The Nation - June 4, 2011

Nigeria’s truly national newspaper

Ogun Assembly bars Daniel from holding public office

Page 3

Ex-governor, former Speaker listed in Black Book

VOL.05 N0. 1780

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

Speakership:

Reps-elect declare war

Page 3

Ajibola, Tambuwal camps begin talks to team up against Mulikat

SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011 N150.00

Alleged N10bn loan

Reps Speaker Bankole under house arrest Page 13

EFCC moves to stop Page 2 him from fleeing Bankole: I’m not on the run My father was murdered seven months to retirement - 23-year-old daughter of DCO killed in Badagry army/police clash

ANPP won’t join Jonathan’s cabinet Pages 3&4

ACN reaffirms stand

Page 23

I am not a

play boy Ghanaian actor,

Majid Michel

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

2 NEWS

Alleged N10b loan: Bankole under house arrest •EFCC moves to stop him Reps Speaker from fleeing •Bankole: I’m not on the run • Charge him to court–-Falana

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OLLOWING security reports, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday attempted to arrest the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, before fleeing to the United Kingdom .

But the outgoing Speaker resisted arrest and remained holed up at his residence in Asokoro Quarters, Abuja .

The EFCC chairman, Mrs. Farida Waziri, has ordered the commission’s operatives to keep vigil at Bankole’s residence till Monday when he would report for interrogation.

Bankole, however, said he has no plan to go to the UK but he had scheduled some valedictory activities for Lagos and Abuja at the weekend.

Investigation showed that the EFCC had received intelligence report of Bankole’s alleged plot to sneak out of the country on Thursday and at about 8pm moved its operatives to his residences in Apo Legislative Quarters and Asokoro.

Bankole was located in Asokoro’s residence, which he also uses as a Guest House.

It was learnt that all attempts by the EFCC operatives to gain access to him were resisted by a detachment of policemen, including some members of the Police Mobile Force.

But the EFCC operatives laid siege to the Asokoro residence overnight with Bankole holed up inside.

It was gathered that were it not for restraint, the EFCC operatives and policemen attached to Bankole were almost engaging in a shoot-out following insistence by the operatives to gain entrance.

The siege made the embattled Speaker to make a series of calls to eminent Nigerians like the Vice-President, Arc. Namadi Sambo, the Sultan of Sokoto, the President of the Senate, Chief David Mark, ex-Ministers and senior members of the National Assembly.

At about 11.15am, reprieve came for the Speaker when the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, visited Bankole’s residence in Apo Legislative Quarters.

When the IGP was told that the Speaker was at Asokoro, he made a detour and visited the second residence to take stock of the situation.

Although the IGP had earlier had some talks with the EFCC chairman, it was unclear on whose instruction Ringim was acting.

But the intervention of Ringim was said to have strengthened security around the Speaker with the EFCC displeased about the development.

A top source said: “I think IGP came following pleas by Bankole that he should be protected and be allowed to complete his handing over on Monday.

“To avoid the situation degenerating in Bankole’s house into a clash, the IGP personally went to take charge. With the recent experience of soldierspolice clash, the nation cannot afford another row between the EFCC and the police.

Another reliable source added: “The way the IGP went

Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

about it indicated a sort of protection for Bankole.

“No one is sure if Ringim was under instructions from the above or not.”

The Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said: “We got information that he was planning to leave the country for the UK . So, we watch-listed him.

“Bankole has been on surveillance since Thursday night and we mobilised men who put his house under surveillance.

“The Speaker resisted arrest for four to five hours and now called for assistance from the whole world, pleading that he should be allowed to handover. All these things happened during the night but he refused to give himself up.

“He is still locked up in his house at Asokoro.”

Responding to a question, Babafemi added: “Yes, we wrote a letter inviting the Speaker and he replied. Altogether, we got two letters from him this week. But the letter which he said he purportedly sent to us over alleged humiliation was false, we have not got it.”

In a statement in Abuja , the Speaker, however, said he never contemplated fleeing to the UK .

He said he would report to the EFCC on Monday after handing over to his successor.

Bankole, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Bakare, said: “Contrary to widespread speculations that the outgoing Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, has been arrested or resisted EFCC arrest, the Speaker has informed officials of EFCC of his intention to honour their invitation on Monday June, 2011 at 2pm.

“Following Bankole’s letters to the EFCC Chairman of some procedural defects in his invitation by EFCC over “investigation activities”, the anti-corruption agency has sent its men to Bankole to renew the invitation and Bankole has given a Monday date for his appearance.

“The outgoing Speaker had scheduled series of meetings in Abuja and Lagos for the weekend with various groups including personal aides as part of his valedictory activities, contrary to insinuation that he intended to travel out today to United Kingdom .”

A group, Youth Anti-Corruption League, had about two weeks ago staged a protest to the EFCC demanding Bankole’s probe.

The League submitted a one-page petition to the EFCC through its President, Jumoke Iliyasu.

The petition said: “We are aware that your commission has received several petitions against the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, about the N2.3billion car scam arising from the purchase of 407 Peugeot cars for the House sometimes in 2008.

“We are further aware that certain members of the ‘Progressive’ group of legislators submitted a petition against the same Speaker on the abuse of due process and corrupt practices associated with the N9bilion capital budget of the House of Representatives for 2008/2009 sessions.

“To the best of our knowledge, no visible action has been taken against him upon any of the petitions.

“Only recently, there were allegations that the Hon. Speaker approved a loan of about N10billion for the House without any resolution of the House supporting the said loan.

“Consequently, it is public knowledge that the Honourable members have not received their due remunerations due to the inability of the House to pay its members following the impoundment of their statutory allocation by the United Bank of Africa (UBA).

“We are therefore calling upon the EFCC to enforce the anti-corruption policy of this government by arresting and prosecuting Hon. Dimeji Bankole. He must be made to account for his excesses and EFCC must not allow the Nigerian people to believe that certain category of Nigerians are above the law. EFCC must act now.”

Reacting to the development yesterday, foremost human rights activist and president, West Africa Bar Association (WABA), Mr. Femi Falana, said the EFCC should stop wasting time in trying to arrest and obtain a statement from Bankole, rather the agency should proceed and charge him to court.

He said: “Having concluded investigations on the N2.3 billion cash scandal, the N9 billion diversion of the account of the House and the illegal N10 billion loan, the EFCC should proceed by charging him accordingly. The trial court would then be compelled to issue a warrant if he fails to appear so that he can be arranged.

“Apart from the President, Vice President, governors and deputy governors, no other Nigerian, no matter how highly placed, is immune from arrest and prosecution under our laws.

“After all, the EFCC filed charges against Dick Cheney, the former Vice President of America, as regards the Halliburton case. He was never arrested.”

Falana said there was no law in Nigeria that said a criminal suspect should write a statement if the suspect did not want to. He continued: “ It is the constitutional right of a suspect not to say anything that may be used in evidence against him.”

Falana also decried the situation where certain personalities in government are thwarting the effort to arrest the former speaker.

He said: “the provocative manner in which the Federal Government has shielded Mr. Bankole from arrest is totally subversive of the rule of law. If not checked, it is going to lead to anarchy and chaos in the country.”

From left: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim;PDP chieftian, Tony Anenih; President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo during a valedictory dinner for PDP Presidential Campaign Council at the State House Abuja ...yesterday PHOTO: NAN

Govt of National Unity: ACN reaffirms stand T

HE Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has denied a report published by a section of the media on Friday that it had made a Uturn and decided to join the Government of National Unity (GNU) being planned by President Goodluck Jonathan. ‘’We hereby state, for the umpteenth time, that we will not participate in any GNU,’’ the party said in statement issued in Accra on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. ‘’Reports that we have embraced the GNU and adopted a ‘guarded participation policy’ amount to sheer fallacy, and should be treated as such by all our members and supporters,’’ it said.

The party said it is a curious stretch to conclude that by participating in a meeting convened by President Jonathan in Abuja, the ACN has automatically reneged on its earlier decision not to join the GNU. ‘’Indeed, we were represented at that meeting by a powerful delegation led by our Chairman. Chief Bisi Akande, simply because it

will amount to sheer arrogance to shun a meeting convened by the President to discuss nothing more than the issue of Nigeria, in which we are all stakeholders. ‘’However, when we received the letter of invitation, we immediately wrote back to the presidency asking to be intimated with the agenda of the meeting. When no response was forthcoming, we went to the meeting with a letter in which we reiterated our decision not to participate in any GNU, for the simple reason that a unity government in peace time can only stifle democracy and facilitate the emergence of a oneparty state, which will in turn breed unbridled corruption. ‘’We also used the letter to convey our agenda to the President, which includes robust democratic reforms, fiscal federalism, security, especially the issue of community policing, and the fight against

corruption. We also used the meeting to reiterate these issues as well as our decision not to be a party to any GNU. How this translates to making a U-turn beats our imagination,’’ ACN said.

The party repeated its earlier warning that any of its members who decides to join the GNU does so in his personal capacity and automatically ceases to be a member of the ACN. ACN said it is satisfied with its role as the leading opposition party in the country, and would continue to play that role and meet the yearnings of all democracy-loving Nigerians. It said, however, that it will practise - as always - responsible opposition, which is not the same as hostility to the Federal Government. ‘’We are a government-inwaiting, and we know Nigerians see us as such and also expect much from our party in deepening democracy and ensuring better life for our longsuffering people.

We will not sacrifice that responsibility on the altar of short-term political gains,’’ the party said.

PDP needs reforms to succeed, says Jonathan P RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday told elected and appointed members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the much needed reforms and transformation of the country must begin with the ruling party.

Jonathan, who spoke at the beginning of a two-day retreat for elected PDP governors, State and National Assembly members, and top party leaders in Abuja, decried the high level of indiscipline prevalent in the party, saying the unruly attitude of members to party decisions must change if the leaders of the party are to live up to the high expectations of Nigerians.

The retreat with the theme: “Leadership and Executive Branch Collaboration: A synergy for National Transformation,” was jointly organised by the leadership of the PDP and the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI).

Accoding to him, party

Sanni OLOGUN, Abuja

decisions would be easier to enforce once there is internal democracy, loyalty and party discipline.

He urged elected representatives of the party to subject themselves to the PDP national leadership.

President Jonathan noted that the only way to develop and reinvigorate political parties and institutions of democracy is to ensure high level of discipline among its members.

Though the liberal nature of democracy guarantees unfettered freedom for the citizenry and political leaders, according to him, it also attracts high level of discipline, sacrifice and orderly conduct.

Jonathan said: “We must build and strengthen our political parties so that the

institutions of democracy can constantly produce such individuals who can defend our party and our country. Loyalty, internal democracy and party discipline are some essential elements in this mission.

“It is therefore imperative that as members of our party, we must strive to subject ourselves to the guidance of its leadership. The message is that despite the free-handedness of democracy, there are basic rules of conduct and behaviour that regulate the actions of members of every party so as to ensure cohesion and achieving a common purpose for the good of all.

“We will reform to enable us achieve our objective.

Therefore, the reforms to transform the polity must begin at home. We must all work together to subject our party to the much needed reform so that it can position itself for the great task ahead.”

NEWS 3

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Ogun Assembly bars Daniel from holding public office T HE Ogun State House of Assembly (OGHA) yesterday listed fleeing former Governor Gbenga Daniel in its Black Book (OGHAAB) and barred him from occupying public office in the future either in the state or anywhere in Nigeria.

Daniel’s sins, according to the OGHA, is that he did not only instigate the pre-dawn contravention of the orders of the OGHA by eight minority lawmakers led by Soyemi Coker last September 6, but also committed state resources into the “inglorious” project to the tune of N167.5m.

The House said it discovered upon investigation by a 10-man panel, headed by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Remmy Hazzan (Odogbolu), that Daniel released the said sum to the minority lawmakers between September 6, 2010 and May 2011 for their “illegal sittings” and “illegal decisions” through the Accountant- General (A-G) of the state.

The former governor was nominated for inclusion in the dreaded Black Book by Hon. Olawale Hassan Alausa, representing Ijebu-Ode state constituency, and he was supported

•Ex-governor, former Speaker listed in Black edly suspended Egbetokun and Ernest NWOKOLO, Book 14 other G -15 legislators.

Abeokuta

by Hon. Abiodun Akovoyon (Ipokia) as the House wound up the Sixth Legislative Assembly around 4:52 pm yesterday.

In justifying the nomination, Alausa posited that it would amount to a miscarriage of justice if the eight minority lawmakers have their names listed on the OGHABB while that of the “architect” and “financier” is left out.

When subjected to voice vote on the floor of the Assembly by Speaker Tunji Egbetokun, all the G-15 lawmakers supported the inclusion of Daniel’s name on the OGHABB for allegedly aiding and abetting the overthrow of an arm of government through “unconstitutional” means.

Others who made the OGHABB list and were equally barred from holding any

public office in Ogun State or elsewhere in Nigeria were the eight lawmakers loyal to Daniel.

They are Hon. Bakenne Fasiu Adewale (Abeokuta South), Ayo-Odugbesan Edwards (Ijebu North), Adegbesan Joseph, Coker Soyemi Emmanuel, Kojeku David Sunday and Bankole Durotolu.

The affected lawmakers were declared “personal non grata, unfit for any public office anywhere in the Federal Republic of Nigeria” and were recommended for “further investigation and prosecution by the EFCC and the ICPC.” They were indicted for allegedly sharing the sum of N123,770,000:00K out of the N167.5m released to them by the executive through the A-G. The Remmy Hazzan-led 10man panel indicted them for invading the Ogun Assembly chamber on Septemeber 6, held “illegal plenary” and purport-

The 10-page report and recommendations was submitted on the floor of the House yesterday by the Chairman, Hazzan, and it was adopted after minor amendments.

The Panel also recommended that they should refund all monies collected from the coffers of the Ogun State Government and the OGHA between September 6, 2010 and May 2011.

The Panel alleged that the Clerk of the House, Mr. Demola Badejo, was a “conspirator”and “the mastermind of all the illegal actions taken” by Coker and seven lawmakers.

Consequently, Mr. Badejo was recommended for removal as Clerk of the OGHA while “his actions and inactions should be forwarded to the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) for further disciplinary actions.”

Ajimobi seeks partnership with NMA to revive Oyo health sector Bisi OLADELE, Ibadan

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YO State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has urged the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) to partner with his administration in its efforts to revive the collapsing healthcare delivery in the state.

Ajimobi made the call while addressing the members of the association at its 51st Annual General Conference in Ibadan.

The new governor said his findings on the state of healthcare delivery showed that the state of government hospitals was appalling, adding that the welfare of medical doctors and other health workers was not taken seriously.

Restating his administration’s commitment to rebuilding the sector in view of the important roles doctors and other health workers play to make the nation healthy, Ajimobi promised to build a healthcare centre in each ward, among others.

He said: “Let me restate that this administration is desirous of a partnership with the NMA, towards uplifting the health status of Oyo State. We believe that this partnership would change the parlous state of our healthcare and bring succour to the faces of millions of our people who access our public health centres and who do not have the wherewithal to pay the huge bills charged by private health centres.

“It is unacceptable that our doctors would conduct surgical operations at the theatre, using the light of their cell phones.

It is totally unacceptable to this administration to have our medical doctors work in hospitals without required equipment at their disposal. We will not improvise equipment in hospitals. We will ensure that such a regime is a thing of the past in our state.”

Minimum wage: Amaechi calls for review of sharing formula Vincent IKUOMOLA, Abuja

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•Managing Director Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Mr. Chibuzor Ogwuoha (left) handing over communication PHOTO: NAN gadgets to the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mr. Sulieman Abba, in Port Harcourt.... yesterday

Speakership: Reps-elect declare war •Ajibola, Tambuwal camps begin talks to team up against Mulikat

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ESPITE the adoption of Hon. Mulikat Adeola-Akande, all is not well within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as those opposed to the anointed candidate yesterday started ganging up to stop the party from having its way.

Some Reps-elect loyal to some speakership aspirants like Muraina Saubana Ajibola and Aminu Tambuwal yesterday began alliance talks in Abuja against Mulikat Adeola-Akande.

There were indications last night that Muraina Ajibola left the ongoing retreat of the PDP abruptly on Friday for Lagos to consult with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and top party leaders from the South-West.

The 7th National Assembly will be inaugurated on Monday, June 6.

But the PDP has adopted Chief David Mark as Senate President and Mrs. Mulikat Adeola-Akande as the new Speaker.

Investigation by The Nation showed that most Reps-elect from the North-West and the South-East have vowed to resist the imposition of a new Speaker by the party.

A top source, who spoke in confidence, said it would not be an easy ride for the party’s candidate.

The source said: “The battle line is drawn. We will not accept imposition of a candidate by the party. It is sad that the PDP leadership is inconsistent because it had earlier presented Ajibola to us as the official candidate.

“They are trying to dance to the whims and caprices of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and that is unacceptable in a democracy. The case is worsened by the fact that the PDP said they have no choice but to accept the wish of the First Lady in line with 35 per cent Affirmative Action.

“We are maintaining that we should be allowed to choose

Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation those who will lead us. This is what we are going to demonstrate on Monday.”

But the PDP and its governors on Friday began intense lobbying of Reps-elect to appreciate the position of the President.

Another source said: “They told us that there is no way a big party like the PDP will ignore women, who constitute a greater percentage of the nation’s voting strength. And going by the situation of things, the party may succeed in imposing its will on its Reps-elect.

“The directive is that Reps-elect must comply or face sanctions from the party. That is why governors have read the riot act to their Reps-elect. Some of us are new and we have no alternative but to abide by that decision on Mulikat. We cannot start on a controversial note.”

As at press time, there were indications that the South-West PDP was jolted by the decision of the party’s leadership and governors.

It was learnt that the zonal leadership of the party, which had adopted Ajibola, may meet this weekend.

According to findings, Ajibola left the party’s retreat abruptly on a consultation shuttle to Lagos.

A reliable source said that Ajibola might have gone to meet with ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is his godfather.

It was gathered that Obasanjo, who was away to Kenya for a greater part of the week, was scheduled to return to Nigeria yesterday.

A source added: “Ajibola and some PDP leaders in the SouthWest left the retreat abruptly for Lagos. I think they want to meet with Obasanjo.”

HE Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State has reiterated the call by states governors for a review of the country’s’ revenue sharing formula so as to enable states to meet their obligation of improved workers package.

He said there could not be a change in revenue allocation until there is an amendment to the constitution and that is why they want to negotiate, as there is the willingness to pay but only looking for support.

He, however, said what the governors are pushing for right now is an understanding that will allow small money in the states.

While not ruling out the possibility of states paying the N18, 000 minimum wage, the governor said a review of the formula, which would see states netting above what they are getting now, would further enhance the ability of the states to pay.

Amaechi, who spoke with select journalists in Abuja on the issue of minimum wage, among others, said the implementation of the new wage has become a big challenge.

He further added that there must be a way out that allows small money in the hands of state governors so that they can afford to pay this minimum wage.

On the way out, the governor said they intend to meet with President Goodlluck Jonathan, members of the National Assembly and the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to negotiate on the way out, since the law is binding and must be implemented.

“I don’t know which states have been able to implement the minimum wage. We are not against it but we are saying that if you want us to implement it, the money is not there in the states.

‘Ondo Assembly will not be Rubber-stamp’ Damisi OJO, Akure

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HE seventh Ondo State House of Assembly inaugurated on Wednesday will not be a stooge of the Executive, a re-elected lawmaker, Hon. Akindele Adeniyi has said.

According to him, the numerical strength of the ruling Labour Party (LP) members in the parliament will not tie its members to the apron string of Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

Adeniyi, who is representing Akure North State Constituency, also described democracy as a type of government that would offer opportunity for the citizenry to elect their leaders into positions of authorities.

He stressed that the present democratic experience would offer everybody equal right to express themselves on national interest.

He said democracy is very fundamental in the lives of people to enable them to express their desires to the government either directly or indirectly through their various political posts.

The lawmaker pointed out that the success recorded in the last elections was a pointer to gradual continuous development in the country.

His words: ”The success that we have recorded is one of thge best, as people are able to express their views by choosing the right leaders into the right positions.

4 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Retrenchment looms in NYSC in Southeast Nwanosike ONU, Awka

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ANY workers of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Scheme may lose their jobs, following the refusal of the scheme to recognize or promote those staff who obtained their degrees through part time studies at different universities and polytechnics in the country, especially in the South East.

Already, most of the staff of the body had started looking for job opportunities in different organizations, having failed to be promoted or recognized by the management of the scheme.

The Nation investigations showed that majority of them in some states in the South East had stayed for 15 years and above without promotions in their different department even with their various degrees.

Instead of promoting those staff who had started their part time degree programmes before they were employed and those who began theirs after their employment several years after, the scheme had gone to the labour market employing fresh graduates.

According to sources who spoke with The Nation at the weekend in confidence, “some of the staff of the NYSC nationwide who had already started doing part time (Saturday and Sunday) programmes before joining the scheme are now looking for new jobs as the management has refused to upgrade or convert them with their grades.”

Angst over FG’s silence on NDDC’s $20m offshore account probe

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NGER is brewing in the Niger Delta over the seemingly shoddy manner the Federal Government has gone about the probe of the alleged Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) $20million (N3billion) offshore account.

Stakeholders in the region have expressed shock at the turn of event concerning the investigation into the discovery of the offshore account about 30 weeks after President Goodluck Jonathan ordered an investigation into the allegation that the Managing Director of the commission, Chibuzor Ugwoha, unilaterally moved the said amount from the agency’s account in London.

This development has made two groups in the area, the Concerned Citizens of the Niger Delta (CCND) and the Niger Delta Consciousness Movement (NDCM) call on Presiden Jonathan and the

Augustine AVWODE Federal Government to make the report of the investigation public without further delay and to bring anybody found wanting to book.

The two bodies, during the week, said it was by such action that the Nigerians and the world would be sure that the fight against corruption was not mere window dressing.

It would be recalled that former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Yahale Ahmed, set up an administrative panel of enquiry to probe the alleged movement of the account in November 2010 in line with the presidential directive. Ahmed had issued a query to Ugwoha listing some of his wrongdoings which violated due process and transparent management of the affairs of the interventionist agency mandated to ensure rapid infrastructural development of the Niger Delta.

Rights groups, others condemn impeachment of Imo Speaker Emma MGBEAHURIKE, Owerri

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UMAN rights groups, party chieftains and university lectures have risen against the purported impeachment of the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Goodluck Opiah, by eleven of the 27-member Assembly.

They described the action as illegal and childish and warned of the possible breakdown of law and order in the state.

President of the Advocates for Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria, Barr John K Ogbonnaya, his counterpart of Human Rights Watch International, Barr Kevin Ikeogu, and Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, Chief Eze Duruiheoma (SAN), condemned what they called the rash and unconstitutional impeachment of Opiah and his deputy, Hon Jonas Okeke.

Similarly, the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Nze Elvis Agukwe, a lecturer, Prof Nkemjika Okoronkwo, and veteran journalist, Mazi Okeke Oti, called for the return to the status quo, arguing that in the eyes of the law, Opiah remains the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly.

Barr. Ogbonnaya said it was regrettable that those who swore to uphold the constitution “are in the forefront of raping the sacred document”.

Robbers raid Oshiomhole’s CPS’ residence

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HE residence of the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Peter Okhiria, was on Thursday afternoon raided by hoodlums who carted away property worth millions of naira.

Peter Okhiria and his family were not at home when the robbers gained entrance into the apartment through the kitchen gate.

The three-bedroom apartment was said to have been ransacked by the robbers who

Osagie OTABOR, Benin operated unhindered, picking anything that caught their fancy.

Okhiria told The Nation that he was surprised that the hoodlums carted away his wife’s jewellery box, suits, iPad, laptops, iPhone and other things.

He said he had reported the incident at the Etete Police Station, a stone throw to his off Sapele Road, Benin City residence.

•On the queue to buy kerosine

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N 82-year-old traditional ruler of Adazi Nnukwu, Chief Lawrence Oragwa, was yesterday abducted by gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

The police spokesman in the state, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, who confirmed the incident said the police had arrested about seven suspects in connection with the kidnap.

He said the police were determined to secure the release of the victim, adding that the manhunt for the

OHOTO: NAN

82-year-old monarch kidnapped in Anambra Adimike GEORGE, Onitsha

kidnappers was still going on.

But sources close to the kidnapped monarch said Oragwu was kidnapped at Agulu, the hometown of Governor Peter Obi, on his way back to his community.

He was said to be travelling in his sports utility vehicle when he was accosted at Nwagu Junction in Agulu by gunmen numbering about five.

The kidnappers, it was gathered, forced him into their vehicle, abandoning his vehicle and the driver.

At the time of this report, the kidnappers were yet to establish contacts with the members of his family.

The victim, who is the regent of the community, following the demise of the last traditional ruler two years ago, retired as a Deputy Comptroller General of Customs.

MASSOB declares 17 members in police custody missing

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EMBERS of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB), Nnewi branch, yesterday raised the alarm over the whereabouts of 17 members of the group who were detained by the police since May 30.

Addressing journalists in Onitsha yesterday, the Regional Administrator, Nnewi Region, Nze Christian Umeaka, said the missing members included a

Adimike GEORGE, Onitsha driver, Mr. Uche Ede, a pregnant woman, Mrs. Ndem Jacinta, and Mr. Favorite Asomba.

Others, according to Umeakah, were Izuchukwu Nzom and 14 others who he could not give their names, adding that the missing persons were arrested by the police and kept in their custody.

According to the Regional

Administrator, the missing members of the group were travelling in a chartered L300 bus with the registration number XC 430 NNE from Nnewichi to join their colleagues in Owerri in Imo State for the Biafra Day celebration.

The MASSOB boss said he had organised a search party for the missing members, adding that the party was led by his Director of Welfare, Mr. Nicholas Ogbu, to find out their whereabouts.

He said: “This morning (yesterday), the search party leader went back to the SCID, Amawbia. He was told that one pregnant MASSOB member was taken to hospital on Wednesday and that she had been brought back”.

Umeakah said there was no MASSOB members in any cell in Anambra State, stressing that their lives could be in danger since they were not the members of the group granted bail by a magistrate court in Owerri recently.

ANPP won’t join Jonathan’s cabinet, says Onu

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HE National Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, yesterday said the party would never join President Goodluck Jonathan’s Government of National Unity (GNU).

Onu described the report that the party would join the ruling government as misleading.

He said: “The issue of regular meetings between the major opposition political parties and Mr. President was raised. The other four opposition political parties agreed that they should be so held.

We differed. It was our position that we need to make consultations with the relevant organs of our great party before taking a decision on the matter. Our view was respected and accordingly granted.”

A statement by Onu in Abuja last night said: “It is, therefore, wrong, misleading and unfortunate for some sections of the media to insinuate that by attending the meeting, our great party had entered into a collaborative pact with the Federal Government. We remain unshaken in our conviction that a credible opposition is the oxygen of democracy. We are com-

Gbenga OMOKHUNU, Abuja mitted to this ideal and will do nothing to injure this covenant with the Nigerian people.

“The attention of our great political party has been drawn to the erroneous impression being created by some sections of the media regarding our attendance of the meeting of leading opposition parties with Mr. President on Wednesday, June 1, this year.

“Driven by the need to set the records straight, the following clarifications have become necessary: “We received a letter of invitation from the Presidency dated May 26, requesting us

to attend a meeting with Mr. President. It is important to point out that in the letter, the agenda of the meeting was not stated.

“Regardless of this, we decided to attend the meeting out of respect for the office of Mr. President. Further, it is common knowledge that our presidential candidate in the recently concluded general elections has already congratulated Mr. President on his election. We are, therefore, not in court to challenge the result of the presidential election.

“At the meeting which was also attended by the leadership of other four leading opposition political parties, our great party protested to Mr.

President on the absence of the agenda for the meeting in the letter of invitation. Accordingly, it was agreed that in future, the agenda for such a meeting will be clearly stated ahead of time.

“Our great party also drew attention to the shortness of time between when we were invited and the scheduled date for the meeting. We requested for enough time to enable us make consultations with relevant organs of our great party before attending such meetings with Mr. President. Again, our point was taken and it was resolved that in future, more time would be given to enable parties prepare before attending such meetings.”

Chime appoints SSG, COS, CPS, others

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ORMER chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu State Council, Mr. Chukwudi Achife, has been appointed the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sullivan Chime.

Achife, until his appointment, was the Senior Special Assistant (media) to the governor. Also appointed yesterday was Mr. Amaechi Okolo as the Secretary to the State Government, while Mrs. Ifeoma Jane Nwobodo retained her position as the Chief of Staff, Government House.

Other appointments made were those of Head of Service, Mr. Dennis Eze; Accountant General,

Chris OJI, Enugu Mrs. Eunice Ugwu, while Mr. G. O. C. Ajah became the Permanent Secretary/Chief Administrative Officer to the governor.

All the appointees took their oath of office administered by the deputy governor of the state, Mr. Sunday Onyebuchi, yesterday.

Onyebuchi charged them to take their jobs seriously, as being the first to be appointed underscores the importance of their positions.

NEWS 5

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Disquiet in UNIJOS as court stalls new VC’s resumption date

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HE atmosphere at the University of Jos (UNIJOS) looked tense as a court put on hold the assumption of office of the new Vice Chancellor, Prof.

Hayward Mafuyai on June 13, pending its ruling on a motion for interlocutory injunction restraining the authorities of the university from giving effect to his appointment.

The motion in question was brought before the court by a former Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences in the university, Prof. Innocent Ujah and the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).

Justice E. J, Allagoa of the Federal High Court in Jos made the pronouncement on Wednesday, during a hearing on the motion.

The judge said it would not be appropriate for the new VC to assume office on June 13, as this would be rather preemptive and could jeopardise the interest of the plaintiffs.

He, therefore, asked that the status quo ante be maintained, pending his ruling on June 22.

Marie-Therese PETER, Jos

He said although ruling on the injunction sought by the plaintiff could go either way, it would serve the cause of justice if the status quo ante was maintained until the ruling.

Ujah and NMA had dragged the authorities of the university to court, claiming that the process that led to the appointment of Prof. Mafuyai was flawed, as the criteria set out by the university excluded medical doctors from the process of selecting the VC. The plaintiffs, through their counsel, Yusufu Pam, argued that giving effect to the appointment before hearing the substantive suit would jeopardise the chances of his clients. He added that his clients would have applied for selection and subsequent interview but for the fact that the process excluded them ab initio.

The plaintiffs had complained that two clauses in the advertisement published

by a national daily on November 30, 2010, inviting interested candidates to apply for the office of the VC were discriminatory and prejudicial to professors of Medicine and Dentistry. The two clauses, according to them, are the ones that stipulated that an applicant must be a PhD holder and a scholar of the rank of professor with no less than five years standing.

The plaintiffs’ contention was that by virtue of the fellowship they obtained from the National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria and the West African College of Surgeon and Physicians, which had been adjudged by even the authorities of UNIJOS to be higher than a Ph.D, they should not have been excluded from the process.

However, a letter of appointment had already been issued to Prof. Mafuyai and the term of the incumbent VC, Prof. Sonny Tyoden, will statutorily end on June 12.

No official of the university could speak on the matter because it is already in court.

Buhari’s party hails Jonathan, National Assembly over passage of FOI Bill THE Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) yesterday commended President Goodluck Jonathan and the National Assembly for passing the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill in to law.

The current FOI law, according to a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the CPC, Rotimi Fashakin, can only provide the plank for future amendments that can give true meaning to the na-

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THE Benue State House of Assembly yesterday unanimously elected Hon. Terhemen Tarzoho, representing Makurdi North state constituency, as the Speaker of the 7th Assembly, following its inauguration by Governor Gabriel Suswam.

Yobe tribunal sits behind closed door

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Kebbi inaugurates Assembly members, re-elects Speaker

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HE immediate past Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Alhaji Aminu Musa Habib Jega, has been re-elected as the Speaker of the House alongside his deputy.

Inaugurating the reelected Speaker and his deputy, the Clerk of the House, Mallam Usman Randale, said having met the requirements spelt out by law, Hon. Aminu Musa Habib Jega qualified to be elected as the new Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly.

Jega, who won the election into the House for a second term alongside his new deputy during the general election held in April, said he considered the inauguration as a landmark in the political history of Kebbi State.

He also described the Kebbi State House of

Khadijat SAIDU , Birnin Kebbi Assembly as one of the most peaceful and orderly in the country, adding that there had been a cordial relationship with the executive and judicial arms of government. He urged his colleagues to maintain the relationship in order to promote the growth of democracy in the state.

The Speaker reminded his colleagues about the constitutional requirement of appearances, saying that each of them is constitutionally required to attend the assembly’s sessions 181 times per session. He appealed for more co-operation from the Clerk of the House and his crew.

The Speaker appealed to other lawmakers in the House to conduct themselves within the

bounds of the constitution, urging new members to familiarie themselves with legislative procedures in order that the members might collectively achieve success in the enormous task ahead of them.

He also charged them to observe and respect the rules and regulations and and make laws that will enhance the peace, progress and prosperity of the entire people of the state.

HE State and National Assembly Elections Tribunal sitting in Yobe State yesterday held a pre-hearing session behind closed doors at the chambers of High Court III, Damaturu near the state secretariat.

The Chairman of the tribunal, Hon. Justice Pat OnajiteKuejubola and two other members of the tribunal, Hon. Justices Udu Eze and Mukhtar Yashu’a, announced through the secretary of the tribunal that “Your Lordships have decided that the hearing be held in the chambers rather the courtroom.”

The announcement generated an argument between the two senior advocates present (Yusuf Ali and Joe Kyari Gadzama) who immediately moved to the chambers for the pre-hearing session.

But the Secretary of the tribunal prevented journalists from entering the chambers, arguing that it was only a pretrial session.

“No, no, you press(men) can’t go in. It is just a pre-trial session. So, you don’t have to go into the chambers. The only thing I would do for you guys is to brief you about what transpired in the session,” he said.

The pre-hearing, which did not last up to an hour, came to a close as lawyers emerged from the chamber with their fat books and bags.

The tribunal has adjourned sitting till June 14, 2011 for the hearing of the two petitions before it.

...as Dakingari dissolves EXCO

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tion’s democracy and radical change from the culture of impunity that had characterised our brand of democracy in the past.

The statement reads: “The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), as a political party, hereby expresses satisfaction with the signing into law the Freedom of Information

(FOI) bill. Undoubtedly, this opens a new vista into the ease of access to information for the engendering of responsible democratic governance.

“Whilst commending the outgoing legislature and President Goodluck Jonathan for the courage and forthrightness in bringing about this law, there is still a long way to go in bringing about the needed stability that unfettered access to information brings.”

Benue elects Speaker as Suswam inaugurates 7th Assembly

Duku JOEL, Damaturu

•. From left: Bishop Daniel Olinya, Bishop of Missionary Diocese of Eha-Amufu in Enugu State; Bishop Owen Nwokolo, Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Anambra State, and Bishop Jonah Ibrahim, Bishop of Kantangora Diocese, at the Second session of the twenty-eight PHOTO: NAN Synod of the Anglican Diocese on the Niger... yesterday

Gbenga OMOKHUNU, Abuja

HE Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Saidu Dakingari, yesterday ordered the dissolution of the state’s Executive Council, including his special advisers, senior special assistants and all special assistants, with immediate effect.

The governor said they should hand over all government property in their possession to the permanent secretaries of their respective ministries.

Meanwhile, Dakingari has also approved the reappointment of Architect Ahmad Muhammad Sama as the Secretary to the State Government[(SG), while he wished its outgoing members God’s guidance in their future endeavours.

Uja EMMANUEL, Makurdi Dr. Steven Omenje of Ado Constituency was elected the Deputy Speaker, while Hon. Paul Biam of Ukum Constituency was elected the Majority Leader.

Speaker Tarzoho and his deputy, Omenji, took the oaths of office before other members were sworn in.

In his inaugural address, Governor Gabriel Suswam charged the lawmakers to render service to the people of Benue State in order to move the state forward.

He said he would do his best to ensure a harmonious working relationship between the executive and the legislature, just as he assured them of the payment of the lawmakers’ entitlements as and when due.

Tarzoho, in his acceptance speech, said although the majority would always have their way, he would allow the minority to have their say.

Shortly after the inauguration, supporters of the ACN members who stormed the assembly complex in their hundreds, turned the complex into a carnival spot as they waved brooms and danced and sang in dialect to the admiration of many people, who turned out to witness the event.

The Benue State House of Assembly has 20 PDP lawmakers eight ACN, a slight improvement on the last assembly where the ACN had none at all.

The current session is expected to be one of the most vibrant in the history of the state.

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6 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Fashola urges FG to take more interest in welfare of members of the Armed Forces

l’ll run transparent government, says Jonathan

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P

AGOS State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday appealed to the Federal Government to take a more than passing interest in the affairs and welfare of the men and officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The governor, who spoke at the official commissioning of Captain House which is the corporate headquarters and studios of Bi Communications Limited, the producers of ‘Crime fighters-The Police and You’ in Sabo, Yaba, added that their welfare, development and prosperity within the barracks require very urgent attention by the President.

Governor Fashola, who spoke against the backdrop of the recent clash between military men and the Police in Badagry, a development

which he said saddened him, added: “These are men who have committed their lives to the protection of the territorial integrity of our country. If we pay good attention to their welfare, it would be easier for us to ensure that we keep men and officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces in peace time, peacefully and gainfully employed and engaged.

“This is because their constant interactions and movement into the city, setting up businesses within the cities, outside their barracks, operating transportation outside their barracks and doing those other things which apart from civil daily life can only be subject to civilian law and when this happens, when the Police which is in charge of maintaining civil order, you are likely to have the kind of

clashes and engagements that we have”.

“We should recognise that members of the Armed Forces are also members of the society that have chosen the profession, but we must assist them to become professional and prosperous so that they do not necessarily veer while in service into areas that bring them into regular contact and friction with members of the civil society and the Police”, the governor explained.

Governor Fashola said now is the time for Nigerian lawmakers to pick the gauntlet by enacting laws for the peace, order and good governance of the country, stressing that they should consider how to decentralise the operations of the Nigerian Police Force.

He dismissed fears that decentralising the operations of the Police will put the security of the nation in jeopardy, adding that a fully centralised Police Force cannot provide the desired security to Nigerians.

He said the law would dictate the role to be played by each and possible areas of cooperation, adding that if it is well run and organised many of the young men seeking employment opportunities after their education would readily take up jobs with the Police Force.

He noted that if states have High Courts and State Houses of Assembly which makes law, it is anomalous in the Nigerian federation that they do not have the powers to enforce their laws.” If we have modelled our constitution after the American experience, then what are we pretending about?”, he asked.

Citing a recent example, Governor Fashola reiterated that the arrest, detention and trial of the most powerful man in the world financial sector which is the International Monetary Fund was carried out by the city of New York Police which is the equivalent of a Local Government Police and not even the state or federal Police are interfering in the United States.

The governor said with the strength of the Nigerian Po-

•Fashola

lice Force at less than 500, 000 to over 150million people which is far below the global standard for policing with indicators that the Federal Government cannot employ and sustain more, the states should be given some major roles and responsibilities.

He said in the last four years, Lagos has given over 500 vehicles in collaboration with the Local Governments and the State Security Trust Fund, 20 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), thousands of bullets proof vests, rifles and ammunitions, stating that clearly the capacity exists for the states to do more.

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday reaffirmed that he will ensure transparency in all governmental process no matter the situation.

Jonathan, in a statement posted on his facebook page said: “I meant what I said and to give effects to my words, I signed the Freedom of Information Bill within 24 hours of its receipt by the Presidency from the National Assembly on May 27.

“I am fully committed to removing the veil that has for long covered the activities of government. As I told you several times on this page but particularly on May 12, 2011, it is the desire of this administration to build trust between the government and the led and every action I take will be in fulfilment of that commitment because just as I said in my inaugural address, “you have trusted me with your mandate and (by the grace of God) I will never let you down”.

The statement reads in part: “On May 23, I made a statement on this page to the effect that since transparency in the 2011 elections had brought

Gbenga OMOKHUNU, Abuja about a reduction of election disputes by 75 per cent, I would ensure that disputes in all aspects of our national life are minimised by ensuring transparency in all governmental processes.

“So now the Freedom of Information Bill has become the FoI Act, I expect Nigerians to take advantage of it.

“In the 80s, we heard of Glasnost (Openness) and Perestroika (Restructuring) from Chairman Gorbachev and as a result the Berlin Wall came down.

Today in Nigeria, there is a breath of fresh air that has ushered in an era of transformation and transparency and the walls of corruption will be brought down not just by the government but by you the good people of Nigeria because by my act of signing this bill into law, 150 million pairs of eyes have been opened to see transparently what was hitherto opaque and the result surely must be an improvement in the art of leadership and followership throughout the length and breadth of Nigeria.”

Lagos West to produce Speaker

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HE next Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly will come from the Lagos West Senatorial District, it was learnt yesterday.

The decision to ‘zone’ the position to the West District was taken at the apex leadership meeting of the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) led by Otunba Oladele Ajomale.

The National Legal Adviser, Dr. Muiz Banire, confirmed to reporters in Lagos that the East District conceded the slot to the West in the spirit of political brotherhood. He added that the party’s decision was final.

The East District will now produce the deputy speaker of the House of Assembly, a source disclosed.

Party insiders confided that the East District, through that deft move, has gained the more in the process of wheeling and

Emmanuel OLADESU dealing.

Two aspirants for the speakership are; the incumbent Speaker, Hon. Yemi Ikuforiji, a native of Epe, and the Majority Leader, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo. Although the name of Hon. Funmi Tejuoso, from Mushin Constituency, was touted in the media, Banire, former Commissioner for Environment, said that she was not in the race.

He added: “She is from my constituency and, if she had that ambition, she would have notified me. There is no politician in our constituency who has ambition and will not inform those of us who are leaders”.

Also, following the decision of the party to zone the slot to the West, the agitation by Ikorodu Division, Lagos East, for the position fizzled out. The

contender from the division, Hon. Sunai Agunbiade, may however, emerge as a principal officer of the House.

Party sources hinted that the odds favoured Ikuforiji (Ikeja), now a three-time member of the House.

ACN sources maintained that the top echelon of the party preferred Ikuforiji, judging by his loyalty and service to the party as one of the legislators who insisted on clear separation of powers and checks and balances.

