20 feared dead in Tiv/Fulani bloodbath by Vanguard Media Limited

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Why oil thieves bring in arms — Bayelsa Gov BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, Yenagoa

OVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State yesterday linked the proliferation of small and light weapons to perpetrators of illegal bunkering and refining in the Niger Delta. Governor Dickson who stated this when he received the new Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Yenagoa, Rear Admiral Sidi-Ali

Usman in Yenagoa lamented that the activities of the oil thieves not only pose a great threat to the nation’s economy but also to national security. Expressing concern over the impunity with which perpetrators of illegal bunkering, sea piracy and pipeline vandalism undermine constituted authority, the governor linked the proliferation of small and light weapons to such activities in the littoral states. According to him, the

criminals have been able to sustain their operations over the years through the proceeds from illegal bunkering activities. His words, “What is going on is more of a threat to national security than even the loss of revenue that everybody is shouting about. Let me tell you that all the violence, brigandage and criminality that we experience in the Niger Delta states particularly Bayelsa where I know more, have their roots in the activities in the

creeks. It is from there they have easy funds to recruit followers. It is from these activities of crude oil theft and illegal refining that people are able to sustain such large number of youths and put them into various cult groups. ”What is going on has a direct effect on the proliferation of small and light weapons because they need an army of youths to protect their territories and to be able to withstand the onslaught of legitimate security personnel.”

The governor warned those who have rebuffed the olive branch extended to cultists by the state government to have a change of heart, as his administration would not hesitate to bring them to justice. ”For those who have defied the Cultism Proscription law, in spite of the olive branch we have put forward, I am sounding a clear note of warning that this government will not succumb to blackmail or propaganda.

”This government will work with security agencies in this state to ensure that those who violate the laws of this state and country will be brought to book.” Consequently, he called for maximum cooperation from the security operatives especially the Nigerian Navy to achieve the present administration’s policy of zero tolerance to violence and crime. Describing the establishment of the Central Naval Command in the state as significant, the governor said considering the maritime nature of the state, the Navy has a crucial role to play in policing its waterways. While commending the out gone Flag Officer Commanding, Rear Admiral Olutoyin Johnson for serving the state creditably, he assured the new FOC of government’s continued support.

Uduaghan orders arrest of 2 men for causing flooding BY AUSTIN OGWUDA, Asaba

ELTA State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, yesterday abruptly halted his convoy along Federal College road Asaba and ordered the immediate arrest of two men who discharged large quantities of sand on the walkways, thereby causing unwarranted flooding on the road. The governor who was visibly angry discovered that the men engaged in constructing of a filling station discharged over ten trips of sharp sand on the newly constructed walkway thus effectively blocking the drains and that resulted in serious flooding on the road and traffic hold up too. He condemned the unpatriotic act whereby some persons convert roads and walkways into other uses and appealed to residents to see government’s projects as their own and protect them from destruction.

SATURDAY

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S/Court affirms death sentence on policeman T

HE Supreme Court yesterday affirmed the death sentence passed on Usman Maigari, a former policeman, for killing his wife, Sa’adatu. Delivering judgment, Justice Mary Peter-Odili held that the appellant’s appeal lacked merit. “In conclusion, therefore, I have to state that this appeal lacks merit and I dismiss it. I affirm the judgment of the Court of Appeal which affirmed the decision, conviction and sentence of the appellant for culpable homicide punishable by death. “I order that the sentence as passed by the trial High Court be carried out,” she said. The appeal emanated from the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Judicial Division. The appellant was arraigned before the Sokoto State High Court on one count charge of culpable homicide punishable with death contrary to section 221(a) of the Penal Code. On Feb 22, 2006, leave was granted to the respondent to amend the charge. The appellant pleaded not guilty to the charge but the respondent called seven witnesses and tendered numerous exhibits to prove the case. How-

ever, the appellant testified in his own defence and did not call any other witness. The trial judge, Abbas, convicted the appellant and sentenced him to death by hanging. Dissatisfied with the decision, the appellant approached the Court of Appeal which upheld the conviction and sentence. Again, not satisfied, the appellant appealed the decision of the appellate court to the Supreme Court on May 13, 2010. Maigari had approached the court to determine whether the Court of Appeal was right in holding that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. He further prayed the apex court to determine whether the Court of Appeal had considered his submissions before affirming his conviction. The appellant committed the offence on Jan. 11, 1999, at his house in Yabo, Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Maigari had strangulated his wife to death for ritual purposes and conveyed her corpse and dumped it in a culvert near Janzomo Village along Kanjiji-Shagari road.

From left: Prof. Emevwo Biakolo, Dean, School of Media and Communication, (SMC) Pan Atlantic University; Mr. Sam Amuka, Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers and Chairman of occasion; Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, former President ,Nigerian Guild of Editors, (NGE) and Editor-in-Chief/General Manager[Publication] Vanguard Newspapers who was honoured for his contributions to development of Journalism; and Mr. Femi Adesina, President, NGE, during the SMC, Centre for Leadership in Journalism, in Collaboration with NGE honouring Mr. Adefaye yesterday at School of Media and Communication, Pan Atlantic University, Victoria Island, Lagos. Photo: Bunmi Azeez

AU suspends Egyp Egyptt

DDIS ABABA — The AU suspended Egypt from all its activities yesterday after the Egyptian military overthrew the elected president, Mohamed Morsi, a senior AU official said.

We can’t continue to graduate unemployable students — ASUU BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Abuja

ATIONAL President of Academic Staff Union of Universities,

ASUU, Dr. Nasir Issa-Fagee, has said that the Nigerian universities will not continue to churn out unemployable graduates

Budget impasse: We will not compromise the interest of Nigerians —-Tambuwal BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin

PEAKER of the Fed eral House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday, declared that the National Assembly will not compromise the interest of Nigerians in the ongoing impasse between the Federal Government and the National Assembly over the 2013 budget. Speaker Tambuwal who arrived Benin City yesterday aboard a private jet at about 10.30am, with registration number 5NLDM, said the speculation that he was dumping the PDP for the yet to be registered APC remains a

rumour, asserting that he still remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Speaker was in Benin for the birthday and wedding anniversary of the Deputy Governor of Edo state, Dr Pius Odubu, who was his colleague in the House of Reps between 19992007. Very curiously however, none of the leaders of the PDP in Edo state was at the Airport to welcome the Speaker. The chairman of the PDP in the state Chief Dan Orbih and the Publicity Secretary of the party, Matthew Urhoghide, told journalists on telephone that they were not informed of the Speaker’s visit.

because of lack of training facilities in the institutions. The ASUU President, who spoke to Saturday Vanguard in Abuja, said that though the strike affected both parents and students, there was the need for sacrifice by all the stakeholders in order to ensure that Nigerian graduates competed with their peers in other parts of the world. He noted that the agreement which the union entered into with the federal government in 2009 was due for review in June 20th, 2012, regretting that many years after the agreement, it had not been substantially implemented. Declaring the indefinite strike as total, the ASUU President said that though the strike had affected academic calendar, the universities cannot continue in the old way of doing things that was not beneficial to graduates after their long years in school.

“As mandated by the relevant AU instruments, the AU Peace and Security Council decided to suspend the participation of Egypt in AU activities until the restoration of constitutional order,” said Admore Kambudzi, Secretary of the Council. Suspension is the AU’s usual response to any interruption of constitutional rule by a member state. In March, it suspended the Central African Republic after rebels overthrew the government. In recent years, it has meted out similar treatment to Madagascar and Mali, although Mali’s suspension has since been lifted. Tunisia and Turkey were among Muslim countries to denounce Morsi’s overthrow as a coup. The U.S. and EU refrained from using that description but called for a swift return to democratic rule. Following the swearing-in of Adli Mansour on Thursday as Interim Head of State, the next step in the Egyptian army’s “road map” back to democracy is the formation of an interim government in the next few days. One state newspaper said it should be ready on Sunday. The suspension was announced by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) in a communique after its

emergency meeting on Friday in Addis Ababa. It would be recalled that Egypt’s military toppled the country’s first democratically elected president on Wednesday night and reportedly put him under house arrest while rounding up some of his top supporters following a mass protest against the President by Egyptians. Morsi was elected president of Egypt on June 17, 2012. Chairperson of AU Commission, Dr Dlamini Zuma told newsmen after a communique was read by the PSC secretary, Dr Adamore Kambudzi that the suspension was in accordance with the provisions of the AU charter and resolutions. Zuma said the AU would encourage dialogue and expected nothing less than an immediate road map for the return to the path of democracy and the rule of law. According to the communique, Article 23 of AU charter on Democracy and good governance states that:“State Parties agree that, the use of inter alia the following illegal means of accessing or maintaining power constitutes an unconstitutional change of government and shall draw appropriate sanctions by the Union. “Any putsch or coup d’état against a democrat-

ically elected government, any intervention by mercenaries to replace a democratically elected government, any replacement of a democratically elected government by armed dissidents or rebels is unconstitutional.” Egypt’s Chief Justice Adli Mansour was sworn in as Interim president after the military take over. NAN reports hundreds of thousands of people believed to be Morsi’s supporters took to the streets across Egypt over the military ’s actions saying its “a coup and condemned its celebration as a “correction” by his opponents. Reports say at least eight people were killed and more than 350 others wounded in the protests between the supporters of the opposition and the military. Egypt’s top military officer, Gen. Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi, said in a televised broadcast to the nation that Morsi “did not achieve the goals of the people” and failed to meet the demands for power sharing with the opposition. NAN reports that three countries have so far been banned because of unconstitutional change of power ncluding Madagascar, which was banned following the overthrow in March 2009 of President Marc Ravalomanana.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013

Independence of Nigerians will cease without the media — Amuka BY ABDULWAHAB ABDULAH

UBLISHER of V a n g u a r d Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka, yesterday said unless drastic action is taken by stakeholders in the media industry, the freedom of Nigerians may be curtailed due to government censorship. Speaking as distinguished chairman at a programme organised to honour Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors and General Manager, Publications at Vanguard, by Center for Leadership in Journalism, CLeJ, Pan Atlantic University, PAU, School of Media and Communication, SMC, Mr. Amuka said, media as the mouth piece of Nigerians is facing threat from government censorship. The theme of the programme jointly organised by the CLeJ with the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, is:”Media in Transition: New Media Technology in Focus.” Mr. Amuka said: “On the topic, we need not worry about the new trend, but the steps being taken by the government to censor the media through the press council. “When we considered some of the laws meant to gag the print media some years back, we took government to court and we won. I must say the freedom being enjoyed by Nigerians today was based on the fact that we have the forum to express ourselves.

He also disputed arguments that newspaper publication may face difficult times in the near future based on the challenges posed by on-line media. While supporting arguments that stakeholders in print journalism should brace up for challenges, he however allayed fears that print journalism may go into extinction. His words: “Research shows that on-line media does not generate enough advertisement like the newspapers. Are we really threatened? I don’t believe that newspapers will perish,

since advert is where the survival of the newspaper lies.” Mr. Amuka said the only way was for the “operators to think about making it (newspaper) a business.” He commended Mr. Gbenga Adefaye who was honoured for his contributions to journalism by the Pan Atlantic University, noting, “he was able to raise the bar during his four years as president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.” While calling on editors to take the battle headlong in guaranteeing the

independence of the media, he sent a note of caution that, “we will all pay dearly if we allow them to have their (authorities) way.” Speaking earlier, Dean of the School of Media and Communication, SMC, Professor Emevwo Biakolo said the school established three different centers- the Centre for Leadership in Journalism, (CLeJ), the Nollywood Studies Center (NSC) and the GfK Centre for Market and Social Research (MSR) “to foster closer relationships with the various industries that are of concern to us. “From the very

From (L-R) Minister of State for FCT, Chief Mrs Olajumoke Akinjide, Hon Minister of Works; Arc Mike Onolememen cutting the tape, Oyo State Government SSG; Alhaji Akin Olajide and Minister of State for Works; Amb Bashir Yuguda during the commissioning of the newly completed IbadanIlorin dual carriageway section on Thursday.

beginning, the SMC has led other learning institutions in our country in actively pursuing intimate towngown bonds. “Our passionate interest in leadership in the media is driven by the recognition that media needs to reclaim the mantle of thought leadership. ”Among some of the more painful lacks in our country today is the absence of thought leadership.” He commended the leadership of Mr. Adefaye, who he said was part of the idea in the formation of CLeJ. “We remain grateful to one of our most fervent supporters of the CLeJ, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, immediate past president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, whom we honour today. The signs are positive that the current president, Mr. Femi Adesina will continue to support the CLeJ as well, as it is a joint SMCNGE project.” New president of the Guild, Mr. Femi Adesina also joined others to praise Mr. Adefaye, whose leadership roles he said have impacted positively in the Nigeria media industry. He observed that the honour given to him was well deserved. In his response, Mr.

Gbenga Adefaye thanked the school as well as the Guild of Editors for the honour done him. He challenged stakeholders in the print media, especially those who spoke on the theme of the day, to develop research on how to improve on the ‘traditional news papering’. He disputed the argument that readers of newspapers are declining by the day. According to him, research and data have shown that in spite of new technologies, people still read newspapers. He therefore called on the people, particularly the university to create research on “profiling the media and come with result of how to make money for the newspapers in Nigeria.” Discussants, who presented different topics on the theme of the day, said that the time is ripe for newspaper companies to adjust to the reality on ground and look inward and embrace online media technologies. They argued that with the shift in the system, especially in the western world, to online media, this is an ominous signs for newspapers in the country.

Appeal Court reinstates Eze Ilomuanya BY CHIDI NKWOPARA Owerri

MBATTLED Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, has

been reinstated by the Court of Appeal sitting in Owerri, to his office to complete his term. The Court equally restrained Governor Rochas Okorocha, the Attorney General and commissioner of Justice, Chief Soronnadi Njoku, “their servants, agents or howsoever from truncating or interfering with the activities of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers under Eze Cletus Ilomuanya under the expiration of his tenure in 2015”. The unanimous judgment, which was delivered yesterday by Hon. Justice Philomena Ekpe, the Appeal Court also set aside an earlier judgment delivered by the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Benjamin Njemanze, delivered

February 24, 2012. It was the considered opinion of the Court that the dissolution of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, which was under the chairmanship of Ilomuanya by Governor

Okorocha in his maiden broadcast on June 6, 2011, “is null, void and of no effect” The three-member panel of Justices said that “Section 17(a) of Imo State of Nigeria Traditional Rulers and

Autonomous Council Law 2006, as amended, provides resignation or death as the only two conditions through which any member of the Council could abdicate office.”

2014 council poll: LASIEC creates 4 new wards, 377 polling Units BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

HEAD of the 2014 council polls in Lagos state, the State Independent Electoral Commission, LASIEC, has created four additional wards and 377 polling units for three councils in the state. In a similar

development, as part of efforts towards entrenching the principles of democracy at the grassroots, the Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, Kehinde Bamigbetan ,on Wednesday inaugurated an eight-man electoral body that will supervise the conduct of election into

various positions of executive committee of the seventy four Community Development Associations, CDA’S, and Community Development Committee, CDC, of the council. However, residents faulted the creation of wards, saying, “the number is not enough considering the huge population in the councils.”

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013 — 7

Warri North crisis: Gunmen flee as JTF, police are on their trail BY EMMA AMAIZE, Regional Editor, SouthSouth

EMBERS of Egbe ma Radical Group, ERG, principally hoodlums and ex-militants, who killed about 12 Itsekiri persons and razed three communities in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State in the last three days, have fled from their locations in the Benin River, following a massive hunt for them by joint security operatives. The group, which claimed to be protesting against injustice and political marginalization of Ijaw people in Warri North, had been denounced by most Ijaw leaders in the area, who frowned at the violent disposition of the so-called agitators. The terrorists threatened to eliminate some highranking Egbema leaders, including Chief E.E Ebimami, two top ex-militant chiefs, “Gen” Ezekiel Akpasubowei and “Gen” Aroni Oputu, Chuks Wowei, Igwe of Niger-Delta, Wilfred Elebiri and Ebipade Kari within one week for allegedly betraying their cause, but have gone into hiding with the massive manhunt for them.

Hoodlums unmasked — Delta CP

Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, confirmed to Saturday Vanguard, yesterday, that ”the police and army (JTF), in a joint operation, are trailing them, their identities have been exposed, we are on their trail, if they escape now, we will catch them later and they will be prosecuted.” His words, “You cannot carry arms against the nation, no government will tolerate that, we have made arrangement, both the military and police have been deployed to the creeks with gunboats in search of them.” “Any act of illegality will be dealt with and I am happy that both the leaders of the Ijaw and Itsekiri in the local government are united in the bid to fish out the miscreants. If they are talking about election, it is not time for election, so why are they

fighting, why not allow election to hold since it is democracy and let the people decide,” he said. On the threat by the hoodlums to kill the Egbema-Ijaw leaders alleged to be working with the state government to unmask them, he said he had not been notified, but assured police would provide security for any person that was being intimidated. He said, “There is massive deployment to the area, we are pursuing them, I only know about five casualties at the moment.”

Our lives under threat but …– “Gen” Akpasuobwei

Leader of defunct militant group, Deadly Underdogs, who is also a member of DWSC, “Gen” Akpasubowei, admitted, yesterday, that criminals threatened him and other Egbema-Ijaw leaders for not supporting their cause. His words: “It is true that they threatened our lives and they have renewed it in the last few days. One of them called me to say that they would kill me for joining government to fight them. The threat actually started before the present crisis.” “The person they keep calling almost every day and dropping letters in his house is “Gen” Oputu, I sympathize with him, but they will not succeed because what we are doing is good for the kingdom and nation. “The boys are people who accepted amnesty and even took part in nonviolence training, why are they breaching the basic principles of their training. All what we said and for which they said they would kill us is that they should not use violence to make their demands,” he added. Ijaw, Itsekiri leaders back military action against criminals- ‘Gen” Aroni “Gen” Aroni, who corroborated Akpasubowei’s claim said, “We are not deterred, JTF are looking for the boys and selected Itsekiri and Ijaw people are giving all necessary information about the criminals.”

“They have threatened us, given notice that they would kill me and others within one week. They do not allow me to rest, they keep calling me and sending me text message but the leaders have resolved that the law should take its course against them. “We have reported the threat to our lives to the police and JTF, they are aware, we reported to the Area Commander, they are aware, security agents are already on their trail,” he added.

Soldiers closing in on miscreants

An Egbema-Ijaw youth leader, who is among that received death threat from the gunmen, Ebipade Kari, said, “Soldiers are closing in on the boys with the manner major exit points have been cordoned off, particularly the Ogbudugbudu axis.”

Speedboat driver kidnapped

There was an unconfirmed report that an Ijaw speedboat driver, Goalpin Notoroyei, was kidnapped, near Abiteye, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State in what looked like a reprisal, Wednesday evening. A source told Saturday Vanguard, yesterday, “Goalpin, a father of about three children had carried

Gov Peter Obi (right), receiving the Bill and Melinda Gates Award for the best State in the Eradication of Polio in the South-East from the Minister of State for Health Dr. Mohammed Ali Pate at the Women Development Centre, Awka, yesterday some passengers from phone, Thursday, “We call some people are still runWarri to Abiteye and was on Itsekiri youths to have ning to nearby communireturning back when he a rethink and avoid any ties, strongly believing was captured by suspect- retaliatory attack, we ad- the Ijaw people are going ed Itsekiri youths.” vise that the seized to attack more Itsekiri com“He was kidnapped and speedboat driver be re- munities.” killed, his kidnappers leased, killing or kidnap“That is why we are gocalled the owner of the ping of Ijaws by the It- ing round to educate our boat to tell him that the sekiris , as retaliatory at- people that there is no driver had been kid- tack will not escalate the communal war between napped. Goalpin is from crisis.” the Ijaw and Itsekiri, even Ayakoromor in Burutu An Ijaw youth leader, if some Itsekiri people Local Government Area of Mallam Yusuf Eregbene, were killed in Warri the state. however, confirmed the North. However, there is “They told the boat own- release of Goalpin, Friday tension everywhere,” he er that that they kid- afternoon, to Saturday said. napped him because of Vanguard. Peoples Democratic Parthe crisis in Warri North ty, PDP chieftain and in which many Itsekiri Fears of invasion former Ijaw chair candipeople have been killed. still rife date in Warri North, Mr. After the phone call, the An Itsekiri youth leader Pius Jorka, in a statement, line went dead,” he add- from Ugborodo communi- yesterday, said, “My ed. ty in Warri South-West lo- heart bleeds that souls President of the Ijaw cal government area, have been lost as a result People Development Ini- Cyril Ojogor, told Satur- of the unresolved Warri tiative, IPDI, Mr. Austin day Vanguard, “Even North question. The acOzobo, told Vanguard on though there is peace, tion is condemnable.”

Obi bags Best Governor Award, empowers 5,000 youths

NAMBRA State governor, Mr Peter Obi, yesterday bagged the best performing governor on the eradication of polio in the southeast from Bill Gates and Melinda Foundation at a massively attended ceremony at the Women’s Development Centre in Awka. Speaking while presenting the award to Gov Obi which went with a cash prize of N120 million, the minister of state for health, Dr Mohammed Pate said the award was not by chance as Gov Obi had distinguished himself in the health sector which he observed had resulted in the provision of ambulances to hospitals, ac-

creditation of schools of midwifery and the wonderful partnership with the Church and described the Anambra example as a total package, noting that the state had remained polio-free in the past five years. Responding, Gov Obi thanked the minister for coming to the state to present the award on behalf of Bill Gates and Melinda Foundation and noted with satisfaction that it was not one of the awards anyone could suspect as having been bought and said the state government would match the N120m it received with another N180m which would be ploughed into the building of ten more health centres in the state.

Recalling some of his strides in the health sector, the governor cited the state’s first teaching hospital as an example. ‘‘What happened was that the government of the day admitted medical students without a medical school in place and the assessors said they would not accredit the university but I pleaded with them when I came in to give me two or three years to put a teaching hospital in place. B+ut they could not believe me as they thought it impossible that a teaching hospital could be built in two, three years. It was one of them that pleaded with them to give me a chance and they did. When they returned at the appointed time they

were shocked to see the teaching hospital in place. It has since become the fastest teaching hospital to be built in Nigeria,’ Obi stated to the applause of the packed audience. In a similar development the governor has splashed N60m on the final batch of 5000 youths under the Anambra State Youth Empowerment Programme (ANSYREP). While handing over the cheques of N100, 000 to each of the successful candidates, Gov Obi charged them to use their money judiciously in order to justify the state government’s faith in them, even as he charged them to shun thuggery in the forth coming elections in the state.

8 SATURDAY

Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013

Zenith leads 12 other Nigerian banks in world top 1000 BY OMOH GABRIEL Business Editor

ENITH Bank tops Nigerian banks in this year ’s Top 1000 World Banks Ranking of The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group, London, United Kingdom. The 13 banks that made the ranking are Zenith Bank, First Bank, Guaranty Trust Bank, Access Bank, United Bank for Africa, Ecobank, Fidelity Bank, First City Monument Bank, Skye Bank, Diamond Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Union Bank and Standard Chartered Bank. Zenith Bank moved 35 places from 322 in the world last year to 287, First Bank moved from 338 to 367, Guaranty Bank moved to 417 from 455, Access Bank moved to 506 from 541 and UBA moved to 553 from 563. In the capital asset ratio of soundness parametre, Zenith Bank came top at 17.70 per cent followed by Guaranty Trust Bank at 16.23 per cent. Third is Fidelity Bank at 15.67 per cent, Standard Chartered Nigeria is fourth at 13.38

per cent followed by FCMB at 12.00 per cent and First Bank at 11.96 per cent, Access Bank at 11.60 per cent, Stanbic IBTC at 11.55 per cent, Ecobank at 11.14 per cent, Skye Bank at 9.90 per cent, UBA at 7.65 per cent, Diamond Bank at 7.31 per cent, and Union Bank at 6.35 per cent. According to a press release from the Country Representative – Nigeria of The Banker, Mr. Kunle Ogedengbe, 13 Nigerian banks made the ranking this year and it saw the return of Union Bank to the league of top global banks. These movements according to analysts are a good sign of the improvements of the soundness of the Nigerian banks among the world global banks and the robust monetary policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria. Ogedengbe stressed that the ranking is usually based on the definition of Tier–1 Capital as set out by Basel’s Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and that it aims to show global international banks’ soundness in relation to the Basel guidelines on capital

adequacy. The percentage change in the Tier-1 Capital, which underlines the strength of banks, for Zenith Bank increased by 23.82 per cent, the highest in the wholly Nigerian banks that made the ranking. According to the Banker magazine, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) has leapfrogged two U.S. banks to top the

2013 global ranking of banks with the most capital, highlighting the growing size and importance of Chinese lenders. ICBC topped The Banker magazine’s annual list of the top 1,000 banks for the first time, relegating Bank of America to third from first, while JPMorgan Chase remained second. ICBC was third last year. The rankings are based

on Tier 1 capital as a measure of a bank’s ability to lend on a large scale and endure shocks. ICBC has for some time ranked as the top bank by market value. Britain’s HSBC, which gains much of its earnings from Asia, was fourth in The Banker’s list, with China Construction Bank (CCB) ranked fifth. China had four banks in the top 10 and 96 in the Top 1,000. Its top four

Nasarawa killings: Northern governors donate N100m to wives of slain security operatives BY ABEL DANIEL

delegation of four governors from the Northern States Governors’ Forum, NSGF, visited Lafia, Nasarawa State, where they donated N100 million to the families of the

security operatives allegedly killed by Ombatse militia in Alakyo Village, Lafia on May 7. The delegation, led by the Forum’s chairman and Niger State Governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, announced that the donation was made to

enable the bereaved families take care of themselves in the absence of their breadwinners. It also disclosed that the forum was in support of the decision by the Nasarawa State governor, Tanko AlMakura, to set up a judicial commission of inquiry.

Peace Anyiam-Osigwe is guest on Glo/CNN African Voices

N line with the philosophy of CNN International’s African Voices to showcase successful African personalities who have excelled in different fields of endeavour, the programme sponsored by Globacom will this weekend feature Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, one of Nigeria’s film industry leading lights. Anyiam-Osigwe is a veteran producer with a passion for film-making. In the programme, she speaks to CNN on how she has turned this passion into a mission and how she is giving the African continent a voice on the big screen. After working on several movies and documentaries in Nigeria’s film industry, Anyiam Osigwe founded the African Film Academy which organizes the highly successful African Movie Academy Awards and trains filmmakers from all parts of the world.

The awards have since grown into one of the most prestigious film award shows on the continent and are believed to have contributed in positively changing the way Nigerians are seen around the world.

lenders - ICBC, CCB, Bank of China and Agricultural Bank of China - filled the top positions for profit in 2012. ICBC’s $49 billion profit put it top of the profit table for a third successive year. Total profit for the biggest 1,000 banks is now back close to levels achieved before the 2007/09 financial crisis, but the regional share has shifted significantly, The Banker said.

Gov. Godswill Akpabio (left); Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, Chancellor University of Uyo and Emir of Fika (middle); and Prof. Comfort Ekpo, Vice Chancellor University of Uyo after a courtesy call at Governor’s office, Uyo recently

Aliyu, who was accompanied by the Governors of Kaduna and Jigawa States, Mukhtar Yero and Sule Lamido, and the Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Sirajo Damari, said that , “the state governor had the power to proscribe any organization if it was found that their activities threatened the security of the people of the state”. He added that people should desist from using the guise of freedom of speech to perpetuate crime in the society. While reacting to the manner and approach government took in rewarding the slain security operatives who died in active service to their fatherland, Aliyu urged government to devise a way of encouraging and rewarding hard work so that people will be encouraged to take up jobs in security agencies with all patriotism and government itself will be appreciated.

How we escaped death – Itsekiri villagers BY EMMA AMAIZE EMMA ARUBI & GODWIN OGHRE

OME of the Itsekiri villagers, who fled from troubled communities in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State to Sapele, Warri, Koko and other parts of the state, in the last few days, yesterday, narrated how they escaped alive from Ijaw ex-militants and hoodlums that attacked them and killed their relatives. One of the survivors, Mr. Tony Olley, told Saturday Vanguard that the

assailants came in two speedboats with sophisticated arms to his community and unleashed mayhem. According to him, “most of the people who escaped out of the burnt communities went through the bush while some swam through long stretch of water before getting to land. “Some were moved out of the places by Joint Task Force, JTF, gun boats, “he said, adding, “The schools in the areas affected have closed down.” He urged government to improve on security on the

waterways. A group of other displaced Itsekiri natives, who spoke through the Jakpa community head, Pa Higson Jofotan Oporokun said they escaped through the bush, after three hours of wallowing in the forest. A lamenting Oporokun asked what crime Itsekiris

had committed to warrant the merciless attack by exmilitants and hoodlums. His words, “Where do they say Itsekiris should live in Nigeria, if the security forces cannot protect the lives of the Itsekiris, who will protect it,” Pa Oporokun asked. He said, “A nonagenarian

and five persons were killed in Ajamitan community, a three -year old -baby boy was burnt to death in the same Ajamitan. Another three people; a husband, wife and a 15- year- old child shot dead in Tisun community and one person killed in Ehoro community.”

