November 26, 2011

Our last moments with our husbands, Aregbesola by Boko Haram marks first victims’ widows

anniversary of historic verdict Page 4

VOL.05 N0. 1956

Why I resigned ut to fate abo g remarryin

2012 LONDON OLYMPICS QUALIFIER OPENER

illips, —Idowu Ph inbow aka Iya Ra

Dream Team V set to redeem Nigeria's image

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Plateau renewed violence

16 family members, 2 two other victims get mass burial 163 suspects arrested Page

Soldiers kill two students ... as CDS visits scene

Some of the people displaced by the Plateau renewed violence… yesterday

IN THE NEWS

Waziri’s exit Umar, Lamorde, Page 3 AIG Abubakar, two CPs on the card ... as Presidency shops for new EFCC chair

Boko Haram’s bomb threat

Police keep party offices under 24-hr surveillance 4 Page

Lamorde

Abubakar

Umar

2NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

e c n le io v d e w e n e r u Platea

o w t , s r e b m e m y l i 16 fam l a i r u b s s a m t e g s other victim oldiers kill S • d te s e r r a ts c e p s u s •163 e n e c s s it is v S D C s a . .. ts two studen

by the STF yesterday •The suspects paraded

•Chairman, Barkin Ladi LGA, Hon. Emmanuel Loman

s from gun shots fleeing to avoid bullet nts de stu nic ech lyt •Barkin Ladi Po

the suspects •Arms recovered from

E

IGHTEEN victims of Thursday’s blood letting in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, by people suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, were given a mass burial yesterday by the authorities of Barkin Ladi Local Government.

Sixteen of the dead were from a single family-that of Pam Choji Pam,the councillor representing Takwok in the council. They include his wife, children, motherin-law and other relations.

Over 20 people were killed overall in what is the latest in the long list of premeditated killings in the state.

The assailants were said to have invaded the town on Thursday morning, burning houses and killing indiscriminately, ap-

Yusufu AMINU IDEGU, Jos

parently to avenge the Sunday attack on Razak village in which seven people were killed.

Choji said gunmen even fired at the bereaved and sympathisers yesterday as they were burying the 18.

“Even while we were burying the dead, the Fulanis were shooting at us,” he said, adding:” We went round and found two more bodies and we are still searching the bush to see whether there are more in the bush.”

About 400 residents, mainly women and children, who were rendered homeless by the invaders, are taking refuge at the Barkin Ladi.

Tension was evident everywhere in the town yesterday af-

ce PHOTOS: Yusuf displaced in the violen AMINU-IDEGU •Women and children

ter about 50 houses were burnt and the LG secretariat left in ruins.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshall Oluseyi Petirin, visited the scene yesterday to personally assess the situation but things almost got out of hand after a hit and run vehicle knocked down a student who, along with others from the State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi, was protesting the violence in the state.

The student later died and the others blocked the highway in anger. The situation was said to be degenerating when the CDS’s convoy ran into the barricade.

The soldiers in the advance vehicles were said to have started shooting in the bid to disperse the protesters and pave the way for AM Peterin to pass. Two of

the protesters were hit in the process and died.

The Special Task Force (STF) assigned to quell the violence, yesterday, paraded 163 suspects arrested in connection with the intermitent crisis.

It also seized from them assorted arms nd ammunition, including four barrel guns, two AK 47 rifles, nine locally made guns, two magazines of AK 47 ,52-7.62 special bullets,3-7.62MM special NATO bullets, 46 catridges,55 matchets,61 arrows,61 bows, three iron rods, 26 knives, seven diggers 12 axes and 12 spears.

The spokesman of the JTF, Captain Charles Ekeocha, told newsmen: “I can’t imagine civilians using AK 47 rifle while fighting one another. There is no kind of weapon that is not being used

to attack fellow human beingsguns, cutlasses, knives, bow and arrow, catapult, clubs, spear - just name it.

“The remote cause of the violence was a case of cow rustling between the Beroms and the Fulanis. We were able to rescue 20 cattle and return them to the owner but people took the law into their hands to attack in revenge.”

The Chairman of Barkin Ladi LG, Mr.Emmanuel Loman, described the latest attack as ethnic cleansing.

“I really condemn this act. It is barbaric, I am not happy at all.

Despite the effort of the state government, the perpetrators still carried out their wicked act.

I t is high time this nonsense stopped,”he said.

NEWS 3

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Waziri’s exit: Umar, Lamorde, AIG Abubakar, T two CPs on the card

HERE were indications yesterday that the Presidency is shopping for a substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Those being recommended by some lobbyists to the Presidency include the Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde (a serving Deputy Commissioner of Police); an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar; CP Amodu Ali; the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Mr. Olayinka Balogun, who is a former Head of the Nigeria Police Special Fraud Unit; and Col. Abubakar Umar.

Among those being recommended, Lamorde appears to have the backing of international anti-graft agencies because of his antecedents.

But it was gathered that a massive shake-up is imminent in the anti-graft commission.

•••as Presidency shops for new EFCC chair Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation Investigation by our correspondent revealed that although a terse statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, claimed that Lamorde is to serve in acting capacity, the jostle for the substantive Executive Chairman of the commission has started.

According to findings, some lobbyists, pretending to assist the government, have suggested five names.

A top source said: "Since the removal of Mrs. Farida Waziri, different names are being suggested as the substantive chairman of the commission. Many names are

coming up, covering a few officers who have performed excellently to fight corruption.

"But most lobbyists are strongly in favour of the confirmation of the Acting Chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde, who was the brain box of the achievements recorded by ex-EFCC Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

"Apart from his high moral credentials, age is also at the advantage of Lamorde at 48.

He enjoys the confidence of the international community for his meticulousness, patience, and non-partisan nature. Lamorde had worked closely with the FBI, Metro Police, INTERPOL between 2003 and 2008 with enhanced score sheet.

"The fact that he has acted twice as the EFCC chairman and was redeployed to the EFCC in December last year at the instance of the Presidency, put him in good stead for the job ahead of others.

"Others are an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, who is highly rated for his level of honesty and antifraud disposition; CP Amodu Ali, who coordinated efforts which led to the exposure of those behind the $183 million Halliburton scam; the present Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, Mr. Olayinka Balogun, who is a former Head of the Nigeria Police Special Fraud Unit and who competed with Mrs. Waziri for the office; and anti-corruption

•Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan (right) congratulating Mama H. I. D. Awolowo on her 96th birthday, while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse 11 (centre) looks on with interest when the governor visited the celebrant at her Ikenne residence in Ogun State... yesterday.

Sambo deplores inciting comments by politicians

V

ICE President Namadi Sambo has deplored negative and inciting comments by some politicians as being capable of undermining the country’s security and unity.

Sambo, who urged politicians to be cautious and thread the path of patriotism and peaceful coexistence, stated this when the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Chairman, Aliko Mohammed Dan-Iyan Misau, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

According to the VP in a statement yesterday by Umar Sani, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, the use of primordial sentiments to further the ambitions of some politicians is a bane to our rapid growth and transformation.

He used the occasion to call on politicians to give government the maximum support required to transform the society.

The statement reads in part: “The Vice President further stated that government is happy with the support it receives from the ACF and believes that very soon there will be lasting peace and develop-

Vincent IKUOMOLA, Abuja ment in the North in particular and the nation in general.

“Arc Sambo appreciated the forum for organising a peace and unity conference at this time when all hands were on deck to ensure rapid growth and development of the nation and also told them of the resolution of Mr. President and himself to give the forum all the needed support and cooperation required to ensure development in the North, which ultimately translates to development of the nation.

“He charged the forum to task the clergy, the politicians and the traditional institutions to ensure the realisation of the cohesiveness of the North.

“Arc Sambo stated that due to the importance attached to this conference by government, he had to cancel his scheduled trip to Kenya, which coincided with the conference for some other time.

“He used the occasion to outline the programmes of government and the intended destination, highlighting some of the proposed incen-

tives, especially as it relates to agriculture and the construction of fertilizer blending plants. He said that government was ready to waive any duty on the importation of items for the production of fertilizer and promised a 5-year tax holiday to the entrepreneur that partner with government in ensuring the siting of the six plants at the six geopolitical zones.

“He stated that the construction of these plants shall be private sector-driven.

“Earlier, the chairman of the ACF, Aliko Mohammed briefed the Vice President on their proposed conference scheduled for the 5th and 6th December 2011.

“He commended the efforts of the Vice President in solving critical issues that affect the North. He particularly commented on the issue of Almajirai (Itinerant) education and espoused the efforts of the VP in that regard.

“He noted that being the most senior Northerner in the country and the chief host of the event, it became imperative to come and brief him on the conference with the theme

“Peace & Unity Among the People of the North.

“He stated that General Yakubu Gowon shall chair the event while the individual sessions shall be chaired by Gen T.Y. Danjuma, Sulu Gambari (the Emir of Ilorin), Justice Belgore and Mahmud Yayale Ahmed respectively, with four papers to be presented in two sessions per day.

“He further stated that the security situation and the nation’s socio-economic development shall form the conference’s cornerstone. He used the occasion to express gratitude to the 19 northern governors whom he said gave them all the necessary cooperation and support to host the conference.

“In attendance were Alhaji Ahmed Gusau, former Minister of Science and Technology; Ibrahim Coomasie, former Inspector General of Police; Major General Lawrence Onoja; Col. Musa Shehu, the Secretary General of the forum; Alhaji Abba Dabo, member of the Roadmap Committee; and Anthony Sani, its Publicity Secretary.”

Czar, Col. Abubakar Umar, a former Military Governor of Kaduna State.

But it was learnt that Col. Umar has not been keen for any office in spite of the pressure for his services by successive governments.

A source also said: "Col. Umar has been offered even ministerial appointment in the past but he rejected it. He prefers to contribute to nation building behind the scene."

Investigation, however, showed that more names might be added but the ultimate decision lies with President Goodluck Jonathan.

Under the EFCC (Establishment) Act, President Goodluck Jonathan is empowered

by Sections (2) (1) and 3 to appoint the chairman of the commission.

Section 2(1) of the EFCC (Establishment Act) says: "The Chairman shall consist of the following members- (a) a chairman, who shall, (i) be the chief executive and accounting officer of the Commission (ii) be a serving or retired member of any government security or law enforcement agency not below the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police or equivalent; and possess not less than 15 years cognate experience.’’

Section 3 reads: "The Chairman and members of the Commission other than exofficio members shall be appointed by the President and the appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Senate.

"The Chairman and members of the Commission other than ex-officio members shall hold office for a period of four years and may be reappointed for a further term of four years and no more."

But following the exit of Mrs. Farida Waziri, a massive

shake-up is imminent in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The looming restructuring has created anxiety for the staff of the commission, who have started lobbying.

The ex-EFCC chairman is expected to formally hand over on Monday to the Director of Operations, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, who is now the Acting Chairman of the anti-graft agency.

Investigation by our correspondent confirmed that the imminent shake-up might affect key departments like the Directorate of Operations, the Investigation Unit, the National Financial Intelligence Unit, Lagos Office, and Legal Department, especially a surgical review of the prosecution team.

It was learnt that before Waziri's removal, the Presidency already had a work plan on how to reshape the anti-graft commission.

A highly-placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: "Definitely, the EFCC will undergo a comprehensive restructuring in the next few weeks in line with the plans of the Presidency to fasttrack investigation and prosecution of most suspects, especially the politically exposed persons (PEPs).

"Some departments or units that might be affected are operations, including Investigation Unit, the National Financial Intelligence Unit, Lagos Office, and the Legal Department where the prosecution team might be overhauled.

"I think some crack investigators, who worked with a former EFCC chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu might be recalled to beef up the present team.

"There will now be a new timeline for investigators and prosecuting counsel to manage any case. Things will certainly change soon.

"You should also expect swapping of positions by staff to ensure maximization of their talents and trainings."

FG’ll work to ensure Nigerians in diaspora vote in future elections -Jonathan RESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan pledged yesterday in Paris that his administration will do all it can to ensure that Nigerians in Diaspora are able to vote in future elections.

Speaking at a meeting with representatives of Nigerians resident in France and the United Kingdom, President Jonathan said the Federal Government will initiate talks on the issue with the Independent National Electoral Commission and other relevant bodies.

The President said he fully believed that Nigerians living outside the country should have the right to participate in the election of persons who run the affairs of their home country and that everything possible should be done to ensure that they are able to exercise that right where they live.

Noting that Nigerians from the Diaspora were already well represented in his administration, President Jonathan said he will continue to count on the contributions and support of Nigerians within and outside the country for the successful implementation of his agenda for national transformation.

“We need people with experience at home and abroad to make contributions. When I interact with world leaders, they always say that Nigerians are a fantastic people.

Everywhere, the leaders say that Nigeria has great human resources.

“What we need to do is to provide the enabling environment at home so that people can be encouraged to come back home. That is why we are working on security, power and other issues,” he told the gathering.

President Jonathan thanked Nigerians living in France and the United Kingdom for traveling to Paris to meet with him.

He assured them he will continue to work diligently to fulfill his promise to significantly improve the living conditions of Nigerians before the expiration of his tenure.

P

4 NEWS

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

ALEX IBRU (1945 - 2011): CONDOLENCE VISITS

•From left: Group Executive Director, Champion Newspapers Limited, Mrs Nwadiuto Iheakanwa; Ex-President, Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua; Publisher, Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam Nda Isaiah; Executive Secretary, NPAN, Mr. Feyi Smith; President, NPAN, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; Publisher, Vanguard, Mr. Sam Amuka; former Ogun State governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr Ademola Osinubi; Publisher, The Source, Mrs. Comfort Obi; Chairman/CEO, Media Trust Limited, Alhaji Kabiru Yusuf; and General Manager, Training and Development, The Nation, Mr. Soji Omotunde during a condolence visit by NPAN to the family of the late publisher of The Guardian, Mr. Alex Ibru ...yesterday

Aregbesola marks first anniversary of historic verdict T

ODAY is a significant day in the history of Osun State.

It marks the first anniversary of the historic judgment that brought Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to power as governor.

Exactly a year today, the Court of Appeal, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, sacked the immediate past government of the Peoples Democratic Party, led by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, following which Aregbesola, the standard bearer of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) was installed. , Thus, the state’s political equation was altered. It was indeed a triumphant moment for the man, who led a fight that lasted almost four years with the support of the people of the state, to reclaim his

Adesoji ADENIYI, Osogbo

stolen mandate.

Most indigenes of the state were in joyous mood.

Their jubilation lasted many days. The people spared no word in expressing their joy over Aregbesola’s installation as governor on Novemebr 27, 2010.

The sports ground of the Technical College, Osogbo, witnessed an unprecedented turn out of people as the new governor and his deputy, Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori, were sworn in.

Today will go down in history as the governor marks the anniversary of the political victory with a marathon race.

According to Col. Enibukun Oyewole, the Commandant of the administration’s youth employment scheme, who is also the coordinator of the marathon, the event will be held in Osogbo, the state capital, today with 10,000 marathon runners covering 10 kilometres.

The 10km mini marathon race, which is modelled after world-class marathon events like Boston Marathon and Lagos MTN Marathon, will feature 10,000 participants, 6,200 of which will be drawn from members of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O’YES).

The race will see the participants taking off from the state secretariat in Abeere to

the Osogbo Township Stadium through Olaiya – Ayetoro by 8 am.

Interested participants are enjoined to log on to www.osunstate.ng/marathon for the link to get all the details for the race. Winners are expected to emerge in the following categories: •OYES individual category – 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions •OYES Group Category – 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions •Individual Runner Category- 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions •Physically challenged Category- 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions.

All the positions are in male and female categories.

Apart from cash prizes to be won by participants, certificates of participation will also be presented to participants.

Police recover six stolen vehicles from warehouse in Anambra

A

CRACK team of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Anambra State Police Command yesterday stormed a warehouse in a bush at Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government headquarters and recovered six stolen vehicles allegedly parked by suspected car snatchers.

The storming of the warehouse and recovery of the vehicles followed the interception by the police team of a Honda Accord car with mutilated particulars.

According to a reliable police source, the police team had stopped the car popularly called Honda Hala someat Ogidi and demanded the particulars from the driver.

The source stated that on producing the particulars, the police team discovered that they were mutilated. Upon interrogation, the vehicle driver led the police to the warehouse where he claimed to have bought the vehicle from.

Among the suspected stolen vehicles recovered from the warehouse located in a bush at Ogidi, were two Honda Accord, two Volkswagen Golf, one Toyota Camry and a Nissan Sunny, while the driver was kept in police custody.

In another development, the police are interrogating three suspects, including a palace guard, in connection

Sergeant, 50-yr-old man arrested for alleged rape

T

HE Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeola Adeniji, has confirmed the arrest of a police sergeant, Mr. Ifeanyi Mbazor, attached to the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) over alleged rape of a 24-year old girl.

Briefing journalists in Abakaliki yesterday, Mr. Adeniji said the Police Sergeant was attached to the CIB office at Government House Abakaliki, noting that the incident took place at the Command Headquarters, Abakaliki.

The police boss also confirmed that the incident took place on November 15, 2011, while the rape victim is a native of Noyo Alike in Ikwo Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner of Police said the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was investigating the incident, adding that both the accused and the victim had been subjected to medical examination to determine the direction of further police action.

He said the command would soon write the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, and assured that detailed investigation into Adimike GEORGE, Onitsha with the burgling of the palace of the traditional ruler of Umuoji community in Idemili North Council Area of Anambra State, Igwe Cyril Enweze.

The suspects, according to a police source, had stormed the palace at night while the royal father travelled out of town and allegedly removed personal effects belonging to the monarch, including electronic gadgets and other household items.

Ogbonnaya OBINNA; Abakaliki the matter would be carried out without fear or favour.

Adeniji stated that the Police Sergeant would first be subjected to departmental orderly room trial, and if medical examination confirms the rape, he would be dismissed before he is arraigned in court.

Adeniji noted that the command would no longer tolerate any act of indiscipline among its men of the command pointing out that he would not hesitate to recommend the dismissal of any officer found in such an unethical act.

In a related development, the Police boss also confirmed the arrest of a 50-year old man, Mr. Ogbaga Echem of Amachi Development Center in Abakaliki Local Government Area for alleged brutal defilement of an eight-year old girl.

The Police alleged that Echem, who is now on bail, allegedly drank some chemical substance in an attempt to take his life to avoid being arraigned in court.

The palace guard was said to havetold the monarch when he returned that the burglars, on arrival at the gate, tied his hands with ropes before entering into the palace to cart away the items.

The monarch later reported the matter to the commissioner of police in the state, who directed SARS team to investigate it.

The interrogation of the palace guard led to the arrest of the two other suspectedburglars and the recovery of two pump action guns, one

double-barrel gun and computers, among other items.

The Officer-in-Charge of SARS in the state, Mr. Felix Kigigha (CSP), who confirmed the story to newsmen in his office at state SARS headquarters, Awkuzu, referred newsmen to the police headquarters for further comments.

The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka (ASP), told newsmen in a telephone chat that he was in a meeting with police authorities at the time of filing this report.

•Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun with the late publisher’s widow, Maiden.

Anambra senatorial battle: Ngige, Akunyili know fate Monday •ACN, APGA faithful storm tribunal

T

HERE was heavy security presence yesterday at the venue of the election petitions tribunal in Awka, Anambra State, following the appearance of Senator Chris Ngige of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Prof.

Dora Akunyili of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Besides, there were also fireworks from the numerous lawyers representing both candidates and their political parties at the tribunal, as lawyers and newsmen scrambled for space.

Also, the member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, whose election is being challenged by former member representing the area, Chukwuke Onyema, were also present.

All the petitioners and respondents are to know their fate on Monday, according to the different tribunal panels.

Ngige and Akunyili’s case, together with that of Hon. Ben Nwankwo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Orumba North and South, will be decided on Monday by Hon Justice Onajite Kuejubolaled panel, based on the application of jurisdiction by his counsel.

Ngige’s counsel, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN) is challenging the jurisdiction of

the tribunal to handle the case, based on the fact that the 180 days within which the constitution requires that the case be heard had lapsed.

A similar application was filed by S.O Ibrahim, Chief Legal Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the case of Ogene vs Onyema, in which he insisted that the tribunal had no jurisdiction to entertain the matter any more.

At the tribunal yesterday, faithful of the ACN, PDP and APGA flooded the arena in solidarity with their candidates.

Senator Ngige, who briefed reporters after proceedings, described the issue of jurisdiction as a serious matter, saying the constitution as the “grand num” of everything.

He said he and his party (ACN) were challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal based on the fact that6 the constitutional 180 days had lapsed.

In her own reaction, Akunyili maintained that she won the election, describing the court as the last hope of the common person.

She said she had confidence in the ability of the panel members to give the matter what she described as fair hearing, adding, “there is no problem.”

Dangote picks title sponsorship of Calabar Children’s Carnival

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NE of Nigeria’s leading conglomerates, Dangote Group, has picked the title sponsorship of the children segment of Carnival Calabar.

With this development, the Children’s Carnival will henceforth be known as Dangote Calabar Children’s Carnival.

The Executive Secretary, Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mrs. Elenda Osima-Dokubo, said with this offering, the profile of Carnival Calabar will continue to blossom.

In her words: “Dangote was with us last year. For the first time, they saw the value they got from their sponsorship last year. So, this year, they have decided to partner us in a bigger way by taking the title sponsorship of the children’s carnival.

“We are quite happy with this and will ensure that they get maximum value for their sponsorship.”

She added that with the development, the Children’s Carnival will be more colourful, bigger and even better.

The Children’s Carnival takes place on December 26 every year as part of the three days of Carnival Calabar activities.

NEWS 5

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Concern in the North over faith of N4bn military hospital •Project still on course, says Army Yusuf ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

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HERE is anxiety in the North over the fate of 44 Military Hospital in Kaduna, which has been due for commissioning since October last year.

The hospital was recently reconstructed by the Nigerian Army at a whopping sum of N4 billion The 200-bed hospital was originally slated for commissioning on October 1, 2010 but was put on hold and no official reason was given for the development.

There are now fears that sophisticated medical equipment and facilities already installed in the hospital may rot away if they continue to be left unutilised.

These equipment and facilities include eight giant generators of 800kva each, fully installed water works with treatment plant, fully installed medical gases, and stateof-the-art GE radiological equipment.

It was gathered that based on the facilities, the hospital was upgraded to Level 4 United Nations standard to cater for soldiers on peace-keeping operations.

It was learnt that instead of putting the hospital into use, about N2 billion was voted for medical evacuation overseas in 2011.

A top source said: “This hospital was rehabilitated at a cost of about N4 billion to serve as a referral centre for Nigerian Army for soldiers who may sustain injuries during military operations, especially peacekeeping.

“Before the reconstruction, our soldiers were being sent to Ghanaian, Kenyan and South African hospitals for tertiary health treatment. It was this situation that led to a mutiny at Cairo’s airport by Nigerian soldiers who sustained injuries in the Liberian crisis, and whose protest was as a result of poor welfare while on medical evacuation.

“This background made the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, General Dambazzau to initiate the total reconstruction of the famous 44 Military Hospital, Kaduna and the Nigerian Army Central Medical Store, Yaba, Lagos.

“While the dilapidated 1940s wooden structure of the Central Medical Store in Yaba military hospital Lagos, was pulled down, reconstructed and already commissioned, the new 44 200-bed Hospital was 95 per cent completed but it is still not in use.

“We want the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who is the Commander-In-Chief to look into why the hospital has not been commissioned for use.”

Another source, however, claimed that there is no basis for not commissioning the project.

The source added: “After more than one year in office, there is really nothing to show. The 2011 Budget is enough to put the project on course.

“The budget, which is available on the internet, provided the Nigerian Army with N121.5 billion total allocation, makes provision for overhead of N2.9 billion, recurrent of N108 billion, and capital of N3.5 billion.

“Out of this total budget, N350,986,957 was allocated for the rehabilitation of hospital in Kaduna; N175,493,478 for the purchase of what they refer to as short-term medical equipment for Kaduna Hospital; and N2.9 billion for National Health Insurance Scheme, all as part of ongoing projects, which 44 Hospital represents.

“So far, not much has been released for the 44 Hospital project, yet the year has come to an end. So, where is the money going to?’’

Some people are imputing ethnic sentiments and bureaucratic challenges in the delay to commission the 44 Hospital.

A source said: “I think some persons do not like the idea that such a medical facility is located in the heart of the North, Kaduna. Therefore they are bent on frustrating it.

“My questions to such regional bigots are: is it not the same Army that take its soldiers for treatment further north to Egypt and Kenya? Do they prefer that such a facility exists in the Nigeria’s north, yet they facilitate the spending of the tax-payers’ money outside the country? Why do they feel comfortable with the location of the Army’s Central Medical Store in Lagos, and the two major Nigerian Army hospitals in Creek (Ikoyi) and Yaba, both in Lagos?

“All the major Army hospitals are in Port-Harcourt, Benin, Ibadan and Lagos. The only Nigerian Army hospital in the north is 44 in Kaduna. The 44 hospital serves all military personnel, and civilians because of the qualified doctors and its accessibility.”

An officer in the Directorate of Army Public Relations, who spoke in confidence, said: “If you say a project has not been commissioned, it is still under reconstruction.

“I do not know where you got your information, but no date was fixed for the commissioning. The reconstruction is still in progress. The hospital is not a small place at all; it is a big project.

“There is nothing delaying the project, it is just that it is not fully completed.

“Sometimes, people tend to read ethnic sentiments into such a project, but that will be out of place. The reconstruction of the 44 Military Hospital has nothing to do with ethnic or any other ill-motive. It is not a matter of North or South affair. The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ihejirika does not discriminate against any region or geopolitical zone. He is a Nigerian to the core.

“The Army is determined to make the project a model and it is working round the clock to ensure it is a centre of excellence.”

•Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime (left) presents a symbol of authority to the new Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Amb. (Dr.) Alhaji Hassan Adamu, during the 14th convocation of the university .....yesterday

Boko Haram’s bomb threat: Police keep party offices under 24-hr surveillance

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HE police are reinforcing security at political party secretariats/offices across the nation following the threat by the Boko Haram sect to target such buildings.

Boko Haram spokesman, Abu Quqa,had told reporters on telephone in Maiduguri on Thursday that the planned attack on party offices was to demonstrate that the group is not being sponsored by politicians.

He was reacting to claims by self-styled spokesman for Boko Haram,Ali Sanda Konduga,that the sect was opposed to the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) which is in power in Borno State.

But the police declared yesterday that they were on top of the situation and assured the public of their safety.

“We have put political offices in the country under enlarged surveillance and control; so there is no cause for panic,”the police spokesman, Mr.Yemi Ajayi, told The Nation on phone yesterday.

He asked the public to re-

Gbade OGUNWALE, John OFIKHENUA and Gbenga OMOKHUNU, Abuja port suspicious movements and gatherings to the appropriate quarters for action and said even before now, the police have been providing the public with security.

Activities at the national secretariat of the ruling PDP in Abuja were on the low side yesterday with some workers staying away.One staff said those who were not on duty yesterday were scared. And that was despite the noticeable presence of policemen and other security guards at the premises.

Professor Rufai Ahmed Alkali was not available for comment. Repeated telephone calls to his mobile phone were left unanswered In contrast, the mood at the national secretariats of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the All Nigerian Political Party (ANPP) appeared normal as the workers went about their

duties.

The security at both offices was generally tight.

Reacting to the attack threat on telephone the CPC National Publicity Secretary, Rotimi Fashakin, said government should take appropriate action, although he stressed that the party was not boarded by the threat.

He said: “It is not funny that the Boko Haram sect is still threatening after much condemnation. Which security are we going to rely on? Is it the police that have failed to secure its territory? We have lost confidence in the police.

“We should ensure that government enforces the law to fight Boko Haram. There is no cause for alarm on the part of CPC. Nothing will happen to our party secretariat. Government should be held responsible if things go wrong in this regard. Security operatives should be at alert and not political parties.”

The National Publicity Secretary of ANPP, Emma

Eneukwu, said: “Well, do we have any security apparatus to protect Nigerians much more combating Boko Haram? Government should be alive to its responsibilities.

The said threat by Boko Haram should worry government most. For ANPP, there is no problem.With God, no evil plan will prevail. We are not resting on our oars over the said threat.”

The ACN media officer at the national secretariat, Mr.Olanrewaju Thomas, said: “We have our internal security mechanism. We are prepared and the party’s leaders are looking into the matter.

But some people are saying we should request for mobile policemen. However, God is the strongest security.”

When our correspondent visited the secretariat yesterday, there were no mobile policemen, although the regular guards from a private security company were at alert.

Besides, the members of staff went about their business as usual with ease. It was the same situation around the office.

•••suspects disown statement tendered by SSS in court WO suspected members of the Boko Haram sect yesterday rejected the statements the State Security Service (SSS) tendered to the court in their names.

Musa Adamu and Umar Ibrahim disowned what the agency claimed to be voluntary statements extracted from them in Hausa and translated to English by the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), Al-Hassan Iliyasu.

Another accused, Salisu Ahmed, also told the court that he was made to write his witness statement under duress.

The accused and other three are facing a five-count charge of criminal conspiracy and voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous means slammed against them by the SSS.

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Kamaldeen OGUNDELE, Abuja Others are Shuaibu Abubakar, Umar Babagana and Mohammed Ali. The IPO tendered the witnesses statements yesterday before Justice Bilikisu Aliyu of an Abuja Federal High Court.

But the defence counsel, Nureini Suleiman, opposed their admissibility. But after an argument between Suleiman and the prosecution team led by Thompson Olatigbe, Justice Aliyu admitted them in evidence.

Justice Aliyu said: “In a criminal proceeding, there is a difference between when an accused says ‘I did not make the statement’ and ‘I made the statement but was forced.’

“The denial will not affect

the admissibility of evidence; it could only affect the weight of the evidence.

Those will be taken as read.’’

Consequently, the statement of Adamu and Ibrahim were admitted in evidence.

On the second accused (Ahmed), who claimed he wrote his statement under duress, Justice Aliyu ordered a trial within trial and adjourned till December 8 and 9.

The accused have pleaded not guilty to the five count charge of criminal conspiracy and voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous means.

The alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 97 and 248(1) of the Penal Code Law, and Section 15 (2) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Estab-

lishment Act 2004.

The accused persons are alleged to be the brains behind the April bombing at the INEC office in Suleja, Niger State, where 16 persons, including serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, died on the eve of the rescheduled National Assembly elections.

The accused persons also allegedly conspired with others at large to cause grievous bodily harm by unlawfully planting deadly substances which led to the death of another three persons at a political rally in Suleja.

They also allegedly detonated explosives which resulted in the deaths of three peace officers in Dakna village, Bwari. The alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under Sections 97 and 248(1) of the Penal Code Law.

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BOUT 5,000 casual workers of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Ibadan zone have called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of utmost concern, either comply with agreements reached on staff appointment, or pay up all their outstanding entitlements before the commencement of the company’s privatisation.

They also alerted the public that contrary to the impression created by the Federal Government that the deployment of soldiers to

5,000 PHCN workers protest Bode DUROJAIYE, Ogbomoso PHCN installations was due to prevailing security challenges in the country, full privatisation of the company is being carried out secretly with the Ibadan zone as a pilot scheme.

These were one of the resolutions reached at a meeting of representatives of casual workers from the 18 districts

within the zone held in Ogbomoso.

The districts under the zone comprise Kwara, Ogun, Osun and Oyo states.

They said while the permanent staff were really enjoying conditions of service, the casual workers constituting about 90 per cent of the entire workforce were not taken care of.

The casual workers explained that, “In 2009, 2,500

NAFDAC raids shops, markets in Ekiti

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HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has carried out a massive mop-up exercise leading to the seizure of some unregistered and unwholesome regulated products in Ekiti and sealing of three shops in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

Officials of the agency, led by the state Coordinator, Mr. Francis Ononiwu, and in company with security operatives and journalists, stormed the popular Oja Oba Market, some pharmarcies, supermarkets and patent medicine shops in Ado Ekiti metropolis in what they described as routine sanction and enforcement activities aimed at ridding the state and nation at large of fake and unwholesome regulated products.

Ononiwu, who addressed newsmen after the successful exercise, warned that unregistered products could contain chemicals that could be harmful to humans and reiterated the call by the NAFDAC on Nigerians to shun such products.

He said: “Some unscrupulous manufacturers use banned chemicals and that is why we are after these unwholesome products,” adding that the agency would “intensify its effort to rid the market of unwholesome products, especially as the yuletide is fast approaching.”

According to Ononiwu, “we want to ensure that only products that meet up with the minimum international standard are sold in Nigeria.”

During the exercise, the agency arrested a hawker of unregistered insecticide, saying the product could contain chemicals that were harmful

to human health, and added that “we will test the chemical content of the insecticide to know what it was made of, and we will also investigate where he is manufacturing it.”

He assured Nigerians that the NAFDAC was working towards eradicating fake drugs from the system, adding that the recent introduction of the TRUSCAN machine had

added a boost in this direction.

He advised consumers to be vigilant and ensure that they purchased only genuine products registered by the NAFDAC, especially as the Christmas season approaches, warning that the exercise was ongoing and anyone caught violating the agency rules would not be spared .

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This was a follow-up to interviews conducted for staff appointment in 2009. The cutoff date for accepting casual workers as having been duly employed was December 31, 2009,” the workers said.

They further said in accordance with the extant Labour Act, the meeting resolved that once the appointments of those identified as casuals were verified, they should be immediately regularised.

While urging the Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnanji, to make public the results of the previous biometric verification exercise carried out and interviews conducted by the PHCN management in Abuja on the conversion of casual workers to permanent staff, they called on the National Assembly to intervene in the matter in order to prevent another industrial unrest in the power sector.

SENATE President, Senator David Mark, yesterday showered encomium on former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, and the matriarch of the Awolowo family, Chief Hannah Idowu Awolowo on their birthday.

Atiku and Chief Awolowo marked their 65th and 96th birthdays respectively yesterday.

In separate letters of congratulations to the celebrants signed by the Chief Press Secretary to President of the Senate, Paul Mumeh, Senator Mark noted that both leaders have remained pillars of hope and courage to the younger generation.

Specifically, Senator Mark noted the contributions of Atiku to the democratic evolution of the country and urged him to remain steadfast.

On Awolowo, the Senate President said she had remained a unifying factor in the Yoruba race and a great source of inspiration to the nation at large.

He prayed for continuous good health and God’s protection to the celebrants in the years ahead.

Lagos mosque holds Hijrah lecture tomorrow

From left: Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Mrs Funmi Olayinka; Governor Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Erelu Bisi; and the Clerk, state House of Assembly, Akintunde Famoyegun, during the signing into law of the "Gender-Based Violence Prohibition Bill" in Ado-Ekiti yesterday

We ‘ll win war against robbers—Amosun

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GUN State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has vowed to win the battle to end the menace of armed robbers in the state.

The governor was speaking during an inspection of two banks in Sabo, Sagamu attacked by robbers on Thursday.

Recalling that the Sagamu

incident was the third after similar ones in Ilaro and AgoIwoye, he vowed to make the state hot for robbers and other criminals alike.

The governor said: “Appropriate steps are being taken to put an end to this development.”

Governor Amosun, while saluting the gallantry of men of the Vigilante Service of

Ekiti to introduce rural allowance for teachers KITI State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has announced plans to commence the payment of a special allowance to teachers in the rural areas in the state in a bid to boost the morale of teachers in the areas.

The governor made the announcement at Ode-Ekiti on Thursday during a town hall meeting attended by representatives of the people of the Gbonyin Local Government Area of the state.

The decision to introduce the new allowance was sequel to an appeal by some community leaders to address cases of inadequate teachers in some schools in their communities.

Fayemi said the allowance would be introduced to encourage teachers in rural areas in discharging their duties, while logistics would also be put in place to ensure their convenience.

He added that his administration had distributed motorcycles to some of the teachers in rural areas to ease

casual workers were invited to Abuja for interview on staff appointment from the zone. The interview was held, but till to date, we have not heard anything. We have spent between eight and 12 years, yet we are yet to benefit anything from the management.”

They said between May 16 and 19, discussions were held and agreements reached between the Federal Government and the three labour unions of the PHCN in Abuja.

“At the meeting, it was agreed that a biometric verification exercise be jointly carried out by the PHCN management, the unions and Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) consultants to determine the number of casual workers in the company. The exercise was jointly agreed to be conducted and concluded between July One and 15.

Mark eulogises Atiku, HID Awolowo

transportation problem.

While addressing the issue of dilapidated structure and inadequate classrooms in some schools, the governor said the Ministry of Education and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) were on top of the situation as they had furnished him with the list of schools which needed to be renovated and assured that they would soon be renovated under the “Operation Renovate All Schools” embarked upon by his administration.

Dr. Fayemi, however, said his administration would only construct new classrooms where they were needed, and not on the ground of political patronage, adding that “there were communities where enrolments were low, yet the previous administration kept building new classrooms.”

He said some secondary schools which were deficient in science equipment, especially Ayo Daramola Memorial Secondary School at IjanEkiti, Sola Babalola Grammar

School and Ayeteju Grammar School, both at Iro-Ekiti, would be taken care of so as to avail science students access to science practical.

Ogun State as well as the Nigeria Police, announced that the state would soon take delivery of highly sophisticated equipment that would assist security operatives in tackling the menace.

According to him, the state needs about 120 Hi-lux jeeps as well as 30 APCs to be located in strategic areas in the state in order to effectively secure the state.

He, however, expressed determination to win the battle, stressing, “we must do the needful and we all know that security is important for any meaningful development to take place. Our goal of

industrialising the state cannot be realised in an atmosphere of insecurity. We have to win this battle and we will win it.”

