Kachikwu recalls external auditors by Vanguard Media Limited

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World post-2015 Devt Agent: Buhari urges world leaders to conquer hunger, others by 2030 By Levinus Nwabughiogu

EW YORK – P r e s i d e n t Mohammadu Buhari of Nigeria yesterday in New York, United States of America impressed it upon the minds of world leaders to work assiduously for the elimination of hunger, illiteracy and disease by 2030. The president made the remark while addressing the United Nations Plenary Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda at the UN general assembly. The social vices were the focal points of the contained post-2015 Development Agenda adopted by world leaders on Friday. President Buhari said that the priority of his government was to run a transparent and accountable public revenue management system that would ensure a Leeds development of Nigeria. He noted that his administration was taking steps to improve and streamline internal generation of revenue, and to plug all loopholes that have led to illicit capital flight from Nigeria, adding that his government was also putting mechanisms in place to prevent oil theft and other criminal practices that are detrimental to Nigeria’s economy. President Buhari however said that he was pleased that world leaders had reaffirmed their commitment to sustainable development, international peace and security, and the protection of the planet. “These are really the major issues of the day. For

•Makes case for HIV free generation the first time, we have at our disposal a framework that is universal in scope and outlook, with clearly defined goals and targets, and appropriately crafted methods of implementation. “The Declaration that we

have adopted today testifies to the urgency and the necessity for action by all of us. It is not for want of commitment that previous initiatives have failed or could not be fully realized. What seemed to be lacking in the past were

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By Henry Umoru

ENATE President Bukola Saraki has expressed shock over the Saudi Arabia stampede where 717 people were killed and 863 injured, including Nigerians. On a mournful note, Saraki called on the Saudi authorities to review the safety rules governing activities around places where the hajj rites usually take place, adding that he was pained and saddened that such tragic incident could still occur despite the safety instructions the Saudi Arabian authorities issued to pilgrims. In a statement by his Media Office yesterday, the Senate President said: “We are pained. The death of pilgrims who came to worship from different parts of the world is too much for us to bear. We recorded over 100 deaths and 331 injured others when a crane crashed in Kaaba, Mecca about two weeks ago and now, hundreds of Muslim faithful lost their lives while performing the symbolic stoning of the devil ritual. “My heart goes out to the families of those that lost their lives in this tragic incident as I pray Almighty Allah to grant Aljannah Fidaus to souls of all those who lost their lives.

Blatter faces criminal investigation

•Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (m) flanked by Popular Nollywood Actor, Segun Arinze (l) and member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Desmond Elliot during a courtesy visit to the Governor by the Cast and Crew of the film 93 Days, at the Lagos House, Ikeja recently.

CCB Trial: Anti-Saraki forces plan mass protests, till October 21 •To move against Ekweremadu By Henry Umoru

HEAD of the resumption of Senate September 29, strong indications emerged yesterday that forces against

the embattled Senate President, Bukola Saraki are converging to strategise on how to ensure that he leaves the position as number three citizen of the country. Saturday Vanguard

Anambra NBA asks JUSUN to call off strike government and JUSUN to the leadership of JUSUN By Nwabueze Okonkwo ARELY two weeks into the on-going strike action embarked upon by members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN, Anambra state chapter, over government’s noncompliancewiththe2011 agreement on Consolidated Judiciary Salary Scale, CONJUSS,thecommitteeof chairmen and secretaries of seven branches of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA in the state has given both the state government and JUSUN a week to call off the strike and resume court proceedings. The NBA said if at the expiration of the deadline both parties have not resolvedtheirdifferencesand re-open the courts in the state, they would take further steps to get both the state

political will and the required global partners-hip to pursue and implement theprogrammestowhichwe committed ourselves. “This Declaration enjoys global consensus. We have agreed to deliver as one and to leave no one behind.’’

Hajj tragedy: Saraki urges authorities to review safety rules

listen to the voice of reason, adding that it is regrettable that each time courts are closed down, the lawyers bearthebrunt,justassuspects languish in police detentions and prison custodies. Chairman of Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of the seven branches of NBA in the state, comprising Onitsha, Awka, Aguata, Idemili,Anaocha,Nnewiand Ihiala, Uba Anene who gave the ultimatum at Onitsha Bar Centre, said they were disappointed and alarmed by by JUSUN. In the statement jointly signed by Chairmen of six other branches of NBA, including Chudi Obieze for Onitsha, P.O.C Ebubedike for Nnewi, Ben Okoko for Idemili, Chris Adimora for Anaocha, Sabastine Onyia for Aguata and J.I.J. Okolie for Ihiala, NBA declared: “After consultations with

and after several efforts to meet the government of Anambra state which were rebuffed, the leadership of the bar wish to state as follows: Also expressing dissatisfaction over what they termed as an unhealthy attempts by Obiano to sow division among the branches of the bar in the state by favouring one group over the others, NBA further declared: “We condemn the penchant of the state government, past and present, to withhold or divert statutory allocations to the third tier of government , adding, we call on the state government to, as a matter of urgency and necessity, release statutory allocations meant for the local government councils in the state, to enable them discharge their statutory functions to the people”.

gathered yesterday that forces opposed to Saraki’s continued stay as Senate President have concluded plans to embark on protests insisting that he was no longer moraly bound to continue in that office and the need for him to “resign honourably.” According to a source, following the arraignment of Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), some leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC have concluded plans to move the battle against him to the second stage, which would be to carry out campaigns against him. The source disclosed that the protests would be sustained until the resumed hearing of the CCT suit against Saraki on October 21. It was also gathered that some groups of Protesters were already mobilized and would start their campaigns from Monday September 28, a day to the resumption of the Senate after a six week annual recess, just as this group was said to also be mobilising to ensure that the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP was removed.

SWISS prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Sepp Blatter, the head of world soccer body FIFA, on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation, the Swiss attorney general’s office said on Friday. It said Blatter was interrogated after a meeting of FIFA’s executive committee in Zurich, and authorities carried out a search at FIFA headquarters on Friday. “The office of the FIFA President has been searched and data seized,” the office of the attorney general (OAG) said. It was the first time that authorities investigating corruption in the world’s most popular sport had pointed the finger directly at Blatter, the 79-year-old Swiss who has run its powerful governing body since 1998. He has denied wrongdoing, and his US attorney said he was cooperating with the Swiss probe. A source close to Fifa said that as Blatter has not been arrested, charged or indicted, it would probably be for him to decide whether he stays in his post until February, when he is due to step down.

Amnesty boss assures on delivering set targets By Emmanuel Elebeke

HE Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd) has expressed commitment to deliver on the president’s directive to ensure sustainable peace and stability in the Niger Delta region. A statement released by the media and communications department, of the Special Adviserto the President on Niger Delta, says the Coordinator hopes that by ensuring the successful completion of the Amnesty Programme, the region would have garnered enough momentum to sustain its current pace of development. Gen. Boroh (Rtd) had on assumption of office promised to make remarkable impact in execution of the amnesty projects and had so far said to have made substantial progress has been achieved in the bid to resolving all contentious issues regarding the administration of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, most of which revolved around payment of in-training allowances and the fees of student trainees under the programme. He assured trainees that his office is keen on ensuring regular payment of allowances and other entitlements and working with relevant agencies of government to curb delays in the release of funds occasioned by the recent implementation of the Treasury Single Account Policy of the Federal Government.

Hoteliers urge Aregbesola to be focused By Gbenga Olarinoye

PERATORS of hotel business in Osun state have urged governor Rauf Aregbesola not to be deterred by the financial challenges facing the state but to continue to be strong and remain focused in his developmental stride. The hoteliers in a statement by its spokesperson, Babatunde Karim, in Osogbo yesterday, said issues relating to inability of government to pay salaries were not peculiar to the state alone.

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Missing NNPC $20 bn: Kachikwu recalls external auditors •To carry out full forensic audit •Army deploys drones against pipeline vandals •Govt may shut under-performing refineries By Clara Nwachukwu

N line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s change and anti-graft agenda, the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr.EmmanuelIbeKachikwu, has decided to revisit the issue of the missing $20 billion NNPC fund. ‘’We are bringing back the auditors to do a full audit of NNPC accounts. The last audit was done in 2010, so we will make the accounts up to date,” he said during an interaction with journalists in Lagos,yesterday. The nation was mired in controversies recently following public bashing and accusationsofunaccountedfunds, in excess of $20 billion as alleged by former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi. Recall that NEITI, the PRSTF and KPMG all questioned how Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, the producing arm of the NNPC split earnings with its partners, and how much revenues they keep back for themselves. Besides, most of thecompaniesareincorporated in offshore banking secrecy jurisdictions; none of them publish annual accounts. Furthermore, it has been noted that NNPC has not fully responded to Sanusi’s allegations in public, and the terms of reference, TOR, for the recent PricewaterHouseCoopers, PwC audit did not empowertheauditorstoprobe the strategic alliance agreements, SAAs, the NPDC entered into with its partners between 2010 and 2012, in detail. Promising to subject the NNPC accounts to another forensicaudit,.Kachikwusaid part of the ongoing reform of the NNPC is the right of the public to know. “There are no go areas” for as long as the Corporation remains a public establishment. I give weekly briefing to Mr. President becausetheNigerianpublichas a right to know,” he said, adding that the first monthly publication of the Corporation since he took over will be out next week, and ‘’a whole lot of things will be revealed in it.’’ The development comes as Kachikwuthreatenedthatthe Federal Government may shut down unprofitable refineriesafterthe90daysdeadline given to their managements and sell off its majority stakes to expatriate management investors, similar to the Nigerian LNG model. He also disclosed that the lucrative multi-million dollar pipelinevandalismandattendant crude oil and products theftbusinessmaycometoend

soon as the Nigerian Army begins the deployment of drones to monitor the over 5000 kilometres pipeline networkthatcriss-crossthecountry. Deployment of drones While the Muslim faithful are celebrating the Eid el Kabir, the Army is putting finishing touches to launch the first set of drones, this weekend, a developmentthatwillalsosee the replacement of the online monitoring of the pipelines, which hitherto had not yielded much success. Kachikwu agreed that some staff of the Corporation and the influential in the societyhavehandinpipelinevandalism. Kachikwu said: “The first thing we are doing, which is thefirstdeploymentofdrones, will start over this weekend. Thishastodowiththereplacementoftheonlinemonitoring groupwiththeArmycorpsengineers. It will provide funding for the Army Corp engineers to improve their skills as the main contractors. It will also provide very strong presence in terms of helping us from where we are today. Yes, it is possible that some staff of NNPC inform the vandals and that’s why we are removing those at the depot this week” The NNPC promised Nigerians to end oil theft and pipeline vandalism within eight months through the deployment of drones to monitor pipelines and movement of oil vessels in the nation’s territorial waters. Theinfluentialbehindvandalism and oil theft In Kachikwu’s opinion, the poor do not burst pipelines becausetheyneitherhavethe resourcesnorfinancialcapacity to execute such line breaks, which he described as “a very expensiveandsyndicatedprocess.” He said: “People who are doingthisareinfluentialmembers of the society, who have the reach of the market where theyaregoingtosellandhave the ability to invest monies in this whole process. It is a very expensive process because if you burst a pipeline you have to tap it, you have to carry it to a vessel or tanker; you have to transport it to be able to sell it. It is a very syndicated processbecauseifyouburstitand it is flowing on the ground, it is of no use to you.” NNPC staff, military also accused of collusion Duetothenatureofthesyndicate, Kachikwu also said that some NNPC staff, the military and those in charge of monitoring the pipelines may not be exempted from collusion from the growing business.

According to him, “What was happening before is that the same people you send therearethesamepeoplethat are bursting the pipelines. I will not also claim that people within my system were not part and parcel of all these. So I have a very open mind to realize that as many people as possible are also part of the problems, internal and external.” He based his conviction on an experience he shared with journalists: “One of the things that shocked me was the first time we tried to pump from Mosimi; I’d finished the maintenance and I was really lookingforwardtoitandwithin five to six hours after we started pumping, there was a bridge. People will not know you were going to pump unless people internal were also part of the cartel.” Dealingwiththechallenge Apart from challenging the media to continue to harp on the issue, Kachikwu said his management has devised somestrategiesthatwillcheck the menace. These include redeploying all depots staff, constantly changing personnel at strategic units as well as encouraging the military to all also do same He said: “One of the things this team has done is, we are posting out everybody who hadworkedtraditionallyinthe depots, and we are going to try to change them literally, at least for those who are in the mechanics or fields as frequentlyaswecan.Wearealso encouraging the Army to also change their personnel as frequently as they can.” In addition to these, he said: “I have a lot of energy around this, we are looking at tracking devices, and we are looking at monitoring devices. We are holding a lot of screening rightnow.Evenondronesand total pictures. Nigerians are very resilient because the momenttheyknowwhereyou’re headed, the amount of pro-

Pope Francis prays at the 9/11 memorial in New York on September 25, 2015. Pope Francis, who has built a wide global following for his reform-minded views, is on a five-day official visit to the US. AFP PHOTO/JEWEL SAMAD

posals I’m getting you’ll think I’m building drones in every backyard, and I’m quite impressed with that. But we really need to throw technology on them, but again we need to find out the cost of the technology. “But we can’t do it alone with the Army; we have to realize that there are communities; we have to create incentives to the communities to own these pipelines and realize that it is important for them to be there. This comes down to the CSR, we mentioned before. What are the things that we can do to ensure that the people along the pipelines, who suffer from obvious exposures by virtue of their location in those areas see a sense of reward by virtue of being there? “We are dealing with the Army, we’re dealing with the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, and the local communities; it’s an integrated model. But in terms of them being located on the pipelines, no, we are going to have the Armylocatedonthepipelines and the others will provide external support.” Shuttingdownunprofitable refineries TheNNPCbossindefence of government’s decision to hold on to the refineries against experts’ advice to sell

them off to private investors, noted that the sale of the refineries may not be ruled out after all, if they continue to prove unprofitable after all efforts to revive them. Accordingtohim:“Whatthe President wants to do is to first fixtherefineriesbecauseifyou sell them in their current state, you’ll sell them as scraps, so there will be no value coming back to you anyway, which is logical. “The very intelligent thing to do is, let’s fix the refineries and if they are not performing you sell them as finished, completed and enhanced refineries and you get better value…What I will love to see ultimately is, if they do not work, and I hope that they do work, is to at least on a majority shareholding, the refineries can be taken over by foreign investor who then takes over the technical management, almost something like the Nigeria LNG model. “Sofirst,weneedtofixthem. Theyhavea90dayperiodand Ihavethesameworriesasyou have,butI’vegottohavefaith. Within these 90 days, I’ve told every manager: ‘prove to me that I don’t need to do something drastic after 90 days.’ “The way it is trending so far, it is likely that Port Harcourt will be the only one that can meet that kind of deadline. If we get to that point,

what I will do is to shut down the refineries, of course with the approval of the President, and then do full maintenance of the refineries. It might take me one month, it might take me one year to clean it up and bringitbacktofullproduction. “While that is going on, I stop wasting crude being pumped there at a loss, and take that out and bring in refined products. At least I’ll be saving money, and at the end of the day I have a refinery that can work. “If after we finish and we think that the issue is management, then we see if there is somebody willing to buy a majority share that has the skills and market reach internationally to do the work. Obviously if we did that and by then we have expressions of interest, people who are building refineries in this politicalenvironmentwillbegiven the first right of refusal because they will be able to help manage what is there, help to shareskills.Ihavenotlostfaith in myself as a business man, but we have to take all the social realities together.” Subsidy Onthecontroversialoilsubsidy, he could not say whether government would continue to pay for oil subsidy or not buthewascertainthetheway it was manged was wrong and not sustainable

Nigeria loses N40bn to non-performing refineries By Sebastine Obasi

IGERIA is said to be losing about N40 billionyearlyduetothepoorperformance of the nation’s four refineries. The Group Managing Director, GMD, of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, who stated this during an interaction with journalists in Lagos, also said that the NNPC must be run as a profitable organisation to add value and be of benefit to Nigerians.

He said: “My records showedthatwearelosingN10 billion for each of those refineries. That is where we need to move from the areas of emotion to the areas of business. Sometimes people say that I talk a lot of business, insteadofsocialservices.No,not as a Corporation. The day NNPC is called NNPC SocialServices,then,Iwouldnot have to have this conversation. But if it is called a corporation, it means that the country expects them to make a yield, make profit and managethecompanyprofitablyso that people can benefit.”

The GMD explained that NNPC is faced with numerous challenges, one of which is how to make the refineries work effectively and optimally. “There are lots of issues we deal with, the refineries being oneofthem.Howdowemake them work? My first belief as somebody who must see the refineries as a businessman was simply: they don’t work, you get somebody who will makethemwork. ‘’The reality is, if you give me 450,000 barrels of allocation, the models must be straight forward. I go out and process them and get a better

yield and the government makes profit out of that yield and I keep back what I will use to run the refineries. It is a straight forward deal. But the model we have been running is you throw in the barrels, either for reasons of pipeline issues or for reasons of ageing facilities in the refineries, I throw in a $40 barrel oil and get $50 result. You are dead before you start because you are already unprofitable,” he said. He further explained that the biggest challenge is the debtfactor,followedbythelow performance of the refineries.

6 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

Insurgency: Borno elders sabotaging our efforts — Army By Kingsley Omonobi

HE Nigerian Army yesterday alerted the nation that some elders and leaders of Borno state and other States of the North East are working against the resolve by the military and other security agencies to ensure they bring the terrorists activities of Boko Haram group to an end by December this year in accordance with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive. These persons including top politicians are said to have gone to the extent of employing the services of Marabouts and other unethical means to reverse the gains made so far in the war against insurgency. Consequently, the Army warned that such elders, whose sinister machinations security agencies were aware of, risk arrest and will be dealt with in accordance with the law if caught. A statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman said, “the Nigerian Army wishes to inform the public and send a very strong and serious final warning to some prominent individuals and political groups who hail from Borno State in particular and North East generally, t h a t there is information of plans by some highly placed individuals and political groups to undermine and scuttle the fight against terrorism and insurgency in this country. “The unscrupulous in-

dividuals and their cohorts are determined to reverse the gains made and scuttle our efforts of achieving the Presidential directive to defeat Boko Haram terrorists within 3 months. “They are enlisting the services of some Non-Governmental Organizations in this grand design. “It has come to our knowledge that they are employing all means to see that our operation does not succeed in order for them to continue to enjoy certain benefits. “It has been revealed that they are employ-

ing the services of marabouts and other unethical means in order to frustrate our efforts and the operations in addition to campaigns of calumny. “We are aware of their clandestine meetings and other diabolical efforts to achieve their nefarious aims and this will not be tolerated. “Therefore, such individuals and groups should be warned in unmistakable terms that anyone found will be dealt with accordingly. “People should place the interest of the nation above any personal gain or ambition.”

FIFA President Sepp Blatter gesturing during a press conference at the FIFA world-body headquarter's in Zurich. The embattled FIFA chief is suspected of "disloyal payment" to UEFA head Michel Platini, who had hoped to succeed him, the office of Switzerland's Attorney General said on September 25, 2015.

Boko Haram invades Adamawa communities, razes over 50 houses; scores feared dead By Ndahi Marama

USPECTED mem bers of dreaded Boko Haram terrorists invaded three communities of Sabon Gari, Kafin Hausa and Bakin Dutse of Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, leaving scores of people mostly returning farmers and herdsmen dead after setting ablaze their residential houses. The attacks were said to have lasted for three days and over 50 houses burnt. Madagali is the council headquarters of Gulak, a town bordering

Borno State which had suffered series of deadly boko Haram attacks that led to the sacking of the whole people of the area. According to a unanimous police officer from the area but who is based in Maiduguri, “Our family house was one of those destroyed by the terrorists, but when some people alerted the security operatives stationed in Gulak and Madagali, there was no response until the whole place was destroyed by the insurgents. “My distressed people called me about the

deadly attacks that lasted for three days beginning from Wednesday, but no positive response until the whole villages were destroyed; many of our people might have been killed, but fortunately, after they returned to the troubled communities, they chose to spend their whole day and night in their farmlands for safety.” He added that the town is now deserted as most of the lucky survivors have fled into the bush while many houses are still on fire and that thick smoke still engulf the whole communities.

Fayose warns against playing politics with HID’s death ...as Shonekan, Murray-Bruce, Otudeko, Olubadan pay tributes By Daud Olatunji

OVERNOR of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has warned Nigerian politicians against playing politics with the death of the late matriarch of Awolowo dynasty, Chief (Mrs) Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo. Fayose, who spoke in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State when he paid a condolence visit to the Awolowo family, was accompanied by the Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Ben Murray-Bruce. He said the deceased should not be celebrated for political reasons,advising that politicians should rather sustain her legacy and that of her late husband, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. The Ekiti governor noted that visiting the Awolowos should not just be a one-off thing aimed at scoring cheap political points and making publicity stunts. Others who also paid condolence visits yesterday included former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan; prominent industrialist, Dr Oba Otudeko, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, who was represented by the Osi Olubadan, Senator Lekan Balogun, and Ekerin Olubadan, High Chief Abimbola Ajibola. Fayose said “One thing I like to remind all politicians; it is in our way to make politics out of people’s lives, to celebrate them for political reasons.

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Lady, 24 nabbed for child theft in Calabar

Tension in Anambra community as youths disrupt town union election

*Factional groups accuse each other of responsible for youths action By Nwabueze Okonkwo

By Ike Uchechukwu

UCK ran out, yester day, on an alleged syndicate that specializes in buying children in the Calabar metropolis as one of their members a 24 -year old lady known as Nkechi was apprehended by neighbours of the “supposed “victim before she was arrested by the police. Saturday Vanguard learned that the incident,which took place at 15 Ene Ndem Street in Calabar South started at about 8p.m when a group comprising of two male and a female approached the mother of the two months old baby, Mrs. Nyong Ayi Ita, demanding to buy her baby (Stella Essien Ita). Mrs. Ita told Saturday Vanguard that she was approached by a group of three people who told her that their madam wanted to buy her baby but suspecting that they had ulterior motive because a baby was also missing in the area since April and has not been found till date, she

•Illegal parking of fuel tankers and container vehicles along Oshodi/Apapa Expressway caused a lot of hardship to other road users for several hours in Lagos on Wednesday. Pix shows heavy gridlock along the road. Photo: Joe Akintola (Photo Editor). decided to play along. She said: “When the people came to me to discuss” business” asking to buy my last child (Stella), I demanded that I would not do anything with them unless they brought their principal, which they did after some hours of negotiation. They told me that they wanted to buy my baby for N150,000 but I refused and told them to

bring their “boss” because a woman in the neighbourhood too lost her baby like that. So I decided to play along to get these people.” She disclosed that eventually their boss came to her house at about 10p.m to conclude the business. “When she came in to the house to see my baby I asked her what she wanted the baby for. She told me that

their parents gave birth to three girls and one of them died that she wanted to “buy” a boy to enable them maintain their father’s lineage and that was her reason. But unknown to her the baby is a girl. she didn’t discover this because Stella’s ears have not been pierced and she was covered with napkin so she taught it was a boy, “ Nyong said.

Bayelsa: Sylva dares Oyegun over cancellation of APC primary *I remain party governorship candidate, he insists * Alaibe backs cancellation of exercise By Samuel Oyadongha

ORMER Bayelsa State governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, yesterday, dared the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun over the cancellation of last Tuesday’s primary of the party in Bayelsa State insisting that he remains the APC governorship candidate for the December 5, 2015 election. Sylva’s campaign organisation described as misleading and completely untrue reports that the primaries have been cancelled or rescheduled. In a statement issued in Yenagoa, the campaign organisation maintained that the disputed primary, which was won by Sylva, was conducted in accordance with the party’s rules and guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and as such the party has no basis to cancel its outcome.

The statement, signed on behalf of the campaign by Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, said: “We want to state categorically that since the primary election was conducted according to the rules and duly won by Sylva, he remains the candidate of the APC in Bayelsa State and any statement to the contrary is

mere rumour. “The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, does not have the powers to unilaterally annul a state primary election. We are even shocked that he allowed his name to be used when he has not even received the report from members of the electoral panel.

“Beyond the electoral panel’s report, there is also an Appeals Committee, which has the responsibility to examine complaints arising from the primary election. It is only after the Appeals Committee has concluded its job that the National Working Committee (NWC) will meet to consider all reports from the primary, including those of the security agencies.

747,000 HIV patients under ART treatment in Nigeria — NACA By Victoria Ojeme

HE National Agen cy for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has disclosed that over 747,000 HIV patients are currently receiving antiretroviral therapy treatment in over 1,050 facilities across the country. Assistant Director of Programme NACA, Dr Emmanuel Agogo, made this disclosure on Tuesday, in Abuja at the 2015 Candle Light Memorial organised by the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nige-

ria (NEPWHAN) with the theme: Supporting the future of people living with HIV. He said: “That is why

there are lots of efforts to test people and get people to know their status because it based on their CD4 count that we offer these treatments.”

HE proposed elec tion of new executive members of Awkuzu Progressive Union, APU scheduled for last Saturday was disrupted by irate youths from the area. The youths, numbering over 1,000 chanted “no election” slogans as they trouped in their numbers to Awkuzu Civic Center, venue of the proposed election and violently dispersed everyone, after chasing away some Anambra state government officials who were coming to supervise the election. Both the two factions, one led by the out-going President-General of APU, George Echesi and some other stakeholders in the community and the other led by chairman of Awkuzu council of chiefs, Chief Frank Oramulu accused each other of being responsible for the youths conduct. Speaking to newsmen shortly after all the participants had been dispersed, Echesi noted that he specifically called for election because his threeyear first tenure had expired and he really wanted someone else to take over from him, adding that since he did not even want to go for a second tenure, he would not have mobilized the youths to disrupt the exercise, as alleged by the opposition.

Mecca stampede: PDP condoles Muslims By Henry Umoru

ATIONAL leader ship of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has described the audi Arabia stampede where 171 people were killed and 863 injured as shocking, sad and unfortunate. The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said in a statement yesterday that, “the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, on behalf of the entire members of the PDP, sympathizes and condoles with the Muslim Community worldwide over the tragic stampede that claimed the lives of hundreds of pilgrims performing Hajj in Mecca.” According to him, the PDP has been “griefstricken since receiving the news of the tragic incident.” “The PDP mourns. Our thoughts and prayers go to the Muslim community worldwide and particularly, the families of Nigerian worshippers who were affected in the sad occurrence. “Indeed, we share in their pains and pray that the Almighty God, in His mercies, comfort and give them the fortitude to bear the loss.”

No clash between DESOPADEC chair, managing director — Urhobo group By Emma Amaize

RHOBO Media Practitioners Forum, UMPF, in Delta State, has said there was no disagreement between the Chairman of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Mr Godwin Ebosa and the Managing Director, Chief William Makinde. The group in a statement by its Chairman, Dr. Prince Orhomonokpaye, also debunked allegations that Makinde is a stooge for some persons in the state. The statement said, “ we hereby condemn in its entirely the publications made by an online media that Chief William Makinde is a stooge in the commission. We also debunk the rumour making the rounds that the board chairman and managing director of the Commission are having a cold battle of double approvals of instructions as it concerns the day to day activities of the commission.” The UMPF stated that the emergence of Makinde “is the best thing that has ever happened to the entire Urhobo nation, adding, “his duty as managing director is to run the day to day activities of the commission while the Board Chairman, Godwin Ebosa, is to present the needs of the oil producing communities.”

8 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

B-R-I-E-F-S Buhari group vows to fight ex-militants

Economy:Govt’s policy deadlier than guns—Ofeimum By Chris Onuoha

AMOUS Playwright and author, Odia Ofeimun, has said that the Nigerian economy has been destroyed by the government’s poorly thought out ideas and policies. He said that some inexplicable ideas formulated by government may have destroyed more lives than guns in the country. The front line author spoke in Lagos at the presentation of ‘Economists As Assassins’,a book written by Dr. Jimanze EgoAlowes. While commending the author for the scholarly work, he lamented the way things are done in the country to the detriment of the common man with the politicians recycling issues. His words: “What economists have done to our country has come to a point of corking a gun because most of what we value in our life has been destroyed by bad ideas. The point is that some ideas may have destroyed life more fundamentally than guns do. So it is important that we deal with them.” According to him, politicians are not discussing the Nigerian society. “When people turn speeches and discussions into analyses, they are no longer in a position to save

the country. When a political party in Nigeria says the other is clueless, it means Nigerians are clueless. If one is clueless, the other has to provide a clue. In Nigeria, no political party has provided a clue.” “There are so many things

we don’t discuss properly in Nigeria because partisanship has ended the need for Nigerians to know the truth. Once you are marked to be on one side of a political party, you are required to lie against the other. If we go on with that,

ILITARY authorities disclosed yesterday that Nigerian troops have reclaimed Banki town in Borno state from the Boko Haram insurgent group. The Army in a press statement said that during a counter insurgency operation, the soldiers destroyed seven Boko Haram camps and successfully detonated seven Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). According to the statement, the troops also discovered and detonating 13 IEDs between Darel Jamal and Banki. The statement said that, “it is important to note that major economic and trading activities between Nigeria, Cameroon and Central African countries takes place in the town. “In the confrontation that ensued to recapture the town, several Boko Haram terrorists were

X-MIILITANTS under the auspices of Niger Delta Amnesty Leaders Progressive Change for Buhari, yesterday, vowed to work against former militants who recently threatened to return to the creeks. Leader of the group, “Commander” Bibi Oduku, said in a statement, that the group had information that a section of ex-militants were planning to disrupt oil pipelines and make the riverine areas uncomfortable for oil firms and residents. Oduku, who identified himself as Security Head, Niger Delta to Buhari, said, “I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to work according to his plans and thoughts to fight corruption and other related matters. We have drawn up a basic security plan for the Niger Delta riverine areas and we will not allow criminals to take over the waterways

By Ochuko Akuopha

NTEGRATED communities of the Oghara oil field, Delta State, have urged the state government to expedite action on providing security for the Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC to enable it commence its drilling operations in the area. In a statement signed on their behalf by Mr. Stephen Muturu, Mr. Andrew Ebirie and seven others, the host communities which comprised of Alagbabri and Olota both in Ughelli South as well as Bomadi and Oboro in Bomadi and Burutu Local Government Areas respectively, said the state government had in a meeting in held in August 2015, assured them of adequate security for the oil company.

L-R :Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Chief Engr. Emeka Woke; Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike Represented by the Seceretary to Rivers State Government, Kenneth Kobani and Abdulrazak Jubril during a courtesy call on the Rivers State Governor at the Banquent Hall of the Rivers State Government House yesterday.

Police rescue kidnap victim, arrest suspected cultist in Delta By Festus Ahon EN of the Delta State Police Command Friday, rescued a kidnap victim in Ughelli, headquarters of Ughelli North local

•As 200 terrorists surrender

Oil Exploration: Host communities want security for SPDC

government area. The kidnap victim identified as Gabriel Okosun was reportedly abducted by suspected gunmen at Orhuwuron junction, Aladja, Udu local government

Nigerian troupes recapture Banki town, destroy Boko Haram camps Cameroon’s Army. By Kingsley Omonobi

analysis will die. Those who are managing Nigeria’s economy have forgotten what it takes to plan for the future.’’ He said that ‘’Nigerian politicians can’t even define corruption and we want to fight it.’’

By Marie-Therese Nanlong

killed and several others were captured alive between Banki junction and Ngorosoye. “The recapture of the strategic town was facilitated by concerted efforts of the Nigerian Air Force and close liaison with

“The Chief of Army Staff’s goodwill message delivered through Major General YM Abubakar, the Commander ‘Operation Lafiya Dole’ has gone a long way to boost troops’ morale and prod them into action. “The recapture of this town apart restoring Nigeria’s territory law, would improve the

Plateau defends Sallah expenditure By Marie-Therese Nanlong

LATEAU State Governor, Simon Lalong has defended the N40 million on this year’s Sallah celebrations arguing that he runs “a government of mercy.” Eyebrows have been raised from different quarters in the State when the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Gambo Hawaja had announced that the Governor gave the amount for the purchase of rams, rice and cows. Defending the action, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mark

Longyen questioned what he termed, “unnecessary attention trying to make a mountain out of an anthill” and urged the people to beware of “harbingers of negative insinuations.” In a statement issued in Jos yesterday, Longyen said, “the attention of the Plateau State Government has been drawn to media reports about a statement credited to the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, to the effect that government spent about N40 million on the purchase of various items for the welfare of our Muslim brothers during this year’s Eid-El Kabir festival.

area while driving in his Honda car in company of two others. A dependable source told Saturday Vanguard that the victim who is a staff of Sterling Bank PLC, Warri, was rescued by operatives of Dragon patrol team 17 after getting information that an unknown man in chain was sighted in the bush along Oviri-Ogor village road, Ughelli. Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Celestina Kalu said; “sequel to the information, the operatives immediately moved to the scene and successfully recued the victim aged 42 years. “The victim disclosed that he was kidnapped the previous day and his captors took him to an unknown place in the bush and chained him to a tree, but he however succeeded in loosing himself before his rescue.” Meanwhile, the Police in Obiaruku have arrested a suspected notorious cult leader in Obiaruku. The suspect who was identified as Ikechukwu Azubuike, aged 19 years, was allegedly involved in a recent cult clash in the area that left three persons dead. Also confirming the incident, Kalu said the suspect had confessed his membership of Spy cult group. She added that the police was investigating the two incidents with a view to bringing all the culprits to book.