Ijaw/Itsekiri Crisis: Chairmanship aspirant calls for calm does not want the crisis

ARRI North Local Government Council chairmanship aspirant, Mr.Balas Miebi has frowned at the recent attack on some

Itsekiri villages by Ijaw youths in the council area which led to the death of four persons. Miebi in a statement yesterday said that he

to escalate to destruction of life and property despite the fact that the Ijaws of Egbema are being marginalized within local and state levels in the council area.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013 — 9

Police parade 1 1-yr old bo 2 other s ffor or ritual murder 11-yr boyy, 1 12 others murder,, kidnapping BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO, Lokoja

HE Nigeria Police, Kogi State Command, has paraded 13 suspects for various criminal activities in the state. Among them is one Mudi Ibrahim, who was nabbed while trying to enlist into the Army and Yahaya Isah, a serving councillor and an 11-year-old boy in connection with the killing of a 17-year-old girl for rituals. Others paraded are: Mudi Ibrahim, Yakubu Yusuf a.k.a. PAPA, Ocholi Awoko, Isiaka Alhaji and Maji Eiloma for robbery and kidnapping; Suleiman Yunusa, Isiaka John Yunusa, Alfa Maha, Hon. Yahaya Isah for murder; while Ibrahim Yakubu, Umaru Idrisu, Musa Abdullahi and Faruk Musa were arrested for armed robbery. Parading the suspects yesterday, State Commissioner for Police, Hilary Okpara, said Mudi Ibrahim was arrested while trying to enlist at the Chari Maiguri Army Barrack, Lokoja, after the Police tipped off the army officers who subsequently arrested and handed him

over for questioning. While investigations were ongoing, other members of the gang led by Yakubu Yusuf were said to have kidnapped the traditional ruler of Ejule, the Onuh of Ejule, Chief Simon Shaibu, on the suspicion that he was instrumental to the arrest of their gang member. “On receipt of the information of the kidnapping of the paramount ruler, the police in the neighbouring towns erected emergency roadblocks aimed at intercepting the run – away kidnapper, and in an attempt to evade the police, the kidnappers who were escaping with the victim in his own car had an accident where one of the kidnappers sustained a fracture and was arrested; while the other gang members whisked the chief away on their motorcycle”. The kidnappers were said to have released the traditional ruler when the police were closing in on them, but four of their members were arrested at a cashew farm where they usually hibernate. The cashew farm was said to have been owned by Maji Ebiloma, an 80-year-

old man who built a shrine for the gang on the farm. The CP disclosed that the gang members had admitted responsiblity for the kidnapping of one Ebuka at Ojodu Village in Ofu LG in 2012, as well as the attack on a PDP party member in Ejule during the recent PDP primary elections, among other crimes. As for the councillor who was arrested for killing a girl for ritual purposes, Hilary said the decomposing body of the victim, Miss Ogbadu, was found on 21 June, 2013 between Achigili and Ofoja village in Ofu LG, with the head cut off and some parts missing. Investigations, he said, led to the arrest of Suleiman Yunusa who confessed that he, along with Isiaku John Yunusa and Alifa Maha(11 years old),

Sen. Ben Ndi Obi (left) and Senate President David Mark (right) during the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka Episcopal Ordination & Installation of Rt. Rev.. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, the 2nd Bishop of Nsukka Diocese. carried out the demands of Yahaya Isah, a councillor representing Aloji Ward in Ofu Local Government area, who contracted them to provide

BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE, Abuja

HE Federal Ministry of Information yesterday halted attempts to attack Nigeria’s National Portal by a group of gay rights activists. The ministry said it is taking additional measures to stem future attacks by hackers, whose criminal activities have been on the increase globally in recent times. The attackers, according to the Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, were traced to the same group that recently attacked several countries’ websites across the world, claiming to be fighting for gay rights. “The attacks are a criminal attempt to blackmail countries which have resisted pressures by homosexuals to legalise gay marriages as practised in some countries. “While we recognise that Nigeria is a full

BY DAYO JOHNSON, tered the state without valid travelling docuAkure ments. However, there was a Nigerian Immi mild drama as two of the gration Service, NIS, in Ondo State yesterday pa- illegal immigrants atraded 147 persons from tacked and injured some Niger and Chad, who en- immigration officers in the process. Comptroller of NIS, Mr. Adetola Sessi, said in Akure that the illegal immigrants were arrested at “Those seeking to imthe Saabo and Shasha arpose gay rights from eas of the state capital by abroad are advised to stick officials of the agency. to legal and constitutionAccording to him, “they al means of expressing will be repatriated to their their opinions as governcountries of origin immement will not condone diately because they concriminal violations of our stitute great security laws by any group in the risks, especially when it guise of promoting gay rights in the country,” the minister declared, adding that security checks had been stepped up on the National Portal to plug all BY INNOCENT the loopholes exploited to ANABA launch last night’s attack. FEDERAL High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, ad-

OVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has asked the United Nations and the European Union to avoid meddling in the internal affairs of Nigeria which he described as a sovereign nation that would always uphold its constitution and not the resolutions of the international community.

was discovered that they had no means of livelihood.” Sessi disclosed that the suspects had been living in the state for a very long time but were fished out of their hideouts following the diligent surveillance of his officials.”The arrest of the illegal immigrants was in line with the resolve of the incumbent Comptroller-General of the NIS to rid the country of persons who are in the country without valid travelling documents. ”Most of them entered Nigeria through illegal routes and settled down among our people, creat-

ing problems because they had no jobs, no family and no credible means of identity. ”They are ready tools in the hands of self-serving politicians and religious bigots who would want to use them to achieve their parochial, selfish interests. ”Ondo State is peaceful now and we should be careful so that insurgents will not come and recruit these illegal immigrants to carry out their activities,” he said.

Court adjourns battered journalist suit till Oct 28

Edo hangman: Don’t dictate to Nigeria, Oshiomhole tells UN, EU

with the gang. Another gang member, Suleiman Yunusa said he has been a long standing friend of the councilor and was actively involved in his campaign.

147 illegal immigrants nabbed in Ondo

hec kmat es gay Website attack:FG cchec heckmat kmates activists fledged democracy, with robust guarantee of freedom of opinion by all citizens, it is criminal for anyone within or outside our country to use criminal means to express or canvass such opinions. The Federal Ministry of Information will liaise with security agencies to investigate last night’s attack. Nigeria is a highly cultured and religious society whose people remain overwhelmingly opposed to the imposition of gay rights and gay marriages as practised in some countries.

him a human head. The eleven-year old suspect, Alifa Maha while being questioned by journalists said it was money that made him to work

The Governor was reacting to the condemnation by the international community of the hanging of four armed robbers sentenced to death by the Supreme Court at the second annual seminar on the “Role of Public Complaints Commission in a Democratic Nigeria’ organised by the Pub-

lic Complaints Commission, Abuja. He declared that whosoever deliberately killed another person, if pronounced guilty by the court, should face the music.“We are part of the international community and my views must just be heard like the views of any other person,” he said.

journed till October 28, 2013 hearing of the suit by a photojournalist, Mr. Babatunde Ogundeji, against the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, over alleged assault. Trial judge, Justice Saliu Saidu, adjourned the matter following an application for adjournment by counsel to the plaintiff, who said he had just been served with the hearing notice. Counsel, therefore, sought for an adjournment to enable him tidy his processes and appear in court. The 50-year-old journalist and member of the

Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, is in the suit, claiming the sum of N50 million as damages against the defendant for the ill-treatment metted out to him. Ogundeji, in the affidavit supporting the suit, averred that on August 13, 2012, he suffered severe beatings from agents of the corporation at the terminus office in Ikeja. He said he had only been snapping photographs of an oncoming train with lots of passengers hanging on its sides and top, which he felt would bear a good caption.

10—SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013

BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

N what can best be de scribed as an attempt to broaden the scope of electronic payments for goods and services, five states and the FCT are set to join Lagos which adopted the cashless initiative last year, owing to the high level of commercial activities and cash deposits they record. On its part, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, disclosed that the expanded cashless initiative would include Aba (Abia State), Onitsha (Anambra State), Kano (Kano State), Port Harcourt (Rivers State), Abeokuta/Agbara (Ogun State) and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Indeed, the trend, which has for long been embraced by the industrialised European countries and the USA, is yet to fully gain ground in Nigeria. But the CBN, which is the main driver of the effort, explains that it is aimed at reducing the heavy volume of paper money or cash in the economic system. While acknowledging the challenges inherent in implementing electronic financial transactions, Ugochukwu Okoroafor, Director of Corporate Affairs, CBN, assured that extending the policy to the aforementioned cities would also be successful as the Lagos experience had shown. "If we think too much about the challenges such as inadequate infrastructure which

Cashless policy

Dream still far from reality

can be surmounted in the course of time, the nation may not be able to achieve desired results," he said. According to him, the beauty of the system is that even at home, the public can transact business with relative ease, adding that "the cashless policy will provide convenience, efficiency, speed and security for people involved." Meanwhile, there is still a major hurdle to be scaled. Nigeria is not yet highly industrialised, with so much illiteracy and poverty even in the 21st century. This makes efforts to replace hard cash with digital transactions more difficult. So as the cashless policy continues to expand its scope, there is a need for more policy advocacy, public enlightenment and capacity building, provision of infrastructure such as electricity and internet access to make for a smooth sail. Other incentives required to facilitate electronic financial transactions in this mould include: Laptops, cell phones, computers, I-pads, credit cards, debit cards and the installation of Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) at strategic points such as markets, banking premises, town and city centres, manufacturing or industrial zones and commercial layouts.

But the point must be made that both the formal and informal sectors of the economy must key into the policy if it is to achieve anything meaningful results in the long run. With massive public enlightenment, citizens will appreciate the need to have internet facilities in order to speedily access their bank accounts, pay bills and make transfers just by clicking their mouse or GSM phones. Stephen Temisan, a banker who spoke with Saturday Vanguard, noted that “Nigerians now have the option of Point Of Sales (POS) terminals where they can buy and pay without cash.” He also reacted to questions regarding the effectiveness of the cashless policy in Nigeria: How has the policy worked in Lagos? As regards the payment option for POS, it is working in Lagos - although considering the informal sector, it’s still cash. Don’t expect success here. To a considerable extent, the informal sector drives the economy. But at department stores for consumers, cashless Lagos seems to be working, as there is less volume of cash. For manufacturers producing wholesale and major distributors, there is now less cash in

payment as more of cheques and online payment are done. Is there a chance that the informal sector will catchup? I think so. People’s spending power is in the street. It’s fine to pay your bills by the electronic system. But if you go to the markets to buy, transactions are still done with cash. If you are talking of say N3 million in fast food ventures, then it can be electronic. When you command a lot of sales, payment may not be cash. About 90 per cent of financial transactions in the formal sector are done using electronic payment. What about in the states? It may not be like that. For anything above N150,000, it’s a third party cheque which must be cleared within a stipulated time before payment can be made. There are 3 platforms available to customers: Nigerian Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) which takes 2 days, Nigerian Interbank Settlement System which is instant and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) which is owned by the CBN. Your bank avails you with these platforms. But for RTGS, only the big corporations and banks use the facility. It’s immediate gross settlement. Is there any hope for the

cashless initiative? I don’t see any hope in the immediate future, given the level of our economy. I don’t see the cashless society coming into existence fully as in the developed world in the next 10 years. A lot of infrastructure are still missing. Everybody who wants to move from informal to formal will have to create a suitable payment system which can be electronic. There should be Point Of Sales terminal machines for collection of payments. That way, cash volume will be reduced, while electronic payment will increase. Big businesses transact with less less cash. For businesses of N5 million and above, a bank draft is preferred. Charges on the expanded cashless transactions for the new entries have been suspended. They will not pay penalties or charges till October 1, 2013. The CBN has communicated this directive to the banks.

Temisan....It’s fine to pay your bills by electronic system

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013—11

Anambra business community pleads for more time BY VINCENT UJUMADU

PPARENTLY follow ing a request by the Anambra State government, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has agreed to organise a sensitisation programme for the Anambra business community and other stakeholders in Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi to acquaint them with the apex bank's cashless policy. Anambra is among six states where the CBN has commenced the sensitisation exercise because those states control about 90 percent of commerce and cash deposits in the country. In the South-East, for instance, Anambra and Abia states were selected due to the high volume of commercial activities in Onitsha and Aba. The other states in the current phase of the CBN’s cashless policy implementation are Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and Kano. Though the exercise was to have taken effect from July 1, 2013, it has been shifted to October 1 this year, perhaps to allow for more public enlightenment. Not surprisingly, businessmen who spoke to Saturday Vanguard were delighted that the take-off of the policy was postponed, even as they declared their preparedness to embrace it ultimately. CBN Deputy Governor, Operations, Tunde Lemo, had during an interactive session by officials of the bank with Governor Peter Obi and members of the state executive council in Awka, said the exercise was part of the policy of the apex bank to stabilise the country’s economy by checkmating the risks involved in moving cash. While responding to Gover-

some bottlenecks in the proposed take-off of the policy in the state, on the ground that the transformation from cash to cashless was too sudden. Therefore, he pleaded with the CBN to make out time to educate the traders in Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka on the benefits of going cashless. “I think we should embrace the cashless policy, but I still want to plead that we in Anambra should be given more time because the traders need more education and sensitisation concerning the new policy,” the governor said.

Traders want more time

Tunde Lemo

nor Obi’s request that the CBN should organise the sensitisation programme for residents before the takeoff of the policy - especially the business community which moves large sums of money about in the course of transacting their business - Lemo assured that he would personally lead the team to Onitsha in view of the importance of the new policy. “I commit myself to lead the team to Onitsha so as to explain the details to the peo-

Once the policy takes off, withdrawals above N3000, 000 would attract a 3 per cent surcharge

Governor Peter Obi

ple. We want to start this policy because it is only when we start that we will know the teething problems and hiccups,” he said. Besides reducing the cost of transaction, Lemo assured that the cashless policy would check the menace of kidnapping in the state and leakages in government revenue. According to him, once the policy takes off, withdrawals above N3000, 000 would attract a 3 per cent surcharge, while those above N3 million would come with a surcharge of five percent - adding that the policy would bring stability into the country’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP. He said further: “There are various gains of this policy. Apart from checking corruption, it will reduce robbery, kidnapping, election rigging and even leakage in government revenue because nobody will be cheated by the electronic machine. “It will also protect consumers and check fraud and is

aimed at reducing the amount of physical cash circulating in the economy, encourage more electronic-based transactions for payment of goods, services, transfers and restrict the amount of cash to be deposited or withdrawn from customers’ accounts in a given day.” In view of the nature of business transactions in the state, Lemo assured that the CBN would also assemble a formidable team that would convince residents of the need to embrace the new policy, adding that the apex bank would work with the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and mobile telephone operators to ensure effective connectivity once the policy takes off. On his part, Governor Obi commended the CBN for recognising the strategic role the state was playing in the sustenance of Nigeria’s economy, admitting that the policy would help stabilise the country’s growth. But he identified

Comrade Obi Ochije, a business man in Awka, said while the traders welcomed the new policy, they needed at least six months to get acquainted with the idea of transacting business without cash. “We have already identified the advantages, among which is the fact that it will help reduce the crime rate as robbers would no longer have access to people’s cash to rob them. It will also reduce corruption and money laundering and encourage the use of electronic system of banking among traders," he said. “But there is a need for adequate awareness to be created because over 80 percent of traders are not yet convinced that it is not a ploy by government to code their bank accounts. Besides, many traders feel that it will slow down their businesses since they are used to doing business with cash,” he quipped. Ochije said that though his commercial bank had helped him install a machine that could accept all kinds of credit cards, the epileptic nature of power supply in the country could be a hindrance if his customers should decide to credit his account using the machine in his shop. Another trader, Kanayo Nweke, urged the CBN to first conduct a pilot programme before fully introducing the policy so as to monitor and identify its hiccups. He observed that if Nigerians could embrace the Automatic Teller Machines, ATM, which had proved to be very useful, they would definitely welcome the cashless policy. Other traders in Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi also disclosed that their commercial banks were already creating awareness about the new policy with text messages reminding them of its imminent take-off in October. Read more on page 45

12—SA TURD AY 12—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, JULY 6,, 2013

I’m concerned about future of Nigeria —Orji Uzor Kalu Dr, Orji Uzor Kalu, former governor of Abia State, is a politician and business mogul whose interests cut across national boundaries. In this no-holds-barred interview, he bares his mind on his plans for 2015, Njiko Igbo and the plight of Igbos in the polity for the past 53 years. Excerpts

BY CHIOMA GABRIEL

s your political group G37 still functioning? Yes, G37 is still on course. You know, it is a human-to-human thing. There is no problem with G37. What does the group intend to achieve? We don’t like to discuss our activities. We have officers who speak on these issues. At any time we want to give a press release, we have a secretary and some officers who do that for us. It is only when the group sits that we make a statement and issue a press release. So, I am not even competent to talk about the group because it is a collective effort. And based on that, nobody talks about the group. Are you in PDP or PPA? I am in PDP. Now that people are strategising for 2015, what are your plans? I have no plans actually order than for an Igbo man to be president. This is what NjikoIgbo is fighting. I have no other plan, and if anybody tells you that I have another plan, the person is lying. My first and last plan is for an Igbo man to be president. Who do you plan to project for 2015 presidency ? Nobody knows who will wear the cap because we have capable men and women. We

have strong people that can wear the cap. What are your political aspirations this time around? I have no aspirations now. Maybe I will have one as time goes on. But for today, my aspiration is to galvanise the people, get Igbo to be very purposeful than they used to be, both the youths, the market men and women, workers and everybody. I want them to understand the purpose of coming together. You know, when we are

in those two states are more than the whole local governments in the SouthEast. Those are the fundamental things. You talk about the Senators, you see that the South-East has only 15 senators in the whole federation. These are what I am talking about. You talk about states, you see that the South-East is the only zone with five states. These are constitutionally entrenched. Other zones have six states each.When I talk about marginalisation of the Igbo, I

I have no plans for 2015 other than for an Igbo man to be president. This is what Njiko- Igbo is fighting talking about marginalisation of the Igbo, people think it is all about appointments. It is not like that. It is not about who is made the Minister or not. It is about the fundamental issues like local government creation. Between Kano and Gigawa states, the local governments

am not talking about making Okonjo- Iweala or Stella Odua ministers. They are very competent to handle such posts. To me, the Aviation Minister and Okonjo-Iweala are performing very well. These are things that are bound to come to Igboland. But the

country should stop this hypocrisy in the system. They should be people who love one another. Competent people should be left to do their work, but we should address the marginalisation in the constitution. That is what I am saying. Do you think the Igbo love one another enough? How many tribes love themselves? Do the Yorubas and Hausas love themselves? It is not true. People should stop saying this. I get angry when I hear people say that kind of thing. Igbo love themselves. Igbo traders in the market love themselves, market women love themselves. The elites are after their pockets. They are not after anybody. So, when you equate our elites with greed, you don’t equate greed with market women and the middle-class Igbo. They know themselves. I can tell you that the Igbo respect those that fight for them. But they messed up the Ikemba Nnewi? They didn’t mess up the Ikemba Nnewi. Every election that Ikemba stood for, he won. But the system still gives room for rigging. It is not true, I can bet you. You seem restless recently. What is it all about? I am a Nigerian so concerned about my country. How to remake my country has been my concern. I have to be restless at this stage. In the next 10-15 years, maybe , I might not do what I am doing today. What do you want to achieve for yourself? Unity of the country. At this stage, I don’t talk about myself. You have known me for sometime now, I am the

same. I’ve lived in the same house for a long time now. So, it is not about me. People are thinking all these struggles are about me but it’s not. That does not mean I am not capable of representing our people. I am capable and I can do the job if given the opportunity. If you look at the polity, the NGF is messed up, the governors are divided. What do you think is happening? I think it is democracy. Democracy goes with quarrels and the ability to reconcile is very important. Democracy has a lot of problems and that is why the practice needs a lot of patience.But I am disappointed with our governors that 35 of them cannot be able to appoint one person as their leader. I don’t blame anybody for that. I was told that Amaechi won the election. They could just have left it like that and continued. The Governors’ Forum is a mere association, it has nothing to change in the constitutional wellbeing of Nigeria, it has nothing to change in the life of the Nigerian people. As far as I am concerned, they should bring unity back among themselves. I must also tell you that I am very happy to see President Jonathan and Governor Amaechi hugging on the pages of newspapers. This is what I wrote in a private column I have with one of the national dailies that they should sit together and talk. What is killing our politicians is inability to talk. I want them to talk to themselves. They should understand themselves. Politics is give and take. You

Continues on page 13

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Continued from page 12 lose this and you gain this. There must be discussions at all times. There is no superiority. A president is a president and a governor is also a governor. They all have executive powers. They should find a common ground to reconcile differences and make our party big. At present, PDP is enmeshed in all kinds of crises, NGF saga and suspension of the NWC. Do you think your party can withstand APC in the forthcoming elections? Everything that is happening in APC is all a joke. Time shall come when you would see that it is all a joke. The people in APC are all my personal friends, I know them well. I know their character, I know how they would behave. I know that it is difficult to sustain what they are doing because there are lots of suspicion among them because of sharing of offices and the rest of them. But, it is a good thing that we have a viable opposition. It is good for the nation and the PDP. So, I don’t want anybody to write off APC and I don’t want the PDP to take APC for granted because they can do something if greed would allow the people to get themselves together. How do you think the crises in PDP could be handled? It is being handled. PDP is a very big family and in a big family like that, there are always problems because there are all kinds of people in the family. You know, it is like a Church. Some people come to know if they can see God in the Church, some come to know if God would solve one problem or the other for them immediately , some people come to show off their new dress in the Church, some come to show off their new car. Some people are genuinely, in their hearts, in the Church to worship God. This is what a political party looks like. So, I think with the new reconciliation committee set up by the PDP, they would be able to reconcile their differences. Recently, there was the visa issue with Britain. What does that project about our country in the area of security? Let me tell you, I am not particularly impressed about the security issues in the country. But the president continues saying that he is doing his best. I don’t want to rate the president for now. He said Nigerians should give him till the end of 2013. But since I came back five days ago from Singapore, I have been running generators. Before I left my house on Victoria Island, I was running generators and my boys told me that for the past five months, there has not been power supply. I want the president to take good stock of his Ministers and C M Y K

people advising him. I think they are not telling him the truth. Things are not going the way they should be. There is a problem and the earlier the president acknowledges that, then we can start the solution and invite more hands. That is the truth. It is only a fool in Nigeria that would continue telling the president that there is no problem. There is a problem. We have a problem of unemployed young people everywhere, insecurity, power supply and everything. In fact, traders are crying because nothing is moving the way it should. Some Igbo businessmen in the North were forced back home because of Boko Haram activities. Do you think emergency rule would solve the problem of insurgents? Well, I have always told the military and the security agencies that they should look inwards. I hope they don’t have bad eggs that have continued to put this insurgence on us. Nigeria is bleeding.The country is suffering - the Igbos especially. The Njiko-Igbo is setting up a committee to be able to assess the damage done to Igbos so that when you are talking about compensating victims of Boko Haram, you also compensate those whose properties have been damaged. I have also said it several times that the federal government should set up a committee to also assess the properties damaged in northern Nigeria. The Njiko- Igbo is also setting up a committee to assess all Igbo people in Borno, Kano and other areas they have this problem so that they would be able to say what they lost and how they lost it so that we can be able to present a case to the federal government. Recently, you ventured into more businesses; how do you combine these with politics ? Well, I would say that I can’t stop doing what I know is good for my people because the government closed some of my companies. One of my companies employed over 13,000 workers. It was shut down. It is a mistake for people in government to mix personal business with politics. My bank that they closed down lost about 5,000 workers and Slok Airline lost about 1,000 workers. Our leaders should know that the country and the states do not belong to anybody, they belong to the Nigerian people. And if they belong to the Nigerian people, they should stop mixing politics with personal businesses of individual politicians. Business is different from politics. They should be able to be conscious of other people being employed in these conglomerates. I appreciate all the efforts of President Jonathan in distancing himself from mixing business and politics.

Vanguard, JULY 6,, 2013—13

and there. The PIB is key to investment. Look at oil companies selling their assets because of PIB. I call on President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Petroleum to effect the PIB. Let them not allow the people who are drafting this Bill to take every meat out of it. Even if they are representatives, like the Senators and House of Reps members, if they love Nigeria, they should conclude work on PIB like yesterday and stop playing politics with it. We are not supposed to play with the oil sector. People are talking about investment in oil. There is oil everywhere. Go to Liberia, everywhere is oil. From here to Senegal and Gambia, oil is everywhere, even in the Atlantic ocean. Why are we wasting time? But you know the Nigerian situation is peculiar, especially with the issue of some oil marketers reaping where they did not sow and then the Farouk Lawan factor Corruption is the main issue in our country. It is in the depth of the system and nobody is touching those officers who are deeply

NGF tussle is a product of democracy Let me also tell you the truth, Jonathan has been civil, unlike the other past presidents. The massive abuse of human rights is reduced in the Jonathan administration. This means the president is not attacking political opponents. I hope he can continue on that note so that more investors will be coming into the country. If you check now, you would find out that people are not investing in the country anymore because government will wake up and put a hammer on people’s business. We have been into the shipping business for 27 years now. We have been there even during the time of Obasanjo and we cannot stop because the government is there. Government should be able to take business away from politics. And I cannot stop business because I am a politician. So, we have competent hands in our companies and businesses. I can afford to attend board meetings and every other thing. What is your relationship with your Governor ? I don’t like to talk about it. I have said it time without number that I leave him to rule our state with his conscience. As the Governor of the State, his office is sacrosanct and should be respected. So I don’t like to discuss it. But he said he has withdrawn your certificate? Good luck to him. But I don’t like to discuss it because the

I must also tell you that I am very happy to see President Jonathan and Amaechi on the pages of the newspapers. This is what I wrote in a private column I have with one of the national dailies beauty of constitutional democracy is time limit. What is your opinion on the issue of PIB? Well, I know the government might be feeling that the oil companies have taken advantage of PIB in the past and we must correct it today. That is not how to do it. Rather, you must give the oil companies what I call in business “the sweetener ” to do the investment. Nigeria is wasting time because there is gas and oil everywhere in the world. In the next five years, we won’t have investors to invest in oil here because there is oil everywhere. In the area of gas, we are lagging behind. For something like brass energy they could have done since, they are wasting time having meetings here

involved in corruption. That is not good for the system. The system should be able to get the people that are involved and tell them that they are corrupt. The system is having children of the bridegroom and that of the groom. The whole children should be one. Treat Nigeria with one love, this country deserves to be treated with one love. Look at the issue of energy where the country spent $1billion and you are talking about Farouk Lawan. Farouk issue is a stone in the water. We are talking about spending billions of dollars on energy and nobody is talking about that. I am talking about big fraud happening in government everyday. So, let us stand up. Nigeria is endemic in corruption and it is only a president that does not mind if he would be killed in the course of the fight that can do that. That president must not put his hands in any corrupt practice. This issue of zoning the presidential candidate of your party is on. What’s your take on that ? I have told you that an Igbo man should be the next president and that is the only thing I have to say. Jonathan is not Igbo, and the Hausas are not Igbo, so what else do you want me to say? It is time for an Igbo man or woman to become the president. What about PDP zoning formula? There is no zoning in the PDP.

Continues on page 14

14—SA TURD AY 14—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, JULY 6,, 2013

NGF tussle is a product of democracy

Continued from page 13 That is what they have agreed. It is undemocratic, it does not represent the value and norms of democratic

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

ASHIRU ALAFE, 42, a vulcaniser, has been running helter skelter for the past six months to save the life of his daughter, Shukurat, 15, an SS1 student of East City College, Ikorodu, who according to medical reports has developed end-stage kidney failure. Alafe told Saturday Vanguard that about N6.5million is needed to carry out a kidney transplant in India. Narrating the story, he said “In November last year, she was ill with swollen legs and eyes and we went to a hospital where we were referred to Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH. There, she was diagonised with a kidney infection. After a few weeks, we were told that it has affected the other kidney since we have been running dialysis every week at the cost of N50,000 and N75,000 per week.” On getting donors for the kidneys, he disclosed that the Lions Club, Ojota has reduced their burden by finding two donors who are ready to give one of their kidneys for Shukurat. “Lions C M Y K

reforms. If you want to run for election, there must be primaries and anybody who wins the primaries flies the flag and the other aspirants

should support the person. You are aware the Igbo had a deal with Jonathan? I don’t know about the deal. They had a deal in 2011. I also heard that he promised to support the Igbo in 2015. If he didn’t comply with the zoning formula of the PDP, do you think he would comply with whatever agreement he had with the Igbo? I dont know, I was not there but I heard. I was not part of the deal. If I was part of the deal, it would be properly structured because I am used to structuring private-sector deals. What do you have to say about speculations by United States that Nigeria might cease to exist by 2015? There would be Nigeria in 2015 by the grace of God. It would be to the disadvantage of an Igbo man for Nigeria to disintegrate. We will not allow that. We fought the civil war,

we have also fought for the unity of the country, we will allow Nigeria to be one. Out of 53 years of independence, an Igbo man just ruled this country for six months. This is what I am saying, we should come together and fight this cause. But the Igbo are never united to fight They will unite. No tribe unites, I have never seen any tribe that is united. In the South-West, there are still people fighting my friend Bola Tinubu. They are not united, it is just that where majority of the people agree, it looks as if there is unity. When Obasanjo contested for president, Bola Ige, Falae , all ran for the same position. There is no place with 100% unity. There was no unity in the South-West but Obasanjo became president. People have become president without winning their wards.

Girl, 15, needs N6.5m for kidney transplant

Bashiru...needs help club has been with us, they have helped in getting two donors who are ready to give their kidneys for Shukurat to live. We are only looking for the money now. “The dialysis we run every week is financially sapping.

My family members have been exhausted financially, my wife is only a petty trader, that is why we are crying to well-meaning Nigerians to come to our aid in order to save the life of this young girl. Her colleagues in school

constantly mobilise for funds from their parents and other religious associations. What we have been able to get from these areas is being used to keep her alive with the dialysis.” According to a letter signed

Professor Nwabueze said recently that in 2015, there would be no other president except an Igbo man, is there is a joint effort by NjikoIgbo and other Igbo socio cultural groups towards achieving that, knowing fully well that some Igbos are supporting Jonathan for 2015? Well, Njiko-Igbo is not contesting leadership with Ohanaeze. Ohanaeze is the supreme leadership of cultural organizations of Igbo land. Other groups are there. Njiko Igbo is a political group. It would be very willing to work with other socio- cutural groups like Ohanaeze, Aka Ikenga and others. Ohanaeze is a pressure group and Njiko -Igbo is a political group. We respect the leadership of Ohanaeze and we expect them to do more.

by Dr. Mrs Ladapo Taiwo, a Consultant Paediatrician at the hospital, “Shukurat’s kidneys are not functioning and will ultimately require a kidney transplant to stay alive. Prior to this, she will have to be connected to a special machine called a hemodialysis which will act like her kidney and help to remove all the waste substances from her body. “This needs to be done three times a week. She will also need to be on some drugs to provide her body with some nutrients required for blood formation and strong bones which the kidney usually provides.” Alafe also stated that apart form the one dialysis session which costs about N25,000 amounting to N75,000 per week, she takes Erythropoietin injection, one of the drugs required for blood formation which costs N12,000 per week. “I therefore appeal to Nigerians to come to my aid to save the life of my daughter.” His account detail is as follows: Kabiru Bashiru Alafe, 1018974320, Skye Bank, Ikorodu He can be reached on 08186000064, 08023938220.

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JULY 6, 2013—15

Even the best laid plans can go wrong

t was a week to my promotional exams to form five, and I had been following a carefully laid out revision plan. Then I caught conjunctivitis and had to be sent home. Conjunctivitis, known in my days as Apollo, is a highly painful, highly contagious disease that affects the eyes. It’s as if pins and needles are dancing on your eyeballs. You are afraid to blink because of the excruciating pain, yet you are forced to blink in order to get rid of the foreign bodies. And so the circle of pain continues…. Because of the infectious nature of the disease, the school authorities decided to send anybody that contacted the disease home –in my case, barely days to a crucial promotion exam. I remember asking my house captain about our chances of getting to the next class and he assured that the Principal had promised to use the second term results. I thought that was dicey and whimsical since the Principal did not make a public announcement and resolved not to let my fate hang on a last minute sleight of the hand. I therefore decided to come on D-day to sit for the exam even if it meant coming from home with all the pain and inconvenience of conjunctivitis. So fortified with a n t i b i o t i c s ,

t was also a week to a wedding a friend and his wife had spent the better part of a year to plan that the storm which passed through Lagos two years ago, took the roof of an event centre they had booked and paid for. The owner of the event centre promised to do everything possible to get the hall ready within the week. In the alternative, he offered them their money back – money that is of no use as anybody who has had to look for a decent event centre at a short notice in Lagos knows. Faced therefore with the grim prospect of having a wedding without a reception hall, my friend’s wife opted to work hand in hand with the owner of the centre. They barely made it and the gaily dressed guests that thronged the hall could not have known that it was such a ‘touch and go’ thing.

C M Y K

he hall was an oven! The gasps and snorts were still going on when the church entourage arrived. What impressed me most was how the parents of the bride and groom—which included a royalty by the way— handled the situation. They dressed down as much as possible and started working the crowd. A cold drink here, a nice word there, a smile here, a joke there, quickly got many guests into showing empathy. All is well they say that went well as the generator sprang to life shortly after. Finally, an incident happened to a very, very close friend of mine which shows that even the best laid plans can go wrong. His wife was to celebrate a land mark age so a detailed event was planned to mark the occasion. The hall of a first class hotel was booked somewhere in the heart of Europe and close friends from all over the world were invited. Just as friends were checking into hotels and establishing contact, their son who had actively participated in planning the occasion took ill. Seriously ill. This definitely was not part of the script.

It is not what happens to us that really matter as even the best laid plans can go wrong

analgesics, and eye drops — useful or not—I doggedly pursued my studies at home. I was left largely alone, and, free from the clatter and banter of a school life that was largely ruled by bells and sundry distractions, I was able to concentrate much more than I had hoped. The pain was there but the analgesics and my mind I guess, drove lot of it away. The result was that I had one of my best results in my five years of O levels.

