Gov Wada in ghastly road accident by Vanguard Media Limited

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Bandits in army uniform mount roadblock in Delta •Shoot driver dead, injure others •Police arrest suspected kidnapper in bank BY EMMA AMAIZE, Regional Editor, SouthSouth

GROUP of armed robbers in army uniform mounted roadblock at Effurun, near Warri, Thursday, killing a driver and injuring many others in a shooting spree. Saturday Vanguard gathered that the incident, which occurred at about 10.00 am caused a major stir in the twin cities of Effurun and Warri. According to a source, “At about 10.00 hours, Thursday, December 27, an armed gang dressed in Nigerian Army uniform mounted a road block , near the Water Resources in Effurun, near Warri in Delta state. They seemed to be waiting for a particular vehicle. “When their expectation was dashed, they started shooting sporadically; many people were injured, as they ran for dear life. “A young man driving a black car was shot dead,ramming his car into a pole,” he added. There were fears, yesterday, that if the trend

was not checked, the safety of people in Effurun and Warri will be jeopardized as law-abiding citizens were bound to stop for check by security agents in army uniform”. An activist, who preferred anonymity called on the authorities of the security agencies not to allow the uniforms of their personnel to fall into the hands of criminals, who would wear them to commit heinous crimes.

Kidnapper in police net

Meantime, an alleged kidnapper, Kingsley, who came to collect the ransom paid into his account at a bank in Agbor has been arrested by police detectives. His gang threatened a woman, Mrs. Orumgbe Veronica, through GSM phone numbers, 0 8 1 6 8 1 1 3 6 5 3 , 0 8 1 6 8 8 3 7 1 0 8 , 0 8 1 3 8 7 6 2 7 4 8 , 08121104769 to pay N50 million ransom or she would be kidnapped on December 8. The police, acting on a tip off, contacted the various service providers and laid a trap

for them. As Kingsley strolled into the bank to collect the money, detectives moved in and nabbed him. When he was searched, Nokia GSM phone number, 08168113653, with which the threat calls were made and threat messages sent was recovered. Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba confirmed his arrest to Saturday Vanguard. Saturday Vanguard, however, gathered that Kingsley, who confessed to the crime was charged to court yesterday and was remanded in Agbor prison until January 25.

Azazi’s demise: A vacuum difficult to fill — Dickson BY SAMUEL OYADONGHA, Yenagoa

OVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State yesterday paid glowing tribute to late Gen Andrew Owoye Azazi saying the Ijaw nation has “lost one of it’s finest and very best.” In an emotional voice, Dickson who spoke at the Service of Songs held in honour of the departed former National Security Adviser and first four star

Adegbonmire, A CN’s cchief hief 7 ACN’s hiefttain dies at 7 77 BY DAYO JOHNSON, Akure

CHIEFTAIN of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Ondo State, Chief Wunmi Adegbonmire is dead. Late Adegbonmire at 77

died yesterday in Akure, the Ondo state capital. He was State Secretary to Government under the late Governor Adebayo Adefarati and was a member of Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-political group. The Asiwaju of

Ekengbuwa Descendants Union hails Ogiame over chieftaincy

ARRI — THE Prince Ekengbuwa Descendants Union of Warri Kingdom, yesterday lauded His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwatse II (CON), the Olu of Warri Kingdom, Delta State for finding one of their sons, Prince Roland Omagbemi worthy to be conferred with a chieftaincy title. Reacting to a protest by the Prince Ewolufun Ikengbuwa Descendants Union of Ugbori-Warri, Prince Madamedon

Omagbemi in a statement, explained that Prince Roland is not the first prince in Warri Kingdom to to be conferred with a chietaincy title. He noted that Chief O. P. Edodo is a prince, but honoured with a chieftaincy title by Ogiame, adding that “it is the prerogative of Ogiame who is the custodian of Itsekiri Culture to choose the title he wants to offer to any of his subjects.”

Governor Uduaghan of Delta State, Chief John Jonah, Deputy Governor of Bayalsa State; Mr. Kombowei Benson Speaker, Bayalsa State House of Assembly and Chief Diete Spiff during the the service of song in honour of Late Gen. Andrew Azazi held in Yena goa, Bayalsa State yesterday. Photo: Henry Unini (See more pix on page 42)

Akureland reportedly died at about 3:00 am yesterday just two days after his wife Solape celebrated her 75th birthday. Former governor of Lagos State and ACN leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the late politician as one of Nigeria’s most consistent progressive leaders who made invaluable contributions to the evolution of political development in the South-West and Ondo state in particular where he hailed from. “He led a truly fulfilling and inspiring life. In his loyalty to progressive values and his fidelity to the principles of honor and integrity, he was as constant as the Northern star; as immovable as the rock of Gilbratar.’’

general from the Ijaw nation at the Peace Park in Yenagoa noted with sadness that the tragic death of Azazi has created a huge vacuum that would be difficult to fill. The governor in an address said, “Today, we gather here to honour a true hero of the Ijaw Nation. We are here to pay our deepest respect to a great leader and national icon. For us in Bayesla State, the tragic, unfortunate and untimely death of General Andrew Owoye Azazi (CFRC) has created a huge vacuum that would be very difficult to fill. We have not only lost a kinsman, big brother, father, grandfather, friend and colleague; the Ijaw Nation has clearly lost one of its finest and very best! He was a patriot who gave his all! ”That is why, as a government, we did not hesitate to declare him as a true hero of Ijaw land and one who is deserving of a heroic burial as his remains will be the first to be interred at the Heroes Park - an exclusive burial/final resting place reserved only for all true legends and heroes of the State. The Heroes Park, where General Azazi will be buried is a fitting tribute to his person and bears eloquent testimonies to the proud legacies and ideals that he was known and admired for. It will also serve as a constant reminder of his unblemished and out-

standing record of service to the State and Nation. ”To the wonderful family that he left behind, please be rest assured that our prayers will always be with you and you can count on our continued support and cooperation. ”Truly, we have lost a visionary leader and statesman and there may

be no greater tribute to General Azazi’s illustrious military career than the fact that he was a first class military officer, who rose through the ranks as a professional soldier and duly earned his place in the history of the Nigerian Army as the only decorated four star general who truly earned his rank”.

Obi seeks the cooperation of Awka Community

OVERNOR Peter Obi has charged the Awka Community to cooperate with the State government to accelerate tempo of development in the capital city. Governor Obi was speaking at a forum organized by the community at Emmaus House, Awka. He assured them that he is interested in the development of the State, especially the capital territory.

The Governor who expressed dissatisfaction with the situation of things in the town, said his administration was ready to work closely with the community to reposition it in the State and Country. He urged the stakeholders to take full charge of the community and remove all obstacles and interferences that impede the development of the area.

6 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2012

Jonathan orders tight security at nation’s airports •Security operatives put on red alert BY KINGSLEY OMONOBI

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has directed tight security in and around all Airports in the country in order to forestall any possible attack at the nation’s airports. Also, soldiers and other security agencies have been put on red alert to forestall any attack from the dreaded Islamic sect, Boko Haram. Army spokesman, Bridadier General Mobolaji Koleoso, who disclosed this, said that all security agencies have been put on 24-hour surveillance. General Koleoso said that more successes are being recorded through the mounting of roadblocks and stop and search operations as many arms and ammunitions and suspects have been arrested. He said that Nigerians should appreciate what the security agencies are doing even though it is

causing delays on the highways, but it is for the interest of Nigerians. On when the roadblocks will be removed, General Koleoso simply answered, “When the president directs”. However, informed military sources revealed that officers and men of the Armed Forces were not granted pass to travel during the Christmas and the New Year. According to the source, the signal released by Defence Headquarters directed all officers and soldiers to remain on their duty posts during the yuletide festivities. On the retirement of the 36 Generals and 15 Colonels, the Army spokesman stated that the terms and conditions of service of the Army stipulates that at the age of 56 years as a Major General, “You must be prepared to go home”. Also, at the age of 52 as a Brigadier General, “and you are not promoted to Major General, you must be prepared to go home”. The conditions also stipulates that six months to

Police arrest con-man pastor BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

HE police in Lagos State said they have arrested a pastor and a travel agency operator, who allegedly, specializes in defrauding intending pilgrims of using the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission. Lagos State Police Command Spokesperson, Ngozi Braide who confirmed the arrests, disclosed that the suspects had been granted bail pending the completion of investigations. However, the suspects who were identified by the police as Lanre Onabanjor, a staff of Ashton and Dave Travel Agency and

Rev. Joshua Taiwo, an Ibadan based pastor, with the Gospel Faith Mission International, GOFMINT, were arrested when policemen attached to BarBeach Police Station following a complaint from a victim who accused the suspects of defrauding him of about N1.3million. A police source who craved anonymity told Vanguard that the victim, Fatayi Osholonge, had approached the travel agency, located at Saka Tinubu Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, after speaking to one of their agents assured him that the agency would assist him and his wife arrange a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the Vatican in Rome.

your attainment of the age of 56, you must put in for voluntary retirement, failure to do that, the Army Council will retire you compulsorily. Why there is so much acrimony over the retirement is that some generals wanted a year extension which can only be granted by the President and Commander-In-Chief but were all turned down.

...AS FAAN allays fear of insecurity at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport T

HE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) yesterday said there were no security threats at Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport during the Christmas celebration. Mr Henry Ofobi, FAAN’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) at the airport made this known to newsmen in Abuja. He said that this was due to the tight security measures put in place by the authority, adding that it would continue through the New Year. Ofobi reassured airport users of tight security during and after the yuletide. He said that passengers and other airport users had free and safe movements during the period compared with the level of crime recorded in 2011 and previous years. Although, he did not release statistics to back up his statement, Ofobi said that many security measures had been put in

HE Pere of Akugbene- Mein kingdom in Bomadi LGA of Delta state, His Royal Majesty, S.P Luke, Kalanama VIII celebrated his 15 th year anniversary with pomp and pageantry last Saturdy in his palace. The ceremony which attracted diginitaries from

both government and private sectors extolled the virtues of the traditional ruler, also described the Royal father as peaceful and friendly king. The Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Ochei hailed the royal father for his leadership qualities that have brought stability,

place by Ms Stella Oduah, the Minister of Aviation. He stressed that the measures were to ensure that no security threat was experienced at the air-

ports across the country. He added that transactions were conducted in a smooth manner, adding that the kind of stress that passengers normally ex-

perienced at this period was absent. “This is due to the remodeling of the airports initiated by the minister.

Igbodo community chases Obi’s wife from palace •Insists the Obi must marry an indigene BY AUSTIN OGWUDA, Asaba

OMMOTION broke out yesterday at the palace of the Obi of Igbodo community in Ika North East local government area of Delta State following a mass protest by the community, leading to the sack of the Obi’s wife, whom they complained was not a native of the community. There had been a lingering crisis of the purported marriage between

the Obi and his wife, who hailed from Ebonyi State. Although, the Obi Ikechukwu Nkeobikwu Osedume I, the Obi of Igbodo had insisted that his Ebonyi-born heartthrob remains his choice as wife , the palace chiefs and a good number of the community mostly women had been kicking against that choice. The crisis came to a head yesterday, when the Obi who had been hibernating in Asaba, decided to bring in the wife to the palace

Thursday night. And while sensing danger, he came with a armed security men to ward off any possible danger. However, the security men engaged by him had to ‘surrender ’ when scores of protesters marched to the palace to demand the immediate exit of the wife. Eyewitness told our reporter that “the Obi’s wife was smuggled from the palace by armed soldiers and policemen into safety at the heat of the commotion”.

Globacom applauds P-Square on Channel O Music Award

EADING telecoms Operator, Globacom, has congratulated pop music giants and Glo ambassadors, P-Square, on the 2012 Channel O Music Video Awards for Most

Royal father celebrates 15 years anniversary

HRM Orodje Of Okpe (right) Congratulating the new Ovie of Agbarha-Otor Kingdom HRM Richard Oghenevwogaga Ebelle Okorefe1, during the visit of Delta state traditional rulers to the palace in Agbarha-Otor

peace and transformation to his domain.” Earlier, the royal father, thanked the government of Delta State and prominent sons and daughters of of Akugbene – Mein kingdom who responded passionately to their plea during the flood crises that ravaged the area.

Gifted Duo which they won recently. At the 2012 Channel O Music Award ceremony held at the Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown, Soweto, South Africa, PSquare won the ‘Most Gifted Group/Duo’ award for their collaboration with Akon and May D on the hit single ‘Chop my money’. In his reaction to the award, Globacom’s Group Chief Operating Officer, Mohamed Jameel, said the award is an honour to the Nigerian music industry as a whole, and Globacom in particular as PSquare have been worthy ambassadors to the company. He

applauded the artistes on their award and expressed appreciation to

them for being great ambassadors of the company and the country.

Ex-Vanguard chief, Kola Animasaun’s car stolen

wine coloured 2004 model TOYOTA CAMRY Saloon car, registration number JJJ 400 AT, belonging to veteran journalist and former Chairman, Editorial Board of Vanguard Newspaper, Alhaji Kola Animasaun, has been stolen. According to the retired media chief, the car was stolen at LTV 8, Lateef Jakande Road,

Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos on Saturday December 22, 2012. It’s details include, chasis number: 4T1BE32K62UO86786 and engine number: 2AZ7222199. Anyone with relevant information about the vehicle should contact the owner on 08033447088, 08023023525 or report the nearest police station.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012 — 7

Ransom on Okonjo-Iweala’s mum tear s kidnap gang apart •New leader bolts with N1 million •Police arrest kidnapper days after forming new group BY EMMA AMAIZE, Regional Editor, South South and AUSTIN OGWUDA, Asaba

HE 10-man kidnap gang, which abducted Prof Kamene Okonjo, mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been torn apart as a result of sharing the ransom collected for the release of the queen mother of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom in Delta State. The new leader of the gang reportedly bolted away with N1million share of another member of the gang. The affected member, 32 –year-old Andrew, aka Olokpa, from Edo state, who was desperately in need of money, decided to go on a reprisal mission by forming a new kidnap gang and was caught by the police. He is presently on detention at the Delta State Police Command headquarters in Asaba. He was seized on Thursday when police, acting on intelligence information, lured him to sell one of the guns in his possession, which was used in the kidnap of the queen mother of Ogwashi-Uku kingdom. His arrest was confirmed to Saturday Vanguard, yesterday, in Asaba by the Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba.

Hired for operation

the

The suspected kidnapper, who spoke to Saturday Vanguard from the police cell, yesterday, however, asserted he was not among the main 10man kidnap gang that abducted Prof Okonjo. He stated that he was merely hired to supply food to Prof Okonjo in the bush, where she was kept on two occasions. Commissioner Aduba, who maintained that that the police was not in support of payment of ransom to kidnappers and was not told by the family

of Okonjo that they paid ransom to kidnappers, told Saturday Vanguard that nemesis would catch up with the remaining kidnappers, as the police have a database on them. He confirmed our information that the second-in-command of the gang, who took over from the former leader and kidnap kingpin, Nwaeze Nwosa, a.k.a Bolaji, after he was shot dead by the police, Thursday, December 13, bolted away with N1 million share of the ransom kept for another member, Olokpa. The gang members seriously disagreed on the action of the new leader and advised him to return Olokpa’s money to him, as he was the one in who took care of Prof Okonjo in their hideout. The kidnap leader refused and Olokpa, who was in possession of the arms and ammunition used for the operation was in desperate money for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. He reportedly formed another kidnap gang, which went for an operation in Aboh in Ndokwa area of the state. The gang successfully kidnapped the victim but was confronted on the way out by the vigilance group in the area, which riddled its vehicle with bullets. “Since we know the hideout they planned to use, we strategized to lay ambush for them at the hideout, but because of the shooting by the vigilance group, the group diverted to Edo state, where they abandoned the vehicle used for the operation”, a source confided in our reporters. Saturday Vanguard was told that police detectives continued with the hunt for the gang and having discovered that Olokpa was in dire need of money, they sold a dummy to him that somebody wanted to buy a gun.

He fell for the deal and struck a bargain for N300,000 not knowing that he was speaking to a police detective. The suspect came to Koka junction in Asaba to collect the money for the gun when the police arrested him. He denied being the person that negotiated for the sale of a gun when he found that he was trapped. However, it was difficult to extricate himself and he decided to escape, but he was shot on the leg in the process.

How we captured the gang member — Aduba

Speaking on the arrest of Olokpa, Commissioner Aduba said, “What I can tell you is that following our intelligence gathering on the identities of members of the kidnap gang responsible for the kidnap of Professor Mrs. Okonjo and days of painstaking monitoring at about 12.30pm, one Andrew (surname withheld) was arrested at Koka junction, Asaba. “We got to know through networking of information the bush the woman was kept. The major players were identified, even though they are scattered, the camp was in disarray following the death of their leader, Nwosa. “I still reiterate the issue of ransom, the issue of ransom payment was a rumour. We (police) are not part of it. I don’t encourage ransom”, he stated. According to him, “When we eventually smashed the gang with the death of their leader, one of them, who was promised N1 million as his share became angry

Pix shows Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, Commissioner of Police, Delta (left) and his Deputy Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, briefing newsmen over arrest of Prof. Kamene Okonjo’s kidnap suspect. Photo by Nath Onojake. because he was denied of the money. “He broke away from the gang. We (police) were aware because of the close tab on them. And because he was angry, he decided to engage in other kidnapping activities to enable him get enough money for the Christmas and New Year celebrations. “He participated in kidnapping an 82 year old man at Aboh. We (knew) about the kidnap, but did not know the route. We knew the day and kept on our surveillance and on that day, the community’s vigilance group opened fire and this man, leading another gang, moved to Edo State and abandoned the vehicle used for the operation along Auchi expressway. “They later brought the man (victim) to Emu in Delta State and put him in custody of one of their gang members, who incidentally is a native of that village’,” he asserted. His words, “So we sold a dummy to him (leader of new gang) to sell the gun he inherited from Nwosa- led gang to a big man from Lagos who was in need of it for N300,000 since he was desperately in need of money and in the process of giving him the gun, we got him

arrested.”

Controversy over ransom

Even though the police have categorically maintained that it was not aware that ransom was paid, it was obvious from the arrest of Olokpa on Thursday that ransom was actually paid. Saturday Vanguard exclusively broke the story of the ransom that was collected by the kidnappers. Our information was that the ransom was dropped somewhere along the Benin bypass on the Warri-Benin-Lagos expressway, but it was not confirmed by security agencies, who were hoarding information from themselves. A source said the first time the ransom was to be paid, the kidnappers spotted a security officer with a member of the family and called it off. “That was one of the reasons why she stayed up to five days in the kidnappers’ den”, our source hinted. It was reported that the State Security Service, SSS, operatives from Abuja arrested one of the kidnappers when he went to deposit part of the ransom, which was

marked in the bank, but the authorities have not officially corroborated the claim. An SSS source in Asaba, who confirmed that their colleagues from Abuja, indeed, came for an operation over the Prof Okonjo matter, however, said, “We do not have the details of what they unearthed here in Asaba”. Olokpa admitted to the police that the new leader of the gang took his share of the money, but he was asked by Saturday Vanguard how the operation was carried out, he retreated, saying, he was brought in only after the kidnap had been carried out. According to him, the kidnapper, who took over from Bolaji “is the one I know, he is my friend, he is the one who brought me in, he told me that he has a job for me to supply food, bread , groundnut and water to the person they kidnapped.” “He said the person was kept somewhere in the bush and that he will pay me N100,000 for the job. I saw it as easy money and I accepted it”, he said, adding that he knew that kidnapping was a crime, but the money was irresistible for him because his job was not rewarding.

Villagers protest abduction of their children

ILLAGERS from Ovumte, Ayaragu and Ekembe in Ishiagu community of Ebonyi, yesterday, protested the incidences of abduction of children in their area. The protesters, in their

hundreds, mostly aged women and youths, took to the roads chanting war songs and calling on the police and other security agencies to unmask those behind the dastardly act. The peaceful protesters

later marched to the Ivo Divisional Police Headquarters, where they gave the police a sevenday ultimatum to unmask the perpetrators. They said: “Our villages are under siege. Abductors

have taken over our villages and we live in fear of the unknown.” “We are giving the police one week to uncover those behind the act.”

8— Vanguard, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2012

Arrest of Babalakin and Lamido’s son has no political undertone — EFCC BY EMEKA MAMAH & SONI DANIEL

HE Economic and Fi nancial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has said that there was no political undertone in the arrest of the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin and the son of the Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, Aminu for alleged financial crimes. The commission said both men committed offences punishable by law and could not have been arrested for political reasons. There had been insinuations in political circles that the arrest of the two people was not unconnected with the 2015 presidential election as both of the suspects

were close to the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Some political pundits believe that the ‘’harassment’’ of the two people started shortly after Obasanjo reportedly expressed support for the duo of Governor Sule Lamido and his Rivers State counterpart for President and Vice President in 2015, as the presidency was said to have become jittery over the development. Although Dr Babalakin is not a politician, it was beleived that being very wealthy, he could be called upon by his friend to provide financial support for his preferred candidates. However, the Acting Head of Media and Publicity in the EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, told Vanguard that

the allegation that the two men were arrested because of their closeness to former President Obasanjo was baseless and a product of mischief. Uwujaren said that Balalakin was arrested and

charged to court for money laundering and not because he had anything to do with Obasanjo while Lamido’s son was caught with over $40,000 at the airport, wondering if Obasanjo asked them to allegedly ‘’commit

these crimes?’’ According to him, the commission had arrested many other Nigerians with over $9 million at different airports in Nigeria and charged them to court in accordance with the law

Henry Ebireri suspended indefinitely

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi making a point at the town hall meeting with the people of Asari-toru Local Government Area in Buguma recently.

Fake Navy officer kills 12--yr-old girl in Calabar BY JOHNBOSCO AGBAKWURU, Calabar

28 year-old man Ike chi Okoro who claimed to be a Navy officer is now on the run after allegedly killing one Joy Chidera Timoty who is 12 years old and primary five pupil of Holy Trinity Anglican Primary School, Calabar, Cross River State with a Pepsi bottle over N800 indebtedness to the mother of the deceased. Already, the younger brother to the alleged assailant, Friday Okoro has been arrested by the police from Atakpa Police Station, Calabar, Cross River state where the matter was reported while the entire Okoro family that reside at 34 Wilkie Street have taken to their heels after Chidera was confirmed dead. The father of late Chidera, Mr. Timoty Oguoha while narrating the incident that

led to the death of his first daughter said that the brother of the assailant Orieke Okoro who repairs tricycle had refused to pay his wife, Mrs. Mercy Oguoha N800 that he was owing her for several months. Oguoha said that

Orieke used to patronize the wife’s restaurant and provision shop and at times used to buy drinks on credit, adding that when the indebtedness rose up to N800, Orieke stopped buying from the wife again and started patronizing the

the people of Asari-Toru Local Government Area of the state at the Kings National College Field, Buguma. “Trans-Kalabari road is

ELTA State Commis sioner for Poverty Alleviation, Dr Anthonia Ashiedu has fallen apart with her Media Aide, Mr Amechi Udemba over political differences ahead of the 2015 governorship election in the State.

ter two months the boy was not coming to the shop rather he was going to the nearby shop to buy drinks and provisions and pay cash, my wife told him that if he did not pay her, she will seize his tools.

A dependable source said the commissioner and her aide belonged to two different political camps, an action the Commissioner saw as an affront or could impede her political aspiration. The source said one of the governorship aspirants is a serving senator (name withheld), while the other one is a principal member of the State

awarded the contract to Lubrik for N21 Billion. You know before what I promised the chiefs is that I will stop at Baka-

agreed to take it to the end in Buguma and one assurance I give you is that by January, I will mobilize contractor to start work”.

Naval chopper crash: Falana accuses FG of failing to commiserate with four others BY BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE

AGOS lawyer and hu man rights activist, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) has accused the Federal Government of not deem-

Delta commissioner falls apart with aide over 2015 guber BY FESTUS AHON Ughelli

nearby shop. “The indebtedness rose to N800 and has stayed about two months. Whenever my wife goes to collect the money, he will claim he did not have money but he was working steadily. When my wife discovered that af-

Rivers to spend N21billion on Trans-Kalabari road —Amaechi Town Hall Meeting with c o m i n g . We have na, but now we have IVERS State Gover nor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi says the sum of N21Billion (Twenty one billion Naira) will be needed for the construction of the Trans-Kalabari road, the major road project of his administration in the Kalabarispeaking area of the State. He said contract for the Trans-Kalabari Road project has been reawarded to Lubrik Construction Company (LCC). He stated this during a

without anyone raising any political issue over them. “What EFCC is doing has nothing to do with any politics of the past or the future but to rid the nation of economic and financial crimes,” the spokesman added. One of the son’s of Governor Lamido, Aminu was arrested with undeclared N6.3 million equivalent in U.S dollars at the Kano airport about two weeks ago.

House of Assembly (name withheld). The source who pleaded anonymity said trouble started during a meeting held at the Commissioner’s house, where the Media Aide insisted that there was no going back on his decision to work for the governorship ambition of an aspirant different from her boss’s aspirant.

ing it fit to commiserate with the remaining four who died in a naval chopper that crashed in a swampy location in the Nimbe local government area of Bayelsa state on Saturday, December 16, 2012 killing also General Andrew Owoye Azazi and Governor Patrick Yakowa. Falana said: “Since the naval chopper which crashed in a swampy location in the Nimbe local government area of Bayelsa state on Saturday, December 16, 2012 killing all the six people on board the impression has been conveyed by the Federal Government that only two peopleGeneral Andrew Owoye Azazi and Governor Patrick Yakowa lost their

lives”. He pointed out that President Goodluck Jonathan and other government officials have since paid condolence visits to the bereaved families of General Azazi and Governor Yakowa, noting that apart from such condolence visits the Federal Government has been involved in the burial programmes of the two VIPs. “Notwithstanding that some members of the families of the deceased pilots and aides have complained of official neglect the Federal Government has not deemed it fit to commiserate with them for losing their loved ones in an avoidable plane crash” Falana added.

HE combative, irrever ent and serial violator of the Okpe Union Constitution has been suspended from office indefinitely for the second time in eighteen months as secretary general, Okpe union headquarters. This is as a result of the serial violation of the constitution of Okpe union, abuse of office, and inability to refund union funds in his possession since September, 2011. This decision which was carried by a voice vote at the general meeting held on December 23, 2012 at the union headquarters 65 Moshalashi street, Obalende Lagos and presided over by the deputy president-general Okpe union headquarters, Mr. John Ekpoke, enjoyed the applause of the majority of the members in attendance.

Janet Sowunmi buried

HE remains of Mrs Janet Sowunmi of Ibogun Sowunmi village , Ogun State has been buried. She was buried yesterday at ibogun Sowunmi village after a burial ceremony that commenced December 27 with a Christian Wake keep at her residence. The Thanksgiving service would hold at St David’s Anglican Church, Ibogun Sowunmi village, tomorrow.