Obiano felicitates with Muslims on Eid-el Kabir

HE governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of love, tolerance and harmony as advocated by the teachings of Prophet Mohammed in the nation’s quest for greater unity and brotherhood. In a Special Eid el Kabir message issued in Awka, Governor Obiano observed that the celebration of this year’s Eid-el Kabir offers Nigerians a chance to strengthen the bonds of national unity and deepen the current democratic project. The Statement signed by James Eze, Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media further pointed out that if Nigerians were to allow the teachings of the Holy prophet to guide their general conduct and interface with one another, most of the conflicts and rancorous disagreements that have dogged the country from Independence would have been avoided.

Delta poly land not illegally acquired — Rector By Ochuko Akuopha

ECTOR of the Delta State Polytechnic Ozoro, Dr. Jacob Oboreh, said yesterday that contrary to insinuations, the land on which the institution is located was not illegally acquired. Some families in the Ozoro community had dragged the polytechnic to the High Court sitting in Ozoro, seeking a N5 billion compensation for the alleged illegal acquisition of their farmlands by the institution. Reacting to the allegation, Oboreh said the land was acquired 23 years ago by the government, adding that, “it was surveyed about 18 years ago and the survey plan is with the Surveyor General of the State. So now that we are developing the school, opening up the whole place, they now think we are encroaching into their land.

Group cautions N/Delta youth on crim

By Festus Ahon

HE Supportive Youth for Change Association, SYCA, has urged youths in the Niger Delta region to shun criminality and other vices capable of causing a breach of the peace. National President of the group, Comrade Sunny Nwakego in a statement, assured President Muhammadu Buhari of their continued support in his effort to make life more meaningful for Nigerians. According to them, said power supply has improved across the country and also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for making petroleum products available and stabilizing the pump price nationwide.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 — 9

B-R-I-E-F-S

A/Ibom:20% of our girls have babies out of wedlock wedlock—First Lady BY TOM MOSES

IFE of the AkwaIbom State Governor, Mrs. Martha Udom Emmanuel yesterday expressed worry that nearly one in every five adolescent girls in Akwa-Ibom State is either pregnant or has had a child without getting married. Determined to alter the ugly development and make every Akwa-Ibom State girlchild an asset to the family and a vehicle for societal growth as demanded by the post-2015 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the Akwa-Ibom State First Lady has decided to anchor her pet project around the family. The pet project is called Family Empowerment and Youth Reorientation Programme (FEYRep). Mrs. Emmanuel gave the indication during the unveiling of FEYRep at the Ibom Hall, Uyo. She said the project would create a platform to showcase successful families, empower women to provide economic and emotional support to their families and advocate for the prevention of teenage pregnancies and education of the girl-child. FEYRep, she informed, would also create the platform for promoting moral values and economic excellence in the youth as well as support government efforts toward sustainable development. She explained that the FEYRep initiative was informed by her recent baseline survey of the incidence, causes and nature of the problem of teenage pregnancies in the 31 local councils of the state where it was realized that nearly one in every five adolescent girls aged 15-19 years in the state was either pregnant or has had a child without getting married. Her words: “Today signals a start of a very important

C M Y K

journey, a journey to bring new strength and stability to families because stronger families make stronger societies. Our youth represent an immense reservoir of social, political and economic energy and the longer we leave that potential untapped, the harder it will be for us to

achieve our bigger goals as families and as a state. “This event is therefore a call to partnership. It is a Divine injunction to reach out to the disadvantaged among us. You can give your time, energy, contacts, knowledge, skills and prayers to lift up those who are down.

“Akwa-Ibom is a blessed state. So much has been said about our abundance of human and natural resources. The current administration has taken off on a good note that has received widespread commendation. However, we cannot deny that there are pockets of social issues that require committed nongovernmental intervention.

Gunmen abduct two clergymen, demand N25m ransom in Rivers BY DAVIES IHEAMNACHOR

USPECTED kidnappers last Sunday abducted two Reverend fathers of African Church in Rivers State along Kalabari-Emohua road.The clergymen, Rev’d J B Lawson and Rev’d. Dokubo, were said to be returning from a church programme at Degema local government area when they were intercepted and taken away at gunpoint by armed men who mounted a road block at the highway. A statement from the leadership of African Church, yesterday, said that it had established contacts with the abductors, lamenting that the kidnappers sare demanding N25m as ransom. The statement said that the church did not have the money and urged the abductors to release the clergymen unconditionally

Sallah: Emerhon greets Muslims BY FESTUS AHON

Pix shows heavy trafic along oshodi Apapa express road at Beger Yard area Photo Shola Oyelese

Flood displaces Benue families BY PETER DURU

sudden surge in the water level of River Benue has left over 300 houses and huts submerged with many families rendered homeless in Makurdi, the Benue state capital. The unexpected flood which also swept away property worth millions of Naira may have created a major humanitarian crisis in the town and its environs. Among the worst hit areas are Wurukum, Wadata Rice Mill, Agboughoul, Kutcha Utebe and Gydo Villa area settlements while all the buildings that are less than 500 meters from the shores of the river and those directly behind the New Garage Road are also facing the prospect of going under. One of the victims and a resident of Wadata Rice Mill

settlement, John Agboyi, said residents of the area were caught unawares by the flood. “We went to bed last night, only to wake up this morning to discover that flood has overtaken our homes and neighbourhood; all we did was to battle to rescue some of our property from the flood.” he said. At Kutcha Utebe where families were seen moving their property from their submerged homes, a resident, Terhile Fidelis, said the flood washed away most of his property before

he could mobilize enough support and help to move them away. “My worry is that I do not have anywhere to go to with my family at the moment. I just can’t understand why this sudden rise in water level cannot be adequately tackled by the government,” he said. Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Mr. Nick Wende, on the issue failed as he did not pick his calls nor reply to the message sent to his phone.

Pharmacists urge FG to dismantle open drug markets nationwide

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

S Nigerians yesterday joined the rest of the world to mark WorldPharmacistsDay2015, communitypharmacistshave called on the Federal Government to dismantle opendrugmarketsacrossthe federation in order to check incidences of fake and substandard drugs in the country. Members of the Lagos State branch of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria, ACPN who made the call posited that such drastic action against illegal markets would present a conducive environment for licensed professionals and enhance health security.

Speaking in Lagos, Chairman, ACPN Lagos, Biola Paul-Ozieh, said that the illegal operators were still a major impediment to activities of community pharmacists that are most central to health care delivery in the country. She explained that though thepharmaceuticalsectorhas come a long way with giant leaps too, the challenges linger. “One aberration in our system is that we still have opendrugmarketalloverand that is promoting counterfeiting, faking and dumping of foreign products,” she said, adding “that why we are calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to make the practiceenvironment suitable for the

ELTA State governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in the April 11, 2015 elections, Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor, has urged Nigerians to eschew all forms of political and religious extremism. Emerhor in his goodwill message to muslim faithfuls to mark the Sallah celebration, said; “Nigerians must imbibe the lessons of the Eid-el-Kabir festival which are kindness, piety and commitment to goodness which promotes religious harmony and peaceful co-existence”. He advised Muslims in the country to join hands and work with the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari in his onerous task of rebuilding Nigeria. Emerhor said; “festivities like this offer us the opportunity to reflect on our lives, our country, our unity and our growth. “As we celebrate this year’s ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’, we should put our differences aside and strive to make this country a better place by working in love and unity.”

Rotary club begins enlightment campaigns on breast, prostrate cancer BY AKPOKONA OMAFUAIRE

S part of efforts to provide humanitarian services in communities across the world, the Rotary Club of Effurun, Uvwie council area of Delta state, has earmarked campaign against breast and prostrate cancer as one of its programmes for the Rotary year. Disclosing this last weekend during his installation as the 2015/2016 President, Rotn. Paul Itawansa explained that periodic awareness campaign against the ailments will go a long way in reducing the scourge. “Giving is not the exclusive right of the rich. We have put in place a very beautiful vocational centre in Ebrumede, but we still have two outdoor vocation that we need to address. They are carpentry, welding and fabrication,” Itawansa said.

Glo Dance with Peter to go on air on Saturdays

ELEVISION viewers across Africa can now watch the telecast of the Glo-sponsored reality TV show, Dance with Peter, starting today. Affirming this in a statement released from its headquarters in Lagos, Globacom said the show would air on Saturdays on Africa Magic Urban (Channel 153) from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays on Africa independent Television (AIT) from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The first episode of the programme to be telecast on Saturday, the company said, would show the highlights of the auditions held in Abuja, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana. The dance show, which had shortlisted 30 finalists who will compete for the coveted prizes offered by Globacom, will air live to enable entertainment lovers to see all the exciting highlights of the battle. A brand new Toyota RAV 4 sports utility vehicle and N3million cash prize will be won by the best dancer as well as an opportunity of featuring in PSquare’s next music video. The first runner-up will receive a brand new Honda Civic car and N2million cash, while the third place winner will get a brand new Kia Rio car with N1million. Each of them will also have the chance to feature in a top Glo Ambassador’s music videos.

10 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

B-R-I-E-F-S

“Buhari must probe funds appropriated for Nigeria’s nuclear energy programme”

Rivers gov poll: INEC resumes defence September 28

BY GBENGA OLARINOYE

HE Rivers State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has adjourned till September 28 for the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to resume its defence of the election victory of Governor Nyesom Wike. So far, the electoral body has, through its lead counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, produced eight witnesses that testified before the Justice Suleiman Ambrosa-led tribunal. The witnesses who were called from five local government areas spread across the three senatorial districts of Rivers State, had in their separate testimonies before the court, insisted that governorship election took place in the state on April 11. The witnesses, while being crossed examined by counsel to both the All Progressives Congress, APC and its gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, maintained that contrary to allegations by the petitioners, the election was free, fair and credible.

ORKERS at Centre for Energy Research and Development CERD, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile Ife have asked President Mohammadu Buhari to beam his searchlight to funds appropriated for the centre since Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, NAEC took over its supervision in 2006. They said the move is necessary, if the country wants to keep pace with global trend in nuclear energy programme and fulfil the dreams behind establishment of the centre. The centre located at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife was established in 1976 alongside Centre for Energy Research and Training, CERT, Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, to develop the country’s nuclear energy programme. At inception, the centre was funded through Cabinet Office, and was later moved to Energy Commission of Nigeria, ECN, and in 2006, NAEC took over its funding, the period the employees alleged the centre started having problems. However, speaking during a facility tour of the centre by newsmen, staff of CERD, alleged that the establishment was close to achieving the goals for which it was but for its transfer to NAEC’s for supervision. The staffers, comprising nine professors and 57 other employees, said they were owed several statutory entitlements,

OUGH time awaits h o o d l u m s , especially sea pirates, illegal oil bunkers, kidnappers, cultists and trouble makers in Delta state,” Hon. Kelly Otuedon, the new Senior Special Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Security Matters, has warned. Describing his appointment as divine and promising not to disappoint the Governor and the people of the state, Otuedon said that, “I am going to use my C M Y K

APC warns on unauthorized press statements CONDOLENCE VISIT TO AWO FAMILY From left: Dr. Mrs. Tokunbo Dosunmu, Chief Abimbola Ajibola, High Chief Lekan Balogun, Osi Olubadan, Oba Otudeko; Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, Rev. Mrs. Tola Oyediran and Chief J.K. Randu. PHOTO:WUNMI AKINOLA including radiation allowance and research grants, adding that for over eight years, there was no capital allocation to both CERD, OAU and CERT, ABU. They added that overhead allocation that was almost N6 million per month before take over

of the centre by NAEC in 2006 has since dropped to N900, 000, stressing that the supervisory body also retains an average of 76 per cent of the Commission’s overhead, leaving it with only 24 per cent. Conducting newsmen round the

centre, one of its director, Prof. Adeniyi Fasasi, said since 2007 no new equipments had been purchased for the CERD, noting that that a Thelma Hydraulic laboratory was built for the centre six years ago, but is yet to be equipped.

Death in holy land: Buhari urges thorough investigations •Commiserates with bereaved families BY LEVINUS NWABUGHIOGU

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has urged Saudi Arabia’s King, Salman to ensure a comprehensive and thorough investigations to identify flaws in Hajj organization with a view to avoiding a recurrence of the stampede

that occurred in Mina on Thursday. 171 people died in the stampede, among them were Nigerians. President Buhari stated that the stampede, which claimed the lives of notable Nigerians, Journalist Hajiya Bilkisu Yusuf, Prof. Tijjani El-Miskin and others lost their lives was a monumental tragedy, not only for citizens of the

“No sacred cows in crusade against hoodlums in Delta” BY DANIEL GUMM

BY IKECHUKWU NNOCHIRI

new office to ensure that adequate and maximum security is maintained at all time. Obviously, efforts will be made to clear the waterways of the mess hitherto being practised by hoodlums, particularly illegal oil bunkers , sea piracy, kidnapping, cultism, incessant ethnic and political squabbles prevalent across the state.” While advising trouble makers to desist from their activities and opt for a better way of living, the Senior Special

Adviser insisted that all nooks and cranny of the 25 local government areas will be monitored on daily basis to ensure that maximum security is achieved and people sleep with their two eyes closed and also bring sanity to the creeks and waterways. “I call on all well meaning people of the state to join hands with his team in order to move Delta state to the next level and there will be no sacred cows as nobody will be spared in this all important crusade,”he said.

countries involved, but for the global Islamic community. A statement from the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu stated that President Buhari stated that though no one can question God, it was still within the human measure to take steps to ensure that such tragedies be prevented. The president however extended his sympathy to families of the bereaved and prayed God to accept the souls of the departed. The statement reads in parts: “The President extends sincerest condolences to the families of the over 700 pilgrims who lost their lives in this latest disaster in the Holy Places which occurred less than two weeks after a crane collapse in Mecca claimed more than a hundred lives.” “He also commiserates with the Nigerian Guild of Editors and the Nigerian Union of Journalists on the sad loss of Hajiya Bilkisu, an exemplary, dedicated, knowledgeable, very credible, highly-respected, outstanding editor and columnist who, even in death, will remain a glittering role model for Journalists, within and outside Nigeria.”

EADERSHIP of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has decried what it described as unauthorized release of press statements on behalf of the party. “This is totally wrong and unacceptable as only the National Chairman and the National Publicity Secretary can speak for the party on national issues, “the party’s National Chairman, Chief Odigie-Oyegun, said in a press statement on Friday. According to the statement, “therefore, any member of the National Working Committee (NWC) or the party generally who wishes to speak on behalf of the party should expressly clear such statement with the National Chairman of our great party. Also, state publicity secretaries of our party should restrict their statements to issues concerning their various states. It is expected that all concerned will adhere strictly to this guideline.”

Akwam Ibom Council of Chiefs gets new chairman BY TOM MOSES

HE Paramount Ruler Ibeno Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty Owong Effiong Bassey Archianga has been sworn -in as the Chairman of Akwa-Ibom State Council of Chiefs. Governor Udom Emmanuel who administered the oath of officeonthenewchairman,commendedthepeacefultransition whichheraldedhisemergenceasthenewchairmantoconduct the affairs of the state’s Council of Chiefs. He described the reign of the out-going Chairman, Edidem Silas Akpan as rewarding noting that he restored dignity to the traditional institution by aligning the council with the lofty programmes of government. Governor Emmanuel noted that the event which was a part of activities marking the 28th anniversary celebration of the state’s creation, stressed the importance of the traditional institution describing the royal fathers as partners in the development drive of his administration.

Accord Party defends defection to APC

BY TOM MOSES

ONTRARY to insinuations that the recent defection of 2,000 members of the Accord Party (AP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa-Ibom State was orchestrated by Bishop Sam Akpan, the AP gubernatorial candidate in the 2015 gubernatorial election, Chairman of Bishop Sam Akpan Organization (BISAMO), Aniedi-Abasi Udo has described the defection as a voluntary exercise. Udo debunked the allegation in Statement made available to the Saturday VANGUARD in Uyo yesterday explaining that since the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of association by all citizens, individuals have the right to decide who to associate with even in the political arena. Besides, he said since Nigerians were clamouring for change in the socio-economic and political spheres of the nation, the people “cannot afford to go back to Egypt but embrace the change that has come as demonstrated by the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration since inception a few months ago.

SATURDAY

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015—11

TAKING CARE OF THE DEAD f o d l r o w e h t o t n i A peep

, s t n a d n e t t a y r mortua

s r e g g i d e v a r g , s r undertake

•Corpses sometimes choose their own coffins – Magelo, coffin-maker •I sometimes flog corpses that disobey my orders – Mortuary attendant •We don’t say ‘customer’ in our business – Tobi, coffin-seller •There are mortuary secrets we don’t reveal even to our wives – Ebikawore, mortuary attendant •I can recognise corpses possessed by diabolical powers – Koki, undertaker •Ritualists come to buy body parts, water used for washing corpses – Gariaga, mortuary attendant C M Y K

By Emmanuel Edukugho, Simeon Ndaji, Ebun Sessou, Oghene Omonisa, Bala Ajiya (Damaturu), Favour Nnabugwu (Abuja), Tina Anthony (Dutse), Luka Binniyat (Kaduna), Egufe Yafugborhi (Warri), Jimitota Onoyume (Port Harcourt), Emem Idio (Yenagoa) & Chidi Nkwopara (Owerri)

Continues from last week

Challenges

ike every professional, these practitioners in the management of dead bodies have their own share of challenges, which are both familyrelated and social. “My wife does not like the job”, says Mr. Akinleye, “and she says she does not want me to die since my elder brother died as an undertaker. She feels the job is odd and risky, always travelling day and night. You can be called at any moment someone passes on and you have to respond in a jiffy, and as a married man, no spouse will be comfortable with a situation when her husband can just abandon his family and embark on a

You can be called at any moment someone passes on and you have to respond in a jiffy

journey to carry a dead body to some place.” But the most challenging experience in his 22 years as an undertaker was what Mr. Akinyele describes as “a striking incident” in 2004. “l carried a patient about to give up the ghost to Prayer City, Mountain of Fire in the night and just at the gate, they turned us back because we did not come with a hospital paper. There was no option other than to drive the patient to my house. l brought home unexpected visitors late in the night to my house, managed to grope in the dark to put on the generator, fed

Continues on page 12

12— SATURDAY

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

‘Cor pses some times cchoose hoose their own cof ‘Corpses sometimes cofffins’

Continues from page 11 and took care of them till morning, but the patient unfortunately later died. And l prepared immediately to embark on a funeral journey to take the corpse to Umuahia, Abia State. This is one unpalatable story no spouse will be comfortable with.” For Mr. Nwankwo, the job of a mortuary attendant has brought him closer to the grim reality of life. “Yesterday evening, they brought the corpse of a very important female politician. She died in a motor accident. There were police here, and big men, and the place was full of people. But the woman was gone. So I said, ‘so what is life after all?’ You can die any time and end up as any of these corpses that we embalm and wash every day.” Mr. Nwankwo’s most challenging experience was during one of the 2012 riots in Kaduna State. “Look, the police and soldiers would bring in truckloads of dead bodies and just dump them in front of this mortuary and return to bring more. The frontage here was a huge dump of human bodies. For a mortuary made to hold about 100 corpses, we had 193 and there was another heap outside. “In fact, it became so bad that even some of our patients started leaving the hospitals. We, the staff, had to barricade our gate against more corpses being brought in. “All the mortuaries in the town were filled up. We worked and worked, embalming bodies in different conditions. Those were sad and tiring days. Let God not let us ever see that kind of madness again.” Like every other profession, C M Y K

theirs have challenges, says Mr. Akinyemi, but they can be managed. “The major challenge is stigmatisation”, he says. “People see us as superhumans. They think we are spirits. It happened to me. My family members distanced themselves from me at first but with persistent education on the profession, they changed. Now, we live together as one family.” Mr. Sikiru believes the major challenges are finance, location and lack of government’s support. “The government needs to help in pushing the industry forward.” Having been at the mortuary for over a year, Mr. Onoja remembers vividly the day he accompanied a corpse that was to be committed to Mother Earth at a cemetery, not knowing that the man had told his children jokingly where he wished to be buried any time he died (his home town and not city cemetery), and whilst the undertakers were wheeling the dead man to a cemetery, the vehicle with which the deceased was conveyed and the dead man coffin refused to move for hours. After all said and done, the elders among them had to make some consultations which revealed that the dead man wanted his home town and quickly, necessary arrangement were made and his remains were conveyed to his village peacefully. That was a trying experience for Mr. Onoja. In a light side to the challenges which these managers of dead bodies face, when Saturday Vanguard sought the opinion of some coffin-makers on Old Market Road, Owerri, Imo State, they wonder why their trade has

suddenly become an issue for discussion on the pages of newspaper, and if it is a ploy to expose them for taxation by the State Board of Internal Revenue, and so, they decline speaking on the issue. Interestingly, while operators in many other trades complain of theft, one thing that stands to the advantage of coffin-makers is that their products are never stolen. Saturday Vanguard gathered that coffin-makers never get worried about the safety or otherwise of their products each time they close for the day’s business and go home. There has not been any reported case of missing coffin and this is part of their joy. It will be fun to investigate any missing coffin from the makers’ workshops! All the markets in Owerri had in times past suffered from fire disasters. However, the area housing the coffin-makers have not suffered from a single inferno.

Professionalism, ethics

As Saturday Vanguard found out, the business of taking care of the dead goes beyond boldness and strong will to face corpses, be in their presence, touch and carry them. There are some professional ethics that go with the trade. A coffin seller in Port Harcourt who simply gave his name as Tobi, says it is not an easy trade because you do not call any buyer a customer. “How do you tell a grieving person that he is your customer. Customers, the way we understand it, are people who come repeatedly or very often for the same thing you sell after

the job of a mortuary attendant has brought him closer to the grim reality of life. “Yesterday evening, they brought the corpse of a very important female politician

buying the first time.” He says they are also careful with their choice of words when introducing a buyer to the different types of caskets in the showroom. “We don’t say, he is a big man or woman so the buyer should go for this or that expensive one. What I do here is that I tell buyers when I notice that the dead was a big man, that ‘some people come to buy my coffins and people had the impressions, at the funeral, that they were imported’. So I begin to take them to the highly executive caskets I made that look foreign. “Sometimes I even mention big names that were interred with my coffins. And this is a big marketing strategy as the buyers get relaxed and begin to ask questions, if truly that big family came for their coffin at your place.” Tobi says as a strategy, he sometimes asks the buyer for the identify of the deceased and if by chance he could place the name, he would suddenly scream: “O! My God! So that good man or woman is gone.” Then he leads the grieving family members to various sizes of coffins on display. “This way I make the buyer feel that I mourn the loss of their dear one.” He says sometimes, he visits houses where they have lost a loved one to first sympathize with them and let them know he can offer discount when they buy coffin from him. And there is competition, explains Mr. Sikiru, the undertaker on Odunlami Street, Lagos Island: “The competition is huge and that is why everybody is doing his best to stay on the business. You must live up to the standard of the profession for you to be relevant. The association has laid down its rules and regulations and everybody must follow suit. “The minimum service you are expected to render is the required standard. A very high standard has been set by the association. If you lag behind, you will be sanctioned. “Once our services are needed, we summon all our workers to duty. While we provide all the materials needed for a particular occasion, we must dress to suit the occasion. We have different groups, including the undertakers, drummers, flower bearers among others. You cannot come into the business without proper screening.” On the charges, he notes that it depends on the demand of the customer. “We charge according to the customer ’s demand and services to be rendered . This job is humanitarian in nature. The coffins are in different

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Continues from page 12 types and qualities. We have both the foreign and locally made ones.” Some other undertakers have been able to use their kindness and generosity, even humanitarianism to grow their business. “Most of the time, the bereaved I come in contact with who don’t have enough money to transport their corpses home for funeral or to the cemetery normally beg for assistance to accept the minimum they could afford, and I do obliged them”, says Mr. Adeleye. “In most cases, I have accepted the minimum fare they could afford, considering the confused mood they are in – begging for help. For instance, today I’m travelling to Ikot Ekpeni, Akwa Ibom State. The bereaved family begged me to accept N45,000 instead of our normal fare of between N75,000 – N80,000 we charge to transport corpse to Akwa Ibom and Cross River respectively. We showed pity on the bereaved because of the way things have gone up. “In the past, I have helped a bereaved family by accepting the minimum amount they could afford to carry their corpse home in the South East, and waited for them to raise the balance before I took off to Lagos. “We also assist the bereaved by counseling them on how to obtain relevant papers from the General Hospital to take their corpses home. “I also empathize with them and try to assist in any possible way to make things lighter for them. I advise some members of the bereaved family on what to do; provide vital information like hospital and mortuary charges or bills. “We also assist them on how to get a covering hospital paper to transport the corpse home. The cost of embalming a dead body has risen from N5,000 to N45,000. If a corpse is to be buried in Lagos, I will brief the bereaved on cemetery charges. lkoyi and Ajah cemeteries are very high because they ’ve been privatized while Ladipo, TrinityApapa and Atan-Yaba charges are comparatively low and affordable.”

Myths, realities

In several death-related African customs and traditions, it is believed that the driver of a car, bus or ambulance conveying a corpse are teleguided by the spirit of the dead and will move according to the the dictates of the spirit. Even the coffin bearers are said to be moved by such spirit hence there could be delay or obstruction before arriving at their destination. There is also the belief that before one enters a mortuary room, one must knock for permission from the dead. As many as the practitioners who spoke to Saturday Vanguard, so also are their contradictions and their accounts of myths and realities, based on their various experiences. “Control of movement by corpse is just the figment of imagination and fear of the dead”, says one undertaker in Lagos, who claims to have spent more than 10 year on the job. “It does not happen. The C M Y K

‘I some times fflog log cor pses that disobey m der s’ sometimes corpses myy or order ders’ dead are not conscious of anything. It is falsehood. Those involved in spiritism and occult divination allude to such ideas. For those believing in such a thing, it is detestable to God, our creator. God is more powerful than Satan.” Mr. Nwankwo, the mortuary attendant in Kaduna shares similar view: “I hear people talk very interesting but funny things about the mortuary. Some people say that corpses walk and talk at night. Some even say that we speak with them. I have even heard people say that the corpses sometimes go out and return in the morning. “My brother, as far as I know, there is nothing like that. I have never experienced any of these things in all the mortuaries I have worked in. I have never heard any of my colleagues say such things.”As a Catholic, anytime I resume work, I first pray and ask God to see me through the day. I also pray for the souls of the departed faithful. “If there are such things at all, it should not disturb me, because I have no hand in the death of any of the corpses brought here. I am just here to keep their bodies in a way that will look honourable for a dead human before burial. So, I don’t have any fear at all, and I have never had any reason to fear. “Look at us now talking very freely. Are you even conscious that just a few metres away are about 100 corpses lying down there? It is just like any other work place.” Mr. Onoja says it is not true that mortuary attendants need to knock before going into the storage chamber, but he emphasizes that all he does is

to pray before going inside. According to him, “One needs to pray at all times even in the work place. For example, if you take a dead man beyond his mother ’s compound and he wishes to stop there, unknowingly the coffin will not move except you drop it in that village or compound before going further.” “All those stories about people waking up, ghosts moving about or dead people coming back to life and changing location are all myths”, say Mallam Umar, the security man-turned mortuary attendant. “With the years I have spent on this job, I can tell you that once a person is dead, that is the end.” Mallam Umar who has been working for two years in the mortuary takes the question about mortuary attendants who are said to fortify themselves against attacks off the Saturday Vanguard reporter when he says, “You don’t need to fortify yourself to work in a mortuary. I am a Muslim and we have prayers we do in Islam when one wants to enter the mortuary. Those people are dead, harmless, helpless, calm and peaceful. No magical power is needed to work in a mortuary. “All the fears people associate with dead people are nothing but a figment of their imagination. A dead person is dead forever. If everyone is overwhelmed by fears and nobody wants to move close to dead people, who would take care of them? If nobody will, l sure will,” he says, smiling. Mallam Mohammed, the Dutse gravedigger explains that as a Muslim, before entering a cemetery, silent prayers are said individually because it is their belief that “the spirits live there. We don’t just enter cemeteries and start digging without praying and

It is not true that mortuary attendants need to knock before going into the storage chamber

saying Salaam alaikum (meaning peace be upon you) because if we do not show respect to them anything can happen.” He adds: “After greeting, we can then enter the graveyard at anytime of the day to carry out our function.” Mr. Magelo, the coffin seller agrees there is a whole lot of spirituality and mystery to the business of dead bodies, “but the consciousness is gained from long involvement and not from some mysterious initiation nor black magic. “I can tell you that there are days in this shop that I will know that a set of mourners will come for a particular coffin because the spirit or soul of the dead they are to bury has come to chose that coffin before the actual buyers will arrive. “You say how does it work? The said dead comes for the selection with different signs. It could be in form of cool breeze that hits the shop owner with precision or a force that will shove and thrust your attention towards the choice coffin and you feel some movement around the chosen coffin without anyone visibly shoving anything around it. “In such situations, the buying family can come divided in the choice of which coffin to buy. Someone could make the right choice, another would dissent on point of cost and a family argument would ensue in the coffin shop. Most times I would intervene, knowing the experience I have had with the person to be buried before the buyers’ arrival. In the end, the resolution will be tilted to the one chosen by the dead. Not all the dead go to that length though.” Mr. Gariaga, the veteran mortuary attendant is of the view that from

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Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

‘We don’t say “customer’ in our business” Continues from page 13 his personal experience, he “can tell that all the mysteries being bandied about mortuary are mere imaginations. They say corpses in the mortuary communicate with us, that we have to knock the mortuary door to alert them when we come and go in. They say corpses can beat or harm us when we don’t obey them. From my experience, all these are myths. “Corpse brought to us are certified dead. We have been trained on routine steps, materials and discretion to apply in preserving these dead bodies before their relatives come to claim them for burial. That is all there is to it. “I have not communicated with any dead body. I didn’t kill anyone. They are brought there and my role is to preserve them till they are taken for burial. If some other attendants have had to get slapped or kicked in the groin physically or spiritually in the mortuary, then there must be something they do. “The way I see it, the mortuary is one place where people must work with clean hearts and minds. What I have experienced is not about dead bodies attacking mortuary attendants. What I see often are all manner of depraved minds coming to lure me with money to give body parts, bath water and sundry items from the dead people. “In all my encounters, I quickly shout on these persons to get out with their dirty money because one day I will become a dead body

C M Y K

and if my hands are not clean, I will pay dearly for it. So, mortuary attendants who indulge in patronizing these ritualminded characters are probably the ones who get beaten by dead bodies. Ordinarily, there is nothing to this job other than just taking care of the dead until their owners come to claim them for burial.” Mr. Akinyemi of Isolo General Hospital shares similar view with Mr. Gariaga. He also disagrees with the allegations that mortuary attendants sleep with corpses. He says, “there is nothing like that, except those who are into rituals. I have had stories, not where I work anyway, how people tipped mortuary attendants to gain access to the morgue. But it does not happen in the general hospital where I work.” He disagrees that corpses disturb those who watch over them. “I have been doing this job for five years. I have not experienced that before. As a matter of fact, I go and come into the mortuary whenever I want without being disturbed. I don’t knock before I enter the mortuary room. I am not responsible for their death, so why should they disturb me? Even when we embark on a journey, we don’t have any difficulty on the way.” On the health implications of being a mortuary attendant, he says, “We are vulnerable. Dealing with corpses is like a death sentence. There are lots of diseases to be contracted in the

process but we have been trained to be health conscious. “We put on gloves, we wear protective gears and cover our nose. We put on socks and shoes, bath with Dettol, sanitize the environment with chlorine and keep the environment clean everyday to prevent contracting diseases.” But Mr. Sikiru insists some corpses trouble people when they embark on journey. According to him, “From experience, it exists and this has to do with the fact that the deceased would have warned his family members not to bury him in a particular place. “It is important to state clearly that Yoruba respect asotele, meaning to be forewarned. But if the people refuse to abide by the warning, such people must be ready to face the repercussion. “For instance, I was told about someone who had warned his children and family members not to bury him in his hometown when he dies because he was neglected but they refused to listen to him and the corpse troubled them while they embarked on a trip to the man’s hometown to bury him. They were troubled by the corpse until they returned to Lagos. This is just one in a million”, he says. “It seldom happens”, says Mr. Adeleye, “but when it does happen, some undertakers pray with strong drinks. And that is why some precautionary steps are taken like tying palm fronds at the front and back of the vehicle carrying the corpse home, and closing the mirrors to forestall any eventuality

I don’t know if they were also stubborn in their lifetime but in the mortuary here, you see signs of stubbornness all over some of them

on the road. You also have to inspect the corpse in the coffin; if the hands and legs of the corpse are tied, the vehicle carrying the corpse will not move. Some undertakers also speak to the dead body. “When it happened to me, my vehicle stopped; my senior colleague with me on the journey asked me to open the coffin and inspect it, and explained that as we were on the journey the dead body is also a human being on the same journey. Though dead physically, it has to walk with legs; if the legs and hands are tied physically, they are spiritually tied also, therefore the corpse cannot move. So, the vehicle will not move because by implication it has been tied as well, preventing its own movement. Heeding his wise counsel, I opened the coffin and saw that both hands and legs were tied. l cut the rope to untie the hands and legs; and l began to speak to the dead body. ‘Please-oooo! I don’t have hand in anything that happened to you. I’m only helping to carry you home.’ Immediately, the vehicle moved, and till we got to our destination, it did not happen again!” Mr. Magelo has had similar experience with his hearse service. “There are the dead with very stubborn souls. They can chose the hearse they want to be conveyed in by ensuring that any other alternative does not work, no matter how sound its condition. “Most times their choice could be based on the colour of the vehicle, maybe the make or prestige attached to the brand or model. In such situation, when those burying the corpse hire the wrong hearse which we popularly call ambulance, the vehicle suddenly develops fault like failure to start at the point of picking the body from the morgue or the car suddenly breaks down or gets a flat tire at the middle of the journey home. “The minute the coffin is transferred to a different hearse, the faulty car starts with a single kick. It doesn’t happen all the time though. Some persons have relaxed spirits, allowing those burying them to take all the decisions. Others have strong, protesting spirits that decide certain ways they should be buried after dying.” According to one mortuary attendant (who gave his name but which we are withholding) in one of the private mortuaries in Rivers State, some corpses are just stubborn. For the sake of his job, he prefers the name of the mortuary is not mentioned. “I don’t know if they were also stubborn in their lifetime but in the mortuary here, you see signs of stubbornness all over some of them.” He does not hesitate to use the whip on such corpses when they flaunt orders. “I flog them a lot to make them shed off the stubbornness”, he says. “I know you have been wondering what I mean by stubbornness. Now let me explain. You receive and tag a corpse, position it on a spot in the mortuary, but by the time you come the

