Tukur- led PDP cages Baraje's group

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Strike: IBB, Abdusalami appeal, as ASUU meets a rethink, Women today •Have groups beg

BY WOLE MOSADOMI, JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU and CALEB AYANSINA

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WO former Military Heads of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and General Ibrahim Babangida have called on the Academic Staff Union Of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government to reconsider their stand on the ongoing strike in order to avert total collapse of education in the country.

This appeal came as the National Strike Coordinating Committee, NSCC, comprising of principal officers and Zonal Coordinators of Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU will be meeting today to take stock of the ongoing strike embarked upon by the union that is entering the fourth month.

Meantime, ASUU said that it was not under any pressure to call off the strike despite what it called “sponsored protests and rallies against the union,” stressing that before the union decided to embark on the strike, it holistically took objective assessment of the situation.

One of the branch

Chairmen of ASUU and member of NSCC who spoke exclusively to Saturday Vanguard on the condition of anonymity said that the meeting will take place in Ondo state and that there would be a situation report including the meeting representatives of ASUU had with the Federal government last week’s Friday.

Both Generals Babangida and Abubakar spoke with journalists shortly after paying sallah visit to the Niger State governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu at his residence in Minna yesterday.

General Abubakar who spoke extensively on other nagging national issues including security, oil theft among others also called on all other unions already on strike or warming up to enter into dialogue with the relevant authorities to avoid the collapse of the nation’s economy.

General Abubakar said, “I believe that strike is a normal issue but I think we are overdoing it in this country because in other developed countries, strike is done within 24 hours aimed at drawing attention to their plight. Nigerians are already feeling the pinch of these strike ac-

tions and so government and these strikers should look at how these issues can be resolved immediately.”

The former Head of State said government shouldn’t have allowed the strike to linger on for so long and therefore called on it to look into their demands and address them accordingly regardless of its dwindling resources.

He noted that the various unions had made their points and therefore urged them to go back to work pointing out that if the strike continues, they might eventually lose the sympathy of the people.

In the same vein, General Babangida called on the striking unions to sheath their swords in the interest of parents, students and other affected Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the coalition of groups of women, weekend, added theirits

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TWO-storey building collapsed yesterday in Utako District of Abuja, the nation’s capital city, just as one of the occupants escaped death narrowly.

The collapsed building which was abandoned and situated behind Media Trust office, publishers of Daily Trust Newspaper took place barely few weeks after a block of a government secondary school collapsed in Karu, a suburb town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Saturday Vanguard gathered that although, the illegal occupants of the abandoned building escaped unhurt when the incident took place yesterday at 9am, one of them was said to have narrowly-escaped.

When contacted, Director of FCT Development Control Department, Yahaya Yusuf who explained that the building had long been marked for demolition and the owner was expected to foot the financial cost of the integrity test, said, “we are aware that there was a building collapse somewhere in Utako. We had already marked the build-

voice to a call for the immediate halt to the over 100 days old industrial action, embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

The protesters with various inscriptions; ‘Our children, our future’; ‘Nigerian Women say no to ASUU strike’; ‘Government has shifted ground, you too shift ground’; Go back to

BY DAYO JOHNSON, Akure

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S part of security ar rangement for the smooth visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to

ing and we told the owner to stop work. We were at the stage of conducting an integrity test when we heard about the building collapse. ”An independent body was supposed to do that at the expense of the owner.

There were no casualties as occupants of the uncompleted building had already been warned to vacate.”

Ondo and Ekiti states today, the General Officer Commanding Second Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Tijani Jibrin has relocated to Akure .

President Jonathan is billed to visit Ondo state to commission the National Integrated Power Project NIPP Omotosho II power

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LSTOM, an interna tional company that deals in rail transportation, power and grid has reaffirmed its resolve to be an active and concrete strategic partner for infrastructure develop-

“You know, we mothers are always at the receiving end, the ASUU strike is affecting us because our children are at home, so we are saying no to this, because our children are wasting, the federal government is attending to them, offering them huge amount and they are saying no to it. We mothers are not happy.”

ment in Nigeria.

This was stated by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Alstom, Mr. Patrick Kron, on his recent visit to President Goodluck Jonathan at the Aso rock Villa. The Alstom chief equally met top Nigerian business leaders and members of the international business

station.

In Ekiti state, the President is invited to the first Convocation of a Private University, Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is to be confered with an honorary award by the University.

Meanwhile, a combined team of security per-

sonnel drawn from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force , State Security Service and other security agencies have been deployed to the states.

Apart from this, the Nigerian Army has also assured the people of the two states of adequate security during and after the visit of the President.

Obudu Ranch Resort unaffected by mudslide — Imoke’s aide

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HE multi-billion naira Obudu Ranch Resort was unaffected by the mudslide that occurred in Utanga Village in the early hours of Tuesday, according to a statement

Alstom partners Nigeria in infrastructural development

BY THEODORE OPARA

work, ASUU’ were seen chanting; ‘All we are saying, call off this strike’.

Speaking to newsmen, the National President of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Mrs. Nkechi Okemini Mba said the strike portends great danger to the future of the country.

GEJ visits Ondo and Ekiti states

Two-storey building collapses in Abuja

BY HENRY UMORU, Abuja

The Governor of Niger State Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu[left] welcoming Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar to his residence during a Sallah homage to the governor at his residence,in Minna.

community in Lagos.

Also during his visit, Kron signed a technical cooperation agreement with Taleveras Group of Companies Limited. The agreement is for supplies and services for the rehabilitation and capacity expansion of the Afam power station.

signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Mr Christian Ita. The statement issued in Calabar yesterday, said the clarification became necessary to douse any anxiety over the safety of the prime holiday resort.

It also debunked claims that guests at the Resort were trapped in the mudslide, stating categorically that every single guest at the Resort was successfully evacuated from the facility.

“The mudslide did not occur on the mountain as is being speculated and the Resort Cable Car was

not affected at all, neither were any of the facilities at the resort.

“In fact, the mudslide did not occur at the Resort but rather on the road leading to the Resort. Guests who were spending the sallah holidays at the Resort were taken in the cable car to the Water Park at the bottom hill,” said the statement. The statement assured that the rubble which made the road impassable will be cleared within 3 to 5 days.

It also assured that the Obudu Mountain Race will go on as scheduled on November 23rd.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Tukur-led PDP cages Baraje’s group •As Court stops operation of splinter group •We’ll continue to fight— nPDP •Says we’re bonafide members of PDP •Calls for investigation into alleged plot to kidnap Amaechi

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI & HENRY UMORU, Abuja

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T was a sad day in the camp of the Alhaji Kawu Baraje led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, nPDP, yesterday, as a Federal High Court in Abuja declared its activities illegal, just as it ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to only recognize the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur led national officers of the party.

Reacting to the development, the Abubakar Kawu Baraje led group also vowed to pursue its case to a logical conclusion even to the Supreme Court, just as it said it will continue to use the party’s flag, symbol and colours as bonafide members of PDP. In a judgment delivered yesterday, Justice Elvis Chukwu, specifically ordered Baraje, Dr. Jaja Sam Jaja, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to forthwith, desist from parading themselves as national officers of the PDP. Basking in the euphoria of the judgement, the National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur immediately warned the Abubakar Kawu Barajeled nPDP which has in its fold former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, aggrieved Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa; Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara; Aliyu Babangida of Niger; Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko of

Sokoto state; Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano; Murtala Nyako of Adamawa and Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, among others to stop making utterances, issuing press statements, holding meetings or be treated as impostors and criminals.

According to the national leadership of PDP, with the receipt of the Judgment of the Federal High Court which upheld the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur-led National Working Committee as the authentic one, the Tukurled PDP remains the only recognised PDP. The PDP however warned that with this development, the Abubakar Kawu Barajeled New PDP must not rear its head again or be crushed.

In a statement signed yesterday by PDP national Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party said, “For the avoidance of doubt, the ruling of the court in this regard is absolutely clear, direct and unambiguous. The PDP has only one duly elected National Executive Committee under the National Chairmanship of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. ”We wish therefore to state with all emphasis that any group of persons parading themselves as leaders of this organ of our party are impostors and must be treated as criminals by all and sundry. ”Henceforth, the leadership of the PDP will no longer tolerate or

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHIPPINGS DEALERS ASSOCIATION OF BAYELSA STATE This is to inform the general public that the Chippings Dealers Association of Bayelsa State has applied to the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, No. 1 of 1990.

The Trustees are: (1) Chief Felix Sieri - Chairman (2) Torukuru Sinizibe - Secretary (3) Timipere Stanley Sikpi - PRO (4) Barr. Soroh Philip - Asst. Secretary Aims and Objectives: (1) To promote the supply of chippings.

(2) To manage the dumping of chippings in the State.

(3) To seek the welfare of chippings dealers in Bayelsa State.

(4) To contribute to the progress of chippings activities in Bayelsa State.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed Trustee: Chief Felix Sieri

condone any meeting, utterances, press statements and/or activities whatsoever under the name, flag and colour of the PDP by any unauthorized person or group(s) under any guise. ”As a law abiding party, the PDP remained calm in the face of the unwarranted attacks of the last few months. Our leaders chose the path of caution and decorum but our reconciliatory moves and offer of olive branch were treated with the highest disdain and viewed as signs of weakness. ”The National Working Committee has therefore directed that the name, colour, flag and the provisions of constitution of our party must be held sacrosanct by our members. The PDP has adequate internal mechanism for resolution of disagreements and members are advised to express their grievances through such.

In its own statement, the Baraje-led nPDP National Publicity Secretary, Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, said: “Let us reiterate that we will see this issue to a logical conclusion, including going to the Supreme Court, if necessary, to ensure that a non-member of our party does not continue to lord it over us as our National Chairman.

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and his loyalists should, therefore, not celebrate yet as any such celebration would be short-lived as we are more than ever determined to show him the way out of the exalted position he is illegally occupying. ”We meanwhile insist that we have every right to continue using the PDP flag, symbol and colours, as we are bonafide members of the party and thus entitled to use them”.

The group also called for a holistic investigation into alleged plot to kidnap Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, warning that with the experience of Senator Chris Ngige as governor of Anambra State then, the matter as reported in the

Governor Obi (right) with Chief Willie Obiano, APGA governorship candidate (middle) and Sir Calistus Ilozumba, Commissioner for Works (right) during the flag-off of three pedestrian bridges in Onitsha yesterday. media must not be swept under th carpet.

It would be recalled that prior to the judgement, the defendants, hitherto declared themselves as executive officers of a splinter group of the party popularly referred to as the ‘nPDP’.

Whereas Baraje and Jaja acted as the Chairman and Deputy National Chairman of the ‘rebel’ group, Oyinlola, served as their National Secretary.

The group equally opened

a parallel national secretariat of the nPDP in Abuja.

Dissatisfied with the action, Tukur, alongside all the national officers that emerged from the controversial special convention of the party held on August 31, filed a suit where it listed all the key players in the nPDP as defendants.

Equally joined as a defendant in the suit was the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Deciding on the matter yesterday, Justice Chukwu, restrained the defendants from operating or opening a parallel National, State, Local Government Area and Ward Secretariat of the party in any part of the country, adding that they should henceforth, refrain from interfering with the duties and functions of all the PDP national officers that emerged via the special congress of the party held at the Eagle Square in Abuja on August 31.

Continues on Page 9

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013 — 7

Oshiomhole signs death penalty law for kidnapping

BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE, Benin

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DO State governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has signed into law the “Kidnapping Prohibition Law 2009” as recently amended by the Edo State House of Assembly.

The law prescribes death penalty for anyone who is involved in any form of kidnapping in the state.

Oshiomhole while appending his signature to the Bill yesterday in Benin said, “That as reluctant as one would want to be in matters of life and death, I am convinced that the overriding public interest now dictates that we invoke the maximum penalty available in our law to all those involved in the act of kidnapping. Anyone sentenced and convicted; I will sign the death warrant” “But criminals have a choice to abstain from criminality, abstain from kidnapping, abstain from killing so that they in turn can live and enjoy the good things of life”, just as he insisted that those who argued that the problem of kidnapping came from unemployment should not

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu state flanked on his left by the PDP chairmanship candidate of Enugu South LGA, Mr. Victor Agbo and the out-going Chairman, Hon. Nwabueze Okafor (behind) as he arrives the Local Government secretariat at Uwani for the LG campaign...yesterday simplify a very complex issue as kidnappers do not have state of origin

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HELL yesterday lifted the force majeure on its Bonny light exports.

Confirming the development, Spokesman of the oil giant, Mr Precious Okolubo said repair work had been concluded on spill points on the Trans Niger Pipeline, adding that the spill at B Dere and NonwaTai communities in Ogoni area of Rivers state were traced to alleged sabotage.

While assuring that the firm would pay compensation to those affected by the spill the statement said clean up on the environment and repair work on the damaged facilities were ongoing “The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) lifted the force majeure on Bonny Light exports effective noon today (October 18) following repair of recent spill points on the Trans

ternational boundaries.

He assured Edo people that everything was

“I am aware from reports of those who have been arrested over the period that the overwhelming majority of these criminals are migrant criminals who came from neighboring states and sometimes from far away states to perpetrate various crimes in Edo State and escaped back to their states across the country” “I want to assure the good people of Edo state that the government is concerned with the state of kidnapping. We share the pains, agony and trauma which the victims of kidnap and other violent crimes are subjected to or experienced”, adding that everything was being done to keep the criminals in check.

Rivers Crisis: Gov Amaechi appears before Human Rights Commission

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja OLLOWING his petition dated October F 1, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, yesterday, appeared before the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, to

Shell lifts force majeure on Bonny light exports

BY HENRY UMORU, Abuja

and they were migrants and do not respect neither state, national or in-

being done to ensure that security agencies put in place a comprehensive network that would ensure effective policing of the various security flash points across the state.

“I am convinced that all of us in the three arms of government, that is, the Legislative, the Executive and the Judiciary do have a responsibility to make laws and enforce those laws in a way that will send clear signals to those involved in various acts of criminality be they kidnappers, murderers, rapists and whoever they are that the security agencies are now much more determined than ever before to ensure that this state becomes too hot for criminals to operate”

Niger Pipeline (TNP).

The force majeure was declared on October 10 as a result of production deferment from the spills which were recorded on the 24-inch line of the TNP at B-Dere and Nonwa-Tai. Production was switched to the 28-inch line of the TNP, which was also briefly shut down for repair following a fire at Patrick Waterside, Bodo and reopened on October 16.

Repair of the 24-inch line is progressing and it remains shut in.

Joint investigation of the spills has now been completed and the various reports signed off by all participants including representatives of the regulators, SPDC, security agencies and communities. “ “Arrangementsforpayment of compensation are being made in conjunction with people in Bunu-Tai and Nonwa-Tai, the two communities which the joint investigation confirmed were impacted by the spill. “, the company said.

substantiate his allegation against the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Joseph Mbu. The meeting which took place at the headquarters of the commission in Abuja, was chaired by its Executive Secretary, Professor Bem Angwe.

Addressing journalists before the closed door session, Amaechi maintained that the way the commission handles his petition would determine if Nigerians would continue to have faith in it or not.

He said, “I hope we would get justice from this commission. Some said the outcome had been predetermined because of publications like this (waving a Newspaper publication, not Vanguard).

“This publication said I have been indicted even when I have not even appeared before the commission and the commission is yet to start interrogating us.

“The process of investigation should be transparent and if at the end of the day there is no justice, people might lose hope in the commission. I am happy for the invitation to be here and I am ready to appear as many times as they want and also tender many evidences to support our claim.”

The governor said activities in the state had shown that the state was already becoming a police state and appealed to Nigerians to note what was happening there.

In his remarks, Angwe said it was not true that the commission had indicted the governor and urged him to ignore any rumour or publication contrary to his assertion.

“We have not indicted the governor or any other person for that matter concerning the petition before us. Anyone saying anything contrary to this should be ignored,” Angwe told journalists.

Angwe said he was happy that the governor decided to write the petition instead of using uncivilized means to settle the matter.

He said the petition, in the history of Nigeria, was the first to have been filed by a state government, against the state and urged other organizations and Nigerians to emulate “this civilized means of settling dispute.”

On how the commission would handle the petition, he said oral evidence would be taken from all the parties before officials of the commission would visit the state, adding that at the end of this, a preliminary report would be written.

He said it was after this that the commission would decide whether there was the need to hold public hearing on the matter or not.

Specifically, in his petition, a copy of which was obtained by Vanguard in Abuja yesterday, Governor Amaechi, accused the State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Joseph Mbu, of exercising his duties

without recourse to necessary constitutional and legal standards.

According to Amaechi, “The Rivers State Police Command is presently led by Mbu whose pattern of actions and public utterances are manifestly contrary to basic standards of behavior for a person occupying his very sensitive office; the constitutional framework for controlling the security structures of a state, the unique security challenges, formations networks and infrastructure of Rivers State, and the mission statement of the Nigerian Police “the creation of a safer and more secure environment conducive to meaningful socio-economic development through crime prevention and control. ”Mr. Mbu’s mode of exercising his duties without recourse to necessary constitutional and legal standards is creating an environment rife with fear, distrust of security operatives and public institutions, strife, impunity, criminal behaviors and brigandage, factors which were all implicit in the build up and escalation of the pre-amnesty Niger Delta crisis” he added.

Amaechi told the NHRC that “currently the state Commissioner of Police barely acknowledges official communications from the Governornot to mention other principal agents of Rivers State. The avenues for giving him lawful directives in my constitutional

role as the Chief Security Officer of the State has been unilaterally and unlawfully precluded by Mr. Mbu. ”Mr. Mbu has joined an unprecedented disposition to publicly ridicule the person and office of the principal members of a State Government, including the Governor by a State Police Commissioner with unilateral and unreasonable actions made to undermine interagency security collaborations, democratic activities of elected and appointed public officers and the operations of whole units of government.”

He urged the Commission to “leverage its independence and capabilities to urgently investigate and ascertain if the current Rivers State Commissioner is still fit and proper to superintend the police formation of a sensitive state in Nigeria with a complex human rights dynamics leading down to a general electioneering period due to his penchant for compromising democratic practices, structures, institutions and authorities necessary to secure law and order, good government and basic human right guarantees.”

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Benue Police arrest nine-man gang for cultism and alleged murder

BY PETER DURU, Makurdi

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HE Benue State Po lice Command has arrested a nine-man gang for alleged cult related offences and the heinous murder of a 22-year old man (names withheld) in Kashio area of Makurdi.

Briefing newsmen yesterday at the Command Headquaters in Makurdi, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Deputy Suprintendent Daniel Ezeala said the gang was part of the 25 persons arrested during the Eid celebrations.

According to Ezeala, “during the Eid celebra-

tions, the command arrested 25 suspects across the state for various offences and crimes. ”Among this number, the Police acted on a tip off and arrested a gang of nine for cult related offences and the alleged gruesome murder of a 22 years old man at Kanshio in the outskirt of Makurdi town.” ”The Command also apprehended three persons at Lessel in Ushongo local government area of the state for their alleged involvement in setting some houses in the area ablaze.

In addition, Ezeala said, men of the command also impounded 17 motorbikes from those who broke the restriction on the use of

motorbike in and around the state adding that , “two persons were arrested in that regard.”

He stressed that all the arrested suspects would be made to face trial in a competent court at the completion of investigations into the various offenses and crimes.

According to him,”Outside these arrests, we had a peaceful Eid celebration in Benue state, and I can assure you that we will not relent in our dogged determination to ensure that Benue remains one of the safest and most peaceful in the entire country,” Ezeala added.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN (2nd left), with his Deputy, Hon. (Mrs.) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (right), being conducted round the on-going construction work on Ayobo/Ipaja road Project by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat (2nd right), on Thursday, October 17, 2013.

Delta by-election: Dafinone vows to challenge result in court

BY EMMA AMAIZE & GAB EJUWA, Warri

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EFEATED Demo cratic Peoples Party, DPP, flag bearer in the October 12 by-election in Delta Central senatorial district, Delta State, Chief Ede Dafinone, has undertaken to challenge the outcome of the polls at the Election Petition Tribunal.

His words, “As law abiding citizens, we intend to explore all legal means to ensure this sham of an election is cancelled. We shall be proceeding to the Election Petition Tribunal to present our case. The party’s legal team had been told to head to the poll tribunal.”

In a statement issued in Sapele, Dafinone described the October 12 bye- election in which PDP’s candidate, Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, was declared as winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as “a political denial perpetrated against Urhobo, the fifth largest ethnic group in Nigeria.”

According to him, “There is little recognition of Urhobo at the federal and state levels in terms of appointments and positions. Similarly, the interference in the last election where the candidate foisted on the PDP in Delta State is again foisted and this time forcefully on the people of Delta Cent r a l ” .

The DPP candidate, who, clearly, was displeased

with the result of the election, flayed the exercise, which he alleged was not free and fair and was enmeshed in violence and intimidation of voters.

Dafinone condemned the purported reckless desperation, sheer treach-

ery and lawlessness of leaders of the PDP in the state and also accused INEC of overturning the rule of fairness and allocating victory to the PDP. He said, “We reject this outright robbery of the people’s will. We con-

demn this grievous injustice, this unconscionable mockery of all that is decent, of all that is fair and just. The army and INEC, both Federal Government institutions worked with the PDP’s candidate to ensure his victory.”

He added, “The PDP used the army to unleash terror on the people of Delta Central. For hours, gun shots rent the air and the people were clobbered. Also, the announced result shows PDP in first place. As if

that is not bad enough, the result shows All Progressives Congress (APC) in second place with DPP, the Populist Party, in the third place.

All that combines to make the whole result laughable.”

I’ve no power to appoint Judge — Uduaghan

BY EMMA AMAIZE, Asaba

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OVERNOR of Del ta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Friday, said he had no power to unilaterally appoint a judge in the state, declar-

ing that the authority rested with the National Judiciary Council, NJC. Speaking in Asaba, where he inaugurated three part-time members of the State Judicial Council, Messrs Patrick Oganwu, Peter Wanogho and Francis Omatseye, he said the

guidelines and processes for appointment of judges, as well as approval were entirely that of NJC with little input from the executive.

Charging the newly inaugurated members to render quality and selfless service at all times, he said,

“Only those who meet the 10 years post-qualification guideline and approved by the NJC will be appointed judges. I have little input on who can be appointed, as the NJC must screen and approve the people to be appointed. I cannot unilaterally appoint anybody

ASUU strike has increased prostitution, group alleges •wants NLC, TUC, NUPENG intervention

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Abuja

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OALITION of Civil Society Organizations, Market women and students have staged a protest with placards of different inscriptions at the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, over the continuous strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, alleging that the strike has increased prostitution in the country.

The group which noted that the strike was entering the fourth month appealed to the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, the Trade Union Congress, TUC and appealed to the union to call off the strike in the interest

of Nigerians.

Some of the placards read, “ASUU please save our young girls from prostitution, NLC, TUC and NUPENG mediate now, Stop playing politics with our future, This ASUU strike has lost its tactics, ASUU please save our future.”

Though, the group in some of the placards had accused the striking university teachers of being selfish and too rigid in their demands, in what looked like a contradiction, the groups also said that the demands were germane and for the good of the education system.

Delivering a letter to the NLC President at the Labour House, the leader of

the protest and Executive Director of Conscience Nigeria, Comrade Tosin Adeyanju said that they decided to embark on the protest to appeal to the labour leaders to mediate on the lingering face-off between ASUU and the Federal Government that had led to the continuous closure of public universities in the country.

Comrade Adeyanjul said, “We embarked on this protest today to further appeal to all major stakeholders in the Nigeria project and we deem it fit to come to the labour house because of the strategic importance that labour represents in this country.

“For almost 100 days, our

students, our dependants, our children have been locked out of our ivory towers and nothing has changed. We are here to appeal to the labour leaders in this country to come and mediate on the lingering and prolonged ASUU strikes.

“We are not unaware on the germane and relevant issues raised by ASUU, there is need for our institutions to be revitalized, there is need for improved research, there is need for improved allowance, there is need for infrastructural development in ivory towers, but all over the world no country has been able to meet the demands of labour unions 100 per cent.”

as a judge”.

He told them to help “chart a robust Judicial Service Commission, capable of producing judicial officers and staff that will offer to the public transparent and unimpeachable justice”.

While reaffirming government’s support for the Commission and the state’s judiciary in the discharge of their respective functions, Governor Uduaghan assured them of government’s readiness to meet their needs within the limits of available resources.

He commended members of the Commission for their invaluable services and enjoined the new members to improve on the achievements on the ground.

Barrister Patrick Oganwu, who responded on behalf of the newly inaugurated members, commended Governor Uduaghan for the massive infrastructure development in the judiciary in the last two years and assured him of the willingness of members to contribute their quota to the development of the judiciary in the state.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013 — 9

Tukur led PDP cages Baraje’s group Continued from page 6 To further cripple activities of the splinter group, Justice Chukwu, who relied on the provisions of sections 222 and 223 of the 1999 constitution, section 80 of the Electoral Act and section 49 of the PDP Constitution, held that the defendants, having failed to participate or be elected at the said PDP special convention, lacked the legal right to represent the party in any capacity.

While dismissing preliminary objections filed against the suit by the defendants, the court, maintained that in line with provisions of the sections, the nPDP, “cannot claim the status of a valid political party in Nigeria”, noting that for any group to function as a political party, “it must have the addresses of its national officers documented and registered with the INEC.” Consequently, the court barred INEC from, “recognizing or dealing with the defendants, their privies, staff, representatives or lawyers, as national officers of the PDP, under whatever name or acronym”.

The court had earlier held that in view of section 251 of the 1999 constitution, it has the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

According to the Judge, “The cause of action of the plaintiff as endorsed in the Writ of Summons, determines the jurisdiction of the court to entertain a particular suit. From all intent and purpose, there is a cause of action before the court that needs a redress.

“The form of commencement of an action does not make it irrelevant, what is important is the justice of the case.

“It is equally trite that cases are won by concrete evidence and not by written addresses of counsel. Cases are never decided by addresses but by credible evidence. I hold that the material facts or material averments in address of the plaintiffs were not controverted by the defendants.

“Evidence before me has

shown that there was a special congress of the PDP held and monitored by the INEC on August 31. It is obvious that the plaintiffs have proved that they are entitled to the reliefs sought in their Originating Summons.

“I am not in doubt that matters bothering on internal affairs of a political party are non justiceable. However, does the instant case fall within the purview of domestic affair of a party?

My answer is in the negative. It can never qualify as an internal affair of a political party as individual rights have been infringed upon.

“In line with section 251(1) of the constitution, this court has jurisdiction to entertain this suit. I have no doubt in my mind that the preliminary objections ought to fail and I so hold.”

More so, the court which said it was satisfied that the suit was competent, further waved aside the argument of the defendants that individual members of the Tukur-led executives of the party, not being “juristic personalities” under the law, ought not to have sued in their personal capacities, but the offices they purportedly won.

The court held that the plaintiffs could sue in their individual names and collectively, even as it dismissed contention of the defendants that the suit amounted to an abuse of court process in view of a similar suit they said was filed on the same subject matter before a High Court in Lagos state.

The court noted that whereas the case in Lagos, relates to a congress that was purportedly held by members of the nPDP at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre Abuja on August 30 through which the Baraje -led group allegedly emerged as national officers of the party, the instant case, bothered on the congress held on August 31 which produced the Tukur -led officers of the party.

The court said there was a reasonable cause of action

National Confab: Ohanaeze leaders storm Enugu today

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O articulate Igbo po sition on how to organise a credible and popular national conference, leaders of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, will meet in Enugu, the Enugu State capital today.

Hinting about the meeting in a telephone conversation with Vanguard, National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Dr Joe Nwaorgu, said the Ime-Obi (Igbo High Parliament) meeting is “a one-item agenda “gathering.

against INEC in the case before it considering that the election that brought the Tukur-led executives into power was duly monitored by the electoral body.

Basically, the defendants had argued that the suit was incurably incompetent as it was commenced via an Originating Summons instead of Writ of Summons.

It was their contention that in view of the controversial nature of the case, the court ought to have entered pleadings of all the parties and listen to oral testimony of witnesses, to enable it to ascertain the validity of the election that produced the Tukur -led group of the party.

The defendants maintained that the plaintiffs failed to produce the register of voters that participated in the said election, the

•Ngige with the Anglican Bishop of Nnewi shortly after a positive discussion in the Bishops court yesterday result sheet, or documents The defendants told the cial congress where they to show that the plaintiffs court that after key stake- said Baraje and others were stood and won the election, holders of the party uncov- unanimously elected to piadding that, “the court be- ered a subterranean plot to lot the affairs of the party.

