happening as far as night life in Uyo is concerned compared with Cross River and Rivers states.”

From observation, hardly will one move in a street in Uyo with-

out noticing at least two or three drinking joints popularly known as beer parlours where the residents hang out at night.

Kenneth, the owner of Extreme Bar along Nwaniba Road, said every night at his bar was like celebrating Christmas.

He explained that citizens could move any time of the day without fear because of the heavy security arrangement provided by the government of Godswill Akpabio. He added that the state was terrible for people when kidnapping was the order of the day.

At Kenneth’s bar, people of all ages are seen eating roasted ukon (plantain) and unen (chicken).

He explained that “as from 4pm when people close from work, they branch at the bar to either eat roasted plantain and chicken or drink beer, spirit or wine”.

According to him , he has no closing time as sometimes he closes as late as 2am, depending on the volume of customers.

The story is not different at Imedu Bar, according to Kufre Etok. He said : “Beer is sold at a relatively lower price compared to other bars in Uyo.” Fun seekers also thrill themselves to satisfaction at Lounge Uno, a night club located along Brooks Street, and Javis, a night club at Udoh Street, off Barracks Road, Uyo at night. On Wednesday and Friday nights, different sets of people usually throng the venues for maximum enjoyment.

Also, as expected, young ladies besiege the club to look for potential customers. Even the newest club in town , Monty Suite, is where commissioners, chairmen and other politicians go to every Friday night. At the club, there is segregation, to the extent that if you are not in government, you would not be admitted into the VIP session.

An expatriate with one of the construction companies , who preferred anonymity, said the music at Lounge Uno was excellent , adding that he preferred to come around to hang out at the club for enjoyment before retiring home.

Also, most people hang out at the Ibom Plaza at night. The club was established by former Governor Victor Attah. It was built as a relaxation centre for fun lovers and tourists. It has become a ghost of itself, as it has been abandoned.

Recently, the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Renewal, Emmanuel Enoidem, had ,during a briefing, told newsmen that the state government was not satisfied with the management of the plaza, but assured residents that the government would soon reopen the plaza in order to meet up with the standard of the people.

Enoidem alleged that an official, who the former governor entrusted the running of the plaza to, had never accounted for any kobo collected there.

His words: “The money made from the plaza was to be used to maintain it and if it was not enough, they should have asked for more money. No one can mention the amount generated so far from the running of the plaza. It is abnormal for this type of irresponsible act to continue.”

Conceived by Akpabio’s administration, the Ibom Tropicana Entertainment

Centre, which is being constructed by Silverbird Galleria Limited, is another recreational centre for tourists and residents in the state. According to Akpbio, the centre is fashioned after Sun City in South Africa and Disneyland in Orlando, Florida, the United States. The complex, when completed, would comprise four major components, a cineplex; a 10,000-capacity international convention centre; a five-star hotel and a theme park.

Though the cineplex, which has six screen luxury cinemas, has been delivered, serious work is ongoing on all other areas in order to meet the deadline set by the state government. Even as many believe that the N32 billion centre is one of the bad policies of the state government, to Akpabio, Akwa Ibom State is ripe for such a complex that will have everything ranging from entertainment to hospitality and leisure under one roof, which will enable movie buffs in the state see films at the same time they are shown in cinemas around the world.

During his visit to the Tropicana, while Akpabio was away on a foreign trip, the state Deputy Governor, Nsima Ekere, called on contractors handling the construction of the centre to complete the project on schedule. Ekere, who paid an unscheduled visit to the projects noted the pace of work by the contractors and called on them to increase capacity in order to meet the deadline for the completion of the project.

He described the project as one of the flagship projects of the Akpabio Administration, stressing that the administration was determined to complete it on schedule.

Briefing Ekere and his team, Paul Ogunyemi, the project leader of Silverbird Galleria Limited, the major contractor, said the company was working hard to surmount the challenges preventing it from meeting the deadline.

But, the Akwa Ibom State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Dr. Amadu Attai, described the centre as one of the misplaced priorities policies of the state government.

Attai said: “When the idea of the Tropicana came up, people criticised the project, telling the governor that the state did not need the centre , but the government went on with it. As it is now, what are they doing at the Tropicana? They are doing cinema in one hall and people are going there to eat popcorn at the rate of N500”.

Le Meridien Hotel and Golf Resort, located on the bank of Nwaniba River, about 10minute drive from Uyo, is a key attraction to tourists and businessmen visiting the state,It has, in the last four years, hosted major international golf tournaments.

It was the brainchild of former Governor Attah, but Akpabio claims that the hotel had only 18 guest rooms as at the time he assumed office as the governor of the state.

According to Akpabio, within one year, the hotel was completed with 153 guest rooms, 26 suites , seven chalets, a 1000capacity conference hall and a lobby that can accommodate 4,000 people.

22

THE NATION, SATURDAY,DECEMBER 17, 2011

‘When my husband told me he was quitting his flying banking job to become full-time pastor, it was a tug of war’ ‘

Her admirers call her Mama Ree. She is Rita Udoh, a 1988 graduate of Dramatic Arts from Obafelmi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife. Apart from being one of the pioneer pastors of The Father’s House Church, Lagos, she currently manages a school, Manifest Hall . In this interview with GBENGA ADERANTI, Udoh talks about the challenges and burden of being a pastor’s wife; why she is not against discussing sex in church; why she would not be seen in some attires ; how she was able to cope when her husband left as an Assistant General Manager of one of the top banks in Nigeria to become a pastor. Excerpts:

W

HAT does it take to be a pastor’s wife?

A pastor’s wife is first a mother to her children and spiritual mother to her church members. She stands in the gap in prayer for her husband and the church.

Above all, she is the standard bearer, the model for all to follow. As pastor’s wife, discipline, especially in the area of socials and politics, must be maintained. She must not be loquacious, biased and given to tale bearing. What she wears must be moderate and her relationship with members, especially the women folk, must be excellent. I want to say it’s a daunting exercise to be and yet, an interesting thing to be.

What do you think is your most important responsibility as a pastor’s wife?

Hmn, I think the most important responsibility of my assignment is prayer. I know that the most challenging issues of our ministry were resolved through prayers. I don’t joke with prayer at all! Also, I find time to study the word of God and a life full of prayers and the word of God cannot be depressed by any means.

In addition, I’ve always found time to be attentive to people because my understanding of ministry is that people prefer to ‘open up’ to their pastors than their spouses. Therefore, I need to make myself available, even on phones and at night. People are assets we cannot deemphasize in the ministry.

Girls, ladies and women bring one problem or the other to pastors. How do you react when you see women around your husband?

Well, my reaction when I see women around my husband? No ill feelings at all. He is first my husband b e fore

he’s a pastor and since I’m part of his ministry, there shouldn’t be a room for suspicion.

Let me ask you, how will a doctor’s wife react when her husband is with a female patient that may be naked? My husband as a pastor is a man of God without gender restriction.

Do you think women are doing enough playing the roles are supposed to play in churches?

Not at all. Most women in churches today, I can say, are not fully performing the roles expected of them. The church is the training ground for them to impact knowledge and most women hardly have sufficient time for church, rather, their careers and businesses take topmost attention. Women are supposed to be the leaders in the home front in terms of spiritual things. How many mothers sit down with their children to teach them the Bible? How many of them pray for their children at least one by one? When we have a strong and God-fearing home, it will naturally reflect in our churches and societies.

Most wayward girls on the streets of Nigeria were victims of broken homes, who lacked proper parental cares and attention in their growing ages.

I wish our women create more time in serving God than chasing money, sad to say that some children don’t even know their biological mothers because they really don’t have time for their children, and the nature of their job as career women is not helping matters.

How can you live the well being of your treasured child in the custody of a house-help for the whole day? Haba! It’s very wrong. The Bible says children are the heritage of God but we have turned them to be heritage of our house maids and that is why they cannot have motherly affection. This leaves much to be desired.

Sex and sexuality was a taboo in churches before but today, everybody is talking about it. What is your take on this?

I am a staunch supporter of such teachings. Church should no longer shy away from addressing the issue of sex; it’s no sacrilege in the church when the subject is constructively built. Some marriages were not working out as a result of misconception of sex and sexuality; hence, who would they go to in seeking knowledge? Let me be sincere with you, some of our men receive wrong advice from their friends and their marriages are suffering as a result.

Do you sometimes have cause to disagree with your husband over people and issues?

It is normal to get on the contrary with my husband on people and issues but it is a thing of wisdom to reconcile things mutually. No disagree-

ment has ever degenerated i n t o squabble; and being my head and lord, his position must always be respected because of the anointing.

Do you often conceal some things from your husband?

I really don’t know what to conceal from him, so I don’t have to.

W h a t boundar i e s have you established in order to protect your marriage and family life?

My marriage and my family life enjoy the best of relationship and protection. I see everybody in my family as part of me, so there is mutual respect for one another.

When other women in the church criticise your husband, how do you feel?

Criticism depends on the angle we see it.

Some people criticise blindly and some come up with constructive ones. If the criticism is a positive one of course, I don’t feel cold about it at all, even when it is unjustifiable, there is no reason to react or respond. God is the only one that can vindicate (1 Peter 2:23): ‘When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.’

What is the greatest blessing and the greatest burden of being a pastor’s wife?

I think it is more of blessing to be a pastor’s wife. It builds our spiritual immunity in Christ. We live with the mindset that we’re mentoring some people around us. And for the burden? Well, we may not have exclusive ‘possession’ of time and attention of our husbands. Which is a bit of burden.

What is that thing you are missing as a pastor’s wife?

Frankly speaking, nothing I can remember!

Do you sometimes feel like quitting pastoral job?

Well, there was a time I felt like that and that was at the teething stage of the ministry but through consistent and steadfast prayers, the Lord helped us to surmount the mountains.

How was it at the initial stage?

•Pastor (Mrs) Udoh The initial stage was challenging really; look, to eat a two-square meal was a serious problem. Paying the children school fees was cumbersome. Generally speaking, the standard of living dropped to zero level compared to what was on ground before the start of fulltime ministry. My brother, ko easy o!

When your husband told you that he was quitting his banking job, how did you react to that decision?

It was very difficult for me to believe. In fact, my husband himself knew it wasn’t going to be a bed of roses telling me he was going to quit his flying and bright banking career. My friend, it was a tug of war to agree with him o! At a time, I thought to myself, where will I begin again? How will I cope?

What will become of my children if he leaves his job? Lailai, I no go gree! But God, in His infinite wisdom, calmed me down and showed me the way out.

Do you sometimes feel overworked?

Of course, I do feel but when it does happen, I rest at home to freshen up for new challenges.

What does it mean to marry outside your ethnic group?

It really means nothing to me. It doesn’t reduce nor make me marginalised. I relate very well in my marriage and with all my inlaws.

Do you get angry too?

Yes o, but my anger gets vaporised almost immediately. It will never outlast me no matter how hurting! The Bible says in Eph. 4:26, ‘Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger’.

•Continued on Page 48

LOCATION

BACKSTAGE

SNAPSHOT

REEL NEWS

MUSIC

SCREEN

Edited by: VICTOR AKANDE

Tel: 08077408676

E-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com

ntertainment

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

See pages 28-37

Why I stopped acting nude roles —Linda Ejiofor

23

24

STANDh BY! Wit

VICTOR AKANDE E-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com Tel: 08077408676 (SMS only)

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

THINK

nt part of An importa s of any the succes is its civilisation late the mu ability to e t led to the a th factors ther success of o Eric .— s civilisation rt Reine

SNAPSHOTS

Monalisa lands N30m deal

The GUS realism

•Monalisa

•Lydia Saint-Nwafor

WRITE TO US! Do you watch Nollywood movies? What do you think of the Nigerian motion picture industry? Send your review of any movie or short essay on any topic of your choice about the film industry in not more than 200 words. Send entries by e-mail to: victor_akande@yahoo.com or SMS your short comments to 08077408676

25

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

SNAPSHOTS

RE ELNEW S Court freezes NCC’S account

Mercy Aigbe's Project Fame 4 Hajia Jemila excites movie fans

M

OVIE fans and buffs alike are itching to have a feel of Mercy Aigbe's latest movie entitled Hajia Jemila. Though the movie is yet to hit movie shelves there is a gradual increase in follower ship as cinema goers can't seem to have enough of the yet-to-be released flick.

The light skinned actress is hoping for the best when the movie is eventually released as she hopes to impress her fans who are wishing her the best as she joins the list of Nollywood actresses who have evolved into being movie producers.

Biodun Okeowo launches new car

L

IGHT skinned Yoruba actress Biodun Okeowo who is also know as Tolani Osirin on stage recently too delivery of Honda Pilot Jeep. The thespian who has featured in a hand full of movies on the scene is said to be having a jolly time cruising around in her wonder-onwheel.

The versatile and talented actress has also seen her profile step up by a notch as has joined the league of Nollywood actresses who have the pleasure of having expensive auto mobiles.

•Biodun

Who wears the crown tonight?

A

LL is set to stage the finals of the 4th edition of Project Fame West Africa at the Ultima Studio, Lekki, Lagos. A battle of the six finalists of the MTN Project Fame academy, the show determines who goes home with the coveted N2.5 million, Toyota RAV4 and a multi-million naira recording contract.

The six contenders; Monica, Yvonne, Roy, Ruth, Ethel and Ese, have over the last couple of weeks shown great improvement and promise, beating eleven other contestants, out of the seventeen that was admitted, in their quest to be the next music star that the Nigerian entertainment industry and the whole of West Africa is waiting for.

Last weekend witnessed a show of readiness for the final contest.

Although without the pressure of probation, the six contestants, joined by the Playhouse Choir, gave an awesome performance of various carol songs in the spirit of the season, as they usher the audience into a beautiful Carol Night and an evening of personal compositions.

Monica set the ball rolling with her rendition of the song 'Do you

•Agency appeals discontinuation of Garnishee order

A

hear what I hear?' The judges were full of her praise after the smooth rendition. Next was Ethel who brought the audience to a bright Christmas feeling, with her beautiful rendition of 'White Christmas'? Roy stepped up the ambience with a classic rendition of 'What Child is this'? Yvonne was awesome with her version of 'The First Noel'.

In the spirit of the season, Ruth followed with a rendition of 'Oh Holy Night', a song that pierced into the soul of everyone, while Ese brought a traditional feel to the season with a lovely performance of 'Gbo Ohun Awon Angeli', a Yoruba carol song which got everyone dancing in excitement.

Taking the performance to another level, the six contestants stepped up the game as they performed their own personal

End of the road for Nite Of A Thousand Laughs

H

AVING put in 16 years to building the comedy industry in Nigeria, Nite of A Thousand Laughs, put together by comedy merchant

Kiss And Tell Promo: Nigerians get reward!

M

UVEEZ and Jamz Vendors Ltd, marketers of a new movie flick Kiss and Tell, have announced that it will be rewarding patrons of Nollywood movies come Sunday, December 18, 2011.

The company disclosed recently that it will be giving away a brand new Kia Rio saloon car and other fantastic prizes in a promo to formally launch the much anticipated romantic flick entitled Kiss and Tell produced by two Nollywood sweethearts, Emem Isong and Monalisa Chinda.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, Muveez and Jamz Vendors Ltd, Mr. Chris Essien, “The promo will be the first of its kind in Nigeria to reward ardent followers of Nigerian movies. During the period of the promo, every copy of the movie that you buy, gives you a PIN that qualifies you for the raffle draw to win the star prize of a brand new Kia Rio saloon car.

Other Prizes to be won in same draw that will hold on January 31; 2012 include, 10 ipads; 5 laptops; 10 blackberry phones; 20DVD players and 50 electric irons, ”he said.

Mr Essien further stated that his company's desire to bring about a new order in movie and music marketing in Nigeria also

compositions. They were all very striking with their writing, arrangement, and performance skills. One of the judges; Tayo Ibitoye, popularly known as 'TY Mix', did not fail to commend the depth of their talent.

According to TY Mix, “there are evidences to prove that you guys have improved tremendously from the time you got to the academy to this time. Your personal compositions are also indications to this fact. The arrangement were good, the lyric were really on point, your song writing skills are great and delivery is very good too.

The grand finale is expected to be a fun-filled event with lots of trills, drama and glamour. Although all the six contestants could be regarded as winners in their own right, only one will eventually emerge as the ultimate winner of the MTN Project Fame season 4.

informed the decision to set up a one-stop online retail video and music shop called Muveez and Jamz e-shop. In his words, “the platform allows customers to make their orders online and have the items delivered to their door steps; anywhere in Nigeria.”

“To give every Nollywood faithful the opportunity to be part of this novel promo, we have concluded plans to roll out a robust nationwide integrated marketing campaign targeted at raving up national interest and awareness. Details of how you can “kiss and tell...and win” can be found on www.muveeznjamz.com.

Opa Williams is about to bow out of the scene.

In a statement signed by his media company, Media Image Managers, MIM, Williams, a movie producer and director says that in resting the premier comedy show, Nite of a Thousand Laffs will be having its last editions on December 26 in Benin and January 1 in Port Harcourt.

Williams said that the decision to stop the show that has brought him fame and fortune as well as served as a launch pad to all popular stand up comedians like Julius Agwu, Basket Mouth and I Go Dye among many others, was “a hard one.”

“When we started Nite of A Thousand Laughs in 1995, we were the only comedy show, we were real, and Nigerians witnessed something fresh and unique.

Jokes were original and audience members actually laughed a 'thousand' times. Consequently, the show produced superstar stand comedians who got their first break on the stage of Nite Of A Thousand Laughs. These comedians went ahead to start their own shows,” William says, brushing aside insinuations that competition is forcing him out of the game.

The comedy merchant thanked all his sponsors over the years for what he called being part of history. “I never planned to terminate this journey in just 16 years, but circumstances are forcing my hand. I hope to make it up to everybody in the near future but as it stands, Nite Of A Thousand Laughs is going for a rest,” Williams submitted.

Diamond Bank Plc account operated by the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has been frozen on the order of a Lagos High Court presided over by, Justice Olateru-Olagbegi. The compliance by the bank which came through an order nisi secured by the Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) against the bank had attached the accounts of the NCC in Suit No. NRJ/08/2011 on 16th November 2011.

But the NCC had on December 13, 2011, through its lawyers approached the Lagos High Court seeking to discharge the Garnishee Order Nisi on the claim that the salaries of its staff have not been paid since November 2011 as the attached accounts contained the salaries and emoluments of the staff.

MCSN's lawyer, Mr. Olumide Ekisola had replied that there was nothing in the processes filed by the NCC showing that the agency's accounts with a private bank is a consolidated account and furthermore that since all the issues and authorities relied upon are already contained in the affidavits and written addresses filed before the Court, they are ready to take the applications.

After the judge took arguments from both parties, the judge reserved his ruling on the matter to a date to be communicated to the parties.

MCSN's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Orits Williki and Mayo Ayilaran, declined comment on the grounds that the case is still pending in court. However, Mr. Ekisola in his own comment only stated that all he has to say are already before the Honourable Court and therefore cannot make any further comment on them.

It would be recalled that the Federal High Court, Lagos, presided over by Honourable Justice Archibong had on July 25, 2011 entered judgment against the NCC in favour of MCSN by ordering that the NCC should pay damages in the sum of N40 Million to MCSN. A reliable source in the NCC expressed optimism that the bad times may not last as his agency is seeking order from the Federal High Court that the Garnishee order be set aside pending the duration of its appeal on the matter.

•Orits Williki

26

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

Music moments at the CARNIRIV

E

MBEDDED within the potpourri of activities at this year's edition of the popular Port Harcourt carnival otherwise called CARNIRIV are chains of musical concert that appears to be taking the youths and young at heart to the height of fun and excitement. And there couldn't be a better way to start the Xmas season than the mood being set by the festival's full bouquet of unhindered fun, great thinking and cultural attraction that proudly promotes everything that is Nigerian in an atmosphere of peace and healthy traditional competition involving the 23 local government areas of the state.

Organisers of the carnival have ensured that at the end of the cultural activities of the week-long programme, select artistes are on hand to close the day at the Liberation stadium where no fewer than 20, 000 fun seekers were recorded each night.

But the big one is yet to come, as Jamaican second generation roots-reggae star, Jepther McClymont aka Luciano headlines the Port Harcourt Peace Concert tonight and thereby bringing CARNIRIV 2011 to its climax.

O

I

T was a night of glitz, glamour, fine wine, food and 'goodie bags' as the 4th edition of Nigeria's leading men's life style magazine ModeMen Magazine annual 'Men of the Year Awards', was held Saturday 10th December, at the Grand ballroom of the prestigious Eko Hotels & Suites, Vctoria Island, Lagos.

As celebrities from all walks of life •Luciano gathered to honour men and one woman who had excelled in their chosen field of endeavour, the event kicked off with a red •Timaya carpet and interviews.

Guests present at the occasion include renowned environmentalist Dr. Newton Jibunoh, Dr. Paul Orhii D.G NAFDAC, Tee Mac Omotsola, Frank Edoho, Big Brother Africa's Uti Nwachukwu, Adaora Oleh of 'MTN Project Fame', Dayo Adeneye, Okey Bakassi, former Beauty Queen Ene Lawani, Orode Uduaghan and a host of others.

Awards were given in fourteen categories and Khalid Agbabiaka won the very first award of the night 'Model of the Year.' Freeze of Cool FM edged veteran broadcaster Olisa Adibua and Charlz B to the 'Radio Personality Award. The most anticipated ward of the night, 'The Man of the Year' awards however went to Dr. Luciano, the superestar of the Destiny Paul Orhii, the Director General of the fame arrived Port Harcourt last Thursday.

National Agency for Food, Drugs Gee, Frank De Nero, Timaya, Duncan Speaking at a press conference to Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

Mighty were ushered in one after the other He scored more votes than Prof. Attahiru announce his presence, Luciano said he by popular gospel styled comedian, felt honoured to be in Nigeria and that it Jega of INEC was a dream come true. The Reggae artiste Gordons. and Speaker of One again, the various activities which also expressed his happiness and thanked House of the organizers for extending an invitation were devoid of any rancour further Representative attested to the return of peace and security to him to be part of this years carnival.

Rt. Hon. to the Garden City of Port Harcourt and "It is a pleasure to be in Nigeria at this Aminu the entire state at large. It would be time. Especially considering that the Tambuwal. connection between Nigeria and Jamaica is recalled that restiveness and militancy are The award terms that once upon a time had been very strong. it is the dream of every was presented overstretched in describing the social Jamaican to come to Nigeria .” Luciano to Dr. Orhii by atmosphere in Rivers State, but perhaps described Nigerians as very resilient environmenta nothing can best describe the peaceful people and urged citizens of both -list Dr. terrain that now characterise the governor countries "to build back the bridges that Newton Rotimi Amaechi led administration which reconnect both countries.”

Jibunoh. not only faults the negative publicity •Dr. Paul Orhii Other artistes billed to perform alongside Luciano today include P-Square; ascribed to in the past but which also underscores the state's potentials for Timaya; Duncan Mighty; Terry G and a tourism. host of others.

When in 2008 the incumbent governor The opening ceremony Tuesday was preceded by an impressive grandeur from decided to bring back the lost heritage of the people of Rivers state through a yearly an avalanche of the very best of African carnival, the strategy was soon to be cultural display by the twenty-three local known as a two edged sword meant to government areas that took stands as the also restore the dented image of the state stadium. The display was quickly AST Sunday,11th of December, as an area of youth restiveness, militancy followed by artistes' performances. The 2011, top rated entertainers and kidnapping. performers among which were Muma including Koffi, Igos, Jibade, Tolu (Project FAME), Kingsley d Comedian, Funmi Sax, Window Teeth and a host of others were at hand to thrill guest at Shades of Laughter, A Comedy, dance and this compulsory 1year service that the music Show. magazine started.

The brain child of Godwin Okhawere Posh9ja magazine, he said, is targeted at •Ajibola popularly known as "Jesusparrot", a the young professionals, youthful and gospel comedian and a graduating young at heart, poised to entertain, make the reader feel relaxed while gaining student of Mass Communication, knowledge in the process. This, he said, is University of Benin, Shades of Laughter responsible for the slogan; Entertainment, also Relaxation, Knowledge. witnessed “As an entertainment magazine, we are the public not restricted to either music or movies. presentatio n We cut across all fields of entertainment, of his comic including sports, fashion, events, business book. success, religious consciousness, e.t.c.

The With our wide array of fields, that makes evening was us relate to the older and younger fun filled and generation, thereby bringing all to a focal had in point,” he added attendance Present at the event are: Jide Chord, Dr Remi Ajekigbe of Radio Biology dept, dignitaries Oba Otudeko (chairman, Honeywell Luth, Prof (Mrs) Folasade Ogunsola, from all walks group) represented by Mr Olusegun LUTH, Mr GA Adewunmi (MD, Atibol Oil of life.

Ahmadu (MD, Sprints Engineering), Prof and Gas), amongst others.

•Jesusparrot

Posh9ja officially launched N Friday, December 9, SWAN hall, National Stadium, Surulere, played host to the the official launching of Posh9ja magazine, amid fun and laughter. The magazine which has five edition already started in 2009 with a motive to bring a new aspect of entertainment to Nigeria readers, says its publisher.

According to the Ajibola Agbaje, Publisher cum Editor of the magazine, “Posh9ja magazine started basically for two reasons; idleness and interest. I started the magazine when I finished NYSC in 2009 and was jobless from February till the end of the year. While in the university, I started radio presentation with OSRC 96.5 and later joined FRCN positive fm 102.5. After graduation, and during NYSC, due to my consistence in the editorial board, I was made the Features editor. It was after completing

NAFDAC boss emerges ModeMen Man of the Year

Koffi, Igos, others thrill at Shades Of Laughter

L

27

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

Yomi Peters back from US

Hakym the Dream drops Lamba

•Set to refresh Juju music Dada ALADELOKUN, Assistant Editor

•Hakym

Agwu takes Crack Ya Ribs to Port-Harcourt

•Agwu

F

OLLOWING the postponement of the Lagos show, comedian, Julius Agwu has decided to

take his brand, Crack Ya Ribs to the Garden City Port-Harcourt for the Christmas edition.

Come December 25 at Hotel Presidential, Iceprince, gospel star, Franks Edwards, Kcee, Ijaw Boys Allstarz, and Burna Boy, will be at the venue to provide good music to comedy lovers.

Also, on hand to crack jokes will be the likes of Buchi, Dan d'humorous, Senator, Osama, Funky4, Prince Hezekiah, Romeo, and Acapella.

According to Julius, he and his team decided to concentrate more on the Port-Harcourt show

this year to bring quality entertainment to the city. “We are aware that many people will be returning home to celebrate their Christmas holiday with their families. As a result of this, we decided to concentrate more on this year's Port-Harcourt edition of Crack Ya Ribs to make it the South-South biggest comedy concert ever. One good thing about this year's show is that is coming a day after the Akpor Unity Cup finals, the football talent hunt I organized to encourage young talents in that area.”

Omi Rex steps out with new single

Seyi Law stages Lagos Must Laugh Seyi Law

•Omi Rex

Jide Chord set to collaborate with 9ice

•Jide Chord

28

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

serious. She doesn't play with work so do not mess her job up for her.

Before now, did you get any offer to be part of a feature film?

Yes, I got other job offers and apparently, they tried to stereotype my character so I turned them down. Every actor yearns for challenging roles.

Nobody wants to be stereotyped just because they played one particular role very well. That is one of the reasons why I really love this movie. I am not Bimpe.

What is that thing that will make you turn down an offer to star in a movie?

I would turn it down if it is not interesting.

So if you are given a very interesting movie but at some point you have to take off your clothes, would you accept it?

That would be stereotyping me because at some point, Bimpe had to take off her clothes on Tinsel and that was what every Director wanted of me. I wouldn't want to do that again.

Why did you do that in the first place?

Maybe because I was starting on Tinsel then and the shots didn't really reveal much. Also, that was what they used in auditioning me. I did it like four times on Tinsel then so I wouldn't want to repeat it on another set.

Tell us about Linda I would consider myself, sweet, friendly, quiet sometimes and if I don't really know people I, just keep to myself. I don't really like going out. The only place you could find me ever is the cinemas. I love watching movies. If I am not watching movies, I am at home sleeping or I am hanging out with my friends in their house because I don't go out. I am not the outing type.

Is there a man in your life?

Yes. And how soon are you tying the knot?

We will be doing that very soon, by the grace of God. What was growing up like?

Growing up was fun. My dad was actually the one who encouraged me to go into acting. First of all he was not into it conscious when on set. For the film here but my mum was supportive. Along the we have just one camera but then the line, I think they switched personalities consciousness level is almost equal. and my mum started kicking against the How far do you hope to take your move. She has mellowed now because acting career? everybody talks about my career.

I hope to take it as far as I can go but first Will marriage put an end of all, I am working to you acting career? on going to film Certainly marriage will school. Every actor b jo not stop me from er th o t Yes, I go works towards that. I continuing acting. hope to stand my offers and Is that an agreement ground and further ey you had with your th , y tl en appar my career by getting spouse? training in Directing We have talked about tried to stereotype and acting. I would I it, I have told him so so my character really like to work there is no turning behind the camera ed them down. back. If he says no, we rn tu because I think I have will go our separate Every actor yearns the creative eye. ways. s.

How would you say What if he says no for challenging role working with the after he has put the e b to ts an Director of your first Nobody w ring on your finger? flick has been?