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Continues from page 14 following day, you see that it had rolled to another spot within the mortuary. This is stubbornness of the highest order, so I am forced to flog the hell out of them”, he says with all anger and seriousness. “This way, they know I am not somebody whose orders can be toyed with any how. Sometimes, I give them as many as twelve strokes just to make sure they stopped behaving funny”, he adds. He says in spite of the disciplinary measures, he still sees some corpses shifting from where he has kept them after they were flogged. “When I come the following day and see that a corpse I flogged for shifting has relocated, I lock the door, go out to consume some glass of kainkain (local gin) so that I won’t have mercy when I come to deal with that corpse. “I resume the flogging again. This time, that corpse may get as many as twenty four strokes, depending on my strength. Then you will see that anytime you resume for work, the stubborn corpse is intact at where you kept it till the family come for it.” He says the stubbornness is associated with corpses perceived to be witches, wizards or engaged in some form of occultism in their lifetime. “When you investigate, you will hear stories that some of these corpses were witches, wizards or strong members of occultism in their lifetime. This is one reason I deal with them in the mortuary. I make them know that before me, they are powerless”, he says. Though now in his early 40s, the man says he wants to quit the job because it is turning him into a drunk. “I am a young man working in a private mortuary. You should imagine how I feel seeing corpses everyday. Sometimes, I soak myself in alcohol at the close of work just to forget about death. You see young and old being brought in everyday and you begin to bother every minute about the essence of life. All you think of is just death and corpses. I think it is not a world I want to continue with. So, I will soon quit the job”, he tells Saturday Vanguard. He also complains about the social side. “Those who manage to accept me as a friend sometimes think I am not normal when I do certain things that they will accept from other friends as normal”, he says. Like all professions, there are challenges and

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Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015—15

‘There are mortuary secrets we don’t reveal even to our wives’

occupational hazards in their job, says Mr. Koki of the Federal Medical Centre Mortuary, Yenagoa. “Our kind of job should command respect”, he says. “The mortuary is like another world. Here we have the good, the bad and the ugly. You see, some of the dead people who were witches, wizards and cultists, when they die, they still possess those their powers. There are cases where you cannot administer injections. In other cases, you dare not try to remove any charm tied around their waist because it can affect or harm you. It is only God who protects us here. “Let me tell you a story. One man came with a corpse and said, ‘Somebody that is dead is dead’. Later he came back with a snuff and asked me to give it to the corpse, that he has been instructed to bring it, and I told him but you said that someone that is dead is dead. What I am trying to say is that there are certain secrets in the mortuary that we don’t reveal even to our wives. It is just like the divers; what they see inside the water they don’t say it outside. We go through a lot.” While it will be difficult to disabuse the minds of many people that mortuary attendants and undertakers do not come in contact with the spirit of the dead, Mr

Ebikawore, the other Yenagoabased practitioner in corpses, however insists that there is nothing supernatural about the job. He says, “It is a professional job which people are trained for. I don’t see any spiritual implication because it is a medical profession. What we do basically is just to preserve corpses, keep them as long as they can stay till the funeral day.” This clearly contradicts Mr. Koki’s view that there is more to the job than meets the eye. Mr. Koki speaks further: “If you are the type that drinks too much of alcohol, the spirits will affect or use you. Drunkenness has a way of attracting the spirits of the dead, and that is why I always advise my workers to stay away from alcohol, at least. “You see, human corpses are like pet animals; when you take care of them very well, they will recognize you and love you. So, when we take care of the corpses well, they kind of offer us some form of protection. “Since I have been here for a while, if anything goes wrong in one of the rooms, that is, if the corpse needs something, I will know and immediately go to check on them or send my boys. Sometimes, if they bring a corpse of a man that had diabolical powers, I would know and alert my boys on what to do.” Mr. Koki admits that they knock before going into the section where corpses are kept. He adds that although it is not necessary, it is just a set standard that they have come to meet and it has come to be

Those who manage to accept me as a friend sometimes think I am not normal when I do certain things that they will accept from other friends as normal

adopted as a practice. “Somebody must have started it and we have to follow it. But they told us that it is not necessary. I think it’s just a form of courtesy. I remember that I asked the same question, and my boss then asked me. “If someone comes into your room without knocking, will you be happy?” Mr. Thompson, the undertaker, affirms that it is a truism that the spirit of the dead controls the movement of coffin. He narrates a story of how a man attempted to force them to hurry up their movement because they couldn’t move: “There is this man that paid us, and due to the direction of the corpse, we were very slow and the man was shouting to us to make haste. We told him that it is not our fault. He then came and took over the coffin, lo and behold, he too couldn’t move it. That was when he believed us. It took the pouring of libation with Schnapps before we could move. “Sometimes the displays and dances performed by the undertakers are induced by the spirit of the dead. It is people that would tell us afterwards how we displayed because we would not know. The coffin is very heavy. Let me reveal one secret to you. It is only bad or wicked corpses that display or make some scenes; good corpses move gently and peacefully.”

16—SATURDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

EXCLUSIVE AS REVEALED BY HER OWN DAUGHTER BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

ast Saturday, the words of Shakespeare resonated loudly in Ikene, Nigeria, ”When beggars die there are no comets seen; The heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.” And like it was 28 years ago when Chief Obafemi Awolowo died, the entire country was shaken by the death of Mama, Hannah Idowu Dideolu Awolowo, a jewel of inestimable value. The Ikene residence of the Matriarch has since become a Mecca of a kind with people, groups men and women from all shades of life trooping in to register their condolences. The children - Reverend Tola Oyediran and Dr Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu including other family members were on hand to receive visitors at the Efunyela Hall of the Awo residence. From 8:am , till 6:pm daily, there was no dull moment as dignitaries, politicians, businessmen and high net worth individuals kept trooping in, filling every little time the host had to rest. As their hosts dissected the life and times of H.I.D,, visitors took turn to comment and pay glowing tributes to the Matriarch. According to Dr Tokunbo who spoke exclusively with Saturday Vanguard on the life and times of Mama, she stated that Mama was happy and as a result, she embraced death with ease.

Her beginning “She was the only child of her mother. Her Mother was very anxious of giving her the best training. She felt that if she stayed at home with her, she might overpamper her and she took her to a Pastor in Lagos and that was where she grew up. Mama grew up under a very strict upbringing and thus was very disciplined. If you did not do anything right, all she needed to do was just one look and you would understand what she meant.” Her marriage to Papa and her sterling qualities They were introduced to each other by a cousin of Mama in Ikenne here and after C M Y K

The untold story of HID Awolowo •How she contributed to Awolowo’s education, sent money abroad to assist her husband •How she carried on during Awo’s incarceration •She ran Tribune Newspaper until she passed on

the introduction, things became firmed up and that was how they got married. She was a very quite person, very enterprising. After they got married, Papa initially said she should not work but the business traits in her could not allow that. After some time, Papa permitted her to engage in trading. And since then, she had carried on working, she showed outstanding business acumen. Even the week she died, she was still asking about her business, monitoring her sales and stocking her stores in Ikenne. She ran The Tribune until she died. She was a very hard working woman. Her hard work paid off when Papa

She ran The Tribune until she died went to the United Kingdom, leaving her with three children. She did not only manage the home very well, ensuring that nobody lacked anything, she also sent money to Papa in the UK. It was a surprise to even Papa then that she was able to manage the home and also send money to him. So she carried on working, although at that time her store was within the premises of our home. She was a seamstress, what is popularly known now as Fashion Designer. She was also selling fabrics. She was a complete entrepreneur. She knew how to turn everything into money. Again, this quality also paid off during the Awolowo crisis, when Papa was incarcerated. She felt that the environment was just too hostile for my sister and me to get any meaningful education. She took the best decision then by sending us abroad for studies and she did everything possible to ensure that there was no hitch. That was very courageous of a woman. That also helped in giving us the best education. I also gathered from some documents I read recently, Continues on page 17

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mention a few.

She was a reference point for Motherhood —Senator Okunronmu

What people say about HID Her Sense of humor was fantastic —Ebenezer Babatope At 35, when I became Director of Organisation of the UPN, I learned so much from Mama. I considered every advice that she gave me. Her sense of humor was fantastic. When Mr John Mill in charge of Papa’s case came to ransack Papa’s house, John Mill went as far as searching the pot of soup, and one day he came again after Papa had been released. Mama introduced John Mill to Papa saying: “that troublesome man is here again. Now, I think we better assemble everything we had cooked so that he can search everything.” That was humorous. She kept the legacies of her husband to the very end. When Papa was arraigned before Federal Commission of Inquiry, and so many of Mama’s friends were incarcerated, she visited them all, empathized with them and kept their spirit on.

Mama united everybody. She always said to people irrespective of political affiliation that whenever they entered this home, they should drop party sentiment and become true Yoruba persons. She was blunt and never called a spade another name. She was a reference point for Motherhood

She was a rallying point —Otuba Gani Adams She became a rallying point for the entire Yoruba race. She formed the Yoruba Unity Forum and brought everybody together. We will miss her, Nigeria will miss her

•Babatope

She was very politically conscious — Neighbour She read a lot. Mama read all the newspapers available in Ikene. If there was anything that concerned any of her associates, she would be the first to draw attention to it. She was very concerned about the image of people close to her.

•Gani

She’s our Mama, we are proud of her —Neighbour She lived a very purposeful life. She was very energetic and business conscious. She had a couple of stores here in Ikene and even when, recently, she could not go out again, she knew everything going on there. She was very generous and friendly with everybody. Honestly, she was our mother, she took us

•Okunronmu as her own children and we are proud of her. She was generous. She built a block of classrooms in the Obafemi Awolow Health and Sciences Department of the Olabisi Onobanjo University, Ikenne-Remo. She gave a bus to her Old School, Methodist Girls’ High School, and a lot of other valuable gifts to other institutions including churches. She presented a modern Children’s ward to Ikenne Community to

She kept the

legacies of Awo —Tokunbo Ajasin When I was in UPGA in Owo, she led a campaign team of women and all the women folk were hailing her. She was Mama Nigeria with her nationalist ideology. She was able to use that ideal nature to manage the home when Papa was in incarceration. She kept on all the legacies of Papa and I hope the children will and all the associates will not allow this effort to be in vain.

'How she contributed to Awolowo’s education' Continued from page 16 including Papa’s letter to her while he was in prison that she also spent her money on the party then and they both agreed that the money would not be refunded. Both of them were a team. At a point, it was clear that Papa kind of politics was being beaten to a retreat. Although there was no room for that now, but she felt that the best was to become nonpartisan. She really felt bad about the politics of bitterness between 1962-1966. Everything was bad but my conclusion was that they both had a life-machine which could only be propelled by both of them, because I don’t how both of them kept on and the question of either of them giving up never arose. Her kind of food She liked amala a lot. How she spent her last day She woke up that Saturday C M Y K

Morning, got ready for a meeting of extended family in Ikene. It was a monthly meeting of extended family members. Since, I have been here in Ikene, she would ask me to represent her at the meeting but on that day, she decided to attend the meeting and she presided over the meeting. She was there before any one. She waited for others. So, the meeting started by 10:am. The meeting dwelled on the plans for her centenary birthday. And since a committee was raised to firm up arrangement on that, we asked her to retire back into her room after a few hours and at 11:30am she went into her room. Coincidentally, we were having our own meeting on the same event too and she was invited and she came. We sang for her, and she prayed and blessed us more than how she used to do and then retired back into her room. After a few minutes, suddenly, I was called and I rushed into her room, and when my sister and I got there, she was gasping for

breath and moments after she stopped breathing. Certainly, we did not expect she would leave us that day or soon. So, it was a shock. Burial arrangement “It was supposed to be a week activity and I think the burial will be drawn from that and until we conclude arrangement, I cannot tell you more on that.” She lived a fulfilled life “She was absolutely fulfilled. In this world, the most successful people are those who discovered their actual life-machine and stayed with it. It was very clear that when you reflect on her last moment, she was very comfortable. She embraced the end, she breathed her last with ease and I could see that she was happy. That is not to say that she had achieved everything or had solved every nagging issue, but I think she was satisfied that she had done her best.” No doubt it was a life well lived and that calls for celebration. Adieu Mama.

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

aud Olatunji went round Ikenne, the country home of late HID Awolowo who died on September 19 and sought the feelings of neighbours and those who had one or two things to do with the late matriarch of the Awolowo family. Mrs. Yinka Ogunbowale Mama was a very good person. Since I have been here, she has been very nice to everybody and to family members and she used to cuddle children a lot. My father in-law is related to Mama. The day we had a fire incident in our house, she was one of those who called firefighters. Mr. Musiliu Sanni (Awolowo’s tailor) Mama was a good person and I thank God because I was the one who sewed clothes for Papa and I used to sew iro and buba (wrappers) for his wife while he was still alive and I was the senior security in those days of Unity Party of Nigeria. When Papa died, I was in charge of his museum on environmental days. I direct all those who go there from all over. Mama provided water for us in the area but we the community could not maintain. Mrs. Ebun Obalola I am not an indigene of Ikenne, but since I have been here, Mama has been very good to me. If she is celebrating birthday, we cook for her and she handsomely rewards us. She gives us water if we want to fetch water. There is nothing she does that she does not call us especially me. She honours me, gives me things and so on. When N20 note was introduced, she gave me to see, later, she gave me N400 saying I should allow anyone to know about it. Even when Baba was alive and Chief Oluwole Awolowo, they all did remarkable things for me. They call me Iya Omoye in this area. Now that Mama is dead, I am going to miss a lot of things because whenever I want to travel home and I go to her, she assists me and at times she helps me in the payment of school fees. She was always there for me. Mrs. Esther Iyabo Adeyemi She is my mother. Mama is a very good woman. We both attended the family meeting on Saturday before she died. At the meeting, she

•Where Obafemi Awolowo was buried. HID is likely to be buried here too

What neighbours say about

HID Awolowo said we should pray and she ordered the men present to take off their caps after which she prayed. We were shown the cloth material of her 100th year birthday. There was this woman who came from Lagos, after greeting Mama, Mama accused her of not always coming for meetings. Mama did not show any sign of death that day. During the meeting, Mama requested for pounded yam made from cocoyam, she ate right there. When my husband died, she called her aides to give me food. I am still in shock over her death. Mr. Adebowale Taiwo Orepitan Mama is a very nice woman. Mama is my father’s elder sister. Mama likes discipline, she likes people

who are well educated and speak politely before making judgment. I attend the fellowship at her house because Mama is a good Christian. When Baba died, Mama urged us to continue the good work Baba did. I am a divorcee; Mama was one of those who gave me money for the education of one of my sons. I do not see anyone like Mama in this area. If she sees you, she would ask about somebody she knows with you. I have been missing that since Mama died. Whether old or small, she doesn’t care, she brings everyone together. We miss Mama a lot. Mrs. Bose Orepitan I am Mama’s wife here in Ikenne, I am a regular face in her house even when I need things, I go there.

•Awolowo museum There was a day she called for me (she referred to me as Iyawo Tunji), we joke and play. She counsels little children especially during festivals. She also relates with virtually all her aides. We hold fellowship on Tuesdays at her house. We are definitely going to miss her. By next week, the fellowship will have its anniversary and Mama has been entertaining us but now she won’t be there to entertain us again. Evangelist Emmanuel Adegunwa She is a very good woman. We have been attending the same church, Our Saviour’s, for a long time. We hold fellowship at her house. Mama does not disturb anybody coming to her house. Before we got water in my house, we used to go and fetch water at her house. When television set

was introduced, we used to go to her house to watch it. She loves children and everyone. She did a lot of things for us and we pray God should give us another replacement. Mrs. Alice Odubela Mama is someone who loves everyone in the community. I attend the fellowship at her house and it is not only those who attend Our Saviour’s because I attend another church. Mrs. Victoria Ogunkoya Mama is a good person and doesn’t like cheating. She loves children. She buys clothes for children during anniversaries of Our Saviour’s Church. If anyone needs assistance especially those whose parents are not privileged, she assists them. She hates lies and laziness. C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015—19

his is the season of weddings. The cards come thick and fast. It is not unusual to have three to five wedding invitations on a busy Saturday. After all, we live in a society where marriage is seen as a logical step to completion of self. Completion for a bachelor who has finished schooling, is about 30, and has secured some form of livelihood. Completion for a spinster who may, or may not have finished schooling, who may, or may not have secured some form of livelihood. The only qualification is that she is above 25. Completion for parents who have spent their prime years catering to the needs of their brood and feel their job is not done until the children ‘settle’ in their own homes. Completion for a society that is still caught up in the ‘live happily ever after’ world. Thus everybody feels that marriage completes them which is why the emotions vary at the conclusion of a wedding ceremony. In my time, I was a best man six times and a groomsman a couple of times more and I can say that the emotions before and during the wedding ceremonies were never the same. I witnessed the quarrels of inlaws, of siblings and of couples themselves. There was an instance when the angst was so strong that the bride refused to hold the hand of the groom as they walked down the aisle! I wish I could say I scored a hundred per cent as a best man. Alas, about half of those marriages have hit the rocks while a couple are still witnessing a turbulent weather. Unfortunately, that’s about the national average as fewer and fewer marriages survive the first ten years these days. It has been a past time for me of recent to observe the body language of couples in church as they recite their vows, sign the register and walk down the aisle. I can tell you that not all weddings start out happy. Even

The opposite of love is not hate the joy and gaiety of the reception is not shared by all. A sobering thought in the midst of the wine and champagne is that many of those weddings will not survive the first five years. Another sobering thought is that not all those who look lovingly into each other ’s eyes as they shared their marriage vows, or share lingering kisses at the reception halls will escape the crash. Conversely, not all those who exchange hot words before or after the exchange of vows crash their marriages. Why do most marriages crash? A simple but fundamental answer is that expectations are different. Love, even where it exists, is not enough. While love blinds you to the faults of your partner, marriage and the imperatives of daily living, expose and sometimes accentuate those faults. While shortcomings like anger, sloppiness, a perceived laid back attitude, an unwillingness to help, money management, even infidelity, - all of which can

there is one) and balance things when these issues begin to come up. I have had to mediate in quite a few feuds in young marriages especially of people to whom I acted as a sponsor or spiritual parent at their wedding. I find the willingness to sacrifice and compromise is higher among those who basically respect each other despite the differences and are committed to the survival of a stable home. I also find that many of the hateful words and vile actions are from people who feel hurt and are trying to reach out. Sometimes they over react; sometimes they create newer and more acute problems; but that’s down to the personalities involved. It doesn’t alter the fact that somebody is hurt and is fighting back the best way he/she knows. Remove or even acknowledge the source of the hurt and they become a putty in your hands. I know a woman who promised to leave her husband the minute he struck it big because she didn’t want to be seen as leaving him for money. Twenty-five years down the road, he still hasn’t made enough money for her to leave despite having their own home and paying foreign fees for their children. My conclusion is that he has more credits in his favour than debits. Ability to see the positives is therefore a reason a marriage can survive.

Love, even where it exists, is not enough

reach intolerable levels- can be managed, more fundamental ones like ego, religion, family values, inferiority complex, physical or emotional abuse, even personal goals and values, are more difficult to manage. It takes maturity and commitment on both sides to look at a bigger picture (assuming

ecently, I went with one of my sons to collect his books for the new academic session at St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, Lagos. While we were there, I saw a young man urinating at a spot near a row of toilets. As I was going to “lecture” him on the need for proper public conduct, I saw another man, well-dressed, in his late 50s or early 60s, also urinating nearby. While I was contemplating on whom to confront first, more men came and before I knew it, about 10 men were urinating near the row of toilets. At that point, I was discouraged and turned back. By the time I was leaving, at least 20 men had either urinated or were urinating at the spot with where we are pressed. Sometimes, another urinating at another part of this somebody can visit you, spend time with very beautiful, serene and well-laid-out you and take his leave without using school. These men belong to an your toilet, only to urinate beside your organisation attending a convention in gate before entering his car. By the way from where did we get this the school. They had just finished the morning session and were on break. The idea of open drains, which encourages irony was that besides the aforementioned people to urinate indiscriminately? They row of toilets, there are other toilets are not in the United Kingdom from attached to and nearer the venue of the where we got our independence. I have not seen them in other parts of Europe, convention. Refreshingly, some of their members America and even India( Mumbai and were disgusted by this public show of Chennai, specifically) which is close to shame. One of them remarked that this us in terms of overcrowding of cities, could only have happened because the level of public sanitation, hygiene and school principal was on vacation. But do orderliness. Women are not left out; they urinate fathers and adults need a school principal to instruct them before they behave anyhow, anywhere. It is just that it is properly in public? While this was going not as bad these days because more on, students who came for holiday lessons women are putting on trousers and their were around. What examples are these anatomy does not make it easy for them fathers showing with their conduct? I to urinate indiscriminately, but some do asked my son whether students normally not mind. I got to the gate of my office urinate indiscriminately around the one morning to behold an unusual sight: school. He said no, because there are a woman probably in her 50s stripped from waist to knees (she was putting on consequences if they are caught. What happened is not peculiar to these trousers) urinating into the gutter by the men. It is a reflection of the rest of us. We gate. It took a while for the scene to sink urinate indiscriminately in public places: in before I embarrassingly turned away, in open drains, under flyovers, beside but the mama was comfortable baring it buildings, from stationary and moving all on a busy road, I learnt, used to be a buses on the road, and just any place Trunk A federal road. If she had come

Men (and women) behaving badly

C M Y K

into my office, we would have gladly obliged her use of our toilets, but why bother with a toilet when an open drain beckons? Maybe she was under enormous pressure which is not good for her bladder. According to medical experts holding urine in your bladder for too long or resisting the urge to urinate causes urinary tract infections, weakening of the bladder and in extreme cases kidney damage in women.

also remember once when we were travelling. After a long while, the driver stopped for people who were pressed to ease themselves. But the “wicked” driver stopped at an open plain where there was no cover for the women putting on trousers. It was a very uneasy situation for the women. The men had to turn the other way (Why torment yourself with the aroma of a delicious meal you are not going to eat?) while they bared it all to answer the call of nature. I grew up seeing men and women urinating in public places. While in secondary school, the bush around our school, rather than the

It is easy to think the opposite of love is hate because both are intense and powerful emotions. Moreover, love seemingly builds while hate seemingly destroys. But I find over the years of mediating, that the line between the two is easily crossed. Like the old song says, remove the outside influences and distractions and many ‘ would be back in love again by Monday’. The one I find deadlier and more calculating is indifference. By the time a relationship gets to the point of indifference, it is usually beyond salvage. I once had an ‘egbon’ who had such a relationship with his wife. He had homes in the UK and Nigeria that they stayed in at different times. It struck me as odd then that they always headed in opposite directions. And on the few times they stayed together, it would be for less than a couple of weeks and he would be hardly home. And once he was by himself, he became a home person who delighted in bringing close friends over for quiet evenings. Another ‘egbon’ lived in the penthouse of a storied building while the wife lived on the ground floor and their paths hardly crossed. Neither expressed surprise nor cared about the gender of the visitors the other had. Neither knew about the highs and lows of the other except through the children who lived abroad. Yet these were people who once shared a bed and reared four lovely and successful children. More and more, I find people in or out of relationships who don’t give a toss about their estranged spouses. The flame of love is long gone and the ashes are long cold. Worse, they could move against the interests of the other without any emotion or consideration for what they once had. If it was in the criminal world, it would be called ‘murder in the first degree’ or murder one. This is the cold, deliberate, calculated and cynical form of murder. This coldness, this indifference is to me, the antithesis of love. lavatories, was our main toilet. But this crude behavior is no longer acceptable. Beyond the public nuisance and embarrassment, it has enormous health implications. Even more barbaric and worrisome are those who defecate in the open. It is a common sight in Lagos as you approach Carter Bridge from highbrow Ikoyi. The problem is not so much absence of public toilets as a bad habit, though we need more and better maintained public toilets. The same Nigerians who urinate indiscriminately here “maintain” when they travel abroad. The other day, a Nigerian who just got back from America stopped by the road, as he was leaving Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, to urinate. It did not occur to him to do that while he was still inside the terminal building. He could not have urinated along the road at the airport in America from where he departed. What changed? Nothing except the mind set. He is now in Nigeria where impunity reigns. Happily some Nigerians do not urinate indiscriminately in public places. They have disciplined themselves to empty their bladders before setting out. When they are pressed they walk into public buildings and even private businesses and concerns to request for the use of their toilets. But many people have simply not unlearned or kicked out the bad habit of urinating or defecating in public. It is going to take a long, conscious and sustained campaign and advocacy to change people’s mindset, but this journey of a thousand miles must begin now. The embarrassment is too much and the health hazard is even more grievious.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

At some point we must all learn to detach ourselves from emotions , sentiments and political pornography and focus on guilt and innocence, on objective facts and procedures

verybody wants to be seen to be fighting corruption. Isn’t this the dispensation of anti – corruption? And since our vain religiousity has left us with a faithful devotion to make-believe, those who learn the rituals early and mouth the right incantations may put themselves beyond condemnation. Nigeria, the land of modern day Pharisees. So Fayose woke early one morning and shut out latecomers in Ado- Ekiti in an attempt to secure a sitting position on that moral high ground. Poultry matters notwithstanding. His obsequious victims, truant civil servants, helpless against a sovereign, abased themselves, groveled at the feet of the one reveling in a new ‘fame’. In the spirit of anti corruption or the manipulative usurpation of that fad, Lagos state took on Fashola. A feud between a son and his father in Lagos nearly degenerated into a rumble in the mud. Father said he cannot be afraid of the growing reputation of his son but he didn’t tell us who dug deep and washed some dirty linens of his son in public under his nose. In a fit of pique, the son threw the parable of ‘filth and pigs’ but refused to take on the father, resisted the temptations of those who egged him on to put the father beyond public redemption. He swallowed his pride , no one knows if he is still regarded worthy of his seat in the anti corruption assembly. Time will tell. Because these half- hearted “its ok now” reconciliations often cannot undo the damage already done to reputations . A shattered or tattered reputation , ordinarily, has no ‘nmekwatarism’ as the Igbo would joke. When the EFCC emerged from slumber and rushed out with their vuvuzela and charge sheets to join the anti corruption choir many felt that such sudden, new found, overzealousness cannot be altruistic. It could be altruistic if the pervasive cluelessness and permissiveness of the past regime made everyone including the watchmen somnolent. If however the earlier slumber was induced or complicated by sleaze, then perhaps, the otherwise cynical interpretation that practiced dissemblers are now at work, making a mockery of the rule of law, has merit. For though they could be, they do not have the contriteness of new converts. Selfish interests aren’t bad but they must not predominate and adulterate judgments of public officers because when brutes pursue survivalism, the system is imperiled. Private interests have now usurped centre stage and the suffering masses have been tragically co-opted to cheer and boo . Reality can be stifled and falsified. The drama that was the invitation of Saraki’s wife by the EFCC could not have been better timed. No scruples when the gloves are off, I guess. A warning shot to discourage the Oloye’s son from developing any ideas of triumphalism. No one knows how much the rambunctiousness of Dino Melaye may have frayed nerves further by suggesting remorselessness and defiance. Treachery, they say, invites all sorts. Intractable defiance calls for the hammer. Many knew that Saraki’s impudence had earned him an unforgivable penance. So when Saraki retaliated by encouraging a senate probe of the EFCC chairman instigated by ‘concerned’ proxies , his presumed impenitence was perhaps confirmed. He chose the path of confrontation rather than submission. Some daggers once drawn cannot be sheathed without consequences. Some say any consummate politician would C M Y K

Saraki and the politics of anti-corruption

•Saraki have swallowed his pride and tendered an apology , sought reconciliation and bid his time. But this isn’t the time to dwell on paths not taken. All who want corruption stamped out have warned about a fight against corruption that would be trivialized by selectivity, vindictiveness and vendetta. But none can expect a war that would not be used to settle one or two personal scores. Igbos say that the flutist must have the privilege of clearing his nose but shouldn’t the criminal justice structures be far too sacred for such private advantages? When the Code of conduct tribunal released the charges against Saraki some days ago, that which many had long feared , came to haunt the anti corruption war. Saraki wasted no time in declaring that he was targeted maliciously. He claimed the charges were frivolous. But he didn’t stop there. Since all now want to be seen as apostles of the new religion, he went further to claim that his victimization was in response to his determination to stamp out corruption. The circus has truly begun. The predator can quickly become the prey. He may need to ask one or two of his fellow former governors a thing or two about securing a perpetual injunction against criminal investigation and prosecution. “Corruption fights back” he proclaimed. Interesting. When the EFCC summoned his wife, Saraki dismissed the invitation as persecution. Then he, the persecuted, a few weeks after , sought to have the EFCC chairman answer to allegations of embezzlement of monies the agency had recovered dating many years back. Saraki’s predatory instincts did not allow him to appreciate that his own actions could be read as retaliatory , vindictive. Saraki obviously knows his detractors more than we do. So when the senate that is yet to settle announced the commencement of an investigation into the power sector looking as far back as the

Obasanjo era, some insinuated that the net was being cast further and wider for reasons beyond the anti corruption motivations. Since anti corruption has become the sledgehammer, survival may lie in the mastery of its application. Shouldn’t Nigerians know how billions of dollars got flushed down the electricity drain pipe? Sometimes, to defend, you have to attack. Witchhunting isn’t that bad, you know. It is difficult to disregard suggestions that Saraki is a marked man for obvious reasons. He says he suffers because he is the senate president. No one doubts that . No member of a ruling party in Africa will be sought by a multiplicity of anti corruption agencies for any reason other than perceived treachery . No one who understands how things work in third world countries would consider Saraki , a veteran of many complicated commercial transactions , a difficult take for anyone who controls the criminal justice process. So many wondered why he chose his particular strategy and stuck to it defiantly. If it is truly all about 2019, then he showed his hand a bit too early The CCB has charged Saraki. The die is cast. It is unfortunate that the EFCC and CCB are being accused of being used to hound any Nigerian. The sequence of events, a certain choreography, invites that suspicion. It would be sacrilegious if , when being so used, they have to engage in frivolous persecutory and vexatious prosecutions wasting tax payers funds and morally crippling an already weakened criminal justice system. The tribunal judges however must acquit Saraki except if the evidence presented before them proves beyond all reasonable doubt that he committed the offences for which he has been charged. In light of the circumstances surrounding the Saraki saga, the senate should retain Saraki as senate president until he is found guilty. A citizen facing a criminal prosecution must be considered and must remain innocent until a court of competent jurisdiction finds otherwise. It would amount to gross abuse of executive powers if a prosecuting agency can remove the head of the legislature by simply preferring charges against him. However, in saner climes, a man would

Since anti corruption has become the sledgehammer, survival may lie in the mastery of its application

in search of honour, resign from a position of public trust if the moral weight of the allegations against him would impair the smooth functioning of the organization he heads. Saraki, however, in alleging bias and malice, deflects sufficiently such moral considerations and can retain his seat until the courts decide. But now that Saraki is under the criminal searchlight he must desist from actions that could suggest that he is intent on obstructing justice directly or indirectly. Consequently any probes of the EFCC or CCB by the legislature must wait until he has been acquitted or convicted. A retaliatory probe of these institutions in response to these investigations can only be viewed as truly fighting back. The oversight function of the legislature is a weighty public responsibility and cannot be crafted into a self serving tool employed at whim to impede the wheels of justice. While vindictiveness may damage the anti corruption war, the public must not be distracted by a preoccupation with mawkish sentimentality. Any past or present public officer charged for any offence bordering on corruption or stealing must go before the court and render proper accounts. Politics entails finding the flaws and hidden skeletons in the cupboards of opponents and exposing them. If that is witch hunting , then it is perhaps a patriotic duty. It is good that the CCB went back many years to make a case against Saraki. The CCB’s watchman’s duty necessarily involves such historical reassessments and archeological excavations of past declarations. But wouldn’t it be better if it was holistic? Is it perhaps unrealistic to expect independence and absolute neutrality from these agencies we haven’t managed to transform into proper institutions? The truth is that these institutions are in their infancy, and must go through teething and toilet training. They will get better. But they must, even while learning the ropes, inspire some public confidence. Every case , like the Saraki case, educates the public and increases awareness and hopefully accountability. Criminal trials of high profile political office holders should only generate concern and worry if they serve to decimate the opposition and entrench a one party rule. At some point we must all learn to detach ourselves from emotions , sentiments and political pornography and focus on guilt and innocence, on objective facts and procedures. The ultimate benefit to poor Nigerians of these criminal trials must be the enthronement of good governance founded on the rule of law.