They further told the ing a court of record should skew the congress in favour not rely on speculation. The of anointed candidates un- court that a resolution was plaintiffs cannot claim vic- der Tukur’s umbrella, they passed on August 30, retory in vacuum.” promptly organized a spe- moving Tukur as the National Chairman of the PDP.

CONFAB: S/West insists on referendum •NASS can’t alter decision— N-Delta •Conference not solution to our problems —Kukah ...as Committee begins sitting

BY EMMA AMAIZE, DAYO JOHNSON & PROVIDENCE OBUH

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S the Presidential Advisory Committee on National Dialogue/ Conference kick-started its nationwide consultation in Akure, the Ondo state capital yesterday, stakeholders from the South West unanimously submitted that decisions reached at the conference be taken to a referendum.

They posited that afterwards,the President will forward an Executive Bill to the National Assembly which shall enact it into law without tinkering with any of the decision.

This is just as other ethnic nationalities and civil society groups in the Niger-Delta at a prenational conference congress, yesterday, in Warri, Delta state, insisted that the final decisions of proposed national conference should not be subjected to a review of either the National Assembly or Federal Government.

This position was made known by the Regional Coordinator of the Prenational Conference Congress, Sir Casely Omon-Irabor, who noted that President Goodluck Jonathan had said

recently that the result of the confab would be subject to ratification by the National Assembly.

He however asked: “How practicable is that?”, adding: “I think one of the major issues this conference will discuss is whether there is need to continue to enslave ourselves in a union that is oppressive and dangerous, considering the spate of civil insurrection in various aspects of the country.”

Omon-Irabor continued: “If we must, what are the terms and conditions, most probably, by the end of the conference, the National Assembly may no longer exist in the term they currently are now,” he asserted.

National coordinator, Forum for Justice and Human Rights Defence, FJHD, Oghenejabor Ikimi, said, “We believe that the national conference / dialogue must be a conference of all ethnic nationalities of Nigeria and we suggest that membership must be on the basis of equal representation of each of the 102 ethnic nationalities in Nigeria and representatives of other interest groups nationawide.”

Stakeholders from the South West also maintained that the only process that would be able

to alter any of the decisions reached at the conference is a referendum of the Nigerian people. ”The role of the existing government on the decisions of the conference would be only implementation and the decisions reached at the conference would be subjected to a refrendum of the Nigerian people.

Various groups insist on a National Conference with sovereign powers as far as decisions it reached are concerned.

The various groups that submitted memorandum said that the National Assembly would be acting as agents of their Principals who are the people of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Archbishop Matthew Kukah has said that the planned Conference is not the solution to Nigeria’s problem, just as he stated the danger of the ongoing strike

by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Kukah disclosed this at the 6th Anthony Cardinal Okogie Annual Lecture/Foundation, with theme: “Calming the Storm: Witnessing in a time of insecurity,” held in Lagos.

“When you say we are calling for SNC, I wonder who and who is in-

volved, only a few people have expressed their interest, those who read newspapers in Nigeria are not up to 10 percent of the population. However, SNC is here, those who are calling for it, what are they going to do? I have not called for a SNC and I don’t believe it is the solution to our problem, there are those who believe in it strongly.”

He submitted further, saying, “What will solve our problem is the understanding of the problem itself. The first thing we need to do is to ask ourselves what is wrong with us, what has happened to our society?

“Talking is not what is going to solve the problem, because we are talking everyday. This is a freedom that Nigerians are taking for granted but is not available to people in Somalia, Syria, North Korea. We are taking these things for granted, talking is not just people gathering.

“The first thing to do in solving our problem is to realise what our problems are. It is after a proper diagnosis of what the problems are, then we can mobilize the resources required to deal with the problems,” Kukah stated.

10—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

TRAGEDY OF CASUALISATION

Unemployment crisis, casualisation threaten economic growth

BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

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s 2015 draws very near, Nigeria is still not listed any where near the 10 countries that have made rapid progress to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which particularly include MDGI (eradicate extreme poverty) by providing gainful employment to a significant proportion of its population.

Even the Vision 20:20 in which the nation has been projected to be among the 20 best economies in the world by the year 2020, is becoming a mirage.

According to the World Bank, about 66% of the Nigerian population now fall below the poverty line of about a dollar a day compared to 43% some years ago.

Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, declared recently in Calabar, Cross River State, that the current rate of unemployment in the country was very worrisome, pointing out, “this was adversely affecting the economic development of the country.”

Reeling out a grim statistics, he stated that more worrisome is the fact that unemployment rate has exhibited a worsening trend, rising from 8.2% in 1999 to 23.9% in 2011.

He also cited the case of Cross River State where unemployment was also rising astronomically from 7.9% in 2002 to 18.2% in 2011 .

According to the CBN governor, this is obviously not only having a significant effect on the psychology of the individuals concerned but have destabilising impact on the wider society.

Decrying the situation, he said that the 2012 general household survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that 23.9% of the adult working population in Nigeria is unemployed.

He stated that over the years, the CBN had partnered with governments at all levels and various stakeholders to initiate policies and schemes that would help youths in job creation in the country.

Sanusi spoke at the launching of the CBN South-South Entrepreneurship Development Centre in collaboration with the Cross River State Government. It was however revealed that the programme has brought about the successful completion of training of 41,828 entrepreneurs between 2008 and 2013 and that 13,124 jobs were created, while 1,743 were linked with financial institutions from which they obtained loans that amounted to N227.84 million to start and expand their businesses.

For Dr. Olusegun Aganga, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, he advocated the need for selfreliance among Nigerians to check challenges of unemployment in the country. He urged people to stop waiting for the government and to provide jobs for themselves and even others. Stressing on self-reliance in his key note speech at the opening of the 19th Biennial National Training Conference of the Industrial Training Fund, ITF, he said that self-reliance was one of the basic

Waiting for employment? options for economic sustainability of any economy.

According to him, it is clear that by being self reliant, such individuals must acquire a durable entrepreneurship skills through technical and vocational training. He charged the conference to generate strategies and options to fill the gaps, affirming that Nigeria’s hope of industrialisation was very bright due to numerous transformational programmes put in place by the present administration.

foreign earning in the past. But it is not the case today. Most of our food items including rice, vegetable oil, fish, potato, are imported.

Experts believed if the agriculture sector is adequately funded, it has the capacity to generate millions of jobs yearly, due to its short and long term economic potentials, and provide direct and indirect work-force.

Nigeria has a large youthful population that can be deployed to farmlands across the country, with mechanised farming carried out.

The construction industry that can also attract millions of workers in the country is still suffering from huge deficits in infrastructure.

Roads, housing are grossly inadequate, bridges are not sufficient, railways not developed, so too are shipping and aviation seeking participation and investment.

Nigeri’s oil and gas sector had been left to the whims and caprices of foreign multinational companies who have been mindlessly exploiting these resources with local collaborators to the chagrin of the people. This country is the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world, the 8th largest exporter and having the 10th largest proven reserves.

Now producing oil for about 60 years, earning over 85% of our foreign income amounting to trillions of US dollars, the country is still plagued by massive unemployment, poverty, poor infrastrucrure, deficient education, epileptic power supply, lack of adequate housing, no drinking water, while our per capita income is one of the lowest in Africa. Corrupton has become endemic, bad governance, the order of the day,.

Passage of the envisaged petroleum industry bill and properly applied could rectify a lot of the shortcomings and fraudulent practices going on in the industry which have held the oil and gas sector hostage.

Manufacturing has become comatose as the nation preferred importation of goods and services than prodiving enabling environment for people to work and get jobs. Engineering and manufacturing sectors are thrown open to foreign companies at the expense of local and indigeneous participation.

These foreign firms took delight in hiring Nigerians as casual workers without any career future and could be laid off at any time without due process.

Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, declared recently in Calabar, Cross River State, that the current rate of unemployment in the country was very worrisome, pointing out, “this was adversely affecting the economic development of the country.”

Aganga assured that the government was determined to address the challenges of economic backwardness, hence the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan captured the key issues of skills acquisition and tackling unemployment.

Saying that unemployment was not peculiar to Nigeria alone, but a global problem, he affirmed, “this is the reason employment creation is one of the underlying considerations in every transformational initiatives of the present administration.”

Saturday Vanguard reliably gathered that the agriculture sector has huge potential to generate massive employment but had been neglected and poorly funded over the years, leaving the sector in the hands of old and retired people while youths were seeking white collar jobs in banks and petroleum/gas.

Agriculture used to be a major source of income and

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013—11

TRAGEDY OF CASUALISATION

How companies enslave casual workers

BY EBUN SESSOU, FLORENCE AMAGIYA, ANOZIE EGOLE & OLAYINKA AJAYI

“I

T is really not easy to work here especially, as a casual staff.

Some of us that are here as casual staff are most often subjected to what could be called slavery. We are often treated like slaves. If not that, I don’t like staying idle, this is not the kind of place I had in mind working after spending some years in the polytechnic to get an OND certificate. I am more experienced than some staff in there,”. These are some of the words that came out from the mouth of 24 years old Micheal, a casual staff with one of the leading equipment companies located in Mushin. When he gained admission to study estate management in a Federal Polytechnic, in the year 2009, to him, the sky was not only his limit, but his starting point as he started seeing himself as an estate valuer in incubation. Little did he knew that, it does not always go as we think. To him, his present condition leaves him no other option than to fully believe in God as provider. Not only that he takes care of his transport to his work place on a daily basis which costs him a minimum of N500, he is faced with his landlord who is on his neck presently to renew his rent which is long overdue, he is also rendering little assistance to his siblings and his aged mother in the village.

He collects N15000 as his salary on a daily basis.

According to the Enugu state born Micheal, what mainly is his problem is not only that they are being under paid, they are also subjected to a very nasty working condition which seems to be an indirect way of enslaving them. He said that they work from 8:am in the morning till 6:pm in the evening with no rest. “ We resume office as early as 8:am in the morning as against the time permanent staff used to come.

Their staff come at 9:am. We do all kinds of work, there is no clear specification of our work. As far as it didn’t involve technical work, we are asked to do it and you won’t complain. We do not have any insurance in the job, they sack people at will. If you talk, they will tell you that you don’t have option. “The worst part of the whole thing is that, the CEO of the company is not aware that his employees are enslaving us. When ever the man comes around, they will all pretend as if they have been nice to us, and immediately he leaves, the whole scenario will change. We have planned a peaceful protest sometime ago, some of us sneaked away to tell the manager about the planned protest. The people who initiated that were not only sacked, they were detained for some days before they were finally asked to go. Casualization is indeed a dis-

Seeking proper place to work

Casualization is indeed a disgraceful way of working; it shouldn’t be wished on one’s enemy to say the least, in a society where hunger is prevailing and work is scarce like the clean air graceful way of working; it shouldn’t be wished on one’s enemy to say the least. In a Society where hunger is prevailing and work is scarce like the clean air. It is hard to say if this trend would be aborted in the nearest future. It is also risky to say that it should be totally abolished since it sometimes genuinely save ugly and unpredicted situation. It also can serve momentary need and hunger.”

However, some workers are of the opinion that there are no more casual staff in their individual working places; especially in the federal establishments; they claim that casual staff were previously in their companies, but that they have all been absorbed. Others said casuals are needed so that money related crimes can be curbed as these ones become the armed robbers because of unemployment.

Others claim that casualization is a momentary solution to unemployment; as the casual staff are people actually desperate for work because of where they are coming from; they manage the available when the desirable is not available. However, it should be noted that only few people are employed

in these companies especially in the bank; hence it becomes expedient to employ casual staff as they handle the odd and dirty work for the company, but most often times, these casual staff may get absorbed at the end of the day.

Many claimed that casualisation is not so bad in itself as it affords the people some wages to take care of their bills while waiting for employment or the big break. But it becomes terrible and sad when the casual staff is maimed, injured or even die in the line of duty as they are never compensated. Mr. Johnson, who pleaded anonymity related a sad story of how his younger brother became a casual hand in his office; while working with one of the company’s equipment, he had a fractured hip. His casual appointment was terminated as a result of the injury and nothing was paid to him as compensation.

A few others said that casualisation is good because not everyone is literate enough to be gainfully employed, but if you are a casual staff and you are conscious to learn the trade; then you can be gainfully employed at the end of the day. But as the story goes;

what has advantage certainly has a disadvantage, so is the case of casualisation.

The casual staff is not compensated when he or she is down or accidented. They do not give the casual staff any benefits or incentives, yet they are inhumanly treated,’’ says Abodo Okiemute, a former casual staff of a bank.

Abodo Okiemute, a resident of Lagos state said; ‘’I was a casual staff with a bank for three long years and those years were not easy for me.

Along the line, l had to learn to bake and walked away from the bank. The casual staff were used, yet they were never compensated. They were inhumanly treated, you are given jobs that staff cannot possibly perform and you cannot cry out. All these were happening until l walked away.’’

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ike many other victims of casualisation, this was the predicament of committed Chima Akachukwu a victim of casualisation who after his predicament, the hospital bill was forcefully paid by the company and after that he was not properly compensated and was laid-off due to been unable to operate machines with an amputated hand.

Saturday Vanguard sought the views of a Social commentator and a public affairs analyst, Olufemi Samuel. He said Casualisation is a form of work practice whereby a person works without the full benefits an employee is entitled to get; he only gets stipends agreed on with his employer at the Continues on page 12

12—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

TRAGEDY OF CASUALISATION

What Nigerians say about casualisation

Continued from page 11

By Aderonke Adeyeri

outset of employment.

I do not want to steal —Bright Nwokolo

It is however sad that Nigerian government’s effort to boost employment has not been followed with assurance of decent work, given the increasing level of contract-based employment in the country. They rather clamour for Nigerian graduates to explore the wealth in mechanised farming that is capital intensive for fresh graduates to embark on. Casualisasion of staff in any organisation is an unsafe system as major problems bedeviling it are uncountable.

“Nigerians are forced by the realities of gross unemployment to sign any contract of employment just to have a job. In most cases, the agreements were never entered on equal terms but were forced on workers by the realities of the country’s large labour market,” he opined.

He however recalled that sometimes last year, the House of Representatives admonished the Executive arm of Government to urgently address the issues of casualisation, contract staffing and expatriate quota which was seen as a laudable step in the right direction. Months later, many believed it would help curb these issues that have been described as slavery in modern times but still a mere desire as there is no obvious change.

He further added that; “the massive shift from regular employment into temporary jobs through agencies and labour brokers is having a deep impact on all workers and their families. According to analysts, the inflow of graduates yearly into the labour market, led directly to a growing number of violations of workers’ rights.

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he alarming rate of unemploy ment in Nigeria and the hopelessness resulting from inability to afford a good standard of living led people to become casual workers as a last resort. Also, some in a bid to ease hunger and avoid idleness earn stipends barely able to sustain them. A majority of these workers endanger their lives working in factories where chemicals that are detrimental to their health are used. In the occurrence of an accident such as that of Akachukwu in the printing press, no proper or adequate medical care is given to them since they are not recognised and given the full benefits entitled to an employee. There is no job security and they are often exploited and cheated through irregular salaries and responsibilities not aligned with their posts.They get laid off and replaced by the management whenever it suits them even if they have spent years working for the organisation. Their employers threaten them with the situation of unemployment in the country, and they are reminded at every given opportunity that they are fortunate to be employed as casual workers in the first place. As a result, these workers conform to everything odd for fear of not being sacked.

In the same vein, there is no disparity between casualisation and contract staffing as far as exploitation is concerned. Contract staff are regarded as third parties because their jobs are

I graduated six years ago from one of the Nigerian universities, married with two children and an aged mother to cater for. After a long search for a job which was never available,I decided to enroll with one of the private contract firms,which fixed me up with a factory work where I receive N1300 for labour on daily basis. I know a substantial amount of my pay goes to the contract firm. Also, I have been here for three years and I still remain a casual worker with no right to any benefit from the company..Sincerely, I am not complaining because for me, half bread is better than none and I do not want to steal to feed my family.

How companies enslave casual workers High rate of unemployment has become unacceptable in a country like Nigeria. The menace caused by such unfortunate situation is huge such that countless Nigerian youths are now roaming aimlessly on the streets based on contract. A contractor deals with them directly and not the owners of the organisation. The contractor employs, trains and pays their salaries. They have no access to incentives given to a full member of staff of the organisation. They do not have a stake in pensions, gratuities, loans, staff buses, medical care, official houses and cars etc. They can also be retrenched at anytime by their employers because there is no job security unless fought by the company’s labour union. It is therefore not unusual to see labour union members clamouring for more benefits for these workers.

“Most foreign employers are guilty of maltreating their workers. In some multinational companies, Nigerians are paid lower than their foreign counterparts. On the other hand, workers in these firms have accused their Nigerian bosses of involvement with the foreign ones, to rip them of their full benefits and entitlements.

“In Nigeria, a foreigner or an indigenous person with connections in

high places that has a Diploma certificate could supersede a Nigerian staff with a PhD in the work place; with huge difference in their salaries. This kind of maltreatment may not end soon because most of the thriving multinational companies are owned by the elite and foreigners who have the expertise and advanced technology. In the time past, it was unheard of that graduates would be employed to do menial jobs”.

H

igh rate of unemployment has become unacceptable in a country like Nigeria. The menace caused by such unfortunate situation is huge such that countless Nigerian youths are now roaming aimlessly on this streets.

Some of them have become hoodlums while others are now into different vices including crime, corruption, kidnapping to mention a few.

To worsen the situation, most of the youths who are currently faced with this great challenge are university graduates. They have suddenly become victims of casualisation, unemployment, Keke Napep drivers, street hawkers even decent beggars to mention a few.

Unfortunately, Nigerian government has not been able to fix this great problem that has crippled the Nigerian system. Today, we now celebrate casualisation and brain drain.

Chidi, 28, a graduate of University of Nigeria, Nsukka who studied Computer Engineering is one of the victims of unemployment.

Lamenting the ordeal of unemployment, he said, “unemployment has turned me into a street hawker. I hawk second had clothes in Oshodi just to make ends meet.”

“After scrabbling to get a white collar job for more than four years which

I cry when I remember them —John Mebude

I am a casual worker with this company but I know that one day, my God will make a way for me.

When I newly joined this company, I knew a man (name withheld) who had been here for a long period . This man is now on the run for his dear life as the company is threatening him for seeking its help to overcome his terminal ailment. He became sick as a result of an accident he suffered while at work. There was another lady who had an accident during work and presently diagnosed with a complication that can lead to cancer if not properly treated.

When I remember them , I cry out my eyes and it is so unfortunate that the company simply neglects them because they are casual workers. I am begging the government to provide job and eradicate unemployment in Nigeria.

We are subjected to strenuous work —Chuks Augustine

I am a graduate of Economics but I work as a casual worker in this company. As a casual worker, I work for three days and have a day off. Working in this company has not been easy. Casual workers are subjected to strenuous work and a huge target to meet everyday. I have been here since August last year and my first off was spent at the clinic but I am now used to it.

Besides , I almost lost the job when I was at the clinic and I have been made to sign an undertaking that it will not repeat itself or I get fired.

Abiodun - I am a reliever I am not a casual worker but a reliever. I come here every morning to see if the company needs a reliever. The job of a reliever is to fill the gap of any casual worker who comes late to work or does not show up at all. Sometimes, I could be lucky and sometimes I may not.

All that matters is to get food on my table.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 19, 2013—13

C M Y K

14—SATURDAY Vanguard , OCTOBER 19, 2013

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he futility of a National Conference of any kind was very clearly described by none other than Senator David Mark, President of the Senate, recently. It was consistent with his normal views readily expressed on previous occasions. It made good sense.

The country already has a sophisticated legislative structure that could review the extant Constitution. Why waste time and resources by creating an exercise that could only remove from the value of a coordinated effort by the elected representatives of the people?

But the Senate President was the removal of the to drop that toga of a “sovereign” tag. Some of statesman for the dazzling them, highly-respected apparel of a politician when citizens and social critics, he, David, startled everyone wearily embrace the by recording a volte-face on change in policy and the issue, as though preparing seem to hope for the best. the way for the equally Their opinion is quite sudden act of his friend, tenable in a sense: “it is Jonathan, the President of the better to jaw-jaw Federation, on the same issue. than to war-war”; “if However, Senator Femi we could sit down and Okunrounmu, in his own discuss the issues right, must be accounted a that beset us, we are Nigerian politician, and that is sure to find solutions not meant as a compliment. to them”; “we have to The qualification of “Nigerian” sit down and talk”. in that context, is meant to These cliches reverberate convey the qualities of down the corridors of insincerity, disingenuousness futile history. They sound and other unsavoury traits as tame as the lame associated with most of the measures they have actors in our political arena always been. It is not today. always better to jaw-jaw with opponents who e, more than most of would rather pop-pop at those who are now you with AK 47 than jawinvolved, and even those who jaw with you. have been connected with the agitation for a Sovereign e sent delegates National Conference for a long to Aburi time before now, must (remember?) and sat appreciate that what is being down to find solutions to offered with all the noise and our problems, and then clamour is very far from the still came back home to real thing. And yet Mark with war-war. All of which how much glee he accepts and sums up to imply that we hangs on to it as the Chairman do not necessarily have of the Presidential Advisory to sit down and talk Committee on National anyway, since we already Dialogue/Conference. It is have people whom we with the alacrity with which a have chosen to do exactly monkey intercepts the that for us in our passage of a banana tossed at

*a Nigerian politician *not a politician Committee? It is expected that they would be representatives of the socalled geo-political zones. It may not be pessimistic to point out at this time, that each of those zones contains ethnic units that are not looking in the same direction

democratic functions as a country; the progressive disintegration of our higher education institution; the dwindling effectiveness of our security organization — in short, the corruption of the space we need to programme our

H

,

,

it, and that from the hand of a man for whom he had earlier expressed nothing but the lowest contempt. President Goodluck Jonathan, Senator Okunrounmu had described earlier, as man who didn’t “have a clue”. Has the good senator’s sudden appointment now instantly made the President a hero?

That alone introduces a hollow sound to the entire project.

But Okunrounmu is not alone. There are other past stalwarts for the “sovereign” brand of the national conference who have expressed little surprise at the unexpected presidential turnabout and a resentment of

legislative houses.

But we prefer to sit on clouds of platitudes which can neither sustain our hopes nor fulfill our desires in beneficial precipitation. Look at the so-called dialogue/ conference all over again.

The Advisory Committee is yet to arrive at a suitable name for it, in the first place. That would be after they have decided whether it is a conference or a dialogue. What parameters would be employed to select the delegates? Would they be nominated like members of the Advisory

A

minister’s commitment is to the execution of policy, not with operations.

There was a female Minister of Works who visited a bad road under repairs, fashionably turned out in shocking pink overalls which some wag swore was designer made.

(And indeed it hugged the essential contours of her luscious shape in a most fascinating manner.) It left no mark on the dilapidated condition of the road, though the personal concern touched the sentimental core of some readers of the newspaper in which she appeared. The necessary operations were to be performed by the experts who didn’t for months, while the Minister sweetly bore the blame from the ignorant critics.

T

W

We prefer to sit on clouds of platitudes which can neither sustain our hopes nor fulfill our desires in beneficial precipitation. Look at the so-called dialogue/conference all over again

involving Flight 361 of Associated Airlines betrayed a lack of adequate temperament for occupying a public position of ministerial calibre. Her language was not exactly ladylike, and that is what she is first of all.

Unfortunately, however, the critics were basically unfair.

She had little or no responsibility directly with the crash of the hapless aircraft. A Minister is not accountable for what happens in the cockpit of every aircraft in his or her country.

•Senator David Mark on some crucial issues. They may have to get their acts together through a preliminary “dialogue/ conference”. And then, there was the aspect of ratification which the President has now mercifully cleared up and, with it several other issues. It would appear that no plebiscite is envisaged to consider the recommendations of the dialogue/conference. The results, according to the President, will be passed on to the National Assembly and would be — or should be — incorporated into the efforts of the legislators at amending the Constitution.

WHICH BRINGS US BACK TO “SQUARE ONE”!

In the mean time, our thoughts would have been diverted from serious issues of national import—the threatening breakdown of the political establishment that is the foundation of our

governance machinery to be productive according to our will.

Now the politicians can breathe more easily. They are still in full control. When the populace is through with the wild goose chase, they will still find the honourable members waiting. The strategy will, of course, be unravelled by time. It may seem too distant at this time to establish the connection with the cloudy road to 2015 but, if we must repeat, that is the only game in town.

Princess Stella Oduah, the Minister of Aviation, is definitely not a politician.

She is not even a diplomat, either. The way in which she lashed out at some of her critics in connection with the recent air disaster

hat is the way to deal with them even when some of them are people who should know better, having occupied such positions before themselves. The preliminary report on the Associated Airline crash squarely put the responsibility on the operations of the plane. It is very grim. The rejection of operational advice from the equipment within the cockpit could only have been the work of the devil — definitely not the fault of the Minister. Now, I believe that a round of deserved apology is called for at this time, eh?

The Minister of Aviation can take solace from the fact that everything in our system goes back to our Oga at the top mentality. Both the good and the bad. A magnificent road is constructed between two villages, and it is the Minister who gets the encomiums. The Super Eagles win a tournament, and it is the Minister of Sports who wins the accolade. So an aircraft has an accident, well, so the good direction of the Minister about the upgrading of airports has to be rubbished by our grief .

You must have heard it said that “time heals all wounds”.

True enough, but “time also wounds all heels”, as Mr. Charles Taylor, erstwhile murdering President of Liberia, is now finding out in an English jail where he is likely to remain for the rest of his wretched life.

Time out.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 19, 2013—15

C M Y K

16—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013 We are born weak, we need strength; helpless, we need aid; foolish, we need reason. All that we lack at birth, all that we need when we come to man’s estate, is the gift of education.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

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hen market women took to the streets to protest the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike which has lingered for about four months now, it portrayed a very dangerous signal. Many wondered which of the parties involved in the face-off mobilised the market women, but I tell you, they needed nobody to mobilise them. After the protest and the ultimatum they gave for the Federal Government and lecturers to resolve their issues,one begins to suspect that if nothing is done, these women will come out again and protest naked!

The tone of their warning said it all.

All over the world, women are known to have stripped naked when the going gets tough and in Nigeria’s case, the market women whose children constitute majority of students in states and Federal universities have had it and would no longer condone it! Such women need not be mobilised by anybody to protest!Their first outing was just to ‘beg’ but I doubt if their next outing will be the same.

At different points in history, women were known to have shown their misgivings by stripping naked! They have done so in Nigeria in the past. They did it during the Aba Women Riot and afterwards and would do it again!

Ofcourse, Nigerians are not alone in this struggle.

In 2011, activists of Ukraine’s protest group ,Femen, protested outside the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow, Russia,(Friday, Dec. 9, 2011) against alleged mass fraud in the Russia’s December 4 parliamentary polls and demanded that Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin stop his political activities. Putin became premier in 2008, after serving two Kremlin terms. The post-election protests in Moscow drew thousands and continued for several days in the biggest ever challenge to Putin, reflecting public frustration with his rule. The protesting women were naked!

The recent protest against the continued strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the Federal Ministry of Education, Abuja, which demanded immediate resolution of the impasse strikes a dangerous chord.

Before this protest, Nigerian women had been involved in other protests, even to the point of going naked to drive home their points! Not long ago, dozens of naked Kokori women took to the streets to protest the siege on the Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State by troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF).

The 100 naked protesters were unhappy that their husbands fled the community due to the military operation launched in the wake of the arrest of notorious criminal, Kelvin Oniarah.

The naked young and old protesters defied soldiers who were deployed to the community in the wake of the attack on the palace of the Ovie of Agbon Kingdom, HRM Ogurimerime Ukori 1, by armed youths suspected to be members of the notorious kidnap kingpin’s gang.

In October 2012, in Ekiti State, a group of women clad in white expressed their dissent with their breasts exposed against the re-run governorship election in the State. They walked around Ado-Ekiti protesting election

ASUU strike: When market women took to the streets

ASUU strike: Market women on the streets rigging.The elderly women allowed the public to see their two breasts.

In 2004, scores of half-naked elderly women in Akwukwu Igbo, Oshimili local government area of Delta State, protested political developments in the state and in 2005, some Bayelsa women decided to protest naked in support of their son, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Bayelsa former governor who was widely reported to have dressed like a woman in an attempt to escape the British police’s arrest over money laundering.

