Sat 27 Apr 2013 The Guardian Nigeria by The Guardian Newspaper

S A T U R D A Y COVEREXTRA 53

E D I T I O N

LOVE&LIFE 17

Boko Haram Amnesty Alzheimer’s Committee, President’s

Jonathan’s Charge And Matters Arising

Syndrome Turned My Once Loving Husband Into A Violent, Nervous Wreck!

COVER 49

LIFE&STYLE 23

How To Deal With Menace Of Fulani Herdsmen, Farmers’ Clashes

Oyeyemi:

Women MakeBetter Managers

TheGuardian Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Vol. 29, No. 12,539

www.ngrguardiannews.com

N150

Gunmen Attack Nyako’s Hometown, Kill Two Policemen, From Emmanuel Ande, Yola T was tears and bloodbath IBelwa on Thursday night in Mayoin Mayo-Belwa Council, the hometown of Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, as heavily armed gunmen took over the town attacking government agencies, banks and people. The incident which occurred two weeks after gunmen attacked, the deputy governor, James Bala Ngillari’s house in Madagali Local Government, claimed the lives of two policemen, while the younger brother to the governor, Mallam Inusa Isa Hammanyero and nine others were severely injured during the attack. The Mayo-Belwa Council chairman, Mallam Mohammed Bako, told journalists that the gunmen attacked two commercial banks in the area and the prison and the police station CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

NEWS 5 Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Bisi, Mr. Lanre Olayinka; his children- Ollie, Yeside and Alamode at the burial of Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, the late Deputy Governor in Ado-Ekiti… yesterday. PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

FG Grounds, Releases Amaechi’s Plane By Godwin Ijediogor HE simmering rift between T the Presidency and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, does not appear to thaw anytime soon, as aviation agencies yesterday prevented the aircraft of the governor from leaving Akure Airport in Ondo State shortly after the governor and his aides returned from the burial of late deputy governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olayinka, in Ado-Ekiti. Amaechi was said to have joined Speaker of the House of

• Rivers Governor, Shema To Contest NGF Chairmanship Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, in his aircraft out of the airport. Though no official at the aviation agency offices in Lagos and Akure was available for comments on the matter, it was gathered that there were political issues surrounding the particular plane, which sources said was later released and allowed to fly out of Akure. Many see the action as part of the continuing effort of the Presidency’s to see Amaechi off as NGF Chairman in the

next meeting scheduled for next month. This time around, the Presidency is alleged to have given marching orders to its foot-soldiers, among the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, to do whatever it would take to stall and stop the NGF election from holding until it is able to get enough governors on its side to support its candidate and stop the re-election of Amaechi as NGF Chairman. There have been speculations that the Presidency is backing

the candidature of Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema for NGF chairman. But the Presidency does not appear to have the support of most of the governors, majority of who want Amaechi to return for a second term. To actualize this dream, the Presidency is said to have mobilised its staunch allies among the governors such as Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Gabriel Suswam (Benue) and Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) to drum up support for the Presidency’s candidate.

Their mandate, The Guardian learnt, is to ensure that the NGF election billed to hold sometime in May does not hold until the Presidency can muster enough governors to drop their support for Amaechi and back its candidate for NGF chairmanship in the person of Katsina’s Ibrahim Shema. Meanwhile, the Presidency’s spirited efforts to make the PDP Governors Forum adopt Governor Shema as the consensus candidate of the PDP governors for the NGF chairmanship election did not yield much dividend as the CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Oshiomhole, PDP, CPC Trade Blames Over Polls NEWS 5

12 Killed In Awka Auto Crash NEWS 3

ACF Condemns Excessive Us Of Force On Northern Communities NEWS 3

Tukur Sacks Son, Okiro, Other Aides

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

NJC Suspends Talba Over N32b Pension Fraud Verdict From Lemmy Ughegbe, Abuja HE National Judicial T Council (NJC) has suspended Justice Abubakar Mahmud Talba of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court from office on the ground of an improper exercise of discretion in granting Mr. John Yakubu Yusuf N750,000 option of fine in place of a two-year jail term upon his confession that he stole N32 Billion Police

Pension Fund. A electronic statement released by the council’s acting Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, disclosed: “The National Judicial Council (NJC), under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar, GCON, at its meeting, which was held on 24th and 25th April, 2013 suspended Hon. Justice Abubakar Mahmud Talba of the FCT

High Court from office for a period of twelve months without pay.” The statement said “Hon. Justice Talba was suspended from office sequel to the findings by the council that he did not exercise his discretion judicially and judiciously with regard to the sentences he passed on one of the accused persons, Mr. John Yakubu Yusuf in the Police Pension case of FRN Vs Esai Dangabar and five others.”

The NJC, at its emergency meeting, which was held on February 20, this year set up a fact-finding committee to investigate the allegations levelled against Hon. Justice Talba in the Police Pension case of FRN Vs Esai Dangabar and five others. But the Council observed that “the Charges that had been brought by EFCC against Mr. John Y. Yusuf in the First Charge Sheet containing Counts 1 to 10 under Section

315 of the Penal Code that provides a maximum jail term of 14 years and fine, were dropped by the EFCC Counsel and substituted with another Charge Sheet with only three Counts under Section 309 of the Penal Code that moulds a lesser punishment of two years imprisonment with or without option of fine.” He said “The National Judicial Council, in the exercise of its disciplinary powers under the 1999 Constitution

of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, also issued serious warning to Hon. Justice Talba to desist from unreasonable exercise of judicial discretion in all matters brought before him.” The statement also disclosed that it considered the petition against Hon. Justice Okechukwu Okeke of the Federal High Court, who is to retire from service on May18, this year and “decided to seriously warn him.”

Boko Haram Got $3.15m To Free French Hostages, Says Document By Tim Cocks IGERIAN Islamist sect, N Boko Haram was paid an equivalent of around $3.15 million by French and Camerounian negotiators before freeing seven French hostages this month, a confidential Nigerian government report obtained by Reuters said. The memo, according to Reuters, does not say who paid the ransom for the family of seven, who were all released on April 19, although it says Cameroun freed some Boko Haram detainees as part of the deal. France and Cameroun reiterated denials that any ransom was paid. Nigerian authorities declined to comment. Armed men on motorcycles snatched Tanguy MoulinFournier, his wife, brother and the couple’s four young children, the youngest of whom was four years old, on February 19 while they were on holiday near the Waza national park in north Cameroun, some 10 km (six miles) from the Nigerian border. They were believed to have been held in northeast Nigeria. Boko Haram claimed the capture of the family of MoulinFournier, who worked in Cameroun for French utility firm, GDF Suez. French President Francois Hollande at the time denied any money was paid when the family was released on April 19. The Nigerian report suggests that 1.6 billion CFA francs ($3.15 million) was paid, but that right up until the last minute, Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau had insisted on double that, before agreeing to reduce it if some Boko Haram members in Camerounian jails were freed. Reacting to the report, a French Foreign Ministry official said that France has passed a clear message that it does not pay ransoms. Cameroun government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary said: “Cameroon did not pay any ransom.” A spokesman for Nigeria’s government declined to comment. The report suggests Nigerian security forces decided not to try to rescue the hostages so as not to endanger their lives.

France, Cameroun Deny Paying Ransom To Free Seven Captives A botched rescue attempt of a British and an Italian hostage believed to have been held by Islamist sect Ansaru in March last year resulted in both hostages being killed. French news network i-tele

reported earlier yesterday that a ransom had of $7 million had been paid, suggesting either Cameroun President Paul Biya or GDF-Suez had paid it. Eight French hostages are being held in the Sahel region,

although the fate of one of them is unclear after alQaeda’s north African arm last month said it had beheaded Philippe Verdon. Hollande has said Paris has ended a policy of paying ran-

soms for hostages, but suspicion that the country still does despite official denials has been a source of tension with the United States. France brushed off an allegation by a former U.S. diplomat

that it paid a $17 million ransom in vain for the release of four hostages abducted in 2010 from Niger. Hollande told the family of the Sahel hostages in January that the new policy also meant that he had told companies and insurance firms to not pay ransoms.

Wives of Osun and Ogun states governors, Sherifat Aregbesola and Foluso Amosun and Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun at the burial of the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Mrs. Funmi Olayinka, in Ado-Ekiti… yesterday. PHOTO: NAJEEM RAHEEM

Gunmen Attack Nyako’s Hometown, Kill Two Policemen CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

using explosive devices. The Guardian gathered that when the gunmen arrived the Divisional Police Station in Mayo-Belwa, the policemen on duty fled into the nearby bush abandoning the Divisional Police Officer and two other officers who overpowered the gunmen in the gunbattle that lasted

30minutes. about The policemen on duty at both First Bank and Union bank also repelled the gunmen who came with explodevices. sive Meanwhile the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, in charge of the North East Region of the country, Atiku Yusuf Kafur, yesterday dis-

closed that the Police force had recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of 24 suspects who have confessed to last month’s Ganye massacred where 27 persons killed. According to him, “when we arrested them we had a meeting with the leader of Muslim Council of Nigeria,

Adamawa State Chapter and the representative of Lamido Adamawa. The culprits confessed in their presence that they were responsible for the Genye attack. On this premise, we were able to establish facts before we took them to court. For security reason we will not disclosed the name of the court they are being

stated. he arranged,’’ Kafur added that the Nigeria Police was still investigating the recent attacks at Madagali, another local government headquarters in Adamawa State, which resulted in the death of 14 persons, including two security aides of the Deputy Governor of state. the

Rivers Governor, Shema To Contest NGF Chairmanship CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 governors reportedly opposed the move. Minutes from the PDP governors Forum meeting held at the Akwa Ibom Governor’s lodge in Abuja showed that the governors opposed the consensus candidate option, as opinion was generally divided on the issue of choosing a consensus candidate for the chairmanship position of the NGF. It was gathered that after an

exhaustive consultation and deliberation, members could not agree on a consensus candidate. The governors then agreed that Amaechi and Shema be presented as candidates for the NGF chairmanship position. With this new development, both governors are likely to slug it out in May for the position, barring any last minutes decisions. However, most of the gover-

nors in the country, especially those in the opposition, save a few, appear opposed to the Presidency’s interference in who heads the Forum. As a result, many of them have vowed to vehemently resist any attempt by the Presidency to foist anyone on them as chairman; hence a handful of them seem to be disposed to Amaechi’s second term bid. Recently, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi expressed

optimism that Amaechi would retain the position, just as most PDP governors in the north are distancing themselves from Shema’s candidature, which they feel is not borne out of love for the region. Most of them have been vocal against the formation of the PDP Governors’ Forum, which they consider duplication, since the party constitutes almost two-thirds of the NGF membership.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

NEWS ACF Condemns Use Of Excessive Force On Northern Communities, Wants Sani, Ahmed To Rejoin Amnesty Committee From Saxone Akhaine, Kaduna ORTHERN elders has N warned the Federal Government against the use of excessive force by the military on communities perceived to be Boko Haram enclaves, against the backdrop of the proposed amnesty programme for members of the sect, that is expected to end the current insurgency in the region. Besides, the elders have called on the Leader of the Northern Civil Society Coalition, Mallam Shehu Sani and President of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (SCSN), Dr. Datti Ahmed to immediately

rescind their rejection notice as members of the Amnesty Committee set up by President GoodLuck Jonathan and join the group in finding a lasting solution to the insurgency in the north. After emergency meetings attended by members of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) that was presided by its Chairman, Alhaji Aliko Mohammed and the Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, retired General Jeremiah Useni, the elders condemned the recent attack by armed soldiers under the Joint Task Force (JTF) on Baga village, Borno State. They also frowned at Sani and

Ahmed’s rejection of their appointments into the Amnesty Committee by President Jonathan, saying all hands must be on deck to resolve the problems of insecurity in the north. A statement issued after the two meetings of the elders held in Kaduna and signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the Forum, Mr. Anthony Sani, said, “the Forum noted with shock the reports of violence between the JTF and the sect which destroyed many lives and properties in Baga village in Borno State”. Sani pointed out that the Arewa elders were shocked that “apart from such monu-

mental losses, the violence has come at a time when the talks of amnesty leading to constructive dialogue is expected to inform cessation of hostilities and take advantage of the efforts being made to bring an end to the untold hardship brought about by destruction of lives and properties”. He noted that the Federal Government should immediately investigate the killings in Baga village with a view to punishing those responsible for the unfortunate incident. “And given different accounts of the same circumstance of such violent destruction, ACF endorsed thorough investigations by the authority of what

happened with a view to unveiling the facts needed for retribution to offenders as deterrent against future occurrence,” he stated. Sani further explained that “the meetings also considered the circumstances of withdrawals from the Amnesty Committee by some members”, saying that it was “resolved that even though consultations ought to precede announcements of names of members in view of the dire nature of the assignment, that should not make some members reject their membership of the Amnesty Committee”. “The Forum, therefore, called

on such members to reconsider their decisions in the overriding interest of the north, the nation and for humanity. This is because no sacrifice is too much to bring about peace across the nation. It is no time for blame game but for consciously directed collective efforts needed to make insecurity history in Nigeria,” he noted.

UN Must Go Beyond Peace Keeping For Africa’s Security, Says Ashiru By Azeez Olrunlomeru INISTER of Foreign Affairs, M Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru has said that the United

Chairman, Autobahn Techniques Ltd, Mr. Alban Ofili-Okonkwo (left); Director, Regulatory Affairs, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Osondu Nwokoro; and Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, at the flag-off of the Mobile Number Portability Scheme held at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, recently.

Constitution Amendment: Mark Cautions Senators On Self-Interest By Seye Olumide ENATE President David Sworking Mark has called on Senators to produce the draftbill of the amendment to the 1999 Constitution to allow the collective interest of Nigerians to override their personal interest in the course of their assignment. Speaking in Lagos yesterday during the opening ceremony of a three-day retreat by the Senate Constitution Review Committee aimed at produc-

ing a draft bill from the views of Nigerians collated during the last public hearings on constitution amendment, the senate president said no lawmaker should force his position on the rest of the group. “If you are fixed on any position, you should be able to concede it to the majority view or position,” he warned. He assured members of the committee that whatever they come up with at the end of the retreat would still be subjected to debate at the

floor of the Senate. He noted that the draft bill would tackle a number of issues that agitated Nigerians when the Senate went round the zones to collate their views. “The agitation ranged from state police, special position for Lagos, to whether we should keep the NYSC, to Land Use Act, indigeneship versus citizenship or whether people are settlers,” he recalled. He said the committee would review all the issues during the retreat, adding, “I went round

during the zonal meeting and I was very emphatic that neither me or any other Senator has a fixed opinion; that what we are doing is to gather the views and opinions of Nigerians because the constitution belongs to all of us.” He, however, debunked insinuations that the 1999 Constitution was a military creation saying, “there was a Constitution Drafting Committee and a conference that produced the 1999 Constitution. The problem of

the Nigerian constitution is with the attitude of Nigerians. The current review would not be the last.” The Senate President stressed that there was no need for a sovereign national conference, as the National Assembly members would represent the views of their people. On the Amnesty Committee set up by President Goodluck Jonathan, Mark urged Nigerians to give them a chance.

Tukur Sacks Son, Okiro, 12 Other Aides, Cites Re-organisation From Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja HE wind of re-organisation T blowing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has led to the removal of the aides to the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur. Tukur’s son, Awwal, who had served as his Special Adviser on Special Duties and former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, who served had also served as Special Adviser

on Security to Tukur, were among the 14 aides sacked. It was learnt that the exercise was consistent with the agreement Tukur and other stakeholders reached during the party’s recent reconciliation exercise. Tukur, however, cited the need to re-organise his office for service delivery as the key reason for the retrenchment. Other aides of the National Chairman affected by the sack were his Principal Secretary, Senator Ibrahim Ida; Political

Adviser, Alhaji Ahmed Gusau; Special Adviser on Electoral Matters, Senator Saidu Kumo; Special Adviser Media, Mohammed Ujdud Sheriff; and Special Adviser Economic Matters, Chief O. Akindele. Others were Special Adviser on Inter Party Affairs, Alhaji Shittu Mohammed; Special Adviser Mobilisation, Chief Ishola Filani; Special Adviser Monitoring, Bennard Miko; Special Adviser Governance, Osaro Onaiwo; Special Adviser General Duties, Prince Igwe

Uche; Special Adviser National Assembly, Abdullahi Gumel; and Protocol Officer, Saidu Sulaiman. Tukur, in a statement, said: “After one year in office, the political journey was interesting, challenging and I am better equipped in the general understanding and approaches of the operating system vis-à-vis the relationship between the party, executive and legislature which are important components of political governance.