Senator Amosun further solicited the cooperation of the people in exposing the hideouts of criminals, stressing that these people are not ghosts.

The governor also visited the family house of Alhaji Kareem Amusa, a member of the Vigilante Service killed by the robbers.

He promised that the state government would compensate the family and prayed that God will grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Osun DG lauds Aregbesola

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HE Director-General, Bureau of Social Services (BOSS) Osun State, Mr Femi Faturoti, has said the giant strides recorded by the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration in its fist year in office is not accidental.

Addressing reporters in Lagos, he said right from the very moment the chief executive made up his mind to serve the people he had people-oriented programmes which he wanted to execute.

Faturoti explained that the state government could not have achieved much in a year, if not for the visionary leadership of the governor, stressing that only a focussed government could make such impact within

Musa ODOSHIMOKHE one year.

The director general said: “All in all, we have tried to redefine governance. The governor has demonstrated that governance is about the people. There is nothing that we are doing now that is not in the governor’s ‘My Pact with the Good People of Osun State’. It is our own Green Book which is a handbook that guides all functionaries.”

Asked whether the bureau is not a duplication of the regular civil service machinery, Faturoti said: “No. It is part of our innovation. What we intend to achieve is to ensure that we all work in accordance with the vision of

the governor. We have a sixpoint Integral Action Plan from which no one is allowed to depart. The bureau monitors and evaluates all projects and activities of the ministries, departments and agencies. Each commissioner or head of department is afforded the opportunity to score himself through filling the necessary forms. There are timelines and deadlines and guides for evaluation. So, everyone is on his toes.”

Citing the example of the recent retreat organised by the government, the director general pointed out that it was a robust platform which afforded the executive arm and top echelon of the administration to reflect on the vision of the government.

LAGOS Central Mosque will tomorrow hold annual Hijrah lecture at the mosque auditorium, Idumota, Lagos Island.

A statement signed by the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Garuba Akinola Ibrahim, and Baba Adinni, Sheikh Abou Hafeez, congratulated all Nigerians for witnessing the new Islamic year which begins today.

The Islamic calendar, which started in year 622, signifies the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Medina due to the persecution he suffered with his followers in the hands of reactionary elements who were non-Muslims.

The duo urged Muslims to emulate the prophet in relating with other religious groups.

More illegal houses to go in Ekiti MORE illegal houses and structures in Ekiti State will soon be marked for demolition as the state House of Assembly passed into law the Urban and Regional Planning Bill sponsored by the state chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB).

The passage of the bill has informed the move of the state government to establish Urban Renewal Agency and Building Control Agency which will soon be constituted.

The state Chairman of the NIOB, Mr. Timothy Ajambati, disclosed to newsmen at the fifth annual seminar and workshop of the institute in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday that the two agencies would be liaised with the concerned professionals.

Ajambati, expressed confidence in the two agencies to check illegal and substandard constructions in the state which he observed had been responsible for sudden collapse of buildings which had claimed many lives across the nation in the recent time.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Drama as Echocho’s supporters embrace Audu

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HE Action Congress of Nige ria (ACN) governorship can didate in Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu, yesterday got more support from unlikely quarters.

The supporters of former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kogi, Jibrin Isah Echocho, trooped out en mass to welcome Audu.

Thousands of youths lined the streets of Ajiyolo, Echocho’s home town, in a show of solidarity for the ACN and its candidate.

Majority of them carried placards bearing Echocho’s picture as they chanted “Sai Audu”, “Sai Audu.”

Moved by the gesture, Audu stopped the convoy, came down, collected one of Echocho’s placards and raised it up to the admiration and excitement of all.

The youths promised to vote for him on December 3.

Audu had earlier commissioned a transformer at Adikafane in the Ofu Local Government Area, and charged party supporters at Ofakaga to give him their votes.

The ACN candidate also spoke to supporters in Emewe, Abocho and Dekina township in the Dekina Local Government Area.

At the Bassa Local Government Area, Audu urged the people to elect him governor for the much-desired change in the state.

Kwara audits staff, captures their biometric data

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HE Kwara State Government is to audit its staff and record their biometric data.It has already set up an inter-ministerial committee to handle the exercise in the 16 local government areas of the state; the Local Government Service Commission and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Alhaji Isa Bawa, who is the chairman of the committee, told reporters that it would, among others, refocus, rejuvenate and further reposition the local government administration in the state to enable government accomplish the objectives for which it was established.

The screening exercise, which is expected to commence on Monday, November 28, from Kwara Central Senatorial District, will last nine weeks.

Alhaji Bawa said any staff who fails to show up or refuses to tender genuine documents would be regarded as a ghost worker.

Yobe okays N19.7bn for road, other projects

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HE Yobe State executive coun cil yesterday approved the release of N18.12 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of over 150 kilometres of roads and drainage across the state and a 55kilometre Kannamma-Kafiya International Gateway in the NorthEast sub-region of the country.

The sum of N372 million for the connection of Tikau, Jajere and Kollere communities to national power grid.

The state Commissioner for Home Affair, Information and Culture, Alhaji Goni Fika, disclosed this yesterday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the SEC meeting at the Government House, Damaturu.

He stated that the contracts were awarded to four different contractors to handle the eight roads covering a total distance of 150 kilometres.

Joseph JIBUEZE, Lokoja He asked them to reject what he called the inept and corrupt PDP government.

A spectacular feature of the campaign was the presence of masquerades which assured Audu of the ancestor’s blessings and support during the governorship election.

Echocho had won the PDP governorship primary in January before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) postponed elections in five states, including

Kogi.

This followed an Abuja Federal High Court verdict that the tenure of the five governors would extend beyond May 29, 2011 as they had won re-elections at different times.

When the commission released a new date for the election, Kogi PDP conducted another primary in September in which Captain Idris Wada emerged winner.

A PDP member, Umar Lawal went to the Federal High Court, Abuja to challenge the nomination of Wada as the party’s governorship

candidate. Echocho is joined as one of the plaintiffs.

They are asking the court to declare that the January primary won

by Echocho is still valid and therefore the September primary election should be cancelled.

According to them, it is only in case of death or voluntary withdrawal that a candidate can be replaced.

Besides, the plaintiffs said the candidate was not a card-carrying member of the PDP at the time he was nominated.

•Vice President Namadi Sambo in a warm handshake with the Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Aliko Mohammed, during a courtesy visit of the ACF to the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

Borno federal lawmaker wins appeal in Jos

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BDUL Musa Msheliza of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) has been returned by the Court of Appeal sitting in Jos as being duly elected in the April 2011 National Assembly election as the representative of Askira/Uba/ Hawul Federal Constituency of Borno State.

The Appeal Court upheld the ruling of the Borno Elections Tribunal after Nicholas Elijah Msheliza of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) challenged the result of the April polls.

Nicholas Msheliza had dragged Musa Msheliza to the three-man tribunal chaired by Justice B.S. Adamu, claiming that the election of Musa was not proper and not in accordance with the extant laws guiding the National Assembly elections.

Justice Adamu and the other two judges were unanimous that the petition lacked merit as the petitioner

Victor OLUWASEGUN and Dele ANOFI, Abuja failed to substantiate claims that he scored more votes than his challenger in the polls.

Notwithstanding, Nicholas Msheliza went to the Court of Appeal in Jos for the reversal of the ruling.

Ruling on the appeal, Justice Clara Ogunbi held that the tribunal was right in striking out the petition challenging the election of Musa Msheliza and upheld the decision of the tribunal to dismiss the petition on account of lacking in merit.

Justice Ogunbi ruled that the tribunal did not err by throwing out the petition as it lacked substance in law.

In his reaction, to the ruling, Musa Msheliza said it was a victory for the electorate and the ANPP,

adding, “What the court has done was to affirm the wish of the people to determine who will represent them at the House of Representatives. The people spoke with their votes and the court just stamped it.

“With the confirmation of my election as the representative of the people of Askira, Uba and Hawul, I can only urge my opponents and the entire people of the constituency to give me the necessary support so as to deliver to them more dividends of democracy.”

While he assured that his election promises on working for quality health care delivery as he did while he was the chairman of Health Committee at the state House of Assembly, Msheliza pledged to collaborate with other members of the National Assembly and in particular, the Borno State caucus to address the security challenges in the state.

Why we opened unemployment register —ACN

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HE Campaign Organisation of the Kogi State Action Con gress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, has said anyone whose name is in the unemployment register will be given a job if the party wins the December 3, election.

It said the register was opened for a record of all qualified jobless persons in the state.

Hundreds have already put down their names in the book placed at the ACN campaign office in Lokoja.

Director-General of Audu’s Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Abdullahi ‘Halims’ Ibrahim, said the ACN government would provide jobs for 25,000 persons who had registered.

His words: “Even the people who have been retrenched by the present government are being directed to come with their first letter of employment.

“I know for sure that they didn’t terminate their appointments properly. They just threw them out of work without any concern.

“But for people who are not yet employed, we want to get about

Joseph JIBUEZE, Lokoja 25,000 of them registered so that immediately we take over government by the grace of God, those people will be immediately employed.”

Ibrahim said Audu would have no problem beating his opponents as his ability to govern had been proved, adding that the masses had alligned with him.

On fears expressed by the ACN National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, about likely security challenges ahead of and during the December 3 election, Ibrahim said the people would not be cowed.

“We have cried out to the Federal Government, the InspectorGeneral of Police, Hafiz Ringim, and other security agencies about the impending plan of the PDP to rig using security forces.

“I believe the security authorities will take action. But our people are not afraid. They cannot kill all of us. Kogi State cannot die in the hands of a few cronies. They have actually turned Kogi politics into a kind of dynasty for themselves”.

The campaign spokesman said

Audu would coast home to victory with or without alliance with any of the other opposition candidates.

The candidates of the four main parties - PDP, ACN, All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) hail from Kogi East.

Northern leaders hail INEC over Bayelsa primaries

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HE decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to attend the controversial November 19, 2011 governorship primaries conducted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has been hailed by some prominent Northern leaders.

The INEC had, in a statement, distanced itself from the governorship primaries allegedly conducted in breach of a court order restraining the party from holding the primaries.

Following the development, our reporter in separate telephone interviews with Second Republic Presidential Adviser, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, former Deputy Senate President, Abubakar Dan-Musa, and one time Secretary of the defunct Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU), Alhaji Lili Gabari, all of whom applauded the decision of the INEC not to be party to anything that could turn out to be an illegality, describing it as a step in the right direction and an action that would restore the dignity of the judiciary.

In his reaction, the ex-President Shehu Shagari’s Adviser on National Assembly Matters in the Second Republic, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, noted that since the INEC declined to deploy representatives to supervise the congress of the PDP in Bayelsa in compliance with the court order, “it means that the exercise was not conducted in accordance with the electoral act”.

One time Speaker of the old Kaduna State House of Assembly, Dan Musa, said the INEC’s action was not a surprise as it was expected from any institution headed by Prof.

Attahiru Jega.

IFCN launches compendium

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new compendium for fi nance practitioners and stu dents is to be released to the public by the Institute of Finance and Control of Nigeria (IFCN) next month.

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of institute, Mr. Eohoi Godwin, who disclosed this in Minna yesterday while briefing journalists, said that the well-researched and highly informed intellectual material would be presented on December 15.

According to the registrar, the compendium was in realization of the institute’s cardinal objective of building finance professionals with the right attitudinal framework of mind in finance administration of the economy of the country.

The registrar said the compendium became necessary in order to strengthen the institute’s objective of human capacity building for finance administrations in the country, especially those at the local government councils who are entrusted with public funds.

Kogi guber poll: PSC trains 800 observers

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OWARDS a successful poll in Kogi State, the Project 2011 Swift Count (PSC), a joint initiative of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) and Justice, Development and Peace/Caritas Nigeria (JDPC) will today train 800 independent observers for the December 3 gubernatorial election.

According to a statement issued yesterday by the1st co-Chairman of PSC, Dafe Akpedeye (SAN), and the 2nd Co-Chairman, Mashood Erubami, the observers, who were drawn from the 21 local government areas of the state, will be trained in 30 centres in the state.

They also said a refresher course

had earlier been conducted for 35 members of the State Coordinating Committees (SCC) and LGA supervisors.

The statement reads: “The exercise is aimed at ensuring that the December 3 gubernatorial poll is adequately observed in line with the mandate of the PSC to instil greater confidence in the electoral process in country.

“The PSC will deploy the observers to randomly selected polling units, giving a representative sample.

Additionally observers will be in every LGA in the state.

“This methodology was used by the PSC during the 2011 general elections to get accurate information about the electoral process and to verify the official result announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

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HREE faces illustrate the issues I want to discuss today. These are FIFA's President Sepp Blatter, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the face of the unknown Egyptian protester in Cairo's Tahrir Square sitting out the overthrow and immediate replacement of Egypt's military government because of what is perceived as a breach of faith by the Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi military government.

Of course at the back of my mind as I deal with all these issues is the removal of the mask of the masquerades sponsoring the Boko Haram terror that has killed many Nigerians , as well the very tame guilty plea of the captured spokesman of the terrorist group and the not guilty plea of the arrested Senator involved in the bloody business in a magistrate court in Abuja; and the import of that for the subject of discussion today.

I intend to show briefly and concisely in FIFA 's case that Sepp Blatter may have made a mistake in talking about racism, he cannot, by any stretch of imagination given his track record , be called a racist and that those calling for his resignation are racists indeed given their recent actions and inaction on racism.

In Angela Merkel's case I will illustrate how Germany's obsession with prudent economic management will drive the debtor nations of the Euro zone further into debts rather than bring them succor when all they need to do is to make economic growth their priority. On the street protests in Cairo I want to lay a charge of anarchy, albeit a half hearted one, against the protesters even as I cannot hide my admiration for their courage and sacrifice in wanting to establish immediate democracy in Egypt which really is a most difficult tall order under the present circumstances.

Starting with FIFA and Sepp Blatter, the English Football FA said Blatter should resign for saying in an interview that any racism on the field of play should end with a handshake by all parties or players concerned.

Of course Blatter has since apologized but has refused to resign . A S . African Soccer executive in defending that Blatter is no racist from his track record has instead accused the English FA of bad judgment in giving John Terry, Chelsea's captain, the England captain 's arm band whilst a racism charge was pending against him for racist slur against Anton Ferdinand, the Queen Park Rangers central defender in an English Premiership match.

I cannot agree more. I will however add that the English FA should first remove the speck in its eye before removing the beam in the eye of FIFA'S Blatter.

Of course the gentlemen of the English FA, supported by the Royal Prince William and soccer star David Beckham-members of the failed England Host-

Democracy, bias and anarchy

ing bid for FIFA WORLD Cup won by Russia and Qatar, are blinded by bias and malice against FIFA and by extension its President , Sepp Blatter because of their world cup bid loss.

In addition the English FA in seeking to remove Blatter by the back door is showing its frustration with FIFA's organizational structure and democracy which gives one nation one vote in resolving any issue in football. Which means that English fury with Blatter can never be translated into a voting majority to dislodge Blatter. Worse still English frustration with Blatter only got more painful with the futile bid to conscript UEFA president French man Michel Platini to throw Europe's weight around and threaten Blatter.

The deal just could not jell because of the traditional and historical rivalry between the English and French of being in each other's ways on resolving thorny issues and making merry with each other's embarrassment. Platini UEFA boss surely enjoyed himself in ignoring the English war cry on Blatter and made sure that the mutual antipathy between the French and English extends very well into World soccer administration to the chagrin of the vengeful English.

With regard to the euro zone debt crisis I draw inspiration

from an article I read on the internet which highlighted four dilemmas facing Europe as it tries to weather the financial crisis without destroying itself. The dilemmas as identified are self explanatory and are as follows -borrowers vs lenders; austerity vs growth; discipline vs solidarity and Europe vs the nations.

In all the dilemmas highlighted the Germans provided the positive side or good example whilst the debtors and potential debtors bore the brunt and costs of repayment, austerity, indiscipline and stigma of default.

Indeed Germany is the bail out champion of Europe and while some have wondered how much of a safety valve Germany can offer the nations of Europe, Germans themselves are bothered about how far they can stretch their resources and goodwill in providing succor for spendthrift members of the euro zone. In a way Angela Merkel has tried to steer discussions away from the endless, fashionable but poorly understood bail bonds being touted as the panacea to the eurozone crisis.

After the most recent German bonds were undersubscribed the German Chancellor this week said' we have to change the construction of the euro area. Treaty changes are far more an im-

mediate part of the crisis, the political response to a politically derived confidence crisis 'So in effect money is not everything and its availability or lack will not sort the financial crisis unless there is a political will for sacrifice and discipline on the part of the politicians in the euro zone.

How that translates into the rescue of euro zone members in financial black hole right now will determine the economic and political stability of some nations in the euro zone in the immediate future.

Mean while the German Chancellor has flown a kite instill discipline in your democracy or face financial anarchy or economic suicide as Germany has sweated for its wealth and is not going to play 'father Xmas ' any more.

In Egypt however the tone is less strident than in the economic fields of Europe as the military issued an apology for the over 30 people killed in Tahrir Square in Cairo over the protests that say the army should quit immediately rather than allow the elections slated for next Monday to go on. Indeed one cannot discuss the Cairo protests without referring to the arrest of late Muammar Gaddafi's son Saif Islam in Libya and the new decision to try him in Libya, agreed to by the International Criminal Court [ICC] which earlier issued an

international warrant for his arrest on the grounds that he could not face a fair trial in Libya.

ICC Prosecutor Moresmo Ocampo has since made a uturn on the grounds that the international warrant was first issued when it appeared that a justice system was not on the ground in Libya after the death of Gaddafi. Now in the light of the appointment of a PM in Libya and the formation of a cabinet, the trial can take place in Libya and not in the Hague as earlier proposed by the then fleeing Saif Islam. Which in effect means that Libya has emerged from the anarchy that saw Gaddafi off and now has a government de facto that can dispense justice in an orderly environment pending the conduct of elections to legitimize the transition from a Gaddafi dictatorship to a real people's democracy in Libya.

There is a lesson the Cairo protesters can learn from the Libyan democracy transition process even though the Cairo street revolution is an older revolution that started when Gaddafi thought he was invincible in Tripoli.

The lesson is that the protests in Cairo alone can not remove the army which is still a Mubarak army any day. I fear daily for the lives of the protesters and ask them to allow elections to hold as scheduled as a bird in hand is worth two in the bush and the hand over of July2012 promised by the army is not too far. So far it is Satellite TV and the fear of a watching global audience that has restrained the army and I urge the protesters not to allow the army to use the excuse of looming anarchy to crush once and for all the gains of the Cairo Street revolutions that toppled Mubarak in February this year and has the former dictator and his sons sweating in jail at least for now.

To round up, one can express both relief and shock at the arraignment of a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Ali Ndume on terrorism and his plea of not guilty even though the man who blew the whistle on him has pleaded guilty in open court. Which says a lot about the not guilty plea of the distinguished senator. Already the Senate has asked that the matter be investigated thoroughly and that the Senator should be presumed innocent until proven other wise.

Which really is the law in our democracy or indeed any democracy except perhaps France where accused is presumed guilty and the magistrate is the prosecutor and the accused can be detained at his pleasure pending investigations. The arraigned senator should count himself lucky that this is not France. Any way the revelation and trial is a dent on the shining armor of the senate which has used the necessity principle to secure the republic before and is battling the presidency on behalf of our impoverished masses on the obnoxious policy to remove fuel subsidy.

Also, saying that the arrested senator is innocent until proven otherwise is so much judicial tautology similar to saying that Gaddafi's son Saif is innocent in Libya until proven otherwise or that John Terry can keep captaining England with a racist charge on his neck because he is presumed innocent of saying some thing the TV stations blocked out in obvious racist bias . Anyway the apprehension and trial of the senator and possibly more like him is a big plus for the security authorities in the country and I say sincerely more grease to their elbows as the common man can sleep well in his bed for the first time since this Boko Haram horror started at our 50th Independence anniversary celebrations last year .

10 COMMENTARY

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Fuel subsidy removal in public court With

Vincent Akanmode 08077536312

vincentakanmode@yahoo.com

Considering the tempo the debate on the plan by the Federal Government to remove the subsidy on petroleum products has assumed, I feel a strong urge to donate this column to some readers, reacting to my recent piece titled ‘From Obasanjo's Whip to Jonathan's Scorpion.’

J

onathan’s government is an offshoot of Obasanjo’s. One should, therefore, not expect anything less from a stooge. That a government that has not been able to better the living conditions of the people can propose to inflict us with further pains leaves much to be desired.

Electricity supply remains epileptic. Medicare, even at its most elementary level is virtually zero. Joblessness is a phenomenon while hunger stares the majority in the face.

Instead of arresting these ugly trends, the insensitive government in this country, under the headship Goodluck Jonathan is toying with the idea of removing fuel subsidy. The resilience in us will not desert us, and we are assured of being delivered from these local imperialists. It is just a matter of time.

Remi Adesina, Ibadan

W

ith the threat to withdraw the so called subsidy on fuel, our leaders are only projecting their inefficiency. Must oil always be government’s source of fund? What if we never had oil or our oil dries up today? Our leaders should be proactive and stop impoverishing the people.

Don Ezeala, Port Harcourt

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here are three professionals who are in positions to make the society better

through their callings. I am referring to lawyers, the labour union and journalists. You almost struck this fact in your write-up on “.....Jonathan’s Scorpion”. Let Lawyers insist on the rule of law in our polity without compromise. The labour unions should practice unionism with integrity - always insisting on righteousness in governance, while the journalists should report matters of public interest transparently without fear or favour.

Let us appeal to lawyers and journalists to convince Labour to accept ‘Jonathan’s scorpion’ without tearing the estate asunder - with the proviso: Never again should labour allow any office holder to dip his hand into the nation’s treasury to take out money that does not belong to him. If they do, labour should expose them, journalists should report them (thanks to FOI), while lawyers should stand up against them and ensure there is no sacred cow or impunity.

Eternal vigilance is required if we would gain our freedom from these canker worms acting under the guise of leaders.

Without the connivance of labour and to some extent the rest of us, no public officer can steal our money as cheaply as they are doing it. All the billions of naira carted away by the recently listed public office holders were enough to push Nigeria into the ‘Group 20’ even before the year 2020.

Let us challenge labour to go back to their base and do their home work, declare a stand against corruption in public offices with the assurance of the full support of the rest of us. If we can achieve a corruption-free society, all other good things will follow. Labour are our eyes. Is it not a contradiction to ask for pay rise and at the same time opposing the removal of the so called fuel subsidy - even while corruption thrives in the land, where we are expecting the government to fix light, water, food, roads, employment and everything from the cradle to the grave?

A word is enough. No amount of campaign against corruption is too much until it is eradicated from our society and psyche. Mr. Journalist, pick it up from there. More grease to your elbow.

Chief Supo Akinola

G

od blessed Nigeria with oil, but our leaders, beginning with Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, turned it into a curse, particularly for the masses. If Noah’s generation grieved the heart of God (Gen. 6:6), then the issue

the government will continue to plunge the citizens into misery.

Kindly do an elaborate write-up to advise the Federal Government to desist from subsidy removal on fuel to avert mass protest. This, if carried out, does not make the federal and state governments to be pro-poor. Is this Dr. OkonjoIweala’s pill for poverty? Let her form a company or run a non-governmental organisation and pay people too. Let us all pay for fuel, including the escort vehicles of government at all levels.

Enough of waking up sleeping trouble.

In the worst case scenario, the premium motor spirit (petrol) should not exceed N75, Kerosene N65 and diesel N80. Fuel subsidy must not be removed at all. That is the only thing the poor in Nigeria enjoy. Don’t kill the living poor in Nigeria.

Wahab Lanre Oseni, Lagos

Y

of oil in this country must be grieving His heart seriously. He gave us oil, but our leaders prefer to import oil, even though we have refineries.

In other nations, democracy means the rule of law and better life for citizens. But in this jungle called Nigeria, it is ‘demoncracy’ and it effects are cracy policies, demonic leaders stealing public funds, poverty, bad roads, insecurity, unemployment, poor electricity supply, poor education, poor health delivery system, and so on.

If President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan bows to his selfish advisers and remove fuel subsidy, it will mean that those of us who voted for him made a serious mistake.

Adekanye T.A., Ilorin

T

he Federal Government of Nigeria should remember the smoke in Libya and other Arab countries. Fuel subsidy should not be removed until we clear poverty 07031545675

B

y the time the subsidy is fully removed by the Federal Government, you can rest assured that those in the opposition to subsidy removal and fuel price hike are much higher in number than their proponents. I am an economist, and I do know that subsidy removal thrives in a corruption-0free nation with functional infrastructural facilities. Otherwise,

ou shouldn’t expect anything good from a government of anti-democracy cabal which the PDP represents. The PDP leaders who goaded Jonathan to contest party politics did so for their own selfish gains. They are the enemies of you and I. Alhaji Adeboye Lawal, Felele, Ibadan.

I

read your wonderful article on Jonathan’s scorpion. But won’t he say something about the refineries. His actions will prove the full meaning of his name—Goodluck.

080512756

Y

our fine piece on Obasanjo’s whip and Jonathan’s scorpion receives the commendation of every Nigerian with the interests of the people at heart. However, I think there is a great difference between what had obtained among our past leaders who would often increase fuel price for their selfish ends and what is in place over the fuel subsidy matter at present.

Okonjo-Iweala, the very knowlegeable economist and patriot recalled from the World Bank to help us out has assembled pills or the required medication for the cure of our polluted economy, of which the removal of fuel subsidy happens to be a part. And she means well, though it may be very painful or even appear worse at the beginning. Discretion, I think, requires that Nigeria should give her a chance, believeing that the darkest hour of the night said to be just before dawn can equally find relevance here.

Emmanuel

Of power, ‘sinners’ and Jonathan’s proxy wars Knucklehead

P

OWER, some say, is an intoxicant. History is replete with stories of how men ran amok just because they came into power, hence the conclusion that absolute power corrupts absolutely. In the course of wielding absolute or even, near-absolute powers, nations had been ruined; the destinies of whole communities had been blighted by the reckless use of the five-letter concept. Little wonder, Lord Acton’s immortal dictum that “all power tends to corrupt but absolute power corrupts absolutely” has remained one of the most famous quotes of all times. When too much power is vested in an individual, there is always that tendency to wield it with reckless abandon. Nevertheless, that should not always be the case. In theory, power should be held in trust and deployed with due recourse to fairness, equity and in the overall interest of the people. In reality, the intoxicating nature of power has turned many holders of political power into tyrants. They have become captives to power.

For now, it is difficult to predict how President Goodluck Jonathan expects history to assess how he applies the enormous power of the Nigerian presidency, now in his grip.

However, there exists clear and present danger that Jonathan is gradually slipping and gravitating towards joining the growing league of Nigeria’s past abusers of power who did not reckon with the transient nature of power and the enduring power of history, until it became too late. His style may not necessarily be as brash and contemptible as that of former President Olusegun Obasanjo whom many regard as his mentor of sorts. His subtlety and can’t-hurt-a-fly mien notwithstanding, he has given us cause for worry, judging from the way certain persons were treacherously and ignominiously removed from office. All you need to incur the wrath of the powerful is to do anything that amounts to a ‘sin’ in his estimation.

The clearest example was the May 12, 2010 ‘resignation’ of the former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor. We all knew the minstrel who played the tune that led to Ogbulafor’s forceful ejection from office. Though everything was done to downplay the role played by Aso Rock in the powerful intrigue surrounding the ouster, the proxy war was clinically executed right from the heart of the corridors of power. By the time the dust settled, Ogbulafor was left battered on the canvas and he is yet to find his voice since then. As I write this, he is battling to save his neck from charges of corruption brought against him and some others by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Related Offences Commission. What were his ‘sins?’ He was made to taste the bitter part of brutal power

for assuming that the then Acting President would not do anything to upset the party’s zoning arrangement, which presumed that a Northerner would naturally take over from the then ailing President Umaru Yar’adua. That grievous ‘sin’ was atoned for with Ogbulafor’s summary dismissal with a baggage to boot!

Ogbulafor’s successor, Chief Okwesilieze Nwodo, did not fare any better. The man who rode on the crest of his predecessor’s pitiable exit was booted out after crossing the thin line between political chastity and unpardonable sin.

For daring to show up at the PDP presidential primaries after an Enugu court had ordered him to stop parading himself as national chairman of the party, he was summarily dismissed.

It never mattered that he worked assiduously to defend the right of Jonathan to run in the primaries regardless of the gentleman’s agreement on zoning. When the heat and sheer force of presidential power was unleashed on him, a flustered Nwodo quickly dropped his resignation letter and has since fizzled into political oblivion. Power tends to corrupt but absolute power corrupts absolutely!

I am sure embattled Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, would have, at some point, fancied himself as far above the fray. As a state chief executive vested with massive power to do and undo, he could have placed himself above the mundane infractions that constitute ‘sins’ in partisan politics. Now, he knows better. As far as the PDP is concerned, his sins have caught up with him. Though the leadership of the party has bluntly refused to make the sins public, they have become subjects of beer parlour gossips as Sylva leaks his wound in frustration. In this contest for power, Nigerians know who is wielding the absolute power which corrupts absolutely. Those who dare to face this moving train often have sad stories to tell. As usual, there is no dearth of proxies to execute the punishment!

Still on power and its use, I believe the President owes Nigerians an explanation on the shocking even if constitutional removal of Mrs. Farida Waziri as the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission less than eight months to the expiration of her tenure. Precisely, we need to know Farida’s ‘sins.’ And let no one cajole us with the nonsense that the President is under no obligation to give reasons. The EFCC, as far as I know, is not an extension of the PDP. Because of the special task it discharges, its independence should be sacred in spite of the power to hire and fire given to the President in Section 3 of the EFCC Act. Precisely, Section 3 (2) states: “A member of the Commission may at any time be removed by the President for inability to discharge the functions of his office (whether arising

With

Yomi Odunuga E-mail:yomi.odunuga @thenationonlineng.net SMS only: 07028006913 from infirmity of mind or body or any other cause) or for misconduct or if the President is satisfied that it is not in the interest of the Commission or the interest of the public that the member should continue in office.”

Therefore, we take it that, in removing Waziri, Jonathan has simply exercised the powers conferred on him. Question is: why did he do it? Already, tongues are wagging that Waziri’s exit had nothing to do with incompetence or any infirmity of the mind or body. It does not help the President’s cause either that some former state chief executives, currently facing trials for corrupt practices, rolled out the drums to celebrate Waziri’s sack. Is there something they know that is hidden from the rest of us? The blurry picture is compounded by Dr. Rueben Abati’s terse statement which merely ordered the Commission’s Director of Operations, Ibrahim Lamorde, to take charge as Acting Chairman with “immediate effect!”

I, honestly, do not want to join the party of gossips. However, the President cannot afford to be silent on why he had to show Waziri the exit door. If the former czar of the anti-graft body had truly crossed the line in the discharge of her responsibilities, it is in the interest of the public to know. It will be interesting to witness a former chief of an anti-graft body standing trial for filling her bags with filthy lucre. She may have performed below par in her chequered tenure but that does not, in anyway, justify the swathe of opinion supporting the removal. The Presidency needs to come clean on this. It is not a job that can be left in the hands of proxies neither should it be expected to wither out, like many others, in rumour parlours. Being transparent on why she got a kick in the ass would go a long way in dousing the rumour in town that she was just a sacrificial lamb in the intricate game where corruption is fighting back with all the savagery it can muster.

So, can the President dare to be different in this matter? Or will he ignore this call, knowing full well that he has the knife and the cake? Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely!

/ 14

‘What being first lady has taken away from me’ -Ogun Governor’s wife,

Olufunso Amosun

Life & style 41

illips, —Idowu Ph inbow aka Iya Ra

‘Our female member ordered us to kill pregnant woman, two policemen, NNPC official’

Crime

Screen/ 34

Why I resigned ut to fate abo g remarryin

Weekend

PEOPLE THE NATION, Saturday, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Our last moments with our husbands, by widows of Boko Haram victims Continued on Pages 12-13

Relat io

nship

11

12 Their husbands, Peter Ayangbade and Seun Onasanya, were friends and were travelling together in the same vehicle in Damaturu, Yobe State, on November 4 when they ran into a band of Boko Haram militants who descended on them and hacked them to death. Moments before the tragic occasion, both Patricia Nneka Ayangbade and Funke Onasanya were in touch with their husbands on the phone as they travelled from Maiduguri, Borno State to keep a business appointment in Damaturu. During the illfated journey, the late University of Ibadan (UI) graduate of Agricultural Engineering and his friend was said to be in constant touch with their wives, until about 6 pm when their vehicle was ambushed by members of the sect.

On sighting the sect members who were armed to the teeth, Seun, who was driving tried to manoeuvre his way out of danger, but the fellows caught up with him and his friend. A fluent speaker of the Hausa language, Seun was said to have engaged his attackers in a conversation and pleaded with them to spare their lives, but they turned deaf ears. They allegedly dragged him and his friend out of the vehicle and hacked them to death.

Their killers were also said to have held on to their bodies until heavily armed riot policemen stormed the scene and dislodged them. That was when the two bodies were retrieved by the minions of law.

The widows of the two victims were later confronted with the sad news of the demise of their loved ones. In these separate interviews with KUNLE AKINRINADE, they recall their last moments with their late husbands and how they are struggling to cope with life without them.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Boko Haram militants killed my husband exactly a year after he narrowly escaped death in motor accident —Patricia Ayangbade

•The late Mr Ayangbade with his wife at a function

My three-year-old daughter has been asking after her father, I don’t know what to tell her –Funke Onasanya W HAT did your husband tell you when he was leaving home on the day he died?

He actually returned from Lagos on Thursday November 3,2011; from a training programme held at his company’s head office. He told me he would be travelling from our Kano base to Maiduguri the following day, to honour a business appointment. On Friday November 4, 2011, he left home at about 6 am and told me he was going to pick his friend, the late Mr. Peter Ayangbade, who accompanied him on the journey. I called him on his mobile phone at about 11 am to confirm if they had arrived in Maiduguri and he said they were still on the road. At about 12 pm, I was on my way to pick my daughter from school when he called me to say that they had finally arrived in Maiduguri and we spoke on the phone till about 1pm.

When it was 3 pm, he called me again and asked me to run an errand for him, which I did. Again, at 4.30 pm, he told

me on the phone that the Boko Haram sect had struck again and that there were explosions in Maiduguri. When he called back at about 5 pm, he said he was safe.

When it was 6 pm, he called again, asking me to give some money to someone.

Immediately, I gave the money to the person he sent to pick it, and I called him to let him know that I had given the money to the bearer as he had instructed. At about 6.30 pm, he told me on the phone that they had left Maiduguri and that they would soon be home. I never knew it was our last conversation.

At what point did you become suspicious that something was wrong?

When it was 8 pm, I tried his number to confirm where he was, but it was switched off. I concluded that there was no network coverage where he was. When I tried his number again at 9 pm, it kept saying ‘switched off’. I decided to contact one of his friends in Kaduna at about 12 am to get the phone number of Mr. Ayangbade.

When I tried the number, it was also switched off. That was when I began to suspect that something had gone wrong

•The late Mr Onasanya with them.

The next morning, I went to Mr. Ayangbade’s residence and met his wife outside, and she was also very worried about her husband’s whereabouts. We decided to report the matter to the police, but we were told by policemen at the station that our husbands might have switched off their phones for safety reasons. But I disagreed with them, because my husband would not switch off his phones. Ayangbade’s wife said the same thing. We were told by the policemen that their counterparts in Yobe could not come out to confront the sect and that it would be difficult to ascertain the whereabouts of our husbands in the circumstance.

Thereafter, we got in touch with a senior military officer in Kano and he in turn contacted the Commissioner of Police,

13

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

‘

He was a very wonderful, lovely, dutiful and excellent person who had a soft heart for his family, friends and colleagues. He was not only married to me but to my entire family. When he died, there were testimonies about people he was paying their school fees in the universities...

•The Ayangbade family

C

AN you recall the last moment you shared with your husband before he embarked on the ill-fated trip from Maiduguri to Damaturu on November 4?

The very week he died, he had just returned from an official trip to India. On the day of the incident, he told me he was going to Maiduguri to seal a deal with a government agency. He said he was requested to come personally to sign the documents that would secure the deal and that his company was aware of the contract. He left Kano at about 6 am in company with his late friend, Mr. Seun Onasanya, who came to pick him in his official vehicle.

Did you communicate with him during the journey? What was the last thing he

told you before he was killed?

I was in constant touch with him on the telephone. At a point, he told me there was a multiple bomb explosion in Maiduguri.

But he said he was safe. He later told me that they had left the city but that they had a flat tyre and a vulcaniser was trying to fix it. He told me he would soon return home. I had no premonition that it would be our last conversation.

At what point did you lose contact with him?

It was between 8pm and 9pm. I had called him when I was going for a meeting.

When I could not reach him, I thought there was no network coverage where he was with his friend. But I became suspicious

and greatly troubled. I began to think that they were probably in a situation where I could no longer reach him on the telephone. When I contacted the government department where he had gone to seal the deal, I was told he had just left the place.

I gathered my children and we started praying for his safety. In fact, I could not sleep throughout the night, thinking that he was hiding somewhere to avoid being ambushed by the marauding sect.

How did you eventually find out that he had been killed?

