Achebe dies at 82

C M Y K

2—SATURDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2013

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23 , 2013 — 3

4—SATURDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2013

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23 , 2013 — 5

Literary giant, Chinua Achebe dies at 82 •Obi heads to US to meet family •Jonathan, Mark, govs, politicians, authors, groups, others mourn •Immortalize him by rehabilitating EnuguOgidi-Onitsha road – PDP •Igbo youths declare 7 days mourning

BY OUR REPORTERS

E

XACTLY 161 days after releasing his latest and most controversial book: There Was A Country, literary giant, Emeritus Professor Chinualumogu Achebe, yesterday, died of complications arising from old age in a hospital in Boston, United States of America, aged 82. The iconic poet, novelist and critic had been ill for some time.

Unarguably, one of the world’s most celebrated writers, the death of Achebe, the David and Mariana Fisher Professor of Literature at Brown University and author of the classic novel, Things Fall Apart, threw Nigeria, the world’s largest black nation into mourning.

The polity was awash with ocean of tributes to the literary Iroko yesterday.

Among those who mourned and paid glowing tributes to Acbebe yesterday were President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, Governors Peter Obi (Anambra), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Chibuike Amechi (Rivers), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), former Head of State, Gen Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), former National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Author and Traditional Ruler, Prof Chukwuemeka Ike, Senator Chris Ngige, former EFCC Chairman, Malam Nuhu Ribadu and MASSOB Leader, Chief Ralph Uwazurike.

Tributes also came from two former governors of Anambra State. Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju and Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Poets and Authors, Prof JP Clark, Odia Ofeimum and Femi Osofisan; Prof Damian Opata, Prof Walter Ofonagoro, Finance Minister, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orietation,

Edem Duke; Senator Ben Obi, Senators Bukola Saraki and Anthony Adefuye; Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Aka Ikenga, Chief Ebenenzer Babatope, member of the House of Representatives, Hon Tobias Okechukwu, Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA, the Igbo Youths Movement, IYM and Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

Achebe was committed to a better Nigeria – Jonathan

President Jonathan said the deceased would be remembered for his ‘’immense patriotism and sincere commitment to a better Nigeria,’’ adding that he ‘’will be greatly missed’’ by Nigerians.

A condolence message signed by Presidential Spokesman Reuben Abati, read in part: ‘’President Goodluck Jonathan has received with immense sadness, news of the passing away of Nigeria’s globally acclaimed writer, scholar, tutor, cultural icon, nationalist and artist of the very first rank, Prof. Chinua Achebe.

President Jonathan joins Prof. Achebe’s family, his friends, colleagues, past and present students, admirers and all who have learnt indelible lessons of human existence from his award-winning works of literature in mourning the legendary author. ’’As he mourns however, the President is consoled by the knowledge that Prof. Achebe will live forever in the hearts and minds of present and future generations through his great works which brought him enduring international fame and countless honours.

The President believes that Prof. Achebe’s frank, truthful and fearless interventions in national affairs will be greatly missed at home in Nigeria because while others may have disagreed with his views, most Nigerians never doubted his immense patriotism and sincere com-

mitment to the building of a greater, more united and prosperous nation that all Africans and the entire black race could be proud of.

He recalls that with maturity and global stature, Prof. Achebe fearlessly spoke the truth as he saw it and became, as he advanced in age, a much revered national icon and conscience of the nation who will be eternally honoured for his contributions to national discourse as well as the immense fame and glory he brought to his fatherland.’’

Vice President Namadi Sambo in a message signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Alhaji Umar Sani, also condoled ‘’the family, well wishers and numerous fans of our departed literary icon, Chinua Achebe who passed on in the USA.” He prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and the fortitude for the family to bear the irreparable loss.

Achebe lived a worthy life – Mark

Senate President David Mark, yesterday said that the death of Achebe was a huge loss to Nigeria and the academia, just as he described him as an accomplished writer and a world celebrated author who lived a life worthy of emulation.

In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, Senator Mark, who noted that he received the news of Achebe’s death in Ouito, Ecuador, recalled that his best-seller, Things Fall Apart, was the first African book to be translated into more than 70 languages.

According to Mark, ‘’Achebe was a patriotic Nigerian who used his literary prowess to seek a better society for our nation. We shall all miss him.

Our younger generation should rise up and be counted in their various careers.”

It’s exit of literary Iroko – Ekwere-

•Late Prof Chinua Achebe

madu, Ndoma-Egba

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Media, Uche Anichukwu described Achebe’s death as ‘’the exit of a Literary Iroko,” “This is a very sad development given that Achebe employed his writing prowess to paint Nigeria proudly on the global map of fame, and as a social critic, he was very courageous and spoke his mind according to his conviction without fear or favour,” he said and condoled with the Professor ’s family, the government and people of Anambra State and the nation in general over the irreparable loss.

In like manner, Senate Leader, Victor NdomaEgba ydescribed the late Achebe as a master story teller who defined his age and times, adding, “An Iroko has fallen. Chinua Achebe was a master story teller who defined his age and times. ”He gave African Literature definition and character. Like William Shakespeare, Chinua Achebe lives on.”

He was one of the finest minds in the world-Gov. Obi Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State who broke the news of Achebe’s death described him as one of the finest minds the world has known.

The text of his message reads: “I woke up early this morning and saw two missed calls from Prof. China Achebe’s son, Dr. Ike Achebe, with whom I have been in regular touch to ascertain his father’s well

being. I immediately returned the call, and to my greatest shock and disbelief, he informed me that his father has just passed on. The world has lost one of her finest minds.

Africa and Nigeria have lost one of their greatest global Ambassadors. I have duly contacted Mr. President to inform him about the sad development. I have also contacted some prominent Nigerians who also expressed shock at the development” Obi who said he was in touch with the Achebe family is said to have completed arrangements to depart to the USA later today to confer with the family.

ACF mourns

The Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, in Kaduna said: “The reported death of Prof Chinua Achebe is a sad news. As a result, there is nothing we can say beyond the usual platitude that God should give the people and government of Nigeria the fortitude to endure what cannot be changed, since death is an inevitable end for all mortals.

The Prof is gone in flesh.

But in many ways, he is very much around, considering he needs no tombstone to remind us of his legacies. ’’We can imagine his body lying in peace and in pains: the peace associated with death and the pains of what he has left behind that are still begging for attention.

And so one way of remembering Prof Chinua Achebe is live up his legacies. Yet, however we feel the loss of the Prof, we may not trade places with those who did not share the sentiments of what he stood for in life.

May his soul rest in

peace.”

… A blow to the progressives – Balarabe Musa

On his part, former Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa said, “It is unfortunate that Achebe died. His death is a serious blow to the progressives in particular and Nigerians in general.

He was a member of my party, the People’s Redemption Party, PRP. I wish him God’s forgiveness of his sins.

Actually, he was an honest gentle man in all respects. His type are very few in Nigeria. Apart from Prof Wole Soyinka, (and who else) that has made some impact in the world, I do not see any other person like Achebe who has made the country proud in the literary and intellectual arena. Achebe was an intellectual gentleman.”

I ‘ll always remember Achebe – JP Clark

In a short tribute, Prof JP, another literary icon, said “before I too go my way, my wife and I will always remember Chinua with fondness. Our thoughts are with Christie and the children. So let him rest.”

Achebe’s death, a personal loss – Ofonagoro

Prof Walter Ofonagoro, former Director General of Nigeria Television Authority and Information Minister said the death of Prof. Chinua Achebe was a personal loss to me because he was my friend and after the civil war, I Chief Babatope said while

•Continues on Page 50

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013

Prof Chinua Achebe: Exit of literary giant

Chinua Achebe’s literary harvest...

A

CHEBE’S remark able journey into the creative turf began in 1958 with the publication of classical novel Things Fall Apart. Set in the fictional community of Umofia, the novel anthropologically explores the Igbo life completely destroyed by the arrival of the White man, whose coming into the peaceful community created serious socio, political and cultural conflicts. The novel, using the character of its hero, Okonkwo presented the continent ofAfrica in its realistic portrait against the background of permittivity and uncultured painted in the narratives of Western writers.

The publication of Things Fall Apart was successfully followed by the publication of Arrow of God. The novel adjudged by many people as one of the best of Achebe’s creative offerings like its predecessor, Things Fall Apart, also engages the colonial conflict that was the order of the day and particularly examines power as a destructive force.

After Arrow of God, Achebe in 1964 wrote another interesting novel titled No Longer At Ease.

This third novel, which concludes the first three of Achebe’s novels tells the story of Obi Okonkwo, a split character, who is destroyed by the conflict created by the old world of his grand father Unoka in Things Fall Apart and the new world in transition of his father, Okonkwo.

Achebe’s first three novels were written in a very organic manner. While the first two novels look at the problem of disconnection created by the arrival of the white man, the third novel presents to the world a wounded soul, who carries the psychological scar of conflict in the person of Obi Okonkwo.

After the the first three novels, Achebe in 1966 wrote another significant novel, seen in many quarters as a prophetic novel,A Man of the People. Achebe’s Man of the People drew the ire of the

ruling establishment because it addressed the issues of corruption and ineptitude that occasioned the politics of the first Republic and ends on a note of military take over.

Achebe’s early novels were read and interpreted from the prism of masculinity. And perhaps to assuage the feelings of his readers and especially, his female readers, in 1987, he published Anthill of the Savannah. The novel tries to address the plight of Africa’s marginalised women using the character of Beatrice, a new voice that represents a new generation. The novel tries to close the imbalance created in the previous novels where the women are kept in the marginal ends.

In the genre of short stories, Achebe published about seven. They are Marriage Is a Private Affair (1952) ,Dead Men’s Path(1953), The Sacrificial Egg and Other Stories( 1953), Civil Peace (1971)and Girls At

JAPHET ALAKAM with agency report

T

URNING in a widen ing gyre, the falcon could not hear the falconer, things fall apart and the center could not hold , mere anarchy is loosed upon the earth, that is the W. B. Yeats lines that announced the title of the famous book written by the Iroko of African and world literature Professor Chnualumogu Achebe, 82, who passed to the

,

BY MCPHILIPS NWACHUKWU

•Late Chinua Achebe War(1973).

Achebe also wrote poetry. He published the following poetry collections; Beware Soul Brothers(1971), Don’t Let Him Die( 1978), Another Africa(1998), Collected Poems( 2005) Refugee Mother and Child and

Vultures.

A famous critic and internationally acclaimed award winning novelist.

He also published a number of land mark critical essays including; The Novelist As A Teacher(1965),An Image of Africa: Racism in Con-

rad’s Heart of Darkness(1978), Trouble With Nigeria (1983), Hopes and Impediment Morning Yet on Creation Day (1975).

The man , who was variously addressed as the Iroko of African literature and a legend, a loving

The Man Achebe.... progressive politician and above all the master of prose, when shall we have another?

Achebe’s entry into the turf of creative writing was fortitous. It marked a very great tradition by the fact that , that singular effort changed perception about Africa.

Born in Ogidi, Nigeria, the son of Isaiah Okafor Achebe, a teacher in a missionary school, and Janet Ileogbunam. His

At the university Achebe contributed several stories and essays to its magazine, University Herald. Rejecting his British name Achebe took his indigenous name Chinua. land of the spirits yesterday in Boston, Massachusetts. It is sun set for Professor Chinua Achebe and the world is full of tributes and recollections of the poet, the broadcaster, the critic and the

,

parents, though they installed in him many of the values of their traditional Igbo culture, were devout evangelical Protestants and christened him Albert after Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria.

In 1944 Achebe attended Government College in Umuahia. Like other

major Nigerian writers including Wole Soyinka, Elechi Amadi, John

father and a brilliant teacher also wrote for children. His children’s books include, Chike and the River, which he called novel for boys, How the Leopold Got His Claws, The Flute and the Drum.

As a writer, Achebe wrote with depth and employed the English language to good use in the projection of rich Igbo language culture and tradition. He wrote in a very simple and unique style and through his writing evolved a strong ideological vehicle with which he fought for self and communal identity.

Achebe closed the chapter of his interesting writing career with the publication in 2012 of wave making autobiography, There Was A Country. The book sub titled , A Personal History explores the development of Achebe as a writer, his critical positions, political visions and his intercessory roles in Igbo life and during Biafran civil.

Okigbo, John Pepper Clark, and Kole Omotoso, he was also educated at the University College of Ibadan, where he studied English, History and Theology.

At the university Achebe contributed several stories and essays to its magazine, University Herald. Rejecting his British name Achebe took his indigenous name Chinua. In 1953 he graduated with a BA. Before joining the Nigerian Broadcasting Service (NBS), later changed to Nigerian Broadcasting Corporarion, or NBC in Lagos in 1954 he travelled in Africa and America, and worked for a short time as a teacher at a local school in Oba. For a period in the 1960s he was the director of External Services in charge of the Voice of Nigeria. In 1961 he married Christie Chinwe Okoli, who came from Umuokpu village in Awka. They had four children. Christie Achebe, a psychologist, took her degree in London, and was a visiting professor of psy-

Continues on Page 7

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23 , 2013 — 7

Prof Chinua Achebe: Exit of literary giant chology at Bard College.

Backing Biafra in the Nigerian Civil War (196770) Achebe worked for the government as an ambassador. In 1967 Achebe cofounded the publishing company Citadell Press at Enugu with Christopher Okigbo, a gifted poet and close family friend.

Okigbo joined the army and was killed in action in August 1967 and the operation of the press was terminated. Achebe’s writings from this period reflect his deep personal disappointment with what Nigeria became since independence. His pregnant wife suffered a miscarriage, and Achebe himself narrowly escaped death.

Many of his poems written during the war were collected in Beware, Soul Brother (1971), which won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize. In There Was a Country: A Personal History of Biafra (2012) Achebe returned to the war years and their effect on his work and identity.

Achebe was a celebrated writer but he did not win the Nobel Prize, which many believed he deserved, but in 2007 he did receive the Man Booker International Prize, a $120,000 honor for lifetime achievement.

Achebe, paralyzed from the waist down since a 1990 auto accident, lived for years in a cottage built for him on the campus of Bard College, a leading liberal arts school north of New York City where he was a faculty member. He joined Brown University in 2009 as a professor of languages and literature.

Achebe, a native of Ogidi, Nigeria, regarded his life as a bartering between conflicting cultures.

He spoke of the “two types of music” running through his mind — Ibo legends and the prose of Dickens. He was also exposed to different faiths. His father worked in a local missionary and was among the first in their village to convert to Christianity.

In Achebe’s memoir “There Was a Country,” he wrote that his “whole artistic career was probably sparked by this tension between the Christian religion” of his par

ents and the “retreating, older religion” of his ancestors.

He would observe the conflicts between his father and great uncle and ponder “the essence, the meaning, the worldview of both religions.”

For much of his life, he had a sense that he was a person of special gifts who was part of an historic generation. Achebe was so avid a reader as a young man that his nickname was “Dictionary.”

As the world mourns the departure of this great literary icon , late Professor Achebe will be fondly remembered for his hard stance against corruption and elitism in Nigerian politics.

He was the first Nigerian to win a National Merit Award in October 1979.

Perhaps his greatest legacy is Things fall Apart, the best read African Novel (over 8 million copies sold and translated to over 50 languages) which not only earned him world wide acclaim as one of the world’s most gifted novelist but a literary scholar who portrayed African tribal life accurately to a western audience.

As a Nigerian, Achebe lived through and helped define revolutionary change in his country, from independence to dic-

tatorship to the disastrous war between Nigeria and the breakaway country of Biafra in the late 1960s.

He knew both the prestige of serving on government commissions and the fear of being declared an enemy of the state. He spent much of his adult

,

Continues from Page 6

The Man Achebe.... dent Jonathan gave him an offer of a National Honor and again he rejected it.

Professor Achebe, globally recognized as one of the world’s most outstanding novelists and intellectuals in rejecting the honour for the award of Na-

Many of his poems written during the war were collected in Beware, Soul Brother (1971), which won the Commonwealth Poetry Prize. life in the United States, but never stopped calling for democracy in Nigeria or resisting literary honors from a government he refused to accept.

It is also on record that Achebe was one of the few Nigerians who rejected the National honour (Commander of the Federal Republic)for two good times. First was when he was nominated for the award of National Honor by the Nigerian government in 2004 by the Obasanjo led government and the second seven years after when Presi-

,

tional Honor by the Nigerian government in 2004 by the Obasanjo led government wrote a letter which read: “I write this letter with a very heavy heart. For some time now I have watched events in Nigeria with alarm and dismay. I have watched particularly the chaos in my own state of Anambra where a small clique of renegades, openly boasting its connections in high places, seems determined to turn my homeland into a bankrupt and lawless fiefdom. I am appalled by the brazenness

of this clique and the silence, if not connivance, of the Presidency.

“Forty three years ago, at the first anniversary of Nigeria’s independence I was given the first Nigerian National Trophy for Literature. In 1979, I received two further honors – the Nigerian National Order of Merit and the Order of the Federal Republic – and in 1999 the first National Creativity Award.

“I accepted all these honors fully aware that Nigeria was not perfect; but I had a strong belief that we would outgrow our shortcomings under leaders committed to uniting our diverse peoples. Nigeria’s condition today under your watch is, however, too dangerous for silence. I must register my disappointment and protest by declining to accept the high honor awarded me in the 2004 Honors List”.

In 2011, Goodluck Jonathan led government again awarded him the “national honor” of the Commander of the Federal Republic And for the second time, the celebrated novelists rejected it. In a terse statement for the rejection, Achebe said: “The reasons for rejecting the offer when it was

first made have not been addressed let alone solved. It is inappropriate to offer it again to me. I must therefore regretfully decline the offer again.”

Again ,after the Biafran defeat Achebe entered party politics with the leftist People’s Redemption Party(PRP) The People’s Redemption Party was a political party in Nigeria often considered the Second Republic incarnation of the Norther Elements Progressive Union, the party was created by the late Mallam Amino Kano.

The PRP was highly regarded as a progressive left of center political party. Some well known members of the party included Governors Abubakar Rimi, Balarabe Musa, Dr Edward Ikem Okeke and Chinua Achebe who served briefly as Deputy National President in the early 1980s.

But his romance with the party was marked by frustration and disappointment. And in characteristic way of looking for the best, he left them and went into academia, from where he has conducted his career ever since both as a teacher and writer.

….. His words on the marble A

FTER a war life catches desperately at passing/hints of normality like vines entwining a hollow/twig; its famished roots close on rubble and/every piece of broken glass.” - a poem from the 2012 memoir “There Was a Country.”

“Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”

- Chinua Achebe.

“You cannot plant greatness as you plant yams or maize. Who ever planted an Iroko tree - the greatest in the forest? You may collect all the Iroko seeds in the world, open the soil and put them there. it will be in vain. The great tree chooses where to grow and we find it there...so it is with greatness in men.”

“We cannot trample upon the humanity of others without devaluing our own. The Igbo, always practically put it concretely in their proverb Onye ji onye n’ani ji onwe ya: “He who will hold another down in the mud must stay in the mud to keep him down.”

- Chinua Achebe, The Education of a BritishProtected Child: Essays “Let no one be fooled by the fact that we may write in English, for we intend to do unheard of things with it.”–Chinua Achebe Writers ask me, ‘Is it good to shoot my manuscript to other people to get their advice?’ My answer is, ‘No!’ You are in it for the duration – don’t expect any kind of lowering of the terms of imprisonment that you’re going to have. You are your own

editor, and so it’s yours.

“The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay.

Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart’’...In Things Fall Apart(1958)..

“If you want to eat a toad you look for a fat and juicy one.”

“An only palm fruit does not get lost in the fire.”

“A man who lives on the banks of the Niger (river) should not wash his hands in spittle.”

“A man does not challenge his Chi to a wrestling match.”

“When a new saying gets to the land of empty

men, they lose their heads over it.”

“The eye is not harmed by sleep.”

“We do not want to be like the unfortunate child who grows his first tooth and grows a damaged one.”

“He who has people is richer than he who has money. “ “Shall we kill a snake and carry it in our hand when we have a bag for

putting things in ?”

“If a man returns from a long journey and no one says nno (welcome) to him, he feels like one who has not arrived.”

“A debt may get moldy but it never rots.”

“The most horrible sight in the world cannot put out the eye.”

“The sun will shine on those who stand, before it shines on those who kneel under them.”

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013

Boko Haram: Police arrest 500 foreigners in Lagos

BY IFEANYI OKOLI

N

O fewer than, 500 nationals of some neighbouring countries resident in Lagos, were yesterday arrested by the state police command in connection with Thursday’s arrest of two Boko Haram suspects at Ijora area of the state.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the arrests which was coordinated by operatives of the State Intelligence Bureau,SIB, and police divisions across the state, were carried out during raids of several locations in the state.

Some of those arrested, according to eyewitness included women and young children.

But sources at the command said that the raid was reportedly ordered by the state Police Commissioner, Umar Manko, who asked his men to fish out suspected Boko Haram infiltrators into the state.

According to police sources, those arrested were detained at the Police Command’s Headquarters, Ikeja, where they were rigorously interrogated, documented and vetted.

Most of the arrested were later discovered to be Chadians, Nigerierns and Malians who had no proper documentation to stay in the country. ”We are waiting for the CP’s order on what to do with the foreign nationals who do not have any business in Lagos” the source stated.

The National Vice Chairman, Arewa Youth Development Association of Nigerian, Shuaibu Dansudu, who was at the Command headquarters, to secure the release of some Hausa residents of

Oke-Odo Market, IleEpo and Oja commended the police for making efforts at ensuring that members of the deadly Boko Haram sect do not infiltrate the state.

Dansudu however, asked the Federal Government to do all it can to ensure that the sect’s insurgency was put to an end. ”Government needs to do all it can to ensure peace in all parts of the country even if it requires granting them amnesty.

We cannot continue to live like this,” he pleaded

Meanwhile, residents of Oyegbemi Street, at Ijora 7up area of the state where two Boko Haram suspects were arrested have commended the security agencies for apprehending the suspects.

Oluwa Idowu, a resident whose uncompleted building is situated next to the area where one of the suspects was arrested, urged landlords in the state to properly vet their would-be tenants before letting their apartments to them.

Fayemi blames Nigeria branding failure on eroded values

BY PRINCEWILL EKWUJURU, PEACE ONYEUKWU & JIMOH WILLIAMS

T

HE Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi yesterday took a swipe at rebranding Nigeria project, saying it could be summed up as a failure due to eroded values.

The Governor who was a guest speaker at the 2013 Verdant Zeal lecture series held in Lagos declared that the failure of successive administrations to articulate a strategic national vision made it almost impossible for the country to achieve desired goals in the area of branding.

The event with theme, “Beyond Branding: Building Lasting Values for Nigeria’s Growth”, attracted several brand icons and government functionaries within the country.

On re-branding Nigeria’s image, Fayemi contended that there must be a set of core values and

ideals that guide the nation’s entire socio-political and economic life before re-branding could take effect.

He however noted that institutional transformation that Nigeria needs may not be achieved by just rhetoric statements, but the willingness to restore values to the front burner . He said this willingness would only be achieved by exemplary leadership.

Continuing, he said that the most powerful example of nation-re-branding in Africa is that of South Africa which within the short span of a decade moved from being known in international circles as a racist enclave ruled by white supremacists to a multiracial democracy.

Expatiating on the example, he said that “South Africa moved from being a pariah apartheid state to the “ rainbow nation.” This profound change involved changes not just in the country’s totems such as its national flag but also a recalibration of South Africa’s institutional settings to more adequately reflect her aspirations as a land

VP’s convoy in fatal accident

T

WO Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, supporters died in an accident yesterday while on their way to receive the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo at the Kaduna Airport.

The accident happened at about 5.30pm when a bus carrying them was involved in an accident

L-R: Moderator/Former Managing Director, Samsung West Africa, Mr. Idonreyen Enang; Chief Host and Group MD, Verdant Zeal Ltd, Mr. Tunji Olugbodi; Guest Lecturer and Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; Chairman of the Event, Mr. Bola Akingbade; and Keynote Speaker, Mr. Udeme Ufot, during the Verdant Zeal Lecture Series, tagged “Beyond Branding: Building Lasting Values for Nigeria’s Growth" in Lagos friday Pix: Biodun Ogunleye

along Kaduna Airport Road, about 15 kilometres East of Kaduna town.

Sambo had arrived Kaduna ahead of today’s reconciliation meeting of the Northwest zone of the PDP. Four of the supporters were also critically injured and were rushed to the 44 Army referral Hospital, K a d u n a .

The Senior Special As-

sistant to the VP on Media,Alhaji. Umar Sani described the incident as unfortunate, saying, “The supporters had come to receive the Vice President at the Airport. When we left the Airport, the bus carrying some of the supporters was driving very roughly and then the accident.”

of many races, colours and creeds woven together in democratic freedom. It put in place measures and institutions to guarantee a smooth transition and also to ensure that the bitter memories of apartheid would not lead to a racial civil war as many pundits widely expected.

“Instead, having swiftly ended apartheid, and elected Nelson Mandela, the world’s best known political prisoner as president; South Africa set about righting historical wrongs with the establishment of a Truth Commission. Within a few years, she had hosted the Rugby World Cup and the African Cup of Nations football tournament. In 2010, she became the first ever African country to host the FIFA world cup.

Today, she is Africa’s largest economy.”

He went further to say that the architecture of a national brand connects values, service-delivery, quality control, ideals and standard operating procedures, in a seamless garment of national identity, whilst saying that national identity is both implicit and explicit in the rhetoric and conduct of the national elites.

He however noted that the former Minister of Information Professor Dora Akunyili, made an effort in trying to give Nigeria a new image, but despite the intentions, the campaign was not only dismissed by most Nigerians,but invariable failed to gain attraction.

Further, he noted that the attempts at branding and re-branding Nigeria failed

because most Nigerians expressed the position that the problem was with the brand and not with the branding process.

“The reason why nations continue to shape and reshape their identities is because their reality changes and they need to project this real change symbolically to all the audiences, internal and external, with whom they relate.” he observed.

Finally, he said that branding is not about crafting propaganda or marketing illusions. “It is fundamentally about our

ethos, our character as a people, how we want to organize our society and how we want to be perceived in the world.”

Speaking in the same line with the Governor, Mr Udeme Ufot, Managing Director of SO&u Saatchi Saatchi, said that Nigeria requires branding to play in the comity of nations.

According to him, “ we need values and leadership to drive the banding process but it’s the leadership prowess which will invariably impact on the society”.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013 — 9

Female Journalist, nursing mother kidnapped by gunmen in Ondo

BY DAYO JOHNSON, Akure

A

nursing mother and broadcaster with the Nigerian Television Authority NTA in Akure, Ondo State, Mrs Olubunmi Oke has been kidnapped by four gunmen late on Thursday.

But her baby and house help who were in the car with her were asked by the gunmen to disembark from the car before they drove away in her car to an unknown destination.

Report had it that her car, an ash colour Toyota Corolla car which the gunmen used to abduct her has been recovered at Igbara-Oke area of the state.

This was sequel to the quick intervention of the state Police authority which deployed detectives across the nooks and crannies of the state to smoke out the kidnappers.

The state governor Dr Olusegun Mimiko according to report has asked the security opera-

tives in the state to ensure the release of the female journalist.

Bunmi according to investigation, was heading for her house located at Oba Ile after casting the 7.30pm news at the Oke Isinkan television station when the gunmen double crossed her car in front of a popular hotel in Akure at about 930pm.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that her abductors trailed her from her office before carrying out the act.

The house help who carried the baby was later noticed standing by the road side by a good samaritian who volunteered to take her to the house.

Police were immediatly informed by the victim’s husband.

Meanwhile, the State Chairman of the Ondo NUJ, Mr. Akin Owanikin condemned the act and appealed to the security agents to assist in securing the release of one of his members.