“There is no doubt that the multiplier effect of Nigerian democracy has been quite impressive particularly in the general overview of the scenarios and encounters thus prevailing on the fact that my leadership as National Chairman shall be more strengthened and determined to move the party forward. “Informed by this necessity to re-organise my office for service delivery, I therefore relieved all my political and personal aides of their appointments.”

Nations Security Council (UNSC) has a vital role to play in Africa’s quest for peace and security. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly thematic debate on peaceful resolution of Conflicts in Africa in New York on Thursday, Ashiru stated that the role of the UN in the pursuit of peace should not begin and end with peace keeping, peace support, and peace building operations. A statement made available to The Guardiansaid he urged the UN to engage in peaceful preventive action to resolve disputes before they degenerate into armed conflicts that threaten international peace and security as contained in the UN Charter, which empowers the UNSC under Article 33. “In Africa, many conflicts start from unarmed disputes while early warning signs extend to long periods during which action can be taken to prevent degeneration into serious conflagration. The result of such inaction is heavy casualties in human and material terms, as well as avoidable carnage,” he said. He noted that the challenges facing the partnership between the UN and the African Union on peace and security is how the former can fully authorise and empower the latter as occasion warrants to take timely action to peacefully resolve situations before they become full-blown wars. Ashiru added: “In spite of the good efforts of the UNSC, the international space remains replete with multiple security challenges that impact on states and regions for which the UNSC, not being omnipresent and always ready to intervene, would not expect threatened States and regions to remain indifferent while the UN prepares. The proximity of the AU to situations in Africa and the fact that ‘he who wears the shoe knows where it pinches’, presupposes that Africa must be supported and assisted to assume responsibility for resolving situations which they are best suited to undertake. The maxim, ‘African solutions for African problems’ is not far from this understanding.”

FG Declares Wednesday, May 1, Public Holiday HEFederal Government has T declared Wednesday, May 1 as public holiday to commemorate Workers’ Day.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

NEWS

Nigeria, U.S. To Strengthen Political, Economic Ties By Bola Olajuwon IGERIA and the United N States (U.S.) have agreed to work together as they have done in the past to strengthen political and economic bilateral relations as part of the objectives of the five sectors under their Bi-national Commission. The decision was part of agree-

ments reached at a meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Ambassador, Olugbenga Ashiru and U.S. Secretary of State, John Kerry, at the State Department, Washington DC on Thursday. In their discussions, the Nigerian Foreign Minister briefed the Secretary of State on the developments in the coun-

Jigawa NDLEA Parade Indian Hemp Suspects From John Akubo, Dutse HE National Drug Law T Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Jigawa yesterday paraded two suspected drug merchants arrested in a Peugeot J5 vehicle with Registration No. XG 195 KMC with 1.2Tonnes of cannabis sativa along Kano-Maiduguri road after their vehicle fell into a ditch. Nemesis seems to have caught up with the suspected drug dealers while they were on the run after they noticed that men of the NDLEA were on their trail. The State Commander, NDLEA, Barrister Ibrahim Abdul, who briefed newsmen in his office, said the suspects, Suleiman Garba, 37, and Abdulwahab

Surajo, 20, both from Kano, loaded carrot from Kano to Asaba in Delta state and reloaded the indian hemp to deliver to dealers in Maiduguri, Borno state. Abdul told journalists that luck ran out on the suspects when operatives of the agency, acting on a tip-off, apprehended them when they attempted to escape after they spotted his men. The Commandant thanked the Police and members of the Civil Defence whose cooperation led to the success of the operation, adding that the arrest is the biggest in the history in Jigawa and the entire northwest geopolitical zone. He said the driver of the vehicle died in the accident while the other arrested suspects sustained minor injuries.

try, in Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and in Africa generally. Aside strengthening the cooperation between the U.S. and Nigeria under their Bi-national Commission, the meeting also discussed other international issues of mutual concern to the two countries. Kerry welcomed Nigeria’s Foreign Minister warmly to Washington and highlighted the strategic partnership between the U.S. and Nigeria. The two top diplomats stressed that U.S. and Nigeria value the strategic relationship between

the two countries under the framework mechanism of the Bi-national Commission chaired jointly by both of them. Nigeria welcomed assistance from the United States in confronting the current security challenges facing the country. On Mali, Kerry expressed support for Nigeria’s active involvement in the country. They both agreed that if the jihadists and terrorists were allowed a foothold in Mali, the consequences for the security of the West African sub-region would be disastrous. They also

agreed on the need for more support for AFISMA, so that they are enabled to effectively undertake robust military action against the jihadists and terrorists, especially with the planned draw-down of French forces. They further agreed that there must be progress in the political framework in Mali, as a parallel solution to the situation in the country. The two sides said they are determined to give assistance that would lead to an improvement in the socioeconomic conditions in the country.

Reviewing international issues, the U.S. and Nigeria expressed concern at nuclear proliferation in the world. In this connection, they called on North Korea to resume dialogue over its nuclear programme and for the leadership in Pyongyang to exercise utmost restraint and return to the Six-Party Talks. They also called on the authorities in North Korea to return to the Armistice programme as it represents the best mechanism to resolve the problem in the Korean Peninsula.

Ajimobi To Meet Community Leaders Monthly OVERNOR Abiola Ajimobi G of Oyo State is set to hold monthly meetings with community leaders in all the 33 local council areas of the state with a view to knowing their needs and ascertaining how government’s development programmes are affecting lives in the rural areas. This was the outcome of a

meeting between the governor and members of Community Development Councils (CDCs) held at the Governor’s Office, Ibadan yesterday. He said that the meeting had become necessary as a way of getting feedback from the people about government’s programmes and policies.

ize agreement for the establishment of a steel rolling mill in Abia State by Prime Group, India, the owners of Prime Electric Company. The Managing Director of Prime Group, India, Rohan Mehta, a strong business partner of Slok Group, had on the invitation of Kalu, visited Igbere to conduct a prelimi-

nary and investment analysis for the proposed multimillion dollar steel rolling mill. Kalu will thus be visiting India to conclude the deal. In a statement by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, the entourage will follow up discussions with Prime Electric Company and other top leading companies in New Delhi, Punjab, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Foodbext Exhibition Gets Business Groups’ Endorsement RADERS and business T groups at the prestigious Balogun, Okearin and Ojuwoye markets, all in Lagos Island and environs, the distribution hub of Food and Beverage Sector of the nation’s economy have endorsed the upcoming Foodbext West Africa exhibition as a rallying point for major channel distributors and brand owners. Endorsements also came from the Relief market in Onitsha, Cemetary market in Aba, and Central market in Kano According to the President, Okearin Traders Association, Chief Mike Obiekezie, “it is a welcomed development that the Foodbext exhibition has specifically created a good ambience for channel distributors and brand owners. The first edition was a success and we know the second edition

Eminent Nigerians Pay Tributes, As Ekiti Dep Gov Is Buried ry of the late Ekiti Deputy

From Muyiwa Adeyemi, Ado Ekiti

Kalu Visits India For Rolling Mill Project HEPresident of Slok Group, T Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu would tomorrow visit India to final-

Senator Ayogu Eze, Chairman Senate Committee on Works (in safari suit), Minister of Works, Mike Onolemenem and Hon Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi [in red cap], Chairman House Committee on Works, among others at the flag-off ceremony of a N12.5bn road project, linking Obollo-Ogrute-Umuida-Unadu in Enugu State with Ogulu Igalla/Odum Local Council in Kogi State…on Thursday.

would even be better.” Earlier, the Managing Director, Brand Compro Ltd, Dr. Wale Oyefusi advised Food and Beverage companies to use the opportunity of the event to engage and promote products to a prime audience of major distributors who are the most critical component in the distribution chain. Responding, the project Manager, Mr. Isaac Bamidele said Foodbext 2013 will be a great opportunity to showcase outstanding brands especially as the exhibition is being organized in collaboration with National Agency for Food and Drugs Control (NAFDAC). The three-day event, Foodbext West Africa 2013, which comes up between July 11 and 13 at the Eko Convention, would have expecting exhibitions from Europe, Asia, Africa and the United States of America.

MINENT Nigerians yesterday paid their last respects to the late deputy governor of Ekiti State, Mrs Funmilayo Adunni Olayinka whose remains was buried at the newly constructed Hero’s Park in Ado Ekiti yesterday. Mrs Olayinka, a native of Ado Ekiti died at age 52 on April 6, 2013, after a protracted battle with cancer. At exactly 1.14pm, her children, Olamide, Ololade and Yeside performed the dust-to-dust rites. Her husband, Architect Olanrewaju Olayinka and wife of the Governor Mrs Bisi Fayemi also performed the rites. Present at the church service were Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade who represented President

Goodluck Jonathan, Governors Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State, Ahmed Abdufatai of Kwara State, Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State, Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Aliyu Babangida of Niger State. Deputy Governors at the event were Rear Admiral John Jonah of Bayelsa State, Mrs Titi LaoyeTomori of Osun State, Alhaji Alli OlanusiofOndoState,MrEffiong of Cross Rivers State, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire of Lagos State and Otunba Moses Adeyemo of Oyo State. Former Governors at the event include Asiwaju Bola Tinubu of Lagos State, Aremo Segun Osoba of Ogun State, Chief Segun Oni of Ekiti State, Evang Bamidele Olumilua of Ondo State and former Military Administrator of Ekiti State, Commodore Atanda

Yusuf. Speaking during the church service at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Anglican Communion, Okesa in Ado Ekiti, President Goodluck Jonathan pointed out the need for Nigerians to show love and be united for Nigeria to achieve desirable progress in all spheres. The President observed that with love and unity, the countrycouldovercomeitssecurity challenges and become stronger among the advanced countries of the world. President Jonathan, who was represented by Olubolade, described the death of Mrs Olayinka as unfortunate and premature, saying the cold hands of death snatched her away at a time her full potentials had not been fully tapped. The President said: “With the sto-

Governor I read, her life represents that of simplicity, diligence and brilliance, which stood her out among her peers.” In her sermon, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, said the problems of kidnapping, militancy, insecurity and corruption continues to fester in the country owing to priority placed on money. Archbishop Okoh, who was represented by the Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of Ondo, Bishop George Latunde Laosebikan, stated that Nigerian leaders’ perverted lifestyle and extravagant lives have polluted every sphere of the country, calling on the leaders to have a rethink for the country to move forward.

Govt To Establish Multi-Stakeholder Trust Fund For N’Delta From Itunu Ajayi, Uyo ESOLVED to work on an R action plan towards the development of the oil rich Niger Delta region, which has suffered so much neglect in past years, the federal government has promised to establish a multi-stakeholders trust fund to address the challenges of insufficient funds in the execution of projects in the area. The fund, which is expected to mobilise an additional $200 million (N3.2 billion) as first tranche of funding, is to bolster development in the region. President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan gave this indication yesterday at the just concluded one-week stakeholders’ conference of the national council of Niger Delta.

The President, who was represented at the occasion by Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo said the mechanism would assist the ministry of Niger Delta to effectively coordinate development resources from different stakeholders in achieving the intended objectives of government. Jonathan said it has been the foremost objective of his administration to develop a Niger Delta action plan to complement the specific commitments contained in the amnesty programme. He reiterated the need for all interest groups to leverage on the present peace enjoyed in the region as a result of the amnesty programme, which has put an end to youth restlessness in the area.

The President maintained that this situation has helped to improve the security situation in the region, with high oil production and development activities. He noted that before the negotiation, oil production was as low as 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) but because of the relative peace enjoyed in the area now, government can boast of an average of about 2.5 million barrel per day (bpd). This improvement, he attributed to the stable security condition of the region and as a result of communal efforts coupled with the amnesty programme. The president further said that FG would address the development challenges in the region as a major objective behind the development of the action

plan. He said government’s expectation is that with diligent implementation and active stakeholders’ participation, this plan will help to drive an investment programme of economic and social empowerment that would increase the capacity of the various communities to participate in their own developmental projects. In his remark, the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe said his ministry would proceed to explore the process of reinforcing the landscape for stability, peace and development for the people, adding that the ministry would deliver on the federal government’s commitment to tackle the development challenges in the region.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

NEWS

FG Flags Off N12.9B Road Project From Lawrence njoku, Enugu HE Federal Government yesterday restated its commitment to the completion of the rehabilitation work of all federal roads in the country before 2015 as part of its transformation agenda. Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen who disclosed this in Enugu during the flag off of construction work for the road from Ogurute-

Umuida in Enugu State to Ogulu-Igalla/Odum Local Government in Kogi State, attracted by Senator representing Enugu North Senatorial constituency, Ayogu Eze, said that government was desirous of ensuring that Nigerians benefitted immensely from democracy. Explaining that over N921.4billion was required to complete work on all federal

roads embarked upon by the Goodluck Jonathan administration, Onolememen, reiterated that although the amount was staggering, it would not deter the move to ensure that Nigerians derived the best from their support for the federal government. He said that the road which would link Abuja in the long run, would cost about N12.9

billion, adding that when completed, it would reduce the long hours spent travelling from Enugu to Abuja. “It would open up the economic and social activities of the areas concerned because they will no longer need to travel long distances to get to their destination. From here, I am told that about two and half hours will be spent to get the federal capital territory

which, to my mind, is a good thing”, he said. The minister urged the contractor, PW Construction Company to stick to the time frame of 24 calendar months, assuring that government would do all in its power to ensure prompt payment for the job. In his remarks, Senator Ayogu Eze attributed the award of the contract to the

Oshiomhole, PDP, CPC Trade Blames Over Polls From Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, Benin City DO State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) yesterday continued to trade blames over the recent conduct of local council elections in the state. While swearing-in three newly elected chairmen of Oredo, Ikpobha Okha and Esan West councils that would bring the total number of already sworn-in chairmen to 17, Oshiomhole

accused the PDP of doing everything possible to stop the elections in the state, which he insisted remained the best in the South-South region so far. While PDP accused the governor of annulling its victory in the Esan North-East council of the state, Oshiomhole maintained that the election was yet to be conducted. PDP’s Board of Trustee Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih, is from Esan North-East Council. Oshiomhole warned leaders of the PDP in the state

against “using Abuja power and know that this state belongs to all of us”, adding that “ we will resist any attempt to use Abuja connection to intimidate our people.” The governor said: “This election is the best ever organised, not only in Edo State, but in our neighbouring states. I understand that we lost Ward 6 in Oredo. But even as we were losing it, we did not disrupt election in that ward, but PDP did deliberately, know that they will not win anywhere, their best

12 Killed In Awka Auto Crash From Chuks Collins, Awka

RAGEDY struck late afternoon yesterday at the popular Unizik Interchange bus stop, along the Onitsha-Enugu Federal highway in Awka, when a trailer fully loaded with goods rammed into three other vehicles, killing about 12 persons and injuring many others on the spot. Mrs. Nkiru, from Nibo in Awka South Council and who wedded about six months ago, along with her husband, were among the few who came out alive with minor injuries. She said they were returning from Enugu to Awka where they went to visit a

family friend. Amidst sobs, she said a trailer carrying diesel with registration number Abia AE729UMA, which was also coming from the Enugu end of the expressway, apparently lost control due to brake failure, and therefore run into a crowd of people and other vehicles at the foot of the Unizik junction. The incident occurred at about 4:pm yesterday when workers were rushing home and many students scrambling for vehicle to take them to destinations for the scheduled Joint Admissions Matriculations Board (JAMB) exam holding today at various centres

across the nation. Three L-300 mitsubishi commuter buses were involved. But volunteers assisted officials of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), policemen, soldiers and officials of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corp (NCDC) to take the injured to different hospitals in Awka. Victims were said to be mainly people selling different items along the park and some okada riders. Students and bye-standers cried their hearts out at the scene of the accident, as vehicles heading to Onitsha were held standstill for hours along the expressway.

