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SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014 — 5
TREASON, GRAFT: Nyako on the run — EFCC •Lines up witnesses, graft evidence against him •FG may declare him wanted BY SONI DANIEL, NORTHERN REGION EDITOR
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FTER fruitless at tempts to pin down and arrest impeached Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, the Federal Government appears to be under pressure to declare him wanted. The government wants the former Chief of Defence Staff arrested and prosecuted over alleged looting of Adamawa State treasury and treason against Nigeria. There were clear indications last night that security agents, who have been combing Yola and Abuja for Nyako, were frustrated over their inability to trace his whereabouts fueling impression that the axed governor is on the run. According to a competent source in Yola, Nyako’s security aides are said to have ferried him out of Yola to an undisclosed location the same day he was sacked from office. Although, many believe that the former governor was still in Yola, other sources claim he had travelled to Saudi Arabia while some say he is in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
Nyako not on the run—Aide Nyako’s spokesman, Sajoh Ahmed said yesterday that his boss was not on the run. “Governor is not on the run. He left Yola on the same day of the impeachment. I don’t know where he is at the moment. I am now in my own house. It is wrong to say he is on the run,” he said. The plot to arrest Nyako was hatched a few hours after Adamawa lawmakers voted for his removal from office, hav-
ing mobilised the required two-third majority to sack him. Saturday Vanguard’s investigation showed that the federal authorities were considering the option of declaring Nyako wanted as a last resort to compel him to come out and face the gamut of charges prepared against him by both the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC The two-pronged legal
onslaught against Nyako also known as Baba Mai Mangoro, which is to be unleashed by the AGF and EFCC, almost simultaneously, is expected to take off as soon as he is arrested by security agents, who have been combing Yola and Abuja for him. The AGF, it was learnt, has been given marching orders by the Presidency to prepare charges that may send Nyako to prison for the rest of his life, if convicted. The EFCC, on the other hand, has been busy assembling vital documents and witnesses that
BY HENRY UMORU, ABUJA
IGERIA was placed in the 110th position out of the 143 countries polled in the Global Innovation Index report released in Sydney, Australia yesterday. Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Sweden topped this year’s Global Innovation Index in annual rankings published by
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HE acting Governor of Relatives of a passenger who was on board Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 Adamawa State, Alhaji from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur react over the news at Kuala Lumpur Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, International Airport in Sepang yesterday. AFP PHOTO stormed the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, asking the people of the state to pray for him in his new assignment of taking the people out of the ‘ wilderness.’ Cornell University, IN- while Togo and Guinea and its partners in Sydney Fintiri said he had reSEAD and the World Intel- ranked 142nd and 139th at a gathering of interna- turned to PDP the mantional business leaders date that impeached govlectual Property Organiza- respectively. tion. The GII 2014 surveys 143 (known as B20) which is ernor Murtala Nyako No African country made economies around the part of Australia’s prepara- stole from the party. Speaking with Journalthe first 39 spot in the rank- world, using 81 indicators– tions to host the annual ing while Mauritius, which to gauge both their inno- Group of Twenty (G20) ists after a closed door tops the African countries vation capabilities and Leaders Summit on No- meeting with the Depuvember 15-16, 2014. ty National Chairman of in the ranking, came a dis- measurable results. Launching the GII in the PDP, Prince Uche Secontant 40th position, followed Amid a newly documentby South Africa at 53 and ed slowdown in the growth run-up to the G20 hosted dus, Fintiri who noted Tunisa at the 78th position. of global research and de- by the Australian Govern- that his emergence as actSudan, on the other velopment, the theme of ment and as its first launch ing governor had rehand, took the rear at 143 the Global Innovation In- in the Asia-Pacific region stored the party back to dex (GII) 2014 is “The Hu- reflects the uniqueness of the people of Adamawa man Factor in Innovation,” the GII as tool for measur- State, said, “ as a loyal exploring the role of human ing and improving innova- and obedient party memcapital in the innovation tion performance,” said ber, I came on a courtesy process and underlining Francis Gurry, Director call to my party and the the growing interest that General of the World Intel- National Working Comfirms and governments lectual Property Organiza- mittee, NWC as my first have shown in identifying tion (WIPO). He added: “It assignment after the batand energizing creative in- recognizes the centrality of tle to remove governor innovation for a job-rich, Nyako who had stolen dividuals and teams. For this year’s GII launch, strong, sustainable and bal- the mandate of the PDP Australia’s Minister for In- anced growth path – as under which he was dustry Ian Macfarlane envisioned by the G20 elected for eight years.” Finitiri arrived the PDP joined authors of the report leadership.”
•Mauritius S/Africa fair better as Sudan takes rear
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ground but we may be forced to declare him wanted, if he proves difficult,” the source said. The commission is also said to have arrested some other officials, who served under Nyako and transferred them to Abuja in preparation for the legal battle to retrieve the state funds. The North-East Regional Manager of a third generation bank, who reportedly granted a loan of N43 billion to the Nyako government without approval by the Security and Exchange Commission, SEC, and other relevant agencies, is said to have been detained by the anti-graft agency. The EFCC is grilling the bank official on why he allowed the state governor and his officials to draw from a loan that was not approved by the relevant agencies of government, accusing him of aiding and abetting fraud.
Adamawa: I’ve returned Nyako’s stolen mandate, Acting gov tells PDP
Nigeria ranks low in Global Innovation Index BY SONI DANIEL, Abuja
will enable it to nail Nyako once he is arraigned in court. One of the top officials of the Nyako administration that might be used as a witness against him, is the man, who served for many years as the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, who has since been arrested and detained by the EFCC over the looting of the state’s funds. A senior EFCC official told Saturday Vanguard yesterday that it was in preparation for trying Nyako that the former SSG was being detained and questioned by its operatives. “Yes, we are keeping the SSG and he is helping us in relation to the huge sum of money that was stolen under Nyako’s leadership. We are not likely to release the man until the trial begins. We are still looking for Nyako and we know that he has gone under-
campaign office, Legacy House, Maitama at 1.5 pm and had discussions with Secondus, the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh and the National Woman leader, Chief Kema Chikwe and came out of the meeting at 2.30pm. He said: “ I came here to bring back the mandate and I have handed over to them the mandate. I promise that I will work together with the party, its leadership, the people of Adamawa to ensure that our party is restored to the people.” Finitiri became acting governor following the impeachment of Nyako by the State House of Assembly on Tuesday and the resignation of the deputy governor, Bala James Ngilari. In his remarks, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Metuh who noted Fintiri would restore dignity to the party as well as address the rot and damage Nyako caused the party. He promised that the leadership would give Finitiri the needed support and encouragement to help restore the lost glory.
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Boko Haram, product of power-seeking politicians, says ex-presidential candidate By JOSEPH ERUNKE
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RESIDENTIAL candidate of the African Liberation Party, ALP, in the 2011 general elections, Chief Emmanuel Okereke,has attributed Boko Haram insurgency in the country to the handiwork of politicians desperately seeking to rule the country. Okereke said the insurgency was created by the politicians to intimidate President Goodluck Jonathan from seeking a second term in office. He also said the abduction of the over 200 school girls in Chibok,Borno State was masterminded by the politicians to discredit Jonathan’s administration, so that he can lost support locally and internationally in his reelection bid. The politician, who is also the Director-General of Taskforce on Ille-
gal Importation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, said these yesterday, in Abuja,while addressing a group under the aegis of Southern Youths For Peace Initiatives, which had bestowed an Award of Excellence on him. He decried what he called the mounting pressure on President Goodluck Jonathan to visit Chibok community in Borno State, where Boko Haram terrorists
abducted the girls, saying such was unnecessary. Okereke, who insisted that the activities of the sect was the handiwork of “desperate politicians scheming for power in the 2015 general elections”,recalled that Borno State Government had earlier been advised by the West African Examination Council, against taking exams because of the tensed insecurity in the area.
EXPRESSIVE: Industry, Trade and Investments Minister, Dr. Olusegun Aganga displaying his support for the Lady Mechanic Initiative during an audience at his office, CBD, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida
2015: Anambra Central Deputy Chairmen’s Forum backs Umeh for Senate BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO
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HE forum of Depu ty Chairmen from Anambra Central Senatorial Zone of Anambra State has thrown its weight behind Chief Victor Umeh, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, to contest the senatorial seat of the zone in 2015 which is presently occupied by Sen-
ator Chris Ngige, a onetime Governor of the state. The forum’s support was contained in a unanimous resolution made by its members at the July edition of their monthly meeting held yesterday in Awka. Dr Ikechukwu Offorkansi, deputy chairman of Awka North Local Government council and chairman of forum in the zone who briefed newsmen at the end of the meeting, stated they reached the
resolution having considered the qualities of Umeh as the national chairman of APGA. Offorkansi further stated that the deputy chairmen were happy that the politician had heeded the call of the people on him to declare his interest so that they could lend their unreserved support. According to him, “Having considered developments in our party and the huge task of quality representation at the National Assembly, we the seven
deputy chairmen in Anambra Central Senatorial District do hereby declare our full support for Victor Umeh for the senatorial race”. Also speaking, Chuks Obinweluzo from Njikoka council area called for a stronger role for deputy chairmen as they would further make the dividends of democracy reach the grassroots. Obinweluzo pointed out there was need to follow the provisions of the constitution and assign task to
the deputies as most of them were not as involved in governance as they should be due to lack of roles. Responding, chief Umeh thanked the deputies for their resolution and promised not to let them down. Umeh who was represented at the meeting by Mr. Christian Nnadozie, promised to address the plights of the deputy chairmen at the party levels, while assuring them that all members of the party would be fairly treated.
Police nab 2 as part of shop breaking syndicate in Onitsha BY NWABUEZE OKONKWO police surveil lance team attached to Fegge Police Station, Onitsha, Anambra state has arrested two of a six-man syndicate who specialize in breaking peoples shops and looting their goods in Anambra and Ebonyi states. The two suspects whose names were withheld by the investigating police officers, IPOs, to avoid jeopardizing the arrest of other gang members who were not yet aware of the arrest of two of their accomplice, according to sources, were
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arrested on different dates, based on a tip-off. According to the source, the surveillance team stumbled into 22 bags of 50 kilogrammes of foreign rice in a hideout at Onitsha and on enquiry, some of the neighbourhood informed them that they saw some men keeping the goods. The police team, it was learnt, laid an ambush and as soon as one of the suspects sneaked into the hideout to carry some of the bags, probably for sale, they apprehended him and during interrogations, he disclosed the identities of the six-man gang, including
their ring leader who was arrested the next day.
Fiscal federalism key to prosperity — Enwegbara
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EADING Manage ment and Financial Consultant, Mr. Odilim Enwegbara has said that fiscal federalism remains the only key way Nigeria can move into economic prosperity. Enwegbara stated this while briefing newsmen on the just concluded National Conference in Abuja. He said political autonomy without fiscal autonomy
has failed Nigeria in the past decades of its practice and is weakening the current federal system in Nigeria. Enwegbara who lauded the delegates at the national conference for their dedication to duty argued that states should be driven by inward-looking economic system, dependent on their internal generated revenues, IGRs as their mainstay.
BATTLE FOR LAGOS: Mr Jimmy Agbaje, the man PDP is banking on to snatch Lagos State from the ruling APC, stepping out of Aso Rock in a boisterous mood after consultations with the Presidency in Abuja yesterday.
SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014 — 7
2015: UPN not securing S/W votes for Jonathan — Fasehun
BRIEFS Ogun students threaten to vote out Amosun in 2015
•Says party is to consolidate Awo’s legacy
NATIONAL Association of Ogun State Students, NAOSS, has threatened to work against Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s second term bid unless he reverses the appointment of a non-indigene student as his Special assistant on students’ matters. The students who were drawn from some tertiary institutions across the country urged the state government to quickly reverse its action of nominating Comrade Clement Godwin from Benue State as special Assistant to the Governor on Students matters . The National Chairman ,NAOSS, Bolaji Sanni while speaking at a press conference held at the NUJ Secretariat, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta said the body had issued a seven-day ultimatum to the governor within which to reverse the appointment, failure of which the body would pass a vote of no confidence in the governor .
BY SONI DANIEL, Northern Region Editor
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OUNDER of the Ood ua Peoples Congress, OPC, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, has said that the newly-registered Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, is not to assist President Goodluck Jonathan and his party to secure the votes of the Yoruba in the next election. Fasehun, who is the leader of the UPN, told Vanguard in an exclusive interview in Abuja, that the party was more interested in securing a better future for Nigeria than winning the next election. The OPC President and founder described those who label him as a mole of the Presidency in the South-West trying to cause mayhem with the registration of the new party as people with warped mentality. Fasehun pointed out that he had no special relationship with President Jonathan and was not trying to seek any pecuniary gain from the Presidency by his political activities.
Governor State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (middle) his Deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori Special Adviser to the Governor on Lands, Dr Ayo Owaade (right) and others, during the commissioning of Omoluabi Scholar Buses, tagged O-School Bus for public Schools by Aregbesola's administration, at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, State of Osun on Friday. He said: “What I have been doing all my life is to make sure that the South-West is absolutely secure. For people to wake up and say that Dr. Fasehun is setting up UPN to cause mayhem, is irresponsible. “If I were a disciple of Jonathan who would have stopped me from joining PDP? Should I have gone through all the problems
of forming another political party? I would take the easiest way by finding my way to PDP rather than going to find a political organisation that would become an auxiliary to the main party. I would never do a thing like that,” the OPC chief said. On his relationship with President Jonathan, the OPC founder claimed that
he accords Jonathan his due respect as the Nigerian leader, and that there was nothing more between them. According to him, “I have no special or unusual relationship with President Jonathan. He is the President and I will give him his constitutional respect as the leader of this country and that is the end of it.”
Stop dropping Jonathan, Mu’azu’s names, Ogun dissolved. But till date, PDP tells Bankole telling in order to hoodwink nothing of such has hapBY ISHOLA BALOGUN
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HEAD of the 2015 gen eral elections, the Forum of Local Government Chairmen in Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned aspirants and their backers against namedropping. The forum spoke against the backdrop of the outbursts of Chief Alani Bankole, the father of former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole, who stormed a recent meeting of the forum and boasted that President Goodluck Jonathan and Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, the national chairman of the party, asked his son to join the governorship race and had promised to give Bankole an automatic ticket. In a statementyesterday by the Chairman of PDP in Abeokuta South Local Government and Chairman of the Forum, Hon. Kehinde Sofenwa, the group said:
BY DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta
“The elder Bankole’s conduct is unbecoming of an elder and a democrat. We urge him and his son to follow the due process and not seek to usurp constituted authority. “We know that the decision to drop the name of the President and the national chairman is one of the many lies that the Bankoles are
unsuspecting members of the party. But we remain undeterred and urge our members across the state to remain firm. “We recall that some months back, they were going about to say that the President and the National Chairman had assured them that the authentic and legally constituted State Exco of our party would be
pened. Rather, the party, under the leadership of our able Chairman, Engr. Adebayo Dayo, is waxing stronger. “Much as we shudder to think if it is the younger Bankole that is in the race or the father, we wish to state without mincing words that all these lies are unfounded.”
Shooter of downed MH17 must be punished — Malaysian PM
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UALA LUMPUR — Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak demanded late Friday that the perpetrators be brought to justice if it is proven that MH17 was shot down in east Ukraine. “If evidence shows the plane was shot down, then we demand the responsible party to be brought to face justice,” he said in a live address on national television. Najib Razak refused to pinpoint blame for the tragedy which claimed 298 lives, 43 of whom were
Malaysians. But he condemned “in the strongest manner” what he described as an “inhumane, uncivilised, violent and irresponsible act” Meanwhile, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Friday vowed “not to rest” in tracking down those responsible for downing Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 if it emerges it was attacked. The Netherlands has dispatched Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans and a team of forensic experts to Ukraine to probe the disas-
ter, in which 189 Dutch citizens died. A total of 298 people were killed in Thursday’s crash, many of them holiday-makers bound for destinations in Asia or scientists on their way to Melbourne for the 20th International Aids Conference. “Let me be crystal-clear about this,” a visibly angry Rutte told reporters in The Hague. “Should it emerge that it was an attack, I will personally see to it that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
We are ready for Osun election — Abolurin By DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta
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OMMANDANT- General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr. Ade Abolurin, has said that security operatives are ready to ensure that the August 9 governorship election in Osun State will be successful. Abolurin stated this yesterday, in a Lecture at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, saying that all necessary mechanisms and personnel would be put in place. Speaking on “Prevention and management of electoral violence in Nigeria,” he said with regard to the Osun polls, it will be an improvement on the Ekiti election, which was free, fair and transparent.
Glo offers Muslims Ramadan package •Includes live prayer from Mecca, prayer alerts, reading of Holy Quran
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ATIONAL telecommunications carrier, Globa com, has offered three products to the Muslim faithful in Nigeria to connect with Allah during the Ramadan season and beyond. The three products include the Ibadat App, Islamic Portal and the Islamic Digest, which Globacom’s subscribers can access from their handsets or devices. The Ibadat App which runs on ios and android operating systems, offers prayer alerts, the Qibla compass, the reading of the Holy Quran, a virtual Tasbih, live relay of prayers from Mecca and beautiful Islamic wall papers. According to Globacom’s Head of Value Added Services, Mr. Nagasai Saridey, all the features combine to assist the Muslim faithful in their spiritual devotion all year round. “The Ibadat app, which is very easy to use, is designed to contribute to the spiritual edification of our Muslim subscribers,” Saridey said.
NJC issues 7-day ultimatum to Fayemi — NLC ,TUC kick BY GBENGA ARIYIBI, Ado Ekiti
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HE organized Labour Unions in Ekiti State, Nige rian Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress have taken up The Joint Public Service Negotiating Committee (JNC) in Ekiti State and issued a 7-day ultimatum to Governor Kayode Fayemi to pay the outstanding gratuities of retirees and other deductions or face indefinite strike. But the parent body,the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress have kicked , saying normal procedure has not been followed before the JNC issued its ultimatum.
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Robbers rape pregnant woman in Asaba •As Police nab notorious robbery kingpin BY EMMA AMAIZE
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OLICE have arrested two suspected gangsters, who broke into a hotel at Government Reservation Area, GRA, Anwai road, Asaba, in Delta State, raped a pregnant woman and robbed people of their belongings. Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, who confirmed yesterday, that the bandits struck between 1000 hours and 1745 hours, said one Sunday Iduh was dispossessed of his handsets. She said detectives swung into action as soon as report of the attack got to the Divisional Police Officer, DPO. She said that two suspects, Ezekiel and Joseph, who had been identified by the victims, were seized by detectives, adding, “Investigation is in progress. The culprits
will be made to face the full wrath of the law at the end of investigation.” M e a n w h i l e , Po l i c e have also apprehended a notorious armed robbery gang leader
from Ezem Nsukka, Enugu State, who led a four-man robbery gang to rob one Celestine Udenyi in Asaba, Delta State, on May 9. Saturday Vanguard gathered that the
Divisional Police Officer, ‘B’ Division, Asaba, deployed detectives to track down the robbery kingpin when informants hinted him that they sighted him in Asaba on June 16 at
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OUSE of Represen tatives Committee on Land and Transport has commended Governor Chibuike Amaechi for his Monorail project in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. While expressing the hope that the project would help reduce traffic greatly in Port Harcourt, member of the Committee,
magazine. She said, “Investigation is going on while efforts are on to track down other members of the gang.”
Police shot at us — Delta community youth •It’s a lie — Police
BY EMMA AMAIZE
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From left: Chairman/CEO, Channels Television, Mr. John Momoh; Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Minister of Communication Technology, Mrs Mobolaji Johnson;Consul-General, Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mr. Okey Emuchay and the Special Adviser on Security to the Bayelsa State Governor, Rtd. Col. Bernard Kenebai, during an inspection of the state-of-the –art Bayelsa State Integrated Security & Communication Control Centre at the Government House, Yenagoa.
House committee lauds Amaechi’s monorail project in PH look at. It is the truth. coming to that territory From the beginning of the BY JIMITOTA ONOYUME, Assistant news Editor
about 1800 hours. According to Kalu, the gang leader was arrested after he was disarmed of one AK 47 rifle, no. TA 1485 without
Hon Peter Edeh said the project had given a new meaning to the transport sector in the state. The members who paid a courtesy visit on Governor Amaechi hailed him for the initiative. “We came here primarily to look at the railway project of the Ministry of Transport. We also know that your monorail project is an advanced technology compared to the one we have come to
project to where it is intended to terminate, I know that it is an area that is prone to traffic congestion and if you could reduce the travel time to 15 minutes as it is estimated, for you to go all the way from there down to the terminals, I think that would save lots and lots of man-hours. If by road it could take me two hours to do that distance and I can now do it in 15 minutes, let me presume that there are maybe a million people involved in work daily by
and if they all gain maybe an hour, forty-five minutes every day, if you multiply a million by one hour, forty-five minutes, you know how many months you have saved in one day’s work, so I think it is a laudable
OLICE in Delta State, have refuted shooting three persons when they raided Ibrede community in Delta State, in the early hours of Thursday. Police spokesperson in the state, DSP Celestina Kalu, in a statement, said, the policemen, who swooped on the community in the course of their investigation into April, 2014, arson in Ibrede, were ambushed by some youth and they tactically withdrew without firing any shot. But several sources, who spoke to Saturday Vanguard , yesterday, including the son of the Odionlogbo of Ibrede, Prince Kingsley Iliromah, said the victims themselves said they were shot by the police. Prince Iliromah said, “I personally transferred them to another hospital yesterday for further treatment and they said it was the police that shot at them.” But DSP Kalu
countered, “It is, therefore, not true that the allegedly injured three persons were shot by the police. It is equally incorrect to say that the Divisional Police officer in charge of the area is not aware of the presence of the detectives in the community.” According to her, “Detectives from State CID, Asaba commenced investigation into the matter and arrested 16 suspects, who were charged to court for attempted murder and arson while 14 other suspects, including one Emmanuel Egbamuno ‘m’ who was reported to have masterminded the crisis fled the town to evade arrest. “ However, on July 17, at about 500hrs, following an information that the said Emmanuel Egbamunor and some of his cohorts have returned to the community and were hatching plan to further attack Ugbo community, detectives went to the community to effect the arrest of the
NDDC empowers 40 widows, 3 beneficiaries. orphanages in Delta Amioku stated that the BY FESTUS AHON, Ughelli
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T least 40 widows in Delta State have received N50,000 each from the Niger Delta D e v e l o p m e n t Commission, NDDC, under the Commission’s Education, Health and Social Services, EHSS, d i r e c t o r a t e ’ s e m p o w e r m e n t programme. Three Orphanages operating in Delta State were also presented with
cheques of N745’000 each at the ceremony held at the NDDC Delta State Office and witnessed by a cross section of the society. Presenting the cheques and cash to the Orphanages and widows, the Commissioner representing Delta State on the Board of the NDDC, Chief Tom Amioku said the e m p o w e r m e n t programme was aimed at improving the living standards of the
gesture, which was a maiden programme of the Commission was aimed at putting smiles on the faces of the lessprivileged in the society, disclosing that similar e m p o w e r m e n t programme was being held in other states of the region. According to him, the Commission was committed to the infrastructural and human capital development of the region and it’s people and advised the widows to make judicious use of the package.
SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014 — 9
BRIEFS Group urges Delta Govt to industrialise Ethiope East BY FESTUS AHON, Ughelli
Shun ‘stomach infrastructure’ politicians, Oshiomhole urges women By SIMON EBEGBULEM, B/City
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DAMS Oshiomhole of Edo State has urged women in the state to shun politicians who preach politics of “stomach infrastructure”, saying they do not mean well for the State and the nation.
Addressing women at this year’s Edo Women Conference held in Benin City, Oshiomhole said: “Edo women have the right to question politicians on their credibility because it is no longer the business of rice, salt, beans, or money. It is knowing what happened in the past and com-
paring with the present. Women, you have the right qualifications because intelligence is not determined by possessions of certificates”. He said: “No society can make any progress if by its policies or action of policies, majority or simple majority of your populace remain
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State( L)and Mr Michel Doghen, Site Engineer of A&K Construction Limited at the inspection of the 200-Bed Benin Central Hospital in Benin City.
under develop. If as a result of poorly articulated public policies or even when the policy is properly articulated but not well implemented to the spirit and the letter, if by our actions and inactions in government or out of government, we do not empower the majority of our citizens, then we cannot talk of empowerment of anybody.” He said, “All of us, individually or collectively should not lament the deprivation of women.” He urged the women to have confidence in themselves, saying, “You are not powerless as women but have confidence that as women, you are not inferior to any other group and it’s not about competition between you and the men but rather organise yourselves, mobilise and show determination to change a situation that has deprived, victimized and oppressed. “The day you make up your mind to do that, you would have come out of your woes and lamentations”, he said.
Bayelsa Monarch blasts North over confab stalemate on derivation ton, coal and palm oil STORIES BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA
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HE paramount ruler of Opokuma clan, King Okpoitari Diongoli, yesterday described as unfortunate and embarrassing the deadlock at the national confab on the issue of derivation saying it was a furtherance of the culture of impunity, which the North has exhibited over time. King Diongoli, Opu Okun IV, the Ibedaowei of Opokuma clan stated this in an interview with Saturday Vanguard in Yenagoa. According to him, the derivation question is not alien to the polity in Nigeria stressing that in pre-oil era when groundnut, cocoa, cot-
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were the main stay of the country’s economy, derivation was 100 per cent with the producing states or region as they were then only paying taxes to the central government. His words: “With the advent of oil in commercial quantity the rule changed. The derivation principle became haphazardly implemented and at the whim and caprices of the Northern
ruling oligarchy then. From Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, Gen Yakubu Gowon, Gen Murtala Mohammed, President Shehu Shagari, Gen Buhari, Gen Ibrahim Babangida to Gen Sani Abacha ,Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar and President Umaru Yaradua the Northern ruling class have ruled this country for over 40 years of its 54 years as an independent nation. “In between the peri-
od Olusegun Obasanjo ruled as military Head of State and President while Chief Ernest Shonekan acted briefly as Head of Ínterim government before providence smiled on President Goodluck Jonathan who is the helm of affairs today. “The North had through political power controlled the resources of the country for over 40yrs.”
•As State ends 3-day investment forum ...signs multiple MOUs
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HE Bayelsa State Gov ernment rounded off its 3 day Investment and Economic Forum by signing a N25 billion SMEs development fund part-
nership agreement with the Bank of Industry, Mainstreet Bank and the Bank of Agriculture in Yenagoa, the state capital. MoUs were also signed with Ostertrade for the establishment of ceramic tiles, glass and tomato paste and beans canning industries, Proton Energy for the construction of a 500 magawatts power plant, and Banner Energy for the siting of a gas plant and a mini LNG in the state. The State government equally signed memoranda of understanding with the Federal Ministry of
Communication Technology and 4 media organizations, comprising Channels Television, Africa Independent Television (AIT), Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and Silverbird. The Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobolaji Johnson signed on behalf of the Federal Government, while Secretary to State Government, Professor Edmund Alison Oguru and Information Commissioner, Deacon Markson Fefegha signed on behalf of the state government.
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ORRIED by the absence of industries in the Local Government Area, the Ethiope East Forum, a socioeconomic and political group, yesterday, called on the State Government and well meaning individuals to industrialize the Area. The group in a statement by its Chairman and Secretary, Elder Sunny Emekeme, Dr Akpofure RimRukeh, respectively, decried that the absence of industries in the area was responsible for the high rate of unemployment in the area and expressed hope that if industrialized, it would also go a long way to stem the tide of criminality in the State.
Central Hospital ready for use in eight months, contractor assures By SIMON EBEGBULEM
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HE Accident and Emergency Wing of the flagship Central Hospital, Benin City, will be ready for use within the next eight months, while work on the 200bed wing of the hospital will be completed in sixteen months. Site Engineer of the A&K Construction Limited, the Contractor handling the project, Mr Michel Doghen, told Governor Adams Oshiomhole during an inspection of the ongoing work at the project said the hospital is being reinforced with heavy steel bars while three elevators have been added to the Accident and Emergency Wing, which will also serve as the Administrative Block.
Nor thern leaders insurgency if...
can
stop
BY OLAYINKA LATONA & WILLIAM JIMOH
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HE Voice of Christian Martyrs Nigeria has ap pealed to religious leaders and political elites in Northern part of Nigeria to sincerely support efforts at quenching insurgency in the region. National Director of the organization Mr. Isaac Newton-Wusu, made the appeal during a press briefing ahead of the end of year activities at Stephen Children Homes, Abeokuta, a school that grants free education to children who lose either one or both of their parents as a result of the ongoing insurgency, particularly in the North-Eastern region of the country.