I told him before, so stereotyped just She can be sweet, she he must agree. ed y can be strict and she can because they pla Is he a celebrity also be scary. But one also? one particular role thing I love about her is Not yet, but soon l very wel the fact that she jokes, people will begin to she laughs but when it hear about him. comes to work, she is

That would be stereotyping me because at some point, Bimpe had to take off her clothes on Tinsel and that was what every Director wanted of me. I wouldn't want to do that again

•Linda

•Linda

Linda Ejiofor plays Bimpe on popular sitcom, Tinsel.

Taking on a lead role in a yet-to-be-titled flick co-produced by Rita Dominic, the budding actress talks to OVWE MEDEME on how she traded a career in advertising for a shot at the makebelieve world and a host of other issues.

RE ELNEW S

COVER COVER

COVER COVER

H

‘Marriage will not stop me from acting’ OW did you get the role for this flick?

Everything works for a reason. God has plans. I was working on set one day, and I got the call to come for audition. Before that, I have been looking for an opportunity to work outside the set of Tinsel. When Mildred, the Director, told me she wanted to see me, I ran down. It was a huge competition and I am glad I made it. I am happy to be picked because I think I deserve it. I worked so hard for it.

Is it possible to relate feature films with sitcoms which you are known for?

They are different. The way they shoot here is different from the way we shoot on the set of Tinsel. I learn everyday but working with Mildred has been wonderful. I love working with her. She is the best Director I have ever worked with.

She tells you what she wants from you and she doesn't stress you. I have learnt a lot rehearsing and learning my lines with her.

This is my first feature film so I can gladly say she is my mummy in the industry.

Being your first feature film, did you have goose bumps when you first came on set?

Yes, I had. I was shaking, I was nervous

and Mildred walked up to me and told me to relax. Immediately she told me that, I calmed down. She said I was good. Those words meant a lot to me and helped me adapt to the new atmosphere.

How challenging would you say interpreting the role you have been given has been?

I wouldn't say it has been challenging for me because the role I am playing is actually that of a sweet, edgy, cheeky and mischievous girl. I can proudly say that I play the role well and I hope that I give it my all and it comes out that way.

Does fitting into the role come easy to y because it is a reflection of your true self?

Actually I don't find it easy because I am now conscious of what I am supposed to say or what I am supposed to do. No character is easy. We have to learn expression, when to stop, when to smile and those sorts of things.

Could you recount how you got on the set of Tinsel?

When I finished school, acting wasn't my calling. I wanted to work in an advertising company. Then I decided to go into modeling part-time pending when I would be called up for National Service. I was into modeling when a friend called me up

to say that there was an audition going on for Tinsel. Initially, I didn't want to go because that is not what I want. I eventually went and I got the part and the rest, as they say, is history.

So what is happening to the advertising and modeling dream?

I still model on a part time basis but advertising is out of the question. I don't want to work in an advertising company anymore. I think acting is my calling right now.

I studied sociology at the University of Port Harcourt. I have been based in Lagos all my life.

Are you comfortable with the career, irrespective of the controversies that go with it?

Yes I am. I love acting. I love what I do.

Everything depends on the artiste. If you want controversy to be surrounded with your name, it is left to you. It is all in your hands.

Between TV and the big screen, which are you more endeared to?

They are both acting. I like both of them so it is hard for me to be more inclined to one than the other. They are not the same thing though. Tinsel is a multi-cam production so one tends to be more

37

•From left: Osun State Film/Media City Project: Comrade Amitolu Shittu, Toye Adeyemi, Stephen Bayly Former Head of British National Film and Television School, Ogbeni Aregbesola Executive Governor of Osun State, Mike Abiola CEO African Film Awards, Veteran actress Golda John Abiola and Mr. Akano deputy Chief of Staff, Osun State Government.

Osun poised for mega film project

W

ITH the aim of boosting movie production in Nigeria, the Executive Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola has revealed plans to start a project tagged Mega Film/Media City.

Receiving a delegation from the United Kingdom lead by Mr. Stephen Bayly, one time head of the British National Film and Television School in London, the Governor said that his vision for the film industry is very vast.

“I am not just looking at a film/Media City for entertainment alone but a broad multi-media facility. I am thinking of a mega city with all film making facilities made available, where whatever reality you may want to portray in a film is available and an educational television channel where films are made for children from kindergarten age to High School. I am a committed promoter of this initiative,” he said.

The present Reality TV site in Iwo, proposed and built to near completion over thirty years ago by the Government of Bola Ige, he said, will be resuscitated, expanded and transformed into the state-ofthe-art Film/Media City.

The courtesy visit, which was facilitated by Comrade Amitolu Shittu, National Co ordinator, Committee for Democracy and Rights of the People (CDRP) had the company of UK based publisher of African Voice Newspapers and CEO African Film Awards Prince Mike Abiola, international actress Golda JohnAbiola and Prince Toye Adeyemi.

Only last October, hosting the African Film Awards 2011 recipients in Osogbo, the Governor promised to give film makers all the necessary support and incentives as the state intends to use the film industry to take Osun State tourism to a new height.

Harvest of honours for Kate Hensaw, Tiwa Savage at Fab Awards

I

T was a fusion of fashion and music as celebrities from all over Africa converged at Landmark Village Victoria Island Lagos on Sunday December 9, for a Black Carpet Dinner event preceding the Fab Awards.

Showcasing excellent designs from Vlisco's latest fabric collection, the FAB fashion show also witnessed a rendition of poems and music performances all of which came together to make the evening colorful as models trotted the runway parading stylish designs.

The event turned out to be a massive gathering of notable personalities from different walks of life that have a lot in common, especially a passion for Fashion.

Entertainers such as WizKid, w4,

•Tiwa Savage

Praiz, Eldee, Ushebebe, Yaw, Zaina and Yemi Alade delivered electrifying performances to the delight of guests; while hosts Jumai Shaba and Ebuka Obi Uchendu guided guests through the night.

“It's a honor to be able to bring all these great people together under one roof, to celebrate an art that is important to all of us. I am excited about how everything has played out. I am particularly happy about the Fab Awards presented to 26 deserving recipients,” the event's executive producer, Familusi Babajide says.

Winners at the Fab awards include Kate Henshaw, Tiwa Savage, Uti, Toolz, Lynxxx, Gideon Okeke amongst others.

•Kate

Galliani: Pato ’ll Shearer: Van Persie will Break my record rediscover best form Pg. 32

Nation Saturday, December 17, 2011

Pg. 32

30

35

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

AKINLOYE AT LARGE

THOMPSON USIYEN (2)

•Usiyan and wife

C

AN you remember your first national team game?

No. I can’t remember.

Can you remember the venue?

I think I played in Lagos, it must be in Surulere.

And what was the feeling like?

Well, I was scared at first but once I got in everything was forgotten.

Can you remember how you performed on the day?

I will say okay Let’s go into the main competition that you played for the Eagles that is the 1976 Nations Cup. Did you play the qualifiers for that competition and what were the targets given the team (ahead of the Nations Cup)?

Oh yeah that was my beginning.

I didn’t know much about the African Cup of Nations, to be honest with you... I didn’t know much. And playing ’76 was like; I just wanted to play not even knowing where we were going. I was (just) happy to play, just playing for the national team against any national team.

Can you remember that last match of the qualifiers?

No, I can’t remember Going to Ethiopia, what were the expectations placed on you before you departed Lagos? Was any pressure on you to win a laurel?

No, to be honest with you nobody put pressure on us, nobody. We had been winning so we’ve been playing well.

How were you received in Ethiopia?

Very well, we were received very well. Then Ethiopia was going through a civil war, instead of us going to a certain place we ended up playing in Dire Dawa.

You played your first game in Dire Dawa?

We played in Dire Dawa but I can’t remember who we played And you even scored?

I scored but I can’t remember who we played You, Baba Otu and Sam Ojebode scored when you played the first game?

Yeah I can remember, we beat them The next game was against Sudan. You played Sudan and you won 1-0.

Yeah Can you remember the players who scored?

No You scored, you were the one that scored O yeah, it’s been so long I don’t remember.

And then we played Morocco, Guinea and then Morocco again.

You were to play the last match (against Egypt) and Nigeria had not won any medal before then (at the Nations Cup)

Desire for education took me abroad

Last week, NationSport published Part 1 of the Thompson Usiyen story. Today, we present the concluding part of his football pilgrimage as well as life after football. The former international told OLUSOJI OLUKAYODE this week about his most memorable moment, his fondest of colleagues, the botched Montreal 1976 Olympics trip, his reasons for moving abroad and more…

Yeah Egypt You were aware that if you beat Egypt you were going to get the bronze?

Correct The game was 2-1 at a point before Haruna Ilerika and Mudashiru Lawal scored the last goals I remember we beat them three to two How was it like with you people after the game? Did you feel you’ve achieved something great?

Yeah, yes, yes I think that was the momentous we had you know, we had a good team and our next competition was supposed to be the qualification for Olympics then we’re supposed to play Morocco (and) the winner will go to Montreal for the Olympic Games.

How do you remember the Morocco game?

I think I scored two goals in Nigeria, we beat Morocco either

3-1 or 3-0, hmm, then we went to Tangiers, Morocco. We beat them 3-1 in Lagos and they were supposed to beat us 2-0 but they ended up beating us only 1-0.

You made it to the Olympics We went there but we never got to play What memories do you have of that Olympics, you people were asked to return (home before kicking the first ball)?

It’s the day to the opening ceremony that we were asked to come back but then we had some warm up games. We beat Canada like four goals to something. Then (we were to) play Brazil, Brazil said hold on. We were looking forward to playing in the Olympics (but we had to leave). I wasn’t disappointed because I was young and I felt I have time to play another one again but within a year I left Nigeria. Then we had the World Cup again so one competition after another.

Remind us of those players who went to Montreal with you.

(That was) the first competition they brought Segun Odegbami before then were people like Aloysius Attuegbu, Muda Lawal, Kunle Awesu, Baba Otu, myself, Okala (Emmanuel) was there, Sani Mohammed, Odiye (Godwin), I’ll believe Ojebode (Samuel), who else was there again, I forgot those are the people that I can remember What led to your going to America and how did it happen?

After the disappointment of the Olympics before then we were camping at the University of Ife. I’ve always wanted to go back to school. I ended up talking to Isaac Akioye, who was then our Minister of Sports. He wasn’t able to grant me any admittance into any of the universities. I remember we’ve been in camp for almost 10 months; we’ve been going on, and on. My hope was, after all the

competition, when I get older a little bit; will I be admitted into any of the higher institution. I didn’t have a very good answer so, they approached me from the States, you know, I took the opportunity.

They approached you from the States?

Oh yeah, you know, almost three schools, so I took Appalachian University.

How did it come about?

There were other Nigerians playing in the States, probably they were doing well, so coaches will ask them, do you have anybody? Do you know anybody?

You know people ‘d say, well I know this striker, they were looking for people to score, they approached me and then I ended up in Appalachian States University in North Carolina that was the beginning of my leaving Nigeria and coming here.

Did you ever return to play for the Eagles after you initial

departure?

I think I came back, I don’t know whether three years later or something. I think I came and played in Algeria and that was my last game.

On record, you played for about 14 clubs in the United States Fourteen, no, it cannot be fourteen How many?

You mean after College?

Yes No, no, no, I played for Montreal, I played for Tulsa, I played for Oklahoma, Minnesota, San Diego, St Louis, seven not fourteen.

I saw 14, including indoor on the internet No, it cannot be. Outdoors, it’s only three teams. I started with Montreal, Canada, Tulsa, from Tulsa I played for Oklahoma then after that I went indoors that is Minnopsota, to San Diego.

Of all these clubs, where would you say you had the most

•Green Eagles ‘76 Nation Cup lineup

08050246155 atlarge84@yahoo.com

Going back to the drawing table

N

•Sani Mohamed (l) Thompson Usiyan and Kunle memorable experience?

I would say Montreal Why? Because that was my first year there and the outdoor was growing then it’s like New York Cosmos and other big clubs You got married in the United States?

No, I came home and married a woman and I took her to the States.

And how has it been?

Well, it went okay. It lasted only three years and we had a child and we divorced. Then I remarried (to) a South African lady.

Presently, how many kids?

I only have two kids Male, female?

Both male Any of them playing football No What are they studying for right now?

One of them is doing his masters Looking back at your career, if you were asked to name your most memorable moment, which would that be?

It will be against Morocco’s qualification for the Olympics.

Why? Beating them 3-1, I scoring two goals and knowing that we had one more step to qualify for the Olympics that was the turning point for me Any regret going to the States?

No.no. no, no regret.not at all, not at all. Especially looking back now and seeing my team-mates.

You know very few of us used soccer to further our careers. You can only play soccer for sometime, then you have to fall back on something. No, no, no regret at all.

If you look back and have to pick a career again, would you have gone the part you went?

Definitely, definitely Do you still train?

No, I coach in High School. I can barely run or kick.

And how are you enjoying it?

Well, it’s fun, it’s fun but It’s frustrating, I cannot run You want to show them what to do and you can’t Exactly, all you can do is talk about it.

Who among your teammates do you have fond memories of?

Odiye was like my age group then. Then Muda Lawal, Sani Mohammed I enjoyed. Who else again?, Baba Otu, and Segun Odegbami when he came on board I was very friendly with him.

Camp life or home life, which did you always prefer back then?

Well I love camp Why? Well,because it’s all soccer. Wake up in the morning, you don’t have to do anything, people wait on you, you eat, go to sleep, they give you allowances, you know, all

you had to do was to get ready for practice and get ready for games.

Which is your saddest moment?

Well it’s not being able to stay and see Nigeria through for the qualifier for the ’78 World Cup in Argentina. They lost 1-0 to Tunisia.

Did you play that game?

No I was here (in the States) If the team had qualified would you have gone with them?

To be honest with you I don’t even know because I mean, I had to hide my passport to get out of the country Why? People didn’t want me to leave, I left I believe in August and I believe the qualifying was in October, I can’t remember. I had to report to school because the semester was about to start August of 1977, so I left. I had to get a new passport. In the national team, when you report, you have to give your passport up (to the federation) Nigeria failed to qualify for the (2012) Olympics in the same Tangiers where you made it to the (1976) Olympics. How do you feel?

In sports anything can happen, nothing is guaranteed. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose some. All you have to do is you have to keep preparing and get ready for the next Olympics or the next World Cup. What are those things obtainable there where you are that if done here in Nigeria will be better?

Well I will say administration wise there has to be continuity. You cannot keep changing coaches and expect to have a good (result). And secondly, we have to develop our national league because when I went home, all you (see) are people wearing Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City uniforms. It looks like the new generation have forgotten about Rangers, Vasco Dagama, Stationery Stores, IICC, Bendel Insurance.

That’s how U.S have been able to develop because now, they have their own league, MLS. They play almost every week and that’s how you develop talents not only that their youth programme is much more developed. Nigeria has forgotten, now anybody who is young want to go to Europe and play. Their national team is based on Europe (based players) and they have to go to London to train, to me that’s waste of time I really want to thank you for your time.

Thank you!

IGERIA has not had it so badly in soccer.

From the African Cup of Nations to the Olympic Games, the story for Nigeria is that of stay-at-home. The soccer giant will be sleeping perhaps snoring as other countries attend the African show piece in Gabon and Equitorial Guinea. The country has won the competition twice and came third on several other occasions. The Nations Cup is said to be our birth-right.Now that we will not be attending this season, does it cease being our birth-right? For over 35years, we have attended the competition and proved our worth.

Only once did we crash out in the first round. Now that we have missed the competition, we need to go back to the drawing board and correct our mistakes.

Our major problem on and off the pitch is complacency. We believe we will always win. We bank on our professional players who are always available three days to a match. While other countries burn the midnight oil, we sleep and always think that our professional players playing abroad will always give us victory. The Nations Cup miss should ginger us to take the qualifiers more serious. The season for cheap points has gone. Yet, it would be wrong to say that there are no more minnows in football anymore. We have to put in every ounce of seriousness on the pitch and off it to ensure we are not found wanting in due season. The 2013 qualifiers begin next month. The coach must prepare the team very well. good for Taiwo's career if he is placed on transfer. His value will be reduced and may have to settle for lower wages.

It is not only Taiwo that is in quagmire. Joel Obi of Inter has also been told to seek his pastures elsewhere. He needs to be playing regular football for a player of his stature. He needs to move to another club since the Inter boss has made it obvious to him. A move to another club will do his game a lot of good instead of staying in a club where he is not needed.

Mikel John Obi is another Nigeria international who is fighting for a regular shirt in his club. The mid fielder's regular place in Chelsea is threatened. He is gradually being reduced to the bench role and has been making cameo appearances. I think Mikle should remain with Chelsea. He should continue to fight for a shirt in Chelsea despite offers coming from Italian clubs.

•Mikel ralaxes before a traiing session

THE NATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

31

NATION SPORT

SUNDAY BADA- A legacy of triumph over Odds

L

AST week, we examined how some sports industry stakeholders use subterfuge, obfuscation and outright deceit to feather their nests and ground the business for the greater majority. While the weakness of sports administrative structures were addressed in that piece, a natural follow-up this week would have been to proffer workable and tested solutions which would excuse one from being labelled a fault detector. But I plead to digress and rather deal with the sad and sudden death of one of Nigeria’s, if not Africa’s greatest athlete- Sunday Bada.

Innocent Egbunike, another world class quarter miler in his comments on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Radio interview a day after the news broke of the demise of Bada, recalled how he was forced into retirement by the young Bada during the 1992 Olympics trials in Lagos. Those were the era of invited foreign athletes and home based athletes.

Those were the era when Nigeria not only had the talents but had the coaches with capacity to nurture such talents into class acts. It brings to mind the rise of the likes of Endurance Ojokolo and Mercy Nku. The likes of Seun Ogunkoya and Uchenna Emedolu who rose from the tracks of the various states sports councils, made their marks at the National Stadium and became global athletes without migrating from Nigeria.

This tribute to Sunday Bada is aimed at pricking the conscience of government and those in charge of sports administration in particular that this nation was once a ‘factory’ for budding talents that always impressed on the global stage. It is a tribute to ask the National Sports Commission (NSC) to look back again and find out what was done in the past that threw up the likes of Sunday Bada and what is being done now.

Going by the account of Egbunike who went on to coach Bada and others to the Sydney Olympics Silver medal in 2000, the fact emerges that the athlete started out early because in 1991, he was just 21 and this explains why he stayed on till the Sydney Games nine years later. It explains why Bada at 28 in 1997 became the IAAF World Indoor Champion in Paris, France following two silver medals in 1993 and 1995 in Toronto, Canada and Barcelona Spain respectively. If Bada ran with falsified age, it is doubtful he would have won the Olympics Silver medal at 30 in Sydney.

Bada’s life was driven by positive attributes for the country, for athletics, for Nigeria and for the Nigerian Police that he served as an officer until his death. At a time the Nigerian Police Force suffered and are still suffering from negative public perception, Bada’s various exploits at the world athletics contests was a redeemer of sorts. Bada would have opted like the Gloria Alozies’, the Francis Obikwelus’ who elected to drop their Nigerian shirts for other country’s citizenship. He could even have chosen to

By Harry Iwuala drop the Police toga and secure scholarship abroad as was fashionable during his time, but he weathered the storms of living in Nigeria and being identified as a Policeman to pursue his passion.

It was not as though he had the best of preparations towards most of the championships but it was also not his style to sneak stories into the media to draw attention to the wrong-headed administrative approaches to sports in the country. He thrived and excelled on the wings of a dogged spirit and patriotic zeal to serve fatherland.

In his post-active years as an athlete, one had the privilege of interacting with the Police officer in his capacity as Technical Director of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) and he always showed an affinity for the home-based athletes by looking out for the interests during the various editions of the Lagos International Half Marathon which my former organisation, Globacom sponsored. We had differences in approaches on some of the occasion but the fact remained that he always worked to reduce the gap in preferential treatment accorded the East African run-

• Sunday Bada

ners. It showed a man he didn’t forget the route he once trudged.

As a Police officer, he was always helpful to members of the sporting family but not to those who are in breach of the law. He was always available to intervene and curtail the usual Police harassment of citizens when such are brought to his attention and one can easily recall a particular incident at the Seme border which he had the privilege of commanding at a certain time before being posted to Ikoyi.

All said, I hasten to reiterate that this tribute is not to praise Bada in death but to highlight his legacies for the future of sports in Nigeria. It is to bring to the fore that Nigerian youths can attain great heights in sports if provided the enabling environment by those at the helm can think less of their personal welfare and more of serving the country through the sportsmen and women.

In the months and years ahead, it will be very common to hear calls for the immortalization of Sunday Bada but that would not suffice. The greatest memory of Bada will be in the righting of the wrongs that home-based athletes suffer not just in athletics but in all sports especially football. Recently, Super Eagles

Coach, Stephen Keshi was tinkering with the idea of setting up camp for home-based players and you begin to ask, are the Nigeria Premier League clubs that pay the salaries of the players not entitled to the same rights European club have over the release of players? Why do we by fiat order home-based players to camp when we grovel at the feet of European clubs for the release of other Nigerian players?

Self-degradation is one of the banes of the domestic football where the clubs don’t even stand up for their rights. For goodness sake, Heartland FC, Enyimba International, Kano Pillars, Gombe United etc are all businesses just like Manchester United, Udinesse, Getafe, Stuttgart etc.

According to Ben Efe, one of the few specialist athletics reporters, “Bada as AFN Technical Director was consistently appealing to the government through the NSC to extend training grants to home-based athletes to enable them travel and improve their techniques”.

The alternative to providing grants for home-based athletes is for the government to hire quality international coaches and build international standard facilities across the country for not only for Nigerians but for other countries to hire and drive revenue. Not the type chicken coops that we have been told were built in some towns by the NSC and which have never been put to use. Someone should publish the picture of those projects for the nation to see.

VOICE OF SPORTS

With Clement Nwankpa Jnr. sportswar@yahoo.com

As Heartland pops Champagne

O

NE song that will reverberate around the Events Centre, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri today is Dr Sid’s ‘Pop Champagne’. It is the end of the year, a moment of stock-taking.

It is Christmas time, a period of celebration. Where else should the Champagnes be popped if not in Owerri? This year, no doubt, was an outstanding one for Heartland FC. From a club that missed out on all available laurels for the past 18 years, the club defeated Enyimba in the final of the Federation Cup to bring smiles to the faces of their teeming fans. Watching the Heartland faithful pour out on the streets of Owerri that faithful day of September 27 to welcome the Fed Cup heroes captured how trophy-thirsty Imolites were. Shops were locked; people stood on their balconies; some on the roof tops; others by the road side, old and young alike. I was in that caravan carrying the jinx breakers and watched as my governor, Owelle Rochas Anayo Okorocha hopped from one point of the caravan to another waving the appreciative crowd in ‘childish’ ecstasy. Tears rolled down my eyes. Yes, this happened this year. Do you now understand why we have to let our hairs down and pop Champagne in Owerri today?

It had taken a long while; it was almost becoming a norm, but thanks to the Fan Ndubuoke-led management, Heartland’s gory days had been confined to history. The club is no longer rated among the also-rans in Nigerian football. It has added a trophy to its cabinet and in so doing, has relived the all-conquering years when it lorded it over other clubs in the land. Yes, between 1988 and 1990 Heartland, then known as Iwuanyanwu Nationale, had won the domestic league three consecutive years. In 1988 particularly, the club had won the double (league and FA Cup). The years of lull set in after the league triumph in 1993 and for 18 years, the club had a barren spell.

With the club’s performance this year, it shows the glory days are back. Why not? Given the quality of management provided by Ndubuoke, there was only one direction the club would have movedupwards. On assuming office, Ndubuoke secured a state-of-the-art Club House located inside the Dan Anyiam Stadium. This facility is easily the best in the land. It became a model of some sort as no other NPL club has a better club house. Before then, the club was run from a hotel.

In Ndubuoke’s estimation, for the club to record success, it had to be run from the type of conducive atmosphere provided by the Club House. Next, three departments were created namely, Administration and Finance, Technical and Marketing. This was to make for a smoother running of the club.

Earlier in the year, the results were hard in coming but anybody well abreast of the ground-breaking innovations put in place by Ndubuoke knew it was only a matter of time before the club’s fortunes changed. Now, the rest is history. By virtue of winning the Federation Cup, Heartland will be representing Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup next year.

Pronto, Ndubuoke has moved to meet a key target set for his management by the government. Leveraging upon the Federation Cup triumph and the impending continental campaign, he has moved to fast-track the club’s move towards self sustenance. It would be recalled that on assumption of office in 2010, the new management was tasked to make the club self-sustaining and ease the financial pressure on the government.

The bold move by the management is to take the club back to the people. It was obvious that after winning the Federation Cup, many Imolites have once more identified with the club. The club is once more attractive.

There would be no better time to market the club than now. It would still take a while before the management attains that total selfsustenance, perhaps after winning the continental trophy, but a journey of a million miles, it is said, starts with a step. So today, all roads will lead to Events Place, Port Harcourt Road, Owerri for the Heartland Fund Raising/Award Night.

A key figure to be honoured on the night is Imo State governor, Rochas. Owelle’s quest for excellence was the Heartland management’s driving force. His belief that everything cannot be left to the government alone met its match in an innovative Heartland management. Most importantly, his ‘rescue mission’ to the state rubbed off on Heartland’s fortunes hence in just four months of his assumption of office, an 18 year jinx was broken. It is for these that the Heartland management would be honouring him at the event.

The consensus is that he is synonymous with the Heartland resurgence.

Also to be honoured on the night is one of the founders of the club, Jerry Enyeazu. In the same vein, the prayers of the club’s former captains have been granted as they have been invited to the event alongside their spouses. The likes of Peter Uchegbu, Sunny Ikwuagwu, Mike Obi and Isaac Semitoje readily come to mind here.

It would also be a night to reward the club’s outstanding players this season with the Best Player, Best behaved player and Most promising player awards.

Ndubuoke’swords will suffice here. He said; “we are taking the club back to the people.

Government cannot do it all. The club belongs to all Imolites and we all have to come together to take it to the next level. The challenge next year is enormous and we want all well-meaning Imolites to get involved. We want to put in place a club that will outlive individuals and governments” It is at this point that I have to pack up this lap top and board the next available flight from Abuja to Owerri. Owerri wu oke mba (Owerri is a great land).

THE NATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

34

NATION SPORT

Inside The Glass House WITH AMINU MAIGARI

Reflections on the past 15 months (2) S the year rolls steadily away, it is important that us at the Nigeria Football Federation do everything humanly possible to turn around the fortunes of the National Teams in the coming year.

Mid-week, I was looking at the calendar for the Year 2012 and it is filled with qualifying matches and international friendlies, some of them proposed.

It is important to say here that the first date for international friendlies on the FIFA calendar for 2012, February 29, has now been taken up by the second qualifying round of the 2013 African Cup of Nations.

It is true that we had been discussing with the South African Football Association with the intention of playing a match on that day. But that has now been rendered impossible by the fact that on that day, the Super Eagles will be at the Amahoro Stadium, Kigali taking on the Wasps of Rwanda in a Cup of Nations qualifying fixture, first leg match.

Certainly, so many of us at the NFF (and I am sure, scores of millions of Nigerians) had looked forward to a match with the Bafana Bafana. Last year, there were one or two things that came up and our scheduled meeting did not hold. SAFA people were understandably bitter and it took some time for their warmth to return.

The issue of international friendlies had always been very key to preparation for major competitions. And we are proud at the NFF to have given our teams the best preparation possible for the major tournaments they attended this year.

We may have won only one continental trophy (African Youth Championship) in the outgoing year, but there were positives from several areas and it is my firm belief that we would begin to reap the dividends in the coming year.

I read the piece by Mumini Alao (Soccertalk) in Complete Sports about the need for the NFF to come up with a road map that will turn things around for Nigeria football, for the better. I want to use this opportunity to assure him that work is going on concerning that.

The truth is, no Nigerian is happy with the below-par performance of the National Teams in the last quarter of the Year 2011. At the Nigeria Football Federation, we were shocked beyond words. It was like doing so much and yet, the results failed to show.

Take for instance, the preparation of the U-23

A

• Eguavoen

National Team (I read a piece during the week where someone advised that we drop the tag ‘Dream Team’ for now) for the CAF U-23 Championship in Morocco.

This is a team that had been together for several months.

After playing against Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Tanzania and Ghana home and away, and playing several friendly games including a trip to San Jose to play the Senior Team of Costa Rica, you would expect that some form of cohesion would have been achieved.

You would also expect that the coaches, after working with several batches of homebased players at endless training programmes, they would have some of the homebased they would trust to have the heart to go into battle without blinking.

Three weeks was spent in Ibadan, at the final stage of preparation, still ‘screening’.

What happened? If the NFF moved to stop that programme, Nigerian ball fans would have shouted the Federation down. Why would you be ‘screening’ when you should be finalizing preparation and looking to achieve cohesion and coherence?

I spoke to the chairman of the NFF Technical Committee over this matter and questions were asked, but as expected, the technical crew insisted they knew what they were doing. In matters like this, you have to beware of that hydraheaded word: Interference.

The team went to Ghana for a 10-day training programme and friendly matches and won two of three matches against Ghanaian clubsides. We were upbeat that something was coming up. Member of the NFF Executive Committee,

High Chief Emeka Inyama was also in Accra and reported positively.

After the team returned from Ghana, we had discussions with the Morocco FA and they said they had no problems with the team coming early to the country to acclimatize for the championship. That was why we sent the team a week ahead. But the failure of the European clubs to release most of our players stabbed at Coach Eguavoen’s plans and he was left rocking sideways as he looked at home-based players he had not given confidence.

There’s really no need blaming people or crying over spilt milk, but it was so painful that the team could not even lift a finger. We always talk about not giving home-based players opportunity, but what did they do with that particular one they were given? It was a shame that some players could not even control the ball!