•Mrs Sowunmi

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012 — 9

Kogi Gov in road accident, ADC dies on the spot BY BOLUWAJI OBAHOPO, Lokoja and EMILY OFIDE

OGI State Governor, Captain Idris Wada, rtd, has been flown to Abuja in critical condition, following an auto crash which claimed the life of his Aide-DeCamp, ADC, Idris Muhammed in Lokoja yesterday. It was learnt that he would be flown abroad when his condition becomes stable. Already, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party has directed its members across the country to pray for his survival. The party in statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh also expressed the party ’s deep shock over the accident. “Our great Party is yet to recover from a rude shock arising from a recent similar incident. We therefore wish to direct all our members to observe compulsory minutes of prayers for the speedy recovery of Governor Wada and to spare the Party from further painful incidents,” Metuh said, and prayed for the repose of the soul of the governor ’s ADC who died in the accident.

According to sources, the front tyre of the governor ’s car pulled out while it was on high speed and the vehicle summersulted several times before ramming into an uncompleted building. Wada who was returning from Ayingba after attending the Igala Summit was said to have been lucky to survive the accident as his official vehicle involved in the crash instantly became a scrap. Saturday Vanguard was informed that Wada who was in a haste to return to Lokoja, the state capital for the Fri-

Gov Idris Wada

day Jumat prayer left Ayingba by 1.pm after

HE 17th Joint Council of Knights Delegates Conference of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has appealed to the Federal and State governments in the northern part of the country to urgently address the spate of bombings of churches in the region which has resulted in the killing of Christians. The Conference while also frowning at the high level of unemployment across the country and the attendant negative consequences which have led to youth restiveness, armed robbery, kidnapping, prostitution and other forms of crime, implored the government at all levels to address the is-

fore being flown to an undisclosed hospital in Abuja for further treatment. It was not known when he would however be flown abroad. A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Yabagi Bologi confirmed the incident but added that Wada was ‘’in a stable condition’’ just as he was being well catered for at the hospital, even as a government house source told Saturday Vanguard said that ‘’all they are doing is just to get him stabilized before he is flown for better treatment.’’

Gunmen attack prison, police station in Adamawa *15 killed in Maiduguri *20 in Yola *One in Jigawa BY UMAR YUSUF, NDAHI MARAMA and ALIYU DANGIDA Yola

O fewer than 36 persons were feared killed in Yola and Maiduguri when unknown gunmen attacked the Maiha Prisons, be-

fore setting the Maiha Divisional Police Station, the local governmet Education Authority Complex, as well as the Governor’s Lodge in Adamawa State ablaze in the early hours of yesterday. In Musari Community, near Maiduguri, capital of Borno State, 15 people were also killed by some unidentified gun-

Address insecurity in the north — Anglican Knights BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE Benin

asking his convoy of vehicles to speed up so as

to meet the prayer session.However, the accident occurred at EletaJimgbe (a suburb in Lokoja) which was about five minutes drive to the Jumat Mosque. ”It was curious. Only the governor ’s vehicle was involved; nothing happened to other vehicles in his front nor those at the back,” the sources added. The source further said that the ADC who was not putting on his seat belt died on the spot as he was flung out while the Governor, his orderly and driver were treated at the State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, be-

sue without delay by creating employment opportunities for the unemployed youths. The Joint Council of Knights in a communique it issued at the end of its 17 th Annual Delegates Conference held in Benin, the Edo State capital and signed by its PresidentGeneral, Brig- General (Dr.) B.O. Aisien (Rtd), commended the Federal and state governments for the increase in budgetary allocation to the Education sector and called on parents, teachers and the government to reverse the ugly trend of the fallen standard of education in the country. On corruption, the Conference noted that Nigeria as a nation cannot be transformed if corruption was not tackled and called on all Nigerians to join

hands in the crusade against corruption even as it said that the government at all levels must go beyond mere rhetoric in tackling the hydra-headed monster head-on. On the privatization of the power sector, the Anglican Knights while commending the federal government for addressing the issue of power failure in the country said the privatization process should be fully guided to ensure accelerated and successful completion. It lamented the unnecessary emphasis on state of origin and described it as counterproductive to the development and growth of the country and therefore recommended that people should be accorded their rights and privileges based on merits wherever they reside.

men in the early hours of yesterday, the Joint Task Force, JTF Spokesman, Leutenant Colonel Sagir Musa has confirmed. Musa said: “Information available to the JTF, Operation Restore Order indicated that unknown gunmen sneaked in to Musari Community – a village located at the outskirts of Maiduguri and secretly carried out selective killings of five people including a serving Nigerian Police Traffic Warden. The incident happened in the early hours of yesterday, between 1 – 3 am.’’ He added that the JTF troops however responded to the distressed calls and, arrested three suspected assailants and recovered one AK 47 Rifle with 10 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, pointing out that investigation had commenced to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang. Also in Jigawa State, Ringim town was also thrown into mourning following the reported killing of a young graduate, Malam Rabiu Danladi by a robbery gang on his way back from Kano. Malam Danladi, 32, who was a teacher at a Police Girl‘s College in Shanono, Kano state was attacked by a gang of armed robbers along Ring road around

7.30pm on Thursday as he was driving a brand new car which he was going to show to his family members for their blessing and prayers. However, the attackers of Maiha Prisons were said to have freed all the inmates, during the incident which reportedly started around 3am. The attack in Maiha came barely two weeks after another bloody attack on Madagali town, near the area. Maiha Local Government shares common border with the Cameroun Republic. Eyewitness in Maiha who spoke to newsmen on telephone that that Divisional Police Station, Customs Area office and the Governor ’s Lodge, all located in the local government headquarters were completely razed down. According to the eyewitness, the heavily armed gunmen, in their large numbers, overran the police station, carted away all the arms and ammunition, before setting it ablaze. They later proceeded to the prisons where all the inmates were set free. They however said that the gunmen had targeted the Local government Education Authority complex which they also reportedly ransacked and set ablaze. There was pandemonium in the entire town, following the sound of heavy gun fire and the smoke which allegedly

enveloped the area. according to the eyewitness. Adamawa State Police Commissioner, Godfrey Okeke confirmed the incident. Okeke who spoke on the issue from Maiha, told newsmen on the telephone, and requested not to be disturbed further as he needed rest. “Nobody should disturb me now. Already, I am in Maiha; you people should allow me to rest,” he added. The state Police Public Relation Officer, PPRO, Deputy Superintendent Mohammed Ibrahim also said he was with his boss in Maiha to assess the situation and declined further comments. The state Controller of Prisons, Mr Andrew Barka, confirmed the attack on telephone. Barka, who declined to give details of the attack, said he was on his way to Maiha. “I am on my way to Maiha with the Commissioner of Police,” Barka said. Meanwhile, it was learnt that the young graduate teacher, Danladi, struggled with his attackers in the process of trying to snatch the key when he was shot dead. The deceased who was married and had three children, has since been buried in accordance with Islamic injunction even as robbery activities were on the increase especially on RingimKano, Ringim-Dutse and Dutse-Kano roads respectively.

10—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012

Subsidy protest

2012: A year of many irregular shots

Like the previous years, 2012 is a year that will go down history lane as one that heralded spectacular events in the life of Nigerians. Some of those events caught the nation on the tether, prompted agonies and sent shock down the spines of many people. To some , it appeared that the world had come to an end as they lost loved ones. Other encountered challenges may have caused indelible marks on their psyche. But even in the midst of the quagmire, there are few remarkable events. The following summed up major events that shaped 2012 as chronicled by Saturday vanguard’s JOHN BULUS.

Removal of Oil Subsidy/ National Protests

anuary is the first month of the year and as such marks the be ginning of every activity for most people. Most noted is the fact that it usually heralds economic challenges for many people. Indeed, such was the case in January 2012 when President Goodluck Jonathan expunged subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called fuel on January 1 thereby shooting the product that was hitherto sold at N65 per liter to an all time N141.That was to the chargrin of almost every Nigerian especially the common people who saw the development as both ill timed and callous. Although the Presidency had, prior to the time, announced the removal, it was later to become a very controversial issue that heated up the polity. There were protests. There were industrial strikes. There was a consternation of rash condemnations. For the very first time in the history of protests and strikes in Nigeria, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other organized civil society groups protested and literally shut down the economy. It raged on for nine days and the nation was at a standstill. It took the reversal of the policy by the federal Government after series of intense dialogues with Labour leaders to quell the ugly storm but

not without raising the price to N97 Tragedy struck Nigeria on June 3 per liter which still persists today. when a commercial flight belonging to Dana Airline came down on a building in the suburb of Lagos killSack of Hafiz Ringim January 2012 also prompted a ing all the 153 passengers on board. change in the Nigeria’s police hier- It was a black Sunday for the nation. archy. The ill development left many peoFormer Inspector General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim was sacked by ple especially relatives of the vicPresident Goodluck Jonathan. Ring- tims utterly devastated. One of those im was a victim of his own personal whose lives were lost in the crash error or better still, incompetence as was late Professor Owuliri, husband widely alleged by analysts. His sack to Minister of State for Foreign Afcame on the heels of the escape of fairs, Mrs. Voila Onwuliri. ProfesKabiru Sokoto, a Boko Haram accom- sor Onwuliri before his death left the plice from the police net under a con- seat of Federal University of Techtroversial circumstance that smacked Continues on page 11 both complicity and conspiracy, involving a former Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zakari Biu. Soon after, the federal Government issued a 24 hour ultimatum to the former IG to produce Sokoto or faced dismissal from the Force. But that was not to come as Sokoto still remained at large. Making good its threat, the Presidency on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 fired Ringim and replaced him with Mohammed Dikko Abubarkar who hitherto was the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, in charge of zone 12, Bauchi. With the sack, Ringim ended his career which would have been loftier had he retired honorably the coming month.

Dana Crash

Hafiz Ringim

Dana Crash

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012 —11

2012: A year of many irregular shots

The Aluu four Farouk/Otedola Continued from page 10

Farouk/Otedola debacle

Events that shaped 2012 may not be complete without the mentioning of Honourable Farouk Lawan, a member of House of Representatives from Kano State and a business mogul, Femi Otedola. Both were locked up in an alleged sordid scam arising from the investigations in the oil subsidy involving Otedola’s company. Lawan who headed the House Adhoc Committee was later to be accused by Otedola of collecting bribe of a huge sum of dollars from him in the course of the investigation. The case later assumed a disturbing dimension that it attracted a national attention. At a time it was about casting an aspersion on the integrity of the House, Lawan was suspended from the Chairmanship of the Committee. Though the case has been silenced, the impression amongst Nigerians is that powerful forces may have swept it under the carpet as the truth was never revealed.

nology, Owerri as the Vice Chancellor. President Goodluck Joanthan was later to order three days of national mourning to honour the victims.

If there is a year that recorded unprecedented flood disaster in Nigeria and wrecked gargantuan havoc on the people, it was 2012. From the East to the North, South and West, floods raged on for weeks

Nnaji suddenly resigned in August. His resignation was controversial. It was wondered whether it was really a sack or resignation in some quarters. Nnaji left office when hopes were high that the nation’s power woes were being tackled by his skills and expertise. Having successfully established a private power plant in Abuja some years prior to his appointment as a Minister, many had thought he would employ the same measure to give the sector a facelift. But surprising, the Presidency in August announced his resignation. It was later to be heard that Nnaji resigned consequent upon the influence of some powerful interests in the government.

The Aluu four killings Resignation of Power A gory incident took place in Minister, Prof. Barth Port Harcourt in October. Four students of the University of Nnaji

Resignation is not a common word in the lexicon of Nigerian Public Service. And so, it was a huge surprise to many Nigerians that the former Minister of Power, Professor Barth

Port Harcourt were lynched in Aluu Community, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, for allegedly stealing phones and laptops in an off campus hostel. The stu-

to ease off the excessive water which constituted threats to the dam. The release of the dam water resulted in massive overflow of the River Niger in Nigeria, causing terrible damage on people’s homes. Farmlands were also not spared as hundreds of them were submerged. Anambra, Bayelsa, Imo, Gombe and Kogi, Benue states were the worst hit by this disaster. However, the government has taken steps to cushion the effect of the problem on the people across the country by giving monetary relief to many victims.

Prof. Barth Nnaji

Ondo, Edo Gubernatorial elections glas, a Presidential aide when dents, Llyod Michael, Tekena The year 2012 also featured Elkanah, Ugonna Obuzor and Chidiaka Biringa were beaten and later set ablaze by the mob suspected to be members of the community. The community saw the opportunity as a pay back time having been terrorized by armed robbers for some months. The incident attracted unprecedented concerns from Nigerians across the world especially on the manner of the killing. Investigations by the police later proved that the four undergraduates were neither cultists nor criminals. Though some arrests have since been made, Nigerians are yet to know the outcome.

The floods menace

If there is a year that recorded unprecedented flood disaster in Nigeria and wrecked gargantuan havoc on the people, it was 2012. From the East to the North, South and West, floods raged on for weeks. They were said to have emanated from the neighboring country of Cameroon when the dam was reportedly opened by the Government of Cameroon

two governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States. The elections were keenly contested by various candidates of major political parties which included the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But incidentally, the sitting Governors of the two states, Comrades Adams Oshiomhole and Olusegun Mimiko who sought a second term mandate from the people emerged victorious in the elections.

Yakowas/Azazi: One crash too many

Yet again, Nigerians at the twilight of the year witnessed another orgy of tragedy that threw the country in mourning. Just when it would be said that they had almost survived the year, Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State and former National Security Adviser, NSA, General Andrew Owoye Azazi died in an air crash on December 15, 2012. They were returning from Bayelsa State where they had attended the burial service of the father of Mr. Oronto Dou-

their helicopter crashed landed and caught fire. Reports s a i d they were so burnt that what remained of them were their charred bodies. Yakowa’s death prompted a transfer of power to his former deputy, Yero who has since been sworn in as the governor of the state.

Inauguration of female CJN, Justice Alaoma Mariam Mukhtar

Meanwhile, 2012 did not produce only negative events. There was also some cheery news. The Nigerian Judiciary recorded a feat. For the first time in the history of the country, a female Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) emerged. She is Justice Alaoma Mariam Mukhtar. Until her appointment, Justice Mutktar was one of the Justices at the Supreme Court of Nigeria. She succeeded former CJN, Justice Musdapher. As the year comes to an end, it is everyone’s prayer that 2013 will rather spur more blessings that tragedies for Nigerians.

12—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012

•President Jonathan

eports of financial scams, fraudulent activities involving highly placed private and public officials, children of powerful politicians, money laundering, abuse, misuse, waste of public funds and bribe scandals were rife in the media in 2012, pointing inevitably to a leaking national treasury; which had been recklessly looted over the years. Funds misappropriated, stolen or missing, worsened by profligate spending habit of government could amount to trillions of naira. The House of Representatives ad hoc committee on the administration of fuel subsidy found out that the subsidy administration was compromised, recommended that N1.7 trillion be refunded to the Federal Government. It asked the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPRA), the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and 17 oil marketing companies to refund the amount – N1.7 trillion, blaming the PPRA board for opening the floodgate of the subsidy bazaar.

•Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde

2012: Scams, fraud, money laundering, bribe scandals galore

BY EMMANUEL EDUKUGHO

•Ibrahim Abubakar

Controversy still surrounds the $620,000 subsidy bribe scam involving Hon. Lawan Farouk, erstwhile Chairman, House of Representatives ad hoc committee which probed the petroleum subsidy regime

Some top officials in the office of the Head of Civil Service were charged in court for alleged complicity in the illegal diversion of N32.8 billion from the Nigeria Police Pension Funds. The Special Fraud Unit of the Nigeria Police Force was on the trail of former Governor of Kwara State for alleged involvement in a N21 billion loan scam. A former Director of the Pensions Department, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation was accused of stealing N439 million and charged in a Federal High Court Abuja, but later granted bail in the sum of N50 million. The National Assembly probed the N6.1 billion given by the Federal Government to the Nigerian

C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Commission, NCC, for SIM card registration, as Nigerians were anxious to know how the money was disbursed to the telecoms operators, because they were scored low and have not performed up to expectations. The Save Nigeria Group sought judicial interpretation on the appropriation and spending from the Federal Account in the wake of the subsidy probe. SNG had wanted to know the extent of the National Assembly ’s oversight functions, or whether they are merely responsible for fact finding exercises as many probe reports have been dumped like the power probe which exposed $16 billion expenditure with no power infrastructure or projects

anywhere. Another was the probe of unspent N4.3 trillion budget fund which was not remitted to the Federation Account by ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The House of Representatives probed the withdrawal of N114 billion from the Stabilisation Account by the President within the period of eight months on certain expenditures not budgeted for. Both Hon. Herma Hembe, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Capital Market and his deputy Hon. Chris Azubuogu, were arraigned in court by EFCC for allegedly collecting $4,095 each as estacode to attend a training in the Dominican Republic, but failed to attend and did not return the money. Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Arunma Oteh, had alleged that Hembe asked SEC to contribute N44 million to finance a public hearing on the commission which she turned down, causing hostility between herself and

Hembe. About N42 million was traced to the account of a former Minister of Works in a contract scam. There was confusion over the location of $26.5 million plea bargain money returned by construction giant, Julius Berger over the $180 million bribe Halliburton scam. Controversy was generated by the alleged $15 million bribe money in custody of CBN offered to the former Chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu in 2007 by former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori. The Delta State Government claimed to be the rightful owner, while a businessman, Chibuike Achigbu also came forward as the authentic owner. Over N5 billions out of the N7 billions released by the Federal Government in 2010 to pay contractors for Police Baracks projects were fraudulently diverted causing the InspectorGeneral of Police to set up a Special Task Force to unearth those behind the fraud. It was believed that some senior police officers in connivance

Continues on page 13

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012 —13

Scams, fraud, money laundering Continued from page 12 with contractors in the Works Department masterminded the fraud. Controversy still surrounds the $620,000 subsidy bribe scam involving Hon. Lawan Farouk, erstwhile Chairman, House of Representatives ad hoc committee which probed the petroleum subsidy regime. The EFCC preferred multiple criminal charges against an oil marketer and others including the son of a former PDP chairman who were arraigned in an Ikeja High Court standing trial for a N4.46 billion subsidy fraud. Chairman of Bi-Courtney Limited, Dr. Wale Babalakin, SAN and four others were charged before a Lagos High Court in a matter instituted by EFCC for fraudulently transferring various amounts of money to the sum of N4.7 billion on behalf of former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori. Mr. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly and his personal assistant, Mr. Alade Atoyebi are facing a 20-count charge of alleged money laundering in a Federal High Court, Lagos slammed on the duo by EFCC. They were alleged to have conspired to accept cash payment sof N273.3 Title: Africa’s Quiet Revolution Author: Dominic Okereke Pagination: 1134 pages Publisher: Paragon Publishing, Northampton, United Kingdom Warning! Are you are intellectually lazy, culturally confused, politically myopic, perpetually addicted to Western stereotypes about Africa, and have blurred vision of the much touted economic emancipation of the Black continent, with Nigeria at the vanguard? Then, please, don’t bother to read this book. This is because these are what this revolutionary work by Dominic Okereke, an acclaimed United States-based economist and an alumnus of Cabrini College, Radnor, PA, is all about. The 1134-page book is the most compressive work, in recent years, about the much talked about Africa renaissance. In 16 Chapters, Orlu, Imo State-born Okereke appraises and debunks virtually age-long fixations about the Black Continent often promoted by the West. And like the influential TIME magazine predicted in its December 3, 2012 cover choice, titled Africa Rising, the author predicts that con-

Adeyemi Ikuforiji million from the Lagos State house of Assembly without going through a financial institution. The speaker was alleged to have misappropriated about N500 million of the House’s funds, an offence contravening Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2011. Son of Jigawa State Governor, Aminu Lamido was arrested by EFCC operatives having been found with $40,000 (N7.5m),

Wale Babalakin an amount in excess of authorised $10,000 allowed for travelers on a trip overseas. It was an alleged case of money laundering. There was a running battle between Chairman of Pension Reform Task Team, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Maina who claimed his team uncovered N3.3 trillion pension fund fraud by cabals in various ministries, departments and agencies and the Senate Committee on Establishment, public service

and local governments investigating pension fund which believed that the cabals in the management of pension funds were worse than those in the oil sector. The Senate had summoned Maina over theft of N195 million by the pension office and he refused to appear just as the Senate said Maina is being protected by powerful people and top government officials he cannot be touched. So the Senate

leadership says it has left the matter to God. EFCC Chair man, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, on the other hand, blamed private sector operators, especially financial services institutions, like banks, accounting and audit firms many of who are not only involved in corruption cases but were covering up and conniving with individuals and firms implicated in cases of corrupt practices.

rica’s Quiet Revolution, recommends itself as a must read for anyone that believes in genuine and sustainable economic, political and social revival of Africa, especially from the standpoint of the leadership that Nigeria is primed to provide. It contains blue prints for the extensive transformation of Africa’s economy into the robust emerging economy that will rival its counterparts in Asianamely-China, India, Malaysia and Indonesia. On all counts, the book, Africa’s Quiet Revolution, acquits itself as a veritable compendium and companion

not only for Africans who desire true economic and political revival but also for people across the globe who are not blinded by any dogma or myopic fixations about the undeniable indices for Africa’s renaissance that abound everywhere. The only negative in the book is that some people may find it too voluminous and hard to read because of lack of illustrations in all of its pages. Otherwise, it is a great effort from a revolutionary writer epitomized by Dominic Okereke. It is a must for every lover and true seeker of knowledge.

BOOK REVIEW trary to the prophecies by doomsday experts, who see nothing but economic perdition for the continent, Africa’s economic rebirth is nigh. The book, Africa’s Quiet Revolution, prescribes rapid revolution in principal sectors of the African economy through radical paradigm shifts, assuring that the resultant comprehensive transformation will guarantee significantly higher productivities and double-digit annual economic growth. Prime among the paradigm changes, Okereke notes in the book, is the joint reindustrialization of the African economy and the ailing American industries via a new Strategic trans-Atlantic Alliance modeled on the balanced Euro-US cooperation after World War 11. But as a first step, the author takes readers through a thorough evaluation of the familiar subject-corruptionwhich haunts Nigeria, the principal economy in the continent. The book identifies the most debilitating variant of corruption which fuels massive capital flight from “a post-colonial soft economy”

that is neither capitalist nor socialist. “The Nigerian corruption,” says the author, “thrives on the native Philosophy of Commission hardened by intractable ‘tribalism’ that coagulated and ossified with the imports substitution pattern preferred by European firms since independence. To quicken the rebirth, the author recommends “a new apex political leadership culture” that would be fortified with a unifying lingua franca. He also harps on the need for an inter-ethnic marriage melting pot “for intensified Nigerianization of Nigerian youths at birth. He also recommends spiritual diversity or pluralism, if you like, as a tool to amputate religious intolerance and sectarian violence rocking many parts of Northern Nigeria. “The resultant economic stability,” Okereke further posits in the book, “ will enlarge domestic/foreign investment inflow; and will reverse the current dis-industrialisation, and massive job loss, and the conditions of under-full employment.” In summary, the book, Af-

14â&#x20AC;&#x201D;SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012

2012 UNDER REVIEW

The unfinished business of President Jonathan As the year 2012 roles to close, indications are rife that President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan still have many rivers to cross. Amid the numerous challenges that laid bare ahead of his administration were the daunting tasks of how to tackle the recorded robust economy which has failed to generate employment, his perennial frosty relationship with lawmakers, the lingering fuel crisis and its attendant subsidy imbroglio, instilling sanity in the judiciary as well as calming the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s troubled political waters. CHARLES ADINGUPUexhumes chain of events that make up landmarks in the year under review. ous committees and the culprits sustained injuries. As the Farouk Lawan headed committee was left in a limbo after oil magnate, Mr. Femi Otedola alleges that the erstwhile committee chairman, Faroukd Lawan asked and collected some huge amount of money

or most Nigerians the year 2012 may not be a pleasant one as it opens with fuel subsidy strike which almost crippled the economy. For them, it was a decoy by the Federal Government to systematically but gradually implement in full scale the withdrawal of subsidy from petroleum products. The labour movement, civil right groups and others embarked on a nationwide strike, ostensibly to compelled the federal government to rescind its attempt of subsidy withdrawal. However, after almost a week of muscle flexing, the President buckled under the whims an caprice of the people. Though beyond the parity of no victor no vanguish, some tremendous success was recorded as the aftermath of the strike gave birth to series of committees inaugurated to critically examined the petroleum sector and the rots which pervade the entire system. The fallout of the exercise opened a can of warms which caught most Nigerians by surprise. The inherent fraud perpetrated by both marketers and government officials was exposed. Those behind the dastardly deal, the mafias in the petroleum sector were all unmasked to the chagrin of the masses. At last Nigerians heave a sign of relief that wind has opened the anus of mother chicken in public. Ironically, both those who engaged the oil racketeering as well as members of the vari-

as bribe.

The economy in perspective

Over and again, the Coordinating and Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala has repeatedly echoed that the

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala has repeatedly echoed that the economy is growing steady yet it has failed to generate employment

economy is growing steady yet it has failed to generate employment. According to statistics released by the Federal Bureau of Statistics by the third quarter of the year, shows that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was pegged at 6.5% while the inflation rate currently stands at 12.3%. Also, the Bureau stated that the employment rate as at today stands at 23.9% while foreign debts still hang in the balance. Although, other indices that will translates the economy into a robust one seem to be missing in the economic permutations.

Banking sector

in disarray

The hang over of the endless banking reforms embarked upon by the central bank governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi took a different dimension in 2012 as the acclaimed Islamic economist, threw the banking sector into yet another bout of near impossible reform with the introduction of a cashless economy. This was greeted with stiff opposition from most economists and even ordinary Nigerians who saw the move as a calculated attempt to further strangulate the economy which is yet to recover from the last blows dealt on banks and bankers as well as the economy generally. For a very long time, the argument persists as to the modus-operandi of the cashless economy. According to the critics, how can this be actualised when the necessary apparatus are yet to be put in place. At the neck of time, the

Continues on page 48

SATURDAY

e all dream of being rich, famous and good looking with lovely spouses and beautiful children. But for all of us, that is where it all ends— in the realm of the surreal. Harold Robbins puts it well in his timeless novel:‘Dreams die first’, because they do. The reality of birth, and circumstances, jolt us early in life, to determine how far we will go in the realisation of these fancy dreams. At the end, nobody has it all; and only a fool will even want to. The ability to separate our dreams from our desires, and to be able to balance these two contending factors, is what responsible ‘growing up’ is all about. We strive to satisfy our needs while hoping (and praying) that something will be left to indulge our desires. And even in the pursuit of our needs, we learn to prioritise because there are times when the line between a need and desire is very thin. For example, a middle income earner might consider a family car a need and a desire. But only an undisciplined and irresponsible man would send his children out of school so he could buy a car. As we grow up through the university of life into adulthood, we learn to look at the bigger picture. This means that our ability to indulge in some of our desires depends on other factors like the needs of our core and extended families. Most of us have therefore learnt to put many things (both needs and desires) on hold so our children– sometimes nieces and nephews – can attend decent schools. That’s what being ‘a man’ is all about.

