PDP makes U-turn on Amaechi by Vanguard Media Limited

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2—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 22, 2013

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013 — 3

4—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 22, 2013

SATURDAY

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PDP makes U-Turn on Amaechi, to settle out of Court * 4,000 delegates expected at July 20 National Convention — Gana *No re-zoning of NWC positions, we took things for granted during the last Convention — Ekweremadu BY HENRY UMORU, Abuja STRONG indications emerged yesterday that the lingering political problem between the Governor of Rivers State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP would soon be resolved. This was even as Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State said yesterday that the lingering problems in the party between some governors and the ruling party would soon be over. Uduaghan spoke in an interview with newsmen in Abuja at the end of a meeting of the PDP Special National Convention, noting however that viable opposition parties were good for the development of democracy in the country, even as he was quick to add that the PDP was not in any way threatened by the coming together of opposition political parties to form the All Progressives Congress, APC. ‘’We had our emergency NEC meeting yesterday which was very successful and we have a national convention which is coming up on July 20, to regularize elections that INEC had issues with at the party level. The party is still very much intact and very strong for that matter. ‘’Some of these governors that people are saying are not pleased with the party were there yesterday. May be one or two were not there because they traveled. ‘’At the PDP Governors’ Forum; within ourselves, we are doing a lot of reconciliation. You would have noticed that even the coming back of Wamakko had a lot of input from us. We had to appeal to the leadership of the party that the suspension should be reversed and the party graciously agreed to reverse it. So, whatever is left, we are handling it at that level.” On the formation of

APC, he said, ‘’I don’t think the PDP has ever been threatened. Like the President said, it is good that we have a stronger opposition but it is not that there is any threat.” However, sources said that the decision by the PDP to resolve its crisis with Governor Amaechi became necessary in view of the determination by the party not to lose any of its governors especially ahead of 2015 general elections. However, the Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, Godswill Akpabio confirmed that moves were on to ensure that Amaechi and the party withdraw their cases from the court for amicable settlement of their dispute. Meanwhile, Chairman of PDP Special National Convention Planning Committee, Professor Jerry Gana has said that vacant offices arising from the resignations of former members of the National Working Committee, NWC, would be open to all qualified members of the party including the erstwhile officers during the July 20 Special National Convention to be attended by about 4,000 delegates. Gana said, ‘’4000 delegates are expected. The offices that are vacant will be open to all interested members of the party and we have already written to INEC to inform them that the NEC of our party has resolved to reconvene the convention on July 20. The only zonal congress that has been affected is the one for the south west which we have now scheduled for July 11.” The Deputy Senate President and Secretary of the Special Convention Planning Committee, Senator Ike Ekweremadu also said that there would be no re-zoning of positions occupied by former members of the NWC who resigned following the report of the INEC, adding that the party took the 2012 convention for granted where

there was yes vote for a candidate. Ekweremadu said, ‘’I am not aware that Nigerians decided that our chairman will leave. It is not for Nigerians to decide for PDP. PDP will decide whether their Chairman will stay or not. It was entirely an internal issue; let us put it in a proper perspective; what we are doing in PDP is to demonstrate that we are a party that is committed to rule of law. ‘’Now the INEC made an observation regarding our last Convention and the observation is straight forward. They are saying that we had a guideline that stipulated that even when you have one candidate for a particular position, there must be voting for the person, but unfortunately, we took it for granted that since we had one candidate for each of these positions, we could as well do a yes vote. ‘’Some of our colleagues went to court to challenge the decision of the convention and electing those other people in pursuant to the voice vote. The matter is still in court, but we said, instead of waiting for court to decide one way or the other, why don’t we do it again and in doing that, are you going to tell those whose elections were said to be correct to resign, it doesn’t make sense.’’ Governor Akpabio had said that the resolution of the crises between the party and Amaechi would, ‘’show that PDP is always able to resolve every single conflict. It also shows that we will continue to rule Nigeria for a long time to come because we have stakeholders, members of the party that think more of this country; they want peace for this country, they believe strongly on this country over and above their personal interests. ’’That was a major significance of yesterday’s event. When we had the National Executive Committee, NEC,

L-R: Mr Tunde Fagbemi, Managing Director Maevis Company Limited; General Muhammed Buhari, [RTD], Former Head of State; and Engr Jani Ibrahim, President Alumni Assocation of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, during the 2013 Annual Meeting. meeting of the PDP and heard that all the officers from the deputy National Chairman down to the deputy Financial Secretary and Treasurer were affected by the INEC report, we resolved that the best way to go was to ask them to tender their resignations in the interest of the party; and to enable the party call for a Special National Convention and regularize the process that INEC pointed out. ‘’As for me, I was very elated and happy that we have members and stakeholders who are more concerned about the stability of the party and about the future of Nigeria than their personal interests. What that means in essence is that PDP will always be in a position to resolve its problems internally.” On reconciliation between the PDP and some of its governors, Akpabio who is the Deputy Chairman, Special National Convention Planning Committee said, ‘’the reconciliation among the governors is already on going. If you noticed yesterday, we had almost all the governors of the PDP there even the recently recalled brother of mine and governor of Sokoto State attended the NEC meeting. ’’Almost all the PDP governors were there. If there was any governor that was not there yesterday, he was probably on an official duty for the Federal Government and for this nation because I know that the Governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam is a member of the

IPP committee that is going around looking for investors in the power sector; they travelled to Hongkong. ‘’You can see that peace is gradually returning to the fold of the entire PDP and I assure you that all issues will be resolved because the other day, a press man asked me yes, you have recalled Wamakko, the governor of Sokoto State through the National Working Committee; what about the Governor of Rivers State? I pointed out that the Governor of Sokoto State did not go to court and that the other matter regarding my brother, the Governor of Rivers State was in court and was therefore subjudice, but we are exploring all means to ensure out of court settlement to bring back everybody to the fold. ‘’I think it is important to note that we are determined through the

PDP Governors’ Forum to bring all our brothers together; the intention of our forum is not to lose a single governor, we want to increase the number. When I came in as a Governor in 2007, we were almost 29 governors, but through various court cases and internal wranglings, the rank and file depleted until we are now 23. Under this new forum, we are now determined to increase the number.” Meanwhile, a group under the aegis, North, South New Nigeria yesterday said the PDP would win 33 states in 2015, just as

it will continue to control the National Assembly as well as State Houses of Assembly.

The Chairman of the group and former Minister of Education, Alhaji Dauda Birmah said that it was formed to support the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and affirmed that President Jonathan would contest for a second term in office. Meanwhile, the PDP National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur has described the outcome of Thursday’s NEC meeting of the party, as indication that PDP should be seen as a strong and peaceful

political association of like minded patriots. He however thanked President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, other members of the National Assembly, members of NEC, Board of Trustees, BoT, as well as the governors for their support at the meeting where he survived plots to remove him. Tukur noted that PDP members were nationalists united in their resolve to take Nigeria to greater heights irrespective of minor political differences, adding, ‘’the PDP has by the successful hosting of the NEC meeting proved that it is a political institution which has come to stay in Nigeria’s political hemisphere and cannot disintegrate as doomsday prophets are bound to conjuncture or surmise.”

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

Hezbollah: Jonathan met our leader at Aso Rock, Lebanese suspects tell Court •Insist DSS only seized hunting riffles •As FG asks court to dismiss their N50bn suit •Files fresh 6-count charge against them BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

HREE suspected Lebanese terrorists, Mustapha Roda Darwish Fawaz, Talal Roda, and Abdulla Tahini, alleged to have imported arms into the country yesterday, told a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja that a prominent member of their group identified as, Hussein Hajj once met and shook hands with President Goodluck Jonathan. The suspects, including the co-owner of Amigo Supermarket and Wonderland resort in Abuja, Fawaz, who were alleged to be members of Hezbollah terrorist organisation, further told the court that the large cache of arms recovered from them by the Military Joint Task Force, JTF, were mere huntingriffles, insisting that the Nigerian government has no right to curtail their fundamental human rights on the allegation that they constitute threat to its national security. The weapons recovered from a bunker at 3 Gaya Road, off Bompai Street, Kano, following a search by a combined team of the JTF including soldiers from 3-Brigade and the Department of State Services, DSS, on the bunker, included antitank weapons, rocketpropelled guns, antitank/anti-personnel mines among other dangerous weapons. According to the security operatives that conducted the search, the arms and ammunition were properly concealed with several layers of concrete and placed in coolers, drums and bags neatly wrapped. Meantime, the accused persons have urged the court to not only order their immediate release from the custody of the DSS, but to award them cost to the tune of N50billion, adding that contrary to allegation against them that their organisation was a ter-

rorist group, Hezbollah is a political party in Leban o n . Counsel to the accused persons, Mr Ahmed Raji, SAN, produced pictures before the court showing where the said leading member of the organization, Dr Hussein Hajj, met with President Jonathan at the Aso Rock Villa, contending that the Nigerian government abused their right when it earlier dragged them before a Chief Magistrate Court in Karu, which they said lacked the competence to try them. Meantime, the Federal Government, yesterday, asked the High Court to dismiss the plaintiff ’s suit as grossly lacking in merit, saying it has uncovered more evidence to prove that the suspects belong to the military wing of Hezbolla which it described as a terrorist organization. Counsel to the government, Mr Clifford Osagie, informed the court that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, has already entered a fresh six-count terrorism charge against them before the Federal High Court. Osagie said, “We have proofs that the applicants belong to the military wing of Hezbolla which is a terrorist organization and in the coming days, this country will know more about them. The applicants had in their affidavit attached pictures of someone who was shaking hands with President Jonathan saying the President knew he was a member of Hezbollah. If they could do that, then why have they failed to attach the register of membership of Hezbollah as a political party? “Likewise, we urge this court to disregard their argument that what were recovered from them were hunting-riffles. What we found were as-

sorted weapons of terror and prohibited fire arms. They are people who hunt human beings and terrorists do so! “Even if, without conceding that they were Air or Hunting- Riffles, our animals are protected in this country. I do not know about their own country. Besides, they need to tell this court where they have gone hunting in this country. They want to kill us. They hunt human beings. They need to show this court that they have license for such deadly weapons.” Relying on the case of Dokubo Asari Vs FRN, Osagie, maintained that where national security is in question, individual rights take second place. “This is a case where the security of Nigeria has been called to question by individuals who have benefited so much from this country; who have made immense wealth from the liberality of this nation. The activities of the applicants threaten the national security of Nigeria and the corporate existence of this country. They cannot lift up their fundamental human rights as the basis to breach national security. The Attorney General, on June 20, 2013, filed a six- count charge against them. Once the case is assigned and a date fixed for arraignment, their trial will commence. “We therefore urge this court to dismiss this application in its entirety as being of no substance, frivolous and intended to pervert the course of justice. It is not in the interest of Nigeria or our national security. It lacks merit,” he added. Meantime, the trial judge, Justice Ademola Adeniyi has adjourned the case till Monday to enable counsel to the applicants reply on points of law to the arguments of the Federal Government, even as he ordered that the suspects be remanded in the cus-

R-L: Chief J J Akpieyi, President, Government College Ughelli Old Boys Association; Pastor Vincent Sagwa; Professor John Amoda and his wife Morohunmubo during the Funeral service for Late Ancient Mariner, Edwin Udogu at the Atan Cemetary, Yaba, Lagos yesterday. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele tody of the DSS. Government had in its affidavit against the suit, maintained that “Mustapha Fawaz (2nd respondent) was arrested on May 11, 2013. His residences at Wonderland Amusement Park, Abuja, and 58 Adetokumbo Ademola Street Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, were duly searched in the course of which prohibited firearms and other incriminating items were discovered. A copy of the duly endorsed search warrant and pictures of the said firearms are hereby exhibited and marked exhibits 1 and 1(A-D) respectively. “That further investigation led to the arrest of Abdullah Tahini (1st respondent) on May 12, 2013 at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, on his way to Egypt en route Lebanon. He was found to be in possession of $61, 170.” The government further told the court that “On May 26, 2013, the 3 Gaya Road, Nasarawa Local Government Area, Kano residence of one Ahmed Hassan Taher, a relative of the 2nd respondent (now at large) was searched. At the material time, Talal Roda (3rd respondent) and a suspect in the unfolding investigation was found in the house. He was arrested in the course of the search which was conducted in his presence as he had access to the hidden recesses discovered in the premises. “A further search of the Kano residence led to the

discovery of large cache of sophisticated weapons and weapons of mass destruction. It was a war arsenal. A copy of the duly endorsed search

warrant executed on the residence as well as pictures of the discovered prohibited arms are exhibited and marked exhibits 2.”

Court issues criminal summons against 8 Russians BY INNOCENT ANABA

Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, yesterday, issued criminal summons against eight Russians charged with unlawful importation of arms to Nigeria. The accused: Chichkanov Vasily, Varlygin Igor, Komilov Alexander, Mishin Pavel, Korotchenko Andrey, Vorobev Mikhail, Stepan Oleksiuk and their vessel, “MV Myre Seadiver” are standing trial on a fourcount charge bordering on the alleged offence. The trial judge, Justice James issued the summons following an application by the prosecutor, Mrs Jane Igurnumbe, who informed the court of the absence of the accused. She told the court that the

accused who ought to be present in court for arraignment, were away from the country and urged the court to issue a criminal summons to compel them to be present in court. The judge granted the prayers of the prosecutor, and ordered that a criminal summons be served on the accused. He adjourned the case to July 9 for arraignment. It will be recalled that 16 of the accused were first arraigned before Justice Okechukwu Okeke on February 19. They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Justice Okeke had released them on bail to the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, while the vessel was admitted to bail in a bond of 500,000 dollars to be obtained from First Bank Plc.

SATURDAY

Delta Guber Appeal: Again,Uduaghan floors Ogboru at the S-Court

Briefs NDLEA arrests 30 drug pushers in Calabar mark the World Drug Free

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

HE Cross River State command of the National Drug law Enforcement Agency yesterday announced the arrest of thirty narcotic drug peddlers in Calabar, Calabar South Local Government Area of the State while on a special operation codenamed “Operation Tiger”. Mr. Kayode Adeniyi, the State commandant of the agency stated this while giving a breakdown of the activities of the command to

OR the second time, the Supreme Court, yesterday, dismissed an appeal that sought to sack Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State from office. In their unanimous judgment yesterday, a 5man panel of Justices of the apex court, dismissed the appeal which was filed before them by the governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples party, DPP in the April 26, 2011 gubernatorial election in the state, Chief Great Ogboru, as grossly lacking in merit. Describing Ogboru’s appeal as an abuse of court process, the Supreme Court, ordered him to pay N50, 000 to Governor Uduaghan as well as to two other respondents that were joined as parties in the suit. The other respondents were the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Specifically, Ogboru, had in an application, asked the apex court to reverse itself and set aside its judgment that earlier struck out an appeal he filed in opposition to the declaration of Governor Uduaghan as the authentic winner of the 2011 gubernatorial election in the state. He contended that his appeal was struck out in error, saying he never at any time, authorized his former lawyer, Mr. Sebastian Hon, SAN, to withdraw the matter, an action he said led to the termination of his suit by the apex court on October 12, 2012. It will be recalled that the apex court had on March 2, 2012, faulted the appellate court for its failure to hear and deliver judgment on the gubernatorial dispute within the 60 days stipulated in section 285 (7) and (8) of the 1999 constitution as amended. The apex court held that the Appeal Court panel erred in law when they deferred reasons behind their judgment till a date outside the legally prescribed period for determination of such matter, stressing that the action rendered their verdict unconstitutional, null and

Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013 — 7

Day. The commandant said that between January 2013 till date, the State Command had arrested 115 suspects stressing that out of the total number, 101 were males while 14 females were apprehended for abusing or trading on illegal drugs. According to him, 38 persons have been charged to Court with sixteen of them convicted, stressing that out of the total number of convictions, 14 were males while 2 were females.

AISSON addresses impact of insecurity on devt at Confab Gov. Peter Obi ( left), presenting a cheque of N100 million to the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Azubike Ihejirika (right) for the continued reconstruction of roads within the 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, yesterday void. More so, it noted that the lower court adduced reasons behind its verdict 72 days after the expiration of the period. Justice Tanko Mohammed who read that judgment had observed that: “Though the trial tribunal gave its verdict on November 11, 2011, the appellate court gave its own judgment on January 5, 2012 and reserved its reasons till January 27. A simple arithmetic shows that the appeal took 72 days which is clearly outside the stipulated timeframe. “It is my considered view that there was no valid judgment in the Delta state ap-

peal, accordingly, I declare the judgment of the court below including its reasons as null and void and this appeal is hereby struck out,” he added. Dissatisfied with the striking out of the suit even after the apex court had declared the lower court verdict as a nullity, Ogboru, re-approached the court, asking it to reverse itself. Arguing through his counsel Dr. Dickson Osuala, Ogboru maintained that the apex court acted wrongly, saying it should have invoked section 22 of the Supreme Court Act and heard his substantive gross against the said election or issued a

consequentialorderremitting the petition back to governorship election petition tribunal for re-trial. However, both counsel to Uduaghan, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, that of the PDP, Mrs J.O Adesina, SAN and that of INEC, Chief Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, opposed the application, saying it was nothing but a mere academic exercise. Therespondentarguedthat Ogboru’s lawyer voluntarily withdrew the matter having seen the futility in pursuing the case, adding that the fact that the appellant argued that the lawyer acted without his permission has no weight in the eyes of the law.

Obi presents N100m to the army

ATISFIED with the level of work carried out by army engineers in the reconstruction of internal roads within the Barracks at Onitsha, Governor Peter Obi yesterday presented another cheque of N100 Million Naira to the Army, bringing it to N200 million given to them so far for the project. Presenting the cheque, the Governor said that it was in line with the policy of his Government to work with all the Federal agencies in the State on the reason that all of them ultimately serve the good of the State and her people. He regretted that before he became Governor, it was a cat and mouse relationship between Anambra Government and Security agencies in the State and that the State suffered because of that. “If you remember, in that reckless era, the State

was burnt down. But I can assure you that with the level of civility we have restored, such a thing would not happen again, the Governor said. He also urged the army to continue to utilize the funds properly. He said that Government was about collaboration with organizations of goodwill that were willing to make sacrifices for the good of the people. Using the Church as one organization working closely with the State, the Governor said that since schools were returned to the Church and money given to them directly to rehabilitate the schools, the State had never been the same again. The Governor stated that his Government was committed to the upgrade of Onitsha,saying that besides the roads, he would return to the barracks for

the rehabilitation of their schools.

Receiving the cheque, the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika said he decided to come in person because Governor Obi was doing remarkably well for the his State and the Army. He said he had received tremendous support from him since his appointment unlike in the past. He said that Anambra State was now enjoying peace under the leadership of Governor Obi.

The Chief of Staff commended the Commander of the 302 Artillery Regiment under the Command of Col TA Gagariga, under whom old vehicles were rehabilitated. He assured that his Office would continue to offer support to all military formations in the country.

ECURITY experts in all parts of the country will converge on Lagos next week to discuss the impact of insecurity on the socio-economic development of the nation. The two-day seminar with the theme, ‘Security: A Prerequisite For National Development’ will parade a galaxy of renown personalities who are versed in contemporary security related issues, who would speak on various sub-topics. Organised by the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), the twoday event will hold on Mon-

day 24th and Tuesday 25th June, 2013 as part of its annual security conference where experts are billed to address issues bordering on security and national development. According to AISSON President; Dr. Ona Ekhomu, the event which will hold at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, would feature more than ten speakers who would deliver lectures on issues like Boko Haram and the future of security in Nigeria; Food security strategies and bioterrorism threats, Crisis management of kidnap and ransom cases in Nigeria.

Angry youths chase out monarch from palace was said to have installed his

NGRY youths yesterday chased out the Apeju of Ilupeju Ekiti,in Oye Local Government,Oba Olaleye Oniyelu over the installation of third in command to the monarch of the town otherwise known as Olugbosun. During the protest which began at about 9 am yesterday ,five houses were burnt, while the palace of the monarch was badly vandalized. Oba Oniyelu

candidate,one Ojo Isreal against Aseperi Amos aka Omekunlaye about six days ago only to do the final rites on the seventh day of the installation. Trouble was said to have started when youths of the town warned the monarch to halt all actions over the installation. Mr Ojo Israel,who is said to be a more popular choice of the majority of the people as his third in command.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

50 Primary schools burnt by insurgents in Borno BY NDAHI MARAMA, Maiduguri

HE Borno State government has said that 50 primary schools were burnt down by suspected Boko Haram insurgents in various parts of the state since they started their activities in the state. The state Commissioner for Basic Education, Professor Tijjani Abba-Ali who made this known in an interview with newsmen also confirmed the killing of five pupils and six primary school teachers in last Monday’s multiple attacks on public schools in Maiduguri, the state capital, adding that some suspected terrorists had raided some primary and secondary schools while students were sitting for the National Examination Council, NECO, killing some of them and their teachers. He said that government had adopted measures to prevent future occurrences of the attacks. “It was really sad that the hoodlums successfully attacked the schools

killing innocent souls. “This heartless and unjustifiable killing will not be allowed to continue because it will have a negative impact on the education sector of the state,” Abba said. He said that government had directed all the 27 Local Government Councils in the state to provide security for both students and teachers in schools. Abba-Ali, who is also the chairman of the state Universal Basic Education Board, BUBEB, pointed out that the government had spent about N140 million on the repairs of the 50 primary schools burnt down by the suspected terrorists in both Northern and Central Senatorial zones of the state, just as it had also initiated partnership with communities and other stakeholders towards safeguarding school structures against such attacks. The Commissioner who presented the mid term scorecard of Governor Kashim Shettima’s administration, lamented that 10 schools were initially burnt, but added

that the number increased when the reconstruction of the 10 schools c o m m e n c e d . He however, said that the Federal Government intervened by assisting the state government with N120 million for the reconstruction of the 10 schools earlier burnt. He stated that from 2008 to 2011, the state government settled all the outstanding counterpart funding to access about N3.4 billion which was used for the reconstruction, construction and procurement of furnitures to schools under the SUBEB scheme across the 27 local government areas of the state.

NAFD AC unco s illegal cosmetics NAFDA uncovv er ers fact or actor oryy in Lagos BY CHIOMA OBINNA

ATIONAL Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday uncovered an illegal cosmetics manufacturing factory that specialises in producing

Weeping in cour courtt as Judge dismisses case of extra-judicial murder BY VINCENT UJUMADU, Awka

T was a pitiable sight at the Anambra State High Court complex in Awka Thursday, as members of the family of the late Onyeka Agupugo from Agulu in Anaocha local government area of Anambra State, who was murdered by the police at a check point in Agulu on Agust 11, 2010, wept uncontrollably when a High Court Judge dismissed the case of the murder for lack of merit.

Onyeka, 29, who was a building contractor before his death, was riding on a motorcycle with another person when the police accosted them at the popular Nwagu junction in Agulu only for one of the policemen to fire at him on the chest following a minor argument over how much to part with. Onyeka’s wife, Chinenye, who was four months pregnant when the husband was murdered and her mother in-law, Mrs. Florence Agupugo, caused a stir at the court

R-L: Chairman, Julius Berger Nigeria ,Mohammed Nurudeen Imam, Managing Director, Wolfgang Goetsch and Company’s Secretary, Cecilia Ekanem Madueke chatting during the 43rd Annual General Meeting of Julius Berger held in Abuja . Photo by Gbemiga Olamikan

premises by shedding tears and wailing, and it took the intervention of their relations who accompanied them to court to calm them down. They had gone to court to enforce the fundamental right of their husband and son. Against their expectation, however, the presiding judge, Justice C.A. Emembolu, in dismissing the matter brought to court by Chinenye and her mother in- law, held that ‘the right to life dies when the owner dies.’

fast moving cosmetics, particularly, complexion creams. The factory which was originally licensed by NAFDAC to manufacture Floxvik Queen Helen Fair lotion with NAFDAC registration number: 026498 and Floxvik Queen Helen Shower Bath 1 with registration Number 02- 7223 was caught with packages containing cosmetics labels for unregistered Olay Goat’s Milk cream, Olay carrot and Olay lightening shower cream at National Handling and Company, NAHCO, Shed, Muritala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

COALITION of leaders of Delta Youth Organisations has called on Chief Godwill Obielum to contest the 2015 gubernatorial election in Delta state, saying he has the intelligence, capacity

development of the state. Speaking yesterday at the bi-annual meeting of the coalition in Kwale, Delta State, Co-ordinator of the group and President General of the Ndokwa National Youth Movement, Comrade Benjamin Onwubolu, said that after

the number one position in the state, the youth leaders have found Godwill Obielum as the only leader with an impressive record of excellent leadership qualities to take over the baton of leadership from Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan. His words;

purported to have been manufactured by Floxvik, L a b o r a t o r i e s Incorporated, New York, United State of America, while the Olay Carrot Complexion was labelled to deceive people that they were made in Island but they are all manufactured in Nigeria by Mr. Ikechukwu Valentine Anichebe’s company in Ojo, Lagos.” Orhii further said that his Agency arrested an importer, Mr. Nwachukwu Odinaka of 13. Isa Street, Igando Lagos for illegal importation of counterfeit Postinor -2 tablets.