No doubt, the U-23 Team had good preparation ahead of the competition and could not have offered any excuses in that direction. The Super Falcons, Supersand Eagles, Flying Eagles and Super Eagles are other teams that had nothing to complain about in terms of friendlies and proper preparation for big games or tournaments during the outgoing year.

The Super Eagles played against Sierra Leone at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos in February 2011 (2-1), before squaring up against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Abuja in March 2011 (3-0).

Then, there was the big one that came courtesy of Guinness (NFF’s partners) on the first day of June, Argentina in

Abuja (4-1).

The Eagles were also to play the Black Stars of Ghana in London on August 9 before riots led to cancellation of match. The match was rescheduled.

Early in September, following their 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar in Antananarivo, the Eagles flew to Dhaka, Bangladesh to play a second match against Argentina (1-3).

Two days after failing to qualify for the African Cup of Nations, the Eagles took on Ghana’s Black Stars at the Vicarage Road in London in October (0-0) before playing Botswana in Benin City in November (0-0) and also Zambia in Kaduna in November (2-0).

The U-23 Team played Costa Rica in San Jose in May (0-1) while the U-20 Team played series of friendly games in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America before the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.

After a one-month camping in Port Harcourt, courtesy of the Rivers State Government, the U-20 Team flew to Libya for a two-match tour against the country that was designated to host the African Youth Championship, before the unrest broke out there.

From Libya, the team flew to Turkey, spent three weeks and played a number of friendly games and then went to Dubai (UAE) for a three-nation tournament, against Egypt and Cameroon.

After winning the African Championship in South Africa, the Flying Eagles spent another one month in Port Harcourt before heading to Faro, Portugal where it played against the Portuguese U-20 Team that was also headed for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.

From Portugal, the Flying Eagles flew to Panama for a four-nation invitational that also included World Cupbound Portugal, Mexico and Panama. They did not fare badly. And at the World Cup in Colombia, the team set an African record of winning four consecutive matches at a FIFA World Cup before losing to France after extra time on a colourful Sunday in Cali.

The Flying Eagles were awarded the FIFA Fair-Play Trophy, but we wanted the real trophy. All the same, it was recognition for their discipline and good comportment, and the same goes for the Supersand Eagles that also brought home the FIFA Fair-Play Trophy from the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Ravenna, Italy.

Like the Flying Eagles, the Supersand Eagles also camped in Faro and also played some friendly games.

They also got to the quarter finals, before losing gallantly to four-time world champions Brazil.

The Super Falcons also camped for FOUR WEEKS in Austria before the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany in the summer. The team was not disgraced, after 0-1 losses to France and host Germany and victory over Canada – which was the team’s first win at the World Cup for 12 years.

Surely, we will ensure that all the teams taking part in the qualification series next year get good preparation before their matches. And the Super Falcons, who will be defending their African title in the coming year, will have no reason to complain.

Osaze takes battle to Yakubu

• As Mikel seeks points at Wigan

W

EST BROMWICH Albion’s Nigerian import Osaze Odemwingie may be on the starting line when his English Premier League side takes the battle to the home ground of Blackburn Rovers that parades another Nigeria international, Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

Though the Baggies have had a poor run in this season's campaign, a win away from home today will boost their chances of moving away from the bottom of the table.

But for Blackburn presently occupying the second spot from the bottom of the table, and coming from a last week's defeat in the hands of another struggler in the league Sunderland away from home, a win against West Brom will mean a lot to their dream to remain in elite division.

Osaze, who has been plagued by injury since the inception of the season will want to do more to justify the confidence which has been reposed on him the Manager, Roy Hodgson.

With nine goals already scored in the ongoing season, the Yak, as Aiyegbeni is fondly called will as well seek to continue his goal – scoring form, to increase his tally on the goal- scorers chat.

Aside his worries to have all his strikers fit for the game, Hodgson has expressed hope that defender Steven Reid will recover from his injury in time for this cracker.

Reid is suffering from a minor knee problem but the Baggies boss retains optimism that the right-back will regain full fitness and face his former club for the first time since leaving Ewood Park permanently in the summer of 2010.

"Steven has had a slight knee problem so we're still waiting before we make a definite decision on him," said Hodgson on West Brom's official website.

Hodgson has no other injury worries ahead of his side's trip to Blackburn and he is understandably relieved by the situation.

For Blackburn boss Steve

Kean, who conceded times were “tough” at Ewood Park after his side’s latest defeat, with Rovers’ place in the relegation zone compounded by a lengthening injury list.

The Scot is not a popular figure among the home support and a fourth defeat in six games, no matter how unlucky, will not be viewed sympathetically.

West Brom’s defeat to Wigan at the Hawthorns tonight was greeted by a chorus of boos and the Baggies are just five points better off than Blackburn in 15th.

Hodgson, who still has several credits in the bank after masterminding West Brom’s safety campaign in the final half of last season, is not one to panic and points out his side are just a couple of wins away from a comfortable mid-table position.

However, there is no denying that he, like Kean, will be desperate to pick up three points today, marking the fixture out as one of the picks of the week.

Meanwhile, still basking in the euphoria of the 2-1 defeat of league leaders, ManchesterCity at Stamford Bridge last week, Nigeria midfielder, Mikel Obi and is Chesea teammates will seek to better their placement on the log as they confront Wigan Athletic away from home.

Having been handed bench role in the last couple of matches, the Catalyst may gey Manager Villa –Boas’ nod for a first team place.

Resurgent Chelsea could close the gap on leaders Manchester City with victory over a revitalized Wigan side who hauled themselves out of the relegation zone last week.

With Nigerian born Victor Moses for Wigan scoring his first goal of the season against West Brom last week, he would have built the desired confidence to give his something to cheer today.

Wigan may see Chelsea travel back to West London with three points in the kitty especially if Sturridge and Mata are firing on all cylinders.

• Martins

Shangai Shenhua targets Martins

A

CCORDING to Russian Press reports, Shanghai Shenhua are tracking the Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins.

Chelsea and Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba is the number one goal of Shanghai Shenhua. But the 2-time Chinese champions will shift focus to the Rubin Kazan forward if they fail to land

Drogba.

Martins has only played 8 games (two goals) this season for Rubin as a result of injury.

The ex Inter Milan forward is also on the radar of clubs in England and Italy.

Currently campaigning in the Europa Cup for Kazan, Obafemi Martins is yet to comment on the development.

Olubanwo Fagbemi

On Sport Sport On SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

36

Golf...Golf...Golf...Golf...Golf...Golf...Golf...Golf...Golf

Top ten golfers of 2011 (1) W

E are approaching the end of another year and interestingly, it is time to take stocks. Before anything it must be stated that the game of golf is not accorded any chance to hit it beyond the Tee-box in the year ending 2011.

The whole thing has been a pack of cards laid aside a hailstorm.

It is usually clear the cards will blow off soon enough.

You could imagine the year of the locusts, several moments of droughts. Sponsors were not forthcoming. The few that came were bringing on table money that could not feed a dog. There was always a twist to the whole thing. That golf was becoming boring. Professionals were coming with scores that couldn’t pack crowds in galleries while amateurs were spraying divots all over, usually proud of trailer-load Handicaps that would make people wonder what they were doing on the course in the first place.

But let’s face it, which Corporate body would spill funds around tourneys that would fetch little or no mileage? Most of the amateurs are even pathetic. Rather than help shop for meaningful tourneys that could be of huge benefit, they are so joyful playing in meaningless Mugs and Kitties that usually snowball into fanfare and ‘Owambe’ dance. Even if sponsors come to the fore with serious money, such funds are usually wasted on cocktails, foods and drinks. During Prizegiving ceremonies, you see junks on table in the name of trophies.

Sponsors will in wince in pain. The question on their lips is always ‘is this what we paid for’. They seldom come back.

Since some people could be comfortable in hell, golf, too, reveled in some fun in year 2011. Some distinguished individuals made this happen. This is for them. Only ten from the lot.

OTUNBA OLUSOLA ADEKANOLA; Like one of the very best in world golf, Pedraig Harrington, Adekanola, too, is a Chartered Accountant of no mean repute. He sits atop CMCL and he loves golf with great passion. At a point, he was sponsoring an average eight •Captain of Benin Golf Club, tournaments yearlyat some Kingsley Okunbor

GOLFLINE

NTDC brings for

WITH

Tony Akhigbe golflineintl@yahoo.com 0 8 0 94863638

five million naira apiece. At a point some professionals were trooping to South Africa for training, he sponsored few. When the Nigeria Golf Federation was being consessioned, he picked the bill. He however did the unbelievable in year 2011. The professional golfers, some 150 of them, were going through the worst scenario in the history of Pro golf in Nigeria. They endured some six months without any tournament to play in.

They were even looking at a whole year without a sponsored tourney. They became dejected, to say the least. All of a sudden, Adekanola stormed Benin with his Birthday tourney. A ten million naira tourney. The Pros breathed fresh air of relief.

SENATOR DAVID MARK; The Senate President. All his passion is centred around golf. There is nothing he can’t part with just to have a round of golf. He loves the game to that point he built his own course, a lush pad laid out in a serene area of his hometown, Akpegede, Otukpo. He calls the course St. Mark. A man with exquisite taste, he did move to equip St. Mark’s course with Green Putting surfaces just to ensure it ranks alongside the best private courses around the globe. The Greens done, it was time to celebrate. David Mark did this in grand style. He sponsored a ten million naira event that brought huge crowds to the sleepy Otukpo. Benue Governor, Gabriel Suswam was shocked at such crowd only golf could bring to Otukpo that he announced the sponsorship of Governor Suswam Classic. This one will play out in January 2012. Then David Mark announced the take-off of a real Golf Academy that will take youths through golf and school.

KINGSLEY EHI OKUNBOR; An Engineer. He is Captain of the Benin Golf Club. Ask him and he will tell you he is into Air and Food business. He owns the Kaydees, a huge chain of Eatery around Edo State. Ask him, again and he will tell you that any man with focus can make a meaningful development in a Golf Club. This he has done with the Benin Golf Club. In 2011, Okunbor turned the total outlook of the Club into something close to the Ritz. He equally moved to ensure the Club host to some ten tournaments, among them the Access Bank sponsored Oba of Benin Cup, a Pro-Am and the Governor’s Cup sponsored by Setraco. It is on record that Benin Golf Club hosted more tournaments than any other club in Nigeria in 2011. ***CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

UK Golfers tour golf courses in Nigeria •As Ikoyi club 1938 hosts group

M

EMBERS of the Nigeria UK Golfing Association (NUGA) have toured four golf courses in the country within a short visit to the country this month for the bi-annual homecoming of the group. The visits have been consistently followed for the past four years.

The Captain of NUGA, Soji Oguntonade who led the group this year to the country spoke to the NationSport on Wednesday at a dinner party which was hosted by golfers of the ‘Ikoyi Club 1938’ on the benefits derived from the social networking of the golfers.

Oguntade stated that it was an avenue for Nigerians based in the UK to contribute to the development of golf in the country while also socializing with their loved ones.

He said: "We travel from the United Kingdom and we call it home coming. It's a great Opportunity to mix with our friends. We have had golfing competitions in Abuja Akwa Ibom, Ikoyi to Ikeja. Then sometimes Sagamu but the whole purpose of this is to keep in touch with our brothers, and to have a good comrade, and

By Stella Bamawo enjoy the golf.

It also gives us a good reason to come home, being in the UK for so long, it is always good to remember home. Golf is indeed improving as we now have ladies amongst us. The young ones are also getting involved.”

The immediate past Captain of NUGA and chairman of the organising committee of the home coming of 2011 NUGA, Tony Sokan noted that the group have been able to adhere and impact the motto of NUGA which is friendship integrity and charity to members of the group while also socializing and networking.

Sokan informed the Nationsports that it will be the turn of Nigerian golfers to be hosted in the UK. The first captain of NUGA to initiate the home coming, Pastor Omasan Oritshesan revealed that the group comprised of only fourteen members the first time they visited the country.

Meanwhile, a Nigerian based in the USA, Ike Onwuetbubia who was at the ‘Ikoyi Club 38’ to celebrate the home-coming of the UK golfers as also embraced the initiative has he

plans to organise Nigerian golfers based in California to initiate the home-coming of golfers to Nigeria to interact with their Nigerian counterparts. Onwuetbubia

said: “It is very emotional to witness this event. I am thinking of organising Nigerians in California to come here and do the same thing.”

Sapele groans at 100

T

HIS might stun and amaze anyone that the first Golf Championship trophy was won in Sapele in 1913.

The Cup is still in the Club’s archive today, with the year it was won clearly inscribed on it.

Come next year, the Club is set to roll out the drums to celebrate 100 years in existence since it is believed that if a Golf Cup was won in that place in 1913, then the club must have been in existence before that time.

Rather than be happy like it was when the Benin Club celebrated 80 years last month, members of the club are presently up in arms over developmental funds from Delta Governor, Ewetan Uduaghan.

A former Captain of the Club, Chief Godwin Asudo disclosed that ever before funds from Government meant to develop the Club so it could look its age, was released, it was clear the whole thing would end up a charade.

“The Governor did his best by

releasing funds”, Asudo said.

“But ever since money was released, only a part of the course was dug and dumped.

Members wanted answers.

Rather than get this, all the present Captain, Austin Utionme, is to stall for time. This is why his tenure is reading some six years. I was Captain and I served for two years. No Captain can go beyond two years. Six years is unheard of”.

The Captain of the Sapele Golf Club, Austin Utionme, did not deny issues bordering on developmental funds from the State Government. Hear him: “We Are past issues of fund from the Government”, he said in a phone conversation. “I can only address my elongated term. I think I am staying put for six years just to keep the club in existence. The whole place is not viable”.

Members af the Sapele Athletic Club who spoke on the issue, however disclosed that the club was not only functioning but indeed viable”.

e-mail: deewalebf@yahoo.com

The way of the Eagles ANY attempt to soothe the gnawing sensation left by the free-fall of Nigerian football must surely take into account events on the illfated campaign for the 2012 Africa Nations Cup finals in Gabon/ Equatorial Guinea as illustrated by the following take following Nigeria’s September 5, 2010 encounter with Madagascar in Calabar.

Keen observers would have noted the near-equal culpability of football officials and the team as player lethargy appeared to match official ineptitude in fetching disastrous consequence. Revamp must therefore target both ills as well as other factors led, of course, by dearth of facilities and inadequate technical know-how.

T

HE Super Eagles must be the only team in the world capable of turning the most routine encounter into a tortuous affair as last Sunday’s 2012 Africa Nations Cup first leg qualifier against Madagascar in Calabar evinced. Nigeria won 2-0 but were on the back foot most of the time.

The underrated islanders were expected to wallow in utter defeat but emerged the more credible side. They, like Angola, Mozambique, Kenya, Uganda, and just about every other African minnow in recent competition with the Eagles, showed greater cohesion and tactical manoeuvre.

At 1-0 up in the first half thanks to Obafemi Martins’ determined effort, some of the players went showboating and by the time the Rubin Kazan forward assisted Michael Eneramuo for the second, the entire team was playing to the gallery. As usual, key players exhibited sluggish play.

Until his goal, Eneramuo was bound for villainy. But if the in-form Esperance of Tunis striker’s failure to convert chances – not that the Eagles created many – could be explained away by the anxiety to please following his controversial omission from the final squad to the 2010 Nations Cup and World Cup finals, supporters must have chafed at the unjustifiable transformation of the quick, committed Mikel in the blue of Chelsea to the languid Mikel in Nigeria’s green.

The defensive midfielder lasted far too long in Calabar.

He should have been the one hauled off early instead of hardworking midfield partner Olufemi Ajilore. Caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen erred in that respect, but his judgment in throwing more home-based players into the fray after left-back Valentine Nwabili impressed could hardly be faulted.

After the match, Eguavoen disclosed that he would have started with four or five local stars if they had not lost form in the close season. “When we came back from (South) Korea, I told them to train because there was a big game coming up whether I was there or not, but when we came to camp, their fitness had gone,” he said.

His blooding of former Under-20 star Stanley Okoro will, however, remain a talking point. Playing the Almeria new boy as a substitute wide on the right seemed a bold decision when the more experienced Solomon Okoronkwo waited in the wings.

Poor Okoronkwo. The Germany-based winger probably sensed impending rebuff when he publicly advocated team selection on merit. In the event, Okoro got the nod and, as the writer predicted last week, was quick to ape the more senior lads, choosing to dribble and subsequently lose possession when he could have passed.

The defence was rather flat-footed, with right-back Chidi Odiah particularly vulnerable. Overall, it was an awful performance that left the fan disheartened and the analyst stumped.

Half the Eagles’ problem appeared psychological. No sooner is a match started than the players begin to imagine themselves natural successors of the glorious 90s Eagles.

But they have consistently failed to do the homework that fetched Clemens Westerhof’s team renown.

Worse, the players – not uncharacteristically – revelled in the abysmal show of possession in Calabar. Yet there is little room for change in this most basic indication of team work.

Up next is a Group B fixture away to table-toppers Guinea.

It comes before the appointment of a new coach. As former assistant coach Daniel Amokachi noted, however, the team needs not a coach but a manager capable of looking beyond the interim measure of featuring club-less but committed players instead of the fittest and most competitive players eligible.

For Sunday, omo Bada FOR the second week in a row, I find myself mourning the death of an icon, for that was what Sunday Bada, who died early in the week, was. Brazil legend Socrates – a personal favourite – was the subject of last week’s dirge.

A product of the vibrant Kwara State schoolboy athletics scene of the 80s, Bada thrived, alongside contemporaries Olapade Adeniken, Baba Malik and Olu Sule, under the tutorship of distinguished former Nigerian track and field champions.

From the exciting relay contests between the top Ilorin schools, F.G.C., G.S.S., I.G.S., G.H.S., C.S.S.S and St. Anthony on to the European circuit, Bada exhibited exemplary spirit and sense of the event. A distinguished police officer and accomplished quarter-miler, he will be remembered as one of Nigeria’s finest.

38

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

W L O H L Y OOD

RE ELNEW S

Gucci Mane gets early release

R

APPER Gucci Mane has been on his best behavior lately in more ways than one.

On Sunday, Mane (real name Radric Davis) was released early from Fulton County jail in Atlanta for good conduct. He served three months of his six-month sentence, which was •L-R: COSON Ag. G.M, Ms Bernice Eriemeghe; Chairman, COSON, Tony Okoroji; handed down in September for pushing a Google Senior Director Partnership, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Patrick Walker; woman out of a moving vehicle (which equated Ms Juliet Ehimuan, Google Country Manager and Ms Affiom Bassey, Google to two counts of battery, two counts of reckless Country Manager Marketing at the COSON Google signing ceremony. conduct and one count of disorderly conduct).

This stint was Mane's third time in jail and, as he said yesterday, it would not be repeated: "This partner in the West African N Wednesday, is the last time I think I'll ever be in jail."I really December 7, the Network (WAN) being feel that,” way Gucci said.

Copyright Society of coordinated by the World Also unearthed were legal documents showing Nigeria (COSON), made history Intellectual Property that Mane has settled a custody dispute with when it signed a major Organization (WIPO) which Sheena Evans, mother partnership agreement with seeks to link the database of of his four-yearinternet giant, Google at the all the key collective old son. He will Civic Centre, Victoria island, management organizations in provide $2,026 Lagos.

West Africa including COSON each month In the presence of and to provide for them a approximately 8 entertainment industry big major global shop window. percent of his wigs, Chairman of the society, While Chief Okoroji signed monthly income, Tony Okoroji said that the the agreement on behalf of according to the agreement negotiated over COSON, Google Senior forms and receive several months was a major Director- Partnership, visitation rights. step in providing worldwide (Europe, Africa and Middle Perhaps the access to the music of Nigerian East), Patrick Walker who was positive karma will artistes and to ensure that the in Nigeria for the event signed pay off: Mane's joint creators of music in Nigeria and for Google, also represented at album with Vthe investors receive the event by Country Nasty, BAYTL, was appropriate compensation for Manager, Ms. Juliet Ehimuan during the week.

•Gucci Mane their labour. Okoroji announced and Marketing Manager, Ms that Google is an important Affiom Bassey.

COSON partners Google

O

FRCN DG bags Medal of Honour

T

HE Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Barrister Yusuf Nuhu recently emerged winner of the prestigious Copyright Medal of Honour. Decorated with the medal at the Annual General Meeting of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) held on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at the National Theatre, Lagos, the Director will also received a plaque to mark the honour.

The unanimous choice of

Barrister Nuhu for the award was made by the full Board of COSON in recognition of the role played by the Director-General in bringing to an end the infringement of music copyright by all FRCN stations across the country.

The Copyright Medal of Honour is awarded to the individual who during a period is deemed to have played a most significant role in promoting the respect of the rights of creative people in Nigeria.

WAP bags three awards

I

N a span of two weeks, celebrated TV production house, Wale Adenuga Productions Limited achieved a feat when it bagged three awards. The organization's gripping weekly TV drama series Superstory, set the ball rolling when on November 27, it bagged the Celebrity Media Award for the most popular serial on TV. December 7, saw another victory for Wale Adenuga MFR, Chairman of the organization, as he emerged the winner of the much coveted Creative Entrepreneur of the year Award 2011, organized by Creative

Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria and British Council, Nigeria.

More recently, December 11, The Nigerian Broadcasters Awards also crowned Superstory the Best TV programme (drama) of the year. These accolades coincide with the tenth yearanniversary of Superstory.

Wale Adenuga Productions Limited has been in the TV production scene for fourteen years with other masterpieces such as Papa Ajasco and Co, This Life and most recently, Nnena and Friends TV show for children and teens.

Nude sketch of Lady Gaga up for auction

A

nude charcoal drawing of Lady Gaga by singer Tony Bennett went up for auction on Ebay this week, with all proceeds going to both singers' charities.

The drawing is a charcoal sketch on watercolor paper, and features Lady Gaga reclining nude, signed by "Benedetto," the name Bennett signs all his art works with.

The 85-year-old jazz singer, who earlier this year recorded "Lady is a Tramp" in a duet with Lady Gaga for his album "Duets II," posted on Twitter

that he was "thrilled" his portrait was up for auction.

Bennett, 85, sketched the picture while Lady Gaga, 25, posed for photographer Annie Leibovitz for the cover of Vanity Fair magazine's January issue.

Currently, the highest bid is $6,700, and is expected to rise during the course of the auction, which will end on December 19, with all proceeds going to Bennett's Exploring the Arts charity and Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation.

Crane over Ghollywood

Sarkodie debunks Akon partnership rumour

Juliet Ibrahim pursues music career

I

T seems that actress; Juliet Ibrahim is taking her passion for music more seriously as she was spotted recording a new song at TemaFTER several based Star Productions debates about Studio over the whether weekend.

•Sarkodie Ghanaian rapper, The actress has hinted Sarkodie is signed to interview. severally that she would soon Akon's Konvict Music label “I am not signed. Akon endorsed pursue a professional career in music following an elaborate ceremony to Sarkodie. You need to watch out and it seems the time has finally announce his signing to Konvict for Sarkodie from Ghana. That's come.

Africa in Accra, Sarkodie recently what Akon is saying. Everything is Juliet jointly won the 2010 Ghana cleared the air by saying that he in the pipeline though and it's Movie Award for Best Actress in a isn't signed to the label in an looking good”, he said.

Leading Role with her co-stars from the movie, '4play' but should we expect a Ghana Music Award soon?

We live to see! Meanwhile the actress ILM Producer and with a very sharp cutlass is featured on the cover of the latest actor Roger Harold and a huge stick. edition of Nigerian lifestyle magazine, Quartey, fell victim “They slashed me at the Gandeur Magazine. of the underworld men knee and asked that I lie In the last week as they lay siege face-down before they publication, on his residence. The started their Juliet talks robbers were said to have operation…they about the brutalized him and his molested my niece and strength and family members by then pointed a gun at us hustle of slashing him with cutlasses that if we dare make any combining and made away with noise they will shoot at her acting several items. us,” he said. career and Narrating his ordeal Roger A grief-stricken Roger Quartey said motherhood, said; “The robbers numbering five that luck was however on their side her fashion broke into the house through the when his next door neighbor raised an style kitchen door. We heard a very loud alarm after seeing one of the robbers among sound and before we realized they standing on his (Roger's) wall with a other were already in the room. The robbers gun monitoring the operation. The things. first dragged my niece from her room matter is still under police to the hall where I was sleeping and investigations, though no arrests have began assaulting them mercilessly •Juliet been made so far.

A

Roger Quartey survives attack

F

39

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

C

EASELESS accolades from all quarters have been pouring in , following the death of the exwarlord, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.

People from all walks of life , including the creme de la creme of the society have been pouring tributes on the Ikemba of Nnewi. My dad called him, the Biafran Soldier. My 70-year-old dad actually broke down and cried the day Ikemba’s death was announced. His tears broke my heart because the last time I had seen my dad cry was when my mum passed on.

“On Aburi we stand” was usually a favourite quotation of Ojukwu that my dad has constantly recalled like over a million times. My dad has not stopped telling us about how the Aburi accord was reached, that my siblings can almost recite it backwards.

Ikemba, indeed was a passionate man. A man who stood and fought for what he believed in. A powerful writer, a very intelligent orator and an unusual lover.

When he fell in love with his wife Bianca, there were oppositions. Their age difference did not help matters.

Ojukwu, a warrior who fought a legendary war that has become historical, suddenly found himself fighting to win the heart of the queen of his heart (a very unfamiliar territory indeed), the then Bianca Onoh who he would later spend his dying days with. A lion that loved, is how I will like to describe him.

The thing that utterly blew my mind about Ikemba is how he loved Bianca. He

Dear Vera, As long as parents should be number one sector to show, talk and lead the children and youths to the right path, the children and the youth must be seen to be cooperating with the parents. All the parties – the children, the youth, the teachers/lecturers and masters of other trades who are all instrumental to success

Ojukwu, the man who loved Bianca loved her against all odds and the beauty of it all is that Bianca loved him right back, against all odds too, I will like to add. Was it for his money or fame, of course not. Bianca is the daughter of an ex-governor, Chief C. C. Onoh.. She had it all, fame and fortune. Certainly she had suitors too, yet, Ojukwu swept her off her feet. I will like to put it like this; there love was as legendary as the Biafran war.

My former boss, Alhaji Abdul Okwechime, the Chief Executive Officer of Person to Person Ltd, an advertising agency once told of his wife’s days as an air hostess with Nigerian Airways. She told of how she was privileged to be on board the same flight with the Ikemba and Bianca. She said as she rolled her trolley containing snacks and beverages to their seats in order should take blame where failure is resulting! Each, should be seen to be doing his/her required part, period!.

Lanre Oseni •God bless you for talking to parents who don’t encourage kids to read. I wonder if the problem is that they don’t realise the benefit in

to take their order, Ojukwu , with a finger to his lips whispered to her, Sssshh, he said , barely audible, “my wife is sleeping”. Did that simply throw, I bet you, it did. Did it throw me? That will be putting it mildly. It simply blew me away.

As my boss,recalled his wife’s life changing experience on that aircraft, I just thought to myself,this is love. I tell you, no Nigerian man can openly show love to his spouse. I have not seen one. No, I have not said Nigerian men don’t love , what I am saying is that it is not in their character to publicly display it.

Okay, let’s try this pop quiz.

How many men have you seen walking hand in hand with their wives? Not at nights o. I am not about undergraduates who are in the dating game. I am discussing married couples. It is so “un-Nigerian men like” if

you will excuse my grammar, but that is the only way I can best describe it. Oh no, we are not complaining, in fact, we are used to it. A nigerian can kneel or even prostrate for you as long you are alone . Little wonder why some wives prefer to live away from their in-laws.

A Nigerian feels that he could be perceived as weak if he openly shows that he loves his wife; so they learn to ‘code’ their affections especially when they have people watching. Hmm! How sad. The only open affection I have seen the average Nigerian man show is when he kisses his bride, sorry, when he is compelled to kiss his bride on their wedding day.

Last week , as I was driving through the Awolowo axis of Ikoyi, a magazine that was held up by a vendor caught my attention, the cap-

tion read, “Inside Ojuwku’s Private Diary; on my epitaph, I would want my people to write; here lies the remains of Emeka (Ikemba) the man who loved Bianca.

What is interesting about this request is that it was the turning point in Bianca’s love for him. He completely swept her off her feet with this poem.

Imagine having one’s name on the epitaph of a man when he is old, dead and gone, that is simply the height I tell you.

Ojukwu wrote Bianca poems when he wooed her. She just could not say no.

How many men these days would be romantic enough to write their spouse’s poems? Yes; they will hide under the guise of their busy schedules. We are hoping that as gentlemen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you would take a cue

Text messages Re: Don't blame the youths... reading. We just opened an NGO library and people are excited but we still find those who find it hard to pay just N4,000 a year for their kids to be able to borrow an unlimited number of books for the year. Their excuse is that

the kids don’t read. I tell them it is their job to make them read and provide an encouraging atmosphere for them to do so. They spend thousands on video games, DSTV, and expensive phones but can’t buy books or take the time to bring them to the library to pick a book. Keep up the work of telling parents the truth.

Someone out there is listening. Please visit our library anytime.

Mrs Idowu Parents should never get over saddled with anything that will abort direction of the paths of their children, but sad enough, some do not pretty care but notwithstanding, youths should avoid wasting their time, resources and energy on what does not secure them a better future.”Facebook does not go anywhere so face your book”.

Sir AOA Kenny, Ibadan

•16th AAT Annual Conference of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) held at ICAN centre Amuwo Odofin Lagos last weekend.