However, the East District, which is the home district of the Speaker, voluntarily conceded the slot to the West, knowing that its son will be the principal beneficiary.

It is the forerunner of what is to come. Instructively, the source added: “ACN is returning members to the era of party supremacy and party discipline.”

Sterling Bank, FirstRand end merger talks

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HE merger talks between Sterling Bank Plc and South Africa’s FirstRand, the country’s second-largest banking group, has ended after the duo could not agree on “terms for the deal.”

FirstRand said in a statement yesterday it had terminated talks to acquire stake in Sterling Bank. “The parties have been unable to agree mutually acceptable terms,” the South African bank said.

Banks in South African according to Reuters, are keen to expand in Nigeria, al-

though the process so far has had plenty of hurdles. In 2009, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) injected N620 billion into nine banks deemed by auditors to have become so weakly capitalised that they posed a threat to the entire country’s banking system.

Sterling Bank was one of the lenders that passed the 2009 special audit.

FirstRand, which has said it was looking to invest “meaningful amounts of capital” in Nigeria, said it still believed the country would be a key market for its Africa expansion

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At the close of business yesterday, shares of FirstRand were down 1.6 percent, while shares of Sterling Bank were little changed.

Sterling Bank had announced a post-tax profit of N5billion for the year ended December 31, 2010. This was against the previous year’s N7.2 billion loss.

The Bank according to the results, which was recently approved by the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), sustained its profitability achieved in the third quarter driven by improved margins and control in operating costs.

“At 21%, the Bank’s Return on Average Equity is in the first rank percentile among all banks,” the Bank said in a statement.

Speaking on the Bank’s results, Group Managing Director, Yemi Adeola, said: “I am glad to report our full year performance, which was in line with our expectations and consistent with broad sector performance and wider economic trends. A stronger balance sheet position arising

from the clean up in 2009, reduced funding costs, and supportive government policies, in particular, the takeoff of the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) served to re-ignite confidence in the banking sector.

“We were able to grow our loans by 25% and reduce nonperforming loans by 44% through a combination of loan recovery and sale of impaired assets to AMCON. “Sterling Bank’s business fundamentals provide reassurance on the validity of our business model and execution capabilities on the strategy, albeit tempered by exogenous factors including low interest rates and lower asset yields.

“Refining our strategy and strengthening our capital position through the infusion of long-term debt were also major items on our management agenda in 2010. Leveraging that improved capital position as a basis for supporting institutional profitability is a key priority for our management team in the coming months and we expect to see the payoff in 2011.”

8 COMMENTARY

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

A bishop’s perfect marital example F

EW things have inspired me in the recent past like an interview the Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Peter Adebiyi, granted a national newspaper penultimate Sunday. It did not only reveal how uncaring and distrustful many of us have been as husbands, it has also, in the manner of the late former Nigerian President, Dr. Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, shown the light for the rest of us to find the way.

His stance on money, the root of all evils (including broken homes), must have endeared him to many and cause many others who had merely respected him to now adore him. Even his female interlocutor must have been shocked to learn that the priest’s wife is the one that holds the key to the family’s vault.

Admitting the high rate of divorce in homes during the interview, Rev. Adebiyi, who has been married for 41 years without a quarrel with his wife, said: “The first cause is incompatibility because many people marry for the wrong reasons. There is also the issue of money. I don’t lend money to my wife.

Neither does she borrow from me. If I have, I give. It is too late not to trust each other again. We have enjoyed our lives together and God has blessed us. If I die today, all that I have belongs to my wife. If she likes, she

can give to her children. All my accounts have been changed to her name. When you allow money to rule you in a marriage, it crumbles.”

According to an American author, publisher and businesswoman, Helen Gurley Brown, few things are as romantic in marriage as the man signing the cheque for the woman.

“I could write my own cheque, but I like him (husband) to give it to me. Money is sexy,” she said. The trouble, however, is that these days fewer husbands are willing to let their wives know how much they have in their bank accounts for fear that they could demand a part of it. A mere demand for chop money by the wife and the failure of the husband to supply it is known to have sent many spouses into early graves.

A woman who thinks that happiness in marriage consists in the man joking with her and staying at home at night can as well find an alternative in a television set. In his book, The Complete Idiot’s Guides to a Healthy Relationship, Dr Judy Kuriansky noted that money is one of the top three sources of tension between couples, sex and raising kids being the other two. Identifying the money issues that could result in serious marital problems, Kuriansky noted that a crisis could occur if the two partners in a marriage differ on how much should constitute a reasonable amount to be spent on anniversaries, birthdays and other special occasions; financial crisis resulting from unemployment, layoffs or pink slips, as well as other matters like food, clothes, electricity and doctor’s bills.

But these are issues that can be firmly resolved in a relationship where the wife does not only know how much the husband has on him per time, but also realises it when the husband is broke. Rev. Adebiyi took a

‘

Already, I have constituted a committee of the whole house, comprising myself, my wife and our children, to work out the modalities for changing my salary account to my wife’s name. Depending on what the committee decides, I may even go a step further by changing my surname to my wife’s nee name

’

step further by submitting all his cheque booklets to his wife and changing all his bank accounts to her name. In such a setting, nagging, a monster that constitutes perpetual threat to marriage, has no place. .A commentator said “a happy marriage is a matter of giving and taking; the husband gives and the wife takes.”

There can hardly be a happier home than one in which the husband is the head of the family and the wife is the neck. And there can be no better way of achieving this than making the woman the controller of the family’s finances. It is only by so doing that the neck can control the head as naturally ordained. And everyone in the family is bound to be happy because nagging, the notorious breaker of homes, will become a thing of the past.

There is nothing entirely new about this arrangement. Many years ago, I attended a

A President and his speeches L

ET’S give it to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, his speech writers are arguably the best collection that any leader from this clime has been blessed with. By the way, I noticed that his other ‘names’—Azikiwe, Mainasara and Omoluabi—were conspicuously overlooked during the oath-taking proper at his inauguration last Sunday. Perhaps, it was a signal that politicking has had ended, synthetic attachments had to be discarded as the arduous task of transforming Nigeria had just begun.

Nevertheless, it was humbling seeing a man from the backstreets of a region that has been thoroughly despoiled taking an oath of allegiance as the nation’s First Citizen.

Whichever way we look at it, the Jonathan story is an inspirational tale that should wake up the deadened cells and ignite hope in this thick miasma of hopelessness. If wellpackaged and backed with good intentions and productive fruits, the Jonathan journey may just be the magical tonic that will rekindle our dwindling hope for a better tomorrow.

For now, that blurred hope is buried in the shallow water of lamentation which tends to flow ceaselessly. Years after years, the hope that many cling to has been receding like a mirage for majority of the citizens.

If all we need to get out of the deep mess the nation has found itself are inspirational speeches padded up with stimulating poetic cadence, then none could have been more appropriate than Jonathan’s. I still remember how he got us drooling last year at the Eagle Square when he made public his intention to run for the highest of office in the land. I remember how he touched that tender part of humanity by appealing to our sentiment. How many ordinary citizens will find it difficult to acknowledge God’s power and great possibilities when the sandal-less son of a poor canoe carver mounts the national podium to speak of hope? I recall how he pulled us to his side by recanting the tale of an ordinary boy from Otuoke village who lived to achieve his dreams. I couldn’t have forgotten so easily how he vowed to put Nigeria on the right path because, like he said, he could also feel our pain.

Hear him again: “I was not born rich, and in my youth, I never imagined that I would be where I am today, but not once did I ever give up. Not once did I imagine that a child from Otuoke, a small village in the Niger Delta, will one day rise to the position of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I was raised by my mother and father with just enough money to meet our daily needs.

“In my early days in school, I had no shoes, no school bags. I carried my books in my hands but never despaired; no car to take me to school but I never despaired. There were days I had only one meal but I never despaired. I walked miles and crossed rivers to school every day but I never despaired. Didn’t have power, didn’t have generators, studied with lanterns but I never despaired.

“In spite of these, I finished secondary school, attended the University of Port Harcourt, and now hold a doctorate degree. Fellow Nigerians, if I could make it, you too can make it. My story symbolizes my dream for Nigeria. The

dream that any Nigerian child from Kaura- Namoda to Duke town; from Potiskum to Nsukka, from Isale-Eko to Gboko will be able to realise his God-given potential, unhindered by tribe or religion and unrestricted by improvised political inhibitions. My story holds out the promise of a new Nigeria.

A Nigeria built on the virtues of love and respect for one another, on unity, on industry, on hard work and on good governance.”

Therefore,, we can relatively assume that the man who swore to an oath on May 29, 2011 at the Eagle Square is no stranger to the Nigerian problem. Having foraged for fate in the same tough environment that has turned many into living like recluse or psychiatric test case, Jonathan could be said to be fully prepared to begin a transformation process that would change the old order and return dignity to the larger populace who have been dehumanized by the system. But then, this might as well be an expensive assumption if Mr. President fails to put his hands on the plough as soon as the ceremonial aspect of the job is over. Any man that speaks with such passion and angst against a system that he feels has delivered little must surely be coming to the table with something different. That, to my mind, was what Jonathan attempted to put before us in his well-publicized inaugural speech. He had clearly spelt out what he planned to do with the power handed over to him by the people.

And what did •Bukola Saraki he say?

In simple plain language, Jonathan listed his priorities as including, among others: spearheading the fight against corruption; ensuring improved medical care for all; leading the process for democratic growth in Africa; engendering first class education; fulfilling his promise of electricity for all; paying special attention to agriculture and providing efficient, affordable public transport system. He also promised a safer Nigeria so that investments could thrive. He touched on the essentials and waxed lyrical. He employed the right words to soothe nerves. It was his moment and he luxuriated in it.

His words: “You have entrusted me with your mandate, I will not let you down. I know your pains because I have been through it and I am one of you. The time of lamentation is over. This is the time for action. But Nigeria can only be transformed if we all play our parts with commitment and sincerity.”

That was the man with the bowler hat speaking. Now, speechmaking is over. The appeal to sentiment is gone. It is action time. How will Jonathan fare?

Well, it is too early in the day to say. Already, some have lauded him for signing the Freedom of Information bill into law. They said he made the right choice in picking Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim as Secretary to the Federal Government of the Federation. He has been commended for thinking outside the box in putting together his cabinet and for speaking out against the shameless lobbyists who wanted plum political appointments for their wives, relatives, concubines and hangers-on. However, are these signs of the success story to come?

Yet we need to ask some questions. Has it ever occurred to

couple’s 10-year wedding anniversary. After the husband’s speech, it was clear to every discerning mind that the wife had been the one wearing the trousers for the 10 years they had been married. “Ladies and gentlemen,” said the humble husband. “When this marriage was contracted 10 years ago, my wife and I agreed that I would take the major decisions in the house while she take the minor decisions. But I am happy to inform you, ladies and gentlemen, that after 10 years, there has not been a major decision.”

One cannot but wish that every Nigerian man would adopt the Adebiyis’ model of marriage; the secret behind a union that has lasted for 41 years without a quarrel.

Impressed by the clergyman’s example, I have started setting the machinery in motion towards adopting this laudable model.

Already, I have constituted a committee of the whole house, comprising myself, my wife and our children, to work out the modalities for changing my salary account to my wife’s name. Depending on what the committee decides, I may even go a step further by changing my surname to my wife’s nee name, in keeping with the biblical instruction that the man (not the woman as it is now done) should leave his father and mother and cling to his wife.

Besides, adopting her nee name as my surname would erase whatever doubt she nurses in respect of my commitment to the new order. Already, I have told her that, as a matter of necessity, I am willing to step down as the head of the family. It makes no sense to pretend to be the head of the family when such responsibilities as the children’s school fees, provision of food and payment of rent and electricity bills are money matters which only my wife’s signature can address.

Knucklehead With

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

these persons that these could as well be mere flashes that could amount to nothing at the end of the day? How many times in the history of this country have we seen leaders who would start on a high and, in a short moment, succumb to the pressures and wily intrigues of the powerful elite? How many times have we seen them abandoning those things that required urgent national attention only to end up embracing the mundane? How many times have our dreams of a better tomorrow been deferred by the hollowness of their empty promises? How many times have we rejoiced over a welltimed speech only to discover that the one who delivered it never remembered a single word out of the high-falutin pledges he made?

One thing is clear: Leaders are not scored high just because they took some good steps and made some good choices in the beginning. History judges them in accordance to how well they were able to comport themselves and handle power in the overall interest of the people. Mr. Jonathan is in this for a long haul. This journey will take him four years to complete. Just barely five hours into that journey, there were signs that it was not going to be a smooth ride with bombs going off in key cities of the North; one was dropped in Zuba, very close to Abuja to maim and kill innocent citizens.

This is not just an affront on his presidency; it is aimed at testing his resolve to rein in the perpetrators of this despicable act.

It may not be out of place to say that the 518 citizens killed in Kaduna, the corps members whose dreams were malevolently crushed in Bauchi and others whose innocent blood were spilled during the April 2011 post-election violence have become sacrificial lambs to democracy and the birth of this administration. Indeed, the blood of the April 2011 martyrs has watered the tree of freedom and democracy in Nigeria. Leadership failure at this point in history would amount to a callous denigration of their supreme sacrifice and President Jonathan must know this.

What is required now is more of productive action and less of speechmaking. Will Mr. President step up to the challenge or will he continue with the show of helplessness that has seen his government roaring with righteous rage each time bombs decimate the lives of innocent souls? Let him chew on these things as we wish him all the luck towards meeting our justifiably huge expectations. He surely needs loads of good luck

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

9

‘Y

OUR freedom ends where my nose begins’ is a statement often used in political science teaching to illustrate or admonish the excesses of those who think freedom has no limit. Yet there are some who have not even tasted freedom not to talk of having a surfeit of it.

The unique experience and hope of nations, leaders and people at both ends of the spectrum of freedom, form the kernel of our discussion today, together with the attendant security posed by the availability of freedom or a sore lack of it in any political system, institution or even the world at large. We shall dwell extensively on the just concluded whirlwind diplomatic shuttle of US President Barak Obama that took him to Ireland, UK and ended at the G 8 Summit in France. We shall also focus on the transformation strategy for Nigeria’s future and socio-economic development enunciated in the May 29 Democracy Day Swearing in ceremony of Nigeria’s not- so -new President Goodluck Jonathan. In the free to roam world of twitter and the internet, we shall look at the consequences for global peace and security, in the light of the new US strategy on cyber security announced on May 31 2011, the revelation by Google, the global search giant on June 1 2011, that Chinese computer hackers have launched a campaign to steal e-mails and data belonging to US politicians, key military officials, Chinese pro – democracy activists, and journalists.

Appropriately, Obama’s European tour started with the formulation at home of the new US Middle East Policy[ MEP], a day before the arrival of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington for a meeting with the US president. The new MEP announced by Obama said the US wants a two state solution to the problem of the Middle East [ME ] involving a secure Israel and a viable Palestinian state existing side by side with the borders as at before the 1967 Six Days War. Obama stressed that the US remains a staunch ally of Israel which must be ready to acknowledge that times have changed and work towards peace.

In the new MEP, Obama noted that even though the ME is far from American shores the future of both are interwoven by economics, security history and faith. He spoke of the new US readiness to support the street revolutions going on in the Middle East. The new US MEP Policy acknowledged that the quest for freedom by the Arabs on the streets of Cairo, Tunis, Damascus and Aden have historical precedents in the history of US civil rights struggle as well as the fight against racial discrimination in the USA . Obama then announced a US debt cancellation of $ 1 bn for Egypt and loan guarantees of the same amount. This he said is to show that democracy needs to be funded to provide food for the table of the masses in the Arab world and to show US support for the democratic revolution for freedom going on in that part of the world Of course the new MEP was unacceptable to Netanyahu and he said as much during the Press Conference addressed by both leaders at the White House.

Netanyahu said the new MEP

New strategies on freedom and security

makes Israel’s borders indefensible and is meaningless .Nevertheless as Obama left for Europe and Netanyahu went to speak to the US Congress at the Capitol, he was treated as a hero for defying the US president.

He was reportedly given 30 standing ovations by US legislators for saying in his speech why Israel does not accept the new US MEP that asks Israel to revert to its 1967 borders. Nevertheless as subsequent events would show, Obama’s new US MEP had set the tone for his speeches on his tour of Europe.

In Ireland where he visited a village where his great grand father, on his mother’s side, was a cobbler he was given a rousing and emotional welcome like the biblical prodigal son on his return to his father’s estate. Obama was christened O’bama by the Irish as he comforted them on their recent economic travails and took a deep sip of the national product Guinness stout .In the UK he was given a state dinner by the Queen in which he claimed British citizenry as his grandfather was a soldier in the British army, albeit a cook .The Queen attended Obama’s return dinner at the US Ambassador’s residence in London even though the standing protocol was that the Queen does not attend such return dinners .In addition Obama was given the very rare privilege of addressing at Westminster Abbey the combined audience of both Houses of Parliament where he cracked a

Will the Americans call the Chinese cyber theft an act of war and declare war on China its biggest creditor?

I really doubt that.

One thing is clear though, the US will not take kindly to anybody nation or institution tampering with its power supplies or industrial computer control systems as it regards such actions as acts of war joke on the tall act of speaking at a place where the last three speakers were the Pope, Nelson Mandela and Her Majesty the Queen .In his Westminster Abbey speech the US president called on Britain to join the US in providing a joint leadership for freedom in a new world . He refused to accept that the two nations should quit the world stage because of the emergence of new powers but emphasized that the time is ripe for them to lead because of their shared history and ancestry in the evolution of democracy, and as champions of respect for human rights, equality, liberty they are bound to support

the thirst for freedom now manifest on the streets of the ME .That speech tacitly admitted that Britain and the US must protect and indeed lead the struggle for freedom in the ME because they have experienced such in their history and know where the shoe pinches.

Which really is similar to what Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan was saying at his Inauguration on May 29 in Abuja?

President Jonathan said towards the end of his speech ‘I know your pain because I have been there. Look beyond the hardship you have endured. See a new beginning, a new direction, a new spirit ‘.

Which in the Nigerian context is a tall order indeed? This is because Nigerians voted for Jonathan because of who he is.

But till now except for his profuse gratitude to one and all including foreign heads of states at his inauguration, there is no sign that anything is going to change in Jonathan’s new Nigeria .Instead he has promised - not threatened - to fight for the nation’s future , health, electricity and job creation as if this was 1960 .The real fear is that he could be defeated by those issues or persons he is bobbling and weaving to fight .When indeed as president ,on whose table the buck stops he could announce measures that would make potential opponents to his resolve to create jobs and electricity especially the generator importers -to take flight immediately instead of waiting around to see how he intends

to fight them successfully.

Compare this to how the US and the G8 nations have addressed the issue of free and fair elections, freedom and security. The G 8 invited three African nations that just concluded free and fair elections to the G8 meeting and that included Nigeria, Guinea Conakry and our neighbor Niger Republic. President Jonathan could not go because of his inauguration. Yet Nigerians are proud of such recognition after the global opprobrium of our last massively rigged elections of 1999, 2003 and 2007 .In addition the G8 invited Tunisia and Egypt to the summit and offered a loan of $6bn through the World Bank to both countries. At the prodding of the G8 , Saudi Arabia is giving aid worth $4bn to Egypt and Quatar is investing $10 bn in the Egyptian economy to create jobs and provide economic succor for the Egyptian economy .So really the Arab states are being made to enjoy the dividends of democracy and that makes the struggle for freedom worth the while and banishes the pains of years of tyranny and oppression in the ME .

Lastly, the US in apparent desperation and realization that desperate diseases need desperate measures has formulated a cyber strategy on hacking that is like the Hebrew law of Moses that endorses ‘an eye for an eye ‘. Under the new cyber strategy any nation identified as interfering or hacking computer control systems in the US will be retaliated against by the US not necessarily through the cyber space but by any traditional military option chosen by the US provided the retaliation is commensurate with the provocation. According to the new US Cyber strategy ‘cyber attacks from foreign countries that threaten widespread civilian US casualties like cutting of power supplies and shutting down emergency response networks could be treated as an act of war under the new policy .’ The policy is however silent on attacks by

terrorists not working for a nation state.Given the recent allegation against Chinese authorities on e –mails of key US military personnel and Chinese activists on democracy , one wonders how the US is going to implement its tough new policy on cyber crimes against the state.

Will the Americans call the Chinese cyber theft an act of war and declare war on China its biggest creditor? I really doubt that. One thing is clear though, the US will not take kindly to anybody nation or institution tampering with its power supplies or industrial computer control systems as it regards such actions as acts of war . There really is a lesson to be learnt from this US cyber strategy and that to me should be the attitude of the Jonathan Admninstration in Nigeria to our incessant power shortages which have paralyzed our industries and created avoidable unemployment for our youths .

Luckily the coming of Jonathan should be the available and fast solution to our electricity nightmare. The new president is cyber savvy and has like US President Barak Obama used the internet and Facebook to garner political support and win the presidential election. He therefore does not need to be told that the internet flourishes on electricity just like industries and facilities like hospitals and other vital infrastructure .If only because of his friends on Facebook the president should make electricity available as of right to every Nigerian home and not through expensive diesel, petrol and generators.

But then 22m Nigerians voted for Jonathan and his friends on Facebook are said to be just over 600, 000 .Which means he can not afford to be seen only as a virtual or cyber president but as the blood and flesh , 24/7 president of all Nigerians who are right now in darkness and are waiting for him to bring the light at the end of a very long tunnel ; and very fast too . Good luck, President Goodluck Jonathan.

10

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

NEWS 11

Survivor recounts lucky escape... campaign office in Ilorin on Friday evening. May they rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord, and may their families have the fortitude to bear the loss,” Kwara ACN Chairman Kayode Olawepo said in a statement in Ilorin.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the rather insensitive and pathetic attempt by the Kwara State PDP to treat with levity and to attempt to suppress the truth surrounding the death of many Kwarans at the Abdulfatah Ahmed’s campaign office. Reports are that as many as 70 people died in a stampede on Friday while scrambling for money, bales of clothe and other Greek gifts being given out by the PDP. In a barefaced lie borne out of insensitivity and disrespect to the families of the deceased, the government has sought to pass off the tragic incident as “an accident in which two people died.

“The remote cause of these tragic deaths is the failure of the PDP government to address in any meaningful way, with sound and wellthought out policies, the poverty levels in the state.

Instead, the PDP-led government continues to be contented with dishing out largesse, and it does so with catastrophic consequences.

“We recall that last year, at the same place in the same way, there were multiple deaths of Kwarans at their hands. That tragic and unfortunate incident was hushed up in the same way as they are now seeking to do.

“It would seem that not only has the PDP led government failed in their duties as a government to those who lost their lives while they were alive, it is also failing to honour their memories and their families in death. How long must people continue to die meaninglessly because of a failure of a government? The government must put a stop to this ‘hand-to mouth politics.’

Accordingly, the ACN has asked the state government to probe the circumstances that led to the death of scores of people at the PDP campaign office. In a petition addressed to Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed and the state’s Commissioner of Police, Peter Gana, the state Chairman of the ACN, Mr. Kayode Olawepo urged the state government to set up a judicial commission of inquiry to probe circumstances surrounding the incident.

The letter reads: “The commission should, among other things, investigate the cause of the deaths; who was responsible for them and how such an incident may be averted in the future. In addition, the commission should recommend where criminal offences appeared to have been committed, the prosecutions of the culprits.

“The proceedings and the report of the commission should be made public so as to win public confidence in the process and to avert any allegation of a cover-up.

“In our view, therefore, not only is the state government duty-bound to take decisive steps to investigate what has

,

•Continued from Page 7

When I was hungry, she wanted to give me money but I told her that I had money on me. I bought a loaf of bread and one bottle of soft drink within the premises. We were on the queue together, but that was the last time I saw her

,

happened and to take steps to prevent its re-occurrence, doing so will be the decent

•Scene of the party

and honourable thing to do in the circumstances.

“This demand for a judicial probe is without prejudice to

our petition before the electoral tribunal challenging the legitimacy of the current PDP administration in the

state.

“We commiserate with you and with all the people of our dear state for the tragic loss of

multiple lives at the Mandate/ PDP campaign office on May 27, 2011. Our views on the tragic incident have been publicly documented.

“However, as you will recall, a similar incident at the same place, also claiming multiple lives, occurred last year during the Eid El Kabir season. No meaningful action was taken by the government then, nor was there any official acknowledgement given to the incident.

“Perhaps if the incident had been investigated and recommendations made to address its cause, the tragic deaths of May 27 might not have occurred.

“Not to have a repeat of the incident and to demonstrate to the whole world that in Kwara State we firmly believe in the sanctity of life, this probe becomes imperative. It goes without saying that it is the state government’s duty to protect the lives of its citizens.”

12 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Cabinet list: Jonathan put to task over 35 percent positions for women

T

HE National President, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Asabe Baba Nahaya yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to demonstrate his goodwill in the pledge for 35 percent in all appointive positions for women.

Jonathan, according to NAWOJ, is also urged to support the candidature of any qualified female member for the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja on the development, Mrs. Nahaya explained that: “there is no scarcity of capable and willing Nigerian women to serve this great nation in all positions in government and other spheres of public life.

“We will continue to pressurise; this is democracy, we will lobby. The president has spoken well. We believe in him and his capability. We pray that one of the women mentioned will be speaker..

They have the capacity to lead.”

In the recent democratic history of Nigeria , the NA-

She said: “In the Senate, a woman has never occupied a principal officer rank. In the outgoing 6th National Assembly, seven out of the eight female senators were committee chairpersons; out of 56 standing committees, some of their male colleagues chair more than one committee.

“In the House of Representatives, some progress was recorded where a female member held the post of Deputy Chief Whip before ascending the rank of Speaker in 2007. Other principal offices such as House Leader, Chief Whip and strategic and majority of Committee Chairmanship have gone to male representatives. Of the 27 female representatives, only five are chairpersons of the 85 standing committees of the House.”

•Jonathan Gbenga OMOKHUNU, Abuja WOJ boss said, women have been consistently under-represented in the legislature and more under-represented within the leadership structure.

The Nation’s reporter robbed Damisi OJO, Akure

A

ONE-MAN robbery squad on Thursday raided the residence of The Nation’s reporter in Akure, Mr. Leke Akeredolu and dispossessed him and other family members of many valuables and cash.

The incident occurred around 1.00 a.m at Old Custom building in Ondo Road, Akure, the state capital.

During the operation, items such as laptop computer, five handsets and cash were carted away by the suspect.

Police officers in Fanibi Division have however arrested a young man, simply identified as Mr. Ogedengbe Segun, in connection with the robbery.

According to Akeredolu ,“it was like watching a film. I was sleeping around 1.am when I saw a man pointing a touch at my eyes and ordered me to face the ground and never look up. He threatened to kill me if I shout or disobey his order.

“After he was through with my own room, he went directly to my elder sister’s room where he also threatened to kill her and ordered her to bring her money and phones out. He later came back to my room and locked me up and also left with my key.

“After the suspect left my apartment, I and my brother around 5 a.m moved around our area just to check if we could detect any trace of the crime. On our way home, I saw a young man, (Ogedengbe Segun) holding my laptop and when I confronted him, he quickly asked me to take back the laptop claiming that he picked it on the ground. We quickly alerted the police and he was arrested immediately.“ Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Adeniran Aremu, confirmed the arrest, stressing that investigation was on.

He added that the suspect would be prosecuted if found culpable.

Eckankar seminar ends THE Eckankar seminar tagged: Recognising the everyday blessings of God which started on Friday at Rockview Hotel, Apapa, Lagos, ends tomorrow.

According to the chairman of the Planning Committee, Eckankar, Lagos South Area, Mr. Muyideen Bello, the seminar is free and open to everybody.

According to Bello, the seminar would provide a forum for attendees to interact with like-minds, who are seeking spiritual truth to find answers to their nagging questions about who and what they are, their true relationship with God and life generally.

Speaking at the occasion, the Lagos Area Director of the Eckankar, Chief Sylva Emoekpere, said: “There is no better time time than now, in the life of our nation, to have a theme which explores the need for every Nigerian to sit back and count the many blessings in world acclaimed, free, fair and credible elections which ushered in a new administration in the country.”

Emoekpere said the attendees with individual spiritual quests, will find answers in the workshops addressing their needs.

SUDOKU ST

1 STEP IN SOLVING PUZZLE: (304) Look at the 3 middle vetrical (def) 3x3 boxes. The bottom box has 7 in cell Gf, while the middle box has its 7 in cell De. The top box must, therefore, have its own 7 in column d, where all 3 cells are vacant. But, since row

PUZZLE 304

A 7 B 1 C 3 9 D 7 E 7 4 F 1 G 2 8 7 H 8 7 I 2 5 6 a

b

c

d

e

f

1 3 4 6 7 5 4 5 7

g

8 6 3 h

i

29/5/2011

A already has a 7 - in cell Aa, and row C a 7 in cell Ci, the only space available to accommodate 7 in the top box is cell Bd Reasoning along these lines, try and fill in all the other vacant cells.

Solution on SATURDAY. Happy Puzzling!

SOLUTION TO PUZZLE 303

9 2 3 5 8 4 1 7 6

6 4 7 1 9 2 3 5 8

8 5 1 3 6 7 4 2 9

2 3 6 7 4 9 8 1 5

5 9 4 8 3 1 2 6 7

7 1 8 5 2 5 9 3 4

3 7 5 4 1 8 6 9 2

4 6 9 2 7 3 5 8 1

1 8 2 9 5 6 7 4 3

13

Saturday

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

SPECIAL My father was murdered seven months to retirement 23-year-old daughter of DCO killed in Badagry army/ police clash

Propertydeveloper arrested for letting a building to 125 accommodation seekers

Plight of widows

The mourning after Saturday Thriller /19

I’m not a play boy - Ghanaian actor Majid Michel

Screen / Page 23

Crime / Page 17

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

‘I may join the police to avenge my father’s death’ Kehinde, Okedusi, 23, is the daughter and forth child of the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Mr. Samson Okedusi, killed recently in Badagry, Lagos State, during a clash between some soldiers and policemen. Kehinde, who is a 300 Level Biochemistry undergraduate of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, recalls her last moments with her deceased father, in this encounter with KUNLE AKINRINADE:

F

OOTWEARS of all kinds competed for space at the entrance to the building on No 3, Sam Tayo Street, Magbon, Badagry penultimate Friday.

Inside the expansive living room, hordes of sympathisers spoke in hush tones.

Seated on a mattress spread in a corner of the living room were Omotayo and Elizabeth, two widows of the slain Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) of Badagry Police Station, Mr. Samson Okedusi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

While Omotayo merely stared into space, Elizabeth was completely oblivious of the goings on around her, including the arrival of the reporter. Completely lost in thought, she fidgeted with her fingers.

Breaking her silence after some time, Omotayo, the younger widow, said: “My husband was my father, my brother and my comforter. Even his children are happy having him as a father.

He took very good care of his family. I never regretted getting married to him for 15 years.”

Recalling the moments before the late minion of law met his untimely death on his way to a peace meeting called by the Commanding Officer of the Ibereko Army Barracks, she said: “It was a very big shock to me, because on that day, we slept together and even had a bath together before he set out

Is it a crime to be a •Widows of slain policeman? DCO pose

for work. He had told me on Sunday May 22, 2011 when he returned home at 11pm, that some policemen at his station were involved in a clash with some soldiers and that there were casualties.

“He added that because the Divisional Police Officer was on casual leave, he had to go to the station. I persuaded him not to go, but he explained that the soldier who caused the problem was actually caught smuggling rice into the country on a motorbike. He was flagged down by policemen, but the soldier, who was said to be in mufti, alighted from the bike and engaged the policemen in a hot argument.

“In the middle of the altercation, the soldier was said to have attempted to dispossess one of the policeman of his rifle, but he mistakenly pulled the trigger, the bullet hit him and he (soldier) died instantly.

“When my husband got to office that fateful day, the DPO had resumed. My husband handed over his phone to the DPO, who assured me that there would not be any problem because the Commanding Officer was his kinsman and friend.

Both of them and the Operations Officer set out for the peace meeting, not knowing that the soldiers had already laid an ambush for them.

“It was my husband who actually drove the DPO in his new Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) to the ill fated peace meeting where they both met their untimely death.

“My husband was killed around noon and he was left at the spot for several hours. The soldiers even prevented sympathisers who wanted to remove his corpse from doing so. They removed everything he had in his pocket.

“If the soldiers were not the ones who killed him and his colleagues, as they want people to believe, why did they prevent people from picking up his corpse until the CP had to intervene? My husband was a DSP while the DPO was a CSP. If they could be killed that way, only God knows what would be the fate of the rank and file.”

She lamented the fate of the family since the painful exit of her husband, saying: “When my husband was leaving home on Tuesday May 24, 2011, he only left the money for our upkeep for that day, not knowing that he would not return. Now, as a full-time housewife, who will take care of me and the children?

“Since his death, we have been feeding from hand to mouth.

What we had never eaten before is what we have now turned to.

The only thing we have been eating is frozen fish, and I am very

sure that by tomorrow, we may not even have anything to eat, because we have exhausted the fish. Is this how we will be left to suffer?

“He had four children in the university, an aged mother and many other dependants. I have told the Lagos State Commissioner of Police that our immediate challenge is feeding, and he has promised to send something through the Area Commander. But more importantly, what we want now is justice, so that my husband and his colleagues would not die in vain.”

Omotayo had barely landed when the senior wife, Elizabeth, took over the chat, recalling how she met the late policeman.

She said: “I have been married to my husband for 31 years now.

I am from Delta State, but I have lived all my life in Abeokuta where my husband and I met before we got married. He was transferred to Lagos in 1992. But

15

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

‘

•Continued from Page 14

Yes, if I’m offered employment by the police I will take it and use it to avenge my father’s death

W

HERE is your twin sister?

She has gone to submit some class assignments at school. She is also an undergraduate of Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) IjebuOde, Ogun State.

What kind of man was your late father?

My father was the best dad in the world. When he was alive, I used to tell him that he was not supposed to be a police officer but a counsellor, because of his wisdom and wise counsel.

He was quite unassuming.

He had a unique way of calling me ‘Kende’. I have seen quite a number of policemen around, who drink and womanise. But my father never indulged in all that. He was God-fearing and a policeman with a difference. When I was younger, he called me ‘Aunty K’ and called my twin sister ‘Aunty T’.

How did you receive the news of his death?

I was actually sick then. But I left the hospital to see my Head of Department (HOD).

It was while I was in his office that I received the news of my father’s death. It was a huge shock. I nearly ran mad because I never in my wildest imagination thought he would die in the next 10 years. But my friends managed to hold me down, because I was so devastated.

But I was later led back to the hostel. From there, I went to see my pastor and I stayed in the church till later in the day.

What was the last moment you shared with him?

’

•Late Okedusi

It was in January, during the New Year celebration. He sat with all of us (children) and we were all happy talking to him. He had two wives, but he never allowed us to see one another as half

brothers or half sisters. He was the rallying point of the family. He always kept his words.

When was the last time you spoke with him?

That was about three weeks

ago.

What did you discuss?

I actually called him to ask for the balance of my school fees. My tuition fee is N100, 000, and he had paid only N50, 000 out of it. He told me he was in Abuja and that he would send the balance as soon as he returned. True to his word, he sent me the money when he returned to Lagos. Unfortunately, the day he was killed was exactly one week after he sent the money to my bank account.

He was just seven months away from retirement when he was killed.

What is your reaction to the way he was killed?

Even if it was a clash between some policemen and soldiers that eventually led to his death, I think the way he was gruesomely killed calls for questioning.

How could some misguided soldiers kill an officer of the law that way? He was killed like a fowl while his lifeless body was left in the open like

a dog for about 12 hours.

They did not only kill him, they also removed his money, phone and jewellery.

My grandmother is still alive and I don’t think she has been told about her son’s death, because it is a bad thing in Yorubaland for a grown up child to die while his parents are still alive.

If you are offered employment in the Police Force, will you take it?

I will take it. But I might use it to avenge his death.

Really?

Yes, if I’m offered employment by the police I will take it and use it to avenge my father’s death.

What will you miss most about him?

I will miss his fatherly love and his laughter. He had a unique way of laughing, which I so much love. But beyond that, I will miss his care, because he was the one financing our education and that of the members of his extended family members.

Sometime ago when there was a clash involving some students and okada (commercial motorcycle) operators, many students were arrested by riot policemen, including myself.

Believe me, my father made sure we were released from police detention the same day. Now, who will take care of us and our mothers?

What I want in this matter is justice. I also want our finances to be taken care of by Nigerian authorities, because our mothers can’t bear the burden alone since our benefactor (father) has been gruesomely killed by heartless soldiers.

‘

Since his death, we have been feeding from hand to mouth. What we had never eaten before is what we have now turned to. The only thing we have been eating is frozen fish, and I am very sure that by tomorrow, we may not even have anything to eat, because we have exhausted the fish

•The late Okedusi’s widows

being a classroom teacher in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State, I could not follow him down to Lagos. I have four children for him and they are all in the university on his bill.

“My husband was a very nice man and he was quite unassuming. He could not hurt a fly. Although I am based in Abeokuta, I visited him on a regular basis and we loved each other very

much.

“When I heard about his cruel death in the hands of soldiers, I quickly rushed down to Lagos.

I was surprised to hear that the soldiers who killed him did not

even allow his corpse to be removed from the spot where he was killed. This made me very sad and I cannot but wonder if it is a crime to be a policeman in Nigeria.

’

“My husband was the breadwinner of the family, including his aged mother. When things like this happen, it only makes one to wonder whether we are still under military rule. We want justice to be done in this matter because of the cruel way he was killed alongside his colleagues. We don’t want soldiers on the investigative panel but civilians of high integrity, so as to ensure justice.”

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

•The late Ismail’s residence.

Inset: His body after hanging himself

34-year-old painter commits suicide while preparing for his wedding T

HE peace in the neighbourhood of No. 19, Adebiyi Street, Somolu, Lagos State was disrupted on Tuesday May 24,2011 with the decision of a tenant in the building, Ismail Kalejaiye, to take his own life.

Ironically, it was a day that should have been one of the happiest in the in the life of the deceased 34-year-old painter, Ismail Kalejaiye. After a lull in his business, he had just secured a painting contract worth N200, 000 and had even bought the materials he would use to execute the job.

But moments after he returned from the mosque where he had gone to perform the Muslim prayer, known as Asri at 4 pm, he went straight to his room and hung himself with a rope tied to the ceiling of his apartment.

His neighbours were, however, oblivious of the tragic development until Kalejaiye’s younger brother, who lives with him, returned from work around 6 pm. He discovered that the door to the apartment

Kunle AKINRINADE had been locked from inside.

Wondering what could have gone amiss after knocking at the door repeatedly without a response, he decided to force the door open only to be confronted by his brother’s dangling body.

The bizarre discovery made him to raise the alarm, following which neighbours rushed to the scene for a glimpse of the gory sight.

The landlord of the building, Mr. Sunday Mate, said he was not aware of the incident until the deceased’s brother broke the news to him.

He said: “I was shocked when his brother, who lives with him raised the alarm upon discovering the body of his late brother dangling from the ceiling. No one could comprehend the reason for his action, because he did not leave any suicide note. He was such a gentle person. I had never seen him quarrel with anyone since he moved into my house.”

Findings revealed that Kalejaiye’s girlfriend had earlier visited him on the fateful day.

‘

Only recently, one of his brothers in the US offered to take him abroad when he (Kalejaiye) complained of a lull in his business. You won’t believe that while his body was still dangling from the ceiling, the same brother also called his mobile phone

,

She was said to have left him around 2 pm after helping him out with some house chores.

One of his sisters, identified simply as Nurat, was said to have visited him in the morning and had promised to talk to their elder brother, who is based overseas, to assist the deceased financially.

Some tenants of the building, who pleaded anonymity when they spoke with our correspondent, said they were shocked that Kalejaiye, who they described as unassuming, could take his own life.

A co-tenant said: “It was shocking to discover that Mr. Kalejaiye, who we popularly called Alfa, could commit suicide. He was such an easygoing man and he never had any quarrel with any of us since he moved into this house a few years ago. Only God knows what could have led him to take such a misguided decision, because he was planning to get married soon. In fact, his girlfriend was here today and

she left in the afternoon.”

It was gathered that the mother of the deceased, who was yet unaware of the sad incident, called his mobile phone many times while his body dangled from the ceiling. One of his brothers based overseas was also said to have called him on the phone during the tragic moment.

Findings further revealed that his foreign-based brother had offered to facilitate his journey to the United States of America when the deceased complained of business downturn a few months ago.

A source said: “Only recently, one of his brothers in the US offered to take him abroad when he (Kalejaiye) complained of a lull in his business. You won’t believe that while his body was still dangling from the ceiling, the same brother also called his mobile phone.”

A highly placed police source at the Alade Police Station, Somolu, Lagos, confirmed the incident.

17

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Property developer arrested for letting one building to 125 accommodation seekers •Allegedly dupes them of N45m

A

•Some of the angry victims at the SFU Headquarters, Ikoyi, Lagos

They put‘a lot of pressure on me. I collected money from about 1,000 people. And to show my honesty, I have given money back to more than 800 people. Why is this small number pressurising me? I built the house with my money before they came to me...

‘

N alleged Lagos most wanted fraudster, 46-yearold Seun Abiodun Adeyemo, who allegedly obtained the sum of N45,000,000 from more than 125 accommodation seekers with a promise to get them befitting apartments in his phantom estate at No. 32 Adebisi Omotola Street, Isolo Lagos, has been arrested by the operatives of the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) Ikoyi, Lagos.

Briefing newsmen on the big catch, the unit's Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Isintume, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the suspect was operating under the corporate name, Shoreyan Properties Nig. Ltd, using a building located at No. 32 Adebisi Omotola Street Isolo, Lagos as an office. That was where he allegedly received hordes of accommodation seekers in the city, whom he promised various forms of apartments.

Isintume said the SFU, in its renewed war against fraudsters, arrested the self-acclaimed property developer, who she said specialised in robbing accommodation seekers of their hard earned money.

She said following a complaint the Unit received from a legal firm, Precision Associates, on behalf of their client, one Mrs. Modupeola Opaade, detectives from the Unit arrested Adeyemo, who used a one-storey building located at No. 32 Adebisi Omotola Street Isolo, Lagos to defraud the complainant.