SA TURD AY Vanguard , SEPTEMBER 26, 2015—21 SATURD TURDA

r. Bukola Saraki, the distinguished President of the Senate, believes that the accusation of his alleged false declaration of assets when he was the Governor of Kwara State, is politically motivated. The Code of Conduct Tribunal, before which he had to appear in Abuja, also has before it the consideration of another indictment against Saraki of owning and operating foreign bank accounts contrary to his position as a public officer. But beyond that, he is also held to have acquired some assets which are believed to be beyond his legitimate earnings. Starting from the bottom, the acquisition of assets beyond what can be accounted to be within proper means speaks directly of honesty in office. This, actually, is the crux of the exercise of the declaration of assets by public officers both at the resumption and the termination of their terms. There is usually a clamour among the citizens for the declaration at the beginning of the tenure but that lasts only for a while, and then the whole exercise is allowed to pass muster. Even when it is observed at the beginning, there is no compunction about its being made public, anyway. So no one actually knows how successful or effective the measure has been. But it would appear to have been given the full treatment in Saraki’s case, hence the allegation of having more than he honestly should. A former Governor of Lagos State, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, was also made to pass through the same crucible from which he emerged with his head not being bloodied—to say nothing of being unbowed. Tinubu could have brought out the persecution “card” too. He had been chiefly responsible for wresting the South-Western States, particularly his own Lagos, from the grasp of the rival •Dr. Bukola Saraki political party which had, albeit, then retained its hold also have meant that it was on the Federal Government as a result of the resentment and was therefore in a within his party of how he position— the position— to came into that high office. It ruffle his feathers to some was what his erstwhile extent. But rather than make comrades in his political a meal of the circumstance, party viewed no less than he promptly responded to skulduggery. the summon of the Code of Of course, though it is not Conduct establishment, and in our place to be proved his innocence. judgmental, all is said to be fair in love and war—and, of n the other hand, course, in the cutthroat Saraki, though on a nature of our politics. It all similar terrain considering came from the grisly his relationship with the phenomenon of defection. political party in power at the Saraki followed the swift tide federal level, exploded with of carpet-crossing from the blazing resentment. He Peoples Democratic Party to refused to honour the the All Progressives invitation to a formal Congress on a personal hearing at the Code of ambition unknown, and Conduct Tribunal and unshared, by many members essayed to stop the process of his new party. When his of his trial through two desire clashed with that of other judicial processes. Of election. They are up in the party, he turned round course, that was his arms against the APC, again to form an alliance “fundamental human right”, against the Federal with the former party to the as he was at pains to Government, against the betrayal and frustration of establish when he finally President, and anyone in his new party, on whose showed up at the tribunal. sight who is not wearing ticket he had won a seat in Prefacing his plea of “Not the Saraki cap. They accuse the Senate. So he became Guilty”, he remarked that the APC of trying to derail the Senate President, right he was there because he democracy, simply because before our eyes, while he was the Senate President. their paladin is at the thumbed his nose in the That was a self-evident fact centre of a storm he direction of his base. which, however, lent itself provoked for himself. Some This incident of his to more meanings than the arraignment has very quickly PDP stalwart have even obvious one. It could also suggested a “political become a cause celebre of have meant that he was in the season, coming as it does settlement” for the issue, the dock because his high not caring the implication of to disrupt the comfort that position would naturally such a distortion of justice. has been felt within the attract a closer scrutiny than They say, “Nothing is membership of the PDP, after that of other ordinary beyond a political the rout it suffered in the last legislators. But he might settlement.

*the empire strikes back

C M Y K

This incident of his arraignment has very quickly become a cause celebre of the season

One man who articulated that execrable proposition was obviously a member of the PDP. He was on national television, appearing in one of those morning shows that feature contributions of opinions from members of the public who are usually delighted to appear on TV. They make no secret of their joy in their parting words at the end of the programme when the hosts thanked them for showing up; they reply, ‘Thanks for having me.” It is usually a discussion in which all parties do their best to keep within the civil bounds of communication, despite spells of heated argument and, sometimes, open dissent. But this man was so incensed by his perceived injustice against the Senate President on this issue that he also intoned the sentiment that if you stuck your finger into the bottom (that was not the word he used) of anybody, you were bound to come up with some “faeces (which is the word with which one of the hosts tried to help him). The man really did have a foul mouth. (I will not mention his name here.) On the other hand, those who are in support of Saraki’s predicament express the sentiment that the Senate President has nothing to fear once he can successfully defend himself against the

charges. Of course, they fervently believe he cannot. They equally fervently hope that the outcome will be his removal from the presidency of the Senate. Some APC members have actually come out to ask for his resignation. Others, who would probably wish to be considered moderate, believe he should step down, at least, for the duration of the trial. But Bukola Saraki, in my estimate, is made of sterner stuff. He would rather ride the storm. However, almost every group of discussants on television, or commentators in newspapers on the Saraki issue clearly overshot the bounds of “sub judice” which imposes discretion on the comments that can be made about a matter on trial in a court of law. The legal points raised have so far touched on the jurisdiction of the tribunal, its composition and the interpretation of its quorum vis-a-vis the constitutionally stated powers. Some lawyers, who might have been expected to know better, openly offered opinions that hardly fell short of contempt of the tribunal which has had its status as a court of law under dispute in this matter. But not only here but also in other cases, it has become the practice for practitioners of the learned profession in Nigeria to step out of court, at the adjournment or conclusion of a matter, to further hold court to journalists in the precincts of the law courts. There they feel comfortable and free to pontificate on the case at hand, sometimes with scarce regard for the opinions and positions of the judges involved. A review of such behaviour, particularly in this Saraki issue, by the Nigerian Bar Association, might recommend a necessary check to this tendency to the prestige of the legal profession and its practitioners and regard for due process. Well, having won a seat in the senate under the aegis of the APC, the Senate President ascended that position, in defiance of his party a political organization not unacquainted itself with dark intrigues or open confrontations. The APC did not attain the premier position in party politics in this country today by cringing before forces that wield fragile powers. It has taken quite a blow from one of its vassals. Call it witch-hunting and, if you choose, support the witch. But watch out as the Empire now strikes back. Time out.

22—SATURDAY

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

BY EMMANUEL AZIKEN, Political Editor

hough the octogenarian’s birthday was two days before, many did not mind to cast aside their other schedules to honour the man many have referred to as the builder and maker of the two states carved out of the former Midwest Region. The event was a lecture to honour Brig. Gen. Sam Ogbemudia on his 83rd birthday at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Benin last Saturday. Conspicuously present were the two governors of Delta and Edo States, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Okowa came as the guest lecturer while Oshiomhole served as chief host. Also present were elements from Ogbemudia’s military constituency among whom were former Chief of Army Staff, Major General Chris Alli, Major General Paul Omu, General Godwin Abbe, Colonel Paul Ogbebor among other retired associates of the former army general. The political constituency was also well represented and included among others, former Governor Osherienmen Osunbor of Edo State, Speaker Monday Igbuya of the Delta State House of Assembly and a number of commissioners mostly from Delta State. Royalty was also well represented and was led by the Iyase of Benin, who is the warlord of the Benin Kingdom. The academic community was also represented by a powerful delegation of the University of Abuja led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Michael Adikwu whose delegation included highranking officials of the university. Oshiomhole had no speaking role in the programme, having been delegated as the chief host of the event. His remarks that day were nevertheless weighty and pointed to how far the warmth in the relationship between the two men had developed since those heady days when the governor first came to power in 2008. Praising Ogbemudia for not using his position as a two-time governor of the old Bendel State to amass l resources to himself and tilt infrastructure to his advantage, the comrade governor said Ogbemudia at 83 had nothing again to prove to Nigerians. The governor pointed to the fact that when he came to power that the street to

When Okowa, Oshiomhole celebrated Ogbemudia

•Brig. Gen. Sam Ogbemudia Ogbemudia’s Benin residence was virtually impassable. Of course, one of the things that have won Oshiomhole praise is the way he reconstructed about ten roads in Ogbemudia’s vicinity with state of the art roads, street lights and underground drainage system. The Edo governor, however, may have touched a raw nerve among some politically minded when he openly charged Ogbemudia to leave the political stage, noting “I think sir that at 83, you have done enough for Nigeria and that your excellency has nothing to prove again. What are you still doing in

politics? You should be a father of all.” Oshiomhole’s plea was against the background of recent efforts by Ogbemudia to use his Edo Mass Movement to project a worthy successor for Oshiomhole who is due to leave office next year. “The only role you can do this is by freeing yourself from the confines of a political party so that every Edo man can feel free to come to you. So sir, be our father,” the governor said. Only recently, Ogbemudia had put his political naysayers on edge when he again registered for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP despite his open

support for Oshiomhole. It is a development that has put the PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC which is the ruling party in Edo State on edge. While the PDP are openly scornful of him on account of his support for their nemesis, Oshiomhole, the APC as indicated by the governor’s remark is also apprehensive of what Oshiomhole may come up with. That, however, did not take the shine away from the glitz and grace that were showcased on Ogbemudia that day. The guest lecturer, Dr. Okowa in his lecture titled “Towards Sustainable Democracy in Nigeria: The role of political parties” affirmed that viable political parties were fundamental to the existence of a true democracy. Noting the linkages between a sustainable democracy and the role of political parties, the Delta State governor pointed that such relationship would help to deepen the rule of law, nudge political parties to fulfill their campaign promises, promote leadership by example among others. Noting the role of his own party, the PDP in laying a good foundation for democracy, Governor Okowa said: By refusing to yield to the temptation to repress other political parties, President Jonathan and PDP have, in fact, laid a solid foundation

for sustainable democracy in the country. Lest you think I am blowing our trumpets let me refer us to an article in The Guardian of March 27, 2015, by Kamal Tayo Oropo and Gbenga Akinfenwa. In it they wrote: “Ironically, the biggest achievement of the party (PDP) may as well lie in its losing the power at the centre and handing over to the opposition without acrimony. Many of the alleged sins of the party would easily be forgiven by the people; especially given the fact that there is no perfect government in the world. To all intent and purpose, including demilitarisation of the polity and professionalising the military, the nation could be said to be in a transition period requiring a firm and patriotic leadership. The PDP may have provided this by ensuring that the nation did not only survive these hiccups, but foundation for sustainable democracy is entrenched.” Perhaps one of the more touchy issues in the lecture was the matter of party supremacy. It was especially so in the light of developments in the National Assembly where the ill-defined “leadership” of the ruling APC has sought to muscle its way in imposing a leadership for the legislature. “When the issue of the party being supreme in the governance of a system is canvassed, it is never intended that the constitution of the party is superior to the Constitution of the country. It only means that since the Constitution has not yet made provision for independent candidates, you cannot be an elected representative of anybody or community unless you are a member of a political party. “Therefore, as much as possible you respect the rules and regulations of that party. However, those rules and regulations must not conflict with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Regarding the recent tussle over the leadership of the Senate, the Constitution is clear that the President of the Senate will be elected by a simple majority of members present at the inauguration of the chamber. He cannot be imposed on the red chamber from the outside. “There are clear limitations to party supremacy; it cannot override the Constitution of the country,” the governor said to the wild applause of his captive audience.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard , SEPTEMBER 26 26, 2015—23

Ki-moon, Ambode demand end to global terrorism, conflicts STORIES BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI

GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE:

Lagos recruits anti-rape ambassadors BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI AND MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

AGOS state government has enlisted over 400 market leaders to serve as ambassadors against rape and other forms of domestic violence. Addressing the market leaders, the Coordinator of Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team, DSVRT, Mrs. Lola Vivour-Adeniyi, explained that the move was aimed at reducing cases of domestic violence and other acts of gender-based violence in the state. The coordinator described the market leaders as capable of assisting government in its fight against rape and other genderbased crimes. According to her, “you are mandated to report if you see or hear anything especially as incidents of gender-based violence have occurred in recent times at the market place.” She explained that the engagement of market leaders was premised on the mandate given by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to embark on mobilization of traders, as stakeholders who should champion the fight against sexual and gender-based violence. Vivour-Adeniyi, further urged the ambassadors to speak out and not to bow to pressures from family members, opinion leaders and even certain law enforcement agencies to settle the matters out of court. She listed the Child’s Rights Law, 2007, Prevention Against Domestic Violence Law, 2007 and the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, as some of the extant legislations that

AGOS state government has disbursed L N54.5 in bursary awards to a total of 1,596 of its students in various tertiary institutions across

Lamentation at Ijora as Oba effects demolition order of houses A

cross section of residents of Ijora-Badia East in Lagos was thrown into confusion last Friday following the demolition of their houses, based on a 2014 court judgment. The residents said that the court had proclaimed the Ojora of Ijora, Fatai Aromire Oba winner in a case filed by four of the residents challenging an order of the Oba asking them to vacate their land. When Vanguard visited the area, the affected the residents were seen trying

By Ebun Sessou & Amarachi Chukwudi RESIDENTS and motorists at the EbuteMeta area of Lagos have continued to lament the state of roads in the area saying that the routes have been neglected for too long. Ebute-Meta, which is under Mainland Constituency I, may have suffered neglect in terms of its roads. From Oyingbo to Borno Way, Jebba to Ondo streets, Abeokuta to Freeman among others. Shortly after resumption of office, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had mandated the Executive Secretaries of the 57 local government areas in the state to ensure rehabilitation of at least 10 deplorable roads in their communities quarterly. A visit to the area earlier in the week revealed that, the roads are completely in the state of disrepair. An Okada rider, Kabir, who spoke with Saturday Vanguard said that, “we voted for these people holding various offices but they are paying us back with something else. They are only after what they will eat. The bad roads in Borno Way have been there for more than one year with different degrees of potholes. Some of Okada riders have abandoned the road for other routes that are still passable.” Another Okada rider plying the route, Michael Ebube, said the road has been a death trap on several occasions. Reacting to this issue, a lawmaker at the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Mainland Constituency I, Adekanye Oladele, described the deplorable state of roads at Ebute Meta as a thing of concern but noted that the present administration came on board barely three months ago and it must be allowed to settle down.

Scholarship: Lagos disburses N54.5m to students

deal with gender-based violence. She assured that her organization in collaboration with some other groups would provide free legal representation to handle reported cases of genderbased violence. Speaking on behalf of the market leaders, the Iya Loja General, Chief Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, assured the DSVRT of their support arguing that they are committed to tackling the menace of gender-based violence in society.

BY MONSURU OLOWOOPEJO

bute-Metta: Residents, motorists Edecry condition of roads

to salvage some of their property from the wreckage. They lamented that they were given only 24 hours notice before the commencement of the demolition exercise involving some 500 houses with well over 1,000 residents rendered homeless. One of the displaced residents, Miss Nimota Adekanle, said she was not aware of any court rulings saying that their houses should be demolished. According to her, “we saw a bulldozer in our community early this morning and when we asked what it was meant for,

the driver said it was brought to complete the ongoing drainage work in the community. “But we were surprised when they started demolishing every property in the community. Arguing that the demolition exercise violates the fundamental human rights of the residents, counsel to the displaced persons, Mrs. Megan Chapman, said that the Oba did not adhere to the contents of the court ruling which ordered the demolition of only four listed property in the case.

the country. Each of the students received between N20,000 and N50,000, depending on the course of study. Speaking at a ceremony for the 2014/2015 local scholarship awards, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Olabisi Ariyo urged the beneficiaries to avoid negative peer pressure and cultism. She explained that provision of bursary and scholarships were part of efforts by the administration of GovernorAkinwunmi at improving the standard of education in Lagos as well as provide equal opportunities for its citizens irrespective of their socio-economic status. She said that government was committed to the promotion of technical education and recently approved the recruitment of 1, 300 primary school teachers. In her remarks, Director, Lagos State Scholarship Board, Omauton Jegede, said that said that the provision of bursary was designed to reduce the suffering of indigent students in tertiary institutions who ordinarily could have abandoned their studies because of financial constraints. “Through this gesture, the Lagos state government has provided succour to the down trodden in the state and this epitomizes the enviable strides of Ambode at ensuring that governance has a responsibility to the public,” Jegede said. According to her, 192 Nigerian Law school students and six students from Maritime Academy, Oron, Akwa Ibom state who are indigenes of Lagos state were awarded a total of N39.6 million as bursary. She further noted that government will spend N88.9 million to 400 successful candidates who took part in the 2014/15 Local Scholarship Computer Based Screening test.

24 — SATURDAY Vanguard,

SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

By KEHINDE AJOSE 08054680266

How 2face made Wizkid postpone his album release 2

face Idibia is no doubt an inspiration to several Nigerian young Nigerian artistes .One artiste who has been greatly inspired by 2face is Wizkid. He was one of the guests who attended 2face’s all star tribute Concert titled #Fortified which held at Eko Hotel last weekend. The honour and praises showered on 2face clearly got to Wizkid, who also desires to be a legend just like 2face someday. After the event, the Ojuelegba crooner took to his Instagram page in an emotionally written post to announce that he has decided to postpone the release of his 3rd studio album which was meant to drop this month. “I celebrated the legend 2face Idibia1 last night! Epic! It made me realize how much work I need to do. So I’m moving my album to sometime next year!’ But my EP drops next month! October! 10tracks! 10 videos! What a time to be alive!”

Cynthia Morgan lashes out at fans who bashed her dress sense he last time we checked, T Cynthia still has a penchant for flaunting her boobs on the social media and she is not ready to stop anytime soon. The German Juice crooner once again took to Instagram to show off her twin towers. She recently put up a picture of her, revealing her pink bra and boobs. Her fans would have none of it and immediately criticized such an action. One of them puts it this way: “You are happy with your pose and ungodly dressing. What legacy do you intend leaving behind for your children? Money isn’t all that matters, reputation also speaks. In the same vein, another fan says: “This your dress up is just cheap and trashy. You don’t have to dress like a cheap slut to get attention Miss German juice.” Cynthia Morgan who doesn’t seem to have any care in the world over what anyone feels about her dress sense took to her Instagram page to give her critics a piece of her mind “My dress sense is me. That’s why I am Cynthia Morgan, you all should go join up real soon just like me and my nose ring legion now. Keep your uncivilized comments. I can even decide to tie a wrapper to the club”

C M Y K

22 years Old Linda Nwaora becomes Miss Charismatic 20 15 201

he Imperial Hall Lekki, Lagos came alive on the 30 th of August 2015 when the 2015 Miss

Charismatic was held. Out of the 27 contestants for this year ’s event, 22 years old Linda Nwaora, who

represented Imo state, was crowned the winner. Miss Charismatic Nigeria is about celebrating the exceptional woman who embodies inner beauty, strength, intelligence, kindness and generosity. She blends all these traits with her charisma to give back to her countrymen and serves as a true representative. The judges for the pageant were Osas Ajibade, Gbenro Ajibade, Toyin Lawani, Mai Atafo and IK Ogbonna. Ushbebe and Chinyere Adogu who were the emcees for the night, gave a good account of themselves.

2face Begs Don Jazzy and D’banj to make one more hit

f you are one of those who have for years, yearned for a come back, then this should excite you as 2face Idibia has pleaded with Don Jazzy and D’Banj to make one more hit together. The pop icon made the plea during the all star concert held yesterday at Eko Hotel to celebrate his fortieth birthday alongside Star Radler and thousands of his fans, ‘All that one wey una dey do, I no send una, my own be say, make una drop one more hit’, he said.

SATURDAY Vanguard,

SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 — 25

By TOFARATI IGE 08068792241

@ 2Face’s Fortified: Asians beg for selfie with D’banj F

or those who may not know, D’banj has still got the Koko (whatever that is). He was at the Eko Hotel venue of Fortified; tribute concert in honour of 2face at 40 on Sunday, September 20, when an interesting incident happen. As it’s common at all events, immediately the star was sighted, many of the people around rushed towards him to take pictures. What however got people’s attention was the presence of two Asians amongst the people struggling for selfies with D’banj. The Asians acted like their lives depended on taking that picture. When one of D’banj’s

aides tried to lead the ‘Suddenly ’ singer into a waiting elevator, the Asian guys begged to take just a shot, even if they’re the only ones allowed. ‘D’banj, please take picture with us,’ they kept repeating even as they pushed their way closer to his side and held their mobile phones in the air, ready for the ultimate selfie, which they would undoubtedly cherish and show to their grand-children. This incident is a far-cry from the days when Nigerian artistes practically used to beg for attention from fellow Nigerians, not to talk of foreigners. Now, they’re the

onths after sensational songbird and Mavin Records signee, Tiwa Savage had her first baby with her husband and

toast of all and sundry wherever they go.

asked him for an interview, he simply said, “I’m not here for interviews.” We further told him that we just want to ask how he feels being a father again, but he wouldn’t have any of that. Just as he continued walking away, he said with a scowl on his face, ‘I just said something easily, and I don’t know why you wouldn’t listen; I don’t do interviews.” Meanwhile, this is not the first time we would approach Teebillz for an interview, but he usually has a standoffish approach towards journalists.

My album is the bes 15, bestt of 20 201 Orezi boasts O

rezi is somewhat the man of the moment in the music industry right now by virtue of his new ‘The Ghen- Ghen Album’ which has been so well on online sales platforms and the streets. While his fans are still enjoying the 20-track musical offering, many also wonder what the title of the album means. In a chat with Showtime, he defines it thus, ‘Ghen Ghen means something extraordinary and unique; it is something that is different from the rest.’ Speaking about his experience while working on the album, he said, ‘It was a beautiful experience working on the album. There were little setbacks and that’s why it took so long but it’s finally out. God pass them. I call the album a masterpiece because I took my time to work on it, put in a lot of professionalism, and I wanted it to be worth the while.’ On how the album is being received by fans, he said, ‘So far, the reception has been

Trending Music And Video

1. MzVee – Hold me now Beautiful Ghanaian songstress, MzVee unveils her new track titled Hold me now. The video is directed by Phamous Philms.

I don’t do inter view s, TTeebillz eebillz interview views, spites journalists again for mer manager, Tunji Balogun aka Teebillz, we haven’t heard anything about the baby. All we’ve had to satisfy our curiosity is just one sneak picture of the little baby. However, we were delighted when we ran into Teebillz at an event recently because we believed he would actually say something to us about his new born baby or his recuperating wife. But we were shocked. The American returnee brushed us off and refused to utter a word. When we politely

Top 15

awesome. But I am not surprised because it’s the best album of 2015. Well, at least until someone else drops something better.’ Meanwhile, the ‘Shoki’ singer also says he has a new slang for the streets, and it is ‘Double your hustle.’

Skiibii gets new title ive Star Music artiste, Skiibii F Mayana trended on blogosphere recently when he reportedly passed

out for some time, before being revived and brought back to life. And just like a new born baby, the ‘Sampu’ crooner has gotten a new title. At every opportunity he gets, he now introduces himself as ‘Skiibii Mayana: The Oracle no one can tackle.’ He did that at an event recently and he got many tongues wagging, as many wondered why he has decided to call himself an Oracle. So when next you come across the ‘Sampu’ singer, you know what to say to draw his attention.

2. B-Red featuring Akon-Cucumber HKN Gang artiste, B-Red collaborates with Akon on this new song titled Cucumber. The track was produced by Teekay Witty. The visuals of the song has already been shot in Atlanta and would be released in due time. 3. Iyanya featuring Lil Kesh-Okamfo After the release of his 3rd studio album, Iyanya unveils the visuals of his song Okamfo. He collaborates with Lil Kesh on this song. The video is directed by Aje film works 4. Mr Lo-D-China Money Destiny Town artiste, Mr Lo-D releases the video of his song titled China Money. The video is directed by Zed Benson and shot in locations in Shanghai and Beijing. 5. Lace featuring Reekado Banks & Pasuma – Aiye Miami Afro-pop artiste, Lace is back with the release of his groovy tune Aiye Miami. The remix features Mavin Record’s Reekado Banks and Fuji sensation, Pasuma. The song is produced by Bazetu Beats while the music video is directed by H2G Films. 6 MJeez – Africa Mama Mjeez is back with another song titled African Mama. The song is produced by Kalz and the video directed by Life is arts 7. General Cool – Nawo Nawo Upcoming singer, General Cool shows his music ingenuity in the new song Nawo Nawo. The video shot in Dolphin Estate and Ajegunle. It is directed by Mex 8. Muthoni featuring Khaligraph Jones and M.I-Turn on the lights Kenya’s Muthoni teams up with rapper Khaligraph Jones and M.I in this fresh song titled Turn on the lights. The song is produced by Jean Guisbuller and Greg Escoffey 9. Sammy featuring Praiz-Today Today Rising singer, Sammy unveils a wedding themed song titled Today Today. The song is a blend of highlife and RnB. It is produced by Gospelonthebeatz 10. Obiwon-Bunibe Gospel music act,thObiwon Obiora is back with a new tune to celebrate is 10 year anniversary in the industry. The song is titled Bunibe. It is produced by Phat-E 11. DJ Neptune featuring Davido-So Nice Revered DJ, DJ Neptune teams up with the talented Davido in this new song titled So nice.The song is produced by Del B while the video is directed by Mex Films. 12 Davido- Dodo Davido unveils a new track which is meant to further anticipate his forthcoming album.The song is titled Dodo. It is produced by Kiddominant. 13. Pluto featuring Bils- Runz Girl Pluto serenades his fans once again with this groovy tune titled Runz Girl. He collaborates with the talented Bils in the song. The song is produced by Eurostarz. 14. V.E.R.A-Ife Talented V.E.R.A releases her latest song titled Ife. The melodies take us back to the old traditional love songs we grew up with. The song is produced by FX Magic. 15. Big Little-As e dey hot Rising singer, Big Little unveils the video of his much awaited song titled As e dey hot. The video is directed by Paul Gambit. It is full of energy and intensity.

26 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

*Queen QuenQueen Nwokoye N N w o k w y eokoye

*Ini Edo

(58%, 2,282 votes) to beat Queen Nwokoye who scored (36%, 1,402 Votes) and Ini Edo (5%, 214 Votes). Lesliana PereiraNjinga scored 0%, (15 Votes) and Aida Wang (0%, 9 Votes). Unfortunately, the score represents the fans' choice, and not the verdict of the AMAA judges which is based on the quality of the film and performance of the lead act. But the question on everyone's lips is: Who will win AMAA J*ocelyn Best Actress award Dumas. tonight? Notwithstanding, the films to watch out tonight are Kunle Afolayan’s “October 1”, “Cheetanah, Iyore”, “Dazzling Mirage” by Tunde Kelani, “Triangle Going to America from Ethiopia”, Timbuktu from Mauritius and Queen of Angola from Angola. They are very strong in the various categories of the awards which they were nominated for. But it should Meanwhile, going by a recent survey not be forgotten that the battle for this conducted by IrokoTV, Jocelyn Dumas year’s AMAA awards will be between appears to be more popular among the Nigeria and South Africa. Other fans than other contestants. She scored countries like Ethiopia, Angola and Mauritius may not pose as threats to the two countries.

Will Ini Edo win 2015 AMAA Best Actress award tonight? By

BENJAMIN

NJOKU

starring Queen Nwokoye as the lead act and “Juliet and Romeo" starring Aida Wang have no doubt that the actresses are strong contenders for the award.

he stage is set again as this year’s edition of the prestigious African Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, holds tonight in the beautiful city of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Already, expectations are high with the rainbow country bubbling with live, as leading African movie stars and industry operators throng the country in their tens of thousands ahead tonight's awards ceremony. But besides the various awards that will be given out by the organizer to the deserving practitioners tonight, there seems to be an uncontrollable anxiety over who wins the coveted Best Actress and Best Actor in a leading role awards. op actress and one Particularly, for the Best Actress award, Magazine’s 100 mosof the Time the battle, according to some pundits, t influential persons in the will likely be between Nigeria’s Ini Edo Jalade Ekehinde, anworld, Omotola and her Ghanaian counterpart, Jocelyn Camille Winbush, knd US television Star, Dumas. The two leading actresses were performance in ‘Gho own for her star nominated for their roles in “While You the Samurai’ ,’Erase st Dog: The Way of Slept” and “Silver Rain” respectively. among others, will cor’, ‘7th Heaven’ show as part of the -host the AMAA Ironically, they were also nominated in high points of the 20 15 edition, AMAA or the same category last year, but none of disclosed. Also, Sout ganizers them won the award. h se lling singer, Miss LiAfrican PlatinumWhile some pundits are tipping Ini Edo Kcee will headline ra, and Nigerian for the Best Actress award because she performing musicathe show as gave an excellent performance in her will be joined by eql artistes and the duo gripping role as Amaka in the popular Asanda As ually talented and a Mqiki. The emotional film, “While You Slept”, others of the two lea ding showbiz persochoice nalities, are certain that the award will go to according to the ev either Jocelyn Duma or Lesliana Pereira raise the bar this yeent organizers, is to audience a combinaar and offer the for her role in “Njnga:Queen of that will give them tion of show hosts Angola.” a This year edition of great experience. However, those who have been AMAA, says the privileged to see the film “Cheetenah”

...as Omotola,

Camille host the event

organizers, will be a special edition in its 11 years of existence as the prestigious continental awards will be hosted by the city of Port Elizabeth, *Camille South Africa Winbush tonight. The host city, popularly called ‘C ity will play host to over of the Legends,’ professionals within 1500 creative They will converge and outside Africa. home of legends su on the city that is the Mandela, Oliver Ta ch as Nelson mbo, and Walter Sisulu. Dr. Danny Jordaan, the Mayor of Port Elizabeth, in a statem government, the pe ent said the ople of South Africa,

Omotola and the city of the leg are ready to receive ends in particular, around the world. all delegates from ‘’We are fully read event and everyoney to host a great Port Elizabeth this yecoming for AMAA in forward to a very gr ar can only look experience,” said theat and exciting e Mayor.

STOP PIRACY NOW! STOP BUYING PIRATED MOVIE AND MUSIC CDs, DVDs. IT IS KILLING THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. STOP! C M Y K

SATURDAY

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015—27 By BENJAMIN NJOKU njokujamin@yahoo.com

Vanguard reporter wins entertainment writer of the year award

anguard’s entertainment reporter, Kehinde Ajose, was generously celebrated at the Nigeria Media Nite-Out Awards held on Sunday, 20th of September 2015. He emerged winner in the Entertainment Writer of the Year Category, beating entertainment reporters from Guardian, Punch, Tribune, The Union, and Telegraph. Ajose got the accolade for his excellent reportage of the entertainment industry. He is also the author of the soon to be published book Donjazzyfied. Also, Evelyn Usman of Vanguard won the award for the Crime Writer Of the Year, while Emmanuel Aziken won the award for Writer of the year (Politics). The award was held at Times Square Event Centre, Ikeja. Nigeria Media Nite- Out Awards is organized by Solkem Entertainment and Media Limited. Solkem introduced the first ever media awards with the sole aim of recognizing media icons, personalities, individuals and organizations for their efforts.

From Left; Kehinde Ajose presenting the Entertainment Reporter of the year award from 9th Media Nite Out Award to Mr. Onochie Anibeze, Saturday Editor Vanguard Newspaper while Mr. Ayo Onikoyi, Entertainment Editor, Vanguard Newspaper looks on

From Left;Mr Ochereome Nnanna,Acting Chairman Editorial Board Vanguard,Evelyn Usman of Vanguard won Crime Reporter of the year from 9th Media Nite Out Awards;Mr Eze Anaba,Deputy Editor Vanguard; Kehinde Ajose of Vanguard also won Entertainment Reporter of the year from 9th Media Nite Out Award and Mr Onochie Anibeze, Saturday Editor Vanguard Newspaper.During Official Presentation of their Awards to the Management of Vanguard yesterday. Photo: Joe Akintola.

Stories that could have notched Ajose the award 1

. Survival tales of top music divas

Everyone dreams of becoming a star and rubbing minds with the rich and famous, but only a few has what it takes to scale the hurdles to stardom. Behind the glamour ,their flawless skin, colourful designer outfits and stylish instagram pictures are scars they have have endured and still living with, as the stars blaring out of our radios and adorning our screens. This piece chronicles the survival tales of your favourite music divas.

. 10 Shocking Nigerian music videos in recent times

Music videos are mediums for artistes to showcase their looks, dance steps and tell a story of their songs. In the Nigerian music landscape, it has grown beyond that into a medium for display of gangsterism, sex and violence. Our videos have become bad deal for our impressionable youths who tend to copy most of what they see on TV and the internet. And the Nigerian cinematographers are pushing the limits and becoming more expressive in their shots

. Wizkid and his many Twitter Battles

Starboy boss, Wizkid attracts

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controversies just like bees are attracted to honey. The youngster who formerly pitched his tent with E.M.E’s Banky W is fast gaining a reputation as a trouble shooter on the social media. In recent times, he has been involved in several Twitter battles with colleagues in the entertainment scene. He had taken on the likes of BankyW, Samklef, Tonto Dike, Saeon, Davido and most recently Skales.

.You will never see me wear bra and pant in a music video — Sunkanmi

When you meet Sunkanmi, the first thing that strikes you is her bubbly persona and alluring stature. The lightskinned Olasunkanmi Rehanat Alonge is a graduate of Geophysics from the Olabisi Onabanjo University. She is a budding Afro-pop artiste whose song, ‘For body ’ is making waves. The fashionable rising star is a nominee for the most promising act category, Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA). In this interview, she talks about why Olamide featured in her song, why she can’t wear bra and pant in a music video, and the challenges of being an upcoming act, among other issues.

. Who is the best music youngster of the streets: Korede Bello, Kiss Daniel, Lil Kesh or Reekado Banks?

The success of an artiste is said to be measured according to the acceptance of his/her songs on the streets. This generation of music lovers most often than not, careless whether the songs have meanings or not, all they desire is a rhythm they can flow with and dance to. Dbanj, Psquare, Davido, Wizkid, Kcee, Iyanya and even Olamide among others have all paid their dues in his respect and are smugly sitting in the zenith of Nigeria’s music ladder. They have all won in the streets and have moved onto higher plane.

