The Nation July-2-2011

2 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday read the riot act to perpetrators of the recent bombings and killings in parts of the country, saying that the government will no longer sit back and watch a few individuals take the law into their hands by killing innocent Nigerians indiscriminately.

The President, who spoke at the graduation of the Senior Officers’ Course 33 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna State, told those behind the dastardly act that “enough is enough”.

The Boko Haram Islamic sect has been terrorising parts of the country in recent times, claiming that they were out to fight injustice in the land. Many lives have been lost, especially in the North Eastern state of Borno, while the Police Force Headquarters was also

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•From left: Vice-President Namadi Sambo; Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, AVM Ahmed Muazu; and Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, at the graduation of Senior Course 33 of the college in Jaji, Kaduna State on Friday.

PHOTO: NAN

President to Boko Haram: Enough is enough

Cabinet: Jonathan in dilemma over nominees from Ondo, Plateau, SouthSouth, North West, North East

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S the first set of confirmed ministers take the oath of office today, President Goodluck Jonathan is in dilemma over the choice of the last list of eight nominees.

It was learnt yesterday that the choice of nominees is still constituting an headache for the president especially in Ondo, Plateau, South South, North-West and North East.

These were also strong indications yesterday that a Managing Director of the World Bank, Dr. (Mrs.) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been cleared on merit as a ministerial nominee.

It was learnt that the issue of the payment of a salary commensurate to her pay at the World Bank has been resolved by the Presidency.

The finance expert may return to Nigeria next week for final screening by the Senate.

Meanwhile, the identities some of Jonathan’s special advisers have been revealed.

They include Anietien Okon (Political); Senator Isaiah Balat (Special Duties); Bashir Sufyan (Legal Advice); Prof. Sambo (Energy) and Joy Emordi (National Assembly).

Some of the special advisers may take their oaths of office today.

As at press time, it was learnt that the President was still battling with the choice of the last eight nominees, especially those from Ondo, Plateau, South-South, NorthWest and North-East.

Another source said: “Jonathan will meet with his VP and other leaders this weekend to resolve issues surrounding nominees from Ondo, Plateau and the South South in particular.

“Regarding Plateau State, the President had earlier favoured Dr. Jonah Madugu, but some stakeholders are insisting on the return of Josephine Tapgun. The governor, however, appears to have preference for Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochepe, who is a former Chairperson of the State Universal Basic Educa-

•Security agencies clear Okonjo-Iweala • Balat, Aninten Okon, Joy Emordi, others emerge special advisers • I can’t dictate to President, says Clark Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation tion Board (SUBEB).

“In Ondo, the challenge is about choosing between a former member of the Presidential Advisory Council, Mrs. Omobola Olubusola Johnson, and a former Minister of Defence, Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN).

“While Mrs. Omobola (who is not a politician) is being backed by a faction of the PDP loyal to ex-Governor Olusegun Agagu, reformists within the party have been making a case for Kayode.

“Either way, Ondo PDP may still remain factionalised at the end of the day. The attendant crisis over ministerial nominee may make the return of Governor Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party a fait accompli next year.

“Concerning the SouthSouth nominee, Governor Rotimi Amaechi has remained adamant that the slot should be given to Rivers State. He has preference for his Chief of Staff, Nelson Nwike.

“But some South-South party leaders have recommended the slot for Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, who may favour either the immediate past Minister of State for Education, Chief Kenneth Gbagi or a former Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh.”

Although it was alleged that the President had overruled Clark on the SouthSouth nominee in favour of Governor Amaechi, the elder statesman yesterday said only Jonathan can determine the nominee from the geopolitical zone.

In a chat with our correspondent, Clark said he had

no disagreement with Jonathan over the SouthSouth nominee.

He added: “I have no disagreement with the President over the South-South nominee. There can never be any disagreement with him.

“The President is the Commander-in-Chief and he has the prerogative and the full authority under the constitution of Nigeria to appoint ministers to his government, and no individual or group of persons has a right to do that.

“Therefore, the issue of disagreement between Mr. President and I over the appointment of Minister from Delta State or South-South does not arise.

“I can only lobby as it is the practice in all democratic countries, and if my lobbying fails or does not succeed, it is there the matter stops and Mr. President will carry out his own appointment. That is the position of any other Nigerian too. If his or her lobbying fails, that is the end.

“My support and commitment to Mr. President and the Federal Government is total; it has nothing to do with appointment or material benefit.”

Asked to clarify an issue, Clark said: “I am not aware of any meeting between Vice-President Namadi Sambo and South-South leaders on the appointment of a minister that was conceded to me. And no government official visited me on the issue.”

A top Presidency official, who spoke in confidence, said Okonjo-Iweala had been cleared by security agencies.

He said: “I am aware that Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala was cleared by security agencies when she had a shuttle to Nigeria about a week and a half ago.

“It was on that basis that she returned to the United States to tidy up a few things at the World Bank, preparatory to her disengagement.

“We are hopeful that she may be in the country next week for screening by the Senate. We have not got any contrary signal from her.”

Responding to a question, the source said: “The grey areas on payment of salary have been resolved. There are many donor and development agencies, like the UNDP, which can pay Okonjo-Iweala’s salary.

“You need to appreciate that since she is coming for special intervention or assignment in the interest of the nation, these development partners can assist the nation to pay Okonjo-Iweala commensurate salary.

“At present, the UNDP is paying the salaries of some experts in some agencies and parastatals.”

Meanwhile, some of the 20 special advisers may take their oaths of office today.

The Presidency source said out of the 20, three may serve the Vice-President.

Some of the Special Advisers to the President include a former National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Anietien Okon (Political); Senator Isaiah Balat (Special Duties); Bashir Sufyan (Legal Advice); Prof. Sambo (Energy); Joy Emordi (National Assembly).

But a source in the Senate added: “Actually, the President sought approval for about 30 Special Advisers but we decided to prune the request to 20.

“We felt 30 advisers to a president will be too many and costly for the nation to manage. It is like forming an alternative cabinet. This is a cost-saving era. We do not need up to 30 special advisers.”

Tony AKOWE, Kaduna bombed by the group.

Represented by Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, President Jonathan said that no country in the world can afford to fold its hand and watch a few people destroying innocent lives and properties with impunity.

According to him, “This is not the time for sentiments, but the time to see the reality before us. In view of this, the Federal Government will use all available resources to put a stop to this spate of insecurity in the land.”

He called on members of the armed forces and other civil security agencies in the country to work together, especially in the area of information gathering, since no security agency can excel without the cooperation of other.

President Jonathan contended that the increase in the number of foreign officers at the college underscored Africa being the centre of the nation’s foreign policy, which has enhanced the idea of African brotherliness, integration and regional co-operation necessary for African security.

He noted that the problems confronting the African continent can only be resolved by Africans themselves, pointing out that Nigeria remains committed to international peace and security and will continue to work in close collaboration with other African nations to promote stability and development on the continent.

He commended the college for their contribution to meeting national, regional and international manpow-

er needs in command and staff training at both single and joint service levels.

He noted that “today’s ceremony is a testimony to the handiwork of the Commandant, the Directive Staff and the determination to contribute towards the continued transformation of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

“As you go back to the filed most of you will be deployed to crisis prone area either for international security or for peace support operations outside the country. You must be mindful of your action and realize that we are in a common global environment and however re-assured that senior course which you have just completed have been appropriately structured to prepare you for command and staff responsibility in full scale war as well as in military operations.

“As you are conferred today with the award Passed Staff Course (psc), note that you are now better informed and responsible for your actions. Let me appreciate the recent effort of the college in collaborating with the Nigerian defence Academy to incorporate the designed programme in international affairs and strategy.

Commandant of the college, Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Tijjani Muazu said the graduands are the first set of students from the college to obtain a Masters Degree in International Relations, adding that the number of international participation for the course is a clear indication that graduates of the college are leaving up to the expectations of the Armed forces of their respective countries.

First batch of ministers take oath today

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HE first batch of confirmed ministers will today take their oaths of office.

The occassion, which will be presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan, will begin at 11am at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa.

Ministers and accredited family members are to be seated at 10 a.m. before the swearing-in and assignment of portfolios.

14 ministers were confirmed by the Senate of the Federal Republic on Wednesday and Thursday.

The remaining ministers are to be screened by the Senate on Tuesday.

The 14 already confirmed are former ministers of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke; Niger Delta, Elder Godsday Orubebe; Labour and Prodactivity, Emeka Wogu; Health, Professor Onyebuchu Chukwu; Education, Prof. Ruqqayattu Rufai; Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed and former FCT minister of state, Capt. Caleb Olubolade (rtd).

Others are former ministers of National Planning, Dr. Ahasudden Usman; Mines and Steel, Mr. Mohammed

Vincent IKUOMOLA, Abuja Musa Sada; Information and Communication, Labaran Maku; Transport, Yusuf Suliaman; former Attorny General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, as well as new appointees, Hajia Zainab Maina and Mrs. Stella OduahOgiemwonyi.

Although the swearing-in is coming a month behind schedule, government activities are expected to peak in line with the President’s promise to hit the ground running immediately after his inauguration.

It will also be recalled that a presidential sources had attributed the delay in the submission of the list of ministerial nominees to the restructuring of the functions of top personnels of the Presidency and complete overhaul of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), in line with the policy direction of the government.

President Jonathan, the source had stated, wanted clear-cut duties for appointees before their appointments in order to avoid duplication of functions.”

ICPC

NEWS 3

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

• From left: Children of the late Aderinokun at the funeral service at Ikoyi Baptist Church Lagos

• From left: Wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun; widow of the late Aderinokun, Olufunlola; Governor Fashola and wife, Abimbola.

14-day ultimatum: Labour yet to communicate with us –Governors

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• From left: Chief Kayode Aderinokun (elder brother of the deceased); Mrs. Salamatu Aderinokun, widow of the deceased; Mrs. Remi Johnson, Mrs. Yejide Ajayi and former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tears, tributes as Aderinokun goes home •Governors, bankers, others mourn him

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EARS flowed freely yesterday as the remains of the late managing director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr Olutayo Adeleye Aderinokun, was laid to rest around 1 pm at Ikoyi Cemetery, Lagos. He died at the age of 56 at Wellington Hospital, Saint John’s Wood, North West, London, after an illness a few weeks ago.

The burial, which climaxed a week-long activities lined up to honour the departed bank chief, was preceded by nearly threehour service at Ikoyi Baptist Church, Lagos.

Earlier at the reception, torrents of tributes had flowed from governors, top bankers and other eminent Nigerians across the geo-politcal zones, who described the late Aderinokun as one of the best professional bankers Nigeria ever had.

In attendace at the church service were Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); Ibikunle Amosun (0gun); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Lamido Sanusi Lamido; Doyen of the Accountancy profession, Mr Akintola Williams and former Director General, Nigerian Stock Exchange(NSE), Prof.

(Mrs) Ndi Okereke-Onyuike.

Others were business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Lagos State commissioner, Mr Ben Akabueze; Senator Olorunfemi Mamora; the managing direc-

Akinola AJIBADE tors of Spring Bank Plc, (Mrs Sola Ayodele); Skye Bank (Mr Kehinde Durosimi-Etti); First Bank (Mr Stephen Onasanya); Intercontinental Bank (Mr Mahmoud Alabi) and many others.

Tinubu said the deceased would be missed by all the people who had known him due to his achievements in the banking industry.

Fayemi said the late banker would be missed by his colleagues and friends, among other Nigerians.

Aliko Dangote was unequivocal about Aderinokun’s contributions to the socio-economic growth of the country, noting that his death “is a great loss to his family and his consitituency (the banking industry).”

Okereke-Onyuike said the late Aderinokun left his footprints in the banking industry.

She said the late GTB’s boss was “humble, hardworking and strove for excellence.”

Governor Amosun said the corporate world had lost a thoroughbred professional.

The immediate past managing director, First Bank Plc, Mr Jacobs Ajeikigbe, said: “Uncle T, as popularly called by his admirers, will be remembered as a co-founder of one of the most successful Nigerian bank.”

Mahmoud Alabi said Aderinokun was a thouroughbred prefessional with great vision for his bank. He said the de-

ceased was a respectable member of the Bankers Committee, whose views were held in high esteem.

The former managing director, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr Tunde Dabiri, said Aderinokun was an astute banker whose contributions to the industry would be difficult to forget.

Dabiri, who incidentally was Aderinokun’s first employer at Chase Merchant Bank, said he ‘’saw materials in him the the first day he resumed duties at the bank.”

In a well worded tribute, Dabiri betrayed emotions as he rolled out the achievements of Aderinokun in the industry.

The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, said: ”Tayo was an astute banker who took GTBank to a greater height.”

The students of Waterman College were not left out. In an emotion laden song, the students described Aderinokun as a blessing to his generation.

The deceased was survived by two wives and four children.

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HE Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA has said it has not imposed curfew on any part of the city.

The FCTA, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja and signed by Hazat Sule, said: “The FCTA has been inundated with calls on whether cur-

HE Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, has said there had been no official communication between labour and governors on the two-week ultimatum issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) for governors to implement the N18,000 minimum wage.

NLC and TUC leaders, at a joint news conference in Abuja on Thursday, had also called on the Federal Government to stop the planned removal of petroleum products’ subsidy or face a strike at the expiration of the deadline.

But Amaechi, in his reaction in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital yesterday, said the

Bisi OLANIYI, Port Harcourt governors were not officially aware of the development.

The NGF chairman, who spoke through the Acting Chief Press Secretary to Rivers State Governor, Mr. Blessing Wikina, assured that whenever Nigerian governors received the communication from the NLC and TUC, they would respond.

When asked on the implication of an indefinite nationwide strike by Nigerian workers over the governors’ refusal to fully implement the wage law, Amaechi declined comment.

It will be recalled that the workers had asked both the state and federal governments to pay the minimum wage.

NLC President, Abduwaheed Omar, and the PresidentGeneral of the TUC, Peter Esele, expressed displeasure over the reluctance of government to implement the minimum wage, while directing unions in the public and private sectors to mobilise Nigerians for a nationwide strike at the expiration of the ultimatum.

The governors had earlier stated that they would not be able to pay the N18,000 minimum wage unless there was removal of subsidy on petroleum products, to fatten the Federation Account for more money to be shared.

The NGF also requested the review of the revenue sharing formula, for states to have more funds.

Nigeria needs naira stability to curb prices, says Moghalu • UN cautions central bankers on interest rate

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IGERIA needs a stable currency to keep inflation under control, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Kingsley Moghalu has said.

“If we lose stability of the exchange rate, then we’ve lost everything,” Moghalu told central bankers in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria, yesterday.

The news on stability of the exchange rate came hours after the economics director of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Emmanuel Nnadozie told the African central banks to be wary of raising interest rates as increased food and oil prices threaten to damp economic growth.

The central bank has sold dollars, cutting into foreign currency reserves, to keep the naira within a range of 3 per cent above or below 150 per dollar at its twice-weekly auctions. Its goal is to reduce the inflation rate, which reached 12.4 per cent in May, to below 10 per cent.

“We do expect a slight appreciation of the naira’s value before the end of the year after restrictions on foreign investors’ debt holdings were lifted,’’ Moghalu said.

The naira jumped to a more than six-month high of N150.125 against the dollar in interbank trading in Lagos after the change came into effect yesterday.

The bank also wants a “normalisation” of interest rates, Moghalu said. It raised the benchmark rate for a third time this year in May, pushing it to 8 per cent. .

Meanwhile, Nnadozie said inflation stemming from a global jump in food and fuel costs may curb consumption in Africa, where people spend a larger percentage of their income on essential items.

Speaking in an interview at the African Union

summit in Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, he said Central banks shouldn’t increase interest rates in cases where economic growth is below the country’s potential, such as Nigeria, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia.

“There is a real threat that this could really hamper the growth trends that you are seeing,” Nnadozie said. For some countries “it would be premature for them to start thinking about interest rate hikes.”

Central banks in countries such as Nigeria, the continent’s largest oil producer, and Kenya, which has East Africa’s biggest economy, have raised their key interest rate this year as they battle inflation.

Kenya’s inflation rate rose to the highest in more than two years in June, jumping to 14.5 percent from 13 percent, the Nairobi-based Kenya National Bureau of Statistics said on June 29. The central bank’s monetary policy committee is due to meet this month to decide on the benchmark interest rate, which it has raised twice this year to bring it to 6.25 per cent.

Nigeria’s central bank last month raised its benchmark rate for the third time this year, increasing it by half a percentage point to 8 per cent.

The lender is struggling to bring inflation into single digits from its April level of 11.3 percent.

“For Nigeria, the question is a little tricky,” Nnadozie said. “They’re saying they’ll grow 6 or 7 percent, but I think it has the capacity to grow even more so one has to be a little bit careful.”

Egypt, Libya and Tunisia should maintain low interest rates in order to spur economic growth, which has been weakened by the political unrest in the North African nations, Nnadozie said.

No curfew in Abuja, says FCTA few had been imposed in Abuja despite clarification by the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Haruna John.

“The Administration wishes to further clarify that curfew has not been imposed in any part of the Federal Capital Territory.’’

It reiterates that it is the responsibility of the government to impose curfew when the need arises, but it had at no time done that.

“The FCT Security Committee with membership cut across the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Security Serv-

ices as well as the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Navy, met with the operators of recreational facilities where it was agreed that adequate security measures will be put in place to guarantee the safety of lives and property.

4 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

NURTW crisis: Probe panel Alleged rape: Osun monarch slumps seeks memoranda from public as court orders his detention T

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LOWA of Ilowa-Ijesha in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Adebukola Alli, alleged of raping a female corps member serving in his domain, was yesterday ordered by the court to be remanded in prison custody.

The judge, Magistrate Adewumi Makanjuola, rather than vacate the house arrest on the accused as applied for by the defence counsel, said the accused should be kept in prison custody.

After the judgment and the magistrate retired into his chamber, a drama ensued as the accused slumped and was on the court floor for about 30 minutes.

The accused person’s relations started shouting for help and the defence counsel, Victor Opara, advised them to do something urgently, saying if “he should die I would not be held responsible.”

The prison’s officials could not carry the monarch in their bus with registration number PS 114 AI (Federal Republic of Nigeria) because of the way he was laid on the floor.

The Investigating Police Officer handling the case, therefore, escorted the accused, who was carried by his relations into his waiting green RAV 4 Toyota SUV with registration number plate FQ 760 LSR (LAGOS) out of the court premises.

Earlier, the accused accompanied by his wife and other relatives had come early enough before 9 am to court.

Two Fridays ago, the accused, who had failed to appear in

Adesoji ADENIYI, Osogbo

court for four consequitive sittings but came to tell the judge of his poor health, was placed on house arrest.

Coming to court yesterday, the counsel to the accused, Victor Opara, applied for vacation of the house arrest placed on Oba Alli.

Opara said since the accused was placed on house arrest, no government doctor came to attend to him as ordered by the court. He therefore urged the court to vacate the house arrest to allow the accused have access to his personal doc-

tor.

The counsel to the accused further urged the court to vacate the house arrest because it was made at the discretion of the court, not by the prosecutor’s application for it.

Responding, the prosecuting state counsel, Olufemi Oyedokun, told the judge to use his discretion to determine the vacation of the house arrest placed on the accused person.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Magistrate AdewumiMakanjuola, held that instead of vacating the house arrest, the accused should be in prison custody in order for him to be at-

tended to medically.

“To me, the accused is looking healthier than the last time he was in court even without being attended to by a medical doctor. His state of illness suggested that it is not as serious as he is now appearing.

For the accused not to have used the refarral from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife but to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, is he not trying to delay justice?” the judge querried.

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Bisi OLADELE, Ibadan

on Thursday.

The panel, which is headed by a retired high court judge, Justice Olagoke Ige, explained that the public sitting would afford members of the public the opportunity to express their views about the likely causes and solution to the protracted crisis leading to mayhem in the state.

The panel said that the memoranda should be in 16 copies, adding that they should be submitted in Room 20, Office of the Governor, Secretariat, Ibadan.

It stressed that all those who suffered any injury or damage to source of livelihood may appear in person to give oral evidence at the public sittings.

TMG faults Adoke’s call for ICPC, EFCC merger

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HE Chairman, Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Comrade Mashood Erubami, has faulted the position of the former Minister of Justice, Mr Mohammed Adoke (SAN), that the two anti-graft agencies should be merged because they can not effectively fight corruption.

He described the minister's verdict as an admission that he (Adoke) failed woefully as the head of the Justice Ministry in the last administration.

Adoke (SAN) had told senators during his screening for new ministerial appointment on Thursday that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and its

•Chairman, Oyo State Transition Committee, Dr. Busari Adebisi, handing over the committee’s final report to Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the Exco Chambers of the Governor’s office on Thursday

‘Alao-Akala spent N24b on shoddy road contracts’ HE out-gone administration of Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala expended over N24 billion on road contracts in 2010 alone, without regard for quality and maintenance.

This statement, among others, was contained in a report delivered at the Council Chambers of the Governor's Office on Thursday by Dr. Busari Adebisi, Chairman of the 30-man transition committee inaugurated by the Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, while he was a governor-elect, to facilitate easy handover of governance from the past administration.

According to the former Political Science teacher at the University of Ibadan, the resultant effect of “this disregard for quality and maintenance is that most of these roads are in various stages of disrepair."

Dr. Adebisi explained that in the course of his committee's activities, it discovered that the previous administration awarded contracts with impunity and engaged consultants without due process, citing the controversial award of LAUTECH Teaching Hospital project.

He added that appointments and promotions were made within the higher echelon of the civil service, without regard to vacancies or need, adding that there was no reliable data on the actual workforce in the state.

He also noted that there had been total collapse of the healthcare delivery system in the state under the former government, "in spite of the huge resources of the state committed to the sector in the last six months."

Dr. Adebisi remarked that in

HE Commission of Inquiry set up by the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, on the crisis rocking the state’s chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has appealed to members of the public to come up with memoranda that can help it get to the root of the crisis.

The panel said yesterday in a statement by its Secretary, Mr. Lere Omotoso, that stakeholders have up till Monday to submit their memoranda.

The statement added that the panel would start public sitting on the crisis at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan

•Ex-Governor: It’s meant for a narrow end pursuit of the mandate of the then governor-elect, his committee made efforts to request for information from the former government, but its efforts "were impeded by lack of cooperation," saying that the committee nevertheless resolved to formulate policies and make recommendations "to facilitate a seamless transition."

The former political science teacher said that the committee, however, had to rely on report of activities of various ministries, departments and agencies as at May, 2011, as well as information gathered at the interactive sessions with officials of the ministries, departments and agencies.

The committee also said that the out-gone government went on an "unrestrained appointment and promotion within the

higher echelon of the service without regard to vacancies and/ or need due to politicization of the public service."

Dr. Adebisi, in concluding his speech, said that the committee hoped that Governor Ajimobi would "galvanize the transformational agenda of the present government through a peep into the financial status of Oyo State" through the various suggestions contained in the committee's report and that it "will provide the necessary compass to navigate the dark crevices of governance."

While receiving the report, Governor Ajimobi thanked the committee which he called "professional and intellectual" for its job, stating that from the presentation of its chairman which he called "erudite", he was sure that the report would be of high quality.

The governor said that the uncooperative attitude of the out-gone government was now understandable to him, based on the rot he had seen since assuming the mantle of office, maintaining that the government would look into the government to see how it was run in the past.

He commended the quality of the committee, saying that already, two out of it had been appointed as Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff and wished that some more would be appointed into office by the government.

Reacting to the allegation of impunity levelled against Akala, however, spokesman of the former governor, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said it was intended to serve a narrow political end rather than any serious concern by the government.

Lagos Assembly confirms 21 commissioners, 16 AGOS State House of special advisers cluded former Commissioner Assembly yesterday in the Ministry of Tourism,

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confirmed the 37 nominees sent to it by Governor Babatunde Fashola for cabinet positions.

The confirmed list is made up of 21 commissioners and 16 special advisers.

The lawmakers confirmed all the nominees after screening the last batch of 12 yesterday. The screening started on Wednesday with 13 nominees, while 12 nominees were screened on Thursday.

At the end of the screening exercise yesterday, Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji asked members if they had any objection to the confirmation of any of the members and the answer

Oziegbe OKOEKI was no.

He said, “Is there any one of the nominees that did not meet the criteria of the House and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”

All the members said no. The Leader of the House, Hon. Ajibayo Adeyeye, then moved a motion for the confirmation of the nominees and it was seconded by Hon. Yinka Ogundimu (Agege 11). When the matter was put to vote, every member voted in favour of confirmation.

The 12 screened yesterday in-

Adesegun Oniru, former Senior Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Kayode Opeifa, former senior staff in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Fatai Olukoga, former House of Representatives member, Cornelius Ojelabi, former Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Seye Oladejo.

Others are Olayinka Oladunjoye, Enitan Oshodi, Senakpon Oworu, Lateef Oludare Raji, Abimbola Sodipo and Taofeek Tijani.

Apart from Oladejo, Tijanni and Sodipo who were asked a few questions, others were simply asked to take a bow and go.

Bisi OLADELE, Ibadan sister agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lack the capacity to do thorough investigations, adding, "they lack the capacity to collate evidence to sustain a charge and secure conviction in court." He advocated for the merger of the two agencies for improved performance.

The two agencies operate under the Ministry of Justice.

But Erubami, in a statement in Ibadan yesterday, identified outdated laws and lack of political will as well as uncooperative attitude of some judges as factors responsible for the gap in the expectation of Nigerians and the actual performance of the agencies.

Baptist church ordains deacons

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IRST Baptist Church (FBC) Itire, Lagos has ordained the third set of deacons and deaconesses.

The event, which took place on Sunday, June 26, 2011 was witnessed by personalities from all walks of life and presided over by Rev. Paul T.E. Adebayo, the Pastor of City of Glory Baptist Church, Itire, Lagos and Moderator of Itesiwaju Baptist Association.

Delivering sermon on the occasion, the Vice Chairman of Lagos East Baptist Conference and Pastor of Okota Baptist Church, Okota, Lagos, Rev. Israel Jesuniyi, enjoined the new deacons and deaconesses to be people of valour who should be concerned about the needs of the pastor and members of FBC Itire.

He further said: ‘’As deacons and deaconesses, you are expected to be disciplined. You must be a role model. You should be ready to fast and pray for the pastor and members of your church. You should establish intimacy with God. You should cultivate the habit of praying fer-

vently. You must declare the lordship of God in all things you do.

You must always pray for the forgiveness of your sins and those of the other members of the church. You must be honest. You must be well versed in the scriptures and lastly, you must be a man/woman of faith.’’

The new deacons and deaconesses were later anointed by the officiating clergymen, presented with the Holy Bible by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the church, Pa E.A. Alamu, and certificates of deaconship by the church pastor, Rev. Adenrele Philip Oyeyemi.

The first and second sets of deacons/deaconesses of the church are the late Deacon Layo Adegbite, Deacon E.O. Ojeniyi (now an evangelist), Deacon T.A. Akintola, Deacon Adelabu (now a pastor), Deaconess Ayandeji, Deacon H.P.A. Omoleke, Deacon A.A. Ayoola, Deaconess R.O. Akintola and Deacon Monday Ohionren-oya.

The new deacons and deaconesses are Deacon D.O. Bamidele, Deacon S.O. Ogunsami, Deaconess M.O. Bamidele and Deaconess M.R. Oyewale.

Nigerian youths get scholarships in US

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OME select young Nigerians have been offered scholarships by the City of Oakland, California, USA. A Nigeria-based organization, The African Children Talent Discovery Foundation (ACTDF), is working with the City of Oakland to provide education for these brilliant young Nigerians.

According to a statement from the organization, the body was established 10 years ago by Engineer Noah Nuhu Dagajji to assist the disadvantaged young Nigerians.

The statement said no fewer than 300 young Nigerians will benefit from the programme. “Efforts have reached an advanced stage to have the honourable mayor of Oakland, Mayor Jean Quan, stopping over in Bauchi in particular and Nigeria in general to personally present 300 Nigerians with their scholarship,” the statement said.

The statement said half of the beneficiaries would come from Bauchi and the other half would come from other states in Nigeria.”A test will be conducted with the best standards of integrity and only the best brains from underprivileged homes will be chosen for the scholarships,” the statement said.

NEWS 5

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

Whereabouts of kidnapped REC’s daughter, Akwa Ibom beer dealer still unknown

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WELVE days after gunmen suspected to be kidnappers abducted the daughter of the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Utibeabasi Ikoiwak, her whereabouts are still unknown.

Also, the whereabouts of the Chairman of Tobros Nigeria Limited, Anthony Awurigwe, remain unknown five days after he was abducted.

Awurigwe is a beer dealer and a major distributor with Guinness Nigeria and Nigerian Breweries.

The gunmen stormed Awurigwe’s store around 9am on Monday in a Volkswagen Jetta car and abducted the businessman.

Utibeabasi is 11 and a Junior Secondary School 1 student at Imperial Seconday School , Eket.

Her father, Aniedi Ikoiwak, is the REC of Rivers State.

According to an eyewitness, the gunmen invaded Abundant Life Ministry, Eket, Akwa Ibom

Kazeem IBRAHYM, Uyo State on Sunday June 19, 2011 and whisked away the 11-yearold child when the attempt to kidnap the REC failed.

A member of Ikoiwak’s family, who preferred anonymity, said the REC was in Akwa Ibom to check the wellbeing of his family when the incident happened.

Shortly after Utebiabasi’s abduction, the gunmen established contact with the family members and demanded N100m ransom.

According to an eyewitness, two of the gunmen went into the store with two AK 47 rifles where they met Awurigwe, who was in front of his store reading newspaper.

The gunmen were said to have pointed the rifles at Awurigwe and directed him into a waiting car, where a driver was waiting. The kidnappers forced the businessman into the boot

of the vehicle, shot into the air to scare passers-by before speeding to an unknown location.

Ikoiwak had raised the alarm, saying there was no way he could raise such an amount being a civil servant.

The REC had also appealed to the security agencies to double their efforts in ensuring the release of his daughter, even though the State Police Command said they had intensified efforts in getting Utebiabasi from the kidnappers’ den.

Speaking with The Nation, he said that kidnappers were still holding his daughter, a minor for that matter.

His words: “If I have the money, what will keep me from giving them? I appeal to Nigerians to join me in begging these people to release my 11year-old daughter. She is just a minor. Certain people just think that everybody in Nigeria is bad.

“The kidnappers are still in-

sisting that if the N100m ransom is not paid, they will continue to hold Utibeabasi.

“For some days now, they have not been contacting the family, we don’t even know what is going on. It is still the same stories. I just hope that my daughter is safe. I am begging the kidnappers in Jesus’ name to release my daughter.”

At Awurigwe’s store, business activities were low at the time The Nation correspondent visited his store along Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo, the state capital.

Most of the salesmen wore hard face, thinking of what would become the fate of their benefactor, who had stayed in the kidnappers’ hideout for four days.

The victim’s eldest son, Emeka, said the abductors were yet to contact the family members.

The visibly worried son appealed to the kidnappers to release his father.

CJ’s appointment: Aide defends Orji Ugochukwu EKE, Umuahia

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•Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole laying the foundation stone of a new Model College in Benin City, yesterday.

HE new media adviser to Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State, Bar. James Kwubiri Okpara, has debunked the claim by some organisations, including the Nigeria Bar Associations (NBA) in the state, that the governor has been committed an illegality by not swearing in a substantive Chief Judge for the state.

Speaking with journalists in Umuahia, the Lagos-based media adviser said the governor had not committed any crime as the state House of Assembly had not confirmed any of the judges presented to them for confirmation by both the NJC and SJC. Okpara said the NBA had based their argument only on seniority.

He said the state could only nominate any judge for approval of the NJC and the governor would write the House of Assembly for either confirmation or rejection”.

Police compensate families of slain officers in Edo Osagie Otabor, Benin

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AMILIES of two policemen killed by armed robbers on February 9 have been compensated with a sum of N250,000 each by the Edo State Police Command.

The late policemen, Idris Opaleke and Richard Idehen, were killed along Mission Road in Benin.

The bullion van they were escorting was hooked up in a traffic gridlock when the late officers decided to clear the road.

But unknown to them, armed robbers were operating on the road.

The robbers were said to have opened fire on the policemen who died immediately.

Presenting the money to family members of the deceased officers, state Commissioner of Police, Mr. David Omojola, said the little donations were a way of identifying with the bereaved families.

Omojola consoled the families of the deceased and urged them to put the money into good use, adding that it was contributed by policemen in the command.

Meanwhile, the command has held a two-day seminar to review its crime-fighting strategies and improve on them in its bid to reduce criminality in the state.

Briefing journalists, the state Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mohammad Hurdi, said the seminar afforded the officers in the command to brainstorm on crime-fighting strategies.

DCP Hurdi said far-reaching strategies were adopted by the participants, adding that the resolutions would be forwarded to the Inspector General of Police for approval before the command could start implementing them.

Chime swears in 25 commissioners •12 special advisers too

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OVERNOR Sullivan Chime of Enugu State yesterday swore in 25 commissioners and 12 special advisers to serve in his new administration, declaring that he would not have wished for a better team of highly qualified individuals to work with.

He, however, left the new government officials with a stern warning to avoid corruption and laxity or face an early exit from the cabinet.

Addressing the officials shortly after they were sworn in, the governor said though much had been accomplished in his first term, a lot more needed to be done in the new dispensation and that the nature of the task ahead required diligence and dedication that could be mustered to accomplish it.

Describing his first term as a period of learning, Chime further said the business of government would be attended to with more seriousness than in his first term and

Chris OJI, Enugu warned that any of the new officials who was found wanting in his duty would be shown the way out.

He said: “I want to assure you that in this term, we will be more serious than we were in the first term. We took time to look at your credentials and I can say that no person can wish for a better team to work with. So it is obvious we mean business this time around. This is no time for politics. I declare zero tolerance for corruption and lackadaisical attitude to work. Everybody must sit up and if we find that you are not up and doing, you may leave us”.

Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the new Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Anthony Ani, thanked the governor for giving them the opportunity to serve the state and assured him that they would meet his expectations.

Okorocha disburses N2.7bn for free education in Imo Emma MGBEAHURIKE, Oweri.

DPR arrests 36 kerosene marketers in Bayelsa

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EASONS behind the continued scarcity of kerosene in Bayelsa State which led to its high cost has been discovered.

This followed the discovery and arrest of not less than 36 independent oil marketers diverting the product.

The Bayelsa State Operations Director of the Department of Petroleum Resources

Isaac OMBE-Yenagoa (DPR), Mr. Eradiri Duncan, who disclosed this in Yenagoa, further said some of the marketers were allegedly caught diverting the product meant for the state.

“Since this scarcity began, our officials have apprehended about 36 independent oil marketers diverting

the product,” Mr. Duncan said.

On the punishment for those caught diverting the product, he said, “They will not be allowed to further lift petroleum products. Other punishments will also be meted out to them.”

Commenting on the hardship faced by buyers of the product in the state, Duncan

said “My duty is to ensure that petroleum products loaded at Port Harcourt and meant for Bayelsa are properly monitored from the point of loading to this state.

“The selling of the products by the NNPC mega station in Yenagoa and other filling stations is not my concern.”

Robbers kill policeman in Ebonyi

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police constable attached to the Widow Care Centre in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital was on Wednesday night shot dead by suspected armed robbers who invaded the centre owned by the wife of the former governor of the state, Mrs. Eunice Egwu.

The robbers gained entry into the premises by breaking the block wall behind the building.

According to a report, the robbers, on sighting two policemen on duty, shot and killed one of them and took to their heels.

Ogbonnaya OBINNA Abakaliki Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Ebonyi State Police command, Mr. John Eluu, expressed sadness over the incident and reaffirmed the commitment of the Police to ensure the protection of life and property of people in the state.

Eluu said: “The command is greatly sad over the loss of one of our men, a young police constable killed by armed robbers who wanted

to rob the Widow Care Centre. Information we got has it that the armed robbers were able to gain entry into the building by breaking a wall behind the building.

“The policemen on duty were not aware of this. Later, one of them was killed. Before the other corporal could face them fire for fire, the robbers took to their heels.

We are terribly sad over the incident. Recently, two of our men were shot dead by some armed robbers”.

Mr. Eluu said the police had mapped out strategies to check activities of criminals

in the state and to track down the culprits.

He urged members of the public to give useful information to enhance operations of the police.

“We are ready to apprehend the culprits soon. We will get those involved in the dastardly act, and they would be would be prosecuted,” he said.

Two policemen were killed last month in Abakaliki by suspected armed robbers in a gun battle during the robbery of a new generation bank.

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HE Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has started the actualisation of his free education project in the state.

To this effect, he has made available the sum of N2.7 billion for the renovation of primary and secondary schools in the 27 local government areas of the state.

In his address to reporters in Owerri yesterday as part of the activites marking the maiden Executive Council meeting of the administration, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Soronnadi Njoku, said out of the amount, a total sum of N100 million was allocated to each of the 27 local government areas as take-off grants of the state Rescue Mission on Health, Security and Education.

He said the state government would improve on the hospitals and bring them to a higher standard in the three zones of the state.

The Executive Council spokesman noted that commissioners, permanent secretaries and House of Assembly members in every local government area would oversee the refurbishment of the schools.

He disclosed that each of the benefiting schools would constitute a minimum of 300 pupils or students in primary or secondary schools in the rural areas and 500 pupils or students in the urban centres.

According to the Attorney General, “Council has carefully looked into Governor Owelle Okorocha’s first broadcast to the people of the state recently and has ratified all the statements as policies of government.”

Njoku said the Exco had adopted the governor’s positions on the suspension of 10,000 jobs, the established of a new Department of Justice and Fairness, dissolution of IRROMA, establishment of Health at Your Door-Steps outreach, the changing of the state university’s name to its original name, dissolution of Imo councils and the slashing of the security votes of certain political office holders to N2.5 billion.

He also said the Exco had approved the establishment of Imo Rescue Security, an outfit comprising the Police, Army and Nigeria Security Services and Civil Defense Corps.

6 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

13 fuel smugglers burnt to death in Adamawa Barnabas MANYAM, Yola

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HIRTEEN people have been burnt to death in illegal petroleum deals in Adamawa State. The victims lost their lives when the vehicle they were travelling in had a burst tyre and the vehicle, a trailer loaded with drums of petrol, somersaulted near a community in Girei Local Government Area.

Investigation at the scene of the accident revealed that the vehicle was travelling to the neighboring Republic of Cameroun with petrol smuggled in many drums when its front tyre burst and caught fire, killing 13 of the occupants while two others escaped to the bush.

Petrol stations in Girei Local Government Area are in the habit of increasing the pump price of fuel arbitrarily and smuggling the product to the neighbouring Cameroun Republic.

When our correspondent visited the area, smoke was bellowing from the site of the accident while many drums of petrol were seen burning.

Lagos Deputy Governor tasks pilgrims

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AGOS State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, has charged intending Christian pilgrims on the need to be mindful of the essence of the exercise and be good ambassadors of the state.

Orelope-Adefulire gave the charge yesterday while delivering her keynote address at the sensitization programme organised by the State Christian Pilgrims’ Welfare Board for Year 2011 pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

The event, which held at the Blue Roof of the Lagos State Television Agidingbi, had in attendance, the Lagos State Chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), Chief Henry Ajomale, religious leaders including the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev. Monsignor Bernard Okodua, Rev Wilson Badejo and Rev. Edward Alabi amongst others.

The deputy governor said going on pilgrimage is geared to-

Miriam NDIKANWU wards attracting the blessings of God, urging them to go with a prayerful attitude and comport themselves in a manner that will portray the state positively.

“I think there have been incidents of supernatural healing and deliverance for some people on past visits. So you never can tell if going there could mark the commencement of a new beginning in your life and also open other phase in your existence.” she thank them for continuing to be a shining light to other pilgrims from other state of the country, stressing that this gesture earned the state the award of the best supporting state in 2010.

“Lagos State government really appreciates you and we will continue to rely on your prayers and spiritual counsel.

Our government is a product of your many prayers and support both on the pulpit and outside the churches.

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ESIDENTS of Soro town in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State are still in shock over the death of four members of a family that were struck by thunder last Tuesday evening.

Mallam Saidu, whose two wives and two children were killed by the thunder, was at his grinding machine workshop on the fateful day in the town when he was told of the sad news that it was not well with his family in his house “I heard the news,” he began his narration to The Nation, but stopped midway as tears began trickling down his cheeks, ‘’and I ran to my house. When I got there, I saw the corpses of my two wives and their two children. I did not believe it and before I could say anything I fainted and did not wake up till they were buried.”

The wives, Zulaiha and Harziya and their children, four- month-old Abubakar and two-year-old Umar were with their mothers when the

Thunder victims buried in Bauchi

Austine TSENZUGHUL, Bauchi

thunder struck.

A neighbour and eyewitness, Mallama Bilkisu Yusuf,` said that the women and their children were in their compound but outside their rooms sieving millet they had ground when it began to rain.

Bilkisu, who found it hard to believe that her close friends were gone forever, wept uncontrollably as she relayed what happened.

A few minutes before their death, she was with them, but later left the two women who continued with their domestic work preparing for the evening meal, sieving millet powder under the two palm trees in the compound.

Shortly after she left the two women, she heard three loud ear piercing thunder sounds with flashes of lightning followed by wailings, and by the

time she returned to the house to know what happened, she saw the women and their children lying still on the ground.

Mama Fatima, an elderly woman who lives not far from the house, said the women were all chatting, preparing the evening meal when the thunder struck.

She recalled that after the thunder struck, she looked around and saw the women and their children on the ground, ’’then I slumped.’’

“When I rushed to them I saw that they were not moving. Zukaiya’ s eyes were wide open and not blinking. So we shouted for help and people rushed into the ccampound and carried the two women to the hospital,” the elderly woman recalled.

It was at the hospital in Soro town that the two women and

their two children were confirmed dead, The Nation learnt.

Saidu, a father of 11 children, though with a heavy heart, said as a Muslim, he gives thanks to Almighty Allah SWT who gave him everything and life including his departed wives and the children.

Soro Area Development Officer, Mohammed Sabo, said that a letter had been sent to the local government to inform the chairman of what happened.

Mohammed in sympathy with Saidu said this is the first time in Soro that such a thing has happened. He appealed to individuals, the state and local governments to assist the bereaved.

Sympathisers were still thronging into Mallam Saidu’s house to condole with him and pray for the souls of the deceased when our reporter visited.

Tiv-Fulani crisis: 4,470 displaced Tiv farmers in camp, says Suswam Uja EMMANUEL, Makurdi

•Suswam

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ENUE State Governor Gabriel yesterday said 4,470 Tiv displaced farmers are currently in various camps set up by the Benue

State Government following the bloody communal strife with Fulani herdsmen in Nassarwa State.

Out of this number, the Governor said 3,409 are children, 533 men, while 829 are women. He appealed to well meaning individuals and corporate organizations to come to the help of the internally displaced Tiv farmers. He donated items that would alleviate their hardship.

Speaking at LGEA Primary School at Daudu in Guma Lo-

cal Government where some of the displaced Tiv farmers were camped, Governor Suswam advised them to remain patient as he and his Nassarawa counterpart, Gov. Tanko Almakura, were working day and night to ensure that they returned to their ancestral home in Nassarawa State to continue their farming activities.

He warned the victims of TivFulani clash to fish out criminal elements among them to forestall any further clash with the Fulani herdsmen.

According to Governor Suswam, soldiers and other security personnel have been de-

ployed to the crisis zone in readiness for the return home, and stressed that very soon the Nassarawa State Governor, Tanko Almakura, would come and take them back home, appealing to them to be patient.

He directed those who are in Benue to immediately move back to their villages, while those from Nassarawa State are to wait a little as consultations are going on with his counterpart in Nasarawa State.

Governor Suswam donated grains, assorted clothes and drugs to the sick ones.

ICPC not under AGF, Commission tells President HE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has said that it is not under either the control of any ministry or the Attorney-General of the Federation.

It also explained that the AGF does not have a say on who should be its chairman or members.

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Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation The commission, which made the clarification in a note to President Goodluck Jonathan on the controversy attracted by the delay in the appointment of its new chairman, said only the President is empowered to appoint

PUBLIC NOTICE LOSS OF DOCUMENT I, PASTOR MAITASULA K. NDOMA HEREBY NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND (AGIS) THAT I LOST MY R OF O RF/ F/KWAC/RLAC ALLOCATED TO ME AT KILANKWA LAYOUT. IF FOUND PLEASE CONTACT (AGIS) or Kwali Area Council.

Signed: PASTOR MAITASULA K. NDOMA PUBLIC NOTICE CALABAR URBAN TAXI DRIVERS WELFARE ASSOCIATION This is to inform the general public that the a bove named association has applied to corpo rate Affairs commission Abuja for registration under part c of company and allied matters act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.

Mr. Bassey Essien –Trustee 2.

Mr. Ekpenyong Okon – Trustee 3.

Mr. Godwin Chukwuemaka –Trustee 4.

Mr. Ekpenyong Antigha –Trustee 5.

Mr. Aniekan Etim –Trustee 6.

Mr .Anthong Umanah –Trustee 7.

Mr. Uduak Etim –Trustee 8.

Mr. Okoko Ekpenyong –Trustee 9.

Mr. Ukeme David –Trustee 10.