I contacted my pastor and narrated the situation to him, and he said we should pray for his safety. I went to the Kano State

’

Police Command to help me contact the police command in Yobe. I gave the officers my husband’s name and that of his friend, but I was told that the police commissioner in Yobe said his men could not even come out because of the tension there. So, one of my pastors later advised that we should send a search party for my husband in Yobe State. I even wanted to accompany them on the journey but I was persuaded to stay back for security reasons. So, my pastor and one Mr. Kamar left on Sunday for Yobe and found their •Continued on Page 15

‘

By killing my husband, they have also killed so many generations, because he was responsible for the upkeep of so many people who are not members of his family. He was very magnanimous even to non-Yoruba people. And that is why it is important that government puts a stop to these senseless killings...

’

•Onasanya’s widow with their children who was by then accompanying the deputy governor to the scene of the incident for assessment. We‘were told that

there was no way our husbands could be identified, because there were many Hilux vans at the scene of the incident. We learnt

that even the Boko Haram sect also used Hilux vans in the attack. We were told that there was only one survivor identified as a

professor. So, a search party went to Yobe on Sunday November 6, 2011 and their bodies were found in the mortuary.

How come he was killed in Damaturu when he actually left for Maiduguri?

He was killed while returning home from Maiduguri. And it was not as if he went to Damaturu per se. There is no other route or road than the Damaturu Road, which connects Yobe State with Maiduguri. That was where he was ambushed by the sect. He was just unfortunate that day, because that was not his first trip to that part of the country. He had even travelled extensively to different parts of the north, such as Adamawa, Kaduna, Gombe and so on without any problem.

•Continued on Page 15

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

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Our female member ordered us to kill pregnant woman, two policemen, NNPC official —Robbery suspects

HREE robbery suspects, who shot dead two police officers, a pregnant woman, an okada (commercial motorcycle) rider and an employee of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) in Oshodi, Lagos, recently have confessed that they killed the police officers because they see policemen as their number one enemies. The robbery suspects, who said the order to shoot the victims dead was issued by a female member of the gang, also said they see robbery operations like going to war, where casualties are expected.

Briefing journalists on the arrest of the suspects at the headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday, the Investigating Police Officer (names withheld for security reasons) said the suspects were members of an eight-man gang responsible for the death of the aforementioned persons, as well as the plight of three other police officers who were still in critical conditions at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.

The IPO also revealed that one of the robbery suspects, known as Shino, was hit by Police bullets during an exchange of gunfire, adding that one AK47 rifle, six magazines, 15 live ammunition and 245 expended shells were recovered from the scene of the robbery. The Police, he said, also recovered one light green Hyundai Tucgon CRDi Jeep with two different number plates, UU 35 KJA and CC 615 KJD, abandoned by fleeing members of the gang.

Asked how they were arrested, the IPO said: “On the 3rd of September this year, at about 1:30pm, there was a distress call from the control room, Ikeja, that a company, Abuson United Investment Limited, which deals in bulk sale of recharge cards at No 70B, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, was being robbed by an eight-man gang.

When operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad of the Lagos State Command, led by Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police, got to the robbery scene, the robbers had already fled with their loot, namely N14,865,000, with recharge cards running into millions of naira. Other items carted away by the hoodlums included laptop computers, GSM phones and gold wrist watches belonging to customers who came to transact business with the company. They also escaped with a woman victim’s Toyota Ecko Saloon car.

Unfortunately for the robbers, the CCTV camera in the company recorded the robbery operation.

SARS also alerted communication companies to block the stolen recharge cards.

While the operatives of SARS were still hunting for the suspects, they got another distress call on November 2, 2011 that the same gang was operating at Thermocool, a company located at No. 1, Omotayo Street, off Bolade, Oshodi. While the Police challenged the robbers, they lost two officers while three others were seriously wounded because the robbers rained bullets as if they were on the battle field.

Pacing up and down at the Police Headquarters, Ikeja, the Commissioner of Police, Yakubu Alkali, who nearly accompanied SARS operatives to the scene, patiently awaited the outcome of reinforcement from SARS. When the SARS squad, known as Scorpions, reached the scene, their superior fire power brought down the gang leader, Shino, with all the charms he wore. This made the other members of the gang to flee for dear lives.

With the information at their disposal, SARS men later spread their dragnet and on November 4, 2011,

•From left: Suleiman, Akin and Macaulay

•Suspected robbers‘s operational vehicle shattered in crossfire with the Police

Ebele BONIFACE they captured the gang’s alleged marksman, Ajibola Fatai Suleiman a.k.a. Officer, at about 1:30am on November 5, 2011. That was at K. Farm Estate, Ogba, Lagos.

Suleiman’s arrest and confession led SARS to Igbaja village in Ilorin, Kwara State, where another allegedly dangerous member of the gang, Kainde Akin, a.k.a Loyingbo, was arrested November 12, 2011.

Kainde’s statement revealed that one Augustine Olufemi Macaulay, the second-in-command of the gang, was somewhere at Ebute Metta area and was immediately apprehended.

The arrested gang members revealed that the job to rob Abuson was brought to them by Kainde,

while that of Thermocool was brought by one Alhaja Faith, described as a notorious robbery suspect who specialised in snatching exotic cars, including jeeps, and taking same to Cotonou, Benin Republic.

The gang members in Police net claimed they had five AK 47 rifles which they got from policemen they had killed in operations, one pump action rifle and two locally made short guns. They performed joint operations with other five gangs, making it difficult to know which gang was operating. And the joint operation gang derived joy from killing their victims and po-

lice officers.

Narrating his involvement in the two robbery operations, the first suspect, Ajibola Fatai Suleiman, said: “I am 40 years old. Eight of us participated in the Allen Avenue, Ikeja and Bolade, Oshodi robbery operations. We killed two police men at close range at Oshodi when they confronted us. It was the woman member, Faith, who gave the order to kill in order to appease the gods of the charms we were wearing.

“We lost control when SARS operatives arrived and killed Shino,

who was wearing the charm which our native doctor had boasted was so potent that no one wearing it could be killed, because it had the power to make one disappear. We became afraid and ran away.

“On the operation at Allen Avenue, we were eight in number.

We got there at about 10.20 am. We were there with five AK 44 rifles.

The owner of the guns is Pastor.

Other guns were gotten from shot policemen.

“On that fateful day, Pastor handed the guns to me to take inside. The gang was a combined team. Members came from different gangs. Pastor came with five members while three of us came from another gang. The operation was led by Pastor and Shino. The total sum of money we got was N15 million cash, and the recharge cards were nearly uncountable.

“I was given N1.2 million with recharge cards, which Shino took and paid me N150,000.”

Asked what he spent the money on, he said: “I used it to change the engine and gear box of my baby boy car. That cost me just N75,000.

But when the car started giving me problem again, I was annoyed and went to buy another brand new car, a Mitsubutchs Hylander Jeep.

“I reside at Iyana Oba, at No. 41, Olorunfemi Street. My operational name is Officer.

“I used to snatch cars before I started following them to do armed robbery. Car snatching is for people who are brave and experienced. We used locally made pistols with two

15

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

‘We lost control because our charm failed us’

‘

•The suspects‘charms,gun and magazine

pipers for small jobs. But for big operations, we informed Pastor and Shino, who brought long gums like AK 47 rifles “In 2008, I was arrested by SARS for snatching a Toyota bus. I was charged to court.

When the matter was adjourned, I could not attend court again. I was bailed out by one lawyer. We were three accused persons. We paid N700,000 to the lawyer, and we were granted bail. We were on motion bail, as the case had not come out of DPP. “I was supposed to go to court last September, but I did not go because I had a terrible accident and was hospitalised. The moment I was discharged, I went to rob with these people at Allen Avenue.”

On the Oshodi robbery incident, he said: “Shino, Alhaja Faith, Pastor, Wale, Osareiti and three of us were from my own gang. The Oshodi job was brought by Alhaja Faith, who stays at Mushin but is in hiding now in Abeokuta area.

“On that fateful day, Faith surveyed the place and found that it was ripe for operation.

She took us there. She ordered us to shoot the police or anybody who stood in our way.

It was SARS men who put fear into us when they gunned down Shino with all the charm he was wearing. We killed the policemen because they came to kill us. It was a war situation. Casualty is not a new thing in battle. We equally lost one of our members in the cross fire. They themselves were firing to kill us, hence we responded as normal human beings.

“That we are robbers does not mean we are all irresponsible. Some of us are landlords and chiefs in Lagos and other states. There are many armed robbers and fraudsters in Lagos and we are not the worst of them. We jubilate when we kill a policeman because it helps to scare away other policemen. Some police

officers are worse than us.

“I did not know whether my own bullets killed anybody, but I was happy that police officers were killed because it shows that we performed well.”

The second suspect, Kainde Akin (37), said: “I live at Isale Eko, Shop 5, Bombata Market and hail from Kwara State. I have never rented a house in Lagos. I brought the Allen job.”

Asked how he facilitated it, he said: “I was walking along the road and sighted a sign board with an MTN logo.

When I entered, I saw people carrying a lot of money in and out. I called Brother Austin and told him that I had found a job that would pay us well.

“Three days later, Augustin and I went for the feasibility study, to see if there was enough money there and if the job would be with little or no opposition from law enforcement agents.

“Later, Austin called Suleiman, who met us at the company’s gate. We did the final survey and left. On the day of the operation proper, I was the first to be there. They had already called Pastor to come along with our weapons. When they came, we entered with our guns hidden in a black bag. We pretended to be customers.

“After we had stayed for five minutes, Shino announced: “Stay where you are! Any suspicious movement will cause you your life. We are on duty.

This is a very serious business.

We have come to perform our official work.

“Don’t give us reasons to waste your life! Lie down with your face flat on the ground.

Anybody I see with eyes open will be fired. No tricks if you value your life! What you are seeing is not a toy or a walking stick.

“My role at this point was to gather as many recharge cards as I could see, including raw cash. I was given only N500,000.00 as my share. I

We lost control when SARS operatives arrived and killed Shino, who was wearing the charm which our native doctor had boasted was so potent that no one wearing it could be killed, because it had the power to make one disappear.

We became afraid and ran away

,

could not complain because money is shared according to seniority, rank and experience. If you complain they may kill you.

“I did not participate in the Oshodi operation. They gave me N300,000 worth of recharge cards, which was later blocked by Etisalat. I only loaded N15,000 MTN cards.

“I used the money to buy land in Mowo, along Badagry Road. I bought three plots of land at N120,000 each, bringing the total sum to N360,000.”

The third suspect, Augustin Marcudey (46), hails from Isale Eko on Lagos Island and says he is married with a four-year-old baby girl.

He said: “I used to do petty jobs until December 2010, when I joined the Fatai gang.

My role in any operation was to drive snatched cars across the border to Cotonou (Benin Republic). I participated in the robbery operation at Allen because of the big money involved. I entered and sat down at the reception like a customer.

“When Shino and Pastor gave the order, I started work. I parked recharged cards. We did not waste time.

I was given N250,000 cash and recharge cards worth N200,000, which was later blocked.

“I was still at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lagos on 11th October, 2011. So, I was not able to participate in the Oshodi operation.”

‘Boko Haram militants killed my husband exactly a year after he narrowly escaped death in motor accident’ •Continued from Page 13

corpses.

How long were you married to him?

I was married to him for about 20 years.

We got to know each other when he was in Taraba State.

How many are your children?

I have four kids. The eldest child is Anabel Opeyemi. She is currently studying Computer Engineering at Babcock University, Ogun State. It was based on the advice of my late husband’s colleague in their Lagos office. He is called Ismail. He was the one that facilitated her admission, so that she could be familiar with the Yoruba language and environment since she was born and raised in the north.

What kind of man was your husband?

(Sobs) He was a very wonderful, lovely, dutiful and excellent person who had a soft heart for his family, friends and colleagues.

He was not only married to me but to my entire family. When he died, there were testimonies about people he was paying their school fees in the universities. I thank God for his life. He has left a vacuum no one can ever fill in my life. Even people envied me for having a good husband. His children loved him and they could not do without him. My husband stood by me until his death.

I could not get the support of my family if I should report him to my parents. Even when my mother died, he was deeply involved in the burial ceremony. It was as if he was my brother. He was God-fearing.

That was why I requested for a white casket when he was to be buried, because he was fond of saying that he was a child of light and not that of darkness. He has left a legacy of benevolence and I believe his children will live to enjoy favour in life because of the kind of life their father lived.

We were so fond of each other so much so that I believe my husband is not dead,

•Mrs Peters

because I still feel his presence. He knew when I was not happy and when I was happy. He was once on an official assignment to Abuja when he had a motor accident, but he escaped death by a whisker.

Unfortunately, he was killed exactly one year after that incident (sobs again).

‘My three-year-old daughter has been asking after her father’ in Lagos, after the completion of my National Diploma programme. He came across as a responsible and honest person.

He was later transferred to Kano State and we got married in 2008. I have two daughters for him. Tayo is three years old while Similoluwa is just two months away from her one year birthday.

How will you describe your husband?

He was a brother, a friend, a dutiful husband, father and a very jovial person.

Once he stepped into any place, he would change the mood at the place. He was a happy-go-lucky person and there was no dull moment with him. Above all, he was a very generous person. His friends, family members and colleagues can attest to his benevolence. He never quarrelled with anyone because he was very friendly with everybody around him. I know that he will rest in the bosom of God because he was such an innocent and godly person.

How would his death affect the family?

It is not even about the family but those who depended on him for survival. By killing my husband, they have also killed so many generations, because he was responsible for the upkeep of so many people who are not members of his family.

He was very magnanimous even to nonYoruba people. And that is why it is important that government puts a stop to these senseless killings, because it does not bring good memory to the generations of •Mrs Onasanya the victims. For example, my three-yearold daughter has been asking after her father, and I don’t even know what to tell her.

Can you recall any promise he made before his unfortunate killing?

He had so many unfulfilled dreams I may •Continued from Page 13 not want to disclose now. But I remember Where and when did you meet him he promised that he would celebrate my before marriage set in? little daughter’s first birthday in January, It was during my internship at the and he said he would do it in a big way.

Caterpillar and Tractor’s (CAT) head office But I don’t think that is possible anymore.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

24-year-old nursing mother shot dead in Lagos neighbourhood’s gang war T

HE atmosphere at Onifade Street, Idi Oro, Mushin, Lagos, was quiet for the better part of November 17, 2011. Most residents of the area had hoped to retire to bed in peace after a hard day’s job. But this was not to be. The thin rope that held the peace in the restive community snapped again, leaving in its wake the killing of a 24-year-old nursing mother, Mrs Fatimoh Abiola, while scores of other residents were left injured by suspected hoodlums.

It was gathered that the deceased had just returned from an outing and was about closing for the day when a six-man gang brandishing AK-47 rifles stormed the street for a reprisal attack on a rival gang.

While looking for their target, the daredevil hoodlums were said to have shot sporadically to scare residents. In the process, the late hairdresser was felled by stray bullets while she tried to run into safety.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, explained that the late woman had kept her eight-month old daughter in the care of her mother when she was leaving home that day. As she made to close her shop, located in front of her residence, she was caught by bullets fired by the hoodlums.

The source said: “I was in my room when I suddenly heard a loud noise outside. I had thought that some people were throwing bangers in the neighbourhood. But I was shocked to see some young men shooting sporadically. I beat a retreat into the house.

“We were later told that Fatimah was shot while she was trying to run into safety. I could not believe •Her baby the story until I saw her in a pool of blood.”

Our correspondent learnt that Fatimah died on the way to Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, where she was being rushed to shortly after the hoodlums left the area “She was quickly taken from the scene, but she gave up the ghost while she was being rushed to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for treatment. It is really sad that nothing is being done by the authorities to stop these senseless killings by some misguided youths,” the source added.

A sister in-law to the deceased, Mrs. Funmilayo Giwa-Ekeolere, who offered further insight into the circumstances surrounding Fatimah’s death, said: “She had gone to fix hair for one of our relatives in Surulere, who was to have her wedding last weekend.

She left her baby with her mother.

She returned home in the evening to attend to her customers who •The frontage of the house had been waiting for her. where stray bullets hit her “When she was through with the day’s work, she decided to take care of her baby before closing for the day. She was about closing her shop when she was caught unawares by the hoodlums whose sporadic shooting led Kunle AKINRINADE to her death.”

Giwa-Ekeolere added: “She was like a daughter to me because I trained as a hairdresser. Arrangehave known her family for some ments were being made for her time now. Her husband works as graduation when the ugly incia fashion designer and profes- dent happened. sional pall bearer. He was away “She was such an unassuming to the East on duty when the in- and industrious lady. It was cident occurred. rather unfortunate she died a “She got married to my cousin gruesome death. She had only one in February, 2011 and had her sibling. Now, her mother is left daughter in April, 2011. She

only

with one

child.

“We don’t have any other place than Mushin. It is not possible for those whose parents own houses in the community to sell them simply because some youths are causing problem in the area.

This is why the authorities should ensure peace.”

The mother of the deceased, Mrs. Kuburat Obidare, who was around when the incident happened, recalled: “She had just finished dressing a customer’s hair and was preparing to go home when the armed youths stormed the street on three motorcycles at about 8:30pm and started firing shots to scare away residents, many of whom were in front of

•The late Mrs Abiola

their homes.

“Before she was hit by bullets, she gave me her eight-month-old daughter to hold for her while she tried to pack her wares. Not long after, someone came to inform me that my daughter had been shot and that she was lying in a pool of her blood outside. We were taking her to LUTH when she died.

She has since been buried.”

She said: “I want to appeal to the police authorities and the government to ensure that the guns are

retrieved from blood-thirsty youths so that we can live in peace. My daughter is not the first casualty of the incessant gang clashes, but it should be discouraged.”

The Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said some arrests have been made in connection with the incident. He added that the suspects are being detained at the SARS headquarters.

THE NATION, Saturday, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

17

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Osun: Aregbesola’s quick, steady steps in 12 months

E

ngr. Rauf Aregbesola came into office 12 months ago as governor of Osun State after his mandate, which had been wickedly stolen and illegally usurped for almost three years, was restored by the Court of Appeal. But mindful of his campaign promises to the good people of Osun State, he literally hit the ground running.

He had set for himself, a six point agenda with which he hopes to turn around for good, the sociopolitical and economic situation of Osun people.

Today, 12 months or, say, a year after he took the oath of office, Aregbesola has through a dint of hardwork and a demonstration of high managerail acumen coupled with an uncommon passion succeeded in touching the lives of the people in multiple ways. His meticulous adherence to his set programme is fast yielding the desired dividend of democracy and with a

promise for even more dividends in the coming years.

ii.

BANISH HUNGER Engr. Rauf Aregbesola clearly understands the fact that once the problem of hunger is solved, other problems confronting man can be solved with relative ease. It was therefore his vision to banish hunger in Osun State. To realize this laudable vision, the government of Aregbesola has inaugurated O’REAP (Osun Rural Enterprises and Agricultural Programme).

The objective, in the main, is to ensure food security in the state as well as food sovereignty. Since it kicked off, the programme has succeeded in: i.

Making the agricultural sector an enticing and interesting area of operation for farmers and those who want to embark on farming from

Osun State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Titi Laoye-Tomori; Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Secretary, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mrs. Ifeoma Onyeabor; Special Adviser to Osun State Government on Works and Transportation, Engr. Sabitu Amudah and Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Prince Adeseyi Sijuwade, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of between the NRC and Osun State on Freight Services, at the Governor’s office, Osogbo, Osun State on Thursday 03-11-2011. PHOTO: State House

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; Secretary, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mrs. Ifeoma Onyeabor; Special Adviser to Osun State Government on Works and Transportation, Engr. Sabitu Amudah and Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation, Prince Adeseyi Sijuwade, during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the NRC and Osun State on Freight Services, at the Governor’s office, Osogbo, Osun State on Thursday 03-11-2011. PHOTO: State House

iii. iv. v.

other sectors.

Minimizing the problems often faced by farmers in accessing agricultural inputs and securing farm outputs which are the backbone of food sovereignty.

Provision of credit facilities to the farmers.

Allocation of land to real farmers in some farm settlements in the state.

Provision of good feeder roads to the hitherto abandoned farm settlements in the state.

BANISH POVERTY It is common knowledge that the poverty index in Nigeria is simply embarrassing. Painfully, it ranks so high among Nigerians lowly rural folks. To tackle the problem of poverty, the admin-

istration of Engr.

Rauf Aregbesola has not only made the agricultural sector an area of wealth creation for all and sundry, it has also created jobs for numerous youths in the state through different youth empowerment programmes.

Instructively, the government of Engr. Rauf Aregbesola, ever always thinking of how to better the lot of the masses by enriching their pocket, made sure that: i.

The sewing contract of O’YES uniforms was given to the Association of Tailors in the state. ii.

All the working tools used by O’YES are procured within the state which is a way of redistributing wealth among the indigenes and residents of the state. iii.

The payment of N10, 000.00 each as monthly salary to O’YES cadets.

The ongoing rehabilitation of township road by RATCON Construction Company Limited in the state capital, Osogbo, Osun State.

Another section of road rehabilitation of Osogbo township road by RATCON Construction Company Limited, Osun State.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Osun: Aregbesola’s quick, steady steps in 12 months iv.

v.

The government has also promised to continue with the indigenization of some state contracts all in an effort to empower the people of the state and ensure that wealth circulates among the people of the state.

Importantly, arrangements are at an advanced stage for the establishment of O’YESTECH which would be launched soon for the training of people in the art of assembling and repair of phones and computers and other electronic devices and gadgets. It is estimated that about 20,000 youths would benefit from this programme.

·

BANISH MENT

UNEMPLOY-

Engr. Rauf Aregbesola’s promise to gainfully employ 20, 000 youths within three months of assuming power was largely sneered at by those who could not imagine how such a staggering figure would be engaged in a place such as Osun. ·

in the state.

It must be recognized that this development served as a big relief to the parents of those youths in the state, just as it has also provided a window for the youths to serve their dear state.

The story today, however, is that Engr. Rauf Aregbesola has confounded the skeptics and critics. Indigenes of the state were pleasantly surprised when forms were made available for interested youths of the state to apply for jobs under the O’YES programme which eventually provided jobs for twenty thousand (20,000.00) youths

Volunteers of the Osun Youths Empowerment Scheme (O’YES), and officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) supervising the state-wide distribution of kerosene procured and subsidised by the Osun State Government at BBM Filling Station, Osogbo, recently. Photo: State House

Members of the Osun State Youth Empowerment Scheme (O’YES) in a cleaning exercise.

functional education by placing the education sector on the front burner.

·

More so, the government has signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with a China-based company on agriculture that will eventually create more than 100,000 jobs for the people of state that is now more popularly known as Ipinle Omoluabi.

·

PROMOTION OF FUNCTIONAL EDUCATION

Within the first 100 days in office, the present administration held the ‘First Resourceful Education Summit’ which featured presentations from education experts from all nooks and crannies of the country, in particular, the Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka. It was a good opportunity for educationists who had come together to find solutions to degenerated status of education in the Ipinle Omoluabi “State of Virtue”.

And some of the solutions proffered include:

Engr. Rauf Aregbesola has not been less passionate about the provision of qualitative and functional education. He demonstrated his vision and passion for

a.

Changing of the school curriculum of the state; b.

Construction of Model Schools across the state which has started;

Osun State Gopvernor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle), Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Bola Ilori (2nd left) and others at the dredging of the Kuti River, along Baptist Road, Iwo, Osun State .

From right, Representative of the Oni of Ife, the Obalufon of Ile-Ife, Oba S.F. Elusakin; Osun State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori, who represented Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Secretary to the State government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, at the flag off of Thursdays Market Environmental Sanitation in the State, at the New Market, Odo-Ogbe, Ile-Ife, Osun State on Thursday 23-06-2011. Photo: State House

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Osun: Aregbesola’s quick, steady steps in 12 months c.

Employment of more teachers in the public schools to fill all the available vacancies; d.

Reduction of school fees of all the tertiary institutions in Osun State and e. Provision of Opon Imo (tablets of knowledge) to help final year students prepare for their examinations.

Besides, it is interesting to note that i.

The sum of N1.5bn has already been voted for the school feeding programme by the government. ii.

The cancellation of fees paid by the primary and secondary schools in Osun State.

As for the reduction in the school fess paid at the tertiary

level, this is graphically illustrated below: Institution|

Faculty |

Former Fee |Present Fee

Osun State University | Science disciplines| N222,000 Social Sciences

N100,000

N195,000 N75,000

Osun State University of Technology, Esa-Oke and Osun State Polytechnics, Iree.

All disciplines

N42,000

N25,000

Osun State College of Education , Ila Orangun .

All disciplines N28,000 N20,000 State Secondary Schools between N1,500– N4,500 which were unevenly charged across all secondary schools in the state has now been cancelled. iii. Payment of N222,000 examinations fee owed by the past administration to various examination bodies in favour of Osun State Second-

From right, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Commissioner for Environment, Prof. Bukola Oyawoye; the Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Rauf Olawale; Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori and Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Bola Ilori, during the end of emergency Environmental Sanitation in Ikirun, Osun State on Saturday, 22-10-2011

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (right); his Deputy, Mrs. Titi LaoyeTomori (In glasses); Special Adviser to the governor on Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Bola Ilori, illustrating something to the governor, during the inspection of dredging of Osere stream, Ifelodun Local Government in Ikirun, at the end of Emergency Environmental Sanitation Exercise in Osun State on Saturday, 22-102011.

ary School Leaving students.

• There is also the interesting development of the making of history as the administration of Engr. Rauf Aregbesola, was the first in the history of Osun State government to give 10% bonus to all workers of the state as an act of appreciation for the good contributions of workers in the state.

• Promotion of workers that have been long over due and elevation of others that have been pegged as contract workers before.

RESTORE HEALTHY LIVING Drawing from two popular quotes that “cleanliness is nearest to Godliness” and “prevention is better than cure”, the administration of Engr. Rauf Aregbesola, in the last one year has practically declared war on filth and unsanitary dispositions.

To ensure that the populace in the state live healthily, the administration embarked on many programmes: 1.

Foremost among these programmes was the establishment of the O’Clean . The O’Clean initiative of the Aregbesola administration has had great impact in the realization of the vision of the governor in terms of healthy living. O’Clean led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Bola Ilori, made history as the only government agency in the country to: • Declare a 90 day non-stop crack environmental sanitation exercise across the state.

• Ensure daily sanitation exercise and cleaning of roads and strategic places across the state by the cadets of O’YES corps.

•Beside, the government has embarked on massive dredging of over-

Osun State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori, representing Governor Aregbesola (2nd right), assisted by Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (middle); Chairman, Ife Central Local Government, Dr. Taiwo Olaiya (right); Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (2nd left) and others, at the flag off of Thursdays Market Environmental Sanitation in the State, Odo-Ogbe Market, Ile-Ife, Osun State on Thursday, 23-06-2011. Photo: State House

From left, Osun State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Titi Laoye Tomori, representing Governor Aregbesola; Chairman, O-CLEAN Committee, Hon. Bola Ilori; the Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji; Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola and others, at the flag off of Thursdays Market Environmental Sanitation in the State, at the State Capital, Osogbo, Osun State on Thursday, 23-06-2011. Photo: State House

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Osun: Aregbesola’s quick, steady steps in 12 months flowing rivers in towns like Osogbo, Iwo , Ilesa, Ikirun and others.

By these and other activities the government was able to ensure that: • No single incident of flood disaster in 2011 rainy season in Osun State was recorded • Create a conducive environment and improvement of the health status of the people of the state.

Other activities of the government in areas of health services include: • Free eye treatment and distribution of glasses for hundreds of the people of the state .

• Free distribution of drugs to all health centres and hospitals in the state among others.

·ENHANCED COMMUNAL PEACE AND PROGRESS As a man of peace and one who believes that without peace no reasonable progress can be achieved, the administration of Engr. Rauf Aregbesola has in the last one year consciously pursued policies and projects that are designed to enhance peaceful and communal coexistence.

The administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has among other things embarked on: • Ethical, moral and social transformation and orientation for the people of the state. His launching of the “Ipinle Omoluabi – “State of Virtue” has undoubtedly brought out the nobility in the people after the launch.

•This moral re-orientatation step has obviously translated into self-dignity for the people of the state as their conscience has become their POLICE.

• The establishment of The Truth and Reconciliation Committee to resolve the communal problems in the state has wonderfully resulted in peaceful co-existence now considering the injustice that was perpetrated by the previous administration.

• The intervention of the committee has played a big role in calming down the frayed nerves and the high tension that hung heavily in the air prior to the assumption of power by Engr. Rauf Aregbesola.

• Due to the recent experience of armed robbery attacks in the state, the administarion has placed orders for six Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to improve security services in the state.

• What is more, for the first time in the history of Osun State, students have been given opportunity to stage protest against the incumbent government in the state without the

fear of harassment, arrest or being victimized.

Apart from the above, the administration has in the last one year recoded other feats, such as: • Channelization of rivers and streams throughout the state to avert disaster in flood prone areas.

• The government has also awarded contracts for the construction of roads linking the towns within the state together and the state to neighbouring states; • The government has also launched “O’TOUR”, a comprehensive tourism programme to harness the tourism potential available in the state and generate funds for the state. The state by this programme is targeting N7.5 billion from tourism alone by 2015.

• The government has signed various memoranda of understanding

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle); Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Bola Ilori ( left) and others at the dredging of the Kuti River, along Baptist Road, Iwo, Osun State on Saturday, 13-112011. PHOTO: State House

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola removing the surgical gauze and bandage from the operated eye of one of the beneficiaries. With him are the leader of the medical team, Dr (Mrs) Jumoke Ibidapo, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (behind the Governor) and others, at the closing ceremony of the Free Eye Treatment scheme in Osun State, held at the State Hospital, Ede, Osun State on Friday, 25-03-2011. PHOTO: State House

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle), Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (right); Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Bola Ilori ( left) , at the dredging of the Kuti River, along Baptist Road, Iwo, Osun State on Saturday, 13-11-2011. Photo: State House

Cross Section of some of the beneficiaries of the Free Eye Treatment Scheme in Osun State, at the clossing ceremony, held at the State Hospital, Ede, Osun State, on Friday 2503-2011. PHOTO: State House

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Osun: Aregbesola’s quick, steady steps in 12 months between the state and foreign investors for the betterment of the state; e.g MOU with a Korean investment company for an agric programme that promises 125,000 jobs, MOU with NRC for free freight of agric products to Lagos markets to enhance capacity of farmers and make farming more attractive.

• Interestingly, the administration has not limited her activities to the indigenes of the state residing here only but also those in the Diaspora.

In this regard, the administration was able to provide free transportation for Osun citizens stranded in Cote de’Voire during the crises there including monetary relief to them as well. Also worthy of mentioning is the case of Youths Corps members from the state who were

also evacuated from troubled zones in Northern Nigeria recently.

FINANCIAL ENGINEERING As for those who have expressed fears about the financial health and status of the state, knowing full well the debt profile of the state under the previous administration, they have never ceased to marvel at the conversion of the state from the status of a debt ridden one to a financially buoyant state that now has more than N32bn to work with and also use that to leverage more robust financial cooperation from financial institutions.

The administration took off with a huge debt burden from its pred-

From left, Osun State Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; Chairman, O-CLEAN Committee, Hon.Bola Ilori; Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Titi Laoye-Tomori, representing Governor Aregbesola; State Acting Chairman, CAN, Elder Adelowo Adebiyi and others, at the flag off of Thursdays Market Environmental Sanitation in the state, at the state capital, Osogbo, Osun State on Thursday 23-06-2011.

Photo: State House

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola removing the surgical gauze and bandage from the operated eye of one of the beneficiaries of free eye treatment. With him are the leader of the medical team, Dr (Mrs) Jumoke Ibidapo, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti (behind the Governor) and others, at the closing ceremony of the Free Eye Treatment scheme in Osun State, held at the State Hospital, Ede, Osun State on Friday 25-03-2011. Photo: State House

ecessor. In fact, the sum of 18.3 billion was withdrawn in just one day, and N1 billion was collected monthly in order to pay salaries.

But through sheer financial engineering, the government was able to refinance the loans in order to bring stability to the state expenditure and accounting.

Through prudent efforts as well as fiscal discipline, the governor has pulled the state back from the brink of bankruptcy such that it has about N32 billion in the kitty.

With that, the government is in better stead to pursue grand infrastructure development in the state. And it has been revealed that the governor plans to pay all debts on road projects within three years.

ROAD PROJECTS AND CHANNELIZATION The administration of Engr. Rauf Aregbesola has a well articulate plan for road projects, including rehabilitation of existing roads and even the construction of new ones.

The plan is to ensure the rehabilitation of all roads within the Oshogbo metropolis for a start. Also, work is on going at the Iwo-Oshogbo road, Ilesha township roads as well as other towns like Ile-Ife, Ede, Ejigbo, Ila-Orangun among others.

Besides, channelisation is also on going in Gbonmi area which had been flood prone but has been cleared now. Also in Aibariwu and Kuti Rivers as well as in such places as Ikirun, Ilesha and Iwo; the Esimirin River and streams around Iwo and Ilesha are all getting attention.

From left, The Ataoja of Osogboland, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji; Osun State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Titi Laoye -Tomori, representing Governor Aregbesola; Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; Coordinator, Osun Youths Empowerment Scheme (O’YES), Col. Enibukun Oyewole (rtd), at the flag off of every Thursdays Market Environmental Sanitation in the state, at the state capital, Osogbo, Osun State on Thursday 23-06-2011. Photo: State House

Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, acknowledging cheers; his Deputy, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori, Special Adviser to the governor on Environment and Sanitation, Hon. Bola Ilori and others, during the inspection of dredging of Osere stream, Ifelodun Local Government in Ikirun, at the end of Emergency Environmental Sanitation Exercise in Osun State on Saturday, 22-10-2011.

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

LOCATION

BACKSTAGE

SNAPSHOT

REEL NEWS

MUSIC

SCREEN

Edited by: VICTOR AKANDE

Tel: 08077408676

E-mail: victor_akande@yahoo.com

ntertainment

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

—Idowu Phillips, aka Iya Rainbow

25

Why I resigned to fate about remarrying

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STANDh BY! Wit

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

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

Generating sound effects the Foley way

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ROM footsteps on snow to beheadings, a Foley artist can recreate any sound.

Meet Hollywood's not-so-silent stars.

It may have passed you by, but the packaging for cornflour is changing and, in one tiny part of the British film industry, it has created panic.

Foley artists are responsible for beefing up a film's background noise to make it sound as “real” as dialogue. For instance, they recreate the sound of a bird flapping its wings by blowing up a pair of kitchen gloves and then slapping them together in time with the action on screen. And, by squeezing paper cornflour packets tightly together, they recreate the sound of somebody walking on snow. But now they're starting to pack cornflour in tins. And tins won't do.

When directors shoot a film, they're worried about capturing the action and the actor's voice.

Nothing else. Not the sound of a sword scraping against a tree, or a court shoe tiptoeing across a marble floor. Well, the sword is probably made of plastic and the “marble” floor is probably painted plywood. So, when it comes to the edit, things don't sound like they're supposed to.

Which is where the Foley artist comes in to make the film sound “real”.

A few years ago Alex Joseph, one of the country's premier Foley supervisors, was asked to recreate the sound of a head being chopped off for Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven. “Some people would have gone with a watermelon,” he tells me. “Or a frozen cabbage.” Instead, Joseph opted for green coconut: “The outside is fibrous. So it cuts like skin. And the hard shell sounds like bone. Inside is the jelly, which sounds like blood. When you slice into it, it sounds just like a human head. I imagine.”

When Joseph is using organic material, he will buy or cut it on the day of recording. That's because, in the rarefied world of Foley, a plant that was picked two days ago will sound different from one picked five days ago. For the scene in Harry Potter and the Goblet Of Fire, where Harry has to negotiate a living maze, Joseph says he went to great lengths to get “the sound of a privet maze and all its nuances it had to sound alive

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

THINK

SNAPSHOTS Emeka Ike goes to court

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OLLYWOOD actor Emeka Ike is in court again. The actor who parades himself as factional president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) and who at one time dragged the Guild to court is set to return to court to stop the upcoming election of the association scheduled for February 2012.

Emeka recently disclosed this in a press briefing.

Outgoing president of AGN, Segun Arinze, while reacting to this statement via a telephone conversation said, “at least, it's on record that I was once AGN President, Emeka Ike can never be president of AGN. He's an expelled member of the Guild.

Let him continue to rant, I don't have his time.”

While we await the outcome of the court judgement, Snapshot promises to keep you posted as the drama unfolds.

Digital has made the business of Foley much easier. In the early days, the “sync” was fundamental the sound had to match exactly what was going on. Now, it can be manipulated to fit. Technology has moved on, but Foley is still all about the “performance”.

Foley can also be used to rectify a continuity problem. If an actor is holding a file, but then forgets to bring it back into •Emeka Ike shot, a Foley artist can insert the sound of the file being put away off camera.

Foley artists need imagination.

“I go around Chinese supermarkets and select rather odd fruits and vegetables things and dangerous”. For Quantum of with odd textures,” says Joseph.

OLLYWOOD star and Solace, Joseph hired in some He likes to use the scaly skin of a producer Uche Jombo scaffolding and mocked up a dragon fruit, for instance, as the recently featured in her Tuscan roof with tiles that he scaly skin of a dragon. “And for first cross-over movie entitled bought on eBay. And, in Charlie the floating books in Harry Dewunmi Iberu a movie produced and the Chocolate Factory, he Potter, I went down the Charing

by Dayo Amusa. The actress now actually jumped into a makeshift Cross Road in London to buy a turned producer is currently swimming pool with a sack of lot of antique books. A newer having a swell time as her profile Nutrient Agar powder to make book just wouldn't have made in the movie industry continues sure the chocolate river sounded the same sound.” Joseph even to soar. thick enough. “I was swimming reworked classic Abba songs on Uche is one of the busiest about in the stuff all day,” he Mamma Mia!, convincing a Nollywood actresses around as says. “But it was very gloopy. I sceptical Benny Andersson to she is currently promoting her had to take four showers to get it allow him to re-record the tunes movie entitled Damage which all off.” with Foley artists cavorting in has been premiered in major The art of sound began in 1927 the dancers' clothes. cities in Nigeria and around the when Universal employee Jack world.

