Outrage over 2015 by Vanguard Media Limited

2 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

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2015: Outrage over Jonathan’s perceived ambition BY EMEKA MAMAH AND CHARLES KUMOLU, GABREIL ENOGHOLASE, B/ CITY, PETER DURU, MAKURDI TONY EDIKE, ENUGU

OME eminent Nigerians yesterday expressed outrage over alleged determination by President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 Presidency, saying that the President should not abandon his promise to serve one term in office. The indication that Jonathan would throw his hat into the ring was given by his political god-father and Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, who spoke in an interview to mark his 85th birthday in Abuja T h u r s d a y . Clark spoke against the backdrop of the resolution by the 19 Northern Governors’ Forum of Nigeria, NGFN, not to support any presidential candidate from the Southern part of the country in 2015. Apart from Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, individuals who spoke included a PDP member of Board of Trustees, BoT, Yahaya Kwande, Olopade Agoro, former Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa, Col Joe Achuzia, rtd, a chieftain of the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, Alhaji Isiaku Ibrahim, and a Beninbased Constitutional lawyer, Olayinka Afolabi among others. National Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nduka Eya said Jonathan promised Ndigbo that he would spend only five years in office, pointing out that if he has changed his mind to stay longer, he would meet Ohanaeze for renegotiation, since it was generally agreed that it ‘’is our turn to produce the next president after J o n a t h a n . ’ ’ However, Yahaya Kwande dared Jonathan to test his popularity in 2015 saying that the North would not be intimidated by his candidacy, just as an Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Igbozurume said that it was the turn of Ndigbo to produce the 2015 president. We shall meet in the field— Yahaya Kwande I am not surprised that Chief Edwin Clark made that statement. It was the like of Clark , who really brought Jonathan to power. They made him to break the PDP agreement

on how presidency would be rotated in the party. And that action by Clark and his likes denied the north the right to contest for presidency in 2011. He is at it today. What he has reportedly said amounts to repeating himself. But what I can say is that we are not shaken by that statesment. We shall meet in the field. Opportunity for PDP’s defeat — Balarabe Musa Former Governor of old Kaduna State and Chairman of the Coalition of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, Alhaji Balarabe Musa said Jonathan had the “inalienable right’’ to contest any election, adding however that it was for those opposed to him to come together and rally behind a candidate that could defeat him. “President Jonathan has the inalienable right to contest the 2015 general election, but you know that he has no morality; he is not on any moral high ground to do so. This is a man who defied the zoning arrangement of his party even though he was a signatory to the decision that the south would rule for eight years before it would return to the north for another eight years. Clark has right to express his views——Isyaku Ibrahim We are in a democracy and everyone has the right to say what he feels. Clark has the right to express his own views on national issues. The president also has the right to do whatever he wants, but I cannot say anything, because Jonathan has not said that he will contest. I am in CPC and they are in PDP. Every individual has the right to say what he likes because we are in a democracy. The statement was reckless and ill-timed— Olopade Agoro The statement credited to Chief Edwin Clark is unexpected of an elder statesman. It was a reckless statement because Jonathan has not been able to have a focus since he was elected and someone is talking about 2015. I will say that bit was a reckless and ill-timed statement. And a statement like that is capable of setting the country aflame and also breed necessary passion. Jonathan’s presidency is already a threat to the nation. This kind of

statement at this time is capable of bringing down his government. Olayiwola Afolabi, a Benin based constitutional lawyer and Notary Public also asked the Ijaw National leader, Chief Clark to allow Nigerians decide the political fate of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. Afolabi said that although the President has the right to contest the 2015 presidential election, Nigerians were yet to savour the dividends of democracy since he assumed power a year ago as all basic infrastructures that would have bettered the lives of Nigerians have gone comatose. “It is only Nigerians that can decide whether he will contest or not. He has messed up the judiciary particularly with the way he is handling the Justice Ayo Salami case. Virtually all basic infrastructures such as power, education, health etc, e have gone c o m a t o s e . This is time for governance, not 2015 — Anthony Sani, ACF I am not aware that Chief Edwin Clark now speaks for President Jonathan.This is because he is not the spokes man. As a result,I cannot have a take on the basis of what he claims to say for the p r e s i d e n t . However, it bears repeating that this time is not for politics of 2015,but for governance.I thought Mr President would be allowed to concentrate on the task of delivering on the promise of democracy instead of pushing him

Tajudeen Adebanjo of The Nation newspaper (m) flanked by Editor, Middle East News Agency (MENA) Mr Ashraf Hamid (left) and Mariam Mahmoud of Elmasry-Elyoum newspaper during the closing ceremony of the 39th Training Course for African Journalists organised by UAJ in conjunction with Egypt Ministries of Information and Media in Cairo, Egypt on Thursday into politics of 2015 within one year of his inauguration. It is too early to forget that President Jonathan told the world in Addis Ababa that four years were enough for him to deliver. Abu King Shukuwa Peoples Democratic Party stalwart, Chief Abu King Shukuwa said the constitutional right of President Goodluck Jonathan to run for the 2015 presidential election is not questionable but noted that it behoves the PDP to either decline his candidature or offer him the ticket. His words, “Everybody in Nigeria as a Nigerian is free to contest for the presidency because the constitution of the country guarantees that, but whether he emerges or not depends on the party. But one thing is certain, he

will definitely not enjoy the support of all Nigerians. Even in Bayelsa State, there will be people who will not support him. ”I for one will not support him, but if he picks the party’s ticket, I will vote for him as a true and loyal party man.” Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nduka Eya Ohanaeze has come out with its stand about the president and there is a book in which our President General, Chief Ralph Uwechue, had analyzed since three years ago. We do not want to dabble into politics, but the fact is that when Jonathan was contesting, he said he will only do only one term. That was what he said. So, the stand of Ohanaeze

about presidency 2015 is clear. These are facts. If Jonathan changes his mind which he has a right to change as a citizen, our position has always been consistent. Equality of zones as envisaged in geopolitical creation by Karibi-Whyte committee on the review of the Constitution is that the present geopolitical zones should remain: SouthSouth, South East, South West, North East, North Central and Northwest. And it has been operational and they call it conventional. So, Igbo people supported Jonathan for the same argument that this project called Nigeria belongs to all of us, and that at 52 years, a section of this country has monopolized the leadership of that master-key position called the president.If he wants another term, we have to renegotiate.

Abia guber poll: S-Court declines to sack Gov Orji BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI Abuja

HE Supreme Court, yesterday, dismissed an appeal that sought to sack Governor Theophilus Orji of Abia state from office on grounds that he was not validly nominated by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to contest the last general elections.Orji described the judgement as victory for democracy.The suit which was filed by a factional gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in the state, Chief Ikechi Emenike, challenged the validity of a parallel primary election that saw the emergence of Governor Orji as the flag-bearer of the party in the state.

Specifically, whereas Emenike participated and won the primary election that was conducted by the State Executive Committee of the party, Gov Orji on the other hand emerged from a congress conducted by the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the PDP, with both exercises allegedly monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, I N E C . Aside his contention that the Governor emerged from a kangaroo process, the appellant told the apex court that as at the time the said primary elections were conducted, Governor

Orji was not a member of the PDP. “The fourth respondent [Gov. Orji] did not submit any nomination form for the election or any m e m b e r s h i p registration card of the PDP which is one of the requirements in the nomination form. The substance of our case is that having regard to the provisions of sections 87 [3], [4] and [6], the conduct of the PDP in handpicking Governor Orji is an affront to Section 87 [9] of the Electoral Act. However, in their unanimous judgment, a five-man panel of justices of the Supreme Court held that only the NEC of a political party has the powers to nominate a candidate to

be sponsored for any given electoral contest. In the lead judgment which was prepared and read by Justice John Afolabi Fabiyi yesterday, Supreme Court maintained that “the court below did a nice job by affirming Orji’s victory. The court said, “the point relating to membership of the 4th respondent was raked up and unduly elevated at appeal. Even if it were to be found that the 4 th respondents membership was faulty, it will still not validate the appellant’s nomination by an unauthorised State Executive Committee which ‘modified’ Exhibit 7- the 1st Respondents Electoral Guidelines without due vires.”

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

Jonathan assures of press freedom BY BEN AGANDE, Abuja

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yes terday assured members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists that the freedom guaranteed media practitioners in the discharge of their constitutional responsibility would not be tempered with by his administration just as the freedom of the press is enshrined in the country’s constitution. The President who spoke while declaring open the Fourth Triennial National Delegates’ Conference of the NUJ in Abuja also denied media reports that he had sent a list of ministerial nominees to the State Security Service for screening. According to the president, the rights granted members of the Fourth Estate of the realm should be discharged with corresponding responsibilities. “I am a firm believer in the right and obligation of the media as enshrined in our constitution. I assure you all today that under my leadership, journalists in our country will continue to fully enjoy their constitutional rights and freedom of expression. “I am also fully convinced that the imperative of sustaining and nurturing our democracy required the existence of the very professional and practitioners of the mass media. “My administration is very conscious of the vital role that the mass media has to play in engendering support for our transformation agenda and is therefore committed to properly enhance the practice. “It was in this regard that led to our enactment of the FOI Law to further enhance the ability of our dear practitioners to discharge their duties. “My administration will have nothing to do with those who try to curtail or abuse the right of the mass media,” the president noted. He advised journalists to ensure that their accounts of events is fair, balance and accurate, saying that they should be wary of manipulations by politicians and selfish people with sectional motives to the detriment of collective national interest. The president enjoined media practitioners to go the mile to cross check their

facts and ensure that only the truth are published. While condemning the recent attacks on media houses by suspected terrorists, the President commended Nigerian journalists for remaining resolute despite the attacks. He urged media practitioners to continue to foster peace, religious tolerance and harmony in the country. The president of the NUJ, Mr. Shehu Garba, in his speech earlier called on the federal government and security agencies to address the current security challenges in the country in order to provide more conducive atmosphere for journalists to carry out their duties. He said the union under his leadership had set up a committee to sanitise the profession and rid the society of quacks. While commending the National Assembly for passing the Freedom of Information Act, the NUJ president called on all stakeholders to continue to work towards a better remuneration for journalists Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, commended the constructive role the media have been playing in the present administration. The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, who spoke at the occassion however disagreed with the minister of Information, Labaran Maku saying that what terrorists should be denied is “licence.” ”On terrorism, We will not deny them freedom but we will deny them licence. Freedom is a bigger burden on the media. To defeat this, the government needs to take more people into confidence, let’s collectively work together but it will not work for us all if we continue to draw the line. It is important to build confidence and close gaps,” he said.

media have been reporting the security challenges in the country. While admitting that journalists are expected to perform their roles with patriotism, he stressed that terrorists should not be given platforms to propagate their evil agenda.

He warned that terrorists won’t spare the media, say-

L-R: Ondo State Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Nicholas Tofowomo, Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Rotimi Adelola, during the distribution of palliative Buses and Taxis to the Ondo State Chapter of NURTW members, in Akure.

Write people-oriented constitution, Amaechi tells Reps •Says Boko Haram, OPC, MEND are products of failed leadership BY EMMAN OVUAKPORIE & JIMITOTA ONOYUME, PH

OVERNOR of Riv ers State, Mr Chibuike Amaechi yesterday blamed failed leadership for the current challenges of insecurity in the country. Amaechi said that, “what the ruling class has provided are political, social and economic violence but what the people want is social and economic reality by ensuring that the state is properly policed.’’ He spoke at a two-day seminar for members of the House of Representatives ad-hoc Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution, asking the law makers to produce a workable document that will free the Nigerian people from the shacles of insecurity, poverty and

poor development. Former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Adolphus Karibi Whyte who chaired the occasion also called for separate constitutions for the federal and state governments in the country saying such a move would strengthen the nation’s federalism just as he called for pruning down the number of Supreme Court justices and increasing their retirement age from 70 to 80, while their counterparts in the Court of Appeal retire at 75. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has however called for about 12 amendments to the 1999 constitution. National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega in his address at the two day retreat in Port Harcourt said the Commis-

sion should be allowed to determine the order of the conduct of elections in such a way that no political party should have undue advantage over the other. But Amaechi said that, the Boko Haram, Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, and militancy in the Niger Delta were products of failed leadership. ”Iam not exonerating myself. Iam part of the failed leadership of the country but it started long time ago, please the amendment should be the one that suits the nation. History is in the making here and national issues should mount the centre

Don’t turn election into war — Mimiko to turn the coming Octo-

NDO State gover nor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has warned the opposition in the state not

Babcock Varsity to launch College of Medicine, holds convocation June 3

ABCOCK Universi ty, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, is about to change the face of medical practice in Nigeria amidst growing concerns of poor medicare in the country. As it rolls out plans for the inauguration of its Benjamin S. Carson Snr. School of Medicine on June 1, 2012, optimism is high that soon Nigerians would not have to travel outside the shores of this country to receive excellent healthcare. Senior Vice President/ Provost of the College, Prof. Iheanyi Okoro said the inauguration will mark the climax of the institu-

tion’s zeal for world class health care in the country and indeed, the continent. He further stated that this passion accounts for the choice of the naming of the school after renowned American paediatric neurosurgeon, Dr. Benjamin Carson (Snr.), who will be the guest speaker. “The Ben Carson Medical School is designed to honour him as a role model to the students of the school,” he said, adding, “a doctor without competence is a murderer.” The event will attract top leaders, captains of industries, international researchers and profession-

stage as the autonomy of state assemblies can be resolved without a constitutional amendment,” he said. This was even as the House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal said that the costitutional review exercise was not targeted at anybody or group of people. According to Tambuwal, ‘’this exercise is aimed at no individual, nor group of persons, rather we are making sure that we have a document that captures the yearning and aspirations of the Nigerian people and in certain cases strengthen democratic institutions.”

als within and outside the country. Already, the 140bed Teaching Hospital with Anatomy and Pathology laboratories are ready, including a Radio Diagnostic laboratory with the MRI-CT ahead of the inauguration. Also, the university is set to hold its 12th Convocation ceremony, June 3, 2012. For the first time in the institution’s history, the School of Post-graduate Studies which began in 2010, will be presenting 60 candidates for the award of the Masters degree, 20 others for the Doctor of Philosophy, including 1476 graduates.

ber 20th gubernatorial election in the state to a war. Governor Mimiko gave the warning in Akure yesterday while presenting 200 palliative taxi cabs recently purchased by the state government to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). The vehicles are part of the 290 vehicles which included 50 Hiace buses, twenty 59-seater and twenty 26-seater buses acquired to ease transportation in the state. Presenting the taxis to the operators, Mimiko warned the opposition to desist from turning the October 20, 2012 governorship election into a war.He said, “Let me warn those preparing for this October 20 gubernatorial election as if they are going to war to desist from such a plan. We don’t want bloodshed.”

SATURDAY

Vanguard, MAY 26,

2012

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Amosun harps on adequate electricity supply, distributes 500 transformers

GUN State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has said that no society can develop without adequate power supply, noting that the breakthroughs in other fields of human endeavours such as medicine, engineering, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and industrial development of countries like Japan, China and Korea are hinged on adequate supply of electricity. The governor stated this yesterday at the Memorial President Goodluck Jonathan flanked by the President Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye (l) and the Arcade ground, OkeNUJ National President Mohammed Garba while the FCT Minister Sen. Bala Mohammed and others joined in a Mosan, Abeokuta during group photograph during the opening ceremony of the 4th Triennial National Delegates’ Conference Held at the flag-off of the Yar’adua Centre, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida distribution of 500 transformers purchased by the government of Ogun State. Amosun said “any

Ignore Oritsejafor, PDP urges Christians •Says he got it wrong on Tukur

HE national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has urged Christians across the country to ignore statements by the President, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor for castigating the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. According to PDP, rather than tongue lash the PDP and its leadership, the party must not only be hailed, but should be emulated by other political parties and organizations whose activities connect directly or indirectly to the unity of the nation. In a statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh yesterday in Abuja, the party noted that the CAN President got what it termed the harmless statement of the party’s National Chairman wrong. It would be recalled that

when the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur received a delegation of Gombe state PDP led by the governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo to the Wadata Plaza last week, had said that the Boko Haram activities that have led to loss of lives and

property destroyed was a reaction to injustice. According to Tukur, Boko Haram was another name for injustice by those people who may have been deprived, just as he called on Governors of the North East to create employment for the youths in the area as a way of reducing the level of inse-

curity in the zone, adding that the youths will continue to agitate for one thing or the other, once they are hungry. He stated that youth restiveness were primarily hunger-induced, just as he urged the governors to find a lasting solution to this major problem.

BY DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta

ANIC gripped residents of Abeokuta, Ogun state capital yesterday when the news filtered round that, the paramount ruler and the Alake of Egbaland,Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo escaped death following a mysterious inferno that destroyed a section of his p a l a c e . Coincidentally,Speaker of

was in company with a security aide, was forcefully stopped along Abiola way before his official ash Toyota Avensis marked Ogun AYE 86 AA was snatched by the robbers at gunpoint. When contacted,

IGERIA Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, yesterday gave the Lagos State Government up till Monday to resolve all its differences with the

NE of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) aspirants for the local government area chairmanship election Warri North, Mr Alawei Miyebi-Balas, has

striking Lagos doctors and recall all the sacked doctors unconditionally, failing which members in Lagos and its environs would down tool and join the striking doctors. President of NUPENG, Comrade Igwe Achese, who made this known in

tant (Media), Waheed Akinola, denied knowledge of the r o b b e r y . Saturday Vanguard learnt that, the Speaker was driving the car while the security aide sat beside him when the armed robbers waylaid his vehicle.

debunked a story in a daily yesterday that Delta State PDP has adopted an Itsekiri youth leader and activist, Mr Omolubi Newuwumi, as consensus candidate for the chairmanship of Warri north. Disclosing this in an interview with newsmen yesterday at his Warri base, Balas described the story as a cock and bull one, wondering where the party primaries took place before the emergence of the so-called consensus candidate.

Edo govt awards electrification contract to 33 communities BY SIMON EBEGBULEM B/City

HE Edo state government has awarded a contract for

the electrification of 33 communities in Uhunmwode Local Government Council of the state. Governor Adams

NUPENG warns Lagos govt on doctors’ strike BY VICTOR AHIUMAYOUNG

Brief LG poll: Aspirant debunks consensus candidate rumour

Alake escapes death as Ogun speaker loses official car to robbers Ogun state House of learnt that, Adekunbi, who the speaker’s Special AssisAssembly, Suraj Adekunbi lost one of his official cars to five-man gang of armed robbers who waylaid him on Thursday night in A b e o k u t a . Saturday Vanguard

nation that cannot provide adequate energy, particularly, electricity, is not capable of industrial development,” regretting that the poor power supply in the country had taken a toll on commercial activities and inhibited the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs). He declared that electricity was a propeller of economic and technological development, which must be continuously available and commended the Federal Government for the liberalisation of the power industry in Nigeria through issuance of licenses to private organisations and state governments to generate and distribute electricity.

Lagos, said NUPENG could not continue to fold its hands and watch poor Nigerians in Lagos who could not afford the cost of private hospitals die due to the ongoing industrial action. He said even though the union was aware that the matter was

in the court, NUPENG could not the trust the lives of innocent Nigerians in the hand of Judiciary, insisting that meaningful dialogue between both parties must be done this weekend to ensure that the matter was resolved or the union would join the strike.

Oshiomhole who disclosed this during a rally in Ehor, said the project is expected to be completed by December this year. However, the governor regretted that the water bore-hole constructed in the area was not functioning contrary to the information available to him and assured that government will direct the State Rapid Response Agency to drill more boreholes in the communities. While urging the people of the area to be

vigilant ahead the f o r t h c o m i n g governorship election, Oshiomhole assured that his second coming in office will bring more development to the people. Also speaking at the rally, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters and leader of the party in the area, Charles Idahosa, described Oshiomhole as God sent to the people of the area and stressed the need for the people to vote wisely despite their political affiliations.

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

Strike: Private doctors draft additional 1,116 hospitals for free healthcare delivery BY CHIOMA OBINNA

OLLOWING the turnout of patients at the various 84 centres provided by the Association of General and Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria, AGPMPN, Lagos State Chapter, the association has drafted the additional 1,116 private hospitals to cushion the effects of the strike. Also, the association had called for immediate conveyance of Health Summit in the state. Reviewing the performance of the earlier 84 hospitals earmarked to offer free services, the State Chairman, AGPMPN Dr.Olayinka Oladosu who explained the

rationale behind the establishment of the centres noted that the intention was to ameliorate the situation not to be total substitute to Government hospitals. His words, “Even the 1,200 centers cannot solve all the problems. We are trying to ameliorate; we cannot solve all the problems. However, the services that the centre is offering are actually free of charge but beneficiaries must be card carrying of State Hospitals. Right now, we have some hospitals that are still functioning like General hospital, Igando, Mainland General hospital, Harvey Road hospital, Yaba.”. Oladosu, however, declared that not all the gov-

ernment hospitals are closed down and patients are being referred from the private hospitals to government hospitals that are still running. “If the case is beyond what the private hospital can handle, we take the patient in our vehicles to government hospitals that are still functioning. If the emergencies are what we can handle, we treat them” On the issue that not all the 1,200 private hospitals were contacted before listing them, Oladosu debunked the insinuation that AGPMPN is pro government, stating that the association is neither progovernment nor pro Lagos doctors but pro – masses and the down trodden in the society.

The Anglican Bishop of Lagos Mainland Diocese, Prof. Adebayo Akide(right) and Gov. Peter Obi (left) at the Synod of the Diocese at All Saints Anglican Church, Yaba, yesterday .

Imoke leads raid on oil bunkering haven

*107 tankers seized, barges set ablaze

EN hand dug boats, two barges and several thousands of containers used in illegal lifting of petroleum products in Akpabuyo and Bakassi local government areas of Cross River State

Ex-APGA chieftain calls for restructuring of party …He is on his own, says APGA BY CHRIS OCHAYI, Abuja

RSTWHILE chieftain of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Edwin Ugochukwu Nchonwu has called on National Working Committee of the party under Chief Victor Umeh and Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, national chairman and

national secretary respectively, to start a process for total restructuring of the party. Chief Ugochukwu who stated this in Abuja while speaking with newsmen on the ongoing crisis in the party, said, all sacrifices that will enable peace to reign in APGA should be made because according to him, “the party is the flag of

Ndigbo.” The former state Chairman of APGA in the FCT maintained that the Chief Victor Umeh leadership of the party has overstayed its welcome and therefore, should commence a process for the conduct of congresses into the various offices. The former member of Zik’s Saturday Vanguard of the NCNC era claimed that “Chief Umeh has become the National

Chairman of APGA, through appointment since seven years ago and wondered why he has not been able to organize any party election at the national, state and local government levels. Chief Nchonwu who is now a member of PDP, said he joined APGA in 2006 and later became chairman in Gwagwalada Area Council from where he was subsequently appointed the Acting State chairman for Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

were Thursday set ablaze during a raid by security personnel led by the state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke. Also, about 107 tankers laden with petroleum products and pumping machines were seized during the raid that lasted over six hours. Localities raided during the operation included Esuk Mba beach, Akpabuyo and Ikang Primary Health Care Centre, Esuk Ekonke Beach, Shell

Obi is exemplary in leadership —Bishop Akide

HE Anglican Bishop of Lagos Mainland Diocese, Prof. Adebayo Akide has described Gov. Peter Obi as an exemplary Governor imbued with the fear of God and love for the people. He said this yesterday at

F G makes u-turn on the planned increase of tariff as Amosun distributes 500 transformers By DAUD OLATUNJI, Abeokuta

N D I C AT I O N emerged yesterday that Federal Government might have made a u-turn on the scope of the proposed increase in the electricity tariff ,leaving out people in rural areas and low income earners in the country. The Minister of Power, Professor Bart Nnaji gave the hint in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital at the flag-off of the distribution of 500 transformers procured by communities in the state. The Minister who was represented by Director of Power in his ministry, Sanusi Garba, declared that the new tariff will bring about lower rates for

rural as well as urban “less well-to-do” dwellers. He further explained that the new tariff regime which will come into effect by June 1st this year will end the era of estimated bills hitherto experienced by consumers in the country. Ït is very important to inform the public here

Road, Ikang and Edik Idim. Imoke, who was accompanied by service commanders and operatives of the state’s Quick Intervention Squad, said it was unfortunate that illegal lifting of petroleum products and blood-money making business was thriving in those communities. He said these activities were not only illegal but also destructive to the environment and social settings of those areas.

present that, the new tariff would result in lower rates for rural dwellers and the urban less wellto-do. Consumers with relatively higher levels of consumption would pay appropriate rates which are significantly lower than the cost of self generation.

the 3rd Session of the 2nd Synod of the Mainland Anglican Diocese, Yaba, Lagos, holding at All Saints Anglican Church, Yaba. Decrying the ills in the society, he singled out Gov. Obi as one of the few Governors that have shown commitment to the people. Insisting that Anambra State has become a better State in all ramifications since he became Governor, he described him as “ a political icon in a class of his own.” He prayed for God to continue to protect him as he offers leadership to the people.

20,000 students compete in Imansuangbon Essay competition By GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE, Benin

O fewer than 20,000 applicants are to compete for honours in the essay writing competition being sponsored by an educationist and

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in the July 14 election in Edo state, Mr. Kenneth Imansuangbon. The competitors drawn from the 36 states of Nigeria are to converge in Ajuba and Benin City to-

day (Saturday) respectively for the knowledge driven and intellectual test aimed at showcasing their potentials on the topic of the essay “Discipline and Hard work, not destiny determine success in life.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012 — 9

Family of Kogi slain student seeks justice BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO, Lokoja

L - R: Ogun State Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun; Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and Director of Power (representing the Minister of Power), Mr. Sanusi Garuba; during the official flag-off of the distribution of 500 transformers to communities in Ogun State yesterday.

HE family of late Idowu Halima Sadiya Aliyu who was killed by a cannibal man has called on the federal government and police to ensure that the killer of their daughter did not go unpunished. Late Idowu, 22, a student of School of Technology, Zamfara State who hails from Egayi village in Ajaokuta Local government of Kogi State was on May 2. 2012 al-

leged to have been killed by one Jimoh Obabu Salau (a cannibal) who disguised as an Okada man and lured the victim to the bus while conveying her to a motor -park. Head of the family, Mr. Aliyu Onuto, who spokewith Saturday Vanguard at his family compound in Egayi, Ajaokuta said late Idowu was killed on her way to board a vehicle to Zamfara State where she was schooling. Mr. Aliyu noted in dismay that despite the suspect has been arrested for long and has con-

Delta considers using EFCC to recover tax BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE, Warri

HE Delta State Government is considering engaging the Economic and Fi-

nancial Crime Commission, EFCC, in the recovery of the over N29billion owed it by 135 companies operating in the state. Hon. Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Executive Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, DBIR,

has said on Thursday that the companies which evaded various forms of taxes were however given two weeks to pay the debt or face the consequences of the law. Joel-Onowakpo while

speaking at a press briefing, carpeted some banks which failed to remit to government coffer, after collecting taxes on behalf of the board. He, however said that a team of investigators

Police arrest killer robbers BY ISIAKA OYIBO, Lokoja

the young lady. He said”the suspects

H E Po l i c e in Kogi yesterday arrested a group of armed robbery suspects who allegedlly hacked to death Miss Idowu Aliyu, last weekend in Okene Local Government Area of the state. Miss Idowu, a student of Shool of Heailth Technology, Zamfara State was accosted by a group of three armed men last weekend at a near by bush at about 3 kilometers to the Okene main town where they strangulated her and thereafter hit her on the head with iron rod. The State Commissioner of Policen Mohammed Katsina, who confirmed the arrest while briefing newsmen yesterday said a team of crack detectives acting on intellengece information arrested the hoodlums when they were preparing to butcher the corpse of

were also responsible for the killing of a

Briefs APGA can’t win election in Anambra unless congress holds — Emebo ed with the leadership at

HAIRMAN of the breakaway All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Anambra State, Dr. Godson Emebo warned yesterday that unless a fresh congress of the party was held in Anambra State at the ward, local government and state levels, the party should forget winning election in the state because most members in all the 326 wards in the state were disenchant-

the three levels. Emebo, along with some members of the party in Anambra State, recently formed what they called APGA stakeholders forum and said their loyalty would henceforth go to Chief Sylvester Nwobu Alor, Governor Peter Obi’s special adviser on parks and markets who is championing the restructuring of APGA.