NewswatchWas To Reap N15 Million Profit, Says Witness By Joseph Onyekwere

HE last witness in the T case instituted by two minority shareholders of the Newswatch Communications Ltd, (NCL) against the company and its new management led by Jimoh Ibrahim testified at the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday, saying that Newswatch under the older management was projected to make a profit of N15 million within three months in 2012. The witness, Chukwuemeka Onuorah, a chartered accountant and partner in the auditing firm of Marino and Partners, auditor to Newswatch Communications Ltd till 2009, also said the company incurred a loss of N93 million in 2009. Onuorah, led in evidence by the petitioners’ counsel Adekunle Oyesanya (SAN),

during which he stated his bio-data and adopted his statement on oath made in February 2013. In his testimony during cross-examination by the respondents’ counsel, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN), Onuorah, said the last time the account of Newswatch was audited was in 2009 during which time he participated in the auditing. He also added that he had met with the publisher of Newswatch, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim since 2011 when ownership of the business changed hands but had not received any instructions on auditing or performance of any other accounting services for the Newswatch newspaper from the business mogul or any other member of the new management. His testimony could not be completed yesterday as the judge had some official

assignments, which necessitated the adjournment of the case. The court consequently adjourned the case till May 30 and 31, 2013. The petitioners had earlier called two witnesses – one of the petitioners, Mr. Nuhu Wada Aruda and one of the former directors of NCL, Mr. Ray Ekpu. The two petitioners had filed the substantive petition, accusing the new management team of Newswatch led by Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim of assuming control of the company “illegally,” even though they admitted that majority of the company’s shares had been legally transferred to Ibrahim via a Share Purchase Agreement, SPA, signed by all the parties. The petitioners are therefore, praying the court to quash the powers of the current management elected by the majority of the shareholders.

option is to recruit thugs to cause trouble.” Reacting to denial by the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen, that he did disrupt last Saturday’s election in Esan North-East because election did not hold, Oshiomhole said: “Let me repeat. I did not accuse him of undermining an election that was held. We accused him of illegally using the police, conniving with the DPO to order the postponement of the election. He caused the election to be postponed because he had no chance of winning.” But Chairman of PDP, Dan Orbih accused the state government of masterminding cancellation of Wednesday’s local government election in Esan North-East local council of the state.

He described the cancellation of the election as worse than that of June 12, 1993 presidential election, just as he rejected the outcome of election in the declared 17 local councils, saying his party did not believe the government was capable of conducting credible election. In a statement issued by the CPC state Chairman, Mr. Godwin Erhahon in Benin yesterday, the party condemned as “naked injustice,” the annulment of the election into Esan North-East Local Government held on April 25. Erhahon said, “The annulment of the election which was reportedly won massively, cleanly and clearly by the PDP candidate, according to on-the-spot reports, is ungodly. It has discredited an otherwise credible performance of EDSIEC.

grace of God, stressing that it would not have been possible had not God willed it to be so. He said that since his election in 2007, he had attracted other projects including the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) station at Nsukka and Udi, rehabilitation of several roads including the NsukkaIsiuzo-Ebonyi federal roads now on going, rehabilitation of various school buildings, electricity projects as well as a N3 billion dam project. He called on the people of the area to continue to support the Jonathan administration as well as government of the state, stressing that so much was in the pipeline to make the people rejoice for their continued support for democracy. Governor Sullivan Chime, who was represented by Commissioner of Works, Godwin Madueke, appealed to the federal government to reimburse the state for the numerous federal road projects it had reconstructed in the area. He also called attention to other federal roads in the state, including NkalaguObollo road, urging that immediate attention be given to them to ease the sufferings of the people. It was an occasion that the people of the area graced in large numbers, with several dance groups, an indication of how much they cherish the road network.

TheGuardia SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2013

Polity Thickens As ACN Surrenders Certificate To APC S this bold risk by the Action Congress of Nigeria going to be worth it; will other merging parties have the gumption and political sagacity to sustain this tempo; and what is the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) doing to remain in contest as 2015 draws closer? Tough questions, but you will find answers in The Guardian on Sunday. PLUS SPECIAL:

Primate’s Warning ONILEWURA... The Other Side Of Alluring Synagogue. DO not Try 2015, Primate

Olabayo of the Evangelical Church of Yahweh warns President Jonathan.

Warri’s Business Axis — Why Aladja Steel Company is dead. ...Shell and DSC Ovwia-Aladja are gone. Why? Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan plans a baillout called Delta Beyond Oil. What does that mean? Read all in the rejuvenated The Guardian... tomor-

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

NEWS Experts Advocate Clean Environment Against Malaria By Joseph Okoghenun IGERIANS have been advised to keep clean environment as a mean to discourage breathing space for mosquitoes and onset of malaria. Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris, who gave the advise during a special event to mark World Malaria Day at Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area of Lagos State, said the rising menace of malaria was giving the state a serious concern, and therefore, advised that Lagos residents should cooperate with government to reduce incidence of malaria. Marketing Director, Reckitt Benckiser, Sanjay Kashyap, said malaria should not be given breathing space to inflict pains on Nigerians. Kashyap noted that the Mortein brand is in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and National Association of Nurses to implement health programmes and malaria control activities aimed at stopping the scourge of the deadly disease. “Reckitt Benckiser home, health and hygiene brands are sold in over 200 countries of the world. We are posed to provide innovative brands and foster partnerships that help build a healthier society,” Kashyap said. Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olufemi Olugbile, who represented Idris, reassured Lagos residents that the state government would continue to invest in the health of its people as panacea for avoidable deaths and illnesses. Jide also encouraged residents of Lagos State to key into the environmental sanitation programme of the state by ensuring the cleanliness of their

Nigeria Will Expire Next Year, Says Yoruba Group By Laolu Adeyemi OALITION for Yoruba Autonomy (COYA) has said that the amalgamation of Northern and Southern protectorate of May 9, 1913, that gave the interim contraption of Lord Fredrick Lugard a lifespan of 100 years, will expire next year. The group, therefore, urged the presidency and the judiciary to dissolve the present National Assembly by October 1. Chairman of COYA, Kunle Adeshokan said at a press briefing in Lagos that the dissolution would enable Nigeria to sit down and dialogue the nation’s future. Adeshokan said: “The current national constitution bestowedonthepeoplewasan intellectual aberration prepared largely to assuage the semi-literate military government”. “COYA is seeking a minimum condition of a constitutional convention to be convened to re-configure a working Nigerian federalism that gives more powers to the states and its local councils authorities to develop on their own and at their pace.” He explained that the step would bring about the rule of law that enshrines egalitarian society based on justice system, as against the current slow social justice system being operated.

Onolememen Flags Off Construction Of 13km Road In Imo From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri INISTER of Works, Mike Onolememen, yesterday flagged-off construction of Afor Ogbe- Ezinihitte- Ngwa Road, a 13 kilometre road , at the cost of N7.9 billion. The minister, who flagged-off

the construction at Afor Ogbe junction, said the senator representing Imo East, Mrs. Chris Anyanwu, championed and attracted the construction project. He said, the contract awarded to Mongrovetech construction Company, has two phases,

adding that phase one would cost N2.9 billion, while the second phase involves construction of bridge across Imo River. The first phase, he said, would be completed in 12 months. According to him, the construction would reduce traffic jam being experienced in

Owerri city, adding that it would fast -track economic, agricultural produce activities, urgingtheruralpeopletocooperate with the contractor. In the ceremony witnessed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Imo State Chairman, Chief Eze Duruiheoma, other

political party chieftains, monarchs among others, Anyanwu said the idea of constructing the road “makes sense”, stressing that the construction flagoff signified materialisation of an idea, stating that the bridge to be built was destroyed during the war.

Winners Emerge In Ilorin Cooking Contest From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin ORRIEDby the alleged apaW thy of many Nigerian ladies to cook delicious meals

President, South-East South-South Professionals of Nigeria, Emeka Ugwu-Oju; Nigeria Ambassador to USA, Prof Adebowale Adefuye and President, Nigerian-America Chamber of Commerce, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, during Adefuye’s dinner reception in honour of chamber’s delegation on a trade mission at the Nigerian Embassy,Washington DC, USA.

Water Resources Minister Promises To Revamp Ikere Dam, Others By Debo Oladimeji HE Minister of Water T Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe, has promised to revamp all dams, including Ikere Dam in Oyo State, to make them functional. Speaking during a courtesy visit to her office by the Aseyin of Iseyin- HRH Adekunle Salau, Ologunebi, Ajinese 1; the Vice Chairman of Iseyin Elders’ Council, Sir Emmanuel Oke

(KSS) and the Ogboye of Isalu, Iseyin, Chief C.O Odusola, Ochekpe gave graphic details of the efforts of the Federal Government at revamping dams in the country. She said that Ikere Gorge Dam was receiving adequate attention especially from the Irrigation Project commissioned by the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Besides the pivot irrigation project at the dam’s site, the minister said that she had

finalised arrangement to import large quantities of fingerlings into the dam to raise the quantity of fishes. The access road leading to the dam was also of great concern to her. She promised to contact the Management Board of Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) for urgent assistance. Oke,who was happy that the minister was planning to establish a pivot irrigation project on the bank of the dam,

urged the Ogun -Oshun River Basin Development Authority to kindly educate the fishermen to use appropriate nets, as the present practice would lead to extinction of fishes in the dam. The vice chairman urged the Federal Government to ensure that the dam generates adequate electricity by re-assessing the capacity of the hydroelectric power of the dam, which was rated to provide only 6 megawatts.

Zamfara To Distribute 45,000 Metric Tonnes From Nkechi Onyedika, Gusau S part of efforts to complement Federal Government’s policy in agriculture, the Zamfara State Government has planned to distribute 45,000 metric tonnes of high quality fertiliser to farmers in the state at the cost of N1000 per bag. It has also concluded arrangements to acquire 100 tractors annually to enable the farmers embark on large-scale farming. The state governor, Aloa Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, who

disclosed this while conducting the National Good Governance team round the state fertiliser depot in Mafara, said that the state is in support of the Federal Government’s transformation agenda for the agriculture. He, however, observed that apart from selling fertilisers at over N3,000, which, he said, cannot be afforded by farmers, the Federal Government often distributes the commodity in September every year, a period, he said, is too late for farmers in the state to utilise the products.

Abubakar said: “I promised that if elected into office, I will provide fertilisers to farmers at N1000 per bag. In fulfillment of the promise I made during the campaign, after assuming office in May 2011, in June of the same year, we distributed 750 trucks of fertiliser. In 2012, we distributed 950 trucks. And this year, we are distributing 1,300 trucks, which is about 45,000 metric tones up to the polling unit level starting in first week of July. Fertiliser is an important commodity, but is being distributed at third

quarter of the year by the Federal Government and which is too late because the rains stops between September and October. We want to supply it early enough to our farmers, because if it is not given to them on time, the aim will be defeated.” The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, noted that the intention of the Federal Government was to stop fertiliser racketeering. “We have removed the corruption in fertiliser distribution in the country,” Maku said.

Erosion Destroys 18 Houses, Renders 31 Families Homeless From Chuks Collins, Awka BOUT 31 families and resiA dents of Obuofu-Umuike village, Awka, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, have been rendered homeless by erosion, which is said to have destroyed about 18 houses. The residents in the community, have, therefore, urged the state government, the Federal

Government and philanthropists to rescue them from the imminent danger of being swept away into the river by surging floods and ravaging erosion in the area. The community’s Erosion Control Committee Chairman, Mr. Ben Muo, who disclosed this, said houses, farmlands, cash crops, graves, revered shrines and communal lands as well as other precious property belonging to

the community have been lost to the erosion. Muo commended the philanthropic spirit of the former President General Of Awka Development Union, Chief Pat Nzekwe Ibe, who has donated N150 million for remedial measures. Site engineer handling the preventive measures, Mr. Ben Ndigwe, who conducted journalists round the erosion site, said embankments and major

drainage system were being constructed. He cautioned against any form of farming in the area to avoid aggravating the erosion menace. Ndigwe appeal for the intervention of the state and federal governments in the project, noting that the magnitude of work and resources involved in the exercise is beyond what an individual or the rural dwellers could provide.

for their husbands, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital recently staged the first recorded cooking competition for potential marriageable ladies. Bankrolled by an indigenous firm, Doyin Group of Companies, the event drew many participants from across the state, as well as government officials who stormed the Gomola, venue of the programme in their large numbers, extolling the vision of the organisers of the competition. The event, which entered its grand finale after the preliminary stage, leaving only the best four out of 50 entrants, was stagedunderthechairmanship of the wife of the state governor, Mrs. Omolewa Ahmed,who was represented by the Special Adviser on Small and Medium Enterprises (SME), Mrs. Sarat Adebayo. Other top government officials at the venue were Secretary to the State Government, (SSG), Alhaji Sola Gold and the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Comfort Afolayan. The four contestants include Olamide Ibrahim, a holder of DiplomainDataProcessingand Ordinary National Diploma from Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja; Yomi Okonta, a graduate of Higher National Diploma in Hotel and Catering Management; Adebimpe Olanipekun, a graduate of Business Administration from Federal Polytechnic Offa and Folashade Oladehinde, a graduate of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. Olanipekun, who took the first position, went home with a gas cooker with an in-built oven, just as the first runner up, Ibrahim, won a deep freezer, while the others went home with different prizes.

Imo Goes Tough On Cultists From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri ENCEFORTH, any Imo state H student found to be involved in cultism would be expelled, the Imo State government has warned. Rising from the weekly state Executive Council Meeting on Thursday evening in Owerri, the Commissioner for Information, Strategy, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Chinedu Offor, told journalists in Owerri that the decision was taken at the state executive council meeting, presided by the deputy governor, Prince Eze Madumere. He said the decision was taken in view of worrisome activities of cultists, especially students in secondary schools, warning parents to take keen interest in the activities of their children.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

NEWS Jonathan Promises Uninterrupted Power Supply In 2014 By Isaac Taiwo and Joe Adiorho HE President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has given firm assurance that Nigerians by December 2014, would begin to enjoy uninterrupted power supply with nothing less than 10,000 megawatts. Addressing top members ofThe Guardian during his visit at the Guardian Editorial Conference room on Thursday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Publicity, Dr. Doyin Okupe said Jonathan administration inherited power crisis with its attendant problems on generation, transmission and distribution, which Nigerians would put behind them after the year 2014. Okupe who described President Jonathan as though

quiet, but intelligent who does not make noise of what he is doing, but really working to fix various problems confronting the nation, added that he is concerned about the security issues in the country. According to Okupe, Jonathan is addressing the two major problems bordering on insecurity in the nation which include the Boko Haram insurgence as well as the issue of kidnapping. He said while Boko Haram issue was located in the Northern part of the country, the problem of kidnapping has been pronounced in the Southern part of the Country and occasionally in Lagos. “The issue of Boko Haram has a political undertone but some elites in the North have passionately made submissions to the President that though mem-

bers of the sect had gone too far with much damage done, they should consider the way out they have preferred which they believed would bring peace and an end to the sect’s incessant assault. “A right thinking person would normally give a thought to anything that would bring peace at last which the President is considering. “I want to assure you that the Federal Government and Security Forces have what it takes to militarily end Boko Haram, but there is no need for that,” he said. Okupe on the issue of corruption also said that Jonathan administration was determined to fight corruption, which has become endemic in the nation, and which has been aided by the unwholesome attitude of

judges in Nigeria. He also indicted Judges who unnecessarily prolong cases in court so that people accused of corruption are not punished in time. He cited the case of the recent three Judges who took bribes and placed under discipline. Commenting on the issue of Agriculture, he relayed the president’s promise that by 2015, Nigeria would be self-sufficient in rice production. “Nigeria has not only overtaken Indonesia in Cassava production, but today can boast of 40 million tons of the product leaving the shores of the nation on exportation while Cocoa production has also gone from 250,000 tons to 500,000 tons per annum”. He assured Nigerians of Federal Government effort on improvement on railways system with

six corridors, which include Lagos-Abuja, East-West and East North, which had begun with Lagos to Kano. On the perceived increase of Government intolerance on the Press with reference to the arrest and detention of four Leadership newspaper journalists, Okupe said that the Federal government would not do anything to tamper with Press Freedom. He refuted the claim that the journalists were detained for four days. The Editor of the Guardian, Mr. Martins Oloja assured Okupe that the Guardian would not renege from excellent reporting that it is known for and would remain the flagship of the media. “We assure you of the Guardian continuous practice of responsible journalism,” he said.