Mr . Uwem Jonah –Trustee AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To foster u nitny among mem bers of the organization and growth 2 . To create an enabling environment for members to grow and have a sense of belonging 3. To unite all members for the purpose of goals attainment.

Any objection thereto s hould be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420 Tigris crescent Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication SIGN: GODWIN CHUKWUEMEKA 10, ADAK UKO, STREET CALABAR

its chairman and members.

The clarification note, exclusively obtained by our correspondent, reads in part: “The Act guarantees the independence of the Commission as emphasised in Section 3 subsection 14 which states: ‘’The Commission shall in the discharge of its functions under this Act, not be subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.

“Furthermore, the commission is not a parastatal of any ministry or agency. Therefore, it is dangerous for the AttorneyGeneral to interfere with the business of the commission with respect to the appointment of its chairman or members.

“The appointment of Chairman and members of the ICPC (hereinafter referred to as the commission) is guided by the provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 “Section 3(6) of the Act provides as follows: ‘’The chairman and members of the commission, who shall be persons of proven integrity, shall be appointed by the President, upon confirmation by the Senate.

“Thus, the President is the only authority with the powers to appoint the Chairman and members of the commission.

“The Attorney-General of the Federation is not empowered to appoint the chairman and members of the commission.

Rather, the practice has been that the President, upon appointing the chairman and members, conveys such directive through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. This has been the tradition since the inception of the commission, and this process protects the independence of the commission.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

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O you journalists, you have gathered here today in this fund-raising dinner to build a beffitting secretariat for yourselves; to us, democrats and all true believers in democracy, we have come to pay a debt of appreciation to you. We will never forget the courageous fight of the press for democracy to flourish in our country. With your blood many of you watered the tree of our liberty and forced the dawn of democracy. At strategic times, some newspapers and radio stations went underground and I can say without mincing words that your performance at that time was the finest moment not only for journalism but for our country. And so we come today to say thank you and to appreciate you for shining the light in the darkness and leading us to this dawn of freedom.

I commend the present leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists for embarking on this lofty project of building this National Secretariat and International Journalism Training Institute. And I feel deeply honoured by them to have been asked to speak on a topic as sensitive as the ‘Media, Democracy and the Rule of Law.’ I am conscious of the fact that what we will say here and what we will do here will be nothing compared to what crusading journalism did for us in fighting and securing our independence and in warring and securing democracy for us.

Media, democracy and the rule of law gible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.” The underlying logic in all these is that democracy is a system of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and this power is exercised directly by them through elected agents and representatives in a free electoral system.

In order for a democracy to be worth the name, it must have the key elements of a guarantee of human rights to all citizens; separation of powers between the three arms of government; the rule of law; freedom of opinion and the press; freedom of worship; general and equal right to vote in free and fair elections; and good governance.

Rule of Law:

Introduction: There is a quotation attributed to the third President of America, Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826), which has been in robust usage in the press. The said quotation claims that Jefferson, who wrote the American Declaration of Independence, said: “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.”

However, this quotation is usually taken out of its proper context and, therefore, fails to capture what was in Jefferson’s mind when he made the statement. What Jefferson actually said was: “The basis of our government being the opinion of the people, the very first object should be to keep that right; and were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter. But I should mean that every man should receive those papers and be capable of reading them.”

What he meant was that the opinions of the people should be the basis of the government, and such opinions should fundamentally shape public policy decisions, and the right (of the people to so express themselves) should be kept as a democratic priority. Also note that in stating that he would prefer newspapers without a government, he added the caveat that in such a scenerio “every man should receive those papers and be capable of reading them.”

Jefferson was influenced by the trend of events which led to the American Revolution and the dominant role played by newspapers in hardening the American resolve not to reconcile with Britain, its then colonial master.

The British Government had introduced the Stamp Act of 1765 (otherwise known as the Duties in American Colonies Act 1765). The Act required that printed materials in all British colonies be produced on stamped paper produced in London and carrying an embossed revenue stamp. If the British Government listened to the opinion of the people as expressed in the press and knew the resolve of the people, it would not have gone to war against the 13 colonies which made up America in order to enforce this Act. The colonies won the war, thanks to the crusading journalism of the then American papers, and the United States of America was formed.

We could draw a parrallel here in the performance of the Nigerian press. The Press led the charge for Nigeria’s independence in a patriotic display of crusading journalism. The likes of Herbert Macaulay, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, and others were journalists and publishers who were relentless in the pursuit of our national independence and sovereignty. The democracy we now enjoy was also midwifed by the press and it behoves the press to protect it through responsible and developmental practice.

I believe that this introduction has shown the nexus between the press and democracy as twin concepts which are mutually supportive and there can be no democracy without a vibrant press. Democracy is a system dedicated to openness and accountability and the press has the duty of serving as the watchdog of the system and holding the government to constitutionally-stipulated standards of accountability.

Responsibilities of the Media in a Democracy: The Media is a means of public communication and dissemination of information to heterogenous audiences widely dispersed in time and space. In this wise, it encompasses the newspapers, magazines, radio, books, satelite and terrestrial television and radio

7

FOR THE RECORDS

Godswill AKPABIO and lately the internet. The main functions of the media are to educate, inform and entertain and it is a powerful tool for social mobilization, integration and devopment. The Media wields tremendous power and that is why the media in the Third World was advised by a commission set up by the United Nations to focus on developmental journalism as a tool in deepening democracy.

However, power, whether political or journalistic, corrupts. The power of the media can be used positively or it can be used negatively.

When used positively, the media contributes to the political values of openness and democratic accountability which lead to political transparency. When used negatively, politicians and political operatives, use the media as instruments of blackmail and propaganda to trumpet clannish and selfish interests and distort the truth.

According to J. M. Balkin of Yale University, a key responsibility of the media is to facilitate political transparency. He maintains that there are three kinds of political transparency and these are: informational transparency, participatory transparency and accountability. Informational transparency is the provision of knowledge about the government and its officials and decisions and interpretations and analyses of such policies and actions. Participatory transparency is to foster the ability to participate in political decisions by the masses either through their representatives or directly. Accountability is the process of holding government officials accountable (either through the legal system or public opinion) for their actions.

Of course, in facilitating political transparency, the press is performing its role as a watchdog. Democracy requires the active invovlment of citizens and the press should keep the citizens inolved in the art of governance by informing, educating and mobilizing them towards patriotic and democratic ideals. The Press should set the agenda for public discourse and act as a catalyst for development.

It is a generally accepted fact that democracy is impossible without a free press. The enlightment theorists in the age of enlightenment in England in the 17th century argued that publicity and openness provided the best protection against tyranny. French political philosopher, Montesquieu, maintained that publicity was the cure for the abuse of power.

As a true democrat, one wholeheartedly subscribes to these time-tested positions and hail without reservation the role of the press as a watchdog and the usage of its power to further the cause of democracy.

However, one must express some worry when persons who are not journalists set up newspapers and magazines to serve their interests. All over the country, where two or three are gathered a newpaper will be born and manned by poorly trained or perhaps untrained journalists. And I want to use this opportunity to urge the national leadership of the NUJ not to allow these quacks to soil the hallowed name of the profession in our country.

Democracy: One of the most popular definitions of democracy is that attributed to Abraham Lincoln, “a government of the people, by the people for the people.” Another definition of interest to us and with identical logic is that it is “a system of government by the whole population or all the eli-

The rule of law can be defined as a legal maxim which holds that no one is above the law, no one should be punished except he breaks the law and all convictions should follow a pattern set forth by the law itself. It is a concept first espoused by the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, when he said that “It is more proper that law should govern than any one of the citizens: upon the same principle, if it is advantageous to place the supreme power in some particular persons, they should be appointed to be only guardians, and the servants of the laws.” In the same vein Plato, another renowned Greek philosopher warned: “Where the law is subject to some other authority and has none of its own, the collapse of the state, in my view, is not far off; but if law is the master of the government and the government is its slave, then the situation is full of promise and men enjoy all the blessings that the gods shower on a state.”

We have witnessed various instances of the application of the rule of law in our times. In the United States, President Reagan, while in office, testified in the Iran-Contra Affairs upon being summoned. President Bill Clinton also was subpoenaed in the Monica-gate scandal and he testified as a serving president. In Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as a serving president was summoned and he appeared before the Justice Oputa Commission of Inquiry. And in South Africa President Nelson Mandela as president appeared before the Truth and Reconcilation Commission. There are many more instances but the point one believes has been made here is that no one is above the law. This is the rule of law.

Case study: Perhaps we should use our experience in Akwa Ibom to try to illustrate the finer details of what happens when the these three apply. We have enjoyed the cooperation of the mainstream, objective and uncompromised press and for this we thank you.

At the inception of our administration, we acknowledged that the greatest challenges facing us were ignorance and poverty - not tribalism. Demagogues exploit the poverty and ignorance of our people by playing ethnic and tribal cards for their selfish advantages. So we were determined to counter this trend by empowering our people, providing them with education, establishing a solid infrastructural base for our state, and turning our state into a destination in our country and the Gulf of Guinea. And today there is a larger awareness of unity and brotherhood which transcends tribe, religion and geography – thanks to the press.

The basic example of our commitment to democracy is the structure of our administration. No ethnic group can claim dominance in the composition of our administration; neither has anybody ever been appointed or sacked solely on the grounds of ethnicity. This government has a true Akwa Ibom character.

In terms of infrastructural development, we sought to put our state on the same developmental plane as the first generation states in our country. We know that he who starts a race late would have to run faster in order to catch up and this we did. Our capital city is now a preferred conference destination in Nigeria.

The transformation of our state in terms of road construction has been one of our most hailed accomplishments. So far we have tarred 205 roads covering over 700 km throughout the state and built several bridges and constructed three concentric flyovers in the state.

We see healthcare not only as a goal of development, but as the right of individuals and the means to achieve the related goals of higher labour productivity. Our health investment in Akwa Ibom State is focused on ten major policy areas. These are: 1. Health infrastructural development 2. Health manpower development and training 3. Provision of drugs and equipment 4. HIV/AIDS prevention and control 5. Roll Back Malaria

6. Aggressive Immunisation Campaigns for Infants and Mothers.

7. Integrated Maternal, New Born and Child Health 8. Free medical treatment for pregnant women, children five years and under and the elderly 9. Improved Staff Welfare Scheme 10. Effective Service delivery.

In terms of healthcare infrastructural development we inherited health structures which were in a general state of decay, prompting many of our citizens to shun hospitals. Not only did we improve our healthcare structures, we built five new cottage hospitals in the state. In addition we are also building another tertiary health institution called the “20th Anniversary Specialist Hospital.”

In a bid to fight mortality among infants and mothers, we established the free medical treatment for these groups. Aided by this, we have been able to reduce the infant mortality rate and the maternal mortality rate by 75 percent and well below the national average.

We also have free medical treatment for our senior citizens.

In the area of education, we have taken some critical actions to ensure that we catch up with the leading states in Nigeria. It is in this wise, that we are implementing the policy of free and compulsory education from primary to secondary school. On the occasion of the first anniversary of this policy, I told our people that we were not celebrating the victory of politics or the triumph of administrative policy, but we were celebrating the success of common sense and a monumental shift from being perceived nationally as a people fit for house boys and house girls.

Our investment in education encompasses a massive rehabilitation of all primary and secondary schools in our state. We have so far spent over forty billion Naira on revamping the educational sector. We have built over 500 new classroom blocks and renovated over 1,300 classroom blocks. Our primary schools are beginning to look like secondary schools and our secondary schools are beginning to look like tertiary institutions. But this money represents both a source of joy and a basis for apprehension. Joy that so many people are in school, and apprehension because if the proper educational and examination values and ethics are not maintained in these schools, then we are undertaking an investment which would not yield the desired social dividends.

Other projects we have undertaken include the Tropicana Entertainment Complex, a onestop hospitality spot with ultra modern facilities, the completion of Ibom International Airport and the Ibom Power Plant (projects initiated by the past administration), the Ibom Gas plant, the Uyo Drainage System with pipejacking technology and a lot more. Let me conclude this by inviting you to come, as the NUJ leadership did, to our state and see things for yourself.

Conclusion Gentlemen of the press, you know we can not conclude this discussion without a reference to the Freedom of Information Act. On Monday, May 30, 2011, a day after his inauguration, President Goodluck Jonathan signed the Freedom of Information bill into law. This represents a major breakthrough for the growth of the media and democracy in Nigeria. With this law, you are guaranteed access to information that was hitherto shrouded in secrecy. This feat could not have been achieved without democracy.

I extend my heartiest falicitations to the NUJ and all Nigerians on the passage of the Freedom of Information Act. But it must be stated that to whom much is given much is expected.

And even as this has given journalists the opportunity to enforce transparency in governance, the NUJ should ensure that this right is not abused but used to strengthen democracy and the rule of law.

Let me state that today’s journalism is tomorrow’s history and we should all strive to be on the right side of journalism today so that we will be on the right side of history tomorrow. This advice is for journalists and politicians alike. Let us build a nation which we envisaged when we fought for democracy and let us do all we can to protect what we fought for.

I completely identify with this project and urge all of us to pay our debt of gratitude to the NUJ by donating generously to this noble cause.

Thank you and God bless.

•Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State delivered this paper at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) fund-raising dinner on Thursday, June 30, 2011 at Sheraton Hotels & Towers, Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja.

8 COMMENTARY

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

Two sickening debates on our football

I

AM not a football player. Therefore, the question of being a good footballer does not arise. The most I have achieved in the spot in my entire life was a goal I once scored from the penalty spot without a goalkeeper between the posts. But in terms of spectatorship, Iam certain that not even Dr. Rauf Ladipo, the enduring President of the Nigerian Football Supporters’ Club, can boast of more skill or commitment than mine.

In the good old days when the Nigerian Premier League was the envy of the minders of the now ubiquitous English Premier League, I went to the stadium with my own chair on many occasions, just in case I did not get a space in the stand.

Since I don’t have a knowledge of football as deep as the potholes ex-governor Gbenga Daniel left behind as monuments to his eight-year rule in Ogun State, I had thought that I should allow the debates concerning the greater player between two retired Nigerian footballers, Austin Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, as well as the face-off between Osaze Odemwingie and his coach in the national team, Samson Siasia, to pass without a comment. I had particularly taken that decision because wrangling is not one of my vices.

Yet football has proved over the years to be the only activity that offers a silhouette of hope that Nigeria has the potential to be a great nation on account of the talents that abound in it. It is the greatest unifying force for the conglomeration of seemingly incompatible principalities called Nigeria. It is on the strength of this that I feel an obligation to

lend my voice to the otherwise needless debate.

Kanu, the lanky forward popularly called Papilo, wormed himself into the consciousness of football lovers across the world as a member of the Nigerian Under-16 national team in Japan in 1993, where he shone like a million stars. Thereafter, he became a cherished asset at one of the world’s most respected football clubs, Ajax Amsterdam in Holland. He later joined other big clubs like Internazionale, Arsenal, West Brom and Portsmouth.

He is reputed as one of Africa’s most decorated players, if not the most decorated. He has won laurels in virtually all the clubs he has played football, and at the international level, he was not only in the team that won the FIFA Under-16 World Cup in 1993, he captained the Olympic team that won gold in Atlanta, USA in 1996.

The attitude of the football prodigy off the pitch is as remarkable as his work rate on the pitch. That, perhaps, accounted for the massive turnout at the testimonial match organised in his honour at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos on June 11. It was in appreciation of the commitment with which he had pursued national assignments.

Not for him the practice of selecting the match to play for his fatherland like some other footballers do.

His humility is infectious. For the 16 years he played in the national team, you could touch his excitement in the nation’s colours in spite of his fame and exploits. Little wonder he emerged the African Footballer of the Year twice in 1996 and 1999. He extended his charitable disposition beyond the sphere of football and founded the Kanu Heart Foundation, with which he hopes to help millions of Nigerian children overcome their heart problems.

Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha is no doubt one of the finest flowers of football to have emerged not only from Nigeria but from the African continent. His deft touches and mesmerising

moves on the pitch cannot but hold a spectator spellbound. The story is told of how during the 1993/94 football season at his German club, Eintrancht Frankfurt, his goal was adjudged the best of the season after he displaced four opponents, including the goalkeeper, and dribbled them over and over again before he flashed the ball into the net.

If this massive talent is left with only one admirer, that will certainly be me. I followed his game religiously from the day he emerged on the Nigerian soccer scene like a bolt from the blue and dazzled everyone with his dribble skills.

He had made his international debut for Nigeria in May 1993 in a match between Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire decided in Abidjan.

There, he scored Nigeria’s only goal in the game Cote D’Ivoire won by two goals to one (2-1). In another world cup qualifier against Algeria in Lagos, Okocha scored a text book free kick to level up Algeria who were a goal up. Nigeria eventually won the game by four goals to one (4-1) and ecstatic football fans at the National Stadium, Surulere carried him shoulder high at the end of the match.

Anyone who was intelligent enough to distinguish between his left and right hands would realise what promise he held for football or what promise football held for him.

His career blossomed in no time and the world of football waited to be conquered by him. Judging by his skill, everyone thought his emergence as the African Footballer of the Year was a matter of time. Unfortunately, he never won the coveted crown.

Was it his fault that he never won the crown Kanu won twice? Maybe and maybe not. But there are people who believe that Okocha’s lackadaisical attitude to national assignments even as the captain of the national team could have unwittingly robbed himself the chance to become the African Footballer of the Year. He selected the matches he featured in during the qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup tournament in Germany, leaving many with the belief that the nation could have quali-

fied for the tournament if Okocha had not laid the bad precedent for players to boycott matches. The nation’s inability to qualify for the mundial robbed Okocha himself the chance to showcase his skill on the world stage like he did in France in 1998 and commanded world attention.

Though regarded as the most skilful player of his generation, he failed to win the African Footballer of the Year because the Super Eagles flopped and floundered under his watch as the national team captain. In the words of a Facebook user, ‘’Okocha would have won the award if he was a bit serious with the Super Eagles. How can we forget how Okocha dodged many crucial national assignments on the pretence that he cannot find his way to the Super Eagles hotel in London ahead of a crucial away game to Angola in Luanda?

His lackadaisical attitude contributed to Super Eagles non-qualification for Germany 2006 and the team is yet to recover from that set back .’’

While a footballer requires skill to be a good player, he must add attitude to be a great player. To that extent, and in spite of the prevarication of football experts on the matter, Kanu is a greater player than Okocha.

Unfortunately, Okocha’s precedent has rubbed off on some of our national team players, including Osaze Odemwingie, who has drawn the ire of Siasia for electing to boycott a friendly match between Nigeria and Kenya in Abuja in March, preferring to feature for his club in the UK. Surprisingly, Siasia’s decision to leave Osaze out of the team until he tenders an unreserved apology for an act that could constitute a bad influence on other players in the team is being condemned in some quarters.

Readmitting Osaze into the national team without an unequivocal, open and unreserved apology is a recipe for the kind of disaster the team witnessed under coach Shuabu Amodu. If that happens, I will personally carry a placard and match from Lagos to Abuja , shouting, “Down with Siasia!”

How about chop make I chop ministry? Knucklehead

I

IF you are not in the Federal Capital Territory and you do not have a direct link with the movers and shakers in the political circles around its Three Arms Zone, then you must be missing out big time. If feelers from the National Assembly are anything to go by, some senators may have begun reaping bountifully from their investments in political stocks. These lucky ones, according to reports, are being bombarded daily with loads of money to ensure that some ministerial nominees do not pass through the arduous screening they should, ordinarily, be subjected to. While many of us were busy struggling to eke out a living, sweating it out in the sun to make ends meet; some distinguished senators were being ‘harassed’ with millions of naira by some unknown agents to frustrate the ministerial ambitions of some persons on President Goodluck Jonathan’s list. How lucky can some people be?

Now, before this writer is accused of tarnishing the reputation of these lawmakers, let me state clearly that the allegation of money harassment did not come out of a beer parlour gist. In fact, the heat was so intense and tempting that a ranking Senator, Smart Adeyemi, had to cry out to Nigerians to help rescue the lawmakers from the overbearing attitude of the moneybags.

Adeyemi, at a special news conference where he specifically spoke on the matter, said: “We have been under intense pressure by lobbyists and hired political mercenaries to stop some nominees by asking them questions to embarrass them and stop them. They have given many of us sleepless nights with offers of millions of naira so as to discredit some nominees.”

You see what I mean? Asserting that all the re-nominated ministers had squeaky clean records and had “performed excellently well enough”, Adeyemi vowed that ‘radical’ lawmakers like him would ensure that the availability of money or the absence of it did not play any ignoble role in the screening exercise. And so, he told the selfish Nigerians including multinationals, their agents and those whose business interests are threatened by Jonathan’s transformation agenda “to steer clear of the lawmakers or they will be exposed.”

Well, I guess we need to commend the senator from Kogi West Senatorial District and former President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists for his patriotic stance. As we all know, it takes a heart of steel to reject monetary offers in a country where everything has been monetized. And so, I would not be surprised if Adeyemi gets mentioned in the next National Honours list. Even Ima Niboro, the presidential spokesman, couldn’t have put it better. But then, we need to ask him why he stopped short of exposing these persons that have been harassing our hardworking senators with trailer load of money and the specific ministerial nominees that they would love to stop by all means. It would be interesting, too, to know if some lobbyists have offered them money to ensure that some persons get accelerated screening and spared the hassles of answering tough questions.

This is Nigeria you know and hardly can you get free lunch anywhere these days. We really need to know why a serving senator should be at the forefront of clearing ministerial nominees of any allegation of wrongdoing even when they were yet to pass through the necessary ritual of legislative screening! It would be interesting if this whistleblower can come out with figures and reveal names of those who succumbed to the money pressure. But if it eventually turns out that none of the distinguished members touched the foul-smelling millions, then it could only mean one thing: Gone were those days when Mallam Nasir el-Rufai had to cry out that he was bluntly asked to smoothen his way through the screening session by rubbing the wheel to the cabinet with just a token sum of N45 million. Could that be the case? Or is it just a question of a preference for one pressure group over another? I really cannot tell.

Whatever the case, it is clear to this writer that governance has been over commercialized in this country. And no one needs a Smart Adeyemi to tell us that. His expose is but an inkling of the rot that governance has become. Because nothing is beyond the scope of monetization, governance has become such a mumbojumbo business where everything goes. Where others are talking about reducing the cost of governance, the bureaucrats in our system are busy fashioning how to increase its cost just to satisfy the bloated egos of some persons. Or how else can one explain reports that some dim-witted fellows in the topmost echelon of the civil service have hatched a perfect plan in which the cost will, inevitably, blow the roof top? That, by the way, is my reading of media report that more ministries may be carved out of the existing ones in order to put a stop to the endless bickering by cabinet members who feel their status as Minister of State is demeaning.

So because some fellows can’t stand the tag of junior ministers, we have to ingeniously create ministries for them to live their dreams as Lords of the Manor? How wonderful.

I just hope those who have chosen to embark on this macabre dance of creating jobs for the boys understand that we are in a democracy. If they do, then they should be prepared for a backlash of demands from the populace so that this craze to mortgage our collective wealth can go round. What sense does it make to upturn former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s reform that collapsed the ministries into 18 from its bloated 28? From where do they expect to get money to fund the proposed ministries to wit are the ministries of communication technology; rural development; social development and employment; investment and trade; tertiary education; basic education; health; primary health care; railway; science and technology; special duties and inter-governmental affairs?

You know what? I could not help bursting into a whimsical laughter after going through the memo which these eggheads planned to table before the President. Already, Nigerians are complaining about the humongous amount being spent on maintaining the legislature; they are moaning that the judiciary appears to

With

Yomi Odunuga E-mail:yomi.odunuga @thenationonlineng.net SMS only: 07028006913

have fallen by the wayside with allegations of corruption trailing the footprints of its leading lights; they are being suffocated by the stench of corruption dogging the executives. Yet, while managing to soak it all in and trudge on, some persons think the arrant nonsense should continue with the creation of some nebulous drainpipes in the guise of federal ministries! That is the wackiest joke of the season. Why not create a Ministry of secondary health care and tertiary health care to complete the jest?

However, can we really blame them? Not really. After all, this same Senate wasted no time in granting approval to the President to appoint 20 special advisers whose responsibility, in my little understanding of how things work in Aso Rock, equals that of any person occupying a cabinet position. Maybe that is the Presidency’s way of reducing the cost of governance, who knows?

I may not be a good student of Mathematics but I do know that the greatest undoing to Mr. President’s much-touted transformation agenda may as well be this inclination to spoiling the broth with too many cooks. When we had expected a cut in the present crowd of 14 special advisers, Mr. President just got the authority to add more. One of the senators, Odion Ugbesia from Edo Central, was quoted to have said “20 Special Advisers is too small for the president of a country.” Hmnn! We can only pray his agenda does get lost in the web of the intrigues that will, expectedly, follow a cabinet that is made up of diverse interests of 42 ministers and 20 special advisers contesting for relevance!

While at it, maybe the powers-that-be should give a strong consideration to the establishment of a new ministry—the Chop make I chop Ministry—that should have, as its mandate, taking care of the suffering masses who, I presume, are the direct victims of the truck loads of money being ferried around to, as it were, make things happen. Fair enough, not a single ministerial nominee had been asked any embarrassing question and the screening has so far been conducted to the point that some lucky few had simply taken a bow. There has been less talk about money, its contents and discontents as senator after senator takes us through the shambolic screening drama. Will someone please remind them that we are not immune to joining the party at the mainstream if only they will pass the cake down here? Let the party begin now!

9

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

I

N Uruguay in Latin America the President Luis Mujica has finally agreed to sign a bill into law that will allow the prosecution of the military for offences committed while in power-something that was a taboo for any elected government in that country before. In France the president of the republic, Nikolas Sarkozy hailed the appointment of new IMF MD Ms Largade former French Minister of Finance as a victory for France. In Nigeria defeated presidential candidate, and former general Muhammadu Buhari said he would not attend the meeting of the Council of States made up of former Heads of States until the determination of his petition against the conduct of the presidential elections by the electoral tribunal set up for that purpose. The umbilical cord binding these issues together in my view is leadership accountability and my task today is to substantiate that viewpoint.

Latin America or South America used to be a hothouse of military dictatorships and authoritarianism. Nowadays however the region is awash with new found prosperity rooted in firm democratic values and political culture. But this is not without a long memory in the peoples of the area to hold past leaders responsible for their actions while in office. Uruguay may be the latest example we are discussing today but the issue of accountability of leadership for economic mismanagement or misrule has a fertile history in today’s buoyant economies of Latin America.

Mexico and Argentina almost collapsed the international monetary and banking system when they threatened to default in the nineties. It is now history however that military dictators in those heady days of military interven-

Leaders and accountability

tions took IMF loans to feather their personal nests and mortgaged the economic future of their nations to crippling loan repayment burdens. However when civilian elected regimes came into office they have found ways of dealing with these former military strong men. Argentina under President Alfonsin jailed three former heads of states for corruption and mismanagement. Former generals Videla and Viola were jailed for corrupton and mismanagement while Galtieri was jailed for dragging and disgracing Argentina in a war he did not prepare the nation for and losing the Faulklands War to Britain.

In Chile there has been an order to exhume the body of slain former elected Marxist President Allende who was deposed by late and former President Pinochet. The Inquiry wants to find out if Allende was shot in the back of the head after he had surrendered to Pinochet’s army in the presidential palace.

Pinochet himself was arrested for human rights abuses while in power when he went for medical treatment in Britain. It was the intervention of former Iron Lady Margaret

Thatcher that Britain should be grateful to Pinochet for helping during the Falklands War that saved Pinochet’s skin and even then he had a testy time in his old age on account of his misdeeds whilst in office as a military ruler of Chile.

In Uruguay’s case however there is an amnesty law providing a broad level of protection for members of the police and military which was passed in 198. The law has been ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court but it has survived two national referendums in 1989 and 2009.

The Amnesty Law has been used to block over 80 cases in Uruguay involving misuse of power by Uruguay’s past military rulers and about 200 people were alleged to have been kidnapped during the period of military rule from 1973 to 1985. More importantly the present elected President of Uruguay, Luis Mujica was a leftist militant who was jailed under military rule. But Mujica who at first demurred has acknowledged that the immunity is being waved for ethical reasons to comply with a recent ruling from the International American Court of Human Rights.

This to me is an addition to the efforts of the international community to curb impunity, lawlessness and thuggery in political leadership in a civilized and globalised world through the International Court of Justice led by its prosecutor Morales Ocampo.

It is in this light that one should look at the appointment of Ms Lagarde as the new boss of the IMF and the prospects of that for good governance and ethical leadership in the world today. The IMF ‘s image has been soiled by the attempted rape charges that drove Lagarde’s predecessor out of office.

Before this the IMF had a reputation of bringing nations that took its loans to their knees as failed nations. Somalia, Liberia, Sierra Leones were beneficiaries of IMF loans and their conditions therafter speak for themselves. Even Nigeria’s dire economic conditions of high unemployment, high fuel prices stem from failed privatization and free market forces unleashed by observance of IMF conditionalities adopted by the back door .

Now there is talk of fuel subsidy withdrawal by the governors which can only lead to social unrest and commotion. Even Egypt

which is being rescued by the US and EU has refused any loan from the IMF because of its sordid past track record of creating failed states and fuelling unrest wherever it has given out loan. So why is President Sarkozy calling the appointment of his former Finance Minister a victory for France?

Perhaps he means that after the disgrace of Lagarde’s predecessor as IMF boss his replacement by another French official can be called a victory. But then that will be a very costly or pyrrhic victory at a huge price to the moral and ethical values of France and indeed its honor as a respected member of the international community and the global banking system.

Yet Lagarde comes to the high IMF office with impressive credentials and a high sense of responsibility and pragmatism. She has already promised to visit her disgraced predecessor in the US so as to avoid taking over in a vacuum.

Which is plain common and good economic and management sense . She has also promised to look at the constitution of the IMF to ensure that it treats all members fairly and not regard Europe as its main area of responsibility. In her quest for the job she visited the emerging markets of the world especially China and India. Whilst the Chinese were diplomatic with her the Indians did not mince words in letting her know that they think the job should have been given to an Asian.

All the same Largade as a mother, a former minister, an anti trust and employment lawyer should know that the time for the IMF to change its dirty glo-

bal image in terms of governance and bitter social costs of its loans is now and under her able leadership and we wish her a happy tenure.

Lastly we return to the refusal of former General Buhari to attend the Council of State meeting because of his election petition arising from the conduct of the last presidential electins. In my view I think his refusal can only compound the problem of constitutional relevance of the Council and raise issues of his qualification for membership of that body in the first instance.

The Council is indeed meant for past heads of states but in a democratic dispensation they should be past elected heads of states not those who came to power through military coups. The Latin American experience provide good food for thought and the experience from these nations provide a good book to borrow a leaf from for our migratory and epileptic democracy samba of shifts from parliamentary democracy to the present debilitating presidential system which seem to favor only the elected representatives of the people while leaving the electorate prostrate and impoverished.

It is quite gentlemanly of Buhari to refuse to attend the Council’s meeting till the resolution of his petition. But really should he have been attending the Council meeting as a former military head of state who used military tribunals to jail several elected governors during his tenure as a military head of state?

Surely Buhari has flown a kite by his refusal to attend the Council of States meeting. But he has also unwittingly shot himself in the leg in the process because he who comes to equity must come with clean hands and given his antecedents military and political he just cannot eat his cake and still expect to have it .

10

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

Reactions to Saturday Flakes Re: Take heart, Obasanjo, what goes around comes around Vincent, Obasanjo has really learnt his lessons. I believe the best thing he should do now is to leave politics and face his farm. But he has to move it away from my state, because we are sick and tired of him.

God bless Nigeria.

Seun Dafkiss, Ota, Ogun State.

What we all need from our leaders is a genuine blueprint towards enhancing the rehabilitation and improvement of basic infrastructure which will serve as a catalyst for development. Our dear leaders, both past and present, should look inwards and see if they can live for more than 100 years except by providence. They should compare our country with others like Ghana, Malaysia, China in order to evaluate our growth index. God is watching us.

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Vincent, this pay back time for OBJ. He missed the God-given opportunity to make a difference in governance. He was busy trying to erase the good memory of Awo, the avatar, from our hearts. His influence and popularity will continue to wane until he is disgraced out of politics.

Alhaji Adeboye Lawal.

Vincent, Obasanjo does not deserve any pity or respect. In his eight-year rule, he lacked sincerity of purpose and the political will to move Nigeria forward. Today is just the beginning of more humiliations on OBJ until his last day on mother earth. My candid advice is that he should open up on what he knows about the Nigerian nation and the forces that are hindering her development, so that history might be fair to him.

Abegunde Ibikunle, Kubwa, Abuja.

the quarrel? What did Jonatha also do to resolve it. What did Bankole do? What did the South West PDP executive do to resolve it in Ogun? And in the National Assembly, was it more of Obasanjo or the South West EXCO of the PDP and the outgoing South West parliamentarians?

In South Africa, they criticise objectively.

Here, we look at the personalities involved before your type of criticism. Obasanjo is naturally disliked here because of envy.

How is he making it? He is loved by thoise of us who look at things objectively. A tree does not make a forest. Obasanjo alone could not have caused Ogun and the South West political success. I believe it should be a collective effort. I am sure you won’t criticise the Asiwaju of Lagos this way.

Rather, it will be accolades. But you know there are things about Asiwaju to criticise.

Oseni Lanre Wahab.

Vincent, I do not know how old you are.

But start praying to God for forgiveness because of your thoughts (on Obasanjo) today. An infant cannot have more rags than the aged.

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I have not for one day seen you comment on Okun (Kogi) politics.

Moses Adebayo, Mopa Muro LGA, Kogi State.

I read through your article on Obasanjo today. It is educative and informative. It is left for us to learn from his mistakes. keep the flag flying.

God will bless you.

Father Adefemi Ojoopagogo, Akure.

Mr Akanmode, according to your article on Obasanjo titled Take Heart, Obasanjo and dated June 18, 2011, you said that Baba (Obasanjo) harassed God-ordained Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to step into Yar’Adua’s shoes. Let your conscience judge you.

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Mr Saturday Flakes, after your write-up titled Lord When Shall Thou Speak to Me, I fell in love with your style of writing. But please don’t try to run Obasanjo down.

Don’t you know he is a hero?

Meshack Idehen.

The bible tells us that everything that has a beginning must have an end.

Obasanjo’s reign in Nigerian politics is over. Let him retire from politics and concentrate on farming before young people begin to insult him at public gatherings.

Leave the game when the ovation is high.

Chika Nnorom, Umuahia, Abia State.

On your article titled: Take Heart, Obasanjo, What Goes Around Comes Around, I have not seen any justifiable reason for your negative criticism of our dear Obasanjo. Today, whether anyone accepts or rejects it, he has planted unity in Nigeria by making it possible for anyone from any part of Nigeria to rule the country.

Who else apart from Obasanjo has been blunt enough to cause Yar’Adua and then Jonathan to rule this tough country? He looks more into the national than the micro. If the PDP lost Ogun, why did Anenih not give Edo to the PDP. Before the Pdp lost in Ogun, what was the effort of the national executive of the PDP in resolving

The North East, like the South West, is also left with nothing, even though they have four PDP governors and many senators and members of the House of Representatives. So, what is so special about the South West? Or is it because they are the only politically sophisticated region?

070934995..

There is no doubt that the political profile of Obasanjo is now on inflecto mortal, that is to say it is on the death bed. The 2011 general election in the South West was indeed his final political exequy. Will he ressurect or waste away as an iconless political figure? That I do not know.

Ehimare.

As the saying goes, in the politics of today, there is no more Baba so pe. In other words, the days of godfathers are gone.

Major Shanka.

Re: Before another President emerges from Boko Haram there will be no country called Nigeria.

Fantastic piece. More ink to your pen.

Liborous Oshoma Esq.

This is a very refreshing piece. It indicates that at least a number of Nigerians still do healthy thinking in spite of all odds. You may need to do a proposal to the Federal Government over this issue, or those with warped idea over how to combat it. It would put us all in trouble. The police took a false step in the beginning with the extra-judicial killing of the leader of the sect and some of his followers. And up till now, justice has not been seen to be done. Justice is the bedrock of any society. Let government consider this and other non-combative means of resolving this security threat first.

But if that fails, and I pray it doesn’t, then...

Yomi Omoyele, Lagos.

Vincent, I read your comment in The Nation newspaper and I feel glad that there are still concerned Nigerians who are actually ready to fight back with their lives.

I would like to tell you what I have observed about the infamous Boko Haram sect, which has been tormenting the peace of Nigerians for a while. if the sect is being led by intellectuals as everybody seems to believe, and it is opposed to western education, then their next major move would be against the Nigerian universities.

And we all know that the few reputable universities are situated in the South-West region, which is Yorubaland.

I am using this medium to appeal to you to do anything in your capacity to alert the authorities and the Nigerian people about this. Thanks for your contribution today.

Emmanuel.

Vincent, I have just read your beautiful piece on Boko Haram. While I agree with you on the need for dialogue, I do not see the any reason why government should dialogue with criminals and terrorists.

Rather, the dialogue should be with the rest of us who have had to bear the immeasurable brunt of having completely uneducated men and women occupying sensitive positions in government. Are the members of the Boko Haram sect more deprived than you and I, or the rest of the 130 million Nigerians who live on less than a dollar per day? Then we all need to take

Vincent, I found your article on Boko Haram too hilarious. It can be likened to Ali Baba's comedy. However, the import of the article was well understood. The truth is that the police institution is like the proverbial fly in a pot of honey who leaked and leaked until it got killed in the honey.

Corruption, pleasure, money sharing, selfishness, lack of commitment to national duty is what the enemy needs to exterminate the police.

They are lackadaisical to national security. You can rest assured that with power from high through prayers, we will flush out Boko Haram with their evil plots.

Toyin, Abeokuta.

up arms or resort to act of terrorism, so that government can dialogue with us.

The dialogue with militants in the Niger Delta, labelled amnesty, has it solved the problem of kidnapping in the Niger Delta?

Remember that the October 1, 2010 bombing was traced to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and not Boko Haram. Apart from the trial of Orkar in South Africa, what is the guarantee that members of MEND are still not in operation in Nigeria?

If the root cause of the deprivation in this country are not properly addressed, some of which are good governance, genuine and proper development, equal and adequate representation, electoral empowerment, employment and good education, to add to the numerous ones you mentioned, sooner or later, the uprising that will arise from the different geographical zones will be too much for even the security agencies of the United States of America to curtail. And that could eventually snowball into the disintegration of the nation called Nigeria, thereby fulfilling the prediction that in 15 years time,

Vincent, many reasonable people have said it and they are still saying it, that only a national conference can foster stability in this country. For Nigeria to remain indissoluble, there must be a national conference. We must all rise up to confront the apostles of unitary system if we don't want to continue living in bondage.

Alhaji Adeboye Lawal, Felele, Ibadan.

A good piece at the right time. I just hope that our leaders who are educated and in positions to find lasting solutions to these man-made problems will be willing to do so. Thank you. God save Nigeria.

Omirinya, Makurdi.

I read your article in The Nation on Saturday and it was brilliant and humorous.

Keep it up.

Akin, Port Harcourt.

Vincent, I hope you will not kill somebody with laughter with your Saturday Flakes.

Well, notwithstanding the presence of lanky, bearded men in kaftan around me, I will continue to answer Great! To every shout of Great Akokite! I will also continue to brand myself a learned fellow.

Olajide Olanipekun Esq, Oyo, Oyo

State.

Vin my brother, your write-up on Boko Haram was quite apt. It is truth told in a lighter mood. I only hope that somebody is decoding them meaningfully to the President.

Tony, Silverbird, Jos. Saturday Flakes with Vin is a must-read.

It is prolific and spellbinding. But I am at a loss to confirm if your usage of the phrase "used to" in the context is all correct. Happy weekend.

Nkem.

You have given a sociological analysis of the avoidable security mess in which the country has found herself, no thanks to the quality of the leadership cabal foisted on the rest of us by the systemic inequality engendered by the kleptomania that has afflicted the rank and file of our leaders.

The only fact that the Presidency cannot deny is that they have conceded a part of the North-East, at least Boorno State, to Boko Haram.

Marx Bayour, Lagos.

It is time for Mr. President to take the bull by the horn to say enough is enough with the Boko Haram boys and others who are planning to foment trouble through their sponsors to desist from their acts before the law catches up with them. Where there is crisis or insecurity, good governance suffer neglect.

Government should equip all the security agencies in order to make them effective in the task of securing the nation. Those who were responsible for the bombing of the police headquarters should be arrested and tried. The Inspector General of Police should retire honourably or sacked for disappointing the nation. Even when he was the Assistant inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 9 in Umuahia, Abia State, nothing good came out of him.

Rather, kidnapping and other vices were the order of the day in Abia and its environs.

Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia.

Social Scene 39

I live in fear everyday

‘How I drowned and almost died’

-Police officer’s

wife laments Boko Page 14 Haram siege

Electrocution of mother of three Page 16 sparks row 11

Saturday

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

SPECIAL Why we abandoned school to become prostitutes Heart-rending confessions of teenagers at Kuramo Beach, Lagos

12

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

Heart-rending confessions of

•The suspects:Laide Kazeem, Rafat Lawal,Abigael Unongo,Uche Okpaleke& Michael Anthony

T

HEY are joined by sheer fate and sing the same song. They are into prostitution, the oldest trade in the world, and their nest is the Kuramo Beach, Lekki, Lagos. Sadly, they are barely mature for the trade as adolescents. Sharing their stories with our correspondent penultimate Wednesday, they anchored their predicaments on socio-economic and psychological factors, including poverty, frustrated educational pursuits, family discord, rebellion, resentment for stepfather and stepmother, and the desire to be free from family constraints.

But they would not regard themselves as prostitutes but “hustlers”. They live in cabin brothels partitioned into rooms, which cost between N400 and N500 per day, depending on available facilities like fan and mattress.

At each brothel, which is necessarily accompanied with a beer joint, the young girls hang around for men willing to have each of them upon the payment of N2,500.

First to share her story with our correspondent was 20-year-old Bose (surname withheld), a native of Oro-Ago, Kwara State, who blamed her venture into prostitution on the uncaring attitude of her father. She said: “I was an apprentice-photographer after I dropped out from school. But I later absconded from training when I could not cope with funding it. My father divorced my mother when I was a toddler and he was not caring for me anymore.”

Asked if she knew her father in person, she said: “I don’t know him and I don’t ever want to know him because he does not care about me and Dare, my younger brother. My mother is still alive and she lives in our hometown. When I had nowhere to stay on coming to Lagos, a friend introduced me to Kuramo Beach and I have since been living there. “I had a son called Gafar for a horse rider on the beach. If I have a better job, I will stop this hustling and live a decent life.”

The story of 20-year-old Oshiwa (surname withheld) is not too different from Bose’s, even though the reason she advanced for taking to prostitution was the death of her parents in a petroleum explosion at Awori, Abule-Egba, Lagos a few years ago. “I am a native of Eleyele in Ibadan, Oyo State,” she said. “I finished my secondary education at Legacy Secondary School, Iyana Ilogbo, Ota, Ogun State, and made five credits without Mathematics. My mother was a hairdresser while my father worked at PZ Industries, Ilupeju, Lagos until they both died in the petrol explosion at Abule Egba some years ago.

“Their death forced me to stay with my aunt somewhere in Ota, where I finished my education. But I ran away from there because

To be honest, I am into hustling (prostitution) because I don’t want to accommodate despondency since I am the only child of my parents without a helper... But if you can help me, I know how to fix hair. My mother had trained me before she died.

If I can get a shop, I will set up a salon and make a decent living

‘

Kunle AKINRINADE

•Olatunbosun and Christianah which was about a month ago, I asked her the kind of job she does and she said she worked as a waitress in a hotel.”

The case of 17-year-old Kehinde Olayemi and 16-year-old Taiwo Olaitan sounds bizarre. Their mother had two sets of twins for different men and each of them is one of the two sets. Recalling their journey to the beach, Kehinde Said: “I dropped out in JSS 3 at Liberty Academy, Odo-Ona Elewe, while Taiwo dropped out of Community Grammar School, Challenge, Ibadan because of our inability to pay school fees.

“Our mother is a divorcee and she had us for two different men. We are a pair of two sets of twins. Our fathers have since remarried while our mother has also married another man. Family members turned their back on us whenever we approached them for assistance to continue our education. We came to the beach at the instance of a family friend and we have since been hustling because help was not forthcoming. Unfortunately what we are making from this cannot secure us a decent living.”

20-year-old Christiana Fred, a citizen of Benin Republic also went down memory lane when she was asked why she took to prostitution. She said: “I came to the beach with some friends when I was barely 12 years old. I was initially staying with one Iya Jankara on the beach. I make between N5000 and N10, 000 per day, depending on the number of customers. I don’t smoke or drink.

’

my aunt was too cruel and her husband wanted to sleep with me.

“Thereafter, I stayed with a distant cousin of mine in Mushin, Lagos, where I sold pure (sachet) water to motorists. It was there a friend of mine introduced me to Kuramo Beach. But she has since been taken away by her mother.