From left: Prof. Francis Ojaide president ICAN with Mr. Doyin Owolabi, Vice-President, ICAN and chairman AAT Executive committee (right) PHOTO: Bade DARAMOLA

•You are doing a nice job here, more stamina to your muscle. I really like the topic of last week, you see, most parents don’t even know how old or even what classes their children are. They are so busy with their jobs that they are not concerned with their children’s studies. Such parents keep spending money on goodies and flimsy things that will not profit the

child. They never spend quality time with their kids. I pray such parents wake up to their major priority which is their children.

Malinda P.H •Parents of these days fails in their primary assignments because they pay much attention to their work or business which make them far from their children, these in turn grants the children premature independent and makes them grow wild and arrogant.

Ugwu Greg, Obudu •I really agree with you that parents are to be mostly blamed. I want to say God bless you for your contributions here towards national development. Most of the national problems we have today started from families and many can be solved by focusing on families. Most parents do not understand that they are the first mentors God designed to help the overall building of their children. Parents always produce who they are except divine intervention.

Let us imagine a parent that has never read a book before in a home. I could remember giving a parent an inspiring book and showed no interest because of his attitude to reading. It is unfortunate that most well be-

from the ex-warlord, the Biafran soldier, the lover; Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu; the man who lived and loved Need I say more? Rest on soldier. Be assured that the women will remember you for the rare and special way you loved Bianca.

‘

On my epitaph, I would want my people to write; here lies the remains of Emeka (Ikemba) the man who loved Bianca

’

haved educated people today are from illiterate parents. Why? Because they desire more to become better in everything. The un-informed but illiterate parents want their wards to enjoy everything now which is an admission to pressure tomorrow. I have been to different families as a trainer to attend to young minds and seen parents ignorantly managing bad attitudes. Today, we have children influencing parents about latest in town.

How can such parent help the child? We have some parents that love to change other youths outside but can not help their own children. Even the great and wealthy parents do not know that no one can inherit greatness. What we leave in people live longer than what we leave for people. I suggest that every parent that desires to become better should go for counseling or hire a family life coach.

Every individual and family need to have a dream.

If families can be changed for better, communities will become better. Then, we can see better states and a new Nigeria.

I say, let us start to be the change we want to see nationally from our families.

Wale Adekanla, Mr. Nature, Trainer/Motivational Speaker, 08060028125

40

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

It’s good to be GOS - 52 times over

L

IFE has taught me to identity who my real friends are. You could have a brother or a sister who is not your friends. And you could have a friend who is like your brother or your sister. If you’re lucky to have a friend who is a friend – a true friend – then you have it all.

When I met GOS a few years ago, I knew instantly that I had met a big brother. He is that man that would call to pray for you on mornings when you feel the world is crashing on you. He’ll also be there to share in your good and bad moments, and waoh, he has the ability to see and point out to you the light in the middle of a dark tunnel.

It’s amazing that a man with such busy schedule could have the time to make others happy. Yes, GOS is in the class of those we call ‘distinguished’ in Nigeria – he is a senator! He is in fact the Minority Whip of the Senate, yet, he’s the first person most of us who know him are quick to call in our moments of despair and our moments of joy. He’s always there for us as a brother and a friend.

As Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon (GOS) turns 52 on Monday 19th of December, 2011, I’m happy to be the first to wish him Happy Birthday in advance. GOS, I’ve told you this before, I’ll say it again; it’s good to be GOS! Now I can say it fifty-two times over.

Sex secrets for women over 50 Sister Deola, I read your reply to Mr. Bassey that’s why I’m writing you this. I’m 55 and my wife is 51.

She has refused me sex for over a year saying we’re too old and should stop it. She isn’t interested but when she sees me talking to a lady she complains that I’m having it with small girls.

What do I do in this case? Please I need your advice.

Dear Sir, your case is different from Mr. Bassey’s in the sense that your own wife at least has an excuse – she’s too old for sex at 50! Very interesting!

It reminds me of a joke I read sometime ago: A woman had just had surgery and the doctor advised her against having sex for at least three months, so she turned to the husband and said, “You heard him, he said we can’t have sex for three months.” The husband looked at her shook his head and said, “He meant you, not me.”

Now, I’m not going to address you alone on this issue. Since Mr. Bassey’s case was published, I must have received close to two hundred calls from men of all ages whose wives have refused to have sex for uncomfortable periods of time. The women I need to talk to today are women in their 50s who are nearing menopause of who have reached it.

I like oyinbo women; they go on having sex till they’re too old to raise their legs in the bedroom. I read about a nurse who, sharing some of her embarrassing periods was of a 75-year old patient asking if her medication wouldn’t affect her sex life. That is the spirit!

Here is Africa , the moment we spot the first grey hair on our heads, we start flashing the red lights on sex. If by chance that is not enough to stop all sexual activities, then, the moment our children begin to grow, we end our sex lives (maybe) to enable the children start theirs. S-t-o-r-y!

If you’re in your 50s and you have started turning your husband down because you’re too old, then, you shouldn’t be angry if he announces the arrival of a help-mate. Even if he doesn’t have the guts to marry another wife, he can keep her outside.

Men, despite all the strategies we use to keep them tied to our g-stings still look for ‘varieties’ outside.

So, what happens when we don’t grant their desires at all, they simply go hay-wire.

Yes, it is true that by the time hormonal changes at menopause it can affect a woman’s sexual response because of the low level of estrogen which causes dryness in the virginal.

Also, in some women, lower testosterone levels can mean a lack of energy and a weaker sex drive. But all these can be tackled. There are very good lubricants (close to the nature induced lubricants) to tackle dryness. And there are food supplements to kick-start the low energy for sex. Ask at your local chemist for it and don’t be shy to do that. That’s why they have lubricants in the first place – for people like you.

For some women, it goes beyond natural occurrences, it’s about self confidence. You may think, at this age, the breasts are beginning to go on a downward slide, so, you’re too shy to remove your bra in front of your husbands. Save for breast augmentation and exercises to build the muscles around the breasts to firm them up (if it’s not too late in the day for this), there’s really not much you can do about this, so learn to love your body. Better still, keep your breasts in your bra and divert his attention to other zones in your body.

Order from me for the booklet, ‘Sex after 50 - Putting On the Fire of Desire Where and When It Matters’. You would be glad you did.

As I go abroad, will I leave him for another guy?

I’m 19 years old I’m into a relationship with a guy that wants to marry me. The problem is that I am travelling out of the country in a few weeks’ time to further my education and he keeps on asking me everyday if I will leave him for another guy. I am confused.

Hi, I want everybody to read my book, ‘Hearts with Adeola Agoro’. It has answers to some of life’s questions and it has answered a question like yours.

In our kind of life where wives go abroad leaving their kids and husbands with the promise that when all is well, they’ll come back for them, only for the same husband and kids to learn later that mummy/wife has gone on to ‘marry’ another husband, what then can one expect from a young girl like you?

I’m not saying that all human being eventually dump their lovers/ partners on getting to another side of the world, but it’s a possibility.

How are you to know what you will do until you get there?

This is not even about faithfulness.

It’s about our human nature to adapt to new situations. If your guy has body odour and is not a ‘correct’ guy and you find yourself meeting a lot of decent and polished guys over there, it’s natural for you to get bowed and before long, he will be a thing of the past.

No one knows what will happen to you and for you over there. The first thing on your mind should be your studies, that, I tell you supersede all sentiments. Love won’t give you a good degree and certainly won’t give you a bright future. Let him know that.

Hearts With Adeola Agoro E-mail: libranadeola@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 08023162609

I’ll commit suicide because my girl left me Is it a crime to be poor? Why did fate choose to hit me with this hard blow? My lady jilted me because I’m poor. Right now, I’m not the guy I used to be. Why is this world full of wickedness and deceitfulness? I can’t do without her. She is everything to me. I think the best way for me now is to commit suicide. What can I do? (08166763409).

Sorry I’m publishing your number against my normal practice (for those seeking counsel).

I’m doing this so that nice girls who are reading this will make you happy with their calls. Over to you girls, one girl’s poison may just be your own delicious meat.

We have a proverb in Yorubaland about men or women who die because of a partner. If you die because of one girl,

My male friend wants to dump his fiancée for me Hi! Aunty A. I’m 26, I have a male friend; we’ve been moving as just friends for about two years.

He has a fiancée but he always needs financial advice from me.

Recently, he started growing love for me and asking me to marry him but I refused because it will be wicked of me (his fiancée is there). I’ve always loved him though. What do I do?

Really, this is a complex matter but we’ll try and break it down.

Truth is that men tend to fall in love with women who are smart and who make them look to their financial future with hope.

More and more men are becoming aware that physical attraction alone doesn’t get them hooked to a woman. They want a woman they can be proud of especially if she’s doing well in her career and life generally. Any woman can be beautiful with the right cosmetics, but only a few work their brains.

Being intelligent is a great attraction that earns you respect.

This guy has relied on you for a period of time for financial advice.

This may mean that his fiancée has nothing to offer. It will matter in the long run if his future wife knows how to manage finances, not just how to spend money. So, it’s possible that over time, his respect for you grew to love. He needs a woman like you in his life.

I can see that it’s not a one-sided love; you love him too. So, have a long talk with him and try to know if he’s having problems with this other lady. If they are not, then tread carefully. Two years should be enough for you to know your

Re: Where are you, Precious Emeka Okonne from Anioma LGA of Delta State? You have a grown-up daughter looking for you!!!

•Prince Adeniyi and his wife Kike during the Prince’s 80th birthday

several other girls will walk over your grave.

You want to die because of one girl who has made it clear that being poor is a disease? You’ll just die for nothing. She won’t miss you, if that is what you want to achieve. She’ll say it is good riddance to poor rubbish.

You know what you will do?

Pray hard that God should show you the way. Then, work hard so that you will prosper. It may take some years, but you will get there. You won’t even have to announce to her that you’ve arrived before she gets to hear from the grapevine. She will come begging (that is if she has not arrived too), and if she has money too, she will regret making you feel like a fool many years before.

Go on, pray and begin to work hard. Good luck.

Let me thank Mr. Kinsley from Port-Harcourt who promptly called Prince Precious Emeka Okonne’s younger brother afterr reading this piece, which we published last Saturday. The younge brother got in turn got in touch with Prince Precious and before the end of that day, Confidence, the 28-year-old girl who had never met her father was reunited with him on the phone.

I have tried all my best to make both father and daughter talk to g The Nation on their experiences of living apart and not knowin I seems it but week, last until years each other for twenty-eight may have to try some more. Maybe next time, I wouldn’t be so fast to link people up until I get my stories.

friends, so you’ll know if he’s lying.

Both of you will know at the end of your talk if indeed your relationship can graduate to marriage.

In this case, it won’t be hard to break the news to the other girl.

By now, she’d have seen it coming if there are strains in her relationship with the guy already. It is better it ends now than for them to be married and his mind is permanently on you. Pray about it too.

Warning: If the guy’s needs have gone beyond asking for financial advice to asking for money from you, don’t waste time in telling him to stay with his woman. Tell him you’ll continue to be of assistance without being emotionally involved. Let it not be that he wants to get closer to your purse than to your heart.

I do the calling, he only send texts Good evening ma. This is Damola from Abeokuta , I’m one of the readers of your column every Saturday. Kindly enlighten me about my guy. The relationship is over 3 years now and the only thing he does to communicate with me is just to flash me. He often texts but I do the calling.

Hello Damola, your matter is very simple, leave the guy fast? No matter how poor he is, he can still buy N100 (one hundred naira) call credit to speak with you for a few minutes. When you love someone, it’s not enough for you to want to send text messages to them, you really want to hear their voices.

Stop calling him. If he misses you, he will start calling.

Lost Contacts Hi Adeola. Kindly link me up with an old friend of mine. She attended CMS Girls’ Grammar School (School III), Bariga, Lagos . Her name then was Alice Abosede Soetan. We lost contact in 1988 when she was in either class 3 or 4. She lived with her parents in Agbado, Oke-Aro while I lived in Bariga then.

Please link me up with her. My name is Tunde Omoyeni 08025912046. Thanks.

&

LIFE

Society Profile

THE NATION, Saturday, DECEMBER 17, 2011

Why I'm in love with Nigerian outfits Dr Eugenia George, President, Nigerian women in Georgia, US

STYLE Gossip Interviews

41

Saturday

42

SPECIAL

THE NATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

With KAYODE ALFRED E-mail:kayflex2@yahoo.com TEL:08035733605

Different strokes for Bola Mogaji and Cynthia Adeyemi

No wedding bells still for Baba Abdulrasaq

T

here is no iota of truth in the rumour that wedding is on the card for Baba Rauf Abdulrasaq, Happenstances has gathered. Baba, as he is fondly called by friends, is still single.

Although many wonder why he remains single in spite of his age, the dark-skinned dude has many ladies craving his attention, and he never denies them anything from the abundance of his material wealth. Not a few times have ladies lunged at each other's jugular to attract his attention.

For a guy who has been in control of huge finances from his early 20s and now boasts of a bourgeoning oil business, many around Baba cannot but wonder what could be responsible for his single status. Lively, chatty and charming, Rauf has been linked with quite a number of ladies in the past, but none has been able to secure a marital vow.

Though information has it that he has a daughter who is a student in one of the Ivy-League schools in the UK, Baba does not seem to be giving marriage any serious consideration, as he prefers to concentrate more on his business and other family issues.

Wife celebrates Femi Akinruntan on wedding anniversary

H

e who finds a wife, say the Scriptures, finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord. But while many see this biblical injunction as nothing more than a cliche, it has held true for Femi Akinruntan and his delectable wife, Folake.

The wife of the industrious son of Oba Fredrick Akinrutan, the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom in Ondo State, has elevated the marriage institution by a notch, given the way she celebrated her husband on the occasion of their wedding anniversary.

The charming Ondo-born prince definitely found a good thing when he found his gorgeous wife many years back. The woman, once named a style sorceress by fashion buffs and power dressers, gathered friends and family members the previous Sunday to celebrate her man and marriage.

Besides the goodwill he enjoys from his father's selfless service to the people of Ugbo, the prince has a good sense of business that has enabled him to take his father's business conglomerate beyond the point his respected father left it. Under his leadership, Obat Group of Companies has grown in size and strength.

Hisbeautiful wife mirrors his grace and charm, stunning many as she steps into high society events like a veteran.

A

Between Patience Jonathan and Bola Shagaya

T

hat opposites attract is a phenomenon that has not ceased to be a mystery. There is so much that makes Patience Goodluck Jonathan different from Hajia Bola Shagaya. The two belong to different religions and ethnic groups. Even the colours of their skins differ. Yet they are closer to each other than many biological sisters.

If there is one socialite who who dictates society's pulse and tempo, it is Hajia Bola Shagaya. A director of Unity Bank and other blue chip companies, she enjoys a close friendship with the wife of the President, Dame Patience Jonathan.

While Patience’s friends have understandably increased in number since she became the first lady of

the nation, Bola Shagaya remains the most notable of them.

Their relationship, Happenstances gathered, dates back to President Goodluck Jonathan's emergence as Vice-President after the 2007 general election. She was said to have moved close to Shagaya in order to draw from her rich knowledge of business and social networking.

At the time, their friendship was believed to have been frowned at by the then first lady, Turai Yar'Adua, but her efforts to drive a wedge between them were said to have been futile. Since then, the two have been more or less inseparable. They attend functions together and look out for one another.

It is a friendship that seems to be set in stone; immoveable and unbreakable.

Joseph Yobo dumps night club business?

W

hen Joseph Yobo parted ways with Akeem Shodeinde many months ago over his alleged discomfort with how Akeem had been running his Insomnia night club, which was once the rave of the moment in Lagos, many thought that Yobo had some aces up his sleeve on how to turn around the dwindling fortune of the club.

It was thought that with some fresh injection of cash and appointment of a manager with the Midas touch, the club would rise from the depth it had sunk. But weeks rolled into months and the club remained under locks.

It is close to one year since things fell apart between Akeem and Yobo, and there's still no evidence of remedial works at the club as reportedly promised by Joseph Yobo who recently got a national honour from President Goodluck Jonathan.

Yobo has been struggling to revive his football career which somewhat nosedived at Everton during the last season and took him to Fernabache in Turkey. This, coupled with his marital commitments, might have been responsible for his inability to channel resources into the club.

Now, there are unconfirmed tales to the effect that Yobo has finally bid goodbye to the nightclub business.

t the moment, popular socialite and business woman, Bola Mogaji, is beaming with the excitement of a bird that has just escaped from a cage. He is savouring his conjugal attachment with Yetunde Akuete, his new wife.

At last, he seems to have outgrown his fear of marriage. He has decided to settle down with Yetunde, his lover for many months.

Until recently, Mogaji, popularly known as Abol, was based in London, where he lived after his alleged romance with Cynthia crashed. While a lot of people had thought that Bola and Cynthia, who reverted to her maiden name, Andrew, would tie the nuptial knot, it became a question of man proposing and God disposing.

Months after, their romance hit the rocks, Bola reportedly proposed to his long-standing girlfriend, Yetunde, and the two have since settled down into marriage.

But Princess Cynthia is getting her groove back, according to some of her friends. She now wears a permanent smile at social events. Now, marriage for Cynthia is like a wrapped gift hidden in a corridor yet to be trodden by her. Not that she is not getting suitors, she has had her heart broken too many times by wolves that came to her in sheep clothing.

This, according to friends, has prompted her to be more careful with men.

Saturday

SPECIAL

THE NATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011 TEL:08035733605

Gbemi Saraki returns to corporate world

P

ower, they say, is transient. Anyone who does not believe this would only need to follow the trajectory of Gbemi Saraki's political career. With a father reputed as the strongman of Kwara politics, she nursed an ambition that should take her to heights. She shunned the encumberances of sex, race and pedigree as she aimed for gold. And who would have thought that the daughter of Chief Olusola Saraki could lose an election in a state whose political levers her father controls?

A lawmaker for 12 years, Gbemi knew her onions and seemed to be cut out for the governorship job. So, during the last general election, she threw her head gear in the ring for the coveted number one seat in Kwara State.

With an opposition to her ambition from her elder brother and then incumbent governor, Bukola Saraki, the elder Saraki sensed she could not realise her ambition under the umbrella of the PDP. He therefore hit on the idea of founding a new political party, Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), through which Gbemi could realise her governorship ambition.

Unfortunately, she lost to her PDP rival and her ambition to emerge the first female governor in Nigeria collapsed like a pack of cards.

The news making the rounds now is that after her foray into politics, she is seeking a better footing in the competitive world of stock broking.

A banker of repute before she dived into the murky waters of politics, Gbemi has retraced her steps and gone back to the unpredictable world of capital market. Happenstances gathered that she recently floated a stock broking firm in Abuja and has been doing well for herself.

Browns CafĂŠ becomes the hippest

L

agos social scene is experiencing some revival at the moment, and a cafĂŠ in Ikeja is at the centre of it. It is no other than Browns, a cafe owned by Folly Coker, son of Chief Folarin Coker, the Baba Eto of Lagos. To say the fun spot is

one of the hottest on Lagos Mainland now would be an understatement.

Browns has suddenly become the point of relaxation and other recreational activities for Lagos celebrities and fun lovers. Since the Lagos big boy renovated the fun place on Sasegbon Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, it has literally become a social terminus for night fun lovers. Swanky and relatively large, it provides a cosy ambience with a table setting format that adds to the romantic theme.

While many had thought that the best of the fun spot had come and gone, the resilience and conviction of Folly would not allow the place to go the way of many others, which came like a flash in the pan.

Today, high ranking political office holders, businessmen and A-list celebrities throng the spot to unwind, meet and perfect deals where necessary.

One of the things that would arrest the attention of a first-time visitor is the architectural design. The other is the pristine environment that makes the place ideal for pleasure and business.

Soul-E's ex-wife, Ure Okezie, courts attention

U

re Okezie, the queen of Love Villa, a Christian ministry started by the delectable ex-banker and her estranged husband, Emmanuel Okosie, aka Soul-E, is one lady who enjoys a fair mention in society journals and national dailies.

While she remained married to Soul-E, the two appeared inseparable in spite of the huge difference in their ages. But just when many were getting used to the idea of the duo's marriage, trouble struck. The house made of spittle collapsed in a heap.

Now, those who should know are saying the ageless beauty has set her eyes on African Queen crooner, Tuface Idibia, the father of five known children from different mothers, who has managed to remain relevant over time.

Recently, Ure came all out on a social networking site, Facebook, to announce her budding relationship with Innocent 'Tuface' Idibia, thus confirming the whispers around town. She has even made it a point of duty to tell anyone who would listen that a proposal might just be under the wraps.

43

Abiola Otufale back in social space

J

ust when she seems to have fizzled out in the minds of many, Abiola Otufale, made a sudden reappearance in the social space penultimate Saturday. She resurfaced when Alhaji Aliko Dangote was hosted at Eko Hotel after the award of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) conferred on him by President Goodluck Jonathan recently.

Looking resplendent and happy, Abiola's beautiful outlook belied all that had been written about her since her sudden departure from public space.

She was not only full of excitement, she was so generous with courtesies and pleasantries that you would think she had just won a lottery.

Before her appearance at the event, her whereabouts had been a subject of speculation in society journals. The media were awash with stories about her love life and different reasons were advanced for her sudden retraction into the cocoon of her craving family.

While the public was being regaled with the speculations, no word came from Abiola. Then it became crystal clear that she deliberately adopted this quiet posture as a form of psychotherapy; she went on to re-prioritise her preferences and re-strategise on her re-entry into the Lagos social circle.

With her recent public appearance, we hope she will remain within the social perimeter so as not to leave room for more speculations in the future.

Ex-council boss, Bola Kalejaiye, hits golden age

I

t was with pomp and ceremony that former helmsman of Ijebu North Local Government, Ogun State, Barr.

Bola Kalejaiye, stepped into the club of 50year-olds on November 28, 2011, after a thanksgiving service at the Ijebu Igbo Central Mosque.

To mark the auspicious day, some of his friends, family members, top politicians and celebrities were on hand to celebrate with him.

Regarded as one of the experienced grassroots politicians in Ijebuland, Kalejaiye, who has now diversified into big-time farming, provided generously for all during the ceremony at his Ijebu Igbo home. There was more than enough to eat and whet the throat.

The celebration extended to the Grand Inn & Suites where his friends and associates threw another party for him.

Some of his key friends who were part of the thanksgiving service and the party that followed were Senator Lekan Mustapha, Otunba Laide Fowosere, Otunba Olaide Osifeso, Otunba Wale Oreagba, Hon. Tope Odusanya and Demola Shabi.

44 Dr. Eugenia Olubusola George is the President, Nigerian Women Association of Georgia (NWAG), a body made up of Nigerian professional women in Georgia, USA. The vivacious woman, who left Nigeria for the US in 1979 when she was only 22, in this interview with GBENGA ADERANTI, speaks about her life as NWAG’s leader, her style and how she handles her male admirers, among other issues.

Y

OU have been in and out of Nigeria.

What is your main preoccupation at the moment?

As the President of the Nigerian professional women in Georgia, I consider myself as their servant. I am spending my last term in office. I have served the organisation for two terms. I am also an educator.

Now, I am into consulting. I am also into leadership and development; that is an area I have a passion for. I’m also interested in helping children with disability.

My mother has a school for children with disability and she has got me to be involved in it. I hope to do more in that area now that I am no more serving as the president of the organisation. I studied education and obtained a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership.

What is the primary objective of NWAG? The mission of NWAG is to promote Nigeria’s culture in the USA, especially in Atlanta, Georgia; serving the Nigerian community in Georgia as well as women and children in Nigeria. We have just had our scholarship award ceremony where we gave scholarships to deserving 36 female students. Also, we have just shipped some drugs, which have been cleared. We have done that over the years too.

We have served 11 states and 12 hospitals and we have about a million dollars worth of medical supplies shipped already.

Some women complain that women are not given enough room to compete with their male counterparts. Do you share this view?

One of our missions is to empower women. I just told some group of children while giving them lectures on leadership and some of the characteristics of a leader that one of the reasons we give them lectures on leadership is to empower them to be able to take leadership role in their communities and the nation. You do know that as a woman, you are to take care of the family, the community and the nation as a whole. We believe that if we empower these women, with mentoring and leadership development, they will become responsible citizens if they hold leadership positions in the future.

We do know that the playing field is not level. But I have always talked about partnership, building good relationship, knowing your community and knowing those

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011 who may be able to help you. I have never advocated women liberation. However, I believe that we need to partner with the right people to be sure that we are able to impact on our community positively, because Rome was not built in a day.

Many years back, women were not educated. But now, we have more women being educated, earning higher degrees just like men, getting into professions that were dominated by men. I think we are moving in the right direction and the present government will do more in this regard so that we have more women taking leadership positions.

Going by the name of the association, one would assume it is solely for Nigerian women in Atlanta Georgia…

Most of us live in Georgia, but we also have members at large. Mrs Dayo Keshi founded our organisation when her husband was the Consular General in Georgia. She is now in Abuja, Nigeria. Also, there is Mrs Agatha Nnaji. Her husband is the Minister of Power. She is also in Abuja. She has been helping us to coordinate the scholarship activities for the past eight or nine years.

What is your interest in children with disabilities?

That is a personal passion for me.

NWAG has not delved into that area. My mother has a school for children with disabilities. I have embraced her vision to make sure that children with disabilities and their families are empowered and they become productive citizens in their communities. I am working very hard to make sure that the stigma placed on children with disabilities and their families are eradicated. I’m also challenging the Nigerian government to go beyond rhetorics to actually make a legislation that will impact on the way we view children with disabilities.

For how long have you been in the US? I got to the United States in 1979. I have been in and out.

How have you managed to combine all this with managing your home?

What I would say is that I give God the glory, because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. It is not easy combining family and career. However, I must say that I have a very understanding husband. He has been very supportive of me and my children. It is true that you have to get away from the family to be able to get into an NGO business, especially when you are not being paid for it. You put a lot of time and effort into it. I would say it takes a lot of planning and understanding; structuring time and staying focused all the time.

My family is very important to me. And then God is the centre of it all. It is a lot of work.

Has there been any time your activities caused a disagreement between you and your husband?

Well, I must say that I am always realistic. My husband is very understanding.

Even at that, you don’t want to overdo things. And because you are not around, they miss you. Your responsibility as a wife is also important, and it is more of having to balance it. When you get into this, you have to be a master at negotiating. I believe that you can’t do anything without being happy at home. If you are not happy at home, it is going to affect most of the things you do. Sometimes, you have to compromise.

Why did you come back to Nigeria?

I am not here to stay. I came for an NWAG event and personal things.

NWAG had a scholarship award ceremony in Abuja. We awarded 37 scholarships to some female students in some Nigerian universities. We have been doing this consistently. This organisation is a reputable one that has come to stay.

•George

We are hoping that young ones will continue to come because we have young ones who are members now. We also support orphanages.

How old were you when you left Nigeria?

I was about 22 or so.

How did your parents feel when you were leaving?

Let me tell you this: I have always loved adventure. I was the only one in my family who schooled in the North. Going to the North was a concern. I love challenges.

Going to the United States was no big deal.

My mother studied in the United States.

She told me everything I had to do to graduate. My parents felt I was mature enough to handle things.

Did you not feel lonely in the United States?

I was not lonely. I guess I was busy more than anything else. Actually I took courses during the summer. During the school year, you really have so much going on.

That does not mean that I didn’t attend parties. I did, because I’m not a boring person. I like to have fun. But you must have your priorities. That is what I say and encourage my children to do. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. We must be able to combine all this. My father used to tell me: ‘Hey, you love parties and love to dress well, but remember, your education is important. If I leave for you a whole lot and you are not educated, people who are educated will take it away from you.’ And that was something that made me to say I must take care of this and do the best I can, and at the same time, have fun.

Talking about fashion, what do you wear?

Everything. But I love Nigerian outfits.

They are the best in the world. I think out there, they look at Nigeria as the centre of fashion. If a Nigerian walks into a room anywhere in the world, people have to look. There is no doubt about that. They always get it together. We know how to combine. We know how to put things together, and it is part of our culture. Even tie and dye, people still love it.

I think we should promote some of our materials, because they love them out there.

There are people who put fashion shows and invite Nigerians. NWAG has something called Wazobia, where we teach children Nigerian culture, and at the end of it, we have fashion shows for the kids What is the fashion item you can’t do without?

There is nothing I can’t do without. I’m not hung on having something. I’m able to adjust to whatever the situation is. Yes, it is true I love certain types of outfits. I have my own taste of clothing. But if it is not available, it is not available. I’ve been able to adjust very well.

How have you managed to cope with people from different ethnic and racial backgrounds?

I think it is because of my background.

I’m flexible and I’m able to work with people in different situations. I interact with people very well. There is nothing like impossible. If Plan A is not working, try Plan B, so that you don’t get stuck in anything.

If something is not working, change. If you

45

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

‘I’m not a boring person, I like to have fun’ •George and some NWAG members

do the same thing over and over again, that is insanity. If you do not change, you get the same result. A lot of people get to the United States, I think I’m blessed I didn’t have problems. Some Nigerians had problems. Maybe because my parents sent me and I didn’t have problems of money and all kinds of things. At the same time, I also felt I should add to whatever they gave me. Sometimes, I would take to holiday jobs.

If you had the opportunity to change something about your life, what would that be?

Maybe trying to achieve so much.

Maybe be trying to do too many things.

May be that is a weakness. But I really can’t stop. I don’t believe in resting on my oars. I always believe I can do better.

I wish there is something I could change.

I love myself being a lady. I love being a woman, I enjoy being a woman and I won’t trade that for anything. Maybe what I will change is slow down. But I really don’t think there is something I want to change. As long as I live, anything I do must me beneficial to others.