Unlimited Opportunities For Nigerians As International Book Fair Nears By Kenechukwu Ezeonyejiaku IGERIAN International Book Fair (2013) has been projected to bring unlimited opportunities to Nigerians and the country. The exhibition, which will hold from Monday, 6th May through Saturday, 11th May, 2013 will be held at the multipurpose halls of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos state. This was disclosed at a press conference held at the West Zonal Office of the Nigerian Book Fair Trust (NBFT), the organisers of the annual Nigerian International Book Fair, at Ogba, Ikeja on Thursday. Speaking at the briefing, the representative of the chairman, and the pioneer chairman of the organization, Mr. Dayo Alabi said that the fair will be “a good platform for all the players in the book industry to come together to share experiences, interact and learn from each other which in turn impact positively on the country most especially, the younger generation.”

Skybird Air Gets Certification By Anote Ajeluorou NEW executive charter airline, Skybird Air, has entered the Nigeria airspace to give Nigerians the opportunity of choice in the charter sector of the airspace industry. Skybird Air received its Airworthiness Operations Certificate (AOC) two days ago at the office of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Murtala Mohammed Airport complex, Lagos at a brief ceremony. To hand the new airline its Airworthiness Operations Certificate, which adjudges the airline to have met all the necessary pre-conditions, usually in five stages, and therefore worthy to fly, was NCAA’s Acting Director-General, Mr. Joyce Nkemakolom and other top officials of the agency who supervised the new airline’s process of certification that lasted about two years.

L-R: Senior Special Assistant to the President on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Dr. Precious Kalamba Gbeneol, representative of the Governor of Akwa Ibom is the Commissioner Economic Development, Mr. Soni Anyang, and representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Colleen Zamba during the Pre-Implementation Workshop For 2012 CGS-LGAs in Abuja yester-

Persistent Use Of Military To Settle Civil Disputes Kills Professionalism, Says Suswam’s Aide From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi PECIAL Adviser to Governor Gabriel Suswam on Security, Col. Basil Kwembeh (rtd.) has

Aregbesola Pronounced Evangelist Of Baptist Faith OVERNOR of the state of G Osun Ogbeni, Rauf Aregbesola, a devout Muslim, was pronounced an Evangelist of the Baptist Faith and conferred with Doctorate degree of the Nigerian Baptist Institute by the President, Nigerian Baptist Convention Reverend, Supo Ayokunle. Aregbesola who led all the members of the state executive council to the centenary convention of the Nigerian Baptist Convention held in the state of Osun, urged the congregation to transfer to the nation the demonstration of love and affinity. He appealed for change of attitudes from adherents of all religions by strictly imbibing the doctrine of Jesus Christ. He said Nigeria would be a new nation on earth if love takes the centre stage in all religions.

expressed worry over the use of military in a civil matter, saying if the practice continues, it would negatively affect professionalism and military ethics. Col. Kwembe who made the observation in Makurdi while chatting with The Guardian on the security situation in the state, further blamed the incessant boundary crisis between Benue and Taraba states to poor demarcation of the area by the colonial masters. While assuring that the boundary crisis between the people of Moon in Kwande local government of the State and kashimibila people of Taraba State would not be allowed to escalate, he regretted that just few days after the peace talk between the governors of the two States at Gawa, soldiers in 93 barrack in Tarkum were alleged to have struck again in Moon district of

Kwande beating up the people, a development which, according to him, caused people to desert the area for fear of the unknown. Kwembeh maintained that, apart from shoddy boundary demarcation by the colonial masters in the area, the present crisis is due to economic factor. “I learnt that a market where

both the Tiv and Jukuns/Kuteb trade, the former became dissatisfied with the attitude of the Jukuns and decided to establish their market. This is what sparked off the crisis”, he explained. Col. Kwembeh assured that the State is working hard to engage the military authorities in dialogue to finally nip

the crisis in the bud. Commenting on the Tiv farmers/Fulani herdsmen impasse, the security adviser suggested that as a lasting solution, the Federal Government should revert to the Shagari’s 1983 implementation where grazing routes were earmarked for the Fulani herdsmen to rear their cattle.

PSN Canvasses Better Remuneration For Members From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin. HE Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) has canvassed a better remuneration for its members described as a pivot in the nation’s healthcare sector. The PSN, which observed that its members are the largest employers of labour in the health sector via the establishment of pharmaceutical

firms, said its members should be given a better recognition like their colleagues outside the country. Besides, the group traced what it called high rate of brain drain among its members to alleged poor perquisites being given them in Nigeria by their employers warning that if the demand was not promptly met it could

lead to the dearth of pharmacists in the country. According to the local Chairman of the PFA, Abdulmajeed Oderinde yesterday in Ilorin, “more needed to be done in terms of good remuneration for pharmacists, employment of more pharmacists to man the new hospitals being graded now by the Kwara state government.”

Social Vices Worry Mothers, As Church Celebrates Mothers’ Day From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri Ssocietal ills continue to be a source of worry to Nigerian parents, mothers and children have been counseled to work in synergy to tackle social ills at family lev-

el. Also, governments and corporate bodies have been enjoined to celebrate mothers constantly because of their roles in the nation. This admonition was contained in the speech delivered

by the Abuja branch Manager of ECO Bank, Mrs. Blessing Ify Nwaoba, shortly after receiving a titled award of “Nneoma (Good mother)” by the authorities of Praise God Anglican Church, Federal

Polytechnic, Nekede, near Owerri, Imo State during year 2013 Mothers’ day held over the weekend. “Let us learn to celebrate our mothers. Let us respect our mothers.” She said.

Baptist Church Holds Crusade ALVARy Generation Baptist C Church, Abule Egba will commence her annual open air programme, The Storm That Touched No One with the theme, “He can do more in Lagos State, He can do more in your community, He can do more in your house” Exodus 14:12.The programme starts on Sunday, April 28, and ends on Thursday, May 2. The programme is designed to commemorate the incident of petroleum pipeline leakage, which occurred on April 3-6, 2006 at Abule Egba without any explosion. The church Pastor, Rev Adediran Adeniji says the programme is aimed at reaching out to the community to further appreciate the power of God as such incident was uncommon in the history of pipeline explosion in the country. The Conference President, Lagos West Baptist Conference, Rev Dr Julius Adeniji, Evangelist Agboola will minister at the event.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

AFRICA South Sudan Rebels: SSLA ‘Surrenders’

Bomb Detectors Not Fake, Says Kenya Police OLICE in Kenya have He said that one of the P sought to reassure the reasons why there had public that their bomb not been a successful

OME 3,000 fighters from one Srebels of South Sudan’s biggest groups, the SSLA, have handed in their weapons, officials say. The former rebels crossed the border from Sudan in about 100 trucks, a local official told Reuters news agency. Sudan has always denied accusations that it backs numerous rebel groups in the South. Relations between the two Sudans have improved recently, leading to a resumption in oil production. The South took most of the former country’s oil when it seceded in 2011 but the export pipelines all go north into Sudan.”The [South Sudan Liberation Army (SSLA)] militia that have been in the north have surrendered. All of them have come,” Unity state government spokesman Joseph Arop Malual told Reuters.The oil-rich Unity state lies on the border with Sudan. South Sudan Information Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme that the surrendering rebels, along with other militia groups, had all been pardoned by President Salva Kiir. They would now be integrated into the South Sudan army, Mr Benjamin said. The SSLA had said they were fighting against corruption, underdevelopment and the domination of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, the former rebels who now run South Sudan.

Scene of recent bombing in Somalia

Top Somali Legal Official Killed In Mogadishu Shooting OMALIA’S deputy chief prosecu- attack. Smasked tor has been shot dead by three The Islamist group al-Shabab, men in Mogadishu, officials say - shortly after the UK reopened its embassy in the city.Ahmad Shaykh Nur Maalin was attacked after he left a city centre mosque. He is the most senior official to be killed in Mogadishu since a new government took office last year. BBC reported Foreign Secretary William Hague was in Mogadishu on Thursday to open the first British embassy in Somalia since 1991. This is the latest indication that the security situation in the city is generally improving after two decades of conflict, despite the occasional

which is part of al-Qaeda, says it carried out this month’s attack on the court house. It has been forced out of the main cities in southern and central Somalia but still controls smaller towns and many rural areas. Mohamed Ibrahim Rage who worked for the state-run radio station was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Sunday - the latest in a series of journalists to be killed in Mogadishu. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was chosen by MPs in September 2012 as part of a UNbacked bid to restore normality to the country.

The British embassy, the first from any European nation in Somalia, comprises six shipping containers customised to serve as offices. Tonnes of sand-filled blast-proof fencing surround the area. British Ambassador Matt Baugh, who had been working from Nairobi in Kenya because of security concerns, will move into the office, but the rest of the embassy compound is not expected to be completed until the end of July. The former British embassy, located close to the port, was closed in January 1991 following the overthrow of the government, and the building is now a ruin.

and drug detectors work, after the conviction of a British man for selling fake devices. They carried out a public demonstration in the capital, Nairobi, in which the detector seemingly located narcotics. The police refused to divulge where they had purchased their devices from. BBC reported that but they look identical to the ADE detectors sold by convicted fraudster James McCormick and bear the name of his company, ATSC. The detectors come with cards which are “programmed” to find items, from ivory to bombs During his trial, McCormick told the court he had sold his devices to the Kenyan police, in addition to the authorities in Iraq, Hong Kong, Egypt and Thailand. Asked about McCormick’s conviction, Nairobi police chief Benson Githinji told reporters: “Let me assure Nairobians, the machines in use are serviceable and don’t fall short... They are in operation and they work.”

grenade attack in Nairobi recently was because of the machines. There had been a spate of such attacks since Kenya sent troops into neighbouring Somalia in October 2011 to tackle the al-Shabab militant group. He did not say how many of the devices had been purchased, or when they were first used, but UK police have told the BBC that 26 were sold to Kenya in May 2004. During this week’s hearing in London, the court was told McCormick’s detectors, which cost up to $40,000 (£27,000) each, were completely ineffectual and lacked any grounding in science. Richard Whittam QC, for the prosecution, said: “The devices did not work and he knew they did not work.” The court heard that the detectors came with cards which were “programmed” to detect a wide array of substances, from ivory to $100 banknotes. In reality, McCormick’s device was based on $20 (£13) golf ball finders which he had purchased from the US and which had no working electronics.

WORLD

Dhaka Building Collapse: ‘Large Group’ Found Alive ANGLADESHI rescue workers Although some 2,200 people B say a large group of people have been rescued from the has been found alive inside a Rana Plaza building in Savar garment factory on the outskirts of the capital, Dhaka.Rescuers had dug tunnels and located as many as 50 people trapped at various places on the third floor of the building, one report said. A fire official told AFP he hoped to dig the survivors out by Saturday. Officials say Wednesday’s collapse of the eight-storey Rana Plaza building killed at least 307 people. The disaster has sparked large protests in Dhaka. Excitement spread among hundreds of volunteer rescue workers as loud speakers summoned ambulances to the site, says the BBC’s Rakib Sumon at the scene. At least 23 survivors had been located in one air-pocket of the collapsed building, while two more groups were located close by, bringing the total to as many as 50, says our reporter. He adds that teams from the army, the fire service and border guards had been drilling holes through concrete walls and pushing through oxygen cylinders and water bottles in an attempt to keep those trapped alive until they could be freed.Police fired teargas and rubber bullets at protesters, who are angry at poor safety standards in factories

since it collapsed suddenly on Wednesday morning - with more than 40 being rescued in the last 24 hours - hundreds of people are still missing. Officials say the companies based in the building employed 3,122 staff, but it is not known exactly how many were inside at the time of the collapse. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for special prayers for the victims to be held across the country on yesterday. Earlier, police said that at least 10,000 people had joined protests calling for the arrest of the building’s owner and for the government to improve conditions for garment workers. Police used tear-gas and rubber bullets to break up the crowds, who had blocked roads, torched buses and attacked textile factories. The owner of the building, according to police, ignored warnings about cracks appearing earlier this week. He is said to be in hiding, but Sheikh Hasina has promised that he will be punished. Bangladesh has one of the largest garment industries in the world, providing cheap clothing for major Western retailers which benefit from its widespread low-cost labour.

Ashik Ali, Irfan Khalid and Irfan Naseer (L-R) are seen in undated mugshots provided by the West Midlands Police in Birmingham

British Islamists Jailed For Suicide Bombing Plot HREE British Islamists were T jailed yesterday for planning mass suicide attacks that

targets remained unidentified, the intent was to create an attack more devastating had the blessing of al Qaeda than the four suicide bomband which prosecutors said ings on London’s transport could have been as deadly as system on July 7, 2005 which the 2005 London bombings. killed 52 people on underA fourth man, their associate, ground trains and a bus. was sentenced for terrorist Irfan Naseer, Irfan Khalid and financing. Ashik Ali were being senWith the help of others, the tenced after their conviction three plotters had intended to at London’s Woolwich Crown detonate eight rucksack Court in February on 12 bombs in a mass attack and counts of committing acts in possibly use timers to set off preparation for terrorism other devices in crowded between December 2010 and places. They had also considSeptember 2011. ered welding knife blades to a “Clearly nothing was going truck and ramming it into a to stop you, short of intervencrowd of people, prosecutors tion of the authorities,” judge said. Richard Henriques said. They said that although the “I have no doubt you would

have continued with your plan but for that intervention. Many deaths were planned by a determined team of individuals who were fully radicalized and you, Naseer, were their leader.” Naseer, who the judge said was a “skilful bomb-maker”, was jailed for life and told he must serve at least 18 years in prison, the Press Association reported. Khalid, who had boasted the planned attack would be “another 9/11”, was given 23 years and will spend at least 12 behind bars before he can be released, while Ali was jailed for 20 years with a minimum of 10 in custody.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Man Convicted Of Spying For India Attacked In Pakistani Jail PRISONER convicted of spyA ing for India was attacked and seriously injured by fellow inmates in a Pakistani jail yesterday in an incident that could inflame the uneasy relations between the two nations. Sarabjit Singh was hospitalised with a serious head injury, a doctor said, after two fellow prisoners attacked him in Kot Lakhpat Jail in the eastern city of Lahore. “Sarabjit was having tea with fellow prisoners Muhammad Muddasar and Amir, also condemned for death sentence in murder cases.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