“To be honest, I am into hustling (prostitution) because I don’t want to accommodate despondency since I am the only child of my parents without a helper. I make between N5000 and N7,500 per day, depending on the number of patrons. I have been able to save about N10,000 so far. But if you can help me, I know how to fix hair. My mother had trained me before she died. If I can get a shop, I will set up a salon and make a decent living. I have an uncle called Gbemi, who lives in Mushin. I can give you his telephone number.”

To confirm the veracity of her story, our correspondent called Gbemi on the phone, and he said: “ Well, did she tell you what she does for a living? I don’t know much about her life. The last time she visited me,

I stay in a cabin room where I pay N500 per day. My room has a fan. I use the proceeds from my hustling to take care of my son, Daniel, who lives with my sister in Ogba.

Daniel’s father is an Ibo man and he is very uncaring. If you help me to get a good job, I will leave this hustling.”

Ondo State-born, Olatubosun Shittu, who is allegedly carrying a two-month pregnancy, will need more than guts to whether the storm of life. Reason? She was disowned by her father on the phone for being rebellious. Her father spoke with our correspondent shortly after the interview.

The 19-year-old former student of Surulere Girls Secondary School said: “My mother and father should be blamed for my situation because they are separated. I stopped schooling in SS2 and lived with my grandmother at 11, Iyasuna Street, Mushin for a while before coming down to this beach. I go home (her grandmother’s house) only to return to the beach. The last time I visited home was in January this year.

“My mother has since remarried while my father also has a new wife and lives in his house somewhere in Ota, Ogun State. He is a clearing and forwarding agent and he travels a lot. Each time I call my father on the phone, he shuns me. Please tell my father to come and take me home.” Dismissing his daughter’s claim in a telephone chat with our correspondent, however, Olatubosun’s

13

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

teenage prostitutes at Kuramo Beach

•Aishat, Esther, Bose and Ewatomi

•Kehinde and Taiwo father said: “My brother, I don’t know where to start the story from. That girl is a pathological liar. She has taken after her mother. It is true her mother and I are no longer together. But I have tried times without number to take very good care of her and her only brother as a good father.

“I once took her from her grandmother and registered her in school only for her to abscond from home. Her brother too was registered in a private school with boarding facility, but he too ran back to their mother.

When I visited their grandmother to bring them back, I was humiliated by the woman, their mother and even the children. She told me in the presence of people that I was not her father and that almost made me to doubt being her real father. Since that day, I promised not to have anything to do with her. Although she is my first child, she has done more harm to my family than she can fix. Thank you.”

For Aishat Ekemode, her journey to Kuramo Beach began when she was taken away from her father after his marriage to her mother hit the rocks. “My mother, out of annoyance, took me away from my father when she was leaving after their marriage failed. But she later abandoned me with my grandmother in Ijede, while my father lives at No16, Anibaba Street, Ikorodu. My younger brother lived with my father until he ran away from home a few years ago. I

would have given you my father’s telephone number but I don’t have it. I live on hustling with men because there was nothing else I could do to eat. If I get a helping hand, I will turn a new leaf.”

For 17-year-old Esther (surname withheld), it was the alleged neglect and outright rejection by my family that pushed her into prostitution. Hear her: “My elder sister, Sandra, brought me to Lagos many years ago.

She had promised my parents that she would take care of my education, but she later reneged. We were staying at the Jakande Low Cost Housing Estate, Lekki, but she stopped me from school because I refused to join her in hustling (prostitution).

“She has a beer joint and was also hustling for men. When she noticed that all her efforts to intimidate me into the business failed, she threw me out, saying that she could not feed and take care of me from the proceeds of her hustling. I dropped out in SS1 at Victoria Island Secondary School. And when I was left with nowhere to lay my head, I relocated to this beach and have since been trading my body for money. “If I have someone to help me out, I would love to go back to school and stop this hustling job.”

Another prostitute at the beach, 14-yearold Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State-born Bilikisu said: “I didn’t have the opportunity of going to secondary school, but I finished from the Ansar- Ud- Deen Primary School, Ijebu Igbo.

My father lives in Ikorodu while my mother stays in Itele-Okesopin, Ijebu-Igbo. She is a trader while my father is a bus driver. He’s known as Baba Wale at the Idumota Motor Park where he loads passengers.”

Speaking further, she said: “I was living with my father when my stepmother started maltreating me. My father’s cruelty did not help matters. I ran away from home and I have been earning a living ‘hustling’ on the beach. My father’s real name is Segun but I don’t know his phone number.” She burst into tears thereafter.

Adijat Adeboye, 15, recalled how her father abandoned his responsibility soon after her mother died in a mysterious manner. “My father took us to live with one of his relations after the mysterious death of my mother. But we were being maltreated by his relations.

He never wanted me to live with him because he has since remarried. I also didn’t want to live with him because I feared I might be harmed by my stepmother. She is wicked.”

Speaking with our correspondent on the phone, Adijat’s father said he had vowed never to have anything to do with her. He said: “Yes, she is my daughter. But I don’t want to say anything or have anything to do with her because she is not a good child. She has brought tears to my eyes and I cannot continue with that. I am a young man and I want to live long. She is free to do whatever she likes with her life.”

Touched by the plight of the teen “hustlers”, our correspondent alerted the officials of the Lagos zonal office of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other Offences (NAPTIP), and the girls were promptly taken into custody while the owners of the cabin cum brothel were apprehended for interrogation penultimate Friday.

Those arrested included 25-year-old Michael Anthony, the proprietor of Explode Bar; Olaide Kareem who owns L&K Rendezvous; Abigael Unongo,32, who owns Kumasi Bar; 53-year-old Rafatu Lawal and Uche Opkpaleke, 23, who claimed to be a waiter but was caught rolling Indian hemp.

Speaking with our correspondent on the telephone, the Lagos Zonal Head of NAPTIP, Mr. Josiah Emereole, explained that investigations were being conducted into the matter while the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of the investigations.

He said: “The girls are in our custody and they are being kept in our shelter pending the conclusion of their rehabilitation. I cannot tell you our next line of action until I receive proper explanation from those that are handling the investigations. As a rule,

‘

Our mother is a divorcee and she had us for two different men. We are a pair of two sets of twins. Our fathers have since remarried while our mother has also married another man... We came to the beach at the instance of a family friend and we have since been hustling because help was not forthcoming

’

the girls will be handed over to counsellors as part of the rehabilitation therapy because they are adolescents.

“As for the owners of the brothels, we are going to take legal actions against them because they are the suspects in this matter.

But they are free to ask for bail, because we don’t want to run foul of the law. And those of them who are able to provide two sureties who could guarantee their appearance whenever such is required will be released on bail. At the conclusion of investigations, we shall seek the advice of our legal department and subsequently charge the suspects to court.”

The influx of underage girls into the Kuramo Beach received knocks from Lagos lawmakers a few days ago. In a motion on the floor of the House, Hon.Bisi Yusuf from Alimosho Constituency 1, berated the law enforcement agencies for the development.

He said: “The large presence of teenagers taking refuge at the beach, occasioned by maltreatment by their parents, has exposed them to social vices which include smoking, ingestion of hard drugs and prostitution.

There is a need to arrest the situation as soon as possible.”

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

14

Boko Haram: Police officer’s wife laments

I live in fear every day •Panic grips police personnel •Many now disguise to avoid attack

•Boko Haram suspects in police net

The menace of the Boko Haram sect is expectedly creating apprehensions among police officers and men, especially in many northern states. Our correspondents, JIDE ORINTUNSIN ( Minna), TONY AKOWE (Kaduna), KOLADE ADEYEMI (Kano), and AUSTINE TSENZUGHUL (Bauchi), feel the pulse of the men in black khaki and report.

•Yakowa

KADUNA: On September 16, 2010, the then Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Tabari Yabo Mohammed, informed a shocked audience at a public function in Kaduna that the dreaded Boko Haram sect had infiltrated the state and were using the Rigasa area of the city as their base. He told the gathering how a planned bloodletting by the group was averted during the Sallah holiday.

According to him, “I was resting in my house on Sallah day, only me and my God, when two young men came to my house and said: ‘CP, if we don’t give you this information, Allah will judge us’. These two men were between 24 -25 years of age. They said a Boko Haram group had planned to burn down the Rigasa Police Station on Sallah day, and ‘This is where they are hiding’.

“I thanked them for the information and immediately, I beefed up security; my men combed Rigasa, High Damani and other adjourning areas to see where they were hiding. But so far, we have not made any arrest . As the Commissioner of Police, I rely on the youth for peaceful co-existence in the state and the country in general.

They should not allow themselves to be misused by greedy politicians.

“Adequate measures are being put in place by the Police High Command. These include periodic training and capacity-building of the officers and men to ensure that the forthcoming 2011 general elections are hitch-free in the country.

I urge all politicians and members of the electorate to join hands with the Nigeria Police to ensure that we have a credible election that will be accepted by all Nigerians and the international community.”

Six months after that revelation, suspected members of the group stormed the personal residence of the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the Sabon Gari (Magajin Gari) Police Station killing the two policemen on guard duty there.

The DPO, Mustapha Sandamu ,was lucky to escape unhurt.He said of the attack: “When I heard

‘

the loud bang, I thought the sound was from the high tension wire or a nearby transformer. I was later alerted that some hoodlums had engaged my security men, shooting sporadically outside my house. They came on a motorcycle with one of them wearing babanriga.

They stopped in front of the house and opened fire on the unsuspecting policemen.

“The two police corporals were rushed to the Barau Dikko Hospital where they were rejected and referred to 44 Army Reference Hospital. They were again rejected there and referred to Saint Gerald

I live in fear everyday. Whenever we hear of attacks on police stations by Boko Haram people, my mind goes to my husband and others. What have they done to these Boko Haram people? Why are they attacking the police?

,

Catholic Hospital or Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika. The hoodlums left bullet holes on the walls of my house, the chair where the police officers were sitting and my End of Discussion (EOD) car parked outside. I want you to note that I am speaking in my capacity as a victim in this incident. The official response should be got from the spokesperson of the police or the commissioner of police himself”.

Ironically, in spite of these incidents, the police in Kaduna have always denied the existence of the group in the state even when there are clear signs that they might be using parts of the metropolis as a breeding ground. Security sources within the state, however, told The Nation on Saturday that even though they have accepted the existence of the group within the state openly, they have decided to be extra-vigilant in order not to be taken unaware.

Detectives both within the police and other security agencies are said to have been deployed in all parts of the state, especially areas where they are likely to be located

15

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

• Scene of a bomb blast

NIGER:

The increasing wave of the killing of policemen, especially in some states in the northern Nigeria, by the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic sect has not only heightened tension in the area, it emotionally and psychologically affected the rank and file of the Nigerian Police Force. The development has equally sent jitters down the spines of members of their families.

The living conditions of officers and men of the Police in most barracks across the country further make them susceptible to attacks.

Most barracks are not just poorly secured; virtually all are without perimeter fence, while the few ones that are fenced are overcrowded.

In Niger State, where members of the faceless Boko Haram sect recently killed two policemen attached to the Chairman of Suleja Local Government, the persistent attacks on police stations and personnel by members of this sect is not only causing apprehension among most officers and men of the command, members of their household are also gripped by fear of losing their loved ones.

A Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) serving in Minna, the

Boko Haram as cowards since the known Boko Haram group are not hiding their identity.

A visit to the police headquarters in Kaduna revealed that most of the senior officers hardly stay in their offices these days apparently for fear of the unknown. At the gate, visitors to the place are subjected to rigorous search before being allowed into the premises. Cars are also well searched and the mission of the drivers ascertained before being allowed into the police headquarters. The situation is not difstate capital, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, challenged members of the sect to declare the offence of the Police, which warrants their being hunted like a game. He queried: “Why are we their target? What have we done or not done that they are just out to exterminate officers and men of the Police?”

Gripped by fear of possible attacks by the sect, the officer described the development as sad.

He said: “We read of attacks on police stations on the pages of newspapers everyday in the last two years. Nobody knows their next target. It started from Bauchi and before we knew it, they were wrecking havoc in Borno, Yobe, Kano and even here in Niger State. Ours is a thankless job. The members of the public whose security we are to ensure are now turning against us for no known cause.”

When asked if he was afraid for his life, the senior police officer quickly responded: “Who will not be afraid? We are all human.

Yes, we are trained to face challenges, but the insurgence, the deliberate and well-planned attacks by members of the Boko Haram on police personnel and

ferent in some of the police stations, especially those that are fenced.

However, The Nation‘s investigations revealed that some of the police stations in the state are not properly fenced and are therefore easily accessible to those with dubious intentions. The situation is not quite different at police barracks with the state capital as extra-security measures have been put in place by the police high command in the state. Across the state, the situation is not different. Even

•Babangida

stations and that of the Force Headquarters in Abuja were enough to drive fear into any man.”

But a Police Sergeant, who gave his name simply as Haruna, in one of the divisions in Suleja, a town which the police leadership in state identified as the abode of members of the dreaded sect, said his fear was not for his own life, but for the fate of members of his family. “The fact is, I am not

though many of them were seen still wearing their uniform and showing no visible sign of apprehension, some of the residents of Kaduna spoken to are worried that the police are not doing enough to starve off the fear being expressed by the people.

A highly placed source within security circle in the state said that the police cannot take any concrete measure the way things are unless they are given the marching orders and resources by state governors who are the chief security officers

,

Why are we their target?

What have we done or not done that they are just out to exterminate officers and men of the Police?

,

with a view to fishing them out.

But unconfirmed reports have it that the leaders of the group in the state are threatening to unleash terror on traditional rulers who they suspect are being used to hunt them down. An Abuja-based tabloid recently quoted the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Aminu Lawan, as saying that the police were on top of the situation, but denied that Boko Haram exists in the state. He was said to have described those parading themselves as members of

afraid of these hoodlums, but the fear among the officers and men is that the system has nothing to protect and provide for our families in case of any eventuality.”

Haruna, whose only respite is that members of his family live outside the barracks, expressed concern over the porosity of the barracks. “My fear now is the danger most families are exposed to. Most stations in the divisions have barracks built by the sta-

of the various states.The source said that the issue of Boko Haram can be solved with a good security arrangement put in place.

The PPRO in Kaduna State, DSP, Aminu Lawan, would not comment on the Boko Haram issue and he refused to give reason why he didn’t talk. But sources within the force said that the police high command in Abuja may have directed all state commands not to comment on the issue of the Boko Haram. tions and these barracks are not fenced. If an attack of the magnitude of the Force Headquarters should be visited on any of the divisions, many families will record causalities. That is why I have always kept my family out of the barracks.”

Hajiya Mero Adamu, who lives in Mobile Barracks in Minna with her children and whose police officer-husband is in Bauchi State for a special assignment, said: “I live in fear everyday. Whenever we hear of attacks on police stations by Boko Haram people, my mind goes to my husband and others. What have they done to these Boko Haram people? Why are they attacking the Police?”

The mother of four, who hails from Kogi State, said the spate of attacks on police personnel made her to counsel her 24-year-old first son who had intended to join the police after his National Youth Service to rescind the decision. “The fear for the safety of their father has been a concern to everybody in the family. I had to stop my first son who was nursing the ambition of joining the police after service. The force is •Continued on Page 56

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

Electrocution of mother of three sparks row •Family demands

compensation from PHCN •PHCN: We’re investigating

•The killer cables

•Sympathisers at Amina’s residence

•The late Aminat

The heavy downpour on Saturday June 18, 2011 forced many people to go to bed early. It was not so for residents of Audu Baale Street, Iwaya,Yaba, Lagos.

Rather, the rain brought grief to a family of three and caused other people in the neighbourhood to run helter skelter to save the life one of their own.

Investigation revealed that while the rain lasted, one of the electric cables on a nearby pole snapped and 30-year-old Aminat

Kunle AKINRINADE

Arowolo, who was selling food at the entrance of a building on No14, Audu Baale Street. She reportedly ran for cover in her residence to avoid electrocution.

But like the biblical Job, what she feared most became her lot.

Moments after the rain subsided, the Kwara State-born deceased woman came out at about 9.30pm

to continue with her business.

But unknowingly, she stepped on a live wire. The deadly cable was said to have fallen from an electricity pole in front of her house.

Recalling the unfortunate incident, Aminat’s 37-year-old husband , Mr.Tope Arowolo, a barber, said he was attending to customers when someone came to tell him that his wife had stepped on a live cable and had died before

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

‘

As I speak, some of the poles are shocking, and that is dangerous for the residents, especially children. That woman couldn’t have died if there was timely response by PHCN officials, because it was not the residents who installed the cable in the first instance

,

could be rushed to the hospital.

He said: “It was a rather unfortunate incident. I am yet to pull myself together. On the fateful day, I was inside my shop attending to customers when some people came to inform me that my wife had been electrocuted. I was shocked because I had just spoken with her on the phone a few minutes earlier, and I did not even in my wildest imagination think we would part so soon.

“Immediately I received the news of the incident, I rushed home only to find a crowd at the entrance to our residence. I was told she mistakenly stepped on a live wire which had fallen from the pole, and that all efforts made to alert officials of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to disconnect electricity supply to the area failed.

“She was first taken to the nearby Subar Hospital, from where she was transferred to the Harvey General Hospital, Yaba where she was confirmed dead.”

A neighbour, Kehinde Sofoluwe, 38, corroborated the widower’s account while giving his account of the incident.

“The woman was selling food to people inside rain. Suddenly, there was a spark on the pole. As everyone around scampered into safety, the deceased woman too ran into her house. A few minutes later, she came outside to arrange the makeshift counter she used in selling her food when she mistakenly stepped on the wire.

“But for providence, even some of those who tried to rescue her from the grip of the lethal cable would have been electrocuted.

We even went to the office of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) office in the area to ask its technicians to help disconnect the electricity supply to this area so that we could save her life, but when we got to their

•Aminat’s kiosk

office on Iwaya Road, we met no one there. That was why we chased PHCN officials away during her burial at the Atan Cemetery. The woman died while she was being taken to Harvey General Hospital. Yaba.”

Arowolo described his wife as a pillar of support, while he pleaded for assistance from Nigerians and government.

“My wife was very supportive in our effort to take good care of our three children. She was such an unassuming person and a dutiful housewife who would always do everything possible to support me.

“Now, the task of raising the children is too much for me to bear and there’s no help in sight. I want to appeal to government, kind-hearted individuals and organisations for support to take care of my children.

“More importantly, I want the PHCN authorities to compensate me for the loss of my darling wife, because the incident was a result of negligence on their part. We had been married for 10 years before the tragic incident.”

Lekan, the eldest child of the deceased and Primary Two pupil of Baptist Primary School, said he would miss his mother a lot. “She cared a lot for us and would do anything to satisfy us.

I have missed her a lot,” he said.

Some residents of the area who spoke with our correspondent alleged that some of the electricity poles on the street were in decrepit state.

One of the community leaders, who pleaded anonymity, explained that the cables were installed more than 50 years ago.

He noted that nothing was being done to replace them while they were no longer strong enough to withstand rainstorm.

“The cables are not strong enough to withstand pressure from rainstorm. That is why they usually snap whenever it rains.

We have contacted the PHCN office on a number of occasions to plead with them to change the cables, all to no avail.

“As I speak, some of the poles are shocking, and that is danger-

•Her husband with one of their children

been unfeeling towards the plight of residents. They are not showing any sign of sympathy at all.

Aren’t they supposed to have taken a prompt action to prevent a situation like this?” he asked.

A top official of PHCN, who pleaded anonymity, told the reporter that efforts were being made to replace some of the weak cables and poles. He, however, declined comments on possible compensation for the bereaved

ous for the residents, especially children. That woman couldn’t have died if there was timely response by PHCN officials, because it was not the residents who installed the cable in the first instance.”

A sympathiser, Segun Olayemi, chided the Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) for their alleged non-challant attitude to the plight of the residents.“The Yaba LCDA has

‘

All I can tell you is that the PHCN officials from Abuja have visited the family of the deceased. As for the repairs of the cables, that is left for the Ijora office, which oversees electricity supply to the area

,

family.

“We have requested for new poles and cables to replace some of the bad ones in the area. Once our Ijora office gives us these items, we will definitely carry out the repairs. But I am not competent to disclose to you whether there would be any form of compensation for the family of the late woman.”

In his response on the telephone, Principal Public Affairs Manager of the PHCN, Eko Distribution Zone, Mr. Godwin Idemudia, said: "The matter is being investigated by our headquarters in Abuja, and I cannot say how far they have gone with investigations being carried out on the incident.

“All I can tell you is that the PHCN officials from Abuja have visited the family of the deceased.

As for the repairs of the cables, that is left for the Ijora office, which oversees electricity supply to the area."

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

•Corps members at an orientation camp

Controversy trails release of five kidnapped corps members Bisi OLANIYI, Port Harcourt lions of naira from ransoms, illegal bunkering of petroleum products and sea piracy, making them to find it extremely difficult to cope with the “peanuts” as monthly allowances from the amnesty offer, which prompted them to return to crime.

There was the case of a suspected armed robber, who was recently gunned down by men of the Rivers State Police Command in a shoot-out with members of his gang, during a robbery operation at Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt, the state capital, with the amnesty identity card found on him.

Since after the April general elections, there has been upsurge in kidnapping and armed robbery in Rivers State, which is an indication that some of the youths used by politicians as thugs and fully armed, are now terrorising the innocent people.

The unrepentant youths, who are not involved in kidnapping or armed robbery, are deeply involved in illegal bunkering of petroleum products, sea piracy, cultism or militancy, thereby turning to societal menace.

A few weeks ago, 10 corps members lost their lives to post-election

violence in the North, making many people to call for the scrapping of the NYSC, but President Goodluck Jonathan said the scheme would only be restructured and not scrapped outright.

When the five youth corps members kidnapped in Rivers State on June 7, got to the NYSC’s Orientation Camp at Nonwa-Gbam in Tai Local Local Government Area of the state, they had high expectations, mostly with the intention of contributing positively to societal development.

After the orientation, they were posted to Ikwerre LGA, where Governor Rotimi Amaechi hails from and they would have seen it as a rare privilege to serve near the youthful governor’s Ubima hometown, which they might have seen as an opportunity to get close to Amaechi.

To contribute meaningfully to the development of communities around them, the “NYSC-5,” as they are being referred to, decided to embark on a library project at the Community Secondary School, Omademe, in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State, as part of their community development projects.

The project was so dear to the hearts of the corps members and they effectively supervised it, to ensure that good works were done

,

W

HEN Mr. Olumide Yusuf, Mrs. Funmilayo Fase, Chinonye Ejiogu, Nkechi Nweze and Vivian Okwuanya, were posted to Rivers State for the compulsory one year national service in 2010 (Batch ‘B’), little did they know that they would have very nasty experiences towards the end.

Yusuf and Fase, who are Yoruba, from the Western part of Nigeria, were then not too familiar with the volatile Niger Delta, but had heard horrifying stories about the dreaded militants, cultists, sea pirates and kidnappers; they never imagined that they could become victims.

Ejiogu, Nweze and Okwuanya, all Igbo from the Southeast, are not too far from the crude oil and gasrich Southsouth zone and they know about the swampy terrain and the presence of criminals.

The Joint Task Force (JTF) was established by the Federal Government in order to check the excesses of the militants, while the 2009 amnesty offer to the repentant warlords, was aimed at restoring peace to the Niger Delta and for investors and foreigners, who had mostly left in the wake of the crises, to return.

Thousands of the ex-militants, cultists and kidnappers embraced the amnesty offer and surrendered their arms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons, but a few of them, after some months, embraced armed robbery, sea piracy, militancy, kidnapping and cultism, thereby terrorising innocent persons, dispossessing them of their cash, valuable property and obtaining ransoms that run into millions of naira from them.

Some of the youths who accepted amnesty have been exposed to mil-

by the artisans engaged.

On June 7, they decided to inspect the library again to ensure that it would be ready before their passing out on June 16, but they might have regretted taking such a decision. Although, they inspected the project but the return journey was unpleasant.

The youth (four females and one male) were in the car of one of them and were on their way from Omademe, along the Port Harcourt International Airport Road, near Igwuruta in Ikwerre LGA around 7:30 pm, when they were seized by kidnappers and moved to an unknown destination.

The gunmen sporadically shot into the air to scare away people in the neighbourhood, while one of the youth, Yusuf, tried to contact his relatives, but his phone was seized by the kidnappers.

The Rivers State Police Command, the Army the State Security Service (SSS) officials immediately swung into action. The kidnappers got across to the families of the corps members and demanded a ransom of N100 million, but there was no response from their relatives.

The gunmen then asked government to pay the ransom for the corps members not to lose their lives in their den in the forest, but

This is an act that should be condemned in its totality by all those involved. I want to appeal to the youth that if we can make it, they too can make it. It does not mean that they should be used by politicians to be committing such atrocities, in order to get blood money

,

Rivers governor maintained that he would never negotiate with criminals.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mr. Suleiman Abba, on June 15, at a news conference at the Police Officers’ Mess, old Government Reservation Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, disclosed that the kidnappers had reduced the ransom from N100 million to N10 million.

Abba assured that policemen, in collaboration with the military and SSS, were closing in on the kidnappers, but would prefer to rescue the victims safely, while no form of encouragement would be given to the hoodlums, in form of payment of ransom, but would be arrested and prosecuted.

He stated that many police teams in overt and covert patrols, surveillance, raids and investigations were being carried out, to ensure quick rescue of the five youths, while disclosing that those involved in the “unfortunate” kidnap had been identified.

Abba reiterated that the command foiled the kidnap of some corps members during the last voter registration, while the culprit who stabbed a corps member during the voter registration in Bonny, Rivers state, had also been apprehended and charged to court.

The police commissioner, who stated that he served as a corps member in Imo State in 1983, said the command had been protecting lives and property of Rivers people, while urging members of the public to give useful information about criminals in their midst to the command.

The Rivers Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Esther Wogbo, had ear •Continued on Page 22

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

19

Saturday

THRILLER

'Reasons we won't trade Abuja for any other Nigerian city' See Pages 20-21

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1

•Pix 1-3: Different scenes in Abuja

UILT from the scratch, Abuja city has overtaken many others on the continent of Africa not only as a tourist’s delight but as a city of power because of the many far-reaching decisions taken there on behalf of not just Nigerians but Africans.

Abuja is also the city where the now coveted global fund for tuberculosis, malaria and HIV was given birth to. The city’s attraction for people are as diverse as its road network, and according to Mr. Martins Oloja, the Abuja Bureau Chief of The Guardian, it is a city that is working. Oloja has seen the city grow from Area 1 to what it is now. Although he grew up in Lagos, he confessed that nothing would make him go back to the former Nigerian capital.

He said: “The fascination with Abuja can actually be attributed to the failure of governance in Nigeria, because it is the only city in Nigeria that is planned from scratch with multi-access possibilities. Abuja is the city where you can decide to take various routes. And if you miss your way from anywhere, you can decide to redirect to go to anywhere through any way because of the way the city is planned.

“Even if you run into traffic congestion, it would not take more than 20 minutes to get out of it. This is besides the fact that they are constructing some access roads like Kaduna-Kubwa, Keffi-AYAAsokoro axis and the one from Airport Road to the city, which are responsible for the traffic congestion, especially in the early hours and in the late hours.

“But despite that, when people come from a place like Lagos, Port Harcourt and some other cities in Nigeria, they see that things are better here in terms of traffic than they are in other cities, particularly power supply, water supply and traffic flow. You can make your appointments in 10 minutes from any part of the city because of the road network. That is attractive to busy people who are always on the move.

“We noticed without scientific research

B

‘Why we can’t Dele ANOFI

that most government officials since democracy started in 1999, who have been dropped after the expiration of their tenure, have failed to go back home.

They have bought houses and settled in Abuja. This is because it is a functional city.

“Some people are worried that the facilities are over-stretched and that is causing some anxiety. But I think the reason is very simple: it is a good city to live in, and it is a city that is working more than any other one in Nigeria.

Remember, it is barely 35 years old and it is the only working project the military gave us. It is one of the major testimonies to our 50 years of existence”.

For Stanley Napchuk, a member of the National Youth Service Corps, Abuja is the bastion of power and opportunities.

His words: “I will do anything to remain in this city. As a matter of fact, after my (National Youth) service last year, my cousin who I stayed with got married and I had to give them space. Although it was my own decision, at that time, I had nowhere to go. But because I was determined to stay here, I hopped from one friend to the other just to pass the night. At the end of the day, it paid off.

“I can’t leave this city because it is a land of opportunities. More than any other city in this country, Abuja is where you can realise your ambition within minutes. I had that in mind when things were so tough that I almost quit. After a while, the opportunities came my way.

One Alhaji, who was not related to me in any way, just called me into his office because I was always hanging out with

3 my friend who works for him. He asked me what I was doing in his office at odd times and I told him I had just finished serving and was searching for a job. To cut the story short, he asked me to supply some materials to his office. From the proceeds of the contract, I bought my first car.

“Since I had a car, I slept in it at times when things got awkward where I was squatting. Today, I am a success story. I cannot trade Abuja for any other city in this country.

“Let me cite another instance about opportunities. A lady friend of mine was

commissioned as an usher for an event at the International Conference Centre.

It was an international event. Today, she is in Canada. She got the contact that facilitated her movement out of this country from that conference. Such things can only happen in Abuja.

“Once you are qualified, it is only a matter of time before you make it. All the decisions that affect us are made here. I really want to be in the midst of power brokers. The city is beautiful. It compares well with other modern cities in Europe and America: the layout, the infrastructure like roads, electricity

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2

t resist Abuja’

‘

supply, clean water, regular clearance of refuse and neat streets. There is no undue hustling and bustling. Up till now, recreation spots are springing up every day. The authorities are even concerned about miscreants messing up the city. So, for me, Abuja is the place to be.”

A lady of northern extraction, Hajia Aminah Yusuf, who works with a private firm, said she would rather resign if posted of Abuja. She said: “I will resign if redeployed to Lagos. I come from Lagos, but I cannot imagine living in that restless city again. Life is a lot easier in Abuja. And what is the essence of life if you cannot have peace of mind? I am being frank here.

“In some parts of Abuja, you can leave your car outside overnight without locking the door and nothing will happen to it. At least, it has happened to me twice. The first time, I left the car key on the car door after returning from work one evening. I went in and it was not until noon the following day, being a Saturday, that I saw the key dangling from the door. I opened the door, looked around and nothing was missing.

“The second time was even worse; I forgot to wind up the windows. I came out the following morning; the car was still there and was not vandalised. I don’t know how many cities in this country where that can happen and you will still find your car in one piece if you find it at all. Life is easier in Abuja. That is why people here look a lot younger than their counterparts elsewhere. We are happy people. Forget about the socio-economic and political problems confronting us all. We are a step ahead

Once you are qualified, it is only a matter of time before you make it.

All the decisions that affect us are made here.

I really want to be in the midst of power brokers.

The city is beautiful. It compares well with other modern cities in Europe and America: the layout, the infrastructure like roads, electricity supply, clean water, regular clearance of refuse and neat streets. There is no undue hustling and bustling

’

of others, I believe.”

A market woman, Mrs. Josephine Atuegbu, reckons that although it is expensive to live in Abuja, it is also easier to cope with life in the city. She said: “I followed my husband to Abuja five years ago, and

I tell you, I don’t want to go back.

Although it is not easy here, market is moving. People here understand when prices of commodities go up and they don’t haggle too much.

“If you don’t have a shop, that is when you would have a problem because the task force people will not allow you to rest. This town is beautiful. But if my husband were not working, to survive would be difficult because everything is expensive. Even nursery school for our children is expensive. Abuja is a good place to raise children. But it is not too good in another sense because the reality of harsh life in Nigeria is not here. If you raise them here and they go out to the real Nigeria, they will turn to mumu (idiots).

Kehinde Bodunde,a public servant, however, holds a divergent view. He came to Abuja in 1992. But while he has been living in the federal capital since then, he seems not to be overwhelmed by its grandeur. “I don’t find it amusing living in Abuja,” he said. “But I cannot live in Lagos again. If I have my way, I will rather relocate to Ekiti, Ibadan or Oshogbo where the cost of living is cheaper. Abuja, to me, is not irresistible.

It is too expensive, especially in terms of accommodation. It is not a city for middle income earners. If I have an alternative today, I will jump out of Abuja.

“Although the infrastructure are working compared to other cities, the city is exploding and those facilities are beginning to get inadequate.

Notwithstanding, movement in this city comes with less worry and the authorities are always trying to fix it, unlike elsewhere, where things would

•Martins

be left to collapse totally.

“The city is also dull compared to Lagos. If I were younger, I don’t think the social environment here would have appealed to me that much. And this brings me to the issue of preferring this city to Lagos. Abuja is relatively peaceful and easy, except for the high cost of living in it.” Another respondent, an assistant director in a federal ministry, who pleaded anonymity, said: “Abuja is not irresistible to me in any way. It is job requirement that is still keeping me in Abuja. This is not a city for medium income earners. Accommodation here is too expensive. So, Abuja is not in any way attractive to me”.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

Journalist’s gas cooker explodes, burns her beyond recognition R

Sulaiman SALAWUDEEN, Ado-Ekiti She decided to prepare a meal of macaroni and sauce. As she made to add the sauce to the expectant oil on the gas stand, a deafening sound came from the gas cooker, leaving her enveloped in fumes that ate through her flesh. Shouts and groans from helpless Rita alerted the neighbours who instantly bathed her in water to douse the flaming

fumes.

But then, the did had been done.

The hot fumes from the gas had torn through her entire body, leaving her skin charred. Not even her hair was spared the ugly spectacle that followed.

She recalled that she had bought the cylinder about two months earlier and had been cooking for more than one hour on the said date before the unfortunate development.

Speaking at the University of Ado Ekiti Teaching Hospital

(UTH) where she had been stabilised but was still receiving treatment, she said: “I cannot say what went wrong and what could be responsible for it. I had been cooking for almost an hour before it exploded. If I ignited it while the gas was already on, maybe I would say I was careless.

But the gas cooker had been on for almost an hour, as I had already inflamed it. I had even almost finished cooking. I had prepared the marcaroni, leaving me with the sauce, which became the

If I ignited it while the gas‘was already on, maybe I would say I was careless. But the gas cooker had been on for almost an hour... I had prepared the marcaroni, leaving me with the sauce, which became the problem

‘

ITA Opeodu, the Ekiti State Coordinator of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), is in a sorry state. She now wears a look that is completely different from her normal self. She lies on the bed in a critical condition, wearing plasters from head to toe at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Ado-Ekiti.

She had been rushed to the hospital penultimate Sunday after a cooking gas exploded in her apartment somewhere in AdoEkiti. Now, she is left to wonder if her skin would ever regain the light lush that had made her the envy of many a woman.

Earlier in the day, she was her ebullient self as she prepared to journey back to Ado-Ekiti where she had left the previous Friday to spend the weekend in Lagos.

She had arrived Ado-Ekiti around 7 pm on Sunday, feeling tired and hungry.

problem.”

While the incident has raised questions about the safety of the cooking gas cylinders now in the market and even the safety of the cooking gas generally compared to other options like kerosene stove, which is also not pursefriendly, Rita remains at the UTH, Ado-Ekiti in dire need of financial assistance to enable her progress through other stages of treatment.

According to the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Patrick Adegun, Rita is responding to treatment. But he said she would need more critical attention to restore her to good health.

With long queues as the usual sight at filling stations where kerosene is now sold at N150 per litre, the suspicion of substandard cooking cylinders or poisonous gas is a problem concerned agencies would have to look at without delay.

Controversy trails release of five kidnapped corps members ‘ comThe police

•Continued from Page 18 lier stated that the husbands of two of the corps members and families of others had regularly been visiting the NYSC’s state secretariat in Port Harcourt, for information and update.

June 16 for the passing out came, but the five corps members were still in the den of kidnappers, enduring the cold from the heavy rain of June, with their colleagues, family members and officials of NYSC becoming apprehensive, especially over the possibility of the hoodlums raping the four women.

Ladies kidnapped in the past were mostly raped by the gunmen, while the defenceless women would be helpless in the forest and would easily allow the criminals to have their way, without any resistance, in order to come out alive.

At the passing out, which took place at the Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt, Amaechi assured that everything possible was being

done to expedite the release of the corps members, while expressing optimism that they would soon rejoin their families.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Tele Ikuru, an engineer, noted that the NYSC scheme had immensely contributed to engendering harmony, national unity and productive integration.

The governor also lauded the corps members for their roles in the effective campaign against HIV/ AIDS, implementation of MDG programmes, mass literacy, legal aid, healthcare delivery, charity and most recently, the successful voters’ registration and general elections, describing their contributions as noteworthy, while urging them to be self-reliant.

The Chairman of the Rivers NYSC Governing Board, Mr. George Feyii, stated that seven corps members got state’s Honours Awards, seven received Chairman’s Awards for outstanding performance, while others got commendation letters for their contributions to their host

‘

•Tsiga, DG, NYSC

missioner, who stated that he served as a corps member in Imo State in 1983, said the command had been protecting lives and property of Rivers people, while urging members of the public to give useful information about criminals in their midst to the command communities.

Feyii, who is also the Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG), disclosed that 19 corps members, who absconded from service, would repeat the service, while 28 had their service year extended, ranging from two weeks to five months, urging them to work for the unity and development of the nation.

While also speaking, the Rivers Coordinator of the NYSC, Mrs. Esther Wogbo, said the outgoing corps members had meritoriously served their fatherland and satisfied the conditions for the award of certificates of national service, while commending them for the positive impact they made in their host communities and places of primary assignment.

Wogbo also lauded the Amaechiled administration for the tremendous support given the NYSC, stating that his fatherly support had opened up the enabling environment for the scheme to thrive successfully, while congratulating Feyii on his recent, well-deserved appointment.

The five corps members, however, heaved a sigh of relief on June 19, after spending 13 days in captivity at unknown locations in the Niger Delta.

They were immediately handed over to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig-General Maharazu Tsiga, in good state of health and moved to Abuja for medical examination at the National Hospital.

Tsiga relocated to Rivers State, shortly after the kidnap, and was coordinating the rescue efforts, along with the Rivers Coordinator of the NYSC, the police, military and operatives of the SSS. It could not be confirmed if ransom was paid by the government, as demanded by the kidnappers, before the youth were set free, but impeccable sources indicated that the kidnappers might have been paid a huge ransom.

The Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Ben Ugwuegbulam, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who confirmed the release of the corps members, was silent on whether ransom was paid or not.

Ugwuegbulam said: “Police SOS (Swift Operation Squad) and AntiKidnapping Teams, supported by the DPO (Divisional Police Officer) of Omoku (headquarters of Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers State) made efforts to rescue the mother of Chief Okoroma, kidnapped on June 17, 2011, at Obrikom.

“The efforts not only led to the rescue of the old woman around 3 pm on June 19 at Ama, Omoku, it also added to the pressure sustained on the kidnappers of the corpers by the police, the SSS and the military.

“Around 7:30 pm on June 19, the five kidnapped corpers were sighted and rescued by mobile policemen conducting stop and search at

Omerenu, along the Port HarcourtOwerri Road. The victims have been handed over to the highly delighted Director-General of the NYSC, Brig-General Maharazu Tsiga, in good state of health. Investigation to arrest the culprits continues.”

The Rivers commissioner of police had earlier stated that his men would not leave the bush until the five kidnapped corps members regained their freedom.

Shortly after the PPRO’s confirmation and reaction, discerning minds began to wonder how the corps members would be rescued in a car by policemen conducting stop and search on the busy road without arresting other occupants of the vehicle or gunning down the criminals, who might have attempted to escape.

The director-general of the NYSC, while speaking in Abuja on June 20, insisted that no ransom was paid to secure the five youths’ release.

Tsiga said: “This is an act that should be condemned in its totality by all those involved. I want to appeal to the youth that if we can make it, they too can make it. It does not mean that they should be used by politicians to be committing such atrocities, in order to get blood money.

“We went there, we used the security agencies, particularly the SSS, police and army to make sure that we rescued these corps members. There was nothing that we paid in terms of ransom. They were rescued and we were also able to rescue other kidnapped people in the jungle. My corps members came out alive, healthy.”

While urging corps members to take their personal security seriously, the NYSC’s director-general disclosed that the victims were immediately handed over to their families.

The security agencies too should be alive to their responsibilities, thereby ensuring the protection of lives and property, for corps members and others not to continue to be victims of kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes.

23

LOCATION

BACKSTAGE

SNAPSHOT

REEL NEWS

MUSIC

SCREEN

Edited by: VICTOR AKANDE

Tel: 08077408676

E-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com

ntertainment

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

I’ll continue to live with my parents even as beauty queen Sylv

ia Nduka, new Most Beautiful Girl i n Nigeria

24

STANDh BY! Wit

SNAPSHOTS

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

Actress Mercy Stars don’t make a film! Jonhson There is so much euphoria around celebrity actors that begins more often, lazy filmmakers seek popular faces to better their production. Guest writer, Mike 'Shola Agboola marriage who anchors his argument on the future of gospel movies in Nigeria, states that a good movie must speak for itself. class VICTOR AKANDE

Afro Hollywood Best Entertainment Writer 2009

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

S

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

THINK

OME people are deluded into thinking it's the magnetism of the stars in a movie that makes it a hit.

Nothing can be farther from the truth. The motion picture series, Lord of the Rings (2001-2003), had no superstars. What drew people to this movie was the sheer enormity of Peter Jackson's (the director's) vision, his budget, and the fact that he was tackling a literary masterpiece. People were curious to see how he did it. In Star Wars (1977), no one in the entire cast, except Sir Alec Guinness, was a big household name, yet it thrived in the box office. Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ (2004) did not feature stars, yet it was a huge box-office success.

I wish to state here that the ingredients of good movies stem from two major factors: i.e. the power of the story, and the film's production values. The production values include scripting, acting, locations, costumes, props, make-ups, camerawork, lighting, sound, editing etc.

The Plot: This is the most important part of the movie as it is the skeleton on which all other aspects of the movie hang.

Without a good plot, a movie fails to attract and retain the viewers. Even if they were drawn to it initially for some reasons, people would lose interest sooner than later.

The problem with a lot of Gospel films is that the plots are usually one-dimensional and they are often inundated with religious clichés. These make them unacceptable to nonChristians. A well-plotted Gospel movie should not be churchy in presentation. It must not be packaged like a sermon.

If Bible references are unavoidable, they should be sparingly used. The unwritten rule is this: 'Never attempt to preach at your viewers'.

The Characters: The second most significant factor of any good movie is the characters of the story. Without them there would be no story and no plot.

Characters (be it positive or

negative) should be such that the audience can relate to.

Actors: We need good actors to make a good movie. What exactly qualifies as good acting?

It is when you don't see the performer acting. The main thing is that you are made to believe that you are watching a person actually going through that experience. Actors, who can justify the characters and make them come alive in front of the audience, are classified as good actors. They must be able to portray the characters so well that people say that the characters are made keeping them in mind. They should blend themselves into the characters. Gospel filmmakers are doing relatively well in this regard, but there is always room for improvement.

Educative: It should be able to let us know about something new or, at least, remind us, in a new way, of something which is already known. Nowadays, movies are considered to be one of the most effective educational tools used to teach or educate people regarding certain issues.

In short a good movie should have some educative value for the masses. It must also provide some elements of encouragement and inspire people towards successfully overcoming barriers.

Aside teaching Biblical principles (which is its main aim), a Gospel movie must also fulfil the societal mandate of

A well-plotted Gospel movie should not be churchy in presentation. It must not be packaged like a sermon. If Bible references are unavoidable, they should be sparingly used. The unwritten rule is this: 'Never attempt to preach at your viewers’

educating its teeming viewers about basic issues like patriotism, menace of AIDS, evil of corruption, dangers of abortion and others. These can be subtly treated without losing track of the main theme of the production.

Emotional Impact: A good movie must move the viewer. It absolutely has to make the viewer feel something. Whether it is excitement, fear, encouragement, resentment, love, anger, whatever it is, it has to get to them on the emotional level. It should touch the heart and make them talk or think about it instead of just glossing over it. It should have the capacity to teach and inspire the viewers and provoke them emotionally. It is a disaster if, after watching your movie, the audience remarks, “What was it all about?”

Suspense: Francisco Regueiro, a Spanish filmmaker, made a remark at an edition of Cannes Film Festival. He said: “A film must be alive. When this happens, it smashes, devours and pulverizes any synopsis, plot or story. It speaks, talks and explains itself.” This is another way of saying the film must be full of suspense. A film without suspense is dead!

The English Dictionary calls suspense 'enjoyable tension'.

That is, a feeling of tense excitement about how something such as a mystery novel or movie will end. I call it 'not able to tell the end until you get to the end'. It's been discovered that when a movie goes according to a standard rigid formula, viewers lose interest. The viewer should not be able to tell what will happen at the end of the movie. If they can tell what will happen, they should not be able to tell how it will happen. This is what keeps them glued to their seats while good movies last. Stereotypes and clichés are the greatest killers of dramatic suspense.

—’Shola Mike Agboola is a filmmaker and President, EVOM World Network, a gospel film ministry based in Ilorin, Kwara State

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EXY actress, Mercy Johnson and her beau, Odianose Okojie began their marriage class last weekend at The Christ Embassy (Oregun, Lagos) in preparation for their August 27, wedding.

The lovebirds who returned from France and United States of America a few days back after a shopping spree have started the journey into matrimony with this step.

The marriage class which entails teaching the couple how to cope with the challenges of matrimony will last for a few more weeks.