The work that Joseph is most Foley helped turn the film The actress seems also not proud of is the entire opening of studio's “silent” Show Boat into a Casino Royale. It's a high-energy perturbed as news continue to make the rounds about the full-on musical extravaganza. sequence, involving Bond and a rumour making the rounds about Because microphones could only villain chasing across a mess of her being romantically linked pick up on dialogue, Foley had girders and construction with to add in the other sounds later. materials. “Most of what Reggae artiste, Chinagorom He projected the film onto a dominates the soundtrack of that Onuoha popularly known as screen and recorded the sequence is Foley,” says Joseph.

African China and Nollywood footsteps, the movement, the Foley doesn't begin and end in actor, Emeka Aniyocha •Uche Jombo props all in one track. He the studio artists like to listen respectively. walked with a cane to create the out wherever they go. Which is footsteps of three people. He why Joseph ended up recording acted out the film, all over again. his own dental work “I record anything that I don't have in the library,” he says.

“If you watch 30 films,” says If you watch 30 “I guarantee that you'll films,” says Joseph, “I Joseph, hear 100 sounds you've heard guarantee that you'll before. After a while it's annoying. It's not just the hear 100 sounds Wilhelm scream. There's a fox you've heard before. you hear in just about every film including Gladiator, in the After a while it's middle of a desert, even though ERVENT prayers is what annoying. It's not just it's a fox from the UK. I suppose veteran Nollywood actor nothing wrong with it, Enebeli Elebuwa needs the Wilhelm scream. there's but that's what I like about Foley. at this point in time as the There's a fox you hear It's absolutely unique in every health condition of the film.”

Enebeli on set thespian who has been down in just about every zi Ezeonu with go •N This piece under the original with stroke for sometime now film including Nollywood have been prayerful title: Foley artists: heard any good seems to be getting worse. and hoping that Enebeli's health films lately?

The is culled from The actor who has been moved Gladiator condition improves most Telegraph to St. Tropez Hospital in especially as the industry is yet Surulere where he is receiving to recover from the death of treatment can no longer walk on other Nollywood players such as his own.

Do you watch Nollywood movies? What do you think of the Nigerian motion picture industry? Send Ashley Nwosu, Geraldine Since he took ill, scores of your review of any movie or short essay on any topic of your choice about the film industry in not Ekeocha and Sam Loco Efe. sympathizers especially those in more than 200 words. Send entries by e-mail to: victor_akande@yahoo.com or SMS your short comments to 08077408676

Digital has made the business of Foley much easier. In the early days, the “sync” was fundamental the sound had to match exactly what was going on.

Now, it can be manipulated to fit.

Technology has moved on, but Foley is still all about the “performance”

Uche Jombo stars in first cross-over movie

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Enebeli Elebuwa’s health deteriorates

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WRITE TO US!

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

RE ELNEW S MTN Project Fame heats up with three evictions

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ITH the nomination show kicking off with two hit classics, "By the rivers of Babylon", and "The Earth song" by Michael Jackson, beautifully combined and performed by all 10 contestants featuring PlayHouse Voices, the stage was set for the eviction of three contestants.

Emmanuel, Joba and Chidinma were thus evicted from the ongoing MTN Project Fame West Africa academy as another six were placed on probation during the charged nomination show last weekend.

The evicted trio, who were earlier placed on probation alongside Rachel, Roy, Ruth and Princess at the penultimate week's

show, bade farewell to the musical academy after failing to secure any of the factors that could redeem them from probation.

While Rachel was favoured by the viewers' votes, Roy was saved by the judges. Ruth on the other hand was saved by the faculty, while the remaining contestants who are not on probation voted to save Princess.

The drama continued at the nomination show on Sunday as the judges placed another set of six contestants on probation, following performances that fell below the standard set by the contestants themselves.

Princess started the night with an emotion-racked song "I am going down" originally performed

by Rose Royce to the delight and

HiTV pleads with customers

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•L-R: Chidinma, Emmanuel and Joba

commendation of the judges.

Rachel performed 'Loving you' by Minnie Ripeton and got both the judges and faculty on their feet.

Isaac's "Just the two of Us" by Billy AWithers was a beauty to watch.

Yvonne's rendition of "I will survive', a song by Gloria Gaynor, was so riveting that the judges commended her improvement in the academy. Ruth seemed to get off to a poor start as she sang "Respect" by Aretha Franklyn. Roy attempted Barry White's classic,

"My first, my last, my everything"; while Ese performed Mary J. Blige's 'Never too much'. Ethel's "Superwoman" by Karyn and Velma's 'I have a dream' were also commended by the judges.

At the end of the performances, the judges announced the contestants on probation based on their performances. Isaac, Ethel, Ese, Roy, Ruth and Velma were not spared, as two of these six on probation would be evicted on Saturday.

Broadcasters set for NBA 2011

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LL is set for the second edition of the Nigerian Broadcasters Awards, billed to hold on Sunday December 11, 2011 at the prestigious Lagoon Restaurant, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, which aims to celebrate broadcasters, On-air personalities and Deejays who have not received much attention over the years.

Monalisa

The event, put together by Reality One Entertainment, will be different this year as the awards begin with a seminar, where stakeholders, veterans and famous broadcasters will be invited to lecture and share their experiences with the younger ones and a novelty match between TV and Radio personalities.

This year's NBA will be hosted

by Ambassador Segun Olusola with an Exclusive Nominees Party on Saturday December 3, at Cave Bar, Joel Ogunaike Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.

is face of CARNIRIV ‘11

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HE 2011 CARNIRIV scheduled to take place between December 13 and 17 at the Carnival Village, Liberation Stadium, Elekahia, Port-Harcourt, with the theme 'Our Culture, Our Future,' with sub-themes including 'Celebrating Positive Change,' •Amaka Igwe 'Sustainable Co-existence,' and 'Our Culture, Our Pride' is expected to be bigger and better with increased avenues for improved visibility.

Activities lined up for the carnival week include an 'Opening Ceremony', 'Children's Parade', 'Cultural Performances, 'Boat Regatta' at the PortHarcourt Tourist Beach, 'Ladies Nite' @ the Carnival Village, 'Reggae/Old Skool/Talent Nite' @ Carnival Village, Street parade by the 23 LGA Heritage Floats and five Freestyle Bands respectively and the Old PortHarcourt Town Groove at Aggrey road. The carnival week climaxes with a Peace Concert at the carnival village.

To deepen the message of peace and security consciousness, this year, as a special pre-carnival activity, the Rivers State Government will host the Grand Finale of the Miss ECOWAS Peace Pageant on Saturday, 10th December, 2011.

Nollywood actress, Monalisa Chinda, who hails from Rivers State, has been adopted as the face of the carnival for 2011.

I

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, Walter Oyatogun, Toyin Subair, Lekan Ogunbanwo, Mrs Biola Alabi, Benson Idonije and Amaka Igwe have been penned down for Special Recognition Awards.

Bisi Olatilo, Mrs. Bimbo Oloyede and Cally Ikpe will be inducted into the NBA's Hall of Fame, while Madam Anike Agbaje-Williams, Danladi Bako and Chief Raymond Dokpesi will be honoured with Life Time Achievement Awards.

•Toyin Subair

Adenuga receives peace ambassador award

T is recognition time for Wale Adenuga as he was recently conferred with the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Ambassadors For Peace award, 2011 at the 5th annual conference of the UPF with the theme “Towards an era of universal peace in Africa

and the world”, the award presentation was held at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

The conferment of the award to the Chairman of Wale Adenuga Productions Ltd attracted many dignitaries. Other recipients were Mrs. Susan Oyemade of Forever

Return of Jenifa tops cinema charts

l be ''Return of Jenifa will stil the CCORDING to reports, till as em cin showing at the is a the Return of Jenifa end of the year because it two for run to and scheduled lly efu car s wa t movie tha its we are weeks at the cinemas since tastefully put together and se clo d sol far so has doing is vie mo release date the py hap indeed as. em to N30million. cin very well at the tly re is The movie, which is presen e It goes on to show that the Lux De is nes a for ard rew showing at the Ge nt asa always a ple ema Cinema, Lagos, Ozone Cin ema, dint of hard work. The Cin reputable and the Genesis De Luxe wing management at the n of o bee Port Harcourt, will keep sho als e hav as em cin to the till December, according p in making this as, due tremendous hel we appreciate management of the cinem and feat a reality from Funke to the record sales. ent tem sta a ' m,' the main Bigsam st, The movie centers on the lici pub 's isters to Akindele character, Jenifa, who reg d. sai , dia Me ition es of be part of a dancing compet The movie features the lik to , W) nky but when she was asked (Ba 'Mr Capable' t of Tha undergo an HIV test as par o Trybesmen Honcho, Eldee C, int ry ent for s eto Na id, the requirement izk Wh ha, Don, Sas , being ) and the competition, she fled Kaffy, Helen Paul (Tatafo of ult res a as , tus sta unsure of her da.

San Rukky her past exploits.

A

NE of Nigerian Pay TV Company, HiTV, according to the company's Public Relations Manager, Justin Akpovi-Esade is currently experiencing disruption in its services which has resulted to the loss of signals in some of its Hi channels locally and to its international partners.

The company's as stated by Akpovi-Esade is working at resolving the issue. “The company is thanking its valued subscribers for their continued patronage. Everything would be fine very soon. A team of competent personnel are working round the clock to ensure the issue is resolved.

HiTV values its numerous subscribers and calls for their usual understanding and patience while the issue is being sorted out,” the statement read.

Living Products, Mr. Ime Etuk, a renowned Film Director and Producer, and Mr. Babatunde Fowler, Executive Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, LIRS. Launched in 2001, the Ambassadors For Peace is the world's largest and most diverse network for peace leaders from all walks of life. It promotes the spirit of volunteerism and peaceful cooperation around the world.

According to the UPF organizers, Wale Adenuga is specially recognized for his outstanding contributions to family cohesion and societal values. He is also holder of Member of Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR).

•Adenuga

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

COVER COVER

COVER COVER Popularly known as Iya Rainbow, Mrs. Idowu Philips is a mother to many in the Nigerian movie industry. She has spent more than four decades in the industry and is not showing any sign of slowing down. Not many know that this septuagenarian, apart from being an actress, master of ceremony among other things, yielded to the call of God four years ago. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, she talks about her church and also opens up on why she never remarried after the death of her husband, 44years of acting and sundry issues.

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OU'VE been scarce in movies for some time now. What is taking your time?

Nothing is taking my time. If I'm being called to shoot a movie I will do it. But if you notice, it is those with tattoos on their breasts, on their butts and those carrying guns and wearing very colourful hairdos, those are the kind of stories that is prevalent now. When we used to have stories that had to do with mother-in-law, father-in-law, you know definitely they will use us but we can't be upset with what is happening because life is a sphere. It rotates.

Our prayer is that God should continue to sustain us.

But I've also noticed that you've been visible more on TV, selling landed properties.

Is that what you're into currently?

Everyone knows the late Alade Aromire. He started the sales of houses and properties and I've always been the one advertising for him so I cannot now say that because he's late I should stop doing what I was doing for him. He has kids and he has a wife, that's why I've continued and I thank God for His faithfulness ever since.

Now that movie roles are not coming your way, as a widow how do you cope?

Asides acting, I also compere weddings and other events. And like you know I also advertise goods and services for people. And I thank God He has been faithful.

For a woman over 70years, you look like someone in her 50's…

I don't have any particular thing that I do not to look my age. All I can say is that it is the grace of God. Even with all my activities, I make sure I wake up every day between 5: 30 and 6am and start to pray. I could pray till 7am or 8am at times. No matter how important the assignment of the day, I just have to pray for that length of time because I now have my own church, Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim, (Olori Oke Olorun Gbo Ebe Mi) Ojudu, Berger. Already we are planning our 4th anniversary which comes up December 11, 2011. The invitations are already out and I wish that you will grace the occasion. Come and celebrate with me. You're all my children and my God will keep all of you alive in Jesus' name.

Were you called by God into the Ministry or you just decided to have your own church?

God called me over fifteen years ago, but I didn't yield to His call until the prophesies started coming that I should be warned. God said I refused to heed His call because he still gave me leg to move about and do other things that by the time he takes my leg from me then I

37

will sit in one place and do His will. At that point, I said to those He sent to me to please beg Him not to take my leg that I will do His will. And one major reason really it took me such a long time to obey this call is because I realized that it is actually in the church that bickering, gossip, backbiting, and other things are most prevalent. I wasn't prepared for all that but God asked me to go ahead and I thank Him that since the past four years I've been in the Ministry, he really proved Himself to me that indeed He's the one that called me. This year alone, we have more than 6 children added to us. I haven't seen any case yet brought to our Ministry that God didn't take care of.

God indeed called me Himself.

Despite your popularity you are still very humble…

It's not man's doing, it is God's.

Your late husband formed the Osumare theatre group and after his death you've been able to keep his legacy going. How has it been?

It has not been easy. In 1984 when he died, I thought the world would come to an end. I thought the world would change from what it used to be. Things were very tough but God saw me through. It was very tough. People I banked on then in the group died one after the other but thank God today for where I am.

As a role model, what are some of the advantages of being a star?

There're lots of disadvantages as well as advantages. One of the disadvantages is that you cannot afford to lose it even when there is a cause for it, when you're angry. For instance someone hits your car on the road, you cannot react the way someone who is not a known face will react. This has happened to me several times. Someone hits my car and then I come down, I end up going back into the car because the next thing they will say is ha! Mama Rainbow, Mummy wa ni and then it ends there.

So always, I tell my driver to be very careful while he's driving. And sometimes my driver will want to take advantage of the fact that I'm in the car and will want to take one-way but I don't ever allow it because if I do and others do, I will be the one people will castigate and talk about.

How did the name 'Iya Rainbow' come about?

It is the Ibo Nollywood that gave me the name Iya Rainbow. A long time ago I went to act with them. The name of the movie is Vow. In the movie, thieves came into the house and killed four children and I was supposed to come in and react to the scenario. We were four that were auditioned for that particular role.

I cannot remarry any longer. I am married to Jesus now. Jesus is bigger than any husband. He will do all things for you and He will not even mock you. If a man does something for you, he will later scorn you with it

‘I’ve had y own m my share of sexual harassment’

Too many deceitful men (etan ti po ju), too many liars… They will come to your house, eat your food...hang their useless clothes and tell you 'I will see you tomorrow'. And personally it used to be very painful to me

Super model, Ngo plans big for Nigerian kids

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E has been described as the most downloaded black male model. He has been described as sexy, smart and ambitious and has acted alongside Hollywood star, Catherine Zeta Jones in her blockbuster flick, Rebound. He is also a successful amateur pugilist, winning back to back the Golden Gloves, Amateur Boxing's highest distinction and guess what? he is every inch a Nigerian.

As you read this story, Ngo Okafor, having carved a niche for himself internationally is wrapping up plans to storm Nigeria in the nearest future to contribute his own quota to the entertainment industry.

Already he has put in place mechanisms that would culminate in the launch of his NGO, the Ngo Okafor Foundation. The objective of the NGO, he says, is to give back to society especially underprivileged kids. Meanwhile, the Rebound star is currently discussing movie roles in Nollywood and is also planning to set up a platform that would groom Nigerian male molds for the international stage. He is also looking to revive boxing •Ngo in the country.

O'jez fetes recipients of National Awards

T When it was my turn, I went in and I gave it my best shot. One of cast then asked me my name, I told her that she could call me Mama Osumare and she asked me the meaning of Osumare, and I said Rainbow and she said let us call you Iya Rainbow then, that was how the name Iya Rainbow came about.

You started film as a young woman and it is only natural that you must have had your share of sexual harassment in the industry.

Can you tell us your experience?

I had a lot of such experiences. In fact a lot of it but I didn't use to pay attention to it. They did it to the extent that I wasn't called for jobs.

It was even worse when my husband died because I get to hear things like, after all, her husband is dead, so why is she so up-tight? But I told God to put my love in their heart and later they started calling me back for jobs.

Actually, what is your reason for not remarrying?

Too many deceitful men (etan ti po ju), too many liars… They will come to your house, eat your food..., hang their useless clothes and tell you 'I will see you tomorrow'. And personally it used to be very painful to me. I would always break down and cry. I prefer someone who would stay by me and we'll be together than for me to be jumping from one man to another. I don't like it.

If you find a respectable, elderly man now who wishes to be committed to you, will you marry him?

I cannot remarry any longer. I am married to Jesus now. Jesus is bigger than any husband.

He will do all things for you and He will not even mock you. If a man does something for you, he will later scorn you with it but Jesus will never scorn you with whatever He does for you.

Are any of your children into movie?

Of course, Femi Philips of African Films is my son. He writes all our stories but he's in London at the moment. Rotimi Philips, the eldest is also into movies, and Bisi Philips, their younger sister, is also into movies. And I'm proud to have three graduates.

What fond memories do you have of this career?

In recent times, whenever Fathia is being interviewed, she will always say she took after me. In the past I could go to four locations in a day. But now I'm more elderly. So when I see the way they move about, I just smile and it reminds me of when I used to be like them. My prayer for them is that as they are going and coming, God will continue to lift them higher and higher. Imagine since when I started, over 44years ago, and I'm still making waves. I pray that they will even go farther than that. It is our fans that make us stars. Once your fans turn their back on you, that is the end of that person.

I pray God to give them the wisdom to carry themselves well. And I pray to God to give them good husbands. Marriage is good when you marry the right person. Those of them looking for the fruits of the womb, I pray that God should grant it upon them.

Divorce is now so prevalent in the industry.

What is your thought about it?

My daughter, cases of divorce in the industry is indeed alarming. Just a few days ago, I learnt that Kate Henshaw's marriage had crashed. I remember in 2007, I and Kate Henshaw had gone to receive an award in London, Afro Hollywood Award. She is a very nice girl.

When I learnt she married a white man, I was happy for her because I thought it would work out. I didn't know it will end like this. But my prayer for all of them is that God should give

them good men and also a good character to maintain their homes. It is not easy to maintain a home really. It is not easy to remain married.

Even men don't want to be married. So you really have to be patient.

Another thing is that even if they were married, once they get into the industry it becomes a burden to remain married. Why? Yes, because they are now stars. Being a star doesn't mean you shouldn't respect your husband or respect other people. I respect people who are younger than I am. But if you tell them, they will tell you they don't have time for such thing. But that is the best. I mean before someone can maintain a name for 44years, it is not an easy task.

How do you start your day?

If I wake up in the morning, I pray for my children and other children and all my helpers that God should be with them. For as long as God keeps me alive, I do not want to bury any of them.

Since you started the ministry work, have you ever thought of quitting?

Yes, once in a while you will get to that point where you will be considering opting out. I mean imagine a situation when someone comes to my house with eight children, mother and father making them ten, and they say they want to spend seven days but ended up spending seven months. By the time we asked them to leave, we didn't even just ask them to leave like that, they did something, I cannot begin to even say it in public. When we asked them to go they started passing insult on me. But all the while that they were there, eating and drinking, they didn't pass insult on me, but I thank God today. Those that passed insult on me yesterday have come back to praise me.

You said that we all have enemies. In your

"I am very passionate about Nigeria because it's my home; it is where I belong. I am returning back home after achieving so much to give back to my roots. I am Igbo by descent," said Ngo who should be in the country any time soon.

Ngo is a male model, actor and Two-time Golden Gloves champion.

He started boxing at the late age of 31and within 3 years won two heavyweight Golden Gloves boxing championships. He has worked with the likes of supermodel Gisele Bundchen, Lil' Kim and Mary J. Blige. He has been featured in Vogue, W, Vibe, Men's Health and The Wall Street Journal Magazine.

As an actor, he has worked on soap operas, TV shows and film including The Rebound with Catherine ZetaJones.Throughout his career, Ngo has been dedicated to giving back, which can be most recently demonstrated by his determination to build boxing gyms and develop a strong amateur boxing program in Nigeria.

•Iya Rainbow

own case, how did you deal with it especially when the movie roles were coming in their numbers?

Those times when ten films would come out and I would be in all, yes I had enemies. Even till now that the roles are not really coming like that, they are still those who still envy and want to be like you. That is human nature.

Even when they are drinking their garri with turkey and you are drinking yours without sugar, they still envy you. It is only God that can see one through and make you overcome.

Recently some of your colleagues were given national honours. How did you feel not to be part of it?

I didn't like the selection. I have spoken at length about it. I mean for over 44years in this business. What is the yardstick they used in picking those that they picked? Anyway, by the time I will get mine it will be in a big way.

When such things happen, as a human being you will feel slighted but the spirit of God calmed me down and I know in His own time He will reward me.

You have carved a signature hair-tie for yourself. How long have you been tying this style?

It's been quite a long time. I can't even remember the year now.

HE management of celebrity hangout, Ojez, in its continued bid to celebrate achievers in the Nigerian entertainment industry, has set this Sunday aside to celebrate all six Nollywood practitioners who recently got national honours.

Scheduled as part of this month's edition of O'jez Entertainment Forum awards series billed for Sunday, November 27, the event kicks off at 7pm.

Nollywood stars Olu Jacobs, Osita Iheme (Aki), Genevieve Nnaji, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Amaka Igwe and Stephanie Okereke, among others, will be celebrated by fellow practitioners in the last Sunday of the month event that has held for over a decade now.

CEO of the outfit, Joseph Odobeatu, said the national awards recipients are being celebrated because, in his words, they have brought more pride and honour to Nollywood.

“It promises to be great fun on Sunday because O'jez has a surprise artiste billed to perform that evening, which is why if you miss that day, you are not in Lagos,” Odobeatu said.

As usual, the celebrants will be bathed with highlife music to be performed by the reconstituted O'jez band with support from the Ever Green Band. Comedians MC Shakara, Elenu, Emeka Smith, and others are billed to perform with Nollywood comedy star, Charles Inojie, handling proceedings for the evening.

“It's our small way of saying 'thank you' to these people for what they have done for society. O'jez Entertainment Forum awards series is a modest award that is highly valued by recipients over the years and we will ensure we continue to recognise and honour Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their chosen career,” Odobeatu, popularly called O'jez, submitted.

•Olu Jacobs receiving his award from President Goodluck Jonathan

Guardiola: I am

nothing

Pg. 30

Without my players

RAMSEY:

Pg. 30

Home form

ey K for Arsenal

Mikel set to

bounce

Pg. 34

back with Chelsea

Nation Saturday, November 26, 2011

PAGE 29

2012 LONDON OLYMPICS QUALIFIER OPENER

Dream Team V set to redeem Nigeria’s image

Pg. 32

30

35

NATIONSPORT SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

RAMSEY: • Guardiola

C

OACH Pep Guardiola has played down his contribution to Barcelona's run of success, despite the club winning three Spanish league titles, one Copa del Rey, one club world championship and two Champions League crowns during his spell in charge.

Barca are guaranteed to finish top of their Champions League group after Wednesday's 3-2 win over AC

Milan at the San Siro and are currently second in La Liga behind Real Madrid.

But Guardiola was modest about his impact at the club ahead of tonight's trip to Getafe.

"It's the players the public come to watch, it's the players who win the games," he told reporters after the win in Milan.

"I try to help them by getting to know the opponents and letting them know how we can do damage. Then I just make them go out and run. That is my job."

Speaking about his trophy haul, Guardiola added: "There is one absolute certainty, which is that I wouldn't have done that with another group of players.

"Whether this group of players would have done that with a different coach, I don't know.”

A

TLETICO Madrid midfielder Gabi insisted his side are feeling confident ahead of tonight's derby visit to Real Madrid in La Liga.

The Vicente Calderon outfit are in desperate need of points to move up in the table as they lie in ninth position with 16 points from 12 games.

Atletico have not experienced victory at the Santiago Bernabeu in 12 years, but Gabi stressed that his side are not overwhelmed by the difficult task ahead.

"Not beating a team for so long is something that does not happen frequently to any side," he told reporters at a press conference.

• Gabi

•Ruben Suarez

J

OSE Mourinho's side are three points ahead of ALAGA'S Joaquin will be sidelined for three weeks Barca and contest the after picking up an injury to his right thigh.The 30- Madrid derby with year-old joined big-spending Malaga in the summer Atletico two hours from Valencia on a three-year deal. He has made 11 earlier, with tonight's appearances in the league this season and scored two goals. early game seeing Rayo However, the winger, who missed his side's 3-1 win over Vallecano take on Racing Santander on Monday, is unlikely to return to action Valencia. until La Liga resumes after the winter break.

Real have dominated the Madrid derby for years, winning all four meetings between the Spanish Laliga Table - November sides last season, twice in the league and twice in the Copa del Rey. Real Madrid 12 10 1 14 2 9 33 31 Atletico's last win in Barcelona 12 8 4 0 38 6 32 28 the fixture was more Valencia 12 7 3 2 19 12 7 24 than 12 years ago in Levante 12 7 2 3 19 12 7 23 Malaga 12 6 2 4 15 15 0 20 Sevilla 12 4 6 2 12 10 2 18 Athletic Bilbao 12 4 5 3 19 15 4 17 Espanyol 12 5 2 5 9 13 -4 17 Messi Barcelona A/ Madrid 12 4 4 4 17 16 1 16 Ronaldo Madrid Vallecano 12 4 4 4 14 13 1 16 Higuain Madrid Osasuna 12 3 6 3 14 24 -10 15 Falcao A/Madrid Villarreal 12 3 5 4 10 17 -7 14 Soldado Valencia Real Betis 12 4 1 7 10 16 -6 13 Benzema Madrid Sporting Gijon 12 3 3 6 12 17 -5 12 Llorente A/ Bilbao Getafe 12 2 4 6 13 19 -6 10 Barral S/ Gijon Mallorca 11 2 4 6 9 18 -9 10 Fabregas Barcelona Real Zaragoza 12 2 4 6 12 26 -14 10 Juanlu Levante Granada 11 3 3 6 6 13 -7 9 Postiga Zaragoza Real Sociedad 12 2 3 7 9 18 -9 9 Cuesta Vallecano Santander 12 1 6 5 8 18 -10 9

M

October 1999, when they won 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas is taking nothing for granted, telling Marca: "We are not the favourites, nor are we stupid.

"The derby is more than a match for Atletico. We have gone a long time without losing and they will want to finally break that streak."

15 14 11 8 8 7 6 5 5 5 5 5

Saturday Vallecano v Valencia Madrid v A/ Madrid Getafe v Barcelona Sunday Real Betis v Sociedad Levante v S/ Gijon Espanyol v Osasuna Mallorcav Santander A/Bilbaov Granada Zaragozav Sevilla Monday Malaga vVillarreal

S

• Bruce

TEVE Bruce h o p e s Sunderland can end their poor home form when the face rock-bottom Wigan at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The Black Cats have only managed two league wins on home soil throughout the entire calendar year, the last one

I

• Ramsey

an impressive 4-0 mauling of Stoke in September.

But the former Manchester United defender insists it's not his side's mentality that's holding them back.

"It's not psychological, certainly not," Bruce told reporters. "We have lost two at home [this season], and one of those was against Chelsea. " We m u s t improve on it, it can get better and if we have a reall y good h o m e perfor mance, I think that will just settle every body down.

"Since the turn of the year, the home form has been disappointing, there's no disputing that, " he conceded.

"The one thing you need is to play well in front of your home supporters, but I think the vast majority can see what we are trying to do and see that we are improving."

Despite their poor run Bruce feels his side have been unfortunate, and have only underperformed once during the campaign, before citing their encouraging displays against the league's elite clubs.

"I only think we have played badly once, which was Norwich," he added. "In the games we have played, we have shown a bit of character and something about us.

"We gave a great account of ourselves at Anfield, we did well at the Emirates, we did very well at Old Trafford, where we could have picked up something.”

A

RSENAL midfielder, Aaron Ramsey believes home form can be the key to success this season, saying he aims to make the Emirates Stadium “our fortress”.

The Gunners recorded another victory at the ground by beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on Tuesday night, a win that ensured their qualification for the Champions League knockout stage, and the Welshman is hopeful that they can continue to progress in the competition.

Ramsey stated to the club's official website: “At home we've done really well and this is the place we want to

make our fortress.

“Hopefully that can be the case and I'm sure we've given ourselves a good opportunity now.

“It's a great achievement; we're the first [English] team through and finished first as well. It's something we'll enjoy.

“We'll take it one game at a time. We feel like we can beat anybody at the moment with the form we're in so hopefully we get a good team [in the last 16] and we can progress to the next round.”

Ramsey's late winner away against Olympique de Marseille in October helped the Gunners reach the top of Group F, one of the 20-year-old's only two goals so far this season.

H

ARRY Redknapp has warned Tottenham they will need to continue their blistering form if they are to realise their UEFA Champions League ambitions.

Spurs climbed to third in the Premier League table with Monday night's 2-0 home victory over Aston Villa, their eighth victory from their last nine top-flight games.

The White Hart Lane club opened their season with back-to-back defeats at the hands of Manchester United and Manchester City, but since then the only points they have dropped came in a 2-2 draw with Newcastle last month.

TALY'S most illustrious substitute Alessandro Del Piero could make his 700th professional club appearance on Saturday when joint leaders Lazio and Juventus clash at the Olympic.

Both teams have 22 points although Juventus, who defend Serie A's only unbeaten record, have played 10 games to Lazio's 11.

Del Piero has played only a bit part this season, the 36year-old often making late cameo appearances as coach Antonio Conte rebuilds the side following two successive seventh-place finishes.

The former Italy forward, who played 103 times for his country, made his first 14 club appearances with Padova in 1992 but the rest have been with Juve.

G

ENOA goalkeeper Sebastien Frey

TOP SCORES

U

PBEAT Alan Pardew's determined that his Newcastle United side make their point at Old Trafford.The club's 11-game unbeaten run was ended by Manchester City last weekend at the Etihad Stadium, where they were beaten 3-1.

And Pardew's team will again cross the Pennines to take on Manchester United on Saturday.

Newcastle haven't won at Old Trafford since 1972, and ending that miserable run is undoubtedly a tall order, even taking into account the fact that the Premier League champions, who could be without Wayne Rooney haven't been at their devastating best of late.

But Pardew's hopeful United, who are fourth in the league, and four points behind Sir Alex Ferguson's side can at least start another unbeaten run ahead of Chelsea's visit to St James's Park on December 3.

While the pressure will be on the home side, with the bookmakers having already written off Newcastle's chances, Pardew feels his players are putting pressure on themselves to get a result.

• Pardew

van Persie Dzeko Aguero Rooney Demba Ba Lampard Klasnic Balotelli Vaart Yakubu

Arsenal Man City Man City Man Utd Newcastle Chelsea Bolton Man City Tottenham Blackburn

13 10 10 9 8 6 6 6 6 5

FIXTURES Sat 26 Nov 2011 Stoke v Bolton v Chelsea v Man Utd v Norwich v Sunderland v West Brom v Arsenal v Sunday Swansea v Liverpool v

Blackburn Everton Wolves Newcastle QPR Wigan Tottenham Fulham Aston Villa Man City

Barclays Premier league Table - November Man City Man Utd Tottenham Newcastle Chelsea Liverpool Arsenal Aston Villa QPR West Brom Norwich Everton Swansea Stoke Sunderland Fulham Wolve Bolton Blackburn Wigan

12 12 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 11 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12

11 9 8 7 7 6 7 3 4 4 3 4 3 3 2 2 3 3 1 1

1 2 1 4 1 4 1 6 3 2 4 1 4 3 5 5 2 0 4 3

0 1 2 1 4 2 4 3 5 6 5 6 5 6 5 5 7 9 7 8

42 29 23 18 25 16 25 16 13 11 17 13 12 10 14 14 13 19 16 10

11 12 15 11 17 11 22 17 22 17 20 16 16 22 13 15 20 29 27 23

31 34 17 29 8 25 7 25 8 22 5 22 3 22 -1 15 -9 15 -6 14 -3 13 -3 13 -4 13 -12 12 1 11 -1 11 -7 11 -10 9 -11 7 -13 6

• Frey

Denis Atalanta Di Natale Udinese Giovinco Parma Klose Lazio Matri Juve Marchisio Juve Calaio Siena Osvaldo Roma Palacio Genoa Jovetic Fiorentina Ibra AC Milan Nocerino AC Milan

9 8 8 6 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4

Only Paolo Maldini, with 859 appearances, has played more.

Del Piero, who announced this week that he intends to move at the end of the season, said he had mixed emotions.

"I suffer on the bench but as captain I am delighted with the good run of form by the team," he told reporters.

"It's such a great time with Juventus at the top of Serie A that I don't see why I should think about my future right now.”

Juve are enjoying their best start to a season since the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal when they were stripped of

changed his training regime ahead of this weekend's trip to Cesena.

The Frenchman, signed from Fiorentina in the summer, has been working on a synthetic pitch in preparation of Week 13's Serie A tie.

Cesena are one of two top-flight Italian clubs who have artificial surfaces. The other outfit are newly promoted Novara.

Frey is particularly worried about the difference between the way a ball bounces on grass and on a synthetic field of play.

the 2005 and 2006 titles and relegated to Serie B. Both teams were eager to play down the importance of tonight's match.

Lazio are also wary of a rerun of last season when they led the table early before fading to finish fifth.

"We don't want to repeat last season's mistakes when in the period when we were leading we talked too much," said midfielder Cristian Ledesma.

"It's an important match but we don't want to talk about title-deciders. It's only November so it's too soon,” he

S

ERIE A top scorer, German Denis maintains he won't be looking for revenge against Napoli this weekend.

The Argentine will line-up for Atalanta against the Azzurri 18 months after the Stadio San Paolo outfit sold him to Udinese.

“I've already scored against Napoli while I was playing for Udinese,” the 30-year-old noted.

He went on, therefore it wouldn't be a new thing for me…

“I have no desire for revenge, I just want to demonstrate how much I am worth but not to Napoli, to Atalanta.

“I want to illustrate my ability to my new squad, this club, the fans and myself.”

Denis, on loan at Atalanta from the Stadio Friuli, joined Napoli in the summer of 2008, but he only scored 13 top-flight goals in 63 appearances for the club.

Table

Italia Seria A league Table - November

Juventus Lazio AC Milan Udinese Roma Palermo Napoli Genoa Chievo Saturday Parma Novara v Parma Siena Lecce v Catania Catania Lazio v Juventus Atalanta Atalanta v Napoli Fiorentina Sunday Cagliari Cesena v Genoa Inter Milan Cagliari v Bologna Palermo v Fiorentina Bologna Siena v Inter Milan Lecce Novara AC Milan v Chievo Cesena

10 11 11 11 11 11 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 10 11 11 11 11

6 6 6 6 5 5 4 4 4 5 3 3 5 3 3 3 3 2 1 1

4 4 3 3 2 1 3 3 3 0 5 5 4 4 4 2 1 2 4 3

0 1 2 2 4 5 3 3 4 6 3 3 2 4 4 5 7 7 6 7

18 16 23 13 15 14 13 14 10 14 14 13 15 10 10 13 9 9 12 4

7 8 14 6 12 15 7 12 12 18 10 18 14 9 12 17 17 18 20 13

11 8 9 7 3 -1 6 2 -2 -4 4 -5 1 1 -2 -4 -8 -9 -8 -9

22 22 21 21 17 16 15 15 15 15 14 14 13 13 13 11 10 8 7 6

31

THE NATION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

NATION SPORT

2012 OLYMPICS

The silence of our Sports Minister “T

HERE is no systematic approach to preparations, what we have had in this country is last minute efforts which is not good. If you ask me if we are ready for the Olympic Games, the answer is no and that is the truth,” those were the words of Chioma Ajunwa (MON), Nigeria’s first individual Olympic gold medallist while speaking on a Lagos-based Radio Sports program on Wednesday.

The subject of our preparation for the London 2012 Olympic Games was addressed on this page about a month ago, and the reasons that gave rise to that article has not changed just like those prevailing conditions that Professor Chinua Achebe adduced for snubbing the Federal Government’s national honours award.

Interestingly, it’s all quiet from the massive concrete floors of the Federal Ministry of Sports wing of the Federal Secretariat in the Abuja Central Business District. It is such grave-yard silence from the Office of the Minister of Sports/Chairman of the National Sports Commission that compels one to ask if there is indeed an occupant of that office. Apparently, the only visible work going for

•Chioma

By Harry Iwuala

the Minister is the General Dominic Oneya football administration reform committee, whose activities also seem to have stalled for lack of diligent funding.

For record purposes, the Minister of Sports presides over the affairs of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) or Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and over 30 other sports bodies but not excluding Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF), Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF), Nigeria Handball Federation (NHF), Nigeria Hockey Federation (NHF) and Athletic Federation of Nigeria (AFN).

Others are the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF), the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBF), the Nigeria Taekwando Federation (NTF) and the Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVF).

There don’t seem to have been any major policy statement by the Minister on these agencies that are operated directly by civil servants employed by the Ministry and answerable to the Minister through the Director General of the NSC. It has been argued without contradiction that football is the extra premium sports in this part of the world and

indeed in many African countries but it is also a fact that young men and women who do not have talents for football should not be punished for a natural talent that is less endowed in popularity like football. As has been argued also by antifootball interests, the medal allocation to the sport in the Olympic Games is just two (one each for men and women football) and compare this to table tennis that guarantees a medals haul of 5 or more.