Ukwuani union felicitates with Chief Clark Ekele, President and Public-

HE leading sociocultural organisation for Ukwuani people in Lagos, Ukwuani Foundation Union (UFU) has joined other well meaning Nigerians in wishing Chief E.K. Clark happy birthday on the occasion of his 85th birthday celebration. In a release signed by Chief Joseph Olise and Alaska

ity Secretary of the union respectively, the octogenarian is one man that earns the respect of Deltans in particular and Nigerians in general for his fearlessness, forthrightness, truthfulness and unassuming dispositions. Apart from being workaholic, he is being described as a role model to Nigerians.

woman,two kids and a police woman in the vicinity and reportedly ate their flesh. The police. While appealing to members of the public to assist the police through useful information renewed resolve of the command to make Kogi State uninhabitable for criminals.

has been put in place to investigate the activities of these banks that have remained adamant in spite of efforts by the Board to get them complied. According to him, a lot of companies in the state avoided paying taxes, adding that the board was not going to tolerate the situation. Joel-Onohwakpo noted that the state government in its determination for an increased Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, would leave no stone unturned in recovering what is due it. The Chairman disclosed that some of the defaulters had gone ahead to obtain court injunction restraining the board from taking action against them.

fessed to have committed the crime, he is yet to be charged to court for prosecution ”Idowu had dreams but could not live to actualised that dream due to blood thirsty Jimoh. I understand he killed his wife (a police officer) in 2003 and was allowed to go scot free without punishment. If justice had prevailed that time, this would not have happened. Continuing, “Today it is Idowu, tomorrow it might be another person. All that we want is for justice to be done,” he said. Mr. Aliyu, an Uncle to the late victim who revealed that the late Idowu and her sibling lost their parents recently and that he has suffered to take care of her along with her younger siblings; wondered why Jimoh could take the life of her innocent niece who was not only promising but look as if she will aid the family after graduation. Kogi state police command are however saying the delay in prosecuting Jimoh Salau is the fact that they believed he must have accomplish who buy some of the human parts from him as he could not have been alone in the crime. The state Police Commissioner, Mohammed Katsina said the cannibal who was dismissed from Army was known to eat the inside of his victim and selling the other parts to ritualists; ‘so, the command is still investigating to get behind those buying the human parts from him’

Sultan of Sokoto decries Tiv/Fulani killings, call for urgent action to check the crisis BY PETER DURU, Makurdi

ULTAN of Sokoto, His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar has decried the incessant attacks on Tiv farmers in parts of Benue State by Fulani herdsmen warning that there was an urgent need to find lasting solution to the clashes which had claimed over 80 lives in recent times. The monarch stated this yesterday in Makurdi, where he was billed to commission the reconstructed Makurdi Central Mosque, a project undertaken by the Governor

Suswam led administration. He said while in the state, he would convene a meeting of elders of the affected Tiv communities and Fulani herdsmen with a view to restoring peace and confidence among the affected parties. The Sultan disclosed that he had earlier constituted a peace committee headed by the Tor Tiv, HRH Akawe Torkula and Emir of Gombe with the aim of arresting the crisis but regretted that despite the efforts, the skirmishes have continued unabated. While emphasizing the

need to promote peace in the country, the traditional ruler eulogized the gesture of Benue state governor, Mr Gabriel Suswam who he said put aside religious and tribal differences to assist the Muslim community in the state to reconstruct an ancient mosque in Makurdi. Governor Suswam in his response, appreciated the visit and concern of the monarch to the state in ensuring peace between the Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen, stating that the traditional ruler had always proffered solutions to arrest the incessant clashes.

10 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

13 years of Democracy:

Looted hopes from leaders steering Nigeria to its end

became thoroughly corrupt and reckless. Members of the public had to bribe their way through in ministries and parastatals to get attention and one government agency had to bribe another government agency to obtain the release of their statutory allocation of funds. “The impact of official corruption is so rampant and has earned Nigeria a very bad image at home and abroad. Besides, it has distorted and retrogressed development”. Of course, he promised to reverse all, in a rare oration that pulled down the wary stand of pessimists. Looking back these 13 years of democracy, those past leaders that Obasanjo so disparaged, would be completely right if they asked for an unreserved apology from Obasanjo, who left Nigerians arguably, worse than he met them .Virtually everything Obasanjo said has remained the same, and has even gone worse in some instances. The tragedy of 13 years of Nigerian democracy is even more vexing when looked through Nigeria’s earning for this duration. According to analysts, the country has grossed in far more income between 1999 and 2010 than the prior 35 years before 1999. It has been estimated that Nigeria’s GDP had jumped from $90 billion in 1998 to about $350 billion in 2009 alone, about 300% and on an absolute value. Yet on Human Development Index, Nigeria remains among the most impoverished nations on earth, with an estimated 79 million of its 150 million populace living below the poverty level. The North Western part of Nigeria, according to recent UNESCO rating, has the lowest literary level in the world.

STORIES BY CHIOMA GABRIEL, TAYE OBATERU, LUKA BINIYAT, JOHN BULUS, JOHN BOSCO AGBAKWURU, AYO ONIKOYI

he morning of 29th May, 1999 was like the first day in a new recreated Nigeria after 29 years military tyranny. Drumming, singing, dancing and jubilation filled the Eagle Square, Abuja as Nigerians awaited the handover of power from a military regime to a new legitimately elected democratic government under the leadership of President Olusegun Obasanjo that morning. It was same in all the 36 federating states of Africa’s most populous country – celebrating a future full of hopes for improved wellbeing of everyone. The inaugural speech of President

Obasanjo even re-enforced this faith the more, as Nigerians at the Eagles Square and millions more who werewatching live on TV or listening over the radio allowed tears of joy to drip freely when they thought of the past and what the new “messiah” was promising. “Nigeria is wonderfully endowed by the Almighty with human and other resources” Obasanjo reminded all. “ It does no credit either to us or the entire black race if we fail in managing our resources for quick improvement in the quality of life of our people. “Instead of progress and development, which we are entitled to expect from those who governed us, we experienced in the last decade and a half, particularly in the last regime but one, persistent deterioration in the

quality of our governance, leading to instability and the weakening of all public institutions ”, he said “Good men were shunned and kept away from government while those who should be kept away were drawn near. Relations between men and women who had been friends for many decades, and between communities that had lived together in peace for many generations became very bitter because of the actions or inactions of government. “The citizens developed distrust in government, and because promises made for the improvement of the conditions of the people were not kept, all statements by government were met with cynicism”, he pointed out. “Government officials became progressively indifferent to propriety of conduct and showed little commitment to promoting the general welfare of the people and the public good. “ Government and all its agencies

igeria spent not less that $16 bil lion (N2.5 trillion) to improve on the 3,500 Mw of power that civil rule inherited from autocratic military rule. It is doubtful if Nigeria produces Imw above that figure today. Yes, some roads, boreholes, hospitals and some schools may have been built, but on the aggregate that falls extremely far from expectation. The story of Nigeria in the past 13 years is the story of corruption finding a cosy, ripe breeding ground. Never in the history of Nigeria had civil servants, politicians and even men and women in uniform stolen so brazenly. With a judicial system that is a caricature of itself, all the billions spent on creating laws and institutions that should fight corruption, lay waste. Since the Nigerian civil war, Nigeria has never been on the brink of collapse and disintegration like now. After all these earnings, we have won fewer laurels in sports than for the same period under military rule. Our image abroad has gotten worse as Nigerians make the bulk of thieves and drug criminals in foreign prisons. There is hardly anything to cheer in the past 13 years of our democracy. It has been the story of looted hopes by Nigerian leaders at all tiers of government, as Nigeria totters on the brink of disintegration.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012—11

It’s been turbulent for Nigeria —Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, Former Minister of State, Information and Communication

•Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande

marred by various malpractices. They are not just stealing, but they are also practically upturning the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upside down. They are tampering with local government funds, they are trampling on the rights of even members of the Houses of Assembly in their oversight functions. The issue of corruption must stop. I pray that the National Assembly will have the political will to do what is necessary in amending the constitu-

think 13 years of democracy has been generally turbulent in this country from 1999 to date. There are many factors responsible for this. One, there has not been transparency in the way and manner we conduct our elections. Secondly, even internal democracy within the political parties also has a lot of challenges. Thirdly, there had been a high proliferation of corruption across the board in all tiers of government since 1999. The level of corruption is unimaginable and it has changed the entire nation to the point that poverty has now become very rife. Poverty has brought up other challenges of violence and now, terrorism. I think that there is need for us as elites to really do a rethink on this political situation. But in spite of this, it does not mean that democracy itself is not important. It is important; it is relevant; it is the best way forward to have good governance in this country. But I believe if we all put our heads together and think of a way forward, then we may still be able to cross the rubicon and deliver our country. Whatever you see on the ground now in terms of development could have been done 10 times better given the enormous amount of resources this nation has. One Year of Jonathan’s Administration I think the Jonathan administration also started on a very faulty line. I believe the challenges the administration is facing now in terms of this upsurge of violence is a pointer. Although some people will say it didn’t start with the Jonathan administration but the bottom line is that any government that is in power at any given time has the responsibility to ensure that things are normal and bring sanity into the polity so that this country can move f o r w a r d . Everyone of us is suffering with the way and manner the entire crisis has become a major impediment to delivering the dividends of democracy. I think he (Jonathan) would have done much better if he had not allowed things to get this bad. The government should embrace dialogue; the government should listen more rather than just talking. They keep reacting to issues. When you keep reacting to situations, your focus is shifted away from the ball and once your focus is shifted away from the ball, you will miss the goal. Government needs to do more – stop corruption in the country so that the country can be better. But beyond Jonathan, I think we should also be talking about what governors are doing. Governors are practically stealing from the electorate. Most of them do not have the moral high ground to be in the offices they are occupying because all the elections that we’ve had in this country were

•Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun

know and they should embrace dialogue.

So ffar ar ar,, so good but...

Ambassador Fidelis Tapgun, Second Civilian Governor of Plateau State and former Minister of Industries Well it has been so far, so good. I

I can’t say it has been perfect, but we are making progress. You know that after so many years of military rule, coming back to start practising democracy is like learning all over again

tion by criminalizing governors who violate the constitution. We need to look at the independence of the electoral process at the local government level so that we can have an independent arbiter to conduct election so that the electorate can truly elect leaders of their choice. So it’s not about Jonathan but also the other tiers of government. Governors have majority of the people under them but we keep talking about the Federal Government alone. We need to beam the searchlight more on them (governors). Even the crises that we have here and there; what are the governors doing in employing dialogue? After all, majority of the people are in their domain, so they should

can’t say it has been perfect, but we are making progress. You know that after so many years of military rule, coming back to start practising democracy is like learning all over again. There were children who were born, who went to school up to university, knowing the military only. So we have in the past 13 years of returning to democracy been struggling. We haven’t got it right completely, but we have faith in it and we’ll continue to move. It has been very difficult, more especially with the federal system we are operating which is a very complex system. The complexity of the composition of the Nigerian people itself has added to the difficulties we are facing. But I think with time, we’ll get over it.

The important thing is that we continue to learn from our mistakes. We’ll continue to make mistakes but we must continually learn appropriate lessons from them and we’ll grow. The advanced countries that appear to be getting it right did not get to where they are overnight. They did not achieve it in 13 years; it went over several years and even till today, they haven’t got it all perfect themselves. So I think the important thing is that we are focused. The Nigerian people have agreed that democracy is best for us and we are moving along. There are difficulties but with the will, I think we’ll get to the promised land. I have been a strong supporter of the clamour for the devolution of powers from the federal to the state and local governments and I still stand by that belief. I grew up knowing the parliamentary system when the regions were virtually autonomous. The powers were in the regions even though they operated under the same federation. But the military came with their command structure and collapsed everything and the states became appendages and you know the difficulties we’ve been having all these while. The clamour has been that the powers of the Federal Government should be devolved to states and local governments so that they can exercise more freedom. The Federal Government will still be there to oversee things that are like a common wealth, but the basic things like education, health and even the police should be devolved to states so that they can operate at their level and the Federal Government will be there supervising.

he bi-cameral legislature at the federal level is a big drain on the country’s resources. During the last attempt to review the constitution during President Obasanjo’s Administration, some of us had suggested a return to the Parliamentary System because it was easy and it was cheaper. The expenditure on the National Assembly alone is enough to take care of a lot of other things in this country. So I’m still for a return to a single legislature, one parliament where everyone is a member. You are a member of parliament first before you can become president or prime minister. So I think if we do that, it will help. This issue of the Federal Government being too powerful , the enormous power at the centre is what is responsible for the clamour by everybody wanting to be at the centre. Because that is where the power is, the control of resource and all that. Everyone wants to be there at the expense of the population itself. The Parliamentary System provides for robust

Continues on page 12

12— SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

Continued from page 11

On Jonathan’s administration

onathan has been doing his best for this country. People sit down and criticize governance from outside but they don’t know what is involved. For instance, people talk about the Boko Haram problem and say he should have been more decisive but there are a lot of intricacies involved. I think Mr. President is trying his best and we should give him credit for at least keeping the country together as one despite all that have been happening. We should continue to give him courage to go on with what he is doing and it is a credit to him that he has been handling things the way he is doing. The administration’s transformation agenda is also commendable and is on course. We can see the efforts of the administration in the power sector, the transport sector, education and so on. Power had been a major headache in this country and a lot is being done to improve on it. Enormous resources have been committed to improving the sector. The administration is also doing a lot in the area of education. The establishment of more universities, the Almajiri Education System and so on, are some of them. So I think (Jonathan) has started well and we should support him to do more in the next years. Yes, people must criticize and I think that is good for democracy, but we should also commend him when he is doing well. I think he is handling the country with maturity.

Traditional institutions are lef leftt behind in this democracy —Calabar Monarch

s the country once again celer a t e s the enthronement of democracy in the country, some Nigerians have x-rayed the journey so far especially b

•President Jonathan within the last thirteen years of unbroken democracy in the country. As some have given accolades to the government both at the federal and state levels, they have also called for improvement in some areas. Cross River State people have expressed their opinion on the present democratic dispensation and pointed out areas that require urgent attention. According to the Muri Munene of the Efut nation and paramount ruler of Calabar South Local Government Area, Muri Munene Efiong Mbukpa, though government at the federal and states have tried to sustain the democratic principles, the traditional institutions seem to have been left behind. The natural ruler said, “Well as it concerns the roles of traditional institution in this democracy, I will say that it has nothing to write home about because the constitution itself has not given traditional rulers any role to play. So, one

debates and the government in power is put on its toes at all times. It also cuts down the cost of governance. INEC under Jega has been improving a lot and I think we’ll see a marked difference in forthcoming elections which is what everybody has been clamouring for. The other thing is the organization of the political parties. We have too many parties in this country. Even though people say that is democracy but we are still a developing country and I think some things have to be enforced like Babangida did by imposing two political parties. Some of the existing political parties do not even have offices and during elections, they talk anyhow and cause problems. This is unhealthy. I feel there should be a law prescribing just two political parties for this country.

•Gov Imoke very soon. After all ,this is the first time we are having thirteen years of unbroken transition from civilian to civilian government, it clearly shows that democracy is having its roots in Nigeria no matter the fault, I think we are thriving faster than America itself. “In Cross River State, people are reaping the dividends of democracy under the leadership of Governor Liyel Imoke. The governor has tried so much. In the area of education, he is there; roads in the hinterlands, he is there; rural roads, he is there; water, he is there; mention it in all the facets of life, government has tried as much as possible to allow people reap the dividends of democracy, “ He however stated that provision of infrastructure is the basic responsibility of government. “I must remind us that these are the basic duties of a government to provide roads, water,

I want government to look at the human development angle to develop human beings to be able to man these different aspects of improvement that have gone into the health sector and educational sector

will say that the traditional institution has nothing to do with the present democracy as it were in Nigeria. “However in our different domains, I think we have tried to make sure that democracy thrives. That is why there is love, peace and order and that is what democracy is all about. Allow the people have their right, allow people know their right and allow their right to prevail. “Well under His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan, the Commander in Chief, I want to say that so far so good as far as democracy is concerned. If you look at the President’s body language and his utterances, you will know that he is a lover of peace and would like democracy to thrive in Nigeria. “I remind us that we are in a learning process, it took America so many years to arrive at where they are now. So for Nigeria, we are still in the teething stage, I believe that we will be there

health, education. I want government to look at the human development angle to develop human beings to be able to man these different aspects of improvement that have gone into the health sector and educational sector. “We even have teachers in the classrooms who are computer illiterates, government should try to make sure that human development is part of our priority. It was the priority of the government of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, that is how he developed the west, that is why you have professors more than any where in the country coming from the west because of human development. Human development should be an aspect that democracy should try to improve upon. If we don’t have human development ,we continue to invite the Chinese or Americans to go to the space on our own behalf.” The monarch also urged the federal government to take the issue of pow-

er more seriously. “When there is no power or electricity, everything goes down because to run a generator costs much. Industries now run generator and it will definitely increase the cost of production, but if we have a steady power which the federal government is trying to do but it is not meeting the targets set by itself, the economy will improve.” For Bishop Tunde Adeleye of the Diocese of Calabar, Anglican Communion, “our democracy has been battling and struggling with lots of hindrances and challenges. According to him, practitioners of democracy seem not to be learning much on its principles as they continue to make the same mistakes every time.” The Man of God also said that those elected under the principle of democracy are not having the interest and desire of the populace in mind as they seem not to be addressing the needs of the people particularly in the areas of health, education, housing, et cetera. He commended the present National Assembly which he said seems to be working hard, and have through their oversight functions reduced corruption, but noted that they are facing the challenges of truthfulness and battling with the powers that be in their oversight function. Bishop Adeleye said that election in the country has improved but the country is still grapping with the challenges of inadequacies, cheating and allegation of rigging, adding that, “There are people whose moral status are questionable, who are holding positions in this country. There are people whose marital status we don’t know, we don’t know how their children are and we don’t know if their children are drunkards. All these are not put into consideration, rather we are interested in party loyalty.” He noted that the nation’s democracy is still facing the challenge of ineptitude in areas of sufficient research and execution in the socio-economy and political situation. He also pointed out the challenge of insecurity, adding that, “People don’t sleep with their two eyes closed. Churches are being attacked. Boko Haram is a monster pursuing everybody in this country.” He said that all the political parties in the country lack ideology and called for a change of attitude. He also advised the security agencies in the country to save the innocent citizens from the enemies, be proactive and try to prevent an attack before it is unleashed on people and not only to wait for an attack to be carried out before they can react. Also commenting on the nation’s brand of democracy, a legal practitioner and human right activist in the state, Chief Utum Eteng said that the country is making progress slowly and steadily and that the country needs to improve on some few aspects of democracy. “Democracy is all about transparent election, free and fair election and the right for the citizens to exercise their franchise without threat, fears and or intimidation. Under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, progress is being made and the target

Continues on page 13

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012—13

Continued from page 12 is high except for the organized sabotage, whereby people want to put their fellow Nigerians in the disadvantage of fear and insecurity. It is unfortunate that some section wants Nigerians to explode for untenable reasons but Jonathan is a lucky man in that he took time to appoint an experienced National Security Adviser in the person of General Andrew Azazi. “By this I mean, Nigerians would have exploded and our democracy would have come to a halt but for the ability of the NSA to hold the situation. We pray Nigerians should give peace a chance for the democracy to thrive no matter the errors. Democracy is far better than military rule,” he said.

—Alhaji Yerima Shettima, President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum

onestly, the last one year, I think the government has not done enough. But then, I will also put it this way that at the inception of this government after the election. There was really nothing anybody could have expected in the midst of the recent happenings of insecurity. There is no where in the world you will expect that if you have instability, lack of proper security networking on ground, you now expect that government will do anything positively in order to bring in developmental issue. One would have expected that nothing would have happened because it is a serious problem. The last one year has been critical and more of challenging to Nigerians. I think it is more of a moment for the nation to reflect and begin to chart positive thinking about Nigeria. It is a moment of sober reflection now… Gradually, you know, insecurity is a problem that has been there for many years, so we do not expect that any miracle could have come overnight and resolve the problem of insecurity because certain injustices have been meted in several parts of the country and we have come a long way also in our own activism. For over 10 years, we have been clamoring for a Sovereign National Conference, SNC, because certain injustices have been meted on people, Nigerians as a whole. So we expect that something drastic would have happened. Having said that, really we expect that sovereign national conference will hold to take Nigerians to the next level, otherwise, any other effort we are doing now means pushing the dooms day ahead, because we are still going to have more troubles in our hands.

The govt has not done well in tackling corruption and security challenges

—Chekwas Okorie, ex National Chairman, All Pro-

gressive Grand Alliance, APGA. Nigeria has not done very well in the area of security. The economy is on a very sound footing. The theme of Minister of Finance and Central Bank Governor and so on, seem to be working. The energy sector is also picking up. I think the greatest challenge facing the government is this corruption that is so endemic and then insecurity that has taken everybody back. If the government can be more proactive in the area of fighting corruption and provide security, I think it will be good. But I believe that the Minister of Finance is doing what nobody has done in the past in the area of insisting on budget

Lives are not safe

•Alhaji Yerima Shettima

•Chekwas Okorie

Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as Speaker of the seventh House of Representatives and Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as Deputy Speaker, and that election was devoid of partisanship and characteristic tribalism in Nigeria. We came out in one voice and they took up the responsibility of leadership in the House and today, any watcher of events in the House of Representatives will join us in thanking God that we have real Nigerians, nationalistic and patriotic in the leadership of the House. For the first time in the seventh assembly, we insisted and all the agencies of government brought their budget except the CBN. Before now, it never happened. They now brought their budgets for appropriation. In the

This is his first year in office, I believe that things are picking up and he will have a good score sheet by the time he completes his term. But this first year is year in which much of the foundation has been laid

implementation. This is her first year in office, I believe that things are picking up and she will have a good score sheet by the time she completes her term. But this first year is a year in which much of foundation has been laid. And I am satisfied with the foundation though not many people will agree that things are improving but a critical mind would agree that certain areas have improved including the ones I just mentioned.

The House of Reps has done well

case of the CBN, you are aware that both the Senate and house of Reps have commenced processes of the CBN Act to ensure that the CBN governor does not become a lord to himself and that the governing council of the CBN does not become sovereignty. Everybody must operate according to the provision of the constitution. If you are an agent of government, your funds must be appropriated by the national assembly. What that institution earns and what it spends every year must be known. That is what we have achieved.

W e are mo ving slo wly moving slowly but surely towards the promised land

—Uzo Azubuike, Chairman, House Committee on Public Petition, House of Reps — Tolagbe Animashaun

t the commencement of the House, the seventh House of Representatives decided to choose its leadership so that we can take responsibility for our actions and inactions, then against the practice of imposition of leadership. We voluntarily elected

hief Muritala Tolagbe Ani mashaun is a notable Peoples Democratic Party chieftain in Lagos and he contested last election as PDP’s senatorial candidate for Lagos Central Senatorial District. He says: As far as I am concerned, we have

achieved quite a lot. For one, no one would have believed it possible in the history of this nation that people could come together to vote a minority as the President of this country. This is a sign that democracy is working. For the first time in our history, we are practising the politics of inclusion where anybody, whether from the majority or the minority can aspire to the highest office in the land. Only democracy could have made that possible. Secondly, for once in this country, we have our own people in key positions of the economy, running its wheel of development. I am talking about the likes of Dangote, Adenuga, Isiyaku Rabiu and Jimoh Ibrahim of this country. I don’t so much believe in the idea that only foreigners can develop this country. I believe if we create the enabling environment and empower our people, we can take this country to any height of our dream. No one can lift our nation better than ourselves. Thirdly, in the areas of development and entrepreneurship, now, we have many Nigerians owning their businesses. We are still not there yet but there is a lot of improvement. We are a very proud people and more than ever , we are looking inward. Look at the petroleum sector, we have what they called the ‘local content’ initiative where our people are controlling the larger stake in the industry. All these have been brought about by successive governments under democratic dispensation, especially under President Goodluck Jonathan. Now he is trying to do the same with Power Holding Company of Nigeria and all spheres of the Nigerian economy. It is going to take us sometime but definitely, we are moving towards the promised land. Our democracy has yielded quite a lot of dividends. I will score this government low in the area of including the other areas of the country in governance, especially the Southwest region. Probably because the South-south people have never been in government before, they are kind of excluding the other areas. They should remember that the southsouth was not developed by south-south people alone. The area was developed by the resources of entire Nigeria. So the government should practise the politics of inclusion not the politics of exclusion. They should also remember that resources within the confines of the country belong to all Nigerians regardless of where such resources are found. Like I told you, the government should practise the politics of inclusion where every geopolitical zone of the country is squarely involved in the governance of the country. The business of running this country should be a collective re-

sponsibility of everybody regardless of tribes or religions. We must all join hands together to make sure the President succeeds. To sustain this growing democracy, we should shun partisan politics and be nationalistic in seeing to it that Nigeria works. Remember, if you are pulling down Jonathan, you are pulling down yourself. He remains the President until 2015 and if he desires to contest again, it is his right . The only option available is to contest against him and we can have free and fair election. I am very optimistic that the democracy of this nation will be sustained no matter how hard some people try to pull this country down. C M Y K

14—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

Appraisal of the Fourth Republic

Our Fourth Republic democracy is a complete failure in the sense that the very first threshold of what constitute democracy has failed. That’s free, fair and credible election. Since the inception of the Fourth Republic, we have not had any election that can be described as free, fair and credible. What we have had are very bad elections, extremely fraudulent and completely overwhelmed by rigging. Though, some elections were not as bad as the others, but all bad is the degree of vice that they contained. For example, the worst elections we have ever had is the 2007 elections. Everybody knows that. The 2011 elections is an improvement on the 2007. But event that one it is still a long way off from what can be described as credible. So that’s the beginning. Also, if one take a look of the practice of democracy itself, one would see that there is a lot of immaturity in the behaviour of the political actors. If you look at the politicians at the National Assembly, they behave like little children who have seen ice-cream and lolly-pop. They voted fo themselves high income and remuneration, the highest amount of money ever received at any legislature in the whole world. They were so immersed in seeing money that they forgot that is Nigeria’s money, not legislature’s money. So, we have a senator earning about 1.7 million dollars a year. When by contrast, his American counter part is earning just over two hundred thousand dollars a year. The President of America earns just four hundred thousand dollars a year. So, one can see not just the ironies but how ridiculous it is. The orientation is very childish and infantile self interest. The politicians are there to promote their material

The Fourth Republic has failed, says Sagay Structure of political parties

Professor Itse Sagay

ince the enthronement of the Fourth Republic about thirteen years ago, Nigeria’s catalogue of woes appeared to have reached unfinished symphony. Her people groaned under the yoke of repressive s u c c e s s i v e government,unemployment, dearth of social amenities abysmal demonstration of travesty of justice. Recent revelations from the different probe panels raised by both the upper and lower legislative chambers speak volume of the unbridled corruption that pervades the entire spectrum of governance. ‘The National Assembly is full of rogues and armed robbers,” former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo declared during the week. But President Goodluck Jonathan made futile attempt to absolve his administration from the near decadence the nation is experiencing when he stated that Nigeria’s problems were not caused by his regime. For Nigerians, democracy has brought them untold hardship and created a state of hopeless despair. Chief Obasanjo puts it better when he asked rhetorically in a conference held during the week in Lagos. “Is there hope for Nigeria? However, renowned Constitutional Lawyer, Professor Itse Sagay, in an interview with Charles Adingupu declared out-rightly that the Fourth Republic has collapsed.

