Jonathan sacks Azazi, Bello

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2 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

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SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012 — 3

Jonathan sacks Azazi, Bello •Appoints Sambo Dasuki

BY CHIOMA GABRIEL, EMEKA MAMAH & BEN AGANDE

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HE escalation in ter rorist attacks in the country by Boko Haram claimed two major casualties yesterday as President Goodluck Jonathan sacked the National Security Adviser, NSA, General Andrew Owoeye Azazi and the Minister of Defence, Haliru Bello respectively. He named Col. Sambo Dasuki, rtd, as the new NSA. Dasuki who was former Aid- de-Cmap, ADC, to General Ibrahim Babangi-

da is a no-nonsense man.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, confirmed this development on a telephone yesterday but did not give details. The new NSA, Dasuki is also, a former Managing Director of Security Printing & Minting Company Limited. A distinguished retired military officer, he attended both American Universities, Washington DC and George Washington where he obtained a BA in International Relations and MA in Security Policy Studies respectively. He had his

military training in several institutions in Nigeria and abroad including: Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Oklahoma, U.S Army Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth Kensas. He resigned in protest from the Nigerian Minting Printing Company following its controversial privatisation by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

However, the replacement for the defence Minister has not yet been announced. Azazi’s tenure as the former NSA was uneventful as the security situation in the country dete-

riorated significantly following serial bombings and killings and kidnappings by gang groups across the across the country. The bombings and killings of over 1,000 Nigerians and foreigners, especially by members of Boko Haram Islamic sect and his open criticism of the zoning policy of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, further pitched him against powerful forces in and out of government.

Earlier yesterday, heads of security agencies led by the former NSA, General Azazi had briefed President Jonathan on his arrival from Brazil on the security situation in the country while he was away for a meeting of the United Nations on Sustainable Development.

The meeting which held behind closed doors was

meant to bring the President up to date with the security situation in the country.

Minister of Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade who fielded questions from State House correspondents after the meeting said it was usual for his security chiefs to brief him on such matters.

“He (Jonathan) particularly did not feel too well about the loss of lives. He said we need to do something proactive to stop it at all cost. ”It is a usual security meeting with the Commander in-Chief to look at things in a comprehensive manner and see how the security agencies are fairing.

It was a useful discussion on certain areas where we had problems; how to tackle them and how the security agencies can be more

effective and the role the populace has to play in assisting in the war against terror. ”We had to re-appraise the other measures we had been taking before now and look at how the populace can be carried along to get more information, so that peace can return to the land. We do not really have to kill Nigerians to sustain peace. ’’The President believes that we need to talk and do what is right to ensure that we calm the nerves and make sure that these incessant bombings are minimised. It is a source of worry to all”, he added.

On the criticisms that trailed the president’s visit to Brazil while Kaduna State was burning, Olubolade said, “Nigerians will normally say what is on their mind. They have freedom of expression, but since we are all Nigerians, things should not be said to set the country aback.

He (Jonathan) has a duty to perform with other nations. ”He has confidence in his security apparatus and he is not unmindful of statements from opposition. But by and large, how Nigeria can be at peace is what is of utmost importance” The former NSA in his own contribution said all the President did was to ask his security chiefs to brief him on the situation in the country.

He said the listing of some leaders of the Boko Haram as terrorists, was a “decision by America. It is not a decision by us. They US probably feels that those are the people who they need to classify as terrorists. I cannot begin to tell you what we discussed at the security meeting. But everything is under control” Vice President Namadi Sambo and the Minister of Defence, Haliru Bello were also at the meeting.

Other security chiefs present at the meeting included the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin; Chief of Army Staff, CAOS, General Onyeabo Azubuike Ihejirika; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Mohammed Umar and the Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar.

Nigerians yesterday reacted to yesterday’s sacking of the former National Security Adviser, NSA, General Andrew Azazi and the Minister of Defence, Dr Haliru Bello, by President Goodluck Jonathan with shock and disbelief, hoping however that the action would bring an end to the serious security challenges facing the country.

Those who reacted over the matter included the former Minister of Abuja Federal Capital Territory, and chieftain of the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, General Jerry Useni, rtd, the Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group, Joseph Evah, Brigadier- General John Shagaya, rtd, and National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Mr Anthony Sani and Col Abubakar Umar rtd. Umar simply said he would confirm the Continued on page 6

4 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

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SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012 — 5

T-e-r-r-o-r-! *Family of 6 killed in Jos *Police discover bomb in Kano mosque *Stampede in Abuja, Minna over fear of bomb attacks

BY TAYE OBATERU, ABDULSALAM MUHAMMAD, WOLE MOSADOMI, JOSEPH ERUNKE & BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO

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family of six including a sixmonth old child and a 70year old grandmother were yesterday brutally murdered by gunmen at Kumpun village in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State. In Lokoja, capital of Kogi State, the police command has discovered a hideout in Koto - Karfe area of the state where guns were being locally manufactured.

In Kano State, the Joint Military Taskforce, JTF, also yesterday discovered a high calibre Improvised Explosive Devise, IED, in the premises of Waje Friday Jumat Mosque in Fagge Local Government Area of the state. The JTF also arrested four persons while allegedly trying to plant the bomb in the mosque.

This was even as there was pandemonium in the Zone 5 area of Abuja, yesterday evening, following a bomb scare, with some offices in the ever-busy environment quickly evacuating as business men and women also hurriedly closed shops and residents scampered for safety.

In Minna, Niger State capital and environs, business activities were also temporarily disrupted yesterday afternoon as rumour of attacks by members of an Islamic sect, Boko-Haram filtered into town. The rumour which started barely an hour to the Friday Juma’at Mosque climaxed as some shop owners closed shops for the day’s business while many traders at the Kure ultra modern market and

other markets around the metropolis also hurriedly followed suit.

However, six other people were injured in Plateau State when the assailants suspected to be Fulani herdsmen and said to have numbered over 30 stormed the village at about 3.30am wielding guns and machetes.

An eyewitness said the attackers killed six members of the Dakibang family in their sleep and injured two other members of the family who were hit with machetes as they tried to escape before moving to other houses in the village where they injured four other people.

They reportedly shot sporadically while some of them attacked those trying to escape with dangerous weapons and operated for about two hours before escaping through a bush path.

Security men to whom distress calls were made allegedly arrived at the village an hour after the attackers had gone.

Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. John Clark Dabwang who visited the affected village to commiserate with them described the attack as barbaric and wicked.

He wondered why people would hack down fellow human beings in cold blood and appealed for calm among the people urging them not to carry out reprisals.

Spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Deputy Superintendent Emmanuel Abuh confirmed the attack and the six killed adding that investigations were on to track down the perpetrators.In Kano State, the Waje Friday Mosque lies within the expanse of land that separate the predomi-

nantly Christian quarters and the indigenous Hausa.

Bomb found in Kano mosque A statement by JTF spokesman made available to Saturday Vanguard in Kano, Lt Ikediche Iweha stated: “The attention of the general public is hereby drawn to the latest desperate and despicable tactics employed by members of the terrorist sect aimed at causing public disorder and riots in the name of religion. This afternoon, June 22, 2012, at about 2pm, the attention of the JTF was called by a careful Nigerian to a suspicious package at a mosque in Fagge area just before the Friday prayers. Upon examination, the package turned out to be an IED planted by terrorists to cause death and grievous harm to worshippers at the Jum’mat prayers.

“This latest attempt is particularly disturbing in view of the wider implication it would have had on the fragile peace in Kano and the disruption of economic activities it would have brought with it. It is also equally disturbing in view of the recent events in parts of Kaduna State to which Kano boarders.”

Similarly, the Police Public Relation Officer in the state, DSP Rilwanu Tanimu confirmed the arrest of the four suspects stressing that they were apprehended after they abandoned the IED stocked in a polythene bag.

Taminu further explained that a comprehensive investigation has begun on the matter, adding that the four suspects were in their custody.

Wife, Margaret Peter Obi administering immunization to a child at the flag off of maternal, newborn and child week at Orumba General Hospital.

Standing from the left are the Deputy Governor of Anambra, Emeka Sibeudu and the Governor, Peter Obi

Bomb scare in Abuja As usual with such situations, there were several versions to the cause of the scare with some people saying that a bag dropped from a moving vehicle and those by the road side took to their heels.

Another version had it that a bag was dropped near an eatery in the area where several government offices, and private businesses as well as, the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, had their headquarters.

Some eyewitnesses said they saw a suspicious bag between Top View Hotel and the headquarters of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps office in the area and concluded that it could be an explosive.

The headquarters of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, is located on the other side of the road leading to Alvan Ikoku Way. The incident which occurred between about 3pm and 5 pm caused traffic gridlock in the area as one lane had to be closed to traffic.

However, when AntiBomb Policemen visited the place, it was confirmed that there no explosive in the said bag.

Locally manufactured arms The Kogi State police C o m m i s s i o n e r, Muhammed Katsina who briefed newsmen over the incident said three persons, (names withheld), were arrested at the factory where local-

ly made guns were being manufactured.

Katsina said, the trio who had already confessed to have manufactured guns of different categories for men of the underworld were arrested by detectives who swooped on them at their workshop following a tip off.

According to Katsina, 10 locally made singlebarreled guns, one locally made double barreled gun, two manufacturing machines and a gas cylinder were recovered at the ‘’arms workshop.’’

He further said the state command also arrested two persons, aged 25 and 26 in connection with the kidnapping of a teenage girl, Racheal Bulus from Jos. The girl who was a Face book friend of Haruna travelled to see him only for the two to detain her and call her father asking for N200,000 ransom. The duo according to the police boss were arrested while trying to withdraw the money from their bank account in Ogane Iyale, Dekina Local Government of the state

Traders scamper in Minna over rumour of attack As a result of the rumour of attack, the Friday prayer Mosques which were usually filled to capacity with adherents of the Islamic faith was poorly attended as many moslems chose to stay indoors as part of the rumour indicated that the central mosque was the target of the sect.

Proprietors of private schools, especially those owned by Christians, who

were in session,out of fear called or sent text messages to parents/ guardians to come for their wards as their fears were further heightened by the presence of soldiers and anti-riot policemen who were patrolling the town.The situation was chaotic as parents who had their wards in schools drove recklessly to pick their children, in the process, causing traffic gridlock along major roads in the city, especially at the Central Mosque-SabonGari round- about linking the Obasanjo shopping complex.

Taxis and commercial motorcycle drivers popularly called ‘Okada’ were not left out in the confusion that ensued.

While many simply stopped business to watch the unfolding events, others made brisk business charging more than the normal cost for a drop.

Meanwhile, the police in Niger state have advised residents against spreading rumour over possible attacks and asked them to go about their normal businesses.

A statement signed by the Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO,, Pius Edobor, solicited the support and cooperation of Nigerlites in tackling security challenges by providing the police with useful information to check criminals and people from cause breach of the peace.

Edobor described the rumoured attack as one of the gimmicks by mischief makers and assured residents of the state of their safety at all times.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

Jonathan, Obi, Chime, eulogise Olusola

BY McPHILIPS NWACHUKWU, BEN AGANDE & JAPHET LAKAM with agency report

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RESIDENT Good luck Jonathan was among several Nigerians who paid tribute to late Ambassador Segun Olusola, one-time Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia and a cultural icon yesterday. Olusola, 77, died in a Lagos hospital Thursday.

Aside Jonathan, those who mourned Olusola included Governors Peter Obi and Sullivan Chime of Anambra and Enugu States respectively, the Minister of Culture, Chief Edem Duke, and Oba Dejumo Lewis among others.

He was a renowned broadcaster and playwright who produced the popular television drama series ‘’Village Headmaster” which ran on Nigerian television stations for many years.

His death coming on the heels, also early in the week ,of the sad demise of another significant cultural Amazon and accomplished socialite, Ms. Angela Onyeador in faraway, United States of America, become for the culture and tourism tribe, a death too many to comprehend.

In his tribute, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan extolled the virtues of late Amb. Olusola, saying his commitment to the promotion of excellence in the arts and culture sector, broadcasting and public service, are worthy of emulation.

Jonathan recalled that the late Ambassador Olusola’s popular television drama series, “The Village Headmaster”, thrilled television viewers for decades, while commending the selflessness and professionalism he demonstrated in broadcasting and all his other ventures, including his frontline role as a member of the Iperu Remo Community in Ogun state.

President Jonathan also acknowledged Chief Olusola’s distinguished role as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, as well as his promotion of peace in Africa under the auspices of the African Refugees Foundation, AREF, which he founded.

He noted that Amb Olusola’s dedication to selfless service and his peace-loving nature, even at an advanced age, will surely be missed.

While commiserating with members of the Olusola family, President Jonathan asked them to take solace in the fact that the late Ambassador lived a fulfilled, memorable and

exemplary life, and prayed God to grant his soul peaceful rest.

Governor Peter Obi described Olusola’s death as a tragic loss to the country.

In his condolence message, Obi described Ambassador Olusola not only as a former Nigerian Ambassador to Ethiopia, but a worthy ambassador of Arts and Culture of all times. He said that though he died at the ripe age of 77, he was one of those he wished had lived a little longer because of the experience he garnered over the years which was always valuable in nation-building.

He however prayed for the repose of his soul even as he condoled with the government of Ogun State and the immediate Olusola family.

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State in his own message to the family of the deceased expressed regrets over the death of foremost Nigerian broadcaster and former Ambassador to Ethiopia Chief Olusola, describing it as a huge loss to the nation.

Chime in his message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Chukwudi Achife, described Ambassador Olusola as a committed and influential patriot who inspired many leaders in different walks of life.

Expressing his condolences to the family, friends and associates of the deceased statesman, Chime however urged them to find consolation in the solid legacies he left behind.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke described the death of Ambassador Segun Olusola as a monumental loss to Nigeria. In a statement issued in Abuja last night, the Minister said Chief Olusola was a total man of culture who used all resources at his disposal to promote indigenous values and norms.

Duke further said that the late Culture Icon and Ambassador was a man of peace who believed strongly in Nigeria and in using the mechanism of culture to attain peaceful coexistence and enduring development. He also noted the late Ambassador’s untiring contributions to activities and policies of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation and other national and international culture agencies.Also reacting, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, founder of OYASAF described the late culture icon as a great man of tradition and culture who spent his time promoting tradition and culture. He stated that he was a very amiable and sociable human being who

related well with all.

“He has done his own bit but like other mortals has gone to meet his ancestors.

We will all miss him for all that he has done. I had interactions with him on many occasions and found out that he was a great man who loved culture”.

On his part, Dejumo Lewis, a.k.a Kabieyesi of the Village Headmaster fame said that an elephant has fallen.

According to Lewis, “his death calls for mourning because no one expected it at this time. The last few occasions we attended together, he was hale and hearty. So, it is shocking news to me and others. But we are consoled by his achievements and the life that he lived while on earth. He lived the life of a great man, a mentor and a leader. He was a great man, a culture man who spent his life promoting culture to the highest level. In fact an elephant has fallen and we will miss him.”

In the same vein, the Director General of the Centre for Black African Arts and Civilisation, CBAAC, Professor Tunde Babawale described the late Ambasdor Segun as “ an intellectual per excellence whose contributions to debates are deep and influenced decisions regarding cultures issues,” saying, “ he was a barometer which was used to gauge the feelings of Nigerian people on issues relating to culture. As journalists, he was a broadcaster par excellence, world class broadcaster with an in impeccable diction.”

Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Martin Adaji described late Olusola as one of the most consistent supporters of the arts,” pointing out that he ‘’never turned down any invitation regarding the arts. He was very supportive of all art activities and we must appreciate him.”

Also, Bolaji Rosiji, a former President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria, PMAN, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos that the late Olusola was an icon whose shoes would be difficult to fill.

He described him as a legend, statesman, philanthropist and universal ambassador, who was a very close ally of the arts industry.

He was always there for anyone whenever he was called upon to assist in any form in any event. ``He came early when invited to events and I wonder where he got his strength from,” he said.

Rosiji said that Olusola also played a remarkable role in

President Goodluck Jonathan addressing Rio +20 Earth summit on Thursday in Rio Jenario, Brazil. Photo: State House.

African peace by helping displaced people and would always be fondly r e m e m b e r e d . ’’A musician and actress, Ms Stella Monye, told NAN that the late Olusola was an upright and serious-minded person in whatever he did. ``He contributed to anything arts and he was passionate about it. He did not get involved in anything shaddy and was always ready to help positively,” she said.

This was even as a veteran artist, Bruce Onobrakpeya, said that Nigeria had lost a great man and the arts sector, a huge icon. ``The arts sector will greatly miss his contribution following his sudden exit.

His literary advice will be missed,” he said.

In his own message, a poet and playwright, Odia Ofeimun said that the late Olusola stood up for the arts at all times.``It is sad, we will miss him,” he said.

The Chairman, National Association of Theatre Arts Practitioners, NANTAP, Lagos State, Mufu Onifade, also told NAN that the late Olusola was ``a mighty tree with deep roots in virtually all areas of the arts.

He was a market with many roads leading to him and every individual chose his own route to benefit from him. He was more than an icon,” Onifade said, describing him as a ``cultural legacy personified and a compulsory factor in the media.”

The NANTAP chairman noted that Olusola’s play, “Tears of Sympathy”, culminated in the establishment of AREF. “He is a great loss to the Nigerian theatre, arts, diplomacy, humanitarianism and the Nigerian nation at large. ``He is a great loss to Africans too,” he said.

NAN reports that mem-

bers of the Pro-National Conference, PRONACO, also described the death of the ace broadcaster, as a big blow to the organisation.

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr Wale Okuniyi, the PRONACO expressed regrets that Olusola was to participate in a parley of its national steering committee next Tuesday in Lagos. ”Olusola, an illustrious

son of Ogun and a close associate in the struggle to restructure the country for harmony and stability, died at a time when he was most needed by the country. ”While commiserating with his family and the entire citizens of Ogun, we regret the reality of missing his usual robust and ebullient interventions.”

Azazi removed Continues from page 3 development before reacting.

Shock greets removal of Azazi, Bello General Jeremiah Useni wondered if it was news or rumour saying he has not heard any official statement on that as General John Shagaya said it is a security matter he would not want to dabble into.

However, National Coordinator of Ijaw Monitoring Group Joseph Eva said it was wrong to have asked Azazi to resign.

Media spokesman to Azazi Mike Awe The government appointed him and has asked him to go. The President is under political pressure and not everything is classified and made public.

When NSA asked that Buhari be invited for questioning, Jonathan kicked against it. When he suggested that some people be brought in and questioned, he kicked against it saying it is a ploy to scatter his government. So, really, it’s all about the president’s softness (weakness) but he appointed him and he has removed him.

Joseph Evah, coodinator, Ijaw Monitoring Group. “ It is a wrong advice. The former IGP was removed over the same matter but has it solved the problem?

If they remove Azazi, very soon, they would advise Jonathan to resign. Would he do it? I think Jonathan should have adopted the measure the former President, Musa Yar’Adua used

on him when he was the Vice President and the militants were causing problems in the Niger Delta.

Yar ’ Adua then relocated Jonathan to the creeks to resolve the issue. Now, the VP Namadi Sambo has no business remaining in Abuja. He should be on a donkey or camel’s back going to the north to resolve the issue of Boko Harm like Jonathan did with the militants in the Niger Delta then.

Glorious Exit

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RS. Iyabode Saru mi Akinola (Nee Williams), 65, is dead.

Until her death, she was an epitome of womanhood and was also in the Lord.

According to the family, she will be buried on Friday, July 13th after a Funeral Service at Dorothy Ikoku Memoral Anglican Church, Ikeja . There would be a reception at Trendy Events Centre, Abule Egba.

She is survived by children and grand children.

Mrs. Iyabode Sarumi

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012 — 7

Army parades 93 suspected cultists in Calabar

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Calabar

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Minister of State for Works; Ambassador Bashir Yuguda inspecting the recently awarded Ada-Okere-Ukoni-Amedokhian old road in Uromi, Edo State.

Here, with Ministry officials and community leaders who came out to recieve him during the week.

NCC arrests six persons over sale of pre-registered SIM cards

BY WOLE MOSADOMI, Minna In continuation of its efforts to rid the society of illegal sales of pre-registered SIM cards, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has arrested six dealers of preregistered GSM SIM cards worth over N1 million in Minna, the Niger state capital.

The NCC Head of Enforcement unit who is the Principal Manager of Enforcements, Mallam Salisu Abdu who disclosed this in an interview said the enforcement team had earlier visited; Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa and Benue states where about 11 suspected dealers were earlier arrested and handed over to the police.

The recent visit to the Obasanjo shopping complex and arrest of the suspects, Mallam Salisu said brings to 17 the number of dealers of pre-registered GSM SIM Cards so far arrested in the last one week from about five states in the zone so far visited by the commission to enforce the ban on sale of pre-registered SIM cards across the country.

Salisu gave the names of those arrested on Thursday as Abdullahi Usman, Murtala Lawoli, Shuaibu Bala, Ibrahim Atiku, Murtala Yahaya

and Abu Sule just as he explained that the arrest of people selling pre-registered SIM cards is a continuous exercise.

FFICERS and men of the 13 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Calabar, Cross River State have paraded over 93 people suspected to be members of the two rival cult groups that have been terrorizing residents of Calabar in the last one week.

This was even as six persons were feared dead as a result of the renewed cult clashes, while property worth several millions of Naira belonging to traders at Nelson Mandela, Goldie, Bassey Duke, Bedwell Streets and the Watt markets have been destroyed by the suspected hoodlums.

Parading the suspectsyesterday, the Public Relations Officer of the Brigade, Akim Barracks, Calabar, Captain Joseph James said that some of the suspects were arrested at the scene of the incident while some others were arrested in their hide outs and brothels where they also sell hard drugs including Indian hemp and cocaine.

Captain James said, “Following the incident that took place on Tuesday, June 19, 2012 by a serious cult

clash in Calabar South which led to the killings of some people, and another mayhem the following day where there was another clash; based on the intelligence reports which we got, our men and officers of the Nigerian Army alongside the Quick Intervention Squad, QIS, which is the joint security force in Calabar saddled with the responsibility of upholding the security of the state, went out and conducted raids.

“When they got to the scene where this clash happened, several arrests were made and as you can see on the background, some of these people are suspected cultists and their arrest were made and we brought them here last night.

“It is very surprising to see some young persons after this incident that has taken place still moving about at that ungodly hour and I still say that the oper-

Group lauds Osanebi over empowerment programmes

BY SIMON ADEWALE

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SOCIAL political pressure group, the

V-P Sambo denies pushing for emergency rule in Kaduna fice for his alleged close- ”Our attention has been an imposition of a Stateof-Emergency rule in

BY BEN AGANDE, Abuja

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ICE President Na madi Sambo has denied media reports that he was pushing for a declaration of a state of emergency in Kaduna state as a way of getting governor Patrick Yakowa out of of-

ness to Senator Ahmad Makarfi.

In a statement in Abuja, the Vice president dismissed the reports as mere fabrications and lies meant to create disaffection.

The statement signed

by Umar Sani, Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity) to the Vice President reads:

drawn to media reports alleging that the Vice President Arc Mohammed Namadi Sambo in a purported pursuit of a presidential ambition and in order to get at Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa of Kaduna State ostensibly for his supposed closeness with former Governor Ahmed Mohamed Makarfi was pushing for

DFID to expand its programme in Anambra State Mrs. Chuks Ronnie of justice delivery system

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HE United Kingdom Department for International Development will expand its programmes in the State. The Regional Coordinator, South East and South-South of the Agency, Mrs. Olachi Chuks Ronnie disclosed this after a courtesy call on Governor Peter Obi at the Government House, Awka, yesterday.

said the DFID had three additional programmes coming to the State to support the National Malaria Programme, already domiciled in the State.

According to the Coordinator, the new programme would include SPARC which would support governance reform, Justice For All which works in the entire area

and State Accountability and ODICE initiative working with the State House of Assembly, the Media and Civil Societies.

Mrs. Chuks Ronnie said they were impressed with the State performance so far and had confidence the new programme would work well in the State.

ation which was carried out by the Operation Messa and QIS also raided some of their hide outs where they sell Indian hemp and where some group of people used to gather very late at nights.

“The whole essence is to investigate and to find out and get the perpetrators of that clash. The Nigerian Army will never relent. The officers of the 13 Brigade and soldiers will never give up; we will never relent.

QIS and Operation Messa, will continue to make arrests, we will continue to hunt those perpetrators and make sure we smoke them out wherever they are and hand them over to the law enforcement agents forappropriate action.

It was however gathered that some of the suspects were arrested at viewing centres where they went to watch the Portugal Czech football match

Kaduana State. That is mere fabrications and lies meant to create disaffection,”

Orphanage gets leverage from Sapele councilboss

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ADAM Davis Memorial Children Home in Sapele, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State, yesterday, received boost through donation of food and other gift items worth over N200, 000. from the HRM of Sapele Local Government, Comrade Olumami Oyibo and his wife, Mrs. Roseline Oyibo, to cushion the condition and living standard of the children home.

The Council boss also paid up salary arrears of all seven staff of the children home due them for the past 6 months.

Ndokwa National Youth Movement has lauded Hon. Friday Ossai Osanebi, a member representing the Ndokwa East Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly and Chairman House Committee on DESOPADEC, over his recent empowerment programmes and donation of items and materials to most Ndokwa people in the region.

In a press statement by the Secretary General of the group, Comrade Sylvester Mordi, the group said that Hon. Osanebi is really a true leader the people can entrust their future on in terms of representing the interest of the people in the state house. He added that Osanebi who was once the president of the youth group has always been a rallying point and thanked him for his good gesture on his empowerment programmes.

It further urged all Ndokwa indigenes to keep faith in him in the interest of the region.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

Benue Police arrest 45 suspected cultists •Recover arms, ammunition, military camouflage and charms

BY PETER DURU, Makurdi

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N what seemed a re newed crackdown on perpetrators of violent crimes in parts of the state, no fewer than 45 suspected cultists and armed men have been arrested by men of the Benue State Police Command.

Also recovered from the gangs in the last few weeks were assorted fire arms, live ammunitions, military camouflage and charms.

Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State, Mr. Ejike Alaribe who disclosed this while briefing newsmen yesterday in Makurdi, said the suspects were apprehended in parts of

Makurdi town and some parts of the state.

Alaribe said the arrest of the suspects was in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Katso, to all commands to beef up security and comb the nooks and crannies of the state to fish out those perpetrating criminality across the state.

He said the crack down would persist in the days ahead assuring that the Police in Benue state would not relent until “those engaged in criminality in the state are all apprehended”. ”The Commissioner of Police has given express directive to all officers at the various commands; and he has warned that the renewed onslaught must be total and not com-

promised”, Alaribe added.

The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer further disclosed that the Commissioner also directed intensified vehicular patrols of the entire state by officers of the command adding that men have also been detailed to embark on foot and motorbike patrols.

He urged parents to keep a close tab on the type of friends their children and wards keep stressing, “we discovered that so many innocent children and youths are lured into cultism and other forms of crimes by their bad and evil minded friends”.

According to Alaribe, all the arrested suspects would soon face prosecution in a competent court.

Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko addressing members of the Good Governance Group (3Gs), during their ‘Appreciative March Towards Good Governance in Ondo State’, held in Akure, on Friday.

Sa e, A CN la wy er begs Cour Savve m myy lif life, ACN lawy wyer Courtt ...Says they want to assassinate me

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI, Abuja

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R Andem Edem, a lawyer to the embattled gubernatorial can-

Vigilante group rescues three kidnapped victims in Delta

BY FESTUS AHON, Ughelli

M

EMBERS of the Ughelli Vigilante, Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State, yesterday rescued three kidnap victims from the den of their abductors.

The three victims identified as Mrs. Edore, and Eloho Tom, nine years and Mr. Harrison Agwemuria, son of the Supervisory Councilor for Finance in Ughelli South Local Government council, Saturday Vanguard gathered were intercepted and abducted on Friday by the suspected kid-

nappers by Setraco yard along the East-West road in Ughelli at about 10pm.

The victims, who were driving in a Toyota Camry were ordered out of their car and driven off by the suspected (kidnappers) in their car, according to a dependable source.

Speaking on condition

Uduaghan orders LG to clear up refuse dumps

BY GODWIN OGHRE, Sapele

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ORKS and Envi ronmental Maintenance of all the 25 local government councils across Delta State, yesterday, commenced a three-day cleaning and waste removal exercise of all major towns and cities, incompliance to a marching order handed to them by the state governor, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan.

In an emergency meeting held recently in the state capital, Asaba, Governor Uduaghan had given three days to officials of Works and Environmental Maintenance Units of all the local governments to the effect

that all hips of refuse dumps in the state, which had been constituting health hazards to the people of the state for some time now, are cleared and moved to a permanent refuse dump site, far from the cities.

As early as 8.00Am

yesterday, staff of Works and Environment Department of Sapele Local Government Area were evacuating refuse dumps from various unauthorised refuse sites in Sapele, in compliance with the governor’s martching order.

of anonymity, the source said Mr. Harrison Agwemuria was seriously wounded in a clash between the suspected kidnappers and men of the Ughelli vigilante team, adding that men of the Vigilante group swung into action on a tip off.

Disclosing that the victims were rescued from the kidnappers at their moribund rubber factory hideout in the hitherto peaceful Ekakpreme community, he said the suspected kidnappers had contacted Harrison’s mother on telephone demanding N20 million as ransom for the release of her children.

They unleashed terror on their victims before fleeing their hideout after getting information that they were being trailed by men of the Vigilante group.

Mimik o inaugurat es Caring Hear Mimiko inaugurates Heartt Model School pupils each. Akinmade

O

NDO State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko will on Monday inaugurate the Caring Heart Model School which was constructed on the premises of the All Saints Anglican Primary School, which had dilapidated structures in Oke Ijebu, a

suburb of Akure.A statement by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, on Wednesday described the school as one of the best in the country with 42 classrooms, having capacity to accommodate 25

said, “The school which has state-of-the-art facilities was built with modern touch, with a conventional library and elibrary.“It has a standard office for the head teacher, to make the education sector in the state more attractive.

didate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Akwa Ibom state, Senator James Akpan Udoedeghe, has approached a Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging subterranean plot by some persons to assassinate him.

Edem, in a motion on notice he entered before the high court, joined President Goodluck Jonathan, the Attorney General of the Federation, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, as respondents to the suit he filed with a view to enforcing his fundamental human right to life.

The applicant told the court that though he had been receiving threat massages following the role he played in the election petition litigation that sought to unseat

Governor Godswill Akpabio from office, he said the last direct attempt to eliminate him occurred while he was returning from a branch of the First Bank Plc, situated at Area 3, Garki District in Abuja.

He alleged that his assailants, used a Nigerian Army staff car, Peugeot 406, with registration number NA 499 BO2, and rammed his car severally, after which they zoomed off, thinking he was dead.