In 2008, women of Obodogugu-Ogume community in Ndokwa area of Delta State protested naked over inter-ethnic crisis .

The list is endless.

ASUU strike protests could one day get that serious if the impasse is not resloved!

Since the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on this strike, the government has been playing hankypanky with the issues, not seriously hearkening to the demands of the union or attempting to see things the ASUU way.Rather, it had adopted diversionary tactics, trying to use threats and intimidation to force the lecturers back to the classrooms!

It is very bad that government has refused to fully honour the 2009 commitment it made with ASUU but the same government had repeatedly increased the emoluments of at least 17,000 elected and appointed public officials at both the states and federal levels within the same time frame. However, ASUU doesn’t seem focused and strategic in waging this struggle. The misconception that the struggle is about the N92billion arrears in allowances owed members of the union wouldn’t have been if the union was able to put issues in their proper perspectives. In the same vein, the government’s consistent refusal to release funds for research and development of the universities is not something to be swept under the carpet.

We all know that public universities need facilities: buildings, technology tools, laboratories, science and engineering equipments, lecture theatres, libraries, constant electricity supply and

the government since the 2009 agreement owes them arrears in funding for research and development. Some of the buildings in public universities are dilapidating!

Is President Jonathan who was a lecturer and a member of ASUU ignorant of these?

Wouldn’t he want to return to the classroom when he is done with the business of governance ?

What manner of office would he want to occupy then? Who knows, by then, he would have completed his own private university and would have no cause to worry!

Obviously, our government is yet to realise the importance of education in national develop-

ment. We cannot develop without recognising the place of education. If Nigeria must compete effectively globally, it must give priority to education .

Something must be done about the ASUU strike, otherwise, the problems this country is having today would be a child’s play compared to what would happen tomorrow!

The students have been at home for too long and are getting more corrupt by the day!

Early philosophers had opined that the child is born good but the society corrupts the child.

They might not be concerned with particular techniques of imparting information and concepts,

but rather with developing the pupil’s character and moral sense, so that the child may learn to practice self-mastery and remain virtuous even in the unnatural and imperfect society in which he will have to live.

The philosophers had recommended that the young adult learns a manual skill such as carpentry, which requires creativity and thought, to keep him out of trouble and supply a fallback means of making a living in the event of a change of fortune.

What would later become the fate of many a student with this continuing ASUU strike is yet unknown. But this is one strike that can ruin many a student.

How many of these protesting mothers have encouraged their children to learn manual skills like carpentry, sowing, hairdressing , block-making , etc in the interim while the strike lasts?

A child who is born a tabula rasa will become something if well nurtured when it comes to aspects of his personality, social , emotional behaviour, and intelligence.

Children, we must understand are potentially free and rational beings, and the realization of these crucial human qualities tends to be thwarted through imposition of the sort of prejudice that perpetuates oppression.

It is upbringing and education that stymies development of children’s humanity.

Society is the cause of corruption and vice . Men are depraved and perverted by society. Depravity is due to the corruption of man’s essence by civilization.

ASUU should comprehend that compassion for the undeserving in particular and for mankind in general is the greatest of the virtues. Contempt could lead to

hurt feelings.

The Federal Government should also comprehend that the objective of schooling is to develop citizens who would hold forth tomorrow. Students should be

called back to school because they need to explore nature and its requirements in order to learn what they need to know. And when the student has not learnt , it is because the teacher has not taught!

ODUA: The need for stellar qualities

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amilies, friends and Nigerians all over are still mourning victims of air mis haps that befell the nation and claimed the lives of many prominent Nigerians and now, the Aviation Minister is in yet another controversy with the recent allegation that she ordered the purchase of two bulletproof BMW armoured cars worth $1.6million .

The latest is a publication of documents detailing how the Aviation Minister, Ms. Oduah allegedly compelled the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to purchase the armoured cars worth $1.6million or N255m.

According to the reports, two officials of the agency allegedly told an online publication that the NCAA did not have enough funds to upgrade equipment, send staff for critical training, and hire enough qualified staff to curb incidents of air accidents but the Minister is concerned about having two exotic BMW cars from the little money the agency made for its operations .The documents allegedly obtained by the online publication indicate that the transaction for the purchase of the two BMW vehicles started in June 2013 but delivery and payment for the two vehicles were fasttracked between August 13 and 15 2013.

The documents allegedly revealed that the payment for the vehicles was made into a certain bank account and the two black BMW Li HSS vehicles had chases numbers WBAHP41050DW68032 and WBAHP41010DW68044 respectively. The two cars were allegedly delivered on August 13, 2013.

Now, the truth of the matter is that Stella Odua does not need any scandal at this point and should come out to refute these allegations as loud as she can! Silence on her part would mean she is as guilty as charged !

We are all aware of the avoidable air mishaps that happened in her tenure as Aviation Minister and are becoming rampant in Nigeria’s airspace and questions are being asked about certain expenditures by the ministry.

Stella Oduah made a good name for developmental projects in airports across the country when she assumed office as Minister and should not sacrifice her good works on the altar of perceived insensitivity and vanity! Now, many believe that these projects are being used to divert huge amounts into private accounts for other uses ! And she is saying nothing!

In this era of dismissal of Ministers and Special Advisers, Stella Odua should not put herself in the eyes of the storm or be perceived to be undeserving of the exalted position given to her by President Jonathan. She should project more stellar qualities which was her hallmark at take-off because these allegations, whether true or false would do her more harm than good!

She shouldn’t be perceived as projecting corrupt tendencies, mismanaging aviation funds or being used by anybody to siphon money from the aviation ministry into another pocket or for other uses. She shouldn’t allow incompetence to be her hallmark judging by the air mishaps. If anything, the air mishaps that claimed the lives of many should be a source of concern to her at this point, not the purchase of cars . And it would be a tragedy should she allow the good name she made over the years to be rubbished just like that!

A stitch in time saves nine!

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013 — 17

C M Y K

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 19, 2013

My girlfriend cheated on me and regrets it Dear Julie, am 34 years old and my girlfriend recently admitted that she had cheated on me. She said, and I believe her, that she really loves me and that this was a mistake she regrets. However, I can’t take it out of my mind and forget about it. I am angry that she ruined the purity of our love story. It feels like it’s no longer “a dream come true” merely a watered down version of it because it is no longer “flawless.” I feel like a pushover for not doing anything about it.

I’m really in love with her and I can’t bring myself to break up just for that. How can I forgive her? Will I always keep this poisonous thought inside? How can I prevent this from shadowing every aspect of our relationship? Am I “selling short” and blind to her untrustworthiness? How can I trust her again?

Franklyn, Benin

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Dear Franklyn

You are torn between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, you love your girlfriend and want to forgive and trust her; on the other, your feelings were hurt, your perspective of your relationship has been changed, and you don’t want to feel taken advantage of.

The way you described your relationship prior to the cheating, as ”flawless” and pure, while it sounds wonderful, might be a clue into your expectations of relationships in general. Should a relationship be flawless? Cheating aside, did you ever notice other flaws or have concerns about your relationship? Flaws, concerns, problems, issues, whatever you call them are common in relationships, maybe even universal. In a long distance relationship, it can be easy to ignore or overlook flaws for awhile. Because we don’t see our loved ones as frequently, we can idealize our relationship and those few precious inperson visits. Expecting or d w e l l i n g

We’re not on speaking terms M

on relationship perfection of the past may hinder your healing process. Instead, you might approach your situation as a chance to strengthen the bond you two once shared. Perhaps you could sit down with your girlfriend and make a list of all of the qualities you love about one another and another list about things that need improving in you relationship. You could discuss your expecations regarding fidelity, open communication, and honesty, and listen to her expectations.

How can you achieve the improvements you’ve both listed? Are they reasonable?

What are you willing to compromise on?

Another possibility may be to explore your feelings by agreeing with your girlfriend to allow yourselves to see other people. Dating helps pose two options: first, it may help you realize partners who are better suited for you, allowing you to cut your losses and move on; or second, realise you truly love your girlfriend and believe her regrets are legitimate, thus enabling you both to work through your past problems and move forward as a couple.

Before you make your final decision, you can weigh out the pros and cons of staying with your girlfriend. If the “pro” list outweighs the “con” one, your answer may be evident. If, however, the situation is reversed, you may want to take some time to figure out your options with a trusted friend or family member.

Dear Julie, y best friend and I got into a fight. It’s been a month and he won’t speak to me. He says that he needs time, but that’s the one thing I can’t give him. I feel so hopeless and I’ve gone back to smoking after being clean for 11 months. I’m just so sad all the time and it just hurts so much more than I know how to describe. And I know I shouldn’t allow my happiness to be dependent on another person, but it is because he was the only one that actually cared. And I just don’t know what to do. I can’t bring myself to go to speak to friends about it but I just can’t go through with it. I’m trying to move on, but I just want the pain to stop. I miss him so much. And I apologized profusely, but he doesn’t care. He doesn’t care and I can’t handle it. I’m just so upset and I just need help. I don’t know what to do.

Ansa, Lagos Dear Ansa The ending of a friendship can be very difficult, and the silent treatment can feel worse than any unkind words.

Finding closure and moving on is hard when someone gives you the cold shoulder. However, just because he isn’t speaking to you, doesn’t mean he doesn’t care. People respond very differently when they are angry or upset. While your friend might need time, you deserve to feel better without hurting yourself now. Don’t emotionally exhaust yourself by continually reaching out. It sounds like you’ve done your part apologizing and attempting to communicate, but without his cooperation, the friendship may have run its course.

Seeking out advice or support during this hard time may help you clear your mind. Talking with a counselor may be difficult at first, but expressing your emotions and talking about how to deal with your emotions in a more positive way may help you avoid smoking again in the future.

If you aren’t up for speaking with anybody about it, you could also speak with a trusted friend, teacher, family member, or clergy member. You don’t necessarily have to choose someone you are close to.

It’s difficult for me to find Miss Right

Dear Julie, ’m a guy who can’t seem to find the right person. I’m not unattractive or lousy, but for the longest time, I’ve had trouble starting a relationship with anyone. The problem is that when I meet a woman, I can’t seem to progress past the friendship stage.

Many of these women become my good friends, but they just don’t seem interested in starting a physical relationship.

My bad luck has left me feeling unattracboyfriend. In order to make the retive and unconfident. I get frustrated lationship work, both you and your when I hear about my friends falling in partner’s needs should be considered. Are you are both willing to and out of relationships. How can I imwork towards those ever-changing prove my relationship status? I know it’s goals together? If not, you may devague, but it’s been troubling me for a cide it is time to cut your losses and long time. move on.

Fabian, Calabar You mentioned that you are worried about being devastated , why Dear Fabian do you expect to feel this way? Are Luck often doesn’t have a lot to do with there any positive feelings that romantic relationships. It seems you must could come from ending the relaknow that because of the strong feelings tionship? Do you have the support of friends or family to help you duryou’re having about not being in a physiing this potentially challenging cal relationship. When potential intimate time? You could also consider seekrelationships are not progressing as anticing the support of a counselor; ipated, someone’s frustration with this may someone who is not closely tied to cause her/him to just give up rather than the situation and can offer an obspend time fostering that potential connecjective point of view. tion with a possible partner. If you feel roIdentifying your needs may help mantic about someone, flirt and clearly comyou to make important decisions, municate that you are interested in pursuas well as encourage future healthy ing the relationship past friendship so that relationships, with or without your ex-boyfriend the other person knows of your interest.

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My former boyfriend wants me back!?

Aunty Julie, y ex-boyfriend recently pro fessed his undying love for me. It had been a year since we broke up and he told me it was one of the biggest mistakes he made in his life. In the year that we were “broken up,” I struggled to let go of the past, to let go of losing him after he picked up a new girl in that time.

So, of course I jumped at the offer of “getting back together.” It has been a couple of months that we have been trying to rekindle our lost love, and it seems to me that he has made little effort to keep the flame burning or to light the candle for that matter.

I fight day and night with the idea of moving on with my life because these were the very same problems that ended our relationship the first time, but after waiting and dreaming for a year that I could have his true love back, I am very afraid that throwing it away as this will only devastate me. HELP!!!!

M

Rose, Port-Harcourt Dear Rose, Taking the time to reflect on your relationship and your personal needs is a great way to clarify how best to move forward, as an individual or as a couple. Have you considered making a list of what you want from a relationship i.e., respect, daily phone calls, regular sex, romantic gestures, compassion, etc? While it is important to consider the needs and wants of your partner, try to focus on yourself during this activity.

How well do the qualities of your current and ex-boyfriend match your list? Is he presently meeting your needs? Is he capable of meeting your needs? What are you willing to give up or overlook? Where are you not willing to compromise? Can you discuss this with him and see where he is willing to accommodate and where he isn’t? Are his needs being met in this relationship? Self-exploration and honest communication can help you make choices about whether or not to stay with your ex-

C O C K - T A L E S • A wealthy merchant of 84 married a 25year-old fashion model. They had a wonderful honeymoon in Switzerland but, unfortunately, the old boy suffered a coronary and was hospitalised. When his young wife came to see him, the old man said, “Sweetheart, your future has been taken care of regardless of what happens to me. You will have an income of $250,000 a year, my home in Palm Springs, my ranch in Texas, and my Mercedes. You’ll never need to worry about money.” “Oh, sweetheart, please don’t talk that way,” his young wife exclaimed.

C M Y K

“You’ve been so good to me already. If you go, I’ll be devastated. Oh, there must be something I can do to help you. Please... tell me what I can do?” “Well,” the old man gasped, “ you can quit pinching the inlet tube to my oxygen supply for starters.

•An aged farmer and his wife were leaning against the edge of their pig-pen when the old woman wistfully recalled that the next week would mark their golden wedding anniversary. “Let’s have a party, Homer,” she suggested. “Let’s kill a pig.” The farmer scratched his grizzled head. “Gee, Ethel,” he finally answered, “I don’t see why the pig should take

the blame for something that happened fifty years ago.

•A young man looking to get married asked his friend. “Every woman I bring home to meet my parents, my mother doesn’t like.” “Oh, that’s easy,” his pal replied, “All you have to do is find someone who is just like your mother.” “I did that already,” he said, “and that one my father didn’t like.”

•A husband asks his wife, “Will you marry after I die?” The wife responds, “No, I will live with my sister.” The wife asks him back, “Will you marry after I die?” The husband responds, “No, I will also live with your sister.”

SATURDAY

Vanguard, OCTOBER 19 19,, 2013—19

Can you make house-husband work for you?!

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urning husbands into home-dads can seriously damage relationships as a huge chunk of life-swap couples are heading for the divorce courts. “Think long and hard about letting the man stay at home”, warns divorce lawyer, Vanessa Lloyd-Platt, “I know it’s very trendy for the wife to be the bread winner, but in my professional experience, this decision will strain the marriage. It may be fun at first to say, ‘I have a house-husband’. But a wife will

quickly begin to resent the fact that the man is not pulling his weight financially. She will think: “You’re not supporting me”. Within all of us I think there is still a very deep seated belief that men should be the protectors. A gradual lack of respect begins to eat into the relationship and it puts men in very vulnerable position.

The role these men are performing at home is of course highly valuable, but women can find it hard to recognize it. Why should that be so when women know just how hard it can be to look after a family and run a house? It may be down to the way our brains have evolved.

In the past, females needed a mate who could provide for them. These days, women can

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t might not have been heard of a few decades back, but house-husbands are quietly creeping into a lot of matrimonial homes—thanks to women landing super executives jobs that pay mega salaries.

For the hard-working female executives, house-husbands seem to be the answer to every woman’s prayer. Imagine never having to wash up another dirty dish, take the kids to school or get the kids dinner — the average house-husband knows all about doing chores and lots more. Just think of it — getting home and being welcome by a man in a pinny and the aroma of a delicious dinner. Dreams do come true, you think? Well, in theory yes. But according to recent experiences of some “lucky wives,” we should be careful what we wish for.

We’re never going back to the idea that a woman’s place is in the home

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fend for themselves — but their brains are wired as they were in the past.

They’re still looking for a manly man — although there’s no excuse for being a slob! Towards middleage, a lot of couples find the bread winners have lost their high-powered jobs, whilst the wives in the civil service maybe, have carefully moved up the rungs of the promotion ladders to positions of power and influence. Some have even been known to throw juicy contracts at husbands who “behave”.

Yet this hasn’t necessarily turned the husbands into grovelling gratefuls who hurriedly prepare their “benefactor ’s meals! Professor David Buss, an evolutionary psychologist spent five years researching the choices people make when looking for a long-ter m partner. He studied 10,000 people in 37 cultures around the world— from Germans to Taiwanese, and from Pygmies to Eskimos.

He discovered that in every culture, women are less concerned with potential husband’s looks and more interested in his material resources and social status— regardless of their own assets and earning capacity. So you could have your very own prince charming— but remove his

job and get him washing your undies and he’d soon loose his appeal. He believed pretending that men and women are the same has landed couples in all sorts of trouble. Giving him a purely domestic role goes against the grain genderwise. He explains. “We’ve adopted the principle of sexual equality, which encourages men to behave like women and women to behave like men, to do the opposite of what comes naturally.

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here are differences between men and women. That is why stereotypes exist”. Should women give up their careers and get back to their chores? Not according to the Prof.

“We’re never going back to the idea that a woman’s place is in the home”, he says. He however does believe in a middle way but house-husbands do not figure in it. “My idea for compromise is that we continue to be gender neutral in the public sphere but stick to our traditional sex roles in our private lives”, he says.

“In fact, I think that’s what most successful marriages still do. Every couple has to make its own contract, but the ones that seem to work appear to stick with the classic roles, so everyone knows what’s expected of them”.

How to bring your wild teenagers to Heel! hey slam doors and answer back. Their rooms are tips and they play music so loudly you can’t hear yourself think. No wonder, teenagers drive parents mad. But manners expert, Penny Palma, says you can have well-behaved, well-mannered kids instead of arguments and aggression.

According to her, “Your child’s transition from a child to a teenager should be welcomed and not dreaded as if you were about to make a pact with the devil and nurture a werewolf.”

So, how can you turn your teenage tearaways into little angels? Here are some of her tips: Respect them and they’ll respect you: Lack of respect is often the main reason for problems between parents and children. As parents, you have every right to expect your kids to respect you, but you have to show some too. Parents of teens often say things like, “He’s going through a phase,” or C M Y K

“What does she know? She’s just a child.” But, think how you would feel if someone said about you, “Oh, she’s just a housewife.” It’s difficult not to criticise when you don’t like your teenager ’s clothes or taste in music.

Palmano says: “It’s hard to sit back and let them make their own choices.

But you must not try to quash or comment on every aspect of their lives.”

Be polite and friendly when they have friends around. Don’t ask any embarrassing questions and don’t

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visit. “When your children are at home with their friends, you know exactly where they are and who they’re with, which means two big worries are out of the way,” she says.

Don’t criticise unsuitable boyfriends or girlfriend: “You will have absolutely no say over who your teenagers choose to go out with,” Palmano says. “In fact, more likely they are to con-

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tinue the relationship.”

Rather than saying something negative about your teenager ’s boyfriend or girlfriend, focus on something good about them, praise their nice eyes or warm smile. Laying down the law and refusing to let the teenagers see their boyfriend or girlfriend will only make that person more attractive. Any un-

Be polite and friendly when they have friends around

put them down in front of their friends. It will not only annoy and upset your teenager, it will embarrass their guests.

Remember— It’s to your advantage to get on well with your teenager ’s friends and to encourage them to

suitable relationship is much more likely to fizzle out by itself if parents don’t interfere.

Eat together: Having your main meal together every evening gives you an “opportunity to talk to your teenagers. But, if you mention school or homework, they ’re likely to shut down. Talk about their interest or an issue in the news that is relevant to them. Listen to their opinions and don’t tell them they don’t know what they’re talking about, just because you don’t agree. Keep personal issues or thorny subjects such as being allowed to go out on Saturday night, away from the table. conversation is likely to end with someone storming off. According to Palmano: “Try to have a laugh, as laughter relieves the stress and is very bonding for the entire family.”

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013 hen Bubu noticed that her hubby was getting less intetested in intimacy, she attributed it to stress and did all she could to make him feel at ease without achieving results. But what Bubu thought was stress was much more than that.Her hubby was entangled in a relationship with another woman and even though that also crossed her mind, her biggest suspicion was that his current workload was affecting his libido.

When you get suspicious that your significant other is cheating, be careful not to appear to be paranoid. You have to walk a fine line , you don’t want to make false accusations. So, while sharing this list of cheating red flags, also know that it’s a tricky situation.

It’s hard to be sure if someone’s cheating, but protect yourself: Be vigilant, and pay attention to your mind and spirit within the relationship.

But, at the same time, be careful not to let anxiety lead the way because unnecessary paranoia will just drive your lover away.

There are usually some red In a perfect world, we’d be flags that may signal that your open about sharing our corresignificant other is cheating: spondence with our significant others. Most of the time, we Less intimacy Unless he’s Superman, he trust that we don’t have to can only have so much inti- worry about who is texting or macy. So, if he’s getting it from calling them. But, if you noanother source, you might no- tice that he is getting protectice. Whether it’s another wom- tive and/or nervous when he an or a porn addiction — even gets calls or texts, it may be for alarm. if he’s not cheating , a de- cause crease in intimacy signals seGushing or talking about rious issues in the relationsomeone suddenly ship.

You know that exhilarating feeling you get when you Jumpy cell phone habits

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grudge. Forgiveness is a good thing. You can forgive, but don’t forget. If he consistently breaches your trust, it’s establishing a pattern of behaviour that leads to cheating. Do yourself a favour: If he keeps lying, whether these lies are big or small, get out while you can and don’t let him talk his way back in.

Is his attitude changing?

My room-mate is nosy

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just gained admission to the University and I’m in 100 level and I live in a room with three other girls. We are all best friends, except for one girl. None of us like her because she says anything that pops into her head .She told one of my roommates, who is battling an eating disorder, that she looked pregnant, and she is constantly trying to find out gossip about us. After a night of fun, she will come into our room, and pump us for info. She hasn’t gone out with us yet this year. She thrives on knowing gossip about anyone and everyone. My question is: how can we tell her to mind her own

business and shut her mouth?

Also, how can we tell her that we don’t want her to live with us next year? Thanks for your help!

Edwina, Lagos Ans: What you and your roommates are struggling with is likely to sound familiar to many. Living in close quarters, perhaps with someone you don’t know very well, can cause all kinds of stresses and communication breakdowns. In thinking about how to remedy your situation, there are a few things to consider. The cohabiter in question may simply be annoying, without much

whether it’s caused by cheating. There’s a problem if he’s not laughing or seeming as passionate as usual. It’s hard to spread love/passion between two people, so the person who used to have it will feel it slipping away if it’s being given to someone else.

meet someone new and exciting? You want to tell the world about him. When someone begins talking about a guy/ babe a lot and gushes in the process ,know that something is in the offing.

Disconnect Even though relationships ebb and flow naturally, if you’re sensing that he’s drawing away from you, then there may be someone else. Emotional disconnect should be investigated regardless of

chance for change, but is there anything about the way you and your best friends are acting that might be exacerbating your roommate’s nosiness? Your roommate’s behaviour could be motivated by all kinds of things.

Perhaps one of them is her disappointment at recognizing that she is not counted among your group of best friends. Imagine how lonely and frustrating it might feel to always be excluded. Sometimes, it can be difficult to hide when we feel left out, and this might be part of the reason behind her over-eagerness to hear everything she missed.

There also may be ways in which you and your best friends act clique-y — creating a situation in which your roommate’s have to beg for information or say rude things so as to act as

He’s unavailable If he’s disappearing, traveling, or unavailable to the point where you are starting to wonder, then he could be cheating. Also, these times tend to take on a pattern because it’s tough to synch up schedules, especially in secret.

Friends acting strange His friends will certainly remain loyal to him in most cases. They will not let you know what’s going on, but they will definitely be racked with guilt, and their behaviour may change slightly when they are around you while protecting his secret.

Caught in other lies about other things If you catch him in a lie, your trust will naturally be damaged. Don’t hold a

though she really doesn’t like you. Showing some interest in her life and picking some comfortable topics to talk with her might go a long way in satiating her thirst for information and to be involved. It’s difficult and draining, but if you and your friends make a concerted, honest effort to be more inclusive of your roommate, perhaps she will lay off a bit.

What bothers you the most about your roommate’s behaviour? Her desire to be included in your activities? Her tendency to gossip? Comments she’s made that seem tactless? Of course, the responsibility doesn’t lie completely with you.

Your roommate also needs to adjust her behaviour. How do you tell her this?

For some people, simple, consistent messages work. For

Been there, done that If he’s done it before, he’s definitely capable of doing it again. It has nothing to do with you, which is why you can’t say that he cheated on his previous lover because she didn’t keep him happy. Cheating is a self-serving act in which the cheater doesn’t take his significant other into consideration. If someone is upfront with you that he’s made mistakes in the past, maybe give them a chance but make it a long probationary period before you let your guard down.

Your gut tells you so Don’t ignore your sixth sense.

People are gifted at sensing when something doesn’t feel right. Whether there are red flags in your relationship that are clueing you in or not, if something feels off, don’t ignore this feeling. Usually that feeling is right, and something intangible may have led to you figuring it all out.

Do you have any red flags that you’d add to this list? Would you say that you’re generally good at figuring cheaters out, or do you seem to find yourself getting cheated on often? What sorts of behaviours do you think are characteristic of someone who could be a cheater?

example, one of you can take her aside and quietly explain, in private, that it hurts you to hear her say things about your friend and that you’d really appreciate it if she’d try to be more understanding. The key here is being clear and yet sensitive.

If the more subtle approaches are ineffective, you may need to sit down with her and simply explain how her comments and behaviour make you feel. While it may be tempting, avoid the urge to confront your roommate all together, ranting about all the things she’s said that piss you and your friends off. Make sure to give her a chance to respond. , and keep an open mind — she may have no idea that she’s getting on your nerves. Also, make sure you don’t model gos-

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SATURDAY

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anguishing in the perennial traffic snarl-ups in Lagos provides ample opportunity for all manner of reflection. And as I surveyed the chaos of motorists jockeying belligerently for position around me, I recalled a mundane but enlightening incident I encountered not very long ago overseas.

I was in the front passenger seat of a vehicle placed midway in a queue of other left-bound cars waiting patiently for a traffic light to turn from red to green, as the traffic to our right flowed freely straight ahead. But just as the amber light Firstly, there wasn’t one materialized to signal usurper, but several. And in their impending motion, a democratic constitution, from the usual usurper who had deliberately coasted past danfo drivers to gleaming the queue in the free- Land Cruisers. Every one of flowing lane suddenly them contemptuous of the darted in (Naija style) principle of ‘first come, first with his indicator flashing served’; gliding past obvious queues of fellow road users to expectantly.

As a veteran spectator/ attempt a more vantage entry participant of similar point apparently reserved for situations back home, I the bold and audacious. watched with Engaging their identified with direct considerable interest to victim intimidation, winsome see the reaction of fellow motorists abroad to this unusually (for them) brazen show of blatant opportunism. And it was fascinating to see the identical, collective response. Every single one of those cars pleading, sycophantic hailing (including my driver) — or any combination of the ignored the silent appeal three, depending on the of his flashing indicator progress achieved.

And invariably, the response and forged ahead was the same. If the first or unwaveringly. I looked second motorist in the queue back to ascertain his fate.

By the time he finally stood their ground (which found a free spot to enter, happened only occasionally), the light had changed back the third would surely give in, as if in sympathy for the to red.

I marvelled that there ‘punishment’ that he/she felt was no reward whatsoever the intruder had already for his impunity. His fellow received.

A decent harvest indeed for citizens—male and female, their efforts, compared with young and old (and inconvenience of without the intervention the languishing as far back in the of a single traffic official)— queue as their late arrival saw to that. Resolutely.

Contrast this with the actually merited.

So why the divergent traffic jam playing out in front of me in Lagos. mindsets from motorists at

Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013—21

Reflections of a road user home and overseas in the same situation? Which is right and which is wrong? Why do we appear to compromise where they remain unyielding? Is it because we as a people are naturally warm-hearted and kind where they are cruel, cold and unforgiving?

I think not. You only have to witness the response in the developed world to emergencies and crises (whether at home or abroad) to appreciate their regard for human life.