Oshimili Council Poll: PDP women, others demand credible candidate
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ISING from its meeting, yesterday, in Ibusa,Oshimili North Local Government Area, Delta State, women and youth leaders appealed to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP leadership in the area to ensure that only a credible chairmanship candidate was chosen for the council. According to party leaders Madam Comfort Nwaokolo, Mr. Paul Okonji, and Chairman Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, who are also party leaders in the area, the two groups asked him to reconsider his alleged endorsement of Mr. Louis Ndukwe as the chairmanship candidate for the council. The statement said: “While we believe in the inalienable right of every eligible Nigerian to aspire for any elective post, we think that in the interest of our great party and the generality of the people of the council, that conscience, equity and justice should have dictated that a wider consultation be made on the choice of a credible candidate for the poll before endorsing any one”.
Nigerians urged to leave legacies for posterity By SEBASTINE OBASI
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HAT will you be remembered for, when you are gone? What legacies do you leave for posterity to judge you? We need to live righteously. We need to live in conformity with the tenets of God’s commandments,” said Venerable Olusegun Onafeso, Vicar, Bishop Adelakun Howells Memorial Church, Surulere, at the funeral service of late Olubukola Olatukunbo, Kupolokun, wife of the former Group Managing Director GMD, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Mr. Funsho Kupolokun.
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Agonies of widows hit by harsh Nigerian traditions By JEMI EKUNKUNBOR, CHIDI NKWOPARA, AUSTIN OGWUDA, ISHOLA BALOGUN, FLORENCE AMAGIYA, ADERONKE ADEYERI, EDWIN EZE, HENRY UMORU & PETER DURU
*The body of my husband was yet to be put in the mortuary when the brother took me to another room and asked about the documents of the house, insisting that I had to leave – Uju, Awka *My husband was in bed in hospital when the sister asked for huge amount of money from our account and when I declined she rained abuses on me, swearing that I would regret it. Three days after, my husband died, his family descended on me, took his cars away and emptied the house. On the day he was buried, the elder brother asked me to submit documents of the house and any property he owned – Nwamaka – Nsukka
C M Y K
*When my husband died, his family asked me to marry his younger brother. When I refused, they summoned a meeting to share my children among them on the
grounds that I refused to remain in their family – Benedicta, Shagamu *I’m an architect and I have experienced the agonies of widows from Igbo land. My friend, Emeka, was on life support and we contributed money for his medication everyday.
Emeka. Another Igbo friend of mine died and when I got to the house the wife was crying, hitting her head on the wall and saying she was finished. I calmed her down and asked her to take away the papers of the building they lived. She was reluctant but I insisted and she gave the papers to
Three days after my husband died, his family descended on me, took his cars away and emptied the house; on the day he was buried, the elder brother asked me to submit documents of the house and any property he owned We never saw any of his brothers. The day he died, they besieged his house, took away everything and asked the woman to leave the property. Emeka just bought a property at Lekki before he took ill. I had the documents. Later, I confided in my friend’s widow. She sold the property N70m, bought a house at Ilupeju for N30m and used N40m to begin a new life. She is fine today with the two children she had with
her 16 year old son. Later, her inlaws came and asked her to bring the documents of the house. She said their brother never gave her the papers and that they should feel free to search the house. They did. I told her in-laws that my friend once told me he was about to sell the house and that they should find out if he sold it. They later left and I told the woman to pack out of that house so that nobody would know the trick.
She did even before the burial. Her in-laws searched for months on who bought the house without success. Today, my friend’s widow is living on the rent from that house and taking care of the children she bore for my friend - Biodun, Lagos.
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t is the dream of every girl to find her perfect man, her Prince in shining armour; who would swing her off her feet and lead her to the altar to utter those two profound words, ‘I do’. And to there after, ‘live happily ever after’ and grow old together. But life is not always a bed of roses or a fairy- tale book, neither do all have the privilege of growing old together. Events happen that cut short such dreams; jolting us back to reality; a harsh reality that many are battling to live. The intervention of death in life terminates lofty dreams, ambitions and aspirations and in a marriage situation, death brings final separation leaving the living partner to carry on. When Mariam Bolaji (not real names) a teacher and entrepreneur met her husband a widower chartered accountant, about 10 years ago, for
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Continues from page 10 this single mother of one, it was something like a divine arrangement. He was a Lagos-based auditor who often traversed the north auditing companies. It was on one of such trips that he met beautiful and fun loving Mariam. It was like love at first sight and he wooed her passionately until she gave in to him. They became inseparable in the next five years that they courted. ‘He was the love of my life, recalls Mariam as the tears gathered in her beautiful eyes. “He was tall and very intelligent. You don’t find that kind of package in one man. But that was what God blessed me with”. Leaving her ‘comfort zone’ wasn’t easy for Mariam. But she was too much in love not to let go. So she packed up her business and job and moved down south to be with the man she loved. On May 16th 2009, they got married according to Islamic injunctions and their Yoruba culture and traditions. Life afterward was bliss. Their home was a nest and they relished each other’s company. But the joy seemed too good to last. By March the following year, she got a call that shattered her whole world, threatening her very existence today. Her adorable husband of barely a year had died. “On the day my husband died, he called 20 minutes before he died and said that he was not feeling too well and that he was stopping at the hospital to check his blood pressure. But when he was supposed to be home he didn’t come. Then I got a call from someone who said my name was the last registered on my husband’s phone that I should hurry to the hospital. When I got to my gate, one bike man told me he saw one man struggling with my husband in the car in Akute. By the time I got to the clinic, he had died. Right there in the hospital, my AsSalat members came and started telling me I should know what to take in the house. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. My husband had just died for goodness sake. They came again and told me to take what I wanted because my husband was dead. I said I didn’t have anything to take. My husband was a widower with three children. I told them I was waiting for them to come. I was the only living wife and I married him legitimately. Why should I worry about property? You know if I cooperated with those people, they would have claimed that I killed the man. How can somebody die and you are talking of property? It’s not done like that in the north where I grew up. When my in-laws came, I handed over everything to them. His phones, keys, spare keys to our house, his Pathfinder jeep, his office. For about six months my room was locked and most of my things got damaged. In the north when your husband dies, they share everything according to what Islam says. But here in the south, I see that they follow culture. Northerners have their way of doing things. They give the widow attention. If a Muslim dies, his property is shared amongst his wives and children. And if you have a problem, people rise up to help you. Here, the story is different. Instead, you find people who want to take advantage of you. The only support I have received has been from my husbands elder brother. Unfortunately, he is not in a position to help me financially.
‘I was made to sleep in the same room with my husband’s corpse’ Although I still live in the house we were building together, but for my eldest brother in-law, I would have been kicked out. The Yorubas have this tradition that once you are married and you don’t have a child, it’s a problem. The person that passed on wished he had a child with me. I wish I had a child for my beloved husband. People should move close to a widow because it is a pain that cannot be taken away. They should move close to the
awareness about this inhuman treatment of widows, the practice continues to hold sway in various communities in Nigeria and goes from strange to bizarre to the unimaginable. When 38 year old Eunice, a native of Oyo lost her husband, her ordeal can only be described as a nightmare. Having been accused of killing her husband by her husband’s family from Kogi State, she was subjected to heavy humiliation and unpleasant
Northerners have their way of doing things. They give the widow attention. If a Muslim dies, his property is shared amongst his wives and children. And if you have a problem, people rise up to help you woman, encourage her and meet her at the point of her need instead of accusing her. No matter how much you hate your husband you wouldn’t want him to die not to talk of a beloved one. Strange as it may sound, Mariam is not alone in this ordeal. Thousands of women across Africa and indeed Nigeria are subjected to all kinds of inhuman treatment on the death of their spouses. The injustices vary from culture to culture. Since the fourth World conference on women in Beijing in 1995, attention has been drawn to the need for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. With the millions of Naira expended by NGOs in creating
demands just to prove her innocence. She was compelled to drink from the water used in bathing the remains of her husband and restricted from going out for several months. Her hair was shaved, and her inheritance denied and stolen from her.
SHAGAMU, OGUN STATE
For 40 year old Benedicta Oguntade from Shagamu in Ogun State, she was also accused by her in laws of having a hand in the death of her husband. Tradition took its course and she went through this bizarre experience.
“I was made to sleep in the same room with my husband’s corpse before he was buried in the morning. I was thereafter made to cook, just a native way of verifying if I killed my husband. My barbaric sisters-in-law demanded I cooked and displayed the food outside in the night my husband was to be buried. They said if the food disappeared by morning, then I would be free and it would be known that I knew nothing about the death of my husband. The food disappearing would mean that my late husband had nothing against me and he ate the food. But if the food remained till the next morning, then it would be concluded I had a hand in his death and that made him to reject the food. Luckily, for me, the food disappeared before dawn although I didn’t believe in it. I didn’t know what happened. Who could have taken the food meant for a dead man? Could it be that their seer told them I didn’t have a hand in the death of my husband and one of them removed the food? However, proving my innocence did not stop them from hurting me and my children further,” If this was all Eunice had to go through then it would have been bearable but there was no stopping the in-laws. From verifying her culpability in the death of her husband, they went further to deny her inheritance rights. According to her, “my husband’s relatives tried endlessly to collect my husband’s entitlements from the company where he worked as the legal adviser. They went as far as going to the bank with a published notice of his death but the bank did not honour their demand
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‘I was told to marry my late husband’s younger brother’ Continues from page 11 since they were not his next of kin. I was forced to relocate to Sagamu by the family, saying there were some rituals to be done. It was there the family compounded my agony and made life more difficult for me and my children. My children and I spent six days in the village. On the first night, I was asked to go to my husband’s tomb and pray for hours. I was scared of staying outside at night all by myself but two men whom I later discovered where my late husband’s school mates volunteered to stay by me. The next day, my children and I were among the villagers who danced round the village with my husband’s picture. The third day, I was taken to some women whom I later learnt were widows. These women took turn to speak with me and advised on what was expected of me. I wept because I was now part of an association I didn’t pray to be a member. On the sixth day, I was invited to a meeting in the village where I was told that I should marry my husband’s younger brother, Habeeb, who was younger than me. I vehemently refused and they became very angry. They summoned me to a meeting where they said I didn’t want to be part of their family and as a result began deliberation on how to share my children among themselves; saying I could leave without my children. I quietly sneaked out the village the next morning with my kids. Since then, I have been toiling day and night to see that my children go to school and get the necessary things they need in this life.” Just like our first respondent Mariam, not having a child compounded the woes that befell Ayodekun Temitope when her husband died in 1998. Although they lived an affluent life, her husband’s family members from Ake in Ogun State, mounted pressure on him to do something about his childlessness. He finally succumbed to family pressure and married another woman. “When my husband died, I was asked by one of my sisters-in-law to urinate in an open place and in the presence of everyone in the village in order to prove my innocence in my husband’s death. My bladder was blocked because of the stress and the psychological feeling of doing it before the crowd. I only managed to do it an hour later, but my junior wife was not part of the ritual because they felt I was the one who killed our husband since I didn’t bear him a child”. My hair was shaved and I was made to cover myself with a black wrapper for three-months after which I was given two sets of wrappers to wear for a period of one year’ She is yet to get justice over her husband’s property.
DELTA STATE
From Delta State, the story is not different. Although the approach may
differ slightly, it always boils down to injustice, pain and maltreatment for the widow. Why are all widows always guilty of one crime or the other? Why is it always upon death that those allegations are thrown up by in-laws and members of families? Mrs Aruoriwo Agofure, an Urhobo from Delta State was married for 40 years. She shares her ordeal. “The first thing the family did after my husband died was to assess all my husband’s properties. They went as far as throwing all my belongings out of my husband’s house. Thereafter, they sold all the houses including the house my children and l shared with my late husband. My children and I eventually moved our belongings into a church as we didn’t have anywhere to keep them. “We found out that tradition permits the beating of the late man’s children; so when they started this traditional rite, I jumped, so l would be beaten along side my children. What did they do? They didn’t kill their father! They didn’t cause his death! My children and I were beaten up severally before the burial. After the burial, l was forced to crawl on my knees to beg my husband’s family to stop the beating. It got to the extent that my children couldn’t take it any more and we retaliated. Both my daughters and sons were not left out in the fight. We finally buried my late husband amidst fighting, violence and contention; to the extent that my children are now enemies of my husband’s family. Again, we were asked to provide our own share of money for my husband’s burial rites which I felt was normal. We gave the little we had and pledged to pay the balance which we did. “I left everything for them. I now
live alone in a small, uncompleted building”.
IGBO LAND
From the Eastern part of Nigeria, comes the same tale of woes and pains, Reports EDWIN EZE. The Igbos are a people whose
takes part in planning for his burial. Thereafter, the most excruciating pain of watching her husband’s siblings contest ownership of her husband’s property concludes her agony. Widowhood is an ordeal in the life of an Igbo woman. Her horror starts with the shaving of her hair, to isolation from people and even denying her a good bath for over one week. Her
I was invited to a meeting in the village where I was told that I should marry my husband’s younger brother, Habeeb, who was younger than me. values are strongly entrenched in their culture and traditions and when it comes to the issue of practices associated with widowhood, the story is not different. Sadly, horrible as the tales may be, the women themselves in most cases are the ones who insist on enforcing stipulated obnoxious customs and traditions on their fellow women. Thankfully, the change that is most desired is emerging from that zone. In Igboland, a widow a.k.a Nwanyi ajadu, usually passes through three stages of agony in life, as soon as she loses her husband which invariably traumatizes her and leaves her a nervous wreck. In the first place, she goes through the pain of taking care of her ailing husband, and on his death she also
piteous state occasioned by her unkempt body, leaves her looking like a mentally deranged woman. Her outlook epitomizes abandonment, rejection, neglect and ugliness. In a situation where the widow had no son in the marriage, she automatically forfeits all her husband’s landed property, forcing her to wrap up everything and return to her maiden home. In some Igbo communities the widow is forced to chew bitter kola early in the morning to frustrate her taste all day long. Elizabeth Okoronkwo had it hot with her husband’s sibling after the death of her husband Boniface. “When Bona died, hell was visited on me and my three daughters. We were almost beaten up as they struggled for
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Continues from page 12 Bona’s property. It was wise counsel from my friends that made me run away from my husband’s village in Item, Imo state to Enugu where I now sell second-hand clothing’. The case of Justina Aguba from Ishielu in Ebonyi state is very pathetic. She narrated how her husband of ten years had died in a ghastly motor accident and because she had no child in the marriage, she was chased out of the compound. She promptly relocated to Onitsha where she started pure water business. In Eha Amufu, Enugu state Madam Mgbodi Eze narrated how she lost all her husband’s landed property on his death. She however said that because she was pregnant when her husband died, luck smiled on her when she gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. Her husband’s sibling wanted to kill the boy, but she fled to safety in her elder sister’s home in Asaba. “We stayed there till my son became a man and returned to claim his father’s property” Augustina (Surname withheld) married at a very young age. Her marriage was neither blissful nor enjoyable. She said she was only married in name as her late husband kept a harem of women and she was left to pick up the bills including school fees, rent, hospital bill, utility bills, clothing and all. When my husband died, all my husband’s step brothers felt I had become a public property that must be used by all and sundry. None of them was interested in knowing how I lived or how I have been managing to take care of my children. When I rejected their amorous advances, I immediately became their enemy. They quickly appropriated everything we acquired. Soon after the death of my husband, I was no longer remembered each time farmlands were to be shared during each year’s planting season. Today, I have been forced to relocate to a different community, so as to have peace of mind’. Like Augustina, Adaeze lost everything she acquired with her husband. Today, this lady and her children have literarily been banished from the family home. Her brothers- in-law dislike her with passion and even accused her of killing her husband. Somehow, these in-laws spread the ugly news in the village and days to the burial of her husband, the maidens in the community prevented her from taking her bath or sleeping on a mattress. She was not even allowed to sleep but her supposed guards took turns to sleep. As mentioned earlier, widowhood practices vary from community to community. While the practice of culture in some communities, villages are very friendly especially to the widows, some are archaic, barbaric and very cruel. And this happens irrespective of whether the woman has children or not.
EDO STATE
In Ikpeshi, a border town between Akoko- Edo and Etsako West Local Government Areas of Edo State, a widow is forced to leave the late husband’s house for her parents’ house one year or six months after the death of her husband, reports HENRY UMORU. This treatment is meted out on women who are natives of the community. Even if she contributed in
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My late husband’s sibling wanted to kill my son’
the building of their house, tradition demands that she leaves the house on the death of her husband. As a result, women who have the resources to build their own houses do so even while in their husbands house knowing that they will not be entitled to inheriting their husbands house when they pass on. However, in some rare cases, some widows are allowed to stay after due consultation of the oracle and the dead man’s spirit approves for her to stay.
are obtainable in some parts of the country except in extreme cases where a widow is fingered in the death of her husband. The widow in the Tiv speaking areas of the state are usually treated with much compassion at the death of their husbands. After the conclusion of the burial rites of the deceased, the next move of the late husband’s kinsmen would be to propose that the widow remarries a new husband who is usually one of
A widow is forced to leave the late husband’s house for her parents’ house one year or six months after the death of her husband For widows that are non natives (Enabo), their fate is slightly different. The woman married from outside has the right to the house after the death of her husband. She is even allowed to re-marry while still in that same house. This culture has been an age long one and the people still find it difficult to change. In Ikpeshi, lineage is drawn from the woman like it is practiced in Ghana. Women own both children and property. This explains why most men marry from outside so that the wife gets to retain the house.
MAKURDI
In Makurdi, the experience and ordeal of widows at the death of a bread winner in the two major ethic groups-Tivs and Idomas that constitute Benue State vary reports PETER DURU. It is consequent upon the provisions of the native laws and customs of the tribe concerned. Either way, widows in Benue state are scarcely subjected to unfriendly and chilly practices that
the brothers of the deceased. She is not compelled to do that and she is usually allowed an option of accepting the offer of marrying one of the brothers of her late husband or turn it down. By the Tiv custom, a widow is also not subjected to any obnoxious or demeaning practice to ascertain her culpability in the death of her husband. Another interesting aspect of the Tiv native law and custom as regards widowhood is the fact that a widow could be allowed to inherit the property of her late husband especially if he died intestate and she is loved by the kinsmen of her late husband. This is also obtainable and applicable in a polygamous family; but where it is perceived that a rift exists in the family, the property of the deceased husband is shared among the women by the elders before they are subsequently handed over to their new husbands if they so consent. Bridget Embem (not real names) a widow from Delta State testifies to this fact. Although she was the third wife of her husband, and custom demand-
ed that she married one of her husband’s son, she was not put under any obligation to do so. Today, due to the effort of members of her husband’s community, she now happily lives with her children in one of the properties apportioned to her. Speaking on the issue, a social commentator and Senior lecturer at the Federal University Agriculture, Makurdi, Mr. Frank Kyungun said the Tiv native laws and customs as regards widowhood are humane. ”She is allowed to live and posses the husbands estate and also allowed the option of remarrying either to any of the late husbands brothers or left to remain unmarried. We do not subject widows to unhealthy practices but where it is found and confirmed that she had a hand in the death of her husband she would be excommunicated and expelled from the community’. As for the Idoma tribe, at the death of a husband, the man’s kinsmen would consult the oracles to find out if the man was killed by the ‘ Aleku’ deity which kills a husband where a wife engages in extra marital affairs and the husband deliberately failed to disclose same to his kinsmen. In this particular instance, the widow is chased out of her matrimonial home and banished from the community and not allowed to inherit her later husband’s property. However, where it is discovered that the widow had no hand in the death of her husband, she is allowed a free hand to inherit and administer the estate or property of her late husband. Speaking on her experience as a widow, a septuagenarian, Mrs. Janet Omanchi who disclosed that she lost her husband about twenty years ago, said she lived happily with her husband before he passed on. ”Our marriage was blessed with six children; at a point I had to marry a wife for my husband who also had children for him and we all lived happily. ”Even after the death of my husband his property was shared among the children and we have been living happily because none of us the Continues on page 14
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Continues from page 13 women were found culpable in his death.” She said. In the heart of the many injustices
against widows in Nigeria is the issue of inheritance. In some cultures, women are seen as mere chattels and therefore, lack every right to inherit landed property when their husbands die. The fate of many women still lies in the type of marriage they contracted. Under the Nigeria Customary Laws, a woman is still considered as part of the properties of the man which can even be inherited. Therefore, logically speaking, a property cannot inherit another property. In Onwuchekwe vs Onwuchekwe, the Supreme Court affirmed the above position when it held that a woman is part of the properties of the man. Also under the Islamic law, which is a specie of the customary law, according to the Holy Koran Surah 4 vs 12 inter alia states, as to the lot of wives that:‘in that which you (husband) leave, their (your wives) share is a fourth if you leave no child, but if you leave a child, they get an eight of that which you leave after payment of legacies you may have bequeathed or debts…..’ The debate on gender rights since the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing, has shown elements of increasing sophistication and this reflects in the growing sensitivity to rights of women not just in marriage but in other aspects as well. Under the statutory laws, rights of a woman to inheritance are secured upon death of the husband because the property of the marriage belongs to the wife and the children to the exclusion of all others. However, where the man left a will, the Will Act will govern inheritance. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against women (CEDAW), ratified by Nigeria and other 120 countries of the world, evidences Nigeria’s commitment to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women especially cultural wise. Enugu and Edo State governments have led the pack in this fight to ensure women’s rights. Both houses of Assemblies have passed Bills eliminating all forms of discrimination against widows. Only recently, the Supreme Court passed a judgment voiding the Igbo custom and tradition that barred females from becoming beneficiaries of family estate. Addressing the issue, the Anglican Bishop of Okigwe, Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward Osuegbu, hailed this judgment saying “We cannot but rejoice with Igbo women, who won the right to inherit a share of their parents’ estate, following the recent Supreme Court judgment, which voided centuriesof old Igbo tradition that barred females from becoming beneficiaries of family estate, especially in their towns and villages”, According to the fiery cleric, “the Supreme Court judgment is victory for gender equality in Nigeria”, even as he reasoned that the implementation was likely to be fraught with difficulties. “I foresee problems in implementing the judgment as the inheritance custom is deep-rooted and likely to be resisted by menfolk in traditional communities”, Osuegbu said. He passionately appealed to Ndigbo to embrace the Apex Court judgment, as well as respect the provision of equality for men and women on inheritance issues. While appealing that the judgment should become “a convention and the norm” in the spirit of fairness to the womenfolk, the Bishop also pleaded that the judgment “should be used as a springboard for the elimination of discrimination and enthronement of the just and equitable nation envisaged in the Nigerian Constitution. “We also expect this judgment to provide the impetus for the challenge of other discriminatory customary practices
‘In some cultures, women are seen as mere chattels’ against women, widows, children and the handicapped in the society”, Bishop Osuegbu pleaded. In his contribution a traditional ruler of Uwelle Amokofia in Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, His Royal Highness, Igwe Ajima Nwodo, also hailed the Enugu State government for sponsoring a bill through the House of Assembly for the protection of the rights of widows. Igwe Ajima Nwodo who studied in London in the 60s said, “ the old practice which had subjected widows to incredible discrimination is giving way because of modern civilization”. A church leader in Amaraku, Imo state, Pastor Venatius Okere added weight to the good wind now blowing through most Igbo states in favour of widows. Pastor Venatius Okere said that widows should not be treated as if they were responsible for their husband’s death. Human Rights activist and Executive Director, of the Centre, International Centre for Women Empowerment and Child Development, Bridget Anyafulu Anyafulu, while decrying the plight of widows says, ‘we have to look at our laws again. Yes, the 1999 constitution provides that there will be no discrimination but is it working? The law provides equality talking about the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. The law is just formal. It doesn’t work. It has never worked. The customary law has also not helped. First of all, the woman is a chattel. The woman cannot inherit the man’s property. She cannot administer the estate of her husband without the consent of the family. It is only the family that has consent. She has a limit even if she has 20 children for the man. The woman has no protection whatsoever. Unfortunately, women are used to prosecute such fraud against their fellow women (widows). It is a tragedy”, she lamented.
For Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, President, Women Arise, the
issue of ill-treatment meted out to widows
In some cultures, women are seen as mere chattels and therefore, lack every right to inherit landed property when their husbands die cannot be separated from the reality of the general situation that we have found ourselves as a people particularly, in this part of the world. Enacting specific laws she believes is the only way to guarantee the protection of widows since they are increasingly becoming vulnerable particularly in the rural areas. Willie Workman Oga, FounderAdvocacy for Widows Empowerment Foundation (ADWEF) Lagos, says the plight of widows is why we are here. Having had a mother who suffered such maltreatment in the hands of my father’s family, it triggered me to become an added voice to that of widows in Nigeria so that all these stone age practices can be eliminated. If the word of the Holy Book is anything to go by, ‘there is a time for everything under the sun; a time to be born and a time to die’. Death brings a final separation between two people who had loved each other and said ‘I do’ The passing on of a woman’s partner should not translate into hardship, hardship induced by family members bent on forcefully carting away properties of the deceased. In many communities in Nigeria, women are still at the receiving end.
Many of them have been dealt unfair blows. Many have been forced by circumstances to live lives totally far removed and demeaning from what they are used to on the passing of their bread winner. With no one to turn to, widows have had to rely heavily on NGOs and religious organizations like Churches and Mosques for support and ease of their emotional trauma. ‘They need to be ministered to and reassured of a promising future’ says Pastor Itua Ighodalo of
Trinity House, Lagos. Unfortunately, ‘some of them become prey to improper persons in the society’ he added. With the example provided by the government of Enugu and Edo State, there is no doubt that there is hope for women who have lost their spouse. More states need to take inspiration from these two states. And in these states where widows’ rights are protected, government will do well to ensure that such laws are implemented where necessary. Women will do well to desist from being custodians of these obnoxious customs and traditions. They are the ones who often enforce these laws in the various communities. Some day, the tide will turn and they in turn, will become widows. If these traditions remain, they will one day become victims. As for husbands and heads of family, there is no harm in writing a will. It is not an invitation to death but a legal way to ensure the well being of your wife and children when you pass on. For the traditional rulers, the question is, when will an end come for these obnoxious customs and traditions?
SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014—15
UDUAGHAN’S BLUNT CONFESSION:
No need for a new governor if I complete all the work in Delta
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan
DELTA State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, spoke to journalists in Asaba, on national and state matters Saturday Vanguard team of Emma Amaize, Austin Ogwuda, Festus Ahon, Godwin Oghre and Brisibe Perez were there. Excerpts:
Alert on security
First, let me say that so far, so good. At the national level, security wise, many of us are in tune with the happenings and we still have the challenge of terrorism, which is still ranging in the north eastern part of Nigeria. Once in a while, there are bombings in various parts of the country. The effect of that is being felt around the country and if anything happens in any part of the country, the way Nigeria is, you have a relation that might be affected; and beyond, there is also the fact that there are some influx of people from the northern part of Nigeria into Delta and other parts of southern Nigeria. There is also an increase in the number of persons, who are internally displaced who are coming down this way. For us, as long as anybody coming into the state will not give us any security challenge, we would manage the influx, but for those that would come into the state, especially illegally, I need to emphasis this. Those who are coming into Nigeria illegally are not welcome here, they are not Nigerians and are doing such illegally . In other climes, once you enter a country illegally and you are caught the person is deport-
ed. We have asked our immigration department to fish out the illegal nationals and send them back home.
Dropping
Kidnapping is reducing, we cannot say it is over as we still have flashes of kidnappings here and there, but I think we are doing well in trying to handle that challenge.
Iselegu/Ibabu land dispute
The other challenge we have is about communal clashes. In the Ndokwa area, we have had the Iselegu and Ibabu communities having communal clashes so much so that it got to a point that they started coming to the Ughelli/Asaba road and even attacked travelers leading to the death of a professor on the road. What we did, first, was to bring truce to the area and then mobilized security agencies to the area to stop the fight and do a thorough search to bring out all the illegal weapons in those communities. We then set up a judicial panel of inquiry that will dig into the origin of the crisis and of course proffer a solution to the crisis. Gas city controversy The other community that was of concern during our
What we did was to bring truce to the area and then mobilized security agencies to stop the fight and do a thorough search to take out all the illegal weapons in those communities
last briefing was in Warri South West, where the Gas City is coming up and of course you know the kind of publications that the Ijaw and Itsekiri nationalities have been on. I had to eventually call all the stakeholders to Asaba here and we held a meeting and agreed that I put up a committee headed by the Deputy Governor to look into some of the issues there and that committee will start work in the next few days.
Know -your -neighbor campaign One of the things that I have strived to propagate is the issue of, “Know your neighbour.” Who is your neighbour in the same compound and the next house? This is important so that when anybody comes to your area that you do not know or somebody with a
suspicious life, let us say yesterday, he was riding a bicycle, today he is driving a Hummer Jeep, you must at least find out the origin of the Hummer Jeep. So, this know- your -neighbour campaign is still on and we must know our neighbours especially our landlords. You must know who the tenant is. And if you do not have money to complete your buildings, you must monitor it and not allow illegal persons to take over such buildings.