Owanikin said, “there is little I can say other than

appeal to the security agencies in the state to help us in securing her release and I will also urge the government at all levels to ensure security of lives and properties of the citizens “ Her colleagues at the NTA in Akure expressed concern and fear over the safety of Journalists in the state.

They appealed to the security agencies in the state to help in ensuring the release of the female broadcaster.

The state police image maker Wole Ogodo could not be reached on his mobile phone as at the time of going to press.

Kano blast: It was a brief life in hell — Hamisu Usman

BY ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD, Kano

S

URVIVORS of last Monday Motor park

Stop dis tracting W or ks Minis distracting Wor orks Ministter er,, Edo govt officials urged

E

DO State Government has been called upon to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Works to bring about good governance and dividends of democracy to the people instead of involving in needless conflicts.

This advice was made known to newsmen yesterday by the National Coordinator of Infrastructure Monitors International, Barrister JohnBull Adaghe in Benin City, when the group made reference to the bickering going on over who is constructing the popular Five Junction along BeninOre-Shagamu road in Edo State.

According to Barrister Adaghe, ‘the popular Dawson road is part of Benin-Ore-Shagamu federal road and we know that the Federal Government is reconstructing the road which passes through Iyaro, Five Junction,Uselu and Ugbowo road. There is no doubt about that.’

‘We also know that the

Edo State Government is constructing the drainage and doing some beautification work in some drainages along this road.It is not enough for the aides of Governor Adams Oshiomhole to be attacking the Honourable Minister of Works in the pages of newspapers just because the State Government caused the contractor to create a small Roundabout on the Federal road at Five Junction as if they do not have other works to do.’

‘They should focus on other issues and stop distracting the Honorable Minister and the Governor so that the works can continue. Edo people are not interested in these eye-services but development. Now that Federal Government is bringing road development to the state, they should encourage it so that more works will follow.’

‘We know that the Federal Government is rehabilitating the entire road through Dawson road, Five Junction up till Ofo-

From right, Special Adviser to Governor Aregbesola on Water Resources, Engineer Tawakalitu Williams; General Manager, Osun Water Corporation, Mr Gbenga Awojuyigbe and Deputy General Manager, Administration and Supply, Prince Oyedeji Daramola, during the Year 2013 World Water Day Press Conference, at Governor’s Office, Osogbo the State of Osun yesterday.

su and Ore, which is the reason why the people can now comfortably travel by road to Lagos unlike the days when the road was highly deplorable and impassable.’

‘We want to again commend the Federal Government and Arc. Mike Onolememen over the dualization of the BeninLokoja road which is long overdue, the construction of two bridges in Ekperi and construction of the

bombing in Kano have continued to recount their ordeal from their hospital beds.

Hamisu Musa, a middle aged man from Kano State lived and worked under an Igbo man he identified as “Oga Emma” and was in Kano two days earlier to honour an official meeting with his boss concerning the business in the garden city.

Hamisu Usman, having two wives and six children was due to travel that fateful day on Kano –Port Harcourt bound luxury bus having concluded the business that brought him to Kano.

The middle age apprentice told Saturday Vanguard: “I was mentally prepared for the journey and was right inside the motor park waiting anxiously to be checked in when all of a sudden a

deafening sound of a blast sent me sprawling on the ground.

Usman added, “I was enveloped by fire and was looking for help from those who unfortunately shared in that tragedy but it was a day every body who found themselves within the zone of hell was on their own.

All you could hear was wailing that did little to assist our plight as the fire raged and ravaged the human souls whose fault was going to a Government designated motor park to access public transport .

In tears, Hamisu Usman who suffered second degree burn within the upper region of his body declared that “it was a temporary life in hell and this has certainly reinforced my belief in only one God and thereafter”

Hamisu Usman showing steady recovery from his sick bed explained that, “it still remain a mystery to me how I survived the inferno, for I had gave up life when suddenly I woke upinto the hands of caring medical personnel who assured me that I am back from the land of the dead” The middle age apprentice commended those who conducted the rescue operation for a wonderful job, adding that “Allah used them to save lives of those who still have days ahead in this sinful world”.

Of course Hamisu was not alone in the temporary life at the hell, another lucky survivor, Malam Muhammad Sani, a 51 years old man whose nose was ripped opened by the blast still lie critically ill in his hospital bed.

Ndokwa community makes case against marginalisation

BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

T

HE Ndokwa people in Delta North Senatorial District of oil-rich Delta State have protested the alleged marginalization of the people in all spheres of human endeavours in the country and have taken their protest to the office of the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta, Mr.

Kingsley Kuku. The people under the umbrella Ndokwa National Union, NNU, last week went to Abuja to seek assistance of the office of the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta, Mr. Kingsley Kuku who also doubles as the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Amnesty.

Led by their PresidentGeneral, Pharmacist Paul O. Enebeli, the people, in

a manner that provoked emotions reeled out their disappointments in the successive governments of the federal Republic of Nigeria which they said neglected them.

“We have Oil and Gas in quantum and we make enormous contributions to the socio- economic development of Nigeria yet Ndokwa people are heavily marginalized in all spheres of human endeavours in the country.

Our people are industrious, humble, peace loving, supportive and respectful to every government. We have lived peacefully with our neighbours over the years and serve as a buffer in the geo-political alignment in Delta state. Regrettably, our humble disposition and insistence on peaceful co-existence and rational solutions to issues are apparently being misconstrued as sign of cowardice,” Enebeli started.

10—SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013

Alamieyeseigha:

The lure of sin and the politics of forgiveness

By CHIOMA GABRIEL ‘To err is human, to forgive divine’

T

he last is yet to be heard on the presidential pardon granted some Nigerians for sins committed in past years. Since the National Council of States , presided over by President Jonathan, March 12 granted state pardon to some prominent Nigerians, including the former Bayelsa governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha , sleep has eluded Nigerians. The deluge of criticisms were coming from all over the world. Nigeria is on the spot and the populace is crying foul.

But are the people questioning the privilege of the president whom they have given their mandate at the polls?

Constitutionally, the president has powers to grant state pardon to individuals who betrayed the destiny of the nation.

All over the world, pardons are granted when individuals who committed crimes have demonstrated that they have fulfilled their debt to society, or are otherwise considered to be deserving. Pardons are sometimes offered to persons who are wrongfully convicted or who claim they have been wrongfully convicted.

In the United States, a common reason used in granting pardons is to mitigate disproportionate sentencing, especially between participants in the same criminal act or those convicted in the same jurisdiction. Some US governors are against using pardons in this manner because they believe it usurps the discretion of the sentencing judge.

Pardon is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves. Commutation or remission is the lessening of a penalty without forgiveness for the crime; the beneficiary is still considered guilty of the offence and it is the prerogative of a country's president.

But in the case of Alamieyeseigha according to respected lawyer, Femi Falana,SAN, “ while some of the persons involved in the exercise may be deserving of pardon, it is pertinent to point out, without any fear of contradiction, that the Council of State lacks the power to grant pardon to any person convicted of a criminal offence in

Nigeria. Being an advisory body the Council of State cannot usurp the powers of the President to exercise the prerogative of mercy on convicted persons. To that extent, the decision of the Council of States to pardon certain members of the ruling class is illegal and unconstitutional.”

Section 175 of the Constitution empowers the president to: • grant any person concerned with or convicted of any offence created by an Act of the National Assembly a pardon, either free or subject to lawful

Constitutionally, the president has powers to grant state pardon to individuals who betrayed the destiny of the nation. But everything seems wrong with this state pardon.It is perceived as one state pardon gone too far! conditions; • grant to any person a respite, either for an indefinite or for a specified period, of the execution of any punishment imposed on that person for such an offence.

•Substitute a less severe form of punishment for any punishment imposed on that person for such an offence; or • Remit the whole or any part of any punishment imposed on that person

Diepreye Alamieyeseigha...got a state pardon

for such an offence or of any penalty or forfeiture otherwise due to the State on account of such an offence.

•The powers of the President under subsection(1) of this section shall be exercised by him after consultation with the Council of State.

•The President, acting in accordance with the advice of the Council of State may exercise his powers under subsection(1) of this section in relation to persons concerned with offences against the army, naval or air force law or convicted or sentenced by a court martial.

Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was arrested in London in 2005 over alleged money laundering . At the time of his arrest, British Metropolitan police found about £1m in cash in his London home. Later they found a total of £1.8m ($3.2m) in cash and bank accounts. He was also found to own real estate in London worth an alleged £10 million. His state’s monthly federal allocation for the six years was in the order of £32 million but he jumped bail in December 2005 from the United

Kingdom by allegedly disguising himself as a woman.

Back home in Nigeria on July 26, 2007, Alamieyeseigha pleaded guilty before a Nigerian court to six charges of corrupt enrichment levelled against him and was sentenced to two years in prison on each charge but because the sentences were set to run concurrently and the time was counted from the point of his arrest two years before the sentences, his actual sentence was relatively short. Many of his assets were ordered to be forfeited to the Bayelsa state government. But the former governor said he only pleaded guilty due to his age and would have fought the charges had he been younger.

On July 27, 2007, just hours after being taken to prison, he was released due to time already served.

In December 2009, the Federal Government hired a British law firm to help dispose of four expensive properties acquired by Alamieyeseigha in London. The former governor had

Continues on page 11

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013—11

Alamieyeseigha: Continues from page 10 bought one of these properties for £1,750,000.00 in July 2003, paying in cash and had used same as his London residence, and as the registered office of Solomon and Peters Inc. On June 28, 2012, the United States (US) Department of Justice (DoJ) reportedly, announced that it had executed an asset forfeiture order on $401,931 in a Massachusetts brokerage fund, traceable to Alamieyeseigha.

US prosecutors filed court papers in April 2011 targeting the Massachusetts brokerage fund and a $600,000 Maryland home, which they alleged were the proceeds of corruption. A motion for default judgement and civil forfeiture was granted by a Massachusetts federal district judge in early June 2012.

The outrage over the presidential pardon granted the former Bayelsa governors stemmed from the fact that the act of pardon rubbished the anticorruption posture of the Federal Governrnent.

According to records, over $500 billion (N75 trillion) had been lost to corruption in Nigeria since 1960 . This was the submission of former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi during a one-day national discourse on corruption held in Minna, Niger State, on Thursday 14th March, 2013.

He also attributed the rising insecurity in some parts of the north, the militancy in the South- South and the kidnapping for ransom in the South-East to the high level of corruption that has rocked the nation for many years.

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, equally estimated that Nigeria lost some US $380 billion to corruption between independence in 1960 and the end of military rule in 1999.

Ribadu explained he had come up with his figure of $380bn stolen or wasted since independence “easily” through records kept by the Nigerian central bank and the Ministry of Finance.

Alamieyeseigha’s controversial pardon has sparked a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United States, with the Americans threatening to punish Nigeria over the action.

Nigeria has in turn accused the United States of interfering in her affairs.

Through its official twitter handle @USEmbassyAbuja penultimate Friday, the US had condemned the President’s action, saying, “the USG (United States Government) is deeply disappointed over the recent pardons of corrupt officials by GON (Gov-

ernment of Nigeria),” adding, “we see this as a setback in the fight against corruption.”

Obviously, the American government is not taking the matter lightly and might apply sanction as appropriate.

Alamieyeseigha

Alamieyeseigha’s controversial pardon has sparked a diplomatic row between Nigeria and the United States, with the Americans threatening to punish Nigeria over the action The U.S. is the world’s top donor. In 2012, it spent about $226 mil-

lion on health and governance programmes in Nigeria. And about $600million has been requested for 2013, according to U.S. government data.

However, it must be noted that the US is not a stranger to presidential

pardons. Approximately 20,000 pardons and clemencies were issued by U.S. presidents in the 20th century alone. George Washington pardoned, commuted or rescinded the convictions of 16 people during his term.

Democratic President John F. Kennedy pardoned, commuted or rescinded the convictions of 575 people and Jimmy Carter pardoned, commuted or rescinded the convictions of 566 people.

Republican President Ronald Reagan pardoned, commuted or rescinded the convictions of 406 people during his term while his successor, Republican President George H. W. Bush pardoned, commuted or rescinded the convictions of 77 people .

In the years of Democratic President William J. Clinton, he pardoned, commuted or rescinded the convictions of 459 people .

So far, Democratic President Barack Obama has pardoned 16 people.

In the United Kingdom where Alamieyeseigha’s was arrested in 2005, the power to grant pardons and reprieves is known as the Royal prerogative of mercy. It was traditionally in the absolute power of the monarch to pardon an individual for a crime, whether

or not he had been convicted, and thereby commute any penalty; the power was then dele-

gated both to the judiciary and the Sovereign’s ministers.

Since the creation of legal rights of appeal, the Royal prerogative of mercy is no longer being exercised by the person of the sovereign, or by the judiciary, but only by the Government.

Alamieyeseigha had succumbed to the lure of sin and got a state pardon but there is a heavy political undertone underlining this pardon. Facts exist that proved that Nigerian leaders granted state pardon in the past had always indicated interest in one political office or the other soon after. An outstanding case was ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo who, after being pardoned

by Abdulsalami Abubakar’s government, forged ahead to contest and win elections and ruled Nigeria for eight years.

With the restoration of his fundamental and civic rights,one should not be surprised to find DSP Alamieyeseigha’s campaign banners on the streets very soon or given a political appointment.

Indeed, his pardon was perceived to be hasty and suspicious and could be for anything but the interest of the nation and the entire world .

12—SATURDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013

Alamieyeseigha:

BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

P

resident Goodluck Jonathan is facing scathing criticism from a cross section of the Nigerian people which seemed unabated, over a presidential pardon granted to impeached former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha, convicted for money laundering and corrupt enrichment.

Former Managing Director, Bank of the North, Mr. Shettima Bulama, also convicted of fraud, are the duo in the list of VIP ex-convicts whose pardon vis-a-vis the fight against corruption caused intense public outrage.

The target of the presidential pardon was Chief Alamieyeseigha, erstwhile boss of President Jonathan who was Bayelsa Deputy Governor before Alamieyeseigha was impeached and later convicted for financial crimes, paving way for him to become Governor, then picked as running mate of late President Umaru Yar’Adua in the 2007 presidential vote. As fate would have it, President Yar’Adua died of a terminal illness shrouded in utmost secrecy while in office and Goodluck Jonathan emerged president to finish Yar’Adua’s term, fielded by the PDP in 2011 presidential election and won convicingly.

So it was pay back time for President Jonathan to reward Alamieyeseigha (Governor-General fo the Ijaw Nation) with a presidential pardon to a political benefactor.

Others who got the pardon announced after the council of state meeting presided over by President Jonathan with some former heads of state, ex-presidents, retired Chief Justices of the federation and others in attendance, were: Late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, one-time Chief of General Staff during the dreadful military regime of General Sani Abacha, late Major-General Abdulkareem Adisa, former Minister of Works in the Abacha administration, Rtd. Major Bello Magaji, Rtd. Major Segun Fadipe, Mohammed Lima Biu. These persons mainly implicated in an alleged coup to topple Gen Abacha, their conviction was seen as political to get rid of those perceived as opponents or enemies of the ruling junta, were probably used as cover to grant pardon to Alamieyeseigha.

His inclusion on the list was Jonathan’s master stroke to reconstruct the political life of his mentor and reintroduce him back not only into Bayelsa politics, but also to national political relevance after a highly disgraceful, shameful and criminal antecedent.

There is no gainsaying that the president was exercising the prerogative of mercy granted him in the relevant provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In a statement by the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, he affirmed that the pardon was granted within the law.

“The PDP did not see President Jonathan committing any breach of our laws by granting the amnesty. He allowed the constitution to guide his steps. Moreover, he consulted widely before taking the step and don’t forget C M Y K

President Goodluck Jonathan....granted pardon to Alamieyeseigha

Unpardonable pardon that the government announced the amnesty after a council meeting. We should stop harrassing him because...”

Alamieyeseigha became Bayelsa governor in 1999 during the return to democratic dispensation after a long military rule and got re-elected in 2003 for a second term.

Trouble started for him in 2001 over allegation of N50 billion fraud. He was alleged by a former speaker of Bayelsa House of Assembly to have looted the state’s funds by using his companies to transfer some of the loot to his foreign accounts.

At that time, it was not ascertained the exact amount Bayelsa State received from the derivation fund, allocations from the Federal Government or Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Later petition was written against him in which he was accused of approving contracts and payments to eight fictious companies without following due financial regulations. Some of the contracts were said to be non-existent while the beneficiary companies were fake.

Under his administration, the Bayelsa State Tenders Board was alleged to be issuing contracts to fake companies.

He was alleged to have acquired landed property with ill-gotten wealth make from the deals.

His action conflicted with a secton (19) of the corrupt practices and other Related Offences Act (2000).

It is totally unacceptable that those who committed economic crimes in such magnitude that affected public interest be granted state pardon An investigation thoroughly conducted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) indicted the governor.

The investigation was completed in January 2003 with report written and submitted accordingly.

While in Britain sometime in 2005, he was arrested for money laundering as the London metropolitan police found one million pounds cash in his London house. He escaped from detention by allegedly disguising as a woman in December 2005 and returned to Nigeria. He was subsequently impeached on December 9, 2005 by the Bayelsa State

of Assembly and arrested immediately after by operatives of EFCC to face trial on charges bordering on money laundering and corrupt enrichment. He was sentenced to 12 years in imprisonment in July 2007 by a federal high court in Lagos for corrupt practices.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), reacting to the state pardon, in a statement titled, “Withdraw state pardon in National interest,” flayed FG’s decision to grant pardon to Alamieyeseigha convicted for stealing public funds when he was the governor of Bayelsa State and Shetima Bulama, former MD, Bank of the North convicted for misappropriating the bank’s funds.

“It is totally unacceptable that those who committed economic crimes in such magnitude that affected public interest be granted state pardon.

We still wonder the message the national council of state is sending to Nigerians if at the height of unprecedented corruption in the country, those who have been prosecuted and jailed for stealing public money are granted state pardon. The congress funds it incongrous the state pardon granted to Alamieyeseigha and Bulama,” the NLC bemoaned.

While calling on the National Assembly to begin the process for Jonathan’s impeachment over the controversial state pardon to Alamieyeseigha, Congress for Progressive Change CPC, described it as “pardon for brazen criminality.”

By this action, the CPC asked if the Jonathan government is not festering the cankerworm of corruption and implicity encouraging the succeeding generation on imbibing that culture.

Several Civil Society Organisations have condemned the pardon to Alamieyeseigha and wanted the decision reversed to enable the fight against corruption and graft to be seen to be on course and get world support, confidence and assistance.

On its own part, the United States of America has denounced the pardon, calling it a setback to the fight against graft in the country.

The US is likely to cut aid amounting to billions of naira to Nigeria.

Its embassy in Nigeria said it was deeply disappointed over the pardon to a convicted looter of public funds.

There are indications from US sources that President Obama’s likely visit to Nigeria may be shelved as a result of the pardon even as this country has been excluded from a planned summit between President Barack Obama and some African leaders on how to strengthen democratic institutions in the continent.

Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka joined the bandwagon of Nigerians who are condemning the pardon granted to Alamieyeseigha while speaking at a press conference recently in Lagos.

His words: "The pardon given to a notorious felon who is still a wanted man in the United Kingdom on certain charges. He jumped bail and this is not a credit to you and me.

It is not a question of the money laundering and corruption, but for the fact that an officer of the law, which a governor is in this country went to another country and broke the laws of that nation, I believe that such a person should stay quiet and not bring himself into prominence or be brought into prominence as being representative of what is pardonable in the society.”

SATURDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013—13

Alamieyeseigha:

Maduekwu

Nweze

Odumakin

Okoye

What Nigerians say about Alamieyeseigha's pardon

BY MOSES NOSIKE, ANOZIE EGOLE & OLAYINKA AJAYI

Let’s be patient and see what comes out of this pardon — Austin Nweze

Dr. Austin Nweze is a lecturer in Lagos Business School. On the state pardon granted to former Bayelsa state Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Dr. Nweze has this to say: I have always said that politics is irrational. In fact, politics is as irrational as a young girl in love for the very first time. The Presidential pardon granted Alamieyeseigha might seem irrational, but some good can still come out of it.

We all know the relationship between the President and his former boss. To the ordinary eye, this is a pay back period for the man who picked Mr President out of nowhere to become what and who he is today.

This is beside the point. What if this man actually has repented of his former sins and turned a new leaf? What if God has forgiven him, who are we to still hold him bound? If he has truly repented of his sins, is he required to make restitution? And to whom? We have to understand that Alamieyeseigha has clandestinely been working for Mr President in the political front.

I don’t want to join issues with the American government concerning the pardon. The issue is whether the pardon will do Nigeria, Bayelsa state, and the President good. I choose to look at the positive side of the implication of the pardon. The President did not take the decision alone without wide consultations with the council of state which comprised of the former heads of state.

Why didn’t these statesmen advice him otherwise. If they did, they should speak up now and let Nigerians know the role they played in the pardon.

It is also possible that Mr President has found that his former boss is still relevant and the only way to make him useful to the nation is to first remove the yoke on his neck. Though the case of Obasanjo was not the same, but when the military wanted to use Obasanjo they had to first grant him state pardon. The question is, if the President did not grant Alamieyeseigha presidential pardon who will? Somebody has to do it so that the man can contribute positively to rebuilding Nigeria he helped to destroy in the past.

C M Y K

Alamieyeseigha could turn out to be a tragic hero in a way. We should never write anybody off, especially when God has not written him or her off.

Obasanjo was presumed to have been jailed illegally by the former military junta, Abacha and his cohorts, and he was granted state pardon. If that was the case with Alamieyeseigha, then this President has the right to do like wise.

But I don’t think that is really the issue here. Let us also not forget the prerogative of mercy. Afterall we have heard cases of former armed robbers who turned away from life of crime and today are Pastors and serving God. If we must crucify Alamieyeseigha, he should not be crucified alone. There are so many Alamieyeseighas still in the government today and outside the government doing worse things than he is being accused of doing and being celebrated by his kith and kin. The hocus pocus of the matter is that Nigerians should be patient and watch what comes out of this pardon. Time will tell if the pardon is the right thing or not.

My advice to Alamieyeseigha is that he should not take lightly the criticisms trailing this presidential pardon granted him and prove doubters wrong by being a good citizen from now on, and do whatever is within his power to right the wrong. If he misuses this opportunity, then let posterity judge him and punish him accordingly.

President Jonathan didn’t com-

The legal implication of Mr. Diepreye S.P. Alamieyeseigha’s pardon is that his conviction still stands notwithstanding that the presidential pardon is an act of grace

mit offence for pardoning Alams —Barr. Okoye

Barrister Chike Okoye is experienced and versatile in the law profession. On the pardon granted to former Bayelsa state Governor, Alams, which is raising dust in the country and outside, Okoye in his reaction said, “I fail to see anything wrong with President Jonathan’s exercise of his Constitutionally-provided prerogative of mercy in view of the express wordings of section 175(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).Since he exercised that power after consultation with the Council of State, he has acted within the ambits of his lawful powers and even the courts of law are not competent to question the wisdom of that choice. After all, the Constitution did not prescribe further conditions for the exercise of that right beyond the consultation.

The legal implication of Mr. Diepreye S.P. Alamieyeseigha’s pardon is that his conviction still stands notwithstanding that the presidential pardon is an act of grace. He’s still an ex-convict except that from the date he is pardoned, his erstwhile forfeited rights and privileges are restored. He is just like a bornagain Christian who cannot claim original sinlessness.

As for whether it augurs well for Nigeria, I will say that it is a moral burden which President Jonathan alone bears. I believe the pardon is deserving considering the man’s contrite posture since his fall from grace which sharply contrasts with Chief Bode George who wears his own badge of conviction proudly and nearly ubiquitously. Alams remained contrite and out of public view.

USA’s meddlesomeness is a masked attack on Nigeria’s sovereignty and is unfortunate. If DSP Alamieyeseigha thought that his impeachment as the Governor of Bayelsa was illegal, he should initially have exercised Rasheed Ladoja’s option of reversing it with the help of the law courts. I think he was rightly convicted of sundry criminal offences. Was Obasanjo not pardoned too,after all? Jonathan committed no offence.

His impeachment, sentence, against rule of law — Maduekwu, lawyer, ex-Senatorial aspir-

Maxwell ant

I have personal knowledge of the circumstances surrounding that impeachment which was procured arbitrarily because I interviewed him three days before his impeachment in the company of some journalist at the Governor’s Lodge Yenagoa. There were heavily armed and fierce looking soldiers all over the Governor ’s Lodge that day deployed to arrest him once he is impeached. This is an unlawful use of the military against a duly elected Governor of a State in a nation that pretends to be a federation!

That impeachment was obtained with excessive force and threat of imprisonment against the legislators who were all arrested and taken to Abuja where they were ordered to impeach the Governor or they will be sent to jail. This kind of behaviour undermines the rule of Law, due process and the doctrine of separation of powers. It will not be tolerated in some of the countries now making noise about the pardon.

A lot of noise has been made about the patent lie that Alams jumped bail in the UK and fled to Nigeria dressed like a woman. The truth is that Alams was asked to leave the UK by the appropriate authorities who did not want to get entangled in the Niger Delta conflict.

When Alams was impeached, his traducers took him to immigration office at midnight to get a new Nigerian international Passport for him and thereafter whisked him to the British High Commission for a visa which was promptly refused by the High Commission. If the UK Government was interested in having the man back in the UK, Alams would have been flown to the UK without even a passport. Nigeria had done such things with the USA when America was picking drug barons off the streets of Lagos. It is called “ Extraordinary Rendition”.

14—SATURDAY

Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013

Alamieyeseigha: It is right but it’s Jonathan or South East in 2015—Ex gov Ezeife

BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

M

any have seen the recent Presidential pardon granted to former governor Alamieyeseigha and a few others as one of the contradictions in the country’s fight against corruption. While Nigerians convicted of fraud are receiving long jail terms, those on the highest echelon of power and their associates are getting presidential pardon. Anger has continued to pour over the pardon and the polity is incensed by widespread indignation over the decision.

Of the seven Nigerians granted pardon, three of them have been particularly controversial. Again, among the three, the most talked about is that of ex-Governor D.S.P. Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa state, who jumped bail in the UK in 2005 on money laundering charges but was later tried and convicted in Nigeria by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Mr Alamieyeseigha is still wanted abroad. The second is that of Major Bello Magaji, who was convicted in 1996 for sodomizing little children, while the third controversial pardon is that given to Mustapha Bulama, former Managing Director of the Bank of the North, who converted customers’ deposits into personal funds, crashing what was once Nigeria’s biggest bank.

Those who shared their views with Saturday Vanguard said it is disingenuous of the Jonathan's administration to grant state pardon on Alamieyeseigha bearing in mind the administration’s much talked-about fight against corruption as it lessens the moral grounds in the crusade.

Former governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and a chieftain of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, said although nobody is questioning the right of the President to give pardon but maintained that whether it is technically right for a nation that is fighting against corruption becomes the issue.

“The president has not won any major war against corruption, this action therefore, sends the wrong message".

He opined that nobody should be under any delusion that there is any war against corruption by this administration. “There is no war against corruption that anybody can see. People were before now skeptical about what the government is doing, now they will not believe government any more especially about fighting corruption again.”

But former governor of Anambra State, Chief Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife in his own view stated the action is in order in as much as the Presdient is trying to right the wrong of the past. He explained: “You don’t fight corruption with injustice. What I have heard about the pardon must be a minority view.