How do you handle your male admirers?

I don’t have problems with that. I think people can give you compliments. I don’t have any problem with that. I believe that being a woman, you will get a lot of compliments. Sometimes you may know that somebody likes you, but the way you comport yourself will make him to be unable to go further, because you have made it clear that this is what you stand for. This not to say that you want to make

them look stupid. If they give me a compliment, I want to give it back. I feel uncomfortable if I don’t give it back.

You are about to complete your tenure as the president of NWAG. For the two terms you have spent, what have you done for the organisation?

I first got into the office in 2008. I was re-elected in 2010.

This is my second term. One of the things I did was to increase our revenue base. We used to have between $50,000 and $60,000, but during my reign, we were able to get over $100,000. I am proud of that. I couldn’t have done it alone if the ladies were not supportive. These are passionate ladies of integrity.

We have also built partnerships with many organisations. During my tenure, our membership increased by 40. For the first time, we inducted 10 members at once. We used to induct about five or six before. We have had 40 members inducted. But we still need partners in Nigeria, because we are doing a lot of things in Nigeria. They in-

clude scholarships, shipping of medical items and supporting orphanages. I am happy with what we have done.

If you were 22 in 1979 and you are still looking like a teenager now at 54, what is the secret?

I don’t let things bother me. One thing I do is to put my faith in God. This has nurtured me to where I feel that I can always say my favourite verse in the Bible: “I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me”. Although there are challenges everywhere, as long as you stay focused, nothing will derail you. The problem I can’t solve, I let it go once I have put it in prayers.

Anything that is yours will not pass you by. You don’t have to struggle for anything. The things that I struggle for, I don’t get. The things I don’t struggle for come like that. I don’t believe it is a do or die situation for me to become anything.

That doesn’t mean you don’t get upset about things. Once I have said what I need to say, I’m through with it. My mother told me when I was growing up: ‘Don’t ever frown, because it takes things away from you.’ I don’t frown, even if things don’t go right. I smile. If you want to take up a leadership position, you must be ready to take the heat. If there is no fire, there can be no diamond.

46

THE NATION, SATURDAY DECEMBER 17, 2011

Let your skin glow for Xmas

•Lemon

I

N this festive period, do you care for acne-free, wholly lucid, silky smooth and healthy looking skin, despite the unkind weather?

How healthy one’s skin is, is the first step towards an excellent supple body. But how you maintain your skin will determine how healthy it can go all year round, especially in this harmattan period.

It is very necessary that you take special care of your skin in order for it to look radiant and beautiful. So, you need to take extra measures to protect your skin against harsh weather because the harmattan season brings about other problems for the skin.

Colder weather does not mean your skin is not in danger of drying up. In fact, the skin tends to get dry easily during colder weather. To keep your skin healthy and protect it against the harsh weather, you must make sure it is supple and full of moisture to avoid cracking and dryness.

For oily skin, squeeze the gel from one clove/leaf of Aloe Vera, mash it and mix with one tablespoon of olive oil.

Dry skin moisturizer Mix the fleshy part of an avocado pear with one tablespoon of honey; grind the mixture until it becomes smooth; apply the solution on the skin and leave for 20 minutes. Then wash it off.

All skin type moisturizer Add two drops of lavender essential oil to one ounce of jojoba oil and massage into the skin.

Honey and tomato cleanser Mix tomato mash with honey; mix together and apply to the skin after you must have showered, Then rinse with water Velvety cleanser Mix equal amounts of jojoba oil and coconut oil and then double the mixture with water. Shake thoroughly before use. The cleanser will emulsify the dirt without stripping your face’s oils.

Egg yolk and honey mask Mix one tablespoon of almond oil, one tablespoon yogurt and one egg yolk and apply on the face.

Banana facial mask for dry skin Crush a quarter of a ripe banana and mix with half a cup of natural yogurt and one tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture on the face and neck and leave for 20 minutes. Then wash with water.

Exfoliant Simply mix finely ground oats and almonds or almond oil with enough extra virgin olive oil for the mixture to fuse without crumbling.

Rich toner Simply add honey to tomato juice until it becomes sticky and then apply this to your face and neck for between 25 to 30 minutes. The result will be a cleaner complexion with improved skin tone.

•Ruby Dabbor

•Nkiru Achukwu •Tosin Faniro-dada

•Roseline Mbam

47

THE NATION, SATURDAY DECEMBER 17, 2011

Kanekalon night of 1000 braids

M

AKERS of the world’s finest fibre, Kaneka Corporation, Japan, held its 2011 glamorous Kanekalon Night of 1000 Braids, the third in the series with the brand ambassador ,Ms. Stephanie Okereke, in attendance, amongst industry leaders other celebrities at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island.

Major highlights of the event included fashion parade by reputable fashion designers from the stable of Regalia, Modela, Richlooks fashion houses and a performance by the sensational Mo Hit artiste Dr. Sid. There was a fantastic hair parade segment managed by Salon de Eve, the winner of last year’s Kanekalon Braids Parade. Other attractions were hair clinic presentation by the Chief Executive of Studio One Plus and make-up

tips by Modella, an outstanding dance drama choreographed by Black Image dance group and live band entertainment was provided

by Terrymore International which made the event extremely enjoyable and full of fun.

The show was anchored by popular comedian, Koffi, and an on-air radio personality, Matse.

In an interview, the General Manager of Kaneka Corporation, Mr. Hidesuki Amachi, said: “We have always held our consumers close to our heart by bringing out their true beauty and we feel this event is the best platform where we can demonstrate our appreciation towards them. That is, our 1000 Braids event is designed to thank customers for their patronage of Kanekalon products during the year”.

•Kanekalon brand Ambassador Stephanie Okereke

•Fashion models at the event

•Checkout the side view of her hairdo!

•Hair models at the event

Male model fronts campaign for push-up bras

W

HILE most lingerie brands would usually pick a buxom lady to model their latest underwear collections, Dutch department store, Hema, has opted for a more unconventional choice.

Male model, Andrej Pejic, fronts the campaign for the “Mega PushUp Bra” from Hema that promises to “add two cup sizes”. The company’s decision to have a man front the campaign appears to have paid off, as his natural cleavage-free physique is visibly enhanced by their “boosting” bra.

The images, featuring Pejic wearing the bra under two different dresses and a jumper, were released on December 13, and quickly became a trending topic on Twitter in a matter of hours.

American Apparel still needs more money American Apparel has been forced to seek new financing options as negotiations with private equity firm, Colbeck Capital, have broken down.

Despite improving sales figures, the retailer is in dire need of money to pay off a $47.6 million loan from Bank of America as well as $114 million owed to London-based Lion Capital.

48

THE NATION, SATURDAY,DECEMBER 17, 2011

‘What I look for in a friend’ •Continued from Page 18

•Pastor (Mrs) Udoh

‘Life as a pastor’s wife’

‘

My husband himself knew it wasn’t going to be a bed of roses telling me he was going to quit his flying and bright banking career.

My friend, it was a tug of war to agree with him o! At a time, I thought to myself, where will I begin again? How will I cope? What will become of my children if he leaves his job? Lailai, I no go gree!

•Continued from Page 22

In a situation whereby your husband’s position is incongruent with yours, what do you usually do?

My husband’s position can never run in incongruence with my own because I am his subject in the ministry and as my boss, I take orders from him. The General Overseer’s office does not meddle with my position as head of ministry. However, as my husband, we can have disagreement, which is normally sorted out at home but while in office, he remains my boss.

Irrespective of religious leaning, dressing has become an issue in many families, especially female children. How do you manage your female children?

Well, good values are expected to be imbibed in the children from the childhood. See, who buys them dresses? From whose nose do they leave badly dressed? Is it not under us? The Bible says train up the child in the way he will grow… My daughter is so meticulous when it comes to dressing because she has always been on the right track. She is very conservative in dressing and I really appreciate God for that virtue in her.

When your daughter disagrees with you, how do you manage her?

The only way I know is prayer and interaction. I showed a lot of interest in her and her needs, she doesn’t lack attention in all things from us as parents.

What is that fashion item you can’t do without?

I am not a fashion freak. I dress sensibly and moderately per time because I have so many people I mentor.

How would you describe your dress sense?

My dress sense is moderate and tastefully graced.

You hardly put on wrapper, why?

The nature of my job as a pastor does not permit indigenous dressing. It has to be formal.

’

Would you say your background has something to do with your fashion sense?

No, my background and my dress life have been very okay. My university experience at the then University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University) was characterised by Godly living under the watchful eyes of Evangelical Christian Union (E.C.U., Ife). My father’s influence on me was tremendous; he is an astute disciplinarian who will never allow his children to be unduly influenced or morally contaminated.

You hardly put on trousers, why?

It’s not that I hardly wear it; rather, I don’t wear it at all. It’s more of personal principle.

Who is your role model?

Gloria Copeland is my role model.

What one piece of advice would you pass on to a new pastor’s wife?

They should be ready to play their role as help-mate which is all entailing; be addicted to prayer and the study of the word. They must be ready to stand in the gap at anytime.

Protect their husbands and the children at the same time. They must not be in a hurry or put their husbands under unnecessary pressure.

You are managing a school, Manifest Hall, why did you decide to start a school?

It is basically an avenue to empower some people to meet some daily needs.

Don’t you think it is better left for the secular world?

You mean schools should be left for secular world? That will be a serious misdemenour on us. There are so many social vices that some children exhibit which they learnt from uncensored schools. If we’re not careful, it will soon rub off on others with goodly nature. We need to put them early on the right pedestal of life so that it will be very difficult for them to deviate when they grow up. Come to think of it, why do you think some state governments returned the mission schools to their original owners?

There are more to it than meet the eyes.

ties you want to see in your friends?

I like somebody who is loyal, yes, and then the person who takes you as a friend whether you are there or not, you understand what I mean? There are some people who would always nag at you like oh, you’ve not called me, you’ve not been to my house. But I think that if you are my friend, you can come anytime; it doesn’t matter who visits, for us to be able to sit together and share our problems. That is what I look for in a friend.

Somebody who can accept you the way you are and who is ready to understand you. That is all.

Would you advise any of your children to read Law and did you choose their course of study for them?

It is their own choice to make, not me. In any case, right now, my first daughter read Economics and she is not thinking of Law. My son is into more of Computer, Computer and Computer, while my second daughter, that one too is talking about Accountancy.

And in any case, they are just three; so I don’t have anybody I would advise to real Law or not right now. I believe that they have a right to choose whatever they want to do or read.

And for a child to be able to perform to his utmost best, you need to allow the child exhibit that innate quality in him or her, which God has given to them.

If you want to force a child to read Law, at the end of it, he could abandon the certificate and be doing something else. There are other friends of mine who read Law, they never practised for one day or worked. They are into businesses and they are making it in life. So it is not what you want a child to read that is important, just allow the child to discover himself or herself and then get the best out of what they want to do. And to be candid, they are at their best when they do what they want.

Do you think the women have arrived politically?

Let’s say arrived as in we are there but not moving forward. We are on the way to arriving and so we would continue to do a lot of work in this regard and on that note, I wouldn’t say we have arrived in the sense that you mean it to be.

So what would you say is the cause?

The peculiar terrain and more so when people started politics, women were not there in the picture. They came in late and so to catch up now is still very difficult, though we are trying our best. You know we have a lot of challenges. We have cultural challenges, we have financial challenges, we have so many things militating against women in politics, even the violence and thuggery that characterise our elections is enough to scare women away from participating in politics. But then we are do-

•Hon MulikatAkande

ing our best.

Then, I must say that the 35 per cent of a thing is just to encourage women and we are praying that at the end of the day, we would have arrived just like the men.

Some people are of the view that the most important factor to women participation in politics is the encouragement from the home front. Do you agree with this?

Yes, I agree because if you have, like we talk of the cultural challenges, if your background or where you are coming from or the immediate environment gives you the support, surely others will be encouraged to support you in whatever you want to do.

If you want to do something and your family is saying no, no, no! That alone will discourage you and even if you eventually go into it, you are most likely to once in a while ask questions that seem to cast doubt on your initial conviction.

What would you say motivates you in life?

Challenges. Anything that poses itself as a challenge often brings out the best in me.

I am always motivated by the desire to overcome all challenges. Then, appreciation! These two things are always sources of motivation for me. That you do something which makes people to be happy and uplifts them

and they therefore appreciate the same, usually motivates me to want to do more.

What are the challenges of your present office?

Since I became House Leader, there hasn’t been any challenge presenting itself right now. I am doing my best and all my colleagues are well carried along. You know that as a Leader, before you can get any work done, the members must support you and so you have to ensure that the enabling environment for the work to be done is created and I must say they have been very supportive and cooperative.

Looking back 50 years, what is that thing you would like to do differently if given another chance?

Frankly, I can’t think of anything that I have done these past years that I would say I regret or I am not happy with myself. All I can do is just thank God and pray that I don’t have cause to regret in whatever I do.

Lastly, just tell us how you met your husband?

(Laughter) How many years ago? Anyway, that was in Lagos and through a friend. And would you believe it, initially after the first meeting, I was not ready to go out with him then. But somehow, after about two years, we came back again and eventually got married, that was it!

49

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

•Entertaining people

When regatta added colour to Port Harcourt T

HE people of River State regard water as an important gift of nature because their lives depend on it.

The water regatta, to the people of the state, is the celebration of the essence of

•Designed fish

their lives.

Understanding the importance of water to the lives of the people of Rivers State helps one to appreciate the energy and interest that the water regatta attracts whenever it is

staged in state.

As part of the annual event, the boat regatta was held at the Port Harcourt Beach Resort. Thousands gathered excitedly by the beach side awaiting the commencement of the event. For a first time tourist, you wonder why the excitement. Then the announcer through the public address system signalled the commencement of the regatta, and the water, which hitherto had been calm except for the few speed boats of security personnel patrolling the sea, suddenly took a life of its own.

Pulsating drum beats reverberated on the water, as men decked in colourful attire, clutching the paddles of their boats, furiously paddled towards where the guests sat.

It was not the normal fishermen affair. The paddling, buoyed by the singing and drumming, had artistry. It was the creation of poetry on water. As the different

council areas filed out one after the other, one could see something deeper than a boat. The allure of boat regatta in Port Harcourt is the virtuoso performance on water that tourists and visitors had a chance of witnessing. The beauty of re-

•A participant in action

gatta is actually the traffic on water, but the artistry on display. The boats in the hands of these men as they performed on water is just like an ice skater performing on ice. They literally talk to their boats and they listen. They could be

paddling furiously without the boats moving an inch, or moving and making some fascinating turning on water. Using the paddles, the men on the boat performed some amazContinued on Page 50

50

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

Continued from Page 49

ing stunts to the delight of the crowd that had gathered to watch.

In the regatta in Port Harcourt, there are certain things a tourist should be on the lookout for to really appreciate the event.

The costuming is part of the regatta. It makes the water bust forth in spectrum of colours. The boats come in different ingenuous designs most cases depicting one sea animal or the other. They include crocodile, shark and other water animals.

When regatta added colour to Port Harcourt Different kind s of constructions are also carried on the boats. Some could be just an ordinary thatch houses, one or two storey contraption with a dancer on each of the floor and dancing to the music or just simple boat decoration with wrappers. There is also the attire of the boat riders. They come in reach bright coloured attire and tying the George wrapper.

A tourist should also look out for the commander of

the boats who normally wore a more regal attire complemented with a fan and regal cap.

To show how deep the event is rooted to their culture, the masquerades are not left out in the regatta.

The two most colourful are the Ogunne from Okrika and Oky said also to be from Okrika. According to an indigene of the area, Mr. Isoboye Woseley, the two are water masquerades that perform only on water

and normally perform during festive seasons. There is something about this masquerades that may not easily be noticed by unobservant visitors. The masquerades, especially the Ogunne, normally have female acolytes by the bank directing its activities while on water. The female acolyte of the Ogunne would dance, sway her hips to the rhythm of the beats of the drum and then wave her

handkerchief in the direction of the masquerade. It would respond by waving back and moving towards the direction she would point. The Ogunne, just to prove how comfortable it is on water ,would even leave the boat to enter the water and perform.

As a tourism product, the River State regatta is probably the best one could see anywhere in the country and something that the

state government could develop since it has the comparative advantage in this area.

In this year’s edition, 11 council areas participated.

Port Harcourt Local Government Area, being the host , started the event.

Other participating council areas included: Akulga, Ogo-bolo , Bonny, Okrika, Andoni, Asari-Toru, Opobo-Nkoro, Degema and Abua/Odua.

•Towards the end of the event

Kehinde FALODE: 08023689894

Pineapple turnovers

Foluke ADEMOLA

Have you been thinking of something new, especially during Christmas. Try this delicious recipe and I am sure your family will enjoy it.

Ingredients •Cookie dough •1 cup sugar •½ cup shortening •2 eggs •1 teaspoon vanilla •2 ½ cups all-purpose flour •½ teaspoon salt •1/4 teaspoon baking soda •Milk •Sugar •Pineapple filling: •1 can (15 ounces) crushed pineapple •2/3 cup sugar Preparation •Mix one cup of sugar, the shortening, eggs and vanilla. Stir in flour, salt and bak-

ing soda. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Filling: •Drain pineapple well, reserving ½ cup syrup, mix 2/3 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons flour in saucepan. Stir in pineapple, reserved syrup, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tables p o o n margarine and dash of nutmeg.

Cook and stir constantly until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.

Cool pineapple filling complete •Heat the oven to 400°. Roll dough about 1/16-inch thick on a floured surface. Cut into 3-inch rounds or squares. Spoon about 1 teaspoon filling onto one side of each circle leaving enough of an edge to seal.

•Fold dough over filling; pinch edges to seal. Place cookies about 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar.

•Bake until lightly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately remove from baking sheet. Makes about 4 -5 dozen pineapple cookies. o If using self-rising flour, omit salt and baking soda.

Health and nutritional benefits of pineapple

Pineapples have a vibrant tropical flavour and exceptional juiciness which balances the tart and sweet tastes. Pineapple is one of the fruits which is good to eat. The juicy and good ripe pineapple satisfies a sweet craving and any chocolate bar as well. Below are a few benefit tips: •This fruit acts like a digestive as well as a natural anti-inflammatory fruit. It contains a group of sulfur that helps in digestion.

•Bromelain is present in fresh pineapple which helps in reducing the swelling in the inflammatory conditions like gout, arthritis, sore throat and acute sinusitis. Bromelain acts as an anti-inflammatory agent. It also reduces excess blood coagulation and inhibits the growth of tumours. Both the manganese and vitamin B1 help the body to produce energy and act as antioxidants that disarm free radicals in the mitochondria or energy producing areas of the cells.

•Enzymes in pineapple are used for treating rheumatoid arthritis successfully; it also speeds up the tissue repair associated with general surgery, diabetic ulcers and injuries.

•This fruit also reduces blood clotting and aids in removing plaque from the arterial walls. People suffering from angina can consume pineapple because it enhances blood circulation in narrowed arteries also.

•Pineapples are also used to cure throat infections and bronchitis. It comprises of vitamin C,

they are good for oral health. It also reduces periodontal disease and gingivitis. One cup of pineapple contains 40 per cent of the daily value of vitamin C as well as 10 per cent of the amount of vitamin B1 necessary on a daily basis.

•Vitamin C is still an important antioxidant. Antioxidants fight against free radicals that cause changes in the cells. These changes can create problems that vary from plaque buildup to colon cancer.

Vitamin C is also effective in fighting osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as well as reducing joint pain. It's vital in maintaining a healthy immune system.

•According to nutritional calculations, a cup of pineapple chunks has about 80 calories. That's fewer calories than a cup of apple slices, and less than one half the calories of a cup of mashed bananas. This shows that the pineapple is actually not among the highest calorie fruits. However, the downside is that many of the calories in the pineapple come from sugars. In fact, that cup of pineapple has 16 grams of sugar, a pretty large amount. Even natural sugars can contribute to some sugar-related health conditions, and that's one drawback to be aware of when looking at adding pineapple to a diet. Think about the pineapple as a way to add natural foods to a dessert or a meal

Pineapple juice After delicious meals, add your pineapple juice for nutritious purpose. Good for the whole family.

Ingredients •Pineapple •Water •Apple •Sugar •Ice cubes Method •Add pineapple, water,

apple and sugar in a blender.

•Adjust the blender on the highest speed setting and blend the ingredients until they turn into a smooth mixture.

•Strain the juice after it has been blended well. Pour into glasses and add your ice cubes.

51

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

Akwa Mbono festival begins Monday nized by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission(RMAFC) held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, December 5 and 6.

The NTDC DG spoke on, “The Prospects of Making Nigeria a Tourist Destination,” observing that, “tourism is not only the highest employer of labour in the world; it is also one of the highest revenue earners.”

Otunba Runsewe made a case for Nigeria as a preferred tourist destination arguing that one of the critical strategies for the transformation agenda of the Federal Government is economic diversification maintaining that tourism remains the only viable alternative to oil as a result of its capacity to stimulate growth, create wealth and generate employment.

Runsewe revealed that the United States of America earned $103.5 billion in 2010, according to the United Nations’ World Tourism Organi-

zation, while Spain earned $52.5 billion, France $46.3 and China $45.8, adding that Nigeria gets approximately 80 billion Naira annually from tourism.

Speaking further, Otunba Runsewe noted that the tourism potential in Nigeria cut across cultural tourism, ecotourism, religious tourism, conference/business tourism and sports tourism, asserting that all these can be promoted via the institutional framework already put in place by government.

The NTDC boss stressed the need for continual exploration of the tourism industry in Nigeria as the potential for advancement in the sector are real, saying since his assumption of office as the DG of NTDC, the corporation has been in the forefront of campaigning to diversify Nigeria’s economy, thereby freeing it from overdependence on crude oil exportation as a major source of foreign exchange earnings.

HE first ever Akwa Mbono indigenous cul tural festival begins in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on December 19 and ends on 24 with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation promising to support it.

The weeklong event, dubbed the biggest street indigenous cultural festival, will feature dances, music, art and craft, traditional cuisines, fashion and beauty exhibitions.

According to Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, who called on tourists, stakeholders, artistes in the entertainment and tourism industry to attend the event, gave the assurance that the NTDC would as usual support the Calabar Carnival by donating the best prize for the winning band.

The participating bands are, Master Blaster, Sea Gill, Passion Four, Bayside and Freedom Band.

According to Otunba Runsewe, the NTDC would sustain its participation in all

T

the segments of the Carnival stressing that a large consignment of promotional materials have been taken to Calabar for distribution during the carnival. He also hinted that branded promotional materials would also be given at Akwa Mbono festival.

Last year, the NTDC gave a colourful prize to the winning band, namely Passion Four, which was adjudged to be among the best prizes.

The NTDC zonal coordinator for South-South zone, Mr. Friday Anuba, said the zone was set to do NTDC proud at the two events.

Meanwhile, Runsewe has said that for Nigeria to enhance her revenue generation, there is the need to establish a Tourism Development Fund to stimulate growth in the tourism industry.

Otunba Runsewe made the call when speaking at a zonal workshop on “Economic Diversification and Enhanced Revenue Generation” orga-

R

Salif Keita shines in Calabar

ESIDENTS of Calabar were once given a treat in the on-going 2011 Calabar Festival with a rare musical performance by Malian musical icon, Salif Keita.

Keita, regarded the Golden Voice of Africa, performed on Africa Night, a night dedicated to the enjoying deeply the flavour of purely African music.

Although he slipped into the state without the usual fanfare associated with stars of his calibre, Keita‘s inspiring performance was tremendously appreciated and enjoyed by the crowd at the UJ Esuene Sports Stadium on Tuesday night.

The crowd seemed hesitant at first. He did not seem to have a strong stage presence, standing somewhat awkwardly, but none of that mattered anymore when his voice resonated across the filled stadium. As the audience warmed up to the performance, the 62-year old Malian seemed to draw energy from their intensified enthusiasm as they could just not get enough of him. Keita jumped up and down, dancing in circles and singing each song like it was his last.

W

A

South African travel and hospitality consultant, Elisha Maistry, has identified a number of steps that Nigeria and South Africa should take to achieve a mutuallyrewarding business relationship in the travel and hospitality sector.

The first step, she says, is that South Africans should change their perception of Nigerians. Her words: “South Africans need to change their perception of Nigerians in South Africa and profile Nigeria as a nation that will add economic value to South Africa . We (South Africans) need to see Nigerians as tourists and businessmen and not opportunists.”

Maistry, with over 12 years experience in the travel business, says she has taken up a job with a Nigerian-owned travel company in South Africa, Peacock Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd, because it will afford her the opportunity to pursue her passion and vision of bringing about a robust travel business relationship between Nigeria and South Africa.

Peacock Travel and Tours Ltd has its business and corporate headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos .

The second step, according to her, is that operators in the South African travel trade should carry out feasibility studies or surveys to enable them leverage the possible influx of Nigerian businessmen and tourists to the rainbow country.

“We need to understand what Nigerians are looking for. Is it the sea, mountains or just peace and quiet? Once we know their needs, then we can show them how attractive South Africa is to meet their needs. We need to explore both drive and fly opportunities and create packages that are affordable and attractive. This is the line of thoughts guiding our objectives and activities at the Peacock office in South Africa.”

For collaboration between Nigeria and South Africa to be mutually-rewarding, she says Nigeria has two tasks to perform. First, she wants the country to develop its potential = create attractions for the South African businessmen and and tourists.

“As a travel destination, Nigeria needs to drive the flow of business and leisure travels from South Africa to Nigeria.

What plans do you have in place to convince more South Africans to visit Nigeria for business and leisure purposes?

Create opportunities that are attractive to South Africans, there must be an attraction for people to want to go to Nigeria and we need to explore all the strength of Nigeria and use this effectively,” she says.

On business opportunities Nigerians can tap in South Africa , she says, “There is huge potential in the SME sector and there are great opportunities for people to become entrepreneurs. They just need to be skilled and mentored.

The government in South Africa has placed huge development in this sector of the economy. Many Nigerians

SUDOKU •Keita on stage The legendary Lion of Mali, clad in white buba and trousers with a skull cap to match, had at about 11 pm stepped on to the stage and started dishing out songs much to the delight of the crowd.

Through his inspirational performance, he seemed to awaken the pride of being African and the need to cel-

ebrate the beauty of Africa through music. He surprisingly got the huge audience dancing to his beat and screaming with joy, despite the fact that many of them did not understand his French lyrics.

The Malian is widely regarded as unique, not just because of his reputation as the Golden Voice of Africa, but

because he has albinism and is a direct descendant of the founder of the Malian Empire, Sundiata Keita. He was cast out by his family and ostracized by the community because of his albinism, a sign of badluck in Mandika culture. He, however, did not let this weigh him down as he sought a career in music.

Woodridge opens fitness and sauna club OODRIDGE Hotel, Lagos in partnership with Demach Health and Fitness Club has opened gym and sauna facilities within the hotel in Ajao Estate, Lagos .

The hotel said the addition of the club is to offer its guests the total package in hospitality facilities.

Taking some journalists on tour of the gym facilities, the chief executive of the club, Mrs. Stephanie Adejumo, said the facilities at the gym were state of the art and among the very best available in the market.

She said the gym became necessary because there were none available in the hotel’s environ and many gym users living around the hotel hitherto had to go far for their daily exercise.

She also talked about the service on offer at the gym: “We have devised a comprehensive exercise routine to work the body ‘smart’ not ‘hard’ to achieve long term physical benefits and ensure

Tourism expert advocates Nigeria-South Africa collaboration

improved health. For the busy professional or the jet-setting businessman or woman, our programme is packaged to help educate the body to move efficiently while maximizing the human potential and improving the quality of an individual’s daily activity. Our programme is trendy, consisting of a well-packed series of highly disciplined forms of exercise that is bound to be popular with high-profile pro-

•Inside the gym

fessionals, business persons, entertainers, students, as well as homemakers. The overall result of these routines is better posture, stronger and more flexible muscles, more supple and streamlined physique, greater energy and an increased ability to cope with day-to-day stresses.

“We have effectively incorporated body conditioning concept designed to enable people of all fitness levels to

enjoy the benefit of a safe and healthy fitness culture which involves starting from basic awareness of your posture, movement and breathing.

When these series of movements are combined with aerobics and weight training routines and executed in precise and flowing manner, an authentic synergy between mind and body is achieved, natural poise is attained and overall well-being is enhanced. The importance of total fitness is now becoming apparent. Conditioning, strength training and flexibility exercises are indispensible tools to wellbeing. Alongside good and well-planned nutrition [to aid gradual weight loss], abstinence from smoking, proper rest, and moderation in all other areas of life-style, exercise can help us maximize our physical capacity and ensure longevity. Statistics show that medical and health cost from lack of fitness and exercise take up 11 per cent of the income of the average home.”

1ST STEP IN SOLVING PUZZLE 361: Look at the 3 left vertical (abc) 3 x 3 boxes. The top box has 3 in cell Cc, while the bottom box has its 3 in cell Gb. The middle box must, therefore, have its own 3 in column a, where all the cells are vacant. But, since row E already has a 3-in cell Ee, and row F has a 3 in cell Fi,the only space available to accommodate 3 in the middle box is cell Da. Reasoning along these lines, try and fill in all the other vacant cells

SOLUTION TOMORROW. HAPPY PUZZLING!

52

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

How to improve on your marriage (3)

D

EAR Reader, Peace and blessings be multiplied to you in this month of the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. In my first lesson, I told you that marriage is a miracle. Last week, I looked at marriage covenant responsibilities.

This week, I want you to Beware Of Divorce! Enjoying a loving home is God’s utmost desire for you and your spouse this Christmas and forever. That was His design from the beginning of creation.