She said the complainant alleged that in her quest to secure a befitting accommodation, parted with the sum of N740,000 for a twobedroom flat on November 5, 2010.

But on May 19, 2011, she discovered, to her chagrin, that another tenant was occupying the flat she had paid for.

Isintume said in the course of SFU's investigation, it was discovered that the suspect, operating under the name Shoreyan Properties Nig. Ltd, had defrauded more 125 prospective tenants of a total sum of N45 million, using the same property.

She said after swindling 125 tenants of the outrageous sum, the suspect disappeared into thin air, but he was arrested on May 23, 2011. Adeyemo, she said, had admitted committing the crime.

The PRO said further investigation revealed that Adeyemo's act was a deliberate ploy to fleece the unsuspecting victims of their money, which he then used to complete the building.

Explaining his role in saga, Adeyemo said he was in his office when the victims approached him that they needed accommodation desperately. "I told them to be patient but they started putting pressure on me. The time I gave them had not expired but they were putting pressure on me," he said.

The one-storey building contains eight units of two-bedroom flats and two units of self-contained room, which he said he had planned to give them in batches as the renovation of the building progressed.

He also said that he paid the money the victims gave him to some people who needed it to acquire about 500 acres of land in Badagry. "They needed between N22 million and N23 million to

•The suspect

Ebele BONIFACE acquire the land," he said.

He said although he is not the owner of the estate in question, he is the developer. He added that the building was 95 per cent complete at the time the victims approached him. "My target was to complete works on the building between September and November 2010, but the victims were not patient.

They put a lot of pressure on me. I collected money from about 1,000 people. And to show my honesty, I have given money back to more

than 800 people. Why is this small number pressurising me? I built the house with my money before they came to me. Estate developing is my business and it is duly registered. I am not defrauding anybody.

"I did not charge them too much.

A two-bed room flat was given to each tenant at the rate of N750,000, while a mini flat was given to them at the rate of N500,000. They were not patient. They were putting too much pressure on me. If they give me time, I will refund their money.

But for now, I don't have a dime to

give them, because I have committed all the money to my project."

One of the victims, Prince Reginald Ogbonna, who said he was into corporate printing and publishing, said one of the victims named Mr. Edwin Ihejirika, was in a coma and had been rushed to the hospital on account of the disappointment he suffered in the hands of the suspect.

Ogbonna said he realised to his greatest surprise that more than 10 persons had paid for the twobedroom flat after he paid the the suspect the sum of N600,000.

Another victim, who identified himself as Seun, said he paid the

sum of N740,000 for a twobedroom flat. He said: "I paid by instalment. The first instalment was N250,000 and the second was N490,000, bringing the total sum to N740,000. To my greatest surprise, I am the fourth person who paid for the same flat. One is a lawyer, the other is a customs officer, while the third is an employee of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)."

The third victim, a female, who pleaded anonymity, said the suspect used the sum of N280,000 she paid for a self-contained room to lodge in a hotel, where "he drank choice wine and ate peppersoup with my own money. When I discovered that he is a fraudster and told him to refund my money, he called me a foolish woman."

The last victim, who also pleaded anonymity, said although he commended the operatives of the SFU for arresting Adeyemo who he said had been boasting that the divisional police officer could not arrest him because he was highly connected, he would prefer the Unit's Commissioner to release him (Adeyemo) to them so that they could skin him alive and use his flesh for pepper soup, since he had said he had not even a single kobo to refund.

Isintume, however, said the suspect would soon be charged to court for obtaining money under false pretences/stealing.

The Commissioner of Police for SFU, Chinwike Asadu, advised members of the public to always carry out a thorough investigation before parting with their hardearned money, so as not to fall into the hands of fraudsters in their desperate quest for accommodation. He also advised anyone who had been defrauded to come forward with evidence.

17

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Property developer arrested for letting one building to 125 accommodation seekers •Allegedly dupes them of N45m

A

•Some of the angry victims at the SFU Headquarters, Ikoyi, Lagos

They put‘a lot of pressure on me. I collected money from about 1,000 people. And to show my honesty, I have given money back to more than 800 people. Why is this small number pressurising me? I built the house with my money before they came to me...

‘

N alleged Lagos most wanted fraudster, 46-yearold Seun Abiodun Adeyemo, who allegedly obtained the sum of N45,000,000 from more than 125 accommodation seekers with a promise to get them befitting apartments in his phantom estate at No. 32 Adebisi Omotola Street, Isolo Lagos, has been arrested by the operatives of the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) Ikoyi, Lagos.

Briefing newsmen on the big catch, the unit's Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Isintume, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the suspect was operating under the corporate name, Shoreyan Properties Nig. Ltd, using a building located at No. 32 Adebisi Omotola Street Isolo, Lagos as an office. That was where he allegedly received hordes of accommodation seekers in the city, whom he promised various forms of apartments.

Isintume said the SFU, in its renewed war against fraudsters, arrested the self-acclaimed property developer, who she said specialised in robbing accommodation seekers of their hard earned money.

She said following a complaint the Unit received from a legal firm, Precision Associates, on behalf of their client, one Mrs. Modupeola Opaade, detectives from the Unit arrested Adeyemo, who used a one-storey building located at No. 32 Adebisi Omotola Street Isolo, Lagos to defraud the complainant.

She said the complainant alleged that in her quest to secure a befitting accommodation, parted with the sum of N740,000 for a twobedroom flat on November 5, 2010.

But on May 19, 2011, she discovered, to her chagrin, that another tenant was occupying the flat she had paid for.

Isintume said in the course of SFU's investigation, it was discovered that the suspect, operating under the name Shoreyan Properties Nig. Ltd, had defrauded more 125 prospective tenants of a total sum of N45 million, using the same property.

She said after swindling 125 tenants of the outrageous sum, the suspect disappeared into thin air, but he was arrested on May 23, 2011. Adeyemo, she said, had admitted committing the crime.

The PRO said further investigation revealed that Adeyemo's act was a deliberate ploy to fleece the unsuspecting victims of their money, which he then used to complete the building.

Explaining his role in saga, Adeyemo said he was in his office when the victims approached him that they needed accommodation desperately. "I told them to be patient but they started putting pressure on me. The time I gave them had not expired but they were putting pressure on me," he said.

The one-storey building contains eight units of two-bedroom flats and two units of self-contained room, which he said he had planned to give them in batches as the renovation of the building progressed.

He also said that he paid the money the victims gave him to some people who needed it to acquire about 500 acres of land in Badagry. "They needed between N22 million and N23 million to

•The suspect

Ebele BONIFACE acquire the land," he said.

He said although he is not the owner of the estate in question, he is the developer. He added that the building was 95 per cent complete at the time the victims approached him. "My target was to complete works on the building between September and November 2010, but the victims were not patient.

They put a lot of pressure on me. I collected money from about 1,000 people. And to show my honesty, I have given money back to more

than 800 people. Why is this small number pressurising me? I built the house with my money before they came to me. Estate developing is my business and it is duly registered. I am not defrauding anybody.

"I did not charge them too much.

A two-bed room flat was given to each tenant at the rate of N750,000, while a mini flat was given to them at the rate of N500,000. They were not patient. They were putting too much pressure on me. If they give me time, I will refund their money.

But for now, I don't have a dime to

give them, because I have committed all the money to my project."

One of the victims, Prince Reginald Ogbonna, who said he was into corporate printing and publishing, said one of the victims named Mr. Edwin Ihejirika, was in a coma and had been rushed to the hospital on account of the disappointment he suffered in the hands of the suspect.

Ogbonna said he realised to his greatest surprise that more than 10 persons had paid for the twobedroom flat after he paid the the suspect the sum of N600,000.

Another victim, who identified himself as Seun, said he paid the

sum of N740,000 for a twobedroom flat. He said: "I paid by instalment. The first instalment was N250,000 and the second was N490,000, bringing the total sum to N740,000. To my greatest surprise, I am the fourth person who paid for the same flat. One is a lawyer, the other is a customs officer, while the third is an employee of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA)."

The third victim, a female, who pleaded anonymity, said the suspect used the sum of N280,000 she paid for a self-contained room to lodge in a hotel, where "he drank choice wine and ate peppersoup with my own money. When I discovered that he is a fraudster and told him to refund my money, he called me a foolish woman."

The last victim, who also pleaded anonymity, said although he commended the operatives of the SFU for arresting Adeyemo who he said had been boasting that the divisional police officer could not arrest him because he was highly connected, he would prefer the Unit's Commissioner to release him (Adeyemo) to them so that they could skin him alive and use his flesh for pepper soup, since he had said he had not even a single kobo to refund.

Isintume, however, said the suspect would soon be charged to court for obtaining money under false pretences/stealing.

The Commissioner of Police for SFU, Chinwike Asadu, advised members of the public to always carry out a thorough investigation before parting with their hardearned money, so as not to fall into the hands of fraudsters in their desperate quest for accommodation. He also advised anyone who had been defrauded to come forward with evidence.

18 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Three weeks after they were trapped in hospital by medical bills, an NGO sets poor parents of triplets free W

HEN David Olelewe and his wife, Josephine, woke up on a Wednesday morning, they did not know it would be a special day. It was May 25, three weeks after the birth of their triplets, an incident that was supposed to usher in joy but constituted a source of sorrow for the poor couple. But this was before the Fatima Charity Foundation (FCF) came to their rescue.

Josephine had given birth to the children on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). But family members and neighbours waited in vain for their arrival. It turned out that the couple could not take the babies home because they could not afford the hospital bills.

With his meagre earnings as an Okada (commercial motorcycle) rider, it was difficult for Olelewe to fend for his family. Before Divine, Destiny and Diamond were born, the couple already had three-yearold Princess (three) and 16-monthold Angela. The birth of the triplets therefore constituted more responsibilities than the young man could bear. In fact, he was devastated by the news of a set of triplets joining his poor family. “I would have run away but for my friend who encouraged me,” he said.

Overwhelmed by the development, he approached the head office of The Nation in Lagos and cried out for help, following the family’s humble condition, was published in The Nation on Monday, May 23.

In the publication, Olelewe had said although he was happy to have the children, it was difficult to cater for them. He said: “Can I say I do not wish to have these babies?

They are God’s blessings. But it is difficult for a man to cater for three babies at once. Maybe one would have been more acceptable.

However, I am still very grateful to God… Every day, we buy N1,350 worth of diapers.”

He had complained that his wife’s continued stay in the hospital was fuelling the bills because there was no way she could stay away from the children.

And for Josephine, the story was not any different. Although she was happy to have a set of triplets, she also feared that the family who could barely survive before the triplets’ arrival, hence the children could go hungry and might not be able to get good education. Buying baby formula, she reckoned, would not be easy for a poor family like hers.

The couple then seized the opportunity of the publication to call on well-meaning Nigerians for help. “I need help from the President, the Lagos State Government and other good people of our great country,” Olelewe said.

As expected, many kind-hearted individuals and organisations were moved by the family’s story of penury. Among them was the Fatima Charity Foundation (FCF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) headed by Alhaja Bintu Fatima Tinubu. But while others merely shook their heads in pity for the couple, FCF rose to the challenge and chose to bring succour to the troubled family.

Three days after the publication,

•The tripplets

Evelyn OSAGIE the foundation paid the couple a visit at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and promptly settled the hospital bills of the mother and the children, which, according to FCF, was about N150, 000. The foundation also gave the couple babies items and cash worth over N300, 000.

But what could have inspired the gesture? Our correspondent asked the FCF president. Although the organisation is still working towards its formal inauguration, she said it decided to bring succour to the family after a thorough investigation, based on the story they read in The Nation.

She said: “When I saw the story of the couple in The Nation, seeking help after they were delivered of a set of triplets but could not afford to pay the bills and take care of the children, I was touched. I spoke with my sisters at Fatima Charity Foundation about what help we could render.

After our investigation, we found that the story was true and that they really needed help. So, we got together and were able to raise donations worth N500,000 for the couple.

“With it, we were able pay the hospital bills worth about N150,000 for both mother and children. We also settled some other expenses they had incurred. FCF also bought them all kinds of baby items and gave them a cash donation.

“Others who also supported us were the former first lady of Lagos State, Chief (Mrs.) Oluremi Tinubu, now a senator-elect for Lagos Central, and a son of mine. I was about leaving the house that Wednesday when she called. I told her about my mission and she said she would have loved to follow me.

But she ended up supporting it with N50,000. We made the presentation on Wednesday, May 25. To God be the glory,” Alhaja Tinubu said.

Needless to say that Wednesday evening was one of the happiest in the lives of the Olelewes. They had

•Alhaja Tinubu (3rd right) and other members of FCF presenting gift items to the Olelewes (3rd&4th)

sat mourning their fate when members of the FCF, led by Alhaja Tinubu, walked into the ward with the nurses. “It was a dream come true,” the couple said.

“I must confess we were taken by surprise. I could not believe it. We did not know it would happen so soon,” Josephine added.

Olelewe returned home with his family that night, rejoicing. He said: “It was a serious celebration that ended with thanksgiving to God. I have not yet got over it. We were really happy. I, in particular, was glad that they helped to lift a burden that was threatening to crush me.

Till now, I am overjoyed and shocked. I thank God for Alhaja and her foundation, and the former first lady. God will bless them, because He has used them to answer our prayers.”

The medical bills may have been settled, but the Okada rider said he would love to own a bike. According to him, he could not continue to cater for his family from the meagre earning he got from a bike owned by someone else, to whom he makes a daily return.

He said: “I would love to own a

bike, because with it, I would be able to cater for my family. After the day’s job, by the time I check my expenses on fuel, levies and the returns I make to the owner, I have only very little to take home. And my wife is not working.”

Again, Olelewe’s prayer of owning a bike of his own is on the verge of being answered. With its mandate as economic empowerment and bringing succour to people’s lives, the FCF President said the foundation had pledged to buy him a brand new bike by month end.

“When we met them, Mr. Olelewe complained of not being able to cater for his family because he does not own a bike and that the one he is using now is rented. We promised him, by the Grace of God, that by the end of the month, we are going to get him a brand new Okada, which he would be using to cater for his family,” she said.

Even though it was the first rescue mission of the organisation, which is billed to formally kick off later in the year, Alhaja Tinubu said FCF would continue to embark on such missions to bring succour to the

•Alhaja Tinubu (right) with the mother of the tripplets

needy in line with its mandate in such areas as economic empowerment for widows and the needy, scholarships for indigent students and the establishment of an all-encompassing home for the aged to be called FCF Old Peoples Home, among others.

20

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

•Dr. Imam

•Unigwe

Widows: The mourning S

OFTLY, she cried; parting the past with a stream of tears. No fresh joy had emerged to displace the five-month-old bitterness in her heart. But you wouldn’t know this until you ask. One hundred and sixty seven days after Tunrayo (surname withheld) lost her husband, a popular Lagosian, and two of her three kids to a fatal vehicle accident, the 43-year-old is in the depths of despair. She is heartbroken, lonely and flat broke “in spite of the enormous wealth my husband left behind,” she said.

Now, a fiery bitterness pervades her heart, compounding her woes and fanning the flaming embers of hatred she never thought she was capable of. Following the accident that claimed her husband and children’s lives, Tunrayo was fingered as the chief culprit by her in-laws. “They accused me of killing my husband and children even though I sustained injuries in the accident. They said I killed him to inherit his property. His sisters beat me up and rolled me in the mud at his funeral.

“They accused me and my surviving daughter, a four-year-old, of witchcraft. They warned me to pack my belongings and leave their brother’s house immediately after his funeral. They denied me the 40-day mourning rite in his house. They took control of his car dealership and seized all his cars including the one he bought for me. They chased me out of the house with the dress I had on at his funeral,” she said in a fit of tears.

Ever since, Tunrayo had been squatting with a distant male cousin and his family in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State. “Life has been so hard on me. My late husband never allowed me to take up paid employment. He was paying me some stipend every month. He said he wanted me to have enough time to take care of the family.

The little I was able to save I have expended…I have to contribute to the family upkeep in my cousin’s house. He never asked but I just feel it’s the right thing to do. More so, his wife stopped being hostile immediately I started contributing my quota to the running of the house. Now that I have exhausted all I have

on me, she has returned to being hostile. I think she wants me out of the house. But where will I go now?” lamented Tunrayo.

Like Tunrayo, Mabel Okoro, 64, struggled through palpable grief to tell her story and perhaps, for the umpteenth time, make sense of it. Born into a family of eight in preindependence Anambra State, Mabel was given to a 46 – year – old trader at the age of 13.

His name was Peter and he was her father’s friend. The daughter of Godswill and Abigael Dadzie was told by her father and paternal uncles that Peter would train her.

“Till date, I don’t know if he charmed my father or they gave me to him to compensate their inability to repay a debt, all I know is that, while I was preparing to go to secondary school, my father bought a Peugeot truck and a week later, I was dragged to Peter’s house.

They said he would send me to school but he didn’t even though he promised to do so.

Instead he got me pregnant and apprenticed me to Beulah, his sister who was a hair dresser.

Seven years later, we relocated to Lagos against my mother’s protests and we lived here until 2006 when my husband died in a road accident,” said Okoro.

And thus began her travails. Her husband’s relatives requested that his corpse be brought back to his native Umuokpu. There, they accused her of witchcraft and claimed that she killed her husband. “On my third day in the village, they took me to the back of the house at midnight and made me drink a smelly concoction from a dirty and broken calabash under the rays of the moon. Later, they took me to a river to bathe with the same concoction. Then they shaved my head and put me in a cage. At first I was made to sit on the bare floor in the cage but later, I was given a mat to sit upon. There, I was subjected to a lot of physical discomfort and pain inflicted on me by sadistic mourners. I was made to dress in black attires for 13 months,” revealed Okoro.

Afterwards, she was sent out of her matrimonial home with her three girls despite her pleas and argument that she contributed

in no small measure to its construction.

Because her kids are girls, her mother – in – law and her brothers – in – law decided to strip her of her husband’s property including her grocery stall at Mile 12, Lagos. They attempted to sell the husband’s shares but could not do so because she had the share certificates. They broke into her rooms in her absence with the aid of a retired police woman who is an aunt to her husband and carted away her jewelry and a saving of N237, 000 meant to allow the 64-year-old and her kids a fresh start.

Rekiya Muhammed, 52, was brought to Lagos following her husband’s death.

Speaking at her son’s Capitol Road, Agege residence, the grandmother claimed that she was wasting away back in Yardaje, Katsina State where she had been staying with her in – laws since her husband’s death. According to her, life there was unbearable as she was treated with distrust and indignation by her in – laws who labelled her a slut and denied her access to her late husband’s property because she refused to remarry into their family. “They wanted me to marry his younger brother who is 13 years younger than I am and I refused. For this reason, they despised and maltreated me. They never cared how I fared until my son came to forcefully rescue me from them and bring me to Lagos,” she said.

Globally and in Nigeria especially, enduring marriages eventually end with the death of a partner. The death of a spouse may be the most extreme life crisis because it severs some of the deepest emotional bonds established in a lifetime.

However, the disorganising and traumatic experience, which accompanies death of husbands, tends to be greater on women than that of men when they loose their wives.

Whereas the wife immediately becomes the primary suspect for her husband’s death, the man is immediately offered an appropriate substitution to comfort him upon the loss of his wife.

From the day a woman is born, she is subjected to discrimination and when she dies, even her burial must rflect her low status.

Native law and custom is the bane of the woman in Nigeria. It should be done away with. It is anti – development, noted AdaOkere Agbasimalo, a writer and woman rights advocate.

Widowhood rites across Nigeria In the Southwest and other parts of the country including the Ukwuani community of Delta State, Widow Leverage, popularly called Opo susu among the Yorubas involves compelling a woman to remarry into her late husband’s family - usually one of the younger brother of the deceased ‘to keep the lineage intact’ - soon after his burial. Such was the predicament of Muhammed and Fosujo, 59.

The latter from Ogun State was ordered to remarry her late husband’s younger brother after his demise but she refused. As a result, she was subjected to various forms of humiliation which she bore with equanimity until she was allegedly drugged and brutally raped by her brother – in – law. Fosujo committed suicide leaving behind three kids, a boy and two girls. Enraged by the fate of her sibling, Shade Oduntan, the deceased’s surviving sibling has instituted legal action against her sister’s in – laws.

In most parts of the Igbo society, the early part of mourning is usually the most rigorous.

In some areas, during the first 28 days, the widow is not allowed to go to the stream or the market or enter the farmland.

Certain rituals must be performed at the expiration of the 28 days before the widow can perform normal activities. Most of the widows interviewed in Ahiazu – Mbaise and Obowoh areas of Imo State stated that the first few days before her husband’s burial, a widow must refrain from washing, cooking, socialising and all other forms of normal activity. She sits and eats on the floor and her food is prepared separately.

In some areas, she is fed by another widow •Continued on Page 21

21

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

•Widows in Yardaje, Katsina State

•Victims of religious violence in Jos being given wrappers hand-made by widows

‘

They said I killed him to inherit his property. His sisters beat me up and rolled me in the mud at his funeral. They accused me and my surviving daughter, a four-year-old, of witchcraft. They warned me to pack my belongings and leave their brother’s house immediately after his funeral. They denied me the 40-day mourning rite in his house

after •Continued from Page 20

from either a broken calabash or an old plate.

Such eating and cooking utensils are used because they are thrown away after the period of seclusion. They may be handed over to an older widow who assisted the new widow during her mourning period. The older widow is not allowed to touch any part of the new widow’s body with her hands thus she uses a knife or stick to keep the new widow at arm’s length. At this time the latter is regarded as unclean. The knife or stick is also used to protect her from the spirits which may attack her during this period.

In Ogidi, Idemili, Southeast Anambra State for instance, the mourning period is 12 months during which time, the widow is restricted to the house where she sits on the bare floor for four weeks and her head is shaved. She is not allowed to talk, laugh, cook and socialize. Her attire is called Ogodo upa, that is, “mud cloth” and after seven weeks, she removes the “mud cloth” and wears the Ikpim, that is, a pitch black mourning dress for the rest of the year. This much is revealed in “Confronting Cultures,” a research by Babatundre Ahosi, a Sociologist, into widowhood rites in the country.

In Bini land, South-South Edo State, widowhood rites are in two stages. First, the widow is confined to a room outside the family house for seven days immediately after the interment of the deceased husband. She is dressed in black with her hair left unkempt and, she is not allowed to take her bath. She must look mournful and sober and must cry, morning and evening. On the seventh day, a wake keeping ceremony is held and the widow is forbidden (by custom) to sleep because, the spirit of the dead man will come around and kill her if she is found sleeping.

On the same day, she performs the semipurification rites by taking her bath around 4.am at a road junction all alone. Her safe return proves her innocence.

The second stage of mourning begins at the end of the seventh day. The widow smears

’

herself and her clothing with black charcoal and remains so for three months. At the end of the third month, the final purification, which admits her into the society, is performed. On inheritance, both the widow and property are inheritable objects.

Among the Idoma people of Benue State, the widow mourns for at least one year wearing sackcloth. She performs the cleansing ceremony with the help of her age grade (peers) at he end of the mourning period. This done, she is free to remarry either within or outside her late husband’s family. In Idoma land, the late man’s property belongs to his relations.

The widow has no share in his property neither do his children if they are still very young. If however, the children are adults, the property is shared between them and their father’s relations.

In Kano State, inheritance issue is according to Islamic injunctions. The widow observes the Takaba i.e a four-month, ten-day mourning period in seclusion talking to no one and sitting in a place. After the mourning, a widow is free to remarry within or outside the family. On the issue of inheritance, the manner in which the property of the deceased is shared is explicitly stated in the Quran.

However, human factors, especially the relationship of the widow to her in-laws, education of the apportioning parties and cultural leanings usually bring about injustices in property sharing.

A global menace Widows across the globe share two common experiences: a loss of social status and reduced economic circumstances.

Even in developed countries the older generation of widows, those now over 60, may suffer a dramatic but subtle change in their social position. The monetary value of widows’ pensions is a continuing source of grievance, since the value often does not keep up with fluctuations in the ever-changing costof-living indices, or with expectations that the older generation may have had of what life would be like in retirement.

The relative poverty of older widows and young widowed mothers and their children, due to the dismantling of welfare systems in the North and in Eastern Europe, while not comparable to the pauperisation of widows in Asia and Africa, marginalises them from mainstream society and increases their vulnerability to depression, ill health and violence.

When a woman becomes a widow, she

passes through a lot of harmful mourning rites, which are seen, by custom and tradition as “purifying rites.” Such purifying rites, according to Sarah Oloko, an associate professor at the University of Lagos, have to do with the widow shaving her hair with a blunt blade; staying at home for three months; drinking the water used to wash the corpse; sitting or sleeping on the floor for many days before the man is buried, swearing an oath that she has no hand in the man’s death.

If eventually the widow remarries from the same family, she’s forced to “re-adjust”. She becomes one of the several wives of the new man. She, who was used to having a nuclear family, would now be forced into adapting to a polygamous setting with all its problems – fighting, quarrelling, pettiness, envy and jealousy, taking turns to serve the man and so on.

In some communities in the east, the widow is made to go through the Ajayin rituals twelve days after the burial of her husband for cleansing. This has to be done by the Ajayin priest who, during the ceremony, would have carnal knowledge of her. In yet another community in the east, the widow would have to go to bed with ten men as part of the cleansing ceremony. All this is believed to cleanse the widow from the dead man’s spirit and it’s also believed that if the ceremony was not carried out, the man that would marry the woman will die. Refusal to perform these rites by the widow is seen as an abomination and she would then be ostracised. Now, a widow in such a situation runs the risk of contracting one of the sexually–transmitted diseases (STDs) from any of these men,” she said.

Taming the monster In November 1998, Communicating for Change (CFC), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) produced a 30-minute documentary: Till Death Do Us Part, an exposé on the dehumanising treatment three women endured at the death of their husbands. The film was shown in Paris during the 50th Anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights’ celebrations.

With support from the Norwegian Human Rights Fund and the Ford Foundation, CFC organized a national tour of the film in November 1999 and it was shown in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Enugu states respectively because the campaigners felt widows under Muslim law suffer less, and widowhood problems are predominantly a southern and eastern problem in Nigeria, the project did not include any screenings in northern Nigeria.

However, a national bus campaign ensured that the coverage wasn’t limited to just these three cities.

Numerous organisations such as the Women, Law and Development Centre (WLDC), the Ministry of Women Affairs and Youth Development, and the Widows Development Organisation (WDO) assisted CFC on panel discussions accompanying the shows.

A number of widows gave moving testimonies on how they overcame the challenges of widowhood and have healed

their lives. The awareness raised pushed government agencies to renew their commitment to addressing this important issue on the national agenda and the traditional widowhood laws in Asaba, one of the towns where the film was shot, was subsequently reviewed.

Also, Dr. Ayesha Imam, women’s rights’ activist and founding director of BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights in Nigeria has campaigned extensively on unfair treatment of widows in Nigeria and the African continent in general.

African Borderlands Community Development – Politics of Developing Nations (ABCD-PDN), a project sponsored by Northeastern University graduates and undergraduates under the leadership of Professor William Miles also donated goats recently to empower widows in Yardaje, a Nigerian Hausa community on the border of the country.

But despite these efforts, unfair widowhood practices are rife across Nigerian societies. In many parts of Nigeria, widows are still expected to be inherited by their husbands’ brothers. For women with no source of income, this is often the only way out of certain starvation and they are put under duress to accept the propositions or starve.

“Tradition is good but we must admit that it is not all good. Let us keep the good and modify the not- so- well. The loss of a husband is painful enough for any woman. Let us not compound widows’ woes by abusing them,” advised Chika Unigwe, a writer and women’s rights advocate based in Netherlands.

Likewise Sharon Egbunike, a sociologist and women rights advocate advised that the Nigerian society must stop playing rhetoric to the plight of widows. She said: “Governments at all levels must demonstrate the political will to ensure that all discriminations against women and other ungodly practices, in whatever shades and forms, are eradicated. Nigeria cannot attain its full potentials when a sizable chunk of its womenfolk continues to wallop in misery and psychological traumas occasioned by the obnoxious, jaded ill-treatment of widows.

There is therefore need for the aggressive enlightenment campaigns to push the issue into the front burner of national discourse. The awareness would push government agencies to renew their commitment to addressing the important issue on the national agenda.

Until then, Nigerian widows will live terrified, at the mercy of in – laws and societal laws which ought to protect them.-particularly disinherited widows like Tunrayo.

Today, her once animated eyes are sallow and wry, affecting a jaded sullenness that struggles through the agony on her face.

When she speaks, there is a momentary glow that smoulders with the incense of someone who understands that grief may be borne with total submission and a contentment to loathe.

It is a visage that brightens with emotion unlike the intensity of tumultuous youth.

Tunrayo’s eyes has something excruciating in them. It’s testy, chilly and seems to drone: “life is pain.”

22

H

OW would you describe your background?

I am from Okpanam, Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State. I was born in Jos, and I schooled in Delta and Enugu states. I was an immigration officer, trained at the Southern Police College in Ikeja. I attended the University of Lagos, Medical School and also the National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria. I attended a lot of policy courses abroad. I am a consultant general dental surgeon; a past Chairman, Faculty of General Dental Practice, National Post Graduate Medical College of Nigeria, where I trained post-graduate dentists at fellowship level.

I was there for almost 15 years. Today, I have a task given to me by the Federal Government as the Chairman of the Governing Council, Federal School of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu. There we train dental therapists and dental technologists up to HND level. By the Grace of God, I am battling to see that it becomes a degreeawarding institution in the near future.

People know me as Mr. Chess, because I pioneered the introduction of organised Chess to schools, universities, national sports festivals and NUGA games. I also assisted in putting it in the All African Games as a medal scoring event.

How do you feel, when people refer to you as Mr. Chess?

I feel good, because I believe that in whatever you do in life, according to my father, you must leave a legacy. You must do something positive within a given community or geographical entity, which people will remember you for. It is said that it is the character of a man that follows mourners from the grave. Not his money or his wealth, but what he lived for.

Based on that, I picked up certain areas. I have two passions in my life: dentistry and chess. And God has helped me to leave some indelible marks in those two areas for this nation. Being Mr. Chess reminds me of more than two decades of work I did to make sure that every Nigerian child plays chess, because chess is very good. It stimulates the mental intelligence of the average human being.

In Nigeria, people believe that government celebrates football and places it above other sports. Have you in any way worked towards changing this?

That is a tall order because for more than 20 years, I was associated with the National Sports Commission. Our fight was for the nation to de-emphasise the energy they give only to football as a sporting event. There are many other sporting disciplines that can

Children who play chess are usually more brilliant than those who don’t – Sylvan Ebigwei, foremost Nigerian chess promoter

•Ebigwei

bring laurels to this country, which are not being taken seriously by the authorities. This is bad. My advice to the government is, whatever they are doing for football, they should also consider other sports within the National Sports Commission. The game of chess does not cost much. After all, for 10 years, I handled chess from my office before we got government’s recognition. But the impact which the game of chess imposes on the average citizen of any nation is better than what football can do for that nation.

In football, you win and the excitement lasts for five minutes and it is gone. If you lose, the adrenalin will flow and impact negatively on your health. The game of chess helps to mould the individual in terms of personality, comportment and positive values. Chess stimulates your brain. For example, if you have four kids in your home, teach two of them how to play chess. Make the other two kids ignorant of the game of chess and watch their growth and personality pattern while growing up. Watch their academic activities, especially in mathematics and the sci-

,

Dr Sylvan O. Ebigwei is a general dental surgeon. He is the Chairman, Governing Council of the Federal School of Dental Technology and Therapy. But rather than call him his names, friends and associates prefer to address him as Mr Chess, because he is reputed as the man that popularised the game of chess in Nigeria. DUPE OLAOYE-OSINKALU caught up with him at President Goodluck Jonathan’s inauguration dinner in Lagos recently and he spoke about his pioneering efforts in making chess as a laurel-winning event in Nigeria and how he succeeded in making it one of the events in the All African Games. He also offers the government some advice in respect of national affairs. Excerpts:

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

ences. You will discover that your children who play chess will surpass their non-chess playing siblings in all facets; in terms of character, in terms of academics and in terms of personality profile. So, chess impact positively on the minds and intellect of growing children. This is why chess is being promoted everywhere in the civilised world.

I have seen the good pattern of all the children I brought up in chess in this country.

They have never failed me. They have always attained the highest positions in their lives. The first chess champion we had in Nigeria was Dr. Pius Okigbo. He was a man of intellect. Now, you see Dr. Anthony Ezeife, former Governor of Anambra State, a very good chess player, a man of intellect. There are also people like Admiral Ayinla, who won chess competitions in his junior days in the Navy. He went on to head the Nigerian Navy. There is Also Emeka Omerua, who later became the Minister of Sports.

There are some in the banking industry, many professors in the universities, and people like Mike Okiro, who is a former In-

Chess stimulates your brain. For example, if you have four kids in your home, teach two of them how to play chess. Make the other two kids ignorant of the game of chess and watch their growth and personality pattern while growing up. Watch their academic activities, especially in mathematics and the sciences...

,

spector General of Police. When he was the IG, you could see his character and the way and manner he moulded the Police Force.

He was a very good chess player in those days he was a student of the University of Ibadan. Watch the character, the mould, the personality and the development patterns in terms of business, economy, and the academics of those who assimilated the games of chess during their youthful years; they will never fail, just like prayers can never fail you in life.

President Goodluck Jonathan has just been inaugurated. As a Nigerian, what agenda would you set for the President in the next four years?

Nigeria is a very complex country. Nigeria is like a vehicle driven on a very rough terrain and battered. To panel-beat this country into a roadworthy vehicle takes a lot.

There are many things Nigerians want the president to do. But for me, life is a journey. If you take measured steps, you will arrive at your destination. But when you want to run the whole distance within a second, it becomes impossible.

Holistically, I will advise the president to look at the nation, which of course he has done, because I have been listening to his speeches, body language and so on. Already, he has drawn up his agenda, and the items on the agenda are agreeable to many of us. One is the issue of power. With power, Nigerians can go the whole length of industrialisation. We all know the importance of having electricity. We don’t need to •Continued on page 45

LOCATION

BACKSTAGE

SNAPSHOT

REEL NEWS

MUSIC

SCREEN

Edited by: VICTOR AKANDE

Tel: 08077408676

E-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com

ntertainment

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

23

I am not a

Ghanaian actor

play boy

, Majid Michel

24

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

STANDh BY! Wit

VICTOR AKANDE

Afro Hollywood Best Entertainment Writer 2009

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

THINK

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

SNAPSHOTS •Sikiratu Sindodo

Stars don’t make a film!

There is so much euphoria around celebrity actors that more often, lazy filmmakers seek popular faces to better their production. Guest writer, Mike 'Shola Agboola who anchors his argument on the future of gospel movies in Nigeria, states that a good movie must speak for itself.

S

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

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'

fulfil the societal mandate of 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

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

Who has seen Sikiratu Sindodo?

A

FTER the rumour of strange ailment and death of Yoruba star actress Sikiratu Sindodo, the actress who was later said to be diagnosed of liver problem has finally recovered according to sources.

Meanwhile, since the beautiful light-skinned actress left the four walls of the hospital, speculations have it that she's not been sighted in public. Reason, according to source close to the actress, she has indeed recovered but needs time to bounce back to her normal self.

“Yes, Sikiratu Sindodo has recovered but right now she can't show her face in public because of her considerable loss of weight and she's very, very dark right now.

You know, she needs time to get back to a normal self, light complexion she's known with. But I'm happy for her at least she has recovered,” our source said.

This new account, is coming after

a recent publication that the actress was sighted attending at a christening of a fellow actress around Egbeda area of Lagos on Sunday, May 22, 2011. The report further stated that, she has returned to her nice old looks and even looked better on that occasion.

It will be recalled that during the illness that kept the actress away from public glare, a publication confirmed that she granted an interview denying alleged strange illness, and confirming that she only suffered chronic ulcer and typhoid at the time. But shortly after the said publication, the actress was said to be lying critically ill in one of the private wards at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

With all these speculations, Snapshot wishes that actress will make a public appearance to lay the rumours to rest.

Nollywood pays last respect to Ashley Nwosu The memorial service which was organised by a special committee comprising of AGN Exco members and Nollywood thespians such as Emeka Rising, Abubakar Yakubu, Emeka Duru, Emeka Anyiocha, Van Dallas, Dolnard Okoli and a few others held at the popular Ojez Night club and Restaurant.

Actor Guild of Nigerian president, Segun Arinze who was present at the memorial express his deep feeling at the impressive number of his members and colleagues. “We don't look out for one another and this is sad. It's only when someone dies that we come together and which shouldn't be, “he said.

Speaking on the burial arrangement of the late Ashley, •Ashley Nwosu the AGN president said, “The burial has been slated for 10 and ATE Nollywood actor 11 of June 2011 in his home town, Ashley Nwosu no doubt will Abia State. There will be national be greatly missed in the representation of AGN at the Nigeria movie industry as a recent burial, after which AGN Abia memorial service organised for the chapter will take over from there”. actor became a rally point for a Ashley Nwosu was a well number of Nollywood thespians, known actor in Nollywood and who came from far and near to pay has featured in well over 200 their last respect to the actor. movies.

L

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

RE ELNEW S

How Banky W, d e g r e m e a h s a S Samsung Mobile Brand Ambassador

L

AST week Thursday, Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA) announced that it has signed an endorsement deal with one of Nigeria's top notch R& B acts, Banky W and Nigeria's queen of Hip-Hop Sasha as brand ambassadors.

Speaking during the photo session and media briefing to showcase the new brand ambassadors to the public, the Director, HHP (Hand Held Products), Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA), Mr. Fady Khatib, stated that the company recognizes the importance and impact of dynamic brand ambassadors in the country. The recent development, he noted is in synchronization with the electronics giant's continuous brand positioning exercise aimed at maintaining its leadership position in the country. Samsung brand stands for qualities of innovation, style, resilience and excellence in performance. And these same qualities are

epitomized by the brand ambassadors, whose quality and depth of work as well as versatility as musicians has made them much loved and respected personalities in Nigeria today.

"We are confident with our new brand ambassadors we will be able to widen our appeal further in the country. In fact, their choice makes perfect sense for Samsung Mobile, both strategically and as a representation of what they both encompass as musicians and role models for the Nigerian youths."

NCC goes tough on pirates •Impounds N22million worth of pirated products

F

OR pirates and their cohorts, it is definitively not business as usual as the NCC clamped down heavily on them impounding suspected •L-R: Fady Khatib, Sasha and Banky W pirated products worth N22million during various antiAmbassadors, Banky W and Sasha He added. piracy raids carried out across are expected to endorse the “Banky W and Sasha's blend of the country. spirit and style, success and charm Samsung Mobile brand in all Director-General (DG) of NCC, match strongly with the Samsung ramifications as well as make Mr. Afam Ezekude, who appearances at company events brand which prides itself on its disclosed this in Abuja recently, and activities. innovation, style and superior also indicated that the In his remarks, R&B crooner, products. Also, their dynamism Commission, in consultation Banky W, stated that “Samsung combined with our brand with stakeholders, would Mobile represents the hope for a expertise will help us present our appoint public-spirited better tomorrow given its products in different, innovative Nigerians as Copyright ways to consumers. We are indeed commitment to providing quality Marshalls. very proud and privileged to have products and services as well as Addressing his first media them as our Brand Ambassadors.” the development of youths in Nigeria. I'm indeed very proud to briefing on the state of copyright He stressed. administration and enforcement be associated with them”.

As Samsung Mobile in Nigeria, the Director-General remarked that the objective was to enable the Copyright Marshals to provide Copyright Inspectors with robust intelligence gathering on the activities of pirates, piracy syndicates and their mode of operation.

Consumer Marketing, MTN for N10 million in scholarship.

The Children's Special Edition' it The DG remarked that the Nigeria said,“the Children's' is said, is meant to celebrate Commission has been proactive Special Edition is one of the Children and also to stimulate in its prosecution thrusts, adding special editions of WWTBAM academic excellence in school that it has secured six designed to reward, encourage children across the country. and stimulate academic excellence judgements in the last five Kola Oyeymi, General Manager, among primary and secondary months while about 49 civil and school children across the country criminal cases are currently by giving them the opportunity to being prosecuted in Federal High play for N10 million. The prize Courts across the country. rs, law enforcement officials, money is however released to He said the Commission was members of the judiciary and them, only as scholarship.” he set to file six new criminal cases international film makers. added. on which the Enforcement Also leading the Nigerian Similarly, the past editions of Department just concluded delegates at event is the duo of Children's Special have attracted investigation.

Segun Arinze, National President, several dignitaries who joined the Ezekude reassured Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) kids at the Ultima Studios. The stakeholders of the and Uche Jombo and many others list includes Abimbola Fashola, Commission's commitment to a who given their backing to be part wife of the Lagos State Governor, faithful implementation of its of the historic festival.

Sarah Sosan, Deputy Governor, statutory mandate. “We remain The Abuja event holds between Lagos States, and Kemi Adeoye resolute in our drive for June 13 and 14, at the Bolingo and Ronke Azeez both Lagos enhanced copyright protection, Hotel and Towers, while the Benin State officials represented the awareness generation and zero outing, have been fixed for June 16 State Deputy Governor in season tolerance of piracy of creative and 17, at the Miracle Centre, Idia 4. works,” he stressed.

College and Ekewan Campus, University of Benin, respectively.

Na Wa Film Festival will reach a climax in Lagos at the posh Victoria Crown Plaza, Victoria Island, on June 18. The festival team would be available from June 19 to 21, for consultations and interactions.

According to Adesuwa, also an actress and producer with several short films and documentaries in Europe and US to her credit, all the activities had been developed in close cooperation with stakeholders in Nigeria such as the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and other Related Matters (NAPTIP) and Girls Power •L-R: Mrs Atilola Williams, External Communication Officer, MTN; Mr Tunji Adebakin; G.M, Ultima Studios; Mr Okundola Bangboye, Master Brand Initiative, Nigeria (GPI).

Who Wants To Be A Millionaire children edition gathers momentum

A

S MTN Nigeria, concludes plan to hold season 7 of the Children's Special Edition of its popular family TV Programme, Who Wants to be a Million, it is expected that more kids will take centre stage to play

Na Wa Film Festival rallies moviemakers

T

HE motion picture industry has received a big boost with the debut of a new film festival tagged Na Wa Film Festival. For 10 days, the movie fiesta will rally public attention on the dangers of human trafficking.