Another wedding incident almost went awry when the generator packed up a day to the event. The owner of the centre quickly rented a ‘name your price’ generator hoping it would be up and running before the church service was over. It was not. Those who gave the church service a miss, or left the church early, were barred from entering the hall. After hanging around for some 45 minutes, nerves became frayed and tempers rose. Eventually, the security people bowed to the immense pressure and the doors to the hall were thrown open.

You can cchange hange yyour our destin destinyy

oo many people are today being deceived that their future is hopeless and that nothing good can come out of it. They have been lied to by Satan that change is not possible. Some believe this lie or their present situation because probably they have tried certain things for years and yet no positive change has occurred. Thus, they have concluded that their lives can never be better. God has sent me to you today to let you know that His thought concerning you is of peace and not of evil and to give you an expected glorious end, a future and a hope (Jer. 29:11). God did not create you with a destiny that is useless. God is a glorious God. Everything He does is wonderful. This is why I know that your life is planned with great wonders waiting to happen. Don’t believe the lie that your present status is your destiny. It is not true. It can be changed. You can change it. Jabez in the Bible, was given the name by his mother. Jabez means sorrow, pain, displeasure etc. Jabez was not responsible for his mother ’s condition at birth yet the mother gave him a name that for a season was controlling his life. He saw himself as a hopeless person. Nothing seems to work for him. His brothers were celebrated everywhere they went while he was neglected. He was not recognized. He was despised by all. Everywhere he turned to, he could only see sorrow. His life was not only complicated but also messed up. To man there was no way out for him. He has no future and so he was not important. One beautiful thing about this whole sitation was that his case seems unbearable. One would be wondering where is God? After all Jabez did not conceive himself, why should he be made to suffer unjustly. The truth is that before any man is formed God already knows. Remember Jer. 1:5, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto

s at the morning of the event, only a few people knew of this twist in the tale. Should they cancel? It was not an option to be easily dismissed given the state of their son. It was to their credit that they thought of their rainbow guests who had come from all over even as they thought of themselves. The show went on. I occasionally threw glances at the couple and the way they conducted themselves was admirable. You see, it is not what happens to us that really matter as even the best laid plans can go wrong. It is what happens in us when the unexpected happens. Making lemonade out of lemon might sound as a cliché but it still holds true. The cause of the problem might not be ours but the responses and decisions are definitely ours to make. It’s our response to the unexpected shocks and knocks of life that shows who we really are and can, at the end of the day, determine what we become in

the nations”. So you see the destiny of a man is not in the hands of any man. It is in your hands. God never creates anyone useless. There is no uselessness in God. He is an excellent God. Thus you are an excellent person. You may not look like it right now but that is the truth. Shortly, all those that look down on you will regret it because your destiny will soon change for good. The best of God in your life will start to show forth. I perceive a stirring up in your Spirit. It is time to rise up. Jabez accepted his situation until a day and time like this when he said to himself God is a good God and so my destiny cannot be hopeless but colourful. He rose and saw himself beyond been sorrowful. He saw that there is a God who changed the life of Jacob and made up his mind to call upon that same God that is the same yesterday, today and forever. The God who said call upon me and I will hear and answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not presently know. Thus, in 1 Chron. 4:9-10, the Bible states, “And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested”. From the text above, Jabez’s destiny as orchestrated by the devil through the mother was changed by him. Jabez had to rise to the reality that he was not created for pain, shame and sorrow. This applies to you today. You can change your destiny now. The God who did it for Jabez will also do it for you. First, do you really desire a change? How desperate are you? When you are truly desperate for a change, change will become inevitable. Call on God now from the depth of your heart. Cry out like the Israelites did while in Egypt and God will hear you and change your destiny. Satan has denied you your glorious destiny for too long and it’s time to put an end to it now. Pray fervently about the change you desire and your destiny will begin to shine. Have you given your life to Jesus? If not, please pray this prayer. Father, I come to you as I am. I invite Jesus into my life to be my personal Lord and Saviour. Wash me cleanse with the blood of Jesus and empower me with the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you Father for saving my soul and making me your child. Your prayer request and praise reports will be welcomed.

For more details, contact us at Christ Reality Church, beside Gossard Hotel, opposite First Bank Sports Ground, Community Road, Satellite Town or P.O.Box, 3196, Yaba Lagos. Tel: 08023062635 08168955932; 08033378769. Email: Johnson_crm@yahoo.com. Website: www.christrealityministries.org. Our account details are Pastor Johnson Omomadia, Guaranty Trust Bank, A/C Nos. 0005171407; Christ Reality Ministries, Zenith Bank A/C

1011711622.

Worship with us on Sundays, 1st Service: 745am-9:15am; 2nd Service 9:1511:30am. Wednesdays Word Revelation 6pm. Counseling days Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 11am-5pm daily or by appointment. Showers of blessing every 2nd - 4th Sat. of each month, 6 a.m - 7.15 am.

16—SATURDAY Vanguard , JULY 6, 2013

*What a shame”—a rejoinder by Will Bozimo Willy Bozimo is no less than of an iconic stature in the pen-pushing trade. He does this page a cherished visit as our guest writer this week with a rejoinder that is vintage “WillyBEE”.Mr Bozimo writes from Asaba.

What a shame

•Governor Amaechi to all manner of politicians who celebrate their birthdays or routine achievements and make them feel like supermen and with that toga of pride and glory they carry on as if they are in thing and should be treated like demi gods. Uncle Bisi Lawrence rubbed it in further , still lambasting the Governors who succeeded in an election that was less than elegantly handled as it produced two Governors of the Forum. One group chose Amaechi as winner announced by the Forum’s DG in the governor’s lodge in Abuja where the election took place with 19 votes while the other group chose Governor Jonah David Jang of Plateau State as its chairman. Many critics allege that Governor Amaechi is being hunted by the PDP because there is an undeclared ambition by him to contest a vice presidential race in 2015. do not think, Governor Amaechi’s trumpeted vice presidential race has anything to do with what he is currently going through. He is, perhaps, suffering from what one might call ‘’gubernatorial delinquency or rascality”. For a staunch leader of the PDP in the South South, who in 2013 delivered almost 2 million votes to ensure the presidential victory of his party and his fellow kith and kin , to emerge President of Nigeria and only to turn a black sheep as 2015 approaches, thereby selling out the the constitutional second term for a south south President and deliver the presidency to someone up the North of Nigeria

ncle Bisi went on to argue why May 29, was being celebrated as the Democracy Day and went on to speak on the issues of corruption everywhere, the universities, churches and took on the Coordinating Minister of the Economy Okonji-Iweala for saying the Nigerian Economy was not as bad as commentators tended to paint it. For Bisi Lawrence, what has the Harvard School of Business got to do with the grinding poverty in the land, where unemployment and poverty had reached its peak? Bisi asked and said –‘’She is a Nigerian and She has no shame.” Then the lead story came in a sobered style and that concerns Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, of Rivers State. For BISI LAWRENCE, he displayed considerable discretion as the better part of valour as he made a gradual entry into the avoidable debacle or puerile display by a protagonist and PDP Governor of Rivers State. Hear him..” For what might not happen

He is, perhaps, suffering from what one might call ‘’gubernatorial delinquency or rascality

to you if you shouted too much about your civil right when every attempt was made to overwhelm a State Governor at his own doorstep for trying to claim his right as a citizen to vote and be voted in an open election? And it is all being done in the open by men of honour who no longer know shame. ” That is a matter for the Governors to respond but for those of us who are plying our pen pushing trade to earn a living, we might be vicariously responsible for this sorry pass in our clime. We have always opened our pages

is the height of betrayal of one’s own brother in Dr Goodluck Jonathan. I do not envy Amaechi Rotimi Chibuike a brilliant young man, just 48, who had been speaker for two terms and now Governor for almost another two terms to want to toy with an idea which is the equivalent of Hirosima Bomb on the people of the Niger Delta Delta particularly, the South South Minorities. If he is contesting the Presidency with Mr. President JONATHAN, one would not raise an eyebrow but to rent it out to our former oppressors and exploiters who had been used to ruling the land for decades—35 out of the 53 years since independence seems politically ‘’treasonable” and condemnable. And he does it with glee and ‘’without Shame” according to Bisi Lawrence’s title of his column.

Uncle Bisi Lawrence continues..” However, the people of Rivers State are challenged today to throw off the cloak of ignominy that is being cast on their shoulders as a people in standing firm by the honour of their governor, Chibuike Amaechi , who is now the target of unmerited disgrace. They have the opportunity of resisting the naked edge of implacable power and pointing the way of true democracy to the rest of us.” After reading the piece of our great literary stylist, Uncle Bisi Lawrence, rendered in sober and an absorbing piece titled What a shame, it was written in fine poetry and cascading prose. As an elder in this thankless pen pushing trade we should not always pontificate or prevaricate on the side of the seemingly oppressed in our quasi democracy where even pushers of the pen confraternity had become

r. Bisi Lawrence of the Passing Scene column in the Vanguard newspaper is an elder statesman in the pen profession and over the years, he had endeared himself to many of his fans who read him regularly. I want to count myself lucky to be one of his great fans who had benefitted from his well of experience for his sober offerings on Saturday Vanguard. On June 1, 2013, he wrote a column titled ‘’WHAT A SHAME” on page 16 and what attracted me to it was the picture of the Man of the moment, Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the seemingly embattled governor of Rivers State, who has been in the news. Veteran Bisi started off innocuously with the Democracy Day dance steps of innocent 10 year old primary school pupils doing their thing and dancing to the modern tunes of music with patently sexually suggestive dance steps and the Old Man in Bisi Lawrence was miffed by their celebration of incipient moral proclivities. And Bisi described their dance steps this way ..” And then the gyrations began among children of between five and eleven years old in the style and disgustingly prurient manner they had seen the grown -ups dance on the TV I could hardly believe my eyes ‘’. From the dance steps of the children on Democracy Day, Uncle Bisi Lawrence had set the stage to go political commentaries. ‘ But isn’t that a description of our general attitude to so many deplorable circumstances of our life as a Nation.?’

who got lost in action as militants or human rights activists and now Amaechi, whose Yoruba and IgboIkwerre combination of names may have complicated matters for him. He is being used by external politicians from the South South as a sacrificial lamb to appease the professional opposition groups in the polity; aided by entrenched Media interests for survival.

he virtue of party loyalty seems the most vital element to stabilise the democracy after 14 years experimentation. For me I admire his bullish courage but I poo at the idea of a brilliant young man whom God has blessed and whose every move seems programmed for doom by playing the black sheep within his PDP by his antiestablishment outpourings as an opposition within the ruling party. The south south no longer needs heroes and after Boro, Saro wiwa, Henry Okah and

The south south no longer needs heroes and after Boro, Saro wiwa, Henry Okah and nameless others, Governor Amaechi should spare us the thought of him wanting to commit, like Boko Haram bombers

part of the Shame . After the Press had hyped some political characters, who in the main are serial scoundrels depending on the side of the divide, we tend to make heroes out of the ordinary run of the mill politicians and they behave like Draculas to come back and haunt us.

rother Amaechi Rotimi Chibuike seems to have performed well in terms of infrastructures and development programmes to the people of Rivers State but that should not get into his head and behave as if he cannot be disciplined according to his party leadership, when he tries to veer from the norms of the party. My main worry for any aspiring hero from the south south—Adaka Boro, Saro Wiwa, Henry Okah, late Dikibo, and a host of others

nameless others, Governor Amaechi should spare us the thought of him wanting to commit, like Boko Haram bombers , suicide with his eyes open. Agreed, militancy in the Niger Delta, has become a collective heritage of the oilbearing people of the South South but he should not allow his head to be used for breaking a coconut for others to eat. It is a Shame for one of us to sell us out in 2015. Re-think Rotimi Amaechi.Those hyping and singing Halleluya for your seeming youthful exuberance cum stubbornness would be the ones to write an Epitaph— ‘’Here lies a hard working governor for the good of his people in Rivers State but evil ones had done their worst. May this not be your portion. God bless . By willy bozimo a veteran journalist in Asaba , Delta state.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013—17

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JULY 6, 2013 Dear Aunty Julie, My girlfriend and I have been dating for a year now and we both attend the same university. Things were going so well until she told me she had a guy somewhere. She said she met the guy before me but she never told me this from the beginning. Whenever we go on holiday, she changes. The love and care she shows while we are at school reduces drastically and we are always arguing. But when we resume, she becomes loving and caring again. I have done everything to show her I love her but I know her heart still lies with the other guy whom she calls her first love. We broke up due to her misbehaviour. Now she has come back again, wanting a reunion. My friends have advised me to back out, but I don’t know why I’m still in it. Please I would want to know, is she using me as a backup for the other guy? Is she using me for her personal gain ? Can anything good come out of this double dating game she is playing? Should I listen to my friends

How young is too young for a romantic relationship?

She wants me as second best and just quit and find someone else? What can I benefit or lose from this relationship? Josh, Lagos Dear Josh, She cannot have her cake and eat it. It’s either she wants you or someone else - except if you want to be used as a backup. So, make up your mind what you really want from this lady. If it’s just friendship, then don’t bother about her real love and be just friends. But if you need something deeper, then sit down with her and define it. If you love her and she doesn’t love you, why bother

with her? What you need to do is tell her. Tell her that she is on your mind all the time, and your genuine feelings for her. Then what you do is turn and walk the other way with your head up high. You will be trapped like this for the rest of your life if you don’t stand up for yourself. If you truly love someone, you let that person know. You need to move on because she doesn’t want anything to do with you. I would say that the only reason that she wants you back is because she is alone when she is in school and you were her last resort (no offence) or she knew that

you would take her back but when she gets back together with her first love, you get tossed aside. Is that what you want? If you decided you want her back , I will advise that you take things slow, go easy, don’t talk too much about feelings and make her feel like she made a mistake to leave you and has to work to get you back. However, don’t keep that up forever, or that would be just one of those one -sided relationships that no one wants to be in. I wish you luck, but I should say if I were you, I’d run away as far as I could from that lady.

My ex wants me back Dear Aunty Julie, Good morning, Aunty Julie. I’m a reader of your column in Saturday Vanguard. Presently I’m having problem in my relationship. I met a girl two years ago and we fell in love with each other and things were smooth for us. But sometime last year , I noticed some changes in her. I realised that if I don’t call her, she won’t even bother to call me and when I ask her if there is anything wrong, she would say nothing is wrong, that it’s her work that is taking her time. Sometime in January this year, she called me and said that someone told her I’m dating another girl which isn’t true. We broke up after her accusation and I came across another girl February this year and things have been smooth with us. Some weeks ago, I had this urge to visit my former girl and she opened up to me that she still loves me, that we should come together again but I didn’t tell I have found some else whom I love so much. Aunty Julie, I still love her too. What should I do? I need your candid advice.

•The whole truth

The key here is to use an indirect approach. Let her come to her own conclusions that you’re capable of giving her what she wants. Do not verbally express this. She’ll take everything you have to say with a grain of salt; after all, you are the ex with an agenda, right? Keep on shining! God bless you Kennedy, Port-Harcourt Dear Kennedy, You must be joking. Do you know what you are trying to get into? You will just wind up driving yourself crazy and hurting yourself the more. When a girl tells you that she needs some space and you break up, you have to stay away. Do not call her, text her,

or email her. Don’t visit her. This will solve nothing. You need to focus on your current girl. If you want to go back to your former girl, then break up with the current girl. You may end up hurting yourself if you keep the two girls. Nothing anyone can say will make anything better. Just let go and concentrate on the current relationship. Think rationally. If you still love your ex and she still

C O C K - T A L E S

loves you, the sign should be obvious. Unfortunately most men dismiss it. Why? Because they treat it as an open invitation to jump back into the relationship. However, when they suggest working things out, the proposition is quickly met with a hope-crushing comment such as “I think it’s best we remain friends”. In your own case, the attraction might still there but the core essentials that keep couples together may be missing. A relationship lives and dies with attraction . When the latter goes, the former soon follows. However, attraction in itself is not enough to keep a girl. She has other needs and she’s either going to get them from you or someone else. The key here is to use an indirect approach. Let her come to her own conclusions that you’re capable of giving her what she wants. Do not verbally express this. She’ll take everything you have to say with a grain of salt; after all you are the ex with an agenda, right?

At school, a boy was told by a classmate that most adults are hiding at least one dark secret, and on his way to school the next day, when he sees the that this makes it very easy to blackmail them by mailman at his front door. The boy greets him by saysaying, “I know the whole truth”. The boy decides to ing, “I know the whole truth.” The mailman drops the go home and try it out. mail, opens his arms, and says, “Then come give your He goes home, and as he is greeted by his mother he says, “I know the whole truth.” His mother quick- FATHER a big hug.” •Why Condoms are packed this way ly hands him a N50 note and says, “Just don’t tell your father. “ Quite pleased, the boy waits for his A man visits a local pharmacy with his 6-year old son, father to get home from work, and greets him with, Bryan, a very inquisitive boy. As they were paying for “I know the whole truth.” The father also promptly their purchases at the counter, the boy saw some packs hands him a N50 note and says, “Please don’t say a of condoms and asked, “Daddy, what are condoms used word to your mother.” Very pleased, the boy is

Dear Aunty Julie, I will be 17 next December but I am 5ft 9 and fleshy. Men have been approaching me for a relationship but my mum says I should disregard them for now because I’m still too young. Is 17 still too young? Uche, Anambra Dear Uche, How young is “too young” to start a relationship depends on the individual’s level of maturity, goals and beliefs. Often, the younger we are, the less mature we are due to a lack of life experience. When we are just beginning to figure out who we are, we may not be firmly grounded enough spiritually to form solid romantic attachments and may be more prone to making unwise decisions that can leave us with emotional, physical, psychological and spiritual damage. Being in a relationship puts one in almost constant temptation, especially as emotions begin to develop and the attraction to the other person deepens. Young teens, even older teens are besieged by hormonal and societal pressures that seem at times almost unbearable. Each day brings new feelings—doubts, fears and confusion coupled with joys and exhilaration which can be very confusing. Young people spend much of their time just figuring out who they are and how they relate to the world and the people around them. To add the pressure of a relationship at this stage seems almost too much to ask, especially when the other person is experiencing the same upheaval. Such early relationships make it more difficult to avoid damage to the delicate and still-forming self-image, not to mention the problem of resisting temptation. If being marriage-minded is still far off, it is probably too early to begin dating or courtship. Much safer for all concerned are group activities where young people can develop social skills and friendships without the pressure and inherent difficulties of romantic attachments.

for?’”Daddy replied, “Bryan, condoms are used by men to have safe sex. Don’t worry about them, you’re too young to think about such things.” “Okay! But Daddy, why are they packed in 3’s?” asked Bryan. Daddy was stumped by the question. He thought for a while, and replied, “Those are for young men with high sex drive. They have sex 3 times each weekend, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Each packet can last them a week.” “Wow, that is so interesting! But Daddy, why are some of them packed in 12’s?” asked Bryan again.Without hesitation, Daddy let out a sigh and replied, “Those are for married men whose wives don’t like sex. They have sex only once a month. Each packet can last them a year.”

SATURDAY

Vanguard JULY 6, 2013—19

Must an affair be with your husband’s friend! W

HY does a seemingly happily married woman go off the rail? “Well, ‘seemingly’ is the right word if you’re thinking of Labake ‘s marriage,” snorted Benny, a friend who dropped by to discuss the break-up of La bake’s 24 odd years of marriage. We’d all been class-mates and have kept in touch over the years. Labake had always been flighty, she simply loved being ‘chased’ by men. Marriage hadn’t really dampened her flightiness, but one would have thought that after all these years, her loyalty would be to Mark, her husband — and their three lovely boys. You know how it is that when you’re gnawing at a particular topic, up comes tiny jig-saws to help you complete the puzzle? A few days after my discussion with Benny, who should I run into but Mark, and at my neighbourhood supermarket of all places. “What are you doing here?” I challenged, pretending 1 didn’t know the latest episode of his life story. “Hey, fancy meeting you here!” The poor man was actually glad to see me. When you run into these men at any market, they either make quickly for the check out without finishing whatever shopping they had come to do or discreetly disappear whilst you’re still browsing all in an effort to wriggle out of paying for your stuffs! But Mark tagged along and even offered to pay.

Smart looking around the hall. I smiled at him. He started smiling back but his gaze was over my shoulder – at my wife! She was smiling right back at him, politely. For a moment I wondered, then shrugged. We had been happily married for 23 years, what would a man who looked like a stranger to her now do to us? Yet he had a bit of a check eyeing my wife in my presence!. “Months later, I started smelling stale cigarette smoke on her. It was very strange indeed as she hated smoking. Was she from a club or something? She denied it of course, but the stale smell became a regular thing — she gave no explanation and I became suspicious. One evening, she told me you lot were having a girlie do for one of you that just became an associate professor. I knew of the promotion and was happy for her to go. When it was almost mid-might, I became worried. She’d taken her ear because it was less flashy and 1 was con-

cerned she’s had an accident. I was so worried that I drove to the venue of the party but there were no cars parked outside. Instinctively, I drove past the bungalow Smart used for his office and 1 saw my wife’s car parked in a yard next door to Smart. 1 followed my instinct. 1 walked up to her car then hopped over a fence into the back of the bungalow. Two of the windows were lit up. I edged along the first window and peered inside an office room. Nothing. I edged to the second window and could see into a bigger office. It was as if I’d stepped into a nightmare. “I could clearly see the back of an office couch. Above it, two heads were moving together as if they were having sex. Then, as if the scene was being played in slow motion, the couple turned towards me. I was looking at two sweaty faces and the faces were looking back at me.

’d discreetly narrowed my purchase down to two items, so the poor man wouldn’t break the bank trying to please me. He then followed me to my car. “Heard about what happened between your friend and I?” he wanted to know. I told him I’d heard and that they should both be ashamed of themselves for throwing in the towel after all those years of marriage. “Were you told what she did?” he quizzed. What could she have done that could be so bad! Realizing I was on

We had been happily married for 23 years, what would a man who looked like a stranger to her now do to us?

my way back to work, he followed in his car. Here we go again, 1 groaned! About time 1 started charging for this agony aunt lark. “And to think that 1 was the one who introduced Labake to Smart,” he continued, after we’d settled into the confines of my office. “We were classmates just like you lot. But he was a renowned footballer in our school days and went on to be a newscaster. He then left to found his own advertising agency but my wife didn’t even recognize his name when I introduced them. “Is he important?” she wanted to know when I chided her for not being with it. I told her Smart was a sort of celebrity. It was a fund-raising event for our old school and later that evening, 1 saw

One was Smart. The other, my wife. I hammered furiously on the window and my wife started grabbing her clothes off the floor. She then fled quickly to her car. I ran to the front of the house but she was already in her car, with all the doors locked. ‘I didn’t do anything’, she yelled at me as she sped off.

y the time I got home, she’d disappeared. She called from her sister’s house the next morning and wept that I’d gotten the wrong end of the stick. That Smart was trying to force himself on her after luring her to his office from the party. Her sister was quite distraught and told me my wife was quite unhappy and had assured her nothing happened between them. In the end I relented and agreed for her to move back home. ‘Thank God, Mark’, she cried, ‘I’ve missed you so much...’ “The following day, I was in the office when a friend rang. What he told me made my blood boil. How I made it till closing, only God knows. Labake was already in, trying to make dinner when I grabbed her by the throat: ‘A friend saw you at an hotel two nights ago with Smart. He knows both of you, so there’s no denying anything.’ She started to cry. I squeezed her throat tighter and she confessed it was true. I left the house and warned if she was still there when I came back, I would kill her ... “Labake and Smart are now an item. But my ’ life is in shreds. To this day, I’m still haunted by the image of them that night. I will never be the same again...” I looked at Mark with a lot of pity. Yet that is life.

, Disco vering the thrill of orgasm! Discov M

arilyn Monroe was in her 30s and had been married three times before she had her first orgasm. A psychiatrist had told the screen goddess that an orgasm happens in the mind, not the genitals. He had also taught Marilyn how to stimulate herself. “Bless you, doctor” she said. “I never cried as hard as I did after my first orgasm. It was because of the years that I had never had an orgasm. What wasted years!” According to a sexual therapist, Dave Hale, Marilyn’s psychiatrist was right. “Orgasms happen when a woman abandons restraint and grants herself permission to enjoy sex. This is easier, at first, when she is alone somewhere that feels private and safe. Like men, women can enjoy orgasms during nocturnal dreams about having sex. Self-stimulation is a

trigger that releases a woman’s erotic thoughts into broad daylight. At 16 to 60, when a woman allows herself to welcome and explore intensely sexual ideas ... when she accepts that it is not wrong but healthy and completely natural to do so orgasms follow. “Humans are unique among animals in anticipating and fantasizing about the thrill of sex. This encourages us to find a mate with whom we can enjoy sexual intercourse and make babies. A woman who believes that she has few or no exciting sexual thoughts is afraid and ashamed of them. Her erotic ideas are suppressed by guilt. If your fantasies about sex are weak or absent, pick up a pen and permit yourself to describe a sexual

scene. You’ll feel aroused by the shocking thoughts that flow. A woman’s acceptance that to enjoy sexual ideas and genital stimulation is good and right allows her to have an orgasm. “Now I’ve had lots of orgasm,” Marilyn told her psychiatrist. “Not only one, but two and three with a man who takes his time.” Discovering the thrill of orgasm is the start of a journey that enriches a woman’s sex life and relationships. By continuing to push away her inhibitions, she finds sexual joy. Once they have been experienced, a flood gate is broken and orgasms arrive often. Just as for a man, an orgasm remains something a woman can en-

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013 08052201257 anyagafu@yahoo.com

GATHA could sense something was terribly wrong when she got home and noticed a strange lipstick on the dressing mirror. She never used lipsticks that loud and never saw her sister-in-law using any. As a matter of fact, her sisterin-law never used lipsticks and she knew that deep red lipstick on her dressing mirror couldn’t have belonged to her. The only person who should know about it was her husband and she decided to ask him. But in response, Adrain almost shouted down the roof of the house as he denied knowledge of the source of the lipstick. But Agatha had not seen the last of the strange objects that littered her bedroom. As she made for the bathroom to take a warm shower, she saw a pink G-string panty that never belonged to her. She was shocked. Everything was now so clear! Recent studies have shown that around 35% of married women and 60% of married men are unfaithful at some time or another during their relationship. Infidelity can range from a one-night drunken stand to a long-term, planned affair. Though infidelity doesn’t have to mean the end, it is likely to have a long-term impact on your relationship. Some people are unfaithful

What if your partner is cheating on you ?

for the thrill and excitement. Others have affairs because they want to get out of the relationship and can’t communicate that fact. Still others even have affairs as a cry for help, an indication that something is seriously wrong in the relationship. Admittedly, being unfaithful isn’t the best way to tell your partner that you are unhappy, but it

can be the wake-up call that some relationships need. Sometimes the very fact that a partner is unfaithful allows a couple to take an honest look at their relationship and work through their problems together - creating a stronger and more open partnership.

Is it too late?

’m glad to be sending this to you this day. I have been dating my lady Bisola since 2004 and this August we'll clock another anniversary but we are not married yet due to the situation of things in the country which we both understand. The love is more than what I could imagine. Right from school up till now, she has been the love of my life and I wouldn’t imagine myself losing her to another man now. We both are 32years old. What do I do about the issue? I have no regular job, no apartment of my own and I have a worthless cash in my account. We pooled resources together to rent a place and I need your idea about this. I need a place of my own because I really have to marry her. Thanks. Adewale, Ibadan Ans: Marriage is a responsibility. Poverty in itself is not a barrier to love; lack of ambition is. A man might have a good personality but he must have ambition and

be at least educated to the point of having a brighter future. Lack of money and being poor isn’t your problem, but having little ambition is. You should be a man that has ambition and strive for something greater. It’s awful to be poor and if a man has no ambition, he likely won’t find or hold on to employment. In a marital relationship, you need a reasonable means to at least support yourself and your wife. If you lack ambition, I doubt if any woman is going to be interested in you. Lack of ambition makes you appear wishy- washy and weak, and that is not a likeable trait at all. Combining love and money may be the biggest stumbling block on the path of true love, creating more rifts in relationships than in-laws, alcohol addiction or infidelity. Financial power struggles challenge even the most solid partnership. Unfortunately, money too often equates to control in a relationship. The delicate

People are unfaithful for several reasons which include: Lack of fulfilment in the relationship, fear of commitment or long-term issues such as having children, need for more sex or sexual variety, need for excitement, to build up selfesteem and feel desirable, lack of stable role-model relationships when growing up (or as an adult) and inability to resist the advances of others. Other reasons why couples cheat are : sexual addiction, to make a partner jealous; escape to a no

There are some common signs that a partner has started an affair or is thinking of of starting one strings, less complicated relationship; revenge and wanting out of the relationship but unable to communicate that fact. Meanwhile, there are some common signs that a partner has started an affair or is thinking of starting one. These include: change in sexual desire or habits, your partner suddenly wants more or less sex or starts asking for something that has never been a part of your sex life; your partner suddenly starts taking a great deal of care over his/her appearance. Has he started going to the gym, wearing new make-up or aftershave? Does he/she smell different? Does your partner smell of someone or some-

balance of power between you is dependent on the successful combination of love and money. In the majority of relationships today, both members contribute financial resources. Despite the strides women have made toward financial equality on the job, men still have greater earning power. In general, with more disposable income, men invest more money and take greater risks than women. Women as a whole are more conservative in their investments because it takes them longer to earn the money. Money attitudes are also influenced by age, family upbringing, religion, and each person’s own unique financial trials and errors. Do you keep separate bank accounts or do you put all the money in one account? How do you split monthly expenses? Do you each pay a portion or do you pay bills out of a

• Omotola, female, 29, humble and decent, is seeking a Godfearing , humble, responsible man aged 30-45 for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage on 08037435805 •Chimaobi, 38, from Lagos, needs a business lady or working class lady who is born-again, a n d

Igbo for a relationship that would lead to marriage on 08177258979 •Emeka, 27, based in Lagos, needs a sexually starved working class lady in Lagos for a relationship on 07014332822 •Evans, 31, from Anambra State,post-graduate student, wants Do you have reactions to our stories or have you any experience you want a pretty lady aged25-35years for marriage on 07088819585 to share with our readers? Please e-mail,anyagafu2@gmail.com •Jibola, 30, based in Lagos, wants a girl of 23-29 for a serious Do you want to be linked? Neither Chioma Gabriel nor Saturday Vanguard has any relationship with anybody wanting relationship on 08162957677 •Muyiwa, 38, based in Lagos, needs to be linked. We have no agents anywhere and charge no fees. We have no personal information of people who have been linked or want to be linked and therefore, are not answerable for a woman of 25-30 years for a disappointments or embarrassments some people may encounter in the process. marriage-bound relationship on

where else - perfume, aftershave or the pub? Has he/she become more secretive? Defensive when questioned, changing passwords, hiding mail or their mobile phone? Is he/she becoming more irritated by you, picking fights over the smallest things, less patient and dismissive? Has your partner ’s lifestyle changed? He/she may have suddenly found new interests or taken up new hobbies.Has he/she suddenly started showering you with gifts or affection? This can be a sign of guilt. Does he/she mention someone more frequently? In cases where you might know the person, your partner may mention that person frequently as though they are on their mind a lot. One of these signs alone rarely means your partner is being unfaithful. Bear in mind there can be other reasons for these changes such as stress at work or a resolution by your partner to improve themselves or your relationship. Infidelity affects relationships deeply. It takes time to rebuild trust and decide whether you have a basis on which you can both move forward. If you have decided you can never forgive your partner, then you may have to take the decision to separate or divorce. However, infidelity does not have to mean the end of a relationship. There can be life after infidelity.