. Music reality TV show stars’ struggle for relevance in the industry

When music reality TV shows hit the Nigerian music scene, it was welcomed with open hands and much expectations as many believed it would make a great number of stars. And it sure did, at least in the beginning until the stars began to fade in the sky. Aside from the likes of Iyanya, Omawunmi, Chidinma and Timi Dakolo, who have written their names in gold after emerging

winners from music reality TV shows, other frontrunners have been grappling with the prospect of finding their feet on the music landscape. This piece takes a look at music reality TV shows stars yet to stamp their names on the scene.

. Mixed blessings of movie stars turned music divas

After making a name for themselves in the movie world, these divas decided to dabble into music, leveraging on their star power and fan base. For some of them, it has been a gradual rise to the top, while for others it has been a fruitless effort. In no particular order, we chronicle movie stars who have ventured into music at one point or the other.

. Top trending videos and their catchy details

Like the splendour of an art work, a music video is meant to attract, engage and appeal to the viewers. Over the years,the Nigerian music industry has seen the different shades of music videos being released to compliment songs, but only a few raise the bar and become points of reference. In no particular order, here are the top 10 music videos ruling the scene, with details and concepts behind them.

. Survival tales of top music divas

0. My plan for Valentine is to kiss a lucky stranger — Ella martins

Benin Republic actress and singer, Ella Martins who once told Showtime that people think she did a surgery on her hips , in a chat with Showtime, said she is willing to kiss a lucky stranger on Valentine day. The Baby Chocolate star popular for her sex appeal puts it this way: “My plan for Valentine day is to kiss a lucky stranger.” When asked how she intends to go about it, she said: “I will make it happen when I see a lucky guy.” She also revealed that she is working on a new music video and has huge plans for the year.

28 — SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

By JULIET EBIRIM

‘When a

eautiful Nollywood actress is set to premiere her new movie, ‘The First Lady’. In this interview, the talented thespian who also wrote, directed and produced the movie, talks about the production and what viewers should expect come October 1, 2015, when the movie would hit the cinemas. Excerpts:

Omon h

Tell us about your soon-to-be-released movie, The First Lady. We are almost at the premiere stage of ‘The First Lady’. It’s a very entertaining, hilarious, romantic comedy. It’s the kind of movie people will appreciate. I think people don’t want to go to the cinemas and come out depressed. They want to forget what’s going on in their lives, whatever it is. That was my driving force when I was writing the film. I want people to watch a very well done movie, that’s why we pay attention to details. So that, when we release a movie, it’s not just like every other movie out there. We don’t want to insult the intelligence of cinema goers by doing stories that don’t make any sense.

*Every ti

What influenced the storyline? I just wanted to entertain people, make them laugh and have fun. That was what I had in my head when I set out to write this particular story. I decided to weave it in a way that it’s not just hilarious, but also intriguing. It’s not just one straight story that you can tell the end from the beginning, it has many layers to it. How challenging was it shooting this film? It was very tedious. It’s always tedious when you’re acting, producing and directing at the same time. It’s one of the most difficult jobs in the world. But I do it anyway because it’s what I love to do. Even though it’s stressful and tiring because I get to sleep for only three to four hours every night, I still enjoy it. It’s tough, but I love it, so I keep doing it. Do you think the Nigerian cinema culture has grown to be a thriving market? We are hoping that Nigerians out there would support what we are doing, thereby supporting the Nigerian economy. The truth is, every money spent on watching a foreign movie is money that’s taken out of the country forever. The one spent on a Nigerian movie stays here and comes right back to you in one way or the other. It’s a vicious cycle. When I make money from my movies at the cinema, it means I can pay school fees of my children and buy food. The owner of the school and the woman selling food get that money. The money comes right back to the economy, it stays here. People watch some Nigerian movies and say because it didn’t make sense, they stopped watching Nigerian movies altogether. How many foreign movies have we watched that didn’t make sense? Yet, we still watch foreign movies because we hear that a particular one is good. When you support us and we make money, we make better movies. Are you saying this movie would be C M Y K

•Omoni Oboli

better than what we had before? Definitely. Is it a big budget movie? It’s an okay budget movie. I don’t talk about the budget for my movie. The movie industry is the only business that you tell your consumers how much you spend making it. We do everything we can to make sure our production value is very high, that it isn’t going to insult the viewer. You’re going to get good pictures, good sounds and a great story, that’s the most important thing. Would you support any of your kids wanting to be an actor? Sure. My son has already one two acting awards. He’s been nominated a number of times. He was in ‘Figurine’ and ‘Brother’s Keeper’ with me. All three of my kids were in ‘Being Mrs Elliot’, so

I have no problems with it whatsoever, I would support them 100%. What influenced your choice of cast for the movie? When I write, I see the images of actors in my head. So when I’m casting, what I look at is ‘Do these people fit the image I have in my head? Can they deliver on these roles?” I don’t really like to stereotype actors. People are going to be blown out of their minds by Alex Ekubo in this movie. This is seeing Alex like you’ve never seen him before. Every time, I watch Alex in this movie, I get

goosebumps. I don’t believe that we achieved that. It’s totally out of this world. Yvonne Jegede took her acting to another level in the movie. It was just so real and fantastic. I’m so happy for my actors and what this movie is going to do for them. I’m really so excited, I can’t wait for people to see this movie so they can see my actors. Tony Monjaro nailed it in this movie. You’re looking at him in the movie and you just want to almost love the devil. I’m excited about showing this movie to the public. I know they will love it. I want people to watch my actors and fall in love with them. As a director, that’s very key for me. What aspect of your work do you enjoy most; acting, producing or directing? Acting has always been my first love.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 — 29

a prostitute becomes The First Lady’

ni Oboli talks about her new movie

ime I watch Alex in this movie I get goosebumps Directing and producing are taking it to another level. Directing is very technical, you’ve got to know what you’re doing. I would say I enjoy acting most because I’ve always acted even as a little girl, but I love producing and directing. You also write the script for your movies, at what time did you decide to go into scriptwriting? I’ve always been a writer. That’s another thing I’ve always done even as a child. I would spend hours writing. I used to write novels, though I didn’t publish any. I didn’t have a parent that thought it was important and that was because she didn’t know better. I grew up with my mum. I wrote so many books, I used to do character breakdown. Now, I understand that was what I was doing back then, but as a child I didn’t know. By the time I got to secondary school, I used to write plays that I produced and directed for the school. I didn’t understand it then, but now I know that God was actually preparing me for now.

sees himself like the king of the land, the lord of the area. So everyone started calling him Obama as a mark of respect. He’s a local pimp who has prostitutes under him. The prostitute who’s also his girlfriend is his First Lady. He calls her his ‘First lady’. So everyone started calling her Michelle since he’s Obama. Obama and Michelle are nicknames. So, the main prostitute in question is Obama’s First Lady. Was the success you had with ‘Being Mrs Elliot’ a motivating factor for you in doing this movie? I’ve decided that this is what I want to do, so whether I succeed or fail, I’ll keep doing it. But of course, it helped that my directorial debut was a huge success. That has prompted and pushed me further to do more.

also get awards. In fact, if I don’t get any award and my actors do, it’s a success for me. How do you know a movie is successful – is it by the money it made, the impact, or the awards it brought? I think it’s a combination of many things, not just a particular thing. A lot of things come together to make a movie a success. It might not be a box office success, but have a great storyline, great production values, huge reception and so on. Did the success of the comedy ’30 Days in Atlanta’ and others influence your doing a comedy? I’m of the opinion that people should go to the cinema and have a good time. We need to make ourselves happy once in a while because of the kind of society we find ourselves in and that’s why comedy shows sell a lot. People want to

have a good laugh and forget their worries and problems, even if it’s just for a short while. Talking about stereotyping actors, do you think it’s a good thing for their careers? It could be a good thing and a bad thing at the same time. I think every actor wants to be able to show their range, but sometimes they don’t get the opportunity because they are stereotyped and people just keep giving them those kind of roles and they are not happy. I think that as an actor, you want to be able to express yourself in different ways. But it could be a good thing in the sense that any time they think of that character, they are going to call just you. So you are going to be making all the money for that particular kind of character. It could be good and bad at the same time. What’s your impression about the quality of Nollywood movies we have presently? We are getting better. People are paying more attention to details and we are getting better quality movies. Even though we still have the regular Nollywood movies, people are trying to raise the bar. Would you say the cinema has helped movie producers escape piracy? Nobody has escaped it really, the cinema just opened a different avenue stream. What do you dislike about being in the limelight? The loss of privacy. The fact that you can’t do what you like to do and be like everyone else. You’ll always consider what people are going to think and say.

Do you hope to get an award with this movie? I hope so and I hope that my actors

Do you hope to publish a novel any time soon? I’m actually in the process of writing a novel. But because I’ve been busy with so many different things, I’ve been writing it for about four years now. What are your projections for this movie? I believe it’s going to hit everyone really hard, they’ll totally love it and I’m going to recover all my money. (Laughs) It seems as if you set out to do one movie every year? I didn’t set out to do that in all honesty. I actually have another movie that is completed and we’re in post production. We finished shooting almost the same time as ‘The First Lady’, but I need to make out time to be with the editors for editing. But because I have a lot doing I’ve not been able to do that. I don’t intend to do one movie per year. So, why the title ‘The First Lady’? In the movie, the character ‘Obama’

The truth is, every money spent on watching a foreign movie is money that’s taken out of the country forever

•Omoni Oboli

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30—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

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SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015—31

(Text Only)

front of you, bend the left knee and place the left foot close to the right buttock. Now bending the right knee, place the right foot on the outside of left knee. Bring the left hand to clutch the side of the right thigh and place the riht hand at the lower back with the hand resting on the left lap. Now with the head held high, twist the entire trunk, neck and head to the right. Breathe in deeply. Hold the position for a slow count to 10 or 15 and repeat on the other side. Benefits: his exercise eases stress along the spinal column. It introduces lateral flexibility to the spine. It massages the kidneys and helps bring improvement to sluggish bowels.

•The Lotus

Yoga Classes STARTED @ 32 Adetokumbo Ademola, Victoria Island Lagos. 9.00am — 10.00am on Saturdays

• he Shoulder Stand T

Continuing on the exercise path The Lotus

Technique: it with both legs outstretched in front of you. Now, draw the right leg and place the right foot on the left thigh and then drawing the left leg place the foot on the right thigh. Then, crossing the hands at the back grab hold off the big toes.

Benefits: his variant of the Lotus strenghtens the arms and legs. It helps expand the chest for more air intake and lubricate the knee and ankle joints for flexibility.

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The Shoulder Stand

Technique: ying flat on your back, stretch both hands above the head while raising both legs to a 90 degrees position. Then raising the buttocks and torso the hands must support the back with the elbows firmly on the ground. Straighten up the trunk such that the chin fits in tile hollow at the base of the neck. The whole body must be kept straight with hardly any jerks.

The Spinal Twist Technique: itting with legs stretched out in

•The Spinal Twist

32—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

08 1 1 6759 759 081 6759759

You may now kiss the bride (who's young enough to be your granddaughter)

was who was going to get the family's country estate, but he had assured them that nothing in his will would be changed. When a journalist implied the marriage was simply a publicity stunt by the young woman to shortcut the usual career ladder by linking herself with a famous fiance, Mr Krasko rejected the idea. He said that it was a fact that she was currently unemployed but added he would not be attempting to boost her career saying: 'An actor is always best off when they work on their name and by creating their brand on their own.' The couple said they wanted a quiet wedding with and had only invited close relatives and friends

n 84-year-old Russian actor famous for more than 140 roles in Soviet and Russian films has announced he plans to start a family with his new wife who is 60 years his junior. Legendary Russian actor Ivan Krasko married his 24year-old fiancée Natalia Shevel, a former student of his, in a secret ceremony attended only by close friends and family last week in St Petersburg. Despite criticism from

many, the pair described their relationship in an interview with Russian media as a 'match made in heaven'. They met while the fatherof-six was teaching fine art at St Petersburg Institute of Liberal Education and Ms Shevel, one of his students, began writing him poetry which he said had made a 'huge impression' on him. The actor, who has been married three times before toy younger wives, said: 'As a result of her words, I started

student has landed a job A on Albanian television after showing her breasts

That's one way to make headlines!

through an open top during screen tests. TV bosses at the network said they were so impressed with Enki Bracaj, from the Albanian capital Tirana, that they offered her a news reader role. The 21-year-old now presents an international news programme after wearing the revealing outfit during trials and has already proved a ratings hit, it has been reported. A spokesperson for the channel said: 'Most agree that her presentation style is somewhat awkward, but we are working on that and to be honest it doesn't seem to be doing any harm to her viewing figures.' Bracaj, who studies public relations at the local

university, said she had simply 'found a way to put myself ahead' in a competitive industry. Defending the decision to offer almost-topless news, she said: 'It is not easy to enter the world of television.

to feel like a man in a way that I thought had long since vanished. But it was like being rebooted, and something which was missing returned.' In the interview shortly before the ceremony the pair said they feel they cannot spend a single day apart and are living together in the actor's apartment in central Moscow. Mr Krasko, who will turn 85 in two weeks, added that the relationship prior to their marriage remained platonic,

but he now hopes they will have a family together as they 'both wanted children' and that there was a mutual attraction between them both. The grandfather-of-three said: 'Naturally she has some worries about the future, but for me this is an exciting new time in my life.' He said he had not yet met her family, although she had been introduced to his sons. The actor proposed by getting down on one knee on the St Petersburg metro and presenting Ms Shevel with a diamond ring. The very next day the couple then went to register an application to become married. Mr Krasko added one of the first things his sons asked him

'So it was obvious that if I wanted to make it I had to be brave and offer something different. 'I checked first with my parents and when I found that they also supported me in my decision, it wasn't a problem

for me to go ahead like this.' Bracaj's popularity has already spread wider that her native Albania after she introduced a report about Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic. The video has been widely shared in

neighbouring Serbia. Enki added: 'There is not just a lot of competition to get on television, but also competition between the channels. 'I simply found a way to put myself ahead and also to ensure that my channel gets the best ratings.'

'Whisky and 15 cigarettes a day is the secret of my good health 'Whisky and 15 cigarettes a day is the secret of my good health' says Dorothy as she celebrates her 100th birthday (with a glass of her favourite tipple, of course) Hardy pensioner Dorothy Howe has reached her 100th birthday - despite smoking nearly half a million cigarettes during her life. The retired secretary took her first drag aged 16 and has puffed her way through 15 Superking Black ciggies every day since then. She has smoked around 460,000 cigarettes over the last 84 years - costing £193,000 at today’s prices. But despite the obvious health risks, Dorothy believes smoking is the secret to her old age - and a regular drop of whisky. Relaxing with her favourite tipple of Bell’s, she said: 'I put my health down to whisky and cigarettes. I only drink when I’m out but my doctor said I wouldn’t be alive without them. 'I’m still alive and I can lift my elbows - it’s great. I’ve had a great life and God has treated me very well.

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I’ve been very lucky.' Childless Dot, who still lives in her own home in Saltdean, East Sussex, worked as an assistant to the chairman of Martin's newsagents. She lost her husband of 26 years Peter to cancer in 1993, when he was just 60 years old, and has lived alone ever since. 'I keep telling myself that I'm going to quit smoking when they put the prices up, but that's just not going to happen now,' she said. 'When I started smoking, I was about 16, and they cost 11d and a halfpenny for 20. I can't believe how much they cost now. Whisky tastes just as good as it used to though. My pins aren't as fast as they used to be, but my mind is still sharp.' On her milestone birthday, friends took Dot to her local pub where she had a couple of drinks before returning home to open her card from the Queen. Friend Lynn Sass said: 'She has the respect and friendship of a lot of people around here. She's wonderful and a great character. 'She's thought very highly of and we hope she's had a great time. It's a real achievement for a great woman.'

SATURDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 — 33

Relegation battle pits Sharks against Dolphins Stories by JOHN EGBOKHAN

HEY are supposed to be brothers from the same pot but all that kindred spirit will be thrown aside this weekend when Sharks go up in arms with Dolphins in a week 31 Premier League match cracker in Port Harcourt. This match should make for an explosive one not because both sides are playing for the title or a continental ticket but are battling to escape being relegated to play in the Nigerian National League next season. Presently, both teams are flirting dangerously with relegation, with Sharks seeming the more likely of the Port Harcourt sides to go down if they do not start ramping up points and pull away from the trio of Kwara United, Taraba FC and Bayelsa United, who all occupy the last spots of the table. Bayelsa United seem condemned to go down, no thanks to their miserly 26 points from 30 matches while Taraba FC, with 29 points and Kwara

United, on 32 points are also in danger of being relegated. Sharks, with 32 points and on th the 17 position, lead Kwara United on superior goals count

of -9 as against Kwara’s -14. And Sharks can pull clear of Kwara United if they defeat Dolphins in the Port Harcourt derby, which in turn may drag

Enyimba playing against Giwa FC

the latter into the relegation mix as they presently have 34 th points to occupy the 15 position. A Sharks win in Port Harcourt and a Kwara United’s victory in Enugu against Rangers will invariably see Sharks and Kwara leap to 35 points, one more than Dolphins, who will then be sweating over their back should Akwa United get a good result at home against Nasarawa United. And as Sharks seek redemption, captain Odinga Odinga has rallied the boys to draw from Coach Festus Allen’s charge that they must stop crying over spilled milk and concentrate on securing their top flight status in the remaining eight games of the season. Coach Allen had said “”this is not the time to cry over spilled milk, rather we need to give everything in our last nine matches and make sure we save this club from getting relegated. Everyone, the players, coaches, fans and officials, are working together to achieve this”. And speaking in the same vein, Odinga said “that we lost our last match at Giwa should give us the impetus to go for a win against Dolphins. We must unite to secure our Premier League status and stop dwelling on what happened in the games we lost””.

Ezeji to compound Bayelsa’s relegation woe Victor Ezeji will be hoping to break his duck when he continues his Premier League adventure with Heartland, who travel to face Bayelsa United tomorrow at the Oghara Stadium in Delta State. The veteran forward who has featured for Eagles Cement, Sharks, Enyimba and Sunshine Stars has played in the Nigerian topflight for 20 seasons. Ezeji boasts of the Federation Cup, Caf Champions League and the Nigeria Premier League titles plus a host of other personal accolades. With eight matches left to play this in the season, he would be angling to help Heartland secure a ticket to play continental football and what better to do that than to score the goal that will compound the relegation woe of Bayelsa United, rooted to the foot of the table with 26 points.

Wikki plan surprise package for Enyimba W

ITH just four points separating them, Wikki Tourists travel to Aba to face Enyimba tomorrow in the star match of the 30-week old Nigerian league. Enyimba lead the pack with 55 points, four more than the duo of Warri Wolves and Wikki Tourists, who believe that anything can happen in the game with Enyimba. Tomorrow’s match at the

Enyimba International Stadium promises to be an explosive exchange of football fireworks between two title chasing sides, who would both pull al stunts to get maximum points. If Enyimba triumph, they will pull seven points clear of Wikki, with six matches to play in the season, while an away win for Wikki will see them close the gap on the leaders to a point.

Warri Wolves, the other team on 51 points, have the stiffer test on their hand as they travel to the Sai Abacha Stadium to battle champions Kano Pillars, who with 44 points, feel they can still make something out of this campaign and finish with a continental ticket, which they have become so used to in the last three seasons that they have won the league title. Wolves must be at their

HOW THEY STAND

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Team

PTS

Enyimba Warri Wolves Wikki Tourist Sunshine Stars Giwa Nasarawa Abia Warriors Kano Pillars Shooting Stars Heartland Ifeanyi Ubah Rangers El Kanemi Lobi Stars Dolphins Akwa Utd Sharks Kwara Utd Taraba Bayelsa Utd

30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30 30

15 15 14 15 13 13 14 13 13 12 12 11 11 8 8 9 7 9 7 5

10 6 9 5 10 7 4 5 5 6 6 8 6 12 10 7 12 5 8 11

5 9 7 10 7 10 12 12 12 12 12 11 13 10 12 14 11 16 15 14

41 45 36 47 34 36 32 38 32 34 31 33 30 28 30 24 22 24 25 20

24 25 27 28 32 32 34 31 31 29 30 32 47 33 32 34 31 38 37 35

+17 +20 +9 +19 +2 +4 -2 +7 +1 +5 +1 +1 -17 -5 -2 -10 -9 -14 -12 -15

55 51 51 50 49 46 46 44 44 42 42 41 39 36 34 34 33 32 29 26

sterling and marauding best to escape from Kano unhurt as coach Babaganaru seeks to rack up three points after the 1-1 draw with Ifeanyi Ubah in Nnewi last weekend. Indeed, Wolves will be playing Pillars with an eye on events unfolding at the Enyimba, Wikki match in Aba. And Wikki’s defender Mustapha Ibrahim has predicted that the game will be their biggest and toughest task so far this term. Speaking in an interview with supersport.com, Ibrahim said the clash might well define the season for either team. “The match might make or mar either side’s claim to the title. We know the expectations and tasks ahead and we have a surprise package for Enyimba,” he said

•

Ezeji

FIXTURES Ifeanyi Ubah Sharks Taraba Enyimba Bayelsa Utd Lobi Stars Akwa Utd Rangers Sunshine Stars Kano Pillars

v v v v v v v v v v

Giwa Dolphins El Kanemi Warriors Wikki Tourist Heartland Shooting Stars Nasarawa Utd Kwara Utd Abia Warriors Warri Wolves

4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm

34 — SATURDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

More games are coming. We have to keep calm till we play Egypt. This is football and anything can happen.

OKPALA TO OLISEH:

Don’t beg any player to play for Eagles 1980 AFCON winner, Sylvanus Okpala, in this interview with SOLOMON NWOKE. charts the path through which the Eagles can be super again.

•Sylvanus Okpala

ur next AFCON qualifying match is against Egypt who are equally desperate to come back to the continental fiesta, which raises the stakes of the game that holds next year. What can you say on how we should approach the game? I don’t think we are doing badly as of now. It’s just that the Pharaohs of Egypt are ahead of us with two points and on goals margin too. If we want to qualify for the African Nations Cup we have to be winning our matches. It means when we play Egypt we have beat them. That is the most important thing. So far the Eagles have played two games under coach Sunday Oliseh, what do you see of the team? Well, it’s a young team, young team in the sense of the number of matches played for the national team by the players, a young team in the sense that Sunday Oliseh is a new coach. All the training sessions they had before the Tanzania tie and C M Y K

•Coach Oliseh the friendly match against Niger were not more than one week. So Coach Oliseh is still new to the boys, but you know that coaches are born and not made. Another thing is the kind of formation one wants to play. Sometimes, classroom formation looks very perfect but in practice you need time say, a month or two to perfect those trainings and not three days. I must say that I watched the match against. Tanzania and I am talking from the point of view that I watched on television and you know that when you watch a match live you are in a better position to see more. But let me take it from what I saw on television.

•Ogenyi Onazi

Our first half was better than the second half. In the first half we were more positive with the ball. But in the second half we were not attacking as we should have, the midfield was choked and our defence was falling and the Tanzanians were on top of their game for the last forty-something minutes. From what I saw we played well in the first 55 minutes after which our game collapsed. I don’t know whether it was because of weather because most of the boys that played came from Europe, so I

SATURDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 — 35

•Super Eagles celebrating a goal

don’t know whether they were affected by the weather. But, the second half was not good because those boys ( Tanzanians) were controlling the midfield, at every ball drop they were there and had better chances of scoring. It was good they couldn’t. Now we have to improve. With these new players being brought into the team, do you think the older ones should be discarded? No, no we have some old ones there. Maybe, in the next game, Ogenyi Onaze will be there and we have other players I don’t want to mention names. But I don’t think Oliseh is discarding the old players. Many Nigerians are of the opinion that Oliseh should stop experimenting and start consolidating with the players on ground. Where do you stand on this? I don’t think he is experimenting and why would anyone say that he’s experimenting. He is not experimenting, he is working with what we have. Like I said, I don’t want to mention names, so it is left for him to know those that he would like to invite and add to the team, those that are important to him. I’m not the one to say that. It’s left for him to know those that he has watched who can fit into whatever system or formation that he wants to play. Then the other one I want to say is that he needs time. He needs time and people should not put too much pressure on him. And as a young man there’s a way you put too much pressure on him he loses confidence or becomes nervous and performance drops. So I think we need to support him and let’s see where he will take us to. He needs everybody’s support. But there is the fear that our AFCON 2017 qualification is taking the shape of the one that saw us miss out of the 2015 edition. What is happening now is different from what happened in 2015 edition. I have no fears until we play Egypt and until we

play Egypt. No doubt people are saying we played Chad 2 - 0 here and Egypt went to Chad and beat them 5-1 and are drawing conclusions. But football is not always that way. In football two plus one may not be three. If you remember in 1968 World Cup, Hungary and Germany were in the same group then, Hungary was a tough team, so during there group stage matches, Hungary defeated Germany 8 -2 and at the end both of them got to the final and Germany defeated Hungary 3-0 . So in football it goes beyond. Until Egypt plays Nigeria, I’ll know if Egypt will take the ticket or not. We should not panic? Why? Why? There’s no need for panicking. They have all played only two games. More games are coming. We have to keep calm till we play Egypt. This is football and

He is not experimenting, he is working with what we have. Like I said, I don’t want to mention names, so it is left for him to know those that he would like to invite and add to the team, those that are important to him

•Mikel Obi anything can happen. So in which department of the team do you think we need fortification? All the departments need to be fortified. I am not talking about inviting new players now. So all the department need to be fortified, especially the midfield because when you are playing football, the midfielder cannot continue to play the same, somebody must come up and take charge of the game if the game is not going well as expected. The midfield has more problems than other areas, but every department is important to be beefed up. Again and again, the midfield is a very important aspect of the team and Coach Oliseh really needs to beef it up before our next matches. What Is your feeling about Carl Ikeme’s emergence? He keeps very well, he was good during the match. He was very fantastic, he played well. Another good attribute of him is that he’s very calm as a goalkeeper and he comes out to take the ball. Overall, he was very good. Is it right to set 1994 benchmark for the current Eagles? Super Eagles 1994 Nations Cup squad was built over five years and Oliseh is just one month plus as a coach, so there’s a long way to go. We can only start thinking along that line after two years, but for now it is not necessary. So since our next AFCON qualifier is against Egypt, what’s advice do you have for the team? My advice is that we should play to win whether we play defensive football or whatever formation, we must play to win. the point is that we must play to win. It’s an important game that we must play and win if we must think of qualifying for the Nations Cup. Generally, which are the other things you want to tell Nigerians regarding the country’s football? The only thing I want to say is that

we have to keep supporting the team coach, Sunday Oliseh and the boys. It is too early to start criticizing him now after playing just one match. Another thing I would like our coaches and football officials to be careful in making statements that could affect the team. When something transpires between a coach and a player it should not necessarily be made public. On the side of officials I would like to cite the case of Ogenyi Onazi during our match against Chad in Kaduna. A Chadian player was angry when a penalty was awarded to Eagles and he charged on Onazi. Onazi retaliated but was caught by the referee who didn’t see the first offender. Onazi was shown a red card but before the disciplinary committee of CAF could take a decision on that, the officials of the Nigeria Football Federation had already condemned him and it was in the news everywhere and they ( CAF) read it. That would aid them in taking disciplinary action. Action of our people could make announce a two match ban if originally they thought of a one match ban. You know that it all depends on the gravity of the offence. Let’s keep quiet when we are supposed to and work hard always. Another thing is that I would not go on my knees as a coach to beg a player to play for Nigeria. I can always educate the player and tell him that he would have a good future with Nigeria but I will not beg. You can ask a player to come and join you and you give reasons why it will be good for the player but not to beg. The person must show interest. If you beg or compel somebody to play for you he may not give 100 per cent. And if anything arises the player may be grumbling, saying if he had known he would not have agreed. Any player that makes up his mind on his own would not have such mind. There’s psychological aspect of the game too. Begging a player to come and play would that have any effect on the team or the pattern of play of the team? No, when you start begging a player to come and play for his national team it is not good. The person must make up his mind, the important thing is that I, as a coach, will ask him if he would like to play for Nigeria and that I would like him to play for Nigeria and that his future lies in Nigeria as far as the national team is concerned. But I will not go on my knees begging him and making him so much important because a player must make up his mind first to come and play. If you ask him to come and play and he says he’s interested then he will give you 100%. But if you mount pressure on a player to come and play where he does not want to play he will not want to give his best. In fact, he will not give anything and if any slightest thing happens in the team he will quickly remember that he never wanted to be part of the team in the first place. C M Y K

36â&#x20AC;&#x201D;SA TURD AY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 36â&#x20AC;&#x201D;SATURD TURDA

King Zulu hosts Igbinedion @ 8 1 in S A 81 SA

Cutting of the cake (L-R): Enogie of Igueben, Zulu King,celebrant, his wife, Lady Cherry, Lucky Igbinedion and Mrs Bright Igbinedion

THE Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel O s a w a r u Igbinedion was hosted on 19th September, in far away South Africa to a dinner party to celebrate his 81st birthday in grand style. The event took place at S a n d t o n Convention Centre at the heart of Johannesburg. The high point of the event was the Presentation of Royal seat by King Zulu himself to the pioneer of private University in Nigeria and celebrant, Chief Igbinedion.

L-R: Nigerian Consular General to South Africa, Amb. Uche Ajulu & Hon. Peter Akpatason.

Ma Nwaebo buried ITwas a huge crowd of mourners and well-wishers as an octogenarian Ezenne Uche Nwaebo was laid to rest at Owa-Alero, Ika North East Local Govt. Area, Delta State. Ezenne Uche Nwaebo was mother of Chief Emmanuel Nwaebo

L-R; Princess Adeyemi, Hon. Ihama,Gololo, Toast to long life between celebrant and King Zulu Adeyemi,Ikon,Celebrant, King Zulu, Hon. Agbowonyima, Akpatason and Omosede.

L-R: Chief Emmanuel Nwaebo, his wife and siblings.

L-R: Lady Angela, a guest, Mrs Bright, King Zulu, Lady Cherry, Queen Mother Zulu, Evon Freeman and a guest.

The Children of Ezenne Uche Nwaebo and members of Anglican Women Guild, Owa-Alero

L-R: Hon. E.J Agboiwonyinmi, celebrant, Chief Igbinedion and Hon. Peter Akpatason.

Baale of Araromi, Ibeju-Lekki takes wife

aturday, August 29th would remain a day to cherish for Chief Olayemi Luqman, Baale of Araromi Ibeju-Lekki and his Olori Fausat Oritoke Olayemi Luqman as they were joined together as husband and wife, according to both traditional Islamic rites. Many High Chiefs from the land graced the occasion.

Chief Luqman Olayemi & his Olori surrounded by some of Araromi High Chiefs. C M Y K

Chief Olayemi Luqman, Baale of Araromi kingdom, Ibeju-Lekki and Olori Fausat Oritoke during thier Nikkhai ceremony.

L-R: Chief Tayese of Araromi, Iya Oloja ,Majeobaje and Iyalode of Araromi kingdom

SATURDAY

Vanguard,SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 — 37

Just Female:

I don’t need legs to feel sexy

ost women regard their legs as part of their sex appeal. But not Kanya Sesser, the stunning 23-year-old -Kanya Sesser, 23-year-old model born without legs lingerie model. Kanya was born without legs, abandoned Sesser was adopted from an orphanage From a young age, the young California girl at 1 week old, and brought up in Thailand when she was 5 and moved to was determined to overcome her disability and in a foster home, but even all •Kanya in her Portland, Oregon, with her new family. started modelling for sports brands at 15. that has not held her back. stunning Instead of a wheelchair, she uses a It has not enough to take the After shooting for a number display skateboard to get edge off her ambition for of outlets—as well as being around and success because Kanya now featured by Billabong—the learned to walk on makes an average of N220,000 beauty was soon scouted by her hands. (US$1000) per day as an underwear and bikini brands. Sesser loves underwear model. Now she combines her extreme sports and Kanya is breaking down the modelling career with hopes to compete in barriers of the modelling world motivational speaking and mono-ski in the by showing that just because her love of sports—she’s Winter Paralympics she is different, that doesn’t currently training for the 2018 in Pyeongchang, mean she isn’t sexy. Winter Paralympics. South Korea, in She defies traditional beauty “I was mainly doing 2018. standards by working as a athletics shoots then as I got One of her model, and hopes to prove that older I got into lingerie biggest fans is her “different” is sexy. modelling,” said Sesser, who new boyfriend No medical explanation is lives in Los Angeles. “It’s Brian, whom she given for Kanya’s condition, something fun and it shows has been dating for but she is believed to suffer my story—I’m different and the past month. from an extremely rare disease that is sexy, I don’t need legs “Brian is condition described as to feel sexy. awesome—he is “Amelia” that presents as “I enjoy making money from very supportive of complete absence of an arm or it and I love showing people everything I do,” leg in as a result of the limb what beauty can look like. she said. “He formation process being either These images show my recently saw me prevented or interrupted very strength.” •Kanya Sesser modeling for first Sesser didn’t always dream early during development as a foetus in the womb. of modelling. time and told me he thought it was beautiful It is believed that the Amelia syndrome appears to have a and unique.” recessive pattern of inheritance—that is, the parents of the affected “It just happened for me and I got used to Despite her work as a model, Sesser person each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but do not show it,” she said. “I like expressing myself in a admits she prefers her natural looks. She signs and symptoms of the condition. different way than people usually see. is also working on a book about her In a few cases, amelia may be attributed to health complications “I’m very honest, I’m real—I’m never going incredible journey through life, set to be during the early stages of pregnancy, including infection, failed to behave different to anyone. This is just who published in 2016. abortion or complications associated with removal of an Intrauterine I am.” Device after pregnancy, or use of Thalidomide. SEXUAL ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS

e seductive in the basic ways. The old standbys are still important. Be thoughtful. Do special favours. Lavish loving attention. Be playful. Show enthusiasm. Look your best. Like one of my friend says, you should go through your closet and give away anything that doesn’t make you look drop-dead gorgeous. If nothing else, improve your posture, and smile. You can do that right this minute. Make sure your hygiene habits appeal to your partner, as dirtiness turn off a lot of people from sex. Lastly, learn to express your feelings during sex. It’s feedback, it’s erotic, it’s instructional, and it’s flattering. I have been following your column for some time and I have been thanking God for you. Please I have a very small penis abut 3 and half inch long. What can you advice I Use to enlarge it without any side effect and how soon do you think I will see a good result – Chris Hello Chris, Your penis is quite small and will need extra work and if you can do it diligently, you will get a positive result. Get Vigrx plus herbal supplements which you might take for 2 to 3

HOW TO DEAL WITH SEX PROBLEMS IN MARRIAGE (VI) months, depending on how fast you are getting your result and how much size you want added. Vigrx plus works better. When you also combine with an enlargement cream like Plump cream and this is where the work is, as you massage the Plump cream on your penis daily, do a little pulling at the penis as you massage and you’ll definitely see a good result within 4 weeks of usage. Im 55 years old and diabetic. A friend of mine came from the states and gave me the Golden sex capsule otherwise known as Vimax and it worked like magic on me cos my erection is so weak even at the point of penetration and since I’ve taken the Vimax, my sexual vigor has drastically improved and I’m feeling on top of the world. Do you have this Vimax? Agada Yes, Vimax The Golden sex pill is available and apart from the fact that it increases libido , stamina and urge; it gives very strong erection, corrects premature ejaculation and in some cases enlarges the organ and it’s a herbal supplement with no side effect. You can call the numbers below to get it. Vimax is perfect even for the hypertensives and anybody without health issue.