Meanwhile, Mercy Johnson has bought her wedding dress from New York, United States of America, but she's keeping every one guessing about the designer and style of the bridal gown.

Omotola in fresh honeymoon, proves critics wrong

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ollowing speculations that the marriage of actress Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde is under threat as a result of the butt-grabbing incident by one of her escorts at the 2011 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, the actress and her hubby opened up some days back to debunk the rumour that there is no iota of truth in the story.

To further prove that their marriage is still intact, the couple are off to the UK to rekindle their love.

Both reportedly traveled on Saturday, June 25, 2011 and will be there for several days.

In the

words of the actress, “the notion or the rumour that my detractors are spreading to the effect that the guy at the Grammys was my boyfriend, is ludicrous to say the least. If I wanted to cheat on my husband, would I do that in the open? Would I advertise my boyfriend for everyone to see and at such a public function? Just analyse that logically; would that be a commonsensical thing to do?

This rumor is really a sick one and I'm offended. My husband is my soul-mate and I will never soil or put that trust in jeopardy no matter what and the extent of the temptation . It is not worth it.”

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

•Omotola

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

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Emeka Mba is Vice Chairman, Media AMP

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IRECTOR General of National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Mr. Emeka Mba has been named Vice Chairman of the world’s first global Advanced Management Programme in Media and Entertainment, (Media AMP).

Emeka was so elected by senior executives from some of the world’s top media and entertainment firms. In his role as Vice Chairman of the global media platform, Mba is expected to conduct himself as a good ambassador for the school and use the platform as anchor to guide the Nigerian media and entertainment industry into global engagement and strategic expression in all relevant markets.

With participants from 10 countries, Media AMP provides sophisticated management tools to prepare the next generation of industry leaders for the future challenges of global media and entertainment business. The programme began the first of its four-step, one-week modules in January this year and is jointly presented by industry thought leader, the Paley Center for Media and top ranked IESE Business School. Three modules are held at the IESE New York Centre in midtown Manhattan, and one module at the Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles.

Managing Director of Media and Entertainment Programme and Media AMP Programme Director at IESE Business School, Rich Sabreen, while applauding the choice of Mba for the position noted that NFVCB’s DG brought a wealth of experience to the programme both as an entrepreneur and innovator in Nigeria’s film industry. in his

words, “His intellectual power and knowledge of African media both enriched the programme and the participants experience. His leadership skills, along with the programme’s intense, comprehensive and global curriculum helped to create a transformative experience for the programme participants.”

The executives who participated in this year’s Media AMP come from, Brazil, Iceland, Italy, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Portugal, Spain and the United States, representing some of the world’s most strategic media and entertainment companies such as NBC Universal, Telecom Italia Media, Thirteen/WNET, Astro Entertainment and others. The programme also offers participants the unique opportunity to strengthen their leadership credentials by networking and interacting in a private, intimate and personal

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Three directors enlist for Supermom TV show

Sanction date for uncensored movies, TV programmes

HE National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has said that from Monday, 11th July, 2011 defaulters of its warnings on the incessant broadcast of unauthorised movies and music videos by broadcast and cable stations wil be prosecuted. Director General of NFVCB, Mr. Emeka Mba in a press release decry the offenders' attitude as a practice that has the capacity to undermine and compromise the socio-cultural integrity of Nigeria.

Miss Virtuous Nigeria begins on TV

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NOTHER beauty pageant is in the making. Tagged Miss Virtuous Nigeria beauty pageant TV show, the programme which seeks for a beautiful woman that is also virtuous, according to organisers will hit the nation's television screens in the next couple of weeks.

According to Miss Queen Enemali, C.E.O of Maliqueens Productions, organisers of the show, the belief that beautiful people cannot serve God with their looks and gifts is a fallacy.

Beauty and virtuousness, she said should complement each other.

Enemali said at the press unveiling of show that most pageants are fashioned along the line of women coming to show off their beautiful curves only.

“Beauty pageants abound in Nigeria but none has been

fashioned to take the Christian Girls, our biblical believe its chastity and the humble nature of Christ into consideration because of the way in which they are operated. As evidently profound as these may seem, it has remained practically unrealized here in the Nigeria society today.

The beauty pageant world is flooded with so much ungodliness that it has become impossible for the born-again Christian sisters to swim in.

“This and many more reasons gave birth to the vision of “Miss Virtuous Nigeria”, a platform for the Christian ladies to showcase their God-given beauty, talents and purpose to glorify their creator.

Our body is the product of our thoughts. The way we think defines who we are. As Christians, our body is the temple

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XECUTIVE Producer of Supermon TV reality show, Shola Fajobi has named actor cum director, Wale Adebayo; film director and mass communication lecturer at the Lagos State Polytechnic, Stephen Anu-Adesemoye; and television personality, Jamal Ayo-Mogaji as the three directors enlisted for the shoot of the show.

Fajobi expressed optimistic that when the 2011 edition of the show comes on air in July, teeming followers of the show will be treated to the best of art direction in the history of Nigerian television programming.

According to Adebayo, who came into recognition as star of •Emeka Mba the biopic of the Yoruba king of setting with top industry leaders experience that cuts from thunder, Sango, “I was fascinated and entrepreneurs who are entrepreneurship through media by the idea of Supermom. It is changing the face of business. multinational growth strategies to more like a social responsibility The Economist magazine has regulatory enterprise in media because the show is about repeatedly and consistently rated innovation and management. He women, especially those who give the IESE Business School over and is credited with robust and radical their all to the successes and above its peers from across the reforms that are paving the way survival of their children. What is world. Mr. Mba brings into this for strategic, structured processes more profound for me is that assignment his erudite and robust of film distribution in Nigeria. these women are hardly celebrated, rather, we celebrate youths in the areas of music and movies; we never celebrate struggling mothers. I'm highly impressed that the producer did not only come out to celebrate these women but also present their stories and struggles in a “No broadcast or signal based Censors Board, NFVCB.” drama format for the world to platform has any window under Mba noted that part of the appreciate.” the law in Nigeria to broadcast motives for the establishment of On his part, Mogaji says any movie or music video content the NFVCB by Federal statutes is nothing could be as touching as not duly classified or which to ensure that contents listening to kids narrate the classifications by other external particularly in movie and video stories of their mothers in the classification agencies have not forms do not form the fulcrum of studio. “At a point, the whole been recognized by the National the erosion of values in our society crew cried at some of the stories Film and Video Censors Board”. and that no other external culture being shared. I was carried away He said, making reference to the takes advantage of superior media with the stories; our eyes were Nigeria Broadcasting code which technological acquisition to opened to so many things. states that “NBC's licencees shall subjugate our values and heritage Particularly, I learnt that there are ensure that every movie carries over external others, using the some sacrifices mothers make that appropriate classification symbols broadcast or indeed any the children are not privy to until of the National Film and Video platforms. they grow up.”

The academic, AnuAdesemoye, opines, “Nigerians don't know how to tell their stories. We went through the entries one by one and discovered of the Holy Spirit which means that there are good stories that that God lives and dwells in us. were badly written or told; This singular fact makes us a hardship has eaten deep into special kind of breed set apart for people that emotions don't run through them as they narrate their special purpose. We are the stories. Someone talking about unseen God personified. God is death for instance, would refuse beauty Himself beyond any to cry because hardship has made measure. We are more beautiful them strong. Believability is also a that we can ever imagine because challenge; the story-telling we are created in the image of technique must show that what is God, so we have to use this being said is true. The ability to beauty to glorify Him,” she said. express and send home the Powered by Franjus message is a great challenge".

Entertainment, Miss Virtuous He revealed that several Nigeria according to her is •Queen Emenali segments are now being created designed to showcase the inner beauty of Nigerian Christian girls camped in a house for seven days to keep viewers glued to each episode, one of such is “Mama's during which they will be as well as outer beauty. “It is to orientated based on the Bible. She hug”, which affords viewers to choose a lady that will be an take close pictures of their added that there will be ambassador of Christ and an mothers in a happy mood and instructors who will stand as example to all God's created send to a designated number, ten mentors and teachers to groom beautiful ladies who have been pictures would appear every the Queens on the task ahead of using their beauty unwisely. She revealed that, participants, after a them throughout the duration of week, one of which will win the sum of N50, 000. the show. careful selection would be

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

I’ll soon clamp down on pirates of my latest album —Sunny Neji Through it all, the man Sunny Neji has seen and fought tirelessly to remain on the sunny side of music business.

From his early days when he released and rocked the scene with his classic hits like Mr. Fantastic, Oruka, Roforofo, down to his experimental RnB album, to his crusader stand for Nigerian music and now his newly released “Timeless” album, he has shown he passionately loves Nigerian music and is always ready to take a bold step in making things better.

In a chat recently with the ace musician, MERCY MICHAEL takes a look at the man behind a number of timeless tunes. Excerpts:

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T is a known fact that the musician in Nigeria is not getting his dues but for Sunny Neji to join the fast rising train of those who sell music at a thousand naira, does he think he's being realistic? “For a thousand and one reasons, Nigerian music should be sold at a reasonable rate and one thousand naira is not too much for a music CD. First of all; take a good look at the jacket, you will see it has a higher quality and by buying the CD, you can even learn to sing the song because the lyrics are written on it. The buyer is given great value for money. Secondly, we need to start selling music again, because for a while now, we have been doing music to promote ourselves, our personality, and image so that we can get endorsement but the content of the music itself we are not selling.

Meanwhile, there are business men who have invested in content to produce the music and they've lost and they think it's bad business. So, selling music at a thousand naira means we are inviting real time business men to invest in the music industry.

At the moment it is only artistes who are investing in music. What is happening in the telecom industry can happen in music industry because people listen to music on a daily basis; but the average Nigerian business man cannot invest in the Nigeria music industry because there is no quality pricing system in place. So by selling music at a thousand naira, the value of our industry can easily be ascertained and the music buyers get quality for money. Look at the hundred and fifty naira CD, you will see that the jackets cannot even hold the pirated CDs they sell.

The motive behind a thousand naira CD is great, but then one would want to know

The sad news is this, they have already started pirating it, because a friend of mind was chatting with me on facebook a few days ago and he said he bought the album for N200

what plans or measures Sunny Neji is putting in place to keep away the deathly hands of pirates from Mr.Neji's beautiful and quality “Timeless” album. “The sad news is this, they have already started pirating it, because a friend of mind was chatting with me on facebook a few days ago and he said he bought the album for two hundred naira. I am not fooling myself that this album or any other move we have made in recent times will send away pirates; all we are asking for is this, let the government try and enforce the existing laws on copy right, this will help send this monsters into hiding, because at the moment, they are operating freely like mini-gods. On our part, we are putting plans in place to arrest this ugly situation and ensure true lovers of music get quality music to buy.”

Sunny Neji grew to fame by playing highlife music, but his last body of work was an RnB experimentation that left most of his core highlife fans heartbroken, what gave him the courage to carry out such an experiment that denied his fans the opportunity of good highlife music? “Who told you that high life was absent in that album? If you had listened carefully you would have heard the high life tunes that are buried into that album,” he argued.

But then in past albums one didn't have to pay special attention before hearing high life in a Sunny Neji song, so, will he admit that he made a mistake by changing a winning formula that guarantees him business success as an artist? “The album suffered because most of you who are in the media have this mindset that if Sunny Neji doesn't sing in this particular manner then it is unacceptable. This same album that some of you rejected won me a whole lot of new fans, do you know that a whole bunch of fans only started listening to me after they heard “Abosede” from that same album?

You see, you talk about commercial success, what you do not know is this, there come a time when you just have to do music for the sake of art and nothing else. If you make good music for the love of art, then you are sure your work will be appreciated tomorrow. The biggest names you know in the world of painting if you wake them up from their graves and inform them of what their works are sold for today they will die of shock again. So I did that last album with the love of art at heart.”

How artistic or commercial is the new

album, “Timeless”? “Timeless is truly a timeless work of art. It has a great balance; you have the best of me in your hands. I took my time to put in the Sunny Neji you want to hear and I also did the music as a great work of art.” The album has a lot of young talents in it, what informed the choice of picking these young talents to work with?

“It is not about freshness or age, it is about the value of the person I'm bringing into the album. From Jodi to Kiki, they all brought in a lot of value into the album with their different level of talents.”

Though the album treated various issues, the theme of love remained the most dominant, why is it so? “Truth be told, I do not know why, but I just discovered that I love singing about love it is my comfort zone and I enjoy singing about love. I cannot say how it comes but it just comes. You know what? Whether you want to accept it or not, love is the only thing that keeps us all going.”

A principal crusader for the fight for Nigerian music to pay. This reporter thought it wise to seize this opportunity to find out from Mr. Neji if the Copy Right Society of Nigeria (COSON) will ever pay the average Nigerian recording artist. His reply ended up affirming one fact - that this man is truly bent on giving this new album the best promotion it can get. “COSON is a matter for another day because if we want to talk about it you might not stop because it is a very interesting matter. This is a season for the promotion of “Timeless” album and that is all I want to talk about at the moment.

Because if I answer that question you will forget about “Timeless” album and start talking about COSON.” This new album, according to Sunny Neji is a classic work of art. And the joy of every

artist is to be recognized by the most respected of people in the world. In the world of music, the Grammy Award is the highest and most respected reward system on earth. The best Nigeria has gotten from Grammy is nominations, does he think a Nigerian can ever win a Grammy or should we expect his “Timeless” to bring us a Grammy plaque? “Grammy, Grammy, Grammy that is a very interesting issue. The first thing I want you to know is this, wining a Grammy has a lot to do with understanding the politics of Grammy.

Without understanding and playing its politics right, you just might never win it.

Aside that, take recordings done from the best of our studios and compare them with recordings done in an average American studio, you will see that we are still steps behind in the technology of music production. You might have a good song but the noise from our poor recording facilities will turn the average American music listener off. You see, we still have a lot to do before we think about winning a Grammy.”

Musicians have come and gone, yet the industry remains. Nigeria has an array of great talents that are doing well at the moment, what future is there for the music industry in Nigeria? “Huge potentials is all I see but we still have a lot to do in other to realize our full potentials. As musicians, we need to improve on our craft; the culture of writing and performing good music has to be revived. This thing of Dj track two must stop. We need to work together and prove to corporate Nigeria to invest and show government the reason it has to fight these pirates for us once and for all. We must work hard and improve on what we have at hand, if we fail to come together and improve on our industry we are doomed.”

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

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Last shots of Star Trek 2011

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Lagos comes alive with Kenny G, Mike Aremu

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AZZ maestro Mike Aremu will be fulfilling one of his dreams of not just performing alongside his mentor, but bringing him to the country in a mother of all shows that he hopes will reignite the fire of the Jazz genre in Nigeria.

Indications are that the coheadliner act and phenomenal instrumentalist, Kenny G flew into the country with a 22-man band for the concert which is said to be costing the organisers over 100 million naira.

Tomorrow at the expo hall of Eko Hotel and suites, the show tagged Sax Appeal, which enjoys the partnership of Classic FM, with support from Eko Hotel, Avis, LASAA, The Beat FM 99.9, Naija FM, BlackHouse Media and Inspiro productions, will fly the flag it's third edition with Grammy award winning American Saxophonist, Kenny G. According to Mike Aremu, Band members and support acts for the Grammy award winning performer arrived Lagos yesterday while Kenny G is expected to come

to town today in-company of personal aides and associates.

The visiting artiste is expected to join a growing list of musicians like Tosin Martins, Kunle Ayo, Bez, Yinka Davies, Yolanda Brown, and rapper MI - All of whom have performed at the annual event in the past. Aremu is proud to say that the appearance of the American born instrumentalist at this year's concert will further enhance the growing international recognition of the annual music event.

In an audio message released last week to confirm his appearance at Sax Appeal 3, Kenny G in a delighted tone said with pride “ I am happily looking forward to when I will be in Lagos.''

On the expected outcome of the show, Aremu is optimistic that music fans who appreciate the quality of live musical performances will be thrilled by the collection of the finest musicians his team is putting together and the level of his

Diekolola releases debut album Adeyeni ADEYEMO

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RADUATE of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Diekolola has finally released her much awaited gospel album 'Dieko' as well as celeberated her birthday at NECA house, close to New Afrika Shrine

by MKO Abiola Garden, CBD, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday June 19, 2011.

According to the songwriter and performer, 'With the release of my debut album, I intend to take my music to another frontier and break borders and barriers.'

Her works have been highly recognised both locally and internationally. She won the prestigious Omega Award as the best female vocalist in 2007.

Diekolola's 'Dieko' is a nine

track gospel album which contains beautiful songs with hits like Omo Jesu ft K'ore of the infinity group, Spirit of Praise, I'm still here, Jesus Jesus and a host of others.The event hosted some artistes and dignitaries like K'ore of the infinity group, Yemi Sax, Rev Victor Adeyemi, Goke Nathaniel, Remi Muwagun, Pst. Korede Adams, Bezaleel and a host of others

HE thrill expressed by the Lagos and Ondo crowd in this year's edition of Star Trek, the musical road show organised by Star lager, from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc, would mark the last memories of an eventful outing for the organisers and music artistes who gave their best to satisfy the fans.

Last Friday, the residents of Igbede Town gathered at the Ikenna Recreation centre, Ajangbadi, Lagos to watch performances by some of their favourite musical stars wherein eight (the largest number of musical artistes for one city) musical acts performed to the delight of the crowd.

After the preliminary performances by young music hopefuls in the vicinity, the show anchor, Gbenga Adeyinka, in his characteristic manner and working in concert with the DJ, took the crowd on a musical journey of past hits, ranging from old school, and Nigerian hip hop among others to the cheering of the crowd.

Thus, the stage was set for the •Kenny G and show proper which kicked off with the performance of the BEAT Mike Aremu band, winners of Star Quest 2011. dedication to ensure it turns out to The band showed depth and maturity as they serenaded the be a wonderful evening. crowd with their original Already, an impressive set of compositions. Their song, 'Rain' acts from four countries: Nigeria, South Africa, the United States and seemed apt, given that there was a downpour that Friday. Their other England have been confirmed to original composition, 'swagger' perform at the Sax Appeal which will feature multiple MOBO award moved the crowd, while their most popular composition 'When we winner Yolanda Brown, talented fall, we will rise' became a crowd Nigerian Singer Waje, and South mover.

Africa-based guitarist-performer Kunle Ayo who is popularly called Zanga crooner, Durella, was the ''king of the strings''. next to mount the stage. His Sax Appeal, a concept of Mike musical hits “E nu o se” and Aremu Vision which is geared towards the Rebirth and Promotion of Live Musical Performances in Nigeria also aims at creating a platform for interaction between Sponsoring Organization, Corporate Executives and Entrepreneurs coming together under an entertainment friendly environment.

This year's edition of the gig will be anchored by stand- up comedian Tee- A.

“Enemies” rocked the crowd. And when The Pulse Band, past winners of Star Quest, mounted the stage, they didn't disappoint their fans. The band, famous for the 'Sote' collaboration with Busta Rhymes, rendered songs from their yet-to-be-released album.

Then came Pheel, also alumni of Star Trek, just before Eldee, former head-honcho of Trybesmen, was ushered on stage. His delivery of rap lines, combined with his rendition of his afro-hip hop songs proved to the crowd that he still remained a force to reckon with in Nigeria's hip hop scene.

And when Mo' Hits artiste, Dr. Sid, took the reins from Eldee, he was promptly supported on stage by another Mo' Hits artiste, Kay Switch.

Next on stage was Faze, ex Plantation Boiz member that got the crowd miming his past musical hits such as 'Originality', 'Gear 1' and 'Faze Alone'. The singer got the crowd screaming for more, and so was granted the grace of additional time, with which he resumed with 'Kolo Mental' which got the crowd in a musical frenzy before his exit. Faze's performance was followed by that of Yinka Best who was accompanied by his musical band. The artiste of the 'Ko gboge wa, ko le gboge lo' fame dished out juju hits to the crowd's delight.

Same excitement was recorded at The Motel Ondo Plaza, venue of the Ondo leg which brought the show to a wrap where Diamondz band, also past winners of Star Quest, Wale Waves, Sound Sultan, 9ice and Fuji exponent, Obesere, were the biggest attractions of the night.

•Faze

Malta Guinness Dance: Fly High gets cut down

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FTER last week's eviction of Hepzibah in the ongoing 4th season of Malta Guinness Street dance, the remaining five crews have an uphill task of impressing the judges in a bid to make it to the final and get the opportunity of representing Nigeria at the PanAfrican championship.

According to the judges, the dancers are expected to showcase the basics of dance as the judges

•Soulja Guyz

highlighted technicality, use of space, body movement, coordination, precision, innovativeness, dynamism, amongst others as the major skills they have to exhibit before getting into the final and beyond.

Thus, the task in this episode was for the dance crews to look into the future; through creativity and mimicking the future of street dance.

First on stage was Fly Higy

whose performance obviously did not impress the judges, as Frank, one of the judges, went ahead to criticize the crew's lack of commitment to the challenge, while May Seven, the only female judge, also complained of their inability to show any futuristic dance displays.

Next was De Genesis Plus who stormed the stage with energy choreography just before Shadowz got serious hammering from the judges for their inability to be creative enough for the task.

Soulja Guyz was next on stage with a dance that got the judges praising their brilliant idea and concept, but was chided for poor costuming; even as Supreme Task stormed the stage with an impressive performance that got caught the judges' fancy.

In the end, the three Judges unanimously picked Fly High for eviction, thus ending their journey in this season of the Malta Guinness Street Dance.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

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Great line-up for Durban Film Festival

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HE 32nd Durban International Film Festival, has been announced will kicks off on 21 July with the World Premiere of the South African film Otelo Burning, directed

by Sara Blecher, a movie, set during the last days of apartheid.

Shot in Durban, the film tells the story of a group of South African township youngsters who discover surfing as an empowering escape from the political violence of the times.

Supported by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (principal funder), National Film and Video Foundation, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism and other valued funders and partners, the festival which runs between the 21st and 31st of July is expected to be crammed with great films from around the world.

According to Sharlene Versfeld of Versfeld & Associates, the media consultants for the festival, Skoonheid, Oliver Hermanus's groundbreaking film that caused a stir at the recent Cannes film festival, will have its first South African screening at the festival.

The festival will also present the World Premieres of Charlie Vundla's noir film How To Steal 2 Million, John Barker's thrilling heist flick 31 Million Reasons, Faith Isiakpere's crime drama The Algiers Murders, Eldorado by new talents Shaldon Ferris and Lorreal Ferris, the hilarious comedy Taka Takata by Damir Radonic, and The Dream by Zuko Nodada. Also making their African Premieres are Mukunda Michael Dewil's psychological thriller Retribution and Paula van der Oest's moving film about Ingrid Jonker, Black Butterflies.

DIFF 2011 includes the African Premiere of the year's most anticipated film Terrence Malick's The Tree Of Life, which just won the Palme d'Or in Cannes. Other highlights include Woody Allen's Midnight In Paris, which will close the festival, Bela Tarr's The Turin Horse, Andrey Zvyagintsev's Elena, Jose Padilha's Elite Squad 2 The Enemy Within, Takeshi Kitano's Outrage, Michel Ocelot's Tales Of The Night, SJ Clarkson's Toast, Lee Chang-dong's Poetry, and Apichatpong Weerasethakul's Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives.

African cinema will also be well-represented by Djo Tunda Wa Munga's striking and unique Viva Riva!, Nigerian director Andrew Donsunmu's visually beautiful Restless City, Justin Chadwick's uplifting Kenya-set film The First Grader, and Ebrahim El Batout's Hawi which first appeared in Durban as a project at the inaugural Durban FilmMart in 2010.

DIFF will focus on two national cinemas this year: India and Canada. Six films from the great Indian master Satyajit Ray will be presented, alongside daring new works by talented new Indian filmmakers. Leena Manimekelai will present the World Premiere of her film The Dead Sea and other Indian films include Onir's I Am, Sanjoy Nag's Memories In March, Kaushik Mukherjee's Bengali hip hop film Asshole, and Aamir Bashir's Autumn.

Local stories in the powerful documentary line-up include World Premieres such as Ryley Grunewald's The Dawn of a New Day where healing is shown as being more than skin deep, Mickey Dube's Sobukwe, A Great Soul about one of this country's most influential, but unsung, heroes, the Keith Jones/Deon Maas music revolution collaboration Punk In Africa, and the Dara Kell/Chris Nizza collaboration Dear Mandela about innovative leadership emerging in informal settlements. Not to be missed, DIFF will present the African premiere of Mama Africa, the inspirational film about Miriam Makeba.

th

20-year-old Sylvia Nduka will enjoy the best of her swimming and travelling hobbies, and even more as the 24 Queen of the Silverbird's Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant which held last weekend at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. Just settling down, the undergraduate of the University of Lagos is sure to break all odds to make her term memorable. She spoke to VICTOR AKANDE, Entertainment Editor, in an exclusive chat.

‘I have always known that one day my dream will become real’ O

•Sylvia Nduka

NE year on: what are your projections, what are your expectations, and what are your fears?

I don't have any fears (smile), I just want Nigerians to expect the best from me, trust me; when I am done, they will see what I have done.

Apart from the programmes or agenda that the organisers might have set for you, are you thinking of moving a step ahead of the plans they have for you? I'm sure you must have your own passion.

I love children a lot. I am starting with the children out there who need to go to school but don't have the opportunity of going to school. I mean, opportunity to pay their fees; I'm going to see how I can help from there.

The competition was very keen, amongst the 34 girls, were you expecting in any way that you would win?

I have always had in mind that one day, my dream will definitely come to pass.

For how long have you been planning this?

It's been long. Can't remember quite well now, but it's been a while (smile).

Have you attempted a contest of the nature before?

No, I have not, this is my first time.

So what are your parents' dispositions towards this?

Oh, they are both happy about it. I mean very happy about this.

Were they around on the day of the competition?

My dad wasn't there, but my mum was. And I tell you, she was so excited.

You put a call to your dad after the competition, I suppose..?

Yes, I called my dad shortly after the competition So, what did he say; what exactly where his words?

He was like, 'yea, my baby, she won!' Yes, that was it.

In the course of the whole exercise, who among the girls did you think could give you a tough time?

I wasn't scared of anybody. The whole girls tried their best and were good in their own right, but I wasn't scared of any one of them in particular.

Talking about fears, you must really be so confident not to even

bother about whether or not you will be able to satisfy Nigerians as their Most Beautiful Girl, even as candidate of Miss World.

Well, human nature sets in at the initial stage, but I have gotten over all that now.

What was growing up like?

Wonderful, I'm the last born in the house and so, it was wonderful.

What do you think of a segment of the society's disposition to beauty queens, or beauty pageants of this nature, especially in derogatory terms, were you not discouraged along the line as whether it's morally okay?

No, I wasn't at all. At a particular time when I thought of letting the pageant go, it was just about my school. But having a second thought, I gave it a shot since I am in my third year and merely have a year for me to leave school. So, I told myself, I could do it.

One year for you to leave school, have you also thought of the conflict that could arise between your activities as beauty queen and the last lap of your studies?

Yes, I thought of it and I felt it's not going to be easy, though I am

sure I can combine both. I have thought about it, worked on it and I believe it will work out.

What school again, please?

University of Lagos And of course, the queen is going to be resident in Lagos. Okay, please tell me about your package with the organisers; are you going to vacate your hostel or school room somewhere in town or are you going to be living within the confines of the MBGN arrangement?

I live with my parents. And that is how it works for me. I have always lived with my parents and it's not going to change now just because I have won the MBGN. Have you seen your itinerary for the year, so as to know what you will be doing in a particular month or so?

I'm working towards it; we are...

So, what's the next official duty for you?

(Laughs) You just watch and see...

Thank you your majesty, the queen.

You are welcom e! (general laughter).

ALABI AISIEN DECLARES

Pg. 30

I’m not in a rush to join We can bring back the Super Eagles —Ighalo good old happy days Pg. 32

Nation Saturday, July 2, 2011

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HAMBURG HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT

Haye dares Klitschko Pg. 30

•Vladimir

•Haye

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SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

AKINLOYE AT LARGE

ALABI AISIEN DECLARES

We can bring back the good old happy days

08050246155 atlarge84@yahoo.com

A trip in futility

•Football can ease tension Alabi Aisien is a notable former coach of Bendel Insurance Football Club. In this interview with OLUSOJI OLUKAYODE in Benin City, the former Insurance manager spoke about the good old days of the club, his football philosophy as well as his greatest and saddest moments in the game.

W

HAT does it feel like with all the experiences you have had in football to be here today to watch one of those that I will consider your children (Augustine Eguavoen), leading the national team?

Well I feel good Eguavoen is one of my products, there are very many still on the field, they are all coaches and their exploits are well defined. I can only wish them greater tomorrow and I‘m here in support of what they are doing and to also appreciate what they have done. I feel good.

I just want to quickly take your back memory lane. Sir I want you to remember the days of Insurance/ NNB, what memories do those days bring back to you?

Well, they were good old days. We thought that we can bring back those happy days again, emm, we want to believe that football must be strongly associated with culture. Where you don’t build a culture, you cannot sustain any performance. We had great time but devoid of culture. If we have a sports loving government that will bring culture into sports, then we can begin to think of sustenance and smooth flow.

However, we have a governor now that is very enthusiastic but we want to believe that people will advice the government for sustenance and to imbibe culture into all sports. That is my opinion again, eeh, I can be right, but I think it’s based on scientific working method.

Sir, I also want to look at your rivalry, the rivalry between NNB and Insurance back in the days There was no rivalry. There were two separate bodies. Insurance came in first and New Nigeria (Bank) came in stoutly. They all had their moments, ehh, the record has it as to who perhaps had better time. But the truth is that when Insurance was playing, in the good old days, at 2 O clock the stadium’s doors will be locked but today it’s a different story, I want to believe that we can bring back those happy good days so that football will take it’s proper place of letting off steam for those who have been embattled with the problems of time.

I want to thank you again and I think we are on course.

Sir, tell me about your most memorable moment as a coach?

I will surprise you, you‘ll be looking

the army too, I cannot mention many of them.

Tell me your saddest moment sir in football?

Oh, you see, my saddest moment, I want to tell you I have sad moment.

Nigeria used me and dumped me, its sad thing to talk about. I won’t talk more than that Tell me about your football philosophy, there is so much respect for you as an individual?

I have concept, I‘m a football coach, trained in Germany, Britain and at home. While I was in Germany, I went round a few other European countries, like Hungary, you know. My philosophy can easily be seen from my concept, having been trained, I have two concepts; one is that attack is the best form of defence and I also have another concept, that a good

defence is the best offence. So my philosophy is that sport is about the most unifying factor for Nigeria.

When I say sport, I want to tell you that group sport is the one that can integrate more than any other sport and football is a group sport. If (I must) talk about the game of football, it will take a lot of time to come to a conclusion. But today if we must continue to let off steam and remove tension and stress, we must support the game of football; it’s a philosophy right there that the game of football is a game that satisfies all when you come out with good players and good display. Well, if you had asked me to prepare for your interview perhaps I would have prepared better but for the moment, go away and believe that football has come to stay.

“

If we have a sports loving government that will bring culture into sports, then we can begin to think of sustenance and smooth flow.

“

•Alabi Aisien

for the most highlighted match but if I tell you the match I cherished to my bone is the match between Warri Wolves of old when Edewor was the man at the back of Warri Wolves and Urumi Garrison team. So, I was in Urumi Garrison and I went to play Warri Wolves in Warri.

When was this?

That was way back in the early 70s. I tell you, we gave them the scare of their lives and that cannot be easily forgotten. It was a (match of two) unequal teams and coming from nowhere to create a colossal (effect).

It’s a match that will take sometime to forget and I will not forget it in a hurry.

What was the score line?

It was 1-1 What kind of match was it?

It was a Challenge Cup match Can you remember the stage?

It was the second round at the state level. Then it was the Mid West State.

Can you remember your players of that team?

They were mainly soldiers who were back from the warfront. I was able to harness them, put them together, which they responded. I am not a military man, I was posted there to go and ensure that that team really came to play a match. And the soldiers have since left football and maybe left

•Olufemi Thomas(r) in handshakes with match official

Ghana can't stop our AAG dream –Olufemi Thomas N

•From left: Dream Team V’s chief coach, Ausgustine Eguavoen a former player of Alabi Aisien with his assistants, Stanley Eguma, Alloy Agu and Benedict Iroha

IGERIA’s Olympic football team goalkeeper, Olufemi Thomas is confident the team will qualify for the football event of both the All African Games and the London 2012 Olympics.

The Ocean Boys shot stopper who had a chat with naijafootball247.com after the All African Games Qualifier against the Black Meteors of Ghana bared his mind on the team’s progress so far: The first leg ended 3-1, do you think the team can get a result in Ghana in the return leg?

We are sure of victory in Accra, our third goal demoralized them and they know the return leg will be tough, with God and hard work, I believe we can do it.

The team has only lost one

competitive game, what is the secret behind the good run so far?

We have to give credit to the coach (Austin Eguavoen), his rapport with the players is great and there is a great bond among the players, we are more like brothers rather than team-mates.

God is also on our side.

Can the team qualify for both the AAG and the Olympics?

I believe we will qualify and also go ahead to win gold in both events, I am also working hard to make the team to both competitions.

What next?

Having played for the U-20s and the U-23s, I hope to graduate into the Super Eagles set up, I also hope to play in Europe next season.

•Austin Eguavoen

NIGERIA football has taken its freedom from those who run sports in the country with the change of name of the body that runs it.

It used to be known as the Nigeria Football Association (NFA). But the day the Congress changed its name to Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), it sent to sleep government control of the game in the country. Also sent to sleep are Decrees 10 and 11 which tied the football body to the apron of the government. You can see just what a change of name can do. A trip to Zurich to confer with the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) as being planned by the sports egg-heads would yield no dividend.

The trip would only be a sight-seeing mission. FIFA is in support of the change of name and would lay its life on the ground to defend its affiliate as it did in the past. The delegation to be led by the Acting Secretary General of the NFF is to inform the world soccer controlling body that it is reverting to Nigeria Football Association., but it will not stand with FIFA. Do they have to go to Zurich to do that? The delegation will also ask for the input of FIFA on the next line of action considering the fact that the courts have declared the NFF Board illegal. The government knows the implication of throwing away Alhaji Maigari and his men from the Glass House and wanted their understanding before the axe falls. The move is being made to avert a ban which would be clamped on the country should the Board be sacked by the National Sports Commission (NSC). But trust FIFA. It will stand by the Board and would consider the sacking interference in the affairs of the NFF. FIFA has warned stakeholders against taking football matters to court. It has a legal committee which addresses such matters.

Therefore, my candid opinion is for the trip to be cancelled. We do not have to send a delegation to Zurich to tell FIFA that we are a sovereign nation. Football does not need a decree to be administered neither a constitution. Nigeria signed an undertaking to run football without government interference when she joined FIFA. There is also an agreement that football matters will not be taken to court. It shall be well with our football if we stick to the undertakings we signed when the country became a FIFA member years ago.

I need to add that the body which is championing the battle against NFF is illegal. It is functioning through government pronouncement. Therefore every action that the NSC has carried out since it came back is illegal. It should, as a matter of fact, concentrate on how it could become a legal entity instead of fighting a battle it cannot win. We have sent delegations to FIFA in the past. It did not yield any dividends. This trip to Zurich will be an act in futility.

FALCONS: THE GERMAN GAMBLE BY the time you will be reading this our Female football team could be on their way out of Women’s World Cup. They probably are heading home. They were in a tough group. Losing the opening game in a World Cup has a way of weighing down a team.

Playing the host next is a heavy burden on its own.

I have an axe to grind with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for hiring a German to work on the physical fitness of the players. Why did we hire a German when we know we are in the same group with Germany?

His hiring will not be in our favour considering the fact that blood is thicker that water.It reminds me how defunct Soviet Union drubbed Cameroon World Cups after a flying start. They had beaten Argentina in the opening game and one had expected the Indomitable Lions to add Soviet Union to the casualty list. The Lions were beaten silly because their coach came from Soviet Union! Did Valerie Nepomianchi pass information about the Cameroonians to his country? Your guess is as good as mine.

Won’t the German pass information about our team his country? Did he justify the huge amount of money spent to hire him, with the physical fitness of our players in Germany? Was he allowed to work on the fitness of our players? One of the players was clutching her leg and it is called cramp in football, which means that she was not fit to play the match against France.

Are we in a rush to appoint a female to handle the national women’s team? France which has been in women football before us still has a man as their coach. These are questions begging for answers. These questions should lead us the way forward as we attempt to rise from the World Cup ashes.

I think it is time we organize a women’s football summit where the stakeholders are invited to search for the way forward. Female football is on a sharp decline and it should not be so.

OSAZE WON’T JUST GO AWAY The Osaze Odemwingie and Samson Siasia matter will not just go away.

I took adecision early in the week that the issue would not be revisited only for the Alex Song and Samuel Eto’O and Cameroon FA hit the newsstands.

Song was fined $2000 dollars for refusing to shake hands with the captain of his side who happens to be Eto’O. He was also reprimanded and ordered to carry out three days training with young players within the next year. Assou Ekotto also was seriously reprimanded and ordered to be of good behaviour because he shunned national call up. Cameroon know they are in trouble. They place third on the log and may not qualify for the next Nations Cup. Song was not suspended for his act of indiscipline neither was Ekotto banned for shunning the call up for the last Nations Cup match at home. The coach knows that all hands must be on deck to achieve the impossible. Is Siasia listening?

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THE NATION SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

NATION SPORT

From South Africa’s DSTV, a quiet Sports Revolution T

HERE is indeed life in sports outside football that is apparently not known to many Nigerians.

We have become so hooked on football even when we know next to nothing about the round leather object that our leisure senses have been shut to other forms of sports that holds the same depth of thrill and entertainment.

Governments at all levels in the country have done little to cure this miserable loathing and neglect of other sports. It made me chuckle reading my friend, Ade Ojeikere’s back page column in this newspaper last Saturday where he swore that Mary Onyali-Omagbemi will rescue us from this maniacal entrapment of us by football. I just wanted to tell him that the opium of football is what feeds the greed at the corridors of sport. Little wonder the insistence by the powers that currently rule at the National Sports Commission to send their friends to Zurich on a mission without vision. My respected friend, Barrister Godwin Dudu Orume, in accepting this assignment has again confirmed my fears that the Achilles heel of most Nigerians is government assignment. Whether the appointment is for them to confront God or to dine with the devil, the Nigerian will accept and hope to rationalise later. Why accept to waste tax payers’ money on a shambolic visit that will only trigger scorn from FIFA for our dear country? As the saying goes, what we seek in Sokoto is in the shokoto. I digress.

Like I was saying before the disgression, government has come to take the lead position in what is known as ‘other sports abuse’. In Angola at the 2010 Nations Cup, I was shocked to find a good number of states’ Commissioners of Sports, Directors of Sports, Chairmen of Sports Councils and their board members flooding into the Southern African country as part of government delegation. Some spent barely three days and flew back to Nigeria or detoured to Britain to continue shopping with the three weeks estacode they collected for the Nations Cup trip. In a particular delegation from one of the middle belt states, the Commissioner and the Director of Sports were playing the catch-me game trying to avoid disclosing their real arrival and departure dates having come on separate flights. Our Legislators were roped into this drama by thieving national and state sports council officials that listed them on the entourage to ensure that bloated budgets were passed without thorough checks. This is not about to stop as we will witness during the coming All Africa Games in Mozambique. Now, how many of those Legislators

By Harry Iwuala

and Sports Council henchmen have we seen in Port Harcourt for the National Sports Festival that started on June 28? ICPC and EFCC, you have a responsibility on your hands to stop this.

Then, I dare say that Nigeria’s corporate business family is the worst offender in this crime of ‘other sports abuse’. Banish all the excuses about corruption in sports administration in the country because football to which all seem to scramble for space is still one of the most controversial centers of corruption. When was the last time we heard of a National Badminton Open Championship, a National Squash Championship or for that matter, the once very huge National Handball Championship? The biggest corruption resides in the cozy corporate suites of the private sector where a larger portion of the sponsorship fees is paid to agencies for easy pay-back to insider facilitators of projects. Check the recent case between Athletics Federation and their former sponsor.

On this score, Globacom stands tall in the corporate world because it has been the only organization that forked out quantum sums of money in direct sponsorship rights payment to the Nigeria Premier League, the Nigeria Football Federation, the Athletic Federation of Nigeria and the Confederation of African Football to name just a few.

It also explains why the company was averse to alleged sharp practices in any of the partner organizations.

This piece is not really about government or corporate corruption but about the contributions of a foreign company doing business in a Nigerian environment where you have industry peers that appear not to know what to do with the profits they are raking in from the public.

Taking stock of the involvement of DSTV in Nigerian sports in the last five years, one will begin to wonder if they are not operating within the same much bandied harsh economic environment as other television stations, especially the networks.

DSTV began with signing up for broadcast of the Nigeria Premier League for a fee its benefits have been denied the league and the clubs by the proverbial Nigerian factor.

The issue of DSTV broadcast rights fee will one day become public knowledge to the shame of those who cooked up the deal that channeled the company through a middle man.

Last weekend, the DSTV Final Eight Basketball Playoff was concluded at the National Stadium Indoor Hall in Lagos and I came out of the semi-final games’ day wondering where we

VOICE OF SPORTS

With Clement Nwankpa Jnr. sportswar@yahoo.com

Sports harvest in the garden

•Kano Pillars in action derived this perception that sports venues in the country are not safe. As I drove out of the National stadium along Ikorodu road towards Maryland with my wife and kids, my mind kept roaming on such fantastic family recreational opportunities that have been rubbished by negative attitudinal influences that make the average Nigerian want to claim what he/she is not.

Everyone wants to display an NBA sleeveless, a Premier League shirt, a Formula One badge and talk about the international transfer market.

To many of us, that is a distinguishing trait while the local events and sports people are avoided like plague.

DSTV is using our domestic sports to promote their trade, provide the regulatory local content in programming and at the same time, position the organization responsibly in the eyes of stakeholders and the discerning publics. Someone is likely to argue that DSTV operate a pay television as against the free to air terrestrial broadcast of other stations in the country. Yet, it is common knowledge that the revenue realized through advertisement by some of the stations is monumental and can be ploughed into servicing their trade promotional needs.

Some of these stations acquired the broadcast rights to the Premier League and never came up with the due payment.

Watching the broadcast of the games of the Final Eight Basketball on one of the SuperSports Channels, it was very obvious that the image of Nigeria received a good shot in the arm that Dora Akuyili’s Image Laundry campaign could never have

offered. First, the message to the businessman watching from other African countries and elsewhere in the world is that the nation is stable and therefore conducive for investment. Secondly, the picturesque view of the facility transmitted also informs the foreign viewers that the country is a destination for tourism and thirdly, the skills of the players were show-cased for international scouts to assess.

Nigerian companies must have a rethink of their stance on sponsorship of domestic sports events if we must arrest the drift towards youths’ restiveness. A bubbling sports industry will crank life into other allied industries such as merchandising and franchise.

The service industries will have space for jobs for not only the youths but persons of all ages and above all, we will earn foreign exchange either way- selling players or receiving royalties from selling television rights as we are presently paying to Sky TV. At this point, mention must be made of the singular passion of some few individuals who have kept the spirit and soul of basketball alive through their personal fortune. These include Colonel Sam Ahmedu of Dordan Warriors, Toyin Sonoiki, of Lagos Islanders, Ebun Comets’ Ayo Bakare, Yelwa Hawks Tanko Dutse and Wale Aboderin of Dolphins.

Yes, Union Bank and First Bank have equally made their mark providing jobs for youths by sponsoring clubs over the years.

Harry Iwuala is a renowned Journalist based in Lagos, Nigeria

I was at the mainbowl of Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna that fateful evening during Kada 2009. In that arena we had the likes of Brown Ebewele, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi, National Sports Commission DG, Chief Patrick Ekeji and then Sports Minister, Engr. Sani Ndanusa. The event was the men’s 100m final. In every sports fiesta, this event is easily the star attraction and this edition of the National Sports Festival was not different. The stakes were raised higher given the fact that the games was no longer an elitist one. It had become a platform to unleash budding talents so there was really no clear-cut favourite as all the athletes on the starting block were ‘rookies’ or relatively unknown. But that very evening marked the bursting unto the scene of Delta’s Oghene who won the event. Right away, he became the cynosure of all eyes as the photographers clicked away. His photograph was going to hug the sports pages the next day. This was the latest sensation on the tracks. As he took his lap of honour, he found his way to the state box got deserved handshakes from the dignitaries. In fact, Ndanusa had asked for a photograph with the lad.

Obviously, Oghene had leapt out of obscurity. He is now a fullblown professional and is very active in the athletics circuit.

Definitely, he is no longer eligible for the on-going NSF tagged Garden City Games. Who will be the fastest man in Port Harcourt?

Surely this very event is going to attract another full house any day the final will be decided but it is this air of uncertainty that has made the NSF more attractive. Across the various sports venues, fresh talents are going to be unleashed. This is a harvest of some sorts and couldn’t have come at a more auspicious time.

NSC had set up a Technical Monitoring Committee comprising of the likes of Onyali-Omagbemi and former NTF President, Chuka Momoh to pencil down talents discovered at the Kada Games.

What progress has been made in those discoveries’ development?