joint account? Should you be able to sign on your partner’s bank account? Did one of you bring assets to the relationship that the other uses, such as a car or a home, for which expenses should be shared? Traditionally, what belongs to a woman is meant to belong to her man but modern couples keep their finances separate; while others opt to pool all their funds. Making the decision on the day-to-day handling of what was formerly “yours” and “hers” can be a tough one. Determining a financial plan that works might take months; many couples struggle for years before reaching a balance. So, review your financial picture and improve your knowledge and control of money. Work this out with your spouse and see how things work out. At 32, you are still young and if you work out things well, you will make it. 08148027661 •Ade, 40, Lagosian, single, needs a reliable lady as wife on 08163815251 •Chilaka, 36, based in Owerri, wants to meet a good-to-go lady for marriage on 08139629537 •Aderonke, 28, slim, busty, is searching for a romantic man within the ages of 36-50 for a serious relationship on 07067165468 •Ayo, 29, gentle, romantic, affectionate, seeks a gentle, reliable and honest man aged 4050 for a serious relationship on 08095287686

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013—21

Oil and water table. Agenda? Amnesty of course! From what I gather a lot of these boys have been taken to far-flung places for all kinds of training, and receive a monthly allowance far above the minimum wage, but that is not the point here. Until recently, the impression I got was that their rehabilitation was being done in far flung places till I came upon this news story. According to the report, students of the Federal

hen the government led by the late President Yaradua first floated the idea of amnesty for the ‘restless youth’ of the Niger Delta, I did a piece questioning the rationale because my interpretation of the the Amnesty International charter did not include welfare packages and luxury trips (thinly disguised as training programs) for people who in plain speak have done nothing but take innocent lives and wreak wanton destruction albeit in the name of ‘fight for rights’; yeah! But that’s just me sitting here tapping away. Who knows the circumstances or backroom politics that will cause a sovereign nation to not only negotiate but bribe and appease — putting all euphuisms aside — terrorists. The thing with precedents is that once one has been set, it will certainly happen again; and why not? What is good for Sekibo is also good for Hussein. So when the ‘restless youth’ in the North began to shoot and burn every thing in sight, it was only a matter of time before they too, would be invited, nay begged to come to the negotiation

on to say that a school official who tried to intervene also got slapped for his trouble and from there it degenerated into a free for all with many people sustaining injuries... Now, my question is, who came up with the brilliant idea of putting a training center for ex-militants on a school campus? What’s wrong with it you ask? After all its a school with existing structures abi? What’s the big deal, shebi they are

similar yet diametrically opposed social groups in such close proximity could lead to a potentially dangerous situation? Lets take a close look at both of them. These ex-militants are young virile men (and women I suppose, where they exist) who have lived most if not all of their lives in a particular way according to particular creed. I doubt if the niceties of social protocol and etiquette is their strong suit. These are people who have lived under some very harsh conditions that they have been told is as a result of the marginalization as perpetuated by the federal government. Then on the other hand you have the urbane youth, upbeat and confident, walking around like they own the plantation ( which in some ways they do) who may have seen some suffering of their own, but very little I would want to

I doubt if the niceties of social protocol and etiquette is their strong suit

College of Education, Akoka Lagos and 80 Niger Delta militants running a one-year programme at the institution clashed. Trouble was said to have started after an exmilitant allegedly slapped a female student. It also went

learning abi? And everybody will mind their own business. Yeah right. What is wrong with it is what has happened right here! Didn’t it occur to anyone on the planning committee that placing these two

or example, the perceived cost of employing a person with a disability; in terms of possible workplace adjustments, the perceived impact on their compensation and sick leave, the belief that people with disability will take up too much time to manage, the fear of other people in the workplace doing or saying the wrong thing, etc are some of these misconceptions. “The difference people find when they send in a ‘straight’ CV compared to when they declare a disability is quite significant. This level of prejudice is damaging to

The disabled —untapped organisational resource disabled applicants, but also damaging to employers, who may be missing out on the best talent” (From an online source). To be employed means a great deal to the disabled, not just for the financial remuneration, but also for a deep sense of self-worth, dignity and independence.

very employer wants to employ the best hands to help achieve organizational goals, but not all of them know how to source for the best hands in our today’s skill deficient work force. In this discuss, I shall focus on the enormous benefits that can accrue, directly or indirectly to an organization by employing people with disability. Disabled people are twice as likely to be unemployed as non-disabled people, and this is simply not because they are all lazy benefit scroungers, but because of common misconceptions preventing the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce.

non-disabled colleagues. People with disability bring to the work place, a diverse range of skills and abilities and a new and valuable perspective to work issues. They are; reliable and trustworthy, have good work ethic, passionate, have a positive attitude towards

Disabled people are twice as likely to be unemployed as non-disabled people

As mentioned earlier, there are huge benefits that can accrue to an employer and hence, an organization by employing persons with disabilities. And this is apart from the code of moral ethics. Research findings have shown that disabled employees are on the average, at least as productive as their

direct experience of living with a disability provide an invaluable perspective. This could be in the front line as customer service staff, signaling to clients that disabled people are welcome and that their needs will be met. People with disability are a resource of abilities, and a pool of willpower — they are real economical and social actors, they stimulate a wide range of interest, and bring to the table their experiences and approach to problem solving, which if effectively managed will improve productivity. And what about the business angle; employing disabled people makes good business sense, the benefits of which includes: attracting and retaining the best of the talent pool, including latent talent, improving customer service, strengthening workplace morale and productivity, being a good corporate citizen, complying with legislative requirements and meeting international standards.

life and work, have a can-do spirit, and are willing to go the extra mile. Employing disabled people can open up new opportunities and improve market share. Good customer service requires people to think creatively about the needs of all their customers. Those with

believe, that could compare to the aforementioned. Now you place these two side by side, within close proximity, where they can observe each other at close range; one with a sense of superiority and thinly veiled disdain, the other with latent resentment at what must be to them the personification of all that they had been denied. Its not rocket science; one only has to understand basic human nature. Of course it was only a matter of time for there to be a clash. And to support my point this was not the first one. Earlier there was a scuffle between the two groups over stolen money that was ‘settled’. Then last week a lady got slapped cause she was told to move by an exmilitant and maybe didn’t do it quickly enough or had the temerity to ask him why. And this time according to the report, ‘there was bloodshed.’ This is not about discriminating or apportioning blame. This is about acknowledging the fact some people who have lived a certain way, may have developed a certain code of conduct and therefore may not be able to exist in our midst ‘as is’. If we truly desire to integrate them back into main stream society, it will be a gradual long term and sustained process which can not be accomplished over a period of 6-24 months at a skills acquisition center anywhere in the world.

The truth is, to possess a competitive and effective workplace, employers need to ensure they recruit the best person for the job while retaining and developing them. That being said, emphasis should be placed on the disabled worker’s skills and not their disability. If a section of people are excluded from the job market for reasons that do not relate to their ability to do the job, workplaces will inevitably miss out on skills, talent and energy.

earning to respond creatively to life’s challenges means many disabled people develop good problem-solving skills, flexible and innovative ways of approaching issues, as well as determination and focus. Yet, despite these positive qualities and work records at the disposal of prospective employers, the percentage of disabled people in the workforce is still largely insignificant, this and the perceived fact that the disabled people in the country, aged between 20-50 years have the highest unemployment rate of any population group in Nigeria; this is a very sad statistics. These talents and skills wasting as a result of lack of job opportunity could help grow our Gross Domestic Products (GDP), businesses will grow and the economy will thrive.

22—SA TURD AY 22—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, JUL Y 6 , 2013 JULY

(Text Only)

The Bow

Technique: ie flat face down wards on the floor. Keep the hands at your side. Breathe out and bend the legs at the knees, drawing the feet above the thighs. Stretch the arms back and catch hold of the right ankle with the right hand and the left ankle with the left band. Make secure the position of the hands, with normal breathing. Raising the head, body and knees by tugging the hands and legs, so that the whole weight of the body rests on the abdomen. Retain the posture for a few seconds. Gradually increase the duration. While remaining in the posture, concentrate on the abdomen, thighs and back muscles. Release the ankles, stretch out the legs and bring the legs, chest and head to rest in a straight line on the floor. Relax in Makarasana for a seconds. Repeat this Asana twice with normal breathing.

Benefits The bow expands the thoraxic region. Of great benefit to those with respiratory problems,and it renders the spine elastic and the muscles of the back get a good massage and there’s a general strenghtening of the entire musculature.

Yoga Classes @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos. 9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays C M Y K

Main Benefit:

The bow gives a full backward bend to the entire length of the spine and all the muscle of the back, from the neck to the lower back , or lumber region

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013 — 23

yemisisuleiman670@yahoo.com

TREND ALERT: Statement jewelry

here is no better way to dress up an outfit than with some eyecatching accessories. Jewelry, in particular, can make a simple look like jeans and tee shirt or a dress with heel; look so much more visually interesting. Statement necklaces are one of our favorite pieces that can add dimension to any outfit, so if you are looking for something bold, here are some of the most elegant ones out there.

*Precious stone and gold necklace

*Neon pink geometric statement necklace

*chain draps

*midnight black dangle cubic earrings

Fashion Week London 2013 to host Africa Arts and Fashion Banquet at the Dorchester With five weeks left to the biggest African fashion extravaganza outside of Africa that is Africa Fashion Week London 2013 scheduled for 1-3 August 2013 at Old Truman Brewery, AFWL patron Princess Fifi Ejindu has given us an exclusive sneak peek at another grand event as part of the week that is Africa Arts and Fashion Banquet to be held at The Dorchester Hotel on Sunday, 4 August 2013. The first edition of African Arts and Fashion Banquet supported by the AFWL patron, Abuja-based businesswoman, architect and philanthropist, Princess Fifi Ejindu will see leading dignitaries, first ladies, celebrities; designers and business people both from Africa and Diaspora attend this exclusive event at the prestigious venue. Speaking of the event and her support to Africa Fashion Week London 2013, Princess Fifi Ejindu said: “I believe Africa *Princess Fifi Ejindu Fashion Week London is a great platform for African talent and a great

opportunity for Africa to showcase the talent that we possess.“ ”With this event we intend to raise start-up funds for emerging talent and tuition fees for extremely talented designers, hence in a way we are empowering the youth of Africa. While some have the opportunity and the funds to start their fashion labels, many others have no one to give them an opportunity or the funds they need. We have all the natural resources and all the talent in Africa but we should not leave it just to our leaders to help progress. If each of us were to sweep our own doorstep, the world would become a cleaner place. Therefore, this is our way to help emerging talent to a global platform and the funds they need,” Ejindu added. Not giving away too much about what is sure to be a spectacular debut event, Ejindu also hinted that the African Arts and Fashion Banquet will play host to the crème de la crème of African dignitaries and VIPs. “We have some First Ladies of Nigeria already confirm their attendance.” Ejindu says, “Also the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Edem Duke who has given his endorsement to the event will be in attendance.” Other equally noteworthy guests include the First

Lady of Cross River State, Her Excellency Mrs. Liyel Imoke and Ghanaian economist, scientist, political writer and former chairman of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Ghana. Professor Edward Ayensu who is the Keynote Speaker at this prestigious fundraiser. The exclusive event which intends to serve as the first fundraiser event for the African Arts and Fashion Initiative will create start up funds for young designers to assist them in turning their creativity into sustainability. Set to feature fashion shows, art exhibits, and an exclusive celebration of African arts and fashion, Speaking of the African Arts and Fashion Banquet, CEO and founder of Africa Fashion Week London Ronke Ademiluyi said: “When you empower young people it is like an investment because if they are better educated and empowered, the future growth of our countries will be high, which is all the more the reason we should all strive to do more to help our young emerging talents reach their full potentials.”The official sponsors for African Arts and Fashion Banquet are leading pan-African women’s bimonthly New African Woman, L’Oréal’s premium professional haircare range for Afro Caribbean and mixed-race hair textures Mizani and Africa’s fastest growing telecommunications company Globacom Limited.

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Pomp as K ehinde Sanni hooks Olajide Alder Fanfare burial ffor Kehinde or

L-R:Mrs Sola Sanni, bride's mum, Mrs Odih Esther,Mrs Rose Kasali Pemu with Mr Peter Pemu and Mrs Grace Abolarin Pemu.

THE couple, Kehinde Sanni, bride and Olajide Alder, groom certainly stole the show, resplendent in their beautifully crafted wedding attires but the two families also proved their point as they spared no expense in making the engagement/ traditional wedding one to remember. The ceremony took place at Monkey Village, Mazamaza, Lagos penultimate Saturday and it was a day of joy and merriment as both families celebrated their union with love. Photos by Akeem Salau

Joseph Ekpebe

The town of Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State stood still as Chief Joseph Governor Ekpebe, father-in-law of Hon. Joel Onowakpo, Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, was laid to rest in a colourful ceremony which started with a church service at All Saints Anglican Church, followed by internment at the patriarch’s country home. A deluxe reception followed thereafter at Oleh Township Stadium where notable guests who came from far and wide were entertained.

Children of late Chief Joseph Ekpebe

L-R:Apostle Festus Oluwunmi,Kehinde Sanni, bride, Prophet Emmanuel Babalola Alder, groom’s dad , Olajide Alder, groom and Pa. Joseph Kehinde Osinnowo.

L-R: Mrs Olusola Sanni, bride’s m um, the couple, Mr and Mrs Olajide Alder and Navy Captain Salisu Adisa Sanni, bride’s father

When ALBON members parleyed with the Minister of Works

From left; Chief (Barr.) and Mrs. Isaac Itebu and Hon. Joel Onowakpo.

Frank Nneji, MD/Chairman of ABC Transport company congratulating the Hon. Minister of Works, Arc Mike Onolememen for the good job on roads

Oshevire’s initiative

HON. Joseph Oshevire, member, representing Ethiope-East Local Government Area, Delta State unveiled his empowerment programme for people of his constituency. Photo by Nath Onojake

R-L: Hon.Efe Ofobroku, Mrs Onome Oshevire and Hon.Joseph Oshevire

Association of Bus Owners in group photograph with the Minister of Works

Burial of Vict oria Oboh Victoria BURIAL ceremony of late Mrs Victoria Eyewumi Oboh (nee Ologbo) held at Oghara, Delta State. Photo by Nath Onojake

L-R: Chief Stanley Oboh, son, Mrs Oboh, Mr.Brown Oboh, son, Gov. Emmamnuel Uduaghan, Mr.Frank Oboh , son and Evang. C. Oboh (JP), husband.

L-R: Barr. Iche Ifendo, Prof. Sam Aghalino and Hon. Austin Igbene.

L-R: Mr. Amos Iwary, Zino Ajakpovi, Isaac Azza and Festus Elue

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08116759764 anozieegole@yahoo.com

Afrocandy invites porn lovers for auditioning

the message, Afrocandy t all started as a joke. But writes; “Please, don’t send me now,it has become fake dicks. Before you send appallingly obvious that US me any dick picture, make based Nollywood actress, Judith sure it belongs to you because Mazagwu a.k.a Afrocandy is it would be very bad upon poised to make history with the attending my audition and I debut of her soft porn movie, discover that it looks different “Destructive Instinct” which will from what the picture captured soon hit the . So, be warned.” Nigerian market. Right now, the mother three, is soliciting porn lovers to submit pictures of their private parts for movie auditioning. BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI Using the social media to broadcast OINING the train of other block buster movies to hit the cinemas, Facade, is set to berth at the cinema come July 12, 2013. The exciting film opens with a civil servant who desires to make a change for himself and his society. Faced with a lot of challenges, the odds are against him. He struggles all the same, succeeds and then finds out that things are not what they seem. and OzzyBoscoWonderkid, MC Abbey, Packed with young and bubbling acts, Acapella, Rugged Pastor, Igos, Ajebo, Facade stars Wole Ojo who plays the role among others. of Jerry. Others include Kehinde Bankole Musician cum radio personality, DJ who plays the role of Jerry’s girlfriend, Stramborela, will be on the wheels of steel Patricia Omam Okondor and Aret Edet. dishing out hit songs Directed by No-Dash, find out the for all to savour at secret Jerry seems to be hiding from the anticipated the whole world when the movie preevening of highmiers next week at Silverbird Gallewire fun, relaxation ria, Lagos. and networking. Award-winning African Heritage Band will also be on the Coliseum’s big stage to hold guests spellbound with live music as well as support any HUGA, a TV serie s that was first star willing to perform aired in 2009, on M TV Base as part live with their band. of an initiative du bbed MTV Stayin g Alive Ignite, is go in and filmed in Niger g to be produced ia for the first time. Sh ug a w as pa rt of a m ul tim ed ia campa message of responsibign that aimed at spreading the le sexual behaviour It’s expected to utili and tolerance. se inspiration from Ch Nigerian cast and crew while drawin g imamanda Ngozi Ad of a Ye llo w Su n, ichi’s novel, “Half ” Nigerian-Biafra wa wh ic h de sc rib es th e im pa ct of th e r in “My hope and visio 1963. n of Sh ug a in Nigeria is huge.I th our priority is to str ink across Africa as weike our audience in Nigeria and al l ll, ” sa ys Ge orge Ar Director of the Stay ing Alive Foundatio nold, Executive n. The celebrated N direct the 8-part se igerian filmmaker, Biyi Bandele wi ll ries. Shuga 3 will and musician ,Ikub ese Emmanuel Ifean star Nigerian actor who will reprise hi yichukwu, aka 9con s , from Shuga series role as smooth-talking bad boy Fem 2. i Kenyan actor, singe 24, a veteran of Sh r and radio presenter, Nick Mutum a, ug Leo, one of Shuga’ a series 1 and 2, will revisit the role of s most popular char po pu la r N ig er ia n ac m us ic ia ns ar e al ters. A number of so ex pe ct ed to be involved in cameo and acting roles, fo llowing hit turns by Banky W and Wiz Kid in Shuga seas •Martins on 2. Further cast members and role s will be revealed at a later date.

Facade to debut in cinema

•Afrocandy

Leading entertainers to headline Bowler Hats Bash

•Solidstar

NTERTAINMENT loving Nigerians will be treated to a fun-filled evening of comedy, music and dance at the maiden edition of Bowler Hats Bash (BHB). This first of its kind event holds amid glitz and razzmatazz on Saturday, August 3, at the Niteshift Coli-

seum, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos. Leading entertainers expected to thrill guests at the grand event which is already the talk of the town include: Limpopo exponent, Kcee, Solidstar, Okey Bakassi, Gbenga Adeyinka, Basorge Tariah, AY, African China, Mr. Raw Nwanne, Segun Arinze, Bovi, Elenu and AB Cowboy. The trio of D-Don, D’Lectura and Charles Inojie will sensationally anchor the special evening. Other talented acts billed to perform at the event, which begins with a red carpet are: Klint D’ Drunk, Bigiano, Mr. Patrick, Elder O, Austino Milado, kid sensations, TJ Sax

MC-Recharge Card plans album release M

artins Obigho, a.k.a, “MC-Recharge Card”, is set to make a bold entry into the Nigerian comedy circuit with the release of his comic album titled, “Laff Away Ur Sorrow” which will hit the market later in the year. The talented young man, who has been creating awareness with this show, has worked with many big names in the industry including Akpororo,Mallam Dangogo, Chima Raph, among others. IMC-Recharge Card is also scheduled to host a bigger concert with his grouped called, “Eagles Eye” in September.

Nigeria to shoot MTV Shuga 3

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UNILAG saga: My story —Wizkid

...Says he hasn’t dumped EME By ANOZIE EGOLE Becoming a celebrity comes with a lot of challenges and this is a fact, hip-hop star, Ayo Balogun, a.k.a Wizkid, has found out the hard way. Recently, an impostor, impersonating him defrauded his UNILAG fans, prompting the police to invite him for questioning. The Pepsi ambassador has since shrugged off the experience, but is on a mission to ensure it does not repeat itself. In this interview with SHOWTIME CELEBRITY, the artiste talks about his UNILAG saga, fame, new record label and more. What really happened between you and the UNILAG students. You were accused of duping them? By now, I think all is clear that there are some people parading themselves as either Wizkid or his managers. The unfortunate incident regarding the UNILAG students is a case of mistaken identity where people fell victim to some unscrupulous elements who impersonated me or my representatives. The same people, as we have come to know, went as far as creating fake accounts in my name to dupe people. I just don’t really want to talk much about it. There are processes involved in booking Wizkid for shows. If you want to book Wizkid for a show or anything of the sort, you go to Empire Mates Entertainment, EME, which is my label or you talk to my manager, Godwin Tom. Those are the main channels to reach me if you want to book me for a show. So,if you’ve been chatting with the Wizkid on the social media and he has promised to do something or charges you money, I want you to know that Wizkid never charges anybody or does his business directly. I don’t discuss price, I don’t talk about anything like that. I allow my management and my label to handle my business. So, nobody talks directly to me concerning payments. How did you come about the UNILAG palaver? Basically, the police just called us to inform us of the development. We can’t really give full details because we were invited to come to the police station and we went as law abiding citizens. When we got there, we gave our own statement as well as the students. But we really can’t say anything now until the police have done their proper investigations. But with the details on ground, what we want you

to know is that the so-called Wizkid the students have been contacting is fake and an impostor. It’s really not from me or from anybody around me. Do you have a procedure for booking you for shows? Yes, we do. My manager is going to give the proper details, proper emails, the right phone numbers and other things needed. We are going to definitely make that known. We are going to give full details, so, you will have it. It’s a

Wizkid

address you have provided with a booking questionnaire. The booking questionnaire seeks information about your event, venue details as well as publicity activities, what you intend to do and other special requests. We don’t really want to give more details so that the impostors would not continue with their fraudulent activities.

simple process. Either you contact me or you contact EME directly. But even when you contact me, the whole procedure is that I will direct you to the booking office as well. It is simple. You send your request via email or you can call us and send us your email address. The booking office would contact you from the email

The email you are talking about that all bookings comes through, is it the same email every communication comes to? No. If you have contacted anybody regarding a Wizkid show, paid and we do not show up for the event or you do not contact the right people; provide the bank account details, provide the email correspondence. If there was a contract, provide the contract - that is as simple as it gets. We are not fighting with anybody. We sympathise with the students who have been duped, but for you to do it properly, for you to get the best information that you need, it is important to provide the necessary information.

In this case, what do you think really happened regarding the procedure? We are letting the police do their job. We have nothing to say because we know very well that we were not the ones they contacted. So, we are not worried. What we are concerned about is to stop others from being duped by these impostors. What was your first reaction when you heard the news? I felt so bad. I just went to my Twitter account and tweeted the normal people to contact if you want to book a show with Wizkid. Let’s be realistic. Everybody saw my hustle and watched me grow. When I dropped “Holla Your Boy”, I was much younger and wasn’t charging up to N5 million for shows. This is just playing out and it is simple. So, how much do you charge now? N5 million is okay for my show. But let’s just put things right. It is so bad to my company’s name and my name as well. That is why I decided to open up on this issue. What is your relationship with EME

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JULY 6, 2013 — 29

at teh moment? We are doing great, we have been having meetings. Going back and forth, evolving new plans to make EME one of the best record labels, not just in Nigeria but also, in Africa . Everyone is in the studio. Banky W. shot a couple of videos recently. We were at the video shoot last week; we are still working.

one knows it all.

There is this rumour making the rounds that you have replaced your accidented Porsche car. Is it true? Yes, that is absolutely true. We thank God for that. We thank Him for sparing my life. This is not the first time I’ve had such an encounter. That doesn’t mean I am a freak, but I needed to be mobile. I was moving There is this rumour that you are around with a taxi all through the duration of the accident which is not no longer with EME? I have just released an album in col- proper. laboration with Wizkid and EME. A whole lot of people have been “Starboy” is my new company, EME is still there for me. “Starboy” is Wiz- blowing the accident out of proporkid’s new record label and I have a tion. But how bad was it? Well, I don’t really like talking about couple of producers that are working with me in the new company. Definite- the bad side of things. I believe that ly, we are working with a lot of peo- at some point in life, we all have to ple. Banky W and I, started way back. learn something good about life, Our dreams have always been to build something that would help our life an empire, to help more people and in the future. When I had that give them that platform to showcase accident I was like, I had to check their talents. And all these dreams can- myself and know the things I am not not happen only with one person. So, doing right. My mind told me that we have to branch out and reach out anything I am doing, I have to do it to more people. The industry is really faster. I was like, if the world had big and there are more than 5 million ended that day, what would I have kids out there roaming about the street done. I thanked God for keeping me and looking for a platform to showcase alive to testify his goodness. I made their talents. We want to give them the a promise to myself to never get platform to do that. So, as you can see, down because of the accident. So, life everyone can contribute to that. Now must go on, no matter what it takes. that “Starboy” has started, we thank How has your evolution in the muGod, we are doing well. Anybody can start up something. That is just what sical world been? It has been massive. I have learnt we are trying to do with EME. so much and I have worked with so Have you released the track list of many legends. It is really mindblowing. For me, I feel so excited. I your latest album? Yes, I have done that. I featured Ola- am still learning and striving to get mide, D’banj and Banky W. The album to the top. When I look back to where is ready right now. But we are just put- I started, I see a lot of ting some finishing touches to it. We accomplishments.That’s what normally comes to my mind. I also feel will be having a listening party of blessed, but it goes with a lot of the album very soon and we are responsibilities. You know, going to announce that as soon everything is for a as it is ready. We are planning while. It is the for that. The album is coming legacy that out very strong and I thank you God that I have put all the necessary things in place. I have a very strong belief that the album is going to win awards. How long have you known Mallic? I have known him for quit some time now, about a year and some couple of months. We just talk about business and nothing more. But we took out time and planned something good and we are working on actualising that. This is what I am saying about branching built out, giving people platforms to while perform. So, I have to give a lot of you people that platform. What we are dowere ing together is to set the standard and t h e r e t h a t lead the way for people to follow. lasts. So, I try as much as possible to ould you say that his pro leave a legacy so that even duction input has rede when I am not here, peo-ple will not fined your music? forget my name easily. Of course, and everybody he has worked with. Even he produces Afrobeat sometimes. Nobody knows it all. What really prompted you to do a We also produced in the UK, so, it ‘collabo’ with Femi Kuti? was like me working with him. We Yes, a lot of people never expected are still learning, it is a process. No that. People think Wizkid talks only

about girls, cars and some flashy things in his music, but I don’t. All I talk about in my music is true life story. When I decided to do “Jayejaye” with Femi, I just really wanted to pass a message of what Wizkid wants to be or ways you can be like Wizkid. I still have not done anything, but people think I have done many things. I don’t think I have done a lot, I am still learning. The “Jayejaye” music was just to bridge the gap between the old and the young people. A big shout out to Femi Kuti for giving me the chance to do that track with him. I called him a day before we recorded the track and he allowed me. So, I am just saying a big thank you. So, what should fans expect from your forthcoming album? They should expect everything magical. We have put in a lot of work and we are just hoping that everyone likes the album. I have been in the studio for weeks and even months now. I can’t wait for the album to be released. I hope everybody will like the album. I have just put in a lot of hard work. It’s like you have a passion for flashy cars? No, I don’t think so. A lot of people

drive more flashy cars than I do, even in the entertainment industry. I really don’t think like that. After the accident , I had no other car to drive around. Believe it or not, I moving around with a taxi and I didn’t like that. I don’t think that amounts to having passion for flashy cars. What about people in government that spend so much money on cars? I worked hard to make my money, so I need to use it well. If someone works hard for his money and decides to spend it for his pleasure, I don’t think it is a bad idea. How do you feel reading stories of some artistes who cannot fend for themselves when they grow old? I have to learn from them and know how to make savings. If I am not learning from people that came before, then what am I doing? It’s not that anybody is wishing anybody bad, but we must learn and plan ahead.

‘I don’t really like talk-

ing about the bad side of things. I believe that at some point in life, we all have to learn something good about life

’

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Ephraim Oseji 08023542350

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Chelsea sign Marco van Ginkel

survey found that while the names Lionel and Cristiano are not uncom mon, they are nowhere near as popular as that of the Brazil superstar In 17 years' time, most adult males living in La Paz will be called Neymar, according to the findings of the city's civil registry office. 20 out of every 100 babies born in the Bolivian capital are named after the Barcelona attacker, who has captured the imagination of football fans the world over this summer with his stellar showings for the Selecao in their stirring Confederations Cup triumph. Neymar, who has joined Barcelona in a €57 million deal, scored two goals in Brazil's 4-0 win over Bolivia in April of this year and struck four times in the Confederations Cup, including a stunning effort in the 3-0 final victory over Spain.

Everton eye move for Nathan Dyer

Napoli turn down £42.8m Cavani offer

•Neymar

ICOLAS ANELKA yesterday became West Brom’s top earner ever. The French striker, 34, agreed a £5million, two-year Baggies deal which will pocket him £50,000 a week at The Hawthorns. Anelka’s new team-mate Youssouf Mulumbu jumped the gun by tweeting a snap of the Frenchman with an Albion away shirt before the Baggies formally announced the signing.

•Dyer

•Cardozo

The Serie A side have rejected Chelsea’s latest offer of £42.8 million plus Spanish striker Fernando Torres for Edison Cavani. It is understood that Napoli have told Chelsea they will only sell Cavani should the full £54 million his mini-

mum fee release clause demands be met, and that they will not consider any deal involving a player in part exchange. That could put an end to Chelsea’s interest, who reportedly believe the full fee to be an overvaluation for the player.

The former Chelsea star’s deal is for 12 months with another year’s option. However, it is nowhere near the £20m he got from Shanghai Shenhua in December 2011. But it still beats Baggies’ current highest-paid stars, Swede Jonas Olsson and Peter Odemwingie, who are both on £40k a week. Albion boss Steve Clarke said: “This is a great boost. The more quality stars you can bring in the better and no one can question Nicolas’ quality.

•Anelka

Juve step up chase for Zaza Juventus are stepping up their interest in Italy Under-21 striker Simone Zaza. The Bianconeri have been keeping close tabs on the highly rated youngster for quite a while, but they appear to be ready to make their interest concrete. Zaza is currently co-owned by Sampdoria and Atalanta, but the good news is both clubs are ready to do business with the Old Lady. While Samp would settle for half of Manolo Gabbiadini’s rights in exchange for their share of Simone Zaza, Atalanta are believed to be holding out for €4 million.

Ibrahimovic edging towards shock Madrid move

•Zaza

There is growing speculation that Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be about to reunite with former PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid The Swede is willing to take a pay-cut to secure a move to join the La Liga giants but it’s surely a move that PSG’s big spending board will not want to sanction. • Ibrahimovic

RSENAL last night smashed their transfer record when they agreed a £23million fee for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentine will undergo a Gunners medical and is expected to sign a three-year

£100,000-a-week deal. Higuain, 25, has been given permission by Madrid to fly to London following weeks of negotiations. And boss Arsene Wenger has made it clear he wants the powerful goalscorer on board when Arsenal head for their tour of the Far East

next Thursday. The deal, which has been confirmed by the player ’s father Jorge, comes as a huge relief for Wenger, who had promised Arsenal fans to spend serious money this summer after eight years without winning a trophy.

emba Ba is a target for Anzhi Makhachkala as Jose Mourinho continues his Chelsea clear-out. Striker Ba, 28, could soon follow the pair of Obi Mikel who is poised for a move to Galatasaray, and Marko Marin already gone on loan to Sevilla out of Stamford Bridge club. Anzhi are ready to move in with a lucrative contract offer after the 28-year-old rejected the chance to go to West Brom and former club West Ham. West Brom have gone for ex-Chelsea hitman Nicolas Anelka instead, while Hammers are hoping to take another Stamford Bridge striker, Romelu Lukaku, on loan once the Blues bring in another high-profile goal-getter.