Even richer countries will not attempt such profligacy at this time of global recession. Can you, for an example, imagine any British politician, daring to suggest an upgrade on 10 Downing Street when the people are complaining about unemployment and tax? The State Dining Room is said to accommodate 65 guests and nobody would think of a new one. Whatever for?

orway, an oil producing country, is richer than Nigeria. Yet her Prime Minister is said to travel on commercial airlines. Why can’t we look in that direction? Or in the direction of the President of Malawi, Mrs Joyce Banda who sold the presidential jet her predecessor acquired as ‘a need’ together with 60 Mercedes Benz limousines. In addition, she cut her salary by 30%. Or the president of Uruguay who donated 90% of his salary to the poor. According to an expert, the 18billion Naira earmarked for the maintenance of the presidential fleet, will provide decent accommodation for 18 million Nigerians. Even if there is a ‘need’ for all these things, where do they stand in the face of contending demands for a better, healthier and more educated populace? Right now, Nigerian is ranked as one of the worst places for a baby to be born. (2) Over 70% of the populace live from hand to mouth. (3) An estimated 11 million children of school age are out of school. Out of this 7.5 million are girls. (4) Youth unemployment is said to be as high as 45%. (5) Mo Ibrahim index for African governance rated Nigeria 43 out of 52 assessed countries. (6) Sunday Punch investigation put government funds that disappeared through fraud, theft and embezzlement, at 5trillion Naira. (7) Meanwhile, Nigeria had about 50 private jets when the Yar’Adua/ Jonathan government came in. Today, it is more than 200 and growing. What verdict do you give to a government that continues to govern this way? May I end with a classic Stevie Wonder song of the 70s. ‘We are all amazed but not amused by the things you said you’ll do. So much concerned but not involved with decisions that are made by you. We are sick and tired of hearing the song, telling how you are going to change right from wrong. But if you really want to hear our view. You ain’t done nothing.’ Any government which cares about the verdict if its people and of history must begin to chart a new course NOW.

Nigerian is ranked as one of the worst places for a baby to be born

ut how many ‘real men’ are in positions of authority in our dear country? How many can deny themselves of their luxuries so that one more child can go to school? Or that one more child’s life can be saved? Our leaders make glib remarks about unemployment and poverty yet none – as in none –is prepared to scale back on their lavish lifestyles. I once watched Governor Amaechi of River State— someone I used to admire— on TV talking about corruption and unemployment in the country,and all I could see was the shinning new plane he had just acquired. And where do you situate the presidential wish to spend 1.3 billion Naira on refreshment, 2.2 billion Naira on a new ‘event centre’ and 9 billion Naira on a new ‘home’ for the vice president? Is it need or desire? Or simply a government that is out of touch and out of control? A presidency that needs a fleet of ten planes in a country that has no national carrier? and is prepared to spend18billion Naira every year to maintain that fleet? C M Y K

Significance of Christmas HALELUYAH! You made it to another Christmas. The season of joy, peace and goodwill to all men. Of a truth God is really good to you. The best however is yet to come. God still has so much in store for you and by His grace He will manifest them in your life and all that concerns you. Merry Christmas to you and your entire household. Now what is the significance of Christmas that the world all over is celebrating? People are today celebrating Christmas without having an understanding, and so do not enjoy the benefits. Some think it is a time of merriment in the sense of drinking, partying and all manner of immoral acts. However, the reverse is the case. Of a truth, it is the season of merriment but of a different kind. Christmas was born to eradicate all manner of evil and to establish the Kingdom of God here on earth. When God created the heavens and the earth, He made all things good. When man was made, God said he was very good. God gave man the dominion of all things on the earth (Gen 1:26-28). After the fall of the enemy satan, God cast him out of heaven to the earth. While on earth, satan the devil made man to fall out of the place of God (Gen 3). Thus man lost the presence and glory of God and in essence the authority to rule over the earth. Man handed his earthly kingship to the devil (Luke 4:6), who is today referred to as the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4). With the fall of man came sorrow, hardship, death, sickness, poverty and all manner of evil. The beauty of it all is that God did not allow the devil to have its way. In Gen 3:15, God said, “I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel”. God made a way for man to be reconciled back to Him through the birth of His Son Jesus Christ, who will destroy the works of the devil and place man back again in his original position of authority and glory. Thus enjoying God’s presence once again. In Luke 2:6-14, the bible says, “ And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a

What Presidency’s major Ne w Y ear resolution mus New Year mustt be

Vanguard Vanguard,, DECEMBER 29, 2012—15

When God created the heavens and the earth, He made all things good. When man was made, God said he was very good. God gave man the dominion of all things on the earth

manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior , which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God , and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”. Thus, Christmas is heavens new agenda for man. Mankind was being baptized with the joy of heaven. You cannot abide in God’s presence with sorrow. Adam was driven from God’s presence because of sorrow. Why? In God’s presence is joy. You can’t hear God without joy in your heart. The angel said, Jesus would bring glad tidings of great joy to all men. You are included in all men. This simply means He is reversing everything that causes you sorrow. Let the joy of the Lord be your strength. Don’t stop the move of God in your life. Allow God to have His way. Let the joy of God dominate your life. He also came to give peace on earth. It is the peace that passeth all human understanding (Phil 4:7). This peace that no man can give to you because it is divine, sets the pace for God’s intervention in our lives (Exo 14:14; Ps 46:10). Position and possessions does not guarantee peace. Jesus is the only source of this peace. Finally, Christmas (the birth of Christ) brings good will to all people. This connotes blessings. It is the will of God to bless you. I

For more details, contact us at Christ Reality Church, beside Gossard Hotel, opposite First Bank Sports Ground, Community Road, Satellite Town or P.O.Box, 3196, Yaba Lagos. Tel: 07029235279, 07029235280. E-mail: Johnson_crm@yahoo.com. Website: www.christrealityministries.org. Our account details are Pastor Johnson Omomadia, Guaranty Trust Bank, A/C Nos. 0005171407. Worship with us on Sundays, 1st Service: 745am-9:15am; 2nd Service 9:1511:30am. Wednesdays Word Revelation 6pm. Counseling days Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. 11am-5pm daily or by appointment. Showers of blessing every 2nd - 4th Sat. of each month, 6 a.m - 7.15 am.

16—SATURDAY VANGUARD,DECEMBER 29, 2012

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012, —17

C M Y K

18—SATURDAY VANGUARD,DECEMBER 29, 2012 Dear Aunty Julie, I am a very outgoing person and a very self-confident person. I am very shy when it comes to initiating a relationship. I know that I simply am afraid of rejection. I know this is normal but I feel that my fear is possibly causing me to miss out on a chance of having a good relationship. I have been asked out a few times this year, but the guys did not interest me at all .One was divorced with two kids, the others I found nice but dull. All my friends are male and I talk to them about my problems, but it hasn’t helped at all. How can I gain self-confidence in the area of romance. I don’t have a problem once I am in a relationship and why is it that all my friends are males. Am I seen always as

I fear being rejected the sister or mother type? I am not interested romantically in any of my friends. Agnes, Aba Dear Agnes, Dating can be a nerve-wracking process. There’s always the possibility you’ll fall for someone and risk being rejected, or that others will fall for you and

you’ll be the rejecter. What probably motivates you to understand your dating-related insecurities, though, is that there’s a chance you’ll land yourself a wonderful, mutually satisfying relationship. The first step toward understanding is awareness and you seem to be well on your way. Many people find that being

single and/or dating provides opportunities to learn about themselves, other people, and their preferences. In your case, you notice that your generally positive view of yourself turns negative when faced with dating and the possibility of rejection; you’re most comfortable in a stable relationship; and you prefer to hang out with people you already know pretty well. It’s worth pointing out that you feel self-assured and outgoing when you’re hanging out with your friends. You could be looking to your guy friends to provide comfort during your singleness. Maybe they see you in a similar way, maybe not. Maybe they see you as a sister or mother figure, but it’s really hard to say. Maybe they just dig you for who you are! In any case,

it’s good to have supportive friendships. Since you have a great social support network, it could be easier for you to find some date-able dudes through those connections. Now might be a good time to remind yourself what you have to offer. You can start by making a list of your strengths and positive qualities. Is it possible that you tend to focus more on your shortcomings and reasons why desirable partners might decide to reject you when faced with the initiation of a date? If so, how do you think you’ve come to these ways of thinking? Since you feel confident and outgoing when the pressure’s not on for dating, what’s different about dating situations that zaps these strengths? Answers to this question will help you a lot.

How do I cope with low self-esteem? Aunty Julie, My name is Kafilat and a student of Lagos State Polytechnic. I fear I have low self-esteem. I always compare myself to others. What is lacking in me that makes others better? Is it lack of faith in my abilities or am I being so hard on myself. I’m always saying yes to people or feeling like I’ve said the wrong thing. I’ve been feeling pretty unmotivated lately too, and I think this just adds to the problem. What do I do? Kafilat, Lagos Dear Kafilat,

It seems that you have been pondering your low selfesteem for some time now, since you are familiar with many of its symptoms. You also appear to be experiencing some downtime at the moment which can contribute to and create a cycle of feelings of low self-esteem, low self-confidence, and low self-worth. You are not alone in feeling the way you do. Many people have felt similarly. Self-esteem is simply how good we feel about who we are. However, the impact of self-esteem or the lack of it is quite complicated and far-reaching. Self esteem affects how we see the world and our place in it. It affects how others in the world see and treat us. It affects the choices we

make , choices about what we will do with our lives and with whom we will be involved. It affects our ability to both give and receive love. And, it affects our ability to take action to change things that need to be changed. As you can see, self-acceptance contributes to the development of a healthy self-esteem and can significantly affect how we

live our lives. When we have healthy self-esteem, we are aware of our potential, know the many facets that make us unique and we value and respect ourselves. More importantly, however, we know that our imperfections and/or inadequacies are not inherently bad; they do not define our value and self-worth. With a healthy self-esteem, we are aware

that it’s human to have limitations and make mistakes. Regardless of the level of self-esteem that we may have, it’s fairly common to doubt our self-worth at one time or another during our lives. It can become all too easy to compare ourselves to others. When this self-comparison is occasional, it may be beneficial. It can help us achieve

goals and ideals that we admire and respect in other people. However, when selfcomparison becomes more frequent, all-consuming, and makes us feel that we do not and cannot measure up to our perception of others, it can become self-destructive and affect the quality of our lives. Although it may be challenging, it’s not impossible to start feeling better about yourself.

I was adopted and it’s affecting me Dear Julie, I am 22 years old and doing my NYSC. I was adopted when I was two and a half years old, and I’m having a lot of issues from it. I don’t really like myself and at times, I feel like I don’t know who I am. I never let myself become close to my adoptive family, and still feel uncomfortable and out of place around them. I don’t have many friends. I isolate a lot and don’t really trust people. I am always scared to make friends for fear that I won’t be accepted or liked. Growing up, I often turned to alcohol to escape these feelings and to feel comfortable with myself. The problem now is that I am 22 and I have a two year old daughter. I feel like I need to get over this so I can be a good mother

to her, and raise her to know and love herself. I feel lost, what can I do? Aisha, Auchi Dear Aisha, Some believe that you must love yourself before you can love others, which may be partially true. You say you feel the need to “get over it,” but please keep in mind that the feelings you express are very common among adoptees. You may work through your issues and still be able to provide love to others. Be gentle with yourself. While many people experience feelings of isolation and fears of rejection at various times in their lives, these feelings may be pronounced in people who have been adopt-

ed in a more nuanced way. Why might this be? Many adoptees may be very curious about their unclear origin. They may wonder why they were adopted, and often times, this wondering is accompanied by feelings of worry, sadness, and self-doubt. Even people who feel very positively about their adoptive families may have issues that stem from being adopted. In particular, feelings of sadness may come up during major life milestones like getting married, during life achievements like getting a promotion, birthdays, or other significant events. Feelings of loss are common, even for those who were adopted as babies. People who differ in physical appearance from their

adoptive families sometimes feel like outsiders. Even when families who adopt embrace their child whole-heartedly, others may still inadvertently treat the adopted individual as an outsider. Some people may feel that most of their struggles are related to having been adopted while others feel being adopted has not presented any life challenges for them. No matter where you may be on that spectrum, know that those feelings of mistrust and isolation are understandable and may be common among adoptees. There are many things you may do to work through such feelings, not only for your children or other people close to you, but for your own comfort, as well.

C O C K - T A L E S Call the nurse: I have a question

A man is in a hospital bed wearing an oxygen mask over his mouth. ”Nurse”, he mumbles. “Are my testicles black?” The nurse raises his gown, holds his manhood in one hand and his testicles in the other, takes a close look and says, “There’s nothing wrong with them, s i r . ” The man pulls off the oxygen mask, smiles at her and says very slowly, “Thanks for that, it

C M Y K

was lovely, but listen very, very carefully. Are-mytest-results-black?”

A Successful Marriage

Friend: “It is amazing, how are you able to maintain a successful marriage all these years?” Wife: “We go out once a week to dinner and a movie. Then, we prefer a quiet walk back home.” Husband: “That is right. She goes out every Saturday, I go out TUESDAYS.”

Marriage and Love

Why are married women heavier than single women? Single women come home, see what’s in the fridge and go to bed. Married women come home, see what’s in bed and go to the fridge. * A man tells his doctor that he’s incapable of doing all the things around the house that he used to do. When the examination is over, he says, “Okay, Doctor. In plain English what’s wrong with me?” “Well, in plain English,” says the doctor, “you’re just lazy.” The man nods. “Now give me the medical term so I can tell my wife.”

SATURDAY

hen Wendy rang to ask me if I’d go on a date with her, my first reaction was that she’d gone completely insane”, recalled Jubril, a university lecturer.”Our relationship was great when we first got together but it ended baldly and since they we’ve only seen each other occasionally. “I was her first serious boyfriend, but called the relationship off because we never agreed on anything. We were constantly rowing, then making up. We must have worn each other out as she quickly went into another relationship and came out with a child. I’ve had two kids myself but still single but I wasn’t desperate. I’ve always believed getting back with an ex is a bad idea and I worried we wouldn’t get on. “It was good fun going out with her again and we went to our favourite restaurant. After a few drinks, we talked a lot about the past. But the spark wasn’t there. I can’t ever see us getting back “

Vanguard DECEMBER 29, 2012—19

Is it a good idea getting back with an ex?

together. Too much has changed for us to get back what we had before.”

“I did my Higher School Certificate in a mixed school, and that was how I

met Gabby,” recalled Sade, an IT manager. “We were very

much in love but whilst I got admitted to a university in Lagos, he went up North. I missed him like crazy the first year but whilst absence could make the heart grow fonder, with us it eventually became out of a sight, out of mind. “I was in the office when he just walked in. It was a shock to see him. I almost didn’t recognise him. He looked much better than I remembered,and has spent a lot, of time at the gym because he looked well built. Things were a bit awkward for about an hour but once we got over our nerves, we were our old selves! He took me to lunch and grown-up Jubril was a more intense version of the funny witty man I knew years ago. “I was amazed by how easy it was to talk to him about everything—work, family and other people we’d been put with. We even talked about our break up without hurling insults at each other. It was obvious the old chemistry was still there, and two years later, we got married!”

Make the most of your favourite wine this festive period!

ne of the so-called dividends’ of democracy is the reappearance of choice wines and exotic liquor on various wine and department stores. On the party scene, no matter how lackluster the party, you can guarantee the appearance of different wines. What you can’t guarantee, however, is the authenticity of such wines as fake ones rub shoulders with genuine ones no matter how expensive. Now the festive period is here, loads more wines will surface, and will be enjoyed right into the New Year.

wines with any type of food. There are loads more varieties of course, but the ones listed are some of the commonest. A glass of wine with a good meal is one of life’s pleasure, as a lot of us are now discovering. Reiss pointed out that greater demand had led to tremendous growth in the wine industry, and nowadays, over abundant choices and all the supposed rules about wines can make choosing a bottle intimidating. His advice? Do your thing by debunking some of the wine myths. Wine myth 1: You have to spend a lot of money to get a good wine. Most expensive wines are pricey because they’re rare, not necessarily because they’re the best. You can get a great bottle of wine for less. If you enjoy a certain wine, write down its name. Keep a list on a small pad and bring it with you when shopping for wine. Wine myth 2:There is a right and wrong type of wine for different foods. There are no singular, exclusive pairings for particular kinds of food. Different wines bring out different aspects of food. So don’t be afraid to paire red wine

ut seriously, when that bottle of wine is plunked in front of you at parties, in the restaurant or at home, do you know what you’ll be guzzling? Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay — the names may be familiar, but they can’t tell you what’s in the bottle. Here’s what to expect from some of the most commonly available types of wine from wine experts, Stephen Reiss, author of the Wine Guide: Juice Jargon.

Reds: carbenet Sauignon, (pronounced cab-air-nay-sovee-n’yohn); A heavier wine, often made to improve with age, Merlot, (mair-Io); A medium bodied wine, Pinot noir (Pea-no nwahr); One of the lightest red wines; often treated with oak to help it age. 5auvignon blanc/ fume blanc, (so vee-n’ yohnd Blahn/Foo-may Blahn) medium bodied, often has a taste Ii ke

freshly cut grass; great with food, Pinot grigio/pinot gris, (Pea-no gree-d’jo/ Pea-no gree); A light, simple wine. The Italian name, Pinot Grigio, is the better known. Riesling (Reesling); A tart white wine that can range from very dry to very sweet; one of the best C M Y K

A glass of wine with a good meal is one of life’s pleasure

with fish, for example. Even if you don’t like the particular wine you chose to go with a certain meat, it’s not a crime. You can always try again. Wine myth 3:You have to be an expert to enjoy wine: Absolutely not! To enjoy wine, all you need are your taste buds,

your nose and a little bit of time. Wine myth 4: American wines are as good as European wines: Every region offers its own unique addition to the world of wines. Great wines and poor wines can be found anywhere. Wine myth 5: Corked wine is good, while wine with a twist-off top is bad. Cork is traditional, but these days, twist-off caps and even alternatives to bottles (wine in a box, for instance) are becoming more common.

ow, you’ve got an impressive array of wines; do you know how to store them? Reiss advised you keep unopened wine in a cool, dark place, and store bottles on their sides to keep the corks moist. Dried corks shrink easily and allow air to seep into the wine. White wines may also be stored in the refrigerator, though it isn’t necessary. You can simply chill the wine in the fridge two hours before serving. If you have left-over wine after it’s been opened, replace the cork and place the bottle in the fridge. It should keep for three to five days. If you prefer to drink red wine at a warmer temperature, remove it from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature until it warms to your liking. Left-over wine can be used within three to five days after it has been opened. How to serve wine:White wine is generally best served between 450F and 550F, so keep it in the fridge. If it’s too cold for your taste, let it sit on a counter top for about 15 minutes before drinking. Red wine is generally best served between 550F and 650F. If the cork breaks in half while you’re opening the bottle, gently

screw the corkscrew into it and pull it out. If the corks shatters, push it into the bottle, then pour the wine through a cheesecloth or coffee filter into glasses or another container to strain out the pieces. Are you familiar with the vino lingo? “Sweet:”dry”, “oakey”— what does it all mean? Aroma vs ... Bouquet: Aroma is the smell of a young wine. Bouquet refers to the aroma a wine takes on after it has aged in the bottle. Body; the weight of swine in the mouth. Wines are usually described as being either light, medium or full bodied. Dry: A descriptive term for wine with no perceptible sugar content. Finish:The final after-taste of a wine,very good wines tend to have relatively long finishes. Sweet: A descriptive term for wine with some amount of sugar. Noise: A wine term synonymous with aroma (e.g. you might say, “The nose of this wine reminds me of cherries”). Oakey, a descriptive term for a wine that has a pronounced oak flavour, generally as a result of aging the wine in new, small oak barrels. Chardonnay is often oakey. Tanning: A group of beneficial compounds in wine that come mainly from the grape’s skins and seed. Tanning gives wine structure and, because it acts as a natural preservative allows wine to age. How to serve your wine: If you had unlimited space and an unlimited budget, you could buy a different glass for practically every type of wine. But for the rest of us, here’s a simple guide to glassware. Red Wine:Choose a glass with a broader bowl. This allows you to enjoy more of the bouquet of red wines. White Wine:Narrower glasses work well for lighter white wines, where the aroma is more delicate. One Glass: Don’t worry if your budget or space permits only one type of wine glass.

20—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29 29, 2012

Finding love a second time: widow’s story

n this edition, we present a widow’s experience of trying to love again.

Viva was married to Frank for seven years when one afternoon, she got a call that there had been an accident and her husband’s car was pushed into a ditch by an oncoming trailer. He did not survive the accident and naturally, she gave up on love but something was bound to happen one day. According to her: “ I logged on to Facebook and glanced at my relationship status. My 42-yearold husband, Frank, had been dead for nine months, but it still said “Married.” Then, in a surreal, I changed it to “Widowed.” I hesitated, but I had to do it: No word but widow described what I was. Single said too little. I noticed the other options: It’s complicated. Well, yes ,what loss is uncomplicated? And no: death leaves you with zero options. Separated. I was that, too, but more drastic and sadder than the word usually suggests. Some hope that separation from their spouses might be temporary; mine could be nothing but permanent.

So, at age 39, after seven years of marriage, I was no longer married; I was a widow. And this, the only appropriate designation, felt hard-earned. Frank’s accident and death belonged to him, but they had changed my life, too, making demands and requiring sacrifices. Although I decided to wear my wedding ring for a year after his death,

as a respectful gesture to Frank and to keep unwanted male attention at bay, six months in, I felt very lonely. I had started to miss companionship, the everyday pleasures of having a man in my life. Yet when I started dating, widowhood became the woolly mammoth in the room. Guys would try to avoid the subject completely. The first man I dated after Frank, a sports fanatic whom I saw for two months, would tense his jaw and say, “I’m sorry,” before changing the subject to football. “I’m sorry” is not an unreasonable response. But I felt sorry enough for myself; after a point, I could hardly bear having anyone else feel sorry for me. Other men, once they learned of my history, avoided me altogether. As soon as I’d get comfortable enough with them to talk

about it, usually after a few dates, they’d pull away—no more e-mails or

calls. One date was texting me regularly to make plans and tell me jokes, only to downgrade his correspondence to Facebook the more he learned about my past, then fade out completely. He never conveyed the reason he bailed, but it was clear he wanted someone breezy and uncomplicated. I felt torn between feeling very attached to his memory and

also taking tentative steps toward a future without him. Widowhood also has had a strange sanctifying effect on how men perceive me. Maybe it’s because so many guys have called me “courageous,” but as soon as I utter the word “widow,” I sense I’m being seen as a living saint and that my marriage was flawless, which of course isn’t true. In the year before Frank died, we’d gone through marriage counseling and even a trial separation, but there was never any question that I’d mourn him at death. But it seems as though Frank’s death smoothed all the rough edges off our relationship, leaving behind something ideal, untouchable, and intimidating to men.

I’ve been dating for almost two years now , some guys lasted just one date, others for months at a time. However, there always seems to be a barrier between us, and it’s often Frank. But I don’t want to blame just the guys. Not only can I seem frustratingly ambivalent about what exactly I want from a relationship.

Not long ago, I met a man with whom I instantly hit it off. We went out for drinks and had a great time, telling stories about our childhood and swapping anecdotes about our lives . I felt comfortable discussing it with him. And his kind, nonjudgmental demeanor made it easy for me to open up. Instead of pity, he responded with empathy: He wanted to learn more; he understood how essential it was that I talk about it. And that’s what my other dates had been missing: a simple acknowledgment that widowhood was central to my story, and an interest in it. Our evening ended platonically, but it reminded me that I still had the capacity to connect with a man. In a small but significant way, something shifted for me that night. It felt good and restorative just to have a crush again. It was a small step toward truly moving forward.

I'm suffering from terrible morning sickness

working for the money! I think I can put up with it for a couple of weeks longer, but I don’t have enough sick-leave if I’m going to be this ill for more than a month or so. Of course, I don’t want to give up on the baby, but I’m getting very desperate. This pregnancy was by choice, but if I’d known how terribly sick I was going to become, I honestly would not have made the choice to get pregnant. And I have decided against becoming pregnant again for the same reason. Is there anything else I could try? Is there any hope? Oluchi, Awka

’m around 8 weeks pregnant and suffering from terrible morning sickness and nausea. I was hospitalized and on a drip a few days ago, and I was told that it is quite likely I will end up in the hospital again. I’ve done many internet searches and spoken to lots of women who have also suffered from morning sickness, and have tried lots of remedies, including ginger (crystallized and in tea), vitamin B6, acupressure bands, eating small meals often, eating dry biscuits before I get up etc., etc. Nothing seems to help at all! I’m very sadly reaching the point of Ans: Even though it’s hard to imagine deciding on whether to go through with the pregnancy or have a termination because feeling better when you’re sick, it’s becoming impossible to keep working hopefully, your extreme nausea and while being so sick and I really need to keep vomiting will soon diminish. After the

first trimester, or around 12 to 14 weeks into the pregnancy, the nausea usually dissipates. You mention you’re at eight weeks, so you can expect to notice a change in the way you feel within the next few weeks, which may feel like forever. There is a chance, however, that the nausea could continue longer. Some women continue to experience nausea and vomiting throughout much of their pregnancy. Severe nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is known as hyperemesis gravidarum, which can cause weight loss, dehydration, liver damage, and can even be life threatening to the mother and/or baby, if left untreated. Women who are at high risk for this condition tend to be of a younger maternal age, high body weight, pregnant for the first time, or pregnant with twins. A

woman with this condition is considered to have a high-risk pregnancy. This is why medical supervision is so important for you. You need to be under the care of a high-risk obstetrician, also known as a perinatologist, throughout your pregnancy. Also, additional treatments require a prescription by a gynaecologist so conversations with your obstetrician may yield a treatment option that helps reduce your nausea. Aside from the remedies you’ve tried, and linking up with a high-risk obstetrician, what else can you do to make this easier for yourself? Stress, anxiety, and worry can make the morning sickness and nausea worse. Perhaps you will feel better if you find ways to relax that work for you.

from any part of the country aged 18-45

on 08121444610 *John, 47, male, from Edo State, Christian, based •Ikenna, 26, tall and fair, lives in Enugu in Lagos, needs a God-fearing lady of 23-35 for a and a graduate needs a mature lady from serious relationship on 07061222055 *Don Bee, 55,divorced, self-employed, wants to to hook up with a wealthy lady of 28-37 for a any part of Nigeria 08068817116 •Emmanuael,36, from Akwa-Ibom, meet a financially comfortable lady of 40-60 for a serious relationshipon 08074450030 based in Lagos an employed lady who is •Fada, 33, from Calabar, wants a good woman love and business relationship that would benefit well-behaved as his the wto of us on 07056719966 wife on Do you have reactions to our stories or have you any experience you want 08109870454 • Daniel, male, in his 20s wants a love relationshipwith a woman of 20-30 on •Tasha, 23, fat, beautiful, busty, from 07067976792 Do you want to be linked? •Obinna, male, from Enugu, wants a Neither Chioma Gabriel nor Saturday Vanguard has any relationship with anybody wanting Delta State, needs a to be linked. We have no agents anywhere and charge no fees. We have no personal informa- relationship that can lady of 20-28 for a marital relationship tion of people who have been linked or want to be linked and therefore, are not answerable for lead to marriage on on 08103602490 07058641454 •KC, 32, single,tall and handsome, wants C M Y K

SATURDAY

Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012 —21

alf the time you go around like a headless chicken trying to cover every day all that needs to be covered from personal hygiene to the children’s homework, and ever thing else in between. And even if you are one of those super-efficient individuals blessed with not one but 2 effective assistants, you can still come away feeling like there aren’t enough hours in the day. It was a friend’s fiancé that gave me a different perspective. His take on it was that as people we generally liked to complicate things and that we were all lugging around a lot of unnecessary baggage. What do you mean ‘baggage’? I asked irritably as I began a mental run-down of all the things and people that needed attending to on that particular day. Each one (to my mind) integral to the balanced well-being of either myself or someone directly affiliated to me.