The teeming population of this country which currently stands at well over one hundred and fifty million are earning less than a dollar per day. The fact that a senator earns 1.7 million dollar, those in that one hundred million bracket are earning three hundred and sixty-five dollars

interest without any consideration for the country. The teeming population of this country which currently stands at well over one hundred and fifty million are earning less than a dollar per day. The fact that a senator earns 1.7 million dollar, those in that one hundred million bracket are earning three hundred and sixty-five dollars. Therefore, one can see the magnitude of the impunity and criminal misconduct that is involved.

t the executive level, it’s all the same thing. We have heard a lot of scandals although not as overt as that of the National Assembly. The list is endless. However, few of them included, pension scam, petrol subsidy, the recent one, the Nigerian Security and Exchange Commission (SEC)

and so on. The country is overwhelmed by corruption. Democracy has brought nothing but misery to everybody. It was quite unfortunate that for one year, fellow Nigerians collected a whooping sum of 1.17 trillion naira from the federal government when they did not supply any petrol. That was the decree of decay and degeneration that 13 years of democracy has brought to us, Nigerians.

hough, they might be one or two things to celebrate. But if one looks at the general atmosphere, the roads are all bad. With the three successive democratic adminstration, the power situation got worse. Despite the huge amount of money budgeted for power, the situation remains static. Since Professor Barth Nnaji became the Minister, the power situation has deteriorated to an incredible level inspite of all the noise he’s making. The roads are the same, schools, universities, hospitals are all in bad state. The National Hospital in Abuja which is supposed to be the best in the country today, I understand is in no way any better than a morgue. If you have any serious illness, you dare not go there for treatment otherwise, you won’t come back alive. Today, every Nigerian is now going to India for treatment of one ailment or the other. The Indians capitalised on our foolishness to establish a huge laboratory in Oshodi, Lagos in order to make things easy for us. Also, South Africa has established a similar laboratory in Lagos. Somehow, our government is incapable of establishing anything that is enduring and beneficial to Nigerians. I’m afraid, there is nothing positive about Nigeria’s thirteenth years of democracy. For me, it is thirteen wasted years. The wrong people have been in power and it will continue to be so as long as the wrong people continue to remain in power.

The political parties are too many. They are over sixty. This has weakened the political opposition and has prevented them from presenting a credible challenge to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is just an conglomeration of people who want to share power and resources without any ideology. The opposition is not mobilised. They are scattered all over the places. Most of them operate in one parlour office, just waiting for the usual financial support from the government to share. That is all they do. They are not organised. In my view, with the state of our political orientation in the various zones of the country, it is possible for some of the major opposition parties to establish a formidable alliance with the intention of winning power and introducing real transformation in the Nigeria system. The opposition can do it if they plan properly. It is all about allowing each party to present credible candidates in areas where they are strong and work together. It is very important that Nigeria has a breath of fresh air which can only come if the PDP is defeated at the federal and state levels. The other issue dragging this country back is lack of federalism. With the current structure of the country, virtually all the powers are concentrated in Abuja. All the resources of the nation are also domiciled in Abuja. The result is that the federal government is handicap. It has too much to do and failed to apply the resources of the country intelligently and beneficially. It si obvious the federal government is already lost in confusion over what to do with so much power and resources. But if these resources are transferred to the federating units, the states will be stronger politically and financially and then become an engineer of development. We have thirty six actors all applying resources wisely. In ten years, this country will be unrecognisable.

Is the problem with the people or the system?

he system is part of the problem. It is true that more may lead to temptation. But that is the problem of the wrong people in power. Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said recently that virtually every House legislature at various levels are being controlled by thieves and armed robbers. And he should know better because he has ruled this country for more years than any other person. I’m waiting for people in power to challenge him. If we did not improve the quality of those in power, even the federalism would not make any appreiable

Continues on page 46

VANGUARD, SATURDAY, MAY 26, 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201D;15

Chief Edwin Clark's 85th birthday celebration in pix.

By Gbenga Olamikan

The former Attorney-General of the federation, Abdulahi Ibrahim SAN, congratulating Chief Edwin Clark during his 85th birthday celebration in Abuja.

Chief Edwin Clark, celebrant, addressing pressmen shortly after the Church service, while Chairman House Committee on Health, Hon Ndudi Elumelu (left), Minister of Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe (2 left); and others look on during his 85th birthday celebration in Abuja.

Members of Esther of Izon, presenting a birthday card to the celebrant

Enyi Barrister Giwa-Amu congratulating the celebrant at the occasion in Abuja.

The former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (left), congratulating Chief Edwin Clark, while Dr. Okonny (middle); and others look on.

Bishop Goodluck Akpeoe, President, Peace and Conflict Resolution Organization presenting a portrait to Chief Edwin Clark.

Chairman House Committee on Health, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu congratulating Bishop Goodluck Akpeoe, President, Peace and Conflict Resolution Organi- Chief Edwin Clark during his 85th birthday celebration in Abuja, while former zation; Chief Edwin Clark and Chief Richard Lamai chatting. Bayelsa State Governor, DSP Alamesaha and Hon Cairo Ojugbo look on at the event.

16 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

here were the” extras” which kept them away from the allocation coming from? Well, it turned out that the money was actually meant for the research that would lead to the eradication of malaria. But there was a very powerful lobby set against any success in that area, and it seemed it had been able to prevent any headway by simply turning the attention of those concerned in other directions. At first it sounded so weird, but it sent me wondering why indeed there had been very little impact made by way of a vaccine, or drug, or any significant, systematic undertaking aimed at eradicating malaria from Nigeria. I published an article about it in this very newspaper at that

n 1999, I stumbled on some information about the Ministry of Health which somewhat astonished me with regard to the campaign against malaria. The sum of money allocated for the fight against the disease was stated in one column and in column where the expenditure was to have been stated was blank. This was quite startling. It would have been rather normal if a sizeable amount or all the allocation had been expended, even without anything to show for it. But that such a provision had been made and totally ignored was, to say the least, “un-Nigerian”, if you will pardon the coinage. I was a bit more sprightly in those days than now, and so launched out on an enquiry as to why nothing had happened to the money, nothing at all. It hadn’t even been stolen, or “misappropriated”, if you like. It had simply been ignored—or could it simply have been overlooked? My enquires slowly revealed a reason that made me reel with laughter. The allocation had not been touched because it was not particularly needed. Those who might have taken control of it did not seem to be interested because they were being adequately serviced in other ways. They might not have been particularly honest, but their philosophy of service was definitely not imbued with the spirit of greed as the “operators” of the civil service have proved to be, especially in very recent times.

*immortality waits

•Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu Health Minister the same drug was sold under different names—or brands. The whole thing had the faint odour of a double exposure. The drugs were declared obsolete after a while, but the manufacturing of antimalarial drugs went on from strength to strength. Anytime the drugs appeared to be getting less effective, a new brand would be launched with all the marketing strategy you could imagine. They were identifiable some twenty years ago from the “-

The scandal of the stolen pension funds may be more open, but it all comes to the same thing in the end

time. I decried the fact that the business of anti-malarial drugs was confined to the production of remedial medicines that did not really seek to cure the patient but relieved the symptoms and pain caused by the disease over a period. It would indeed appear that they were all similar in chemical content since most of them were of the a common origin. Several of them were, in fact, unabashedly the same, so that

inine” suffix of the names ... you know, quinine, livaquine, quinacrine etc. A lot of Nigerians, who escaped an early death, were left to nurse themselves on all sorts of pills into their graves. But the pharmaceutical firms grew fatter and fatter. They were diverting the attention of the researchers away from serious work by luring

them from fruitful endeavours, so much so that the money provided for the work was not even noticed. But now, it would appear that a lot of money has been coming in officially, but is still being utilized to discover nothing of any particular benefit in the eradication of malaria. This time, all that the pharmaceutical companies have to do is blandly offer more tablets with new names.

sound solution should have been found to the problem all these years, with all the scientists that we boast of. Even if they are not capable by themselves of ridding this country of the scourge of malaria, they can learn from other parts of the world where the evil of mosquitoes has been totally suppressed. The argument that these disease-bearing insects are found in mangrove swamps, which abound in parts of Nigeria, no longer holds in the face of the situation in a place like Brazil where mangrove swamps also flourish, but where the lethal spread of malaria has been all but overcome. In fact, it was announced a few years ago that a vaccine had been discovered against the disease there. We do not

seem to have taken any advantage of that facility. It is also known that the Chinese do have a very good remedy which the Americans chased around before they discovered it on the shores of the Potomac in Washington, DC. That fact was also published here years ago, but what has been the follow-up from the Ministry of Health and its tribe of researchers? There was some heavy breathing in one of our n u m e r o u s , perennially striking, universities sometime ago, when some excitement was created about a “discovery”, or “breakthrough” in the fight against malaria. But, like our public inquiries, it seems to have flared brightly, noisily, and gone to sleep. What we are left with are new slogans and new designs in mosquito nets—and a smear of Chinese medication. But all this campaign about new types of drugs and mosquito nets really gives me a pain.

osquito nets as a deterrent against malarial infection are as old as the hills. It is an ineffective method, cumbersome to install and impracticable to maintain. The campaign itself is thus wasteful and only provides further avenues for another chapter of the unending scam in the management of public funds. Those who are in charge, as well as we who only watch and turn away our eyes, know that it is no more than a charade that is played out at the cost of human lives. The scandal of the stolen pension funds may be more open, but it all comes to the same thing in the end— human suffering increases as bank deposits boom. On the other hand, the problem of polio is almost solved even if, with Afghanistan and Pakistan, Nigeria is reckoned to be among the few countries where the disease is still considered endemic. The campaign here has been very successful though it still has to continue apace. But in the case of polio, as it is well known, a vaccine has been found to combat and destroy the virus. All that has to be done is to apply it orally. It wasn’t discovered here, but has been very useful to the

A sound solution should have been found to the problem all these years, with all the scientists that we boast of

health of the young ones as it becomes more and more accepted and popular. However, we should not wait for some other scientist to discover the vaccine against malaria for us. I am confident that Nigerian scientists will find a way, a scientific and efficacious means, of combating malaria and defeating it if they strive to. We have the brainpower in this country. A sincere and serious research into the leaves and roots we brew to produce the effective herbal potions which have served us for years on end, is sure to put a halt to this killer disease in no time at all, if only we would put our acts together.

ne of the “experts” who are so good at telling us how devastating malaria has been to the well-being of so many people, without proffering any realistic measure of how to quell the rapacity of this killerdisease, recently dared to call the herbal alternatives to the myriads of the pills and capsules we are saddled with, “concoctions” . As it is usual with his type, he offered nothing as to how they could be improved. It is enough that he condemns it. I have forgotten his name. It shall not be remembered. But any physician, pharmaceutical researcher, or scientist who can at last provide a lasting and effective remedy to the scourge of malaria in this country, will never be forgotten. He will have his name indelibly engraved on our hearts for ever. Immortality waits.

Echoes: I like your piece on “monkeys and baboons. “ But consider the Nigerians who live in the Northern part of the country, who also feel that General Buhari is also threatening them to either support him or be prepared for another round of mob attack. ALL OF THESE POLITICIANS ARE FIGHTING TO CONTROL THE RESOURCES AT THE CENTRE. Let us make the Centre unattractive so as to reduce the tension. (Abdul Gunu - 08155555336) Then the monkeys and the baboons will all be one! Time out.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, MAY 26, 2012 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 17 Y:\24042012\homevidpix2(Yvonne Okoro).JPG

18 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, MAY 26, 2012 Dear Julie, I am a girl of 17 and I met my dad’s friend’s son last year and fell in love with him. He asked for my number when we first met and we started talking and also went out on few dates after which we kissed on the last date. He’s a 20year old medical student in Port Hacourt and he rarely comes home. Therefore, I get to see him once in two or three months. I have serious plans to travel abroad next year to continue my studies. After I attachment before I travel so told him about my plans, he I won’t leave him for another suggested we have sex as a guy.Though I accepted, I later medium of an emotional disagreed because I am still a

Can she be trusted?

I love him so much

I can’t get over him Dear Aunty Julie, I’m 21yrs old and I have dated this guy for close to three years now and he has been cheating on me. Each time I complained, he’d tell me to be patient with him because he was dating the girl before he met me and he made me believe I meant the whole world to him. Things got worst when he relocated to another state. He stopped calling me or even coming to visit me. I only get to see him once in 34months and I’m the one who always goes to see him. The last time I visited, I saw a message on his phone, “my love, thanks for the things you bought for me, I love them and I love you too” and he always complains to me that he does not have money. When I confronted him about it, he told me that he can’t just stay alone, that he needed someone who will be washing his clothes and cook for him. I asked why he is hurting me and he told me that maybe, my happiness lies somewhere else, that I should do whatever I know can make me happy; that he will understand. I left and I stopped calling him. It’s over a month now and he has not bothered calling me.I just cannot get over him. I still love him. What should I do? Joy, Delta Dear Joy, It’s a pity you’re having this trial and this is what it is, especially if you continue to stay. You can stay and hope

eventually that one day he will stop. I won’t say he will stop and can’t say he will not ever stop. But if he knows he will always have you, then he will give up nothing. In other words, he’s cheated and been caught and you stayed. He knows you love him and he could very well love you and so, why should he stop? His actions have not caused you to stray from him; so he’s not losing anything. You asked why he’s hurting you and he gave you options. You left and he didn’t call. My advice is;

don’t call him either. Start getting him to respect you first. At the least, he will work on his cheating, only if he feels there is something in jeopardy. You have to be willing to leave even if you end up not doing so. By willing to leave, you have to desire something else. Don’t let him hurt you anymore. You have to follow your heart but really, I don’t see this relationship leading you to anywhere.

virgin and he’s aware of it. I feel bad because he hasn’t really been treating me the same way he used to before he made the request and he also sleeps with some of his female friends. I love him too much and it’s bugging me, what should I do? Angel, Onitsha Dear Angel, If you are not ready and he doesn’t understand that and is not willing to wait, then the only one pressuring you is you. Let him go. It’s a big decision when you finally decide to have sex for the first time. Someone that loves you should respect your choice and be willing to wait for you. Don’t worry about what he’s doing to other girlfriends. The only thing that should matter is how you feel and whatever you decide is okay. If the guy loves you, let him wait for you. Changing his attitude because of your refusal to have sex should be the more reason why you should avoid him. It shows he has no respect for your feelings and if he is sleeping around with other girls, then avoid him because it is not even safe for you to have sex with him because of his multiple sex partners. You have to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.

Whom should I listen to? Dear Aunty Julie, I am in a relationship with a man who is older than I with about twenty years. He has a son who is about fifteen years old from a previous relationship and he is currently living at his family’s compound in the same street where I live with my mother. Of recent, he

proposed marriage and when I told my mother, she said it’s okay that the age difference does not matter. But when I told my pastor he said otherwise; that I should quit the relationship because his son, his son’s mother and members of his family would not let me be. I really love this man but should I listen to my

Dear Aunty Julie, I have this girl I have been dating for the past six years now and I intend to marry her. But I have found out that she frequently lies to me. On January Ist, we renewed our vow for love but less than eight hours, she visited a man whom she said was a seminarian. When I called her, she lied and said she was in the market. I was in bed with her one day when the same man called her by 3am and when I confonted her on why he should call her at that odd hour, she said he was just wishing her well.Not long ago, one guy I have been suspecting she was dating called her while I was with her and she said the person that called was the brother, only for me to find out that she saved the guy’s number with a fake name and it was the same boy that truly called.The other time, she lied to me about the money in her account, yet I was the person who gave her money to open the account and I have not left her empty without money. In fact, I make sure she is very comfortable.When she gets text messages, she quickly deletes them so that I do not see them. We both agreed that she should not wear trousers and she told me she will never put on one since I do not like them. But the other day, I paid her a surprise visit in her school only to find her in a pair of trousers.She has offended me so much to the extent that she said I should give her one last chance but the last chance has turned out to be five chances, yet, she doesn’t seem to change.Dear Aunty Julie, do you think she

can she be trusted? I am tired. I intend to end this relationship and move forward. Deji, Lagos

mother or my pastor? Please I really need your help. Ojiyovwi Edevwie

difference. If you feel that you want to end it because you’re worried about the future then that’s not love. So, age really depends on the people involved and how mature they act. It would be different if you were 16 or 17 but you are not. As long as you are happy, that is all that should matter to people. Some people don’t like any age difference but if it matters to you, then think about it again.

Dear Ojiyovwi, If you really love him and know he is the right one for you, then it shouldn’t be such an issue for you. So what if he is 20years older? As long as the inside of the guy doesn’t change and he is not married to another woman, don’t end it because of the age

Dear Deji,

If she lies to you a few more times , that means she’s trying to hide something. If she changes the way she acts around you, then that means something is going on. Ask her if there is something wrong. If she changes the way she acts around you after she lied to you then watch out! Trust is vital in a relationship. You have to trust her. She has to trust you. Otherwise, you’ll be going crazy thinking what she might be doing, who she really is talking to. It’s hard to trust some people especially those that have lied to you and cheated on you. But you can always talk it out and try to make it work. If she truly loves you and wants to be with you, tell her how you feel, what you think, and that it hurts you that she is ‘talking’ to other guys. I put talking in quotations because you don’t know who she is talking to. If she cannot be open and honest with you about who and what guys she is talking to, then she isn’t worth the trouble. Why are you going to be with a girl who is doing that to you when you are young enough to find somebody else who can treat and respect you better than that? If she isn’t doing anything wrong then, why is she hiding from you? If she can’t be open with you, then she isn’t worth it. Really, she has given you every reason to question her integrity. If you can’t cope, spare yourself the stress. In my opinion, the seminarian is her boyfriend too. Is it really that unclear?

C O C K - TA L E S

A great doctor’s visit A forty-ish woman was at home happily jumping on her bed and squealing with delight. Her husband watches her for a while and asks “Do you have any idea how ridiculous you look? What’s the matter with you?” The woman continues to bounce on the bed and says, “I don’t care. I just came from the doctor and he says I have the breasts of an 18-year-old.” The husband said, “What did he say about your 41-year-old ass?” “Your name never came up,” she replied. Taking no chances George went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem with his family, including his mother-in-law. While there, the mother-in-law died. With the death certificate in his hand, George went to the American Consulate Office to make arrangements to send the body back

to the United States for proper burial. The Consul advised George that to ship the body back to the United States for burial could be very, very expensive. It could cost him as much as $5,000.00 or more. The Consul told him, in most cases, the person responsible for the remains normally decides to bury the body here in Jerusalem. This would only cost him $150.00. George thinks for a moment and his response was: “I don’t care how much it will cost to send the body back! That’s what I want to do.” The Consul says “You must love your mother-in-law very much considering what it will cost you.” “No, it’s not that,” says George. “You see, I heard of someone who was buried here in Jerusalem many, many years ago. On the third day he rose from being dead! I just can’t take that chance!”

Wedding Ring Soon after marriage, a lady’s husband stopped wearing his wedding ring. She asked, “Why don’t you ever wear your wedding band?” He replied, “It cuts off my circulation.” She answered back, “ That’s what it’s supposed to do” White wedding dress A fresh-faced lad on the eve of his wedding night goes to his mother with the following question. “Mom, why are wedding dresses white?” The mother looks at her son and replies, “Son, this shows the town that your bride is pure.” The son thanks his mom and goes off to double-check this with his father. “Dad why are wedding dresses white?” The father looks at his son in surprise and says,

SATURDAY

rom time to time, readers of this column have texted to find out if some stories are ‘really true’. Riyike’s story is a stranger-than- fiction type which sent me, a selfconfessed seen-it-all, reeling with indignation at how stupid some people would stoop to keep a love they seem obsessed with. According to Riyike, when she met Ben five years ago, he was on the rebound. His girlfriend of three years suddenly threw him over for a man she confessed she was in love with. “It was obvious that Ben was still hurting from the humiliation of rejection,” said Riyike. “I had gone to the accounting firm he worked with for my one-year attachment programme from the polytechnic I attended and he was more or less my direct boss. He was happy to show me the ropes and we went to the office canteen together often.

Vanguard MAY 26, 2012—19

Drawing the line between love and obsession

“

Inevitably, we started a relationship and he confessed he was over with Kadijat, his ex. I eventually moved in with him against my mother’s wish.

to speak with Ben in private. Later, Ben came to tell me she wanted somewhere to stay for a while as she’d just been kicked out by her Mr.

e talked a lot about his ex, how much he loved her, how much time and money he’d lavished on her; and how she had no guts to tell him about her new find until someone sent him a text anonymously, that she was virtually sleeping in his house!” Armed with an address from the text, he laid siege at the man’s house and it didn’t take time for both of them to walk in together. She didn’t come out all the four hours he waited for her to do so. When she visited the next day and he confronted her, she was really angry that he’d been ‘spying’ on her. Now that he’d found out, what did he intend to do? Beat her up? Have her arrested? She then flounced off in a huff. He tried to win her back, but she said she was happy with her new love. “When you see someone long enough, they sort of grow on you and it didn’t take time for both of us to become an item. We went to parties together and visited each other once in a while.

What on earth did he think he was doing? Yet I let him carry on instead of kicking him out of the bed

My dad passed away a few years ago, otherwise I wouldn’t have dared spend the night with any man, let alone move in with him. Then, out of the blues, Kadijat came back. She just walked in one evening, gave me a casual glance and demanded

Wonderful. He’d told her I was now living with him, but that she could sleep on the couch until she found her feet. I was livid. I wanted to pack my bag there and then, but I loved Ben and if I left, Kadijat would move in. So, I shrugged after my protests

fell on deaf ears. She moved in and treated me as the odd one out. “A couple of days later, Kadijat complained of being disturbed by rats and mosquitoes in the living room —and Ben suggested, she could sleep with us in the bed! I was really stunned. In my head I knew it wasn’t a good idea, but I would do, anything to keep Ben away from Kadijat, so I agreed, Ben slept on the outside of the bed with me in the middle, his arm around me. One night, as if in a trance, I realised Ben’s hand had reached furtively towards Kadijat’s face and he was actually stroking her cheek! What on earth did he think he was doing? Yet I let him carry on instead of kicking him out

of the bed. I could have left too. But I had read about this sort of thing in some smutty books and magazines and had discussed it with friends. But to think I would ever find myself involved in a three-ina-bed-romp! What would my mum think of this type of behaviour? The next morning, I felt so ashamed, but Ben was happier than I’d ever seen him —he was actually humming and whistling. He’d obviously had too much of a good thing. ‘How are you?’, he wanted to know. But I told him I wasn’t myself. ‘Let’s give what happened last night a try,’ he begged. That way, we can all stay together.’ The mild threat was in his words— take it or leave. So I stayed. “We soon got into the routine of the three of us sleeping together but I gradually realised I was the odd one out. Most evenings, Ben and Kadijat would sit on the couch; sipping stout. I never touched alcohol, so I would sit in a chair until Ben would urge me to have an early night if I felt like it. They would continue boozing, laughing and whispering long into the night and of course having it off on the couch. It then dawned on me that if I had any shred of dignity left, I would have to leave.

hank goodness my one-year attachment was over. I packed everything I had and moved back to the campus. Ben begged me to leave a few things, but I told him I could always visit with whatever I’d needed but never went back to that sinful flat. He begged and pleaded for me to come back, even promised to kick out Kadijat. But the respect I had for him had gone. You can’t love anyone, and bring home an ex who once humiliated you, for regular romps on the same bed. I couldn’t tell anyone how low I sank when I didn’t even realise the madness that came over me. One thing I’m sure of is that I’ll never sink that low again.” “

How mobile phones could be dangerous to children’s health xperts had warned that children should be banned from using mobile phones immediately to stop them suffering brain tumours. US scientist Lloyd. Morgan said cases of brain cancer could rise 25 fold in the future and predict there would not be enough trained surgeons to help victims. “I predict a Tsunami of brain tumours,” he said, “I don’t think we will see the beginning of it for 10 or may be 15 years, but, once it explodes, it could be devastating. We could see anything between an increase of four times and 25 times. And unless we train more neuron surgeons now, a great many people will not be able

to have surgery”. Mr. Morgan, of America’s Environmental Health Trust pressure group, said safety measures needed to be put in place immediately. According to him; “Mobiles are like cars—they are not safe, although they can be

Manufacturers should make them hands free only so you cannot hold one to your ear. Children should not be allowed to use them at all. There’s a lot of evidence that they are more affected by radiation. The surgeon made his

Manufacturers should make them hands free only so you cannot hold one to your ear. Children should not be allowed to use them at all

made safe enough. If you hold a mobile just six inches from your head, the radiation is 10,000 times smaller .

controversial comments after presenting a paper warning that a landmark study into mobile phone use released a few months ago had got its

result wrong. The interpose study, which brought together scientists from 13 countries under the World Health Organisation, found no significant link between shortterm mobile use and cancer, and a slight link in the long term. And confusingly it found in some cases, mobiles DECREASED the risk of tumours. But he said the results that were analysed mean the true risks were ignored and claimed they were actually 25 per cent higher than the report said. Under his analysis, presented to a conference a few months ago in Seoul, South Korea, the risk of the most common brain tumour, a glioma, doubles if

you use a mobile just once a week for 10 years.

ancer Research UK has described Mr. Morgan’s analysis as ‘over blown’ and said there was no evidence brain tumour rates had risen since the use of mobiles had become widespread. However, his comments come as Britain starts a 30 year project to monitor the health of 1 00,000 mobile users. Scientists will try to find links between mobile use and a house range of health problems, including tumours.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

SMS (ONLY)

Make sure you’re confiding in someone you know you can trust. Confiding in a male friend about your spouse’s affair could complicate the situation

How to deal with cheating and lying spouses Y

our husband is cheating and your wife is lying or both. You’re not sure what to do. Before wrestling with that decision, let’s focus first on what you shouldn’t do. Most people react blindly when they find out their significant other is having an affair. They let fear, anger, hurt, or a desire for revenge compel them to do things they later regret — things which make it difficult or impossible to implement any worthwhile infidelity advice they may later receive. hat your husband is c h e a t i n g is not enough reason to leave him. There are other considerations. That your wife lies through her teeth is also not enough reason to abuse or leave her. Don’t put him/her out or leave him/her yet. Instead of your first move, putting your spouse out or leaving him/her should be your last resort. You may eventually decide to do this but for now, it’s the worst thing you can do. Right now, you need to keep a close eye on what’s going on. As long as you’re still together, you can keep your finger on the pulse of his/her affair and gather some much-needed facts. Don’t tell the whole world about your partner's infidelity/ lying. It’s natural to want to confide in somebody about your spouse’s affair, or rally friends and family to your side. But be very cautious about who you tell. The female friend you confide in could turn out to be the “other woman.” Make sure you’re confiding in someone you know you can trust. Confiding in a male friend about your spouse’s affair could complicate the situation. There are men out there who take advantage of women when they’re in a vulnerable state. Telling your husband’s friends or family may not produce the results you want. They might not take you seriously, or they may lie, make excuses for him, take his side, or warn him to cover his tracks. Confiding in your own family and friends can eventually come back to haunt you. Exercise caution in who you tell about your spouse’s affair. Don’t ignore his/her affair or pretend it’s not happening. Going into denial will only make matters worse. As traumatic as it is to find out that your husband/wife has been cheating, you need to face the reality of the situation. Ignoring his/her infidelity gives him/her the go-ahead to continue . Pretending it’s not happening will make him think he’s getting away with his cheating, or give him the impression that he has your

silent approval. At some point, you should inform your spouse that you know about his/her affair and make it clear that you want it to stop. The sooner you confront him/her about this cheating, the better. The longer you wait to bring it up and express your disapproval, the more attached he/she will become to the other woman/man. Most experts agree that you should confront your spouse about his/her cheating. But you need to have a plan. Choose the time and place carefully so you can discuss the affair at length without interruption. Do not ask your spouse if s/ he’s cheating. Cheaters always lie. Don’t waste your time and energy on the other woman/man. One of the worst things you can do is become obsessed with the other person in your spouse's

ues: I’m not usually the Q clingy type but recently , I found myself needing a

lot of re-assurance from my guy. We have been together a year and a half before I moved to Abuja to be with him. I’m always looking for reassurance that he loves me. I’m thinking this stems from the fact that I come from a broken home. I grew up seeing my mum a lonely woman and my greatest fear is seeing what happened to my mum happen to me. Eventually, she remarried

*Ike Oluwa, 40, employed, Christian, dark, needs a woman for marital relationship. She must be beautiful and educated, employed and within the age-range of 21-35 on 07057539172. *Taofeeq, 31, from Lagos, needs a Muslim lady of 2427 for a serious relationship on 08052355875. *Olu, 45, civil servant, from the South-West,

life. It’s natural for you to be curious about her, but she’s not worth your time and energy. Repeatedly questioning your spouse about her, referring to her or dragging her name into the conversation puts the spotlight on her instead of on the real issues where it belongs. Don’t obsess over the details of what happened between the

two them. Concentrate on working things out between the two of you. Do not humiliate or frustrate yourself by calling or confronting the other woman and demanding that she leaves your husband alone. She’s not obligated to take orders from you. Harassing her or threatening her will put

you on the wrong side of the law. Name-calling, criticizing or belittling her will only make your husband come to her defense. You’ll be driving them closer together instead of forcing them apart .Forget about the other woman and focus your energy and efforts on getting your relationship back on track.