Our flooding challenge
For us as a state, we are continuing with our infrastructure development. But in this raining season, flooding is big challenge to us like other states in the Niger Delta region. Each year, we try to work had to Continues on page 17
16—SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JULY 19, 2014
P
rovidence brought me within a few miles of the American seat of power in Washington around the Fourth of July, the day all Americans celebrate their independence. A few days before the Fourth of July, the American soccer team had just been ousted from the World Cup in one of the most passionate matches of the tournament. Many people rooted for the American team throughout the world because of the passion with which they played. In would take place at midnight. There are many things wrong with any case, the Americans were more than America and Americans; but you can able to root for themselves. The shouts hardly fault their loyalty to and pride in of USA, USA, USA were loud in the their country. But it is a loyalty that has stadium and throughout America as the been earned over the years as the match went on. Before then, most of the country consistently makes it clear that news media in America treated the every American is important; that an match as a significant news item, American in distress is a nation in thereby whipping into frenzy, the welldistress; that justice, equity and the rule known fervour and patriotism of the citizens. I told a friend that with this of law will drive their country. Are Nigerians capable of such loyalty? kind of backing, America would soon such fervor? I believe we are. In fact, I become a major soccer nation. am sure we are. We only have to look at Shortly after the world cup, a downer our attachment to the National football of sorts happened through an team or the ties we all have to our Almaunfortunate, but totally preventable mater to prove this. I speak I believe, incident in Israel when a Palestinian/ for those who attended secondary American youth was brutalized by the schools in the 50s, 60s,and 70s when I Israeli police. say we have more positive than negative Again, the passion and loyalty to all memories of our school days and are things America came to the prepared to do anything to fore as the media and uplift those schools and Government officials took keep the positive memories up the case. The Israeli alive. These were Prime Minister had to institutions that nurtured apologise while an us. More importantly, these investigation panel was were institutions that did quickly set up to bring the well by us and helped culprits to book. This would shaped our future. It is a not have happened if the life- time bond for many. boy was not an American as I once saw a car sticker Palestinians are brutalized on a friend’s car in the 70s and humiliated almost on a and asked if it was from a daily basis in that region. club from his university The message is thus clear; days. ‘No, from my America looks after its own whether at home or abroad; whether in secondary school. University is for all comers. ‘ He replied proudly. peace- time or war- time. In a couple of months we will be A friend once told me of an incidence during his student days in the 60s. He celebrating our own Independence was with a group of American students Day. Speeches on unity will be made who were voicing their resentments by people who are doing everything to against politicians and the government. undermine the unity of the country; by He joined them and offered his own people who perhaps are behind the criticisms. They stopped and glared at Boko Haram insurgency. him with an unspoken message that was essages on tolerance and all too clear. ‘You may be our friend but brotherly love will be delivered you are still an outsider and you have no right to criticize our country in our by people who have demonstrated presence’. It was a lesson in American political and religious intolerance at every turn. Many economic and patriotism that he never forgot. political decisions have been made by arrived Dulles Airport, Washington, people who care more for self than the a little over 24 hours to their country. And the results have been, Independence Day and the well, predictable. Even now as we speak, in the State independence mood was already in the air. The immigration official who Assembly and the National Assembly, attended to me spent some of the time at the National Conference, in the State chatting with a colleague about his and National Governments, it is about Independence Day plans. Almost every sharing, not sowing; about self, not where you went, people discussed the country. The country is in need of role models; Independence Day and it was not unusual to end conversations with in need of new, more enduring ethos. October 1 provides another opportunity ‘Happy Independence Day.’ On the eve of the 4th, I went to the for national re-awakening. Too often, University of Maryland College Park to our leaders remove the ladder after they see a friend. I was surprised to see cars have used it to climb to the top. That is parked on the lawns and on both sides not the way to forge unity and equal of the road leading to the conference opportunity. For us to love Nigeria, she centre by people who looked very much must be able to meet our aspirations like campers prepared to spend the and must be able to stand by us whether night. There were people of all ages— we live in Chibok or Otuoke. In triumph from the very young to the very old— or tragedy we must stand together. Or who came to participate in the revelries sink together. of Independence and the fireworks that
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The country is in need of role models; in need of new, more enduring ethos
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From Marah to Elim M
arah is the place of bitterness while Elim is the place of fruitfulness, advancement, progress and fulfillment. You cannot get to Elim until you have gone through Marah. This is why it is so important to deal with whatever issues that is causing bitterness in your life. Beloved do know that right where that bitterness started or emanated from, the solution is already there. We trust God that by this message you will enter into your liberty and become fruitful roundabout. This is your season to shine. Too many people are filled with bitterness that is grievously ravaging their lives. They are so unhappy and miserable in life. Every little thing gets them upset and angry. They are not able to flow and be blissful in life. Bitterness is a disease worse than cancer and AIDS. It is a death trap. It eats up the individual and ends up destroying the individual. Bitterness is the cause of so many sicknesses that has no medical cure. It is indeed a great hindrance to ones fruitfulness. It is a tool that causes setbacks. It is difficult to be bitter and make progress in life. Joel 1:11-12 says, “be ye ashamed o ye husbandmen; howl, o ye vinedressers, for the wheat and the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished. The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the souls of men”. Know that every of the trees mentioned in the text have the capacity of producing and being fruitful but could not because there was bitterness in the land. Hear me, no matter how great your destiny is ahead of you, you cannot fulfill it because of the presence of bitterness. Bitterness is a stealer of strength and killer of glorious dreams and visions. It withers vast potentials and cripples prospects. In Exo. 15:23-25, the bible says “and when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying what shall we
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drink? And he cried unto the Lord; and the Lord shewed a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them”. From the text above, the children of Isreal had just been delivered from bondage in the land of Egypt and they were on their way to the Promised Land. They were praising God and suddenly they needed water but what they got was bitter water which they could not drink. This simply points to the fact that in the journey of life there will be challenges but until we overcome them it will be difficult to breakthrough. One fruit of bitterness is murmuring. Murmurers never advance in life because they never see a way out of their challenges. In the bible, all those that murmured died in the wilderness. They never received the promises of God for their lives. Murmuring always limits the manifestation of the hand of God. Notice that right where they murmured that the water was bitter was where the solution was. Know that the solution did not just arise; it has been there before they got there. What then is the implication? The solution for every bitterness is right where you are presently. Secondly, the solution must be applied. Moses had to cast the tree into the waters for the bitter water to become sweet. You can do the same and receive the same measure of miracle. Beloved, as long as the children of isreal were at Marah, the place of bitterness they could not go forward. They were static and unfruitful. Nothing good could flow out of them. They could not continue their journey. They could not get to Elim the place of fruitfulness. But once the water became sweet they continued their journey to Elim. It is time to release whatever bitterness you have inside of you against your boss, the brother or sister that jilted you, the business partner that cheated you, the in-laws that would not allow you to know peace, the strange woman in your husband’s life, your closest friend that betrayed your trust, the leadership of our great nation, politicians etc. The presence of bitterness is the absence of joy. Until joy takes its rightful place in your life you cannot be fruitful. Let go of bitterness and embrace joy so that you can be fruitful at Elim. Jesus is the source of all joy. Accept Him now as your Lord and Saviour. God bless you, Nigeria and President Goodluck Jonathan. 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.
The solution for every bitterness is right where you are presently
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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.
SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014—17
2015: PDP has a game changer— Uduaghan Continues from page 15
are installing the equipment, you may also have a look at it. I think it is unfair to try and drag his name down. He was not given the contract for the installation of the equipment. His contract is that of training and that was all. I feel pained and bad about dragging his name to it because we have pen and paper and we have a medium that can take anything.
minimize the effects of flooding, but I do not know of any governor in Nigeria that can say I can deal with flooding and there will be no flooding in my state. .Roads Now, let me say this, there is no way this administration can construct all the roads in the state in eight years. It is not possible. Another eight years and another governor cannot complete all the roads in the state. You know because, sometimes I read and I hear oh, this particular road in this place has not been done and so the government is not doing anything. It’s not possible for us to do all the roads, but as we get funds, we would continue to work on them and do the best that we can. If we complete all the roads and all the schools, then there is no need to bring a governor after me. So we do the much we can and same applies to schools and every other project or sector.
Game changer
Finally, on the issue of the Local Government election, politically all over Nigeria, though other political parties do not like hearing this, PDP is still the number one party in Nigeria. Yes, we had our challenges last year, but things are turning around. We have a game changer in our national chairman and things are changing. Of course, all of you are witnesses to what happened in the Ekiti election where PDP won clearly. Osun election is coming up and it is likely the same thing would be repeated.
My way of renovating schools
No flyover collapsed in Asaba
Also, we have our fly-overs that are ongoing. At a time I read about the fly-over that collapsed in Asaba and
Uduaghan... there is no way this administration can construct all the roads in
the state in this eight years some people died. When they asked me, I said there is no fly-over there yet, there has to be fly-over before it collapses. When I read the report, the picture on that particular write-up was the Effurun fly-over, but the story was about the Asaba fly-over. There might be some caving in of sand, but I do not think any flyover collapsed in Delta.
DBS digitalization
Another infrastructure I want to talk about is the DBS Stations at Warri and Asaba. Now, let me just explain what happened. There is a national policy on the digitalization of our broadcasting houses. It used to be analogue and we were told to migrate from analogue to digital broadcasting and that must be in place by 2015. For us in Delta, we have started the process and have awarded the contract to a company called Confax that have done such works in
other places.
Don’t tarnish Tony Iredia’s image
That contract was awarded
friend and elder brother and he is a columnist with Sunday Vanguard. That was how I brought him in even before this contract
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In the state, there are over 600 schools, both primary and secondary and there is no way I can do all of them as most of them require rehabilitation. So, if you go and pick the ones that I have not done and go and publish them, if am asked, I would say yes, I have not reached there and the next governor would do that. I will show people the ones that I have done. What I am trying to say is that we would do as much as we can. When I started, I had a reservation about picking one building in a school instead of the whole school; I prefered to take a school and complete it comprehensively. But we were forced to do some work on some schools where there were shortages of classrooms and some of the blocks were very bad. For your interest, for this year, some have been approved; some have been awarded while some are in the process of award.
It’s not possible for us to do all the roads, but as we get funds, we would work on them else if we are finishing on all the roads and schools, then there is no need to bring a governor after me
to Confax which has nothing to do with Dr. Tony Iredia. I need to emphasize that and stress it again. Because Dr. Tony Iredia is someone who has made his name in broadcasting and I feel very sad that people are trying to drag his name down. Even before we awarded this contract, I went to meet him and said, “Oga, you have experience, come and help us with our broadcasting houses.” He is a
came up and the first thing he did was to give us, members of the State Executive Council, a seminar on management because he is also a management guru and we had a seminar on management and I said, see how you can help in the training of our broadcasters, both in Asaba and at Warri, that is the relationship we have with him. As part of it, I said as they
So, we are taking them one by one and by the time we get to the Presidential election, you would see that the difference will be clear. For us at the national level of PDP, it is no shaking and for the state, PDP is getting stronger and stronger every day. A lot of people are coming back to the PDP.
I‘ve not anointed anybody
Now, what I have said and what we are doing is that as much as possible, leaders should come together and try to reduce the tension. There are some local governments that as many as 13 persons have shown interest, but only one person would emerge and we need to manage that kind of situation because ones you have picked ticket, you consider yourself as the local council chairman. Let me say this that I have not anointed anybody in any local government council. As a human being, I have my interest but because I am the governor, I need to be very careful in managing that interest but there is no aspirant that is anointed.
18 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014
Cosmas Onyekachi Nwabueze popularly known as Omega X D is a talented artiste set to make his mark in the Nigerian music industry. The Enugu State-born rising star is noted for his electrifying performance at last year’s Star Trek show and the tribute song he did for late Mum of Psquare Mrs Josephyne Okoye. His new single titled ‘Deep In Ma Heart’ produced by Fliptyce is everywhere now and it’s getting a lot of airplay and available for download. In this interview, he talks about himself and his music.
Ever ybody wants to be on the fast lane — Omega X D
By JULIET EBIRIM & DAMILOLA SHOLOLA
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was born in Jos, I schooled in Corona Primary and Secondary School in Jos. My family relocated from Jos in 1993. We came back to Onitsha, and that was where I finished my secondary school. My parents later settled in Enugu. Music is something I can’t do without. Right from Child, I had always disturbed my family with music. It got to a point where I told my father that I would be leaving Enugu for Lagos to find my foot musically. My father wasn’t surprised because he has been seeing my efforts and passion for it. I left my family for Lagos in 2006. Before then, I’ve been writing songs as well as carrying out research, looking for a way to make a headway in Enugu, but it wasn’t working out for me. Music started for me basically when I came to Lagos. I’m hoping to be on top of my game, and that’s why I’m working so hard to get there. The top is where I want to be. For me, music has been challenging and so far, I can only give thanks to God because I know how I started but I’m still working, I’m still pushing forward. I’m still working but at the moment, I have about six singles. I have a lot of songs in the pipeline and I strongly believe that as soon as my new single drops because I’m coming out with something different. I adopted the Nigerian system of music because that’s what is selling at the moment. My last single, “ “Kabiyesi’ is still making waves. But my new song is titled, “Deep In Ma Heart.” It is an expression of a feeling I had for someone. It isn’t about breaking my heart but it’s like you loving someone and that person is not loving you back. It seems like is it because of money? Because these days, ladies could easily react to money. So, when you’re coming up as a single guy who is not that rich, it’s somehow difficult. If you’re coming up as someone who is rich, or someone who has something to offer, it’s very easy to get want you want these days. There is true love C M Y
but it’s hard for girls to believe in you. Everybody wants to be on the fast lane. In the lyrics, I’m trying to tell her that let her take her time, that things are going to get better. I understand that she likes things when it’s fast but let her believe in me that I’m getting there closely. In the industry, a lot of people know that any time Psquare is going to perform in the country, I’m always on stage. They are the superstars that I cherish like a gold. I did a song for their late mum and it touched greatly on them. They see me as a talent they need to encourage and they are fond of me. I hustle under Square Records which is P Squares Label but I’m not yet officially signed onto the label. In terms of my experience on stage, I’m never scared of facing the crowd. I like the confidence that flows within me each time I perform. Performing before large crowd turns me on.
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tagged Star Trek, ‘my Trek of Destiny’ because it’s the biggest platform that I’ve ever had as a rising act. Having massive crowd in front of you and travelling all the way down to different states which I’ve never done before. The experience was awesome. It was challenging as well but when challenges come, you have a breakthrough so Star Trek was one of the greatest things that ever happened to me in
There is true love but it’s hard for girls of these days to believe in you. Everybody wants to be on the fast lane. my music career. It was earlier
this year. I performed in Nsuka, Markudi, Uyo and Benin City. Also, I performed at the grand finale which took place in Surulere, Lagos. The biggest thing that has happened to me as a musician was the positive reaction I got when I performed my new single “Deep In Ma Heart.” I’ve been performing on stage for a very long time but seeing the crowd screaming and waving at you, it’s a different spirit, a different passion. I felt something different in me. I’ve never had that kind of feeling before now. So, to me it’s the best thing that ever happened to me
It has been challenging but I’m making a progress. I remember when I started my music career, it was difficult for me to perform at shows. You might have a good song but it’s challenging trying to get promoters to push your song if you’re not signed to any record label. But I had my break in 2013, when I was on Star Trek train. I had the opportunity to tour five states. I had the big experience of performing in Enugu State which is my home state. On Nigerian music industry, it’s growing rapidly because I the kind of music we did then and the one we are doing today are different. If you look at our videos and the kind of music you listen to these days, it’s different when compared to what was obtainable back in time. I believe Nigerian music industry is witnessing real growth. I’m yet to achieve greatness. But when you know exactly what you’re doing and you are focused, success will surely come your way someday. How I handle my female admirers. It’s a big challenge when you become a successful artiste and you have a couple of people around you. But you just have to be yourself and be focused on what you’re doing.
SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014 —19
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Can social S status hinder true love?
ocial status has remained a major issue when it comes to love. Several marriages and relationships have failed due to educational, social, religious, racial, ethnic and economic differences. In most cases, education has been the crux of the matter. These days, many graduates, especially women, will not want to marry an O -Level certificate holder as they feel that the man would not be a good match to their social status, while many others believe that he will always feel jealous. Also, some men do not feel comfortable if their women earn higher than they do. While others believe they can’t control a woman who earns higher income. Social status can prove to be a very difficult challenge in relationships. Feelings such as insecurity,inferiority complex, resentment, lack of understanding and respect for each other all come into play. This week, we’re looking at class difference and how it affects true love.
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he love and social status issue is really not unlike what we see in movies and read in books. I think that the difference is that in reality, it depends mostly on the individuals involved and their ability to adjust expectations. I understand the argument that marrying within the same class is easier, because of shared ideologies including education, socialization and income. Call me a senseless romantic, but I still believe that true love conquers all, and it would be gravely wrong to base your happiness on who is more ‘fancier’.
True love conquers all
- Grace Ndam, Model
True love doesn’t count errors,
Social disparity would always be an issue - Essence, Singer
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n some cases, social status can hinder true love. These days, people are all about status. If people with different educational standing come together, one of them has to move upward or downward. But it would be difficult for the relationship to work, because the disparity would always be an issue, when it comes to friendship, families and colleagues’ interaction.
John Okafor, Actor
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like love that is truly built on a solid foundation, tribe and social status notwithstanding, because it goes a long way to determine the future of the lovers. True love is not quick to count errors, though one has to be careful in making a choice.
Love is supreme It can’t stop true love - Leye Adeshile, Actor
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think it doesn’t affect true love, because education and exposure has taught us a lot about relationships. Thus, the parties involved would understand each other well and so, whatever challenges or problems they encounter in the course of the relationship will be handled and addressed with the knowledge already acquired while growing up and meeting people. It will also help them ignore irrelevant and unnecessary issues that could come up.
C M Y K
- Cynthia Agholor, Actress
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don’t think social status can stop true love, though it’s a relative issue that has to do with personal and individual interest. True love is divine. No level of social status can interfere with divine arrangement. Social status or not, love is supreme.
20 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014
With Florence Amagiya
08061644307
Pastor Chris' life of giving!
•Owns N400m fleet of cars
to them. He shows love to all and occasionally dishes out different gift items. Recently, on his birthday when others would sit back to welcome and collect birthday gifts in multitude; he chose to dedicate the day giving to people household items, satisfying the material needs of people. In this edition, we bring you an icon that is always ready to share... Enjoy!
uman beings are not naturally known to always give without thinking of what they would get in return. So it is worthy of note when a man gives so much without asking for anything in return. Rev. Chris Okotie may not have a stunning personality to some Nigerians, but he has endeared himself to many particularly those who got a helping hand when it mattered H
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No doubt, the ageless multi award winning pop Musician, Chris Okotie; now known as Rev. Chris Okotie is a very wealthy man; who loves seeing the faces of people light up whenever he gives. He doesn’t need any introduction to Nigerians as his album 'I need someone' brought him to limelight in the 80's. It would also be recalled that Pastor Chris left singing circular songs for gospel songs more than 30 years ago; after he repented. Today, he writes gospel songs and he sings to worship God. It is also worthy of note that Rev. Chris is also a writer as he wrote the best selling book titled "The last outcast" which was a sell out. Pastor doesn’t have a choir in his church yet awesome songs are produced by him as the choir master and his church as his choir. Rev. Chris was born on June 16, 1959. He is an Urhobo from Abraka in Ethiope East
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Local Government Area of Delta State. He is the founder and senior pastor of Household of God Church; a church located in Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos state since 1987. He is a law graduate from the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus. PROPERTIES The church auditorium, including the children’s department, the car parks and its extensive fallow land is worth billions of naira. He has other choice properties in the United State of America worth millions of dollars. The church auditorium is a beautiful, large edifice, built to house more than 2000 people or more. Although, Household of God Church is not as crowded like people would have expected it to be, but they have the ability and movement of a batallion as Rev. Chris would always say that "God doesn't work with the crowd, but with selected few who are ready to work in the HIS vineyard". INVESTMENTS Rev. Chris Okotie believes strongly in investing in the lives of people; he is described by all who has made contact with him as an intense giver. He also believes that “God who has called him would take care of him”. So he doesn't believe in any investment except in the service of God and humanity. But even at that; he is arguably one of the richest pastors in Nigeria; as he collects very expensive wrist watches, wears expensive suits, ties, perfumes C M Y K
and shoes. Rev.Chris spoke extensively on this very issue in one of his sermons. According to him " working in line with God's will and direction for my life has made me buy more expensive cars and wear more expensive clothes than most of my colleagues". CHARITY Pastor Chris spends a lot of money on charity as he is enjoys giving. He jokingly told the church on one of such Sundays that he spends over two hundred and fifty thousand naira each Sunday buying gifts for people. The Yuletide seasons are not left out as he spends millions through the church making Christmas season beautiful for the less privilege in the Society. Pastor and the church has a yearly grace programme; on the programme they organise an award event known as Karis award for people who did amazing things in their field of specialty. CARS He is an unrepentant car freak; as his cars are estimated to be over
N400m. He has cars such as BMW, to exotic models of Range Rover and Mercedes Benz. Recently, he added a Rolls Royce Phantom, 2014 edition to the fleet in his garagewhich cost him a whooping sum of N80m. That was to be a personal gift to celebrate his 27 years on the pulpit and 30 years as a born again Christian.
22 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014 KEHINDE AJOSE 08024212530
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n the recent past, it has become something of a sport for various organisations to come up with list of richest entertainers, using various parameters most convenient to them. And more often than not, their publications are either greeted with disbelief, outrage and even scorn. If not from the persons concerned, it comes from the members of the public. There has never been a time a published list of the richest African musicians was welcomed with widespread acceptability. Even when Channel O and Forbes came up with a top ten list of richest African musicians, presumably using factors such as endorsement value, popularity, show rates, sales, awards, YouTube views, appearance in newspapers, investment, social media presense, influence and so many other factors, many people still did not believe they got it spot on.
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Now, an African online magazine known as Answers Africa has done its own findings, using pretty much the same parameters as Forbes and here is what they came up with. Compare it with Forbes list and see which one is nearer the mark: 1. Youssou N’dour: The legendary Senegalese singer born in 1959 tops the list. He is said to own biggest media houses in Senegal, including radio and TV stations. He has served as Senegalese cultural ambassador and culture minister . Note; not on Forbes list. 2. P-Square: The singing duo of Peter and Paul sit in the second position according to Answers Africa on account of their various endorsements and returns on shows and tours. They are said to make over 150 thousand dollars per show. Their Ikeja crib is valued at
3M dollars. Note: Rated third on Forbes’ list. 3. D’Banj: The Koko master who has now gone in deep into entrepreneurship is rated third richest in Africa. He charges over 100 thousand dollars per show and he is said to have a house in Atlanta, Georgia, USA worth more than 1.5M dollars. Note: Forbes rated him fourth in Africa 4. Kofi Olomide: Real names, Antoine Christophe Mumba, born 1956 is 4th. The DR Congplese Soukous star rakes in more than 100 thousand dollars per show. Has 7 albums to his credit. Note: Not on Forbes list. 5. Salif Keita: Malian Afro-pop singer, born 1949 is a direct descendant of Emperor Sundiata Keita, founder of Mali Empire. He is said to have private island and estates in France. Note: Not on
Forbes list 6. Fally Ipupa: From Democratic Republic of Congo, Fally used to be part of Kofi Olomide’s band before branching out on his own. Immensely rich. Note: Not on Forbes list. 7. 2face Idibia: Has 5 albums to his name while working on the 6th. 2Face has won over 40 awards, probably more decorated than any of his contemporaries. He has vast investment in real estate. Earns around 50 t0 80 thousand dollars per show. Note: 6th on Forbes list 8. Hugh Masekela: Born 1939, Hugh is one of the most talented jazz artiste in Africa. The South African singer and trumpeter was once nominated for a Grammy award. Note; Not on Forbes list 9. Banky W: The widely acclaimed king of African
Rn B has made so much money from endorsements. Brand ambassador for Etisalat in Nigeria, Samsung in the West African region, among others. Note: 10th on Forbes list. 10. Jose Chameleone: Joseph Mayanja, popular reggae musician from Uganda is the biggest money-maker in the Eastern Africa. He is said to have a spectacular fleet of customised exotic cars. Note: Not on Forbes list. FORBES TOP TEN RICHEST IN AFRICA 1. AKON 2. DON JAZZY 3. P SQUARE 4. D’BANJ 5. WIZKID 6. 2FACE IDIBIA 7. ANSELMO RALPH 8. SARKODIE 9. ICE PRINCE 10. BANKY W
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By AYO ONIKOYI, 08052201215
I will be doing my o wn original own songs soon —Yemi Sax
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Burna Bo Boyy explains wh whyy he sac ked mum as sack manager
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ance hall crooner Burna Boy (real name Damini Ogulu) on Friday , July 11, 2014 , took to his Twitter account to announce to his fans that his mother will no longer be his manager. According to him:’ ‘It’s been a long road to where I am today and my mother Bose Ogulu has managed me the best she could up till this point and am grateful…at this point in my life and career, it is time to let my mother be my mother and let my manager be my manager, therefore Bose Ogulu is longer my manager. ‘ He later wrote on his Twitter account that he is excited to have his mum back and deleted the previous tweet he posted. ‘So glad to have my mom and best friend back . No more business!!‘,
emi Sax, fondly called the Sax Oracle by his fans, is not a rookie when the business of music is concerned. The multi-instrumentalist whose strength lies in creating remixes of both Nigerian and international hits songs has revealed that he will be recording his original songs in his forthcoming album. “I still have a lot of people who love my saxophone remixes but I will be doing some other of my original songs and also be experimenting on a lot of things. I am also a multi-instrumentalist, so you never can tell, I might pick up a violin in one of my videos. I played the violin for years at the Muson Orchestra, so I just decided to major on the saxophone. Ever since then, people started calling me Yemi Sax. So anything can happen”
Music ttouc ouc hes the deepest ouches par partt of m myy soul — Jessica Bongos-Ikwue
musician father, who usually gathered the family around the living room to play the guitar and sing songs with them, Jessica had an upbringing in the right direction, but not riding on the
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any people would still remember the ‘Cock Crow at Dawn’ crooner, Bongos-Ikwue because of his evergreen songs which rocked the music scene in the late 70s, 80s but not the daughter, Jessica Bongos-Ikwue who is sneaking her way up into prominence in the music industry. Growing up with a
I am drawn more to lo lovve songs —Annette Cookey
The beautiful Annette Cookey got her taste of stardom in 2008, when she emerged as the third runner up at the maiden edition of MTN Project Fame. Six years later she is back with a fresh appeal and reinvented personal brand.The Rivers state born R n B songbird, model and TV host is currently signed on to Yemi Sax’s Entertainment Empire, a record label headed by the Nigerian Sax maestro Yemi Sax. She opens up to Showtime on why she loves singing about love and her new single ‘TicToc’ According to her :’I was inspired to write ‘TicToc’ as a result of my rich R nB influence.I l have been C M Y K
The reason behind m myy success — Olamide
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ave-making indigenous rapper, Olamide of ‘Durosoke’ fame has revealed the big reason behind his success. In a chat with a media organisation recently, Olamide disclosed that he has been in a romantic relationship with a girl for fourteen years. “Yes, I’m in a relationship,” he whispered. “And I have been in it for the past 14 years now. I love her so much because she’s the major reason why I am here. My life right now is like a dream come true, and
I’m so happy that I’m living my dream,” he enthused. But when the Badoo was asked what the name of that girlfriend is, he reportedly slyly answered, “Her name is music,” He further revealed that though his parents were a bit skeptical about him going into music fully as they wanted him to graduate before becoming a commercial artiste, he says the strong urge to take himself and family out of poverty is the reason why he works so hard.
wings of her father’s fame. Jessica is ready to make her own. “Music has been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. Instruments always intrigued me, especially the bass guitar. Music touches the deepest part of my soul. It is to me, the most beautiful artistic expression of feelings that people can relate to on a daily basis” says Jessica, who believes music should communicate more than mere sound to the listeners. “I absolutely love those singers with unique voices. You know, the kind that you can recognise anytime you hear them like Duffy, Lauryn Hill, Cyndi Lauper, Dolly Parton, Bruce Springsteen, Macy Gray, Brandy, Passenger and David Ruffin”. She added.