Positive change always comes at a price; the question is – are we willing to pay it if need be?

,

But somehow, without any national sensitization campaign, they seemed to instinctively realize and accept the fact that the responsibility for law enforcement in their land is individual, as well as governmental. No waiting for ‘oga at the top’ to wield the big stick before enjoying peace and safety. For them, looking the other way as someone flagrantly breaks the law before their very eyes is tantamount to wilfully contributing to the destruction of their muchcherished and well-functioning system.

Clearly, in our part of the world, such a philosophy appears to be lightly esteemed, judging by our consistency in

accommodating similar acts of lawlessness. And there are various reasons why we do so, among which three seem to be prominent: One of them, as mentioned earlier, is a misguided sense of sympathy; an apparent effort to extend magnanimity to an offender; an advocacy of the motto that ‘to err is human, but to forgive is divine’.

A noble ideal, to be sure.

But the nobler one is to improving the commuting experience of road users by deterring traffic offenders from committing the same offence again and again.

Needless to say, the repeated exercise of magnanimity for flagrant sins offers no incentive for behaviour modification. So we all continue to stew in the impunity created by our own negligence.

The second reason is simply a case of self-interest.

Standing your ground against lawlessness is not without risk. Your car could quite easily be scratched or worse in the process, particularly by those usurpers whose preferred strategy of engagement is intimidation. But positive change always comes at a price; the question is – are we willing to pay it if need be?

The unfortunate answer alltoo-often is no. Many of us desire change for the better,

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I

t doesn’t matter how wide a gate is, the people in charge more often than not, make it narrow; intentionally. I’ve never understood the logic behind it. You have two thoroughfares, clearly marked IN and OUT to aid the easy flow of traffic and to some extent improve the security situation but no, the current Nigerian way is to slow things down…complicate things… . Make them longwinded and cumbersome. “Na beans?” that’s a very common slang in our pop culture; meaning —it didn’t come easy or it doesn’t come cheap. This attitude applies across board and is reinforced in the very fabric of our current socio-political existence.

I joined the Civil Service in 1986/87, and had an eight-year stint. From the get go though, I knew that it was going to be a very short stop over on my way to wherever.

The requirements for selfadvancement were pretty though, my file would have to simple, as soon as I was go through the system which eligible, I applied for unfortunately for me began at study leave. In 18 months the desk of a clerical officer or a little more I had who had spent over ten years bagged a diploma in Mass rising to that position from his Comm. According to the start off point as a dispatch Civil Service rules, upon rider. completion, that would t came as no surprise to automatically catapult me many that my promotion to a level—lofty status of a was denied; indeed, it didn’t Level 6 officer.

For that to happen get past this clerks desk.

Through the e eyye of the needle

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C M Y K

And we wonder why things are so hard, why even the most basic and elementary things elude us

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Having looked at my documents, his recommendation was that though I had acquired the higher qualification, in his own opinion, based on the one query in my file; I needed to improve on my working relationship before I could be considered for promotion. To hear him say it you would think that I was at daggers drawn with my coworkers. It was much later someone broke it down for me —

I was presumptuous to think I could just waltz in and in less than three years be awarded a study leave (without pay o!) and on top be promoted… o di egwu!!

Na beans?

T

hat’s just one example. Your job is to provide a service, something as menial and mundane as issuing tickets or appending a stamp and signature on a document that does nothing but move whatever the process is a tad further, and you’ll withhold it, and create bottle necks in a bid to

but at no cost whatsoever to ourselves. And since life doesn’t work that way, nothing changes. So we resign ourselves to what we erroneously conclude is inevitable, whereas a little effort, resolve and sacrifice on our parts could move the mountains that stand in our path. And strangely enough, we will still end up paying a price for it, in one way or another.

The third is perversely a question of conscience. Many of us relent to these offenders in the full knowledge that we practice (or may have cause to practice in the future) the very same things ourselves (which is why danfo drivers are always quick to give way to each other in such situations). So out of a subconscious fear of a future operation of the law of retribution, we compromise.

And as all these various permutations and combinations of counterproductive decisionmaking play out, our traffic management officials look on.

In fairness, they often do what they can but are simply overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the lawlessness, whether by commission or omission.

As they should be. Because the solution anywhere in the world was never designed to be effected by a handful of uniforms (and judging by their resigned expressions, they know it). Or in attaining the status of enjoying siren-blaring escorts.

No, the responsibility for enforcing the order that we crave but cannot find, lies not with that ‘oga at the top’ wearing red beret, but with each of us. It requires bravery and stubborn persistence. And the sooner we realize and embrace this reality, the sooner we will all be able to get to our respective destinations with our vehicles and peace of mind intact.

Just like our fellow motorists abroad.

make the process seem more complicated than it really is …. “dem think say e easy?”

Same thing you find an individual who has shown by every material particular that he or she is the most competent to fill that position, or carry out that task, or be the recipient of the something good, what happens, they flip the script on its head , muddy the waters, why?... “na so e easy”?

And we wonder why things are so hard, why even the most basic and elementary things elude us. With our mouths we shape our realities. Because in actual fact, it is easy, beans na beans, merit should be rewarded and sometimes good things happen just because... .

If we can just alter our mindset that life has to be complicated, difficult and hard, perhaps we will begin to change our confessions and perhaps begin to reshape our reality. As for me and my household sha… E EASY!!

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Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

hen Governor Peter Obi reclaimed the mandate given to him by the people of Anambra State, all the good people of the state rejoiced and celebrated. Unfortunately,People’s Democratic Party (PDP) controlled state house of assembly contrived an impeachment proceeding to truncate the young administration that had barely settled down to govern the state. Many were amazed at the audacity with which the house was going about its impeachment threat.

Many people and groups criticized the impeachment move but unfortunately none took any concrete step to save Peter Obi’s Government except persons with disability.

Association for Comprehensive empowerment of Nigerians with disability (ASCEND) rose to the occasion. As the national president of the association, this columnist contacted Mr. Peter Obi and told him the intentions of ASCEND to protest against his impeachment threat, based on the fact that we were convinced that he had not committed any impeachable offence.

O

n October 31, 2006 this columnist mobilized over 1,500 disabled from Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Abia and Lagos states, for the peaceful protest against Obi’s impeachment threat.

And during the match, some of our members crawled, some walked with crutches, while some were hopping under a scorching sun for about a kilometer just to register our displeasure at the planned impeachment of a man we thought we could trust.

I personally funded the peaceful protest. I hired buses and vehicles that conveyed our members from various states and back. At the end of the protest I gave every

However, I listened to the advice and designed the partnership in such a way that we would not need any funds from the state but rather rely on funds from sponsors and partners. I promptly communicated this to Governor Peter Obi and he was happy.

In line with my proposed partnership with Mr. Peter Obi’s Government, I sourced for sponsorships and made personal contributions to the provision of mobility aids and appliances to persons with disability in the state.

On five occasions, my organization, Mobility Aid and Appliances Research and Development Centre (MAARDEC) organized mass distribution of mobility aids and appliances to persons with disability in Anambra state, and Governor Peter Obi attended all the events in the state without contributing a kobo. I was glad that he could find time to attend the events and hoped that he would one day borrow a leaf from the projects. Unfortunately, Governor peter Obi’s response to my gestures was ignominious and criminal neglect of persons with disability. He treated disabled persons in Anambra state as if they had committed a serious offence against him.

The last haul that broke the Camel’s back was when I personally appealed to Governor Peter Obi at a public function to donate a bus to the disabled in Anambra state, he accepted and publicly announced the donation of a bus to the disabled in Anambra state.Unfortunately, he failed to donate the bus or do anything to address the transportation needs of persons with disability in Anambra state. I have realized that I was dealing with a man who could not be trusted.

Gov Obi failed the disabled in Anambra participant money for any incidental expenses they may have incurred while taking part in the protest.

Governor Peter Obi did not contribute a kobo to the cost of the peaceful protest and I did not expect any contribution from him. I did what I did because I wanted to support a man I thought could be trusted.

The interest of our group was to ensure that Governor Peter Obi was

his government to develop a model for caring for persons with disability and the aged, which will serve as a model for the entire country. He sounded impressed and interested. I also informed him that we could start with a legislation to protect the rights of persons with disability in the state.

He asked me to prepare a draft for him, promising to make it an executive bill as soon as he received a draft. I prepared and submitted a

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22— SATURDAY

He treated disabled persons in Anambra state as if they had committed a serious offence against him

not impeached, to enable him serve the people who elected him as their Governor and to send a signal to politicians that persons with disability will no longer sit on the fence and watch the politicians toy with our faith. This message was sent to the politicians,and thus we were happy that we accomplished our mission.

Though Peter Obi was impeached, he eventually reclaimed his mandate through the court and once again, we all rejoiced. Determined to help the governor succeed, I approached Mr. Peter Obi with a proposal to work with

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draft bill within two weeks of our conversation. This draft bill never saw the light of the day.

Mean while, I was reliably informed that if I wanted to make any head way with Governor Peter Obi on any project, that I should ensure that it did not involve him spending Government funds. I wondered what the government funds were meant for, if it cannot be invested in a project that can transform about 500,000 persons with disability in the state from unproductivity and dependency to productivity and independence.

(Text Only)

Yoga Classes

Spread Eagle

Technique: Sit down and spread the legs as far wide apart as possible and keeping the trunk very upright place the hands on the shin and breath normally for 10 to 15 seconds. Rest and repeat.

@ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

Benefits: The Spread Eagle stretches both the harmstrings and inner thigh muscles.

It helps tone up the muscles of the abdomen and also impoves the posture.

Trunk Raise Technique: Lie flat on your belly with hands along the sides. Now, breathe in deeply and raise feet, hands, head and chest off the floor. Hold the

position for 3 to 7 seconds, rest awhile and repeat.

Benefits: The TrunkRaise strengthens the muscles of the back, buttock and shoulders. It helps improve a double chin.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013—23

Desire Differences: Find an intimacy frequency that works Researchers surveyed 1,709 men over 40. As exercise increased, intimacy problems decreased. Women also reported improved intimacy with regular exercise.

Exercise increases blood flow into the genitals. It boosts testosterone, which fuels libido in both genders. It also elevates mood, reduces insomnia, helps control weight, promotes deep relaxation, minimizes menopausal discomforts, and contributes to self-esteem, all of which enhance libido and sexual satisfaction.

How you exercise doesn’t matter. Do anything you enjoy: walking, swimming, yoga, dancing, golf, gardening— whatever. Just do it at least 30 minutes a day.

Regularity is more important

than intensity. It’s better for health and intimacy to take 45-minute walks daily than to hike five miles twice a month.

Eat more fruits and vegetables Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidant nutrients that contribute to cardiovascular and neurological health. In contrast, meat, cheese, fast foods, junk foods, and wholemilk dairy products are low in antioxidants and high in cholesterol and saturated fat that narrow the arteries, limiting blood flow into the genitals.

University of South Carolina researchers checked the cholesterol levels of 3,250 men, and then surveyed their intimacy lives. As their cholesterol increased, so did their re-

PERT X E S E H T ASK I am a 30-year-old married man. I got married a year-and-a-half ago. A month prior to that, we got our baby aborted. Now, she is unable to conceive. I drink a glass of whiskey daily and smoke. My intimacy life is normal. The doctor says I am infertile.

Please help.

If the sperm are absent or lower than twenty million, you are unlikely to have a baby. Besides, if you correct your lifestyle habits, give up smoking and alcohol, your chances may improve. Since she has conceived once, try a course of Rejuspermin capsules twice a day for three months.

I have been married for over a year. I just wanted to know about perfect intimacy timings. Is the best time only during night or day also?

Intimacy doesn’t work on time. Anytime is a good time.

For those on night shift, daytime is best, Sunday afternoon for a restful episode. If it is conception you want,

ports of intimacy problems.

Include fruit with breakfast.

Eat at least one salad a day.

Snack on fruit. And one night a week, dine on vegetable soup. Make a big pot and you also get a few lunches.

Maintain recommended weight Many overweight adults enjoy intimacy. But the research is clear: Weight loss improves sexual pleasure.

A group of researchers surveyed the sexual impact of weight loss among obese adults. Moderate loss, 10 to 30 pounds boosted their libidos, sexual function, and satisfaction. Another group surveyed 32 seriously overweight adults starting a weight-loss program. After losing an average of 56

pounds, most reported more intimacy and greater satisfaction.

It’s tough to lose weight, but guess what helps? Daily exercise and a diet full of fruits and veggies. Exercise burns calories, and plant foods are filling but low in fat and calories.

Avoid crash diets. Instead, embrace modest changes for life, for example, daily walks, fruit with breakfast, and once a week, vegetable soup for dinner. A reasonable goal is two pounds a month, which means 24 pounds in a year.

Manage stress Stress often contributes to intimacy problems. It reduces blood flow into the genitals, and releases hormones that depress testosterone. It contributes to cardiovascular disease, and raises risk of anxiety and depression, all intimacy killers.

Proven stress relievers include: exercise, massage, laughter, meditation, hot baths, gardening, music (playing or listening), and time with loved ones. Ideally, combine them: Exercise with friends or with your spouse.

Quit smoking Many studies show that as smoking increases, sexual satisfaction decreases. Smoking accelerates growth of the arterynarrowing deposits that reduce genital blood flow. If you smoke, your doctor can help you quit.

Limit alcohol Alcohol is the leading drug cause of sexual impairment. As Shakespeare wrote in Macbeth, it “provokes the desire, but takes away the performance.” Health authorities advise limiting alcohol to no more than two drinks a day. A “drink” is one 12-ounce beer, one shot of 80-proof spirits, or five ounces of wine, a standard wine glass half full.

Sleep soundly intimacy throughout the cycle can give the best results.

I am a 30-year-old man. My wife is four months pregnant, and the gynaecologist has advised us not to have intercourse. I have two female colleagues whom I drop on my way home from office every alternate day.

One is married, while the other is single and has recently broken up with her boyfriend.

She has a crush on me and shares her feelings with me too. I am planning to take her to my home when my wife goes to her parents’ place for the delivery. Should I use a condom?

Before buying the condom , think about your wife’s feelings. However, if you are still adamant to have sex with your colleague, do not use your home. Also, it’s best you don’t leave your colleague with false hopes.

Sleep problems reduce sexual energy and depresses libido and testosterone. Half of adults experience occasional insomnia, and millions suffer chronic sleep problems. Sleep problems typically increase with age.

Sleep needs vary, but experts agree that to function optimally, most adults need at least seven hours a night. Regular exercise improves sleep. Quitting

smoking also helps—nicotine is a stimulant. Limiting alcohol helps, too—alcohol disrupts sleep.

Of course, a healthy lifestyle doesn’t guarantee great intimacy, but it definitely helps and it contributes to longevity so you’re likely to enjoy better inimacy for more years .

24—SATURDAY

Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

08056180112

Heart attach stops heart attack O

motayo knew something was terribly wrong when she woke up early one Monday morning feeling a crushing feeling in her chest.

“I almost passed out from the pain, which was worsened by several bouts of shortness of breath. I just felt dreadful, she recalled.” It was the second time Omotayo would be feeling like that. “The first time was about three months earlier, but the pain was a lot milder.” A parttime lecturer in the University of Glasgow, Scotland, Omotayo also ran a boutique downtown. Without disturbing her husband who was still fast asleep beside her, she quietly called her family doctor and booked an appointment for later that morning.

Trouble Six hours later when she walked into the doctor’s office, the pain had receded into a distant pulse. She felt almost completely normal. But the doctor’s diagnosis was a bombshell. He examined 56-year-old Omotayo and said, “Lady, there is trouble.” He explained that she had coronary artery disease. In simple terms, the arteries in her heart had been narrowed. She was scheduled for heart function tests to determine which vessels were blocked. An angioplasty was carried out to help open the narrowed vessels after which heart medications were prescribed to maintain proper blood pressure and flow. Omotayo was devastated. “I had a fairly active lifestyle, was a nonsmoker, and enjoyed cooking, visiting, traveling, Church and family activities, so I didn’t expect to fall ill like this.” Unfortunately, she overlooked the fact that she had a family history of heart disease. Her father had suffered a heart attack and her mother had congestive •Emergency procedures...press down heart failure. These were genetic and nonparticularly shortness of breath, modifiable risk factors. the heart muscle with blood flow can nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw “Although I felt better slowly become narrow from a pain. Breaking out in a cold sweat, after the angioplasty, I buildup of fat, cholesterol and other nausea or lightheadedness could was warned to change substances that together are called occur. Heart attack complications my diet and get even plaque. This slow process is known are often related to the damage done more exercise. My as atherosclerosis. When a plaque in to the heart during a heart attack. family was greatly a heart artery breaks, a blood clot This damage can lead to abnormal concerned about my forms around the plaque and this heart rhythms (arrhythmias), heart health. They watched blood clot can block the blood flow failure or rupture and valve me like a hawk.” But through the heart muscle. When the problems. exactly three months heart muscle is starved for oxygen down the line, Omotayo and nutrients, it is called Ischemia.

What to do if someone is having again experienced a When damage or death of part of the a heart attack crushing feeling in her heart muscle occurs as a result of If you encounter someone who is chest and shortness of ischemia, it is called a heart attack unconscious from a presumed heart breath. This time around or myocardial infarction. About attack, call for emergency medical it was so bad; she was every 55-60 seconds, someone help. If you have received training in admitted into the somewhere in Nigeria has a emergency procedures, begin emergency room.

•Heart attack victim myocardial infarction (heart attack). cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Stent to help deliver oxygen to the body and Once again, doctors performed The surgery was done one Saturday tests on her heart and determined morning and two days afterwards, that she needed another angioplasty Omotayo was sitting up and actually procedure. They placed a stent in one felt quite good. Her family was of her heart vessels. A stent is a tiny surprised to see how well she was device that supports a vessel and doing and how quickly she recovered. helps it remain open for adequate She was walking by the third day and Signs & Symptoms blood flow. But her relief was shortbrain. According to guidelines by the went home four days after the surgery. lived. Barely six months after the Some heart attacks are sudden and American Heart Association, She’s been well to date. stent procedure, there were feelings intense, but most heart attacks start regardless of whether you’ve been Every year, tens of thousands of of fatigue and shortness of breath still slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. trained, you should begin CPR with Nigerians survive heart attack, go back chest compressions. Press down about prevalent. Omotayo had a constant to work and enjoy a normal life. While Often people affected aren’t sure five centimeters on the person’s chest cloud over her head, worrying that there is every reason to be confident what’s wrong and wait too long for each compression at a rate of about she could die. It was when she of a full recovery, a heart attack could before getting help. Most heart 100 a minute. If you’ve been trained suffered a fourth episode that attacks involve discomfort in the be fatal, even at the onset. in CPR, check the person’s airway and Omatayo’s cardiologist decided center of the chest that lasts more deliver rescue breaths after every 30 enough was enough. One of her than a few minutes, or that goes away Heart attack compressions. If you haven’t been coronary arteries was extremely The rising incidence of Ischaemic and comes back. It can feel like trained, continue doing only narrow, and the risk of a full scale Heart Disease, also known as Coronary uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, compressions until help arrives. heart attack or stroke was quite real.

Artery Disease, has been described as fullness or pain. Symptoms can So heart surgery, or coronary artery Treatment at a hospital the “Next Epidemic” in Nigeria. The include pain or discomfort in one or bypass to be more exact, was both arms, the back, neck, jaw or Heart attack treatment at a hospital human heart muscle needs oxygen to recommended as the best option. “I stomach, and shortness of breath varies depending on the situation. It survive, but a heart attack occurs when was really scared and apprehensive, the blood flow that brings oxygen to with or without chest discomfort. could be medications, an invasive but yet relieved, as there was hope the heart muscle is severely reduced Women are somewhat more likely procedure or both — depending on the this would take care of my problems or cut off completely. This happens than men to experience some of the severity of the condition and the once and for all.” common symptoms, amount of damage to the heart. because coronary arteries that supply other Surgery

My family was greatly concerned about my health,and they watched me like a hawk

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SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013 — 25

08116759764 anozieegole@yahoo.com

Kenn ennyy Saint Best becomes a TTalk alk Show host

D’banj gets a pair of Guiseppe Zano tti gif t!

Zanotti gift!

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

T

he bubbly inspirational cum gospel artiste, Kenny Saint Best recently unveiled her Talk Show on Galaxy Television. The show which is titled “Lighthouse with KSB” focuses on motivational issues , lifestyle, and more. KSB sees the talk show as an expansion of her brand as an inspirational artiste.

She believes there are lots of people out there who feel the need to be heard and she is using the talk show as a medium to inspire people as well as challenge them to be the best they can be.

BY KEHINDE AJOSE

E

arlier last week, Koko master, D’banj informed his fans via instagram that he had a gift of a pair of Guseppe Zanotti shoes from the Italian shoe merchant himself, Guseppe Zanotti. The picture captures Zanotti holding a pair of splendid blue trainers with silver buckles.

The Zanotti shoes has been worn by A- list stars like Jennifer Lopez, P.Diddy, Kanye West among others. In the home front, Stephanie Coker, A.Y, the comedian among others have been spotted wearing Zanotti’s creations.

Transcor p tto o house cent enar ranscorp centenar enaryy pageant cont estants contestants

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reparation is in top gear for the much talked about Nigerian centenary pageant as the organizers,AOE has recently signed a contract with Transcorp Hilton hotels, Abuja to house the contestants.

Signing the agreement in Abuja last weekend, the CEO of AOE, Nike Oshinowo asked prospective applicants to submit their entries which closed last Sunday. “This contest will not feature swim wears as it obtains in other competition. This decision is borne out of the peculiarity and diversity of Nigeria and also on the need to ensure full participation by all segments of the population, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds,” she said.

NIGERIAN IDOL WINNER,

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Moses drops video

inner of Nigerian Idol season 3, Moses Obi is on the verge of proving a point in the Nigerian music scene as he drops his maiden album. Already, the scintillating singer has released three singles from his album, which are enjoying massive airplay and receiving reviews from music pundits.

“I am happy about the positive response towards the new singles. Since leaving the Idol’s house, I have taught myself to be a total artiste and it was what I have learnt. I am putting back in my album what I learnt in C M Y K

Nigerian Idol. Right now I am in the studio with really talented artistes, songwriters and producers. I am putting a whole lot of energy into my first album because the expectations are high. I am not scared but challenged to produce an album that will reflect who I am artistically as well as make an impact in the Nigerian music industry, I am sure with God, it will be possible,” Moses assured. The Delta State born singer who is signed to Optima Media Group shot the video of his album on the 3rd of October.

26 — SARTURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

By SAM ANOKAM

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espite being the busiest actress in Nollywood, huge and beautiful, Chioma Toplis has continued to be an item in the motion picture industry. Since 2004 when she made her break in Nollywood, the busty role interpreter is not resting on her oars . Based in the United Kingdom, the fair- complexion actress who combines acting with dealling on designer’s wears and interior decorations has featured in many movies such as Iraq and Iran, Zara, Sincerity, Deadly Friend, Proof of Life, Mad Ghost, among many others. Married to a Briton, the controversial sexy actress in this interview, addresses some of the issues bothering on career, controversies, marital life and dress sense.

What has been happening to you recently? am fine.

I have not been regular in Nigeria this year. I had been on holiday with my children abroad. I need to put certain things in place before returning to the country.

When was the last time you visited Nigeria ?

I left the country in November last year. I am not a noise maker. Nobody hears about me whenever I’m around. I’m not really a party goer. I am always on my own doing my thing.

In fact, I’m more involved in my business than going on movie sets. It’s only when I am free that I consider hitting teh set.

Have you been shooting movies in the UK ?

No, I don’t go for auditions in the UK. While in the UK, I get more involved in my boutique business. I don’t have a shop but I run my business from my house.

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My hubby love me in mini

With your business, do you still find time to pursue your acting career? f course, I still go on location. You know, in Nollywood, you work with producers that are your people. I don’t go about canvassing for jobs. If you need me, you know how t o reach

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me. I’d go for jobs that I’m invited to be part of the cast. It’s not every movie that I would want to feature in. No, Iam selective.

Chioma Toplis

Is it deliberate or that your business does not give you the chance to focus on acting?

It is partly because of my business and my family. I really want to be focused but at the same time, I have to engage myself in other things that would food on my table.

Scripts don’t come my way most often. But I have to do other things that are profitable to me. Sometimes, I might be busy with my business when script will suddenly come my way and I might not be chanced to grab it at that moment.

You run a boutique in Lekki. Do

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you supply Nollywood with costume or props?

I don’t, but I have been providing my own costuming ever since I joined Nollywood. It is only when I’m required to wear traditional outfit that they producers provide costumes for me.

In spite of this, I don’t costume other stars. My boutique is located in Lekki, and I sell wholesale. That’s why I don’t have too many people as customers even in Nollywood.

What role did you play in your last movie?

I have forgotten the title of the movie. But I can remember I played the role of Mariam, Apollo’s friend in that movie .

When it was released, people

SARTURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013 — 27

es to see — Chioma Toplis

I dress the way I feel comfortable. Just like this hair that I have now. I just woke up one morning and decided to be crazy because I have finished what I was doing in the office.

Chioma Toplis were calling to commend my acting prowess. I don’t like feauring in movies regularly. I believe in doing one quality job at a time. And each time, I star in a movie, people always recommend the work. I’m looking forward to starring in a blockbluster movie. To some people, I am an arrogant person. But the truth is that I am not arrogant. I still want to maintain my dignity.

What is your take on the state of the Actors Guild of Nigeria ?

I am a member of the guild.

But I’m not interested in the politics of the guild because I know that what is happening therein is not peculiar to the guild alone. It happens in many

other organisations. But I will be happy if there is peace in the industry.

I am particularly happy that for the first time a woman is the piloting the affairs of the guild.

Perhaps, it means that one day, our leaders will give a woman the opportunity to rule this country. I don’t have anything against anybody as a member of the guild.

As an actress, what role can you not play in movies?

I don’t think there is any role I cannot play in movies. However, due to our culture, I cannot play certain roles. If I’m overseas, I can play any role. They have a way of packaging their movies even when you think there is lots of nudity. They do it in a way that you are not going to go nude. If I find myself in Hollywood, I will interprete whatever role I’m given to play. When people kiss in Hollywood, it looks real. But in actuality, nothing serious happened. In Nollywood and given the kind of culture we have here, it’s a big issue. You will be castigated and your family will disown you.

How do you combine your business with your

acting career?

That’s why I don’t have time on my won. It is also why you don’t always see me out there.

I am not a noise maker. When people see me they feel I’m just here for the fun of it.I do other things here. I’m into interior decoration. I have not done a national or international job before now, but I have been doing a lot of personal jobs. I have friends who invite me to do one or two things for them.

What is your relationship with some of your colleagues in the industry, particularly Oge Okoye ?

I don’t want to talk about that now. When I first came into the

If I am beautiful why won’t men come after me? Even ugly ones, men still chase them. When they come, I usually tell them that I am married and they will go. industry, I took everybody that came close to me as friends but with the passage of time, I realised that not everybody that laugh with you are your friends.

As a result, I started choosing my friends and not them choosing me. I chose the ones I feel I can call my friends. ould you share some of the ugly experiences that made you to take such a drastic decision?

I’m not going to recount any story now. But it is not about one person. It has to do with people I called my friends and who were around me then. My mind is an open book to everybody. But I have learnt my lesson from whatever happened between me and the people I called my friends. I have also forgiven everybody who has wronged me in one way or the other. I have moved on with my life.

It wasn’t a pleasant experience I tmust tell you. It has to do with back-biting, jealousy, and stabbing one in the back. I experienced a lot of things. But unfortunately, these people who were criticising me were not my equal. I am down-toearth and may be, I appeared to be older than them because I know when they were born.

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You just put yourself in and flow.

At the same time, I can do anything I want to do and be what I want to be without them. None of them introduced me to anybody in the industry. Everything I have done in the industry today, I have done for myself.

Did their action somehow affected your marital life?

No way There was a rumour that your marital life was affected negatively My husband doesn’t have that kind of time. Anybody that is bringing my family into any controversy is just wasting his or her time. I am just an easy going person and it has nothing to do with my marriage.

You are saying your marriage was never threatened?

It can never be.

Why do you dress the way you dress?