PERSONALITY By Oghogho Obayuwana (Foreign Affairs Editor) E goes by the sobriquet ‘African Pavarotti’. H Now do you remember him? He is not Gil Meche (Gilbert Allen) the former right-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher. And make no mistake, he does not own Meche Spa and Beauty Salon in Los Angeles or Meche’s night club in the heart of the city of Canberra. He is our own man. Nigeria’s pride with who you may try to speak Italian and Arabic with. He may also get by with you in passable German or French, declaring in the same breath his admiration for Urdu and Panjabi. But the greying man has issues with his leg. Not exactly legless, but he has lost one pair and now requires a huge chunk of money to procure prosthetics. This encounter with him at his modest apartment in Wuse 2, Abuja allowed for both nostalgic and sober exchanges, rummaging through his life philosophy, inspiration into music, music type, musical strides as well as the reason he has not being too active these days. Prodded, he also opened up on the leg story. He does not talk about his age but from around the time he said he was born, he should be about 60. He also does not talk about his father’s name and his bank account simply reads Meche. So who is this man? Why the fuss over a surname? “My father’s first name is Eke and mum, Nnena. There is a Chukwu in the surname but I am not Chukwu (God). So I do not have a surname because of this. So maybe this is why. I am just being reverential,” He says. Back in the days He romanticises with the good old life. Growing up for him is always worth talking about. It is not just about getting into a Jaguar or Impala car. There were interesting years in London between 1967 and 1968. And then at 18 after the Nigerian civil war, Meche went to Italy before coming back home again. He initially trained in England as an engineer and had worked for Agip and Nigercat. “I grew up in Nigeria (Aba and Onitsha). I was at St Dennis Memorial Grammar School. Aba and Onitsha in those days were peaceful. I experienced schooling in what you might call a posh grammar school where we revelled in phonetics. It had this link with Loughborough in the UK. Sometimes we go there and then there are exchanges. We won many debates because our English was considered beautiful and we were able to act Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth. There were teachers specially dedicated to phonetics. I still remember one of my teachers, Mr. Uche Funa. The way he handled phonetics and diction still resonates after many years”. He continued: “I had loads of parental protection as an only son. They did not spoil me. They would buy me Tottenham Hotspur jerseys and boys’ bicycles. They would come all the way from Aba to pick me up from school in Onitsha but I did not want that. I wanted to join the bus. Everybody knew everyone back then. The boys thing did not also make you a street urchin and you were still well brought up and you respected your elders”. Foray into music So at what point did music come in? “I was inspired by my parents and sisters. At age four, I could understand sound. At that age, I already had so many songs in my head. My dad was always collecting records. West Indian songs, the likes of Frank Sinatra. We had Lord Kitchener songs. Most were songs done before I was born. In my head now, I have about 3,000 songs, classical etc. I have score, that is 1000 in the music sheet. Back then, my father would sing and I would imitate him. I also imitated voices in the radio. I actually started singing in my bathroom. Well, I never had a formal training as such. I had three months coaching at the Royal Academy of Music. But it was Pavarotti (famous Italian opera tenor singer) that made me have belief in myself that I could sing. I was a black version of him. When I was not attacked by diabetes, I was big and bearded. And because I could speak Italian, I could imitate him if I wanted to. I met him in England around 196 at the Leeds castle. He was not too willing as he was getting ready for a concert but I shook his hands all the same.” What would he consider his greatest outing? “Oh, this was when I sang for the Pope (John Paul 11) at the Oba Airport in 1998. There were about three million people. I felt honoured to be called to sing for the Pope. This was organised by the Archbishop of Owerri diocese, Obinna.” Does he have a band, a singing group? “Yes. We call it Koro Rosa. It means Rose Choir. One of our projects is that we have now done the national anthem in 10 languages :Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba, Edo, Efik, Ijaw, Nupe, Igala, Idoma, Tiv.” How does he see classical music today? “Well,

Meche

Meche, African Pavarotti, Needs Help Laments Lack Of Interest In Classical Music In Nigeria classical music is not imbibed in our society. So we are not encouraged to have concerts. People are not prepared to pay for tickets. Concerts cost more. For example, in Koro Rosa, we have 128 voices. It takes quite some money to put them together or to bring them down.” So what can be done about the situation? “Corporate bodies can do more. Classical music does not die. Folk, break-dance and all those can die but not classical music. So, that is the challenge except one is so rich that you rent a hall and do it for free. But Ghana, Namibia and South Africa are examples where classical music is appreciated. You speak about recognition, I have been opportune to sing for some Nigerian presidents and governors apart from Shagari (Shehu) and Jonathan (Goodluck). They also include the late Houphouet Boigny (Cote D’Ivoire), Jerry Rawlings (Ghana), the two American president Bushes, Bill Clinton, Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) as well as late Omar Bongo (Gabon). Diabetes “I think this runs in the family. My grandparents had it. My dad also had. Diabetes is debilitating. It started with my left foot which later began gangrening. And so it got to a state where they had to cut it off. So in the end I will have to put prosthetics. That’s the best option and then only few people would know that I have a bad leg unless if I want to show off with it (laughs). Yes I have been coping with this. It is just that the condition regiments you with

certain drugs, insulin injection and then I have to listen to what the doctor says. Less carbohydrates, etc. For me, I have eaten everything I want to eat in my life, Indian, Arabic etc. No diabetes does not affect voice for once. I keep telling those who ask me that this is a limb. It is not part of my brain. Life after leg, the beautiful side of the amputation Meche’s wife, Ngozi Ekechukwu has been very supportive. Beyond the fantasies and expectations of life, the lady’s comportment in this trying period is a toast to what a union should really be all about. Meche says: “There are some life lessons I would not have learnt were it not for this condition. I am a better person inwardly now. And there have been positive changes. Things I used to take for granted, I can’t now reach. Now I understand what it means. This condition humbles you. So, here is an opportunity for deep thinking. Now, I cannot come out to physically get involved in some things. I am legless. What preoccupies my mind now is how we in Nigeria can make things softer for people who are physically challenged. So I am trying to get my prosthetics. It would cost a lot of money to go through the procedure and then come out. Having had the opportunity of deeper reflection, I can see more all what people are going through. Right now, I am not depressed. I live life happily. Most people were surprised that last December, I drove back from Lagos to Abuja with the kind of support leg that I am currently hanging on to. When my leg (prosthetics) is back, with the help of all you good people, I want to get more involved in matters that have to do with

When my leg (prosthetics) is back, with the help of all you good people, I want to get more involved in matters that have to do with the physically-challenged. It is one of the beautiful side of my leg amputation.

TheGuardian

10 | thE GUaRDIaN, Saturday, april 27, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Politics Anxiety Over Change Of Leadership In Taraba

‘We Were Not Sponsored By Any Person Or Group’ From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo

Suntai From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo hE politics of taraba State has no doubt t taken a different dimension since the October 25, 2012 plane crash involving Governor Danbaba Suntai, which has led to his subsequent absence from office. Since then, so much water has no doubt passed under the bridge, as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is presently enmeshed in deep crisis, which has factionalised it into three main camps. as if the crisis, which is currently threatening its hold on power, is not enough, the state house of assembly has also been bedeviled with series of internal wrangling that has finally led to the removal of not only the Speaker, Istifanus haruna Gbana, and his Deputy, abel Peter Diah, but the entire principal officers. allegations ranging from gross misconducts, abused of office and misappropriation of funds recently made available to the members by the acting governor are the main reasons given by 17 of the 24 members that signed the impeachment notice. tagged ‘Notice of allegation of gross misconduct against the Speaker and the entire principal officers,’ the 17 members, who could no longer stomach the goingson in the house, were saddened that the leadership made the people of the state to have little respect for the legislative arm of the government. Part of the notice read: “that your conduct made the public to look at the house of assembly as a bunch of incompetent representatives and made them to lose confidence in the house.” the deliberate refusal of the past leadership to also “conduct legislative council meetings, enabled under the Rules of the house,” the 17 members said, had “indirectly crippled the legislative dealings and competence of the house.” another issue, perhaps the more critical, was the deduction of some amount from a certain allowance of the members. according to part of the impeachment notice was that in December last year, the acting governor, approved and paid the total sum of N12, 000,000 as allowance to the members. Rather than ensuring equal distribution of the amount among the members, the former Speaker and his principal officers were said to have approved N110, 000 each to the members, while withholding the remaining N9, 360,000. But some people see the allegations that led to the removal of Gbana and his principal officers as aside and not the main reasons for their ouster. they rather believed their continued loy-

Umar alty to the ailing governor (Suntai) even when he has been outside the state for over six months. accused fingers have continued to be pointed at some well-placed individuals at the vanguard of ensuring the immediate confirmation of the acting governor as a substantive governor. a prominent government official, who is gathered to be already lobbying for the position of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), was among those that allegedly engineered the changes in the house of assembly. Just like the way and manner the impeachment plans was successfully executed, there are rumours of plans to effect a change in the cabinet. “as you already know, the only arm of the government that has the constitutional power to declare the governor, who had been away for over six months, is the cabinet,” said a top PDP chieftain on the condition of anonymity. he added that the “present crops of commissioners” wouldn’t be able to make such move “because they are Suntai’s boys.” the state coordinator of the Save taraba Group (StG), Razaq Umar, who has been working tirelessly with his group to ensure that Suntai is finally declare incapacitated, stated: “We have resolved to tread the paths of the members of the house of assembly. So, be rest assure that any moment from now, relevant changes would be carry out in the cabinet, because that is the only way out of the problems we found ourselves in this state. “If the move is to effect change in government, who are we not to give them all the support they need to bring to reality the dream of the people of our state,” hoping that they “will not tread the paths of the former leaders.” he further stated: “Change in all facets of the government is what our group have being yearning for. So, we think this is a right step in the right direction. We are still looking forward for further changes, especially in the executive.” “For 17 out of the 24 members of the house to take the bull by the horn and effect change in its leadership is a welcome development for the entire people of this state, as our people are indeed fed up with what is happening in the state, especially in governance.” a chieftain of the ruling PDP, alhaji Danjuma Munga, said the leadership change become necessary “because some of them, especially the Speaker, have overstayed their welcome.” Munga told The Guardian that tarabans welcome the action taken by the lawmak-

ers members, saying the former leadership had been docile; hence the snail speed of growth in the state. he added: “It is a welcome development, as the leadership of the house had not been pro-active, because they have been there for too long.” he insisted that the change has “introduced a balance” in the leadership of the house along religious lines. also, the leadership of the state chapter of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) applauded the change. Its chairman, hamidu Suleiman, said the present leadership of the house would no doubt enact laws that would herald the much-needed development to the state. Suleiman, who is also the state chairman of the all Nigeria Peoples Party (aNPP) and a former Speaker of the house, noted that the change was long overdue. Similarly, the governorship candidate of the action Congress of Nigeria (aCN) in the last general elections, Joel Danlami Ikenya, while lauding the decisions, observed that poverty has been on the rise in the state due to lack of leaders with “vision and dream.” the new Speaker, haruna tsokwa, has, however, dismissed insinuations that the sudden change of leadership was sponsored or has anything to do with moves to confirm the acting governor as the substantive governor of the state. The Guardian also gathered that the imbalance in the composition of the former leadership of the house, as it was observed that all the principal officers were Christians, might have necessitated the change of guard. a top government official said: “You and I know that if the former leadership of the house was allowed to continue, the chances of confirming Umar (acting governor) as substantive governor was very slim, because both the Speaker, his deputy and the entire principal officer were Christians. “the handwriting we have seen on the wall is an indication that they (the impeached officers) and some few wellplaced Christians were out to thwart or frustrate the efforts to confirm Umar as substantive governor. “You will agree with me that the balance in the leadership of the house now would go a long way to effect a change in the leadership of the state soon, because measures, I learnt, have been put in place for that.” But in a swift reaction, a member of the house told The Guardian that the issue of confirming the acting governor as a substantive governor had nothing to do with the members.

acting governor as substantive governor? this is not true! as acting governor, he is doing virtually everything, just like a governor, because he has been empowered. I don’t think he will want to go too far. this house is one of the houses of assembly that people respect in this country; we have received commendation based on our performances. With the calibre of people we have in the house, I want to tell you that we have every reason to decide for ourselves, not for somebody outside to be dictating for us or to tell us what to do. What we did in the house of assembly was the way we wanted it to be and that was how it happened. We were not sponsored by any person or group of people. What is the focus of this present leadership, as you begin to settle down? What we do in the house is to make laws that have direct bearings on the people of the state, and our focus definitely will be on that aspect. We are going to make laws that are relevant; laws that have direct bearings on the people of taraba State. how is your leadership going to an end the wrangling in the house? I want to assure you that the new leadership is made up of people of high integrity, who are experienced. We are going to put in our best to make sure that we carry everybody along. as a first timer that is been saddled with the responsibility of piloting the affairs of the house, do you think you have all the experience to triumph? I have been in the house of assembly for two years now, so the issue of first timer should not be an issue to be overemphasised. It is not constitutional, because if you are elected a member, you can ascend to the position of a Speaker when the time permits, provided you have the overwhelming support of the members. that was exactly what happened in my case. When you contested election into the house in the last general election, did you imagine that you would one day soon become its Speaker? as a Christian, we believed in destiny, and when I was elected as a member, I knew the responsibility that God gave me. For that, I was fully aware that anything could happen. So, God has made it possible in my life to become the Speaker. how do you intend to reassure the people that members of the state assembly are not errand boys of the governor, as is generally believed? honestly, I am hearing this for the first time. With the calibre of people that we have in our house of assembly, nobody should think so, because if you take a critical look at all our members, you will discover that most of them are experienced people, who have been in the civil service or in businesses. I believe that what we are doing there is one of the best. So, anybody that has this kind of idea about us is making a wrong assumption. how do you intend to handle the critical issue of the numerous allegations against your predecessor, especially concerning monthly financial analysis of the house? We have standing rules that guide the business of the house, so it is expected that on monthly bases, the leadership should meet and decide on what we have. I want to assure all that I will abide strictly by the standing rules.

As acting governor, he is doing virtually everything, just like a governor, because he has been empowered. I don’t think he will want to go too far.

Tsokwa

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

OVERLAPPING WORD GAME with OLULANA KAYODE O8023183727 olulana3@yahoo.com Starting from the square numbered ‘1’, fill in the first word, writing from left to right. Also fill in the second word, starting in the box numbered ‘2’ You will observe that the second word will overlap the first word. Also, the third word will overlap the second word and so on. Keep on filling the words in a clockwise direction until all the squares are completely filled, using the clues/ definitions below:

Solutions To Overlapping Word Game ‘18’

Overlapping Word Game ‘19’ __Rimi, 2nd Rep. Kano State Governor

IKORODU

Advent

USELESS

Mohammed __, Ex. Kwara State Governor

SCATTER

Sanusi ____, CBN Governor

TERRAIN

Gov. Olusegun Mimiko’s State

INN

Quiet and easy to control

NOVEL

Financial record book

LIBEL

Unintentional mistake

LIBERATE

Strong and healthy

RATEABLE

Income’s 10th part

BLEAK

Not confident

AKERELE

Song of allegiance

LEPER

Burning fragment

RED

Scold

DWINDLE

Cure-all

LEAKAGE

Somebody from Iran

AGENDA

Male flower part

AGITATE

Relating to religion

TECTONIC

Normally

CRADLE

The words of a song

ERUDITE

Clean by rubbing

TEMPER

Bandage tied over eyes

EROSION

From past

NONAGE

Unclothed

GEAR

By Bayo Ogunmupe\ 08034673443 http:/ogunmupe.blogspot.com

On The Path Of Winners

Fostering the skill of imagery S the saying goes: you can only be as great A as you imagine. Which is why you have to cultivate the habit of visualizing your life goals. The world renowned theologian and teacher, William Bernbach said, “For the flower to blossom, you need the right soil as well as the right seed. The same is true to cultivate good thinking.” Good thinkers are always in high demand. And good thinking starts from imaging your possibilities. That is why the person who knows how will always land a job but the person who knows why will always be his boss. Visionary leaders solve problems, they never lack ideas with which to build organizations. They always have the vision for a better future. Those who foster the skills of imagery know how to control themselves even while under oppressors. Fostering the habits of imaginative thinking isn’t complicated. It is only a discipline to be cultivated. To do this you need a place to think your thoughts. Charles Kettering a noted inventor and holder of more than 140 patents, once likened creating a place for thinking to hanging a bird cage in your mind. This was made clearer by a thousand dollar bet he once had with his friend. Kettering told a friend that he could make the man buy a pet bird in the coming year. His friend vowed that Kettering could never make him buy a pet bird, so he took the bet. Soon after, Kettering gave his friend an expensive Swiss birdcage. The man took the beautiful cage home and hung it in his parlour. But interestingly, every time he had guests, someone would ask him, “When did your bird die?” “I never had a bird, he will tell them. Then he would have to explain the whole betting. After doing this repeatedly, he finally went out to buy a parakeet, and finally paying a thousand dollar Kettering bet. Kettering later said, “If you hang birdcages in your mind, you eventually fill them with birds.”