Na Wa Film Festival is scheduled to run between June13 and 21, in three key Nigerian States of Lagos, Abuja and Edo, respectively.

The festival is being jointly organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International Organization for

Migration (IOM) and an Austrianbased non-governmental, nonprofit organization, EXIT, founded by a Nigerian born female filmmaker, Joana Adesuwa Reiterer. The fiesta is set up within the framework of the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT).

Delegates are expected from Nigeria and six participating European countries: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as government officials, policy make

Specialist, MTN and Mr Innocent Oboh, Master Brand Manager, MTN

26

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

For Temitope Bankole, the maxim holds true that big things come in small packages. The rising artiste, who is better known as Tiwabanks, has been tipped to explode on the music scene.

She is currently promoting three singles, Tiwantiwa, Jule and Paribotoriboto, as a prelude to her much-awaited debut album. Tiwabanks' unique kind of music combines elements of folk, rap and hip hop in a manner reminiscent of artistes like Dagrin. In this chat with FEMI SALAWU, the artiste opens up on her ambition and why she has been consistently linked to Gongo Aso crooner, 9ice.

Why people compare me with 9ice and Dagrin W —Tiwabanks HO is Tiwabanks? My real name is Temitope Bankole.

'Tiwa' is a Yoruba word I pluralized from my original name, Temi. I gave myself the name because I realized I don't belong to myself anymore, because I now see how much my fans love and care for me, as a result I owe them a lot. The other five letter word, 'Banks', was derived from my surname, Bankole.

What was growing up like for you?

From childhood, my parents discovered I had an impressive voice. I was enlisted in the church choir. And later on I became their leader. After a long successful reign in the choir band, I enrolled in a music college in Lagos.

Then I later went to study Mass Communication at the Lagos State Polytechnic. After the course, a particular higher institution in Lagos hired me as a tutor. I taught music in the college for more than 5 years before I called it quits and went solo.

Meanwhile, during the teaching years, I used to perform at concerts and was also called by my other colleagues to do collaborations with them.

Tell us album new singles.

I have released 3 power-packed singles recently. They are hit tracks; one is titled Tiwantiwa, while the second is titled Jule and the last track is titled Paribotoriboto. Tiwantiwa simply means 'our pride' or better still, 'my heritage'.

The title 'Jule' is a Yoruba slogan that tells people not to take forceful possessions of something which does not belong to them. And the Paribotoriboto is also a Yoruba word that implores parents, youths and nations to pamper like a mother used to care for her infant emotionally, whatever gift they find in themselv es.

•Tiwabanks

today that can come forward to say she can rap in Yoruba fluently.

As a young artiste, what challenges have you been facing in music and how do you deal with them?

As a musician, I have suffered. Nigeria What inspired you into music?

I only regard 9ice from afar and we do is not like the USA where musicians are I knew long before now that I would not have any intimate relationship encouraged by people. To record your make an impact in the music field. I whatsoever. I don't even have his music in the studio financially is a great once dreamt I released an album which number, so I don't understand why task. Music marketers and producers are other artistes like myself gave ovation. anybody would start to make not also helping matters. Then again, In that dream, I saw that they all stood insinuations. piracy has been a problem to me and I for me. So I'm not surprised where I am Aren't you afraid that your kind of today.

Yoruba folk music would not become a think it is also a bewildering barrier to all other artistes like me. The works (my Some people have drawn similarities commercial hit like that of hip hop new release) which have not entered the between your kind of music and 9ice's artistes? market, I discovered are circulating in and Dagrin's‌ I'm a full breed African. And I'm a the public. If things are done these ways, typical omo Ogun, from Yewa Local As a sensitive artiste, while walking when would artistes enjoy rewards of Government in Ogun State. Dagrin has on the streets, I used to listen to what come and gone. Monumentally, he used their efforts? people say; I feel their emotions. I How do you cope with all the the Yoruba raps to decorate Nigeria normally translate them into songs. I attention you are getting now? fully before other music lovers in was surprised to hear some Stardom is not something an artiste other countries. Thank God he people ascribing my effort should first crave. The major thing I did. If I knew Efik was my to 9ice, especially my original language, I would need now is excellence. I believe that if I new project. I don't achieve excellence in my art, then have used it to express know whether this is myself. I sing in Yoruba stardom would beckon. Nevertheless, I coincidental or see myself making waves, crossing the because I wanted to intentional, I have showcase my culture. borders of Nigeria. I see myself traveling observed that abroad to perform music in next few I write 24 Yoruba most times months. verses in songs every when my Who are your role models? day. songs are I train myself. I also counsel myself. played on People have linked So I can really say God is my mentor. your style of music to the radio other artistes, how does it But I can also digress and say I have role and TV, make you feel? models like Tony Braxton, Beyonce, they Anita Baker, Celine Dion, Onyeka usually I have said it times Owenu, Christy Essien Igbokwe and come without number, in the Queen Salawa Abeni. immediately media, that I'm not using after 9ice's anyone's style. I sing songs. The refined hip hop brands. I truth can rap fluently in Yoruba.

I have said it times is that And that is my leverage; I without number, in the say it with all authority, there is no other female media, that I'm not act in the country using anyone's style. I as of

sing refined hip hop brands. I can rap fluently in Yoruba. And that is my leverage; I say it with all authority, there is no other female act in the country as of today that can come forward to say that she can rap in Yoruba fluently

27

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Abuja-based I-Flow relocates to Lagos

A

BUJA-BASED 25-year-old Ifeanyi Ojimba, known as I-Flow, who is becoming one of the music forces to reckon with in Nigeria's showbiz industry, has finally relocated to Lagos.

Though faced with the stress of combining education with his 'gifted passion' (entertainment) and backed by seasoned producer, Sammy Young, I-Flow is ready to execute his project from Jessy Records, which is an eight tracker.

The album is ready for sponsors and marketers and it is hoped to come out into the market within the next two months.

I-Flow who is also a good dancer, song writer and master of ceremony said he has come a long way in his drive to succeed. “I was the cynosure of all eyes at one of the Star Quest contests in Abuja, but I couldn't continue because of ill health just like I've featured in many other events. My music is all about prophecy but rendered in the afro hip hop genre,” he said.

Beautiful Nubia returns with Sun No Dey Sleep

A

S part of activities promoting his new album, Beautiful Nubia and the Roots Renaissance Band are set to celebrate the release of their new studio album entitled Sun No Dey Sleep.

The folk and roots music stylist is scheduled to host a special 5-

hour concert on Sunday, June 19, 2011. The concert holds at Sparkle Hall, 118, Joel Ogunnaike Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, and is expected to hold from 3pm to 8pm.

Sun No Dey Sleep was recorded at Femopal Studio, Lagos, mixed

by Olatunde Obajeun at King's

Mc Abbey, Seyilaw, others for Joker at Terra today

P

OPULAR comedy talent show tagged Joker at Terra holds today at Terra Kulture.

Organisers of the show, Peeka-boo Global Consulting, promised to make it an unforgettable experience for guests who will be present at the June edition of Joker at Terra.

Expected to perform at the show are: MC Abbey, Seyilaw, Elenu, Ajibade, Erem the ajobata comedian, Funnybone, MC Shakara and Kolo Man (previous winner of the competition).

In a statement by CEO of Peeka-boo Global Consulting, Mr Darlington Abuda, “The Joker at Terra is waxing stronger with every new edition, talented youths everywhere are frequently coming to us to be part of the event because they are seeing the impact of the show on those who have emerged as Joker of the month. As usual, the winner of the competition will receive N50, 000 and other great prizes.”

Joker at Terra, apart from creating fun for lovers of music and comedy, rewards guests through a raffle draw competition where they can win exciting prizes, while they are refreshed incessantly with various flavours of Milan Juice.

The show was first held in February 4, 2011 at Terra Kulture with acts like AY, Kefee in attendance. The Joker at Terra was moved from being organised

Up and Coming act

on the first Fridays of the month to the first Saturdays.

It will be called that the show has unveiled winners such as Memory Card, Whale Mouth and Kolo man in its past 3 editions.

Dragnet vows to take music scene by storm Musa ODOSHIMOKHE

U

Studio, also in Lagos, and mastered by David Cain at Soundmasters Studios in Canada.

The album was released for physical and digital distribution in January 2011 and has enjoyed appreciable airplay on grassroots and community radio stations across Canada and the US, and on both state-owned and private radio stations in Nigeria.

The public presentation of the album will commence in Ibadan on June 12 with a concert at Spider Cafe and Lounge, Agbowo (opposite the University of Ibadan). Other notable stops in the month of June include an instore performance at the iconic Jazzhole Music Store on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, and fullfledged concerts at Federal Polytechnic Ede and other south west towns.

•Seyilaw

Battle of Talents storms Nigeria

F

OR the first time in Nigeria, Ben Television, London, unveils a talent hunt show in Music and Comedy tagged “Battle of Talents”. It's a reality TV show which is set to break the standard and lay bare an entirely new entertainment experience.

In a statement made by Ben TV's Country Representative, Mr Emmanuel Peters, “There are millions of talented young people in Nigeria who are

Adeyeni ADEYEMO helpless and crave for a platform to express them,” he enthused.

According to him, the aim of the 13-week programme is to discover the best new stars in Music and Comedy, who through this step will rise to international stardom.

'Battle of Talents', it is said, is a youth empowerment project, modified and distinctively designed for the maintenance and well being of the youth, as

R- L: Emmanuel Peters, Country Rep. Nigeria, BEN TV, Olamipo Jinadu, Legal Recruitment and PR for Battle of Talents, Jonathan Odega.

well as the promotion of everything optimistic about Nigeria.

The maiden season of the show, which is themed 'This is your time', will be showcased in 3 different categories: Single Act, Double Act, and a Group Act. Those who think they have what it takes to be the best in areas of Music and Comedy will get a chance to register and audition on the 1st of June to 11th of July 2011. Interested participants should log on to their website www.bentvbattle.com.

Nationwide audition to select the main contestants will take place in 7 zones which are Lagos, Benin, Owerri, Porthacourt, Enugu, Kaduna and Abuja.

At the end of the show, the Music winner will get a one year record deal with Uk-based music label, while the Comedy winner receives a one year contract to host Ben TV events. Both winners will also receive a brand new car and 3.5 million naira each, while runners-up will also get to win lots of fabulous prizes.

P and coming pop performer, Dragnet Omo Ogun, is working round the clock in his quest to take the music scene by storm.

Dragnet whose single Binu Binu and Lagos-Nigeria hit the air waves not long ago has performed in shows like 2face and friends, Benson and Hedges and Unilivers Promotions where Nigerian talents in the entertainment industry were showcased.

Having completed his school certificate examinations and yet to gain admission to higher institution, he quickly built on his talent as a performer to storm the entertainment industry.

Dragnet persuades promoters to encourage upcoming and talented artistes because most of them face problems in the entertainment industry “In most cases some of them take drugs and other social vices which do not help the image of the country. This I promised to lead a campaign against because the youths are the future of tomorrow,” Dragnet emphasised.

Tuface, Sound Sultan my mentors —Tee Mode Adeyeni ADEYEMO

U

NDERGRADUATE student of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ogun State, Dada Femi Ayoola, popularly known as Tee-Mode, has been working tirelessly to make a mark on entertainment scene.

The afro hip-hop artiste who started his musical career in 1999/2000 has two singles to his credit, 'One Man Mopol' and 'Mafimi pe were', which are receiving massive airplay in major radio stations across the country.

The young talented artiste cum producer said that his music is inspired by metronome and good instrumentals.

Tee Mode identified Tuface and Sound Sultan as his mentors in the entertainment industry. “My mentors are Tuface and Sound Sultan, because their songs are evergreen and also they are the top icons of Nigerian Music at the moment. I hope to work with them in the nearest future,” he enthused.

•Tee Mode

SENEGAL V CAMEROON

Niang ready for cracker

Pg. 36

Why I retired —Kanu

Pg. 32,33

Nation Saturday, June 4, 2011

FREE COPY

PAGE 29

ENGLAND V SWITZERLAND

Capello aims to break deadlock Pg. 30

•Capello

•Ottmar Hitzfeld

Ronaldo targets success with Portugal

Pg. 35

SATURDAY, JUNE 04, 2011

30

35

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

EURO 2012 QUALIFIERS...EURO 2012 QUALIFIERS...EURO 2012 QUALIFIERS...EURO 2012 QUALIFIERS...EURO 2012 QUALIFIERS...EURO 2012 QUALIFIERS...EURO 2012 QUALIFIERS...

PORTUGAL v NORWAY

ENGLAND v SWITZERLAND

Olsen planstoholdoffopponent Bilyaletdinov spells out caution

Capello aims to break deadlock E NGLAND shares the Group G lead with tiny Montenegro but can take control if it beats the Swiss and its co-leader fails to beat Bulgaria.

After a 0-0 home draw with Montenegro, England got back on track with a 2-0 win at Wales in its last qualifier and the players know they cannot afford any more slipups.

"Complacency is not going to be an issue," defender Joleon Lescott said. "None of the boys think we just have to step out there to win the game. Switzerland are a strong team, so this is a potential banana skin for us."

Led by former Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, Switzerland has just one win from four matches but has been more resilient lately with a 4-1 win over Wales and 0-0 draw at Bulgaria.

England will be without striker Wayne Rooney, who scored one of his team's three goals in a 3-1 win over Switzerland in Basel but is suspended. With Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe also out because of an injury, Darren Bent is almost certain to start for a chance to add to the three goals he scored in his last three internationals.

"I'm at a period now where I feel more confident than ever before in my career in terms of England," Bent said. "I don't think I have even been in so many squads consecutively and got on the pitch so often as well."

Bent scored nine goals in 16 Premier League games after joining Aston Villa in January, suggesting

England coach Fabio Capello erred in leaving him off his World Cup squad.

England scored just three goals in four games and was beaten 4-1 by Germany in the second round.

"It was disappointing not to go to the World Cup and in the friendlies beforehand it was difficult as half the squad knew they were on the plane and the other were fighting to go," Bent said. "In my own mind, I knew I hadn't done enough to get picked but you always hope."

Bent is now chasing his first goal at Wembley.

"If I get an opportunity to play this weekend, hopefully that's another one I can chalk off," Bent said Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick is the only other player missing, withdrawing from the squad with a hip problem, so Scott Parker looks set to keep his place in central midfield after impressing against Wales.

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T

2012 qualifier at Wembley.

It has been a remarkable turnaround for both players under Capello having been considered not good enough to take to the World Cup. Bent was named in the provisional 30man squad that took part in the pre-tournament training camp in Austria, only to be left out of the final 23 that went on to fail miserably in South Africa.

Young's hopes were crushed even earlier as he didn't even get a chance to join those sessions because Capello, who had picked him consistently in his squad for

•Bent

Group G 1 2 3 4 5

Teams

P

England England Montenegro Montenegro Switzerland Switzerland Bulgaria Bulgaria Wales Wales

4 4 4 4 4

W D 3 3 1 1 0

1 1 1 1 0

L 0 0 2 2 4

F 9 3 5 1 1

A 1 0 5 5 8

+/-

Pts

8 3 0 -4 -7

10 10 4 4 0

R

USSIA can climb clear in Group B, if only briefly, by beating Armenia on Saturday but midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov warned that their improving opponents should not be taken lightly.

Russia will go top of Group B, if only for a few hours, if they beat Armenia in St Petersburg on Saturday but midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov is warning that could prove easier said than done.

Dick Advocaat's men earned a goalless draw in Armenia in their last UEFA EURO 2012 qualifier in March – a match where they had 13 corners to their hosts' one but failed to find the breakthrough. That result left them level with leaders Slovakia and third-placed Republic of Ireland and still only two points ahead of Armenia. Bilyaletdinov saw enough from the sidelines in Yerevan, prior to his last-minute introduction as a substitute to know another awkward evening might await. ""Armenia are a very mobile and well-organised team, they move fast from defence to attack and their counter-attacks are always dangerous"," the Everton FC player told UEFA.com. "They're a technicallygifted team and not easy opponents.

P •Yakin

Rio Ferdinand must return warns Keown

M

ARTIN Keown does not believe Fabio Capello should have any hesitation in restoring Rio Ferdinand to his England starting line-up on Saturday.

Ferdinand has returned to the squad for the first time since he was controversially stripped of the captaincy by Capello, who handed the job back to John Terry.

Capello then compounded the problem by refusing to explain his reasoning to the Manchester United man, who declined the opportunity of a chat in public view within the Old Trafford directors' box.

The pair have spoken now though.

And Keown insists it should be the prelude to Ferdinand lining up alongside Terry in a competitive game for the first time since October 2009 when England face Switzerland in a Euro 2012 qualifier at the weekend.

"There is no argument at all about the fact Rio deserves his place in the team," Keown said, at the Millbrook

testing plant of England sponsors Vauxhall, where he also took part in a Q&A session with local workers.

"He has had his injury problems. But he is very polished and is probably the most accomplished central defender we have at the moment."

Keown is certain Ferdinand will not be affected by the furore that accompanied him losing the armband, which is just as well given three points at the weekend are essential if England are to retain their status as favourites to advance from Group G. "What has happened won't bother Rio at all," said the former Arsenal man.

"He has had long enough now to think about the situation.

"The way he found out wasn't ideal.

He made his feelings well known at the time.

"Now, it is about moving on. It is about the team and supporting John Terry in the leadership he has suddenly acquired again."

Young, Bent are England's rising stars HERE is a saying that some of the strongest friendships are made out of mutual adversity and England are benefiting from the bond Darren Bent and Ashley Young have shared since Fabio Capello rejected them in painful circumstances 12 months ago.

Last June their ambitions at international level seemed to be in ruins but in two days' time they will be entrusted to provide the cutting edge in Wayne Rooney's absence through suspension as England take on Switzerland in a Euro

ARMENIA v RUSSIAN

the first 18 months of his reign, snubbed him altogether.

The duo have shared a determination to prove a point ever since, yet it was only when they joined forces at Aston Villa that it became clear that they could achieve that goal together.

An alliance was obviously formed before Bent arrived from Sunderland for £24million in January having tasted the awkward experience of being just bitpart figures with the national team.But crucially over the past five months, they have been able to form a better one on the pitch because they have been playing in the same team together every week.

As Bent told Standard Sport: "Since I have been at Aston Villa, Ashley has been brilliant. I have really got to know his style since I joined the club. Obviously I saw him from the outside before when I played against him and met up with England so I knew he was good.

"But when you see him every day like I've done at Villa you realise what a top top player he is. Ash can play behind the frontman or wide. He has vision and passing. There is not a lot he can't do on a football pitch."

It is a move that Aston Villa prospered from first and foremost, for the pair helped fire the club to safety, Bent scoring nine goals along the way, when at one point relegation from the Premier League seemed possible.

Yet it is no coincidence that England's fortunes in that time have also been on an upward curve as Capello took advantage of their improved understanding and applied it to his side.

The Italian promised change would immediately follow after the World Cup and while it has taken perhaps a few months longer for him to deliver on his vow, the introduction of a 4-3-3 formation in the last three games has given

everyone cause to be optimistic, including Bent and Young.

The former, who scored his first England goal against Switzerland as a substitute in September, has thrived leading the line and added to his tally against Denmark and Wales.

Meanwhile, Young is fulfilling his potential as an attacking wideman, with his performance against the Welsh particularly impressive. He won a penalty in the first half and, more significantly, provided the cross for Bent to add the second in a 2-0 victory.

Now they seem set for a long run in the first XI and the mutual respect for each other's game is obvious.

Young added: "We knew each other from England before and playing against each other on previous occasions but since Darren came to Villa we have had a really good relationship, with him playing as the main striker and me as the second striker.

"He did great against Wales with his goal and also against Denmark. He has been brilliant for Villa and now, with Wayne missing out, there is an opportunity for Darren to start again. It's down to the manager but I'm sure Darren will be fighting for that place.

"I think the nation is starting to appreciate him. I don't think he has been getting much recognition before.

"The impact he made at Villa makes me believe he was one of the best signings in the season but he doesn't get the credit he deserves. Everywhere he has been, he has scored goals. You look at his stats, he has been brilliant for a number of years."

A record of 162 goals in 315 starts for five different clubs is certainly one worthy of more acclaim than has been awarded. Similarly, a total of nine caps since making his debut five years ago is hardly a just reward.

ORTUGAL are "the best national side in the world" according to Norway coach Egil Olsen but the Group H leaders still feel they have a chance against opponents revived by Paulo Bento.

At the halfway point in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying, Norway lead the way in Group H, three points above Portugal – but coach Egil Olsen knows they will be doing very well if they have maintained that advantage after Saturday's visit to what he calls "the best national side in the world".

Olsen's side dropped only two points in their opening four games, which included a 1-0 victory over Portugal in September. However, at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica this week, they will meet a side growing in confidence under Paulo Bento; after he took over following the loss in Norway, the Portuguese beat Denmark and Iceland in October, before stunning Spain 4-0 in a friendly in November.

Norway's perfect start ended with a 1-1 home draw with Denmark in March, but hopes of reaching a first major tournament since UEFA EURO 2000 remain intact despite Olsen's high opinion of their weekend hosts.

"In my opinion, Portugal are the world's best national team at the moment," he said. "The best evidence to back that up is the way they beat Spain 4-0."

That said, Olsen finds reason to believe. "Portugal are favourites, but I am optimistic. We can take a point, and even win. "Portugal have to win against us, and that may be to our advantage". We will meet them with some of the things we are best at – discipline and defensive organisation.

They may have the ball 65%, even 70% of the time. We will have to look to hit them on the counter. Portugal are a world-class side, but are at their best offensively."

•Olsen

A

•Ronaldo

reason.

Able to go top themselves on Saturday, Armenia have collected two wins already from five matches – as many as they managed in 12 UEFA EURO 2008 qualifiers. According to captain Sargis Hovsepyan, they are benefitting from their greater experience on the international stage.

The 38-year-old should know, having been part of the Armenia side beaten home and away by Russia in UEFA EURO 2000 qualifying. His country's most-capped player with 119 appearances he even sees their chances of getting a result in Russia as "even".

"Twelve years ago our opponents were much more experienced than we were," said Hovsepyan, who had spells in Russia with Zenit and FC TorpedoMetallurg. "Now we are more experienced. Probably, the level of Russian players is higher but we will do everything to get a win." Bilyaletdinov's caution sounds well-placed.

•Bilyaletdinov

Group C Teams

Group H Teams 1 2 3 4 5

Norway Norway Portugal Portugal Denmark Denmark Cyprus Cyprus Iceland Iceland

P 4 4 4 4 4

W D 3 2 2 0 0

1 1 1 2 1

L 0 1 1 2 3

F 6 10 5 5 2

A 3 7 4 8 6

+/-

Pts

3 3 1 -3 -4

10 7 7 2 1

Ronaldo targets success with Portugal revitalised Portugal want Cristiano Ronaldo to maintain his prolific scoring run against visiting Norway on Saturday to send his team top of their Euro 2012 qualifying group after a dismal start to the campaign.

But we're playing at home, and we need three points."

This is only Russia's second home qualifier after taking ten points from a possible 12 from four away games in Group B. Their first could not have gone worse – a 1-0 home loss to Slovakia last September – and it is perhaps the memory of that, as much as a frustrating evening in Armenia, that led Bilyaletdinov to add that Advocaat's team "might have had more points" than they have already mustered.

With Slovakia and the Irish both in action later on Saturday evening, Russia would take a three-point lead in the section, however briefly, with victory but they will have to do it without FC Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder Roman Shirokov, while coach Advocaat also has doubts over Zenit striker Aleksandr Kerzhakov, who has knee problems.

His Armenia counterpart, Vardan Minasyan, has his own concerns over goalkeeper Roman Berezovsky – absent from his club FC Khimki's last two league games – and striker Yura Movsisyan, who has been restricted to substitute appearances at FC Krasnodar. Yet otherwise he says "team morale is high", and with good

Coach Paulo Bento has engineered a remarkable turnaround, improving the side's morale after replacing the sacked Carlos Queiroz in September.

He took charge after an embarrassing 4-4 home draw with Malta and

a 1-0 defeat in Norway but subsequent wins over Denmark and Iceland have pushed Portugal, who are equal on goal difference with the Group H leaders, within three points of Norway.

"It is a key opportunity to go first in the group," Bento told a news conference. "We are under pressure but it is a much better kind of pressure than what we had back in October."

Ronaldo has been on fire at Real Madrid this season, netting 40 goals to set a La Liga record, and the Portugal captain and the world's most expensive player said he had one last job to do before going on holiday.

"The season is not over yet. I have an important game to play for Portugal and I want to win it," he said.

The Norwegians will miss holding midfielder Alexander Tettey (thigh injury).

"He (Ronaldo) is world class, we must allow him very little space and always have to be on top of him," Norway coach Egil Olsen said.

Fluid displays in a 4-0 thumping of Spain and a narrow defeat by Argentina in recent friendlies showed Portugal are hardly a oneman show, with Nani, Raul Meireles and Joao Moutinho carrying good club form to the international stage.

Norway, who have not reached the finals of a major competition since Euro 2000, have 10 points in the group, three more than Portugal and Denmark.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Slovakia Slovakia Russia Russia Republic of Ireland Armenia Armenia FYROM FYROM Andorra Andorra

P 5 5 5 5 5 5

W D 3 3 3 2 1 0

1 1 1 2 1 0

L 1 1 1 1 3 5

F 5 6 9 9 5 1

A 4 3 6 4 6 12

+/-

Pts

1 3 3 5 -1 -11

10 10 10 8 4 0

Russia set to recapture early form

R

USSIA will look to regain lost ground in UEFA EURO 2012 Group B having missed a host of chances against Armenia back on 26 March, when the game

finished goalless.

Vardan Minasyan's men could have taken the lead on 19 minutes had Igor Akinfeev not repelled Marcos Pizzelli's long shot, but

•Igor Akinfeey

Roman Berezovsky was to be the busier goalkeeper therafter. He saved from Yuri Zhirkov before Sergei Ignashevich, Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Roman Shirokov all missed decent chances for Dick Advocaat's side.

Russia are one of three teams on 10 points at the top of Group B, but Armenia – fourth and unbeaten in four qualifiers – would move above them with a win in St Petersburg.

Russia have won all four of their competitive games in the former Leningrad without conceding a goal, most recently beating Liechtenstein 3-0 in FIFA World Cup qualifying on 5 September 2009.

Armenia and Russia have met only twice before this campaign, having been pooled together in qualifying for UEFA EURO 2000.

Their first encounter was in Yerevan on 27 March 1999, two Valeri Karpin goals and a late third

by Vladimir Beschastnykh earning the visitors a 3-0 win.

Beschastnykh and Karpin – now coach of FC Spartak Moskva – scored a goal apiece as Russia won the rematch 2-0 on 4 September 1999. Armenia have thus never managed to score against Russia.

Coach Dick Advocaat recalls FC Lokomotiv Moskva defender Renat Yanbaev for the Armenia qualifier on 4 June and the Cameroon friendly three days later. The leftback, absent from the last internationals in March, features in Advocaat's 20-man squad alongside inexperienced club-mate Denis Glushakov. FC Dinamo Moskva's Igor Semshov also figures despite serving a five-game domestic ban, but midfielder Roman Shirokov misses out through injury.

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 04, 2011

31

NATION SPORT

Imperatives for a transformational Sports Minister M R. President, Sir, Belatedly, I offer you a very hearty congratulation on your overwhelming victory at the recent polls which the world has celebrated as relatively free and peaceful. Please, accept my honest apology for not felicitating with you earlier than now and it has nothing to do with the dispute declared over your sweeping wins in the South (east, west and south). As elections go in Nigeria, I was uncertain what was coming especially after the mindless killing of our youths in the North.

I am happy to note that you have moved swiftly in constituting the nucleus of the brand new and exclusively owned Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration with the appointment of my kinsman, Anyim Pius Anyim as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). I have also noted the change in the Office of the Chief of Staff with the appointment of Ambassador Godknows Igali in place of Chief Mike Oghiadhome. I will come back to this shortly.

It was reported recently in almost all the national media that your party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) submitted a list of 270 for Ministerial appointments and some names were of interest to us in the sports industry. All that we want to ask Mr. President is not to appoint another learner especially when you have confessed that four years is not sufficient to accomplish much in governance. You can now imagine that a novice in sports may require all of 12 months to

By Harry Iwuala

learn the policies, another 12 months to become acquainted with important persons in national, continental and global sports. Sir, a novice in sports (JJC as we call them on the streets) will probably need time to tour facilities around the country, visit venues for the AllAfrica Games and the London 2012 Commonwealth Games.

So much time will be lost and the backlash will be on Mr. President at the end of the four years. There is also the small matter of football association to be settled and time spent on such issues will eat deep into the four years.

I therefore make bold to urge Mr. President to, if he is bound by that list, choose the only person on the list that is generally involved with sports at both national and international levels. We would have by-passed all the diversions listed above and will hit the ground running. This person, yes, there is only one person that fits my description, will not require a guide to tour sports facilities across the country because he did so as a Commissioner for Sports and presently as President of one of the Sports Federations. Our candidate will not need to be introduced to persons in the sports community, be it administrator or media or athlete for he has been interacting with them. At the continental level, he is known in Cairo, Accra, Marrakesh, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Dakar and Addis Ababa. Without mincing words, Sir, Chief Solomon Ogba fits the bill.

There is no better candidate on that list except Mr. President

has another list to work with.

Sir, our sports have suffered from a persistent malignancy that resides in the Presidency pre-dating your time at Aso Rock but still persisting. This disease has been a weapon in the hands of shadowy sports administrators who deploy it to suit their whims at the detriment of the greater good. In disputes, they champion unpopular positions and claim it is what the Presidency has decreed. A recent case is the un-going orchestrated crisis over the name of football’s governing authority in the country. While some people may have erred in the manner they changed the name from Nigeria Football Association (NFA) to Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the story in town is that the Presidency is behind the crisis in response to the presence of General Muhammad Buhari, the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) Presidential candidate at Abuja National Stadium during the Nations Cup qualifying tie between Nigeria and Ethiopia. Indeed, the former Chief of Staff, Chief Oghiadhome was said to have coordinated the assault on the Board of NFF. This information has been out there in the media especially from those who were supporting the splinter group.

It is a scare tactics that have worked for some people in government and those close to them. Somehow, the Media has been roped into this scheme as they willy-nilly begin to trumpet the unkindest positions that fly in the face of truth and logic. It was a practice that gained ground during the Junta regime

•Jonathan

of General Sanni Abacha when the Presidency was a dreaded conclave and it is your duty as a transformational leader to stop it.

In the sports community, the name of the Presidency has come to be lent in perpetuation of so many evil that today; it is believed that nothing good comes from decisions at the Presidency when it concerns sports. Remember the illadvised dissolution of the NFF and the Super Eagles after the World Cup? National teams are never disbanded because they are never a permanent team like you have in clubs. You play for the national team when invited and a player or players may be banned as has been done in France either for a period or perpetually which means such a player or players will not be eligible to be invited to represent the country. A simple issue of persuading the NFF chiefs to resign or arraigning them in court as has been done was raised to global comic that made us a laughing stock before FIFA. Mr. President Sir, a mechanism for intervention in sports, especially football must be devised so we can stop the dragging of your office in the mud of murky parochial interests. One way of doing this is by appointing a knowledgeable Sports Minister who at all times must first brief the Presidency on issues of urgent importance. Another approach is by inviting the Nigerians involved to the Presidency where binding decisions must be passed on to them.

It is true that as the biggest source of fund for sports, government must know how the money is spent and also be interested in who is spending the money. However, there are more civilized and subtle ways of going about this and it is high time we adopted such approach. I am sure in other saner countries like Britain, Canada, Australia, France and South Africa; governments do have their say and their way without raising public dust.

Finally Sir, as we grapple with the issue of names for football authority, it is my sincere hope that another group of renegade sports mercenaries will not in the near future gather to challenge the authority of the Minister of Sports or is it Chairman of National Sports Commission (NSC). I have it on authority that there are still some little legal details concerning the constitution of the NSC, yet we have a Director General. We must decide whether we want a Ministry of Sports or the NSC and if we want to create a Parastatal out of the Sports Ministry as is obtained in other Ministries that have Parastatals operating as agencies.

As I close Sir, please remember the millions of youths who engaged your campaign on social media.

Remember the groups that were formed to support your transformational agenda and do something to transform their lives for the better through sports. Have a successful tenure.

Yours in Sports

Harry Iwuala is a renowned Journalist based in Lagos, Nigeria

VOICE OF SPORTS

With Clement Nwankpa Jnr. sportswar@yahoo.com

Siasia must hear this AS you read this, you are definitely not ignorant of the outcome of the Nigeria/Argentina friendly. How Eagles recorded a first ever win against the Argies at full international level. But there is an obvious shortcoming in this team which we must address.

Agreed, Samson Siasia is building a new team. We all know that no one builds a new team overnight. There will be hiccups as the boat will not be all smooth-sailing. How we identify the loopholes and plug them will decide how soon the rebuilding cycle runs out. I must reveal to Siasia today that his defenders are not comfortable with the lack of shield from the midfield. I had pointed out on this page that the midfield combo of Joel Obi and Mikel Obi in a twin midfield formation doesn’t give the team the desired balance. We all appreciate Siasia’s offensive inclination and fixation for the two-man midfield but there is also need for some flexibility on Siaisia’s part. His current reign at the helm of the Super Eagles has no doubt re-enacted the attacking instinct in the team. He has opened up the flanks and going forward, the Eagles are now like a hurricane to the opposition. But the time has come for him to also review the team from a more defensive point of view.

The team is in dire need of a midfield enforcer, a water-carrier, who would do the dirty work. When Siasia flaunted his twoman midfield formation at WYC 2005, he paraded an enforcer in Sani Kaita and a more-offensive Mikel. At Beijing 2008, he filed out Kaita and Femi Ajilore, both enforcers. When he took charge at Egypt 2009, he had the likes of Yakubu Alfa, Rabiu Ibrahim, Lukman Haruna and the combative Obiora Nwankwo. Now, he has stuck to Mikel and Joel. If Siasia must stick to his two-man midfield, this duo is definitely not the most appropriate. I have now watched these guys under Siasia and haven’t noticed anyone doing the dirty job. I call Joel ‘African Wilshere’. He has a lot of physical resemblance to the Arsenal Whizzkid and is also left footed but most striking is the fact that they are both 20 years old. But Joel is not your traditional holding midfielder. Wilshere’s ability in tracking back and orchestrating things from deep while cascading every depth of the pitch had tempted England manager, Fabio Capelo into featuring him in the holding role but Capelo has since noticed he would be under-utilizing the lad in that position hence he has since settled for Scot Parker in a holding position while giving Wilshere a deep-lying playmaking role.

Playing beside Alex Song at Arsenal, Wilshere has blossomed in this position becoming one of the most promising young talents across the globe. Established, Joel is not a holding midfielder, what of Mikel? We know he has lost the offensive touch but he is still not your ideal water-carrier. His calmness on the ball and ability to pick out a player from 45 yards makes him key to the current set-up but I think he should be more of a deep-lying playmaker in front of an enforcer.

Mikel is the more experienced of the duo and the young Joel always looks up to him for guidance but Mikel rarely goes in for the crunch tackles. All he does is wait for another player to win the ball while he picks up the loose ball. But give it to him, he knows exactly what to do with those loose balls. Mikel’s disposition has forced Joel into falling back to win the balls but the latter is too soft and inventive to be saddled with that task.

The result of all these is the lack of protection for the back four.

There were occasions during the Argentina game when the Argentine midfielders caught the duo flat footed. Those moments, the visitors penetrated the midfield unimpeded like hot knife through butter and confronted the back four. One wondered what would have been if Lionel Messi was on parade. Imagine Messi falling back to make one of those mazy runs from deep without confronting a defensive shield.

Now, as the headline captures, what do I think Siasia must hear? No…no…no… he doesn’t need to be told that his midfield pair does not give the back four the desired protection. In fact, I learnt he has not been comfortable with that duo defensively but the problem has always been who among the duo should be sacrificed. I don’t envy Siasia here. Mikel’s vision is as important as the creativity, industry and variety provided by Joel’s sweet left foot. Can you still recollect the move that led to Ike Uche’s first goal? I can reveal to Siasia this morning that his defenders are not comfortable with the Mikel/Joel combo. In fact, one of them who spoke on grounds of anonymity, prior to the match, cautioned that the gaffer should feature an enforcer in front of the back four. They just may not know how to convey their opinions to the coach. Siasia needs to review his team defensively. Did he note that when a natural defensive midfielder, Fegor Ogude, replaced Joel in the second half, there seemed to be some sort of assurance and decency at the rear? If he must stick to his favoured two-man midfield, one of Mikel and Joel should give way for a Kaita-like combatant. But if none of the duo can drop to the bench, I suggest he opts for a threeman midfield to accommodate the enforcer. This will even give the marauding Joel ample room to push forward. A more quality opposition may not leave the current midfield duo unpunished.

SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

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NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

WhyIretired—Kanu But not done with his narration of that momentous night in which Africa no doubt still revels, Kanu went on: “Before then, Brazil had boasted that they brought a dream team which they claimed was the best.”

“It was not easy coming from 31 down and winning that game.

It was a miracle. That is my best game ever,” He declared.

But are there regrets for the long legged striker? He says: “No, I always thank God. Every morning that I wake up, I have to thank God. Some of my mates had the dream of playing football but did not actualize it. But for me, I have been there, I have gotten all I need in life, I don’t have any regrets.”

And would there be a football ace from the home of the one who thrilled many homes with his skills and touched many hearts with his wealth? “Like I said, it depends on what my kid wants to do. My first son likes football. I want them to play football. But it doesn’t mean he has to play, if he plays football, all well and good.

I will continue praying for him,” he said.

F

PERSONAL INFORMATION Full name Nwankwo Nwosu Kanu Date of birth 1 August 1976 (age 34) Place of birth Owerri, Nigeria Height 1.97 m (6 ft 5 1/2 in) Playing position Second striker CLUB INFORMATION Current club Portsmouth Number 27 SENIOR CAREER Years Team Apps† 1991–1992 Fed Works 35 1992–1993 I. Nationale 25 1993–1996 Ajax 54 1996–1999 Internazionale 11 1999–2004 Arsenal 119 2004–2006 West Bromw 53 2006– Portsmouth 131 NATIONAL TEAM 1993 Nigeria U17 6 1996 Nigeria U23 6 1994–2010 Nigeria 86

• King Kanu

• Kanu during Nigeria’s group B first round match in 2010 World Cup

• Kanu in West Brom Jersey

ORMER Super Eagles Captain, Kanu Nwankwo could not have asked for a more fulfilling career than he has enjoyed in his over 19 years journey in the round leather game.

Papillo as he is fondly called will finally bow out of the profession that brought him fame and fortune on June 11, 2011in a testimonial match slated for the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

King Kanu had not received a call-up to play in the national team since the 2010 World Cup in which he only played a fringe role. However, his presence on the team’s bench during Wednesday’s international friendly against the Albiceleste of Argentina gave rise to curiosity as some of his fans present could not help but wonder if the leggy player’s purported retirement was a shaggy dog story after all.

But on Thursday, at the Hardely Suites located on the Lagos Island where NationSport had an encounter with the two-time African Footballer of The Year, Kanu put paid to all speculations that may have hung about

KANU’S PROFILE

• Kanu lifts the FA trophy won by his team, Portsmouth

By Stella Bamawo

regarding a longer stay in international football.

The mercurial former skipper of the senior national team had arrived late for Thursday’s appointment at the Hardely Suites where journalists were already waiting to have a parley with him.

He came into the venue spotting a black Kaftan while brimming with smiles from ear to ear, and in his customary humble manner was quick to apologize for keeping his guests waiting. He attributed his lateness to the aftermath of the Eagles’ Wednesday night’s victory over Argentina He spared not much time in stating his cause for the media parley as he gave a brief valedictory speech which hung more on his testimonial match with which he plans to bring the world’s best football stars to Nigeria next week.

But why choose to retire now?

Kanu was asked and with a firm voice which echoed in the hall, breaking a silence that had suddenly enveloped everyone, he

replied: “Well Kanu is not interested in wearing the green white green colour again.” But could it be that this all-time patriotic Nigerian is unhappy with the way he felt neglected by the new Super Eagles tacticians?

Or does he still feel hurt by the way he felt treated in his last international engagements for the country where he virtually played the 2010 Nations Cup and World Cup from the bench? Kanu supplied the all important answer by stating that younger Nigerians need to be given the chance to shine in the senior national team like he was given in his heydays.

He said: “It is high time we start to recognize our young players. I will keep myself busy especially trying to help the youths from the grassroots, the talents are there and we have to start encouraging them.”

But what next for the first man that led an African side to winning an Olympic soccer gold medal?

Nationsport asked and Kanu replied: “I will soon unveil what I will be doing,” but shockingly he continued that his next occupation is “definitely not coaching.”

The man with the golden heart went on: “I have my heart foundation, I need more time to be part of it; I am trying my best taking time from my active football. But now, if I finish, I will

have time for that and now I am still ambassador of NFF. And I have other things that I do.”

Looking back at his illustrious career Papilo commented; “I feel good, knowing that I have done enough, knowing that I have been there for years. I have done a lot. I have achieved a lot. I thought it was high time to come out to thank my fans, Nigerians.”

Kanu has seen success on many fronts in his career just as he has had to battle and overcome challenges. But his, is a story of a never say die warrior, and he reckons that behind that spirit and power that has kept him on for years had been God, self confidence and hard work.

Hear him: “It is good to believe in God, being very focused and disciplined. You have to believe in yourself, because if you don’t nobody would. And keep on working hard.

“There is no short cut to success whatever you put in is what you get.”

To the upcoming ones his says: “I will tell upcoming players to take pride out (of their lives) because pride destroys a lot of things. Keep on working hard, people will acknowledge you.”

The former Nigerian captain is done with international football on the field but says it’s not over yet off the pitch of play; He states: “Now as an NFF

ambassador, I will help them to liaise with the foreign clubs, liaising with the coaches and making sure the youths of Nigerians get the chance (to do well) and make sure they improve,” he said.

There is no doubt that Kanu has had many memorable moments in his career which would readily flood his mind when events invoke their memories.

However, the first ever Nigerian golden goal scorer reckons that

“It is high time we

one moment stands tall above them all.