Ans: You are probably right that being abandoned by your dad and seeing your mum as a lonely woman have left an emotional hole that is hard to fill. In addition, you’ve uprooted yourself and

moved to a new place to be with your guy. You probably haven’t yet made other friends so you are more dependent on him. I guess that scares you. Your experience of people who love you is that they leave. You may be scared that he will leave too, so you cling. Ironically, clinging generally makes people want to go away which is what you fear most. What you should do with yourself is to get busy. It’s unfair and destructive to turn your love relationship into a clingy affair because of your neediness. Getting busy will help you resolve your grief and anger about being left by your parents. It can also help you truly understand that it wasn’t

because you were unlovable that they left. I also encourage you to find your own group of friends so you can spread your needs for affirmation and contact around. Join an organization. Socialise more. Make friends in the Church you belong to. If that’s not to your liking, volunteer to do some community service. Join a club where there are people who share your interests. Get a job and invite people you meet there and like to get together after work. Yes. I know that finding a way to belong in a new place is hard but it won’t get any easier if you stick to your guy like a burr. And your man will rightfully feel concerned about you and annoyed that he can’t do enough.

Christian, needs a lady of 2345 who is a Christian and disciplined on 07055913484. *Patrick, 38, based in Abuja, wants to meet an

employed and God-fearing lady of 28-36 for marriage on 08164422058. *Lucky, from Delta, desires a Godly lady from Delta, aged 25-28 on 08189967961. *Dele, 28, employed, from Kwara, based in Benin, needs a caring graduate lady of 22-

28 who lives in Benin on 08038222923. *Ay, male, resident in Abuja, adult, wants a lady of 20-25 on 08073402682. *Kings, male, needs a beautiful lady who understands what love is all about for marriage on 07057373593.

and my whole world came apart. I felt abandoned by both parents. It’s wrong to lay all that on my guy but I feel crazy I can’t help always needing affection and being told I’m loved. It’s become a problem for us because he’s expressed that he feels he will never be able to do enough for me. What do I do with myself? Irene, Abuja

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

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012—21

he Bible is a great book… Even if you still have it backwards and don’t believe the “Jesus” story it’s a compendium of healthy living. In gives insight into all kinds of issues and the simple instructions therein if followed; provides a certain ‘balance’ to everything in life.

Recognising swine

Take this scripture for instance, Romans 12 vs. 13: “… ‘Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought to think, but with sober discernment’. Nice. That tells me that though I know I am wonderfully made and therefore should hold myself in high esteem, I must not get carried away… humility. Then there are several instructions on how to treat one’s neighbour and how to be a good Samaritan, the importance of forgiveness and turning the other cheek; but then Matthew chapter 7 vs. 6 says: do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before pigs; otherwise they

advantage because it all seemed so easy and they forget that you it was who granted access in the first place, I really don’t get it. Shouldn’t courtesy attract same?

Why must I be badly behaved and loud to be treated ‘right’?I’ve seen it happen time and time again and it baffles me

will trample them under their feet and turn around and tear you to pieces. Ah, wisdom!

hat is the key… recognising swine. While it is good, nay imperative that we are good, and giving towards one another, if one could learn to recognize swine

upon encounter, you would know not to cast your pearls – time, energy, emotions, money, talent, brain power, information name it –before them. It takes a while especially if your default mode is to be charitable and kind but after being ‘trampled and torn apart’ several times

you begin to learn. ou encounter them everywhere, in any kind of situation. People who take you for granted, who have very little regard for your time or feelings, who mistake your humility for stupidity and generally carry on like they think you are a fool. Why can’t one be down to earth, soft spoken, polite and still get respect? Why must I be badly behaved and loud to be treated ‘right’?I’ve seen it happen time and time again and it baffles me. You meet someone, based on whatever you give them access and then they just begin to take

hen again one cannot be said to have grown in one’s spiritual journey if you can only extend grace to the people who are ‘nice’. Personally, I have simplified the process. Everybody gets a shot. If I am approached and the person half makes sense, I see the potential and it’s not diametrically opposed to my beliefs and principles; I will lend myself to you. I will give of my time, my talent, my energy, whatever the situation requires. Once that person begins to show traits of a pig, no resentment, no fight, so there’s really nothing to forgive; I simply bend down and pick up my pearls where I have cast them…one by one.

Belly contraction — NAULI

was once in a bookshop where I muscles of the belly known as the rectus picked up a book on Yoga. In it was a picture of the author illustrating Nauli - muscles are isolated and made to move in an abdominal exercise in which the central a circular notion of both ways. Though, this appeared to be a difficult exercise, the writer had mentioned that it could be mastered on one’s own without a teacher. All it took was dilligent practice. It immediately occurred to me hat this writer of Yoga was very right. I had taught myself this exercise back in 1962. It was the very first Yoga exercise I ever did. Eight years later when ! was 22 I met my Yoga teacher. I came to appreciate the body more and more as a too which could be bettered by sensible exercise and changes in diet. Every Yoga book read drove home the tremendous importance in helping the body rid itself more efficiently of waste products. There were exercises to aerate the lungs and increase their capacity; others had to do with cleansing the stomach, while others helped in achieving thorough bowel movement. Of all the various ways and means of bringing about better elimination, Nauli is top on the list. It is said to be India’s gift to the world. It is the final word in stomach-care, if you ask me. Thirty-seven years after, first started its practice, I’m still at it and much, much the better for it. Nauli must be the “backbone” of my fairly good health. Besides myself demonstrating the Nauli, there’s also this other illustration to make the Abdomal Retraction (1) reader know that this is an

exercise that can be attempted by both sexes provided there isn’t a medical problem to consider. NAULI Technique: Stand with the feet slightly apart and place the hands on the thighs. Bend the trunk a little forward.

Now take in a deep breath and exhale forcefully and fully as you push on the thighs and draw upwards the diaphragm. Quickly, without inhaling, contract the centra! band of muscles of the belly and push it outwards giving the appearance of a ridge down the centre of the belly. Now draw the muscles in and out for several times.

Abdomal Retraction (2)

C M Y K

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, MAY 26, 2012—23

Edited by Ogbonna Amadi amadi_o@yahoo.com

P-Square acquires private jet ...flies to South Africa BY OPEOLUWANI AKINTAYO & IYABO AINA

igeria’s multiple award winning hip-hop sensation, Peter and Paul Okoye popularly known as P- Square have added another feather to their cap as they are now proud owners of a private jet. According to our source, the twins recently coughed out several millions of dollars to pick the private airbus from one of the Arabian countries. And with their latest acquisition, Peter and Paul are now the biggest boys in the Nigerian music industry. One of their tweets on Thursday evening gave the duo out about their new

acquisition. “Jetting privately....thanks to God and the fans. You all made it possible. God has settled us...Just included on our list...that very list......shhhhhh.” Peter tweeted Thursday night. Showtime gathered that as at the time Peter tweeted about their new ‘baby’, the duo were on a trip to South Africa. With landed properties in Jos, Port Harcourt and their newly built Lagos mansion worth N400 million, it’s no doubt that the dynamic duo are in the millionaires club. Among their automobile acquisitions are two Sequioa Sports Utility Vans (SUVs), one hummer SUV, truck bus and a Toyota Altima.

Goge Africa’s Moses, Nneka step out with baby boy

Kanye West turns producer, premieres movie at Cannes film festival

merican rapper Kanye West premiered his seven-screen movie experience “Cruel Summer ” at the Cannes Film Festival last Wednesday night .He was accompanied to the premiere by his new TV personality girlfriend Kim Kardashian. The singer and his girlfriend sat together front and center in a temporary theater near the Palm Beach in Cannes to view West’s debut film, a project shot on multiple cameras and projected across multiple screens. The 30-minute film, which featured other label acts including Big Sean, Mr Hudson, Pusha T, Kid Cudi, Teyana Taylor, Prince Cy and D’banj was shot in Qatar, Middle East, few months ago. It was inspired by West’s upcoming G.O.O.D. Music compilation of the same name. In this first showing of the film, screens were spread on the theater’s ground, ceiling and across the sides. Members of cast of the film were in Kanye West and Kim Kardashian at the “Cruel attendance along with the rapper JayZ.“This is a dream come true,” West Summer” premiere. said as he introduced the film to the audience.

He said it took him a “crazy” three months to produce the short film . “It’s actually kind of surreal seeing the film come to fruition right here,” he added. Kardashian was one of the first to stand and give her boyfriend a standing ovation at the end of the halfhour movie experience. A clearly touched West said of the project: “I can dream that this will be the way that one day people will watch movies. I want to change what entertainment experiences are like,” he said. “It relates to a post Steve Jobs, post Windows era,” Kanye said of the multiscreen experience which required keeping track of several images at the same time. “Like you’re always looking at a Blackberry when you’re at a ballgame or the theater. It’s about the amount of information we get all at once.”It’s all like a painting,” he added. Kardashian, wearing a gold-beaded mini-dress with her hair slicked back, and West entered the theater hand-inhand. At a party held at a nearby beach after the premiere, the two hobnobbed with guests arm-in-arm and even shared a drink out of the same plastic straw.

BY OPEOLUWANI AKINTAYO

ollowing the birth of their bundle of joy in February, this year after fourteen years of marriage, Moses and Nneka Isaac, have finally stepped out with their baby boy. The couple, who have been in the forefront of promoting African cultures and values were spotted recently where they posed with their adorable baby boy, Isaac Kamara Moses. It would be recalled that Nneka Moses who are copresenters of the popular culture based TV programme “Goge Africa” with her husband, Isaac, in February gave birth to a baby boy. The baby is the couple’s first child since their marriage in 1998. Immediately after welcoming the child, Isaac Moses took to his facebook wall where he broke the news to the world, and gave thanks to God for the safe delivery of his child: ‘All honour and glory to God; my wife has delivered a beautiful baby boy. And just looking at him, I realize he is worth the long wait’’, he posted.

Music, dance, as Mike Okonkwo celebrates with Children

hristians resident in Festac area of Lagos,are bound to witness a life-changing impartation come tomorrow, as the presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Dr Mike Okonkwo storm the town for a programme tagged “God will Restore Everything.’ According to the host, Rev. Iyke Osuji, a special

prophetic blessings by the bishop will be released on children during the programme to commemorate this year ’s Children’s Day celebration that willcause them to be a voice in their generation. “ The bishop will lay hands on the children during the programme... speak over their lives so that they will be a blessing to their generation.”Rev. Osuji

highlighted. The event will also witness songs, dances and dramas put together by the children. Speaking ahead of the event, the host pastor said the programme which holds at TREM auditorium, Festac town, promises to be a total transformation and restoration to all those that will be in attendance.

Mike Okonkwo

Moses and Nneka with their baby

22— Vanguard, SARTURDAY, MAY 26, 2012

Edited by Ogbonna Amadi amadi_o@yahoo.com

D’banj wears a ‘f**k you Don Jazzy’ T-shirt BY OPEOLUWANI AKINTAYO

ollowing the sudden split between the Kokomaster and his long time friend, Don Jazzy, the details of their messy war of words have been all over the place and is getting messier with each passing day. This has caused worry among friends and fans of the duo, whose concern has been what next after the separation. And since the news of their disagreement first hit the air, different people have stepped in to try put an end to the ugly incident, all to no avail. First, Don Jazzy came up with his version of his story, blaming D’banj for his uncontrollable ego since the Kokomaster gained international reputation, fame and money, especially with the signing of the Kanye West’s deal.

Then D’banj also granted an interview far away in the UK, where he told Kunle Ayeni his experience with Don Jazzy. He claimed the ace producer has shortchanged him. As if the plans have already been concluded, D’banj immediately relocated to the UK, got himself signed on to another record label, Mercury Records. Then, he also emerged as the head of the newly formed Def Jam Africa. Def Jam Africa is the African arm of Island Def Jam which is under parent company Universal Music Group, home to some of the biggest superstars on the planet. Recent investigation also revealed that D’banj has just signed on Dami Duro crooner, Davido to this new record label. As a matter of fact, both D’banj and Davido have started recording. Shortly after D’banj started making waves in the UK with

his Oliver Twist single, Don Jazzy also debuted with Mavin records which houses the likes of Wande Coal, D’Prince, Dr.Sid, Tiwa Savage and Don Jazzy himself. But the new twist to the whole gist is that D’banj was recently sighted at the Murtala International Airport, where he wore a T-shirt with “f**k you Don Jazzy” boldly written on it. At first, the rumour was ignored as a result of lack of pictorial evidence. But those in the know claimed that they saw D’banj wearing the same T-shirt on the same day. After their split, D’banj went on his Twitter wall, and tweeted a congratulatory message to Jazzy on his new record label, Mavin. And in a succession, Jazzy also tweeted, enjoining people to give their support to D’ban’j Oliver Twist which at that time was preparing for debut in the UK.

Project Fame returns, ...as auditions hold in Ghana

S D’banj

Terry G out with See Groove BY OPEOLUWANI AKINTAYO

or those of his fans who are wondering where the Akpako master has been all this while, worry no more, as he’s now out with a new single titled, See Groove. Unlike the regular Terry’s style of hot and fast beats, he goes with a more hip-hop thing, a move capable of sending his fans asking for more. As the title suggests, See Groove opens with a grooving beat accompanied with the sound of a jingled bell. Terry then comes in with his C M Y K

usual ‘ razz’slangy lines while a background voice repeats the ‘nah nah nah’ rhyme. “...baby girl show me that you’re beautiful...who get this big y*sh...oya baby wyn am o...oya ka lo tunle se...baby show me ur ginger style”, it goes on and on. In all, it’s a club banger , produced by the Terry ’s House of Ginger.

MASH hit TV s i n g i n g competition, Project Fame West Africa returns with season 5. As usual, a lot of excitement has been generated among aspiring musicians in Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The audition train arrives Ghana today. The auditions which will hold at the Musicians Union of Ghana, (MUSIGA) office in Accra, seeks to discover raw talented

Terry G

musical hopefuls who are groomed for success in an intense Academy. The contestants will receive the very best professional training from voice and movement to performance and song writing. More than just a talent competition, Project Fame allows viewers a unique opportunity to follow day by day, the behind the scenes progress of the contestants in their quest for fame. The contestants will also be given the opportunity to meet and perform alongside their favorite stars who will conduct exclusive master-classes, sharing their wisdom and tips for success. The finalists, according to a statement by the organisers, will be expected to live in t h e Pr o j e c t Fa m e Academy for a period of 10 weeks. As usual, public voting by SMS determines which contestants are eliminated on a weekly basis, with

the lucky winner walking away with cash prize, a car and a recording contract. The reality show has successfully launched the musical careers of Iyanya, Mike, Chidinma and the most recent winner, Monica.

Chidinma

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012—25

Lagos preacher heals bedridden Nollywood actor B

Pastor Fireman healing actor , Enebeli

edridden Nollywood actor, Enebeli Elebuwa was full of “praises and thanks” to Almighty God during the week as he has received his healing, courtesy of a Lagos based controversial preacher, Dr Sign Fireman. The actor was struck by stroke late last year. Since then, his health has continued to deteriorate on each passing day. He was reportedly bedridden for months before he finally received healing from the firebrand pastor. Fireman who came into prominence through the showbiz personalities that attend his church located in Surulere,was said to have been moved by the status of the ailing actor. He instructed his family to relocate him to the church where he eventually healed

him of the life-threatening ailment. A video posted on Youtube showed the high flying pastor taking steps with the actor, who looked physically drained and weak, after the healing. Fireman could be heard asking Enebeli to walk and take “one step at a time … in the name of Jesus,” which, in the midst of clapping and shouting by the congregation, he strenuously adhered to, as he received his healing. Fireman happens to be one of the influential men of God who rules the Christian community in the country. His extravagance lifestyle was brought to questioning by CAN recently. "Jesus Christ was never a poor man. He had an accountant following him around” he was quoted as saying.

Dikeh dumps Patience Ozokwo’s Tonto smoking habit? son weds today ..As Funke Akindele’s wedding gulps N25m

he wedding bell is still ringing. After the likes of Stephanie Okereke, Chidi Mokeme, Uche Jombo, and 2Face Idibia walked down the aisle in a quick succession, it is the turn of Patience Ozokwo’s son, Nduka Morrison Ozokwo and Funke Akindele to follow suit. The former ’s wedding to his fiancée holds today, in the eastern part of the country, while the latter’s own comes up also today at All seasons Plaza, Ikeja, Lagos. Nduka’s traditional marriage ceremony was held yesterday, the white wedding is slated for today amidst pomp and pageantry. Patience Ozokwo a.k.a Mama Gee reportedly spent most of her time on Wednesday tweeting at family members, friends and colleagues in preparation for the big day. Her tweet read; “I can’t wait. The time is here and yet seems f a r. Yo u r

prayers is the best wedding gift.” Meanwhile, HVP gathered that Funke’s Islamic wedding rite (Nikkai) to her socialite and politician fiancé Kenny Almaroof was observed on Thursday, at her Ikeja residence. The event was said to have been attended by few family members and close friends. Sources close to the actress said Funke’s wedding will gulp over N25 million. For instance, Funke is said to have hired the All Seasons Plaza venue for N2 million, while the musicians billed to perform at the ceremony are to smile home with the huge sum of N8 million. Already, the Astoria caterers is said to have pocketed N10 million while the company that will supply the drinks has been paid N3 million.

ollywood bad girl,Tonto Dikeh, who is known to be a heavy smoker has finally dumped the habit. The 26-year-old controversial actress announced this, on Monday, via micro blogging website Twitter. She tweeted “I have [a] good news for those who wish me well. hehehehheheehehehe, it’s a silly good news but you all [are] going to love this. I QUIT SMOKING. Puppyface.” Just last year, Tonto was in a bitter war with fellow actor, Van Vicker when she puffed cigarette at him. The Ghanaian actor was said to

Sam Dede

have cautioned the actress to cut down on her smoking habit. Before now, Tonto’s alleged heavy smoking habit has been a thing of concern to some of her fans as well as friends. Tonto emerged in the Nigerian movie industry after placing second in the 2005 edition of Next Movie Star reality show. She landed her first Tonto movie in 2006 the actress has not looked back. Today drama ‘Tea and she is one of the most-sought-after Coffee.’Since then, controversial actresses in Nollywood.

‘I 'll not dump acting for politics’ Sam Dede was appointed the new Director-General of opular Nollywood actor in a few months from now, Rivers State Tourism P and university lecturer, people will witness a Development Agency early Sam Dede who was recently transformation in the sector". appointed as the DirectorGeneral of the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency has described the appointment as ''a surprise." He has also dismissed rumour in some quarters that he would dump acting for politics. Speaking for the first time since his new appointment with HVP, in Abuja, recently, Sam Dede said he has a challenge to bring the tourism potentials of Rivers State to the limelight. He lamented that before his appointment, nothing much was happening in the state’s tourism sector. The veteran actor disclosed that “

He further disclosed that there are plans to make this year ’s Rivers State annual carnival tagged CARVIRIN “an experience of a lifetime.” Hear him: “I don’t intend to become a politician someday. I wasn’t expecting my appointment as the Director-General of Rivers State Tourism Development Agency. It is a challenge to Nollywood practitioners and I intend to take it head-on. “On the state of tourism in Rivers State, it is virtually not in existence compared to a place like Calabar. We need to do a lot of campaign to get people to be aware of the tourism potentials in Rivers State.”

this year.

C M Y K

24—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

Susan Peters steps out with Look Book A

ward winning actress, Susan Peters will be one year older soon, and to celebrate the special day, she is coming out with her Look Book- a collection of all her fabulous red-carpet moments, capturing the elegance, sophistication, taste and style of the actress. Susan has paraded the redcarpet dressed in many exclusive designer wears and luxurious accessories. Her appearance is classy, posh and special. This year alone, City People Magazine voted her the most stylish Actress in Nigeria. The look book, according to the Benue State born actress, is to inspire young women on how best to fit into a desired appearance and how to rock their body and assets. The look book will be followed by an auction- a once-in-a-lifetime event where Susan’s beautiful redcarpet dresses would be auctioned at reduced prices for her fans and the general public. It’ll be a first of its kind in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Susan will be known to have set a pace as a fashion inspiration in the country, and even beyond. Her fabulous wardrobe of red-carpet memorabilia will be auctioned next week. The proceeds from the auctioning, HVP learnt will be donated to charity. Recently, the actress set up a foundation for children in

NEXIM Bank sells Nollywood at Cannes film festival T Susan Peters

the part of the country where her heart lives – Benue state. Her “Benue Pikin” Initiative is a nong o v e r n m e n t organisationcharged with the humanitarian responsibility of meeting the

immediate needs of children in that region. It provides support for children and adults alike who are suffering from asthma and diabetes. Such help include the provision of necessary medical attention, emotional and financial support.

9ice debuts in Nollywood

igerian singer Abolore Adegbola Akande, aka 9ice, is gradually considering acting as a second career. He has accepted to play a lead role in Laide Bakare‘s new flick ‘Jejere‘ (Tumour). According to Bakare, ‘the film, which is produced by Sim

9ice C M Y K

Line International, is about an African hero that saved his environment‘. In the film, which was shot in three weeks, 9ice plays a husband and father. On the role he played in the movie, 9ice said ‘I played Dele, who had a bad experience in his first marriage following the sudden demise of his wife. He was left alone to cater for his little daughter. The ‘Gongo Aso’ singer said the challenges were quite different when compared to what he experienced in the music industry. ‘I learnt a whole lot; most importantly the cast on set becomes a unified entity after several days on set together .’ ‘Being the first time on set, I have to act, cry when nothing is actually wrong with me, laugh when nothing is really funny. I also have to depict this character in the presence of others. It is a privilege to be part of ‘Jejere’ and I look forward to the premiere‘ he said.

Asked if he has any intention to go into acting, 9ice replied in the affirmative, ‘if the pay is right with good content and the standard is on point, why not?’ Other actors in the movie include Emeka Ike, Oby Alex O, Fathia Balogun, Akin Lewis, Ebun Oloyede, and Bakare herself.

he Nigerian Export-Import Bank is partnering the Nigerian Film Corporation in a co-sponsoring arrangement at the on-going 65th edition of Cannes International Film Festival, in France. The NEXIM team is at the festival to seek co-financing/coproduction opportunities in support of the Nigerian motion picture industry. At a special session held on Wednesday, in conjunction with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the NFC, the bank enjoined exhibitors to explore areas of synergies between producers and film makers. It was also an avenue to showcase the abundant opportunities in the Nigerian movie industry. Highlights of the Bank’s participation include a paper presentation led by Mr. Awami Mohammed, the Bank’s Assistant Manager, Credit Insurance and Guarantee Department, issues on Cofinancing/Co-production opportunities for the Nigerian Motion Picture Industry was exhaustively discussed. The festival provides a platform for the Bank to interact with International Financial Institutions and fund arrangers as it regards Film Finance. The Nigerian Film Corporation, has since 2007, secured a pavilion at the Marche du film (Film Market) of the festival to provide a

Big Brother Housemates, Ola and Chris bac backk in the countr countryy they were willing to leave, the igeria’s representatives at N the on-going Big Brother reason being that Ola who Stargame reality show, Chris suffers from High blood and Ola have returned to the country after voluntarily asking to leave the show. The duo arrived the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos from South Africa on Tuesday afternoon. Chris and Ola shocked millions of viewers on May 18, 2012 when they disclosed to Biggie in the Diary Room that

pressure issues was advised by his doctors to seek help outside the house. In accordance with the game rules governing the DownVille house, where contestants play as partners, Chris has also left the series.

home for Nigerian Industry practitioners and stakeholders to showcase their works. Thus, to enrich Nigeria’s participation at this year ’s edition of the prestigious film festival, hence its partnership with the Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Cofinancing, Co-production opportunities, and appropriate Tax Regime/ Incentives for the Nigerian filmmakers. Mohammed who represented the Managing Director of the Bank, Mr. Roberts Orya explained that NEXIM is a wholly government-owned financial institution with the broad mandate that include the provision of Credit Facilities in both local and foreign currencies; Export Credit Guarantee & Export Credit Insurance; Business Development and Financial Advisory Services; as well as Trade and Market Information. He emphasized that NEXIM’s activities in support of the movie industry is such that the bank considers the creative arts and entertainment industry as a very important sector with sustainable growth and foreign exchange potentials that would generate, sustain employment as well as create wealth and continuous pool of talents.

Whilst M-Net and Endemol are deeply saddened to see these two very entertaining housemates leave the game,, they remain committed to ensuring the health and safety of the contestants and therefore understand and respect the housemates’ decision.

26 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

26, 2012—27 SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26 an aphrodisiac and does not increase sexual desire. • Levitra. Taken 10 minutes to one hour prior to sexual activity, Levitra can be effective for up to 12 hours. Levitra is not an aphrodisiac. It does not increase sexual desire. • Uprima. This medication is a pill taken under the tongue. Uprima dissolves within about 15 minutes and is effective for up to two hours. Uprima will not work without sexual stimulation.

When your body feels low: A man’s problem

Because erections involve multiple systems, there are often multiple causes of impotence, even for one man. Causes of impotence are often broken down into different categories. These include:

Physical causes:

Diabetes • High blood pressure • Multiple sclerosis • Parkinson’s disease • Heart disease • Conditions that affect thyroid function and/or interrupt hormones in the body • Spinal cord injuries • Injuries to the groin (recent research also points to consistent but mild trauma related to cycling) • Colon surgery • Hemodialysis • Prostatectomy • Other treatments for

What to do when impotent If you are experiencing difficulty with erections, the first step should be to speak with a doctor. Erectile difficulties may be an early warning sign of other potentially serious health problems — your body’s way of telling you that something else is going on. It’s important to understand what might be causing the changes in your erections. In addition to seeing a physician, you may want to consider speaking with a therapist or counselor, and perhaps a sex therapist. Sex therapists specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunctions. If you see a sex therapist, you’ll also need to get a medical exam, but a therapist will likely have more information than your regular doctor about the details of sexual dysfunction. One of the most difficult aspects of erectile difficulties is the way that our thoughts and feelings can perpetuate our difficulties. We all have the right to use language we want

It is estimated that up to 90% of the cause of erectile problems have a psychological cause. This can range from relationships difficulties, performance anxiety or deeper more complex causes

to describe ourselves. But you may want to consider how describing this problem as impotence, or calling yourself impotent, is actually working against your goal of feeling positive about yourself and your ability to both give and receive sexual pleasure.

What should we call impotence?

The term impotence is already in the process of disappearing from medical literature (although it’s a slow process). Impotence is a problem in part because of the way it makes men feel, and also the message it explicitly sends about sexual power being only about erections. Impotence is also a problem because it isn’t precise. This might be fine for literature, but if you’re trying to isolate and solve a health problem, the more precise you can be, the better. So impotence should be called whatever it actually is. If it’s erectile dysfunction, call it that. Impotence is a very common problem. Remember one in ten men have a problem achieving and or sustaining an erection at some point in their lives.