I got Xzen 1200 from you some weeks back and its working like magic, but I heard about Rhino 5 and Plant Vigra that they work better, can I give it a try? Cos I learnt it gives strong erection, stamina and size-AY You are very correct about Rhino 5 and Plant Vigra, they both give stamina, size and rock hard erection and you can give it a try, but if you feel Xzen 1200 works better for you, then stick with it. All the aphrodisiacs are herbal and are safe for use without any side effects What new sextoys do you have for women? I want to order variety – Bola Hello Bola, we have some new stocks like the Vibrating Mini make-up brush, Remote Control Dazzling dolphin , Moonlight pearl Rabbit, Mocha man, Ultimate rabbit pearl, Party all nite to mention a few. These are all we can take for this week. Adults who needs any of these aphrodisiacs can call 08034666358, 07059294782 or place your order at www.viewden.com. For further enquiries, send an email to us at: vieweden@yahoo.com, viewden@ymail.com. Kemi Fawole (MD VIEWDEN)

38—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

THE MEDIA AND GOVERNMENT:

Partners in development or sworn adversaries? BY FEMI ADESINA

eing Keynote Address by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, at the launch of NIGERIAN MEDIA LEADERS: VOICES BEYOND THE NEWSROOM, on September 22, 2015, at Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos It gives me great pleasure to be at this landmark event, which promises to be a significant milestone in the annals of journalism in Nigeria. NIGERIAN MEDIA LEADERS: VOICES BEYOND THE NEWSROOM is a project in which I was actively involved as President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). In my many encounters with Mr. Richard Ikiebe of the School of Media and Communication, Pan Atlantic University, he never ceased to bemoan the paucity, nay the almost complete absence of home grown books on Nigerian media history. And, as it is usually said, without knowing where you are coming from, you may not know where you are headed. You may not know, in the words of Chinua Achebe where the rain began to beat you, or whether you were actually still in the rain, or home and dry. But Ikiebe, a media scholar, did not just bemoan the lack of home grown texts and literature on Nigerian media. He decided to do something about it. Therefore, in conjunction and collaboration with his institution and the Nigerian Guild of Editors, the book project was given impetus, transcending the realm of ideas to, as it were, becoming flesh and blood. My immediate predecessor as NGE President, Mr Gbenga Adefaye, began the collaboration, and handed the baton to me at the expiration of his term in office. That same baton I recently handed to Mr. Garba Deen Muhammed, the new NGE President. Fortuitously, this book is being presented at a watershed time in the history of the country. The no nonsense former military ruler, who had enacted Decree 4, meant to gag and shackle the press in the performance of its

•Femi Adesina

legitimate duties, is now a converted democrat, and champion of freedom of that same press, seeing the institution as a vital building block in national development. Instead of an adversary, President Muhammadu Buhari, has turned full circle to see the media as allies, critical partners in the quest to build a worthy new Nigeria, a country that can hold its head high in the comity of nations. As we speak now, President Buhari is holding a mini summit of ECOWAS in Abuja, to fashion a way out of the Burkina Faso conundrum, where the military recently took over power. Because I had already given a commitment to be at this event, I had approached the President on the need to still keep faith, despite the crucial ECOWAS meeting he was hosting. When I explained to him the significance of the books being unveiled here today to the media industry, he willingly and delightfully gave his blessings. Thirty years ago, it is doubtful whether that would have happened. I believe this, in a rather imperceptible way, signposts the new reality in the relationship between government and media in the country. And that brings me to the crux of the matter. What should be the ideal relationship between government and the media at this critical juncture in the evolution of our country?

The President is now in a democratic mode, and has asked for the right hand of fellowship of the media

Should the media remain in an adversarial mode, or be more conciliatory, lending a critical hand as the government strives to build a new country, devoid of official corruption, greed and rapacity, a land where peace and justice shall reign, and no man is oppressed? The Nigerian media has always played critical roles at different epochs in the history of the country. Indeed, the media industry was virtually born into activism and stood to be counted in the colonial days, right through to Independence in 1960. We can

recall the roles played by Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ernest Ikoli, Anthony Enahoro, Mokwugo Okoye, and many others, in the march towards political independence, using the instrumentality of the media. In the days of military rule, Nigerian journalists equally refused to be cowed. Even when their heads were bloodied, they remained unbowed. They were battered, bruised, jailed and even killed, but they remained resolute till democracy was restored in our country. Can we ever forget the principled position taken by the media against the annulment of the election held on June 12, 1993, and won by Bashorun MKO Abiola? Not even the inscrutable expression of Gen Sani Abacha behind dark goggles was enough to frighten the media, though they paid heavy prices for their audacity. There were long closures, leading to severe economic losses, intimidations, even deaths. Eventually, the country returned to democratic ways in 1999 and has been trudging on since then, with the media maintaining critical alertness as the watchdog of the society, demanding nothing but the best in democratic ethos and ideals. Thirty years after he had been ousted in a military coup, President Buhari rode back to power on the wings of change and popular acclaim, this year. And contrary to the disposition in his first coming, when he

felt that freedom of the press must be tampered with, the President has turned full circle. His democratic convictions have also come with a realization, understanding and appreciation of the roles of free media in the evolution of a new Nigeria. The President is now in a democratic mode, and has asked for the right hand of fellowship of the media. And, what has the government done to display sincerity, and set the tone for collaboration with the media? It is striving to engender an environment that encourages freedom of the press. There is free access to information and no journalist is harassed or intimated, at least not from official circles. This will be maintained in the months and years ahead. In fact, no effort will be spared to assist journalists do their work as professionally as possible. Permit me to sound like a salesman for a couple of minutes. Yes, as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, I should be able to sell my principal and his ideals, or get the hell out of the job. And here’s the new Muhammadu Buhari and the media for you: In the run up to Nigeria’s historic 2015 presidential elections, certain people with deep pockets had sought to drown out the loud cries of CHANGE emanating from different corners of the country. They sponsored all manner of falsehood and smear campaigns against the then APC candidate, Muhammadu Buhari. In fact, they were in mortal fear of the man, and threw everything at him, including the kitchen sink. However, all the efforts failed. And, that resounding failure owed in large part to the efficacy of the Nigerian media, which, despite all the temptations to bend narratives and propagate untruth, still lent itself as a platform for the expression of the masses’ voices. On TV, radio, in newspapers, on the Internet, despite the dangling of financial inducement and patronages, the yearnings of the Nigerian people were still clearly portrayed. And the cry for CHANGE soon became one huge wave that swept into every nook and cranny of the country, as shown during the March 28 presidential elections. The rest, as they say, is history. Shortly after his election, President Buhari, in a meeting with the press, acknowledged the key role they played in bringing about the much desired change in the country. He thanked them for standing by him, for their support, even when he had no cash to dole out, unlike those he contested against. He also promised to work handContinues on page 39

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015—39

Joseph Mbu: Vilification of a crime fighter BY AUSTEN YOUNG

t is popularly said that “Silence is the best answer for a fool”. Silence is also said to be golden. But for Mr. Jiti Ogunye, regarded by one of Nigeria’s leading national newspapers as a “popular legal practitioner ”, silence is a crime that should be pelted with unprovoked attacks. The newspaper recently quoted Mr. Ogunye thus, “One is tempted to conclude that Mbu has left the Force because of his penchant for unguarded public utterances. It is not like him to keep quiet for so long. He is known to speak even more than the spokesperson of the Force. This made us to wonder if he is still in the service.” The “us” alluded to by Mr. Ogunye, meaning his types, is quite instructive. But I dare say quickly that lawyers should know that you do not attack a man who has done nothing to you. This certainly is not one of those instances where you can plead or hide behind justification to defame an Assistant Inspector General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. My concern, however, is on the true intent of the newspaper’s story. It appears to me like an arrangee stuff, with equally arrangee online responses, some of which bear no relevance to the story’s embers of hatred. AIG Joseph Mbu is the immediate past Assistance Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, covering Lagos and Ogun states. Six out of eleven paragraphs tried to demonize Mbu. The following were meant to revisit the past: “Mbu was at loggerheads with the then Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, when he was serving as CP in the state”; “Upon his redeployment to the Federal Capital Territory as CP in 2014, Mbu described himself as the lion who tamed the Leopard of Port Harcourt, apparently referring to Amaechi”; “While serving as CP in the FCT, he banned the #BringBackOurGirls group from holding street protests but the then IG, Mohammed Abubakar overruled him”; and “While he was redeployed to Lagos to oversee the 2015 general elections, he

•Joseph Mbu threatened to kill 10 persons for every policeman killed in the line of duty.” Inasmuch as I do not want to be seen as a police or Mbu’s apologist, it would amount to a disservice to the nation for those who are privy to the truth to allow anybody or organisation to mislead the public through deliberate falsehood. The issues Mbu was not redeployed to Lagos to oversee the 2015 elections. He addressed the press on assumption of duty that he was on routine posting as AIG Zone 2, covering Lagos and Ogun states. The election was coincidental. He never at any time threatened to kill 10 persons for every police man killed in the line of duty. The full text of what AIG Mbu said was transcribed from a video footage and published as full page advertorial in a national newspaper. Even those who invented that story could not controvert the true account. Some lawyers and civil society groups who swallowed the lies and jumped to court asking for Mbu’s dismissal from the police have since kept quiet after the court ruling. But wait a minute, was the election in Lagos supervised by AIG Mbu

not adjudged as the most credible and violent-free election ever witnessed in Lagos since 1999, for which Mbu was inducted into the CRAN Hall of Fame by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN)? The governors of Lagos and Ogun states were represented at the award ceremony and they spoke highly of the AIG. On the #BringBackOurGirls group, one wonders if the street protest is still going on. Have the 209 girls been brought back? Perhaps, one day, those who remember Mbu saying he was the lion that tamed the Leopard of Port Harcourt will also tell us what provoked that reaction. And finally, Mbu being at loggerheads with Amaechi was on principle; someone had to draw the line between a governor’s powers over a state commissioner of police and that of a civil commissioner appointed by the governor. Knowledge governs ignorance According to Madison (1968): “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power that knowledge gives.” The public, including journalists were ignorant of what truly transpired in Rivers State when Mbu was CP. Government business is most times shrouded in secrecy and there is no way government would have revealed the behind-the-scene causative factors of the face-off between the governor and CP. The police, being part of government would be the last to volunteer such information no matter the circumstance. Principal actors from Rivers have followed the media hunt long after Mbu was transferred from Rivers State. Why are we not surprised that every negative media report against Mbu must trace its roots to Rivers State! Media tyranny This latest act of media tyranny against Mbu is evidently contrived, not only to provoke the top flight cop, but to evoke negative sentiments against him in the public domain. The mischievous report

THE MEDIA AND GOVERNMENT: Partners in development or sworn adversaries? Continues from page 38

He assured that the same CHANGE in the areas of security, the economy and anti-corruption would also be seen and felt in the Nigerian government’s engagement with the media. He promised that his administration would mark a new beginning in government/media relationships. And that is where we are now, as the promises are being kept to the letter. Very significantly, on his very first day at the Presidential Villa, the President visited the State House Press Corps, where he interacted with them, and solicited their support. In this dispensation, the public and the press can expect statements on any issue of national concern, without having to rely on speculation or rumor. And, why not? It is the right of the public to know. And we, the media managers of the President, are guided by that fact. For us, it is a credo. If any issue of national importance arises, you can be sure that a press statement would soon provide further information and clarity. Gradually,

this strategy should soon lay to rest the sad culture of a section of the media publishing speculations that eventually turn out to be false. And, accessibility is our watchword. None of the President’s media aides is so big that the media does not have direct access to us. None of us is so sequestered from reality that we do not engage with the media and provide relevant information. Why then are we there to interface on behalf of our principal, if the media, particularly, cannot reach us? The whole idea is to let the public know what is going on, and in a timely manner, too. We remain committed to that. In the face of all these, one is then led to ask: Should the press remain in an adversarial mode? Should it be preoccupied with seeking the soft underbelly of government to stick a knife into? I leave the answer with this distinguished audience. One is by no means asking for a compliant, patronizing, manipulated and manipulative media. That will be

•Adesina a tragedy for any country. In fact, woe to the country that does not have critics, as the people would all sleep and face the same direction. Just as The Guardian Newspaper had observed in a recent editorial, “ rebuilding the nation is best done with constructive criticisms.” This government would appreciate such constructive criticisms, and so does not seek a media that is in bed with officialdom, but desires one that is a partner, not a forsworn adversary. That, I believe, should be the thrust and priorities of the Nigerian

reminds one of the outburst of John Swinton in a New York Press Club in 1953. Swinton was the Chief of Staff of the New York Times and he was considered the dean of the journalism profession. He made this bold confession: “…The business of the journalist is to destroy the truth, to lie outrightly, to pervert, to vilify, to fawn at the feet of mammon, and to sell his country and his race for his daily bread… We are tools and vassals of rich men behind the scenes. We are the jumping Jacks; they pull the string and we dance. Our talents, our possibilities and our lives are all the property of other men. We are intellectual prostitutes.” (Bill Hughes – The Secret Terrorist, pg. 126.) The question is, who is after Mbu behind the scene? His records of performance are daring and intimidating as DPO, Area Commander, CP Force Education Directorate, CP Police Mobile Force, CP Oyo State, CP Rivers, CP FCT, AIG Zone 7, Abuja and AIG Zone 2, Lagos. Mbu’s performance has earned him awards such as Best Crime Bursting Chief in Africa (2013) by Security Watch Africa in Johannesburg South Africa; Ethical Policing and Professionalism (2014) by the Be-Great Security & Intelligence Academy, at the Ghana Armed Forces and Command College, Accra; and the CRAN Hall of Fame (2015) by the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), Lagos, Nigeria. The Rivers State Police Command under him also received an award as Most Innovative Police Command (2013) by Security Watch Africa, in Johannesburg, South-Africa. He was recently honoured by Rotary International (2015) in Lagos. His posting to the Police Staff College, Jos, Plateau State, is routine. An AIG cannot resign or retire quietly without the press knowing about it through the office of the Force PRO. Joseph Mbu is an officer of few words. He certainly does not talk recklessly and the author of that newspaper story needs to dust up his lesson notes on media law. As for Ogunye, license to practice law is not license to destroy others. The bible says there is time for everything. For those who are afraid of Mbu’s profile, the masquerade does not remain masked forever. *Yong wrote in from Port Harcourt via agvmultiprojects@yahoo.com

media, without necessarily turning itself to a conniving and patronizing institution. The author, Richard Ikiebe, says VOICES BEYOND THE NEWSROOM seeks to “fill the foundational gaps in the study of Nigerian journalism,” and Chido Nwakanma, another media scholar says the work is “a labour of love for Nigerian journalism.” The love of Nigerian journalists for their profession has never been in doubt. That love will be further nurtured by the Buhari administration, even as it seeks further collaboration with the media, for the good of our motherland. The government will appreciate the interpretation of its visions and policies to the people. It will appreciate good counsel and constructive criticisms. It will listen, and make amends where necessary. It will serve, and serve faithfully. It will be an error to see vibrant, progressive media as we have in Nigeria, as adversaries. It would also be greater error for the media to see government, particularly a progressive one as we now have, as something to be harassed, hounded and hunted down. What we need is a middle of the road policy in which both institutions collaborate for the good and development of our country.

40—SATURDAY Vanguard Vanguard,, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

PIB: Please invite Buhari

igeria has now become a Buhari that is very enigmatic when we discuss how and what Nigeria should be, and in which direction she should be headed. In all spheres of Nigeria’s bureaucracy today the mention of that name Buhari conjures the image of a spirit that is everywhereand watching everybody. People now go to work early;though some on their desks actually pretend to be busy doing nothing. The common parlance in Nigeria today is that a new sheriff is in town. President Buhari says that leadership is a call to patriotism, and to him patriotism is the ability of a man to sacrifice all that is dear, dearer or dearest to him for the benefit of his country. Some have said that he is a true friend of Nigeria that should be held with both hands. So as I thought about this piece on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB)which for years could not scale throughthe National Assembly for inexplicable reasons, I felt that invoking the name of mysteriousPresident Buhari could make that bill become an act. From a sincere heart I believe that since the President inspires hope,it is for me tosayon the PIB:Please Invite Buhari. It is ironical that the National Assembly, (the privileged few who are the greatest beneficiaries of the milk cow called petroleum)does not want the bill passed.Whatever the issues that made them not to have passed the bill, should be resolved now with patriotic,

nationalistic, energetic and unflagging enthusiasm of senators and members overriding their personal interests. The PIB:‘’A Bill for an Act to Provide for the Establishment of a Legal, Fiscal and Regulatory Framework for the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria and Other Related Matters 2012’’. The bill proposed the establishment of a progressive fiscal framework that encourages further investment in the industry while optimizing revenues accruing to government. From my experience and interactions in the past two decades in the petroleum sector and as a member of the Middle East Petroleum Club, I know that the Billwill open up the 6000 investment opportunities when we refine a barrel of crude. It has also proposed a Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency. It makes the Agency a body corporate with perpetual succession. It means the Agency can sue and be sued.A good legal and regulatory framework is the main guarantee investors want. It can be fine-tuned even with its imperfections. In 1971, Nigeria was to join the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). A requirement was that a country must have a 51 percent equity stake in the industry. The then military government of General Yakubu Gowon promulgated the indigenization decree to increase Nigerians participation in businesses dominated by foreigners. With that law by fiat, the Nigerian National Oil Corporation (NNOC) was formed as the National Oil Company. The first Shell Refinery which is now Port

Harcourt 1 wasnationalized without a buy out of the facility. That was an albatross around Nigeria’s neck and contributed to the cast down of international oil companies’ further investment in refineries. Though the country built three more refineries in Warri (1978), Kaduna (1980) and the 2nd Port Harcourt (1989) and the Eleme Petrochemical Complex (1990) now privatized, we could not garner the managerial and technical competences for complex plants. We must now learn the rubrics and rudiments from our ‘masters’. The Obasanjo administration on 30th July, 1979 nationalized Shell and BP downstream facilities. A letter from the then NNPC Managing Director, Festus Marinho increased Nigeria’s participation to 100 percent in Shell-BP and BP Nigeria. These companies’ home government’s had links and supported the defunct apartheid regime in South Africa. Shell was changed to National and BP became

We may tinker and reform our legal and regulatory frameworks to accommodate the partnerships we yearningly desire with IOCs in the construction of refineries AP. That move may have been expedient then but I believe it was politically exuberantin playing the Big Brotherbenevolentrole in Africa without a clear-cutcost- benefit analysis of what we wanted from our political beneficiaries.That put the death knell on IOCs downstream investments in Nigeria. Our laws were decrees that could not be challenged and mostly crafted as ouster clauses. This reminds one of the last OPEC meeting of 5th June 2015 at its Vienna, Austria headquarters, where the alternate

President, HE Dr. Mohammed Bin Saleh Al-Sada, Ministerof Energy and Industry of Qatarthanked Ecuadorian delegation that briefed on the ongoing arbitration in a matter brought against Ecuador by Chevron Corporation and Texaco Petroleum Company. The Conference expressed its support to the Republic of Ecuador in the exercise of its sovereign rights over its natural resources, in accordance with international law, a right documented in the Algiers, Caracas and Riyadh Summit Declarations of OPEC Heads of State and Governments. OPEC called for amicable negotiation and a good faith resolution for the dispute within a framework of utmost respect for the sovereignty of the Republic of Ecuador, and without resorting to ex parte pre- judgment measures that would make impartial solutions more difficult. With inadequate legal and regulatory frameworks in Nigeria, corporate entities cannot enforce their rights. It became expedient for International Oil Companies (IOCs) to operate only in the upstream sector as it is today. If not how do we explain their heavy investment in the downstream sector in countries that are net oil importers, and worse still in non-oil producing consumer nations. Exxon Mobil Corporation of the United States, the largest refiner in the world has no refinery in Nigeria. It owns the ExxonMobil Refining & Supply Company in Singapore with a refining capacity of 605,000 barrels per day capacity. That refinery is the 5th largest in the world and its refining capacity is higher than our four refineries combined capacity of 445,000 barrels per day. Also, Shell the biggest player in Nigeria, owns the Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd Singapore with a refining capacity of 462,000 barrels per day. As a solution, we may tinker and reform our legal and regulatory frameworks to accommodate the partnerships we yearningly desire with IOCs in the construction of refineries. The way to go is the National Assembly Act.Please Invite Buhari.

he last piece here was on writers of distinction and again this piece takes up the same subject. Now before I continue. I want to reason out what make(s) some writers special, in other words, what distinguishes a writer – not in the sense that the writer is different from others – but more in the direction to which that writer is adjudged better than other. Distinction here, thus, is more of a consideration of merit than of feature or qualities that are special to either a writer or his/her work. Merit is a word I must be careful to use. I have always seen it in relation to value or worth, either from the aesthetic or utilitarian – pragmatic – perspective. Writers of distinction, therefore, become worthy – in the massive western bookstores or valuable writers – and of America, like Barnes and Noble, evaluating a writer is a and she may never make the bestseller shelf. Quite amusing! tough task. I am particularly not too While I believe the writer’s excited about the background may not be all too background of a writer, important, it nevertheless remains and this is indeed an very relevant. Writing is both a irony. What I mean is linguistic and cultural activity. that I, naturally, should There is no doubt that after be keen on who writes; colonialism, there is a flavor of whether serious or universality in the linguistic casual, African or non- segment of writing because most African, old or new, “writers of distinction” use the classical or modernist, linguistic patterns of Western conformist or non- Europe, who colonized virtually the conformist and on and on. rest of the world at a point. I think the writer’s However, the cultural aspect background has a way of creates a distinction (here, compartmentalizing the distinction relates to difference) writer, prejudging the between writers of various regions. writer and even pre- This is part of why it is possible to empting the writer. argue in the direction of African, American etc, Chimamanda Adichie, European, literatures. Reading Chimamanda the McArthur Foundation award winner Ngozi Adichie’s works leaves no and a writer of Nigerian doubt as to the culture that descent said some time produced the works, so the writer ago (thereabout 2010 may not have a choice as to where Farafina Foundation she belongs. Readers evaluate; Workshop) that she does readers comment; readers judge. There are writers of distinction in not like being referred to both serious and casual writings; as an “African writer.” This, I suppose, is part of African or Nigerian literature; old the issues associated with or new writings; classical or the writer’s background. modern literature; conformist of (rebel or To her, chiseling her into non-conformist “African” translates to revolutionary) writings; etc. putting her works on the Distinction is attainment of a level of universal shelf – a little one indeed certain

The writ er tinction 2 writer erss of dis distinction

C M Y K

acknowledgement of merit, both from the linguistic and cultural considerations. The value of a work of literature draws upon the qualities of its “form and content.” Sometimes, I wonder how decisions are reached in the award of literary prizes. I really do not believe in such prizes, maybe because I have not been opportune to win any and if and when I do, I may have a change of mind. However, I have been involved in judgment for a prize. I know that literary excellence should not be legislated, or influence by some extraneous issues, precisely, some extra-literary consideration, but it is difficult for it not to be so. Media attention, critical analyses and critical interests, political and propaganda issues, ideological consideration and other unbelievable variables from the Ivory Tower come into play. Let me go somewhat back to look at our notion of distinction, with African writing in perspective. Serious African writing started thereabout the third decade of the 20 th century in far away Paris, France. A group of African students had identified themselves through writing and resolved to lay bare their inherent “Black Consciousness” to the entire world. By this, it means that the first canons of what would be accepted as Modern Africa literature boomed outside Africa. This is what

we have been told. It is worthy of all acceptability (to echo St. Paul the Apostle), but this is only in relation to literature as a linguistic activity … “Written African Literature.” There were a number of African students, but the most heard of were the likes of Aime Cesaire, Leopold Sedar Senghor, Leon Damas, David Diop and Birago Diop. They might not have been the only or the most important of the writers then, but they became, somehow the front liners. Even though records have it, according to the literary critic, Gerard Moore, that the loudest and most resounding of their writings was Aime Cesaire’s Cahier d’un Retour au Pays Natal (Journal of a Return to my Native Country [1939]), however, the most distinct and distinguished writer of this period became Leopold Sedar Senghor. A number of issues would have been considered in canonizing Senghor as the dean of Modern African Literature. Part of them include: the ideological – Senghor championed the new ideology and philosophy of Negritude, even though, the word Negritude was first located in Cesaire’s poem Cahier d’un Retour au Pays Natal (Journal of a Return to my Native Country [1939]); the cultural – Senghor, again had a wealth of knowledge of African culture, being that he was nurtured in and by Africa before relocating to France while the likes of Cesaire were descendants of African slaves

taken to the West Indies; Senghor, also had a considerable control of the language of expression (French), being that he was extremely competent in both oral and written communication in French (it is on record that he was a member of the council for the control of the use of French Language eventually); and perhaps lastly and the most significant, political – Senghor became a frontline politician and was going to be the first President of his country Senegal, at independence and later to be the first elected African President to voluntarily hand over power to another leader (it is on record that Gen Olusegun of Nigeria was the first African Head of State to voluntarily hand over power to another leader). Here, I am trying to recall the foundation on which writing towards distinction would be built in Africa. I am also trying to identify the bricks that would be used in constructing distinction in writing. These Africans in Paris France wrote under special circumstances. It must be clearly stated that they were assimilated French people, but they realized that they needed to tell the world who they were (or who we are) and that gave birth to the consciousness of “Blackness” which developed into the ideology of Negritude. In their endeavours, there are cultural, political, and linguistic elements, all of which combine to generate the early African Literature. They formed the first phase of writers of distinction. These writers are very distinct because they placed Africa on the map of world literatures.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015—41

“Before raping me, he would say prayers”, reveals Yazidi woman raped by ‘American jihadi’ •To testify before U.S. Congress

t was an ordeal that nightmares are made of. A 20-year-old Yazidi woman, who says she was held as a sex slave by ISIS, told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in an exclusive interview that her captor was a fighter who told her he was from the United States. The victim, who asked to be called “Bazi” (not her real name) is now in the U.S. to testify to Congress about her allegations against the American – and to push the FBI to press charges against the man she said went by the name of Abu Abdullah Al Amriki (Abu Abdullah the American). The woman’s story could not be independently verified. The human rights group Hardwired assisted her in going to the U.S. Her captor “was very white,” Bazi told Amanpour in Washington. “He was a little bit taller than me, with a black beard, black hair. I also saw his own family. He had a wife and two children, a son and a daughter.” That family, she said, still lived in the United States; he

claimed he was able to visit them several times. He claimed he had been a teacher in America, and showed her pictures of his family, she said. Bazi told Amanpour she was captured by ISIS when the extremist group overran the city of Sinjar in Iraq, in August 2014. She was taken to Raqqa, Syria, which ISIS claims for its capital. There, she was auctioned off as a slave along with 10 other girls. The American, she said, sold off the nine other girls and kept her for himself.

‘Before raping me, he would pray...’ In the hands of a member of ISIS, the punishment for not being a Muslim was horrible. “He was talking in a bad way about the church,” Bazi said. “He said, ‘I wasn’t awake in my life ... until I was converted to Islam.’ He said this is the right path for me and for everyone to live on this planet, to become Muslim.” “He was telling us we should go back to the Prophet’s age, where we

force everyone to become Muslim. Everybody should be a Muslim – either be a Muslim or die.” The American, however, seemed content to keep Bazi as a slave for his sexual pleasure – albeit one, as a non-Muslim, that required him to cleanse himself after the act was done. “Before raping me, he would pray for like fifteen minutes or half an hour. And after that, even if it was 2 a.m., 3 a.m., after raping me, he would go take a shower and pray again.” After several attempts, escape Despite the horrors she faced, Bazi said her thoughts were with the other girls. “The first time he raped me, he tried to rape the other girl who was with me, but I told him since I felt I’m already raped, I don’t want the other one [to be raped]. So I became responsible for the other one. “I told him, you do this to me, you can have me. Please don’t hurt her and don’t do

anything to her. “I told him to treat her as a servant for him, because he was sheikh, an emir, so he would just have her as a servant. “So I convinced him the whole time until we were able to escape from his house.” Her eventual escape came after several failed attempts. She told Amanpour that on her successful attempt, she managed to make it to a nearby shop and call her family. Her family knew people in ISIS-held territory who worked to get girls out of Syria. “I was never able to even think about getting out of there, since – although I tried many times, all the time I was aware that I will fail. And so even now, I don’t believe how did I made it. “Everybody talks about this subject because it’s sensitive,” Bazi said. “But when it comes to the action, nobody does nothing.”

Caribbean village where girls turn into boys

Children thought to be female grow penis at puberty due to rare genetic disorder

IRLS in a remote Caribbean village are becoming boys when they hit puberty due to a rare genetic disorder. One in 90 children born in Salinas in the Dominican Republic grow a penis in a natural transformation from female to male. Known as the guevedoces, which translates as penis at 12, these youngsters are referred to in medical terms as “pseudohermaphrodite”. It is so common to be a pseudohermaphrodite in Salinas that it is accepted as a third sex, alongside male and female. The phenomenon is explored in a new BBC2 series called Countdown to Life – the Extraordinary Making of You. Presenters meet Johnny, 24, who is physically and biologically male but was once known as Felicitia. As a child, he did not have a penis and was brought up as a C M Y K

girl. He said: “I remember I used to wear a little red dress. I was born at home instead of in a hospital. They didn’t know what sex I was. “I went to school and I used to wear my skirt. I never liked to dress as a girl. When they bought me girls toys I never bothered playing with them. All I wanted to do was play

Dr: Dr Michael Mosley will meet the girls who morph into boys

with the boys.” The rare genetic disorder is caused by a missing enzyme which prevents the production of the male sex hormone dihydrotestosterone in the womb. It creates what looks like a baby girl on birth. But at puberty, when testosterone flows, their voices break and they grow a male sexual reproductive

•Catherine and his cousin Carla organ that they become recognised as male. BBC presenter Dr Michael Mosley said: “Guevedoces are also sometimes called ‘machihembras’ meaning ‘first a woman, then a man.’ “When they’re born they look like girls with no testes and what appears to be a vagina. “It is only when they near puberty that the penis grows and testicles descend.” The guevedoces were first studied by Cornell University endocrinologist Dr Julianne Imperato in the 1970s. She travelled to the region to learn more about rumours that girls were morphing into boys. •Johnny grew up as a girl

42—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

TRAGEDY:

Anambra community sends SOS to Obiano, Buhari

… As erosion kills over 15, destroy homes C M Y K

BY VINCENT UJUMADU, AWKA

OR the people of Umuogbo Obiofia, Nnewichi in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra State, life has become a nightmare as a cross section of residents have become refugees, fleeing the community as ravaging flood from gully erosion continues to submerge houses there by the day. One of the latest victims of the flood invasion is a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Christopher Enem, who reportedly took ill when it became obvious that he may lose his house to the erosion. Days later, Enem died and weeks after his burial, the flood apparently made good its threat and consumed Enem’s house, grave and all. In a similar incident, villagers forced a woman out of her house when she was reluctant to leave and moments after she was evacuated, the house fell into the gully. As at the last count, the flood in the community has submerged well over 25 houses and more are still going down, killing some 15

persons. A number of the victims lost their lives as the flood swept away their houses while they slept at night. One of the victims, Hyacinth Orji, had his house submerged early this week while another resident, Joseph Atueyi has abandoned his mansion for fear of being swallowed by the rampaging flood. Some others who have fled their houses and currently residing with their families elsewhere in another part of the community also include Felix Enemchukwu, Christopher Elodinmuo, Ifedigbo Augustine, Paul Ifedigbo, Ernest Enemchukwu, Vincent Okafor, Joseph Okeke, Innocent Atueyi, Jonathan Okonkwo, Johnson Igwilo, Simon Igwilo and Nnamdi Okonkwo. When Saturday Vanguard visited the community, residents lamented that apart from the houses, they have also lost hundreds of economic trees to the flood, washing away their means of livelihood. A woman, Mrs. Angela Okonkwo said before the erosion menace, she used to make substantial amount of money from products of the economic trees, regretting that she woke up one day to discover that her family’s farm land which used to be on a flat land had a deep gully at its center.