“I will never forget the, 1996 Atlanta Olympics against Brazil,” he began as he goes down memory lane. “It was difficult game,” he remarked.

recognize our young players. I will keep myself busy especially trying to help the youths from the grassroots, the talents are there and we have to start encouraging them.”

• Kanu in Arsenal jersey

(Gls)† (20) (15) (25) (1) (30) (7) (19) (5) (3) (13)

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

34

NATION SPORT

Inside The Glass House WITH AMINU MAIGARI

Super Sweet Relief I

was in Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday with the NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu for the 61st FIFA Congress when the Super Eagles filed out against Argentina at the National Stadium, Abuja in an international friendly match.

The high-profile Guinness The Match had, of course, been on the airwaves and newspaper sports pages for weeks. Any game between these two countries with memorable encounters between them would always generate great interest and passion.

It was clear from the tone of the two Coaches and Captains at the pre-match press conference that both teams would give their all.

The Argies wanted very much to maintain their dominance over the Super Eagles’ while the Nigerian team saw this as an opportunity to exact some revenge over past defeats at senior and junior levels.

While the National U-17 team, Golden Eaglets defeated their Argentine counterparts 4-0 at the 1993 FIFA U-17 World Cup (Nigeria eventually won that competition) and the U23 team (Dream Team) won that unforgetable Olympic Games Men’s Football Tournament Final in Atlanta, USA in 1996, the Argies had been smiling all the way in other encounters.

In four previous games at senior level, the Super Eagles had lost three and drawn one, scored only one goal and conceeded four. Not too impressive a record, you would say. The Argies had won three and four, with only one goal against. The only time the Eagles had escaped defeat was at the Intercontinental Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia early 1995.

The diary was thrown at our faces all over the place, and even without Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Javier Mascherano and Gonzalo Higuain, the South American giants were still expected to carry the day.

It was, therefore, super sweet relief to see the Super Eagles going all out and hitting the goals with captivating counter-attacks and epic individual performances. Alongside Barrister Musa Amadu, I watched the match on video streaming in Zurich after the 61st FIFA Congress had been successfully concluded.

One is particularly delighted with the spirit and savvy shown by the team that Samson Siasia is building. The mesmerizing moves, can-do poise and gogo attitude of the players, including the much younger ones, was pleasing to the eye.

In his own little way, Samson Siasia continues to make history. We all remember that before Wednesday evening, he was the only Nigerian to have scored against Argentina at senior level, that loftily chipped goal at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in USA. on Wednesday, he became the first Coach to lead Nigeria to victory over Argentina at senior level.

Though, the thing with consistent breaking of records is that your own records get broken along the way. As Siasia became the first Coach to lead Nigeria to victory over Argentina, his own record of being the only man to have scored against Argentina at senior level got broken by his player.

Ikechukwu Uche went a step further, becoming the first Nigerian to score two goals against Argentina at senior level. The joint top scorer for Nigeria in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying series has now scored seven goals in seven games for Nigeria since returning from an inauspicious injury that ensured he missed the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.

The youthful Emmanuel Emenike scored his first international goal for Nigeria with such aplomb, and yet, ease. The way he cheekily, chipped that ball over the Argentina goalie for the fourth goal made goalscoring look so easy.

Young ones like Ambrose Efe and Joel obi shone brightly under the floodlight, and Captain Joseph Yobo was his immaculate self. Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama had very little to do, compared to that extremely busy night he had on June 12, 2010 when both teams squared up at the Ellis Park, Johannesburg in the World Cup finals. Yet, there is no way anyone would forget easily how he launched that third goal with foresight.

Mikel Obi was able and articulate, Kalu Uche did not disappoint with his intelligent marking and Victor Anichebe and Obinna Nsofor were inspired. Taye Taiwo and Emenike just signed for new clubs and that probably motivated their excellent performance. How many people remembered, on the night, that Chibuzor Okonkwo is domestic League player? Such was his poise and confidence.

When they came into the game, Dele Aiyenugba, Ahmed Musa, Peter Utaka, Yusuf Ayila and Fengor Ogwude did not disappoint, and everyone agreed the goal by Argentina, deep into added time, was a gift.

Now, Siasia has won seven

out of eight games, scored 22 goals and conceeded six.

This is marvelous, but I am happy that he knows, and even said so at the postmatch conference on Wednesday night, that the big match is the clash with Ethiopia in Addis Ababa on Sunday. The NFF is delighted with that realization and all hands are on deck to ensure the three points come into the kitty.

By this evening, the delegation to Addis Ababa (including players and technical crew) will depart aboard a chartered flight, arriving aroung 9pm in Addis Ababa. The players will sleep and have light work out in the morning and play the game starting from 4pm (2pm Nigeria time) tomorrow, and get the three points before the high altitude begins to have any effect.

The performance on Wednesday night is soothing because it has given the team immense confidence ahead of the game in East Africa.

Defeat would have had some negative effect, perhaps, though Coach Siasia said during the week that the two games are different.

With Guinea up there at seven points, the onus is on the Super Eagles to descend on the Walias Antelopes in such a way that we can build a healthy goals advantage, in case things come to deciding on goals difference at the end of the day, though we don’t think that will happen.

Re-match with the Argies?

I remember that 15 years ago, following the sweet victories the Dream Team secured against them in the Olympic Games Men’s Football Tournament, Argentina and Brazil launched efforts to have matches against Nigeria shortly after. The then Sports Minister was said to have been against such friendlies coming so soon after, prefering that Nigeria savoured those memories for long before taking on the South American giants again.

The thought came into my mind on Wednesday night that the Argentines would definitely not want the memory of a 4-1 hiding by Nigeria to stick in their memories for a very long time. They would probably want a re-match, and perhaps quickly too.

This time, we would do nothing to block such a game.

Friendly internationals remain friendly internationals, and should be welcome at all times. Football has become the strongest weapon of international relations, this fact attested to by even professors of international

diplomacy.

Should Argentina want another game, even in Buenos Aires, we would be willing to take them on because we are building a team, and when you are building a team, you need matches to do so, in order to assess several areas.

Re-match with Argentina?

Surely, we would be ready.

Dream Team up against Young Taifa Stars in Dar es Salaam Sunday is a big day for Nigeria football, and I use this medium to call on all football-loving Nigerians to pray for our Super Eagles and Dream Team. Less than an hour after the Super Eagles would have concluded the business against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa, the Dream Team would continue their journey for a place at next year’s Olympics in London with a first leg tie against Young Taifa Stars of Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.

The two teams have prepared well for their different encounters: The Super Eagles roasted world power Argentina 4-1 at the National Stadium, Abuja on Wednesday and last weekend, the Dream Team gave a good account of themselves against Costa Rica’s senior team in an international friendly in San Jose, losing to a late goal.

The winner of the two-leg fixture against Tanzania will qualify for an eight-team mini league to take part in one of the countries in December, at which the top three teams will qaulify for the London Olympics while the fourth-placed team plays off against another team from the Asian continent.

Go for it, boys. You can do it.

Blatter returns...

FIFA President, Joseph Sepp Blatter has been re-elected President of the world football governing body, FIFA for a fourth and final term, at the 61st FIFA Congress that ended in Zurich, Switzerland on Wednesday.

As one of the countries that made their support for Blatter public before the vote, Nigeria warmly congratulates Mr. Blatter for this feat and wishes him a very useful final term at the helm of FIFA, while praying that God will give him the strength and wisdom to consolidate on his many programmes for the development of football in Africa and the world at large.

• Siasia

• Dede

Dede: We will make Nigeria proud

A

T 31, goalkeeper Precious Dede will lead out Nigeria’s Super Falcons at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Germany next month.

It will be her third FIFA Women's World Cup appearance, having been a part of the teams at the 2003 and 2007 tournaments as well. She has equally starred at two Olympics, in 2004 and 2008, and when you add her short stint in Norway playing professional football, you have a strong vein of experience that the can hold the spine of Nigeria steady from the back in the biggest matches.

In November, the agile Delta Queens of Asaba shot-stopper proudly lifted high the glittering African Women’s Championship trophy in Johannesburg amidst bedlam caused by her jubilant team-mates. For the Falcons it was all the more pleasing as it was achieved at the expense of fellow Germany 2011 finalists Equatorial Guinea, who had shocked Nigeria to win their firstever continental title two years previously, ending the west African's previous dominance.

The current Falcons are a fine blend of veteran campaigners like Dede, Stella Mbachu and Perpetua Nkwocha as well as youngsters like Ebere Orji, Desire Oparanozie, Esther Sunday and Francisca Udegha. And in South Africa, the group was a different class: firing in 19 goals while Lagos-born Dede only picked the ball from her net four times in five matches. “Dede was simply wonderful in goal at the AWC. She has really justified the confidence put in her as the country’s number one goalkeeper,” remarked former international Ann Chiejine, who played at three FIFA Women's World Cups.

Focus on Germany Despite having the strongest history with women’s football in Africa, Nigeria have failed to make a major mark on the world stage. At USA 2003, they lost all three group matches and did not score a goal while letting in 11.

Four years later, they again finished at the bottom of their first round group, and they claimed a solitary point from a draw with Sweden. Captain Dede expects a far better showing by the Falcons in Germany and would not even rule out making history by becoming the first African side to land the biggest prize in women’s football.

This is the time to go out there and show our stuff. Don’t rule us out of reaching the final of the World Cup, or better still, coming back home with the trophy.Nigeria goalkeeper Precious Dede about Germany 2011 “We have all been expecting

another chance to have a go at achieving something better at the world stage,” said the upbeat goalkeeper, whose older brother encouraged her even when her parents frowned at her football career. “This is the time to go out there and show our stuff. Don’t rule us out of reaching the final of the World Cup, or better still, coming back home with the trophy.”

While understanding the high level of play set to be on offer in Germany, Dede is sure there will be no slip-ups for the green-clad side as they put the finishing touches on their preparations at a training camp in Austria. “Being the skipper of the team, I promise we will be in Germany to make Nigeria proud,” she said. “I am counting on our coaches - led by Eucharia Uche - to bring out the best in us, and by the time we have rounded up our preparations in Austria, I am very sure that we will be ready to take on the world.”

Confidence from the back Foreign-based pros like Faith Ikidi, Helen Ukaonu, Uchechi Sunday, Emueje Ogbiagbevha, Rita Chikwelu, Sarah Michael and Perpetua Nkwocha are expected to soon join up with the mainly home-based squad in the fourweek long camp in Saalfelden, Austria. “We have quality players whose contributions will be vital at the World Cup,” said Dede.

“We will not disappoint, we will make Nigerians proud again.”

I love acting and you never can tell if I will take to it after I retire from football.Dede on her possible second career Nigeria take on France in their opening match in Sinsheim on 26 June, with Group A encounters against hosts and defending champions Germany in Frankfurt, and Canada in Dresden, to follow.

For Falcons coach, Eucharia Uche, the defence marshalled by Dede provided her with the biggest cheer in South Africa. “My defence gave me the most joy,” she revealed. “They were marvellous the entire tournament. They conceded few goals and did not commit many blunders.”

A FIFA Women's World Cup winners’ medal would be most fitting parting gift for Dede, who holds a diploma in theatre arts and says she could well cash in on her good looks and popularity to become a movie star when she is through with the game. “I would most probably have been a successful actress by now," she said with a smile. "I love acting and you never can tell if I will take to it after I retire from football." You can be sure that if she is half as good an actress as she is a goalkeeper, Dede will be on the ‘A’ list of Nigeria’s booming movie industry, Nollywood.

Olubanwo Fagbemi

On Sport Sport On SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

36

AFRICAN NATIONS CUP QUALIFIER...AFRICAN NATIONS CUP QUALIFIER...

SENEGAL v CAMEROUN

Niang ready for cracker T

HE captain of the Senegalese national team has said his team is ready to face Cameroun when the two sides meet for an important African Nations Cup qualifier in Yaoundé tonight.

Mamadou Niang was speaking following Wednesday’s training session at the Leopold Sedar Senghor stadium as the Teranga lions improve on their tactics ahead of the clash.

“We are ready to break every barrier” the Fernabache forward said. He continued that team spirit will be the key even though he knows how difficult it will be playing in front of Cameroonian fans “we know it’s going to be a tough game but we are aware

of the dangers pose by the Lions who will want to do everything to win.”

Senegal will qualify for the Nations Cup if they defeat Cameroun tonight and prolific striker Moussa Sow reckons everything is possible.

“We have 99 percent of chances to qualify on Saturday. It’s left for us to play and win the encounter like we have always done”.

The top scorer in the French league, however, maintains that the task ahead will not be easy.

“Cameroun will be ready to resist in front of their fans but we know how best to come out of such situations, especially when we are on a winning spree,” he added.

Senegal arrived Yaoundé on Thursday two days before the encounter.

The West Africans lead Group E with nine points after three

contests and victory in Yaoundé may see them through to the 2012 African Cup of Nations to be hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

EGYPT v SOUTH AFRICA

Pharaos fight for survival

R

ECORD seven-time champions Egypt face a fight for CAF Africa Cup of Nations survival this weekend while Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal could qualify for the 2012 tournament.

Bottom-of-the-table, Egypt hosts Group G pacesetters South Africa in Cairo desperate to avenge a 1-0 loss in Johannesburg three months ago and avoid the humiliation of becoming the first title holders not to reach the finals. Côte d'Ivoire will join co-hosts Gabon and Equatorial Guinea and Botswana as qualifiers for the biennial African football showcase if they collect maximum points from a Group H fixture in Benin and Rwanda do not win away to Burundi.

Egypt has just one point from a possible nine after coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Sierra Leone in Cairo and losing in Niger and South Africa and assistant coach Shawky Gharib acknowledges it is win-or-bust now. "It is a decisive match for the players and the technical staff. We have won the last three tournaments and have to win on Sunday. The game will be totally different from Johannesburg."

It is a decisive match for the players and the technical staff. We have won the last three tournaments and have to win on Sunday.

Egypt assistant coach Shawky Gharib "Egypt are going to throw everything at us," admitted Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane. "They will not play with three centre-backs this time, opting instead for more midfielders and strikers."

Injuries deplete both teams, with Egypt lacking midfielders Mohamed

• Niang

Shawky and Mohamed Aboutreika and striker Amr Zaki while South Africa must do without centre-back Bongani Khumalo and midfielder Thanduyise Khuboni. Senegal snatched victory over four-time champions Cameroon in similar fashion to South Africa with West Ham striker Demba Ba scoring the lone goal deep in stoppage time.

"I just love this team. The guys are good and are beginning to behave like brothers. We are going to do everything possible to stay top and qualify as early as possible," promised Ba who misses the Yaounde game through injury.

MOROCCO v ALGERIA

Biggest test yet for Gerets and his Lions

A

NYONE who looked at Group D after the draw and figured that the 2012 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) race would be dominated by Morocco and Algeria were off the mark. After three games played, the two favorites from the Maghreb are surprisingly in third and fourth places in a group that includes the Central African Republic and Tanzania, who are ranked first and second thanks to their superior goal difference.

For the Atlas Lions, their meager standing is primarily due to their faulty start to Afcon qualifying, when they failed to get past a stubborn Central African Republic team in Rabat.

Some have pointed to Eric Gerets’ late arrival as the main reason for the disappointment, but the players had to face Tanzania without him as well, and came back with all three points from Dar es Salaam. They then headed to Annaba where they looked offensively inept despite all their possession against a betterorganised and seemingly more

motivated Algeria side in Gerets’ first qualifier at the helm.

Now their coach is under a considerable amount of pressure, as a loss in Marrakesh would essentially mean that Morocco would have to rely on favours from other sides in order to qualify and avoid missing a second Afcon in a row.

In dire need of a win, the Belgian tactician hasn’t hesitated in ratcheting up the intensity by admitting that if he fails to lead Morocco to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea then the Moroccan Royal Football Federation (FRMF) would be legally free to sack him per the conditions in his contract.

The majority of football fans in the north African kingdom don’t want to see that happen, as most agree that Gerets is doing a fine job and that improvements are starting to show. If his players want him to stick around and continue the revival he’s been tasked with, then it’s up to them to win at all cost. Individual flair and pretty build up play won’t count for much if the Atlas Lions

fall flat like they did in Annaba.

The Fennecs look to outfox their neighbours again Much like their upcoming opponents, Algeria stumbled out of the gates of Afcon qualifying when they came from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against Jan Poulsen’s Tanzania in Blida. After a rather underwhelming 2010 World Cup campaign during which the team didn’t score a single goal, the result proved to be former Fennecs coach Rabah Saadane’s last game in charge, as he was sacked by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF).

His replacement, Abdelhak Ben Chikha, followed that up with a nightmare start of his own when his men collapsed in the late stages of an away match against the Central African Republic. The 2-0 loss ended up being a catalyst for the Fennecs, who knew that another letdown against Morocco would not only drop them out of qualifying contention, but would also likely bring Ben Chikha’s time with the national team to an undesired premature end.

e-mail: deewalebf@yahoo.com

FIFA: from Guérin to Blatter

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LEARED of involvement in the allegations of bribery, corruption and secret meetings swirling around suspended Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) executive members Mohamed bin Hammam and Jack Warner by the Ethics Committee, Sepp Blatter successfully stood unopposed in the June 1 elections for FIFA Presidency. Known for his penchant to survive, the wily Swiss declared that the football body had “difficulties” and not ”crisis” while defying calls for a postponement and making concessions to ensure probity and fairness in future.

Some would feel that bin Hammam was tactically withdrawn from the race and yet others that Blatter was more likely corrupt than not. Regardless of opinion, Blatter begins his last four-year term on the job even less likely to fulfil the pledge to stamp out corruption from world football, or avoid another major scandal.

At FIFA since 1975, first as Technical Director (1975–1981) and then General Secretary (1981–1998) before his election as FIFA President in 1998, Blatter was re-elected as FIFA head in 2002 and re-elected unopposed for another four years in 2007 even though only 66 of 207 FIFA members nominated him. He sought and won another term as FIFA president in December 2009.

Founded on May 21, 1904, FIFA, as the governing body of association football, is one of the world’s oldest and largest NGOs. It has since expanded to include 208 member associations.

Football spread following the first official match between representatives of England and Scotland in 1872 at Hamilton Park, Patrick, Glasgow, and the need for a global governing body emerged. After disagreements within the United Kingdom, the nations of continental Europe formed ‘FIFA’ in Paris, uniting the Football Associations of France, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Germany had joined by the time the first FIFA Congress was held and Robert Guérin was elected President. Early attempts at the organisation of a tournament began, but failed without the British countries. England, however, joined on April 14, 1905 while Daniel Burley Woolfall took over as president in 1906.

FIFA continued to expand in federations and influence, as it monopolised international matches. However, it relied on the Football Association who organised the football tournaments of the 1908 and 1912 Olympic Games which were both won by Great Britain.

The first non-European member, South Africa, joined in 1909, and Argentina and Chile followed in 1912. The USA and Canada entered just before World War I in 1913. International football was rare during World War I between 1914 and 1918, and FIFA nearly collapsed after Woolfall’s death in 1918.

Acting alone, the vice-president from the Netherlands, Carl Anton Wilhelm Hirschmann, kept FIFA alive, eventually convening an assembly in 1919 at Brussels. However, the British Associations were not very interested in re-establishing ties with former enemies, and effectively boycotted FIFA until the end of World War II. Jules Rimet of France was, meanwhile, elected chairman in 1920, becoming president in 1921. FIFA began to organise Olympic Games football tournaments, with 60,000 spectators watching the final at the 1924 Summer Olympics between Uruguay and Switzerland.

These successes prompted FIFA, at the Amsterdam congress of 28 May 1928, to consider staging its own World Championship. At the following Congress in Barcelona, plans were finalised.

The first finals were held in Uruguay, which was celebrating its 100th anniversary of independence the following year.

Unfortunately, Europe throbbed with economic crisis, and teams would have to do without their key players for two months, so several nations pulled out. Without them, the first World Cup opened in Montevideo on 18 July 1930. Only four European teams attended.

Following the disappointment of not hosting the first tournament, Italy was chosen as venue for the 1934 World Cup. As in the previous tournament, all matches were played in one country, meaning some teams made the long trip home after just one qualifying round.

The final, won by the Italians, was the first to be broadcast live on radio. Italy defended the title in the last World Cup before World War II, in France.

The four British nations returned in 1946. A ‘Match of the Century’ between Great Britain and ‘Rest of Europe XI’ was played at Hampden Park in Glasgow before 135,000 spectators on May 10, 1947 and Britain won 6-1. The £35, 000 proceeds from the match were given to FIFA, to help re-launch it after World War II. It was followed by FIFA’s first post-war World Cup in 1950, held in Brazil. The organisation, meanwhile, continued to expand so that by the time of its fiftieth anniversary it had 84 members.

In 1950, Jules Rimet was replaced by Rodolphe William Seeldrayers of Belgium who died the next year and was succeeded

by Englishman, Arthur Drewry. He again had a short presidency and was replaced upon his death in 1961 by Sir Stanley Rous, a former referee.

During Rous’ presidency, the game continued to spread, with the World Cup appearing on television for the first time. Rous was a traditionalist, promoting the amateurism of the national game and a romantic view of “Corinthian” values. He helped make the World Cup one of the biggest international sports events, behind perhaps only the Olympic Games in worldwide prestige.

Rous was replaced in 1974 by the Brazilian, Jean-Marie Faustin Goedefroid Havelange, more commonly known as João Havelange.

Born May 8, in Rio de Janeiro, Havelange was the 7th President of FIFA, serving from 1974 to 1998.

Between 1958 and 1975, João Havelange served as president of the Confederação Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) and was a member of the Comitê Olímpico Brasileiro (Brazilian Olympic Committee) between 1955 and 1963. FIFA became a much more commercial institution as Havelange increased the number of teams in the World Cup to 24 for the 1982 World Cup and to 32 at the 1998 World Cup finals.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

BACK ST AGE

•Sandra Obiago receiving her award from Mr. Mike Bamiloye and Mr. Mile Agboola

•Sandra Obiago flanked by Victor Okhai and Joke Silva

GOFESTIVAL 2011

Gospel films without boundaries!

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HE challenge for technical and artistic excellence in the production and exhibition of gospel movies took rd centre stage again during the 3 edition of Gospel Film Festival (Gofestival) which ends today at the Jogor Center, Ibadan, Oyo State capital. For four days, filmmakers from the secular and Christian outfits mingled in series of workshops, symposia and master classes to analyse trends that appear to delimit the potential of gospel films as a viable outreach media. The general atmosphere was charged with the need to capture the estranged human mind through a persuasive film media and methods that draw the 'unbelievers' closer rather than scaring them with tough doctrines.

Stemming from the theme of the festival, which read: Our Stories… Our Audience… Our Future, keynote speakers, among which were the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Mr. Afolabi Adesanya; veteran actress, Joke Silva; and studious gospel filmmaker, Mike Shola Agboola, gave talks that perhaps more than ever, would not only open the minds of this crop of filmmakers to the realisation that most of the answers required for an evangelical film reside in the immediate environment. They noted that the gospel filmmakers have a duty, not only to preach the gospel of Christ, but also through moral lessons drawn from the neighbourhood, preaching family values and encouraging patriotism in the citizenry by directing their minds to some of the individual and communal obligations that could make the nation great.

Adesanya's vivid examples of the biblical Noah, Isaac, Daniel, and Joseph were pointers to the many untapped storylines that could expand the scope of gospel movies and make them compete favourably with their counterparts in the secular genre on several issues of life. He stresses the importance of the Bible as a complete book that seeks salvation, not only of the human soul, but of his religion, his social and moral values, his politics, his economy and diplomatic relations.

“There is a lot that the secular audience can learn from Noah's Conservationist's Enterprise, Isaac's Agricultural Revolution, Daniel's Statesmanship and Political Sagacity and Joseph's Economic Management and Astute Leadership to mention but a few. These are quintessential 'Grass to Grace' epic stories that can inspire and demonstrate God's life-transforming powers.”

Joke Silva was of the opinion that gospel filmmakers must not celebrate mediocrity, but excellence if a gospel movie that is competitive is desired. She argued that a

•Festival Director, Olaitan Faranpojo with Mike Agboola Victor AKANDE, Entertainment Editor

“There are Christians who are battling with the problem of homosexuality. The story may not be holy, but they are real and we gospel filmmaker could seek the expert are afraid to touch on these themes.” support of a technical personnel needed for When the third speaker mounted the a production, even from among the podium, he brought all the drama needed to 'unbelievers' if the same could not be found exemplify his points. From the point of an in the Christian ministry. She believes that eloquent preacher, to an unassuming gift of by so doing, not only will the production be a stand-up comedian and dramatic analyst, better for it, the spirit of not discriminating Mike Agboola engaged the audience in 45 against the expert outsider could draw him minutes through an exciting, comic laden closer to God. She advised that it is not ungodly to seek knowledge from those who and thought provoking lecture on the future of the gospel film in Nigeria, thus bringing have been gifted with it irrespective of the audience to their feet in thunderous whether they are Christians or not. clapping ovation in the end.

Silva, who also praised the ingenuity of Agboola, who traced the advent of gospel Nollywood through what is described as its films to 1944 when the late Hubert staged a short cut methods, said there is nothing Biblical Opera entitled: The Garden of Eden, wrong in shooting a movie in relatively few noted that although the genre has advanced weeks and with low budget. She noted that with more divine inspiration and anointing, the most important factor is credible planning, and thus the short cut method is a they are, however, still lacking in standard technicalities. phenomenon that has distinguished our art “For long, Gospel Films in Nigeria have and one, which the world must desire to ridden on the crest of popularity within the learn from Nigeria. church community. They have thrived on Silva, who also noted that Christian patronage, predicated on mere sentiments filmmakers rather than allow the camera to by 'church people'. However, movie tell the stories in motion picture, often bore watchers throughout the the audience with long world (including Christian dialogue, enthused; “we are “There are watchers) have become merely showing radio plays Christians who are more intelligent, more and stage plays instead of discerning and more screenplays on film.” battling with the selective than ever.”

The actress, who noted problem of The filmmaker, who is the that most Christian films, homosexuality. The president of EVOM World rather than being Network, a platform for his compassionate are seen to story may not by film ministry, admonished be judgemental, decried a holy, but they are participants at the festival to situation whereby the see future, not as a time that filmmakers also shy away real and we are is still far away, but as a from other serious issues of afraid to touch on time that has come. life that could be corrected these themes” “I strongly recommend through the film media.

that every filmmaker who desires to be future-compliant must take the words of Martin Scorsese seriously. The American filmmaker said: 'Ï always tell younger filmmakers and students: Do it like the painters used to. Study the old masters.

Enrich your palette. Expand the canvas.

There's always so much more to learn.'”

Agboola analysed what he called the ingredients for a good movie through the power of the story and the film's production values. This he broke down into credible plots and sub plots; character and characterisation; role interpretation; educative and informative values of the story; emotional impact and suspense.

He however pointed out that in search for professionalism, Christian filmmakers must not lose focus of their calling by drifting into compromise, perverseness and obscenity which he noted has become the stock-intrade of some desperate producers in the Nigerian film industry.

Festival Director, Olaitan Faranpojo, noted rd that the event, which is in its 3 year, is leveraging on the successes of the two previous editions.

“The aim and objectives of this event is to celebrate the video and film industry which has emerged as a major form of dramatic expression and create international exposure and bring African Christian moviemakers under one roof to share versatility of message and ingenuity and re-engineer structures, systems and psyche that will develop the Christian film industry and create an avenue for the nurturing and promotion of African Christian filmmakers to meet with the challenges of the 21st century and striving to bring everyone to the obedience of Christ.”

Receiving a gospel media award, Chief Executive of Communicating for Change (CFC), Sandra Obiago, broke down in tears while recounting the years she became born again as a teenager.

“My parent thought I was going to become a missionary, but I thank God that what we do at CFC is not different from mission work, as producers of documentary films which have been broadcast in over 30 countries, dealing in topics of human rights, women empowerment, HIV and AIDS, environment, democracy, and good governance. We also lift up family values because this is also what the church stands for.”

She expressed gladness with what she described as the power of creativity, finding its foot in the church. “Gospel films have begun to rise,” she said, noting that it is amazing that the best music today is coming from the church. “Let us not undermine the power of word and creativity in changing lives,” she admonished.

Saturday

SPECIAL

Profile Partying Happenstances Style

SOCIAL SCENE

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

The secrets d o o g y of m e u q i s y h p -Ex-commissioner and Delta Rep

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

‘My wardrobe can pass for a boutique’ Hon. Mercy Almona-Isei (JP), a one-time Delta State Commissioner, is an ex-model and former member of the House of Representatives representing Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency in Delta State. In this interview with GBENGA ADERANTI, the Mass Communication graduate, who practised journalism for more than 20 years, speaks about her life as a politician an ex-model and a mother.

A

•Hon. Almona-Isei

T your age, you still look gracious and elegant. What is the secret?

Thanks for your compliment. I give God the glory for His grace. I try as much as possible to eat right, exercise right and keep myself from harbouring anger or resentment for long. I smile and laugh a lot even when I am hurting sometimes, because I am human. I also attribute my physique to the genetic engineering of my Creator.

Were you at any point in your life a beauty queen or a model?

I was never a beauty queen, but I was once a model. While working as a client service executive in an advertising agency in the mid 70s, there were very few models and, in fact, only about one modelling agency existed then. Agencies’ clients did not have huge budgets as we have these days. So, in order to maximise their profits, agencies tended to look inwards and improvise, if you like. The head of our studio at Adsell (now defunct), Sherif Salako, thought I had all it takes to be a model. That was how I found myself modelling. It was actually great seeing my life-size picture on billboards and cinema screens, modelling Moccasin shoes, Velcro

tape, and so on.

How would you describe yourself?

I am an easy-going, faithful and loyal person; a devoted and caring mother; a perfectionist who is kind to a fault.

You had the opportunity of meeting other people as a member of the House of Representatives. How much of other people’s culture do you know?

I thank God for the opportunities I’ve had to serve my nation so far.

The experience I had in the House of Representatives has expanded my coast and broken barriers for me. As at today, due to my interaction with my colleagues from other parts of the country while on over-sight activities, social or political engagements, I have come to respect the essence of the people which is expressed in their culture. The linkage formed is life-long and it endures. I can safely say that I am quite versed in the culture of the people of Nigeria, which is as diverse as you can imagine.

That is the beauty and pride of Nigeria.

How did you manage the home front as a member of the House of Representatives?

Every woman is adept at home management. You would realise that before my election into the House of Representatives, I had served at the state level as a commissioner. So, by the time I won my election and became a National Assembly member, I had already established a routine that took care of the home front in a seamless manner.

I can’t stop being amazed at your body frame. How often do you go to gym?

I do exercise at home, I do aerobics. But I must confess that time has been a challenge in the last few months. I hope to get on with my exercise regimen very soon.

How would you describe a trendy woman?

A trendy woman knows what to wear to suite every occasion and age.

What do you wear to the office?

I like to look and feel smart and comfortable. So you are not likely to see me wearing boubou and such engaging outfits to work.

Who designs what you wear?

My designers are not likely to be seen on fashion runways. But they are fantastic.

What does your wardrobe look like?

My wardrobe can pass for a boutique.

There are clothes, including wrappers, suits, dresses, head ties, shoes, bags, and so on. I guess it is so with every woman.

What is that fashion accessory you can’t do without?

That is a difficult one to answer. My hand bag, because it contains all the knick-knacks you can think of.

How best do you think a woman should dress?

Overdressing, heavy make-up and wrong colour co-ordination constitute a fashion crime. As far as I am concerned, simplicity is elegant and sophisticated.

African men are polygamous by nature.

If your husband decides to take another wife today, how are you likely to react to it?

A man who is polygamous can never be a happy man, because everybody involved in that plural matrimony, lives in a less than happy or content state. Polygamy breeds distrust, envy and discontent.

What is your resolve on inter-tribal marriage?

If people can have best friends from ethnic groups other than theirs, I do not see why marriages across ethnic boundaries should not be encouraged. They promote mutual understanding and integration.

Would you allow your child to marry a foreigner or someone outside your tribe?

I am very comfortable with it as far as they love each other. They can marry anyone of their choice. It does not matter where they hail from. In fact, none of my sons’ wives is of my ethnic stock, and everybody is happy.

I love them and they love and adore me. I enjoy a mother-daughter relationship with them. By the way, I have four sons and one biological daughter.

Some women would argue that if they were men, things would be better for them career-wise. What is your take on this?

To some extent, I tend to agree with this view in relation to my career as a politician.

In order to enhance your career, as a woman, there are certain actions your male colleagues take or certain places they go that socio-cultural inhibitions preclude you from engaging in, for fear of being profiled because of your gender. There are still some public office positions the society assumes are preserved for the male, and no matter the woman’s expertise, it can never be considered her turf.

Most people complain that women in positions of authority are always rigid and sadistic. Do you share this view?

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

‘

I am an incurable optimist. And if you watch the political trend, it is not impossible for this generation to produce a female president, especially if you take the finger of God in the affairs of mankind into consideration. If Obama can get to the White House and if one of us, a minority, can be overwhelmingly voted into Aso Rock in this milieu and clime, then let us be optimistic that it can be done. All we need to do as women is get our act together

’

•Hon. Almona-Isei That is part of the profiling I had earlier referred to. Our male-dominated society and bureaucracy have a mindset, and women in positions of authority are viewed from that prism. It is actually psychological.

Conversely, it is the female boss who understands the needs of her subordinates and makes allowance for such. Talk about the milk of human kindness. Of course, you may get a few exceptions to the rule.

What puts you off in people?

Treachery. When I remember certain times when friends or associates have been treacherous, it hurts. But because of my attitude to life, these are fleeting thoughts that I don’t give energy to.

What gives you joy?

The totality of God’s goodness to me makes me happy and thankful.

What is that thing you cannot do without?

Whatever or whoever I am is not my making. The Almighty God, the Creator, is infinite and omnipotent. He knows best. So, I cannot add or subtract from that which He has given to me. As far as I am concerned, I am happy and satisfied with myself, because I believe I personify His goodness and glory.

On the last note, how do you spend your weekend?

After the fast pace of the week days, I try as much as I can to slow down; that is if political or social commitments would allow. All the same, I catch up on my reading while also devoting time to my God. How would you describe the electoral victory of President Goodluck Jonathan in the last presidential election?

President Jonathan’s victory in the just concluded presidential election was a phenomenal consensual endorsement by the majority of the electorate. The demonstration of the acceptance of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan by voters represents the profound goodwill he enjoys across the length and breadth of the country. That is largely because Mr. President, by his actions, has shown that he can be trusted to bring about the much desired transformation and national rebirth the country needs.

I must hasten to say that he had the most organised and co-ordinated campaign of all the candidates. In every state, local government area, ward and even unit throughout the country, his campaign was formidable..

The South-East, like some other zones, voted massively for the President during the last election. How do you think the President should compensate the region for its support?

First, let me commend the wonderful and great people of this nation, particularly the South East zone, for recognising a good thing and going for it. When you talk about compensation, it connotes the idea that people from the few areas where Mr. President did not record massive voters’ endorsement would be penalised. Far from it. As you can see from his statements and disposition since his election, President Jonathan is not vindictive. Rather, he is humane.

Moreover, he quite understands that this is democracy in action. In politics, it is commonplace and inevitable for the undiscerning and gullible voters to be swayed one way or the other. So, there would be no punitive actions against the so-called non-performing zones. That is not to say that our brothers and sisters in the South-East geo-political region should not be accorded their due recognition for their unprecedented display of support and acceptance of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, which has culminated in his election as President.

The position of the Speaker, according to the Peoples Democratic Party, has been zoned to the South West. But a group in the South East has said they would not agree with it. What is your take on this?

If the party has adopted a position and a group from the South East, like you said, or any group for that matter, is not particularly pleased with the decision, I believe there is still room for dialogue and consensusbuilding. I am confident that at the end of the day, a win-win arrangement will be put in place by the party for all concerned.

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has won all the South West states except Ondo. APGA too has won another state in the South East. Do you see APGA replicating ACN’s feat in the South East?

I do not think that APGA should be given any credit for that outcome of the governorship poll in Imo. It was a win by default. If you were familiar with the events that led to the emergence of the governorelect, then you will appreciate my analysis.

Imo, undisputedly, is a PDP-dominated state. But incidentally, the primary election process in some states threw up some local issues that were possibly mishandled.

Another good example is Anambra, which had erroneously been tagged an APGA state because there is a governor produced by APGA. I believe Nigerians and even book makers have become wiser now with the election result. So, simply put, I do not see APGA displacing the PDP in Imo State or in the South East.

Some people have argued that it takes the election tribunals and courts too long to resolve electoral disputes, and that it does not make sense to declare the election of a candidate illegal after he or she has spent three years out of a four-year-term. Do you agree with this?

While I believe in the rule of law, I find it difficult to accept some of the pronouncements emanating from the courts over these election disputes. Again, the electoral law has not helped matters. A poorly couched piece of legislation, which is what the electoral law is, will always constitute a recipe for miscarriage of justice, disaffection and disenchantment. This particular legislation has unfortunately created a situation that allowed some judicial officers to perform roles reserved exclusively for either the political party or even INEC. It was quite confusing and disturbing to see some courts virtually becoming returning officers. All this can be attributed to the lacuna in the law, which could be exploited. When the 2006 amendment was undergoing the process, some of us in the House of Representatives objected to certain clauses we thought could be subjected to manipulation. Our voices were drowned.

Sadly, our observation has now proved prophetic.

If I’m not mistaken, you were a victim of this legal technicality. Tell me what really happened.

Yes, I was a victim, and it is very unfortunate. Under normal circumstances, it should not have happened. I will not say much because I am writing a book on my experience. Sometimes I wonder how a person who neither took part in a primary election organised by the party nor was a candidate in a general election is proclaimed the winner of that election. I suffered the pain and stress of campaign, traversing the three local government areas, crossing the vast land of Ndokwa East, which is about 70 per cent riverine.

After all that, somebody who was sleeping in his house suddenly received what he did not deserve, courtesy of the court. It is unjust.

It is unfair. It is a slap on the tenets of human rights, and it is capable of breeding deepseated discontent in the polity. Like I said earlier, this is a subject for a later date.

What are you doing to discourage a reoccurrence?

An NGO has been set up to deal with the

saga.

What do you think should be done to discourage this?

The only way a future occurrence would be discouraged is a total reappraisal and amendment of the Electoral Act. All the vexatious clauses need to be expunged.

Otherwise, if we continue on this path, I foresee the erosion of the once revered and hallowed position of the judiciary by the growing population of the unfairly treated authentic occupiers of offices who are forced to give up positions otherwise freely, fairly and legitimately won.

Were you victimised because of your gender?

I do not think it had anything to do with gender. Incidentally, there were more women on the panel that handed down the unjust judgment against me.

Would you then say you belonged to the wrong camp?

There was nothing like wrong or right camp. Remember I had already contested and won two elections (1999 and 2003). The third election in 2007, I also went through the whole electoral process successfully until my seat was unjustly taken from me in my second year of the four-year tenure. I have served my party, the PDP, at ward, local government, state and national levels. I have been a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC). In fact, the primary election was conducted transparently because the electoral panel adopted the Option A4 system, and when a winner emerged, it was clear. There is video and photo evidence. So, my fate had nothing to do with camp, except perhaps you know what I don’t know.

Do you think women have been given enough room to express themselves in politics, especially in Nigeria?

Breaking the glass ceiling is a daunting challenge for women in Nigeria. It will take a while before women can be in positions where their capacity and mettle can be given a free rein. Until such a time when women politicians can be in decision-making positions within the internal organs of the political parties, their voices will remain muffled in the political arena.

For instance, party positions should be subjected to affirmative action. It is not enough to reserve the office of women leader and marginal ex-officio positions in the party executive committees. Enough of the patronising attitude of the male dominated system. I look forward to the day when we will have female chairmen, secretaries, organising secretaries or treasurers of the parties at all levels. With this scenario, it will be easier to expect the emergence of governors in the future.

Do you think it is possible that in this generation, a woman will become the president of Nigeria?

I am an incurable optimist. And if you watch the political trend, it is not impossible for this generation to produce a female president, especially if you take the finger of God in the affairs of mankind into consideration. If Obama can get to the White House and if one of us, a minority, can be overwhelmingly voted into Aso Rock in this milieu and clime, then let us be optimistic that it can be done. All we need to do as women is get our act together.

Recently, there were protests in the northern part of the country where some youth corps members lost their lives. Do you share the argument in certain quarters that the scheme should be scrapped?

That was a very unfortunate and sad period in our history. My heart goes out to families and loved ones of the victims, and I join other well-meaning Nigerians in calling on the government to immortalise these young heroes and heroines. Calling for the scrapping of the scheme is like treating the symptoms of the disease rather than the cause. Yes, what happened, expectedly, has thrown almost everybody in the polity into an emotive frenzy. And it is difficult not to react like the Shakespearean mob after the assassination of Julius Caesar.

I believe the scheme has been of immense benefit to us as a nation in ways that are unquantifiable. The law that created the scheme should be amended to give members adequate protection and improved amenities, while our security agencies should also be overhauled. Above all, the underlying causes of those sporadic orgies of violence and blood-letting must be addressed holistically.

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SOCIETY

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Ex-Edo deputy governor, others honour Ivie and Alex on their day

S

•The couple

•From left: Groom’s mother, Mrs Victoria Obadan; the couple, Mr. and Mrs. Obadan; Pa Edward Obadan and bride’s mother, Mrs. Grace Omogun

Gabriel KUTELU contact with her, I was immediately struck by her humility, calmness and strong personality, among other exceptional qualities.’’

Speaking further, he said: ‘’Ivie has a strong personality you will find difficult not to love when you really get close to her. Deep inside, my wife is a special person who is straight and blunt when she speaks.

“Most importantly, she is supportive of my dreams, caring-hearted, a true friend and my soul mate.’’

Ivie, on her own part, described Obadan as ‘’the man I have chosen to live the rest of my life with. A

man like him is rare to come by. I feel relaxed and contented when we are together, having the best opportunity to share my feelings with him. I know he loves me dearly.”

The two were joined together at the Oredo Registry, Benin City before they proceeded to the Youth House in the city for their reception. There, friends and well-wishers were duly entertained.

Among the people at the occasion were former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rev. Peter Obadan; Deacon and Deaconess Aigbe; Pa Edward Obadan and employees of The Nation newspapers.