Causes of impotence

prostate, penile, and rectal cancers, including some chemotherapy and hormone treatments • Medications for high blood pressure, heart disease, and some antidepressants • Alcohol • Marijuana • Cocaine • Tobacco Psychological causes: • Depression • Stress • Sexual performance anxiety • Relationship problems (which may or may not be related to sex)

mpotence refers in general to a man’s inability to perfor m sexually, and specifically to his inability to get an erection. Of course, impotence has many other meanings, including powerlessness, helplessness, weakness, etc... The inaccurate idea that if a man can’t get an erection, he has no sexual power, is what makes impotence such a dangerous but also popular term. It’s a word that strikes fear in the hearts of those who are worried it might happen to them, and causes pain when it’s directed at someone as an insult. Impotence isn’t an accurate term because the truth is that men have sex all the time with and without erections, and a man’s sexuality or power isn’t related to just one part of his body. When we confuse ability to get erections with ability to give and receive sexual pleasure, we make worse a complicated and common sexual complaint — an inability to get an erection that is satisfactory for sexual pleasure. In order to understand why erections don’t work, you need to understand the basics of how erections work. Getting an erection involves multiple parts of your body, including your brain, nerves, hormones, muscles, and heart. Anything that interrupts this any of these systems may result in what gets called impotence.

In order to understand why erections don’t work, you need to understand the basics of how erections work. Getting an erection involves multiple parts of your body, including your brain, nerves, hormones, muscles, and heart

The important thing is if you have a problem that does not seem to be improving, you get help. There have been big advances in the treatments for impotence.

Psychosexual therapy

It is estimated that up to 90% of the cause of erectile problems have a psychological cause. This can range from relationships difficulties, performance anxiety or deeper more complex causes. An experienced counselor or therapist can help. They look at and work through these difficulties with you offering possible solutions.

Medication treatments for impotence

Viagra is one of the best known medications for erectile dysfunction. You need to be sexually stimulated for viagra to be effective. Viagra works within an hour and usually lasts for three to four hours. • Transurethral therapy (Muse). A small pellet of a medication is put directly into the urethra. The urethra is the tube that runs through the penis and carries urine from the bladder and out through the tips of the penis. The drug is absorbed into the erectile tissue of the penis. It gives an erection within five to ten minutes. • Cialis. Cialis is taken 30 minutes before sexual activity. Cialis is effective only with sexual stimulation. Cialis is not

Injection treatments

A drug is injected directly into the shaft of the penis when you want to have sex. Although it sounds a bit worrying it is easy to learn. The medication usually works within about 15 minutes.

Hormone treatments

Hormonal problems are rarely the cause of impotence. The most common hormone abnormality is reduced levels of the male sex hormone testosterone. Testosterone can be restored to a therapeutic level with hormone replacement therapy. Testosterone replacement therapy should only be taken if you are tested and these tests confirm a deficiency.

Penile prosthesis treatments

You should not consider a penile prosthesis (implant) until other forms of treatment have been tried. There are two types of penile implant: The semi-rigid type penis implant: This penis implant keeps the penis rigid all the time. The penis can be bend it downwards when you’re not having sex. • The hydraulic type penis implant: The penis to stiffens when a pump that is implanted in the scrotum is activated

Surgical treatments There are a number of surgical procedures that can be carried out if there is a treatable cause of your impotence such as abnormalities in the blood flow in and out of the penis. Remember the causes of erectile dysfunction may be organic or psychological cause or a combination of the two. A specialist in the field of impotence are the best people to investigate and treat the cause. A starting point should be your family doctor or genitourinary specialist.

Next week: Sex questions to ask your partner and How to get into her pants

28 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

Initially, as a starter you might want to back out, saying oh my God what is this I am doing to myself but with time you get used to it , it now becomes like an everyday thing to you. Just like people who work in the bank; they have to wake up very early in the morning and get back very late in the night. It is the price that comes with the job. So, one way or another, everybody has got a price to pay. Can you still remember the actual film that launched you into stardom? I must say that my rise to stardom was a gradual process. But the movies that brought me to the limelight were two movies that were released the same day. One is “Ogaa” and the other is “Ife Odale.” When they came out, they created so much awareness for me. If you are going to take up a script ,what is the first thing you consider and what will make you accept or reject a script? The first thing that would make me accept a script is the story and the first thing that would make me reject it is also the story. If I don’t jell with the story, I may not go for the movie. I also have to look at who is directing it, and who and who are starring in the movie. The producer might be a refresher, it doesn’t matter to me as long as he has got a good story and a good hand directing it and packed together some professionals to feature in the film. Have ever had to reject a script before?

Iyabo Ojo is a popular Yoruba actress, producer and a writer who has paid her dues in the Ni Celebrity, the graduate of Estate Management debunks the insinuation that she is divorced. S Yoruba actress, Lizyy Anjorin, which she recently resolved with her amongst other issues. AYO

Oh I reject scripts all the time. I reject especially when I don’t understand the reason for the story. I am one of those that believe every story must have a message. If I am not convinced about the message of the story, I reject the script. At times, I might not be comfortable with who is directing the movie and sometimes I might not be comfortable with people featuring in the movie. All these sometimes make me reject a script. And sometimes, when I have worked too much, I always seek a break out to rest and when I get a script between the time I need to rest and the time to spend time with my children, I would either ask them to postpone or have to reject all together. You started a c t i n g

How has life been with you as an actress and a single mother? NITIALLY, when I joined the industry it wasn’t easy because my children were young then, and they needed my attention. It was hard trying to cope with the job and bringing up the children but in life, you always learn to cope. Now it is much easier because they have grown up, already in secondary schools and can do pretty much by themselves and to even make things all the more easier, my mum now stays with me. It was not easy at all in the beginning but we thank God we have come this far. Would you say acting as a career has been rewarding to you? Yes, acting has been rewarding to me. Financially, morally and it has opened many doors for me. It has afforded me the opportunity to meet a lot of people in life, especially, very important personalities. It has created a platform for me to launch myself and has made me famous. Being famous means you are always in the eyes of the public. Though that has also restricted my private life greatly and people get to say a lot of things they don’t even know about you but apart from that, acting has really been good. So are you saying you regret being a celebrity? When you are successful at what you do, then you don’t have a regret. It is when you are not successful that you entertain the thoughts of regrets. The fame as you said is simply the price you pay for being in this line of work.

When you marry someone outside the industry, it is a beautiful thing ; when you are quiet and you marry someone who is quiet you become boring and same goes when both of you are noisy; your life becomes a noisy affair

when? I started acting in 1998. My first movie was Satanic. It was directed by Basorge and it had people like Keppy Ekpeyong, Bimbo Akintola and others. That was when I was acting in English-speaking films. I started fully in Yoruba in 2002. My first Yoruba film was Baba Darijinwon produced by Alhaji Yinka Quadri. What has been your most challenging role up to date? Like I tell people, I haven’t done my most challenging movie yet. But I do have some favourite movies I talk about all the time. Oro Lanre peseje is a Yoruba movie I really hold dear to my heart. It was produced by Muka Ray but my own produced movie that I really hold dear to my heart is Arinzo. It is fresh and it is going

to hit the cinemas very soon. No doubt you are up there now, a celebrity, probably very comfortable but which movie has made most money for you? All my movies produced by me have made me good money. In every movie I produced, I made money from but I can’t say precisely how much I have made from them. Like this your new movie, how much have you put into it and how much are you looking to make from it? We have pumped millions into it and we expect to make millions. The movie was not produced only by me. It was co-produced by my marketer. We raised money to do it. It was the first time me and my marketer, Corporate Pictures, are coproducing a movie. When you pumped a lot of millions into a movie, you should expect to make a lot of millions especially when the movie was well shot and well edited. Everything being equal with

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012 — 29

becomes boring and same goes for when both of you are noisy; your life becomes a noisy affair. When you are celebrity, you have a lot of fans and many things to deal with and the person who is married to you needs to understand that fact and you need to blend that, but when you are indoors, in the quiet of your house with your spouse you are in another world. There is a sort of balance in your life. But when you are married to someone who is in the same limelight with you, your life is always out there in the open on the pages of newspapers because

igerian movie industry. In this interview with Showtime She also talks about her long lasting feud with another O ONIKOYI God on our side ,we should make good money from it. But sometimes when you pump money into something, you might end up not making money as expected In our world, when you have a name it helps. The more money you spend when you have a name, the more money you get. The first thing is to have a name. Baba Sala and Moses Olaiya had all the name anyone could have in the movie industry and still lost out with producing Orun Mooru? You know it depends on strategy. We cannot just release Arinzo in Idunmota market for now. The trick is to take it around cinemas first to make money. My marketer alone has the name to sell the movie on his own. Iyabo Ojo has not disappointed her fans before so they will pay good money to come and watch it in the cinemas and when it comes out in the market, I believe they will still spend their money to buy it. I know the way I do my own things. I don’t know how it works for other people. The more money you put into a project, the more money you should make if you get your plans right. You once said you wanted to get a divorce to properly dissolve your marriage to your ex-husband, have you gotten the divorce? No, I am not divorced yet. I am still legally married to Deroju Ojo but it cannot stop me from living my life

thing of the past. It has no effect on me. It is what she says now that matters to me. We don’t have any issue any more. And I wish her the best of everything in life and I am sure she will wish me well too. So what you are saying now is that you people are on talking terms. Like you call each on phone and one first name basis?

anyway. I am not in a rush to remarry. Even if I get the divorce, I don’t think I am going to drop the Ojo because Ojo

Me and Lizzy were never friends even before we had both

has become a brand name on its own. So, I am still going to make use of the Ojo and it is a sign of respect to my kids. But don’t you think the Ojo family is going to kick against your using their name when you are not legally married to their son any longer? Anybody can be Ojo. There are so many families who are Ojo who are not related to me. Besides, me and the Ojos have a very cordial relationship and they don’t have any problem with my using their name at all. They respect the fact that I am even using the name. Are you in any relationship now? Oh yeah, I am in a relationship. I am in a beautiful relationship.

Can

know

the

person?

No. I don’t talk about my intimate affairs. When the time comes for the relationship to go public, you will definitely know about it especially when it gets to the altar. Is the person from the industry? No. He’s far from it. Why is it that most of you actors and actresses prefer to marry outside of the industry? I think it is the best thing to do. When you remain in the same industry with your spouse, there is no respect, there is no freedom and there is lack of understanding. When you marry someone outside of the industry, it is a beautiful thing because it is like this; when you

are quiet and you marry someone who is quiet, your life

you are celebrities. There an issue. Obviously we are on good would be too much distraction from both of you. So the balance that needs to be in your life is never there. In your own opinion, what is still lacking in Yoruba films? We have a lot of things still lacking. One, we don’t have the support of the government. We need them so badly. Secondly, we need to deal with piracy. It is really killing us. We want ANTP to come together as one strong and better body like they used to be in those days. We really need to control and cut down the amount of films being released into the market everyday. I believe if we have a body controlling the number and quality of jobs being released into the market, we will go better places than we have already. You know if you have twenty films out there and only about five that are good, it gives the audience an impression we are not producing good films.

Liz Anjorin on.... (cuts in) oh, I don’t want to talk about that. Sincerely, I don’t want to start the fire again, I just want to bring out a point from what she said sometime ago. She said you were only jealous of her because she is versatile and you are not. Me and Liz Anjorin have made up. We have settled. Whatever you heard must have come on before we settled. Whatever she said is a

terms, we do greet each other but not as you have put it. If opportunity comes, we can work together. We are colleagues and we have put our differences behind us. We may not be close friends but we are not enemies, we are colleagues. People should let sleeping dogs lie. So who is Iyabo Ojo I am me. I love hanging out with my friends. I love spending time with my kids all the time. Surely, you are a very pretty woman but to you, what is really sexy about you? That is a secret with my man (laughs). It is for my man to say. We all have different views about different things. What is sexy to A may not be sexy to B. So, I wouldn’t really know though my friends call IY Sexy. Maybe, my figure looks sexy, I don’t know, maybe my eyes, I swear I don’t know. But I think what I like most in my body are my legs. That’s why I wear shorts a lot. Sometimes I flaunt it (laughing) So who do you really love working with in the industry? A lot of people. But first of all my crew. Muka Ray, the whole Muka Ray family, they are my crew, we love working together. I love working also with the Adebayos. Would you encourage your kids to go into acting like you? Oh, they are already into acting. My daughter, Priscilla, just did a lead role in a movie with Toyin Aimakhu in a new film called Mr and Mrs Jeje. I am from a family who allows you to do anything you want to do so long you are happy with

30—Vanguard, SATURDAY, MAY 26, 2012

Best footballers of the season in Europe

his season has seen some pretty great individual performances from players all across Europe. While there are a fair share of the usual suspects on this list, a few other players performed well enough for their teams to be considered for this list. Reputation definitely does not play a part here and there may be one or two surprise exclusions. The achievements of a player's team does not necessarily impact proceedings either, though winning silverware certainly does help.This list features players who have been a major factor in their team’s successes this season and have had very good individual season as well. Real Madrid player has shown that he is now quite capable of being World Class in two positions.

Fernando Llorente

ernando Llorente helped his team to two cup finals with his goals and will have another shot at glory this weekend. He scored 29 goals in 38 games for the club and was again an instrumental factor in the teams fortunes this season. Javier Mascherano avier Mascherano has been a key man for Barcelona this season. With both Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique struggling with form and fitness at various points during the season, Mascherano was the clubs best center back option. He performed really well in that position when needed, using his pace and positional sense to snuff out any danger that Barcelona had. He was pretty consistent throughout the season as well.

•Fernando

Burak Yilmaz urak Yilmaz did some thing even Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could not do by scoring over 50 percent of his team’s goals in the Turkish League. The Trabzonspor forward scored 33 goals in 34 games this season.

•Javier

Laurent Koscielny ooking at Ar senal’s defensive record, it would be hard •Burak to say that Laurent Koscielny is one of the best players of the season. If you focus on the players performances alone, however you would have seen a player who showed incredible growth and was Arsenal’s best defender throughout the season. He will likely keep a very experienced player like Per Mertesacker on the bench next season.

Mario Gomez ario Gomez will regret some of his

•Laurent

Yaya Toure aya Toure provided a little bit of everything for Manchester City this season. He chipped in with •Yaya nine goals and nine assists in all competitions but it was his energy and drive that kept City going as the season progressed. David Silva may have provided more assists but without Yaya Toure, the City engine room would not have been as effective as it needed to be.

were able to put up a fight for the title early on. Had everything else fallen into place, he could have picked up either an FA Cup trophy or even a league title in his debut season at the club. Wayne Rooney ayne Rooney turned up the heat as the season progressed and managed to finish with 34 goals in 41 games. His play in the later part of the season helped Manchester United really put the pressure on rivals Manchester City. Had he gotten a little more help, things may have turned out differently.

Antonio Valencia ntonio Valencia was Manchester United’s best winger this season and that is saying a lot considering the competition he had in the form of missed chances in the Ashley Young and Nani. Injuries slowed him Champidown a lito n s tle but he League still manfinal but aged six he had goals and a pro13 assists ducfor the club tive •Anthonio and was season nonetheless. •Mario almost as He scored 40 goals influential in 44 games for Bayas Wayne Rooney toern Munich this seawards the end of the son and will be lookseason. ing to continue that form in the Euro 2012 tournament for GerScott Parker many. cott Parker won the Sergio Ramos Footballer of eal Madrid the Year d i d award last not miss much in year and condefense with tinued his Ricardo Carvalho good perout injured as Serf o r m a n ces gio Ramos for Tottenstepped into the ham this position season. Ramos’ play in He stabithe center of delized the fense has earned teams midhim some much field and was •Sergio deserved praise a major reathis season. The son why they

•Wayne

•Scott

Vanguard, SATURDAY, MAY 26, 2012 —31

Thiago Silva

C Milan may have missed the presence of Andrea Pirlo in midfield but they were perfectly fine in defense when Thiago Silva was in the lineup. Silva is arguably the best center back in World Football right now and his influential displays for Milan this season are a big reason why. Didier Drogba idier Drogba fired Chelsea to FA Cup and Champions League victories this season and took away Fernando Torres’ starting spot in the process. Chelsea will have a hard time replacing him if he does leave the club.

*Thiago

•Didier Drogba

Robin Van Persie obin Van Pe r s i e •Messi scored an in•Robin credible 36 goals in 44 games this season. It may not be so good when compared to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo and his game-winner but that’s even better than against Barcelona will the likes of Sergio Aguero. definitely stand out. Van Persie kept Arsenal afloat during one of the clubs most disappointing seasons Lionel Messi s Didier Drogba Blues’ and he has to be considered ionel Messi has had a Greatest Player Ever? as the major factor in the record-breaking season so Before Didier Drogba even teams somewhat surprising far with 72 goals in all comstepped up to the spot, third place finish. petitions. While he does not have any silverware to show for it yet— Cristiano Barcelona still has the Copa Ronaldo Del Rey ristiano f i n a l Ronala g a i n s t it was do was the A t l e t i c o over. We closest comM a d r i d all knew it. petitor to Lithis Fri- Long before the onel Messi d a y — powerful Ivorian in the goals there are drove home the column with p l a y e r s decisive spot60 to his w i t h kick in Chelsea’s name and he m u c h Champions already has less con- League final victory over Baysome silvert r i b u - ern Munich, we had begun ware to add tions to wondering whether the whole to his collect h e i r thing had already been writtion. s q u a d ten in the stars. And whether Ronaldo this sea- Drogba was the key to it all. Back in December, the agscored some son who ing forward had turned in a key goals to are on vintage display to power lead Real this list. •Ronaldo Chelsea past Valencia, proMadrid to the longing both the dream and La Liga title the doomed reign of Andre

C M Y K

Villas-Boas. As the spring progressed, he had delivered encores in the Round of 16 and especially the semifinals. Then, finally, with Europe’s most prestigious club title on the line in Munich, all the loose ends fell perfectly into place, just waiting to be tied. Chelsea had trailed, and all had seemed lost after Thomas Müller’s headed goal late in the second half. But Drogba pulled Chelsea back from the brink one last time, sending the final into extra time, and eventually to penalty kicks, where the final say fell appropriately to him. By then, it was over, all of it: The match, Bayern’s hopes for a fairytale home final and Drogba’s Chelsea career. And we all knew it. The time was right, and we knew it was the perfect ending for a legendary career. But was it the best career in Chelsea history? Other players have scored more goals and played more games for Chelsea. Even Frank Lampard appears ahead of Drogba on Chelsea’s all-time scoring chart with 186 to Drogba’s 157.

Off the pitch

•Drogba

But Drogba led the Premier League in scoring twice—an honor only Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry share and in European competition, his record stands head and shoulders above any other Chelsea player. Results matter more than anything else in football, and Drogba consistently delivered with style. Leading from the

front, the 34-year-old helped the previously silverware-shy Blues to two Premier League titles, four FA Cups and, of course, the club’s only Champions League triumph in 107 years of competition. Nor was he merely a spectator. Drogba’s Chelsea career was crammed with memorable moments and glorious goals, and he was never better than in major finals. He finishes his Chelsea career with exactly 100 league goals, a number that fits neatly with his mythical status: Blues Need Edinson Cavani to Replace Didier

•Edinson

Drogba f Chelsea want to replace Didier Drogba, the club needs to bring in Edison Cavani. He may never be as great as Drogba was at Chelsea, but Cavani is a superstar in the making. The Uruguayan has scored more than 30 goals in each of his two years at Napoli. He is a great central striker, and he would fit very well in Drogba’s role. Cavani is being shopped around, but he will still command an offer of about £50 million. Chelsea have the money, but Roman Abramovich must decide if he wants to spend it all in one place. With Hulk possibly on the way, Chelsea will have already spent a hefty amount of money. Nevertheless, Chelsea seem keen on getting a striker to replace Drogba. Considering the talent Chelsea have right now, they need to be absolutely sure of the striker who’s brought in. Fernando Torres has struggled, but he can still score goals. Daniel Sturridge faded as the year went on, but he could thrive at the central striker role. Right now, it seems like Romelu Lukaku is too raw to make an impact at Chelsea. None of them sound too enticing, do they? Didn’t think so. It would be ideal for Chelsea to bring in a stud striker. Radamel Falcao’s name has been thrown around, but he isn’t as dangerous as Cavani. He would probably cost about the same amount so it would be best if Chelsea let him stay in Madrid.

32—VANGUARD, SATURDAY, MAY 26 , 2012

•Benson

Acting gives you amazing opportunities -- Benson Okonkwo

You have modeled for different brands and appeared in a lot of Nollywood productions; if asked to choose one profession, which would it be and why? prefer acting because it gets you into limelight and fame. You get to meet a lot of personalities and you are respected. You are respected because everyone sees you as an icon that you have become. These days, you can get to become a brand ambassador and a peace ambassador. Modeling gives you the pay, but not the fame and recognition that you need. But as an actor, you get access to modeling contracts also. It can be said that being an actor gives you access to other paying contracts. Which of them is more difficult? Movie or modeling Movies are more difficult to produce than TV commercials because it takes a lot of energy and time! You have to stress yourself as an actor to bring out the best in you. An actor is trained to become the character that he is imitating

as though it is real life. Acting requires full concentration; it is taking the fictitious story and making it non- fiction and real whereas modeling is about the brand you are advertising. You cannot do more than the script says. How far do you want to go as an actor? Hollywood standard by God’s grace! I would like to act alongside great Hollywood stars like Brad Pitts and Angelina Jolie his wife and colleague. We learnt you have been on location since January, how have you been coping? Well, I have been in different productions since January perhaps because these producers and directors saw something in me. After all, there is this popular saying that ‘good wine needs no but’. I bless God for the privilege, grace and enablement to stay this strong. It has been so stressful but it is worth the while. It is fascinating when you see yourself in an awesome performance on TV! Nollywood is a place where up coming actors and actresses work their heads off without the pay. But l suppose life is like that, there will be a day for reckoning. And I use this medium to say thanks to all that believes in me. What is the most difficult role you have played and how did you manage it? The movie titled ‘Strippers’ was the most challenging character I have ever acted. In the movie, I acted the part of a girl stripper and the role wasn’t easy at all. What popular face have you starred alongside with and how was it like working with him?

* Benson

•Benson

enson Okonkwo is not just an amazing model, but is in many regards; a consummate actor. Coming from a pretty comfortable background; he isn’t one of those artistes who chose their careers out of desperation to make quick cash. His passion, rather than a vain craze for money or effizy, has informed his dual career of modeling and acting. In this interview with FLORENCE AMAGIYA , he talks about his childhood, his double- dose passion and his future. Enjoy!

The movie titled ‘Strippers’ was the most challenging character I have ever acted. In the movie, I acted the part of a girl stripper and the role wasn’t easy at all

I have worked with a lot of them, but Jim Iyke is my favourite; I played the lead role with him in a certain movie. The movie was directed by Iyke Odife; Jim Iyke is a pleasant person to work with. He has this swag that I love. We were very close in that production and we rehearsed scripts together before shooting. What did you study in

school? I studied Business Management at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Did you ever dream you would become an actor as a child? Well, when I was a child, I usually act in the church’s Stations of the Cross where I played the part of Jesus Christ every good Friday. I was also active in my secondary school’s drama group. What was childhood like? My childhood was just there. I am very close to my mum and I love her so much. I have grown so used to her to the extent that I can die for her. She taught me all I know and gave me all l have. She financed and backed me up while I was modeling and even now as an actor. What kind of family did you grow up in? I grew up in a home of four boys; I do not have a sister. My parents made us six in number. Love, peace and togetherness were the order of the day in my home. We used to pray together every morning. It was usually fun to witness. There is this love bond in my home. It still baffles me that some families do not have this culture in their homes. How can you give out love when you do not

have it to give? I am the third child in my home. I have lots of women as friends since I do not have sisters of my own. How did your father influence your childhood? My father made sure I went to good schools and made everything smooth and steady for me and most importantly, he brought my brothers and I close to the Almighty God. What kind of home do you plan to build in future? I will love to marry a fair, tall and sexy lady! Most importantly, she must be God fearing. I am an African man; l would also like to marry a woman who also can cook. Are you in a relationship? Yes I am! Were you expecting a handsome, young man like me to be single? What’s your future plan? I am also a model and know what it is like to be one. I would like to open a modeling agency and a cloth line (Mr. Packaging). I want to give the upcoming models the opportunity to do runways and commercial modeling because I love fashion a lot! What’s your form of exercise? My best form of exercise is swimming and jugging. I keep fit and healthy that way.

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, MAY 26, 2012—33

By PRISCA SAM-DURU Ebbe Bassey is a Nigerian Hollywood superstar who has made great impact in the industry through sheer hard work and determination. Born in Bronx New York and raised in Calabar, the charming writer and producer speaks on her career in Hollywood as well as issues relating to Nollywood. Excerpts. You were born in Bronx, have you ever spent time in Nigeria? es, I did spend time in Nigeria. I lived there from the age of two through sixteen, my most formative years. Academic background? I went to kindergarten (nursery) school through high (secondary) school in Nigeria and then, I came to New York to continue on to undergraduate and graduate studies. Is Ebbe married or single? I am very much married to my love, Mark Manczuk. He is a beautiful, amazing, loving, thoughtful, gentle, sweet, kind and gentle person. I am quite blessed to have him in my life as a partner and I think after all I have been through in relationships, God wanted to make it up to me LOL.

—Ebbe Bassey

How did you find your way into Hollywood? I don’t even know how to explain it except to say by sheer faith and will power. I had always been into acting, singing, art, creativity and entertainment. I used to buy an actor ’s magazine called BackStage Magazine, flip the pages and throw it away without going to audition for any of the roles because I thought my accent would be an issue. I still can’t say how I even found out about the magazine. Finally, one day I saw an audition for a Nigerian play and I thought to myself “now this is it, I can do this!” So, I showed up there with a colour 8x10 glamour shot picture (only black & white pictures were used at the time especially for theater auditions), and on the back was my made up credits and a copy of Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart.” I proceeded to read my monologue from the book as opposed to performing it off hand as is the norm. I tell you, that was some nerve on my part. I did end up with a role in the play and I made great friends from it as well. I had a friend who encouraged me to go to acting school which I did and ever since then, I have just been blessed to have been presented with one opportunity after another. Any difficulty getting roles in Hollywood Films? It is difficult in this business even for those who are already established , let alone a new comer such as myself who is still trying to make my way in the industry! Besides, how many meaty, decent roles are there for black women, especially black women of a certain age, size or looks? It is not easy! If you are not a genius, you had better be undeniably talented. It is a rough business on all levels: emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. The constant rejection can take a toll if one does not have God closer than one’s skin! My faith is placed in God and not man. Only God holds my

Women need spiritual core to be empowered

It is difficult in this business even for those who are already established, let alone a new comer such as myself who is still trying to make my way in the industry!

career in His hands and if it pleases Him, then I shall continue forward, moving from one success to another. It may be a tough business but I believe in telling the mountain in my path about my God and His leveling power. At this point, I would venture to say that women should value themselves because once you know yourself worth, no one can mistreat or use you. If you know you are good at something, then put all your time and effort into improving yourself at that thing because no one ever knows it all. Find a person who is great at the same thing and ask him to mentor you and to be empowered, you need to have a spiritual core. Find God and you will find your power and strength. Well, I would say a woman or any person interested in this business should have some level of talent but we all know that looks trumps talent these days in Hollywood or Nollywood or Bollywood....whichever wood it is. But it would be nice if they had talent. I would add training, determination, drive, confidence which is not to be confused with arrogance, humility, faith and strength of character because the compromise one has to make sometimes can either build or break your spirit! Before you commenced acting in Hollywood, were you into any other career or profession? Yes, and I am still doing it. I believe in always having a steady paycheck. You starred in NYPD Blue and in Law & Order; before

these, which other films have you starred in and which would you say made you a star? I would not describe myself as a star because I am not one and I didn’t get into the business to be one. I just want to do great work and live my dream instead of chasing after it. Fame is very fleeting but great work defies time. NYPD Blue gave me my very first opportunity to be on television. I have since gone on to work on several short films that have appeared on the cable networks HBO and Showtime - A Spoonful of Sugar (Showtime), African Booty Scratcher (HBO), Say Grace before Drowning (Showtime), Brooklyn Shakara (Vox TV) and Siri Oko Fo which I wrote, executive produced and served as lead actress .The movie has debuted at the very prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Last year, I completed two feature films - Ties that Bind featuring Kimberly Elise, Omotola Ekeinde Jalade, Ama K. Abebrese for which I was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 2012 AMAA awards and Ma’George featuring Isaach de Bankelo, Angelique Kidjo and the iconic Nigerian actress Madam Bukky Wright. As of May 14, 2012, I just completed the Tony Abulu project Doctor Bello featuring Isaiah Washington, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Vivica Fox, Genevieve Nnaji, Zack Orji, Stephanie Okereke and Desmond Eliot. What are your challenges as a resident actress in the USA? I would say mostly, not often getting an opportunity to go out for roles that I know I could do in my sleep. It is very much

a business of who you know and who knows you! Which area do you think Nollywood is not getting it right? This is probably a dead horse at this point but technical quality/production quality has to improve. I think that is usually what audience members complain about the most - sound, lighting and picture quality. I have heard complaints about story/plot lines that are not thoroughly thought out. And I have heard complaints about there not being enough talented new faces. All of these issues are not impossible to fix if there is a desire to do so. Do you have plans to partner with producers or produce films in Nigeria? At this moment, no ma’am. I never say never but at this moment, I don’t have any interest in producing films in Nigeria. My predominant love is acting. I have produced in the States out of necessity but that is not my passion. If an opportunity to act comes up in Nollywood and everything aligns well, I wouldn’t mind doing it but to produce...not right now. There’s been much talk about Nollywood playing a vital role in salvaging Nigeria’s battered image? I think Nollywood has done a great job of being a great PR tool for Nigeria. We can’t hang all our hopes of “ rebranding” or rehabbing Nigeria’s battered image on

Nollywood! Nigerians should hang their hopes on the leaders they have voted into office. Actors are actors, entertainers and NOT politicians. It has been great to have so many people love, appreciate and support the industry but please, let’s hold our political leaders accountable for what they are voted to do which is their job without the stealing, lying, corruption and bribery. It is what they are doing that is causing all the issues we have. They are the ones ruining our image in the world. Hold Nigerian leaders accountable, develop some checks and balances in government...I mean, why are Nigerian leaders getting paid in dollars like they are expatriates? A senator in Nigeria makes more than the President of United States of America and when you see where his constituents live, it is a damn shame...Please, don’t get me started! And the 200million dollars fund? Abeg, I’ve said enough about the government! All I can say is that they should give out the funds based on merit and not cronyism and tribal issues. I would hope that they would do it fairly but I am not holding my breath, K-leg dey always enter our matta...and there I go again LOL LOL LOL!