Divorce can be likened to marital amputation. It causes a lot of grief, pain, and wound that only God can heal. Even when a wound is healed, the scar remains, and in most cases, for life. Give no

place to divorce. Remember, prevention is said to be better than cure.

When there is challenge in your home, divorce should not be the first option that comes to mind. Rather, it is important to first identify and analyze the challenge.

In the beginning of the institution of marriage, divorce was not a part of this original plan, and was never supposed to be a part. The Word of God says: Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh (Genesis 2:24). Note the word “Man … shall leave, cleave and become one flesh”.

God hates putting away! The Word of God says: For the Lord,

the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away (Malachi 2:16). What God says He hates, you should hate too. If you move close to any divorcee, you will observe that they themselves go through a lot of pain and agonies and their children go through turmoil and devastation. God views husband and wife being bound together in a permanent marriage relationship, and nothing should be allowed to put them apart.

My husband used to say, “To be slow and sure is better than to be fast and foolish”. My husband and I courted for six years. Throughout that time, we did a proper study with all sincerity of each other’s character, vision and goals.

If you are not contemplating divorce, then there is no need to rush into marriage. Take your time; be sure of what you are getting into. If it is a living family you desire, prepare yourself for it and enter into it with God’s backing and certainty.

Divorce is not as easy as it sounds, because it is not only limited to legally ending a marriage, but putting death where life once was. For those of you about getting married or yet to be married, be very careful.

How diet affects blood pressure?

A

DJUSTING life for Blood Pressure?

One of the first things your doctor is likely going to prescribe if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure is a change in your diet.

Many patients can control their blood pressure problems almost completely with dietary restrictions.

However, many do not know why they need to make these changes. Sometimes this lack of knowledge can cause them to be unmotivated to make the necessary changes.

Understanding how the food you eat affects your blood pressure starts with understanding what blood pressure is.

Blood pressure is a measure of the force of the blood in your body as it pushes against the walls of the blood vessels. When this pressure is too high, it puts stress on the blood vessels, arteries and heart. Few people know what actually causes high blood pressure, but it can be treated with dietary changes.

The effect of salt on blood

pressure Salt is the main culprit when it comes to foods that increase blood pressure. Foods that are high in salt are also high in sodium. When you eat too much sodium, the body knows that it needs to flush out some of this mineral, and therefore it retains water to clean itself out. When you are already suffering from high blood pressure, this water retention can make it rise even higher. On the other hand, reducing your salt and sodium intake can help your body release some of this water, and this may help lower your blood pressure.

The effect of fat and calories on blood pressure A heart-healthy diet is also one that is low in fat and calories. Fat and calories do not directly affect blood pressure, but they indirectly affect it. A diet that is high in fat and calories will cause most people to gain weight. Being overweight is one risk factor for high blood pressure. Blood pressure will rise and fall with your weight, and the amount of fat in your diet will contribute to this. Studies

have shown that losing even 10 pounds will lower blood pressure dramatically for those who have been diagnosed with hypertension.

Other foods that affect blood pressure Alcohol and caffeine also affect blood pressure. No one knows exactly why, but increased alcohol consumption causes blood pressure to rise.

Those who are working to control their blood pressure should only consume one or two alcoholic beverages a day. Of course, alcohol also contains empty calories that can increase weight gain. Caffeine is another food that causes increases in blood pressure, even for those who do not have problems with hypertension. This spike in blood pressure is particularly dangerous for people who rarely consume caffeine, as the blood pressure spikes can be quite high for these people.

Soft drinks seem to be the most dangerous sources of caffeine for those watching their blood pressure, but research has not yet been able to prove why.

Long-term use of air-conditioning could cause itching Bacteria thrive in those regions of the body that are very moist.

Because of the location of the scrotum, the area tends to get moist with sweat and does not get any exposure to air. Moisture levels thus build in the sensitive skin surrounding the scrotum, thereby causing bacterial infections and an itching sensation.

Prorates sensation might occur in just one area or your whole body can feel itchy. Skin that itches may last a long time and as time goes by it can grow in its intensity. And in some cases, the more you scratch the itch gets itchier.

The act of scratching can itself

irritate the skin and lead to more itching, creating an itchingscratching-itching cycle.

Vigorous scratching may cause redness and deep scrapes in the skin. These include hot or cold weather with low humidity levels, long-term use of air conditioning or central heating, and washing or bathing too much.

Causes of Itching: • Common cold • Seasonal allergies • Food or medication allergies • Rashes • Eczema • Dry skin • Pregnancy

• Insect bites and stings Remedies for itching: •Aloe Vera • Garlic • Olive Oil Prevention for Itching: • Use only water to clean the anal area, never soaps.

• Avoid using medicated powders, perfumed sprays or deodorants on the anal area.

• Eat a sensible diet that is low in the foods and beverages known to cause anal irritation.

• Wear cotton underwear that is not too tight.

• If you are taking oral antibiotics, eat yogurt to help restore the normal ecology of your colon.

In case you are reading this article right now and you are considering divorce, you have thought there is no way out. Hold it! Who knows, this might be the reason God gave you the opportunity of reading a material like this. If only you will accept and follow God’s master plan, your story will change for the better!

Or are you already divorced? Do not allow a sense of condemnation to overwhelm and destroy your colourful future. God can still perform His wonders in your life. Do you believe a miracle can still take place in your life and family to bring about a restoration? God is the Restorer! He will restore your marriage.

I hope this brother’s testimony will boost your faith: “I read your article in the newspaper. In fact, I have seen a lot of changes in my life, which prompted me to give this glorious testimony of the wonderful works of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I got married in 1977 as an unbeliever, before I joined the police force in the year 2000. But somehow, my marriage broke up as a result of so many things. But God rebuilt the marriage from the advice and in-

struction I got from your article.

I congratulate you for your effort in enlightening young men and women concerning their marital lives, so that their marriages will be peaceful and successful.” Udual, A. I see God giving you your own testimony, too, in Jesus’ name!

You need the grace of God upon your life to be able to stay put in your covenant marriage. This grace is released for those born again. You get born again by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your own Lord and personal Saviour. If you are set for this new birth experience, you can say this prayer and be born again: Dear Lord, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Now I know I am born again!

Congratulations! Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com Tel. No: 234-1-7747546-8; 07026385437, 07094254102.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Marriage Covenant and Building A Successful Family.

Fruits & vegetables that help detoxify the body Spas and health food stores offer quick solutions to detox your body, but the purest and most effective to get the job done is to eat detoxifying foods.

The goal of a detox diet is to eliminate dietary and environmental toxins from the body without removing key vitamins and nutrients.

A body clear of harmful toxins works properly and rejuvenates and repairs itself quickly.

Watermelon Watermelon is 93 percent water, so it’s hydrating and acts as a natural diuretic aiding in digestion and helping the body rid itself of excess sodium and toxins. Full of nutrients like lycopene and beta carotene, watermelon imparts useful elements while eliminating the bad.

Onions Onions are chock-full of antibacterial and antifungal properties like chromium and are also quite rich in sulfur. Sulfur helps to stimulate the liver in producing detoxifying enzymes that help filter out toxic residue in the digestive system and keep blood flowing properly throughout the body.

Beets Beets are loaded with fiber, beta-carotene, flavonoids and other healthy compounds that help the liver to produce antioxidant enzymes. These enzymes help the liver to eliminate bile and other toxins from the body.

Dark Leafy Greens Dark leafy greens like kale, spinach and collard greens are rich in fiber and help to boost chlorophyll levels in the body’s digestive track as well as stimulate cleansing enzymes in the liver to help rid the body of environmental toxins like heavy metals and pesticides. In addition, greens like watercress also a natural diuretic which can help reduce the risk of fluid retention by stimulating urine production.

Citrus Fruits Citrus fruits including lemons and limes are full of vitamin C which is a key vitamin in the detoxification process. They help to keep fluids flowing through the body and convert harmful toxins into watersoluble forms that are easily flushed out of the body.

C aff

53 Coping with diseases

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

Creatures that affect your health

B

IOLOGISTS call the common house mouse Mus musculus domesticus. There are actually several species of the house mouse such as Mus musculus musculus and Mus musculus gentilulus.

Mice are found all over the world and invade every type of building including 10 Downing Street where the British Prime Minister works and where there is an official cat Larry, the Chief Mouser, on duty 24 hours a day. Larry cat almost lost its job recently in November, 2011 when a mouse showed up during a government function.

Rats and mice are similar in nature. In fact, the ancient Romans called the rat Mus maximus and the mouse Mus minimus (big and small Mus). In biology, the common black rat is called Rattus rattus and the brown rat is called Rattus norvegicus. Of all the animals that cling to mankind’s abodes, perhaps the rats and mice are the most interesting. The rat is one of those animals that Hindus consider to be holy and the Chinese, Australian aborigenes, and Ghanaians consider it to be appetizing.

Karni Mata is an Indian temple that is filled with protected and pampered rats.

The rats are considered holy. Their story dates back to around 1538 AD. Legend has it that the female mystic, Karni, implored the god of Death for a gift and the god of Death permitted all of Karni’s male children to

S

TAPHYLOCOCCAL infection usually takes different forms, most often, an infected person may not be aware of having the infection, because he or she may not have any serious symptoms initially. Sometimes a victim may be having some common ailments, which he or she may just overlook as just an ordinary or common sickness.

A very good example of this is someone having a recurrent malaria or ty-

be reincarnated as rats.

The temple has its own priests and devotees and pilgrims go in with bare feet to obtain some good luck.

The Chinese are probably the global masters of cuisine and there is nothing that they cannot make tasty. In some top class restaurants in China, you can order rat dishes: steamed mountain rat, simmered mountain rat, mountain rat soup, roasted mountain rat, mountain rat curry, spicy and salty mountain rat, etc. The mountain rat is supposed to be healthy and unexposed to city junk, trash, and disease.

On the other hand, Islam prohibits the eating of rats.

My personal interest in rats as pests grew recently as I happily bought a pack of gari from a reputable supermarket. The first dish of eba I had from it gave me diarrhea and I least suspected the gari. A few days later, I wanted to eat eba again because of the good fibre it contains. Seated with pleasure to consume the well-prepared meal, I downed a couple of boluses and then to my horror, the next bolus revealed a black contaminant just as I was about to pop it into my mouth. My mouth remained gaping as I carefully examined the black thing in the dissected bolus. Rat feces was not originally part of my menu and I was sure I had no vocation to feed on such! If I did not curse the manufac-

with Prof. Dayo Oyekole

HIV/ AIDS

T turers of that gari, they are lucky. I dumped the eba and the entire pack of gari into the trash. Good riddance to rat rubbish!!

I restrain from talking derogatively about rats because some fellow human beings have religious reverence for some rats and other human beings eat rats with delight. As a scientist, I have to also appreciate rats because we have sacrificed so many of them during experiments in our quest from biological knowledge and in the advancement of medicine.

However, as far as home and family health are concerned, I would happily demote rats to join the club unwanted (mosquitoes, cockroaches, and other pests).

Rats and mice are a nuisance in a household. They are dirty by human standards. They don’t just eat your food, they pass their feces unto it. They have two front teeth that are long and sharp and they enjoy using them to gnaw at anything possible including your books and furniture. They leave a smell that is not like perfume and they think you have time to clean up after them. Worst still, it is to your shame to see your seated visi-

tor lift his feet off the ground suddenly when a little uninvited guest decides to dash across the sitting room floor.

No, rats must be eradicated from our homes.

The nuisance of mice and rats is not limited to our homes. Even if we succeed in keeping them out of our homes, we buy food stuff that are prepared in small or large enterprises that may be rat or mouse infested. Bakeries, gari and other foods processors, restaurants, etc., may have a population of these rodents. They carry pathogens or disease causing micro-organisms. Some of these diseases may be deadly. For example, mice carry typhus, rickettsia, and bubonic plague.

We will discuss our home strategies for keeping mice and rats out of our lives. For now, we must bless the inventor of the glue pad. It is simply better than rocket science as far as our basic needs are concerned. There is no escape from the glue pad for these rodents.

•Dr. ’Bola John is a biomedical scientist based in Nigeria and in the USA. For any comments or questions on this column, please Email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com or call 07028338910

Staphylococcal infection phoid fever, which always return after few weeks of treatment. The funny thing about this situation is that when such people go to the hospital or laboratory for test, all that will be revealed is that they are malaria parasite positive.

Such people will continue wasting their hardearned money on treating

malaria without any appreciable result. In some cases a victim of staph may not have any defined symptom, but such a person will feel unwell, restless, and constant headache. When such person goes to hospital for medical check up, nothing will be revealed and such a person is said to be medically fit. But within themselves they know that they are not okay. A good example is a patient after reading our article on staphylococcus infection and the symptoms, came to our office to complain that he has been to different hospitals for various tests which all revealed nothing. After carrying out some series of tests on him in our office, he was diagnosed to be having a heavy growth of staph. aureus and he was treated and today he is staph free and a happy man.

Staphylococcus is a very complex disease, apart from being contracted sexually or as a toilet infection; there are some other ways of getting infected. If you have contracted any form of disease in the past like, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, candida (yeast infection), urinary tract infec-

tion (U.T.I), etc, which you may have treated but not totally cured, could lead to staph infection. So my candid advice to anyone that has any form of venereal disease or any disease at all should go for complete treatment and cure to avoid staph setting in.

When you wake up in the morning and you usually feel • Some kind of numbness in your joints, limbs or fingers or •You always have internal heat, •Rumbling within your stomach •Some worm like movement within your body Then you need to go for serious body examination.

All the above-mentioned situations are part of the normal symptoms of staph infections that don’t have any thing to do with other diseases. Most of the other symptoms are one way or another related to one disease or another that is why in most cases of staph infections a victim may not be aware of what is really wrong with him.

•Dr B. Filani is the Chief Consultant of Sound Health Centre, Lagos. You can contact him on 08023422010 or on facebook or email soundhealthcentre@yahoo.com.

HE term AIDS is an acronym that stands for “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome”. It is acquired because the victims do not inherit the condition, but contract it.

Immune deficiency means that the victim’s natural bodily defense mechanisms are unable to function properly, and “syndrome” refers to the combination of different abnormalities or diseases making up this condition.

AIDS is a complex of diseases and symptoms resulting from unexplained immune deficiency; caused by a retrovirus, culminating in a “mixed-bag” of life-threatening opportunistic infections, which invariably results in death.

The retrovirus that causes AIDS is known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with types I, II, and III already isolated.

Although there have been wide speculations and insinuations as to the origin of the virus (HIV), the fact still remains that the first cases of AIDS were diagnosed in North America, Europe and Central Africa about the same time in 1981. Since then, cases are being reported all over the world and most countries now have people with “full-blown” AIDS as well as carriers infected with the virus. It occurs in about 1 to 10% of the population and the incubation period is 4 to 10 years.

The virus has been isolated mostly from semen, vaginal secretion and blood. It is generally believed to be contracted through sexual intercourse, transfusion of contaminated blood, use of un-sterile instruments such as needles, blades and catheters, trans-placental infection, organ transplant, tattooing and circumcision as well as breast-feeding.

The major characteristic feature of AIDS is weight loss of about 10kg within 1 month without a known cause. Other symptoms include chronic diarrhoea, persistent cough, skin infections, oro-pharyngeal candidiasis, swollen lymph glands and night sweating.

Prevention Prevention of AIDS is achieved through avoidance of casual sex, and other factors that may predispose to HIV infection; as well as sterile procedures in clinico-surgical practices.

Treatment and Control Before recommending our treatment and control packages for HIV/ AIDS, it is pertinent to ask the following questions: 1. Why do outbreaks of serious infectious diseases leave some people devastated and others free?

2. If some people are known to be carriers and could go around with the virus for up to 15 years before they physically breakdown, couldn’t there be ways of helping to cleanse the virus from the system before it manifests?

3.

Are the sufferer’s thoughts, aspirations and living habits not affecting the disease cycle as well as response to treatment?

If yes, then in Holistic Lifecare, we are committed to total cure of HIV/AIDS sufferers when they have just been tested and diagnosed positive, when they are still able to eat, drink and move around on their own, but not when they are expecting their funeral the next day!

The Holistic Natural Remedy being suggested for restoring good health, vitality, and total cure in HIV/AIDS sufferers; is a combination of herbal, nutritional and psycho-social therapies at the appropriate time and in the right proportion.

Notable among the useful herbs for HIV/AIDS are Aloe vera, Allium sativum, Harpagophytum zeyheri, Echinacea augustifolia and Zingiber officinale.

For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, OgbereTioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be. We also have facilities for accommodation, admission and hospitalization in a serene and homely environment.

54

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

These people you call almajiri aren’t illiterates — Governor Shema

•Shema

W

E would like to begin on the policy thrust of your administration. What are the cardinal policies and programmes of your administration for the people of Katsina State?

The economy is part of the development process of any nation. Unless the economy of the nation is put right, everything about their lives will not be accurate and fine. So in northern Nigeria and in Nigeria as well, it is extremely important that we pay serious attention to the improvement of the management of the economy. In Katsina State, it is very obvious, the policy thrust of our government has been tied to education because without education, human advancement or development would be retarded or stunted. So education is our number one programme and priority.

Apart from education, what is the second priority of your government?

The second most important programme in Katsina is agriculture and resource development. Agriculture here includes livestock development, and I do know as a fact that the Nigerian soil is so fertile from the east to the west, from the north to the south, such that you can till the land from the first day of January in any given year to the last day of December with irrigation and rainy agriculture.

How do you intend to use agriculture as a springboard to boost the economy of state?

Agriculture happens to be the most important index for helping the rural and urban economy. Indeed, it helps the development of agro-allied industries and serves the development of our youths in food production and food security and helps in the production of cash crops for exports, and I believe that in northern Nigeria, with fertile land and huge human resources in terms of labour availability, if we face irrigation in agriculture and natural development, along with effective exploitation of solid minerals, the

economy of this region and this nation would be enhanced.

What are the specific programmes that your government has initiated to drive the realization of the objectives you have set for yourself in the agricultural sector?

In Katsina, clearly we have these numerous programmes. In the sector of agriculture, we have provided 340 tractors, ten tractors per local government area. We gave them out on loan to farmers at 50 per cent discount. The farmers are supposed to pay the balance in about five years, and this is expected to boost development of mechanized agriculture. We also have animal production programme for the rural farmers, by buying work bulls, the carts and other farm implements. We have been selling high quality fertilizer between N1, 500 and N1, 700 per bag in the last four years. We have developed farm service centres. We have expanded and still expanding irrigation schemes in the state like the GPR Irrigation Scheme that was built almost 30 years ago, and that irrigation facility has been utilized only for 130 hectares. Today in Katsina, we expanded it and we have been able to utilize the entire full capacity of the dam which is 3,500 hectares of land. Many tonnages of food have been produced as a result. We have also expanded other irrigation facilities. We have developed well over 12,000 irrigation hectares in the state, and we intend to do even more. We are inviting the

,

In 2007, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema captured the political soul of Katsina, succeeding the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and in 2011, he was reelected against all odds. In this interview with our correspondent, KOLADE ADEYEMI, Governor Shema revealed his various policies and programmes anchored on human development.

Excerpts: Songhai Agricultural Project, and efforts are being made to bring Nigerians working in other countries or United Nations agencies across the world to Katsina and work with us to enhance agricultural productivity as best as we can.

What about livestock development?

In the area of livestock development, we have carried out vaccination of livestock in Katsina. Annually, we do house-to-house vaccination of cow, sheep, goats and other smaller animals. We established a new department to cater for fish farming, bee keeping and other areas of farming that can ginger our youths to participate in productive agricultural activities. At the same time, we felt that there is need for us to train people in the field of agriculture. We now have training centres where we are training young men and women to develop interest in agricultural development. In a nutshell, as far as agriculture is concerned, you cannot run away from it. It has the capacity of putting money directly in the pockets of the peasants because when he produces, he goes to the market, he sells and money directly goes into his pocket. He doesn’t have to beg anybody for contract or favour.

Your Excellency , away from agriculture, the solid minerals sector also offers significant opportunities for economic development. Are you concentrating only on agriculture to the detriment of solid minerals de-

Those almajiri you see on the streets and dismiss with a wave of the hand that they are not educated are actually educated people in the Arabic language, and anybody who can read or write in any language cannot be said to be an illiterate

,

velopment?

The solid minerals sector is an area that we cannot avoid to develop. In fact, we must develop that sector if we must develop as a region and as a nation. Unfortunately, solid minerals area has been abandoned for so long. The potential in that sector in northern Nigeria alone is enormous. In Katsina, we have about 19 out of the 24 mineral deposits found in Nigeria. We have gold in about 24 local government areas. We have diamond in three different locations in one local government area. We have silicon sand in seven local government areas. We have asbestos in several local government areas. We have kaolin in 27 lcal government areas. In short, the solid minerals sector deserves national attention and should attract local and foreign investments. We are working on a new plant.

There is a new processing plant where the neen seeds are taken and utilized to produce fertilizer and to produce neen product and neen oil that can be exported to earn hard currency. That project was started by the government and the Agricultural Research Institute in collaboration with the Federal Government. It has now been completed and fertilizer has been produced. Farmers have tested it and found out that it is very useful to our soil. We were able to enter into a partnership, selling a large chunk of the share holdings of the company to a German firm.

The firm is now utilizing neen plant or dogonyaro, as it is popularly called, to produce chemicals and fertilizer as well as other by-products.

In addition to that, we would like to know if your administration has interest in the establishment of cottage industries We have developed cottage industries in Katsina to encourage the youth. We trained about 50 youths per local government area to utilize kaolin to produce chalks for our schools in Katsina and produce paints for local industries. If you go to the Katsina Government House today, the paint you see there was done by Katsina youths who were trained to produce paints and sell.

Where is the place of the youth in the development agenda of your government?

Of course, for the youth to grow, you need to empower them. You encourage them and you need to train them. You need to show them how to learn a trade or two so that they can stand on their feet. In that regards, we set up what we call the Youth Craft Village, and in that village, we have been training about 2,000 youth per annum on how to repair mobile phones. In the past, people acquired skills to repair watches, radio or TV sets. This implies that one must not necessarily have formal education before one can fix watches or mobile phones. All that is needed is the proper and adequate training, and that is what we are doing. So you can train people who have not acquired western education, and they can become experts in that field. We are training youths on how to break down and assemble computers. We are training youths on how to repair automobiles. We are training youths on how to do tie and die. We are training youths on how to do film and photography. We are training youths in 16 different trades in the centre. When they qualify, after completing the training processes, we will give them settlement packages with which they can go and run their businesses independently. I am glad that a lot of these youths are doing creditably well. Today, there is no single local government area in Katsina that you will not find a competent boy or girl who can fix your mobile phone .

There is no local government area in Katsina where you cannot find a boy or girl who has been trained to assemble a broken down com-

55

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011 puter. In fact, the boys in the auto mechanic session have succeeded in building a 7kva generator sound proof by themselves, using a broken down auto engine of an old car, and they are now selling them. If you have time, you can go to Katsina and visit the centre to see things for yourselves. And indeed, there are so many areas where we are working towards building and encouraging the rural and local economy of the state.

What is happening at the moment in the industrial sector in your state?

For us in northern Nigeria, without industries, there is no way you can move higher than agriculture. I believe agriculture remains a very fundamental area we must work hard to improve the lives of our people.

In the face of dwindling revenue and the global economic downturn, what is the financial situation of Katsina State and what is your government doing to boost internally generated revenue (IGR)?

How do we enhance IGR? You see, IGR in most states in Nigeria, comes from two sources. Generally, it is VAT and tax, and that VAT or tax usually again comes from the Federation Account. So you cannot claim you are making serious inroad, if you do not have industries because without industries, without proper organization of taxation, without proper tax procedures and processes, there is no how any nation or any people can grow. If you look at the economy of the western world, the bulk of their income comes from taxation, not from oil.

Most industrial nations like Germany do not have oil. Germany has industries and has taxation.

America derives most of its income from taxation. The taxation system in Nigeria must be addressed adequately not only in Katsina, but everywhere in Nigeria and we must be serious about it. When Lagos went out to set its taxation processes, you can see clearly now that the income being earned by Lagos itself quadruped what it gets from the Federation Account. So that tells us that without a proper focus on taxation, it is going to be very difficult to put our house in order. In Kano, where I am granting this interview, the government is putting in efforts to revive the industries.

There is need for us to focus on industries because industries are the vehicles through which you generate tax. Kano I know may have some collation difficulties, but the collation system of taxation in the country has to be corrected.

What are the factors militating against the effective working of the nation’s tax system?

Most taxes collected by government in Nigeria are essentially the pay-as-you-earn system. People hardly pay taxes. A lot of businesses make profit, but the tax system is very weak, and unless we enhance that and one of the difficulties that people are experiencing is lack of proper coordinating system and then the lack of confidence. When they pay the tax, where does it go to? Because nobody would be happy to be paying taxes to a system that is porous and that will end up in private pockets of a few individuals. In summary, taxation is a very useful vehicle that we can be used to develop the economy, so that the value of work can be enhanced for our country and our society.

What are you doing to address the problems inherent in tax administration in Katsina State?

In Katsina, we introduced a system on a trial basis with a consulting firm. The consulting firm is working, but it is meeting with some challenges and some difficulties because of some resistance from people who traditionally don’t pay taxes. So we have to find a way to ensure that the law is complied with and taxes are collected from the

•Shema

people at the right time and utilized for the purpose for which they are collected. So with this focus and this thrust, a lot of improvement can be made in Nigeria.

I would like you to revisit the issue of education. What is your administration doing to encourage Katsina indigenes to acquire formal education?

This is a very fundamental and topical issue currently in Nigeria and northern Nigeria. You see, education as I said earlier, is my number one priority. In the last four and half years, we have introduced different far and wide extensive programmes in education to enhance the quality. In the last four and half years, no child attending a public school pays school fees. We made education free for children in Katsina. Every child of school age in Katsina is acquiring education for free. Primary school is free, secondary school is free and scholarships are given to those who are going to proceeding to tertiary institutions. Beyond that, we found out that not only do we make education free, there comes a time when a child would want to write examinations, and because of the level of

poverty all over Nigeria, most parents cannot afford to pay for the examinations . We felt it is not enough for us to send a child to go and have secondary education for free, it is also important for him to get the qualification to go to the next level.

So we introduced a system whereby in the last four years, we paid the examination fees for every child in Katsina for all these categories of examinations. The scholarships we met on ground were doubled , and higher institutions in the state have increased. We now have three universities. We have a private university. The Katsina State University which we completed and named after the late President, Umaru Yar’Adua, and we now have a new federal university which is likely going to be a university of agriculture because it is very close to the biggest and largest dam we have in Katsina State. These institutions are already operating and when you talk of institutional development, we resolved that the quality of those institutions must be maintained and the standard must also be maintained. Therefore, we do not relent in ensuring that the educational requirements from one stage to an-

other must dovetail into each other.

There must be an interconnecting programme for all the three levels of education. So when education is free at the primary and secondary school levels, and examination fees are paid by government in tertiary institutions, we make sure you do not pay more than N14, 000 per annum for students admitted in polytechnics of the state, teachers’ colleges and the university itself. Those fees are being paid by government.

Education is practically free in Katsina from the primary school level to the university.

With free education in Katsina, it is natural that there would be increase in school enrolment, and available school facilities are bound to be overstretched. I would like to know if there is a programme on structural expansion in schools across Katsina State.

Beyond that, we felt that there is need for us to establish more secondary schools, since education is free in Katsina. We expected higher school enrolment, and so there is need for expansion because more children would be encouraged to go to school. To arrest that, we have built 156 new classrooms, and we now have storey buildings as classrooms for primary schools. We have about 28 new storey buildings that we have built in the last four years.

School enrolment of female children has not been as high as that of male children, particularly in northern Nigeria. In what ways is your administration encouraging girl-child education in Katsina State?

We also directed each of the 34 local government councils to build at least one girls’ primary school to encourage the education of the girl child. So girl-child education has been given adequate attention because we have dedicated schools exclusively to female school children.

In addition to that, we introduced a bus service scheme for students going to secondary school. We developed bus stops in Katsina metropolis, Daura and Funtua, the headquarters of the three senatorial districts of the state.

We provided buses that can transport our kids at just N10 per drop.

Before then, they were riding commercial motorbikes. But now, we have long buses that take them to schools. Then of course, education remains a vital tool for development and improvement of the lives of our people. We felt it is important for us to continue to provide teaching aids . We provided all these schools with adequate teaching equipment.

We computerised most of our secondary schools, and we have started computer training at the primary school level. Some of our primary schools have a lot of computers in their classrooms. So primary school pupils can now take advantage of modern day technology. You have to start early with them so that they grow up to become computer literate.

Beyond that, in education, you need to focus on training. You have to train and retrain the teachers. In the university, we provided about N120 million per quarter as training funds for which university lecturers can go on training courses, either professorship or sabbatical training. For primary and secondary teachers, we provided them with adequate training funds from time to time. We provide motor-

, In this respect, we set up a special system. We

have a special committee. Members of the clergy are also part of the committee. They have so far taken the census of the total number of almajiri schools and almajiri. I think we have over 450,000 schools in Katsina State

,

cycle loans for about 20,000 public school teachers. We continue to improve all aspects of education in Katsina State.

In what way are you promoting Islamic education and catering for the almajiri?

You see, northern Nigeria has two levels of capacity in educational advancement. Those almajiri you see on the streets and dismiss with a wave of the hand that they are not educated are actually educated people in the Arabic language, and anybody who can read or write in any language cannot be said to be an illiterate.