•From left: Mr. Omon Obadan and former Edo State Deputy Governor, Rev. Peter Obadan.

•Deacon and Deaconess Aigbe

Pa Akinwunmi, designer of Nigeria’s flag, marks 75th birthday

What

and

Where?

•From left: Bride’s father, Elder Sylvester Omogun and Mr. Aghatise

EVEN years after they met in the university, Ivie Omogun and an employee of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation newspaper, Alex Obadan, finally walked down the aisle recently. The bride hails from Benin City, while the groom is a native of Sabogida-Ora in Edo State.

Speaking with our correspondent after the ceremony, Obadan said: ‘’I met my wife in the university during my last year on campus. I needed no prophet to know that meeting her would lead to marriage. So, I would say she is a prefect gift God has given me. During my first

•Pa Taiwo Sunday Micheal Akinwunmi (centre) with his children. From left: Akinkunmi, Miss Tosin Aina, Omolola Akinkunmi and Yusuf Omolayo, assisting their father to cut his 75th birthday cake.

PHOTOS: Gabriel KUTELU

Association elects officers

E

STATE Rents and Commission Agents Association of Nigeria, Okota/lsolo Zone, recently elected officers to run the affairs of the association for the next two years.

The outgoing chairman, Mr. Nath Okolie, while addressing members, stressed the need for peace and harmony. He said there was the need to have a formidable umbrella body to pilot the affairs of the association. He enjoined everyone to be calm so that Okota/ Isolo branch would be a model association.

Mr. Emeka lkuwagwa, Mr Kayode Mathew, Mr. Henry Emmanuel were some of the people elected during the election.

Other elected officers were Mr. Patrick Uzo for Provost, Rosemary Chukwuma for welfare, Mr. Joseph Chimezie Publicity Secretary while Ruth Udoh won the post of the Treasurer.

Adegunwa for burial The burial rites of Chief David Adebanjo Adegunwa, J.P. who died on March 17, 2011 at the age of 83 commenced yesterday, with a social wake keep at Odo Lakoye Quarters, Ososa, Ogun State. Funeral service holds at St. John Anglican Church, Ososa, Ogun State today.

This will be followed by internment at his residence. A thanksgiving and memorial service holds tomorrow at St. John’s Anglican Church, Ososa.

He is survived by several children, among whom is Dr. (Mrs.) Yemi Etim Uwah.

45

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011 •Continued from page 22

try to explain what energy means for any nation or society.

After power is health. When you look at the world and the United Nation indices, in all the facets of healthcare in the whole world, Nigeria is at the bottom. We do not regard our health as anything in this country. Hospitals, especially teaching hospitals, are made for those who are already on their way out of this planet. Teaching hospitals in those days were regarded as a place where people go to die, because Nigerians don’t take good care of their health until they are sick.

So, we are happy that the National Assembly has passed the National Health Bill.

This is a step in the right direction. The health bill had been in the front burner since 2004. But it was only two weeks ago that it saw the light of day. I would ask Mr President to append his signature on the bill, which has been approved by the National Assembly, so that it becomes a law. Once it becomes a law, it will help to harmonise healthcare delivery from the federal down to the local governments. That is one.

On transportation, the President is already tackling that. I will want the President to tell the state and the federal governments to de-emphasise road transport as a means of mass movement. It is never done in any civilised country. Mass movement of people and goods is done through the rails. They have to pay more attention to the development of the railway. They have to criss-cross the country with rails. If you travel abroad, you will see the number of people being moved every morning through the rails, in the United States, in the United Kingdom, in Germany, in Russia and all over the world.

Commissioning and improvement of railway does not only make mass movement possible, it also harnesses a lot of jobs. Jobs for people who are directly associated with the running of the rail lines and for people who are indirectly associated; like every railway station must have people either having restaurants or shops. Those who are hawking food and all sorts of items at the railway station will earn their living. It will also ease congestion on the roads, so that the Federal Government will spend less money on repairing damaged roads, so that the roads can be left for lighter vehicles and people travelling from one community to the other.

Again, there is agriculture. If you don’t eat, you cannot stay alive. Emphasis should be placed on agriculture, where certain areas within our geographical entity are mapped out for massive production of food items that are peculiar to those areas. If you know the area that can produce palm oil and palm kernel, empower all the farmers there.

Where cassava and yam thrive, do the same thing. Ensure cultivation and mass production in those areas. Groundnuts, tomato, especially rice in certain parts of the Eastern region, like Abakaliki. If enough emphasis is placed on agriculture, like it was done in those days, it will not only provide employment for unemployed graduates, it will also provide food, raw materials and foreign exchange. Prior to the discovery of oil, the South West was known for cocoa and kolanut production. Cocoa is still very important. Let government provide massive input in terms of finance, empowerment of cocoa farmers.

In the North, we used to hear of the groundnut pyramids in those days. Revive all this, so that Nigeria will depend less on importation of food. Save our money by stabilising our naira. Last but not the least is education. It is very important. With good education, people will be able to plan their lives and live well. Education will equally improve our democracy, so that people will know their right from their left in terms of politics. Education will enable us to have good graduates who can go into industries, who can be on their own, manufacturing one thing or the other, so that we depend less on importation.

All what we have listed will lead to industrialisation. And once a country becomes industrialised, the issue of joblessness will be reduced. People’s lives will be improved. Life expectancy will also improve, because right now, the life expectancy of the average Nigerian has nosedived to 49.9 years. So, you don’t expect the average Nigerian to live up to 50 years.

'Why the average Nigerian does not live longer than 49 years' Once a ‘country becomes industrialised, the issue of joblessness will be reduced.

People’s lives will be improved. Life expectancy will also improve, because right now, the life expectancy of the average Nigerian has nosedived to 49.9 years. So, you don’t expect the average Nigerian to live up to 50 years

What do you think of the Beijing gender affirmative action, which requires 35 per cent women participation in elective and appointive positions?

It is not necessary to say this is a woman or this is a man when placing people in positions. Any leader who wants to succeed should choose the best. To me, let the gender issue run its own natural course. When you look around, more women are occupying more sensitive positions in Lagos. Once you put a tag there, you will rule out quality.

Women are more in number in this country.

So, they should strive to take over from the men. Look at what happened during the general election; more women trooped out. More women voted than men. The women have got to work harder, because Mrs Jonathan has kicked off the journey for the women.

She has set the pace.

But the problem we have is that women, when it comes to politics, they don’t want their own type to govern them. So, people like women journalists should work harder for massive education and change of value of the average Nigerian woman. Let them change their mindset. Let them believe they can deliver. Let them believe they can rule this country. Massively, they can vote for themselves. But by the time they start begging, you have already sacrificed merit. So, for me, it cannot work that way. Let people be appointed into positions on the basis of merit; not because they are men or women.

Look at Okonjo Iweala. Look at all the women who worked under Obasanjo, how they performed. Even President Jonathan’s last administration, see how wonderfully the women in the cabinet performed. The average Nigerian woman is the same as the average Nigerian man. They have the same mindset. When it comes to the issue of corruption or mismanagement or lack of good leadership, you also see it among women as you see it among men. Now setting aside 25 per cent for a particular gender, it should not be so. My advice to the president is that he should do a balancing act, because good leaders are not only from the male segment of the society. We now see that many women are jumping onto the political scene to take their own. The only thing we have not had in this country is for

a woman to be voted as a governor.

That does not mean we did not have a woman governor. Remember Mrs Virgy Etiaba of Anambra State?

Yes (laughs). But what I mean is that they should go for elections and beat the men to emerge as governors.

How can we as a nation tackle the issue of corruption?

Corruption in Nigeria has become endemic.

The only way we can checkmate corruption is to visit crime with punishment. So, the EFCC and the ICPC should be up and doing. These agencies are working, but most of the cases are watered down when they get to court. This is what we are witnessing now.

There is no other way you can tackle corruption than to punish offenders and use that as a yardstick to deter would-be offenders.

But when you steal money and say, I have stolen N1 billion, let me keep half of it for myself, and the other half to defend myself, the question arises: who are those people who will absorb that portion of money through which you will defend yourself?

Those people should be fished out and equally punished, so that any time you steal money, you are keeping some to defend yourself, you will discover that whether you keep the whole or you don’t keep the whole, you must be found guilty because you have committed a crime against the people, therefore you have to be punished accordingly. Visiting crime with attendant punishment is the only way to peg the hydra headed monster known as corruption.

How did you feel about the last post-election mayhem in the North, which claimed many lives, including those of serving youth corps members?

It was a regrettable event; regrettable in the sense that our people no longer value life.

Nigerians are drifting to a valueless society, where human life is no more sacrosanct.

People take the lives of their neighbours just to satisfy their animalistic instincts. What happened in the North is pure savagery. It is something you see in an animal kingdom, not among human beings. Sacrificing the life of youth corps members, whose parents have suffered to groom over the years; who have suffered on their own; some of them were orphans, labouring here and there to give themselves education, only to end up at the end of the knives of savages.

It is sad. I believe those who sponsored them should be punished. Politics is a game that should be played; not a do or die affair. Losers should know how to accept that they have lost and accept the loss with equanimity and not by instigating children to go and kill and maim innocent citizens. We condemn that with the strongest language you can find in the dictionary.

Given your tight daily schedule, how do you unwind?

Many of us like Lagos because there are things one can do: sports, going to club with friends to drink, playing chess, going to the gym, listening to good music and watching good movies.

•Ebigwei

,

46

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

‘

T

HE strained relation ship between mothers and their daughtersin-law appears to have no end. Initially, I thought it started and ended with the uneducated mothers in law.

I was wrong. Even some educated mothers- in-law still manage to put their daughters-in-law on the spot. They attempt to put their daughters-in-law in a balance sheet; if you get my drift?

A story is told of a woman who traveled from the village to visit her son and his family who resided in Lagos.

Her daughter-in-law was elated to receive her and so went out of her way to make her stay a memorable one.

She prepared very expensive meals- from stockfish to bush meat, pounded yam etc and ensured she was made very comfortable.

But the woman saw her

Dear Vera, After going through your write up, I was dumbfounded over what obtains in our today’s generation.

Where has trust gone to?

Is there still anything like trust?

It’s scary.

Furthermore, I always tell my friend that Nigerian cultures favour men.

Ugwu Greg. Obudu Dear Vera, Housekeepers have been necessary evil of urban households worldwide. At times, these housemaids

The rivalry between mothers and daughters-in-law

hospitality as a waste of her son’s resources and secretly concealed all the meat bones and other items and assorted packs in her luggage, intending to take them back to the village and show relations what a “wasteful life” her son was living in Lagos. Of course the blame was directed to her daughter-in-law as the architect of such waste.

Most matriarchs perceive daughters-in-law as intruders and are always suspicious, while the young woman sees her older counterpart as a menace and a threat to her marriage.

Women are often times very skeptical about their son’s choices that their immediate impression is to observe and point out the lapses or physical imperfections of their son’s choices.

The question is why is this so? Circumstances and occurrences have shown that some daughters-in-law will go to any extent to rid their mothers-in-law of constant intervention into their family affairs. Experiences have also shown, especially in African culture that some mothers have made confessions as being the forces behind their son’s family problems, progress and even on fertility.

Another factor that makes most daughters-in-law and their husband’s mothers arch rivals or competitors is a intolerance or preconceived opinion about each other.

Often times, the son is in a delicate position of trying

not to offend his mother whilst trying to please his wife. This scale is often very difficult to balance.

Many young women are very prejudicial about their mothers- in- law and feel they are bound to be wicked or would stifle their husbands. Mothers find it difficult on the other hand to let go of their sons to the care of another woman he would largely entrust his future.

The relationship is further strained between the two, if the wife has delay in child bearing. In some families the mother makes it a precondition before a woman is allowed to marry their son.

They must come to a point that they accept that they

will not always play the central role in their son’s life.

There should be a synergy between mothers and daughters- in- law. There should be acceptance and mutual respect for each other.

Since nobody has attained a level of perfection, mothers-in-law should stop placing unrealistic expectation on their prospective daughters-in-law respect.

Daughters-in-law must be realistic about their mothers- in- law. She represents a mother figure although she could never be your biological mother.

She could be a bit apprehensive because you are coming from a totally different background.

Therefore, there is need for daughters-in-law to be highly tolerant and very re-

Re: If Arnold Schwazenegger was a Nigerian… tempt and other times, they are tempted by their ‘lords’.

The interesting thing about them is, they tenaciously search for the romantic and domestic inadequacies of the madams. These are used as baits in getting the ‘ogas’ on their knees on the bed.

That men are polygamous in nature is assumed to mean having more than one wife at a time, which is not applicable to all men rather all men only have clinical compulsion (mild or acute)

for extra- maritals that men carelessly take as mere mistressing.

Seun Osinkolu, Ogbomoso Dear Vera, Women usually are the victims and the culprits in infidelity. A woman for selfish reasons deals a body and emotional blow to her own. You can not thread a moving needle. A man can only propose a relationship.

The woman disposes. Why

do women inflicts so much pain on each other? The men are having a ball about their kills and its not going to stop because the fairer sex insist on being fair game.

Aloysius, Abuja Vera, If you have gotten a lady of your choice and you want her to be your closest friend will you buy her gifts? Something she does not expect.

Anonymous Dear Vera, Women are to blame in all these wayward life style of men. A girl whether young or advanced will go ahead to date a married man or even a man in a steady relationship. I like Mildred whore who claims to be more wife to Arnold than Maria. Can you beat that?

070351704622 Vera, I love your write up on the issue of Arnold. Human confidence is vanity.

Anonymous

•Facilitators at the Maiden Health Fair sponsored by Mrs Dr. Mrs Eno Attah (2nd left) Dr. (Mrs) Olaide Omotosho-Ikuru (2nd right) flanked by the staff of Carliste Pharmacy Ltd, Lagos at the event held at New Hall School, Chevy Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

Vera, You are always stepping into my eighteen yard box.

Your last sentence in your write up ‘If Arnold Schwazenegger was a Nigerian’ was, “So who can blame them Right?

Actually, they are not to be blamed because it was the creator of man that initiated man into polygamy.

Do you remember the man Abraham in the Bible?

Abraham neither picked a

concubine on his own nor ask God for any. It was God in his infinite mercies that saw that Abraham needed to taste…

Again my sister, if truth is to be told, our national assembly should as a matter of urgency promulgate a law making it mandatory for every Nigerian man that celebrates his tenth marriage anniversary to marry a second wife less than a year after his tenth marriage anniversary. This will reduce the number of single ladies on our streets.

Last but not the least, it is high time that women should start feeling for their fellow women. I can’t understand why a woman can be enjoying marriage and can not encourage her husband to marry her pretty, well manned childhood friend so that both of them can enjoy the man together?

Chris from Gboko Dear Vera, It is morally wrong to have a child outside wedlock, but when it happens it is always better for both parties to show understanding and not divorce.

Vera, more power to your elbow.

Aliu Dear Vera, I love your question, can black magic influence love?

It’s just for a moment not forever, but mostly on those who don’t have self discipline.

Peter Heavens

Most matriarchs perceive daughters-inlaws as intruders and are always suspicious, while the young woman sees her older counterpart as a menace and a threat to her marriage

’

spectful to let their mothersin-law for hem. Take time to call or visit your in-laws and try to find out about their welfare and send such meaningful gifts that they will appreciate. Time changes and mothers are human beings.

When she notices your respect and humility she may learn to accept you.

With understanding, these special relationship within your own family do not have to be strained or difficult.

Vera, Anything that starts with evil will definitely ends with evil.

Use of black magic will and can not help. But as a warning, everybody watch out.

Bala, Ilorin Dear Veara, Uncle Eddie was really ungrateful. May God save the women from men’s dictatorship Don, PH Hi Vera, If Arnold Schwazenegger was a Nigerian, he would not have been so castigated and condemned like this, but if based on his position, I believe he will get much media attention.

Moses-KK, Obudu Hi Vera, We are living in an incredible world where incredible things happen. It is shameful that a high profile personality like Arnold with all his experience in movies is involved in such an ignominious account.

However, if he was to be a Nigerian, the wife would have counted it as one of those things and stick to the union. Wonders shall never end.

We live to see and hear more of such such.

Mekks Ugwu Dear Vera, Your write up of May 21st, 2011. I referred to our society as patrilineal not matrilineal. Please take note.

Thanks 08052611682

47

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Zaki of Arigidi, Ataoja, Adams honoured in Brazil

T

•The wild desert of UAE

Thrills and spills of Dubai desert safari D

UBAI, the commercial capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), conjures up different images. The commonest for most Nigerians is that it is a shopping heaven where one could virtually buy anything. True, the only antidote to one’s shopping profligacy is not to be there with money or one should never step out of one’s hotel room once in this enchanting city.

But beyond being a shopping heaven, international airline hub that links up the world, investors’ paradise, especially in real estate, there are other sources of excitement . One of these is desert safari.

The general perception of the desert is a wasteland made up of piles of sand that goes beyond the sight. With this impression, one wonders what was special about going on a trip through the waste land where every mountain of sand looks likes the previous. But the desert safari turned out to be something thrilling that leaves a beautiful memory.

Deserts in most places are regarded as an impediment, but tour companies in Dubai have built an exciting tourism product around their desert. It has now become money spinner that brings in a chunk of tourism revenue of the country.

A desert safari begins with the tour company coming to the hotel to pick up the tourists. For this

reporter, the tour driver of Net Tour Company of Dubai arrived at the Golden Sea Hotel, Derah a few minutes after three to pick me up .

The safari is done with a clean Land Cruiser . We were five in the vehicle. The first port of call is a place called Nazwa. It is at the outskirts of the desert. Here all the safari jeeps gather before entering the desert. For a novice, it is here one sees that the desert safari is a

big business in the United Arab Emirates. At Nazwa, the tourists stop to refresh, visit or ease themselves because once the trip begins, there will be no break until after about three hours.

The driver of our vehicle, a Filipino, deflated the tyres of the jeep. When I asked why, he said the vehicle had greater grip of the sandy road than

•Tourists relaxing after the dune bashing

when the tyres were fully inflated.

From Nazwa to the point where the safari starts, the jeeps made their way to that point singly. But there is a point at the edge of the desert where all jeeps under the same safari group gather and then drive into the desert in convoy.

It was around 5:00 pm, United Arab Emirates time. There were about 20 jeeps in our convoy. They gathered at that point, then the pilot jeep drove in front. Others followed.

It was time for the dune bashing.

Continued on Page 48

HE National Coordi nator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and Chief Promoter, Olokun Festival Foundation, Otunba Gani Adams, was among dignitaries honoured yesterday at the sixth edition of the annual Africa-Brazil Award held in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The awardees, numbering 27 in all, included the Zaki of Arigidi, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, and Chief Yemi Elebuibon, among others.

According to the organizers of the event, Oba Yisa Olanipekun was honoured for his commitment and contribution to the promotion of Okota Festival in Ondo State, while the Ataoja of Oshogbo bagged the award for his contribution to the success of Osun Osogbo Festival in Osun State.

Others who received awards included Chief Elebuibon who bagged the award of Yoruba Cultural Ambassador. The ambassadors of Namibia and Kenya to Brazil were among those who received awards.

The award, which is in its sixth year, attracted many dignitaries. They included the governor of the State of Sao Paulo and Brazilian senators.

The Africa-Brazil Award is an annual cultural event organized by Otunba Adekunle Aderounmu (the president of the Africa Cultural Centre in Sao Paulo).

Otunba Aderounmu said he was happy with turnout of dignitaries, adding it was confirmation that the award had come of age.

According to him, the Yoruba race has a lot in common with the Brazilian, adding that the cultural relationship between the two dates back to centuries, which he said had been strengthened by the AfricaBrazil Award.

The government of Brazil also promised to assist Nigerian traditional rulers in the area of cultural promotion annually.

It will be recalled that Otunba Gani Adams and his wife, Erelu Mojisola, were among the recipients of the awards three years ago when Adams was honoured for his contribution to the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition, while his wife was honoured for her supporting role and as chief supporter of the cause of the Yoruba people.

48

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Thrills and spills of Dubai desert safari Continued from Page 47

Dune Bashing The light brown desert sand forms a kind of undulation that stretchs further than the eyes could carry one. The dune bashing involves a bumpy up-and- down ride on the desert sand. The fourwheel driver manoeuvres, sharply climbing the sand dumb and he makes a turn that leaves one reeling and at times holding one’s heart in one’s hand, thinking that the way the jeep precariously navigates its way, it would summersault. The turning and twisting on wheel is expertly done by the trained driver to maximize the fun.

Asked how long it took him to learn the art of safari jeep driving, the driver said it took about eleven years to learn the skill. On how they manage to make their way through the sand dunes , he said it took a lot of hard work and that the desert had become familiar to him that it was not difficult to make his way through.

From an elevated point in

the desert, one could see hundreds of white objects.

They are all white jeeps of different tour companies also on desert safari.

Ordinarily, the ride is about two hours. After about an hour into the trip, the convoy makes a stop at a designated spot deep in the desert. The vehicles will line on the desert sand in a neat, single row, while the lead jeep will do a kind of intricate twist and turn on the desert sand.

And then the driver will ‘hang’ the jeep , backing the sunlight and creating a kind of silhouette on the receding evening sun. The tourists are then allowed to come out and relax. For those who want to smoke, the break offers them the opportunity to do so. One thing quite noticeable is a conscious effort by the tourist authorities of Dubai to preserve and protect the desert. Much importance is attached to the cleanliness of the desert.

At this point, it is possible to watch the alluring

Arabian evening yellowgold sun as it recedes and the darkness of the night envelopes the desert.

After about 15 minutes rest, the desert experience began again. From the vehicle one could see some groups on desert quad bikes speed by.

Gradually it was getting dark, the convoy made its way to the desert camp.

Although the desert safari is all about thrills and giddy fun, the caveat is that the bumpy ride could trigger off a protest from one’s system. If I had continued the ride for another 20 minutes,I would have thrown up as my stomach had started to protest the twists and turns.

While the desert safari is a lifetime experience, it is not advisable for pregnant women and those with sensitive systems to embark on the trip.

Finally we arrived at the desert camp. That in itself was another experience; it initiated one into a deeper knowledge of the customs of the Arab people.

•Safari convoy at Nazwa, Dubai

•The driver deflating the tyres before the trip

Kehinde FALODE: 08023689894

Chicken and potato fry-stir Health benefits of cucumber

Falilat AHMED A sweet solution to the typical dinner is chicken and potato fry-stir, this recipe contains chunks of carrots, potatoes, and chicken, herb-seasoned sauce, and it cooks in 30 minutes.

Ingredients 4 medium potatoes cut into ¾ -inch pieces 4 medium carrots, thinly sliced (2 cups) 12 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves ¾ cup water 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1 teaspoon instant chicken bouillon granules

1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed ½ teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1 tablespoon cooking oil 1 large onion, chopped (1 cup) 3 tablespoons snipped parsley Directions •In a medium saucepan precook potatoes and carrots, covered, in enough boiling water to cover about 10 minutes or just until tender.

Drain. Set aside.

•Cut chicken into thin bite-size strips. Set aside.

•For sauce, in a small bowl stir together water, cornstarch, bouillon gran-

ules, thyme, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

•Pour cooking oil into a fry pan. (Add more oil as necessary during cooking.)

Preheat over medium-high heat. Stir-fry onions in hot oil for 2 minutes or until crisp-tender.

•Add chicken to the hot oil; stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until no pink remains.

•Stir sauce. Add sauce to the center of the oil. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add cooked potatoes and carrots. Stir all ingredients together to coat with sauce. Cover and cook for 2 minutes more or until heated through. Serve immediately.

Cucumber is a vegetable that belongs to the same family as pumpkins. It has a dark green skin, which reveals whitish or very light green flesh, when peeled.

There are basically two types of cucumbers - the pickling varieties and the slicing varieties. Of these, the pickling variety is relatively small, around 2 - 4 inches long.

The high nutritional value of cucumber makes it an ideal dietary option for weight loss, cucumbers are also a great digestive system aid and helps clean the bowel effectively.

•When applied on the skin, raw cucumber can help reduce heat and inflammation.

•Cucumber is a good

cleanser for skin.

•The nutritional value of cucumber juice helps control eczema, arthritis and gout and can provide relief

Cucumber, pineapple juice Required materials: 1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped ¼ cup water Half a cup of parsley Half a cup frozen pineapple pieces 1 tablespoon coconut oil 4 large pieces of ice Steps: •In the blender mix cucumber and water, high-speed mix until smooth.

•By adding parsley, pineapple, coconut oil, and ice, stir until smooth after edible.

from heartburn gastritis and ulcers.

•Cucumber is beneficial for the people suffering from lung and chest problems as well.

•The potassium content helps regulate the high and low blood pressure.

•Cucumber juice added to the juice of carrots and lettuce promotes hair growth.

•Mixed with carrot juice, cucumber juice is said to be good for controlling excess uric acids in the body.

•It is also found to be useful for those suffering from diseases of the teeth and gums, especially in cases of pyorrhoea.

•Consumption of cucumber or cucumber juice is beneficial for those suffering from diabetes.

49

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Nigeria needs tourism fund, says Amachree

F

ORMER president of the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), Alabo Mike Amachree, has called on President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to, as a mat-‘ ter of urgency, establish the Tourism Development Fund.

He said it was the only way the sector would witness growth and also play a leading role in the country’s economic growth.

Amachree recalled that in the early 90’s he had led tourism practitioners in the country to meet with Nigeria’s president then, General Ibrahim Babangida, on the need for a tourism development fund.

He wondered why after more than 20 years, getting such dedicated fund for tourism developemnt is still a mirage.

He said: “I took tourism practitioners to the Aso Rock in 1990 to meet with the then President, General Ibrahim Babangida. The reason was to negotiate for the establishment of the tourism development fund. It was a few weeks after the crash of the Hercules C130 airplane at Ejigbo, Lagos that killed many army officers.

“When we got there, the president said he was not in a position to discuss. He called on the Chief of General Staff, Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, and handed us over to him.

Finally, Aikhomu called the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and told them to prepare the tourism development fund from where the tourism practitioners would borrow for development. Unfortunately, it did not materialize before General Babangida left office. If not that he stepped aside, we would have achieved this goal. It is

saddening that up till now, the issue of tourism development fund has not yet been resolved.”

He said for Nigeria to make progress in its quest to turn into a leading business leisure and business tourism destination in the country, certain things needed to be done. “ I think the country needs to do more in the area of developing our tourist sites.

Second, our tour operators should be assisted to establish a strong base. These are some of the things the tourism development fund would be used for. We need to recognize the tour operators more. We should support those who can organize, go to America, Europe and other places to organize tourists and bring

them into the country. They also put together the contents of the packaged tours which involves taking the tourists to different tourist sites. In most cases, the tourists want to discover our culture. Nobody is coming to Nigeria because they want to see our skyscrapers, they have several of them in their countries. They want to see something different. We must promote our museums.

When you go to Egypt, the Cairo Museum is the biggest tourist centre in the country.

We have museums such as the Kanta Museum in Argungu, the Nana Museum in Koko and so on.

These places need to be developed into big places.

“We could develop these into something big. In some of these museums, we could build statues of our past heroes. For example, the 10 corps members killed in Bauchi have become part of the history of Nigeria . The 10 youths could be honoured by building statues in their memory and it would be part of our tourist sites. This could be done either in Bauchi or Abuja. These are the heroes of Nigeria; those who sacri-

ficed their lives in the course of the nation building.

“Thousands of tourists troop to Pearl Harbour to see the relics of the Second World War when Japan attacked America. The relics are still there. So we have to organize our tour packages and the sites should also be put in shape for tourist visitors.

“In Nigeria, we have history that we can always project. For example, look at the Tafawa Balewa Mausoleum, I was the one that introduced the sale of crafts and souvenirs to tourists there. It was when we went there in the 90’s. “ I decided to talk because Jonathan assisted the private sector in developing tourism in Bayelsa and Rivers states when he was a governor. He supported all our projects. During the launching of our book, Towards the Culture of Peace in Niger Delta, he supported us. The book was produced by the Centre for Promotion of Tourism, Arts and Culture in Nigeria.

During our seminar on the promotion of the Slave Route project, he also supported us.

GTTDA formed

G

•Amachree

LOBAL Travel and Tourism Destination Alliance (GTTDA) has been formed.

The IIPT Peace Through Tourism conference in Zambia was the venue for the pre-launch for the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) first global destination alliance.

The CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Alain St. Ange, and Chairman of the International Council of Tourism Partners, eTN

Publisher Juergen Thomas Steinmetz used the Lusaka, Zambia IIPT conference “Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change to Tourism” to make a pre-launch announcement for the new International Council of Tourism Partners destination alliance.

ICTP members will actively support national Green Growth strategies for carbon targets and sustainable travel and tourism through online support from greenearth.travel.

Sheraton to host Abuja Bantaba by Akwaaba

A

S a prelude to AKWAABA 2011 and because of the absence of a credible face-toface marketing platform in Abuja and Northern Nigeria for travel business, Akwaaba African Travel Market (Aftm)is organizing a road show in Abuja to reach more stakeholders in Abuja and Northern Nigeria.

This event will be hosted at Abuja Sheraton Hotels.

Abuja Sheraton is a prestigious Starwood brand.

The event, dubbed Abuja Bantaba, will be a one- day event that will host a mini exhibition, matching travel buyers with sellers. It will also reduce the cost of individual marketing in Abuja and the North, draw in more buyers by using greater powers of attraction and by combining the marketing power of all sellers. Already, leading hotel chains in Africa, airlines, and other travel and tourism promoters among them have booked for the event. Protea Hotels, Intercontinental Hotels, Moevinpick, Legacy Hotels, Golden Beach Hotels and the Starwood have all booked for the event.

Organisers said they were

calling on travel and tourism stakeholders in Abuja and Northern Nigeria to attend the event on July 5 to further entrench the face-to-face marketing in Nigeria.

Bantaba, a one- day Round

the Clock Speed Dating event, will feature speeches in the morning, lunch in the afternoon and end with cocktail and awards in the evening. There will be presentations in between.

Akwaaba African Travel Market is the only international expo in West Africa in partnership with NTDC, listed by UNWTO, a partner event of ATA in the region and the only member of ITTFA in West Africa.

•L-R: Ex-UNWTO Secretary General, Mr. Francesco Frangielli; Ikechi Uko, CEO, Akwaaba; Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary General and Nkereuwen Onung, when the UNWTO team met with Naija Seven Wonders organisers at the ATA conference in Senegal

SA Tourism set to open office in Nigeria

•South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, JKN Mamabolo (left), and Thandiwe January-Mclean, CEO, South African Tourism at the media round-table

I

N recognition of the in creased tourist num bers for both leisure and business travel, South African Tourism (SA Tourism), the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination, is opening an office in Nigeria.

A four-year research project conducted by SA Tourism from 2007 to 2010 shows a consistent average growth rate of 7.8per cent in tourists’ arrivals from Nigeria to South Africa. A total of 178, 052 Nigerians visited South Africa between this period.

The average tourist spend of the Nigerian market in South Africa amounted to R14, 700 (about N308, 700) per tourist in 2010 with R587m (about N12.3 Billion) recorded as the total spend in the same year.

Most recent SA Tourism statistics for January 2011 revealed that 4,220 Nigerians visited South Africa compared to 3, 491 who visited in January 2010 for either leisure or business purposes reflecting an increase of 20.9per cent.

“Nigeria remains the leading African market in terms of tourist arrivals to South Africa. There is a huge untapped market and great potential for further growth in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s large population characterised by high economic growth and an expanding middle class are major factors that make Nigeria an attractive market for SA Tourism.

The number of tourists arrivals from Nigeria has consistently grown at 7.8per cent yearly over the past three years”, disclosed Ms Thandiwe January-Mclean, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), South African Tourism “Based on our research, Nigeria is identified as the hub of West Africa and a great base for SA Tourism to centralise tourism functions and activities within the region. This, of course, is based on the country’s

standing as the powerhouse of West Africa and its growing economy, large population, increased use of technology and political stability,” January-Mclean stated.

As a result, SA Tourism has concluded plans to open an office in the country beginning with a skeletal staff this year and fully fledged operations within the next couple of years. As part of the commitment of South Africa to Nigeria, a new South Africa Chancery and residential building have been built in Abuja.

The completion of the chancery and residential building marks another milestone in the commitment of brand South Africa in Nigeria as well as to build on the continuous existing good relationship between both countries.

SA Tourism on its part has reinstated its commitment to the bilateral tourism and business relationship between South Africa and Nigeria with the renewal of the Joint Marketing Agreements (JMAs) with selected Nigerian trade partners.

In October 2010, SA Tourism signed a JMA with five trade partners, Tour Brokers International, World N Traveland, Tourways International, CGSK Tours and TTL Tours to sell affordable destination South Africa packages to Nigerians.

The JMAs have been assisting consumers by ensuring their all-inclusive travel package are handled by travel professionals in Nigeria who guarantee better rates, hassle-free arrangement and memorable holidays or business tours to South Africa.

“We are proud of the success recorded in the JMAs in Nigeria. This achievement has led to its expansion to accommodate two new trade partners; Zeep Travel Network and American Express to further deliver affordable brand South Africa packages to Nigerians.” January-Mclean stated.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Womanhood; a divine assignment (4)

D

EAR Reader, We have been exploring, the past weeks, the divine assignments of a woman.

In this edition, we will be rounding off by considering the last assignment of womanhood, which is what I caption – Being A Builder!”

A builder is someone who does/manage the process of erecting/constructing by putting materials together systematically to form a complete and functional whole. She also establishes and sets up something, according to specifications and prescribed requirements.

What is the building that is being referred to here? It is the home! The home is one of the

divine assignments given to a woman to build. For you, as a builder, to erect a building that will last and excel, God must be involved.

That’s why He said in His Word in Hebrews 3:4: Every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. God has made available and set in motion all that is required for you to build your home successful.

As a builder, you build a successful home by jointly venturing with God. This simply means being in relationship with God. The vibrancy of your relationship with God, determines the vibrancy of your relationship with men, especially your family members in building your home.

So, how does your relationship with God help you to build your home successfully? Remember that

your relationships mould your life and destiny. Therefore, whoever you company with is who you will become like. You imbibe his mentality. You receive His wisdom for discretion to know how to handle and relate with everyone in your family. So, God’s nature rubs off on you; you are injected with his kind of personality. God loves sacrificially and unconditionally; so loving your family members in the same way becomes a way of life for you. He supplies his unfailing help and grace, which you need, to build a godly home.

Just like building in the natural, as a builder, in building a successful home, two factors are very crucial: i. The foundations upon which you build and ii. The materials with which you build The only sure foundation upon which you can successfully build a godly home is the rock of the Word of God. Anything else apart from the Word is mere sand, and no successful foundation can be built on sand. There can be no successful home without strict adherence to the dictates of God’s Word as it relates to marriage and fam-

ily life. Psalm 11: 3 says: If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

The right kind of materials to build a structure that can stand the test of time is Knowledge. God’s Word says: Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength (Proverbs 24:3-4).

To deliver this divine assignment successfully, as a woman, what do you need to know? You should know that nothing in life is maintenance-free, marriage inclusive. So, work at making it work!

You also need to know how to confront in love (without rejecting) when things are going wrong.

Speak the truth in love always, watching your timing, tone of voice and motives. God’s Word says: Love without truth is hypocrisy, but truth without love is brutality! (Eph. 4:15).

Take time to contribute to making your children and husband who they are, their temperaments, their strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, hopes, fears, vision for life etc. Also, make yourself available

to knowing what sets them off negatively, and what makes them react in the best way. Above all, take time to study them. When you understand your family members, you will react differently when there is impending crisis.

Are you born again? Do you need the builder of all things to build your family? Why not give your life to Him today, and you shall be born again. You can say this prayer of faith and you shall be born again: Dear Lord, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Now I know I am born again!

Congratulations!

Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com Tel. No: 234-1-7747546-8; 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: •Making Marriage Work •Building a Successful Family •Success in Marriage (CoAuthored with Bishop David Oyedepo).

Breast cancer: Essential anatomy and breast self examination

I

NTRODUCTION The deaths in the very recent past of prominent Nigerians such as; Professor K.d.k Koki, Dr. D Fiberesima , Yinka Craig, Chief Gani Fawehimi and a host of others unreported, will have severed as a wake up call to experts and primary health care practitioners about the urgent need to look at cancer in Nigeria as a public health problem and no longer a diseases of the white race.

In resources limited countries like Nigeria, studies have shown that of all the several approaches towards healthcare, the most important is preventive.

No known curable drug for cancer has been discovered, and surveys across the globe have shown that seven to 10 percent of all cancer related deaths could be attributable to potentially avoidable factors such as; •Reproductive / sexual behaviors •Diet and life style •Environmental pollution •Geographical features •Genetic factors Amongst women, questions are being raised with regards to the changing patterns of cancer; is cancer changing from the cervix to the breast? What trends are we seeing with respect to our environment and carcinogens.

Do we now have a place for the old but rejected and disregarded BSE (Breast Self Examination)?

How effective is Breast Self Examination in primary level care amongst uneducated rural women compared to women in high socio-eco-

nomic class in whom breast cancer is most common?

In any case, the issues are worth considering; Cancer is Greek World for Crab, which arose, because of the need

by Ancient Anatomist to define new growth, (neoplasia) that has gone beyond the confines of its tissues and developed the structures with which it can spread to distant sites, as cancer (usually unencapsulated). Cancer is said to have occurred when a group of cells arising from the same origin become selectively and abnormally favoured in such a away that the normal regulatory mechanism for cellular growth, is lost, the cells expand and invade neighboring tissues neurovascular channels and spread to distant sites.

Breast cancer is now being regard to as the ultimate cancer in women, because the organ undergoes morphological (structural) changes throughout the life of a woman. According to the SEER (Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results), the probability of a woman developing breast cancer increases throughout life and from birth to death this probability is 1.8.

World wide 43,000 women out of reported cases die each year and on the average 1000,000 women develop breast cancer each year. Studies in the US show an age adjusted rate of 27 per 100,000 deaths and Globally it has been estimated that 1 out of every 11 women will develop breast cancer in their life time.

In Nigeria, breast cancer afflicts an estimated 12,000 women annually. About 5 percent of cases of pregnancy associated breast cancer have been seen and in most studies mortality is as high as 80 to 90 percent adding to the burden of care associated with

perinatal and maternal morbidity.

Problem Statement The form (morphology) function (physiology) and diseases (Pathology) of the human female breast are major concerns of physicians and society.

The organ is located in an exposed part of the body, but sexual health is not taught in most Nigerian Schools, Cultural and religious barriers on the other hand forbid discussions of that nature and in some parts of the Country allows only female medical practitioners carry out detailed medical examination on women. More over, because signature symptoms and signs of breast cancer may be subtle or even absent without obvious expression of their full range of malignant biological attributes from the onset, some affected women die without ever knowing what killed them.

Breast cancer patients of the Nigerian African descent at the time of presentation are on the average 10 to 15 years younger than women in the Western countries and it is in the younger age group that pregnancy associated breast cancer though uncommon present with very challenging obstetric and gynecological situations.

The whip lash of the economy cuts deepest into the underserved who live in abject poverty, have no access to radio and television and are too far away from primary health care facilities. How do we mainstream these vulnerable and under reported group? we create awareness and encourage participatory health care delivery system, in the Spirit of self realization because health education and health promo-

Tel:

08099885540 E-mail: ovbiadolor@gmail.com

tional activities, better and sustainable results when you start from the known to the unknown.

To ascertain normality of the breast, detect and diagnose early abnormalities and treat or be treated. It is of paramount importance that, every woman, first responders, paramedics, general practitioner, family, physicians and other specialists at various levels of the system understand the anatomy of both the glandular and connective tissue components of the breast, and especially the inter relationship between these components..

Research findings suggest that if there is increased awareness and improvement in the capacity of women to understand themselves and members of their families, to enable them cultivate risk avoidance and seek medical attention early enough, further substantial reduction in breast cancer and other cancer related death is achievable.

Awareness may not translate to knowledge all the time, but according to Ancient Chinese Public health practitioners, “When I hear about something I forget it” “When i see something, i remember it,” “When i do something, i know it.”

Indeed, physical examination of the breast by self, sister, aunt, mom, is in fact a demonstration of its Anatomy, in a living subject. The same concepts apply as when a physician does breast examination in the consulting room.

Anatomy The breast; nor Mamma is a modified skin appendage of appocrine sweat gland specialized for milk production. it is the major anatomic structure. by virtue of which we as Homosapiens are placed in the class Mammalia.

Prepubertal male breast is nearly always the same as the female, and distinct anatomical differences develope soon after under the influence of gonadal (Ovarian) hormones. Indeed, the male breast can be made to enlarge and even produce, if the appropriate hormonal regulatory factors are supplied in controlled amounts.

Embryology Development begins by about the 4th week of intra uterine life, through the 8th to the 12thweek which falls within and a little the period of human embryogenesis during which agents capable of disrupting or aborting the process become relevant.

By puberty, the human hypothalamohypophysical gonadal axis becomes more active and releases it’s hold on Ovarian activities, leading to the growth and development of the female breast.

Pregnancy pumps estrogen and progesterone into the female circulation reinforced by placental uterine , thyroid and adrenal hormones, all leading to enlargement of the glandular and connective tissue elements of the breast, changes which in most cases are only slightly but significantly reversible with cessation of lactation.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Coping with diseases

Your infertility and STD questions From callers who said: I just read your article… I read your article today… I read your article last week, etc. ...doctors told me I have blocked tubes. I am married and thirty three years old and I have no children and can’t conceive. …I have been married for three years and the doctors say I have low sperm count. We don’t have any children, I have tried many different expensive drugs prescribed by experts and my wife and I have been through various examinations and procedures and nothing worked. I am very worried and unhappy about it. People keep asking about it and that is bothersome. ...The doctors say I have azoospermia, no sperm at all.

This is very hard for me as a man. ...What do you tell people who have sex outside marriage? Are they not doing the wrong thing? ...If I have sex before marriage, am I wasting my sperm. ...Are young unmarried people having sex not endangering themselves? Won’t they get STD? Thank you readers and callers, for giving me the opportunity to address these various issues. I will treat them collectively as we look at problems of the reproductive system, tips to help solve the problems, and tips to help cope with the prob-

Y

ES, magical power of SAUNA. Have I gone mystical or magical?