Lagos partners DFID on public service reform BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

O V E R N O R Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state, yesterday, vowed to complete the civil service reform programme embarked upon by his administration recently,

2015: Delta youths endorse Obielum for governorship and experience to ensure a careful review of “ what attracted Delta contest the sustainable prospective aspirants for youths to Obielum is his BY SIMON ADEWALE

According to the Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii, the suspect, Mr. Ikechukwu Valentine Anichebe, the managing director of the company located at 6 Nnobi Street, Iyana - Iba, Ojo, Lagos has been arrested. Orhii, who spoke at a news conference, said the factory had been sealed off, pointing out that further investigations had revealed that other counterfeit products included Dr Miracles Clarifying shower cream amongst others. ”The Dr. Miracle clarifying shower Milk is

humility, wisdom, vision, courage, charisma and maturity. All these qualities coupled with his vast administrative and security experience which he exhibited in his over two decades in public service have also made a world of difference in Delta politics.

even as he said the state government was already working in collaboration with Department For International Development, (DFID) United Kingdom, to enhance the realisation of the set goal. Fashola, made the promise at the lecture and presentation of award for outstanding civil servants in the state as part of the activities lined up to mark this year’s public service week, which commenced on Monday.The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, said that the reform was aimed at repositioning the state’s public service as one of the best in the world.

Pa Ukocohovwera dies at 70

A Samson UKocohovwera a reknown philanthropist of the Oguaja Sapele Arena cottage fame is dead Age 70 yrs He died on the early hrs of 31 may 2013 survived by wife & children Burial arrangement will be announced later

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013 — 9

ACF accuses Jonathan of promoting religious, ethnic politics BY EMEKA MAMAH

HE Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has accused President Goodluck Jonathan of allegedly dividing Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines because of his determination to win the 2015 presidential election at all costs. National Publicity Secretary of the ACF, Mr Anthony Sani, who made this allegation in an interview with Saturday Vanguard yesterday said the ‘’tacit promotion of cleavages along religious and ethnic lines is unhelpful not only to the North but also, to the country.’’ Sani had been asked to explain reasons why the National Chairman of ACF, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed was quoted as accusing Jonathan of employing divide and rule tactics to divide the north and if ACF actually believed that the north was still one in view of the alleged apparent dichotomy which existed between the ‘’core north’’ and those at the ‘’periphery?’’ His words, ‘’the allegations by the chairman that the presidency may be poised to divide the North for political reasons may not be unconnected with what is happening in Northern States Governors Forum,

NSGF, where the presidency is said to have tacitly recognized a faction of Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, to the chagrin of a faction reported to have won the elections, thereby dividing northern governors along that same line. ’’What is more, Chief Edwin Clark was said to have led some leaders of both northern and southern minorities to President Jonathan and endorsed him for 2015 at a time when both the same presidency and INEC as well as ACF have advised against starting politics of 2015 two years earlier. ’’ACF considers such attitude to be tacit promotion of cleavages along religious and ethnic lines that is unhelpful not only to the North but also to the country. I want to believe that was what informed the Chairman’s statement or allegations. ACF believes in one united North because the

HE Anambra State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested 195 suspected drug dealers and addicts in the state, with two of them already sentenced to prison. State commandant of the agency, Mr. Momadu Sule told reporters in Awka that drugs mostly trafficked in the state were cannabis, Indian hemp and cocaine. He said that following a tip off, the agency discovered a clandestine laboratory located at Nanka in Orumba North local government area where metaphilane said to be the most potent illicit drug was being manufactured.

reinforce unity and stability of the North. What is more, ACF is working hard to bring the people together so that they can work hard and overcome the differences that divide the people in order to engender stability and harmony needed for

L-R: Country Manager, Google, Mrs. Juliet Ehimuan, and MIPAN President, Mr. Tolu Ogunkoya, during the panel discussion at the recent Annual Media Directors’ Circle (AMDC) 2013 held at the Banquet Hall, Lagos Sheraton Hotel & Towers

•Awards N10m for murder of Monday Otete, local musician BY EMMA AMAIZE

ELTA State High Court sitting in Otor Udu has thrown away an application by the police to

*Hard drug manufacturing lab discovered

you mean. This is because I have heard people also talk of divisions of Hausa / Fulanis and the rest, as well as religious divides, all of which are surreal; precisely because there exists overlapping interests and countervailing forces which

Ovikpokpo murder: Court dismisses police appeal against N20m damages

NDLEA arrests 195 for drug offences in Anambra

BY VINCENT UJUMADU, Awka

current challenges of insecurity cannot be allowed to determine our destiny. We must shape events instead of making events to shape us. ’’When you talk of core North and those in periphery, I wonder what

According to him, the laboratory has been sealed up and he urged the people to always avail the agency with information on where illicit drugs were either produced or sold in the state.

set aside a judgment of the court, which awarded N20 million damages against the Commander of the Quick Response Squad, QRS, Ogunu, Warri, for the brutal murder of late Engineer Gideon Ovikpokpo at Sedeco Roundabout, Enerhen in 2008. Presiding judge, Justice Flora Azinge, also awarded N10 million damages against the police for the brutal murder of a local musician, Monday Otete, by men of the Nigeria Police, Ovwian, at a checkpoint mounted at Otor-Udu Junction, OtorUdu on October 30, 2008 at about 8.00 pm.

The respondents and applicants had in a motion on notice filed on January 15 urged the court to set aside the judgment for lack of jurisdiction, amongst other reliefs. However, after hearing arguments from counsels of the parties, the court ruled, “On the whole, the application of the defendants/applicants dated 15/1/2013 fails and it is hereby dismissed for being unmeritorious.” On the late musician, Justice Azinge said that based on the two issues formulated by the claimants, the murder of Monday Otete by the

police at a police checkpoint at Otor-Udu Junction, October 30, 2008, on the pretext that he was an armed robber “is wrongful and ultra vires the powers of the defendants.” Consequently, the court granted a perpetual injunction restraining the the police, Defendants by themselves, their agents privies, nominees and assigns from removing and/or relocating the corpse of the Late Monday Otete deposited by the claimants at the morgue of the Etefia Clinic, Ovwian, Delta State, to any other place for burial.

Over 2.3m Benue children immunised against killer diseases BY PETER DURU

O few than 2.3mil lion Benue children were said have been immunised against childhood killer diseases in the just concluded Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week organised by the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services.

State Nutrition Officer, Mrs. Catherine Anger who disclosed this yesterday while fielding questions from Journalists in Makurdi explained that children from ages zero to five were immunised during the period against polio, yellow fever and measles adding that vitamin A supplementation, deworming tablets, were

also given to the children. Anger said the week long exercise was carried out in conjunction with UNICEF, Helen Keller International and the World Health Organization, WHO. She added that over 21,500 long lasting treated mosquito nets were distributed to pregnant women and nursing

mothers during the week, adding that pregnant women were also given tetanus toxoid and iron folate to prevent anemia. The Nutrition Officer further noted that “the exercise recorded over 90 percent success because of the effective social mobilisation we embarked on prior to the commencement of the routine immunisation.”

meaningful socio economic and political development.’’ On whether ACF still believe that other Nigerians would trust the north with power in view of the activities of Boko Haram, which seem to enjoy the support of some powerful northerners, Sani further said, ‘’When you surmise that Nigerians may not trust the North with leadership of this country because of activities of Boko Haram, it is as good as saying the South South should not be trusted with leadership due to high level piracy prevalent in those areas. Or because of baby factory; the corpses found in Ezu River and kidnapping prevalent in South East, Igbo should not be trusted with leadership.

Ijaw leader hails uduaghan for extending micro-finance to Lagos

HE coordinator of IJAW Monitoring Group and former publicity secretary of IJAW National Congress (INC) Comrade Joseph EVAH has hailed the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel UDUAGHAN for extending the state micro-finance scheme to Delta State indigenes in Lagos. Receiving the Delta State Commissioner For Poverty Alleviation Dr. Mrs. Asedieu during the public presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries of the scheme at Ajegunle in Lagos, the IJAW leader said “this is unbelievable, I made this request to the governor just two months ago to assist thousands of Deltans suffering in Lagos without hope and he brought this succour to his people. The governor has shown that his concern for the the welfare of his people goes beyond the people living in our homeland. We are grateful to God for giving the people of the state a listening governor.” He thanked the microfinance team led by Dr. Asedieu for protecting the scheme with all their strength making it a reference point at the United Nations as a road map in sustainable development in Africa.

10—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

President Jonathan

as the end of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) come? This is one question the bigwigs of the party including President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan would not dare give vent to. The least they can admit is that the party is going through some crucibles that will make it stronger ahead of the 2015 general elections. But in the reckoning of the opposition, PDP might just be on the verge of collapse. Why? The party in recent times has been so enmeshed in a series of crises that agitate the minds of many. First, it was the issue of automatic tickets for President Goodluck Jonathan, some performing governors and members of the National Assembly for another term in office as being championed by the party’s Board of Trustees Chairman, Chief Anthony Anenih. But even before Anenih shook the nation with the suggestion which many people had described as bizarre, there had been an all-time tsunami of disintegration which vehemently threatened the unity of the 36 governors of the Nigerian states under the umbrella of the Nigerian overnors Forum (NGF). Yet again, the problem sprawled, prompting the suspension of two governors: Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State and Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto from the party owing to alleged antiparty activities. But while Wamako has been recalled, Amaechi’s fate is still hanging. Meanwhile, the matter later continued, this time causing a mass sack of officials working at the national secretariat of the party with the National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. To this end, 16 officials including the party’s National Publicity Secre-

Amaechi

Anenih

Tukur

PDP: House divided against itself? It was founded in 1998 when the then Military government lifted its ban on partisan politics. And for 14 years, it has controlled the nation’s political landscape. But issues in the party in recent times have caused apprehension over its chances to cross 2015. Has the end come for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)? Saturday Vanguard’s LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU,in this Special Piece, x-rays events that may make or mar the party’s chances in the 2015 general elections.

No one had envisaged that Rivers State Governor, Amaech,i would have won the election after so much hysteria, horse-trading and intrigues that played out against his candidacy tary, Chief Olisa Metuh, were affected. Tukur only escaped removal by a whisker. Indeed, before the meeting of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the Party that held in Abuja on Thursday, Tukur’s continued stay as the National Chairman of the Party was almost doomed. But with the influence and insistence of President Jonathan, Tukur bounced back. The gale of resignations of the PDP officials in Abuja had a root. It was occasioned by the reports of a Committee chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Senator Puis Anyim Pius, who was asked to review the imports of the report of the Independent Na-

tional Electoral Commission, INEC on the PDP officials. According to the INEC, the elections that brought them to office were not properly conducted and so, they had to go. Be that as it may, while the issues abound, keen analysts express real fears that the PDP might be heading for the rocks which may affect its chances of retaining its hold in the forthcoming 2015 elections, citing various ill events bedeviling the party as reasons.

Fallout of NGF Elections

he outcome of the Nige rian Governors Forum, NGF, from which two paral-

lel leaderships emerged, to some people, is an eloquent testimony that all is not well with the PDP. No one had envisaged that Rivers State Governor, Amaechi, would have won the election after so much hysteria, horse-trading and intrigues that played out against his candidacy. But against all the apparent impediments wheeled on his way by the Presidency, the governors, especially the opposition governors, re-elected him for a second term. But that was not to be as Pro-Presidency Governors led by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Goodswill Akpabio, swiftly regrouped and queued behind the Plateau State Governor, Mr. David Jonah Jang as their Chairman, not minding the 19/16 votes which gave Amaechi victory over Jang. At the moment, PDP controls more states than the opposition parties put together. The reasoning was that if all the PDP governors had obeyed the directives of the Presidency and voted for the President’s candidate, Amaechi would have lost in the

election. But they rebuffed and voted for Amaechi. What this meant was that there were some PDP governors who were obviously not at home with the role played by the Presidency in the election. Meanwhile, to say that the problem in the NGF is over would be far from true.

Jonathan’s second term bid

f President Jonathan is contesting in 2015, he is obviously doing that against some powerful interests in the North as was the case in 2011. The PDP controlled states cut across the federation. To this end, some states in the North, according to analysts, would want to favour a Northern candidate who would make up the lost time of the North’s Presidency slot which was started by late President Umaru Musa Yar ’Adua. Already, speculation has been rife that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had suggested the pair of Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido and his Rivers counter-part; Amaechi in the 2015 election, a development which many said has been the sole reason for Amaechi’s victimization.But according to sources, President Jonathanneeds more than a passing dependence on some northern elements who they said are merely playing to the gallery if he must win the support of the north for his reelection. This, they predicated on an emerging collective resolve of the northern elements in the PDP to field a northern candidate as against the candidacy of J o n a t h a n .

His Performance

hroughout the world po litical history, the performance of elected officers

Continues on page 11

SATURDAY

Shettima

Odumakin Continued from page 10 while in their first missionary journey has always formed the foremost indices for their reelections. According to feelers, in the case of President Jonathan, his performance in the last two years has been a subject of debate. This has caused a virulent division among many Nigerians across the length and breadth of the country who voted massively for him in 2011. While some may have scored him high, many said that Nigeria has completely whittled down on his watch. But recently, the President gave himself a pass mark, saying his government has done creditably well in the last two years. Some Nigerians reacted to this.

Jonathan should quit self-deceit —Yinka Odumakin, Social analyst

f he had done well, it would have been well with Nigeria. The President should quit self-deceit and face the reality on the ground. The country is haemorrhaging and Nigerians are groaning. A Presidentwho is doing chest thumbing in the midst of all that is going on may not be abreast of the situation.”

We can’t be fooled again —Alhaji Yerima President, Arewa tive Forum

Shettima, Consulta-

ou see, Nigerians have come of age that never again will we just sit and fold arms and have people talk about policies and those polices do not have any impact on the people in the society. Never shall we fold our arms and allow people to be just lying, organizing the media, standing on the podium and looking at the face of over 150 Nigerians, talking about policies as regards their so called Transformation agenda that the common man on the street cannot feel the im-

Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013—11

Ogbeh

Metuh

PDP: House divided against itself? pact of that transformation. So, to that extent, they have failed. Two years is a long time to address out of 7, 5, 2 point agenda or whatever they call it. But we have not seen even a quarter of it. Both roads, light, dividends of democracy, stability of the country, issues of insecurity; those things have marred the country completely. The economy is nothing to write home about. And very unfortunately, we brought a woman, I mean the Minister of Finance who regales us with statistics but physically you cannot feel the impact on the economy.So, we are no

Jonathan has not done anything. All they are busy doing is to squash tax-payers' money and deceive Nigerians with statistics. What kind of reservation when Nigerians are dying of hunger? There are accidents on our roads.” Lending a voice also, a legal practitioner, Mr. Osa Director, said the President’s action amounted to “unnecessary self glorification and adulation which does not match the reality on ground.” PDP BoT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, recently stirred the hornet's nest, calling for automatic ticket for Jonathan, PDP Governors

Anybody waiting for the PDP to collapse before he can do anything is not serious. They should do their home work longer fools and we cannot be fooled by anybody. I see that gathering of yesterday as a gathering of friends, colleagues and those who wait for appointments from the government and are willing to give standing ovation and clap. In a developed nation, you dare not face the public and say such a thing he has said. It is an insult on the sensibilities of the people of the country and we sit down and clap hands. It’s very unfortunate that we were not there. If we were there, we wouldn’t have clapped hands because

and members of the National Assembly with an elevated caveat “who have performed w e l l ” . His words: “I do not see anything wrong if the PDP considers automatic tickets for the president and its governors who have performed well and are seeking for a second term. It is my view that with the outstanding performance of President Jonathan in the areas of power, rail and water transportation, road construction, aviation reforms, education, agriculture, job creation, etc., the party should not find it difficult in granting him the

opportunity to serve a second term, if he so desires. “Over the years, our primaries have been the most serious sources of rancour and disunity in our ranks, and, that we usually invest so much resources and energy fighting ourselves in the primaries that should have gone into the larger battle against our political rivals. "I had admonished that we could not continue this tradition of internal warfare and hope that we would have enough energy left to win elections.” Anenih’s idea, many believe, angered many a PDP member who saw that as being undemocratic. It means that those who have ambitions in 2015 wouldn’t get a chance to gun for the tickets of the party. This, many now see as a challenge that might greet the party.

APC Fever

Then enter the gathering of the major opposition parties under the name All Progressive Congress, APC. For the first time in the history of Nigerian politics, three different opposition parties; The All Nigerian Peoples Party, ANPP, the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, are coming together with the sole aim of dislodging the ruling PDP from power in 2015. Though, it has its own challenges, many are of the view that with the “many sins” of the PDP government in the last 14 years of democratic rule in the Nigeria and the present crises in the party, the APC might just be waiting to form a new government in

2015. But when Saturday Vanguard sought the view of Comrade Yinka Odumakin, he said “anybody who is banking his political fortunes on the PDP crises is wasting his time. PDP is like a mafia, as far as they are in charge of political appointments, etc, they will still rally themselves together and continue their agenda. Some people will leave and some people will sit back. Some of those people who will leave can also come back. Atiku left before and came back. Anybody waiting for the PDP to collapse before he can do anything is not serious. They should do their home work.”

Crises before

rises are evitable in hu man circles. And so, PDP being a human creation would from time to time encounter challenges. According to most analysts, the party had encountered similar problems in the past but surmounted them. Such times included the days of Chief Audu Ogbeh, Ahamdu Ali, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor who had rough times during their tenures as Chairmen of the party. And so, the recent shakeup in the party should cause a stir.

Bottomline:

hether PDP, which claims to be the largest political party in the African Continent, tears itself apart or mends fences with its members, the concern of the people however is largely on the need to better the lot of the masses who have had to suffer so much in the midst of plenty consequent upon bad political leadership in the country. To them, it does not matter if the salvation later comes from the ruling party, the emerging APC or from any other political party. But only time will tell.

12—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor & HENRY UMORU

participant at the decisive el ders’ meeting of the PDP that endorsed Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s continued chairmanship of the party on Wednesday night couched his summary of the meeting as the application of lipstick on a woman. “This is like lipstick you apply on a woman, it would soon fade away,” the senior party member said in reference to the decision to uphold Tukur as national chairman despite the many controversies and issues around his stewardship of the country’s ruling party. Describing Tukur, the bulk 78-year old national chairman of the PDP in feminine tones in part reflects the ironies that have been thrown up since the election, penultimate March, of Tukur as the national chairman of the PDP. At the BoT meeting in the presidential villa on Wednesday night, not many words were spoken as the Chairman of the BoT, Chief Anthony Anenih, immediately set the tone for activities with his inclination towards Tukur. Anenih, it was learnt, was quick to rebuff the clamour against Tukur as he insisted that the national chairman should not resign as had been demanded by many party stakeholders. Anenih’s stance was despite the report of a presidential committee constituted by President Goodluck Jonathan and chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, which had recommended that Tukur and all the members of the National Working Committee, NWC, should resign. The basis of the committee’s recommendation was the report of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on the 2012 national convention of the party, which had faulted the process in which eight of the national officers of the party had emerged. The INEC report on the convention which became available last April had alleged that the process for the election of the eight national officers through affirmation did not follow the party’s guidelines that stipulated a ballot in the determination of all offices. According to INEC, “The mode of election adopted for single candidates was not in accordance with the mode of election stipulated in paragraph 6.5 (i) of the guidelines for the conduct of the year 2012 congresses and national convention and therefore not acceptable to the commission”. The eight affected officers were: Deputy National Chairman, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja; National Organizing Secretary; Abubakar Mustapha; National Youth Leader, Alhaji Garba Chiza; Deputy National Youth Leader, Dennis Alonge Niyi; Deputy National Auditor, Senator Umar Ibrahim; Deputy National Woman, Hannatu Ulam and National Woman Leader, Kema Chikwe.

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

Tukur’s survival:

Peace of the lipstick

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, survived an orchestrated campaign for his exit at the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC meeting last Tuesday. But nearly everyone agrees the prevailing peace is a temporary one

This is like lipstick you apply on a woman, it would soon fade away Also affected were Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Okechukwu Nnadozie; Deputy National Treasur-

er, Claudus Inengas; National Legal Adviser, Victor Kwon; National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh and the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Binta Goje. Following the submission of the INEC report, those in the party who had axes to grind with elements in the NWC as led by Tukur immediately went to court seeking the dissolution of the NWC. For many of the antagonists, their target was Tukur, but remarkably, Tukur was not directly affected by the INEC report. However, there were many reasons for the party activists

to grind issues with the national chairman, among which were his alleged blind inclinations towards President Jonathan’s perceived 2015 re-election ambition and his many troubles with some of the state governors. Tukur had especially fallen out with his own state governor, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, who in fact did not support his emergence in 2012 as national chairman. Tukur was also seen in some quarters as aloof, if not arrogant in his attitude towards some principal party stakeholders. So it was not surprising that three members of the party: Hon. Abba Yale from Borno State, Hon. Yahaya Aruwa Sule from Taraba State and Barrister Bashir Maidugu from Borno had upon the INEC report approached the courts to compel the party to implement the report and sack the affected NWC members because they never had the requisite constitutional requirements to occupy their offices as NWC members. However, even though he was not a target of the INEC report it was not difficult for enemies of Tukur to mobilize against him, alleging that he was the main problem of the party. Among the harshest critics of Tukur in the days leading to Thursday ’s NEC meeting was the PDP Stakeholders Forum, which through its National Coordinator, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, led a campaign for the ouster of Tukur. Chinyere also circulated text messages to NEC members raising allegations against the national chairman and why he should be sacked. By Monday when the Anyim Committee submitted its report with a recommendation that Tukur and all the NWC members should resign, the momentum was indeed going against Tukur until high-profile insiders in the Jonathan administration intervened. Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, was one of the first to come out with a ringing condemnation of those pushing for Tukur ’s removal as he alleged that it was another conspiracy by some to get at the president. At the same time, a whispering campaign also commenced among insiders close to Jonathan who built on the sentiment raised by Clark. “Why must the president lose every battle? He lost the battle for NGF chairmanship and why must he lose every fight?” a source privy to the development queried. So it was not difficult for support to begin building up for Tukur from Monday evening as associates of the president mobilized support for him. At the national caucus meeting on Tuesday night and the BoT meeting the following day, the sustenance of Tukur was quietly and swiftly pushed through and it was not surprising that by the time the NEC took place the matter of removing Tukur was a non issue. But as a source privy to the BoT meeting predicted after the meeting, Tukur would survive but the peace that would follow would be like the lipstick on a woman’s lip. It would soon rub off!

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013 — 13

NGF stalemate:

It’s all about interest, 2015 BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

espite is still a long way off for embattled R i v ers State Governor, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, suspended by the PDP for anti-party activities, having won the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairmanship election, defeating pro-Jonathan candidate, Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau. Instead of conceding defeat or going to court, Jang declared himself NGF chairman with the support of some proJonathan governors, splitting the forum into two factions. The faction loyal to Plateau State Governor, Jonah Jang, held a meeting on Monday (17/06/13) probably to test the ground on who has the majority support of the governors. Saturday Vanguard gathered that 16 governors were present while the governors of Kaduna and Adamawa states were absent and sent apologies. To form a quorum for the meeting, 12 governors at least must be in attendance. Going by the 16 governors present at the meeting called by Jang, Amaechi seemed to have the majority because 36 governors make the NGF. Those absent were more than those present. A major outcome of the meeting was the passionate plea by the governors for the recall of suspended Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu Wamakko, which the National Working Committee of the PDP agreed to, but left the fate of Governor Amaechi, who was first suspended, hanging in the balance. Also it was believed that the Jang faction of NGF was against the removal of out-of-favour Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, was reported to have assured at the meeting that Tukur won’t be touched, prevailing on his colleagues bent on removing the party chairman to rethink and drop the plot. But Tukur had insisted that he won’t resign, banking on President Jonathan’s support.

President Goodluck Jonathan

Governor Rotimi Amaechi

Alhaji Bamanga Tukur

Sule Lamido

Wamakko’s suspension had sparked protest in Sokoto State which the PDP feared could cause electoral damage to it, come 2015. PDP governors absent from the Jang faction meeting include Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers who had challenged Jang for impersonating, Kano’s

Rabiu Kwankwaso, Sule Lamido (Jigawa) who has kicked off his presidential bid with posters in Abuja, smarting from an Olusegun Obasanjo endorsement for the job, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, Sokoto’s Wamakko whose suspension had just been lifted, to mention a few. Said a political observer:

“The recall of Sokoto Governor, Wamakko, is good for the PDP because the state had been under the grip of ANPP before Wamakko decamped. If the suspension had not been lifted, Sokoto would have dumped PDP.” Governor Amaechi is not relenting in his defiance to party directives and the presi-

dency while at the same time purportedly declaring his allegiance to President Jonathan but fraternizing with opposition elements seeking to take over. He had warned Governor Jang to stop parading himself as NGF chairman, saying there is only one chairman of the forum, duly elected on Friday May 24, 2013 which was himself. Amaechi insisted he is the Chairman of NGF and had not called for any meeting of the forum that took place last Monday at the instance of a factional chairman. While calling on Jang to stop this impersonation, he reminded him that Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State has filed a legal action to stop him (Jang) from parading himself as NGF chairman. Amaechi still commands the majority in the governors followership and could translate positively for the opposition if the situation remains as it is, come 2015. But one political analyst told Saturday Vanguard that it does not mean that 16 states will vote for Jonathan if eventually he emerges the PDP presidential torch bearer in 2015. “The persistent crisis in NGF wll take sometime to be resolved, but not without casualties. Now, all that are happening is politics ahead 2015 at the expense of tackling infrastructure deficit, high unemployment, corruption, insecurity and crimes,” he said. According to the analyst, it has been acknoweldged that election for NGF chairman was held and a winner emerged. But the loser later claimed he won. “It’s all about interest and 2015. Governor Amaechi has technically decamped, eventually suspended by PDP and now in fraternity with the opposition bent on wrestling the presidency from the incumbent. Under such situation, will President Jonahan just sit down and watch Amaechi and his fellow co-travellers romp into Aso Rock?”, he asked, adding that "the Jang faction loyal to Jonathan is the only option to stop Amaechi and his cohorts.”