Life as a long distance flight Fix those relationships that are broken and for those that are beyond repair… simply let them go

hat if God forbid (why do we always say that as if isn’t an inevitability) you drop dead he asked. That stopped me right in my tracks. Because we all know that no matter how painful the loss, no matter how huge the vacuum, life inexorably carries on. And all those

ime and again, stories crop up everywhere as to how the deep breathing and gentle exercises of yoga have helped individuals who’d almost lost hope of recovery to regain health. I have myself, been fixed on all kinds of things in my very body by the practice of yoga. I haven’t had an attack of angina in the past 28 years. And that is heaven if you ask me. It’s about time everybody was made to realise that irrespective of one’s condition—sick or well—the body can be given tremendous help in restoring health, and in safeguarding it. I like to tell my colleagues at Vanguard that, this is my third year with the House and that I have the singular distinction of never having walked into the clinic on the premises for even panadol. And I put it down to my practice of yoga. Below is a letter written to Indra Devi by someone who’d been introduced to yoga with her book, Forever Young, Forever Healthy. St. Peterburg, Florida

Dear Miss Devi,

I became afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 17 and in a matter of months was helpless in bed with every joint of my body ankylosed. After 6 years the doctors gave me up and my parents brought me to Florida. Recently our neighbours introduced me to Yoga and in C M Y K

things and people who you think can’t function without you, function just fine. In the quiet lull that his thought provoking words had produced he quietly suggested,

“imagine life as a long distance flight and you’re only entitled to 20kg.” That certainly put a different perspective on things, and not just to our daily ‘to do’ list either. Not

Health in double-quick time

The Plough

o personally, while I’m taking stock this year, I won’t just be looking at the things that were achieved and setting new goals, I’ll be searching deep inside and looking for some of those things that really need to go. In the year 2013, may the good Lord rid you of all your excesses and equip you with everything you need to be the best version of yourself. . .Happy New Year.

Gulf where I also exercise. I can walk although stiff-kneed, swim and float alone. I am doing the deep breathing and following your diet suggestion and have faith in recovering fully. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter, and I thank you from my heart and soul. Sincerely, Thelma L.

The Bridge particular to your wonderful book, Forever Young, Forever Healthy.

started on the 60-day lemon juice plan and also the lemon and orange leaves tea.(it is delicious) as outlined in your book. I am unable to do the yoga postures but another son of the same neighbourhood works with me everyday practising the movements I can make. The results have been remarkable. I am developing muscles and strength, have increased mobility, particularly in the hips and spine which have been so tight. The shoulders, arms

just the hustle and bustle become insignificant, but also a lot of the stuff we bottle up inside… emotions, unresolved issues, insecurities, doubt… the list is endless. If life was a long distance plane ride, and all I was entitled to was 20kg in luggage; I’d be very circumspect about what I put in there. I’d pack only those things that are essential and can enhance my journey. Perhaps before one can hope to be renewed and restored we must first of all make space for what’s coming by letting go of a lot of that baggage…. Some of which a lot of us are not even aware we’re carrying around. Fix those relationships that are broken and for those that are beyond repair… simply let them go.

The Mountain Pose and ankles are also looser. I am now able to take full steps forward (with assistance), and since last week also I go swimming every other day in the

his letter lends credence to the notion that dietary changes coupled with exercise works wonders. The body is totally at a handicap if it does not get exercise. The extra oxygen you get into the system, the small rise in heart rate by working the muscles improves the body, the immune system gets a boost and the body’s healing system can be easily shifted to overdrive. Yes, if you exercise regularly, you, “undoubtedly develop quick recovery powers. Even wounds heal faster when we stay in good shape. It may sound too simple to suggest to someone that their redemption could depend on learning to breath deeper. But that could be gospel truth. Below are some yoga postures and how they benefit the body.

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

22—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012

Like the previous years, the out-going year, 2012 is a year of the good, the bad and the ugly in Nollywood. A year full of intrigues, heartbreaks and tears, some practitioners got married, sealed endorsement deals, won awards, premiered hit movies and welcomed new babies among other good things. But above all, the industry lost some of its veteran actors to the cold hands of death. At the maiden edition of Monalisa Chinda’s “A Dance for Life” dance-drama project staged at the Oriental hotel, Lekki, Lagos, during the week, HVP spoke to some top Nollywood practitioners on how the industry fared in 2012 and their expectations in the coming year. This is what they have to say...

Our expectations in 2013 by Nollywood practitioners

Nollywood in 2012 was very wonderful. Though there was the good , the bad and of course, the ugly side of the year. A lot of good things happened to the industry this year; new great movies hit the cinemas and the industry made a lot of gains. But the bad side is that the industry is still in comatose, it is yet to get to where it’s supposed to be. For the ugly side, we lost many veteran actors this year; Enebeli Elebuwa, Peter Eneh... The coming year will be the best year ever for the industry because a lot of things have been put in place by the practitioners. I believe that those things will help to take the industry to the next level.

Charls Novia, producer/directo

A scene from "I will Take my Chance' by Ini Edo for Life project, Fred Amata’s Christmas dance drama production and Chico Ejiro’s Nollywood party. It’s an exciting year and I hope that we can maintain this tempo in

Encomiums, as AMAA ends screening in Abuja

Chico Ejiro, producer The outgoing year has been rewarding for the industry in terms of investment and production. A lot of great movies hit the cinemas this year. I want to see the industry move forward in 2013. There are so many bigbudget projects in the offing. The industry will take a new shape in the coming year.

Fidelis Duker, Director/producer

Zeb Ejiro, Director/ producer

I think, it’s a wonderful year for the industry. We have some great movies that were box office hits. Academically, I wrote a book this year, on Nollywood, the first of its kind. Also, in the area of event organisation, practitioners are beginning to realise that they too can be part of it. We saw the Monalisa Chinda’s Dance

practitioners can do on stage. I’m so happy that this kind of ideas are going to further boost our morale first and foremost as artistes, and secondly, as entrepreneurs.

t was praises galore at Silverbird Galleria, Abuja, venue of the screening of two of Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, 2012 winning films last Thursday. Members of the general public who thronged the venue could not but express happiness at the opportunity of seeing the films on the large screen. Screened were Adesuwa directed by Lancelot Imasuen which was adjudged the Best Nigerian Film and Man on Ground, that garnered Best Jury Award. The quality of production of the films was all too evident-clean sound, appropriate costuming and well executed visual effects complemented by great acting. No doubt members of the jury did their home work before coming up with their verdict. Adesuwa for instance, was particularly striking with its admixture of lust, betrayal, murder, magic and war! The sheer grit in Man on Ground, also kept the audience glued to their seats. The Abuja affair was the last leg of the public screening which kicked off three months ago in Benin. It subsequently moved to Ibadan, Lagos, Enugu, and Port Harcourt.

the coming year .

Lancelot Imasuen, Director/producer:

The outgoing year saw the practitioners veered into other

areas of art. This development further stretched my imagination. The stage remains the father of all entertainment, and Nollywood seems to limit what the

Uche Iwuji’s hubby inspire yyouth outh

nassuming oil and gas big boy, Juwon Lawal,who is the lovable husband of famous actress, Uche Iwuji, is known for his proclivity for entertainment and conspicuous love for his wife. But besides that, he has also shown his loving care for the teeming Nigerian youths. This was evident few days ago when the astute oil baron threw his weight behind a youth empowerment symposium entitled “You and Your Youth” (Y3), held at Genesix Hotel, Ogba, Lagos. Apart from being one of the major sponsors of the event, the soft-spoken Juwon who is the CEO of ABD Fuels, also filled the venue with souvenirs which include face cap, wrist bands and writing materials. Some of the resource persons who graced the event included human right activist, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, charismatic lawyer, Dr. Ope Banwo, ace journalist, Mr. Afolabi Odeyemi, energetic Fuji musician, Abass Akande Obesere, we also heard, were thrilled by Juwon’s impact in the programme.

It was an eventful year. And it witnessed what I would call beautiful ending. The number of films churned out from Nollywood may have dropped, but the industry witnessed more activities this year. Apart from film making, I think, the practitioners have realised that there are other genres they can delved into. Today, some practitioners are columnists in some major newspapers and soft-sell magazines. The coming year holds a lot of promises for the industry. Looking at the previous years, the practitioners were almost doing the same thing in terms of scripting, directing and producing, but today all that have changed. They are beginning to branch into other areas of art which is a good development. In all, it was an eventful and a sad year. Even though, we did not access the much talked about N200 million government intervention fund for entertainment, the year was harvests of accomplishments.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012—23

BENJAMIN NJOKU

ourning songs and wailing continued to resonate in Nollywood this year despite what the industry witnessed last year when it lost some of its veteran actors to the cold hands of death in quick succession. Till date, the industry is still grieving over some of them including, Sam Loco-Efe, Ishola Durojaiye a.k.a Alasari, Ashley Nwosu, Donald Okoli, Yemisi Eleto, Geraldine Ekeocha and Christy Essien-Igbokwe among other thespians who bowed out of the stage last year in the most painful way. However, death bestrode the industry early this year with the demise of veteran actor, David Ihezie, who died in January, at his Enugu home, after suffering from Arthritis for months. He was followed by comedy-actor, James Iroha popularly known as Giringory of the famous Masquerade TV comedy series died in February after suffering an eye-related ailment for years before his death. Girigory’s death was greeted with lots of grief and sorrow, especially given the circumstances surrounding his demise. Sadly, as the industry was recovering from the shock of Girigory’s demise, Synagogue Church of all Nations founder, Prophet TB Joshua, predicted the death of another actor during one of the evening service of the Church some time in April. The prediction which threw the industry into panic came through after two days following the death of a movie director, Taiwo Bello who worked Funke Akindele in one of her movies. TB Joshua reportedly made the prediction on a Wednesday and by Friday evening, a death was recorded in the industry. Since then, the industry has never known any peace as it has continued to battle with mysterious and incessant deaths. Shortly after Taiwo Bello’s demise, the industry recorded two more deaths with the demise of Emmanuel Effiong better known as Ratoka, following his exploits in a movie with same title and elder Manafa. Ratoka reportedly kicked the bucket around April 11, after a protracted liver related illness while elder Manafa, one of the veteran actors who hailed from Aguleri, Anambra State died in the same manner. Both actors reportedly passed on within a span of two weeks. As if that was not enough, in October, it was the turn of a Benin based seasoned actor, Brown Atienwen who died at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) after he was unable to pay the sum of N150,000 for a major operation. Also, still fresh in our memory today is the demise of Peter Eneh. The veteran actor who based in Enugu died after suffering from protracted illness, which culminated in the amputation of his leg. The actor, who was diabetic, sustained some kind of injury last year, which degenerated into a sore and refused to heal. He spent three months in the hospital before he was advised to amputate the leg to avoid the infection spreading to other parts of his body. The amputation took place on Wednesday, October 24, after all efforts to save the leg was unsuccessful. In the Yoruba movie sector, the story was n o t d i ff e r e n t . a c t o r, L e k a n ‘ L e k i n s o n ’ Oladipupo was not spared either. Oladipupo died on January 24 in Osogbo, Osun State , while battling with a heart related illness, while a Yoruba comic actor, Hammed Odunla, better known as Dento, also succumbed to the pangs of death on Monday, August 6, after months of battling with stroke.

2012: A year of harvest of deaths, tears and tributes in Nollywood

*Enebeli

*Peter-Eneh Fast rising actress, Cassandra Gabriel known as Sisi Caro in a popular

*Ihezie

*James Iroha situational comedy, Face2Face, equally kicked the bucket, owing to

complications from an illness suspected to be cancer. Veteran Yoruba actor, Akin Ogungbe, popularly known as Ireke Onibudo, died November 28, at his Iberekodo residence, in Abeokuta, Ogun State. He was aged 78. According to one of his sons, Femi Abiola Ogungbe, his father was not ill but died as a result of old age. The actor was the founder of National Association of Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) and the oldest actor in the Yoruba film industry. The mother of all deaths in Nollywood was the demise of Enebeli Elebuwa. The actor, who had been bedridden with stroke for two years, died in an Indian hospital in New Delhi. It was reported that his health deteriorated when he couldn’t afford to receive medical attention.There are reports however that the remains of Enebeli Elebuwa and Pete Eneh who died earlier will be laid to rest in January, 2013. Indeed, for Nollywood practitioners, while the outgoing year gave them sweet memories and new songs, it also brought saddness and sorrow to them.May be, may the intervention of spiritual fathers will help to change the story the for the industry in the coming year.

intervention

Tont o Dik eh: Nollyw ood onto Dikeh: Nollywood contr over sial A ctress of the Y ear contro ersial Actress Year W

hether you believe it or not, Tonto Dikeh is the most controversial actress who rocked Nollywood in the outgoing year. A product of Next Movie Star, Tonto Dikeh since she hit the limelight few years ago has never seized to be at the centre of controversy. The outgoing year is no different. Her controversial lifestyle became more glaring this year judging from most of her unbecoming exploits. After the noise generated by her new tattoo last year, Tonto continued with her 'wild lifestyle',stepping on people’s toes and damning her critics. Her newly released singles, Hi and Itz Ova, did not help matters even though the singles became two of the most listened and downloaded tracks, with over 500,000 views. Dikeh, who joined the bandwagon of other actors who succumbed to the moonlighting itch to delve into music, was lampooned and criticised by her fans for the uninspiring singles. Yet, she was not deterred. While she was battling to find her feet in the music circle, her foes romantically linked her to the Kukere crooner, Iyanya who squealers said was seeing Ghanaian leggy actress, Yvonne Nelson. For Iyanya and Tonto Dikeh it was all about who has left who for who. However, this whole saga began when Yvonne Nelson took to the internet to vent her feelings after Iyanya dumped her for Tonto Dikeh. The drama continued unabated until Tonto Dikeh replied Yvonne’s tweet and the two actresses took their rivalry to Blackberry messenger (BBM) where they threw ‘nasty’ insults at each other.

24—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012

*D’banj

*Wizkid

*Chidinma

*Darey Art Alade

*Davido

biggest hits of 2012

Continues from last week BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI Year 2012 is almost passing by. But before its map is rolled up, one mustn’t fail to point out the most exciting songs that shook its ground. Those songs gladdened hearts. They also top as club rockers, sending dancers winding their waists...

Oliv er TTwis wis Oliver wistt - D’banj

The song actually marked the end of a soto-say sweet working era between the ex Mo’hit colleagues, D’banj and Don Jazzy. After the break up, they moved on, with Don Jazzy floating his own record label, Marvin, while D’banj joined hands with Kanye West to produce the video for Oliver Twist. A concept taken from Fela’s Afro Beat rhythm but more funky, Oliver Twist carries the imprint of one of the best video producers in the United States, Kanye West. Acknowledging the fact that the video didn’t feature any Nigerian dancer, it is a most sought after video any where in the world. D’banj’s fans fancied its uniqueness- a dope video. And as at the last time checked, it has over thirteen millions views on Youtube.

*Naeto C

Kuk ere ay an ukere ere-- Iy Iya

Undisputedly, the biggest hit so far from the premier winner of the MTN Project music reality show is Kukere. After the competition, Iyanya dropped several R & B love-related songs, but those songs didn’t seem to warm up to his fans. No sooner than later, fans saw him as unserious singer since he could not make a hit. Iyanya remained ‘isolated’ from the music big guns for years. But after two years of being nobody in the industry, he got his groove back when he released his Kukere song and it instantly became a hit. Directed by Patrick , the dance hall single included the

nonsense lyrics that Nigerians have come to embrace as a music staple. Within a couple of months, the accompanying video reached over four million views on Youtube. The hard beat and Etighi dance steps in the video went further to establish this song as the number 1 hit of 2012.

Kedik e- Chidinma edike

Fans may not have believed she could come out with such an outstanding debut single. But she did to the surprise of her critics with Kedike. She was first ever female winner of the MTN Project Fame West Africa reality TV show. Initially, she was called the small girl with big voice and she is responsible for the hit track “Jankoliko” featuring Sound Sultan. The video, petite chronicles a love story of Chidinma who vowed to stick to her hubby forever. The video features different local dance groups. With the song, Chidinma once again proved that she is on top of her game.

Pakurumo Pakurumo-- Wizkid

Although Wizy has been into music long before now, his big break came with his hit song, Holla At Your Boy in 2010. Since then, the young chap hasn’t looked back as he kept dishing out mind-blowing hits. Notably, one of his 2012 releases, Pakurumo is enjoying massive airplay despite the fact that the ownership of the song is still unresolved. A certain undergraduate student claimed to be its original owner of the song, yet, Pakurumo

made its mark in the year under review.

Dami Duro Duro-- Davido

“Ema dami duro. Emi omo baba olowo. Ani won fe da mi duro...” This new entrant into the industry wasted no time in telling and showing to the whole world that he’s from a well-to-do family. In the video Dami Duro which was also his debut song, Davido portrays a chap who’s got a lot of money to ‘throw’ around. With a nicely directed video, clean pictures, enough booze, handsome guys and damsels, the song came around as one of the best played songs in the year.

5&6 6-- Naeto C

“Ife ni ne(3x), ife ni ne e ne me ofoma, makes it hard for me to leave you...”. Basically, this song is a love song. And because of it’s unique Igbo and English mix, Nigerian youths seem to have fallen head over heals for it. Trust Naeto C, his rap prowess makes it stand out, hard for anyone to flaw his authority in the field. Video by Capital Dreams and directed by Clarence Peters. A clean video, especially the fact that it was shot and packed full with natural and classified scenes.

Sisi Eko(remix) Eko(remix)-- Darey Art Alade A clean and fine video, Darey practically dragged major Nigerian celebrities along. Featuring popular Igbo inclined act, Flavour Nabania, Darey beckons to a damsel to become his lover. Quite a high rated video in terms of cash spent to get it produced, quite good.

Air o nur ture Airttel pledges tto nurture talents in Nigeria A

irtel Nigeria has restated its commitment to providing credible platforms that will enable more talented Nigerians climb to stardom and realize their full potentials. Speaking at a post-event interactive session in honour of the first winner of Nigeria’s Got Talent Show sponsored by Airtel Nigeria, the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Olu Akanmu who was represented by the Head of Marketing Communications, Eyitemi Taire said that through Nigeria’s Got Talent and other platforms, “Airtel is committed to bringing out whatever talent is deposited in our youth for all to see

and appreciate.” The first edition of the Airtel-sponsored Nigeria’s Got Talent show ended December 9, with eight-year old Amarachi Uyanne winning the N10m prize money. Amarachi thrilled the television audiences and judges with her skills as a dancer and violinist. The company said it held the forum to express its gratitude to the media and live audiences for their active participation in the six-month long Nigeria’s Got Talent programme. “At Airtel Nigeria, we consider it a great privilege to be a part of this amazing story of talent, physical athleticism and stage craftsmanship. Nigeria’s Got Talent ushered in six months of laughter, joy and fun in our homes, offices and recreation centres,”

*Amarachi

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012—25

Untold story of Rhythm Unplugged 2012 BENJAMIN NJOKU

hose w h o were privileged to attend this year’s edition of the annual R h y t h m Unplugged, will not forget in a hurry the thrilling experience that preceded the event. The show, apart from recording an impressive turn-out of music lovers, it paraded the best of Nigerian music acts. From dusk to d a w n , thousands of ecstatic fun lovers stretched through hours of brilliant music and stage choreography performances. This year, the event was a huge success and organisers. Flytime promotion ensured they gave the

audience who arrived as early as 6 pm at the Expo hall of Eko hotel and Suites venue of the event, a value for their money. The rush for tickets by fans heightened the spirit of this year ’s edition.

Before the show kicked off properly at about 9 pm, the VIP tables were already occupied with some of the guests who bought the ticket but could not find a space made themselves comfortable

ed ck ro s er th o j, n a ’b D , ce fa 2 w o H tracks such as ‘Iheme at TOP10MICS Me’, ‘African Queen’

he TOP10MICS music concert which happened to be one of the big shows that rocked the Nigerian music scene in the outgoing year has introduced a new dimension to show organisation in the country. The show, triggered off by the stellar performances of the likes of 2face, D’banj, Femi Kuti, DJs Jimmy Jatt and Neptune and the comical wits of the hosts; BasketMouth and Yaw was an experience of a life time.

Organized by entertainment powerhouse, Koga, the concert brought many music lovers under one roof at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. Celebrities from all walks of life and music enthusiasts came in their adorable suits and gowns all in a bid to have a swell time. The headlining artistes did not disappoint the fans as they brought their A-game with them. 2face was the first to mount the stage. He serenaded the fans with hit

and other songs. He blended with the live band. Fortunately, when it was time to leave the stage, people were practically begging him to perform one more tracks. Femi Kuti was the next to perform; the Afrobeat Icon gave the fans more than they bargained for. While performing, he was joined on stage by 20 young girls who gave another meaning to dancing.He performed songs such as ‘Truth Don Die’, ‘Sorry Sorry’, ‘Wonder Wonder ’ and other hit tracks from his new and old albums. After the Afrobeat experience, the Kokomaster, D’ banj was next to mount the stage. He was introduced by the big hype man; Special ED. D’ banj came on stage with his brother, K Switch, a budding singer. Dbanj didn’t come to perform but to entertain, little wonder why he tells everyone who cares to listen that he is an entertainer. He took every-

by standing at different corners. For them, what matters was to watch their idols perform. When the show eventually began, it was an unstoppable night of music and comedy

one down memory lane as he performed his first music hit, ‘Tongolo’ which was received a resounding ovation from the audience. Little did the audience know he had more wits up his sleeves until he called on stage, Ikechukwu with

fusion. The energetic and beautiful performance by the Okoye brothers popularly known as P-square left the audience screaming for more. During their 15-minutes performance, the twin singers not only bamboozled the audience with thir mermerising dance steps but left everyone present satistifed. Virtually all Nigeria’s greatest artists, comedians and DJ’s gathered for this year’s biggest live entertainment event. This year ’s edition featured Adewale Ayuba, P Square, D’ banj, Mavin AllStars, EME All Stars, Choc Boiz, Timaya, David O, Seyi Shay, Omawunmi, Waje, Chuddy K, Burna Boy, Sound Sultan, Kcee, Lynxxx, Vector,Chidinma, Dammy Krane, I.C, Tunde Ednut, Rayce, Olamide, Iyanya, Efa, Flowsick, Shank, Samini, DJ Caise, Ajebutter, Sina Ranbo,Yaw, Linda Ikeji and many others. It was hosted by the three wise men; Basketmouth, Bovi and Buchi who gave the audience spice of life with their rib cracking jokes. The comedians that were present at the event include AY, I go Dye, Gordons, Seyi

whom he performed the hit track ‘Critical’. As if that wasn’t enough, he called on Naeto C, even the organizers were surprised as the duo of Ikechukwu and Naeto weren’t on the list of the headlining acts on the night.

Patience Ozokwo shines at Ghana movie awards

tar actress, Patience Ozokwo, a.k.a Mama Gee has won Best Actress (African Collaboration) award at the Ghana Movie Awards, which took place at the Accra International Centre on the Christmas eve. The actress, who attended the award ceremony in person, dedicated the award to her late husband. Speaking at the ceremony, she expressed gratitude for the support, which her husband gave to her, while he was alive. She also thanked her children for the role they played when her late husband passed on. She beat Ini Edo(In The C u p b o a r d ) , Rukky Sanda

(The Search), Nse IkpeEtim (The Search), Tonto Dikeh (Lovelorn), and Mercy Johnson (Wild Target), to pick up the award. C M Y K

26 — Saturday Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012

07088551416

Toni Tones stirs FAB awards with sexy dressing

Chika Ike speaks on her age scandal C hika Ike has not been finding it easy recently with some of her fans as majority of them have been contesting her real age. Peace Ambassador and Nollywood actress has been notified about some of her fans saying, that the sultry actress is not as young as she claims. Chika, one of the most sought-after actress, in Nollywood, we were informed, despite her tight schedule, was able to clarify the controversy surrounding her date of birth as she posted her school certificate on her twitter.

f you call it a flaunt of boo bs, and unattractive navea you may not be wrong as there was nothing remaining for the boobs to be displayed publicly. Award-winning photographer cum actress, Toni Tones got what she wanted recently when she caused a stir at the FAB awards held at Landmark Village, Victoria Island, Lagos. The sexy actress was one of those penciled down for cameo appearances but she devised a means to utilize her one minute fame to the optimum with her sexy outfit. The attention seeker arrived the

Toni Tones venue in what can best be described as see-for-yourself, provocative dress. Having in mind the kind of confusing she has caused in the hall with her dressing, she joyously posed for camera lens right from the entrance till she entered the

hall. While the occasion lasted, the actress was the cynosure of a t t r a c t i o n . She is yet to get the kind of publicity her slutty dressing yearned for. One wonders what exactly Toni Tones is trying to promote with this kind of suggestive outfit. Why this?

Cossy Orjiakor gets a new name! ans will never cease to amaze the highly endowed boobs’ F actress popularly called Cossy. The way and manner they abuse and nickname the sexy actress is nothing to write home about. What they call her now on social media, most especially on twitter is “The Ultimate....”. Whatever the name means, Cossy never allowed such to bring her down as goes on doing her thing in her own way. This is what the fan tweeted recently ‘’Oops! Actress Cossy Orjiakor has a new title! And it is, “The Ultimate....” From the look of things, this loyal fan of the tiny voice actress and singer, Cossy Orjiakor thought it is wise to bestow the controversial actress with an award in form of a new name since other awards have eluded her for obvious reasons. The question is, why this name?