What post Games measures had been put in place to ensure those talents don’t evaporate into oblivion? The raison d’être of the NSF will be sustained if, consistently, talents are discovered from the festival and nurtured to stardom. It will truly become what it should be- a biannual period of harvest. It was for this very reason that the elites were barred from the Festival.

The NSF is at the head of the National Sports Policy of Nigeria.

Section 4.5 of the policy will suffice here. Under the headline ‘Athlete Identification and Development’ the document states thus; “Government shall put in place sports competition programmes at National, State and Local Government levels that will facilitate identification of young and budding talented athletes. The programme shall include the following: (a)Primary School Sports Competitions (b)Secondary Schools Sports Competitions (c)Annual Inter-House Sports Competitions for Primary Schools (d)Annual Inter-House Sports Competitions for Secondary Schools (e)Intra-Zonal Annual Sports Competitions for Secondary Schools (f)Intra-Zonal Annual Sports Competitions for Primary Schools (g)Inter-Zonal Schools Sports Competitions (h)Inter-State Schools Sports Competitions (i)Institutional/Collegiate Sports Competitions (j)National Sports Festivals (k)National Junior Championships. (4.5.1) Government shall put in place a mechanism for nurturing and monitoring identified talented athletes to enable them attain their potentials. (4.5.2) National Sports Federations, State Sports Associations and Local Government Area Sports Committees shall plan athlete development pathway that will guarantee development of athletes to realise their full potentials”.

What I have done here is to bring to the fore the fact that what is happening in Port Harcourt at the moment is not a charade. It is neither accidental. I know there is little or no recourse to the National Sports Policy. In fact, many don’t even know such a document exists. Many see the NSF as some sort of carnival where the various state contingents adorn varying colours while keeping an eye on the medals table. It is seen as an avenue for youths across the nation to mingle in a sporting environment. Why not?

In Section 4.9 of the Sports Policy, there is provision for Sports in Culture and Tourism. While the Rivers State government will leverage upon this Festival to boost tourism in the state, it is also expected that the diverse cultures of the nation will be showcased.

But we should not lose sight of the major reason for the existence of the Festival, which is to unearth ‘budding’ talents. Beyond the talent identification, the Policy places the onus of developing the talents on the NSC. To this regards, Section 4.5.4 states; “The NSC shall endeavour that the National Institute for Sports (NIS) becomes the Highest Sports Institute for training Professionals, Athletes, Coaches and Administrators”. As the talents are unleashed in PH, it will be interesting to note the measures put in place by the NSC to foster their development. I’m not particular about the talents because I know they will be in abundance but I will be keener to know how the discoveries reflect in our future Olympics and All Africa Games outings.

It was for this that former Sports Minister, Ndanusa initiated Vision 20: 2020 which should put the nation among the top 20 sporting nations by 2020. He had gone ahead to set up the Community Sports Centres that should take sports to the grassroots. Ndanusa placed a lot of premium on Kada 2009 as a stepping stone to the 2020 dream. I am glad that Ekeji, who was DG under Ndanusa, is still the NSC helmsman. There should be a bridge between Kada Games and the current edition. Nigerian sports seriously craves for a bumper harvest at the Garden City Games.

SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

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NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

I’m not in a rush to join Super Eagles –Ighalo G

RANADA of Spain has now qualified to play in the La Liga after 35 years search courtesy of the goal from a Nigerian, Odion Jude Ighalo. NationSport’s TUNDE LIADI caught up with him at the Prestige Hotel Lodge of the Under23 team in Benin City, preparatory to the Dream Team V’s All African Games Qualifier against The Black Meteors of Ghana. He told our correspondent what it was like scoring the vital goal that took his club to the top flight in Spain; his dream for the Under 23 and the next phase of the Olympic Qualifiers; the Super Eagles and also what may likely determine his next destination in Europe next season among others.

EXCERPT

•Kelechi Osunwa

Eagles: My time ‘ll come –Kelechi Osunwa

H

E has been the top scorer in the Sudanese league for three seasons in a row. Nigerian international Collins Kelechi Osunwa is the top marksman for Sudan giants El Mereikh and he is their lead striker at the Cecafa Club Championships.

SuperSport.com’s Collins Okinyo had a session with humble Osunwa as he talked about his footballing career.

WHO is this man Kelechi Osunwa?

My names are Collins Kelechi Osunwa and I was born in River State Nigeria on 15th October 1984.

When did your playing career begin and where?

I started playing with Bright Stars football then afterwards I signed for Dolphins after the 2001 AYC U-17 championship which we won in Seychelles in 2001. I played for Dolphins until 2005.

What are some of the achievements while playing for Dolphins?

I was part of the historic Dolphin team that gained promotion into the premiership in 2002 and was top scorer with 12 goals. In 2004/2005 we won the league and FA respectively and played in the finals of the CAF Confederations Cup in the same year.

I was also the top scorer with 10 goals.

Have you played for any of the Nigerians national teams?

•Osunwa

How did it feel scoring the goal that took your club to the Spanish la liga?

I feel happy and very grateful to God for using me as an instrument to help my club to secure La Liga status after 35 years. I am happy it is a great feeling in the city, the fans are happy and it is also a massive feeling for me and my career scoring that crucial goal that took the team to La Liga after that long years of search for it.

How was the situation like in the dressing room after the game against Elche?

Yeah the situation was very crazy

“I was devastated but in football anything can happen and am happy that the team’s management and fellow players were with me and this gave me a lot of encouragement” •Ighalo Yeah I have played for Nigeria’s U20 and U-23.

When did you move to Sudan?

I joined Al Hilal in the 2005/2006 season and in my first season I was the top scorer with 18 goals in 2006. I continued scoring goals in the 2007/ 2008 season and was again the top scorer with 20 goals and in the 2008/ 2009 season I was the top scorer again with 18 goals. I also won the league with Al Hilal 2005/2006 season.

When did you join El Mereikh ?

I signed a three year deal with El Mereikh in the 2008/2009 season and emerged as the top scorer with 21 goals but in 2010 April I suffered an injury which put me out for a whole season.

How did it feel being away from football for a whole season?

I was devastated but in football anything can happen and am happy that the team’s management and fellow players were with me and this gave me a lot of encouragement.

How does it feel to be back to competitive football especially in the Cecafa Kagame cup?

I am feeling so good now and infact

this is my first major competition since coming from Injury and so I feel like am starting new life again and I intend to do my best and emerge as the top scorer.

Do you think El Mereikh can reach the finals of the Cecafa Kagame Cup? Ohh yes we have a very good team with talented players and we hope to build up game after game.

Now that you already have a goal in the 2011 Kagame Cup can we expect you to go for the golden boot?

Getting the golden boot is my target and I want to ensure I leave a good record in this year’s Cecafa Kagame Cup. Do you feel you have been overlooked for the Super Eagles?

I can’t say that because I believe God’s time is the best time and my time to play for Super Eagles will come and I will give my best.

What would be your parting shot to many upcoming players who would like to emulate you?

In life you have to work hard, be dedicated and most of all disciplined and with God on your side nothing is impossible.

and electrifying. How I wish you were there in the dressing room that night it was so marvelous because we had been waiting for it for 35 years and by the grace of God we were able to get it that day. It was so marvelous and the dressing room was really awesome that day. I couldn’t continue with them in the celebration which is still very much on in Granada because of the national team (The Under-23) which is in need of my services in our games against Ghana.

What was on your mind when about to take that crucial goal that landed Granada the ticket?

Yeah I will just say it was God that assisted me and not human. It was an action initiated by me in the midfield and a fellow striker got the ball and gave me a clear cut pass I was one on one with the goal keeper and I coolly dribbled him and it was at the back of the net. I thank God because it was difficult scoring that kind of goal especially away from home and coupled with the fact that it came during a difficult playoff game it was really a very special moment for me and I am grateful to God for giving me the calmness to get the goal.

And Etche got their equalizer about ten minutes to the end of the match?

Well when they got their goal about ten minutes to the end of the encounter then I was out of the pitch because I was substituted like fifteen minutes to the end of the match so I was watching from the bench. The tension at the bench could even be felt from many yards away. We were playing away from home and the supporters of the team were urging them on to score the second it was really a difficult situation. They had over 40,000 supporters yelling and crying for them to get a goal it was very difficult but we thank God we came out victorious.

You said you cut short your celebration to team up with the Under-23. How was it like when you got information that Nigeria defeated Tanzania 3-0?

Yeah I was very happy because while I was even in Granada playing my game for them my mind was in Nigeria to know what the result was but they told me that the game had been shifted till the following day. On Sunday even when we were on our way back on plane back to Granada to continue with the celebration my mind was not there I was calling them every ten minute to know what is going on there. I thank God we beat Tanzania and we are set for the group stage of the Olympic Games.

We are waiting the group stage of the qualifiers.

The Under 23 team is blessed with so many players; will you say you are fortunate to be in the team?

I will say I am fortune to be in the Austin Eguavoen led team because Nigeria is blessed with so many players and even if these crop of players are not there Nigeria can still raise another team that will be better than the one we have presently in camp. I will still give God the glory for making me be a part of the team and I am even

happier to be in this team because we are united and we are ready to work for each other.

Two leading nations; Cameroun and Ghana will not be there in the next phase of the qualifier, does that give Nigeria any edge in the round robin stage slated for December this year?

Yeah like I have said in the previous interviews I granted, no team is a pushover and every team that has qualified for that group stage is a strong team because it is not easy getting to this stage so I will advise we take all teams seriously without considering any as being a minnow. We just need to work hard and take every game as they come without taking any one as less opposition. We want to win and book a passage to the Olympics next year so that we can start preparation in earnest.

Nigeria is rumoured to be warming up to bid for the hosting of the Round Robin Stage of the Olympic Qualifier. Do you think being the host will be to Nigeria’s advantage?

Yeah I will be very happy if we are successful in our bid to host it.

It will give us not really an advantage but an impetus to team and the motivation to excel with supporters behind us it will definitely boost the team morale. But on the contrary it doesn’t really matter any where the competition is taken to we are ready to do our best as footballers to ensure we qualify for the Olympic Games.

This team is termed Dream Team V based on the antecedent set by the dream team 1 which won the Olympic Gold in Atlanta Georgia, United States in 1996 while your

•Adem Ljajic of ACF Fiorentina (R) battles for the ball with Odion Jude Ighalo of AC Cesena during the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Cesena at Stadio Artemio Franchi

immediate predecessor, Dream Team 1V captured the silver medal when it was hosted in Beiljing, China three years ago. Do these intimidating credentials put you and your colleagues under any pressure to emulate them?

No we don’t have any pressure we are professionals and we have met with so much pressure in our respective clubs in Europe and I don’t think I have any pressure and so also the team what we need is to work harder and do our best to win.

Talking about your club career which has taken you to Norway and Italy and now Spain with Granada, what is your next stop as a footballer as the new league season beckons in Europe?

It is only God that knows my destination and he is the one to decide that. I am now with the national team here in Nigeria but I don’t know what is going on out there but may be after the two qualifiers with Ghana then I have to talk with my agent because I know he told me I have some

“Yeah the situation was very crazy and electrifying. How I wish you were there in the dressing room that night it was so marvelous because we had been waiting for it for 35 years and by the grace of God we were able to get it that day. It was so marvelous and the dressing room was really awesome that day”

different offers from different clubs in Europe. I thank God we have qualified for the la liga and I will like to play in the la liga next season but like I said earlier, it is only God that knows my next destination. I am a footballer and I am not to decree this is where I want to play many things could come up which could actually change my mind but presently my mind and focus is on the games with Ghana and after then I will think about my future.

What is your term of reference with Granada knowing fully well that your parent club, Udinese facilitated your loan deal to Spain with the club?

Yeah I was on loan to Granada and I still remain an Udinese player and I still have a contract with the Italian club. Udinese and Granada are together and they work hand in hand. The owner of Udinese has a share in Granada so it is just like brother club. I am happy in Granada and I am happy in Spain.

What encouraging words do you have for your fans?

I just want to thank my fans for their support and prayers and I wish them the best in all what they are doing. I want them to keep on supporting me and also praying for me that I will not let them down.

Where will you like to see yourself in the next five years as a footballer?

Like I said it is only God that knows it all. Man proposes but God disposes. I pray that let God’s wish become accomplish in my life and anywhere I am in the next five years I will continue to give God the glory and I know it will be greater than where I am today.

Every man is with his own destiny and those that are playing for the Super Eagles now I believe it is their destiny to be in the Eagles now and I am happy for them. I know my time will come and Super

Eagles is not what I should be rushing to play. I am now in the Under 23 team and I will continue to work harder so that when my time comes I can be able to grab it with both hands. I am looking forward to it.

•Odion Jude Ighalo

THE NATION SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

34

NATION SPORT

Inside The Glass House WITH AMINU MAIGARI

Ex-players and matters arising

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EAR readers, I am compelled today to address the issue of exinternationals and other explayers of note and the way the present administration at the Nigeria Football Federation has been treating them.

There have been too many half-truths and outright falsehood by some fellows who have the odd talent to cry more than the bereaved.

I was not at the 10th AllAfrica Games qualifying match between the National U-23 team, otherwise known as Dream Team, and the Black Meteors of Ghana at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City on Saturday, 25th June, as I was on my way to Germany for our Super Falcons’ opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup against France in Sinsheim the following day.

Ordinarily, any Nigeria Vs Ghana encounter is a crowdpuller, and any administrator would have preferred to stay back in Benin City, watch the match and then offer excuses on why he could not make it to Germany for the women’s game against France. But we are a responsible and responsive Federation and would never want to do that.

In Benin City, we had so many of our ex-superstars around, and I am sure it helped the team’s psyche, especially after going one goal down against the Black Stars. The previous weekend, it was against the Vijana Stars of Tanzania in a 2012 Olympics qualifying match, at the same venue, and I saw how our Football Ambassador, Nwankwo Kanu inspired the players alongside the technical crew to get a result.

The Tanzanians were proving stubborn after the early goal by Ekigho Ehiosun, but Kanu, obviously exasperated, came down from the VIP Box to, with the permission of Head Coach Austin Eguavoen, ginger the players. In the end, we won 30.

Against Ghana’s Black Meteors, it was always going to be difficult. The Ghanaians had been booted out of the 2012 Olympics qualifying series by Sudan and in an attempt to ensure the AllAfrica Games ticket is secured, invited several megastars, including five members of the Black Stars that reached the quarter finals of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa last year, to be part of the party.

Our boys were certainly not intimidated.

But the confidence and go-go attitude with which the Black Meteors approached the match from the onset must be appreciated.

I was not at the Stadium, as I was in Abuja preparing for the trip to Germany, but was being filled in by a number of persons on ground, including the NFF’s Chief Media Officer.

Nwankwo Kanu did not play in the two matches I have mentioned above, but his presence and aura worked

wonders, not taking anything away from the technical crew, or Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, who spoke to the players in the locker room at half time and rewarded them with 15 million naira. As a role model of gargantuan dimensions, Kanu certainly works magic.

This brings us to the issue of ex-internationals and explayers, which has been harped on by some fellows with the intention of whipping up cheap sentiments about the administration of football in Nigeria.

I make bold to say, at this point, that I cannot recall any NFF administration that has accorded as much recognition, preference and regard to our past performers as the current team. It is important that we check this out by stating the facts.

Nwankwo Kanu, former Super Eagles’ captain and one of only two men to have played at THREE FIFA World Cup finals for Nigeria, has been appointed Nigeria’s Football Ambassador by the NFF. This enables him to be present at our major games and you certainly cannot quantify that presence and the aura around the arena. Kanu won 86 caps for Nigeria at senior level (no mean feat), equalling the record of late Mudashiru Babatunde Lawal.

No other person has been able to equal that tally, though the present Captain, Joseph Yobo, can do that soon.

At the helm of the Super Eagles is Samson Siasia, who played for the senior team for eleven years after winning FIFA U-20 World Cup bronze with the Flying Eagles. Siasia played at the 1994 World Cup and contributed immensely to Nigeria winning her only African Cup of Nations trophy on away soil so far (Tunisia 1994).

Also in the senior team’s technical crew are Salisu Yusuf, Ike Shorounmu and Emmanuel Attah, who also played their part as ex-players.

Shorounmu, for those who do not remember, was actually first choice goalkeeper for Nigeria leading up to the France ’98 World Cup finals, before he sustained an injury in a friendly against Germany in Cologne and had to miss the finals. He was number one in Korea/Japan 2002 and was also the first choice when Nigeria won silver in the African Cup of Nations in 2000 and bronze in Mali two years later. Emmanuel Attah was a junior international goalkeeper.

A step below (Dream Team), you have at the helm Mr. Augustine Eguavoen, who needs no introduction.

Remember that before the appointment of Siasia and his unveiling on the first day of December, 2010, Eguavoen was caretaker Head Coach for the Super Eagles. Eguavoen was the playing Captain (Stephen Keshi was nonplaying Captain) when

Nigeria lifted the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia, and then handed over the trophy to Keshi in a show of respect.

Eguavoen also played at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals.

With him are Stanley Eguma, Benedict Iroha and Alloy Agu. Who would say he cannot remember the exploits of Benedict Iroha and Alloy Agu with the Nigerian senior team?

Alloy Agu started with the junior team and was the rock behind the team’s bronze medal feat at the 1985 World Youth Championship. Five years later, he was team Captain as we won silver medal at the African Cup of Nations in Algeria. He was also in the squad to USA ’94, after being number one for several years, including the 1992 African Cup of Nations in Senegal.

The Team Coordinator for the U-23 team is Peter Rufai (Dodo Mayana), who needs no introduction). He was in the senior team for 17 years, including being number one goalkeeper at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cups and at the 1994 African Cup of Nations.

Agile and incredible with his anticipation, it is hard to determine if there has been any like him since he hung his gloves.

Benedict Iroha started at the 1990 African Cup of Nations.

(Remember that tournament that was dominated by the home-based players as a result of a policy by Mr. Clemens Westerhorf?). He won a silver medal there. Two years later in Senegal, he was in the bronze-winning squad. Iroha was key to Nigeria’s first-ever berth at the FIFA World Cup finals and also played at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals.

Further down, you have Sam John Obuh, Samuel Abimbola and Suleiman Shuaibu in the U-20 team, and when the U-17 technical crew is composed, there will certainly be a number of ex-internationals and ex-players playing crucial roles.

In the women’s team (senior category), Eucharia Uche is at the helm. She won several caps for Nigeria at the senior level and is a household name after

scoring a bagful of games for the Super Falcons.

Down the ladder, we will soon compose new technical crews for the junior teams (Falconets and Flamingoes) and ex-internationals are top on the list.

We have had someone like Kelechi Emeteole (Caterpillar), respected defender for the Green Eagles (remember him at the 1976 African Cup of Nations in Ethiopia?) in charge of the National Beach Soccer team, and Oladunni Oyekale in charge of the Five-A-Side team.

It is important to also talk about the NFF Technical Committee. With Kanu at last week’s match in Benin City was Austin ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha – so good they named him twice! The only other player to have featured for Nigeria at THREE FIFA World Cup finals. He’s a member of the NFF Technical Committee, just like the man who led Nigeria to her first African Nations Cup triumph (back in 1980), Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu.

In the NFF Technical Committee as well are Victor Nosa Ikpeba, who was at the 1994 and 2000 African Cup of Nations, and also at the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup finals. ‘Prince of Monaco’ was a megastar with his top French club and scored a beautiful goal at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta and another at the 1998 World Cup in France.

And who doesn’t remember Garba Lawal Workaholic, energetic, versatile, patriotic and effervescent player who played a key part in the 1996 Olympics triumph and qualification for the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups. He’s also member of NFF Technical Committee.

Of course, the voodoo statisticians would not give out these details, preferring to mislead the audience by clamouring for more exinternationals in the administration of the Nigerian game.

More than this, at the helm of administration itself, we have ex-international players Siji Lagunju and Rafiu Yusuf working in the Technical Department. My own Personal Assistant (PA) is a young man that everyone remembers, who has even worked for the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the dynamic midfielder Nasiru Yusuf.

The facts can also be crosschecked about how much the present NFF team has cared about our retired and ailing heroes, and unfortunately, those who have lost their lives in the past few months.

• Eguavoen

• Yobo

Fenerbahce: Yobo's move should be permanent—Kenwright

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VERTON chairman Bill Kenwright expects Joseph Yobo's proposed switch to Fenerbahce to be completed in the next few days.

The 30-year-old centre-back spent last season on loan at the Turkish club and has expressed his desire to make the switch permanent.

Everton are holding out for a fee of £6million for the experienced Nigeria international, who was David Moyes' first signing at

Goodison Park, but Fener have reportedly only bid half of that amount.

Kenwright, however, still believes an agreement is imminent, telling the Turkish press: "I think a result can be achieved in a few days. I have had no other bids."

Yobo helped Fenerbahce to the title last season, scoring the goal that clinched the championship during a dramatic last day decider against Sivasspor.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Enyimba gets North African referees

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IGERIA’S flag bearers in this year’s CAF Champions League, former champions Enyimba Football Club Of Aba have been handed North African referees in their first two matches of the competition.

In the opener, billed for the Enyimba Stadium Aba on Sunday July 17 against Al Hilal of Sudan,Egyptian referees Farouk Mohammed, Hassan Sherif, Tamer Dory and Omar Fahim will be in charge of the match.

The designated Match

Commissioner is John Muinjo President of the Namibian, Football Federation, while the General Coordinator is Ousseine Diallo of Cote Divoire.

Away to Cotton Sports of Cameroun, Tunisian referees led by Jedidi Slim, Fethi Amina, Anouar Hmila and Yosr Saadalah will be in charge of the match. The match Commissioner is Yacouba Ouedraogo of Burkina Faso while Kenya’s Nicholas Musonye will function as General Coordinator.

2011 FEDERATION CUP

Teslim Balogun Stadium to host ESILIM Balogun final match Stadium Lagos will

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host the finals of the 2011 Federation cup (Challenge Cup). According to draws held yesterday in Abuja, the final match will hold in the first week of August.

Meanwhile, semi final matches would be played between 28th and 29th July in Kano and Abeokuta.

However, Preliminary matches will begin this weekend in four centres made up of Uyo, Gombe, Enugu, and Ilorin. In Group A (Uyo) teams like defending champions Kaduna United of Kaduna, Sharks of Port Harcourt, Sunshine Stars of Akure, and Bayelsa United of Yenegoa will try each others for size.

Group B (Gombe) will have teams like six times winner Rangers International of Enugu, Warri Wolves FC of Warri, Unicem Rovers of Calabar, and Ocean Boys of

From Andrew Abah and Patrick Ngwaogu Brass. Group C will have Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium as venue, with teams like Kwara United of Ilorin, Heartland FC of Owerri, Rising stars FC of Akure and winner between Dekina Dragons and Harnworth FC. Last year Runners up Enyimba International of Aba, Gombe United of Gombe, Akwa United of Uyo and Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt will vie for the two qualifying slots available in the group.

Winner of Group A will meet Runners Up of Group B in the quarter finals, while Winner Group B will play Runners Up A. Winner Group C will meet the Runners up in Group D, while the Winner of Group D will play the Runners up in Group C. This matches is expected to be concluded by 20th Juyl, 20

Olubanwo Fagbemi

On Sport Sport On SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

36

HAMBURG HEAVYWEIGHT BOUT

Haye dares Klitschko T

HE trash-talking Englishman faces 35year-old Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday in a heavyweight superfight with four titles at stake.

If Haye wins, there's a narrow chance he could line up one last fight with Wladimir's older brother, Vitali, before retiring from boxing by the time of his 31st birthday on Oct. 13.

Asked about the prospects of fighting Haye, Vitali Klitschko says: "He's not retiring on Oct. 13. Wladimir will send him into retirement."

The unification fight Saturday in Hamburg is widely seen as the most high-profile heavyweight contest since Vitali Klitschko lost to Lennox Lewis in 2003.

Evander Holyfied Four-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield has backed David Haye to overcome multidivision titleholder Wladimir Klitschko on Saturday night if he fights on the inside.

Holyfield, who was the last cruiserweight to unify the heavyweight titles, believes Klitschko is less equipped at fighting on the inside as some of his big heavyweight predecessors like Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe.

‘David's not as small as me,' Holyfield told Jeff Powell of the Daily Mail. 'More a size medium. But he'll have to do what I do in the ring, prove to this big 'un from the start that there ain't nothing wrong with being the little 'un.

‘A lot of it is in the mind.

David is smart and confident but the belief has to be deep down inside to survive the pressure. The art of the game is to fight to your strength and size and David has his advantages.

‘We all know he's quick but he has to make his hand speed dictate the fight. It won't be enough to dart in and out for one pot shot here and there, the way he did against [Nikolay] Valuev.

But David won't have the problem I had against Riddick and Lennox because Wladimir can't box on the inside.?

‘Once he slips and slides inside that long jab he has to stay there a while and let go with body shots and combinations. If Wladimir grabs and holds every time a lot will depend on the referee but whatever happens he can't one-hitand-run all night.

Joe Calzaghe Although Joe Calzaghe concedes that David Haye’s battle with Wladimir Klitschko will be a cagey affair, he believes that the fight will be over inside five rounds and it will be the Brit that emerges triumphant.

Haye puts his WBA heavyweight belt on the line

•Klitschko

•Haye in the title unification bout and is 11/8 in the boxing odds to secure victory over the Ukrainian.

Klitschko may well be the 8/13 favourite to extend his undefeated streak to 14 fights, since his loss to Lamon Brewster in 2004, but former super-middleweight champion Calzaghe feels that Haye has the credentials to win in Hamburg.

He told talkSPORT: “Haye has tremendous speed and looks in the form of his life.

As long as he sticks to his game plan I think he’s got an excellent chance of beating Klitschko.

“I think it’s going to be a chess match, it’s going to be cagey, but I don’t see the fight going longer than five rounds.

“Haye needs to be careful of Klitschko’s right hand because he’s got good power. Whoever gets the first shot in, his opponent could be in trouble.”

Calzaghe added that lesser fighters have previously managed to knock down Klitschko and the fact that Haye is more athletic and faster than the majority of these opponents only supports his chances.

It is 7/4 in the boxing betting that Haye beats Klitschko by KO, while it is 3/1 that he seals his victory inside the opening six rounds of the fight.

Punters in search for bigger rewards may want to be more precise in naming the winning round and it is 18/1 that Haye picks up his victory in round five.

Mike Tyson In a interview with ESPN’s Dan Rafael, former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson has dismissed WBA champion David Haye as a threat to Wladimir Klitschko when he squares up to the WBO and IBF belt holder on Saturday night.

The 44 year-old, who dominated the division in the 1980’s, stated that the hard-hitting Ukrainian would take out the Briton early when they meet this weekend at the Imtech Arena in Hamburg, Germany.

Haye, 30, and 35 year-old Klitschko are both hoping to become the first heavyweight since Lennox Lewis to unify three world titles in Hamburg, Germany next month and Tyson believes it could be a short nights work for ‘Dr Steelhammer.’

“Haye shouldn’t last more than two rounds with Klitschko,” said Tyson.

"I like David Haye, but I think Wladimir Klitschko is too superior and too strong.

I respect Haye as a human being, but he hasn't earned this fight.

"Klitschko should wipe him out. Klitschko's a great champion and I think Klitschko's going to beat him.

"I just don't think Haye can keep him off him. I could be wrong, but Wladimir should beat him."

Lennox Lewis Lennox Lewis Britain's last great heavyweight champion, believes that his fellow Londoner David

Haye will have an uphill battle to emulate the success and unify the division.

"For David has an uphill battle, if theres one fighter that can do it in this era, it's David Haye." - Lennox lewis.

Lloyd Honeyghan Britain's former undisputed welterweight champion, 'Raggamuffin man' Lloyd Honeyghan believes that the winner of the David Haye vs Wladimir Klitschko, world heavyweight unification showdown on Saturday night in Hamburg, Germany, will all come down to who takes control of the fight with the jab.

The winner of the biggest heavyweight fight for years, will walk away with the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight belts and the prestigious The Ring magazine title, and the genuine claim of being the best heavyweight boxer in the world.

Londoner Haye will be conceding, height of 6", to Klitschko and will also be around 40lbs heavier than the Londoner, advantages that Honeyghan feels are they are the attributes that could see the Ukrainian champion prevail.

From an Haye perspective Honeyghan believes that the WBA champion will have to use natural movement, and try counter Klitschko's most valid weapon, his jab, with an over hand right hand, then come off with the left hook.

"David Haye is fighting a proper heavyweight this time, not somebody who has been half beaten like Fraudley Harrison, he's fighting a proper proper heavyweight, so it's going to be a very very interesting figh." said Honeyghan.

"He's almost 20 stone, he's 6ft 6" - It's all about the jab on Saturday, the person who comes out with that jab is the winner.

"The jab is gonna be the main thing that controls the fight, I think Emanuel Steward realises that, because Klitschko's got the height, he's got the advantage, he doesn't need to mix it with David Haye, because Klitschko's been knocked out twice. And one thing about David Haye is that he has brought his punching power with him.

"So Klitschko's gotta be careful of that over hand right. I think Klitschko's got that little extra longer reach and that's what their gonna use on Saturday to control the fight. Jab, right hand, jab, right hand, left hook.

"He hasn't got a very good chin, so I think Haye has gotta try do is, when Klitschko throws the jab, is come over the top with a right hand, left hook. And I think if he can do that, I think he will knock Klitschko.

e-mail: deewalebf@yahoo.com

Again, a flightless Falcons

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Y hesitating to peck their France counterparts in the opening fixture of the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Championship holding in Germany, Nigeria’s Super Falcons instantly shed feathers earned by a record seventh win of the Africa Women’s Championship last year in South Africa. Against physically weaker opposition in the Europeans, Uche Ucheria’s wards exhibited stagefright and naivety unexpected at the highest level of competition.

The French ladies managed to impress with the 1-0 victory in Sinsheim. It was France’s first win since the group stage of USA 2003 when they last particpated at the Mundial. The Nigerians were well-known, but evidently not-so-tough, customers of the prime event, on the other hand.

Against opponents known for a robust style and ranked 27th by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA), seventh-ranked France’s parade of a midfield burnished with success from the 2011 European Women’s Champions League campaign still paled. 10 of them may have helped Olympique Lyon’s team to the prized women’s trophy, but France’s women were expected to struggle against the power-playing Falcons, and appeared so destined until the African queens’ shock capitulation.

As is common with high-profile defeats, a culprit had to be fingered, and FIFA Under-20 revelation Desire Oparanozie was the unlikely figure. The striker made a hash of a 35th minute putthrough by veteran team mate Perpetua Nkwocha with only the France goalkeeper Berangere Sapowicz to beat.

Yet, much was expected of Ucheria and the girls, especially after a month-long European camping exercise and the coach’s commitment to fielding a promising blend of youth and experience.

But as selection of the final squad depicted, it was an ethnically skewed blend of the fit, favoured and loyal.

Critics will certainly make a meal of Ucheria’s methods, with many calling for her head after the 8-0 whitewash by Germany in an international friendly shortly after the South Africa championship and persistent allegation of technical deficiency from informed quarters. While administrative ineptitude, and not the coach’s aptitude, was more responsible for the friendly meltdown, failure to instil confidence in her abilities and the team’s capabilities narrowed down to personal inclination.

A ringing indictment of Ucheria’s antecedents by the France coach Bruno Bini supported the position. While the Falcons’ technical bench jarred Nigerian nerves with the declaration that they knew next to nothing about their opponents before the encounter, the Europeans perused a taped 50-hour dossier on the Falcons.

According to the report gathered by a monitoring group hired by the French football federation, the Falcons favoured a 4-4-2 formation with alternate long balls and short passes. “It was impossible for them (the Nigerians) to change their tactics for this championship,” Bini noted.

To counter the system which obstructed the rhythm of his team once the match got underway, the French coach implemented a tactical manoeuvre, sticking two midfielders on the influential Stella Mbachu in the middle. It worked.

Motivated by desire to remain in the competition as much as determination to achieve redemption, the Falcons talked tough before the next group match against host Germany. The team would attack more, vowed Nkwocha, but then they fell short, despite spirited attempt in last Thursday’s crunch tie.

The Falcons owed obvious improvement to Nkwocha gritty performance in the holding role and Faith Ikidis tenacity in defence as much as the team’s will to survive. But the team consequently lacked the defence-splitting passes derived from her previous position behind the attackers as they succumbed 1-0.

With overwhelming emphasis on typical physical play, the Falcons seemed starved of ideas at the centre, and in the vicinity of the penalty area, bereft of final ball delivery. With France’s 4-0 annihilation of Canada in the earlier group game, the two European teams pick the tickets to the knockout rounds on six points apiece and only group leadership to contest in the final log pairing.

In the end, the experience of squad members that were part of the national junior team, the Falconets – beaten in the final of the 2010 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup tournament by Germany – didn’t really count. Nor did Eucharia’s tactical response to her German counterpart’s.

With nothing left to play for but pride in the last and inconsequential preliminary match-up with Canada on Tuesday in Dresden, attention might as well turn to the future. For technical contingency, if not necessity, a new handler should be appointed with the purpose of turning international potential into domination.

While it is imperative that the candidate comes qualified, and highly recommended – perhaps from Europe or beyond –, it might help that they are predisposed to discipline and intolerant of discrimination, sexual harassment and other vices associated with women’s football.

The comparative development and exposure enjoyed by the top teams competing in Germany are standards that women’s football must attain in Nigeria. As experienced in the men’s domestic football league, tactical knowledge and technical facilities are encouraged by interest from sponsors and spectators.

Until then, fans must rue another wasted opportunity at worldwide reckoning while anticipating a potentially a bruising campaign against ambitious rivals Ghana, South Africa, Cameroon, and lately, Equatorial Guinea for a ticket to the next Mundial.

Nigeria has represented Africa since the opening edition of the women’s championship in China ‘91. Five tournaments after, the Falcons still pursue a breakthrough.

It is a situation supporters would love to see redressed, especially after the quarter final finishes of the USA ’99 FIFA World Women’s Championships and Athens 2004 Olympics Women’s football event gave so much hope.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

NO LLWO OD E DG E

S

Aramotu: The earth is a woman!

ET in Yoruba land of 1909, Niji Akanni relates black civilisation to the consciousness of a woman, Aramotu, whose sojourn as a trader did not only give her exposure and riches, but the confidence to effect change in a society that is men dominated. The film brought out the glory of a woman in her full being and equates her to the earth that not only bears fruits of human, agricultural and mineral resources but that signifies the beginning and ending of man in a passing world.

A gripping story, not only is the beauty of Africa, through the Yoruba art and culture is made prominent, it underscores the importance of women in the scheme of things, without which civilisation will tow the retrogressive path.

And thus, before the Beijing (United Nations'Fourth World Conference on Women) of 1995, which aimed among other things to achieve greater equality and opportunity for women with the first of such conference in Mexico City in 1975. Aramotu's exploits begins in 1909 by faulting deeply the entrenched attitudes and practices of gender inequality and discrimination against women in public and private lives.

To make it clear that it was a general problem, the film captures the protagonist's experience among the people of Ilasun Village where widows' enslavement reigned supreme and the women of Agesi village who were bound by age-old tradition of being men's property. It relays to the viewer the reason why the men chose polygamy and rested the answer as workforce for the farm. But it does not mean that the several wives and children always reaped the fruit of their labour as the women's trades were not boosted by returns from the farm nor were the children empowered by being educated. What we see, is a win-win situation for the man who assumes the Lord of the Manor and merely advances his selfish interests.

Aramotu provides the answers to liberation in a woman who beats the people's imagination by breaking what is considered a taboo and doing what some men couldn't dare. She became a victim of not leading the women in a social crusade that canvasses education for the children and eschews unnecessary spending, but by building a caricature of the evil doers through creative art form and using the youth to implement same as a way of getting them involved in the matter of their future.

But one thing remains remarkable in the character of this woman who appeals to many as a threat to normal practice. She is humble enough to allow her husband to marry a second wife, she is respectful to her husband in the home chores despite her riches, and she is ever loyal to the right side of tradition.

Written and directed by Indiatrained filmmaker, Niji Akanni,

and produced by Femi Ogunrombi, Aramotu's rich cast, features Idiat Sobande (Aramotu), Pa Adebayo Faleti, Peter Fatomilola, Kayode Odumosu, Ayo Olabiyi, Gabriel Afolayan, Ireti Osayemi-Bakare and Bisi Komolafe in a beautiful epic setting with colourful costumes and props. This film, like the Women's Movement which played a major role in the Russian Revolution, employs a myth that says evil doers cannot kill a good messenger until his calling is fulfilled, save same is not sent

by God. Thus, Aramotu was discovered un-decomposed in the grave after several days of burial, giving sensation to the story.

Wielding this round Aramotu, the film also brings to bear that although a messiah may come to rescue a society of anomalies, it is not always a coincidence but a design by the gods. This gives the story another angle on the issue of calling; thus giving answer to another issue that has faulted most religion's principle that suggests that the woman can only be seen, not heard. The film argues that any one, indeed, could be so used to preach the message of liberation and deliver a people from path of destruction.

Beyond the angle of spiritualism, Niji Akanni presents the African woman (as a whole), as not only strong, but mature, of goodwill, magnanimous, hard working, creative, even though their relevance has always been underplayed in a patriarchal society.

It is also noteworthy that the filmmaker has enriched the movie with history and artefacts that we can relate to, while exploring the old Nigerian trade routes and specialisation of the people of Lokoja, Bida etc, and how jettisoning food crops for cash crops (and perhaps oil) marked the beginning of greed among our leaders and thus plunging the society into the economic mess, similar to what we experience today.

Reviews by: VICTOR AKANDE

Tango with Me: The pride of Shame

A

slight departure from the immaculate conception of our Lord, Jesus Christ, Mahmood Ali Balogun plays on the imagination of the film lover to tickling point by drawing seeming historical similarities between the story you have heard before and relaying of similar accounts in a well scripted way. Creating a fresh insight into the issue of rape and its attendant psychological trauma, the filmmaker relays even for the man whose wife is so raped, as a close rather than distant victim. Even though we see elements of moral and religion in dealing with same, the filmmaker smartly allows chance, emotional impulse (or love, if you choose), rather than a marriage counselor, or religious inclination or moral perception to play the resolution part in this crisis drama.

Entitled Tango with Me, this film relays a journey of self discovery in the lives of two newly wedded love birds, Lola and Uzo, whose happiest day came with an accidental nightmare that remains a stigma for the next nine month, culminating in the Christmas season.

My creative imagination would begin the story with the significance of Christmas as a season of birth, forgiveness, reconciliation and above all, salvation from a worst situation threatening peace, love, security, and eternity of the human race, just from the dramatic angle of a young couple played by Genevieve Nnaji and Joseph Benjamin.

Without being spoon-fed, one's imagination captures those lessons about life that say good things could come out of bad situations. To put it more succinctly is to say that the white pap is often a product of the heated black pot.

Thus, even though the newly wedded wife was raped, right before her husband on the night of their wedding, turning their honeymoon to a lasting nightmare, that would not make the man make love to his wife for nine months; even though a cold silence and unfriendliness pervaded the atmosphere of the marriage for nine months; even though the man found temporary succour in alcohol and extra marital affair within nine months; my alliteration of nine months soon reveals the worst shame (or seemingly so) as the wife is delivered of a baby whose original father, the rapist armed robber, was fell by police bullet in the course of his nefarious activities; even though the child is supposed to present a stronger stigma that could bring the marriage to its end or have the couple live the most frustrating married life, the birth of the child presents an irony that signals the beginning of the greatest bond between the man and his wife.

This is the twist that makes such a rape story

different and presents the reluctant acceptance of Jesus Christ by Joseph in another way and having the Messiah play out as a girl child.

Tango with Me, produced and directed by Mahmood Ali-Balogun and starring Genevieve Nnaji, Joseph Benjamin, Joke Silva, Kate Henshaw-Nuttall, Bimbo Akintola and Ahmed Yerima is a contemporary story about forgiveness and prove that love does conquer all.

Even though the film treats the subject of rape, there is a general emotional side that talks about making a marriage work irrespective of the different causes of conflicts between a couple. Mahmood presents this battle to save a marriage with all the elements that evokes emotion, apportion blames, raises argument and provokes thoughts in the mind of the viewer.

The viewer has so much to deal with in his mind as he is taken on a journey of Mahmood's lens on the sub themes of forgiveness, family values, communication breakdown, faith and beliefs, child adoption and dealing with incidences the society refers to as shamefully unacceptable.

Apart from the suspense with which the filmmaker treats this seemingly simple theme of rape and relationship, you may disagree with the wife for choosing not to abort the 'bastard' child, just like the husband of the young lady, you would however not disagree in the end that against all odds, the mother kept the so called 'bastard' child, same way that the husband turned around to accept the child as his. This is the technique that makes the movie tick and one important area where the filmmaker shows smartness in dealing with a sensitive issue.

Shot on celluloid format, the quality of picture comes to play, save for few sound hitches and extraneous light that become obvious of the door way in the church wedding scene. If also, for example, Tina Mba's make up and costumes were not hurriedly done, perhaps it could have been better; same for Lola's fluctuating pregnancy size.

One angle to the resolution of the conflict in this romance drama is the part played by the invisible marriage counsellor. It may not be clear why the filmmaker devices the method of concealing the identity of the man, but it provides a thrilling effect more so that the dialogues were well crafted and the character is carried well by Bimbo Manuel who rendered the voice.

Mahmood Ali-Balogun brings filmic reality to play with the use of the NTA logo and the station's popular broadcaster. Same for the use of late Pastor Bimbo Odukoya's TV programme 'singles & married' where she addressed an exact subject as the film's.

There is no doubt also that the use of sound track presents a fond mood and brings the viewer closer to the story as related in the live band at the night club and Christmas birth of the child. In all, it's a remarkable effort by the filmmaker and one which is sure to make profitable cinema run, if it is not already doing that.

Saturday

THE NATION SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

Profile Partying Happenstances Style

SOCIAL SCENE

SPECIAL

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•Dr. Peters with wife

How I drowned and almost died Medical Director, Unity Hospitals, Michael Peters, reminisces at 70

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

'I lay unconscious for five days and doctors said it was better for me to die' Dr. Michael Obafunsho Peters belongs to the two noble professions of Law and Medicine. The lawyer cum medical doctor, who currently practises medicine at Unity Hospitals, Ikeja, Lagos, is also a lover of golf, a game that has won him laurels. He, with his wife and former principal of the University of Lagos International School, Mrs. Sola Peters, told GBENGA ADERANTI the secrets behind the success of their marriage, which has endured for 40 years, among other issues.

I •Dr. Peters, the lawyer

can see trophies everywhere around the room. What are they all about?

(Prolonged laughter) They are all about my interest in golf.

I took interest in golf in the late 70s. We had a friend, Dr. Olupitan, who is late now. He was a medical director in Pfizer.

He introduced my senior partner, Dr. Williams, into golf, and he was going with his cousin, Architect Kunle Williams before I joined them and three of us started playing golf. Whenever I start something that I like, I take it seriously. So, playing golf, I eventually took interest in the club. This also made me to join other clubs. Ikeja Golf Club is my home, based on golf. I am a member of the golf section at Ikoyi Golf Club, and I do play golf all over the nation. I play in Abuja and Ada (Osun State). We go to Ibadan regularly to play golf. I played in Benin and Shagamu and occasionally outside Nigeria. We play in Ghana regularly. The last game we had was at Tema Golf in Ghana. That was by the sea port. Basically, my interest is in golf.

About the trophies, if you play a game well, you win some trophies. We also win little, little things. The play theater, that was my biggest win. And the cup too. As an amateur golfer, you can’t take money as your prize. The moment you do that, you lose your amateur status. All you can win is a trophy or price gifts like fan and television.

How do you manage to play golf at 70?

Golf is one game you can play as long as you can walk.

Tiger Woods started at the age of three or four. And you can play golf till you are 90. There are people here in Nigeria that I can mention. They are in their 80s going to 90 and they are still playing golf. One of my very good friends, I call him Papa Dankaro; he plays golf every Tuesday at Ikeja. We also have Papa Guobadia.

They are both in their late 80s. In bigger courts, you find people going on the buggies. They drive on it to where they want to play. They come down and they play. For long courses, it might be a little bit strenuous. Our court is only about 2000 plus metres. In some courts, you find yourself walking five to six miles, and it is good exercise. Although this is long, it is only when you are playing golf that you can do things like that.

If I have to walk from my office to the golf court, I know what I will go through. I get tired easily. There was a time I wanted to exercise. Then, I was staying at Toyin Street, Ikeja.

I wanted to walk to

the hospital. People started asking me, ’Doctor, se ko si?’ (doctor, hope there is no problem?). Some people would think your car is off the road or something. You can’t exercise easily in Nigeria, to begin to walk about. But on the golf court, you can do that very comfortably, and you enjoy it because you are chasing after a small ball.

Why is the game is not so popular in Nigeria?

The people that play soccer are the younger ones. If you play soccer, by the time you are in your 40s, except Roger Milla, you stop. If you play tennis too, after a while, you will stop playing it. But it is the people that watch it that make it popular. And here, the only time you find people watch golf is when the professionals are playing.

Is it true that the game is exclusively for the rich?

No. Your equipment might be expensive.