Definitely no.

I only bring to you an invention that helps people of your calibre world over and which I feel will help us in this part of the world: it is called Sauna.

We most of the time work tirelessly and by Gods grace through the rungs of the ladder get to an enviable position in our different place of work and gradually our status changes and we become an Executive officer controlling a business or an organisation. And definitely when this happens, everything changes and one begins to live a porch life that gradually takes some who lack understanding

lems. I hope you find ways of expanding your understanding of these various issues.

First, I want to remind us that overall, health is a composite of well being in the body, mind, and spirit. It is also a product of fitting environment and good relationships. On another level, the interplay of good and evil determines the balance between wellness and illness. With these realities in mind, I will issue some warning to us all about things we do that adversely affect other people’s well being.

MYOB means “mind your own business”. This does not mean we should not care for others or be unconcerned about anything beyond ourselves. If I believe the latter, I wouldn’t be writing this article. But it does mean that we should be wary of our personal judgments, words, and actions. If we don’t have this guard we would continually hurt other people subconsciously, deliberately, or even maliciously and sometimes irreversibly. Remember that hurt is hurt; for the receiver, it doesn’t make a difference whether it was intended or not intended.

Secondly, there is good and there is evil everywhere, within us, amongst us, and in our environment. Each of us can choose what we believe and what we do and justify ourselves accordingly (based

with Prof. Dayo Oyekole

Holistic remedy for HIV/AIDS

H on our upbringing, based on our education, based on our religion, based on our interests and goals, based on our states of mind, etc.). There are people who would have sex outside marriage; there are people who would justify sex work; there are people who would deny other persons their freedoms and rights and opportunities; there are people who would punish other people according to their own beliefs, feelings, and powers; there are people who would hurt others and destroy and kill for a principle or a cause or an institution or a goal; there are people who justify cheating, stealing, appropriating, and even oppression, etc.

We can be good and we can be evil. That is a reality of life and we often flux in and out of both worlds. For this reason, we should be careful about how we think of other persons and react to other persons.

Couples who have to cope with infertility and childlessness may be bombarded by societal pressures. They need to be savvy at damming such pressures. Some people are careless and would play with other people’s lives. Don’t allow

yourselves to be trampled upon and hurt. Sometimes mental hurt can be worse than physical hurt because it can adversely change your personality and character and you should avoid such things.

For people who don’t have children and want a child, don’t be anxious about it as that cannot solve any problem. Anxiety can make you jump at every offer for help and waste your time and money and end up with more problems. Effective fertility treatments can be very expensive and such patients need to get a lot of money and carefully select where they would get help from and accept the time it takes. Avoid overfocus on the problem. Don’t neglect your other blessings and opportunities in life. There are people who have children and are not happy with their children. There are people who are happy because they have a good career or business or a good home or a good marriage.

Many things can make us happy or unhappy in life and affect our well being positively or negatively. Make sure you are happy where you are at now, no matter where you are heading.

Magical power of sauna Free yourself from all Executive troubles Banji FILANI gradually to the grave.

When things grow awry, many attach it to witches or some powers from their family background that is against their affluence. But I wish to let you know that there are lots of things that happen because of our ignorance. Yes, I say ignorance. In my practise of years in this profession, i have come to see how people waste their lives because of ig-

norance, they know many things about there business, many things about their cars, many things about the gadgets in the house but talk about their health, they know next to nothing; very bad!

Take for an instance an Executive that sleeps every night, in an air condition, wakes up in the morning to go to the office in an air- condition car to work in an air-condition office, he hardly breaks his sweat and being in air-condition 24hrs makes him happy and feel comfortable. Everybody looks at him as an Executive and say: ‘this man is enjoying’. Not knowing he is going to his grave every minutes of his life because as an Executive he does not think of breaking his sweat which is a good way of shedding metabolic waste materials from the body apart from urinating and passing excreta.

Different meetings, travellings, shocked programmes and many things would not give him time for exercise for proper upkeep of the said body. When this happens then there is danger ahead. We all know that exercise is essential for good health but most people don’t get enough of it.

Most experts recommend at least 30 minutes of pulse-raising exercise a minimum of three to five days a week.

The good news is, you don’t need an expensive gym membership or fancy equipment to get active. Exercise isn’t only essential for your body, it’s also good for your brain. Scientists have found that regular physical and mental activity can actually boost brain health by helping to grow new brain cells.

Many Executive through

those foods they eat without second thought gradually store toxins that will break their health eventually. Have you ever heard of someone who died suddenly?

Yes that is how it always happen, they work to get affluence but never managed the carrier of the affluence very well then it become a curse. May your riches not turn to curse against you, amen.

An executive visited our office a certain afternoon to complain how he has spent so much money on his hot body and sleeplessness, Sauna closet was introduced to him and he came back with his wife to glorify God. A top bank official visited us to complain of arthritis after spending so much to no avail.

Sauna made him smile again and we lecture him on some things about living healthy, today he calls me as often as he can, just to say hello.

Sauna is an equipment that provides an environment for overall mental and physical health to treat all kinds of ailment without swallowing tablet or taking medication.it has been a wonderful gadget that has transformed many. We brought Sauna closets in for sales so individual persons can have it for family use. There are some that visit hospital regularly because of Malaria or Thyphoid. When you have Sauna you don’t fear any longer and you stop spending unnecessary money on hospital bills.

•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.

OLISTIC Healthcare is the application of the best combination of natural therapies, in the provision of complementary and wholesome health care services.

Natural therapy in this context implies a non-conventional system of preventing or eliminating physical, mental, social or spiritual ailments; which may rely exclusively on past experience and observation handed down from generation to generation, verbally or in writing. It involves the use of natural plants (herbs), animal matter and mineral compounds.

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a complex of diseases and symptoms resulting from unexplained immune deficiency; caused by a retrovirus, culminating in a “mixed-bag” of life-threatening opportunistic infections, which invariably result in death. The retrovirus that causes AIDS is known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with types I and II already isolated.

During the past few years, a lot of technical and financial supports have been provided for scientists searching for a cure for AIDS. Many of their efforts have been to try and discover a single pharmacological or immunological solution to what is, in fact, a “mixed-bag” of different disease conditions.

Paradoxically, while orthodox researchers have been struggling unsuccessfully to produce a single drug remedy for AIDS, there has been a tremendous advance made by the unorthodox, selffinanced but highly ridiculed holistic approach; and it has become clear that the natural defence mechanisms of the individual sufferer can be augmented towards evolving a panacea to the disease problem.

It is against this background of unproductive waste of human, material and financial resources, in the face of the physical, psychological and social hazards imposed on mankind by Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and several other devastating, insidious and otherwise intractable diseases; that I have embarked on this exposition of the “wisdom of ages”, as a private sector contribution to the strategies towards attainment of the much-desired “Health For All” in this millennium.

Over the past 28 years, I have conducted research at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria; as well as at Interdisciplinary Research Centres in Europe and Southern Africa; on holistic and complementary healthcare systems.

In the course of my research activities, it has become glaring that the body’s ability to protect itself from the onslaught of offending virus, bacteria, fungi, cancer cells, etc can be enhanced by holistic herbal ‘immuno-modulators’ , because, apart from supporting the body’s own immune defence mechanisms, they also prevent opportunistic infections.

In Holistic Lifecare, we are committed to total cure of HIV/ AIDS sufferers when they have just been tested and diagnosed positive, when they are still able to eat, drink and move around on their own, but not when they are expecting their funeral the next day!

The Holistic Natural Remedy being suggested for restoring good health, vitality, and total cure in HIV/AIDS sufferers; is a combination of herbal, nutritional and psycho-social therapies at the appropriate time and in the right proportion.

Notable among the useful herbs for HIV/AIDS are Aloe vera, Allium sativum, Harpagophytum zeyheri, Echinacea augustifolia and Zingiber officinale.

For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, Ogbere-Tioya, Off Olorunsogo Express Bridge, Ibadan. Website: www.holisticlifecare.com. Distance is no barrier, we can send remedies by courier if need be. We also have facilities for accommodation, admission and hospitalization in a serene and homely environment.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

52

Get fascinated

N

OTHING guarantees you that special, outstanding look better than a well-placed and stylishly designed hair piece. As the saying goes, a woman’s hair is her glory. With the help of the right hair piece, you can move from looking ordinary to looking fabulous.

Make a bold statement in this season’s latest simple but stylish hair accessory (fascinator pieces) of various fashion and frills, sizes and patterns.

They are timeless expressions of elegance without glitter.

According to Yosola Ehikeme, CEO and Creative Director of Fascination Bespoke Accessories, people do take a milliner for a fascinator, whereas a milliner is totally different form a fascinator. A milliner produces normal size hat ,while a fascinator makes a versatile, smaller version of hat.

There is a variety of fascinator accessories that would make you a head turner or set you apart from the crowd. Fascinating pieces are in vogue,

and the beauty of this small elegant work of art is that they come in a variety of designs and colours. . “I realised that custom-made, fascinator pieces in unique styles and shapes are now the order of the day at most high shindigs.

They are basically for bridals and bridal trains. But these days, it can be worn for both formal and informal events. It all depends on the size and shape. ‘’Here at Fascination, we create your couture item to perfectly complement you, your outfit and the occasion. It could be for a bride looking for a traditional birdcage veil or a modern alternative contemporary fascinator. ‘’It is also good for bridesmaids and anyone interested in being individual and unique,” she said.

•Yosola Afemikhe

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Tips for vibrant skin despite the cold B

ATHE with plain water as much as possible, avoid using hot water at all time because too

much of it can dry up your skin and steal its natural oils.

•Petroleum jelly is good for the season; it will seal in moisture, •For your skin to retain its glow throughout this cold period, you need to look for a body cream that contains some vital vitamins.

•Also, body creams that contain avocado oil and sunflower oil will make the skin glow and warm.

•Drink plenty of water, water will detoxify the blood streams and aid the free flow of blood. Drinking at least seven to eight glasses of water every day helps purify the body from within and helps us flush all the harmful bacteria out.

•Avoid too much intake of soda and other alcoholic drinks since these can lessen our youthful look.

•Eat lots of fresh fruits; fresh fruits and vegetable plus a good healthy diet can make skin healthy at the

same time help us achieve a balanced weight.

•After you wash your hands, use hand cream to seal in moisture. *Go for African Shear butter, it will keep in moisture and radiate the skin.

•Rub raw aloe Vera juice on your skin; it helps to keep a smooth and clean body. It’s worth the stress.

•Always use a facial wash that prevents blemishes and, more importantly, moisturizes. You may not appreciate the effect today but it will certainly go a long way.

•Take off every bit of makeup at night before bedtime.

•Lastly before going to bed mix some olive oil and vinegar and rub some on your face or on the entire skin and wash off in the morning.

•Use glycerin-based soaps or face washes; apart from the fact that you will get a great cleaning without the dryness feel to your skin; these brands of soaps also stabilize the pH of the skin and create a hostile environment for bacteria.

If you can follow these simple rules religiously, believe me, your skin, especially your face, will be totally rejuvenated from the inside out despite the cold weather!

•Water purify the body inside out.

•Mrs Oyinlola •African shear butter

Nike Oshinowo unveils Asàbí ÀSÀBÍ, the brand new signature fragrance by Nike Oshinowo, has landed in Nigeria. Àsabi, according to Nike, is a magical oriental fragrance with chocolate, candid orange and a mandarin scent that gives the perfume an elegant but spirited character with an undertone of soft woods and warm balsamic resin. In a 50ml round bottle with gold neck detail that simply denotes the slim and long neck of the African woman. Nike Oshinowo says she was inspired by the different smells of her favourite holiday spots.

•Aloe Vera juice

Fashion News Lillian Bach goes into underwear’s biz Pretty Nollywood actress Lillian Bach has just joined the list of entertainment celebrities who have added another feathers to their caps.

We heard she ordered for some underwear over a year ago and they just arrived. And renovation and decoration have since kicked off at her shop located inside a popular shopping mall in Lagos.

ASH brings leather sneakers, gladiator sandals, wooden wedges to Soho After opening fourteen boutiques throughout Europe and Asia, with two more in Copenhagen and Athens slated for August, the Italian-based, French-designed footwear brand ASH launched its first U.S. location in Soho on Wednesday, May 25.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Great expectations as seventh Senate comes on stream J UNE 6 marks another milestone in the nation’s march towards consolidating democracy in a journey that began 12 years ago.

On this day, the seventh National Assembly will be inaugurated to pilot the affairs of the nation in conjunction with the two other arms of government for the next four years. For the over 30 senators who secured re-election, it’s a joyous comeback to the upper legislative chamber.

On the other hand, those elected for the first time are anxiously waiting to savour the great moments that inauguration of parliament tends to elicit. For the first members-elect, it’s the beginning of a new journey. For the returning members, it’s a beginning of another beginning.

And for the two categories of members-elect, it’s a moment of great expectations as the drums are rolled out in celebration of the special day in the calendar of events. Already, security is being beefed up within the precincts of the National Assembly with the management and workers in upbeat mood. Journalists covering the National Assembly are not left out of the genial atmosphere as they look forward to beholding the scores of new faces on the way.

Emotions climbed the ridge on Wednesday and Thursday as the lawmakers held valedictory plenary sessions as part of the preparations for the dissolution of the expiring Senate and inauguration of a new one. One after the other, the senators took their turn to say a few words about their stewardship as individual parliamentarians and about the Senate as a body. It was an assemblage of the good, the bad and the ugly. The returning ones spoke with gusto while the ousted ones struggled with the burden of defeat.

Expectedly, those that made contributions at the session scored themselves high individually and collectively. A good number of those who failed to return stayed away.

A few others had fizzled out of circulation shortly after the April elections. It was a moving spectacle all the same. The senators rated themselves high in terms of performance or delivering the goods. Ultimately, it is left to the electorate to proclaim the final verdict.

Meanwhile, the scramble for the various leadership positions has dominated discussions in the last four weeks.

The position of the President of the Senate and that of the deputy have been the centre of attraction with a rash of endorsements coming the way of the immediate past President of the Senate, David Mark, and his erstwhile deputy, Ike Ekweremadu. As at yesterday, returning senators and senators-elect from five out of the six geopolitical zones have

•Mark

•Ekweremadu

‘

Gbade OGUNWALE, Assistant Editor, Abuja declared support for the retention of Mark and Ekweremadu as President of the Senate and Deputy President of the Senate respectively to run the affairs of the incoming session. The five geopolitical zones are: the North Central, North West, South East, South South and the North East. There was a dramatic twist to the tale on Thursday when 16 out of the 18 returning and first time senators-elect from the six states that make up the North East zone came out to announce their support for the candidature of David Mark.

Incidentally, former Governor of Gombe State and senator-elect, Alhaji Danjuma Goje, is one of the incoming members from the North East. At the Thursday declaration, leader of the North East group, Senator Maina Ma’aji Lawan, stated that senators from the zone were not aware of any other aspirant to the position of the President of the Senate other than David Mark.

Lawan stated that Goje did not attend the meeting where the decision was taken and he did not append his signature to the communiqué issued at the end of the meeting. Explaining Goje’s absence at the meeting, Lawan stated that the former governor could not be reached at the time the meeting was being convened in his (Lawan’s) residence in Maitama District, Abuja Wednesday night.

By implication, the position of the North East senators on the issue has ultimately put

For the returning members, it’s a beginning of another beginning. And for the two categories of memberselect, it’s a moment of great expectations as the drums are rolled out in celebration of the special day

’

•Goje paid to the speculation linking Goje with the aspiration to the Senate Presidency. A few hours after the North East senators made the declaration, Goje himself held a press conference at his Asokoro District residence in Abuja to announce his decision to opt out of the race. The former governor stated that he had been officially excluded from the race by the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and by the recent amendment to the Senate standing rules barring first

time senators from any of the leadership positions.

“My zone, the North-East, has been officially excluded from the race by the PDP leadership. I, as a new senator, has been officially excluded from the race by the out-going Senate through the recent amendment of the standing order on the ranking of senators.

“From the foregoing, as a party man as well as a prospective senator who believes in the rule of law and teamwork, I have now decided to publicly announce that I will not con-

test the Senate Presidency on June 6 when the seventh National Assembly would be inaugurated”, Goje said.

He stated that since the conclusion of the last general elections, there had been pressure on him from different quarters to contest the position even though he did not declare the intention to vie for the office.

He added that though he did not officially or publicly declare his intention to contest the Senate Presidency, his name had been featuring prominently among the leading contestants for several weeks.

So far, it’s only the South West caucus with a preponderance of senators-elect of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that was yet to take a definite position on the matter. From all indications, Mark appears to be coasting smoothly to victory, irrespective of the position of the South West caucus. Of the 18 members from the zone, three were elected on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) while one is from the PDP. Natu-

rally, the PDP member from Oyo State will certainly toe the line while the three LP members from Ondo State had already declared support for Mark’s aspiration two weeks ago.

There are two members elected on the platform of the ACN from Edo State and one from Benue State. They may be opposed to Mark’s candidature, but it will certainly make no difference in the equation. On the other hand, it is a definite walkover for Ike Ekweremadu. There is no opposition to his candidature as the entire South East caucus has come out to proclaim him their only candidate.

By tradition, the Senate is left with no other choice when a caucus unanimously nominates a candidate for a leadership position. Therefore, the entire process of electing persons into the two topmost positions in the Senate may as well be taken for granted as a mere formality.

In the real sense of it, there is no contest. So for Mark and Ekweremadu, it is signed, sealed and delivered.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

‘Corps members should be allowed to carry arms’ H

OW would you describe the state of the nation, especially after the postelection violence?

The post-election violence was an embarrassment. It was uncalled for. President Goodluck Jonathan did well by giving Professor Attahiru Jega a free hand to operate and conduct free and fair elections.

You saw the President in his home state, Bayelsa, on the queue to cast his vote during the postponed National Assembly election of April 2, not knowing the election would not hold. If he had interfered in the affairs of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he would have stayed away, knowing the election would not hold. Jega too did well as an umpire.

Many people have called for the scrapping on the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). Do you support this?

It is necessary for corps members to be armed for defence. The system of posting to places of primary assignment should be revisited.

Scrapping will be injurious to the unity of Nigeria. The scheme still upholds the unity of the country as envisaged by the initiator, the former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon. The corps members are adults who are capable of handling arms. The conditions should be given as to the usage and such arms must be submitted after the compulsory one-year service.

Alternatively, they should choose their states of interest in terms of primary assignment. The corps members that were affected in the post-election violence were not the children of the elite. The elite influence the postings of their children.

We must strive to save the masses

Hon. Akin Joye is a former students’ union activist and a social crusader. He is the chairman of the Children’s Heart Association in Nigeria, an organization with its headquarters in Israel. In an encounter with reporters, the philanthropist talks about the state of the nation and the way forward. GBENGA ADERANTI was there:

•Joye by implementing new conditions of securing the lives of corps members in the course of their one-year service. I want to say that the five million naira announced by the President for the family is not

enough and it should be increased to at least N20m.

What is your organisation, the Children’s Heart Association in Nigeria, all about?

It is an NGO to assist the less-

privileged in the society, and we use the organisation to give idea to the government of the day. We collaborate with the Save a Child’s Heart in Israel. We have been travelling all over the world. Here in Nigeria, we have been travelling from state to state. I read recently about heart surgery-related news in one of the national dailies. This is what we are championing. We attach importance to children’s health and heart issues. We are championing a number of things to give relief to our youths, governments and so on. We need commissions to handle important issues concerning the masses.

It seems the members of the National Assembly are finding it difficult to reach a consensus on who should lead them. What do you think they should do?

We endorse David Mark. We have been doing advertorials on the way forward. We have been spending our resources on this. We are at the grassroots and available reports show that David Mark has done well. We were the first to endorse Jonathan. That was as a result of our tour all over the country. We met with the traditional rulers, market women, farmers, and civil servants. I appeal to President Jonathan to allow states to create local government areas to bring government closer to the people.

Nigeria needs more policemen.

The ones we have currently are not adequate. We are about 150million people. A situation where you walk some kilometres before you see a police post is not acceptable. We should have at least three million policemen.

Government should allow both state and federal toll gates.

Government cannot do it all alone.

Roads are bad; everyday there are accidents; lives and resources are lost. Look at the Benin-Ore Expressway. It is very terrible. Also the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is very bad.

Our leaders should engage qualified and credible contractors.

Perhaps these contractors have no godfathers to push their cases.

With such responsibilities of your organisation, how do you cope financially?

We are self-reliant. Nobody is funding us. Ours is to uplift our country, Nigeria. Our principal partner, Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) is based in Israel. It is ready to train our medical personnel and intervene to save the masses and the less-privilege. It is ready to use its paediatricians for us. They help in treating heart-related illnesses.

We need the assistance of the government to make it a huge success. The incoming minister of health should be sensitive to the plight of the masses.We are ready to collaborate with the government.

How will you like to see the incoming cabinet of President Jonathan?

Let me start by saying that I am convinced that President Jonathan will perform. Remember his slogan in the media during the campaign.’

If I can make it,you can make it”.He loves the less-privileged, the masses.

I will like to see youths in his cabinet. I will want him to include the representatives of the groups which contributed one way or the other to his electoral success. Let’s have grassroots people in this cabinet; not those that have been rejected by their people. We need performers. We need those who can deliver.

Jonathan knows it can’t be business as usual — Briggs Lady Ann Kio Briggs is a civil and Niger Delta activist.

She is also the spokesperson of the Ijaw Republican Assembly (IRA) and coordinator of the United Niger Delta Energy Development and Security Strategy Agency (UNDEDSS).

In this interview with AUGUSTINE AVWODE in Lagos, Briggs declares that President Goodluck Jonathan knows that the days of ‘business as usual’ are over because Nigerians voted for him in expectation of ‘visible change’. Excerpts:

T

HE people of the Niger Delta, through groups like the South South Peoples Assembly (SSPA), had for long agitated for the presidency and now that aspiration has been met in President Goodluck Jonathan’s victory in the April 16 presidential election. What is the significance of Jonathan’s presidency to you as an activist from the Niger Delta?

First of all, as someone from the Niger Delta and, particularly, from the same ethnic group with Jonathan, I would want to thank Nigerians for seeing that Nigeria truly needed a change for us to move on and for believing that since everybody else has had a shot at governance at the federal level, that it is only fair and proper that somebody from the Niger Delta which, as we all know is the region that the rest of Nigeria is standing on in terms of economic empowerment, be given a chance. I am somebody that believes passionately in who I am and where I come from. So if you say that I believe in my ethnicity, I’m very proud to accept that the same way I expect other persons to be proud of where they have come from. We thank Nigerians for com-

ing out en masse to vote for Jonathan.

What do you think this means to the people of the Niger Delta?

We would be fooling ourselves as a people if we think that the present development means that everything we have been agitating for has been met or will be met in one year, two years, four years or even eight years. It is not. But it is a job that we can accomplish if what we are looking for are good governance, development and security. I don’t envy my brother, Goodluck Jonathan. The expectations from this one man are massive. Everybody, Igbo, Yoruba, Igbira, Niger Delta people and so on expect him to make up for the neglect and abuse of the past 50 years. We should join hands to see how we can try to achieve that.

We will see changes he makes in appointing ministers, assistants and so on.

What would be your yardstick for measuring whether Jonathan is on the right track or not?

The people he appoints as ministers will give us a very clear indication as to his determination to effect a positive change in the country or not because this will reflect in the

policies that he would formulate.

Nigeria does not really have a policy on anything. We don’t have developmental policy; we don’t have the structure. These are the issues that have kept Nigeria where it is. So these are the changes we expect him to make. We expect that people would be nominated and put into positions that will show that they are able to function and deliver.

For instance, the Minister of Health should be someone who can show that he has practised medicine. He has run a hospital, or he has worked in a hospital for him to be able to know how a hospital should be set up and how it should function. So it goes down the line of development in for instance agriculture, investment, education, human capacity development. These are the expectations that we have.

In effect, you are telling the president that it cannot be business as usual.

That’s what Nigerians are telling him; that’s why Nigerians came out to vote. Nigerians did not vote for the PDP. Let’s get that clear. I would never vote for the PDP. I didn’t. I voted for Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

If he had been in the Labour Party, I would have voted for him. If he had been in the ACN or the CPC, I would have voted for him. So I did not vote for the PDP. I voted for Jonathan, and every Nigerian did.

He has to run a government that would enable you and me to go to sleep in the night, knowing full well that when we wake up, we have a government that is taking us forward. Anything short of that will be a disappointment to Nigerians.

How would you react to the postelection violence in parts of northern Nigeria and the efforts of the Jonathan government to resolve the

•Briggs

crisis?

First of all, it’s sad; it’s heartbreaking, unacceptable, totally uncivilised and barbaric that Nigeria, the largest black nation, should find itself in a position where there was a free and fair election and what happened subsequently was that people who claim to be Nigerians went on the rampage, murdering, looting, raping, burning their fellow Nigerians because a man from a minority area, for once in Nigeria, won an election.

It shows very clearly the mentality that has held Nigeria down.

On what the government is doing or has done, I think I’m not the only person that feels that the gov-

ernment has not even started to do anything about what happened. The government of Nigeria should not use the issue of the death of the corps members to cover the fact that more people died. Many more people were murdered; churches were burnt; pastors were killed.

Nigeria must really take a grip of herself and the federal government has to take this responsibility. Why should our children or people from other regions and ethnic groups who are born in the north, or people who are doing business in the north be targets of destruction as a result of any disagreement in the north?

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

W

ITH the conclusion of the elaborate inauguration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for a fresh four-year term, a new era has begun. Another important milestone will be recorded on Monday with the inauguration of the seventh National Assembly. As expected, the focus of public discourse has shifted more than ever before to the intrigues and horse trading preceding the choice of the leadership of the National Assembly. The House of Representatives has come under a sharper attention due to the failure of its two presiding officers and a large number of its principal officers to secure their return tickets to the House.

Particularly, outgoing Speaker, Oladimeji Bankole, lost his return bid while his Deputy, Usman Bayero Nafada, failed in his bid to secure the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship nomination ticket in his native Gombe State. Apart from presiding officers and principal officers of the House, only a tiny percentage of old members of the House won re-election to the House. Most of them either lost their party’s nominations or were roundly defeated in the April elections.

This situation has ignited a robust discourse of the character of the House of Representatives that will emerge from the ruins of the expiring House. The way and manner the Bankole-led House conducted its business and the unprecedented bashing the House received have thrown up discussions on the need to rebuild the House on a sounder foundation. Critics of the House usually point to many unresolved scandals, inconclusive probes, several unsuccessful impeachment plots and unbridled resort to violence on the floor of the House as part of the failure of the House.

There is also the talk about the need to build a more focused House that will be productive in terms of legislation and oversight functions and the need to build a House that will adhere to democratic principles in its internal governance as well as promote and deepen democratic tenets in all its ramifications within and outside the chamber.

The sum total is that the expectations of most Nigerians, largely disappointed by the expiring House, crystallise around the need to build a new House of Representatives that will be substantially different from the Bankole-led House. Call it a ‘born again’ House of Representatives, you will be right.

Observers are of the opinion that the attributes of the emerging leadership should include democratic orientation, accountability to Nigerians, the ability to shun corruption in all its ramifications, the capacity to exhibit the willingness to promote inter-chamber harmony and the ability to promote inter-arm harmony without compromising the independence of the legislature.

The big question, however, remains whether the House will get its leadership choice right this time around. The history of the House since 1999 is replete with patterns of leadership failures.

Beginning with Salisu Buhari, who was forced to throw in the towel after a few months in the saddle, to Ghali Umar Na’Abba, who managed to survive the onslaught and meddlesomeness of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to the seamless reign of Aminu Bello Masari, to the shortlived leadership under Patricia Olubunmi Etteh and the emergence of the heavily battered

•Tambuwal

•Bankole

•Adeola-Akande

And the Speaker is…!

•The rat race gathers momentum •Monday is D-Day ‘

Different groups are springing up in the House all claiming to know how to fix the battered chamber. Brothers are against brothers, old friends have fallen apart. What was done in secret is being revealed as part of the smear campaign. Clandestine and nocturnal meetings have taken a better part of members of the House. No group wants to shift ground

,

Bankole-led leadership. The problem of the House largely centers on the crisis of leadership.

How the House will get its leadership right may therefore be at issue. Leadership recruitment process comes to mind.

Unfortunately, the politics of zoning has, more than anything else, beclouded the overriding issue of competence and stability of the House. The House has been largely polarised along proponents and opponents of zoning.

Real and assumed champions of different zones are up in arms deploying their arsenals to corner the plum position of Speaker. It is a game of wits which has triggered tension. Who emerges the next Speaker has become the biggest question in town. The race is too close to call.

Different groups are springing up in the House all claiming to know how to fix the battered chamber.

Brothers are against brothers, old friends have fallen apart. What was done in secret is being revealed as part of the smear campaign. Clandestine and nocturnal meetings have taken a better part of members of the House. No group wants to shift ground. To say that there is unease in the House may be understatement. It is all a matter of self-interest. Some call it enlightened self-interest. While zoning apostles insist on zoning as dictated by the PDP which allocated the slot of Speaker to the South West geo-political zone,

those plotting to upturn the apple cart posit that the House should be left to elect its leaders devoid of party promptings.

This latter group has cited the fall of Speakers Buhari and Etteh to drive home the fact that no imposed leadership had ever survived in the House. For the group, stability of the House should transcend zoning of offices. The pro-zoning group, on the other hand, argues that the only way to avoid creating a major political imbalance in the country is to respect the zoning arrangement. The group insists that centrifugal forces within and outside the House bent on destroying the zoning formula of PDP should be stopped in the interest of the unity of the country.

A contest that should have been staged on give and take platform has turned bitter and acrimonious.

But the call for a ‘born again’ House may be irresistible owing to the stench oozing out of the lower chamber.

Members of the House from the North West zone and their South East counterparts with a couple of others from the South-South zone are spearheading the campaign to jettison the zoning arrangement in the election of key officers.

The arrowheads in this group include Chief Whip of the House, Emeka Ihedioha; Deputy Whip, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who is being proposed for the position of Speaker; John Enoh, Leonard Okuweh Ogor, and Deputy Minority leader, Suleiman Abdulrahaman Kawu.

On the other divide are members of the House from the South West and their counterparts from the North East. Members from the North East are backing the zoning formula on the understanding that the zone will produce the Deputy Speaker.

Top on the list of zoning proponents are two contenders for the Speaker slot: Mulikat AkandeAdeola and Muraina Suabana Ajibola. Others include zonal chairman of the North East caucus, Anthony Madwatte; zonal secretary, Adamu Gurai; chairman, House Services Committee, Yakubu Dogara; Ishaka Mohammed Bawa; and Henry Dickson.

Dogara from Bauchi State and Bawa from Taraba, both in the North East, want the zoning formula retained so that one of them could emerge Deputy Speaker.

Observers say that the duo should have naturally aligned with the Tambuwal group but for their interest.

It is a rat race to corner the headship of the House by hook or crook. No member wants to be left out. None wants to sit on the fence either. Even some vocal outgoing members are neck deep in the power game of who gets what in the House.

Some proclaim outright personal interest in their zeal to capture the plum position while others espouse group interests. Few talk about the larger interest of the House or how to turn it around to match the kind of stable Senate David Mark built in four years.

Nobody is bothered about how to re-engineer the House to make it the House of the Nigerian people.

Time and again, what is uppermost in the minds of some aspirants is the primordial sentiment of settling old scores.

It is not a healthy situation as the seed of discord is already being sown with reckless abandon in the manner aspirants go about their campaign.

The likely implication is that by the time the battle is won and lost, the winner may have to spend precious time trying to heal wounded egos. In most cases, however, injured ego is difficult to assuage. For all you may care, ego trip has usually been a major source of turbulence in the House.

Those who felt brutalised in the power game never give up. They may pretend to have laid down their arms but at the slightest opportunity, they go back to the trenches to plot, scheme, conspire and contrive how to undo the winner. Before you say Jack Robinson, the House is back to square one where every member becomes a loser.

The opening up of the political space as epitomised by the outcome of the April elections may therefore be an indication that Nigerians will no longer tolerate the business as usual that characterised the House in the last four years. Nigerians, no doubt, expect a House of Representatives that is not only focused and calm but also intense in its handling of issues that bother them.

It is not in doubt that only a reform-minded presiding officer that is open, accountable and effective can build a House of Representatives that will meet the high expectations of Nigerians. If the House misses electing such leadership from day one, it would have laid the foundation for a House that will only muddle through, stumble and disconnect from the people. Observers therefore insist that the House must get its leadership right from the outset to make any head way.

Party politics apart, the PDP, the political party that has marginal majority in the House may have to come down from its high horse and face the reality. The reality is that the equation in the House has changed substantially. Days are gone when PDP had overwhelming majority in the lower chamber.

With about 150 members in its fold, the new-found strength of opposition parties in the House can no longer be ignored in the internal politics of the House. The implication is that no House leadership will succeed without carrying the opposition along.

As events unfold, things may get to a point where a unified opposition may wake up one day to shake the House to its foundation where members felt shortchanged in the decision making process.

One re-assuring thing though is that majority of returning and newly elected members have vowed to reinvent the collective will to rescue the House from the abyss it sank under the out-going leadership. Will members of the House do the right thing be? Time will tell.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

Re: Politics of ethnic cleansing in Edo DIALOGUE D ‘ came But Oshiomhole AILY Champion newspapers of Tuesday, May 23, 2011 published an article written by one Okharedia Ihimekpen. The piece, entitled, ‘The Politics of Ethnic Cleansing in Edo,’ is, for all intents and purposes, patently acerbic and misleading. That is, putting it mildly.

The thrust of the article, according to Ihimekpen, is that an increasingly intolerant Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, is orchestrating a deliberate racial policy under which the people that comprise the “Esan ethnic nation” “geographically circumscribed in the Edo Central Senatorial Zone” are systematically being cleansed.

For Ihimekpen, the policy was not in the making, it was a done deal. His example is that the governor “bared his fangs at the entire race from the matrix of his administration”. In other words, Oshiomhole is guilty of “ethnic cleansing” for deciding to terminate the appointment of his aides whom he appointed in the first place.

Without having to dwell on his argument that patently stood logic on its head, I want to begin this piece by unequivocally stating that Ihimekpen missed the point by painting a distorted picture perhaps with the belief that Esan people are dullards that can be goaded into swallowing puerile, preposterous and self-serving arguments.

Ihimekpen is not from the moon and has a fair idea of the number of Esan people serving as aides to the governor. If indeed, his article is not written out of mischief and clear intention to mislead, how come he did not move a step further by indicating to Nigerians the number of Esan people sacked by the governor as compared to those still in the administration?

The truth, without trying to ignore the pains of those affected by the sack, is that the number of Esan people sacked is few compared with those still serving, including three commissioners. That he chose to ignore this fact while giving the sack of others as an indication of ethnic cleansing is, to me, a disservice to himself as an Esan son.

Curiously, Ihimekpen is also aware of Edo State’s recent but ignoble history. I am sure he proudly beats his chest anytime he hears anyone refer to the state as (its motto says,) the heart beat of the nation.

Like himself, the moniker makes other indigenes of the state reel with pride.

That, however, was not the case between

and ushered in a new vista in matters of development, proving to the people that indeed, the dividends of democracy are not mere façades as Ihimekpen’s PDP would have everyone believe. The governor did not select those who benefitted from the new found freedom...

,

•Oshiomhole

Ernest OMOARELOJI 2003 and 2009 when the same identity made us the butt of the most ribald jokes among our compatriots. That was the period even the most cursory observer of the state’s political and economic history derisively concluded that Nigeria almost had a heart attack because of some contaminated blood cells that polluted its heart beat.

Like every other indigene of the state, Ihimekpen does not need a crystal ball to know who the contaminants are. But if he has forgotten so soon, it is important to remind him that the virus is his beloved PDP, the same party that presided over that ignoble period of our history.

But Oshiomhole came and ushered in a new vista in matters of development, proving to the people that indeed, the dividends of democracy are not mere façades as Ihimekpen’s PDP would have everyone believe. The governor did not select those who benefitted from the new found freedom even when he knew that (as is wont in every democracy) that some people or ethnic group did not vote for him.

To feign ignorance of the fact that the governor is the one that turned the state’s

pages away from that sad reality is not only a peculiar testament against truth but also an abuse on the sensibility of Esan people generally.

Ihimekpen went further to state that Oshiomhole’s war on the people of Esan people goes beyond politics. According to him, Ambrose Alli University is now the centre point of the ethnic cleansing. The reason in his account is that the governor has concluded plans to demote and/or sack Esan indigenes of the university.

A testament of the plan, he wrote, is the recent removal by the governor, of the erstwhile Vice Chancellor. Ihimekpen would rather ignore the fact that there are a number of Esan people (both academic and non-academic staff of the university) who hold his claim as a lie from the pit of hell.

By the way, why did he not go the extra length of identifying Esan indigenes lined up for demotion and/or sack? If nothing else, his revelation would go a long way in pre-empting (and arguably nailing) the plan before it hatches. That is, if there is any substance to his claims.

Ihimekpen also went ahead to celebrate his peculiar logic by declaring that the roads constructed by the governor are nothing but an attempt to give the impression of performance.

According to him, the governor “should have known that beyond the ACN platform which he tries to celebrate and popularise

with his deceptive mantra of ‘one man, one vote’ (which now reads as ‘one thug one vote’) as well as the vote catching, albeit half-hearted strategy of building some roads infrastructure to create the impression of performance, the grassroot people in the state, especially in Edo Central, know who their true representatives and leaders are.”

I guess Ihimekpen’s real representatives and leaders are those who, in conjunction with the same PDP, stood the state on its head for a decade. It is amazing that Ihimekpen has so quickly forgotten the mirage that was the era before the advent of the Oshiomhole administration.

During that period, “massive road construction and rehabilitation of projects” became the most effective catch phrase for giving life to projects that existed only in the imagination of PDP members in the state.

And the only reason Ihimekpen is now accusing Oshiomhole of a non-existent offense is that he still relishes the trend of the past where imagination is a synonym for reality. That explains why he is recreating figments of his imagination as representatives of reality.

He needs no soothsayer to tell that projecting members of the PDP, posterimages (with prominent billboard clarity) of fraudulent hallucination, as ‘true representatives and leaders’ of Esan people is the greatest sin against the soul of Esanland.

By way of conclusion and perhaps for emphasis, let me quote Ihimekpen directly what appears a figment of his imagination and outright falsehood. “As I round off, I will like to draw the attention of the world to the burgeoning racism in Edo State that has, beyond the calculated attacks on personalities and individuals, culminated in the cancellation of all infrastructure projects in the Edo Central Zone, including the state and federal joint renovation of school by the Universal Basic Education (UBEC).” Which infrastructural project meant for any zone has been cancelled?

Ihimekpen is not unaware of history. I am sure he knows a thing or two about racism. If he does, he is most likely to understand that his example of classic racism which he is accusing Oshiomhole is a project Edo State PDP earlier planned to implement. Thank God the people of the state foiled the plan.

Uduaghan: ‘No victor, no vanquished’ W

HILE applauding the decision of the good people of Delta State for taking the wise decision to return Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduagan for the third time, no time is more apt ‚ than now, to appease the opponents that peace must be allowed to reign supreme in the overriding interest of the people of the state. As far as we are concerned, there is no victor, no vanquished; nobody is a loser, we all won. Having said this, His Excellency deserves to be congratulated by all and sundry for many reasons.

In fact, to describe him as the most disparaged and vilified governor in Nigeria since his adventure into politics is saying the obvious. It is as if one man had sworn to an oath that he, Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan must not rise in life. The battle was from all angles; left, right and centre. The prepared script of the opponent(s) kept changing to such an extent that lies were added to fabricated stories just to paint the governor in black colour. His wife, son and daughter were not spared. Any news bulletin on him was made to look like a real bullet that must give cause for concern.

Much as we his aides tried to reduce the nightmare of his opponents’ antics to the level of a bad dream, the reality strikes us daily in the face that politics is about lies which when told severally against an opponent becomes the truth in the eyes of the electorate. However, since the verbiage usually comes after every electoral defeat, we were forced to hear or read things like

‘

Phrank SHAIBU these:In 2007: ’Ibori imposed him’; after the rerun: ‘We were out-rigged’ and now we have heard: ‘INEC awarded votes to them’.

Anyway, as a product of a public school, I take consolation in what I call the “Goat story”. Haven’t you heard of the goat story? You must have heard of a child desperate to explain the issues surrounding his last examinations, which of course he failed. But since he could not go home to tell his strict parents that he failed his promotions examination, he had to manufacture a number of stories. The most popular story is usually that, as soon as he got the report card, a goat ‘snatched’ it and ate it up. His parents however, would protest that even if a goat ‘snatched’ and chewed it up, the child must have taken a look at the report card, “So what marks did you get in Mathematics and English?” asked the mum.

“The goat did not even give me the opportunity to glance through,” said the child, obviously ready for the question. “It snatched it as soon as I got out of my class.”

By the time the child finds his way to secondary school, the goat story changes, because no parent will believe that a 12year-old cannot confront a goat, no matter the size. At this point two stories are given by students who have failed some courses: either “the teacher did not add my marks

No time is more apt than now to appease the opponents that peace must be allowed to reign supreme in the overriding interest of the people of the state. As far as we are concerned, there is no victor, no vanquished...

,

•Uduagan

properly and even gave me someone’s else’s marks, or the teacher hates me, and I don’t know why.” …just try comparing this with verbal missiles from our ‘friends’ and you will know where their ministry is going (apologies to Gordons).

Anyway, since we elected not to join them in the game, we will continue to arm ourselves with the pin of truth and on every occasion, detonate the balloon of their lies

with facts and figures.

How Governor Uduaghan has survived the deluge of unwarranted criticisms about his person and government must be a subject for psychologists to research into.

This obviously is another confirmation that one with God is a majority.

I have followed with keen interest the spirited battles waged against him by some antagonists and have not stopped wondering how God works. His victory is a confirmation that whatever God has destined can never be changed. It is therefore logical to say that he is a man of providence, fate and destiny.