24 — SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JULY 19, 2014
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I break men’s heart —Lisa Henry Omorodion
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ISA Henry Omorodion is one of Nollywood’s starlets who de buted in the industry last year with her first movie, “First Cut,” directed by Chico Ejiro and which starred the likes of Monalisa Chinda, Joseph Benjamin, and Bobby Obodo. The feisty actress was one of the actresses that graced this year’s editon of the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) which held in Bayelsa, few months ago. In this interview, she tells HVP that her mission in Nollywood is not to make money but importantly, to pursue her dream as an actress. As an up and coming actress, how has the journey been so far? It has been tough, but I’m trying to find my footing in the industry. I just started acting about ten months ago. Already, I have produced one film. For me, it’s a struggle, but I will surely get there. You are only 10-month old in the industry, and already you were at this year’s AMAA. I’m growing faster than anyone can imagine. I have passion for acting, and when you have passion for something, you are driven to do the unexpected. I have passed my boundaries as an up and coming actress. This is because I have done things that I thought I wasn’t capable of doing in the industry. At the moment, I have featured in two movies. I still have a lot of scripts lined up for me. How did you perform the magic? It has to do with my passion. I have always wanted to be an actress. So, I pushed my family into supporting me. I am a director in my father’s es-
tablishment. I have been combining office work with acting. The best thing that can happen to anyone is to be humble. When you are humble, your name will go to places. I’m humble and my humility is paving way for me in the industry. With your affluent family background, what’s your mission in Nollywood? Having come from a wealthy background has helped me in a way. I don’t have to source for fund before embarking on a film project. I am not in the industry because of what I’m going to make out of it. I can decide to star in a movie without demanding for a fee. I will tell the producer, I love to feature in your movie and you don’t have to pay me. I don’t see acting as a profession, rather, I’m seeing it as a hobby. I am a business director in my father’s oil firm, meaning that I am an office worker on week days, while I am an actress on weekends. While growing up, did you ever imagine you would end up as an actress? Yes, I did. Not everyone from my kind of family would think like this. My parents never wanted me to go into acting. But I have always know that one day when I prove my mettle to them, they would allow me to follow my dreams. They have this fear that fame which comes with acting always have negative influence on the movie stars. But when I grew up to become the woman that I am today, they realised the importance of allowing me to follow my dreams. And since I debuted in the industry, they have been supportive. Most actresses sleep their way to the top. Do you have that kind of mindset to hit the top through that
Half of a YELLOW Sun gross N280m THE worldwide release of ,the screen adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s novel, Half of a Yellow Sun has generated about N280,000,000 from cinema release, TV sales rights, online viewing, and in-flight viewing. The movie which generated a lot of public debate after its release was suspended by NFVCB in April will be released across 17 Nigerian cinemas come Friday, August 1. The journey of Half of a yellow Sun to the cinema has not been all rosy, as the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) refused to classify the movie in a move that some people felt was political, while NFVCB insisted that some aspects of the movie could C M Y K
incite religious unrest. After a lot of meetings, intrigues and public outcry which attracted international attention, the Nigerian Censors Board eventually classified the movie and gave the go ahead for a cinema release. The movie which had been released in the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand had so far generated over N280,000,000. The amount according to a source close to the producer, was made from cinema release, sales for In-flight Rights, sales for Television Rights and Online Viewing, totalling One million Pounds.
way? I am totally against that kind of mindset. I don’t believe in exchanging sex for a movie role. I believe in my talent and if you want to engage my talent, then you have to come for it. I am a business woman, I don’t mix business with pleasure. I don’t intend to do so. I have a boy friend and I am happy with him. Is your boyfriend comfortable with your going into Nollywood? Yes, he’s comfortable in as much as I’m not going to go nude on set. I wouldn’t act nude or expose my body while on set. I intend to take up resopnsible roles. My boy friend is also in the entertainment industry. Would you want to settle down with him, because most actresses don’t like to marry people in the same industry with them? If I decide to marry in future, I will marry for love. If you love and cherish me for who I am, and we are compartable, I will marry the person. I will always go for love no matter the circumstances. How do describe yourself? I am a strong African woman. I am beautiful, intelligent and I’m a go-getter. I am determined to make the difference. Are you a heart breaker? Yes, I am. I break men’s heart, but it’s not intentional. It’s either you are lying about something or you are not truthful. Different factors could make me break your heart. And once I ‘ve gone, I never returned. What has your beauty cost you? So far, so good, my beauty hasn’t cost me anything. But it’s a normal thing for a beautiful girl to be harrassed on the way or admired by people. I don’t consider that as a price one has to pay for being beautiful. Who are the actresses you look up to in the industry? I look up to the likes of Omotola, Genevieve Nnaji, Rita Dominic, Monalisa Chinada and many others. They are my icons, I aspire to be like them. They have carried this industry to such greater heights.
Kate Henshaw set to join race for House of Reps?
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HERE’S good news in the air. Nollywood diva, Offiong Kate Henshaw, has been warming up to join her other colleagues who have since delved into politics. HVP gathered that the actress was due to declare her intention to contest the election into the House of Representatives in Cross River State next year, on her birthday which came up yesterday, in Lagos. A source close to her, revealed that her campaign.ng account came alive yesterday night. Interestingly, if Kate actualises her political ambition, then she will be setting a new record as the first Nollywood actress to go into politics in Nigeria.
• Kate Henshaw
SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JULY 19, 2014 — 25
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Uche Ogbodo’s worrisome message NOLLYWOOD actress, Uche Ogbodo who jetted out of the country recently to deliver her baby in the United States left a worrisome message on her facebook page during the week. The actress, citing a famous words of wisdom at George Bush Park,in Houston, Texas, got her fans thinking about the underlying meaning of the message. The words read;“Trust and honesty is the foundation to a relationship. Without it, you have a house of cards that will soon collapse.” Since she posted the message online, fans have been reacting to her thoughts. Could it be that she’s referring to her ‘estranged’ hubby, or that she’s making a general statement of fact. But whatever may be the case, the actress recently walked out of her 10-month old marriage with her ailing husband, Ato Ubby, stating that she was never married to the man in the first place. But Ubby’s father has since refuted Uche’s claims, stating that the actress was lying about the whole issue. He claimed that they paid Uche’s bride price, which in Igboland, means she is
Nollywood stars at last year’s AFRIFF
4: 1 0 2 F F I d AFR n e t x e s r Organisefilm date for ion submiss • Uche Ogbodo
officially married to his son. The message, many believe may have a lot to do with her crashed marriage. Who knows!
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RGANISERS of the prestig ious Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF, which is billed to take place in Calabar, the tourism hub in Nigeria, from November 9 through16, are calling for film entries from African filmmakers, with a closing date now extended to July 24, 2014. The event, which enters its fourth edition this year, will resonate with film workshops, training programmes and thrills at the popular Tinapa Business Resort, Calabar. AFRIFF, according to its Artistic Director, Keith Shiri, “is a platform that seeks to give expression to African cinema, by recognising and rewarding excellence in the industry.” The event, will feature daily film screenings, workshops, master classes, exhibitions, film premieres, glamorous opening and closing ceremonies, and will round off with an award night that will celebrate winning film entries, as well as their cast and crew. Shiri, an advisor for the British Film Institute’s London Film Festival (LFF), noted that eligible films must have been produced after January 1, 2013, while preference will be given to films which are yet to be screened globally or in Africa. According to him, categories for entry will include Feature, Short, Documentary and Animation, with monetary award prizes ranging from $3000 to $6000.
Ini Edo, Elliot return to classroom
Judith Audu is back home
BY IYABO AINA
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OLLYWOOD stars, Ini Edo and Desmond Elliot who recently gained admission into National Open University, Nigeria, to pursue a degree in Law, were among the students that matriculated last Saturday. Immediately after
the ceremony, Nollywood sweetheart ,Ini Edo took to Twitter handle to announce that she’s grateful going back to school as it’s never too late to pursue education.“I feel like I’m 12 years younger...@desmondelliot we are doing this for real..if we can do it, you can do it too. Never too late”, she tweeted.
• Ini Edo
• Judith
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FTER weeks of having a swell time with her hubby, Morten Foght (not Gerald Langiri, as published last week), at København- Copenhagen, fast rising actress and blogger, Judith Audu is back in the country with love. The actress has been in Denmark for some time with her hubby. She returned last weekend. “Yes, I’m back. I had fun while I was in Denmark,” she declares. Audu took to her facebook page last week to confess her undying love for her man. She has since returned to work. Presently, she’s on set shooting a short film produced and directed by Oluseyi Asurf with the title ‘A Day with Death.’(We regret the mix-up)
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Gordons, Plenty Mouth, others for Pastor Chris Ekeh’s birthday bash T OP comedians, including Gor dons, Plenty Mouth, MC Danfo, Eboh da Bomb, MC Above, and Mr. Patrick are among the celebrities that will be storming the Word and Spirit Assembly Church, Waterside, Ijegun Satellite Town, Lagos, tomorrow for the birthday anniversary of the presiding pastor and founder of the church, Pastor Chris Ekeh. Other performers who are expected to thrill the guests at the historic event include,gospel singers, Brother Nnamdi and his Group as well as the host choir, Spirit of Elijah Choir. Dancers such as Scatter and Sons, Da Ages, Versatile Brothers and
Oluchi(single dancers) will also be on hand to spice up the occasion. The event, which kicks off at 2 pm, at the auditorium of the church promises to be exciting and spiritually uplifting. It will also witness the dedication of the newly completed ultramodern church office, which will be commissioned by the General Overseer of the Mountain of Liberation Miracle Ministries, Pastor(Dr) Chris Chris Okafor. Pastor Chris Ekeh is an ambassador of the United Nations.
• Pastor Chris Ekeh
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Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014
or several centuries, Africa was tagged the “ white man’s graveyard,” no thanks to malaria. Today, Africa is still engaged in combat with the Anopheles mosquito. Don’t be fooled by appearances. The adversary may be tiny, fragile and appear seemingly defenseless, but its reputation as harbinger of the deadly malaria parasite, puts it in the class of a giant killer. As a disease bearer, few vectors wield the same clinical precision as the mosquito. Unrelenting and adamant, it is eternally programmed to bite hapless victims at the right time and place — delivering its message of death. The world missed an opportunity in 2010 when it failed to meet the challenge of ensuring universal coverage, achieve a milestone for malaria control, and attain the ultimate goal of the Decade to Roll Back Malaria. Although sustained control efforts have helped to reduce the global burden, malaria remains a complex and resilient enemy. It is worrisome that many malariaendemic countries are not meeting targets for malaria control. But there are milestones. Since 2000, deaths have dropped 51 percent for children under 5 years of age and 45 percent for overall global populations. An estimated five million lives may have been saved over the past four years even as international funding has multiplied 20 times in the last decade and a half. Now, countries are more and more able to test, treat, and report malaria cases. Certainly, interventions have helped reduce cases and deaths. More people at risk have access to Insecticide-Treated Nets, ITNs, and the number of ITNs distributed to national malaria control programmes has improved. True, the race is far from over, but there is hope. Despite all the hue and cry, eight African
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Malaria: Disarming a killer at large •An infant sleeping under Insecticide Treated Net •A mother, her children and their Insecticide Treated Net
countries are solidly on track towards achieving general reduction in malaria incidence and morbidity. Each of these countries is set to record an impressive 75 percent or more reduction rate over the next 17 months. Already, these countries have achieved 75 percent reductions in malaria cases over the last decade and are
Now, countries are more and more able to test, treat, and report malaria cases most likely to eliminate the disease before the rest of the continent in the coming year. If any country deserves to be the yardstick for measuring malaria elimination in Africa, it is Cape Verde. Now in the preelimination stage, the country, over the last decade,
eliminating the disease is also making rapid progress. Two other countries Ethiopia and Zambia - are also on track and expect to achieve impressive reductions by 2015. Nigeria is amongst the most malaria endemic countries. While not yet fully on track for elimination, the witnessed steady decrease in malaria infections and reported only one local infection. In 2012 and up to the first half of 2013, a milestone was recorded when for the first time, there were zero deaths caused by malaria. Not too far behind is Eritrea, which has also witnessed phenomenal decline in the malaria burden. Between 1998 and 2012, malaria infections dropped 89 percent while related and deaths dipped 96 percent. The secret was simple anti-malaria policies built around the principle of – ITNs and Indoor Residual Spraying of DDT and other insecticides. Also in the elimination phase are Algeria, Namibia Botswana, Swaziland, South Africa and Sao Tome & Principe. The common interventions such as mosquito treated nets and use of insecticide sprays are among reasons for their progress. Rwanda which is in the control phase of
nation has not been totally left behind in the elimination drive. Amidst a plethora of interventions, NightWatch, a nightly reminder campaign that inspires healthy behaviour around malaria was recently introduced in the country. Designed to give new vibrancy to the malaria fight, and ensure weapons to prevent and treat the disease are used regularly and effectively, NightWatch is a 30-second message with a signature sound and celebrities - reminding people to sleep under their mosquito nets and take other preventative measures. On June 30 and July 1, 2014, participants attending the 3rd Partners’ Forum of the Partnership for Maternal and Child health, PMNCH, in Johannesburg, South Africa resolved that, in the days remaining before the December 2015 deadline of the Millennium Development Goals, MDGs, and even beyond 2015; they
would “Invest in high-impact health interventions, such as immunisation; skilled attendance at birth and quality care for mothers and newborns; access to contraception; prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HIV, malaria and TB, as set out in the Global Investment Framework for Women’s and Children’s Health and the Commission on Investing in Health.” But perhaps what is most telling is that scientists are resorting to novel and perhaps outlandish approaches to fight malaria. One of the dramatic approaches is making cows smell like humans so as to distract mosquitoes. Humans have a distinct aroma that is unlike any other animal and it is this odour that attracts malaria carrying mosquitoes. A perfume that mimics the typical human odour is sprayed on cows to make them smell like human beings. By developing a human smell and spraying it on cows, ISCA Technologies, the California-based pest control company that makes the perfume, hopes the smell will confuse the mosquitoes and send them to bite cows instead. The beauty is that even when bitten, treated cows will not contract malaria. Generally, combating malaria is getting better organised. And that is a small step that is making a big difference.
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Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014—27
By Sola Ogundipe, 08056180112, solazed@live.com
Typically male
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lump on the testicle Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 20 to 35. Nearly 2,000 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer each year in the UK, and regular self-examination is recommended. If you notice a lump or abnormality in your testicles, first thing to do is see your doctor. Most testicular lumps are not cancer, but it is essential to have any abnormalities checked. This is because treatment for testicular cancer is much more effective if the cancer is diagnosed early.
Symptoms no man should ignore •It is essential to have any abnormaly checked
Moles Check all moles regularly and be aware of any change in colour or shape, or if they start bleeding. Most changes are harmless and are due to a non-cancerous increase of pigment cells in the skin. See your doctor if a mole looks unusual or becomes itchy. It can then be checked and removed if necessary. Could you have a cancerous mole and not know it? Find out now. Feeling depressed If you’re depressed, you may lose interest in things you used to enjoy. If you’ve been having feelings of extreme sadness, see your doctor at once. Depression is a real illness with real effects on your work, social and family life. Treatment usually involves a combination of self help, talking therapies and drugs. Depression is more common in women, but men are far more likely to commit suicide. This may be because men are more reluctant to seek help. Things such as financial and job insecurity, redundancy and debt can all affect mental wellbeing. Trouble urinating Every man has a prostate gland and it’s crucial to his sex life..When the prostate is enlarged, it can press on the tube that carries urine from the bladder. This can make it hard to pass urine, which can be a sign of prostate disease, including cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Nigeria. More men are being diagnosed with it every year. Other symptoms include pain or burning when you pass urine and frequently waking up in the night to pee. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible. Impotence Most men have problems getting or keeping an erection (impotence) at some point. If your erection problems last for several weeks, you need to see a doctor. Generally, lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and exercise, can correct the problem. Some men may need medication, others may
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Check all moles regularly and be aware of any change in colour or shape, or if they start bleeding
not. It may be necessary to assess your general health because impotence, also known as Erectile Dysfunction, can be a sign of more serious conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure. Half of all men over 40 have had trouble getting an erection at least once.
•Generally, lifestyle changes...
28— SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014
K
enny St Brown needs no introduction as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated contemporary gospel artistes. With a career spanning over a decade, she brought glamour and reckoning for gospel music in Nigeria at the time of her emergence on the scene. Today, she is one of the artistes responsible for putting gospel music into the mainstream Nigerian music industry. Interestingly, KSB as she’s popularly called by her fans is stepping out for good. She has declared her intention to go into politics. In this interview with Showtime Celebrity, the 2010 recipient of Soundcity Music Video Awards for Best Gospel video, explains why she wants to vie for a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly come 2015 and many more... By Victor Gotevbe & Simon Peters What’s happening to Kenny St. Brown at the moment? Well, KSB is currently channelling all her energies and passion into nation building. I want to go into politics to help build a nation that we will all be proud of. Not in terms of building infrastructure, nor ensuring that there is regular power supply in the country. But it’s in the area of building our people. We are blessed with human resources and other nations refer to us as the giant of Africa. This is not because of the infrastructure in place in our country, but because of our population and the aboundance of man power. My concern is for the youths. You know I’m youthoriented. Unfotunately, we have a lot of graduates who are unemployed today. We all saw what
happened few months ago, when Nigeria Customs Service were recruiting young graduates into the service. The service wanted to recruit about five thousand applicants, but over fifty thousand applicants showed up for the qualifying examinations. This showed that we are actually educated. So, our problem is not that of education, but the crave for greatness.
I’m still looking at my area of calling which is youth development. I have been involved in youth development programmes in the last 16 years, using our company, Kenny’s Music as a platform You said that you are rechannelling all your energies into re-orientating the minds of young Nigerians which are your target audience. How do you intend to accomplish this goal? I’m still looking at my area of calling which is youth development. I have been involved in youth development programmes in the last 16 years, using our company, Kenny’s Music as a platform. We have helped in pioneering not just a record label, but a company which has been able to discover raw talents as it developed them to become international acts. The likes of Tuface Idibia, Paul Play Dairo to mention but a few are products of Kenny’s Music. We have discovered over fifty artistes and most of these artistes we made them household
names. We urged them to go and convert their brands into something else that can generate wealth for them even after they have stopped doing music. Particularly, I have the ability to discover as well as ascertain how to divert the energies of our youths, especially in the area of entertainment. Since it has added to the GDP of the country. What am I saying, if you have the kind of rescources that have been pumped into sports development over the years, if only 10 percent of such rescources have been pumped into the entertainment industry, things would have been different in this country. Talking about Nigerian football for instance, the various teams we have like the Super Eagles, Under 23, Under 20, Under 17, Under 13 and before you know, we are going to have also Under 5. This indicates a system that encourages discovering of young footballers. The likes of Odegbami, Nduka Ugbade, Jay Jay Okocha and the Kanu Nwankwos were discovered young, before they became international soccer stars. They made mega millions in pounds Sterling, but the British government did not fail to tax them heavily. So, if 10 percent of what have been spending on sports were channelled into entertainment you would be sure
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I can’t stop singing. Singing is my nature, music is my life. Give me a stage now and I will kill the stage,. I will get you up and get you dancing that Nigeria would become the centre of global entertainment. At the moment, we don’t have such funds in the entertainment industry. Yet, we have world class entertainers as we are also adding to the GDP of the nation. Don’t you think, it’s high time we begin to put structures in place. Let’s start from the grassroots by encouraging youth development. It’s obvious now that becoming a graduate does not make one useful. Before now, they used to say that if you don’t have anything you cannot become an artist. But today, the story has changed. One does not need to be a rich man before becoming an artiste. Look at what MTV is doing in Africa today because of the talents that abound in Nigeria. The truth is that there are lots of talented youths out there that don’t have the platform to showcase their talents. Oftentimes, either in the Church, or where I’m shopping, I have had to contend with these young talents who would want to give me their CDs and urged me to listen to their works so that I can help promote them. There are so many of them like that but after listening to them what’s the next thing to do? They cannot afford to pay for air time. In most cases, I have sent so many of them to my brother, Baba Keke. But it got to a point where Keke called me and said, they are too many. How many of them would I send to radio stations or individuals for assistance? But the money we need to develop these talents is in the hands of the government. So, how do you intend to help in teh area of putting the structures in place? I can’t work for government at the moment. So, I have to join a political party to let them know what I can do to help the youths. On which platform are you coming out? I am contesting under the platform of All Progressives Congress, APC. I have been registered with APC, I’m in ward 4, ward D of Onigbongbo Local Government of Lagos. I’m very active in my ward as well as my local government. C M Y K
You are vying for what political office? I want to contest for the membership of Lagos State House of Assembly. What made you think that you can achieve all these goals? Because it’s the legislative arm of government that make bills and laws. And Lagos State is the hub of entertainment; it’s the cosmopolitan city of Nigeria. It took someone that has an insight into what LAWMA could do and he got into the government and said hey, we can do this! Till date, I still marvel at what LAWMA is doing in Lagos. The workers keep the streets of Lagos clean. It’s same way I want to become a law maker starting with Lagos State House of Assembly. It is the youth all over the world that my heart is crying for. Where is your constituency? Onigbongbo Local Government in Ikeja, Lagos State is my constituency. And guess what! This is the hub of prostitution in Lagos State; Allen Avenue Junction, Opebi road and Doyin. Why do you think that you are the right candidate to represent your people? Actually, I have been a youth coach. Few weeks ago, I was at university of Lagos to deliver a lecture on “From Passion to Profession”, which was organised by the Lagos State government. I was assisting the Senior Assistant to the Lagos State governor, Mr. Akim Animashaun. Recently too, we were at the College of Education, Akoka, where I taught the students on how to regenerate opportunities. You said that you have been very active in you ward and local government. How active are you in your ward? About 4-5 years ago, I was the face of education in my local government, the entertainer, as well as the ambassador of change leading the upgrading of public schools to meet up with the standard of that of private schools in my local government. But until recently, the number of prostitutes on Opebi -Allen axis in the last ten months have increased to over 200 percent. This burden became so heavy in my heart. You would see a beautiful young girl looking decent in the day time, while in the night, you would see same girl looking half-naked and you’d wonder what has happened to her over night? Isn’t somebody going to show them love and I just can’t fold my arms any more and watch things go wrong in our society. There’s fire on the mounting, let’s be honest, see what corruption has done to us; see what happens when budget is not meeting project. Are not the same human beings they brain wash and they would turn around and carry gun and chase you? So, it’s high time
we do something. To be able to achieve your dreams, you need funds. How prepared are to play the game of politics? Well, why should I see problems and not see reasons I should be in the House of Assembly. Where there’s a will, there is a way. Because there is a will for me to help in the area of youth development in Lagos State, there will be a way out to achieve this goal. Do you think it’s only by becoming a law maker that this particular project can be achieved? Tell me which other way you can use government money, if democracy is government of the people by the people and for the people, how will the people benefit from the funds belonging to them? Tell me if there’s any other way because if I start an NGO now, you know how people have bastardized NGO’s. You should know that am not hungry. I told someone recently that everything that people have on their lips as prayer points, God has blessed me with. Tell me what is the prayer point now, if I have two cars, is it not only one car that I will drive? If I have a whole house, is it not one bed that I will sleep on? God has blessed me with a son and daughter. I have three degrees and I’m the CEO of my company, KSB International Consulting Company. I’m the vice president of Kennis Music. So, if people want to be famous thank God, I am famous at least for the last 16 years. I have become a household name. So, you can see that I’m a proud beneficiary of these factors in Nigeria. These are some of the benefits that Nigeria has offered me and it’s time for me to help government to transform the country. Why did you choose APC as your party? If you see what APC as a party has done in the states where they are controlling, you would be amazed. If you are familiar with how beautiful Lagos State is at the moment, then take a ride to Ogun State where APC is currently in control, and see the massive change that has taken place there.
May be, you need to travel to Ibadan, Oyo State and behold the massive changes that have taken place in the city of Ibadan. Or better still, you travel to Osun State and behold what Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is doing in that state. APC signature is change; especially in the south-west. They have done so well in propagating change not just in the environment but also, in education, infrastructure, health, efficiency and many others. So, they are the team I want to work with for now. What kind of change would you bring about when you eventually become a law maker in Lagos State? Now, we are talking about funding, revenue and expenditure. You can’t take it away from the fact that Lagos State has about 57 LCDs and the federal government is funding only 27, according to their records. I am not trying to speak for governor Fashola right now, but the truth is that there is so much demand in respect of the amount of money the state is getting from the federation account. I am saying it would get to a point where the federal government would be able to recognise the great work that the Lagos State government is doing with the LCDA that they are not funding. The state government is using the little amount it’s generating internally to fund the other Local Governments. Being a celebrated music star, are you going to dump music for politics? I can’t stop singing. Singing is my nature, music is my life. Give me a stage now and I will kill the stage,. I will get you up and get you dancing. It’s a ministry; I am actually the youth pastor in my church, and every Sunday morning, I’m there. I am a professional person, I can’t say because of this I can’t do that. I’m never an idle person and again, I easily get bored doing one thing. According to Karl Max, “religion is the opium of the people.”
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BY IYABO AINA
08184172548
aina.iyabo@yahoo.com
Rivals Chris Brown, Drake working on a song together
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usic duo, Chris Brown and Drake have triggered speculation by putting aside their bitter feud and are now making sweet music together after a photograph of the two stars surfaced online. The love rivals were pictured working on a new track at a studio in Hollywood in an image posted on Drake fan club Twitter feed. The Canadian-Jewish rapper Drake was seen listening intently while Brown appears to be laying down vocals and gesturing with his hands on the right. The photo has come as a surprise to fans after the pair involved in an on-going feud which culminated in a fight in 2012 when the pair fell out over
mutual love interest with Rhianna. Recall that Brown, who dated Rihanna, was accused of assaulting the Barbados-born singer in his rented Lamborghini after leaving Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party in 2009. NBA baller Tony Parker suffered an eye injury in the mass bottle-throwing brawl that broke out between Brown’s camp and Drake’s crew at a nightclub in New York. The stars were sued by the nightclub for millions of dollars but were not found liable for the damage. Following the incident, record executives banned them from attending the same music events and parties.
•Drake and Chris brown
Reggie Bush weds Kim Kardashian lookalike Lilit Avagyan
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•Reggie Bush and wife
im Kardashians’s ex boyfriend, Reggie Bush is finally married, as the dude tied the knot last weekend with his fiancee and baby’s mama Lilit Avagyan . Brody Jenner and his girlfriend Kaitlynn Carter were among those who attended the NFL pro’s wedding at the upscale Grand Del Mar resort in San Diego, Califonia on Saturday. The 30-year-old Keeping Up with the Kardashians star, jenner shared some Instagram pics from his stepsister ’s exboyfriend’s wedding, writing: “Congrats @reggiebush !!! #bushwedding.” Jenner ’s attendance at Bush’s nuptials may seem like a blow to Kimye as he did not attend their wedding this past May. Recall that after being on and off for several years, Kardashian and Bush finally called it quits for good in March 2010. The
33-year-old reality star married rapper Kanye West, 37, in Florence, Italy this past May. Coincidentally, the couple’s daughter North West
Meet Rihanna’s new boyfriend! L
Tommy Ramone of The Ramones dies
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ommy Ramone who is the last surviving member of the legendary punk band The Ramones, is dead. “We are saddened to announce the passing of Tommy Ramone, the original drummer for the Ramones, earlier today,” the band said in a statement on Facebook. •Tommy Ramone Born Erdelyi Tamas, in Budapest, Hungary, the Originally it was just an artistic type founding drummer of the band coof thing; finally I felt it was something produced their first three albums that was good enough for everybody,” Ramones- 1976, Leave Home- 1977, Tommy Ramone was quoted in an and Road to Ruin- 1978. interview from 1978 in the Facebook According to report, Tommy, 65, post. passed away late on Friday night in Tommy was supposed to be The his home in Queens, New York, Ramones manager, but instead took where he was being held in hospice over on drums when Joey Ramone care, being treated for bile-duct became lead singer. He played in the cancer. “It wasn’t just music in The band from 1974 to 1978, and was Ramones; it was an idea. It was replaced by Marky Ramone. bringing back a whole feeling that He was preceded by his other band was missing in rock music- it was a members Joey (2001), Dee Dee (2002), whole push outwards to say and Johnny (2004) something new and different.
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was born just one month after Bush and Avagyan’s little girl Briseis, in June 2013.
•Rihanna and Cliff Dixon
ooks like Rihanna has moved on with her life after her and Drake parted ways recently. As reports surfacing has it that Rihanna has been hanging out with this new guy , Cliff Dixon and people are beginning to think there’s more to them being recently inseparable. Through Cliff Dixon’s Instagram page where he goes by the name “cldtoon”, he’s been giving loads of hints to their affair and this, maybe, is more than a proof than they’re really dating, as he shares photos of them hanging out together. “She said they gonna hate no matter what, I said the PJ ready, Where you wanna go for lunch?” and another, “#WCW. He wrote.
Selena Gomez had boob Job?
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peculations are arising that Justin bieber’s girlfriend Selena Gomez may have had boob job as she was seen in NYC recently without wearing her bra and her boobs appeared bigger. A close look at her picture disclosed the music artist’s looking bustier than ever. It would be recalled that she and Justin Bieber have broken up again after Selena told Justin to “get lost” over the 4th of July weekend.