34—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

EBUN SESSOU

I make out time to eat good food —Sotimirin P

opular actor and sing er, Otunba Tunji Sotimirin, a.ka. Kankere Master says eating good food is a habit he cultivated as a child. According to him, “I cannot do without eating good food on a daily basis”. He is our guest in this edition of Celebrity Tummy Talk as he speaks on his love for efo riro. He says, efo riro retains a significant measurement of its greenness. For him, efo riro is the best choice of soup because it retains a significant measurement of its greenness which symbolises nature. Enjoy it As a celebrity, how is your feeding habit? I make out time to eat good food conveniently. Growing up, I cultivated a better attitude to food and I wouldn’t give up on eating well not even a day.

How do you define eating right? It is the ability to eat the right food at the right time. With your busy schedule, how do you make out time to eat? It is not compulsory that I should eat three times in a day but it is necessary that I eat good food everyday. Despite my busy schedule, I wouldn’t deny myself of eating. So, my job doesn’t disturb me at all. How do you align them together? That is the secret you have to pay for. But, the fact remains that I eat food everyday. I don’t joke with my morning and evening meals. So, what wouldn’t you do without? My special attention goes to efo riro,vegetable soup prepared with assorted meat and pomo. I wouldn’t joke with

that delicious soup. How many times would you eat efo riro in a day? I make sure I eat vegetable as much as I can because it is healthier and richer. What wouldn’t you miss out of the efo riro? I like it when it is prepared with plenty of stock-fish as well as sliced pomo. Can you mention some of the nutritional values of this soup? Vegetable is rich in iron which the body automatically requires for growth. It helps in maintenance of the red blood cell. What is your drinking habit like? I drink water and that is my best drink so far. Water is good for the body and as a comedian, I drink water to cool temper. Exercises? I spent most of my exercises rehearsing.

Otunba Tunji Sotimirin

5 foods that can improve your health

Soy beans

othing matters more than taking good care of your heart. Getting regular exercise, not smoking, and controlling stress are the necessary things that the body requires along with eating a variety of nutritious, heart-healthy foods that make up a healthy diet.

Blueberries

Blueberries is one of the most powerful disease-fighting foods. These delicious jewels are packed with fiber and vitamin C. They boost heart health when you add them in your diet regularly either on the whole-grain cereal or eaten plain or mixed with other fruits for a low-calorie, high-fiber tasty fruit salad, dessert, or snack.

Salmon

This cold-water fish is a great source of protein and is also packed with hearthealthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Salmon Salmon is easy to prepare on the grill, in the oven or microwave.

Oatmeal

Soy Protein

This inexpensive, highquality protein contains fiber, vitamins, and minerals, all the ingredients for a hearthealthy meal. Also, a diet rich in soy protein can lower triglycerides, which help prevent cardiovascular diseases and cholesterol levels. The benefits of soy foods are due to their high levels of polyunsaturated fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Oatmeal

Oats are nourishing whole grains and a great source of vitamins, minerals, and cholesterol-lowering fiber. A diet high in oats can reduce the risk for heart disease. Research shows oats lower cholesterol levels, keep you

radicals and reactive oxygen species that play a healing role in aging and various disease processSpinach regular, and may help prevent certain cancers. A warm bowl of oatmeal fills the belly for hours with its high fiber content.

Spinach

Fresh leaves are rich source of several vital anti-oxidant vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C amongst other benefits. It acts as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free

es.

Benefits of eating Spinach

onderful green leafy vegetable spinach is often recognised as one of the functional food for its nutritional, antioxidants and anti-cancer constituents. Its tender, crispy, dark green leaves are favorite ingredients of chefs all around the planet. Botanically ,it be-

longs to the amaranthaceae family Good Eyesight : I t can help prevent vitamin A deficiency disease, itching eyes, eye ulcers, and dry eyes. Protects your skin: Can protect the skin from harmful UV rays and helps repair the damaged genes. Bone Mineralization: Spinach is a good source of vitamin K, which aids in retaining calcium, plus minerals such as manganese, copper, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus helps to build strong bones. Stable Blood Pressure: D ue to its high content of potassium and low content of sodium, it can help regulate a healthy blood pressure and the folate in spinach contributes to a reduction of hypertension. Good for your Heart: A component in spinach can be used to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases. Anti-Cancerous Properties: S pinach does not contain any chemical therefore, it has the possibility of reducing the likelihood of getting bladder, prostate, liver, and lung cancer.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012—35

enjoy my job and I keep working on improving on the job.

Email: youthfulvibes@gmail.com

Muawuya Muhammed Naibi

I am concerned about the safety of our air planes —Muawuya Muhammed Naibi

Aviation in itself is not inherently dangerous. But to an even greater degree than the sea, it is terribly unforgivng- of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect. Captain A. G. Lamplugh Muawuya Muhammednaibi( 29) is a graduate of Computer Science from Kano University of Science and Technology presently working with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. He is passionate about air transport safety and in a chat with Youthful Vibes he tells us about his responsibility to ensure that all the facilities needed for smooth air travel are in place and in good condition, and as well as protecting the right of aviation consumer. Excerpts:

C M Y

My background I have quite a large family with my parents (Hauwa and M. Naibi) who are both fulani from Zamfara State. I grew up in kano where I had the privilege to attend Tarbiyya Nursery school and Da’awa Primary school both in kano. Thereafter, I obtained my senior secondary school certificate from Science College D\tofa. I then gained admission into Kano University of Science and Technology where I bagged a degree in Computer Science. In 2009, I had to go out of the North to have my primary assignment (NYSC) in Umuahia, Abia State. In deed, it was such a rewarding experience; it was an eye opener and a good way of interacting culturally with

I believe that the involvement of young people in Aviation brings proven benefits whether or not they are members of a uniformed organization

people from other ethnic groups. Today, I have friends from that region. Young people’s involvement in the Aviation Industry

I believe that the involvement of young people in Aviation brings proven benefits whether or not they are members of a uniformed organization. For some, it is a first step towards a career in the civil aviation. For others, it represents an opportunity to make the most of their potential as individuals in whatever walk of life they choose to follow. It provides a path away from negative and destructive influences, providing a counter-culture involving leadership, determination and self-discipline. My journey into the aviation industry My desire as a teenager is to see myself work in the Aviation industry especially when I witnessed some irregularities in the time past with air travel. This got me thinking and stimulated my interest in getting myself trained. The journey has been great so far as it has provided me with the opportunity of attending several courses, workshops and seminars both locally and internationally. These trainings were focused on improving the efficiency of air transport and other aviation services in Nigeria. As a matter of fact, I started work in the Consumer Protection Office.The department desires to offer after an improved customer protection service to numerous customers in the aviation industry. Also, I was part of the team charged with ensuring quality and customerfriendly service deliveries by the various providers in the aviation sector. I

My vision and the Aviation Industry I see myself as Aviation proportional who is contributing a lot in the development of the aviation sector in Nigeria to highest international standards. My ultimate desire is to help my organization to be the leading civil aviation authority in the world and to provide aviation safety and economic regulations in the most efficient, effective, quality and technology driven manner to the satisfaction and benefit of all stakeholders; consistent with the highest international standards and the sustainable development of the industry and national economy. The future offers equally exciting prospects such as satellites and advanced electronics, pilot flight crew aviation regulators in all sectors in aviation. As a result, the aviation and aerospace

industries remain a key part of the Nigerian economy and a stimulus to research in both industry and other aviation colleges. This can only continue if there is a constant supply of highly motivated young people from the rising generations, enthused by the excitement of flight, willing to enter the industry.I want to see many young people choose this career path as it helps them to build capacity and also stimulate their creativity. Advice to Nigerian Youth The word ‘aviation’ naturally will remind you of flying. However, you will have to first crawl, walk then run before you think of flying. One step at a time. We got to keep moving in spite of the challenges that confront us. As we work on building capacity for today and tomorrow’s challenges, we will someday spread our wings and fly with other successful people. It is just a matter of time.

YOUNG NIGERIANS MAKING THE DIFFERENCE OLAMIDE JAIYEOLA OLUWAGBEMILE LAGOS STATE

hotography is be coming a big business and young people are tapping into it. Lamzy as she is fondly called by her clients is a graduate of marketing from Covenant University who is passionate about photography. She is the founder of LamzyFotography —a photography outfit that helps individuals to create indelible masterpieces and unforgettable memories.Her passion for photography was ignited while in the university as a 300level student. During her spare time at that level she would call her friends together to dophoto shoots for them with the webcam on her laptop. This entrepreneurial drive has now become a lucrative business. Lamzy has been privileged to do model shoots, portraitures, shoots for editorials and so on. She runs a website where her clients and photography enthusiasts visit to have a taste of her excellent pictures. In her own words: “I am happy that I am adding value to lives and I have not allowed my gender to limit me”. Lamzy already has her sights on making her mark through the lens of her camera.The good news is that she is already doing this one day at a time.

OLANIKE AROGUNDADE ABUJA

nly last week Youthful Vibes’s lead story was centered on a young Nigerian beautifying lives with her hands and make up kits. Perhaps Nigeria’s beauty industry’s story will be incomplete without the contributions of the likes of OlanikeArogundade of Fantasia Makeovers. She is a graduate of Business adminisration from University of Abuja. Nike’s romance with the brush and powder started when she was a kid; she would make up her younger sister and cousins.Fortunately for her, she stumbled on the House Of Tara scholarshipprogramme for aspiring make up entrepreneurs focused on empowering young ladies through the art of make up. Nike draws her inspiration from Tara Durotoye, Ty Bello andBankeMeshida, who have made their marks in the beauty industry, and she plans to supercede their contributions to the beauty industry.Her organization engages in bridal makeup, video shoots and runway make up, just to mention a few. She always has this on her mind and would say it repeatedly: “Follow your dreams.Your dream is your passion.Don’t just do it because of the money, because it can be frustrating when the money doesn’t come as anticipated, but do it for the passion”.

36—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

Straightened hair does not revert It is a colourful collection, with a strong interplay between intricate patterns, such as vibrant florals and paisley and henna-inspired designs, and brilliant colours, such as amethyst, chartreuse, turquoise, midnight blue and ruby red, creating a romantic yet youthful mood.

n line with its focus on incorporating elements from various cultures into its fabrics, Vlisco’s latest collection, Palais des Sentiments, features a rich, opulent mix of textures, jewel-toned prints and fluid silhouettes. The collection

Vlisco launches Palais des Sentiments collection was inspired by dreams of romantic palaces and of delicate, dancing fabrics, and by the contrast of light, bright sunshine with dark shades and glittering golden moons. Intricate patterns, vivid colours

Luxury Editions Vlisco’s waxes and javas can be combined with a coordinating range of embroidered and embellished Luxury Editions, to create surprising new looks that follow the same colour and design story, for easy mix and matching. The new Luxury Editions feature intricate embellishments in gleaming golds, shiny coppers and metallic sequins for a look of goddess-like glamour. In a first for Vlisco, the Palais des Sentiments Luxury Editions feature a mix of java, wax and super wax fabrics and even melds together fabrics using an ornamental gold border of sequins and Lurex in a groundbreaking design it calls Golden Glamour, creating an extra wide (180 cm) cloth.

Fashion & Accessories h e

Palais des Sentiments fabrics have been used to create an extravagantly elegant fashion collection with long flowing l a y e r s , delicate draping, surprising asymmetric shapes and inspiring n e w interpretations of traditional three-piece dressing. The fabrics have also been used to create a chic handbag collection w i t h exquisite detailing, such as handcrafted stitching, decorative henna-like h o l e s , delicate l e a t h e r t r i m s , golden rivets a n d luxurious l e a t h e r toggles. C M Y K

ctually, straightened hair neither reverts to i t s afro texture nor does anything make your hair ‘due’ for a touch-up quicker than you would normally. This is a myth that most women repeat in explaining the inadequacy of their straightening product [Relaxer] or the incompetence of their hair stylist. If hair has been successfully straightened, it cannot turn back i n t o ‘natural’ hair again. T h e interval between touch-ups depends on how ‘ well’ your hair is doing. If you have paid a lot of attention to your hair through increased deepconditioning and m e t i c u l o u s moisturizing, the hair will respond by growing. That was the essence of pampering the hair, wasn’t it? And once hair grows, it will have undergrowth which will need to be straightened. How often one straightens one’s hair with Relaxing cream depends on the individual hair ’s characteristics. It is not a rule cast in stone. So if you feel that your hair needed a touch-up much earlier than you would ordinarily have done one, be sure that the last chemical application was truly successful. If your hair is not fully and completely straightened, of course, it won’t hold out for six weeks till your next touchup. Also, if you are the sporty type and you . exercise regularly, all that head-sweating is a form of ‘steaming’ for your hair. After all, what is steaming? Is it not the application of heat to moisturize the hair? And is water not the moisture that hair needs? Lastly, check out your straightening product of choice. Is it the best for your hair and scalp type? Will it give you the sleek ‘ relaxed’ look you want? Was the product sufficiently applied to coat ‘all’ the hair? If the instructions specify that a product can only do two applications, have you stretched it to cover three, and are expecting full straightening? If you eliminate all the possibilities that diminish the quality and duration of your straightened hair, then you can solve the problem of anything or product “making your hair due quickly”. If in doubt, consult a Professional hairstylist to help decipher what your hair needs to thrive at optimum.

Thank you for reading and do make it a great week! Text only please: 08056180150 Email: myangelsstudio@yahoo.com

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012 —37

other things. Personally, I have never come across a clothing brand that just focuses on shirts.

How would you describe your designs? My designs are specific to my character and they are classy and corky What inspires your designs? My designs are actually inspired by one of the leaders of modern Architecture, Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe’s minimalist design style. I use the less is more approach to create an impression of extreme simplicity by highlighting the shirt in its pure form without distraction. That way, the, progressive beauty and craft can be seen.

How did you go from Architecture to designing shirts? I started Nkili in 2011, after attending art school for a year at the Architectural Association School of Architecture and the University of Dundee School of Architecture, Scotland. During my second year, I entered for a competition and developed a business plan. With the support and help of the Scottish Youth Business Trust founded by Prince Charles and Cultural Enterprise, I was able to

establish Nkili. They started with providing business advice to me and eventually I was given a financial grant. Basically that was how it started.

Are your shirts available in any fashion store in Nigeria? At the moment, I have managed to get just two stockiest in Lagos where people can get our ready to wear designs. One is at Deola Sagoe flagship store and Lespace in Victoria Island. Also people can place their order online.

What aspect of fashion does Nkili specializes in and what makes it unique? Nkili specializes in making beautiful, hand painted shirts. Nkili is a luxury shirt making brand focused on highlighting the most important garment in the female wardrobe. My collections are really unique because we design, print, and produce the most beautifully crafted silk shirts that people treasure. Every single piece goes through a journey, from design to print to production and is nurtured by h i g h l y s k i l l e d production team in Scotland. The process o f combining tonal hand drawing w i t h traditional silk screen printing and h a n d painting techniques on pure silk make each p i e c e unique.

How affordable are your shirts? They are very affordable and our price ranges from N8, 000 to N22, 000.

ikili is a luxury fashion label the specializes in designing unique and exotic silk shirts for the discerning woman of style and class. Owned by Scottish based Nigerian, Tolani Nkili Onajide, she discovered and developed her passion for fashion while studying Architecture at the Architectural Association School of Architecture, London and the University of Dundee School of Architecture, Scotland. With a budding career and undeterred resilience in the pursuit of what she believes in, she has received a number of awards and support from business organizations like the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust and cultural Enterprise. In this interview with Esther Onyegbula, she talks about her love for fashion, her designs, how each piece goes on a journey from design and print to production, and her official launch party this weekend in Lagos. Enjoy.

Since you officially launched your designs outside the country how has the response been? For the short time I have been in the market, my brand has done really well in the sense that I have got a lot of attention and interest. A lot of people admire and are interested in the brand. My plan is to make it much more successful in terms of actually getting my people to be interested in the brand.

How would you compare the fashion industry with what obtains in the fashion industry outside the country? There are no basis for comparing both fashion industries because in Nigeria, we have just started. Yes, no doubt there a but there are great talents and potentials in the industry here.

With the support and help of the Scottish Youth Business Trust founded by Prince Charles and Cultural Enterprise, I was able to establish Nkili

Why did you decide to design shirts only? I decided that I wanted to go into shirt making because I love to wear shirts. It is like a stable for me and the most

important piece in a wardrobe. I didn’t want to use generic prints in making the shirts. So, I decided to make it into something different. When you take a look at my collections, you will find something different. For instance, in my summer/

autumn collection, you’d find different contrast materials such as velvet and shapes different from the regular shirts you find around. I wanted to known for making shirts with my signature imprinted in it. I didn’t want to get distracted by doing

With so many fashion and clothing brand in Nigeria, how do you intend to cope with competition? I don’t see any competition. Please don’t get me wrong. I probably would say same thing if I were in the UK as well. I feel like I am in a world of my own because what I do is quite different from what other designers are doing.

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C M Y K

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TRIBUTE

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44 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, MAY 26, 2012

By EMMA NNADOZIE and EVELYN USMAN

ONDAY, May 21, 2012, was a day to be reckoned with in the history of men and officers of the Lagos State Police Command, following the maiden visit of the acting InspectorGeneral of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar. Although that was not the first time an IGP would be visiting the command since its existence, this visit was symbolic in the sense that a man who made remarkable achievements while he was the Commissioner in the state, was coming home to roost, just like the chicken. Interestingly, the large number of his civilian admirers and friends were competing for space with the police rank and file that graced the occasion in spite of the strong security measures put in place by CP Umar Manko. MD, as he is fondly called who spoke for hours extempore, to the admiration of all, extolled the giant strides President Goodluck Jonathan is taking to improve the welfare of members of the force. He reeled out other packages for members of the force. Excerpts: Welfare We are making efforts to ensure that welfare of officers is taken care of by the government . We have made a proposal that the basic salary of police will be N50,000. We are following it up and the President is listening to us. We are also making efforts in the area of accommodation .Very soon, we will have about 5,000 housing units in Idimu and we will start with the rank and file(loud ovation). These are men that are not well taken care of, yet they are the ones who are always under the sun and in the rain. They are the foot soldiers of the Force and we will pay much attention to ensure that they are taken care of. Officers take note, the era of allowing the rank and file to die carelessly is over . Any DPO who allows his rank and file to die carelessly will be sanctioned(more ovation). The era of you thinking you are a DPO or Area Commander and you just sit in your office without wanting to see these rank and files that are under you is over. If they are not there, who will do the work? If any of your men is sick, you must go to the hospital to see them. You can’t continue to live in the past. People service and protect you and you do not regard them . If they were your children, won’t you protect them? Dedication to duty hat I expect from all officers is dedication, commitment and fairness to all. Take note. Imagine, a chief or an Alhaji will come and see you and you will open your door . But a constable who is your own colleague must not see you . Why? All this must stop. The era of a constable or an Inspector not reporting to duty and you get them arrested and dismissed is over. Have you sent signal to find out where he is ? You have not found out if he is sick or not . You must be compassionate to your colleagues. If you dismiss that constable, has it solved the problem or increased it? (the crowd responded, it has increased it). Also,

DPO’s and CPs must approve leave and casual leave for the rank and file . Allow them go on leave because you can’t get the best from them if you allow them to work for too long. Era of bribery and corruption over Those of you who who demand for returns from your men, any officer caught, I swear to God , I will dismiss you and ensure you go to court because you are subjected to the laws of the police and true laws. Members of the rank and file, stop being agents of corruption . Any officer who ask you for money , let him use his own mouth, hand and leg to collect it because if you are caught, you must tell us who sent you . Some of you are foolish . How can you go and collect N10,000 for instance and give it to your Oga and he gives you N1000 and when caught and you are asked who sent you and you say nobody, is that not foolishness? Mobile Squad’s commander To those of you that are mobile commanders, any time you send your men on duty , you should not review their allowances . It should be paid directly to them. Leaders should leave a good example. To the Area Commanders and DPOs, check yourselves. You know yourselves. pparently irked by the unprintable names members of the public had tagged policemen who are always seen extorting money openly, the IGP sought the consent of the men and officers present to pray against corrupt policemen. This was done and he continued by placing a curse on any policeman who indulges in corrupt practices. According to him, “ Those who are corrupt, if you buy houses with such money, it will catch fire . If you buy Kabukabu , it will be involved in an accident. May Almighty God punish and expose any officer who is corrupt and not ready to change. Amen. (But I did not hear your amen, he intoned)

Tumultuous to Lagos State

Era of CP monopolizing Police Cooperative is over I have directed that the cooperative society should go back to what it used to be. We are no longer going to contract it out . I have also directed that any policeman who has an account with the cooperative society must be paid interest. CPs that use to have the power to use the cooperative funds should know that it is all over. Police mortgage bank inaugurated We have inaugurated Police mortgage bank where officers can go and get loans to build houses, including retired officers. Every policeman, from Constable upwards is entitled to apply for loan. Already, we have spent N250 million for the purchase of property. After its completion, interested policemen will buy with the loan they will get from the Police mortgage bank. The first phase of completion is the accommodation at Idimu and they will be located to interested policemen. But we will start with the rank and file first. Era of attacking police stations over The era of attacking police stations

•IGP, MD Abubakar and his officers - A.O. Akano, DIG ‘G’ Dept. and Umar Manko, CP, Lagos, during the parley.

or government buildings is over. Anybody who attacks it is a dead man. It will not happen during my own time. If anybody has the courage to do so, you must defend your self and the

government of the day. We can’t take lawlessness again. Era of people harassing citizens is over . The police stations, area commands and police headquarters are public places where peo-

Furore over

…As middle-aged randy man refusing him sex By ALBERT AKPOR

ERHAPS, if Ben Bruce, President of the Silver Bird group and organizer of the Most Beautiful Girl MBG had started the pageant much earlier, Mrs Ebere Ogbonna would have clinched the coveted crown. An elegantly built lady with a captivating ebony black sparkling skin, Eby, as she is fondly called by her friends and acquaintances, still radiates her youthful beauty notwithstanding her present economic status and the trauma of having to cater for her 9 children all alone. She had lost her loving husband years back but refused to be daunted by his death. She was determined to

make something out of nothing and ensure that she gives her children the best life could offer. Even at the slum of of Ilaje Otumara, Iponri Lagos where she lives with her nine boys, Ebere remains the cynosure of many eyes. Many men had approached her for a relationship, but the virtuous Ebere remained resolute, turning down all sexual advances. At each gesture, she was reported to have turned down the offers insisting that she would never do anything capable of invoking the wrath of her late husband. But one diehard sex-starved, middle-aged man identified as Monday Ekpo, would not take no for an answer and would stop at nothing to lay the Anambra stateborn struggling mother. When all his overtures seemed to have failed, Ekpo,

Vanguard, SATURDAY, MAY 26, 2012 — 45

ovation welcomes IGP •reel out packages for members of the force, •breaks protocol to exchange banters with friends and well-wishers be with it. You are supposed to assist the aged, children and the needy. The era of you harassing journalists is over . They have their constitutional responsibility and have the right to do it. The era of police drivers with senior officers driving against the traffic is over. If you are caught, it may cause you dismissal as the enforcer of the law. You must also be respecter of the law. Federal High way Patrol t this point , he warned the men and officers to stick to their constitutional responsibility while on duty. For instance, he reminded them that their responsibility did not include checking particulars but to help accident victims and clear any likely debris. Disclosing a personal encounter with some policemen on high way patrol, he said , “ Yesterday, (Sunday) I went to Nasarawa, a high way patrol team stopped my car and requested to check the car particulars. But I ended up checking him instead. Why are we harassing our own people and you expect them to trust you?. You wear poverty on your face 24/7 and when any one asks you, you say it is hunger. But it is only when you are contended with what God has given you that he will give you more. You must accept

ple are allowed to go . So, policemen who harass or molest people should take note because you will be liable. There is a code of conduct this administration has put in place and you must

first that Mr President is very passionate and willing to help the police but we must all show commitment. Police training have declared a state of emergency on police institutes. For instance, the Police College, Ikeja is in a bad shape. A college where officers sleep on the floor and without light. What can you teach him when the atmosphere is not conducive for him? That, my administration is changing. The Kaduna college will start in June this year. Already, we have gotten companies who have agreed to do the renovation for free. Police University The president has given order for the Police university to start come September this year to only those interested. Fail three times, be dismissed One vital area of complaint by some policemen is that of promotion. While some alleged it is done on favouritism, others argued that they were being victimized. Their claim may partially not be wrong as investigation has shown that there are yawning differences in the rank of some course mates, a development that has brought about bad blood and also demoralized the affected policemen. In order to

missing teeth parlor. However, sympathizers who went to rescue Mrs Ogbonna later reported the matter at the nearby Iponri Division and Ekpo was picked up.

t the station, Ekpo was said to have allegedly boasted that even the police would not do him anything saying that even the Investigating Police Officer IPO (names withheld) was in his pay roll. And true to that, Ekpo who was detained after he made statement under caution was released moments afterwards. He was said to have rushed to the residence of Mrs Ogbonna to threaten her the more. This elicited more fears on the defenseless widow and her children as they wailed uncontrollably. In the mean time, an unnamed

POSTSCRIPT

fter spending nearly the whole day addressing officers and men of the force, including civilians and journalists, that thronged the Command headquarters in Ikeja, the Police boss quickly hopped into his official car, rushing to the Police Officer’s mess, GRA, Ikeja, this time, to address other stakeholders who have patiently waited for him. Incidentally, before his convoy got to the major road linking Arch Bishop Vinning Cathedral with GRA, he saw two crime reporters including yours sincerely, walking towards their cars packed distantly near the High Court and to the shock of both reporters and to many other passersby, he ordered his driver to stop very close to the pavement where the reporters were busy trekking. The jeep then slowly snaked very close to the pavement and alas, the back windows were wound down, only for the IGP to stop and start exchanging banters with the reporters. This lasted for few minutes but it was incredibly like hours, going by the number of cars that screeched to abrupt halt and the reaction of battle-ready policemen who, in amazement, wondered why protocol was brazenly broken by their boss. Banters over, the IGP sped off and the elated reporters and crowd that gathered went wild in jubilation, praising him for that simplicity.

and I have been struggling to fend for my nine boys. I had twins three times and since their father died, I have been catering for them . Sometime last year, Monday asked me to date him but I refused. On almost three occasions, he attempted to rape me in my one room apartment. We are neighbours, he was bent on sleeping with me but I told him I was not interested. This angered him and he told me he will make my life miserable.”

batters mother of 9 for

said to be popular in the slum for his alleged notoriety, reverted to the crude option of battery to achieve his unguided ambition. He therefore, waited patiently one evening when Ebere’s kids were all out playing. He sneaked into the one-bed room apartment and attempted to forcefully have sex with her. But his bid was thwarted as Ebere was said to have put up a strong fight against the sinister motive. However, she soon became tired as she could not match the muscular Ekpo who pinned her to the floor and dealt several blows on her for not being able to penetrate her. The helpless woman bled profusely while shouting for help. Sensing danger, Ekpo who was at the time dissatisfied, bolted from the room to a nearby beer

address this, promotion examinations must be passed before any officer goes to the next rank. I will not promote anybody who cannot pass his exams. The year of policemen who cannot read or write is over. If you go for your promotion course , you must pass the exam . If you fail it, the first time, we will warn you. If you fail the second time, we write you, informing you to wake up from your slumber and if you fail the third time , then, you either go on your own or we will send you out of the Force. Nobody will be spared. Not even the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police who are undergoing a course at the Center for Management Development (CMD), Shangisha. We are basing our promotion on merit.