•Cavani

O R U S S I A Dortmund have completed the signing of Gabon striker PierreEmerick Aubameyang for an undisclosed fee from Saint-Etienne Aubameyang, 24, has joined the Champions League finalists on a five-year contract. "We are very happy to have signed the player we most wanted in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,"

•Aubameyang Dortmund's sporting director Michael Zorc dis-

United agree £17m move for Alcantara

Manchester City chase £27m signing

Man United have agreed a fiveyear contract worth £17m with Barcelona midfielder Thiago Alcantara.The 22 year old Spanish international is set to become the first major signing of David Moyes’s reign as Old Trafford boss and looks set to be complete this week, with some sources suggesting a deal could be announced as the Scot soon. The deal is expected to cost Man United a fee of approximately £17m, this being the fee needed to trigger the youngster’s transfer release

Manchester City are lining up a sensational £27 million move for Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo. Negredo could forge a reunion with Navas at the Etihad Stadium in a transfer worth up to £27 million despite recent suggestions of a £28 million release clause in his current contract. West Ham United have already seen an ambitious £14.5 million offer turned down for the Spanish international earlier this summer, and Atletico Madrid were also thought to be interested in Negredo as they still seek a replacement for Radamel Falcao .

•Alcantara

Newcastle join race for Arouna K one Kone

closed. "He is very versatile in attack, plays at a high tempo and poses a goal threat." Aubameyang, who joined St Etienne in 2011, scored 19 goals in Ligue 1 last season. Aubameyang's arrival will increase speculation over the future of Robert Lewandowski, even though Dortmund have ruled out selling their star player this summer.

Newcastle have made a late entry in the pursuit for Wigan Athletic striker Arouna Kone. Kone was earlier expected to complete a move to Goodison where he would link up with former boss Roberto Martinez.

Besiktas make Adebayor offer

•Negredo

Isco: Why my dog is called Messi

The highly-rated youngster is set to complete his move to Real Madrid, but is seemingly a keen admirer of Barcelona and their players. New Real Madrid signing Isco might have some explaining to do at his new club as the Spain Under-21 international seems to be a keen admirer of the club’s arch-rival Barcelona and Lionel Messi. ”I named my dog ‘Messi’ because Messi is the best in the world, and so is my dog,” explained Isco when questioned about his labrador’s unique name earlier this summer.

Conway to swim 1,000 miles

Dortmund sign PierreEmerick Aubameyang

West Brom confirm £5m Anela deal

Turkish giants Fenerbahce are closing in on the Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo. According to his agent an agreement may soon be reached. The 30 year old striker has been linked with a move to the Premier League for quite some time now.

Demba Ba lined up by Anzhi Makhachkala

•Ginkel

Fenerbahce near Cardozo deal

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20 out of every 100 babies born in La Paz named Neymar

Chelsea yesterday officially announce the signing of Vitesse Arnhem midfielder Marco van Ginkel. The talented playmaker will arrive at Stamford Bridge and sign a fiveyear contract with Jose Mourinho's side.

The new Everton manager Roberto Martinez is set to raid his former club Swansea City as he plots a £5m offer for the dynamic Swansea City winger Nathan Dyer. Martinez spent £400k to bring Nathan Dyer from the Saints to South Wales in 2009 .

Transfers Transfers

Besiktas have made a bid for Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor, according to the Turkish club's director Ahmet Piper. The Togo international struggled for form in the Premier League last season, bagging just five goals in 25 appearances following his permanent £5million move from Manchester City. He could now be offered a route to new pastures with Piper claiming that they have tabled an offer for the former Arsenal man.

•Adebayor

An extreme adventurer prone to seasickness has set off to become the first person to swim 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John o’Groats. Sean Conway, 32, will cover the equivalent of the English Channel every day and it will take him two months. Sean, of Leckhampton, Glos, said: “When I found out it had never been done before I knew straight away it was the challenge for me.“Being the first at something is great, anyone who tells you otherwise is lying.”

Dundee Utd sign Oyenuga Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara has secured deals for a pair of former Tottenham academy players. Kudus Oyenuga and Calum Butcher have signed deals the Arabs as they prepare for the 2013/ 14 Scottish Premier League season. Oyenuga is a 20-year old striker who has had loan spells with Finnish club MyPa, Bury and St Johnstone whilst 22-year old defender Butcher spent time with Barnet before joining Danish club FC Hjorring in 2011.

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30 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, JULY 6, 2013

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Ephraim Oseji 08023542350

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Chelsea sign Marco van Ginkel

Everton eye move for Nathan Dyer

Napoli turn down £42.8m Cavani offer

•Neymar

•Dyer

•Cardozo

•Anelka

Ibrahimovic edging towards shock Madrid move

•Zaza

•Cavani

•Aubameyang Dortmund's sporting director Michael Zorc dis-

United agree £17m move for Alcantara

Manchester City chase £27m signing

•Alcantara

Newcastle join race for Arouna K one Kone

Besiktas make Adebayor offer

•Negredo

Isco: Why my dog is called Messi

Conway to swim 1,000 miles

Dortmund sign PierreEmerick Aubameyang

West Brom confirm £5m Anela deal

Demba Ba lined up by Anzhi Makhachkala

•Ginkel

Fenerbahce near Cardozo deal

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20 out of every 100 babies born in La Paz named Neymar

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•Adebayor

32— SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013

I prepare six different soups a week— Odumakin Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin is a human rights activist and the president, Woman Arise for Change Initiative. As our guest in this edition of Celebrity Tummy Talk, she speaks on how she prepares six different soups for her family How do you handle your cooking? I have everytime in the world to discharge my duty as a wife, mother and career woman. I also ensure that my husband gets the best in terms of food and I believe he enjoys every moment he spends with me. Does that suggest you are always in the kitchen? Being an activist doesn’t stop me from playing my role as a wife. Although there are times when I had to sleep outside because of my kind of work, this doesn’t mean that I don’t cook for my husband. It is compulsory for me to cook for him on a daily basis, especially his breakfast. His breakfast is in tact and he likes to drink pap and akara. Are you saying your husband

Shrimp Florentine Pasta Odumakin ...Being an activist doesn’t stop me from playing my role as a wife

takes only pap and akara? My husband’s favourite food is amala and ewedu soup, and so it’s been interesting preparing such meals. I’m from Delta State but I’ve developed so much interest in preparing amala and ewedu soup because it’s my husband’s favourite. How was it like the first time you prepared amala ? It wasn’t a difficult task. It only complements my cooking habit. I had been trained to be a cook as a child. Which of your native soups and food can you prepare? There is none of my native soups and foods that I can’t prepare. As I’ve earlier told you, I spent all my life learning how to cook food

from my mother. And that is what I missed in her so much. So, do you cook all these foods for your husband all the time? I wouldn’t say that I cook all the time. But, as much as possible, I do my best to satisfy him and ensure that he gets the best food. I don’t allow my maid to interfere in my cooking. It will interest you to know that as tight as my schedule is, I still prepare six different soups a day. I have different plates for stocking all my soups in the freezer. In fact, I stock all the food for a particular month in the freezer. So, it’s easy for me. Your kind of sport I was into tae kwando. I love sports and it's another aspect of my life that is dear to me. Your choice of drink… I love water so much that I can stay three days on it without food.

Today's menu

Pap and bean cake (akara) Instead of eating very heavy meals, especially on Saturdays, you can make a tighter choice of drinking pap and baked beans(akara).

Recipes

Brown beans Chilli peppers Onion Salt to taste Vegetable Oil for frying

Preparations

Soak the beans in water for sometime to make it soft enough for your blender. Remove the beans coat.Cut the pepper and onions into desirable sizes. Put some vegetable oil on the cooker to heat up. Stir the beans puree

Nutritional value of Apple M

any of us tend to overlook the fact that a simple fruit like an apple could in fact help us overcome health problems and fight diseases, along with adding to the number of years in our lives. Apples are very delicious fruits, liked by almost all adults as well as kids. Apples contain ample amounts of Vitamin C that helps restore and strengthen

the human immune system. It is also believed that since the fruit is very low on calories, it can help prevent heart diseases and improve general cardiovascular health. Apart from this, apples contain phenols, which are essential for reducing bad cholesterol in the body.

with the pestle in a continuous circular motion. Add some water until it is good to fry. The oil should be hot enough to sizzle but not too hot. Add the onions and pepper to the beans puree in the mortar. Stir well. Add salt to your taste and stir again. To fry the Akara, scoop the mixture with a tablespoon and slowly pour this into the oil. Fry the underside till brown and flip to fry the top side too. When the akara balls are brown all over, remove and place in a sieve lined with paper towels. Serve the akara with custard,ogi, agidi or bread.

Health Tips Buying & Storing Apples

lways make sure that, when you are going to purchase apples, they don’t have pressure marks and are fresh, bright and firm textured. Wash the apples thoroughly under running water to remove any dust or any traces of pesticides/insecticides/fungicides. Don’t store the apples in the refrigerator for more than 2-3 weeks. This could shrivel the apple and its consumption could lead to health problems. Throw away old apples if you think the surface of the apples are blotchy or you find mottled substances growing on the skin of apples. If you have already sliced an apple and you find discoloration (brownish color) after a point of time, it is because of the air exposure. In order to avoid discoloration of the apple, you could add a few drops of fresh lemon or lime juice.

INGREDIENTS 1 Packet of Power Pasta 8 ounces uncooked fettuccine 2 tablespoons butter $ 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined $ 1 tablespoon chopped fresh garlic 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 (6-ounce) package fresh baby spinach Preparation *Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain well; set aside, and keep warm. *Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp, garlic, and crushed red pepper; cook 4 minutes or until shrimp are done, stirring occasionally. Add cooked pasta, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and spinach; cook for 3 minutes or until spinach starts to wilt, stirring to combine. Serve immediately. Nutritional Information Amount per serving *Calories: 402 *Fat: 8.6g *Saturated fat: 4.3g *Monounsaturated fat: 1.8g *Polyunsaturated fat: 1g *Protein: 32.1g *Carbohydrate: 49.3g *Fiber: 4g *Cholesterol: 188mg *Iron: 6mg *Sodium: 520mg *Calcium: 107mg Just copy

VANGUARD, SATURDAY, JULY 6, 2013—33

Street children are products of societal dysfunction —Ashogbon BY MOSES NOSIKE In line with her passion for service, Mrs Ufuoma Emerhor Ashogbon, CEO, Fair Life Africa Foundation, helps rehabilitate children who take to the streets due to illtreatment, poverty and sexual abuse. In this interview with Woman in her Prime, she highlights how parents can guard against the conditions that force children to make such drastic moves. Excerpts: hat actually is Fair Life children they see on the Africa Foundation out streets. They are largely influto do in Nigeria? enced by what they see Fair Life Africa Foundation wants to be a light in Nigeria, and peer influence. If a ray of hope and an example a child in a school starts of love. Our country is filled to play truant and with many broken, disempow- spends his days in trafered and vulnerable people, fic or at the beach, his and we would like to heal and friends will soon tag restore them in society so that along, and this exposociety is a better place for ev- sure will lead them to eryone - not just for the rich make a choice to leave and connected. Simply, our home for good. Somevision is “to see a more just and times, it is a neighbour equal society in Africa”. Our who wants to run away motto is “empowering people to another city but doesn’t want to do so for a fairer life…” What are the major rea- alone, who coaxes ansons some children run other child to follow, and away from home and pre- that child is then abanfer to reside at beaches doned on the street. There are many diverse and under bridges? reasons, and many of these are The number one reason given by children we have met connected. It becomes more and also recounted in literature than a reason to run away, and and evidence-based research actually a pathway or process is ‘family breakdown’. Be- to homelessness. It’s not evcause the fabric of the family ery broken or poor home that is torn, children are displaced, leads to children running and when they can no longer away. Children can run away call home ‘home’, they seek from rich homes too. There refuge and association on the are risks, and the general theme is that children are streets. Children also run away from traumatically, chronically or homes where they are mal- systematically abused and/or neglected. treated by one or both parents, relatives or neighbours. Therefore, child abuse is also a common reason given by children why they run away. Maybe they are emotionally abused, physically or sexually abused, or financially abused, in that they are exploited in child labour to sustain the family. Poverty is another major reason for children running from home. If they are constantly going without food, being made to walk long distances to school without money for transport or food, are not able to get the things they need for school or dress appropriately, they start to resent the experience and envy the ‘freedom’ of

Because the fabric of the family is torn, children are displaced, and when they can no longer call home ‘home’, they seek refuge and association on the streets

W h o m do we blame: Parents, children, environment or g o v e r n ment? We can’t blame children for the street child phenomenon, any more than we can blame our feet for where we are going!!! Children are born into a structured

world, and try to find their place in it. They need guidance from their parents, other adults and the government to stay on the right path. Yes, there are badly behaved children, but not bad children. With proper attention, teaching and discipline, children can learn how to make the right choices and function in their environment. In the absence of these, we will have a problem on our hands. Blaming the environment is taking a ‘no fault’ stand ultimately. Who is the environment, and who is responsible for changing it? In every nation, we have the street child problem, so we know that it is not the environment. There are some environments that are better than others, but these environments are a product of individuals and organisations. That’s why Michael Jackson sang that change starts with ‘The Man in The Mirror’. We may not have started the problem, but the decisions we make today will determine if we can resolve the problem, how and when. Are we ready to make the sacrifice? In society, we assign leadership to government, because someone has to lead, otherwise there’s chaos. And the leaders, as part of their responsibility, should always be ready to take the fault because they are duty-bound to find solutions to communal problems. So, ultimately, the government, as the largest organisation in society, and leadership, must take responsibility for this problem. Parents also, as the individual leaders of their homes, must take responsibility for the state of their homes. No respectable leader will pass the buck to their followers. Can this situation be avoided? Yes, it is possible. Whether or not it is realistic is not the issue. It is possible because we have the capacity for change, even if we do not have a tendency to it. If we want things to change, we need to take personal responsibility by taking care of who we vote into leadership, who we emulate and become .

How do you feel seeing these children liv-

ing under the bridges and beaches being rehabilitated? I am pleased that I am taking personal responsibility and doing my part. At least I know that the world is better because I am in it. This is the mind that everyone should have. However, I am reminded daily that the work is not a one man/woman job. It is so huge, that one person/organisation can be consumed in it, and their impact will be minimally felt. We all need to get involved to make lasting change. What are the challenges of rehabilitating them? The primary challenge is that, no matter what you do to a person, you can’t overwrite their agency, that is freedom to choose and especially with children. So even as we strive to work in partnership with the children, encouraging good behaviour and correcting wrong behaviour, there’s no guarantee that the change will be lasting once they leave our controlled environment. So, there’s still the risk that a child may return to the streets. We try to minimise and mitigate those risks by empowering their families too, through counselling, education, skills acquisition and other physical/financial support, as needed. Sometimes, this may include accommodation, medical or business support, in addition to sending the child to school. Another challenge is the fact that some of them may have been out of school for several months or even years, so that they need to be taken through primary schooling again, even though they should be in JSS3 or SS1 for example. Some say they want to go to school because that is what they think you want them to say, or that is what everyone else is saying, but the reality is that many do not know what they want. However, we always have to give them a chance with schooling because it is invaluable. Ultimately, finance is the major challenge. The work requires sustainable investments and generous contributions from people who believe in our work. There are not many people who are so generous, and many who have been charitable in the past have been burnt by corrupt individuals/organisations who do charity for profit! There’s also the problem of donor fatigue, or a concern that the funds they are giving are not going exactly where they want it to – i.e. food and clothing. Few people are willing to pay for the labour and administration that is needed to carry out these effective interventions. More people are interested in giving to support particular events, but we have to keep telling people that we operate 24/7 – even and especially during the holidays. So sustainable fundraising is a major constraint.

34 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013

Orlando Julius remembers Fatai Rolling Dollars By BENJAMIN NJOKU

•Orlando Julius

tual reunion with the dead. Indeed, attendees will not forget the melodious music of the ageless Orlando Julius in a hurry. Both a pioneer and innovator, Orlando Julius Ekemode has been vital to the creation, growth, and popularisation of Afro-pop. He has also had great influence on American soul and the parallel roots of modern Afrobeat and jazz. His hit track ‘Back to the Roots’ which he did with the American singer, Lamont Dozier and his group, remains evergreen. Flagging off his musical career in the ’60s, Orlando Julius fused traditional African sounds and rhythms with those of American pop, soul, and R&B. He, in his early life as a musician played with such popular highlife musicians as Rex Williams, Eddie Okonta, the American Jazz great Louis Armstrong, V.S. Akinbosun, I.K. Dairo among others.

he legendary Orlando Julius took his audience back in time as he performed his evergreen songs at a show tagged, “a night of engaging and pulsating live performance”, which held yesterday evening at the prestigious Prince Of Anthony Hotel, Anthony Village, Lagos. The event saw the convergence of the icons of highlife, jazz, contemporary Afropop music and music aficionados to celebrate over half- a century of Orlando Julius’ musical achievements. Performing alongside the musical legend were his vivacious wife, Latoya and such notable artistes as Yinka Davies, among others. Meanwhile, the highpoint of the event was the paying of tributes in songs to the departed Afrohighlife legend, Fatai Rolling Dollars by Orlando Julius himself. It was indeed a moment of spiri-

Sunkanmi Omobolanle rocks De Emporium with first single By AYO ONIKOYI

UNKANMI Omobolanle, son of veteran actor, Sunday Omobolanle, popularly known as ‘’Papi Luwe’’ has joined the pantheon of movie stars looking to make a big score in the music industry after enjoying a relatively successful spell on the big screen. The movie star now turned music star announced through

his Black Berry Messenger last Monday that he is dropping his first single at the newly opened De Emporium Night Club at Inglesias Hotel in Yaba. “Don’t miss the dropping of my single this Friday at the De Emporium Night Club, situated inside Inglesias Hotel, Ojuelegba, Lagos. It is also going to be a ‘’Whyte Affair”, he broadcast. Sunkanmi, who has been

walking in the footsteps of his father for years now, has carved a niche for himself as an established actor in the Yoruba genre of the movie Industry. The light-complexioned actor, who married his lover of over 10 years two years ago, has featured in blockbusters like ‘Gongo Aso’, ‘Atanpako Meta’ and recently in ‘Ona Odo.’ •Sunkanmi

•Betty and Bolt

Ethiopian lawyers to sue Betty for having sex in BBA house T WO weeks after she was evicted from Big Brother Africa-The Chase House, some lawyers in Ethiopia are gearing up to sue Betty Aberra for having sex in public. Betty had sex with fellow Housemate, Bolt from Sierre Leone, just three days after entering the BBA House. According to a local radio show in Ethiopia called Ethiopikalink, if Betty

is convicted, she could face up to six years in prison as it is an offence to have sex in public in the country. The lawsuit is not the only thing Betty is facing since leaving the BBA House last week. She’s also facing nationwide condemnation from groups who have asked the media and companies to boycott her.

Supermom fetes female orphanage founders BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

IGITAL Interactive Media (DIM), organiser of the popular touching reality TV show, ‘The Supermom,’ is celebrating female founders and managers of orphanages dedicated to raising children that are not theirs - hence the theme ‘The Heart of Gold’. Unlike Season one to three, this new season (Season Four) is about celebrating mothers dedicated to raising children that are not theirs. Speaking on the reason behind a new direction for Supermom Season, Sola Fajobi, CEO of DIM said, “these women are shattering the myth that blood is thicker than water, ‘it’s much easier to raise your own child, sacrifice and brave the odds, but it’s a different kettle of fish when the child or children you are raising are not yours. You will have moments of doubt, discouragement and generally feel overwhelmed - especially when you are not doing it for financial gains. It takes a lot of courage to continue raising kids whose parents you don’t know to maturity. It takes a lot of sacrifice to send them to school on lean resources, clothe them and look after them when they are sick. These women (founders of orphanages and homes) demonstrate love beyond biological attachment, sacrifice with lean resources and put their money where their mouth is. We need to show them love, appreciate them for making our society saner and contributing their quotas to making Nigeria better.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013

By AYO ONIKOYI

HE battle for Globacom’s N24 million prize money for the winner of X Fac tor, the world’s biggest singing reality TV show, has assumed an interesting dimension with the judges of the show taking on each other at the Boot Camp. As the remaining contestants at the camp battle to secure a place in the Top 9 stage of the contest, the judges are also seeking to out-do each other to ensure that the candidates they are mentoring do not only go far in the competition but also end up winning the ultimate prize. The contestants are divided among the three judges - Onyeka Onwenu, MI and Reggie Rockstone, whose duty it is to mentor the singers assigned to them and help prepare them for the live performances and progress in the contest. The contestants are grouped into the “Under 23”, “Over 23” and “Group singers”. Rockstone, father of hiplife music in Ghana, fired the first salvo. “This is war. I need the best army to go to this war,” he declared. “People say I am cocky, I’m over-confident or whatever. So I’m going to stay that way. But tell you something, I don’t know what category or who I am mentoring. But everything I touch, Midas, gold. I am winning this competition,” he boasted in his American accent. “For me, this is do or die,” MI fired back. “It is MI’s time now. And that difference is going to show. I am not looking for great. I am not looking for average or okay, I am looking for someone with the ‘X’ and he is going to come from my camp,” The Elegant Stallion is not to be outdone either. “I am ready. I do not take risks. I know about entertainment. Period. I can work with any of the groups but I think the real challenge for me will be to work with the ‘Under 23’ and that is what I will like to do”, Onyeka stated, promising to work hard to ensure that her group produces the winner of Glo X Factor.

excitement of the night with many catching a rare glimpse of the ‘Gyration’ crooner for the first time in many years when he stepped on stage during Mr Raw ’s performance to the delight of

•Wande Cole

MTN superstars captivate Lagos

Glo X Factor judges at war

By IYABO AINA

N another round of fun and extraordinary performances, Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial city, was ignited for the MTN Project Fame AllStars concert with great expectations from youths and music fans craving an experience similar to Calabar’s week edition. None of those expectations was left unaccomplished. The most spectacular was the rousing duet by the telecommunications company’s Chief Marketing Officer with ‘Limpopo’ crooner, Kcee, Iyanya and Wizkid.

The array of stars brought together by the telecommunications company justified its ‘cando’ spirit as far as supporting its host communities and helping young people achieve their dreams are concerned. Fittingly, Praiz and Iyanya had sung about this unusual bridge between dreams and realities in ‘Rich and Famous’ and ‘Kekukere’, relating how they were brought up from having nothing to being recognised globally.

Remarkably, these musical stars and rare personalities rose to super-stardom in less than five years after they participated in the MTN Project Fame West Africa.

Wande Cole, Timaya, Kcee, others storm Aba EADLINE acts Timaya, Wande Coal, Kcee, Naeto C and other supporting stars have confirmed plans to storm Aba, Abia State for the fifth leg of the Star Music Trek. This weekend’s concert, which will hold at Recreation Center, Aba also features another starstudded line-up similar to its Enugu offering. Wande Coal, Timaya, Mr Raw, Kcee and Naeto C have assured Aba fans of rich music, riveting performances, sensational gift items and unique opportunities to meet and greet the stars. Last weekend, the popular concert tour had visited Enugu, drawing thousands of excited music fans to Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium at the city centre for a night of extravagant entertainment. A surprise guest appearance from artiste-turned-politician, Tony One Week, added to the

— 35

the crowd. Timaya, who will perform for the first time on ‘The Trek 2013’, says he is looking forward to seeing all his fans in Aba: “This has to be one of the highlights of the year as I’m all out to see that my fans are really entertained and enjoy themselves.” Black Diamond, Wande Coal who has been enjoying rave reviews with his hit singles ‘Rotate’ and ‘The Kick’ is asking for only one thing from music lovers in Aba. “If you appreciate great music, then I look forward to seeing you there. It’s the biggest concert in Aba in 2013 and you don’t want to miss it!” The 10-week music tour has visited FESTAC, Lokoja, Owerri and Enugu, bringing thousands of music fans from different cities to selected venues across the country.

Flashmob sets tone for MDA 7

T was indeed a breathtaking spectacle recently at the atrium of the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, when unsuspecting movie-goers, shop owners and shoppers alike witnessed the sudden emergence of a group of colourfully dressed dancers who delighted them with dexterous dance moves. The dancers gave a sublime performance depicting dance styles from the 1960’s to the present dance era. It was an ingenious flashmob deftly executed by Maltina, the premium nonalcoholic malt drink from the stable of Nigerian Breweries plc, to herald the commencement of the 2013 edition of popular family reality TV show, Maltina Dance All season 7, aptly tagged “The Evolution”. Speaking after the flashmob presentation, Mr. Edem Vindah, Corporate Media and Brand PR manager who was representing Mr. Ageni Yusuf, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries plc, said “the dance performance we have just seen is a tip of the iceberg from this season of Maltina Dance All. “As we all know, it is the foremost experiential and sponsorship platform of the Maltina brand, renowned for promoting togetherness with friends and loved ones. The TV show, which made its debut in 2007, has remained Nigeria’s first and only family dance TV show featuring families from various regions across the country”.

36—SA TURD AY 36—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, JUL Y 6, 2013 JULY

Youths should be encouraged to contest for political offices —Murtala Mohammed Adogi

urtala is a Special Assistant for Youth Empowerment to the Nassarawa State Government. He believes that his consistent hard work earned him the appointment and he is all out to make a difference in empowering Nassarawa Youths. In this interview, Murtala tells us about his appointment and how he intends to empower the young people of Nassarawa State. work and join his government,and by then I was with DFID as Education Advisor covering almost 9 Northern States working directly with top government officials in ministry of education to strengthen their education system. I resigned in December 2012, and the Governor invited me to serve as consultant on youth empowerment – and conducted institutional mapping and situational analysis of the state-own Youth Skills Acquisition centres. I submitted the report in April 2013, and by May 2013, he confirmed me as His Special Assistant on Youth Empowerment.

Critical Impact

Why I was given the political office

Nigeria Youth Employment and Social Support Operation

I think my Governor is a very intelligent person and always very careful in taking decisions. Indeed, he is a man of ‘sequence’. Prior to my appointment His

•Murtala Mohammed Adogi

ackground

I am the first great grandson to first late Sarkin Adogi Muhammad Adeka and grandson of Abdullahi Mohammed Adeka, the late Chiroman Adogi. I was born 37 years ago into the royal family of Mohammed Abdullahi Adeka in Adogi town, 17Km South-East of Lafia, Nasarawa State. I’m currently a PhD Student at University of Port Harcourt specializing in Rural Poverty, Land Use and Management of Natural Resources. I began my career as a Lead Coordinator, in Centre for Education and Leadership Development CELDEV—a nongovernmental organization I co-founded in Kano, Kano State Nigeria in 2004. I later decided to take an appointment as a lecturer in Federal College of Education,Technical (FCET) Bichi, Kano. When I left FCET,

I served as an education advisor in the Department for International Development (DFID) of the British Government. January 2013 to March, I resumed back to Murry Greens Consult as Lead Coordinator.

My appointment as Special Assistant on Youth Empowerment

My relationship with His Excellency the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State started since early 2012 when he read my article about the role of youth in sustaining Nigerian democracy. He picked interest in the write-up and the author. Then he invited me for a chat; we met for almost for an hour together with his press secretary. In December 2012, we met again to discuss some development issues and he suggested that I should resign from my place of my

Excellency surprised me with a text massage sms—“ that you are nominated to join the team of Nasarawa State trainers to Singapore for training of trainers on Technical Vocational Education and Training at Institute of Technical Education Singapore. To cut the story short all these while he was preparing me for the position and not just only that also observing actions and I can say it was based on the outcome of his sequential observations that he concludes that I might be the right person for the role. Yes, the office will make a huge impact, I recently submitted my one Strategic Plan to His

office will soon start the process of distribution of the 200 additional Tricycle popularly know as KEKE TAAL

oung people changing the face of politics in Nigeria

All what we hear everyday is ‘youth are leaders of tomorrow but tomorrow never comes’. That is why I disagree with this assertion and I conclude that youth are the leaders of today. In relations to changing the face of politics in Nigeria– Youth can be positive change agents if their talents, youthful and exuberant energies are properly channeled. They need to be provided with scientifically accurate and culturally sensitive

I began my career as a Lead Coordinator, in Centre for Education and Leadership Development CELDEV- a nongovernmental organization I cofounded in Kano, Kano State Nigeria in 2004 Excellency and strictly I’m going to work with the plan. As part of the strategy – there is also need to leverage resources from donor partners working in the area of youth empowerment.I have concluded all the necessary arrangement to meet with World Bank lead person on

(YESSO); a world Bank new project they might likely work in 20 States.Hopefully, Nassarawa State will be one of the beneficiaries. Also I’m in touch with other development partners such Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). The

information on how to ensure good governance and sustainable development for their own benefit first and for sharing with other young people and the larger society. The participation of the youths in decision-making process cannot be viewed as a matter of negotiations or can neither be viewed as a question of agreement between parties. The youths’ participation is a right inherent to the democratic exercise of power and a duty that demands more responsibility of every young Nigerian. Youth should be encourage to contest for elective posts.

YOUNG NIGERIANS MAKING THE DIFF ERENCE

IKEZI CHINEDU PRINCEWILL LAG OS STATE

rin cew ill is an und erg rad Biochemistry at the Federal Unuat e of iversity of Technology, Akure (FUTA) across to many as a dynami . He comes patriot and enterprising young Nigerian wit passion for human capital developh a strong business development/strategy ment and is a creative thinker, fondly call. Princewill bank by his associates. He is ed an idea equally a young trainer and has expertise in community development. He has several certifications from notable institutions. He currently serves as the Str ate gy and Inn ova tion Officer of Gifted International (a hum an cap aci ty development organization). He is the pioneer of various lea der shi p and entrepreneurial programmes at FUTA such as “Talents and Gif ts hun t”, “Po int er to

Purpose summit”, and “Brighter a better Nigeria” just to mentio future and n a few. Recently, Princewill and his team International Hosted Ignite You at Gifted r passion a leadership and entreprenuership programme,which is a vision training Passion Initiative with facilita of Youths fro m Lag os to imp act the tors coming students. Princewill stated catuni ver sity that “the programme served egorically ope ner tha t ma de the paras an eye determined never to settle for tici pan ts fires in their bones to succeed in less as the every areas of their lives was ignited.”s

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013—37

38—SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013

AGN at war again! National treasurer asks court to stop Ibinabo

Yoruba film producers want legislation against piracy

BY INNOCENT ANABA

BY EBUN SESSOU

OLLYWOOD actor and National Treas urer of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Maradona Mikevine Johnson, has asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to restrain Ibinabo Fiberesima from further parading herself as the President of the guild. AGN’s incorporated Trustees is also a defendant in the suit. Meanwhile, Justice James Tsoho of the same court has adjourned till October 16, 2013 for hearing, an earlier suit by another prominent actor, Emeka Ike, challenging the formation of an illegal government of National Unity to run the affairs of the guild. He had also asked the court to interpret the 2007 constitution of the AGN as it relates to the tenure of Board of Trustees members, consisting of Prince Ifeanyi Dike, Emmanuel Oguguah, Murphy Stephen, Sunny Mc Don and Okey Mc Anthony. They were said to have remained in office as board members since the guild was formally incorporated on July 13, 1999. Johnson, on his part, is contending in his suit that while Justice Tsoho had in Ike’s suit ordered that the status quo should be maintained on the AGN issues pending the determination of the suit, that in flagrant disrespect for the subsisting order,the incorporated trustees amended the 2007 Constitution of the AGN and replaced it with that of 2011, where they made themselves life members of the Board of Trustees.

ORUBA Video Film Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria, YOVIFPAN has urged members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to pass a law that would make piracy illegal in the country. The group, in its petition, wants stringent sanctions against those involved in pirating their videos, adding that the industry has lost so much money from piracy. The National President, YOVIFPMAN, Alhaji Toyin Usman, lamented that the Yoruba film industry has witnessed huge losses due to the activities of pirates. Some of the lawmakers who spoke against the illegal activities of the Alaba marketers accused them of committing “intellectual property” fraud. A lawmaker, Lola Akande, said, “It is sad when people work so hard and get little or nothing in return," positing that patronisers of pirated works should not go unpunished. Also, Gbolahan Yishawu, said most laws in the country are not effective, noting that piracy law is under Federal law; the Exclusive Legislative list which suggests why the law should be more effective. Other lawmakers who spoke against the menace of piracy were: Lanre Ogunyemi, Segun Olulade, Ahmed Omisore and Ajibayo Adeyeye. They were of the opinion that stakeholders in the industry should be involved in proffering solutions to the menace. According to the Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, “This is one of the shortcomings of our Federation. Some of the laws are very difficult to understand.”