•Selena Gomex
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08116759764
Sexual demands drove me out of acting — Ine C
ross River State-born sexy actressturned-singer, Ine Aju, a.k.a Miss Independent has been explaining to whoever cares to listen why she dumped acting for music. In a chat with Matinee, the talented singer said, “I still love acting and there is possibilities that I will hit the movie set again. But for now, I want to concentrate on my music.” Speaking further, she said, “I stopped acting as a result of incessant demand for sex by the producers before you can be given a role in a movie. The practice was becoming unbearable for me, coupled with the fact that singing is much more rewarding than acting. I can still act if I get good roles. I am not saying that sex is not good. In fact, sex to me is the sweetest thing that could ever happen to anyone especially, when you have it with the right person. But definitely, not using it as an exchange for a role.”
Ola Onabule, Abyssinian Jazz Vespers to headline Lagos Jazz series
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usic aficionados are in for a treat in the month of August,courtesy of the Lagos Jazz Series. In their tradition of offering world class entertainment in Nigeria, organizers of the festival have unveiled the artistes performing at an intimate event on the 1st and 2nd of August, 2014. Headliners of the show are prolific British-Nigerian jazz and soul artiste, Ola Onabule, and the eclectic Abyssinian Jazz Vespers all stars. Onabule and his band will perform for the first time in Nigeria after many years of selling out tours across Europe. “We are really proud to welcome Ola home. This will be his first concert in his native land and we consider it an honour to be the platform for this historic event,” Oti Bazunu, founder of Lagos Jazz Series, said. Ola is billed to perform material from his seven albums and his yet to be released eighth album, ‘It’s The Peace That Deafens’. Abyssinian Jazz Vespers is led by MultiGrammy Award-winning drummer, Ulysses Owens Jr. and has as some of its members Alicia Olatuja, who is best known for her performance at President Barrack Obama’s inauguration in 2013, Xavier Davis an accomplished pianist, composer and arranger, and James Davis Jr. a classical, jazz and contemporary music enthusiast. The mid-year event which is taking place at La Scala at the Muson Centre, will be an intimate cocktail that will have in attendance government dignitaries, corporate executives and professionals.
Aguleri royal fathers pledge support for GUS T
he traditional rulers in Aguleri Kingdom in Anambra State, the host community for the 11th edition of the Gulder Ultimate Search have pledged their support for this year’s edition of reality TV show. They have welcomed the gesture extended to their community and have equally pledged their unalloyed support for the reality TV show. During the Gulder Ultimate Search team’s courtesy visits to their palaces, they expressed their readiness and joy to be the host community
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for the show . Eze Aka ji Ofor Igbo expressed joy at the news that Nigerian Breweries had chosen Aguleri as the host community for their famous TV programme. In his words:”It is heart-warming for me that a popular brand like Gulder, manufactured by Nigerian Breweries has chosen to associate with Aguleri, the Ancestral home of the Igbos. We are not only thankful to them, but also welcome this gesture wholeheartedly”.
Praiz turns preacher?
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OPULAR singer and MTN brand ambas sador, Praiz gave the listening audience an entertainment of a life time when he mounted the stage at Muson Center, Lagos, to do what he knows how to do best-singing. It all happened at the 7th graduation ceremony of MTNF- Muson music scholars which held recently in Lagos. The singer who clad in a white long sleeve shirt upon a blue jean and a jacket, delivered two renditions to the amazement of the audience who thought that the former Project Fame contestant would not be able to perform with a pianist. Speaking at the event, Praiz said, “This track, Stay, was one of the songs I wrote in 2008 as the MTN project fame contestant. “I am using this opportuniy to urge all the graduands today to be patient, work-hard and have a strong believe in God as that is the only way to succeed. With all these qualities, I promise you that they sky will be your stating point.”
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Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014
SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JULY 19, 2014—33
s Adaeze Yoboorem- erAge frica celebrity ambassad Fashion week 2014
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Delectable and adorable Adaeze, whose stepfather is the dashing ex Wimbledon F.C. Centre Forward Superstar Footballer, and ‘Gladiators’, Mid1990s British Television Show presenter, John Fashanu, is married to Joseph Yobo, Fenerbahce F.C. Centre Back and Ex Captain of the Nigerian National Football Team. 24 year old Adaeze achieved her childhood dream of becoming the most beautiful girl in Nigeria in 2008, at the age of 18, beating 29 other beautiful Nigerian women to the crown. She also represented Nigeria at Miss World 2008 in South Africa, making the top twenty list in Miss World Talent, and placed second in Miss World Sports. Adaeze Yobo who is also a UN Ambassador for Peace, established her own charity during her reign as Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. Known as the Adaeze Igwe Foundation, the foundation of which is most passionate, sought to create awareness and garner support for Sickle Cell Anaemia, Aids and Breast Cancer patients. The foundation also raises funds towards similar causes such as Malaria and Tuberculosis. Its mission was to “create and increase access and opportunities to Nigerian Youth and Communities for addressing their needs and challenges towards sustainable development. Adaeze whose beauty and fashion sense is subject of many celebrity magazines and blog features, met and married Joseph Yobo in Jos, after a brief courtship, and in 2011, was ranked 92, in a list of 101 Sexiest Soccer Wives and Girlfriends, according to Bleacher Report. Adaze and Joseph Yobo are now parents to their first child, Joey, and live in Istanbul Turkey, where Joseph is furthering his football career. In enlisting Adaeze as Celebrity Ambassador, Africa Fashion Week London, the biggest African inspired fashion event in the UK for three years running since 2011 and parent event to Africa Fashion Week Nigeria, which is also the biggest platform supporting up and coming fashion talents in Nigeria, is furthering its key objective of inspiring the teeming youth talent all over the world, especially in Africa, by presenting celebrity offerings and success stories as benchmarks for positive youthful aspirations. Speaking on the appointment, the founder of Africa Fashion Week London, Ronke Ademiluyi, says: “I am delighted to have Adaeze on our platform. Her beauty, achievements and strategic status makes her a miracle and a rare find. Millions of our youthful followers all over the world will be inspired by her” Adaeze will be joining the ranks of other Celebrity Ambasadors on the AFWL platform such as Ghana Ex Beauty Queen Menaye Donkor, Congo DCR Ex Beauty Queen, Supermodel and UN Ambassador for Peace, Noella Coursaris Musunka, Bassist and lead vocalist of the Noisettes British Band Shinghai Shoniwa, Sky Tv Presenter, Lukwesa Burak and Ugandan Born Editor of the London Based New Africa Woman Magazine, Regina Jane Jere. In her capacity as AFWL ambassador, Adaeze will be working closely with some of the world’s best celebrities of African Origin such as Yinka Shonibare, artist and Member of the British Empire (MBE) and director of the Tiwanis Art Gallery London, and Princess Fifi Ejindu, Nigerian Born, World Class Architect and Real Estate Entrepreneur and Life patron of Africa Fashion Week London. Together they will all gear efforts towards increasing and strengthening the pedestal for launching the careers of young African inspired fashion designers globally.
By ESTHER ONYEGBULA
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he love most women have for jewelries is no secret, but a Fact. Ranging from neck pieces, bracelets, earrings, rings, the list is endless. Finger rings are an important article amongst jewelry items. Be it a diamond ring, a costume ring, an engagement ring, wedding ring, promises ring, you cannot ignore their beauty. Rings are fashion statements most especially amongst fashionistas, no matter what the reason, either for religious or other such beliefs; they enhance the whole look and speak much about an individual personality. Always in vogue, rings can put the finishing touch on any outfit, be it a stylish evening gown, a chic top, pair of denim jeans to any kind of a casual outfit. A classy piece of ring that a woman will ever own is the cocktail ring. The cocktail ring is said to be a girl’s best friend. It is a large dramatic ring often worn at cocktail parties. However, in recent times, cocktail rings can be worn to many different types of event. There is no one set style for a cocktail ring. While the trend in earlier rings was to use precious stones, particularly diamonds, most cocktail rings today are made with faux stones, which is, a large, centered imitation jewel. Often the most conspicuous piece in any ensemble, rings are beautiful for the most important days in your life such as weddings and anniversaries. They appear in variety of colours, pink colour rings are the ultimate in gemstone feminity. Yellow stones are currently very frenzy. For ladies who want to make a bold statement in any attire worn, using earth tone colours, richly tinted chocolate and champagne rings are a perfect option. C M Y K
ost Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (2008), Adaeze Stephanie Yobo, has joined the echelon of world class super celebrities on the Africa Fashion Week Ambassadors
•Adaeze Stephanie
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Vanguard, JUL Y 19, 2014 JULY
he Vanguard Newspa per of July 7 and 9 carried the stories of Tolani Ajayi, a 21-year-old Redeemer ’s University student, who allegedly killed his 60-year-old father, Charles Ajayi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, over an argument. Much of what we heard about the incident was the account of the accused; the father is not alive to tell his side of the story. I sympathise with the Ajayis. They have not only lost a father, their son faces an uncertain future, depending on whether he is charged for manslaughter, murder or let off the hook. But our attention today is not necessarily on the Ajayis. What happened to them mirrors what happens in many families, just that theirs had a tragic ending. Many parents, for genuine reasons, dread the period when their children get into adolescence. Adolescence is the “transitional stage of physical and human development that generally occurs during the period from puberty to legal adulthood” (Wikipedia). In other words, an adolescent is “a young person (fluidly between 12-19 years) who has undergone puberty but has not reached full maturity.” At 21 years, Tolani Ajayi is a plain adolescent (19-24 years) or young adult. Adolescence is a period when children begin to assert their independence, want to belong to a group, and want to take decisions independent of their parents. It is also a time
The turbulence of adolescence(1) when peer pressure is most intense. Unfortunately much of the peer pressure tend to be negative (Tolani Ajayi confirmed he did drugs, primarily influenced by friends). In fact, adolescents tend to pull away from their parents, rely more on peers and become rebellious towards parents. It can be a
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Further eroding parents’ influence is the amount of time parents spend outside the home and care givers who take care of the children while parents are away. Normally, ages 0-10 is the best time parents have to shape the character of their children. Studies have shown that the
I am at war with peer pressure, especially negative peer pressure
very confusing and turbulent stage of development, and needs to be carefully managed. To add to parents’ woes, television, cell phones, iphones, ipads, internet Facebook and other IT devices have yanked further influence and control from parents. The explosion in information technology is a double-edged sword. It can transform the life of a youngster and make him tower above his peers if well utilised. It can also easily ruin a youngster if wrongly applied.
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foundation of what a child will become is laid between ages one and 10 when they are most amenable and intuitive. In fact, a professor of psychology, Linda Spears, says “by age six, a child’s brain has already achieved 95 per cent of its adult structure.” If parents get it wrong at this early stage, it becomes an uphill task putting it right later because as children get into adolescence, the paradigm shifts and they tend to be influenced more by external than internal factors. By adolescence the character foundation of
children should have been laid and the rules made and understood to guide them wherever they find themselves. So if they do anything to the contrary, they will know ab initio that they are breaking the rules. That way their conscience begins to prick them even before they hear from the parents. Parents need to be proactive; you do not wait until situations arise before you make rules or find solutions. By the time children get into their 20s parents should have completed the major and hard work of upbringing. In fact, once they are out of school, start working and earning their own money (or moved to their own abode) you cannot tell them how to live their lives anymore. Your role shrinks to giving advice, which can be taken or jettisoned. Unfortunately, these days many parents are working class and children are moved to day-care as early as six weeks old; thereafter to kindergarten, then to primary school. From there they move to the boarding house at the secondary school level. The implication is that today ’s parents do not have the kind of opportunity parents of old had to participate in the early formation of their children. If early parental influence in those days was 80 per cent, now it is 40 per cent or less. The new trend has come at a great cost: fractured parents/ children bond. Many children and parents have become “familiar strangers.” Parents should bond and create friendship with their children
at the early stages of the children’s development. This friendship should be strengthened as the children get into adolescence, peer pressure notwithstanding. For me, I am at war with peer pressure, especially negative peer pressure. It is a battle I am fighting with the entire arsenal at my disposal, God being my most potent weapon. Adolescence is a time when parents and children “fight.” This is inevitable because the ways of adolescents are different from the parents’, so are their thoughts. So there must be conflict; we only pray for happy, not tragic, endings. I see these conflicts as theses, antitheses and syntheses. The child’s proposed actions are the theses, which are contrary to the parents’ (antitheses). They then squabble for a while and then find a common ground (syntheses). Sometimes it is not as straightforward. Today, many parents carry secret agonies of adolescent children who are thieves, cultists, porn addicts, sex perverts, rapists, sexually active, fraudsters, armed robbers, and some are already into ritual activities. Parenthood can be heart wrenching. But while parents may fret over adolescent children, they need not get heart attack. Many parents were not exactly saints while growing up. We had one baggage or the other. I derailed as an adolescent. The strong Christian and moral foundation my parents built and the grace of God put me in back on track.
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Exercise: Forward Bend with Knee Up
1. Forward Bend with Knee Up
Backward Bend
Technique: Sitting down with both legs extended forward, bend the left knee and clutching the wrist of the left hand with the right hand behind you, lower the forehead as close to the right knee. Stay on the position for 10 seconds and build over to 20 seconds over time. Benefits: The posture tones the abdomen, hamstrings and strengthens the arms, and back muscles. 2. Backward Bend Technique: Get on your hands and knees then extend the left leg backwards while turning the hands in and placing
Aim for moderation and regularity the foot on the floor behind the left hand, keep the left hands straight and spread out the shoulders throwing the head backwards, hold for 15 seconds and change. Benefit: This posture renders the knee supple, strengthens the arms and back muscles. It also helps to tone the abdominal wall. 3. Standing Forward Bend Technique: Stand with the feet together, bend the trunk down and with the fore finger and thump form a ring around the big toes with the corresponding fingers of both hands. Keep the knees straight and flatter the back with the head hold up. Benefits: This posture tones
Yoga Classes STARTED @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos. 9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays
the digestive organs. Add flexibility to the spine and tones the hamstring(muscles of the back of the legs). 4. The Crab Technique: Stand straight with the feet wide apart, bend the knees and passing the arms beneath the knees. Bring the hands out and place them neatly on the feet with the head held up.
Standing Forward Bend
The Crab
juliecoker100@yahoo.com Aunty Julie, I am sexually attracted to a man at work and I’m married. The attraction is so strong and I must confirm the feeling is mutual. It has been difficult holding myself from him but he gave me occasional brushes that set my body on fire. I have had consultations with friends who advised me to save myself from future embarrassment by sticking to my man. I have acted on this, but need advice. Teena, Port-Harcourt
Should I have this ffling? ling?
Dear Teena, I’ll presume that you want my opinion on whether you should continue this workplace dalliance. Alas, sexual attraction in the workplace is readily combustible and often hard to resist or extinguish once the fires start raging. Based on my work over the years as a therapist, let me highlight a few givens: these treats, especially when prolonged, rarely stay, neat, sweet and discrete and secondly, the married partner, despite assurances to the contrary, rarely leaves his or her spouse as guilt eventually becomes a disruptive third party making the rendezvous increasingly conflicted; neither lover is absolutely immune, whether married or single, and the married member is often acting out his or her anger toward the spouse with an affair; usually it’s better to confront the problems in your marriage, decide if you can or cannot make the marriage work and start over, sadder and wiser, in your marriage or on your own . Two examples come to mind. The first, a year long affair between a working-class bank teller and a bank executive. The teller had left her and
his kids because of his emotional neglect. The two separated but did not divorce. The executive continued to live with his wife. This relationship provided the teller a little tenderness which had been lacking much of her life. Eventually, missing the connection with his children, some improved communication with her husband, and having healed some childhood and marital wounds with the affair, the teller and her husband reunited. The affair ended without significant problem. On the other hand, the second is a cautionary cybertale of two married couples. Our protag-
Aunty Julie, I’ve been dating a guy for a year and a half. He says he loves me and has even thought of marriage. Then he tells me he doesn’t want to see me and doesn’t want a commitment and doesn’t have romantic feelings. Then we go back and he introduces me to family and breaks up again. I haven’t returned his calls this time. Is he crazy or what? Lily, Asaba Dear Lily, If not crazy he may be commitment-phobic and will, if you let him, drive you bonkers. The other side of this emotional equation: are you codependent? Let’s start with your guy. Sounds like he doesn’t have a solid enough or good enough sense of himself. For example, does he feel good about work or his career prospects? (Of course, he could also be a Peter Pan type that doesn’t want to grow up...but he seems a bit too neurotic for just that.) This lack of being centered can encourage these volatile shifts — from declarations of love to fearful withdrawal. Also, the presence of such instability invariably sets off my mood-disorder radar system. Might he have some underlying depression? Any family history of the same? (Speaking of family, is he still trying to please them by marrying you?) Anyway, if he is depressed and is not getting proper therapy, he will continue this up and down, back and forth cycle. You are wise not to return his calls. However, if you do feel unfinished psychologically, perhaps write him a letter. Express your hurt and anger at being dragged along this emotional roller coaster ride. And strongly suggest he get some counseling; not for you, for him. If he has gotten help then, after a few months, and if you are so inclined, you might write (or email) again. The question for you: why did it take so long to get fed up with this emotionally exhausting and hurtful behavior pattern. How do you perceive yourself? Sometimes when we don’t feel very worthy or when we carry around feelings of shame (or our own underlying depression or anxiety disorder) we wind up staying in a dysfunctional relationship.
My girlfriend puts me down
Dear Julie, I want to leave my husband who is hopefully a recovering alcoholic. He has gone through treatment three times. He has been sober almost 30 days. My main concern is he has done a lot of damage to our marriage. Now that he is sober, I have asked him for some very basic needs, like a hug a day, taking me to out. He like to play golf and be into himself. Am I just wasting my time? I know when I ask for so little and get absolutely nothing I get angry. Should I just give up? Timileyin, Abeokuta
Dear Aunty Julie, Please Aunty Julie, I need advice. I am in a relationship with a woman. We are of different ethnic groups. We lived in Uk together before returning to Nigeria. Sometimes, I find her abrupt, but the real problem is that she is often raising her eyebrows and asking questions, why do you do this?’ or ‘why do you do that?’ Then she gives me an expression that looks like - “how stupid can you get?” If I say ‘
Dear Timileyin, I certainly understand your feeling of having been burned several times. Can you trust his recovery process? In fact, as you likely know, you (and
A wife was sitting peacefully in her cozy armchair sewing her husband’s socks. Her husband came in to the room and glanced at what she was doing, and started badgering, “HONEY be more careful! Please watch what you are doing! you don’t wan’t to poke your finger! how many times do i have to tell you! don’t look up when your ’e sewing! There you go now slow and steady, nice even stitches. The wife puts down the needle and thread, looks up at her husband, and says, “What the hell is wrong with you? Do you know how many times I’ve sewn socks before?! “Exactly the point I was trying to get at”, hollered the husband, “do you know how many times I’ve driven a car before!? John walks into his 5th floor apartment after a long day of work, he exhaustively sinks into his favorite arm chair, puts up his footrest, turns on the TV, and turns to his wife Hannah, “Honey, please get me a hard drink, I think it’s about to start.” Hannah rolls her eyes, heads to the kitchen, takes out a beer from the fridge, and brings C M Y K
onists are a man and a woman, both in their 40s, both unhappy in their respective marriages. They meet on the Internet and soon progress to real life trysts during the man’s business travels. The woman’s husband eventually senses a problem. He acknowledges that his insensitive and selfish ways have catalyzed his wife’s wandering. When he starts showing her more attentiveness and caring, the wife feels obligated to try to work things out with her husband. She fairly abruptly breaks off the extramarital liaison. How did I know? Because the father of the man calls in a most anxious state. His son is near suicidal; the father pleads for me to intervene.
Is he a yo-yo guy?
My husband is an alcoholic
Back-seat driver
It started...
Based on my work over the years as a therapist, let me highlight a few givens: these treats, especially when prolonged, rarely stay, neat, sweet and discrete
Y 19, 2014—35 SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUL JULY
he) can only take it one day at a time. His sobriety is very new; caution needs to be high. Perhaps before he can be a more loving and giving partner he has to acclimate to his non-drinking status, to have further mind-body adaptation to his changing biochemical and psychological makeup. He also needs to confront his shame and make amends for the damage he’s done. At the same time you need the opportunity to express your hurt and anger both with him and, perhaps, with yourself, if you enabled his problem drinking in any way. All this is best handled with a counselor trained in substance abuse. It is very difficult watching a loved one suffer through alcohol addiction, but you do have to take them for treatment .
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stop’ she will either go over the top in making it up to me or get angry for a while. Unfortunately when all this happens, I feel very sick to my stomach and wonder what it is all about. I think it’s her own way she loves me. When she is treating me good I feel good, but there are just such extremes. Jeff , Lagos
Dear Jeff, First, let me say that her ethnic style is radically different from your own in that she tends to be more overt and upfront in the way she communicates. But on the other hand, no one has a right to ridicule or demean you and it seems that she is a poor listener who can’t handle feedback. Second, let me say that I don’t think this has much to do with you but rather, the way she has been raised. Adults who act this way have often been verbally abused as children and made to feel very badly about themselves when they did not please the adults in their environment. On the other hand, this does not give her the right to treat you this way and it is actually a form of control that is literally making you “sick to your stomach.” That night after two hours of restlessly turning in her bed, enough was enough. “What in the world are you doing!” Hollered Adam jumping out of bed. “You know darn well what I’m doing” screamed Eve right back, “now you better lay still right now, and let me finish counting those ribs!
it to John. “Honey”, said John, two minutes later, “please get me another one quickly before it starts.” “What the hell is wrong with you, you lazy good for nothing!” Hannah exclaimed, “do you think I’m your personal waiter!? You plop yourself down on your easy chair and expect me to be on your beck Feeling pregnant and call!? Is that all I’m good for!? John sighs, and “Ok everyone,” said the the instructor at the birthing mutters under his breath, “It started….” class trying to get everyone’s attention. “We are going to do an exercise now, that’s purpose is to help the men sympathize with their partners.” “We have Adam and Eve Existence was so tranquil and peaceful for the here what’s called a pregnancy suit,” said the woman young couple Adam and Eve, like straight out of a instructor, holding up an artificial stomach with a story book, until one unfortunate day when Adam strap. “This imitates the feeling of being pregnant.” showed up one hour late for supper. By the time Which Husband volunteers to be the first one to try it Adam finally came home Eve was a nervous wreck, on?” “I will” said one man, taking the suit and trying and her imagination was working overtime. “Hon- it on. “This isn’t too bad said the man walking around. ey, what happened? Why are you home so late?” I think I could get used to this.” “Ok”, said the inQuestioned Eve. “Oh I’m sorry! Adam responded structor smiling, “now I would like you to bend down with a wave of his hand, “I just lost track of the and pick up my pen from the floor.” “You want me to time.” Now Eve didn’t have a Mother or girlfriend pick it up?” he said hesitantly, “just as I would if I around to calm her fears, after all it was just her was pregnant?” “Yes!” said the instructor. “Honey,” and her Husband and despite Adam’s convincing said the man turning to his spouse “do you mind pickact her overactive imagination could not be calmed. ing up that pen for me?”
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Vanguard, JUL Y 19 JULY 19,, 2014
It’s dehumanising to be jobless
For nine years after he left the university, Felix was a top salesman. He moved from one managerial post to the other. He was contemplating another giant leap into a bigger company when he got his legs caught in the net. His company, which knew about his new move was hostile but he didn’t care. Getting the letter of his new appointment was just a matter of time. “When the letter finally arrived,” Felix said, “it was a huge shock. Instead of the offer of a job and all the fine salary and fringe benefits that went with it, I was crisply ask to please ‘bear with us’ as the company was being affected by the current financial crunch. As soon as thing got back to normal, the letter said, I would be considered. The news of my ‘failure’ leaked of course. My company was a manufacturing one and since there weren’t that many goods to sell, the sales department was the first to be re-shuffled. Guess what disloyal manager got the first shove out of the door! I can’t still believe it. Even now I wake up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night. There are no jobs, you can’t really pretend you are doing any private business because those are really thin on the ground and I take out my frustration on my family...” What Kuburat said she couldn’t really forgive was C M Y K
some women will get drunk just sipping out of the fountain of success!” Segun wondered the same thing when he said bitterly that: “It is very difficult, almost impossible to maintain a balance of power in your matrimonial home when the woman has the success, the power and the money!”
the fact that her close friend (they worked with the same company) who ended up giving her the ‘golden handshake’ never told her of ‘management decisions’ until the day she (her friend) called her into the office. Explained Kuburat: “Even though we were classmates, she went to the university while I went to work after we finished our secondary school. After her masters degree, she eventually became the Personnel Manager. She used me all the way. I always sneaked in news of union meetings and what grouse junior workers had against the company to her. We were close for a while until she started getting hoity-toity and unapproachable, then I
kept my distance. “In my company, if you are officially queried thrice, you get the boot. When I got my third query, I rushed to my friend whose colleague had issued the query and she said she would talk to her colleague. I needn’t worry about getting the sack. “The next day she sent for me, I walked in with the usual smile but she waved me into one of the uncomfortable stateyour-business-and leave chairs opposite her. Looking anywhere but my face, she gave me the sack letter. She didn’t even hide under the pretext that she did all she could to save me but failed. I don’t know why
Segun now 48; was for almost a decade, a foreign manufacturer ’s representative in the country. Another fancy way of saying that he relied solely on the sales of imported goods. And for years, sales were good. He had an impressive office at Ikoyi, a fancy secretary and people who’ cleared and forwarded’ for him. Then the bottom virtually dropped from his business world. His expatriate partners first retrenched workers and changed premises to a cheaper one. In the end, financial ends couldn’t meet as import licenses were permanently on ice. The partners looked for greener pastures and Segun went home to his Deputy Managing Director ’s wife to lick his wounds. Going into details of the humiliation he was going through, is another story. Suffice it to say that he is still trying to get back on his feet but with two kids in fancy schools in England and a wife who makes it plain she finds the present state her husband is in disgusting, life is full of bitterness. Paul brought a touch of
It is very difficult, almost impossible to maintain a balance of power in your matrimonial home when the woman has the success, the power and the money!
,
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uite an increasing number of Nigerians have experienced it at one time or the “ other. It is like the magician’s now-you-see-itnow-you-don’t’ Abrakadabra: One minute you have a job, the next, the executioner ’s axe has fallen and you reel from the impact. Here, some ‘Victims’ share their experiences: I met Felix, a 38 year old top salesman in one of the leading manufacturing companies literally Slumming it at a nearby ‘bukateria’. After the usual pleasantries, I sneaked a glance at his plate. He caught me at it and gave a resigned laugh: “it is amazing how, if you were hungry enough, you’d find sheep’s eyes and goat’s entrails deliciously palatable!” he joked.
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humour to the ‘sacking’ syndrome. He knew he was being sacked the next day because he had had series of cloak and dagger fights with the Managing Director ’s girlfriend. Someone saw his sack letter and leaked it to him and since he’d made some irrational decisions that has caused his company some embarrassment, all in an effort to make the Managing Director look like a fool, he (the MD) had the perfect ground for sacking him. Before he went away for good, he made his own plans to avenge. It was a plan that showed little respect for the office it was about to abuse. “But then,” retorted Paul, “it was an office that lately had deserved no respect as it had freely showered abuse and insult on me! Made me feel small. All because of a match-stick of a golddigger!
: Ho w yyou ou can reap the benef its of yyour our husband’s af fair! How benefits affair!
R
ONKE IS nobody’s wife. She has never been married and doesn’t want to get married. She always insists that she is not a wife material. She has her hands in several businesses including ordering items on her label abroad to be sold here in the country. She lives next door to a young couple and her two kids eventually brought the two families together. “Actually, her kids are a little bit older than mine;’ explained Jemilat who is Ronke’s neighbour. “But they are cute and well behaved. Ronke is a caring mother and her children never want for anything. Naturally, my kids
like the company of Ronke’s children because they have a lot of fun in their house. My husband and I aren’t so lucky, wealth-wise. “Anyway, as soon as 1 saw some of the things Ronke had to sell, I approached her that I would be interested in taking a few items to my office to see if I could get buyers and make some pin money. She said she did mostly wholesale but agreed to give me bits and pieces. You will be amazed at the type of money people have to buy silly things. Expensive plates, coolers, and mugs were
snapped up cash down when I took them to the office. . “I was making good money, more than my salary and happy with it. Last year my first child was ten and we had a party for her - we could now afford to Ronke was her generous self and gave her a big expensive cake. 1 was really happy during the party. I went to the kitchen to get a few things and Taju my husband and Ronke were conversing in the corridor. Taju playfully tweaked her nipple through her dress and she laughed mischievously. 1 was shocked. “I left the kitchen without taking the things 1 went in there to take. I was still in
shock. They never even noticed me and my first reaction was to challenge her but an inner voice called me to order when I saw the wonder in my daughter ’s eyes as she looked at her cake. Then, 1 quickly reminded myself of all the good things we have enjoyed from Ronke. So what if my husband was screwing her? It was little price to pay for all the good things she has done for us. She”s a successful. woman and nearing fifty. My husband is not even forty yet., Marriage for both of them is just out of the question. He is so randy anyway that he needs another woman to satisfy him.
SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA
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Vanguard, JUL Y 19, 2014—37 JULY
Christ The Redeemer’s College graduates students
t was a joyful day for the students and staff of the Christ the Redeemer ’s College Christhill, Konigbagbe-Sagamu, Ogun State, when the school rolled out drums and red carpet to mark its 13th valecdictory service and graduation ceremony at the school ground. Both parents and their wards had a memorable time. Photos by Lamidi Bamidele
Group Photographs of guests and graduands at the 13th Valedictory Service and Graduation ceremony.
L-R: Mr David Edwards Ayo-Odugbesan, graduand; Mrs Funmi Ayo Odugbesan, mother and Junior Edwards Ayo-Odugbesan, brother.
L-R: Chief Kola Ogunkoya; Mrs Alaba Pinheiro; Mr David Edwards AyoOdugbesan, graduand and Mrs Jumoke Sonaiya
Miss Elohozino Blessyn Okpowo graduanD (Middle) flanked by her parents, Mr Blessyn Okpowo and Mrs Florence Okpowo.
Emmanuel Evue gives son superlative wedding
D The couple; Mr and Mrs Frank Evue.
elta State big boy, Chairman, Emalesson Group of Companies and immediate past president of the Elite Urhobo Social Club Lagos, Mr. Emmanuel Evue, staged a talk of the town grand wedding for his son, Frank, who wedded
sweetheart, Oyindamola, daughter of Mr and Mrs Erinle Olufemi Taiwo from Itele Ijebu, Ogun State. The marriage brought together all members of the Urhobo Social Club and Evue’s friends across the country. The occasion took place at the classy hall of the Federal Collage of Education, Akoka, Lagos. It was a carnival-like occasion, so much to eat and drink. It was fun all the way.
Cross women lecture, Lawson L-R: Groom's father, Mr Emmanuel Evue and Chief Gabby Okorare
section of at the Iftar Iyalode Alaba (L)
L-R: Pastor Antoinette Omo-Osagie, Principal, Christ The Redeemer's College, Christhill and Pastor (Mrs) Funmi Ayo-Odugbesan
Ogun State Ramadan prayer
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uslims in Abeokuta, Ogun State rcently gathered for a special prayer to mark the month of Ramadan which is in its third week. Many notable personalities graced the occasion. Photos by Wumi Akinola
Cross section of the imams
38—SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014
08 116759 759 081 6759759
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Mother-of-two has Britain’s biggest fake breasts
other-of-two has Britain’s biggest fake breasts measuring 30KK - containing over Five Pints of silicone. A petite army wife has become the proud owner of Britain’s biggest fake breasts—which measure 30KK and contain five pints of silicone. Debbie Delamar, 34 from Brecon, Pwoys, is just 5ft tall and has had three enlargement proceedures since the age of 28, taking her from her natural 30DD to 30FF and 30HH. Many surgeons refused the third operation, but in May Debbie successfully found a doctor willing to carry it out for £8,000 at the private Highgate Hospital in London. She had the huge silicone implants - each containing 1,500cc or 2.6 pints - specially made by a French company. The mother-of-two’s chest is now so big that she was unable to bring her hands together to clap at first. And while Debbie loves having Britain’s biggest fake breasts, she admits they get in the way of work: at her job in a car-parts plant she has to sit further back from the assembly line than other women. Debbie said: ‘People stare at me
wherever I go but I enjoy it. I love the fake look and want to be as big as possible. ‘I know I’m not a conventional army wife or mother, but I’m not hurting anyone. Size 8 Debbie, from Brecon, Powys, had her first breast augmentation in 2008 in Cyprus, where her sergeant husband Rob, 35, was posted with the Duke of Lancaster Regiment. The £3,800 operation took her from a 30DD to a 30FF but less than a year later she forked out another £3,200 to take her to HH.
Waitresses carry guns at W/Colorado restaurant North Carolina to demonstrate their
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Chinese family have staged a mass suicide attempt by drinking pesticide outside newspaper offices in Beijing. The group of five women and two men from the eastern province of Jiangsu were seen foaming at the mouth outside the headquarters of the China Youth Daily newspaper. They tried to kill themselves in a protest against local officials who threw them off their land and bulldozed their homes.
UPDATED
Chinese family foams after drinking pesticide in mass suicide attempt over housing dispute A witness who saw the horrifying demonstration described how the group pulled out plastic bottles, drank the contents and then fell to the ground clutching their throats in agony. According to police, the group said that they were not prepared to carry on living without recognition for the wrong done to them, and that without death there was only
dishonour. Bo Tuan works at the newspaper and was on his way into work when he saw the protest. He said: ‘I heard them shouting for justice and didn’t really pay much attention but then they pulled out plastic bottles and gulped the contents before clutching their throats and collapsing to the floor. It was shocking to see,
‘I get double the love’
they were frothing at the mouth and choking and then all of them just lay there still.’ Ambulances arrived quickly at the scene and took the victims to hospital for treatment. Beijing officials are reportedly looking into the complaint of the seven, and discussing it with local officials to find out exactly what happened with the alleged illegal land acquisition.
any stores and restaurants are telling people not to bring their guns inside, but one western Colorado restaurant not only embraces the practice of packing heat, it encourages its customers to carry guns openly — and its waitresses do too. As she takes your order at Shooters Grill in the town of Rifle — yes, Rifle — waitress Ashlee Saenz carries a pad, pen and a loaded Ruger .357 Blackhawk revolver holstered on her leg, Old West style. It’s loaded, and she knows how to use it. Colorado is among the states where openly carrying a gun in public is legal. The issue has made headlines after gun rights activists carrying loaded rifles gathered in Target stores in Texas, Alabama and
Mechanic, 31, who is dating both identical twins who spent $240,000 to look more alike breaks his silence. Meet Ben Byrne — the man sharing the bed of Perth identical twins Anna and Lucy DeCinque who spent more than $240,000 on surgeries to look more alike. The 31-year-old won the hearts of both girls after they added him on Facebook on the suggestion of mutual friends. At first, the electrical mechanic had trouble balancing the demands of two girlfriends, but very early on into their 18-month relationship he learned the attention he paid to one, had to be paid to the other.
support of “open carry ” laws. On Wednesday, Target Corp. asked its customers “respectfully” to not bring firearms into stores, even where allowed by law. But in Rifle, Saenz, her co-workers and her customers at Shooters Grill are encouraged to bring their holstered guns in the restaurant. The Glenwood Springs Post Independent reports (http://bit.ly/ 1nOVk8R ). State law allows local governments and businesses to prohibit guns in their buildings, but a sign on Shooters’ front door reads: “Guns are welcome on premises. Please keep all weapons holstered unless need arises. In such case, judicious marksmanship is appreciated.”
This is the first time the health nut has spoken out about his unorthodox relationship with the 28-year-olds since he came to the attention of global media when Anna and Lucy’s story came to light earlier this year. But after living with the twins and their mother, Jeanna, for 10 months, he now feels more comfortable to share. Lucy said the question they got the most was: ‘How does one guy keep up with two girls in the bedroom?’ ‘Put it this way, we’re very active girls and he needs twice the energy,’ she said. But Mr
Byrne is probably more open than most men to having identical twins as girlfriends. Dubbed as ‘The Chosen One’ by the DeCinque girls, Mr Byrne himself is a twin. The girls made world headlines when their story was revealed to media outlets. They have spent $240,800 on cosmetic procedures to look more alike — including lip fillers, breast implants, and fake eyebrows and eyelashes. But it’s not just a boyfriend and looks, the pair have in common. Anna and Lucy also share a job, a car and a Facebook account— on which they first met their boyfriend.
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Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014—39
YETUNDE AREBI
Re: My wife is cheating on me with a vibrator! Hi, A couple of weeks ago, I published the story of a young banker whom I am currently counselling about his problem with his wife’s sexuality. I asked for your contribution and the response was overwhelming, ranging from the very funny to the ridiculous and even bizarre. There were many truthful, punchy, straight to the point answers that I really loved. However, one thing I have been able to take away from this exercise is our readiness never to work at anything but throw it all at the One upstairs. Even the most practical and obvious situations for which God Almighty has already provided solutions for and are at the tips of our fingers are still dumped at Him. The number of letters suggesting spiritualism, evil spirits, demonic possessions, witchcraft, deliverance and stuff is quite worrisome. Even the Bible tells us that “Faith without work is dead”. James ch2: 14-26. While the place of God is incontestable in all that we do, it is also a fact that God expects us to make practical efforts to help ourselves too. This couple need prayers, but there are also practical steps they need to take to surmount their problems. But let’s stop here as religion is a very delicate issue in Nigeria and it is not really my thing. It will definitely take a while for our guy to perfect his act, but the good thing is that I have met the madam at the centre of the story and we are going to work at it together. I promise to give you an update of our discussion in a few weeks time. I have selected the letters you will be reading below from the group I tagged as “educative and supportive” and have been forwarded to “worried guy”. On behalf of myself and worried guy, I thank the contributors for writing in. Please note that I still have dozens of your letters in my mailbox and I will make good my promise of publishing as many as possible. Just keep glued to this page. Cheers! Dear Yetunde, I read your article in connection to the guy whose marriage was on the rock because of his wife’s obsession with sex toys. (A vibrator, actually). They both have a problem from the start. They lack communication. Any good couple that will have a healthy marriage must have talked about everything from the past leading to their meeting even if it’s the dirtiest. Nothing connects couple more than knowing their’ weaknesses and obsession, frustrations and areas of strength. They accept each other and then work out a way to help each other become better.
No lady will want to use a sex toy if the husband satisfies her sexual needs. In this case, I bet the guy and the lady never talked about sex or adult education while they were dating. Also, they don’t trust each other enough to talk about it even after they got married. It appears the guy as he said, only relieves himself and is not bothered if the lady is relieved. The truth is that it takes a longer time for ladies to get satisfied. For the sake of this, I will only talk about sex because that’s the bone of contention in your article. Sex is God ordained primarily for procreation and secondly for consummation. If both purposes are not met or are half-met, there are many things that can result from it. Bad of it all is disconnection and depression. The lady has a past in sexual activities, I bet the guy does not know much. It is even possible the guy married as a virgin. They both didn’t talk about it and the guy must have underestimated the need for reading adult books because he would have known that a lady
pleasures more from a long-lasting sex and from various sex positions. If the guy orgasms too quickly, the lady might pretend to enjoy it but the truth is, she doesn’t. Both of them should consult professional medical experts to get the husband treated and to enable him have longer hold during sex. He should get knowledge about various sex positions to try out on his wife and do more of the positions the wife desires. He should create more time for the wife, they should both go out on dates occasionally to assist their reconnection and talk nasty to each other about what each other should expect in every sex sessions before it begins. He cannot go a 10 minutes round and expect the wife to get satisfied. At least, he should make it go for 20minutes each times. Let the wife guide him and tell him what position satisfies her. The problem didn’t start in a day, so they should gradually rebuild that part of their life. No lady will want to use a sex toy if the husband satisfies her sexual needs. Then, let them pray about their marriage because this distrust may break it if not properly managed. He should not misguide himself into thinking his wife is evil. Sex isn’t evil, not even when you use masturbation or toys. It is spiritually and medically important for your growth if you want to live long. That is my own little contribution. I pray it helps. LOUIS ZION
Dear Yetunde, This man does not have the strength required by this woman to get sexual satisfaction. The woman is trying to save the marriage from that angle. If the man wants to put a woman in an air conditioned apartment and does not have the time to provide what the condition requires, then the air condition will teach her what to do! (whatever that means!) SOLUTION: 1. Let him go for manhood enlargement treatment. 2. He should buy another vibrator for the wife. 3.He should be taking manpower root (aphrodisiacs) . 4.If he wants to make love with his wife, it should be in the morning. So, he should get a driver( to give him time to relax before he gets to the office?) 5. If they do it in the night, he must do it until she cries. (?) 5b. He must ensure she cries beyond control, that way, she will forget about the vibrator. 6. He must tell her that she must never keep secrets from him again which is why he must buy her his own vibrator. Finally, he must pray and not
stop praying. She will conceive with twins. Dauda.
Dear Yetty, I read your story of the banker and his teacher wife indulging her sexual needs with a vibrator. First, I think the guy is extremely lucky to have a good woman in his life. With his hectic schedule and the associated stress, the man may not be able to meet up with his wife’s sexual needs as he comes back late and tired and may not operate optimally. He even acknowledged that his weekend is not spared either as he is furthering his academics. In all, the woman did not fault him, neither did she start having an affair with other men or even ladies as a lot of people unfortunately do nowadays. His wife is there for him. Only a vibrator in the 21st century! As a young man in the early 90’s in America while going to college and working at the same time to make ends meet, I knew I could not meet up with my lady sexually or else I would burn out. I had to buy her a vibrator to calm her down until our next meet sexually. So young man, thank your stars and do not be unnecessarily selfish with your wife. Let her know that you love and appreciate the choices she made to keep her home. Please treat her as the queen that she is. Most experienced and practical men will envy you. Cheers! Chudi, Lagos. Dear Yetunde, Here is my comment on the topic above.”I have carried out a research on this. Over 80% of married women masturbate because their husbands don’t know how to make them reach orgasm. Some sex illiterate men just climb on a woman for one minute, dirty her up and come down without minding her emotional makeup. Women are slow comers. It is very difficult to make a woman reach orgasm these days without something extra. Men should learn the art of fore play well. And when a man penetrates, he must know that sex is not a bang, bang thing. The woman is like a house with many rooms. For a woman to enjoy sex, a man MUST know how to enter and stroke the different rooms at different sex sessions. “Revd Favour Please, remember you may reach me via email address: yetty5050@yahoo.co.uk
40—SATURDAY
Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014
SATURDAY
Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014 — 41
Abuja
no longer the same! BY BEN AGANDE, Abuja
T
he Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Command, Joseph Mbu gave a bizarre order last week: henceforth, any resident of Abuja who wishes to refill his gas cylinder would have to obtain a permit from the police as movement of gas cylinders from one place to another in the Federal Capital Territory has been banned! For a country where gas is not piped into individual houses, Mbu’s order is as bizarre as it is absurd as the logistics of the more than five hundred thousand Abuja residents that use gas cylinders queuing up to obtain police permit to refill their gas are simply unimaginable. But commissioner Mbu’s order represents the general frustration of most residents of the Federal Capital Territory as they brace up to the bomb attacks by the terrorist group, Boko Haram. Although Abuja was attacked several times by the Boko Haram group in the past as seen in the United Nations Building bombing and the police Headquarters, there was a period of peace as security agencies increased their surveillance on the city and life was almost returning to normal in the Territory.
This relative normalcy was violently punctuated when the Boko Haram sect bombed a bus terminus in Nyanya twice and killed more than one hundred people while over two hundred others were injured. With last week’s bombing of the Emab plaza
check the inflow of both vehicular and human movement into the offices. There is a more intense screening of visitors; cars are subjected to more thorough checks while their underbellies are scanned as security measures. In fact, to underscore the seriousness
Henceforth, any resident of Abuja who wishes to refill his gas cylinder would have to obtain a permit from the police as movement of gas cylinders from one place to another in the Federal Capital Territory has been banned! where another 21 people lost their lives, the constant bombing has changed normal life as well as business in the FCT. The most fundamental impact of constant bombing by the Boko Haram Sect especially in the FCT is the sense of permanent vulnerability that haunts residents of the capital city. Before the Boko Haram began to make inroads into the FCT, it was unthinkable the serenity of the city and it’s almost water tight security would be so easily compromised. The consequence of this sense of permanent vulnerability, especially in government offices is that stricter security measures are put in place to
of the heightening fear of Boko Haram in the Capital Territory, the streets in front of and besides the headquarters of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Airforce are all closed to vehicular traffic. And for residents of Nyanya and other satellite towns around the northern axis of the FCT, the bombing in Nyanya that claimed hundreds of lives has further compounded the already bad traffic gridlocks usually experienced during rush hour. In the aftermath of the Nyanya bomb blast, the military authorities set up a check point on the bust Nyanya-Keffi road to screen vehicles coming into Abuja. The consequence of that road
block is that a traffic snarl is created stretching up to five kilometres which residents of these satellite towns have to contend with every morning and evening. A journey that
ordinary takes fifteen minutes sometimes stretches to over three hours. Apart from the traffic jam created as a result of the military check points, the worst hit people as a result of the Boko Haram activities in the Federal Capital Territory are the open garden operators. During the administration of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, gardens were created to serve as relaxation spots where people go to after work. In view of the fact that there were few places people could go to relax after work, these gardens became a natural attraction for many people. Apart from providing a spot for relaxations, the gardens serve as veritable sources of employment for the teeming population of youths in the capital city. The heightened activities of the Boko Haram means that less people are willing to risk their lives to patronise these leisure places. The bombing of the Emab plaza in Abuja recently has further put a strain on the big shopping malls that have remained popular for shoppers . Before the bombing of the Emab plaza, there were rumours that some of the big shopping centres in Abuja
were targets of the terrorists. With the Emab plaza inci-
dence, the movesments of Abuja residents have been restricted. The fear in Abuja has the potential to scare investors away as no investor would be willing to invest in volatile places. One other effect that is not very pronounced but which has affected how Abuja residents live is the tendency to suspect certain people to be Boko Haram suspects either because of their dressing or their religion. Although Boko Haram has targeted both Christians and Muslims in its murderous actions, the fact that they claim to be Muslims has tended to make some people not too comfortable with certain dresses. For instance, it is more likely that a car driven by somebody who dresses like a Muslim would be stopped by security agents and searched than somebody who is dressed in western clothes. Although this practice is still not widespread, it is gradually gaining momentum. The polarity insurgency is creating amongst people has affected the way residents of Abuja live their lives. The earlier government stepped in to check the activities of these insurgents, the better for the sanity of this most beautiful city of Nigeria. Abuja is becoming increasingly divisive. Sad. Time is running out. All hands must be on deck to stop the insurgency and return normal life to this pride of all Nigerian cities.
42 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014
I may never kill a fowl if given another chance to live
The suspect
O
ne story that recently shocked residents of Lagos, the city of excellence, and Nigerians, was the chilling account of how a 65-year-old juju man buried a retired Customs officer and her 10year-old adopted daughter alive in his compound at Alagbado area. Crime Guard gathered that iif not for the tenacity of purpose of Lagos State Police boss, Umaru Manko, the suspect would have gotten away with the heinous crime. The suspect allegedly did every thing possible, including offering mouth-watering amounts of money for him to be released at the Oko-Oba Police station where the case was initially reported. All the while, he was said to be claiming ignorant of the whereabouts of the woman and her daughter. Then, immediately the case was transferred to the dreaded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja, CP Manko called for the file. After studying the file critically, he reportedly directed the officer in-charge of the squad, Abba Kyari, to swing into action and locate the missing woman and her daughter within 48 hours, dead or alive. That mandate paid off because, no sooner had the crack detectives pounced on the suspect, who even offered another N4m bribe in order to be let off the hook, than he opened up. Though the story had been told before now, Crime Guard was able to dig deeper to unravel the circumstances that surrounded the entire case and how the prime suspect came to be what he is turning out to be – a devil’s incarnate. He spoke exclusively with our Crime Editor, Emma Nnadozie inside the confines of his cell. Excerpts: If I survive this, I will never kill even a fowl FAMILY BACKGROUND My name is Azeez Olatunji, 65. I am from Omiadio in Ibadan, Oyo State. My father died when I was young. My mother was a trader from Ibadan. My father was a farmer after he retired from the military. He had other children who died and I became his known first son. My father lost almost 17 children from more than five women before I was born. My father married my mother after his wives could not conceive again. My mother had five children for another man before marrying my father. All of us were living together happily as one family. My father was a disciplinarian and he loved me so much because I was his only surviving child. My mother was a very lovely woman. I had my primary school in Ibadan. After that, C M Y K
Juju man who b mother and da alive goes on hu strike The suspect with the remains of the customs woman
I went to Oke Ibadan Boys High School. I came out in flying colors from these schools but, I could not continue because there was no money, nobody to train me. My father died around 1966 when I was in Primary school and after that, it was through the efforts of my mother and my self that I was able to go to secondary school. After that, I got a job with Bristol Hotel at Martin Street, Lagos. I was living at Okesina area. Later, I became a Manager in the hotel in the 70’s. I worked in the hotel for over twenty years before I retired after the hotel was closed down. I got married when I was almost 40 years because of my poor background. My first wife is from Benin, Edo State, and we had four children. LIFE AFTER RETIREMENT After I retired, I went into trado-medical work. I learnt it when I was at Maroko from one Alhaji. I was taught how to cure different types of ailments. I can successfully cure headache, stroke, stomach ache, diabetes, different types of spiritual attacks etc. I was staying in Maroko then but after it was destroyed, I relocated to Number 1, Alhaji Olatunji Street in Alagbado, Lagos. At Maroko, I was a tenant but when I packed to Agbado, I built a three- bedroom bungalow of my own. My principle was that any job I cannot do , I will tell the person because we apply the medicine, God heals. Nobody can claim to be perfect in tradomedical work. I cure with herbs and prayers. I have never killed for anything because it was not part of my practice. I am an ardent moslem. I married a second wive from Ekiti State after packing into Agbado. My profession as a trado-medical worker has nothing to do with my religion as a Moslem. They are two different things. I am popular at Alagbado because I was doing a fantastic work there. I cured sicknesses that
seemed incurable. I will not call myself a rich man because I don’t lay much emphasis on money. I always concentrate on curing my patients first before talking about money. HOW THEY MET I met the Customs officer, Madam Angela Kerry, 68, through one of her friends called Lizzy about five years ago. Lizzy, an Igbo lady, had been coming to me to help her make progress in her business and protect her against spiritual attacks. One day, she brought the customs officer to my place with one Jide. Lizzy and Jide have been coming to my place before they brought the woman. Jide stays in USA and each time he returns, he comes. At times, he will come with Lizzy, other times, he will come alone. So also, Lizzy. Suddenly, Jide and Lizzy vanished into thin air before I started having this problem and I always asked madam kerry about them but she would always tell me to forget them and continue my relationship with her. She came to me because she had a spiritual attack. If you saw her that time, you would not recognise her if you knew her before. Her eyes were bloated and black and she was looking very sickly. She claimed that the sickness started after she retired from the Customs Service. She said that she had gone to many herbalists and pastors and they all told her that it was from her family. EVIL ATTACKS She wanted me to clear her of the evil attack. I started the job, even though she claimed she had no money then. She said if it were when she just retired, she would have paid me any amount I wanted. I charged her N160,000.00 but she managed to pay about N90,000.00. She assured me
that I should not worry because she would treat me well so long as I was able to protect her from all the attacks. By the grace of God, I was able to cure her in no distant time and she regained herself. That was why I became her small god. If she didn’t see me, she would call. In 2011, she was attacked again spiritually. Then, we were having a very cordial relationship although not an intimate one. As a spiritualist, we don’t have intimate relationship with our clients, so that it will not destroy our power. After sometime, I also cured her and I kept on giving her medicine to avoid further attacks. BARRENNESS Later, she brought up the issue of having children. She was lamenting that at over 60 years of age, she was barren and could not bear any child of her own. She now told me that the girl that was always with her was adopted, that she had gone to many pastors and men of God including traditional doctors without success; that she had spent over N50 million especially in her Church over the issue without positive results. I simply asked her questions like when she last saw her ovulation and ended up assuring her that nothing was impossible before God. She started putting pressure on me, insisting that I should contribute to the treatment she had been getting and that she was sure that she would get pregnant. I knew that it was impossible for her to have a baby at that age but because of constant pressure from her, I simply told her okay. For over a year, she was not talking about it but one day, she came and expressed unhappiness that I
SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014 — 43
buried ughter unger had not been able to help her. I then asked her what she wanted and she said I should commence treatment on her to complement other ones she was getting. I then started giving her treatment without collecting even a kobo from her. I asked after her boyfriend and she said his name was Segun and he lived in London but comes to Nigeria. After sometime, I stopped giving her drugs insisting that the boyfriend must come for both of them to be treated because if she had a problem, it was obvious the boyfriend could be examined too. That appeared to put her off and we stopped treatment for a while. ANOTHER DEAL After about one year, she came again and claimed she had no money because she was duped in her oil business. She said that she wanted to sell the house where she was living at Omole Estate as she was being attacked constantly by somebody in her family. She said she wanted to relocate and buy a small house in another area of Lagos where her people would not be able to locate her. She also said that she had concluded plans to travel out of the country with her adopted daughter where she would not be attacked again. Later, she told me she sold her house for N74m and wanted me to assist her get a cheaper accommodation. That was how I got a threebedroom apartment for her at Agege for N8.5m and it was renovated with about N7m. She also pleaded that the documents for the new house should bear my name in order to avoid people knowing what she did. Initially, I objected but when she insisted, I agreed because she assured that it would be changed later. I did everything and handed over all the documents to her. She later packed into the house at Adetona close, Okeoba with her daughter and a niece. After some-
The late customs officer
The adopted daughter time, she told me that she would be traveling out of the country by January that year. DESPERATION Ten months later, she came to me and raised the issue of barrenness again, insisting that I should commence treatment. I also insisted that the boyfriend should be around. She later came to inform me that he was around. When I saw her desperation, I commenced treatment after she agreed to pay me N10m. Within a space of eight months, she paid about N9m to me. At that stage, she even expressed surprise that she had started seeing her monthly period. OPEN THREATS One day, she just came to me and said she had not seen any positive results after taking my medication for eight months and that she had changed her mind. She said I should refund her money. I was very angry with her and I told her that she was earlier warned that it was a 50-50 chance, and that she should not disturb my life. This was around May this year. I asked her if she would ask for refund if it were a General Hospital. She furiously said she must collect her money in not more than three installments, threatening to use everything within her powers to achieve that. She also reminded me that she was
trained in the force and would not hesitate to deal with me ruthlessly if I failed to refund her money. In fact, the threat was so much that I became confused. I later gave her N2.5m but that did not stop the threat. Before then, I had already changed the documents of the house to bear her name and handed them over to her after she said she was traveling out of the country. Later, she came again and said she must collect the remaining money from me. I pleaded with her and even promised to send it to her after she must have traveled but she said she must collect it that day. After much pleading, she now said she would come back the following day to collect it and would not entertain any excuses. At that stage, I noticed that her anger was getting out of hand and she might carry out her threat if she was allowed to go and come back. I then remembered that she used to release bullets indiscriminately in her house at Omole, threatening to kill intruders and I was deeply scared. The devil now took control of me and I hatched a plan on how to stop her. I then remembered the 20-feet well dug at the back of my house when the compound was over flooded. The workers did not complete the job and it was left open. I was all alone in the house with her and her daughter because all the members of my family had gone out and they usually come back late in the night. BATTLE OF TWO ELEPHANTS I concluded that it had become the battle of two elephants. I decided not to allow her go that day and come back to carry out her threats. I now calmed her down and assured her that her money would be there the following day, . I then told her to wait and she went to her car and brought some soft drinks with which she entertained herself and her daughter. I went to my back yard. People said I dug the well for her. No, it was done when my back yard was being flooded with water. I was waiting for plumber to run it, that was why it was left open. The top was covered with roofing sheets, pending when the plumber would work there. Oga mi, this matter, I have already condemned myself. When devil wants to operate, it is always difficult to stop it especially to those of us doing spiritual work. Our own evil attack comes in thousands. I don’t think I took that decision mindful of what it was. I had to go there, cleaned the area, put mat on top of the hole, covered it with white cloth, kept the generator outside. While I was doing that, the woman and her daughter were having their drink..