I wear what I feel comfortable in. In fact, I dress according to the occasion. Presently, I have cut down on the kind of clothes I wear because of the fact that one is no longer a child. I have decided to reduce it a bit especially when I am in Nigeria. It

is not that I flaunt my cleavages a lot but it depends mostly on the kind of clothes I’m putting on at that moment. I have reduced the way I wear miniskirt. I just want to be wearing clothes that suits my age. I am going to be 40 sometime this year. Not that you won’t see me in other wears like when I am going clubbing but I have really cut down on those wears.

To my husband, it is not a big deal. He even loves to see me in mini.

For sometimes, I have not made my coloured hair. Anybody that wants to talk about my dress sense, the person should go ahead and do so.

Some people misunderstood me, they judge the book by its cover. Some people may conclude she’s irresponsible. If I am irresponsible, I won’t be in marriage of 18 years now. I wouldn’t have brought up my son who is going to be 19 years soon. I am so proud to say I have three children whom I brought up single handedly .

Over the years, my husband doesn’t live with us. He is always working outside the country. Now, he doesn’t live with us. He used to live in Dubai but now, he resides in Kuwait . When people sit back and gossip someone, they should remember that I have three grown up children I brought up from the scratch. If people want to judge me by how I dress or any other thing, that’s their business. hat attracted you to your husband?

I met him here in Nigeria .

One of my friends who is married to a Norwegian man invited me to a sent forth party.

He was also at the event. I was sitting at a corner when he sighted me and immediately sent somebody to come and ask me what I wanted to drink. I told him I wanted to take a bottle of coke. I don’t take alcohol. Later, I thanked him and he gave me his complimentary card and that was it. He told me he got attracted to me because of my set of teeth. One thing led to another before we knew what was happening, we got married and later moved to the UK. Hie is an enigneer.

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How do you cope without your husband most of the time?

In the first 10 years of our marriage, we used to live together and we were moving with him. But when our children got permanent school in the UK, I didn’t want to be moving them anymore.

How do you cope with your male admirers?

If I am beautiful why won’t men come after me? Even ugly ones, men still chase them.

When they come to me, I usually tell them that I am married and nothing more.

Naturally, I know that most Nigerian men don’t like to have anything to do with married women.

C M Y K

28 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013—29

30— SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Compiled by

Ephraim Oseji

08023542350

2014 WORLD CUP

Inside England’s World Cup hotel

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ngland’s World Cup base looks good to us... and that’s before a multi-mil lion pound makeover.

Roy Hodgson’s squad will be situated at the five-star Royal Tulip Hotel in Rio de Janeiro for the duration of the tournament which starts next June.

The plush accommodation boasts of 418 rooms spread across 17 floors, overlooking the picturesque views of Sao Conrado Beach or Gavea Stone.

After securing qualification for the finals thanks to last night’s 2-0 win against Poland, Football Association chiefs have wasted no time putting plans in place.

The FA’s general secretary Alex Horne told Sky Sports News: ‘The draw is not until December 6 but we have made plans already, we have discussed where we are going to stay with FIFA. ‘You have to be ahead of the game on this, FIFA nominate hotels and training grounds and we have been and done our homework and we have

selected where were are going to be based in Brazil and that will be in Rio.’ The FA chose the Royal Tulip after plans were revealed for a giant fanzone outside the Windsor Atlantica on Copacabana Beach.

But their preferred hotel is not up to standard and needs a lot of work done to meet the needs of the England team.

It is ranked only 97 of 204 hotels in Rio by travel website TripAdvisor, with recent guest comments including: ‘The location is not all that bad, but everything else unfortunately is.’

The facilities at the Urca Military base, where England trained ahead of the friendly in Brazil earlier this summer, also requires work.

BASKETBALL STAR

Gilbert Arenas stock his toilet roll with $100 bills

BASKETBALL star Gilbert Arenas took toilet humour to another level after posting a picture on Instagram showing a toilet roll filled with $100 notes. The picture was accompanied by a caption reading: 'Money don't change ppl..the lack of money does..never seen a rich person rob a bank..while u hate on my life I'm wiping my ass with this sh*t here haha'.

The so-called 'hating' on his life refers to the fact that the three-time AllStar didn't play a single game last season - but still picked up over $20million (£12.4m).

Despite not playing, Arenas remains the the NBA's third highest earner after collecting $111 million (£68.7m) for a six-year deal signed with the Washington Wizards in 2008. He was then traded to Orlando in 2010 and was amnestied by the Magic in 2011 before joining the Shangai Sharks.

So, when not playing in China, he is basically being paid eight figures to sit on his bum... or worse!

Speaking to HipHollywood in September, Arenas said: 'I don't need the NBA money. I've had enough of it'. That may be the case for the megarich guard but surely he could find a better use for his wedge.

Gilbert Arenas C M Y K

Money don't change ppl': Arenas posted this picture on Instagram showing his toilet roll stacked with cash

Arenas during a game

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013 —31

Compiled by

Ephraim Oseji

08023542350

Matic keen on Chelsea re-union

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ighly rated Benfica midfield player Nemanja Matic has confirmed that he would be keen to re-join Premier League giants Chelsea .

However, his two seasons spent at Stamford Bridge saw Matic make just the two Premier League appearances for Chelsea.

But, since leaving the Blues for Portuguese side Benfica in January 2011 as part of the £21m deal that also saw Brazil international David Luiz move in the opposite direction, Matic’s career has really taken off at the Stadium of Light, with the Serb having scored four times in the league for his new team in his 45 league contests.

Wenger confident of securing £30m Benzema

Premier League giants set to go head to head in the battle to win the signature of highly-rated West Bromwich Albion youngster Saido Berahino

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rsenal boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly confident of finally landing long term target Karim Benzema.

Bernabeu boss Carlo Ancelotti may well feel it’s time to offload the French international, who has recently come in from some abuse from his own club’s supporters after a less than glorious start to the current campaign.

Asprilla offered $10,640 a week contract by adult film company

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Fulham, WBA track Lukman

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ulham and West Bromwich Albion are both believed to be interested in Dynamo Kiev midfielder Lukman Haruna and will go head-tohead for his signature in the January transfer window.

Reports suggest that scouts from the two English sides have sent scouts to monitor his progress several times.

Man U nit ed plan Januar or Tiot e Unit nited Januaryy mo movve ffor Tiote

Man United are preparing a January bid for Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tiote . Old Trafford boss David Moyes has been promised a large transfer war-chest to use in the January transfer window, and has earmarked a move for the Ivory Coast international as he looks to bring in an out and out defensive midfielder, the type of player his squad could sorely do with capturing. Moyes came close to landing the 27 year old Magpies man during his time at Everton and will be hopeful to lure the tough tackler to Man United when the transfer window re-opens.

ADNAN JANUZAJ

Europe’s most wanted teenager

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Adnan Januzaj

he debate that rages over which country Adnan Januzaj should represent appears to be rather more civilised in England than it is elsewhere.

Last week on Albanian television they discussed the most sought-after teenager in European football on a programme entitled, Hero or Traitor, the view being that he would be the latter if he turned his back on his family’s heritage to represent anyone else.

On the face of it the 18-year-old who shot to prominence with two brilliant goals in only his third appearance for Manchester United would seem to be spoilt for choice. His direct style and willingness to dribble past defenders as if it was the most natural thing in the world has everyone purring.

The reality, however, is very different and those who have encountered Januzaj on his journey are saddened by the pressure being placed on his gifted young shoulders.

Born in Brussels, Januzaj is the son of Kosovar-Albanian

Januzaj (circled) as part of the RWDM Brussels FC U11 side C M Y K

he former Newcastle United and Parma striker has been offered a one-week contract with Colombian adult film company Santa Latina A leading Colombian porn company has written an open letter to former Newcastle United and Parma forward Faustino Asprilla appealing for him to sign a $10,640 one-week contract to work in the industry.

The 43-year-old, infamous in his native Colombia for his controversial lifestyle, has frequently made the front pages having already appeared naked in a magazine .

parents who fled the Balkan crisis to escape the poverty and persecution suffered by other members of their family. Today their story can be told for the first time.

But it is a story that means Januzaj could play for Belgium, Albania, Kosovo, Turkey or England, and to date Januzaj has not revealed his preference and nor has his protective father, Abedin.

Januzaj’s agent, Dirk de Vriese, says no family members will be speaking until a lucrative new contract with United has been agreed, although Europe’s other top clubs are circling if that does not materialise. But there is clearly more to it than that.

It is thought that, were they a FIFA-affiliated team and therefore able to participate in competitive international football, Kosovo would be first choice. As it is, England are understood to be the favoured alternative.

The FA certainly believe that to be the case and they are seeking to establish if the possession of a British passport could lead to the five-year FIFA residency rule being bypassed.

Januzaj with Quinton Fortune

32—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

BY IYABO AINA

Lindsay Lohan to open rehab centre

Adele finally gets driving licence

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FTER been to rehab six times ,and presently undergoing 90-days of court ordered treatment at the Betty Ford Clinic, American actress Lindsay Lohan is thinking of working with some investors and lending her name to a new facility.

According to a source ‘Lindsay really wants to help other people and she’s talked to some of her wealthy friends who are sober about the prospect of opening up a rehab centre. ’She loves the idea and really believes that if her name is attached to it, it will help draw attention to sobriety.’

Lindsay, 27, has resisted partying since she left rehab in July and has been spending a lot of time in New York, where she is planning to establish her new venture. The source added: ‘Lindsay is telling friends that she knows what works and doesn’t work when it comes to treatment. ’She feels that she’s in the right frame of mind now to give advice to other young people who have their own problems.

Lindsay is also working on a new reality TV show about her life for Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network .

•Adele

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HE 25-year-old singer who started lessons back in March because she wants to get a car so she can drive her 12-month-old son Angelo around

•lindsay

Sonia Ike

appointed as new Miss Black Africa UK ...as winner is disqualified

without having to rely on his dad, her fiancé, Simon Konecki , as she recently posted on her Twitter account”I passed my driving test this morning”.

Adele had wanted to learn to drive years ago but was put off from getting lessons after her fame increased due to the phenomenal success of her album 21 in 2011.

A source said: “She’s never taken a test because of her busy schedule over the past few years , though She may have various awards to her name, but all she wants is her driving-test certificate.”

The musician - who is believed to currently be working on new material will now have no problem taking Angelo to play groups or traveling between her two homes in London and Brighton, South East England, as she can now legally drive a car.

Madonna banned from cinema

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•Miss

C M Y K

Sonia Ike

new Miss Black Africa UK 2013 , Miss Sonia Ike has been appointed as the winner, Precious Okeke has been disqualified for a breach in the terms and conditions.

The 1st runner-up, Alexina Phiri from Malawi has also been disqualified for not disclosing that she was a reigning beauty queen of another pageant. A title she won just a few weeks before the Miss Black Africa finals.

The Miss Black Africa UK finals took place on the 5th of October with the judging panel made up of Ini Edo, Adebayo Jones, Sporah Njau, Jenni Steele and Kunle Lawani. The Miss Black Africa pageant is the largest ethnic pageant in the UK, with over a thousand applications received in 2013. Miss Black Africa is also the current holder of the BEFFTA Best Beauty Pageant in the UK Award.

Miss Black Africa pageant director Dele Onabowu said “ I am sure that the girls in question did not try to flout the rules. This is a case of failing to read our terms and conditions when applying. Our online application form makes it impossible to submit your entry without first confirming that you have read and understood our terms and conditions. Next to the checkbox is a link to our terms and conditions.

•Madonna

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ADONNA has been banned from a US cinema chain after being accused of texting during a film.

Attending the New York Film Festival screening of 12 Years a Slave, the 55-year-old was reportedly asked to stop texting by an audience member but refused to stop .

Tim League, CEO of the Alamo Drafthouse chain, tweeted: “Until she apologizes to movie fans, Madonna is banned from watching movies at Alamo.”

A source said the Texas-based chain has a strict no talking and no texting policy , as their website says: “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards talking and texting during

the movie.

“If you talk or text, you will receive one warning. If it happens again, you will be kicked out without a refund,” Tim League has since sent a letter to cinema managers instructing them not to let Madonna see a film at a Draft house theater until she apologizes.

Also film critic Charles Taylor, who also attended the screening, said in a post on Facebook: “A woman next to me tapped her on the shoulder and told her to put her phone away, and the blonde hissed back, ‘It’s for business.

Enslaver!’”

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013—33

Empowering the girl child is necessary in Nigeria — Ademuyewo

By MOSES NOSIKE Funlola Buraimoh-Ademuyewo (Olori), Managing Director/CEO, Yosidara Nigeria Limited is the President of Soroptimist International of Nigeria. It’s a philanthropist organisation that empowers women and the girl child to develop more sense of responsibility and impact on both their homes and society. She has MBA, Marketing which has been of immense benefit to her company. In this interview , she reveals why Soroptimist International was established and its targetted audience in the country. Excerpts: Why was Soroptimist International established? oroptimist International of Nigeria, is an international philanthropist organisation operating in about 200 countries of the world with over 3,000 members. We actually specialise in looking after the woman and girl child, not that we don’t look after men as well, but that is our specialty. We ensure that the women get educated, ensure their good health and as well empower them. We also look at our environment, the community we are living, the disabled children, and now trying to improve the state of girl child, to ensure she is well educated,in good health and growing well. We also look at the international affairs as it concerns women. We look at goodwill and try to understand other people. Therefore, we are trying to compare ourselves to the rest of the world, how they are doing and how it relates to us Nigerian women. We gain from them as well as they gain from us.

With this, tell us how women can position themselves in order to impact positively on the society?

This is one of the things Soroptimist normally does. We have professional business women etc. who joined the club and what we try to do is ensure that as mothers, we can’t leave everything to teachers and hope that everything will be well. It’s not done that way. We try to encourage mothers so that they would show a good example in their homes. And they can only show good examples from what they know, so we try to teach them on how to keep a good home. Some clubs do lectures on vocational training, some do lectures on keeping the home – cooking, tidying, making sure that the husband and children are comfortable.

I think that is where we can

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start because once a woman knows her place, that she is meant to make her family comfortable, she can only do that when herself is comfortable. Once she knows that, half of the problems are solved.

We also try to empower women by educating them on those necessary things a woman should know, not that they have to go to university and obtain degrees but they have to know the basic rudiment of keeping a home, doing petty trading, assisting their husbands in running the homes because women can’t leave all the responsibilities for the men but help him to see that the family moves forward. It could be children education, or house keeping in the house and things like that to appreciate your help. We teach them how to be true partners to their husbands, and for the younger ones that are not married, we teach them how to improve themselves, keep themselves and behave especially in public places. For instance, one of the things that upsets me is seeing a young woman misbehaving, smoking, drinking, putting on wrong attire. That is not life, there are better and much more life can offer. So we encourage youths, young girls to live a good lifestyle, so that they can improve in the future and sell goodness to other people. It’s not only money!

Money! Money! all the time.

Morals are very important. I remember when we were younger, that was what we knew, we didn’t know this issue of money everybody is talking about today. We were conscious of our upbringing so that you can relate well with other people in your community. In those days, if you were not well brought up who wants to know you? But these days, the worse behaviour you possess, the more friends you have. It shouldn’t be that way, but the other way round.

We have not seen many

of our women in the position of leadership, especially in this part of the world, what is responsible for this?

One of the reasons is that a lot of women think if they don’t have money, they can’t make headway in leadership because they have to use money for a lot of things. But I want to let them know that it’s not only that. The class they hold in their community can also be of a value. They don’t need to be moneybags to be leaders. They have to be people who are willing to lead people in the right way and show good examples. Sometimes, you see that community could walk to a person and ask the person to lead them because they have seen that person is well behaved or his lifestyle appeals to them. So, it’s not all about money even though it makes women to run away, apart from the fact that they are busy in their homes.

But I believe that after a while when their children are grown up, you can now go into leadership. It doesn’t have to be politics, it could be working within your community, even though politics is a good one where you can encourage women to join so that they can be heard. There is this country where women are leaders, running govern-

ment and the country is one of the countries that is doing well. Women should encourage one another to do politics without being afraid. Some of them think that since it’s not easy for the men, it would be worse for the women. So I advise that women could start with their communities first, then move on to state level and from there join federal.

It’s a step at a time. But when their children are in school, they should concentrate on their family, be that what they want. As soon as the children can look after themselves or start earning, they can look towards leadership. That is the kind of things I would encourage women to do. I would look forward to that now that my children are out of school, I have more time to work on that and that is one of things I was asked when I was still training my children, to be President of Soroptmist, but I couldn’t because I had young children and still doing salary jobs. It was difficult for me to cope. But now that I’m selfemployed and my children are married and having their own children, I’m now free and that is why I have decided to take this mantle of leadership because it involves a lot of travelling, doing communi-

We teach them how to be a true partners to their husbands, and for the younger ones that are not married we teach them how to improve themselves, keep themselves and behave well especially in public places

ty work. We try and work within our community. In Nigeria, we have about 14 clubs, 7 of them are in Lagos and others are in other states. We are still trying to open new clubs and encourage more younger women to join so that as the older women are becoming less active in the society, the younger ones will take over. I have been in Soroptmist for 25 years.

Reducing prostitution among young ladies, what role can mothers play?

They certainly do play roles.

Somebody was telling me that prostitution is as a result of poverty and these young ladies go into it because they need money to keep themselves going. One of our new clubs coming up is having a project on that, looking at prostitutes and trying to rehabilitate them, because before you become a full club, you are meant to have a project. So, the club believes that if those prostitutes have good jobs, good accommodation, proper healthcare and attention etc, they wouldn’t be doing such work and that is my belief. I believe these women have gone into it because they needed the money. Some people would tell me they are doing it for fun not for money but I beg to differ.

However, you can’t blame their mothers even though their mothers should be looking at what they are doing, but virtually all of them tell their parents lies of what they are doing in the town. So, which prostitute would like to tell her parents that she is a prostitute. It can’t be the parents.

It’s the girls trying the means of keeping themselves above their means.

Again, it could be greed, some girls could be that greedy. But I would like to believe that because they don’t have no other means of upkeep, they go into prostitution.

34— SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Why we are bringing Millie Jackson to Nigeria —Fola Aganga Williams

By JEMI EKUNKUNBOR

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rs Fola Aganga-Williams runs a company called Jaded. Created as an exclusive platform to create exclusive luxury exhibitions, balls and parties, Jaded spells wealth, beauty and luxury for timeless people. Come November 1, in Lagos, Jaded is set to bring back the old groove as it holds, Jaded Balls. The show designed to be a blast will bring together soul queen, Millie Jackson and the King of Juju music, Sunny Ade on one stage and also to celebrate the juju King’s 50 years on the stage.

This exclusive, high end show will admit only 350 guests. Who will these people be? And what qualifies them to attend this memorable show?In this interview, Fola Aganga-Williams sheds more light on this forthcoming one-of-akind show. fully with their songs. The young ones take their songs and turn it around.

They are remembering the old music but in a different light. Now,

*Fola Aganga Williams

What major events have you done that describe what you do?

We’ve had a couple of events in the past. We handled Coca Cola event, we managed and organized the bringing in of Serena Williams. It was part of what we did. We had the Diamond Bank premium banking launch, which is called the private banking. We also did something with Blackberry.

We’ve done quite a bit. We hardly do parties but when it is exclusive with high end clients, then we usually step in.

You do have something high end coming up now.

What exactly is it?

We have the Jaded Ball in the pipeline. Every quarter we try to come up with something. This time we are coming up with the Jaded Ball scheduled for the 1st of November, in Lagos and again, it’s exclusive for 350 guests only. This platform is also going to showcase Sunny Ade’s 50 years on stage and to mark the event,

We found out that this class of people have contributed to the society a lot. We are talking about business, we are talking about evolution of wealth, evolution of economy, evolution of music. If we look back, a lot of our young ones have done very beautifully with their songs we are bringing Millie Jackson whom he had worked with in the last 25 years. So that is going to be a great one.

You did say you cater to the high end clients. Why have you chosen this class of people to do business with?

We found out that this class of people have contributed to the society a lot. We are talking about business, we are talking about evolution of wealth, evolution of economy, evolution of music. If we look back, a lot of our young ones have done very beauti-

this class of people, when their children marry, they are left behind. The only time you see them come out is when their children are getting married. Most of the events they attend are marriages, funeral ceremonies, naming ceremonies and so on. We forget that these people were the epitome of enjoyment and luxury in the past. They made Victor Olaiya, Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey. A lot of them had become icons to these people. We don’t want to forget them. There is this saying that without the past, you can’t understand the present. We want to

recognize and appreciate them.

What informed your choice of the two artists, Sunny Ade and Millie Jackson?

King Sunny Ade is the king of Juju Music. He has contributed a lot to the music society in Nigeria. He has won a lot of awards both at home and abroad. Without him, a lot of the juju musicians will not be where they are today. He kind of created that platform for them. So we felt, we should use this platform to celebrate and appreciate him 50 years on stage. What better way can you celebrate such a man but to invite a woman like Millie Jackson? Sunny Ade knows her very well. She is the heart of soul music along with others like Betty Wright and Diana Ross. And you know, the R&B of yesterday created the R&B of today.

These artistes you have mentioned reigned supreme in the 80s. How come a lot of people seem stuck with music and artists of the 80s?

It depends on the age range you are talking about.

The age range stuck in the 80s, are the people in their 40s and 50s and this is because of the birth of disco.

And it’s sudden death which had great impact on the genre. This also gave way to the re- establishment of rhythm and blues, fused with funk. As for Millie being a strong believer of her genre like

Dionne Warrick and Anita Baker, they refuse to change to suit the pocket but remained true to the ears and followers which are timeless and forever fans. She has her regular concerts all year round which shows her followers are insatiable.

What should we expect?

Let’s just say a combination of different kinds of entertainment. We want people to come, sit back and remember the old days and when they were in secondary school.

Let the men in their 70s remember when they courted their wives, let them remember how they danced. It’s like bringing back the oldies. These people have worked hard why can’t they let their hair down and not have a wedding, let them relax and not have to look after their guests. They have to be looked after in this case they have to be looked after with beautiful music, beautiful wine, good food and beautiful company. Let couples remember when they met and how they started, how they grew up and be able to appreciate how far they have come.

Will the night just be for King Sunny Ade and Millie Jackson alone or are you bringing other local artists?

It’s a night just for the two of them. Both of them also need to remember how they first met and played together. You can only imagine what the night will be like.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013 — 35

SAM ANOKAM

C

ome 1st of November, hit-maker, Kingsley Okonwo better known as Kcee will return to reckoning again with the release of his debut album as a solo artiste.

Titled, ‘Take Over’, the album will be released under 5-Star Music. KCee’s first album is made up of 18 Street-Loving joints and a Skit. The joints will include all the super hits Kcee has consistently released in succession: “Give it to Me”, “Okpekete”, “Limpopo”, “Okepete’ remix, “Okoso”, and the recent club-banging, Pull Over featuring Wizkid.

“It’s amazing” Kcee expressed, adding, “how things have turned out so sweetly successfully for me, my brand, and my budding record label. Releasing a debut album is definitely a major career milestone.

“From the humble beginning of going solo and being

Kcee takes over again!

*Kcee

..drops debut album labelled in some quarters as a rejected and dejected artiste, God, the industry, and my fans suddenly made me a super attraction of the Industry. Every single I drop win more fans for me as well as enlarge my profile.It’s simply amazing.”

Featuring some of the best musical acts in the land, “Take Over” is as symbolic as it is prophetic.

Symbolic because Kcee, with the album, hopes to assemble in one CD, the songs that he has performed at all major events in Nigeria especially since he released Limpopo. Also, prophetic because with the name of the album, Kcee is declaring his vision statement of taking over the music industry and staying on top of his game for many more years to come.

Video collection of Victor Olaiya’s songs coming

By SAM ANOKAM

H *Dr. Victor Olaiya

Ton ober ts, Deera onyy R Rober oberts, Deerayy Da vis se or Glo Laf Davis sett ffor Laffftest

By ANOZIE EGOLE

T

he Nigeria’s greatest comedy show, Lafftest, which is being sponsored by one of the country’s leading telecommunication giants, Globacom made another history during the week when newsmen gathered at the arrival wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, to welcome the American born King of comedy, Tony Roberts and Deeray Davis in the country.

The duo stormed the country in the company of Nigeria born acecomedian and Glo ambassador, Basket Mouth.

Addressing newsmen upon their arrival, Tony and Deeray, promised fun seekers a full dosage of fun at the show. “I am here to meet new people and make new friends. I am happy to *Tony be in Nigeria, it’s going to be a

istory is about to be made again as one of the foremost record labels in Africa, Premier Records conclude plans to release the first ever video collection of the works of oldest surviving Nigerian highlife musician, Dr. Victor Abimbola Olaiya (O.O.N).

This was disclosed by the Special Project Manager of the record label, Mr. Michael Odiong.

He said, the event will herald a new sense of documentation of legends that have made their

mark in African entertainment industry.

“We have worked very hard to get to where we are now, and we still intend to do more for our distinguished artistes under us. A collection of five video were chosen from some of his most favorite songs and videos as they were made to recount a story that people can relate with. The most amazing thing is that people, especially lovers of good music believed in us all these years,” he stated.

The formal launch of the collection will come up on the 20th of October at the historic Stadium hotel, Surulere, Lagos.

GUS: Peter er,, Ema and Mar Maryy sent packing As Gulder Ultimate Search 10 gets underway, the hammer of eviction has fallen on three of the 12 contenders. Mary Adeboye, one of Gulder Ultimate Search 10’s identical twins was evicted in the Octave Puzzle challenge. She was a member of the Swords tribe.

The other two contenders who have fallen by the wayside include Peter Ijeh and Ema Etido Ebong, both members of the Spears tribe.

While Peter lost out in the Log and Riddle Task, Ema was identified as the weakest link in the Spears tribe during the Cart Race challenge.

Mary’s eviction occasioned by her poor performance in the Octave challenge and she had to battle Ifunanya Onike Michelle of the Spears in the eviction challenge. Ifunanya, who has proven her mettle as a leading contender for the Gulder Ultimate Search crown beat Mary, hence her elimination. However, while the contest between Mary and Ifunaya lasted, Martha, Mary’s sister was visibly torn between supporting her sister and Ifunaya, her tribe member.

36—VANGUARD, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013

A man with vision cannot be stopped by any obstacle —Esan

BY OLAYINKA AJAYI Not many would imagine that Esan Olusola, a young banker who is championing a-not-for profit organisation for the welfare of the Elderly people globally, got inspired through his love for his parents. In this encounter, he talks about Charity Organisation for the Welfare of the Aged People, COWAP, his organisation. Excerpts: What is COWAP all about?

COWAP is a charitable organisation with a vision to care for the overall health and welfare of the elderly in the society. We educate them on how to better their health by eating healthy, engaging in fitness activities, helping them to reach their relatives whom they have lost contact with, and helping the less privilege among them with both financial and material needs. We also collate elderly statistical data and records among other things. Apart from this, COWAP also engage the younger adults on the necessity of planning for their old age even though they are yet to attain this age.

What brought about the organisation?

It was a vision that emanated from my childhood. As a child, I grew up with my parents in the village and they loved my other siblings and I so much, we were 13 in number and we were all brought up in the way of God. Our parents also taught us to be hard working. In that process, I observed the love they had for us was unequal and unparallel.

C M Y K

They demonstrated it every time. At times, my mother would pray for me and assure me that she will not let us suffer inasmuch she is still lives. She sometimes assured me that she will take good care of me and ask me what my needs are so that she can get them for me, but that I should be a good boy. My parents taught me how to farm.

Though that was not convenient at the beginning but I later adjusted. My mother often requested that I should assist her in her farming activities.

We had a farm that is as large as a football pitch and just to make my parents happy, I will clear it alone and tender the crops on it. When the need arose for me to forge ahead in my studies, my parents went extra mile to get it for me in terms of finance and other needs.

There was a time things were so rough that three of my brothers were in higher institutions, two were in secondary schools while two others including me got admission into the secondary school and all of us were to resume the same week. My father had to exhaust all his salary, went to Credit and Loan Society to borrow money, went to friends to borrow more and finally settled everybody at almost the same time. My mother also arranged for other items needed for resumption.This action made me see my parents as the greatest parents in the whole world. So, when I thought about these good deeds, I decided that if they could sacrifice all these for me and my siblings, then I will make sure they too do not suffer in their old age. I grew up with this attitude of assuring them that they will not suffer in their old age and to my sur-

prise, they appreciated it and this has bonded our relationship.

Often,my parents still remind me of my promise never to let them suffer. My mum would say “Sola, please remember how we suffered when you were young and don’t forget your promise never to let me suffer.”