Ibinabo

Eucharia Anunobi

Why I’m missing on social scene

OLLYWOOD actressturned-Evangelist, Eucharia Anunobi who was recently in Dakar, Senegal for a seven-day crusade, has explained why she’s no longer seen at social functions, saying, “ I have moved from the things that don’t matter to the things that matter more, which is doing the work of my Father who created me and made me an instant star.” The star of ‘Glamour Girls”, gave this explanation while responding to a question posed to her by a concerned woman on her Facebook page. In her words, “A woman saw me recently and asked with excitement, Eucharia, why have you not been seen much lately

on the pages of newspapers, magazines, events and so on? I actually thought about the best way to handle the question so as not to sound proud or immodest, and these were my honest answers.” “Ma’am, thanks for looking out for me, but let me state categorically, that I, Eucharia Anunobi, now Evangelist, have moved from the things that don’t matter to the things that matter more, which is the work of my Father who created me and made me an instant star when I least expected it in my life. “I would never want to be remembered as someone who graced all the front pages of all the newspapers and news

magazines in the world and did not contribute to the leading of people towards heaven. Of a truth, you will agree with me that the job that will be rewarded by God Himself is that of soul-winning. “So, why waste my fame, money, life, face, time, speaking ability to do the things that will never be rewarded? I would never wish to be remembered as one lady who covered or graced all the front-pages or a fashion star, or a fashion icon, or one with the best gown at the red carpet event, designed and clothed by the best hands in the world, with the best hair-style or make-up.”

•Eucharia

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013—39

How Divas rocked Ebony Life TV launch

T was a gathering of class last Sunday when Lagos was ignited with the launch of Mo Abudu’s multibroadcast network, Ebony Life TV, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Hosted by Nigerian music star Darey Art-Alade and TV personality, Dolapo Oni, the event saw celebrities, captains of industry, politicians and socialites in attendance. Guests arrived on the yellow and black carpet in their stylish ensembles. I n attendance were Malcolm Stevenson “Steve” Forbes, Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Magazine who was the keynote speaker; Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Senator Ita Giwa, Minister of Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga and former Cross River Governor, Donald Duke. Others include celebrities from the entertainment industry: Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Uche Jombo, Mercy Aigbe, Kate Henshaw, Omoni Oboli, 2face Idibia, M.I, Nikki Laoye, Onyeka Onwenu, King Sunny Ade, Banky W, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, Lynxx, D’banj, Tosyn Bucknor, Omawumi, Toolz, King Sunny Ade, Fuji legend, Ebenezer Obey, Alex Ekubo, Eku Edewor and Ebuka ObiUchendu, the list is endless. President Goodluck

•Genevieve

n i n o s l e N e n Yvon f Gold o e s u o H

FTER the successful release of Single and Mar ried in 2012, Silverbird Distributions Limited will on Friday, July 19, release the third self-produced film and second cinema feature of Ghanaian screen goddess; Yvonne Nelson, aptly titled House of Gold, simultaneously across cinemas in Nigeria - with a red carpet premiere holding exclusively at the Silverbird Galleria in Lagos. The flick, produced by Media GH in partnership with Yvonne Nelson and directed by the 2012 Ghana Movie Awards winner for Best Director, Pascal Amanfo, is described by Yvonne Nelson “as a comedy filled with lots of laugh and loaded with so much excitement such that movie enthusiasts should brace up for a thrilling experience”. House of Gold tells the story of Dan Ansah Williams, a highflying entrepreneur, business mogul, polygamist and Socialite who is battling with cancer and has 6 weeks to live. With the help of his long-time associate and legal representative, he embarks on a mission to recall all his children, most of whom were born out of wedlock, back home.

•Uche Jombo and Kate Jonathan was represented at the event by Minister of Information, Labaran Maku. While Nollywood •Muna starlet,Beverly Naya and Abii media personality,Toke Makinwa hosted the red carpet, performers on the night were Nikki Laoye who delivered the national anthem, Zaina who sang the EL theme song. Others were Tiwa Savage and Banky W who shared the stage with KSA, as well as Onyeka Onwenu with Omawumi. Ebenezer Obey performed alongside M. I; while Wizkid performed with Juju legend, KSA. Also, the event witnessed a fashion parade by fashion icon, Deola Sagoe, who unveiled her creative pieces. Models took to the runway in dresses and gowns by the designers. Then,guests were presented with more models in traditional “Iro and Buba” for ladies and “Agbada” for men. But aside the fashion parade, the highpoint of the night was the presentation of awards to the likes of Ebenezer Obey, Joke Silva, Victor Olaiya, Onyeka Onwenu, Tuface Idibia, among others, for their outstanding contributions towards the development of the nation’s entertainment industry by the visiting Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Magazine. Meanwhile, those who graced the event have not stopped talking about Genevieve Nnaji’s outfit. She shone like a million stars at the event with a purple semi see-through lace fabric that made her look like something out of this world. By modest standards, the launch was a compelling celebration of the very Best of Africa. Loaded with many glittering highlights, the EbonyLife TV Launch was simply set to be a classic.

GIAMA 2013 gathers momentum A

FTER a successful grand maiden edition in 2012, or ganisers of Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards, GIAMA, are set to host this year’s edition of the prestigious awards. The awards ceremony, according to the organisers, will hold on Saturday, October 19, at the Stafford Centre, Houston, Texas, United States. It is expected to be graced by some of the big names in the African entertainm e n t industry. Like the maiden edition, which saw the likes of J Martins, US-based music acts, Seyi Brown •Bianka and Wamilele and Liberian-born US artiste, Jodi, Eno thrill guests with scintillating performances, this year’s edition promises to be a greater success, especially with the addition to the production team of the GIAMA, of Ms Bianka Johnson, CEO of US based BJ Movie Production and Enter-10-Ment Inc as the Executive Director of Marketing.

40 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013

BY IYABO AINA

Jay-Z slams Lil Wayne over Beyonce kidnap threat Two years after Lil Wayne threatened to kidnap Jay-Z’s wife, Beyonce Knowles, in a song called “It’s Good” , the battle line seems to have been drawn between both superstars as Jay-Z now fires back at Wayne with “La Familia”, a song off his upcoming album “Magna Carta Holy Grail”. Through the lyrics, Jay-Z tries to warn Wayne not to mess with his family. “Wanna kidnap wifey? Good luck with that, bro. You must gonna hide your whole family . What do you think we wearing black for? Ready for that war, ready? You ain’t ready, yo, you radio,” Jay-Z raps. The feud between the two rappers began when Jay-Z attacked Bryan “Baby ”

Birdman, the co-owner of Cash Money Records, on “H.A.M”, a song off his “Watch the Throne” album. As an artiste who got signed on the label, Wayne wasn’t happy with it. He later responded to Jay-Z with a song called “It’s Good”. “Talking’ ‘about baby money/ I got your baby money/ Kidnap your baby/ Get that ‘how much you love your lady?’ money,” Wayne spits his verses. Jay-Z’s “Magna Carta Holy Grail” is set to arrive on July 4 via “Magna Carta” app, a customized app where one million Samsung galaxy users can download the album for free.

*Lil Wayne and Jay-Z

Keri Hilson exposes nipples in see-through top

nother celebrity has fallen victim to wardrobe malfunction while hitting the red carpet , after Adrienne Bailon accidentally flashed her private parts at Caesar ’s Entertainment’s “Escape to Total Rewards” event. Keri Hilson unintentionally put her nipples on display at the Hennessy Wild Rabbit campaign launch event in New York City. The 29-year-old singer was reported to be wearing a blue, orange, white and black color-blocked sheer top that she paired with a black skirt, yellow nails, round white granny glasses and bright orange lipstick. Her top, however, went completely see-through under the flashbulbs, giving also a glimpse of her belly button. Also according to reports, Hilson isn’t the only celebrity who had been caught going braless while wearing a sheer top . Both Miley Cyrus and Rihanna have also left little to the imagination during separate outings. The former was snapped wearing nothing under her black v-neck top after dinner with boyfriend Liam Hemsworth in January, while the latter wore a sheer black mesh top while going for dinner in March.

‘Ent er the Dragon’ star Jim K elly ‘Enter Kelly dies at 67

ews reaching us has it that actor Jim Kelly, who starred alongside Bruce Lee in the movie “Enter the Dragon”, has passed away. According to his ex-wife Marilyn Dishman , the actor passed away at his San Diego home as a result of cancer. We also gathered that Dishman earlier announced the actor’s passing via Facebook. “Yesterday, June 29, 2013, James Milton Kelly, better known as Jim Kelly, the Karate expert, actor, my first husband and Sabrena Kelly-Lewis’s biological father, is dead. Sabrena needs all of your good thoughts and prayers. This is a difficult situation to process. Even I am having trouble processing it. Like his mother, there will be no service,” the Facebook post reads. Kelly, who was born in May 1946, grew up in Kentucky as a talented athlete who joined baseball, football and track teams. Kelly started practising martial arts in 1964 and later earned a black belt in Karate after moving to California. He said he decided to become an actor after winning Karate tournaments.

It’s daddy’s day out …..as Kanye West steps out for the first time since North’s birth

anye West was on T h u r s d a y photographed for the first time since girlfriend Kim Kardashian gave birth to their daughter, North West. According to Photo agency X17, the duo were snapped on their way to see a movie together. Also, West certainly was not in the mood to be photographed. “Don’t say anything, don’t talk to me!” he said to the sea of paparazzi. Even Jenner, Kim’s mom, signaled for the photographers to back off before the temperamental rapper lost it. M e a n w h i l e , Kardashian returned to Twitter for the first time since she gave birth two weeks ago but has never mentioned her newborn baby.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

NGF hi, Jang; man ered ques tions NGF,, Amaec Amaechi, manyy unansw unanswered questions

ome fundamental issues are critical to the resolution of the ongoing crisis in the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF). The most fundamental of the issues is the process of emergence of the leadership, the chairman. What is the rule for his emergence? Is it by consensus or by election? What is the precedent concerning the emergence? Is there an agenda by some party in the crisis beyond what the ordinary people see? Who is right and who is wrong in this unprecedented crisis? There is an outcome of the election that is now a contentious leadership. But was the process that produced the leadership transparent? So many questions are begging for answers on the debacle. Yet some party to the crisis is being presented as the hero and the other the villain. The unfortunate aspect of the scenario is that the ground is possibly being prepared for the death of the NGF. Should this happen, all the governors and their states will be the losers? When the idea of the Governors Forum was mooted in 2002, it was noble; to forge a common front for the states and advance the cause of democracy. There is a model in the United States (US) for peer review from which the NGF idea was derived. In the US, the membership of the Governors Forum does not recognize party affiliation. That you are a governor guarantees your

membership of the forum. So it was in Nigeria at the outset of the NGF. The membership cut across all then 36 governors in the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Alliance for Democracy (AD). The NGF has helped to address some grey areas in our body politic, especially those relating to disbursements from the Federation Account, constitutionally owned by all the three tiers of government, that is, the federal, state and local governments. The merit of the NGF notwithstanding, events have proved that the emergence of the leadership can be a potential source of conflict, especially as all its members have same status and the Chairman only being the first among equals. Consequently, the founding governors ruled out election as the mode of

By COLLINS ABEL

Vanguard, JUL Y 6, 2013—41 JULY

So many questions are begging for answers on the debacle

emergence of the NGF Chairman. They voted for consensus. In addition, they decided that the chairmanship should be alternated between the nation’s two blocs — North and South — in line with Nigeria’s peculiar political arrangement, every two years. The NGF chairmanship actually alternated

between the North and South every two years since 2002 until the incumbent leader, Goveror Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, was to vacate office early this year. For the record, Amaechi’s predecessors are: Obong Attah (South— from Akwa Ibom State); Adamu Abdullahi (North – from Nassarawa State); Lucky Igbinedion (South— Edo State); and Bukola Saraki (North — Kwara State). Each of the former NGF Chairmen spent only one term of two years in office.

hey all emerged by consensus. And the succession arrangement has been South (Attah) — North (Abdullahi) — South (Igbinedion) — North (Saraki) — South (Amaechi). The crux of the current crisis in the NGF is the obvious attempt by the Rivers Governor to subvert the process that brought him into the office of the forum chairman. He benefited from the North/South succession arrangement by taking over from Saraki in 2011. But, today, Amaechi no longer believes in the novel idea put in place to bridge the North/South dichotomy and preserve the unity of the country. The Rivers Governor was a beneficiary of the consensus arrangement that eased his emergence as the NGF leader. Amaechi benefited from the one term ONLY arrangement for the Chairman that has been a recipe for

peace in the NGF since 2002. He dumped the precedent. He now wants to spend two terms. These are all the infractions the Rivers Governor committed that have inevitably split the NGF into two, with Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State leading the other group. Unfortunately, the lies being fed to the public is that Amaechi and those in his group are the heroes and the villainy tag hung on the Jang group. The Amaechi group is even presented as the underdog in this conflict as President Goodluck Jonathan is perceived as taking sides with the Jang group because of his purported political differences with the Rivers Governor. Whereas all the Plateau Governor and his colleagues on his side are saying is that Amaechi has broken all the rules and convention of the NGF to perpetuate himself in the office of Chairman. Those close to the Governors’ Forum said the Rivers Governor had everything worked out to perpetuate himself in office as Chairman. The plan to retain the office of the NGF Chairman for second term against precedent was said to have been hatched by Amaechi when he called for a constitution for the group to be drafted ahead of its registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission. A constitution was reportedly actually drafted but without provisions for either election for the Chairman or second term for him. And the document was never adopted by the NGF as a group.

42 — SATURDAY

Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013

Jonathan flags off reconstruction of N167b Lagos-Ibadan Expressway BY KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE & DAUD OLATUNJI

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday, flagged off the reconstruction and expansion of Lagos-Ibadan express way, 35 years after its construction during the administration General Olusegun Obasanjo as Nigeria’s military Head of State. Jonathan said that job on the 127. 6 kilometre road which would cost N 167 billion would be completed in 48 months, even as he reiterated the commitment of his administration to the provision of enduring and sustainable transportation networks across the country. Two companies, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and Reynolds Construction Company, RCC, Limited were awarded contracts. Julius Berger would handle Section 1, stretching about 43. 6 kilometres from Lagos to Shagamu Interchange while RCC is to execute section 11 of the project, which is about 84 kilometres starting from Shagamu to Ibadan in Oyo State. The projects were earlier awarded to Bi-Courtney Highway Services before the contract was revoked in controversial circumstances last year. Jonathan described the dual carriageway, as very important because of high volume of traffic it carries … estimated at 84,000 vehicles daily.’’ He said that the’’Federal Government in 2009 entered into a concession agreement with a concessionaire as a premier Public Private Partnership, PPP, scheme in the road sector in the country’s economic development,’’ because it was a major artery that connects Lagos, the economic nerve centre of the nation and the host of major Nigerian seaports to other states of the federation.’’ According to him, “at the regional level, it is a section of Trans-Saharan highway that links Lagos on the Atlantic Ocean to Algiers on the Mediterranean Sea. The road is therefore of great socioeconomic importance not only to Nigeria, but to the

sub-region at large. Four years later and due to non-performance by the concessionaire, which resulted in recurring fatal accidents, unprecedented traffic jams, security breaches, compromised public health and safety as well as the continued public outcry on the state of disrepair of this road, the concession agreement was terminated in May, 2012. “As a responsible government, we had to intervene immediately in order to ameliorate the hardship faced by the general public on this road. Consequently, in November 2012, we deployed two reputable road construction companies to carry out emergency repair works on the road to ease off traffic and at the same time, we commenced the process of procuring the contracts for full reconstruction and expansion of the road. “The procurement of contracts for the road was completed on schedule, and I am happy to inform you that Messrs Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and RCC Nigeria Limited emerged as successful bidders and were subsequently awarded the contracts. This government is committed to the timely completion of the project and has made adequate arrangements for its funding. “In addition to annual appropriation for the project, this administration has commenced negotiation with the Infrastructure Bank Plc to complement the Federal Government contribution to the project cost. With this arrangement, funding is assured and the project can be completed as scheduled.” Jonathan however, commended the efforts of the Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun in rebuilding the state, describing him as an “industrious and hard working person”. He spoke just as Governor Amosun said that his administration had since assumption of office two years ago, committed about N200bn in rehabilitating federal and state roads within the state. The president said he was impressed by Amosun’s efforts to improve infrastructure in the state.

Earlier, Governor Amosun had lamented the poor state of federal roads in the state, expressing delight with the reconstruction of the LagosIbadan express way. Amosun then appealed to Jonathan to consider similar intervention on the Sagamu-MosinmiIkorodu road and the Sagamu interchange- Papalanto road, explaining that the two roads were of great importance to the transformation agenda of the Federal Government. According to Amosun, the Sagamu-Mosinmi-Ikorodu road links the Mosinmi Petroleum Depot which supplied over 70 percent of petroleum products consumed in the country, while the Sagamu Interchange- Papalanto road leads to the multi-billion dollar Olorunsogo Power Plant. The Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, de-

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke receiving a gift from the Principal, Highury College, Portsmouth UK during an educational conference on TVET Eco-system projects in Calabar, yesterday. scribed the Lagos -Ibadan express way as the ‘’busiest road in our country with an average daily traffic of 84,000 vehicles.’’ Onolememen said ‘’the scope of work would include reconstruction and

expansion of the Lagos Ibadan dual carriageway from Lagos to Shagamu,’’ pointing out that the work involved the reconstruction of the existing twolane carriageway in each direction and addition of

a third lane to give three lanes in each direction. The carriage way width is 10.95 metres with adjoining 2.75 metres out hard shoulder, 1.8 metre hard shoulder and a median among other features.

Senate Probe: Obiozor dismisses allegations of missing $27m •Says Obj approved sales BY CHARLES KUMOLU

FORMER Ambas sador to the United States of America, Prof George Obiozor has dismissed reports linking

him to the alleged missing $27 million from the sale of Nigerian property in the United States. He also said the sale of the property was part of the official assignments to the Embassy during his

tenure from May 2004 to July 2007. Obiozor, who said this in a statement, noted that the sale of the property was duly authorized by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, adding that various

Tambuwal lauds CSOs role in deepening democracy lar policies and programmes legislative process. of governments. BY EMMANUEL Declaringopenasummitof AZIKEN, Political Editor the House of Representatives andcivilsocietyorganisations PEAKER Aminu in Abuja, Speaker Tambuwal TambuwaloftheHouse nevertheless stressed the of Representatives has laud- need for CSOs to be more faed the role of civil society miliar with the process of lawgroups in deepening democ- making for them to be more racy and upturning unpopu- properly engaged in the

Jonathan appoints Kekere-Ekun as S-Court Justice The Senate had on June BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

EQUEL to the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, NJC, President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, approved the appointment of Justice K.M.O. Kekere-Ekun as a Justice of the Supreme Court.

26, okayed the elevation of Justice Kekere-Ekun to the apex court bench. According to a press release that was issued yesterday by the Acting Director of Information at the NJC, Mr Soji Oye, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, will on Monday, swear in the new Justice of the Supreme Court.

The one day summit facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP Democratic Governance for Development, DGD Project was attended by members of the House of Representatives, civil society activists from across the country and the media. The DGD project director, Dr. Mourtada Deme on his part called for strong linkage between civil society and the legislature for the purpose of entrenching good governance for the benefit of the populace. Declaring open the summit, Tambuwal who was represented by the deputy chief whip of the house, Engr. Ahmed Mohammed said: “Honestly speaking, members of the civil society are some of the best educated and compassionate people around.”

authorizations were duly conveyed by the then Minister of Foreign of Affairs, Ambassador Olu Adeniji and then Permanent Secretary, Ambassador, Nwadibia Anyanwu. His words: ‘’Like other responsibilities, this assignment was executed by the Embassy under my supervision with strict adherence to due process applicable to a diplomatic mission, relevant home country/host country regulations, accountability and directives from appropriate authorities.’’ He further noted that a special account was opened as directed by the Federal Government into which the proceeds were deposited. “As at the date of my departure from Washington D.C. in July 2007 to return to Nigeria at the end of my tour of duty, the special account remained intact,” he added. Recently, the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs summoned Obiozor following a petition by a non-governmental organization, Transform Nigeria Movement, claiming misappropriation of funds by officials of the Nigerian Embassy in Washington D.C.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013 — 43

20 feared dead in Tiv/Fulani bloodbath BY PETER DURU Makurdi

O fewer than 20 people were yesterday feared dead in an outbreak of conflict between Tiv farmers and nomadic Fulani herdsmen at Nzorov ward, in Guma Local Government Area of Benue state. Sources told Saturday Vanguard that the entire Nzorov ward in Iyordye Akaahena village was sacked by the Fulani herdsmen who also burnt down their houses. Among the houses burnt were those belonginging to the former Benue State Head of Service, Mr. Mike Iyordye. This latest crisis is coming just few weeks after the feuding parties had agreed to lay down their arms and embrace peace. According to Saturday Vanguard’s sources, some armed Fulani herdsmen who were dressed in military camouflage, had invaded the Tiv village in the afternoon in a convoy of vehicles from the neigbouring Nasarawa State. ”They stormed the village when most of our young men were in the farms, they leveraged on that to burn down the entire village after killing over 20 persons, though we are yet to know the actual number of those killed because fighting is still going on at the moment. People

•House of ex-Benue Head of Service razed are already fleeing from their villages in search of safe haven in neigbouring villages,” the sources said. The Guma Local Government council Chairman, Mr. Frank

Adii said that fighting was still going on in the village as at the time of this report. ”From what I have gathered so far, the casualty figure is high

fire outbreak yesterday gutted the internal audit department of First City Monument Bank, FCMB area 7 Garki, Abuja. The fire incident is said to have started around 4:00 pm, which brought transaction in the banking hall to a halt. As workers were seen scampering for safety, customers were also prevented from entering the premises.

Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent, Daniel Ezeala confirmed the fighting but added that the police had no report of deaths arising

from the crisis. ”Security personnel have already been drafted to the crisis area, but we have not received any information on the number of deaths,’’ he added.

FG repays N218billon debt to oil marketers BY EMEKA MAMAH with Agency report

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (right), making his remarks when he paid a courtesy visit to the Oba of Benin, Omon’ Oba Erediauwa at his palace in Benin, yesterday.Photo: Speaker ’s Media Office

HE Federal Government has repaid $1.4 billion (about N218.4billion) in mostly overdue debts to fuel importers after raising the money through an oil prepayment loan from international lenders, successfully concluding some of the most painful and lengthy debt talks in its history. The repayment of the debt, which followed a smaller payment to creditors of $400 million

Pope Paul II, John XXIII to be saints this year BY SAM EYOBOKA with Agency reports

OPE John Paul II who made history in 1978, by becoming the first nonItalian pope in more than 400 years will be made a saint before the end of the year, making his progression to sainthood the fastest in modern times, the Vatican announced yesterday. Vatican yesterday announced that

both John Paul II and John XXIII will be saints, with canonisation ceremony expected later this year. Two miracles are usually required before a candidate can be considered for sainthood, and Vatican spokesman, Rev. Federico Lombardi yesterday confirmed that the curing of a Costa Rican woman’s aneurism has now been attributed to

Fire guts FCMB Garki, internal audit unit affected filling this report but an BY EMMANUEL ELEBEKE & FUNMI OLASUPO & SUCCESS UZOKWE

with many injured but I am yet to confirm the number of casualties. I have already alerted security agencies on the development,” Adii said. The state Police Public

It took the intervention of a team of Federal Fire Service from the El Rufai Fire service, the Federal fire service and the FCT fire service to put the fire off. Some of the eye witnesses, who spoke to Saturday Vanguard, described the fire incident as a big one that could have consumed the entire building, but for the quick response of the Fire Service men, who came to the rescue of the bank. Though, the fire was said to have affected only the bank’s internal audit department, the cause and extent of damage are not yet known, as at the time of

inside source told Saturday Vanguard that the fire was caused by electrical fault which was said to have been a usual occurrence at the bank. The leader of the Fire Service Team, who identified himself as Buky said “Fire gutted FCMB branch, Garki. The cause is still under investigation. Presently, the extent of damage is yet to be ascertained. The manager of the bank and their engineers are still working to find out all these.” The internal audit department is located at the first floor of the two storey building.

John Paul. His intercession had already been credited with curing a French nun of Parkinson’s disease, which John Paul himself suffered from, and this miracle led to his beatification in 2011. John Paul II was born Karol Józef Wojtyla on May 18, 1920, in Wadowice, Poland. He was ordained in 1946, became the bishop of Ombi in 1958, and became the archbishop of Krakow in 1964. He was made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1967, and in 1978 became the first nonItalian pope in more than 400 years. He was a vocal advocate for human rights

and used his influence to effect political change. He was the first Polish pope and the first nonItalian pope for 455 years, reigning from 1978-2005. He is often referred to as the “globe-trotting pope”, and made over 100 international excursions to inspire a generation of worldwide Catholics about their faith. But he was close to home when he faced the greatest threat to his life. In 1981, an assassin shot John Paul twice in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Fortunately, he was able to recover from his injuries and later forgave his attacker.

earlier this year, would allow the country to halve its fuel debts to $1.7 billion, sources at three trading companies told Reuters. “It will ease the threat of large write-downs for big trading houses, oil firms and Nigerian banks, as well as lowering the risk of insurance claims and legal action from traders, bankers and insurers against the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. “Had Nigeria defaulted on these loans, it could have restricted the future borrowing capacity of Africa’s second largest economy just as it was preparing to issue a $1 billion Eurobond ”The fact that this debt was not solved was creating a lot of tensions - both for Nigeria’s desire to put its finances in order and for traders, because a lot of these debts were massively overdue,” said a high-level source at a major trading house.” The prepayment facility, guaranteed by future oil sales, was led by Standard Chartered and also included BNP Paribas, Societe Generale, Natixis and several Nigerian banks. The funds were used to settle old debts of state oil firm NNPC’s marketing unit PPMC for gasoline and jet fuel imports made three years ago.

Cross River partners highbury college to establish polytechnic

HE Cross River State Government has entered into a partnership with Highbury College, Portsmouth, United Kingdom to design a demand-driven curriculum for the state Polytechnic, which is billed to take-off in October. The curriculum would ensure that graduates of the polytechnic are employable. Speaking at a Conference

on World-Class TVET Eco-system Project in Cross River State in Calabar, Governor Liyel Imoke disclosed that the state was partnering the college because it is the best vocational institution in the United Kingdom. Imoke described as unacceptable, a situation where Nigerian universities churn out graduates, who are unemployable. He noted that overtime,

the quality of education in the country has nosedived, thus making it compelling for the kind of partnership the state was entering into with Highbury College if the trend is to be arrested. Imoke remarked that government will not compromise on merit concerning the appointment of principal officers of the institution as to do so will be unhelpful to the cause of revamping the education sector.

44—SATURDAY Vanguard,JULY 6, 2013

Baby girl's head swells beyond normal size A

baby girl whose head swelled to three times its normal size has undergone a third successful skull remodelling operation. Roona Begum, 20 months old, suffers from a severe case of hydrocephalus. Doctors drained fluid from her brain and now have to remodel her

skull. Funds for the life-saving treatments were donated by global philanthropists. Still unclear what Roona’s outcome will be, and if she will need more surgery. Dr Sandeep Vaishya, Director of Neurosurgery at Fortis Hospital in Gurgoan, near Delhi,

Aged 21 but just 35 Inches tall

he man with a rare form of dwarfism which makes him the size of a three-year-old. Nick Smith, 21, from Atlanta, Georgia, has a rare type of primordial dwarfism. He measures just 35 inches in height and weighs less than two stone, but has two brothers who tower over him at over 6 feet tall. A documentary follows Nick and his family as he undergoes surgery to try and repair his aneurysm in order to save his life.

Father-of-two mauled in horrific tiger ‘attack’ D

£4,000 O.N.O

n allied aircraft used in the Second World War for the invasion of Germany could be yours for just £4,000 on eBay. The 1944 Taylor Craft Auster was used after D-Day when British and Allied forces were pushing back the Nazis from Holland and Germany during the closing chapters of the war. The 70-year-old plane, with the registration TJ398, was used to fly low, spot enemy forces and give Allied forces the information to co-ordinate more devastating attacks. Although it looks in mint condition there is one major problem — it has no engine.

ramatic pictures show the moment a father-of-two is mauled in a horrific tiger ‘attack’ (but don’t worry, she is just playing with her best friend).Tiger Eden was trained to carry out a staged attack by trainer Randy Miller. Mr Miller hand-reared the tiger from birth and taught her to jump for rewards. He trains animals for roles in blockbuster films at his facility in California.

C M Y K

carried out the latest operations. He said: ‘This may well be the last of a series required in the current phase.’It is too early to tell what— if any —surgery Roona may still need to undergo, with doctors expected to keep her in hospital for observation for the foreseeable future.

Man has 132 lbs scrotum removed

an who had a 132 lbs scro M tum removed is ‘unhappy’ after life-saving surgery leaves him with a oneinch penis. Wesley Warren Jr. was so desperate to rid himself of the ten-stone testicles that he considered selling them on eBay to pay for the operation. Fortunately for the 48-year-old, a team of surgeons in California agreed to carry out the 13-hour operation for free - but Mr Warren is not happy about the results.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013—45

BY EBUN SESSOU

arely a year after the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, introduced the cashless policy in Lagos State; Abia, Anambra, Ogun, Rivers, Kano and the FCT have been enlisted to do same. However, this development has been generating mixed reactions among Nigerians, especially those directly affected. Some opine that though the policy might be good for the economy, its effective operations could be hampered by fundamental problems the country is grappling with. Dayo Babatunde, Senior Partner, Ernst and Young, explained that the implication of the policy on the economy which largely depends on micro businesses is that it will negatively affect uneducated Nigerians. "There are infrastructural challenges which might hamper the efficiency of the policy. These include epileptic power supply and non-availability of cash in the ATM machine. “Lack of information technology is another issue because Nigerians do not have a robust system for managing their information. Another challenge is the aged population that will be negatively affected. All these are challenges that might hinder the policy. I wouldn’t shy away from the fact that the system needs refining, modifications, enlightenment and sensitisation of the people”, he asserted. Babatunde however added that, “We cannot fold our hands because of the risk involved in this policy. If we refuse to take on the challenges, there might be dangers in the future. Nigerians must learn how to manage risks. If we are dwelling on the challenges at hand, then there might not be a right time for it." For Hon. Abiodun Tobun, a lawmaker representing Epe constituency 1, Lagos State House of Assembly, the policy might be good but Nigerians are not ripe for it at the moment. “The system is not stable, the network is not stable; therefore, most people are faced with difficulties. “I have discovered some fraud in the policy. A situation where an individual cannot collect more than N500,000 or corporate institutes the sum of N3m without paying excessive charges. The question is, 'where does the deduction go to?' Of course, it is an online charge which is deducted by the CBN. Yet, we don’t know who monitors the account so as to know how much has been generated so far.