The Nollywood screen diva and business woman per excellence, who has stepped up her game in the make believe world as she tucked herself shooting some movies recently, has cleared the air on her real age saga. “Chika has nothing to hide about her age. It’s funny how some people react to baseless issues, if others lie about their age, Chika will not be part of that, she is 27 and there is nothing to lie about that,” one of her aides told us.

Chika

Actress Taiwo Aromokun secretly marries in UK? P Cossy

Davido slapped again? t all went down at the af- a flash, the monarch delivered a It party e r - hot slap on Davido’s face and of the Dynamix they were mercilessly beaten in-

Davido

awards which took place at Voodoo lounge, Elegushi beach as Davido a.k.a Omo baba olowo, was given a slap, this time not from a policeman, but a royal slap from King Saheed Elegushi. A n eyewitness stated that B-Red was heavily drunk and was arguing with the King when omo baba olowo moved forward to touch the king. In

cluding Davido’s Bouncer by the Elegushi guards. Davido and BRed among Others never allowed the scene to go far as they later prostrated and apologized to King Saheed when they were corrected by a member of the crew. Recall that ex-BBA's winner, Karen Igho was recently given the slap of her life and now it is the turn of Davido. Who is the next?

Aromokun

opular Yoruba actress, Taiwo Aromokun married her United Kingdom-based lover recently. The marriage, we learnt was done in the UK few days before Christmas and it was a quiet one. Taiwo is said to have been romantically linked with some top brass in the society. At a point, she was rumoured to be dating top Oshodi transport union boss, MC Oluomo, which she later denied in an interview. She was once alleged to have dated fellow colleague, Odunlade Adekola until their romance packed up on mutual understanding, as she claimed also in an interview.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012 —27

Rihanna

donat es $1 .75m donates $1.75m to Barbados Hospital By IYABO AINA

ihanna knows the real reason for the season by helping those who need it most. The 24 Barbados born beauty, recently donates $1.75 million to help modernize a hospital in her home country. The generous gift to Bridge town’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital is in memory of her late grandmother, who recently passed away this summer. “This was my way of giving back to Barbados, in a form of philanthropy, by assisting the QEH in its continued modernization program,” Rihanna shared in a statement. “I believe that this will have a huge impact on the people of Barbados. This was all done to save lives, or at least extend them.” Following the donation, the hospital has renamed its cancer treatment center after Rihanna’s beloved Gran Dolly. The department will now be called the Clara Braithwaite Centre for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine. In August, the singer opened up during a sitdown with Oprah about what she learned from Clara Braithwaite, whom she described as one of the greatest people she had ever known. “She was a well-rounded woman,” Rihanna explained, growing emotional. “She taught me a lot about

*Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo sued by ex-girlfriend forgiveness, loving my enemies, spirituality and strength as a woman.” Shortly after her passing, Rihanna paid tribute to her grandmother as well as the values she instilled in her by getting a tattoo of the Egyptian goddess Isis. Which according to Egyptian mythology, Isis was a champion of the oppressed, a protector of the dead and the goddess of children.

P-Square, 2face, others storm Oraifite for Blast Blast 2012

1 .5 Blaze FM,

Others are Phino, Duncan Mighty, Waje, Wizboi and Wande Coal. Over 300 upcoming acts (music, comedy and dance) will also perform during the 2 day fiesta. The Free event is organised by the 2 year old station owned by Sir Emeka Offor ’s Chrome Group to thrill easterners during the yelutide season. According the General Manager, Mr. Wale Ewedemi, 91.5 Blaze FM, the pride of Eastern Nigeria the e v e n t promises to b e memorable. The event •P-Square proudly supported by Indomie noddles, and the good people of Anambra State.

Oraifite, Anambra State, has released the line-up for Blast Blast, her annual event The show which th st is planned for 30 and 31 of December, 2012, in Oraifite will parade stars as P-Square, Tuface, Wizkid, Jimmy Jatt, Gbenga Adeyinka, Ill Bliss, Chidinma, Timaya, Flavour and Munachi.

e-Yo’s ex-girlfriend Jessica White has hired attorney Gloria Allred to assist her in possibly taking the crooner to the cleaners. White is reportedly angry that Ne-Yo publicly discussed the paternity status of her child a baby White initially thought was the

singer ’s. Ne-Yo and White had a baby in 2009 and he thought the child was his at the time but later turned out that it wasn’t. Ne-Yo and his ex agreed to remove his name from the child’s birth certificate. The former lovers also settled the matter to the tune of $575,000, which he reportedly handed over to her, and they both agreed to keep the entire incident under lock and key, never to discuss it with anyone. But in September 2012, Ne-Yo appeared on Behind the Music, where he opened up the can of beans about the entire ugly drama that involved his nonpaternity status with White. Now Allred has allegedly sent Ne-Yo a letter stating that his public account of what took place with regards to the paternity matter has made White unable to find work, forced her to file for state aid, and suffer mental anguish and is “beset by nausea, vomiting and hair loss” because of Ne-Yo’s recount about their past relationship. Jessica is now asking for an unspecified out-of-court settlement or else she’ll take her legal threats a huge step further.

Jessica not quitting weight watchers

ven though Jessica Simpson disclosed that she’s not watching her weight now that she’s preggers, according to reports, she’s still remaining as the Weight Watchers spokesperson throughout her second pregnancy. A Weight Watchers representative said: “There

*Jessica

have been no changes to our business agreement with Jessica. Jessica’s successful weight loss prior to becoming pregnant will be featured in Weight Watchers’ new Expect Amazing advertising campaign, including a spot with her sharing the happy news. [She] will not be following the program during the pregnancy while her weight and well-being are monitored by her obstetrician, as is recommended for any woman during pregnancy. After she gives birth, Jessica and her doctor will decide when she may resume following the Weight Watchers program.” Since the songstress is reportedly receiving $3 million for her WW job, it makes sense that she didn’t quit due to her second pregnancy. I wonder how a pregnant woman fronting for Weight Watchers is going to look, but if she can do it, who are we to hate it.

28 —Vanguard, SARTURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2012

People mistake my con for arrogance — Lami BY OPEOLUWANI OGUNJIMI

OST people may not know who Lami is, and that’s because she is into soul-music which is relatively unpopular in this part of the world. But when it comes to her brand, Lami is one of a kind. Aside being a singer, she’s also a song writer and a UN Ambassador. She was recently made an Oxfarm Ambassador alongside Tuface and Sound Sultan. In this encounter, she opens up on a number of issues ranging from her career, sojourn abroad, marriage among others. Except:

Lami

How did you get into music? started singing at a tender age. Then, people told me I sing with passion. With time, I started taking it seriously. I thought it wasn’t easy actualising my dream in Nigeria because the environment wasn’t encouraging. However, while in London, a lot of people encouraged me and here I am today.

Soul music isn’t widely accepted in Nigeria. Why did you choose to tread that narrow path? Music sometimes is like food. There are some food like ice cream that everybody likes. Then you have peculiar dishes that are loved by few people. And I’m that kind of person. I

know my kind of music isn’t for everybody. That’s what my gift is, and that’s what comes naturally to me. I always say to people that you can’t give what you don’t have. I would be a hypocrite if I mount the stage and start to do dance hall. So how has Soul music been fairing in Nigeria? When I first stormed the country, everybody said it isn’t going to work but I’m a bit stubborn. And I believe in myself.Though initially, it was a challenge breaking into the Nigerian music industry. But now, people are reckoning with my music. It’s not every event that people want pop and dance hall. Sometimes, people prefer to listen to Soul

Are you not worried that Soul acts like you are not celebrated in Nigeria? We are all human beings and it does disturb once in a while. I’ve been in the industry for the past ten years now and I’m where I am today. I don’t take my eyes off the fact that God has been so nice to me. There are people who have been striving for years doing pop, dance hall and they are nowhere today. Also, people like J.Zee, it took a long time for him to get a Grammy award. What makes an artiste is the quality of his or her music and knowing that you have your own fans who understand what you are doing. If they eventually recognize me, fine, and if they don’t, it’s okay. How did you come about the UN job? The UN position happened in a very interesting events and God was definitely involved. I had an interview with a BBC correspondent, and while we were in the middle of the interview I said a lot of things about Nigeria which impressed him. At the end of the interview session, he told me that UN officials were looking for a representative envoy in West Africa. So, he asked if I would be interested in the job, and I answered in the affirmative. Later, I was invited first to Uganda and then Turkey. While in Turkey, we had a

performance for dignitaries and it was really nice. That was when they picked me up and since then, it’s been a learning experience for me. Before I became Lami in Nigeria, traveling has been my hobby. My family travel a lot and the UN job further exposed me to African countries. I am planning tour for Eastabab, a country ravaged by famine, and some other African countries with Sound Sultan and Tuface in 2013.

ow did you feel when you get to places like

music at their weddings, inaugurations and other classy events. So, I’m enjoying myself. I love what I do and I have no regret whatsoever. Does it pay your bills? I would be making no profit if I try to be everybody else because it’s better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a mighty ocean.

Tanzania and other places and they loved it. they decided to even do a remix which we are working on. So, they wanted to make it official for us to be their ambassadors and that’s like a big deal because Oxfarm is as big as UN. So that was how I got the job. You just released an album? Not really. I’m relatively new in Nigeria. But I’m working on my sophomore album, Pieces Of Love. The process takes a lot of time and I’m doing a lot of things at the same time. I spend a lot of time trying to get the right

I spend a lot of time trying to get the right production and I’m hoping it’ll be a lovely experience

Uganda and other war-torn countries? Actually, I couldn’t make it to Uganda but my experience in Turkey was very interesting. I have my reservation whenever I visit countries with terrible experiences. They’ provide security and make us feel at home. It’s separate from music but it’s still part of it because sometimes, I perform at certain UN events. So, they are all blending. What about Oxfarm? I went for a conference with the UN in Adis Ababa. And while we were there, we were talking about the famine situation in Africa and what we thought we could do, and Oxfarm basically is handling that project in Africa. They asked me, Tuface and Sound Sultan to help them and we agreed. So we did that and people loved the song. We went to places like Brazil,

production and I’m hoping it’ll be a lovely experience. You just dropped another single, But You. Yes. The first one was Ori Mi Wu featuring Ice Prince. The second one was Titi Lailai and But You- all produced by MOBO nominee, Femi Tones who has worked with Emmy Winehouse, George Benson and other big artistes. I enjoy his process because he’s a good guitarist. But I’m also talking with one or two persons here to work with. It’s not going to be more than thirteen tracks. Coming out when? By God’s grace, in April, next year. What is it about you that people don’t know? People don’t know that I’m very silly and as much as my

Vanguard, SARTURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2012 — 29

nfidence music is deep, the other side of me is very simple and easy going. I love watching cartoons, I like eating a lot and spending time with my family. It’s simple things that make me happy. Does being married contribute to you not always seen at social events? No. My husband is an outgoing guy, very easy-going and supportive. He’s my best friend. So, he’s not one of those insecure over-protective guys. I think, Nigeria doesn’t just support a woman who is seen outside all the time like men. We are stereotyped here and I don’t want to get entangled. It’s easier to keep to myself. How did you meet your husband? I won’t tell you, butI’m happily married. It’s obvious you both met abroad? Yes, I can confirm that.

What happened after school? I also did my second Master degree there. I have a B.A in Business Administration, M.A Honours in Change Management and an Executive M.B.A from Pensil University. Why didn’t you pick up a job? I actually worked for a while but music was always there. Your gift and skills are two different things. I didn’t have to go to school to learn how to sing but I had to go to school to become a professional. Going through the learning process was good for me and I’m happy my dad made me complete my university education because it makes me more confident as a woman. Do you mean you would have toed the line of a drop out if not for your dad? I think it was when I did my second master degree that I became restless. I’m just blessed because God loves me so much. There’s time for

everything. I love my life and the decisions I’ve made. I have no regrets and my family hasn’t stopped me from following my desires but when it comes to education, if you have someone who is going to support you, get a hold of that because it’s like a priced possession. No matter who you are-look at this Basketballer, Shekiel,he went back to school after he was done with playing basketball. So, there’s a discipline in going to school and I’m glad, my family supported me. Can we say he discovered you? I think he played a very vital role in making sure I took my music seriously. But who I am a product of joint efforts by my sisters, friends and strangers. There was a time I sang at the London Arena and an old woman held my hand and said to me “make sure you do something with your voice.” I’ve so many moments like that. Even when I was in school, my music teacher once told said “Lami I’m so sure I’m going to see you on MTV sometime,” but I joked about

So how do you combine marriage and work? I see my music like a job. If I was working at a bank, I would have to combine it with my marriage. So, I give myself hours to do certain things. I have priorities- God comes first and then my family, everything else is an embellishment. So, if certain things don’t get into my priorities, it means they aren’t important. I believe there’s a time for everything because my voice isn’t going anywhere by God’s grace and God will be kind-I’ll be able to do what I would do. I’m lucky because my husband is just superb. He helps me, he’s the first person to encourage me to join a choir.

That’s not fair. I just want to ask a question By the time I came back to Nigeria I was already married.

hy did you decide with your husband to return home? Nigeria is home. There were times I wanted to go back but luckily, there’s an open door. Then, I realized that there’s a part of me that got tired of people saying Nigeria isn’t working. So, I decided to say it’s not good for all of us to say Nigeria isn’t good and we’re all leaving. I had an incline in my spirit to come back home to do the little I could. I don’t want to be known as an American-African artiste. I want to be known as a Nigerian artiste and it’s not easy but Nigeria is home, my family is here and I think, I can make a difference. As crazy as the system is, a part of me understands it. We have a long way to go. And it’s very sad that we started the year with fuel scarcity and ended it with fuel scarcity.

How long did it take you to get used to Nigeria? It didn’t take long because I’ve moved around a lot. I travel a lot and I’m not among those afraid of change. Life is too short to be in one place and see things one way for the rest of your life.

Lami

FACEBOOK PAGE

I’m sure you got married to your husband there? No comment.

So you dragged your husband back to Nigeria? No, we agree on everything that has to do with us. I wanted to at first then later, he said yes. Now, if I said I wanted to leave, he’ll say no. so he’s my friend, we talk through things- we didn’t rush.

You are a chorister? I was in London. He was the one who noticed my voice. What actually happened back in London? I was in England as a teenager and did my first degree and Master degree there. It was nice learning experience. I had the benefit of being part of a church family. I was protected from a lot of nonsense. And I think that was a very good foundation for me to do so many things and still be strong.

it. It happened. I guess a lot of people saw what I didn’t see You left London for Nigeria... From London, I went to America and then came back to Nigeria.

What did you miss about London and America? When I relocated to Nigeria, one of the things I missed was Star Box and I love to eat a lot. I always visit a certain restaurant where they sell foreign dishes to eat. As long as there’s good food, it’s okay.

BEVERLY NAYA ’m frickin’ exhausted. Christmas party today, but I think I need to most definitely chill on boxing day. At a fitting earlier, I was told that my waist has gone down from 27ins to 26ins!Only exercise I’ve been getting is from work!

DENRELE wo things that define your personality; the way you manage things when you have nothing and the way you behave when you have everything. #WORD

UCHE ELENDUIGWEANYIBA e all make mistakes,that shouldn’t define who we are. It is failure to rise up and not dwell in dat mistake that becomes your greatest undoing. A very big thank you to all those special friends ,some I have never met but you have blessed me in so many ways, thank you. God bless you and I pray you can live for me to bless you like you do to me. You know who you are!

30 — Vanguard, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2012

LESSONS FROM

English Premier League

ith the Christmas festivities still on , the English Premier League joined in the party act this week, turning in a magnificent round of matches and results. Manchester City was upset once more by Sunderland, Chelsea snapped Norwich City’s home streak, Tottenham Hotspur ran riot over Aston Villa and Manchester United extended their lead on top of the table with another comefrom-behind victory. It was another great week of matches. With the results still fresh in our minds, let’s take a look at lessons we learned from the Premier League this week.

QPR are back on the bo tt om bott ttom

ince appointing Harry Redknapp as the new manager, Queens Park Rangers had seemingly turned the corner in terms of performance, ending their incredible losing streak to start the year and actually playing some competitive football. They chalked up three consecutive draws before finally winning a match, taking them off the bottom of the ladder in the process before going down in a tough loss away from home to Newcastle United last week.

Man. Unit ed are United rescued again

ne of these days, Manchester United are going to concede an early goal or two falling behind and they’re not going to be able to run down their opponents. One of these days, the Red Devils won’t be able to turn to Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez in the final 30 minutes and expect that they will be able to fix the situation.

Sunderland are City’s boge eam bogeyy tteam L

ast year, Manchester City had their problems away from the Etihad Stadium, dropping points they shouldn’t have dropped and failing to score goals they really should have scored. Those problems still remain to an extent this year, but Roberto Mancini’s men have proven that they are a far better road team this season than they have been in years gone by. With the exception being Sunderland. The Stadium of Light is a tough venue to travel to for most teams, but for City, it’s becoming somewhat of a bogey ground.

Dimitar Berbat ov is Berbato better than his O team

What tto o mak e of make

Everton? L ast week, following Everton’s come-frombehind win against West Ham, a question

est Bromwich Albion are without doubt the surprise package of the year— now only a goal difference away from a Top Four spot heading into the New Year. Steve Clarke’s men have played well against the top teams, have now won consecutive matches once more, breaking their winless slump and are certainly back on the up heading into January and all that 2013 has in store for the English Premier League. The Baggies picked up a hardfought 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers this week. The trip to Loftus Road to play a desperate side was certainly not an easy task for any team.

was to to whether the Toffees were exposed at the moment or not. And whilst one is still convinced that they are to an extent, credit must be given where it’s due. Their seventh match in a row without a loss must be applauded. Having said that, they were not convincing, they were at home and this was only Wigan Athletic, so one is still unsure what to make of the Toffees at this point. The Merseyside club remain in the Top Four for now, but with injuries and several unconvincing performances in a row under their belt, there’s definitely reason to be cautious in declaring David Moyes’ side as completely problem free at the moment. Yes, they are in fourth and not even playing their best football, so imagine what they can do when they start playing well. One knows that argument well, but one is still not convinced on Everton.

nce again, summer signing Dimitar Berbatov found the back of the net for Fulham only for his side to be unable to hang on for victory. The former Manchester United striker has been a revelation since his move to Craven Cottage, but he has been largely let down by his teammates this year— both in attack and defense as he tries to carry the Cottagers back into the top half of the table. Berbatov hasn’t scored in a Fulham win since September 15, and Martin Jol needs to recognize that he isn’t being given the assistance and quality support that is required from his teammates, particularly going forward in the back half of the season. Players like Hugo Rodallega simply aren’t cutting it at the moment. Maybe Fulham would do well to heed the advice that Berba had for them under his jersey this week.

C M Y K

West Br om on the Brom up once more

Aston Villa are having a tough week

*Lambert

he signs for Aston Villa were looking so good. After being belted 5-0 at the Etihad Stadium by Manchester City, Paul Lambert’s men then went undefeated through their next five matches to move out of the relegation zone and up the league ladder.

They drew against Arsenal, QPR and Stoke City and recorded wins over Reading and Liverpool, the latter of which came at Anfield in an incredible 3-1 upset. Throw in a semifinal berth in the Capital One Cup, and things were starting to look really good for Villa. Until they traveled to Chelsea, that is.

Vanguard, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2012 — 31

Off The Pitch

Who’s the more polarizing star:

ndy Murray and Novak Djokovic are both instantly recognizable names when it comes to men’s tennis. Their reputations precede them, and almost everybody knows who either or both men are. They might not know everything about them— height, date of birth, career win-loss record when playing on outdoor clay surfaces but everyone who knows anything about men’s tennis knows something about either Andy Murray or Novak Djokovic. They’re just two very famous individuals. Murray is, of course, the British hopeful who ended one of the longest courses in sport with a Grand Slam victory for Great Britain at the 2012 U.S. Open. The Scotsman had already made four Grand Slam finals before and a number of semifinals before that, but had been unable to take his game to the next level— something that he started to become recognizable and famous for. Andy Murrray: the bridesmaid of men’s tennis.

GOLF

Andy Murra Murrayy or Novak Djok ovic? Djoko TENNIS

Wesley Sneijder, David Villa, John Terry, Robinho London are superstars of European football. Wesley Sneijder in north London? David Villa in west London (or another part of north London)? Those are the big rumors that lead this week's edition of Off the Pitch. There are also updates on John Terry, Demba Ba and Robinho. Keep reading for the details.

Tott enham reac h ttenham reach agreement tto o sign W esle Wesle esleyy Sneijder

ottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement to sign Dutch playmaker Wesley Sneijder in January, according to reports from Italy . Sneijder, 28, has been involved in a dispute with Inter Milan and has not played for most of the season. He has said the dispute relates to his failure to sign a new deal with the club at reduced wages. Tottenham would reportedly pay £12 million for the potential transfer. Always at the wedding but never getting married—that would be the legacy Murray

had built for himself prior to his breakthrough success at Flushing Meadows and the London Olympics last year.

Chelsea Chasing David Villa?

helsea are interested in signing Spanish forward David Villa from Barcelona. Villa, 31, sustained a broken leg last season and has not regained a regular place in Barca’s squad. Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez is reportedly ready to spend £12 million to bring Villa to London. Arsenal and Liverpool are also thought to be interested. Barcelona have previously said Villa will not be sold

McIlroy

cIlroy is named U.S. Golf Writers’Player of Year Rory McIlroy is the near unanimous choice as the best male player by the Golf Writers Association of America. McIlroy received 190 out of the 194 votes cast by GWAA members. Three votes went to FedEx Cup champion Brandt Snedeker, and the other went to Tiger Woods.

John TTerr err rank erryy, FFrank Lampard on way out of Chelsea?

Gareth Bale is world class

n the transfer speculation, Real Madrid were reportedly willing to pay around £60 million for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Gareth Bale . The figure was so ridiculous that it was never going to be true, but after watching the Welshman simply carve open Aston Villa this week, maybe that value isn’t as ridiculous as it first seemed. Okay, so it’s still ridiculous, but Bale is truly a worldclass player and proved just how deadly he can be for Spurs this season, turning in three goals and creating a number of other goal-scoring chances en route to a big victory for the North London club. Bale finished with seven shots, three of which were goals and several others induced great saves from Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan and also created four goalscoring opportunities for his teammates throughout the match .

*Gareth Bale

ohn Terry will not receive a new contract offer at Chelsea. Terry, 32, has played his entire senior professional career with Chelsea. Club owner, Roman A b r a m o v i c h reportedly remains upset with Terry for failing to support former manager Andre Villas-Boas. Meanwhile, there are reports that Chelsea have told Frank Lampard he can find a new club. Lampard, 34, joined Chelsea from West Ham in 2001. C M Y K

32 —SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012

What makes a woman want to sleep with a man? evaluated the odour on a scale from attractive to unattractive. The odours of men who had a complex similar to their own made them recoil in disgust. And their sexual fantasies about other men did not just remain in their heads. They also reported higher rates of sexual infidelity

hat makes a woman want to sleep with a man? Is it true that a chap can laugh a woman into bed? Does he need to be tall, dark and handsome to stand any chance at all? Today, in the second extract from the new book Why Women Have Sex, by psychologists Cindy Meston and David Buss, we reveal the features that make a man appeal to a woman, and why they are far more fascinating and complex than you could imagine.

SIZE MATTERS

What sort of body does a woman find desirable? Perhaps the most obvious physical characteristic she looks for in a man is height. Studies consistently find that women consider tall men to be attractive. In analyses of personal ads, 80 per cent of women state they want to meet a man who is 6ft or taller. Men who indicate in their personal ads that they are tall have also been shown to receive far more responses from women. Other studies show women prefer tall men as husbands and put an even greater emphasis on height in shorterterm sex partners. Women even place importance on height when selecting sperm donors. Two studies also found that tallerthan-average men tend to have a greater number of live-in girlfriends and more children, confirming their popularity for romance and reproduction. They also tend to be healthier than shorter men and if they’re policemen, they get assaulted less than their shorter colleagues, which suggests height commands more respect from other men. What more could a girl want?

THE SCENT OF SEX

According to new scientific research, a woman will literally sniff out a man’s genetic make-up before she decides if he’s right for her. A woman’s sense of smell reaches a peak around the time of her ovulation, the 24-hour window during the monthly menstrual cycle in which she can become pregnant. C M Y K

FIT FOR SEX

The genes responsible for fighting off disease-causing bacteria and viruses are found in a group of genes called the major histocompatibility complex, or MHC. Different people have various versions of these genes and it turns out that women can benefit in two ways from mating with men whose MHC genes are dissimilar to their own. Such a mate is likely to have more dissimilar genes in general, so finding someone dissimilar attractive might help to prevent many of the birth defects associated with reproducing with close genetic relatives. A second benefit is any children of such a union will have a more robust immune system. The interesting thing is that women seem to be able to sniff out men with dissimilar MHC. In a revealing study, Brazilian researchers asked 29 men to wear cotton skin patches for five days to absorb their sweat and thus their body odours. A sample of 29 women then smelled each cotton patch and

Height is not the only aspect of men’s bodies that excites women. Studies of mate preferences reveal that women desire strong, muscular, athletic men for long-term partnerships as well as for sexual liaisons. Most women also show a distinct preference for a V-shaped torso - broad shoulders relative to hips. They are also attracted to a lean stomach combined with a muscular but not muscle-bound upper torso. In fact, both sexes judge men with a high shoulder-to-hip ratio to be more physically and socially dominant. This may give a clue to its appeal, since women are not attracted to men who appear as though they could be easily dominated by other men. Men with a high shoulder-to-hip ratio begin having sexual intercourse at an early age - 16 or younger. They report having more sex partners than their slim-shouldered peers. But be warned: they have more affairs while in a relationship. THE FACE OF ATTRACTION When it comes to choosing between

PERT X E S E H T ASK

x, lge in unprotected se My partner and I indu te r ej ac ul at in g in at af bu t th e iss ue is th to sp er ms flo w ou t au e th , na gi y sid e th e va m ll ha pp en s, ho w wi t le m at ica lly . If th is I g, tin Af te r eja cu la t wi fe ge t pr eg na nt ? ou ab r fo r he in in sid e my ma nh oo d re ma eg pr t ge to fe wi my 15 m in ut es . I wa nt . lp ss ib le. Pl ea se he na nt as ea rly as po d penis to remain in the

cci It is difficult for a fla nothing nage that? There is ma u yo vagina. How do of the st ge on str the ly e time, on to worry, since at on t are res im upwards while the millions of sperms sw thin wi ce pla tion does not take ne. thrown out. If concep do t tes rm spe a logist and get a year, see a gynaeco

ve occasional sex with I am 62 years old. I ha age, but have to use same ct my wife who’s of the However, since my ere e t. an ric saliva as a lub lat cu eja to ve ha I , ndom penis cannot hold a co an or ga sm sin ce sh e g in ev hi ac on ou tsi de

a rugged, conventionally handsome man and an ordinary, less attractive partner, women have a difficult choice to make. In a series of scientific studies, women found square-jawed, masculine faces to be the sexiest and the most attractive for a casual sexual encounter. But they judged somewhat less masculine faces to be more attractive for a long-term relationship. Women’s sexual desires for testosterone-fuelled facial cues of masculinity were especially strong during the fertile window of their cycle. The most plausible interpretation of these results is that women are attracted to men who are likely to be ‘good dads’ when choosing long-term mates, but are attracted to the signals of robust health that more masculine faces provide when they are most likely to become impregnated. Why do more masculine faces signify health? High testosterone production actually compromises the body’s immune functioning, leaving men less able to fight off diseases and parasites in adolescence. Only men who are above average in healthiness during adolescence can ‘afford’ to produce the high levels of testosterone that masculinise the face. Less healthy adolescents can’t afford to compromise their already precarious immune systems, and so produce lower levels of testosterone at precisely the time when facial bones take their adult form.