Continues on page 43

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015—43

Continues from page 42 According to her, after days of heavy rainfall, the entire area was completely washed away and the houses and trees there destroyed. Another resident, Chief Bob Obi Okonkwo, whose house is very close to the erosion site, told Saturday Vanguard that he has spent over N20 million trying to fortify his residence but fears that he may lose the battle. According to him, “on several occasions in the past, we made representations to government and they gave us trees to plant in the affected areas. But no sooner did we do this than these trees were washed away and created more damage for the community. “When Dr. Ngige was governor, he visited here with members of his cabinet and promised to tackle the menace, but he did not stay long to actualize it. “In 2013, the member representing Nnewi North// Nnewi South/Ekwusigo federal constituency, Mr. Chris Azubogu, visited here and we gave him a document concerning the erosion menace, but nothing was done throughout the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan. “We hope that with Azubogu returning to the House of Representatives, he will follow up the matter more vigorously.” Residents recall that their problem started way back in 1983 from what they called a small pit which later developed into a big hole “and before we could do anything, the menace had spread like a wild fire.” Within months, the gully stretched to a long distance and advanced menacingly towards the residential areas. That was when they realized that the handshake had passed the elbow and they began to raise alarm. They were later to discover that the source of the erosion was the flood coming from neighbouring towns of Alo, Adazi Ani, Nnobi, Otolo Nnewi, Ojoto, Awka Etiti, among other areas, which empty into the Agu stream popularly called Mmili Agu that flows through Obiofia community. The traditional ruler of Nnewichi, His Highness, Obi George A. Onyeka, said on the part of the community, everything C M Y K

Anambra community sends SOS to Obiano, Buhari

•What used to be a flat land at Nnewichi now a gully erosion site. (Inset) His Highness, Obi George Onyeka, Obi of Nnewichi

humanly possible had been done to control the menace from spreading further. He said for instance, that every week, town criers call people out to work on all the erosion sites during which receptive pits are dug and tress planted while those whose houses are badly threatened are advised on measures to take. The traditional ruler said that, “so far, the community has spent over N150 million on its own to fight this devastation but it was just like pouring water into the ocean. The most painful aspect of it is that we use hundreds of bags of cement to build concrete structures only for them to be washed away soon after.” Reports indicate that the state government was forced to abandon a road project from Nnewichi to Nnobi when the gully erosion cut off the road in the middle of the construction work. The portion of the road, already constructed during the administration of Dame Virgy Etiaba, currently leads to nowhere as the road has since been blocked with concrete slabs. In a Save Our Soul message to the member representing the area at the National Assembly, the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment and her Local Government counterpart, the Umuogbo Obiofia Community Development in Nnewichi, Nnewi, the community said that, “our case is well known to this government but this time

around, a new erosion gully caused by a combined flood from Ichida, Awka Etiti, Nnokwa and Nnobi, has created another monstrous gully which is advancing into the nucleus of the community. “This new gully has joined the existing one and has created a refugee problem for the state government and our people and that is why it has to be checked. “Most of our farm lands, residential buildings and compounds are being washed away and many people, including Cyril Ojukwu, Mrs. Obiagboso and a member of Obiofia Vigilante Group, have lost their lives to this flood in recent time,” the letter said. For Emma Orji, the fact that lives of Nigerians have been lost and more threatened should make their case not only a state concern but also that of the Federal Government. Orji is an Nnewi business man based in Lagos but whose home in Nnewi and those of many others are no longer at ease. He shuttles between Lagos and Nnewi in search of solution that he feels should come from the state government and national coffers. “It is an emergency situation,” he says in a quaking voice. “The State government and the Federal Government should help. Erosion is destroying homes and killing our people. We are calling on governor Willy Obiano and President Buhari to come to our rescue. It is clear our problem is beyond what community effort can solve. We need state and national assistance. People are dying and their action can stop this menace.”

•Abandoned house

•Another Abandoned house

•The Nnweichi -Nnobi road abandoned because of the erosion

44—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

You’re You’re my myfather father —Student —Student

•Ola...in dilemma over his paternity row!

No, I’m not, please – Ex -Lawmaker

•Honourable Sulyman Warah

Row over paternity of 21-year-old boy even after DNA test BY DEMOLA AKINYEMI ILORIN- For shola Olusola Warah, 21, a student of Federal College of Technology,Akure,these are not the best of times. The absence of a fatherly care over the years,didn’t really mean much to him until recently when he was offered admission to College of Technology Akure,in Ondo state and he started mingling with friends and other course mates. Shola Olusola Warah, a native of Ilorin in Ilorin West local government area of kwara state, in company of his mother Sarah and other members of the family was looking psychologically distraught when they visited Saturday Vanguard office in ilorin last week to narrate their dilemma. But Honourable Sulyman Warah,immediate past member of Kwara state house of assembly ,now married to another woman with four girls still denied that Sola is his biological son even though he admitted that he dated her mother several years ago. The pressure being mounted on him at critical moment of his political life,according to him, prompted him to accept to do a DNA test so as to put the case

behind him once and for all. Confusion followed when the result did not confirm him as Shola’s father. Hon Sulyman Warah also said he was ready to follow them to carry out another DNA test elsewhere. Shola suspected a strong foul play that his father had used his political influence against them and therefore brought a petition over DNA test carried out by one diagnostic centre in Ilorin which stated that Warah was not his father. During clarification with Saturday Vanguard,with nostalgia, Sola said he could have possibly poisoned himself among other nasty things he thought about if not for the strong faith he had in God which has been keeping him going in life. According to him,”Many times when I’m among my friends in school,and they begin to tell stories of what their fathers did for them I always feel terrible that I don’t have such stories to tell,” he said, his eyes heavy with tears. “Many times I’m frustrated but my faith in God and the knowledge about life have kept me alive because I have a very strong hope that I will make it in life”.he says. “At 23, I don’t want anything

from him,just for him to accept me as his son. I know that my God that had kept me till now will see me to the top. I want to know my biological father so that I can be psychologically balanced for life. I won’t be an outcast whenever I’m in the midst of people discussing their fathers. For all I know, I did not drop from heaven, I have never heard or read anything like that across the globe. Somebody must have been responsible for the pregnancy that led to my birth.” On how he knew that, Honourable Warah is his father,he quipped,”Its only a woman that can tell the real father of a child,so when my mother told me about the whole scenario, I believed her” The mother now in tears being consoled by relations who accompanied them recalled her love life with the former member of kwara state House of Assembly some twenty nine years ago which later culminated into the birth of Sola. Ishola’s mother, Afusat is a businesswoman in Ilorin who has also married another man with children. Madam Afusat told Saturday Vanguard that she had a love

relationship with Honourable Sulyman Warah, when she was in Ilorin Grammar School, (IGS), Ilorin, while Alhaji Warah was in a university some 29 years ago. She said that Warah’s people and friends knew about their relationship and her pregnancy, adding that later Warah denied responsibility till date, “because of the fear that his parents could stop financing his education”. Recently, when the agitation from the young man becmae unbearable to the mother, Afusat said she met with Warah on the need to have a DNA test conducted to finally resolve the age-long and lingering argument. Thus, they collectively agreed to approach the Diagnostic Centre in Ilorin, where sample was collected and test conducted to decide the matter once and for all. Interestingly, the result allegedly showed that Warah is not the biological father. However, Shola, his mother and the people from his side smelt a rat and suspected foul play in the manner the test

Continues on page 45

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015—45

Continues from page 44 was conducted. Therefore, the boy, Shola and his people have petitioned the diagnostic centre, and copied the medical and dental council of Nigeria, Abuja, Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ in the state and Legal Aid Council, Kwara state chapter on the alleged unethical practice/breach of agreement of the Centre and its staff. The petition reads as follow: This is to bring to the knowledge of the management and the public a case of unethical practice / breach of agreement by the (name withheld) centre, Ilorin. On September 3, 2015, myself, my mother and two other witnesses from my end, as a party, my alleged father, Engr. SHEU Sulyman Warah who denied my paternity for 23 years, his new wife and one Mr. Idris as another party were present at the diagnostic centre for DNA test to determine my paternity that has been in dispute. The sample of our saliva were taken (myself and Engr. Sulyman Warah) and the doctor on duty immediately sent for a courier service rider to dispatch the specimen to Lagos for a laboratory test and he informed that the result shall be opened in the presence of all the witnesses in a few days time. We all departed in good faith. “I was called to show up at the centre and all the parties involved, we showed up and my grandfather, Alhaji Ajamajebi who was not initially present showed up but one of my witnesses could not be present. In line with our earlier agreement, I thought the result would be brought in sealed envelope but the doctor merely read from his laptop a mail sent to his e-mail box. “This negates our earlier agreement, there is a foul play, we left our e-mail behind on the first day, no messages was sent to me. “Thus, I am not convinced that the samples were sent anywhere. “The result was printed on the letterhead paper of the diagnostic centre in our presence. “We politely protested but the doctor on duty simply told us he had a right to do whatever he liked. “There is a compromise between the doctor and my alleged father. This is fraudulent and unethical of a supposed reputable diagnostic centre. “I therefore want to implore the management of the centre to : Investigate this matter with a view to redeeming the image of the

In our presence, he opened his email and read the result out to us all. I have a copy here. I am not a medical doctor. The result said that the alleged father is not the biological father of the tested child. The conclusion is based on the non-matching of the specimen etc.

•Sola's mother, Aishat

Row over paternity of 21-yearold boy even after DNA test organization. The doctor on duty should be questioned because something is definitely wrong. There is a compromise along the line. I hereby demand that another test be done on a neutral ground”, the petition read. But,in his own explanation,Honourable (Engr)Sulyman Warah said he is not the biological father of the young man, adding that he would make himself available at any time for the DNA test at any other place they choose. His words: “Let me first commend you for your sense of professionalism. Having heard from the other party, you thought it wise to hear from me

as well. To put the record straight, fine I knew this girl some 24 years ago or there about. I was in the university then. Shortly after, I didn’t hear anything from her until about two years later. I was even away. I was not in Ilorin then. She took a kid to my family house. A two-year old kid. And of course, my parents protested, saying how could they accept that when their son was not even around. Anytime he’s in town they would look for her and that two of us would see eye to eye to straighten things between two of us. And we never saw her again until years later. “When she came around again, I said it’s ok, let’s go for a test. And that was all. When I was preparing to contest for an election then in 2007, she came briefly. I was not around.

She was asked where she had been all along since we’ve agreed to run a test. So, that was it until, I think, early this year. That was the first time I was seeing the son in question. “We now agreed,thank God we now have a reputable diagnostic centre where we can have that test done. Appointment was fixed, we went there. I paid the fee of N75, 000 for the test. Sincerely speaking, the first time I entered that place was the first time I met the guy that conducted the test. And the second time I was meeting him was when we went for the result. “We went there and the man asked us salient questions; are we conducting the test for peace of mind or judicial purposes? And the two parties agreed that it was just to clear our conscience. I didn’t know there were different types of tests for different purposes. The test was done and some few days later, I was called by the man that the result was ready. The other party was called too. We attended. “And the guy opened his e-mail, having made us to realise that they have a partner in the US and that they don’t run the test in their own lab there. He said the specimen would be taken and through courier to their partner in the US. Which was what the guy did. He said that the result would be sent to his e-mail. “ In our presence, he opened his e-mail and read the result out to us all. I have a copy here. I am not a medical doctor. The result said that the alleged father is not the biological father of the tested child. The conclusion is based on the non-matching of the specimen etc. “When the aunt of the mother of the boy said she suspected foul play, sincerely speaking, what I said was that, if you are not comfortable with this result, I am available. Let’s go somewhere else and re-do it. If the son is mime, I will accept him. But I can’t take whats not mine. Since then, you have not come back to me to say we should do it somewhere else. “The next thing I was seeing was social media attack as if there’s something sinister or they were being sent by some political opponents. I have started to think of probably there are some other matters behind all this. Because, if not having given you my words, why all this? They were just cooking up story for people to attract pity. If they want to go anywhere else, I am ready.

46—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

BY CHIOMA OBINNA

At this point, Charity was faced with the psychological trauma of having to live with only one breast. “I cried till my eyes almost went off. Fear was an unwelcome but persistent guest at this point for me. I couldn’t hide it any more or live in denial. It was time to tell my family members, except for my parents who were already old,” she said. “I was told there was no more time to waste, so the doctor who was attending to me in Lagos

diagnosis of cancer is bad, but a diagnosis of cancer in Nigeria is often described as end of the road. Ask any of the thousands of cancer survivors and several millions of persons living with cancer and they will tell you about the many faces of cancer. None of these faces are pretty. They depict fear, sadness and helplessness. They tell the story of a disease that is not in any way complimentary or attractive to livelihood. Experiences of the personalities behind these faces reveal the challenges they face on daily basis as they struggle to cope with the dreaded disease. They narrate how they spend their life savings, and how even their loved ones suffer in their effort to support their cause and ensure that they raise the needed funds required for diagnosis, treatment and management of the killer disease. Take the case of 32-year-old Josephine, who was one of the several cancer patients that gathered this week at the monthly support meeting of breast cancer survivors’ forum, put together in Lagos by the Care Organisation Public Enlightenment, COPE. Josephine’s entrance caused a sensation. Hers was the typical face of cancer. The disease manifested itself severally on her. Writhing in pains, with a swollen right hand and air of sickness that hung around her, none present at the venue needed a soothsayer to explain that the real face of cancer had arrived. Accompanied by her relative, Josephine was restless even when the Executive Director of COPE handed her a cheque worth a sizeable amount as part of the organisation’s support for her treatment. Josephine was at pains to collect the cheque or sign for it. The clock was ticking for Josephine. Her case is one of the many faces of cancer. Others present at the event could be said to be luckier as they coped

rather better despite the odds. Many of the over 30 survivors at the monthly support group has a unique story of hope, encouragement, determination and zeal to beat cancer. From one survivor to the other, their heart-rending stories could not but draw tears even from a stony heart. For these happy survivors, it was time to share love, care and hope for Nigerians facing threat of cancer. Grace, a two year survivor, described cancer as always bringing out the loneliness in a person even when surrounded by loved ones. For her, it’s a lonely road. “I practically lived in my world all through the period, although my family members stood by me, none of them really understood what I was going through, but everyone got tired of me because we were all ignorant of cancer symptoms.” Although, Grace survived cancer, she was not too lucky as she presented late to the hospital. Due to the delay, Grace lost her two breasts to cancer. For her, ignorance and fear about the disease delayed her surgery which she later paid dearly. Her thought before she joined COPE group was that she

*Cancer survivors

LIVING WITH CANCER:

We are down but not out ...survivors narrate experiences has little time to live. “I felt very depressed for a long while. Then I started

But her fighting spirit told her victory. “It's two years now since I did the surgery and I have as well finished my chemotherapy session. By God’s grace I am free from cancer,” she said

reading about breast cancer and treatment processes in Nigeria. It was during the process I met COPE and I joined the support group.” She said the courage to undergo mastectomy in the two breasts came from the organisation. “I am happy today because I may be down for cancer but not out in anyway.” But her fighting spirit told her victory. “It’s two years now since I did the surgery and I have as well finished my chemotherapy session. By God’s grace I am free from cancer,” she said. For another survivor, Charity

Ikem, her courage to live was part of the reasons she was not consumed by breast cancer. According to her, one thing anybody suffering from one form of cancer or the other will do to survive cancer is to show strength and shame the disease. “It all started as a small lump in my right breast early last year. It was never an issue for me to check my breasts at any available opportunity, but this faithful day, I got the shock of my life when I found a lump on my right breast. At that point, I wasn’t sure if it was actually a cancerous lump, so I approached a colleague who took me to an examination centre at Redemption camp, Lagos.” Upon examination, it turned out to be a lump needing serious attention and she was asked to do further tests to Know if it was benign or cancerous. “When they tested further, it was confirmed that it was cancerous. That was how my life as a frequent hospital guest

began,” she added. Like the saying, “It might be you tomorrow”, Charity during her Youth Service Corp days, prior to being diagnosed with breast cancer was involved in an enlightenment project for women as part of her primary assignment on self

breast examination and early cancer screening. Little did she know that few years after, she would become a cancer patient after all. With the diagnosis, Charity was taken aback. Just like other Nigerians, Charity could not visit the hospital immediately, rather she took a step of faith to pray and ask God for guidance. As a good Christian, Charity embarked on months of

fasting and praying. Unfortunately, the cancer continued to grow. Sadly, the lump then spread to the lymph nodes in her armpit. “I waited for about six more months. But November last year, I found out my right breast was getting much bigger than the other one. Most times, I had to put something on the left breast to make them look even,” she noted. And then, the verdict came from the doctor when she eventually went back. It was time to cut off the breast, as it was already beyond mere removal of the lump. The cancer had grown worse and was aggressive. I was told if I do not remove the breast that it would be the least of my worries, as the cancer would in no time spread beyond the armpit, as well as move to my second breast.

State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, asked me go to a private clinic since government doctors were on strike. I ended up paying N250, 000 and the operation was done successfully,” she explained. With the successful surgery, Charity who expressed hope said she has conquered cancer not only because she had a good immune system against diseases but also because she took the hard part and went in for the surgery, as well as her resolve not to delay any longer, as that was the major reason most cancer patients end up dying. On other factors that led her on to shame cancer, she said COPE played a vital role in her treatment. “When I was psychologically down, the organisation gave me hope, which also in turn, made me to go for the surgery without thinking about the treatment which for me then was a further death sentence.” Corroborating their views during a special monthly support group meeting organised by COPE recently in Lagos, where cheques were handed over to some of the survivors for their continued treatment, the Chief Executive Officer of COPE, Mrs. Ebunola Anozie, who noted that millions of Nigerian women are suffering from breast cancer advocated for the establishment of a Comprehensive Cancer Care Centres across the country to address the epidemic of the disease. Anozie who explained that to her, the poor and costly state of Nigeria’s cancer treatment and diagnosis units in most hospitals in the country were nothing to write home about. “We need these treatment centres in Lagos State, so that people do not have to fly abroad anymore for treatment. Not everyone can afford treatment or even diagnosis abroad and many people have died because they do not have money for treatment,” she said. Anozie who also lit up different colourful candles as a way of lifting up their spirit after demise of one the survivors said public spirited individuals, the government and various corporate organisations should reach out to cancer patients in the country and provide needed care, as this may be the hope for the patients to carry on with life. “Cancer treatment is expensive, especially in Nigeria and when we write to people for funds sometimes, some wonderful people donate but many others simply ignore. Anyone could be diagnosed with cancer and the treatment is so expensive that some people go bankrupt from it. Every form of help from the society would help a lot,” Anozie said. The high point of the meeting was the distribution of cheques and other gift items to the survivors as part of efforts to support them through the course of their treatments.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26 26,, 2015—47

bunmsof@yahoo.co.uk

Do you regret having an abortion? Y

ou’re young and a little tipsy, a delightful guy chats you up, you drink some more cheap booze that was available at the party and end up at one or the other’s place. Then you listen to more music, laugh and drink whatever alcohol is available... ending up in bed together. In the morning, you can hardly remember what happened, let alone whether you used contraception. More women will recognise this type of scenario than will want to admit it. The million-dollar question is: Have you been there? “I have,” readily confessed Adaora, a happily married beautician now in her 40s. “I had an abortion in my first year at university over 25 years ago. Some things don’t change, do they? Of course, we were all told to stare clear of dates with men as such behaviour was not to be encouraged—not least because it could end in not just tears, but a baby or an abortion. Even in those days, for many of us who had an abortion, it was no big deal.

being reckless with your fertility and then irresponsibly and stupidly dithering so long about an unwanted pregnancy that an abortion is carried out very late.”

having an abortion as early as possible was wise and right. It was not about a lifestyle choice—it was about realising that the decision to bring a child into this world was the most

It’s amazing how much forgiveness a bank balance can buy!

ith my parents breathing down my back to take control of my life, I had a lot of growing up to do when I discovered I was pregnant. Horrified at having a baby whilst in the university, my future looking so rosy, I saw no choice —-1 wanted an abortion. “But I was scared— neither I nor the geek who got me pregnant knew anything about how to get one. With me virtually dying of fright, I told my mother, expecting the heavens to fall. To my relief and surprise, I discovered that my super-efficient, academic mother was not as furious as I’d expected. My mother confessed that when she was a student in the 60s, she too had an abortion. According to her, it was the right decision for her to make and she efficiently arranged for me to have one. She made me realise that

serious you could make. I mean which is worse: to bring an unwanted baby into a chaotic life or to terminate the pregnancy at the earliest possible moment? “To me, the ‘crime’ is

have often received letters to my advice column expressing guilt at abortions carried out years earlier—and naturally, I sympathise. What else can I do? Yet there is another side—those women who know they have made the right decision and vow to get on with their lives. When I asked Adaora how often she thinks about the abortion she had all those years ago, she replied without hesitation: “I

think about it once in a while and than I get sad. But I never regret it. I can honestly say I’ve never felt bad about having a very early termination at the end of 1989. The decision freed me to complete my studies, get married to a responsible man with whom I now have three adorable children, and run a fairly successful business…” No advice columnist likes the thoughtless cliches such as ‘Get over it’ and ‘Move on’. Yet sometimes we have to accept what happens to us—accept the sadness as well as the change and continue with life. “We all make mistakes and have to deal with the consequences, but that doesn’t mean there is no possibility of a happy ending— just as I did, and just as many thousands of women have, whether they will admit it or not,” concludes Adaora.

My mother confessed that when she was a student in the 60s, she too had an abortion

hen the scandal broke, we all thought Muyi had really burnt his fingers this time. A serial philander, Tutu, his long-suffering wife of over 20 years had kept on forgiving his indiscretions. He has a nice way of apologizing— expensive trips abroad so Tutu could see after their three children’s well-being and give them treats they desire. On top of which she always gets a loaded credit card so she could do her shopping in the most expensive shops. With all these freebies, what’s a little thing like her hubby always running wild amongst women young enough to be his daughter? Only this time, it was the daughter of a very close friend. As a matter of fact, Tutu is godmother to one of their children. Now the girl is not only pregnant, she’s refused to get rid of the pregnancy. “I still can’t get over Muyi’s betrayal,’ said Lola, the pregnant girl’s mother. “What Muyi did was almost incestuous. This isn’t just one of his flings, it is a double betrayal and for Tutu to continue to ‘stand by her man’ so easily means she’s all along resigned herself to a lifetime of bitterness. By letting him get away with luring our daughter into bed, she’s given him the go ahead to even bonk his own daughter! Does she have no shame? No self respect?” Being married to a monster like Muyi is worse than a nightmare. Every phone call, every text message, every late night out will be loaded with suspicion. Every morning, she’ll wake up and ask herself, is he at

it again? Every time he touches her, she’ll wonder if he’s comparing her with someone else... Sadly, that’s the choice Tutu has made. What a life! She’s made people believe she loves her husband to distraction. That they ‘ve known each other since they were in secondary school. Sadly he’s been hurting her almost as soon as they got married. Ritual humiliation is now as much a part of her as the expensive holidays her husband always bribes her with. Only you wonder how much she would have put up with if instead of a wealthy industrialist, Muyi had been a level 08 Civil Servant. It is amazing how much forgiveness a fat bank balance can buy! “As my daughter’s godmother, Tutu has shown her a bad example.” Continues Lola. “She’s only 22 and an undergraduate, but Muyi has so spoilt her with money and she sees the pregnancy as her permanent ticket on the gravy train. Short of kidnapping her and forcing her to have a termination, all we could do is resign ourselves to the horrible fate Muyi has thrown his family and mine into. It is sad that money could obliterate any value or morality a rich man could have. If you’re hitched to a rich man, you’ve more or less signed a pact with the Devil—to love, honour and become a door-mat. “Sadly, that’s the type of life my daughter has plunged herself into at such a tender age. I hope by the time she learns her lesson, her bank account would justify the humiliation that’s sure to follow...”

48—SATURDAY

Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 YETUNDE AREBI Yetty5050@yahoo.co.uk tweeterhandle@yetundearebi 08054700825

Sometimes, it takes more than two to tango!

t takes two to tango, a saying goes! If two people want to be together, genuinely, then hardly will anyone be able to pull them apart. Unfortunately, it is not all the time that this happens. Experience has taught us that relationships are sacred and delicate, so they should be jealously guided and skilfully managed by the duo involved. To ensure that our relationships are protected, we look for security, first by claiming ownership through introduction to family and friends, everyone must know that we’ve found our missing rib. Then we seal it by contacting all the available modes of wedding ceremonies. And like me, many of us go through all the works, family introduction to engagement, from registry to church and Nikkah, the Muslim wedding rites, just to stamp our seal on the relationship, believing that is all it takes to remain husband and wife till death do us part. Unfortunately, we often forget that while we may want to remain faithful and committed to our partners, signing of the dotted lines and our loving devotions may sometimes not be enough to see us through this peculiar journey of life. It is not for mere show of pomp and affluence (no matter how limited they might be) that weddings are contracted. Traditionally, marriage is a bond between two families and not just the two lovers. The families are bridges for couples to be able to achieve great heights and successes together. The families indeed provide a shield, buffer and shelter to the couple, as they navigate the vagaries of life. And should they hit rock bottom, they are expected to go on a rescue mission, since as they say, “agba kii wa loja, kori omo tuntun wo”. Ironically, not all inlaws readily or willingly live up to their calling as bestowed on them. Just as there are notoriously evil mothers in-law, there are C M Y K

unbearable fathers-in-law, mischievous brothers and sisters-in-law. Some in-laws have been known to be the death of their children’s marriages. Some act as catalysts to the progress of marriages, setting themselves up as clogs and blocks to the peace and stability of their children’s home. Some, simply play god over the destiny of their daughters and sons-in-law, dictating the terms and conditions under which the marriage must thrive. I am often elated when I come across stories of super in-laws whose interventions helped to save a marriage at the verge of collapse. I met Dora, at one of my “hen” groups. (believe me, I attend quite a number of them). A business woman married with four children, she was quick to interject that she has the best inlaws any woman can desire. But for them, she would have been separated from her husband through a grand conspiracy by their landlady and her daughter. Her story: My in-laws helped me save my marriage. But for them, my husband would have married another woman and abandoned me and the children by now. At the rate things were going then, he probably would have divorced me and I would be left hanging with two children to care for. But his parents stood by me and ensured that it did not happen. We had been married for about four years when the problem began. I never knew that our landlady’s daughter was having an affair with my husband, right inside our apartment. I thought of her as a little sister because of the way her mother and I related. She was like a big aunt to me. So, naturally, her children felt very much at home with us. They often came to play with my children, who were in

Unfortunately, we often forget that while we may want to remain faithful and committed to our partners, signing of the dotted lines and our loving devotions may sometimes not be enough to see us through this peculiar journey of life fact, born into their arms as I was heavily pregnant when we got married and moved into their house. Like many women in Ojo area, her husband had died and she had inherited the house. So, she was raising all her five children by herself. Ada is the first girl but third child and we soon became very close. When she was not in school, she would be at our place. I enjoyed her company as she could run little errands for me as well as take care of the kids whenever I went out. In return, I was a good aunt to her. I assumed we were a family. My parents knew them and so did my husband’s family. So, it was a surprise when I caught Ada in my bed

with my husband. It took some time for what I saw to register in my head, but as soon as it did, all hell was let loose. I did not know who to attack first, my husband or the stupid girl. I tried to go for the two of them together. The girl was assisted to escape in one of my wrappers as my husband held me down. It was our first physical fight. My shouting brought the neighbours and we were finally separated. By this time, my children were already crying. To believe that they had the audacity to carry on in that manner in the presence of my children was unbelievable. But to my surprise once again, it appeared that the whole compound and beyond knew about the affair. I was the only one in the dark. Our landlady was not around, but she had heard everything by the time she returned. She had nothing to say except that I should be patient while everything is sorted out. That night, my husband did not return home, same with Ada. Their mobile phones had been switched off. The following day, one of the neighbours called me aside to tell me that the affair between Ada and my husband was far advanced than what I knew as they suspect that she was already carrying his child. Suddenly, I was drained of all emotions. Even if I was angry, who do I direct my anger at as both of them seemed to have disappeared from the face of the earth. By the time my husband’s parents were informed of developments, it was another story entirely that we heard. My husband had called his parents to inform them that I had fought with him over some minor financial matters and had become very violent, tearing his clothes and even stabbing him with a knife. It was the neighbours that saved him and took him to the hospital. Since then, he had refused to return home and wants to teach me a lesson. So, should I come to them with any story, they should not believe me but send me away as well. However, after hearing my side of the story, my father-in-law became very angry. He took sides with me and told his wife never to allow his son into their house again until he returns to his family. He said if it was true that he had indeed gotten the girl pregnant, he should stop considering himself as a member of his family. That the girl and her child would never be accepted by him since it was obvious that he was bent on ruining his life. He told me that my husband had always been the black sheep of the family, refusing to go to school and eventually dropping out at class four. They have been patching him up since then and his current job as site manager of a construction company was secured for him by his father. He concluded that my husband’s confidence to have gotten the girl pregnant must have stemmed from the fact that he was now doing well at his place of work, adding that he was going to teach him a lesson. Immediately, he picked his phone and soon began talking to his friend, my husband’s boss. He told him that his son had returned to his wayward ways and he wanted him sacked from the job. His mother looked at me but said nothing. That was it. Though it took almost two years for him to return to us, that phone call was the answer to all my problems. I moved out of our rented flat to my parents-in-law’s and they assisted me set up a small business which has grown into what I have today. Though Ada had her baby, she was not allowed into the family house, her child was not given a name by my father-inlaw and they did not attend. With no job and no money, made worse by a lack of educational certificate to secure another, my husband had no choice but to come to his sense and navigate his way back home. That was about 10 years now. Ada no longer lives in Lagos, she “married” another man and left with him for Delta State, we were told. The child, a girl, must be preparing for Secondary School now. They have not made contacts with us ever since. We now have four children and are doing fine, she said. Thank God for some in-laws.

SA TURD AY SATURD TURDA

Counterfeiting:

Who is responsible to the consumer? he saying that for every original T article, there is a counterfeit couldn’t be truer than in our dear country because counterfeiting is not a new thing to us. It has always been alive, living amongst us for ages. Growing up, it wasn’t something one was really cognizant of because it was not very rampant, I guess. As a matter of fact, my awareness of counterfeiting started with the twisted names on sound systems back then when you would have Suny passing off as a Sony. And when video systems became popular, the likes of video dubbing boomed and designer outfits with suspicious logos flourished. Today however, it has progressed from the commonplace to really high tech operations, some grounded even on corporate espionage. The bedrock of counterfeiting is not just in the value of the product itself – whether tangible or intangible - because cheap inferior products get faked also. More critical to its subsistence is the

existence of certain favorable conditions. First, the product must have demand – the higher the demand the better. Secondly, it must be short in supply and therefore not readily available. A typical example of a product counterfeited everyday all over the world is love. Every person yearns for true love but because it is hard to find, it opens the gateway for bad boys to hit and run; and girls, chop and run. Fake hair, fake eyelashes, hips, cleavage, skin; some people even live fake lives. So in one way or another, we are all involved in the practice of counterfeiting (yours truly inclusive). I guess that is why we have a situation where people know someone making a living from faking products but instead of making them stop, choose to look the other way. Let him without sin be the first to throw the stone. But after all is said and done, every form of counterfeiting still ranks as petty when compared to faking of drugs. Why would a person place material gain over

Vanguard , SEPTEMBER 26 26, 2015—49

the health and even life of fellow human being? Not caring for the anguish and pain their actions could cause families through the loss of loved ones and bread winners. You may think if they are callous enough not to care for people they don’t know, surely they should care about their family members and people in their circle. But they don’t; if they did, they wouldn’t throw stones into the market place not knowing who it would hit. Just a couple of weeks ago, I was down with malaria and got drugs from a pharmacy; scratched and waited for authentication. The confirmation delayed over 24 hours before finally coming back as a fake. Assuming I took the fake drug and it not only aggravated the malaria, but also led to damage of some other vital organs. Who could I hold responsible? Who would be liable for my injury? Could I sue the authentic manufacturer of the brand for allowing counterfeiting of their drug? NAFDAC for not monitoring every drug store in the land? The police for not detecting the activities of the counterfeiters early enough to prevent the manufacture? The CPC? Maybe the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria? Or the store owner who probably was equally hoodwinked into thinking it was the genuine article. The most plausible culprit is obviously the store owner. But from findings, the most you can get out of them is a pointer in the trail after the actual criminals; and sadly, the trail doesn’t lead very far unless you have the financial muscle to seriously facilitate the police and engage private detectives. In the rare occasions we hear a big fish has been caught, the cases somehow fizzle out after key officials may have been compromised.

So in a nutshell, average consumers like you and I, have no effective platform to seek redress. This sad reality should challenge us, the common people, to be our brother’s keepers. We should no longer look the other way when we see these wicked people at work. We must report our suspicions to the relevant authorities when we so much as suspect foul play. The CPC and NAFDAC I believe have platforms through which information can be passed anonymously. If we, the targets of these wicked people, fail to report, then we become just as guilty. If the relevant authorities fail to act or allow themselves to be compromised, their hands become bloody too. And if our lawmakers fail to look critically into this menace and come up with adequate punitive measures, then they become partakers in the criminality as well. If counterfeiting can be described as 419 of a different sort; then drug counterfeiting is equally murder of a different sort. Some people may argue that not all counterfeited drugs are harmful; some actually contain the relevant active components so it’s just like Suny and Sony; merely a name thing to push sales riding on the back of an already established brand. Whilst this could be true it still does not make it right. If the relevant authorities are able to prove through laboratory tests that it is merely a name thing, then a light sentence is warranted. But for those who pass off chalk as medicine, I think the death penalty is justified, if only to serve as a deterrent. . If human life isn’t precious to them, they surely shouldn’t mind losing theirs.