Policy implications on nation's economy "Another challenge is the slow transaction that individuals encounter in the course of transacting their business. There is the tendency for an individual to be exposed to multiple charges by the CBN and banks while still paying 'Charges on Turn Over', COT every month. This implies that the financial institutions are exploiting innocent individuals. “Another constraint is the inefficiency of the Automated Teller Machine, ATM. Sometimes, most people experience difficulties in accessing it. They are then forced to be running from pillar to post in order to get the finance to meet their needs. "Therefore, to ensure the smooth operation of this policy in Nigeria, measures should be put in place. There is a need for stable electric-

ity supp l y s o that one is n o t frustrated while trying to use the ATM. Our telecommunications providers should be monitored so they can compete globally. Besides, some Nigerians are not educated on how to operate ATMs or credit cards. So I think it should be a gradual process. "As much as I accept that the policy would reduce movement of bulk money from one place to the other, there is a need to put some measures in place before making it a phenomenon to be embraced by all and sundry. I believe the Nigerian economy should be experiencing massive improvement rather than allowing banks to feed fat on innocent customers." On the extention of the policy to five other states including the FCT, he maintained that “Nigerians are not ripe for it until stringent measures are put in

place. “I am not saying the cashless policy is not nice, but we are not ready. Rather than extending the policy to other states, let the government of the country put some measures in place that would enhance its effectiveness. This was the position of the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly when the policy was formulated. The essence of the policy is to reduce the rate of armed robbery, money laundering as well as other vices. “Right now, people are faced with the challenge of accessing their funds. I believe people who applauded the initiative at its inception are singing a different tune now. “People are already complaining right now in Lagos State where it is presently operating. So if it is extended to other states, I believe it is just to the detriment of the people. The management of the CBN should conduct an independent survey on the impact of the cashless policy on the generality of the people before extending it to other states." Asked how the policy could be readdressed, he suggested that “the National Assembly should come up with measures that would checkmate this policy or stop the CBN from going ahead with the programme if it continues to pose dufficulties in the lives of the people. It is a national issue and it should be handled with national interest." On his part, Hon. Segun Olulade, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Security, Strategy and Publicity representing Epe Constituency 11, expressed some mixed feelings. To him, the policy is a good omen for the economy, but lack of basic infrastructure is limiting its success - especially in Lagos. As regards its extention to five other states including the FCT, his take was that the constraints involved might hamper the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations. "The fact is our internet banking is very challenging. And it is worse when it has to do with the lives of the people as well as the economic situation of the country," he said. Joshua Thomas, a businessman, opined that while the policy is ideal for the well organised countries where governments encourage citizens in all spheres, it would be a disaster in Nigeria where power supply is not constant.

Market women open up on cashless policy By IYABO AINA One year after the Central Bank of Nigeria introduced the cashless policy in Lagos, it has decided to extend the policy to other states, including Abuja, Abia, Anambra, Ogun, Kano and Rivers. It is against this background that Saturday Vanguard sampled the opinions of some Lagosians and these are their reactions.

Frozen foodseller —Mrs Oluwakemi Kushimo

The policy has a lot of benefits for the people and the economy, and I think it should be embraced without fear. With the policy, it is mandatory for banks to confirm cheques of over N500, 000 to protect the interest of the person that issued the cheque. So for me, the policy is really helping us marketers because if you want to buy goods worth N1million you don’t need to go with cash. All you need is an e-Transfer. But the challenge is poor network. Sometimes you will have to stay in the bank for hours . But aside from that, the cashless policy is okay because even the company we buy goods from doesn't collect cash.

Wholesale cloth seller —Mrs Kudirat Yusuf

To me, naturally, it’s very risky to move around with huge amounts of money because doing that means risking my life. So the cashless policy is a good idea from the government because many people have been robbed as a result of moving around with huge sums of money to buy goods. It is helping us too. We now send money to the account of the company we buy clothes from and once they get the alert, the next thing they do is bring our goods to us. So the idea is okay and I will advise my co-marketers to buy into the idea too.

Tomato seller —Mrs Fatima Oribamishe

It’s not that easy, but we are managing because sometimes these Hausa people don’t really like the idea of someone paying into the bank for them .So what we do is we look for the literate ones among them who have bank accounts, then we transfer from our account to theirs before they agree to sell to us. So the cashless policy is good because we are no longer scared of travelling to the North to buy goods with cash, unlike before when we used to go with cash and sometimes some of us would get robbed on the way. But thank God for the new idea from government. At least our mind is now settled anytime we are going to buy goods.

Car dealer—Mr Olabisi Taiwo

We have been coping well, but the orientation has been very poor and we don’t know what to do about it. Imagine if a customer wants to buy a car and our company requires a customer paying in cash. The customer pays for more than three hours yet no alert to show for it. And probably the customer has been waiting, yet you cannot allow them take your goods worth millions if you don’t get the alert. The policy is okay but the orientation is poor. But, basically, I would say I am not enjoying the policy because if after the buyer pays for more than three hours you don’t get proof, of course you know it is very risky to let your goods go . So it will be painful if the buyer goes away with the car and you don’t get money. So we are just trying to save ourselves from fraud by telling the buyer to give you time to confirm before taking the car away.

Car dealer —Mr Robert Nwaogu

Well... it has not been easy because we can no longer deal with cash. We now have to wait to get alerts before we can give our cars to buyers. But that doesn’t mean we don’t deal with cash because somebody from Abuja, Enugu or Aba would like to come with his money and we accept it. And at the same time we still accept online transfers, but the disadvantage is that it takes time before we get alerts and even sometimes people don’t pay at all. Some even pay us with bounced cheques.

46—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013

Senate: The day of battle

Presiding over plenary sessions had not been as tasking for Senator David Mark as it was last Wednesday when emotion overflowed over the course of action on President Goodluck Jonathan’s apparent veto on the State of the Nation Bill Address Bill. By JOSEPH ERUNKE

VEN at difficult times when watchers of Senate events thought he would end in a quandary, Senator Mark almost always found a way out. However, last Wednesday he was dragged to his wits end when emotions nearly ended in fisticuffs as the senate deliberated on a bill requiring the compulsory annual briefing of the National Assembly by the president of the country on the state of affairs of the nation. President Goodluck Jonathan like his immediate predecessors had resented the bill. However, unlike his predecessors, he made the courtesy of giving his reasons and suggestions on amendments. Jonathan, in the letter dated June 10, and read at the Senate plenary last week had said he could not sign the bill into law on the grounds that it amounted to duplication of Section 67 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). So, when the issue was slated for debate in plenary, those who have been following developments regarding the issue knew that the session was not going to be the same like others. And when it was mentioned, it was as expected. The chamber became charged, not even Senator Mark who presided, was an exception. From the gallery, one could see the appearance of discomfort that enveloped him. Many lawmakers, who talked on the issue, insisted on an override of what they claimed was the president’s veto on the bill. Only a negligible few advised that the bill be reviewed to reflect observations of the president. But confusion set in when Senator Ita Enang, PDP, Akwa Ibom North East, brought his legal and legislative prowess to bear, by citing sections of both the 1999 Constitution and the Senate Standing Rules to buttress his position. He drew his colleagues’ attention to the contradiction between the Senate Rule and the constitution with respect to the bill. “The question before us is that of jurisdiction, it is whether we have power to determine what the president asked; it is when we answer this that we can proceed. I want us to first consider Section 258 (4) of the constitution, Section 100 (4) Section 1 (3) of the constitution, then Section 3 of the Act Authentication Act and then we consider Sections 1 and 2 of the Supreme Court Additional Jurisdiction Act.” “Section 58, says: Whereas a bill presented to the president for assent, he shall within 30 days signify assent or withhold assent, Section 100 (4) and this relates to a bill presented to the president or the state governor for assent and it says: Where a bill is presented to the governor for assent, he

Senate President, David Mark

The debate no doubt, became a window of opportunity for the opposition senators, especially those from ACN to prove their existence in the chamber, as all those that spoke on the issue insisted that time had come for the legislature to prove to the president that it possess the power to pass any bill into law irrespective of the president’s shall within 30 days signify whether he will assented or withhold assent.” Noting the presence of senior government officials like the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Attorney-General and Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Affairs at the public hearings on the bill, he said: “Did any of them at any given time, when this bill was being considered either in the House of Representatives or in the Senate, come to the Public Hearing or the committee handling the bill that this is the amendment they have proposed?” The essence of the public hearing, sir, is to make sure that all the members of the public alleged to be affected by the bill are in a position to hear and then come and make a presenta-

tion. The president, the governors, the ministers and every person affected are supposed to come to the public hearing and make a presentation and if you did not make a presentation, when the bill is passed, you are to keep silence and for good. The president cannot propose an amendment because he is not part of the legislature, he cannot sir. He has only one job to do, either to assent or not to assent,” he insisted. This generated laud applause from some of his colleagues who were carried away by how he went about the issue. The debate no doubt, became a window of opportunity for the opposition senators, especially those from ACN to prove their existence in the chamber, as all those that spoke on the issue insisted that time had come for the legislature to prove to the president that it possess the power to pass any bill into law irrespective of the president’s. But was the president wrong in asking the legislature to amend some sections of the bill? The Senate Standing Order, however, empowers him to call for amendment of any bill before assent. This was where the legislators kicking against the president’s action were boxed to a corner. Mark, who it is believed would not want to carry out any action seen to be antithetical to President Jonathan hid under this aspect to frustrate the visibly angry and charged senators. “Now, as at today, we found that Senator Ita Enang has raised the issue, that if we go by Section 58 (4) of the constitution, the president can only assent or refuse; but our Stand-

ing Order has said that he can bring the amendments. Senator Ganiyu Solomon, ACN, Lagos West, punctured this, saying the president had a right to send an amendment on any bill passed by the National Assembly, but only after first giving assent to it. “We have presently a very good example, in December, we passed the appropriation act; and it’s an act. Mr President assented to it, it became an act; he now sent in an amendment. So he has an amendment before us now which we want to consider. If Mr. President feels that there is need for any amendment, then we can send it back but he must first assent to it”, he noted. But Senator Odion Ugbesia, PDP, Edo Central, speaking in defence of the president, said: “If we must deepen democracy, we must be cautious about what we do here today. We are not in a situation where we can override anything because there is nothing to over-ride as you have said. The president did not indicate that he refused assent to the bill; he therefore humbly proposed a redraft of this bill”, he urged. At this point, Mark stepped in again, saying: “As it is today, we have boxed ourselves to a corner. We have this rule and as Ita Enang pointed out, any act that is against the constitution is null and void, but it is not as simple and straightforward as that because we now have a Standing Rule”. “Even if we have to override, it cannot be today because overriding would not be by mouth votes. “My understanding of Enang’s conclusion was for us to get interpretation from the Supreme Court, but how to go about it is not clear to me”. At this point, the Senate broke into a 15-minute rowdy break during which Senators Kabir Garba Marafa, ANPP, Zamfara Central and Paulinus Igwe, PDP, Ebonyi Central, were seen engaging each other in a physical fight. It took the intervention of Senator Ahmed Lawan, ANPP, Yobe North and Sergeants-At- Arms to contain the fracas. Disappointed by the ugly situation, Mark condemned the unparliamentarily conduct. He said: “There is no need for temper to rise. We are democrats and we should behave as such. In any case, for the first time in 14 years, I have seen an effort to put out boxing gloves, but it is not necessary. We can do all the talking but we will not resort to boxing. I suggest that we suspend debate on this subject matter. Here, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, opened a final window of escape, suggesting that the debate be adjourned to allow for consultation with the House of Representatives.

SATURDAY

hief Vincent Amadi is the Charman, Board of Trustees, BoT, People’s Democratic Party South-South Forum in Lagos State. In this interview, he gives reasons for the reemergence of militancy in the Niger Delta region, among other national issues raised by our reporter. Excerpts. BY DOTUN IBIWOYE As a leader from the South-South region, where President Jonathan comes from, what are you doing to nip the reemergence of restiveness in the Niger-Delta in the bud? There was an amnesty programme initiated by late President Umar Yar’Adua which was implemented by Jonathan and that has brought peace to the area. You know, when one of the leaders of militant groups, Tompolo, was given a security surveillance contract by the Federal Government, some of the militants were not happy. I want to let you know that the people who have carried arms again are those that want to be recognized. They are not known faces of militants. So, in essence, those people are seeking attention and I am sure they would be easily handled. You are an Ikwerre man from Rivers State. There is a prevailing face-off between Celestine Omehia and Governor Amaechi, and recently with President Jonathan. What do you think is the cause of the feud? What we are talking about here is power. They are not sharing farm lands or a woman friend. Any friend in power is a friend lost. You are sitting down here now, I know if you are opportuned to be in power, if I dial your GSM line, you may not pick up my calls as you used to. This is what power does. The two of them had met in the church when they came for a thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt. If not for power, I don’t think there is a serious problem between Celestine and Governor Amaechi. Also, on the President Jonathan/Governor Amaechi face-off, I think political misunderstanding is the salient issue between them. I must say that Jonathan comes from Rivers State. He married from Rivers State, and he is our son. Amaechi, on other hand, is an Ikwerre man from Rivers State who knows how to respect an elder. They are brothers. If there has been a quarrel between the two, the Chiefs in Bayelsa and Rivers State will intervene and reconcile them. What exists between the two of them at the moment can best be described as political misunderstanding. Amaechi may say I am thinking in this direction and the President may insist it's the other way round. Moreover, in a big party as PDP, such things are common. But one thing is sure, whatever misunderstanding that exists between the two, it would be resolved amicably. Do you think Jonathan should run for a second term in office? What did the constitution say? The constitution permits him to run for a

AMAECHI/JONATHAN

Bayelsa, Rivers chiefs should intervene —Chief Vincent Why should people complain about a South-South man where the wealth of the nation comes from? second term in office and I don’t see any ambiguity there. If we have the opportunity, we would even say he should be there for 12 years as President. This is the opportunity the South-South people have to make their own contribution towards the progress of the nation. I don’t know why Nigerians are making much ado about nothing. When Baba Gana Kingibe, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation presented himself to contest for election in the country, nobody gave a thought about the origin of the man until after the whole exercise when some people started saying he's not a Nigerian. Why should people complain about a South-South man where the

wealth of the nation comes from? But there were claims by some people from the north that he had an agreement with them to run for a single term Let us see the agreement. Now as a journalist, if I promise you that I will buy you a car just because I want you to be projecting my image, that is just a bedroom agreement. If there is such an agreement, we want to see it to know if it is in line with the Nigerian constitution. The Nigerian constitution supersedes that of the PDP. But it could be a gentleman's agreement Then, they don’t have a case. If you look at section 1 of the constitution, it states that any law that is against the constitution is a nullity to the extent of that law. Even if it is written, anything that is contrary to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is illegal. For instance, both of us agreed to kill a man, and later I say I am no longer interested in the agreement to kill a man, and you are now forcing me because I earlier agreed to do something that is against the law,it is wrong. The United States' recent investigation proved that corruption under the Jonathan administration is more pronounced than that of previous governments. Why is it difficult for this government to fight corruption? To be fair to him, I think the issue of corruption has been with us

Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013—47

before Jonathan came to power. Recently there was a report in the papers that the Obasanjo and Yar’Adua government mismanaged some billions of naira. What do you call that? Is it not corruption? Nobody regards corruption under those former leaders as evil. It is only in Jonathan’s tenure that corruption indices have jumped up. We have heard of oil windfall money amounting to several billions of naira missing and nobody said anything about that one. What I am saying is that if people want to criticize Jonathan’s government, let them do that objectively without malice and mischief. When Obasanjo was in power, he sent soldiers to destroy Odi community but since Jonathan came to power, he has been preaching peace. He has never ordered for people to be killed and that is a credit to him. Nigerians are not seeing all these. They only regard him as a lazy or a non performing president. I think if he decides not to contest again as Nigerian president after this tenure, his God whom he worships will be with him because he did not raise any squad to bring people down. The man came as God-sent. I think the statement by America on corruption in Nigeria is their own personal view. Finally, I think Jonathan’s government has exposed corruption more than any regime in Nigeria. But the greatest impediment to the fight against corruption is the judiciary. The judiciary has helped so many people who are supposed to be languishing in jail to be walking on the streets of Nigerian towns free men and women. Jonathan has allowed for more freedom of information than any other president in the country. Moreover, our press must be nationalistic in that they should consider the love of the country more important than anything else. A lot of crimes are committed on daily basis in US and South Africa, but the press in those countries does not expose it the way we do it in Nigeria. Do you consider the formation of PDP South-South Forum in Lagos as a ploy by the party to capture Lagos in 2015? Yes, in fact our gathering here today with the chairman of SouthSouth Forum in our midst shows that the level has changed. We are mindful of what the party is saying that when we voted for our man as president, we all went back to sleep. That was why the party lost in the governorship. I tell you that cannot happen this time around. I am now sure that with the inauguration of BoT and the forces in us, I mean forces in all ramifications, Lagos State is a must for the party. It is a battle that we will fight and win. That is why you see us doing what we are doing. After all, those that have been winning elections in the state are human beings. The PDP South-South Forum is an organ to let the people know that the people of South –South exist in large numbers here in Lagos. It is also an avenue to let our governors and the people at the federal level know that we are existing and waxing stronger here.

HE Inspector-General of Police, Muhammed Dahiru Abubakar and the Police Management team, Wednesday, honoured some officers and men of the force who excelled in their respective assignments. Those honoured included; two Commissioners of police, Ogunsakin Tunde Johnson of the Special Fraud Unit(SFU), Lagos; Idris Faruk Umar of the Anti Fraud Section. Two Deputy Commissioners of Police: Chris Okey Ezike of the Federal Special AntiRobbery Squad, Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi of the Interpol section; CSP Ibrahim Bako of SEB section, ASP Eseile Irioje, Inspector Yusuf Audu of the Federal SARS and Sgt. Joy Oloh of anti-fraud section. One of the recipients, DCP Ezike spoke with Crime Guard . Excerpts: What is the significance of today’s award to you by the IGP? It signifies happiness for us the recipients, our families and our workforce. They said it takes two to tango. But in this wise, it takes three to tango. Ourselves, our families who wait endlessly for us to come back home. And then, our workforce. We have been singled out for recognition, but it is about the feats that have been achieved. So, we are happy. This type of thing does not come everyday; it does not come always, but today we thank God. We are happy and will forever glorify God. Sir, can you oblige us some of the exploits that made you win these awards? I want to be modest, I was chosen for this award, just like two of my other officers for reasons best known to our bosses. But I can tell you that in this Special Anti-Robbery Squad,SARS, the Federal SARS; it has been difficult working here. Working here is not like eating salad. We have taken on a lot of matters, we are primarily an operational and investigative arm of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID. irst and foremost, the Counter Terrorism Investigation, CTI, is domiciled with the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, F-SARS. So, all these cases of Boko Haram that have been successfully investigated and charged to court emanated from this department. The management of information, management of suspects, management of the exhibits, robust liaison with the Federal

Award galore as IGP honours

•A cross section of awardees during the Force CID Annual Award in Abuja on Wednesday. Department of Public Prosecution aimed at arraigning these suspects are not matters that end in a day. The journey did not start today. It takes commitment, hard work and knowledge of

the law to be able to get to where we are. That is one. Two, I am very much aware that you know that this department mid-wifed the Oyerinde matter. And to the best of our ability, we gave our

best to SARS and to the glory of God, we have no fewer than 15 suspects in custody and nobody, nobody has come up with any superior claims on why those suspects should not have been in custody.

Sometime in September 2012, a very high ranking staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, left Lagos on his way to Abuja on official assignment and was not seen any more. I

KIDNAP OF LAGOS By IFEANYI OKOLIE

trader and an illegal money transfer agent believed to have links with the gang of kidnappers who abducted the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Chairman, Kehinde Bamigbetan, as well as Federal High Court Judge, have been arrested by operatives of Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, Lagos. Crime Guard gathered that the trader, Adesuyi Oluwaseyi, received and disposed all valuable items stolen from kidnap victims, while the money transfer agent, Emeka Nwajiobi, helped the gang in laundering their kidnap proceeds abroad. Seven members of the gang were reportedly killed, penultimate Monday, when they engaged SARS operatives in a gun duel at their hideout in Idomila community,Agbara Ogun State, with two others arrested alive, while four AK 47 rifles, 28 AK 47 magazines fully loaded, over 1,000 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition, army uniforms and two vehicles— a Honda CRV SUV with number plate

Police arrest more ABC 106 AE and a Nissan Pathfinder SUV with number plate AGL 730 AZ were recovered from them. Police sources intimated Crime Guard that Oluaseyi and Nwajiobi were arrested following information received from the two arrested suspects. According to a source; “The suspects informed us that their leader, Jonah Benjamin Osinachi, popularly known as China, who is now deceased, engaged the suspects to disposed the stolen items from their victims and launder their kidnap proceeds in Ghana where they live. The sources further said that, Oluwaseyi, received vehicles, laptop, cell phones and jewelries, belonging to kidnap victims. In the case of the Ejigbo Council boss, Bamigbetan, where the sum of $ 100,000, was paid as ransom, China, who was the gang’s leader, got $ 50,000 as his own share of the ransom and transferred $40,000 to Ghana through the illegal money transfer firm, Nwajiobi operated in Trade Fair Complex, Lagos”, the source stated.

Meanwhile, when Crime Guard spoke with the suspects at the State Command Headquarters, Oluwaseyi said that he sold Bamigbetan’s laptop for N50, 000, at the Alaba International Market. According to Oluwaseyi, in April 2013, China in his usual manner called me and said I should come to his house at Agbara; that he had some goods for me to buy. When I got there, I saw a man that was blindfolded with a black cloth and China showed me one HP laptop and asked how much I could pay for it. I told him I would pay N20, 000 for the laptop and he became angry. He pointed a gun at my face and said that the laptop belonged to the blindfolded man who he later identified as the council chairman of Ejigbo LCDA. The man wanted to speak with me, but China screamed at him to shut up his mouth and he instructed me to tell him in Yoruba language that he should cooperate with them or he would be killed, and I did as he instructed before leaving the house. I ended up buying the laptop for

FED-SARS, others

•The IGP, MD Abubakar presenting an award of outstanding dedication to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special AntiRobbery Squad, SARS, Chris Ezike (L), at the the Force CID Annual Award in Abuja on Wednesday. With the them is the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Charge of CID, Mr. Peter Gan. can tell you without fear of contradiction that we have all the suspects in our custody. Unfortunately, the man is deceased, his skeletal bones have been recovered, and the matter is on. It is all success

story in this department, FSARS. I can also tell you that two people (or two groups) who set out to impersonate the National Security Adviser, NSA, (Col. Sambo Dasuki) were arrested by this

department and they are all in court. One pleaded guilty, and has been sentenced already while the trial of others are still on. This department has also midwifed a lot of recovery of arms and ammunition, and these matters are all in court. I can also tell you that some very bad boys who stole about N4 million from a first generation bank in various denominations of pounds, dollars and Naira have been apprehended. In 2012, we investigated no fewer than 170 cases, and we had breakthroughs in almost all of them. So, we are not blowing our trumpet. But, we are happy to be recognized. This department got the best sectional head award, got the best SPO award, and got the best Inspectors’ award. I think here is where to be.

hat problems have you been encountering in the cause of carrying out your investigations? They are normal problems. They are logistic problems

suspects

•The suspects N30, 000 and I sold it at Alaba International Market for N50, 000.”

won’t deny the fact that I knew China was into kidnapping and I was the one who bought almost all the laptops and phones he collected from his victims. I kept on dealing with him because he threatened to kill me if I stopped.He knew my house at Ishashi where I live with my parents and he said

which is not a new story, under funding and lack of capacity are not new stories. But,above all,we try to manage what we have because, failure is not an excuse. What message do you have for criminals who have been undermining your efforts? Well, a criminal has no place here (Federal SARS). Even in the Bible, God gave them the commandments, He said do not steal. Do not do this, do

— 49

What do you have to tell Nigerians about your operations? In all modesty,we ask for patience and understanding. The police are the most misunderstood constituency in the world. But, today, we plead for patience. Let people listen to our own story and then come out with a judgement. But you cannot deal with us (Police) without hearing our story. Policeman are Nigerians; we

I am very much aware that you know that this department midwifed the Oyerinde matter. And to the best of our ability, we gave our best to SARS and to the glory of God, we have no fewer than 15 suspects in custody

not do that. It is not different from what we have in our laws. Stealing is a felony as well as armed robbery and Kidnapping. So the Bible, good living and the societal environment are synonymous. They are equal and opposite.

have families, we have relations; they cry when it is bad, they enjoy when it is good. We are not super humans, we are human beings. Let the public understand us (police)! It shall be well with all of us.

their targets returned to Nigeria and kidnapped a Federal High Court Judge and collected N10 million as ransom,” the source explained.

operative spotted someone who matched the description of China and he alerted our boss who swiftly mobilized the entire team of SARS operatives and kept them on standby. By Sunday night, words came in that the kidnappers had gone out for operation and our boss briefed the team on standby before leading them to the scene. We were placed strategically around the area. Some of us hid ourselves in the bush; others rode motorbikes like indigenes in that area. While we were waiting for the kidnappers to return we intercepted messages on police walkie-talkie that some armed men had snatched a car in Festac Town. Immediately our boss promptly informed everyone on alert. After a short while the kidnappers showed up with their victim and we gave them some time to relax. We intended to apprehend the whole of them alive but when we moved in China opened fire on us as he tried to escape but unknown to them we had surrounded the entire building,” the source narrated.

COUNCIL BOSS he would come after me whenever I stopped buying his goods. I am a student of Adeniran Ogusanya College of Education and I knew that he was a very dangerous man. My initial plan was to save some money and travel out of the country, where I know with that it would be difficult for him to get at me. I knew that what I was doing was wrong but I did it because I was scared.” But, Nwajiobi claimed he was not aware that his customers were into kidnappeing, and the money transferred were proceeds from crime. The 45-year-old man said “I am a native of Anambra State and I reside at Itire area of Lagos State. My brother who resides in Ghana opened this money transfer firm and I joined him after I lost out of the former business I was into. I operate the Nigerian office and he paid me N12, 000 weekly which I manage with my family. Our job is to help traders come into Nigeria to buy goods, safeguard their money from thieves and armed robbers. When they are coming to buy goods, especially spare parts

from Ghana they will go to my brothers office in Ghana and give their money to him. My brother will then send me their details and later he will pay the money into a bank account. When the traders get to Nigeria, they will come to me with their identity I will go to the bank and withdraw their money for them.

By EMMA NNADOZIE

Vanguard, SATURDAY JULY 6, 2013

SATURDAY JULY 6, 2013

48 — Vanguard,

After Bamigbetan was released and the gang relocated to Ghana the team of SARS operatives and Interpol officials faced a major hitch, because the Ghanaian laws would not allow them access to the telephone records of China and other members of his gang who were considered law abiding residents of Ghana. The

But while our boss, SP Abba Kyari, was making preparation to track down the kidnappers in Ghana, they returned to Lagos and kidnapped the Ejigbo council boss, Bamigbetan

Majority of our customers were brought in by my brother and I don’t know how much they paid him as commission. I don’t know China and his friends but I know the boys they send to me. It was even my brother who gave them my phone number. I did not know that the money was from kidnap victims. If I had known I wouldn’t have taken part in it,” he lamented. Why we couldn’t apprehend them in Ghana

Interpol officials and their counterpart at SARS were subjected to grueling hours in court where they were made to prove before the court that that their targets were truly kidnappers in Nigeria. “The operatives were made to show the court several newspaper reports where their targets were fingered as the culprits. It took about two weeks before the court granted their demands and while they approached the telecom operators with the court order

How the police made a breakthrough Some time last month, the gang visited Nigeria and kidnapped a victim who was a little bit familiar with the area where she was detained. Relatives of the victim paid some ransom and when the victim was released, SARS operatives debriefed her and she gave them a description of what would turn out to be the kidnappers den. According to sources, upon this discovery, the officer in charge of SARS, Abba Kyari, was said to have deployed an undercover operative to survey the area. The operative pretended to be an indigene and rented a shop where he sold food items opposite the house used by the kidnappers. “The operative was selling rice and other food items and would pass for a native of that area, but always relayed information to our boss who did not want to burst the building because their boss was residing in Ghana then. On Saturday June 20, 2013, the

Award galore as IGP honours

the law to be able to get to where we are. That is one. Two, I am very much aware that you know that this department mid-wifed the Oyerinde matter. And to the best of our ability, we gave our

best to SARS and to the glory of God, we have no fewer than 15 suspects in custody and nobody, nobody has come up with any superior claims on why those suspects should not have been in custody.

Sometime in September 2012, a very high ranking staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, left Lagos on his way to Abuja on official assignment and was not seen any more. I

KIDNAP OF LAGOS By IFEANYI OKOLIE

FED-SARS, others

story in this department, FSARS. I can also tell you that two people (or two groups) who set out to impersonate the National Security Adviser, NSA, (Col. Sambo Dasuki) were arrested by this

hat problems have you been encountering in the cause of carrying out your investigations? They are normal problems. They are logistic problems

suspects

•The suspects N30, 000 and I sold it at Alaba International Market for N50, 000.”

— 49

their targets returned to Nigeria and kidnapped a Federal High Court Judge and collected N10 million as ransom,” the source explained.

By EMMA NNADOZIE

Vanguard, SATURDAY JULY 6, 2013

SATURDAY JULY 6, 2013

48 — Vanguard,

But while our boss, SP Abba Kyari, was making preparation to track down the kidnappers in Ghana, they returned to Lagos and kidnapped the Ejigbo council boss, Bamigbetan

50—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JULY 6, 2013 PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU AND MOSES NOSIKE

atastrophes, famines, C poverty, disease and wars were the images of Africa

that resonated in developed nations in past decades. However, these images and accompanying narratives of Africa as a dark, mysterious, harsh and dangerous place are fast changing. Even as corruption and infrastructural deficit challenges remain commonplace on the continent, words like “emerging” and “frontier markets” that allude to trade and investment opportunities now describe Africa to the world. From Lagos to Nairobi, Cairo to Cape Town, amazing stories of resilience, innovation and success are being celebrated by local, regional and global media. The story of Africa is no longer told from the lens of catastrophes, famines and war - making inflow of aid into the continent a priority. Both African and non-African journalists now provide global businesses with countless evidence of progress, growth, as well as political and economic vibrancy that makes the continent an attractive destination for investments. Inflow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into the African continent has risen from $15 billion in 2002 to $37 billion in 2006 and $84 billion in 2010. It is expected to accelerate and peak at $150billion by 2015, according to an Ernst & Young forecast - with all growth seeking multinational corporations heading for Africa. It is for this reason that ‘Africa Rising’ has become the new cliché for global media establishments with the highly influential TIME and Economist magazines featuring same title on their cover pages to rekindle business interests on the continent. This is a radical departure from Afropessimism which characterises international media

DABRA A wards: Ho w Aw How business repor ting sho wreporting show cases Africa

coverage of the continent. Indeed, it is a paradigm shift to Afro-positivism which reports the continent as critical to the long-term growth ambitions of multinational corporations because of its upward trajectory – socially, economically and politically. While Africa still lags behind Asia in terms of perception, it is now on equal ranking with Latin America and Eastern Europe, according to the Ernst & Young 2011 Africa Attractiveness Survey. Interestingly, Diageo, parent company of Guinness Nigeria and one of the few multinational corporations with deep roots in Africa, has over the last

ten years invested in shaping a positive perception of the African continent to accelerate its growth through trade and investment, not aid handouts. “In the recent past, Africa was more readily associated with catastrophes, diseases, famine, poverty and war rather than profits, entrepreneurs, dividends and prosperity. “At Guinness Nigeria, a Diageo company, we believe that better and more accurate reporting will stimulate investment inflow into Africa because of its huge potentials,” Seni Adetu, Managing Director and Chief Executive, Guinness Nigeria Plc., reiterates. In more ways than one– through international media

visits and the annual Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards (DABRA), the leading drinks company sought to create a situation in which the global media and institutional investors will have in-depth knowledge of the continent’s vast business potentials. It believes telling the story about business in Africa will help shift perceptions and create a more balanced view of economic opportunity in Africa. In October 2004, Diageo led their first trip to Nigeria for international journalists. Supported by Guinness Nigeria Plc, this trip was to enable the journalists take an in-depth look at the business environment in Nigeria. The group met with SME groups and business leaders, and had an audience with the Minister of Information and National Orientation. Similarly, in November 2005, Diageo led another team of American journalists on an 11-day tour of Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. The journalists visited the World Bank Office and the East African Development Bank, and were addressed amongst others by the Director General of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and the Kenyan Minister for Foreign Af-

fairs. Interesting features of the trip included visits to goldmines, newspaper houses, water projects, and breweries, and provided an opportunity for the journalists to get an informed and unique view of Africa. On an annual basis since 2004, through DABRA, Diageo continues to seek out, recognise and reward journalists and editors who provide high-quality coverage of the business environment in Africa. Truly so, over the last decade, the strength and depth of reporting on business in Africa has increased significantly, and perceptions of Africa as an investment destination have changed for the better. Investors are

taking Africa seriously and the changing perception of Africa is an important step in improving the continent’s investment climate. Commenting on this year ’s awards, Nick Blazquez, President, Diageo Africa, Turkey, Russia & Eastern Europe, said, “This year’s Awards have once again demonstrated the increasing strength and depth of reporting on African business matters. Our finalists come from across Africa, as well as from Europe and the United States, showing the enormous appetite around the world for insightful and thought-provoking news on Africa’s business and investment climate”.