If those working with the Minister have not thought of it, they can have this information for free that Nigeria will be in international football cold for most part of next year save for qualifying competitions that will commence perhaps from April. The next big thing and which in 2012 is the biggest world sports meet is the Olympic Games to be hosted by the City of London.

While the teeming sports men and women in other sports other than football are tittering for balance and groping for their future, the NSC is in the process of planning the budget for 2012 (if the draft hasn’t been submitted already to the Presidency) and one may ask what has been the input from the Federations that are saddled with the

responsibility for the development and promotion of the sports? Were they consulted when a purported N5 billion Olympic participation budget was allegedly submitted to the Minister at a Management meeting of the Sports Ministry? I truly doubt that any sane official can at this time in the nation’s economic travails will be scheming for a financial jamboree at the London Games. It cannot be possible that someone in the Ministry can be plotting to further subject the country to liquidation through an Olympic Games that we stand very little chance of sending a sizable contingent following the huge failure rates in the qualifying tournaments holding across the globe.

Sports development is not synonymous with competition but more rooted in facility development and human capital investment.

We are in a country where government officials travel abroad and ravel in the high quality facilities available there but they do nothing to avail the country of such important facets of talent development. They will prefer to recommend training tours to those places created by people from ‘Mass’ so as to earn allowances and acquire choice personal belongings. It is a shame that some persons have both in the present and the past occupied positions as Directors of Sports Development without pointing to any facility they engineered its construction and deployment in the country. Successive officers of that rank have only concerned themselves with organising of participation in major events as their Job Description and Key Performance Indices.

Unfortunately, we have a Federal Government that operates above our heads and never comes down to the real world of Nigerians. A government that is not planning to subject the citizens to further harsh economic policies would send to jail any official that originates a budget such as the reported N5 billion Olympic participation bills.

Where are our athletes training and who are their minders by way of coaching?

What allowances have the Sports Ministry budgeted and paid to these suffering youths whose success will be milked

by PR stunts men of the government? It has been said time over that preparation for major international games cannot be a six month to one year plan but a wholesome calendar that starts from the year of the last games. Such a plan therefore must budget for the training and upkeep of the athletes wherever they reside and practice. That has never been heeded and as we approach another Olympic year, God help our youths, to find excellence for their own sake and not minding that there will be scavengers that will ride on their back to celebrate administrative mediocrity.

Harry Iwuala is a renowned Journalist based in Lagos, Nigeria

VOICE OF SPORTS

With Clement Nwankpa Jnr. sportswar@yahoo.com

Keshi, don’t Yakubu this

IN case you don’t know, the synonym for ‘miss’ since after the 2010 World Cup is ‘yakubu’. So if somebody tells you, ‘don’t ‘yakubu’ this’, it means ‘don’t miss this’. There was this story of Mr. Ojo, our neighbour, whose daughter had been impregnated around that period of our World Cup misfortune. Ojo was screaming at the poor girl, “You, good for nothing girl, so you have Yakubud it”.

It was another way of asking the girl, ‘so, you have missed it (your period)’. No thanks to that miss against South Korea, Yakubu Aiyegbeni has been so vilified by the Nigerian football faithful.

But that’s not the thrust of this piece. By the way, there was a Godwin Odiye, whose own goal cost us a maiden World Cup appearance in 1978. I don’t think Yakubu is the most hated Nigerian player of all time. I don’t also think his ‘sin’ was the most grievous. But what does one make of Keshi’s plan to recall the likes of Yakubu and John Utaka to the national team? While we were having our All Stars training at the FIFA Goal Project, National stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, members were making mockery of Keshi’s plans. Ex-internationals like Friday Christopher, Eli Ayuba, Peter Ogaba, Musa Santos, Aniete Ukoh and Emeka Amadi were told to put in more efforts as they could still have international futures under Keshi. One member jokingly asked; “Why are you guys (those who were not dressed to play) not on the pitch? Don’t you know that Keshi will be coming to watch our training today? Aniete, if Yakubu is being recalled to the national team, don’t you think you still have a chance to play for the Eagles again?” For the records, Aniete was last invited to the national camp about 18 years ago.

While writing under the headline, ‘Big Boss and the Big Boys’, I had warned Keshi against falling for the temptation of recalling the likes of Yakubu and Utaka. There were rumours that these ‘big boys’ had supported Siasia’s sack and Keshi’s appointment because there was a pact between them and Keshi that they would return to the national team as soon as he assumes office as Eagles’ chief coach. I got wind of this before Keshi’s appointment and, in that piece, I had advised that it remained in the realm of rumour.

But, this is no longer rumour as Keshi within the week, pointed out that he would extend an invitation to the duo.

This came on the heels of Yakubu scoring a brace for Blackburn last weekend and Utaka grabbing his second French Championat goal of the season to fire Monpelier to second place on the log.

Attractive as these players’ exploits may seem, the question is; are they relevant in the current Eagles set-up?

The fact is that the modern game has no place for the likes of Yakubu and Utaka in the Super Eagles. One of the technical revelations of the last World Cup is that the modern game is getting increasingly faster and the younger teams will feel more at home with its demands. These days, players don’t hang unto the ball longer than necessary and with quick interchange of passes, the movements on and off the ball are brisk. The likes of Germany and Spain deployed this to optimum effect at the last World Cup. One lesson England manager, Fabio Capelo took away from South Africa was that older teams would find it increasingly difficult to cope.

There has been a conscious effort by national team coaches across the globe to cut down on the average ages of their teams. Is it mere happenstance that younger players like Jack Wilshere, Tom Cleverly, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Garry Cahil and Ashley Young are now getting more playing times in the English team? In Brazil, teenagers Neymar and Ganso are now more regular features alongside the likes of, Pato, Thiago Silva, Lucas and David Luiz.

Germany’s coach, Joachim Loew places premium on youth with the likes of Mezut Ozil, Thomas Mueller, Mario Gotze, Sami Khedira and Mario Gomez in his team. I had faulted Samson Siasia’s knack for filing out a two-man midfield without a holding midfielder but the fact is that under him, the team’s average age was dropping.

It was only a coach with Siasia’s disposition that could give the likes of Joel Obi and Ahmed Musa regular places in the national team. Offensively, Siasia’s team was awe-inspiring and he knew the exact type of players to capture that effect. The likes of Yakubu and Utaka wouldn’t fit that bill and Siasia never gave them any hope of national team return. They knew they were confined to history with him on the saddle. Little wonder Yakubu carried the Siasia-must-go placard after the Nations Cup ouster.

Keshi should build on the foundation laid by Siasia. All he needs to do is adopt Siasia’s offensive template but instill more defensive solidity and the team will be good to go. I learnt he also plans to recall Sani Kaita. That’s okay as that would provide more defensive shield in the middle of the pack but Yakubu and Utaka? No…no…no! Imagine an Eagles attack built around Yakubu and Utaka in 2012.The team will be slow and vulnerable to the millennium-compliant teams mentioned above. If Keshi was building a team for a tournament in the next two years, would he bank on these two? Instead of recalling these older guys, he should strive to secure Sydney Sam’s international allegiance, cap Victor Moses and groom the likes of Musa, Brown Ideye and Ike Uche into a more potent strike force. Keshi is saddled with the task of making Nigerian football’s tomorrow better than today but if he places emphasis on the likes of Utaka and Yakubu, he has ‘yakubud’ it.

32

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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

NATION SPORT

NATION SPORT

2012 LONDON OLYMPIC QUALIFIER OPENER

Dream Team V set to redeem Nigeria's image •Eguavoen

T

HE national U-23 side of Nigeria, the Dream Team V as they are fondly called will today file out against Morocco in the first match of the final lap to book a place in the world’s most glamorous event, the Olympics slated for the land of the Queen.

Coming at a time when Nigeria has undergone a spate of failures in the round leather game, Austin Eguavoen and his wards will be facing an daunting task to put smiles back into the faces of football loving Nigerians.

Though soccer pundits have expressed hope in the team to deliver positive result this time around despite their failure to qualify for the last All African Games, coupled with the reported resolve of the players and officials to clinch one of the tickets to the biennial games, there are, however, apprehension in some quarters that this team might just be at the break of yet another failure, especially with recent developments.

Missing the services of several European based players such as Joel Obi (Inter Milan/Italy), Anthony Ujah (Mainz/ Germany), captain Lukman Haruna (Dynamo Kiev/Ukraine), Nnamdi Oduamadi (Torino/ Italy), Ahmed Musa (VVV Venlo/ Netherlands), Ekigho Ehiosun (Samsunspor/Turkey) and Rabiu Ibrahim (PSV Eindhoven/ Netherlands), who were all blocked by their clubs from featuring at the final qualifiers, the teeming football fans are no

longer confident of the strength of the team.

But with speculations making the rounds that Hapoel Tel Aviv’s star, Nosa Igiebor had joined the team in Morocco along with the likes of Parma of Italy defensive midfielder Obiora Nwankwo, (Now the team’s captain)Terna Suswan of Vitoria Setubal of Portugal and Michael Babatunde, who is based in Ukraine, the team might have the right replacement to cover up for the observed loopholes.

After the 1996 gold winning feat in Atlanta which had players like Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, Sunday Oliseh and Daniel Amokachi in its’ fold, the country has had to struggle to make a mark in the football event of the competition.

Using it as a benchmark, a lot is expected of the current team, with so many have predicted that this team could go all the way like the class of ’96.

Having eliminated Equatorial Guinea, Liberia and Tanzania to reach the final qualifying tournament, the onus of securing the important ticket will be on the players and their coaches who have testified to have gotten all the support they need from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The outcome of their opening game today against Morocco will set the tone for the remainder of their quest to feature in the games.

Several other players from the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) like Gbolahan Salami, Ayo Saka,

Markson Ojobo, Jude Aneke and Osas Okoro now have to step up to grab their chances at this level.

After admitting that the team is in a difficult group, and complains that the training facilities is not good enough for the team in Morocco, Eguavoen will be relying on 10 days training programme he had in Accra, Ghana, where the team played a number of friendly matches, before flying back to Lagos and then heading to Morocco for the competition proper.

He said: "Other teams too will not have their best players available so we just have to live with it. We have to respect the players that are here because they all merit the opportunity to represent Nigeria. They have all have been together the past six weeks so there is a growing confidence in the team that we can secure a ticket to London. Those not here really want to play for the Olympic team and go to the games but on the other hand clubs say no, so there's nothing they can do."

However, aware of the expected hostility in the North African country, the Dream Team V players and officials have been talking tough, but how good they will match their boasts with action will be determined today. Three teams will qualify automatically for the Olympics from the African championship, while the fourth team will slug it out with a team from Asia in the play-off.

The squad: Goalkeepers: Dele Ajiboye (unattached) First-choice goalkeeper whose penalty-saving heroics ensured Nigeria won the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup at the expense of Spain. He is experienced and agile, but he is also prone to injuries, meaning the squad needs to have a good cover for him at any given time. His contract with a third-tier Spanish club has not been renewed.

As Nigeria moves to begin its campaign in the final qualifiers of the London 2012 Olympics in far away Morocco today, all eyes will be on the Austin Eguavoentutored side to redeem Nigeria's dimmishing image in the round leather game.

With Nigeria pared alongside host, Morocco, Algeria and Senegal in Group A, football fans in the country will not settle for less in ensuring a place at the sporting fiesta reports INNOCENT AMOMOH. the return leg match against Ghana for a place at the recent All Africa Games.

•Terna Suswan

Terna Suswan (Vitoria Setubal/ Portugal) Right back from the U20s who may now be played at left back following the absence of Shooting Stars ace Chima Akas. Skilful and loves to join the attack.

Defenders: Kingsley Udoh (Unattached) The central defender was clearly one of the stars as Nigeria won the 2007 FIFA U17 World Cup. However, he has struggled to sustain such form ever since after failed attempts to play in Europe.

He is currently without a club

•Kingsley

•Olufemi

Olufemi Thomas (Ocean Boys) Decent shot stopper from NPL side Ocean Boys. He was in goal for the Nigeria U20 team in 2007.

A good penalty stopper.

Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars) Experienced goalkeeper whose displays made sure Kano Pillars reached the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League two years ago. His Achilles heel has been dealing with shots from distance and this weakness showed up in

on the Olympic squad.

Emmanuel Anyanwu (Enyimba) Big, powerfully-built youth international who was played at right back in the Flying Eagles at both the African Youth Championship and the U20 World Cup in Colombia. He is unbeatable in the air.

after he walked out on NPL side Heartland.

Markson Ojobo (Enyimba) Smart defender who can play either at right back or in the heart of the defence. His five-star displays in the heart of the Enyimba back four during this year’s CAF Champions League have been rewarded with a place

•Emmanuel

Edet Ibok (Atletico Baleres/ Spain) Big central defender who uses his size to great effect. Ever full of energy.

Usman Amoda (Unattached) Left back who was brought back to the squad in the absence of Akas. Featured for the Nigeria ‘B’ team at a recent sub-regional WAFU Nations Cup. Since being part of the U17 Class of 2007, he has been shopping for an overseas club and even posted a stint at Sudanese club Al Hilal.

Midfielders: Raheem Lawal (Atletico Baleres/Spain) Defensive midfielder who played at right back at the U20 World Cup in Egypt.

Ayo Saka (Ocean Boys) Experienced central midfielder who has been on the fringes of the full international team.

Obiora Nwankwo (Parma/Italy) Defensive midfielder who came to prominence during the 2009 FIFA U20 World Cup with his coolness on the ball. He was rewarded with a transfer to mighty Italian side Inter Milan and he is at the moment on loan to Parma. He is the team skipper

in the absence of Lukman Haruna.

Nosa Igiebor (Hapoel Tel Aviv/ Israel) The star of the team, who scored six goals in the qualifiers of the Olympics and All Africa Games.

He is essentially an attacking midfielder but he enjoys a free role in this Olympic team. He has insisted on being at this tournament despite the reluctance of his club coach to let him go.

Forwards: Michael Babatunde (Kryvbas/ Ukraine) Left winger who has yet to make his debut for the team. He is highly rated after getting off to a great start in his season in Europe.

A great dribbler in the mould of the great Lionel Messi.

Stephen Worgu (Al Merriekh/ Sudan) Hit the limelight at Enyimba, where he netted 13 goals in the 2008 CAF Champions League. He is back at Sudanese side Al Merriekh after a loan spell in Libya. He is a little forward who knows his way to goal.

Gbolahan Salami (3SC) One of the stars of the past league season. His transfer to top South African club Mamelodi Sundowns fell through at the last minute. But for his short temper, this forward would have taken his game abroad a long time ago.

Olanrewaju Kayode(Asec/Cote d’Ivoire) A striker full of energy who scored three goals at the U20 World Cup in Colombia. His speed often gets him into good scoring positions, but he needs to work a lot more on his composure if he is to score more goals.

•Kayode

Osas Okoro (Heartland) He could play either as a right winger or striker. He is skilful, hard working forward who has to make the most of this chance to move overseas after several failed attempts.

Jude Aneke (Kaduna United) All-time Goal King of the NPL after he fired 20 goals this past season. He is powerful, has a good shot and he is good aerially.

Daniel Uchechi (Sheffield Wednesday/England) Enterprising forward who posted a nightmarish outing at the U20 World Cup in Egypt two years ago. He was thought highly of at English club Charlton Athletic but he has yet to make his mark in England.

Odah Onoriode (Fame FC) Little known attacking midfielder or striker who is expected to take his chance once he is picked in the first team.

FIXTURES GROUP A Nov. 26 Nigeria v Morocco Nov. 26 Algeria v Senegal Nov. 29 Morocco v Algeria Nov.29 Senegal v Nigeria Dec. 2 Nigeria v Algeria Dec. 2 Morocco v Senegal GROUP B Nov. 27 Egypt v Gabon Nov. 27 South Africa v Cote d’Ivoire Nov. 30 GabonvSouth Africa Nov.30 Cote d’Ivoire v Egypt Dec. 3 Egypt v South Africa Dec. 3 Gabon v Cote d’Ivoire

•Obiora Nwankwo

THE NATION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

34

NATION SPORT

I

T was interesting for me to see the mood of the players and officials of the U-23 National Team, Dream Team V as the team is called, when I arrived in Tangiers, Morocco on Thursday afternoon.

We had flown out of Lagos in the morning, from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight. An uneventful flight ended when we landed at the Mohamed I International Airport in Casablanca.

On the road to Tangiers, from Casablanca – the economic capital of Morocco – I had cause to ruminate over the past 15 months and the challenges that we had faced as a Football Federation.

Among these have been distractions by some groups, as well as the need for more money to run our several programmes which even keep multiplying by the day. But in the end, I convinced myself that we have no choice but to continue to manage the resources we have and also to ensure that our teams are wellprepared for tournaments and competitions – which is the core of our vision as an elected administration.

For the U-23 team, preparation started ever since the team defeated Tanzania home and away to qualify for the eight-nation CAF U-23 Championship. But failure to qualify for the All-Africa Games in Mozambique robbed the team of what could have served as great tune-up competition.

As I stepped inside the Hotel Andalucia Golf in Tangiers, I was met with the picture of a very confident and optimistic Coach Augustine Eguavoen, the U-23 team’s Head Coach.

He was in good company with other members of the technical crew, including assistants Stanley Eguma, Benedict Iroha and goalkeeper trainer Alloy Agu. ‘Pastor’ Alloy looked as trim and fit as he was in his playing days and you would be tempted to think that he could go in there and do the job during the tournament! I recalled quickly how Alloy Agu turned out as goalkeeper and skipper at the 1990 African Cup of Nations, in next-door Algeria.

The players were optimistic as well and I was happy with the mood around. Despite the

Inside The Glass House WITH AMINU MAIGARI

Chase after title number three! challenges this team has faced, you are unlikely to be accused of unnecessary adulation if you applaud them as a group.

Following failure to reach the All-Africa Games, the team’s last competitive match was against Ghana’s Black Meteors in Kumasi in August. That was about three months ago.

The Head Coach, alongside the chairman of Technical Committee of NFF traveled to Europe to discuss with the Directors of clubs where some of the foreign-based players are employed, with a view to getting them released for the tournament, which falls outside FIFA approved dates for international matches.

Barrister Green and Eguavoen spent days in Europe, sometimes traveling by road in unfamiliar territories. At the end, some clubs promised to release players; some insisted they would not.

In the end, even some of those who promised to release players did not. VVV Venlo of Holland pledged to let two of our four players on their books come around for the competition. Days later, in a letter sent to the NFF, the club backed out. On Tuesday this week, the club wrote to say they would let go defender Alex Nkume. We simply threw away the paper!

We wanted Ahmed Musa, Uche Nwofor and Uchebor Okechukwu as well, but they would not let any of those ones go.

Other clubs held on to Lukman Haruna (the team’s captain), Ekigho Ehiosun, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Nosa Igiebor and Odion Ighalo.

How nice it would have been if these players should turn up

•Dele Ajiboye

in Morocco?

Also, when the team got to Morocco, the host FA (we would be playing their country in the tournament’s opening match this evening), set up a number of difficulties with the training ground, despite earlier assurances to the NFF that our team would have no problems whatsoever.

But as a Federation that does not believe in crying over spilt milk, we would have to make do. The players in camp, from skipper Obiora Nwankwo to the experienced goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye, showed enthusiasm and determination to scale the hurdle.

And it is a big hurdle. For the Nigeria Football Federation, this is a big one. Failure of the Super Eagles to reach the 2012 African Cup of Nations and the Falcons’ misadventure in the last round of qualifiers for the London 2012 Olympics have compelled that we win the ticket to the Men’s Football Tournament at next year’s Olympics. It is must for us to pick one of the THREE automatic tickets, as we don’t wish to go through the trauma of a play-off with an Asian country – which would be the fate of the fourth-placed team.

I can assure that spiritually, morally and technically, the Dream Team V is prepared for this challenge. Technically, the team is in the hands of an experienced man, who has coached the senior team on two different occasions.

Morally, some officials of the NFF including myself are here to boost their morale and to convey to them the message from Mr. President and the desire of Nigerian football fans.

On Wednesday, just before flying out of Abuja to Lagos, I listened to one ex-international on a popular sports radio station. He played to the gallery by wondering what officials of the Nigeria Football Federation were going to do in Morocco.

Amazing, isn’t it? One would have expected someone to ask him what obtained when he was playing internationally for Nigeria.

Were the Federation officials abandoning them at international competitions, refusing to attend those competitions to carry out the functions designed for Federation people?

I have stated several times that the era of jamboree has ended at the NFF. Only those who have things to do are here in Morocco. If anyone goes to the Glass House now, they would meet top officials and would be attended to.

For us, it is important not to

think about coming second or third here. Last night, I had a meeting with the players where I told them every Nigerian expects them to come tops. It is time that our teams start responding on the field, giving Nigerians the results that the planning and sincerity of the present NFF administration deserves.

I am also happy that the Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi is here. He is here in an advisory capacity and I know that being bossom friends, he and Eguavoen would work well. We do not foresee any problem. And Keshi himself has said that he has come to look at the players and see which ones can make the grade at senior level.

For sure, the players have an extra motivation there, to go all out. And it would be important that they start from this evening’s match. All eyes are on Morocco not only for hosting the tournament, but the fact that this is the inaugural championship for African U-23 players. And Nigeria would be top act, certainly.

About 15 years ago, our U23 team became the first from Africa to win the gold medal of the Men’s Football Tournament at the Olympics.

Cameroon followed up four years later in Sydney.

Cameroon’s Lionceux are not here but the Dream Team V dismissed the Tanzanian team that knocked them out in the preliminaries.

Victory in Morocco would be the third title for the present administration, since we came into office 15 months ago. We have the African Women Championship and African Youth Championship trophies to flaunt, among several FIFA tournaments.

The stage is set, and we do expect, Insha Allah, glory at this fiesta in North Africa. The two week competition will see the Dream Team V squaring up against Morocco today, Senegal on Tuesday and Algeria on Friday. Nigerians, please pray for this team. God bless our country.

Congrats, NNL I was thoroughly impressed by the organization of the Super Four tournament of the Nigeria National League in Bauchi last week, and I told High Chief Emeka Inyama, chairman of the NNL Board, so. Despite the little time and resources available to them, they were able to stage a tournament worthy of the name and with promises to make it bigger and better next time.

I congratulate Wikki Tourists of Bauchi for winning the competition.

And I also congratulate the other teams who took part.

Looking forward to a new and wonderful season.

NEXT WEEK: Reflections On Past 15 Months

Mikel set to bounce back with Chelsea

•Injury still sidelines Osaze •Aiyegbeni, Ameobi target victory •As Moses battles drop with Wigan AFTER two successive 2-1 losses to Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen, Nigerian midfielder Mikel Obi will be looking to bounce back with Chelsea in the Premier League today as they look forward to overcome fourth bottom Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas will be rallying his players to recover from the woeful outing to put the Blues on the title track again.

With Michael Essien still recovering from knee surgery, Mikel will maintain his place in the starting line-up Level on 22 points in fifth with Liverpool and Arsenal, Chelsea need all three points against Wolves if they are to keep pace with Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur who are three points ahead with Spurs having played a game less.

With Nigeria striker, Osaze Odemwingie still sidelined by knee injury, coach Roy Rodgson will rely on his fringe strikers as they face Tottenham at home.

Hodgson who warned Odemwingie of not doing enough for the club noted that his new contract is the reason the club should be getting more out of the star despite the emergence of Shane Long, a £4.5million signing from Reading.

West Brom will look to build on their 2-1 win over Bolton.Tenth on the table following last week victory, the Albions will be looking to take points off a rampant Spurs side fresh from a 2-0 triumph over Aston Villa.

By Bimbo Adesina Still basking from last week performance, Yakubu Aiyegbeni will aim to lift Blackburn as they face Stoke City.

Blackburn did well to recover from David Dunn's dismissal to draw 3-3 against Wigan over the weekend. The result leaves Blackburn second from bottom with only seven points so far.

At Old Trafford, Newcastle face another tough battle against Manchester United.

Newcastle unbeaten run was punched by Manchester United and with the return of Nigeriaborn Shola Ameobi,the Magpies could give the Red Devil a tough match.

Ameobi who was sidelined by hamstring injury decimated his campaign last month and, after sitting through the 31 defeat at Manchester City as an unused sub, the physical Academy product will be keen for a slice of action against the Red Devils.

Victor Moses ended a run of eight consecutive defeats with Wigan in a 3-3 draw against fellow relegation candidates Blackburn at the DW stadiumlast week.

The point they took from that game was their first since claiming all three against QPR on August 27.

They will be aiming for a win aganst Sunderland to improve on a dreadful away record though that has seen them pick up one point from a possible 18 and score two goals in their six games on the road.

•Mikel

MONTHLY SATURDAY BOXING SHOW

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

36

Golf...Golf...Golf...Golf...Golf...Golf...Golf...Golf...Golf

M

RS Ebben Spiff, Mrs Sade Ogunbiyi, Chief [Mrs] Dixon, Mrs Conde[sister to Chief Tom Ikimi, Chief Ngozi Osuhor]… you can keep on naming names of great ladies of substance who ensured that women golf in Nigeria was almost getting at par with that of the men. But those were years past. The sweet years of yore.

These days, women golf is being sold duff cards. And to add salt to the loophole, this is happening right on the lush fairways of courses across the nation. It would amaze you, but women golf in Nigeria is beginning to deplore golf’s hall of fame which used to be the toughest and most dignified shrine in sports.

No point exposing the gap between bureaucratic thinking and commonsense at this point in time. It will suffice to just put things straight. To tell it the way it is. It will be very unnecessary to point fingers at any direction. But still, golf is too big a game to get undue bashing just because ladies can’t just keep to the game’s ethics. You just get within a pitching wedge shot of where lady golfers sit and all you get to see is indeed awry… golf sitting on its head.

Check out the men. On the course, they are a close knit group. They yak in same bar, dine together. You can watch a kitty group of men players forever and you will never see the one that will rate like the weak sister of the bunch. And again, check the men when they are about to tee off. They run commentaries to the high heavens on how they would ‘ruin’ each another enroute ‘jamming-jamming’[on course betting]. And the men know how to back action with good money. This is why if a man is ‘ruined’ on course, his wallet could be depleted to the tune of, say, about a hundred thousand naira. Big deal? No way. The bloke who just lost heavily on the course would still be the one ordering drinks and victuals at the 19th hole.

All he will be telling the guy who nicked him ‘Ozobia’… another day will come. No hard feeling. No bad blood.

Cue in the women. They are usually matched in same group. Why starters do this still beats me. From the tee box, the ladies hardly offer each another smiles that could suggest compact camaraderie.

No backslapping. No hugs.

No boisterous yaks. All they show you are fake smiles, refusing to talk. Ask some of them to crack jokes on course just like the men do and you get this look as if someone has peed in their golf shoes. If they ever engage in course betting, you’ll hardly get to know.

While the men talk of how best to deal with their short game, all the women talk about is the diamond which is the size of an ashtray on someone’s ring. The men hardly notice what others are wearing on course. But the women, you must hear comments that prick the ear.

Something like isn’t that skirt too short? Or this one… Is this

GOLFLINE

NTDC brings for

WITH

Tony Akhigbe golflineintl@yahoo.com 08056180071

Envy! …bane of golf lady entering the course naked?

Meanwhile, the lady in question is merely putting on a well designed denim that could set you back some thirty thousand naira. These wears are in vogue all over Europe and America. They don’t come cheap, and besides the R&A has not stated that sexy wears of any sort offend golf’s protocol.

So why should our ladies lash at each another over frivolous things like ‘wears’.

“The whole thing boils down to envy”, a Port Harcourt based lady golfer [forget her name, please] gushed. “If you are putting on golf wears that some can’t afford, they start to call you names… dirty names, for that matter. For God’s sake, this is a club. We are here to socialize. What you do with your life can’t be my business.

I keep telling them I can put on what I feel is in vogue… so far I’m not upsetting the rules.

Again, if my husband is not complaining about what I put on, I owe no one any apology.

You see, we ladies have problems. If you are not doing something, you don’t want the other person to do it. It’s like you are smoking and others in your group are not, be sure they won’t give you peace through your round of golf.

But why? I mean you don’t see the men hacking each another.

When you see the men bark at each another on the course, be sure the issue has to do with rules of the game”.

This brings us to the core issue. Women golf and the rules guiding the game. Golf is all about rules. In foreign

lands, you don’t win your handicap unless you are abreast with the rules of the game. You can be sure that the society won’t work if you make up your own tax rates.

Again if you play by the rules, your triumphs and disasters will mean something. This is why rules are essential in golf.

But tell that to Nigerian lady golfers and you could only be listening to your own voice.

Move around the courses and you see ladies lifting balls at will. Even, if the rule is affording you ‘relief’, you don’t just lift your ball without informing your co-players.

Allow a little drizzle of rains, and you’ve empowered the lady player. She could play a

whole of ten holes without ever touching her putter.

Anytime she is on the putting surface, she picks up for two putts. This sucks. And this is why you see women in rage all the time. Most of them don’t play by the rules and when rules are not in their favour, they hate picking the penalty.

Rather than pick penalties for not keeping to the rules, all the women use is the tortured language of one who tells white lies.

Well, it will be cool if women can help return golf to its glory. All they need do is just a bit of sacrifice. To the game… to themselves. And come to think of it, the women can expend the time they spend on frivolous talks to work on their game. You get pissed off at the way most of them shank from rough to rough. What’s the point in playing the game when all you return is a gross close to 150. You won’t believe it but you could need a calculator when you have to get the score of most ladies.

This is not good enoug.

As the ladies across the country go into a major national duel at the lush Ibori course in Asaba, it is instructive they ponder on their several shortcomings and make the game a better one.

Army rounds off conference with golf

M

EN of the Nigerian Army last Wednesday rounded off their yearly Conference with a major golf kitty at the Benin Golf Club.

The golf event was indeed put up in honor of the Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen a Ihejirika.

The kitty witnessed over 100 golfers, mainly men of the Armed Forces on course.

Delectable prizes ranging from silverware to electronic gadgets were won. Thereafter, a huge party that kept guests till the wee hours of the morning came on.

The Guest of Honor at the

•Benin Golf Club Captain, Kingsley Ehi Okunbor and the representative of the Chief of Army Staff offering a toast at the prize giving night

event, and indeed Army's Chief of Policy and Planning, Major General O. Akinyemi, was thrilled at the huge turn-out of golfers that he promised a fullblown tourney at the Benin course next year. He was merely responding to the Club's Captain, Kingsley Ehi Okunbor, who earlier indicated that the Army is too big for a kitty game.

The kitty according to the Organsing Chairman of the event and Commandant of the S&T Benin, Brigadier-General ET Nienge was to help men of the Army to relax after days of deliberation.

25th edition gets underway today

T

HE 25th edition of the Monthly Saturday Boxing Show gets underway today at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre, Rowe Park, Yaba.

An initiative of the Lagos State Boxing Hall of Fame (LBHF) in conjunction with the Lagos State Amature Boxing Association (LABA), the competition has produced top amateur boxer for the state and Nigeria at large in recent times.

•Wale Edun Chairman-Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame

By Innocent Amomoh The nine-bout competition contributed immensly to the success of the state in the last National Sports Festival (NSF), as 7 gold medals out of the total haul was received from boxing.

The organisers have consistently given assurance of a rise in the standard which have been evident in the previous editions and this according to them will not be an exemption.

With amateur boxers in the state testifying to the impact of the competition their chosen career,getting kits and monetory rewards for their participation,boxing fans in Lagos will be thrilled to some exciting bouts today.

Having some of the best ring side staff in the referees and medical personnel, the facilities in place are world class, that host an annual international bout against the famours Repton Boxing Club of England.

The boxing shows starts at 3pm.

Oshiomole Wrestling Championship gets February date

A

RRANGEMENTS are in top gear to organise the maiden edition of Comrade Adams Oshiomole Wrestling Championship tagged “Parade of the Champions” in recognition of his numerous contributions towards the empowerment of youths as well as giving the dividends of democracy to Edo State.

According to the coordinator of the championship, Prince Ahmed Olarewaju Mohammed, the tournament which will be held in two centers in each of the Senatorial zones in the state from Friday 10th to Sunday 19th February, 2012 will involve foreign and local wrestlers who will square up against themselves to determine the strongest man in the week-long event even as he announced that the highlight of the championship will be a ladder contest that will be used to determine the last man standing among the mats men.

He noted that Edo State born wrestling sensation, Strong Bone Erukujeje will lead notable Nigerian wrestling giants such as Tony Destroyer, Mr. Sharpman, Mighty Man, Rocky Johnson, Hot Tempo, Super Roscko, Iron Scatter and Nigerian queen of the mats, Lady Bunmi against some of the best wrestlers in the world such as Belgian Robin, "The Bull", United States of America’s Giant Jackson and Dynamite Solution. Others are Germany’s Eric Shcharz,Micheal Kovak of Kuwait, Erik Justra of Norway, Masato Tanaka of Japan, Tye Mupepe of Democratic Republic of Congo, Lady Shanna of Portugal and Lady Sweet Saraya of United Kingdom who will be led by

World heavyweight champion Chris Bambikiller of Austria.

Mohammed, who was the coordinator of the maiden edition of the BRF Wrestling championship, stated that the tournament has received the blessing of Edo State Governor; Comrade Adams Oshiomole just as he announced that the ten belts to be competed for in the championship has been delivered from Australia.

“I am happy to inform you that the championship has received the blessing of Governor Oshiomole whom we all know as a great sports man and we want to use the tournament to send a message across to the youths of this country that victory does not come easy. ‘’ It will also interest you to know that ten championship belts which were specially prepared in Australia for the tournament has been received and we are only waiting for the February date to enable our brothers and sisters in Edo State have a real feeling of what professional wrestling is all about”, he concluded.

•Comrade Adams Oshiomole

38

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

RE ELNEW S

BACK STAGE

Star studded premiere of Two Brides and a Baby

D

ESPITE the rush-hour traffic usually associated with Lekki, Genesis Deluxe Cinema at the The Palms witnessed a mammoth crowd last weekend when the much anticipated Two Brides and a Baby premiered.

The cinema hall was filled to capacity as celebrities, fans and associates defied the notable odds in a bid to make the movie premiere.

Unlike most premieres that start late, Two Brides and a Baby started early with many super stars gracing the red carpet as early as 6pm. With the kind of attendance recorded, one would have mistaken the premiere for the birthday bash of someone in the Presidency.

The scores of celebrities that trooped in for the premiere included Uche Jombo, Haekeem Kazeem, Sasha P, Stephanie Okereke, Omoni Oboli, Rita Dominic, Elvis Chuks, ace humorist, Alibaba and wife, Oge Okoye, Ufuoma Ejenobor, Lonzo Nsekwe,

among others.

There were no dull moments as they stepped on the red carpet and the paparazzis went into some kind of frenzy while trying to catch glimpses of their favourite stars. The stars didn't disappoint their teeming fans as they came in different attires and colours and they were indeed a sight to behold as they walked to and from the red carpet gracefully.

The movie centres on the story of Bankole (O.C Ukeje) and Keche (Chelsea Eze).

Twenty-four hours to their wedding, Kole's exgirlfriend, Ama(Stella Damasus), shows up with plenty of drama. 24 hrs to the wedding now began to look like 24 days as many melodramatic issues ensued as the wedding was practically on ''hold''.

Other acts in the movie include Kalu Ikeagwu, Keira Hewatch, Okey Uzoeshi and others.

MAAMI set for the cinemas

T

UNDE Kelani, aofwardwinning veteran director's new movie, titled MAAMI, is set to hit the cinemas February 2012.

The thriller, according to reports, has been released to give viewers a little of what to expect when the movie finally hits the big screen.

MAAMi is the inspiring story of a poor conscientious single mother's struggle to raise her only child, Kashimawo, who, eventually, rises to international stardom in an English football club, Arsenal, and becomes a

national hero. Adapted by Tunde Babalola, from Femi Osofisan's novel of the same name, this film is about love, perseverance, and fate. The movie unfolds though Kashimawo's reminiscences of his hardscrabble childhood in the southwestern Nigerian town Abeokuta. The movie stars Funke Akindele, Wole Ojo, Tamilore Kuboye, Ayomide Abati. With special guest appearances by Yinka Davies, Kayode Balogun, Olumide Bakare, Fatai Rolling Dollar and Biodun Kupoluyi.

W

ITH the automatic qualification of Olanrewanju Alawoki, Sunday Gyang and Fejiro Ejogbamu from Batch C, the nine qualifiers for the on-going Gulder Ultimate Search's Contest of Champions have emerged.

The trio secured their qualification after the last of the group tasks which was keenly contested.

They will be joining six others; Kelvin Durst, Promise Ojiegbe and Anastasia Azike from Batch A, and Christopher Okagbue, Anthony Igwe and Tony Horsfall from Batch B. Indeed, Olanrewaju Alawoki, winner of Batch B's last two tasks, showed that he could be one of the strong contenders as the competition progresses. He posted strong performances in the last two tasks to etch his name among the qualifiers. As reward for winning the last task, he was fitted with a special leopard skin sash.

As for Fejiro Ejogbamu and Sunday Gyang, the two other qualifiers from the batch, their qualification did not come easy.

Fejiro Ejogbamu almost missed out on qualification as he found the key to unlock a box very late.

Sunday Gyang won the first two tasks given to batch C but seemed to slacken towards the closing stages. He was only lucky to scale through to the next round.