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, JUNE 22, 2013—15

That discourse with Gen. Alani Akinrinade 12 struggle, to mention a few. Even on the social front, I played squash briefly in his Ikeja home in the early 80s sometimes with Soji his brother, and the late Dele Giwa. The court was always available but the man was not. Except of course, his aura, which hovered around the house; even all the way to Nairobi where I saw a framed picture of his in someone’s house.

he third reason has do with my love for interviews. Let me first say that I am grateful for the opportunities I have had in journalism – as a reporter, columnist, editor, publisher etc. but nothing holds a candle to my love for interviews. Has been, and will always be. That one – on – one feeling as you spar mentally with your subject, coupled with the knowledge that the outcome deto

pends more on you than on the man in front of you is incomparable. Over the years, I have followed accomplished interviewers and their styles. So you could say that I was curious to see how Jimi was going to handle an interview with a live audience and its attendant distractions. After all, you do not want your subject to tense up and you do not want him to be too relaxed either because, at the end of the day, the essence is not only to get them to talk, but to talk logically and give you ‘good quotes’ as we say. Professionally, I think Jimi handled the occasion well. He got his subject sufficiently relaxed, yet alert and kept the rest of us informed as well as entertained. The spontaneous applauses he got, must have testified to how well he handled the evening. The questions were topical, yet popular. They centred largely on issues like

Boko Haram and MEND, NADECO, Sovereign National Conference, June 12, the Military etc.

he general believed that the issues behind the Boko Haram insurgency had been festering for a while and that the late Aminu Kano even highlighted it. It had to do with the disdain with which the northern elites treat almajiris in their midst and the lack of opportunities that they have. He also faulted the proposed schools for almajiris believing that all Nigerians should be exposed to the same quality of schools. He said the problems of MEND have not been addressed and the issues for which Isaac Boro and Ken Saro-Wiwa laid

their lives, are still very much with us. Nothing, he said, stops their children from picking up arms in future to address these issues. On the constitution, he said it is a military constitution that even Obasanjo had not seen, let alone read, by the time he was swearing to it. A true constitution should involve the various nationalities that make up Nigeria adding that there was a need to

he discourse with Jimi Disu is a weekly inter view show that is aired on Classic FM every Sunday. Last week, he and the management of the station, decided to celebrate one year of the show in style by doing a live interview with General Alani Akinrinade, a former Chief of Defence Staff and NADECO chieftain at the Muson Centre. Because my car radio is permanently tuned to Classic FM, I couldn’t miss the announcement even if I wanted to. So when Jimi called a week to the time to invite me, I already had an answer. he decision to at tend the show can be premised on three reasons. First, Jimi and I have been friends for over 30years and in my book, old friends always take priority. Second, the person of General Akinrinade, has always intrigued me. He is one of those people whose presence you feel every where but hardly meet. His name came up as one of the heroes of the civil war. His name came up as one of the heroes that aborted a bloody coup. His name came up as one of the heroes of the pro –June

If we are n o t careful, we will be recolonised right in our own home

understand the cultures and work ethics of these nationalities.

e welcomed the merger of some parties saying that a two-political party system was one of the things that made June 12 credible. And while on June 12, he talked about those who betrayed June 12, confirming that Babangida did not act alone. He

also talked about the betrayals in the political wing of NADECO. He said, and the audience agreed through their applause, that Nigeria was toying with its future by not paying attention to quality education and youth employment. ‘If we are not careful, we will be re-colonised right in our own home’. I thought he was too optimistic when he said he didn’t believe there could be a military coup again in Nigeria. We can only hope he is right. For me however, the most salient part of the discourse, was his comment on the civil society which he said must be up and doing and must be willing to organise itself to engage our politicians and rulers. It was his understanding that some of these politicians even want to be engaged since nobody knows it all. ‘We can have credible elections and thus credible leaders, only if the civil society demands, and organises for it. The election of the Governor ’s forum has told us what to expect’ he said. General Akinrinade has had his day. At over 70, he has played his part. It is time to hand over the baton. Are there willing hands to take it up?

16—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

Now it was clear that there was a phenomenon that did not lend itself definitely to mere insurgency. Whoever heard of Fulani herdsmen with guns? Bows and arrows, maybe, but AK47?

atai Rolling Dollar almost escaped being a period piece. But his style of music and its intrinsic worth which lasted the whole of his career stamped him for a juju performer. Though humoured with an appreciable measure of patronage until he passed on at over 80 years of age, he unarguably belonged to a bygone era. At the end, he was left with one single hit number which was the high point of each outing, and which represented an echo of the period to which he truly belonged. Old “codgers” like us may fondly refer to that time as the “golden” period of Nigerian popular music. We would be right too in terms of the variety that was on tap as well as the performers who plied their trade in a variety of venues, from the streets to the clubs and music halls. Lagos, the Capital city, was the hub as it used to be for almost every endeavour, be it public demonstrations or popular sports, and most of the popular folk-music was rendered in Yoruba, the native language. There were orchestral ensembles dominated by Bobby Benson. And The All Stars which happily spawned other groups who played from his repertoire unabashedly, though some of them later developed their own style. The most notable among them was Dr. Victor Olaiya who can rightly claim to be of the same vintage with Fatai Rolling Dollar, though Olaiya was already a bandleader whilst Fatai was still bound as an apprentice to Julius Araba in the fifties. Julius Araba was himself a protege of Akanbi Wright who •Fatai Rolling Dollar...He deserved every word of took over from Tunde King as the teeming encomiums.. the first name among the However, without a note of warning, out early juju artistes. Akanbi Ege, as he was called, was a master guitarist and glorified blared an old sound from an old man, an under the nickname of “Seriki Onigita”, unforgettable sound from an unforgettable that is “The king of guitarists”. Julius source, full of urgency and passion, and daring Araba, who played in his band, took after anyone to shut him down. No one even tried to. him, and Fatai Rolling Dollar in turn, Fatai Rolling Dollar had returned, with verve definitely continued that tradition of the and such a nerve, that he rose higher than even mastery of the guitar after he left the Julius at the peak of his former success. I have always been impressed by the Araba Skiffie group. disarming modesty which was a part of the he group broke up when Araba’s wife charisma that oozed out of every pore of his became a bona fide member. The being. He deserved every word of the teeming boys simply could not abide that. So what encomiums that have followed his demise. He had become probably the leading combo was a rare one. outfit became shrivelled to a shadow of itself. But its members who left the group hardly fared better individually. They Early this month, there was the bewildering failed to create a sound of their own, and could not emerge from the tag of “former news that “herdsmen” had murdered no less Araba boys”. Among them was Fatai than 17 people in Akough Village in the Guma Rolling Dollar who also drifted for a while Local Government area of Benue State. A more like the others. One good thing that came peaceful locality could hardly be imagined. It out of it all was the gradual emergence was an area of serene contentment inhabited from his group of a gentleman by the name by simple men and women who lived close to of Ebenezer Obey who was destined to the earth and had a smile for every stranger. become a star. It is one of the traits of good That was my impression some three decades breeding evinced by the career of Fatai ago. That anyone could find it in his heart to lay Rolling Dollar that he never made a big a finger on these simple, peaceful people deal out of being the erstwhile leader of brought home to me the heartlessness of the Ebenezer Obey, not even once, while he evil that has been ravaging our country these was himself in the shadows as a performer. past 40 months, or so. There was a rush of In the meantime, juju music had realization in me that I found changed. It had become shocking in that I had not severely influenced by really grasped the enormity nuances introduced by of the horror that the land musicians from other parts has been exposed to for the of the country. Notable simple reason that it had among them was Theophilus been happening far from me. Iwalokun from the Ilaje But Akough Village waterside, Isaac Dairo from reminded me of the the Ijesha hinterland and proximity which humanity Sunny Ade by way of the had bestowed on us all as stage music and its dramatic creatures from the same impact, and a number of Source of Creation. Then I began to unroll the others. In Lagos, Ayinde Bakare, who could be said to have mental tissues that had succeeded Akanbi Wright, was closely challenged by obscured the actuality of Tunde Nightingale, and juju would never be the same again.

*rare “rolling dollar” *a circus troupe

Boko Haram is one thing, but this is something else. Nothing should be allowed to overshadow it

C M Y K

what had been happening. This was not an onslaught by people who had mentioned any grief, any hurt, or cause for anger; these were not groups of people motivated by a religious zeal run riot, or seized by an uncontrollable political passion. The killers were simply described as “herdsmen”. In other descriptions, that was amplified to read “gunmen”, or “Fulani herdsmen.” The impact of the shock of the Akough killings was intensified by the additional realization that one had actually glossed over the reports of earlier killings. And there had been several of them, some even more brutal with heavier casualties recorded of women and children in particular. But it had usually been, “Oh, Boko Haram again”, to me. Now it was clear that there was a phenomenon that did not lend itself definitely to mere i n s u r g e n c y . Whoever heard of Fulani herdsmen with guns? Bows and arrows, maybe, but AK47? That is a bit beyond the accoutrement of shepherds and cattlemen. I remembered what Pa Lot, that renowned and first among the statesmen of Benue/Plateau area,told me years ago about Fulani herdsmen and it still did not click. He had said, the herdsmen, following their itinerant way of life would wander around the luscious fields of the Plateau, and would leave considerable herds in several groups, whilst they drove the rest further afield for a few weeks.

hile they were away, the local inhabitants would hold feasts with some of the animals left behind to the chagrin of the Fulani when they returned. When they inquired about the fate of their herds, the Tivi people especially, would blandly reply, “Mun-chi”— “We’ve eaten them.” There was not much the herdsmen could do since they were outnumbered by their hosts who added insult to deprivation, by giving the Fulani herdsmen the nickname of “Mun-chi.” But that was decades ago and the animosity that the incident could have created cannot be expected to have lasted so long. So what beef (pardon the unintended pun) would the herdsmen be nursing at this time to provoke these

horrendous outbursts? But it continues, and the tempo is not lowered. As recently as this week, they struck again, this time in Zamfara. Official reports put the number of casualties at 32; the survivors stated that the figure was almost 60. There should not have been a single one, because there simply is no reason for the carnage. Just when the people of the Northwest are beginning to entertain a sigh of relief, their counterparts to the Northwest are being put through a time of naked terror. The herdsmen who invaded Zamfara went about the streets crying out for help just to invite sympathizers who were then swiftly shot dead when they appeared. This is not funny. Boko Haram is one thing, but this is something else. Nothing should be allowed to overshadow it. It has to be squarely faced as a challenge on its own.

ut how are we to achieve this? If we are all agreed that the people of Zamfara possess as one of their “inalienable rights”, the freedom to live a peaceful life in their pursuit of a legitimate entitlement to happiness, then we must quicken the minds of those who have been granted the privilege of being in government to their duty. Not only the people in Zamfara, and Bornu, and Yobe, but all the citizens of this country, Nigeria, need their welfare to be protected by those who have been given the power to do so. However, have you noticed the current preoccupation of the members of the Peoples Democratic Party, the political party in power? They are busy sacking and re-instating State Governors with the nonchalance that might be attached to the cases of thirdclass clerks. They are preoccupied with the positioning and re-positioning of governors. They are neckdeep in the consideration of political offices within their party. In the meantime, the elderly members’ of the party, who should know better, are publicly stating why they should begin to campaign for the re-election of the President months before it is legal to do so, and are canvassing the return “by acclamation”, possibly, of all their elected members into political office. What time have they got for the welfare and well-being of the citizens who put them in high office for that purpose? Look at them! Is this a political party or a circus troupe! Time out.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013 — 17

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 22, 2013

He proposed love to me and I blocked him

Dear Julie, I met a guy at a party and fell in love with him. But all these while, it’s like the love is one-sided and I seem to be the one showing all the love. He’s so dormant about everything and it’s frustrating. I like the guy but I want to get him to like me. How can I do that? Annabel, Lagos

Dear Annabel, As a young lady, it’s normal to start having feelings for other people. It might be a friend you’ve had for a long time, someone in your trade or someone you know through activities or hobbies outside of school or work. Unfortunately, we can’t make someone like us. But if we start to talk with them and get to know them, they can learn more about us and they might start to like us or look at us in a different way, as more than just a friend and

How do I get him to like me? possibly a girlfriend. It helps if you have something in common with them, like a favourite issue or football team—anything where you share a common interest. This will give you something to talk and have a connection about. Once you start talking to them and feel more comfortable, you may get a sense of if they like you or not. If you’re feeling brave, you could ask them how

they feel about you or let them know that you like them, and see what their response is. A lot of people get embarrassed about telling someone they like them. Instead of saying it directly, you could show him in other ways, such as mucking around and trying to have fun with him, teasing him in a playful way, or by flirting with him.

Sometimes it helps if you know one of their friends and can find out that way if they like you, if they already have a girlfriend/boyfriend, or if they have someone else. The best thing to do is be yourself when you’re around him. This way, he will get to know you for who you are. If he likes you, that’s great. If not, there are plenty of guys out there who will. Good luck!

I really want to ask her out but I get so nervous Dear Aunty Julie, I really like this course mate of mine. She is so nice and caring and kind and generous, and also really pretty. I’ve tried flirting with her but it doesn’t work. Also, I always try to say hi to her seductively so it sounds sexy, but her voice is so cute and it makes me feel dreamy. I’ve caught her gaze in class a few times and her big brown eyes are so beautiful. I have also hugged her once and I think I was so caught up day dreaming that I didn’t hear her saying to let go. I also play dumb so she can help me with my projects. I really want to ask her out but I get so nervous trying to ask. How do I do it? Fabian, Lokoja Hello Fabian The quickest way is to just ask her on a date, straight up. Something like during the weekend . But if you feel like it’s too direct for you, maybe there are some other ways you can spend more time to-

gether, like hanging out in a group, or helping with homework, or even doing something together where you share the same interest. Basically, it boils down to a bit of creativity, patience and courage. You choose your own adventure. Honesty helps. If you’re happy to hang out as friends, then get to know her that way. Friendship can be the best start to some fantas-

tic relationships. But if you’re frustrated because really you want a more romantic relationship, the only way to fix that is to ask her out straight up. You’ll risk rejection, but you won’t waste time agonizing about whether she likes you or not. Just remember that everyone has personal preference about their own taste, and it’s human nature that sometimes someone will be

attracted to you but you might not like them. It’s just preference. I hope this lady shares your feelings and you have a great time together. You certainly deserve to have a fun, romantic relationship. Everyone does. Enjoy yourself, whatever happens in your own adventure, and feel free to write back!

Should I continue trying for her ? Hello Aunty Julie, I’m a 28 year old man. I’ve loved this lady for two years but sometimes when I talk to her, it feels like she’s just talking to me so as not to offend me. I also feel like she’s never noticing me but everyone does. I have recently been asked out by some ladies in the past two months and I rejected all of them because there was the one lady who I truly care about. I need help on whether I should continue trying for her or to give up and walk away.

*A minister was called to a local nursing home to perform a wedding. An anxious old man met him at the door. The pastor sat down to counsel the old man and asked several questions. ”Do you love her?” The old man replied, “I guess.” ”Is she a good Christian woman?” ”I don’t know for sure,” the old man answered. ”Does she have lots of money?” asked the pastor. ”I doubt it.” ”Then why are you marrying her?” the preacher asked. ”She can drive at night,” the old man said. *My husband-to-be and I were at the county clerk’s office for our marriage license. After recording the vital information—names, dates of birth, the clerk handed me our license and deadpanned, “No refunds, no exchanges, no warranties.”

Yinka, Abeokuta Hello Yinka , I really admire you for that. Sounds like you’re reaching the end of your patience though. Should you give it one last try, or is it time to let go and move on? How much do you like her? Is there anyone else who you find attractive? If there is, what would you lose by starting something with them? Let’s argue it out... There are so many ladies you could choose from. Ladies came

up to you, and you weren’t even trying. Massive chance that there’s another one who is just as good as this one you’re after. Good chance that you will find another who’s even better—there’s always that possibility. You can always be surprised by something turning out even better than you had imagined. So, stop wasting time and energy waiting for this lady. She clearly is not interested in you, she’s just being polite. I mean, she doesn’t even notice you, but everyone else does.

C O C K - T A L E S ”A nun?” his father exclaimed. ”That’s right. None in the morning, none at night and none unless I beg.” The father nodded knowingly, and patted his son on the back. “Why don’t we all get together for a nice talk tonight?” Toms face brightened. “Say Dad, that’s a great idea.” ”Fine. I’ll call and tell Mother Superior to set two extra plates.” *A woman told a marriage counselor that her husband’s complaint that he leads a dog’s life is probably well founded. “He comes in the house with muddy feet,” she said, “tracks across my clean floors, barks at nothing, growls at his food and makes himself comfortable on my best furniture.”

Not long after the marriage, Tom and his fa*The elderly pastor was searching his closet for his ther met for lunch. “Well son,” asked the dad, collar before church one Sunday morning. In the back “how is married life treating you?” ”Not very of the closet, he found a small box containing 3 eggs well, I’m afraid. It seems that I married a nun.” C M Y K

Aunty Julie, Several months ago, I met a guy online through Facebook. He was nice, and as we started talking over the next month or two, he expressed his affection towards me. He was 36 by the way. He told me I was perfect, beautiful, that he loved me. I got nervous because a total stranger was telling me these things, so I blocked him. Now I feel guilty, because he wasn’t really doing anything wrong. What should I do? Josephine Dear Josephine, His comments were nice but a bit over the top and it sounds like they made you feel uncomfortable. When something makes us uncomfortable it’s okay to protect ourselves. Sometimes, guys or ladies can say things that are over the top and it’s too much too soon because we feel like they don’t even know us.Are you worried about him? Is there anyone else on Facebook who knows him too and can let you know he’s okay? On the internet sometimes, people pretend to be someone young to contact ladies for creepy reasons. If you ever feel uncomfortable, you have a right to stop it or leave. Look after yourself .

But if she’s the one you truly care about, make sure you do everything you can to build a relationship with this lady. You should either wait patiently for her, or you should do as much as you can to get her attention and ask her out until she says yes or no for good. So, what do you think? Which one wins: option A or option B? If you’re having trouble, go with how your gut feels, or your heart. Then, if there’s anything that stops you from choosing A or B 100%, ask yourself, what do I need to feel more happy with this decision?

and 100 $1 bills. He called his wife into the closet to ask her about the box and its contents. Embarrassed, she admitted having hidden the box for their entire 25 years of marriage. Disappointed and hurt, the pastor asked her, “WHY?”The wife replied that she hadn’t wanted to hurt his feelings. He asked her how the box could have hurt his feelings. She said that every time during their marriage that he delivered a poor sermon, she had placed an egg in the box. The pastor felt that 3 poor sermons in 25 years was certainly nothing to feel bad about, so he asked her what the $100 was for.She replied, “Each time I got a dozen eggs, I sold them to the neighbors for $1. * A husband visited a marriage counselor and said, “When we were first married, I would come home from the office, my wife would bring my slippers and our cute little dog would run around barking. Now after ten years it’s all-different. I come home, the dog brings the slippers and my wife runs around barking.” ”Why complain?” said the counselor, “You’re still getting the same service.”

SATURDAY Vanguard JUNE 22, 2013—19

Your man’s irritating habits may be good for you! W

tudies have shown that those who confessed to being lonely suffered from raised blood pressure at times of stress; that blood pressure rose with age in lonely men and women, while it remained more stable in people who said they were content. Even so, living with the person you love has its challenges and while many of us are good for the health of our other half, some might not be. In other words, the way our partners live has a huge impact on us. So could your man be making you ill? Ask yourself these questions: Does he smoke? ReC M Y K

ity to process and store carbohydrates and regulate hormone levels. The changes mimic many of the hallmarks of advanced ageing — so we start looking old more quickly. Does he drink? When you move in with a man who likes his booze, you find that the fridge is suddenly stacked full of beer and wine chilling, away nicely. It’s very hard to say no when someone wants you to join them in a sociable tipple. Whereas you might not have bothered opening a bottle of wine just for yourself, you can easily drink half a bottle. Increased alcohol consumption is probably one of the most common reasons for weight gain. Alcohol is not usually a substitute for food, but an addition to the diet. But it is almost as fattening as fat.

searchers have now found that passive smoking is far more at risk in the home than anywhere else. A study by the Imperial Cancer Research

ho knows what sort of venom could be spewed during a marital row? You’ve just had a big row and are still seething. All sorts of nasty thoughts are racing through your head. “How in God’s name did I ever end up with this monster?” You fumed. ‘What does he ever do for me?” You may not want to hear it, but this man may in fact be good for your health! He might even help you live longer. “Love and intimacy are the root of what makes us sick and what makes us well, what causes sadness and what brings happiness, what makes us suffer and what leads to healing,” says Dr. Dean Ornish, professor of medicine at the University of California. He goes on: “If a new drug had the same impact, virtually every doctor would be recommending it for their patients.” It’s a general belief that a happy relationship boosts our immune system, helps us avoid depression and reduces our risk of cancer and heart disease. Being lonely can almost literally break our heart.

get are from the partners of snorers who may be getting no sleep at all because of it” says a snoring and sleep Apnoea Association mem-

The way our partners live has a huge impact on us

Fund’s Health behaviour unit fond that someone living with a person who smoked suffered four times the exposure to tobacco smoke than an individual living in a smoke—free household. “These findings are very worrying”, says the head of the study.”A lot of people are being exposed to a significant increased risk of lung cancer and other smokerelated diseases. Does he snore? It’s been alleged that 41 % of middle aged men and 28 percent of middle aged women snore. The most common reasons for this are Obesity, smoking, and drinking alcohol. “Half the calls we

ber. “Think how bad you feel when you haven’t had a good night’s sleep” all headache, sick and bad-tempered. Then think about

someone who feels like that day in, day out, for years because their partner snores. It can be devastating. Does he disturb your sleep? Some of us simply can’t drop off next to another person because we’ve always been used to sleeping alone. “Having difficulty sharing a bed is a common problem,” continues the expert. “Humans have spent millions of years sleeping together, but in recent decades we have taken infants out of the family bed to sleep alone. Lack of sleep can cause our immune system to run down. It can reduce our levels of concentration and make us liable to mood swings and depression. Sleeping for only four hours a night, even for less than a week, affects the body’s abil-

s he lazy? Left to your own device, you might walk to a friend’s house, to the salon or to the shops. But what if your man drives everywhere? Or worse still, what if he doesn’t go anywhere at all? Most single women are out and about in the evenings and at weekends. As part of a couple, though, they are more likely to stay in with a take-away, a bottle of wine and a video. If you used to walk elsewhere before, don’t start accepting lifts or taking the car. One of the overwhelming factors in the increase in Obesity, which has seen it reach almost epidemic proportions, has been linked to lack of activity, so keep moving

The goodness in pineapples P

ineapples not only taste delicious, they also have remarkable nutritious properties. According to dieticians, they help indigestion as they contain the enzyme brome1ain which breaks down protein. They soothe aches and pains because

bromelain is also all anti-inflammatory which helps alleviate joint pain and sinusitis. It may also speed up tissue repair after sprains and sports injuries. Pineapples are an excellent source of vitamins—just two thick slices (160g) of pineapple provide around a third of your

recommended daily amount of Vitamin C. It can also keep your weight in check. Two juicy slices only contain around 85 calories. Pineapple is rich in fibre, helping to prevent constipation, stimulate the digestive system, and reduce the risk of gallstones.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013 part of the civilized society long for and cherish freedom. But it is equally important to note that there are ones including both men and women who cherish freedom to the point of selfishness. It is important or rather imperative that they stay single on account of their inflexibility and ill adjustability to come around to share and care for others. So the inability to compromise and need for absolute freedom from interference or disciplining goad people to stay single.

08052201257 anyagafu@yahoo.com

Why some people choose to remain single?

Sometimes staying single over a long period of time on account of some genuine issues of financial concern helps one to pick on the right partner

rrespective of the dictums outlined in religious texts and principles about the importance of marriage; the decision whether to go in for one or to remain single is essentially personal in nature where the questions of scriptures or rules of theologians should not come into play. This is particularly true of the current life situations marked by extremes of stress, strain and struggle; in spite of all its techno savvy benefits. With much thrust upon competition and rat race; a man’s common place existence is one of extreme struggle and strain. This in turn is working havoc on marital and other relationships based on close bonding and trustfulness. Sometimes the sheer apprehension that things may

Just as inability to share emotionally can be problematic for some, leading them to the choice of singularity; likewise inability to

not work out fine on the home front has compelled people desirous of climbing up the social order to stay single. People with a sharp or obsessive focus on career and personal growth often prefer staying single rather than bracing up to the duties and obligations of marriage. Paucity of time and personal inability to share and care keep them away from relationships and marriage.

Other than social and economic factors, there are people who preferred singularity over marital status on account of their lack of commitment. Rather than going for the hassles of serious relationships leading to marriage or live in stands, certain carefree and happy go lucky individuals choose to remain single. It is true that humans, a

share financially can be a possible reason. With over magnified stories of spouses nagging for money and possession doing the rounds; the choice of better management of financial prospects keep people especially men away from marriage. People staunchly egoistical without the ability to change or modify often choose to remain single. With their all encompassing ego being predominantly effective, such folks are unable to come around or modify to the ways of better halves or partners.

Marriages leading to divorce or

relationships leading to break ups is one of the well trodden phenomenon. With far reaching repercussions, any form of break up or separation can turn out to be tremendously heart wrenching. If one is not into a relationship of the serious order, one needs not worry or anticipate such a turn of event. Thus fear of separation or one exposed to too many separations in the formative years of childhood may give way to fears and mental blocks about marriage. In spite of there being too many moral inhibitions about indulging in sexual activities involving multiplicity of partners, similar orientation involving different partners is a well established reality. People beyond the bounds of marriage or serious partnership often take the advantage of their self inflicted singularity so as to indulge in sexual revelry. Even married ones may be equally guilty. But the fact that one is single helps one to feel free.