While accusing one Captain Ini Ekong, who he said was the Chief Security Adviser, CSA, to Governor Akpabio, of masterminding the assassination plot, Edem, urged the court to invoke its powers and order the Nigerian Army to commence a fullblown investigation into the matter.

International Widows’ Day

BY EBELE ORAKPO

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ODAY, June 23, is the International Widows’ Day; a day set aside two years ago by the United Nations General Assembly. The declaration calls on member-states and other international organisations to end all negative practices associated with widowhood.

Speaking with Vanguardrecently, President of Enugu-based Widows Development Organisation (WiDO), Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi said she founded the organisation as a result of incidents she witnessed in the early 1990s. “I had visited two bereaved people, a man and a woman. I was un-

comfortable with the fact that the widow was treated differently in comparison to the widower and I was curious to know the reason behind it,” she said.

According to the physician/gender and human rights consultant, she started by carrying out a research on widowhood practices in four South Eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo in 1995 and found out that generally, a woman is blamed for her husband’s death and certain punitive mourning rites and practices are performed supposedly to dissuade women from killing their husbands.

C MC YM K Y K

SATURDAY

Vanguard, JUNE 23,

2012 — 9

Ogba defective building: LASEMA finally pulls down building

BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO

A

S Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, L ASEMA, yesterday, finally brought down the building at No 3 Ajayi Street, Ogba-Aguda, Lagos State found to be collapsing, one of the contractors who handled the construction of the building, Mr. Christian Okafor, expressed surprise over the longevity of the building. “I was surprise to see the building still standing after 29 years (1983), he said.”

Okafor who spoke to Saturday Vanguard yesterday at the building site, said the building would have collapsed 29 years ago when he first raised alarm over the unprofessional method adopted by the project contractor in 1983 when he was fixing of the tiles.

Okafor who was

employed by the contractor (name withheld) to fix the terrazzo at the building said he discovered that the building was ill constructed.

According to him, “ when I was contacted by the contractor to fix the terrazzo in late 1982, while fixing the tiles I discovered that the foundation and the decking of the 3-storey building were shaking.

And immediately, I alerted the contractor who is handling the project and the owner of the house (late Dr. Aga Izu) who was my friend on what I discovered.

“But to my surprises, the contractor told the owner of the house to ignore me as I was not qualified to speak on the strength of the structure.

And that was how I concentrated on what I was asked to fix on the building.”

Okafor however, said, “If not for the iron rods that were specifically

prescribed for the contractor by the owner of the house, the house would have caved in before now.”

Corroborating Okafor claim, Mr. Mustapha Aregbe who lives adjacent to the building also said that in 1985, a team from the state Ministry of Works led by Engr. Olayiwola Cole, warned that the building might collapse any moment, adding that the contractor did a bad job.

Rumpus in community as two traditional heads emerge

BY GODWIN OGHRE, Sapele

T

HE traditional leadership tussle in Ugborodo community, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State, appears to have taken a dramatic dimension as two separate community leaders have emerged as

Students on rampage over alleged move by FG to scrap NMTI

BY VINCENT UJUMADU, Awka

V

EHICULAR traffic was distrupted for several hours at the ever busy Onitsha –Owerri highway yesterday as students of the National Metallurgical Training Institute, NMTI, protested against an alleged plan by the federal government to scrap the institution or merge it with another one yet to be named.

Displaying placards with inscriptions that read; “President Jonathan the proposed plan to scrap NMTI is counter productive”, Those calling for scrapping/merging of NMTI are enemies of the state and youths”, “You cannot talk about technological development and at the same time be scraping the intuitions that promote the manpower.

“Orasanya committee goofed and government should disregard it” and “Where are the children of those calling for scrapping of NMTI”.

Tension has been mounting in the institution since the Orasanya committee that looked into the structure of government recommended the

scraping or merging of the institution, as students of the institution expressed worry about what would be their fate should the institute be scrapped by the federal government.

President of the Stu-

dents Union Government of the institute, Mr. Emmanuel Nwora, said the students decided to protest against the plan to prevail on government not to implement the Orosanya recommendation as it concerns the institution.

Ndokwa decries neglect to all stakeholders to the

by NDDC all important summit, only

BY EPHRAIM OSEJI & ANOZIE EGOLE

T

HE Ndokwa National Union, an umbrella body of the Ukwuani speaking people of Delta State has decried the neglect of their people in the distribution of amenities in the NigerDelta region by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The group which made this declaration over the week, noted in dismay that stakeholders of the NDDC were all invited to a summit that would chat a new course for the people in the region but the Ndokwa people were inadvertently excluded without reason.

A release by the groups National President, Pharm Paul Enebeli noted in dismay that despite the extension of invitation

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (right) welcoming popular Nollywood actress, Sola Sobowale, to a programme tagged “An Evening with the Governor” held at the Ibadan Civic Centre , during the week.

one Ndokwa indigene may have been invited.

Enebeli stated that the Ndokwa nationality which comprises Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwnani are oil producing with several oil companies engaged in oil production with its attendant negative consequence on the lives and livelihood of our people.

He further stated that except for the independent power plant in Okpai, there is no Federal government presence in the entire Ndokwa land despite its enormous contribution to the economic well being of

the country. ‘The AgipOkpai independent power plant he said was commissioned by the past President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005, generates 480 mega watts of electricity into the national grid yet majority of the host community remains in perpetual darkness.

the Eghare-Aja (traditional ruler) of the community.

In a petition to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, dated 3rd June, 2012, which emanated from the ‘’Office of the EgharareAja of Ugborodo community,” signed by Prince Ojogor Oyebor Anderson as the General Special Assistant to Eghare Wellington Ojogor, Eghare Wellington Ojogor is referred to as the ‘’Eghare-Aja (traditional head) of Ugborodo community. But in a paid advertorial by Sir P.O. Aihiokhai, on behalf of “Aihiokhai and Aihiokhai” a firm of

Barristers and Solicitors, based in Warri, Delta State, one other Pa Pender Nene, is also been referred to as the Eghare-Aja (traditional head) of Ugborodo Community.

Also, while Prince Ojogor Oyebor Anderson alleged in his letter that his life and that of his father, Eghare Wellington Ojogor, were threatened by some assailants who invaded their home in Ugbeji, near Warri, about 5pm on on June 1, 2012, the advertorial by the law firm however described the allegation as spurious and unsubstantiated adding that the Special Assistant

intended to ‘’cause the breach of peace in Ugborodo community which has been enjoying some peace for quite some time now.”

Again, while Prince Ojogor Oyebor Anderson said in his petition that he had reported the, incident to the Police Area Headquarters, A division, Warri, which has acted on the issue said no arrest has been made, the advertorial by the law firm insists that no such reports were found in the Ugborodo Community Police Station in Mandangho and that a threat of such magnitude should have been reported at the nearest police station.

Killer salt sells in Sapele market

BY GODWIN OGHRE, Sapele

A

killer salt is now in circulation in Sapele market, Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State and unless an urgent intervention is put in place the lives of buyers and consumers of the product may be joepardy.

The killer salt was discovered, weekend in Sapele, when a major newspaper marketer and popular vendor Mrs. Patricia Kogoro, who briefed Saturday Vanguard in Sapele yesterday, said she brought some salt from the market and discovered that the salt she brought was bereft of the actual taste of original salt. “I developed serious stomach ache after I tasted it,” she said that in an attempt to confirm the originality of the salt, she emptied a full sachet of it in a bottle of plain water to examine whether the salt would dissolve.

According to Mrs. Kogoro, after over 4 days in the bottle water, it failed to dissolve, instead, it settled down on the

bottom of the plastic water bottle, it was then it dawn on her that the salt she brought was not salt but a grinded clay soil.

Dealers in counterfeit drugs to get life imprisonment — DG, NAFDAC

BY PETER DURU, Makurdi

T

HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has finalised plans to present a bill to the National Assembly, prescribing life imprisonment for dealers in counterfeit drugs.

The proposed bill will also prescribe the confiscation of the property of offenders aside other fines.

Director General of NAFDAC, Dr. Paul Orhii disclosed this yesterday while addressing the Senate of the Federal University of Agriculture

during his visit to the university Makurdi Orhii who disclosed that work on the proposed bill has been concluded by a team of legal luminaries who are putting the document together regretted that the manufacture, sale and distribution of fake drugs has become a global phenomena hence requiring proactive action in various countries of the world to stem the tide.

“As an individual, I would have opted for death penalty for offenders as the case in China because the producers of counterfeit drugs are worst than armed robbers,”he said.

10—SATURDAY Vanguard,JUNE 23, 2012

Over 300 Nigerians languish in Indonesian prisons z15 on death row zMy ordeal – ex-Nigerian convict

T

IITO Henry Iyere, an indigene of Edo State had challenges in his business in Nigeria and decided to travel to Australia en route Indonesia in search of greener pasture. But he did not get to Australia. He ended up at Indonesia where he served nine months in prison out of which he spent three in solitary confinement for standing surety for a man who borrowed $2,000 from an Indonesian and later ran away. His experience in prison opened his eyes to the travails of Nigerians serving prison terms in that country.

Excerpts: What really happened to you in Indonesia?

It is a long story. I just came back from Indonesia where I was locked up for nine months in prison. I had a transaction with somebody whereby I stood as a guarantor for a friend who borrowed money from another person.

I was taken to the police and locked up. I was later charged to court and I was in jail for nine months and within that period, I saw how most Nigerians that were convicted for one crime or the other were being maltreated. There was a case of one Igbo man called Tony whose manhood was chopped off by Indonesian police. I was told he was involved in drugs. He said somebody asked him to pick up something for him and he picked up the parcel and was on his way to deliver it to the person that sent him when he was arrested for drug peddling and his manhood was chopped off. I saw him in jail and he showed me his manhood and narrated how it was chopped off with a sharp scissors. I was so shocked.

There were so many other cases whereby, once you are a Nigerian and your visa expires, the Indonesian police would plant drug in your apartment and then arrest you for drug peddling. It happened to so many Nigerians whose visas expired. Some of them are now serving 10 to 20 years in prison.

Once you are a Nigerian and you have immigration problem, they would plant a substance in your apartment and label you a drug dealer and before you know it, they would take you to the police and if you call our embassy in that country, they don’t usually want to be associated with drug matters whether you really peddled drugs or not. And once you have been labelled a drug dealer, you would be taken to court and while in court, there would be nobody to defend you. In court, they would ask if you have a lawyer and you are not allowed any representation.

They would take you to court and jail you. We had this case where a Nigerian was arrested and the police,

they are called BN, went in search of that guy and till today, that guy is still missing.

Nobody has been able to locate him.

The Nigerian community in Indonesia went in search of him but since the BN got him, nobody ever saw him again. We believe he was killed and nobody knows where he was buried. And there are many cases like that.

There’s somebody in jail over there and we can call him and ask him and he will tell you how

W

TITO Henry Iyere...I was in prison for nine months different jail terms will get reprieve.

that Nigerian guy got missing.

Is it confirmed that the Nigerian has died?

Well, nobody can find him several months after his arrest and nobody knew where he is. Other people who even have smaller cases of 419 are

,

BY CHIOMA GABRIEL

killed but when my case was related to the ambassador representative, Mrs. Izua that they were about to kill me, she intervened. She was the ambassador representative for four, five months now. That woman took up the matter. She was really the one that saved me before the appointment of a new ambassador few weeks ago. That woman and one Mr. Yakubu were the ones who helped me. Otherwise, they would have killed me.

Once you are a Nigerian and you have an immigration problem, they would plant a substance in your apartment and label you a drug dealer and before you know it, they would take you to the police and if you call our embassy in that country, they don’t usually want to be associated with drug matters whether you really peddled drugs or not

,

treated in similar manner. They don’t hang people for 419 or visa offences, except when they allege drug peddling against you. Nigerians were being given outrageous jail terms of ten years, twenty years, for offences their own people serve for six months. When I saw this, I told myself that when I get back to Nigeria, I would lay this complaint so that the Nigerian authorities would know what is going on with her people and if there is a way they can liaise with the Indonesian government, Nigerians serving

I

learnt from one Nigerian prison er that during the Obasanjo regime, he (OBJ) went to Thailand where he reached an agreement with the government of that country and Nigerians serving life jail terms in that country were released after four, five years and sent back to Nigeria to serve the rest of their terms. What I saw in Indonesian prison is a very terrible situation and I think the Nigerian government should do something.

There is so much injustice done to Nigerians in that country. Even the president of Nigerians in diaspora in that country has made series of complaints over this but nothing was done.

Really, Nigerians serving jail terms in Indonesia need help because some of them have families here in Nigeria and their families don’t even know their people over there are in jail. They are languishing in jail and their families here in Nigeria cannot do anything. I was there, I know what was going on and I can tell you, it’s a bad situation. I came back on June 3, the day of the Dana aircrash. I complained to the people I know that things are not going on well with Nigerians in that country.

But Nigeria has an embassy in Indonesia, what is it doing about the problem?

For quite sometime, there was not an ambassador. There was an acting ambassador, Mrs. Izua and in the past, they always posted Hausas as ambassadors and there were few Nigerian Hausas in that country. Now, some of these past ambassadors are Muslims and most Nigerians, if not all in the prisons there are Christians.

Really, it’s a bad case. I was about to

hat took you to Indonesia?

I’m a businessman. Two years ago, somebody who came from there told me it would be easy for me to travel to Australia from Indonesia and New Zealand. I decided to go to Australia to look for work through Indonesia and that was what took to that country. I used to have a shop here in Nigeria and after the building where I had my shop was sold, I couldn’t afford another shop and I decided to go and work in Australia through Indonesia and that was it. I was jailed for nine months for standing as a surety for somebody who borrowed $2,000 dollars from a citizen of that country. Well, the person I stood surety for was not seen and he didn’t pay back the money and that was how they got me.

It was very difficult for me to raise money to travel to Indonesia. After the building where I had my shop was sold, somebody told me about job opportunities in Australia. I sold my car, raised N750,000 by rallying around my family. I got the visa but when I got to Indonesia, it was a different ball game. I called the guy who told me about the Australian connection but he said I should be patient. I was there waiting for my Australian contact until I stood surety for somebody who borrowed money and ran away. My offence was that I guaranteed the man would not run away but he did.

His house was still there but I didn’t know where the man went to but the police said that since I stood surety for him, I should pay the $2,000. Well, I paid the $2,000 with the help of the Nigerian community but I still got jailed by the court. It was the desperation to survive that took me to Indonesia. I was on my way to Melbourne, Australia to work.

Were you maltreated in prison?

I was in prison for nine months . The treatment meted out to Nigerians is different. Because of the drug involvement of some Nigerians, others are being maltreated as well. I had nothing to do with drugs and that was why the ambassador representative, Mrs. Izue came to my aid. But it didn’t stop them from maltreating me. Even the money that somebody borrowed from an Indonesian which I stood surety for was repaid but I was still maltreated. After serving my nine months, I didn’t have money to come back home and I was told they cannot buy ticket for a deportee.

It was a Nigerian in prison that volunteered to buy me a ticket. In Indonesian prisons, the Nigerians there are very big people. They are multi millionaires. But my case was different.

Continues on page 11

SATURDAY Vanguard,JUNE 23, 2012—11

Over 300 Nigerians languish in Indonesian prisons

me tell you, the embassy doesn’t involve itself with problems that have to do with drugs or 419 and their police are unfriendly.

They usually tell you if they notice you’re a Nigerian that your passport is fake, that your embassy cannot come because they are scared, that they can kill you and nothing will happen.

That’s how they kill Nigerians.

There’s a guy that is declared missing now. That guy is dead but his body was not found. They are killing Nigerians. They would have killed me, that was why they isolated me but the embassy came to my aid when they learnt my offence was minor.

Continued from page 10

T

he embassy came to my aid be cause I didn’t push drugs. The embassy doesn’t help those that pushed drugs. They don’t involve themselves in such cases. I travelled legally to Indonesia. I got my passport legally. I got my passport in 2007 at Ikoyi near the old Secretariat. I travelled aboard Qatar Airline on the 10 th June, 2010. I also had a Malaysian visa attached to my Indonesian visa. I returned 3rd of June this year.

What was the maximum term given to you before your escape?

I didn’t escape. I served out my term.

I had no business going to prison for the offence I didn’t commit . In such an offence, once you returned the money, you are let off the hook but because I was a foreigner, they didn’t let me go. When my case came up again, the judge who handled the case in court asked why I was sentenced to prison after I have paid back the money I stood surety for. I went to jail because I was a foreigner.

What was your experience?

Well, in prison, I became a pastor. I won so many souls and when they saw that, they mellowed down. They have a church for Christians and a big Mosque for Muslims. There was also a place of worship for traditionalists.

My family suffered while I was away.

My children were no longer going to school and so after my release, I had to return home to organise my family.

Indonesian prison I couldn’t continue to Australia. In fact, it was not possible or I wouldn’t have this ordeal. I was on solitary confinement for three months. I was isolated. I didn’t see anybody or talked to anybody for sixty days. I don’t speak their language. The guards would just bring food and pass it through the iron gate and disappear. I was alone and at a stage, I began to bang those gates and I did it for several days. I would be shouting prayers and singing worship songs until one day, they brought me out of isolation.

T

hey wanted me to die in isola tion but I kept telling myself aloud that I would not die there. They used all kinds of intimidation but I found a bible from American amnesty

A weekend to celebrate Sunmi Smart-Cole B

y 2.00pm today, hundreds of friends and lovers of art will gather at the popular social centre, Harbour Point in Victoria Island to celebrate a high society persona and ace photographer, Sunmi SmartCole at the presentation of his latest book ‘Sunmi’s Lens- medium between man and nature’, side by side with a photo exhibition of his works in black and white, that is, photography in art form.

Wole Soyinka wrote the Foreword to the book.

Sunmi Smart-Cole:

A Man of Many Interests Sunmi Smart-Cole, born September 25, 1941, in Port Harcourt, of Nigerian-Sierra Leonean parentage, is known for his versatility and range of interests. His fame as a gardener and involvement in environmental groups, such as the Friends of the Earth, and the Lagos Horticultural Society (as a founding member) and the Sierra Club, are reflected in his sensitivity for natural objects. His love of music and fashion, and his varied experience from newspaper photo-journalism to being a father of two young men, enrich and inform his

Smart-Cole

work as a photographer.

Although, he is proficient in different artistic fields, Sunmi’s early education stopped when he became an elementary school teacher at age 15. His visual sense was already in evidence when at 17, he started training as an architectural draughtsman. Buildings he subsequently designed included the country home of Sierra Leone’s late Prime Minister, Sir Albert Margai.

Sunmi is also an accomplished soul music drummer and jazz percussionist. He was a founding member of the ‘60s ensemble, Soul Assembly. He taught himself to play trap-drums in 1964, by watching the then

international which helped me a lot.

The prison authorities didn’t allow the American amnesty group to see me.

They have a lawyer but they didn’t let him see me. But I eventually came out of confinement after 60 days.

It was then that I began to go to church and began to meet other Nigerians.

How many Nigerians are in prison there?

There are over 300 Nigerians in Indonesian prisons. Out of that 300, 15 are on death row, eight are serving life imprisonment. Others who committed mild offences were being heaped together with drug dealers.

They are scattered in different prisons in Indonesia. In the prison where I served, there were seven of us. But let

Fela Ransome-Kuti and his mother, Mrs Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti convert highlife drummer, John Okoh, into a jazz drummer . Smart-Cole used his lap as his drums.

Sunmi has performed or “sat-in” with well-known jazz musicians such as the late alto saxophonist, Julian “Canonball” Adderley; organist, Jimmy Smith; trumpeter Dizzy Gilespie ; and the late instrumentalist, Fela Ransome-Kuti Sunmi has also featured with pianist, McCoy Tyner; singer and key-board player, Segun Bucknor; the late pianist, Art Alade and The Jazz Preachers of Lagos, Nigeria; drummer George B. Williams and The Jazz Disciples of Freetown, Sierra Leone; tenor saxophonist Yusef Lateef; and bass player, Reggie Walkman.

S

unmi was an original member of Jon Hendrick’s jazz musical, Evolution of the Blues (performed at the Paul Mason Winery, Saratoga, California, USA in 1982. Sunmi organised the first Nigerian Jazz Festival in 1964 at King’s College Hall in Lagos. In 1967, his barber shop, Sunmi’s Place in Yaba, was a trend-setting centre for the fashionable Lagos elite.

In 1972, he went to the United States, where he worked as an electronic drafter and technical illustrator. His strong visual sense led him to embark on a photography course in 1976, at Foothill College in Los Altos, California.

Sunmi held his first solo exhibition at Stanford University, California in 1978. In December 1978, he was invited by the National Council for Arts and Culture to

A lot of Nigerians do drugs I didn’t do drugs. I’m legit. I’m a businessman but after the building where I had my shop was sold, I was stranded here in Nigeria. I had to sell things to raise money to travel to Australia en route Indonesia but I never got o Australia. I ended up in prison in Indonesia and that was bad.

Nigerian government should dialogue with Indonesian government and help the plight of Nigerians in that country. Some people who should serve five, six years term are serving fifteen and twenty years. Some were falsely labelled drug dealers because their passports expired but rather than repatriate them, they label them drugpeddlers. In some cases, they planted the drugs themselves in their homes.

I think the Nigerian government should look into these issues.

mount an exhibition at the National Arts Theatre, Lagos.

In 1983, Sunmi became the first photo editor of the newly established Guardian newspaper. Then subsequently, editorship of the weekly social paper, Lagos Life , gave Sunmi the opportunity to design a newspaper which reached a high standard both visually and in terms of content. Sunmi’s awards include NIJ Students Union award, Third Commonwealth Photography Exhibition award in Hong Kong (1983); the Jadeas Trust award for creativity (2001); and the first TINAPAMovie Awards, Achievement in Entertainment- Golden Camera Award in 2007; The VIVANTE award ; amongst others.

His first book, The Photography of Sunmi Smart-Cole, with foreword by Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka (in black and white), was published by Bookcraft Ltd in collaboration with Daily Times of Nigeria, Lagos in 1991. Smart-Cole’s second book was A Pictorial View: The Foreign Policy Landmarks of the Babangida Administration in 1993. Sunmi’s third coffee-table book “Sunmi’s Lens- medium between man and nature”, (also with foreword by Wole Soyinka ), was originally published in September, 2011.

Sunmi has held over 36 exhibitions in five continents – including exhibitions in Nigerian missions in Addis Ababa, Brasilia and London (to promote the country’s image) as a cultural ambassador

(Culled from an article by Prof. Jane Bryce and Jide Adeniyi-Jones)

12 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012

BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

zIG Abubakar

z Ibrahim

Lamorde, EFCC chairman

Corruption on fiery rampage, holds Nigeria hostage

,

Corruption has steadily grown over the years, into a hydraheaded monster on a fiery rampage, now holding our nation hostage.

Even though corruption existed from early period of independence when during the First Republic governed by some of our founding fathers, politicians were accused of taking just 10% on contracts, before the military struck in January 1966.

But the incursion of the military into political governance worsened the situation as the rule of law replaced rule of brute force when the craze for wealth and ill-gotten individual prosperity escalated.

As put bluntly by Justice Mustapha Akanbi, one-time Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC).

“If anything, the various coup d’etat in this country worsened the situation. The direction and course of our history changed, our values and judgement changed, honesty and integrity were relegated to the background. As the years rolled by, so overwhelming was the situation that for some, the worship of money became the order of the day.”

He said that we became more and more materialistic so much so that it was no longer possible to convince the average Nigerian child that we can achieve greatness and position of respectability without necessarily being corrupt or that he can still achieve financial success in business or in life without recourse to corrupt means or corrupt dealings.

According to the former ICPC Chairman, corruption has become both systematic and endemic so much that the average Nigerian came to accept it as a normal way of life. Indeed, public office is seen as means of acquiring illicit wealth or enriching themselves through corrupt conduct.

Corruption destroys socio-economic life of the nation, makes economic planning difficult if not impossible, stifles implementation of infrastructural project, while it concentrates wealth in the hands of a few individuals.

In addition, corruption promotes widespread poverty and large scale unemployment, inflation, destruction of efficiency in pubic institutions, destruction of ethical, moral, religious and democratic values, in which an unfair, unjust and inequitable environment thrives.

Today, corruption is walking on two legs in Nigeria with a rotten leadership neck-deep in stealth, while about 70 per cent of the people are perceived to be corrupt. So any cleansing of the nation must start from all the citizens. Corruption is killing this country. From the presidency, the executive, legislature, judiciary, local governments, community, the grassroot population, private and public sectors of the national economy, there are brazen manifestations of corruption everywhere.

For the legislature, the National Assembly members who

Corruption destroys socioeconomic life of the nation, makes economic planning difficult if not impossible, stifles implementation of infrastructural projects

received all types of bogus allowances and excessive salaries paid to themselves which had been described by many wellmeaning Nigerians as “looting of the treasury.”

Recently, Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN) a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General who was in parliament in the First Republic (since 1959) said he had never seen such outrageous allowances, when salaries of lawmakers were higher than that of US President Barack Obama, stating that, “what is happening at the National Assembly nowadays could be aptly described in two words – treasury looting.”

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi alleged that 25% of the overhead of the Federal government budget is being spent on the National Assembly.

Quoting figures from the office of Budget for the year 2010, he said total government overhead was N536,268,49,280. Total overhead of the National Assembly is N136,259,768,112 which is exactly 25.1% of Fed-

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eral Government overhead.

The country runs one of the most expensive democracies in the world, with about 50 ministers, thousands of special advisers, special assistants, advisers, and so on at federal level, “just finding jobs for the politicians,” all of them corruptly helping themselves to their share of the national cake. The same applied to the states and local governments governance where governors and council chairmen swindled and siphon public funds in billions recklessly. The judiciary is not better as judges receive huge gratifications to deliver judgement to the highest bidders in all kinds of litigations brought before them.

Bribery scandals are so frequent that the nation has lost count with just a few found guilty. There was the $180 million Halliburton bribery scandal in which some government officials received bribes to secure gas contracts at Bonny Island on behalf of some multinational energy companies. The Halliburton probe was later dropped.

There was the N55 million

bribery involving one-time Senate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara,, former Education Minister, Professor Fabian Osuji and a Senator. The lawmakers allegedly demanded and collected N55 million from the Education Minister for the passage of the 2005 budget of the Federal Ministry of Education. All those involved including five legislators were later freed by the Court of Appeal because the prosecution. “Woefully failed to establish prima facie case against them.”

A N5 billion fraud charge was brought against the former Chairman of National Electricity Regulatory commission (NERC) and six directors of the commission by EFCC for allegedly sharing the money among themselves.

There was the 17.5 million Euro Siemens scam in which some officials of PHCN and NITEL were fingered. Former Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and two officials of the Abuja Geographic Information System, AGIS, were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged abuse of office and corruption. He was accused of willfully distorting the Abuja Master plan by irregularly revoking the ownership title of two parcels of land belonging to Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc (PHCN), and the Nigeria Postal Services, NIPOST. El-Rufai later dragged the Federal Government to court over his trial, saying that his actions as FCT Minister were

proper and valid under Nigerian law.

One-time National Chairman of PDP, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor was charged with N2.36 billion fraud, for allegedly conniving with others to float fictitious companies while in office as Minister of State for Special Duties.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole was alleged to have looted N9 billion purportedly spent on cars and miscellaneous items.

His predecessor in office, Mrs. Patricia Etteh, was removed as Speaker over alleged impropriety in contract award for renovation of official residence.

Some high profile cases on corruption filed by the EFCC include those of Mr. Boni Haruna, ex-governor of Adamawa State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, ex-governor Oyo State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, exgovernor of Sokoto State, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode ex-minister, Aviation, Dr. Babalola Borishade, ex-minister Education, later Aviation, chief michael Botmang, former governor, Plateau State, Senator Nicholas Ugbane, Mr. Elumelu and others in N5.2 billion REA contract, Alhaji Abdulahi Adamu, exgovernor, Nassarawa State.

Chief Bode George, a former military governor, ex-national chairman (West) PDP and former Chairman of NPA was convicted for corruption. Twoterm governor of Edo State,

Continues on pages 50

Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012—13

No end yet to the $3m subsidy bribery scandal

$3m subsidy bribery scandal:

It’s a tragedy — Prof Sagay R

Stories by Emmanuel Edukugho

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hen the story was broken that the Chairman of the House of Repre sentatives Committee which investigated the fuel subsidy management, Mr. Farouk Lawan collected bribes in US dollars with $620,000 paid to him by oil magnate, Femi Otedola as part payment of the $3 million agreed on by both parties, the nation was shocked.

More startling was the denial by Faouk that he never took bribe from anyone, but later owned up, confessing he took the money.

Speaking immediately on Ray Power’s radio programme tagged “Political Platform”, Farouk emphatically denied: “I have not collected any bribe,” and when he was asked if he ever collected money at all from anyone, he said he has not.

“Bribe is bribe. No other way to define this.

If anybody says I’ve been given bribe, let him come out.”

Have you been contacted by the press?

“I don’t want to blame the press. Normally in a matter like this, the press should find out who is involved, get information and establish it. But not so. They said a prominent member of the committee took bribe. They should have contacted me for clarification.”

But you collected money and it was recorded?

“First of all, this is disturbing, traumatic.

Through our credibility and integrity, we’ve tried to expose corruption. Not surprising that if you fight corruption, it will fight you back.

While doing the work, we’ve put our integrity and life on the line. I didn’t cover up any-

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his subsidy bribe involv ing Lawan Farouk, Chairman of the House ad hoc committee on fuel subsidy administration should be treated as a serious offence, said Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie,

zLawan Farouk body. I can assure you, no member, myself or anyone compromised in the course of investigation.” Farouk continued: “I’ve made it public that they tried to bribe members of the committee with dollars, confronted with bribes. We know the enormity of the challenge. They want to rubbish our names.”

What about the video clip?

“I don’t know of any video. Nobody has come out publicly that I’ve been offered bribe, let him come out, say the amount.

First of all, EFCC has not invited me, no correspondence with EFCC.” Did you inform the security?

“What I’m saying is that there were instances of bribe being made and we told the security.”

Did you see any money?

“I Farouk Lawan, did not collect money from anybody. So man y overtures made, our lives threatened. Let the report be implemented. It took time, sacrifice to make the report. I didn’t collect bribe. If anybody says so, let him come out and say we collected bribe.”

But later Farouk confessed to his colleagues in the House that he actually collected the said amount of $620,000from a businessman (Otedola) and intended to tender the money as a bribery evidence.

However, the question is: Where is the money? Even despite being detained by the police and later bailed, Farouk has not produced the money.

zProf Sagay done the right thing by bringing back to the list, the names of the oil companies delisted by the committee on the fuel subsidy regime – the Otedola oil companies and therefore achieving what the report so stated – prosecute the oil thieves and recover the money involved.