•Mr. Shaibu is Consultant, Public Communication and Strategy

59

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

CAPITAL MARKET NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 03-06-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES No of Deals Quotation(N) 1 0.50 1

Company Name CAPITAL OIL PLC Sector Totals

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 500 250.00 500 250.00

MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERL PHARMA PLC Sector Totals

25 2 58

Company Name IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 11 11

AGRICULTURE/AGRO-ALLIED Company Name ELLAH LAKES PLC FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 2 1 11 15

Quotation(N) 4.26 0.50 0.50 8.30

Quotation(N) 2.10 8.63

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 77,384 154,868.00 196,508 1,688,995.68 273,892 1,843,863.68

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 24 28

Quotation(N) 0.50 2.31

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 10,325 5,162.50 234,162 538,851.84 244,487 544,014.34

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. 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 346 31 54 16 16 92 510 40 585 36 49 29 16 99 33 208 43 40 41 294 2,578

Company Name CHAMPION BREWERIES PLC GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC JOS INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 72 17 1 150 243

Quotation(N) 7.55 1.38 6.00 3.90 7.70 2.67 13.51 0.57 16.33 10.24 1.17 1.52 1.06 8.38 1.90 6.25 2.39 0.95 0.99 15.05

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 19,391,577 147,037,880.71 672,558 928,130.04 12,474,556 74,862,786.78 95,332 365,559.59 97,700 745,271.13 7,085,586 18,705,714.76 8,555,429 115,565,814.93 3,037,446 1,731,344.22 12,393,191 203,268,023.49 988,897 10,162,596.71 2,904,633 3,419,127.20 837,320 1,272,726.40 1,285,128 1,362,235.68 14,918,526 124,961,981.02 3,311,876 6,431,876.34 2,927,902 18,308,873.92 2,408,829 5,757,101.31 2,067,372 1,988,139.18 1,587,759 1,579,363.80 17,166,275 258,778,650.84 114,207,892 997,233,198.05

BREWERIES Quotation(N) 4.05 251.00 6.45 2.49 93.99

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 3,000 12,090.00 2,036,445 510,851,623.45 211,790 1,327,372.10 150 355.50 2,115,422 198,252,832.90 4,366,807 710,444,273.95

BUILDING MATERIALS Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 52 27 37 35 151

Quotation(N) 23.75 10.50 132.00 47.23

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 541,056 12,845,265.79 665,676 6,942,551.60 932,265 123,061,505.20 2,518,980 111,657,618.15 4,657,977 254,506,940.74

CHEMICAL & PAINTS Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC I. P. W. A. PLC NIGERIAN-GERMAN CHEMICALS PLC PREMIER PAINTS PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 27 6 6 1 1 41

Quotation(N) 11.12 28.09 0.95 10.53 10.93

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 72,612 838,997.89 55,681 1,564,079.29 51,000 46,410.00 5,250 52,552.50 1,250 12,987.50 185,793 2,515,027.18

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTVILLE INVESTMENTS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 3 5

Quotation(N) 0.50 2.99

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 22,000 11,000.00 62,584 187,126.16 84,584 198,126.16

CONGLOMERATES Company Name No of Deals A. G. LEVENTIS (NIGERIA) PLC 2 PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC 71 TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC 4,252,565.09 UAC OF NIGERIA PLC 82 UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC 47 Sector Totals 255

Quotation(N) 2.20 35.70 53

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 502 1,104.18 379,224 13,805,240.59 0.90 4,781,685

40.95 27.83

1,502,772 367,086 7,031,269

59,745,603.21 10,257,350.47 88,061,863.54

CONSTRUCTION Company Name COSTAIN (WA) PLC JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC MULTIVERSE PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 7 12 1 1 21

Quotation(N) 4.27 55.50 0.50 3.47

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 93,160 397,793.20 41,835 2,324,064.45 3,000 1,500.00 30,000 109,200.00 167,995 2,832,557.65

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 3 6

Quotation(N) 2.00 0.69

No of Deals 10 41 87 76 77 20 2 59 21 38 3 2 9 445

Quotation(N) 46.00 20.75 18.50 13.90 90.00 4.51 1.87 6.40 35.50 400.49 29.20 0.50 0.66

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 22,000 44,000.00 163,030 112,490.70 185,030 156,490.70

No of Deals 2 12 17

Quotation(N) 1.26 1.95 27.10

Quotation(N) 1.51

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 371,660 560,720.20 371,660 560,720.20

No of Deals 1 1 18 1 21

Quotation(N) 8.20 0.54 5.83 3.18

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 100 820.00 200 104.00 214,942 1,257,926.86 500 1,515.00 215,742 1,260,365.86

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name CHAMS PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 25 27

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.63

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 2,000 1,000.00 1,078,800 665,824.00 1,080,800 666,824.00

INSURANCE Company Name No of Deals AFRICAN ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC 2 AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 117 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 17 CORNERSTONE INSURANCE CO. PLC. 3 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 10 EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC 2 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 32 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 13 INT ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 2 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 1 LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. 12 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. 25 NIGER INSURANCE CO. PLC. 8 PRESTIGE ASSURANCE PLC. 16 REGENCY ALLIANCE INSURANCE COM PLC 2 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 1 STACO INSURANCE PLC 4 Sector Totals 267

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.89 1.05 0.50 2.90 0.50 0.50 1.60 0.50 0.50 0.51 0.52 0.76 1.72 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 100,000 50,000.00 12,673,193 10,866,010.02 2,416,500 2,602,840.00 57,000 28,500.00 171,250 498,245.00 57,751 28,875.50 9,797,939 4,898,969.50 418,700 671,018.00 158,333 79,166.50 200 100.00 320,000 168,100.00 1,021,333 534,020.16 31,245 22,808.85 354,500 609,740.00 700,000 350,000.00 200 100.00 16,830,000 8,415,000.00 45,108,144 29,823,493.53

LEASING Company Name C&I LEASING PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 8 8

Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 83 83

Company Name AFROMEDIA PLC DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 3 7

Quotation(N) 1.20

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 282,156 338,587.20 282,156 338,587.20

MARITIME Quotation(N) 1.25

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,851,147 2,336,454.16 1,851,147 2,336,454.16

MEDIA Quotation(N) 0.51 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 16,200 8,262.00 1,300 650.00 17,500 8,912.00

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name ASO SAVINGS AND LOAND PLC RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC UNION HOMES SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2 21 25

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50 0.57

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 121,500 60,750.00 802,000 401,000.00 834,854 477,893.03 1,758,354 939,643.03

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name CRUSADER NIGERIA PLC. ROYAL EXCHANGE PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 17 20

Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANU COMPANY PLC NAMPAK NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 44 1 45

Quotation(N) 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 89,200 44,600.00 189,776 94,888.00 278,976 139,488.00

PACKAGING Quotation(N) 2.58 3.60

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 799,030 1,957,632.85 10,243 35,031.06 809,273 1,992,663.91

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) Company Name AFRICAN PETROLEUM PLC. BECO PETROLEUM PRODUCT PLC MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 49 6 18 34 33 16 121 14 291

Quotation(N) 21.35 0.50 72.00 41.89 4.95 163.49 53.00 195.50

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 136,470 2,846,065.06 51,610 25,805.00 58,525 4,255,069.40 166,767 6,896,205.45 868,112 4,323,166.32 16,814 2,702,167.25 840,049 44,387,811.46 70,729 13,829,746.96 2,209,076 79,266,036.90

PRINTING & PUBLISHING Company Name LONGMAN NIGERIA PLC UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 4 7

Quotation(N) 6.60 4.99

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 19,904 124,798.08 17,088 86,890.80 36,992 211,688.88

REAL ESTATE Company Name No of Deals UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC 55 Sector Totals 55

Quotation(N) 18.16

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 7,303,251 126,666,520.94 7,303,251 126,666,520.94

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 217,754 10,014,449.00 272,767 5,642,550.20 343,351 6,353,980.93 2,880,582 39,756,740.98 545,800 49,126,098.11 89,190 409,228.80 9,710 17,283.80 2,901,624 18,557,097.46 86,438 3,065,860.12 37,804 15,130,848.52 401 11,709.20 60,000 30,000.00 83,609 54,475.66 7,529,030 148,170,322.78

HEALTHCARE Company Name EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC

338,964.15 1,958.00 7,698,255.95

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC FIRST ALUMINIUM NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC VONO PRODUCTS PLC Sector Totals

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 MULTI-TREX INTEGRATED FOODS 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

86,115 1,100 604,321

HOTEL & TOURISM Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 500 2,130.00 301,000 150,500.00 1,000 500.00 131,465 1,056,771.00 433,965 1,209,901.00

AIR SERVICES Company Name No of Deals AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC 7 NIGERIAN AVIATION HAND COMPANY PLC 48 Sector Totals 55

3.98 1.87

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 1,100 1,320.00 261,038 509,324.44 254,968 6,846,689.36

Company Name UNION HOMES REAL ESTATE INVES TRU Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N) 50.00

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 500 25,000.00 500 25,000.00

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Company Name UNITED NIGERIA TEXTILES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 2

Quotation(N) 0.67

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 53,500 35,845.00 53,500 35,845.00

TEXTILES Quotation(N) 0.62

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 241,104 149,484.48 241,104 149,484.48

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCOR Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 25 25

Quotation(N) 15.22

Quantity Traded Value of Shares (N) 228,240 3,424,731.60 228,240 3,424,731.60

4,799

201,819,957

2,463,261,545.41

60 NEWS

THE NATION, Saturday, JUNE 4, 2011

Girl who knifed her mother ‘after being possessed by evil spirits’ freed

Mr Justice Keith

‘

’

THE NATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 4 ,2011

I

61

News

Nigerians in Germany kick over death of Edo woman

F a Nigerian woman who was living in Frankfurt, Germany, had the premonition of what was waiting for her, she would probably have stayed back in Aschaffenburg, Germany, but because she was not a seer, she couldn‘t see tomorrow.

A call to the police that a customer would not leave after a dispute with the staff at the Job Centre over a matter some would probably regard as civil was what led to the death of a Nigerian woman in Germany on May 19.

According to a report from the Edo community, Mrs. Christy Schnudeck nee Omorodion, 39, was married to a German and they were living together until she met her untimely death.

The German police, while confirming the death, said: “The in-house security service alarmed the police at about 9am on May 19 that a customer would not leave after a dispute with the staff at the Job Centre and that she was rioting and disrupting the office operation. “ Schnudeck was shot in her stomach at a close range by a German police woman.

She was said to have collapsed and died at the hospital.

Since the death of Schnudeck, the African community in Germany has been in the mourning mood.

According to a report, the problem started because of a dispute over government support money (about 300 600euros) between the late Schnudeck and staff of the Job Centre. The Schnudeck demanded that her support money should be paid in bar rather than the normal bank transfer payment, but she was rebuffed, a situation which probably degenareted to altercations. The in-house security service alarmed the police.

Upon the two police officers (woman and man) arrival at the scene, they asked the woman for her passport for the normal control which is obligatory in Germany.

According to the unconfirmed report, instead of the ID card, she pulled up an eleven inch long knife blade from her pocket - and stabbed the police woman on her thigh. “Beware, she has a knife.” The police alerted her partner.

In the alleged melee, the same officer grabbed her pistol and shot at her in the stomach at close range. The 39 years old Nigerian – who relocated to Frankfurt since May 1, from Aschaffenburg, collapsed and was confirmed dead an hour later from the injuries sustained from the gun short.

Most Nigerians are currently kicking over the report of the police.

According to them, the alleged stabbed police woman has been confirmed to be in stable condition, yet “no independent person has seen the police in question with bandage or otherwise.

The state police in

Wiesbaden have taken over the investigation.

It was not the first time a Nigerian would be killed in Germany. John Anyanwu, a Nigerian, was killed in 1999 in Frankfurt by the police during control in an attempt to deport him.

Another Nigerian, John Achidi, 19, who was suspected of ingesting drugs was killed in Hamburg after German officers forcibly administered ipecacuanha syrup and 800 ml of water against his will by inserting a stomach probe through his nostril.

John, who suffered from a heart condition, was laid on his back with his hands

bound behind him and pinned to the floor by five officers who sought evidence to prosecute him.

They held his legs, upper body and also pressed his head down onto his chest.

John desperately sought to resist the brutal treatment, crying out, “I will die!”.

Tragically the overpowering force of the officers was too great and John urinated before eventually laying motionless on the floor.

Reports say the Africans in the Diaspora are united over the death of Schnudeck and are eager to see justice over her death. Plans are on the way for a peaceful protest in Frankfurt before

and during the upcoming FIFA Female World Cup when Nigeria will be playing Germany at a place close to the scene of the incident and a straight match to Frankfurt Stadium just to send unprecedented message to outside world.

Reacting to the death, a group, the Edo Community of Nigeria, Germany (national body), said,”We are waiting anxiously to see what step the Nigerian Embassy in Berlin will take to avert a recurrence of this bloody experience that has become a tradition in Germany.”

A petition has been written to the police over the death of the Nigerian woman.

•Christy Schnudeck

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

62

SPORT EXTRA

T

HE National senior men’s football team, Super Eagles will depart for Addis Ababa on Saturday evening for Sunday’s 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Walias Antelopes of Ethiopia.

With six points from three previous games, the Nigeria team is second in its group behind Guinea, with seven points. But after annihilating world power Argentina 4-1 in an international friendly at the National Stadium, Abuja on Wednesday, the Eagles are not lacking confidence and go-go spirit.

The 118-seater Boeing 737300 belonging to Air Nigeria airline will take off from the

NIGERIA vs ETHIOPIA TIE

H

•To travel aboard Air Nigeria byat 7.pm Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, the African Cup of Nations Abuja at 7pm, to arrive in Addis Ababa at 2am on Sunday, Ethiopia time.

Sunday’s match will start at 4pm (2pm Nigeria time) at the

National Stadium, Addis with the Eagles knowing they must pick all three points to remain in good contention for a place

finals to be staged in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea early next year.

“Lodewijk de Kruif was confirmed as technical adviser and mandated to take full charge of the team.”

Osuigwe and Willy Udube have been deployed as scouts and charged with identifying talent for the club.

The Owerri based team is 12th on the log with 31 points, 19 points adrift of the league leaders, Dolphin.

Heartland recently beefed up the team with the addition of Bukola Babes’ Kingsley Salami, Enyimba’s Suleiman Ahmed and Charles Ikenna, Sharks’ Chinedu Ezimora, Ocean boys duo of Ndubuisi Nkoro and Onyekachi Akakem and Enugu Rangers’ Kenechukwu Okoh.

Kaduna United excused from NPL action

K

ADUNA United have been excused from their mid-week NPL tie versus Lobi Stars to allow them concentrate on their CAF Confederation Cup return leg match against Algeria’s Entente Setif.

Kaduna lost narrowly 1-0 to the Algerians and are confident they can over turn the tables in the return leg fourth round tie and qualify for the money-spinning stage of the Confederation Cup. The executive secretary of the NPL, Tunji Babalola, told MTNFootball.com Kaduna United will be given all the support they need to qualify for the mini-league phase of the Confederation Cup. “We have agreed to excuse them from their home game against Lobi Stars on Wednesday so that they could focus on their return leg match against Entente Setif,” Babalola disclosed.

“They could not honour their Week 24 fixture at home to Heartland as they only returned to the country from Algeria on Wednesday. That match will now be played at a later date.”

Entente Setif are due in

We have enough funds for mobilization — Committee

Eagles jet out to T Addis Ababa today

Heartland sacks coach Osigwe EARTLAND has sacked Coach Emmanuel Osigwe and replaced him with the team’s Dutch technical adviser Lodewijk de Kruif.

Osigwe’s assistant Willy Udube was also sacked after a review of the team’s performance in the ongoing 2010/2011 season.

Former Nigerian international player and coach of Imo Festival team; Ramson Madu is now the team’s assistant coach while Christian Chukwu will serve the team as technical consultant.

Team’s spokesman Cajetan Nkwopara confirmed the changes to SuperSport.com,

COUNTDOWN TO 17TH NATIONAL SPORTS FESTIVAL

Nigeria on Tuesday for the Confederation clash fixed for Saturday at the Kaduna Township Stadium.

Kaduna United and Sunshine Stars are flying Nigeria’s flag in this year’s Confederation Cup.

•Eagles attacker Peter Utaka takes on a Sierra Leone player in a recent match

LAGOS SPORTS COUNCIL PENSIONERS CRY OUT

HE awareness campaign for the 17th National Sports Festival being organised by the local organising committee continued on Friday in the Garden City of Port Harcourt as the Mobilization subcommittee held its second floating for the events.

The campaign kicked-off from the Rumuokoro roundabout, along Ikwerre road with much focus around the mile one to mile three axis where two of the Port Harcourt major markets are centred.

It could be noted that despite the television and radio jingles going on in the various stations, many people were still ignorant of the closeness of the fiesta until the first floating on Aba road last weekend and this is the major reason for the floating as the secretary of the Mobilization committee told NationSport.

In a chat after the float, Prince Weli Wosu contrary to the underground rumors of unavailability of funds, told NationSport that he had no constraint to working and is ready to take the work to any level.

"Normally, when things start, people usually find it difficult to follow up. This week's floating is better than last week and next week will be better and with time everything gets better and I don't see a as constraint. Its only fund that is usually the major constraint and right now the fund is there to

Protect strikers, Sanusi urges referees

Pay us our entitlements K •Request unpaid N22m gratuity T HIS is not the best time for the retirees of the Lagos State Sports Council (LSSC) as they have been waiting endlessly to get their gratuities and pensions totaling N22,449,437.79K (Twenty-two Million, Four Hundred and Forty-nine Thousand, Four Hundred and Thirty- Seven Naira, SeventyNine Kobo) since 2009.

The retirees are now forced to make a clarion call to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), to save them from untold hardship.

The outstanding payment of the gratuities and pensions, which includes N5,851,500.44k (Five Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-One

•Fidelis Saviour of Kaduna United celebrates

Thousand, Five Hundred Naira, Forty-Four kobo) is being demanded on behalf of relatives of six deceased retirees including former tennis star, Olubunmi Bamigbade, Samson Ogundipe, Yekini Balogun, Fatai Adisa and Mrs. Theresa Olorunoje.

It was gathered that the Lagos State Pensions Board had last November, refereed the case of the retirees to the Office of the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Office of Sports, which in turn minuted to the Lagos State Sport Council for the payment of the money due to the officers who had served the state and the country as sportmen and women in various capacities.

Some of the affected retirees include tennis star, Kehinde Ajayi, Volleyballer, Suraju Onatuga and former Director of Sports, H.O.D Ololade with Handball Coach, Alamu Josiah and Boxing Coach Babatunde Mohammed.

LSSC Director of Sport, Adewunmi Ogunsanya told the retirees that the file from the Sports Ministry could not be traced last Thursday when they staged a peaceful protest to demand the payment which had lingered and whilst most of them are reportedly living in abject

poverty.

In a memo to the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, dated 23 March, 2009, former Sports Council Chairman, Barrister Yomi Dada had pleaded for the retirees to be paid their entitlements which has at that period, had been outstanding for five (5) years.

Dada in the memo had requested for the sum of over N22million (Twenty-Two Million Naira) to be deducted from the Council's subvention to offset the outstanding arrears to the retirees and next-of-kin of the deceased.

Within recent months, the retirees had appealed to the State Government to ensure that the LSSC effect the payment in line with the welfarist policy of Governor Raji Fashola. " We are using this medium to appeal to the Governor to assist us in recouping our rights having served the state and the nation diligently", one of the retirees said.

The retirees also blamed the board of LSSC over its lukewarm attitude towards their affairs, as it failed to prevail on the Director of Sports to ensure the retrieval of the relevant files and seek government's approval and release of funds to offset this payment.

From Florence Nkem Israel, Port Harcourt. prosecute the job, so we don't really have a constraint.

"Why we are taking the floating very serious is because we know that there are many people who don't have access to the television, so we are using this medium to tell the people on the streets, the market women and a host of others that the event is coming closer".

Despite the fact that stickers, fliers and posters were very limited during the campaign, the secretary insists that there are more than enough for the floatation which continues next week.

"We have enough posters and stickers in the office, its just that I did not know we would need more than we brought but now we know and next week you will see more posters and also the Tshirts because they are there".

On how they intend to cover the entire city of Port Harcourt on once a week float before the events kickoff on June 29, chief Wosu maintained that its achievable.

"We have no intention to maintain one road, we will make sure we go round the major roads in the whole of Port Harcourt. Last week was Aba road, this week, Ikwere road, next week we are moving to another area totally, and after next week, we've made a proposal to continue, all these is to ensure the widest reach out to our people".

WARA United of Ilorin highest goals scorer, Kabiru Sanusi has beckoned on referees in the NPL to show more protection to the strikers whom have been the object of barrage of nasty tackles from defenders, owing to their proficiency in front of goals.

Sanusi who has notched home ten league goals this season to emerge as joint leading goals scorer with, Ajani Ibrahim of Sunshine Stars of Akure told NationSport that with some strikers on the hospital table in their various clubs it was time for referees to clamp down on offensive tackles done with malice.

“I will like to advise the referees to show more protection to strikers like it is done in the other leagues especially in Europe.

Defenders who want to jeopardize the career of inform strikers should be made to face the music. Some of my peers in the NPL are currently ruled out because of series of these untimely tackles.”

Sanusi said.

Ahead of Kwara United visit to Owerri as guest of Heartland FC, Sanusi opined that what would be paramount to him is to increase his goals haul of ten but stressed that the Afonja Warriors would aim at getting at least a draw from Owerri to improve their standing on the league table.

It should be noted that the comments credited to Sanusi

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri

is coming at a time some of the leading marksmen in the NPL are on the sidelines owing to injury. Enyimba International of Aba nine goal hero, Victor Barnabas is still receiving treatment while Brendan Ogbu who plays for Enugu Rangers is also about two weeks from being fit after the injury he sustained in his team’s 2-2 home draw against Dolphins. Sibi Gwar of Tornadoes is the latest to suffer from one of those rough charges has he has been declared unfit to play today’s NPL tie with Dolphins in Port Harcourt.

Kwara United has 38 points from 24 matches to place 8th while Heartland the host has 31 points from 23 matches and 13th on the log.

•Kabiru Sanusi

63

THE NATION SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011

SPORT EXTRA

FRENCH OPEN...FRENCH OPEN...

AHEAD OF WYC

Obuh invites 38 players

T

HE National U-20 team, Flying Eagles will resume camping on Monday ahead of the FIFA U20 World Cup finals billed for Colombia from 29th July to 20th August this year.

Coach Sam John Obuh of the reigning African champions in the U-20 cadre has invited 38 players, including 11 foreign-

•As final camping phase kicks off

By Innocent Amomoh based, to this first phase camping in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The players invited include Goalkeepers, Danjuma Paul of

•Envoy

Nasarawa United, Gideon Gambo, who plays for Sharks FC, Yakimi Kazim, Kwara United, and Okain Chukwunenye, who plies his trade with Enyimba FC of Aba. Ahmed Musa of VVV Venlo, Netherlands is leading the foreign-based ligions, after helping the Super Eagles maul visiting Argetina team 4-1 in an international friendly in Abuja.

Defenders, Terna Suswam of Vitoria Setubal, in Portugal, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Enyimba FC of Aba, Sunday Flixend, Apo Nea Smymrin, Gbenga Arokoyo of Kwara United, Godwin Keily,FAMA FC, Lagos, Kenneth Omeruo, of Standard Liege, Belgium.

Others are, Ganiu Ogungbe of Gateway FC, Abeokuta, Jamiu Alimi KVC Westerlo Balion, Mohammed Goyi Aliyu of Niger Tornadoes, Udo Okon, First Bank, Lagos, Seyifunmi Adeleke, Lazio FC, Italy, and Arinze Agudosi of Summer FC, Lagos.

To jostle for a place in the midfield will be team captain, Ramon Azeez, Onazi Ogenyi of Lazio FC, Italy, Philemon

Daniel, Kwara United, Laide Akinwande, Prime FC, and Chidi Osuchukwu Dolphin FC. Others include, Vajle FC, Denmark midfielder, Sani Tahir , Kalu Oke of Mbem United, Aba, Yusuf Otubanjo, Bright Ejike both of Sharks FC, and Abdul Jeleel Ajagun, Dolphin FC. The ten attackers that will be expected to fight for a place are, Edafe Egbedi, Jude White of Sunshine Stars, Abdulrahman Bashiru, who plays for Bukola Babes, Stanley Okoro of Almeria, Sharks FC's Terry Envoh, Godwin Onyeka of Astra FC, Romania. Others listed are, Lazio FC of Italy's Sani Emmanuel, Olanrewaju Kayode of ASEC Mimosas, Cote d’Ivoire, Omoh Ojabu, Dolphin FC, Uche Nwofor of Enugu Rangers.

The players are expected to report at the Hotel Somitel, and train at the Shell Petroleum field, facilities the team used for one month prior to traveling to South Africa and winning the African Youth Championship on the first day of May.

Kalu Uche withdraws from Eagles squad

F

Terry backs Hughes, Hiddink for Chelsea job

C

HELSEA captain John Terry has told Blues owner Roman Abramovich to make Mark Hughes and Guus Hiddink the leading candidates to take charge at Stamford Bridge.

Abramovich is searching for a replacement for sacked boss Carlo Ancelotti and Terry believes Turkey coach Hiddink and former Chelsea striker Hughes, who quit as Fulham chief on Thursday, should be top of his wanted list.

Hiddink was popular with Chelsea's players during a brief spell as caretaker manager in 2009 and led the club to victory in the FA Cup final against Everton, as well as reaching the Champions League semifinals.

The former Australia and South Korea coach had already been strongly linked with a return to Chelsea and this week confirmed that he would be willing to take another job in club management.

Terry would be happy to see Hiddink appointed, but also

•Hughes

drew Abramovich's attention to Hughes, who as a player helped Chelsea win the FA Cup, League Cup and European Cup-Winners' Cup in a successful three-year spell in the 1990s when Terry was learning his trade in the club's youth academy.

Hughes on Thursday walked out on Fulham after just one year in charge and is favourite to take over at managerless Aston Villa.

However, Villa claim they are interested in several other candidates and Terry would love to see the former Manchester City and Blackburn boss return to Chelsea.

"There's a lot of speculation out there at the moment," Terry said on Friday.

"Mark is someone that hopefully the club will be talking to. I know a lot of his backroom staff and if it's him he will be welcomed by the players.

"But we had a great time under Guus, he would be welcomed back. Whether we are going to get someone who knows the club or someone different, that's out of the players hands.

"I was very sad to see Carlo go, and as a group of players we will wait for the club to make a decision. There's a lot of managers been linked at the moment."

While Terry await developments at Chelsea, he will be concentrating on England matters for the moment.

ORWARD Kalu Uche has pulled out of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier Sunday in Ethiopia so as to sort out his club future.

A release from the media officer of the Super Eagles announced that Uche left the Super Eagles’ camp Friday afternoon to return to Spain, where he is expected to negotiate a transfer from relegated Almeria.

The forward asked for and was granted permission by coach Samson Siasia, to leave camp.

Kalu's Almeria finished bottom of the Spanish La Liga and were relegated to the Segunda division.

But the forward, who has no intention of playing in the lower division, has received offers and told the coaches he

•Kalu Uche

needed to be in Spain to assess the offers and make a decision.

"His club has just been relegated and he informed us that he had got a call asking him to come and look at some offers that were on the table for him," Siasia said.

"He is a very important player for us but we had to consider his career and after discussions with the other coaches, we felt it was only right to let him go."

No replacement will be called up. The Eagles will be away to Ethiopia in a Group B qualifier.

Nigeria are second in the group on six points after three matches behind group leaders Guinea.

Ethiopia are third on three points, while Madagascar have a point.

•Nadal and Federer

Nadal, Federer toplaying clash in final a carefree brand of noROGER Federer brought Novak Djokovic's 43-match winning run to a sensational end on Friday as the Swiss legend reached a fifth French Open final and a fourth Paris title showdown with fivetime champion Rafael Nadal.

Earlier, Nadal moved to within one win of equalling Bjorn Borg's record of six French Open titles with a hard-fought yet convincing 64, 7-5, 6-4 semifinal win over a battling Andy Murray.

Federer, the 2009 winner, stunned the world No 2 Serb 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), a victory which not only shattered Djokovic's hopes of making a first Roland Garros final, but also stalled his bid to take over as world No 1.

World No 3 Federer, whose last Grand Slam final had been at the 2010 Australian Open where he wrapped up a 16th major title, sealed a memorable win with his 18th ace in a tie which finished at 2135 (1935GMT) in gathering gloom.

Having reached his sixth Roland Garros semifinal

pressure tennis, he also left Djokovic one win short of matching John McEnroe's 1984 record of a 42-match unbeaten start to a season.

In a rollercoaster of a first set, Djokovic was surprisingly broken in the first game, distracted by the commotion in the crowd behind him caused when a spectator collapsed.

But the Serb was back on level terms for 1-1 with a break back before fighting off four break points on his next serve to hold for 2-1.

A huge inside-out backhand gave Djokovic another break for a 4-2 lead but Federer, with a roar of emotional support behind him, stormed back, retrieving the break and holding to love for 4-4.

Federer saved two set points in the 11th game before Djokovic, furious at being handed a time violation by French umpire Damien Dumusois, got the better of a gruelling 27-shot rally to hold and lead 6-5.

Schiavone, Li in final showdown THE 2011 women's French Open champion will be decided on Saturday when defending champion Francesca Schiavone takes on Australian Open runner-up Li Na. The 30-year-old Schiavone, who's riding a 13-match winning streak at Roland Garros, and 29-year-old Li have split their four previous meetings, but the Italian won their lone matchup on clay here at the French Open in the third round last year. Li, however, topped Schiavone in the fourth round at the 2009 U.S. Open.

The fifth-seeded Schiavone and No. 6 seed Li are a combined 60 years, 79 days in age, making this the oldest women's Grand Slam final since Czech Jana Novotna defeated France's Nathalie Tauziat at Wimbledon in 1998.

Euro 2012 qualifiers results Kazakhstan 2 - 1 Azerbaijan Austria 1 - 1 Germany Belgium 1 - 1 Turkey Faroe Islands 0 - 2 Slovenia Italy 3 - 0 Estonia Romania 3 - 0 Herzegovina Belarus 1 - 1 France Moldova 1 - 4 Sweden San Marino 0 - 1 Finland Croatia 2 - 1 Georgia African Nations Cup results Ghana 3 - 1

Congo

Schiavone became the firstever Italian woman to capture a major title when she downed Aussie Samantha Stosur in last year's finale on Court Chatrier.

Back in January, Li became the first-ever Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam final, but lost to former top-ranked star Kim Clijsters in Melbourne. Li is also the first Chinese player to reach the French Open finale.

The feisty Schiavone will appear in her 14th career final in search of a fifth title.

Saturday will mark her first final since last year, when she titled in Barcelona and Paris.

The world No. 7 Li will appear in her 10th career final, seeking a fifth title. She captured an Aussie Open tuneup event in Sydney in January and then finished as the runner-up in Melbourne.

Saturday's big winner will collect $1.7 million.

•Li Na

Tomorrow in THE NATION PUNCHLINE

SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL.5, NO. 1780

Governors should pluck the courage to tell their praise-singers in search of favours to desist from congratulating them through the media — Ropo Sekoni

Ade Ojeikere on Saturday

Stop NSC men now (1)

H

OW can any reasonable person be talking about the legitimacy of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) when its President, Aminu Maigari and General Secretary, Musa Amadu were busy casting their votes in FIFA’s last elections in Zurich?

Is such a character not being mischievous?

Is FIFA not the ruling body that decides on who its affiliates are? Maigari and Amadu’s voting rights explain where the legitimate football body in Nigeria lies?

Why do we take delight in making Nigeria the laughing stock in football? What do we derive in making the same mistake all over again? How can an illegal body arbitrate on issues bordering on legality? Is there any Nigerian who doesn’t know that the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) doesn’t relate with government functionaries in soccer matters?

How many trips do we have to make to Zurich on this issue of Nigeria being a sovereign nation? In FIFA, there are 208 countries including England, France, Germany, Holland and Brazil. These are sovereign nations. Yet, their laws don’t clash with FIFA’s rules.

Did the Sports Ministry not assure FIFA that Decree 101 would be repealed following the inauguration of the Sani-Lulu-led NFF? Are sports ministry chiefs not aware that FIFA has a letter written by former Sport Minister Bala Bawa Ka’Oje that the instrument governing football in Nigeria is the status and not Decree 101? Did Ka’Oje’s letter not inform FIFA that the process of repealing Decree 101 had gone through two readings on both floors of the National Assembly?

Ka’Oje’s February 23, 2007 letter to FIFA

W

titled (NSC/HMCH/NFA/CON/02/2007) on page 2 item 3 (i) reads: Due to intense public criticism, opinions of many Nigerians and in line with global trends, the commission forwarded a memorandum to the Federal Executive Council seeking approval for the abrogation of Decree 101. (ii) The Federal Executive Council by its meeting of Wednesday 5th January, 2005, Conclusion EC (2005) 1st Meeting approved the commission’s prayer for the abrogation of the Decree based on the approval of the Federal Executive Council, a bill has been tabled before the National Assembly for the abrogation of the Decree. The bill is currently undergoing the normal legislative procedures at the National Assembly. (iv)The current board (Sani Lulu-led) was elected under the current NFA statutes and not under Decree 101. This has shown complete democratization of the association as specified by its statutes. With this development, it means the statutes of the association has taken effect in line with FIFA directive and as assumed a level of supreme document and operational guide regulating the operations of the associations.

Over time, the National Sports Commission (an illegal body not backed by any Act in the Federal Republic of Nigeria) has been the problem with football.

They have refused to perfect the process of repealing Decree 101, knowing that such enabling Act would checkmate their clandestine plans to perpetually interfere with the running of the game in Nigeria. If the NSC men did, this issue of Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and NFF wouldn’t have arisen.

It is instructive to note that in 2004, at a meeting convened by then Sports Minister Colonel Musa Mohammed (rtd) held in Otta, the council of sports meeting through a directive all the national associations should change their nomenclature to federations.

This is why we today have Nigeria Basketball Federation, Nigeria Tennis Federation, Athletics Federation of Nigeria etc. It is in-

teresting to note that NFA failed to comply with the directive.

At another meeting held at the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in Lagos, chaired by another former Sports Minister, Abdulrahman Gimba, the Director-General of Sports queried NFA for failing to effect the changes to its name, but NFA first VicePresident Amanze Uchegbulam explained that they needed the approval of the Congress for the change to be effected, in line with the statutes. NFA didn’t change its name, until 2008 at the Congress held and NFF was born. Yet, NSC men want to head for Zurich to seek clarification over NFA and NFF. What a pity.

Suddenly, those who partook in the elections that brought in the Aminu Maigari-led NFF and lost are talking about the legality of the body. These grumbling few in the illegal NFA are referring to defects in Decree 101 that may have been corrected in the document at the National Assembly, as if theirs is backed by the laws of the country.

In fact, the statutes ensured that NFF board was reduced from 22 members to a manageable 12, in reducing the board’s membership The Police, Sportswriters Association of Nigeria (SWAN), players union, referees etc lost out. But, it appears that the players’ body feels strongly that it is its birth right to be on the NFF board.

The questions are: Is this what operates in FIFA, CAF and WAFU? What have these socalled players’ body done for its ageing, sick and malnourished members? What have the players’ body done for its members in the domestic leagues who are being owed salaries, allowances, sign-on fees and other welfare packages running into several years?

What have players bodies done in Europe, Asia, The Americas and The Diaspora for Nigerian youths, who are languishing in these areas due to slavish deals with shylock football agents and scouts?

What have these players’ bodies done to unravel the killers of Nigerian players outside Nigeria, such as goalkeeper Sam Okoye, who died under mysterious circumstances?

Are these bodies recognised by their international bodies, such as Fifpro? Is it not a fact that one of these cantankerous bodies has been proscribed by Fifpro over sharp practices? Shouldn’t the NSC find out why Fifpro proscribed that body instead of condoning them in this unholy contraption called NFA? NSC buffs have this penchant for indulging waste-pipes in football circles. Does it not worry these NSC men that their contraption (NSC) is not backed by any of Act of parliament in Nigeria?

If there are flaws in the instrument running our football, this is the best time to insert them in the document currently in the National Assembly.

The recognised body running our football is the Maigari-led NFF, which has presented teams in FIFA-approved competitions. Today, Nigeria’s female senior side, the Super Falcons, is Africa’s best. The country’s U-20 side is Africa’s best. The boys are preparing for the 2011 World Cup. Our U-23 Olympic side is one the verge of qualifying for both the 2011 All Africa Games and the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The team is expected to surpass the silver medal feat achieved in Beijing in 2008 with the Samson Siasia-led squad.

Rather than waste tax-payers’ money on a jamboree to ask FIFA questions about NFF’s legitimacy, they should lobby the new national Assembly members to hasten the process of legitimising the NSC and, indeed, the NFF by producing flawless documents geared towards making sports, especially football, thriving business institutions like we have in other climes.

Besides, if NSC men feel strongly that Nigeria can’t abide by FIFA’s rules, they can advise President Goodluck Jonathan and watch if Nigerians won’t change their nationality to earn a living playing soccer for other countries affiliated to FIFA. A word, as they say, is enough for the wise.

Premier League stars’ ordeal

HEN Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou slammed home a crucial 89th-minute winner against Tottenham Hotspur last month, he could barely celebrate. The football ace was still recovering from the horror his father had faced days before as bullets hit his Ivory Coast home and was later ransacked.

As bloody civil war tore the West African nation apart, The Sun can now reveal that Kalou, 25, was not the only Premier League player’s family targeted when violence and chaos erupted earlier this year.

Kalou’s teammate Didier Drogba’s family were also victims. Drunken soldiers had raided his native village, dragging his uncle from bed at gunpoint and threatening to shoot his relatives.

And the relatives of Manchester City brothers Yaya and Kolo Toure had to shelter as a battle raged around them and bodies lay on the street. The footballers had begged their families to flee but it was too dangerous as the republic descended into anarchy in April.

The crisis was sparked as president Laurent Gbagbo stubbornly clung to power despite losing a general election to rival Alassane Ouattara. Ouattara’s Republican forces swept down from the north to battle the dictator’s army supported by Liberian mercenaries.

According to the United Nations, more than 3,000 people were killed and horrific atrocities were committed by both sides. An estimated ONE MILLION people have fled the fighting.

In the capital Abidjan, where Gbagbo was holed up before his capture, Kalou’s dad was trapped by fierce fighting in the Yopougon area. He fled his flat and made a terrifying five-mile taxi dash to his son’s house in the upmarket Deux Plateaux district.

School teacher Antoine, 65, said: “It was very, very scary. There were bombs going off and there were snipers on the road. The city

was deserted as the soldiers fought but it wasn’t safe near my house. There were bodies everywhere. Salomon rang up very scared.

“He said, ‘Please papa, please get out.’ But it was too dangerous. There was a lot of killing.

Bullets landed on the house. I dived for cover.

It was crazy.”

But the terror did not end there. Soldiers kicked down the door to his flat on May 3 but thankfully he was not there. The father-of-14 said: “I could have been dead if I had gone back. They kicked in the television and ransacked the place.”

Drogba’s family was similarly targeted.

During the unrest, a false rumour swept the country that the 33-year-old soccer star was funding hated Gbagbo as they both come from the same tribe. In early April rockets were fired into the town of Guiberoua - just two miles from Drogba’s family village - setting homes ablaze.

Drunk Republican soldiers then moved into the village of Niaprahio and kicked down the door to his dad’s family home. His father was in London but Didier’s uncle Zedi Gezu, 60, was dragged from his bed by soldiers.

He told The Sun: “They had guns. I was very scared. They knocked me around and took everything in the house.”

Cousin Marc Drogba, 30, said: “We were terrified they would kill us. They threatened to shoot us.”

And the threats weren’t empty. Just ten miles away 14 people had been hacked to death and disembowelled. Farmer Zedi said: “There were big problems with soldiers with their big guns.”

Despite its small size and population of 21million, Ivory Coast has produced some of the world’s best footballers. Most have come through the Asec Mimosas Sol Beni academy in Abidjan, including the Toure brothers, Kalou, Arsenal winger Emmanuel Eboue and

•Kalou former Spurs midfielder Didier Zokora. And that has brought money to the cash-strapped country.

The father of Man City’s Toure brothers lives in a sprawling house also in the Yopougon area of the capital.

Kolo, 30, had begged his dad to leave for neighbouring country Togo just before the fighting erupted. But their step-mum Miriam Konate, 59, became trapped with her sons and daughters. FA Cup hero Yaya, 28, barely raised a smile as he scored the final goal in City’s 5-0 hammering of Sunderland on April 3.

He had reason to be worried as his family were in grave danger. Surrounded by pictures of the famous brothers, mum-of-four Miriam revealed: “There were no lights on and it was very frightening indeed. We ran out of food and the fighting was going on from 6am to midnight.”

One half-brother of the pair, also called Yaya, 34, said: “There were bodies in the street and explosions. We were worried the soldiers would get in the house. Yaya and Kolo were ringing up saying, ‘Are you OK, we can get you out. Please be safe’. But it was too dangerous to go out.”

The battle for Abidjan finished when French troops stormed Gbagbo’s stronghold and captured him on April 11. He is now under house arrest in a hotel. Yet despite his arrest, Ivory Coast, the world’s biggest cocoa exporter, is still riven with turmoil.

Twitchy soldiers man roadblocks in the former French colony and sporadic outbreaks of violence are still taking place. The UN’s 10,000 peacekeepers are now trying to keep rival tribes apart as ethnic killings continue.

Just 300 troops are guarding 28,000 refugees in the town of Duekoue where 1,000 were massacred in late March. Mum-of-two Prisca Zebo, 26, is living in terror after soldiers attacked her village of Diahouin, killing 56.

She said: “They surrounded the village armed with Kalashnikov rifles. They just shot at everyone - pregnant women and children. I saw one woman have her throat cut and was then thrown down a well. They have dark hearts and I am terrified they will come again.”

Zonhon Borgeles, 28, cradles his two-yearold son Ziai in the camp where he struggles for food. He lost his wife and son, eight, in an attack on his Fangalo village that killed 78.

Zonhon said: “They cut off the hands and legs of a woman so she couldn’t run. They shot my wife and son. I saw them burn people to death. I now have nightmares.”

This violence-plagued land is justly proud of its sons that have gone on to star in the Premiership. But footballing rivalries are far from their minds.

Culled from The Sun London.

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