For Ulunma Ekwuru and Kesiena Egone, both evicted from batch C, it was a painful end to their foray in the Gulder Ultimate

Nine qualifiers for GUS 8 emerge ... As three best losers struggle for last slot Search. Both were the last two females to be evicted from Batch C. While Kesiena was the last lady to be evicted in the fifth task, Ulunma was evicted in the fourth.

The last slot for the Contest of Champions is still up for grabs.

The task will pitch Geraldine Obi, voted back in from Batch A, against Theresa Egbu, the viewer's choice from Batch B, and a yet to be determined contestant evicted from Batch C. The earlier evicted contestants from Batch C are: Ebhonhon Lilian, Egone Olivia Kesiena, Udodi Chimaobim, Oniovosa Efe,

Ihongbe Patience Omoyeme, Okoroafor Ezeoba and Ekwuru Ulunma.

Indeed, it has been an exciting journey thus far in the reality show. This year's edition featured 30 contenders instead of the usual 12. The contenders were introduced into the jungle in batches of 10 with three individuals emerging from each of the batches.

The final 10 will compete for who will become the Ultimate Hero. Also up for grabs is the Last Girl Standing award which will go to the best female contender in the competition.

Indeed, it has been an exciting journey thus far in the reality show. This year's edition featured 30 contenders instead of the usual 12

39

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

B

EFORE I write on this week’s piece, I would like to really commend all contributors to last week’s piece on “Vera…please stop me” via sms and emails. Your responses were really overwhelming. I am therefore optimistic that you have in more ways than one; saved a distressed person. This is the reason I have told myself; that east or west, home (Nigeria) is the best. You see, despite our very busy schedules, Nigerians still look out for one another. Sure, I have decided to keep a tab on my caller; at least for the six months he has asked me to and I do wish him and every person in the same shoe, the very best. Yes; about today’s piece; my dad once told us about his days as a bachelor. He told us of how he got his first job and rented his first apartment and furnished it to the best of his ability. He also told us of how he invited his uncle to his new home (since he lost his own father at a very early age).

His uncle’s coming was

•Dear Vera, That man needs help. Inasmuch as I believe that not all women are devilish, but suffice it to say that there are many of them that are first cousins of the devil. Omotola is one of the latter. My advise is that he should seek God’s protection.

Let him be prayerful and be in constant contact with his pastors for spiritual guidance and guide.

Also, let him involve his relations, brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles, aunties etc. and not just his mother. Even his good friends should be involved.

I can assure you that if he succumbs to Omotola’s come-back bid that will be the end of his life, his son as well as his mother. I am writing out of personal experience.

For now, let him think and concentrate on how to raise his son and take care of his mother for the right woman will come at God’s time.

Chris Oji, Enugu.

It’s so unfortunate that a man could experience this unfair attitude from a woman. Where do we go from here? It scares guys like us sometimes to get married due to bad attitude of some women. They behave like “they own the world” O, gen-

May your house be dirty obviously to pray for him, his job and his home. My dad recalled, how shocked he was, when this uncle of his started the prayers with “my dear son”; May God bring those that will litter this house. According to my father as his uncle prayed.

My father said he reluctantly said “Amen” At this point, he was confused as to why this uncle of his would pray for his house to be littered. His tastefully furnished house for that matter.

Troubled and unhappy eration of heartless women!

My advice is, that the man should not go back to that woman because going back to her might spell doom for him.

Who knows why her first husband left her in the first place? Keep off from her!

She’s a devil in disguise. We will be praying for you here.

Boudey Crownwealth.

•There is nothing you can do to stop him. Apart from being a wicked. It seems he is already bewitched. However, he should move closer to God. Barrister A. Moronkeji Your article on 19/11/11, the guy is desperately in need of help and I think you can help him. I too feel you can, because you sound experienced. For the sake of the poor old woman and his son keep a tab on him. It takes a woman to tame a woman.

Chuks.

•I won’t allow you to make a pronouncement on that.

Marry or don’t marry Omotola back. The caller should be advised to read all reactions on your page on Saturday, November 26, 2011 and take his decision. Try and publish as many reactions as pos-

after entertaining his uncle, he went to drop him off at his house. My dad recalled that even after dropping him off, he still could not understand the prayer. “Could this man be cursing me? For what reason?” Of all the nephews he had, my dad was the closest to him so why on earth would he pray like that? My father wondered.

Getting even more agitated; he drove back into the night seeking for clarification. After driving for

hours, he found himself on the door-step of another more elderly uncle who then explained to him that what he meant was that; my father should not live alone. The prayer meant that God should give him a wife and kids.

So, here is to all eligible bachelors, and spinsters.

Your houses are neat and well furnished, and most of you cherish your independence above family values. Truth is there are no perfect men or women on on there. Even the chil-

dren are not perfect. But you see, the whole concept of having a family is so that efforts will be complimented no matter how little.

Married couples disagree, it is natural. It is allowed. If you are ready to take that step.

Then may your houses be littered. Deliberately, I have made this piece very brief in order to accommodate at least 40 percent or the sms and emails that were chanelled towards helping our caller from last week .

Peace.

Text messages Re: Vera, please stop me! sible. My own opinion is that although the caller’s mind and eyes are still on Omotola the tormentor. Never should she be allowed in the callers’ life again. That should be a lesson for similar women of same behaviour.

Lere Obe Woman! Woman!! Woman!!!

This man should be prayerful, because Omotola will use everything in her power to get him back but one fact is that she will never change. My advice is that, he should enter into fasting and prayer with his pastor and follow their inspiration .

Olufemi, Ilorin.

Please stop him from early death in the form of Omotola.

Please.

08137785477 • I have a son who is in Nursery 1. I know quite well that as soon as he is sick, my turn of sickness is around the corner.

What is contributing to this is the instinct in me. If there is any way you can assist him.

Please do, otherwise if the wife

moves into the house again, the conscience in him that he may be killed will torment him and he may surely die one day which people may be attributed to mystic, but if he has spirit of forgiving and forgetting, I see nothing bad in taking her back.

J. Etuk, Uyo. Kudos to you for doing a great job. People like you deserve to be honoured in Abuja.

There is this particular saying that a friend in need is a friend indeed.

Please kindly do everything possible to help him.

Ade,Ife. •I must say, you are a role model. I have never missed your write-ups because I am married to a professor of anything written like books etc.

Well, concerning the man who lost his wife, my sympathy goes to him. I know it can’t be easy for him starting afresh. I really know what he is going through emotionally and all that. About the lady (estranged wife) please, please, let him forget about the lady for the sake of his innocent son. Let him move on with his life and also with prayer. Prayer opens a way, one day he will find another love rather than going back to fire. I am a married lady. So, I know what some women are please.

Becky, Uyo. •On your column of the 19th, Please help him. That Omotola is devilish.

0703-8337-646 •This story is very real.

Considering what I have personally seen in some people’s marriages. The area of cruelty to mother and son. I have seen it. The area of a wife being fetish I have seen it. And the area of a husband being controlled against his will, I have also seen it.

Mbata Justin

•Some of the newly inducted students into United Kingdom universities during their induction at Leadmode Resource Centre, Lagos.

•If his story is real; then I think he means no harm; since

all he needs is someone to confide in, at this trying moment.

This is a plus for you. So, please carefully give him audience for a while and pray for God’s protection ever as we enjoin you to ensure your safety (Vera) James, Kaduna.

Nobody knows if this man initially knew why Omotola became a single mother. He re-married out of pressure. A lady that denied one’s biological mother and son of food and comfort but you are still seeing her as being pretty?

Bros, she is the ugliest woman on earth. She is a bondage coming back for revenge.

Pity your mum and your son and don’t ever allow her back.

She is an unrepentant monster.

While she made you happy with food and sex; much sadness fulled your heart whenever she maltreated your kindred. Let her save her bornagain; be born again too, then find a widow who would love you and your folks.

Seun Osinkolu Ogbomoso •You are simply amazing.

You broke your rules in picking the call. How will you prevent the next desperate caller?

You should include the services of a psychiatrist in your work. Omotola’s husband needs one.

0805-6838-707 •Read your article of yesterday. Quite touching. I feel him.

Maybe because I have had a similar experience but resisted the marriage urge, a lot of men underrate the force of female persuasion in the spiritual strength and pull of certain women. I don’t know if he is a Christian or Muslim but I believe spiritual laws are sacrosanct. My answer to him is so simple that it will appear stupid to some who feel they are carnally sensible. The answer is in prayers and fasting. If she was and still is a negative to his life, she will disappear from his life, he will not need to resist her. On her own she

‘

Truth is there are no perfect men or women on on there.

Even the children are not perfect. But you see, the whole concept of having a family is so that efforts will be complimented no matter how little

’

will run. Remember the saying of light and darkness not having any business.

0708-688-0855

•Does this widowed man know Christ genuinely as it is apparent he is soul tied to Omotola. This must be broken in prayer, character and true love is what binds a man to a woman for beauty will fade. Can Omotola repair the damage done to her relationship with his mum and son? I doubt. Let him flee seeing there’s no issue between them only sexual bonds. Once beaten, twice shy. Great is the ruin of him who has no control over his being 08052333-181 •Please do everything possible to stop him from going back to that devilish wife. One way of doing it is to keep in contact with him always.

080303316-459 Vera, his case relates to last 2 weeks topic, beauty should be the least to be considered before marriage. The man should forget about Omotola's beauty and discard her from his life.

Ugwu Greg, Obudu The actor in your last story should have learnt from the dictum "appearance is deceptive", he ought to have realised the fact that women would always stoop to conquer and that there is the tendency for them to become monstrous after a fait accompli, they are everywhere. (apologies to other women of virtue and substance). If the super hero of this story must enjoy life, if he must, as custom demands, live to give his old ma a befitting burial after a long time from now, if he must live to see his children grow from strength to strength, he has to avoid Omotola like a plague he has to be self disciplined if he could do enough to call the "insect" in his eyes to order he would have successful shut the demonic "Omotola Blade" out of his life and permanently too, he doesn\t need a Vera to do this.

Femi Adesina, Ibadan

40

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

You’re close to me, you’re like my brothers I started this week by having a meeting with Hon. Nadu Karibo at his beautiful Maitama, Abuja home. His lovely wife gave me the time of my life with the feast-like breakfast she set and her soullifting gist. Thus began a week of promises for me.

To make it better, my dear friend and confidant, K sent a simple text to me that read: I have a laptop each for Feranmi and Farati. Can someone pick them up from my office? Waoh! Brand new laptops for my boys! The week sure had a lot in store and I began thanking my Maker for the good things He’s been doing.

To make it better, Folakemi Adebiyi and Haruna Harry Daniyan won’t let me bother my head over some problems that came up,which would ordinarily have kept me awake. They may be miles away, but they seem to have the manual for some of the new problems in my life. Just a phone call away and the problems vanish. And yes, they’re the ones paying for the calls, not me! Those are friends.

And to make it sweeter, Mallam Aliyu Shehu Baba remains one of the best friends life has on offer.

Yes, we haven’t seen in ages, but he’s ever so present blessing my hands to give to those less fortunate than myself. Thank you all for being so close to me. You’re of course my brothers and my sisters.

He almost beat me to death because I refused him

Hello Aunty,I am a girl of 21 years and there’s this guy that I’ve been dating for close to three years now. I met him as a virgin but he later deflowered me with force. I broke up with him and he came back begging me to forgive him but I refused. He told his mother was aware of what was going on and she called me and apologized on behalf of her son. I accepted him after two months. Things were going well and he promised never to have sex with me again until we marry. One day I went to visit him in his house, he welcomed me and we chatted over some issues and suddenly he started complaining of headache and was telling me if that if I should allow him to have sex with me, the pains would go but I refused. He got angry and

started flogging me with his belt.

I’ve never received such a beating in my life before, in fact, he almost killed me but thank God I was able to escape and now he came back begging me to forgive him. Please I need help –Sheila, Kaduna.

Yes Sheila, you need help. You need my help and the help of others to get this guy arrested without delay. Or what kind of help would you prefer?

You want me to tell you that since his mother knows about you, then it means it’s a serious relationship and so you should forgive him. NO!! You shouldn’t forgive a guy who beats you for sex.

Let me tell you something I keep saying here all the time, your body is your body and so you have the right to say no to sex if you don’t feel like. You’re not even married to this guy and he’s

How do I know if I’m pregnant?

Aunty Adeola, I feel really ashamed to call you. I have a problem; I stupidly misbehaved by getting down with a guy. I don’t know if we had sex or not because I wasn’t myself but I now feel strange, how do I know if I’m pregnant or not? I feel a little discomfort around my bladder and my saliva tastes bitter Please I want you to help me. Is it normal for me to feel a bit strange since it’s my first time?

This is to answer a whole lot of you who call in or text to find out if they are pregnant – just go to a laboratory and

do either urine or blood test. It’s as simple as that. Once you miss your period and you begin to feel funny, it won’t harm to save yourself the trauma of wanting to know what’s up by just getting medical help.

There are many symptoms that look alike and may make you feel pregnant when you’re not.

Hormonal changes, malaria fever and other factors may make your tongue taste funny, make you pee more than normal etc.

I can’t be miles away from you and know for sure that you’re either pregnant or not. I’m not all that psychic.

sex

beginning to disrespect you so much.

First, he raped you and now he’s beginning to beat you for refusing his sexual advances. Next time, he will bathe you with acid and set you on fire.

Don’t you read newspapers and watch the television? This year alone, more than fifty cases of women who have been killed, deformed or rendered useless for live have gotten our attention in Nigeria alone. All over the world, women are being sent to their early graves or turned to mental case because of some stupid men who do not deserve their love. Their assailants were their husbands - the bank girl was killed by her husband, the Enugu woman was roasted by her husband and many more gory stories like that.

If you will give me the address of the guy, I’ll help you get justice to serve as deterrent to many others like him. Over to you, what’s his address?

u to Me o Y m o Fr r, you ilosophe

is t ph The grea s s in g to th k le n b li ly a d e kin are a of on. Pleas generati Bukola Ogunku o a ls h a it is w e e h S m nks. station.

O.S.R.C er I cherish. Tha h p o s philo 6254) (0807695 form of sweetest ia’, it’s e th is k re Ca ay ‘T when I s keep love, so s saying ‘I will ery a v d y o m o g ll ti as y heart love you in m ’. So Tkia! I just is. th b a o last bre gram – Mrs. D your pro

Which do I choose between my two boyfriends?

Dear Aunty, I’m a 19 year-old girl and I’m into a relationship with two guys and I don’t know who to choose. The first guy is caring but I don’ have feelings for him and the second guy is not all that caring and he has a girl but he told they are no longer dating. But whenever the lady sees me, she starts blasting me and I have so much feeling for him. What should I do? I am confused.

I know how you feel. Life offers us presents, but most times they are not the exact specifications. So what should

we do? We should learn to accept our gifts with thanks.

You may have your reasons for not liking Boyfriend No1 (BFN1) the way you like the other one. BFN1 may not be a handsome and as presentable the way the other guy is, but you know within yourself that he gives you a lot of love more than the other guy, so, go for him.

It is a known thing that in relationships, the love begins to take the shape of brother/sister after a long time and even after marriage.

The one who cares a lot for you now will most likely still care for you when love becomes stabilized. He may not feel the giz-giz thing anymore, but you will be his priority because he cares. Think about it.

Hearts With Adeola Agoro E-mail: libranadeola@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 08023162609

He stopped caring for me because of his cousin Hi Aunty Adeola, I am a girl of 21 years and in the university. I’ve been dating a guy of 27 years for 3 years now. But since July when he brought his cousin to school everything changed - no time for me to the extent that I was angry and said something and the cousin told him and since then he has been behaving somehow. When I found out he was cheating on me, he begged me and swore that he would not do it again and his father begged me too and I forgave him. He still has not changed; he does not care he now sees faults in me which wasn’t like that before. Now for the past week I’ve been seeing him in my dreams in a very bad way. So this morning I told him that it’s over but he refused and said he cannot let me go. Please I need your advice. Thanks and God bless you. From C.I. Dear C.I, when relationships begin to give us headaches due its unpredictable nature, there are two great drugs to combat that - either a vacation away from the things or people causing the problems or a break from each other.

Vacations have a way of healing ailing relationships. If you both can afford to get away for some days, you will have the time to talk over things and at the end of that vacation, if you’re still acting as if you don’t know the way forward then take the next option - a break.

We sometimes fear that taking a break will eventually tear us apart. But it’s a risk worth taking all the same. When we cling to relationships that are beginning to feel like we’re forcing the other person to continue, most often than not, they rebel and break away. But giving them space makes them analyze the whole thing and if they think we’re good for them, they come back with the determination to make it work.

Don’t fall into the trap of blaming anybody, not least his cousin. The guy has his own mind so even if you think his cousin has said something to him to make him change towards you, she shouldn’t be blamed for his decision to listen and change to you based on that. We do what we want to do irrespective of what people say. Of course, we aid our actions sometimes by what others have said, but that’s because we had thought of doing those things anyway.

I neither have comments about your dream nor about his father’s intervention.

Those are topics that will take a whole page to deal with. You won’t marry his father; would you? Also bear in mind that depending on the kind of family he comes from, he might have a father who knows all his girlfriends and calls all of them up the way he calls you. If his father is his drinking partner, then they’re buddies, so he will call you the way his son’s friends too call you. Watch the guy’s actions not those of the people around him.

He wants me to be his secret wife Good morning ma, I need you to guide on this issue. I met a man few months, he claimed he loves me and I am the kind of woman he needs in his life, he is married with a kid but the family resides in Canada. He told me that our love affair will have to be a secret one for now because when family members ask questions as to why he’s getting a second wife he wouldn’t know how to answer them.

He said they will see him as an ingrate and a wicked man because his wife didn’t offend him. From the onset, I only wanted his friendship, so I didn’t see that as a barrier to our relationship until he told me one Saturday morning that he wants me to bear a child for him. Aunty, what do I do?

I’m scared of having a child for him because I don’t know what my gain will be. I don’t know his family members; he just introduced me to few of his bosom friends. I need your help - Abi.

Dear Abi, many women you share this with will tell you without thinking that the man is a liar, that you shouldn’t try it bla, bla, bla.

I’ll tell you what I know from experience.

Most men in his kind of position will tell you exactly what the man told you and most often than not, that is what they want.

They want a kind of second wife because they want to be responsible and wouldn’t

Re: My mother wouldn’t tell me who my father is

•L-R: Chairman Publicity Committee Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Owokolade; President Institute of Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria, Mr. Olatunde Busari and Registrar of ICSAN, Mr. Tunde Togunde at the 2011 round-table on Corporate Governance held at Radisson Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Bade Daramola

Ahmed must be 19 now.

Please beautiful Adeola, let him ask his mum this; would she be happy or sad if a woman who is her daughter-in-law ran away with her son’s child. See, as human beings we must learn how to forgive despite the fact that there are some things we just can’t forget - Jamila from Gombe (07031966194

want to be changing girlfriends at will.

They want a stable life with a woman while madam is far, far away.

His wife is in Canada which means he can’t be faithful to her one hundred percent. He has his needs – he wants the attention of a woman. He wants a woman’s touch. He wants to be with a woman. He has chosen you to be that woman.

Yes, his family would frown at him getting another woman while his marriage is still intact. They understand that he has needs, but they expect him to have flings and not a serious relationship. And that is where you are going to have a problem.

The moment you begin to appear too often in his life, they begin to fear that you’re establishing yourself as a second wife. They will fight it. They will fight with you. They won’t say it is the man that wants you, they will say you want to cast some spells on him so he can marry you and leave his wife.

Now, he’s asking you to have a baby for you and keep as a secret. I laugh. I laugh because this needs a lot of serious nights of thinking and weighing your options.

Ask yourself questions. What if the guy dies suddenly and your secret baby remains secret. What if his wife comes back or he goes to join her. What if things do not work out between you?

I always say that the decision to have babies should be based on the woman’s personal convictions that she can take love and care for her child whether the father is there or not. NEVER have a child just because a man says he wants the child.

Discuss all options with him. Talk about shared responsibilities and let him know that if you’re going to have that baby, his people must take you as a wife and not a secret.

I’m never against polygamy. My father has children from 16 women and we have never seen the arrival of a new woman as a taboo. Rather, I remember us all living together and enjoying it. But in our case, my father has never had a secret wife. I will not advice you to agree to be somebody’s secret. Nope. Cheers!

&

LIFE

Society Profile

THE NATION, Saturday, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

STYLE Gossip Interviews

SEE PAGES 44 & 45

What being first lady has taken away from me

-

Wife of the Ogun Governor, Olufunso Amosun

41

Saturday

42

SPECIAL

THE NATION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

With KAYODE OLANSHILE-ALFRED E-mail:kayflex2@yahoo.com TEL:08035733605

Okocha grooves without Nkechi

F

ormer Super Eagles mercurial captain, Austin Jayjay Okocha, and his lovely wife, Nkechi, are no doubt one of the most admired couples around.

The duo, who exchanged marital vows at an impressive ceremony more than 10 years ago, have made a good impression on the social scene, especially since Okocha quit active football.

The couple unarguably rank among the best dressed pair in this part of the world.

Their deep knowledge of fashion's dos and don'ts is reflected in their choice apparels and accessories.

It is no news that Nkechi used to be more visible on the social scene than her husband. But lately, she has been missing in action. Not only is she barely visible at functions, she hardly attends events with her husband these days.

Penultimate weekend, the former Super Eagles captain went alone to the Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan's daughter's elaborate wedding in Delta State.

One only hopes that all is well between the celebrity couple.

Alfred Rewane's grandson Adunni hooked

I

n the next couple of weeks, Lagos, a galaxy of celebrities, politicians and other high networth individuals will converge on Lagos for the high octane wedding of Adesoji Adegbenro, the grandson of the late politician, Pa Alfred Rewane.

The younger brother of popular Lagos businessman, Adejare Adegbenro, is said to be doing very well in his line of business as one of the few hardworking silver spoon kids around.

Adesoji will be getting married to his lover of many years next month. The wedding promises to be grand as society's who is who are already gearing up to support one of their own.

His elder brother and C.E.O of Balmoral International Limited, Adejare, is beaming with joy because it is the first time any of his younger brothers would be tying the nuptial knot.

Society sources say the affluent in the society cannot wait for the wedding because they see it as an opportunity to pay Adejare back in his own supportive and magnanimous coin.

The Adegbenro household is also busy with preparations for the event. For an insight into his bride to be, stay glued to Happenstances next Saturday.

Jeniffer Obayuwana's headache

W

ith grace and decency, many things become easy.

That is the lot of Jennifer Obayuwana, the beautiful Executive Director of Polo Store, the one-stop shop for expensive wrist watches in Lagos.

Educated abroad, one would think that such a young and sophisticated lady deserves nothing but the best of suitors. Ironically, a life partner still eludes her even though she was linked with different young men in the past.

With her decent lifestyle, Jennifer, who could be said to have had a fair share of relationships, is no longer prepared to be a 'plaything' for any skirt chaser.

After some emotional blows, she is praying rather fervently for God to show her the man that would usher her out of the world of spinsters. The problem, however, is that some of the men who would love to keep her might be intimidated by the overwhelming presence of her father in her life. They are always seen together.

Bankole loses father

I

yalode Adunni Bankole, the stepmother of the immediate past Speaker o f t h e H o u s e o f Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, is not in her usual bubbly mood as you read this.

The influential woman lost her father, Chief Adebisi Akanni Adebowale, the Abese Ola of Gbagura, Ogun State, on Monday.

While the family is said to be putting together the details of the burial, the Lagos social circle is already warming up for it. It promises to be pay back time for Iyalode Adunni Bankole, who is adored in high society for always honouring invititations and standing by her friends

Saturday

SPECIAL

THE NATION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011 TEL:08035733605

Dilemma of a star maker

C

elebrated star maker and executive producer of soar away television reality show, The Next Movie Star, Sola Fajobi, is in a dilemma. He would need more than the wisdom of Solomon to sail out of it.

Inside sources claim that the enterprising young man, who is also the producer of Supermom, another hit reality television show, is at sea as to who to evict in the NMS show. So buffeted with talents in this year's edition is Fajobi that, for the first time in the history of the popular television show, eight of the contestants have made it into the final.

The lucky eight are Tamar Cassandra, Yinka Salau, Tomiwa Kukoyi, Aisha Alli-Balogun, Vivian Egbon, Wisdom Macaulay, Priscilla Orafu and Tamara Eteimo. Although a winner will eventually emerge from the lot and cart home the ultimate prize of an SUV, Fajobi has reportedly told those who are close to him that evicting any of the contestants has become difficult because they have all been outstanding and are equally popular among viewers and followers of the show.

When contacted, Fajobi said: "This has been the most difficult Next Movie Star edition ever. The contestants are just too talented. Competition in the house is so stiff that there are always ties during tasks.

"What we plan to do with the finalists is a holistic grooming, which would put them in great stead for dominance in any field they want to play in the entertainment sector in Nigeria and beyond.

"We have spotted real talents among them and we are ready to go all the way with helping them to harness their potential."

He disclosed, however, that the next few days will be decisive for the finalists, as any slip up would see them dropping down the pecking order.

As tough as things are, Fajobi is said to be relying on viewers' votes and the judges' decision before announcing the winner of the 2011 NMS, which is scheduled to wind up next week.

Uju Murphy goes off radar

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hose who are familiar with social events around Lagos must have observed that a prominent lady who once ruled the party circuit has disappeared from the radar.

Where is Uju Murphy?

The leggy beauty took the Lagos social scene by storm a few years ago with her now defunct Laser Graphix company on Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos.

While her reign in the Lagos social circle lasted, no party was complete without her presence.

But she has become more or less anonymous since her marriage to her Japan-based husband, Murphy Usuhe, crashed for some undisclosed reasons.

Uju is believed to have resorted to a low-profile lifestyle in order to focus on the more important things of life.

Chief Justice's son to wed heartthrob D

r. Olasunbo Omobolaji Olopade, the first son of the first female Chief Judge of Ogun State, Hon. to walk Justice Tokunbo Olopade, is set ob, Dr. tthr hear his with aisle down the the also , oyin Omowaleade Awero Olaw Mr. yer, law city ran vete first daughter of 3.

Ayodeji Olawoyin, on December es of the The love birds are both employe (UC H), l pita Hos lege Col Uni vers ity Ibadan. oyin Sources said the Olopade and Olaw

Kate Nwosu becomes 窶話orn again'

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ate Nwosu, wife of the embattled erstwhile managing director of Finbank, Okey Nwosu, has chosen to get closer to God as a way out of the family's predicament.

How time changes? The fashionable lady, who was quite a familiar face at A-list parties, has now piped unbelievably low. She appears to have given up her ostentatious lifestyle as she clings to God for mercy to see her family through her husband's ordeal with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. She has suddenly become elusive at high-octane events.

Those who should know say that she has become a 'born again' Christian. One could only join her in praying for an answer to her prayers.

Lola Omotayo's long wait

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of their children a families plan to make the wedding of the town for a talk the society one, which would be long time. know, the romance According to those who should , and Olawoyin cian iatri ped between Olopade, a when the latter ting mee r thei n upo developed the National from red (Olawoyin) was transfer ege Hospital, Coll ity vers Uni the to Hospital, Abuja, Ibadan in 2010. ade was swept off "Theirs is love at first sight as Olop on her," a source his feet the moment he set his eyes close to the couple said. their first meeting, Information has it that following the hospital, the which occurred at a restaurant near e often seen wer they as ble, two became insepara an.

Ibad nd together arou , who was based It was gathered that Olawoyin d the company of foun , time first the outside Lagos for In no time, one ul.

Olopade in the ancient city very usef d himself foun ade Olop and thing led to another had no who ob, tthr hear her to e riag mar proposing . hesitation in giving him her nod versty of Ibadan, Olopade is a graduate of the Uni versity of Jos. Uni while Olawoyin graduated from the

43

heir much touted union is one the cream of high society has been waiting for in the last three years.

Since the news of their relationship became public knowledge after giving Peter, one of the pair of the singing sensation group, P-square, a baby boy some years back, sweet-looking Lola Omotayo, can no longer pretend about it.

As such, it was generally assumed that theirs would be one wedding that would take the social scene by storm. But how wrong they were! While a lot of people had expected the lovebirds to formalise their relationship sometime last year, it did not happen.

Now the wait appears to be becoming rather too long for the fans, friends and families of Psquare and Lola. The one million dollar question now is: when Lola will drag Peter to the altar? Is she deliberately biding her time as a close friend of her suggested?

No doubt, with her striking looks, Lola will never be short of admirers. Only recently, she dazzled many at a party, showing off eye-catching curves ladies half her age would envy. She turned many heads and many eyes were fixed on her as she arrived in a lovely mini dress.

On the contrary, highly talented Peter is said not to be ready for any marital commitment at the moment. Pointers to this emerged recently when he was quoted as saying that marriage was not on his plans for now, although sources informed that he is still picking the bills of his son, including a lowkey birthday party they recently held for him.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

The wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, is quite an engaging personality. In this encounter with ERNEST NWOKOLO, the beautiful Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife English graduate bares her mind on her upbringing, how she met her husband, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, what she cannot be found doing as first lady, her plans for Ogun State women, among others. Excerpts:

r e h t a f y m h g u ‘Altho t ’ n d i d e h , p was a Bisho g n i y r r a m y object to m a muslim’ Y

OU are always looking quite youthful and radiant …

I don’t know whether you will say this is a young woman. And that is what people say, they will say mummy you are just approaching 50 but it doesn’t show. I’m 46.

But you don’t look it.

Thank you. I think that is a complement.

What do you think is responsible?

Nothing. I give glory to God. It is peace of the mind and contentment.

How about your diet?

Same thing, same rice every day. You and I eat rice every day.

But you go to the gym sometimes to stay fit?

Not really. No. But as you see, your governor is a governor in action; so to keep up with him takes a lot of walk out.

How do you cope with working with others because a lot of people are working with the governor? Do you have problem with them?

No, not at all. Unless I didn’t get your question right. Did you say if I have problem with people working for my husband? No. Nothing at the moment. My husband has been a people’s person since I know him.

So, I have always been surrounded by a lot of people. So, even though you will say quite a number of people don’t know but a lot of people do and they know that behind that quiet appearance, I do carry people along and they find me to be easily approachable. I think I get on fine with people.

What has really changed since becoming the First Lady?

Well, apart from the thing you cannot do as a first lady, because they are

•Mrs. Amosun

not expected of you, I wouldn’t say anything has really changed much.

What are those things you can’t do being the governor’s wife?

Definitely I can’t just get up and go off to the market now. It wouldn’t be expected of me as much as I would love to. It is not because I wouldn’t want to but it is just because it would not be appropriate.

So, those are the kinds of things one wouldn’t do.

Your husband used to be around most times.

Now that he is a governor, how do you cope with his frequent absence from home due to the exigencies of his office?

My husband has been in politics since 2000; he was a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from year 2003 during which he was in Abuja, and I was in Lagos. He would make it a point of coming home on Fridays and would not go back to the Senate in Abuja till Monday morning. So we have been able to strike a balance and carve out time. So, nothing has really changed.

How do you see yourself now? You don’t look like the normal politician’s wife?

Well, I’m happy the way you said as the politician’s wife. To be sincere about how I operate, I make sure that everybody has what he/she needs; I make sure that I provide whatever I’m supposed to. I make sure I’m as supportive as I’m supposed to be but then, that is where my jobs end.

Your wardrobe, what has really transformed?

I will leave that for other people to say. If I were to say, I don’t think a lot has changed. People still tell me I’m my normal self exactly.

And I hope and pray that I will still be my normal self at the end of this dispensation be it four years or eight years. I don’t want to lose who I’m.

One is interested in knowing those things the office of the First lady has taken away from you since May 29, this year?

Well, one of those things being first lady has taken away from me is Jeans. I’m a Jeans and T–shirt person and that is really who I’m. But as I said, that would not be appropriate now.

How were you able to stand by your husband during his political journey to Oke-Mosan?

It is just having faith in God. It is about thorough commitment to God, knowing that if He wants us to be there, we would be there. And thinking about what you are doing, think whether you are not over-ambitious, if you know you are not and you know that your genuine motive is to serve humanity, serve people, take the world to a better place and keep trying, pray to God to give you the opportunity to change the world.

Even in those trying times?

As a human being , everybody has his tough moments. As you know, our governor is a unique individual, he has total faith in God and he constantly says even in times he should have been down, he would say, I know my God would not let me down. And I have faith in his faith.

How do you relax?

Relax? Hum...

I’m not sure relaxation is

‘

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

•Mrs. Amosun

‘

If I were to say, I don’t think a lot has changed. People still tell me I’m my normal self exactly. And I hope and pray that I will still be my normal self at the end of this dispensation, be it four years or eight years. I don’t want to lose who I’m

one of the items on the agenda exactly.

And when you think that we are new in the administration? There are so many things needed to be done, we have got so much work to do. I don’t really think there is time for relaxation. Ogun State needs so much, and the ladies need so much; just a lot to pull at this initial stage.

Relaxation will come in due time but not now.

What about your achievement, however little it is, especially the lepers’ colony issue?

I will not call this achievement at this moment, what we have done in the past five months I will categorise it as ground work. We are done with our ground work. We visited vocational training centres all over the state. We went to government homes like the lepers’ colony, the children’s home and we have been interacting with a lot of categories of children and the market women to know what their needs are. We assess the situation and strategise on what we need to do. We also have interacted with the wives of the local government chairmen in the state and encouraged them to go back to their respective local governments to find out what the needs and expectations of the people are. Now, we have got the necessary information. So we can strategise on how best to apply ourselves to amend Ogun State.

How was growing up like?

I grew up in many places. I was born in London. I had my secondary school Education in Ibadan and my university education at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile–Ife, Osun State. I was raised in Lagos and also live in Lagos by marriage (before the present assignment).

How about your parents, were they the strict type?

My mother is still alive, my father, Bishop Ayoade Michael Odesanya, is

’

late, but actually we just had the posthumous anniversary recently.

Did your father being a clergyman, object to your marrying a Muslim?

Yes, my dad was a Bishop, he believed totally in God but he did not really meddle in the matter. When I went to him to say this is the man I would marry, he didn’t object to it; he only told me to pray about it.

When did you get married?

Twenty years ago.

How did you meet your husband?

Haaaa! You are asking how I met my husband? Are we having a personality interview here now?

Well, sort of Well, in summary, my husband was and is still a chartered accountant, and there was this software programme, for we have an accounting firms then , it was called lotus. Lotus is what has now evolved as Excel. And I was doing my NYSC primary assignment in a computer company where we trained company secretaries how to use a particular package that evolved into Word today. So, his company came, saying it wanted to train people on Lotus, that is Excel, in an accounting firm. I was sent to go round and conduct the training. One thing led to another and the rest is history.

Which year was that?

That will be 1990.

On a final note, what are your dreams for Ogun and the good people of the state?

My focus and my dream is to see Ogun State women in a better place when I’m leaving. I’m focused on alleviating poverty generally. That is why I have not come out strongly to say this is my pet project. I want to find out first what the needs of the people in Ogun State are, and derive interest in that and give them what they need. I don’t want to sit down behind the desk somewhere and say this is what 1’m going to do. I want to hear and personally see what the needs of people are, and try as much as possible to provide those needs for them.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Folake Majin’s Royal

Collection

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HE city of Lagos will not forget in hurry November 20. It was the day Nigeria’s renowned fashion designer, Folake Majin of Schon Afrique, popularly referred to as the designer to the First Ladies, unveiled her new works, The Royal Collection, along side her daughters’ The Breathless Experience Collection by beautiful, talented and charismatic Miss Majin and The Circle Revolution Collection by GM4FM’s Gogo Majin to the Nigerian audience at Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This fashion show was amazingly different and her daughters’ collections heralded the beginning of quirky fashion in the city. In attendance were the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Emanuella Fashola, Yeye Oge of Lagos, Oprah Benson, Abba Folawiyo, Betty Irabor, Adora Oleh, Frank Osodi, Debbie Ogunjobi,among others . The show was compeered

by Tosin Otukedo and O.C. Ukeje who introduced the collections one after the other. The classy event was powered by MTN and sponsored by Bank of Industry, Channels TV, Beat and Classic FM.

THE NATION, SATURDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2011

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AFTANS seem to be more common than other freeflowing dresses. It presents a banquet of numbers to experiment with. Above all, it all depends on the cut, pattern and style.It can be dressed down or up for any event. It adds an extra level of style, often in the form of it embellishment and colour.

When it comes to kaftans dresses and other breezy numbers, take caution. Most flirty frocks are just too light. Always wear a long camisole underneath and a good rule of thumb is that if the dress demands heels, stick to heels that are balanced. On the other hand, flats and sandals work too.

Stepping out in a sturdy kaftan adds an extra layer of style.

B

ETH Model Management Africa and Martini begin the Male Model Search today.It is the first male model search in Nigeria.

Its aim is to find the next face to take over within the male fashion industry, and to make this realistic,the Beth team will be scouting high and low, all around Nigeria for the most amazing male model. So if you think you have what it takes to become the next Tyson Beckford, David Agbodigi, Corey Baptiste, Rod Evans or Ty Ogunkoya, this is the opportunity for you. To participate in the casting, applicants should be above the age of 16 with an average physique, not too muscular and with height measurement between 5’10” and 6’2'’. For further info: info@bethmodelafrica.com

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26 , 2011

•Eyo masquerades

Super Saturday for tourism in Nigeria I

F there is any day that could be described as a Super Tour ism Day in Nigeria, that is today. There is one major tourism activity going on today.