in the other side of the house. When she now entered there, she said ‘this place is okay’ and I said yes. I suggested she should leave her daughter in the parlor but she refused. When she entered where I covered the well, I prayed severally and later ordered her to walk towards the direction where the well was covered all alone but she said she must go there with her daughter. As they walked on top, that was how it caved in and they fell inside. I only heard her voice when she shouted Ahhhh! The daughter did not shout. WHAT FOLLOWED LATER After they fell inside, that was between 1 to 2pm, I had to use bucket to scoop sand earlier removed from the well and fill the hole. After filling it with about sixty buckets of sand, enough to cover them, I left and went to Ojoba market to buy medicine for one of my clients who would be coming the next day. I came back to the house around 6.30pm and because the whole place was dark, I had to use torch light to peep inside the hole. To my surprise, I saw her daughter on top of the sand but she was already weak and was, in fact, dead. I confirmed this because I shouted her name, Angel, Angel but she did not answer me. That girl, she is very smart, she was able to come up to that level using the stones left under the hole. I did not even know she could do that. She was using it to climb as I was pouring sand inside the hole. When I saw that she
Continues on page 44
Detectives from SARS digging to reopen the covered well where victims were buried
Entrance to the temple where the victims were buried alive
HOW SHE ENTERED THE TEMPLE OF DEATH Then, I had made up my mind to deal with her first because I knew she could carry out her threat and for me to allow her come the following day, I knew I would be in trouble. After they were done with their soft drinks, I said, lets go and pray. She asked if there was a private temple here, I said yes. This is because we normally prayed in the temple C M Y K
44—SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014
Juju man who buried mother and daughter alive goes on hunger strike Continues from page 43
was already dead, I had no option than to pour more sand into the hole to cover it properly. COVERING THE TRACKS After that, I collected all their property like bag, umbrella etc, inside the car and threw them into the hole and covered all of them. I did not even care to check the documents inside the vehicle because I did not plan to sell it. I thought of what to do with it. I then called a car dealer I knew and told him to keep the vehicle amongst others he displayed for sale. I told him that the owner wanted to sell it but has not brought the documents. I was thinking of driving the car close to the woman’s house in Okoba and abandoning it there. Unfortunately, when I started calling the car dealer, they said he was sick and it took almost a week before he came to work again. In fact, all these problems would not have arisen if I had driven it straight close to the woman’s house early enough, but I was afraid that the Police might accost me over the particulars and that would be another problem. POLICE INTERVENTION That was why I kept the car in the dealers workshop at Jankara in Ijaiye. As I was still planning what to do, the car dealer came to
me and reported that some policemen tracked the car to his workshop and arrested some people, and that they were looking for the owner. That was barely one month after I buried the woman and her daughter alive. I boldly went to the place the following day and when I got there, his colleagues who saw me quickly alerted the police and they came to
people that covered the well and cemented it. Even when members of my family came back late, they did not suspect anything. That night, that very night, I was unable to sleep because of guilty conscience. Subsequently, any time I got close to the spot, goose pimples woul take over my body and I would be in shock for some minutes. I did not
While I was with the police, I was covering my action by telling them that the woman was at Ijeb-Ode and that if they took me to the place, she would show up arrest me. Before then, I was even ready to go with him to the police station and clear him of any complicity. That was how the police arrested me. While they were interrogating me, I did not tell them the truth initially. I kept on telling them that the woman was my client and brought the car for me to help her sell it after which she disappeared after she said she was going to bring the documents. BACK TO THE WELL Lets go back to the well. After putting the bag there, I made sure that I covered it properly to ensure that nobody would notice what happened there. I hired all those bricklayers who normally stand by the roadsides. They were the
even tell any member of my family what I did. While I was with the police, I was covering my action by telling them that the woman was at Ijeb-Ode and that if they took me to the place, she would show up. I continued with the lies until they started torturing me. It was too much for me, I saw that I was at the point of death, my brother, I have only one life to live, I had to tell them the truth. Initially, I told them that we should go to my house but on getting closer, I then whispered to one of the policemen that they were already dead. I did that because I felt that if I told them the truth at the station, they would mob me. When we came to the house, no member of my family was around. It was
The house where the suspect committed the crime
only my second wife that lived with me in that house while others lived with my first wife in my second house. GHOSTS AND REGRETS I regretted my action immediately after carrying it out. I now feel so bad because from childhood, I prayed that God shouldn’t allow me take another person’s life. But now, look at what I have done. I saw her bones. I saw her in dreams. That was before police came into it. When I saw her fully and beautifully dressed in a traditional attire, I called her because it was as if she was passing in front of me, I apologized to her by telling her that I knew that what I did was wrong but I was sure that God would go with her. I pleaded with her to forgive me. I also asked where her daughter was but she just clasped two of her palms together. I then told her that when ever she saw her daughter, she should tell her that what I did was not intentional. She then folded her alms, looked intently at
me and continued moving forward. STILL IN SHOCK Up till now, I am still in shock when I remember what I did. That is why I have decided to go on hunger strike since they brought me here, that is the only way I think I should punish myself. I know I have committed a capital offence but I know that in the bible, God said He will not want the death of a sinner, it is only for him to repent. After repenting, the person can still use that opportunity to rebuild a hundred soul. I know, if I get out of this case or if they temper justice with mercy, I would do the work of God by preaching the true gospel. I would never go into any trad-herbal thing again in life. As a moslem, I will preach to both Christians and Moslems, the way Abiola did. My advise to my colleagues in the trado-medical field is never to kill any human being. Just like me, if I am set free, from that day, even to kill a fowl, I will never.
How detectives unraveled the mystery
A
graphic account of how detec tives attached to the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS) cracked the seemingly hard case as narrated by a credible source who sought anonymity.
kept on dribbling us until after our thorough investigations, he now said we should go to Ajuwon where he lived; that the woman and the daughter were there. He did not open up to us. This was on June 23, 2014. However, on our way to Ajuwon, on getting closer to his The case was transferred from Okoba compound, he now confided in one of us that police station as a case of missing persons. the woman and the daughter were dead, that He was arrested but he denied the allega- he had buried them. We then said okay, show tions. Even when they brought him to us where you buried them. He took us into SARS, he kept on denying. That was when the compound, behind the building, showed the Commissioner of Police intervened and us where he built a temple, then pointed at a after studying the case file, he gave us particular point where he buried them. We matching orders to find the woman and her then went into action by using any implement daughter dead or alive within 48 hours. at our disposal to break the cemented area. After about three days, the suspect told us After that, we started digging the well. Half that he took the woman and her daughter way into the hole, we saw the body of the girl to Ijebu-Ode. The following day, we with her skull ripped open. The body was planned to go to Ijebu-Ode. We were to already decomposing. There was a stone take off that very night but we decided to beside her head and we guessed the suspect go the following day around 11am. Just as used the stone to crush her skull when he we were about to go, the herbalist said they noticed that the little girl was making efforts were not there; that he said it so that we to climb out of the hole. Though, he was would not put pressure on him. In fact, he
C M Y K
claiming that he did not stone her while she was making frantic efforts to save her life. The stench emanating from the hole was terrible. We had to buy insecticides, kerosene and other necessities to spray there in order for us to be able to dig deeper and recover the body of the customs officer. This we did until we saw her body in the same decomposing state at the bottom of the hole. The well we dug was up to 30 feet deep but he is claiming that it was only 20 feet. We started digging around 11am and ended around midnight. In spite of the strenuous nature of the assignment, we are very happy that we were able to crack the case by recovering all the needed exhibits to prosecute the suspect. Incidentally, as soon as we recovered the decomposing bodies of the victims, the suspect started pleading with us, offering to pay us another N4 million to say that we did not recover anything from his house. He had earlier offered us the same amount of money while in the cell to grant him bail but we refused.
SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA
Vanguard , JUL Y 19 JULY 19, 2014—45
OSUN 2014:
Jega
Omisore
Aregbesola
How polls can be peaceful, credible
—Candidates, stakeholders
*Say Osun is our own, we’ve no other state BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE
T
HOSE who expect the August 9 governorship election in Osun State to be violent and rigged are in for a shocker, if the promises of the 20 candidates, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders are anything to go by. The stakeholders have pledged to make the polls violence-free and credible election and urged the INEC to create a level –playing field for all. Indeed, one of the candidates said they would go the extra mile to ensure the polls are rancour-free because “Osun State is our own; we don’t have any other state.” They spoke at a sensitisation workshop organised by the Office of Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs in Osogbo, the state capital, on Thursday. Chaired by Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd), who was represented by Prof Greg Obafemi, a host of speakers enumerated reasons Osun State must get the election right especially after a series of peaceful elections in Edo, Ondo, Anambra and Ekiti in recent times. Those spoke at the well-attended and turbo-charged workshop included Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi; Kanu; INEC Chairman; Prof Attahiru Jega, who was represented by Hajia Amina Zakari, NLC Vice President, Issa Aremu; Dr.Yinusa Tanko and Professor Kayode Soremekun. Other notable persons at the parley included National Chairman of Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Dr Sam Eke; his PPA counterpart, Mr Peter Ameh; Senator Sola Adeyeye; EU Head, political section, Paul Edwards; and Hon Joseph Akinlaja of the House of Representatives. Among other things, the stakeholders said there is need to avoid overheating the polity by shunning aggressive and provocative language, threats and other forms of intimidation; ideas and not just personalities should reign supreme in political discourse in the state; and adequate security should be provided to prevent election malpractices and ensure that voters exercise their civic duty without let or hindrance. Candidates and party leaders, who promised to support rancour-free polls and play the rules include Niyi Owolade (Accord), Adeoti Ibrahim Abiodun (UPN), Prince Victor Olusegun Adeniyi (UPP), Chief Babtubde Adetoro (MPPP), Olufemi Adelee Hammed (ACPN), Senator Sunday Olawale Fajinmi (AD), who lamenetd that Governor Rauf Aregbesola (the APC candidate) and Iyiola Omisore (PDP C M Y K
candidate), whose parties he accused fomenting trouble in the state were not at the workshop. “There is a running battle between APC and PDP. They should have been here to hear the keynote speech,” he said. There were also Akinwunmi Olusegun (SDP), Comrade Ojo Gbega Gabriel (ADC), Akintunde Adebimpe Adetunji (APGA), Afolayan ka Olarenwaju Jimoh (NCP), Agboola Azeez Obasanjo (APA), Ganiyu Abiodun Lawal (PPA), Prince Adefare Segun Adegoke (NNPP) and Osun state APC chairman, who represented Aregbesola and pledged: “We are committed to peaceful election. The INEC and police should be professional in their conduct. There should be no intimidation and harrassment, there should be a level playing ground.” Alhaji Rafiu Shehu Anifowoshe (CPP) said, “we believe in the unity and progress of Nigeria as a whole.
Senator Obi charged Osun election stakeholders to embrace peaceful conduct in their electionerring campaigns and other activities, stressing that all wellmeaning Nigerians should be concerned when the electoral environment is overheated by aggressive and provocative language, threats and other forms of intimidation, which do not aurgur well for the constestants, the electorate and the polity. Noting that an election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office and be their leader, he said: Osun State, all eyes are on you to address the tense political atmosphere and eschew political infamy. We all knw that more than the law, it is the personal commitment of political parties and candidates that can create the kind of peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of free, fair and cfedible elections that we all desire as a nation.”
We must undertand
The commission hopes that knowledge of the process and cooperation of stakeholders would yield credible elections Election is not a do-or die affair” as Funso Toyin Bunmi (UDP) said, “ we are from Osun, we have no place to go. We will support peaceful polls.” Adejare Bello , PDP the running mate , who represented Omisore, said(PDP)- in PDP we are committed to peace and tranquility and will lay emphasis on that.” His attempt to criticise Governor Aregbesola, who he said always made reference to ‘state boys’ considered to be armed thugs loyal to the state government was booed by APC supporters in the hall.
Osun ‘ll surpass recent polls –Obi
The convener, Senator Ben Obi in his welcome remarks said the workshop s the fifth in the series after those of Edo, (July 12, 2012), Ondo (September 2012), Anambra (October 2013) and Ekiti (May 2014). He said the feats and achievements of those venets and the successes recorded during the governorship elections as a result of the workshops had been acclaimed by local and international observers. Attributing the successes recorded at the elections to the support of President Goodluck Jonathan, Obi said he expects theOsun polls to surpass the four past elections.
democratic ideals –Kanu
The Chairman of the workshop, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (rtd) hoped that the large turnout of participants signified their acceptance and will to ensure free, fair and credible elections. He observed that a country could not be truly democratic until its citizens have the opportunity to choose their representatives though peaceful and credible polls. Kanu said there was need for Nigerians and party perception of governance and eschew political violence, intimidation, wanton destruction of public and private property and assassination of rivals and opponents.” It is imperative therefore and of utmost importance that all parties should ensure the education of all segments of society on understanding of democrtic ideals to enhance citizen participation in credible election.”
Credible polls life-wire of democracy – Aremu
The Keynote speaker, Comrade Issa Aremu, the vice president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said Osun citizens have no option than to get the August 9 election right. Drawing the attention of the gathering
to the fact that Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, from Osogbo was the founding democratically elected president of the NLC, he said the Osun polls would be peaceful and credible if the conduct of all actors is democratic. Aremu argued that credible election is the life-wire of any democratic process, he regretted that elections that should be like any other sport have become unnecessary wars of attrition among brothers and sisters. For democracy to function, he urged: “Let’s have a healthy debate about fixing electricity, reviving the railways and repositioning our foreign policies instead of throwing missiles at each other” adding that “participants must accept that only ideas can win in a political conflict and a framwork must be established upon a broad consensus to regulate the conflict of ideas which is what the Office of Special Adviser on Inter-Party Affairs to the President is doing.”
We’ll ensure free and fair polls –INEC
Assuring all stakeholders of a levelplaying field, Jega said the INEC is encouraged to participate in the workshops because of the peaceful impact they have had on the conduct of the various polls. He noted that after the polls in Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi congratulated Ayo Fayose, a move he said arose from a similar workshop. He advised participants to note that laws guiding conduct of elections are in the Electoral Act and 1999 Constitution. “Parties need to understand the electoral process starting from voters’ registration, stakeholders meetings, customised ballot papers and result sheets, time for accreditation of voters, commencment of voting at 12.30 p.m,” he said adding that the commission hopes that knowledge of the process and cooperation of stakeholders would yield credible elections.
Parties should observe code of conduct—Tanko
National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Dr. Yinusa Tanko, urged all the parties to observe the IPAC code of conduct, which he noted was signed by chairmen or secretaries of the political parties. He also asked the stakeholders to embrace peace. “Any body that emerges among you is from Osun. There is no need for violence. You are all from the same state. IPAC has code of conduct. There should be no back-biting and namecalling. We want campaigns based on issues so that Nigerians will have dividends of democracy.If you want peace, ensure you do things peacefully. Make sure that your decisions are based on wide consultations.If you are a leader, don’t be greedy if you want people to be happy with you.”
46—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JULY 19, 2014
Africa emerging investment destination of the world —PwC
Why Rexona came to Nigerian market—Inglesby T
he Category Manager, De odorants & Skin Care, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. James Inglesby, in this chat talks about the deodorant market in Nigeria and why his company’s new deodorant brand, Rexona, is exiting Sure Deodorant.
Why introduce Rexona Deodorant? It is because of the huge potential the market holds. About 170 million people live in Nigeria, that means we have 340million armpits that need deodorant. Besides, what we are also trying to do is to help bring people’s confidence back with Rexona deodorant. Once people start to sweat and smell they begin to lose confidence. We are here to restore that confidence. Replacing Sure with Rexona. Sure and Rexona are exactly the same thing. The reason we brought Rexona to replace Sure is that Sure is only sold in UK. Rexona is a 2billion Euro brand globally, Sure only makes 13 per cent of it. So when you want to launch a new product, you bring the global leader, which is Rexona. By bringing Rexona to Nigeria, it is of multiple benefits. First, the product that you get now (Sure) is designed for the UK market and not Nigeria. Also, we’ve looked into what other fragrances that Nigerians want before launching Rexona. The other thing that we have is earning global sponsor-
ship, everybody can see that we sponsored the World Cup. You can only do that with Rexona, you cannot do that with Sure, because it is only a UK thing, while Rexona is a global brand. It also allows us to bring in new innovations, bigger innovations, quicker to Nigerians. That’s why we brought it. So what we offer now is a superior product that has been improved for Nigeria. So the Sure deodorant that you know is now coming in improved format as R e x o n a . Nigerian market In Nigeria, smell and beauty are closely linked. Look at all the beautiful ladies, we know that those ladies are actively out there looking for solutions to body odour and great fragrance. And I know as the number one deodorant company, we are the people that deliver that solution. Another thing that gives me confidence is the accessibility of the price. The reason people do not use these things is the inaccessibility of their costs. How do you intend to cope with counterfeiting? We have our NAFDAC number. The regulatory body is fully aware of our products. Another thing that we do is that we only advertise the key variants and we constantly monitor the market. We are very
Champion Breweries Plc undertakes a rights issue A
rrangements to under take a rights issue by Champion Breweries Plc to raise N11.65 billion are now being concluded following clearance of the issue documents by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the receipt of listing approval for the new shares from The Nigerian Stock Exchange. At the last Annual General Meeting of Champion Breweries Plc, held on 16 May, 2014, shareholders of the company authorized the Board of Directors to raise additional capital up to N13.7 billion. A total of 6,300,000,000 ordinary shares of 50 kobo each will be offered to existing shareholders in the ratio of seven new ordinary shares for every ordinary share held as at the close of business on Wednesday, 07 May 2014 at N1.85 per share. Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited is the issuing house to the issue, which is expected to open on Monday, 04 August 2014 and close on Wednesday, 10 September 2014. The net proceeds of the Issue will be used to repay the company’s existing debt and
Inglesby much aware of the fact that counterfeiting very much happen in Nigeria and we are ready to counter that. The other thing is that consumers in Nigeria know that there are fakes. So we will make sure Nigerians only pick up our products and not the counter feits.
Leading professional services firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), has identified sub-Saharan Africa as the most emergent investment destination of the world today despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges bedeviling the continent. This was revealled in a report by, “The Africa Business Agenda”, after a study it conducted among the world’s leading business executives presented in a networking breakfast event as part of the World Economic Forum for Africa held in Abuja. The report showed a higher percentage rate, with a significant number of multinationals declaring investment interest in Africa. Senior Managing Partner, PwC Nigeria, Uyi Akpata, says that the report suggests that sub-Saharan Africa offers the most welcome platform for investment prospects and called for synergy between government and the organised private sector so as to take advantage of this emerging development. According to him, “It is important that there is a working synergy between the private sector and the various governments in Africa so we could fully appropriate this investment trend to achieve optimum growth across the continent.” “With inflows of foreign direct investment reaching record highs and GDP growth averaging 5.1 per cent this year according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), there is a consensus among sub-Saharan leaders that future growth can only take place if there is engagement between the private sector and government, as well as the global economy”. The Africa Business Agenda which is categorised into six parts of Agility Agenda, Growth Agenda, Infrastructure Development, Risk Agenda Development Agenda and Leadership Agenda vigorously shows that Africa means business. The report further suggests a strong confidence among Africa’s CEOs in growth potential across every industry and sector and in every market in Africa but notes that a major determinant of how companies will benefit from this investment flow is their ability to harness this potential to their full advantage. Unilever’gain For us it is transformational. Unilever has been 91 years in this country and we have attained leading position in the traditional categories that we operate in. This
is a beginning of the new set of categories that we’ll launch, the movement of Unilever to another level, in line with the consumer needs.
to propagate socio-cultural, economic and political integration and advancement, visa-vis – synergy and heritage of the people of Ebonyi, saying further that the people have been like sheep without shepherd over the years and have suffered marginalisation, dehumanisation, political, economic denials, injustice and illegal deportation of Ndigbo in Lagos, which the Ebonyi state indigenes top the list because we lack coordination and leadership. “With this, we passionately appeal to the Ebonyi state government to fully support ESYA in Lagos with a total recognition of their existence economic well-being towards ensuring a good corporate governance. We as well appeal to
position our youths for future achievement and developments.” In the same vein, a prolific artwork collector, Chief Solomon N. Ogbonna, who always promotes and projects the well-being of Ebonyi youths in Lagos, has advised the Ebonyi state government to reduce the agonies of Ebonyi youths in Lagos by creating job opportunities, skill acquisition scheme in and outside Ebonyi state to reduce youths of the state rushing to Lagos at random for greener pasture. He also advised the youths to be hardworking and remain focused. He also advised government to identify with this forum to actualise its dream.
ESYA needs re-orientation for future development o bring the youths of Eb generation. individuals, various groups According to Onyeabor, the and unions in Lagos to emonyi in Lagos together T for onward development, em- primary focus of this forum is brace this great forum that will powerment and success, a non governmental organisation, Ebonyi State Youths Assembly (ESYA), formed to promote peace, love, unity, grass root mobilisation, justice and equity, transformation and sustainability has realised and recommended the need for a better platform and structure if Ebonyi youths must make it like other ethnic groups in Lagos. With the mission statement that the youths of today are leaders of tomorrow and what they learn today as well will manifest in their purpose-driven destiny tomorrow. The President of the group, Hon. Jude C Onyeabor urged them to understand that the future and destiny of any youth starts today and will affect positively or negatively even unborn
reduce the interest burden which will potentially enhance the company’s operations and reposition it for profitability and growth. At the signing ceremony held at the Mainland Hotel, Lagos on Thursday, 10 July 2014, Chief Senas J. Ukpanah, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the company said: “The successful outcome of the rights issue will signify a huge step towards the implementation of Champion Breweries’ turnaround programme which is crucial in reversing the fortunes of our company”. He also urged the company’s shareholders to seize this opportunity and take up their rights so as to support the company’s future growth plans. The Head of Equity Capital Markets, Stanbic IBTC, Mrs. Oyinda Akinyemi, on behalf of the respective professional parties involved, expressed their commitment towards the successful completion of the issue. The rights circular for the issue, which contains a Provisional Allotment Letter and the Acceptance/Renunciation Form, will be mailed directly to shareholders of the compa- Centre is Yvonne Ebbi, (Etiquette Place) flanked right is UWC chairperson, Mrs. Comfort Coleman and parents of students of UWC studends during their orientation exercise in Lagos. ny.
SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014 — 47
Boko Haram: Again, scores killed, houses razed in Borno BY NDAHI MARAMA, MAIDUGURI
U
NSPECIFIED num ber of people in Damboa Local Council of Borno State were feared dead when some gunmen suspected to be members of Boko Haram launched another attack on the area, yesterday. Exactly two week ago, some terrorists invaded Damboa town and killed several people including the Commanding Officer of 195 Battalion, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, 15 soldiers and six policemen. During the attack, Saturday Vanguard gathered that many people sustained various degrees of injuries as the insurgents burnt many houses, shops and public buildings. A reliable source said, “this morning scores of people may have been killed following another deadly attack on residents of Damboa by Boko Haram gunmen who had a field day in the town. Although, I also learnt that the arrival of Airforce fighter jet assisted in repelling the attack-
ers and many of the terrorists may have lost their lives in the encounter”. According to an official of the Nigeria Vigilante, who said he spoke with some of this men in the village, the gunmen swooped on the villagers at about 5am and
began the massacre. He said a handful of youth vigilante group, known as Civilian-JTF and some few vigilante officials were available in Damboa to compliment the effort of the security forces in protecting the people there”.
Jonathan will win in 2015— Amb. Bagudu BY HENRY UMORU
A
HEAD of 2015 Presi dential election, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bagudu Hirse, vowed yesterday that President Goodluck Jonathan will win the election. According to him, the conclusion was based on what he termed the disenchantment which trailed the national convention of the All Progressives Congress, APC, adding, “when APC completed their primary, I knew Mr. President’s victory in 2015 is fait accompli.” Speaking yesterday when members of the Mandate Group paid a courtesy call on the Political Adviser to the President, Prof
Rufai Ahmed Alkali, in his office in Abuja, Bagudu who described the last convention of the APC as a hoax and a complete “mess”, stressed that the APC was already reaping the fruit of the convention because aggrieved members of the party were now defecting. Ambassador Bagudu who assured Prof Alkali of the support of the people of Plateau State for President Jonathan, said that they will repeat the feat recorded during the 2011 presidential election in 2015, adding that Plateau State gave President Jonathan the largest number of votes in 2011 from the North Central states and the second largest in the entire North.
48 —
SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014
PHOTO NEWS COMMENDATION SERVICE FOR LATE CHIEF B.E. OTUEDON-OKOME
A cross section of Uwangue descendants singing the favourite Uwangue song during the burial of late Chief B.E. Otuedon-Okome, the Uwangue of Warri Kingdom, held in Warri yesterday.
L-R: Chief Emmanuel Okigbo, Otunba (Mrs.)Yetunde Arobieke, (Representing Wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Abimbola Fashola),Mrs. Magret Obi and Elder (Mrs.)Kate Erewa Meggison
Dr. and Dr.(Mrs.)Alex Obi, entertaining guests with their dance steps
Chief (Mrs.) Rita Lori Ogbebor in prayer mood
R-L: J.A. Eda Dotti, Chief Roland Adi Omagbemi, Chief.S.S.Rone and Chief Nelson Utienyione at the event.