Sometimes, staying single over a long period of time on account of some genuine issues of financial concern helps one to pick on the right partner or soul mate. Religious devotion may also draw an individual into a life of chastity and celibacy. Irrespective of your status chosen, there are some basic issues and principles of the civilized society to abide by. Regardless of the fact whether one is single or otherwise; we are all expected to maintain the minimum standards of decency and self control.

How do I get over this divorce pain?

haven’t been able to talk to any lady since my breakup with my ex-wife six months ago. We haven’t really signed any divorce papers, so I feel very obligated to stay faithful to her even though our relationship as we know it is over and done with. Will I still have this problem even when we actually get divorced? Or will I forever feel bad about making the first move to end this relationship because for the past three months, I could neither sleep nor concentrate on my studies? My commitment to her and my love for her was the only thing that helped me to go on with my life. Now that’s over, I am totally lost. Please help me with my problem.

Francis, Delta Ans: Time is a great healer. But you must understand that separating from a partner is one of the most significant stressors life can throw at you, and the sometimes overwhelming feelings of guilt, distraction, and disorientation you are experiencing are so normal as to almost be expected. Knowing that these emotions are common might not seem to make them easier to handle, but it might bring some comfort to know that the process of grief and loss is indeed universal. People cope with loss differently — some cling to feelings of remorse, guilt, and a notion that if they remain faithful to the relationship, they might be able to save it. Others feel numb and closed off from themselves and others. In both cases, it can be very helpful to focus on who you are, who you want to be, goals for your future, and tangible steps you

can take get there. In clarifying a new sense of yourself, it might be helpful to ask yourself reflective questions like: from what do you derive the greatest sense of satisfaction and self-esteem apart from your relationship? What can you do to make yourself feel a little better? Exercising, dressing nicely, treating yourself to a massage or a special meal are all popular answers. Who are the most supportive people in your life and how can you spend more time with them? What have you learned about yourself from this experience? What have you learned from this relationship that you’d like to take with you into your next one? What new challenges can you overcome personally, professionally, or physically? Although you may feel like you’ve

• Valentine, 30, graduate, employed, based in Calabar, needs a lovely lady of 19-29 based in Uyo for a serious relationship on 08169735158 • Rukayat, widow, with kids

Do you have reactions to our stories or have you any experience you want to share with our readers? Please e-mail,anyagafu2@gmail.com Do you want to be linked? Neither Chioma Gabriel nor Saturday Vanguard has any relationship with anybody wanting to be linked. We have no agents anywhere and charge no fees. We have no personal information of people who have been linked or want to be linked and therefore, are not answerable for disappointments or embarrassments some people may encounter in the process. C M Y K

lost your most significant friend, it’s important not to go through this alone. It’s hard to offer a guess as to when you might start to feel better, whether it’s when the divorce becomes official or sometime before or after that. But allowing yourself to feel how you’re feeling and to fall apart a little bit may be an essential part of recovering your sleep and study habits, and emerging back into your life in a new way. You cannot rush the grieving process. Many people report that after letting themselves come undone, they are able to put themselves back together stronger than before. The path of healing may seem like an impossible uphill journey, but all mountains are climbed one step at a time. Perhaps asking your questions are your first brave steps.

wants a good man for a relationship that can lead to marriage on 08116412224 • Chi-Chi, Ph.d, preacher and lecturer, based in Delta, needs a Christian born -again Medical Doctor or senior employed female aged between 39-43 as a wife on 08188651992 •Prince, 28. gradauate Christian, based in Lagos, wants a working class Igbospeaking lady for a relationship that could lead to marriage on

08139183060 •Chris, 29, graduate, gainfully employed , based in Calabar needs a lady of 18-28 , also based in Calabar for a serious relationship on 07010906688 •Joe, male , adult, Christian, needs a good Christian lady for immediate marriage on 07082513289

SATURDAY

Let’s not include the multiple taxes you pay for non-provision of potable water, good roads, good health care, unpolluted environment and qualitative education for your children by government because this is a long story with no happy

info@katehenshaw.com

Road to Rehoboth ending in sight. Reverend Jesse Jackson said: “Leadership is more than winning elections; it demands improving the well-being of the people”. The Federal Government of Nigeria recently gave itself a pass mark in assessing the performance of this administration since they

A true leader needs to be courageous, decisive and above reproach. He needs to be fearless when it comes to making sure that the right thing is done no matter whose ox is gored. Surrounding yourself with people who will not tell you as it is will not augur well for

HAT is the value of a Nigerian life? What are the costs and implications of being a citizen of this great Nation? I say great because indeed, we are in terms of population and resources at our disposal, but not because we have all we deserve in terms of functional infrastructure and good quality of life. It is becoming increasing difficult to make ends meet, and I am sure a lot of people will come to the same conclusion; even the so-called rich citizens are not exempt from the myriads of problems we face in our daily existence if they are truthful. Growing up as a teenager, my parents could afford to give us the basic requirements; we went to good schools, ate good meals and dressed well. These days, we who are now parents face an unending battle with the high cost of living to provide for our children. If you have a roof over your head, own a generator, can afford at least two meals a day and have an automobile, you are blessed indeed.

We should not strive to live in our land; we should live peaceably and in comfort knowing that the lives of our children, our lives and property are secure

came into power till date. The jury is still out on that report card. Granted this administration did not bring about the depth of rot and corruption we have in this nation but it can do a whole lot more than pay lip service to the needs of her citizenry.

any leader. The truth no matter how bitter must be told, for in the end it will serve a greater purpose than a lie. An honest conversation with the average Nigerian will put it all in perspective. As I went to have my pedicure the other day, the

sound of the generator in the salon was hard to ignore as usual, and I do not think it has ceased for one day, unless the place was closed for the business. I shook my head and sat down for my treatment. As the owner walked past, I initiated a conversation with her, and asked her how business was; she shrugged and said, “Kate, we thank God”. She had just finished renovations to make sure her customers were comfortable in the surroundings they chose to patronise. I asked her how many generators she had and she replied,” Three in number”. My mouth was agape and of course, you know my next question; how much diesel did she consume? “1200 litres” she replied and she added that it barely lasted her the week. However, the local government tax collection

o matter how bad your case may be, it can still be changed for good. Everything that has a beginning surely has an end. The only thing that has no beginning and an end is God Himself. This is why He is called the unchangeable changer. I see Him intervening in your situation in the name of Jesus. You will laugh again. God is not through with you just yet. He is working things out for your good. I declare to you that by the mighty power of God, all your enemies will be put to shame. With your eyes will you behold the reward of the wicked? Pharoah said who is the Lord that I should let the children of Israel go, so that they can worship Him (Exo. 5:2)? Pharaoh thought he had all power and that he was the all and all. He had no respect for God who created him. He forgot that the creature can never be greater than the Creator. He was so full of confidence that no one can free the isrealites from his domain. This year, your mockers and enemies will congratulate you in Jesus name. Beloved, refuse to fret about that situation. The devil cannot defeat you forever. Something they do not know that exist in you will spring forth this year. The God of heaven and earth will intervene on your behalf. The God who makes all things beautiful in His time will beautify your life. He is working in your favour and all the pharaohs working against your glorious destiny shall be disgraced. Sometimes God will wait until when the devil says there is no way of escape and then He (God) shows up to deliver you because He is the way. This God that C M Y K

Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013—21

Divine int er inter ervvention (2) said He will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the deserts will make a way for you. Fear not, God knows how to turn things around. Imagine pharaoh saying who is God? Thank God that God revealed Himself to pharaoh. Everything in your life that is asking who is God shall experience the awesomeness of Jehovah God Almighty. Just as God disgraced pharaoh openly, so shall God deal with your enemies? Know that all power belongs to Him. Psalms 66:3, says, “Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! Through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee”. There is no power that can contend with the power of the one who created the

heavens and the earth. Pharaoh thought there was no power greater than his power. Today we know better. This is why I say to you that anyone that has tied up your destiny will be destroyed by the power of the Almighty. You will have the last laugh. Those who told blind Bartimeaus to shut up were the same people that came to tell him, be of good cheer. God will surprise you this year. God will supernaturally intervene for you. In your office, marriage, family, career etc where things are contrary to the will of God for you, the mercies of God will bring about a glorious change for you. Know for a surety that God will never forget nor

For more details, contact us at Christ Reality Church, beside Gossard Hotel, opposite First Bank Sports Ground, Community Road, Satellite Town or P.O.Box, 3196, Yaba Lagos. Tel: 08023062635 08168955932; 08033378769. E-mail: Johnson_crm@yahoo.com. Website: www.christrealityministries.org. Our account details are Pastor Johnson Omomadia, Guaranty Trust Bank, A/C Nos. 0005171407; Christ Reality Ministries, Zenith Bank A/C 1011711622.

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

forsake you. You are still in His plans a n d y o u r e n d shall be glorious.

agency would hound her to pay dues despite the absence of an enabling environment for her business…(the road in front of her salon has been an eyesore for years! )and non availability of steady power supply is another unwholesome issue for years! She said when she complained to the tax collectors, they retorted: “our own na to collect, go meet government and complain”. Shikena! Lobatan!

ehoboth means a place of enlargement and flourishing. It refers to the land of inheritance that only God can give and that the enemy cannot steal from you. Nigeria is that land which we have been given as Nigerians to dwell in. We should not strive to live in our land; we should live peaceably and in comfort knowing that the lives of our children, our lives and property are secure. The supposed affluence of a small percentage of people when there is more than enough to go around should not continue to be the norm. Our young people are aware of the display of unimaginable affluence by our politicians, yet they do not have jobs, the youth of today are not ignorant of unfulfilled promises of our politicians. They soon will find other ways to earn their keep and it will affect every one of us including those who honestly work for a living. The road to Rehoboth is in need of urgent repair and attention. The sooner we get cracking, the better it will be for us all.

I want you to rejoice and again I say rejoice. In Luke chapter 5, Peter went to catch fish and caught nothing. At the close of business he met with Jesus who requested to use Peter ’s boat. Peter obliged Him. When Jesus was through with the boat He intervened in Peter’s business and Peter experienced the kind of miracles that he has never experienced before. You see, when God intervenes in your life, the past shame, sorrow, pain, humiliation, etc will be nothing. Whatever you may have experienced last year is nothing compared to what God have in store for you this year. There will be exceeding great joy in your life never experienced before. It will amaze mankind. Get ready, this God that turns around hopeless situations around is saying to you today that He will divinely intervene and your years of tears of pain will turn to tears of joy. Please know that this is but nothing to God. Before we end today ’s message, I would like to draw your attention to two (2) things. One (1), the children of Isreal cried (prayed) out to God for divine intervention. Stop being dignified and humble yourself before God and He will raise you up. Secondly, Peter gave Jesus his boat to use to minister to the people. What are you willing to give to God? Give Him your house for house fellowship, sponsor a programme in the church, sow into the life of your pastor. Apply these principles and you will encounter God’s divine intervention. Know that God is not a respecter of persons. What He did yesterday, He can do today and much more. Have you given your life to Jesus? If not, please pray this prayer. Father, I come to you as I am. I invite Jesus into my life to be my personal Lord and Saviour. Wash me cleanse with the blood of Jesus and empower me with the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you Father for saving my soul and making me your child.

22—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

Ask the Sexpert I am a 22-year-old man and my manhood is 6.5 inches long when erect. However, it bends 30 degrees towards the left. Will this cause a problem during intercourse? Is there any medicine I can take?

Women are more selective than men

ost men can make up their minds about women from the first meeting if not from the first picture they see. Because women invest much more effort bearing and raising children, they were designed to be more careful when selecting a life partner. There are lots of theories that explain how women choose their life partners but today , more light would be shed on a different angle of the selection process. When a man selects a woman, he usually assess her reproductive abilities and gene quality on the unconscious level of course. Because looks can determine these qualities to a great extent, many men can base their choice of a mate only on looks. Women on the other hand think differently of the relationship. All women want to see their kids living the best lives possible and as a result their choice of a man might be strongly affected by their desire to secure the best future

for their children. In other words, when a woman chooses a long term partner, she will put the life of her future children in mind and will use it to determine which man is more suitable. How do women choose their mates? It is a known fact that self confidence attracts most women but do you know the reason behind it? Women want their children to be strong and confident. That’s why a man who seems to have these traits appears much more desirable to them. After all, its very likley that this man will pass these traits to his offspring and that’s why these traits are considered desirable by most women. Women also care about resources, status, ambition and money. At the first instance, it might seem like women are materialistic but when you look at it from the point of view of securing a better life for their children, these preferences make a lot of sense. Why women like dominant men

You should consult an experienced andrologist/ urologist for advice on the curvature. I am 19 years old. Will having intercourse many times a week while using a condom affect my sex life in my 30s? You can be assured that you will not run out of condoms. But how many girlfriends you will have and how potent you will be, will depend upon your imagination and lifestyle. Most women prefer dominant men over passive ones unless they are control freaks. The reason women prefer dominant men is that they are better able of passing their traits to their children. A dominant and strong man will most likley teach his child to become strong in life. A passive man on the other hand might do nothing about it or leave his children to develop whatever traits they can develop without intervention. Do women care about looks? Looks reflect the genetic quality of a person and so women care about looks to a certain extent. However, if women found the traits they are already looking for in a man, then they might sacrifice his looks for these traits.

When it comes to short term relationships, women won’t consider having kids at all and that’s why the selection criteria will completely change. Women seeking a short term partner will go for the bad boy or the macho man while

those looking for a long term relationship will select men the way it was described in this article. People who don’t understand how others perceive physical attraction usually develop the imagined ugliness disorder.

How to become more attractive The good news is that you don’t need plastic surgery!! Contrary to common beliefs, your level of attractiveness is not constant but it keeps changing continuously based on your actions, behaviour and thoughts. Research has shown that both men and women can change their perception of someone’s attractiveness without any changes happening to his physical looks if few small things that count were changed. You don’t have to undergo a plastic surgery in order to become more attractive nor should you become depressed if you don’t like your looks simply because your levels of attractiveness can be manually changed.

I had unsafe intercourse three years ago, and ejaculated inside the woman. Since then, I have been fit and fine. However, sometimes I fear that I may have contracted HIV or some other STD. Should I undergo a test? You have a time-tested answer. You have had no symptoms of infection after so many years, so forget about the incident. I am a 29-year-old man. When I ejaculate during intercourse, I pass gas. It is very embarrassing. I am about to get married soon . Should I talk to my fiancée about it? Speak to your doctor. Stop eating flatulence-forming food, and eat light meals. The occasional passing of the wind should not embarrass you — it is one of the minor disturbances that a wife has to put up with.

Tips that can make you more attractive •Votes do count!!: A research has shown that a person is perceived to be more attractive if people from the opposite sex were seen to smile to him. This means that when more people smile at you, then you will appear more attractive especially if they were from the opposite sex. Being nice to others work. •What makes people attractive? Attraction happens on the unconscious level which means that logic has nothing to do with the process. Women become attracted to men who

posses masculine traits because this gives them the sense of protection they are looking for. This means that making your voice deeper, standing tall, working out to build muscles or stretching your shoulders can make you 10 times more attractive. •Colours can change perceived attractiveness: Wearing certain colours can affect the way people see you and how certain colours can make you more attractive. Research has shown that women who wear red are perceived to be more attractive while men who wear blue are perceived to be loyal and trust

worthy and this in turn increases their attractiveness.

•Self confidence attracts everyone, from friends to potential partners: People who appear to be self assured, who don’t act in a clumsy way and who seem to know their direction in life are perceived to be very attractive by everyone. You won’t only attract potential partners by acting confident but you will make more friends and will have more fans. •Research has shown that smiling makes peo-

ple more attractive: An experiment was made and some men were shown pictures of various women. It was found that the smile increased the perceived attractiveness of women who used to look normal •Charisma: It was also found that charismatic people are perceived to be much more attractive than normal people. Make sure you walk confidently; maintain eye contact and use the body language confidence gestures. Attraction and psychology

Each person has a certain

way of assessing the attractiveness of others. This way is usually developed as a result of the experiences a person goes through in his life. If a person was raised without being cared for that much, then there is a big possibility that he will be more attracted to kind and nurturing people. Once you understand the need this person have, you can act in a way that makes you appear much more attractive to him. There is way you can make people find you much more attractive by just displaying the traits that they are looking for.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013 —23

(Text Only)

LL the students I have come across teaching yoga have a rough and ready knowledge of diet and nutrition. So, what we usually discuss revolves around what items in the diet could be causing whatever problem a student might have-overweight being one. One of the first words I learned in Health Science was malnourish. Thirty-five or so years after I have made an observation. It is a state of physical being I call: “over-nourished’. People have come to be overweight for various reasons, a sedentary job, comfort eating for personal problems among others. Easy we must. But learning to bridle a runaway appetite is the only way out of the rut. One sure way to achieve this is simply exercising. The less active you are, the more you tend to eat. Reasonable doses of exercise, and it takes longer to feel the oppression of hunger and you also feel better as a person as the brain is said to set free a ‘feel good’ hormone when you exercise. Sure, we all want a healthy life, life that affords us all the energy we require for living. Our instincts tell us when we neglect proper

Exercise and rest easy care of the body. Instead of heeding the warning, something called “human weakness”, we are told, binds us hand and foot and we just go on — down hill in health. If we have weakness of such magnitude don’t despair yet; we are also imbued with a quality known as will power. Resolve to do a ‘good act’ — like exercising! — one day at a time. In no time you will look back and be amazed at how time flies. The will to carry on is renewable on a daily basis. You might not have a weight problem but have an e n e r g y problem. Y o u don’t starve. But

Postures of yoga are meant to be practiced with considerable concentration to ensure that the mind also gets exercised

your body does not seem to avail you with the energy to cope. You load up on 2000

calories on a daily basis yet someone else-on half that amount of fuel lives with greater health and with a happier outlook to boot. Don’t worry. The answer to overcoming sloth, laziness, lethargy from the yogi’s standpoint is the twin practices of physical and breathing exercises. A faithful practice for three months will ensure such stupendous change; you will feel it in your bones and friends and relatives can’t help but notice the difference. It has always been that way! In as little as two weeks, it’s not unusual t o

hear someone in a yoga class say, “my elimination is better,” or my breast are firming, and on the phychological level, you hear things like, “I’m a lot more focused, a lot more alert.” The postures of yoga are meant to be practiced with considerable concentration to ensure that the mind also gets exercised. Qualities like determination, selfreliance, will-power, have been known to be attained within a few months of yoga practice. Imagine a life without sufficient determination or one lacking in self-reliance and then you can begin to appreciate how much colour and joy gets into your days by an increase in these virtues. Well, they say an ounce of practice is worth more than a ton of theory. So, let’s get on with a couple of postures. Chakrasana or The Wheel Technique: Lying on your back, draw in the knees and place the feet wide apart on the floor. Put your hands backwards on the ground below the s h o u l d e r s . Breathe in deeply and then raise the body up to form a Wheel. At this time your breathing should be slow but deep. Retain the position for a few seconds and return to the lying position. Relax briefly and repeat once or twice more. Benefits: With The Wheel pose, there is complete control over the spine and it helps preserve youth into old age. A great fat burner, it also helps in the clearing of blocked nostrils. The Heels to Crotch posture is executed by sitting with feet drawn in and the soles of the feet brought together. Hold the toes and pull the feet till the heels touch the crotch. In all this, keep the thighs and legs flat down on t h e ground.

Yoga Classes @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos.

C M Y K

24—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

Pregnant or not, take Folic acid!

f you are pregnant (Whether it is your first or subsequent pregnancy), you need to know that having a healthy baby that is free of any serious birth defect is to ensure you get enough folic acid in your diet every day — especially before conception and during earlypregnancy. It may also interest you to know that only 50 percent of pregnancies are planned, so any woman who could become pregnant should make sure she’s getting enough folic acid at any point in time. Why you should take folic acid Doctors and other medical scientists say folic acid is crucial in the development of DNA. As a result, folic acid plays a large role in cell growth and development, as well as tissue formation. Only last week, I was chatting with a group of pregnant women about intake of folate. It was a bit of a shock to discover that none of the women knew that Folic Acid must be taken before and during pregnancy to prevent birth defects. Yet each of them claimed to have registered for their ante-natal clinics where they were only instructed to take in folic acid without being toldwhy.

studyand in the US also showed that less than 7 percent of pregnant lactating women had the same awareness or prior knowledge about the relationship between folate intake and birth defects. Where is Folic acid? Folic acid, or folate, is a B vitamin (B9) found mostly in leafy green vegetables such as bitter leaf and spinach. It is also plentiful in orange juice and enriched grains. How much folate do you need?

• Pregnant woman taking care of herself with folic acid

Control( NAFDAC) mandate that folic acid be added to enriched grain products. So boost your intake by ingesting breakfast cereals, breads, pastas, and rice containing 100 percent of the recommended allowance.But for most women,

As a woman, if you get an intake of 400 micrograms (0.4 milligrams) of folate daily prior to conception and during early pregnancy, the risk that your baby will be born with a serious neural tube defect (a birth defect involving incomplete development of the brain and spinal cord) is reduced by as much as to 70 percent. Folate and birth defects Common neural tube birth defects are spina bifida, an incomplete closure of the spinal cord and spinal column; anencephaly, severe underdevelopment of the brain and encephalocele, when brain tissue protrudes out to the skin from an abnormal opening in the skull. •All women of childbearing age also need it... Medical findings show that all of these defects could eating fortified foods isn’t enough. To occur during the first 28 days of pregnancy — usually reach the recommended daily level, before a woman even knows she’s pregnant.That’s why they’ll probably need prenatal vitamin it’s so important for all women of childbearing age to get supplement especially during enough folic acid — not just those who are planning to pregnancy.This is where preparations become pregnant such as Pharmaton Matruelle come in. All the vitamins and minerals needed Getting enough folate for pre, during and lactating periods are Adequate folic acid intake is very important before concep- contained in it. tion and at least three months afterward to potentially What experts say about supplementareduce the risk of having a foetus with a neural tube tion defect. So, how can you make sure you’re getting enough? A Pharmacist, Temitayo Alegbejo urges The U.S. Food and Drug Administration( FDA), and all women of childbearing age to develNational Agency for Food and Drug Administration and op habit of taking enough folate whether

or not they are pregnant.”If women of child bearing age embrace this habit, there would be fewer incidences of serious birth defects.”The MD, Benjamin Michaels Ltd, Mr. Adeyemi Amuwo notes that each component meets the Recommended Daily Allowance, in a single capsule which makes compliance very easy and it is taken once a day.

legbejo described Pharmaton Matruelle—a brand of prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement preparation, from the stable of Benjamin Michaels as being essential for protection against known and unknown embryonic tube diseases. ”It has all the vitamins and minerals needed for pre, during and lactating periods. It is a quality balanced formula for both mother and baby reflecting the latest USA Dietary Reference Intake, DRI, for pregnant women.” In the experts’ opinion, supplementation is needed to cover the increased needs for vitamins, minerals, trace elements and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) during pregnancy and acts as prophylaxis for iron and folic acid anaemia during pregnancy.

This information could save your life

Benefits of Omega-3

ntake of Omega 3 DHA which comprises Omega-3 fatty acids ( i n c l u d i n g docosahexaenoic acid= DHA), and important nutrients such as ?carotene, Vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, C, D3, E, Folic acid, Biotin, Nicotinamide, Chromium, Copper, Iron, Iodine, Molybdenum, Selenium, Zinc, Magnesium, etc. DHA status usually decreases with each pregnancy and in children, inadequate amounts is correlated with impaired

learning abilities, poor memory, behavioural problems and abnormal vision. However, Omega-3 develops the baby’s vital sensory organs (brain, eyes etc) right from the womb and nourishes the mother enough to effectively carry the foetus to term. Adequate intake reduced postpartum depression. Also in many cases, it also prevents deficiency states and anaemias during prenatal periods.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013—25

26 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

KCEE becomes MTN brand ambassador

Fake Wizkid manager in N.5m scam

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

een singer, Wizkid, may not be finding things easy at moment as he’s in the police net for allegedly defrauding UNILAG students of five hundred thousand Naira (N500,000,00). Meanwhile, a close associate of the teen singer has quickly blamed the ugly development on theactivities of an impostor. Trouble started when the students who were said to have planned a gig last month (21st ofMay), paid the sum of N500,000,00 to the said Wizkid manager. But unfortunately, they were disappointed on D-day when Wizkid was nowhere to be found near the institution’s premises. The concert tagged “ Concert for Life” was poised to hold at the school’s Sports Complex. Irked by the situation, the students reported the case to the Nigeria Police Force - Zone II Command, Onikan, last Wednesday, which summoned Wizkid and his manager, Gowin Tom. Showtime findings revealed that Wizkid was held down at Zone II for a few hours before he was later granted

•Wizkid

bail. The young star was, however, asked to report back to the station next week. Reacting to the incident, Wizkid took to social network, Twitter, where he wrote that he doesn’t do cheap shows and that anyone who wants to book him should get in touch with his team. “Me and my team don’t do cheap money. If you want to book me for a show, holla at my team, Godwin Tom or Disturbing LDN.”

ince releasing his “Limpopo” hot single, Kingsley Okonkwo, popularly known as Kcee, has become one of the most-sought-after hip-hop singers in the country. A confirmation of this claim is his recent appointment as the newest brand ambassador of the telecommunications giant, MTN which he is expected to do some advertising campaigns for. Kcee joined other A-list stars including Iyanya, Chidinma, Praiz, Wizkid and Davido as one of MTN’s brand ambassadors after signing a one year endorsement deal with the company. “Thank you God for blessing me today, and thanks to MTN oya Limpopo,” he tweeted. The “Limpopo” crooner is also a brand ambassador for Techno mobile phone. KCee has enjoyed a favourable rise into fame in the entertainment industry in recent times. After the split with his former partner, Presh, the Limpopo crooner took the industry by storm. But his ex-group mate, Presh, has been on the low key since they broke up.