Oliver

As Kettering birdcages attract birds, so too will a designated place to think attract good thoughts. If you go to your sanctum expecting to generate good thoughts, certainly you will meet your expectation by coming up with valuable ideas. For me, the best places to think are in the bathroom, the car or the plane. For some, places to think are in the spa, the park or the shower. When you found a place to think, thoughts find a place in you. Two, rarely do ideas come fully formed, it is your sanctum that shapes your thoughts. Thoughts have to stand the test of clarity before they can stand. A good way to fine tune your thoughts is to put them in writing. Pro-

fessor and University vice chancellor, Senator Hayakawa wrote: “Learning to write is learning to think. You don’t know anything clearly unless you can state it in writing.” Three, find a place to stretch your thoughts. In order to enliven your imagination and create skills of visualization, you have to spend time mentally shaping your thoughts in solitude. Thereafter test your ideas by asking your mastermind group to fine tune it. A great idea evolves from solitude shaped by the right people in the appropriate environment, bringing out the desired result. Four, find a place to anchor your thoughts. Thoughts have wings, they needed to be landed and anchored for fruition. The real power of an idea comes when it grows from abstraction to application. A good example is Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity. When he published his theory in 1905, explained it in 1916, they were merely profound ideas. Their real power came with the development of the nuclear reactor in 1942 and the nuclear bomb in 1945. When scientists developed and applied Einstein’s ideas, they changed the course of world history. Likewise, if you want your thoughts to make impact, you need to anchor them with other people so that someday they can be implemented. Use yourself and your mastermind group to anchor your ideas. But a good idea is like a wheelbarrow, it will go nowhere unless you push it. If you can develop the discipline of imaginative thinking, and turn it to a life habit, then you will be productive throughout your life. In order for you to become a great thinker you have to expose yourself to good thinkers. This you can do by surrounding yourself with brilliant people. Also you should keep a library of great books. Act on your thoughts. Read other books to nourish your thoughts. Make a pri-

ority of thinking as a discipline. Create a thinking schedule. Ideas have a short shelf life, you must act on them before they expire. You cannot wait until you feel like thinking before you think. One thought does not make a thinker, success comes to those who create mountains of thought that they continually mine. Our champion for today is Oliver Eaton Williamson, the American economist who won the 2009 Nobel Prize in Economics. Williamson was born in September 1932, specializing in transaction cost economics. He received his BS in management from Sloan School of Management, MIT, IN 1955, MBA from Stanford University in 1960 and PhD from Carnegie Mellon University in 1963. From 1965 to 1983 he was a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. From 1983 to 1988 he was Gordon Tweedy Professor of Economics of Law and Organization at Yale University. He has held professorships in law, business administration, and economics at the University of California, Berkeley since 1988. Currently he is Edgar Kaiser Professor Emeritus at Hans School of Business. In 2009 Williamson was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics for his analysis of economic governance, especially the boundaries of the firm, sharing it with Elinor Ostrom. By drawing attention at high theoretical level to differences between market and non-marketing decision making, management and service provision, Williamson has been influential in the debates of the 1980s on the boundaries between the public and private sectors. Other economists who have tested his theories found them tenable. Williamson had developed a theory where firms served as structures for conflict resolution. He argued that companies represent alternative governance structures which differ in their approaches to resolving conflicts of interest.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

12 |

POLITICS

‘Those Pressurising Umar To Dissolve The Cabinet So That He Can Be Made The Governor, Are Making Mistakes’ From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo

The governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Taraba State, Senator Joel Danlami Ikenya, expressed readiness of the emerging All Progressive Congress (APC) to oust the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) from power at the state and national levels in the 2015 general elections. HAT is your position on the W October plane crash involving Governor Danbaba Suntai? It is an unfortunate situation and some of us are not happy over what had happened, because we know that he has a lot of responsibilities. For him to be piloting himself, I don’t think it is a good idea, because a governor has an enormous responsibility. It has happened, what can one say now? God allowed him to survive for a purpose. Probably God wants him to survived so as to get the opportunity to reconcile with the numerous people he has wronged, because he has actually done wrongs in very many ways. His prolong absence is making some stakeholders to agitate for the confirmation of the acting governor as a substantive governor. As a former legislator, do you think it is timely? Some of those people calling for the acting governor to be sworn in as governor are ignorant of the provision of the constitution. They are overzealous people, who believed that it is only the acting governor that can give them what they want. You know the process of swearing in a deputy governor; it is only when the governor dies, is impeached or incapacitated, as happened in Kaduna State. Suntai just had a crash, of which anybody can be involved. We should be sympathetic, as human beings. Nobody should wish another person evil. I believed the acting governor is doing very well. He is a matured person and has been handling the situation maturely. I commend him, because if it were other people, they would have turned the state upside down. But he is very wise and knows where he is coming from and how he was picked to be a deputy governor.

He knows that he did not buy or lobby for it; he was just sitting and providence fell on him. God’s mercy and favour located him and picked him as deputy governor, and now as an acting governor. He should be thanking his God that he was brought from nowhere to become deputy governor and in five days became an acting governor of the state. Those pressurising him to dissolve the cabinet, so that he can be made the governor, are making mistakes, because it was not his or their efforts that made him deputy and now acting governor; it was God’s efforts. Let everything be left in the hands of God. I believe at appropriate time, even if Suntai finds out after recovery that he cannot continue, the people would have no option than to make him (acting governor) the governor. Nobody should wish somebody dead. Suntai has wrong me; he has stolen my mandate, but I don’t wish him dead at all. Is it feasible to actualise the quest for a shift in the leadership of the state to the southern part? He who goes to equity must go with clean hands. We are part of Taraba State and we believe we are indigenes of the state. We also believe it is our turn to produce the next governor of this state. In the northern parts of the state, Jolly Nyame came in from 1992 to 2007 and handed over to Danbaba Suntai from central zone. We believe it is the turn of the southern part now. It will only be fair that we should also have our fair share. We shall insist on our rights and justice and I believe it will be given to us. There won’t be any manipulation. Some people are calling for a Muslim candidate in the state, and I shared their views, in the sense that we also have Muslims in southern parts of the state. We have prominent and well-educated Muslims from that part of the state that have all it takes to govern this state. If somebody is saying that we want a Muslim candidate, okay, let him come

from the southern parts of the state. Do you think the emerging All Progressive Congress (APC), both at the state and national levels, has all it takes to oust the PDP in the next elections? PDP has been in government and I have been part of PDP from 1999 to 2010. If there were any magic left for them to explore, they would have done that long ago. Between 1999 and now, they have done nothing, especially in this state. I believe we can do better in the new platform and we are offering Nigerians a new platform with hope, not a new platform where people would be struggling and fighting themselves at all levels. Our issue is very clear; we are trying to bring out a platform that will be better than PDP. If there is anything PDP in the state can offer the people, they would have long done that, but unfortunately, they have no plan for the state. We want to create a different platform for our people and we want to make them to understand that government is about delivering dividends of democracy and people-oriented projects. Our state is one of the most gifted in this country, but unfortunately people who lack vision, programmes and dreams have been ruling the state. How did you expect them to perform when they are not packaged to perform? What machinery are you putting on ground to tackle the issue of election rigging? We believe that in every process, there is always going to be an improvement. On our own, as oppositions, we are going to mobilise our people. We shall educate them, because some of the things that happened in the last elections were as a result of the ignorance of the people. Some of us were asking for one-man one-vote, while PDP did not believe in that. We believe that in the coming elections, our peo-

Some of those people calling for the acting governor to be sworn in as governor are ignorant of the provision of the constitution. They are overzealous people, who believed that it is only the acting governor that can give them what they want.

Ikenya ple are going to be fully mobilised. We have taking note of our shortcomings and we are working hard to see that the people’s mandate is not taking away by force again. People should allow free and fair elections. If you are popular and have been in government for the past 16 years, why do you need to rig election? What you have done should be able to help you win. If for the past 14 to 15 years, you don’t have what to show, why do you want to go back there? People will not allow it again, because everything is crumbling in the state today and everybody is in a state of confusion, not knowing what tomorrow holds, because we have bad governance. There is nothing on the ground to justify the quantum of resources the state has received from the Federation Account and the Internal Generated Revenue (IGR). We are working hard to educate our people in such a way that there won’t be any form of violence. What is your take on the recent allegation by some northern elites that President Goodluck Jonathan was mar-

ginalising the region, especially in the areas of political appointments? Those who spoke are people who are in the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP); we in the opposition are not seeking for any appointment with the government. Those who are crying that they are marginalised know what they are. Everybody is crying of marginalisation. The Tiv, the Jukun and other tribes, including Urhobo in the Niger Delta, are crying of marginalisation too. If you are talking of the north, are they the far north or the whole north? We have the 19 northern governors; they are not Yorubas or Igbos. We have up to 19 ministers from the north and some states of the north even have up to two ministers each. So, why are they talking of marginalisation? Go down to boards and parastatals, some of them want their wives and uncles there. I am not involved because I am not part of PDP. We were called for national government, but we opted

‘We Were Not Sponsored By Any Person Or Group’

Gbana From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo

The newly elected Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Haruna Tsokwa, has denied that members were sponsored to effect changes in the leadership of the House so as to facilitate the confirmation of the acting governor in substantive capacity. HAT is your reaction to insinuations that your election as W Speaker of the state House of Assembly was sponsored by some wealthy individuals to speed up the confirmation of the acting governor as substantive governor? This is not true! As acting governor, he is doing virtually everything, just like a governor, because he has been empowered. I don’t think he will want to go too far. This House is one of the Houses of Assembly that people respect in this country; we have received commendation

based on our performances. With the calibre of people we have in the House, I want to tell you that we have every reason to decide for ourselves, not for somebody outside to be dictating for us or to tell us what to do. What we did in the House of Assembly was the way we wanted it to be and that was how it happened. We were not sponsored by any person or group of people. What is the focus of this present leadership, as you begin to settle down? What we do in the House is to make laws that have direct bearings on the people of the state, and our focus definitely will be on that aspect. We are going to make laws that are relevant; laws that have direct bearings on the people of Taraba State. How is your leadership going to an end the wrangling in the House? I want to assure you that the new leadership is made up of people of high integrity, who are experienced. We are going to put in our best to make sure that we carry everybody along. As a first timer that is been saddled with the responsibility of piloting the affairs of the House, do you think you have all the experience to triumph? I have been in the House of Assembly for two years now, so the issue of first timer

As acting governor, he is doing virtually everything, just like a governor, because he has been empowered. I don’t think he will want to go too far.

should not be an issue to be overemphasised. It is not constitutional, because if you are elected a member, you can ascend to the position of a Speaker when the time permits, provided you have the overwhelming support of the members. That was exactly what happened in my case. When you contested election into the House in the last general election, did you imagine that you would one day soon become its Speaker? As a Christian, we believed in destiny, and when I was elected as a member, I knew the responsibility that God gave me. For that, I was fully aware that anything could happen. So, God has made it possible in my life to become the Speaker. How do you intend to reassure the people that members of the state Assembly are not errand boys of the governor, as is generally believed? Honestly, I am hearing this for the first time. With the calibre of people that we have in our House of Assembly, nobody should think so, because if you take a critical look at all our members, you will discover that most of them are experienced people, who have been in the civil service or in businesses. I believe that what we are doing there is one of the best. So, anybody that has this kind of idea about us is making a wrong assumption. How do you intend to handle the critical issue of the numerous allegations against

your predecessor, especially concerning monthly financial analysis of the House? We have standing rules that guide the business of the House, so it is expected that on monthly bases, the leadership should meet and decide on what we have. I want to assure all that I will abide strictly by the standing rules. What mechanisms have you put in place to ensure a united House devour of rancour? Transparency! I am going to operate an open-door policy and that would help to unite the entire members and bring the House together, because that is what we are lacking at the moment. What type of relationship should the people expect between the legislative and executive arms of government under your leadership? The relationship between the legislators and executive will be cordial. We are going to move together, cooperate and ensure that things work the way they are expected for the interest of our people and the state at large. What is your message for the people of the state? First of all, I want to thank God for the support given to me to serve in this capacity. As a peace-loving person, I call on them to embrace peace. As Speaker, I can assure you that we are going to make laws that have direct bearing and meaning on the people and foster the development of the state.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

POLITICS

Ezenwajiaku

‘With Umeh’s Exit, APGA’s Troubles Are Over’ Chief Vincent Ezenwajiaku, a lawyer, pharmacist and chieftain of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), stood for Senatorial and Federal House of Representative election in 2003 and 2007. Now Commissioner for Special Duties in Peter Obi’s cabinet, he spoke with UZOMA NZEAGWUin Awka on the crisis in the party and what is being done by concerned stakeholders to restore peace HY has the internal crisis in APGA perW sisted? The former Chairman of the party, Victor Umeh has been the one heating up the system. What manner of leader will take delight in insulting and abusing his elders on the pages of Newspapers? He now even resorts to talking from two sides of his mouth, it is a sad development. But there have been counter-accusations. Could you throw more light on what the controversy is all about? Since assuming the National Chairmanship of APGA in 2006 through a National Convention of the party at NIKE Lake Hotel, Enugu, that can best be described as a charade, he embarked on destroying the Party instead of building it. He has expelled all the strong and founding members of the party like former APGA gubernatorial candidate in Enugu State, Chief Ugo Agbala, Governor Peter Obi’s uncle, Chief Sylvester Nwaobualor, former APGA Federal House candidate for Onitsha North/South Federal Constituency, Chief Edozie Njoku, former Vice Chairman BOT, now Acting Chairman BOT, Dr. Tim Menakaya, three former deputies, three women leaders, numerous members of NEC, NWC and BOT and several other chieftains of the party, on cooked up allegations of antiparty activities. Their sins are simply daring to challenge

his views or decisions. Umeh is very intolerant to divergent views on issues. What manner of leader will expel such number of party National Executive members and chieftains in just 7 years? And he does so most times without following due process. Is he building or destroying the party? It is also on record that since the last party convention in 2006 where he became National Chairman, there has never been ward, LG or State congresses or National Convention of APGA as provided in APGA Constitution till date. How was he able to achieve these considering the various party organs that ought to have checkmated him? To achieve this, he intimidated members of the National Working Committee. It is either you support him or you are expelled from the party for antiparty activities. The Board of Trustees of the party never hold meetings as provided in the Constitution, during which he could be opposed. He therefore deliberately stagnated and destroyed these organs that can challenge his decisions and ran a ‘One-man-show.’ The result is that APGA, rather than grow since 2006, has retrogressed. The victories recorded in Imo State were due mainly to the influence of Late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu all over the Igbo nation, growing influence of Governor Peter Obi due to his populist programmes in Anambra State, Rocha’s Okorocha’s antecedents as a philanthropist and above all, the extremely poor performance of Governor Ohakim of Imo State. What actually is the origin of this crisis? The major problem is the wisdom of Governor Obi to continue with the good

work of Late Ojukwu in order to actualise his dream by restructuring the party through congresses and national convention in order to bring in new people with new ideas into the party, to finance the party and take it to another level before 2014 and 2015 general elections. This is however being challenged by Umeh who wants to continue in office at all cost even though his tenure of four years from 2006 as provided in APGA constitution expired in 2010. But Victor Umeh said in a recent publication that Governor Peter Obi is planning to merge APGA with PDP. Is it true, going by the way he relates with the President and PDP? Obi wants to serve the Igbo Nation selflessly like our leader Ojukwu. That is why he is always advancing Igbo interest in politics and relates well and cooperates with President Jonathan’s administration. Have you bothered to ask why the President has approved the upgrading of Enugu Airport to International Airport, and awarded the contract for construction of second Niger bridge to Julius Berger. What is wrong with an alliance with President Jonathan’s PDP administration in order to achieve landmark infrastructure for the South East and Ndi Igbo? Is it not in our best interest? Ndi Igbo, by all means stands to benefit by this alliance. Political alliances are popular and common all over the world. It is pertinent to distinguish between an opposition party being loyal to a government and an opposition party merging with the ruling party. Governor Obi is not planning to merge APGA with PDP but only cooperating with President Jonathan’s