Th is is to eja cu la te in sid e. in a do es no t al lo w me sta su ou ld I ta ke to di sg us tin g. W ha t sh as to we ar a co nd om ? so es a str on ge r er ec tio n, at e tw o to th re e tim rb stu ma Al so , ca n I month? vagiyou to ejaculate in the Why does she not allow of getting pregnant, then r fear sturna? If the reason is he at her age. You can ma ble ssi po t no is too fe tell her it wi ur yo t why not involve bate as you please, bu in the act. ed my man. Recently, I shav I am a 23-year-old wo the first time. To my surr for pubic hair with a razo gina. It white marks on my va do I l ra prise, I noticed seve w Ho . in pa it er do es do es no t itc h, ne ith ? em th get rid of at the u, it is difficult to say wh one Without examining yo on y da a ice tw ine ply Betad marks are. You can ap t. They appears, put on the res dis it If s. rk of the ma r. ase do see a docto seem harmless, but ple

SATURDAY Vanguard DECEMBER 29, 2012 —33

Bread, rice, popcorn and 6 others you should not eat M

aking healthy food choices is often difficult and confusing,but there are a number of specific foods to avoid in almost every circumstance because they provide virtually no health benefits while posing plenty of health risks. Here are nine foods you should never eat again if you care about preserving your long-term health...

White bread, refined flour These are generally toxic for the body because they have been stripped of virtually all vitamins, minerals, fibre, and other important nutrients. They are not properly digestable and assimilated. Refined white flour has also been bleached with chlorine and brominated with bromide, two poisonous chemicals that have been linked to causing thyroid and organ damage. Tip: Choose brown bread or whole wheat bread over white bread. Reduce consumption of patries made from white flour. Conventional frozen meals With the exception of a few truly healthy frozen meal brands, most conventionallyprepared frozen meals are loaded with preservatives, processed salt, hydrogenated oils and other artificial ingredients, not to mention the fact that most frozen meals have been heavily precooked, rendering their nutrient content minimal. Tip: As much as possible, eat meals in their fresh, unpreserved state. White rice Like white bread, white rice has been stripped of most of its nutrients, and separated from the bran and germ, two natural components that make up rice in its brown form. Even so-called “fortified” white rice is nutritionally deficient, as the body still processes this refined food much differently than brown rice, which is absorbed more slowly, and does not cause the same spike in blood sugar that white rice does.

ip: Eat “unpolished” rice as much as possible in place of the “parboiled” or “polished” variety. Microwaveable popcorn This processed food which is a favourite among moviegoers and regular snackers is one of the unhealthiest foods you can eat. Practically, every component of microwaveable

•White bread

•Popcorn

Nearly all non-organic soy ingredients are of genetically modified origin, most soy additives are processed using a toxic chemical known as hexane, which is linked to causing birth defects, reproductive problems, and cancer. Unfermented soy is also highly estrogenic, which can distort hormone balance.

•White rice popcorn is unhealthy and disease-promoting. It contains a chemical known as diacetyl that can actually destroy the lungs. Cured meat products Deli meats, sausage, hot dogs, bacon, and many other meats are often loaded with sodium nitrite and other chemical preservatives linked to causing heart disease and cancer. Tip: Have preference only for fresh, uncured meats.

Conventional protein, energy bars. These are meal replacements containing processed soy protein, refined sugar, hydrogenated fat, and other harmful additives that contribute to chronic illness. Margarine Hidden in all sorts of processed foods, margarine, a hydrogenated trans-fat oil, is something you will

want to avoid at all costs for your health. Contrary to popular belief, butter and saturated fats in general are not unhealthy, especially when they are derived from pastured animals that feed on grass rather than corn and soy. Tip: Extra-virgin coconut oil or olive oil are much better than margarine. Soy milk and soy-based meat substitutes

”Diet” products Many so-called “diet” products on the market today contains artificial sweeteners like aspartame and sucralose, both of which are linked to causing neurological damage, gastrointestinal problems, and endocrine disruption. Many diet products also contain added chemical flavoring agents to take the place of fat and other natural components that have been removed to artificially reduce calorie content. Tip: Stick with whole foods that are as close to nature as possible, including high-fat foods grown the way nature intended, and your body will respond surprisingly well

34—Vanguard, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29 , 2012

My Music started before anybody knew me —Tolulope Adesina

Background My names are Tolulope Abraham Adesina and I was MTN Project Fame excontestant in 2010 . I was on the same set with Chidinma .I was born and raised in Kaduna until 2010 when I came to Lagos for the MTN Project Fame. I’ve been singing since I was 11 and my first background in music was in Baptist Church children ‘s choir where I was taught how to sing and perform and by the time I was 16years, I had my first major performance at a grand opening at House on the Rock Jam Mega Festival in Abuja . That is at the stadium where I sang the national anthem and everybody was like blown away because of my girlish voice and since then, it’s been a wonderful journey . Also I’d been to about seven other competitions before MTN Project Fame. I was at Nokia First Chance; West African Idol and so many of them and singing to veterans like Donnie Mclurkin, Kim Burrel at B.E.T auditions” but finally, Project Fame saw talent in me and I went as far as I did . Growing up Well, growing up in Kaduna was really nice for me because Kaduna then used to be a very peaceful and loving society. There were no religious crises and for me , it was a wonderful experience because I had loving parents who supported me when they recognized the talent in me . Also, I grew up among five siblings . I was the first and there was only one girl amongst us .So it was fun growing up .

My starting point Well it started with love and passion for music . I grew up loving and falling in love with music because as a young boy, there was nowhere I heard music that it wouldn’t catch my attention and my Dad had a very huge music library. It was as big as a record store. He always played music and sometimes when I closed from school, I’d go there to listen to music after my assignment, to an extent that I’d even forget to remove my uniform (laugh). So I always played music from the time I returned from school till when was set to do my assignment. So for me , music started way back before anybody knew me. And then in 2010, people got to feel who Tolu is , they got to know who Tolu is and so far its been a wonderful journey .

Life after MTN Project Fame Yes , I released a song after Project Fame called “Arewa’’ and it’s a beautiful song , a song about Nigeria’s beauty. Arewa in English means beautiful woman .When I dropped the song, people loved it because of the sincerity in the word and the technicality of the music . It was RnB and then, there was a lot of Yoruba in it. People loved it because it was indigenous and international. Later, I dropped a video for it and it was played in couples of stations like Soundcity , On TV, AIT, to mention a few . I’ve also dropped lots of single like ‘’Wine it ‘’ and presently, I’m doing a new song which are three singles in one My kind of Music I will say Tolu’s strength in music is RnB and soul .But Tolu has grown since 2010 and I’m doing a lot of music like Afro pop ,

olulope Abraham Adesina is a singer, producer, songwriter and lover of the arts who originates from Ogbomosho in Oyo state. He grew up and lived in Kaduna but is presently based in Lagos . In this chat with IYABO AINA, Tolu speaks about his music and his plans .

I released a song right after Project Fame called “Arewa’’ and it’s a beautiful song , a song about Nigeria’s beauty. Arewa in English means beautiful woman ,

*Tolu

Pop and RnB . So, I do all kinds of things that appeal to different kinds of people and this makes me to be three in one .So generally. I do three different songs that go three different directions . Experience from MTN Project Fame It was a lucrative experience . I learnt a lot of things about music . I learnt that to go beyond your talent, you need to have a stage act , manage your stage well and appeal to people when you are singing so they can feel your music other than just listening to your voice . Also, we had vocal training on how to improve in our vocal strength and even all of those trainings are helping me because even now, I have a vocal studio myself and I’ve learnt how to manipulate and use my voice for the best . Not winning the contest

I was crushed (laugh). I was very bitter about it and it took me a while to recover from it because I spent three months in that house and everybody knew I was that good .A lot of people have different theory about what happened to me . Some people said I lost my passion but I gave my best show and I tried to be the best I could be at every given point in time . I could remember that there was a week in the house that I lost my voice and my performance during that week wasn’t good and when I recovered from it, I gave my best . All the same, I’m happy for the winner because she ‘s doing so well . Chidinma is doing well and I’m proud of her because she’s growing and changing .But I’m also doing my own thing in my own corner (laugh ). Compensation as one of the finalists Yes , we were given some thank you packages and a little cash to say keep on coming . Present occupation Tolu is three things presently: I’m a producer, song writer and performer ;so these three things are what I find pleasure in .I produce artists to help them actualize their dreams and recently, I did something for Scales which is coming out in his new album ‘’Adaba’’. So, producing is a kind of introducing the other side of Tolu to the world . My three works Why it’s easy is because they are right under the same umbrella , they are all around music . All of them complement each other .So, sometimes people come to me and say I like your song ,who produced it and I’d say I did and they will want me to produce for them. Some would say, I like your voice, I want to sing like you and I trained their vocal cords . My hero in the industry In Nigeria I look up to two people ;Asa and 2Face. I believe in their style of music. They have a message because each time I listen to 2Face, no matter what he’s singing about, there’s always something to learn from it. His music is poetic .And Asa is also soulful , lyrical and she was the first female artiste to make us proud in the music industry . Internationally ,my biggest mentor is Brandy and if you listen to my song, there’s a lot of Brandy’s influence in it . My future in the industry I wish to be a name that when you said Tolu internationally and nationally, people will know who you are talking about. Challenges as an up coming act There are musical challenges for anyone because it goes beyond the talent which is to promote your songs, get it out there and people have to hear it and all that cost money . So as an up coming act, it can be a little frustrating to get your good work out to the public for people to hear .But I thank God for my management Vintage Record and also my manager Rukky for their support Advice for upcoming acts Believe in yourself ,you cannot give up on yourself .And the last person to give up on you is you . Even if everybody thought you can’t do it keep doing it and one day people will hear you.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012—35

For an organisation to succeed, the human resource department must be fortified with skilled and knowledgeable human resources personnel

Why companies fail to excel in human resour ce management — Ajakaiye

rs. Dolapo Ajakaiye is a Human Resource Manager who trains Nigerians in diaspora and a number of foreigners. She wrote a book “Searching for Greener Pastures” which was a reflection of the challenges she passed through in life. She is currently running a training and consultancy firm in the United Kingdom. In this interview with EBUN SESSOU, she explains why Nigeria as a country has not been able to practice good Human Resources Management. Excerpt Why are you interested in Human Resources Management? I believe in developing people and that was a motivating factor for me. I obtained a degree in Business Management at the United Kingdom. I realised that most people have the skills but lacked the capacity to manage people. So, I decided to study Human Resource Management which helped me in aligning business strategy with human resource strategy. My desire is to ensure that employers get the best from their employees while employees are managed and represented well. For an organisation to succeed, the human resource department must be fortified with skilled and knowledgeable human resources personnel. What are the challenges so far? Ajakaiye...I believe in developing people The first challenge is the attitude people put up in addressing issues. For examples, our attitude to work, time management, perception about people and value placed on people as well as our attitude to corruption. Anyone It is a pity that Nigerian politicians trolled. who is rendering a particular service How many Nigerians in dibelieves that he or she is doing you a or policy makers are only accountable aspora have you trained in the favour and therefore he is expecting to their godfathers instead of the peo- United Kingdom? ple who voted them into power. There something in return. I have lost count on the number of But it is a different ball game in the should be freedom of information not Nigerians in diaspora I have trained. United Kingdom where everyone just for the people to know but to take I specialise speech writing and presees each other as partners and action whenever it is necessary. In UK, it is a crime to plead with a sentation as well as interviews. I also friends. The common words there are police officer. You do not give people teach them on how to write curricu“please” and “thank you”. The truth lum vitae, CV, as part of my vision is that the orientation that was imbibed money for service they rendered, if not and mission to impact positively into into the people from cradle is a huge you have compromised the moment the people. advantage. The children are trained you give them money. In the advanced Human Resource Management on how to be financially responsible. countries especially, United Kingdom seems to be more appreciated in adThey live on the wages they work for. government is socially responsible to vanced countries, how do you plan But in Nigeria, it is a different ball its people. If you are out of job, there to achieve this in Nigeria? game. Nigerians do not think of giv- is provision for you to be fully catered Nigerians believe in hoarding ining back to the society while the lead- for. formation. There is also human tenYou can sign up for a job and in the ers on their own part, do not set good dency to resist change even when it process of getting a job, you will be examples for their followers. is necessary. But I believe there is given job seekers allowance. The govPerhaps, there are factors that nothing impossible. When the time are making it impossible for ernment is also responsible to pay for comes, change will take its effect. the person’s rent unlike in Nigeria this to be actualised? What was life to you growing The only factor you might probably where measures are not put in place u p ? to look after its people. point at is corruption. Corruption is Growing up was beautiful. God gave Corruption exists in every section like a monster that has eaten deep into me the grace to surmount every chalthe fabric of the nation’s economy. The of the country and it seems it cannot lenge that came across my path. I was truth remains that Nigerians must be be eradicated completely. But I be- brought up under a disciplined envilieve it can be managed and conaccountable in everything they do.

ronment and that helped me the first time I was employed as Secretary in Eko International Bank. After a while, I went abroad to study business management but came out as human resource manager. In the school, I wrote a book, “Searching for Greener Pastures”. I was a student and at the same time, a mother. Things were difficult be-

cause I had to do part time job in order to take care of my studies and children. I did that to nurture my children and train them in the right way. The discipline I had from home also helped me through tough times. The discipline was how to manage my time, organise myself and adapt myself to a new and changing environment. I also learnt how to use the computer and that helped me when I got to England. It was difficult to study without having the computing skills that would help in presentation using the power point.

36—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012—37

VANE-STYLE SHOWROOM OPENS

Tips to an amazing look in the New Year W

ith the christmas season here, there are many ways in which you can look amazing at your Christmas party without putting a hole in your pocket. Looking and feeling great isn’t about spending all your money. It’s about relaxing, having fun and being creative with what you have.

tylists, editors and fashion produc tion teams looking to shoot editorials of designer pieces, need not look any further as Vane-Style the one-sto p destination for report on the latest trends, or feature arti cles on designers, recently opened its showroom. The new outfit located in Ikoyi provides showroom services for professional stylists, editorial stylists and fashion editors to select apparels for their editorials, advertising and eve nts. This partnership according to the CEO of Vane-Style Veronica Odeka, gives designers additional opportunities to have their collections appear in fashion editorials, adverti sing campaigns, and red carpet events. "We are commit ted to highlighting the designers brand and working to give designers the maximum exposure in the fashion industry." she said. With a vision to creating a lifestyle showroom which would be the first of its kind embody ing contemporary and luxury clothing brands, the compan y's aim is to keep selected pieces in front of the pre ss eye alongside working with fashion industry organizatio ns and events to give designers a wide variety of opportu nities within the industry and consumer markets. With every Major Fashion city hav ing several housed showrooms where pieces are pulled to ensure that designers are consistently visible to the masses and with Africa visibly on the rise in Fashion , Mrs Odeka felt it was time to establish a much needed style showroom of sorts with the same potential outcome. Designers in the showroom include Iconic invanity, Alter Ego, Beatrice Black, Sunny Rose, House of Makeda, Orange Culture, Republic of Foreign er, Alali Boutique, Mi-le, Josh Samwels. Vintage Col lette, Jess Stephanie, Akpos Okudu, 83’s & 80’s, Wana Sambo, James Brendan, Ms Makor, Weizdhum Franklyn, Andrea Iyamah and Isi Atagamen.

Here are some simple, but effective ways you can look good and dazzle your fellow should be understated. For partygoers whilst being on a example, your reasonably tight budget. priced (okay REALLY cheap) LBD and shoes will look GO FOR GOLD! amazing when teamed with a A simple gold necklace can statement necklace, brooch or turn the most boring outfit into handbag. So many people something classic and stunning make the mistake of thinking instead. There’s something that everything they wear at about the unique sheen that the Christmas party needs to emanates from even the most be new and expensive, that is basic of gold pieces. Forget not true. decking yourself out in head to toe jewellery and go for that one EXPERIMENT WITH piece, whether it’s a bracelet, a MAKE-UP ring or a necklace. Like your clothes, one statement element of your makeup can transform your MAKE A STATEMENT look completely, whether its Having one statement piece of Twiggy style mascara, ruby clothing or jewellery means that red lips or that iconic smoky everything else can and eye. If you go for the makeup “statement”, everything else can and definitely should be

minimal. Think glistening ruby red lips with just a small slick of eyeliner on your top lids or smoky eyes with a small amount of nude lipstick. But don’t go overboard on the blusher! Why not experiment with your look using the ultimate makeover tool? TRANSFORM YOUR HAIR Having great hair doesn’t always mean spending so much at the hairdressers. if you one that wears your natural hair, all you need is some hairspray, some hairclips and a good hairdryer, to transform your hair to a pretty updo. If you are often in weaves you should try the long or short braids for new you. And the good news is which ever braids you choose is pocket friendly. So this party season, have fun, get creative and dress to impress.

•Acessorise with the clutch •Bling shoes

Mabel Maku

•Smooky eye make up

•Gold necklace and bracelete

38 — SATURDAY, Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012

C M Y K

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012—39

Celebrities and their eating habits in 2012 T

he year 2012 would not go without reflecting on those funny things that celebrities did with food in public place, restaurant or even their homes. Some of them were spotted many times eating food everywhere from fast food stores to a park. Some have been published in one of the segments of this year’s Celebrity Tummy Talk, "Tummy Palavar". President of the United State, Barrack Obama was spotted eating burger in a restaurant. Nollywood Big boy, Jim Iyke couldn't hold back his love for roasted corn even in far away Amsterdam. Others including P’Square Peter Okoye, Venessa Hudgens, Michelle Obama, Kim Kardashian , Justin Timberlake to mention a few were not left out.

cotton candy

Kim Kardashian eats cotton candy while she watches her boyfriend Kris Humphries playing the Knicks.

Justin Timberlake’s sandwiches Michelle Obama Peter Okoye of P-Square was recently spotted eating groundnuts. One of his happiest moment might probably be the day he couldn't resist a plate of groundnut.

Vanessa Hudgens’s Pizza

Venessa Hudgens chewed down on a slice of pizza. For her, the year would not have been complete without her pizza’s experience.

Michelle Obama’s anti-obesity Barrack Obama Obama’s Burger

United State President, Barrack Obama doesn’t hold back his love for burger anywhere anytime. His love for burger knows no bound.

United State First lady, Michelle Obama’s crusade for healthy eating gave her a signature as anti-obesity advocate who has spearheaded the “let’s move” campaign, with aims to help “raise a healthier generation of kids.” Well done, Madam First Lady

Jim Iyke’s love for roasted corn

Nollywood star, Jim Iyke practically shows that roasted corn was inevitable out of all his numerous foods. Even in far away Amsterdam at the Kwakoe festival Bijlmer Amsterdam, it is a must.

P-square’s plate of groundnuts

Jim Iyke

Tummy Healthy Tips

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian’s

My New Year Tummy Resolution

very New Year comes with a resolution that serves as yardstick for everyone who is ready to make a difference. You can also join millions of people to say, "In the New Year, I will be conscious of my health and wellbeing and take preventive actions to stay healthy". Consider the 5Ws and H of eating healthy. You can stay out of danger by going through these processes below. What to eat: Eat a variety of foods from meat, legumes, dairy, grains, fruits, vegetables and small amount of fat daily. Vegetables and fruits are a great source of vitamins and minerals. Where to eat : Eliminate eating in the car, bus, train, walking, standing or on the phone. Make time to eat meals and snacks by sitting down at a table. Read about the dangers of driving and eating. When to eat: Eat breakfast

Fruit juices to watch out for in 2013 N

ot every fruit juice is fine for diet program. If you must have a healthy year ahead of you, then your diet must be well planned. Some fruits including apple, watermelon, grape, orange, tomatoes, grapefruits, pomegranate, pineapple to mention a few must be taken into consideration. You should first know what the benefits of the fruit juice you are about taking before going for it.

Watermelon juice

Watermelon juice has lots

body system, helps to control blood pressure, promotes weight loss, helps to lower cholesterol, offers natural sun protection, highly nutritious; containing vitamins A and C, of benefits including hydrating; watermelon is over 90 percent water and the water contained in this melon is the perfect water to hydrate every cell of your body. Cleanses the

potassium, lycopene, betacarotene, silicon and antioxidants just to name a few. Relieves edema (water retention); by inducing urination. Watermelon has

Justin Timberlake with a handsome look eats sandwiches when he is on location for filming.

diuretic and laxative properties. It relieves mental depression and fatigue, rejuvenating blood tonic, very alkalizing and extremely delicious.

Orange juice

Orange juice is a source of vitamin C, potassium and folate, and contains only 110 calories. At some instant juice products, there are usually additional nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids.

and two other meals each day. People who eat breakfast are less likely to snack in the evening. Eat at least every four to six hours when awake rather than waiting until your stomach starts growling. How much to eat: Choose smaller portion sizes. Shopping & eating out: If you don’t cook by yourself, be sure of the source of the food before it finds its way into your mouth.

Tomato juice is the safest juice if you’re on diet program. Some nutrients such as potassium, lycopene, vitamin C and beta-carotene are good for healthy skin and eyes.

Pineapple juice

Pineapple juice is rich in vitamin C and vitamin B6 can also reduce irritation.

Tomato juice C M Y K

40—SATURDAY VANGUARD , DECEMBER 29, 2012

FRSC identifies speed violations as major cause of accidents

HE Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Osita Chidoka has expressed serious concern over the prevailing dominance of speed violation among other causes of road crashes during this year’s yuletide patrols, which has accounted for 94 deaths in 191 road crashes in 5 days. Attributing this unacceptable trend to attitude of road users, the Corps Marshal said that with this negative fallout, the Corps has devised speed calming measures as part of strategies to engender safer traffic conduct among motorists especially during the festive season adding that “It is an attitudinal issue as this year witnessed rehabilitation of major corridors of the highways, people tend to disregard traffic laws bordering on speed limits and accelerate beyond recommended speed thus resulting to the figures we have witnessed in 5 days. We have devised measures to address this u n p l e a s a n t development”. Chidoka who stopped over in Lokoja in the course of the aerial they are not made for the monitoring of traffic Nigerian market. When situation on Lokoja-Abuja they come into the highway and other major market, they come with a roads appealed to lot of problems which are motorists to reduce their difficult to solve,” he speed and obey traffic regulations so as to explained. reduce carnage during the festive periods. He expressed delight over the free flow of traffic on Abuja-Lokoja-Okene compact segment offers highways, attributing the more interior length success to the (1,782 mm), more knee activities of his men and room (73 mm) and more other security agencies headroom at the back (980 and the improvement in mm). Also best in class is road conditions across the boot volume at 590 the country. He urged litres. Other interior motorists to be mindful of regulations, dimensions have also road increased significantly warning that acts of compared to the Octavia’s phoning while driving second generation: front and drunk driving, overhead room: + 8 mm, front speeding, overloading elbow width: + 39 mm, and seat belt violation rear elbow width: + 26 would be visited with severe punishment. mm.

Why we introduced A/T Hilux — TNL T

HE Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. C. K. Thampy has explained that the demand for the automatic transmission version of the Hilux necessitated the introduction of the model by the company. Thampy who spoke to Motoring Journalists during their quarterly meeting with auto journalists, recently said that a segment of their customer demanded for the automatic transmission version of the car, hence they decided to give it to them. “We are in business to meet customers demand and satisfaction and the introduction of the automatic version of the Hilux in Nigeria is aimed at satisfying our customers,” he said. He however pointed out that being automatic does not mean less performance. “The automatic Hilux does hard work just like the manual version and we have found out that the demand for automatic version of the pickup has been on the increase.” he stated. Continuing, he said, the tendency that the owner sometimes would like to drive the Hilux himself rather than employing a driver made it imperative for us to introduce the automatic version of the best selling pickup in Nigeria for over a decade. The Toyota boss who also spoke about the performance of their other newly introduced models such as the Camry and Fortuner said that they have been able to introduce the highest specs of the models because of the taste of Nigerians. “Our Camry are better speced. We know the needs of Nigeria and always strive to meet our customers needs,” he said. According to him, when they introduced the first version of the Fortuner, they realised that there was a gap that existed as many highly placed customers would like the car in leather. This made them to introduce the leather in order to fill the gap. C M Y K

He however ruled out the possibility of introducing the Toyota Venza Crossover, for now saying that Toyota has many models to satisfy their customers in this

segment. “We don’t bring in vehicles for the sake of bringing vehicle. We had the opportunity to bring Venza but we want to concentrate on the Camry for now,” he stated.

On grey import, the managing director warned that those who patronised grey Toyota were taking risks. “We do have problem with grey Toyota because

New Octavia sets standards in segment

HE new ŠKODA Octavia sets standards in the compact segment. The Octavia’s third generation more than ever confirms the car’s unique position in its vehicle segment, impressing with an unrivalled space offering, new design, high functionality, innovative safety and comfort systems, low fuel consumption, wide range of ‚Simply Clever ‘ solutions and a ŠKODAtypical price-value ratio. “The ŠKODA Octavia is the heart of the ŠKODA brand,” says ŠKODA CEO Winfried Vahland. “It embodies the good ŠKODA genes in the best sense of the word: lots of room, quality, precise workmanship, modern, mature technology, timeless design, high functionality and the best price-value ratio. Our customers’ expectations have grown. Our aim was to make this car even better for its third generation. This is reflected in the values of the new Octavia – it is a class of its own.” The ŠKODA Octavia in its overall package has always been about offering that little bit extra.