Nigeria Idol 3 winner, Moses to drop new singles

few months after he emerged the first male winner of the Etisalat-Nigeria-sponsored Nigerian Idol Season 3, Moses Obi-Adigwe is set to release the first set of his singles. He disclosed this during a visit to the headquarters of telecommunications company, Etisalat Nigeria, for the first exclusive listening session for his new songs. Speaking while receiving Moses and his entourage which included the Managing Director of Optima Media Group (OMG), Mr. Rotimi Pedro, the Chief Executive Officer of Etisalat Nigeria, Steven Evans, said it was reassuring to see that Moses was still as passionate as he was during the show. “We are very pleased that Moses has that innovative, creative, daring and dynamic spirit which is very important to us as a company. He has not disappointed us and it is great to see that he has been working hard even after the show,” he said. The two songs, ‘Love Letter’ (featuring Eva) and •Moses ‘Beautiful’, had been written by

Moses with his signature afrocentric and soulful touch. “These are very outstanding works coming from Moses! Congratulations. We believe these songs will do very well. We’re very committed and emotionally attached to the Nigerian Idol. It is something we want to turn into a longterm relationship, because it is a genuine partnership.” said Evans. Meanwhile, Moses has described his new singles as a blend of old school swing, with an infusion of the guitar and talking drums.

•Kcee

Glo X FFact act or: Anne George gets MI, actor: Reggie Rockstone thumbs-up BY AYO ONIKOYI

or 20-year-old Anne George who had spent her last eighteen years at the Living Saint Orphange, appearing on the Glo X Factor stage is a ray of hope for all orphans in the world that there is no limit to what they can achieve. Her rendition of “Russian Roulette” did not impress Onyeka Onwenu who challenged her to prove she has what it takes to feature in the next round; while the other two judges; MI and Reggie Rockstone, gave him a nod. This was part of the drama, and talents that unfolded at the Lagos audition of the show aired on television stations across Ghana and Nigeria as Episode Five over the weekend. On her part, 28-year-old Ekiti State indigene, Niniola Apata, who unfortunately witnessed the cold-blooded assassination of her father in 1995, received a rare standing

ovation from all the X-Factor Judges. The trio of Onyeka, MI and Reggie confessed that they had never witnessed anything like the superlative performance of Niniola since the show started five weeks ago and they were effusive in their praises.

•Glo X Factor judges

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

— 27

4 yrs after: Nigeria’s

Michael Jackson blames self! BENJAMIN NJOKU

ess than a week to mark the fourth year exit of king of pop music, Michael Jackson who died on June 25, 2009, his Nigerian look-alike, Michael Eze popularly known as Walko-Chilko, has blamed no one but himself for his inability to get in touch with the “stage idol” while he lived. Expressing regrets in a chat with Showtime during the week, Walko-Chilko said, “ The greatest mistake I have ever made in my life was my inability to meet Michael before his death. While he lived, people advised me to send my photograph to him, but I never took the advice seriously until after his death.” Speaking further, Walko-Chilko revealed that when PMAN used him to welcome Marlon Jackson to the country a few years ago, the first question the latter asked was whether his brother knew his activities. The Imo State-born pop singer who is returning to the spotlight with a new album, ‘Come Let’s Heal The World,’ described the

•Walko Chilko

late king of pop as “ the greatest entertainer that ever lived in the history of the world.” However, explaining why he decided to imitate the late Michael Jackson’s lifestyle even after his death, Walko-Chilko noted that they share a lot in common. “I play pop and I’m a good dancer. I believe I have the same look with Michael Jackson despite my colour. I admire Jackson very much and I believe even the life a black man is living today is imitated,” he explained. The pop star’s new album is being dedicated to the late Michael Jackson’s Heal The World Foundation. According to him, Jackson’s legacy has to be sustained. “I wrote the song in support of Michael Jackson’s Heal the World Foundation. It was written because children of the world need helping hands.” The 10-track album also features songs like ‘My Love is Free” ‘Pretty Mama Jama”, “Peace for Africa” and ‘African Heroes’. According to Walko-Chilko, the songs in the album are mainly party songs that flow with the trend.

Davido tops MTV’s official Naija Top 10 BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

avido’s gangster video, “Gobe” is number one for the second week running in the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10. The upbeat hit with its entertaining video gangster storyline continues to fill dance floors across the nation. Rhythm FM OAP ,Onome “BigTyme” Oyaide (@TheBigtyme) is the larger-than-life celebrity guest joining Ehis (@SpecialSlim) in the Top 10 studio to dissect this week’s chart and share the latest music news. Settled in at number 2 is “Asiko” by Darey feat Ice Prince and Jozi while Kcee’s “Limpopo” moves into the number 3 slot up two places from number 5. Other movers and shakers this week include •Davido Wande Cole– up two places to number 7 with “Azonto”, while Iyanya’s “Sexy Mama”moves up one slot specialists and tastemakers, from 6 to 5. Flavour’s working with MTV Base to “Chinny” is this week’s only pick the winners and losers new entry at number 10, in the week’s chart. On the while chart regular 2Face is panel are Onos Ovueraye in the number 8 position for (Bella Naija.com), DJ the third week running with Humility (Rhythm FM), DJ “Dance Floor”. Former Jimmy Jatt, DJ Xclusive number one Banky W’s (Cool FM), Big Time (Rhythm “Yes/No” makes a rapid FM), DJ Caise (The Beat FM), •2Chainz •D’banj exit, leaving the top 10 Toolz (The Beat FM) and Osagie Alonge (Nigerian altogether. concert in collaboration with Ndani TV will be the Every week, the Official Entertainment Today). best ever to be organised in the country. The big- Naija Top 10 is put together The MTV Base Official budget concert will also feature DB Records acts by an elite panel of judges Naija Top 10: 14 June - 21 including KaySwitch, JSol, JSleek and many comprising Nigerian June 2013. others. broadcasters, music

D’banj, 2chainz set for DKM five-star concert By IYABO AINA

ne of Nigeria’s finest entertainers, Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo popularly known as D’banj, is set for the fivestar DKM concert as a way of celebrating his achievements in the entertainment industry with his local fans. The concert, billed to herald the launch of his DKM album which will be released later in the year, holds tomorrow at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. It is expected to feature appearances from some of the finest stars from the African continent and beyond. Also, fans will witness electrifying performances from D’banj and his friends, including 2face Idibia, Olamide, 2Chainz and many other big names. According to the organisers, the DKM

28—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

YOUNG NIGERIANS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

ECHENDU A. OBINNA

chendu A. Obinna fondly called UniQuehnd is an Abstinence advocate, Business Strategist, and an aspiring Entrepreneur. He is passionate about seeing people live a sexually pure life, as he loves to see businesses succeed. He engages in Community projects and economic development. He is the C.S.O of Unique Media and Advertising Associates (UConcepts), a fellow of Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI) and Co-Founder YEC-Academy, just to mention a few. Echendu is working towards a degree in business administration at the University of the People, Los-Angeles, USA. He’s also aiming at acquiring a B.Sc in (EMS) Entrepreneurship Studies at the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria.

•Echendu A. Obinna

Raymond Ikechukwu Okpara

I star ted per forming as a drummer at 7yrs —Raymond Ikechukwu Okpara

rowing up

I am an indigene of Imo State— born March 19, 1984. I grew up in a Pastor’s home of with four brothers and a sister. My upbringing was good. My parents gave ‘freehand’ to us as children to express our innate abilities. I attended L.A Primary School, and Ajeromi Ifelodun High School, Olodi Apapa, and tertiary education was at Oracle University, USA —via their scholarship programme. I had the course in their prometric centre in Lagos. I’m sanguine, and so it was natural that my abilities tended towards the use of the mouth (He smiles). I started performing as a 7-year-old drummer in my local church at that time, joined the children choir and later in an

all-boys a’capella group as a teen.

I believe this nation holds a strong prospect for all hardworking young persons who want to legally become great and impact others My career

Since 2004, I have become more of music, wedding and

youth-focused events consultant; this is because of my vast experience in various functional units of these event categories). My event company is: weTHINKalike Inc. We handle events from concept-stage to implementation.

Challenges encountered in making a difference

First of all, the challenge has been trying to convince the community that there is actually a problem and it needs urgent attention. As little as this sounds, it’s been a major issue. Only April 1st this year, we ran the REDCARD REVOLUTION (a community march against under-aged prostitution, drug

abuse and alcoholism in Ajegunle). It was undoubtedly a huge success; but not until the d-day of the march, we found it hard to get moral support from the community and the local government to erase a menace that has eaten into the moral fabric of the young generation within the community. There’s this juvenile vices issues confronting community leadership. So, it’s like you try to raise an awareness—and hope that other ‘well-meaning’ leaders will help too so that people will gets their acts right, but they(leaders) just look the other way. More so, there’s the issue of basic funding to ‘power’ continuous publicity for lots of very impactful young-people-focused projects.

Successful young man?

(He laughs) Errmmm…Success for me is a relative term. I believe that it has to do more with the journey than the destination. Progress (as much as success) in life is not determined by speed but by direction. Right now, I’m enjoying my journey by God’s grace and for me that is success! Every person has an assignment from God. Once you finish yours, you’ve succeeded.

My words to Nigerian youths First things first. Know yourself, like my father would always say. For example, I am an astute entrepreneur, but with a deep-seated penchant

for justice and seeing young people live real lives the way God ordained it for them. That is me! So, my simple advice to young people is, find yourself first; locate your assignment area, where your passion is, then pursue it vigorously. Also, do your best to listen more, speak less (unless you make money by your speaking like myself ) and DO MORE! Also, don’t always ‘bring money to the table’(as first thing). It’s an idea-killer and a passion-killer. Send your body on an errand, money will catch up with you!

Proudly Nigeria

I absolutely believe in Nigeria. It’s the land of my birth and it’s an interesting place to come from and live-in (if not the most interesting place). I believe this nation holds a strong prospect for all hardworking young persons who want to legally become great and impact others. When they say “the largest room in the world is the room for improvement.” I believe they were referring to Nigeria as that room.

The next five years… Hmmm…by God’s grace. I should be married to my

one and only love (he winks). Seriously, whatever I do between now and then, I want to be able to measure my life’s progress by how much my words, actions and even business is able to impact and change people and make them come into their innate greatness, within Nigeria and beyond. This for me, will be SUCCESS!

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 22, 2013 — 29

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30—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

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SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22 , 2013—31

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32 — Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

By BENJAMIN NJOKU

ell us about how you came about the coinage, Brigerian? It’s simple, I’m British and I’m Nigerian. I merged the two words and came up with “Brigerian.” I identify with the two countries. Do you have any intention to work with Nollywood stars? I don’t like the word, Nollywood. I really don’t like it.

You have such an interesting body of work, both on stage and on screen. How do you combine the two genres conveniently? I always tell everybody I’m a storyteller. That’s what got me into this careerstorytelling. Storytelling in a different medium namely; radio, television, stage and musical. A storyteller is a storyteller no matter the medium you adopt to tell your story. A true mark of a storyteller is one that can actually do different things using different mediums. One thing about screen acting is that it requires you not over-act as being natural because the camera picks up everything. But in stage acting, you can afford to go forward and backward. While voiceover is all about the voice because nobody can see you as it is pecuC M Y K

ayo Elesin is a British-Nigeria T referred to as a “storyteller.” F TV productions including Casualty,

•Tayo Elesin, British-Nigerian actress liar to radio. But the mark or testament of any good actor is one’s ability to tell a story in whatever medium. I can do anything using any of the mediums. But which do you feel more comfortable doing? There is something about the stage because it’s live and you cannot afford to miss your lines. But for screen, they can cut, stop and edit. Everything is done in the editing room. To be honest, screen is not for the actor. It’s for the DOP, directors and editors, those people have fun because they cut and paste as they wish. But on stage, there is no cut and paste. You are either there or not, you know your lines or you don’t. You either tremble or you stand. There is something electrifying about that. And most good actors will tell you that t h e r e i s something about the liveliness of the stage. But the thing about screen is that it pays your bills. Television and films in the UK pay a lot more money than stage. You can do a TV commercial and you significantly get a lot of money.

There is this film you acted in called “Moremi”. How challenging was the role you played in the film? I played the role of Moremi herself, and I love the film. It was produced by Spectrecom Studios and had Joachim Adenusi as the Executive producer. Actually, it was not a full-length film. I want to say something at this juncture; What really angered me about the Nigerian film industry is that

others, Tayo has also acted in the Ola Rotimi ‘Our Husband Has G year by Lookman Sanusi. While in courtesy visit to the Vanguard corpo sionately about playing the role o whenever a biographical film is d about how to reposition the Nig blooming career in the UK tunity to make great movies about their country. You have volunteered to play a young version of Ngozi OkonjoIweala. What is the attraction? What attracts me about Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is her level of education, her poise and what she has actually achieved as a woman in the financial world. It is not easy for a woman anywhere in the world to occupy such a

Why? There are several reasons. One of which is, when I think of the word, Nollywood, quite frankly, it reminds me of a mimicry, if you will, of Hollywood. Now, Hollywood is the home of the American film industry. It’s actually a location in Los Angeles. I have found nowhere in Lagos or in Nigeria called Nollywood. Except if you are telling me it’s located in the Mushin or Ikorodu area of Lagos. But I’m yet to see such a place in Nigeria. That’s why I don’t agree with the word, Nollywood. Incidentally, the word, Nollywood was not actually created by a Nigerian, but by a newspaper publication back in the States which started to identify Nigerian films as Nollywood. But when you read through that article, it wasn’t used respectfully like Nollywood. Rather, it was used to describe the film industry in Nigeria in a mocking way. But Nigerians took it up and turned it the other way. But for me, Nigeria is a big country with a flourishing film industry. It doesn’t need to mimic the word, Hollywood. Also, there are films from countries like Finland nobody calls such films Fin-wood, or British-wood referring to films from Britain. It’s called British films. What I want to see is a Nigerian film to be called a Nigerian film. There is no need for the mimicry at all. We don’t need it.

I always tell everybody I’m a storyteller. That’s what got me into this career-storytelling. Storytelling in different media namely; radio, television, stage and musical.

Nigeria as a country is rich with stories. Why has nobody done a biographical movie about Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, for instance? Why is it that other people are taking our stories and telling them in the western world anyhow they deemed it fit? I don’t understand. Moremi is a fantastic story. Outside the world, other people are appreciating our art. Why are our film makers not taking advantage of this global appreciation of our work of art? I’m a bit worried because a lot of our film makers have not explored this oppor-

powerful position let alone, in an African country. It’s even ten times harder and the fact that she has maintained it and has also retained it even up till today is absolutely admirable. I think, if you look into her life, one will be surprised to come up with an interesting story about her upbringing. Recall that Ngozi Okonjo Iweala attended Harvard University at a time, I’m sure it was not easy for a black person to be there. If Hollywood film makers could do a film about Abraham Lincoln and are also talking about

doing Niger Ngoz the Af interv her lif suspe day ov

W you

I don for wh that e the ag was a it was ing an quali have didn’ going to com and I a good nicat telling I wan of a pr tian w and t tell sto and m pose o will p What light?

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 — 33

, •Tayo Elesin, British-Nigerian actress

an actress. She also prefers to be Famous for her roles in some BBC , Law and Order, Doctor, among critically acclaimed play by late Gone Mad Again’ produced last the country recently, she paid a orate office, where she spoke pasf younger Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala done about her. She also talked gerian film industry and her

g a biographical film about Obama, why can’t rian film makers do a biographical film about zi Okonjo Iweala who is a major female figure in frican financial industry? I’m sure if I conduct an view with her right now, there will be a story about fe that has not been unravelled. This is because I ect she wouldn’t have gotten to where she is tovernight.

hat would you say actually prepared for what you are doing today? ’t know what actually prepared me hat I’m doing today. But I would say ever since I was a child between ges of 13 and 14 years, I knew I great communicator. And for me, s either going to be between actnd studying Law. Actually, I was fied for both professions but I a strong passion for acting. I t just wake up and say, I’m g to be an actress. I wanted mmunicate to my audience, found out that acting is d medium to commue through the story g device. ted to tell the story rostitute, a Chriswoman, the poor the rich people. That’s what artistes do. We ories with the hope that such stories will entertain morally instruct the people. That’s the main purof any work of art. I hope that all the work that I do ortray all these ingredients.

What attracts me about Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is her level of education, her poise and what she has actually achieved as a woman in the financial world.

I t was a TV programme called “Casualty” by BBC. I played the role of a Bully. I also acted in other BBC productions like “Doctor”, “The Journey of Alfred Small”. But “Law and Order was the production that made me. I have done all the stuff. I did Musical Theatre which involves singing, dancing and acting but I look forward to acting more than others. I’m still working to build up my career. I’m not an established household name yet,and that’s what I’m working towards achieving at the moment.

While in the UK, have you expewas the first production that brought you to lime- rienced any kind of racial discrimination?

Yes. It’s not easy for a person of colour living in the UK or USA to work at the highest level. Yes, racism is inevitable. However, like I always say, talent supersedes anything. It may2 take you a longer time but with talent combined with enough hard work and dedication, this is something that is beatable. I’m not held down by the fact that I am black. In fact, I know that I’m black and I don’t need anybody to tell me I am. For me, I go to auditions and I look at myself the same way the white woman there will at herself. I apply for the same role. If they take me or they don’t take me, that’s not important, but I’m not scared ever applying for any role because of my colour. I don’t believe in judging somebody by the colour of his or her skin. Also, I don’t think I have had any bad experience so far. But dealing with the press can be an experience on its own. Obviously, there are times when people want to know more about your personal life and things like that . I try as much as possible to protect myself from such things. Yes, I’m a celebrity but it’s not everything about my life I would want to put in the public domain. Would you want to star in Nollywood films? I intend to tell good stories. I’m a story teller. If a good story comes from Nigeria, South Africa, Italy or from any part of the world, I will do it. The thing here is that a good story is a good story irrespective of wherever it’s emanating from. If a Nigerian film

maker has an excellent story and it’s directed by a tested hand, why not? I will do it. But I don’t think I can answer the question; ‘do you intend to be part of Nollywood’ because of the fact that I don’t agree with the word, Nollywood. hat’s your assessment of films from Nigeria? I think Nigerian movies are getting better and better every day. This is an industry that is about 20 years old and it has recorded remarkable progress in the time frame. I think, with more training for actors, producers, directors and structure put in place, the industry has the ability to make more progress in future. For instance, we need agents and managers who will deal with contracts so that artistes don’t have to be bogged down by these things. A producer and a director should not be having a meeting with me about my fees. They should be talking to my agent and manager. Over here, they talk to artistes directly. That’s not how it’s meant to happen. An actor is a creative person. What I want to deal with is the story and not discussing my fees. That’s left for my agent to handle. Also, there is need for structural things like casting directors. The casting directors are people who cast the right actors to the right roles. For example, if they are looking for a 50-year old Igbo man, a casting director will go all out in the search for an Igbo man within the age bracket of 50 and 60 years and bring them in for audition and choose the right one from the lot. But, it’s not so. A director should be a director, a producer should be a producer while a casting director should be a casting director.

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08116759764 anozieegole@yahoo.com

Jim Iyke , Nadia B uari h

it Twitter w ith love

ollywood bad boy, Jim Iyke and Nadia Buari have taken their ‘love affair’ to Twitter with the lovebirds professing their pet names on the social network. They decided to make open what their contemporaries would prefer to keep secret. A visit to their Twitter handle confirmed the obvious. Jim Iyke confessed, @jimiykeofficial, “Nadia calls me Skittles while I call her Space. D gift of laughter, companionship n trust is incomparable. BFF, love is a f***ing beautiful thang.” Nadia Buari @B5s, “there comes a point in ur life wen u realise who really matters, who never did and who always does. I call him Skittle, he calls me Skittles.”

O’jez cancels June award for Fatai Rolling Dollars

•LateFatai Rolling Dollar and CEO, O’jez

Chidimma shows

off straight legs

or fans who think the MTN project fame winner, Chidimma does not know what it takes as far as dressing is concerned, here is a gist that would be interesting.

elebrity hangout, O’jez, organizers of the monthly O’jez Entertainment Awards, have cancelled this month’s award ceremony in honour of the veteran highlife musician, Fatai Rolling Dollar, who passed on last week at the age of 85 years. The award was billed to hold on Sunday, June 30. A statement titled ‘O’jez Mourns’ which was signed by the outfit’s publicist, Chief Joseph Odobeatu, said this month’s award had to be cancelled as a mark of honour for the departed highlife maestro who died after a brief illness in a Lagos hospital. “We cannot be celebrating while a key member of the O’jez Entertainment Awards had just passed on. Baba Fatai Rolling Dollar was not just an artiste who had performed for over a decade on the O’jez stage, he was a family member to the O’jez group.”

At the just concluded Sounsity Lumia award, the Kedike crooner, Chidima, thrilled her fans with her short blue gown which showed off her straight legs, attracting the attention of many cameras.

Odobeatu continued: “It’s very sad to hear the news of the demise of a legend, Fatai Rolling Dollars. The O’jez family is still in shock because Rolling Dollars was very much part of the family for over 12 years now. He had been with us from inception at Iwaya Road outlet down to National Stadium. He has been performing every Friday and every last Sunday of the month for over a decade now...its a big loss for us at O’jez and a bigger loss to the Nigerian entertainment industry.” The record label owner said the award recipient for this month had been informed following the development a day after the veteran artiste passed on. He assured that O’jez would play an active role in the 40 days burial rites. “We would assist the family in the little way we can when the time comes as FRD (as Rolling Dollar was fondly called) was a great asset to us,” Odobeatu added.

38—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

Ex NFVCB DG defends role with Africa Magic T

HE immediate past Director General of National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Mr Emeka Mba, has explained why many stakeholders blamed his administration for his role with Africa Magic. Mba who was recently appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan as the new Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) said many stakeholders believed that the South African pay TV network planted him as NFVCB boss to do their bidding. “I remember when I assumed office as the D-G of NFVCB, a lot of people opined that South Africans planted me there to their own advantage. To a large extent, I was blamed for my association with African Magic," he recounted. The ex-DG was speaking at a reception held in his honour by a group

better known as Nigerian Entertainment Business Group, at Four Point Hotel, on the Lagos island during the week. He, however, promised to do everything in his power to ensure that the NBC doesn’t stand in the way of progress of the industry. “As the new NBC boss, I will do everything within my power to ensure that the commission doesn’t stand in the way of progress for the industry, even if it cannot help you, it will not stand in the way of your progress,”Mba assured, adding “ This is not a new constituency, it is the same industry. All I can ask for is your prayers and advice. With your support, I think we can make this industry great and Nigeria the creative hub of Africa.” Celebrating his new appointment, the group comprising mainly firms that focus on the business aspect of film making gathered friends, wellwishers and diplomats to an evening of dance and clinking glasses.

BBA update: Pokello survives eviction again Z

•Emeka Mba

Victor Osuagwu promises good deal for Lagos actors

-list actor and comic star, Victor Osuagwu who emerged the winner at the just concluded Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, La-

•Victor Osuagwu

gos State chapter election has vowed to reposition and sanitise the chapter. Already, the comic star and his executives have set out to woo back some of the members of the chapter who left because of one reason or the other. He also promised to ensure that within the shortest time, his administration will get an office space for the chapter in addition to working with the National president of the guild in the area of providing Health Management Plan and Insurance Scheme for members. Interestingly, Osuagwu who has been endorsed by the Rotary Club of Ikate, said, “Lagos AGN urgently needs a John the Baptist.” At a media parley during the week, Osuagwu stated that his election was by popular vote, stressing that THE Lagos AGN needs an actor of his calibre and connections in order to move to the next level. Osuagwu defeated the only rival he had for the position of Lagos chapter chairman at the election with 80 votes.

imbabwean representative in the on-going Big Brother Africa-The Chase, Pokello is out of danger again after head of house Bassey used his powers as this week’s leader to save her from possible eviction. Pokello’s fans can heave a huge sigh of relief because she was initially meant to be up for eviction this week after most housemates put her on the chopping block before Bassey from Sierra Leone decided to remove her name from the list. As head of Ruby House, Bassey had the power to save and replace any of the nominated housemates. He replaced Pokello with Botswana’s O’neal on the eviction list. It would be Pokello’s second time to evade eviction after she survived another early exit last week when she got the most country votes. However, Pokello will spend the whole week thinking she is up for eviction because, according to the rules of the game, Bassey will only reveal his decision during Sunday’s eviction show.