APGA has moved on despite Victor Umeh’s appeal. Victor Umeh remains ousted because the Court of Appeal did not restore the position of National Chairman of APGA on him. The important thing here is that even though the Court of Appeal, Enugu granted him the relief, it was belated because before the judgement was delivered, APGA had concluded its National Convention, in which Chief Maxi Okwu was elected new National Chairman of APGA

Federal Government in the overall interest of Anambra State in particular and Ndi Igbo in general. Umeh has accused Governor Obi of interfering in APGA matters. He says the Governor should face government business and leave party affairs for party executive. How would you react to this? This is another absurdity from Chief Umeh. He is an estate agent and does not understand the substance of politics and government. The governor has been a member of the party before he was elected. He continues to be member of the party and leader of government. At the state level, the Governor is the highestranking member of his party and as such the leader of the party in the State apart from being the Executive Governor and head of Government. In essence the Governor occupies double positions at the State level just like the President at the federal level. How then can the Governor not have say in his party affairs being the leader of the party? Can the PDP National Chairman tell President Goodluck Jonathan not to interfere in PDP affairs? Can Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, National Chairman of Labour Party accuse Dr. Olusegun Miniko of Ondo state of interfering in the affairs of Labour Party which he is the leader and major financer, being the only Labour Party Governor in Nigeria? The truth is that Governor Peter Obi being the leader of APGA and the major financier of the party has every right to know what is happening in the party firstly as a member and secondly as the leader. However, Obi because of his humility hardly interferes in the affairs of the party and never complained until it became absolutely necessary that he has to intervene to save the party from collapse because of Umeh’s dictatorship and refusal to restructure the party. That was when Umeh started his campaign of calumny against the Governor. Recently, your Party APGA held a National Convention in Awka where you elected new National Officers with Chief Maxi Okwu as National Chairman, the same day the court of appeal in Enugu granted stay of execution of the order of Enugu High Court to Chief Victor Umeh, the embattled ex-chairman. What is the implication of this Court of Appeal order on your party convention and future? The implication is that APGA has moved on despite Victor Umeh’s appeal. It is very simple to explain. The fact is that Victor Umeh remains ousted because the Court of Appeal did not restore the position of National Chairman of APGA on him. It simply granted him the relief he sought, that is, stay of Execution of the order of Enugu High Court. It would be recall that Enugu High Court sacked Victor Umeh-led National, State, LG and Ward executives of APGA nationwide and ordered the Party to reconstitute a new leadership. But the important thing here is that even though the Court of Appeal Enugu granted him the relief, it was belated because before the judgement was delivered, APGA had concluded its National Convention, in which Chief Maxi Okwu was elected new National Chairman of APGA. This means that the thing or the Res (as it is called in legal terms) which Umeh sought to protect its happening has happened already and made nonsense of the stay of execution order by Court of Appeal. The stay of execution is an equitable remedy or an injunction, which cannot be granted when the Res does not exist anymore; and when this happens, it is null, void and of no effect. This is what happened on April 8. Therefore Victor Umeh remains exnational Chairman of APGA because no Court restored him National Chairman of APGA. As a party, after the Enugu High Court order, APGA could not have folded its hands waiting for decision on Victor Umeh’s appeal. The party could not continue to be without leadership, as nature abhors vacuum. So the party moved swiftly and conducted wards, local council and State congresses according to APGA constitution and held National Convention of April 8, which was witnessed by INEC. The Convention and Congresses were very peaceful, free and fair and followed due process stipulated in the Party Constitution. This is a new dawn for APGA; the days of dictatorship and oneman show is over.

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

POLITICS

Jonathan’s Subsidy Hurdles By Chris Okotie RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan suddenly served notice a few weeks ago that what remains of the fuel subsidy would be removed soon. How soon? He didn’t say. This announcement understandably raised tensions with a lot of muscle flexing from labour and civil rights groups. Unlike early last year when his government suddenly hiked the pump price of petrol from N65 to N141 and sparked nationwide protests, the president seems to be testing the waters this time, with a subtle mobilisation of public opinion. But, with a terse announcement by the presidency, we have now been assured that fuel subsidy would stay for now, obviously until the president is able to muster enough will to end it once and for all. The pains of the pro-subsidy struggles cannot be forgotten in a hurry. The ensuing wild cat strike by Labour and the nationwide protests organised by civil society groups brought the nation to a near standstill in January last year in the wake of the subsidy removal until the President made a face-saving compromise and reduced the increase to N97. Mr. Jonathan doesn’t want a repeat of this sad incident. Obviously, by the experience of that bleak January, he has learned firsthand that underhand tactics do not work in such sensitive national issues. The head-to-head combat with the rights groups, which appears to be taking shape again before the government issued the latest clarification, informed the President’s current cautious approach, yet his curious grandstanding in his recent public statements on the inevitability of subsidy removal even before the consultations are concluded, may send the wrong signals that the jaw-jaw with stakeholders is a mere formality after all. However, the government must know that the prevailing circumstances are

different from what obtained in January 2012, when subsidy was removed. A lot of water has passed under the bridge and the country’s social conditions have become more desperate than ever. Youth restiveness in the form of criminality has increased; the government’s inability to address the terrible degeneration of our social conditions, with concrete, sure-footed programmes is aggravating tensions. The array of high profile corruption cases by top government functionaries continues to assault our psyche; a hope for improvements in the economy is looking forlorn. No form of ingenious public relations gimmick would be enough to persuade a restive populace to buy into the government’s latest argument for total subsidy removal, more so when nothing significant has so far been achieved with the SURE-P project that was supposed to alleviate the harsh impact of the partial subsidy removal last year. What then would happen, when the entire subsidy is gone? That is the question. And now, to compound issues, the Federal government’s policies and recent actions continue to erode public trust and confidence in the president. How he hopes to carry the nation along in his second and final step towards total deregulation of the oil sector against a backdrop of the half-hearted prosecution of the oil subsidy cabal who were implicated in the importation scam, is a major challenge for him. One thing is certain, if the current mood of the public is anything to go by: this is not the right time to initiate any action that would aggravate the current severe hardship facing the masses, no matter how beneficial such policy may be in the long term. President Jonathan’s advisers must have realised this, hence the sudden volte-face. When then is the right time? There are a couple of unfinished businesses tied to this subsidy regime that must be accomplished on a bright note to enable the people endure the sort of pain that increase in the pump price of petrol that

government has decided to effect for whatever reasons, would cause. These pending actions constitute a litmus test for Mr. Jonathan to pass before his final deregulating exercise could be received with groaning and grumblings by a populace that is already overburdened by the worst form of economic deprivation experienced by any oil exporting country. First and foremost, the probe or trial of the so-called oil cabal must be transparent and brought to a speedy, logical conclusion to convince Nigerians that the president is not just paying lip service to the battle to rid the critical oil sector of fraudsters. Co-terminus to this is the probe of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. This corporation has done a poor job of managing Nigeria’s oil wealth for years—its accounts were not even audited for a long time until recently. Worse still, it cannot boast of accurate records of our oil transactions. Things are that bad! Second, the stealing of our oil through bunkering activities in the oil producing states is depleting our reserves considerably. Just a few days ago, an Italian oil firm stopped operations because of massive bunkering activities by oil thieves. The Nigerian Navy must be empowered to police the creeks and prevent oil theft by both the multinationals and their local collaborators. All the illegal local refineries must be dismantled. It is not impossible to end oil theft. Saudi Arabia produces more oil than Nigeria, yet there’s no reported theft of its oil because of efficient, transparent management of that vital sector. We are the only OPEC member-country whose oil wealth is looted by its governing elite with reckless abandon. The bloodhounds of our oil are the political class and their cronies who have virtually cornered the collective wealth of the nation and divided the spoils among themselves, as the profile of the oil blocs ownership shows. That is why a nation that now earns an estimated $81billion annually still cannot bal-

N a recent rejoinder to Prof. Nathan Uzorma Protus’ article on the spinelessness of his boss, Mr. Benjamin Uwajimogu, Speaker of Imo House of Assembly, Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha, a writer who became an arrow head of the opposition in Imo State in the smear campaign against former Gov. Ikedi Ohakim, boasted: “I was the leader of the crusade that exposed the mismanagement and devaluation of leadership in the state at that time. While late Maximus Uba was my second in command (2ic), Prof. Uzoma Protus was the third in rank. I was their leader, though youngest in age. Room 608 of Modotel Hotel (now Rockview) Owerri used to be our meeting place”. Let us leave the yet-to-be-substantiated “mismanagement and devaluation of leadership” aside for now, because from what is happening in Imo today, it seems people have redefined leadership! Let us also not bother to ask who was picking the bills for room 608 at Modotel Hotel. More confessions will also soon come out! But what Samuelson Iwuoha was either not aware of, or had deliberately decided to conceal, was that there was a fourth man, call him the “fourth columnist”, who was even higher in ranking than Prof. Uzoma Protus among the writers in the so-called crusade. He is Peter-Claver Oparah. If Samuelson Iwuoha did not know about his activities, it was because the man his friends call chinchi (bedbug) was lying flat inside the Government House as, unfortunately, Ohakim’s Senior Special Assistant on social media and used the cover to do maximum damage to a man who took him as a son! Appointing Peter-Claver Oparah as SSA was one of the gravest mistakes of Ohakim! I read in the press and on the Internet many of PeterClaver’s tirades against Ohakim and the PDP. I could not believe that he was Ohakim’s SSA until the late Maximus Uba, his fellow Mbaise brother and comrade in hack writing, told me and also showed me his official KIA saloon car. When I insisted that it was not true because the car did not carry Government House plate number like others, Maximus, a very close friend of Ohakim’s before they disagreed on matters of principle, explained to me that at that time, Peter-Claver was just a PA and was not entitled to a government car, so Ohakim personally bought him one! PeterClaver has indeed outdone Judas Iscariot! Peter-Claver was clever enough to conceal from the public that he was part of Ohakim’s government! Now he has become Okorocha’s apologist

Jonathan ance its budget, is unable to feed its people, with 112million living on less than two dollars a day. Oil-producing Venezuela under Hugo Chavez who died recently has pulled 50 percent of its population out of poverty. That was why the Latin American nation was enveloped in grief when their beloved leader died. Although the looting and squandering of our oil wealth didn’t start during the life of President Jonathan’s administration, the scale and dimension of the stealing have become unimaginably scandalous under his watch. Unfortunately, he does not seem to know what to do about it. He’d find his moral conscience heavy with guilt as he tries to call for further sacrifice from his overstretched compatriots while the venal rich on the corridors of power get richer through political patronage. It was recently reported in the media that 42 private jets land at the local

Okorocha, A Job For Peter-Claver Oparah, Please!

Okorocha in a state where nothing counts except money! When I asked Maximus Uba why Peter-Claver would not resign if he was so disenchanted with the PDP government he served, Maximus simply laughed at me and said, “He is our man inside”! Those who knew him as Ohakim’s SSA are simply stunned. What Peter-Claver has exhibited is a total lack of principle and that, certainly, is not good for a man. In a recent diatribe titled: Pray, Where is Imo PDP’s N26 Billion? Published in a national newspaper, Peter Claver claimed: “Yes, booty sharing is the name of the game, and nothing but a decreeing into place a recreation of the booty sharing session that qualified as government before Okorocha came two years ago with his bad luck, will hold back the trigger”. If booty sharing was the name of the game, Peter-Claver must then have partaken fully in the ritual as Ohakim’s personal aide! Or is he embittered because he just didn’t get enough of the booty? Or is he continuing the back-stabbing of Ohakim he was doing even while in the Government House? It is either Peter-Claver Oparah writes out of sadism or a fixa-

tion with opposition, which may explain why he appears to have dispensed with principles in his writings. Elsewhere in a rather unintelligent article, he accused Ohakim of spending over N500 billion in four years! I believe that Peter-Claver Oparah went to school; that is why Ohakim appointed him his SSA media, in the first place! But, he must have been very poor in mathematics! Five hundred billion in four years is over N100 billion a year and over N8.3 billion a month. Let him show us when Imo state ever realised such amount as total revenue in a month during Ohakim’s tenure! As Ohakim’s appointee, he must have known that every political appointee, including Ohakim, was donating 25 per cent of his salary for the running of the state, from February 2009 till they left office! It is an insult on our collective intelligence for any hack writer to just say anything because he wants to bite the finger that fed him! Can he tell Nigerians if during his tenure as SSA, Ohakim ever awarded any contract without due process and paid 100 per cent upfront? Surely, that is how billions are squandered. Did Ohakim ever convert any asset of the state to personal use? Is that drivel he wrote his way of avoiding the fact that his paymaster, Okorocha, and his accomplices have been caught pants down? Or is it better that his sponsor does the looting? What an ostrich! Peter-Claver simply disgraced himself by regurgitating Okorocha’s shallow mantra of 305 model schools and 27 brand new General Hospitals in the 27 local governments in the state. First, Peter-Claver is from Mbaise. Let him take journalists to Mbaise and show them just one model school in his own ward and one brand new General Hospital in Mbaise. Let me ask as a matter of interest; does it make sense to anyone that Okorocha would sell off all the existing General Hospitals in the state, including Aboh Mbaise General Hospital, which required just more equipment, drugs and staff,

wing of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, daily. Most of them are owned by state governors who can’t pay N18,500 minimum wage to their impoverished workers. Even the oil sheiks of the gulf kingdoms in the Middle East have moderated their excesses in the wake of the Arab Spring; maybe our profligate politicians are waiting for our spring to happen before they spread the dividends of our hard earned democracy. Third, before subsidy is removed finally, the Petroleum Industry Bill PIB, now before the National Assembly, must be passed after the controversies surrounding it are fully resolved through enlightened debate and through legislative scrutiny. As well as being very comprehensive in its overview of the oil sector reforms, it would instill discipline in the industry. Finally, the federal government should fix the refineries, willy-nilly. These facilities must be holding the record as the most repaired in the world, and yet still not functional. It is not true that only the private sector could run public utilities profitably and efficiently. About 70 percent of China’s heavy industries are joint ventures between government and private investors. We must not forget that our refineries were built by government and they ran well for many years before corruption set in and destroyed them, so that the petrol importation cabal could corner this lucrative business and hold us to ransom as has happened today. Mr. Jonathan should ponder these points and address them before he finally carries out his pledge to end the subsidy regime. Otherwise, notwithstanding the merit or imperatives of fuel subsidy removal, he may open a Pandora’s Box once again. Rev. Chris Okotie, Pastor/Politician, wrote from Lagos.

only to embark on building 27 new ones? If that makes economic sense to our social crusader, Peter-Claver Oparah, can he also tell the world what happened to the 27 ambulances and 27 30KVA soundproof generators Ohakim provided the 27 Primary Health Centres in the state before he left office? It is futile to engage the young man over his warped concept of development and leadership. If he wants to live in a fool’s paradise by believing that the white elephant projects Okorocha concentrated around Concorde Avenue amount to development and leadership, he is welcome to his delusion. But he should not insult people by trying to enlist them into his betrayal of his former boss, Ikedi Ohakim. The recent confession by “citizen” now “Mr” Samuelson Iwuoha, Special Adviser to Imo Speaker, and the ranting of Peter-Claver Oparah reveal how a group of hack writers were recruited, quartered in hotels in Owerri and Abuja and well financed to churn out orchestrated smear campaigns against Ohakim. The activities of these young men who would do anything for money are not even the worrying part. What worries me is that they have an audience that swallowed the nonsense and still regurgitates them today. Maximus Uba, before he died, and Prof Uzorma Protus saw the light and the futility of their enterprise, recanted and made peace with Ohakim. At least, for his services, Samuelson Iwuoha, the self-confessed “leader” of the hack writers, has been well rewarded with the post of Special Adviser on Media to the Speaker of Imo House. Peter-Claver seems to be left out and is trying hard to get Okorocha’s attention. In fairness to him, he is not like other appointees of Ohakim who turned coat after he left office. Peter-Claver was undermining Ohakim, even when he was embedded inside the bowels of the Government House, Owerri, as his SSA, draining the blood out of Ohakim’s reputation like the chinchi that he is. For such dirty assignments, I plead with Rochas Okorocha to please give Peter-Claver Oparah a job. It appears he misses his “bootysharing” days in the Government House and has done enough back-stabbing to deserve a job in Okorocha’s Government House! Emenike Nsu Emenike, a politician/businessman lives in Owerri.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

18 |

LOVE&LIFE Help! I’m Dating The Father Of My Daughter’s Boyfriend!’ Dear Love Doctor, Y daughter is 15. Her boyfriend is 14. They started dating in September. I met his dad in October and we began dating secretly. We both are divorced and have an agreement with our kids that no one is to be introduced to the kids unless it is serious. We are now at a point where a decision has to be made. Do we continue to date or for sake of the kids, stop dating? We both really like each other and enjoy each other’s company. Neither of us had dated anyone in which we clicked this well. What should we do? Neither of us likes sneaking all round or lying to our kids. Kids are on to us and we have both denied dating the other. Help!