“When Alamieyeseigha was a

zEzeife

The manner at which he was accused, how many of his co-governors were accused in that manner even when they are more guilty of the same offence in the eyes of the people. governor, there were accusations against him, he was impeached without following due process. The House of Assembly that impeached him did not even form a quorum not to talk about the required majority for impeachment. He was bundled out of office in a criminal circumstance. So, if the pardon is to obliterate the illegality of his imprisonment, of course I support it.

“How many of his co-governors were accused in that manner even when they were more guilty of the same offence in the eyes of the people? I don’t know the locus standi that gave Americans a say in this matter.

“No time is not suitable to right a wrong. People see this issue from different perspective. No doubt, we have corruption everywhere in Nigeria.

My opinion is that when you are afraid of corruption, you must do justice. You can’t fight corruption with injustice. You know my life is in public domain and my view about corruption is clear. The

zOyegun president should lead the campaign in a ‘do-as-I-do’ manner and other executives will follow.”

On the United states reaction against the pardon, the former governor said: “How much does the US know about the impeachment of the former governor or the circumstances of his impeachment? The laws and procedures were all subverted and he is being pardoned on the basis of this not of any other offence.”

On how this decision will affect the chances of the ruling party in the next election, he disclosed that before the next primary election, the stakeholders will meet with Jonathan and see if he can win, and if he can’t win, we will ask him to support us. The election is going to be for Jonathan or South East.

Also reacting to the development, EnoughisEnough Nigeria group, a coalition of individuals and youth-led organizations committed to instituting a culture of good governance and public accountability in Nigeria through advocacy, activism and the mobilization of the youth population as responsible citizens called on the United States, Emirate embassies to place visa embargo on Alamieyeseigha and all Nigerians convicted of looting state funds and their family members.

The group asked that the pardon for Alamieyeseigha, Bulama & Magaji be rescinded arguing that the action will set the fight against corruption back at least a decade.

While also calling on the international community to use all possible sanctions and penalties to convey their strongest disapproval of the pardon, it warned Nigerians against chosing those who abuse political offices as leaders especially as the 2015 election draws nearer.

The group stated: “While we accept that Nigeria’s history has some other controversial pardons, and that the President’s action is legal, we must point out the odious message sent out by these pardons in the fight against corruption, and in the fight to institutionalise the Child’s Rights Act in our country. These pardons do nothing for

zAdamolekun the President’s stated fight against corruption and his repeated commitment to the rule of law. This action takes us steps back in the country’s fight against corruption as it sends a strong message in support of state-sanctioned looting of public funds and abuse of power.”

Reacting to Bamanga Tukur's response few days back,the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party through its Executive Director, Yemi Adamolekun said: “If consistently pillaging the resources of a state over the course of six years is considered ‘a slip’, what signal does that send to our current Governors and other elected officials?”

Adamolekun maintained that Alamieyeseigha has never apologised publicly for his crime.

Rather, the former governor continued to maintain that he was set-up by former President Obasanjo, and former EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, as a result of his opposition to Obasanjo’s third term bid. “Therefore, we wonder where and when Alamieyeseigha demonstrated that his behaviour was ‘a slip’ as stated by Alhaji Tukur.” The group added that by Tukur’s reasoning, elected officials could look forward to a cycle of impunity such as “Loot State funds; Forfeit some loot and keep the rest; Get a prison term (or not); Get a Presidential Pardon; Run for office and then again loot State funds.

“How can the welfare of the people which is the primary purpose of government be served if individuals elected to represent and serve the people are allowed to steal funds allocated to the people and be pardoned for it? The same Constitution also requires elected officials to declare their assets before assumption of office. Something Mr President himself said on national TV last year that he “doesn’t give a damn” about. This pardon is yet another example of selective compliance with the law by the holder of the highest office in the land and this sets a very bad example.”

C M Y K

SATURDAY

O

n the day that Saudi Arabia announced the beheading of seven men for stealing, Nigeria announced a presidential pardon that included two people who were convicted for stealing.

‘Different strokes for different folks’ you say, and if you are a typical Nigerian, you shrug your shoulders, and move on to the pressing issues of personal survival. Yes, it might be different strokes, but before you shrug your shoulder and move on, maybe you should pause awhile and consider the implications of what your country has just done. Has she indirectly endorsed something here that all of us should impugn?

While I do not support beheading anybody for any reason whatsoever, we should not, by our actions, be seen to condone the very crime that has brought us nothing but odium and shame in international circles.

I

t struck me later, that my first reaction to the news of a presidential pardon for Alamieyeseigha aka Alams, was not of shock.

It was not even of surprise. It just made me sad; very sad. Sad at the depth we are willing to descend in order to play our dirty political games; because part of the defence for the

C M Y K

Beyond the Presidential pardon pardon was that the conviction itself was a political one. I concede to that only in the sense that Alams was not the only Governor at that time who had taken from the treasury. General Obasanjo, the man who hounded Alams must have known that. Just as he must have known that people in his cabinet also played with the till.

Therefore, only he can tell why he was so ferocious against Alams.

T

his not withstanding, the fact remains the fact which is that Alams confessed to larceny. It is sad enough that he did not spend time in kirikiri for contributing to the sorry plight of the Ijaw people.

It is unpardonable that he would receive a presidential pardon so soon. What this means is that he could become a senator or even the President of Nigeria tomorrow.

You might argue that the other governors aspiring to similar

positions are not better.

But they are not, as yet, caught. And this pardon, coming at a time when there is so much public outcry against corruption, leaves a bad taste in the mouth. It sends a message out that those who don’t have god fathers (or god sons) are the ones who get punished for theft.

It also means that James Ibori whose circumstance (crime, and conviction etc ) is similar to that of Alams, can get a presidential pardon tomorrow. Ibori might yet rule this ‘anything goes’ country.The news of the pardon of Alams must be a cheery one to Ibori in his new UK home; cheery enough to keep hope and political structures alive.

What is not so cheery however, and what should bother all of us, is the way our leaders continue to use and abuse the enormous power at their disposal. Obasanjo cut corners and put himself above the extant laws of the land in order to bring Alams to justice. The rule of law would have been

slower but would have served the same purpose in the end and the country would have been better for it. He used this enormous power to define what justice and the rule of law should be. We all saw its use in the removal of Ngige in Anambra State, the installation of Olurin in Ekiti State including, but not limited to the events that led to the installation of Jonathan himself in Aso Rock.

H

e had earlier been the victim of this power, this monster, created and nurtured by successive heads of state when Abacha imprisoned him for life for participating in a phantom coup. He might yet become a victim again if his political ‘god son’ decides to put him in his place for talking too much. This monster was unleashed on Babangida, another adroit user of power, to

Vanguard Vanguard,, MARCH 23, 2013—15

silence his presidential bid. It was unleashed on Ribadu when he fell out of favour.

We could go on and on …. Yet no leader has ever learnt that the only way to tame this monster which can easily turn around to devour an erstwhile master, is to subject the Nation to values and the rule of law. With values, strong structures and a rule of law in place, no man would be able to use the machinery of State to hound political enemies or reward political friends. The likes of Alams and Ibori would then not be singled out of many thieving governors for persecution. Alams and Bulama would also not be singled out for

pardon.

It will do our President well to remember that it does not matter if he spends two terms or two and a half terms, he will, like many of us, become an ex-this ex-that sooner than later. This monster, which is getting more ferocious with each occupier of Aso Rock, might still consume him unless it is tamed through a proper separation of power, institution of the rule of law and support of value systems that do not allow one man’s whims to carry the day.

It might reduce his powers as a sitting President; but it could save his life in future.

More importantly, it could make him a truly transformational leader.

16—SATURDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2013

C M Y K

Saturday Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013—17

C M Y K

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2013

He only visits at night Dear Julie, I am in a relationship with a fellow student who likes to visit only late at night, and doesn’t include me with other friends. When we do things, it is always the two of us alone, or with my friends. I don’t particularly like the situation and have tried to ask for some changes, but it feels as if I am fighting an uphill battle. I’m not sure what to do.

Ruby, Lagos

Dear Ruby, While not a blood sucking vampire, it sounds as though your late night visitor is leaving you a little drained. A good starting point might be to figure out what you want from the relationship.

You mention that you have tried to ask for changes. Does it make sense to do a little self-reflection first? What do you want from this relationship? What

is keeping you in this particular relationship? Are looking for more than you are getting? What are the pros and cons to staying in or ending this relationship? Taking some time to examine your own motivation, feelings, and expectations may help you determine what you want.

Once you know what you want, it may be a good idea to think about how to talk about this. How do the two of you communicate now? Could you practice what you want to say ahead of time? When the two of you talk, have you asked directly what your friend does with her/his other friends? Have you asked directly whether or not you can join them? If yes, what has been the response? It may not be realistic for you both to be together all the time, but it sounds like you would appreciate it if the effort to integrate each other into your lives were more mutual.

With every relationship comes the give-and-take communication and

the discussion of when and how to compromise. The reality may be that s/he may be only interested in spending time with you, but not in bringing you into her/his life. S/he may not be ready for or interested in attaining that level of vulnerability and intimacy. If this is the case, you may want to assess whether this is something you both would like to strive for in the future and in what time frame. If your partner is not interested, or if her/his behaviour does not change, then that may be a message, too, as actions often speak louder than words.

It’s up to you to decide whether or not you want to pursue the relationship at the level that it’s at now. Remember, you may have to be the one to take the initiative and you are definitely the only one who knows what will make you happy and fulfilled. Change is an ongoing process, good luck with yours!

I want to stop this office romance Aunty Julie, I interned somewhere two years ago and I think one of my co-workers has developed a crush on me. When I got back to school, he started sending texts or calling every week even though he knows that I have a boyfriend. At first, I enjoyed our conversations, but I’m starting to feel very uneasy about what’s going on. I have to admit, I may not be the innocent one either because I try to make pleasant conversation with him, and I really do like talking to him. I don’t want to lead him on anymore, but at the same time, I don’t want to make him mad because I’ve accepted a position at the company and I will be working with him again.

Iyabo, Ajaokuta Hello Iyabo, This may be a tricky situation indeed. While you enjoy your colleague’s friendship, you’re not sure what meaning he is attaching to his contact with you. In fact, it seems as though your gut is telling you that his contact is about romantic interest. It sounds like you’d like to send a clear message that there is no romantic potential,

while also preserving a collegial relationship that doesn’t make going to work there unbearable or unpleasant for you.

Do you have a sense of what kind of relationship you would like to have with him at this point? You know that you don’t want a romantic relationship, but do you feel like you want to be friends or would you prefer only to be colleagues? Do you want to have contact with him outside of work, or does keeping your interactions limited to the office feel more comfortable? Do you want a more formal and polite office relationship, or would you want to be more casual? If you didn’t have to worry about him misinterpreting your pleasant conversation, what would be your ideal?

Getting clear with yourself about what type of relationship you would like to have will make it easier to be clear with him. You mentioned you may not “be the innocent one either.” Making conversation does not sound overly flirtatious, but if you are worried you are sending mixed-messages, it may make sense to decrease your contact while you are away and see if he backs off at

Suicide lovers • Two lovers plan to commit Suicide. Boy jumped first.

Girl closed her eyes, and returns back, saying ‘love is blind’.

The boy in mid-air opened his parachute, saying, ‘love never dies’. Be wise, love is reasoning.

A rich-man’s son-in-law There was this very rich Ibo man in Nnewi who had only one daughter.

When the daughter was of marriage age, the father sent news around town that all the eligible young men should come out on a particular day to compete in a test which would determine who was fit to marry his daughter. On that set day, all the able-bodied young men came out. Some came with paper and biro and others with cutlasses and swords.

The rich man took them to his swimming pool and addressed the men: “any of you who can swim from one end of this swimming pool to the other would marry my daughter. In addition, I’ll give him 15 million naira, a car and a house so they can start off life well. I shall be waiting to meet my son-in-law at the other side. Good luck!”

As the young men, all very excited at the pros-

all. There are numerous other ways to assert your boundaries, as well. You are in the best position to decide which feels comfortable, but the thing to remember here is that you are not responsible for his reactions. If he gets angry because you have asserted your boundaries, that is valuable information that should be documented .

Try to resist any urge to apologize, since you aren’t doing anything wrong by not

wanting to date him.

Another way to do it is to cite a particular thing he says or does that signals his interest to you. “I’ve noticed that you call me a great deal and I really enjoy talking to you, but I just want to make sure you know that I see you as a friend and I am not looking for anything more than that.”

You could also mention your boyfriend, but your boundaries about not wanting a relationship with him need not

I drink too much Dear Aunty Julie, I have just realized that I am not able to handle alcohol. Whenever I go to a bar or a club, I drink to excess. I do not have any urge to drink.

However, when I am in a club or a bar, the same thing happens: I drink too much! This is making me think that I am an alcoholic. My question is, where can I go for help ? Thanks.

Akpos,Warri Dear Akpos, It’s good that you’ve taken time to think about your drinking, but before you diagnose yourself as an alcoholic, it might be helpful to think through these .Someone abusing a substance uses alcohol or other drugs in ways that threaten his health and well-being and compromises his ability to function in social, family, and work

C O C K - T A L E S pect of winning, started taking off their shirts, a helicopter came over the pool and dropped snakes and crocodiles into the pool. Immediately all the men turned back and started wearing their shirts again.

Dissapointed, some of them said “make de man go marry im pikin jo!”. All of a sudden, they heard a splash in the pool. Everybody watched in amazement as one gentleman struggled his way across, avoiding the snakes and crocodiles. Finally, he made it to the other side as the would-be in-law, panting. The rich man, could not believe it. He asked the man to name anything he wanted. The man was still panting uncontrollably. Finally, he got himself together and made his request saying, “show me the pesin wey push me inside di swimming pool” Lagosians to the core A Nigerian man living in Sweden decided to marry a Swedish woman in order to be legally certified via resident status but the woman was not aware of this. She felt he really loved her. Anyway, seeing that Nigerian men had a bad rap in that particular part of Sweden, our chap decided to lie to the lady. He told her he was from Uganda. After being married a while, the lady

be based on you currently being with someone else.

If you decide to have such a conversation via phone or via email, it may be a good idea to document it. Save the email or write down when you had the conversation, what led you to have it, what you said, and what he said. If he makes advances or retaliates when you start your new job, you’ll be able to show your supervisor or HR department. Hopefully, though, it won’t come to that.

situations. Someone dependent on alcohol and other drugs needs to take these drugs and needs to increase his dosage over time to maintain the effects of the drugs. Alcoholics have the disease of alcoholism; which can be defined by the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. Genetic differences can predispose someone to alcohol abuse. Sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters of alcoholics are more likely to become alcohol abusers themselves. Environmental factors support alcohol abuse.Things like job stress, insufficient employment and financial resources, relationship problems, and peer pressure can push one to drink. For some, they may only abuse alcohol when they are in certain environments or when there are specific “triggers” present. Since you’ve noticed that you drink too much when you’re in clubs and bars, avoid such places.

came home one day and informed our man that she had just met another Swedish lady who had married a Ugandan and they must all have dinner together.

The naija man was worried and wondered how he’d get out of this trouble. He postponed and postponed the dinner until he couldn’t find anymore excuses.

Finally, the day came when they were to have dinner.

The other Swede came in with her Ugandan husband and they all sat at the table. Our naija guy was very quiet. My own don spoil today was all he could think.

The two Swedish ladies, wanting their husbands to mingle, being from the same homeland, asked them to speak to each other. “Hey! It’s not every day you meet people from home!”

The Nigerian man, being a man of great sense, decided that he would just speak Yoruba, and the guy would probably assume he was from some part of Uganda where they spoke a different language. So looking across the table he said, “Egbon Eko ni mi se? Ni bo lo ti ja wa?”( In Yoruba, this means:I’m a Lagos man.

Where do you come from?)

The fellow looked up at our friend. His eyes lit up as he said: “Ah, bobo gan! Omo Eko ni mi Se! Omo Eko gan gan!” (In Yoruba, this means “Hey buddy! I’m a Lagos child. A REAL Lagos child)

SATURDAY

T

HE average man thinks he’s great in bed, doesn’t he?

Only a few days ago, while chatting with some young lively and adventurous women, one of them complained that, ‘’’some men’s between the sheets activities could be quite frustrating. It’s not that they lack enthusiasm, the problem is their technique—they scarcely have any.

Foreplay is clumsy and hurried. And as for the sex, it’s all wham, barn, was that it?”

It was by a stroke of luck that I recently got hold of how to be a great lover by Lou Pajet and this week, I intend to share his “‘Key to fabulous sex,” which he agrees is foreplay. This might turn a fumbling lover into a sex machine! Take kissing for instance. A common mistake men make, according to Lou, is thinking that the things they enjoy will be pleasurable for their partners too .... .The man— who doesn’t like a tongue in his ear is rare”. Lou observes … . But the woman who does like it is rare still. For most women, the “melt zone’ is the neck. They go ga ... ga when kissed there.” If you have other melt zones, let your lover be aware of this. Ask for his too!!

Sex toys. “The job of a sex toy is to enhance, not take over,” Lou explained .....

Even if you’ve not used toys before, they can add sparks to your sex life.” But what if your man feels threatened by the “stiff’ competition? ‘’’Men should think of a vibrator as being like the TV remote control. They can take charge motion. Another tip is for him if you want them to.” Said to press gently on top of the Lou. Luckily, sex toys now vagina with his other hand. abound in novelty stores all This will increase a woman’s over the place — make the pleasure.” Lou pointed out

Vanguard MARCH 23, 2012—19

Your man can sstill till be hot as yyou ou w ant! want!

A common mistake men make, according to Lou, is thinking that the things they enjoy will be pleasurable for their partners too

,

most of them!

F

inding the G-spot (No, G-spot is not a type of acne cream!) The G-Spot is located inside the vaginal entrance, above the pubic bone in the front wall, Lou stated. ....If he imagines your vagina entrance as a clock, the G-spot is typically at 12 noon. In order to “hit the spot’ , the man should use his middle finger in a circular

,

that it is not just men who need to rethink their technique ... Women should be willing to expand their bedroom skills too by first learning how to stimulate their men by hand … . It’s an easy skill to master,” he insisted . “ For practice, a man needs to raise his two middle fingers in the air. Then his partner should grasp the base of his fingers, with her thumb

her. Don’t go to the action spot first, make him wait!

Men are visual creatures.

Consider asking him if he’d like to watch you. Suck on a mint before pleasuring him.

It provides a tingling sensation many men love.

Most men:’like to be touched more firmly than women.

Try scratching in a wavy motion down the inside of his arms, thighs or neck.

Obviously, be more gentle with his genitals. Trim his pubic hair as part of your foreplay.

I

facing down. Next, she has to move her hand up, twisting as if opening a jar, then back down again.

Another tip is for a women to wrap a bead-necklace round her hand or her partner’s penis before beginning manual stimulation. He will love the different texture.

Lou’s top tips for couples: Kiss each other all over. So that your partner knows exactly how much suction or pressure you prefer on a specific area, demonstrate on their finger or tongue. Get filthy with food. Buy your partner’s favourite food and then serve it somewhere you wouldn’t normally— if you get is drift! List three areas of your body you want attended to most. Don’t make your partner guess what turns you on. Tell them where and how you want to be touched. Buy a

sex book and highlight your preferences. Use pink highlights for you, blue for hin1. Then throw down the book on the bed. Do what it says on the first page that falls open!

L

ou’s top five bedroom tips for him: Make sure you’re clean — and shave! Beard stubble feels like sandpaper.

Don’t pinch her nipples.

Most women simply don’t like it. When a woman says “that’s it’, she means just that. She doesn’t mean do it harder. Follow her lead.

Women often touch where they want to be touched. The pressure she uses indicates how firm or light she’d like your touch to be. Slow it down. Teasing is very sexy.

Bedroom tips for

decided to share L o u ’ s recommendations with you readers based on most of the feed-backs I always get. It is unbelievable the amount of ignorance readers exhibit on sex. Sex is a natural part of a relationship — not a dirty grope that has to be done in the dark! “‘I was a bit put out to be described as dull in the sack,” confessed Jerome before I gave him a copy of the tips. ‘’’I always thought I was a pretty good lover. But now I realize what a lot I have to learn, especially about foreplay. With a little more practice, 1 might just be the stud my girl fantasises about!”

Tips given here are just guidelines. What you do in the privacy of your room with your loved ones should be from your heart and you should never be ashamed of the body God gave you.You can’t change the structure of your body but you can improve on it to be confident in the bedroom. No one is too old to learn of the heights of ecstasy the right technique can take you!

s ‘Put Babies’ hear ts at risk’ ‘F mothers hearts Fat mother abies whose mothers are overweight or obese show early signs of heart disease at birth, warn researchers.

Scans of newborn infants with fat mothers found they have thicker artery walls — a sign of heart disease — than those born to women of ‘normal’ weight.

The arterial thickening occurred irrespectively of the child’s weight at birth, and is a known risk factor for heart disease or stroke in later life.

Experts from Nottingham University say the findings could explain why a mother’s weight during pregnancy is so influential C M Y K

to their child’s subsequent risk of cardiovascular problems.

About 20 per cent of all women of childbearing age are obese with a

,

B

at 16 weeks of pregnancy.

Researchers scanned the abdominal aorta — the section of the artery extending down to the

Experts from Nottingham University say the findings could explain why a mother’s weight during pregnancy is so influential to their child’s subsequent risk of cardiovascular problems

further third being overweight.

The study at Sydney University in Australia looked at 23 women with an average age of35, who ranged from being underweight to seriously obese

,

belly — in each newborn to find out the thickness of the two innermost walls, the intima and media.

It ranged from O.65mm to O.97mm, and the greater the

mother’s weight, the greater the baby’s intima-media thickness, irrespective of how much the baby weighed. The difference between babies of overweight and normal weight mothers was 0.06mm, the results, published in the Fetal and Neonatal Edition of Archives of Disease of Childhood, said.

Amy Thompson of the British Heart Foundation said: ‘These results could suggest a direct link between a mother’s weight and her child’s risk of cardiovascular disease. However, we would need to see research on a much larger scale to make any finn conclusion.’

20—SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard, MARCH 23 23, 2013 llora swallowed everything Desmond told her about working late, being on night duty and occasional travels from Abuja to Port-Harcourt on duty. She had no cause to disbelieve or doubt him. There were the closest couple in their neighbourhood and their friends have always admired their closeness. It was a joke shared amongst their friends that should Desmond ever cheat on Flora, he would be the person to confess or die of guilt. And Flora took all these talks for granted until that evening when a young school girl visted with a baby strapped on her back. All the way from Port-Harcourt!

Flora was the last to know even though her mind often warned her to look more closely. She should have taken the recent signs more seriously.

When you get suspicious that your significant other is cheating, be careful not to ignore the signs but you have to walk a fine line. You don’t want to make false accusations. It’s hard to be sure if someone’s cheating, but protect yourself: Be vigilant, and pay attention to your mind and spirit within the relationship. But, at the same time, be careful not to let anxiety lead the way because unnecessary paranoia will just drive your lover away. There are a lot of indications that he is cheating. For one thing, he would make less demands sexually.

Unless he’s superman, he can only have so much intercourse. So, if he’s getting it from another source, you might notice. Whether it’s another woman or a porn addiction,even if he’s not you notice that he is getting cheating , a decrease in sex protective and/or nervous signals serious issues in the when he gets calls or texts, it r e l a t i o n s h i p . may be cause for alarm. You In a perfect world, we’d be know that exhilarating feeling open about sharing our you get when you meet correspondence with our someone new and exciting? significant others. Most of the You want to tell the world about time, we trust that we don’t him. A friend, Charles recalls have to worry about who is that one of his exes began texting or calling them. But, if talking about a guy a lot near

F

Are you the last to know he’s cheating?

the end of their relationship.

"He just always seemed to be at her social gatherings that I didn’t happen to attend. Sure enough, after she dumped me, she began dating him".

Even though relationships ebb and flow naturally, if you’re sensing that he’s drawing away from you, then there may be someone else.

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

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

His friends will certainly remain loyal to him in most cases.

They will not let you know what’s going on, but they will definitely be racked with guilt, and their behaviour may change slightly when they are around you while protecting his secret. If you catch him in a lie, your trust will naturally be damaged. Don’t hold a grudge — forgiveness is a good thing. You can forgive, but don’t forget. If he consistently breaches your trust, it’s establishing a pattern of behaviour that leads to cheating. Do yourself a favour: If he keeps lying, whether these lies are big or

small, get out while you can and don’t let him talk his way back in. It is often said, “Once a cheater, always a cheater.”

If he’s done it before, he’s definitely capable of doing it again. It has nothing to do with you, which is why you can’t say that he cheated on his previous lover because she didn’t keep him happy.

Cheating is a self-serving act in which the cheater doesn’t take his significant other into consideration. If someone is upfront with you that he’s made mistakes in the past, maybe give them a chance but make it a long probationary period before you let your guard down.

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

Do you have any red flags that you’d add to this list?

Would you say that you’re generally good at figuring cheaters out, or do you seem to find yourself getting cheated on often? What sorts of behaviours do you think are characteristic of someone who could be a cheater? Look closely. That red flag could be a sign something is happening elsewhere.

He fantasizes about other women Ques: I am a woman who has great intimacy with her boyfriend, but I’m now paranoid that my boyfriend may begin to fantasize about other women.

I’m afraid to ask him because I’m afraid that may give him the idea to start. I’ve never fantasized about other men while I’m with my boyfriend. I’m perfectly content to be with my boyfriend. I still think that it’s strange that this could be normal behaviour.

If someone is content sexually with their lover, why would they fantasize about someone else? Is it normal?

Faith, Lokoja Ans: Don’t be paranoid.Normal doesn’t mean that everybody’s doing

it; it means that if you are, it’s nothing to worry about. Many questions about sexual normalcy have to do with fantasies. A sexual fantasy is a mental representation of any kind of sexual activity. Some fantasies are like movies, telling a story from beginning to end, while others are more like fleeting thoughts or glimpses of pleasurable situations.

Some people’s fantasies are mainly positive and others are negative. Some people spend a lot more time with their fantasies than others, and usually their fantasies are more elaborate. Some people are willing to fantasize about things that others aren’t. They may find it pleasurable to fantasize about intimacy with their partners, other

people’s partners or all sorts of combinations. Other people think it’s wrong to fantasize about intimacy at all.

Men are much more likely to fantasize, or to admit to fantasizing, than women, which is what one would expect in a society that encourages male sexuality, but only recently has begun to accept female sexuality. There is enormous variation in the amount of fantasizing that individual men do.

Some men have sexual fantasies many times each day, while others can go for weeks without one. Often men who prioritize sex in their lives have more sexual thoughts and fantasies.

Remember in thinking about your boyfriend, that if he does fantasize sexually, it in no way means that he is

following through on his fantasies or that he loves you any less. It means that he is using his imagination, combined with real life sexual stimulations, to turn himself on. Whether or not you discuss sexual fantasy with your boyfriend is your decision.