•The victim, Ebere Ogbonna prominent resident of the area was said to have taken the matter personal, drove to the X-Squad of the police and reported the matter. The man did not stop at that, he was said to have gone to the office of the Commissioner of Police and narrated the widow’s ordeal following which both Ekpo and the unnamed IPO were arrested. Narrating her ordeal, Mrs Ogbonna said, “I lost my husband some years back

Continuing, she said, “So, on April 5 2012, I attended a friend’s child naming ceremony . Monday was there and he attacked me saying that he was the chairman and I should leave the occasion. He even openly pushed and shoved me out of the room and as I resisted him , he slapped me on the face. I went to report him to the elders in the community and and they called him to warn him from assaulting me. Later that evening, he came pretending to have come to apologize and even at that, he tried to force himself on me but I refused and he got angrier and punched me on my mouth. I was rushed again to a nearby hospital where I was admitted.”

46—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

Jonathan One yr after:

Okotie rues stagnation BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

n just few days, the PDP and some state governors would mark their first year in power. How has the journey been? The ruling elite, not having much to offer after getting power, continue politicking even when the elections are over. So, one is not surprised that the present unwarranted debate over where the 2015 presidency should go, has predictably over heated the polity, not minding the fact that some of the elected officials have hung verdicts that are still being resolved in election tribunals across the country, twelve months after the elections. In fact, only recently, some elections were overturned, requiring re-runs to fill the vacant offices. Some Governorship elections are due in a couple of months in states like Edo and Ondo. Even these, would create their own electioneering tensions and the losers are likely to head for the tribunals to get legal redress. With the way our election calendar is structured, we are likely to be having perpetual tension-soaked political atmosphere in between elections. Coupled with the usual violence that mar the process, we can hardly have a settled polity. Reflecting on the first anniversary of this government, Prince of Nigeria, and Chairman, Fresh Democratic Party, FRESH, Rev. Chris Okotie, told party faithfuls during the week that the entire political process is in dire need of a clean out. “We’ve been doing things the same way as far as our politics is concerned, so we’re bound to have the same result”, Okotie said, explaining the present stagnation. What he found particularly irksome, he said, is the present agitation over the 2015 elections, when the dust of the last one is yet to settle. The insensitivity of the Nigerian politician to the pervading misery in the land is appalling. “These people couldn’t care less. They want power for power sake. That’s why, having won the elections, so to speak, they can’t perform”, the Prince lamented as he pointed out that there’s really nothing on ground to celebrate. For stakeholders like Okotie, where the shoe pinches most, is the nonchalance of our governing cabal. They are clueless regarding the way forward for our economy. Federal government officials are flattered by the 7.1 % growth of our economy which is ranked as one of the fastest in the world, but we’ve not seen that growth translate into high living standard for our citizens, like is the case with other countries. Flaunting paper growth will do nobody any good unless the macro-economic impact is fully felt by most Nigerians. Twelve months of the present PDP administration has not brought the desired positive change that the voters eagerly expect when they were

A short-term programme of rehabilitation and development for the poorest regions of the north where the Boko Haram groups are based should be set up by the federal government

inundated with the slogan, “Good luck for me, good luck for everybody”! The luck seems, in reality, to be for a few venal rich who are in the ruling clique.

ev Okotie said he decided not to be too critical of the President initially, to give him time to settle down considering the controversy that heralded his administration due to the storm of his emergence as the PDP presidential candidate. “Moreover, he received his first baptism of fire with the Independence Day bombing, which jolted the entire nation because it was unprecedented. Then, for the first time the suicide bombings came on”, he said. That’s quite thoughtful, one may say. In fact, Okotie rightly earns the admiration of those who see him as the new face of Nigerian politics. His level-headed politics and statesman-like approach to national issues justifies his Prince of Nigeria title. Refreshing as it is that the Reverend’s temperate politics could douse the present ten-

z Rev

Okotie

sion in the polity, he cannot, but be surprised that there’s no visible impact of governance at all levels. “Our democracy is on trial”, he said. here’re so many unresolved is “ sues. Boko Haram continues to waste precious human lives; now, some northern politicians are still bitter over the outcome of the 2011 elections, with some threatening a violent resistance if the 2015 polls are rigged. This is bad news for our democracy. And the bad news extends to every sector of our national life. President Jonathan can not point to anything tangible he has done since he came to power last year. In fact, he appears to be struggling to assert his presidency. “Twelve months is a long probation for any president to prove himself on the job. And for someone like Jonathan who has been in the corridors of power for more than a decade, governance ought to be a familiar terrain. He has no excuse not to perform. What he needs to do now is to device an effective strategy to contain the Boko Haram. He can do this by deploying more efforts in intelligence operation which should aim at destroying the terrorist’s operational bases and blocking their supply lines. Their financial backers and sponsors can also be identified. With the help of foreign intelligence organizations, these guys can be apprehended. Also, genuine efforts should be made by the northern governors to dialogue with the group, along with federal govern-

ment officials. “ More importantly, a short-term programme of rehabilitation and development for the poorest regions of the north where the Boko Haram groups are based should be set up by the federal government. A general amnesty and micro-lending facilities for small scale agri-business and the Almajiri/nomadic education could be a part of a total package the government could offer the Boko Haram in exchange for disarmament and an end to the campaign. “ Jonathan has to find a way to create a secure atmosphere for local and direct foreign investment if his Transformation Agenda is ever to get off the ground. No economy can run on generators. The energy crisis, therefore, should be the core project in any realistic economic reform programme. If power is stable, it impacts all other sectors directly and the ripple effect will translate into macro-economic growth because the manufacturing sector which spends almost 30 percent of its product cost on power generators, will regain its competitive edge against cheap imports from Asia. “ Small and medium scale enterprises are the engine of economic growth. And they are the worst hit by the power deficit. If government can provide power, and succeeds in repositioning the capital market to create confidence in institutional investors, our economy would be back on track. A genuine basis for transformation would have been laid. That’s when Jonathan’s luck can be good for Nigerians.”

The Fourth Republic has failed, says Sagay Continued from page 14 difference. There had to be qualitative change in personnel. The quality of political elites has to improve. They must be cultured and endowed with integrity of honour. Appraisal of INEC he Professor Jega’s Independent National Electoral Commission is an improvement but he still has a long way to go. The major problem of INEC has to do with its commissioners and facilities at the headquarters. Presently, INEC has no system of vetting re-

sults coming in from the states. Therefore, for INEC to function properly, it must have a system of vetting, monitoring and rejecting results. The results of that was that whilst elections went fairly well in the South West and most of the North, those of South South and South East produced outrageous election result. I was surprised Jega approved those results. South South had never produced any credible election result in this country. The rigging coming from the South South usually emanates from the riverine areas. Jega should put in place a mechanism that would

checkmate electoral fraud, particularly in the South South and South East. Also, Jega should not allow any local Resident Electoral Officer to announce result because most o them are very corrupt. They can be easily bought by states government. Before results are declare, they must satisfy certain parameters and if they are not consistent with those parameters, the results should be rejected and fresh election announced. This is the only way Jega can come out of 2015 with credibility.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012—47

It is wasted years —Ezekiel Oguguom ( Artisan)

There is no improvement —Peter Oyibanji (Business man)

ince the handover to civil rule by the military in Nigeria in 1999, there has never been any improvement in the country. I see the handover as an opportunity for the country to develop in all sectors of the government, but it seems as if the military rule is now better than the civil rule. The opportunity of development was not utilized because of partisan politics. The C M Y K

•Ezekiel Oguguom

•Sunday Oluwole

•Peter Oyibanji

We have achieved nothing in the past 13years — Say Nigerians By ANOZIE EGOLE

Nigerians from different walks of life have assessed democracy in the country for the past 13years now, starting from 1999 till date, with the consensus that nothing much had been achieved so far. Some people were even suggesting that it is better we go back to military rule than this democracy in the sense that there is high rate of corruption in the country now with democracy than the military rule. Here are some of the views they shared with SATURDAY VANGUARD party in power has not been able to develop the country. They are coming together instead of them to use this democracy to develop the country; they are using their own democracy to legalize corruption and to enrich themselves. Because of this, Nigeria has not been able to move forward. Instead, what we are recording is under-development. Everybody is emphasizing on the improvement on telecommunication, but if you look at the level of Nigeria in Africa and in West Africa generally, we are supposed to have improved more than where we are now as far as telecommunication is concerned. We are supposed to be a leader in Africa by action and not by mouth, but if you check the development in South-Africa, Ghana, I’vory-Coast, you will see that these countries are far better than Nigeria. We are just answering the giant of Africa by mouth and not by action. If I am asked to score Jonathan’s administration, I will score him low, like 35%. This is because even the progress Obasanjo’s administration has made in the country’s foreign reserve, Jonathan cannot account for it. Just for the few years that Jonathan has been in power, there is no money again in our foreign reserve. All he does is to continue to borrow. The minister of finance keeps on warning the country that our reserve is going down on a daily basis, where are all those money going to, what are they using them for? On the 1st of June this year,

government to have the fear of God and have pity on the poor masses who voted them in.

o me, I see the 13years of democ racy as wasted years in the sense that, we have not been able to achieve anything for that number of years. Compared to the problems we still have in the government especially, in the area of corruption which is on increase on a daily basis, I do not think democracy has yielded anything good to Nigeria. Though in recent times, the federal government has involved themselves in road rehabilitation. Like the Oshodi-Apapa expressway that is being rehabilitated by the federal government. Before now, if I want to travel to Edo State, it is usually like a nightmare to me because of the type of potholes you will see on the highway. It can even take you more than four hours to get to Benin. But to my greatest surprise, when I traveled for last Christmas, there is improvement on the road. So I give the present administration kudos for that. Secondly, with the introduction of 150 buses recently by the federal government, I can say that they are trying in the aspect of transportation. Where I will score the government very low is in the area of fighting corruption. In this aspect, the government has not really done something justifiable. Just like the petroleum subsidy report, why has the government failed to punish the cabals? The government should try and do something in order not to disappoint the people that voted them in. Ever since the inception of democracy, there has never been any improvement in areas like, power, water, security, corruption etc. I think in the area of corruption, Obasanjo’s administration was the most corrupt. It was his administration that introduced EFCC, but nobody was jailed by EFCC during his tenure. But amidst all these challenges, I still know that Ya’Ardua/ Jonathan’s administration would have been the best democratic administration Nigeria has experienced if not that the cold hands of death cut it short with the death of Y’ardua. Presently, if I should score Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, I will score him 51%. I score him that just because he has not really done anything to corruption and security but he has tried in the area of transportation, education and agricultural sector. But I advise him to wake up from sleep and take the bull by the horn. Let him do what he is supposed to do. I know Jonathan is a nice president but the forces around him wouldn’t allow him to do his work.

If I should score Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, I will score him 51%. I score him that just because he has not really done anything to corruption and security

they are planning to increase the power tariff, where is the light? You see, there is no light and they want to increase the bill. The subsidy cabals which Jonathan promised to deal with, we have not heard from them and the money realized from the removal of subsidy, we have not heard about that since then. It’s just that our leaders do not have physical gun, but the looting they are doing is worse than the physical gun. Now, I heard over the television that another body wants to break up from the Nigerian Labour Congress just like TUC in those days and who are the brain behind this if not government? I will advise the

We have nothing to show for in democracy —Sunday Oluwole(Civil Servant)

f you want to be honest in the real sense of it, you will find out that we have not gained anything from democracy since its inception in 1999. Why I am saying that democracy has not achieved anything in Nigeria since 1999 is that, it is only the elites who enjoy democracy here and the common man in the street does not know what democracy is all about. It is not supposed to be so if really it has achieved anything in the country. Jonathan’s administration has not really done anything in the sense that the poor are getting poorer and the rich richer.This is not supposed to be. In other words, his administration can be said to be one sided. Why I think Obasanjo’s administration was better is that, Obasanjo having military experience gets whatever he wants at any point in time. But Jonathan is a little bit slow in implementing laws. I pray he wakes up to tackle this menace of insecurity in the country.

48 — SATURDAY Vanguard MAY 26, 2012

• Justice Salami

NE of the wise sayings that never fails to in trigue me, is the tale about the tortoise, that was picked up by a superior force, he begged his captor to allow him a minute of freedom. When this was granted, the tortoise on being let down, went about unearthing and scattering the bushes around. After he was done, he told his captor to carry on with his captivity. The astonished captor asked the reason for the action, the tortoise replied, that at least passersby will notice that two strong powers fought in that place. When two elephants fight the ground suffers, is a current saying, the testimony of it is the current bashing of the Nigerian legal system thanks to Justice Isa Ayo Salami and Justice Katsina-Alu. (Rtd). A minor misunderstanding between two erudite jurists, sitting comfortably at the apex of the Nigerian Judicial System, Justice Aloysius Katsina Alu, former Chief Justice of Nigeria and Justice Isa Ayo Salami suspended president of the Court of Appeal has become a huge entanglement dragging to the abyss the whole judicial system. The brickbats between this two over the outcome of governorship cases during the 2007 general elections in Ekiti, Osun and Sokoto States led to the suspension of the PCA and divided the bench and bar into pro Salami and Pro Katsina-Alu lines. The division did not stop there, the matter has become political with Peo-

Jonathan and the Salami Conundrum ples Democratic Party (PDP) and Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) at each others jocular. It also raised ethical questions, on the integrity of the bench. At the moment the dust raised before and after August 18th 2011 suspension of Justice Salami has not settled, in-

BY IBRAHIM LAWAL

•President Goodluck Jonathan

Is it not commonsensical for the president to be cautious and wait for the outcome of these court proceedings before taking decision on the matter

stead, a huge mudslide is on the way courtesy of the recommended re-instatement of the same Justice Salami. More worrisome is the latest attempt by ACN and the South West to localize the Salamic issue. A pure legal matter has been thrown to market women and Okada riders to adjudicate.

adjudication? Well, it is not entirely an unfamiliar picture and it is aimed at arm twisting the presidency into re-instating Justice Salami despite legal obstacles. According to the so called protesters, the president should re-instate salami immediately.

he reported protest in Ado Ekiti by thousands of members of Okada Riders Association, National Union of Road Transport Workers, (Agberos) Market Woman and Youth Groups calls for concern by fair minded Nigerians. The question is who organized this motley of faces and to what end? When has a purely legal matter become subject for motor park

manding for hasty recall of Ayo Salami that, fairness demands they listen also to the explanations from Aso Rock. President Jonathan cannot act on hear say, since the letter from NJC recommending Justice Salami’s re-instatement has not even reached the presidency, on what authority then do they want him to recall the jurist.

Well, South West ACN governors have a right to press their demand using whatever means that catch their fancy, but, must they in doing so force the president, indeed all Nigerians to agree with them. Justice Salami’s recall like his suspension instead of being normal administrative matter is fast turning a Kiriji war and these people would want President Jonathan, a man who believes in the rule of law and due process to act on hear say or even do the unthinkable by committing contempt of court. The presidency because of the nature of the office has not taken to the pages of the newspapers in this case, but it is timely to remind those who are de-

gain, at the last count over two cases were instituted against Salami’s reinstatement. It is on record that an Abuja High Court is entertaining a matter restraining President Jonathan from recalling the judge. One Barr Noah Ajare is seeking the court to even declare the meetings, decisions and recommendations for the re-instatement of Justice Salami by NJC illegal. Also the same Salami had gone to court on his suspension through his lawyer Chief Akin Olujimi SAN. Is it not commonsensical for the president to be cautious and wait for the outcome of these court proceedings before taking decision on the matter. The transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan is strongly hinged on due process and rule of law, and the Salamigate in now a testcase. The president must not take hasty decision on this issue which will later draw flanks and pet the presidency with tar.

he bane of Nigerian brand of politics is that it has succeeded in eroding our collective morality. Nothing is sacrosanct any more, not even the rule of law. And this is why somebody is urging the president to act on a matter that is pending in court. Yes, President Goodluck Jonathan is the leader of PDP but the office of the president belongs to all Nigerians and not PDP alone. The Salami distraction must not be politicized, ACN must not allow the jurist’s re-call die on the alter of politics, because the growth of law in the country will be negatively imparked upon. The president has taken the positive route paved by the rule of law and due process, therefore, the rascality of rented protesters should stop. ACN and it’s supporters, should stop denting the course of Salami’s Justice with unnecessary media war. I don’t think Salami saw it coming if he did, he would not have allowed his innocent looking love letter to Justice Aloysius leak out to the jackals in the press room. My advice is that he should discourage the current propaganda and allow the president take action on the recommendations of NJC. PDP and ACN have little to loose in this matter. The man who has much riding on the issue is Justice Salami and also the judiciary in Nigeria.

•Ibrahim Lawal Writes from Ogun State.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012—49

f Sekinat Emiola had known that an extramarital affair she was was having with Asimiyu Ayantayo who lives at Oke Aremo Ibadan could lead to her death, she needed nobody to warn her to exercise some restraint. She left her four children with a message that after she finished her business at Eleyele, she would have a stop over in the residence of Asimiyu before coming back home. Unknown to her, she was saying the last farewell to her children. She never knew that all the dreams she had at the beginning of the year would crash like a pack of cards. At Eleyele state police headquarters, all her former friends when she was alive could not stand by her. It was not that they hated her but it was because of the stench that was oozing out of her severed head and two hands. No thanks to her ‘lover’ who thought it was not necessary she lived so far he can have his way. All sympathisers who thronged the police headquarters had to cover their nostrils so that they would not inhale the odour that had taken over the entire spacious premises. A policeman nearly betrayed his emotion when he saw the gory picture of the severed head of late Sekinat. One of the children of the slain woman, Kausarat Sekinatu who had the guts to see the head of her onceloving mum was stunned to speechlessness with the horror before her. She never imagined that another mortal man could display such a level of wickedness. Unfortunately, all these could not revive her mother whose remains were packed into a bag. The two suspects including a vulcanizer looked unperturbed. One of them who was said to be the prime suspect, perhaps, underestimated the evil he was alleged to have done as he was covering his nose and spitting intermittently as a result of the odour. When asked how he committed the heinous act, the suspect confessed that Sekinat was his concubine and that they have been in a love affair for quite some time but he denied killing her.He said that on that fateful day, Sekinat came to visit him at Oke Aremo and they had sexual intercourse. But, after the intercourse, the woman died. “I knew that she had been laced with a killer charm popularly called Magun in Yorubaland and that any man who had sex with her would die. I

How adultery led woman to early grave

Mutiu, victim’s brother

Kausarat Sekinatu : Daughter of the victim

OLA AJAYI,IBADAN

When asked how he committed the heinous act, the suspect confessed that Sekinat was his concubine and that they have been in love affairs for quite some time but he denied killing her

contacted magun on her during love-making. She wanted to summersault but I prevented her. Then, she started foaming after the act and fell down from the chair and died. I then decided to cut off her head and her two hands so that nobody would recognize her. I then sent this man to buy a nylon bag for me so that I could put the body there. “At night, this man, Isiaka Akanbi helped me put sack on my head and we went and buried it at the cemetery. But the head and the two hands, I buried at the backyard of my house”. The second suspect, Akanbi said, “He just sent for me and gave me N400 to buy a sack for him. He is a big brother in the neighbourhood. I went and

returned with both the sack and N70 balance. I didn’t know what he wanted to do with the sack. The following morning, he asked me to enter into a covenant. I asked him why we needed to go into a covenant and he said he wanted to show me the mystery of the world. I was surprised. He then asked me to drink the concoction he brought and I declined. Then, he asked me to taste it with the tip of my tongue which I did. He asked me to follow him to his house and I did. After a brief conversation, he asked me to come and see something. When I saw it, I screamed! Then he said: “You are seeing the mystery of the world. Make sure you tell nobody. Otherwise, you will die. I said that police must hear this and

he said I would die. Then, he took me to the graveyard, dug a shallow grave and buried the parts. I knew the woman very well. I knew them as lovers.” How the bubble burst. Saturday Vanguard gathered that a boy living in the same house with the suspect heard the cry of that woman. In curiosity, he peeped through the keyhole of the door and saw the man using a cutlass to severe the head of the woman. The boy went unnoticed. After, he was discussing with his mates that the suspect was heartless as he saw him cutting the head of the woman. Incidentally, a security man was standing close by and arrested the boy that he should lead him to where he saw the suspect. He was immediately arrested. The daughter of the deceased, Kausara told Saturday Vanguard that she did not know the whereabouts of her mother. But, it was her brother that called her only to discover that their mum had been killed. The brother of the deceased, Mutiu Emiola, a mechanic at Lagos called on the security agents to ensure that the life of the suspect was not spared. He said, “On that day, my sister told one of her children that she was going to the market at Eleyele because she

sells ewedu(vegetable) and that on her way she would detour to the house of Asimiyu. She did not come back home. And on that Thursday, Asimiyu told one of his children that he wanted to travel to Ijebu but did not disclose what he wanted to do there. We looked for my sister for two days not knowing she had been killed. The police commissioner in the state, Mr. Tambari Mohammed, insisted that Ayantayo killed the deceased, but the suspect claimed that he beheaded her after she fell down from a chair and died. But, to prove that he was hiding some facts, he gave another reason saying he killed her to save his own life because somebody has to die once magun is at work. Whatever is done to the suspects for the murderous act, the bottom line is that Sekinat is dead and can never come back to life again.

Corrigendum The story has been published before but the above photographs were wrongly captioned as the ‘woman’ and the victim. The correct caption is Mutiu,the woman’s brother and her daughter,not the suspect and victim. The error is regretted—Editor C M Y K

50—SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

EDO GUBER:

Oshiomhole takes state by storm as campaign train moves around local govts

or the past two months, campaigns in Edo State have been the major activity from those who are aspiring to govern the State. From the North to the South and to Edo Central, it has been beehive of political activities across the length and breadth of the State as Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his campaign train present his scorecard to the people of Edo State and thus re-emphasizing the need for the people to give him a second term of office. The campaigns have been full of political jabs and innuendos directed at certain quarters in a bid to undo one another in what seems to be a clear fight between the ruling Party ACN and the opposition PDP. Both parties have been engrossed in a long battle of supremacy with the Action Congress of Nigeria insisting that the PDP has nothing to show for its federalist status. While there have been series of crises in the State as a result of the altercations between the PDP and ACN, political observers are looking forward to July 14, 2012 when the people will go into the real election to choose who becomes their Governor for the next four years. Governor Oshiomhole has been going from one Local Government to another in his campaign effort to woo the Edo electorates for the July 14 election and expectedly the campaigns have provided him opportunity to showcase his achievements in the last three and a half years. Basking on the euphoria of his numerous achievements and relying heavily on the strength of his political party, Oshiomhole has assured Edo electorates that if given another opportunity to lead the State, he would consolidate on his overwhelming achievements of his first term. According to him, “the people of the State deserve good governance and accountable leadership. We will not rest on our oars because we must fulfill our promises to the people. We cannot afford to join others in telling lies and deceiving people. It is our duty to adequately inform the people, present our scorecard, and ask

for their mandate to continue the good work we have been doing in the last three years”, he declared, amid a tumultuous crowd at Agenebode, where over 1,000 PDP members led by Chief Francis Alimikhena publicly joined the Action Congress of Nigeria. ISSUE-BASED CAMPAIGNS? shiomhole in his campaigns dwells on issues that would help move the State forward. Reeling out several items from his list of achievements, the Governor has used every opportunity to inform the people about his achievements and what he intends to do in the next four years if given the nod. At Jattu area of the Edo North Senatorial District where tens of thousands of Action Congress of Nigeria supporters came out to receive him, it was some kind of home coming for the Governor who assured the people that his second term would be better than his first term; “our second coming would be better than our first term. What we have been able to achieve in our first term is to lay the foundation by building the basic infrastructure that our people need for their day to day activities. In

BY CHIOMA GABRIEL

achievements of the Governor are the renovation and rebuilding of almost 140 schools approximating about 1, 550 classrooms in the State, the control of erosion danger in Benin City and its metropolis in the multi-billion naira Edo Storm Water project, rural electrification in most of the rural communities, rural water supply through borehole projects, provision of healthcare service delivery in all the Local Government Areas, and several other areas that have received attention in the past three years. Other achievements include the employment of over 15,000 youths and the creation of an e-payment system that has saved the State a lot of wastages in the area of ghost workers, as well as the compliance to due process and procurement laws in the execution of contracts. Oshiomhole told an ecstatic crowd at Benin City that rather than deploy the resources of the State in furthering the nest of political godfathers, such income has been deployed in the provision of infrastructural development of the State. Some political observers who spoke to Saturday Vanguard expressed concern over the spate of political crises in the State, saying such atmosphere

Oshiomhole has assured Edo electorates that if given another opportunity to lead the State, he would consolidate on his overwhelming achievements of his first term

our second term, we will add value to human existence by providing additional employment for our teeming youths and making sure that our aged people are adequately catered for. We will not relent in our effort to creating opportunities for our people so that they can make meaning out of life. Our people have suffered neglect for a long time; hence we will do anything humanly possible to make sure that we give them improved services as steward of the people”. Among the several

of uncertainty can prevent the electorates from coming out to express their choice come July 14. According to political pundits, the political atmosphere in Edo State is fully charged and as such capable of breeding further crisis if appropriate security measures are not put in place. “People are generally apprehensive about the elections because of the politically motivated killings in the State. The Governor lost his Principal Private Secretary to the cold hands of death by unknown gun men while the Governor’s

* Dignitaries at Oshiomhole's campaign

* Oshiomhole's campaign train

Gov Oshiomhole, 2nd left, during his campaign

own convoy was involved in an accident in very curious circumstances. We are watching as keen political observers even though we know the Comrade Governor to be enjoying tremendous popularity ”, enthused Goodluck Aigbe, a politician from Edo South Senatorial District. THE BLAME GAME. t has been a game of blame and counter blame between members of the PDP and the Action Congress of Nigeria in the build up to the July 14, 2012 election. While the PDP reportedly petitioned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission over the use of what it described as “foul language” of the Governor, the Action Congress of Nigeria has also at various times petitioned INEC over the shoddy manner the voters registration exercise was taking place. The INEC decidedly jettisoned the voters registration exercise over what it considered as “ weighty allegations” against the conduct of the exercise. The Chairman of the Commission,