Should the government still implement the report in spite of the controversial bribery scandal?

It is not for government to implement the report, rather it’s for Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Police as a matter of compulsory duty to act on the report. It’s strictly for them to do so. They have no choice, because it’s the report of the House. It is irrelevant if Farouk and others have taken bribe.

It is for the EFCC, ICPC and Police to take action. They have a duty to Investigate, prosecute and recover the stolen N1.7 trillion from these oil thieves.

$3m subsidy bribery scandal:

Must be treated as serious offence – Prof Awuzie, ex-ASUU President

Prof. Awuzie

enown constitutional lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay has described the $3 million subsidy bribe scandal involving the Chairmanof the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on Fuel subsidy management, Lawan Farouk, and a major oil marketer, Mr. Femi Otedola as a tragedy.

Speaking with Saturday Vanguard, he expressed disappointment over what happened at the end f the investigation into the fuel subsidy management when huge amount of public fund was siphoned by oil companies and the Nigerian people patiently waiting for action on the report submitted by the committee.

Excerpts: What is your reaction to the ongoing $3 million fuel subsidy bribe scandal involving Hon. Lawan Farouk who chaired the House Ad hoc Committee that probed the subsidy regime?

Well, it’s a tragedy, as far as Farouk and the government are concerned. We’ve all regarded Farouk as a man of great integrity and had high hope on him, to the extent that the people have now suffered a setback by what he has done. It is shocking.

Are you satisfied with what the House did by suspending him and stripping him of chairmanship of both the committee on education and that of fuel subsidy regime?

The House has done the right thing as Farouk has been isolated and suspended.

In addition, the House has

immediate past National President, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

How do you view this scandal, tending to rubbish the work of the investigative committee which probed the management of fuel subsidy?

We should isolate the report from the bribery scandal. We’re talking of $620,000 bribe, then ignoring billions of naira some people took away in the guise

of supplying fuel under the subsidy regime. This has caused harm to the people because government had to increase the pump price of petrol. We had portfolio carrying business men who had no fuel to supply, but only to siphon away money.

Who should be blamed for this kind of thing?

The Nigerian people themselves know who to be blamed

for this. A situation in which government budget for fuel subsidy was about N500 billion, but ended up spending N1.7 trillion on subsidy, instead of the N500 billion budgeted for fuel. So we all know who to blame for this kind of corruption.

It’s a serious offence. But people are trying to find excuse. Why do you want to give bribe?

Also reacting, Professor Isaac Adeyemi, Vice Chancellor, Bells University of Tech-

nology, Ota, Ogun State, was bewildered, saying he does not want to comment on the bribe saga.

“I don’t want to comment on it. It’s a reflection of our society. This is sad, highly unforunate,” he told this writer in a brief chat.

“The more one hears about the scandal, the more one becomes sad. If it is not properly handled, corruption will become a hydra-headed monster and nobody will be able to tame it,” Professor Adeyemi

14— Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012

Nigerians lament high rate of corruption Nigerians from different walks of life have reacted to the level of corruption in the country. They were of the opinion that the system is so corrupt that it affected every sector of the economy. These are some of the reactions of prominent Nigerian’s on the issue sampled by Saturday Vanguard ANOZIE EGOLE

Corruption has reached alarming proportion in Nigeria —Yinka Odumakin

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n my own view, corrup tion scandals in Nigeria have reached an alarming proportion.A national daily recently reported how Nigeria has become a butt of practical jokes among diplomats from US and G-7 countries at a conference in New Orleans.It quoted an envoy as saying that “corruption is like a fundamental objective and directive principle of state policy there(Nigeria)and it does not shock the media there anymore”.Another envoy was quoted as taking up the office of the Attorney General of the Federation as the one to prosecute “big and tough criminals.But in Nigeria,sometimes,we read stories of how the AGF withdraws cases filed against alleged criminals and fraudsters.The sentiments of these envoys capture the re-

Odumakin ality that it is not just that officials are corrupt in Nigeria but corruption itself has become official. In the past,we were measuring corruption in mil-

lions and billions but today it is metered in trillions and no one is brought to book.We have moved from a situation where people committed suicide rather than facing trial for corruption to where those accused of corruption hire protesters who follow them to court nude or dressed in ‘aso ebi.

The impunity is so high that a former boss of Exchange Commission accused of corruption boldly told a public hearing she couldn’t understand why the theft of private funds should be become an issue of public inquiry!Even a President who should lead the charge against corruption is being accused of

monumental corruption a la Malabu oily deal. Its a very worrying situation.

The Subsidy probe scam is a response from the top by the House of Representatives to stem the revolt from below during the “occupy Nigeria” movement in Nigeria.The mind boggling tales of corruption that came from the probe confirmed the position of SNG in January that the problem with the oil sector was not subsidy but corruption .It was not surprising when the committee discovered at the end of its assignment that as against the N245b that was budgeted for subsidy in 2011,over N2.5 trillion was seen spent with other outstanding as at the time it wound up.

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he Finance Minister,Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala was later to tell the country that N541b out of the N888 b budgeted for 2012 has been used for arrears of 2011.This brings the total figures to over N3trn. Immediately the House adopted the report and directed the prosecution of all those indicted. The AGF started to sound like Legal Adviser to the subsidy thieves by dismissing the report as a mere “fact-finding” that was not sufficient for prosecution.

By the time the video production unit of the subsidy thieves completed the blockbuster on Farouk Lawan alleged collecting $620,000 from Femi Otedola,the enlightened segment of the society could only scream “deja vu”.For this was the same script used during the power probe where a counter alle-

gation of N5.2b corruption against the Elumelu committee was used to blur the theft of $16b.

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hy would Otedola wait for 6 weeks after to expose a “sting” operation?In a sting operation,the culprit is arrested on the spot the moment he collects the marked money!And why would a man who has done no wrong be negotiating a bribe? Farouk out of greed or naivity, fell into the trap of oil thieves but the Nigerian people can no longer be caught by such cheap trick again. This is why the popular thinking today is that Otedola and Farouk should face trial for giving and receiving bribe without prejudice to the trial of subsidy thieves.

The US is very right.Is their dollar not the currency of bribe in our country today?Is it not through the USA that the $1b malabu oil deal was routed?Is Ibori who was given clean bill by all levels of court in Nigeria not serving jail term in Britain today?How many accused thieves have been left off the hook in recent time through the interference of the AGF office?In how many countries in the world would $20b be stolen in one year in the name of subsidising the importation of the refined version of the mainstay of the economy and not one head rolls?

The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi said a few years back that when people hear knocks on their doors and it happens to be EFCC officials,they would just say “sit down please.Can we offer you coke or Fanta?”. How Prohetic!

Gain of crime in Nigeria is higher than the punishment— Bar Chijike Jiapoma C

orruption as we all know has been in existence even before the law. Coming to Nigeria, we all know that it grows alongside with the population of the country. As the country grows, that’s how crime does here in Nigeria. The problem we are having with corruption here is that, the premium of crime is higher than the punishment. By this I mean that the premium is not proportionate to the crime.

If a person was alleged that he/she has stolen N3b and he was taken to court and entered into plea bargaining with the court. After plea bargaining, you will now sentence the person to 3years imprisonment at times with an option of fine. While some people in the society, even if they stayed free for 50 years, they can’t make N10m. For such people, they will prefer to steal and be given option of fine. The people that propagated these laws that we are using did not did tell us the culture/ reactions.

They just packed the law and give to us. In other ways, the law does not belong to us. If you see the removal of fuel subsidy by the president, you will know that he had good plans for Nigeria by looking into the fuel subsidy. They revealed how they had been siphoning money out of the country from the oil sector.

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ut the people that told him to re move the subsidy did not also tell him the areas they will use to tackle the subsidy removal. We all know that the subsidy removal was a very good way to develop our economy but we fail to know that there are some cabals who have been benefitting from the fuel subsidy and that these cabals will use all they have to fight back to ensure that there was no removal of the subsidy.

These cabals also sponsored some politicians and even some people in the judiciary. There is no way these people sponsored by these cabals will not fight to protect the cabals.

If the President had wanted to create a panel that will take care of the investigation, it should not have been from the national assembly because they still have their people whose interest they will protect. It should have been an ordinary man in the street.

When this subsidy probe committee was initially formed, they came in with a very big propaganda that made it seem as if they are not being biased by telling the whole country that they are trying to bribe them. They

Jiapoma

were raising alarm as if they are sacred cow that cannot be bribed.

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he government should redress our criminal codes, and terms of punishment to tally with the offences being committed. The government should come down and look at our laws and redress them in such a way that it will survive the heat of the country. Some members in the national assembly cannot

make any laws that can survive the heat of the country that’s the problem they are having. .

Their mind is just to become a member of the house of assembly, collect as much money as they can and maintain a particular standard of living even after they might have retired. The system through which some of them assumed that office was not genuine so you do not expect them to be genuine.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012—15

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owever, those believed to be unhappy in the way and manner Etteh was removed laid siege for her successor, Dimeji Bankole fervently waiting for him to make a slip.

It was against this backdrop

Endless corruption scandals:

Burden of lawmakers Demiji Bankole Lawan Farouk

Patricia Etteh

Evans Enwerem

As the fourth republic enters its threshold, some privileged politicians appear to indulge in sharp practices with imperial arrogance. CHARLES ADINGUPU chronicles the scandals spreading like wild fire at both the Upper and Lower legislative arms of government. the trading of allegations started between the leadership of the House and a group which metamorphosed as the progressive led by Honourable Dino Melaye. The group cried foul over the contract for the purchase of cars for members by the leadership of the House.

Additionally, the group also demanded that the House leadership should account for N9 billion capital fund expenditure between 2008 and 2009.

They, however, claimed that the Speaker, Bankole authorised a “vexatious and reckless” expenditure profile.

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ince the enthronement of the Fourth Republic, the National Assembly and the legislative arm of government have been enmeshed in one crisis or another. Unfortunately, these scandals and crises at the National Assembly have often been jettisoned as the reflection of the learning process by politicians. But a good teacher must be worried if after thirteen years of drilling, his student is still fixated on the elementary rudiment of grappling with ABCD. In the Senate, Late Evans Enwerem and his fellow compatriot, late Chuba Okadigbo both erstwhile Senate President were enmeshed in furniture scam just as Adolphus Wabara was swept off over his alleged involvement inn the money-for-budget scandal.

However, if the senators are not fighting for contracts, their colleagues in the House of Representative are exchanging blows over committee membership and over mundane issues.

From those trying times, nothing seems to have changed. Shortly after he emerged as the speaker of the house, Alhaji Salisu Buhari was accused of pejuri, Buhari who claimed to have obtained a degree certificate from the University of Toronto in Canada was subsequently booted out of office for falsification of his age and educational qualification. In a similar vein, the House of Representative members have forced the Speaker, Patricia Etteh and her deputy, Babangida Nguroje to resign on the basis of allegations arising from contract award on the renovation of official quarters.

The cacophony that ensued thereafter, made it difficult to decipher the truth, which is that some colossal amount of money had been paid for the contract and nobody seemed to have benefitted from the award of contract.

Etteh and her deputy who become the sacrificial lamb were so treated by some political gangsters in and outside the House, who for some personal reasons did not like the man who influenced the selection of Etteh as Speaker.

Though, the Etteh gate was a major irritant in the management of Nigeria. She was named in a N628 million contract scam but did not see the indignity of her action. Besides, contrary to public opinion requesting her to resign as Speaker of the House of Representative, she was wrapped up the more in the glory of being a beautician until she was subsequently forced to resign under threats of impeachment.

Upon his exit from the House of Representative, Bankole was hand picked by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC). His travails at the court of law have become history. The Ndudi Elumelu’s power probe committee remains one scandal that cannot be easily expunged from the book of Nigeria’s political history. The conclusion of the Elumelu’s investigation over his alleged involvement in bribery scam are still very hazy. Today, Honourable Elumelu walks the streets as a freeman.

Just when Nigerians are beginning to push those experi-

However, if the senators are not fighting for contracts, their colleagues in the House of Representative are exchanging blows over committee membership and mundane issues

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ences behind them, Honourable Herman Hembe, Chairman, Adhoc Committee on the Capital Market was embroiled in a fresh bribery scandal raised by the Director-General, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh.

The DG SEC accused the committee chairman of asking for gratification to enable him influence his probe into the activities and operations of the capital market.

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onsequent upon this al legation, Hembe agreed to stop aside and personally surrender himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in order to allow for proper investigation into the allegations.

While the fire rages on, the House of representatives reportedly accused the EFCC of bias over the arraignment of the chairman, House Committee on capital market. The anger of the leadership of the House was based on the fact that Oteh must have used her connection as a statutory mem-

ber of the EFCC to ensure Hembe was embarrassed.

The House Deputy spokesman, Honourable Victor Ogene argued that the EFCC knew that the capital market probe was on-going. Yet, the commission went ahead to arraign the chairman and his deputy.

“How on earth can you make available travel documents and estacode on October 19 and expect the person to travel the same day,” he said, “it’s unfortunate that the ethics and privileges committee mandated to investigate the matter was still waiting for the probe to end when Hembe was arraigned.”

Honourable Ogene lamented that the trials of Hembe is being based on Section 308, assuring that nothing tangible will come out of it since other arms of government would be allowed to perfect whatever they are doing with regards to the matter.

However while this dust is yet to settle, the chairman, Adhoc Committee on Petroleum and Subsidy, Honourable Farouk Lawan was again during the week accused of requesting and accepting bribe to the whooping tune of $620,000 by the Chairman, Zenon Oil and Gas, Mr. Femi Otedola.

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he Farouk’s committee which began work shortly after its inauguration drilled oil markets for unending hours concluded the assignment in April 24 and placed a 240 page report before the entire House of Representatives for its considerations.

After two days debate, some amendments were made and the report was approved.

But by June 9, the bubble burst when oil magnate, Femi Otedola claimed that Farouk Lawan demanded bribe from him to remove his company name from the list of those indicted by the panel report.

The business mogul alleged that Honourable Farouk received 620,000 being part payment of N3 million dollars requested by Farouk and his committee members. Reacting the accusation, Farouk initially said Otedola lied, but later admitted that he only collected the sum of 500 million dollars only as a ploy to expose Femi Otedola shoddy deals.

As the political scheme to push Farouk out of the House, it might be too early to stoke the fire while the mantle is still on. But whichever way pendulum swings, it has become expedient for the lawmakers to salvage their already battered integrity.

16—SATURDAY Vanguard , JUNE 23, 2012

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here is hardly anyone who has traveled with any of the local flights on more than ten occasions who does not have some harrowing experiences to recount. I have lost count of how many times I have found myself in the midst of crying, praying, and, screaming passengers inside a plane which had developed some mechanical fault or the other. Sometimes, it would be a turbulent weather which gave the fears and anxieties of the hapless men, women and children that chilling expression that should be so hard to forget, and yet which turned out to be so easily forgotten when “terra firma” had been achieved in one piece. Once safety was assured, these same people who had been in tatters a while back, are already busy planning for the flight back, or further ahead ..

*saint *s aint alvana **black-out”on black box

There is a thrill in flying that poses a challenge along with the pleasure. No matter what, people will fly. They will run up the stairs of an aircraft without a trace of anxiety and nonchalantly strap up their seat belts, without showing any anticipation for whatever peril might lie ahead. And, as we all know, it is always there. But then may come a day, as it did in my own case, when you say, “That’s it!” It was on my fiftythird flight, and the journey was between Lagos and Abuja.

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n that particular flight to Abuja, everything was smooth as silk until we got to the airport, and the wheels got stuck—the under-carriage refused to roll out for the landing. The pilot went into a repertoire of aerial maneuvers without any success.

Eventually, he announced that the ejection of the wheels would have to be manually accomplished, and indeed it happened that way. So we landed. It took us about thirty

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believe there are still saints in the world, even if it would appear that the number is diminishing. I believe SAINT Alvana is indeed right now with the Lord.God is control.

The echoes of the Dana flight will take a long time to subside. Alvana Ojukwu’ s text message clearly indicates that the crash was by no means sudden. If we can start from there, it would be instructive what the

•Alvana Ojukwu years— which might have been minutes on a normal clock. And so I said, “No more !”

That was in the latter part of 1998. The business that took me to Abuja was the fortnightly meeting of the Organizing Committee of Nigeria 99, the Junior World Cup Competition which took place here.

From then on, I attended subsequent meetings by road. Two other subcommittee chairmen, Austin Akosa and “JB” Ogufere, were also of he

,

In the midst of that terrible uproar, she calmly stared death in the face and sent a simple message of great faith to her loved ones: “Take strength in the Lord; few minutes from now, I’ll be going to meet the Lord”

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same mind. So we *flew” to Abuja by road for the meetings afterwards. (By the way, “JB” celebrates his eightieth birthday anniversary today. Isn’t that something? Here then is wishing the timehonoured sports administrator many happy returns.)

I have traveled by air only twice since then. Some two weeks ago on this page, I declared that God was always in control. Why then have I consistently concealed my refusal to fly behind a nebulous doctor’s advice that it is not good for my health? I find myself at the bar of my own conscience. Is the genuine reason for my refusal - not just reluctance— to fly not an outrageous lack of faith in what I declare with my own lips? I wonder how many of us make such protestations of trust in God but whose actions fall dismally below our declarations. God have mercy.

But there was someone in that tragic Dana flight which

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ermit me to here explain that the history of my flying dates back to 1952, in the days of those “Dove” sixpassenger “crates”, operated by the West African Airways Corporation. I was then a Meteorological Observer, Metob for short, and we had observational fights as part of our training. We found it very interesting, though frightening at first, and then individually began to keep a count of our flights. The tally increased when I went into sports as the Chairman of the NFA Technical Committee at one time, and the Publicity Secretary on several occasions, while serving as the Head of Outside Broadcasts (Sports) the same time. It meant traveling with the national sports teams, especially football, all over the world. There were also other opportunities for air travel in other spheres of life. That is actually why my flying record may appear somewhat high.

accounted for the loss of so many lives recently.

Alvana Ojukwu was a young Christian worker. She was indeed on her way to attend a Christian conference when she became one of the victims in that heartrending incident.

There were no doubt outpourings of fear, anguish, despair and great consternation around her, but this young lady was in no way dismayed. In the midst of that terrible uproar, she calmly stared death in the face and sent a simple message of great faith to her loved ones: “Take strength in the Lord; few minutes from now, I’ll be going to meet the Lord”

know. Such data were preserved, in the first place, for the benefit of the people, especially the survivors of the victims, and then the rest of us. In what way is the hoarding of all the information contained in the “black box” useful to the people? Even if some of it has to be kept away for “security” reasons—which are a favourite ploy—why not release the rest? If there are human errors involved in the management or conduct of the aircraft, the people should know and some measures should be taken as a deterrent. But to be deliberately kept in the dark about information that may reassure the members of the public about a square deal from the authorities leaves room for doubt about their sincerity.

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e demand information from the “black box” about the disastrous Dana flight, and that at once. It is fast becoming the norm to withhold some facts that grieving survivors of the victims of air tragedies may find some solace in. Not one of the many air crashes in the past has had the cause of the tragedy exposed. It smacks of a callous cover-up by the authorities. The “international conventions” of the ICAO is binding only to the extent that each

I believe SAINT Alvana is indeed right now with the Lord.God is control

subsequent developments were.

The activities surrounding an incident of that nature are reckoned to be paramount in guarding against a recurrence. That is why the recovery of the “black box”—the record of the tangible events leading to the event—is always held at a high premium.

Fortunately, it was found in this case. But the public has been officially informed that the information contained in the recorder will not be made public as it is, because the “international conventions” of the International Civil Aviation Organization, to which Nigeria belongs, forbids it.

That raises a lot of issues.

Foremost is why? That would be interesting to

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nation finds it convenient for her interest and welfare.

I see nothing wrong in President Goodluck Jonathan flying off to Brazil in the wake of a triple bombing incident. After all, our security officials assure us that they are “on top” of the situation. What else?

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nd, in any case, these incidents are now occurring almost every Sunday. Are we to order him to stay put every week-end, with those dazzling craft of the Presidential Flight gleaming in the sun?

Anyway, tomorrow is another Sunday...

Time out.

C M Y K

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012—17

18 —

SATURDAY VANGUARD, JUNE 23, 2012

I’m extremely shy, what should I do?

Dear Aunty Julie, I am extremely shy, not like the cute kind of shy, but full-

Dear Julie, My name is Andy. I’m 27 and single. I have been masturbating since I was a teenager. I learnt it when I was in the boarding house and it was an all-boys school. Some of my dorm mates were homosexuals but I preferred masturbation to being gay and since then, I have not been able to stop. I had two girlfriends in the University but having intimacy with them wasn’t much of an interest to me. I feel terrible about this and feel like a sinner but I’ve started seeing masturbation as a way of avoiding STDs or putting a girl in a

on shy. I am male and I can hardly look at a female without getting red because I’m

Is it wrong? family way. I feel guilty doing this and it’s making me not to be interested in ladies. Is it wrong?

Andy, Lagos Dear Andy,

Lots of people have heard all sorts of myths and misinformation about masturbation. Some worry that masturbation may cause health or emotional problems but I cannot really say.

However, I think it’s abnormal for an adult male like you to masturbate. If someone is

C O C K - T A L E S Double Deal A man wanted to determine if both his wife and mistress were faithful to him. So he decided to send them on the same cruise, then later questioned each one on the other’s behaviour.

When his wife returned, he asked her about the people on the trip in general, then casually asked her about the specific behaviour of the passenger he knew to be his mistress.

“She slept with nearly every man on the ship,” his wife reported.

The disheartened man then rendezvoused with his cheating mistress to ask her the same questions about his wife.

“She was a real lady,” his mistress said. ”How so?” the encouraged man asked.

“She came on board with her husband and never left his side.”

The wrong finger At a cocktail party, one woman said to another, “Aren’t you wearing your wedding ring on the wrong finger?”

The other replied, “Yes I am, I married the wrong man.”

Man eater A guy slices his ball in the woods and goes in to look for it. He meets a girl from the next house looking for her ball. They start to chat and have a wonderful little conversation. She suddenly says to him, “ You know... you look like my third husband.

“He says, “Oh yeah?”, and then asks her how many times she’s been married.

“Twice,” she replies.

Daddy’s boy

fair. This has made me not to know a lot of people of the other gender. How can I work on not being so shy?

I don’t even know how to begin explaining how I feel.

Lost, mostly I guess. I feel utterly useless. I can’t think of one thing that I am good at.

I can’t stop feeling miserable right now . I constantly feel frustrated and I am pessimistic about pretty much everything. I can’t let anyone in, it feels alien to be friends with anyone. When I do hang out with people, I am never myself. I portray myself as whatever I think

A father came home from a long business trip to find his young son riding a brand new bike.”Where did you get the money for that?” he asked. “It must have cost over 300 dollars!”

“I earned it hiking,” replied the boy.

“Hiking??? Come on son, tell your Dad the truth. Nobody can make that sort of money hiking. Where did you really get the cash from?”

“It’s like I say, Dad. Every night when you were gone, Mr Burns from the bank

masturbating so much that it interferes with his daily life, that could be a problem.You are a man already and old enough to settle down in a relationship with a female. So, why don’t you just settle down?

Really, masturbation is often considered an embarrassing topic and some people may feel embarrassed to think or ask about it. And when you’re too embarrassed to talk about something, you might hear and believe things that aren’t accurate. My worry is why you are doing it when you have become an adult and can get a wife and settle down.

would come over to see mum. He’d give me a 20 dollar bill and tell me to take a hike”!

Upside down An old man and woman were married for years, even though they hated each other. When they had a confrontation, screaming and yelling could be heard deep into the night. The old man would shout, “When I die, Iwill dig my way up and out of the grave and come back and haunt you for the rest of your life!”

Neighbours feared him. They believed he practiced black magic because of the many strange occurrences that took place in their neighbourhood. The old man liked the fact he was feared.

To everyone’s relief, he died of a heart attack when he was 68.His wife had a closed casket at the wake. After the burial, she went straight to the local bar and began to party as if there was no tomorrow. Her neighbours, concerned for her safety, asked , “Aren’t you afraid that he may indeed be able to dig his way up and out of the grave and come back and haunt you for the rest of your life?”

The wife put down her drink and said, “Let the old creep dig. I had him buried upside down.

Chief mourner

The grief-stricken man threw himself across the grave and cried bitterly. “My life, how senseless it is! How worthless is everything about me because you are gone. If only you hadn’t died, if only fate had not been so cruel as to take you from this world, how different everything would have been.”

A clergyman happened to stop by and to soothe the man. He offered a prayer.

Afterward he said, “I assume the person lying beneath this mound of earth was someone of great importance to y o u . ” “Importance? Indeed it was,” moaned the man. “It’s my wife’s first husband!”

the social norm of the situation is. I don’t know who I am. I want to be clever but every time I try to focus on what I am doing, I feel agitated. I think about trivial things and end up becoming more and more irritated. I wish I was apathetic.

How can I feel comfortable around someone? How can I feel not so alone? I have a great family, they are very loving and supportive and yet I still feel alone. I want to just shut off my emotions.

I think I am just confused about everything.

Damian, Lagos Dear Damian, This is going to sound bad, but force yourself into social situations.Confidence comes with practice. Go out with some friends first to make you more comfortable in the beginning and force yourself to talk to random strangers.

Start small,talk to people in

your neighbourhood and get friendly. Trust me, you will love it once you are past this anxiety stage. Live fully. It breaks down language and communication.

It may be a matter of mind over matter for working out your general outlook on life.

Can you try, just for a day, to not complain, not say anything negative, find something positive in everything.

Do something to remind yourself of the challenge .

Negative thoughts are like bad habits . If you get so used to it, you won’t realize you’re doing it or the harm it’s doing to you. The best thing I can advise is to just try and see the positive in things. I know that’s extremely hard but in a few years, you’d be okay. Do things you like. Focus on what you want. Do things that make you happy.

Besides that, see a counselor. But you have to be open with them.

Is he using me?

Dear Aunty Julie, I have been dating a guy for nine months and for six months, he has been persuading me to have sex with him. I only do that to please him but he always asks for more. I am 21 and he is 23.

I’m having this feeling that there is too much sex in our relationship and I fear he is only using me. We are both undergraduates of the same University but he will soon graduate as he is in the final year. Is he using me?

Nadya, Jos Hello Nadya,

Sometimes in relationships, one person is ready to have sex but the other isn’t. This can be stressful. You don’t want to compromise what you’re not ready for or what you believe. You need to do what is right for you. Anyone who tries to pressure you into having sex isn’t really thinking about what matters most to you. People who pressure others into having sex are only looking to satisfy their own feelings and urges about sex.

If you feel pressure to have sex because you’re afraid of losing your boyfriend, it may be a sign that you’re not in the right relationship.

Sex isn’t something you should feel you must do. Relationships are meant to be fun for both people. They should make you feel appreciated, respected, and supported, not pressured or uncomfortable. If your boyfriend truly cares about you, he won’t pressure you to do something you don’t believe in or aren’t ready for.

So talk with your boyfriend about how you feel. If he’s the right guy for you, he’ll understand.

I don’t experience orgasm, I don’t even know what it is Dear Aunty Julie, After over one year of marriage and a six months old baby, I don’t understand what an orgasm is and have never had one. I am 18 years and I got married as a virgin. My husband works in a factory here in Warri and I’m into trading. I don’t understand why people are so crazy about sex because I don’t enjoy it but my friends started asking if I have experienced orgasm.

I don’t have the answers and I’m worried I don’t enjoy sex.

Christie, Warri Dear Christie, An orgasm is an intense, pleasurable physical feeling that can occur during sex with your husband. Like many feelings, orgasms are difficult to describe. Orgasms vary from person to person, and can be different for the same person at different times. Some are more subtle, while others are very powerful. A person’s heart beats faster, breathing gets quicker, and muscles in the pelvis contract and then suddenly relax with a wave of feeling that can be pleasurable and, for many people, emotional. If you are not enjoying marital sex, you need to talk to your spouse about it so you both can work out ways of having a mutually beneficial intimacy.

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NE of the most t r a u m a t i c experiences in anyone’s life is discovering you’re in love with someone else whilst you’re married with children. When Nkem, Franchesca’s husband, discovered his wife was having an affair, he couldn’t believe the evidence that was staring him in the face. Taking courage in both hands, he confronted his wife with the facts at his disposal. “I had no option but to confess to the affair,” Fran had said sadly.

“My lover is everything my husband isn’t—kind, considerate, loving, affectionate and energetic. Although Nkem was visibly shaken by my admission, he gave me a few days to think about my future plans including the fact that I wouldn’t be taking our three children with me if I decided to leave. In the end I decided to stay, because of my kids.

Now, I’m very unhappy and it’s giving me a lot of stress.

My husband, poor thing, is trying hard not to make me regret my choosing my family over my lover but I think of my lover all the time and wish we are together. I’ve slept with him a couple of times since deciding not to be with him ...”

Vanguard JUNE 23, 2012—19

Wife who traded her family for her lover

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Her frustration at not getting what she wanted had made her resentful of her husband, who she felt had trapped her by emotionally blackmailing her

I told her if she decided to be with her lover, she must then realize things won’t be smooth sailing. He may be the

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current love of her life, but she must be aware of all the people who will be affected—especially the chil-

dren. She thanked me and left, but I wasn’t really surprised months later when I learnt she’d left her marriage to be with her lover. This happened some five years ago; time enough for her to realize she’d made the greatest mistake of her life. Ade, her lover was all that she thought he would be— but he didn’t tell her he was once married and his first family lived abroad. Now they were back and Ade had to shuttle between two homes.

He might have divorced his

Why aspirin is thewonderdrug! had its day. But scientists started noticing something unusual. People who took aspirin were less likely to suffer from heart attacks and the commonest type of stroke, caused by a blood clot. As a bonus, taking only a tiny, regular dose— about a quarter of a tablet, or 75mg—was needed to make the difference”.

Everyone was pleased with

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an you imagine a drug that could prevent the three killer diseases: cancer, heart disease and stroke, and is also one of the cheapest drugs on the planet! Could such a drug exist? Well, it already does! The drug is aspirin and it has been described as the most successful medicine in history.

According to reports, aspirin was originally derived from willow bark. But the pills we swallow today were performed by a Swiss chemist who was looking for something to relieve arthritis. The aspirin worked because it had an antiinflammatory effect and reduced the swelling in the old man’s joints. It also had two other welcome effects: it reduced pain and brought down a high temperature. . “As time went on”, explained the report, “more glamorous drugs were developed, and it looked as if the cheap old aspirin has

s things are now, she’s put me off having any serious relationships. We were so in love when we got married, so what went wrong?