Beginning a discussion will not put the idea into his head, the same way that making condoms available to young people does not cause them to be sexually active. If you decide to share fantasies with each other, the potential benefits include adding some new things to your love life, becoming closer through the sharing of intimate thoughts, and increased excitement and arousal during intimacy.

relationship on 08064747476

•Mr Mic, from Delta State, single, ebony, •Chuma,54, civil servant, Nigerian from South-East, Christian, 36 years, needs a working class lady graduate, single, based in Imo State,needs a lady of any from any part of Nigeria who is 30 and above age, tribe or country who is tall, fair,graduate and on 08161370352 romantic relationship on 08039361804 employed and very ready for marriage on •Desmond, 33, from Benin, handsome, AC •Adanna, 25, from Anambra State, average in 08080595779 engineer, wants an employed, hard-working •Goodhope, 29, single, orphan, student, wants to meet height, fair, needs a guy of 35-40 for a marital lady for a relationship a responsible, educated, God-fearing that would lead to Do you have reactions to our stories or have you any experience you want marriage widower for marriage on 08137828007 on • Nick, 40, orphan, from Delta State, 08067086269 graduate, working and living at Ibadan, •Lukm from Oyo State, Do you want to be linked? needs a good woman for marriage on Neither Chioma Gabriel nor Saturday Vanguard has any relationship with anybody wanting based in lagos, 37, 08169120255 to be linked. We have no agents anywhere and charge no fees. We have no personal informa- business man , needs a •Mark, 30, based in Delta, desires to meet a tion of people who have been linked or want to be linked and therefore, are not answerable for serious lady of 30-35 on 08134407892 lady of 30-35, also based in Delta for a C M Y K

SATURDAY

L

T

o this end, he has set up a ‘high powered committee’ (to be inaugurated no less) to ‘address the ugly trend’. The committee is tasked with the responsibility of finding a permanent solution to rumour mongering (huh?) and would also be responsible for fishing out and prosecuting people responsible for ‘peddling wicked rumours round the

Serving the public state’. (Read GESTAPO!!!)It is reported that Bayelsa State has lately experienced “some pangs of rumours” (sic) which were peddled to mislead members of the public, one of such rumours being that the High Court sitting in Port Harcourt had nullified the election of the State Governor.

It was further reported that the Governor was away in Abuja on official assignment

,

et it never be said of our public servants that they are not working. Neither can you accuse them of lacking in long-term vision. I also dare anyone to say they lack that intrinsic intuition necessary for inspiring leadership.

Take Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, for instance. His thoughts are so far advanced beyond the here and now he’s gone way past the mundane and pedestrian issues of light, water, good roads and other social amenities for the people and has moved on to more esoteric things like fighting the ‘menacing scourge’ of rumour mongering within the state.

(Of course, it only became a scourge when he became the subject; whenNjideka and Shalewa get into that’s just two women fighting but that’s beside the point.)

Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013—21

to confusion and eventually chaos if not nipped in the bud.

Isn’t that what information management and Public Relations is all about? Where is Mr Governor’s media machinery? Then I don’t know how things work down there in Bayelsa, but I’d like to believe that it doesn’t matter how thick the rumour of his removal are; it would take much more that the bad belle utterances of his

,

I’m sure there are more creative ways to keep his cronies occupied

when the rumour of his removal hit town and he had to ‘rush back to dispel it….’

Now don’t get me wrong.

It’s not that I am ignorant of how misinformation can lead

‘political detractors’ (those people ehn?!) to unseat him – then again, maybe not. I would have thought that a simple press release stating the contrary would be suffice or

better still pictures and video footage of a ‘Governor at work’would go a long way in dispelling that kind of rumour.

Perhaps the problem is deeper than my simple mind kind grasp. When you set up and inaugurate a standing committee to look into rumour mongering and you give it the power to ‘fish out and prosecute’ alleged rumour mongers I foresee a huge problem looming ahead.Where does my freedom of speech and right to an opinion end and rumour mongering begin?

And what if the so called rumour is based on truth?

I mean if going by my personal parameters of social development I decide that the Governor is incompetent and make my views public,could that be considered rumour

mongering? And what form and to what degree is the offender punished? Would they be asked to pay a fine? Or will they go as far as being incarcerated; and for how long? Will there be such a thing as rumour mongering in the first degree? Will they make allowance for ‘extenuating circumstances? Is this even legal? I know you can be persecuted for libel and slander but rumour mongering? (Or are they one and the same?) Professor ItseSagay over to you!

The Governor really didn’t have to go through the trouble and expense of setting up yet another standing committee that will only become redundant eventually, (I’m sure there are more creative ways to keep his cronies occupied) I could have told him for free that the true and lasting panacea for dispelling negative information is for him to be and do the direct opposite of what‘s being said.

Nothing whitewashes a politician like delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. And because our expectations are so low, he wouldn’t even have to that much before his praises are sung to the high heavens!

False tale bearers beware!

Rumour mongering will no longer be tolerated in the great Bayelsa State; enhen!!

I

love the start of a new season, because it means NEW FASHION!!!!.

The major fashion weeks have come, and gone. And as the dust settles on New York, London, Milan, and Paris, true fashionistas are already rampaging through the hundreds of looks we saw this season on the runways.

Spring is already upon us as Wednesday, the 20th March marked the first official day of the new season. So, we can start easing up on the fall/ winter trends already because complacency in fashion is never an option.

Here’s my guide to the most essential and wearable trends from the spring runways. Pick up one or two of these ideas and you’re set for the season. It’s that easy!

TREND ALERT #1: The Bermuda Shorts pair of ultra-versatile runways, but this season it’s all If you haven’t invested in a Bermuda shorts yet, this is the about bold divide-you-in-half season to do so! These were stripes. You need to be careful all over the runways this with this trend, and season, and this is definitely experiment to see whether a more conventional way to you’ll be sticking to either the wear shorts for women. horizontals or verticals. Or They’re Ultra chic and oh-so maybe both! Designers like flattering.

Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, and Tory Burch added the 60’s TREND ALERT #2: look to their spring Black and White collections. Black and white A standout look at many bold stripped pants continue Paris shows was sophisticated to be a hot trend this season. monochrome, most notably at the Alexander Wang, Jason TREND ALERT Wu, and Marc Jacobs shows. #4:Peekaboo Pieces With simplicity in terms of It’s all about Cutouts, midcolors, this means the onus is riff barring separates, and on smart, structured shapes thigh high slits, and sheer this spring season. You can fabrics this season. You will rock this trend in bold prints have no problem finding or polished separates, and of something sexy to wear this course... . It’s so easy to pull season, and the best part of off at any budget. I am this trend? There is a see ecstatic to see this classic through option for every body trend on the runways this shape. Plus, there are different spring season. This trend is levels of modesty up for grabs. the definition of wearable.

These are some of the most wearable trends of this season, TREND ALERT #3: Bold and a surefire way to get you Stripes looking as fashionable as Every spring we see the possible without breaking the #1 return of stripes on the bank.

Iw ant, I need, I lo ve: Spring fashion decoded want, lov

C M Y K

#2

#3

22— SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013

08111813022

L

ilongwe, the capital of Malawi came alive last Friday, as Nollywood stars leading other film makers from different parts of the continent stormed the country for the Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA) Nomination Party 2013.

Held at the Bingu wa Mutharika International Conference Centre, the glamorous evening was graced by top government officials of Malawi led by the president, Joyce Banda and her husband Richard Banda.

Top Nollywood stars who represented Nigeria at the event were Kanayo O. Kanayo, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Victor Osuagwu, Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha, OC Ukeje, Paul Obazele, Mmadu Chikwendu and Charles Novia. Others were Nobert Ajaegbu, chairman, Lagos State chapter of Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN), Emma Isikaku among others. Lydia Forson came from Ghana.

While the event lasted, Malawian fans were all over Nollywood stars, hugging and posing for shots with them at random. They were also eager to meet actors like Mr. Ibu, Aki and Pawpaw.

Unfortunately, in their absence, Mr Biodun Kupoluyi, publisher of E24/7 Magazine filled the vacuum as they mistook him for Mr. Ibu. In her address, Malawi Minister of Culture And Tourism, Rachel Mazombwe thanked AMAA for choosing Malawi to host this year ’s nomination party. She acknowledged with gratitude, the support by the Film Association of Malawi and members the ministry in making the event a successful one.

“Our artistes are undergoing training in different areas of movie making. Very soon, Africans and the world at large would know the Malawian culture through films. This is coming from a background that most Malawians know about Nigerian culture through movies. That is what we hope for as a ministry responsible for culture that one day many people in the world should know about Malawian culture through Malawian movies.”

According to Mazombwe, staging the event in Malawi has created an opportunity for visitors to see the beauty of the country and also provide a platform for the country to market its potentials.

“This award ceremony will

The jury also explained why they refused to award any movie for the Best Diaspora Short Film, saying the works submitted did not meet with the requirements.

The event was spiced with musical performances by Dr. Rebecca Malope from South Africa , Dan Lufani and the Kamuzu Barracks Gospel Singers, who wowed the audience with their melodious tunes and energetic dance displays.

Some list of the 2013 AMAA nominations AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actress In A Supporting Role Hermelinda Cimela – Virgin Magarida Patience Ozokwo – Turning Point Linda Ejiofor – The Meeting Crista Eka – Ninah’s Dowry Foluke Daramola – Cobweb

When Nollywood stormed Malawi for AMAA nomination party be viewed by over 50million viewers around the world.

This is a rare opportunity to sell the country as both a tourism and film destination.

This is an opportune time for Malawi, the warm heart of Africa, to host such grand events when government has declared tourism a priority area. We, as a nation, need more of these events to market our beautiful land.”

CEO of AMAA, Peace Anyiam Osigwe described Malawi as a country with so much potential, urging the government to see a way of tapping from the opportunities provided by AMAA, with the training of 200 youths in different aspects of filmmaking.

Osigwe also called on corporate organisation to come to the aid of the Malawian film industry and

other African countries by supporting their projects.

In her keynote address, Malawian President, Joyce Banda expressed her joy over the decision to stage the Nomination Party in her country, describing it as an opportunity to grow the local film industry.

According to Banda, development of the creative art industry is one of the major components of the Youth Job Creation Initiative by her government. “We have learnt from Hollywood and Nollywood the potential that the film industry has in creating employment particularly for the youth. I am told the Nollywood is the second highest employer from government…it is for this very fact that my government, through the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, is working hard to promote the

arts and culture industry…and faciltating many more arts and culture festivals including films,” said President Banda who was accompanied to the event by her husband, her Vice President and all the cabinet members.

M e a n w h i l e , announcing the nominees the jury said, they received 671 entries this year.

“Various African filmmakers have refined their works and have tried to produce exceptional movies that could compete on the biggest movie platforms in the world,” said AMAA jury.

AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actor In A Leading Role OC Ukeje – Alan Poza Bimbo Manuel – Hereos And Zereos Lindani Nkosi – Zama Zama Justus Esiri – Assasins Practice Hlomla Dandala – The Contract Femi Jacobs – The Meeting Amurin Wumnembom – Ninah’s Dowry AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actress In A Leading Role Yvonne Okoro – The Contract Florence Masebe – Elelwani Mariam Ouedraogo – Moi Zaphira Rita Dominic – The Meeting Mbutung Seikeh – Ninah’s Diary Flora Suya – Last Fishing Boat AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Director Kenneth Gyang – Confusion Na Wah Shemu Joyah – Last Fishing Boat Shirley Frimpong Manso- Contract Niji Akanni – Hereos And Zeroes David Kitounga – Nairobi Half Life Ntshavheni Wa Luruli – Elelwani AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Film Nairobi Half Life (Kenya) Ninah’s Dowry (Cameroun) Last Fishing Boat – (Malawi) Virgin Margarida (Mozambique) Elelwani (South Africa) Last Flight To Abuja (Nigeria) Confusion Na Wa (Nigeria)

Can Rit Ritaa Dominic mak makee his histtor oryy again?

T

he stage is set again, and the topic currently dominating discourse in most quarters in the industry is the possibility of Rita Dominic writing her name in gold as the best actress in Africa.

Rita who won last year ’s Best Actress award at AMAA for her role in a Kenyan film ‘Shattered’ got nominated again for her role in her movie, ‘The Meeting.” She was pitched against Yvonne Okoro also nominated for role in The Contract’’, Florence Masebe (Elelwani), Mariam Ouedraogo(Moi Zaphira), Mbutung Seikeh(Ninah’s Diary) and Malawian Flora Suya who was nominated for her role in Shem Joya’s ‘Last Fishing Boat.’

Winning the Best Actress

award for the second time, in the forthcoming grand finale of AMAA, scheduled to hold in Bayelsa State, on April 25, 2013, will surely go a long way to boost the status of Rita as the best Africa actress in the continent.From time immemorial, Rita has proved to be on top of her game, and the chance of her clinching the prestigious prize for the second time is not in doubt Looking back, the gaptoothed actress broke record last year when she won the Actress Of The Year Award in Kenya, at the expense of two Kenyans; Patricia Kihoro and Joan Amara, for her role in Shattered. She also won the best actress in a leading role at the 2012 AMAA awards for her role in the same movie

‘Shattered’ and FAB awards’ most stylish actress of the year.

While Ghana’s Yvonne Okoro may pose a threat to her winning the awards, Rita’s indisputable acting skills undoubtedly gives her an edge over other nominees. In addition to this, her film, “The Meeting” which got six nominations brightens her chances of clinching the coveted prize. But who knows, the battle is not always open for the strong to win.

Like her male colleague, OC Ukeje, who emerged the Best Actor on the continent recently at AMVCA, and got nominated for AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actor In A Leading Role for his role in the movie, “Alan Poza,” Riat is set for greatness.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013 — 23

08111813022

o Ebonylife TV set to tackle domestic abuse w i a T s r u o n PFI ho with “Screen Divas’ Ajai-Lycett V

E

bonyLife TV has added a very important and highly strident voice to the global fight against domestic violence with the wrap up of the filming of yet another of its flagship reality programmes, Screen Divas.

Screen Divas, which will enjoy a Pan African launch later in the year on EbonyLife TV, will offer viewers an unprecedented glimpse into the world of four of Africa’s most eclectic Nollywood stars,FunkeAkindele, Rita Dominic, Kate Henshaw and Uche Jombo, as it showcases not only the glitz, glam, and gloss, but the struggles of their interesting lives outside the regular world of makebelieve.

A key highlight of the reality series shot in Calabar at the world-class Studio Tinapais, the pulsating collaboration of

eteran Nollywood actress, broadcaster and social commentator, Taiwo AjaiLycett(OON), was honoured at the Pencils Film and Television Institute (PEFTI) during its recent Back In The Dayz stage presentation which sought to evoke a feeling of nostalgia and demonstrate the creativity of its students.

According to Biola Adenuga, Managing Director of PEFTI, “Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, has made immense contributions to TV and stage productions, education, journalism and several other areas of human endeavours, the Nollywood divas on the production of a short film titled “New Horizons”, a soulrendering flick that spotlights the plight of women across Africa who have to bear the needless pains of domestic abuse, a crime far too familiar but rarely spoken about.

An excited and jubilant Production Crew, led by Pamela Ofoegbu, Ebonylife TV’sDirector of Reality Programming, could not hide its feeling of fulfillment on the project. “Domestic violence is simply evil and I applaud our screen divas for lending us their star status to give a voice to the voiceless. They gave a stellar performance throughout the thrilling 3week filming journeyand we are so proud of them”, said Ofoegbu.

For director and producer of the short film within the must-

see reality show, the tireless, award winning Tope OshinOgun, Screen Divas is a reality programme like no other. “Before and after Screen Divas, there was and will never be any quite like it”.

The wrap up of Screen Divas which is coming fast on the heels of the wrap of the filming of Sistaz, another of EbonyLife TV’s flagship programme, and which is being followed by the production of a number of other exciting entertainment, reality and drama programmes, is in furtherance of the new Channel’s mission of being the first TV Channel in Africa set to produce and broadcast over 700 hours of premium, original and inspiring content with an African soul for a Global Black audience.

O’jez celebrates Bimbo Manuel at 56

Sharing with Amara set to hit airwaves N A fter several years of researching and consulting within and outside the shores of the country, Sharing With Amara (SWA), a three dimensional talk show that will enthrall viewers and ultimately revamp quality programming on TV, will soon hit the airwaves.

Producer cum presenter of the programme, Amara Blessing Nwosu, fondly called ABN said, the syndicated talk show will primarily focus on human interest issues, especially relationships, health, beauty; fashion, entertainment, society, habits and successful living among others. She disclosed that a pilot episode has already shot.

SWA, she further adds, seeks to expose little-

discussed but important matters which improve the quality of life of youths, men and women and generally helps to facilitate societal understanding and peaceful co-existence.

“SWA is poised to be the dominant human interest talk show in Nigeria and Africa.

We will focus on health and beauty; body care and grooming; fashion and society; love and relationships; habits and etiquette; successful living. It will be broadcast on Africa Magic, Ben TV Europe and several other Nigerian TV stations soon. The Show will be the talk of the town and will draw viewers of all ages, sexes and income classes due to the critical life issues it will explore.

and for that, we are delighted to present her with the Award for Recognition of Excellence in Arts and Entertainment in order to show our acknowledgement of the good job she has been doing since the 1960s.”

PEFTI was established in 2004 by Wale Adenuga (MFR) who is well known as the creator and producer of award-winning TV programmes Superstory, ThisLife, Papa Ajasco and Company as well as Nnena & Friends. He is also the chairman of the family entertainment channel, wapTV on StarTimes Channel 222.

ollywood will be alive on Sunday, March 31 as practitioners gather to celebrate one of their own, veteran actor, Bimbo Manuel, who turns 56.

The event will hold at the celebrity restaurant, O’jez, inside National Stadium premises, Surulere, Lagos.

Manuel will also receive the prestigious O’jez Entertainment Award in an evening that promises to be ver y exciting. “We are celebrating an icon, we are celebrating one that has done so much for the nation with his exploits in the nation’s film industry-Nollywood. Now, he’s turned 56 with so much achievement that we are proud of. That is why we at O’jez have decided to celebrate this rare Nigerian, Bimbo Manuel,” Chief Joseph Odobeatu, CEO, O’jez

Entertainment Limited said.

Nollywood star Ejike Asiegbu, the chief host and convener of the monthly award described Manuel as “one of Nigeria’s finest actors.

He interprets his roles with so much passion that makes the viewer empathize with the character he is playing. They don’t make them any more like uncle Bimbo Manuel.

This is why the O’jez Entertainment Forum has decided to show this rare actor that the industry and the nation at large value his contribution to the growth of the sector he helped built from the scratch.”

The evening has been planned to be one of glitz and glamour as the versatile O’jez band with octogenarian highlife great Fatai Rolling Dollars on the band stand will thrill the crowd.

24—SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013 with a number of partners.

Are men more promiscuous than women?

Are men more promiscuous than women?

I

f you feel that you want to have an intimacy life that involves a lot of people, you should definitely use a barrier method of contraception.

The word ‘promiscuity’ means more or less the same as ‘sleeping around’. But in fact, people imply very different things by it, depending on their moral standpoint.

What does the dictionary say?

The Oxford English Dictionary points out that the words ‘promiscuous’ and ‘promiscuity’ come from the Latin misceo, meaning ‘I mix’.

So the OED says that promiscuity is ‘having a mixture of sexual partners, unrestricted by marriage or co-habitation’.

Interestingly, for many decades, the great American equivalent of the OED, the famous Webster ’s Dictionary, managed to define ‘promiscuous’ without mentioning sex!

They gave its meaning as ‘indiscriminate and not fastidious’.

Today, I think you could say that the word promiscuity means any type of sexual be-

haviour that the speaker doesn’t approve of!

So people who are strict about matters of love will often regard sexual relations between an unmarried boy and girl as promiscuous. More liberally-minded persons wouldn’t regard sexual activity as promiscuous unless it involved a lot of partners.

In the UK, views about promiscuity have changed a lot over recent decades.

In the years after the Second World War, it was common for middle-aged and older people to describe any form of premarital sex as promiscuous.

However, in the famous swinging sixties, things began to change.

There was quite a sensation in the national press when a sociologist reported that he had interviewed a young man who stated that he only regarded love-making as promiscuous if he did it with more than one girl in a day.

The double standard of promiscuity

ERT P X E S E H ASK T Ques: I think my husband and I have gotten so used to not making love that it makes it difficult for both of us to initiate. How do we change and get rid of the feelings of awkwardness and hesitation?

Ans: Start small and slowly. Take your husband back to one of the places you went to when you were first dating. If you can’t do that, get out a photo album from your early days and, with no other distractions, share some of your hottest memories.

Then ask your husband what he was first attracted to in you. Get him going by volunteering what you found attractive in him, from his smile to the way he first kissed you. Make sure there are no interruptions . Cell phones off! Treat it like a real date.

Couples who do this regularly have proven to reconnect successfully. Once you feel that intimate bond is being established again, ask about his fantasies. Be willing to share yours too. Turn it into a little game, where one night you describe your fan-

Traditionally, there has been a strange ‘double standard’ in looking at the sexual behaviour of women and men.

So, females have tended to

are still sometimes applied to women who have had a certain amount of sexual experience. In contrast, society has often turned a blind eye to similar activities in males.

When talking about a man who has had many partners, people still tend to say: ‘Oh, he’s a bit of lad, isn’t he?’ Indeed, in 2013, it would be unusual to apply the word ‘promiscuous’ to a male who has had intimacy with a dozen women.

However, there is some evidence that in western countries, and particularly in Britain, society is beginning to accept the idea that it’s okay for women, as well as men, to experiment

So the OED says that promiscuity is ‘having a mixture of sexual partners, unrestricted by marriage or cohabitation’. be rated as ‘promiscuous’ if they’ve had a modest number of sexual partners. Even today, the words ‘slut’ or ‘slag’

Nevertheless, it’s important to realise that in most societies, men are more likely to sleep around than women are.

Surveys have shown that this is true in many countries, except, for some reason.

Males are also more likely than females to be willing to go to bed with partners whom they don’t know.

A fascinating experiment on masculine and feminine attitudes to casual sex was carried out in America 30 years ago.

The researchers decided to find out how the two sexes responded to the offer of intercourse with a stranger.

So, they asked a ‘quite attractive’ female to walk up to men in the street and proposition them. Similarly, a ‘quite attractive’ male was asked to walk up to women and offer to make love to them.

The results were very striking. All of the women who were approached responded negatively and often angrily. In contrast, most of the men responded positively, or at least politely.

Apparently, many of them would have been only too happy to have sex with the ‘quite attractive’ stranger, if the offer had been genuine.

Dangers of sleeping around However you define promiscuity, there’s no question that multi-partner sex activity or sleeping around makes you more liable to certain dangers.

These are: sexually transmitted infection, including HIV and chlamydia ; unwanted pregnancy ; in women, cancer of the cervix; possibly cancer of the throat or mouth if you go in for multi-partner oral sex.

In short, the more partners you have, the greater the risk of running into trouble healthwise.

So if you feel that you want to have a love life that involves a lot of people, you should definitely use a barrier method of contraception , preferably a male or female condom.

tasy and then plan a weekend to act it out. Also, make it clear to him that quality, not quantity, counts. Let him know that you’re not demanding to go back to making love three or four times a week, as couples do early in their relationships.

way for one hour only. Give yourself permission to shut out anything you worry about and agree on this plan with your husband. By letting go for that one hour, you may find that you can shut out the anxieties you’re working to solve, in bed.

Ques: I’m very stressed out, and sometimes when we start making love, I lose my focus and I have to stop. What can I do?

Ans: You can’t treat the symptoms; you have to treat your anxiety problem! Set up an appointment pronto to speak to a healthcare professional. In the meantime, keep an anxiety diary in which you jot down the anxious periods during your day. After a week, you may see a pattern. Perhaps you worry more at bedtime, on waking, or toward the end of your day? Once you’ve identified your peaks, tackle what causes them. Once you’ve come to grips with your anxiety, the symptoms of your anxiety, like your lack of sexual desire will start to diminish. In the meantime, play a game where you pretend to be someone completely different without a care in the world. You’re allowed to feel that

Ques: I can still get hard, but the erections don’t come as easily or as frequently as they used to. I’m only 30. Should I be worried?

Ans: Most men experience a gradual diminishing of erectile quality as they get older; it’s a normal part of life. At 30, though, you shouldn’t necessarily be experiencing these issues, and I wonder if there’s some aspect of your lifestyle that may correlate to the change. Maybe you’re not exercising enough? Or you’ve put on weight? Taking certain medications or masturbating too much are also potential causes. Talk to your doctor to get to the bottom of what’s going on, and if this is just your natural pattern, ask him or her about taking a stimulant like Viagra. Don’t worry, taking Viagra at 30 is totally fine if you have a genuine need for it.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013 — 25

Nicki Minaj, Drake and Birdman visits Lil Wayne in Hospital

T

HE British rock singersongwriter was forced to cancel his Friday night, March 15 show in Alabama at the Birmingham Jefferson Complex Arena “due to medical reasons,” according to a representative to the music legend. Ticketmaster announced the cancellation on its website just hours before the concert was about to take place.

The Birmingham Jefferson Complex Arena, who had been gearing up for the show since March 8, also issued a formal statement to announce that the show will not push through as planned. Ticket

By IYABO AINA

L

IL Wayne’s visitor’s list at Cedars-Sinai hospital in L.A. is quite star-studded lineup, as as the Young Money boss, who was hospitalized last week following a series of seizures, has been surrounded by friends and family since he was first re-admitted on Wednesday, March 13 ,including bold faced names like Nicki Minaj, Drake and Birdman.

Nicki Minaj, 30, dropped by Lil Wayne’s bedside on Saturday, March 16, to check in on the “Got Money” rapper.

Also the “Starships” rapper and Lil Wayne have been longtime friends ever since he signed her to his label in 2007.

Weezy’s mentor, rapper and producer Birdman, also stopped by to give his well wishes to the rapper whom he calls “my son.”

“My son is feeling Good. Will be home real soon,” he tweeted on Friday, March 15.

“Take Care” rapper Drake and L.A. Clippers star Chris Paul tweeted .

Conflicting reports about Lil Wayne’s health condition have been circulating ever since the rapper was rushed to the

hospital to be treated for severe seizures on Tuesday, March 12.

He was released on Wednesday, but quickly readmitted after his bodyguards found him unconscious on the floor several hours later.

Selena Gomez

S

C M Y K

buyers who purchased online or by phone will automatically get their refunds, while those who got their tickets elsewhere would have to go directly to the original point of purchase to get their money back.

Details of the 65-year-old artist’s health condition have not been revealed and the piano man himself has not disclosed any information on his Twitter page or official website. His current medical dilemma is the latest since his May 2012 respiratory infection that made him cancel a series of shows in Las Vegas.

•Nicki Minaj, Drake and Birdman

Diva of the week ELENA Marie Gomez is widely known for her role as ‘Alex Russo’ in the Disney Channel Original TV sitcom “Wizards of Waverly Place” which won the prestigious “Emmy Award” and also her debutant album “Kiss and Tell”.

Along with being an actress, she is also a singer and songwriter.

The 19 year old singer rakes in an incredible about $100,000 per performance. Reports are also that when Selena shows up to sing, she rakes in a sixfigure sum. She signed her first official contract with Disney and later on she did a number of series and stage shows too.

She is counted among the richest actresses of US. She has a great love for spending on her clothes. She has donned many different types of outfits in many different events. She has also contributed her funds for different charities like ‘Raise Hope for Congo’ which helps

Elton John cancels Alabama show

raise awareness about the violence against Congolese women.

The young and famous teen celebrity couple, Justin Beiber and Selena Gomez have called it quits.

•Selena Gomez

“He drank too much sizzurp to get a better high,” a source explained disclosed. “He needs rehab but he’s not close to death or anything. He’s fine and just coming down off the high.” Sizzurp is a highly addictive, recreational drug that involves prescription strength cough syrup, sugary sodas and hard candies, typically sipped out of Styrofoam cups.

•Elton John

Kanye West to name baby ‘’ North West’’

A

S Kim Kardishian’s delivery date is getting closer, also rumors surrounding her baby with Kanye West swirls more on the web. It’s reported recently that the rapper wants to call his first child North West while the reality TV star prepares a monochrome nursery for the bundle of joy.

According to a source “Kanye’s ego is something else, so he’s quite serious about the title”. “He also has a sense of humor though and knows how his selfindulgence is seen by the general public. It’s half tongue-in-cheek, half what Kanye probably feels is true.”