•Pokello

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013—39

AGN:Ibinabo renders stewardship 6 months after... W

•Ibinabo

HEN she was sworn-in, November 2012 as the first female president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN, following a successful but controversial national election held in September of the same year, Ibinabo Fiberesima had promised to revamp the troubled guild and restore its lost glory. Six months after she made that heart-warming promise, the embattled president can look back today and claim with certainty that she has fulfilled her promise. “Much as we were faced with great challenges, I have never

been deterred from moving the guild forward within the last six months in office,” Ibinabo stated last weekend in Lagos. Enumerating some of the major achievements her administration has recorded, Ibinabo said she has been able to unite all warring factions within the guild, acquire an 18 sitter bus for the guild, introduce an inter-ethnic cultural festival (drama, dance and poetry) among the state chapters, and commence a health management plan/insurance scheme for members of the guild. “We’ve also introduced a lifestyle benefits discount for members on

travel, holidays. Interestingly, we are in talks with NBC and the Nigerian Copyright Commission on residual payments to actors in Nigeria. We are also in the process of getting legislation to guide and protect actors,” Ibinabo added. Speaking further on her immediate plans for the guild, the ex-beauty queen said, “We want to commence training and retraining of members in all categories. We have plans of organizing the first ever AGN Screen Actors Award, and to provide standard contract for members with the producers. ”

•Ibinabo

Telly4 Africa fetes Zeb Ejiro F OR his immense contributions to wards the growth, sustenance and global recognition of Nollywood, one of its leading filmmakers, Zeb Ejiro, will take the centre stage this third quarter of 2013, courtesy of Telly4 Africa. Viewers will be thrilled with the great works of Ejiro and also hear from him about his sojourn in Nollywood in a celebratory broadcast on E-Stars TV’s channel 122 on StarTimes Digital TV Platform. In fact, starting from July, Telly4 Africa’s E-Stars TV will commemorate, celebrate and recognize the forms, origin and expressions of Nigerian movies by showcasing the works and performances of Ejiro. Also, Telly4 Africa has set aside the “Quarter 3” (Q3) of 2013 beginning from

Monday, July1 till September 27, 2013, to celebrate Nigerian movies by showcasing the works and performances of actors and actresses, producers and directors of modern day and contemporary personae like Ola Balogun, Eddie Ugboma, Adamu Halilu, Tunde Kelani, Tade Ogidan, Amaka Igwe, Ken Saro Wiwa, among others. Interestingly, wave-making actors and actresses including Richard Mofe Damijo, Zulu Adigwe, Ola Omonitan, Olu Jacobs and wife, Omotola Jolade, Genevieve Nnaji and several others will be prominently featured as well. Telly4 Africa, which has secured the Broadcast Right to transmit Ejiro’s works, said it's embarking on this laudable initiative based on its love and passion for Nollywood.

IK sneaks into town! R

ADIO Personality and host of the on-going Big Brother Africa, IK Osakioduwa, sneaked into town during the week as he was spotted having a good time on Lagos island. The event was a reception held in honour of one of the big shots in the entertainment sector at four Point Hotel, Lekki, Lagos. Clad in a jersey upon black blazer, the stylish entertainer was all smiles as he exchanged pleasantries with whoever cared to do so with him while enjoying the cool evening. It was a moment of reunion with his close pals and friends. IK was in the best spirit enjoying the outing. Some of the guests however raised eyebrows, wondering what he was doing in the country. But like someone rightly pointed out, “IK needs to stay close to his loving wife.”

•IK *Beverly

Double honour for Jackie Appiah! A

week after she received the Fascinating Africans Committed to Excellence (F.A.C.E) award in far away New York,USA for her contribution towards the growth of the entertainment industry in Africa, Ghanaian actress, Jackie Appiah is set to bag another ward. The actress who hit stardom after starring as Enyonam Blagogee in the TV series Things We Do for Love a few years back has been listed among 15 celebrities that will be honoured at the forthcoming Accra International Film Festival(AIFF). She will be honoured alongside Nigeria's Genevieve Nnaji. The event which is scheduled to hold in Ghana from Tuesday, June 25 through Sunday, June 30, will also play host to top American film director, producer and actor, Bill Duke, who is expected to storm the festival as a special guest. Following her debut on screen, Jackie has enjoyed steady rise to fame. Aside her other accomplishments, Jackie’s face has graced

many billboards and magazines in Ghana and beyond. She has also cashed in on her A-list status as she has endorsed many products and was the spokesperson for AID/HIV awareness campaign in her home country.

•Jackie

40—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 22, 2013

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42 — Vanguard,

SATURDAY JUNE 22, 2013

By PETER DURU, Markudi

HE newly posted Commissioner of Police in charge of Benue State, Mr. Adams Audu, has announced his presence in the Police Command with the arrest of over 42 suspected criminals across the state, which remains one of the biggest haul of criminals in the history of the state. Among the suspects arrested was a four-man gang who allegedly robbed and killed Rasaki Lukman,49, who until his death on Saturday, June 1, 2013 was the Benue State Area Sales Manager of West Africa Milk Company (WAMCO) PLC. Parading the suspects last Wednesday at the State Command Headquarters in Makurdi, Audu explained that the deceased was discovered dead in his room beside Makurdi Modern market while his Toyota Corolla car and other items in his compound were also stolen. He said in the course of investigation, his men tracked the stolen vehicle in a hotel in Abuja where negotiations for the sale of the stolen car was ongoing. According to the Police boss, the arrested suspects who included, Philip David, Owoicho Egwu, Ochai Obeh and Osuga Ezekiel, confessed to the dastardly killing of their victim after inflicting severe injuries on him, by tying his hands and legs and locking him in a room. He disclosed that some of the items recovered from the suspects alongside the 2010 model Toyota Corolla include one GSM handset with two SIM cards, one clipper, a printer, six different handsets, and one vehicle plate number ‘CE 253 AKD’. Mr. Audu explained that the other paraded suspects were arrested severally and collectively for criminal conspiracy, cultism, possession of fire arms and armed robbery in a renewed onslaught on criminality across the state. Among them were the duo of Mohammed Yau and Zakari Yau, the two herdsmen, who allegedly stole 43 cows belonging to Bishop Michael Aboci of Otukpo Catholic Diocese. They were said to have confessed that they Waylaid at gun point, the cow tenders at Ichama Village Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state.

e disclosed further that 41 of the stolen cows were recovered by the Police at the boundary between Okpokwu and Enugu State while one of the cow tenders, Fidelis Gor who was abducted

by the gunmen was later found dead the following day by the Police search party while his companion, Jacob Biim escaped.”The Police Commissioner also revealed that among the paraded suspects was a gang of mercenaries who recently invaded and killed several persons in Agatu Local Government area of the state. He recalled that, “recently some heavily armed men from Nasarawa State crossed over the river to Agatu Local Government area and attacked the community which resulted to the death of many people after burning down several houses. Police investigation led to the arrest of five persons who are presently being interrogated. Two of the suspects who were arrested June 11:Tanko Onyilo and Danladi Amadu had already confessed committing the offence. “While Onyilo confessed killing two people, Danladi confessed to have killed seven persons while the crisis lasted. They stated that they were hired by Fulani herdsmen based in Nasarawa State, who they claimed hired them to unleash terror on the community on the premise that the people of Agatu never allowed them to graze their cattle in their land.” Also paraded was one Atagher Eryum, a cashier with Ministry of Finance, Makurdi in company of Adoja Odugbo, a driver in the same Ministry

•The recovered weapons

•The Suspects

Benue police haul in arrest ...killers of WAMCO both of whom he said went to First Bank Plc, Makurdi and withdrew the sum of N17.8m without escort. “They alleged that while on their way to the office, armed robbers struck and took away the above sum

from them and escaped to unknown destination. “Policemen who rushed to the scene recovered an AK 47 rifle magazine containing 27 rounds of live ammunition from the driver’s pocket while

the scene of the alleged robbery is just about 100 meters away from the Secretariat’s gate. The whole story looked concocted but we are still investigating,” he said.

B-E-T-R-A-Y-A-L

House-help, lover, fake soldiers By EVELYN USMAN

PERATIVES of the Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja, Lagos have arrested a female house help who allegedly connived with her boyfriend and two fake soldiers to rob her master of over 100,000 Dollars. The 23 year-old house help, Adaeze Ijeoma, allegedly sneaked into her master ’s bedroom located in Maryland, Lagos,last month, after he traveled out of the country. Unsure of where to keep the foreign currency, she reportedly took it to her boyfriend, one Onyebuchi Uche, only for him to flee with the money, leaving Adaeze in doubt. On his part, Onyebuchi , who has been jobless for years, rushed to Alade market, Ikeja where he changed some of the dollars to naira and thereafter, deposited the sum of N8 million in two banks. He thereafter, told

operatives at SARS that he also bought a car; ‘End of Discussion’ and a plot of land in an undisclosed area where he had started molding blocks for building. Determined to get her own share of the loot from her, betrayed Adaeze was said to have confided with one of her relatives identified simply as Nnamdi to help retrieve the money from her estranged lover. Nnamdi and two other persons clad in Military camouflage reportedly stormed Maryland last week where on spotting Onyebuchi, bundled him inside his new vehicle and took him to a hotel in Mende area of Lagos, where they reportedly tortured him and forced him to disclose where he kept the money. They reportedly managed to get the sum of N6.5 million from two separate banks where Onyebuchi kept the money, including the new car he bought.

However, just when Adaeze was contemplating on what to do with her own share of the recovered loot, an eight man robbery gang reportedly stormed her master’s home, where an unspecified amount including his phones and other valuables were carted away. The robbery case was reported at SARS after which Adaeze and two other persons were arrested. Although she denied having a hand in the recent robbery, she however, disclosed her role in the theft of 100,000 Dollars. In this interview with Crime Guard, she said: “ I am from Akri village in Ogbaru Local Government area of Anambra State. I left the village in 2010, after my secondary school education in search for greener pasture in Lagos, where I started working as a house-help for Chief Uche and was paid the sum of N10,000 monthly. I lived in the same apartment with chief and to be honest to him, he has

•The Suspects treated me as a member of the family. “I met my boyfriend Onyebuchi after being lonely for a while in 2011. I was tempted to steal my boss’s money and gave it to my boyfriend to keep so that we can start our own life. I gave him because he promised he would marry me. I stole the money so that we can, at least,

Vanguard, SATURDAY JUNE 22, 2013

, •CPBenue: Adams Audu

•Lukman,the Sales Manager

slain

record big of criminals

Manager in the net too T

he Police also arrested a two-man robbery gang, namely: Myina Atetan and Yakubu Sari, who, a week ago, were apprehended in Konshisha

with five different locally made guns after a thorough search was conducted in their homes. According to Mr. Audu, the list of suspects also included the arrest of one Pius Eje and

Jackson Ogasome in Oju Local Government area few days ago; the duo allegedly jumped into the premises of UBA Plc at Oju “but for the eagle eye police officers on duty at the bank premises who saw them.

They stated that they were hired by Fulani herdsmen based in Nasarawa State, who they claimed hired them to unleash terror on the community

“On sighting the police, they took to their heels, they were however chased and arrested. On the spot search conducted on them led to the recovery of one locally made pistol and one small axe; we’re still on the trail of their accomplices,” he said. Also arrested was a sevenman robbery gang who had, for several months, been terrorizing residents of Katsina-Ala town. He said the trial of the gang had already commenced. Also apprehended in the special operation declared by the newly posted Commissioner was “one Samuel Chukwu who was arrested by the Police operatives near NYSC Secretariat, Makurdi where he and an accomplice, now at large, in a vehicle with registration number BH 980 AKD, attempted to snatch a vehicle belonging to one Jerry Kawgchia of University of Agriculture, Makurdi, but

arrested for robbing master get a lease of life when married. I believed he would use it wisely because he has always had plans for the future. “But I began suspecting foul play after he stopped picking my calls . When I went to where he lives in Mende, I was told he usually came home late. Later, those who know us told me he started driving a car.

hat was when I contacted my uncle, Nnamdi to help retrieve the money from him. On the day, he was to go with his two soldier friends, I waited at Mende for Onyebuchi and when I sighted him, I pointed him to them and left for home immediately. After he was tortured, he called me on the

phone that he was sick and when I went to see him, he said some robbers stole the money from him and even battered him to stupor. “I swear, I do not know anything about the other robbery operation in the house. The robbers came armed and forced me to take them round the house. They only got some money in the guest room and took my master’s Black berry phone, his gold wrist watch and other things. They also took my phone but left it at the backyard. I did what I did out of love for my boyfriend, not knowing he would betray me. Now he has fled, leaving me to bear the consequences alone, without having a taste of the money, “ she stated in tears. On his part, Nnamdi claimed he was once a military personnel but resigned on his return from a foreign mission where he got the sum of N2 million. Surprisingly, Nnamdi was

discovered to be an in-law to Chief Uche. “I am from Akaokwa village, in Ideato North Local Government area, Imo State and the complainant is married to my father’s sister. I used to sleep in their house any time I came to Lagos to sell palm oil and at times, I spent one month. “When Adaeze told me about the money, I threatened I was going to tell her boss. But on second thought, I thought if I got the money, I could use it to enrich myself. I then contacted Chima, my friend who is now at large. It was Chima who contacted a soldier who initially gave his name as Corporal Humphrey. It was later we discovered he was a dismissed soldier. We lodged at Tropicana Hotel in Mende Maryland ,where we took Onyebuchi to. I was in full Army uniform while Ajaghe my other friend, was wearing a camouflage cap, pretending to be soldiers.

— 43

“We tied him to a ceiling fan and beat him in order to force him to tell us where he kept the money. We seized his car. And ordered him to transfer the N2.4 million he said was in First Bank and N5.5 million in Fidelity bank to my account for easy withdrawal. We used ATM card to withdraw the money for one week from one of the banks while we withdrew the rest from separate branches of the other bank. At the end, I gave Onyebuchi’s car to Chima to keep and N500,000 to Ajaghe , while I kept the rest, with the hope of giving some to Adaeze and keeping the rest, “he said, adding that he knew nothing about the robbery operation at Chief Uche’s apartment. The Commander, SARS, Mr Abba Kyari, said the suspects would be charged to court while efforts were still on to arrested other fleeing members of the gang.

were apprehended by operatives of the special antirobbery squad, SARS.”

udu further disclosed that about two weeks ago, one Peverga Oril was arrested over a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Armed Robbery when some passengers from the Northern part of the country were on their way to Ogoja in CrossRiver State and they were attacked at Baja, a village along Katsina-Ala-Zaki-Biam road. One of the passengers was shot and killed while others sustained serious injuries. He said, “One notorious armed robber known as, Peverga Oril was arrested in connection with the case and he is helping the Police in her investigation.” The success story of the Command also included the arrest of a gang of ten suspected robbers who were apprehended in Katsina-Ala while attacking one Pastor Egwenze. “Various items including two vehicles, two traveling bags containing female clothes, shoes, jewelry among others were recovered from them.” Among those apprehended by the Command were suspected cultists and armed young men on motorbikes who specialized in robbing their victims of their cellphones and valuables in and around Makurdi town. The Commissioner of Police disclosed that since assumption of office in Benue State on 26th May, 2013, more than 20 assorted guns with various calibers of ammunition and cartridges had been recovered from criminals in the state. He, however, assured that in “Makurdi Metropolis and all Divisions and Area Commands, patrols had been intensified while men had been posted to the troubled areas of Agatu and Guma sequel to security challenges posed by farmers and herdsmen. Cult activities had also been seriously monitored and the perpetrators gone into hiding.”

44— VANGUARD, SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013 that women in position are not making any difference. What do you think? We are looking for a critical mass, critical numbers. Gone are the days where we just put forward any woman. We are looking for women that are aware that when I get there, these are the things that I need to do - not only for me but for all other women coming behind me. I think that is one of the challenges. The women there are limited in their numbers.

We empower women to make informed choices

Ahead of 2015, what should women do to improve their chances? One of the most important things women should do is to get politically engaged. And being politically engaged goes beyond registering with a political party and contesting, but asking those who are vying for political positions what they are going to do for their community and engaging those who are coming out for the contest. W o m e n should become more politically active. It is not going there t o cast vote because your husb a n d asked to or because you just like this person’s face. But women should ensure that the people who eventually get there would deliver.

--Oyekunle

Amy Oyekunle is the executive director of Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), a Lagos-based notfor-profit organization aimed at addressing issues bordering on leadership and development of young women. In this interview with ESTHER ONYEGBULA, she highlights the need for women to start participating in the political process ahead of 2015, some of the constrains they face in this regard and sundry issues.

HAT are the is sues hindering women from participating in politics in Nigeria? One of the things we have found out is that women themselves don’t know how to engage in the ways that men do, so it is very different. At the moment a lot of people have already started politicking ahead of 2015, especially men, while most times women are still waiting till the last minute, almost before the election period. Another issue is that women don’t have the platform to engage like their male counterparts. They see politics as a dirty game, so very few women enter into that process and most times they are okay to await their turn. Funding is another issue. Politics is a very capital intensive activity and many women don’t have those kind of resources. So we need to encourage them to be known within their community and we feel that once that is done it will go a long way to help. Already, some women are given the party ticket, they are not allowed to pay for the ticket and when they get to the roundtable they tell them to keep quiet that they are not the ones that

bought their party ticket. We want a situation where political participation is demonetized, and we know that it is about delivery, it is about accountability, it is about somebody that can perform. These are the issues that women are dealing with. What about the political parties, are they doing enough? Political parties themselves would take some of the blame. Over the years, we have realized that women don’t get beyond the position of women leaders in political parties. What is your organisation doing to change this? One of the things our organisation is doing is encourage women to start early because it is a process. Politics is not ‘oh I want to go into politics and tomorrow I run’, it is a process. You need to be known in your community. Apart from encouraging them to start early, we also teach them how to engage the political parties. Alongside other NGOs, we are also engaging political parties to engage women in at least 30% of management of political parties; this is one of our strategies. We believe that once that is done, women can go beyond being just women leaders in political parties.

Amy Oyekunle

We need to get people to understand that whatever they take from you they are going to recoup What has been the greatest challenge in trying to empower women? I think the greatest challenge would be trying to do so many things at once. Political participation or women in leadership is one of the things that we do. We also focus on violence against women, creating policies and laws that protect women. To this end, we do the VMonologues. We found

out that as a woman, violence can be done to you or against you. Therefore, the challenge is trying to manage and juggle the different things, political participation, violence against women, Hiv/Aids; it is try to balance everything. So for us, we have to focus and narrow down and say this is what we want to focus on, and we are getting there. In some quarters most people are of the opinion

What do you think about ‘amala’ politics? The truth is that we can’t take that away from our politics; what we can do is continue to enlighten these people that when they give you rice, recharge, clothes, what they take from you is ten times more than what they give you. We need to get people to understand that whatever they take from you they are going to recoup. The issue is that when people are hungry and they see people who give them money, they will take it. But we encourage people to look critically at what they are doing, Tomorrow when there is no school, they won’t answer you. We can’t replace people’s brain, but we only open their eyes to see the flaws and allow them make the choices for themselves.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013—45

080111813025

I like owo soup —Allen S

eyi Allen, an artiste manager/producer and promoter, is our guest in today’s celebrity Tummy Talk. His favourite soup is owo, one of Delta State's indigenous soups. What’s your feeding habit like? I eat twice a day and it must not come later than 8pm. Do you have preference for a particular food? Yes, I love eating beans with plantain, I like eba with owo soup Is owo soup your native soup? Owo soup is a soup from Delta State. But I like sampling soups all over Nigeria. Can you prepare the soup yourself? No, I only enjoy eating. What pranks did you play to get your favourite meal? I'd rather go on hunger strike instead of playing pranks. I’m not a food freak. What’s your favourite kind of drink? Water goes with my meal. Do you exercise? I love hiking a lot

Seyi Allen...I like sampling soups all over Nigeria

Brown Rice all the way! el function at its peak since it makes digestion that much easier. Brown rice is the perfect addition to the daily diet for those seeking bowel regularity. In addition, brown rice also makes the tummy feel full which translates to smaller meal portions.

ROWN rice is a heartier, fibre- white rice. packed alternative to lessthan-super white rice. A halfcup serving contains 1.7 grams of resistant starch, a healthy carbohydrate that boosts metabolism and burns fat. Rich in Selenium Brown rice is rich in selenium which reBrown rice is a low-energy-density food, meaning it’s heavy and filling but low in duces the risk for developing common illcalories. One study found that women nesses such as cancer, heart disease and who ate a higher-energy-density diet arthritis. gained three times as much weight over High in Manganese six years than women eating a lowOne cup of brown rice provides 80 percent energy-density diet. of our daily manganese requirements. ManThis kind of rice is very healthy and ganese helps the body synthesize fats. Manmuch more nutritious compared to white ganese also benefits our nervous and reprorice. It is whole grain and natural with ductive systems. nothing removed. Another bonus is, it Rich in Naturally-Occurring Oils contains roughly the same amount of Naturally occurring oils are beneficial for calories as white rice but has Vitamin B1, the body as these healthful fats help norB3 and iron (which is lost in the process malize cholesterol levels. of hulling/milling white rice). It has a Promotes Weight Loss mildly nutty flavour too, and a study The fibre content of brown rice keeps bowrevealed that it is ten times better than C M Y K

10 reasons Brown Rice is good

Considered Whole Grain Brown rice is considered a whole grain since it hasn’t lost its “wholeness” through the refinement process. Whole grains are proven to reduce the buildup of arterial plaque, the risk of heart disease and high cholesterol. Rich in Anti-Oxidants This is one of the bestkept secrets regarding brown rice. We usually associate anti-oxidant rich foods with blueberries, strawberries and other fruits and vegetables. High in Fibre Brown rice is high in fibre and on top of the list for foods that can help prevent colon cancer. A Slow-Release Sugar Brown rice helps stabilize blood sugar levels; therefore, it’s an excellent food choice for those suffering from diabetes. Perfect Baby Food Brown rice cereal or brown rice itself is the perfect baby’s first food due to the dense natural nutrition and fibre it contains. Candida Yeast Infections Brown rice is the perfect adjunct for candida yeast infection treatments.

Bucatini with Bacon Sauce and Meatballs Recipe Ingredients Bacon Sauce: 7 or 8 strips regular bacon 1 large onion, diced 1 clove garlic, minced Salt and freshly ground black pepper Two 28-ounce cans chunky ground tomatoes, such as Pastene Chunky Kitchen Ready Meatballs: Oil, for greasing pan 2 pounds 80-percent lean ground beef 3/4 cup breadcrumbs (made from day old Italian bread) 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, plus more for serving 3/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped 2 or 3 cloves garlic, minced (not too fine) 2 eggs Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 pound Power Pasta Directions For the bacon sauce: Cut the bacon into pieces. Using a big saute pan or skillet that has a cover, cook over medium heat until almost crispy. Don’t drain the fat. Add the onions to the pan. When the onions are almost cooked and start to become translucent, add the garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, and then add tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer on low for about an hour to an hour and a half. For the meatballs: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Grease a baking sheet. In a large bowl, combine the beef, breadcrumbs, ParmigianoReggiano, parsley, garlic, eggs and some salt and pepper. Form into 1 to 1 1/2inch meatballs and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes. Then turn the oven down to 350 degrees F and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Make sure to turn every few minutes to brown on all sides. Cook Power Pasta Spaghetti according to the package directions. Serve the bacon sauce over the Spaghetti with the meatballs on the side. Garnish with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Nutrition •Pasta is a good source of carbohydrates. It also contains protein. Carbohydrates help fuel your body by providing energy that is released slowly over time. •One cup of cooked spaghetti provides about 200 calories, 40 grams of carbohydrates, less than one gram of total fat, no cholesterol and only one gram of sodium when cooked without salt.

46—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 22, 2013

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013 — 47

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48—VANGUARD, SATURDAY, JUNE 22, 2013

I know how to live in adversity and in plenty — Iwuala Mrs. Dinah Iwuala recently clocked 75 years. She is married to Engr. D.O.C. Iwuala from Irete in Owerri West L.G.A of Imo State. In this interview with Advocate Abiegbe, she speaks on life as she sees it. How was your childhood ? I grew up without really knowing my parents. My father died when I was three years. My mother died six months later. She said she couldn’t live without my father because they were so much in love. My younger sister was six months old when our mother died. I had four older siblings. I am the fifth child. My uncle and his wife had to take care of us until my eldest brother came of age and took over our responsibilities. My elder sister had to marry early in order to assist us. Immediately after my mother’s death, more attention was given to my younger sister since she was a baby and I felt somehow neglected. My eldest brother could not further his education because there was no money to send him to school, so he had to learn a trade. But in all, my uncle and my elder siblings were there for us that we didn’t really miss our parents much. By God’s grace, today, I am what I am, and that my younger sister is a matron at the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri. Today, she has two hospitals in Owerri, all her children are graduates and she is doing well. Tell us about your educational background I went to Irete Primary School back in the village. I was very brilliant in school. I took the first or second positions in class. From there, I was transferred to Orogwe Primary School to continue from Primary 4. I didn’t finish before my elder brother came and took me to Lagos. I completed my primary education at Princess Primary School where I wrote the entrance examination and gained admission to Methodist Girls High School, Yaba. Somehow my academic performance dropped. At this time, my elder brother was married and the wife was having children almost every year. I was always busy with domestic work that I didn’t have time to do my school assignments. My principal observed this and recommended C M Y K

that I be sent to another christian school, St. Annes Secondary School, Ibadan which was a boarding School. So I went there. Three of late Obafemi Awolowo’s daughters were there. Their father used to come on visiting days and all of us would run around him. After completing my secondary education, I returned to Lagos and went to the School of Arts and Science. It was an evening School. I was preparing to study Medicine. At the same time, I took up a job as a Clerical Assistant with the Ministry of External Affairs. It was by this time my husband came and said I should come and continue my studies abroad. How and when did you meet your husband? I met him in my brother’s house. Our Town Union organized a send-forth party for him in my brother’s house in Lagos. He used to live in Zaria but he had to come for the send-forth party on his way to the U.K for studies. I never knew at that time that he took interest in me. He travelled by ship and from there, he wrote to me by post card and I replied. We continued like that for a period of about three years until he said I should come over and continue my education abroad. At the time we started corresponding, I was at St. Annes Ibadan. In 1965, his father brought wine to my brother at home and my traditional marriage was done in absentia. I had to travel and meet him in London. There, we did our church wedding on the 28th of August 1965. I told him we would not start raising children until after our studies. He was of the opinion that we should have at least one and get foster parents that would take care

of the child while we continued with our studies. I immediately took in and had a set of twins (males) in 1966. Back then in London, when a woman delivered, whether she was strong or not, she must stay

at least ten days in the hospital before she was discharged. Af-

•Mrs. Dinah Iwuala

There was a time when the work load became so much that I didn’t have enough time to sleep and then the sickness came again ter delivery, I was very sick. They said I had what they called post-natal depression. I thought I was going to have a baby girl but two boys came forth. I was very unhappy. At the same time, we were hearing stories that there was war or rumours of war back home in Nigeria and that added to my depression. At the expiration of ten days when my husband came to take me home, I was not in the maternity ward. The hospital authorities had taken me to the psychiatric department. They then advised my husband that I should be sterilized from having more children, because child-bearing was the main reason for the ailment. My husband objected. The sickness now prevented me from the studies I had always dreamt of. They then advised me to think of something I enjoy doing. I had to register with the South East London School of Education where I studied Dress Making (Fashion Designing). I was giv-

en drugs to take care of my ailment. I didn’t have children again until eight years later after we returned to Nigeria. So what were you doing when you returned? On returning, I opened a school of dress making at Onibore Street in Ikate, Surulere. I had students in uniform that I was teaching. I had tailors sewing for me. Indeed, business was booming. I was making wedding gowns. There was a time when the work load became so much that I didn’t have enough time to sleep and then the sickness came again. My husband had to advise me to do something less stressful. I had to give up the fashion school because I couldn’t teach them again and there was nobody to show them what to do. I ended up taking a job as a teacher at Our Lords School in Surulere near the fire service

station at Ojuelegba. How did your husband react to all these?