Each time I hear this, it rekindles my resolution to care for them even now in their old age. One good thing is that my other siblings share this sentiment and are doing their best.

When I conceived this idea, I looked at it that it is not only my parents that needed to be cared for, but my old uncles, aunts, and other elderly people out there. I thought of it that it will be good not to limit this care to my parents alone but to every elderly person.The idea of generalising the care for my parents later gave birth to COWAP – Charity Organisation for the Welfare of the Aged People with the major aim of caring for millions of aged parents scattered around the world. We intend to sell the idea to other African countries and every part of the world. And the sole aim is to secure a guaranteed future for the elderly.

How do you manage your work as a person and running the affairs of the organization ?

I am not the only one in COWAP, there are other members who volunteer their time and money to seeing that we succeed. So, when there is need to do anything, we contact any of them. COWAP also has a field officer dedicated to the running of the Secretariat. I only provide direction and when I could not be there in person, we make use of phones and other social media platforms to communicate. I also use my leave period when the need arises. Beyond this is the fact that COWAP is Godly inspired and it burns in me like a wild fire. This has made me to overcome all odds and to get the Project running. I am looking to a time when I will be able to

their commitment. All what we have achieved wouldn’t have been possible if not for their sacrifice and dedication.

We also have many more people enrolling as members recently.

One good thing about us is that we are gradually building a team that will take the organisation to an enviable height and we are gradually selecting value-driven organisation which will partner with us to put smiles on the faces of the elderly.

How have you been able to conquer these challenges?

We use to encourage ourselves a lot because we believe we have what would be of good benefits for the elderly people. The zeal to continue regardless of all these constraints also keeps us going. We are also encouraged that as the vision grows, it will outlive our present generation dedicate the whole of my time since as many that will grow to the Project, but for now I old will get to benefit from it. work. One good thing I also Financially, our programmes noticed that has helped me at are tailored to the available my work is that whenever I resources at our disposal, have time to engage in the though this is not satisfactory organisation activities , my to us since there are many productivity level at work projects to execute on their increases. behalf. Our impact is now What has been your pronounced in FESTAC town challenge anchoring the and every where the project organisation?

One of the challenges we have started from.

This has been a big encouris convincing people of the need agement to us. We are looking to care for the elderly in the forward to when we will have society. Most people believe the care of the elderly should be the as many corporate bodies and individuals to support this sole responsibility of the worthy course. It is also government and not individunecessary for government to be more serious at all levels in There was a time things were so handling elderly rough that three of my brothers were issues and aging matters. They should in higher institutions, two were in also identify organizasecondary schools while two others tions that can give including me got admission into the value to elderly to with in the secondary school and all of us were work interest of the elderly to resume the same week. My father in the country.

What is the had to exhaust all his salary, went to Credit and Loan Society to borrow necessity of engaging adults in money, went to friends to borrow planning for their more and finally settled everybody old age?

We do this because it at almost the same time is part of our vision to ensure that every Nigerian and indeed African as a whole has als or NGOs without financial a sustainable plan for strength. But we are overcomlife at old age. This is ing that gradually. Another big necessary because of challenge is lack of finance to the failure of governexecute the various projects of the organizations. We have had ment to have a proper plan for life at old age in the country, course to cancel some prohence it will be suicidal for grammes for the elderly anyone to neglect the advice of because of lack of funds. Most planning well for him or her corporate bodies we contacted life at old age. Our observation turned our proposal down even shows that people strive to at the instance of the physical achieve their goals from cradle presence of the elderly in their upwards but we noticed that offices. hardly is there any plan for a Apart from these highlighted successful life at old age. A challenges, people of like proper plan for a successful life passion are rare to come by. All at old age should include a solid what you get is commendation for these programmes but to get and independent financial plan, psychological preparation people who will be more for the challenges of this age dedicated to it and are willing grade, health plans which to release their resources is should have been inculcated in very rare. I thank God for the every individual from youthful members we have already and life as we transit to adulthood and later in life at old age. For example, it is dangerous healthwise to refuse to change the diet we have been used to since adulthood. Life at old age need a careful check on diet, restricted consumption of substances like alcohol, soft drinks, sugary substances and less worry and stressful engagements among others.My advice to the elderly is to take their health serious, be conscious of what they consume, the sanitary condition of their environment, be less worried about life, maintain a happy mood all the time and take Participants at their medications when COWAP elderly walk necessary.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013 — 37

Spending my week end on movie location —-Lawrence Anozulike, Actor

l

have been on movie set for some months now. l’m not through with the production. As a result, I don’t have any plan to spend the weekend outside my movie set.

Embaking on tour

How celebrities spend their weekends!

—

Actress

I

intend to spend this weekend in Ghana. At the moment, I am shooting a new film there. I also

By FLORENCE AMAGIYA & ANOZIE EGOLE

Many have been wondering how Nigerian entertainers find time to unwind during weekends despite their busy schedule. Our team went to town to engage some of the celebrities on how they spend their weekends.

No plans for my week end

—-Chigozie Alichi, Actress

I

I

’m going to hang out with my friends and family members this weekend. I will also visit some interesting places as well as cook for my friends.

In addition, I have a plan to pay a visit to the orphanage home after church service on Sunday.

do not have any plans for this weekend. This is because I’m down with fever. Besides, I will hitting location very soon to shoot a new movie.

*Nkem

Plans to spend time with motherless babies

I ‘ll be with my family — Queen Nwaokoye Actress

I

spend my weekend with my family. Though I am always very busy, most times I spend my weekends on movie location. But whenever I have the opportunity, I always like to be with my family and my fans. I love sitting back to watch my movies in most cases so as to learn from my mistakes.

C M Y K

*Chigozie

Plans to give myself a treat —-Uche Iwuanyanwu, Actress

—-MC Diddy Elvis

A

part from hanging out with my friends this weekend, I will equally visit orphanage homes to play with the kids. I usually embark on such charity visits mostly after church service on Sundays.

*Queen

intend to go to the cinema to see movies with my friends who are on the same movie set with me.

This is the way I unwind considering the saying that “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

Hanging out with friends

— Nkem Ike

*Lawrence

*Chioma

Chioma Iioekwe,

I *Mc Diddy

will be marking my birthday this weekend.

Already, I have put plans in motion to give myself a nice treat by going for a dinner with my friends. But first and foremost, I will go for Church service to thank God for my life.

My parents are also planning a wonderful reception for me here in Lagos.

*Uche

38 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Nollywood @ 20 celebration begins A

ll is set for the historic celebration of Nollywood at 20 which commences on Saturday, November 2, with a grand opening event tagged, “Nollywood Celebrity Glam Night” at the magnificent Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos.

The world-class event will have in attendance the crème of Nigeria’s elite in governance, politics, business and industry, the diplomatic community, arts and culture as well as Nigerian and international motion-picture industry.

The event seeks to build on the gamechanging contributions of key stakeholders to the meteoric rise of Nollywood, including President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State

Chik e Br Chike Bryyan is dying!

T

and other personalities that have made Nollywood the most sought-after export brand that it is today across Africa, the Caribbeans, Europe and parts of America.

According to the organisers, the 25-day celebration will climax on November 27, with the Nollywood at 20 grand awards night. Some other features of the celebrations include a charity novelty football match, special master class sessions for practition-

his is no cheering news for Nollywood practitioners as President of the Script Writers Guild, Mr. Chike Bryan is currently down with kidney related ailment and needs urgent support to stay alive.

HVP learnt that the soft -spoken guild head was initially admitted at Isolo General Hospital before he was later referred to Igando General Hospital, Lagos, where better machines for dialysis are available.

A source who confirmed this development to HVP said, Bryan’s two kidneys are currently in bad shape and only the grace of God will save this energetic Nollywood practitioner who has written so many blockbuster movies.

However, while nothing is being done by his colleagues to save him from dying, kudos must be given to Franca Brown who, according to our source, have taken it as a personal project to be attending to the ailing Bryan.

the Nollywood industry this far. The programme also seeks to develop more effective partnership platforms for moving Nollywood to the next level.

Uche Jombo joins hubby in New York

N

ollywood actress, Uche Jombo-Rodriguez recent ly travelled to New York, where her hubby, Kenney Rodriguez is currently residing.

Tongues are wagging that the actress has temporarily relocated to New York to spend time with her hubby, Kenny Rodriguez. She reportedly left the shores of the country last Tuesday. ‘Waiting for my flight’, Uche Jombo wrote.

This is coming after Uche completed a series of new productions, including “Unconditional and Under My Skin.” The actress was spotted at the departure lounge of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, together with several other Nollywood stars, who will be attending the 2nd edition of the Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards (GIAMA), holding in the United States.

Uche and Kenny tied the nuptial knot in May, 2012 at Marriot Isla Verde beach resort, Puerto Rico.

*Uche Jombo-Rodriguez

EbonyLife TV, Disney to co-produce ‘Desperate Housewives Africa’

D

*Chike

*Mo Abudu with Disney Media reps C M Y K

ers, coaching clinics for Nigerian youth and upcoming motion picture practitioners, special charity-support activities, an anniversary Jumat service as well as a thanks-giving service at the Rock Cathedral, Lekki, Lagos.

Organisers have promised to deliver a world-class event as they also celebrate great personalities and institutions that have brought

isney Media Distribution EMEA has announced plans for a local production of the iconic hit series “Desperate Housewives,” bringing a new take on the series’ darkly comedic view of suburbia to African audiences.

To be filmed in Nigeria, the series will be jointly produced by Mo’ Abudu’s EbonyLife TV and Disney.

According to general manager, Disney Media Distribution, Emerging Markets, Giovanni Mastrangelo, the purpose for bringing Desperate Housewives to Africa is ‘to engage African audiences through locally relevant and entertaining storytelling.’

The cast for the Nigerian series which will be filmed on location in Lagos, will include actors from across Africa, and producers say production will follow the format and storylines of the original US version, but with a Nigerian flavour.

The Desperate Housewives series already have five different versions produced for EMEA and Latin American audiences.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013 — 39

Fans express surprise as Liz Anjorin converts to Islam F

or Liz Anjorin’s fans, the news making the rounds that their screen idol has converted from Christianity to Islam is like a fairytale.

Some of them expressed their surprises on her facebook page. One Sunny Anisha writes, “Is it true that you have changed your name from Liz to Aisha?” Another fan, Azeez Temitope while commending the actress asked rhetorically whether she has converted to Islam.

"Is it true that you have converted to Islam .I’m so happy for you,” he writes.

A few weeks back, the Yoruba actress travelled to the Holy land, Mecca to perform this year’s pilgrimage alongside her colleague, Kemi Korede. The pair who are now happy ‘Alhajas’, spent the Eid-Mubarak holiday in Saudi Arabia.

For whatever reason, Liz has indeed joined the league of celebrities who have gone on the Holy Pilgrimage. She's said to have changed her name to Aisha, an indication that she has truly converted to Islam. Henceforth, she wants to be known and addressed as Aisha Anjorin.

Yvonne Nelson’s twitter account

*Liz Anjorin

*Monalisa

hac ked! hack A

fter hackers broke into the twitter ac count of Ghollywood actress, Yvonne Nelson and used it to send nasty messages to people including former ex-BBA winner, Karen Igho, indications are that her ex-lover, Iyanya’s account was also hacked.

Though he has not publicly commented about it, the musician’s twitter handle, @Iyanya had some strange tweets coming from it.

It tweeted at the Face of Zaron actress saying, “@yvonnenelsongh Hello I Miss You” and gave out a strange number for people to follow him on Whatsapp.

Meanwhile, Yvonne Nelson and Karen Igho are yet to settle their differences caused by the unfortunate tweets last week.

*Liz with Kemi Korede

Monalisa Chinda plans magazine launch in Ghana S

tar actress, Monalisa Chinda has disclosed plans to launch her debut magazine, ‘Monalisa’ in Nigeria and Ghana before the end of the year.

Monalisa made this disclosure while speaking at the Fashion and Champagne VIP evening held last weekend at the Villa Monticello Hotel, in Accra. She was honoured alongside other celebrities at the glamorous event This is coming weeks after a journalist, Mr. Kelvin Keshi threatened to drag the actress to court over breach of contractual agreement and failure to pay his two months salaries while working for their proposed magazine.

The Catwalq star hinted that she plans to launch the magazine during the first week of November in Nigeria while Ghana in December.

According to her, “Ghana is a place I visit all the time. But for the first time, probably, because Monalisa magazine is a big project I’m about to launch. I had to come with my team to get content for the magazine and also source for a venue for the launch.”

WapTV shines in France

By IYABO AINA

W *Yvonne Nelson

C M Y K

apTV stole the show at the recently concluded MIPCOM 2013 held in Cannes France, where it was represented

by Wale Adenuga Jnr., MD of Wale Adenuga Productions; and Gina Ehikodi, GM of wapTV who received ovations after presenting the channel’s rich Family Entertainment content to everyone present.

According to Wole Adenuga, Managing Director of wapTV, “We are glad that wapTV received such a warm welcome at MIPCOM 2013. It’s a sign that we’re on the right path towards the actualization of the channel’s Vision- ‘to be the First Choice Nigerian Family Entertainment Channel’ across and outside the shores of Nigeria.”

MIPCOM is a yearly global market for entertainment content across all platforms

where the industry’s leaders from all over the world converge in Cannes to turn every moment into an opportunity, transforming four days of meetings, screenings and conferences into deals, from blockbuster programming to groundbreaking partnerships.

40—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

*Electric blue lace Crochet dress

yemisisuleiman670@yahoo.com

The future is

bright

I

*My style 8---Geometric gold earrings

f fashion designers 2013 collection from the runway is anything to go by, then bright colours and colour block is here to stay.

Colours, flavoured with glamour and playful feel good fashion is in our eyes. Bright colours; electric blue, yellow, peach, etc are the new black; it is no longer preserved for the risk takers but for everyone and anyone who wants to shine bright like a diamond.

*Dior

*Bright bangles

*Flared Jacquard Skirt

*So bright and cheerful

*Giambattista Valli Bouclé Blazer

GTB Lagos FFashion ashion and Design Week begins T

*Model for Rosebinna

his month Lagos will play host to the Guaranty Trust Bank Lagos Fashion and Design Week from the 23rd of October to the 26th October; at the Ocean View Grounds by Eko Hotel, Ademola Adetokubo, Victoria Island Lagos.

As part of the activities to culminate the week, Guaranty Trust Bank has teamed up with the founders of Lagos Fashion and Design Week, Style House Files to host the Fashion Business Series on October 24th by 9am at Ocean View.

The Fashion Business Series is a platform created to facilitate conversations between key stakeholders In the Nigerian and Pan African fashion industry as a useful tool for exchanging ideas, networking and developing the industry To launch the series the keynote Speakers will be Mr Olusegun Aganga (CON) Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Nigeria, Mr JK

Olusegun Agbaje Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer Guaranty Trust Bank. Some of the other speakers include Bernice Kannor Balli from WIPO, Simdul Shagaya CEO Konga, Sarah Maino Edior of Vogue Talent and Simon Burnstien CEO of Browns, London.

The round table will focus on: • E Commerce and Retail: A reliable option for bridging the gap between fashion demand and its supply across Africa • Funding Options For Your Fashion Business: SME Loans, Bank loans, Crowd Funding?

• Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) & Fashion: A detailed analysis on the need for IPR for Fashion.

• Fashion’s Rising Stars: The Role of Fashion Talents in Building A Sustainable Fashion Industry

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013 — 41

42—SATURDAY, Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

When Iwuan wu ttook ook a wif e Iwuanyyan anwu wife RESPECTED politician, businessman and publisher, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu recently took a wife, a 26-year-old , Frances Chinonyerem Enwerem, daughter of Eze Leo Enwerem before a high profile crowd including the movers and shakers of the country. Chief Iwuanyanwu lost his first wife two years ago after forty years of marriage. Photos by Hill Ezeugwu

The Couple, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Bride, Princess Iwuanyanwu.

Training at Reuters SIXTEEN practising journalists in Delta State drawn from both electronic and print media houses were in Reuters in London on a training programme on “Investigative Journalism”, sponsored by the Delta State government

Senator Nkechi Nwagu (left) and Mrs Rochas Okorocha, Imo State First Lady.

Vanguard's State correspondent, Asaba, Mr. Austin Ogwuda receiving his certificate from Delta State commissioner for Information Mr. Chike Ogeah while the two trainers, Andy Gray (right) and Melanie Cheary look on.

L-R: Dep. Senate President, Senator Ikweremadu, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha and Senator Bright Nwanne.

L-R:Brig. General M.A. Alikali, presentative of Chief of Amry Staff and Mrs Rochas Okorocha, Imo State First Lady

R-L: HRH Eze Dr. Oliver Ohanwe Obi of Isiala Mbano, Lady Ugoeze and HRH Eze Leo Enwerem, bride's parents

L-R:Hon. CID Maduabum and Hon. Evis Agukwe

Vanguard's Austin Ogwuda (extreme rt), Andy Gray, (Sixth from right) is Delta State Chairman of NUJ, comrade Norbert Chiazor, Melanie Cheary, Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah and other participants

Alpha Circle donates to 8 Orphanages in Imo and Anambra States MANY orphanages and destitute homes in Imo and Anambra states are still counting their blessings after they were handed millions of naira by the Alpha Circle Club of Nigeria penultimate week. The beneficiaries include the Red Cross owned motherless babies home, Save The Child Motherless/Abandoned Babies Home, Area N, Zone 3, World Bank Estate, Owerri, Holy Family Sisters of The Needy, Owerri and the Little Consolar of Christ Passion Orphanage, amongst others

Members of Alpha Circle Club with Commissioner Members presenting a cheque of N500,000 to manfor Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Lady agement of Little Consolar of Christ Orphanage.

Henrietta Agbata.

C M Y K

Alpha Circle members with kids at Red Cross Orphanage Owerri.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013 —43

Fanfare galore ffor or Ekiti Fir st Lady @ 50 First

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L-R:Erelu Angela Adebayo; Dep. Gov, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; the celebrant, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; her husband, Gov Kayode Fayemi; Dame Abimbola Fashola; and Mrs. Olufunso Amosun.

ife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, clocked 50 years on June 11, 2013; barely two months after the death of her close confidant and friend, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, the immediate past deputy governor of Ekiti State.

The sad loss of her friend forced the shelving of the celebration of Erelu Bisi Fayemi’s birthday. The birthday was e v e n t u a l l y commemorated with different events in October, 2013.

However, it was a weeklong celebration with various events, including a book launch and a gala reception amongst others

Celebrant, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, dazzling the guests

First Ladies:L-R; Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed (Kwara State); Mrs. Florence Ajimobi (Oyo); Erelu Bisi Fayemi (Ekiti); Mrs. Olufunso Amosun (Ogun); and Dame Abimbola Fashola (Lagos).

L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; and Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi

Eriegwa Ladies off on a cruise

M

embers of Eriegwa Itsekiri Ladies Club in Jacksonville, United States on a cruise to the Bahamas after attending the Ugbajor Itsekiri annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in August.

L-R: Mrs Roli Okorodudu, Mrs Mercy Amuka, Mrs Roli Ibanga, Mrs Helen Oburoh and Mrs Alice Okoro C M Y K

L-R: Former Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Chairperson of the event, Prof. (Mrs.) Bolanle Awe; Author/wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Governor Kayode Fayemi; and Sen. Oluremi Tinubu

L-R: Mrs Roli Okorodudu, Ms Pat Olleh, Mrs Alice Okoro, Mrs Mercy Amuka, Mrs Alero Oyeyemi, EILS founder, Mrs Roli Ibanga, EILS President, Mrs Uwala Akpieyi, former President, EILS, and Helen Oburoh.

44—SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

08 116759 759 081 6759759 ETHIOPIA’S HAMAR TRIBE FEMALES

Are these the world’s toughest women?

ncredible photos shed light on Ethiopia’s Hamar tribe females who are beaten with canes and scarred with thorns to prove I their strength. Ceremonial beatings take place during the male

initiation rites, but also in the home when the husband chooses.

Ritual beatings are carried out by a group of men called ‘Maza’, continue until the women’s backs are left with thick bloody scars.

The scars coloured dull red and black on the backs of women belonging to Ethiopia’s Hamar tribe,is the legacy of an initiation rite. No screaming is permitted by the men wielding the canes but the women don’t care,and would even beg for more until blood flows, dripping into the gritty red dust of the Omo River Valley.

The Hamar and their unique culture that merges the beautiful and the brutal in equal measure are the subject of a series of incredible photographs created by French lensman, Eric Lafforgue.

Lafforgue travelled to Ethiopia after spotting pictures of the Hamar in a vintage book and hopes his photos will provide a record of a culture under threat from encroaching modernity. His striking images reveal the beauty of Hamar women in their orange ochre make-up and bright beads, their skin scarred into intricate patterns depicting resilience as they live a life that’s precarious at best and brutal at worst.

‘When I see a cute little cupcake, perverse things come to mind’

T

he 28-stone mother sexually obsessed by cakes and pastry. Sammee Matthews, 42, from Las Vegas has sitophilia. Gets turned on by cakes: a bakery sends her ‘ weak at the knees’. Erotic obsession with food contributes to her morbid obesity. Weighs 28 stone, but was 32 stone at heaviest.

Runs Thick Sundaes, a strip club for overweight women.

‘I’ll breastfeed my daughter until she’s ten’

M

other, 51, defends right to nurse her five-year-old in public. Maha Al Musa, from New South Wales, Australia breastfeeds her 5-year-old.

The belly dancer, 51, stopped breastfeeding her two elder children at two.

Decided to opt for extended feeding with third after she felt ‘blessed’ Motherof-three says she will allow daughter to suckle till 10—if she wants. She has said she will allow her daughter to breastfeed until the age of 10, if that’s what she wants. ‘I believe it helps boost her immune system. To this day, she is very rarely ill and her temperament is calmer and more relaxed than the other children,’ she says.

The ultimate escape from city life 'T

ree in a house’ that’s made almost entirely of GLASS is built in heart of a forest.

C M Y K

‘Tree in a House’ is nestled in the mountain forests of Almaty, Kazakhstan. It has glass

walls, a spiral staircase and a giant fir tree up the middle. Architect Aibek Almasov wants

Mexican man makes girlfriend wear a padlock on her jeans M

exican man, 40, made his girlfriend, 25, wear a padlock on her jeans so she would be faithful to him.

The 25-year-old woman, who has not been identified, went to authorities in Veracruz and said that she was in pain after being unable to go to the bathroom for hours.

She told them that, for years, her 40-year-old boyfriend had padlocked her into her jeans but that she was too afraid of him to cut herself out.

Authorities arrested her boyfriend, who admitted to locking up the woman and gave the key to police, CNN reported. Police were surprised that the woman did not wish to press charges and the man was taken into custody on a misdemeanour charge but released after a few hours.

But the following day, he signed a statement promising not to use the padlock again. Araceli Gonzalez, a women’s rights activist in the state of Veracruz, said that the authorities had failed the women.

to offer alternative to ‘stifling urban’ builds. It was built for a 38-yearold businessman last year at a cost of £240,000.

Aibek, 22, works for

A.Masow Design Studio with four other designers, and they have since received several other requests from buyers who want a similar home.

And considering the average property price in the area costs more than £620,000, these idyllic retreats are a bargain not to be sniffed at.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, OCTOBER 19,, 2013—45

How Yemisi Suswam led other women to save Taraba’s crisis

BY PETER DURU, MAKURDI

T

here is no gainsaying that the po litical wrangling in Taraba had in the last few months generated reactions from many Nigerians and political leaders alike.

At a point, it seemed the state was at a precipice following the power play and differences that ensued between supporters and loyalists of the elected Governor of the state, Mr. Danbaba Suntai and his Deputy and Acting Governor, Alhaji Garba Umar who had been overseeing the affairs of the state in the last ten months.

While supporters of Governor Suntai had insisted that their principal had taken over the administration of the state following his return from medical treatment abroad, Alhaji Garba’s faction maintained that the ill Governor had not fully recovered enough to be subjected to the rigours of g o v e r n a n c e .

The crisis culminated in the alleged sacking of suspected loyalists of the acting Governor from political offices and counter statements from the government nullifying the alleged sack.

While the logjam lasted, a case was also instituted against the acting Governor in a law court.

The imbroglio compelled many Nigerians to raise their voices against the unhealthy development considering its implication on the general wellbeing of the peasants who constituted the majority of the p o p u l a c e .

Many saw the unfolding drama as an embarrassment to the nation and a ridicule of Nigeria’s democracy which must not be allowed to linger.

In fact, a former Lagos State Commissioner of Police and renowned social critic, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, in a telephone interview with Saturday Vanguard noted that the

L

ast Tuesday’s Sallah would have been celebrated by all — Christians, Muslims and Ifa worshipers—in the Yoruba kingdom.

That is how it had always been done.

And that is how, if our politicians don’t mess things up, it should always be done.

You see, the Yoruba race has never allowed religious differences to divide it. Its forefathers had the foresight — and grace— not to allow any foreign religion to cut the ties that bound its people. Thus, inter-religious marriages were not frowned upon. Up till today, I know families where the wives go to church at least twice a week, while the husbands remain devout Muslims. I know many Christian wives who dutifully wake up every 4am to prepare breakfast for their husbands during Ramadan and even partake in the 30day fast. I also have friends who observe both the Muslim Ramadan and the Christian lent.

I grew up looking forward to four important festivities — Easter, Ileya, Xmas and New Year. These were public holidays with a difference, because they meant we could expect rice with chicken/ turkey/ meat depending on the festivity.

They were also the times we were ‘allowed’ to visit and be visited by friendly neighbours at meal times. Till today, there are many Christians from Islamic backgrounds, who still buy rams to send to extended families. Till today, I still do the rounds of my Muslim friends when its time for Sallah.

So why do some people want to spoil a good thing by making themselves champions of things that divide rather than unite? Why do they want to retrogress?

Last month, a distant, but ‘highly

Benue First Lady in Taraba

political logjam in Taraba State was a sad reminder to the fact the Nigerian politicians find it hard to resolve their differences without heating up the polity. ”Is the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a house divided against itself?” Tsav q u e r i e d .

The angry reaction of most Nigerians to the impasse prompted the intervention of the national leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which set up an in-house committee to mediate and resolve the logjam.

But that committee achieved little because soon after the committee visited that state, and thereafter pronounced that the disputing parties had agreed to jettison their difference, the major actors in the crisis forged ahead with their nocuous stance on the issue.

However, just when it seemed like all hope was lost in the quest to find lasting solution to the impasse, the Northern Governor’s Wives Forum decided to take the bull by the horn by sending an emissary to the state to broker peace.

The delegation which was led by the Chairperson of the Forum, Arc. Mrs. Yemisi Dooshima Suswam of Benue state, also included the Vice Chairperson and wife of the Gombe State Governor, Hajia Adama Dankwambo and the Financial Secretary and wife of the Niger state Governor, Hajia Jummai Babangida Aliyu.

The women on arrival in the State got a rousing reception met with virtually all the principal actors in the political logjam, including Governor Danbaba Suntai and his wife Mrs. Hauwa Suntai, wife of the Acting Governor Hajia Umar and the Acting Governor who was away on official

A dagerous game connected’ friend showed me a list of top officials in a South Western State.

My jaw dropped when I saw the percentage of Muslims over Christians in top political and executive positions.

Was it a deliberate policy of the powers that be in that state to promote a religious card or an inadvertent, albeit dangerous development? My ‘contact’ went further to hint that some of our ‘progressive’ leaders were determined that certain States would never be governed by Christians in the South West.

Now, I cant believe that anybody with a Yoruba blood will play a religious card against a fellow Yoruba given what their progenitors bequeathed them. Did Awolowo whom they all respect ever use religion to pick his lieutenants? Was Jakande chosen over Adeniran Ogunsanya by Lagosians because he is a Muslim? Did Yoruba vote massively for Abiola because he was a Muslim?

I also hear certain moves are going on to make sure ‘Christians are no longer swept aside in the scheme of things’ by people who are planning to massively campaign for any party that brings up Christian candidates in 2015.

This is a backward step that does not, and should not have the blessing of

poverty stricken masses who just want good governance.

Those who are warming up to champion the ascendancy of their faith should look across the Niger and see what religious cleavages have done to the social and economic fabric of some states.

Some of these latter-day religious promoters grew up like you and I in that they had their early education through schools that opened their doors to them irrespective of religious faith. They fell in love and married whomever irrespective of religious faith. They were probably led up the ladder of success by people of a different faith.