It is true you can’t help who you fall in love with— but you’re not expected to be falling in love when you’re already married. A few friends and relations have tried to get us back together, but I’m not having any of that. I accepted her affair, gave her the chance to choose and she chose her lover. She made her bed and now I don’t want her back ... “ “

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felt really sorry for Fran because it is very easy to find yourself trapped in a loveless marriage. Her frustration at not getting what she wanted had made her resentful of her husband, who she felt had trapped her by emotionally blackmailing her. The fact she was unhappy in her marriage shouldn’t excuse her affair, and she couldn’t blame her husband for that. Especially after he gave her a chance to think things through and she chose to stay.

He was also making an effort to save his marriage,and Fran should show him some understanding. It’s tempting to assume the grass is greener with a different lover, especially if you’re feeling disappointed or frustrated. The reality is, the grass is seldom greener only different.

wife, but they’re still good friends and she was always present at Ade’s family ’s function with her children.

After two miscarriages, Fran also found out another lover was expecting Ade’s child.

Ade’s family insisted it was traditional to have child naming ceremonies in the father’s house, so Fran put a brave front on as Ade’s child was christened in their flat. When the same girl got pregnant with the second child, Fran knew it was time to leave.

“I feel sorry for her”, Nkem told me sadly when I recently ran into him. “She’s back in their family home though she sees the children as often as she wants. I’d heard stories about this Ade but voicing them to Fran would make her more determined to leave.

She was so besotted with him and until she got him out of her system, she would have no peace. It was sad then to see her resent all the loving gestures I showed her when I begged her to stay. I even helped with the meals and looking after the children, so she could have more time to herself,and maybe see the understanding husband she was throwing away.

safe and wouldn’t bum a hole in your pocket. “Meanwhile”, continues the report, “doctors studying the effects of eclampsia, a condition that can be fatal for pregnant women and their babies, discovered that the blood-thinning properties of aspirin could help prevent the condition. It also stopped some cases of recurrent miscar-

People who took aspirin were less likely to suffer from heart attacks and the commonest type of stroke

the findings - everyone except drug companies that were developing expensive, high tech treatments. Here was a drug that was known to be fairly

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riage and deep-vein thrombosis.

“Something else was discovered. People who took aspirin were likely to de-

velop cancers of the colon, lung and pancreases. Researchers continue to try to find out why, although the drug’s, anti-inflammatory effects are thought to be responsible.

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nd then, just as scientists thought they had thoroughly explored the advantages of aspirin, someone realised that people who took it to treat their arthritis were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, the commonest form of dementia.

Once again, doctors suspect that it is the way in which the aspirin helps reduce inflammation that does the trick. Researchers continue to look into the theory that the drug can protect against dementia.

Meanwhile, new forms of aspirin are currently being tested to treat the pain caused by cancer and shingles. The humble

aspirin has certainly come a long way since the days when we took it simply to get rid of our headaches.

As it seems scientists still haven’t uncovered all of the drug’s amazing properties.

If aspirin is so wonderful, why don’t we all take it?

About six out of every 100 who take aspirin, says the report, find it disagrees with them.

Common problems are nausea, indigestion and vomiting. About one in 10 people may suffer from internal stomach bleeding - a gastric haemorrhage. Anyone with a peptic ulcer should avoid taking aspirin for this reason.

One in 500 people may experience intense itching or have an asthma attack because they are sensitive to the effects of aspirin.

Pregnant women should not take drugs of any kind, in-

20 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

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ose thought it was because she was irresistible that her new husband Mike dumped his ex wife to mar ry her. Some said she snatched the man from his ex wife while others argued that the man left his ex wife before he met Rose.

Compared to Nicky, Mike's ex, Rose looked ordinary but one can never tell what some men actually want in other women. Some of her close friends believed Rose was financially loaded but very desperate for a man that when she came across Mike, she was ready to do everything to keep him.

Well, they got married. Nicky was 'muscled' out of her matrimonial home and Rose was 'wangled' in. It was the talk of the town and Nicky, Mike’s ex faced her shame alone, retreating to a corner to lick her wounds. Some showed her empathy over her travails. Others mocked her.

The marriage of Rose and Mike lasted for six years and then trouble crept in. Nicky didn’t bother about the details of what went wrong between Mike and Rose but she was shocked when she got a strange call from Mike desiring that they become friends again. It was one friendship she didn’t need because she wouldn’t want to be caught in the middle between whatever transpired between her ex husband and his latest wife.

On her path, Rose couldn’t wait to tell anybody that cared to listen what a useless man Mike was and how she regretted getting involved with him. She explained to her friends that she has gotten what she really wanted out of the relationship and getting out the relationship was like good riddance of bad rubbish.

Human beings crave intimacy, need to love and be loved. Yet people have much trouble doing so.

We are attracted to people for all kinds of reasons. They remind us of someone from our past. They shower us with gifts and make us feel important. Evaluate a potential partner as you would a friend; look at their character, personality, values, their generosity of spirit, the relationship between their words and actions, their relationships with others.

Know your partner ’s beliefs about relationships. Different people have different and often conflicting beliefs about relationships. You don’t want to fall in love with someone who expects lots of dishonesty in relationships; they’ll create it where it doesn’t exist.

Don’t confuse sex with love.

Especially in the beginning of a relationship, attraction and pleasure in sex are often mistaken for love. Know your needs and speak up for them clearly.Many people, men as well as women, fear stating their needs and, as a result, camouflage them. The result is disappointment at not getting what they want and anger at a partner for not having met their needs.

Closeness cannot occur without honesty.

Respect, respect, respect. Inside and outside the relationship, act in ways so that your partner always maintains respect for you. Mutual respect is essential to a good relationship.

View yourselves as a team, which means you are two unique individuals bringing different perspectives and strengths. That is the value of a team,your differences.

Know how to manage differences. It’s the key to success in a relationship.

Disagreements don’t sink relationships. Name-calling does. Learn how to handle the negative feelings that are the unavoidable byproduct of the differences between two people.

Stonewalling or avoiding

conflicts is not managing them.

If you don’t understand or like something your partner is doing, ask about it and why he or she is doing it. Talk and explore, don’t assume.

C M Y K

too, good relationships are

Do you have a reason to be worried about your marital life?

Solve problems as they arise.

Don’t let resentments simmer.

Most of what goes wrong in relationships can be traced to hurt feelings, leading partners to erect defenses against one another and to become strangers. Or enemies.

Learn to negotiate. Couples create their own roles, so that virtually every act requires negotiation. It works best when goodwill prevails.

Because people’s needs are fluid and change over time, and life’s demands change

negotiated and renegotiated all the time.

Listen, truly listen, to your partner ’s concerns and complaints without judgment.

Much of the time, just having someone listen is all we need for solving problems. It also opens the door to confiding.

And empathy is crucial. Look at things from your partner ’s perspective as well as your own.

Work hard at maintaining closeness. Closeness doesn’t happen by itself. In its absence, people drift apart and are susceptible to affairs.

A good relationship isn’t an end goal; it’s a lifelong process maintained through regular attention.

Take a long-range view. A marriage is an agreement to spend a future together. Check out your dreams with each other regularly to make sure you’re both on the same path. Update your dreams regularly. Never underestimate the power of good grooming.

Sex is good. Pillow talk is better. Sex is easy, intimacy is difficult. It requires honesty, openness, self-disclosure, confiding concerns, fears, sadnesses as well as hopes and dreams.

My girlfriend is overweight and smokes a lot

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t bothers me so much that my girlfriend is overweight and smokes a lot. In the beginning of our relationship, I knew that she was overweight. I didn’t care, I liked her. She is a nice girl and so, I ignored her weight and liked her regardless.

Then I found out some of her bad habits.

She smokes all the time. It’s ridiculous. I don’t like kissing her because it’s like kissing an ash tray. Not only is she overweight, but she pigs out like crazy.

She over eats. It’s as if she has no self respect for herself. She wastes all the money she gets from work on beer, cigarette and fast food instead . She refuses to get a stable job because she says she can’t find one when she’s not even trying to look for a job. She always talks about how she’s going to save up for an apartment but never sticks to her word.

A few months ago, she made a pact that she would quit smoking, drinking, go to the gym four times a week and eat better.

I told her that she should slow down and take this little by little. She shouted at me and said I was wrong. Now, it’s months later and nothing has changed. I know I sound mean but in reality, I’m really kind

about it. I’m just venting. I occasionally point out these issues but it’s really damaging our relationship.

Whenever I try to talk to people about it, people call me an asshole for trying to change her and only caring about physical features when that’s not the case at all. I love her for the person she is, but physical features matter a lot too. It’s hard to keep dating her when she’s unhealthy, lazy, coughing and smells like smoke. I feel like I’m being hard on her but it really bothers me. I don’t want to break up with her because I love her to death and can’t imagine life without her but this is really making me consider it. She says she loves me but if she did, why isn’t she trying to change? We never have sex and she continues to wonder why when the reason is obvious. I’m not physically attracted to her at all. I feel terrible saying this.

What do I do?

Nelson, Lagos Ans: The thing is, if she really wants to change, then she will and no amount of pressure from you will affect that decision. It doesn’t sound like she really wants to at the moment, so you have to assume nothing will happen for the foreseeable future. Learn what it’s like to live life for yourself, and become comfortable relying on and supporting

none but you. You have to know yourself before you can be in a healthy relationship with someone else. Some sort of ultimatum may be required for a wake up call. Even for her own health’s sake, it would be a good thing, and you most likely deserve better.

Depending on your age and what you want in life, you may want to ask your self if this is who you want to marry and now, you say you “love her for the person she is”. No you don’t, you love her for the person you perceive her to be. Unless you love someone who is lazy, unmotivated and enjoys killing herself slowly by working herself into heart disease, lung cancer, and diabetes.

If you really love her, then sit down with her, tell her you are concerned about her health, explain to her that for you to be in a relationship with someone, they need to take care of themselves. If she is not willing to change and improve her health, then move on and don’t look back. Seriously though, I would advise leaving the relationship. If you think it’s worth working on, sit her down, and, in a non-accusatory/ argumentative way, tell her why it bothers you.

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07065141721 Neither Chioma Gabriel nor Saturday Vanguard has any relationship with anybody wanting to be •Mark, 30, tall, based in Warlinked. We have no agents anywhere and charge no fees. We have no personal information of people ri, is searching for a responsiwho have been linked or want to be linked and therefore, are not answerable for disappointments or ble lady aged 22-32 for a seembarrassments some people may encounter in the process.

SATURDAY

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omething has got to give... . Things cannot go on this way.

We are bursting at the seams and the repair has gone past managing it with a stitch or two. We need to retrace our steps,and search deep into our souls to find out where we took a wrong t u r n .

As if that is not enough, another scandal has

info@katehenshaw.com

One day...one day...e go be bett tttter er surfaced which should be given an award as the best home video yet to be released into the market.

A man seen as upright and taking a firm stand against corruption, a man whom many hailed and some protested against when he submitted the findings of his committee on the fuel subsidy probe, has turned out to be nothing more than a common thief and liar.

Lawmaker, Farouk Lawan has shown that money is indeed the root of all evil. His initial denial of the event soon changed to another version, that he was going to turn in the said sum of $620,000 as evidence and again changed to another version that he handed the money to Adams Jagaba, Chairman, Committee on Narcotics

and Financial Crimes, who swiftly denied the money being in his possession.The amount though seems too little for the permanent damage to his reputation but then again, maybe he knows that Nigerians have short lived and selective memories. He knows that it does not matter if you steal, kill or destroy, you can still move around freely in a few months or years time and go about your business as though nothing happened. You might even again be placed in a position of authority, given a national honour, hosted and feted across the c o u n t r y .

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s this the Nigeria we want to leave behind for our children? A Nigeria where the original purpose of the

IT’s my reaction to the letter below that started this write-up. It went: Dear Mike, How do you do? -I’m thrilled to write you this note as it affords me the opportunity to do that which I thought was not possible in Nigeria.

Ever since I read the book titled Youth, Yoga and You, it’s been my desire to practise it.

I never noticed your column was on yoga exercises until a few months back. Though I’ve not been opportuned to take part in your free session on Saturdays due to my work schedule. I do think you ‘re doing a great job.

Right now though I’ll very much want to know if you organise other sessions probably for a few as will be very blessed. much interested in this as well Yours sincerely, V.O. as how to contact you.

The fact is that there «iay not I’ll be grateful if you could at be centres open to the public for least with a call. My name, is yoga practice but, for sure, there Miss V.O. I hope to try and come are some people who practise around some other Saturday to it and may be try imparting it to meet with you. Until then remain their friends and family. I have read some interviews published in the Nigerian papers and come across at least two who have revealed that they practise yoga. This is to show that yoga is not entirely new or strange in the country.

Possibly I am the first person to have started a yoga column in a Nigerian news paper that’s why the letter writer thought a yoga teacher couldn’t be found in the country. Thank God, there’s a sweet surprise and the exercises come for free on top The Lotus of it all. My reason? Well, if you live in society you must contrib-

NYSC scheme has been defeated because we cannot secure the lives and property of our Corps Members? A Nigeria where we cannot move around freely to any part of the country without let or hindrance?

A Nigeria where we rape and beat up our women without any

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hat is the first line in the chorus of a popular tune which says, “ One day, One day, One day e go better for me, I go get money, I go get pikin, I know one day, one day, one day e go better ”. That is the constant and unshakeable prayer on the lips of most Nigerians these days. That is my fervent prayer; that one day, indeed, there will be a turn around.

Things are quite bleak in Nigeria and no, I am not politicizing the current security challenges we find ourselves in while we are comforted with words like “ security agents are on top of the situation”.

Practically every Sunday is now referred to as a Black Sunday because of the scores of lives lost in places of worship and the next day referred to as a Mourn-day.

Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2011—21

where I can wake up one day and my whole family has been wiped out in a plane crash because of greed and negligence?

How much can one person take? How can one person eat so much, steal so much, with little thought for the next man or tomorrow? Gluttony is

Nigeria where we cannot move around freely to any part of the country without let or hindrance?

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repercussion? A Nigeria where the House that is supposed to represent the people is the cancer that indeed eats them up slowly inside by carrying out it’s own selfish agenda? A Nigeria

The Plough

Yoga in Nigeria ute something for the benefit of all.

And you cannot put a pecuniary value on everything, every time in the course of life.

Yoga is my bit of contribution.

And for now it’s free!

Arrangements will be put in place in the near future for sessions for which student can make donations - not pay specific fee. We’re a poor country and there might be some yoga enthusiasts who might not have any money.

I have met people who have said they are collecting the weekly yoga column into a compendium. Smart more, I guess.

Try the following yoga postures.

The Plough Technique: Lie on your back with the legs stretched out and hands placed along the sides.

Take in a deep “breath and

a very deadly sin and it is not limited to food alone. We cannot keep projecting ourselves to foreigners as an investors’ paradise, inviting them to come pitch their tent with us

when we kill our own so brazenly. We delude ourselves continuously if we claim to be a great nation, for the wealth and health of a people are what make a nation great. It is one sad occurrence after another and until we put a stop to this wanton disregard for life, we can paint our green, white, green colors on the third mainland bridge till next year but the rot still remains. I guess it is when it hits closer home to the hearts of our leaders, when they too feel that their lives hang in the balance, will change come.

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his is the prayer I received on my blackberry a few days ago “ Dear God, whoever is behind this madness, killing of innocent lives and wanton destruction of properties, no matter how high or low, how powerful or strong, Muslims, Christians or pagans, Northerners or Southerners, no matter their political allegiance or tribe, we ask in the mighty name of Jesus Christ that God Almighty will speedily expose them, humiliate them, render them impotent and put them to shame. Amen. I want this prayer to come to pass, one day.

helps to rid constipation.

The Triangle Technique: Stand with the feet quite wise apart and hands along the sides. Turning to the left bend the left knee to waist level with the right leg at a slant. Spread out the arms to shoulder level as you look leftward and hold the position for 5 to 15 seconds. Return to the upright position and repeat on the other side.

Benefits: The Triangle firms up the thigh muscles.

It improves the hip knee and ankle joints by gently ridding them of their stiffness. It leads to a more upright posture for better carriage.

The Lotus: Sitting with the feet stretched out in front

drawing up the knees swing back the legs while breathing out and let the toes come to rest on the floor behind your head.

Keep the knees straight and stiffen up the muscles of legs.

Keep the breathing normal as you retain the posture for about 10 seconds. To come out of the posture simply bend the knees and just roll down the back, and straight out the legs flat on the floor again.

You may rest a little and repeat.

Benefits: The plough improves the elasticity of the spine.

It tones the leg muscles and

of you, draw the right leg placing the foot on the left thigh and next draw up the left leg and place the foot on the right thigh.

Cross the hands behind your and hold the corresponding big toes with the chest pushed out to the full. Breathe deeply into the abdominal region without raising the chest. Remain in the posture for 10 seconds to a minute.

Benefits: The lotus helps to expand the chest for more air intake. The leg muscles are toughened and the knee and ankle joints lubricated against stiffness.

Yoga Classes @ 32 Ademola Adetokumbo Victoria Island Lagos 9.00am — 10.00am on Satufdays

The Triangle

22—Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012

Sunsets for Angela Onyeador

By JAPHET ALAKAM

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he number of the top movers in the entertainment industry depleted again with news of the death of popular Lagos socialite and businesswoman, Angela Onyeador .

The former beauty pageant organizer and founder of African Foundation for Arts seen as one of Nigeria’s most glamorous society ladies died on Monday in the US after a long battle with an undisclosed illness.

The top society woman who was an avid collector of paintings, sister to Stella late

wife of the late Biafra Warlord, Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and Aunty to Amarachi Kanu, ex footballer Kanu Nwankwo’s wife died in her 50s.

Born to Mr. Alexander Onyeador from Arochukwu in Abia State, Angie as she was fondly called, was brought up in Shell camp in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. She attended Shell Camp primary school before proceeding to Queens College, Lagos. Later, she attended the University College London where she graduated with a degree in Psychology.

Angie is remembered as one of the pioneers of beauty pageants in Nigeria Showtime gathered that the

beautiful woman of substance had been battling with a terminal disease suspected to be cancer since 2010, which made her disappear from the social arena for months in search for solutions to her health problems.

Unfortunately, she did not resurface and eventually gave up the ghost.

Angela during her active years in the social scene, was the yardstick for measuring the sophistication of other female socialites. She was the envy of all and men who were not sure of themselves had no choice but to flee at the sight of her. She was one of the queens of high society and many young ladies aspired to

be like her. She bestrode society like a colossus and every other person had to follow her tempo.

In fact, she was the society

queen. A public relations expert per excellence, her contribution to development of arts in the country is immeasurable. As a public relations consultant, the Arochukwu, Abia State native, had at various times promoted African arts, music, hairstyle and beauty. She was the one who dragged the organizers of the Miss World to Nigeria a year after Agbani Darego won the pageant.

A real woman of substance, who exhibited her beauty and was seen in all facets of life, she will be greatly missed by all especially people in the entertainment industry and her immediate family. May her gentle soul rest in peace.

2 Face to host Nigezie relaunch party N

•Daniel with his award

Nigerian musician shines in Australia

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hese are not the best of times for Nigeria’s image abroad but in far away country of Australia and out of the gloom and doom comes a rising shining star.

Daniel Okoduwa a.k.a Scrim as he is more fondly called by his peers and fans in Australia, was honoured with the prestigious award of Entrepreneur of the year in Sydney, Australia.

The event held at The Novotel Hotel Sydney Olympic park was organized

by African professionals of Australia and sponsored by National Australian Bank.

Thus Daniel becomes the first Nigerian/African to be honoured with the award for his outstanding achievement and contribution in the development of business, music, film and community development in Australia While presenting the award to Scrim, Michelle Rowland, a Federal member of parliament representing Greenway in the state of New South Wales described him as C M Y K

a man that changed the face of the community, a blessing to Australia, a rare talent and an outstanding citizen.

Over the years, Daniel has inspired and united the community, gave face to the African community of Australia and has reached out to the wider Australian community with his unique and infectious innovations in the music and movie industry.

The Edo State, Nigerian born Daniel on several occasions has been invited to Australian schools to speak and inspire children with low self esteem.

Meanwhile as Daniel celebrates the new award, he’s also been nominated for a second award at the upcoming Celebrate African Australia event billed to hold in August 2012 at the iconic Opera House in Sydney.

In short speech delivered at the event, the Nigerian High commissioner to Australia, Ambassador Ayo Olukani described Daniel as the pride of Africans in Australia.

igeria’s premiere 24 hour music Channel, Nigezie as we all know has since staged a return after the hibernation that followed the squabble, which saw off the music channel from trouble cable network HiTV. And to celebrate their return to competitive programming, the owners of the business, Virtual Media Network in conjunction with Now Musik and Hypertek, are planning

a relaunch party at the all new super exclusive Rumors night club in Ikeja, Lagos..

Multiple award winning international superstar, Tu Face Idibia will be the host as teamNigezie and the cream of the Nigerian entertainment industry get down to an all night shindig.

Also featuring on the high octane as guest artistes are DJ Jimmy Jatt, DJ Xclusive DJ Caise and DJ Neptune

•2face

Mighty Collins gets to Owerri Bus stop

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bia State born Collins Onyedikachi Chinyere, a.k.a, Mighty Collins who has been quite lately in the music

•Collins

BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI industry, during the week returned with a new Highlife album, Onu Ekwuchafu Ihe Ohuru(Owerri Bus Stop).

The Computer Science/Math graduate of Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education(AOCOED) and the Lagos State University respectively, isn’t into music by mistake as he says he has “so much passion for singing.”

His music career dates back to his high school days when he got free plates of food from his classmates for entertaining them.

Narrating his experience to Showtime, Collins who is also teacher said since he

professionally got into the music scene in 2003, he has four albums to his credit.

Onu Ekwuchafu Ihe Ohuru, his forth and newly released work is a four-track album containing songs like Onu Ekwuchafu Ihe Ohuru, Achi Gozie Anyi, Ugwu Kama Oowu Adigu Nina and Ya Gozie.

Produced by Eddie King of Broadbazed studio, Collins doesn’t intend to quit teaching for singing as he believes music isn’t an everyday thing.

Although he has so much passion for music especially Highlife, he still sees himself as a better person combining music with teaching. The album is now in the market.

VANGUARD, SATURDAY, JUNE 23 , 2012—23

Check out Emma Stone’s ‘amazing’ red carpet look

Angelina Jolie donates $100k on world refugee day

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BY IYABO AINA

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ngelina Jolie continues her efforts to help those in need. To commemorate World Refugee Day on June 20, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR )special envoy made a $100,000 donation to the U.N. Refugee Agency to support its work with Syrian refugees. ”UNHCR believes even 1 person forced to flee is too many. And it’s true,” she says in her message. “Every individual refugee matters.

Each has their own story. Each * Onomeregbor has suffered and survived more than I could ever bear.

And yet, they rise up to live another day.” ”In the past year 4.3 million people have become displaced.

There are still 2.7 million refugees from Afghanistan. 12 million people are stateless.

And for the fifth consecutive year the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide exceeded 42 million.”

The fiancee of Brad Pitt continues expressing her concerns, “Unfortunately, the world is producing displaced people faster than it is producing solutions to displacement. And the solutions are not exclusively

Angelina Jolie humanitarian - they are also political.” ”The international community should rededicate itself to preventing conflict, addressing it when it erupts,

and solving it more quickly, for that is the only way to create durable solutions for the refugees whose strength inspires us on this World Refugee Day,” she concludes.

Emma Stone

he actress has been casting her web of attraction around the world as she helps roll out the much-anticipated “The Amazing Spider-Man.” Alongside her onscreen superhero and real life boyfriend Andrew Garfield, we’ve seen Stone walk the red carpet for premieres in Tokyo, Seoul, Moscow, London, Paris and Berlin so far.

Stone, a natural blonde who sometimes goes red, is the cover subject of the latest New York magazine. Her “Spidey sense is tingling,” says a promo for the article, “she knows you’re watching her.”

Great, now we really feel creepy. But the 23-year-old actress says of that Carrey video, “I was so flattered I can’t even tell you. Honest!”

That doesn’t mean she’s buying all the attention she gets for her looks. “The pretty thing ... It was never a value to me growing up,” Stone told New York mag. “I always thought I was like the goofy, wonky one.

“I don’t actually recognize the person that’s out there,” she says of her red-carpet persona. “It’s like there’s this outside person, and there’s me.”

Newlyweds Bobby Brown and Alicia Etheridge hit the sand

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Bobby Brown and his wife Alicia Etheridge

obby Brown and his wife Alicia Etheridge are enjoying wedded bliss. After tying the knot in Hawaii on Monday, June 18, the newlyweds are captured on camera stepping out for a relaxing day on the beach in the Oahu island.

The New Edition star goes shirtless, wearing a pair of swim trunks and a hat.

He sits in the sand and smokes near Alicia who shows off her curves in a two-piece bikini. She matches her husband by wearing a hat as well.

During the nuptials, the couple were surrounded by their only child together, 3-year-old Cassius, as well as his kids, 19year-old Bobby Jr., 22-year-old La ‘Princia and 23-year-old Landon. His daughter with former wife Whitney Houston, 19year-old Bobbi Kristina, was absent though.

The singer tweeted, “Thanks for all wishes!!! I am truly blessed.” His manager wife gushed, “We are the happiest couple in the world,” and described the wedding “the most special beautiful day with all our family and friends.”

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard

Things are ‘heating up’ for Johnny Depp and Amber Heard following Paradis split

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umors about the nature of their relationship have been swirling for some time, but it’s being reported that things ‘seem to be heating up’ between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.

The Rum Diary co-stars are said to be so close that bisexual actress Heard, 26, has been a ‘regular visitor ’ to the New Mexico set of The Lone Ranger where 49-year-old Depp is currently filming.

And Johnny, who made an official announcement that he

had split from partner of 14 years Vanessa Paradis on Tuesday, is even said to have bought Heard a horse so they can ride together, according to a report in globe magazine.

Vanessa and Johnny had not been pictured together in public for months, but the Dark Shadows star insisted last month that there was no truth to rumors of a split.

‘No matter what I say about this, people believe the opposite. I can’t say enough about it not being over,’ he said.

24— SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

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PECULATIONS are rife that the once harmoni ous relationship between the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood and its counterpart, Ghana’s Ghollywood,is currently under threat as the movie marketers under the aegis of Film, Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN) has placed embargo on Ghanaian films with effect from the end of this month.

The association has also resolved to halt the distribution of films produced by non-professionals. It insists that if such film(s) must be distributed at all, its right of ownership should be transferred to its members on negotiation.

The FVPMAN chairman, Onitsha branch, Mr. Uzo Godson Nwosu who confirmed this development to HVP, said this position was taken after the association’s general meeting last weekend in Onitsha.

According to him, the decision became necessary following the position taken by their Ghanaian counterparts who have banned the distribution of Nigerian films in their country long time ago.

His words, “starting from the first week of August, no Ghanaian film will be allowed to enter the Nigerian market again. We have resolved that no Ghanaian film will be distributed within our controlled

Movie Marketers ban Ghanaian movies in Nigeria

Nollywood films on display N market. Our Ghanaian counterparts have long stopped distributing our films in their country, and given this development, we have no choice than to reciprocate the ges-

ture.” FVPMAN boss stated.

Nwosu who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Guinks Investment said any of their members who failed to compile with this new order will

Ego Boyo drags RMD to movie set

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Janet Jackson set to produce documentary about transgender people

•Ego

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•RMD

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HE buzz is that talented producer and former actress, Ego Boyo is staging a comeback into the production block after few years of disappearing from the scene.

She is dragging the celebrated actor-turned-politician, Richard Mofe-Damijo(RMD) along with her, as she concludes plans to commence shooting of a film adaptation of a novel by award winning writer, Sefi Atta.

Ego, best known for her role as Anne Haatrope, in the 80s soap opera, ‘Checkmate” produced her last movie, “30 Days” about three years ago, and since then nothing have been heard from her.

Her current project is generating a lot of excitement due to her C M Y K

reputation for quality and the impressive array of talent she has assembled for the project.

HVP gathered that the new film will be directed by award winning director, Akin Omotoso (Man on Ground), and it will feature the likes of Richard Mofe-Damijo, Joke Silva, Kate Henshaw, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Lala Akindoju, and Chukie Edozien (a.k.a Lynyxxx) amongst others. A number of the actors featuring in the movie are currently in rehearsal camp.

As a producer,Ego Boyo presides over Temple Productions which is into the pre and post production of most of the best movies/ commercials that you see around

either be prosecuted or have his goods confiscated by the association.

The marketer said the association is finalising plans to storm Ghana any moment from

now, particularly to confront those local television stations who are illegally airing Nigerian films without obtaining permission from the right owners.

Also, given the problem associated with “second tier market”(where a producer is compelled to observe a threemonth grace before releasing his film into the market in a large quality), Nwosu said the association has decided to reversed the trend.

Film owners, according to him, are now free to release their films into the market without necessarily observing the mandatory three months grace before doing so.

They will also be required to obtain censors’ board and copy right commission’s documents in addition to registering the film with the sum of N10,000 with the FVPMAN. “In order to move the association forward, we have resolved to address the problem of second tier market." FVPMAN boss further stated.

•Janet

ULTIPLE Grammy Award win ner, Janet Jackson is set to produce a documentary called “Truth”, a film that will examine “the lives of transgender and non-gender people around the world and their epic struggle for equality”. It will be directed

by Robert Jason.

In a statement, the superstar said “All people are very important to me.

I’ve been fortunate to make friends and learn about very different lives.

Truth is our small chance to ask that you try and understand someone who lives their life in a way that is a little bit different from yours, even though all of our hearts are the same.

We want to stop the hate and find understanding”.

The documentary begins production this year.

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SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012—25

What is Nollywood?

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FTER a traumatic four weeks marred by drama and violence, Big Brother organised a Therapist for the traumatised Upvillers.

The Housemates spoke at length with the Therapist, during a private session conducted in the Upville lounge. In the last fourteen days, four Housemates have been disqualified from StarGame after their verbal arguments turned physical.

There has also been a lot of confusion in Upville since Maneta and Roki were disqualified regarding the evictions last Sunday night as many of the Housemates were not sure whether evictions would continue as planned or not.

Big Brother then put the Housemates out of their misery and notified them that despite Maneta and Rookie’s disqualification, evictions would go on as planned this Sunday.

Meanwhile, after saving Prezzo from the eviction gallows, Goldie feels she may have made a mistake. On Monday, Prezzo, Maneta and Barbz made up the nominations list, however, Goldie exercised her Head of House powers to save her boyfriend Prezzo and put Keitta on the chopping block instead. Goldie however broke down during one of her Diary Room sessions and revealed how gutted she is that

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Goldie and Prezzo

Drama, violence, as BBA gets hotter she betrayed her friend, Barbz!