This is down to the generous space offering, but also the fusion of an elegant saloon shape with the practical advantages of car with a large hatch, a fusion that is unique in this segment. The new generation confirms this uniqueness. “The new Octavia shows us resolutely continuing down a ŠKODA-typical road. It is a car with middle-class qualities at a compact-car price. It is

an ideal car for demanding, confident customers expecting a modern Octavia with all its good values. It is our best,” says Frank Welsch, ŠKODA board member for technical development. The new ŠKODA Octavia sets benchmarks in its class in terms of its space offering. “The new Octavia offers space such as is otherwise found only in higher classes.” No other car in the

SATURDAY, Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012—41

Wedding bliss in Ajuluc hukwu’s home Ajuluchukwu’s

amuel Ajuluchukwu had every reason to merry and to invite friends and well-wishers for a delightful round of partying as his son, Obiora Ajuluchukwu took for himself a wife, former Miss Omotara Kafayat, daughter of Mr. Kamorudeen and Mrs Funmilayo Lesi, to live together forever. The reception held at Jhalobia Gardens in Lagos. Photos by Biodun Ogunleye

UNILA G’s a w ards tto o UNILAG’s aw donor s/par tner donors/par s/partner tnerss

n November 16, 2012 the University of Lagos held presentation of awards to major d o n o r s / partners of the UNILAG Donors Forum. The event took place at the Multi-purpose Hall and was chaperoned by Deacon (Dr) Gamaliel Onosode, Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, as Chairman, Professor Rahamon Bello, Vice Chancellor, as Chief Host and Mr Mac Ovbiagele, Chairman, Advancement Board, as the Host. Photos by Joe Akintola, Photo Editor.

Mrs Funmilayo Lesi, bride’s mum flanked by Mr and Mrs Tunde Akinbode

L-R:Deacon [Dr] Gamaliel Onosode, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, (Chief) Arthur Mbanefo and Mr. Mac Ovbiagele, Chairman Advancement Board University of Lagos

The couple ,Dr & Dr (Mrs) Obiora Ajuluchukwu flanked by the groom’s parents ,Mr & Mrs Samuel Ajuluchukwu

The newly Wedded couple Dr & Dr Mrs Obiora Omotara Ajuluchukwu

L-R:Mr. Bruce Ovbiagele, Dr. [Mrs} Funmi Sofoluwe, Mrs. Helen Ovbiagele, Woman Editor, Vanguard, Mr. Mac Ovbiagele and Mr. Udu Ovbiagele

L-R: Mrs Tobi Odunaiya, Mrs Yinka Adebimpe , Mrs Jayne Ajuluchukwu, groom’s mum, Mrs Regina Chukwudi and Mrs Linda Okwaji

L-R: Mr Osaro Isokpan, Mr Samuel Ajuluchukwu, groom’s dad, Amb. Chike Anigbo and Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Chairman of the occasion

Turbanning of Rasaq Bello

C M Y K

The Turbaning ceremony of Alhaji Rasaq Oladapo Bello, former Chief Librarian, Federal Polytechnic Ilaro as the Bada Adeen Musulumi of Owu Kingdom and his Wife as Yeye Bada Adeen took place in Abeokuta, Ogun state

L-R: Chief [Mrs] Oprah Benson, Mr. Adeseye Ogunlewe and Prof. J.P. Clark,

Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu, Olowu of Owu Kingdom presents certificate to both Alhaji and Alhaja R. Ola Bello

L-R:Vice Admiral Jubril Ayinla and Mr. Mac Ovbiagele, Chairman ,Advancement Board, University of Lagos

L-R:Alhaji A. Bello, Alhaji Shuaib Salisu Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Ibikunle Amosun and Alhaji R. Ola Bello

C M Y

42 — SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012

SERVICE OF SONG IN HONOUR OF LATE GEN. ANDREW AZAZI Service of Songs was held in honour of Late Gen. Andrew Azazi in Yenagoa, Bayalsa State yesterday. Pix: Akpokona Omafuaire and Henry Unini

•Governor Dickson of Bayalsa State and his wife, Rachel (left) and President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience

L-R:Governor Uduaghan of Delta State,Deputy Governor of Bayalsa State, Chief John Jonah; Mr. Kombowei Benson, Speaker; Bayelsa State House of Assembly and Chief Diete Spiff.

From Left: Gov Seriake Dickson,President Goodluck Jonathan, Firstlady, Dame Patience Jonathan and wife of late Gen Andrew Azazi, Mrs Alero Azazi.

•KingsleyKuku,Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Committee (right) and Chief Timi Aliabe

•Minister of Niger Delta Affairs,Mr. Godsday Orubebe(right)and Aviation Minister, Ms. Stella Oduah

SA TURD AY V ANGU ARD, SATURD TURDA VANGU ANGUARD,

ALC empowers communities with medicals, awards scholarship

T was a success story at the recently concluded Apostolic Leaders Conference Nigeria, (ALC) that presented ALC International Ministers’ Congress. The conference which was attended by ministers from Nigeria and beyond went extra miles by the organisers to provide medical test and awarded scholarship to students as part of preaching the gospel. Speaking on the conference, ALC African/National Apostolic Leader, Apos-

tle (Dr) Wale Odukogbe, said, one of the focus of this conference is to ensure that we upcoming generation pastors should not fail on our godly responsibilities because our fathers who led this foundation didn’t fail, so we should not fail preaching the gospel. “The mandate is, “Go ye into the world”, the work is in the field. Today many pastors centre every programme in the church and around the church. Many of us are comfortable with

our membership, the material blessing we are getting from the church and we relax. However, we target to stir the fire of revival among pastors and also ensure that this awareness is ongoing around the world, that is why ministers from South Africa, Angola, America etc came. We are spreading everywhere, Togo, Republic of Benin, Ivory Coast. We structured it in such a way that our unborn generation will be a partaker of this cru-

sade. Apart from this, we have been empowering some communities through healthcare and scholarship award as we preach the gospel to them to save their body and soul. Recently, we were in Congo DC one Sunday to see a local government chairman in a community, we were surprised to see people parading corps around the community jubilating. People who died of hunger. So we decided to see

DECEMBER 29, 2012—43

how we can help out in terms of agriculture and other empowerment scheme that can generate up to 5000 employment for the people, while we also preach the word of God to them. Even Togo, one of the poorest country in Africa, we are doing something to assist the people. ALC Chief Apostle, Apostle Dr.Hezekiah Adesanye (USA), “preach the gospel without adding or taking away anything from it. If we preach it the way it is signs and wonders will follow us. The Bible said that the disciples went everywhere preaching and God confirmed His word with signs and wonders. The message is clear, preach the word. When we build His kingdom, He will build us. PFN, Lagos State Chairman, Apostle, Alexander Bamgbola, said, “Jesus left for us and with us to go and preach the gospel of truth,

the gospel of salvation and if we do that, that is the only thing that can change this nation. So, what you find in my ministry is people the Lord asked me go and raise people I will bless and prepare them for heaven. If we preach the true gospel, Presidents will repent, governors will repent as well as senators in this country. Christ Peculiar, Lagos, Bishop John Odiete agrees that in everything we do, knowledge is important because it keeps you from doing wrong and gives you focus. “Again I want to say here that preaching the gospel doesn’t mean you should live in poverty. In the book of John 3, it says, “I wish above all things, that you prosper, being in good health even as your soul prospers. Salvation is there and the good things of life follows salvation too.

Change-A-Life Foundation presents its Annual TV Show

On the 1st of January 2013, Funmi Iyanda‘s Change-A-Life Foundation will broadcast its annual TV show. The number one citizen of Lagos State, His Excellency, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) will be the special guest of honour on the show. The show will also feature top celebrity guests, including ex-model and blogger, Linda Ikeji; young author, Chibundu Onuzo; musician, Emmanuel Bezhiwa Idakula, a.k.a Bez; and entertainer, David Adeleke, a.k.a Davido. The annual TV show will be co-hosted by veteran broadcaster and media entrepreneur, Funmi Iyanda, and upcoming presenter, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu.

PRIMA gets ISO 22000:2005 certification PRIMA Corporation Limited, the leading manufacturers of plastic performs and caps for carbonated soft drink manufacturers in West Africa has been conferred with the ISO 22000:2005 certification by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria. According to a letter signed by the head of Systems Certification Unit, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Engineer N.A. Olujie, the company was awarded the certification after the verification exercise carried out by the regulatory agency. Olujie wrote:”Following the verification exercise carried out on the assessment of your quality management system, I am directed to inform you that your Food Safety Management System has been recommended for certification to NIS ISO 22000:2005 standard”.

44—SATURDAY Vanguard , DECEMBER

ODD NEWS

29, 2012

Compiled Richard Okotie

Wait for your turn

he other penguins get a little impatient as one of their own jumps on the scales... At London Zoo’s annual weigh-in every animal needs to be accounted for, whether it’s noting the weight of a penguin chick or checking the height of a giraffe. Because there are so many creatures to monitor, keepers at London Zoo—which is run by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) spend hours

Leopard is rescued eopard is rescued after becoming impaled on metal spike while trying to

scale a wall. The four-year-old beast was spotted by walkers as it struggled to get free yesterday morning. A rescue operation was immediately launched in Mysore, India. The distressed animal was tranquilised and vets managed to gently lift it off the spike and carried it using a large net. Still unconscious, he was shifted to a veterinary hospital, where the doctors stitched the wound.

One lump or poo orld’s most expen W sive coffee at £30 a cup made using beans di-

gested and, flavoured by elephants.But the unique coffee, created in Chiang Rai province in northern Thailand, is now the world’s most expensive variety costing $1,100 (£685) per kilogram. The elephant-dung coffee is created when the animals have eaten and digested the beans, with a gut reaction inside the animals said to be responsible for the unique flavouring.

Stealing food from the gods Villagers offer gifts to appease the volcano (just don’t mention the men perched inside the crater ready to catch them). Hundreds of Indonesians armed with nets trekked inside a giant volcano crater to get their hands on some of the annual offerings to the gods made during a traditional festival. The annualYadnya Kasada festival, takes place on the east

A mother’s love

ntimate snaps show the bond between gorilla and her newborn baby. Like any new mother Chelawa does not want to let her baby go for one moment, keeping her safe in her arms only pausing to keep an eye out for possible dangers Cabarceno Natural Park in Cantabria, Spain. C M Y K

How Bob, the busking cat is heading to Hollywood estselling story of stray moggy who saved a man’s life is set to be a movie. James B Bowen and Bob the cat (pictured together centre and high-fiving left) first met in the stairwell of Mr Bowen’s block of council flats in Tottenham, north London. Bob

started following James to Covent Garden where he makes money busking and before long he’s tripled his money. Now his book (pictured right with Bob) has sold more than 250,000 copies worldwide and he is in ‘talks’ with a Hollywood agent about taking his story to the big screen

Brace yourselves for the cold!

hristmas day swimmers prepare to take the plunge into icy water. Bathers brave temperatures as low as seven degrees in traditional swims across the country. Swimmers defy order not to enter water at Brighton Beach London. 1.Around 100 swimmers took part in the annual Christmas day race in Hyde Park.2. The race at Hyde Park has been held on Christmas day every year since 1864, and Sunny skies made conditions more pleasant at Exmouth this morning.

Top of the chops!

izarre beard and moustache contest draws scores of men eager to show off extraordinary facial hair. More than 100 men in a variety of colourful costumes gathered in Wittersdorf, near, Mulhouse, France, for the European Beard and M o u s t a c h e Championships. While a few entrants decided to wear their beards big and bushy, others came to the show with curious curly moustaches.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012—45

•Chancellor, Dr. David Oyedepo

Covenant University expels 200 students for not attending Church service BY ISHOLA BALOGUN

bout 200 students may have been expelled by the author ities of Covenant University, Cannanland, Ota, Ogun State, recently for what was described as “disregard of paramount core values.” Frustrated and angered by the development, some of the affected students who gave account of what happened battled emotions while narrating their situations to Saturday Vanguard recently. They however pleaded with the school authorities to tamper justice with mercy in order to save their future. Saturday Vanguard investigation revealed that out of the figure, about 126 were expelled for not attending the ‘departure service’, meant to sign off from the school after the end of the Semester and Matriculation of students on November 30. Five other students were thrown out for smoking while unconfirmed source said additional 60 got the same fate for violating other rules bordering on the University’s core values. A few others were given four weeks suspension for failure to sign the head count that was conducted a couple of weeks earlier. A letter of expulsion signed by the Registrar, Ntia Ubong, a copy which was made available to Saturday Vanguard stated that the affected students contravened Chapter 1, section 30, page 40 of the 2010-2014 Student Handbook. We gathered that the massive expulsion was predicated on the anger of the Chancellor, Bishop David Oyedepo who was said to have been infuriated after seeing students loitering around when

zStudents beg, Parents react zI’m not aware — Prof Okojie, NUC boss they were supposed to be at the Chapel for the Departure Service. He was said to have personally chased students to the Chapel and ordered for a search into all the halls and colleges to fish out those who did not attend the service. Several attempts to get the school authorities comment on the issue proved abortive. The Instituion’s Corporate Affairs Head, Mr Igban Emmaunel also refused to comment as calls pulled through to him were unanswered and text messages not replied.

How it happened

A few of the affected students gave account of what happened to Saturday Vanguard at different points. The similar accounts go thus: “On November 30, the last day of the semester, preceding our December break, there was also a Matriculation for the 100 level students; in fact some students had their last semester exams on that day, some of them finished around 3:00pm while the matriculation started around 8am. Some students retired to their rooms to relax while some engaged in some other activities jubilating the end of the semester. Some also got drinks from the matriculating students. Even as these were going on, some students who finished around 3pm retired to their halls. By 5pm, they announced that we should get prepared for the ‘Departure service’ which was to start by 8pm. Some stu-

dents were already seeing their parents off while some of us were just trying to relax to get off the stress of the exams. Most of us hadn’t gotten through the tiredness of the sleepless nights of the exams; so, some us stayed back in our rooms. The departure service is usually a day before we go home and it is usually presided over by the Chancellor. Before the commencement of the service, they used to lock up the main doors of the halls so as to prevent cases of theft. I was not bothered since there were a lot of us in the hall. Some minutes past 8pm, they switched off the light and all of us in the hall went into our rooms. Because of the darkness and the cold, I slept off immediately.” He continued: “The persistent knocks on the door woke me up and I realised that they had come to search for people who had not come to service. Before I realised what was going on, I found myself with other students numbering about 30. They took down our names and counted us to make sure that no one was omitted. They said the Chancellor was at the service and we refused to come. I heard them talking about other halls and they asked us to wait. I didn’t take it seriously because I never believed in my widest imagination that we would be expelled. We were later asked to go to our various halls. “Some of those who went into hiding were lucky as they were not found. Shortly, those who went for the service

•Prof Julius Okojie returned and told us there was poor attendance at the Chapel and how students were diving in through the windows, scampering for seats. In fact, one narrated to us how the Chancellor jumped through the window to vent his anger on some students who had jumped in,” he stated. Another expelled student also gave similar account of the incident. “I couldn’t go to the service because, I was not feeling well which was as a result of the stress of the exams we had just finished. After a while, I managed to go but I heard that they started driving people back around 7:30pm while the service was to start around 8pm. I was surprised because the rule was that you’ve got to be seated 15minutes to the service. Again, it was never made compulsory, but they tried to get students out of the halls to prevent cases

Continued on page 46

46—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012

Covenant University expels 200 students Continued from page 45

At the Chapel

Another student who found his way to the Chapel also told Saturday Vanguard that while the Chancellor was being driven past, he noticed that students were loitering at about the time they were supposed to be seated at the chapel. He said that this apparently infuriated him and he alighted from his car and chased students to the chapel with knocks. “I saw him, alighted from his car and chased students to the chapel; I quickly found my way to the hall. Not quite long after, I saw students jumping in through the windows. It was a big commotion. Even the chancellor was going after those who jumped into the chapel. Later, he addressed the students saying he was very disappointed by the behaviour that the students were not seated 15 minutes before the service.” Another account had it that while the Education Secretary, Prof. Aize Obayan was addressing the students, the students were murmuring, then the Chancellor immediately took to the microphone and said: “if I hear the voice of any student,

•The University Chapel

of theft. So, because I was not feeling well, I went back to my room because I needed to rest for a while. “I thought it was a joke when they said we are in for expulsion because we failed to come for departure service. I have never done anything contrary to the school laws. I have never faced any panel before and neither did I have any unpleasant case in my file. I never thought it was real until letters were handed to me the following morning.” Giving account of how letters were handed out to them, the visibly troubled student said: “By 6am, they announced the names of those who were caught in halls and colleges. Usually after the departure service, one can sign out from there and go but because it ended late and no one could travel, students had to wait till the following morning. But the hall officer told those of us whose names were written down that if we leave, we should be considered gone from the university forever. That gave us an insight into what was likely to come as punishment. By 7:45am, we were called once again to go downstairs for our letters. Those who collected theirs before mine were crying and I wondered what the punishment could be until I read the letter stating I was expelled from the university.”

But stampeding them to congregate for service and then expelling those who did not come is a decision taken too far

the curse of the Lord shall fall upon that one.” The chapel immediately went dead silent. Our source who was also late to the service stated that the Chancellor later directed that those students who did not come to the service would be purged out saying they did not belong to the school. Our source stated that at the end of the service, he prayed for the students in the hall. Another source in the school hinted that at that point, the Vice-chancellor pleaded on behalf of those who were absent but the Chancellor insisted they must be purged from the school. Our source told Saturday Vanguard that the Vice-Chancellor while addressing the students announced that a search would be carried out in all the halls and colleges to find out those who failed to attend the departure service, advising them to wait behind. Saturday Vanguard investigation revealed that out of the figure, about 126 were expelled for not attending the ‘departure service’, five were thrown out for smoking marijuana, twenty-five final year students and undisclosed number of lower level students were caught violating rules bothering on the University’s core values. We also gathered that a few others were given four weeks suspension

for failure to sign the head count that was conducted a couple of weeks earlier. Some of the students opined that failure to sign the head count was even a greater offence which implied that the student was not in the school at the time of the exercise but yet got a four-week suspension. The private university is known for its strict rules and discipline such as not allowing the students to use mobile phones within the school’s premises, while it is mandatory for students to always bring their bible to the chapel.

Parents react

A few parents who volunteered information spoke to us on condition of anonymity fearing that their children might be victimised in case the issue was resolved amicably. One of them said with bitterness that it is unacceptable, adding that the expulsion was not commensurate with the offence deemed to have been committed. He urged the school authorities to rescind its decision adding that the future of the students is at stake. “For me, it is not acceptable. These students were not given fair hearing. Expulsion should not be a punishment for failure to attend service. We all agree, it is a Christian school but failure to attend church service could be due to a lot of

reasons. I gathered that some of the students even finished their exams about 5pm that day. So, those people that finished at that time had barely three hours to prepare for the service. But stampeding them to congregate for service and then expelling those who did not come is a decision taken too far. For me, if there was poor attendance, I think the authorities have a responsibility. They have not been fair in putting the service so close to the examination. Even God will not do that.” He however commended the Chancellor, Dr. Oyedepo on his vision towards the education of Nigeria children especially when the government institutions are failing, but urging him to tamper justice with mercy. Another parent who was afraid of the press noted that he was still studying the situation and would not want to comment but noted that he was reliably informed that some group of parents made frantic efforts to meet with the Chancellor on the issue but without success. It was not clear the level of the efforts made. He further hinted that some students have not told their parents about their expulsion, still hoping that the issue would be resolved. He lamented that his child had been having sleepless nights, going through mental torture unjustifiably. “I agree that discipline must be instilled in the students but it should not be aimed at destroying the life of the students. Expulsion is too great a punishment for non attendance of a departure service, without even a warning especially when the students hitherto, had not been found wanting,” he stated.

What the Student Handbook says

The Covenant University

Core values border on Spirituality, Possibility Mentality, Capacity Building, Integrity, Responsibility, Diligence and Sacrifice. On the spirituality aspect, it states: “The Christian ethos underguard our activities and conducts at all time and every student of Covenant University is expected to exhibit character traits and dispositions of a Jesus-centered heritage. The Jesus - factor centered approach to all issues is non-negotiable and central in the pursuit of our mandate in raising a new generation of leaders and in the realization of the objectives of our purpose. To this extent therefore, students will be committed to maintaining a high level of spirituality and shall act in such manner as to facilitate their spiritual growth as well as work out ways to evolve and implement a spiritual development plan. Attendance at Chapel Services is a compulsory part of students’ spiritual development where a bible and notebook are essential kits for the service. Students are expected to demonstrate a deep reverence for God at all times.”

The school declines comment

Several attempts were made to get the school authorities comment on the issue. The institution’s Corporate/Public Affairs Officer, Mr Igban Emmanuel Kalu declined comment. At first, several calls were pulled through to him but he refused to pick his calls. When the reporter persisted, he later picked but said he was driving and could not answer any question. But few hours later, other calls pulled to him were unanswered. A text message was sent to his phone and up to the time of writing this report, he did not reply.

I’m not aware —Prof Julius Okojie, NUC Executive Secretary The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, Prof Julius Okojie said he has not been briefed on the matter. Prof Okojie stated this during a telephone conversation Saturday Vanguard had with him a few days ago. “I am not aware of any expulsion by Covenant University; I will ask the school authorities. Right now, I am not in Abuja, I left Abuja few days ago and until I return to Abuja and find out details about the matter, I cannot comment on it,” he said.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012 —47

KADUNA:

Yero’s first week in of fice

Governor o f Kaduna S t a t e , A l h a j i Mukhter Ramalan Yero,

•Decries disloyality of inherited commissioners Deputy News Editor

RDINARILY, three months from the time a political fig ure takes his or her oath of office is regarded as a learning period. In media parlance, this is the period when newly sworn-in office holders are allowed to make mistakes and make amends until they master the ropes. In the case of the new governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Mukhter Ramalan Yero, he is not new to government as he had been the deputy governor since April 2010, when his immediate late predecessor, IbrahimYakowa took over the reins of power, following the appointment of the then governor, Architect Namadi Mohammed Sambo as Vice President. Namadi’s elevation to the number two position was also as a result of the death of the former President Umaru Musa Yar ’ Adua, which led to then Vice President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan becoming the new helmsman. Yero was finance commissioner before he became Yakowa’s deputy. As deputy governor, Yero was supposed to be there to fulfil the constitutional provisions which stipulate that the president and the governors must appoint running mates to qualify to run for their elections. Aside from fulfilling such conditions, most deputy governors literally see hell in the hands of their principals as they are usually marginalised in the scheme of things. It was therefore not surprising when Yero, in his first major assignment which was to preside over the valedictory session for his boss, late Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa expressed disappointment with the behaviour of the commissioners he inherited from Yakowa. According to him, most of the commissioners never showed respect for his office when Yakowa held sway at Kashim Ibrahim House, the seat of power in the state.

e said some of the commission ers and civil servants went to late Yakowa to blackmail him and thanked God that he was able to iron out his differences with his former boss before his tragic death in the Naval helicopter crash in Bayelsa State, two weeks ago. Some people who read Yero’s outbursts praised him for speaking out his mind, while others believed that he said the right thing at the wrong

place. According to Richard Jonah, Governor Yero should not have let his emotion overtake him on a solemn day like that; especially being his first major assignment, as anything he does would be interpreted along the line of vindictiveness. However, Yero performed better on the day of Yakowa’s burial as his speech was m o r e statesman-

ly. Naming the N6billion Forth Bridge after Yakowa, Yero recalled that the former governor had endeared himself to the people after his inauguration as the first Christian to govern the state in April 2010, when he told the world that he would not be governor for Christians alone but for all and sundry. He noted that Yakowa’s ‘’declaration in this respect manifested in his subsequent policies and programmes thereby earning him the acronym Yakowa Nakowa,’’ as his vision was anchored on three cardinal thrusts

manner, the reality of which I am yet to come to terms with.’’

e further said, ‘’My late boss, Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, exhibited uncommon leadership qualities. He was an embodiment of patience, simplicity, patriotism, peace, commitment to duty, thoroughness, honesty, nationalism, team player, experience in public service and a host of other sterling qualities that time and space will not permit me to mention.

BY EMEKA MAMAH,

On the contrary, each and every citizen will be treated on his or her own merit. Let me in particular, assure the Christian community in the state that my government will do everything possible to protect their rights and privileges as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution

of security, unity and developing the state. ’’My dear fellow citizens, we are gathered at this solemn occasion to mourn the demise of a great Nigerian. You will recall that in April, 2011 the electorate in Kaduna State voted overwhelmingly for Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and my humble self to steer the affairs of Kaduna State from 29th May, 2011 to 29th May 2015.” Yero who eulogised the former governor because of his doggedness to unite and develop the state adding that Yakowa pursued ‘’these broad objectives with single minded determination,’’ even as he stressed that ‘’the fruits of his labour had started manifesting before the cold hands of death took his life, in the most tragic

’’During my inauguration on Sunday, December 16, 2012, I indicated my commitment to uphold the cardinal objectives and legacies of my late boss, our departed Governor. I wish to reiterate that I will continue with projects and programmes started by my predecessor across the state as they were all conceived after very careful consideration and in order to keep alive his aspiration of improving the quality of live of the citizenry. ’’It is pertinent for me to declare in unequivocal terms that I will be governor for all and sundry irrespective of religion, ethnicity or geo-political consideration. My constituency is Kaduna State in its entirety. Nobody will be discriminated on the basis of his

faith or tribe. On the contrary, each and every citizen will be treated on his or her own merit. Let me in particular, assure the Christian community in the state that my government will do everything possible to protect their rights and privileges as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution. The wisdom I tapped from my predecessor with regards to his sense of fairness, justice and equity will be fully utilized in the conduct of my official and even private businesses. My doors will be open for constructive criticism and initiatives on how to move the State forward in all spheres of its life. ’’Painful as the demise of my boss is, I am consoled by the fact that we had opportunity to reconcile our differences on a number of issues, some of which were personal, before he passed on.

am further consoled by his unprec edented achievements some of which include but not limited to unity, to which he approved the payment of N401.2million as assistance to the victims the 2011 election crises, road projects worth about N41.8 billion, health facilities worth over N3billion, improvements in the education sector including scholarship for undergraduates; transport sector, completion of 32 rural electrification projects within the last one and a half years and other strides in the agricultural sector among others. He further noted that Yakowa’s contributions to peaceful co-existence made the Izalatu Islamic sect to cancel its annual conference in Kaduna just as the former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, the Congress for Progressive Change, Presidential Candidate in the April, 2011 election cancelled his birthday lecture in his honour.

48—SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012

2012 UNDER REVIEW

Committee upon committees Continued from page 14 CBN Governor howev- Governor’s thought proer, said that the exercise cess of bank reform as will be introduced system- everything in that sector atically with Lagos belling seems stagnant. The unprecedented casualties the cat. However, at a time, it ap- recorded in that reform pears that the people continues unabated as seemed lost in the CBN most of the banks axed

continued to embark on regular retrenchment of their workforce – probably to justify Sanusi’s claim that they were moribund. Though, for most economic analysts, the CBN Governor may not be working in tandem with

the President Jonathan’s transformation agenda whose major thrust was among others, provision of employment for Nigerians. Amid the dwindling fortunes of the nation’s economy, the bank sector seems to have recorded an impressive profit margin in the year under review. A situation, most Nigerians described as petals of ironies. Additionally, the CBN governor attempted to introduce N5,000 bill which was vehemently opposed by lawmakers as well as Nigerians. The argument was that such bill will further ignite inflation that’s growing at geometric progression. Besides, most Nigerians were of the opinion that previous experience of introduction of higher denominations did not help the economy in any way possible.