They in fairness probably also helped people of a different faith up the ladder at one time or the other. So why the change? Why the sudden realisation that their religion, like their Mercedes, is better than others? Why promote a religious card in states that had never had religious issues? Why poison the waters of religious harmony from which all Yoruba had safely drunk over the years? Why start actions that will definitely have reactions? In my book, only insecure people hide under religion, tribe, race or colour.

It is in this light that I want to beg Ogbeni Aregbesola of Osun State — a

assignment but was in constant touch with the emissaries.

At the peace meetings which lasted several hours, Mrs. Suswam urged all the parties to the crisis to sheath their swords and work together in the interest of the people of the state. Mrs. Suswam lamented that “as women, we have been reading disturbing reports in the newspapers about the crisis in Taraba state.

“That is why we have come on behalf of the Northern Governor’s Wives Forum to show solidarity with our sisters, the wives of the Governor and that of the acting Governor and also encourage Taraba people to embrace peace. ”We are pleading with the feuding parties and loyalists of the two factions to come together and form a formidable force to move Taraba forward so that the negative reports we read in the papers about this peace loving state would come to an end.”

The women also pleaded with the leaders of the state to shun those they described as agents of destruction and disaffection, “creating estrangement between the Governor and the acting Governor so that love, peace, compassion for one another in the state will usher in the much desired peace and the people of Taraba will feel the impact of good governance and also r e j o i c e . ” After the meetings, the delegation departed the state with assurances from all the concerned parties that their motherly intervention in the crisis would not be in vain.

Shortly after the departure of the emissaries of the Northern Governor’s Wives Forum, the case which was instituted in a law court against the acting Governor by loyalists of Governor Suntai was withdrawn.

This was also followed by a public declaration by the acting Governor of his total loyalty to his ill boss, Governor Suntai who on his part also pleaded to work with the acting Governor in advisory capacity to ensure that the state occupied its pride of place in the scheme of things in the country. state where I grew up incidentally— that we have never had religious issues in the State and he —or CAN —should not invent one. In my days, Christians attended Muslim schools and vice versa. It was implicit that you abided with whatever the schools stood for.

Beyond that, nobody wore religion on his head. Also, in making fundamental changes, you must be conscious of the culture and character of the schools in question because we are all very sentimental about our alma mater.

It seems religion is also playing some ungodly roles in the propping up of an ailing governor in Taraba State where some are reluctant to let a Muslim deputy take over. The question any right thinking person should ask is whether the state will be better governed by an ailing Christian than by a healthy Muslim. Besides, hasn’t fiscal rascality been found to be common to most of our leaders irrespective of religion?

One would expect that President Jonathan who was a victim of these insidious religious moves, to intervene decisively on the path of Justice and fair play. I am not saying he is encouraging the goings on in Taraba State. But I can’t see how he is discouraging it either.

After all, Taraba is a PDP State.

Let me conclude by saying that I do not think any competent ‘progressive’ leader who truly means well for his people will promote ethnic and religious colourations in seeking the progress and welfare of the same people.

Bringing religion to the fray is not only retrogressive, it is dangerous.

Especially given that the motives might be twisted and distorted by their largely poor and uneducated followers. It is therefore a dangerous game that will yield nothing but casualties and regrets.

46— SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Double tragedy hits W

hen 35 year-old Adesuwa got married to Kevin Okihria from Iruekpen in Esan West Local Government Council, Edo State in 2004, she prayed that the resentment that bedevilled the union from some of her in-laws will fade with time.

Few years after the union, a lot of issues, including the couple’s inability to have a child of their own, compounded her fate. The sordid situation ended up with the death of both the mother in-law and her husband under mysterious circumstances that now pose a great threat to her life.

Before then, Adesuwa and Kevin Okihria were insepar -able despite the odds, praying and hoping that one day, they would have their own baby to bless their union. The relative peace they maintained in their home was the envy of friends and neighbours at their No 18, Modupe Street, Balogun bus-stop Ikeja, Lagos who though were aware of the challenges the couple faced, marvelled at how their marriage stood the test of time. This was however, short-lived as Kevin’s mother took ill and they found themselves saddled with the sole responsibility of taking care of her.

The distraught widow narrated her story: “Shortly after Madam Okihria took ill, members of her family decided that she was brought to Lagos for proper medical attention which was a far cry to what was obtained in the village. When we brought her to Lagos, she was admitted at the Naval Hospital, Ojo where she spent two weeks during which various diagnostic tests were conducted on her. I and Kevin noticed that she was not responding to the medications been administered on her, so we decided to take her elsewhere. This, however, did not go down well with doctors at the Naval Hospital who had no choice than to compel my husband to sign an undertaken which he did. The quest to get the best for mama took us to four different hospitals that included; Rivet Hospital, Ajao Estate, Mobineki Hospital, Dopemu, Unity Hospital,Ikieja and Trinity Hospital off Awolowo

* Mother, son die under mysterious cir * Widow under threat

•Late Kelvin

•Adesuwa, the wife

,

By UJU MBANUSI

A few days later, to our surprise, Linda showed up at the hospital and without talking to any one, asked mama repeatedly “have you reversed the thing”? After some seconds, mama managed to mutter, “yes I have reversed it”

way and the General Hospital in Ikeja.

“In all these hospitals, it was only at Rivet Hospital that it was discovered that Mama was suffering from kidney failure, liver enlargement and septicemia. We were told that mama had to be put on dialysis. We couldn’t really understand why the repeated calls put through to my husband’s siblings who reside in Nigeria, most especially, one Linda Okhiria(Kevin’s sister), was not replied.I called Kevin’s brother,Tony Okhiria who lives in the United States to report his sister’s attitude but Tony advised me to simply ignore Linda because her presence would not help matters rather she

,

might compound issues;and he encouraged us not to relent in taking care of their mother.

“A few days later, to our surprise, Linda showed up at the hospital and without talking to any one, asked mama repeatedly “have you reversed the thing”? After some seconds, mama managed to mutter, “yes, I have reversed it”. And Linda left. I and my husband were lost because we had no clue what that was all about. Mama pleaded with us to take her away from the hospital; when we demanded to know why, she simply said “well, I am saying this because if I die here, your brothers and sister will heap the blame on you.

They will even insinuate that you used me for ritual purposes.

“Out of the fear of what mama told us, we notified some family members. It was the collective agreement of these groups that saw mama taken back home to her villager in Edo State. On getting there, mama was admitted for further treatment at the Irrua Specialist Hospital and we engaged the services of one Sister Lovett to take care of her, we also sent weekly allowance to Lovett for her upkeep. These gestures did not impress her relatives who never saw anything good in whatever we did; tongues started wagging that we deliberately “dumped mama to die.” When it got out of control, we were compelled to visit mama at Irrua where we observed that she was fast deteriorating.

“On our return to Lagos, I told my husband that based on the countenance and body language of some of his family members during our visit; they might have plotted to bring mama back to Lagos. But Kevin said that would not be possible, I was however taken aback when he added “I know they want to get me through my sick mother but I am not

sure they will bring her here, for what? he asked.

“A few days later, on arrival from an outing, we met a vehicle which we immediately recognized as a Peugeot wagon driven by one Mr. Samson that ply the Ekpoma to Lagos route parked at the entrance of our house; on a closer look, we saw mama all by herself with no family member accompanying her inside the vehicle, half dead.

We were shocked and raised alarm which attracted our neighbours.

“We immediately put on hold every other thing and sought for a hospital to take mama to; but due the bed sore and the stench from the sore, we were turned down at the hospitals we went to. This made my husband to Tony, his elder brother in the USA and one of his uncles in the village informing them of the situation. He specifically informed the uncle to help him look for another maid because he has concluded plans to return her back to the village.

“After some meetings, the family decided that we take mama to a hospital in Benin City instead. There was however, division amongst them as some thought there could be spiritual connotations

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013 — 47

Edo family to the issue and as such, mama should be taken to some traditional healing home instead. Others argued that the medical doctors who all along had treated her be allowed to continue, another group also thought she should be taken to church instead.

This last group won as the woman was taken to one ‘God fearing Church’ in the Ogida part of the Benin City where she eventually died.”

Crime Guard gatherd that after the death of their mother, the story took a different dimension. She continued, “After that, Tony, my husband’s elder brother in USA demanded to know how their mother died. “Whenever such questions of how their mother died was posed to Kevin by Tony, my late husband wept bitterly. The calls persisted that at one point, I decided to put a stop to it by snatching the phone from him and putting it

out. Also, my husband suddenly became paranoid and insomniac, talking all by himself and punctuating such talks with “they want to kill me, they have bewitched my home, and they have taken procession of our cars. Doctors and sympathizers advised us to seek spiritual solution to the problem. That was when we decided to go to the Synagogue Church of Nations in Ikotun – Egbe, Lagos.

“On our way to Synagogue Church to attend one of their Thursday services, my husband suddenly parked his SUV by a palm tree and pointing at it, he started shouting “look at them, they are here already.” When I looked closely at the top of the tree, I saw an owl perching on one of the branches. After that encounter, we decided to shift the trip till the following day which was a Friday. At about 7pm of that Thursday, we checked into a hotel close to

,

rcumstances

Despite this attempt, he became so uncontrollable and at one stage, attempted to disarm a Mobile Policeman, that was when it was advised that his legs and hands be chained pending when we would gain access to the officials of the Synagogue Church

,

the Church.

“At about 11 pm, Kelvin suddenly got up and said we should return home, according to him, some spirits were waiting at the gate of our

house. After a heated argument that attracted some staff of the hotel, we were soon home bound getting to Ikeja a little after midnight. But to my shock, my husband suddenly exclaimed “oh they are not there, let’s go back to Ikotun”.

Out of fear and respect for him, I did not object to that. He reversed and we headed back to Ikotun, and arrived the hotel at about 1am. It took some minutes of pleading before the Manager ordered the security men to open the gate for us. We were also allowed into the room earlier allocated to us after which my husband changed into his night wear.

Instead of relaxing, he suddenly changed back into the cloths he came in with and ordered me to pack our belongings as we are going back to Ikeja.

“I objected. From then, he became hysterical and started banging on the doors and windows. The other guests and staff woke up, all efforts to calm him down failed until he was allowed to sleep inside our SUV parked outside. All the while, I was in contact with Professor Goodluck and their family doctor who both advised me to take things easy promising they would come to my aid the

following morning. The following morning which was a Saturday, hell was let loose as he became violent, chasing me and everyone in sight; when he eventually caught up with me, he hit me so hard in the face and dragged me on the floor to where our car was parked, shoving me in into the car. He pulled off his shirt and asked me to put it on. I quickly did to avert more beating, a few minutes later, he jumped out of the car and ran away. In the midst of this confusion, I ran after him shouting to anyone in sight to help me hold him.

“Some Mobile Policemen on guard at one of the companies nearby and some passersby managed to stop him. Despite this attempt, he became so uncontrollable and at one stage, attempted to disarm a Mobile Policeman, that was when it was advised that his legs and hands be chained pending when we would gain access to the officials of the Synagogue Church. However, when the family Doctor came and observed his violent behaviour, he advised that we take him to the Psychiatric Hospital in Yaba instead. Kelvin gave up the ghost on our way to the hospital,” the widow lamented.

Police in Imo smash kidnap gang Rescue 3-yr-old victim sold twice

By EMEKA MAMAH

P

olice detectives in Imo State recently recorded a breakthrough when they rescued a three-year-old boy from a notorious gang of kidnappers.

The boy, Nse Eyisere, was allegedly kidnapped from Ugbodogwu Farm Settlement in Ovie North Local Government Area of Edo State by one Nelson Dumbiri Okoji, a suspected cult leader and taken to Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State where he was sold to one Heggai Eromaka of Ubi-Agwa in the same area. Okoji was reportedly alleged to have connived with one Ozioma, a member of his community to kidnap their victim.

According to police sources, Eromaka, the man that bought the boy, in company of his girl friend, Oluchi, later re-sold Eyisere to a Homoeopathic Doctor in Port Harcourt, Francis Onyekwuru, for N250, 000, before the later, a native of Mbano in the state, further sold the boy to another suspected notorious child trafficker, Ngozi

Samuel Chukwuka for N500,000.

However, trouble was said to have begun for the kidnappers, when some members of the Ambush Squad set up by Imo State Police Commissioner, Alhaji Mohammed Katsina got wind of the transactions and placed the syndicate on surveillance.

The source said, ‘’We got wind of the kidnap when a member of Ubi Agwa Community hinted us that a man had a stolen child to sell. The Divisional Police Officer in Oguta, Ikembuchukwu Abugu then detailed under cover agents to pretend as a buyers. As at that time, they put the price at N250,000, so we priced higher.

However, the suspects became apprehensive and spirited the child out of Uba-Agwa to Port Harcourt and sold him to the homoeopathic doctor.

“As we were trailing the suspects, some of who are believed to be members of the Degbam Cult group, we were not aware that the biological father of the child, Mr Rowland Ekoti had been detained following reports made to the police in Edo State that he had kidnapped his son.

“According to our findings, Ekoti and Esther Isong, the mother of Eyisere who are from Akwa Ibom State met and fell in love at the Ugbodogwu F a r m Settlement in Edo State which produced Eyisere about three years ago. ‘’However, the two love birds fell apart when R o w l a n d r e p o r t e d l y •The suspected •The two suspects,Ngozi d e n i e d kidnapper, Chukwuka and Francis ownership of the Nelson Dumbiri Onyekwuru that bought the pregnancy and Okoji •The victim victim abandoned when we arrested the Esther. After reclaim Eyisere, which Esther Eyisere’s birth, Esther’s parents and her parents stoutly suspected child traffickers / kidnappers that Rowland was adopted the child as theirs even opposed. released from the police cell in as both Rowland and Esther ‘’On several occasions, Edo State from where he moved on with their lives. But, Rowland was said to have sent proceeded to Imo State police there was a snag, when Esther thugs to take away Eyisere Command to reclaim the child married her present husband forcefully but failed, making him with Esther.’’ and started having children for the number one suspect in the Meanwhile, the suspects him, Rowland also married kidnap saga when the boy was would soon be charged to court another woman who was yet to stolen, as Esther reported to the for kidnapping and child give him a child. This prompted police that she suspected that trafficking among other Rowland stole the boy. It was offences. him to start making moves to

48—SA TURD AY 48—SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

AUDU OGBEH (2) ‘I can’t as chairman be wandering around ministries looking for contracts’

Ogbeh....Some Nigerians are very fond of hyperboles

By LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

Continues from last week

B

ut some people would think it was because of your comment on Anambra State during the regime of then Chris Ngige?

They have all sorts of things together and then the fight against the third term. Of course, we had said from the beginning it can’t work. No dictator has ever survive in this country. So, why should we try it? Follow the rules. It wasn’t very popular with many. You knew what happened there. Of course, Anambra was an issue. Why would we use strategies like that to resolve issue? If Ngige’s election was faulty, then wait for the courts. Let the courts decide. Once they decide, the guy packs his bags and goes away and in the end, it was what happened. There was no need to take him out by force, swear in his deputy, very messy things and then after I left, there was this midnight impeachment. Five members will meet, impeach somebody and the police will go there, arrest the fellow, handcuff the fellow and bring him here and there. A Governor whether he is doing right

and wrong must be given the respect that the law accords him. Illegal impeachments like that were thorough abuses to democratic process.

Looking back, have you had any cause to regret any of your actions in some of those roles you played?

None yet. No. I don’t think so.

I think I did what my conscience told me. I sat as chairman. I had no salary. I don’t know if you knew that. It was

ed more problems. I couldn’t as chairman be wandering around Ministries looking for contracts or going around governors. It wasn’t an easy task.

If you were to work with Obasanjo again, would you?

I have no permanent hatred for anyone but I will respect him as Nigeria’s former Head of State but on the ground that he too will respect me for who I am and respect the principles of relationship. I don’t

We import all manners of junk and when you talk, you are told we are part of a global world. What nonsense is that? Global indeed? You can’t even make toothpicks. No body makes pencils for our children to write N30,000.00 per meeting. But then, it is not the same now.

That was the salary of a chairman. And you couldn’t claim money for everything because there were meetings all day.

Some took place here between 10 pm to 5 am. That was the official salary. So, half of the time, I really didn’t have money. I hear even that once you become Chairman, they will give you an oil block. I don’t know what an oil block is. I was not even a contractor in the government either because that would have creat-

hate him. I respect him as former Head of State and as a friend too.

Earlier, you did say that the soldiers have not helped democracy. Aren’t you putting yourself in a fix because you are still hobnobbing with General Mohammed Buhari, former Military Head of State who still eyes the Presidential seat years after?

I am not contradicting myself.

I am just saying that the Military have been around in the system. They come from a certain background.

So, do you feel comfortable with Buhari still hanging around, working with him?

As a civilian, we discuss and again, there is no law barring anyone from participation.

Such a law will be unjust. I am not by any means saying there should be a Decree or law saying once you are in the Military, you shouldn’t take part. Be free to take part. But I am also saying that it is too romantic to expect that they will be totally different from what they were in uniform.

They are trying. They do try to adjust but it is a slow process and takes almost a life time.

Security has been a hydra headed monster in this country for a while now. The killings, bombings, the deaths are just too worrisome especially since the last two years. What is your take on that?

It is a tragic thing that Nigeria is now dwindling to the era of barbarism. We kill each other. We don’t die in one or two. It is hundreds, fifty, twenty, one hundred and sixty at once. I can’t understand. But ironically, I saw this coming 12 years ago in a lecture I gave in Kaduna to the Northern Political Group at the Trade fair Complex. It was titled The North and the Future. I foresaw this coming. The decline of Kano as the North’s Industrial hub. Four hundred industries died. The textile finished. Agriculture declined and then we turned the youth into political instruments and so on. But of course, these kids, poorly educated, very hungry. Anybody who will offer them food, they will listen to him as their god. That’s how it began in Maiduguri and I am still scared that even though we are talking about creating jobs, the speed of job creation is too slow to halt the danger still lying ahead, far worse than what we are seeing.

Boko Haram may just an appetizer if we don’t make haste. The population is growing too fast. We will be 200 million in 7 years time. We will 450 million by 2050.

Where are the houses to accommodate us? Where are the jobs? Where are the schools?

Where are hospitals? Where are the trains? So, that is a problem. I know there are the romantics. They say poverty has nothing to do with it.

They don’t know what are

talking about. A hungry man is a near lunatic. And the young man will tell you he has nothing to lose.

So, kill us. Life is not even worth it. The turmoil in Libya and North Africa is unleashing weapons coming this way.

Why are there so many AK47?

They cost money. Angry young men who have no reason anymore to have faith in their country, so they do what they like. So, it is worrying.

The ultimate solution is job creation.

But some people allege Boko Haram has some religious connotations?

When I gave that lecture 12 years, I told them that the anarchy will be caused by disenchantments, extreme poverty, anger and lack of hope. But it was going to wear the face of religion. If it is religion, why do they kill Muslims too?

They enter the Mosques and kill, go to a school at night, kill. Do you think they counted Muslins and Christians?

They kill young people sleeping. It is madness. So, of course , today they blow a mosque, the next day they shoot into a church, the third day, they attack the Emir of Kano, then they go into a school and shoot children and their teachers. It is now beyond religion. I am a Christian. I am not by any means saying I am defending Islam or Christianity. But you have got to see beyond. No sane person will do some of these things. But around the rest of the country, there is the kidnapping business. Not long ago, I read how educated young men went into a grave yard, cut off some parts of a corpse to go and sell. I mean, hey! Such grotesque conduct?

Something is wrong. The jobs have to come.

But again, there were some comments credited to some highly placed individuals before and during the 2011 elections and people attribute that to the eruption of Boko Haram insurgency?

People make comments.

Some Nigerians are very fond of hyperboles. Too extreme. If Jonathan wins, we will make Nigeria ungovernable. Such comments definitely are not very responsible. Jonathan wins, he will be here for a while and then we will go on.

But Nigeria must not be killed because we are angry with one person’s victory. But to get back to the issue; to say that Boko Haram was constructed as a punishment against Jonathan’s victory is not exactly true. The first outing of Boko Harma was in September, October 2009 when Yar’Adua was in office.

It was from the Air Port here, he gave instructions to the Continues on page 49

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Continued from page 48 military to deal with them. So, to presume now that it was only because Jonathan became President that Boko Haram came, it is not true because history proves that wrong. It was coming along. And some of the factors, leadership failures that led to it are being sometimes ignored by analysts.

Some persons are saying the President Jonathan should not run in 2015. How do you look at that?

No body has the right to tell Jonathan not to run. He is a Nigerian citizen with absolute constitutional, legal, moral, social, political, whatever right to run. He should run if he wants to run.

Let’s talk about the PDP rotational principle. Most members of the party say they had such in the party which was being followed before the death of Yar’Adua. Some people call that a political accident.

On that basis, the North is saying lets us complete our slot and so Jonathan shouldn’t dare run. You were a National Chairman and I am sure you must have known this. Was there anything like that?

Look, look, I tell you this. I was the last chairman of the party in November 2002 when we held a meeting on this question of zoning in PDP. And I have the votes. Fifty–seven to two. Fifty-seven in favour of rotation, two against. 8 years north, 8 years south. The records are with me. And Nigerians are very fond of forgetting inconvenient fact in history. How did zoning come about?

After the Abiola incident it was clear that the south will tolerate no more of this endless northern dominance of government. I was part of the Abacha Constitutional Conference here. And we would sit long into the night and I am from the Middle Belt and would say to my friends in the North and South, and say look, the next time around, the President must be from the South. It may not sound very palatable but let’s do our best because there is no way the south will tolerate a situation where the north is permanently in charge. The mood of the south is very sour. It took a while; arguments for and against. There were people who said, no, the south has economic power, how can you surrender political power? And I said, they didn’t steal it from you. They build it. So build your own. But you can’t on the basis of the south economic power hold onto political power forever, you can’t. So, people forget that in 1999, no northerner was a candidate. No body banned us. We just said, no body should contest.

Shinkafi became running mate to Falae in ANPP, allow the south. It is also a fact of history which people who attack the north now refused to mention. We did it.

So, we said rotation. I decided a terminology: 8 years North, 8 years South.

I was Chairman. We agreed on it. So, Obasanjo got his 8 years. Things began to go wrong when there were rumours that he wanted to extend his tenure. That is now history. So, Yar ’Adua came in. Unfortunately, Yar’Adua’s health conditions were not too strong. The three years he spent most of the time not too strong, so he died. Well, if I had still remained Chairman, after his death, the party ’s hierarchy should have sat down and said, here is an extra-ordinary circumstance. What do we do? But there were

Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013—49

‘Why we agreed on rotation’

Ogbeh

The inability to handle our health services; our infrastructure deficiencies; our failures as people of the black race to develop strategy for long term strategic planning.

A German Philosopher Hergel said that Blacks have no capacity for long term capacity planning. some northerners then who said, hey!

Jonathan should step outside for us to elect another Northern President. I said that is rubbish. Nineteen of us took a full page advert and said if President dies, the Deputy takes over. You can’t twist it around. That argument went on.

Some people even wrote in the newspapers insulting me. Who are you to speak on behalf of the North? I said I am speaking on behalf of the Law and the Constitution. If the President dies, his deputy succeeds him. There is no way of going around and say Jonathan should go and wait. However, having finished that tenure, the party could have done one or two things. Elders could sit and say here is the circumstance. Yar”adua has died. What t do we do now? We are still trying to settle the Niger-Delta crisis. Here is the young man from the Niger-Delta. May be, we should readjust the terms of the zoning and allow him his tenure. If the party had intervened at that time, that way, all the argument about 2011 probably wouldn’t have happened. And maybe the North would have asked, what will you do for us? Ok. I will do XYZ. Give me the gas pipeline, built your fertilizer plant here in Abuja. Bring this, repair the railways; so, so, so. We will do this and that. One Emir asked me and said, why didn’t you people discuss this? I said, well, I wasn’t there anymore.

Having finished Yar”Adua’s tenure and gotten one year, usually under this presidential constitution, a president who finishes another president’s tenure due to death is free to contest a second tenure. You don’t count it the period he used up. You don’t count it.

But again, this is the failure of the PDP.

There were no crises we couldn’t sit down to discuss in those days. I called the Ekwuemes, the Adamu Chiromas, sat down in the villa at night even up 4 am. We must find a solution. It is a party.

There is no problem that cannot be solved even when people go to war; they end up around the table. If you have suffered defeat, fine. You have won, be magnanimous. If the party was till functioning correctly and not degenerating to this principle of force and sycophancy, they wouldn’t have this problem they have now. So, now, Jonathan wants to contest, he should contest. He is free. If he had an agreement over tea party somewhere, it is not justifiable now. You can only say what of honour? Well, politicians can change their mind. Jonathan is free to change his mind even if he had an agreement.

So, let him run.

What is your take on the National Dialogue? Some people want the word “sovereign” added to it while some say no to it. Again, many said whatever the outcome; it will still not solve Nigeria’s many problems.

First of all, it is a like a man who drives a car for many years or runs a generator and wants to do an overhaul. It is good to renew the engine, right? Some parts have worn out. Some are not functioning well. And so on and so forth. There is no harm in taking your car for services. In the democracy where there is a lot of groaning and discomfort, people are saying that the terms of relationship have not been fully defined and so on. If people have been clamoring for discussion on the issue, there is no need to run away from it.

Ok, let’s do it. Come and sit down and do it. There are certain, very valid issues that if we have to meet in this conference, we must categorize. There are general issues of society.

The inability to handle our health services; our infrastructure deficiencies; our failures as people of the black race to develop strategy for long term strategic planning. A German Philosopher Hergel said that Blacks have no capacity for long term capacity planning. And Montesquieu, the French Philosopher once said that black people like to live for the moment and allow the future to take care of itself.

So, we make such mistakes. If not, why are we battling with 3000/4000 megawatts? Didn’t we know we are growing in population? What is it that causes those failures? Two: I have a theory. Every regime in this country will become unpopular after 12 months even if it is run by Angels from heaven.

You know why? The economic structure. You run a federal government which spends 75 percent of its annual budget on salaries and overheads leaving 25 percent for everything else: roads and, may be railways and hospitals and security. So, how can you achieve anything? And it is getting worse and worse. The pay structure is increasing.

You have a situation where a Perm Sec is on 12 million a month. So, why did we create this fiction that is making reality so ridiculous? It is the subject we must bring to this conference.

Three: the National Assembly; people claim it is guzzling too much. Do we need two chambers for now? Do we? Or can we do with one; say for the next 50 years until we are big enough to say, Ok, Senate? Four: do we want to go the whole hug as they do in the US? Every state has its own House of Representatives, its own Senate.

Only Nebraska has one chamber?

Every state has its own Supreme Court and so on. That is the extent of their own federalism. Can we afford that here? I don’t think we do. And going back to the issue of budget. Here we are, 75 percent of the budget going to wages, overheads, allowances, conferences and so on. It is too much. And how many people are in the federal civil service including the Police, the Army, Navy, the National Assembly, and the Parastatals? If they guzzle 75% of 4 trillion, where do you find the money now to fund education? You haven’t funded Health. You haven’t done roads and bridges. You haven’t done railways. Something is wrong.

Such a topic needs to be discussed now.

But sir, many feel that basically the Dialogue is to discuss how the regions would live in a united Nigeria?

Yes, that is the topic which will come up. One of the complaints is that we are doing what they called “feeding bottle federalism” where every body comes to collect a cheque. Before 1966, there was no federation account. There was a Federal government account to which the regions paid their share of quota of contribution to run the government, the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Ministries.

Each of the regions had its own AgentGeneral in the UK and life was Ok. Now we have gotten used to this thing and governors have to be here every week to hold meetings. So, that discussion will come. People are going to argue for near confederation. Allow us to handle this and that.

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hief S. Nwobu Alor, is a Special Adviser, Parks and Markets in the government of Peter Obi, Anambra State. In this interview with Moses Nosike, Saturday Vanguard Business, he advised Sout-East governors to do away with political affiliation, religious inclinations to provide sufficient enabling environment to attract investors to the zone, saying, that people should vote credible candidates to achieve results.

Excerpts: Chief, Anambra state needs more development in addition to Governor Peter Obi’s achievement; looking at the candidates for governorship position, considering your experience, what is your advice?