Also a different source opens up to people about Kim’s black and white nursery plan. “Kim was gushing about her nursery plans while carefully selecting gifts for her baby

registry with sisters Khloe and Kourtney at Bel Bambini in West Hollywood,” the source claims.

“She mainly looked at simple clothing, nothing too girly.”

Kim is due to give birth in early July. The momto-be sparked a pregnancy scare earlier this month after being rushed to hospital following a couple of trips overseas with her baby daddy. She quickly assured she was fine and has been out and about ever since.

•Kanye and Kim

26—SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013—27

28 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013 — 29

C M Y K

Vanguard, SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2013 — 31

30 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2013

Complied by Oseji Ephraim

Complied by Oseji Ephraim earn up to £373,000-a-year in success/appearance bonuses and rights.

Off-the-field, enjoys a lucrative sponsorship deal with Puma, while he has been paid handsomely to release a book. He is a director of a company called Cluemere Ltd, which showed that as of 31 March 2012, it had ‘cash at bank’ of £55,489 and ‘assets’ worth £64,242. His properties include a £5.6m pad in Hampstead and a 5,607 square feet luxury apartment in New York that cost £9.2m in 2010.

1. David Beckham (PSG) – £175m

T

he 37-year-old shows no signs of slowing down, as Britain’s richest sportsman and world’s wealthiest footballer. He commanded an estimated £20 million from his off-field commercial activities in 2012, an increase over 2011 – an amazing achievement for a player at the latter stages of his career.

Beckham has eight current or previous company director or secretary appointments. He is paid for certain sponsorship deals through his company Footwork Productions, which manages his work and image rights. In 2011, the company earned £15.2m of which Beckham paid himself £13.3m.

Beckham’s company Footwork Productions is a shop front for his image rights and sponsorship deals.

The company has paid him nearly £75m in salary and dividends from 2002 to 2009. The latest annual accounts for the year up to 31 December 2011 reported ‘assets’ worth £10.6m.

The latest annual accounts submitted to Companies House for Beckham Ventures Ltd for the year up to 31 December 2011, reported ‘assets’ worth £4.7m. The company is shared between Beckham, his wife Victoria, 37, a former Spice Girl and a successful fashion designer, and also their manager Simon Fuller.

Another company is Beckham Brand Ltd. As of 31 December 2011, the company reported ‘assets’ worth £5.4m. In 2007, he was reportedly paid £8.5m to launch his fragrance line in the US and receive £7m a year from Adidas other endorements.

2 Lionel Messi (Barcelona) – £115.5m

The four time Ballon d’Or winner comes second. The year ended with him signing a new and improved contract with Barcelona which has seen his pay rise from £172,000 a week to £251,000 a week, plus bonuses. He is understood to potentially collect a further £1.5million a year from success related bonuses.

The Argentine’s asset portfolio includes several properties in his hometown of Rosario in Argentina including the house he grew up in, an exclusive apartment, a luxury mansion and a compound for his family. He also owns a luxury mansion in Barcelona. His range of cars extends to an Audi R8 worth £100,000 and a Ferrari F430 Spider worth a cool £135,000.

He has a range of extremely lucrative sponsorship deals with a long-term relationship with the likes of Adidas (worth £2m a year) and Herbalife. In 2012, Messi signed new multi-million pound sponsorship deal to be the global ambassador for Turkish Airlines as well as a deal with Proctor & Gamble. He also shot a TV commercial for Japanese face wash Scalp-D that has subsequently gone viral.

3 Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) – £112m

The 28 year-old Cristiano Ronaldo earns £157,000-a-week, Ronaldo. He also has the potential to earn a further £810,000 a year in C M Y K

12. Michael Owen (Stoke City) – £40.5m

•Ronaldinho

•David Beckham

•Lionel Messi

•Cristiano Ronaldo

•Samuel Eto

•Wayne Rooney

•Zlatan Ibrahimovic

He spent £800,000 on designer watches for his international teammates after qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. He owns properties in Paris, Barcelona, Milan and in Cameroon.

•Kaka

7, Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) – £50m •David Villa

•Ferdinand

•Thierry Henry

performance and success related bonuses, while his contract contains a buy-out clause of £830m.

Ronaldo picks up an estimated £12m a year in endorsements, ranging from Nike (his current arrangement until 2014 is worth £5m a year) to video game Pro Evolution Soccer, Coca Cola, Armani, Castrol oil, Bugatti, Linic, Clea, Konami and Motorola, not to mention royalties from his 2007 autobiography called Moments. He passed 51m fans on Facebook in late 2012.

The Madeira-born star owns the CR7 fashion boutique with his sisters. Stores in Lisbon, Vilamoura (Algarve) and Luxembourg were unsuccessful and have shut down, however a store in Funchal (Madeira) remains. His collection of super cars includes a matt black Lamborghini Aventador worth £180,000 and a Bugatti Veyron worth £1m. He owns a Madrid mansion worth £4.5m, a villa and flat in Lisbon, a property in his native Madeira and an £8m luxury hotel on the Portuguese island of Porto Santo.

He is also said to have invested in property in Turkey in partnership with a property developer called Demiroren.

4 Kaka (Real Madrid) – £66.5m

The attacking midfielder picks up a salary worth £141,000-a-week, with the possibility of a further £689,000 in bonuses. Kaka became the first sportsman to amass 10 million Twitter followers last year, while his salary is swelled through sponsorship deals with Adidas, EA Sports, Sony and Brazilian soft drink

•Michael Owen

•Raul

Guarana. He has also been a model for Armani since 2007.

He owns a Madrid mansion worth £5m in the same neighbourhood as team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo and coach Jose Mourinho, several properties in Brazilian city Natal and as perhaps a clue to his future plans, also owns three luxury apartments in Manhattan, New York.

The United striker earns a weekly wage of £160,000 and commercial partners include Nike and HarperCollins, who paid him a record £5m advance and royalties for a five-book deal.

Married to childhood sweetheart Coleen, a successful columnist in her own right, the couple boast a property portfolio that includes a £4m neo-Georgian mega mansion in Cheshire, a £5m villa on the Royal Westmoreland estate in Barbados, a luxury home in Dubai and a £320,000 apartment in Florida.

Rooney also bought a £400,000 home on a private estate in West Derby for his parents.

8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (PSG) – £47m

5 Ronaldinho (Atletico Mineiro) – £63m

Coca Cola dropped his £415,000a-year sponsorship deal that was due to run until 2014, after he sipped a can of rival drink Pepsi during his unveiling at Atletico Mineiro.

Ronaldinho’s salary tumbled from £100,000-a-week at Flamengo to £24,000-a-week, albeit with the potential to earn a further £244,000a-year in bonuses. Unusually for a top star in Brazil, Mineiro pays his salary without assistance from commercial partners. His income is topped up by sponsorships with Nike, Lloret del Mar, Danone, EA Sports, Lenovo and Kibon.

At the end of 2012 Blackburn Rovers owners Venky’s persuaded Ronaldinho to sign with their film company to make ‘Ronaldinho versus Aliens’, an animation inspired by Space Jam, which also starred Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny. He owns property in Brazil, Greece, Barcelona, Lake Como and Florida.

•Robbie Keane

6 Samuel Eto’o (Anzhi Makhachkala) – £52m

Samuel Eto’o is the most successful African football player of all time having won the African Player of the Year award a record four times. He also just so happens to be the highest paid player in the world, earning a jaw-dropping £365,000 a week. Eto’o can earn a further £244,000 a year in performance bonuses, while Anzhi also pay the £65,000 a month rent on his luxury mansion in Moscow. The 31-yearold striker, earnings are further boosted by lucrative sponsorship deals and partnerships with Puma, Ford and fashion label John Richmond.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the most expensive footballer of all time after transferring for fees totaling £150 million. The towering striker earns an eye-watering £220,000-aweek. His salary is now thought to be second only to Samuel Eto’o.

He currently resides in Paris and his assets include properties in Malmo, Stockholm, the Swedish ski resort of Are, Milan and New York. Last summer he also bought an island on Lake Malaren, to the west of Stockholm, for £2.5m, which comes complete with 500 hectares of hunting ground.

9. Rivaldo (Sao Caetano) – £45.5m

A former Fifa World Player of the Year, Ballon d’Or winner and European Footballer of the Year, Rivaldo has won just about everything possible in football.

•Rivaldo

Now 40, Rivaldo’s wealth has continued to build during the latter stages of his career. He earned £5m a year during his three seasons with Bunyodkor in Uzbekistan, while he negotiated a further £2m a year from image rights. He has a stake in a travel company and an art and design company while he boasts properties in Brazil and land in Angola.

10. Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) – £42m

Ferdinand commands a salary of £130,000-a-week at Old Trafford, with a potential bonus of up £300,000 a year. He has a staggering 3.8m followers on Twitter, but found himself at the centre of a controversy for receiving payment from Mars to promote chocolate bar Snickers. Advertising watchdog the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) subsequently cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Outside of football, Ferdinand has a diverse range of interests and has 10 current or previous company director or secretary appointments.

Ferdinand helped create record label White Chalk Music, while he also has an interest in online lifestyle magazine #5 and fashion label fivebyriofredinand.com. The latest accounts for White Chalk Music (30 April 2012), showed a net worth of -£600,000.

He has an interest in Scion Films Sale And Leaseback Sixth Llp. Latest accounts to April 2012 reported ‘net worth’ of £62m.

Endorsements include Mars and Nike, while Ferdinand has an extensive property portfolio including houses in London, a luxury mansion in Alderley Edge, worth over £2.2m, as well as places in Barbados, Turks and Caicos Islands and Morocco. His cars include a £190,000 Bentley Arnage and a £120,000 Bentley Continental

11. Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls) – £41m

Henry moved to Barcelona in 2007 for £16 million after signing a fouryear deal with the Catalan club worth £4.6m a season. Last year the striker returned to the Gunners for two months on loan, but he now plies his trade in the MLS with New York Red Bulls where he commands £60,000-a-week, with the potential to

Michael Owen who just retired from football remaines one of the faces for Umbro thanks to a long-term sponsorship deal worth £2 million a year, before swapping for Nike at the end of 2012. He has been an ambassador for Swiss watchmakers Tissot since 1998 and also enjoys a long-running contract with Dubai property agent The First Group.

Other major endorsements have included Persil and Nestle.

His company, Owen Promotions, showed a ‘net worth’ of £7.5m in its 2010-11 accounts – a rise of £400,000 on the previous year.He has a love of horses and jointly owns Manor House Stables in Cheshire with Betfair co-founder Andrew Black.

Manor House has 90 horses in training (Owen’s share is 10) and the stable produced 81 winners in 2012, generating £850,000 of prize money, including the 2012 Queen Mary with Ceiling Kitty.

Owen has property in Portugal as well as apartments in Liverpool, a Dubai villa valued at £1.7m and a Flintshire family home worth £1.7m.

He also travels around in his own personal helicopter worth a cool £2m.

13. Raul (Al Sadd) – £38m

The cultured striker was one of the most feared marskmen in Europe during his time at Real Madrid between 1994-2010 as he led them to six Liga titles and three Champions League trophies.

Last summer the Spaniard agreed to switch to Qatar Stars League club

Al Sadd, where he earns £191,000-aweek tax free and can potentially earn bonuses of up to £244,000-ayear.

Despite his value diminishing as he enters the final chapters in a glorious career, Raul still enjoys a lucrative sponsorship arrangement with Adidas. He also boasts properties including a multi-million pound luxury mansion in the same Madrid neighbourhood as Fernando Torres.

14 David Villa (Barcelona) – £37m Villa’s first big transfer came in 2005 when Valencia agreed to pay Zaragoza £10 million for the striker, before Barca paid £34m for his services in 2010 and offered him a contract worth £94,000-a-week, with up to £814,000 a year on offer through bonuses.

The two major transfers in Villa’s career will have earned him substantial wealth as Spanish clubs are obliged to pay their players 15% of their transfer fees. Villa enjoys a high profile status in Spain and that is reflected in a lucrative and longrunning agreement with Adidas, while he also commands substantial off-field income from sponsorship agreements with Big Cola, Mahou, Maxibon and Gameloft.

15. Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) – £35.5m Keane’s contract in the US is worth £35,000-a-week, with up to £311,000 available in bonuses and image rights per year.

His first big-money moves were from Wolves to Coventry for £6 million in 1999 (a British record for a teenager at the time) before moving to Inter Milan the following year for £13m. He has played for 10 different clubs and has cost over £75m in transfer fees, including a short-lived move to Liverpool for a £19m fee.

The 32-year-old enjoys a lucrative sponsorship deal with Puma and has released an autobiography. He owns a London mansion worth £5.6m, a luxury home in LA, as well as properties in Ireland.

32—Vanguard, SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2013

“Yaws ‘n’ Myn” set to debut on Dstv

I

t is an era where celebrities share their personal life experiences with the general public via the tube, and due to the increasing demand of fans to know how their normal daily life is, a radio presenter cum comedian, Steven Onu a.k.a, Yaw, has recently unveiled a weekly 30-minutes sitcom, Yaw ‘n’ Myn which has started making airwaves in some local television stations and is set to debut DSTV soon. From the stable of Steve Onu, the producer, and Imoh Umoren the director, the sitcom tells the story of Yaw, who is left with his siblings to take care of by his parents who left for work in USA. Having siblings who contributes nothing to the feeding in the house, they were left with no option than to sublet one of their rooms to a troublesome tenant in other to survive.

With an unending drama and a life time comedy, the sitcome featured casts like, Steve Onu (Yaw), Ralchukwu (Funnybone), Nwacheta (Lilian Esoro), Ngozi Nwosu, Tina Mba among others.

Stella Monye set for the “Stage players Party”

F

or most lovers of good high life music, Stella Monye would be hard to be forgotten though some younger generations would find it difficult to recognize her. In order to prove to the younger generation that her relevance in the industry has not waned, veteran singer cum human right activist, has decided to bounce back with a concert titled, “ the stage players party” billed to take place on the 28th of April.

The veteran singer said that event which will witness the official unveiling of the remix of her 18-track album will also feature hip-hop

singers like, Fatai Rolling Dollars, raski- Mono, 2face, Omawumi, Tiwa Savage, among others.

Stella added that the event intends to bring celebrities together, “ the evnt intends to bring celebrities together both from the old and the new generation. I also intend to perform a concert that day were I would be involved in different stage performances in the Stella conscripted which will also hold that day,” she said. One of the telecommunication giants in Nigerian, Airtel who is

the official sponsor of the event said that they are happy to be associated with Stella.

Sna-Z drops Kolobi

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

F

rom the stable of Kandibar Records, Sna-Z which stands for Stand Up Nations from A-Z, has dropped a mind blowing album titled Kolobi.

The debut album swallows a number of three tracks such as Kolobi, I don’t Mind and Jo Dad, including instrumentals and acappellas.

With all tracks produced by Tee-Y Mix, C M Y K

Sna-Z whose real name is David Dumebi Nwokolo, started music officially in August 2012.

His three singles which are now on air, already have their videos in the pipe line. “ I go with the flow because I don’t want to really restrict myself to a particular genre of music. It’s a kind of mixture,” he explains.

“But I could term my music Afro-Rap because I rap. But when I met TYMix, he told me this is Nigeria and that I should infuse other kind of music in it. So I had to sing and also rap.”

Julius Agwu takes Laff 4 Christ Sake to PH

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

F

Sna-Z who said he used to be in the choir while in the boarding school, says music for him is inbuilt and has been working with different music group in and outside the country.

According to the graduate of Mathematics, he says it’s God’s grace that has kept him. He said his quality of work which spoke for him, made the likes of TY-Mix to be really interested in his music. Taking a cue from his words, TY was on his list of producers he intended to work with before they met.

His first single which was produced by an Ivory Coast producer caught the attention of TY.

ew days after staging a superlative Festival of Love Valentine show in Abuja, one of Nigeria’s most resourceful comedians, Julius Agwu is gearing up for the Port Harcourt edition of Laff 4 Christ Sake, another popular event brand from his stable. Having held in London and Lagos, this is the first time Laff 4 Christ Sake will be holding in Port-Harcourt.

Billed to hold on March 29 at Aztech Arcum , the event will feature talented gospel acts like Frank Edwards, Tim Godfrey & D Extreme Crew, Afy Douglas and Freke Umoh. Top comic acts like MC Abbey, Owen Gee, Dan D’Humorous, Senator and Buchi will be twisting guests intestines with rib cracking jokes.

Speaking concerning the event, Julius Agwu said is another opportunity for him to thank God for his talents “I want to use this event to say a big thank you to Almighty God who gave me the talent, nurtured it and led me from Port-Harcourt to Lagos where my career grow globally.

So I want Rivers and the entire SouthSouth people to join me in thanksgiving to God who oils my wheel of creativity and ingenuity. I also thank him as I celebrate my 40 years on earth. God’s grace is what has kept me going, and I want to use this event to seek his renewed Grace in my life and career.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013 — 33

I wanted to be a nurse but I hate seeing blood — Adebimpe Akinsola

BY EBUN SESSOU

Honourable Adebimpe Akinsola is a Lagos lawmaker represent ing Ikorodu constituency 11. She came into legislation business in 2011. Before then, she was a teacher for twenty years before joining politics and contesting under the umbrella of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, Lagos State. She has contributed her quota to her constituency and in this interview, she explains how she rose to the position she presently occupies and the challenges and pleasures of making laws in the State . s a female lawmaker, how has the have been a politician and I have always seen myself as someone in govjourney been?

It has been challenging and inter- ernment.

So, how was it like when you asesting. It is a journey that one would like to venture into and it has been a sumed office?

The two professions complement positive experience for me.

What were those challenges you each other. You have to be disciplined as a teacher and that is also what makhave encountered so far?

When I said challenges, I didn’t ing of laws entails.

As a lawmaker and a teacher, mean problems. Being a law-maker is just a new phase of life. I was not a how do you handle issues relatlawyer by profession. I was coming ing to female folks?

As far as Lagos State is concerned, from the classroom and now to the business of law making. This means the issue concerning abuse on female that one has to learn the nitty-gritty folks especially in schools is not ramof making laws, moving motions, pant because of the discipline inculdrafting bills among other things. All cated in the students. I believe that the these factors make it a challenging children need to be guided, educated and informed so that they will not be task.

As a lawmaker, it is important to al- exposed to bad things. I taught in a ways come out with new ideas of leg- school located in a densely populated islating business. This is a reality of environment where more than five life and it is totally different from what people live in a room. Most of the chilwe learnt in school about three arms dren have been exposed early to things of government: the legislator, execu- that adult do. But, all these have been tives and judiciary. The challenges addressed and curbed.

How did you find yourself in stare one in the face.

Did you ever thought of becoming the teaching profession in first place?

As a young girl, I wanted to be a a lawmaker?

I may not have thought along that nurse because I was fascinated by line but I have always perceived my- their white uniform. But growing up, self in government, serving in higher I realised that I hated seeing or touchrank than being in the classroom. I ing blood. I can’t touch blood. I was always afraid whenever I see blood.

And whenver I see someone touching it, I would be crying. I get irritated whenever I see anyone vomit too.

Looking at all of these, I realised that anyone who would choose nursing as a profession must be able to accommodate all those things.

Similarly, after my primary school educatuon, I did exams in some schools and I passed. But, an uncle of mine advised my mother that I should proceed to Teachers Training College.

Then, the phenomenon was just coming up . So, he advised that for females like me, it is good to go to Teachers Training College. My mother was a stark illiterate. I lost my father at a tender age in 1968. So, my mother raised us. When I came out of school, I was posted to a primary school and I enjoyed it so much.

Can you tell us those things you enjoyed as a teacher?

Adebimpe Akinsola As a young teacher, I enjoyed see-

A

Adebimpe Akinsola ing my pupils in the morning exhibiting different characters in the classroom. They were always displaying their uniqueness. You were always busy from morning till afternoon. They were always around me. I went to College of Education and started teaching in secondary school. I was passionate about my job and that made it easy for me. It afforded me time to take care of myself and the children at home.

For how long did you teach?

I taught for ninetten years. I spent some years in the primary school and later proceeded to College of Education. But, I was not employed immediately. Some of my colleagues in College of Education were my senior when I was teaching because they had gone ahead of me. I started work in 1992 and left in 2011. I was in my 20s when I was employed as a primary school teacher.

Can you say your passion for humanity brought about the foundation you are currently runn i n g ?

I wouldn’t want to mention that on the pages of newspapers. But the fact was that I enjoyed the teaching profession.

When I was teaching in secondary school, I used to encourage students to read and I used to tell my friends that if I find myself in a good position, I would give scholarships and awards to outstanding students.

So, when I assumed office as a lawmaker in June, 2011, I mapped out plan to fulfil my vows. In October the same year, during my 50th birthday, I executed the first plan. While friends were making different plans for me, I thought it wise to familiarise myself with the less p r i v i l e g e d .

So, I decided to reward students who were outstanding in their WAEC with cash awards and lap-tops for overall students in my constituency. The girl is now a 200-level Medicine student in University of Lagos. Whenever such programme is coming up, I invite other students to participate in

,

As a young girl, I wanted to be a nurse, I was fascinated by their white uniform

,

it. Today, the programme has become an annual thing.

In 2012, an orphan who got the best result was given all the necessary package. There is a free JAMB form for students and when they pass their examinations, they are monitored to the higher institution.

How would advise other children too?

First, they must know that they are the architects of their lives. For instance, the girl that got the award in 2012 was an orphan yet, she was determined. When she was interviewed, she confirmed that with what has happened, she can become whatever she wants to be without

any limitations. The fact is that one’s background must not defrain one from achieving goals in life. People must be determined. I lost my father at a tender age. He was semi literate and he was a taylor. My mother is a stark illiterate. And I grew up in an environment where education was not valued especially within the female folks. There were lots of female students who were pregnant in school. But, I made up my mind to become an important person in the society. And I know I couldn’t had achieved so much without proper education. I told you earlier of how I admired nursing as a profession and I know that I cannot be a nurse without having proper education. These are the experiences that I share with anyone who cares to listen.

Some people would say the society is bad, eduaction system has derailed, yet there are still some students that are making a difference. I have children that were graduates without jobs but they diversified into other lucrative businesses. As an educated person, it is easy to diversify. It will help to have a critical mind and exploit those opportunities that are not noticable by semi-illiterate or illiterate persons. Education is an advantge to climb to the peak of

one’s

life.

What are your aspirations?

As a politician, I aspire to get to the peak of my career. I don’t know where God is taking me to but I believe He is taking me higher. Most importantly, I want to touch lives especially women, girls, youths, less privileged and the elderly in the society. I empower them financially and also ensure that they are in good health.

34 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013

2face, Annie tak e take deliv er deliver eryy of Akpabio’s

Prado SUV gift

...look forward to Dubai white wedding

A

lthough the announcement caused a stir as people criticized the governor for the expensive gift, he has kept true to his word.

Less than two week after the traditional wedding, Akwa-Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio has presented hip hop star, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2face and his wife, Annie Macauley with a brand new one unit Toyota Prado jeep, in Lagos.

The presentation was done last Thursday

by State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Aniekan Umanah at the Liaison office of the state government in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Akpabio who hosted a lavish traditional engagement ceremony for the celebrity couple in Eket, two weeks ago declared a gift of a brand new Toyota Prado SUV for the couple and also, vowed to sponsor 20 people to their forthcoming nuptial in Dubai.

The couple who arrived the Liaison office of the state government at Victoria Island in the company of their friends and family were received by the State Commissioner

for Information, Aniekan Umanah, Special to Assistant on Media to the governor, Jackson Udom and the Liaison Officer, Joseph Etem.

While speaking during the presentation of the car keys and a cheque of N3 million, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniekan Umanah said, the governor ’s decision to donate wedding gifts to the new couple was to show them love and support as they begin their new marital journey.

He said it was only a gesture of love and goodwill to commend the wife for standing by her husband from his days of humble beginnings, saying governor Akpabio approved a car and not two as against what was reported in the media.

The delighted couple expressed their appreciation to the Akwa Ibom State government under the leadership of governor Akpabio. “We are happy that the governor has made good his promises.

2face said he was looking forward to his white wedding in Dubai with his wife,’2face said. .

Davina weds Governor Theodore Orji’s P A PA

N

early a year after the celebrated marriage proposal to celebrity singer-cum-Jewelry designer, Davina Achema, by her long time boy friend, Eric Nwadinobi, the Kogi Stateborn diva is finally set to tie the knot on Saturday, March 30, 2013, at Niteshift Coliseum, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos.

The memories of the drama that rocked her e n g a g e m e n t scene which has continued to make waves, both in the print

and various social media makes the wedding a highly anticipated one for her fans, family members, and the general public.

The surprising Romeo-and-Juliet-act which played out when the ‘I Go Make Am’ singer was given a surprise engagement ring by her boyfriend of three years after she ended her performance on stage dazed all in the hall.

During the emotional moment, the Romeo, Eric Nwadinobi, formerly a Ben TV presenter in London, but currently works with the Abia State governor, Theodore Orji stepped on the stage after her performance and went on his knees, brought out a ring and said: “We’ve known each other for almost three years now and I love everything about you. Please, will you marry me?” The entire crowd went wild with excitement as a tearful Davina said, “Yes”.

The high point of the love scene which took place at the Entertainment Express Newspaper one year anniversary was when the couple embraced and kissed with stunned Davina shedding tears of joy.

“So far, what happened on that Saturday’s night is the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me; that surprise is the most intriguing thing in my life”, the humble and highly admired gold Afro hairstyle diva said in a media chat, shortly after the joyous moment.

Davina started her music journey by playing in night clubs. She was brought to limelight at the 2005 Star Mega Jamz. The couple hope to announce a wedding date soon.

Blitz, glamour as Loral School holds Ballet festival

I

t was an atmosphere of glitz and glamour as the Ballet Club of Loral School, Festac, Lagos, held their teachers, parents and other invited guests spell-bound with their breathtaking ballet performances recently in the maiden edition of the school’s Ballet festival.

The students who dressed in a spectacular costumes, dazzled the audience with a wonderful dance progressions ranging from classical to rhythm, blues and other contemporary musics.

Speaking at the event, the patron of Ballet dance club who is also the costumier, Mrs Macaulay Oluwaranti said the event was born out of the desire to do something different and unique as well as to instil discipline in students.

“We want to let the students know that it takes discipline to be a good dancer. Ballet dance has to do with discipline. So we want to instil discipline in them because, we believe that with discipline, they can go far in their chosen careers. Also, we want to use this festival to prove to people that education doesn’t end in the classrooms”.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013— 35

t i u q o m y r ry B , Jesse Jagz y t i C e t te a l o c o h C

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI & ANOZIE EGOLE

T

Brymo

op producer and artiste, Jesse Garba Abaga may have announced his decision to quit the popular record label, Chocolate City Music.

Popularly called Jesee Jagz, Abaga allegedly posted his decision on his Facebook page last Thursday that he was taking a ‘voluntary exit from the label’.

The 28-year-old rapper signed to Chocolate City in 2008, with his elder brother, Jude ‘M.I’ Abaga.

The statement disclosed that Jagz has left Chocolate City to start his own label called, Jesse Jagz Nation.

According to the release, Jagz said he was leaving the label “voluntarily” after his initial two years contract had ended.

The statement reads thus: “I, Jesse

Dee Dee

records debuts

A

new record label, Dee Dee Records, is set make a mark in the Nigerian music scene as it unveiled its Nigerian artistes last week in Lagos.

According to the CEO of Dee Dee Records, Damien Iwumene, Dee Dee Records will take entertainment in Nigeria to the next level.

“We have been making noise in the US and we are known for what we do. Now we want to take the gospel back home and empower our youths. We have three American artistes and two Nigerian artistes so Dee Dee Records is one big cross-Atlantic family of talented artistes.”