My husband has been a very lovely man. He was always

there for me. At the time I was sick, he took care of the children, even feeding them at night. He has been very wonderful. He told me what he was earning was more than enough to take care of me and the children but I just didn’t want to be idle. Before I married, I prayed to God for a man that would love me no matter what. And God gave me such a man. My husband has remained loving and caring till date. Most times he helps me with domestic chores. You know what we call each other? We call each o t h e r sweetheart; but we don’t even call it in full, we just say SWEE. Presently, we’ve been married for 48 years and our love still glows! As a young girl, what was it about your husband that made you fall in love with him? As a young girl, I didn’t want to be far away from my home. I wanted to be close to my brother because I loved him so much. I wanted somebody that attends the same Anglican Church with me because I was not prepared to leave the Anglican Church. I hated a situation where couples attended different Churches. I wanted a man in whose village there was a stream where one can get water easily. There are certain villages where one has to trek a very long distance before you get water. I never wanted that. There were many suitors coming. When I made enquiries and they did not fall into my criteria, I eliminated such a suitor. When my husband came, he met my criteria and that was it. My brother had an electrical engineering company after he was able to train himself at Yaba Tech. When I realized that my husband was going to study electrical engineering abroad, I became the more interested because he was in the same line with my brother’s profession. When we returned to Nigeria after his studies, he even worked in my brother’s company, since his expatriate workers left during the war. My husband later became one of the directors. Somehow, I said in my heart I didn’t want a man whose mother was still alive. Fortunately for me, my husband lost his mother when he was a boy. The father remarried. My stepmother-in-law now happened to be a very nice woman. She was so good to me, I now thought within me, if this woman is this good, perharps my mother-inlaw Continues on page 54

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013 — 49

50—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

SATURDAY Vanguard,JUNE 22, 2013 — 51

King of Swaziland A young woman is seeking asylum in Britain after she spurned the advances of the polyamorous King Mswati III of Swaziland and refused to join his harem of 13 wives. Tintswalo Ngobeni, 22, fled to England from the Southern African nation as a teenager after she caught the attention of the millionaire monarch, a notoriously oppressive ruler known for his lavish lifestyle. As part of Swazi custom, King Mswati III, 45, is permitted to choose a new bride every year.The Reed Dance ceremony, pictured, is known as Umhlanga and sees thousands of Swaziland's 'prettiest virgins' dance topless for King Mswati III, every August, hoping to be his next wife.

Back from the deep £600,000 rescue operation lifts German bomber from the Channel bed. German bomber has lain in English Channel since the Battle of Britain. Part of £350,000 project is to retrieve the plane and display it at the RAF Museum. Aircraft is in ‘remarkable condition’ and the wings and engines are intact. Museum staff say they are ‘delighted’ that the plane is out of the water. It was shot down by fighter pilots in the Battle of Britain in 1940.

White supremacist who named his son Adolf Hitler proposed to girlfriend Bizarre moment white supremacist who named his son Adolf Hitler proposed to girlfriend in full Nazi regalia. The selfproclaimed Nazi who lost custody of his child after naming him Adolf Hitler proposed to his white supremacist girlfriend yesterday. Heath Campbell got down on one knee in front of a water fountain in Easton, Pennsylvania, dressed in full Nazi regalia to pop the question to Bethanie White. The sight of the both of them with their Swastika neck tattoos attracted a few onlookers, not just because of the proposal but because of what they were both wearing.

Dream wedding B Bin and gone

binman has spoken of his shock after a giant pothole opened up on the road in front of him and swallowed his entire rubbish truck. Marian Popescu was lucky to escape unhurt after his truck fell into the 12 ft hole when the tarmac collapsed underneath him. But he still had to be winched to safety by rescuers after he was trapped in the hole for two hours in Craiova, Romania.

ride-to-be organised dream wedding in just 10 days after her boyfriend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given just months to live. Chris Clark, 41, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in October last year. He was told there was nothing doctors could do and that he had just six months left. Within minutes of diagnosis, he proposed to his girlfriend Charlotte, 30.

She had already made an online scrapbook of her dream wedding and thanks to family and friends, they enjoyed a dream rural wedding. Chris has defied doctors predictions and is still feeling well eight months later. Chris was told he may only have months to live by medics at Warwick Hospital last September after being diagnosed with a rare form of pancreatic cancer that had spread to the stomach.

52 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

Catholic Church bombing: You have a case to answer, Court tells Sokoto BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

HE Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, held that the alleged mastermind of the Christmas day bomb blast that killed about 44 persons and wounded 75 others at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, in 2011, Kabiru Umar, a.k.a Kabiru Sokoto, has a criminal case to answer. Dismissing a no-case application filed by the alleged kingpin of the Boko Haram sect, Justice Adeniyi Ademola, also ordered him to produce his witnesses in court on July 5, with a view to establishing his innocence over the terrorism charge against him. The judge said he was satisfied that going by the proof of evidence before the court, the government had successfully established a criminal case which would warrant further explanation by the

accused person. Sokoto who is answering a two-count charge by the government had through his team of lawyers led by Mr. Hassan Lukman, maintained that the government failed to establish a prima-facie case capable of warranting his trial and conviction. While praying the court to discharge and acquit him, Lukman contended that none of the six witnesses that testified against him in court was able to establish a nexus linking him to the alleged terrorist act. Sokoto further queried the propriety of allowing him to undergo trial “in view of the fact that the prosecution has failed to tender any evidence connecting him to the alleged offence.”

e was initially docked before the High Court on May 20, 2013. Aside allegations that he trained over 500 men on how to manufacture and detonate Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs,

Glo slide and bounce tour hits Abuja today

L-R: Henry Udogu, son of late Edwin Udogu and Professor Emmanuel Ike Udogu, during the Funeral service for Late Ancient Mariner, Edwin Udogu at the Atan Cemetary, Yaba, Lagos yesterday. Photo by Lamidi Bamidele

the Federal Government said that he had prior knowledge that the sect planned to bomb the Church on Christmas day but failed to disclose it to any law enforcement officer . The said terrorists’ training camp was instituted at Abaji, a suburb

of Abuja. He was said to have between 2007 and 2012, at Mabira Sokoto, Sokoto State, facilitated the commission of terrorist acts including planting bombs at the police headquarters and some g o v e r n m e n t organizations in the state. Though he was previously arrested by the police in Abuja on January 14, 2012, he was however declared missing two days later and re-arrested on February 10, 2012. His mysterious escape from custody culminated in the sack of the erstwhile Inspector General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim and former Commissioner of Police in-charge of the Federal Capital Territory,

FCT, Zakari Biu. Biu was dismissed from the Police Force. The last prosecution witness had told the court that Sokoto confessed that one of the recognized leaders of the sect, Abubakar Shekau, told him that only members of the sect that had been initiated into the “Shurah” cadre, were allowed to know the ideology behind the current insurgency in the Northern parts of the country. The witness told the court that Sokoto had further disclosed that whereas members of the “Shurah” which he belongs to, plan and mastermind attacks, others were recruited to execute terrorist agenda of the sect.

OPMOST Nigerian artistes have arrived Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city ahead of the mega concert, the Glo Slide & Bounce Tour holding today at the ThisDay Dome. The news of the arrival of the top acts has elicited excitement among the residents of the city. The Glo Slide & Bounce Tour is put together by Globacom to celebrate and excite Nigerian youths and it parades some of the country ’s most celebrated entertainers who are also newly signed as Glo Ambassadors. They include Naeto C, Flavour, Waje, Burna Boy, Lynxx, Bez, Chee the Voice, Omawumi, the talented twins, P Square and the legendary saxophonist, Lagbaja. The show will be anchored by Gbenga Adeyinka the 1st. Speaking about the show, Naeto C said he would give his fans 10 over 10 experience while Waje said she would give her fans love and enjoy a good time with them. The ever-busy Aminu Kano Way, Abuja office of the giant telecommunications outfit momentarily came to a standstill yesterday as excited youths besieged the office to catch a glimpse of the artistes who were in the area for the “Meet and Greet” segment of the show, where the entertainers signed autographs for their numerous fans in the Federal Capital city.

Mobile Monday Nigeria hosts first ever Hackathon

OBILE Monday Nigeria has announced its first ever “HACKATHON” bridging the worlds of software developers and graphic artists which will take place in Lagos under the auspices of the Lagos State Government Ministry of Science and Technology. The event will be sponsored by VConnect Global services (operators of the VConnect.com information search portal). On Monday June 24, 2013 over a hundred and fifty mobile developers, enthusiasts and industry representatives

will gather at the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology E-Learning Centre at Odunlami street in the heart of Lagos Island to participate in the “Entertainment Now” HACKATHON, a free, day-long coding marathon for development teams to create new and novel mobile web applications around movies showing in Lagos and related content for mobile phones powered by content from VConnect.com Teams of programmers, graphic artists, and user interface designers will combine their talents and

compete against each other to build new mobile web applications that meet guidelines and requirements set by the organisers of the HACKATHON. A panel of experienced Judges will assess each group’s application based on pre-set criteria. Contestants are being invited to register for the event through a website dedicated to the HACKA T H O N www.hackathon.com.ng by this Friday 21st June and among other prizes, the winner will get a development contract with the sponsors.

SATURDAY, Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013â&#x20AC;&#x201D;53

High socie ty salut e tto oA dek eye @ 6 1 society salute Adek deke 61

L-R:Gen. Alani Akinrinade (Rtd) , Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, Chief of Naval Staff, and wife, the celebrant, Vice Admiral G. T.A . Adekeye (Rtd) and wife, Mrs Fatima Adekeye cutting the cake while Admiral Akin Aduwo, presides.

L-R: Mrs Kate Eyitayo, Mrs Jemilat Ayinla and Vice Admiral Jubril Ayinla (Rtd)

L-R:Erelu Abiola Dosumu and Princess Bola Adesida

astthSaturday, June 15 , was a special day for Retired Vice Admiral G.T.A. Adekeye, former Chief of Naval Staff, as he hosted friends to celebrate his 61st birthday. The celebration began from his Ikoyi residence, where a prayer cum lecture session held before his family and friends moved down to the Shell Hall of MUSON Centre, Onikan for a deluxe reception. Many eminent personalities from different strata of the society graced the occasion. Photos by Shola Oyelese.

L-R:Dr. Bode Olajumoke, General Alani Akinrinade (Rtd),Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, Chief of Naval Staff, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos and the celebrant, Vice Admiral G.T.A . Adekeye (Rtd)

Wedding Bliss FORMER Commissioner of Police, Chief (Barr.) Linus Nwaozomudoh recently gave out his daughter, Barrister Rosemary Nkechi Nwaozomudoh in marriage to Mr. Mike Anene in traditional and Christian ceremonies at Onicha Ugbo in Onicha Ugbo, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. Both occasions were graced by notable dignitaries.

The bride, Rosemary Nwaozomudoh, presenting the Bride Price to her dad, Chief Linus Nwaozomudoh,with Ambassador A. N.C. Nwaozomudoh (right)

The couple, Mr. and Mrs Mike Anene, with bride's father, Chief Linus Nwaozomudoh (L), and Mrs. Akwusolo Anene, groom's mother, Lady Bridget Nwaozomudoh,bride's mother and MrsTheresa Ugo Okoye, groom's sister (L).

R-L: Mr Fola Arogundade,CEO, New Day Communications, Mrs Folashade Olatilo and Mrs Bunmi Makanju

At the 11th convocation of Babcock University th

DR. Donald Duke, former Governor of Cross Rivers State shined at the 11 Convocation ceremony of Babacock University where he was honoured with a doctorate degree. Photos by Diran Oshe

L- R: Pastor Gilbert Wari, Chancellor, BU, Dr. Donald Duke, former Gov. of Cross River State, being awarded honourary Doctorate degree, Prof. J. A Kayode Makinde, President /VC, BU, and Pastor (Dr) Oyeleke Owolabi, Pro- Chancellor, BU

L- R: Prof .Dayo Alao, Mr Daniel Olujimi Alao, with Prof J. A. Kayode Makinde, President / Vice Chancellor , Babcock University

Chairman of the occasion, Sir Okey Ofili, Head of Service, Delta State, and wife,Mrs.V.Z. Ofili, with the couple, Mr. and Mrs Mike Anene.

The couple, Mr. Mike Anene and his wife, Rosemary Nkechi Anene, with the Guest of Honour, Chief (Dr) Ibe Kachikwu, the Odogwu-designate of Onicha Ugbo. C M Y K

54 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

How NGF crisis polarised Northern Governors’ Forum —Governor Suswam

overnor Gabri el Suswam of Benue State recently had an interactive session with media men in the State where he spoke on various issues nagging the polity.PETER DURU was there and reports Excerpts: Could you please shed more light on the crisis rocking the Nigeria Governors’ F o r u m ? That forum is a voluntary gathering. No person, no one governor is under compulsion to be a member of that forum. In fact, the governor of Osun State hardly attends it. The only meeting he attended was this last election where unfortunately he was the one who recorded and sent on Youtube what he claimed transpired. We have never had such level of irresponsibility of a colleague recording the activities of fellow colleagues and sending it to Youtube. So what I am saying is that no governor is under compulsion to attend it. Those who conceived the idea of governors having a forum was for us to be able to peer review ourselves. When we sit down, we look at issues that affect our individual states and when you are to peer these issues, you will see that they are issues that affect the country, and if we share intelligence and ideas, we would be able to govern better; that was the essence of that forum. And who coordinates? Who is Chairman of Governors Forum is not a big deal. We have never had any elections; there has never been any one chairman of governors’ forum that has been elected. The governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, was never elected. He was selected. We just sat down and said ‘look’, this is the person who will be our Chairman and so the desperation which he exhibited in the election was the problem with most of us and I insisted and I still insist that if we go into any election no matter how small, there are conse-

quences that come with it. I raised this in the previous attempt to have the elections. I said we have never elected any Chairman of NGF. Amaechi himself was not elected and so why this election? As equal colleagues we sit down and say, you have done this, let’s select you to do this. But the basic problem was that before Saraki left, we had an issue and we decided that no one governor should stay for four years as chairman of the forum. That is two years in the South and two years in the North, and we decided that since democracy is taking its roots, let’s us have a forum that is governed by regulations and rules. So we said okay, lets us have a constitution. I was a member (of the constitution drafting committee), Fashola as a senior lawyer, SAN (Senior Advocate of Nigeria) was the Chairman. So all the governors agreed because they gave us terms of reference that two years in the south, two years in the north for the Chairman of the forum and the Deputy Chairman must be taken from the opposition parties. At the point that this so called new constitution was registered, no governor,

said that we signed for the registration of the constitution. Nothing can be farther from the truth. We have always signed and we agreed on the two years. So, when we noticed that the constitution suddenly appeared, and what was inside was not what we agreed on; I raised strong objections to that and I said: we will never accept this. That is one of the first fundamental problems. How can somebody go and change the constitution for selfish reasons and we resisted that. Well, at the end of the day, they said the tenure of the Chairman which we selected, not elected, has ended based on what we have agreed and there should be elections. And when we went there, and I have never seen that: the person who wanted to recontest printed ballot papers and had a ballot box and we objected. Even in ordinary village meetings, once the leadership is to go, the house would first dissolve itself but

If we share intelligence and share ideas, we would be able to govern better; that was the essence of that forum frankly speaking I challenge anyone, saw that constitution before the day of the election, no one of us. What we believe was that we have agreed on these things as honourable men and as leaders, and so that was it. And I believe that Fashola who drafted the constitution has copies of that. Somewhere along the line, somebody went and changed what we had agreed on and went and registered it and said that we signed. But normally when we go to meetings, all of us sign. So they

he said he was not going to dissolve the house, he would still sit in as the Chairman and conduct the elections with ballot papers which he printed and also provided a ballot box. Many of us opposed it and they claimed that they had an election, and I learnt that the governor of Osun, in that recording, said at the time they were counting they were shouting. I was among the first governors that walked out of that meeting because it was a sham; it was unfortunate that happened, but the

pers and I say I’m not dissolving myself; common sense tells you that there is some level of desperation and some kind of funny agenda, and that is why the so-called elections led to what you term as crisis. Jang, as far as I am concerned, is the legitimate Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum and that is how it’s going to remain because we have never had any elections. Jang was selected by consensus. That has been the tradition of the Governors Forum. So, there is no crisis. I know that and the majority of the governors know that. Jang is the rightful chairman of the forum.

majority of the governors agreed that Jonah Jang should be the Chairman of the Forum. Prior to this, we first held the meeting of Northern governors and there were 18 of us. The governor of Yobe did not come; neither did he send a representative and the eighteen of us unanimously agreed and asked Yuguda and Shema to step down, and voted that Jang is the consensus candidate. We took that to the PDP Governors’ Forum where the chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum read the resolution of the Northern governors which was adopted, then we went into the meeting just to present Jang. The issue of elections came up and we opposed it. We raised the issues that first, that is not the constitution we had agreed on. Second, we had never had an election in NGF and thirdly, the chairman must dissolve the house which he refused. Instead, he printed ballot papers and had a ballot box. So, when they said there was an election, I ‘m not aware of any election. But I know that somebody printed ballot papers. If I’m contesting an election, and I printed ballot pa-

And the NGF crisis has also polarized the Northern Governors’ Forum? Yes, there is no pretext about it because I would find it difficult to sit in a meeting where with honour and as leaders, we have taken a decision and people will go outside and do something else. It is difficult for some of us to sit in meetings with people like that. So, it is true, the Northern Governors’ Forum is polarized. It is polarized because it is no longer honourable for us to meet as a people, take a decision and go out there and do the opposite. If people can do that, then most of us don’t see reasons why we should attend such a meeting because before any decision is taken, we go out and defend it. But at this point, we take a decision and some people will go out and do something different. Of course, Yuguda said what happened, and I fully associate myself with views expressed by governor Yuguda and so we need to talk to ourselves, otherwise it will be difficult for us - even the Northern Governors Forum to talk to ourselves again because people would not be ready to get to meetings and discuss something knowing fully well that what other people would go out and do would be different from what we actually agreed on. So, that presents some challenges and difficulties. one kobo of that money is going to be shared to anybody.

SATURDAY Vanguard,

My mother’s last moment was strange —-Asiwaju Tinubu •as prominent Nigerians pay tribute BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

AST Saturday came like any other day, but alas, in the evening of the same day, the cold hands of death snatched away a prominent Nigerian, the President-General, Association of Nigerian Market Women and Men, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, mother of the former Lagos State Governor and National leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The event occured at her residence, No 10 Sunday Adigun Street, Alausa, Ikeja. She died at the ripe age of 96 and was later buried on Sunday, at the Vaults and Garden Cemetery, Ikoyi, according to Islamic rites. The burial witnessed the crème de la crème of the society who thronged the Lagos Island Central Mosque, Vault and Garden Cemetery and the LTV ground, Ikeja, venue of the reception where she was described as icon of achievements. Mogaji in her life time was a frontline leader of Lagos State Market Women Association who dedicated larger part of her adult life to protecting the rights of market men and women. She earned their respect, having succeeded in mobilising them for greatness and innovation, and giving every market person a brand to associate with. The highly revered leader threw her great weight into the battle to have a saner market place, where the rights of the market people are not trampled upon, and at the same time not in conflict with the rules of the state. Under the able and strict leadership of Alhaja Mogaji, Thursday of every week was made compulsory sanitation day for market men and women. Her campaign to the market

places to enlighten the market folks on governmental policies like census, voting, immunization and other economically beneficial programmes of the government spurred the Lagos state government to make her chairman of the Lagos Market Board. She was honoured with no fewer than 10 different titles by traditional rulers and interest groups across the nation. Such titles include: President General, Association of Nigerian

•Late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji repeated bolts of sicknesses due to old age. But this time around, Mama was hale and hearty till her last moment.

“We woke up that day and she was in her room relaxing.She had her breakfast, an oatmeal and went back to sleep. In the afternoon, after she observed the noon prayer, she called for her lunch. She ate tuwo, a local meal popular with Kwara state

indigenes. Not quite long after, between 4 and 5 pm, she called for

On Saturday afternoon, she had her lunch. After that, she used her drugs and rested. While resting, death came and snatched my mother away. She taught everyone she came across contentment, love and the act of sharing especially to the needy Market Women and Men; Iya Adinni of Yaya Abatan Central Mosque, Ogba-Agege; Yeye Oba of Ikirun Land; Yeye Oba of Kweme Kingdom, Badagry; Yeye Oba of Osolu Kingdom; Yeye Oba of Lagos to mention but a few. She also won several honours and awards from organisations such as Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA; National Council of Women Societies; Eko Award 1991; National Youth Organisation and Law Ladies Forum, University of Lagos amongst others. Due to her humanitarian services, she was bestowed with matronship of many organisations like Nigeria Red Cross, Nigeria Youth Organisation, National Union of Lagos Students, Nigerian Society for the Handicapped, and Egbe Omo Eko. When Saturday Vanguard got to her residence, a family member, who was around when the market leader died narrated her last moment . “Mama never showed any sign of death lately although in the past, we have had cause to panic after

me as I entered, she just shouted, Allahau Akbar three times and after that, she kept silent and that was it. She never woke up again. We started calling families, friends and other people to tell them what happened. “I was so shocked, because I have never seen such a peaceful passing away of anybody like that. I thank God that Mama lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation.” The Janaza (Muslim prayer for the dead) was conducted last Sunday at the Central Mosque, Lagos Island, where well-wishers and friends had the final glimpse of the corpse before the body was moved for internment. The corpse, was brought into the Mosque at 11:24am during which a short sermon was delivered. Alhaji Muritala Giwa, who delivered the sermon, urged Asiwaju Tinubu, the son of the deceased, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Governors and the crowd at the Mosque to always eschew violence and exhibit good

attitude in life. Giwa said “as the late Iyaloja General of Lagos impacted positively on the lives of people, everyone should emulate such act.” Meanwhile, eminent Nigerians have continued to eulogise the late nonagenarian. Leading personalities in the condolence messages to Tinubu was President Goodluck Jonathan who noted that, Mogaji would be remembered across the country for defending the interests of the poor. The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, stated the late market leader lived a fulfilled life. Abati said, “President Goodluck Jonathan commiserates with Bola Tinubu and his family. President Jonathan believes that the highly respected market leader will be long remembered across the country for her indefatigable championship of the cause of market women and men.” Also in his tribute, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Aminu Tambuwal described her as a great woman and a great mobiliser of women and an advocate of people’s right. ”Her socio-economic contribution to the nation will definitely be missed. She has left a vacuum in the nation. She was a special gift to this country. “ The bereaved, Tinubu, who was sharing pleasantries with guests and clad in white traditional attire, described her mother as a good leader and compassionate person. “I am very happy that she was my mother. She was a very successful mother and a good leader. She did not put anyone in suffering before she departed from this world. She was so kind and God was also kind to her. She was a good thinker, passionate and compassionate. She reminded me of the defect in the society. She left a very good legacy for everyone. ”On Saturday afternoon, she had

JUNE 22, 2013 — 55

her lunch. After that, she used her drugs and rested. While resting, death came and snatched my mother away. She taught everyone she came across contentment, love and the act of sharing especially to the needy. She was the one who asked me to look at the face of three women who had a challenge of paying their children’s West African Examination Council, WAEC, fee . It is not the amount of money I pulled out of my pocket but as a governor then, I began the policy of paying WAEC fees of pupils in Lagos state public schools. Those are the things that will fascinate anyone about my late mother. “Well, immediately she died, I felt her void. One cannot but look at his mother being buried. There are many lessons that women can learn from her. And one of the lessons is that they should learn to be resilient, committed and industrious in order to help banish poverty in the country. She was a committed democrat. She believed in one man, one vote campaign. She would vote and mobilise others to do so. In his tribute, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos state, in a statement through his Special Adviser on Media, Hakeem Bello, described her death as a great national and personal loss. Fashola said the mother of his illustrious predecessor in office, Tinubu, throughout her life time was a forthright defender of the people and fought for their right for economic empowerment, adding that this trait has been imbibed by everyone, who has had the opportunity or privilege to fall within the ambit of her influence. According to him, this peculiar trait is evident in the personality of her illustrious son and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a leader with the love of the people at heart.”