If you look at the scenario in Nigeria, you find that some of our people send their children to China, some to Germany, some to France, some to Russia, and some to India to go and acquire degrees, and all of these degrees would be acquired in languages other than English. So we sat down and decided to take advantage of the Arabic education, and encourage our children to pursue education through the Arabic language that they know of. So we made an arrangement with some universities in Arabic-speaking nations.

In Sudan, for instance, we have well over 275 students in the University of Africa in Khartoum and other universities to read Pharmacy, Nursing and others. We sent kids there to learn Arabic computer. So the thrust here is to allow those with Arabic education to have access to the highest level of educational qualification in any filed of their choice.

When we send these kids, we pay for school fees, their allowances, their books, their feeding, their accommodation and the entire duration of their course period. Sometimes, the course period is between four and six years. We pay into the accounts of the institutions in Sudan through the Nigerian embassy in Khartoum, so that these kids do not have to come back home to look for what to feed with or look for money for accommodation. So far, some of the kids are back with us and some are still pursuing their education.

For the almajiri system, it is a very big challenge because there are a lot of almajiri schools, and we felt that the way to assist that system is through an in-depth analysis with practical approach not theoretical.

We need technical and simple approach to solve the almajiri problem. The number one problem I am sure you would agree with me is the issue of poverty.

The social system here gives people the opportunity to have so many children whose financial need they cannot meet. For that reason, these almajiri schools become the facility for people to send their kids to for education because most parents do not have the capacity to send their children to western schools to learn.

Of course, there are some almajiri that come from our neighbouring countries like Chad and Niger. Just as some of our people go to other countries, so also kids from other countries come into the country to acquire education. In this respect, we set up a special system. We have a special committee. Members of the clergy are also part of the committee. They have so far taken the census of the total number of almajiri schools and almajiri. I think we have over 450,000 schools in Katsina State, and the number of almajiri in those schools is astronomical.

I appointed a Senior Special Assistant on almajiri education, and our plan is to have part of the western education curriculum built into almajiri education. And like I said, we have to start with the basics, and the number one issue is how to start with their feeding, how to address their accommodation, how to address the quality of their education and how to cater for the welfare of their teachers.

LIVING

56

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

•A view of Texas city, US

Life in Texas, by a resident Nigerian T

HIS is the thing about America: its citizens are too open. This is why I look at them every day and shake my head. I have too much remorse and pity for some of them. When you sit beside a middle-aged Texan in the economy section of an average-sized plane for 15 minutes, you will have learned how strong she stood in the face of the breast cancer that took the lives of her mother and great-aunt. Not only that, you will also have realised that her lying cheating piece-of-sh*t ex-husband is currently fighting for custody of their youngest daughter who is still in fifth grade. How can a mother watch her daughter grow under the care of a cheat and his meanbitch drug-addict rehab-rejected girlfriend, she will ask you. And you’ll just keep blinking your eyes while also praying for a safe, smooth landing of your weary plane.

I recently got a haircut at a not-too-urban salon, a book-your-spot-a-day-before kind of salon. It’s one of those salons that look really small from the outside but are very expensive on the inside. The owner of this salon is a decent brunette who has had three cats adopted since her father passed and has had three mission trips to Mexico since she got out of the shackles called marriage to Ted. She hovers the clipper around my head a few times and leaves me gasping when she hands my bill to me - well typed on a colorful piece of cardboard-looking paper.

Everything with this divorcee is ‘pes-pes.’

But I have had my fun with her and

honestly I do not have the right to complain about my bills. She did offer me a taco - the kind I like. But I had to decline.

“So where are you from?”

Of course she will ask me. If she does not, I’ll still be wondering why.

“I’m Nigerian.”

“I like your accent.”

If a conversation starts like that, I can always guess how it will likely end: Me packing my stuff and dragging my feet away, telling my mind that I’ll call my sister and feel relieved, and maybe look up flight tickets to Nigeria. I have been looking up flight tickets to Nigeria every September since I arrived in the States.

Somehow, I’m still stuck in Texas.

But the conversation gets interesting after that, and there’s a slight turn from what I am actually expecting.

“So are your family here or back home?”

“I have a sister here. She lives in Omaha with her husband and son. How about you? Do you have any siblings?”

“Well, my sister lives in Michigan with her fiancé. We don’t talk much because I don’t really get along well with her fiancé.

I liked her ex-husband better. Haha, he was more handsome than my own ex.”

“Oh. So did you live in Michigan too?”

“Yes. I went to elementary school in Michigan.

But when my father passed, we moved with my mom to Florida. And I’ve lived in Florida till two years ago when I decided Texas was the place for me.”

“Nice. Could you go a bit lower? I like to wear my hair really short.”

“No problem. So tell me, what do you study?”

“I study Computer Information Systems.

I’m in my third year.”

“Wow! I like girls who study computers.

I’m horrible at Math and all the programming stuff you guys do. My boyfriend’s kids always make fun of me.

They fix my computer all the time.”

“Well, Computer Information Systems does not involve as much programming as Computer Science. We deal more from a business perspective of Information Technology.”

“Good for you. I wish you luck, girl!”

This is the part where I’m patiently awaiting more life history talks.

“What do you miss most about your country?”

“The food.”

“Tell me what your favorite food is.”

“It’s called jollof rice. It’s rice mixed with a bunch of stuff: peppers, onions, tomatoes, local seasoning, and vegetables.

It’s really nice. What’s yours?”

“Oh I love love love Italian pasta. There’s a little italian place over on mobberly.

They make the best pasta. You should try it. I like their shrimp too. Sometimes I get to see the owner and ask for some of his easiest recipes. I love cooking. You know?

I like trying out different recipes from different cultures. My boyfriend’s kids always tell me to be simple and cook cheeseburger. Haha.”

“I love cooking too. So what other things do you do for fun?”

“I like shopping a lot. I look online cause I don’t always get what I want in stores.

Oh let me tell you a funny story. I met my boyfriend online. On eharmony. And I didn’t even realise we could be together to this point. I was doing my online shopping, trying to get my mind off my divorce, when I saw an annoying popup that asked me if I wanted to meet my life partner within a week. Well, I guess I made the right choice when I grabbed the attorney across the street. He is so amazingly cool.”

This is the part where the conversation gets awkward: she’s done haircutting me, and I want to leave. I have my job to get back to before my boss starts growling, waiting to pounce on me.

“My hair looks really nice. I’ll be back here to texturize it. Thanks.”

And I really mean it when I say I’ll be back.

“So what’s your name?” She finally asks.

At this point, my mind is almost spinning. She doesn’t even remember my name from when I made an appointment with her. I’m still looking up flight tickets to Nigeria. I might get a good deal just in time for my next summer break. Who knows?

•Mary Oluwakemi Shorun was born in Kwara State, Nigeria. She is currently studying Computer Information Systems in Texas, USA. •Source: nigeriansinamerica.com

News 57

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

P/Harcourt boat mishap: Amaechi cuts short trip

R

IVERS State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has cut short his trip to the United States of America, over Tuesday night’s Port Harcourt boat mishap to commiserate with the victims’ families.

He had gone to attend the International Power Generation Conference, tagged: “Powergen 2011” Forty passengers lost their lives in the tragedy. Twenty six recovered corpses from the boat mishap were given mass burial at the bank of the river on Wednesday, while 14 persons were rescued, with divers still combing the river for more corpses.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Rivers State chapter, has described as disheartening and worrisome, the persistent boat mishaps on the state’s waterways.

It called for full-scale investigation of Tuesday night’s Port Harcourt boat mishap, leading to the death of 40 passengers of a small wooden boat that capsized at the waterfront of Rumuolumeni in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area.

Rivers ACN, through its Publicity Secretary, Jerry Needam, yesterday stated that the investigation would reveal the immediate and remote causes of the accident.

The only link road from Rumuolumeni to the Port

•ACN calls for probe Bisi OLANIYI, PortHarcourt Harcourt City centre is bad, forcing the residents to travel by water.

ACN said: “Rivers State, under the administration of Governor Rotimi Amaechi is yet to respond with corresponding commitment to the challenges posed by the various bad roads and waterways in the state, despite huge resources being earmarked for the sector.

“We query the rationale behind the Operation Zero Potholes and the Road Rehabilitation Agency, put in place by Rivers government, when the roads and the waterways remain as they were.

“The people are compelled to use the moribund boats and unmanned waterways, because of lack of good roads.

“We are particularly pained by the consistent jamboree trips by the officials of the Rivers government and its agencies, instead of using the time to attend to important issues.

“Rivers governor and his lieutenants are always away when major incidents of this nature occur.”

The opposition party then commiserated with the

families of victims of the boat mishap..

Meanwhile, the governor and the state’s chapter of the ACN have disagreed over the non-payment of November salaries of civil servants and other workers

in the state, as well as alleged N2 billion Christmas gifts.

ACN, in a letter to Amaechi, according to the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Jerry Needam, in Port Harcourt yesterday, urged the governor to pay the workers’ salaries, allowances and other entitlements, without further delay.

Rivers governor was also told by the opposition party to emulate the governors of Osun (Rauf Aregbesola) and Oyo (Senator Abiola Ajimobi) States, who are currently paying their workers 13th month salaries, after paying their December salaries and other entitlements.

•Cross River State Governor, Sen. Liyel Imoke (left), in a warm handshake with Nobel Laureate, Prof.

Wole Soyinka when the latter paid a courtesy visit to the Government House, Calabar... yesterday.

Bayelsa 2012: INEC vows to be ruthless with electoral offenders,

T

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reiterated its readiness to use the law against persons that may go against the electoral laws in the land.

It also disclosed that only 200,000 out of the 870,000 offenders of multiple registration in the last April elections have been prosecuted.

INEC National Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Omenga, in an interactive session with journalists at the INEC office in Yenagoa on Friday, said the commission had a special mechanism for detecting multiple registration, and has also put in place modalities to secure DDC machines and personnel in the exercise.

Isaac OMBE-Yenagoa “We have a mechanism for detecting multiple registration because we want to sanitise the register to make it credible and less accessible to manipulation by anybody,” noted Omenga who was flanked by Mr. Nick Dazang.

He warned that INEC will decend heavily on any of its staff being used by desperate

politicians to perpetrate fraud during the exercise.

“Any one with such tendencies INEC will descend on him with a sledge hammer,” he warned and advised party agents to do their work well at polling stations.

According to him, the number of prosecutions was few because INEC is overstressed, and this made the commission to contact members of the Nigeria Bar

Association (NBA) to assist.

The development, he added, has made INEC to support the setting up of an Electoral Offences Commission.

“Out of the 870,000, we discovered we have already prosecuted 200. You may wonder why the figure is too small because INEC is overstresse; our laws are not meant to prosecute, although we have enlisted the support of NBA but we

Police in Imo free eight kidnapped children

T

HE anti-crime squad of the Imo State Police Command yesterday freed eight children suspected to have been kidnapped in various churches in the state by women alleged to be child kidnappers.

Emma MGBEAHURIKE, Owerri.

The freedom of the eight children followed the arrest of a woman said to be in her middle age at Nekede close to Owerri by security agents.

This was said to be after three unsuccessful efforts to abduct three children.

Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command (CP) M.J Abubakar stated this while presenting an address to the Deputy Inspector General of

Okorocha challenges women on national security

T

HE Governor Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has called on women to champion the campaign against the rising spate of crime in the nation.

The governor stated this while presenting an address at the Annual Imo Women’s Day celebration held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, the capital of the state.

He stressed that youths would always listen to their mothers against the acts of killing, kidnapping and robbery.

He disclosed that his administration has braced up to stamp out corruption in governance, protect the lives and property of the citizenry and provide for the basic needs of all.

The governor, who pledged to build a women centre in the state, assured the women folk that his administration would always assist them to be more effective in the nurture of the family and society at large.

are still over-stressed”.

“This explains why INEC is in support of Electoral Offences Commission as recommended by the Justice Uwais Commission.

“With a commission that has responsibility to prosecute electoral offences then, it will be easier to dispense electoral cases, but for now, we are overstressed, though the process of prosecutions is still on but slow “, Omenga added.

Emma MGBEAHURIKE, Owerri.

Speaking, the wife of the governor, Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha, noted that the event marked a platform for women to position themselves effectively in value re-orientation and position themselves better in the policy objectives of government’s rescue mission.

She stated that the state Ministry of Women Affairs, under her supervision has organised several conferences and semi-

nars and would spare no effort in women advocacy to raise their contributions in the socio-political and economic development of the state.

In his address, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Martin Agbaso, expressed delight at the great show of solidarity and display of Igbo culture by the women and pledged his continued support.

Chief Agbaso, who is also the leader of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, pointed out that the first family has shown exemplary lifestyle, mutual co-

existence and love that should be emulated by every family in the state.

Highlights of the event included march-past by women from the 27 local government areas and other women groups, novelty football match between wives of transition committee chairmen and wives of state assembly and executive members. Others were cash donations to mothers of triplets and quadruplets and empowerment donations to selected less-privileged women in the state.

Firm opens new office in Edo

W

ESCO Pools Limited has concluded plans to commission her headquarters office at 154, New Lagos Road, Benin, Edo State tomorrow.

The Chief Executive Officer, Wesco Pools Limited, Otunba Osinubi Adewale, stated this in a release made available to The Nation yesterday in Lagos. According to him, the commissioning of the new office is to further ensure effective delivery of pool and lottery business in Nigeria.

Adeola OGUNLADE He said that the office would provide jobs for 200 staff and 17 dedicated and credible agents would become mobile.

Among the guests to grace the occasion are: the Edo State Chairman of Labour Party, Dr. John Ogbeide, traditional rulers, captains of industries and others.

Police (DIG) Police Administration, Force Headquarters, Mr.Azubuiko Udah, who visited Imo State .

He stressed that the antikidnap unit took a trip to Enugu based on the revelation by the alleged woman kidnap suspect where they rescued another set of five children being held hostage and arrested the abductors.

The CP said that among the children, three were rescued from Enugu, two from Onitsha in Anambra State in that order. The CP stated that the unit has punctured a notorious gang of child kidnapers in the state.

The police commissioner felt disappointed over this ugly situation of child abduction in the state, saying that some of these incidents take place even in hospitals.

Ibru for burial today •Security tightened Polycarp OROSEVWOTU, Warri

S

ECURITY has been tightened in

Agbarha-Otor community, home town of the lbru family in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State ahead of his burial of the publisher of The Guardian Newspapers, Mr Alexander Uruemu Ibru today.

He is to be buried at the Ibru Ecumenical Centre after church service at the Anglican church.

The security network in Agbarha-Otor community was to send signals to would-be hooligans and pickpockets to stay away from the burial.

When The Nation correspondent visited Agbarha-Otor, security operatives were seen at every strategic area.

Some were patrolling the major roads that lead to Ughelli/ Agbarha main town as dignitaries from all parts of the world made their way into the Agbarha-Otor town for the final burial.

The town is wearing a new face. There were general clean up, road maintenance and other beautification of the town and the burial ground, opposite the Ibru Centre.

It was observed that the community has not recovered from the sudden death of Chief Alex lbru. One of those who spoke with The Nation, Hon. Steve Eruotor, said the death of Chief Alex Ibru remained a shock not only to the Agbarha community but to Delta State and the country at large.

Mr. Sunny Onosueke said the entire community and the Urhobo nation were still mourning the death of Chief Ibru, whom he described as a great developer in the community.

Chief Fred Majemite described the death of Chief Ibru as a big shock to the Urhobo nation and the country at large, saying they will forever remember him.

58

THE NATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

NEWS 59

THE NATION, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 , 2011

Supreme Court sacks two CPC Senators, eight Reps in Katsina T

HE Supreme Court yesterday ordered two senators on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in Katsina State to vacate office.

They are Abdu Yandoma (Katsina North) and Ahmed Sani Stores (Katsina Central).

Also affected are eight House of Representatives members.

The apex court held that they were not the duly sponsored

Kamarudeen OGUNDELE, Abuja

candidates of the party.

Besides, it held that the Federal High Court which affirmed the nomination of the appellants lacked the jurisdiction to entertain

the suit.

Justice Walter Onnoghen, in the judgment, said the Federal High Court should have struck out the suit because issues raised were purely domestic affairs of the party.

He held that political parties must duly sponsor a candidate for

an election.

The affected candidates are to vacate for the duly sponsored candidates of the CPC in Katsina State.

The beneficiaries are Sadiq Yar’Adua (Central Senatorial District), Hadi Sirika (North

Senatorial District), Ahmed Kaita (Kankia/Ingawa Federal Constituency) and Salisu Salisco (Kaita/Jibiya).

Also to go to the House of Representatives are Sheik Umar Abubakar (Katsina), Salisu Daura (Daura/Maiaduwa/Sandamu), Isa Doro (Mani/Bindawa), Sani Mashi (Mashi/Dutsi), Abbas Machika (Kankara/Faskari/Sabuwa) and Dr. Mansur Funtua (Funtua/ Dandume).

Court remands Ndume in Kuje Prisons

A

N Abuja Federal High Court yesterday remanded Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume in Kuje prison custody.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole said in the interest of justice, it is wrong for an accused person to be in the detention of his accuser.

The senator, representing Borno South Senatorial District, is facing a four-count charge of hoarding information on planned terror attacks and providing logistics to the convicted spokesman of the Boko Haram sect, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga (alias Usman AI- Zawahiri).

He is also charged for allegedly giving telephone numbers of certain public officers to the Boko Haram for the purpose of communicating terrorist messages.

The alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 3(b), 4(1) (a) and 7(1) (b) of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011.

When the matter came up yesterday, Ndume, through his counsel, Mr. Ricky Tarfa (SAN), prayed the court to admit him to bail pending the hearing and determination of the charge against him.

In the bail application filed on December 5, 2011, Tarfa urged the court to grant Ndume bail on liberal terms as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a two-term member of the House of Representatives.

He expressed concern over the failing health of his client.

He argued that the alleged offences are bailable, adding that the accused person has placed sufficient materials to warrant granting him bail and the accused person has also displayed special circumstances sufficient enough to admit him to bail.

He told the court that the accused is ready to face his trial if granted bail.

Tarfa called the attention of the court to the statement by the father of the convicted Boko haram spokesperson and the main witness, Ali Sanda Umar Konduga (aka AlZawahiri), that his son is insane.

He argued that the deposition by the father of the prosecution’s main witness created doubt on the allegations against the accused person when he is still in the custody of the prosecution.

Objecting, the prosecution counsel, Mrs. Olufemi Fatunde, told the court that the prosecution had filed additional proof of evidence exhibiting statements of witnesses as well as some other documentary exhibits that would be relied on in the course of the trial.

According to her, the proof of evidence before the court disclosed a prima facie case against the accused person.

She dismissed the ill-health as claimed by the defence counsel as a non-issue.

She said the issue of Ndume’s illhealth was never brought to the attention of the SSS. Justice Kolawole adjourned till December 19 for ruling and ordered that the accused person be transferred to Kuje prison as the SSS has no mandate to remand accused persons.

The court also adjourned further hearing in the matter till February next year.

•Kogi women protesting... yesterday. Inset: Hajia Zainab Isah

Women block Lokoja-Abuja highway...protest Kogi guber poll

A

FTER a lull, women drawn from the 21 local govern ment areas of Kogi State yesterday blocked the ever-busy Lokoja-Abuja highway, protesting the alleged election rigging and malpractices during the December 3 gubernatorial election in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had, on December 4, declared Captain Idris Wada of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner of the gubernatorial election amidst protest by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) which came second at the poll.

The chief strategist of the ACN in the state, Hon. Dino Melaiye, during a media briefing, described the election as a scientific rigging by the PDP. The women defied the presence of the Federal Road Safety Corp officials and blocked the highway for over two hours, carrying pla cards with inscription “Kogi women did not vote Wada; we voted Audu.

The protest caused a traffic jam for motorists, as the women were shouting “return our stolen mandate; we did not vote for PDP.” Speaking with journalists at the protest ground, the leader of the group, Hajia Zainab Isah, said the women voluntarily came out on their own to protest what she described as stolen mandate. “ In the December 3 governorship election, we did not vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). We voted for Prince Abubakar Audu of the ACN for changed, but we wondered why they denied him the mandate freely given to him by the people.

“We supported the PDP in the previous elections, but there is

Mohammed BASHIR, Lokoja nothing to show for our support.

We are tired. Our children are no longer in school. Our husbands have been sacked in the name of screening. That is why decided to support the ACN, and, to our surprise, our votes were given to the PDP. We say no to that and our votes must be given to whom we voted for or else we will all go

naked when we protest again ,” she added.

She pleaded with President Goodluck Journathan and the INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, to return the stolen mandate to the rightful winner, Abubakar Audu of the ACN, for peace to reign in the state.

According to her, the result as announced by the INEC did not reflect the wish of the people, saying

that the PDP knew that they did not win the election, hence there was no jubilation even when the INEC declared them winner. “ We are pleading with Jega to do the right thing by returning our stolen mandate and we would not stop till our mandate is restored,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Command Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) , Ajaiyi Okasammi, said the protest was peaceful.

It’s no longer business as usual, says ICPC boss

T

HE Acting Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Ekpo Nta, yesterday said it would no longer be business as usual in the commission.

Nta, who spoke with reporters after his maiden meeting with the ICPC staff at the commission’s auditorium in Abuja, said Nigeria would be restored to its earlier corruption-free status.

Nta said: “I am going to be difficult to predict. The pedigree aspect of me will be defined in the next few weeks.

But I must sound this to all staff that it is not going to be business as usual.

“What this implies is that people should not take things for granted and say because they are my bosom friends, they can do things contrary to the desired expectations.”

“Let us put it in this other way that corruption is probably the biggest industry today, and with the level of the population growth today, we need as many bodies as possible to tackle corruption.

“The perception that agencies are set up in competition to one another, to my mind, is not the best approach.

My position is that they should

Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation complement each other. There is absolutely no reason why they should not relate effectively with others.

“As a new board, the immediate engagement is to study the achievements of the commission from 2000 till date and also look at the powers we have and ways to act in such a way that those powers would not be abused.

“Corruption, as a field of discipline, is an area the commission is ready to partner the media to enable them understand the terms and mandate

of the commission.”

He added: “Our corporate vision is to restore Nigeria to its earlier status of a nation that commanded respect in the world and maintain it when it comes to probity, accountability and integrity in the conduct of public and private business”.

He promised that the newly inaugurated board would provide the necessary leadership “that will support all actions that will enable them achieve what is required of us.”

He added: “We shall promote the ideals of Professionalism, efficiency, integrity and self accountability for all our corporate and individual actions”.

Jonathan congratulates Buhari at 69

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) on the occasion of his 69th birthday which comes up today.

The president, in a letter to the former Head of State and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) presidential candidate in the April 2011 presidential election, prayed

for God’s continuous blessing and good heath.

“As you celebrate your 69th birthday today, I write to congratulate and felicitate with you.

“On behalf of my family, the government, the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and on my own behalf, I wish you a most happy birthday,” the president wrote.

THE NATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

60

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 16-12-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name CAPITAL OIL PLC ROKANA INDUSTRIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1 2

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.60

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED No of Deals Quotation(N) 3 0.54 15 22.00 3 7.36 21

Company Name LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

AIR SERVICES No of Deals 3 15 18

Quotation(N) 2.18 5.00

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 0.50 6 1.29 7

Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

Company Name CHAMPION BREWERIES PLC GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 6,700 3,350.00 1,500 945.00 8,200 4,295.00

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 530,500 286,470.00 589,500 12,896,150.00 9,600 68,888.00 1,129,600 13,251,508.00

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 187,172 407,929.96 147,287 736,282.85 334,459 1,144,212.81

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 347 173.50 4,714 6,095.82 5,061 6,269.32

BANKING No of Deals 80 43 17 16 87 447 252 41 57 33 208 7 12 190 1,490

Quotation(N) 4.65 2.08 1.70 4.12 1.32 8.40 13.52 8.02 3.90 0.96 2.36 0.50 0.54 11.85

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 11,320,769 51,516,175.78 946,751 2,024,925.18 299,038 496,382.32 86,667 344,460.65 5,894,227 7,732,431.41 59,044,321 479,705,418.41 7,818,668 105,399,818.79 2,217,942 17,434,642.80 2,973,868 11,574,798.35 3,462,365 3,294,118.75 42,246,873 96,599,876.08 705,000 352,500.00 300,932 163,812.90 13,954,138 162,059,443.12 151,271,559 938,698,804.54

BREWERIES No of Deals 2 102 2 124 230

Quotation(N) 4.03 228.90 5.70 98.00

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 175,000 705,250.00 390,355 89,003,997.81 9,050 49,051.00 1,238,190 120,863,856.15 1,812,595 210,622,154.96

BUILDING MATERIALS No of Deals Quotation(N) 24 12.32 6 4.50 25 105.28 53 44.00 108

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 184,592 2,240,436.05 154,500 695,250.00 223,751 23,564,581.18 1,189,713 52,383,576.00 1,752,556 78,883,843.23

Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC Sector Totals

CHEMICAL & PAINTS No of Deals Quotation(N) 7 8.50 10 15.63 17

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 23,282 188,118.56 55,452 855,251.33 78,734 1,043,369.89

Company Name COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 0.50 4 2.10 5

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 9,800 4,900.00 18,400 39,912.00 28,200 44,812.00

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT No of Deals Quotation(N) 2 9.31 2

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 49,500 483,615.00 49,500 483,615.00

Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

Company Name NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

CONGLOMERATES Company Name No of Deals A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC 21 JOHN HOLT PLC 1 PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC 46 TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC 15 UAC OF NIGERIA PLC 37 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC 57 Sector Totals 177 CONSTRUCTION No of Deals 9 1 10

Company Name JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Company Name CUTIX PLC Sector Totals

Company Name 7-UP BOTTLING CO. PLC CADBURY NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE FLOUR MILLS PLC DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIGERIA PLC HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NATIONAL SALT COMPANY NIGERIA PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC NORTHERN NIGERIA FLOUR MILLS PLC TANTALIZERS PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Company Name VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC

Quotation(N) 32.96 8.28

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 277,326 432,628.56 66 369.60 480,580 13,623,048.49 1,098,000 585,175.00 54,249 1,590,005.87 776,148 20,997,814.71 2,686,369 37,229,042.23

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 27,148 873,344.00 29 228.23 27,177 873,572.23

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY No of Deals Quotation(N) 5 1.80 5

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 75,119 129,660.70 75,119 129,660.70

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO No of Deals Quotation(N) 27 47.90 53 10.17 44 4.53 99 4.02 41 62.50 8 2.43 15 4.00 42 424.46 1 21.48 8 0.50 1 0.50 339

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,076,222 51,492,598.16 1,195,366 12,298,037.22 686,862 3,123,724.40 3,636,691 14,650,419.40 481,253 30,081,160.34 482,500 1,184,346.00 359,700 1,438,057.30 137,174 58,156,111.48 10,000 204,100.00 1,950,000 975,000.00 190 91.20 10,015,958 173,603,645.50

HEALTHCARE Company Name No of Deals EVANS MEDICALPLC. 1 FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC 3 GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC 11 MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. 4 NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC 3 Sector Totals 22

Company Name IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N) 1.56 5.89 28.01 0.53 29.20 27.22

Quotation(N) 0.70 0.95 22.90 1.81 1.18

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,000 670.00 65,000 62,090.00 33,191 744,775.70 13,500 23,675.00 2,148 2,427.24 114,839 833,637.94

HOTEL & TOURISM No of Deals Quotation(N) 35 2.28 35

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 9,754,830 22,241,012.40 9,754,830 22,241,012.40

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS No of Deals Quotation(N) 12 4.78

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 70,349 337,376.84

Stock market rebounds with N62b gain •NSE to list ETF

T

HE Nigerian stock market closed the week with a strong recovery as leading stocks rallied the market to a gain of N62 billion, pushing total market capitalisation of all quoted equities from N6.269 trillion to N6.331 trillion.

The benchmark value index, the All Share Index (ASI), which measures the general pricing trend at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), rose by 1.0 per cent to 20,025.94 points as against opening index of 19,828.40 points.

The bullish rally was orchestrated by appreciable gains recorded by leading stocks including Nestle Nigeria, Guinness Nigeria, Seven-Up Bottling Company, First Bank of Nigeria (FBN), Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Nigerian Breweries, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Access Bank.

With food and beverages and banking stocks leading the rally, Nestle Nigeria led the advancers with a gain of N20.21 to close at N424.46.

Guinness Nigeria followed with a gain of N10.90 to close at N228.90. Seven-Up Bottling Company gained N1.71 to close at N47.90. Nigerian

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

Breweries rose by 99 kobo to N98 while Okomu Oil Palm gained 72 kobo to close at N22.

Other top gainers included FBN, which gained 40 kobo to close at N8.40; Stanbic IBTC Bank, which added 38 kobo to close at N8.02 while Access Bank, GTB and Unilever Nigeria gained 22 kobo each to close at N4.65, N13.52 and N27.22 respectively.

On the downside, Conoil led the losers with a loss of 166 kobo to close at N31.64.

PZ Cussons Nigeria lost 100 kobo to close at N28.01.

Oando slipped by 74 kobo to N21.45. Cadbury Nigeria dropped by 53 kobo to N10.17 while Flour Mills of Nigeria lost 50 kobo to close at N62.50.

Total turnover stood at 188.65 million shares valued at N1.53 billion in 2,850 deals with banking subsector accounting for 152.1 million shares valued at N946.80 million in 1,538 deals.

Meanwhile, The NSE

would on Monday expand its product offerings through the official listing of ABSA NewGold Exchange Traded Fund (ETF).

Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr Oscar Onyema, said the listing would allow both individual and institutional investors direct access to an efficient and cost effective way to invest in gold through a listed security.