He added that right from his days in secondary school in Nigeria, he had always loved music. However, it was when he got to the US that he finally realized his dream after he set up Dee Dee Records three years ago,” he said.

According to Iwumene, the two new Nigerian acts to join the label are Saint Leo (the masked One) and Indo while its American artistes include Ptyte, Moses Efret and Masq Satrazy.

However, he disclosed that the label is currently concentrating on releasing the debut album of Nollywood actor, Moses Efret.

“Right now we are pushing Moses Efret’s debut gospel album which should drop either in May or June in Nigeria and in the United States. Once we do that we will push St. Leo and Indo’s albums.

Garba Abaga (also known as “Jesse Jagz”) an artist formerly signed to Chocolate City Music label hereby wishes to notify my fans and the general public about my voluntary exit from the label‘, he shockingly announced.”

‘After my initial two year contractual agreement with Chocolate City, I do not wish to renew my contract with them and as such have proceeded to continue my music career with my new team at Jesse Jagz Nation.

‘I still maintain a cordial relationship with the management of Chocolate City and my former label mates and I wish them the best in all their future endeavors.”

However, attempt made

by Showtime to get Jagz to confirm the story proved abortive. But when contacted, M.I’s publicist only muted “Yes it’s true”, declining to speak further on the issue.

Also, when contacted, Brymo who is supposed to be signed under Chocolate City made a startling revelation, saying

that he doesn’t understand what is going on between Jagz and his management.

He disclosed that he was no longer with Chocolate City.

Jesse Jagz

Jydo st orms London storms with ““W Wa Bami Sere”

J

ide Bakare, known as Jydo is currently in London, taking the video of his hit single “Wa Bami Sere” to the next level. The video which theme was a wedding being held on a Beach is making waves all over the social media and it seems Jydo is not taking his foot off the pedal until the video becomes a ‘nation anthem’ of sort.

But what Jydo is doing in London is not all about promoting his “Wa Bami Sere” the ‘Highgrade’ music maker is also looking toward shooting at least 4 more videos from his upcoming 12-track album which he said would be launched on his birthday in June.

“I am currently in London to promote “Wa Bami Sere and also shoot some parts of my upcoming video “Ba’mijo. Manny the CEO of Naked Pictures is the one directing the video alongside some UK film makers. We are looking at shooting at least four videos of the tracks from the album” he said on phone from London.

Jydo’s brand of music as he once revealed is called “Highgrade” which combines a blend of Highlife with a topping of R&B, with infusion of traditional Yoruba drum patterns, rhythms, instruments etc into a type of music that is soulful without having the entirety of ‘soul’ music.

36—VANGUARD, SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2013

Focus and determination paved way for me — Oluwasona

By Olayinka Ajayi

K

ayode Oluwasona, a frontline advertising practisioner is the MD/ CEO of Rosabel Leo Bunett, a renowned integrated marketing communication organisation in Nigeria. In this interview, he shares his experience on how vision and determination paved way for him to the top.

Courageous beginning I started life like every other child, but I was able to quickly gain focus and start the pursuit of a clear vision very early. I was also blessed with parents who challenged and motivated me towards responsibile and good ambition in life. I am the first of the five children of my parents, was born in Abeokuta but I grew up in Ibadan.

It may interest you to know that all the schools I attended have been public schools, from Primary to tertiary. I was enrolled in a primary school at the age of five. I attended Ibadan City Council (ICC) primary school, now Ibadan Municipal Government (IMG) Primary School, Mokola, Ibadan. This was between 1973 and 1978. The head mistress at the time I entered that school was Mrs. Fagunwa, wife of the renown Yoruba author, the late D. O. Fagunwa. I still have vivid memories of certain events from my day one in that school till I left five years after. I recall on day one, how I was accompanied by my mum to the school.

I led my class in academics, particularly as I approached the higher classes, and I was loved by many, including my teachers. I was the class captain of primary five C in school ll. Towards the end of my stay in primary five, and when the primary six pupils were about leaving school, I was named the head boy of the school. I however didn’t wait to do primary six as I gained admission into a secondary school from primary five, after successfully writing the then National Common Entrance primary five was Mr. Sola Oluwakiyesi.

I started secondary school in 1978 at Baptist High School, Iwo,now Osun State.I was 10 years old at this time, and I was in the boarding house. It was a tough period in my life. I had a cousin, who was in Form 5, who was supposed to be my ‘Guardian Angel’.

I won’t mention his name here. He delighted in beating the hell out of me at every opportunity and I had to be taken out of that school after a year by my parents.

I then joined St Patricks Grammar School, Orita Bashorun, Ibadan to continue my secondary school education. I wrote the West African School Certificate (WASC) Exams in May/June, 1983. Unfortunately, I did not do too well, and could not proceed to a tertiary institution. The turning point came when, against

what anyone would ordinarily imagine, I opted to retake the WASC exams in the same St. Patricks Grammar School. I enrolled again for the exams in the school, putting shame aside, got

I took certain decisions that were almost beyond a lad of my age at different times, and each time, it paid off back into uniforms and went back to the classroom with my juniors. Some of my juniors made disparaging statements and enjoyed mocking me and a few of my classmates who also joined me to retake the exams in the school, but at that time, all I had in my head was success at the next WASC. I ended up making six papers, Mathematics and English inclusive, at the next WASC examinations in 1984 and was able to progress in my education. I’ll like to pay a major tribute to a neighbourhood friend of

totally unavoidable reasons. I graduated in 1999 with a GPA of 4.32 out of 5, missing the distinction class narrowly.

How were you able scale through As you can see in my sojourn through academics, two critical factors seem to have been recurring. They are vision and determination. I took certain decisions that were almost beyond a lad of my age at different times, and each time, it paid off. After school, I did two management traineeship programs – the first at Leventis Motors and the second at Lever Brothers Nigeria (LBN), now Unilever Nigeria. Pride was nothing to me; all that mattered was my destination. I have God to thank for this, because in my moments of reflection, I ask myself ‘how were you different from your other mates, who never saw or did what you saw or did’.

Beyond vision and determination, also are people.

I have been blessed with helpful people along the way. I have had great friends, good teachers and mentors. If I begin to mention names, the list will be too long.

I cannot rule out the impact of good training at home, ted star I ...

Oluwasona d school and work. I was well chil r othe ry eve life like trained by my parents. I hold what some people will term as ‘old school values’ very dearly.

Values of ‘respect’, ‘integrity’ and ‘hard mine, Adeniyi Amori. He was my work’ are important to me. At the very Mathematics teacher during that beginning of my professional career, one ‘second Form 5’ year. Deniyi was a of my friends advised me to be childhood friend. He was in another hardworking in whatever office I find school. He was very good in myself. mathematics and I wasn’t, so I chose to He added that it would not matter if it sit with him every day after school for does not pay me in any one organisation mathematics tutorials. He taught me that I should continue because better than my teacher in school. It was somehow, someday, it will speak for me.

Deniyi I owe my success in mathematics I can never forget that admonition, and to, after God. Thank you, Deniyi.

I can tell you categorically that my After crossing the WASC/GCE hurdle, friend was right. The only thing I know I was to go back to Baptist High School, how to do at work is work. I do not Iwo for the Higher School Certificate engage in politics or other unwholesome (HSC) programme, pending the time I practises, and it has always paid me. My would be able to secure a University professional career has been full of admission. I recall saying to the ‘action’. I have always had to work in principal, Deacon Durodola in his office the toughest of work areas. I have that I was discontinuing the worked with the toughest of bosses. In registration process. After a long fact, I have been trained by the discussion, he told me ‘tell your dad toughest of teachers. But today, I you are the one who declined’, and I thank God for all these ‘tough’ people, said, ‘Yes sir’. My mind was on JAMB. who have moulded my professional I needed to face it whole-heartedly. For life. While other people hate tough, the next one year, 1984 to 1985, I did no-nonsense leaders, I appreciate them nothing but stay at home to read for the for making me who I am today. I can JME. It paid off, as in 1985; I passed the never forget the late Mr. Pierre Claver exams and was admitted to the Mutambuka of the Department of University of Ife in 1985, where I did a Economics in Ife. I learnt so much degree course in Economics. I came out from him, even beyond academics. He with a Second Class Upper Division was my course adviser all my degree in 1989. I was back at the same undergraduate days in the University for my MBA programme in University. On a lighter note, you 1997. I was among the first set of MBA will agree with me that it is only a few Executive students of the institution, tough people that can survive crossing and travelled from Lagos to Ife to attend from the client side to the advertising lectures every weekend during the twoagency side in Nigeria. I made that year programme. I took the lectures switch twelve years ago, and I have very seriously, and could count the never looked back. Rather than run number of times I missed classes for away, I have been enjoying it.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Music enthuses positive transformation

,

— Hilary Ogbuagu a.k.a El Levite

H

ilary Ogbuagu known by many with the name El Levite, is a young man of many parts. He is a talented songwriter, recording artiste with a unique flair for Gospel Reggae, music director and a dancehall artiste. El Levite had his primary and secondary school education at Central school Ibenda, Obollo Eke and Obollo High school, Obollo-Eke respectively, both in Udenu LGA of Enugu State.

He is a graduate of History and International Relations of Lagos State University. He tells Youthful Vibes about his growing interest and love for gospel music, and how it has inspired so many youth to make a difference. Excerpts: Growing passion for music I started singing in 1998, the same year, I joined the choir in the Redeemed Christian Church of God. However, I have always loved music, especially, reggae music. In 2009, I formed an eight-man band called Holy Riddim Crew.

My love for reggae music dates back to early influence when I started listening to reggae giants like Bob Marley,Peter Tosh, Beres Hammond, Freddie Mcgregor,Cocoa Tea, Frankie Paul, Luciano and later, Osmond Collins, Papa San, Buchi and Lt. Stitchie. I also joined a Rastafarian movement where I learned about the language (patois) culture and beliefs, all of these later influenced my interest and love for reggae music. When I devoted my life wholly to the service of humanity through my belief in Jesus Christ in 1998. I dropped Rastafari and decided to continue the message of my faith.

They were other factors that contributed to my journey into music. One of such was my passion to spread the message of love anchored on my faith in God. The moral decadence in the society ignited my passion to vehemently share my message through music.

Hence, the emergence of El Levite. This is set up to provide corrective measures to young people who are prone to picking up easily some vices. Using good and sanctified reggae music to educate them and inspire

M

usic inspiring change My music has been a strong voice of liberation and has honoured invitations from several universities, other Tertiary Institutions, prisons and so on.We continue to touch lives,

I have been featuring in the monthly Street G concert organized by Jherri Sixthsence at Rockview Hotel, Festac, Lagos

,

them into a recovery of spiritual morality.

F e a t u r e d Programmes I have been a regular feature in several programmes and crusades. I have been privileged to share the stage with Pastor E.A Adeboye, Helen Baylor, Jackie Mccurlugh, Ron Kenoly, during the popular Winning ways Africa programme organized by Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo.

I have also participated in programmes with Righteousman, who happens to be my mentor, Buchi, Kore, Midnite Crew, Daniel Demos, Chiika, NCPC Mass Choir, David Nkennor, and many more. I have featured in many album projects with Chiika, Eva Ezi Ogoro, NCPC, D k a c h i , Plentyman, Oil of Gladness Choir.

I have been featuring in the monthly Street G c o n c e r t organized

by Jherri Sixthsence at Rockview Hotel, Festac, Lagos. I have performed alongside Eben and other artists at Muson Center, during the popular sickle cell concert. In November 2012, at The Gathering of Stars (Ikeja, Lagos) organized by Righteousman, I performed alongside, Righteousman , Soji Israel, Orits Williki, Keffee, Buchi, Aity, Ruffman of the the popular reggae group, the Street Monks.

Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013—37

will glorify God. Challenges The secular musicians find their way to the ears of people easily than the gospel music artiste. The reason is because there is little encouragement coming from churches. Only a few number of churches consider it needful to support upcoming gospel artistes.

Thereby allowing a good number of our talented youths switch easily to singing...( what I consider as ‘immoral’ songs) that is everywhere today after all efforts to succeed in gospel music fail.

Current Project I am currently putting finishing touches to a 10track album titled Falling in Love. It is being produced at St. Harmony Studio by Paul Agwa (Dr. Paul),and it is billed to be released in September 2013.

YOUNG NIGERIANS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE •Hilary Ogbuagu

EFE IYARE EDO STATE

Y

ranging from RCCG, New Courtyard Parish at EbutteMetta, where I am presently lead the choir. To the general public, my unique style of music is being appreciated and with its invaluable messages embedded in the lyrics continues to liberate souls especially the youth.

Vision for the Nigeria music industry I envision a music industry where a thriving platform is created for upcoming gospel music artistes. This will go a long way to counter the polluted and ungodly lyrics that fills the air today and contaminates the youth. I look forward to running a talent-hunt programme, where the talents of the youth

oung, gifted and proud Nigerian; Efe Richard Iyare is a youth of distinction with a strong compassion for change and success. An indigene of Edo State is the first son from a family of five children. At 17, he was keen on becoming a rapper but shelved the thought and focused on becoming a businessman and social worker. At 21, while in the university, he became the young publisher of a campus magazine , PlayMode. He also got involved in the political affairs of his school by becoming an honourable member of the student union parliament.

Now 25 years old, the graduate of Mass Communication from the University of Benin currently runs his own communications company called Playmode Integrated Communications; a company that offers media and marketing services to companies and individuals. His entertainment magazine has featured A-list artistes such as Psquare, Jesse Jagz, 2face and a long list of top shot celebs and media personalities. Efe has also proven his mettle as a great humanitarian by teaming up with his brother Nosa and partnering with projects such as ‘Slum 2 School’; an NGO that caters for the needs of underprivileged kids by taking them off the streets and enrolling them in schools. Efe is also a strong advocate for change who believes in the brainpower of the Nigerian youth. His dream and ambition is to become a part of the decision makers who will shape Nigeria’s future for the better. He also sees himself becoming an icon in the media sector with the likes of his mentors Rupert Murdoch, Piers Morgan and Ben Bruce. “When people have encounters with me, they are often quick to point out the fact that I sound much older than my age. My company right now is presently seeking opportunities to leverage on new media platforms and digital media as a whole”. He says.”with God on my side, I believe that my company shall become a global phenomenon”.

Efe Richard Iyare

38 — Vanguard, SARTURDAY, MARCH 23, 2013

Only ‘one thing’ can spl

...but not money, not women

N

igeria’s pop duo, P-Square of Peter and Paul Okoye were in Malawi last weekend, where they thrilled their fans with their electrifying performance and moving dance steps. Showtime Celebrity cornered Peter Okoye who provides insight into what could make him break up with his twin brother. He also talks about the making of their latest album, Alingo and their new plans to conquer the southeast African countries with their kind of music.

By BENJAMIN NJOKU You are always on the road, how many days do you guys have to yourselves?

We have been trying as much as possible to create time for ourselves.

But most times, we don’t get it. We need more time to rest because performing for 2-3 hours on stage is not usually an easy task. Despite the fact that we have been travelling over the world, we took a break in January, and right now, we have resumed business again.

Peter Okoye

C M Y K

Sometime ago, it was rumoured that your latest album, ‘Alingo’ was banned which was later refuted.

How did you receive the news?

We heard about the ban. But when they ban a particular song, they are indeed helping to promote that song. By the way, if they ban a song from being broadcast in Nigerian stations, will they stop MTV, Channel O, Soundcity and other cable networks from playing the same song. It’s not possible.

What is the making of Alingo?

Psquare for the past five years hasn’t done any dance video and our fans expected to see something of that nature from us. So, ‘Alingo’ was just the first song we had even before the ‘Invasion’ album came out. We didn’t take the song seriously until when our fans started loving it. And before we knew what was happening, it caught fire. We have no choice than to give our fans a video.

You put in a lot of energies to do the video?

Yes, it was my own idea. When the song started picking up, we thought it is important to give our fans something they have never gotten from Psquare in the past five years. The last time we did something similar to this, ‘Roll It’ was over five years ago. It took us a lot of time and energies to produce the album. Our senior brother, Jude who is also our manager shot the video. Interestingly, most people didn’t know that the video was shot in Nigeria. We went to an abandoned warehouse situated some ten minutes away from our Lagos residence to shoot the video.

Sometime last year, you guys did a remix of Beautiful ‘Onyinye’ with Rick Ross, American artiste. You also got signed to Konvict Music, owned

by Akon. What’s the situation like presently?

Our relationship with Akon is great. We have known Akon for over six year but we were not looking forward to working with him until last two years when he attended our concert in London. After watching us perform on stage, he developed interest in working with us.

Then, he was planning to open a branch of his Konvict Musik record label in Africa and he was in need of business partners who would help him coordinate the business. That was how we teamed up with him to establish Konvict Musik in Nigeria. We are representing Akon in Africa just as he is representing in America. That’s the whole idea.

It was also rumoured some time ago that you guys bought a private jet. Was it true?

There was nothing like that.

I guess because it was included in our list that whenever we are going for a specific show, the organsiers must provide us with a private jet. We had a deal with a private jet company which always hire their private jet to us whenever we are in need of it. It’s like, we have a private jet at our disposal. I remember, I once tweeted that a private jet has been included in our list. That was how people started speculating that Psquare has bought a private jet. But we always travel with the jet all the time.

But do you have a plan to buy a private jet?

To be honest with you, the way things are going, we are planning to buy one. And it’s not because of the cost implication of hiring a private jet, but the fact that we want to meet up with our concerts.

What would you say, you haven’t done since you started your musical career?

I think we have virtually done everything. But I don’t want our fans to start speculating in respect of when would Psquare break into the European or American market.

Africa is the next big thing for Psquare even though Americans are in dire need of our kind of stuff. They have exhausted everything they have to offer. For me, I will rather be a king in my own vicinity than to try to be a king in another man’s land. We have achieved everything except that we have not been able to structure the industry.

The problem is that when we try to do so, some greedy fellows always frustrate our efforts. For me, I’m not complaining but I just feel it is important, we structure the industry for a better tomorrow.

Was a 35-man committee members inaugurated last week by PMAN Peace Initiative to restore peace in the troubled musicians’ house?

I’m not aware of it. In fact, I’m hearing it for the first time.

The committee they claim to have set up, are they musicians or people they feel they want to use to pilot the affairs of the association.

When we came into the industry, it wasn’t like what we are seeing today. Psquare was among the musicians that structured the industry the way it is today. we were among the first set of emerging musicians that started making money from selling our CDs. When they are setting up such a committee, what stopped them from involving people like us.

If they don’t carry people like D’banj, 2face and Psquare along, then, there is a

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, MARCH 23, 2013 —39

lit us —Psquare

problem. It means they are just wasting their time. This is not because we are successful in what we are doing, but it’s because the industry is driven by individual effort. So, if they are taking such a major decision that will affect everybody in the industry and they don’t involve us, then , there is a big problem. I’m not a member of PMAN, and I don’t have any problem with the association.

Are you not interested in the restoration of peace in the industry?

I’m not interested in PMAN because the past leadership of the association failed us. We don’t need to be PMAN members to succeed in our careers. The association hasn’t done anything for us. I don’t need them.

The peace Initiative is trying to unite the musicians again?

When they were setting up the interim administration, they ought to have started from the top and engage those musicians who command respect in the industry. There is no musician in Nigeria today who does not respect 2face. We can be bigger than him in Africa, but I have so

much respect for him because he was among the younger generation of Nigerian artistes who broke even several years ago. It’s so disrespectful that an interim administration was set up without our knowledge. If they don’t get the three top Nigerian artistes; Psquare, 2fac and D’banj, then, they are wasting their time. I love our industry they way it is at the moment. We don’t want a situation where , in the name of association, somebody will start dictating the pace for us.

The more good we are, the more we want to make more money for ourselves.

Which country would say is your largest market in Africa?

At the moment, it’s East Africa. Anytime Nigerians say, they are through with Psquare, will take our things and relocate to East Africa. But South Africa is a place where we have been working for the past one year building market for our songs. We took a break in January, this year, and between February and March, we have been to Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe. We were in Angola two weeks ago and just last week, we stormed Malawi. So, our potential market at the moment is South Africa. We have built all these markets by ourselves alone.

The impression most people have about you is that Psquare is arrogant?

I think Psquare is very

intimidating and we are not arrogant. When you saw me today, did I look arrogant?

That’s a wrong impression people have about us. There is Peter and there is Paul. Peter is stubborn, bad and controversial, but they say Paul is quiet, cool headed and all that. But you see, you cannot steal from Peter to pay Paul. If you steal from Peter to pay Paul, you are indeed paying Psquare.

I’m a very controversial person and I’m not expecting every news about me to be positive.

Psquare is not arrogant, it’s just that the people are scared of approaching them, considering the way we operate. When you see Psquare stepping out, we look very intimidating. But the people who are very close to know that we are not arrogant.

Beyonce could visit a shopping mall today, and the whole place will be shut down.

That does not make her arrogant.

It is her management that has made it to be so.

How is life without your mother?

It has been hectic. We haven’t decided to do a new album at the moment. But while she was alive, she was always with us in the studio.

We don’t know how we are going to do it this time around.

She was a minister of God before she passed on. She had her own Church which Paul and I built for her. Anytime, we want to release a new album, she would pray on the album for almost a week

before we got it released into the market. Her church is still functioning till date and her prayer partners are still there.

Once in while, we do communicate with the leadership of the church and it was our desire to see the church continues to function after her death. Wherever she is today, she will be happy that the church is still functioning because it’s a monument for her.

But did you guys really know what happened to your mother?

People must always speculate . It got to a point, I said to myself that those people who are accusing us of being responsible for our mum’s death must be ignorant of how close we were to her.

We didn’t want that rumour to distract us. In fact, when people are insinuating such things, the best advice is for you to block your ears and never allowed it to distract you.

I’m human, and I don’t except people to say positive things about Psquare all the time.

Psquare have made its worst mistake in the past, and nobody noticed it. We are not perfect. And we know why people were accusing us of being responsible for our mother’s death. It’s because we are successful in what we are doing for a living. Even in my Igbo nation, once somebody starts to progress, his kinsmen will start to associate his riches with money ritual. We have overgrown such insinuation.

We have seen great musical groups split in the industry.

Will Psquare ever split some day?

Like I said earlier, each time, people look at Peter and Paul, they conclude that we are perfect. But they don’t know that I fight with Paul the same way he fights with me.

We quarrel and fight with each other the same way you quarrel and fight with your siblings. The only thing that matters most is that we don’t bring such quarrel into our business.

I always tell my friends, the only person who will tell us to split is our mother but she’s no more. Even if she were to be alive, would she allow us to split? The day we are going to make up our minds to split, it will be an open decision. May be, when I say I want to retire or Paul says he wants to continue with his career in music. That does not mean that I wouldn’t give him my support.

What has kept two of you together?

Of course, we are blood brothers. And we always think of where we are coming from. Our parents never had anything. They were not rich people. If Paul say today that we must split, I will only look at him and laugh.

Sometimes, I’d swallow my pride to ensure that peace

reigns between two of us.

Have you tried to intervene in those popular split in the industry?

The best way I can intervene is to keep Peter and Paul together. Let them watch and learn from us.

But he’s your twin brother?

It goes beyond brotherhood. The Jacksons split. There was this group that wanted to split some time ago, I intervened and made them see reasons they should remain together no matter the odds. Yes, money might be the cause of the split. But I don’t share money with Paul.

That’s the way we have been working because we never had anything from the out set. I’m not saying this because you are interviewing me, between Paul and I, money has never been a problem.

Have you had any cause to date the same woman?

Every woman wants to hang out with Peter. This is because everybody knows that Peter is more outgoing than Paul. But I doubt if woman can cause a problem between Paul and myself.

Money would have been the devil that will cause a problem between us than woman. Any woman that wants to cause between us is wasting her time.

How did you grow up with Paul?

Our growing up was fantastic. I’m the person who was always on the stubborn side. Then, I would go out there and cause some stir, and they would put the blame on Paul because we are twins. We were always wearing the same clothes. I and Paul grew up doing things together. It has remained like that till date.

That’s the way our mum trained. What Paul does not like today, I will not like either. May be, this is what has been holding together.

Have you had any cause to date the same woman?

Every woman wants to hang out with Peter. This is because everybody knows that Peter is more outgoing than Paul. But I doubt if woman can cause a problem between Paul and myself.

Money would have been the devil that will cause a problem between us than woman. Any woman that wants to cause between us is wasting her time.

Recently it was rumoured that you are into oil and gas business?

Yes, it’s about to kick off. My music is doing very well in the market, and investing in other areas will help to boost my pocket. Which is not a bad idea.

Every successful man wants to continue to invest in other areas of life. Are thinking in that direction?

Psquare is not only involved in music alone. We are into real estate business.

C M Y K

40— SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23 , 2013—41

Condolence visit to late Lisa, Chief Bayo Akinola’s widow Friends and family members trooped to Ogun Street, Banana Island, Lagos home of Mr. Akinyinka, son of late Lisa of Ondo, Chief Bayo Akinola to condole with the widow, Madam Funmbi and her children yesterday. The family will relocate to their home at Olubi close,Bodija in Ibadan today .

Photos: Bunmi Azeez

From left: Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communications Technology, daughter of deceased; Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Mrs. Arinola Kola-Daisi, daughter of deceased and Mrs. Yewande Zaccheaus, daughter of deceased.

From left: Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Minister of Communications Technology, daughter of deceased; Mr. Seyi Johnson, Mr. Segun Aina and Chief Olabintan Famutimi

C M Y K

From left: Mrs. Funlola Ogunniya; Lady (Mrs) Wemimo Akinkugbe; Chief (Mrs) Funmbi Akinola (widow) and Ms. Diekolola Awosika

From left: Mrs. Joke Olatunji; Chief (Mrs) Funmbi Akinola (widow) and Mr Fola Ajidagba

From left: Chief(Mrs) Christe Ayo-Adebanjo and Mrs. Ebun Marinho

42—SATURDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2013

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013 — 43

C M Y K

44—SATURDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2013

C M Y K

SATURDAY

Vanguard , MARCH 23,, 2013—45

APGA crisis:

Umeh’s cup is full

By Vincent Ujumadu Chief Vincent Ezenwajiaku is a pharmacist and a lawyer, as well as a politician. He was a foundation member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance and had contested for the House of Representatives and Senate on the platform of the party. He is presently the Hon. Commissioner for Special Duties in the Governor Peter Obi Government. Since the crisis in APGA started, he has remained vocal. He fielded questions from select journalists in Awka.

As a Commissioner in Gov. Obi’s Govt, how would you rate his performance?

I am part of that Government and I think the judgement is better left for “outsiders” to do. Whatever I say would be followed by people saying, as a government official, what do you expect him to say? I therefore leave it to you to do the assessment as you all are in the State and are witnesses to what is going on.

Even as umpires, you can go out and seek the views of those who are in a position to tell you the brutal truth.

We can get your views and then balance it with the views of others, especially…

(Cuts in) Giving you my views is very easy; all I am saying is that those views cannot stand even for balancing.

People comment about the Government of Peter Obi daily that my own is not, in my view, important. Let me even help you out. As the Governor of Anambra State, one thing we cannot take away from the Governor is abundance of energy that I do not know how many people can meet up with his pace. These days, if you read papers, you would have discovered that due to his policy about education that saw him returning schools back to their owners, he is much in contact with Church leaders, I mean credible Church leaders that do not have any reason to dissimulate facts.

I read in the papers how Archbishop Valerian Okeke of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha reviewed what he is doing across all sectors and rated him as the best Governor Anambra State has had.

He talked about how Obi is building a future for the State through overhaul of the education sector, building of roads across the State, attracting foreign investors, rebuilding the health sector, prompt payment of salaries and pensions after

Ezenwajiaku ...