In the Downville Diary Room, things got heated when a fight broke out between sisters, Talia and Tamara. Tamara com-

plained that she hasn’t had any one on one time with her sister in a while. Talia replied by saying that she is tired of living in her sister’s shadow and that she wants to be an individual and be able to interact freely with other Housemates.

Why I dumped Nollywood for God

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seal

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•Awele

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TARTING anything is not an easy task but once you are focused and put everything in the hands of the Lord, He will always provide window of opportunity and blessing for you no matter how long it takes.”

With these inspirational words, Awele Chukwuedo made her debut in the gospel music circuit in Nigeria. Although she began her career as a script writer before venturing into singing for God. Her dream however, is to continue to grow and perhaps ,reach her ultimate goal of being an international gospel singer who will bring comfort and thrills the hearts, souls and minds of not only Nigerians, but the world at large.

Awele described herself as “a good dramatist”. According to C M Y K

her, she dumped Nollywood as soon as she realised that God does not want her to be part of the industry.

“I was in my twenties when a Nollywood director, Ekenna Igwe developed interest in my writing and decided to register me in the Screen Writers Guild of Nigeria(SWGN). But as soon as I realised that God does want me to be part of the industry, I took my leave to discover my calling.”she narrated in a tone that knocked in a nail to seal the

matter. Awele who is currently spearheading a group better known as Shachah Band, said she always focuses on the message contained in gospel music which is powerful to heal. The group recently released its maiden album titled “My ministry.”

One of the tracks in teh album , “Cervical Cancer tory” dwells on how to stop our women from dying of cervical Cancer. She believes that Christianity is about showing people the way to life and that’s “exactly what I’m doing with my song.

Ogogo’s daughter weds R

ASHEEDAT Ololade Taiwo, daughter of the famous Yoruba actor, AlHassan Babatunde Taiwo a.k.a Ogogo, exchanged marital vows with her heartthrob, Al-Hassan Oluwatoyin Yusuff over the weekend.

The engagement and Nikkai ceremony held at the multipurpose hall of The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State on 16 and 17 of June, 2012.

Although, Ogogo kept the ceremony from the prying eyes of the media, it was not a secret as many people may think. The introduction had in attendance

•Ogogo and Hassan friends, fans and also close associates of Ogogo such as Abbey Lanre, Yinka Quadri, Dele Odule, Alhaji Abdul Rasak (Corporate Pictures Boss) Olasco, Madam Idowu Philips a.k.a Iya Rainbow, Fathia Balogun, Bimbo Akinsanya, Lola Idije, Baba Kekere.

ELCOME to ‘Inside Nollywood’, a new column in your choice newspaper. The idea is to, on a weekly basis take you through the world of Nollywood (never mind, you’ll get to know what that means shortly), from the perspective of an insider, through the eye of a practicing filmmaker and administrator in Nollywood. The aim is to inform, educate and entertain readers with goingson in this popular sector of Nigeria’s economy. This shall almost always be done in an analytical, yet incisive format.

I chose to start with the assumption that not all my readers know exactly what Nollywood is or means. This is to fairly put everybody on the same page, from the outset. I apologize in advance to those who may perceive my takeoff topic as rather pedestrian, even though I still hold firmly to the view that you cannot begin to talk about a phenomenon and indeed a paradigm shift which Nollywood is, without defining and historicizing, albeit in capsule.

For those who fancy definitions, Nollywood can be defined as the totality of activities taking place in the Nigerian movie/film industry, be it in English, Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Itsekiri, Edo, Effik, Ijaw, Urhobo or any other over 300 Nigerian languages. However, contrary to popular view, the historical trajectory of Nollywood started since the pre and post independent Nigeria, with the theatrical (stage) and cinematic (35mm) efforts of the likes of Chief Hubert Ogunde, Chief Amata, Baba Sala, Ade Love, Eddie Ugboma and a few others.

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hen came the 1990s with a video film shot in VHS format and in Igbo language, ‘Living in Bondage’, produced by Kenneth Nnebue/Okey Ogunjiofor and directed by Chris Obirapu (1993). Though there were some video films shot in Yoruba language and released into the market in VHS format before ‘Living in Bondage’ but, in terms of mass appeal and commercial success, ‘Living in Bondage’, opened the eyes of practitioners and investors to the viability of film business in Nigeria.

These individual efforts at different locations and time, laid a solid foundation for the Nigerian movie industry, which has since metamorphosed into the brand today known as Nollywood. Nollywood is so big now that it is today the most prolific movie

industry in the world, number one in quantity of films and the third largest with USD $500 million. It is the biggest employer of labour after agriculture and indeed provides over one million jobs. It is the fourth biggest economic sector in Nigeria (5% of GDP). It produces low cost movies averaging USD $25,000. Nollywood movies are ubiquitous, globally. Some of the challenges of Nollywood include piracy, the near absence of copyright protection, absence of formal distribution channels, lack of business planning skills, and lack of funding among others.

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t is instructive to point out that while all these activities were going on during the formative stage of the Nigerian movie sector, there was no word like Nollywood. How then did the name come about, you may wonder. Just as Nigeria as we know it today was named by a foreigner, so was Nollywood! After what was considered a commercial success story and mass appeal of ‘Living in Bondage’, the demand for cultural goods in VHS format for home viewing, was triggered off. Other movies followed: ‘Circle of Doom, Living in Bondage 2, Sorrows of Ken, Evil Passion, Taboo, Ikuku, Battle of Musanga, Nneka the Pretty Serpent, Domitila, Rampage’, and many others.

These were the boom days of the industry, a development that attracted the attention of the international community, particularly journalists. Then came a journalist from the ‘New York Times’, USA who arrived Nigeria for the purpose of doing a special feature story on the revolution in the Nigerian film sector. In the process, the journalist interacted with practitioners in Lagos including Chico Ejiro, who as at then was arguably the busiest movie director in the nascent industry. In the report, the journalist concluded that since Hollywood (USA) and Bollywood (India) were already in existence, perhaps it would not be a bad idea to name the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood.

That was it! The name stocked and spread like wild fire. Practitioners, journalists, viewers, government and the corporate world fell in love with the name. However, there are a few people today who still feel that the name (Nollywood) is not suitable for the Nigerian movie industry. They argue that it is a name imposed on us by a foreigner and as such must be changed or localized.

My take here is: should we now change the name (Nigeria) imposed on us by a foreigner?

26—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

*Spoil your wife Spoil her in every way, in the bed, in the house, lavish her with attention when out, buy

You can be a better husband little gifts, leave little notes. All this stuff is not just for newly weds; it’s for the rest of your life if you want it. *Touch Touching and stroking your spouse is great for guys and even better for wives. A warm sensual oil massage can be the most sensual thing in the world . However, don’t spoil the massage moment by giving her a quick 5 minute rubdown

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his one is for the guys. Guys often get a bad rap when it c o m e s to their bedroom antics. It doesn’t have to be this way.

An explanation might be needed for the women reading this. Guys, when they are young are labelled freaks until they have intimacy with someone. It often doesn’t matter with whom and where as long as they have intimacy. It’s like a ritual. Now for some men this ‘go get it’ attitude never really leaves them and they carry this on into their long term relationships. They are not taught how to make love properly and it’s kind of embarassing.

However with these tips, you can thrill your spouse in bed and become a better lover and husband. * Always be attentive.

Men are often seen as being a bit insensitive. There is this belief that while men enjoy sexual intimacy, women endure it. This is not always the case but it is generally true that men are less sensitive than women. Try and pay close attention to our spouse’s feelings and wants and act on them accordingly. Make sure you listen, see and feel how your wife is responding to your attention at every step. The object here is to find the correct tempo that your wife is capable of hearing, seeing and fully feeling your expressions of affection. This is about them, not about you having a stage and acting out. You are always seeking to understand their experience of you so you can again make it even better.

There is nothing better than a full kiss before making love to your wife. However there is nothing better than a full kiss after making love

and then expect a long sensual 30 minute massage for you. *Make it last another 10 minutes If you are used to making love for 10 minutes, which can be great, make it last another 10 minutes by touching,

The male menopause

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s some men get older, they find them selves sharing many of the same symp toms as their menopausal wives. They are carrying around extra weight they can’t seem to lose, have problems sleeping, lose interest in sex, experience mood swings, and feel tired and depressed. It can’t be menopause…or can it?

More and more researchers are beginning to agree that the natural decline in testosterone men tend to experience as they age can result in a cluster of symptoms known as “late-onset hypogonadism,” which is commonly referred to as male menopause, or andropause.

Just as a woman’s levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone decline in her forties and fifties, a man’s testosterone level also tends to go down with age.

“Males have a slow fall in testosterone from C M Y K

kissing and caressing more.

Then after a few weeks increase it again by another 10 minutes. *Kiss before and after There is nothing better than a full kiss before making love to your wife. However there is nothing better than a full kiss after making love.Usually, the sleep monster is trying to kick in at this stage but it is well worth paying attention and

,

kissing and stroking for 10 minutes after making love. * Caress, don’t grab!

Some men have often confused breasts with lumps of clay to mould and shape but this is not how it’s done.

Caressing is much better,

teasing and kissing softly is much better, you should see results immediately. When you touch or compliment someone, it should caress them on the inside. You want to make people feel comfortable around you, not afraid of you. Being rough isn’t the mind of a lover for he, or she only know how to love. *Try new things If your spouse suggests a new move or a new anything else be willing to try it. If you don’t like it ,then be honest and tell her. *Tell her you love her This might sound too simple, but it’s important for your wife to hear this. Don’t just glance from the TV and say ‘love you babe’. Every once in a while, tell her why you love her, she’s sexy, intelligent, a great mother, a great lover, a fantastic wife; just tell her why you love her. * Kiss her all over Try every area of her body until you find the sweet spots and then concentrate on them in the future. Vary the routine.

Forget the five minute fumble, kiss a little, make love, and fall asleep. Try changing your love making habits, lie making love during the day not just in bed before going to sleep, try it in the morning, you get the picture. Your wife will like it. * Ask what your partner likes There is no better way of knowing what you partner likes than asking them. * Dress it up a little This can be a great way of injecting something different into your lovemaking. Don’t be afraid to tell your partner your kink and ask them to oblige and similarly be willing to dress it up. *Foreplay This can be the most important part of lovemaking for your wife. If we are being honest, guys are brought up to relieve the tension quickly.

However, it can be great for both partners to experience increased tension by making foreplay last much longer. * Focus on your partner.

Your spouse to whom you intend to show affection must become your single point of

age 30. By 40 to 50, about 3 percent are testosterone deficient and by 70 about 50 percent,” says John Morley, MD, professor of internal medicine and geriatrics and chief of the division of geriatric medicine at Saint Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Mo. The effects of male menopause Dr. Morley says that not all men will experience symptoms of male menopause, but many will. “About half of men by age 70 will have male menopause,” he says.

When women go through menopause, they lose their fertility. While men can still be fertile during and after male menopause, they often experience symptoms similar to female menopause: problems with sex, sleep, mood, and physical fitness.

According to Morley, a man’s age-related decline in testosterone levels “can cause sexual problems, fatigue, and unhappiness, and also cause osteoporosis, loss of muscle, and perhaps frailty.”

In addition to these symptoms, research studies

attention. You will be a great lover if they feel they are the only person in the world when they are with you. That is the impression you are trying to make when you begin with focus. * Have some optimism.

You must be upbeat when expressing your sentiments to your spouse, whether about them personally, the situation or the condition of the world at large.

Be an uplifting presence that helps them see the better things around them, especially about themselves. * Show your enthusiasm.

You must express optimistic sentiments with a passion that is infectious to them. Bring them a wave of positive emotions to carry them towards pleasures in themselves and the world around them and they will be yours forever. * Develop your humour.

After having enjoyed passions of the moment and retired from your warm, mutual cocoon of focus, it is very important to not offer

judgment about such experience with any great seriousness. Be light, be self-deprecating and be natural in your sense of humour about yourself, the other and life in general. This is the perfect

tonic for life as well. *Notice the small things.

If you really love the one you’re with, and you watch them closely enough, you’ll come to realize that they have certain habits and ticks that you will come to adore. Most people only see these things after a long time in their relationships, but if you get a head start now, you will start acting more loving with your partner and feeling closer to him or her. *Compromise.

One should learn to compromise. Being a lover means sharing it. It is only fair that you do because love is about sharing, and growing.

Treate others how you want to be treated. *Enjoy the experience It’s great, it can de-stress you, it can give you a great ‘after sex sleep’, it brings you closer to your spouse, enjoy the whole experience.

have found that male menopause may be associated with a variety of health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

When to talk to your doctor

Morley says that men who are experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, such as a lack of enthusiasm for sex, a soft erection, fatigue, declining athletic performance, unusual grumpiness, or hot flashes (a rare symptom), should talk to their doctor.

If your doctor suspects that low testosterone levels may be the cause of your symptoms, a simple blood test can be performed to measure testosterone levels. Since testosterone levels peak early in the day, it is best to get this test in the morning when they are at their highest.

If you do have a low testosterone level, your doctor may refer you to an endocrinologist or urolo-

gist with experience in managing symptoms of male menopause.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23,2012—27

Do you have bad breath?

T

he problem of halitosis, or bad breath, has plagued humankind for centuries. To conquer bad breath, the ancient Greeks reputedly used home remedies like rinsing with white wine, anise seed, and myrrh, while the Italians mixed up a mouthwash of sage, cinnamon, juniper seeds, root of cypress, and rosemary leaves, according to the Academy of General Dentistry.

Today, of course, many people still worry that their breath smells bad (and swish capful after capful of mouthwashes that often contain little more than alcohol and flavoring to fix it). Indeed a lot of health pages have tried to answer questions about bad breath than about any other common medical problem.Maybe one explanation for this preoccupation with oral odor is the simple fact that you can’t really tell whether you’ve got bad breath. This is a time when you have to depend on the honesty and kindness of friends to let you know if your breath smells bad. If you’re on your way to that important meeting and you simply must know if your breath will precede you through the door, try breathing into a handkerchief or running floss between your teeth and taking a s n i f f .

The strong odors of foods like garlic, onions, and alcohol are carried through the bloodstream and exhaled by the lungs. Another big loser when it comes to turning your breath sour, and harming your health, is tobacco.

No matter how hard you try to clean your teeth and watch your diet, we all have an epidsode of bad breath occasionally. Move on to the next section for home remedies to keep your breath at its best.

•Oral inspection smelling breath. Other types of bacteria, however, produce a pungent odor as they multiply. What does this research mean for you? The type of bacteria most prevalent on your tongue could mean the difference between good and bad breath.

Unfortunately, researchers don’t yet know how to tip the bacterial balance so that you’ll always have naturally sweetsmelling breath .

T

F

ixing bad breath depends on what’s causing it. In 80 to 90 percent of cases, it’s due to something in the mouth. Most often, bad breath is the result of nothing more serious than a dirty mouth.

Plaque, the nearly invisible film of bacteria that’s constantly forming in your mouth, is often responsible.

Another possible source of stink can be decaying food that’s trapped between teeth.

Persistent bad breath may be due to a treatable dental problem, such as an undiagnosed cavity or periodontal (gum) disease.

Sometimes a broken filling can trap food particles. If you visit the dentist and no such problem is found, however, you may want to investigate further and talk to your physician about other possible causes. Occasionally, ongoing bad breath is due to something in the respiratory tract (such as a sinus or lung infection) or gastrointestinal tract or to a systemic (body-wide) condition. Diabetes, for example, can give the breath an unpleasant chemical smell.

Of course, what you eat can contribute to bad breath, too.

C M Y K

•Device for managing halitosis Whether it’s a fleeting case of morning breath or a lingering bout with halitosis, everyone has bad breath sometimes.

Unfortunately, for as easy as it is to get bad breath, getting rid of it can be a lot more complicated. For some, employing a toothbrush, floss and mouthwash more frequently to remove plaque, the nearly invisible film of bacteria that contributes to bad breath, will do the trick.

For others, a professional cleaning to remove stuck-on tartar, which is hardened plaque, will be necessary.

Others still will discover that cavities and gum disease are at the root of their bad breath problems.

Occasionally, bad breath is due to something in the lungs or gastrointestinal tract, or to a systemic infection. Some health problems, such as sinus infections or diabetes, can also

cause bad breath. And sometimes it just comes down to what you ate for dinner.

Remedies for bad breath

Brush and floss

Your mouth contains millions of bacteria. In fact, there are probably more bacteria colonized in your mouth than there are cells in your entire body. Of the some 700 kinds of bacteria that thrive in the mouth, scientists have identified and studied fewer than half — which makes it difficult to know exactly how to combat the odors that all those bacteria give off as a byproduct when they digest their food.

Regardless, there are a few things you can do to beat the bad breath caused by germs. Start by keeping your mouth clean: Your

food supply is their food supply. Although you can try to kill bacteria with mouthwash, this is only a temporary solution. The bacteria will grow back over time. Your best defense is to brush your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day, and floss once a day.

This will help remove the food trapped between your teeth, as well as the food trapped in the gum line.

Otherwise, both of these areas would provide breeding grounds for bacteria. If food particles are left to linger, bad breath is imminent Clean your tongue Scientists suspect that some bacteria, particularly bacteria located on the top of your tongue closest to your throat, actually protect against foul-

here is one simple thing you can do to help, though:Clean your tongue. The rough surface of the tongue is home to a potentially foul-smelling combination of dead cells, food debris, bacteria and the byproducts of bacterial digestion — factors that all contribute to less-than-fresh breath. Be sure to brush your tongue with your toothbrush after you brush your teeth.

Or, for a more effective scrubbing, use a tongue cleaner. This handheld device is designed to scrape the surface of the tongue and remove odor-causing debris from its surface

Wet your whistle

You’ve had a good night’s sleep, a treasure topped only by the chance to awaken leisurely as the morning sun streams in through your bedroom window. As you stretch your arms and legs and decide finally to roll out of bed, you relish this perfect morning — until you get a whiff of your own breath, that is.

Why is morning breath so awful? When you sleep, you produce less saliva than when you’re awake (and therefore eating, drinking and speaking). Saliva contains oxygen, and oxygen deters the growth of bacteria .

Unfortunately, “morning breath” is a misnomer. Your mouth can become dry

28 —Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012

By FLORENCE AMAGIYA J’ODIE, whose real name is Joy Odiete is an artiste, cartoonist, jewelery designer and a Choir mistress. She also came out the second runner up in 2006, West African Idols. Today, her popular single ‘Kuchi Kuchi’ is currently making waves around West Africa. In this interview, she talks about her childhood, talents and stardom. Enjoy!

Tell us something we don’t know about Jodie I don’t know what you do not know about Jodie. I am a choir leader in my church!

Okay, what was growing up like?

Growing up was different from what I experience in my career today. My parents didn’t bring me up in a social way. l grew up in a strict Christian home. My father is a Bishop while my mother is a Reverend. All l knew as a child was church, school and home. So the life l had as a child didn’t reflect my choice of career which is music and entertainment. I was very introverted. l believe l’m still a little conservative but my music is bringing me out gradually.

How did your growing up affect who you are today?

Today, I get to hear from people that I am conservative.

I believe that was part of the things my upbringing gave me. I think a lot, l mean constructive thinking. I like going to some corner to just think and that’s where my songs come from. I get inspired to write songs in the midst of my thoughts. Growing up the way l did gave me the foundation that helped me flourish gradually in my career so far. It has helped me not lose my head.

In everything we do, there must be its consequence; what do you think is the downside of growing up the way you grew up?

C M Y K

I don’t see it that way. I think my upbringing has instead added to my career because I try as much as possible to be careful in whatever l do. I have read about celebrities and their lifestyles and the consequences of whatever they do or have done. And because of my upbringing, l have not tried hard to guard against certain things that would make me develop negative habits.

My upbringing is even a plus and not a minus because with the way l am brought up, there are things l naturally would not do.

People may say that your upbringing stops you from being social, but that’s not true. My upbringing stopped me from losing my head in search of what l want to be.

How did your parents react to the opposite sex looking for you at their house?

This has nothing to do with religion. I believe typical African parents would guard their children or child from harm. They would groom them the way they want them to become and this is nothing new.

How did you cope with

boys?

I started in a single sex school, Federal Government Girls School, Ibuso, Delta state, but later went to a mixed school in my Senior Secondary School years in Lagos state. To be honest, it wasn’t easy because I was in a single sex school before this time.

But I grew past that.

After all, l have a brother and a father.

Guys don’t scare me.

All l experienced while transferring to a mixed school was because l had stayed three years already with just girls.

I have a healthy relationship with men who are friends with me. Like l said before, l am in charge of a choir and so l deal with men and women every day. I have been able to balance it out. And further more, my university days were spent in Moshud Abiola University, formerly known as Unilag.

At what point did you decide to do what you are doing right now and what was your parents’ reaction?

Honestly, I know this might sound uninteresting to you or startling, but my parents are unique breed of Africans and they supported my music and career. Yes, you would wonder why my dad, who is a Bishop, gave his blessings when it comes to my music and entertainment, but he did. I officially came out in 2007 when l contested for West African Idol. It was after my graduation from the University in 2006 that l saw the advert with an international vibe to it. So I approached my dad about it and he was okay with the idea. I was indeed surprised I must say. My parents and my manager are the most supportive people in my life right now. They have pushed me to go the extra mile and I am grateful.

And stardom comes!

Stardom is actually a walk for me because it is not my destination. I am not saying that l don’t wish to be a star, but that’s not my focus. To me, it is beyond stardom. I am experimenting and living a life of an artist . I was a cartoonist during my

I believe typical African parents would guard their children or child from harm. They would groom them the way they want them to become

Industrial attachment days, I make good beads, I read art related course at school and today l am into music and entertainment. I have arts all around me! It just happens to be that as I pursue the arts, it is taking me to stardom.

The drive for me is the arts.

Was it expected?

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012 — 29

Stardom is actually a walk for me because it is not my destination. I am not saying that l don’t wish to be a star, but that’s not my focus

Honestly I didn’t know that the song was a good one. I had done a couple of recording, it wasn’t my first. But I decided to try out one of the songs I had recorded and I got a shocking overwhelming revelation! It was the experience I received from people; men, women, young women and the old. It was indeed encouraging.

I wonder why you went into singing love songs when you don’t have much experience about love.

What is love? Do you know that Kuchi Kuchi wasn’t inspired by romantic love? Kuchi Kuchi is a song expressing love from a mother to her child. That is the root of that song, any other love attributed to this song is beautiful. I am happy people are adding to the meaning of my song and it is all good for me because that way, it can have a wider reach. You don’t have to be a mother to enjoy Kuchi C M Y K

Kuchi. Like l said, I wanted to express another kind of love, a mother/child. Again, every human has the right to experience love, whether romantic, platonic, agape love or whichever there is.

Is there any man? How were you able to handle pressure from the opposite sex when they started coming?

I rather not talk about my private relationship here. And like I said earlier, my upbringing has guided me through a lot of things in my life including this issue. So whatever I do, I think about where I’m coming from, my family and even my choir.

When I think about all these, it makes me come to a good decision at every point. I found it a bit difficult to relate to those of the opposite sex when I got admission into a mixed school which was normal like l said before. l was in a single sex school for three whole years but with time, I was able to loosen up. Before now, I would rather sit down quietly to myself but over time, I learnt to communicate normally and properly.

Do you still do things with the choir?

Yes, I’m in charge of the Choir at my father’s church.

Your manager is a star and you are a star, who is managing who and is he also managing the ‘home front’?

He is managing my music at the moment and that is his job description. He is my business manager and nothing more.

Tell us about the song you did for MTN Wow! How did you know that! I did the lead vocal for life is a beautiful dance in 2003-2004. It was my first time singing in the studio officially and I worked with several interesting people and one of such person is Asa’s manager and it was really interesting.

What record label are you signed on at the moment?

Right now l am being managed by DUNN Entertainment and they take care of my music business.

You have showed Nigerians that you are different right from West African Idol, what kind of music would you play to change that opinion they have of you?

I am a natural conservative person and I lead a choir, but l do not do gospel songs. I don’t have to try hard to be modest. It is just me. l have been brought up in a certain way. I cannot really run away from it.

How did you manage studying Mass Communication and adjusting into Cartoon

department during your Industrial attachment days and yet you excelled?

I studied Mass Communication for the wrong reasons. I wanted to do Fine Arts, but I wasn’t bold enough at that time to say it. It was easy then to hear people say they are reading Medicine, Law and Mass Communication at least, but you hardly see anyone flaunt Fine and Applied Art and so, I followed the crowd. I thought Fine Art wasn’t prestigious enough and so when I got an opportunity to do cartoon during IT, I jumped at it because l felt it was a door to what l really wanted to study.

It was strange to me, it was like home.

Your bead making, how did you get into doing it?

To me, they are inter related. We had six months ASUU strike and along the line during the strike, a friend advised me to learn to make beads. There was so much time and l was very bored.

Bead making was officially fresh in Nigeria at that time and so everybody was crazy about it. At that time, l was just through with the MTN song and the proceeds was invested entirely to my bead learning.

I bought books on bead making, bought raw unmade beads and that’s how I started making beads. I took it seriously for a while; it was in fact a hobby at that time.

Today, l can make beads of intricate styles and patterns. I have added bead making to my portfolio and as part of my career.

What kind of man would you want to tie the knot with?

I love to marry my friend. My reason is this; your friend is you. Show me your friend and l would tell you who you are.

My friend would or

should be the totality of me.

With your friend in your life, there should be a large room for compatibility. To sum it up, instead of saying he should be tall, slim, short, fat and all, he should be my friend. One, l can relate with, without inhibition.

What do you love to wear when you are at home?

I love being free, although it depends on the weather. So if it is cold, l would cover everywhere as the body demand.

What is your idea of fun?

I love hanging out with close friends, but l also enjoy creating jewelries and making beads as part of fun. It is amazing the type of time consuming designs l can create. I normally have this wonderful feelings each time l view my creations. It is so much fun!

Is J’odie your real name or a stage name?

J’odie is my stage name. The name is Joy Odiete and Jodie is the short of the both names fused together.

Where are you from?

I am from Delta state, an urhobo by tribe. I am partly from Delta state and partly from Edo state. My father is an urhobo man from Delta state while my mum is from Edo state.

How do you keep fit and slim?

I have a good stature because l eat a lot, yet l am not so big.

I take long walks when l can as against being mobile. I visit the gym once in a while, but not as much as l would want to. I can also say singing and dancing on the stage is also a good form of exercise.

30— Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012

Euro 2012: Ranking the managing jobs of the Euro 2012 coaches W

ith just England, France, Ukraine and Sweden to play their final group match game this afternoon, which of the Euro 2012 coaches do you think has been tactically superior?

Who has recognised the dangers and pitfalls of the competition and moved

to adjust his approach accordingly?

It’s a tough one to call when it comes to the likely winners of this European Championship, but here are the Euro 2012 coaches ranked by their achievements thus far.

P

aulo Bento has had to deal with the pressure of being in the Group of Death alongside Germany, Netherlands, and Denmark.

After an opening day defeat to the Germans, Bento got Portugal geared up for two straight victories in order to qualify for the knockout stages—not an easy task when you start with a loss.

Joachim Low

Cesare Prandelli

J

oachim Low’s Germany are the only side in the competition with a 100 percent record remaining intact.

Considering they were placed in the Group of Death with Portugal, Denmark and the Netherlands, that’s quite an achievement.

Low opted to play the occasionally wasteful Mario Gomez over the legendary Miroslav Klose. The move has been inspired, with Gomez bagging three goals and an assist to date.

O

Paulo Bento

D

espite Italy being in a group they were expected to progress from, coach Cesare Prandelli had to overcome Italy’s terrible form coming into Euro 2012.

A 1-1 draw in their opening game against the mighty Spain is testament to his tactical nous.

Italy have qualified for the knockout stages by finishing second in their group

Vicente Del Bosque

f course everybody expected Spain to top their group in Euro 2012, but they have gone about it effectively and smartly.

It would have been easy for Del Bosque or his players to be overconfident and sloppy coming off the back of two straight international tournament victories, but Spain have been excellent.

Just one goal has been conceded by them in the finals thus far, and they have notched six goals for themselves.

L

Laurent Blanc

aurent Blanc’s French team are currently on a 23-match unbeaten run, with two of those games coming within the Euro 2012 finals.

Having won one, and drawn one of his two games, Blanc only has to get a result against the already-condemned Sweden.

Fernando Santos

F

ernando Santos’ Greece were on their knees going into their third game of the group stages.

They were playing group leaders Russia who had just come off the back of beating Czech Republic 4-1.

Greece stole a goal and defended as though their life depended on it,eventually running out 1-0 victors.

The result sent Greece into the knockout stages and condemned Russia to a third placed finish.

It was a classic David vs. Goliath match that has got Greece believing a repeat of 2004 is possible

C

Michal Bilek

zech Republic were doubts to progress after they received a 4-1 thumping by Russia in their second game.

Michal Bilek didn’t see it that way though and managed to mastermind a victory against co-hosts Poland and progress to the knockout stages as group winners.

Nobody saw that coming.

Roy Hodgson

E

ngland boss Roy Hodgson only became coach of the national side a month prior to the tournament start date and has put his side in an excellent position.

A draw or victory over co-hosts Ukraine will see England into the knockout stages.

England’s recovery from going 2-1 against Sweden in their last game was remarkable.

O

Oleh Blokhin

leh Blokhin has given Ukraine a chance of reaching the knockout stages if he can conjure a victory over England .

Ukraine are only in this tournament by way of being co-hosts, so any progress they make will certainly be a shock.

England are expected to beat the Ukrainians, who have put up a decent fight in the tournament thus.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012 — 31

Euro 2012: Ranking the strikers so far T

he UEFA Euro 2012 group stage is over, and within the space of just three matches, world football has seen some excellent striker performances.

There are some whose heroic efforts have been in vain, while for others, their stellar showings have catapulted their nations to greater glory at the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Here are some top strikers so far at Euro 2012

Andriy She vc henk o, Ukr aine Shevc vchenk henko, Ukraine I f this list was based solely on the opening game, then Ukraine’s national hero Andriy Shevchenko would top it.

‘Super Sheva’ scored twice in the first game against Sweden to give his country a winning start and boost the confidence of the entire nation.

The 35-year-old striker was deservedly man of the match and was an all-round threat, having two more shots on goal and also creating a goalscoring chance for a teammate.

However, he failed to light up the show against France despite playing the full 90 minutes, and couldn’t make an impact in the 20 minutes he played against England, as his team ultimately crashed out of the competition at the first hurdle.

Andriy Shevchenko, Ukraine

Euro 2012 with his instinctive goal-threat still

there for all to see.

His two well-taken goals in the 4-0 win against the Republic of Ireland epitomize how a striker should play— his first goal the combination of desire, pace, control and power, and his second a perfect blend of movement, acceleration, nerve and accuracy.