SATURDAY Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014—49
C M Y K
50—SA TURD AY 50—SATURD TURDA
Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014
STATE OF THE NATION:
CONFAB is a waste of billions of naira — Prof.Utomi
zsays Aturu’s death is a devastating blow to the project of human right. zNyako’s impeachment is a complicated politics in Adamawa
Prof Pat Utomi
BY OLAYINKA AJAYI
P
rof.Patrick Okedinachi Utomi is a distinguished Nigerian professor of political economy and a renowned, internationally aclaimed public affairs analyst with a unique leadership acumen that separates him from his equals. In this encounter, he speaks on burning national issues, starting with the demise of the renown human right icon, Bamidele Aturu, to the impeachment of Murtala Nyako and the waste of billions of naira on the ongoing CONFAB. Excerpt: How do you feel about the death of the legal icon, Bamidele Aturu? It’s a devastating blow to the project of human right. One of the biggest challenges of our time is helping the voiceless find a voice. Sadly we live in a society of an extra-ordinarily selfish elite who are obsessed with themselves through nazistic culture. So when you find a few who are willing to help the voiceless find their voice, you know that it’s a gift from above. Stephen clovey said that the most important habit of the 21th century is to help people find their voice. Bamidele Aturu helped his generation to find its voice. Much earlier, when some of us were 18, youth of Nigeria helped Nigeria find it’s voice. Then, we were demonstrating before we know the reason behind our demonstration, but today’s youths are so focused on themselves, while the voiceless are completely helpless. So when you have a few individuals who are willing to help other individuals find their voice, it is tragic to lose them early. He would surely be missed. What would you say about the impeachment of Gov. Murtala Nyako and the resignation of his deputy despite the
intervention of elder statemen like former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Vice, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar? It is a very strange conversation for variety of reasons. It is a complicated politics in Adamawa. Nyako on his own, in all circumstances, has his own challenges, but sincerely, our democracy is not being helped by these kind of politics. In some ways I am tangentially related to Adamawa politics and as part of my work with the oppressed, I have done quite a bit of work in some part of Adamawa state during the flooding. I spent time visiting those areas providing them trucks full of relief materials from Lagos. So I know how they feel about their leadership in Yola. However, I think we are in a transition society and there are some delicate things we need to manage in a certain way to navigate that transition so that we do not create enough of a groundswell that would result into a violent storm at the end. All these issues happening, reminded me of 1966! And we knew where the tragedy of 1966 led us as a nation. This is a period we need to be very careful. Some people are of the opinion that the politics of cross-carpeting from one political party to another is not ideal for our democracy. What is your view? I find it very disgusting; it’s the main reason why some of us pushed to register a political party based on strong ideals and values. It is an ideological orientation that keeps one in a political party, not the convenience of an electoral machine. It is totally bad that people would swing from one party to the other because of an electoral possibility and making mess of the very essence of a political party. This was why I was frightened when I heard about speculation that I would still be
joining the People’s Democratic Party PDP. Not because there is poison in the party but I believe that the fundamental reason for involving in politics should be for building institutions. Institutions are what preserve the future. These politicians jumping from one party to the other are looking for their moment. Politicians should not be thinking of the moment but the future of their grand children. If we can’t build a strong institution like a strong intent political party then we are not mindful about the future of our grand children. It does not matter what anybody does to me, I would remain in the party I believe is in the progressive left to any other side. With the split of the South and the North over derivation, do you see the confab coming up with solutions to the problems facing Nigeria as a country? Without being temperamental, I have very little time for the CONFAB. If this group of people can recommend a 19 state for Nigeria, they have no idea of what they are doing. How do you mean? The reason is very simple, the CONFAB delegates were selected from yesterday and their focus is on yesterday. So somehow they cannot see tomorrow. Imagine yesterday’s quarrel being re-fired and yesterday’s sharing formula is being thought through rather than tomorrow’s bills being discussed. So they are focusing on yesterday challenges and losing sight of tomorrows challenges. The national conference is a waste of billions of naira of the tax payers’ money. Lest we forget, I was one of those who pioneered the call for a true Sovereign National Conference but it appeared it was manipulated in a way that the wrong people were called upon to be delegates. Although there are some good selected few among them that see more clearly but their understanding is so limited which would do lasting damage on the country. The understanding of most of those in the conference is so much on yesterday. With all the challenges rattling our polity, do you perceive a breakup come 2015? My prayer has always been that Nigeria will remain united and learn from her mistakes and forge ahead. I have always hoped that the generation that see the Continues on page 51
Nyako on his own part, in all circumstances, has his own challenges, but sincerely, our democracy is not being helped by this kind of politics
SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA
Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014—51
Omo-Agege and the challenge of ser vice BY MAXWELL ONOJETA
O
barisi Ovie Omo Agege ventured into the politics of Delta State in 2002 during the countdown to the 2003 general elections and it was not lost on the Delta landscape, the air, the rivers and the people that a political trojan had arrived the turf. Ovie Omo-Agege is undoubtedly the most titanic of politicians seeking to succeed Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2015. His towering political profile and intimidating political machinery are the products of a fertile mind, a strategic thinker who sees politics as an engagement which calls for cerebral calculation and wits. In his twelve years of political activism, he has warmed his personality into the hearts of Deltans and today his name rings a bell in Delta State like that of the nationalists who fought for the nation’s independence from colonial rule. After announcing his presence on the political turf in 2002 and the slip that followed in the build up to the election of 2003, he was spotted as a strategic mind, the kind of mind that would demonstrate what political scientists have beautifully theorized in books. Thus the then Governor of Delta
Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege State, Chief James Ibori appointed the charismatic man as an Executive Assistant. In that capacity he was able to turn around so many things for good. The Governor’s performance soared as Omo-Agege deployed his boundless energy and resourceful intellect to the affairs of state. Overwhelmed by his capacity to deliver, the Governor elevated him to the rank of a cabinet member as Commissioner for Special Duties in charge of Government House while still retaining his duties as Executive
CONFAB is a waste of billions of naira — Prof.Utomi Continues from page 50 strength of Nigeria will take advantage of it and build on those strength in a way that we would all become penny wise pound foolish. What structure do you think is most suitable for Nigeria? More decentralisation, greater devolution of power, bigger sub national structures and something like the six regional structure instead of the malady we are facing today, where politicians want to be addressed as “Your Excellencies.” Back then, these offices were being run by DOs who wore knickers and rode bicycles but today you see leaders flying around in private jets. With failed leadership, do
you see unity as the best solution to Nigeria’s challenges? A bigger country is always a better idea economically. My view is that Nigeria is not even big enough. We should even think of merging together with few westAfrican countries. The thought of breaking it further would not be in the best interest of the Nigerian People. Consider the United State of America, for instance. It comprises of smaller countries that came together to form a formidable nation. Then what would you make of the contentions between the South and the Northern region delegates? There had always been differences between smaller units in any great nation’s
Assistant to the Executive Governor of Delta State. Omo-Agege’s new position gave him the opportunity to know more about the state, her complexity and compelling demand for government attention. Again he put on his thinking cap and went to work. He became a keyplayer in Governor Ibori’s team that helped to bring revolutionary stride to infrastructural development in Delta State. Omo-Agege toiled as he ensured that Chief Ibori delivered the dividends of democracy to Deltans whose mandate he held in trust. Omo-Agege knew the needs and socioeconomic and political aspiration of every community in Delta State. It was for that reason that Deltans from all walks of life clamoured for him to join the governorship race in 2007. Central to Omo-Agege’s political motivation is the passion to serve humanity and especially the people of Delta State. It was the passion to serve that was seen in him that gave birth to the clamour for him to run for the office of Governor of Delta State. Omo-Agege heeded the call and went into the governorship primaries in December 2006. He gave a good account of himself and came second behind Uduaghan who was eventually elected governor
in 2007 general elections. Early in 2007 Governor Ibori appointed him as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to a wide acclaim. Deltans, young and old celebrated knowing that a man after their heart, a man who understood their plight, a man who in words and in deeds has demonstrated his love for the people had been appointed to run the engine room of government. As SSG ensured that the Delta State government was goal oriented and purpose driven. He overhauled and serviced the machinery of government and the pace of development quickened. The untiring SSG worked very hard and it was to his credit that the administration accomplished a smooth transition. By the time he took his leave in May 2007 his personality as a factor in the political calculus of the state had become well established. Driven by the passion to serve which remained undying he went for the governorship again twice in 2011. Some did not understand why at the time. But today every Deltan now point to his quest for governorship as the product of that well known passion to serve. When the Delta Central Senate seat was vacant last year arising from
the death of the occupant, the late Senator Pius Ewherido, Omo-Agege joined the race for the byeelection. He was the candidate to beat, but he deferred to party consideration and wholeheartedly supported the candidate that was chosen by the party. He demonstrated the fact that he was a loyal party man. As the countdown to 2015 draws near Omo-Agege is on the move again. His candidacy has received widespread endorsement all over the state. The people are waiting to exercise their franchise so that the man who knows their plight, the man who feels it as they do will be voted into office to occupy Dennis Osadebey House. Of all the aspirants jostling for the governorship seat so far only him has evolved a well defined election manifesto which places emphasis on job creation to curb the massive unemployment, crime and further develop the state. His manifesto is a study in modern developmental politics and it will be in the best interest of Delta and her people to ensure that they vote him in as Governor come 2015. The passion will surely take the State to greater heights.
history. The south of the United State fought Civil War with the Northern for a longer period, but today nobody is talking about it. Even in America, nobody remembers it, except for history lessons. In the same vain, I have many friends who hail from the North and we relate normally. Our problem of division is just the lazy and selfish elite that are trying to share our commonwealth. So they don’t elevate conversation, they just look for how to find ways for themselves and that is the reason we are in the mess we find ourselves as a nation.
be for dullards. According to Bishop Coker; the brightest in our society goes to acquire degrees while the less intelligent people rule. Nigeria has reversed everything. While in other societies, only the brightest leads. The American President, Barack Obama, is a professor in constitutional law, the British Prime Minister is typically a graduate of the prestigious Oxford University. But in Nigeria we have the opposite whereby those at the bottom runs our society.
remember you anchored on a national TV, a program titled Patitos Gang in which Reuben Abati was a member of the ‘gang’. The program proffered solutions to national problems.
How best can we get out of these predicament? My friend, Prince Odukumaya, once said that Nigeria is in serious need of a Nigerian Jrry Rawlilngs but I am not sure if that is the only way to resolve our problems. Sincerely, we need a revolution that will wipe out these characters. More importantly, we need to recognise that leadership should not
I
Maxwell Onojeta wrote from Delta State.
(Laughed)...I think my people are too involved now in the sharing of the cake than to think of the solutions we proffered then. But God is not sleeping.
52—SATURDAY
Vanguard, JULY 19, 2014
POLITICAL NOTES By Emmanuel Aziken, Political Editor
NASS ADJOURNS FOR FULL TIME POLITICKING
Traditionally, the last year of the four year term of the National Assembly is normally uneventful in terms of lawmaking, but full of cut throat politics. This year the cut throat politicking is even expected to be more sharp given the increased competition among the political class ahead of the 2015 election. So when the two houses of the National Assembly proceeded on recess last Thursday it was a signpost for the increased competitive politics that is about to start unfolding. When the two houses resume on September 15, definitive political positions would have been taken and those who expect any thing meaningful would be seriously disappointed. Members who had in the past trudged independent paths would in the coming days think twice as they seek to ingratiate themselves to the party as they seek re-election or other elective positions in the polity. Indeed, a day before the recess, three All Progressives Congress, APC House members decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Akwa Ibom stands up against Baby Factories FROM: CHIOMA ONUEGBU, Uyo
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t’s bizarre. Baby factory businesses and child stealing have become a twin social menace plaguing the country today especially in the Niger Delta and South Eastern states. The heinous acts reportedly appear rampant in Imo, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Anambra, and Cross Rivers States. In Akwa Ibom, for instance, between January and April, 2014, about four baby factories were uncovered and no fewer than 70 operators of the illegal trade and their pregnant teenage victims paraded by the police in the state One of such was the parading of a so called prophetess who was arrested by police operatives in Edet Akpan Avenue in Uyo on 20th February 2014 for operating a baby factory under the guise of running a religious organisation identified as Jubilant Garden Ministries. Her ministry has been nurturing pregnant teenagers who deliver babies for adoption from members of the public. Also on the 12th of March 2014 the police uncovered another baby factory at NEPA line in Ikot Ekpene local government area and arrested some of perpetrators. They had eight pregnant teenagers in their fold. Again, on April, 2, 2014 the state witnessed yet another case where over 50 suspects arrested in Imo, Anambra, Kogi, Abia and Akwa Ibom states were paraded by state Department of the State Services, DSS, in connection with child stealing and the unlawful sale of Children. Many in the state had expressed concern that the successive cases were a confirmation that the problem was growing rapidly and perpetrators becoming more ingenuous in their operations. Baby factories are were poverty-stricken teenagers are paid a token to mother children who would eventually be sold out to childless couples. Legal processes of adoption are usually sidetracked. Akwa Ibom government appears to be pulling strings to check the menace but the trade is still on. There are regular and massive sensitization campaigns, jingles, and advocacy. Recently the governor’s wife, Mrs. Unoma
Akpabio accompanied by the wife of the Secretary to State Government, SSG, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel and the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Glory Edet embarked on child rights sensitisation tour to churches in Obot Akara, Essien Udim and Abak local government areas. They advised parents on the need to take protective measures against child thieves, and baby factory operators, by refraining from giving out their children for monetary gains to people with questionable character who would eventually turn their children into servitude as child labourers or sex workers. They were worried by the growing cases of baby factories. They said that government was determined to ensure that violators of the Child Rights Law were brought to book. Commenting on the baby factories, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Dr. Glory Edet said that operators of Baby factories would be prosecuted. It is there in the Child rights law that parents cannot abandon their children between 1 and 18 years old. And because we don t want our children to fall victim we also advise the young girls that they should be guided. That is why in one of our fliers we say, Stop baby sales now. A baby is not a commodity. Edet further disclosed that some Directors in her ministry were already investigating the activities of privately run orphanages and homes in the state. She said that those found guilty of operating illegal and unregistered businesses would be prosecuted. On his part, the Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, Mr. Etim Dickson said although the baby factories have become an issue of serious concern, the security operatives in the state have been very proactive over the matter and that this explained the reduction in the trade in the past two months. However Mr. Saviour Akpan, State Representative of Center for Law Enforcement Education in Nigeria, CLEEN expressed the view that the illegal baby factory operators would not have been operating if the Ministry of Women Affairs were doing their work properly.
WHITHER SPEAKER TAMBUWAL?
Eyes would especially be on Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal who was elected on the platform of the ruling PDP. However, as everyone knows his election was despite the desire of the PDP leadership but done with the active connivance of the APC leadership. Unsurprisingly, since his election as speaker, Tambuwal has trudged an independent path to the admiration of many critics of the administration avoiding clearly partisan positions he believes not to be to the interest of the masses. Though Speaker Tambuwal officially remains a member of the PDP, no one is in any doubt that he is almost a stranger in the party as nine of the eleven members from his Sokoto State elected to the House on the platform of the PDP have defected to the APC. Tambuwal is at the moment at the centre of much political permutations given diverse speculations on his next political aspiration. Some are demanding he enters the governorship race in Sokoto, some want him to return to the House, others say he should go to the Senate and many more are dreaming of a Tambuwal – Adams Oshiomhole presidential ticket.
DELTA PDP VS MRS. ALI.
Pity the lot of Dr. (Mrs.) Marian Ali, wife of former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Col. Ahmadu Ali. After surviving what she claimed to be a savage attack by thugs of her one time political soul mate, Chief Peter Nwaoboshi, the chairman of the Delta State chapter of the party, she is now the subject of a petition by the state chapter. Apparently muzzling his influence in the state chapter, Nwaoboshi has been able to lodge a petition with the national secretariat of the party against what he and his executive members describe as the “open and vexatious physical assault” on Nwaoboshi penultimate Friday. According to the petition, Mrs. Ali bundled herself into a party function she was not invited to, and took the seat reserved for the deputy governor. When asked to vacate the seat, she allegedly attacked Nwaoboshi, the petition alleged. In the petition signed by Nwaoboshi and 13 executive members of the state chapter of the party, Mrs. Ali should be sanctioned for her alleged unruliness. For Nwaoboshi who has Mrs. Ali as a serious contender for the PDP North Senate ticket, ineligibility to contest the primary would be quite reasonable.
SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA
Warri turns filthy again BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE, Warri
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PIDEMIC looms in Warri Metropo lis as residents have defied gov ernment efforts at making the oil rich city clean by deliberately embarking on indiscriminate dumping of refuse in all nooks and crannies of the city. Saturday Vanguard tour of the city revealed heaps of filth in almost all major roads especially the PTI Road, Ogunu Road, Cemetery Road and Deco Road. Many parts of the city battle with filth which oozes out repugnant stench. Most hit is the ever busy PTI Road after the popular Effurun market where traders pile up huge quantity of refuse that takes members of the Waste Management Board several days to clear any time they start operation. And their operations are not regular. The residents appear adamant to government directives to use refuse containers which the Waste Management Board ought to clear
C M Y K
almost on a daily basis. It doesn’t so happen and the residents don’t equally care about their health. Epidemic looms. Condemning the residents’ action during a press briefing in Asaba recently, an agitated Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan said, “Sanitation starts with the individual, those dumping refuse on the median are insane, they need mental checks, if not how can someone in his right senses dump refuse in the median of a dual road?” The bewildered Governor appealed to Deltans to change their attitude as cleanliness is everyone’s business, insisting that his administration was bent on making Delta State clean. However, those charged with cleaning up the city also need to step up their operations. They have equally failed the governor. Mr. Famous Oviemo, a resident in Cemetery road said, “the people’s attitude is very bad and condemnable. This can lead to epidemic outbreak. How can someone wake up and dump refuse on the median of a road and sometimes they do so on the roadside. This is bad. This attitude is wicked, irresponsible and unhealthy.”
Vanguard , JUL Y 19 JULY 19, 2014—53
Refuse on Ogunu Road near the Governor's house
Filths litter Mudiaga bridge
Adding her voice, Miss Margaret Okulu said, “This is unbecoming of the people. It was not like this before, this attitude just started since the government started the rigorous sanitation exercise.” On his part, Chief Olori Magege, Chairman Delta State Waste Management Board said, “That is a criminal act; it is so bad that people have decided to frustrate the state efforts. There are plans by the World Bank and Delta State Waste management Board to commence clean up operations next month. It will be a thing of the past when we start work in a matter of days”.
54— Vanguard, SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2014
Commonwealth Games
IGALI: Don’t expect much from us IN the face of late preparations and low number of experienced wrestlers at his disposal, 2002 Commonwealth Games and Sydney 2000 Olympics gold medalist, Honorable Daniel Igali tells SOLOMON NWOKE that Nigerians should not expect too much from his wrestlers at the Glasgow Games, starting July 23 as a federation. It was done in the open and in a very transparent manner. Most times, when trial selections are done in a closed camp, athletes always complain about being robbed. In this instance however, the silver medalist and the bronze medalist who normally do not have a chance to wrestle against each other in a normal tournament ,were given a chance to battle each other. The winner was given a further opportunity to face fight the gold medalist. In my view, there is need to give athletes who will represent Nigeria the rest of mind to focus on training rather than worrying days to the tournament whether they would make the team. For this Commonwealth Games, we selected the first team two months before the Games and in my view, it was a good decision.
Ifeoma Iheanacho in action
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HAT are your expectations at the 2014 Commonwealth Games? I am looking forward to a colorful celebration of the Commonwealth Games. I am looking forward to seeing about 44 nations compete for medals on the mat and also looking forward to sporting brilliance in Glasgow. What were the preparations like for your wrestlers and how confident are you that they will win medals in Glasgow? When you are in the heat of battle, you stop talking about what you could have done better. The discussion now has to be about encouraging our wrestlers so that they will do their best at the Commonwealth Games. I have always believed that it’s not how hard or long one trains that enables one to get the job done but how well and how smartly one prepares that gets it done. Ideal scenarios are the stuff of dreams. I can say we have done what could be done in the circumstances. The wrestlers, in my view, are in the mood to challenge for medals for Nigeria. They are motivated to win medals.
If you had your way, what would you have wished for the athletes? Again what I would have wished for the athletes is now belated. I must admit that preparations officially started a bit behind schedule. For Nigeria to even dream about winning medals at the 2016 Olympics, we really need to shift our focus from one month preparations to a more streamlined, focused and methodical long term developmental model. Preparation has to be a four year cycle-program. Immediately we are through with one Olympic Games, the next Olympic cycle has to begin. For us to do well, our athletes must compete. Until we decide to adopt high performance models in our sports system, we will continue to lament after every major sporting event because we are hardly harnessing the potentials of our athletes. Was it proper to select the Clasgowbound wrestlers from the E.K Clark Wrestling Championship held in Delta State? The decision to name the Commonwealth Games wrestlers at the EK Clark Championships was probably one of the best decisions we have made
Our wrestlers traveled to Romania for a training tour just few days to the start of the Commonwealth Games. Don’t you think it came late? Ideally, we should have camped in Romania for about six weeks However, because of circumstances beyond our control,we have just slightly over a week to spend in camp before leaving for Glasgow. But we still have another week in Glasgow before we start competing on the July 29. We therefore intend to make the best use of the time in Glasgow as well. How do we guide against such delays in future International competition? It’s a complicated situation. Most sports federations, including wrestling, rely exclusively on funding from the National Sports Commission and as a result, there is little we can do as a national federation to address this shortcoming. I am hopeful however, that things will improve as regards better preparations for international sporting events. Wrestling won a total of 13 medals for Nigeria, comprising three gold, three silver and seven bronze medals at the 2011 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. Are you optimistic on the present wrestlers winning more medals? We are hopeful as a federation that our wrestlers will not disappoint Nigeria at the Glasgow Games. However, it would be irresponsible of me to mention the number and color of medals the wrestlers would win. My attitude towards these Games is that contentment with whatever medals we win. I do not want to put much pressure on the athletes. During the last Commonwealth Games, as the technical adviser, I was able to predict with almost 90% accuracy, the medals we were capable of winning. This time however, my technical team is
•Daniel Igali optimistic of our chances in Glasgow, but I wouldn’t volunteer information on the number of medals, especially gold medals. Only 30% of the members on the last Commonwealth Games team are on the current team. As happy and excited as I am that there is turnover in athletes and new talents are discovered, it also means that we will be short of experienced wrestlers. We therefore have to be patient with results and not expect too much and ultimately put too much pressure on the team. What target have you set for the team? The target the federation has set for the team is for each athlete to give 100% effort on the mats in Glasgow. Since you became the President of Wrestling Federation, the sport has witnessed tremendous development, how have you been able to combine the role with your position as the Chairman House Committee on Sports in Bayelsa. First of all, my board members in the Wrestling Federation have made my work a little easier. I have very good relationships with the top shots at the National Sports Commission and the President of the Nigeria Olympic committee. I also have the support of my Governor, Speaker and other members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. We also have the support of people like Governor Uduaghan. The other person who has operated quietly behind the scenes is Amb. Boladei Godknows Igali. He is the chairman of patrons of the Wrestling federation and has really been a huge influence to the Nigeria national wrestling team. Later this year, he has promised to sponsor Blessing Oborududu and a coach to the World Wrestling championships as part of his promise to fund the most valuable wrestler from the Gov. Dickson wrestling Classics to a grade1 tournament.
Vanguard, SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2014—55
Top Coaches of the 2014 World Cup (14) Ottmar Hitzfeld, Switzerland
Here are the top 15 coaches of the 2014 World Cup as rated by football experts at Bleacher Report
Why Hitzfeld succeeded
(15) Stephen Keshi, Nigeria
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Why Keshi succeeded
WITZERLAND started slowly, but Hitzfeld tweaked his side as the competition went on to maximise their production. That in-cluded dropping Valentin Stocker, bringing Xherdan Shaqiri inside to
Why Keshi failed
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IGERIA advanced from a tough group and gave France a game, and while the tactics weren’t always spot on, Keshi’s
man-management was excellent. The Super Eagles overcame a series of injuries to battle through four games.
THAT 0-0 draw against Iran will haunt both manager and player; Keshi threw on Shola Ameobi and reverted to “lump-it” football far too early. His decision to also stick with John Obi Mikel in the midfield will also haunt him for a long time to come.
Why Hitzfeld failed HE failed to get the best out of a few players— namely Stephan Lichtsteiner and Granit Xhaka—and quizzically
the No. 10 role and changing strikers where necessary. They were, arguably, the better side against Argentina and were unfortunate to go out in the round of 16.
sent on Philippe Senderos over Fabian Schar when Steve von Bergen went down.
(12) Fernando Santos, Greece
Why Santos succeeded
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REECE advanced to the knockout stages for the first time in their history and did so trying to
(13) Reinaldo , Ecuador
Why Rueda succeeded
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UEDA played exclusively to his side’s strengths and impressed during the FIFA World Cup. Playing Enner Valencia inside was great. Ecuador focused on their speed on the counterattack, good crossing from the wide areas and obvious set-piece prowess.
play better football. The clean sheet against Japan, despite going down to 10 men, was a turning point in the players’ expectations and approaches to the tournament.
Why Santos failed He did not completely eradicate the defensive strain from his side, with the players appearing visibly terrified of passing the ball forward or working the channels.
Why Reinaldo Rueda failed
IT was a shame to see Rueda play Enner Valencia as the target man in the final game, dropping Michael Arroyo into his regular role off the front man. It reduced his effectiveness.
To be continued
Commonwealth Games
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ARK Jelks is an American born and bred athlete. He dreams of making it big like compatriots Tyson Gay, Justin Gatlin, Maurice Greene, Carl Lewis and other greats. But there seems to be no room for Jelks in the American team to world athletics events. To use football language, he is surplus to requirement. But when the Athletics of Nigeria officials offered him the opportunity to showcase his prowess at the world stage, Jelks jumped at it and he is looking forward to making his first international appearance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland starting July 23. Jelks earned the right to be in the Nigerian team when he beat the likes of Ogho-Oghene Egwero and Obinna Metu in the men’s 100m at the last All Nigeria/Cross River Championships in Calabar. He ran 10.23 seconds, but the athlete originally from In-
diana, USA said; in the days to come he will improve on that performance. But this comes as African record holder Olusoji Fasuba has questioned his inclusion in the Nigerian team. “I love it here in Nigeria. And it is humbling and exciting to become a champion so quickly. “For so many years I have been contemplating switching nationality. But now I am getting closer to retirement, I feel that it was best decision for me and my family to come over to Nigeria,” said Jelks who is based in Kansas, USA. Jelks, may come face to face with some of the big names in world 100m at Glasgow, comprising Jamaicans Usain Bolt, Yohan Blake, Nesta Carter and Trinidad and Tobago’s Richard Thompson who has the men 100m fastest time of 9.82 seconds so far in the season. “In Calabar I ran my best
American-born Jelks starts Nigerian career •As eligibility question arises race. I felt that I could have gone under 10 seconds, but we were running against the wind “I don’t want to sound insensitive to other top athletics. But I must state that I train to win. I want to win medals; I want gold and whoever is going to beat me to the gold would have to sweat for it. I don’t train during the week to become second, I want to win every race I compete in,” added Jelks. His personal best in the 100m is 9.99 seconds and in the 200m is 20.28 seconds: Times that he did in 2008 and 2009 respectively. This season ran a 10.13 season’s best. Grassroots Nigerian coach Uchenna Emedolu was not impressed with this. He feels that Nigeria should rather invest on young talents or
at best recruit athletes who could produce podium performances even when they have just woken up from their sleep. Besides; it is not certain if the AFN has done the paper work clearing Jelks and others they have enlisted in the Commonwealth Games and African championships list. A check on the IAAF list of athletes indicated that Jelks and the others are still being classified as American athletes. In 2009, IAAF approved a three-year waiting period to tighten the procedures for athletes switching nationalities to compete for other countries. It means that athletes must wait three years after being granted citizenship to compete in a major international event , or one year if both countries agree.
According to former national heptathlon record holder, Patience Itanyi, Nigeria must be careful in handling the issue otherwise the AFN might just contravene the rules of IAAF. “We must follow the rules otherwise there will be consequences. If these athletes being recruited have Nigerian parentage, then there will be no problem. “How do we issue them with Nigerian passports? There are immigration rules on how a Nigerian passport can be obtained,” Itanyi added. However, AFN technical director, Navy Commodore Omatseye Nesiama said that the AFN was still working on the issue of the transfers of the atheles. “We will continue the process of ensuring that their transfer is concluded before the Commonwealth Games.”
•Jelks
SATURDAY VANGUARD, JULY 19, 2014
Commonwealth Games
IGALI: Don’expect much from us — Pg. 54 •Igali
Maigari’s board calls FG’s bluff
American— born Jelks to run for Nigeria — Pg. 55
•says we are ready for probe
•Maigari
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HE Executive Com mittee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) rose from its meeting yesterday saying that it has put its House in order in the interest of the country’s football. It was the first meeting of the Executive Committee after the 2014 World Cup and reinstatement of the Aminu Maigari-led board following the vacation of a
court order restraining the board from running Nigerian football. Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Emeka Inyama said the board was ready for probe regarding the various allegations of financial improprieties levelled against the board in some quarters According to Inyama, the board also resolved to throw the upcoming election into
the NFF board open to any interested Nigerians. Inyama said the12 members that attended the meeting would meet with Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo. “We are happy to inform you that we have returned to office as the 12 of us met and agreed to call a truce,” Inyama said. The next meeting of the Executive Committee comes up on July 24, 2014. The 12 members present at the meeting were Aminu Maigari, Barrister Chris Green, Chief Emeka Inyama, Yusuf Ahmed, Mohammed Ahmed Musa and Sulaiman Kwande, Shehu Adamu, Effiom Johnson, Deji Tinubu, Mike Umeh, Suleyman Muazu and Dilichukwu Onyendinma.
Top coaches of the 2014 World Cup — Pg. 55 •Danagogo
•Inyama
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Lahm retires
ERMANY captain Philipp Lahm has retired from international football. The 30year-old, who led his team to FIFA World Cup success on Sunday, has called time on his Germany career after 113 caps, the German Football Federation announced. The Bayern Munich man made his debut for Die Nationalmannschaft 10 years
ago and has been captain since 2010. “This was a decision which had matured during last season,” Lahm told Sport Bild magazine after winning his ninth trophy in just two years.
FIFA lifts suspension on Nigeria •Blatter
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EQUEL to the rein statement of the Aminu Maigari-led board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), world football ruling body, FIFA yesterday lifted the suspension clamped on Nigeria on July 9 as a result of a court order barring the NFF Executive Committee and the NFF Congress from controlling and managing the affairs of Nigerian football. In a letter signed by FIFA Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, and addressed to Maigari, the
world body, in the letter captioned ‘Lifting of the suspension of the Nigeria Football Federation,’ stated clearly that they received the correspondence of Thursday, July 17 from the NFF and were satisfied that Nigeria has complied with their demands for reinstatement into international football. “Since the conditions set by the FIFA Emergency Committee on 9 July, 2014 have been met, the suspension of the Nigeria Football Federation is lifted with immediate effect. The lifting of the suspension means that all of NFF’s membership rights have been reinstated, as defined in art. 12 of FIFA Statutes. “The NFF is therefore entitled to take part again in international competitions and to
benefit from all programs which were suspended.” With this decision, the NFF has stepped up arrangements to ensure that the Falconets, travel to Moncton, Canada
CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.Gambia National President, Yahya, (6) 4.Canadian Capital City (6) 7.Donkey (3) 8.He invested the Telephone, Graham (4) 9.Country in Asia (6) 11.L.G.A in Abia State (3) 12.Stray (3) 13.Back (4) 15.Former Director-General, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Tonnie (6) 17.Jigawa State Capital (5) 19.Renowned Nollywood Actress, Regina (5) 21.Edo State Capital (5) 24.Cereal (5) 27.Equatorial Guinea capital City (6) 29.Spain left-back and Barcelona defender, Jordi (4) 30.Barrel (3) 31.Igbo Word for “Mother”? (3) 32.Former Chairman, Economic and Financial
next week for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and for the U-17 boys to fly to Democratic Republic of Congo for a 2015 African U-17 Championship qualifier on Sunday, July 27. Despite the relief from
FIFA, the battle for the soul of the NFF is far over as the Ministry of Sports, which many feel instigated the move to oust the Maigari’s board is still keen on seeing the latter ’s exit from the Glass House.
Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida (6) 33.Hazard (4) 35.general Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev. Wilson (6) 36.Malian Capital City (6) DOWN 1.Indonesian Capital City (7) 2.Former Egyptian President, Hosni (7) 3.Czech Republic Currency Unit (6) 4.Egyptian God (6) 5.Number (5) 6.Carpenter’s Tool (3) 10.State in Nigeria Known as “Fountain of Knowledge”? (5) 14.Hausa Name (5) 16.Revolt (5) 18.L.G.A in Rivers State (3) 20.Legendary King of the Zulus (5) 23.DR Congo National President, Dennis (7) 25.Martial Arts (6) 26.Croatian Capital City (6) 28.Direct (5) 32.Connection (3)
SOLUTION ON PAGE 16
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