The Stock

Nigerian

Exchange

Though the Nigerian Stock Exchange no doubt remains the hub-nob of the economy, was reported to be in comatose with the attendant crisis that feasted on it. The question of the helmsman of the once boisterous stock market remains a subject of prolonged debate among committee members raised to examined the rot in the market in the year under review. However, Ms. Arunma Oteh, an Amazon who has trained her fingers for war took the then committee chairman, Hermane Hembe to task as he

eventually submitted himself for trial over allegation of bribery levelled against him by Ms. Oteh. Since that time, things have never been the same for the stock market woman as other lawmakers have been calling for her sack and other allegations levelled against her. The Federal Government through its mouth piece, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala announced a relief package for some selected stockbrokers in order to stimulate the stock market once again and buoyed the entire economy.

Electricity Generation

Again, the federal government stoked the fire in the power sector when it announced complete privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). The workers feared on their pension benefits and embarked on an industrial action. Soldiers were deployed to man the various major power plant scattered across the nation to avoid possible vandalisation of properties. However, at the end, amicable truce was reached between the workers and the federal government. The Federal government perfected plans for a Canadian firm to take over great chunk of PHCN. Despite the epileptic supply of electricity, consumers were forced to pay high tariff. Unfortunately, conflicting figures were reeled out on daily basis

by the federal government as the megawatts of electricity available. As at today, nobody can say precisely the available megawatts generated as Nigerians and industries still groan under irregular electricity supply.

Committee upon committees

From the beginning of 2012, various committees were raised to probe the exigencies that greeted most of the sectors of the economy. At some point, the committees sitings became a theatre of the absurd as accusations and counter accusations were hurled at one another. For most observers, committee membership became another way of the Federal Government trying to mend scores with perceived political enemies. A politician who would not want his names in print, said that it became obvious that in 2012, most of the committees raised were overlapping one another – “there were conflicts of functions, interest and opinions were divided over the outcome of the committee reports,” he said. There were spurious allegations that committee members mismanaged funds to the tune of billions of naira without corresponding result to show for their efforts.

The flood disaster

Nigerians also witnessed flood disaster almost analogues to that of Continued on page 49

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012—49

2012 UNDER REVIEW

The political spectrum the days of Noah. Almost every part of the country was exposed to the danger of being submerged by a ranging flood which caught the people unaware. But emergency committees were raised by both the federal and affected states government to caution the devastating effects of the flood. Lives were lost, properties running into billions of naira were destroyed and fraud were reported in various committee raised.

The monster, corruption

For most Nigerians, corruption is reported to be at its peak in the year under review. The rot in the petroleum sector with the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) fingered as conduit pipe for siphoning the nation’s money with the aid of some masked mafia in the sector. The immediate past President was quoted as describing the President Jonathan’s government as the most corrupt administration that ever was. But above all these name calling, were government officials and other Nigerians caught in the corruption web by the EFCC without conviction.

Judicial sector

The Nigerian judicial sector recorded series of landmark crisis, in the year under review but notable among them were the sack and controversial call for the reinstatement of Justice Ayo Salami. Also, the indictment and prosecution of former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori by the London Crown Court was a blanket indictment of the Nigerian judicial system which is smeared by irregularities. Additionally, President Jonathan in his bid to make good his promise of women presence in his administration, sworn in Justice Aloama Mukhtar as the Chief Justice of the Federation. Moreso, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) elected a new president and at the sametime, urged the federal government to begin a cleansing exercise of the judicial system which in the year under review has

raised more questions in its adjudication of justice to the Nigerian people.

The political spectrum

The year 2012 recorded unprecedented political landmarks as no fewer than seven governors were re-elected. The President made good his promise not to intervene in the political process. This led to the unquantifiable success recorded by the opposition parties in different states in the federation, thereby leaving the PDP to swallow the bitter bill of defeat. Also, some measure of success may have been recorded in the attempt by the opposition groups to form a wholistic alliance to over-run the PDP in the 2015 general elections. However, the year 2012 ended tragically with the sudden death of Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa in an helicopter crash alongside exChief of Security Adviser to the President Patrick Azazi in Bayelsa State.

Frosty relationship with lawmakers

The President must be prepared this new year to build a lasting relationship with the lawmakers in order to move the nation forward. It’s an established fact that the cat mouse relationship between the Federal Government and the lawmakers almost paralysed the nation as passage of bills became slow and budgetary matters were not accorded the desired urgency it deserve. In their bid to flex muscles with the executive, the legislators had sat on bills of utmost

Continued from page 48

exigencies. The endorsement of the 2011 and 2012 budgets were test cases. But the President, according to political pundits has failed to use his political will to attend to issues of national importance whenever he is being arm-twisted by the law-

Also, some measure of success may have been recorded in the attempt by the opposition groups to form a wholistic alliance to over-run the PDP in the 2015 general elections

makers. At some points, some Nigerians saw the trivialities in the lawmakers’ action, especially as regards the sack of Ms. Arunma Oteh, the Stock Exchange helmsperson. According to the legislators who felt slighted over Ms Oteh perceived recalcitrance as to how she humbled their colleague, however, hinged their settlement with President Jonathan on the sack of Ms Oteh. Beyond such mundane issues, the President must devise a more comprehensive approach in building a harmonious relationship with the lawmakers.

De-registration of political parties

Just when the political space was beginning to experience

some resemblance of peace, the Professor Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) threw spanners into works when he announced the de-registration of some political parties. For INEC, those political parties failed to meet the stipulated requirements of registered parties over the years. According to the INEC boss, those political parties were formed by politicians to collect money from the government for their non self aggrandisement. Though available statistics showed that some of the parties so de-registered did not have offices in major states and even in Lagos. To most Nigerians, they are very unpopular. Professor Jega’s action attracted sharp criticisms from politicians and Nigerians alike. Reacting to the development, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, a reputed politician, said political parties don’t grow overnight but grow systematically until they attain a peak. But for Pastor Chris Okotie, former presidential aspirant, that INEC only fabricated the story to justify its action. The pastor turned politician accused INEC of only dancing to the tune of its paymaster, the PDP ahead of the 2015 general elections. His words: “How can a political party in its own way defines the modus-operandi of its election as INEC is only gravitating towards the yearning of the PDP. Also, INEC is only trying to parochialise the nationalities of the political parties.” Also Tunji Braithwaite, INEC has only embarked on exercise in futility as it lacks the statutory powers to de-register his party. “We don’t need INEC’s registration to participate in elections. However, for most political observers, it will be wise for affected political parties and their members to proceed to a competent court of jurisdiction to challenge the legality of their de-registration rather than quoting one section of the constitution or the other to back their argument. “All parties must obey the status quo until the court decides otherwise,” said a right activist who would not want his names in print. Prof. Jega has stated that he drew his powers from the Electoral Act but luminaries were of the opinion that the Electoral Act cannot be superior to the Nigerian constitution. However, as the year 2012 goes to roast, President Jonathan must allow the music to continue to play unhindered if meaningful progress must be achieved.

50— Vanguard, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2012

XMAS SH How US ba towards him and ordered him to kneel down. As he was obeying their orders, they snatched the briefcase and ransacked his pockets. While this was going on, the victim was passionately pleading with them to spare his life stating that they should take whatever they wanted. Unfortunately, as they were leaving the scene with the briefcase, one of them who was clutching an AK47 assault rifle retraced his steps and released several shots into his hip angle. The bullet penetrated through the waist and pierced his innards. Blood started flowing freely. While the gun men were coming out from the compound, they accosted a retired SSS official from the town who was driving in his car and on overhearing the commotion, stopped to ascertain what was happening. They confronted him and one of them reportedly ordered that he should be killed but his colleague said they should leave him alone. They therefore, pushed him out of his car and fled in it abandoning their operational car.

The Deceased and twin sister

By EMMA NNADOZIE in Nsukka

e was among a l e c t group of Nigerian professionals from the University town of Nsukka in Enugu State based in far-away United States of America, clamoring for a better medical care for the seemingly forgotten majority in our country Nigeria. They swore an oath of allegiance and commitment in God’s Own country to alleviate the suffering of their people back home. Their credo and unalloyed commitment was to raise money and come back home to take care of their massively impoverished populace that were unable to get proper medical care in their oil -rich fatherland. They therefore, formed what they called ‘’Nsukka Professionals in US’’ and embarked upon fund raising for the construction of an ultramodern medical diagnostic centre in the University town. s

For years, they have been tasking themselves and raising funds for the project. Then in December this year, the professionals decided to come back home and actualize their pet project. They all trouped back home for a formal

The Deceased (r), his widow (1st left) and relatives in US

launch slated for today. But tragedy struck in the early hours of Wednesday preceding the D -day. One of their prominent members and an arrow head of the project from inception, a reputable Financial Economist, Ogbo Bennard Edoga, 56, was slain by unknown gun men in his village, Aku, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, LGA, just 30 kilometers from Nsukka township. The victim had gone to the village to see both his

aged mother and twin sister whose husband was opening his new house. After that, he, in company of his elder brother and two of his nephews aged 12 and 10 respectively, decided to visit some of his kinsmen. On approaching the entrance to the man’s residence, he parked his car and alighted with his briefcase after pleading with the other occupants of the car to give him few minutes to felicitate with the owner of the house.

Eyewitness said as he was about entering through a small gate, a car suddenly pulled up in front of his car. Two boys emerged from the car leaving the third person inside. The two boys approached the occupants of his car and asked where the driver was. Before the occupants could answer them, they sighted the victim entering through the small gate and they quickly pulled out their guns and fired some shots. They reportedly rushed

t was gathered that the bewildered villagers who thronged the scene quickly rushed Ogbo to nearby Attah Memorial Hospital, where unfortunately, he was declared Dead On Arrival, DOA. The incident threw both the community and the entire University town of Nsukka into utter confusion and shock. Crime Guard learnt that youths from both the community and Odenigbo area in Nsukka main town where the deceased grew up started grouping to carry out a violent demonstration against the brutal killing of one of their foremost sons whom they described as a “messiah and philanthropist” that was working hard to alleviate their sufferings. It was the timely intervention of a one- time Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area and former member of the House of Representatives, Alex Ezeh and other elders that stopped what could have been a bloody protest by the aggrieved youths. Meanwhile, it was reliably gathered that few minutes after the incident, the Police Area Commander in Nsukka, RosAmson Halladu and his

Vanguard, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2012 —51

HOCKER! sed Nigerian Economist was killed in Enugu The two boys approached the occupants of his car and were asking where the driver was. Before the occupants could answer them, they sighted the victim entering through the small gate and they quickly pulled out their gun and released shots military counterpart, Lt. Shuabu, in-charge of Nsukka Urban patrol quickly swung

BY IFEANYI OKOLIE

“Y

OU again”? This was the question posed by an operative of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikeja, Lagos, on sighting a member of a robbery gang that was arrested recently by his colleagues. The suspect, Kolawole Ajayi, was discovered to have been arrested on two occasions by the Squad for robbery and charged to court. Between 2006 till date, he was discovered to have served five years in jail. But after serving each jail term, rather than turning a new leaf, the recalcitrant suspect would go back to his own vomit, more hardened. When approached, he stated with every sense of seriousness that robbery was the only job he could do, attributing his act to frustration and greed. Hear him: “I am a School Certificate holder and also computer literate. I was formerly selling computer and phone accessories at Computer Village but I had no shop. All I was doing then, was to hawk them along the street of Computer Village. That was since 2006. Along the line, I started buying stolen goods and laptops from some of my friends in computer village. You see,most of the items they sell along the street in Computer Village are stolen. But because I was making huge profits from it, I could not resist the temptation of con-

into action and blocked all entrance and exits to both the community and other

neighboring towns. Police sources said they quickly mobilized their men and commenced frantic search and patrol of the areas. Their efforts paid off as they were able to recover the vehicle used by the fleeing gun men at 9th mile near Enugu . Following this development, they mounted heavy surveillance and houseto-house search in and around the area and beyond. When Crime Guard visited the family house of the victim, the two teenagers who witnessed the ugly incident were said to still be in shock. One of them, a 12year-old, was overheard lamenting pathetically that he and his sibling have finally lost

the opportunity of getting educated because the victim promised to educate them to all levels after the recent death of their father. Few minutes later, a group of teenagers numbering about 10 came into the compound crying uncontrollably. They told Crime Guard that the victim gave them scholarship and had returned to renew his financial commitment before he was brutally murdered. Following this development, it was also gathered that other returnees from overseas and even those from different parts of the country who came for both the yuletide and the launching of the project had to

Robbery is the only job I can do — jail bird

Kolawole (2nd right top)and the suspected members of his gand tinuing. “I was arrested in 2006 by policemen from Mosafejo division for buying a stolen laptop. I was charged to the Igbosere High Court but was granted bail, after awaiting trial for two months in the prison.” His mere visit to the prison apparently opened his eyes to other acts of criminality,as barely had he returned than he graduated into other forms of robbery. “In 2007, after I was released, I got a gun and started robbing people at gun point. It was a one man’s show. I stole laptops and phones at gunpoint. But again, I was

arrested and charged to the Ikeja High Court, from where I was remanded in Kirikiri Prison where I spent two years”. After serving his two years jail term, he reportedly continued what he knew how to do best and as expected, was arrested, charged to court and ended up in his second home, the Kirikiri Prison for

the third time! Like a dog that would always return to its vomit, the Ogun state-born suspect who was released after one year, continued his heinous crime. But this time around, he decided to form his own gang which specialized in armed banditry. “After I was released in 2012, I went to the African shrine in May, where I met Olalekan, Femi, Sylvester and Lucky. We got friendly and exchanged phone numbers and from there I formed a gang of five. So far we have operated in areas like Ikosi, Ketu, Ogudu, Dolphin Estate and Magodo. And our targets are usually

flee for their lives. Some of them that were already landed in Lagos from abroad were reportedly said to have hastily flown back to their bases for fear of being killed. As at the time of going to press, it was not possible to ascertain the motive for the gruesome murder but police sources hinted that all hands were on deck and they were not leaving any stone unturned in their desperate quest to unravel the mystery surrounding the death of the US returnee. According to one of the sources, “we will also spread our dragnets abroad with a view to finding out the motive and if it has to do with the project.”

residential homes. Before operation, we would just be roaming round the area until we see a building we could easily penetrate” The gang as gathered, started operating in June. In the month of December, they reportedly intensified their operation in preparation for the Christmas celebration. But unfortunately for them, they met their water loo, following their arrest. The gang as gathered, stormed a building at Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, in the first week of December, where they dispossessed their victims of cash and other valuables. But while the operation was on, one of the residents was said to have alerted policemen attached to Dolphin division, who stormed the scene. Sighting the policemen, the robbers scampered in different directions for escape. But unfortunately for one of them later identified as Chibueze, he was shot in the thigh as he attempted to scale through the fence. He was transferred to SARS and during interrogation mentioned the names of other members of his gang. Sources at SARS said it took them two weeks to trail Kolawole. His arrest, reportedly led to those of four members of the gang. Asked why he did not resign from robbery, he replied: “ Robbery is the only job I can do. My several visits to the prison have hardened me. So, I can’t do a decent job other than robbery.”

52â&#x20AC;&#x201D;SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012

2012 IN PICTURES

The Aluu four killings

Removal of oil subsidy/national protests

Dana crash

The flood menace Edo election

Ondo gubernatorial election

Yakowas/Azazi: One crash too many

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012, —53

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54—SATURDAY VANGUARD,DECEMBER 29, 2012

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SATURDAY VANGUARD, DECEMBER 29, 2012 — 55

AVB happy Adebayor is staying

OTTENHAM boss Andre Villas-Boas is delighted Emmanuel Adebayor will be skipping the African Nations Cup. Togo have pleaded with the striker to come out of international retirement. “From his statement, he won’t be going,”

said Villas-Boas. “That’s the information I have. So unless there is an agreement between him and the federation then he will not be going. That is a big boost for us at the moment. It is absolutely excellent.”

Why our boxing is down — Ossai BY EDDIE AKALONU

Olympian, Christopher Ossai has rated the standard of boxing showcased at the recently concluded 18th National Sports Festival tagged Eko 2012 low, saying the reason was because all the boxers were rusty owing to the dearth of competitions to keep them on. “The quality of boxers to me was regrettably low, deplorable and despicable,” he said. Ossai, who is the chief boxing coach of Delta State Sports Commission, pointed to the fact that “boxers had long gone rusty because the last time they were in a competition was in 2011 during the 17 th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt. If we take that into account,it is practically impossible to get boxers fighting

•FISTICUFFS... Boxers at ‘war’ during the last National Sports Festival in Lagos. Ossai has rated their standard as very low

fights that matter in a competition as the festival.” Besides, the Los Angeles ’84 Olympics veteran pointed out that poor officiating and favoritism took the shine off boxing. “As the only event we had in

2012, we all agreed to give it the best, use the festival to have fun. The first surprise that struck us was the various reports from states about lack of preparation. We learned that some state boxers and coaches were given gloves and head-

guards about a week to the festival besides the fact that states did not have boxing rings,” he disclosed. Ossai howe-ver, said there is still hope for boxing to thrive as he urged adminis-trators of the sport to plan better in 2013. “If

we can have three or four competitions of different classes in a calendar year and equipment provided to allow boxers train under conducive atmosphere, the boxers will pick up in no time,” he concluded.

Panstil dreams Black Stars success G

HANA defender John Pantsil has tasked his teammates to end their African title drought in South Africa next year. The Black Stars are back in the reckoning for an African crown after being paired against old foes Mali and DR Congo and Niger at the 2013 Africa Cup of

Nations. Ghana disappointed pundits at the last edition of the tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea after finishing fourth. The last time they (Ghana) won the title was in 1982 in Sudan but came close to winning it two years ago in Angola when they finished

second behind Egypt.Pantsil, who is set to make a fifth appearance at the continental showpiece , believes it’s time for the Ghanaians to exorcise the ghost.“Since I made by debut for the Black Stars, I have dreamt of the day that I will lift the trophy,” Pantsil said.“There is another chance for us to do it. I believe we have talked about our chances for far too long and

it’s time to win something for our people.“Thirty years has been so long for a great nation like Ghana to remain trophyless.“We have tried in the past but it hasn’t work but I have a great feeling that’s about to end soon.“We have to support and pray for the players who have been called up because I believe we have talent to end a long-wait for an African title.

Moses prays for more glory days Vanguard man Eleanya goes home AGLES striker, Victor Moses has revealed that

he wants his good run of form to continue with Euro Champions League champions Chelsea. Moses said in twitter post on the club website that it has been a delightful experience starring in Chelsea starting 11, as he was not given the chance to do so when he signed for the Club from Wigan last summer. “I’m enjoying my football and I just want to keep playing consistently”, expressed an obviously delighted Moses. The young striker stated that Chelsea should not be written off yet in the title chase as the league was still open. “You never can tell with the title. I think Chelsea is still in the running and we can win it,”he said. Moses is one player that is certain to make coach Stephen Keshi final list for the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa.

INAL burial rites for the late ace photojournalist, Sylva Eleanya will commence today in his home town UmuojiUmuekwune in Ngor Okpala local government area of Imo State. Eleanya who established himself as one of Nigeria’s best sports photographers died aged 50, on October 20, 2012 . His passing shocked the sporting community most

especially, when he was seen hale and hearty the previous day. Mr. Eleanya who is survived by a wife and four children won several awards in the course his of job. He covered numerous sporting events including the 2012 Olympics in London. His last assignment was the Nigeria versus Liberia Nations Cup qualifying match in Calabar on October 13, 2012. •Sylva

Odemwingie’s outburst unprofessional —Iroha

ORMER Super Eagles’ defender, Benedict Iroha has joined the train of former players who have backed the decision of the senior national team coach, Stephen Keshi to omit Peter Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins and Taye Taiwo from the preliminary squad of the team to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations. Iroha was one of the heroes of the 1994 Afcon tournament in Tunisia, where the Eagles came out tops and incidentally that was the last time Nigeria has won the competition. Iroha told Goal.com that since Keshi calls the shots, he has the right to select players that he felt would figure in his programme knowing fully well he would be judged by the results garnered in South Africa in January. He expressed dismay at the Twitter outburst of Odemwingie whom he reckoned threw caution to the wind as he failed to come to terms with his omission from the 2013 Afcon party. “Keshi is the boss and he calls the shots,” Iroha told Goal.com. “It doesn’t make much sense criticising the team list endorsed by him. He knows the importance of going to the Africa Cup of Nations with established players and for him to have dropped Odemwingie and the like shows he means business. “The outburst of Odemwingie on the heels of his omission from the team list showed his level of maturity and the impact he would have had on the dressing room if he had made the squad. “He didn’t exhibit the quality of a professional. He showed a bad example to upcoming footballers,” Iroha added. The Imo born former Eagles’ Assistant Coach got a crucial goal in the semi-final of Tunisia 1994 Afcon against Cote d’Ivoire en-route to Nigeria’s second triumph in Africa’s biggest soccer fiesta.

SATURDAY Vanguard, DECEMBER 29, 2012

TODAY’S MATCHES Sunderland Aston Villa Fulham Man. United Norwich Reading Stoke City Arsenal

v v v v v v v v

Tottenham Wigan Swansea City West Brom Man City West Ham Southampton Newcastle

1.45pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 4pm 6.30pm

Yobo defends Keshi’s team selection *Slams Osaze’s twitter rants *Says Eagles can win SA 2013 BY BEN EFE

UPER Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo yesterday ripped into sulking Osaze Peter Odemwingie, accusing the West Brom striker of craving for attention even as he did not deserve it. Yobo said Keshi selected a good team and it was up to those who have been dropped to respect the decision of the coach. “I will give him credit for the squad. He will score 95% even though one or two should have been there. “I’m sure he would have had some sleepless nights in selecting his team. “Kalu Uche, Martins, Taye and Osaze not being there was a surprise but the coach must have his reasons and he cannot call everybody,” Yobo said. Osaze had berated coach Keshi for dropping him. He also had bad words for former and present Super Eagles captains whom he accused of looking after only themselves. “Osaze has been reckless, disrespectful to most people, He’s not a kid, he should grow up. We cannot continue to baby sit him. He is responsible for his problems. “This is not the first time he has been disrespectful. He is fighting all the coaches and at the World Cup he also disre-

many good footballers all over the world. They need to be given a chance as well, because we are all Nigerians and deserve to play for our country.” Yobo with 87 appearances and 7 goals for Nigeria made his debut at the 2002 Nations Cup and has played in all editions since then.

Eagles’ defence worries Akpoborie F

TUSSLE ...Joseph Yobo tussles with Theofanis Gekas of Greece during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa it all ended in heartbreak. He leads the Eagles back to that country to chase for cup honors, will it end well? spected me and he later apologised. “He is not the (Lionel) Messi or (Cristiano) Ronaldo of Nigeria. He should look at

himself in the mirror.” Yobo added that the Eagles can win SA 2013 tournament adding that it would probably be his last.

CROSS WORD PUZZLE Across 1 Traditional Ruler of Onitsha – (6) 5 L.G.A in Imo State – (5) 8 State in Nigeria Known as “The Confluence State – (4) 10 Senegal “Terenga Lions” Defender, Papa – (5) 11 Cereal Crop – (4) 12 Former Ondo State Governor, Chief Adebisi – (6) 13 Spain & Liverpool Goalkeeper, Jose – (5) 14 Country in Africa – (4) 16 State in Nigeria Known as “The Seat of the Caliphate”? – (6) 19 Jigawa State Governor, Sule – (6) 22 Therefore – (4 23 Performer – (4) 24 Former United States President, Ronald – (6) 25 Maldives – (4) 26 Super Falcons Defender, Faith – (5) 27 Former Minister of Power, Barth – (5) 28 Acid – (4) 29 L.G.A in Ekiti State – (5) 30 Number – (6)

“Some of us may not play the nations cup again, so this is a platform for us to do Nigeria proud again. “I think this (AFCON 2013) would be my last nations cup appearance as a player. “I think it’s time to give the younger ones the chance too. Nigeria is blessed with so

ORMER Nigerian striker, Jonathan Akpoborie is hoping that the Super Eagles’ defence will be ready before the 2013 Afcon kicks off on January 19. Akpoborie expressed concern with the back line of Nigeria as they continue to prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. The 44-year-old is also keen to see a balanced Super Eagles’ squad paraded during the Afcon. “I know the manager (of the Super Eagles) will work on his defence. It has been one area where the team have shown frailty in recent games. If they want to make any headway at the Nations Cup then that should be sorted out quickly. “But seriously the defence will not be the only part of the team that should be focused on. Right now the defence is the main concern. The coach also need to balance the team ahead of the Nations Cup,” advised the former VfL Wolfsburg forward.

•Stephen Keshi Akpoborie, however, said Keshi as the Nigerian manager has picked the provisional squad that will fit into his plans. “I’m not part of his coaching crew but I believe he has picked players that will suit into his plans,” said the ex-VfB Stuttgart man. Akpoborie made more than a dozen appearances for Nigeria between 1995 and 2001.

Nations Cup: Owumi hails Eagles provisional list

Down 2 Sokoto State Governor, Aliyu – (7) 3 Former Kwara State Governor, Salaudeen – (7) 4 L.G.A in Bayelsa State – (8) 5 Country in Africa – (7) 6 Ekiti South PDP Senator, Tony – (7) 7 Former Minister of Communications, Chief Cornelius – (7) 15 Spain Striker and Athletic Bilbao Centre-Forward, Fernando – (8) 16 Ethnic Group in South Africa – (7) 17 State in Nigeria – (7) 18 Insect – (7) 20 Swaziland Capital City – (7) 21 Mali “Les Aigles” Goalkeeper, Soumbeila – (7)

BY EDDIE AKALONU

SOLUTION on page 15

ORMER xchairman of the Nigeria Premier League, Davidson Owumi has said the list of players picked by coach Stephen Keshi for the African Cup of Nations in South Africa remains the best the country has as he also advised certain unnamed vociferous players’ agents advocating the inclusion of some other players to leave Keshi alone. Speaking to Saturday Vanguard Sports, Owumi said “ Keshi I believe is the man

wearing the shoes. He alone knows the calibre of players who can conveniently go to South Africa and do the country proud. To me he has chosen the best around no matter what anyone else thinks, that is our team for the Nations Cup in South Africa. We know there are 150 million Nigerians who are not qualified coaches but who agitate for inclusion of one or two strikers and players not named. I think they should leave Keshi alone to do his work,” he stated.

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