In the game against Croatia, he also impressed despite not getting on the scoresheet, proving himself as a good focal point of attack with a number of decent efforts on goal.

The signs are good for the £50 million man if he gets a chance in today’s quarterfinal with France.

Andy Murray

movement and link-up play, and showing off his shooting skills with some good shots himself.

If he can continue his form

lso 25-year-old Scot is currently ranked fourth in the world and it will be his second appearance at the Olympics, after he made his debut in Beijing four years ago.

Murray featured in both the men’s singles and doubles events in China, but he was defeated in round one by Lu Yen-Hsun, the Taiwanese world number 77, in the former.

Spain’s Rafael Nadal beat Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez in the gold medal match, while Novak Djokovic, the Serbian

currently ranked world No 1, won bronze.

Both Nadal and Djokovic, who will be carrying his country ’s flag at the Opening Ceremony, have confirmed that they will be competing in London.

Dunblane-born Murray has won 22 ATP singles titles to date and is coached

by Ivan Lendl and will compete in the men’s singles event which begins on July 28 on the grass courts of The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon.

Scott

The final takes place on August 5

Lukas Podolski, Germany W

C M Y K

ritish No 1 Andy Murray will compete for Team GB in the men’s singles tennis event at the London Games, the British Olympic Association confirmed on Thursday morning.Andy Murry, said: “Winning a medal this summer for Team GB is one of my major goals.”

Andy Murray played in both the men’s singles and doubles at the Beijing Games, but toppled out of the former in the first round, disappointingly.

A

Torres

hile Lukas Podolski may not be playing as a prototypical striker for Germany at Euro 2012, the goal-threat he has provided more than qualifies him for this list.

His goal against Denmark on his 100th cap for his country— a remarkable achievement seeing as he’s just 27 years old was an instinctive striker’s finish, perfectly combining expert movement and finishing.

And in the games against Portugal and the Netherlands, he was also a threat, creating chances for teammates with his

B

Scot ranked fourth

Fernando TTorres, orres, Spain F ernando Torres has put a poor season with Chelsea behind him so far at

London 2012 Olympics: Andy Murray selected for Team GB tennis squad

M

Lukas Podolski at Euro 2012 and translate it to club level, the new Arsenal signing looks like he could well light up the Premier League.

urray will hope to still be in the competition, if only to keep up a rich tradition of success.

Team GB top the all-time Olympic tennis medals table, having accumulated 16 gold, 13 silver and 16 bronze medals between 1896 and 1924.

The sport did not feature on the Olympic programme for the next 64 years, but Tim Henman and Neil Broad returned Team GB to the podium with a men’s doubles silver medal at the Atlanta 1996 Games.

“I can’t wait for the Olympics to start, it’s such an incredible event and for it to be in London is extra special,” said Murray.

“I remember being part of the Olympic ceremony in Beijing, which was an unbelievable atmosphere and like nothing I’d experienced before.

“Winning a medal this summer for Team GB is one of my major goal."

32—SATURDAY Vanguard,JUNE 23, 2012

BY SIMON EBEGBULEM, Benin City

H

W

e have made tremen dous effort to put state of the art facilities into this

W

hen I started managing the company, there were series of changes I decided to embark upon. Then, there were group of people who have been working with my father and they knew me when I was growing up. So, it was difficult for them to adapt to the new challenges. I tried as much as possible to let them know that this is how I want things to be now. So I tried to lead by example and that is why when I tell them what to do, they do it immediately”.

A

sked how he was able to key into the business without difficulties, Chidi narrated that “ when I was growing up, though my Dad made us focus on our education, he also made sure that we learn the business. He carried all of us along including my mother and my younger brothers. I remember when we were in secondary

Chidi Ajaere

My father taught me from the scratch —Youngest CEO

,

e is one of the youngest Chief Ex ecutive Officers (CEO) in Nigeria and when ever he is in a gathering, it is difficult to address him as the CEO of God is Good Motors, one of the most popular transportation outfits in the country. But it was not the making of this 25 year old, Imo State born Chidi Ajaere, to ascend to such a position at the age of 21. The wicked ones forced him to take up the responsibility after they brutally murdered his father Edwin Ajaere in 2009 in Benin City. Chidi who is now left with his two other brothers and their Edo State born mother, took over the management of the family business to prove to the killers of his father that they can kill the flesh but they cannot kill the spirit and the visions of the senior Ajaere.

The brutal murder of the transporter came as a huge shock to residents of Benin City that faithful day.

However, barely five years after Chidi took over the business, he has changed the face of the transportation business, not only in Edo state but in the entire country. After equipping the business with state of the art facilities coupled with first class customer care units, Chidi has also veered into Oil and Gas business, and charity. With the tremendous achievements made so far in their business empire, Saturday Vanguard decided to have a chat with this young graduate of Griffith University in Australia, who will be 25 on June 28, 2012.

On how he has been able to cope with managing the business and controlling over 900 staff who are older than him, he stated: “It has been challenging. But one of the most important lessons I learnt from my father is vision and hard work. When an individual has vision, he knows where to go and the hard work takes him to his destination.

“Doing business in Nigeria is very challenging because of the problem of roads, security and power. In order to be one of the best transportations companies in Nigeria, we try to build state of the art terminals in most of our offices but when you don’t have electricity, it is difficult for these things to function properly. We also have challenges of human capital because it was difficult for my Dad to get intellectuals that actually understand the transport business especially in this difficult terrain.

“Transportation is not a business that you do sitting in your office. You have to deal with the unions, you have to deal with government and different kinds of people. Above all, you have to provide good services for your customers.

Barely five years after Chidi took over the business, he has changed the face of Transportation business, not only in Edo state but in the entire country

transport business like we have state of the art facilities such as a mechanic workshop to ensure that our cars are serviced as at when due. We make sure we provide world class customer services because satisfying your customers is the key to success in any business.

I found out that in Nigeria, the customer service is very poor. Even in our airports, the way they approach you is not even good. Even when you go to these fast food joints, they squeeze their faces when they serve and I wonder why it should be like that because I

,

am giving them my money.

“So when I took over the management of the company, I called my managers and I told them that one of the things we must address here is customer service. And I told them how it is being done outside the country and I want us to replicate it here.

“And if you want to know how I have been managing my seniors, it was one of the most difficult aspect of it. When you are working with people and you lead by example, you are a listening leader, you will find out that they will key into your vision.

school, my Dad comes to pick us in school and from there, he will take us to his office. I remember even when I was fifteen years old, my Dad is always sending me on seminars and whenver I came back, we’d discuss his vision about the business and where he’d want us to be in the next few years. So, it was very easy for me to blend in the business because my dad had already taught me the rudiments of the business.

“So when I came in, I already knew his vision and I had to ensure that we achieve it even though he is no more. When my father was alive, each time we had conversations, the two things we usually talked about is God and the business.

He always told me that when you fear God, you’d get to where you want to be. We never knew he was going to die so early. I took over his business when I was 21. I just told my people that the only thing

we are going to miss is the presence of my father but for the business empire, I said we are going to achieve success.

So far we have been able to prove that”.

He explained further that “My aim is to transform the face of road transportation in Nigeria. The things that are happening now, were the visions of my father. When I meet people and they tell me the impact we have made in transportation business, our unique way of doing business, I feel very happy about that. I believe in competition because it makes me work harder and think faster than others. I don’t see competition as a negative factor. I tell my staff that when you see a customer walk into our premises, see that customer as a king, like the CEO of the company because these people pay you money. I found out that in most transport companies outside Nigeria, they usually have specific bus terminals that carter for their customers, a place where they can eat and relax and I said ,why is it that these things we see outside we can’t bring them back home.

“So, I decided to bring those things obtainable outside Nigeria back home by changing the branding of our buses. We started employing more graduates. Infact, 95 per cent of our administration staff are graduates. We usually send them on trainings on how to take care of customers, and when some other transport companies saw what we were doing, even though it was capital intensive, most of them started building nice terminals, changing the face of the transportation business.

“I can tell you authoritively that we are ahead right now in road transportation in Nigeria. We have over 450 buses that are active on the roads every day. When I took over the management of this company, we were not even going a hundred daily. We have terminals now and those things were not there four years ago.

We are actually expanding our roots right now. We are trying to conquere the entire southern part of Nigeria. We want to be number one in this business”.

Saturday Vanguard felt the pulse of Chidi regarding the death of his father at the age of 45 and what he will do to the killers if he gets them. He paused for about twenty seconds and went on: “I was actually out of the country when the incident happened. They did not tell me because every one knows how I close I was to my father. My dad died the year he clocked 45. We were like brothers. I remember when he used to visit me in school and when we sit together, my friends would think he was a friend. Infact each time he visits me, instead of staying in a hotel, my father would prefer to come and stay in my dormitory and we sleep on the same bed”.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012—33

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he was born Yvonne Chinyere Okereke Okoro to a Nigerian father and a Ghanaian mother.Yvonne hit the silver screens nine years ago and since then, she has become the rave of the Imoment. In this interview, she talks about her Nigerian/Ghanaian lineage, her happiest and saddest moments as an actress as well as her love life.

By BENJAMIN NJOKU My nationality I am half Nigerian and half Ghanaian. My father comes from Abia State, which means that I am an Igbo girl, while my mother is from Enyan Abaasa in the Central Region, which also makes me a Ghanaian. I was born and brought up in Ghana, and I have spent all my life there.

For me, I don’t think my nationality should be should be an issue. I am just an African.

Growing up in a polygamous setting I’m from a polygamous home, first child of my mother, and the fifth born in a family of ten children. .My dad knows how to handle his family affairs maturely. In my family, there is no animosity or exhibition of hatred amongst my siblings.

For instance, each time, I’m attending the yearly AMAA awards, I’m u s u a l l y accompanied by m y

Yvonne

Every woman wants to be admired and respected by men — Yvonne Okoro half-brother. That’s to tell you how close we are in my family. Love and unity thrive strongly in my family.

Identifying with my root Yes, I’m very close to my Nigerian lineage. When I was a child, my father used to bring us home.

Particularly, when we were on holidays and during festive periods.

I’m familiar with my ancestral home. My dad is a very patriotic Nigerian, right from the beginning. He realised the need to link us up with our roots, e v e n though w e were still kids then.

Foray into education I studied and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Linguistics from the University of Ghana, Legon. I later went to the Universite’ De Nantes in France, where I studied French Civilisation and Culture as well as Drama and Marketing.

My happiest and saddest moments as an actress My happiest moment as an actress remains the fact that people appreciate what I’m doing for a living. They commend me positively and I’m happy that I’m being appreciated. At the same time, it pains me when people tend to judge us by the kind of roles we play in movies.

We are only interpreting our scripts and if we don’t do it very well, we might not stand the chance of getting more roles again. That I acted a particular role in a movie does not change who I am.

That’s my grouse.

Price of stardom Where do I start from; Sometimes I feel pained. But one thing is certain and that’s, nobody has the right to define my life for me. I also define what I do for a living.

I remain who I am despite all the negative reports about me.

My dress at AMAA awards I went to London for a shopping spree and I saw the dress and fell in love with it.

There’s this saying that if you got it, flaunt it. I’m a v e r y fashionable actress.

I wear what I feel comfortable putting on. I don’t see anything wrong with the way I dressed to this year ’s AMAA awards. I’m one person who likes to look good despite w h a t

Yvonne

people would say about me. I know what is good for me.

Encountering a real life situation which consequences was a result of the role I played in a movie There was a time I went the saloon to do my hair. A certain fan saw me and screamed, narrating how she watched my film where I was maltreated and all that. I was dumbfounded, yet I was very happy that people are appreciating what I’m doing on screen.

My love life!

At the moment, I’m happy with my work. I hate to discuss my private life on the pages of newspapers. I’m always happy whether I’m in a relationship or not. I’m happy the way I am.

Marrying a Nigerian!

I don’t have any problem concerning whom I will spend the rest of my life with.

He could be a Nigerian or Ghanaian, I don’t know.

Nigeria is my home, just as Ghana is also my home.

Overcoming trials and temptations associated with the kind of job I do Every woman wants to be admired and respected by men. Yes, a lot of people are coming your way not just to be your friend but also, to satisfy other purposes. As a person, I don’t carry myself overboard. I try as much as possible to be friendly with everyone.

Supremacy battle among top rated Ghanaian actresses There is nothing like that.

We are all friends and colleagues in the showbiz industry. Yes, I know that

there is healthy competition among all of us. But it is not to the point of fighting ourselves.

Well endowed I don’t know about it, but I think I’m gifted. I can’t tell you this is the part of my body that I cherish most. Not at all.

Describing myself I’m not an impossible person. I’m friendly and easy going, someone you can relate to; a down-earth person.

Yvonne C M Y K

34—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

EBUN SESSOU

Tit Bit Luxury hampers now in Nigeria, Ghana

Nothing compares to Nigerian food — Tukur

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Mr. Ahmed Tukur is the Managing Director, Daddo Commodities, a division of Daddo Group of Companies. The Fulani young man from Adamawa State is our guest on this edition of Celebrity Tummy Talk. He speaks on the secret of his good looking and healthy lifestyle.

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AN you tell us what your growing up was in terms of

food?

I come from a diverse family and so grew up to love both continental and Nigerian delicacies. From Tuo Masara, Edikai kong, Efo riro. Although, I like food but I still maintain my healthy feeding habit.

What has changed in your food in-take from the childhood to your adulthood?

As a child, I eat what I was offered but as an adult, I look for what I want to eat. I make sure I eat quality food. I try to eat and exercise well. And that is my definition of food.

Food is life.

Which of the aforementioned food can you prepare?

I can prepare rice and stew, okro, vegetable, cream sauce amongst other foods.

What is the staple food of the Fulanis?

They are Tuo Masara, Mai kuka and Fura.

So, how did you come into packaged food?

It’s my love for giving gift to people that brought me into packaged food.

It is a fast moving consumer goods that people want to eat because it's varieties of food made up of chocolate, biscuit amongst others.

What is your choice of exercise?

Boxing and I engage in it thrice a week. And I go to the Gym once a week.

And your fruits?

Today’s Menu

Drinking your fruits juice with style W

HEN it comes to your health, nutrients matter.

The link between healthy fruit juice and a more positive outlook depends on how much of healthy fruits juice you drink. Drinking a glass of juice provides an energizing boost. People who drink healthy juice feel rejuvenated, calm, happy and alive.

One key to happiness is focusing on the simple things that can

improve your outlook. No life is without stress but by taking a sip of fruit juice can help reduce stress.

Therefore, adding 100 percent fruit juice to your daily diet provides a healthy source of energy and key nutrients to help maintain your overall health and well-being.

Fruit juices such as apple, grape, pineapple, orange, watermelon are best for you. Nothing can be compared to the adorable way of drinking your fruits juice.

•Ahmed Tukur I like mangoes, pineapples, oranges, cherries, grapes, kiwi.

If you happen to be at an event, what is the special food that would make your salivate?

If it was a wedding, I would go for a Nigerian food because they are well prepared. I would prefer pounded yam and efo riro or ofada rice and stew because I enjoy it as a Nigerian. I wouldn’t go for Chinese continental

HEALTHY TIPS

Why Soybeans is good for you!

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oybeans has nutritive compo nents. Besides the very high protein content, it contains a lot of fibre and are rich in calcium, magnesium . The soy protein has a high biological value and contains all the essential amino acids.

Soybeans are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and low in saturated fatty acids, which need to be avoided. Speaking at the workshop organised by Development Communication Network, Devcoms, Mrs Iwalola Akin-Jimoh, insisted that Soybeans is good and has great health benefits. She said, it contains protein, carbohydrates and healthy fats.

This legume provides your body with an ample energy source. She advised people to discover the soybean’s protective properties for cardiovascular disorder, cancer, osteoporosis and menopause.

•To be continued

ndividuals and corporate organisations willing to purchase luxury hampers for loved ones and business associates in Nigeria and Ghana during festive periods might have gotten succour as a Nigerian firm, Daddo Commodities enters into a partnership with Highland Fayre, to offer luxury hampers for consumers at affordable prices.

At an exhibition organised to showcase what the company had in stock recently,the Director, Daddo Commodities, Mr. Ahmed Tukur said his company decided to bring Highland Fayre brand, a Scotland’s premier hamper company since 1985, to the market because of the need to offer high quality hamper to consumers.

He said; “As a corporate organisation, there had been times when we found it difficult to get appreciative hampers to give to clients and friends during festive periods, which often forced to look in the way of Highland Fayre, which is an international brand, for quality and well packaged hampers. Having been doing this for years and getting satisfaction, we decided to talk to them so that we can make it available in West African markets. What we are witnessing today is the result of that relationship,” On the target market of the company, Tukur stated that what they brought to the market were in different sizes and different prizes, which made them appeal to various classes of the consumers. He also indicated that a similar exhibition would take place in Abuja in a couple of weeks.

Earlier, the Managing Director of Highland Fayre, Mr. David England had expressed willingness to do business in Nigeria. He said, “No doubts, Nigeria maintains a promising population with sophisticated consumers, who will always wish to go for something good at a friendly price and this is what we have brought through Daddo Commodities.

The Exhibition, which paraded hampers in various sizes attracted many prominent individuals from corporate, business and political communities.

A former senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bode Olajumoke, who was one of the early callers at the venue, said he was particularly trilled by the price and quality of what were paraded.

C M Y K

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012—35

YOUNGPRAISE NIGERIANS MAKING ABEL THE DIFFERENCE LAGOS STATE

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Email: youthfulvibes@gmail.com education, that I had to drop out of school at a particular time, but I didn’t allow the situation to determine what I become. I remained determined, focus and positive about my future.

The major challenge I faced personally while growing up here in Ajegunle was peer pressure, as I was pressured to be involved in some juvenile delinquency but the discovery of whom I am (PURPOSE) made me to stand above the pressures.

YPI FILLING THE GAP My conviction is that young people should be a voice in the society because we have a strategic role to play in the development of every nation. In achieving this, I founded YOUTHS PASSION INITIATIVE (YPI) , a child and youth advocacy organization dedicated to redefining the mindset of people towards positivity and possibility knowing full well that the mindset of a man is a determinant to purposeful living.

bel Praise at 21 is the National Lead “GREEN YAGGY” poised to help young Nigerians bring their ideas to fruition while promoting a sense of patriotism. Abel is a graduate of Forestry and Environmental Management from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,Abia State.

He is an internationally certified Business Management Professional and has in addition a Diploma in Psychology.

Abel explores his potentials as a Business Idea Strategist with Infinite Impact Company, after being able to discover and define his purpose. He has consulted and facilitated trainings for several corporate organizations on the company ’s platform. Today he is widely sought by many organizations as a personal development strategist and motivational speaker.

Today, Abel Praise has received and honored numerous invitations from several schools, organizations and religious bodies including churches. In the same vein, he has developed innovative strategies and concepts for corporate organizations through his company. Most recently, a business plan developed by the Infinite Impact Team was among the 1200 outstanding ideas selected from over 400,000 to receive grants from the Federal Government of Nigeria in the just concluded FG YOUWIN competition.

Having defied several success myths including age, Patricia Omoqui, an international sought after speaker describes Abel Praise as a “Smart, Intelligent, and Wise Professional, an old man in a young clothing”.

KOTOYE ANNE

LAGOS STATE

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RADICAL TRANSITION: FROM CHRONIC STAMMERER TO SOUGHT AFTER SPEAKER I used to have a speech disorder. As a matter of fact, I was achronic stammererand I had difficulty expressing most commonly associated with involuntary sound repetition and the prolongation of certain sounds. People around me ridiculed me and laughed at me anytime I tried to express myself. That naturally made me have low self-esteem as I felt people looked down on me and could hardly believe in me.

However, I have always been very passionate about public speaking, but being a stammerer was my greatest challenge in realizing this passion. In any case, I resolved within me to get better and I took steps to develop myself so as to become a better person.

With time, I got better and moved from being a chronic

stammerer to a d y n a m i c sought after p u b l i c speaker and personal development trainer. To God be all the glory.

I have had t h e priviledge of training over 500 youth leaders within and outside Ajegunle.

I have spoken at various meetings aimed at transforming lives positively.

In 2011, I was one of the selected individuals hosted by the former Honourable Minister of Youth Development, now Sports

OLAYEMI ADEGOKE LAGOS STATE

Isaac with Ifeanyi in his wheel chair

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layemi is an accountant, a r e a t i v e thinker, and a strategist. He facilitates various leadership and entrepreneurial initiatives.He is the publisher of My Naija;Riches beyond oil, and the convener of the Green Hub Family, the Green Hub Summit and the Green Hub Mentorship program: events that bring together young minds from different Nigerian cities educating, empowering and encouraging entrepreneurship.

He is an ardent believer in the GOOD, Nigeria has to offer herself and the world at large. He is confident that any young Nigerian ready to take up the challenge, will enjoy the enormous possibilities in the land that is beyond oil and gas. This passion drives his desire to see to the reduction of the over 30 million unemployment rate of young Nigerian graduates.

OlayemiAdegoke before venturing out to start his own firm, worked for PowerTalks Institute, Nigeria and Nairobi, Kenya for over 10 years in the capacity of the business development manager, where he learnt to creatively develop business ideas and concepts. He has through this experiential opportunity help start projects that are today outstanding businesses.

Olayemi is also known for his Singing prowess and is married to Rose KavitheAdegoke, a Kenyan born and they are blessed with a daughter, TomilobaAdegoke. c

The organization’s headquarter is in Ajegunle, Lagos. It also runs in Delta State and Imo State.

We are spreading steadily and as well impacting lives.

RESPONSE TO THE CLARION CALL I have observed that what people need is not money but information; been able The major challenge I faced personally I’ve to feed a good while growing up here in Ajegunle was number of with peer pressure, as I was pressured to be people the right involved in some juvenile delinquency i n f o r m a t i o n t h r o u g h but the discovery of whom I am YPI (PURPOSE) made me to stand above the various programmes pressures set to build them up. Such Minister, at a youth initiatives include our Self development market place Discovery Conference, Hands of held in Lagos.

I was born on January 25, Hope Project which is designed 1991. I had my primary and to re-inject hope to the most secondary school education in vulnerable ones, that is the sick Lagos. Presently, I am at the hospital, motherless and studying Human Kinetic and abandoned kids, street children, Health Education at the physically challenged and so on..

We have reached out to the University of Lagos. Growing up in the popular ghetto city most underserved in our “Ajegunle” served as an eye community and currently we are opener to life; it gave me giving aid to a boy (IfeanyiOtisi) appetite to be a better person in Ajegunle that is confined to a as I do not allow my wheel chair. We reached out to background to be a him with so much empathy and determinant to what I become. love. He is at this time attending I had challenge with my a supplementary class where he

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moyele Isaac Success (21) is a dynamic passionate public speaker and a social worker.

He is a Certified First Aider with the Nigerian Red Cross Society with a diploma Certificate in Conflict Management from United States Institute of Peace (USIP) and an Occupational Safety & Health Certificate from OSH Academy, USA. .

He’s enthusiastic about making young people discover their purpose for living arising from the level of poverty caused by unemployment and he believes that the cause of poverty is due to the rate of unemployment in the country and un-utilized potentials which leads to the abuse of the future.

nne is an Ogun State born indigene running Ciana Blends Beauty Entreprises in Ikate, Lagos. She believes that life is beautiful and every body should radiate this beauty. She renders make up and body care services. She makes people beautiful with several organizations and individuals in her list of clientele. Her hobbies are writing ,singing and visiting orphanage homes . She loves learning and making a positive impact on people. Anne is a graduate of ObafemiAwolowo University, Ile Ife.

is taught Computer appreciation.

He has informed of his desire to study subjects such as Mathematics, English Language and other subjects to advance his academic pursuit. We are doing the little we have from little or no external support. Now we have to bother with his medical needs; he requires urgently a change of wheel chair since the one he uses is very bad shape.

We are hopeful we would get support from well-meaning Nigerians to help him and other young people with similar challenges as we believe that

there is ability in every disability.

One of the best thing that has happened to me is the discovery of my purpose, because when purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable .It has been fun fulfilling purpose even under tough circumstances.

Young Nigerians should take time out to know discover their purpose. They can, they must and they will if they work towards it.

C M Y K

36—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

TIPS •ACCESSORIES A little yellow goes a long way. “It’s sunny, bright, and optimistic •EVENING The freshest way to wear yellow is for evening, where it’s unexpected and striking in a sea of black.

•BOTTOMS If you’re wary of yellow close to your face, pants or a skirt are a safer bet.

Avoid yellow tops with black, unless you like the road safety sign look.

HELLO

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ellow is a happy, cheery color which can make yourself, and others feel good! A lot of people are cautious about wearing yellow, and so they should be! Some people avoid the colour all together, because it can be tricky to get it right. But there’s a shade of yellow for everyone, and different ways to wear it to best suit you.

If you have darker skin, you should opt for brighter shades of yellow or mustard. People with pale skin should opt for deeper shades of yellow instead of lighter shades so as not to look washed.

•Pair with a perfect dress

•Solange Knowles C M Y K

•Brighten up with yellow accessories

•Rita Dominic

•Kate Henshaw

SATURDAY VANGUARD , JUNE 23, 2012 — 37

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38—SA TURD AY Vanguard 38—SATURD TURDA anguard,,

C M Y K

JUNE 23, 2012

SA TURD AY VANGU ARD , JUNE 23, 2012—39 SATURD TURDA VANGUARD

Range Rover Evoque irresistible, says Coscharis boss T

HE president of Coscharis Group, representatives of the Jaguar Land Rover Group, in Nigeria, Dr.Cosmas Maduka has described the new Range Rover Evoque as irresistible, and iconic product that makes the difference.

Dr. Maduka, who was speaking at the Ocean View restaurant during the unveiling of the new Range Rover Evoque, Thursday said “this is not just another moving object, it is Range Rover Evoque and it is about making a difference.

The occasion which also saw movie diva, Jennieve Nnaji drive home a brand new, Range Rover Evoque after signing the doted lines as the Range Rover Ambassador in Nigeria was witnessed by high profile Nigerians and Range Rover lovers who thronged the venue to catch a glimpse of the baby Range Rover which has changed Land Rovers fortunes for good since its launch last year.

According to Dr. Maduka, the Range Rover Evoque would have been introduced in Nigeria earlier than now but for the company’s policy not to introduce any product until it was properly tropicalised to adopt to the Nigerian environment.

“This iconic model of Range Rover has been launched in other markets in late September 2011. But our principals did not release the Evoque to our market because the quality of our gasoline is not compatible with the engine of the vehicles that were initially launched in other markets. They delayed ours to retune the engine and make them compatible with the quality of gasoline that is locally obtainable in our market and today, we have a perfect product before you that is suitable for our market,” he told the audience.

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ccording to Dr. Maduka, “the Evoque is a Sports Utility Vehicle that possesses the control ride and refined comfort of the Range Rover Sports in a smaller, lighter and more agile package. He added that the Evoque was deC M Y K

signed and built to deliver the assured responsive on road performance demanded by premium customers who find the current line up too practical and conservative.

To this end, the Coscharis boss noted that their target was to win more customers with the new Evoque.

“Our intent is to attract young buyers to complement our already established older customers. As such, we expect 90 per cent of our potential customers to be entirely new customers,” he said.

Continuing, he said, the Range Rover Evoque is designed to start appealing to customers who would never have considered the Range Rover brand before. “Some of that comes from car ’s size, which is very compact, fuel economy, maneuverability, on-road capability and style.”

He describe the Evoque as a car that is at home both on-road and off-road. “The Range Rover Evoque is a city vehicle that demonstrates a very much urbane orientation in its stylistic design. It is the smallest and highest Range Rover ever built. Although it does have clearly off-road capability, which is a core unique selling point of the Range Rover – Land Rover brand but its onroad capability is as effective and powerful,” he stated.

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n the targeted cus tomers for the car, Dr. Maduka noted “the market drive of Evoque is the luxury consumers,” including hardworking individuals who loves life, young couples, single business executives, young families, sporty and active individuals,

directors, executives and entrepreneurs, the young and young at heart.

According to him, the Evoque is a cross bread vehicle with premium characteristics to meet the expectations of both classy female and male customers, adding that the car outsold all other

Ranger Rovers the very first week it arrived their show rooms.

“As at date, the Evoque has outsold all other Range Rover models within the first week of arrival into the Nigerian market. The pre-launch sales demand has been so high, however, given

our customer orientation, we have adequately prepared to meet and surmount demands.

Dr. Maduka, however, noted that the after sales department is ready to offer the best service as usual to the Evoque customers nationwide.

Tata Aria, world class MPV from India T HOUGH it is yet to be introduced into the Nigerian market, the Tata Aria Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) has revealed how advanced Tata Motors has gone in automobile production.

Having conquered the commercial vehicle segment with its array of models, Tata is attempting to do the same in the passenger car segment with its new generation models like the Nano, Indica Vista, Indigo Manza, and Aria AT. Tata has brought its years of experience in a u t o m o b i l e manufacturing to bear in the production of its first People Mover, the Aria, which has a beautiful design with a six speed automatic transmission.

Powered by 2.2 litre dicor engine which delivers 140ps of power at 4000rpm, the Tata Aria come with array of technological advancement that stands it out in the multipurpose vehicle seg-

ment.

The transmission features tiptronic gear selection with sport, economy and Cruise driving modes. Aria’s Torque converter multiplies the low end torque which allow’s you drive effortlessly in bumper to bumper traffic at crawling speed of 68kmph.

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he Aria’s interior is finished with quality materials especially with leather upholstery which gives it unparalleled luxury feeling of

comfort.

At the last motor show in India, held in January 2012, Tata exhibited the Aria with full options, and it was the cynosure of all eyes as visitors thronged to see the all new Aria.

The royal interior of the Aria with fine leather upholstery, captain seats, wood finish dashboard centre finisher, stand the Aria out as a typical luxury MPV. Also distinct is the new generation steering wheel with modern styling and excellent ergonomics, features integrated con-

trols for infotainment system and cruise control.

Harman brand acoustics in the vehicle provide an enriched audio experience in the Tata Aria.

Also the finely tuned 10speaker and amplifier combo creates the feel of a concert hall – you enjoy every track in high definition.

The Aria will not be launched in Nigeria until next year, according to a Tata Africa Services source. But it is worth waiting for, given its beauty and finishing.

40 — SATURDAY, Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

Harvest of honours for Prof. Balogun

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he Immediate past Vice Chancellor; Federal University of Agriculture, Alabata ,Abeoku ta, Professor Oluwafemi Olaiya Balogun was on Saturday 26th of May, 2012 conferred with three different chieftaincy titles of Akinfimigboye of Isaga Orile, Baloye of Gbagura and Fimogbayi of Egbaland, while his Professor friend, Professor Oladapo Abraham Afolabi bagged the chieftaincy title of Bobajiro of Gbagura and Fimotolu of Egbaland. Photos By WUNMI AKINOLA

Blissful wedding of Joy Etchie and Obaro Atiri

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ritsematosan Joy Etchie and Obaro Jeremi ah Atiri, children of P.E. Etchie and Joseph Atiri respectively began their journey into matrimony on Thursday June 14th when the family of the groom stormed the Gbagada residence of the bride to fulfill all traditional rites in seeking Joy’s hand in marriage.