In Lagos, the postponed Eyo Cultural Festival is finally holding today at the Tafawa Balewa Square.The Eyo masquerade is an iconic figure for Lagos people. The masquerade has become synonymous with the people of Lagos.

It is only in Lagos that the festival is held, and it is captivating for the large sea of masquerades dressed in white that covers even their legs. They hold clubs and make occasional noises. All these are enveloped by the rich cultural music of Eyo. Lagos people, especially from Isale Eko, are passionate about the festival. One could understand this, seeing the electricity that charges through the crowd as they dance and sing to the music of the festival.

The kick-off time by the organizers is 10am today. However, visitors to Tafawa Balewa Square are better warned to stay clear of the Eyo masquerade and some can be overzealous with the clubs.

Another important festival coming up today is Abuja Carnival.It kicks off in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) today. This is the seventh edition

of the festival. Although the festival has reduced in intensity compared to what was obtainable in the past, the Artistic Director, Professor Ojo Bakare, promised that this year’s edition would be innovative. He also promised that unlike last year when the highly popular durbar event was omitted, durbar would be very much part of this year’s event.

In addition to the durbar, cultural troupes from all the states of the federation are expected to participate in the event. Each state of the federation normally uses the platform of the carnival to showcase its rich culture . In addition to the states, according to the artistic director, about 10 countries have indicated interest to be part of the festival. The Abuja Carnival is billed to kick off at Eagles Square It is a known fact in the tourism circle that Nigeria has a rich and diverse culture.This would be on display today both in Lagos and the FCT. At the ancient town of Sukur in Adamawa State, Nigeria’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site , the town would be burying its traditional ruler. It is an opportunity for the display of ancient culture that has shot the ancient kingdom into world prominence.

In the tourism haven of Obudu where the annual Obudu Mountain Challenge takes places, people will start arriving for the event from this weekend. The event is expected to take place on Monday. The Obudu Mountain Challenge offers opportunity for

top long distance athletes from all over the world to slug it out at the idyllic Obudu Mountain ranch. The race once again put the Obudu Mountain Resort on the world map and as such create greater awareness about the place as a destination.

The race would once again afford locals and foreigners the opportunity to visit the best leisure resort in Nigeria and en-

joy the captivating scenery that leaves every visitor giddy with pleasure.

It is not just running for the fun of it, there is about 100,000 dollars to be won.

However, happy as many tourism industry practitioners are with the busy calendar of events, many are worried that every thing is coming up at the same weekend, making it difficult for an enthusiastic tourist to attend all the events as the calendar for

•A cultural troupe performing at a previous Abuja Carnival

the week is choked up. Many are wondering why it is difficult to harmonize the calendar of tourism events in the country. Some are of the opinion that at the beginning of the year, there should be a liaison between the federal and state tourism authorities to harmonise the tourism calendar for the year before making it public. This shows a certain level of planning.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Capital supports the less-privileged

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APITAL Hotels PLC, owners of Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers, recently visited suburbs of the FCT and made some donations to the less- privileged.

This, according to the representatives of the company, Mr.Ifeanyi Apai, Mr.Kingsley Anyanwu, and Ms.Margaret Amadi, was in line with the company’s social responsisbility of giving back to the society. Also in the team was the Public Relations Manager of Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Nanji Tyem.

The visit was divided into two days: On Tuesday, November 22, the team went to the Stella Obasanjo Child Care Trust (Bwari Area Council), a renowned school for physicallyand mentally challenged children as well as autisticandless- privileged children.

The Capital Hotels team also visited the Christ Foundation Orphanage Home (Kuje), a home for orphans as the name implies.

Child Care Trust Home Manager , Mrs. Hanny Harmony, alongside her devoted staff were filled with excitement as the team arrived.

The team members were conducted around the facility,and all areas of

need were pointed out.

The spokesperson for the delegation,Mr. Kingsley Anyanwu, stated that “identifying with the weak and downtrodden of the society is one of the virtues embraced by the company, and visiting them with relief and love is worth the effort to the human spirit”.

The climax of the day was the donation of electronics , household items, provisions, foodstuff, toiletries and school stationery for the children’s use.

Mrs. Harmony and staff along with the children were indeed overwhelmed with gratitude.

Christ Foundation Orphanage Home founder,Mrs. Patricia Oyekuta, and the children gladly welcomed the Capital Hotels team. There were introductory sessions where all the children were introduced.

The high point of the event was the donation of food items, provisions, electronics, toiletries, books and clothing for the kids.

•Capital Hotels team at a home

•The team with some less-privileged children

Dangote picks Calabar Children’s Carnival’s title sponsorship

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NE of Nigeria ’s lead ing conglomerates, Dangote Group, has picked the title sponsorship of the Children’s Carnival segment of Carnival Calabar.

SUDOKU 1ST STEP IN SOLVING PUZZLE 355: Look at the 3 bottom horizontal (GHI) 3x3 boxes. The left box has 9 in cell Ic, while the middle box has its 9 in cell Hf. the right box must, therefore, have its own 9 in row G, where there are 2 vacant spaces - cell G and Gi. But, since column h already has a 9-in cell Fh, the only space available to accommodate 9 in the right box is cell Gi. Reasoning along these lines, try and fill in the other vacant cellss SOLUTION TOMORROW. HAPPY PUZZLING!

With this development, henceforth, the Children’s Carnival will be known as Dangote Carnival Calabar Children’s Carnival.

The Executive Secretary, Cross River State Carnival Commission, Mrs. Elenda Osima-Dokubo, stated that with this offering, the profile of the Carnival Calabar will continue to blossom.

In her words,”Dangote was with us last year for the first time. They saw the value they got from their sponsorship last year. So this year, they have decided to partner us in a bigger way by taking the title sponsorship of the Children’s Carnival”.

“We are quite happy with this, and will ensure that they get maximum value for their sponsorship”, she added, say-

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ing that with the development, the Children’s Carnival will be more colorful, bigger and even better.

The Children’s Carnival takes place on December 26 every year as part of the three days of Carnival Calabar activities, explaining that the first is the Carnival King’s and Queen’s competition which takes place on the 25th and the cultural parade and Children’s Carnival that takes place on the 26th and the adult carnival popularly referred to as “Africa’s Biggest Street Party” which takes place on December 27 every year.

Meanwhile, in keeping up with the tradtion of making the famous Calabar Festival more exciting, foremost American musicians, Sean Kingston and Rick Ross, are among many

others lined up to perform in this year’s edition of the festival.

Chubby Jamaican-American singer, Kingston, popularly known for tracks such as Beautiful Girls would perform on Reggae Night on December 16 at the U. J. Esuene Sports Stadium.

Also to perform on that night would be King Wadada, Nyore, General Brown Bread, Kandy Sea , Chantaman, Prince and Princess, Betsy Akan and Chris X. American rapper, William Leonard Roberts II, better known by his stage name, Rick Ross, would rock the city on Calabar Rocks Night on December 28, alongside the likes of P-Square, Banky W, Wizkid, Ojb Jezreel, Stunt and Julius Agwu at the sports stadium.

Also to perform in this year’s Calabar Festival is Kool & the Gang, an American jazz, R&B, a soul and funk group.

The soul and funk group would perform at the Governor’s Masked Fete on December 20 at the Tinapa Water Park . Also to perform on the evening would be Sugar Band, Temitayo George and Bassey Ebong.

Kool and the Band, originally formed as the Jazziacs in Jersey City , New Jersey in 1964, went through several musical phases during the course of their recording career, starting out with a purist jazz sound, then becoming practitioners of R&B and funk, progressing to a smooth pop-funk ensemble, and in the post-millennium, creating music with a modern, electro-pop sound.

NANTA, SAT sign agreement

HE National Association of Nigerian Travel Agency (NANTA) and the South Africa Tourism, the South African Government Tourism department have signed an agreement.

The agreement will involve helping Nigerian travel agents in capacity-building and training in tour packaging and also help them do better in their business. In return, using the platform of NANTA and SAT will be able to reach travel agents all over the country to help in selling South Africa travel packages to potential Nigerian tourists to South Africa.

At a press briefing after the signing of the agreement, the South Africa Tourism Chief Marketing Officer, Mrs. Roshene Singh, described the agreement as historic. She said in addition to the signing of the agreement, SAT and NANTA were involved in a trade workshop, involving 100 Nigerian travel agencies and 20 from South Africa.

She said there was the Fundi training for travel agents on South African language and

•L-R: Dayo Adeola, NANTA president; Roshene Singh, SAT Chief Marketing Officer and Phumi Dhlomo, SAT Regional Director, Africa and Middle East culture for 65 Nigerian travel agents.

She said further: “South Africa has identified Africa as important for inbound tourism.

Nigeria is a priority country.

We’ve had various partnerships. We were engaged also in marketing through television and radio to inform them about the current development

on tourism in South Africa.

“We are excited about the agreement because it will continue to promote business for both sides.”

She said more 50,000 tourists from Nigeria visited South Africa in 2010 and there was an increase in this number this year.

Speaking on the agreement,

the SAT Regional Director for Africa and the Middle East, Mr. Phumi Dhlomo, said the SAT planned to open an office in the country by April next year and also that in the new initiative of the Fundi online programme on packaging tour to South Africa for travel agents, Nigeria had the best performance.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

is Aire’s reputation as an Although he downplays his inspiring grass-to-grace story, Chr capital. In an encounter international jeweller reverberates throughout the world’s fashion Nigerian, popularly called with our Abuja Bureau Chief, YOMI ODUNUGA, the celebrated Nigeria and his plans to ‘the ice man’, speaks about a compelling urge to touch lives in diversify to other sectors of the economy. Excerpts:

Why I’m gradually returning home —Chris Aire, USbased Nigerian international jeweller Y

OU are already a worldwide brand, why the gradual movement back home at a time when the world is your stage?

I have been in Los Angeles for the past 28 years. I figure it was the right time to expand home and start to share some of what I’ve learnt with our community and to also do business with people here in the continent.

The name, Chris Aire, sounds foreign, can you tell us about your growing up days?

My given name is Christopher Aire Iluobe. It is an Ishan name and very Nigerian.

How easy was it to break into the big league in the US? First, let me acknowledge the fact that nothing comes easy anywhere. It took a lot of hard work and prayers before I finally broke into the US market. For me, there was no short cut to success. As an African, born in Nigeria, I grew up interested in the jewelry business, but my interest metamorphosed from purely business to actually designing and running my company as a result of meeting a friend whose dad was in the jewelry business in Los Angeles. It was a business that did not have a lot of black people in it at the time. But my friend gave me the opportunity to apprentice under him for about six years. Today, when I look back, I am always very grateful to God for everything. It was wonderful to know that I had attained a certain level of success and notoriety in the industry, but I am by no means at the end of the road or even half

small scale miners and putting some projects together with various investors.

Our hope is to mechanise mining in Nigeria, thereby creating much needed jobs for our people and diversifying the country’s revenue stream.

Is it true that you are into music promotion?

I did dabble into music when I was much younger and wished someone could have helped me at the time. So, all I am doing is helping young talented kids the way I wished someone had helped me when I was right where they are now.

It is not a business for me as much as it is a way of giving back to the society.

How do you intend to impact positively on the lives of the youth who seem to be losing faith in hardwork due to the rot around them?

I do everything I can when I can. But the trick is to have faith and never give up. I have a quote on my system that says “God blesses you through others, so be good to others”. I believe life is a series of irrefutable universal laws. You reap what you sow. Nigeria is our country, we cannot keep waiting for other people to come and make it better, we have to do it ourselves.

Who inspires you?

My children.

What is your philosophy of life?

Treat people the way you want to be treated. Never hurt those who help you.

Keep the promises you make and if you cannot keep them, try and sincerely to renegotiate them. You never get away with anything in life. It is an illusion to

way there. There is so much more to do and I work daily figuring out how to improve on what we’ve done and what more we can do to get better.

Little is known about your marital life, do you belong to the class of Nigerians who are single and seriously searching?

I have a family and I am very content.

What does style mean to you?

Style is the innermost expression of individuality.

Are you all about gems and precious stones or are you planning to diversify into other sectors?

Jewelry and Timepieces are part of our overall portfolio. But we are also involved in other businesses unrelated to jewelry.

Were you one of those silver spoons kids that got lucky or did you struggle to define a niche for yourself?

Well, my father was a very successful business man here in this country, but I wanted to find out if I could make it on my own. I figured the best way to do that was to go to a country that was far away from daddy and mummy and find out what I was made of. It was a long arduous road, but in the end God has blessed me immensely and I am very grateful and humbled by all of it. It is easy to stay ground when you know that all power belongs to the Almighty God. I am a conduit, a vessel through which God reveals his greatness.

I could not have done any of this by my own might but by the grace of God. How would you describe the Nigerian business climate?

I am still learning and adapting.

Presently, we are working with a lot of the

confuse deception with intelligence.

Is there something you wished you could have done differently?

I can’t think of any. I am too grateful for the way things turned out to fathom that.

Over the years, your works have attracted an impressive crowd of A-list Hollywood celebrities, how have you been able to keep them?

Oh, that is very easy. In all I do, I try to keep my promises to them. I care about them and I am very straight with them.

When you build trust and engender friendship in what you do, you will definitely gain some mileage in that line of business.

How did you come about the name, ‘the ice man’?

‘Ice’ is what diamonds are affectionately called on the streets of America. Since I dealt in it, I called myself ‘the ice man’, but Cedric the Entertainer made it official and everyone has been calling me that ever since.

Do you think you have seen it all in the jewelry business?

No, you can’t afford to have that kind of feeling in such an industry. Instead, I feel like I am on a journey, the moment I start feeling like I’ve arrived would be when I know I am in trouble. It is important to keep at it. I am hand on in my businesses and the perpetual student, always learning how I can be superior to my previous self. I am in competition with myself in the sense that I always want to be better than I was the day before. It keeps me fired up; besides I love what I do so much that it seldom feels like work.

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THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Marriage in three realms (4)

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EAR Reader, I thank God for the privilege I have to share His Word with you again today. All through the month, I have been speaking on marriage in three realms. I said the unity that marriage has brought to be, is expected to affect the spirit, soul and body.

This week, as I round off this teaching, I will be speaking on the third realm of marriage - The Soul!

Spiritually, couples now belong to the same spiritual kingdom. Physically, they are able to freely share their bodies together. In the realm of the soul, they should be able to think and speak in one accord. These make for perfect union!

Talking about the soul, which is the mind, the mystery behind the ability to think and speak in one accord, is simply The Key Of Agreement!

Marriage brings a couple to a state of mental alertness, where they both realize that there is need for maturity, so that their union can be enhanced for full actualization of God's purpose for their marriage.

Marriage is good, it is precious by God's design. But God works in collaboration with His children, to establish His will on the earth. Thus, how well you ponder on God's purpose for marriage with the use of your mind will determine whether it works for you or not.

You must agree with God that when you enter into holy matrimony, you are stepping into a better way of life all round. Many do not enjoy the benefits of marriage, because they lack this understanding.

God's Word says: Man that is in honour, and understandeth not, is like the beast that perish (Psalms 49:20). Hence, it is wisdom for you to hunt for knowledge and bring yourself to the understanding that there is profit for you in marriage, because this understanding will enable you make the most of it.

By the marriage union, husband and wife enter into the strongest human agreement, and are able to accomplish whatever they desire.

Any man who is alone can easily be overcome. That is why in marriage, a couple becomes one, and as one, they are able to take charge of situations of life.

The struggles and ultimate failure experienced in many families today are traceable to a lack of agreement in the home. The devil, himself, takes special delight in breaking down agreement in the home, because he knows that once disagreement has crept in between

a couple, their dominion is at stake according to God's Word in Matthew 18:19.

Understand that your husband won't harm you, neither would your wife plan your hurt. Even if she puts too much salt in the soup, for instance, see it as a result of her attempt to ensure that you enjoy that meal. Every woman wants their husband to commend them of their effort for a good meal, not otherwise.

That is why I believe that the problems in many marriages are due mainly to lack of covenant understanding. Many people agree with culture, at the expense of the covenant agreement they should have in the home. God's Word says: Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3). Until husband and wife are in agreement, God's purpose for marriage will be impossible.

You must hence determine to be in total covenant agreement with your spouse. Men, stop unnecessary or costly jokes that may warrant your wives to doubt your seriousness, when you speak as the heads of the house. The covenant between both of you forbids deceit.

Principally, note that once there is agreement in the three dimensions of a man's life (spirit, soul and body), you have in your hands one of the greatest and most potent forces. Also bear in mind that marriage is the strongest human covenant, and those who know how to operate it enjoy dominion in all areas of life.

Manifesting the attributes of physical fulfilment of marriage is the privilege of those born again. Being born again entails confessing your sins and surrendering your life to Jesus to take charge. If you are set for this new birth experience, say this prayer of faith: Dear Lord, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Now I know I am born again!

Congratulations! Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through: E-mail: faithdavid@yahoo.com Tel. No: 234-1-7747546-8; 07026385437, 07094254102.

For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all the Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Making Marriage Work, Marriage Covenant and Building A Successful Family.

‘You could kill yourself without knowing it’ •Warning over hidden danger of taking too much paracetamol •Paracetamol is a safe and effective painkiller when the correct amount is taken

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AKING too much paracetamol in pills and cold remedies could kill you, warn researchers.

Victims of ‘staggered’ overdoses often fail to realise the amount they are taking could be fatal over a few days, they say.

Experts have also pointed out, however, that many of us will be taking paracetamol or combination remedies containing the drug to combat colds and other illnesses, and that it is a safe and effective painkiller when the correct amount is taken.

A study shows the risk of dying from liver failure is higher from accidental overdose than deliberate suicide attempts.

This is because people report feeling unwell to their doctors or accident and emergency departments without knowing the cause, making it difficult to diagnose and treat in time.

It is too easy to ‘top up’ the dose without realising the dangers, they warn.

Eight 500mg tablets a day – the equivalent of 4g – should be the maximum daily dose.

In the study, a team led by Dr

Kenneth Simpson in United Kingsom analysed data from 663 patients who had been admitted to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary between 1992 and 2008 with liver damage caused by paracetamol.

They found 161 people with an average age of 40 had taken a staggered overdose, usually to relieve stomach and back pain, headache or toothache.

Two out of five died from liver failure – a higher fatality rate than recorded for deliberate overdosing, says a report in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.

Dr Simpson, of Edinburgh University and the Scottish Liver Transplantation Unit, said staggered overdoses can occur when people have pain and repeatedly take a little more paracetamol than they should.

He said: ‘They haven’t taken the sort of one-off massive overdoses taken by people who try to commit suicide, but over time the damage builds up and the effect can be fatal.

‘They are often taking paracetamol for pain and they don’t keep track of how much they’ve consumed over a few

days.

‘But on admission, these staggered overdose patients were more likely to have liver and brain problems, require kidney dialysis or help with breathing and were at greater risk of dying than people who had taken single overdoses.’

Hospital doctors may find low levels of paracetamol in the blood of people suffering from staggered overdoses even though they are at high risk of liver failure and death. Dr Simpson said some people reacted worse to a lower dose than others, with high alcohol consumption exacerbating the problem – and it was not possible to identify them in advance.

He said 10g was the lowest amount in the study leading to death while 24g over 24 hours was a recognised fatal dose.

‘The safest thing to do is monitor how much you’re taking and do not exceed eight 500mg tablets in a day,’ he said.

Normal quantities of the drug are broken down harmlessly by the body but excessive amounts can accumulate in the liver, leading to irreversible damage.

Health tip Benefit of fish to the body

• Warning: It is too easy to ‘top up’ the dose of paracetamol without realising the dangers, say researchers

In a study, vegetarians and fish eaters fared far better than meat eaters when it came to cancer rates for the stomach, bladder, ovaries, and lymph and blood systems.

Not only did vegetarians and fish eaters have lower cancer rates, but they had lower body mass indexes compared with meat eaters, too.

So if you cut back on meat, you could live longer and look better doing it.

•Poor diet and obesity can lower sperm concentration and affect their ability to swim towards an egg.

Men should eat plenty of fruit but cut down on red meat to boost fertility •Sperm study Specialists say diet high in fruit and grains increases the chance of fertility Cutting down on red meat, coffee and alcohol can boost a man’s fertility, scientists say.

A study has discovered that a poor diet and obesity can lower sperm concentration and affect their ability to swim towards an egg.

Specialists are now encouraging a diet high in fruit and grains to increase the chances of successful IVF treatment.

In the past, female fertility problems have been linked to obesity as well as smoking and drinking, but it hasn’t been clear before now if the same applies to men.

But the latest study of men with partners who were undergoing a type of fertility treatment, has revealed that those who regularly drank alcohol and ate poorly were slowed down on the fertility front.

Lead researcher Edson Borges, from the Fertility-assisted fertilization center in Sao Paolo said: ‘The sperm concentration was negatively influenced by body mass index (BMI) and alcohol consumption, and was positively influenced by cereal consumption and the number of meals per day.’

The Brazilian study involved 250 men with partners who were undergoing a type of fertility treatment called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Each participant was asked how often they ate a range of foods, including fruits and vegetables, beans, grains, meat and fish, as well as how much they drank and smoked.

Semen samples were then analysed to assess sperm health and concentration and each couple were monitored during the IVF process.

Specialists are now encouraging a diet high in fruit and grains to increase the chances of successful IVF treatment Eggs were successfully fertilised in about three-quarters of the treatments, and just under forty per cent of women got pregnant during the study.

From the speed of their sperm to their partner’s chance of pregnancy, men who drank and had a poor diet were less fertile.

Lynn Westphal, a women’s health and fertility specialist at Stanford University hopes that the results, published in the Fertility and Sterility journal, will encourage men to make healthier lifestyle choices.

‘We talk about having a healthy lifestyle and trying to eliminate any of these things that are bad for health, but I think most of the emphasis tends to be on making sure the woman is as healthy as possible.’

53 Coping with diseases

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Creatures that affect your health: Mosquitoes

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FRICA has attractive climate. Not only humans like the climate. Many animals are happy campers all over African. Many of them live in the wild but some of them invade or visit human abodes.

Mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches, rats, mice, spiders, lice, fruit flies, and mites are members of the "club unwanted". They hurt; they create mess, bad odor, or cause damage; they give us extra work to do; and they all carry more than one disease.

Others such as the wall gecko also invade our abodes but seem to have genes for good manners.

Perhaps that is why we have not invented sprays and poisons specifically for the wall gecko. In a class of their own are the cats, dogs, and parrots that are brought in by humans themselves. We give them free accommodation, free food, and free healthcare for life and some of them even watch television, listen to music, and join in human games. It is unproven that they carry the genes of good luck but it is not unlikely that they do.

Let us take a look at the club unwanted. We shall discuss the members in detail because they molest our homes. Against these, you must wage war or you'll be

sorry for your health and property.

Perhaps the most notorious are the mosquitoes.

They make you slap yourself over and over again and then give you malaria so that you have to stay in bed and they come after you again for more slaps.

What haven't we humans done to try to get rid of them? We spray fresh aquatic habitats even though the fishes and snails and frogs don't approve of it, we weave mosquito nets and sleep like animals in a cage, we smoke mosquito coils, we spray our bodies with repellants, and we fill our homes with chemicals from spray cans. In defiance, the mosquito family has grown and grown and there are now more than 3,000 different species all over the world.

Some experts claim mosquitoes have been around for some 30-100 million years. No wonder they have all the tricks to survive from the freezing cold arctic regions to the boiling hot equatorial regions of the earth. Some of the more well -known are: the Aedes which likes to breed in flood water and carries yellow fever, the Anopheles which likes stagnant water and spreads malaria, and the Culex which also likes stagnant water.

with Prof. Dayo Oyekole

HIV/ AIDS

Mosquitoes know how to hunt for the blood of frogs, mammals, birds, and fearlessly - man. You see, they don't have time to waste.

The males live for less than three weeks and the females live for less than three months.

The name mosquito in Spanish means "liitle fly".

These little flies are big problems. They carry many diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and encephalitis. Fortunately, the AIDS virus does not survive in mosquitoes; otherwise - Africa would have become a ghost continent.

Mosquitoes are not known to transmit AIDS. Mosquitoes do not feed on blood. They generally feed on juice from plants. However, the female mosquito needs to feed on blood to develop her eggs. Each female mosquito can lay up to 300 eggs at once and in her lifetime can produce a few thousand offspring.

The eggs develop through stages and become adults within a week. Therefore, every sucking mosquito that you spatter with your slap is an end to many more

mosquitoes that are yet to come. That should compensate for the pain of each slap (but please don't slap your neighbor who may not understand this principle).

Mosquitoes track the scent of their prey. If you eradicate them from the inside of your house, your effort may not last long. As soon as you open your door to go out, one or two of them will glide into your indoors. They seem to hang around the door knowing that an interesting smell of humans comes from inside. The suckers can smell a human being from about 100 meters away.

When they land on human skin, they use heat sensors on their antennae to find the blood vessels. Then they puncture with their proboscis. They shoot their saliva (contaminated with disease) into the host's blood vessel because the saliva contains chemicals (anticoagulants) that prevent the blood from clotting and they suck the host's blood with ease. The site of the bite swells because of allergic reaction to the saliva. Their bite is painful and a strain on our psyche. We, the involuntary hosts, must

Pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility

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ELVIC inflammatory disease (PID) is infection of a woman’s reproductive organs.

Infection spreads upward from the cervix to the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and surrounding structures.

Bacteria can infect the fallopian tubes and cause inflammation. When this happens, normal tissue can become scarred and block the normal passage of an egg. You may become infertile (unable to become

pregnant). But if your tubes are partially blocked, an egg may implant outside the uterus and cause a dangerous condition called an ectopic pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy can cause internal bleeding and even death. Scar tissue may also develop elsewhere in your abdomen and cause pelvic pain that can last for months or years.

The two most commonly involved bacteria

that cause PID are those of the sexually transmitted diseases gonorrhea and chlamydia.

PID can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Some women can be very ill and have severe pain and fever.

Others can have no obvious symptoms or even appear ill. Thus, PID is not always easy to diagnose. But it is important for you to seek medical attention if you have any risk factors for PID or symptoms of PID. PID affects more than 5 million women in the Nigeria per year. Nearly 500,000 women are hospitalized annually because of PID. •Sexually active women younger than 25 years are at greatest risk, although PID can occur at any age.

I have attended to many a women in my years of practice and lot of them have come back with joy as God answered them through administering our remedies. There are some of them that their husbands refused to follow to our office initially but when their problems were solved those same husbands brought them to our office to acknowledge the wonder in herbs.

A woman came to me early this year, specifically five months ago with the complaint that the stomach get hot all the time and not only that, she always feel

pain in her lower abdomen and these are symptoms of PID. She told me someone told her the pain was normal for women until we attended to her and today she doesn’t feel those pain and not only that she is today an expectant mother, someone who had been married for nine years without any issue.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Causes Pelvic inflammatory disease is caused by germs that are transmitted through sexual contact and other bodily secretions. Bacteria that cause gonorrhea and chlamydia cause more than half of cases. Other organisms found in the vagina can also cause PID but are much less common.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Symptoms •If you have PID, you may have any of these symptoms: •Abdominal pain (especially lower abdominal pain) or tenderness •Back pain •Abnormal uterine bleeding •Unusual or heavy vaginal discharge •Painful urination •Painful sexual intercourse •Dr B. Filani is the Chief Consultant of Sound Health Centre, Lagos. You can contact him on 08023422010 or on facebook or email soundhealthcentre@yahoo.com.

HE term AIDS is an acronym that stands for “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome”. It is acquired because the victims do not inherit the condition, but contract it. Immune deficiency means that the victim’s natural bodily defense mechanisms are unable to function properly, and “syndrome” refers to the combination of different abnormalities or diseases making up this condition.

AIDS is a complex of diseases and symptoms resulting from unexplained immune deficiency; caused by a retrovirus, culminating in a “mixed-bag” of life-threatening opportunistic infections, which invariably results in death. The retrovirus that causes AIDS is known as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) with types I, II, and III already isolated.

Although there have been wide speculations and insinuations as to the origin of the virus (HIV), the fact still remains that the first cases of AIDS were diagnosed in North America, Europe and Central Africa about the same time in 1981. Since then, cases are being reported all over the world and most countries now have people with “full-blown” AIDS as well as carriers infected with the virus. It occurs in about 1 to 10 per cent of the population and the incubation period is 4 to 10 years.

The virus has been isolated mostly from semen, vaginal secretion and blood. It is generally believed to be contracted through sexual intercourse, transfusion of contaminated blood, use of un-sterile instruments such as needles, blades and catheters, trans-placental infection, organ transplant, tattooing and circumcision as well as breast-feeding.

The major characteristic feature of AIDS is weight loss of about 10kg within 1 month without a known cause. Other symptoms include chronic diarrhoea, persistent cough, skin infections, oro-pharyngeal candidiasis, swollen lymph glands and night sweating.

Prevention Prevention of AIDS is achieved through avoidance of casual sex, and other factors that may predispose to HIV infection; as well as sterile procedures in clinico-surgical practices.

Treatment and Control Before recommending our treatment and control packages for HIV/ AIDS, it is pertinent to ask the following questions: 1. Why do outbreaks of serious infectious diseases leave some people devastated and others free?

2. If some people are known to be carriers and could go around with the virus for up to 15 years before they physically breakdown, couldn’t there be ways of helping to cleanse the virus from the system before it manifests?

3. Are the sufferer’s thoughts, aspirations and living habits not affecting the disease cycle as well as response to treatment?

If yes, then in Holistic Lifecare, we are committed to total cure of HIV/AIDS sufferers when they have just been tested and diagnosed positive, when they are still able to eat, drink and move around on their own, but not when they are expecting their funeral the next day!

The Holistic Natural Remedy being suggested for restoring good health, vitality, and total cure in HIV/AIDS sufferers; is a combination of herbal, nutritional and psycho-social therapies at the appropriate time and in the right proportion. Notable among the useful herbs for HIV/AIDS are Aloe vera, Allium sativum, Harpagophytum zeyheri, Echinacea augustifolia and Zingiber officinale.

For further information and consultation on Holistic Lifecare research and services, especially on Blood Infections, Infertility, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Chronic Debilitating Conditions as well as mental and social problems, please call on: 0803-330-3897 or visit: Mosebolatan Holistic Lifecare Centre, Adeyalo Layout, 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.

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EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 25-11-11 2ND-TIER SECURITIES Company Name LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC PRESCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 8 2 10

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.50 2,010,000 7.40 40,500 2,050,500

Value of Shares (N) 1,005,000.00 313,525.00 1,318,525.00

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 1.98 4,500 5.11 257,083 261,583

Value of Shares (N) 8,940.00 1,320,322.24 1,329,262.24

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.50 21,750 1.27 492,373 514,123

Value of Shares (N) 10,875.00 640,941.12 651,816.12

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 4.85 15,420,015 2.92 2,279,381 2.06 88,316 4.25 1,829,735 1.43 9,219,210 9.53 23,892,996 14.38 11,828,818 7.65 759,022 4.30 5,779,970 1.10 894,064 2.42 16,212,452 0.53 181,500 1,519,476 0.53 11.51 4,315,657 94,220,612

Value of Shares (N) 75,796,916.66 6,455,576.35 173,137.36 7,773,957.75 13,167,310.04 228,076,427.81 169,698,534.69 5,784,845.36 25,147,485.03 969,020.75 39,485,309.94 96,195.00 806,002.28 50,532,819.86 623,963,538.88

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 202.00 136,955 91.70 2,962,631 3,099,586

Value of Shares (N) 27,672,884.60 271,612,726.59 299,285,611.19

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 14.00 434,568 4.74 830,138 105.10 412,749 39.00 905,974 2,583,429

Value of Shares (N) 5,933,172.78 3,952,224.33 43,422,710.01 35,340,213.40 88,648,320.52

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 8.55 5,496 16.11 43,626 1.02 86,400 135,522

Value of Shares (N) 45,364.00 736,669.90 88,128.00 870,161.90

AIR SERVICES Company Name AIRLINE SERVICES AND LOGISTICS PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 29 31

AUTOMOBILE & TYRE Company Name DN TYRE & RUBBER PLC R. T. BRISCOE (NIGERIA) PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 6 19 25 BANKING

Company Name ACCESS BANK PLC DIAMOND BANK PLC ECOBANK NIGERIA PLC FIRST CITY MONUMENT BANK PLC FIDELITY BANK PLC FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC GTBANK PLC STANBIC IBTC BANK PLC SKYE BANK PLC. STERLING BANK PLC UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC. UNITYBANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC ZENITH BANK PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 127 44 18 44 86 491 357 31 96 23 218 8 21 198 1,762 BREWERIES

Company Name GUINNESS NIGERIA PLC NIGERIAN BREWERIES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 57 120 177 BUILDING MATERIALS

Company Name ASHAKA CEMENT PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTHERN NIGERIA PLC DANGOTE CEMENT PLC LAFARGE WAPCO PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 36 31 47 40 154 CHEMICAL & PAINTS

Company Name BERGER PAINTS NIGERIA PLC CHEMICAL AND ALLIED PRODUCTS PLC DN MEYER PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 13 4 21

COMMERCIAL/SERVICES Company Name COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 13 14

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.50 4,500 2.28 504,169 508,669

Value of Shares (N) 2,250.00 1,146,570.32 1,148,820.32

COMPUTER & OFFICE EQUIPMENT Company Name OMATEK VENTURES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.50 50,000 50,000

Value of Shares (N) 25,000.00 25,000.00

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 6.43 3,034 30.00 231,154 0.63 2,973,235 28.80 1,216,544 26.00 299,917 4,723,884

Value of Shares (N) 18,537.74 6,718,020.10 1,761,636.70 35,346,567.28 7,659,850.53 51,504,612.35

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 38.43 13,763 7.52 51,263 65,026

Value of Shares (N) 530,263.57 385,497.76 915,761.33

CONGLOMERATES Company Name CHELLARAMS PLC PZ CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC UAC OF NIGERIA PLC UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 2 40 35 86 42 205 CONSTRUCTION

Company Name JULIUS BERGER NIGERIA PLC ROADS NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 9 3 12

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Company Name CUTIX PLC NIGERIAN WIRE AND CABLE PLC. Sector Totals

No of Deals 4 1 5

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 1.70 170,000 0.50 1,500 171,500

Value of Shares (N) 289,000.00 750.00 289,750.00

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 NESTLE NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 6 32 76 53 35 25 1 12 40 280

No of Deals 2 5 15 16 12 1 51

No of Deals 4 4

By Taofik Salako and Tonia Osundolire

thwarted by the non chartered status of the institute, noting that as registrars, the ICMR is the platform that must be nurtured and encouraged to continue the struggle to getting their deserved recognition.

The new president said negative comments about share registration practitioners would be turned around with new ways of doing business going.

He said the new council would organise series of brainstorming sessions and retreats to strategise on the way forward, adding that training and retraining of members of the institute would be given new momentum.

He pointed out that while working for its members to be respected as professional in the capital market, efforts would be geared towards effective collaboration and cooperation with other professionals in the market.

Olugbemi noted that efforts were made before the capital market meltdown for the institute to have its own property, adding that the new council will strive to actualise it before the end of its tenure.

He said though their relationship with the regulator of the market has improved over the years, the new council would give it more bite to ensure that all pending issues including getting paid

for secondary market transactions were resolved in their favour.

The new president said that ICMR cannot succeed without the support of its members, urging them to pay their annual subscriptions and other dues and participate actively in the activities of the institute.

He charged members to work hard to promote the interest of the institute by conducting themselves positively in the market place and improve their image before the investing public.

Meanwhile, the equities market ended the week on a positive note as the benchmark index at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) appreciated by 0.81 per cent to close at 20,122.14 points.

Also, market capitalisation improved by 0.81 per cent to close at N6.33 billion The uptrend was due to the gains recorded by some highly capitalised companies including Dangote Cement, which rose by N4.77 to close at N105.10 and Guaranty Trust Bank, which added six kobo to close at N14.38. Other top gainers were Okomu Oil Palm, which gained N1.17 to close at N24.58; Roads Nigeria, which added 35 kobo to close at N7.52 and University Press Plc, which rose by 17 kobo to close at N3.69 per share.

Turnover stood at 136.68 million shares valued at N1.29 billion in 3,251 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 25-11-11 STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC UNIVERSAL INSURANCE COMPANY PLC INTERCONTINENTAL WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Sector Totals

1 1 2 115

0.50 0.50 0.50

5,000 2,000 250,000 9,553,702

2,500.00 1,000.00 125,000.00 9,035,125.69

MARITIME Company Name JAPAUL OIL & MARITIME SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 42 42

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.69 981,633 981,633

Value of Shares (N) 673,214.89 673,214.89

MORTGAGE COMPANIES Company Name ASO SAVINGS AND LOAND PLC RESORT SAVINGS AND LOANS PLC Sector Totals

Value of Shares (N) 402,997.31 2,805,773.40 50,070,439.89 3,801,123.64 5,400,534.59 2,712,293.36 60,500.00 677,762.99 78,329,791.12 144,261,216.30

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.73 8,040 1.09 110,500 25.65 131,426 2.07 196,439 1.30 285,720 0.50 2,371 734,496

Value of Shares (N) 5,628.00 120,060.00 3,211,024.40 391,285.73 371,451.00 1,185.50 4,100,634.63

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 2.77 52,100 52,100

Value of Shares (N) 144,317.00 144,317.00

Company Name MRS OIL NIGERIA PLC CONOIL PLC ETERNA OIL & GAS PLC. FORTE OIL PLC MOBIL OIL NIGERIA PLC. OANDO PLC TOTAL NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

Value of Shares (N) 46,227.76 75,703.16 25.92 121,956.84

Company Name ACADEMY PRESS PLC. UNIVERSITY PRESS PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 2.47 150 0.50 7,000 7,150

Value of Shares (N) 352.50 3,500.00 3,852.50

Company Name UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. PLC Sector Totals

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.52 1,630,600 0.87 579,000 2.21 29,381 0.50 3,500 0.54 245,000 1.50 3,919,471 0.50 35,000 0.50 500 0.52 450,000 0.50 13,750 0.50 2,210,500 0.50 180,000

Value of Shares (N) 850,234.47 526,890.00 62,607.72 1,750.00 131,850.00 5,879,418.50 17,500.00 250.00 234,000.00 6,875.00 1,105,250.00 90,000.00

HOTEL & TOURISM Company Name IKEJA HOTEL PLC Sector Totals

R

EGISTRARS have called for a financial policy and regulatory framework that takes into consideration all operators in the financial markets in the ongoing efforts to stabilise and engender growth in the sector.