There is no club in Nigeria which joining is not expensive. Joining the club might be expensive. Ikoyi Club has a Golf Section.

They have Swimming Section, Badminton Section, Lawn Tennis Section, and you are supposed to join two or three of these sections. I am in the Golf Section. I registered for swimming; but I don’t really find time to go. The third one is lawn tennis, which I can’t play now. I used to play Lawn Tennis in those days.

Talking about being for the rich, it might be expensive to join a club, that is one. And it is not only the Golf Section but all the clubs. If you go to Metropolitan Club now, you know how much it will cost to join. You have others like the Island Club and the Yoruba Tennis Club; they all cost a lot.

Coming to golf, the equipment might be expensive. But then, you can cut your coat according to your material. For a beginner, a golf set could cost between 100 and 200 pounds. You can also use old ones. A man who is buying new ones might donate old ones to people who are less-privileged. In my club now, to encourage the young ones, particularly the children members, their parents pay for them, and they pay much less. They supply them with clubs even before they practise golf. And when they can now play, the parents buy something cheap for them to use. As you climb up in the game, you can begin to change your set, depending on how rich you are. The very poor can also play this game, and we are encouraging the youth to do that.

You and your wife (sitting beside him) act as if you are just getting married. What was that thing that attracted you to your wife?

Well, we met as teenagers. I had a friend, unfortunately he is late now. She was schooling in Ondo, I was in the first year in the university and we went home. I think that was where we met. And when you talk

41

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011 about love at first sight, to me, I think it is as that. But it also took some persuading for her to really be seeing me and be talking to me, until eventually we became friends. I think we courted for about seven years before we eventually got married.

Are you both from Ondo?

No, she is Ijebu and I am from Abeokuta.

My mother, Mrs Beatrice Oyenihun Peters (nee Babajide) was from Oyo town.

For how long have you been married?

For more than 40 years. We got married in August 1970.

I am sure you sometimes disagree. How do you settle this?

Well, I have a policy; when I’m annoyed, you will get to know that I’m annoyed. At times, I don’t control it well, I must say. But now that I’m getting old, it is better. Once I say my mind, particularly if the other fellow realises his or her fault and says, ‘I’m sorry’, I will forget about it. My wife knows if there is anything wrong. At times, she does not like the way I react to it. But if she knows she is wrong, she will apologise. And if I know I’m wrong too, nobody is too proud to say ‘I’m sorry’. I think that has helped us.

(The wife, Mrs Sola Peters intercejects) Basically, when you have two people who get hot at the same time, you know you are in a battle. When he is feeling hot, I just keep quiet. If both of us get angry at the same time there will be war in the house. But this never happened.

Tell me about your growing up I was born in the northern part of the country. Kaduna, to be precise. I was born on the July 5, 1941. That makes me to clock 70 and I’m looking forward to it. These days, when you see the obituaries of 40 and 50year-olds, to clock 70, one should be grateful to God. I spent my first 10 years there before coming to Lagos with my aunt. When we came to Lagos, I had to complete my primary education at St. Mathias, Lagos Island . For secondary school, I was admitted into St Finbarr’s College. I got that first and they gave me a condition: I was a Methodist but now an Anglican. They said I must be a Catholic before they could take me at St. Finbarr’s. St. Gregory’s College took me without any condition, and since my aunt was staying at Obalende, I decided to go to St. Gregory’s because it was an old school and more popular. I was a day student.

The first year, Fr. Murano was leaving; he gave some of us double promotion from Form I to Form 3 because the school used to be six years to do your school certificate. I spent five years. I had wanted to do Medicine all my life. My parents were not rich enough, although we were not poor. When it had to come to reading Medicine, you either had to get a scholarship or it would be difficult. And it was really difficult for me, because when I left secondary school, I worked for a while. I was in a school in Abeokuta, St. Peter’s Grammar School. They saw my predicament about fees, and when I got admission for Medicine and I asked them if they could sponsor me, they said they would not have a need for a doctor. What they needed was a science teacher. They gave me scholarship to read BSc in a science course. I turned it down.

I was just hoping and praying. My uncle, the late Chief Ashamu, (the owner of Ashamu Marble, Igbeti, Oyo State) then offered me a scholarship to go to Germany to do a course that had to do with explosives. He had some friends in Germany who were ready to take me along. Stupidly or not, I had to turn that down. But God did his work anyway. I went in and read Medicine. Thanks to my late mother.

Any regrets studying Medicine?

Definitely no. I enjoyed every bit of it. I enjoyed reading Medicine. I enjoy working as a doctor. I really enjoy it. That is what I’m still doing, except that after 70 now, may be I have to pipe it down, because you don’t have any rest. As a matter of fact, in private practice, your patients want to personalise you. When they come to your hospital, they want to see you, even though you have good doctors. If they haven’t seen you, they haven’t seen a doctor.

Was there a time somebody died in your hospital?

(Long pause) People die. You do your very best. The thing about it is that we care as doctors, and God heals. There are days when I’m coming home, you have about 10 in the ward, and there are one of two who are seriously sick, and within yourself, you know they may not make it till the following morning. We don’t have the luxury of switching off our phones. A junior doctor will phone you that they have this or that problem.

Deep within you, you will say before the morning somebody will phone you to say the person could not make it. The following morning, you discover that the man is still

•Dr. Peters and wife

‘

Later, they brought out a clinically dead body, which was me... On the sixth day when I started regaining consciousness, all I remembered was people coming around me. They were very happy and they called some social workers who were now showing me the alphabet.

When I say this is A or B or C, they would jump up for joy

’

there, the lady is still there, the baby is still there and they begin to pick up. He can go home. There are some, you don’t even think about it. They are routine. Give him this or that injection and he or she is okay. But something just happens and the person eventually dies. There are bad cases, but there are some you don’t see as bad cases.

You don’t see death imminent in them but they are gone.

Was there any time you were around and your wife was being delivered of a baby?

In advanced countries, when a wife goes to register for ante-natal, most husbands go with them to understand what is happening.

During this period, the hospital explains to the husband what happens to the wife during labour. Such husbands are allowed to go to the labour room during delivery. There is always a partition and he can see through where he is without being at the delivery room with his wife.

My wife’s delivery that gave me the biggest headache was that of my daughter, Alaba.

And that, fortunately, is the only child of mine that read Medicine. She is a pediatrician.

She was delivered on October 15 and I used to help as a doctor with the Nigerian football team. That was when they were called the Elephants. We were to go to Sierra Leone to play that morning. My wife put to bed and everything looked okay. The flight was an early morning flight. By six, the doctor called me that my wife was bleeding. I went to her, they gave her something and the bleeding stopped. I went to dress up. By the time I

came out again, she was bleeding and I asked her, ‘Should I cancel this flight if you don’t want me to go?’ She said no, and I said stop bleeding. Thank God, she stopped bleeding.

I had to travel. You know your mind would be at home. I thank God everything went well. That was the only time I had a delivery that gave me a headache.

As a doctor, what do you think about caesarean operation, considering the way people look at it in our clime?

Here, the moment they hear operation, everybody becomes agitated. There must be a very good reason for operation. So, why do you operate? If the baby is too big for the passage and cannot pass through, it is imperative you operate. Even if you have a normal-sized baby that can come out on its own and you have prolonged labour, it could be because the cervix is not dilating well. If it continues for too long, the baby will die and it will cause a problem to the mother too. You can operate.

There are times too when children have chord on their neck. The baby could die. That one too, you go for an emergency operation.

If somebody has been operated on three times, you are advised that you sterile that person. You know you are cutting the same place to get the baby out. You are advised not to do caesarian operation more than three times, particularly when you have a life baby. If you are unfortunate, the first is not around, second is not around and the third is what you are trying to bring now, they might give you a chance. Ideally, after the third cesarean section, you block the tube.

How does your wardrobe look like?

Mrs Sola Peters: My wardrobe has a good balance between western clothing and traditional wear; I’m an usher in the church.

For three Sundays in a month, I wear English dress. You should also remember that I have been a teacher all my life. So, I’m used to wearing English dress. But it is a good balance in my wardrobe between English dress and traditional dress. I like to dress well any way.

Let me take your back to when you first met your husband. Was there a time somebody was competing with you for his love?

If I say no, it is a lie. Every girl met a boy before he met the one he eventually settled with. But the most serious I had was with him. The moment we clicked as friends, that was the end of any other person. I didn’t have any date before him. We were in the boarding house in those days. And before vacation, your parents would have arranged for you to get home. There was no fooling around.

At 40 plus in marriage, you still have your wedding ring intact. How did you manage to keep this?

This is not the exact one I married with, I lost the first one and he had to buy another one for me. Once you are used to it, if you dress and you don’t have your wedding ring on, you are not complete. Sometimes, I would be driving and I would discover that I was not wearing my wedding band. I would return to the house and pick it. It has become a part of you, and when you don’t have it, you miss it.

Doctor, why is it you’re not wearing your

wedding ring?

You know some like rings and they can have two or three.

Mrs Peters: I think it is because of his profession. You know doctors constantly remove their rings before operation. After operation...

(Dr. Peters cuts in) Sometimes, when you remove it, you lose it.

Tell me the greatest challenge you ever faced as a doctor.

There are lots of challenges you get when you are in this profession. But there was this particular patient that came in. It was late in the night. I am not a gynecologist. The cervix had dilated and I was the only one in the hospital. I had to deliver the baby by doing vacuum extraction.

What about the experience you always hate to remember?

An experience in life that happened to me that I hate to remember was in 1965, at the beginning of my clinical years. I went to a swimming pool and somewhere along the line, I dived down. But as they were all about to leave, a lady raised the alarm that somebody had dived into the river and had not come up. They started diving down but they couldn’t find anybody. The lady insisted that there was somebody in the pool. Later, they brought out a clinically dead body, which was me. I was unconscious for five days and some of the senior doctors implied that it was better for me to die, because I would have got brain damage. The question was, how would I complete my course?

On the sixth day when I started regaining consciousness, all I remembered was people coming around me. They were very happy and they called some social workers who were now showing me the alphabet. When I say this is A or B or C, they would jump up for joy. Thank God, I survived that and I finished my course.

Another one was the death of my late sister, Captain Yetunde Peters. That was very devastating. My elder sister was retired from Navy as a captain. She was living at Ogudu (Lagos). She had a driver and an estate surveyor. She had already taken them to her church, trying to convert them and she was cooking for them when these two boys were convinced to kill her. They murdered her in cold blood. That was devastating. It is over 10 years now.

As a doctor, what is your attitude to death?

You don’t have to be a doctor to have an attitude to death. We all must die one day. It is useless death we try to avoid. Prevention, they say, is better than cure. So, it will be nice for us to immunise our children against all these childhood diseases that cause death.

If we immunise them, they won’t die of measles, polio or small pox anymore, because they are preventable diseases.

Prevention costs less. The only thing for us here is that we have good doctors but we lack equipment that advanced countries have now. We need to work on that. Some of them are coming in now, but they are expensive.

Mrs Peter, you still look radiant at your age, what is your secret?

When you are satisfied with what you have, you will look good. Satisfaction in life is a great gift. When you are not jealous of anybody and you worship your God, having God at the centre of your life is a great gain.

It brings you certain things you cannot explain. Taking care of yourself, eating good food, and even if there are problems, knowing that God is there, you don’t panic unnecessarily. Above all, I have a husband who does not give me stress. He makes provisions for me. I have just completed his biography and we are going to launch it on July 5(Tuesday). I wrote the biography. I mentioned in one of the chapters that I’m eternally grateful to him. Anything I do, whether I succeeded or not, he is always there for me. I’ve always had a shoulder to cry upon. He always supports my ventures. Not any day did he grumble or complain. I’m better looked after than when I was earning salary. It is actually in appreciation of God’s goodness in me that I wrote his biography.

(Dr Peter cuts in) When she travelled and came back with the idea of a book, I was almost against it. But the reason behind it was what made me to agree: the proceeds from the book launch will go to charity, and we have penciled down Modupe Cole Child Treatment Home, Akoka, Yaba, Lagos. We will look for other charity homes.

There is a girl that draws with her leg and has won several awards globally. She is going to give a talk that day, and the topic is: ‘There is ability in disability’. And whatever we get on that day will be given to charity.

There will also be a golf competition on my birthday.

Why did you read Law? I had some time for myself. I’m a lawyer and also a doctor.

Saturday

42

SPECIAL

THE NATION SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

With KAYODE OLANSHILE-ALFRED E-mail:kayflex2@yahoo.com TEL:08035733605

Leah Abiara set for the altar

HAPPENSTANCES

Femi Kuti's divorce case gets new date

P

arty-loving daughter of renowned evangelist, Pastor S.K. Abiara, is planning to walk down the aisles some time in the month of August.

Leah, as she is popularly called, is one of the princesses of high society. She has always been a force to reckon with on the social scene in spite of her parental background.

Making good money and having enough to spare for socials, Leah was so comfortable in the social arena that she became a permanent fixture.

The delectable fashion icon however vanished from the social scene recently, and many thought it was as a result of the crashed affair between her and Tunde Nero.

Those who should know have however informed Happenstances that the pretty fun lover is finally tying the nuptial knot. The news has, however, raised a lot of questions, as many are wondering if it is still the classy Tunde Nero who is walking her down the aisles or another dashing knight in shining armour.

TEL:08035733605

I

n recent times, Femi, the Afro Beat crooner and son of the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, has made moves to permanently sever all ties with his estranged wife, Funke. The feud, which occurred between the two in 2003 over allegations of infidelity against Funke, has finally reached the Lagos High Court, Ikeja. Although many expected a large turnout at the first sitting on June 21, 2011, the court room was practically empty. Even the plaintiff and defendant were absent. Hence, nothing concrete was decided on the day.

Felix Inneh and A. O. Oduntan, counsel to Femi and Funke respectively, had a heated argument over the petition the defence counsel claimed was not served. To forestall further argument, the case was adjourned. July 14, the date initially proposed, was rejected and Tuesday, September 13, 2011 was finally picked as the new date for the hearing of the divorce

Saturday

THE NATION SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

SPECIAL

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Lions Club International gets new district governor

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t is a moment of celebration for Dr. Ayoade Adesokan who has just been elected the new District Governor for District 404B, Nigeria.

Already known as a reputable member of the Lions Club in the past 25 years, the white-haired gentleman is now saddled with a new challenge.

The humanitarian club, a platform for nurturing responsible citizens and future leaders, has been in existence for more than a century and has affected millions of lives positively.

Adesokan, a lecturer of good standing, has already been decorated. But he will be formally presented to the society on July 31, 2011 in a ceremony at the Events Centre, Agidingbi, Lagos.

case, which has rocked the social space for many

Nu Grotto bosses reconcile

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or some time, the air concerning the ownership of the Nu Grotto Night Club was rocked by crisis. It was as if the partnership between the two owners of the outfit, who ironically are friends, had come to an end. Happenstances, however, gathered that the two friends have buried the hatchet and are moving on once again.

Biola Adegoke, the owner of Luxe Night Club, formerly known as Nu Grotto Night Club, had invited his friend, Shina Peller, who owned 25 per cent share in the business, to join him in running it. But tale bearers quickly went to town with the story that Adegoke had sold the club to

Islar Animashaun returns

Shina Peller.

The rumour infuriated the Luxe Night Club boss and he denied it. But Peller was angry that Adegoke did not consult him before issuing a public denial of the rumour. It took the intervention of other big boys and patrons of the club to clear the air.

Shortly after the disagreement, another trouble came up when a shootout occurred at the club while Adegoke was out of town. The next day, Peller jetted out of the country, and accusing fingers began to point at him, that he was responsible for the attack in which Adegoke's manager was injured and had to be taken to the hospital.

Peller's absence at that crucial time made Adegoke to suspect that he knew something about it. Hence, he declared Peller a persona non grata. But the matter has been settled after the truth was established that busy bodies were only trying to destroy the relationship between the two friends.

Wura Adepoju explores new ground

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miable fashion expert, Wura Adepoju, is set to take her fashion business to a new height. The CEO of VIGOLD Creations is set to open a fashion school in a matter of weeks. Many would remember the dark-complexioned Ekiti-born power dresser as the woman who took the fashion industry by surprise some years ago with her bold and beautiful designs.

The need for upcoming designers to learn from experienced ones might have prompted her new move. In a chat with Happenstances, she explained the need to pass on knowledge and produce grassroots designers who would cater for the needs of everyone as her main motivation.

Asked about the financial implication for those who intend to patronise the school, she simply said it would be highly affordable. “Our targets are young men and women, as well as married women who want to become self employed, young school leavers who want to possess a skill, graduates who need extra income and everyone who has a flair for fashion,� she added.

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slar Animashaun, popular beautician and cosmetics expert, is back in her groove. The robust party pillar and mother of three is regaining her place in the social firmament she once abandoned. Islar, one of the most popular society ladies on the Lagos social space, had slowed her roll a few months back when her husband, Femi Mukadamu Animashaun, died in Miami, Florida, in the United States of America. Thereafter, she became a scarce commodity in the social arena, and many naturally attributed her retreat from the social scene to her husband's death.

Now, she has cast off the gloomy attire in favour of a colourful one, through which she is now expressing her new lease of life. The society woman has now re-entered the party circles she once bestrode like a colossus.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

Dr. Aaze Thomas Adaba is 70 today. A pioneer Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Adaba, now a media consultant, is the Ohi Etohueyi (Beacon of Light) of Ebiraland. In this riveting encounter with SANNI OLOGUN and select journalists in Abuja, he speaks about life at 70, how he came into broadcasting, what makes Nigerians rebellious, Kogi State politics and a wide range of other issues bordering on the menace of Boko Haram and the need for complete overhaul of the nation’s security structure. He also warns that the planned sale of the National Iron Ore Mining Company in Itakpe, Kogi State is an economic suicide that will lead to the final collapse of the multi-billion dollar Ajaokuta Steel Project. Excerpts:

My life at 70 —NBC pioneer D-G Tom Adaba A

T 70, how do you feel?

I feel good. I feel excellent and I thank God for it. I do not feel 70. Otherwise, I should have been in my house now waiting for something to come to me but I am still working. At least, you met me in the office and I do not think I intend to slow down in the next 10 years because there is joy in working.

Can you tell us of your upbringing and the major experiences you had along the way?

My parents, Late Joseph and Mary Adaba, were Catholics. They had four children before me and all of them died and my parents were devastated, so I was told by them. And it was in that process that the Reverend Father who was the Parish Priest of Christ the King Catholic Church in Okene, came down to our house and commiserated with them and told them to remain steadfast in the faith. He told them that the next child they were going to have would be a boy and that they should name the child after him and that the child would not die again.

His name was Thomas Duffy from Ireland.

And of course, when I was born, I was named Thomas at baptism. That is why I usually see myself as a child of prophecy because even before I was conceived, I already had a name waiting for me. I went to school in Okene and when I finished, my intention was to be a Catholic priest and so I went into the seminary immediately after my primary education. But two years after that, it did not please God that I should

continue, so I opted out and went into the teaching profession. I cannot really say why I had to opt out. It always took me two days to go to the seminary in the east but my Parish Priest said I had to drop because it was not the will of God that I should be a priest.

I was at the Okene Teachers’ College but in 1965, I did the entrance examination into the Advanced Teachers College in Zaria. The one in Kano was just beginning then. I was successful and I now sought clearance from my Principal then who was an expatriate and he approved that I should go but refused to approve my entitlements as spelt out in the General Orders (G.O.). I drew his attention to it but he minuted back to me that I was not entitled to any financial aid. So I went to him to inquire why I was deprived of that and he said I was not entitled to it at all because, according to him, I was not qualified.

Now, if he had ended it at that, I would have been satisfied but he went on to say that if I had not been squandering my salary, I would have been able to take care of the financial implication of the course. I think I was the lowest qualified tutor there at that time. And I said, “Mr Coleman, I am sorry, I do not think that is a fair statement to make. I ride a big motorcycle to work and I never took a penny loan from the government to acquire the motorcycle and so I do not see where the element of squandering arose.

•Dr. Adaba “Secondly, at the point I receive my salary, what I do with it is my business. If I am not doing my work, you can query me but what I do with my salary is totally my business.

Thirdly sir, on account of this, I demand an apology!” He was stunned. He just looked at me and continued writing. But I stood there. Then the doyen of the African tutors who was there happened to have heard my voice and so he came in and asked me what was wrong. I told him that the Principal insulted me and I demanded an apology from him.

He persuaded me to forget about it but I said I would not do that until the man apologised to me. And when Mr Coleman saw it was a serious thing he said, “Alright, Mr. Adaba, I am sorry” and I said ‘Thank you very much sir’ and walked out. He immediately wrote to the headquarters in Kaduna to report the case and said that I challenged him over his interpretation of the General Orders and that I even demanded an apology from him. He added that he would be most ready to apologise to me again if Kaduna could prove that I was right.

So Kaduna wrote back to say that I was right but using some form of diplomacy. Meanwhile, the Senior Inspector of Teacher Training, Mr. Spisser, was a white man. Coleman reported me to him and so Spisser caused my transfer from Okene to Bichi Teachers College in-between Kano and Katsina states. Secondly, they stopped my going to Zaria for my NCE. The following year in 1966, I wrote the exams again and chose Kano. I was admitted but two years after, there was a social function in Kano ATC. Later I was called upon by the head of the American team who needed the visuals of that event. He engaged me in a lot of discussions and after that, he said he had found the person he wanted and asked me to start a student programme for him on television. Right after that, they made arrangement for my scholarship to the university and by the time I was finishing my NCE in 1969, I had already been given my ticket and everything to go to the USA. So the delay caused by Coleman and Spisser now turned out to be a blessing in the sense that the Northern Nigeria government had a policy then that anybody who did the NCE would have to teach for three years before going in for a degree programme. Here I was, just finishing my NCE and I was given the opportu-

nity to go for my degree just after a month.

I went for a three-year programme but I completed it in two years because we were allowed to carry as many loads or credit hours as we could cope with and in 1971 I was back. Then, those people who were in Zaria were just finishing their third year of teaching before now entering into the university. So, I had that hitch, but see the goodness of God being manifest in how he had catapulted me and led me on to an institution that now became the springboard for my going in for the degree. And ever since then, God has been so merciful. It has been like that sequentially. A drawback here and then all of a sudden, something lifts me up again.

So at 70, I think I have every reason to be grateful to God. How did you become the pioneer DirectorGeneral of the National Broadcasting Commission?

I was with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and, in fact, my name was slated for retirement for no justifiable reason and the list had been sent to the then Minister of Information. Somehow, one of the messengers there told me that my name was number one on that list for doing what I do not know. The minister now sent for me. I went and he said, “I know you have had a great career in broadcasting.

There is a job like this coming. So, why don’t you apply?”

I went back and I did. That was the beginning of my appointment as the pioneer D-G of the NBC and the irony of it all was that the Commission itself has authority, in terms of regulation, over and above the NTA and other stations. Things like that just happened and God has always been there for me.

Nigeria is said to be on the list of failed states in the world. Do you feel comfortable with our 14th position on that list?

Well, if they have said it’s a failed state, I cannot deny it because they must have done some research. It just means that we are challenged to be more serious as a nation. We are challenged to now prove a point: that we are not a failed state. Unemployment, illiteracy, poverty etc, these are things that make people unhappy, that get them on to rebellion. When you have a situation that people around you are living in utter opulence, they have light

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

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When I left in 1999, I had nothing. I had to rent a place to stay with the benefits that were given to me and I trudged on in absolute faith.

By His grace after about five years, I was able to get a place where I live today. It was a very trying or traumatic situation but God saw me through

’

seven days a week and ride the best cars and you are in utter darkness; all the houses around the man are in total darkness and then you expect people to be happy with that?

Why do you think that they are going around places in tinted glasses? If they were of the people, would they actually need to conceal themselves? As a matter of fact, they would wound down so that they can wave at the people and greet them. But this is not what happens now and they call that security. Security should start from the provision of food, shelter, clothing and something to hold unto. A leader of the Boko Haram who was shot dead was a commissioner under the former governor. He did not do that work as a commissioner writing Arabic. He wrote in English. Boko Haram by translation means western literacy is a sin, yet the architects of it are educated in the western format. Even the handsets they are using are products of western education.

These are not the real issues. I think the government should dig into this issue and find out the remote cause. Is it religious? If it is, we have had a number of mullahs who are eminently qualified but who do not share such beliefs. The first thing is preservation. If the people do not get the education, do not have a means of livelihood and cannot clothe themselves, naturally they will be dejected, rebellious and forced to take arms. You have the case in the Niger Delta and they were saying exactly the same thing. As long as we continue to shelve these issues that revolve around the welfare of the people, then we shall continue to have problems.

A lot of people have advocated amnesty for the Boko Haram insurgents just as it was done in the Niger Delta. Do you support that?

It may not necessarily follow. Remember, the people of the Niger Delta said the rest of the nation was milking them dry. The wealth of the nation is being made there but the disbursement is for the rest of the country. There is a very key difference here. As I said earlier, let the government find out genuinely what their grievances are. That one (Niger Delta issue) was established. That was why the system that was adopted seems to have worked. It may

•Dr. Adaba

not necessarily be the same strategy that will be required in this case. Government has to dig into the root of this problem before it can evolve the appropriate strategies to address it.

You asked whether their demands are sellable and my answer is no, you cannot apply Sharia on me as a Christian and there is no justice in that because the Quran does not even support that. If they want a wider level of Islam in the country, what has the policeman or soldier got to do with that? What has even the ordinary citizen or bank got to do with that?

So, I still don’t find their excuse tenable. The only thing they might hold on to that might seem believable is that they go round places burning churches. But, will that in any way change a Christian to become a Muslim? The answer is no. Until they themselves realise that this country is made up of both Muslims and Christians and even animists or atheists, then whatever they think they are fighting for is useless.

Some people have suggested the use of outright force to tackle these Boko Haram elements while others are calling for negotiations.

What do you suggest?

The President has said it will be a combination of the ‘carrot and stick’ method. I do not think it is right. Again, it is just like the Inspector General of Police telling them in Maiduguri that their days were numbered. If there is going to be any strategy to be adopted, I do not think it should be anything that should be made public. It should be a continuous thing and then you allow them to begin to unfold. It is a lot better than telling anybody to expect force or negotiation.

I learnt that MASSOB are saying if they are going to negotiate with the Boko Haram, then the government must engage them in talks too. Where are we heading to? This is a thing that needs to be done with a great level of tact and maturity. The strategy to be adopted should not be made public. We were told that they were after the IG because of what he said, which was that their days were numbered and they wanted to prove to him that he was the one whose days were numbered. I think it was a slip on the part of the I-G to have made that statement. You do

not tell your enemies what your strategies are.

You do not tell them to expect you. I do not think it makes any sense. I have never heard of that in any strategic planning that you tell your enemies what your strategies are to rid of them or even that you are even coming at all. You are a journalist. How many times have you ever heard that the Armed Forces are taking delivery of arms and calling you to come and witness the occasion? We do not know the strength of our Armed Forces today because they know what they want and they use it when the need arises.

Many say the I-G must go. Do you support the call too?

You call for his sack. What next? I will subscribe to the fact that his statement was reckless, the authorities will now know what to do with him if he as the head of a security organisation can make such statement. Whatever the consequences are for that kind of statement, then let him bear it.

What is the place of the media in all of these?

I would not want to comment on that now because the public lecture that is coming up on my 70th birthday (today) is on the “Expectations of Nigerian Media beyond 2011” and I think the eminent people that have been invited to speak will deal with it to our satisfaction. What my own views would be are immaterial for now.

Back to Kogi politics. Your kinsmen have always complained about being marginalised.

What in your view should be done to balance the political equation in that state?

You see, in the last gubernatorial primaries in the state, the difference between the winner and the second best was very minimal and we had cause to assemble people from the Western Senatorial District and show them the scorecard. Kutepa had about 305, the man from the east had about 362 or so and the third person who is also from the West as Kutepa had 60.

That is Prince Olusola Akanmode. If they had just combined these two, Kutepa would have won. We went further to again show to them that Bayo Ojo, also from the West, had 30 votes while Phillips Salawu had 23 votes and it goes on like that.

At the end of the day, the votes of all the East put together were 411 or thereabout as against

all the votes of the West and Central put together, which were 480. In other words, if the West and the Central had put their acts together, they would have overwhelmingly won that election. And this was our message to them all through: concede to one another. Unfortunately, they thought they could make it individually and so they failed. I am hoping that the experience would by now have thought us a lot of lessons that we have got to be realistic and stop all this utopian idea or thinking that one can make it alone.

I hope and pray that after the dispensation of Idris, we will have another election and we shall see how it goes. I happen to have headed the group that have been advocating that there are other indigenes of Kogi State who are eminently qualified to occupy that seat. Common sense dictates that for the sake of peace in the land, you alone cannot continue to eat all the sweet things and give the bitter ones to others.

As a matter of fact, I will want to say that it is the fault of the Central. Kogi State was part of the Old Kabba Province. States were created and the East was merged with Benue, while the West and Central were merged with Kwara and we were very okay. An Ebira man was the governor of Kwara State between 1979 and 1983.

These were factors that were considered when we were now reintegrated as the new Kogi State in 1991. Knowing very well what the Igalas had gone through in Benue and even by way of political sophistication at that time, the West and Central were outstanding vis a vis the East, which had been so marginalised and badly treated in Benue. We in the Central said we have governed once-even if it was in another state- and so why don’t we allow these people who are just coming to integrate with us a chance to rule the state? The West was vehemently opposed to it and rightly too.

Now, we can see that there was something visionary about their stance. We tried to persuade them to concede to the East. Apparently, that has become our undoing and these people (East) think that it has now become a birth right which is very unfortunate. However, one thing is certain, there is a limit to which things can go. As the scripture says, under the heavens, there is time for everything. So, we believe God that in His time and in His way, the other parts of the state will have a say.

The tenure of the incumbent governor was extended by a year. Is your group going to call for another primary election?

Of course, we shall do that when the time comes.

How is life after retirement from the civil service?

It has not been easy. Certainly, it is not. But I give God all the glory. When I left in 1999, I had nothing. I had to rent a place to stay with the benefits that were given to me and I trudged on in absolute faith. By His grace after about five years, I was able to get a place where I live today. It was a very trying or traumatic situation but God saw me through.

I do not want to give the impression that things were rosy but today we are here. At least, if not for anything, I thank God that my name and reputation remains intact. Even when in 2001, Madonna University in Okija requested me to come and set up the Mass Communication Department, I was there for a year and a half as an Associate Professor before I came back to pay greater attention to my business as a media consultant. Today, with the little things that come in, we are okay.

What about the calls for the scrap of the NYSC scheme? Do you share that view too?

I do not think that is the way out of the crisis facing the scheme. It is just like asking the IG to go and then you bring in somebody else. The structure is still deficient. Whoever goes in there will still fall into the same ditch. If you now say, scrap the NYSC because these people have been killed, you are in effect saying that the scheme is not effective and is unnecessary for our corporate existence. Let us also look at the other side. How many Nigerians from the other parts of this country have gone for this service and for the past 15 to 20 years have not gone to their homes because they got something doing in the place where they served?

How many Nigerians, ever since the service started in 1973 have been married because of this and have had children and their children are also even in the service today? How many Nigerians have helped in weaving us together as a people just as a result of participating in this service? So, telling people that it should be scrapped is just a display of sentiments. Let us look at what the ideals of the NYSC are. Are the people in charge meeting those ideals? Are there deficiencies anywhere? Are there lacunas that we need to take care of? Those are things that we should be looking at. Not just scrapping for the sake of it. You cannot say that because a vehicle crashed, then you will not enter a car again. It is still a vehicle that will be used to convey the injured to the hospital. So, this is not enough a reason to scrap the scheme.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

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have had several calls from men and women alike; concerning the article I wrote weeks back on “Every man has a mumu button”. I have never received such a torrent of text messages and emails. It made my head swell. I almost felt like a star. Even in the newsroom one of my favourite editors; Mr. Lawal would say something about mumu button; when I pass by. But most importantly are my readers; who have requested that I do this piece on women. Most of my male readers want to know how to press a woman’s mumu button. And, trust me, we have several mumu buttons more than men; if you ask me. It is easy to win a woman over; if you know the right things to say to her; we are wired by what we hear.

We need to constantly hear it or you may lose us. It is important for men to note that when a woman submits and reverences a man, she expects to be loved and treated like a queen in return. I will like to reiterate that it does not take much to please a woman. We just need men with sensitivity.

Not your money; (at least not all the time, sha; but your money will not hurt us either) but it is majorly the little things you say to us that make all the difference. It varies however from person to person.

According to Yanaki Christine Akiteng, a love doctor, she opines that women are attracted to men who make them feel feminine and attractive. . Believe it or not, different Dear Vera, Your today’s write up is indeed a master piece and an antidote for women who neglect their homes in the name of gender equality Fire on my sister.

Moses Efe Vera, Thanks for your write up this weekend “The women have it” I thought marriage is to complement each other but to my wife not so.

Despite her good job and fat pay, she sits on my pocket for every little spending.

Her greed makes me feel bad about her. My mother complimented my father’s efforts and that is why I am where I am today.

K from Nigeria.

Dear Vera, It is the pride of every Afri-

Women have mumu buttons too… woman have different ideas of what ‘feminine’ means to them. Ironically; some women want to be dominated, made to be submissive, insulted (made to feel less than they really are). A friend of mine once told me that she likes to be beaten up by her man because it makes her feel feminine.

Fortunately, however, these kinds of women are in minority. But what makes the majority of women feel like REAL women? How does an average guy press a woman’s mumu button, (get to her soft spot?) Or even inspire feelings of love?

Make her feel supremely free to be a woman These days, most women carry out every single task that men do, not only is her feminine identity threatened but also any emerging feminine traits will make her feel less feminine and more masculine (invisible, but throat aggressive and take charge) That is why she wants to come home to her can man to cater for his family, irrespective of what the wife earns. This is what will earn him respect.

Aliu.

Dear Vera, Re: The woman have it…

The main set back our today’s women experience is from the menfolk who are lazy, suffer from inferiority complex and down rightly naïve. Nigerian women gain my admiration with their hearts and iron and ruggedness in their desire for survival.

Religious leaders and bigots who try to draw back the womenfolk’s advancement by enforcement and imposition of archaic doctrines are the vermin’s of the nation’s progress.

The era of female leadership is already with us.

Olofinsao, Julius Akinloye, Ibadan

man and be made to feel soft vulnerable and exposed for a change.

Make her feel beautiful (hot or sexy, whatever tugs at her heart strings) Make her feel smart and funny and easy on the eyes.

This includes appreciating her physical, emotional, mental and spiritual attributes. It does not include you trying to impose your views of feminine beauty on her body; emotions or thoughts process.

Make her stand out from the crowd Every woman wants to feel ‘special’, one in a million.

Ignoring her sometimes work to a man’s advantage because invisibility can make her feel devalued. If she’s insecure about herself, she may be attracted to you because you trigger those feelings of insecurity that she already has. The danger of this is that same insecurity will mar your relationship and cause you not to enjoy being around her in the longer term.

Make her feel safe and protected A woman wants to feel that she is in safe hands, physically materially and emotionally secure. Women want men who can step up and take charge of the situation.

Make her feel appreciated and supported It does not mean you won’t argue with her or that you have to obey her every wish, or allow her walk all over you. It doesn’t mean that most women don’t like it when men treat them like little spoilt kids. Dormant behaviour makes you less than a man in her eyes and that’s how she will treat you.

Make her feel good about her choices in life; including choosing you from all the others.

Make her feel alive A woman wants a man that makes her laugh, scream with joy, run, jump and play like a little girl and make her feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

There is nothing more

Text messages Re: The women have it…

Dear Vera, The truth is Nigerian men still believe that women should be relegated to the background as a result they have zero tolerance for any woman on top.

They see any of her actions or inactions as pride, self willed and their likes. The men folk should be ready to allow the women as every woman wants a home.

Funke, Lagos Hi Vera, You look cool and sweet. I like how you pose in this snapshot. If I may ask who are you thinking of that you put your two hands on your cheek?

More ink to your pen 08165797786

•Mr. and Mrs. Mopelola Ogunnuga with their parents Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ogunnuga during their wedding at Surulere Local Government, Lagos

Dear Vera, You’ve said it all. It is some of the educated that make the worst home today, they starve the man in bed and table. Yet all types of book on how to make marriage work fill their houses. Which one did our grandmothers who made good home read, or were they not empowered? The worst are religious women.

Aunty Vera, I have been looking forward to sending text on what has been bothering my mind. I met a lady not quite long when I got to Pankshin, Pleateau State for my NYSC in may, the first time I met Vivian, she told me she had a guy she goes out with but I tried all I could to let her know that I really love her because is a lady of my taste. Any time I call her, she rejects my calls, fortunately, one day I went out to the location I met her just to realise where she resides. I knew it was God that gave me the direction. I was glad, I met her in her compound but she pretended as if I was not known by her. Without beating about the bush, I called her where she was sitting with her friends and discuss her attitude towards me but she just allowed me do the talking why she listened all through. I returned home sad.

I started disturbing her with my text and calls. It got to a stage she said I should stop doing them, she later agreed that she has to flash before I call. I was somehow disturbed because I have become obsessive and totally mesmerized.

Anytime she flashes, the next thing when I call back after our

attractive, sexier and more irresistible than that.

Make her feel like a sex-pot (not like an object of pleasure) A guy who can make a ‘good’ girl crazy with passion, desire and intense feeling, has practically got her eating from his palours. This is not just how well you can manipulate her sexual organs so that she reaches an orgasm. This is also known as ecstasy.

Make her feel wanted and loved It is about letting her know what she means to you. It may be in words but mostly in your actions. Show up to be seen. Does this seem like a tall order? No doubt this seems like a lot to ask for but consider what you get back in return. Besides, when giving women what they want is a natural and free flowing part of who you are, it’s not hard to make a woman feel like a real woman at all. Choices you’re doing some of these things instinctively all you need is discussions is send me card. It gets to a point she does not have to remind me before I send it. Whenever I send her card, she hardly calls or texts. When she realises that I am generous and magnanimous, she finally turns me to a Central Bank.

Two weeks ago, I have stopped calling and texting her but she now calls and texts everyday. She even texts romantic and sexy messages every night.

Her openly messages read, my dear, my love, handsome guy and sweet heart. I am totally confused. Does it mean without money I can not be loved?

What will she be telling the other guy. Till now I have not had sex with her. She even confirmed it frankly that she dislikes sex but contrary to my view, how should I believe her? What should I do?

Emmanuel, Jos Dear Vera Aaayeee!

The women indeed have it.

The woman is the home. It is the neck that turns the head.

Skills in bed. That is my mumu button. Honey has no expiry date.

Aloysius Abuja Vera, The woman have it is total, it’s more than article it can be a complete book if published.

But it’s a pity that our women do not read papers or they are not easy to convince. We men appreciate your good works.

God bless you more.

Wale Kareem, Ore Vera, In real sense of the matter, a good woman owns the house, laziness, indiscipline and foreign culture are factors causes problems at home now.

to step it up. Alicia keys: A woman’s worth. I will conclude with Alicia Keys’ song on a women’s worth You could buy me pearls diamonds You could buy me pearls Take me on a cruise around the world Baby, you know I’m worth it Dinner lit by candles\ Run my bubble bath Make love tenderly to last and last Baby, you know I’m worth it.

Wanna please, wanna keep, Wanne treat your woman right Not just dough, but a show That you know she is worth your time You will lose, if you choose To refuse to at her first She will and she can Find a man who knows her worth!

Guz a real man knows a real woman when he sees her…

If you never play me Promise not to bluff I’ll hold it down when shit gets rough Guz baby, I know you’re worth it.

A real man can’t deny a woman’s worth…

Well done job.

Kenny Ib Vera, Thanks for your articles that have saved many marriages and friendship. Please Vera, extend this teaching by holding public lecture, seminars or workshop etc on singled and married.

God bless you.

Evang. Okoye Richard Dear Vera, Thanks for the obvious that it doesn’t take strength but skills to be good in bed.

Please text my wife and give her clue. I love to be a faithful husband.

Thanks a lot.

Hon. Ed Okiya Abj Dear Vera, I think the ayes have it.

When a woman is empowered, the family which is a microcosm of the society is empowered. One only hopes that the rural woman is more empowered than her urban counterpart; who is confused about being enlightened, educated and empowered and merely shouts 35% affirmative action while failing ‘homework’.

Seun Osinkolu, Ogbomoso Vera, There is nothing wrong in criticizing your fellow women. It will help them wake up from their slumber. A woman that depends solely on the man or selfish with her money, should ask herself this question. What happens if the man loses his job or (God forbid) the man dies as a result of the extra time he has to work to take care of the family or is somebody going to say is not her portion.

Don Ezeala, Ph

47

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

•Canvass coffin

Photos: Okorie Uguru

Ghana’s home of designer coffins

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HANA, in the last couple of years, rightly recognized tourism as a veri table source of foreign exchange earning. This is in addition to help her build a favourable international profile.

The country may not have tourist attractions that could rival sites such as the Pyramid of Egypt, Petra of Jordan, the coliseum and such others, it has over the years built tourism on reliability.

The reliability of infrastructural facilities, security and the conscious effort to effectively promote its historical and ecotourism endowments should be copied by many West African countries.

Its tourism has brought about many opportunities,including millions of dollars worth of foreign investment, the latest being the $120 million Movenpick Ambassador Hotel that opened recently.

During my last visit to Ghana, apart from the traditional places of touristic interest, such as the Nkrumah Park and so on, our tour guide took us to the Omanye

Gallery located in the La beach area of Accra.

The owner of the gallery is said to be one of the leading artists in Ghana. Initially, I saw the gallery like any other: Of course, the normal beautiful splash of colours and media such as canvass and so on.

There were some wooden sculpted works outside the gallery. The designs varied from the regular art work to the grotesque and weird works that come only from the imagination of eccentric artists.

At the entrance of the gallery, there was a wooden sculptor of a larger than life size crab in multi-colours of white, red, brown and blue. There were other different items inside: a sport canvass with Nike written on it, a tiger, a ferocious bird, a truck, fish and so on. Apart from the size, these items were like other sculpted works depicting these objects. Then, the tour guide explained to me and the others that these objects were coffins. And each of these coffins could sell for nothing less than the equivalent of N500,000. We were in the gallery of one big collector of fantasy coffins or coffin arts.

I used to have the impression that no country could rival Nigeria in

flamboyance during burials, but seeing these designer coffins, I was forced to have a rethink.

According to him, the coffin art has been around for more

•Lorry coffin

than 50 years and it is steeped in the Ghanaian culture and was popularized by one artist called Paa Joe. The guide further said: “The choice of the coffin to bury a loved one is predicated on the occupation of the

deceased and what he cherished most when he was living.”

They show the social status, occupation, tastes and desires Continued on Page 48

48

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

Omanye Gallery: Home of designer coffins

Continued from Page 47

of the departed. The coffins are mainly designed to represent an aspect of the dead person’s life — such as a car if the person was a driver, fish if he was a fisherman, a snail-shaped coffin for a snail seller or a sewing machine for a seamstress. They might also be symbolic elements of his life - a bottle of beer, cigarette, hammer, mobile phone, hen, rooster, leopard, lion, canoe, cocoa beans or elephant.

With further research, I got to know more about this tradition. It is common with the Ga people in Ghana. To them, funerals are not only when to mourn, but also times of celebration. The people believe that when their loved ones die, they move on to live again.. e.

One could draw a parallel between the culture and that of the people of the ancient Egypt who filled up the pyramids with food and water and other things they believed the dead person would use in another life.

According to a report, some of the designers of the coffins always lament that after putting so much time into creating the coffins, they get hidden underground.

“At last, they are going to bury this thing which has taken so much time, so much energy…” he said.

The coffins vary in size and shape, and some of them might not be big. But in some cases, what is more important is the “representation” of the deceased than the practicalities associated with the departure!

The costs of the coffins vary, depending on their designs and quality.

Some of the clients are poor locals. But it is something they have to do.

Looking at these beautiful coffins, I remembered the Igbo saying that when a poor man sees the glamorous way a rich man is buried, he feels like dying.

•Bird coffin

•One of the coffins

•Fish coffin

Kehinde FALODE: 08023689894

Lemon cornmeal cake

Foluke ADEMOLA

This delicacy is a very amazing piece. Its recipe caught my eye with its bold statement. It’s the moist, lemony, delicious little cake you could eat! Good for breakfast, lunch and pre-dinner snack. So try one today and I am sure you will love it.

Method •Baking spray (cooking spray with flour) •2 ½ cups all-purpose flour •½ cup yellow cornmeal •2 teaspoons baking powder •½ teaspoon baking soda

•½ teaspoon salt •2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened •1 ¾ cups sugar •1 tablespoon lemon zest •¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice •4 large eggs •1 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt For the glaze: •1 cup sugar •1/3 cup lemon juice Preparation Use a 10-cup decorative tube pan or a

12-cup bundt pan, coat with baking spray and set aside. Place a wire rack inside a baking sheet covered in foil (to catch drippings) and spray the rack with baking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In a large bowl beat butter, sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice with a mixer (or using the beater attachment on a stand mixer) on medium speed until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs one at a time until blended. With mixer on low, alternatively beat in flour mixture and buttermilk or yogurt until batter is mixed and fairly smooth (careful not to over mix).