Professor Atahiru Jega while addressing news men penultimate week, told the nation that the exercise would commence later in the year after the July 14, election. Before the postponement, the Action Congress of Nigeria had led a protest march to the State office of the INEC to register its displeasure over it termed as “irregular” conduct of the INEC on the issue of voters registration exercise. The protest which was led by Governor Oshiomhole himself and thousands of his party members closed down business activities around Aduwawa area of Benin City where the office of INEC is located. While the protest lasted, INEC had to suspend its activities on that day and later called for a stakeholders meeting where decision for the discontinuation of the voters registration exercise was taken. These are part of the sign and symbols that would be on display until after the election. Oshiomhole has continued to insist that the campaigns for the elections should be based on issues in order not to personalize the campaigns.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012—51

FG is serious with mass housing, security and unemployment— Ehinlanwo enator (Dr) Hosea Oladapo S Ehinlanwo, is a two term senator, who representated Ondo

South District in the upper house of the country, senate. His achievements and outstanding records towards the service of national development forced people to re-elect him in 2007. In this interview with Saturday Vanguard Business, he first advised FG to ensure that lands for mass housing scheme are allocated to experts and professionals if we must give FCT a befitting housing development as it is in other parts of developed countries. And most importantly, our laws must get hold of dubious and law breakers for us to attract investors to this land. Excerpts: Housing development in FCT... I think it is a welcome development for FCT. You know FCT, Abuja municipality is a new federal capital and where we feel that Nigeria would be able to have a show of a befitting federal capital. And you know that it took us most of our resources in this country, a capital city of a grandfill. In some areas, it took so many years to develop, but because of the fast development we are going through, the ever growing Nigerian populace should have put in some years to develop a beautiful city like this. And not only a beautiful city, is because we want to unite Nigeria because of the different languages we have in this country. And since nature has put us together, we felt that we must have to develop a city that is befitting and worth its name. And this is what we have done in Abuja. However, if you look at the short time we used in developing FCT, it’s amazing in history. It marvels foreigners who came to Abuja that within these few years we have been able to develop a city that looks like a federal capital that has

Ehinlanwo: Government is ready for investors protection been existing for hundred years. basis. Therefore, it’s incumbent Yet that is not the end of it. It’s still on us that we have to look at the developing and expanding on a situation where we would get daily basis. And if we now mass development of houses. envisage that we want to get a Themasshousingdevelopment federal capital that would FG initiated during the planning accommodate all Nigerians far of FCT’s landcape, how effective and near because we have been is that mass housing encouraging Nigerians abroad to development today? come home and apart from that For me, in the past, I think also, some people from all the attention had not been given to it states, from the rural community in the right perspective as a man they want to come to Abuja either in government. But now we are to stay permanently or to fortunate to have people and negotiate business on constant experts who know much about

NSE: IPO window to open for investors —Onyema

he Chief Executive, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema, at the Actis roundtable discussion on, New Reform and NSE Listing Guidelines, told a group of business leaders in Lagos that the IPO route would open up for investors again by the end of 2012. The meeting which sought to provide perspectives on the practicalities and benefits of listing on the exchange also proffers solutions to the current challenges in NSE since 2008. In addition, Actis West Africa CEO, Ngozi Edozien, said that, in terms of the private equity life cycle, the most important part

of the equation comes at the exit, saying further that we must be able to secure value for our investors. “At Actis, we look forward to a time when the NSE becomes an option to do that, in addition to the trade sale route.” Actis Director, Michael Chu’di Ejekam, in his contribution said, there is a recurring theme amongst business leaders that the NSE must better engage with private equity in Nigeria if we are to capitalise on the business growth opportunities of our country – this event was an important step towards that direction, he said. At the meeting, Onyema did

not hesitate to point out among others, the challenge of limited liquidity, poor governance practices and loss of investor confidence have all contributed to the current lack of depth in the capital market since the financial crisis of 2008. But he is optimistic that with the current reforms and guidelines in place, the IPO window should be open for business again by the end of 2012, he said. The event organised by Actis was an open window where stakeholders interact on business ideas, innovations that can ensure and encourage competitiveness in the Nigerian business environment.

mass development of houses in a place like Abuja. And we are even looking beyond Abuja, but it’s one step after another. It is necessary because you will see that after some years, our houses will be too old to look at as modern city and government by then will intend to build modern cities all over the states. Now we have 36 states and all these states we want to build examples of cities of modern time. We are lucky to have some personnel within this city that have gone into several countries of the world and have seen the type of houses that are built in those places, and not only that, they are technocrats on their own. And what they have seen in all other countries they want to bring to Nigeria. That is why particular attention, motivation, incentive should be given to people like Faboro who has been an expert in building and has travelled a lot when he was a staff of World Bank to come out at this time to develop a new face lift for Abuja and the cities around. So we have to start somewhere that is why we are starting in Abuja. We learnt that mass housing units in FCT are still facing challenges thereby making it difficult to actualise this project for the benefit of the masses in Abuja? I think the government of Nigeria is involving and is bent on changing things, because if you see what we achieved in the civilian era two times fast in the government of late Yar’Adua and Jonathan.AndPresidentJonathan is in for another one now. I am very happy that this present government is giving emphasis on mass housing and that is why those who had been before, their emphasis were not on mass housing and they didn’t know what it means and that is why there had been a lot of corruption on that side of our development. But the present administration is seeing it differently that we have to provide for the people adequate houses to live in. So it’s this time now that the idea came in and this time now God has provided FHT to come on board and to recommend to government, and again the way they have accepted it shows that our government is forward looking. So, what was done in the past, we stand to correct them because we are not stagnant, we have to

move, we have to develop. Our own joy now is that the present administration lays a lot of emphasis on mass housing and that is why FHT is into it and we encourage it. How do we attract foreign investors into this country? Since Nigeria is a developing country, we have to give them assurance of security that once they are here, they are free and open to invest their resources and recover resources of houses because building is not something we can do immediately, it has to take time and if investors are coming on a long term basis to work with us, we must have to give them assurance that they are secure here. And not only security, they must be sure of what they are coming to invest upon. For instance, you have to give them a land like we did in the past. It’s not after giving them land, you begin to see mushroom people imposing themselves, trespassing into the lands anyhow as if there is no law. That one must stop. So foreigners that are coming must be assured of returns on their investment. Otherwise no investor would like after investing his money dubious people will now come and spoil his investment. No investor would like that. We have to make sure that people abide by the roles that are meant for that purpose so that investors will not only be secured but their investments as well. The insecurity in the land has been blamed as a result of high rate of unemployment especially among our youths, if you share that idea what is the way out of it? I’m sure that has been the hue and cry of Nigerians now that unemployment is hype. So, it is the responsibility of government to have an environment that is secure. It’s the responsibility of government to have youth employment. When people are employed, all the vices that militate the society will disappear. And that is why we have all the vices of corruption all about. When corruption is stamped out, unemployment is reduced to the bearest minimum and then the security of lives and property, this place will be a paradise for living. And that is the focus of the present administration and they are working towards that.

Amuwo-Odofin plans for community development

he Ward A2 of AmuwoOdofin Local Government, under the councillorship of Ariyibi Olayiwola Ayodeji, at a town hall meeting appointed some youths of the community to assist and supervise the current development going on in the community under Ward A2. Speaking at the meeting made up of elders and youths, Councillor Ayodeji made it clear that if a community must achieve its desired development, it requires the contribution of everyone. He said that a great community and nation is a result of a symbiotic relationship between the government and the governed, adding that our dear community can be a better place if we all discover our responsibilities, accept them and take them up. Ayodeji advised the elders and the youths that if the community must be conducive for all and sundry, it must tackle

first, the challenges of security and environmental degradation among others; citing instances of armed robbery in the community through the help of Okada riders that ply their businesses in the environ. According to him, our dear community is prone to epidemic if care is not taken with the way we manage our waste, saying that illegal waste disposal site is now a common sight in every zone despite the law against it and the efforts of the PSP operators to keep the environment clean. The rate at which some residents channel their toilet waste directly into the drainage instead of the septic tank is worrisome, as raw waste can be seen inside drainages, this act is very dangerous to the health of all, he said. In conclusion, he thanked all for chosing him to represent them at the Amuwo-Odofin Lagislative Council.

52—SATURDAY, Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

Folake George hooks Tosin Irojah

Final outing for Gbemisola Adesoji

he Adesoji family of Ile-Ife took the

centre stage of attention in Ile-ife last

Saturday when they held the ancient city

From left; Pastor Samuel Adesoji Mrs Bunmi Adesoji and Pastor Femi Adesoji

From left; Mrs Yemisi Adesoji and Madam Alice Arayela.

From left; Elder Gabriel Adesoji and Pastor Titus Adesoji.

Commissioner’s weds

son

PRINCE Eduvie Efekodha, son of Hon. Anthony Efekodha, former member of the House of Representatives, Isoko Federal Constituency, and Chief (Mrs) Betty Efekodha, Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development took his bride, Tessy Odudu to the altar in Delta state on May 5th 2012.

Hon. Anthony Efekodha (left) Chief (Mrs) Betty Efekodha, Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development. Their son, Prince Eduvie Efekodha and his bride, Tessy

spellbound with the outing service in honour of Deaconess Dorcas Alake Gbemisola Adesoji, Iya EgbeAlaafia, CAC Alayo, Zonal Headquarters Osogbo who slept in the Lord recently. Many notable personalities from Ile-Ife and beyond graced the occasion which was as exhilarating as it was moving. Ovations, laden with emotions poured freely for the late woman who many described as an arduous worker in the vineyard of the Lord. Photos by Dare Fasube

From left; Mr Gbenga Adefaye, Mrs Jumoke Elusogbon and Mrs Jumoke Adesoji.

From left; Mrs Bimpe Olumota, Mrs Toyin Amojo and Mrs Adeola Adesoji

ICAN induction ONE of the inductees at the 49 th Induction ceremony of new ICAN members held in AmuwoOdofin, Lagos state on the 19th of May is Mrs Temitayo Anike Adenaike (nee Animashaun). Family and friends joined the inductees to share in the joy of the day

Mrs Temitayo Anike Adenaike flanked on the left by her husband, Mr Bayo Adenaike and on the right by her father, Mr Tolagbe Animashaun

olake George and Omotosin Charles Irojah consummated their courtship in a Holy Matrimony on May 5th 2012 before men of God and a host of family and friends.

The happy couple; Omotosin Charles Irojah with wife, Folake George

The couple; Mr Omotosin and Mrs Folake Irojah with parents

The couple; Omotosin and Folake Irojah with Best Man and Chief Bridesmaid

Missioner’s daughters wed MISSIONER of Ansar-u-deen, Amuwo ,Kuje branch, Agboju gave his two daughters, Miss Mariam Olafiku and former Miss. Rodiyat Olafiku out the same day in Holy Nikkai ceremony to Mr. Sulaimon Ilori and Abdullahi Qosim respectively

former Miss Mariam Olafiku (second left), former Miss. Rodiyat Olafiku (second right), Mr. Sulaimon Ilori (first left) and Abdullahi Qosim (first left).

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012 — 53

54 — SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

Fuludu certain of points Mor Mortton mum on Nigeria return from Pillars, Jigawa Stars N BY IME BASSEY

TILL basking from their 4-1 pounding of Sharks FC in a rescheduled Week 25 game, Warri Wolves chief coach, Edema Fuludu is keen on picking points from his team’s two away games this weekend and on Wednesday. The ex-international affirmed that the various injuries and suspension that have hit the team will not stop their fight for points from the two games. “All we are looking at in the next two games against Kano Pillars and Jigawa Golden Stars is to pull out the best strength from the players despite their injuries and suspension following the stress of playing in the continent, the league and the Federation Cup. Notwithstanding, we are focused on grinding out points from the games because we are eying a fast return to the

continent next season,” Fuludu said. The former Bendel Insurance of Benin gaffer stated that he and his technical crew led by Maurice Cooreman capitalized on the tiredness of the Po r t H a r c o u r t s i d e following their two away games. “Football is never

predictable until the final result is out. The goals just came easily for us and we are grateful to God for that. We have experienced it before playing two straight away matches and managing to pick one point from each of them. For Sharks, it is part of the league and I know they are aware of that.

•Coach Sanni

WARA United head coach, Tunde Sanni made it clear that the Ilorin side would fight with all their strength on the pitch to climb up the league table. Making this known to Inside Out Premier League after watching his side

F defeated by last season’s runner-up, Sunshine Stars of Akure by a lone goal at the Ilorin Township Stadium, Sanni said Gombe United will not survive his lads’ wrath this weekend. “We want to close up the gap on the log and we can’t do that without winning games, so we are focused on

Clubs bribe referees to win matches – Esu •Says Nigerian league still poor BY PHILIPS ADEFIOYE

ORMER coach of 3SC football club of Ibadan, Godfrey Esu has said that the Nigerian league is still far from being well organised when compared to leagues in north African countries, South Africa as well as part of West African countries. Esu, in an exclusive interview with Saturday Vanguard sports, said the must-win-at-home syndrome has taken off the beauty of the league, adding that the Nigeria Premier and National Leagues hardly took action on clubs found guilty of unruly behaviour. “When you compare

•Morton Fredericks' 48.91 is the fastest African time so far in the season. Morton has also done 46.12 secs in the 400m and officials are of the view that with his time and that of Abiola Onokoya who has

46.08, the 4x400m team could win the ticket for the Olympics. It remained to be seen how Morton will joggle between Nigerian and Stanford University. The athlete is said to be heavily involved in the NCAA programme in June.

Cross River School athletics ends

Kwara Utd eye victory over Gombe Utd BY IME BASSEY

IGERIA's hope of doing a refurbishment on her men's 4x400m relay team is hanging on the balance as high flying USbased athlete, Amaechi Morton is yet to commit himself to running for Nigeria. Morton who represented Nigeria at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin, Germany is being expected to join the team that is yet to book qualification ticket for the London 2012 Olympics. “We've been talking to the athlete, but so far there is no firm commitment from him. But we expect him to join our team since this is a chance for him to participate in the Olympics,” said an official of the AFN in Lagos. Morton recently ran an Olympic A standard 48.95 seconds over the hurdles. It is the fastest Nigerian time in over a decade. Henry Amike still holds the national record of 48.50 seconds, a time he set in 1987. South Africa's Corrnel

Nigerian leagues to what is happening in North Africa and South African leagues, our league is still not there yet in terms of organisation. Even Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire are better organisers than Nigeria and the reason is that we are not telling ourselves the truth, that is why things are not moving forward. “Look at the league, so many fighting here and there, teams want to win at home by all means and so employ all tactics. And instead of the NPL and NFF to sanction clubs found guilty, they just give them minimal suspension which makes other teams want to do the same.

another victory this weekend against Gombe United. We are aware that they are a decent side with good individual play and team work albeit, but we are confident that we will smile at the end of 90 minutes,” Coach Sanni said. On the propelling factor for the team’s recent form, the former Shooting Stars defender said they have been motivated with the information that their signon fees and salaries would soon be paid. “The win last Wednesday against Sunshine Stars, shows how fired up we are for an upward move on the NPL log. We really thank God for it but the real impetus is the information we heard about unpaid salaries and sign-on fees being made available to us soon,” he disclosed.

IVE days of fun and keen athletics competition comes to an end today for Cross River State school kids as the 3rd edition of the Cross River State Primary and Secondary Schools Athletics Championships enter its final day. Over 2,500 athletes were

registered to participate in this competition, which the State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke flagged off on Tuesday with pomp at the U.J Esuene Stadium. All 18 LGA's were represented in the Championships by two athletes in each event. They were selected from zonal

championships. The competition is the pet project of Governor Imoke who has always been on hand to grace the occasion no matter his engagements. The governor is hoping to replicate Jamaica's success in athletics in Nigeria within a period of five years.

Idowu, Taylor clash in London

HILLIPS Idowu and Christian Taylor will go head-to-head in London in their final triple jump competition before one of the most eagerlyanticipated Olympic showdowns. Idowu lost his world title to Taylor in Daegu last year, settling for a silver he is determined to upgrade this summer. At just 21, Taylor is considered one of the brightest prospects in athletics but Idowu has started the season more impressively, winning their encounter at the recent

IAAF Diamond League meeting in Shanghai. And Idowu and Taylor will both compete at the Aviva London Grand Prix at Crystal Palace on July 14, just over three weeks before

they clash again at the Olympic Stadium. “I’ve got a good winter of quality training under my belt and now I’m aiming for the gold medal,” said Idowu.

AFN golden league lay low in PH

HE Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, has canceled the Lagos leg of the Golden League and keeps faith with Port Harcourt, Rivers State where most of the participating athletes are camped ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games. This, according to the federation's technical coordinator, Yusfu Alli, was to beat cost and also prevent the athletes from traveling back and forth. “Besides the track facilities in Port Harcourt are very up to standard and we expect the athletes to put up good performances,” stated the former African long jump champion. Port Harcourt hosted the 4th leg of the Golden

League and it was due to happen at the Yaba College of Technology this weekend. Some of the highlights include Tosin Adeloye, a junior athlete lowering the 53.46 seconds she did at the 2nd Pastor D.K Olukoya Under-18 Championships. She clocked 52.97 in the hotly contested women's 400m won by Policewoman, Josephine Ehigie in 52.51. She beat Cross- Rivers State's Patience Okon to second in 52.84 secs. Other winners include: Chinazom Amadi, women's Long Jump in 6.38 metres; Arinze Obiora, men's High Jump in 2.05 metres; Feyisayo Daramola, women's Hammer with 58.18 metres & Samuel Okon with 14.11 secs in the men's 110m hurdles.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012 — 55

Basketball league: Pillars, Warriors await escort teams for Final-8 BY EDDIE AKALONU

ITH two more games left to the end of the regular season, Kano Pillars in the Savannah Conference and the Warriors may have booked a place in the Final- 8 play-offs. So far, both teams have kept a clean sheet in games played all season and are only waiting for who in the pack will take up the rest six slots for dates fixed to finalise the season. The log released by the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF shows that Warriors lead the Atlantic pack with 24 points in 12 games, 998 goals in favour and 748 against. As it stands now, defending champions, Royal Hoopers, who follow with 22 points, 870 goals in favour and 757 against, are hot favourites to join Warriors for the title chase. Same scenario exist in the Savannah Conference where Pillars top the log with 24 points but with higher goals 970 in favour and 639 conceded. By the same token, Pillars are followed by Yelwa Hawks who are on 22 points, with 816 goals in favour and 726 against. Across the conferences, the standings followed results obtained in Week-12 games. While Pillars over ran Kadda Stars 81-66 to remain unbeaten, pushing the Kaduna team to fouth place,

Niger Potters improved their chances of being in the Final 8 with an 80-67 win over Immigration of Minna to sit in third place. Islanders, who beat Chariots 64-59 moved to third place in Atlantic on 19 points. The result thus confirms Chariots for the lower division.

The maiden edition of the MTN Alumni Golf Cup held last week at the Ikeja Golf Club. General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN, Kola Oyeyemi (l), Gbenga Ayodele and Jimoh Ogundare ®, both of St Augustine, Kabba, winners of the competition.

Chiejine confident Falconets'll do well in Japan BY EDDIE AKALONU

OACH Ann Chiejina has said the current female U20 team have the flair, energy and shooting power to take Nigeria higher than any of the national teams have ever done in FIFA competitions going by the manner of their qualification in dismissing all opposition in Africa. “I think we have passed the level of Africa and it's now the world to conquer. I saw that ability in the team, so this time they will go far and give us what we have been expecting over the years,” she stated in Lagos. The Falconets demolished their DR Congo opponents 70 on aggregate last weekend to book a place in the finals in

Japan from August 19 to September 8. Chijine, the former senior team's goalkeeper and assistant coach who witnessed editions of the World Cup, said the time between now and the championship allows the technical crew a good time not only to blend the team she sees as composed largely by a crop of young players, but also

the leverage to still make changes and set a champonship team in place. “The time is enough to play friendlies, blend the team and may be inject capable new players in places necessary. I believe in the technical crew too to perfect the job already started at the competition. It's time to conquer the world because they are capable of

Dudu Orumen floats Co wbell F ootball Cowbell Football Academy BY KATE OBODO

S part of activities to bring up young and talents footballers in the country, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, maker's of Cowbell Milk, in

collaboration with Multi-sports Services and Entertainment Limited, last Saturday launched Cowbell Football Academy at the Campos Square in Lagos. The event which was graced

Don reiter ates im por ak or athletes reiterates impor porttance of liquid int intak akee ffor A N Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology, Human Kinetics and Health Education, University of Lagos, Grace Otinwa has said it is necessary for Nigerian athletes and other people to take in fluids like Lucozade Sports during exercises. Otinwa stated that tropical nature of Nigeria quickly makes athletes dehydrated which could lead to several complications. This she said made it an imperative for athletes to drink fluids like Lucozade sports. She stressed this at the Lucozade Sport Gymn Instructors Forum in Lagos recently. According to her, athletes who experience significant dehydration will also experience a significant increase in core body temperature. “Experience has shown that

in Nigeria, some athletes either collapse during or after a race or competition as well as suffer severe undetermined

cramp or leg pains,” she said, adding, “dehydration incurred before or during sustained exercise often impairs physical

performance. Lucozade Sports is good for athletes and other people engaged in exercise.”

Mark, Oyinlola tee off in CMCL golf tourney BY IME BASSEY

ENATE President, David Mark, former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinloa and Benin High Chief, Sam Iredia are some of the notables expected to tee off in the amateur category of the 14th edition of the annual CMCL open golf championship. Also expected at the highbrow Ibrahim Babangida International golf and country club in Abuja this weekend are former Internal Affairs minister, John Shagaya, former Arewa Consultative Forum chairman, General IBM Haruna, Lanre Shagaya from Ilorin and others drawn

doing it but first they must believe in themselves. If they do, they will achive. That's what I now look forward to,” she said, adding “the technical crew too must adopt new tactical approach and perfect it as they prepare. That done, I bet they are ready to prosecute the World Cup. Time has come for Nigeria to stamp our feet at the world stage. That's why I said we have gone beyond Africa.”

from across the country. The competition which teed off on Tuesday with professional golfers is being organised to coincide with the 56th birthday celebration of Otunba Olusola Adekanola, the Chairman of CMCL Golf Tours Limited. Known for his philanthropist gesture, Adekanola is reputed to be the soul of the game of golf in the country. The CMCL competition is the longest running event in the Nigeria’s golf calendar beside the Lagos state amateur open. Apart from the CMCL which has become a must play among discerning golfers, tournament like the, famed International

Pairs, Jamaican Double, Sea Craft are some of the other event that has the signature of Adeknaola, the golf philanthropist. Remi Olukoya, the Chief Executive officer of CMCL Golf Tours limited says Adekanola support for the game of golf steam from his desire to see to the wellbeing of those whose livelihood depend on the sports and to contribute to the development of the game and the society in general. That explained his decision to send some talented Nigerian professional golfer on training programme to South Africa some years back.

by sports personalities from different parts of the country had young talents competing in football competition. Managing Director, of Promasidor, Chief Keith Richards however, disclosed to Saturday Vanguard Sports that the company is committed to nation building and development through sports, adding that their focus is to ensure that the academy drives through its dream of producing better players and citizens in the country. “We the Cowbell family are glad to have partnered with Multi-sports. For this reason, we have decided to help their dream through the Cowbell Football Academy under the watchful eyes of Nigeria's own sports maverick, Godwin Dudu Orumen.” Meanwhile, proprietor of the Football Academy, Dudu Orumen said the purpose of establishing the academy is to give opportunity to young talents in the country to unleash their potential and be better persons in the society. “Basically, the purpose of its establishment is to give young stars the opportunity to showcase their talent and also become better persons in life,” Orumen said.

SATURDAY Vanguard, MAY 26, 2012

Ikhana upbeat on Falcons win in Harare BY IME BASSEY

UPER Falcons head coach, Kadiri Ikha-

na has expressed readiness of his team ahead of the 2012 African Women

GOAL-LINE … As a way of ending the controversy referees decisions on balls around the goal-line during matches, independent testers are expected to use the England/Belgium friendly at the Wembley on June 2, 2012 to test the Goal-line technology being proposed by FIFA. Photo courtesy BBC

NATION CUP/WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS:

Okaro fears for Eagles By KATE OBODO

s the Super Eagles get set for next month’s 2014 World Cup/ 2013 Nations Cup qualifiers, renowned military sports administrator, BrigadierGeneral Emmanuel Okaro (rtd) has expressed fears over the team’s qualification for both competitions if Stephen Keshi fails to feature the best and experienced players. The Eagles will play Namibia in Calabar on June 3 in a World Cup qualifier and travel to Blantyre the following week for the second group match against Malawi after which they will also welcome Rwanda for the second leg qualifier for the 2013 Nations Cup on June 17 in Calabar. However, General Okaro has advised Keshi to get the best foreign-

based players that would blend with the homebased if he must qualify for both the 2013 Nations Cup and 2014 World Cup. “My fear for the team is the crop of players that Stephen Keshi is banking on. For me, I see the team struggling to qualify. We may have an edge over Namibia, Rwanda and the rest of them but it would be very difficult because of the new boys Keshi is bringing in. The most important aspect is having players who are in form, good and experienced in the game that would blend with the local boys. John Utaka, for example is one players that is in form and I think Keshi should look into him. “What I really want Keshi to do is to feature the best strikers and especially those who are currently in form. For

instance Utaka is a good striker and also a clinical finisher. Other players are Ahmed Musa and Osaze Odemwingie. If he features Utaka, he may get the best out of him because he is doing well in his club. And as an experienced player, I doubt if he would struggle with the home-

based players rather they would look up to him for leadership. The home based players are not too experienced, he can blend them with the foreign players but he needs the foreign-based players much more than the local ones,” General Okaro stressed.

He said Mikel Obi’s game has improved in his club ( Chelsea), but that “he has always felt that he is indispensable in the national team. Therefore, I’m not going to rate him because of Chelsea’s victory as he remains one player that cannot be relied on in the national team. In all, Keshi, should ensure that he gets quality players that would earn him the desired results if he must succeed in getting both the Nations Cup and World Cup tickets, or else it would be another disaster for Nigerian football.”

Championship qualifying first leg fixture against Zimbabwe in Harare on May 27. Speaking to Saturday Vanguard Sports after the unveiling his 21 women team list, Ikhana assured Nigerians that team will make the country proud. “We are readily prepared for the Zimbabwe game and the players are in brilliant shape to execute the game. I am quite sure they will make Nigerians proud over the two legs. “The team is a mix of the home-based and foreign players to execute the Sunday game after which the foreign players will return to their clubs leaving those based in Nigeria to face Bayana Bayana of South Africa in the June 3rd friendly,” the former Kwara United gaffer said. The team is expected to play its return leg on June 16 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos following the approval by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

*Kadiri Ikhana

CROSS WORD PUZZLE Across 1 Enugu Rangers International Striker, Ejike – (7) 5 Ethiopian Currency – (4) 7 South Africa National President, Jacob – (4) 9 Former Osun State Governor, Olapade – (10) 13 Adhesive – (4) 14 State in Nigeria known as “The Big Heart?” – (5) 16 Former Super Eagles Striker, Nwankwo – (4) 17 Brazillian Currency – (4) 19 Colour – (5) 20 Bangladesh Currency – (4) 21 Tanzania Capital City – (10) 26 Former Delta State Governor, Mr. Felix – (4) 28 L.G.A in Jigawa State – (4) 29 Beach Soccer Eagles Striker, Isiaka – (7) Down 1 L.G.A in Abia State – (4)

2 Abia State Governor, Theodore – (4) 3 Kano Pillars Forward, Victor – (4) 4 L.G.A in Ebonyi State – (4) 5 L.G.A in Katsina State – (10) 6 Everton FC Defender, Jack – (7) 10 INEC Chairman, Attahiru – (4) 11 L.G.A in Osun State – (10) 12 Plural of Radius – (5) 15 England Division 2 Club Side – (5) 16 State in Nigeria – (7) 18 Anambra State Capital – (4) 22 Cameroun “Indomitable Lions” Striker and Inter Milan Forward, Samuel – (4) 23 Yemen Capital City – (4) 24 Former Italian Currency – (4) 25 Linear Measure Unit – (4)

SOLUTION ON PAGE 54

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