The final seal took place two days later on Saturday when the couple were pronounced man and wife at the All Saints Anglican Church, Yaba, Lagos before a team of clergymen and family members, resplendent in olive green and gold colours, giving the atmosphere an ambiance of glamour. The reception soon followed at the Medical Institute Guest House Multipurpose Hall. Photos by Kehinde Gbadamosi

The couple, Mr and Mrs Jeremiah Obaro Atiri

Erelu Finmotolu and Fimotolu of Egbaland, Prof. and Chief (Mrs). Oladapo Afolabi with Oba Adedotun Gbadebo; Alake of Egbaland

L-R; Mr Joseph Monegodome Atiri, Mrs Yvonne Jemenigbe,groom's parents and Mr P.E Etchie and Mrs M.O Etchie,bride's parents From Left; Mrs Okunji Agatha, Mr Augustine Atiri, Mrs Theresa Olugbuyi and Mrs Annette Adu Professor Olaiya Balogun recieving certificate as Baloye of Gbagura from Oba S. B. Ademulegun, Olupenme of Ipenme while Engr. A Adenekan looks on

L-R: Mrs Rita Amuka, Mrs Chuko Aminaghan and Mrs Tobi Odunaiya

Agip’s Anibaba marks 50 FAMILY and friends of Lanre Anibaba, Account Manager, Agip Oil came together recently to celebrate with him on the occasion of his 50th birthday.

Celebrant Lanre Anibaba, (FCA), Account Manager Agip Oil and Hon. Biyi Mabadeje, Commissioner for Science & Technology, Lagos State

From Left; Alhaji Bola Mabadeje, Prince Toye Mabadeje and Prof. Biola Madadeje

Honeywell boss gives out daughter EXECUTIVE Vice Chairman, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc, Babatunde Odunayo recently gave his daughter, Oluwabusayo Oyeneyin (nee Odunayo) in marriage at Archbishop Vinning Memorial Church, Ikeja, Lagos recently.

Bride’s parents;, Mr. and Mrs Babatunde Odunayo with couple; Mr. and Mrs Adedamola Oyeneyin

L-R: Professor Oladapo Afolabi, Bobajiro of Gbagura, Chief Mrs. Adeola Afolabi, Yeye Bobajiro of Gbagura and Professor Olaiya Balogun ,Baloye of Gbagura

From left: Mrs. Ngozi Onuoha, FM, Education Abuja Rep. in FUTA, Mrs. Carol Obioha and Mrs. F. O. Ezeozue

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23 , 2012—41

Why I seek a second term as governor

—Oshiomhole

COMRADE Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, the Governor of Edo State, who is seeking a second term in office as governor, in this interview spoke on various issues including why he wants a second term. The interview was monitored from African Independent Television, AIT.

did you meet Edo State when you became the Governor?

I think we can say that Edo State was a place that was completely behind in every facet of life. The infrastructural situation was in a very bad shape; roads in Benin city were not passable and people were scared once it was going to rain because of the serious problem of flooding. Not a few were stranded around the Tomline area, traditional ground and Five junction once it rained even for just five minutes. There were many families who lost their children to flooding right from their bedroom.

In the educational sector, the children were completely abandoned.

In short, education was privatized by default in the sense that, the government completely diverted public money and the result was that, even the poor had to struggle to send their children to private schools.

The health sector was not better off; the Central hospital that was built in Benin City in 1903 had not received any major maintenance. Across the length and breadth of Edo state, nothing was done. In Esan land, water remained a very critical problem. Many rural communities were not connected and their schools were the same as that of Edo South and those in Edo North.

Many communities in Edo North had given up as if it was their fault or rather, that of the ancestors to have chosen to live where they found themselves because they thought it was impossible to have them connected to the economy of the state through road networks. Workers worked for couple of times for months without being paid their salaries, pensioners were known to have protested and died without their pension being paid.

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here

So, both the social sector, the infrastructural sector; everything was in bad shape.

In fact, Edo was dismissed as an unviable entity. It’s politics was privatized by few individuals who were accountable only to themselves and they were the only ones who decided who became councilor or anything in the polity of the state through rigging. People were imposed by a few individuals to become councilor or chairman.

So, both in terms of the polity, the economy, infrastructures; name it, everything was posing negative and Edo people seemed to have resigned to their fate. They had given up, thinking that there was nothing they could do about election rigging, imposition of people on them and the state of infrastructure.

There was nothing they could do about it because they were persuaded that Edo State was too poor.

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or workers, they owed them several months.

They also owed salary arrears and many workers were dismissed in the year 2000 in

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BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

Oshiomhole and that sense of pride they have, all of that were lost but I argued then that these were not acts of God. It was as a result of many years of mismanagement of the state resources and many years of misapplication of resources.

Then even the polity, we had to deal with the issue of infrastructure and the social economy issues. We needed to revisit the polity because,

It is also not a secret that we can show you effortlessly, in every ward, in every local government beautiful schools that were built; so beautiful that very ordinary people refer to them as Universities

their thousands and nobody paid them gratuity, nobody paid them wages and all of these were the reasons Edo people simply gave up, hoping that one day something miraculous would happen.

So, Edo’s case was more or less a dismissed one. You know people who have lost their pride, that spirit of up and down, that fighting spirit

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if people are not elected and they are imposed by few godfathers, they can only account to those who imposed them. Like they say; you can’t serve the devil and God at the same time.

And so, since the state resources were privatized, that was why nothing was available to address the need of the people both in the economy and social sector. So

everywhere you went around Benin City, everybody had given up. You couldn’t find one functional dual carriage road in Benin City. There was no one road in Benin City with street light, there was not any one public school that you could truly describe as a school.

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ur children were sitting on bare floor and even at that, they did not have enough bare floor to sit. I have visited a couple of schools where the teachers showed me how they were alternating in a classroom; where you have primary one at the side of a classroom, you have primary two in another side of the classroom and the teachers alternated. Even at that, the classroom had no roof and pupils were sitting often on bricks. In some other situations, they were sitting on the floor with potholes; across the length and breadth of Edo State, the story was the same.

The picture you have painted seems very correct; three and half years down the line, some people are still saying that Edo people have not departed from the misrule of the past and they categorized your administration along side the previous administrations.

Why is it that you are seeking a second term, if as they say, nothing has been done?

Unless you are living in the bedroom of one of the political parties especially, the one that presided over the liquidation of Edo state; it is only people like that can speak the way you have spoken. I mean, the fact is that even on your way to this premises, you find that the Akpakpava road that links to this premises with those funny roundabouts that they used to have there, is now six lanes and we now have streetlights all the way from Oba Ovonramwen Square through Akpakpava, through Ikpoba River and all the way to NNPC. So, how could you say that nothing has changed?

You don’t have to approach it that way, except if you are taking the PDP point of view as the people’s point which is a gross mistake. It is also not a secret that we can show you effortlessly, in every ward, in every local government beautiful schools that were built; so beautiful that very ordinary people refer to them as Universities. I am talking of primary schools; even children were able to point out the difference between the blackboard that was used and

Continues on page 42

42—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

Continued from page 41 the whiteboard that we now have in all our primary schools.

In Esan land, a young man said the schools under the PDP were like where goats sleep and described the new ones we built like America and people asked; have you been to America? He said he saw it from watching movies.

So, where are you coming from?

Along the length and breadth of Edo State, we have registered our presence and if you want me to enumerate the work that I have done, I will mention a few. In Sapele road, it is now six lanes. There was no one six lane anywhere in Edo State. I am sure you know that the road is complete with street lights. Edo people have never seen a thing like that before. On Airport road, six lanes are under construction and would be completed over the next few months. n Sokponba road, the dual carriage way is now complete with street lights. On Oba market road, if you are familiar with Benin in the evening, if you are not able-bodied, you would avoid that area because it was completely taken over by thugs and extortionists. Today, we have cleaned up the place and it is complete with six lanes and streetlights.

Siloko road was completely impassable. That area was completely abandoned and now it is six lanes from the end of Oba market down Siloko road. As we speak, the second phase of Siloko road that will be leading through the Teachers’ House with six lanes is being done. We are working on a major drainage that would de-flood the entire flood in Ugbowo through Uselu down to Ogba River. It will also de-flood all their adjoining streets.

I told you earlier of what people in Benin refer to as the Tomline River, they call it the Tomline River because when it rains under five minutes, even with your height, you can’t pass there even if you are using an SUV car, and this is a fact very well known to Edo people. Today, we have not only de-flooded Edo by constructing major drainages, we are building additional four lanes; two on each side of the road to make it an eight lane road right from around the University of Benin down through Adolor, the traditional ground and to connect to Dawson road, to New Lagos road.

If you are talking about new Lagos road, it is now six lanes.

Although it is a federal road but that road was abandoned for several years. We have rebuilt it to six lanes and complete with streetlights. As

Oshiomhole

Why I seek a second term as governor —Oshiomhole against what the federal government is doing on that road; patching and resurfacing the old dual carriage road, we have added additional two lanes; one on each side of the road to make it six lanes. We have concluded our part of it but the federal government is still struggling to resurface the road. Where a PDP leader, Dr. Samuel O. Ogbemudia lives, we have about twelve roads there. Even Dr. Ogbemudia told me he was being

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dump site and as a measure for controlling erosion. But to me, it was crazy. Today, we have cleared it up and about nine roads there have now been renamed after Gani Fawehinmi. Each of those streets is complete with street lights, drainages and walkways. I mean we can go on and on.

Go to the Stadium road, before now, it was impassable.

We have done the road with drainage and walkway but ask

In Esan land, a young man said the schools under the PDP were like where goats sleep and described the new ones we built like America and people asked; have you been to America? He said he saw it from watching movies.

persuaded to abandon that area because a lot of his neighbours had left on account of flooding over the past 25 years, that area had been completely abandoned.

We have reconstructed over 10 roads in that area and they are complete with walkways and streetlights. It was the one commissioned by General Gowon just few weeks ago.

For Costain/Isonorho road, this was an official dump site.

The ministry of health told me that they had to convert it to

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the people who live around Second Circular road perhaps the Baptist Church, for 30 years, they could not access that neighbourhood. We have to rebuild it, and it is complete with walkway and drainage and the people there are ever grateful.

In Edo Central, the late Au gustus Aikhomu phoned me before he died and he was informed that we were constructing the road from Irrua-Usugbenu-Ugbegun-

Ebudin-Ujiogba, that was a project that for 35 years, the people had been doing petitions to successive governments including one that was led by Edo prominent sons and daughters. Nobody gave that area any attention.

But today, we have achieved that. We are taking the road down to other communities from Igueben-EwohimiEwato-Ohordua Road and the people there told me that they have never seen a road as beautiful as that. That has been completed.

We have built a complete new hospital at Ewohimi and that is a Hospital after 30 years that successive governments kept playing politics with.

Then from there, you go to Uromi and from Uromi down to Ugboha. One of those roads we constructed in this part of Esan is one of the first roads that were awarded and it has since been completed with road marking.

In Edo North, Auchi now has a dual carriage connecting Auchi to Jatu and it is complete with street lights, and dual carriage way for the very first time outside Benin City.

Then you have in Owan area, this is a road that was built about 1950 connecting a number of communities that were abandoned, that road is 95% completed. The hospital there has been completed and we are building roads that connect the two Owans

between Owan West and Owan East. Before, you have to go through a roundabout to travel from One Owan to the other. As we speak, it is more than 60% completed.

In each of the 18 local government areas, we built a number of ultra modern primary schools, junior secondary schools and senior secondary schools.

In addition, we have abolished school fees in all our schools including all levies since we assumed office. Even if the previous government claimed to be implementing the Universal Basic Education, UBE, by implementing free education to primary and Junior , they were paying money for examinations, money to buy chalks, money to buy duster, they money to hire security to guide the premises and by the time you add all their contributions together, it is more than school fees. But today, we have removed all of that.

Edo State Government has introduced centralized examination in our primary and in our junior secondary schools and Edo State government pays for the examination of the students.

So, education is truly free at primary and junior secondary school levels.

I n addition, January this year, we abolished every fees in our senor secondary schools those fees that were introduced by the previous government over the past 10 years. We now can talk in Edo State of truly free, compulsory and qualitative basic education through our primary school, junior secondary schools and senior secondary schools and our children are now talking about using marker on a white board instead of chalk.

In addition, when you talk of one man, one vote, in Idia College, the pupils are now excited that in one of the schools, they can now see one man, one vote in policy which means that for them as children and pupils can now boast of one child, one desk, one pupil, one desk.

In the past, they lumped five, six children on a bench and this was in those primary schools or the high profile schools. You have children squeezed like Sardine on a bench and now, each of them has a desk to themselves.

In a situation where a child has a desk, we have also eliminated the possibility of exams malpractices because when you squeeze children together, they are forced to copy whether they like it or not but when your desk give space, you will have to peep before you can copy. So, the revolution going on in Edo is so loud and so clear that the blind people know it.

SATURDAY Vanguard,JUNE 23, 2012— 43

BY LUKA BINNIYAT

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April 8 th 2011 Police uncover massive bombing plots in Kaduna after bomb kills one n this day, three hours after the Kaduna State Police Command said it was aware of plans for massive violence to disrupt the presidential polls, a bomb exploded in Mahuta, a dusty, rusty overcrowded suburb, killing the handler and maiming one Mohammed, a suspected accomplice who was rushed to St. Gerald Hospital Kaduna under police cover.

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Victim of bomb blast Police, find, defuse bomb in Kaduna. he Police on this day in Kaduna found a bomb in a compound and promptly defused the explosive safely.

The bomb was discovered in the Tudun Wada house of Hon. Auwalu Ali Tafoki, a former Chairman of Kaduna South Local Area.

The discovery created panic and anxiety, making residents of the area to scamper for safety as it was believed to be capable of destroying the whole area. However, it was expertly defused by men of the Police Anti Bomb Squad without a single casualty recorded.

April 1st 2012 Bomb kills lone bomber in Kaduna A lone man suspected to be making improvised bombs was this day killed by an explosion at Unguwan Muazu area of Kaduna, said Kaduna State Police Spokesman, Deputy Superintendent of police(DSP) Aminu Lawal in a telephone interview with Vanguard. ” The explosion happened at Unguwan Muazu and killed a lone person we suspect to be making explosives. And we mobilized our Anti Bomb squad men in the area. I can tell you based on the report I got from the place that one person died. This was around 7pm this evening”, he said.

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Kaduna bomb violence:

How last Sunday became the evil day

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he three bomb explosions that hit two Churches in Zaria and another in Kaduna last Sunday, leading to the death of 17 persons and injuries to at least 90 others have been long expected several times in Kaduna State in the past.

That by implication meant that the spiralling violence that ensued had only been deferred, as last Sunday marked the successful detonation of a bomb in a Church in Kaduna state.

On January 8th this year, a Hilux car forced its way into the premises of the Living Church, Barnawa. When the vehicle was about to be subjected to a search, the man drove away but the vehicle and the bomb were later arrested.

Then last Easter Sunday, the sanctity of the holy day was defiled as a car with a lone occupant exploded by the busy Sardauna Crescent Junction, Kaduna, killing not less than 20 people on the spot and making mince meat of the bomber. Sixteen people later died after less than two hours at various hospitals they were rushed to in Kaduna.

Five minutes earlier, the car had approached the 1st ECWA Goodnews, on Gwari Road close to the scene of the incident, but the desperate move by the driver to force his way through a blockade was frustrated by the Police, according to information made available to the press.

Most of the victims were Hausa Muslims, artisans, petty traders and commercial motorcycle riders though a small number of Christians were affected.

That Easter Sunday mayhem which was averted was however effected last Sunday and Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the bombings.

Below is a summary of the grim incidences of bombs since the violence began April last year after the presidential election result was announced .

The sanctity of the holy day was defiled as a car with a lone occupant exploded by the busy Sardauna Crescent Junction, Kaduna killing not less than 20 people on the spot

The police said it found over 100 strands of dynamites loaded in three sacks in the home of the arrested bomber.

17th April 2011 Police arrest four foreigners after two bomb blasts. he Kaduna State Police Command this day paraded four arrested foreigners and a suspected Nigerian accomplice after two bombs exploded the previous night at an interval of two hours, injuring eight and destroying some structures.

According to the then Kaduna State Police Commissioner, Mr. John Haruna (now deceased), the second explosion which took place near the high profile public gathering place around 10:30 pm that night at Magajin Gari Sharia Court, was a powerful bomb that could have killed hundreds if it had been detonated at a busy hour.

22 April 2011 Bomb-making factory uncovered after blast kills one. he Kaduna state Police Command on this day took newsmen to a bombmaking shop it had uncovered at the Rafin Guza

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area of Kaduna metropolis.

The Police also displayed recovered arms from the shop. Late Haruna John had said eight persons were arrested, three of whom were critically injured during the blast which occurred at about 6.00pm the previous day.

June 11th, 2011 Police find bomb at Gonin Gora market olice Anti Bomb Disposal Squad on this day discovered and detonated a live bomb in a market place in Gonin Gora area of Kaduna metropolis at about 11 am.

Kaduna state Police Spokesperson, DSP Aminu Lawan said, “it is an explosive object discovered by the people and they quickly alerted us and we were able to move to the scene, recovered and defused the object immediately”.

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June 13th, 2011 Bomb found at NNPC quarters he Police on this day recovered an explosive leading into the NNPC staff quarters at Narayi, Kaduna.

“Our men were alerted about

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the presence of an explosive around 4am by the security man”, said Kaduna State Police Command spokesman, DSP Amuni Lawal.

“We quickly mobilised our team and decommissioned the bomb. We are investigating the matter”, he said.

14th June 2011 Strategically placed bomb found near school. n this day, a bomb, strategically placed under a bridge near a high profile private secondary school which, if exploded, could have cut off Southern part of Kaduna metropolises from its North, was discovered by the Police.

The bomb was planted on a rail track near an overhead bridge behind Dambo International School around Barnawa GRA in the heart of Kaduna city.

The Police Officer in charge of the police anti-bomb squad, DSP Patrick David Effiong who spoke at the scene of the discovery said, “the explosives are capable of causing massive destruction of the rails into fragments and buildings and cutting off the bridge” December 6th, 2011 Bomb explosion kills 8 shattering explosion in the heart of Kaduna metropolis in the morning rush hours brought down a block of shops and apartments, which promptly went under smouldering flames leading to the agonising death of eight people.

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February 7 th , 2012

April 8th Suicide bomber kills 36, injures 13 in Kaduna. uicide bomber ’s car laden with a bomb accidentally exploded at Sardauna Cresecent junction, Kaduna after he failed to gain entrance into the 1 st ECWA Goodnews Church, on Gwari Road, not far from the point of the incident.

At least, 36 people, mostly Hausa Muslims were maimed to death.

The explosion dug a crater about two feet deep and five feet in radius . The impact mangled the roof of the Fina White Hotel, bringing down the ceilings and badly cracking the 10 room hotel to its foundation.

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44—SATURDAY Vanguard,JUNE 23, 2012

How Police Corporal was burnt by oil pipeline fire and abandoned by his employers

BY VINCENT UJUMADU, Awka

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Corporal Oshogbo Onyeisi...after the burn

Corporal Oshogbo Onyeisi...before the burn vandals set us ablaze in our vehicle and though some of my colleagues died, I survived, but burnt beyond recognition.

“I was first rushed to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, UBTH, in Benin City by officials of NNPC where I was on admission for six months and another one month at the NNPC Clinic in Benin City, after which I was discharged and asked to go to Police Clinic.

“After a long search, I could

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HEN, on May 20, 2010, Police Corpo ral Oshogbo Onyeisi attached to the 29 Police Mobile Force, PMF, Awka, received a directive to report at Asaba, Delta State along with 13 other policemen for a special duty at the highly volatile oil rich area of Niger Delta to protect the oil pipelines against vandals, little did he know that the national assignment would lead to his permanent disability. Though his heart must have skipped a bit because of daring activities of the pipeline vandals over the years who are always ready to terminate the life of anybody that stood on their way against feeding illegally on the nation’s oil resources and disrupting oil installations, Onyeisi, who hails from Agbor in Ika North East local government area of Delta State, had no choice than to obey his superior police officers who assigned the duty to him and his colleagues.

Today, Onyeisi, a father of four whose ages range from 12 to five years, is on the streets begging for assistance to enable him treat himself, having been virtually abandoned by both the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, after pipeline vandals set fire on his team during which he suffered first degree burns that had incapacitated him.

Though he managed to survive after being admitted in hospital for seven months following severe burns in the hands of the vandals who attacked them while on duty, the police corporal is presently a shadow of himself.

Narrating his pathetic story to Saturday Vanguard in company of his wife, Joy, Onyeisi said: “I was nominated for the special duty against oil pipeline anti vandalism in Warri along with my colleagues. On September 2nd, 2010, following the consistent tampering and bursting of the pipelines by the vandals, we launched a heavy attack on them at Oghara. In the process, the

lowance that accrued to me for the period I was on the special duty before the incident.

“Since my discharge from hospital, I have been facing serious problems. I can hardly sleep due to the effect of the burns and I can hardly see now because the fire affected my two eyes. To save my life, I have had to sell almost all my property, including my family’s land and my wife had also sold the provision store busi-

We launched a heavy attack on them at Oghara. In the process, the vandals set us ablaze in our vehicle and though some of my colleagues died, I survived, but burnt beyond recognition

not find any Police Clinic and since then, I have been left to cater for myself as the police and NNPC appear to have gotten tired of me.

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ollowing several letters written to the NNPC by a lawyer who has volunteered to assist me, the area manager of Pipeline Products Marketing Company, an arm of NNPC, which we worked for, invited us for a meeting during which I was told that NNPC would pay me N250,000 which was the al-

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ness she was managing before my accident, just to raise money for me to continue the treatment.”

On Onyeisi’s discharge from UBTH, the consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. F.O Ijekeye who treated him confirmed that the police officer could no longer handle gun. In a letter dated 1st June, 2011 which which he gave to Onyeisi, Ijekeye wrote: “The above –named person was treated in this hospital under the plastic and reconstructive surgery unit for

major burns following a pipeline explosion at Oghara on 2nd September, 2010.

“He underwent several surgical procedures and was successfully discharged from hospital on the 26th February, 2011 with residual deformities of both hands which hinder functions, such as operating a gun.

“You may wish to consider reassigning him to more sedentary duties while arrangements are being made for further reconstructive surgeries.”

However, rather than arrange for Onyeisi’s further treatment, the police decided to transfer him from Anambra to Ondo State in his present condition.

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hough he had appealed against the transfer, pleading that he be allowed to remain in Anambra in view of his condition, his employers appear not to be favourably disposed to consider his request. In the appeal letter he addressed to the Inspector General of Police dated July 9, 2011, through the Commissioner of Police in charge of welfare at the Force Headquarters, Onyeisi said he preferred to remain in Anambra so as to be close to his family since it would be difficult for him to fend himself. Rather than consider his request, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State merely granted him sick leave.

Onyeisi’s wife, Joy, in a passionate appeal, urged the police and the NNPC not to allow her husband die. Amidst tears, she told Saturday Vanguard that the burden of going from place to place to look for money to save her husband was affecting her physically

and mentally. She said: “I want them to assist my husband. He needs to be treated abroad so that he can still use his hands.

For now, I bath and feed him.

He is feeling so much pains and we are always having sleepless nights because I have to be dabbing his body with water every 30 minutes to reduce the heat on him. He can’t even stand for more than 30 minutes. All the money we have is finished and our house rent is already due for payment.”

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eantime, Onyeisi is demanding a compensation of N20 million as damages and to enable him treat himself properly. His lawyer, Mr. Samuel Nwosu from the Chambers of Igu, Ogbuka and Associates, Awka has already written the NNPC on the matter. In the letter, Nwosu said his client was worried at the manner his case was being handled by the corporation he was working for before the incident, adding that the case needed to be treated with the seriousness and urgency it deserved. He threatened a court action if NNPC did not give the matter the attention it deserved.

Though the litigation, arbitration and property law department of NNPC had replied to the letter, saying it had requested the PPMC to provide it with the full background facts on the issue to enable it respond, Onyeisi said he was taken aback when officials of PPMC told him that no further financial commitment would be made outside the N250,000 allowance he was paid.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012 — 45

46 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012 — 47

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50— Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012

Corruption on fiery rampage Continued from page 12 man of PDP, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor was charged with N2.36 billion fraud, for allegedly conniving with others to float fictitious companies while in office as Minister of State for Special Duties.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole was alleged to have looted N9 billion purportedly spent on cars and miscellaneous items.

His predecessor in office, Mrs. Patricia Etteh, was removed as Speaker over alleged impropriety in contract award for renovation of official residence.

Some high profile cases on corruption filed by the EFCC include those of Mr. Boni Haruna, ex-governor of Adamawa State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, ex-governor Oyo State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, ex-governor of Sokoto State, Chief Femi FaniKayode ex-minister, Aviation, Dr. Babalola Borishade, ex-minister Education, later Aviation, chief michael Botmang, former governor, Plateau State, Senator Nicholas Ugbane, Mr. Elumelu and others in N5.2 billion REA contract, Alhaji Abdulahi

z Lucky Igbinedion

Adamu, ex-governor, Nassarawa State.

Chief Bode George, a former military governor, ex-national chairman (West) PDP and former Chairman of NPA was convicted for corruption.

Two-term governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion was also convicted for corruption while his Delta State counterpart is cooling down in a British jail for corrupt practices and money laundering.

Former governor of Bayelsa state, Chief Alamaseigha was the first to be jailed for corruption in the country.

Several other governors who left office, some of them even elected into

z Bode

George

the senate are still facing charges for corrupt enrichment.

There are several high ranking politicians across the country including exministers, legislators, council chairmen, bank chief executives, who have cases to answer bordering on corruption.

The nation is contending with the pension fraud in which top government officials swindled or stole pension money to the tune of about N273 billion.

There was the power project whereby some prominent persons helped themselves to the tune of $16 billion fraudulently without supplying any equipment or con-

structing power plants anywhere. Nobody has been charged for such massive embezzlement of public fund.

No wonder that the United States has dismissed Nigeria’s war against corruption, saying that “massive widespread and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security forces.”

According to its 2011 Country Reports on Human rights Practices submitted to Congress by Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, while acknowledging that the law provides criminal penalties for official corruption; however, the government did not implement the law effectively as officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. The report didn’t mince words, saying: “Public officials including the President, Vice President, governors, deputy governors, cabinet ministers and legislators (at both federal and state levels) must comply with financial disclosure laws, including the requirement to declare their assets before assuming and after leaving office.

Violators risked prosecution, but cases rarely came to conclusion.”

The judiciary was not spared either: “There was a widespread perception that judges were easily bribed and that litigants

couldnot rely on the courts to render impartial judgements. Citizens encountered long delays and alleged requests from judicial officers for bribes to expedite cases or obtain favourable rulings.” It is no longer a secret that the same people who stole

public funds mostly end up as governors, minsters, senators, members of the House of Representatives and even ambassadors to foreign countries, because after leaving political office, they are sent abroad as ambassadors.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012 — 49

C M Y K

50— Vanguard, SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012

Corruption on fiery rampage Continued from page 12 man of PDP, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor was charged with N2.36 billion fraud, for allegedly conniving with others to float fictitious companies while in office as Minister of State for Special Duties.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole was alleged to have looted N9 billion purportedly spent on cars and miscellaneous items.

His predecessor in office, Mrs. Patricia Etteh, was removed as Speaker over alleged impropriety in contract award for renovation of official residence.

Some high profile cases on corruption filed by the EFCC include those of Mr. Boni Haruna, ex-governor of Adamawa State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, ex-governor Oyo State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, ex-governor of Sokoto State, Chief Femi FaniKayode ex-minister, Aviation, Dr. Babalola Borishade, ex-minister Education, later Aviation, chief michael Botmang, former governor, Plateau State, Senator Nicholas Ugbane, Mr. Elumelu and others in N5.2 billion REA contract, Alhaji Abdulahi

z Lucky Igbinedion

Adamu, ex-governor, Nassarawa State.

Chief Bode George, a former military governor, ex-national chairman (West) PDP and former Chairman of NPA was convicted for corruption.

Two-term governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion was also convicted for corruption while his Delta State counterpart is cooling down in a British jail for corrupt practices and money laundering.

Former governor of Bayelsa state, Chief Alamaseigha was the first to be jailed for corruption in the country.

Several other governors who left office, some of them even elected into

z Bode

George

the senate are still facing charges for corrupt enrichment.

There are several high ranking politicians across the country including exministers, legislators, council chairmen, bank chief executives, who have cases to answer bordering on corruption.

The nation is contending with the pension fraud in which top government officials swindled or stole pension money to the tune of about N273 billion.

There was the power project whereby some prominent persons helped themselves to the tune of $16 billion fraudulently without supplying any equipment or con-

structing power plants anywhere. Nobody has been charged for such massive embezzlement of public fund.

No wonder that the United States has dismissed Nigeria’s war against corruption, saying that “massive widespread and pervasive corruption affected all levels of government and the security forces.”

According to its 2011 Country Reports on Human rights Practices submitted to Congress by Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, while acknowledging that the law provides criminal penalties for official corruption; however, the government did not implement the law effectively as officials frequently engaged in corrupt practices with impunity. The report didn’t mince words, saying: “Public officials including the President, Vice President, governors, deputy governors, cabinet ministers and legislators (at both federal and state levels) must comply with financial disclosure laws, including the requirement to declare their assets before assuming and after leaving office.

Violators risked prosecution, but cases rarely came to conclusion.”

The judiciary was not spared either: “There was a widespread perception that judges were easily bribed and that litigants

couldnot rely on the courts to render impartial judgements. Citizens encountered long delays and alleged requests from judicial officers for bribes to expedite cases or obtain favourable rulings.” It is no longer a secret that the same people who stole

public funds mostly end up as governors, minsters, senators, members of the House of Representatives and even ambassadors to foreign countries, because after leaving political office, they are sent abroad as ambassadors.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012—51

El Rufai- a reflection on a typical public servant when the sirens are silent

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hat a fowl can not have, it scatters. This adage describes a typical Nigerian political opportunist. The adage is a perfect turban for Mallam Nasir El Rufai as a model. When he was a beautiful bride of the People’s Democratic Party, everything about government and governance was perfect and he eloquently defended everything that transpired. As soon as he lost the privileges and pecks, he became a cynic who sees nothing good in any party outside his own. His new party has become the epitome of perfection, no matter what headlines grace the front pages.