The Government of All Progressives Grand Alliance in Anambra State has achieved a lot in the area of infrastructural development and every Tom, Dick and Harry has been praying and hoping for the emergence of a credible candidate to take over from Governor Peter Obi. Our prayers have been answered and a credible candidate who will meet the expectations of the people, in the name of Mr. Willy Obiano has emerged.

My advice is that all those

South-East go e govvernor ernorss should creat create enabling en vir onment ffor or in or envir vironment invvest estor orss — Nwobu Alor

who want continued development of Anambra state must vote for APGA in the forth-coming gubernatorial election.

Considering the achievements of the present governor, which other aspect of the state development do you consider necessary?

All aspects of development are needed by the Anambra people, but perhaps the only area of development that requires special attention is inter-personal relations development.

The recognition and respect for the human person should go pari pasu with structural development.

If you were to recommend for Anambra people a candidate that would deliver results, what should be that would deliver results, I would recommend a person considered?

If I am to recommend for who is credible, a person who Anambra people a candidate is committed to the people’s

Tax compliance benef it, sstudent tudent de velopment benefit, development in Lagos I t was a good initiative quietly thought of, six years ago when Lagos through its restructured taxation compliance system dived into upgrading school facilities thereby balancing the standard of learning in public and private schools in Lagos State.

However, with the new tax compliance system yielding results though not yet uhuru, the state has generated billions of naira from tax compliance which is gradually transforming the state into a mega city as initially planned by the former and present governors, Tinubu and Babatunde Fashola respectively.

As part of its strategic plan to hone the knowledge of secondary school students on the usefulness of taxation to the development of the State, the Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS) has kicked off the 6th edition of LIRS Secondary School Essay Competition on Taxation 2013.

Executive Chairman, Lagos Inland Revenue Service (LIRS), Babatunde Fowler, while speaking at the press conference for the 6th edition of the essay competition in Lagos, said the

essay competition is an initiative put together by the tax board to further deepen awareness on the part of the children about tax payment.

“We know that government depends on taxes to provide sustainable development, and tax payment empowers government to achieve the objectives. We believe that these topics will be challenging to the students but at the same time give them a clear understanding of the role of government.”

Fowler said that the competition also offers an opportunity for the students to receive support from LIRS in form of scholarships to the first, second and third winners and for the schools where the winners are to receive computers.

On the reason for allowing both the Junior and Senior secondary students to write on the same topic, Fowler said: “Tax payment empowers government to achieve its objectives’ so it’s a deliberate act by the body to enable them see the mindset of students in both categories.

“In doing this we will be able to let government know what the hopes and aspirations of these

children are.

Permanent secretary, Lagos State ministry of education, Omolara Erogbogbo, in addition, said, the essay competition no doubt has assisted students along with other co-curricular activities reintroduced by the Governor of the State. These activities she pointed out have contributed immensely to the performance of secondary schools students in the state along with this tax essay competition.

Erogbogbo said, it has enhanced the performance of our children in WAEC, JAMB, etc.

The essay writing competition with the topics: ‘Discuss the impact of tax payments on the Lagos of our dreams’; ‘Tax payment empowers government to achieve its objectives’ for Junior Secondary School and ‘the payment of taxes drives sustainable economic and social development; ‘Tax payment empowers government to achieve its objectives’ for Senior Secondary School which commenced October 1, will end on October 31 with the essay defense scheduled for December 5, 2013.

Power Oil bags NSN, NHF endor sements endorsements n what can best be described as proof of its wholesome I quality, Power Oil, the choles-

terol-free vegetable oil from the stables of Dufil Prima Foods, makers of Indomie Instant Noodles, has been endorsed by the Nigerian Heart Foundation (NHF), Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN) and other regulatory bodies in the country.

Dr. Kingsley Akinroye, Executive Director, NHF, while speaking in Lagos, said due to its cholesterol-free components Power Oil was indeed ideal for the heart and would go a long way towards ensuring cardiovascular health in the country. “Our plan is to meet the World Health Organisation’s target to reduce the number of cardiovascular deaths by 25 per-

cent before 2025. Products like Power Oil will help us achieve that goal,” he declared.

Likewise, NSN endorsed Power Oil because laboratory tests revealed the product was cholesterol-free as claimed, and its numerous other nutrients would positively impact the health of consumers.

During the media launch of Power Oil in Lagos last month, both the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) had also given Power Oil their solid backing. Engineer Fred Akingbesote, Head, MANCAP, SON, said the vegetable oil brand had scaled a very demanding tri-

partite test for standards and could be reckoned with in the market.

“This certification and the huge patronage that Power Oil enjoys in the market prove it is the ideal vegetable oil brand for the healthconscious,” said Mr. Deepak Singhal, CEO, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, while commenting on the development.

He assured that the heartfriendly vegetable oil would go a long way to check the consumption of adulterated oil which many Nigerians had been patronising when quality oil was still unaffordable. “Power Oil has changed that and we are proud to say it will continue to do so,” he added.

aspirations, a person who is transparent in the management of public funds, a person who

believes in justice, equity and has good conscience, a person who has positive inter-personal relations with his people.

For South-East to develop infrastructures that would create employment in that part of the country, how should the governors contribute?

For any government to provide job for the unemployed such government must encourage private investors by providing enabling environment for investment.

Such enabling environment may include good roads, steady power supply, security, tax incentives, etc.

In order to achieve this, the Governors of South East must work together as a team irrespective of political affiliation or religious inclination and provide sufficient enabling environment to attract investors to the zone.

You were a major advocate of APGA restructuring but this seems to have died down. Have you thrown in the towel?

The issue of party restructuring is an inevitable project that concerns the overall interest of the entire Igbo nation. I have to slow down the tempo to almost a point of zero in order to ensure that APGA wins the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State.

CentriCity appeals to Nigerians to imbibe cus vice as a lif es tyle custtomer ser service lifes estyle

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entriCity Limited, a standardised and professional body saddled with the responsibility of promoting, projecting and training Nigerians on customer service delivery, had recently concluded a customer service week with a free training themed: “Create Raving Fans” which aims at repositioning all and sundry on the “Rightitude” of customer services.

According to management source, customer service is a way of life. It goes beyond the ordinary, and ushers people into a way of life that is beyond imagination. It’s about putting a smile on someone’s face to buttress the saying of a Chinese business philosophy, “A man without a smiling face can not open a shop”.

Chief Executive Officer, Uloma Umeano, revealed during the customer week training that, “customer service is an important aspect of business that has been overlooked but is now gaining the recognition it deserves. Despite this recognition, there is still a lot to put in place in order to achieve excellence in customer service delivery in Nigeria.

Umeano said because of the need to fill this gap so that Nigeria can measure up with other countries, we had to organise a free training during this year’s customer service week to reach out to the public and educate them on how to be creative and exciting on a daily dealings with customers.

She further said that customer service week is an international event devoted to recognizing the importance of customer service and to honour people who had served and supported customers with highest degree of care and professionalism. This celebration and encouragement she said, is not limited to customer service week, but excellent service should be recognised and applauded.

N ew ttabloid abloid ““A A Vision FFulf ulf illed” debuts ulfilled” “A Vision Fulfilled” is a unique monthly series launched into the Nigerian newspaper market to cause an ultimate Divine Restoration of Nigeria. The series of this newspaper if strictly followed would cause economic recovery, youth development, social and political balancing while insecurity will be a thing of the past.

Speaking to journalists at the launch of the newspaper, “A Vision Fulfilled” Publisher Chief (Dr.) Nkem Lilywhite – Nwosu, said, the contents of the series are based primarily on my existing 46 chapter book titled “Divine Restoration of Nigeria.

“The paper is a bundle of God-inspired prophetic write-ups, vivid revelations and messages from God, as well as unpalatable personal experiences which are good for instruction, guidance and encouragement to others in the society”.

According to her, we are all aware of what is happening in the country right now, as regards volatile politics, insecurity, and large scale poverty among the ordinary citizens of this country. These are the major issues and ills warned against.

Since the content of the book are not of my own making or intelligence, I have no option than to stir up the conscience of our incorrigible rulers and politicians, by beaming the floodlight on the contents of the newspaper.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 19, 2013—51

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52 —SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Team Nigeria camp in Jos for ECOWAS Cycling tour

By OSARETIN EMUZE

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HE Nigerian con tingent for the third ECOWAS cycling tour will arrive Jos today for the final leg of their preparation towards the competition billed for November 11-19, 2013.

The coach of Team Nigeria, Bashir Mohammed told Saturday Vanguard Sports that they will train in Jos for three weeks before the tournament begins.

Bashir, who is also a

member of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the tour, said arrangement has been concluded for the flag-off of the tour which will take the cyclists to five West African countries, adding that 15 West African countries are taking part in the tour.

“We are going to ride from Lagos through Cotonou, Lome, Accra and end up in Abidjan. Nigerian Customs, Immigrations and the Federal Road Safety Corps

(FRSC) will assist us in making the flag-off in Nigeria a smooth one,”he said.

He added that “We have contacted the Customs and Immigration to make their arrival easy at the boarder post.”

Bashir who is also the National cycling coach revealed that the countries are expected to start arriving for the tour on November 10.

The winner of the tour, Bashir said, will go home with a giant trophy and huge cash prize.

Nigerian officials keen to maintain momentum A THLETICS Federa tion of Nigeria president, Solomon Ogba stated that he and his fellow board members are keen to sustain the favorable results recorded in the passing year.

Ogba stated that the pockets of achievements has put Nigeria in the 19th position of the IAAF world rankings of athletics countries, while on the African continent Nigeria was third. He suggested that it will be a disservice to the efforts by the AFN to revive the sport, if the these results were not maintained or improved upon. “We are

starting next season on a high note. This is because we must have to either improve upon our results or maintain the standard we have achieved,” said the former Delta State commissioner for sports.

Consequently, he listed that high performance standard will be set for all the events to be organised by the AFN in 2014.

“We are going to set standards for all our events. The golden league, the athletics championships and others.

“There must be a mark to be achieved by the athletes if they hope to par-

ticipate in these events.

“We need our athletes to be coming up with podium performances. If they have to do this, then they must have to achieve the standards that we are going to set.”

Ogba added that the federation will support any athlete that is ready to aim for world standards.

“We need the athletes to give their best and they will get all the support they deserve. We know some that are promising, but they need to get to a certain level to be in the world bracket,” said the AFN boss.

Pillars in fight to finish with Lobi

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ANO Pillars striker, Kabiru Umar has said it will be fight to finish when his side confront Lobi Stars in the last game of the season.

The Kano side will be the guests of the Pride of Benue in Sunday’s Glo Premier League Week 38 encounter at the Emmanuel Atongo Stadium, Katsina-Ala. The league leaders will be crowned champions for the second year running if they avoid defeat at Lobi Stars that need outright win to guarantee their position in the top flight league.

Umar said his side are mindful of the daunting task that awaits them in Katsina-Ala but insisted the reigning domestic champions will successfully defend their league title.

“We quite understand that the title race is not yet won and lost that’s why we’re already gearing up for the affair expected in Katsina-Ala on Sunday against Lobi Stars.

“Lobi Stars will fight harder to stay alive by winning outright while we too will equally be fighting hard to win or at least record a draw to be crowned champions.

“It won’t an easy game at all for both sides but good enough the other challengers for the title, Bayelsa United and ElKanemi Warriors are equally facing tough road trip opponents in Gombe and Enugu.

“So should everyone of us pick a point against our respective opponents we’ll be home and dry with the title once again.

“We won’t mind if our

victory went ahead to compound the problems of Lobi Stars after all Lobi came to Kano to grab a point.

“I’m confident Kano Pillars will be crowned champions in Katsina-Ala on Sunday,” said the

former Heartland man to supersport.com.

Kano Pillars lead the league table on 63 points, two points clear from closest challengers, Bayelsa United with just a game left on the 2012/ 13 season calendar.

I’ll help develop cycling in S’West —Soyinka

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S the Zone One election into the board of the Cycling Federation of Nigeria, (CFN) hots up, Lagos-based Seun Soyinka is doing everything within his power to wrestle the zone’s seat..

Speaking with Saturday Vanguard Sports, Soyinka, Director of Marketing and Communication of Oando, said he wants to get into the the board of cycling to be able to join hands in lifting the sport

•Seun Soyinka

in Nigeria. “I am a cyclist and I want to help the growth of cycling in Nigeria. I wear the shoe and I know where it pinches, since I ride bicycle, I should know what it takes to help take cycling to the to the top,” he stressed..

He appealed to the directors of sports of Ondo, Lagos, Ogun,, Osun, Oyo and Ekiti to vote for him in the Zonal election billed for Tuesday October 22, 2013 in the ancient city of Ibadan, adding, “If I come on board the CFN, I will promote cycling in the Southwest.”

The Zonal elections into the cycling federation will hold on Tuesday, October 22 across the country while the board election has been fixed for November 5 in Abuja by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

PUSHING ON … Ajoke Odumosu hands the baton to Regina George during the world championships

World Relay series: AFN prepares for good outing

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IGERIAN athletes in the past made a mark in the relay events, but in the last four years they have continued to struggle and have been unable to win a medal in world events. However, Athletics Federation of Nigeria officials said they are looking to reverse the trend at the IAAF World Relays billed for May 2425 2014 in Bahamas.

“Next year is loaded and we have to condition our athletes for the task ahead.

There is the world relays where we hope to produce a winning quartet in all the events.

“We are monitoring all our athletes home and abroad,” said technical director of the AFN Omatseye Nesiama.

He said that the federation has a list of 70 athletes that could be medal potentials, while others could still be selected after the conditioning exercise. Apart from the world relays, the AFN is looking to improve on the two gold medals that was won at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India. Towards

the end, the conditioning camp will start on October 21 in Lagos and Abuja.

The AFN during the week reached an understanding with the Lagos State government with regards to accommodation for the athletes while in Lagos for the camping.

Meanwhile other African countries have started preparations for the 2014

season. One of such is Kenya that is equally aiming to present athletes at the world relays.

Athletics Kenya vice president, David Okeyo said they intend to pick a strong team for the world relays. He said participants will take part in 4x400m, 4x100m, 4x1,500m and 4x800m relay races.

You are jealous of Jamaica, coach tells ‘faultfinders’

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SAIN Bolt’s coach, Glen Mills said that people who doubt the cleanness of Jamaican sprinters with regards to doping are only jealous of the country’s success in athletics.

Mills, who has guided the career of the six-time Olympic gold medalist and his compatriot Yohan Blake, believes the problems being experienced by the country’s anti-doping programme are being greatly exaggerated by those who are jealous of the athletes’ success.

‘They target Jamaica be-

cause of its success,’ he said. ‘There is no doubt about it. Nobody wants to see Jamaica continue its dominance of sprinting at the world level.

‘I have read some terrible articles written about Jamaica. I have read some terrible articles trying to insinuate that Usain Bolt’s success is false because of all of this. Jamaican sprinting was rocked earlier this year as former world record holder Asafa Powell and Beijing silver medalist Sherone Simpson both tested positive for banned substances.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 19, 2013—53

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54 — SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

Recruitment: FCC guarantees equal representation of all Nigerians

BY SUCCESS UZOKWE, Abuja

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HE Federal Character Commission, FCC, has assured Nigerians not to entertain any fear of marginalization from government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs while looking for employment.

The Acting Executive Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Lawal Funtua K

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participants appropriate understanding and promotion of the Federal Character Principle.

“We also hope that operators of media and information outfits will be persuaded to see the need to publicise the activities of the Commission’s mandate,” he added.

According to the FCC boss, the commission would do everything possible to ensure that they dispel any sense of marginalization in order to strengthen national unity.

The FCC Committee Chairman, Amb. Abdullahi Shinkafi, who spoke earlier on the theme: ‘The

Role of the Communication and Broadcasting Agencies in the implementation of the Federal Character Mandate: A Panacea for National Stability’ said the Commission’s mandate is to ensure equity, justice and fairness in the distribution of personnel positions in the public service.

US Goodluck Support Group distributes food items at Sallah

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confronted with challenges of balance and even socio-economic development.

“Naturally, inequality breeds suspicion, resentment and often leads to social strife and violence which in turn hinder development.

“It is our hope that the outcome of today’s interactions will provide the

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who disclosed this at a one-day sensitization workshop for Chief Executive Officers and Human Resources Managers stressed the need for the redressing of the problem of imbalance in public services throughout the federation.

Funtua said: “Most multi-cultural, multi-religious and sometimes, multi-racial nations in the world have always been

HE Coordinator, Unit ed States chapter of Goodluck Support Group, Chief Ms Temitope Ajayi, recently distributed food items such as rice, garri to thousands of people in celebration of eid-il-Kabir Muslim festival.

The distribution which took place at the Yaba headquarters of the Nigerian American Agricultural Empowerment Program (NAAEP), La-

gos, attracted a huge number of people living in the vicinity. Over a thousand people received mini packed rice and garri at the venue.

Ajayi expressed her gratitude to God adding that the gesture was aimed at alleviating the plight of the downtrodden especially at the celebration of eid-il-Kabir Muslim festival. “It is a season to show love and give alms to the needy and as a mother, with the help of our President who is passionate about

agriculture and the plight of the poor, this group will do more.”

She also praised the transformation agenda of the federal government adding that the President meant well for people at the grass root and poised to reducing poverty to smallest percentage.

She however stated that the distribution of food items will be a continuous exercise, saying: “Nigerians should be rest assured that the United States chapter of the

Goodluck Support Group will continue with this distribution and every gift we receive from any donor in the United States will be brought into the country and distributed accordingly”.

Mrs Adunni Ariwoola, one of the beneficiaries thanked the group and encouraged able Nigerians to follow suit.’’ I thank this group for putting smiles on the faces of many Nigerians today and I encourage other people to do the same because the reward is in heaven”.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, OCTOBER 19, 2013 — 55

Lukman eager to return to Eagles

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ORMER youth international, Haruna Lukeman has downplayed speculations of a January move to either Fulham or West Brom in the

We’re not under pressure to beat Ethiopia—Nsofor S

UPER Eagles fringe player, Victor Obinna Nsofor has stated that that the team will not be under any pressure to beat Ethiopia when they meet in the second leg of the World Cup qualifier in Calabar on November 16.

The Eagles confirmed their class over Ethiopia with a 2-1 win in Addis Ababa last Sunday to put one leg in the 2014 World Cup. Couple with the fact that the Eagles have not lost any match in their qualification campaign home and away and also that Calabar has become like a fortress, it will be a difficult task for the Ethiopians..

“We are not under any pressure after our win in Ethiopia. They will be the ones under pressure. We will play good football and score loads of goals to qualify for the World Cup,” the Lokomotiv Moscow forward said.

Obinna said he was happy with his performance after coming off the substitutes’ bench in the first leg, although he admits there is always room for improvement.

He added: “The altitude (in Ethiopia) affected most of us and we waited for them in the first half to give us what they have.

“It was a difficult game for us all, but we fought as a team to get the needed result.

“I was introduced to stabilise the midfield and I did it to the best of my ability but sincerely my best is yet to come for the Super Eagles.

“One thing I can say for now is that I will continue to give my all for this team to ensure that we make our country proud, for sure.”

BUSIVE price hikes of hotel rates and plane tickets during next year’s World Cup will be monitored by a committee created by the Brazilian government on Thursday.

The group composed of members of different ministries was formed by Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff.

The move comes after complaints by consumer advocates and amid reports of outrageous price increases in the tourism sector during the monthlong tournament in 2014.

A study by Brazil’s tourism board this year showed that rates will rise up to 500 percent during the World Cup in some hotels offered by the Fifa-appointed agency MATCH Services. Last week, the Folha de S. Paulo newspaper, Brazil’s largest, reported that a 45minute flight from Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo on the day of C M Y K

the Ukrainian League and hopefully that influences the coach to call me back.”

West Brom and Fulham have maintained an interest in the Nigeria international and look set to send scouts to the Super Eagles’ friendly clash with Italy at Craven Cottage next month.

“I am definitely flattered by the links with Premier League clubs, I almost joined the Premier League before coming to Kiev. “Fulham is a very good club in London. “

CELEBRATION.... Super Eagles players celebrating a goal during a past encounter. Obinna Nsofor says they are not under pressure to beat Ethiopia in the last leg of the 2014 World Cup in Calabar next month.

Amateur golfers rub shoulders at Port Harcourt Open N

O fewer than 300 golfers are set to compete in this year ’s Amateur Open Golf Championship scheduled to tee off today in Port Harcourt.

The Captain of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, Opunabo InkoTariah, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Friday that the tourna-

World Cup: Brazil to monitor price hike A

English premier league.

Rather Lukeman who last played for the Eagles in 2010 said he was more focused on making the Nigerian team to the 2014 World Cup. He has made seven appearances with the Eagles and scored one goal.

“My ambition at the moment is to get back into the Super Eagles.

“I played in the 2010 World Cup and to do the same in the World Cup in Brazil could be fantastic. “I am scoring goals in

the World Cup final could cost almost as much as a flight to New York or Paris.

The price of plane tickets is a concern as flying will be the main option for the nearly

600 000 foreigners and the expected 3 million local visitors who will move around the continent-sized country during the tournament that begins next June.

Murray not sure of Australia Open

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RITAIN’S Andy Murray says he will compete in the Australian Open only if he is “100% fit” following back surgery.

The Wimbledon champion began his rehabilitation last week after a disc operation last month. Murray, 26, will miss the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals in London but wants to be ready for the first Grand Slam of 2014 in Melbourne in January.

“I hope so, but I’m not going to come back unless I’m 100% fit. I’ve got a long way to go yet,” said the Scot.

“I’ve been in the swimming pool and on the bike a little bit but it’s still going to be four or five weeks until I’m back on the tennis court hitting some balls.

“The rehab process is pretty tedious and long and I don’t want to come back too soon and have to start that process all over again. I’ll only come back when I’m 100% fit and I hope that’s at the beginning of the year.”

Murray, who received an OBE from Prince William at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, pulled out of the French Open in May because of his back problems.

ment remained one of the biggest events at the club.

Inko-Tariah said the golfers were expected from different parts of the country.

He said dignitaries expected at the tournament included Gov. Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, the Chairman of Heritage Bank, Akinsola Akinfemiwa, and that of Marina Securities Ltd, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

He said invitations were also extended to golfers from other golf clubs in the country.

Inko-Tariah added that the tournament would be dedicated to financial institutions for their invaluable support for the championship.

“Heritage Bank is the major sponsor of this year’s event, so we decided to christen the trophy The Heritage Cup. “If they remain the major sponsor next year, the name remains or gets changed to whoever emerges the major sponsor of the tournament,” he said.

The captain, who assured golfers of a splendid time at the tourney, said that in terms of preparations, the club was 100 per cent ready to make it a memorable weekend.

He said the golfers should expect great hospitality, wonderful reception and fantastic

•Opunabo Inko-Tariah, Captain, Port Harcourt Golf Club take-away and good prizes during the championship.

“During the championships, the course plays quite slow and nothing can really be done about the slow play of the course in tournaments with heavy human traffic.

“Everybody wants a large turnout in this tournament and so do we.

“If the course is slow occasioned by a large turnout, then so be it, but we will employ marshals who will ensure that play is not ridiculously slow,” Inko-Tariah said.

SATURDAY Vanguard, OCTOBER 19, 2013

NFF dismisses Ethiopia threat

BY JACOB AJOM

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U-17 World Cup:

IRST Vice Pesident of the Nigeria Football Federation, Chief Mike Umeh has dismissed the notion that the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia can stop the Super Eagles from going to Brazil 2014 World Cup, saying that the East Africans were only “making empty boasts” Umeh who hailed the

Golden Eaglets’ coach, Garba so so confident •Says his boys can destroy any team

BY PATRICK OMORODION with fifa reports

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HE Golden Eaglets begin their quest for a fourth FIFA U-17 title with their head coach, Manu Garba exhuding a burning confidence that could make all other coaches in the competition, especially his Group F opponents in Al Ain City of UAE cringe with fear.

Garba, himself a product of FIFA U-20 competition in 1983, boasted in an interview with fifa.com that his squad, made up of mainly amatuer players from youth teams or secondary schools, would be too hot for any team in the competition as “they play total football.”

Speaking with the hind sight of his boys’ 11-0 win over a Spanish club, Espanyol’s youth academy team during their preparation, Garba told fifa.com that “I don’t see any defence that can stop us. We know a World Cup is a different story, but, man, my attack is blistering. They can destroy any team on their day.”

Explaining what he meant by Total Football, the Eaglets coach who was assistant to late Yemi Tella when they won the title in Korea in 2007 said, “I give my players a special freedom, a freedom to express themselves. When we have the ball, we all attack. When we don’t, we all defend.

Take a chance; go forward, another man will cov-

zMatch Time: 2 pm Nigerian time er you. All my players have the freedom to go anywhere, and it’s a responsibility they understand.”

According to Garba, the team, who have been together for a long time with some being dropped for failing the MRI test, are a young side without any league experience but are quick to learn and adapt to new ideas.

“They have no league experience. They are amateurs, they play for local teams, or at their secondary schools, but it is this youth that can make them very adaptable to new ideas,” he said, however, adding that “It’s not been an easy philosophy to pass on to these young boys.”

Speaking on the strength of the team who lost, against all predictions, to Cote d’Ivoire at the African Championship in Morocco, Garba said “We don’t rely on just a few players to score or lead. We have so many attacking options, we’ve multiplied them.

We can hurt you from all over the pitch. We’re not just 11 individuals playing a game. My players aren’t just numbers on a chalkboard.

They are individuals with their own personalities. I have faith in them.”

On the expectation from their opening game against Mexico today, the Gombeborn coach said, “I like the way the Latin American

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Super Eagles for getting the maximum points from the first leg of the crucial twolegged qualifier said, “if the Ethiopians, with all the altitude and poor playing surface could not beat the Eagles in Addis Ababa, I wonder how they are going to turn the table in Calabar, where we are yet to lose a match since we started the campaign.”

Although he admitted the East Africans will be out to prove a point and deserve some measure of respect, Umeh insisted, “the NFF board is working diligently to ensure the Ethiopians are beaten and the Super Eagles book their place in Brazil” The former Enugu Rangers chairman said Coach Stephen Keshi is on track and that the success of the team, so far, had a lot to do with the cooperation it has received from the NFF board

•Stephen Keshi “For once, Nigeria is on the verge of booking a ticket to a World Cup final without much tension, no task force or the usual attendant panicky measures that had become synonymous with past efforts” On the international friendly against Italy, the NFF chieftain pointed that it was part of the programme aimed at keeping the players in top shape for the challenges ahead “If the logistics are okay, it will be very good for the team to play a top quality opposition like the Italians”.

•Success teams play, the way they ping the ball around, it’s a lot like Ghana, a lot like us, but we can beat anyone.”

To undo the Mexicans who are the competition’s defending champions, the Eaglets’ technical crew will be relying on the scoring

prowess of two players, Success Isaac and Kelechi Iheanacho from who they recorded 12 of the 18 goals they scored in Morocco.

Isaac who was drafted from Megapp Academy in Benin City scored seven of the goals while Iheanacho

•Iheanacho netted in five. Both players have been singled out by fifa as the two players from the Nigerian squad fans, as well

as their opponents, should look out for when hostilities begin in Group F.

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.Flying Eagles (Ú-20) Striker, Olanrewaju (5) 4,Former United Nations’ Secretary-General, Mr. Kofi (5) 7 . G e r m a n “Bundesliga”Premiership Side (4) 8.Former Senator Representing Kogi East Constituency, Nicholas (6) 9.Former Ghanian President, Jerry (8) 10.Former Super Eagles’ Skiper, Nduka (6) 12.L.G.A in Adamawa State (8) 16.Weight Measurement Unit (8) 19.Nembe City Coach, John (6) 21.Kenyan International Athlete, Paul (8) 22.Country in Africa (6) 23.Traditional Ruler of Kano (4)

24.Greek Alphabet (5) 25.Solar Planet (6) DOWN 1.L.G.A in Kaduna State (5) 2.Former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun (8) 3.L.G.A in Bayelsa State (8) 4.Former France “Les Bleus”Striker, Nicolas (6) 5.International FC Striker, Emeka (6) 6.L.G.A in Kebbi State (6) 11.Common Name for “Eba”?

(4) 13.Gombe State Capital (8) 14.L.G.A in Sokoto State (8) 15.Connection (4) 16.L.G.A in Borno State (6) 17.Electronic Device (6) 18.African Deciduous Tree (6) 20.Odua People’s Congress (OPC) Factional Leader, Alhaji Gani (5)

SOLUTION on page 54

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