He said:”Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji was a frontliner in the commercial development of Lagos State, particularly Lagos Island, which was formerly dominated by the Lebanese and Greek Merchants. “She was one of the pioneer traders who ventured into the capital intensive and risky business venture of importation of consumer goods, thereby breaking the monopoly previously enjoyed by the foreign tradesmen and her business acumen attracted the attention of Multi-National Enterprises operating in Nigeria then, who had no option but to register her as a business partner and distributor of their consumer goods in Nigeria.” Governor Aregbesola of Osun State in his tribute said “she was a good Muslim. A good mobiliser and a very good organiser. She was a leader and mobiliser of women. A philanthropist, charitable and compassionate mother. She mentored us so much.” Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has commiserated with the national Leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on the death of his mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.

56—SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

Dora Akunyili

Donald Duke

George Obiozor

Ben Bruce

STATE OF THE NATION:

We must halt descent into anarchy — Eminent Nigerians  Obiozor, Akunyili, Duke, Bruce, Cole, others speak BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE, Deputy Political Editor

everal eminent Nige rians recently dissect ed the state of the nation and returned a grim verdict: Nigeria is on the brink of implosion and urgent actions are needed to halt the drift. Leading Nigerians who shared this view include: former Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke; former Information Minister, Professor Dora Akunyili; Chairman of Zinox Technologies, Chief Leo Stan-Ekeh; former Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador George Obiozor; Chairman of the Silverbird Group, Mr. Ben Bruce and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, among others. They spoke at the first Nigeria Leadership Summit organised by Anabel Leadership Academy in Lagos. Solutions proffered to save the nation include empowering the youth, ensuring the emergence of good leaders and followers, pursuing revolution of ideas instead of bloody revolution and amending the constitution to cater

for the welfare of the citizenry. Other eminent persons at the event which drew about 3000 delegates from all walks of life include: former Presidential Candidate, Prof Pat Utomi; Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu; Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on InterParty Affairs, Senator Ben Obi; Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti;

the discourse when he spoke on the need for a new direction of leadership for Nigeria. Okoye outlined the major political failures of the past and hinged the blame on the Nigerian constitution, which he said must be amended for the nation to make meaningful progress. “The indigene clause must give way to state of residence; if a Nigerian works in Lagos and pays his taxes in Lagos, he should be allowed to rep-

As a Governor, just as in labour unionism, he is still in the struggle for a society where the will of the people, not Godfathers, is the basis of governance Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr Sam Amadi and Group Managing Director of Sahara Group, Tonye Cole.

Where Nigeria went wrong – Okoye

Prince Nicholas Okoye, convener of the Nigeria Leadership Summit and president of Anabel Group, kick-started

resent Lagos in national issues,” he said. He identified the indigene clause as the primary cause of recurring sectarian violence in Nigeria, especially in Plateau State where people are being referred to as settlers even after living in an area for over two generations. Not done, Okoye decried the billions of dollars Nigeria los-

es by being heavily dependent on imported rice, sugar, fuel and generators. He berated the Nigerian middle class for spending over $500 million a month or $6 billion a year on medical services abroad and between $10 to 12 billion a year on educating middle class children in the United States, Great Britain and Ghana. He argued that there would be opportunities for job growth that would accommodate Nigeria’s millions of unemployed youths if only the leadership would focus on plugging the leaks in the system. Citing the fear of poverty as the major cause of corruption in Nigeria, Okoye advocated a complete mindset change for leaders in Nigeria and making job creation the single most important driver of all government policies. He lamented that about $400 billion stolen funds were stashed in foreign bank accounts by corrupt politicians and civil servants. To recover the funds, Okoye advocated a six-month financial amnesty for anybody that has never been charged, whereby the Federal Government will allow all looted funds to return to Nigeria over a sixmonth period with no ques-

tions asked, provided the individuals responsible pay a 10 per cent Federal Government tax, 5 per cent tax to their chosen state of residence and invest the 85 per cent balance of the funds in key target areas of the economy that would create jobs for millions of Nigerian youths.

Bad followership hinders devt –Duke

Speaking at the summit, Duke said followers in Nigeria were as culpable as the leaders for the nation’s rot since they do not hold their leaders accountable. He pointed out that if the followers remained docile and did not demand accountability from their leaders then there was little or no incentive on the part of the leaders to change their ways because “if 'mugu' no fall guy man no go chop.”

Let’s halt the drift into abyss – Akunyili To Dora Akunyili, who spoke on “Principles-centered leadership: A Nigerian experience,” there is the need for leaders to have principles and the followers to have lifechanging ideas. Recalling

Continues on page 57

SATURDAY

Leo Stan-Ekeh

Pat Utomi

Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013—57

Ihedioha

Senator Ben Obi

The leader that Nigeria needs—Utomi Continued from page 56 how she almost lost her life as director-general of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, when she took on fake and adulterated drugs cartels, she said the country should not be allowed to continue the drift into abyss. “Some people have been talking about bloody revolution, what we need is revolution of ideas,” she said and appealed to the present generation of leaders to read the writing on the wall and not wait until it was too late to act. In an emotion-laden tone, she said: “What we are seeing here is deep energy by people that are angry. What is happening in Nigeria cannot continue. Yes it cannot continue. A leader is not just the president, governor, minister or director. A mother is a leader of the home; a father is a super leader of the home. The chief cleaner of a hotel is a leader there. So at any level ineffective, non-principled and bad leadership becomes catastrophic.

Let’s avert bloody revolution with intellectual revolution

“Prudent management of resources is very important; that this doesn’t belong to you and you have to squander it is ridiculous. A few months ago, I went to Federal Palace Hotel, a company invited me for a programme and paid an advance for the hotel. The person that was checking me in brought me into a room and I said, ‘this room is too big, it is unnecessary.’ “When I told the man I wanted a smaller room, the man said, ‘smaller room, but madam you are not paying!’

I said even if I’m not paying I still have to be sensible. He said, ‘you see if we young people are hearing this kind of thing we will be happy.’ He said, ‘do you know that a particular government person used four parastatals and somebody to book rooms and he had five bookings. I said what did the person do with five bookings? He said he checked in five different girls in each room and our young people are watching. We don’t want a revolution in this country because a violent revolution will kill the innocent with the guilty; we prefer intellectual revolution as we are having today. “I want to appeal to the National Assembly to look into

will galvanize energies that are generously given to people to solve these problems. “One of the biggest troubles in Nigeria is that we refuse to accept that we do not know. There is a grave danger in this country of people using being able to tar roads as being a good leader. We have been so debased that we see one mile of asphalt and we get excited. When I left this country to go to school in the 70’s Nigeria won gold medals in road construction. When I returned in 1982, I traveled from Lagos to Benin toll gate in two hours 40 minutes, where are those roads? Because of failure of leadership, yesterday’s infrastructure do not

As a Governor, just as in labour unionism, he is still in the struggle for a society where the will of the people, not Godfathers, is the basis of governance this indigene-settler issue. How can we establish a system where there is so much bitterness and people don’t belong? Leadership is important and this time around the National Assembly has to do something. We are running out of time. If we don’t do something and anything comes up, like the Arab Spring, it will consume all of us.”

The leader that Nigeria needs – Utomi

Speaking on the importance of leadership, Utomi said we need credible leaders because “we live in a world full of problems and to solve the problems we need leaders that

exist anymore. So, leadership is much more than being able to tar roads.”

We need IT-compliant leaders – Stan-Ekeh

Chairman of the Nigeria Leadership Summit, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh, said that Nigeria needed an entire generation of 21st century leaders who are technology-driven and sophisticated to move forward. According to him, the world of technology has made the world a global village and opened up an avalanche of opportunities for citizens. However, if the leaders did not understand the digital revolution taking place around the world it would be difficult to

engage a society in this new direction, he noted and urged the youths to seek out digital leaders to guarantee the country’s future in the 21st century. “In the 21st century, don’t support a leader who is not digitally driven because this is a century of digital emancipation,” he urged.

Devt: Let’s engage lawmakers more – Ihedioha

Also, Deputy Speaker Ihedioha, who was represented by Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency, Hon Jones Onyeneri, promised that the National Assembly would study the communiqué of the summit as soon as it is ready in an effort to make necessary legislative amendments for the progress of Nigeria.

Development -oriented edu curriculum a must —Bruce

Ben Murray-Bruce used the summit to canvass for a shift in government policy in the education system. He said that our education curriculum was designed for a World that had long passed away. “What we need now are educated and fully trained scientists, engineers, and developers.” He took a swipe at leaders that provide motorcycles and tricycles as forms of transportation in the 21st century, insisting that those methods of transportation were over 100 years old and that Nigeria should be moving forward and not backwards.

We must be committed to free and fair elections

– Ben Obi

On his part, Senator Ben Obi stressed the need for credible elections to produce credible leaders. Using the recent Edo and Ondo States' governorship elections to elaborate the President Jonathan administration’s commitment to free and fair elections, he encouraged the youth to maintain their confidence in the system to deepen democracy and improve on the polity.

Let’s make merit, qualification bases of leadership growth – Obiozor

Ambassador George Obiozor said that “Nigeria is the only country in the World where merit and qualification were not determinants for leadership or career progress. Warning that the nation faces serious risks if she maintained this position, he directed the youth to take their destiny into their hands by insisting on a new kind of leadership that will bring back merit and achievement as core values of national development.

Don’t kill our dream – Youths A major highlight of the two-day summit was the “don’t kill my dream” segment handled by students of secondary schools in Lagos which included Queens College, West Minster College, Kings College, Dowen College, Meadow Hall, and Coroner College. The presentation from the children brought tears to the eyes of many in the hall, as they each outlined the problems with the Nigerian leadership and appealed to the leaders to have a change of heart so that they could still hope to live productive and fulfilled lives in future.

58—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

he crisis in the Niger i a Governors’ Forum (NGF) has worsened with two governors at daggers-drawn over who is legitimate chairman of the forum now factionalised. Its relevance to the development of the country’s democratic dispensation is scrutinised in this interview granted to Saturday Vanguard by an accomplished scholar, Dr. Sylvester Odion Akhaine, Department of Political Science, Lagos State University, LASU. Excerpts: Don’t you think it’s time to resolve the chairmanship dispute in NGF and bring about reconciliation among the feuding governors? The question is not about reconciliation. In the first place, the Nigeria Governors’ Form (NGF) is an aberration in the democratic system. Agreed that the Nigerian constitution allows people to form associations and thereby to associate at different levels – whether at national, state and local government levels. However, the Governors’ Forum is an aberration. It is counter productive to the Nigerian people and the polity. It does not have the interest of Nigeria. One may ask: How does it promote the interest of the Nigerian political system? What can we point out to have been achieved by the forum since its inception and for the development of democracy?

NGF is aberration, counter productive to Nigerian people – LASU don, Odion Akhaine

Dr. Sylvester Odion Akhaine It is just an executive umbrella for sharing tips of misgovernance. Can you be specific about the failings of the governors? Tell me, in any of the states where 75 per cent of the youths are employed. Tell me, in any of the states where are there are full blown infrastructures? What we have in the states are overwhelming social crimes. From Edo to Abia, there are kidnappings all the

way. From Borno to Yobe and major parts of the north, it is Boko Haram. If the governors cannot use their mandate to solve these problems, then how relevant are they in tackling the socioeconomic challenges confronting the nation! It is unfortunate, they are just in the NGF to share the spoils of office and looting of the common wealth belonging to the people. Secondly, the NGF is being drawn into the presidential

election of 2015. So the crisis is about coalescing, about interest, that the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan either emerges as leader of Nigeria or not. How can you justify such assertion? About 10 years now, precisely since 2003, the governors have become powerful, hijacked the presidential structure, calling the shots and deciding who becomes the next president. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo picked the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua (now late) to become President of Nigeria in 2007. Now we are in for the 2015 presidential race and the governors are jostling. It’s all about contestation for state power. Hence I said that the governors are being drawn into 2015, and that the NGF is counter productive to the development of the nation. Nothing good is coming out from this club of governors, except that they are justling for political power. Have they stopped looting? They are just in contest for power. But one of the objectives of the NGF is fostering of the peer review mechanism. Do you think the governors are doing this?

The peer review is a NEPAD thing. But the governors are not involving themselves in the peer review mechanism – to assess what they are doing in their respective states and to compare developments. The peer review is not followed. These governors are social irritants. Unfortunately, they have disappointed the people, betrayed the people’s trust. All their plans are mainly about politics – justling for 2015. The 2015 politics is contestation of political actors for control of public affairs. That contest could be pacific (peaceful) or cataclysmic. But we expect the electoral contest done within the basic law of the Nigerian state. Are you optimistic there won’t be problems n the 2015 presidential vote? I cannot say anything about the 2015 election. However, time will tell. In this interactive session with Dr. Sylvester Odion Akhaine, a Political Scientist, he avoided reference to either Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State who was declared winner of the NGF chairmanship election or Jonah Jang, Governor of Plateau State, who also laid claim to being elected as NGF chairman, thereby splitting the governors into two factions. He did not want to be drawn to either supporting or having sympathy for Amaechi or Jang factional leadership. "You can go out and conduct opinion poll or Vox populi on who out of the two factional chairmen has more support,” he advised.

I know how to live in adversity and in plenty — Iwuala Continued from page 48 would have been better! I then regretted that I wished for a man whose mother was dead. His entire family has been good to me. We took many of them into our house and trained them to be graduates. Today, one of his step-sisters is married to an Anglican priest and they are doing well. Today you are a grandmother. How is your relationship with your daughters-in-law? My relationship with them is very cordial. God blessed me with very lovely daughters-in-law . You know I was looking for daughters and I didn’t get them in time. I have three boys and a girl. I’m very happy with the daughtersin-law God gave to me. They don’t joke with me at

all. Imagine this! One of them lost the mother; she brought her own share of her mother’s clothes to me saying I’m now the only mother she has that I should take them. That was so touching. The other is a gynaecologist and she is wonderful. The rate of divorce among couples these days is on the increase. What is it that has kept your marriage? I can confidently say, God has magnetised us together and nothing but death can separate us. Both of us prayed before we got married. The fear and love of God has kept us together. There is a hymn I requested for on my wedding day. “Love divine, all loves excelling”. Till date, we always sing this hymn together. Can you share some of

your good times and bad times? To me, everyday is a good day as long as I am alive. God has been very gracious to me and my family.There was something that happened on my wedding day, (she went for her wedding album) look at this picture. Here we were only pretending to be cutting this cake. This cake was supposed to be three steps. But here you are seeing only two steps. We have already eaten the 3 rd step which was the base. The photographer disappeared after the Church service. We never knew he had another function to cover. It was after we had almost finished the reception that he came and then asked us to pose for this photograph. I was very angry but in this

picture, we are pretending to be smiling. Your most memorable day Mmmh……This is a difficult one. Okay after I had our last child (a daughter), my husband was not in town. On the day he returned, we made an unforgettable love that was different from the others we’ve ever had. I cannot forget that day. Looking back, how would you say life has been? Life has been sweet and bitter. But I can say that the sweet part is more than the bitter part. We’ve known what it is to live in adversity and in plenty; in season and out of season. God has blessed me with a man who is there for me in sickness and in health. God has given me

wonderful children and inlaws who are all graduates. He has blessed us with landed property. I have been able to win some souls for the Lord. In all, I give thanks to God. What is your advice to young women who are about to get married and those whose marriages are already shaking? I will advise them to pray and allow God to lead them in their choice of life partner. Women should learn how to search the scriptures and live by it. They should attend fellowships and be closer to God. If Abigail in the Bible (1st Sam 25) could put up with the horrible and bad tempered and mean Nabal until he died and she remarried, women should learn to cope in their marriages and not to see divorce as an option.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013 — 59

60—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 22, 2013

Eagles are improving with every game — Omokaro F ORMER Super Eagles defender, Bright Omokaro has said that the Eagles made

appreciable improvement in their match against Uruguay on Thursday in the on-

Cross River/All Nigeria championships:

Nigeria Nigeria’s 4x100m men blow last chance *Okagbare picks long jump, 200m gold BY BEN EFE

HE 2013 Cross River/ All Nigeria championships ended yesterday with the Nigerian men’s 4x100m falling short of the required performance that will launch them into the World Championships billed for August in Moscow, Russia. It was one of the last opportunities they had to make the difference as they chased the 39.00 seconds cut off mark. The team struggled to find their rhythm and coupled with strong winds blowing from the direction of the finish line, it was always going to be a herculean task for the team to rise to the occasion. They finished at 39. 61 seconds, a far cry from the 39. 16 seconds they did at the Warri Relays. In the other closing events of the day, Blessing Okabgare completed a treble when she took the women long jump and 200m. Okagbare who is the world leader in the 200m, finished 22.61 seconds. She was followed by Miriam Bassey of Cross River State who clocked 23. 17 seconds while Ghana’s Janet Amposah was third with 23.79. In the men’s 200m, Elvis Ukale ran 21.16 seconds to clinch his first championships title. He

BATON EXCHANGE... Nigeria’s men’s 4 x 100m relay team (right) exchanging the baton during a race. They have failed to qualify for the World Championships holding in Russia in August. denied Noah Akwu the opportunity to complete a 400m and 200m double. Akwu finished 21. 34 seconds, while Tamunotonye Briggs was third with 21.34 seconds.

Okagbare, who earlier in the month jumped a wind assisted 7.14m, raked up 6.68m while junior athlete Ese Brume jumped 6.42 just as Doris Chinazom Amadi came

third with 6.31m “It has been an exciting trial and hopefully we should be able to present a good team for the world championships in August. Our major concern now is

Cuban coaches for Cross River’s grassroots programme BY BEN EFE

ROSS River state governor, Liyel Imoke has concluded plans to bring in Cuban coaches to added pep to the state’s grassroots sports development

programme. The commissioner for sports, Patrick Ugbe disclosed at the closing of this year’s Cross River Schools Championships that two Cuban coaches will join in the programme to help with grooming the young

athletes discovered from the various local government areas of the state. “Already we have one Cuban on ground. He is taking the kids on boxing. We have already discussed with the Cuban government and the others

Isoko youths told to take football seriously By Tony Agbaza – OLEH

S the curtains were drawn to mark the end of the Isoko football championships aimed at discovering football talents in Isoko land recently, players have been told to brace up so as to catch up with the moving train in the football world. The plea was made at the final leg of the com-

how to raise funds so that we can have a training camp to prepare, most especially our relay teams,” said AFN president, Solomon Ogba.

petition which took place between Irri and Uzere communities respectively. Chief organiser of the competition, Mr Clifford Iburo lamented the lack of seriousness of footballers from the two local government areas, adding that it was only at such grass-root football competition that players could be discovered for the various national

teams. While urging the youths to join teams in their various communities so that they could take part in the next competition, Iburo stressed that football is a serious business and it is the only way to climb to the top. The caretaker committee chairmen of the two local government areas, Engineer Goodluck Idele and

Hon Idise assured the players of support so that they could get to the peak of their career. The 5th edition of the Isoko football tournament was put together to by the two local government areas that make up the Isoko kingdom to catch young players to represent them at both local and international competitions.

will be in Calabar very soon.” He added that the Cross River government is satisfied with the progress of the programme adding that the governor is working to extend it beyond his administration. “We are going to sustain the programme. Every year we see fresh discovery of talents and those who were there before in primary schools category were asked to compete with seniors in secondary schools and they are doing well,” added Mr. Ugbe. Calabar Municipality won the Secondary Schools category with 11 gold, six silver and nine bronze medals, while Ikom local government area won the primary school category with eight gold, seven silver and two bronze medals.

going Confederations Cup compared to their first outing against Oceanian champions, Tahiti. “There was a commendable approach, which the boys took this time around; they improved a lot upon the previous game against Tahiti. “Football is a game of luck, and it dangles. It can swing in your favour and at other times, can favour the other side. I’m happy they are showing improvement,” Omokaro, nicknamed 10-10 during the 1990 Africa Nations Cup in Algeria, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN. Also contributing, Harrison Okagbue, a former coach of Uganda, said the Eagles were not left a slim chance to qualify and that Keshi should work on their mind set. “Right now, we are in a tight corner. For us to prevail, we have to defeat Spain. “It will sound strange though, but we can still come out victorious if only the boys can play their best and learn how to pass balls accurately and promptly. “Keshi will have to work more on the boys and try to psychic them up to believe they can win. “I believe that it can only get better and I hope we will come out victorious in our next game.”

Abdullahi Continues from B/P insisted that they have been winning their matches in Calabar and they decided to stay here and since then the minister has not been coming for their matches,” added the official. He stated that the Cross River government did everything to make the Eagles comfortable and also ensured that the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF got all that they wanted to host the matches successfully. “We spent resources that could have gone to other uses. And the least we expected is appreciation from those in charge,”the official added. Apart from the draw against Kenya, the Eagles have won all their matches in Calabar.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013 — 61

62—SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 22, 2013

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013 — 63

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 22, 2013

Abdullahi wants Eagles out of Calabar By BEN EFE

HE World Cup qual ifier between the Ea-

gles and Flames of Malawi in September, could be the last match coach Stephen Keshi and his

Eagles’ll soon catch up with rest of the world — Keshi • As Uruguay’s coach hails ‘em • Enyeama, Ujah blame fatigue

VEN though the South American champions, Uruguay won 2-1, the Super Eagles, according to the match statistics, had the upper hand in ball possession, 64% to Uruguay’s 44%, had 14 shots on goal to Uruguay’s nine, forcing their Head Coach, Oscar Tabarez to describe the Stephen Keshi-led lads as pride to football. Speaking at a post match conference the veteran Uruguayan coach hailed the tenacity of the Eagles, adding that the game could have gone either way but his side had a little bit of more experience. Top striker and Liverpool FC danger man, Luis Suarez, was seen walking away from the team’s bus in a black suit and trousers after the game apparently angry at his substitution midway in the second half of the match but some say he might be heading for contractual talks as he prepares for life after Liverpool. On his own part, Keshi, said his team was very good on the night but were as usual wasteful.

“We gave the game our all but you know Uruguay has been together for eight years and we are just rebuilding, sooner than later we will catch up with the rest of the best teams in the world.” Before the match proper there were a lot of skirmishes between the Brazilian Police and protesters who insisted on stopping the game, because of what they perceived as corruption by those in government. As a result the Eagles and their officials came earlier for the game, same as their Uruguay counterparts. At the end of the day, the police had the upper hand as the game went on as planned but the protest has continued to spread against the nation famous for producing some of the best footballers in history like Edson Arantes Dos Nascimento, popularly known as Pele. Meanwhile stand-in Eagles skipper, Vincent Enyeama, has said the loss to Uruguay in the national team’s second game at the ongoing Confederation Cup, was

Today’s matches Confed Cup Italy Japan

v v

Colombia Turkey Mexico Paraguay

Brazil Mexico

U-20 World Cup

v v v v

Australia El Salvador Greece Mali

8 p.m. 8 p.m.

4 p.m. 7 p.m. 4 p.m. 7 p.m.

Results Cuba France Nigeria USA

1 3 2 1

S/Korea Ghana Portugal Spain

2 1 3 4

so colossal that the team will have to do something special to defeat Spain in its next game. He also blamed fatigue for the team’s loss, the same way Tony Ujah, who plays his club football in

the German Bundesliga reasoned. Enyeama reacting to a question about the splendid play of the Eagles yet could not come out clean said: “It’s so painful that we played this well and were still on the losing side. I would been a happier person if we played badly and won the game”.

wards will play at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar, as Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has ordered that matches involving the national team be moved elsewhere. It was gathered that the Minister right from the first game against Namibia last year, never wanted the Eagles to play in Calabar, but for the insistence of coach Keshi and his players. “We won’t be surprised if the game against Malawi is the last the Eagles will play here,” said a top Cross River government official in Calabar. “After the first match he wanted them out and the coaches and players

Ujah on his part says that flying from one end of the world to another in the last one month has been very tiring, especially as other teams were having a ball preparing for the tournament. “Though we don’t want to give any excuses but it’s obvious that our busy schedule has Continues on page 55 affected us today”.

Nigeria's players pose for pictures before the start of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013 Group B football match against Uruguay, at the Fonte Nova Arena in Salvador, on June 20, 2013. (Standing LR) Midfielder John Obi Mikel, midfielder John Ogu, defender Kenneth Omeruo, midfielder Fegor Ogude, defender Godfrey Oboabona and forward Brown Ideye. (Front row, L-R) Defender Uwa Echijile, goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, forward Nnamdi Oduamadi, forward Ahmed Musa and defender Efe Ambrose. AFP PHOTO

CROSS WORD PUZZLE

Across 1 Colombian Capital City – (6) 4 Country in Africa – (5) 7 Former Italian Currency – (4) 8 Kenya “Harambee Stars” Striker, Kepha – (6) 9 Tunisian Currency Unit – (7) 10 Former Cuba National President, Fidel – (6) 12 L.G.A. in Zamfara State – (8) 16 Super Eagles Full-back and Sunshine Stars Defender, Geoffrey – (8) 19 Igbo Girl’s Name – (6) 21 Delta Central District Senator, Pius Akpor – (8) 22 Austrian Capital City – (6) 23 Kaduna State Commissioner for Lands & Survey, Ibrahim – (4) 24 L.G.A in Lagos State – (5) 25 Former Ivory-Coast “Elephants” National Coach,

Humberto – (6) Down 1 Former France “Les Bleus” Coach, Laurent – (5) 2 Ivory-Coast President, Alassane – (8) 3 L.G.A in Lagos State – (8) 4 Greek Goddess – (6) 5 Heartland FC Goalkeeper, Daniel – (6) 11 Clerk of The National Assembly, Nasir – (4) 13 Chelsea Fullback, Branislav – (8) 14 Ondo State Secretary to the State Government, Honourable Isaac – (8) 16 Lagos State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Kayode – (6) 17 Lobi Stars Goalkeeper, Moses – (6) 18 L.G.A in Osun State – (6) 20 Former Bayelsa United Coach, Karika – (5)

7 8 9 10

11 12

18 19

21 22 23 24

SOLUTION on page 54

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