This is typical of all the people who never had to work as hard for a living as the rest of us. All their energies are channelled on getting through the door into the corridors of power by any means necessary. The people and their needs do not feature in their arithmetic once they are through that golden door.

In the case of El Rufai, as minister of the federal capital territory, our encounters with him were in the forms of sneering caterpillars roaring towards our make-shifts homes to drive us into deeper groves of misery and despair. They need to chase wretchedness out of their sights to lighten the weight on their conscience; To beautify their environment with no alternative for the victims of their actions. Nothing new, or atypical about this.

My anger erupts when they fall out with their peers and try to make fall guys out of us on their way back to relevance. The vendors they could not bear to see on the streets are now expected to circulate their propaganda.

They suddenly want to morph into heroes simply by insulting those they used to wine and dine with. They feign amnesia and try to Instigate mass hysteria with facts and figures hewn out of bitterness. They fly to all the fora in sights, grant interviews they used to shy away from and transform into columnists as if enough caustic turn of phrases could bestow the pan-African heroism of a Wole Soyinka on them.

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ll the heroes of our national as pirations, from Anthony Enahoro, Aminu Kano to the least known of the unsung heroes of June 12 did not earn our trust and fellowship because they could do somersaults but because they were consistent and true to us. Not their craftiness with words but the purity of their conscience turned their words to gold in our hearts. To assume that an entire nation is gullible and easy to rail-road into a frenzy which may be ridden back to the golden fleece is a laughable fallacy. Surely, you can fool some people sometimes but you can not fool 160 million people all the time.

Pray, who does not know that there were urchins with bowls and dirty clothes when Mallam Nasir el Rufai was ‘governor ’ of Federal Capital Territory? Who can remember any pontifications about educating them or any empowerment programmes that he

proposed for them? I do not mind advertising my ignorance here. Let anyone who can remember his road map for their redemption when he was in office, please educate me.

I dared to hope, given Mallam Nasir El Rufai’s Havard erudition and the much advertised intelligence of the man, that the immerse responsibility of writing a column for public consumption could avail him the courage to write with good conscience, objectively without partisan impediments. He was quick to disappoint.

Going back in time and looking up much of what the man has been quoted for since he first came into prominence, you are confronted by contradictions beyond comprehension, presumptions, frivolities, insensitivities and delirium.

On the soap box, we can afford to laugh at several of his controversycourting antics but in a column, it is

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By Aoiri Obaigbo

which saw billions of our money go down the drain in mismanagement.

Ten thousand front page columns cannot shield him nor restore his moral authority to castigate anyone about mismanagement.

To err is human says the maxim but consider the indelible defence of that scandal at the Federal House of Assembly by Mallam Nasir el Rufai, then a public servant and still serving the public as columnist and would-be political aspirant:

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have no regrets whatsoever and I owe no one any apology over the Pentascope management contract agreement. I did my best and took the best decisions among all available options then…We took risks hoping for the best and mind you, we did not have a choice between black and white but between shades of grey. It was based on trial and error”. (Thisday Online,

Who does not know that there were urchins with bowls and dirty clothes when Malam Nasir el Rufai was ‘governor’ of Federal Capital Territory? Who can remember any pontifications about educating them or any empowerment programmes that he proposed for them? I do not mind advertising my ignorance here

insulting to expect us to believe that corruption was invented by PDP, that it was invented after he left the party, or more comfortably for him, was invented by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

I maintain that politicians are given to mendacity . I do not see one bad party and the other good ones trying to replace them because this illusion does not stand up in the face of reality.

I do not even attempt to measure their level of evil in comparison to one another. Just when you pin a badge of integrity on one of them, then you suddenly find them in questionable headlines.

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here must be a couple of decent people among them whom the others are desperately hiding behind or trying to seduce. It is safer to ignore their accusations and counter accusations and focus on their performance at whatever level they served. For instance, Governors Rotimi Amaechi, Babatunde Fashola, Godswill Akpabio and Adams Oshiomole have done well in their states but they belong to different parties. Some horrific examples also come from these parties.

As to what people say when they need to convince us, we must demand that they are consistent in letters and in spirit. So each time I hear El Rufai waxing lyrics about corruption and mal-administration, I see a man hiding behind his pen. It contradict the fact that he was the chef of the preposterous Pentascope scandal

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March 04, 2005).

For me, these words paint a picture of a Neo- Feudal lord, who is more concerned with his ego and with power than the good of the people. I believe that a public serving technocrat without the capability for remorse should be ignored when he is peddling notions of public service because service without humility is unacceptable.

His columns, interviews and his posturing contradict the things he justified when he was in office, the things he should have said when he was influential and even some of his actions.

I am concerned with the words published on this issue. El Rufai himself wrote that he saw nothing wrong with it. He wrote in his usual super intelligent manner that his wives were Nigerians like other applicants. Is this comedy or tragedy for our nation that the most intelligent man in Nigeria does not know that there is something morally reprehensible about favouritism. Nor that favouritism is corruption. His column will hold that strongly against anyone else.

When Nasir is not making light of serious moral issues or disparaging the court, he courts controversies that have no beneficial dividend. I have mentioned the hapless children of the talakawa in the north before. They are still economically disadvantaged, educationally disadvantaged and socially emasculated. 33 years of northern leadership did little to

emancipate them from their unfavourable condition of existence.

Mallam Aminu Kano was perhaps their last true champion. This truth is begging to be written by a respected someone of influence. The youths from the north look up to people like El Rufai, former minister-now-opinionmerchant. But the good Mallam is more interested in declaring Anambra the poorest state in Nigeria and teach Governor Obi how to run his state. I dare say that the burden of writing a column, or rebuilding his career through disinformation, is wearing out the scant goodwill left to be squandered.

Could it be mischief that fuels Nasir’s disconcerting comic persona? Could it be just the love of his own voice or wit?

I want to suggest that it is the fear of obscurity because no one wilfully negates his own words like a man that dreads silence.

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ere is evidence from his own lips. Nasir el Rufai claims that his party should be occupants of Aso Rock but for PDP’s rigging. Just when he is sounding consistent in that constant assertion, a question about his plan for 2015 brings out a revealing contradiction.

According to the former minister “I cannot predict with any degree of accuracy what can happen in politics within a few years from now. My priority right now is to rebuild the CPC. To rebuild it into a national party though mergers with existing opposition parties and so on and my hope is that if I am able to lead that and create a new national platform to challenge the PDP and get the PDP out of office, I will be a very happy man whether I am in government or not.”

Here is admission that his party is not a national party yet and his obsession with getting PDP out of office in one breath.

Question: how can a regional party win a national election?

However, a rabble raiser will always go beyond self- Immolation to controversy that raise extreme questions: “All this talk about 2015 in my opinion is a distraction; on at least three grouses. First the way the country is going, I am not even sure we will get to 2015 unless those in power change their strategy and make progress we would not get to 2015. This is my honest feeling.”

Read his mind: Nigeria may not get to 2015 because El Rufai has lost the privilege of re-allocating choice plots.

I started out saying there was nothing atypical about these back-flips for a model out of the radar politician but few of them would jest with carnage and terrorism.

Hundreds of Nigerians have died as a result of the Boko Haram scourge.

All men with conscience are worried for the soul of our nation but ERufai can not mask his insensitivity by playing the court jester with an unresolved tragedy. He told BBC that Goodluck Jonathan is the one blowing up churches and murdering policemen to distract people.

Haba, aboki.

52 — SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

Many challenges of haulage business in Nigeria —Onyekaba hief Offor Maka Onyekaba is the CEO, Greenlight Motors (Nig) Ltd. and Stonebase Construction and Engineering Company Ltd. In this interview with Saturday Vanguard Business, he reveals factors responsible for the non performance of haulage business and the entire public sector in Nigeria. Excerpts: What is your company doing and how does it benefit the country?

First and foremost, I thank God that the company is grown and still growing. We have been in operation for 27 years now. We have reduced the rate of unemployment in the country by giving job to many applicants in town.

The company is into haulage and transport business. But before that, I started with supply business. When I saw that the business was rapidly growing, I established an engineering construction company called Stonebase Construction and Engineering Ltd. In this company, we major on road construction.

Why are you into haulage business?

I went into haulage business because it’s an important sector of the economy and I want to make an impact in the transport industry. Again the transport business in Nigeria is high and we need to reduce the cost of haulage in the country because the more you acquire the vehicles for the business, the more the prices are reduced. That is why we are into it.

And the type of haulage we are into is cargo.

How profitable is haulage business in Nigeria if properly done?

Initially, haulage is a business that if properly managed well, you can make some profit from it.

But these days it’s difficult to make profit because of economic challenges associated with Nigerian business environment. The condition of our roads deadly to convey goods from one state to another. Government policies that are not enduring is another challenge to private sector. As a matter of fact private sector business is dying everyday in Nigeria.

Another thing that is killing business in town today is for instance, somebody you see today, he would go into government, tomorrow he has become a billionaire because of corruption in the government system. Today if you employ workers, they don’t do well in service because their psychology is to make money quickly. They don’t think of hard work before they reap. For we employers, you must put in 70 - 80% of your time before your business can grow and that is a bad omen to Nigeria. That is why it’s difficult to make profit these days. If you are not there you can’t see anything to save and you are in trouble. See the cost of diesel coupled with bad road networking.

We replace vehicle tyres at random with huge amount of money. That is why there is no profit in haulage business now. But we don’t have choice but to continue.

With your experience in the haulage business, which area do you need government intervention?

If not that this country is something else, people like us that are creating jobs in the labour market should not be left out, honestly speaking if things are done well. Government should assist us in order for private sector to move forward. We’re facing a lot of challenges in business. These days the type of diesel we are buying is very black, the real one we don’t see to buy and these black ones are damaging our vehicles for business. And government allows them to sell it in our filling stations. In Nigeria today, fake spare parts have taken over the system and Nigeria is becoming a dumping ground for all sort of rubbish from overseas and nobody checkmates them. For instance, buy a spare part and fix in your vehicle before a kilometre drive that one is gone.

Government should restrict countries using Nigeria as a dumping ground. As it is now government should empower private sector with the necessary fa-

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Onyekaba: Business in Nigeria needs government support to succeed.

cilities that would help build our companies because government cannot give job to every citizen looking for employment. It’s the private sector that helps government to employ people.

One of the challenges in this country from local government to federal level, there is placement of priorities, we don’t give honour to whom honour is due. What I’m saying is, when government is giving appointment to ministers, let it be given to people according to their area of calling so that they would not lead the country into trouble like we are seeing

Government should restrict countries using Nigeria as a dumping ground

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Marine Platforms bags NIS ISO 9001:2008 certification

By Jude Njoku

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essrs Marine Platforms Limited has joined the league of companies with the NIS ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management System Standard certification. Presenting the certificate to the management of the company in Lagos on Tuesday, the Director-General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, SON, Dr. Joseph Odumodu lauded the company for what he described as an excellent milestone achievement.

“This is a giant stride in the pursuit of excellence to provide quality services and to remain relevant in today’s highly competitive market. Achieving ISO 9001 management system certification is a demonstration of your conformity of management systems to internationally accepted standard requirements and ability to get it right the first time and all the time,” he said.

Stressing the relevance of quality and continual improvement in the current competitive market environment that focuses on customer satisfaction, Dr Odumodu said the NIS ISO 9001:2008 quality management system framework provides a globally recognised and acceptable solution to the challenges associated with quality management.

The SON DG enjoined Marine Platforms

Limited to keep its system healthy and up to date in order to reap the enormous benefits of ISO 9001 approach to management.

He explained that the company’s system will be be placed on six monthly surveillance audits to ensure continuing suitability and effectiveness of the implementation of the quality management system. “This will be sustained for a period of three years. In the course of the audit exercises and where non-conformance is observed and effective correction and corrective actions are taken within the specified time frame, the system will retain the certificate. However, the certificate shall be withdrawn if the structures in place for certification break down and necessary corrections and corrective actions are not taken on observed non-conformance,” he warned.

The CEO of Marine Platforms, Mr. Taofik Adegbite said the company which which is one of the major players in the oil and gas sector, will continue to strive for higher levels of attainment.

today in Nigeria way of appointing ministers, commissioners in government. For instance, why will a doctor be given the position of Petroleum minister and things like that. How can the country progress with things like that.

How have your company been able to help in reducing unemployment in the country?

I tell you, by now I am supposed to have more than one thousand staff if things were favourable. But you can’t keep employing people when business is not maximizing profit to pay salaries. We are capable of providing 2000 jobs for more Nigerians if government can support us by playing its own roles. For instance, my other company is into road construction and we have our equipment for construction but they will not give you contract rather they channel the contracts to their girlfriends, family members and well-wishers who don’t have a shovel nor any experience on road construction. Then these people will now call us to sublet the contract. Is it the way to do things in a developing country. They don’t see the need for using experts who can do a thorough job for the country.

Even the one they will give you they fail to provide you with resources needed for the contract.

It’s high time people began to talk on what is happening in the system so that it will not affect our future generation.

Major challenges facing haulage business in the country, and your construction company?

One of the challenges before now was police road blocks that was removed by the present IG. We thank the government for that.

Another major challenge of haulage business in this country is fake spare parts in the Nigerian market. It is another killer of business, you hardly can see original spares. Government should come to our rescue so that business can stand and when it stands we can employ more people. Some of the youths smocking Indian hemp today are doing so to ease themselves from the pressure of unemployment, they need help and it is only when government assists private sector we can remove them from the streets and give them employment.

A lot of things are going wrong in this country, government should sit up and act.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012 — 53

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54—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

Sunshine will bounce back - Idoko

BY IME BASSEY

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ENERAL Manager of Sunshine Stars, Mike Idoko has said that the Akure side will return to winning ways and end the season on a high note.

Making this known to Inside Out Premier League after their goalless draw with visiting Shooting Stars of Ibadan at the Dipo Dina Stadium in Ijebu-Ode, Idoko said the result of the derby doesn't reflect the making of his team.

“We are seriously getting the team into shape as it were last season. We couldn’t sharpen things well at the commencement of the season given the limited time allowed for preparation, but I know we will not fail in ending the season in a high note.

“I don’t expect teams to judge us with this result.

The game lived up to its billings bearing in mind it being a local derby of South West teams. In the reverse fixture in Ibadan, it ended in a score draw

implying that both side are strong. More so, we didn’t underrate them because we know if we do, it will be at our own peril,” Idoko said.

NPL teams jostle for NNL top scorer

BY IME BASSEY

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IGERIAN National League top scorer, Saviour Fidelis has revealed that is being touted by top Premier League teams.

The Taraba United goal poacher who scored 12 goals in the just concluded National League after joining from Ranchers Bees at the mid-season break said he is yet to decide his next move but waiting for directions from his manager.

“Following my

performance in the just concluded National League season, many clubs are jostling for my signature but I can’t make any move now because my manager travelled for some arrangement for me, so I can’t take any decision.

“I enjoyed every bit of the season with Taraba United and I have no regret joining the team. We are looking at the Federation Cup with keen interest; we want to continue our fine run of National League in Federation Cup,” Fidelis said.

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THLETICS Federation of Nigeria head coach, Innocent Egbunike has shot down suggestions that the four months training camp he ran in Atlanta USA was a squander.

Athletics enthusiasts had hinged their argument on the fact that most of the athletes who were in the camp have failed to justify their inclusion in the list of athletes that trained under Egbunike.

They pointed to athletes like Goody James, Saul Weigpoua, Bukola Abogunloko, Ogho-Oghene Egwero and Peter Emelieze who despite their stay with Egbunike have been unable to

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lift their performances, whereas local athletes who were camped in Port Harcourt came up with better performances.

But Egbunike argued that the camp was not a waste rather it enabled the athletes to earn character.

“First of all I’m not a politician. However, I must tell you that when athletes go through a different programme it takes time for them to fit in.

“It says in the scriptures that the race is not for the

swift, but to him that endures to the end.

“We had Egwero, Emelieze and Obinna Metu in the camp, but it was only Metu that was focused out of them all. The others had challenges. I had challenges keeping them in Atlanta.

But we must understand that if the athletes have not learnt to run fast, they have learnt character and that is what we need in this country,” said the former African 400m champion and current national record holder

Olympics trials: Metu dedicates victories to God, G4S •Hails Jamaican coach, Egbunike, Emedolu

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IGERIAN sprinter, Obinna Metu who completed a double in the 100m and 200m at the just concluded All Nigeria/ Cross River State Championships in Calabar has dedicated his victory to God and the global security firm, Group 4 Securicor, better known as G4S which has been sponsoring him since he came to limelight in 2008.

According to Metu, after former Nigerian sprinster, Uchenna Emedolu helped him to become champion of Nigeria, the security firm, took him up and have been responsible for his training around the world but his academic pursuit has been holding him down.

“Many people in Nigeria don’t know much about G4S whenever I mention how they have been helping me. They sponsored me to Jamaica where I BATTLE…3SC Raheem Owolabi (left) jostling for the ball with Sunshine Stars trained under coach Glen Ofmeke Ononriode in a week 8 encounter at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium in Mills and Usain Bolt for two months in December 2010.

Ibadan. The game ended 1-1.

That training helped to keep me focused,”he said.

The Enugu-born sprinter said the victory in Calabar was made possible by God as he was almost giving up This is one of the biggest problems we because of some extraneBY KATE OBODO are facing in our league today and it ous factors in the athletics S the Nigerian Premier League does not augur well for the game. circle but had to change his enters Week 28, former coach of “Statistics suggest that home mind because he rarely the the defunct Bukola Babes, now advantage in sports does exist, but not Abubakar Bukola Saraki Football Club like in Nigeria. I have witnessed many gives up.

“I don’t give up easily but (ABS), Patrick Awajah has urged the games and the officiating having been Nigerian League board to improve, terrible. It is so apparent that the I almost didn’t want to parparticularly on the aspect of home referees favour the home teams and ticipate in the trials because they drive you hard to meet teams winning matches at all cost. would want them to win at all costs, “I want to appreciate the organisers which doesn't tell well of our league. The certain standards but I of the league particularly on the referees are not well paid and there is thank God who made me continuation of league games despite no monitoring of bribery in the league. to run fast and peak in the race. My exposure under the lack of sponsors,” he said in a With these two factors, bribery is the Glen Mills and Usain Bolt phone interview. norm in the league. I'm not saying Continuing he said, “ I want to also bribery can be completely removed but really helped me,” he said say that we are still getting it wrong in a few steps here and there reduces it on phone from Calabar.

He also gave kudos to the our league games especially the win- considerably, and the beautiful game can at-all-cost syndrome by home teams. be enjoyed,” he added.

ABS coach decries non monitoring of referees' bribery

Atlanta camp not a waste, says Egbunike

national athletics coach, Innocent Egbunike whom he described as a good coach even though he was trying to cope with his (Egbunike’s) programme.

“Egbunike is a very good coach but you know he was not a sprinter but a middle distance runner. When you change from one coach to another, it tends to affect your own progranmme but I think he has been doing a good job. The Atlanta camp really allowed me to concen-

trate and relax, not like when you camp in Nigeria with all the distractions from friends and family members,”he stressed.

He said that having reclaimed his national titles and qualified for the Olympics, he would await the programme the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN has arranged for them and train well to make an impact at the London Olympics

Delta plans athletics development programme

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INGERED by the progress made by Cross River in grass-roots athletics development, Delta state is planning to run a similar programme with the aim of producing top class athletes.

Delta State Sports Commission chairman, Mr. Pinnick Amaju disclosed at the just concluded All Nigeria/Cross River Championships that plans

are underway to have a comprehensive sports development programme in the State.

“We have a lot things coming for sports development, athletics is one of them. “In Delta we have abundant talents. And we are going to set up training centres in all the senatorial districts to offer basic training to these talents,” said Mr. Amaju.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012—55

I’m not ready for marriage now — Moses •Says Keshi needs support of all

BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU

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e says he is still single, ready to mingle but not searching for any future partner, here in Nigeria or in England where he resides, so girls dreaming of hooking him up should burst the idea.

Super Eagles forward, Victor Moses who is warming himself into the heart of chief coach, Stephen Keshi told Saturday Vanguard sports in Calabar that he doesn’t have a Nigerian girlfriend since he doesn’t stay in the country but that he is also not rushing into marriage yet.

“I don’t have any Nigerian girl friend because I don’t stay in Nigeria. I am not going to rush into marriage because I’m still young and want to concentrate on playing football for now,” he said.

The Kaduna State-born player who explained that he doesn’t speak Hausa because he grew

up in England, said that he currently has an English girlfriend who has been good to him.

On what motivated him to play for the Super Eagles after featuring in age-grade competitions for England, Moses said, “I’ve always wanted to for my country of origin and I grabbed the opportunity when it presented itself,” stressing that he was enjoying the Eagles’ camp atmosphere.

“I’m enjoying the same relationship I have with my coach at Wigan with Keshi. Keshi is a good coach and he is determined to make Nigeria proud. He needs the support of everyone, they should give him the chance to build a formidable team that would go places,” he stressed.

On how he relaxes when not playing football, Moses said he stays indoors listening to R & B music while his best food is the popular fried rice and chicken

Gov Fashola lauds MTN on Street Soccer programme

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he Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, last week at the launch of the MTN Lagos Street Soccer Season 5, described the expanded MTN Lagos Street Soccer initiative as a proactive programme that envisions the future of Nigerian youths.

He made this remark in a speech delivered on his behalf at the event by the Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Mr. Wahid Enitan Oshodi. According to him, “We are extremely grateful to MTN for their unflinching support in the last five years.

MTN has done well by taking our kids off the streets and getting them engaged in sports.”

This year is very unique in the sense that MTN has expanded the programme to include female soccer talents.

“Because female soccer has become big in Africa, the Lagos State Government is excited at the opportunity given to our

female footballers.” he said.

The 2012 edition of the competition officially kicked off with a carnival-like media event put together by MTN and Lagos State Government to unveil the official ball and trophy for the competition and also set the stage for the 6-month annual game which will feature male and female teams from all the Local Government Areas.

PROUD CHAIRMAN... Delta State athletes once again proved their dominance in athletics in the country at the 66th All Nigeria Athletics Championship in Calabar during the week emerging overall winners with 12 gold medals. Her male 4x100m relay team beat the rest to grab the gold medal while the female athletes made it a clean sweep in the 100m. Chairman of the State’s Sports Council, Pinnick Amaju (middle) celebrates with the relay quartet after the race. Photo by Sylva Eleanya.

D’Tigers taste Greek, South American action for London Games

BY EDDIE AKALONU

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ational male basketball team D’Tigers are continuing the London Olympic Games qualification build up in the United States in a fournation tournament in Houston with nail-biting games against national teams of Greece, Brazil, and New Zealand from June 25-30.

The Olympic qualifiers come up July 2-8 in Caracas, against Venezuela, and Lithuania for the Group-B sole ticket to the Olympics. The team, in search of a first ever Olympic Games games appearance, had earlier successfully concluded a tour of China where they took on several top clubs like Fujian Quanzhou Bank basketball club, Shanxi Zhongyu basketball club and Shanxi Zhongyu basketball club.

Done with playing clubsides, D’Tigers took on the national team of Great Britain in the U.S, although details of results were not readily available.

The team will head to Caracas,Venezuela for the qualifiers after concluding the four-nation tourney, according to the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF, which has also described the trips as successful and revealing.

Airtel Rising Stars players praise organizers

BY IME BASSEY

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oung players par ticipating in the on-going Season 2 of the Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) U-17 tournament for boys and girls have said that the agegrade competition is a

good arrangement targeted at helping them realize their football dreams.

The players made this revelation recently during the just concluded Airtel Rising Stars Ibadan zonal championship held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium,

Ibadan, Oyo State. The Ibadan zonal championship’s best goalkeeper for female, Omole Toyin said the tournament had afforded her the opportunity to learn new things about goalkeeping, thus fast-tracking her dream to develop into a player capable of donning the national co-

Cerezo Queens’ll do better next season – TM

BY IME BASSEY

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eam Manger of Cerezo Queens, Tina Aiyenugba has admitted that her girls have done well but will do better next season.

Aiyenugba made this known to Saturday Vanguard Sports from Ilorin that the call-up of the three of the team’s star players, Olukayode

Few stakeholders give Nigeria a chance to make it to the Games giving the rich and rewarding background of both Venezuela and Lithuania in South America and the world. NBBF sources however say they are not ruling out surprises from the Nigerian team, given that the team is composed of players with experience who have vowed to bring smiles to the faces of their fellow countrymen and women.

Abosede, Faith Unnu and Mariam Abdulrasheed speaks volume of the job done by the team’s management and coaching crew.

“Our sweetest joy for the season is the call-up given to three of our players to the Super Falcons and Mariam Abdurasheed was able to make the final cut. This shows that we are really working on the right

robe,” Aiyenugba said.

On the team’s performance, the ex-international said the inexperience of her young side would be wiped out next season stressing that the present position of the team implies that the girls are learning the robes faster.

“Everything is going fine for the team according to mine assessment being that we are a very

young side. It is a bit hard to just stroll onto the top of the log in the league where there are more experience teams.

Well, I believe next season, we will get it right following the experience gathered,” Aiyenugba added.

Cerezo Queens seat 10th on the log of the Northern conference with about seven games left.

lours.

“First of all, I thank God for making me whom I am today. I also want to thank my coach and Airtel in particular for this opportunity. This ARS has exposed me to many new things about football. My dream is to develop into the kind of player that can play professional football abroad and also for the national female team,” said the 16 year-old SS1 student of Ado Grammar School, Ondo State.

Meanwhile, the stage is all set for the Lagos national final which is billed to hold first week in July, 2012. Eighteen players each for the male and female categories from eight zones are expected to woo football agents, scouts and coaches with their talents, aside from the coveted prizes, during the finals.

SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 23, 2012

Falcons won’t treat Banyana Banyana with kid gloves – Ikhana STORIES BY KATE OBODO

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aving defeated the Mighty Warriors of Zimbabwe 4-0

Today’s match Spain v France – 7.45 pm

Sunday’s match England v Italy – 7.45 pm •SWERVE... Super Eagles England import, Sone Aluko (l) swerves Claude Jean Iranzi of Rwanda during the Nations Cup qualifier at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar last Saturday. Eagles won 2-0.

Photo by Sylva Eleanya.

last Saturday in Lagos to qualify for the 2012 Africa Women’s Championship,AWC, Super Falcons coach, Kadiri Ikhana is confident his team will beat the Banyana Banyana of South Africa in an International friendly holding today at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Ikana who was delighted with the performance of his team last Saturday, said they are battle ready for today’s game, adding that the friendly will serve as a good test for the girls who are looking to defend the African title they won two years ago in South Africa.

“I am happy with the recent development in the team. I won’t say they(team) are now perfect but I know they are above average and could contend with any team in Africa. In Saturday’s (today) tie, we are not going to underrate the South Africans despite it being a friendly match.

We are going to take the match seriously as it is part of preparation for the forthcoming AWC which comes up later this year,” he said.

He added that he and other members of the technical crew would ensure that the team get better and are able to defend the AWC title by inviting more players.

“We want to get the best legs for the team ahead of the competition. Right now we have 20 new players and I assure you that within a space of time, myself and the technical crew will bring out the best in the team,” he assured.

Keshi’s new Eagles will rule Africa – Laloko F

ORMER Technical Director in the Nigeria Football Association, NFA, Kashimawo Laloko has said that the current crop of players coach Stephen Keshi is working on are capable of replicating the success of the past, if he continues the rebuilding process with more local players.

Speaking with Saturday Vanguard Sports at the closing ceremony of the maiden edition of the Nigeria Academicals Football Championship held last Sunday in Ibadan, the Technical Director of the Pepsi Football Academy in Ogun State, said the the performance of the Eagles so far shows that sooner than later, the era of foreign-based players would be over.

Laloko, who was delighted with the current form of Keshi’s new Eagles, especially their victory against Rwanda last weekend, urged him to continue in the grooming of more local players to execute his plans of qualifying the country for the 2013 Nations Cup and 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

“I am happy with the new development of the team and I see a new team that would return the country’s glory in the nearest future,” coach Laloko said, adding that “I believe if Keshi can be consistent in his quest to build a solid team from domestic players, I assure you that the era of depending on the foreign players to represent the country will soon be eradicated.”

Stressing that Nigeria could learn from the examples of Egypt, Zambia and other countries who rely

mainly on domestic players, Laloko recalled how the Eagles were a team to fear in the 1990s, saying “it was the

winning mentality in football administrators, the coach and players that gave the team the edge, especially the idea of Clemens Westerof to groom local players that won the 1994 Nations Cup. He added that “only a fatherly coach can groom teenage players into

becoming a strong team just like Keshi is doing.

He is instilling discipline and control in the local players because of the psychology involved in managing youths. I think the time has come for us to build a local team that could contend with other teams in Africa and the World. Keshi is really doing well but then Nigerians should be firm in supporting him to succeed because it won’t be all rosy”.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Across 1 Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola – (7) 5 L.G.A in Ondo State – (5) 8 African Waterbuck – (3) 9 Insect – (3) 10 Ghanaian Capital City – (5) 11 Former Lagos State Governor, Alhaji Lateef – (7) 14 Brazilian Currency – (4) 16 Solar Planet – (6) 17 L.G.A in Anambra State – (6) 20 Former independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) Chairman, Mr. Mustapha – (6) 22 Former South African “Bafana Bafana” Defender, Lucas – (6) 24 Greek God of Love – (4) 26 Former King of The Zulus – (7) 29 Major Ethnic Group in Nigeria – (5) 30 L.G.A in Taraba State – (3) 31 Number – (3) 32 State in Nigeria Known as the “Fountain of Knowledge”? – (5) 33 Former Super Eagles Winger,, Gift – (7)

Down 1 Nassarawa State Governor, Umar Tanko – (8) 2 Senator, Idah & Igalamela L.G.A Constituency, Hon. James – (8) 3 L.G.A in Anambra State – (6) 4 Lagos State Capital – (5) 5 L.G.A in Akwa-Ibom State – (4) 6 State in Nigeria Known as “The Gateway State”? – (4) 7 Musical Instrument – (4) 12 Former Kebbi State Governor, Adamu – (6) 13 Legendary Boxer, Muhammed – (3) 15 Ghana “Black Stars” player and Chelsea Midfielder, Michael – (6) 18 L.G.A in Lagos State – (8) 19 Founder, Alliance for Democracy, Chief Abraham – (8) 21 Worry – (3) 23 Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga – (6) 25 Liverpool FC Goalkeeper, Jose – (5) 26 Former Cross River State Governor, Mr. Donald – (4) 27 Manchester United Forward, Luis – (4) 28 Against – (4)

SOLUTION ON PAGE 54

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