According to him, the Exchange Traded Fund is the first of the new products planned by the NSE as part of the on-going transformation of the Nigerian Capital Market which requires expanding from the current state of two products of equities and bonds to five products.

“The Nigeria listing is anticipated to help advance the investor market in one of Africa’s fastest growing economies by broadening the choice of asset classes open to local investors and increase appreciably, the liquidity on the Nigerian Stock Exchange”, Onyema said.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 16-12-11 VONO PRODUCTS PLC Sector Totals

1 13

2.88

16 70,365

INSURANCE Company Name No of Deals AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 16 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 11 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 11 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC 2 GREAT NIGERIA INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 11 CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC 1 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. 3 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC 1 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 2 OASIS INSURANCE PLC 1 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. 4 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC 2 INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC 5 Sector Totals 72

Quotation(N) 0.51 0.99 2.00 0.50 0.50 1.44 0.50 0.50 0.52 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.98 0.50 0.52

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,219,758 618,379.00 408,000 381,077.59 256,250 514,000.00 1,500 750.00 1,000 500.00 528,000 764,220.00 40,000 20,000.00 9,721 4,860.50 34,000 17,610.64 50,000 25,000.00 22,198 11,099.00 1,000 500.00 18,698 18,479.80 28,719 14,359.50 143,002 74,361.04 2,761,846 2,465,197.07

LEASING No of Deals 4 4

Quotation(N) 0.62

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 76,023 47,156.76 76,023 47,156.76

MARITIME No of Deals 25 25

Quotation(N) 0.71

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,221,984 866,014.08 1,221,984 866,014.08

Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

Company Name CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. NPF MICROFINANCE BANK PLC ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 0.50 2 0.94 2 0.50 5

Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC BETA GLASS CO. PLC Sector Totals

PACKAGING No of Deals 18 1 19

Quotation(N) 1.62 12.71

46.08 337,422.92

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,000 500.00 6,000 5,400.00 1,569,895 784,947.50 1,576,895 790,847.50

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 118,310 191,692.18 1,000 12,080.00 119,310 203,772.18

Company Name MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) No of Deals Quotation(N) 2 60.67 13 31.64 8 3.13 5 13.54 10 133.95 114 21.45 9 198.00 161

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 303 17,464.92 437,316 14,158,820.98 250,269 784,821.57 3,262 41,981.94 4,004 540,127.50 895,752 19,337,647.03 5,904 1,111,186.70 1,596,810 35,992,050.64

Company Name LEARN AFRICA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

PRINTING & PUBLISHING No of Deals Quotation(N) 3 2.95 6 3.35 9

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 2,420 6,800.20 127,893 431,236.94 130,313 438,037.14

Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

REAL ESTATE No of Deals 3 3

Quotation(N) 12.16

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 6,462 78,529.97 6,462 78,529.97

ROAD TRANSPORTATION No of Deals Quotation(N) 5 0.50 5

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 1,127,521 563,760.50 1,127,521 563,760.50

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS No of Deals Quotation(N) 46 9.89 46

Quantity TradedValue of Shares (N) 817,441 8,097,005.04 817,441 8,097,005.04

2,850

188,649,726

1,528,973,249.55

THE NATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

61

SPORT EXTRA MAIGARI TO NIGERIAN STARS

Barcelona handed Leverkusen tie, as Chelsea confronts Napoli •Real Madrid takes on PFC CSKA Moskow •Arsenal versus AC Milan

T

ITLE holders FC Barcelona will continue the defence of their UEFA Champions League title against Bayer 04 Leverkusen after the draw for

the round of 16 was held in Nyon, Switzerland.

The Spanish side - currently in Yokohama for the FIFA Club World Cup, where they will take on Santos FC in

Sunday's final - will travel to Germany for the first leg in February, with the return at the Camp Nou in March.

Barcelona's domestic rivals Real Madrid CF, who won all six Group D games - only the fifth team to achieve a perfect record in the UEFA Champions League group stage - take on PFC CSKA Moskva.

Four-time winners FC Bayern München have been paired with FC Basel 1893, who eliminated last season's beaten finalists Manchester United FC in Group C. The 2010 champions FC Internazionale Milano face Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille, the winners in 1993.

The draw include three debutants at this stage in APOEL FC, SSC Napoli and FC Zenit St Petersburg, with the Cypriot titleholders pitted against Olympique Lyonnais

in what was the first tie to be drawn. Chelsea FC are the opponents for Napoli, while Zenit will tackle SL Benfica.

AC Milan, who claimed the last of their seven titles in 2007, have been paired with Arsenal FC - 2-0 winners on aggregate against the Italian side at this stage of the 2007/08 competition. The first legs will be played on 14/15/21/22 February; the returns will take place on 6/7/13/14 March.

Full schedule Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) v APOEL FC (CYP) SSC Napoli (ITA) v Chelsea FC (ENG) AC Milan (ITA) v Arsenal FC (ENG) FC Basel 1893 (SUI) v FC Bayern München (GER) Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER) v FC Barcelona (ESP, holders) PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS) v Real Madrid CF (ESP) FC Zenit St Petersburg (RUS) v SL Benfica (POR) Olympique de Marseille (FRA) v FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)

You lack discipline, commitment

T

HE president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Aminu Maigari has lambasted the country’s top stars, saying they are not disciplined and lack commitment to play for Nigeria.

This year results by Nigeria in international football have been far from satisfactory as the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and both the male and female teams failed to qualify for the London Olympics.

“The players feel too big and pompous. They lack discipline and their commitment is under displayed, while in the national team,” Maigari told the country’s parliamentarians in Abuja.

“For this reason, the players who will now be called to the national teams will have to be those who know the value of the national team colours.”

Maigari further disclosed that the NFF has now had to initiate grassroots development programmes that will produce new players and so go a long way in restoring the country’s lost glory.

Meanwhile, general secretary of the NFF, Musa Amadu, has

Maldini: My shoes too big for Taiwo

F

ORMER AC Milan defender, Paolo Maldini has declared that Nigerian international, Taye Taiwo does not have what it takes to step into his big shoes.

The Rossoneri allegedly beat off competition from Real Madrid to land the Nigerian on a free transfer from Marseille over the summer.

However, he is already being linked with a move away from

•Cristano Ronaldo

Rising Stars set for League challenge –Ayorinde •Team move to Ilaro for pre-season

N

IGERIA Premier League debutant, Rising Stars FC of Ondo-town team manager Adubuola Ayorinde has assured the teeming supporters of the club not to entertain any fear whatsoever that they will prove a point in the Premier League next season.

Crown FC of Ogbomosho, JUTH FC of Jos and Plateau United of Jos got relegated after just a season in the top flight, but, the stocky administrator plays down any fear of relegation as he claimed they have put all machinery in-place to ensure they avoid any mistake.

Ayorinde stated that the cohesion in the team will play a major role in avoiding a slip-off like other debutants in the league.

“We have started preparing well for the task before us and plan how to can spring surprises when the league season kicks off. Don’t forget that all along Rising Stars have been making their fans happy with quality football display and I believe the players are going to keep the momentum when the league season kicks off.”

“We at hand at the moment and what makes Rising Stars different from other teams is the fact that virtually all the players were groomed from the academy and they have been playing together for close to five years, the team work and

understanding is there, we at the management level are equal to the task, and the club financier (Ondo State Government) has assured us of

100 percent financial backing, so I believe we are going to sustain our status in the Premier League next season, I will just appeal to our supporters to keep on praying and backing us.”

San Siro after making just two appearances in Serie A so far this season and Maldini feels that Milan did not do their homework on the defender.

"The Nigerian should have

been better evaluated before taking him,” he said.

Maldini spent his entire 24-year career at San Siro, making 647 appearances for Milan before retiring two years ago.

Agbonlahor out for Villa

A

STON VILLA will be without joint top scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor for the home Barclays Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday.

Agbonlahor, who has five goals this season, will have to serve a one match suspension after picking up five yellow cards this season. Emile Heskey is in contention to partner Darren Bent up front.

Midfielder Fabian Delph is

available after missing last weekend's victory at Bolton with a knee injury. Defender Eric Lichaj (hip) is Villa's only longterm casualty.

Jordan Henderson looks likely to continue as Charlie Adam's partner in central midfield for Liverpool.

Jay Spearing serves the second of a two-match ban, while Steven Gerrard (ankle) has not played since late October and Lucas Leiva (knee) is out for the season.

disclosed that a national technical director will be hired by the association this month as part of efforts towards developing the game in Nigeria.

Former Ethiopia coach Tom Saintfeit and Lars Lagerback’s assistant to the 2010 World Cup, Roland Andersson, are in the running for the top post.

Idoko dedicates award to Gov. Mimiko

O

NDO State Football Agency (ODSFA) boss, Mike Idoko has dedicated his award to His Excellency the Ondo State governor Dr. Segun Mimiko.

Sunshine Stars whose impressive performance in the outgoing year earned Idoko the Sports Writers Association (SWAN) Oyo State chapter Football Administrator of the Year award said, “First and foremost I dedicate the award to God and Sports-loving governor of Ondo state who believed in me and gave me the task of making Sunshine Stars an international football brand.

“For me the award is a tonic that will motivate me to do more to the development of football in Nigeria and also make Sunshine Stars win the Nigeria Premier League and possibly the Champions League.”

According to the sports body in Oyo State in a release, "We are honouring Idoko as the football administrator of the year going by his track record.

"Under him, Sunshine Stars made an impressive debut on the continent by getting as far as the semi final stage of the CAF Confederation Cup while they finished second in the keenly contested Nigeria premier league.

Speaking further, “I would also want to express my gratitude to my ODSFA board members, players and technical crew of Sunshine Stars and the organizers of the award. Mind you the award is like a birthday package for me as it comes a day after I clock another year.”

THE NATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

62

SPORT EXTRA BBC AFRICAN FOOTBALLER OF YEAR

Andre 'Dede' Ayew named winner

G

HANA and Marseille winger Andre "Dede" Ayew has been named the BBC's African Footballer of the Year for 2011.

The 21-year-old took over a third of the votes to follow in the footsteps of his father, Abedi "Pele" Ayew, who won the inaugural BBC award in 1991.

Ayew beat Yaya Toure, Gervinho, Samuel Eto'o and Seydou Keita to the title.

"I'm honoured and surprised to receive this prestigious award, especially considering the great players who have won it in the past," said Ayew.

After being named in Ghana's Africa Cup of Nations squad on Thursday, Andre's brother Jordan is in line to become the third of Abedi Pele's sons to play at the tournament "I thank all the people who voted for me - in Ghana, in Africa and in the world.

"I'm going to work hard to show them they made a good choice."

The award was voted for by African football fans who nominated their favourites either by text or email.

They chose from a shortlist which was drawn up by football experts from every country in Africa, who based their choices on players' skill, technical ability, teamwork, consistency and fair play.

After making an impact on the international stage in 2010, when he impressed observers at both the Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup, 2011 marked a year when Ayew became a key figure at club level.

He finished the 2010-11

3SC offers Emordi more cash

S

HOOTING Stars are ready to spend more than Enugu Rangers to hire former Enyimba coach Okey Emordi.

Emordi quit Enyimba after he failed to win any trophy for ’The People’s Elephant’ this past season.

MTNFootball.com has gathered that Shooting Stars have now tabled an offer of a monthly salary of 600,000 Naira and a signing-on fee of 10 million Naira.

Emordi’s former club Rangers are prepared to pay the highly experienced 300,000 Naira a month and a signing-on fee of six million Naira.

Shooting Stars are yet to name a replacement for coach Fatai Amoo, while Alphonsus Dike quit Rangers Thursday.

Emordi has admitted he has held talks with Rangers even before they left for the finals of the sub-regional WAFU Cup in Togo.

Meanwhile, the nine-man board of management of Enugu Rangers has been dissolved by Enugu State government.

In a letter signed by the state commissioner for youth and sports, Chijioke Agu, and delivered to the state football association, the commissioner said that the board’s tenure has lapsed since August 21, 2011 and that the CEO, Paul Chibuzor, has been mandated to take full charge of running the club until a new board is put in place very soon.

campaign as a regular starter for Marseille for the first time in his career, with his goal tally of 11 aiding his cause.

At the start of this season, he struck a hat-trick to help Marseille win the French Super League - and has since contested all but one of his side's 17 league games, scoring six times.

Injury ruled him out of Marseille's opening Champions League group game but the Ghanaian has gone on to miss

just one minute of European action since then, as the 1993 champions reached the knockout stages.

He will be honoured as BBC African Footballer of the Year 2011 in a short ceremony ahead of Marseille's home game against Lorient tonight, on his 22nd birthday.

At international level, Ayew also played a key role in ensuring that the Black Stars qualified for the 2012 Africa Cup

of Nations with an unbeaten record.

Abedi "Pele" Ayew was the first winner of the BBC African Sports Star of the Year award for his achievements in 1991, with the title later turning into the current BBC African Footballer of the Year award.

"Dede" becomes the fifth Ghanaian to win after his father, Sammy Kuffour (2001), Michael Essien (2006) and last year's winner Asamoah Gyan.

•Andre 'Dede' Ayew receives the trophy from his father, Abedi Pele, who won the BBC award in 1991

Jude Aneke passes medical •Scores in debut warm up

L

AST season Nigeria Premier League top scorer and record holder for most goals in a season, Jude Aneke has had a successful medical for his new Belgian club, AA Gent and marked that with a goal in a warm up tie for the club.

Aneke scored an outstanding 20 goals last season with two hat tricks to send to the bin the 18 goal mark of now VVV Venlo of Holland speedstar, Ahmed Musa and travelled to Belgium immediately the NPL season ended to complete his dream move to Europe.

The former Kaduna United hitman told NationSport from his

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri base that he was settling down to life in Belgium and was looking forward to January hwen he would legally become Gent player.

“I was able to get a goal in my first warm up match for my new club. We played a 2-2 draw and I got our first goal. I had my medical Thursday and it was successful. I am looking forward to the January transfer window when I would become their player. I am happy with life here and I am learning fast,” were Aneke’s comments in a chat from

Fashola to launch Adopt-ATalent programme January 20

G

OVERNOR of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), has given his approval for the official launching of Adopt-ATalent Sports Programme.

The launching will take place on Friday, 20 January, 2012 at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.

The concept of Adopt-ATalent Programme was designed and put in place to source for young athletes based in the state under the age of 18 years that are extraordinary and exceptional for sponsorships, both in education and sports training, and develop into Elite Athletes in the shortest possible time without any restrictions of ethnicity, religion and gender.

The programme, is to be powered by Public and Private Partnership, PPP, involves two phases with the first including Athletics, Soccer/Beach Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball/Beach Volleyball, Boxing and Table

Tennis, while the second phase, which starts in January next year, includes Swimming, Gymnastics, Judo and Karate.

Senior Special Assistant on Grassroots Sports Development to the Governor, Prince Wale Oladunjoye, under whose office the programme is developed and being implemented, in a notification letter written to stakeholders ahead of the launch, said the programme is packaged to discover young athletes from various sports and expose them to scientific training.

“The programme is designed to discover and create a pool of budding talents all below the age of 18 years in the various disciplines, expose them to a scientifically structured allyear-round training progamme and get the whole project powered by sponsors,” said Prince Oladunjoye, who is also the Tournament Director of the annual Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship.

Belgium.

He also informed NationSport that he would storm Nigeria for the yuletide on Decenber 23rd before he would be kickstarting his career abroad in January.

Failure of leadership contined from back page vious competitions.

We have found ourselves in this quandary simply because we don’t plan. Even when we do, it is cosmetic and meant to create jobs for our friends. Such plans are not enduring; they lack the vision to accommodate inadequacies, such as lateness to release funds by the government.

We are in this mess because there isn’t any sports calendar that will compel the corporate world to identify with sports.

The federations constituted by the NSC have failed to market sport to the blue chip firms through hosting of competitions and providing incentives such as tax rebates to sportsfriendly companies for their contributions to the development of the industry.

Had we a sports calendar, the companies would have identified those to sponsor, having seen them on television and read the newspapers’ reports on their heroics.

Accountability has been the bane of sports development in Nigeria and nothing is being done to stem the tide. One sneers at any probe at the National Assembly. They have never produced the desired results of holding people accountable for their actions. That is why till date, no one can tell us how much we realised from hosting the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. A top government official was widely rumoured to have ensured that his firm grabbed the contract to plant the grass at the stadium. He personally supervised the job. Smart guy.

Tales of cash appropriated for no existent facilities across the country have been swept under the carpet. Nobody has asked those who didn’t have a team at the 2010 World Cup what they did with the money that they got from the government. Yet, those who took the Super Eagles to the World Cup have made several appearances in court. Did the House of Representatives not allege that a large chunk of the money appropriated for the National Sports Festival had been spent even when it was postponed? What has come out of it, besides the shocking revelation that such discoveries by the last Assembly cannot be discussed, especially as they didn’t take the matter to the EFCC? It’s a shame that we cannot list those who can win medals at the Olympic Games. One scoffed reading one newspaper report that Nigeria was banking on medals in track and field. Won’t the Jamaicans, Americans and Britons compete at the Games? It is this delusion that has placed us at the bottom rung of global sports competitions.

Perhaps the physically challenged athletes will rescue us from disgrace in London. But have we done enough to expose them to the modern facilities that they would contend with?

Or do we want to buy them the equipment a few days to their events like we have always done?

What have we done for these physically challenged athletes? We only remember them when there is a competition. Are they not the ones who run the motor park in front of the National Stadium, Lagos? Yet, many of them are world champions.

Our sport is dead because of the failure of leadership at the NSC. Who will take us out of this mess? You tell me.

Oduamadi dreams EPL after Italian job

N

IGERIAN Olympic international winger Nnamdi Oduamadi has on the glamorous English Premier League after he would have shone in Italy.

The twinkle-footed Oduamadi is on loan to Torino in the Italian Serie B from champions AC Milan and he told MTNFootball.com he believes Arsenal would be a dream destination for his unquestionable talent.

“Yes, I would like to play in the EPL preferably for Arsenal because they have a young squad and they play very good football,” he says.

His dazzling displays in Italy’s second-tier league have so far endeared him to the fans of Torino.

Indeed, the player, who can play as a winger and striker,

has been on a phenomenal rise since he left Nigeria just two years ago to join Milan from Pepsi Football Academy.

After helping the Rossoneri’s U-20s win the Coppa Italia Primavera for the first time in 25 years in 2010, Oduamadi made his debut for the club in a Serie A game against Catania same year, coming off the bench in the last minutes of the game.

But having been unable to get regular playing time in the star-studded Milan squad, Oduamadi moved to Torino in June on a loan deal.

The 21-year-old says he has now learnt the rudiments of the game in Italy’s second-tier league and he is hoping to help Il Toro return to the topflight before returning to Milan, where he hopes to brave the

AFRICAN CLUB HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP

Heartland Flickers play Zimbabwe in final today

N

I G E R I A ’ s representatives at the ongoing African Club Hockey Championship holding in Zambia, the Heartland Flickers will today (Saturday) play against Zimbabwe in the final.

The country’s flagbearer won all their matches in grandstyle and are poised to retain the club tourney won two years ago by virtue of the fact that they already defeated their final

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri opponent in one of their matches enroute the final.

The team spanked Zimbabwe 3-0 and 10-0 respectively in the two ties they played against the Southern African nation before another 13-1 annihilation of the host, Zambia.

The championship ends today.

odds and stake claim for a place in the first team.

“The game in Serie B is very aggressive and full of running.

So, I have learnt to be very fast in my approach to the game,” Oduamadi told MTNFootball.com.

“My plan is to return to Serie A with Torino by the grace of God but it depends on Milan; let’s see what happens first. It’s going to be very difficult breaking into Milan’s first team but I know I will get my chance one day.”

But it’s not been rosy tales for the youngster in Italy.

“I don’t have any major challenge in Italy. But as a young player, you rarely get a chance to show the stuff you are made of in Serie A.” It’s been different tales for Africans in Milan with Oduamadi’s compatriot Taye Taiwo finding it difficult to break into the first team, while Kevin-Prince Boateng, who has called it quits with Ghana, has been in the form of his life at the Italian giants.

But Oduamadi believes Taiwo could still become a major player for the Rossoneri very soon despite reports that coach Massimiliano Allegri has threatened to offload the former Marseille man in January.

“I have not met him (Taiwo) yet in Italy but he is a very good player. I was with him in the Super Eagles and saw glimpses of how good he is.

THE NATION SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011

63

Tomorrow in THE NATION PUNCHLINE

The brazen abuse of authority under the central police system today would have been materials for folktales if they had happened forty-five years ago —Ropo Sekoni

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL.7, NO. 1977

F

OR once I must commend recent sparks of inspirational leadership on the part of President Goodluck Jonathan. I have had occasion in this place to harshly criticise the President’s leadership style. However, in his advocacy of the imperative of fuel subsidy removal to avert what he forsees as imminent economic collapse, Jonathan has been firm and bold. He has spoken with courage and conviction. He has been passionate and consistent. He has been focussed and methodical. He has exuded a patriotic audacity that is the hallmark of elevated presidential leadership.

Now, am I convinced by the arguments advanced for the proposed full throttle, abrupt and immediate removal of fuel subsidy in a manner reminiscient of the late economist, Milton Friedman’s shock-therapy economic policy remedies that often compounded the woes of the patient? The answer is an emphatic no. But then, the President is the custodian of a popular electoral mandate. The historic burden for the fate of the nation rests on his shoulders at least for now. The buck stops on his table.

If he is convinced a particular policy option is in the best interest of the country, he has the responsibility to bring the whole weight, power and influence of his office to bear in pursuing it no matter how unpopular. On the issue of fuel subsidy, Jonathan has been stubborn and resolute.

That, for me, is the mark of leadership even if I do not necessarily agree with his position.

Despite the obvious firmness of his conviction, Jonathan has proceeded with wise caution, consulting widely and working hard to win broad approval for the policy.

The critical point in dispute, in my view, is not the ultimate inevitability of eliminating the fuel subsidy. It is how this should be done, when and under what conditions.

A key factor responsible for the unsustainable magnitude of the fuel subsidy is the current absolutely irresponsible and unjustifiable export of our crude oil and importation of refined petroleum given the protracted underperformance of the country’s refineries. The logical thing would thus be to first of all put in place the capacity to refine our crude locally for domestic consumption to mitigate the avoidable cost of importation before eliminating the subsidy.

However, the President’s economic gurus argue that the present regulated price of fuel is a disincentive for private investors to build refineries. The facilities would run at a loss given the prevalent subsidized price regime.

Why then can’t the state summon the soverign will to mobilize the requisite resources to build additional refineries to enhance domestic refining capacity? Have some of our less endowed neighbouring countries not built new refineries? Surely, this is not rocket science.

Fuel subsidy and presidential leadership

’

•Jonathan We can understand that the private sector is actuated fundamentally by the profit motive. But the state is motivated centrally by public security and the collective good.

Petroleum is so critical and has serious security implications for the country’s economy. The state should therefore not hesitate to build refineries to boost local capacity and meet a crucial public need before subsidy removal. The management and operation of such refineries can then be privatized to avoid the fate of the crippled publicly run refineries. Improved domestic refining capacity will eliminate a whole layer of costs associated with importation and reduce the harsh burden of subsidy removal on the populace.

Despite free trade theory’s strong disavowal of public subsidies, the influential American thinker, Noam Chomsky has pointed out that after the Second World War,

It is my prayer that the formerly shoeless Ijaw school boy who has found himself at the apex of leadership at this challenging time will be able to find the appropriate policy shoes to enable his beleaguerd, shoeless country begin to walk the path of greatness and prosperity. His is no easy task

‘

American policy makers, fearing that the economy would head back to recession without state intervention, “insisted that advanced industry – specifically aircraft, though the conclusion was more general – cannot exist in a pure, competitive, unsubsidized free enterprise econony and that the government is their only possible saviour”.

The consequence, Chomsky explains, was a pattern of large – scale public subsidies through the Pentagon military-industrial complex that stimulated America’s dynamic growth and profitability in civilian aircraft production, electronics, automation,

biotechnology and communications among other sectors. Let the President thus eschew any nonsensical suggestion that unregulated inter play of market forces can promote development without requisite state intervention.

In any case, as my colleague, Steve Osuji, has argued, why can’t private investors build local refineries to refine crude oil for export?

Afterall, the international price of the refined commodity is free from the subsidy elements that constrain profitability in the domestic market. The resultant additional revenue accruing to the country will stregthen the economy and facilitate the maintenance of the current fuel subsidy untill appropriate safety nets are in place to enable Nigerians better absorb the inevitable shocks of subsidy removal.

President Goodluck Jonathan has repeatedly argued that the economy faces imminent collapse if fuel subsidy is not removed. Here the President is grossly mistaken. The reality is that for majority of Nigerians, the country’s formal economy had collapsed long ago. The economy is essentially about people. But there is a fundamental disconnect between the Nigerian people and the Nigerian economy.

Economists tell us that the Nigerian economy has been growing at about 7 or 8% annually over the last few years. That by any standard is an impressive rate of growth.

The economy has been expanding appreciably. Yet, the majority of the people have been increasingly impoverished and all indices of development are worsening.

Enclaves of the economy are thriving and declaring record profits. Yet, the army of the unemployed is growing and poverty deepening. It is an amazing contradictory phenomenon.

Interestingly, it is not unlikely that the fuel subsidy is one of the remaining few safety nets that has prevented the comatose economy from crashing completely on us all. It is probably one of the reasons why millions of Nigerians can survive on less than the completely absurd and unrealistic minimum wage of N18000.00 per month and still be reputed as being among the happiest people on earth!

The abrupt removal of the subsidy will immediately instigate inflationary spirals in public transportation, food costs, accommodation, health care, education among several others. The consequent drastically eroded value of the Naira will also mean that the capacity of the N1.3 trillion targetted as savings from the subsidy removal to make an appreciable impact on the citizenry will be substantially reduced.

It is my prayer that the formerly shoeless Ijaw school boy who has found himself at the apex of leadership at this challenging time will be able to find the appropriate policy shoes to enable his beleaguerd, shoeless country begin to walk the path of greatness and prosperity. His is no easy task.

Ade Ojeikere on Saturday talk2adeojeikere@yahoo.com

Failure of leadership

H

ERE we go again. It’s about six months to the 2012 London Olympic Games but the reasons for our eventual poor outing have started flooding in.

They are blaming everyone but themselves as if the games’ dates were fixed yesterday. When they are not passing the buck to the vagaries of bureaucracy, they are blaming paucity of funds on a budgetary system that they have lived with for ages.

Now, don’t we need to ask these all-knowing men how we got results in the past?

Their vision of how our athletes should prepare for the Olympics has not changed.

They must train in Europe even when they are not ranked in their events. One would have thought that those proposed for European tours ought to be camping in Nigeria under the coaches’ supervision.

Interestingly, the budget was released on Tuesday with no specific mention on what

was allocated to sports in an Olympic Games year. It simply means that sport isn’t in the government’s agenda.

Maybe this is the opportunity for President Goodluck Jonathan to fix the National Sports Commission (NSC), more so if the London 2012 Olympic Games become a jamboree for our contingent.

It amounts to failure of leadership if anyone at the NSC says that funds have inhibited the country’s plans for the Olympics.

We knew of this event in 2008 and we ought to have fashioned out ways to beat the budgetary system that insists on all unused funds to be returned to the treasury at the end of the fiscal year, given the unique nature of sports and how athletes’ camping runs through two seasons.

Since sports is on the recurrent list in the budget, it amounts to standing truth on its head for anyone to blame the budgetary system, especially as the plans for the Olympic Games ought to have been included in the 2011 budget, even though it is for an event

in 2012. After all, what is the essence of defending budgets at the National Assembly, if we cannot be proactive with our proposals? I’m sure that if the NSC eggheads had included the 2012 London Olympic Games’ plans in last year’s budget with an exhaustive programme of activities that they can see, it would have sailed through, considering the delays that the budgets have gone through in the past.

It won’t surprise anyone that other countries scheduled to participate at the London 2012 Olympic Games paid for the facilities and locations where they would reside a year ago because of the futuristic nature of sports.

It’s laughable that we are just trying to convince the corporate world for funds to support our athletes’ training programmes because we are doing last what we should have done first. I imagine that some of these firms we are running to, cap in hand, begging, partook in our previous programmes.

If indeed they did, why are they reluctant to support the system, especially with the big

marketing platform that comes with every athlete who wins a medal?

If we had retired what we got from these firms in the past, we would not have needed any prompting for them to continue funding our programmes. What is clear is that these firms are dissatisfied with the way they were treated and no company’s management will allow shareholders’ funds to be wasted on freebie at the expense of end-of-year profits for the investors.

In other climes, medal prospects and those who won laurels in previous Olympic Games are “sold” to the corporate world to cater for their needs, including training programmes. These medalists are models of their products and services; so, the issue of sponsorship is embedded in the package.

Olympic medalists and prospects are challenged by what their sponsors pay to take them to the zenith of their sport.

One wonders why such an arrangement cannot work here. This is not our first Olympic outing, yet we make the same mistakes, such that one doesn’t know what we look out for when we do an appraisal of the pre

•Continued on Page 62

Published and printed by Vintage Press Limited. Corporate Office: 27B Fatai Atere Way, Matori, Lagos. P.M.B. 1025, Oshodi, Lagos.

Telephone: Switch Board: 01-8168361. Editor-08094000052, Marketing: 01-8155547, Abuja Office: Plot 5, Nanka Close AMAC Commercial Complex, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, Tel/ 07028105302 `E-mail: saturday@thenationonlineng.com Editor: DELE ADEOSUN