Scrape mixture into prepared pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula.

Bake 50-65 minutes until a wooden pick inserted into cake comes out clean. Cook cake on wire rack for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the glaze by whisking glaze ingredients together in a small bowl (sugar will not totally dissolved).

Invert cake from pan onto the rack that was placed over a baking sheet.

Brush glaze all over hot cake until absorbed (sugar crystals will be evident). Transfer cake to a serving plate and cover, allowing cake to rest several hours or overnight.

Enjoy with hasty abandonment!

Cover and store at a room with temperature for up to 4 days.

Eden Restaurant to serve crocodile THE management of Smart Select and Value Management Limited will launch its maiden restaurant this month.

This was made known by Mr. Ejimofor Emejelu, the CEO of the company.

According to him, the main objective of the restaurant is to provide healthy services.

The services include a fitness centre, a mini library to exercise the brain and mind, a mini entertainment centre and the usual restaurant service.

Ejimofor noted that the passport to enjoy all these facilities is to patronize the restaurant.

The services are unique in that the restaurant will only serve food items that are healthy and drinks such as fresh fruit and vegetable juice and water while other carbonated drinks such as soft drinks, wines and beer will be avoided.

The restaurant will also be serving crocodile and ostrich because they help in preventing certain diseases.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

NTDC boss inaugurates Nigerian Youth Tourism Club T

HE Nigerian Tourism Development Corpo ration has launched the Niger State chapter of the Nigerian Youth Tourism Club in order to encourage tourism development and tap investment opportunities in the sub-sector by youths in the country.

The inauguration was performed last Sunday at the grand finale of the third Nupe Day annual festival which took place in Bida amidst colourful displays depicting the unique historical and cultural identity of the Nupe.

At the inauguration of the club, the Director General of the corporation, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, said, “If the youths are encouraged, unemployment and crime will be reduced in our country. Even though oil is good, tourism is better because oil is exhaustible while tourism is sustainable” He charged the youths of

Niger State to embrace tourism as a means of economic empowerment, personal development and self- reliance, stressing that the sector holds a lot of potential they can tap into by way of investment opportunities, especially given the present rate of unemployment in the country.

Speaking further, the DG extolled the Nupe Day initiative, describing it as historical stating that, “I am indeed glad to be part of this celebration as the Nupe people have made history with this festival.”

The NTDC boss also expressed his excitement at the merit awards given to some highly esteemed Nigerians on the day, with particular reference to the posthumous awards saying it was indeed a welcome development.

Earlier, the Etsu Nupe, his Royal Highness, Alh. Dr. Yahaya Abubakar, while thanking all for coming, noted that the essence of the three-day event was to reassess the status of Nupe with a view to making positive projections towards the future of Nupe land.

Dr. Yahaya, who is also the Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, received and acknowledged the beneficiaries of the turbaning ceremony,including the Chairman/EditorinChief of Leadership Group, Mr. Sam Nda Isaiah.

Other prominent Nigerians in attendance were Senate President David Mark represented by Sen. Zainab Kure, the governor of Niger State also represented by his deputy, Dr.

Ahmed Musa, Emir of Zazzau, Alh. Dr. Shehu Idris, amongst others.

The third Nupe Day annual festival was held between June 24 and 26 and featured, among other things, Nupe Day regatta, cultural night, a lecture on “Democracy and Development of Nupe land” delivered by the governor of Niger State, conferment of traditional titles and merit awards on some distinguished Nigerians.

It will be recalled that the Nupe Day annual festival had earlier been officially endorsed for domestic and international promotion by the NTDC when a group of prominent traditional leaders from the Nupe Foundation led by its president, Engr. Yabagi Yusuf Sanni, paid a visit to the DG at the tourism village in Abuja.

•R-L: His Royal Highness Alh.( Dr) Yahaya Abubakabar ( CFR),Etsu Nupe welcoming Otunba Segun Runsewe DG, (NTDC), to his Palace during the 3rd Nupe Day annual festival.

Members of the Niger State Youth Tourism Club during the inauguration

Pilgrim commission presents licences to tour operators

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HE Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), established

by Act No. 32 of 2007 is charged with the responsibility of conducting Christian pilgrimage to Israel and other holy sites in the world. The Act also empowers it to regulate and license tour operators for the Christian pilgrimage exercise.

In line with this mandate, the first set of tour operators to be licensed by the

commission were issued with their certificates recently at the NCPC Corporate Headquarters in Abuja at a brief ceremony which was witnessed by the Chairman of the Board of Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), the Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Mr. John Kennedy Opara, and the management staff of the commission.

In his address at the cer-

emony, Mr. Opara welcomed the tour operators and congratulated them for crossing the hurdles.

He said the tour operators had applied to NCPC to be registered to take pilgrims on holy pilgrimage and that the board had graciously approved their applications as registered tour operators, having satisfied all the conditions spelt out by the commission.

While presenting the li-

censes to the tour operators,Most Rev.Okoh charged them to maintain a good standard.

Three tour operators qualified for the issue of the licences, namely: K S Travels and Tours Limited, Beulahland Travel and Tours Limited and Christian International Ministry Fellowship Aik Centre (CIMFAC). Only the first two tour operators were present to receive their certificates .

49 International tourism maintains momentum

I

NTERNATIONAL tourist arrivals grew by 4.5% in the first four months of this year, despite new challenges emerging since the beginning of the year.

According to the latest issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, growth was positive in all regions with the exception of the Middle East. Some subregions achieved double-digit growth: South America (+17%), South Asia (+14%) and South-East Asia (+10%).

“Global tourism continues to consolidate the recovery of 2010 despite the impact of recent developments in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as the tragic events in Japan which are temporarily affecting travel flows to these regions. We should nonetheless remain vigilant as we face other persisting uncertainties such as high unemployment and increased public austerity measures,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

UNWTO expects that destinations currently facing difficulties will see demand recover towards the end of the year. “It is time to support those destinations and help their tourism sectors to rebound, contributing to overall economic and social stability and progress,” Mr. Rifai added.

Short-term prospects remain largely favourable, as reflected in the UNWTO Confidence Index based on a survey among the UNWTO panel of experts. In spite of the changed circumstances, the over 350 participating experts worldwide maintain a positive outlook for the period May-August.

Europe leading tourism growth Between January and April, destinations worldwide recorded 268 million international tourist arrivals, some 12 million more compared to the 256 million registered in the same period in 2010.

April was the strongest month with an estimated increase of 6%. This reflects a late Easter holiday and contrasts with the weak April of 2010 when European airspace was closed for nearly a week due to the ash cloud following the eruption of a volcano in Iceland.

January (+6%) was also strong, while February and March were comparatively weaker (both at around 3%).

Europe exceeded expectations (+6%) and posted the highest growth in the first four months of this year.

Results reflect a delayed recovery in various European destinations and source markets, the late Easter holiday and the compensation for the negative month of April 2010, affected by the volcanic ash cloud.

Destinations in Northern, Eastern and Southern Europe performed particularly well.

Growth in Asia and the Pacific (+5%) was in line with the world average, but slightly below previous prospects. Asia, and in particular North-East Asia, suffered the impact of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan which affected both its inbound and outbound travel as well as intra-regional travel from other markets.

In the Americas , international tourist arrivals increased by 5%, driven by the strong results of South America which contrasted with the below average growth of North and Central American destinations.

The Middle East (-14%) and North Africa (-11%) have been considerably affected by recent developments. Nonetheless, some destinations in the Middle East have shown particularly positive results, such as Saudi Arabia and Dubai (United Arab Emirates), demonstrating the dynamism of the sector in the region. Within Africa (+2%), arrivals to SubSaharan Africa (+8%) stand out.

Positive outlook for the remainder of the year As the peak tourist season gets underway in the northern hemisphere, short-term prospects remain positive. This is reflected in the UNWTO Confidence Index, a short-term outlook based on consultations with over 350 experts worldwide, which remains largely optimistic for the period May-August 2011.

There are, however, marked differences in the confidence levels for different world regions, with experts in the Americas and Europe anticipating the best outcomes. Confidence remains high in Africa, but lower than might have been expected in Asia and the Pacific. Experts in the Middle East are the least optimistic.

“The sustained optimism shown by the UNWTO Confidence Index is reassuring, especially as we still face many factors which could dampen growth. While global economic prospects indicate an improved second half of the year, UNWTO remains alert to social instability in certain parts of the world, volatile oil prices and concerns over fiscal stability in the USA and Europe,” said Mr. Rifai.

UNWTO maintains its forecast for international tourist arrivals in 2011 at between 4% and 5%, slightly above the long-term average and in line with previous assessments. The developments in the Middle East, North Africa and Japan are not expected to significantly alter

50

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

The home maker IV Wisdom is more potent than prayer or fasting, because it is laying hold on, and trading with the Word of God. As a woman, who hopes for the best in making her home a fulfilling paradise to be, must consciously see to it that she walks in wisdom. She needs to constantly rely on God for wisdom in handling the day-to-day affairs of the home. An act of foolishness on the part of either the man or the woman may affect the stability of the home.

As a home maker, wisdom tells you when to talk and when to keep quiet, what to say and the right time to say it, where to go and at what time, etc. Do you know it is possible to say the right thing but at the wrong time, thereby causing instability in your home? The Bible says: Through wisdom is a house builded; and by understanding it is established (Proverbs 24:3).

For your home to be made the envy of other homes, you need wisdom.

This wisdom comes from God, and whenever you need it, you can ask

Him for it. Whenever you are faced with a situation that requires wisdom in your home, just pray a simple prayer, asking God to give you wisdom to handle the situation, and it shall be given to you. Wisdom builds and foolishness destroys.

In conclusion, although it is your responsibility, as a woman, to make your home a success, but the ultimate home maker is God. Hebrews 3:4 says For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. Trying to build your family outside Him, therefore will give you no success at all.

God, Himself is the Author and Creator of marriage and family. He was practically involved in instituting it, (Genesis 2:18, 21-22). He personally took His time in fashioning the woman and delivering her to her husband.

Home making is not the idea of any man, a cultural or traditional affair.

It is God's idea. Therefore, to enjoy God's best in your family, you must make Him the centre of your home.

You must be ready to give Him priority place, recognizing Him as the foundation for a successful marriage.

Until you are born again, you cannot effectively walk in wisdom to make your home an outstanding one, among others. You get born again by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. If you are set for this, please say this prayer: 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 For more insight, these books authored by Pastor Faith Oyedepo are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Understanding Motherhood, Raising Godly Children, and Success in Marriage.

EAR Reader, You are most welcome to the concluding part of this teaching. In this series, I have been able to show you how you, as a woman, can make your home a paradise while on earth, in order to have a fulfilled life that God has reserved for you.

Wisdom is defined as knowing what to do, and not just doing it, but doing it at the right time. In continuation with last week's edition, it is so unfortunate that most of the problems being encountered in the homes, today,

D

are directly the product of lack of wisdom. That's why God's Word says: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:5).

Wisdom is the maker of homes. It is, in fact, the master maker's secret.

Once a home is founded on wisdom, the devil cannot pull it down. But even when the devil is a non-issue in a home, it can still be brought down by foolish hands. God's Word says: Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands (Proverbs 14:1).

S

Good and bad sides of energy drinks

TRAIGHT talk about energy drinks.

Many students, athletes and ordinary people have become dependent on these energy drinks to help them through each day. They never stop to think…Are energy drinks safe? Are energy drinks bad?

We are so familiar with the names and seeing a whole section in the store cooler full of all the popular brands. Too often, we assume over-the-counter products must be safe so we don’t even consider the dangers of energy drinks.

No one really knows of all the adverse side effects of energy drinks, because many go unreported and the energy drink crave is a relatively new development.

However, since these drinks are harnessing the power of synthetic stimuli, there’s bound to be side effects – of the good and bad kind.

Since energy drinks don’t all contain the same ingredients, people will probably find their body reacting differently from brand to brand.

However, the ingredients in these drinks that are giving them a bad rap are namely guarana, taurine and especially caffeine. These are the ingredients aimed at providing you with an increased

spurt of energy. However, these same energy boosters have been shown to have some pretty nasty effects on the body’s systems and on one’s short-term memory.

The side effects that might be experienced depend on the drink’s ingredients. Many drinks are made with a high percentage of carbohydrates. This will often make it harder for food and nutrients to be absorbed into the bloodstream, so people’s energy boost might not be as high or as effective. Excess carbohydrates can also cause the drinker to experience some gastrointestinal problems – especially if they drink one right before performing intense activity. This is why an energy drink that’s high in carbs isn’t a good choice for competitive athletes. Carbs slow down the rate of fluid absorption, and make it harder to rehydrate during exercise.

Energy drinks also tend to be packed with a lot of fructose and sugar, which can often have laxative effects on the body. Sugar causes people’s energy levels (or insulin levels) to come crashing down once the sugar leaves the bloodstream. Energy drinks high in sugar are good for a short-term buzz, as they stimulate the nervous system quickly, which usually makes one feel more energetic at

•As good as energy drinks may seems, it also has some effects that can be harful to the health

first. However, the sugar is used up in a short period, and the drinker is often left feeling more fatigued than they were to begin with. If the drink contains high amounts of sugar, regular consumption will lead to dental health problems such as cavities.

Caffeine is known to have both laxative and diuretic effects on the body, which means individuals often lose the stimulant through excess urination and are left dehydrated. Caffeine also increases the heart rate and body temperature. Too much of this stimulant can cause an irregular heartbeat, excess sweating, jitters and anxiousness, which is hardly ideal if they want to concentrate for an exam or get in the mindset for a competitive event.

On top of that, high amounts of caffeine can reduce one’s coordination and balance. Too many energy drinks with caffeine will disturb one’s sleeping patterns. These are the reasons that top the list of why children, pregnant women and people with heart conditions should avoid energy drinks.

Major side effects of energy drinks Energy drinks cause drowsiness, loss of coordination and slow reflexes.

It also causes nervousness, jitters, irritability, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, increased urination, dehydration, rapid heartbeat, heavy feeling in chest, headache, nose bleed, dizziness, depression, diabetes, addictive behaviors, premature ageing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach upset.

More serious side effects of energy drinks can include blood thinning, arrhythmias, fainting, seizures, heart attacks, strokes and even DEATH! The other side of the drinks Energy drinks are not all doom and gloom. There are some known positive side effects as well. For instance, drinks that contain Echinacea are said to help bolster the immune system, while energy drinks containing Ginkgo biloba and ginseng are thought to improve memory.

Basically, if the energy drink is causing any of the afore-mentioned side effects, it’s better individuals should be aware of them. After that, it’s up to them to weigh the good with the bad.

As a product that is designed to increase energy, energy drinks side effects are sure to be important in the discussion surrounding beverages.

Each brand has a different mixture of ingredients, and each ingredient can produce its own side effect. Some energy drinks contain; guarana, taurine, caffeine, and ginseng are the main ingredients that result in increased en-

ergy, a memory boost, and other side effects.

Although side effects are usually thought of negatively, as something to avoid, it is important to remember that the increased energy in energy drinks is a side effect, as well. Therefore, side effects can be both negative and positive.

Several countries have banned energy drinks after deaths were reported after ingesting them.

The debate over the dangers of energy drinks is ongoing. The energy drink industry and its supporters continue to insist that there are no dangers in spite of growing evidence.

Alternatives to energy drinks Everyone needs an energy boost from time to time. Surprisingly, energy drinks like Red Bull and Powerhorse may not be the most efficient way to perk yourself up.

The sugar in energy drinks can give one a quick boost, but then you will have a sugar crash later on and feel worse than you did initially.

The caffeine dose in an average energy drink is much larger than you really need. Instead of slamming an energy drink the next time you are in a slump, try one of these options instead: 1. Water – It sounds impossible, but water can actually make you feel more alert than an energy drink. Sometimes what you perceive as tiredness is actually dehydration.

2. Juice – If your blood sugar is low, this may cause you to feel tired. Rather than relying on sugary energy drinks or soda, drink something with naturally occurring sugars such as orange juice or pineapple juice. You will get a natural sugar rush along with a dose of vitamins.

3. Green or Black Tea – If you still feel like you need a caffeine boost, try green or black tea. It will give you a gentler caffeine boost that will make you feel alert without feeling jacked out of your head. Tea also has antioxidants, and green tea in particular contains a chemical that can boost one’s metabolism and aid in weight loss.

4. Caffeinated Gum – If you have a sweet tooth, but can’t spare any extra calories on sweetened drinks, you can get your caffeine from a low-calorie gum.

5. Magnesium – Magnesium is a mineral that your body needs for all essential processes, and not getting enough in your diet can lead you to feel groggy or run down. Try snacking on almonds or taking a supplement to make sure you are getting the recommended amount of magnesium.

6. Have a Snack – You might think you need a drink to perk you up, but what you really might need is a snack. Try something with both whole grains and protein.

Additionally, make sure you keep a regular sleep schedule, and don’t skip meals. If you find that you are constantly tired, try cutting back on alcohol and fatty foods.

Taking a 30 minute walk each day can also help get your blood flowing and invigorate you. If you find you are constantly tired for weeks at a time, visit your doctor and get checked for any possible hormonal or thyroid conditions.

51

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

Coping with diseases

Infertility: When tubes cannot be repaired

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OME cases of tubal factor infertility have no remedy: the tubes cannot be repaired. Women at this point may have their biological children through in vitro fertilization if they have functional ovaries and viable ova (eggs). If they do not have uterine problems they can carry their own pregnancy. If they cannot carry their own pregnancy, they may choose to use surrogate mothers (someone else to carry the pregnancy and give birth for them).

A woman that does not have viable eggs may decide to use a donated egg from another woman to achieve conception with her own husband’s sperm. Similarly, a man that lacks sperm (either because of non-viable sperm or no sperm (azoospermia) may choose to use donor sperm to achieve conception with his own wife.

In this case, his wife undergoes artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization.

Where both man and wife lack possibility of having a dual or partial biological child of the couple, they could choose to have a non-biological child (with no genetic connection with either the man or the woman; through both donor sperm and donor egg) or adopt a child if they do not want to be childless. Here we look at some aspects of assisted reproductive technology (ART). We consider them here outside religious, moral, and controversial standpoints.

Some features of art: In vitro fertilization In vitro is Latin for “in glass”. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is fertilization outside the human body, in a laboratory.

Because some original experiments were conducted in glass test tubes, babies born from IVF were nicknamed “testtube babies”. Petri dishes are however now used. In vitro

U

RINARY tract infection is the most common urinary tract problem in children besides bedwetting.

• Urinary tract infection is second only to respiratory infection as the most common type of infection.

• These infections are much more common in girls and women than in boys and men younger than 50 years of age.

fertilization is utilized where in vivo fertilization is not possible or not convenient.

The live birth rate (success rates) is not well known all over the world but some United States statistics from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) suggest up to 47% of patients under 35 years of age who had embryo transfers between 2008-2009 delivered live babies. Pregnancy does not always result in live birth and cases of miscarriages and still births have occurred.

Some birth defects may also be associated with the experimental procedure.

IVF is not as simple as it sounds and scientists are still working hard to perfect the procedure. In the simplest form, a woman normally releases an egg during ovulation and if this is passed out and mixed with a man’s semen and then returned to the uterus, there is a slight chance that a pregnancy may ensue.

With scientific IVF, hormones are given to the woman over many days in the course of the menstrual cycle to stimulate ovulation and the woman releases multiple eggs. Artificial stimulation of the ovaries is called ovarian hyperstimulation.

Eggs are removed with a needle directly from the ovaries by a process called ultrasound-guided transvaginal oocyte retrieval with the donor under sedation or anesthesia. About 10-30 eggs are sucked out. The eggs and sperm are specially prepared (oocyte selection and sperm washing) and placed in composed fluid media. The sperm and eggs are then incubated together at a ratio of about 75,000 sperm to one egg for about 18 hours. Fertilized eggs or embryos are produced. Each embryo is authentically a new human be-

with Prof. Dayo Oyekole

I

ing. Some men have low sperm count or produce weak sperm that are unable to penetrate a female egg for fertilization. To ensure fertilization by such sperm, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is used. A sperm in injected directly into the female egg in vitro.

Embryo transfer is the process of implanting the developing embryo in a woman’s womb. Embryos may be transferred after they are formed or may be preserved by freezing in liquid nitrogen (cryopreservation) and revitalized on thawing. Hundreds of thousands of embryos are so stored waiting to live again.

An embryo stored may actually be older than its future gestational mother, conceived before its mother! Some humans of the future may become 200 years old before they die because they spent some time of their lives frozen!! A woman who gets implanted with a thawed embryo from an embryo bank may actually be receiving a little Methuselah!!!

We are becoming interesting.

The great moralist fear of IVF is the power it gives the professional to “make” human beings and to select and dispose of embryos or to utilize them for any purpose. In processes called preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and preimplantation genetic haplotyping (PGH), embryos are selected or eliminated before implantation in order to avoid production of babies with inheritable diseases.

Abuse of power is a potential.

There are other concerns. For

example, multiple births are common with IVF because of the implantation of multiple embryos. Some women who get pregnant with multiple embryos decide to abort some at the early stages in order to have a singleton, twins, or whatever they consider is convenient.

Another example is that IVF expands the opportunities for having children outside heterosexual marriage, a traditional gold standard. These unquestionably are moral dimensions of IVF practice. Some moralists condemn and oppose the “making of babies” altogether and believe new human life should be “begotten not made”. Some condemn IVF but support gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), a process whereby eggs are removed from a woman’s ovary and placed inside her fallopian tube with the man’s sperm giving chance for in vivo fertilization.

This however, like IVF, is artificial and cannot be used for some infertile women whose tubes cannot be repaired. There are many moralist views (stable or shifting) of IVF issues and, against them or in spite of them, IVF has come to stay and is improving as a technique and diversifying in its applications.

Many successful couples have expressed their thanks for having been availed of this opportunity.

Dr. ’Bola John is a biomedical scientist based in Nigeria and in the USA. For questions or comments on this article please call 07028338910 or Email bolajohnwritings@yahoo.com

Interesting facts about urinary tract infection

The reason for this is not well understood, but anatomic differences between the genders (a shorter urethra in women) might be partially responsible.

• About 40 percent of women and 12 percent of men have a urinary tract infection at some time in their

life.

Urinary Tract Infection Causes The urine is normally sterile. An infection occurs when bacteria get into the urine and begin to grow. The infection usually starts at the opening of the urethra where the urine leaves the body and moves upward into the urinary tract.

• The culprit in at least 90 percent of uncomplicated infections is a type of bacteria called Escherichia coli, better know as E. coli. These bacteria normally live in the bowel (colon) and around the anus.

• These bacteria can move from the area around the anus to the opening of the urethra.

The two most common causes of this are poor hygiene and sexual intercourse.

• Usually, the act of emptying the bladder (urinating) flushes the bacteria out of the urethra. If there are too many bacteria, urinating may not stop their spread.

• The bacteria can travel up the urethra to the bladder, where they can grow and cause an infection.

• The infection can spread further as the bacteria move up from the bladder via the ureters.

• If they reach the kidney, they can cause a kidney infec-

tion (pyelonephritis), which can become a very serious condition if not treated promptly.

The following people are at increased risk of urinary tract infection: • People with conditions that block (obstruct) the urinary tract, such as kidney stones • People with medical conditions that cause incomplete bladder emptying (for example, spinal cord injury or bladder decompensation after menopause) • People with suppressed immune systems: Examples of situations in which the immune system is suppressed are AIDS and diabetes. People who take immunosuppressant medications also are at increased risk.

• Women who are sexually active: Sexual intercourse can introduce larger numbers of bacteria into the bladder. Infection is more likely in women who have frequent intercourse.

To be continued

•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.

Infertility

NFERTILITY is the inability of a woman to become pregnant.

In general, infertility can be suspected if pregnancy has not occurred after a year of regular intercourse, (without the use of any form of contraception).

The cause of infertility may lie in the male or the female. There are numerous causes of infertility in each sex; sometimes no cause is ever found. Investigations for causes in the male are safer and simpler; consequently, they are normally performed first to save cost and to save the woman a series of tests, if a cause can be found in the male. Unfortunately, most men do not submit themselves to fertility tests. Rather, they ascribe the shortcomings to their wife’s conditions only.

The cause of infertility may be either structural or due to functions of the reproductive system. There may be no production of sperm or ova, or for some reason, the two may not meet to bring about fertilization. General ill-health, especially chronic diseases or endocrine/abnormalities can cause infertility.

Basically, two kinds of infertility are recognized in the female.

There is the primary and the secondary infertility. When a woman has had a child before and there is a long gap, not deliberately brought about by her, it will be said that her condition is that of secondary infertility i.e. no one talks of infertility if the woman had one or two children and decided to stop having more. Primary infertility, on the other hand, is a condition where the woman has not had an issue before and is well into the childbearing age.

Causes of infertility that can be diagnosed are many. These include Blocked Fallopian Tubes, Uterine Fibroids, Hormonal Problems, Incompetent Cervix, Internal Heat in the lower abdomen, Tilted Mouth of the Uterus, Displaced Uterus, and Lack of Ovulation (especially after prolonged use of some contraceptive devices).

Other cases of infertility range from infections, especially the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (in both men & women) and Watery Sperms in men.

Also, some bad lifestyles, social excesses, indiscriminate sexual indulgence, criminal abortion as well as tough exercises, unsuitable postures and heavy sporting activities have been implicated in female infertility.

Prevention /Control Women should be very observant so as to note as early as possible, any irregularities in their menstrual period. Excessive heat in the lower abdomen, waist pains or pinching sensations at the sides of the lower abdomen should attract attention. Most importantly, indiscriminate use of contraceptives and abortifacients should be avoided.

Treating gynecological problems naturally seems to be quite easy. Some physical disorders can be corrected through massage.

Tension and worries should be avoided. The food intake should be simple and natural to provide the natural nutrients that the body needs, with avoidance of denatured food, alcohol and smoking.

Fatty foods that will cause fat to develop around the reproductive organs and sex glands should be avoided. Simple exercises to aid effective circulation of blood should be encouraged.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

Defy the cold in style You can stay stylish in this cold weather by wearing covered leggings that keep your feet warm underneath your skirt suits and other outfits. In order words, in spite of the cold weather that characterises the rainy season, you can remain stylish and warm.

Leggings don’t just cover your feet for nothing; they are also meant to enhance your style. So, if you really want to stay warm, wear stockings and leggings whenever you wear a skirt or dress!

Pick up a black one if you want a basic colour that goes with everything. But don’t be afraid to invest in something a little flashier if you find one in an amazing hue of red or hot pink.

Bold coloured stockings and leggings are fabulous!

If your style is on the trendier side, consider picking up a trendy patterned like a plaid, polka dot or animal skin. You will make a statement and stand out from the crowd with your fashionable style.

Like I always say, the beauty of a dress does not depend solely on the use of expensive fabrics and trimmings, but on style, •Stockings with bow and combination power and pattern. sequin heart for ladies.

•Ladies’ checkered thigh-high black and white stockings for fancy dress

•Music legs rainbow

•Candystripe thigh high stockings for ladies •Black and grey stockings

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

Style up in this season with knitted wears T

HE rainy season is here again with its cold. You hardly go out without feeling chilly.

It gets many of us worried because as a result of the weather, we can’t put on sexy and chic dresses.

Consequently many people believe they cannot look good and attractive during the rainy season. But not to worry, you can get that wonderful look and keep warm while remaining stylish even more than you can imagine with the array of knit wears in the market.

Knit wears can be worn in different ways for different occasions. They come in dresses, tops, caps, turtleneck tops, jackets, scarf, sweaters and so on.

Below are a few tips on getting it right •Knit turtleneck sleeveless top can be worn with a blazer, suit, skirts, pants and jeans, giving you a comfortable and sexy look.

By Foluke ADEMOLA •Wrap your wool or cashmere scarf and get extra warmth around your neck by folding the long oblong scarf in half and positioning it around your neck with the two ends on one side and the fold of scarf on the other.

•You can pair your V- neck sweater with your jeans and your turtleneck long sleeve tops.

It looks nice than normal tops.

•Guys, create a waoh effect by knotting a knitted scarf round the neck when putting on body hug tops or shirt.

•The knit caps can be

used with your long coat and trouser or a shirt.

•Elegant long sleeves sweater turtleneck: will allow you to adjust to your desired length.

Wear it as a mini dress or as a tunic top over leggings, skinny jeans or tights!

Enjoy these showery season looking chic and elegant whatever ways you want it.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

B

EYOND the serene exterior of a ruling party which is seemingly at ease with itself; beyond the claim to being ‘one big happy family’ and beyond the claim of everybody being ‘totally covered by the umbrella’, there is an intense struggle among top chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to fill the ‘vacant’ post of the chairman of the party. And with the name of the Acting Chairman, Dr. Haliru Bello Mohammed already sent to the Senate as a ministerial nominee, all is set, or so it seems, for the emergence of another individual who must wear the toga of a chairman for the party. More so, there are strong indications that the acting chairman could resign by the end of this week.

The race for the top job in the PDP has attracted an unusual large number of aspirants as various interest groups, godfathers and others driven by personal ambitions have all flooded the arena canvassing support and lobbying all those who are in position to influence anything at all, to do so in their favour.

The party, since about a year ago, and in particular, in the run up to the presidential primaries of the party, has struggled to keep pace with its own arranged ‘zoning system’. However, the emergence on June 6, of Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal as Speaker of the House of Representatives and Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, as his deputy, made nonsense of the concerted efforts being made by the party to ensure that what was left of the zoning arrangement does not suffer any further damage.

But the party seems determined to now carry through the zoning philosophy it established for itself. It is perhaps for this reason that all the front runners in the race for the top job in the party are from the North East, comprising Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Yobe, Taraba and Bauchi states, a zone that has never produced the party chairman almost 13 years down the road.

The men going for the diadem Ordinarily, the talk about the chairman of the party should not have been on the party’s menu for now if things had run their normal cause. It could have been deferred till March 2012 when the National Convention of the party would take place, by which time the South East would have served out its four-year tenure. But certain developments made Bello Mohammed to step in as Acting Chairman of the party at a time described by a South–South chieftain as ‘very trying and demanding for the party’. But with the decision of the party to stick to the North East zone as the one to produce the next chairman, the field is already filled with aspirants.

Among those who have indicated their desire to lead the party include former Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Hassan Adamu; former Governor of the defunct Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammed Tukur (Adamawa); former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Prof.

Jibril Aminu (Adamawa); former Minister of Commerce, Ambassador Idris Waziri(Taraba); former Minister of Agriculture, Shettima Mustapha; the former National Chairman of the defunct Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan(Borno); former Governor Adamu Mu’azu (Bauchi) and former Governor Danjuma Goje of Gombe State, who is now a senator.

•Jonathan

•Bello

Emergence of new PDP chair

Factors at play Augustine AVWODE Assistant Editor

A look at the current contenders shows that it would be a battle royale as every one of them possesses intimidating credentials who could hold their own anytime anyday.

The aspirants, their chances But what antecedents are these individuals bringing into the race? What is their unique selling point (USP) and what is likely to tilt the diadem in their favour?

Adamu Muazu Adamu Muazu is former Governor of Bauchi State. He went abroad after the

‘ them using their With the elderly among contacts, political weights and sundry connections to maximum advantage, a rather innocuous factor that has to do with the age of the aspirants could be promoted to the level of it becoming the ultimate deciding factor ,

April 2007 elections and returned to the country not too long ago. He is seen as a top contender for the position because of his vast connection which he is believed to have been made possible during his eight years in the saddle as Bauchi’s number one citizen.

Beyond that, there are insinuations that he might have joined the race because of his perceived ‘connection’ in high places.

What is not known is whether his return was at the instance of the presidency and whether it was for this purpose that he did return. Since his return from exile, Muazu has been busy trying to put his house in order. Even though he has not been as cospicous as he used to be in the days when he held sway in Bauchi, Muazu has been busy putting his political machinery and political house in order.

Muazu’s political high point remains the fact that he served as Bauchi State governor between 1999 and 2007 and in those years, he was acclaimed as embark-

‘

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011 ing on many transformational projects and for which he was very much admired.

His low point was in his failure to deliver the candidate he endorsed, sponsored and worked for to succeed him. His protégée not only lost the election, his party, the PDP, also lost to an opposition All Nigerian People Party (ANPP) to which the current governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, had defected to in a bid to actualise his ambition.

And that development created an enmity between the new governor and Muazu. The candidate who lost was regarded as unpopular and the people ‘rebelled’ against their own popular governor by rejecting his hand picked candidate.

Interestingly, Yuguda did not stay too long on the platform of the ANPP that brought him to power as he jumped ship and returned to his former party, the PDP. Importantly, Muazu’s quest to go to the Senate was effectively blocked by the Yuguda political machinery and many people have interpreted his going into self- imposed exile as a tactical way of avoiding political persecution. This coupled with many charges levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) were said to have kept him away for about 40 months from the state he ruled for eight years.

The question is whether he has sufficiently garnered enough political goodwill to venture into such a high octane political contest within his party where a lot of factors are called to decide the fate of the aspirant.

Notwithstanding, he still has his own ‘people’ who could influence things in his favour and among these, the name of the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Yayale Ahmed, has featured prominently.

But then, in the run up to the April 2011 elections, many of the political elite in the state, derogatorily called ‘the Abuja group’, worked assiduously, and openly against the political interest and ambition of Yuguda. Political observers are of the opinion that considering the experience of Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu in recent times, every governor will be very careful, if not extra careful, in endorsing and working for the national chairman of the party to come from his state.

Here is one hurdle Muazu may find difficult to scale.

Senator Danjuma Goje Senator Danjuma Goje, who has since June 6 taken up his seat as a senator of the Federal Republic, served as the executive governor of Gombe State for eight years since 2003. He is regarded as one of the governors who performed well while in office as he was adjudged to have left the state better than he met it.

It probably could have been as a result of such popularity rating that he went to the Senate with the ambition of becoming the president of the upper chamber.

But he could not overturn the party’s zoning decision which ceded the position to the North Central zone. Besides, the powers- that-be in the Senate ensured that such a sensitive position was strictly reserved for only ranking members.

,

look up to for direction. He has not been loud nor too aloof either.

He is said to enjoy a lot of goodwill from many people across the country. But then, he would need the endorsement of ‘powerful people’ in the party to emerge.

Just now, there seems to be no stopping the grand old man.

•Muazu

•Goje

•Aminu

•Tukur

His chances are bright if he can take them. As a former but influential member of the Northern Governors Forum, he could leverage on that to get his ambition berthed successfully at Wadata Plaza. The larger Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) can also be explored by him as many of them were his colleagues before two months ago. In particular, the thinking that the governors would like to have one of their own, who could enhance their visibility and more clout in the politics of the party, could be a plus for him.

However, whether Aso Villa would allow the governor such an elbow room that looms larger than life at some time is what is difficult to tell just now.

Jibril Aminu Aminu, a two term senator representing Adamawa Central until recently is an academic of repute. He is a professor of Cardiology, an ex-Nigerian Ambassador to the US and former ViceChancellor of the University of Maiduguri.

Aminu held public offices as Minister of Education and then Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (1989–1992). He was elected to the Senate for Adamawa Central in 2003 and reelected in 2007. As a senator,

Aminu was the chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Although Prof. Aminu faces a formidable opposition in Adamawa PDP, his trump card in clinching the position could be his rich experience and ‘connection’with the top.

Bamanga Tukur A prominent Nigerian business-

‘

One important factor that has always played a crucial and deciding role in the emergence of who leads the party these past years is who the occupant of Aso Villa and the all powertful PDP governors back for the position

,

man and politician, Tukur was a Minister for Industries during the administration of Gen. Sani Abacha.

Bamanga Tukur is from Adamawa State and was once the governor of the old Gongola State, which encompassed Adamawa and Taraba states. He was also a former member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP. He came to national attention in the mid-1970s as the General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). It was a time the agency was having problems with congestion as a result of a massive cement importation scheme that was started at the twilight of Yakubu Gowon’s administration.

In 1982, he left his position as GM and soon contested the Gongola gubernatorial race, which he won. Tukur served as governor for three months before the democratic administration was curtailed by a military coup.

In 1992, he was unsuccessful in his bid to be the presidential candidate for the National Republican Convention (NRC).

Recently, Tukur worked with the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

Tukur is regarded as a front runner in the race for now. His involvement in the politics of the PDP is such that he has been a stabilising factor and a man many

The age factor One factor that has curiously been played up by some hawks in the party is that of age. It is learnt that in view of the fact that almost all the aspirants are qualified in their own right and with the elderly among them using their contacts, political weights and sundry connections to maximum advantage, a rather innocuous factor that has to do with the age of the aspirants could be promoted to the level of it becoming the ultimate deciding factor.

Bamanga Tukur, Senator Aminu, Ambassador Hassan Adamu and Shettima Mustapha are all in their 70s. While Waziri is in his late 60s, Gambo Lawan is in his early 50s. The same with Mu’azu. But Goje is in his late 50s.

Those who are flying the age kite are arguing that all over the world, leadership has moved from the age of those in their 70s and even 60s to those in their 50s.

They are smartly referred to as the ‘digital age leaders’ as opposed to those who are called ‘analogue leaders’. They argue that the President, who is in his eary 50s, will be more at ease working with a chairman of the same age bracket than those who would always place emphasis on their age claiming to be able to father him.

They also point to other leaders in the world such as in the USA where Barrack Obama is holding sway; the UK where two young men are in the saddle and France where another young man in his 50s is also the leader, just as it is in Russia.

However, those who sense that they may be at the receiving end of the stick are fighting back arguing that experience is a very vital aspect of leadership that must not be traded off on the altar of youthfulness and exposure to digital knowledge.

Presidential, gubernatorial endorsement One important factor that has always played a crucial and deciding role in the emergence of who leads the party these past years is who the occupant of Aso Villa and the all powertful PDP governors back for the position. Once an aspirant has the backing of these two institutions, then he is as sure as having won the contest.

Although it was gathered that President Goodluck Jonathan was favourably disposed to either Tukur or Adamu, both from Adamawa State, for the position, the opposition to their candidature by the state governor, Murtala Nyako, maywork against them.

In the case of Muazu, only a miracle will make Isa Yuguda and the state leadership of the PDP to support the former governor. But then, there are unconfirmed reports that the presidency has interest in him and that accounts for why he has been carried along.

In all, whoever is endorsed by the presidency and supported buy the governors will likely carry the day. But the successful candidate will find out that he has a lot of work to do in mending the leaking umbrella.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

‘I live in fear every day’ •Continued from Page 15 no longer safe. I cannot risk having the two most important people in my life in the Police. If government can attend to the Niger Delta militants, let them do the same to these Boko Haram people and deliver many homes from the agony and fear currently being experienced as a result of continued attacks on policemen and stations.”

Like the Force Headquarters, the Niger State Command has since taken some proactive steps to protect the lives of its officers and men, as well as those of members of the public. Speaking on the precautionary steps taken, the state Police Pub-

KANO: This is not the best of time for the Nigeria Police Force.

Since the mind-boggling bomb explosions that rocked its Headquarters in Abuja, the echoes of apprehension have continued to reverberate across the length and breadth of the nation. The Nigeria Police Force, the institution saddled with the enormous constitutional responsibility of maintaining internal security and keeping law and order, was immediately called to task, to justify its statutory relevance.

In Kano State, for instance, an unprecedented security arrangement has been reinforced in and around all government establishments, particularly security formations, churches, mostly on Sundays, and mosques, on Fridays. The police are on a high state of alert. Stop and search operations have since been intensified with round-theclock security patrol in all nooks and crannies of Kano metropolis.

Visitors to the Bompai Headquarters of the Kano State Police Command are now subjected to thorough screening before they are allowed in.

Boats and bonnets of vehicles are searched and scanned by the antibomb unit before they admitted into the premises of the police command’s central office in Kano.

Major routes leading into the state are manned by officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces in what can best be considered as a deliberate push to keep members of the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic sect at bay.

BAUCHI: Boko Haram, like its predecessor, the Maitatsine, an Islamic sect which killed, maimed and controlled the core North in the 1980s, has continued to instill terror making lives of Nigerians living in the North, particularly those in Bauchi, Borno and other states.

The sect first announced its presence in Bauchi in July 2009 when it launched its first attack on Dutsen Tanshi Police Station, Bauchi Metropolis’ densely populated area, during which lives were lost on both sides. It was, however, subdued as government security agencies reinforced and dislodged the sect members from their well-coordinated hideout, scattering them in the process.

Angered by its unsuccessful expansion desire, the arrest and death of its members in Bauchi, the sect went back to its headquarters in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, where it regrouped, before launching a fresh attack on the Police in the Kanem Empire stronghold. Like in Bauchi, it declared war against government establishments.

In Bauchi, on the eve of the end 2010 Ramadan fast (September 7, 2010), the Islamic fundamen-

lic Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Richard Oguche (ASP), said the development has compounded the headache of officers and men nationwide.

“We are not just providing security for lives and property of members of the public; we now have to redouble our efforts at providing security for our officers and men in the face of series of attacks on police personnel and formations.”

Oguche said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mike Zuokumor, has directed all divisional police officers to beef up security round about their stations and barracks. He however refused to give details of the directives. “This is

•Kwankwaso

The nation’s security agencies are not leaving anything to chance, but the State Commissioner of Police Alhaji Tambari Yabo Muhammad, and other senior police chiefs have kept sealed lips over the new security overhaul in the state, in the wake of the shocking onslaught on Louis Edet House in Abuja, insisting, however, that the police top hierarchy is dealing with the matter at the ‘central level’. Aware of the possible consequences of undue publicity, the police authorities had pleaded with a section of the media to demonstrate greater understanding and cooperation with the police by de-emphasising the eftalists organised and successfully carried out a rescue operation on the Bauchi Prisons and freed their over 100 members awaiting trial. They also freed other convicts and detainee. Five people lost their lives in that attack.

Since the first attack on the Dutsen Tanshi Police Station by Boko Haram followed by the Kala Kato’s (another Islamic sect’s) uprising, life and social activities have not been the way they were before the outbreak of ethno-religious violence of April 1992 in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Council of the state.

That crisis claimed several lives, properties estimated in millions of naira were destroyed.

To any Bauchi resident and those who have followed developments in the state for the past 10 years, the Boko Haram onslaught is not strange as the ethno-religious crisis in Tafawa Balewa council and the eruption of violence from the neighboring Plateau State had already softened the ground for the sect’s operations.

So far, three bomb blasts have been experienced this year at Dutsen Tanshi Police Station, Shadawanka Army Barracks Mammy Market in the state capital and at Bulkachuwa Police

a security matter. It cannot be discussed on the pages of newspapers.

We are putting necessary measures in place to ensure the safety of our personnel in the state.”

A visit to the state Police Headquarters at Dutsen Kura, in Minna, showed that the gate is being fortified. Men in plain clothes now subject all entrants into the compound to thorough checks with scanners, while people with no genuine cause for visiting the headquarters are turned back from the gate. Aside from this, cars of visiting members of the public are no longer allowed into the compound, while all motorcycles, irrespective of the owners, are out-

‘ is, I The fact am not afraid of these hoodlums, but the fear among the officers and men is that the system has nothing to protect and provide for our families in case of any eventuality ,

forts by the police to make Kano state uncomfortable for members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect.

Though no violent incident in Kano State has been linked to the Islamic sect, many residents of

•Yuguda

out-station, Katagum Local Government Area. A locally constructed bomb from a vegetable oil can dropped sometime ago by an unknown person in a crowed church during service was, however, not detonated and disaster was averted.

The development has not only placed the majority of the civilian population in check, policemen and women who appear to be the targets of the dreaded group are now more apprehen-

lawed from the compound.

Confirming this development, Oguche said: “We are looking inward with a view to knowing the status of our personnel. To this effect, no police officer is allowed to take in motorcycle expect those working in the headquarters. Serving officers in the headquarters are only allowed to bring in their cars and such cars must be parked in from of their offices, while guests are to park outside.”

The police spokesman said the situation has not warranted officers and men to hide their uniform when coming to work in the state, but admitted that some men have been ex-

pressing concern. “It is natural for people to show concern, but the command is on top of the situation in the state.”

He further said that the commissioner has directed that all stations should be decongested of exhibit or accidental vehicles. “In compliance with the Inspector General of Police’s directive to evacuate and decongest of exhibit vehicles and other things that can be used as a channel for explosives, we are calling on members of the public to come and claim their vehicles to avoid disposal of such vehicles or items.”

Kano , who spoke to The Nation, strongly believe that the sect has a strong presence in the state, and may have even penetrated not just important government establishments, but the entire gamut of society.

Way back in 2009, when the Boko Haram Islamic sect first struck the psyche of the nation, unleashing its nefarious assaults in the far north-eastern Nigerian state of Borno, a mosque in Wudil, about 40 kilometres south of Kano, was demolished on the orders of former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau.

The assumption at that time was that the mosque was being used to propagate the doctrines of the Boko Haram sect. Several people were arrested on suspicion of belonging to the guerrilla-style terrorist organisation. The apprehension of Kano residents notwithstanding, the police authorities here have consistently maintained that Boko Haram has no hiding place in Kano State, and that no violent attack has been masterminded by the dreaded religious group.