Though I have stopped reading his falsehoods, but I can tell you that 99% percent of what that man says is falsehood. Until he started fighting the Governor, he single handedly brought the names of those who were appointed into transition committees clearing the arrears owed for years, among others. He ended up by saying in Igbo, Odi ka Obi akona anyi, may we not lack a person like Obi. I can go on and on. The other day, I followed His Excellency to a function attended by the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor. The bishop echoed his brother by saying that Obi was God’s gift to Anambra State . Having come down from Ihiala to Awka that day from Dr. Obinna Uzor’s function, the bishop said it took him about 30 minutes to make the trip whereas in the past the journey would have lasted three hours because of bad road.

What does that show you?

The bishop asked God in prayers to give the State a person as good as Obi if he could not give us a person better than him.

Of course you need to listen to Archbishop Efobi of the Anglican Communion. Talk-

ing about Obi, he quoted the Bible: “When the righteous are on the throne, the people rejoice.”

I can tell you that in Anambra today, everybody knows that Obi has done excellently. Some people who do not have character may want to prevaricate for one reason or the other. What I am saying is that politicians can see A and call it B because they have not been given money. I was at an occasion where somebody told the Governor that he was criticizing him because, even though he, the Governor, had tarred roads, that he had not tarred tongues and that it is with the same mouth with which the headmaster pronounces passes that he also pronounces failure.

Take the case of Chief Victor Umeh. He was among the number one supporters of Gov. Obi, he always glorified what the Governor was doing in the State, but when the

Gov., for one reason or the other stopped tarring his tongue, he made a 360 degrees turn and started feeding falsehoods to the people.

Whatever way we look at it, Obi remains the best Governor Anambra has had. We are in the State and will be glad to see somebody break his records.

Where do we start? He has tarred over 700 Kilometers of roads and we are still counting. Almost everyday, he flags-off road projects and work is going on all of them.

He constructed roads in the most difficult parts of the State where nobody thought about until he came on board. In health, he has built a teaching hospital from the scratch, rehabilitated general hospitals, built new hospitals and health centres, bought hospital equipment, and got accreditation for the health institutions. As we speak, he is building, in partnership with the MDG, about 25 structures in missionary hospitals.

It was Obi who built the first secretariat in the state; the first and second massive business parks, bought vehicles for ranking government officials in the executive, judiciary and legislature.

He is equally superlative in the intangible part of governance. He cleared the arrears of salaries and pension of close to 10 Billion Naira.

He has attracted multi national companies to Anambra State . At the last count, we have about four of them; some have built facilities others are

coming on board. Under him Anambra became an oil producing State after he invested billions in Orient Petroleum . In the area of education still, even after the return of primary schools to the Church, he has given them support to the tune of about 6 Billion naira in cash to rehabilitate the schools.

One can go on and on, but the most amazing part of it is that he has not borrowed money from any financial institution nor raised bond as many states are doing in Nigeria .

The president was so excited with his relationship with the Church, that he said the center he wants to help his Otuoke community build through friends would be handed over to the Church to manage. Obi has equally attracted the attention of the World Bank that had sent people to Anambra to study his revolution in education with the aim of using it as a model for other African countries and developing world to emulate. Paul Collier, a notable Oxford professor was so excited about this that he has been propagating it to other African leaders.

You mentioned Chief Victor Umeh, but the Chief said he fell out with the Governor due to his failure to conduct Local Government elections.

Though I have stopped reading his falsehoods, but I can tell you that 99% percent of what that man says is falsehood. Until he started fighting the Governor, he single

Continues on page 46

46—SATURDAY

Vanguard , MARCH 23,, 2013

Continues from page 45 handedly brought the names of those who were appointed into transition committees.

What then is the logic of saying that he opposed it? I have noticed that in Nigeria , what professional politicians do is to employ the instrument of blackmail against the person they are not supporting and Chief Victor Umeh has it in abundance. He was doing this until Mike Udah exposed him on Channels television.

The exposure has just begun. He was the one who, through his one man show business in the form of chairmanship of APGA prevented the party from growing. If not because of this crisis would you have imagined that APGA was receiving 20 million naira every month and one man was pocketing it. I think the recent judgment of an Enugu High Court was providential.

It will now give opportunity to those who have the interest of the party at heart to restructure the party.

Are you saying that Victor Umeh has not contributed towards the building of APGA? If you are in partnership business with somebody, how do you measure your gain? It is simply by balancing gains vis-à-vis efforts. In the case of Umeh, the ration of efforts to gain is about 5% to 90%. He put in 5%efforts and has reaped 90% gains.

Would you say that such a person has suffered for the party? APGA was largely financed by Peter Obi. It was even his house at Abuja that initially served as APGA office. Umeh is always for what will be of personal gain to him.

Even when the President asked APGA to get some names for appointment in the spirit of building a national government, Victor brought names of riffraffs that he would control, one estate manager that does not know his right hand from his left and one jobless man whose work now is to send text messages daily on behalf of Victor. Of course, the names were not considered for lack of qualification.

How do you mean?

I am a foundation member of APGA. In the beginning, Umeh who now brags about what he is not was the Personal Assistant to an Anambra politician, Chief Okonkwo (ofiadiulu) . The man is still in active politics. Somehow he became the treasurer of APGA. When APGA removed Chief Chekwas Okorie, we were having the meeting of Anambra party members, and Obi said that from the experience of betrayals he had had, that he would prefer Victor

Ezenwajiaku ...

What professional politicians do is to employ the instrument of blackmail against the person they are not supporting and Chief Victor Umeh has it in abundance Umeh to be appointed the Ag Chairman.

Apparently, Umeh had gone to beg him.

That was how he became the Ag Chairman. But today, surprisingly and incredibly, I hear him say that he made the Governor. The man is an interesting study in human nature.

He may think he is a smooth talker who can confuse and confound, but by the time he will realize the harm he is doing to himself, it will be too late. Today he is regarded as a risk factor. He is the type of man that gathers documents and dossier on persons he deals with and releases them to the public as a professional blackmailer. If Obi was dubious, he would have had tonnes of documents about him. I am sure nobody will like to deal with him in Nigeria . I read that even Owelle Rochas Okorocha warned his Commissioners and aides to be careful about him and not allow him get close to any Government document.

But he contributed four million naira to Obi’s tribunal case .

Who said so?

He said it in an interview he granted Vanguard This is the reason why I told you that I do not read what the man says any longer.

How can anybody believe this? We know where we are coming from. Before Obi became the Governor, he was on the Board of about 7 quoted companies, including about 4 financial institutions by the virtue of his investment.

The man who said he donated 4million to Obi’s tribunal case at that time was living in a two room apartment at Anam St , a ghetto in Enugu . At that time, Obi was the one who procured an international passport for him alongside other party members as well as sponsored his first trip overseas. It was also Obi who bought Umeh his first V-boot Mercedes car as he did not have even a bicycle and yet he has the boldness to say he contributed 4 million naira to tribunal efforts. Can’t you read between the lines?

I agree with a writer who said that sudden wealth has entered Umeh’s head and he now sees himself as a little

god. In Umeh’s estimation, Mike Udah is not sufficiently big to talk with him. Can’t you see arrogance verging on delusion of grandeur here?

Today from two room apartment at Anam Street, he is now living in a palatial home, one of the best in Enugu. He has many of them in Enugu .

The one in his home town is under construction with almost 90 air conditioners amidst other facilities to meet his Epicurean taste, but the speed has reduced now he is having problems in APGA. He now has fleet of vehicles.

When such a man tells you that he suffered for APGA, such statement among those who knew what he used to be and what he has amassed now elicit laughter.

I recall that before Obi became Governor, the first real money Victor made was from buying of a house for a Lagos business man Obi introduced him to. After the sale, he made more than 50 Million naira and even asked the Governor to keep 70% of the proceeds and the Governor refused by insisting that he was not in the business of Estate management. If he really donated money to Obi’s campaign, it must be from the proceeds. You can ask Okey Ezeibe about this, he knows the details among others. In fact Okey was the one the Governor asked to introduce Victor to their friends in Lagos. These people supported him because he was from Mr. Peter Obi, but in his characteristic manner, today he will tell you that he was the one who introduced Peter Obi to those people.

But for Prof. Nwosu to ask the Gov to meet Umeh if he hoped to become Governor, do you

not think that the man has some clout?

From what I have said about him, you believe him to your own detriment. Let us see it this way, Obi and Nwosu met and Nwosu asked him to go and meet Umeh.

For Umeh who was not at the meeting to tell what transpired between Obi and Nwosu means that he must be a spirit. Can’t you read into lies?

Since Umeh started talking, don’t you think it is ripe for the Governor to speak at this point and set the records straight?

I thought you people love the Governor?

That is why we need him to speak It will be infra dignitatum for the Governor to start bandying words with Umeh. Who is he? Is it because he stole the Chairmanship of APGA? If you are in Anambra, you would have noticed that Obi is the busiest Governor. As I speak, he is away to Rome as part of the Federal Government delegation for the installation of the new Pope. No week passes without his having meeting at Abuja . He belongs to more than 10 Federal Committees, besides being the Financial Adviser to the President. He is also the Chairman of South-East Governors Forum as well as the Vice Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum. For a person saddled with all these responsibilities to have time for idle people like Umeh will be lunacy.

At the end of his tenure, he will not be judged by exchanges with Umeh, but by what he achieved in Anambra State . So we thank the Governor for not replying to Umeh’s lies and hope he will not because it will diminish him. It is even with difficulty that I am commenting on him because he is not worth my time for I am equally busy.

The people that are placed in the position to reply him, if there is need are the Chief Press Secretary, Mike Udah and the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Val Obienyem.

I am happy Udah has done that very well.

But he says that Udah is too small for him?

That tells you how deluded he is. Apart from making so much money and wangling his way to become Chairman of APGA, who is he? Udah has more pedigree than he has.

Udah is better educated; Udah has edited a national newspaper, among others.

That shows you how he will enjoy my talking about him.

Oh, why have you journalists led me to this?

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013 — 47

C M Y K

48 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013

Ogun boils as truck crushes couple, five others •50 policemen deployed

BY DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta

T

RAGEDY struck on Thursday night when a cement-laden truck belonging to Dangote factory crushed seven people including a couple to death at Ibese in Yewa North local government area of Ogun state.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the accident involved three trucks of the cement company. The incident however forced the Commissioner of Police, Ikemefuna Okoye to relocate to the area in a bid to douse the tension in the area following a pandemonium that broke out leading to the death of a trailer-motor boy and burning of Dangote three trucks.

It was also learnt that the couple who were crushed to death while on a motorcycle had fixed today (Saturday) for their wedding ceremony before the unfortunate i n c i d e n t .

Confirming the incident yesterday, the Unit Commander of Itori Federal Road Safety

Youth leader commends NDDC over projects in Delta

A

prominent youth leader in Niger Delta, Comrade Ebis Moni, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for the numerous completed and ongoing projects in Delta State.

Moni, who spoke to newsmen at a function in Warri, yesterday, said, the new board of NDDC, has done well in projects execution in Delta State, adding that Mr. Lambert Komboye, Executive Director, Finance and Administration, who is from Delta State, has proven to be competent and reliable.

According to him, “with Mr. Komboye, representing the state in the board of NDDC, Delta is presently witnessing massive and rapid infrastructural development, particularly construction of roads scattered across the state.”

Corps, Fatai Bakare blamed the accident on recklessness of the truck drivers.

While explaining how the accident occurred, Bakare stated that six of the victims were on two motorbikes before they were crushed by the trailer.

According to him, the bodies of the deceased have been deposited at the Ilaro general hospital m o r g u e .

“It was an accident involving three trucks belonging to DANGOTE Cement Company but before members of FRSC got to the scene, the number plates of the trucks were already removed. Seven people

died in the accident (6 males and 1 female) including an husband and wife on a bike.”

When contacted the State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi said: “Ogun State police command has drafted over 50 policemen which included both mobile and conventional policemen to maintain law and order in the area,” he said.

Also reacting, the Head, C o r p o r a t e Communications of DANGOTE Cement, Anthony Chiejina, denied that the trailers that crushed the victims belong to the cement company.

From Left; Mr Hakeem Ogunbambi, Permanent Secretaries, Office of Environment; Dr Taofeek Folami, Speacial Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Environment; Engr Olalekan Shodeinde, Coordinator Waste water Management Office; Engr Adesoji Adeyemi, Guest Speaker and Mrs Tanwa Koya, Executive Secretaries, Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission during the Awareness Programme on Development Water Supply and Sanitation Policy for Lagos State, Organised by Lagos State Government held in Ikorodu, Lagos, recently. Photo Kehinde Gbadamosi

Five suspects in prison over possession of human skull

BY DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta

F

OR allegedly killing a 7-year old boy and as well be in possession of a human skull, five accused persons were yesterday remanded in prison custody by an Abeokuta Magistrates’ C o u r t .

The accused, Oluwaseyi Salako, 30; Akeem Shotayo, 32; Akeem Akinbowale, 33yrs; Segun Olabode, 46 and Ifarotimi Balogun, 47, were arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful possession of

fresh human skull and m u r d e r .

The prosecutor, Insp.

Sunday Eigbejiale, told the court that the offence was committed on March 9 at about 7 a.m. in Abeokuta.

He told the court that the accused whose plea was not taken were said to have unlawfully killed 7-year old Ope Ogunseye by machete.

He also alleged that the defendants, between March 9 and 14, in Abeokuta, were caught with human parts.

“The defendants on March 9, at about 11 a.m. in Mokonolu compound,

Isale Ijeun, were found in possession of a fresh human head,” Eigbejiale s a i d .

F

ORMER Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt-Gen Oladipo Diya (rtd) yesterday thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for granting him state pardon over his involvement in the 1997 phantom coup and begged that the measure should be extended to other people involved in the saga.

Diya is among some prominent Nigerians including former Bayelsa State Governor, DSP Alamieyeseigha, who were granted state pardon on March 12, a move that

elicited mixed reactions in the polity.

Hailing the decision yesterday, Diya said the President had “demonstrated that he is a leader with high sense of fairness, equity and justice. I am really thankful that he allowed God to use his good office to exonerate me finally from the diabolical and unjust treatment meted to me on account of my principled opposition to forces of tyranny in Nigeria.”

Urging pardon for all those involved in the issue, he said “it is no gain saying that both officers and civilians sentenced on the incidence must benefit

Magistrate Matins Akinyemi adjourned the case to April 23 for mention.

Glo/CNN African Voices profile Nigerian film director, Jeta Amata lywood success story. “The

C

NN African Voices sponsored by l e a d i n g t e l e communications operator, Globacom, will this weekend profile Nigerian film director, Jeta Amata.

Jeta Amata is one of Nigeria’s most popular film directors who comes from

Pardon: Diya thanks Jonathan, urges implementation of Oputa report

BY CLIFFORD NDUJIHE

The offence, according to the prosecutor, contravened the Criminal Code of Ogun, 2006.

from this Federal Government benevolence, otherwise it will become a selective state pardon, which will put to question the fate of others not so pardoned.”

To redress the injustice that reigned in the nation then, Diya pleaded with the President to publish and implement the Oputa Panel report.

“This was a panel set up by the Federal Government of Nigeria with state funds and a report was submitted on it.

A lot of findings and recommendations were made most specially on the phantom coups of 1995 and 1997.

a family of veteran filmmakers (Ifoghale Amata, Zack Amata and Fred Amata). His grandfather was a prominent writer and actor. It is, therefore, not surprising that Jeta has soared in the world of filmmaking and entertainment and is now part of the new generation of Nigerian movie-makers committed to telling African stories to a global audience.

He speaks with CNN’s Isha Sesay on his upcoming film and his experience working with major Hollywood and Nollywood film stars.

Jeta is particularly popular for such movies as “The Amazing Grace”, “Alexa Affair ” and “Mary Slessor”, and has received local and international acclaim. He rose to global prominence when he produced a film/documentary for the BBC, British Broadcasting Corporation in 2003 using his film “Game of Life” as footage for the documentary.

Debuting his movie “Alexa Affair” at the Berlin film festival in 2004 set him firmly in the minds of Nigerians and the world forever as Nigeria’s own Nol-

Amazing Grace” which won the award as Best West African Film in 2006 Screen Nations Award in UK was also the first Nigerian film to be screened at the prestigious Cannes film festival.

Jeta’s recent credits include, Inale (a musical on an African fairy tale) and Black Gold (a film that chronicles the suffering of oil-rich Niger Deltans of Nigeria).

Other awards he has won include Best West African Film, Screen Nations Awards, 2007; Best Cinematography, African Academy Movie Awards AAMA, 2006; Best Cinematography, Nigeria Movie Awards NMA, 2007; Best Director, SIGMA AWARDS , 2008; Audience Awards, Abuja International Film Festival, 2009 and Best Short, Abuja International Film Festival, 2009.

African Voices, a 30minute magazine programme, will be broadcast on Friday at 8.30 a.m., with repeat broadcasts on Saturday at 3.30 p.m. and on Sunday at 9 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. There will be further repeats at 10.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. on Monday.

SATURDAY Vanguard , MARCH 23, 2013—49

D

r. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, PhD, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Commander of the Armed Forces, must know something that the rest of us do not know. He wants another term in office, a desire which certain sections of the nation vehemently oppose. We all know that. The secret of how he hopes to achieve that ambition, however, is what he is yet to share with all but his close friends and relatives. In the first place, those who oppose his bid for the presidency on the grounds that it would compound an illegitimate number of terms of office do have an arguable standpoint, even if it has not found any appreciable favour in the law courts up till now.

But they are a formidable and relentless class of opponents and will have their say at least on election day.

The President’s involvement with the local politics of his state, Bayelsa, almost reduced his status to that of a regional leader in outlook.

The extent of embroilment with the ousted he has succeeded in demeaning before the whole world? governor nearly brought the episode to a Even the ethnic card he has relied on is wilting before the personal level publicly. It definitely did not heat of his own people’s antipathy at his myriad of enhance his political image nationally, but inappropriate measures. Chief of these, and the one that would have smashed his political reputation to may eventually write off his hopes for a return to Aso smithereens if he had come off second best in a Rock, is his fixation on raising the price of petroleum contest which needed not to feature his interest products. He has started on that trail again. And, again, so clearly. True enough, President Olusegun with his “ruff ‘n tumble” tactics.

Obasanjo did the same, but that was in his second term and after he had acquired the Yoruba States, The classic interview seeks to with the exception of Lagos, extract special, or specialized, into the fold of the Peoples information from someone who Democratic Party. That gave is in possession of it for the him a substantial clout to benefit of the public. Sometimes buttress his political position it is for the edification of the even on the national stage. What interviewer too.

The is more, he had only the interviewer therefore starts out adventurous and reckless from the “humble” position of a “third-term” ambition in play; person who wants to know he had exhausted the certain facts from his “guest”. constitutional limit of a Now, one uses that word with presidential tenure. some discretion. It establishes President Jonathan, on the the relationship between the other hand, obviously is under interviewer who is in the starter’s orders to run for position of the host and another term and needs to •President Jonathan therefore bears the present himself as a winsome responsibility for the welfare of his visitor.

His position candidate, instead of generating resentment in various sections. He has already alienated the demands a definite standard of courtesy and protection feelings of the people of the South West, mostly for the man, or woman, who has agreed – or is obliged— the Yoruba, to whom he is yet to show a to talk to him. To portray this, the volume of the desirable measure of attention as an important interviewee’s voice used to be intentionally slightly more section of the federation. The neglect of this enhanced on radio, while he or she could be more favoured people in his consideration reeks to high through lighting or projection on camera — the more to heavens in his show of disfavour. One sometimes portray him or her “in a good light”, (beyond merely a wonders if he is in possession of a secret ploy by manner of speaking.) To all that is added the unwritten which be can win them over when he really rule that one does not engage his guest in an argument, or attempt to score off him or her. Those tricks of the trade needs them, as he definitely will. are, of course, no longer emphasized specially, as longis track record in the solution of our time usage seems to have absorbed them into normal security problems is highlighted by the application.

These are the basics of the profession, although dilemma of the confrontation with the Boko Haram scourge. It is not a failing for which he is interviews as well as those who conduct them have personally accountable, but the buck still stops developed a variety of modes and styles. Ed Murrow, the at his table. It is his responsibility to design a fabulous war correspondent and first Director of the Voice solution that will halt the harrowing excesses of of America, arguably invented the style of making the guest to justify his or her standpoint, by asking questions this sect which now seems able to strike at will, in a rampant posture that throws disdain at the face of the nation.

Even within his party, the PDP, he has failed to be a rallying point to the diverse elements in the higher rung. His tactics, which is as subtle as that of a bull in a china with an accusatory or provocative flavour. He sometimes shop, has succeeded in fragmenting the unity got it back in the face, though, like when he asked the that would ensure solidarity among the rank and fabulous pianist (who was suspected to be gay) why he file. The pardon which he offered some ex- wasn’t married. Liberace quipped back that it was for the convicts recently did not meet with wholesale same reason that Murrow himself was twice divorced.

But Murrow was so famous and floated on so high a acceptance within the party itself, some of whose members hide their embarrassment reputation that dignitaries and celebrities queued to get under the cloak of silence. It earned the outright interviewed by him. He had a special chair on which his condemnation of foreign nations, some of which guests sat, and which he carried all over the world for the have registered sanctions against Nigeria in sessions. But in all the skirmishes he was reputed to have defiance of the internationally accepted incited over and across the seas, he was never once principle of non-interference in the affairs of a accounted to have been rude to any of his guests on the foreign independent state. Even before that, his air.

Neither, of course, has David Frost. Urbane, debonair, anti-corruption stance had developed lamentable defects. No wonder he has himself but nevertheless armed with an array of incisive admitted that no government in Nigeria has incendiary, Frost has charmed his audiences over decades by his masterly management of the art of conversation. ever been as criticised as his own.

So how does he get back into office through He exploded telling facts with marked courtesy in the face the votes of the people he has opposed, of celebrities, and then wiped off any lingering trace of marginalized, failed to protect and whose image embarrassment with a smile and a warm handshake at the

*goodluck to the President *oga at the top *a jesuit as the pope

H

,

,

The neglect of this people in his consideration reeks to high heavens in his show of disfavour

end. In my book, he ranks the most lethal interviewer of all time.

Of course, there have been great and glamorous interviewers in the media as the increasing force of the need for information continues to fuel decisions and actions on a global scale. But, even when the interviewer’s advantage of any given situation is obvious over his guest, the rein of moderation is very seldom relaxed. Just imagine what that Amanpour of a lady could have done by way of making mincemeat of our “oga at the top” recently. But the “professional” came through, though some us were squirming on our seats throughout the interview.

Those who took so much delight on the social media in the discomfiture of Obafaiye Shem, the Lagos State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, would appear to have missed the point completely. Their hilarity at the shortcoming of a man in answering a question that may not be absolutely relevant to the discharge of his duties exposed the shallowness of their wit — and maybe one should not have expected anything deeper, judging from the kind of language they use, and the type of music they make anyway. But, on the whole, the reaction at that level could be the outburst of the pent-up resentment against the slavish worship of those superior officers in authority, whose word is inviolable. Their sacrosanct directive and its execution is settled and sealed by the pronouncement of “order from above!” The rule of law, the very air of freedom that we breathe, forbids that product of a retarded mentality in this day and age. That is the point, and it veers more to the tragic than the comic.

Most of all, one is sadly left with the impression that those who claim to be professionals within the media, and who base that argument apparently on a very solid foundation too, may all the same not be fully aware of the power they seem to handle so casually. And, by the way, to accept responsibility for a situation is not, by that fact, to absolve oneself of accountability for its consequences.

The final remark made on this page last week in connection with the election of Pope Francis I to the throne of St, Peter was that we may be in for “an interesting time as distinct from interesting times”. Indeed, it could be otherwise as I made it known to several readers who have called me, in preference to expressing their views by text. Someone even disputed that the new Pope should be addressed as “Francis I”, but that is patently who he is—the first Pontiff of that name in Roman Catholic history. “ The remark about “interesting times” sprang, actually, from my awareness of the history of the Jesuits, the order to which he belongs. It is indeed remarkable because one of the basic principles of the Jesuits is that they do not present themselves for ecclesiastical office. Pope Francis is the first Jesuit to become a Pope mainly for that fact. The order produces intellectuals by the way its preparation for priesthood is processed.

The priests spend about four longer years than is ordinarily demanded for other orders. This serves them in good stead for the promotion of education which is the visage of the hallmark of their ministry. Their educational institutions are steeped in Roman Catholicism, and are usually named for the rounder of the order, St. Ignatius Loyola. We have them here in Abuja, Ibadan and other places.

The Jesuits, who are named in full as The Society of Jesus, were prominent in history as proponents of the Counter Reformation, when Roman Catholicism struck back at the rising wave of the Reformation founded by Martin Luther.

The new Pontiff does have rare challenges ahead. And that was what we meant by “interesting times.”

Time out.

50 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23 , 2013

Literary giant, Chinua Achebe dies at 82 •Continued from Page 5 assisted him to Boston in 1972.

As the Director General of NTA, I commissioned the production of Things Fall Apart into a movie which helped to further populaise the book which has been translated into several languages.

This production of Things Fall Apart further helped the evolution of the film industry in Nigeria.

Things have fallen apart – Ben Obi

Reacting to Achebe’s death yesterday, Special Adviser to the President on Inter-Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi lamented that things had really fallen apart and the centre could no longer hold.

He said. “It is with a great sense of shock, loss and immense sense of foreboding that I received the sad news of the passing on of this great Igbo nay Nigerian cum African Icon and globally acclaimed literary giant Professor Chinualumogu Achebe in the United States of America.

“Chinua as he is fondly called was an epitome of literary creativity that went beyond the normal, his witty anecdotes in his books especially the early three Things Fall Apart, Arrow of God and No Longer At Ease, compelled the reader (especially Africans) wallow in homesickness.”

“Alas our unrepentant Apostle of our age old but latterly despised and grossly abused ethics and value is no more. A true scholar who has left immortal footprints in contemporary literary history, a great son of Africa and statesman is indeed no more.

Things really have fallen apart and the centre will no longer hold. I sincerely condole with his widow, children, extended family and the government and people of Nigeria on the sad event of the death of one of the greatest men that ever trod this earth in our time and indeed Africa’s number one foremost story teller.”

It’s is irreparable loss — Buhari

National leader of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, General Muhammadu Buhari expressed shock at the demise of Achebe, a writer

he said that effectively combined intellectualism and simplicity.

“His debut literary work, ‘Things Fall Apart’ published in 1958, has continued to attract wide readership across the globe. He was known for an inimitable courage in freely expressing his personal convictions on prevalent National discourse irrespective of the desire of the principalities in the Land.

He rebuffed two attempts by the PDP-led Federal Government to confer National honours on him because of his conviction that the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, as a party, had not given Nigerians any hope of responsible governance.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, NEC and the party members across the Nation-space and the Diaspora, GMB sent his condolence to the immediate family members of Professor Achebe on the tragic loss.

“May the Almighty God grant the family and the entire Nation the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

It’s a sad moment for Nigeria – Adefuye

Also botched Third Republic Senator, Anthony Adefuye, said it was a sad moment for Nigeria because a man of honour had gone home.

“It is really a sad moment. Achebe was a literally giant and great poet. He wrote many books including Things Fall Apart, for which he would never be forgotten.

He was a man of honour.

He will be remembered for his books and poetry,” he said.

IYM declares seven days mourning, say we’re in shock

Igbo youths under the umbrella of the Igbo Youths Movement, IYM, said they could not believe that Achebe is dead.

Said the group’s President, Evang Elliot Uko: The Igbo Youth Movement wails in shock to the call to glory of African hero Prof.