Newly elected president and chairman of council of Institute of Capital Market Registrars (ICMR), Mr. Bayo Olugbemi. He unfolding his agenda for the institute. He said that registrars must be taken into cognisance as key operators in the financial services industry.

According to him, the impact of the banking systems reform is affecting the registrars because they are part of the nation’s capital market, which is yet to recover from the downturn that started in 2008.

“We will liaise with our regulators to ensure that members of ICMR are not short-changed in the aftermath of the deluge of policies,” Olugbemi said.

Olugbemi, who also doubles as the managing director of First Bank Registrars was elected president at the annual conference of the institute in Lagos.

He said the new council would not rest until the bill for an Act of Parliament to establish the Chartered Institute of Capital Market Registrars was signed into law.

He said efforts in the past to reposition members for professionalism had been

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 48.00 8,399 12.05 235,885 5.35 9,003,811 4.77 798,502 62.50 86,590 2.84 944,704 1.21 50,000 4.20 161,847 405.00 193,437 11,483,175

HEALTHCARE Company Name EVANS MEDICALPLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC UNION DIAGNOSTIC & CLINICAL SERVICES PLC Sector Totals

Registrars seek inclusive financial policy for market recovery

No of Deals 1 1 2

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.50 10,000 0.50 46,000 56,000

Value of Shares (N) 5,000.00 23,000.00 28,000.00

OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS Company Name DEAP CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND TRUST PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 2.02 120 120

Value of Shares (N) 242.40 242.40

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 1.74 529,727 13.28 11,740 541,467

Value of Shares (N) 907,094.00 150,534.80 1,057,628.80

PACKAGING Company Name NIGERIAN BAG MANUFACTURING COMPANY PLC GREIF NIGERIA PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 27 3 30

PETROLEUM(MARKETING) No of Deals 4 14 3 39 14 119 9 202

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 63.86 715 35.00 8,012 3.44 30,000 14.79 207,289 141.00 44,850 25.75 393,993 200.00 3,792 688,651

Value of Shares (N) 43,615.00 271,827.28 107,057.27 3,204,566.56 6,342,805.00 10,173,036.87 720,480.00 20,863,387.98

INDUSTRIAL/DOMESTIC PRODUCTS Company Name B. O. C. GASES NIGERIA PLC VITAFOAM NIGERIA PLC VONO PRODUCTS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 3 4 1 8

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 6.80 7,156 4.82 15,342 2.88 9 22,507

PRINTING & PUBLISHING No of Deals 1 3 4

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 2.24 3,666 3.69 118,000 121,666

Value of Shares (N) 8,211.84 435,420.00 443,631.84

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 12.90 99,154 99,154

Value of Shares (N) 1,229,127.22 1,229,127.22

INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY Company Name IHS NIGERIA PLC STARCOMMS PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 1 1 2

REAL ESTATE No of Deals 15 15

INSURANCE Company Name No of Deals AIICO INSURANCE PLC. 26 CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC 17 CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED INSURANCE PLC 10 GREAT NIGERIA INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 2 GOLDLINK INSURANCE PLC 3 GUARANTY TRUST ASSURANCE PLC 13 INTERNATIONAL ENERGY INSURANCE COMPANY PLC 1 LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. 1 LAW UNION AND ROCK INSURANCE PLC. 4 MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC 26 N.E.M. INSURANCE CO. (NIG.) PLC. 7 SOVEREIGN TRUST INSURANCE PLC 1

ROAD TRANSPORTATION Company Name ASSOCIATED BUS COMPANY PLC Sector Totals

No of Deals 5 5

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 0.52 228,950 228,950

Value of Shares (N) 119,084.00 119,084.00

THE FOREIGN LISTINGS Company Name ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED Sector Totals Overall Totals

No of Deals 69 69

Quotation(N)Quantity Traded 10.42 3,635,363 3,635,363 3,247 136,590,568

Value of Shares (N) 40,015,769.39 40,015,769.39 1,292,048,369.33

NEWS 61

THE NATION, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

Jammeh sweeps disputed Gambia’s election Y

AHYA Jammeh won a landslide re-election to serve a fourth term at the helm of the tiny African state in presidential polls

slammed by the opposition as bogus and fraudulent.

Thousands of citizens and soldiers swarmed into the capital of Africa’s smallest

They’ve started again •Continued from Page 64 away the initial template where the competition was held in years leading to major championships. The frequent postponements of the all sports tournament stunted growth and ensured that our athletes are not engaged in regular competitions to keep them fit. Athletes trained without having competitions to participate in and this, in turn, affected their morale and forced them to other things to make ends meet. A state like Ondo that produced good swimmers tutored by Chief Guy Garguilo (an Italian naturalised Briton) hardly had competitions to attend at the national level when a former Sports Minister Jim Nwobodo told everyone that swimming was not meant for black men.

Sports commissioners have hijacked the functions of the States Directors of Sports, who they have made errand boys, culminating in the total collapse of states’ sports councils. In most of the states today, the sports commissioners do the jobs of director of sports. They fill the sports councils’ boards with politicians who don’t care what goes on there for as long as there is no money to be shared. It was never like that in the old Midwest and Bendel states when I was an athlete.

Directors of Sports don’t command authority any more.

They are the commissioners’ stooges.

What we have today is a

cash-and-carry festival where the objective of discovering athletes has been destroyed for the recruitment of mercenaries. Does Ogba not know the State that started the recruitment of mercenaries?

National Sports Festival lost its focus when we stopped the junior (Under-13), intermediate (U-19) and senior categorisation. I took part in two of the three and don’t intend to waste space highlighting the athletes that that template produced.

National Sports Festivals were held in years leading to major international competitions with discovered talents groomed to participate in them. State governments ensured that their athletes prepared well for them. The National Sports Commission (NSC) was firmly in-charge.

Not any more. Now, not these days the commissioner of the hosting state dictates the rule and how it should be applied differently for as long as decisions ensure that his state wins the festival’s diadem.

Put simply, the National Sports Festival is now a disservice to sports development since mercenaries dominate the medals’ platform not budding stars in the grassroots. It is about time it is scrapped and a better option introduced, since the old template has been corrupted by politicians and their cohorts. What a pity.

Group campaigns against removal of fuel subsidy

A

S part of the efforts to stop the proposed removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government,The National President of Integrity Youths Movement Nigeria, Dr. Tayo Komolafe, has launched a

million brand shirt with an inscription: “ Fuel Subsidy; Nigerians Are not Smiling”.

The T-shirts will be distributed free to Nigerians.

The group has been at the forefront of campaign against the removal of oil subsidy.

nation to celebrate the victory of the 46-year-old former military officer with a 72 percent share of the votes.

“I hereby declare President Jammeh the winner of the 2011 presidential election,” said polls Chief Mustapha Carayol after announcing the final results.

The incumbent’s main challenger Ousainou Darboe, 63, won 17 percent of votes in his fourth shot at the presidency while a third candidate Hamat Bah, 51, had 11 percent. Voter turnout was 83 percent of 800,000 voters.

Jammeh, a devout Muslim, said his win was a foregone conclusion and neither an election nor a coup could remove him from power — only God. Darboe told journalists his party “vehemently and unconditionally rejects the results of the just concluded presidential elections. The results are bogus, fraudulent and constitute a capricious deception of the will of the people.”

This is Jammeh’s fourth election win since seizing power of the former British colony in a 1994 military coup aged only 29 and he has increased his majority each time. He won 2006 polls with 67.33 percent of the votes.

“Do I look like a loser?

There is no way that I can lose unless you tell me that Gambians are mad,” Jammeh told journalists after voting on Thursday.

“Gambians are development-oriented people and they know I can deliver. In

17 years I have delivered more than the British were able to deliver in 400 years.”

Observers from the main west African bloc had boycotted the polls, saying Jammeh’s control of the media and intimidation of voters meant the election could not be free, fair and transparent.

The 15-nation Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) reported “an unacceptable level of control of the electronic media by the party in power ... and an opposition and electorate cowed by repression and intimidation.”

The regime of the man who says he can cure AIDS is often pilloried for human rights abuses, enforced disappearances, extra-judicial killings, torture and the muzzling of journalists.

Jammeh has woven an aura of mysticism around himself.

He dresses in billowing white robes, never lets go of his Koran and brooks no dissent, heaping derision on criticism from the West.

“No Western country can tell me anything about democracy. In this country, we fear only God and I don’t care what anybody says,” he said.

Rights bodies have docu-

Re: Things falling apart •Continued from Page 64 ‘Things falling Apart’: I think you are mixing emotions with moralty and Politricks. The players know how murky the tides are and only cry foul for sympathy or look so when they lose.

Please address Mr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in a more polite form as I presume he wouldn’t be this harsh should he know or even address your person. Godwin Nawa – Ajao, 08023206072.

I completely associate with you on your piece ‘Things falling Apart’. May God continue to bless you. Adeisa, Lagos, 08069709448.

Re: ‘Things falling Apart’.

The architect of the Anambra madness, Chris Uba, was not

the presidential aide on domestic affairs. His brother, Andy Uba, was.

Andy (not Uba o!), 08034318732.

My Saturday was so boring until I laid my hands on your article. I read it five times; very witty. Somebody like Jonathan should have ruled Nigeria 40 years ago not now. He is supposed to be a local government chairman in one obscure local government in Bayelsa. He is a monumental failure.

Don Como, 08032127252.

Segun, your write up on ‘Things falling Apart’ is simply great. Who will save us from this PDP and ‘bad luck’ Jonathan?

Balogun, 08133179034.

PDP suspends ex-officio member The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Northwest zone has suspended Alhaji Farouk Ahmed, ex-officio of Northwest Working Committee of the party over the publication of an alleged petition against the Executive Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamako in national newspaper.

In statement made available to The Nation, its Northwest Zonal Publicity Secre-

mented the deaths and disappearances of high-profile journalists in the country.

Jammeh said Thursday journalists are “free to write what you like, but you should be ready to be accountable.

“Somebody said that this country is a hell for journalists, well there are freedoms and there are responsibilities. Being a journalist does not mean license to kill.

Character assassination will not be accepted.”

He has also threatened to “cut off the head” of homosexuals and has threatened the lives of human rights defenders.

Musa ODOSHIMOKHE tary, Hon. Hussaini Dembo said the action of the suspended member of the party violated some sections of the party’s constitution.

Hon. Dembo explained that following what he described as embarrassment of the party, a meeting was held which resolved that the ex-

officio member be suspended.

He said: “That the official erred by writing the said petition without the consent of the zonal office which contravened Article 21 Sub-section 1a,b and 8 thus bringing the party into disrepute for the violation of the party constitution”.

The Publicity Secretary noted that the suspension was with immediate effect.

My dear Segun, your write up ‘Things falling Apart’ is a clear indication that you are dancing to the drums of your publisher, Bola Tinubu. In the annulled primaries, Bayelsans called for the head of Jonathan for allowing Sylva to contest. Now that he has acted, you are still calling for his head. Please leave Jonathan alone.

D. Ken, Bayelsa, 08033360343.

Segun, that was brilliant (Things falling Apart). Will PDP gangsters give us a break? I didn’t vote in the last election because there was no credible candidate.

08037933534.

Segun, you captuured 100% the state of mind of the more than 150 million Nigerians in your Saturday, November 19, column. Tell the truth no matter how adamant they may appear to be.

08033416113.

Re – ‘Things falling Apart’.

Even a wrong is committed at the appropriate time. The medals President GEJ awarded were done at the wrong time and to wrong awardees. The worst case was the award to the Inspector General of Police as we are still witnessing violence, militancy and general insecurity. Professor Achebe has conscience and is not pretentious like many others hence he remained a fulfilled person to have rejected the award since things are still falling apart. May the leaders listen to God to lead and govern well. Lanre Oseni, 08033518726.

What a great piece you had in your column today. Judgement is coming?

08036513929.

Idiot, wqke up because journalism has gone beyond that which you morons do at The Nation. Why are you so myopic in your articles that you don’t talk about anything other than Jonathan? I thank God that Jonathan has become your nightmare that is giving you sleepless night.08032694635.

I think the only thing falling apart is Chinua Achebe whose case tells the story of a man sinking in the ocean of senescence and closed-circuit intellection. I think he should come back home to join us in building the Nigeria of our dream and not to waste away in a land built by men like him. Those who know Achebe should tell him about our electoral progress. Just as we must not forget that Mr. President like his fellow tribes men can also have a say in the politics of his state. Ehi, 08139161359.

THE NATION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

62

SPORT EXTRA

Hodgson hails Odemwingie’s return

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EST BROM manager, Roy Hodgson does not believe Peter Odemwingie is guilty of exaggerating the extent of his recent knee injury.

And he has warmly welcomed the return to fitness of the striker ahead of tonight's match against Tottenham.

Odemwingie has endured an injury-hit campaign, with his latest setback keeping him out for the past month.

Hodgson vented his frustration on the situation earlier this week when he claimed that Albion had so far this season got "nothing" from

a player, who netted 15 goals last term.

Hodgson further claimed that Odemwingie was "difficult to work out", prompting the player to take to his Twitter account to post a picture of the injury and to reassure Baggies fans that he cares for the club.

Odemwingie's Twitter account also sees him pictured, holding one of the newspaper articles in which Hodgson made his comments, but the Albion manager insisted he had never questioned Odemwingie's desire to play for West Brom.

"If I thought he was malingering, I would say so.

Interpretations are interpretations. It's been frustrating for us, having one

Taiwo seeks breakthrough at AC Milan T AYE Taiwo’s agent has confirmed that the Nigerian isn’t looking for a move away from Milan, but rather for a way to break into the first team.

The left-back joined the San Siro outfit in the summer from Marseille, but has only made two domestic appearances for the club in this campaign so far.

Seriki, Pereira shine at Emzor AYODE Seriki and Wellness race Bukola Pereira both set

K

the ‘Emzor Wellness’ athletics race aglow with their scintillating performances in the male and female categories respectively. Seriki returned with a time of 23.56.32 to beat Emmanuel Gyan and Stephen Jube to the second and third place respectively.

Seriki, who is from Lagos State has won the event for the third time running. He said he was happy to have won the keenly contested race with a prize money of N50,000 and promised to use it judiciously to further his athletics career.

In the female category, 15 yearold Bukola Pereira also from Lagos defeated Ngozi Ogodo

T

HE perennial rumbles in the nation’s soccer governing body, the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, is a sad reflection of the disquiet in the nation’s polity.

Corruption, policy somersault, mediocrity, abuse of federal character, have all contributed to set us backwards as a great sporting nation.

In recent past, our footballers dominated key positions in top leagues in Europe, the game’s hot bed, and many of our football stars were household names in different parts of the world because of their exploits.

Gone are the days when our soccer players were given awards on a yearly basis, and it was unthinkable that our national football teams would not qualify for the world’s premier competitions like the African Nation’s cup, the Olympics, and World cup.

But today, even our “invincible” female team, Super Falcons, who used to be the team to beat in Africa, are no longer omnipotent.

Minnows like Equatorial Guinea, Angola, Ghana, have since made a mince meat of the Falcons at all levels of age group competitions.

No nation in Africa dreads Nigeria again in the sporting arena. We have not only lost our high rating, we have the added ignominy of being seen as age cheats, so much so that, our fabled exploits in the U-17 World cup, which we have won three times, have lost credibility.

It is in this light that the recent KARIS Award given to legendary Green Eagles goal keeper, Emmanuel Okala by Rev Chris Okotie’s Church, The Household of God, Oregun, Lagos, should be seen as a wake-up call not just to the NFF, but the entire

and Aminat Olowoira to clinch the ultimate prize of N50,000 in a time of 28.52.17. An elated Pereira, while speaking to newsmen said: “I was very happy to have won this event because I have been training hard for this championship. I want to thank Emzor for giving me the opportunity to realise my dreams as an athlete.

Continuing Pereira said: “I have taken part in other athletics championships like the National School Sports Festival where I won two gold medals and a silver in 2010 and also the Mobil Track and Field event where I won two golds and a silver in

of your best players out for a long period of time,” Hodgson said

When asked about the transfer speculation surrounding his client Fabio Parisi told calciomercato.com: “There is nothing concrete with anyone else.

“He has only been at Milan for a short period of time and his goal now is to get into the team, so that he can make a bigger contribution.”

The African has been paired with numerous sides across Europe recently, the latest being Portuguese giants Benfica.

“Taiwo is having a great time at Milan and he will get more chances to play at some stage.

“I don't think that any of these transfer rumours will materialise into anything and I have not had any contact with anyone from Benfica,” Parisi said.

DALA TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIP

Abinu retains ladies singles title •As Babalola, Sunday clash in Men's final today

F

ATIMA Abinu has retained her Ladies’ Singles title at the ongoing 25th Dala Hard Court Tennis Championship for the fifth time after defeating Chidinma Abaa 6/4, 6/1 to cart away the N500,000 prize money.

Also, in the Men’s Doubles, Candy Idoko and Shehu Lawal defeated Emmanuel Sunday and Enoseregbe Cliford 6/3, 6/4 to clinch the prize money of N150,000 each, amounting to N300,000.

Abdulmuminu Babalola and Emmanuel Sunday are to fight for the N1,000,000 prize money at stake in the Male Singles’ final of the championship, which is expected to be played today.

In a chat with Nationsport, Fatima Abinu said discipline coupled with hard work and God on her side earned her the victory.

Abinu said the ladies’ standard in the tournament this year has improved tremendously because every player who participated in the championship was craved to beat the defending champion, which brought about the stiff competition among them.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kola, Kano She commended organizers of the championship, describing the tournament as one of the best and most disciplined tennis competitions in the country.

She attributed her success in tennis in the last 16 years, to discipline, determination and had work, which she said have been her watchword.

Chidinma Abaa, a 200 level student of University Port Harcourt, attributed her defeat to an ankle injury she sustained during the tournament, which she said affected her movement during the final match against Abinu.

Abaa smiled home with N250,000 as the runner-up, and admitted that Abinu is a more experienced player in that she began her tennis career only six years ago, as against Abinu, who has been playing for 16 years now. She, however, vow to upstage Abinu and avenge her defeat next year.

Asiwaju Tinubu Sports Club remembers Frazier

T

•Taiwo

HE Asiwaju Sports Club recently organised an event in rememberance of departed boxing legend, Joe Frazier.

In a release made available to NationSport at the weekend, and signed by the chairman of the

club, Primate Ayoola Omonigbehin, the club regrets the death of the boxing great.

It reads:" The boxing (world) will never forget the exploits of Joe Frazier in the pugulist sport. He dominated the boxing scene when he

defeated the great Mohammed Alli at the Madison Square Garden, New York in 1971".

It continued: "The world has lost a great man in 'Smoking'Joe Frazier and it is a blow to sports generally."

Okala’s karis award, a wake–up call

By Taiwo Gidado nation, that we should look back to look forward. A nation without a sense of history can not have a great future.

According to Rev Okotie, now popularly called Prince of Nigeria, Okala would receive the Award at the Church’s’ GRACE programme scheduled to hold in the Church’s 5-Star Auditorium, The Villa, on Sunday, December 11, 2011, at 6pm. According to a media statement, the reverend made the announcement to his congregation last Sunday during church service. The news was greeted with applause as the image of the towering goal keeper came to the mind of those who saw him in action in the glory years of the ‘70s through ‘80s.

Okala, was the tallest goal keeper we ever had and he acquitted himself creditably during his brilliant career. He was one of the most reliable players of the Green Eagles, now known as the Super Eagles. The class of Okala were a bunch of patriotic footballers who played the round leather game chiefly for the love of country. A true icon, he was, for many years, the ace goal keeper of the Enugu Rangers football club, the Flying Antelopes. The church said in his website that, the KARIS award carries a cash prize of N1.m (one million naira). Last year’s awardee was the late lawyer/human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi. Rev Okotie introduced the GRACE Program in 1990 as an annual charity. KARIS Award, introduced in 1996 is subsumed in the GRACE

•Okala

programme. The Karis Award gives recognition to, while financially rewarding Nigerians who had offered distinguished service to the nation, but are not recognized nor rewarded for their contributions to nation building.

“Some recipients of The Karis Award are, Prof. Chike Obi, the renowned mathematician (1996),D.I.G. Chris Omeben, a retired Chief famous for his transparent honesty(1997), Mr. Taiwo Akinwunmi who designed the national flag

(1998), late Hogan Bassey, former Commonwealth and World Boxing Champion (1999), Chief Michael Imodou, a veteran labour leader (2000), Chief (Mrs.) Margaret Ekpo (2001), nationalist and woman activist, late Mallam Aminu Kano , nationalist (2004)and Isaac Adaka Boro , human rights activist (2005).

“The GRACE Program also makes cash donations of 500, 000 naira every year to charity organizations such as the SOS Children Village, the Sunshine Foundation, Pacelli School for the Blind and

Partially Sighted and Little Saints Orphanage, Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria amongst others”, according to the church’s website.

What informed this dimension of charity? Okotie says his guiding philosophy has always been that, “Greatness does not consist in being great, but the ability to make others great”. This philosophy laid the foundation of the GRACE programme.

For us as a nation that has the potential of greatness in all spheres of human endeavour, including sports where our abundance of raw talents is so obvious, Okala’s KARIS award reminds us of a glorious past. This nation, this troubled realm as it is today, produced Noble Lauret, Wole Soyinka and literary giants, Chinua Achebe, Niyi Osundare, Ben Okri and Chimamanda Adichie; Computer scientist, Philip Emeagwali, Kanu Nwankwo, Africa’s most decorated player, Chioma Ajunwa, Dick Ihetu Tiger, Hogan “Kid” Bassey, a former KARIS recipient and many others.

What do we say about this?

The structure that produced these patriots has decayed, but not beyond redemption.

Okotie’s Lord and icon of faith, Jesus builds his inimitable doctrine on redemption for sinners, no matter how bad. Nigeria, Rev Okotie says, can still be remodelled, redeemed, salvaged, and repositioned to achieve all its true potentials.

Okotie adds a proviso: we need quality, God fearing

leaders who will not play politics with our welfare, hope and aspirations. As the embattled NFF leadership change the national team coaches, it should be guided by the Reverend’s counsel, which clearly, is not borne out of personal aggrandizement.

The rebuilding process must not end with the musical chairs of coach replacement when we lose in crucial competitions, but at the grassroots, the very foundation of the problems.

Okotie quotes the bible: “If the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do” Replacing Samson Siasia with Stephen Keshi won’t arrest the slide in our football. We must dig deeper.

We must restructure our league and indeed, the entire sports infrastructure; employ competent coaches and instructors, make sure we do not cheat in age-group competitions, and have a focused, strong, well directed sports policy which must be purpose-driven, and resultoriented.

So far, we’ve not seen anything in the football arena to show that the current lords of the Glass house in Abuja have something special to usher in a new era for Nigerian soccer, and that’s because the present leadership, like the nation’s belong to the old order. They are part of the rot, so they can’t clean up the system.

If all Okotie’s church has done with its KARIS award is to recall a glorious past, we know we can still have a better future. Only time will tell.

Gidado wrote from Lagos.

THE NATION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011

63

SPORT EXTRA

Morocco will be tough –Eguavoen C

OACH of the Nigerian Under-23 national team, Austin ‘Cerezo’ Eguavoen has predicted that Dream Team V’s opponents at the Africa Zone Olympic

LONDON 2012 OLYMPICS

Sports Minister charges Dream Team on ticket

H

ONOURABLE Minister and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC), Yusuf Suleiman has charged the Nigeria Olympic Football team to ensure that Nigeria qualifies for the male football event of the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The minister who said that the Dream Team V has all it takes to clinch the ticket to the 2012 Olympic Games, advised the players and technical crew to ignore all obstacles placed on their way to London.

He urged the football federation to give the players and crew all the motivation they need to qualify for the London Games, adding that the federal government fully supports efforts being made to ensure Nigeria’s qualification for the male football event.

The Dream Team V is currently in Morocco for the Africa qualifying tournament for the Olympic football event in London.

The Nigerian team will take on the host Morocco on Saturday (today) for the opening game of the tournament.

qualifying championships, Morocco will be ‘tough’.

Nigeria will face the North Africans at the Stad Ibn Batouta, Tangier on Saturday and ‘Cerezo’ believes amassing maximum points against the hosts would not be an easy feat. “(Beating) Morocco will be extremely difficult. They had a good run up to get to this stage and we will also be playing against their fans as well,” Eguavoen told SuperSport.com.

The trainer, however,

stressed that referees could play a vital role in the eventual result of the game.

“Referees are extremely important in these sorts of competitions. I want to appeal to the referees to be free and fair. I am also happy that the whole world will be watching (on television) so that will also be a big factor too,” he said.

Nigeria is in group A of the competition alongside Morocco, Senegal and Algeria.

•Eguavoen

Worgu arrives Morocco for Dream Team

A

L MERREIKH of Sudan striker, Stephen Worgu has finally joined the rest of the Nigeria Olympic team in Tangier, Morocco.

However, team officials are still hopeful for Israel-based star Nosa Igiebor‘s.

The player has said his club have refused to release him but he was yet to contact the team in Morocco according to officials.

Worgu will be accredited for the championship lafter but the rest of the squad got their accreditation, Thursday.

Officials of the Local Organising Committee of the championship and CAF officials conducted the process in the Hotel Andalucia Golf Camp of the team.

Players were made to display their Jersey numbers with their names displayed on the kits.

Nigeria squares up to Morocco in the tournament’s curtain-raiser on (today) with kick-off put at 17:30GMT, which is 6.30pm Nigerian time.

The players were upbeat on Thursday evening when NFF president, Aminu Maigari, and member of the NFF executive committee, Emeka Inyama, arrived in Tangiers.

Maigari and Inyama travelled by road from Casablanca just like the players did on Wednesday, arriving in the evening, and were welcomed by head coach, Austin Eguavoen and other officials.

“I can assure you sir that this team is ready to go. It is true

we would have wished to have a number of other players with us, but the reality is what we are faced with and we won’t be crying over spilt milk,” said Eguavoen.

He went further: “It is going to be tough and we know it, but we are ready.

Someone once said that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. We know how important this

competition is to Nigeria and Nigerians as a whole, and we are determined to go all out to get a ticket to the Olympics.

“We really have to be ready and focused on the challenge and given all that the Nigeria Football Federation has done for this team, we have no choice but to go all out and earn a place at the London 2012 Olympics.”

No Team Nigeria without football –Ndanusa

P

RESIDENT, of Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr Sani Ndanusa has said that Nigeria’s contingent to the forthcoming London 2012 Olympic Games will be incomplete without the football team.

The nation's men football team, the Dream Team V will kick off their last chase for the Olympics ticket today against hosts, Morocco in Tangier at the CAF Under-23 Championship.

The former Sports minister told SuperSport.com that the Olympic family considers the football ticket as the most essential.

He said: "The biggest qualification that we are concerned with at the Olympic Committee is that of football.

"I can't see London 2012 with Team Nigeria without football because of the position of football in Nigeria, the fellowship and political value.

"We have already directed our technical committee chairman to be present in Morocco to monitor events and to contribute within the Olympic capacity to this

qualification.

"It is only when a team qualified that it becomes our property but this one is big, so we want to start working on how to get the property to us."

On Nigeria's curtain-raiser against the Junior Atlas Warriors of Morocco in Tangier, Ndanusa insists that the nation's campaigners will pick victory over their North African counterparts.

He said: "No doubt about it whether you say it or you don't say it, Nigeria are in a difficult group. We are playing against the host and the host wants to qualify, we want to qualify.

But I can assure you that Nigeria will win the day against their hosts, Morocco," Ndanusa told SuperSport.com in Lagos during the official unveiling ceremony of the body's new logo.

Nigeria are in pool A with Morocco, Algeria and Senegal, while three automatic slots will be up for grab at the Olympic qualification.

Tomorrow in THE NATION PUNCHLINE

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2011 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM VOL.7, NO. 1956 (I received a phone call last Saturday from my very senior and most highly regarded colleague, Mr. Yakubu Mohammed. He graciously pointed out two errors in my column. First, the presidential aide on domestic affairs to OBJ was Andy Uba and not Chris Uba. The venerable Andy Uba is today a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic. Secondly, Mr Mohammed observed that I should have used the phrase ‘wreak havoc’ and not ‘wreck havoc’ as I wrote. My sheer stupidity in this regard is inexcusable. I stand corrected sir and apologise profusely to my readers. Below are some responses to last week’s piece. Let the debate continue.)

The average Nigerian is not unaware of the fact that there is no settlement, consenus, or agreement about any aspect of the constitution currently in use. If anything, there appears to be more unsettled areas than settled areas with regards to the constitution My brother, just to encourage you in your super critical stance. Keep it up and continue to bash the President and the visionless and thoughtless Nigerians.

Rev. Father Evans Offor, 07065438977.

Re: Things falling apart

Haba Mr. Ayobolu! I have just read your illuminations column on the back page of The Nation of Saturday, November 19, 2011, titled ‘Things falling Apart’. It is your worst critique of the President till date; a biased personal attack. No, we the electorate did not leave our brains at home when we voted for Jonathan in April. Our vote was a loud message that the presidency is not the exclusive preserve of northerners and that the Niger Delta region which had provided the resources which successive northern Heads of State/Presidents had fed fat upon to misgovern Nigeria so badly all these years.

We shall continue to pray for him that the evil spirit indwelling in power will not lead him astray. Amen.

Ola, Ibadan, 07033909130.

Kudos to Achebe for turning down the honour. What is the dignity in the honour at this time of insecurity and tension of the impending removal of fuel subsidy? I guess it is doing the right thing at the wrong time if at all it is necessary.

08064843000.

Segun, your episode ‘Things falling Apart’ gives only a cursory look into the tactics and antics of Jonathan’s administrative misgivings. Really, Nigerians left their brains in their houses while voting for Jonathan in April. Achebe as an intellectual giant forsees the danger of this amorphous leadership incapability unleashed by PDP and Jonathan. We allowed our individual and collective sense of humour to be overtaken by acclaimed good character, Ph.D degree, poor back-

—Ropo Sekoni

Mr Segun Ayobolu, thanks for the write up ‘Things falling Apart’. See, I know Jonathan will do nothing good. His competence rating is nil. He has no sense of mission at all. In fact, I am amazed that you are expecting something good from Jonathan. That apart, it is the incompetence of the northern rulers over so many years of rudderlessness that made Nigerians to accept a visionless Jonathan.

Afterall, what is the difference? Let all tribes also produce incompetent leaders like the north’s years in power.

08167830707.

Mr. Segun, if truth be told in all honesty, the presidency is falling things apart in this country. Bayelsa is in a political mess and the country is in an economic mess. What’s more, the pastors that surround the President that are supposed to give wise counsel appear to have compromised. Only God will deliver us.

Dr. Lyman Onuja, 07032271676.

•Jonathan

ground and barefooted syndrome rather than his antecedents. We shall soon come to realities when subsidy will go.

Chike, Port Harcourt, 08033078336.

Re: ‘Things falling Apart’. Obviously a hungry man remains an angry man. It will only be most dissapointing if you can’t turn up a viable alternative.

Comrade Preye, 08036700373.

Mr. Segun, reading your column of November 19 is to me the best so far. Who said you are being harsh, then the person is a fool. I am very happy I didn’t give Jonathan my vote even though I am from Niger Delta. He is totally incapable of leading us and a failure. Keep the good

• Achebe work going.

Isoma, Lagos, 07038337646.

Hi Mr. Segun, your ‘Things falling Apart’ was exceptional. You spoke the mind of many well meaning Nigerians.

We’re actually paying the price of being the fool in April. God be with you sir.

Ismail Salihu, Ilorin, 08098565606.

It’s a lamentable pity that few Nigerians forgot that Sylva disobeyed a court order reinstating his deputy few years ago and now he wants to enjoy the merits of a court order. Oh can it be possible when the Bible says a man shall reap what he sows? Then why blame Mr. President for Sylva’s fate?

Ehi, 07032249983.

Your Saturday discourse ‘Things falling Apart’ was an objective and balanced piece on current affairs. Your analysis of the issues of the moment and submissions are indisputable. We are all to blame for the inept and visionless leadership at the centre today because we chose to play to sentiments not issues at the polls. A man driven only by the force of fate in his leadership adventure unsupported by vision is most unlikely to perform as we have it now.

Okorie, Port Harcourt, 08186109585.

Segun, the people that goaded Jonathan to contest knew about his leadership incompetence but they did so for selfish reasons.

Alhaji Adeboye Lawal, Ibadan, 08034648879.

I like all your write ups including ‘Prophet Goodluck’s sermon on Mount Abuja’. Continue in the same routine.

Gbenga, Ado Ekiti, 08033915034.

•Continued on Page 61

Ade Ojeikere on Saturday talk2adeojeikere@yahoo.com

They’ve started again

D

O we teach an adult how to be coura geous? Do we need to wheedle any one to take decisions that he doesn’t believe in? Are there stereo-type approaches to instilling discipline in followers? Must we always do things the wrong way, even as we expect changes?

The noise from the pundits since John Mikel Obi’s mistake gave Liverpool its first goal against Chelsea on Sunday, has been for his expulsion from the Super Eagles.

Not many believed Mikel’s injury claim and they are right because of his antecedents. The difference this time is that Mikel came with a doctor’s report from England. I also don’t think that any doctor will sign an untrue medical report. One will therefore not blame Eagles doctors if they accepted the report, especially as it had been reported that he had a backache which had defied treatment for some time.

Mikel also has the right to express his willingness or otherwise to play a game, more so when the first of the two games would be played on synthetic pitch. And if the coach accepted the reason(s) for not playing, pundits ought to have allowed the issue rest, whether or not he played for Chelsea, eight

days later.

But nobody is talking about Obinna Nsofor, who also didn’t play any of the games, yet he starred for his Russian club also on Sunday. This selective justice that is anchored on what fans and journalists feel about a player has been the bane of the Super Eagles.

Mikel came with a doctor’s report; Nsofor didn’t. I’m glad that Stephen Keshi is not pandering towards weird suggestions on what to do with Mikel. He won’t because he too couldn’t choose between playing for Nigeria and his clubs. Most times, he joined the Nigerian side at competition venues in his club president’s jet, yet gave his all during matches.

We must allow Keshi time to truly rebuild the Eagles. When there is adequate competition for shirts in the team, no one would skip matches on frivolous grounds because it could be his last in the squad.

We need to stop the negative headlines that we attach to our stars at home. These bad stories reduce our players’ esteem among their peers in Europe. European managers will not hesitate to bench Nigerians in their teams on frivolous grounds knowing, that they are not honoured at home.

Aside, such uncomplimentary comments are transferred to the innocent young ones

at the grassroots who are at a disadvantaged position to secure lucrative deals in Europe, if the perception of our boys is insalubrious.

Globally, rebuilding football teams is targeted at ageing, injury-prone and uncommitted players who have been cogs in such teams’ lofty dreams. Manchester City’s manager Roberto Mancini used the transfer window to recruit no fewer than three players in possible positions where Carlos Tevez plays to checkmate the cheeky and insolent Argentine. Today, Manchester City FC leads of the Barclays English Premier League.

Tevez is sulking in Brazil with his bad boy toga.

Pundits must allow Keshi rebuild his team without pressure of any sort, especially on disciplinary grounds. Samson Siasia was sabotaged-this is the popular thinking- by the players when he did the pundits’ bidding on discipline.

It is unthinkable that Nigeria will not be at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, given our players’ talents and pedigree in international soccer. And the only reason is that the players saw Siasia as a brute. They worked for his failure. Keshi must not be pushed onto Siasia’s path.

Ogba’s NSC jibes Solomon Ogba’s sneer at the National

Sports Commission (NSC) was quite interesting, especially as we head towards Nigeria’s worst outing at the Olympics.

Hitherto, Ogba praised the NSC eggheads and looked forward to lifting the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). He said his combination with the NSC chiefs will make this country the Mecca of track and field events’ athletes.

One was therefore shocked when Ogba described the National Sports Festival as a glorified inter-house sports. Has it been better in the last ten years? Has the sports festival not been fraught with tales of the absurd, with medals literally allocated to states before events are held?

Is the Sports Festival not for the highest bidder? Why this late cry when the results from the World Athletics Championships held months ago exposed the weaknesses of the AFN and its athletes? Did he not tell us then that he had the contacts to attract sponsors?

Ogba must stop this holier-than-thou stunt. If he cannot work with the NSC men, he should throw in the towel.

The problems Ogba highlighted have been there. We had thought he had the panacea for them. The National Sports Festival has been corrupted. I took part in four editions and weep with every edition since after the best held in Rivers State in 1988.

The sports festivals died when we threw •Continued on Page 61

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