Group tasks women on Transf ormativ e ne tw or king ransformativ ormative netw twor orking By Olayinka Ajayi

he Nigerian Associa tion of University Women (NAUW), Lekki branch, in a recent seminar on “The Role of Women in Leadership; Key to a Sustainable Future”, urged Nigerian women to embark on trans-formative networking as a source of empowerment to leadership and a key to sustain their future in modern society. Speaking convincingly at the event, a convener of gender equality and good governance, Comfort Idika Ogunye, advised Nigerian women to be actively involved in what she termed transformative networking which she believes will bring them to the fore front of leadership. She said: “It is high time women came out to play their role in leadership without relenting”. According to her, Nigerian women should seize their increasing population

as an advantage to occupy most leadership positions in the country, saying that the issue of women’s role in leadership should be taken seriously because women suffer more when their husbands die. In addition, branch President of the association, Mrs. Jacqueline Odiadi, however advised Nigerian women never to fight their spouses or break their marriage in pursuit of careers as that would be to the detriment of their children. “But they should remain obedient, constructive and appealing in a manner to get what they are looking for,” she quipped. In the same vein, Mrs. Folashade Qudyat Lawal, a campaigner of good leadership and gender equality, admonished Nigerian women to imbibe morals and discipline and also train their children in like manner towards a better future.

We put smiles on clients’ faces —On aon wu —Onyyek ekaon aonwu A

s Nigerians embrace the advent of aluminum products in building construction, operators in the industry have reiterated the value it adds to modern building with designs, colours and almaco doors and windows. Speaking to Saturday Vanguard Business in his Onitsha office, Managing Director, Izumaco Aluminum Industry Limited, Engineer Izuchukwu Onyekaonwu, said the use of aluminum sheets and almaco in modern buildings has taken Nigerian building construction to greater heights such that it could compete internationally. Onyekaonwu, whose company assembles aluminum materials from abroad, constructs and also distributes to clients, said the business is thriving because it is not contraband so dealers and operators have a fair day. As far as he is concerned, it is a business that

can create employment in the country because anybody can get involved and make huge profits. “People can also form partnerships to help create further employment in the business”, he said. According to him, different types of aluminum sheets are produced for different uses; like aluminum roofing that is used for roofing complexes and others for roofing schools and personal buildings etc. He enthused that other aluminum profile are used for constructing windows, doors, kitchen cubicles, room dividers, office dividers, wardrobes, staircases and demarcations. This, he observed, has added more beauty to modern offices such as banking halls and insurance firms in the country. On the challenges

L-R:Mr. Paul Okomayin; Chief Ms Temitope Ajayi; Mr. Gimba Ya’u Kumo, MD/CEO of FMBN; Mr. Gregory Ozegbe and Mr. Newman Ordia, ED, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, FMBN, during a courtesy visit to FMBN headquarters, Abuja. Modern building designed with aluminum sheets and almaco windows and doors associated with his company ’s operations, he highlighted inadequate power supply. “We plead with government to improve on the issue of power supply for efficiency and growth in the operation of aluminum business in the country.” He also urged the government to provide more operational bases for dealers in Anambra and appoint caretaker committees that would supervise the operation. “This

is so that more people who want to venture into the business could join and thereby reduce unemployment in the state,” he added. In terms of customer relationships, Onyekaonwu added that his company operates with integrity and treats customers with utmost respect, noting that “ we also embark on aftersales delivery to make sure we satisfy our customers nationwide.”

Day Mrs Adebanke Ibrahim Alayaki, Publisher/Editorin-Chief, Fotoplus Int.’l Communication Ltd.and her group visited a less privileged home in Lagos.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013—51

BY EVELYN USMAN

he Kirikiri Medium Prison, Lagos, was a beehive of activities Wednesday, as inmates, majority of whom were awaiting trial forgot all the worries associated with their confinement and concentrated rather on the historic event of the day. The occasion was that of Inmates’ Re-entry Programme where the inmates showcased their inherent talents ranging from singing, drama, poetry and also exhibition of some finished products such as clothes, shoes and farm products. Although crime statistics showed that after serving stipulated jail terms, some inmates returned to the society more hardened than they were while others formed robbery gangs during their jail terms; but some inmates who spoke with Saturday Vanguard were of contrary views, stating rather, that they rediscovered themselves right in the prison. They attributed abuse of freedom and poverty in the outside world as one of the major causes of indulging in crime, asserting however, that their confinement helped in discovering their inherent talents that had hitherto been wasted while outside. One of the inmates who identified himself as Adebisi Oluwatosin, said : “I am into songs. I got into it while outside but was not fully involved. I was discovered here by the grace of God as a result of the spirited effort put in by the Deputy Controller of Prisons in-charge of Medium Prison. Although I have been convicted and have almost completed my jail term, I am happy because I would be leaving here as a new person. “During my stay here, I was able to form a gospel band. I have already turned a new leaf because I have learnt my lessons. Presently, we have a plan to launch a new album here and this has been our dream . My experience here has been so interesting because I will be returning back to the society as a new person. “Prison is just like a school though it’s a school of hard knocks. It’s a place that will drill you and at the end, bring the best out of you. For anyone to serve here and turn a new leaf is a thing of the mind. Everything is made available here; both spiritual and physical. It all depends on your choice. When you choose to allow the things they teach to sink into you, it will bring the best out of you and if you choose to remain like that, you will go back empty . So I

Life behind the wall! We rediscovered ourselves in Prison— Inmates

Exhibition... some of the finished product by the inmates

Although crime statistics show that having served stipulated jail terms, some inmates returned to the society more hardened than they were,while others formed robbery gangs while serving their jail terms chose to attach myself to what was on ground and by the grace of God, I have no regrets.” Asked what his offence was , he said he was involved in cyber crime but was quick to admonish others who still indulge in the illicit act to desist from it . “I have learnt that the shortest way to make it in life is never through crime but through the help of God and ability to work on your talent. Any other way of making it is a short cut and if you look for a short cut, it will cut you short”. Another inmate who simply gave his name as Nnemure, a graduate of Audio Engineering from a university in France, claimed he has been awaiting trial for two years without his case being heard once in court. He however said the two years were not wasted as it afforded him the opportunity of building himself in songs-writing

too. “ Before I came here,I was writing songs but not deeply. But when I got here, I realised I have a great potential but have been wasting out there. When I got here, I understood there is nothing like doing what you are doing and being paid for it. So far, we have won several trophies in singing competitions, a feat I never achieved while I was out there. “I have been here for two years without my case being heard in court for once. I was accused of obtaining money under false pretenses but I am not guilty . This goes a long way to tell that not everyone in prison is guilty of the offence levelled against them”. Nnemure was not the only inmate still awaiting trial. Investigation by Saturday Vanguard revealed that out of a total of 2,530 inmates at the Medium prison, only 157 had so far been convicted, leaving out 2,373 others awaiting trial. Sadly, some of them have spent over ten years without their case being heard for once.

Unable to hide her emotion at what she described as a display capable of matching those of professionals within and outside Nigeria, the Controller of Prisons, Lagos State Command, Mrs Kate Ononye, said the feat was a practical demonstration of the correctional institution the Nigerian Prison was known for. “ Today is not a speech making day but a day we present to the public those things we do that make us worthy of the name correctional institution. It’s correctional in the sense that anybody being brought to the prison is already being punished for the offence he has committed. Therefore, when they come here, we say the punishment has ended and we try to find out how they found themselves in the prison. And in trying to discover that, we have to employ some measures like counseling, group talk and recreation . And when we have discovered the problems , we try to solve them by assisting in leading them back to the society as wholesome individuals.

Mrs Kate Ononye, Controller of Prison, Lagos State

And if we are going to reintegrate them back into the society wholesome, they should not waste their time while here. Therefore, we ensure they are gainfully employed for the period of time they spend here. They need something for themselves; something that can stand the test of time when they leave this place. We put them through all sorts of trainings; both educational, vocational and food farming. And it is the product of all these that we are showcasing today. I assure you that very soon, you will hear some of their names; both in the football terrain,basket ball, fashion world, music and Nolly wood”, the CP stated. The Prison authorities are however, not alone in the effort aimed at reintegrating inmates back to the society. COMMUNITAS, a non governmental organisation which was present at the occasion as gathered, trained the inmates on vocational skills ranging from barbing, tailoring and sewing. It was also gathered that uniforms worn by officers and men of the Medium Prison were sewn by inmates. Aside training, the organisation, according to its Executive Director , Patience Alumba , also assist inmates to sell their finished products like clothes and shoes at the end of which money realized was given to them to meet some of their need. “Usually when people come in here, it looks as if life has passed them by. We said okay, there is life after being here and we are contributing by making them acquire skills they can use after leaving this environment.

“Reforming inmates starts right from the mind. So, we looked at preaching God to them , as well as teaching them the necessary skills they can use after they leave here so that they do not need to go looking for job when they leave here. “We give them 100% of what is realised from what they produced because we are here to support them to ensure they earn a living while serving their terms and afterwards. The duration of training depends on the programme they enroll for and what we’ve done is to map out strategies on how to go about it. Before leaving the Prison, we also give them start -up capital, to start a small scale business and we have a monitoring system to ensure that the skill are being used after they leave here”, Alumba said.

52—SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013

46 YR OLD CRIPPLE Women love me because I can satisfy them in bed BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, BENIN CITY

PEDRO KEN OGBEBOR, alias New Yorker is a 46 year-old cripple, residing by the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City. He is one person that his disability had never hindered from embarking on any mission. Although he has not been to America before, his American accent gave him the name, New Yorker. Even as a cripple, he is popular and loved by many including women. Saturday Vanguard spoke with this father of three whose wife abandoned few months ago on why he is a fan of beautiful ladies despite his disability. This encounter was quite revealing. Excerpts: Why do you bear the name New Yorker when you’re not from New York? I started answering New Yorker when a friend of mine bought me a new bike. Then, a plane was flying above us at the same time, so we just said this is our plane flying to New York. So when I left there, I wrote New Yorker at the back of the bike and that was how the name became a house hold name in Benin City. Infact, people outside Nigeria know me as New Yorker and I act like a New Yorker now. That is why I always advise anybody who is disabled not to feel ashamed, but mix up with people and make friends. Don’t allow people to intimidate you because you are disabled. As I am now, a lot of people love me.I got married but my wife left me because I don’t have money. I have three children why people should be carebut since she left, I have been ful where they take injeccoping well with the beautiful tion. If it was now, I would children that God gave me: have filed a suit against the two girls and a boy. I don’t feel hospital that did this to me. disabled each time I see my Look at me on a wheel chair children. They go to school but I don’t like to lament about and mix well with other chil- it. Perhaps that is the way God dren. If you are disabled, don’t wants it to be and I cannot lament too much. All you need question God. to do is thank God for your life, give joy to people around you, Was it because of your tell them that your disability condition that your wife is not a problem to you. I al- abandoned you? ways have fun with people par- I don’t really know. All I know ticularly girls and I am a happy is that when she was with me, I man. tried to make her happy. She How did you become was a weight lifter when I met crippled? her and we fell in love. She had My mother told me that when three kids for me and I was I was a baby, I woke up one shocked when she left me. morning and shouted. They Maybe, it was the advice of rushed me to hospital and friends but that was foolish. If gave me injection. They said it you are a woman and you love was convulsion. It was that in- a man, you don’t allow friends jection that affected my waist. to deceive you. Obviously, her They said it affected my veins friends might have mocked ane ever since,I couldn’t walk. her that she was married to a I was crawling until my cripple and foolishly, she formother said I should stop got how we loved each other crawling . It was when I grew and our three children. But I up that I asked my mother believe she is regretting her actions now because few days why I was disabled. That is

If you are a woman and you love a man, don’t allow friends to deceive you. Obviously, her friends might have mocked her that she is married to a cripple ago, I went to the stadium as usual and somebody told me she came to my house and was calling the children but they refused to answer her. They said my children told her that she is wicked for abandoning them because their father is a

cripple and that she should go and leave them alone. That was what happened. Friends have been helping me and my children are okay. My first daughter is 12 years old, the second one is seven years and my son is six years old. How do you cope with sports? The truth is that I love sports a lot but it did not favour me. I was the first black man to play wheelchair tennis in Africa. At that time, I was doing my best to sensitize people on the need to play wheelchair tennis but wheelchairs were not available then. I even told my coach then to help sensitize our people so that the rich people will help us provide wheelchairs but he did not show any commitment and that dream died. That actually demoralized me as a sportsman but today, you can see people benefiting from it. I played basketball, wheel chair tennis and table tennis but sports did not favour me. I prayed to God to give me what would favour me because as the first disabled sportsman in the stadium here, I should have known my level now. I was a power lifter and some of the people I trained then went to America and the UK. So at a point, I said all my friends have travelled, I am the only one here. I decided to quit the game. Infact,after that time, when people would be training as weight lifters, I would be laughing at them but before I knew it, one of them travelled to America . One even got a presidential Award of MON. But I still give thanks to God because he knows the best. My only prayer now is for God to bring somebody that will help me train these children because I want them to be educated. Since your wife left, how have you been coping with women because I found out you have a lot of female friends and people also claim you use charms to seduce beautiful ladies? The truth is that staying with women gives joy though some people view it differently. I feel good when I am with a woman. If you can satisfy a woman, you don’t have a problem. It is not all about money. Women like men who satisfy them. And I think I am good in that. I don’t have money to spend on a woman but I have my own way of satisfying them. Women always love me even though I am a cripple.They don’t care. Women love bold men, people who can protect them and not really money. It

is only the greedy ones that are after money. But real women search for satisfaction. No woman has ever rejected me. You can see that I am a fine boy. There was a day a white girl walking along Airport road followed me till I got home. She gave me her numbers ,that she wanted to be my friend. So women admire me a lot despite my condition. I don’t use charms on anybody. It is all lies. You know some people would fail in getting a woman but when I succeeded, they would go about talking rubbish. I have never charmed any woman. Let me tell you, I go to club, I party with friends and that created the impression that I may be a bad guy but I am not. People said I used charms to catch women because they noticed that any girl I talked to would always follow me. But when they now understood the kind of person I am, they no longer think that way. I don’t use charms on women at all. They love me naturally because I am gifted. Again, I have never been involved in crime although I am aware there are disabled persons who get involved in crime. I have never been to a police station. I am even better than some people who walk with two legs because I don’t involve myself in anything I know is illegal. If I know that you are a criminal, I won’t even come close to you. I only want to do things that will give people joy, that will make people help me and not what will make people hate me. God has always been good to me. What would you have loved to be if you were not disabled? I would have loved to be a pilot or naval officer. That is why I am praying for my children. I would love my son to join the Army when he grows up. My daughter can be a doctor. I know God will come to my rescue. You have been into sports for several years now in Edo state, what is your impression with sports management in the state? We are begging the state government to bring back Bendel Insurance. Those days, each time they played match, people would be calling me from America and London to find out the scores but nowadays, things have changed. I know that the Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole has tried in rebuilding the stadium and equipping it with modern facilities, but he should help us bring back Bendel Insurance which is the pride of every Edo man. Infact, I want to use this opportunity to thank our Comrade Governor for all the assistance he rendred to me. He bought me this wheelchair and I have been enjoying it. I want to also commend him for banning Okada in the state. People have been using it to terrorize our people. Since Okada was banned, we have been enjoying peace in the state.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013—53

54—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JULY 6, 2013

Bauchi, Katsina for Shema IAAF World Championships: Nigeria planing to fail Cup final — Ngerem D

EFENDING cham pions, Bauchi and host state Katsina will today at the Katsina Township stadium lock

Gawuna Nasiru, YSFON president.

horns to decide the winner of this year’s YSFON organized 3rd edition of Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema U-17 Boys Soccer tournament. To get to the final, Bauchi state defeated Kebbi State 4-3 on penalties after their match ended 0-0 at regulation time while Katsina walloped Federal Capital Territory (FCT) 4-0 in a one sided encounter in the second semifinal match decided at the same venue. Meanwhile, the National President of Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria (YSFON) Nasiru Gawuna has commend-

ed all the participating teams for exhibiting the spirit of sportsmanship throughout the weeklong championship even as he expressed gratitude with the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Shema for his commitment towards grassroots football development. He noted that the tournament which is expected to be declared closed by the Governor of Katsina state, assisted by members of his cabinet and top government officials has became an avenue to discover talents since its inception.

Eaglets coaches search for more players GOLDEN Eaglets assistant coach, Nduka Ugbade has said that the team’s July 7 open camp in Abuja is to pick more players for the team. “The motive behind the two-week programme is to give other young players the opportunity to wear the country’s national team’s jersey and to also exhibit their talent,” he said. Ugbade said in Lagos on telephone that no fewer than 60 players were expected and that only the very best among them would be selected. “They need to be discovered and given an opportunity to prove themselves and we are doing just that because you can never tell their abilities,” Ugbade said. He added that the programme will take place at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja and will be on for two weeks in the countdown to the U-17

Golden Eaglets player (l) battles with an opponent. World Cup in the United Arab Emirate (UAE). Ugbade, who won the maiden edition of the U17 World Cup as skipper of the Golden Eaglets in China in 1985, added that the programme would also aid the team’s preparations. NAN reports that a total

of 52 matches will be played in the UAE’s top stadiums during the tournament, including the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, the Emirates Stadium in Ras Al Khaimah and the Fujairah Stadium in Fujairah.

FA scribe thumbs up Delta Queens BY TONY AGBAZA, Oleh

HE tussle to emerge as one of the six teams that will be playing in the qualifier from the six geo- political zones nationwide and represent their respective states in the professional women’s league is almost coming to an end. In one of the matches witnessed by this reporter at the Oleh Township Stadium in Isoko South during

the week, Delta Queens who played home trashed their opponent, Taraba Queens FC 5-0. In a chat with the secretary general of Delta Football Association, Friday Onotoja, he commended the Delta girls for the ‘clean’ victory, stressing that it will boost their morale to do well in the remaining matches of the season. “We have about two or three matches to go,” he said, adding that “Delta Queens will be se-

lected amongst the teams to play the best from the geo-political zones in the professional women’s league.” Onotoga who praised both teams for their performance, Onotoja urged the teams to take every match seriously as he commend the chairman of Delta State Football Association, Amaju Pinnick for his commitment towards the rapid growth of sports in the state.

FORMER president of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, Dan Ngrem has warned that Nigerian athletes might return home empty handed from the IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia as the country’s elite athletes are not managed effectively. He observed that the mistakes which led to a ‘medal less’ outing of Team Nigeria at the London 2012 Olympics are being repeated. “The World Championships is just like the World Cup in football. Major athletics countries take it seriously, but where is our plan. Where is the AFN’s plan and where is the sports ministry’s plan? It is a pity that we have to be going through the same thing all the time. “If the sports ministry can source money for the NFF to pay footballers 10,000 dollars winning bonus, it should equally provide for the athletes. This will prevent them from running in all manners of meets and focus on the important events,” said Ngerem. He lamented that Nigeria is again depending on Blessing Okagbare to win at least a medal at the World Championships even as he faulted the manner the athlete is being pampered. “It is very important we begin to think about developing athletes rather than hope on Okagbare all the time. For a big country like Nigeria, it is quite disturbing that we are pinning our hope on only one athlete. “Even at that she is not well managed, how can she be running her legs out in Europe in a world championship year? And we are happy that she beat the world champion. But when it comes to the big event, she will not be able to put up her best. “This is her chance to get a major medal, but how focused is she? Is she going to do the sprints or long jump? She should be concentrating on the area where she has a realistic

Blessing Okagabre... She jumped 9.98m during the Diamond League in Lausanne, Switzerland. Can she reproduce the for m at the World Championships? chance. And the answer is not in pampering the athlete, but help her get her priorities right so that she can win gold,”he advised. He urged the AFN president, Solomon Ogba to move away from the path of trial and error and do the right thing. “Ogba needs to break away from the tradition of doing things his way. He

must ask people questions about difficult technical and administrative matters. During my time I argued with late A.K. Amu and when we failed to agree we called the IAAF to clarify the matter. Ogba, yes he is spending his money and energy, but we must do the right things that will bring positive results, Ngerem said.

Bolt: I am not on drugs

AMAICAN sprinter, Usain Bolt has declared that he was running free of dope. He welcomed doping officials to test him whenever they want. The 26-year-old, was speaking ahead of today’s IAAF Diamond League fixture in Paris. He said: “I am clean, I’m sure about that. I welcome people to test me every day if necessary to prove it to the world. I have no problem.” The 100- and 200-metre Olympic champion was asked the blunt question following heightened suspicions due to Veronica Campbell-

Brown’s recent positive test result. Her ‘A’ sample discovered a banned diuretic, which is considered by the World Anti-Doping Agency to be a masking agent, after testing at the Jamaica Invitational meeting. Her ‘B’ sample is now being looked at. Bolt said he will continue to train to be the best sprinter possible and ‘’keep dominating until the next Olympics’’. ‘’That’s the key thing really, I’ve won everything already’’ says Bolt, ‘’but now it’s to show I can be a dominant sprinter’’

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JULY 6, 2013—55

World Golfers Championship tees off in the north After an exciting Eastern Regional qualifiers and a highly competitive Western Regional quali-

FIFA Under-20 World Cup: Taribo West blasts Flying Eagles F

ORMER Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, has described the performance of Flying Eagles at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey as disappointing. West observed that the team lacked the technicalities of a good team. “The players were disappointing, their performance was nothing to write home about, this is the lowest performance I have seen this year. “The technical department lost it, we lacked everything a complete team should have, it was a disappointing tournament. “A player can only give what they have, they just didn’t have it in them, only two players stood out for me,” West said. The former Inter- Millan player also told NAN that the quality of play of African countries was not encouraging. Meanwhile the team’s ouster has been attributed to lack of firing power by the Lagos State University sports council chairman, Ademola Onifade. “The senior team didn’t have attackers at the Confederations Cup in Brazil and the same thing with the U-20. I mean they lost so many chances, but a good team must take their chances, and that’s the major reason that we lost. But other facets of the game in my opinion are alright, but we need to do something about our attackers.” The Flying Eagles lost 1-2 to Uruguay in the round of 16 of the competition. During the group stages, Nigeria lost their first game to Portugal 3-2, but salvaged some hope when they beat Cuba 3-0 and Korea 1-0. But Ghana against all odds beat Portugal 3-2 to reach the final eight of the tournament. The first semifinal will take place today, while the other semi-final comes up on Sunday. “Again, the players need to be more committed to what they are doing but on a general note they played well. The fact that a player was sent out was a major factor in our defeat,” added Professor Onifade.

C M Y K

Kayode Olarewaju... Flying Eagles striker

fiers, the golfing community, once again, has another reason to rejoice, as the MTN World Golfers Championship, Northern Regional qualifiers tees off today at the IBB Golf Course, Abuja. With its spatial measurement, as an 18-hole standard golf course and known for being one of the biggest and best golf courses in the country, the IBB Golf Course, has been one of the major courses known for big tournaments in Nigeria, like the MTN WGC qualifiers, which is an annual tourney. Speaking on the qualifiers so far, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN, Kola Oyeyemi, said “The World Golfers Championship qualifiers, has been a great revelation as it has over the year’s continued to excite both the golfers and the spectators, this is in line with MTN’s goal for creating excitement through the “gentleman’s game” and quality services”. The Eastern Regional edition saw Samuel Amadi, sensationally winning the tournament, with just

four strokes from his club, to confirm his handicap, which is handicapfour. While the Western Regional qualifiers had a measure of déjàvu, as last year ’s MTN WGC Western Regional qualifiers winner, Christopher Obije, an Aeronautic Engineer, won the tourney once again, acquiring the nickname, “King of the West”. While the “King of the East” remains undoubtedly, His Royal Highness, King Alfred DieteSpiff, the traditional ruler of Twon Brass Kingdom, Rivers State, who has, continually, added royalty and class to the “gentleman’s game”. MTN has, over the last five years, been sponsoring the qualifiers of the World Golfers Championship and is reputed for being one of the live wires that have kept the game going, helping to spread its popularity through regular sponsorship.

‘Nigeria volleyball needs a league’

Rooney going nowhere, Moyes insists N M

ANCHESTER United’s new manager David Moyes has started his reign by insisting unsettled striker Wayne Rooney will not be sold. Moyes made his first public appearance at Old Trafford on Friday since succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson following his retirement at the end of last season after 26 years in charge. “Wayne Rooney is not for sale. He’s a Manchester United player and will remain a Manchester United player. Wayne won’t be sold by Manchester United,” the former Everton boss said. Moyes, however, refused to say whether Rooney had expressed a desire to stay after Ferguson revealed he had asked to leave at the end of last season, but added: “We have spoken several times. Whatever happened before has gone now. “We are working together now. I have seen a glint in his eye, he looks happy and looks as if he is going to knuckle down.”

The 27-year-old England striker has been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea but Rooney is believed to contest Ferguson’s suggestion he wanted to quit United. “There was a private meeting between two people,” said Moyes. “I was not privy to it. I don’t know what those two gentleman said. That conversation was private and as far as I am concerned I’m looking forward to working with Wayne.”

O M B AT I V E midfielder, Joel Obi revealed that he his looking forward with

Joel Obi

IGERIA Volleyball Federation technical committee chairman, Tony Oghuma- Eghiemai has called for the establishment of a viable volleyball league, which will help revive the sport in Nigeria. He was speaking against the back ground of Nigerian women Under-20 team’s performance at the FIVB championship in Brno, Czech Republic. The team lost all its seven matches played and finished last among the 20 teams which participated in the 10-day championship.

•Rooney

Inter return excites Obi

excitement to his July 10 return to football action,

after a long injury lay off. Obi disclosed that he has passed all the necessary medicals and was ready to fight for a place in his club and also he expressed his desire to play again for the Super Eagles as they prepare to take on Malawi in the last qualification match for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. “Firstly I want to thank God Almighty for helping me to see through the process of my recovery from the injury that has stopped

me from playing for my club and country for some time now. “I will be re-joining my teammates for full training sessions on July 10. So that means I will be back fully on that day and I am really happy about this. “It is not easy to pass through the process of recovery from injury but as a professional football player that is one of the things we must pass through. But the joy of rejoining my teammates in Inter really makes me happy,” he disclosed.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 6, 2013

Cameroon tto o cchallenge hallenge FIF A ban FIFA

HE Cameroon Foot ball Federation (Fecafoot) says it does not understand why the country has been banned from all football activity by Fifa and as a result it will challenge the ban in the Court

of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) On Thursday, Fifa suspended Cameroon “on account of government interference” in the Fecafoot elections in June. “It is a big surprise; I

Nail Biting.... Super Eagles defender, Godfrey Oboabona in action. He will be in action today against the visiting Ivorians.

don’t see any government intervention in what happened,” Fecafoot vice president Essomba Eyenga told BBC Sport. “We will make an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).” The results of the 19 June Fecafoot polls which re-elected president Iya Mohammed were cancelled by Fecafoot’s own appeals committee. At that time Mohammed was being detained by the Cameroon authorities for alleged financial mismanagement of the state-owned cotton company, and he remains in custody. After technical complaints from the losing candidates, the result was made void. However, Fifa’s ruling relates to what followed once the result was cancelled, when Fecafoot vice president and former transport minister John Begheni Ndeh forcibly installed himself as president on 28 June. Accompanied by gendarmes, some of whom were stationed at Fecafoot’s headquarters, Ndeh took over the federation and suspended the Secretary General Tombi A Roko after a meeting of the emergency committee.

Confederations Cup experience will lift ‘CHAN’ Eagles, says Amadu A

S Nigeria’s homebased Super Eagles face their Ivorian counterparts in today’s first leg of the Africa Nations Championship qualifier, Nigeria Football Federation secretarygeneral Musa Amadu has tipped the team to go as far as winning the tournament in South Africa. Nigeria failed to qualify for the first two editions of the tournament. But this time around Amadu argued that the bulk of the team players were in coach Stephen Keshi’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA confederations cup squad and that exposure will be deciding factor in

today ’s encounter in Kaduna. “Eight of the home boys were in Coach Stephen Keshi’s team to the FIFA Confederations Cup, five of them were in the team that triumphed at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa and 14 of them were at the training camp in Germany preparatory to the FIFA Confederations Cup and the World Cup qualifiers that preceded it. “So, if you compare the various teams, the present class is stronger and Nigeria would be third time lucky. We have the team to conquer Cote d’Ivoire,” said Amadu.

TODAY’S MATCHES FIFA UNDER-20 WORLD CUP France v Uzbekistan Uruguay v Spain

7.00pm 7.00pm

CHAN QUALIFIER Nigeria v Cote ‘d Ivoire

4.30pm

Some of the players Keshi will be banking on include defenders Godfrey Oboabona, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Azubuike Egwuekwe. There is also Nations Cup

hero, Sunday Mba and striker Mohammed Gambo. On his expectations for the match his first since led the Eagles to back to back defeat to Uruguay and

Spain at the FIFA Confederations Cup, Keshi stated that it will not be a stroll in the park for his team. “It will be tough because we are playing against

Cote d’Ivoire not against Tahiti or Gambia. “Cote d’Ivoire has equal potentials. So it is not going to be an easy game but we hope to have a good score line at the end of the game.”

CROSS WORD PUZZLE Across 1 United States President, Barack – (5) 4 L.G.A in Sokoto State – (7) 7 Former Ogun State Governor, Daniel – (9) 8 Insurance FC coach, Rowland – (5) 9 Country in Africa – (7) 12 Greek Goddess – (4) 14 Egyptian God – (6) 15 Former Super Falcons Winger, Stella – (6) 18 Spain Left-back and Barcelona Defender, Jordi – (4) 20 Swaziland Capital City – (7) 22 African Textile – (5) 23 L.G.A in Oyo State – (9) 24 Largest City in Ivory Coast – (7) 25 Dolphins FC Striker, Victor – (5)

Down 1 Gombe United Striker, Bishop – (7) 2 Country in South America – (9) 3 Rivers State Governor, Rotimi – (7) 4 Musical Instrument – (6) 5 Super Eagles Defensive Midfielder, Feghor – (5) 6 Greek Alphabet – (5) 10 Young Sheep – (4) 11 Quadrilateral Figure 13 L.G.A in Edo State – (4) 16 Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Oladimeji – (7) 17 Super Eagles Striker, Ejike – (7) 19 Lecture – (6) 20 Former Cameroon Striker, Patrick – (5) 21 Wide (5)

SOLUTION on page 15

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