Chinualumogu Achebe.

We wail and mourn and wish it was not true.

Achebe presented traditional African society to the rest of the world fifty five years ago.

He was the man who

•Prof Chinua Achebe gave the world insight to the orderliness of pre-colonial Africa. His ideas and message translated to over a hundred languages.

Lately, he stood up for truth in an inspiring display of courage and love for one’s people and respect for History. He was not afraid of name calling or the expected abuse. He chose the truth in order to inspire all generations. A great Iroko has fallen, IYM hereby declares seven days mourning for the man of his people.”

It’s a great loss to literary world – Fashola

On his part, Governor Babatunde Fashola, described Achebe’s death as a great loss not only to the literary world but also humanity.

Fashola, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Hakeem Bello, recalled his meeting with Professor Achebe last December at Brown University, Providence in Rhodes Island United States, where he had gone to deliver a keynote Paper at the 2012 Achebe Colloquium on Africa, saying he was particularly saddened by the fact that there was nothing that indicated that the meeting would be the last.

“I am particularly saddened by the fact that when I met him at Brown University last December, I never realized it will be my last with him. It is, in-

deed a great loss and given the great contribution he has made in shaping the course of African Literature, he will be sorely missed, especially by the literary world”, governor Fashola said.

He said Nigeria, Africa and the Black Race owe Professor Achebe a wealth of gratitude and honour “for his uncompromising stand against all forms of colonialism and man’s inhumanity to man”, adding that both nationally and internationally, the literary don agitated for equality and objectivity.

Achebe will never die, says Okonjo — Iweala

In her reaction, Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said Achebe would never die.

Her words: “We received the news of the passing of Prof Chinua Achebe with a sense of profound loss. Yes, he was 82 years old and by any measure not too young to die. But Achebe had for so long been a part of our lives that the thought of his death has an unreal quality.

“Additionally, having known him and his wonderful wife, Aunty Christy since I was a teenager, there is, for me, a very personal feeling to this loss. But the good news is that though he is gone, Achebe is very much alive. He is alive in

his works and in his words and in his ideas.

Certainly his idea that African culture has intrinsic value beyond anthropological voyeurism is very much alive. That is why his great intellect lives on and the man will never die!”

Immortalize him by rehabilitating Enugu-OgidiOnitsha road – PDP

The National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP yesterday described the late Professor Chinua Achebe as one who stood for anticorruption and social justice.

The party urged the Federal Government to honour Achebe’s numerous contribution to the nation by immediately commencing works on the rehabilitation of EnuguOgidi-Onitsha road which passed through his home town, Ogidi in Anambra State.

In a statement signed by the party ’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the PDP said that Achebe would be greatly remembered for his unwavering anticorruption stand; his efforts towards promoting high moral values in the country as well as his contributions toward national development.

Governors pay tributes Governor Amechi mourns Achebe:

Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Ni-

geria Governors Forum, NGF, Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi yesterday, expressed shock and sadness over the passing of renowned writer, Prof.

Chinua Achebe.

Amaechi who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, described Achebe as one of Nigeria’s and Africa’s finest literary giants whose works speak volumes and is internationally recognized.

Amaechi recalled his fond memories of Achebe including his play “A man of the people” which is the governor’s favourite work by the writer.

Oyo State governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, has described the deaths of Professor Chinua Achebe, Chief Richard Akinnola and televangelist, Pastor Timothy Obadare as a rude shock for a Nigerian nation which requires at this time the intellectual, business acumen and spiritual interventions that the three men stood for in their lifetimes.

He made this known in a release issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr. Festus Adedayo.

He described Professor Achebe as a literary scholar who, through his story-telling acumen, told the Nigerian/African story to the subconscious of the entire world, by so doing showing the world that Africans possessed a rich cultural heritage that is comparable to any people’s in the whole world.

“Through his storytelling, which he did with a baffling mastery and simplicity, Achebe told our own story with arresting simplicity, thus arresting the slide of negative perception of Africans as devoid of a worthwhile historical past.

He showcased our rich history, culture and language, thereby changing Western historians’ wrong perspectives about Africa and Africans as a people without history,” Ajimobi said.

Babatope, Hon Okechukwu speak Chief Ebenezer Babatope, a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party and an ardent loyalist of Chief Obafemi Awolowo said the death of Prof Chinua Achebe is a great loss to Nigeria and Nigerians because he was not only a profound intellectual but also a progressive intellectual and a political actor.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013 — 51

C M Y K

52 52— SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013

Prof Chinua Achebe: Exit of literary giant

Chinua Achebe 1930 - 2013 The Eagle falls from the Iroko tree

BY OCHEREOME NNANNA

A

L B E R T Chinualumogu Achebe,Professor of English, one of the greatest novelists of the modern era and often hailed as the Father of African literature, had been ill for a long time before he finally succumbed on Friday, March 22nd 2013. When he was crippled after a car crash in 1990 on his way from Nsukka to Enugu, he relocated to the USA, where his fame as the author of the magnum opus: Things Fall Apart suddenly broke the bounds and became one of the most celebrated classics of our time, having been translated into over 50 languages and sold nearly 10 million copies.

When Achebe was invited to deliver the Ahiajoku Lecture in Owerri in 2010 by the Imo State Government under the leadership of Sir Ikedi Ohakim, he arrived to the adulation of the mammoth crowd made up mainly of doting academics from all parts of the South East Zone. Most people expected an earthshattering firework of a lecture. But Achebe did not address the theme.

He merely spoke briefly and generally on the need for Nigerians and Igbo people to rediscover the art of grooming good leaders to put Nigeria right. Many people came out of it with the conclusion that Achebe had actually come to give a “vote of thanks” for the way Nigerians and the world recognised his achievements and gave him a place of pride in history through his many masterly literary works.

Achebe eminently qualified as one of the founding fathers of postcolonial Nigeria. The period in which he was born coincided with the earliest beginnings of the push for the eventual decolonisation of Nigeria. As he grew from his Ogidi hometown in today’s Anambra State and became one of the pioneers of new institutions that would eventually become famous – Government College, Umuahia and later, the University

College, Ibadan, the British colony of Nigeria was rapidly moving towards being packaged and handed over to his generation. They were expected to take it to a level demonstrative of the black man’s ability to stamp his identity on the world stage.

His personal story in his last major work: There Was A Country, clearly illustrated that Achebe and his cohorts from the literary world did their best to use their art to guide the African independence. Their political counterparts held sway and bungled the experiment.

However, Achebe and his fellow travellers, such as Cyprian Ekwensi, Wole Soyinka, John Pepper Clark, Christopher Okigbo, Mabel Segun and a host of others, produced timeless works that were boldly and exclusively celebrated everywhere as truly and organically African.

Achebe, however, stood out in his ability to use the Igbo cosmology to paint a rich portrait of the African world, and no written work was able to transfer the psychedelic infectiousness of it all across the literary divides of the world as Things Fall Apart, written 51 years ago, was able to do. The influence and fad of this book continue to balloon in all directions and different dimensions. In September 2011, American rapper and actor, Curtis James Jackson III , also known as 50 Cent, offered to pay one million dollars if he would be allowed to use the title of this novel to create a documentary.

Achebe rejected the offer flatly, saying it was beyond any monetary value.

The rapper eventually decided to do his project with the title: All Things Fall Apart.

Beyond being a writer, Achebe also spent a lot of his life time in the classroom, in the office as a government media operator and even in the field briefly as a politician.

Quite evidently, his endeavours in those other areas, with all he was able to achieve, did not break the surface as much as his literary talents did. In fact, he could be described as a non-starter politician. In 1993, he became the

running mate of the presidential candidate of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) Mallam Aminu Kano. His party came fourth out of five that went into the general and presidential elections. Achebe came out never to try again.

However, he also came out of the experience and wrote his enduring, but rather prophetic jeremiad entitled: The Trouble With Nigeria. I t is a pamphlet that is small but mighty, as no other book has been able to capture the nation’s ills as evocatively as that little tome.

While living in the US, Achebe firmly distanced himself from the ruling circles of Nigeria. Both the President Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan regimes did their utmost to draw him closer through offers of national awards of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Achebe rejected the Obasanjo offer, on the ground that Obasanjo was behind the brazen destruction of Anambra State by political

* Achebe bids farewell to Nigerians the literary behemoth at 82, and some have foolishly gone about it as if they would not die one day. Indeed, while the

Achebe, however, stood out in his ability to use the Igbo cosmology to paint a rich portrait of the African world, and no written work was able to transfer the psychedelic infectiousness of it all across the literary divides of the world as Things Fall Apart, written 51 years ago, was able to do. desperados linked directly to the president.

When he rejected the same offer under President Jonathan saying the situation in his state and the country had not changed, the Presidency wrote back, wondering if he was still current with Nigerian affairs since there had been both regime changes and as well as the reversal of Obasanjo’s brigandage in his state.

Achebe’s last testament, There Was A Country, however, did not win him a lot of friends, especially among the Yoruba people. In fact, many of them have been very venomous in their reaction to the passing of

biography and chronicling of Achebe’s account of his appreciation of the events of the Nigerian civil crises and war is being applauded in some quarters, some describe it as “an anti-climax”, what with the many editorial and sometimes factual errors evident.

The book bought Achebe many enemies among the Yorubas mainly because he made their intellectuals seem like losers in straight, merit-based competitions with their Igbo counterparts just after independence and before the crises. More pointedly, he was very denunciative of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the Yoruba nation’s political

champion’s handling of federal policies which helped in extending the sorrows of the Igbo people during and after the civil war, in particular was the Awoist policy of starvation as a legitimate instrument of war.

Since that book was published late in 2012, it has re-opened the already forgotten though not healed sores of that conflict.

The fight between the two sides has been fierce, especially over the Internet and only goodness has prevented it from spilling into the streets. Given the fact that the major antagonists of the civil war – the HausaFulani (North) and the Yoruba federalists massed on one side against the Igbo former Biafrans in a similar fight when Dim C h u k w u e m e k a Odumegwu Ojukwu died late in 2011, it illustrates the fact that on such a sensitive issues, Nigerians can never react the same.

Talented novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, wrote an intervention entitled: We Remember Differently, thus accurately capturing the fact that the crises and civil war and aftermath affected us all differently.

We can only remember how it affected us. That is natural. The challenge, which is yet to be addressed, is what can be

done to use the lessons learned to build a greater Nigeria, rather than always returning Nigerians to the battleground each time the issues are broached.

Chinua Achebe was a successful man in almost all his endeavours except in politics. However, he lived a life of frustration, and died totally unfulfilled at the desperately poor performances of his nation. He left behind a nation he spent most of his adult life bemoaning what his generation, especially the political class, did to it It is said that youth is the best time for a person to show the world what he can do. A book Chinua Achebe wrote when he was a swashbuckling 28 years old continued to gather momentum to bring him worldwide adulation at old age more than any African has been privileged to. And the indicators are that Things Fall Apart’s journey to the ultimate destination has just begun. Perhaps years from today, it will sit among the works of William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and other undying classics as Africa’s most iconic contribution to the literary world.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013 — 53

C M Y K

54— SATURDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2013

Warri 2013: Ogba tasks Coach urges resuscitation of private sports club championships Nigerian juniors to perform S

AMSON Ajayi, the Table Tennis Head Coach of the Union Bank Sports Club, Lagos, on Wednnesday appealed to corporate organisations to resuscitate the moribund national championships in private clubs in the country.

Ajayi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that sports clubs had declined in their primary aim of contributing to the development of sports in the country.

The coach noted that in the past, private sport clubs contributed largely to the development of sports in the country through the hosting of various national championships.

According to him, most of these competitions were sponsored either by corporate organisations and sports philanthropists, as well as donations from club members.

He said the days of regu-

lar national championships being staged in various sports clubs like the Ikoyi Club, Ikeja Country Club, Kano Club, Kano; BCC Club, Gboko and the Ibadan Recreation Club were over.

“But today, these championships are no

longer holding in these clubs due to lack of sponsorships and this is affecting sports development in the country.

“My worry is that the cancellation of these championships have also affected the popularity and the continued existence of these clubs.

SplashFM/ICPC Integrity Marathon for March 24

BY EDDIE AKALONU

T

HE National Sports Commission zone one Ibadan, in conjunction with Splash FM, the Independent Corrupt Practice Commission (ICPC) have concluded plans to hold the 5th Splash FM/ICPC Integrity Marathon on Sunday March 24 in Ibadan.

According to a statement by Steve Olarinoye, the Zonal Coordinator, the 42km Marathon race would take

off from the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium and run through identified routes and termintes still at the Stadium. The Coordinator also revealed that N2 million has been earmarked as prize money for this year and urged wouldbe participants to endeavour to register for the race by March 20.

He said the event which has been held yearly since inception, is open to athletes from all states of the federation.

A

THLETICS Federa tion of Nigeria president, Solomon Ogba said yesterday that nothing short of good performances are being expected from Nigerian juniors who will chase for continental honours at the maiden African Youth Athletics Championships billed to start March 27 in Warri, Delta.

The athletes who have been training in Port Harcourt are expected to hit Warri on Monday, the arrival date for the championships. And Ogba declared that the two weeks of training the Nigerian hopefuls received, gave him confidence that they are going to surpass expectations during the Warri meet.

“I am very optimist about their chances. But it is not just about Warri 2013, it will come and go.

“What we are looking forward to see are good performances and this is what will determine what

we will do afterward,” said the AFN boss.

“With what I have seen of them in training they should be able to do better than they did in the

trials. “For instance look at an athlete like Divine Oduduru he did 10.51 in the trials, but in training he has done better than that.”

Okon banks on Francis, others to dominate sprints

F

ORMER Nigerian sprinter, Gabriel Okon has backed Nigerian juniors to dominate the sprint events of the African Youth Athletics Championships, which will run from March 27-31 in Warri, Delta State.

Okon, who is a member of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN technical study group stated that from his assessment of the athletes, Nigerian will continue with its domination of the sprints and the jumps at the Championships meant for Under-17 athletes.

“Our strongholds are

always in the sprints and jumps. So I expect our athletes to dominate the championships. We can also spring surprises in the throws,” said Okon.

Some of the athletes Nigeria will be banking on include Cecilia Francis (100m and 200m), Ese Brume (sprints and jumps), Divine Oduduru (100m) Nathaniel Samuel (400m) and Edafe Joseph for the long jump.

The Nigeria team of 60 athletes have been training in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and they are expected in Warri on Tuesday to prepare for the final showdown with the rest of the African youths.

*Junior athletes chasing for honors

Let’s take more territories, Onyali-Omagbemi tells AFN

N

IGERIA’s most decorated track and field athlete, Mary Onyali-Omagbemi has urged Nigerian coaches and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN to launch an aggressive training programme that will produce quality middle and long distance runners who will challenge the dominance of East African countries.

Onyali-Omagbemi who was speaking ahead of the African Athletics Youth Championships stated that Nigeria needed to expand its domiC M Y K

nance of the sprints events on the continent even as other countries are catching up her fast.

“We should be moving into middle and long distances while also maintaining our area of strong hold.

“The athletes are there and they only need to be groomed right from the grassroots. And that is why we are having the Africa Athletics Youth Championships.

“Hopefully all the juniors we identify from this championships should be able to get all the at-

tention they need so that we can have a bit of both in the future. For instance, there is this little girl, Olamide Oluwaseun that set the national record in the steeple chase at the UnderBut the pertinent question was that will the AFN be able to sustain a durable production line that will churn out these future champions.

“Government cannot fund sports alone. We should move away from the era of waiting for government to provide funds and when they don’t we begin to cry.

There should be a new development where private sector funds should come in just like in all other countries.”

SATURDAY VANGUARD, MARCH 23, 2013 — 55

AYC: Obuh seeks victory for birthday gift

F

LYING Eagles’ coach John Obuh wants his wards to beat Congo DR today in their final group game of the African Youth Championship in Algeria to give him a befitting birthday gift.

Obuh turned 53 yesterday and was treated to a bash by the players with Ni-

2014 Qualifier: We must not disrespect Kenya — Mba A

FRICAN Cup of Nations hero, Sunday Mba going into today’s game against the Harambee Stars of Kenya has urged his team-mates not to disrespect their rivals in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

Mba, embattled by an ownership tussle between Warri Wolves and Rangers of Enugu, stated that the Eagles should expect a tough game against the Kenyans, adding that they will not be pushovers. The Kenyans are in Calabar hoping to record an upset against the Africa Champions and Mba added that the Eagles must have to keep a level head if they are to prevail. He refused to make any predictions for the game.

“We must respect the Kenyans. They have some excellent players and they just appointed a new coach, so I do expect a difficult game from them but we are capable of containing any threat they would pose,” said Mba in a cafonline interview.

The player who scored the winning gold of the AFCON 2013 and also sealed the fate of highly favoured Ivory Coast in the semi-finals said that the Nations Cup was a different ball game from the match at hand in Calabar and the Eagles needed to be in their best elements even as six players from the winning team in South Africa 2013 will not be in action today.

“We have put the Nations Cup success behind us. It’s a new task now, the World Cup qualifier and it’s busy as usual. “We are confident going into the game but not over confident because we know there are no minnows anymore in African football.”

*Mba advises Eagles not to underrate the Kenyans today.

C M Y K

gun.

The NFF director of competitions, Mohammed Sanusi, remarked that Obuh is an achiever. He declared that the NFF has confidence his team will deliver.

“Coach Obuh is an achiever and I have personally been there although his successes with the national teams, first with the U17 team at the 2009 World Cup and also with the U20 team when we won the AYC in 2011.”

Egypt, Uganda, 13 others arrive Nigeria Continues from Back Page

Eagles, Harambee ready to rumble after all the talking Continues from Back Page

tering scoreline in the encounter today.

However, the Eagles’ coach Stephen Keshi has remained modest as the popular saying,

“there are no minnows anymore in African football” is coming to the fore.

“If past results really count then we wouldn’t even be playing Kenya. Remember they

2014 FIFA WORLD CUP: Organising C’ttee takes a bold step T

HE Organising Commit tee for the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil has agreed that its responsibilities will cover decisions on the preparations for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, a statement said.

FIFA said in a statement on Wednesday that the decision would further intensify its preparation for the competitions in Russia and Qatar respectively.

The Organising Committee convened at the FIFA Headquarters in Zurich on Tuesday, where the agreement was reached, the statement signed

by FIFA’s Secretary General, Jerome Valcke, stated. It stressed that it was necessary

geria Football Federation officials in attendance. This is even as the Flying Eagles are in dire need of a win against Congo after they lost 1-0 to Mali in their opening game and then redeemed hopes with a 1-0 win over Gabon on Wednesday.

“I want you to make my joy complete. First by qualifying for the World Cup on Saturday by beating DR Congo in our final group game and then going on to successfully defend our AYC title,” Obuh told his players.

He was given an assurance that Congo DR will be beaten by his captain Abdulazeez Aja-

for the body to adopt a workable approach.

“Considering that we have three FIFA World Cups in simultaneous preparation, it was necessary to extend this FIFA decision forum to cover, not only the 2014 event, but also the next two events,” the statement said.

It said FIFA President Joseph Blatter, who opened the meeting, underlined his confidence in the unity between FIFA and the LOC to stage two great football festivals in June 2013 and June/July 2014.

The Local Organising Committee for the 2014 event, led

by President José Maria Marin and CEO Ricardo Trade,

provided the committee, which included the entire FIFA Executive Committee, with a comprehensive update on the preparations.

*Blatter

have a new coach and every coach comes with a different approach, mentality, team ethics and style of play. So we have respect for them and we will play this game with our best players,” Keshi said The last clash between both teams was a friendly game in Abuja in March 2011 and the Super Eagles triumphed 3-0.

The last competitive game between the two sides ended 32 in Nigeria’s favour in a World Cup qualifying game in Nairobi in 2009.

Only four Super Eagles’ players from that team of 2009 are in line for selection in this weekend’s clash. They are John Obi Mikel, Vincent Enyeama, Elderson Echiejile and Obafemi Martins, who scored twice in that game.

One of Kenya’s goalscorers in that World Cup qualifying in Nairobi in 2009, Dennis Oliech, will captain Adel Amrouche’s men. Others in that team available are Arnold Origi, Peter Opiyo, George Owino, Mulinge Ndeto and Victor Wanyama.

day.’’

The countries are Botswana, Namibia, Gabon, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, Djibouti, Guinea, Uganda, Benin Republic, Zimbabwe, Central Africa Republic, Liberia, Zambia, Mali and Egypt.

The other countries will arrive from Monday. Over 430 athletes from 35 countries are expected to compete in the youth event in Warri, Nigeria. ‘’It’s a championship that is expected to throw up talents that may become the stars of tomorrow and we have to thank the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan for hosting such a huge event that will benefit Nigeria tremendously,” Mary Onyali said of the event that kicks off on March 27 and will end on Easter Sunday.

Veteran athletics coach, Seigha Pobeni, has said that Nigeria would present a crack team for the championships.

And for Commodore Omatseye Nesiama, AFN, Technical Director, Nigeria has started “our Rio 2016 Programme as some of the athletes we are training now will be there for the Olympic Games.”

Accreditation of teams will be done at Excel Hotel in Warri.

VIPs and the Confederation of Africa Athletics family will do theirs at the Protea Hotel, Warri.

“Warri is already agog for Africa and we want all to savour our hospitality,”Amaju Pinnick, the chairman of the LOC said.

Already, some members of the continental governing body, CAA, have arrived Warri.

‘Eagles must be hard on Kenya’ Continues from Back Page

the stake and consolidate our leadership of the group,” he emphasised in an interview.

Expressed delight at the players’ response to camp, he said that it “has allowed Keshi marshal a good winning plan for the game.”

“I feel that it should be a high tempo and high energy game that can force the Kenyans into conceding goals”, he said, adding, “I know games of this nature can be a little bit more relaxed and that should not be allowed to happen.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, MARCH 23, 2013

Eagles must be hard on Kenya, says Ukeachu

TODAY’S MATCHES Nigeria Namibia Tunisia South Africa Côte d’Ivoire Congo Burkina Faso

v v v v v v v

Kenya Malawi Sierra Leone Central African Republic Gambia Gabon Niger

BY EDDIE AKALONU

Eagles, Harambee ready to rumble after all the talking T

OO much talking developed after it became concrete Kenya’s Harambee Stars will play newly crowned African Champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The Kenyans did most of the babbling perhaps to shore up their confidence.

Here are some of the the submissions.

“Nigeria may be African champions but that will not count. It is always 11 players facing each other on both sides when two teams get onto the field of play,” said Kenya striker Victor Wanyama “We will go out and play against them like we had always planned to,” he further said.

STOPPER... Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama catches the ball during a match.

He says the Eagles will not play the Kenyans as African champions but with the same zest they campaigned for the Nations Cup title in South Africa.

Egypt, Uganda, 13 others arrive Nigeria for Warri 2013

T

HE Local Organising Committee for the Africa Athletics Youth Championships, AYAC 2013 in Warri will begin to feel the heat of the continental event when 15 countries arrive Nigeria on Sunday for the athletics show.

Secretary of the LOC, Maria Wophill who also doubles as the scribe of Athletics Federation of Nigeria said yesterday that ‘’the full impact of the international championship will begin to dawn on us when 15 countries arrive Nigeria for the Warri event on Sun Continues on Page 55

His opposite number Brown Ideye said: “The Eagles will take all points on Saturday. This is not to say the Kenyans are push overs “As it is now, we don’t know their plans so also they do not know our plans. I know they would be afraid of us as African champions, we might panic a little because we don’t know what they are planning.”

But this afternoon at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar, there will be no talking, it will be just football. And 90 minutes of it will determined whose talking has been cheap.

The Eagles will be out to reaffirm their newly acquired status as the best team in Africa after many years of suffering indignity and certainly all pressure will be on them to prove that their fine run of victories beginning from when they hammered Liberia 5-1 to qualify for the 2013 Nations Cup was not a fluke. Perhaps Nigeria fans will be expecting such a flat Continues on Page 55

A

S the Super Eagles battle the Harambee Stars of Kenya today in a 2014 World Cup qualifier at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar, ex international, Tony Ukeachu has said that they must play a high tempo game and make the visitors feel the pressure all the way.

“I like the team to be hard on them as it is the tonic to getting goals and winning,” he said.

Nigeria go into today’s clash on top of Group-F with four points, one point ahead of Namibia while Malawi follow on two points and Kenya place last with just one point.

After today’s match, the Super Eagle’s road to next year ’s World Cup in Brazil resumes in June when they travel away twice, first to Nairobi for a return leg tie and then Namibia before hosting Malawi in September for the last group encounter.

Ukeachu believes the Eagles have in Sunday Mbah, Mikel Obi, Obafemi Martins,Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa, the players capable of ripping open an obstinate Kenyan defence in Calabar for the three points at stake.

“But it has to be high tempo from the Eagles by making sure we pressurise them and make them feel the heat and crumble in front of our home fans,” he advised, as he predicted a high scoreline in Eagles’ favour.

“Because the Kenyans will be under a lot of pressure to impress us and get a good result, hence I think they will be playing very deep to find the net which will work to our advantage,” he said.

Ukeachu, former captain of the defunct Spartans FC of Owerri and coach of Iwuanyanwu Nationale in its later years, hopes the Eagles would up the momentum that saw them lifting the Cup of Nations, adding that Mikel Obi and the defence can supply plenty of passes and crosses that would propel attackers into incessant aerial assaults for goals.

“I hope seriously they play for goals and the three points to up Continues on Page 55

CROSS WORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1.South Africa “Bafana Bafana”Coach, Gordon, (7) 5.L.G.A.in Kebbi State (5) 8.Number (3) 9.L.G.A. in Kogi State (5) 10.Former Abia State Governor, Ike (5) 11.Poland Currency (5) 12.Super Eagles Striker, Brown (5) 15.L.G.A.in Lagos State (5) 17.Cereal (3) 19.Imo State Capital (6) 20.L.G.A.in Ogun State (6) 22.Circuit (3) 24.Vegetable (5) 27.L.G.A.in Ogun State (5) 30.African Desert (5) 31.Country in West Africa (5) 32.African Water buck (5) 33.Container (3) 34.Town in Edo State (5) 35.Algerian Capital City (7) DOWN 1.Former Delta State Governor,

Chief James (5) 2.Trade Union Congress (TUC) President, Mr. Peter (5) 3.Former Super Eagles’ Defender, Ifeanyi (5) 4.Tanzania Capital City (6) 5.Country in East Africa (5) 6.Sierra-Leone Currency (5) 7.Niger-Delta Affairs Minister, Elder Godsday (7) 13.Precipitation (3) 14.L.G.A. in Cross River State (5) 16.Avarice (5) 17.Lubricant (3) 18.Gratuity (3) 19.Super Falconnets (U-20) Skipper, Gloria (7) 21.Move the head Forward (3) 23.Eritrea’s Capital City (6) 25.Adult Insect (5) 26.Former Minister of Power, Prof Barth (5) 27.Traditional Ruler of Calabar (5) 28.Super Eagles’ Goalkeeper, Austin (5) 29.Zodiac Sign (5)

SOLUTION on page 15

Printed and Published by VANGUARD MEDIA LIMITED, Vanguard Avenue, Kirikiri Canal, P.M.B.1007, Apapa. Editor: 08052201257 (TEXT ONLY). Advert Dept: 01-7924470; Hotline: 01-8737028; Abuja: 09-2341102, 09-2342704. E-mail: weekend @vanguardngr.com, news@vanguardngr.com, letters@vanguardngr.com.

Advert:advertproduction@yahoo.com Website: www.vanguardngr.com (ISSN 0794-652X) EDITOR: CHIOMA GABRIEL. All correspondence to P.M.B. 1007, Apapa Lagos.

C M Y K