Last Monday’s violent incident at Gunduwawa, in Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State, which resulted in the killing of a police officer, ASP Umar Sufi, by some unknown gunmen further lent credence to speculations that Boko Haram may be very much with the people of the state. On that fateful Monday at about 5pm, gunmen suspected to be armed robbers, killed a police officer and injured three civilians in the ancient

commercial city of Kano.

The police officer, identified as Assistant Superintendent of Police, (ASP) Umar Sufi, was reported to have lost his life in an exchange of gun fire between a team of security operatives and the armed robbers, who attacked a shopping mall and carted away undisclosed amount of money.

The Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Police Command, ASP Musa Magaji Majia, who confirmed the incident in a chat with newsmen, however completely ruled out the involvement of the Boko Haram Islamic sect. Majia was quick to debunk the rumours, declaring that the Kano State is a no-goareaforthesect.

Describing the incident as a clear case of armed robbery, the police spokesman stated that “there is no hiding place for members of the Boko Haram Islamic Sect in Kano State.” ASP Majia disclosed that the police are yet to record any incidence involving the Boko Haram Sect in Kano State, adding that officers and men of the force have been placed on red alert to forestall any breach of law and order. He described as unfortunate and unfounded, speculations that members of Boko Haram have found their way into Kano State. In this whole unfolding scenario, no arrest has been made in connection with the killing of the police officer and the three civilians, but the police have spread their dragnet to possibly apprehend the suspected armed robbers who are still on the run.

sive about their safety even on official duty. As a precautionary steps, many police personnel living outside police barracks now leave their uniforms at their place of work and dress in mufti at the close of the day’s duty or wear Babanriga or Kaftans on top of their uniforms to work and back home.

While some are pressing for transfer to rural areas or outstations, others are doing all they can to be transferred to states believed to be safer. Besides, most policemen from the ranks of Constable to Superintendent of Police (SP), across the state, who spoke to our reporter in strict confidence, would want to leave the force if they have a better option now.

But, Mr. Mohammed Barau, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who is the spokesperson of Bauchi State Police Command, told The Nation that “there is no any security threat in Bauchi. As far as Bauchi is concerned, there is no bad situation.”

Barau declined comments on the applications for transfer by non-Bauchi indigenes serving in the state. He said: “The issue of transfer is a policy matter that I am not fit to comment on; you can meet the Commissioner of

Police”. He also refused to say why many policemen come to work in mufti and leave at the close of the day in the same outfit, but wear police uniforms in their offices.

More than ever before, there is palpable distrust among the rank and file of the Police Force in the state. According to a police inspector, who spoke to our reporter in confidence, “from what we read about Boko Haram, they have infiltrated the rank and file of the force, especially in Bauchi and Borno states, so much that you don’t know who you will be discussing with in your office or anywhere. The espirit d’ corps is no longer there. We no longer trust one another”.

His view was supported by a Superintendent of Police (SP) simply called Bala, serving outside Bauchi metropolis, who told our reporter: “You journalists are happy; Boko Haram are your friends, you write about their activities, discuss what they do, yet they don’t attack you, but they are attacking us.”

But we are not so free because your colleague could be a member of the sects and before you know it, you are reported to their strikers and you are gone forever!

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

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58

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

THE NATION SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

59

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 1-07-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name SMART PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 2 1.04 2

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 11,900 11,781.00 11,900 11,781.00

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 1 13 17

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50 8.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 22,000 11,000.00 2,000 1,000.00 282,400 2,261,248.92 306,400 2,273,248.92

No of Deals Quotation(N) 30 7.50 30

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 173,351 1,362,788.36 173,351 1,362,788.36

AIR SERVICES Company Name NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 5 0.50 23 2.10 28

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 40,686 20,343.00 307,305 657,628.69 347,991 677,971.69

BANKING Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC AFRIBANK NIGERIA PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC FINBANK PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC. OCEANIC BANK INTERNATIONAL PLC BANK PHB PLC SKYE BANK PLC. SPRING BANK PLC STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 102 47 62 18 25 400 332 32 484 36 74 134 59 90 15 19 215 214 27 33 343 2,761

Quotation(N) 7.12 1.30 5.07 2.95 7.10 2.61 12.50 0.56 15.20 9.40 1.08 1.40 0.86 7.50 0.85 1.84 5.60 2.83 0.84 0.98 14.67

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,251,237 15,994,164.52 800,200 1,011,550.75 2,747,971 13,799,497.46 69,391 203,185.40 5,976,776 42,543,943.75 6,653,045 17,401,041.35 4,635,893 57,633,091.50 1,297,797 727,160.32 13,316,201 205,152,189.43 1,646,016 15,552,018.11 3,997,225 4,121,986.49 7,968,850 11,073,060.42 6,115,492 5,225,158.20 1,671,981 12,479,886.10 157,000 130,170.00 577,754 1,028,492.56 11,274,371 63,572,691.50 9,941,361 27,901,894.87 1,704,000 1,509,201.04 1,019,737 1,003,657.04 13,755,139 202,144,579.32 97,577,437 700,208,620.13

Quotation(N) 245.00 6.44 2.37 88.00 0.93

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 415,503 101,602,720.92 3,250 20,475.00 100 226.00 598,038 52,277,299.70 1,000 930.00 1,017,891 153,901,651.62

BREWERIES Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC JOS INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC PREMIER BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 71 3 1 92 1 168

BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC NIGERIAN ROPES PLC. LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 39 17 43 1 28 128

Quotation(N) 23.00 9.30 125.00 8.69 47.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 394,007 9,053,692.38 283,922 2,697,667.02 665,166 83,112,865.54 100 826.00 474,300 22,578,930.10 1,817,495 117,443,981.04

NSE suspends Forte Oil, NBC, Longman, 45 others

T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday placed Nigerian Bottling Company, Forte Oil (formerly African Petroleum), Longman Nigeria Plc and 45 other stocks on technical suspension for failing to submit their audited report and accounts as required by code of corporate governance and best practices of the NSE. By the technical suspension, which took effect from the trading session yesterday, there could be trading on the shares of the companies but there would not be any price change.

This automatically bars investors from benefiting from any potential capital gain.

The technical suspension would also limit the liquidity of the stocks as they would not be able to respond to market forces.

The NSE in a statement made available to The Nation said the companies would be on technical suspension for the one month; after which the Exchange might take further action against those companies that still fail to comply by submitting their annual reports.

Companies that fail to meet the new deadline may be placed on full suspension, implying that there would not be any trading on their shares. The

No of Deals 11 1 1 13

Quotation(N) 34.12 1.42 5.11

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 25,010 895,858.20 1,000 1,350.00 100 536.00 26,110 897,744.20

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTVILLE INVESTMENTS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC TRANS NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 55 1 58

Quotation(N) 0.50 2.79 5.78

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 22,000 11,000.00 4,283,408 11,597,727.00 100 550.00 4,305,508 11,609,277.00

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name NCR (NIGERIA) PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 3 6.25 3

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 99,048 619,050.00 99,048 619,050.00

CONGLOMERATES Company Name CHELLARAMS PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 35 31 37 43 148

Quotation(N) 7.22 38.10 1.03 39.02 27.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 700 4,802.00 89,719 3,422,163.40 6,706,007 6,907,187.21 71,359 2,783,276.12 171,595 4,678,010.65 7,039,380 17,795,439.38

Exchange may also delist stocks that have been found to be unable to meet corporate governance requirements and the rules of the Exchange. NSE has since delisted 30 companies for failure to comply with post-listing requirements on periodic submission of accounts.

According to the NSE, the 48 suspended companies have not submitted their financial statements for the immediate past business year in violation of the post-listing rules of the Exchange as contained in Key Issue No. 5, Annual Accounts Procedures, which states :”Audited annual accounts of companies ought to be submitted within three months of year end. ”The Nigerian Stock Exchange and the investing public need timely financial information from listed companies in other to facilitate stock transactions that are based on market fundamentals. This is essential for fair price discovery and investor confidence in our capital markets,” the NSE noted.

The Exchange said it suspended the companies in line with the Article 90 of the NSE rules, which mandates that the Exchange may at its discretion

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 1-067-11 Company Name AIICO INSURANCE PLC. CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. STACO INSURANCE PLC STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 9 2.46 10 62.26 19

No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 2.18 3 0.54 4

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,000 4,560.00 6,490 3,504.60 8,490 8,064.60

FOOD/BEVERAGES & TOBACCO 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 NIGERIAN BOTTLING COMPANY PLC NESTLE NIGERIA PLC NORTHERN NIGERIA FLOUR MILLS PLC TANTALIZERS PLC UTC NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 11 33 49 41 68 7 31 12 26 4 3 6 291

Quotation(N) 45.00 17.95 16.00 12.80 95.00 4.34 5.40 41.00 400.00 26.36 0.50 0.68

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 126,828 5,731,400.00 188,256 3,385,106.10 1,926,233 30,819,728.00 403,282 5,170,081.87 253,731 24,039,651.75 25,557 113,031.81 481,300 2,503,530.00 30,449 1,248,409.00 24,087 9,617,424.06 21,382 563,131.92 15,100 7,550.00 254,800 173,264.00 3,751,005 83,372,308.51

Quotation(N) 1.83 26.94 3.70 1.70 3.87

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 691,777 1,208,428.10 24,494 632,267.26 61,635 232,732.50 550 891.00 10,050 36,993.50 788,506 2,111,312.36

HEALTHCARE Company Name FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC PHARMA-DEKO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 28 9 13 1 3 54

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name CAPITAL HOTEL PLC IKEJA HOTEL PLC TOURIST COMPANY OF NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 14 12 1 27

Quotation(N) 3.50 1.46 4.53

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 564,735 1,969,730.80 1,591,000 2,322,860.00 1,000 4,530.00 2,156,735 4,297,120.80

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name ALUMINIUM EXTRUSION INDUSTRIES PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 11.20 11 6.00 12

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 5,000 53,200.00 228,489 1,370,974.00 233,489 1,424,174.00

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name CHAMS PLC MASS TELECOM INNOVATION NIGERIA PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 1 6 9 INSURANCE

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50 0.51

Quotation(N) 0.81 1.15 3.00 0.50 0.50 1.50 0.50 0.50 0.55 0.50 0.50 0.55 0.65 1.75 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.53

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,413,496 1,142,039.41 6,452,000 7,295,965.14 2,527,500 7,606,665.00 2,250,000 1,125,000.00 1,214,150 607,075.00 12,198,405 18,318,154.00 2,566,411 1,283,205.50 312,111 156,055.50 1,262,000 710,320.00 1,000 500.00 2,200 1,100.00 571,600 307,624.00 154,884 99,940.88 1,329,214 2,326,124.50 147,439 73,719.50 2,505,000 1,252,500.00 11,800 5,900.00 639,710 339,046.30 35,558,920 42,650,934.73

No of Deals Quotation(N) 4 1.25 4

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 42,750 51,330.80 42,750 51,330.80

MARITIME Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 85,093 199,117.62 40,260 2,496,341.00 125,353 2,695,458.62

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 32 13 6 2 9 33 2 2 6 1 2 19 14 7 2 203 2 7 362 LEASING

Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

CONSTRUCTION Company Name COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

at any time suspend or lift suspension in trading in particular securities.

Other suspended companies included FTN Cocoa Processors, Jos Int. Breweries, Ipwa Plc, Premier Paints Plc, Omatek Ventures Plc, Scoa Nigeria Plc, Transnational Corporation Plc, Cappa & D’alberto Plc, G & Cappa Plc, Nigerian Wire & Cable Plc, P.S. Mandrides & Co Plc, Dangote Flour Mills Plc, Union Dicon Salt Plc, UTC Nigeria Plc, Lennards, Ekocorp Plc, Morison Industries Plc, Ikeja Hotel Plc Hotel & Tourism, Tourist Company of Nigeria and First Aluminium Nigeria Plc. Also suspended were Aluminium Manufacturing Company of Nigeria Plc, Vono Products Plc, Etranzact Plc, First Assurance Plc, African Alliance Insurance, Great Nigeria Insurance Plc, Guinea Insurance Plc, International Energy Insurance, Lasaco Assurance Plc, Linkage Assurance, Oasis Insurance Plc, Staco Plc Insurance, Standard Alliance Plc, Crusader (Nig) Plc, Chams Plc, Mtech Plc, MTI Plc, Investment & Allied Assurance, Daar Communication Plc, Nigeria Energy Sector Fund, Resort Savings & Loans Plc, Studio Press(Nig) Plc, W.A Glass Ind. Plc, Afroil Plc Petroleum and United Nigeria Textiles Plc.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC PAINTS AND COATINGS MANUFACTURES PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

By Taofik Salako andTonia Osundolire

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 300,100 150,050.00 500,000 250,000.00 510,000 260,100.00 1,310,100 660,150.00

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 99 1.05 99

Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 0.51 5 0.50 6

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 4,909,454 5,386,703.25 4,909,454 5,386,703.25

MEDIA Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,000 1,020.00 6,000 3,000.00 8,000 4,020.00

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 2 0.50 8 0.56 10

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 4,000,000 2,000,000.00 130,300 73,074.00 4,130,300 2,073,074.00

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 0.50 5 0.50 6

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,000 1,000.00 417,027 208,513.50 419,027 209,513.50

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC BETA GLASS CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 133 2.59 1 12.71 134

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,522,486 3,874,277.84 50 604.00 1,522,536 3,874,881.84

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 8 23 19 6 8 14 235 4 317

Quotation(N) 0.50 72.00 36.10 4.52 19.28 157.50 40.70 195.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 197,800 98,900.00 248,850 18,148,623.00 19,107 657,617.95 83,546 377,627.92 32,665 629,781.20 8,629 1,336,305.00 3,886,389 158,579,302.72 802 156,797.92 4,477,788 179,984,955.71

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 5.60 21 5.23 22

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 365 2,044.00 280,325 1,475,304.94 280,690 1,477,348.94

REAL ESTATE Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 7 20.00 7

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 26,089 497,737.50 26,089 497,737.50

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals Quotation(N) 8 14.40 8 4,747

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 76,450 1,081,226.50 76,450 1,081,226.50 172,548,193

1,338,661,869.00

60

Christy Essien-Igbokwe: 1960 - 2011

•Lagos governor, Mr. Raji Fashola being welcomed into Igbokwe’s residence

People have been trooping to the house of the Igbokwes in Ikeja, Lagos since Thursday to commiserate with the family of the great musician of international repute, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, who died in a Lagos hospital.

She left behind husband, Chief Edwin Igbokwe, and four sons, Obiora, Chinwuba, Solomon and Lucky.

Some of the early callers were Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Dele Abiodun, Fred Agbaje, Tony Okoroji, Laolu Akins, Yeni Kuti, Clarion Chukwura, Tunde Thompson, among others.

According to Chinwuba, popularly known as Kaka, the only musician son of the deceased, “My mother knew she was going to die.

She knew. She used to tell us. She had even told my elder brother she would not live more than 50 years. She told him that God had told her already. That was why she tried to do everything she did very fast.

“When they were praying for her, she just held the person and told him not to

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

•Actress Clarion Chukwura with one of Essien-Igbokwe’s sons

We all dreamt of our mother’s death—Sons Mercy MICHAEL worry,” he said.

As a music producer, one can only imagine how much Kaka will miss his mother, whom he said influenced his career. “We have done a couple of performances together. We did a duet together. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting she would go so soon. To me, it is still like a joke. It all started on Saturday when she complained about stomach ache. We took her to the hospital; she responded to treatment only for the problem to worsen.

And here we are now mourning her,” he said.

Obiora, the first son of the musician, who was with her at the time she passed away, also recalled her last moment. “I was by her side when she died. I was the first person that heard from the doctor. It would have been my dad, but he was trying to get a place in the ICU section, which was not

forthcoming. I was opportune to be there. Everybody rushed towards the doctor but she said she wanted to speak to me alone. And she told me that my mum was dead. I told her to go back and bring her out. I was dragging the doctor to go and bring her. You know, nobody was expecting that to happen. I rushed in and started shaking her and begging her to wake up. I even pleaded with her to forgive us if there was anything we had done wrong. “ It only dawned on me after our crying and begging, and she was unwilling to wake up. Then again, it dawned on me that we are children. All of us at different points had dreamt of her death. But for one reason or the other, we never mentioned it to her. It was like each time one of us wanted to say something about it, something would come up and we would forget about it. Our mother lived an exemplary life. We are proud of her. We have

no reason to grieve over her death but to thank God,” he stated.

Indeed, Christy Essien deserves every eulogy she can get. One of such people who poured out their hearts during his condolence visit to the Igbokwes was Fashola.

He said: “I’m at this moment really short of words.

This has come like a thunderbolt to me. I have not been able to come to terms with it. Nobody could think of death in our real world and relate it to Chief Christy Essien-Igbokwe. I mean the news just came like a bolt out of the blue. This was somebody who everyone seemed to know from her songs. She was in our homes. She was in our cars.

Suddenly, she is not there anymore. To say that we will miss her will be a big understatement, and I can only imagine how the family will deal with it. She was a truly exemplary Nigerian and multi-talented woman,

•Igbokwe a leader of the art and entertainment industry. She recorded too many wonderful songs.

“She was surely a great ambassador of this country.

If she could sing songs like Omo mi Seun rere and she wasn’t a Yoruba person, that shows you the diversity and how richly endowed and blessed she was. From her role in The Masquarde, I mean there is so much to say about her. I have been her fan since I

was a teenager, watching her on the television. Truly, I think our stars are beginning to take grand exits and we thank God for their lives.

“We must continue to honour and cherish their memories, the fun and laughter. The happiness they managed to create while they were with us.

And it is those memories that we must hold dear in our hearts.”

It hurts a lot to say goodbye —Naomi, first runner-up, Nigerian Idol

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•Naomi Mac

AOMI, the first runner-up in the just concluded Nigerian Idol, is in grief. Yes, she is sad. She is not mourning over the loss of Nigerian Idol first prize. She is downcast over the loss of an idol.

The lady of song, Christy Essien-Igbokwe (CEI), performed during the just concluded Nigerian Idol. The 50-year-old woman was a delight to watch as she rendered her evergreen song,’Omo mi seun rere,’ to the admiration of the audience. Just as she was doing when she was young, the dance steps, the body swings, her movement on stage during the final of the Nigerian Idol made some of the young participants green with envy.

That was probably her last major outing.

Naomi Mac, who eventually shared the stage with the songstress, is yet to recover from the news of her death. On the day they both performed, they struck a chord. Mac had a connection with Igbokwe,

Gbenga ADERANTI and when the death of Igbokwe was announced to Naomi on Thursday, it was a rude shock; a shock she is yet to recover from.

“I didn’t believe she was dead. In fact, I first hung up on the person that broke the news of her death to me. But I had to call the person to confirm if it was true. And when I confirmed it, my heart sank,” she told The Nation.

Before they mounted the stage on the final day of the Nigerian Idol, Mac had paid a visit to Igbokwe’s house. “Singing with mummy, Christy Essien Igbokwe, was something I would not trade for anything else. I felt honoured singing with her that day.

Before the final of the show, I had an opportunity to meet her at her residence. Although we didn’t discuss much, she told me how she would like me to do the song,” said Mac.

Those who saw them perform that night would attest to the fact that the two would have brought something new into the Nigerian music industry.

Igbokwe and Mac looked beyond the Nigerian Idol, not minding the generational gap. The duo wanted to work together, “She honoured me, saying we should create time to rehearse together,” Mac recalled. If the arrangement had worked, it probably would have been a great mix of the old and the new.

“She was a true mother.

For the few times I spent with her, she showed me motherly love, explaining the song to me. She was a real legend,” said the first runner-up in the Nigerian Idol.

Mac said she was surprised with the energy and performance the late Igbokwe displayed while rendering the song ‘Omo mi seun rere’ ”. I can’t forget the passion she put into the song. For someone of her age, she had it great.

She was very strong,” said Mac. One would have thought that the presence of Igbokwe would intimidate Mac when it was obvious that they would be doing a song together. But this was not to be. “I felt proud. First, I called my dad and informed him. I was so happy. I thought of a collabo with the legend, telling myself, I’m gonna make history today (during the finals of the idol).”

While Mac would have loved to do a collabo with Igbokwe, just like they say, dream dies first, death has killed the dream. “That is the part that hurts me the most. We were not able to discuss that much. There was no plan yet,” Mac revealed.

Probably Mac is one of the people who for a very long time will continue to remember Christy EssienIgbokwe. “It hurts a lot to say goodbye. I’m just going to say I love you ma,” Naomi Mac said.

2011

61

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

Jonathan consoles Igbokwe’s family, PMAN

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has described as shocking, the news of the sudden demise of renowned musician and Nigeria’s “Lady of Songs”, Christy EssienIgbokwe.

Jonathan who received the news while attending the 17 Africa Union Summit in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in a statement from the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, urged her family and loved ones to take solace in the knowledge that while she may have been called away in mid-life, her memory will continue to live forever.

Vincent IKUOMOLA, Abuja The statement reads: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan received with shock and great sadness in Malabo yesterday, news of the sudden death of renowned musician and Nigeria’s “Lady of Songs”, Christy EssienIgbokwe.

“On behalf of himself, his family, the Federal Government and people of Nigeria, President Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to her husband, children, relatives and members of the

Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).

“The President urges her family and loved ones to take solace in the knowledge that while Christy Essien-Igbokwe may have been called away in midlife, memory of her will live forever through the rich repertoire of soul-stirring songs she bequeathed to the nation and the world.

“President Jonathan prays that God Almighty will grant her peaceful rest from her earthly labours and bless her family with the fortitude and strength to bear the pain of her departure.”

She was a legend — Akpanudoedehe

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CN governorship candidate in Akwa Ibom State, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, has described the late Christy Essien Igbokwe as a legend.

In a statement he signed and made available to The Nation yesterday, Akpanudoedehe said: “It was with a heavy heart that I learnt of the flight to glory of our lady of songs and cultural icon, Christy Essien Igbokwe, at the young age of 50. Hers was a life of talent for community. ‘’As an actress, she dramatised the humour of human existence. As a singer, she spoke to our souls. As a role model, she gave the young the power of hope. ‘’In her charity, she demonstrated the virtue of love and philanthropy. She was not a politician, but she had a conscience for justice. She was a legend in her own right”.

He noted that the singer raised her voice in solidarity with him “when the forces of injustice locked me up because of the quest to

change Akwa Ibom State.

Her spirit remains with us as we march for justice not only in Akwa Ibom State but also in Nigeria.

Christy Essien-Igbokwe was an icon in life. In death, she will be both an icon and a signpost of possibilities,” he said.

SUDOKU Welcome to SUDOKU, the captivating and engrossing numbers logic puzzle popularised by the Japanese.

The idea of the puzzle is to fill the grid of 81 cells divided into nine 3 x 3 boxes, such that every box, every row, and every column contains the numbers 1-9, each number appearing only once in each box, row and column.

1ST STEP IN SOLVING PUZZLE 311 :

Look at the 3 top horizontal (ABC) 3x3 boxes. The left box has 5 in cell Bb, while the right box has its 5 in cell Ch. The middle box must, therefore, have its own 5 in row A, where there are 2 vacant spaces - cells Ad and Ae. But, since column e already has a 5in cell, He, the only space available to accommodate 5 in the middle box is cell Ad. Reasoning along these lines, try and fill in all the other vacant cells.

SOLUTION TOMORROW. HAPPY PUZZLING!

She was a vibrant, pleasant fellow – Gov Obi

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NAMBRA State Governor, Peter Obi, has consoled the family of Chief Edwin Igbokwe and the people of Akwa Ibom State on the death of Mrs. Christy EssienIgbokwe.

In a statement by Valentine Obienyem, aide to the governor, Obi said he was pained to hear of her sudden death, describing her as a “ vibrant, pleasant fellow; very talented musician and actress. She was a consummate artist. It’s a great loss.

She enriched our culture.

We’ve lost a cultural ambassador”, Obi said of her.

Governor Obi urged upcoming artistes to emulate the late Christy Igbokwe’s regard for both indigenous and modern influences in her music and asked her family and the people of Akwa Ibom State to take solace in her legacies.

AS WE BEGIN OUR 4TH YEAR TODAY, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

THE NATION SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011

63

SPORT EXTRA AFTERMATH OF GERMANY/NIGERIA FALL-OUT

My defenders impressed me –Eucharia •Says attackers were goal shy •Begs Nigerians Stories from

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UPER FALCONS’ chief coach Eucharia Uche has saluted the courageous display of her defenders despite Nigeria's ouster from the FIFA Women's World Cup going on in Germany.

Uche described the quartet of Onome Ebi, Helen Ukaonu, Osinachi Ohale and Faith Ikidi as fearless and rugged.

'This has got nothing to do with the fact that we conceded two goals in the championship. When you see that something deserves commendation, you should not ignore it. my defenders made me happy and l must let them

Ejiro Femi-Babafemi, reporting in Germany

know,' she said.

She also told NationSport shortly before the team's departure to Dresden from the Frankfurt International Airport on Friday that the competition has afforded the team the opportunity to learn and is pleading with Nigerians to forgive them.

'This was not our initial plans when we were coming into the championship but when certain things do not go your way there is nothing that you can do about it other than to

reflect and wait for another time,' she said.

Credit also went to the senior players in the squad for their maturity and the words of encouragement offered to the younger players.

However, the attackers came under knocks for not rising to the occasion. They were ineffective and not bold to take their chances. My advice to them is to return and perfect their skills for the future,' said the coach.

Nigeria takes on Canada next Tuesday July 5 which is a consolation game as both teams have crashed out.

Canada lost to France 4-0 in its second game and had lost their opening game to Germany 2-1 in Berlin.

They are on the bottom of the

group with Nigeria in the third position with France and Germany occupying the first and second positions respectively.

•Eucharia

Nkwocha: We ‘ll break goal jinx against EIGNING Africa Nkwocha was the highest Canada female player, goal scorer at the Africa

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Perpetua Nkwocha is looking forward to Nigeria's last group game against Canada to break her World Cup goal jinx.

The player is yet to score a goal at the Women's championship since making her debut at the 2003 edition staged in U.S.A. 'We have the game against Canada being our last but all hope for me is not lost even though l thought that by now l would have scored,' she told NationSport.

'Against France l played very deep and against Germany l played in the midfield so maybe this time around l could be placed in the good position that would enable me score,' added the Swedish based player.

Nkwocha has ruled out returning for the Falcons in the next World Cup scheduled for 2015 in Canada.

'This is certainly my last and the best time to leave the stage for the younger ones to express themselves. Nobody can say that l have not contributed to the growth of the game, but right now it is time to move up in life,' she explained.

Falcons accept defeat

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HE Nigeria women national team have accepted their fate after Thursday's 1-0 loss to Germany which signified the end of their campaign in the on-going FIFA Women's World Cup. The players were relaxed while leaving their Maritim Hotel in Frankfurt on Friday for the airport to connect a flight Dresden unlike the day they lost to France on Sunday. On that day some of the players cried due to the loss after promising victory against the European champions who are making their second appearance in the competition.

'Well that is life you win some and lose some. Yes we have crashed out but what do you expect us to do? weep that is impossible. Life must go on. We apologize for not going beyondthepreliminaryroundwhile hope that in 2015 we make amends,' said a player on the condition of anonimity.

Nigeria'sFalconslastqualifiedfrom the group stage in 1999 reaching the quarter final before crashing to Brazil 4-3 in a dramatic fashion.

They remain the only country in AfricatohavequalifiedfortheWorld Cup since its inception in 1991.

Women Championship last year in South Africa and emerged the Most Valuable Player.

This will be the second time she will be winning the Africa female player award.

NFF owing Falcons daily allowances •Paid players last in Austria

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HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have not paid the Super Falcons their camping allowances since it began its World Cup campaign.

A competent source informed NationSport that the players and coaches were last paid in Austria during their one month training tour.

'Since we arrived in Germany on June 22 nothing has been given to us and nobody has told us anything yet,' said our source.

The team is expected to receive 100USD as its daily allowance.

'If they cannot pay our daily allowances is it the winning bonuses that they would have been able to pay if we had won asked one of the players.

Money matters have always pitched the team against NFF in the past Recall 2007 in China during the Women's world Cup, the Super Falcons embarked on a strike to

protest the non-payment of their allowances. They refused to train until NFF paid.

A similar situation happened in 2004 during the Africa Women

No plans to sack Uche –Green

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HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has foreclosed the thought of sacking Falcons coach, Eucharia Uche despite Nigeria's exit from the FIFA Women's World Cup. The NFF technical committee chairman was on his way to the Airport to catch a flight back to Nigeria when he made the disclosure to NationSport from the team's Maritime Hotel.

'The focus is on the Olympic qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea. That is our next concern since you all know that we have lost the ticket to All Africa Games.

Nigeria were beaten by Ghana which has denied them the

Nigeria’s boxing future bright – Nsofor

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HE Technical adviser of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, Prince Idika Nsofor has expressed optimism of a bright future for Nigeria boxing as the federation continues its search for boxing talents at the oo-going National Sports Festival tagged, Garden City Games.

In a chat with NationSport at the Uniport Convocation Arena on Friday, Nsofor maintained that having seen the raw talents at the games, he is well assured the the coutry has what it takes to produce world champions.

“The future of Nigerian boxing is bright, we are growing and we will continue to grow. You know why? Because we have the talents and all we have to do is put our hearts together and boxing will grow again in Nigeria. We have the talents here in Nigeria and all over the world, but it’s putting everything together, I mean all the negative aspect in the country’s boxing should be avoided and we will start to see improvement. It’s a gradual progress and not something that happens overnight. Champions are not built overnight, it takes

Championship in South Africa after the girls retained the trophy.

The team stayed put in for five days until the government under President Olusegun Obasanjo intervened.

From Akeem Lawal, in Port Hrcourt time and it will grow. So we have future”, he told the Nation.

Meanwhile, in the preliminary round decided at the Uniport Convocation Arena yesterday, Osamuiamwen Goodluck of Edo State defeated Taofeek Ibrahim of Bauchi in the 60kg while Badmus Idris of Rivers State also defeated Adeyinka Muideen in the same category.

opportunity of defending their gold won at the games in Algeria four years ago.

Against Equatorial Guinea, NFF expects a tougher battle given the fact that the country was the second team to defeat Nigeria at the Africa women Championship. They are also in the Women's World Cup which has increased their confidence.

Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea has been disqualified from the Olympics as a result of fielding an ineligible player, Nigeria will now play against Cameroon.

But despite Green's claims, there are still doubts if Uche will remain in the saddle.

Clap for Amaechi •Continued from back page to give their best.

As I walked around the sport complex, I saw competition venues with facilities found in bigger competitions, such as the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games.

Not even the National Stadium in Abuja has such centralised sporting venues, fitted with top-notch facilities. The tennis courts reminded me of the past Ogbe Court in Benin-City, now politicised.

From where I stood close to the tennis court, I could watch hockey players strut their sticks on astro-turf. Need I describe what I saw in the indoor sports hall?

However, what thrilled me most was the people’s awareness that such a big competition was coming. They talked about it, and promised to be of good conduct. Not once did the people talk about what went down as cost in constructing these facilities, What the Rivers people celebrated was the opportunities that abound with the new Garden City in the next decades.

The Rivers people were confident that the citing of the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in an undeveloped area would further challenge them to develop the place beyond it being a sporting environment.

Driving back from the Amiesimaka Stadium, I watched in awe the number of buses and cars bearing the insignia of corporate firms as sponsors of the National Sports Festival and wished I could participate.

Members of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) were dutiful.

They told you the benchmarks set and assured you that there was zero tolerance for sharp practices.

Globally, sport is a media event and the Rivers State government ensured that the local media played a role mobilising the people to identify with the ideals of hosting the National Sports Festival. Whose duty is it to ensure that the festival is beamed live on television (NTA in the days of yore) The host or the owners of the festival-NSC? My only fear for the Games is the inclement weather. But, the Rivers State people have boasted that the rains won’t spoil the fun. How they want to achieve this remains to be seen.

Amaechi has made the task of hosting the next edition a tough challenge.

He has inadvertently provided befitting training grounds for Nigeria’s athletes going to the All Africa Games in Maputo and the 2012 Olympic Games in London, only if NSC men taking athletes to Europe, Asia and the Americas under the guise of exposing them to modern facilities and training can key into the Rivers State governor’s vision.

With what I saw in Port Harcourt, NSC men only need to bring the foreign coaches to Nigeria to train our athletes and, of course, retrain our coaches. But will they listen? Will the NSC men not tell us of the difference in climatic conditions in Port Harcourt and Maputo, and London as the reason why our athletes must train in Europe?

I’m told that the Cross River State government wants to host the next edition. Can they beat what Amaechi? I wish that the Lagos State shows interest in hosting the games. Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, I am sure will surpass what Amaechi has achieved.

If Fashola decides to host the next National Sports Festival, one can confidently say that Nigeria would in the next two decades be ready to bid for and possibly host either the Commonwealth Games or the Olympic Games. Why not if we have the facilities- hotels and good network of transportation (land, sea and air) and can guarantee the security of the participants?

Happily, the festival is holding less than a year to the London Olympic Games. I hope that the talents discovered can be nurtured to win laurels.

It may be late, but the essence of exposing young talents to such big competitions is that they are further challenged to do better next time.

For those who have already qualified through zonal championships, it is important to also open training camps, if Nigeria must excel in London next year. The era of making international competitions a jamboree should stop because our athletes do well against the best in the world in collegiate games and smaller sporting tourneys in Europe.

We must subject our sports ambassadors to dope tests before heading for the London Olympic Games. It is more honourable for Nigeria to participate in the games without winning a medal than to win medals tainted with drugs.

E. Guinea women’s team disqualified from Olympics

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IGERIA says it has been told by FIFA that its women’s football team will play Cameroon and not Equatorial Guinea in Olympic qualifying after the Equatorial Guineans were disqualified for an ineligible player.

The Nigeria Football Federation says in a statement Friday that FIFA has“ejected Equatorial Guinea from the race” for the 2012 London Olympics.

NFF says it was informed of the decision—and its new opponent in final qualifiers— in a letter from FIFA. The world football body suspended Equatorial Guinea striker Jade Boho Sayo for two months Tuesday over apparent nationality issues, removing her from the ongoing Women’s World Cup. The decision does not affect the team’s participation in that tournament.

WOMEN FOOTBALL

Adamawa appeals walk-over

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DAMAWA State has lodged an appeal to the organizers of the on-going National Sports Festival over the walk over of their female football team in their first match against Akwa-Ibom State.

Akwa-Ibom was awarded the maximum points with three goals after Adamawa failed to turn up on time for the game which was scheduled to kick off at 4pm at the Training Center in Aluu,.

In a chat with NationSport, Chief Coach of Adamawa, Bello Abba

From Akeem Lawal, in Port Hrcourt said the mix up in the venue of the football match by the organizers was responsible for the late show-up of his girls.

On Thursday we heard that we were being walked over by AkwaIbom in our first match and we have appealed to the organisers against that. So we are waiting for the outcome lodge a complain about it.

What really happened was that we

were directed a wrong venue w hich is the new stadium. After reaching there we were asked to come bach here(TrainingCenter,Aluu)sobefore we could get here we were walked over.

Bello said his girls have prepared well enough to do the state proud “We went to secondary schools around the state to gather the girls.

We organize school competitions where we were able to get the best among them. Right now there have prepared well and ready to do the country proud”, he said.

Nadal, Djokovic to meet in Wimbledon final NOVAK DJOKOVIC secured the No. 1 ranking by reaching the Wimbledon final on Friday, and he will now get a chance to beat the man he is replacing— defending champion Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic reached the championship match at the All England Club for the first time by defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-7 (9), 6-3 in a match filled with diving shots by both players on Centre Court.

A few hours later, 10-time major winner Nadal knocked out Andy Murray 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 to keep the British fans waiting for a homegrown champion at the grass-court Grand Slam.

•Nadal

Tomorrow in THE NATION PUNCHLINE

The only matter for regret is that we have nothing to suggest that whoever succeeds Jonathan would not roll out his own, even if they are from the same ruling party —Tunji Adegboyega

SATURDAY, JULY 2, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL.5, NO. 1808

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HANK you for your write up, How to prove Boko Haram Wrong. I agree with the point you made but you failed to say something about the moral decadence in our society; the campus life of indecency that is infiltrating our society, 07064557634.

Segun, I love your piece on how to prove Boko Haram wrong. Look at Saudi Arabia, Quatar and other Islamic nations, were they not developed with the help of western education? Have their citizens got up one day to say let’s stop western education? Because their leaders have been able to prove to them that it works for speedy development. In Nigeria, our leaders are just drain pipes with all the so-called degrees they have, Nsan Ebifegha, 08032787320.

Segun, the greatest evil of westernization is the destruction of the family – the basic character moulding unit of sane societies, Lawrence, Ikorodu, 08023067866.

Thanks for your article “How to prove Boko Haram wrong” where you educated your readers and made suggestions on the way forward, I want to add that there must be justice and morality in whatever our politicians and leaders do. They should stop the reckless display of ill gotten wealth, Isa, I.K, Ilorin, 07069215029.

Nothing would be done to Boko Haram unless an important personality is affected as in seriously then they will be fished out.

Until then, stay cool and pray not o be their victim because our government does not have any plan for us except to deprive us the more, Funke, Lagos, 08160574352.

How to prove Boko Haram wrong: The problem is not with western education, it’s with leadership. Ghandi received western education and effectively used it in India.

Leadership is the issue; afterall it works for the westerners. Or is it Islamic education that we need?, 08162583390.

Your article, ‘How to prove Boko Haram wrong’ was illuminating, however inadequate. The only reason in your view why these agents of death are bent on destabilizing Nigeria is: ‘western education is sinful or evil’. How about Islamizing the state of Nigeria?, Emeka Chukwuma, Delta State, 08037132287.

Segun, you have said it all. Our present day leaders and legislators fail to see beyond their noses. Their greed is beyond compare anywhere in the world. What Nigerian youths need to do is to stage a massive protest until our legislators come to reason.

Their allowances must be pruned down, constituency projects scrutinised and nade public and bidded for. Boko Haram? Blame them not. The failure of the northern elite to address basic social issues has been responsible for the social decay and malaise in the north. Those who came after the great Saudana merely used the north’s long stay in governance to enrich themselves to the detriment of their people and other Nigerians. In the case of Boko Haram, the chickens have come home to roost, Jonathan Jatto, 08037118515.

Dear Segun, I was able to guess through your article of June 25, 2011, on How to prove Boko Haram wrong. I indeed tiptoed through the supposedly self-contradictory work to ascertain your concrete import in defence of the attractive caption. First, you could not give us the central correlation between west-

SMS to

Re: How to prove Boko Haram wrong ’

•Yusuf ern education and the destruction of Nigerian people and property. Do you know that more funds will be spent on compensations and replacements, which could have been used for the development you clamour for.Will the bombing add to our welfare and development? I believe you are not a Nigerian and have lost control of your pen and paper. Reconsider yourself and justify your stand if you don’t “belong”. Wishing you the best of future episodes, Boniface, 08060247444.

Just read your article. Please suggest to government to ban the use of Okada. I believe this will truncate Boko Haram and their mobility, Harrison Wegwu, 07062130406.

Segun Ayobolu, you seem to be a prophet of doom and promoter of Boko Haraism.

Might be the abrupt disavowal of its zoning policy shoild have been nade to accommodate Segun Ayobolu’s ambition to become the President to parry off your doom or recipe for diasaster because you are the best or an Islamic fanatic. If President Jonathan’s victory is keeping Nigeria as divided as ever, then it means you are a fifth columnist. I suggest that you call for a referendum so that we vote to live where we belong. He is the President and Commander-In-Chief and you must obey him or bury your criticism in hell, Azdarrierretti, Lagos, 07080841865.

If one struggled to go to school and acquired certificate and come out to be jobless and one can see few people in the National Assembly sharing billions of commonwealth, one may have cause to regret to have ever gone to school for western education. As soon as you regret this, you have already supported the principle of Boko Haram. If the result of western education is bringing about creation of jobs and good governance, may be what we would have been hearing today is “illiteracy is a sin”. Dear brother Segun, we can still prove them wrong, Jackson Lekan Ojo, 07037444440

‘

Segun, you said it all in the last two concluding paragraphs. Just read your article now in The Nation newspaper of Saturday, June 25th on Boko Haram, 08062420885.

It is ironical that the Boko Haram sect which detests western education could resort to the use of bomb; the very product of western education instead of bow and arrow to settle grievances. Huh! Think there is more than meet the eye on this Boko Haram of a thing. Well, the apostles of presidential zoning can explain better, Akin Olanusi, Jos, 08037667665.

How to prove Boko Haram wrong. Nice piece. More ink to your pen, 08033188288.

You have only succeeded in portraying your hatred against the north. By and large,

the North is not the poorest region neither with widespread hunger and disease, 07036217148.

Inasmuch as I agreed in parts with your arguments, I don’t think this sect is thinking in your way. 99% of their attacks are on innocent people while corrupt persons walk freely. Our leaders should be ready to punish wrong regardless of who the offenders are or their sponsors, Kikshak, Jos, 08039725927.

Your piece on ‘How to prove Boko Haram Wrong’ was an excellent one. But have our leaders ears or eyes to see? Our leaders today are mostly self-centred, Yahaya Y.Y, Lapai, Niger State, 08068333483.

Segun, I agree with you that western education has failed to impact positively on Nigeria and the worst part is that it has unleashed horrible corruption on the nation.

Kill corruption and Boko Haram will certainly lose its appeal, T.V.D, Ihyuman, Makurdi, 08063080825.

Sege, think today’s stuff should have been on “Failure of Leadership” rather than the homily justifying the current brigandage by Boko Haram. These people are only justifying the huge dollars they collect from AlQaeda to Islamize their country. Are the bombs they’ve been hurling at innocent Nigerians the product of Islamic Science and technology?, Olu, 08033013597.

Thank you greatly for the stuff “How to prove Boko Haram wrong”. If one struggled to go to school and acquired certificate and come out to be jobless and one can see few people in the National Assembly sharing billions of commonwealth, one may have cause to regret to have ever gone to school for western education. As soon as you regret this, you have already supported the principle of Boko Haram. If the result of western education is bringing about creation of jobs and good governance, may be what we would have been hearing today is “illiteracy is a sin”. Dear brother Segun, we can still prove them wrong, Jackson Lekan Ojo, 07037444440.

Sir, I agree with you on the state of mass education and unconscionable attitude of our law makers. But I fail to see how that is related to western education that has brought so much positive things in our lives. Our problem is simply that of poor leadership over the years. I recall even in the 70’s when things were a bit ok, the almajiris had a song criticising western education. The Maitatsine crisis also occurred at that period. If they don’t like to go to school, so be it. Why bother the rest of us? We are also victims of the sorry state of the country. Please let’s not make excuses for evil, 08037034397.

Good day. Just read your column on how to prove Boko Haram wrong. I think your views on the essence of education should be looked into again as western education in my opinion is not aimed at being employable but to equip one to subdue his environment for self and humanity. Therefore, failure of governance to provide enabling environment is part of the numerous challenges exposed to be subdued by education. My submission is that corruption, greed, unemployment etc are the things education can surmount. Boko Haram is evil and sinful and creating an enabling environment will not reduce the appetite for evil in their activities, Goddy Vicka, 08077635944.

Ade Ojeikere on Saturday

Clap for Amaechi

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A flashback to the 1988 National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt, I was a member of Bendel State’s silver-winning senior cricket team. I enjoyed the games despite the discomfort of having to sleep on the mattress laid on the ground.

The battle with mosquitoes at night didn’t match the nauseating stench from the unclean gutters behind the toilets. We were promised proper beds to lay the mattresses on which never came. Yet, what stuck us together was the friendship that the festival setting pro-

vided for the participants.

I recall how we appreciated the facilities at the Civic Centre where Sharks FC now calls its stadium. The central nature of the events was novel. We had tough times with transportation, just as there were issues with the medals table.

The most exciting places to be at night were the basketball courts, hockey pitches and volleyball courts. I remember Bendel State senior cricketers laying ambush for the beautiful girls who played the games.

Today in the Garden City, athletes and officials have assembled for the multi-sports events. I don’t expect the National Sports Commission (NSC) officials to change their ways of leaving everything to the hosts to address. There would still be cases of manipu-

lation of results. There would still be complaints about simple issues, such as accommodation. The referees wouldn’t be different from the ones in Port-Harcourt 23years ago. Poor officiating has always been the bane of the National Sports Festival.

I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them who hold court 23 years ago are still around.

It is instructive to ask what the NSC contributed to the hosting of the festival in Port Harcourt. Is it not global practice for the owners of such competitions to be on ground weeks before the commencement of the competition to receive the contingents and supervise the allocation of what they are due?

The National Sports Festival is their baby. It is the NSC buffs’ duty to insist on having everything in place before the events begin.

Were funds not budgeted for hosting the festival in the event that any host fails to meet the demands?

What would make the 2011 National Sports Festival a master-piece will be models that Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has provided for all the sports.

I developed goose pimples at the Games Village and athletes’ hostels. I marveled at Amaechi’s high taste in the bedding provided just as I was bowled over by the sanitary conditions around the place. I was stunned when told that Amaechi made athletes’ welfare and security his topmost priority. These explain why I won’t be surprised if records fall in all events like it never happened in previous festivals.

Indeed, it takes only a leader with vision to host a competition of this nature to provide modern facilities that will propel the athletes

•Continued on Page 63

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