Facts about Enugu State N14.207 billion bailout funds BY LOUIS AMOKE

ew days ago, the Enugu State Executive Council and the State House of Assembly authorized the State Government to separately procure the N4.207 billion bailout fund through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for “the liquidation of outstanding salaries, pension and pension arrears and subventions for parastatals, institutions and boards” and N10 billion loan from the apex bank for infrastructural and developmental projects in the state, respectively. The said loans were in response to the negative development in the nation’s oil sector which has adversely reduced the state’s revenue allocation from federation account to a level that is not encouraging. It is on record that Enugu state is third from the bottom of the federation account and a civil service state depending on the federal allocation for the execution of most of her capital projects. Today, the story is no longer the same, as the revenue of the state like every other states of the federation keeps dwindling to an all-time-low, making it difficult for the state government to fulfill his campaign promises to the people of the state. It is therefore, encouraging to note that the Federal Government through the National Economic Council (NEC) saw the wisdom to offer bailouts to most states to enable them offset workers’ salaries and other entitlements relating to their welfare and assist the states execute some capital projects. This basically informed the reason the Enugu State Government recently embarked on the processes for the procurement of the funds to enable it consolidate on the on-going

•Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

developmental projects in the state and deal with the issues of outstanding salaries for casual workers, pension and pension arrears and subventions for parastatals, institutions and boards in order to alleviate the sufferings of the workers in these government establishments which rely on the subventions to pay salaries. These government establishments include: the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu State Transport Company (ENTRACO), Daily Star, Enugu State Water Corporation, among others. On the uniqueness, safety and convenient of the loans, it is pertinent to note that the said loans which are based on the outcome of the National Economic Council (NEC)

meeting of June 2015, are to be secured by Excess Crude Account (ECA). Interestingly, the loans carry a single digit interest rate of nine per cent and tenure of 20 years repayment. In view of the foregoing, the negative misconception being adduced to the loans by a national newspaper is not only incorrect but also misleading. First, it is incorrect and a misrepresentation of facts to allege that Enugu State has not received the bailout funds. The truth is that the state has complied with all the requirements by the CBN for the loans and has submitted to the apex bank all the necessary documents towards accessing the bailout funds for workers’ entitlements and the loan for infrastructural and developmental projects. Secondly, the news report on page 38 of vanguard newspaper of Wednesday, September 23, 2015, entitled “Enugu House Secretly Approves N14.2billion for Ugwuanyi” is not only false and mischievous but also another failed attempt to give the processes of the approval a wrong interpretation. The fact is that there was no secrecy in the processes of the approval for the procurement of the said loans as was erroneously represented in the said publication. The proceedings for the authorization of the loans by the Enugu State House of Assembly followed due process, was done in the open in the presence of the media and has no secrecy attached to it. May I therefore, state that the loans are in the overall interest of the people of the state who will

It is therefore the responsibility of the public especially the people of the state to continue to give the present administration the support and cooperation it deserves to move the state forward

eventually reap the benefits associated with it in the areas of workers’ welfare, infrastructural development, advancement of good governance and other peopleoriented programmes of the Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi-led administration in Enugu State. The Governor, by this move, has demonstrated once again his unflinching commitment to selfless service and the actualization of his 4point agenda which he holds very dear to his heart. In spite of the economic challenges, Gov. Ugwuanyi has made tremendous achievements in providing quality leadership and infrastructural development in the state. The governor has also introduced chains of innovations and ideas aimed at boosting the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state and making Enugu State the investment destination of choice in the South East geo-political zone. He has equally maintained the tradition of prompt payment of salaries of workers in the Ministries. The CBN loans will no doubt consolidate on these remarkable achievements and facilitate his administration’s drive to bring good governance to the doorsteps of the people of the state with a firm commitment to their welfare as true heroes of democracy. It is therefore the responsibility of the public especially the people of the state to continue to give the present administration the support and cooperation it deserves to move the state forward.

Amoke is the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Enugu State Governor.

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015—51

BY ESTHER ONYEGBULA & EDIRI MICHAEL “ hen 30-year-old Chinenyere Ogokie met her husband in 2007, never in her wildest imagination did she imagine that a day would come when she would discover that he is a fraudster and wife-beater. According to the trader who sells cosmetics at Idumota Market, Lagos, "I met my husband, Smart Orire, in 2007 and we got married in 2011. At that time, he was a teacher at Penney Secondary School located at Coker, Lagos. “Later, he stopped teaching and started working at the Nigerian Breweries (NB). Our relationship was good and rosy until I discovered that I had married a wolf in sheep clothing, when his real attitude began to manifest. This was when he began to engage himself in some fraudulent activities that led to his sack. He collected contributions from a thrift co-operative and then refused to pay back to his coworkers. His colleagues reported him to the management and he was sacked after the matter was investigated. “ Taking to fraud “Immediately after his sack, Smart went into sales of home appliances. It was at

I didn’t know I married a fraudster, embattled wife cries out

•The couple this point I began to notice changes in his attitude and people started coming to my house claiming to have been duped by him. “I kept warning him about his fraudulent activities, but he wouldn't listen, saying that it was the ranting of a woman. Later, I discovered that he was defrauding people because he wanted to travel outside the country. When I confronted him, he

denied, claiming that he had no such plans. “When the heat became too much after his victims started trailing him, he fled. Some of the people he defrauded came with soldiers to my house and parked my property. One of them took my generator and invited the police to arrest me. I was constantly harassed by people he defrauded all because I am his wife, even though I didn't know when

they had their transactions.” “ Arrest “Recently, one of them invited police officers from Amukoko who arrested me and later, they were able to arrest my husband. I was granted bail after the police investigations revealed that I was not part of the fraud. “Because it was a bailable offence, he was later granted bail. After he was released, he came back and gave me

the beating of my life for not supporting him at the station. He accused me of informing the police where he had fled to, that made them arrest him. He threatened to harm me any time he saw me. After beating me that night, he fled again. Since then, I have not seen him. The worst part of it is that every day, new victims of his nefarious activities keep coming to harass me and threaten my little son.” “ Regrets The mother of one lamented further: “I disobeyed my father, who was against my union with Smart. I thought I was following my heart when I went ahead and married him. Look at what false love has brought me into. I never knew that he was using me as the fool. I never knew that I married a '419ner'. Our marriage produced our son whose name is Emmanuel Orire. I never knew that the father of my son is a '419ner'. God knows that I am innocent. I am pleading with the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, and Human right activists to come to my rescue.” All efforts made to reach the victim's husband, Smart Orire, who has since absconded were futile as his phone lines have been switched off.

Robbery suspect, accomplices arrested during quarrel over sharing of loot BY EBERE AHAM

22-year-man who specialised in snatching phones from motorists trapped in traffic and picking pocket at bus-stops in Lagos has met his waterloo , following his arrest by men of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, weekend. The suspect, Ebuka Ekujere was arrested during a heated argument over sharing formula of loot, with two of his suspected accomplices , Monsuru Onanuga, (32) and Segun Alao, 30, around Eko hotel, Victoria Island. Ekujare as gathered, snatched a mobile phone from a tricycle operator at about 1.20 pm, Saturday . While at it, the duo of Onanuga and Alao, bot members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers who saw him reportedly kept sealed lips. After several other theft, the

The suspects NURTW members reportedly met with the Ekujere , demanding for their own share of the loot, for keeping quiet. But quarrel which would degenerated into a fight ensued between both parties. While the NURTW members demanded for N3000,

Ekujare insisted he could only part with N1500. In the process a team of RRS men on patrol stopped to quell the situation, only for the truth to be unveiled. In this chart, the suspect who reside in Ajegunle area of Lagos, said he chose to operate in Lagos Island , to

avoid being easily identified. Disclosing his modus oparandi, he said: “ I boarded a tricycle at Eko Hotel round about to Obalende and in front of Eko Hotel gate, I removed a handset from a passenger ’s pocket and dropped it on the seat,without the owner ’s knowledge. I alighted in front of the hotel’s gate. Segun Alao and Monsuru Onanuga who saw when I picked the handset, joined me in the tricycle. They demanded for settlement and I gave them N3,000 but Monsuru further attempted to collect the stolen phone and my money, saying the money I gave to them was too small . This resulted in a verbal confrontation which attracted the tricycle operator ’s attention, who subsequently alerted some RRS men stationed in front of the Hotel. This is not the first time I would be settling them after any successful operation.

They know that is what I do here”. However his alleged accomplices denied having anything to do with him in previous operation but admitted to have collected N3000 from him for keeping sealed lips . On his part, Segun Alao, who resides at 37, Gbeto Street, Odogunya, Ikorodu, said : “ We actually demanded for settlement from the suspect when we saw him stealing the handset. But we never knew it is a crime to aid and abet such criminal act. We promised never to do that again. We were only looking for daily bread”, he said remorsefully . The RRS Commander, Mr Olatunji Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, who advised members of the stop aiding and abetting any form of criminal act in their neighborhoods, stated rather that information that could lead to the apprehension of criminals should be made available to the Police.

52—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

•President Buhari alongside world leaders

Foreign governments assess new Nigeria government F or most foreign countries governments, General Muhammadu Buhari’s ascension as the new Nigerian President is worthy of receiving accolades, following several remarkable demonstrations to ascertain that he stands for fairness, justice and transparent government. To some, the pixie dust, which enveloped and elevated him, has finally begun to settle and the realities of the framed new dawn for Africa’s wealthiest and most populous nation, appear more obvious. Debates are on that the President’s evident changes in the leadership of some Nigerian governmental and corporate executive bodies have opened doors to sustainable supports from some foreign government, as some foreign governments have pledged support in various capacities to assisting Nigerian government’s fight against corruption, insurgencies, and so on. The support is in addition to providing both technical and material support to strengthening the Nigeria’s security architecture, electricity, as well as rebuilding the Nigerian economy. Other views express that Nigeria as a nation whose failure to curb widespread corruption and insecurity has been consistently blamed on the absence of strong leadership, may not have been the case after all. These debates have raised mixed reactions from a large number of concerned Nigerian citizens, who not only commented on the unfortunate effect of the global misconceptions about Nigeria, but also the dampening pursuit of the crucial task of moving the country forward. Although, efforts to sanitizing the country’s major source of income, as well as dealing with pervasive insecurity, in other words, suggests that the new administration primarily focuses on redeeming the troubled economy. A new leaf of diplomatic harmony Pursing his main campaign promises, which includes tackling terrorists threats in Nigeria, the new government has in real terms, made concerted efforts to ensuring the support of countries like the US, Germany, France, and so on. His diplomatic shuttles have established harmonised relationships that are expected to shape Nigeria’s pathway to future prosperity. The US government assessment of the Buhari administration, is that of a government that priortises the interest of the governed. This assessment may have awarded the new administration accolades on the transformational change in the country. However, the US government has promised to throw its weight in support

of Nigeria’s growth. Although, the Nigeria economy seems to be in trouble, there are concerted efforts to ensuring that the image of the country is redeemed through striking at the hearts of several corrupt practices going on in the country. To a few, the President’s diplomatic shuttles may have been like a healing balm to the country ’s unhealthy diplomatic trust, especially in a situation where Nigeria is only perceived as a country with criminalities, but to some, it is a new dawn to erasing the stereotyping of Nigerians, explicitly saying that Buhari swept into power with lofty promises to clean up the country ’s corrupt political system, while vowing to change the culture of nepotism that plagues every sector of Nigeria’s government. Observation However, in a country where ethnic tensions are always close to the surface, debates are on, following the new government’s changes in key government positions. So far, most of the federal appointments have gone mostly to either Muslim or northerner and this seems to have intensified fears and or maybe tribal tension, that the President may otherwise be bias and may not have been entirely above ethnic favoritism. His efforts to rout out corruption is also brewing mixed reactions, as reportedly disclosed that although Nigeria losses billions of dollars to theft in various capacity, including in fraudulent practices and in several serious mismanagement, and recouping the billions would assist significantly to boosting and stimulating the Nigerian economy, the manner at which this is pursued seems unclear. Subsequently, the new administration hopes not to strain the new diplomatic relationships with international partners, to which it has made several concerted efforts to rebuilding, although, a network of reports revealed that the international community awaits the transformational change that are expected to see Nigeria go above insurgencies, insecurity, economic dampening and so on, envisaging that perhaps, the changes will unveil either at or after the country’s 55th Independence Day celebration on October 1, 2015.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015—53

Competition ranges as new Coca-Cola 5 Alive Pulpy orange fruit drink enters market

o doubt, stiff competition ranges in the Nigerian fruit drink market with Coca-Cola’s new variant, 5Alive Pulpy Orange to its Five Alive brand. Competition helps to bring out the best. However, the newly Pulpy Orange contains real fruit juice and pulp and it has no fizz or added preservatives. It joins the 5Alive juice family which comprises of Orange, Berry Blast, Apple, Citrus Burst and Pineapple Punch. According to the company, 5Alive Pulpy is highly refreshing, comes with no fizz in it and is one-of-a-kind in the Nigerian fruit drink market. The new 5Alive Pulpy which is differentiated in a market already bursting with a plethora of juice offerings, gives consumers the mouth-filling and sensorial experience of biting into an orange, and the feeling of pulp in every gulp. Senior Brand Manager Stills, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Samuel Alugo said “With the new 5Alive Pulpy Orange, we want to give a unique experience to the consumers, the smell and taste you get when you are eating an orange”. He said the Oranges used in the production are also sourced from farmers in Nigeria, guaranteeing a steady, qualitative source for production and helping to develop the local agriculture value chain. Commenting on its introduction, the Marketing Director, Patricia, CocaCola Nigeria Limited, Patricia Jemibewon said, “We have had an excellent response down on our other variants with a reused value to the drink; and with the national launch of 5Alive Pulpy Orange, we are stepping to extend Coca-Cola Nigeria’s market leadership in the fruit-flavoured drink segment.” The pulpy fruit drink with real orange pulp comes in a distinctive shaped 40cl PET bottle with a top, simulating a real orange segment and juice sac. The pack size its attractive shape that is also easy to handle will make the new 5Alive Pulpy Orange the favourite for on-the-go consumers. The product is available in the market and would be retailed across 35,000 outlets in all major cities across the country.

L-R: Managing Director, Rainoil Ltd, Mr. Gabriel Ogbechie; Head, Marketing and Communications, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mrs. Nkiru Olumide-Ojo and Executive Director, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Obinnia Abajue, at an arts exhibition organized by Stanbic IBTC in Lagos.

Fashola ccharges harges corporate organisations, Nigerians on sustainable development F MTN Foundation @ 10:

ormer Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola has charged corporate organisations to intensify their efforts to support Nigeria in the area of sustainable development as the country seeks to achieve an enviable status in the areas socio-economic development among the comity of nations. Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) stated this at an event to mark the tenth year anniversary of MTN Foundation in Lagos. The MTN Foundation is the Corporate Social Investment (CSI) arm of MTN Nigeria a company established in 2001. Speaking on the “Role of CSR in Nigeria’s sustainable development”, Fashola called on other multinationals to intensify their CSR programmes in Nigeria; while commending the MTN Foundation on its commitment to impacting the lives of Nigerians some of whom hitherto were living without hope. “While in office as the Governor

of Lagos, I witnessed MTNF’s special interest and active involvement in tackling issues around health, education, security and economic empowerment. The Foundation equipped laboratories for vocational and technical training; it intervened in collaborating with the state to provide Haemodialysis machines in our general hospital in Igando, Alimosho. Our general hospital in Gbagada now has 24 dialysis machines. In the area of security, the Foundation has been very supportive,” Fashola said. Former Executive Vice Chairman, Nigeria Communication Commission, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, also said that the MTN’s decision to separate its CSI in MTNF is an affirmation of its genuine desire to touch the lives of Nigerians. MTN since 2005 has dedicated 1% of its profit after tax to the MTN Foundation’s activities. “Creating a separate entity like

MTN Foundation to simply cater for CSI is unique. Engaging a PrivatePublic-Partnership model simply shows the interest of the Foundation in adding value to the society and such genuine considerations must be commended. While some corporate organisations are yet to understand the core of CSI, it is interesting to note that the MTN Foundation has been consistent in strategically implementing credible projects that are sustainable” Ndukwe said. In setting up the MTN Foundation, Dr. Pascal Dozie, a Director with Foundation said “we agreed that we will engage people who had a molecule of virtues, who understood the principles of good governance and what it takes to be responsible”. In the past ten years, MTNF has spent over N13 billion on 344 projects across the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Johnnie W alk er un Walk alker unvveils biggest campaign in brand’s hist or histor oryy s a way of encouraging millions of Nigerians across the country A to celebrate success at every phase of life, Johnnie Walker, the foremost premium Scotch whisky in the world from the stables of Diageo Brands, has unveiled its largest ever global marketing campaign tagged “Joy Will Take You Further”. Activated in more than 50 countries simultaneously, Johnnie Walker’s “Joy Will Take You Further” campaign will reach over 350million consumers around the world within the first weeks of launch, urging everyone to recognize and celebrate personal progress they achieve on their walk to success. Graced by Industry Heads, Chief Executives, Top Management Personnel, Newspaper Editors among other extraordinary achievers who share the brand’s view of how happiness in life is a fuel for success. Johnnie Walker celebrated top 100 dynamic individuals who have demonstrated

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the value in celebrating every step on their walk to achieving their goals, hosting them to a spectacular event held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos. The Corporate Affairs Director, Diageo Nigeria, Mr. Sesan Sobowale stated that the new campaign drawing on decades of research challenged the conventional wisdom that success guarantees you happiness and instead celebrates the fact that happiness actually helps people achieve success. According to him, “Johnnie Walker has always stood for progress – it’s been the story of our whisky since our founder John Walker started it all nearly 200 years ago. What two centuries of experience have taught us is that progress doesn’t have to be an endless uphill journey – we can enjoy the steps we take and the more happiness we find in them the more likely we are to achieve our goal. Evidence is confirming a conviction that sits at the heart of our brand: ‘Joy W ill Take You

Further.” Joy Will Take You Further campaign is a step further on the evolution of the brand’s famous ‘Keep Walking’ campaign and represents a new perspective on personal progress, which has defined the brand’s philosophy for more than 15 years, helping Johnnie Walker become the most valuable spirits brand in the world. Based on new insights into how success is viewed by consumers today, the campaign brings to life the concept that joy can be a catalyst to the progress they seek, and aims to generate a positive culture shift by promoting and encouraging the idea that finding joy in the journey is part of the recipe for success. Guests at the event shared their personal perspective on the impact of a joyful walk on, noting that the true way to success is not just hard work and determination but also taking time to enjoy the simple moments of the journey.

FL-R: Vincent Emoikpaire, Business Manager Stills, Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Emmanuel Nnorom, President/CEO, Transcorp, Tosin Ojuri, Dealer, One Way Pack (Mushin) and Prahlad Gangadharan, Director, Stills and New Business, Nigeria Bottling Co, during the launch of 5Alive Pulpy Orange in Lagos.

Diamond Bank rewards 10 undergraduates with N1.2m in savings campaign en Nigerian undergraduates T studying in various tertiary institutions in the country, have been

rewarded by Diamond Bank Plc with N1.2 million for owning and operating a customized savings account that exposes students in higher institutions to the huge benefits that savings and financial prudence offer in competitive adult life. The winners emerged through an online electronic draw, which was conducted recently among the thousands of students and youth corps members who opened and operates Student-W ith-A-Goal (SWAG) account with the bank since the campaign for PocketMoney4AYear kicked off. The draws were witnessed by journalists, students from various higher institutions in the country and selected Youth Corps members serving in Lagos State. Each of the winners will receive N10,000 (ten thousand naira only) PocketMoney4AYear and can draw the cash monthly at any Diamond Bank branch. Product Manager, Chinenye Nwosu, said this initiative is designed to ensure that all account

holders have a guaranteed sum deposited in their accounts every month, stressing that PocketMoney4AYear is a lifestyle based savings account targeted at students of tertiary institutions and corps members under the Diamond S.W.A.G proposition, and to encourage some of them without parents. It also inculcates financial literacy in winners and account holders. To qualify for the draws, account holders need to have a minimum balance of three thousand naira during the quarter. They are also expected to use the Diamond SWAG Debit Card as well as carry out at least three transactions via the Diamond Mobile App. Chisom Ekweoba, one of the lucky winners, expressed appreciation to Diamond Bank for the assurance of a steady inflow of pocket money for one year. Ï feel as if I am dreaming. I never expected this. If I was told that holding a Diamond S.W.A.G account would give me the opportunity to win a monthly deposit balance, I would not have believed it but now it is like a miracle”.

L-R: Chairman, NIPR Education Advisory Board, Prof. Emmanuel Dandaura; President, PublicRelationsConsultantsAssociationofNigeria,Mr.JohnEhiguese;President,Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Dr. Rotimi Oladele; Secretary, NIPR Membership Service Committee and Chief-of-Staff to the NIPR President, Mr. Willy Ogbidi, at the NIPR Master Class V held in Lagos recently.

54—SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

s we continue with this series, I want you to say it loud to yourself that “My case is not hopeless for God will definitely do something about it”. Walk in faith today my brother, my sister, my friend. Wipe away the tears, forget about the pain, sorrows, shame, humiliation etc of yesterday, for a change is coming your way through this word of the Lord. Believe it, act it and it won’t be long, you will start singing sweet songs of praise and worship. You are not the only one who sometimes feel as though their case is the worst and can never get any better. For some friends and family members may have taken you to so many places looking for solution. Maybe from one native doctor to another, from one hospital to another, from one bank/ financial institution to another, from one prophet to another, but instead of things getting better, it gets worst. Definitely, a man who may have done all of these and yet no solution is sight, will most likely surrender to fate and just say whatever will be, will be. Some may say maybe this is my destiny and this is how God wants it to be. This my beloved is not true. The present situation is not your destiny. It is not your end. It is not how God has designed your life. Remember what He said in Jer 29:11, “ I know the thought that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thought of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end”. So you can see now that the devil has been deceiving you. God has a good plan for you. This is why I am confident to let you know that you are coming out from whatever predicament that you may be in right now. In reading 3 John 1:2, you find that God said it is his will that

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No situation is hopeless with God (2) you “ prosper, be in health, even as your soul prospereth”. If this is not happening in you life, you have every right to reject it now. Plug into God’s will and see the mighty hand of God that is not shortened but can save. Stop saying that there is no remedy for my situation, because there is a solution. No matter how bad your case may be, if God can see Jesus in you, Your solution will definitely manifest, for with God, nothing shall be impossible, and absolutely nothing is too hard for God to do. Hear the voice of the Lord, you shall break forth in the north, in the south, in the east and in the west. In the seat of power doors will be opened unto you. Your season of fervor has arrived, receive it in Jesus name, AMAEN. I sense it strong in my spirit that this word of the Lord has come to set of people. If it happens to you, please don’t fail to writr and share

enemies to be afraid has come to you now in Jesus name. Another case was that of the woman with the issue of blood for twelve years. Having spent all she had, instead of getting any better she grew worse. You can imagine all her efforts to get well proved abortive. Her wealth was spent and still no solution in sight. But then when she heard of Jesus something in her inside arose and said my solution has come. Her hopeless situation changed. And of course, when she came in contact with Jesus, her life threatening sickness received life. I curse that terminal sickness in your body, child’s body to dry up and come out in Jesus name, for by the stripes of Jesus you are healed. Rise up from that bed and begin to walk as the Spirit of God begins now to quicken your mortal bodies. For every step you take, supernatural power and grace will be For more details, contact us at Christ Reality Church, beside Gossard imparted into Hotel, opposite First Bank Sports Ground, Community Road, Satellite Town you until your wholeness is or P.O.Box, 3196, Yaba Lagos. Tel: 08023062635 08168955932; 08033378769. E-mail: fully restored in Johnson_crm@yahoo.com. Website: www.christrealityministries.org. your life. Hear Our account details are Pastor Johnson Omomadia, Guaranty Trust Bank, A/C Nos. 0005171407; Christ Reality Ministries, Zenith Bank A/C me, the 1011711622. i n f i r m i t y, Worship with us on Sundays, 1st Service: 745am-9:15am; 2nd Service 9:15sickness and 11:30am. Wednesdays Word Revelation 6pm. Counseling days Tuesdays, disease cannot Thursdays and Fridays. 11am-5pm daily or by appointment. Showers of blessing kill you, for every 2nd - 4th Sat. of each month, 6 a.m - 7.15 am. Jesus has paid what God did to you as a result of this word from God. Let’s look at some cases in the bible. In Mark 5 alone, you find 3 different people whose cases were peculiar and hopeless. There was absolutely no way out for them with men. First we have the case of the man that was demonized with legions of demons. No one could come near him or bring deliverance to him. In fact men were afraid of him. No man could help him neither could he help himself. But when Jesus came into the scene, the man’s hopeless condition changed. The bible says, when the people came to Jesus, they saw the man that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting and clothed, and in the right mind and they were afraid [vs. 15]. Listen to me from today, deliverance and restoration that will cause your

for it all. The third case will come up next week. TESTIMONY Recently I lost my mother who was virtually everything to us because my father has aged and fallen sick for some time now. All hope of me continuing my education was lost. I came to Lagos to stay with my elder sister and her husband but there was no solution in sight. As God would have it, my sister’s church (Christ Reality Church) called for a two weeks fasting and prayer, and God gave my in-law a supernatural financial breakthrough. All my needs and bills have been paid and I am now back in school to God’s glory. Sis. U.A. Imo State. Do you want to experience the season of God in your life? Then you must receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour if you have not done so already. To receive Him, Pray this prayer. Father, your word says that whosoever shall call on the name of Jesus shall be saved. I hereby call upon the Name of Jesus. Break every covenant between me and the devil, and make me a new person. Fill me with your Holy Spirit in Jesus name. Thank you Father for saving me. I believe that the word has richly prospered your life. Write to us or send us an E-mail of your testimony and let us rejoice with you for Jesus is real. Your praise reports and prayer requests are welcome. How would you like to be a part of this exciting great work of Go? Join the Reality Achievers Partners’ [Financial supporters of our ministry]. All that is required is your financial contribution to enable us fulfill our God-given vision. On our part, we stay in prayers for you.

SATURDAY VANGUARD, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 — 55

Mendes tops football agents richest list

usiness analysts Forbes have published their most recent findings on the world’s richest football agents, with those responsible for brokering deals for the biggest names unsurprisingly near the top of the list. In the survey, Jorge Mendes of Gestifute International tops the chart. Mendes represents Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez, Eliaquim Mangala, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Fabio Coentrao,Diego Costa, Thiago Silva, Tiago, Radamel Falcao, Angel di Maria, David de Gea and Jose Mourinho. He has contracts worth: £626.3m and commissions to the sum of £62.8m Mendes is the undisputed top dog of football agents, negotiating more than £625m in player contracts, including a £135m deal for client Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid.

Ronaldo returned the favour when his agent recently got married, buying him with a Greek island as a wedding present. Sir Alex Ferguson wrote in his new autobiography Leading: ‘There are some decent agents, but you don’t need all the fingers of one hand to count them. Jorge Mendes is one.’ Jonathan Barnett of Stellar Group comes second to Mendes w h i l e Vo l k e r Struth of Sports Total is the third on the list.

Juve take battle to Napoli

•Higuain

uventus will today take the battle to Napoli in a testy Serie A match in Naples. And the reigning champions are said to play without Stephan Lichtsteiner, who sustained an injury midweek. A club statement suggested he is unlikely to recover in time for the San Paolo meeting. “Following his discomfort with breathing difficulties notified during the half-time break of the match against Frosinone, yesterday evening Lichtsteiner was taken to the Mauriziano hospital for tests, where he remained under observation The player is unlikely to be available for the next match against Napoli.”

Remy ready to

Mikel partners Niger State for sports development

•Gov Bello BY JOHN EGBOKHAN

uper Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi is to partner with Niger State in the area of sports development. The Chelsea player made this known during a meeting with Niger’s Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, who was in London for medical check-up. The meeting held after last

Saturday’s London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal. Shedding light on this, the Governor’s Special Assistant on Media, Bamidele David said that “Mikel invited His Excellency to be his guest in that match. On receiving the invitation, he agreed based on the initial letter. After the match, Mikel hosted the Governor to a dinner and in which they had a bilateral discussion on the way forward for the development of sports in Niger State. “Both agreed to partner together in the development of sports. Mikel added that Niger State being close to the FCT, Abuja need to have a standard FIFA Stadium that will

•Remy

teven Gerrard should remain in the United States if he wants to “broaden” his coaching skills, says LA Galaxy manager Bruce Arena. The ex-Liverpool captain has spoken of his desire to return to Anfield as manager, but still has more than a year to run on his contract in the MLS. “The best coaching environment in the world is the USA,” said Arena. The Galaxy coach reckons the variety of topflight professional leagues in the US can help Gerrard develop as a coach. “Stepping away from the Premier •Gerrard League, and away from football for 24 hours a day, will broaden his skills. We have top-flight professional leagues in a variety of sports and on a daily basis it’s interesting to watch how teams and coaches respond to the different pressures on them on a daily basis.” C M Y K

•Blind

shoot down Newcastle R

attract international matches and friendlies. He hailed the recent promotion of Niger Tornadoes , to the Nigeria Premier League”, added David, who noted that Governor Bello extended his hands of friendship to Mikel, assuring him of government cooperation in terms of sports development.

emy has told Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho that he can fill the void left by suspended striker Diego Costa. Chelsea face a tough test in the Premier League today at Newcastle, where Mourinho has never won. But when Remy asked if he can provide the same physical presence Costa does, he said: “I don’t have a choice, I have to do it. When you play for Chelsea, you have to give your best every match. I will do the best I can [to play like Costa]. “Do I want to play against Newcastle? Yes, of course. It’s my old club and it’s always a pleasure to play against them. “The manager knows he can use me as a striker or on the side. So I don’t have any pressure, I just want to feel better. With the games coming, maybe I have an opportunity to play more. We will see.”

Defensive woes for Van Gaal as Man U host Sunderland

USA ‘ll prepare Gerrard for coaching job — Arena

•Pogba

shley Young will be handed the chance to establish himself as Luke Shaw’s replacement as Manchester United contend with a raft of injuries in defence. Louis van Gaal admits he faces a problem with Shaw and Marcos Rojo both unavailable for today’s clash with Sunderland. With Paddy McNair also out and Phil Jones only just returning from a blood clot,

is a concern for the United manager as he looks to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City. “The left-footed players, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo, are injured, so I have a problem. We have to spare players and Smalling and Juan Mata have played all the minutes, but I cannot spare Blind because all the left-footed players are injured.”

SATURDAY Vanguard, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

PREMIER LEAGUE Tottenham Leicester Liverpool Man Utd Southampton Stoke West Ham Newcastle

v v v v v v v v

Manchester City Arsenal Aston Villa Sunderland Swansea Bournemouth Norwich Chelsea

12:45pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 3pm 5:30pm

>>34/35

Blatter faces criminal investigation >>4

Wikki plan surprise package for Enyimba >>33

Chelsea, Arsenal rumble at Stamford Bridge FIXTURES

LA LIGA Barcelona Real Madrid Sevilla Villarreal Eibar

v v v v v

SERIE A Roma Napoli

v Carpi v Juventus

Las Palmas Malaga Rayo Vallecano Atletico Madrid Celta Vigo

CROSS WORD PUZZLE 3pm 5:15pm 7:30pm 7:30pm 9:15pm 5pm 7:45pm

BUNDESLIGA FC Augsburg v Hoffenheim Mainz v Bayern Munich Stuttgart v M’gladbach W/Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen Wolfsburg v Hannover 96 Hamburg v Schalke

2:30pm 2:30pm 2:30pm 2:30pm 2:30pm 5:30p

LIGUE I Nantes Bastia Bordeaux Caen Rennes

4:30pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm

v v v v v

PSG Toulouse Lyon Gazelec Ajaccio Troyes

Down 1 Super Falcons Goalkeeper, Precious- (4) 3 Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Samuel - (8) 7 Space (3) 8 Traditional Ruler of Kano (4) 9 Cereal (4) 10 Director-General, State Security Service (SSS), Mohammed (5) 12 Italian Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Paolo - (9) 16 United States President, Mr. Barack - (5) 19 State in Nigeria known as “Coal City State”? (5) 20 Super Eagles Striker, Emem - (5) 22 Former Minister of Information, Mr. Walter - (9) 25 L.G.A. in Kaduna State (5) 27 Ethnic Group in Nigeria (4) 28 L.G.A. in Edo State (4) 29 Vehicles (3) 30 Super Eagles Defender Juwon - (8) 31 Estonian Currency Unit (4)

Down 1 Cameroun “Indomitable Lions” Full-back, Cedric - (8) 2 Bird (5) 3 Fourth month of the year (5) 4 Algeria “Desert Warriors” midfielder, Adlene - (9) 5 Engimba FC defender Uwadiegwu - (4) 6 Notion (4) 11 Male sheep (3) 13 Former Niger State Deputy Governor, Mr. Zagbayi - (4) 14 LGA in Ogun State (5,4) 15 Ghana “Black Stars”striker, Dominic - (5) 17 LGA in Jigawa State (4) 18 Sunderland coach, Dick (8) 21 Female rabbit (3) 23 LGA in Imo State (5) 24 Twelve dozen (5) 25 Chinese currency unit (4) 26 Insect (4)

Solution on page 9

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