Romantic Jokes Alphabetical Description! After 15 years of marriage a wife asked her husband to describe her. He looked at her slowly and then said: “A-B-C-D-E-F-G- H-I-J-K”. “What does that mean?” she asked. “Adorable, Beautiful, Cute, Delightful, Elegant, Fashionable, Gorgeous, and Hot” he replied. She smiled happily and then asked, “What about I-J-K ?” He replied, “I’m Just Kidding!”

Love Connection CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 Ndubuisi, 38, fair, 5.8ft, from Imo, businessman in Lagos, needs a lady of 27-34 years for marriage. 08140652557. Prince Kennedy, 31, 6ft, from Imo, in Lagos, needs a responsible woman of 25-35 years with a good job that is ready to settle down. 08069162932. Kunmi, 29, structural engineer, wants a sugar mummy in Abuja or Lagos. 08176088985. Jude, 27, wants a rich girl for marriage. 07061252367. Emmanuel, 30, in Lagos, needs a sugar mummy or mature man. 07030349965. Michael, tall, educated, business guy, needs a pretty, intelligent, working lady of 33-40 years for marriage. 08132310960. Paul wants a mature woman of 35 years+ for a relationship. 08032414790. Joe, in Uyo, needs a responsible lady for marriage. 08148748642. Chinagorom, 26, from Abia, in Onitsha, wants a sugar mummy who can take care of him. 08134127697. Okeynna, 37, from Abia, businessman in Lagos, needs a lady of 27-36 years for marriage. 08103963622. Obi, from Anambra, tall, fair, needs a lady of 18-32 years with a very large bust, in Anambra, for marriage. 08066671433. Kelvin, 25, needs a sugar mummy in Abuja, Lagos or Calabar. 08065492203. Mena, dark, 6ft, in Lagos, needs a workingwoman in Lagos for a romantic affair. 08023489642, 08098489642. Emeka, in Lagos, needs a caring, educated working lady of 35 years in Lagos for a good relationship. 08071484500. Jerry, 32, graduate, in Lagos, needs a caring sugar mummy of 32-45 years for a satisfying love affair. 08037245051, 08099351204. Paul, 26, Edo, needs a sugar mummy. 08109607310. * Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hookup. *If you have announcements to make: Call Mike-07031028714 or Simon-07032944123. *SCAM ALERT: Beware of scammers! Please do not respond to any strange numbers besides the official number 07031028714 above for link up or to publish your request. Be warned!

Advice: Although this may feel a bit awkward, it’s not insurmountable. To me, it shows that this man raised a good son. You and your daughter both see something in this family that is appealing. I’m impressed that you and your friend have waited to make sure you are serious before involving the kids. This is wise, regardless of your current situation. Now that you want to move it to the next level, by all means be straight with the kids. You kept it from them for good reason and you can tell them so. Having decided to continue, you certainly don’t want to be role-modeling that sneaky behav-

True Confession ior is okay. One caution: Be sure to caution the kids that because you and your boyfriend are moving forward, it doesn’t mean that they are locked into their relationship with each other. They are very young. Chances are they are going to change as they grow. It’s highly unlikely that they will end up together. Indeed, I hope they will go through a number of relationships before they settle on their forever person. One thing to talk about is how they can enjoy each other’s company now without creating a situation that would

become very uncomfortable for them if they were to eventually become stepsiblings. Conversations about the advisability of waiting for sex are definitely in order. Forbidding it would probably go in one ear and out the other. But, please, 14 and 15 is really too young to get sexually involved. I suggest each parent have a frank conversation with your own child to talk clearly about the implications of being sexual at this point in their relationship. Remind them that the rules are different for people who are in their 40s. Urge them to wait at least a couple of years, both to give themselves time to mature a bit more and to see how the current situa-

tion sorts itself out. Your say: Do you have advice on this problem? Please share your thoughts. Call 07031028714 or 08131161840. *Send your comments/stories to Love Doctor. E-mail: ireto007@yahoo.com If you’re in a crisis, call 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641. For free marriage/relationships counseling, call Love Doctor Mike 07031028714, 08023700641 or Chris 08023913619. Visit www.romancestory.org *Buy GSM Database of 79 million and E-mail database of one million for adverts, campaign and others. Visit: www.eeetonline.blogspot.com

TRUE CONFESSION FROM ABROAD

‘I Sedated My Mother-in-Law’ Y husband James and I have been M married for nigh on a decade. My Mother-in-Law, Jasmine has had it in for me from day one and her feelings have barely softened in almost a decade. She made it pretty clear not long after meeting me for the first time that I wasn’t good enough for James, stating to her son that I was the kind of ‘pretty girl’ who was just after money. James laughingly said that I would have to ‘win her over’ and I initially tried to take this with good humor. I come from fairly humble beginnings but I have worked hard all my life and I now make a good living in the executive end of the cosmetics industry. My successes have never cut it with Jasmine, however. James’ family are all legal professionals in some form or other and they have amassed a formidable empire. I love James because he is kind, strong and generally doesn’t behave like someone with a small fortune to his name. James’ father is one of those men who has been gradually beaten into submission by his dragon-lady of a wife and therefore says very little in my defense or otherwise. One of Jasmine’s favorite pass-times is ‘popping in’ unannounced. She often brings with her little things that she says I ‘might have overlooked buying’; things like - you know - soap! She will often send a house cleaner through at her own expense to ‘pick up the slack’ (yes this an actual quote) and she often wears the expression of someone who has just stepped in ‘doggy doo-doo’ when she walks into our house - and thanks to James’ income our house is very respectable indeed. She treats me like I’m very stupid and - get this - brings dinner for her little boy at least three times a week. I heard her say (whilst eavesdropping on a phone conversation one night) that I ‘couldn’t cook to save myself’ and at that point I fumed. The worst thing about her making dinner for James is that two out of three times, she stays to eat with us. In the past, whilst we were all having diner, she would take the opportunity to reminisce with her boy about ‘the good times’ i.e.: the period before I entered the scene. She would list all the relatives she could think of, laughing about all the funny and witty things they would say and then use these examples as a way of denigrating me. For example ‘Uncle Jo Jo was such a card, he would always have a hilarious response for any insult anyone could throw at him maybe you should write some of these down Harriet (this is not my name but a ‘pet name’ Jasmine had given me). It couldn’t hurt to sound sharp once in a while.’ I had become so tired of being put down. James would always stick up for mummy whenever I aired my feelings so of course I felt utterly alone. I didn’t want to confront Jasmine as a) she is a very domineering character and I’m a wallflower and b) James has always been protective of his mother and it would almost certainly cause a rift between us. My parents were miles away across

the other side of the country so although they tried to empathise with me, it just wasn’t the same as having someone there with me, someone to be on my side. One Friday night, dreading the promised appearance of Queen Jasmine, I sort of snapped. It had been a dreadful day at work and I just had nothing left in the tank. My doctor had prescribed me some sedatives a year or so ago when I had told him of my feelings for my home situation. I was fearful of sinking into a depression and he prescribed some anti-anxiety medication. I was sort of in a haze and I found myself setting the table and pouring the wine that I knew Jasmine would spend the evening complaining about. I crushed a sedative (okay maybe a couple) up between two teaspoons and gently tipping the powder into Jasmine’s wine glass. James was in the bathroom shaving for the second time that day (Mummy likes her boy to look clean) and so I had some time. I poured the wine into the glass (I selected red to be safe) and stirred the hell out of it. There were still some floaty bits in it (this I can tell you is nothing like it is in the movies) and so I ran it from one glass into another through a tea strainer. Success! The wine looked quite innocent and I couldn’t wait until the deed was done. It wasn’t until Jasmine arrived that I

‘I’d better call a Doctor’ James said almost in tears. My heart was in my mouth. While James was cooing over her I had a sudden moment of clarity. I called out that I would grab a cloth from the bathroom for her face. I quickly bolted to the wet bar and poured out about three quarters of a bottle of scotch into the bathroom sink. I poured a tiny bit into a tumbler also and when I returned to the kitchen with said washcloth and also the ‘evidence’ I had staged. I slammed the scotch bottle and tumbler down in front of James and quickly began wiping Jasmines’ face, saying nothing all the while. ‘Oh Jeez’, exclaimed James in a weary sort of way. Jasmine had been known to overdo it now and again with the booze and this all just fit together as another one of those occasions. We lay Jasmine down on the daybed and went back into the kitchen. ‘We really should keep this low-key’, I said to James. ‘We don’t want to embarrass your poor Mum’, I added. ‘You’re right’, James said after some thought. ‘Thank you for being so good about this - it’s not the kind of thing I ever wanted you to see and I know Mum’s hard to get on with sometimes’. This was the understatement of the century but I took it. I felt pretty bad seeing as how James thought I was being so very understanding. We kept an eye on Jasmine that night and the old girl only woke the next day at 2pm when James’s father came to pick her up looking quite hard done by. She was very sheepish and her memory was scratchy so she believed James when he said she had ‘taken liberties’ with the scotch bottle. I almost felt bad for her when she kissed me on the cheek and whispered that she was ‘so ashamed’. She didn’t bring dinner over for several months after that and when she did finally, she rarely stayed. I have never told James about what I did that night and I have never repeated it, although I have to say I have been very, very tempted on occasion.

started feeling nervous. She breezed in kissing her hellos and I secretly wondered whether she had an allergy to this kind of medication. What if she died? I couldn’t go to prison I just couldn’t! I couldn’t kill James’ Mother no matter how much I disliked her. I decided to abandon the plan when before I could even make it to the kitchen, Jasmine floated in, grabbed the glass and downed it in one fluid motion. “Oh mercy did I need that!” she blurted with the usual air of drama. “A bit young though Harriet, I like it aged way more than that”, she added. Blow it all, I was then glad that I had gone through with my scheme. We were about halfway through Jasmine’s hand-made crab ravioli when she started to nod. It looked like she was just sleepy at first. James asked whether she was okay and when Jasmine answered she sounded a little drunk. James shot me a private glance and I made the ‘drinky drinky’ motion with my hand. James made a face that indicated he understood and agreed. Jasmine nodded again and again and then - to my delight and mild horror her face fell smack down into her ravioli. There was a wet thud and I panicked. Was she still alive? James dived to her aid and felt her Names have been changed. pulse. She was okay. Picture posed by models.

Alzheimer’s Syndrome Has Made My Lovely Husband So Violent CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17 bewilderment. When I asked him to take the suitcases upstairs he couldn’t remember where our bedroom was. He might as well have walked into the home of a total stranger. He had no clue where anything was - the kettle, the TV, the telephone. Strangely he didn’t seem upset or agitated - I’ve since learnt that a lack of concern can also be a symptom of Alzheimer’s. I tried to put it down to the long drive, but John has always been so practical and competent, I knew something was terribly wrong. That week I made an appointment to see our doctor. When we explained what had happened, she arranged for a private appointment with a neurologist. John was given a brain scan. It confirmed that he was in the early stages of Alzheimer’s. Of course, we had both heard of Alzheimer’s, though neither of us had direct experience of anyone with the condition. Forgetful and worse But we didn’t take in the enormity of the diagnosis. How could we when, at that stage, John still seemed so well. Our

children were equally pragmatic. To them, Alzheimer’s was just a name. We had no inkling how it was going to eat away at the very soul of the man we loved. John was offered the drug Aricept. This boosts levels of a brain chemical called acetylcholine. We were told that this would temporarily improve or stabilise the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. And for four years, that’s exactly what happened. Life went on virtually as normal. John carried on doing all the things he enjoyed playing golf, socialising and pottering around the house. When we took our annual three-month holiday in France, John still did all the driving. But he was forgetful and it got worse. For example, he would tell the same stories repeatedly, but he remembered all the basic tasks such as how to get dressed or brush his teeth. John lost all interest in sex, although he would still give me a hug and tell me he loved me. Then, in August 2003, my oldest son, Jonathan, was killed CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

| 19

LOVE&LIFE

ROMANTIC PLACES & PEOPLE, FLIGHTS & CRUISES ... hotels, airlines, ships, restaurants, clubs, resorts, beaches & more.

Nok Culture: World’s Amazing Past Civilization HE Nok Culture civilization was discovered in T 1928. The first discoveries was accidentally unearthed at a level of 24 feet in an alluvial tin mine in the vicinity of the village of Nok in Jaba Local Council in the southern part of Kaduna State, near the Jos Plateau Region. As a result of natural erosion and deposition, Nok terracottas were scattered at various depths throughout the Sahel grasslands, causing difficulty in the dating and classification of the mysterious artifacts. Luckily, two archaeological sites, Samun Dukiya and Taruga, were found containing Nok art that had remained unmoved. Radiocarbon and thermoluminescence tests narrowed the sculptures’ age down to between 2000 and 2500 years ago, making them some of the oldest in West Africa. Because of the similarities between the two sites, archaeologist Graham Connah believes that “Nok artwork represents a style that was adopted by a range of iron-using farming societies of varying cultures, disputing the claim of solely being the diagnostic feature of Nok people.It is however a statement of fact that ,the Nok Terracotta fugurines earned it’s name due to the Nok civilization that inhabited the area from around 500 BC in the village of Nok in Jaba Local Government in the southern part of Kaduna State. The Nok culture was considered to be the earliest sub-Saharan producer of life-sized Terracotta. The refinement of this culture is attested to by the image of a Nok dignitary figurine. Most parts of the terracotta is preserved in the form of scattered fragments. That is why Nok art is well known today only for the heads, both male and female, whose hairstyles are particularly detailed and refined. The statues are in fragments because the discoveries are usually made from alluvial mud, in terrain made by the erosion of water. The terracotta statues found there are hidden, rolled, polished, and broken. Rarely are works of great size conserved intact making them highly valued on the international art market. The terracotta figures are hollow, coil built, nearly life sized human heads and bodies that are depicted with highly stylized features,

abundant jewellery, and varied postures. Lt-Colonel John Dent-Young, an Englishman, was leading mining operations in the Nigerian village of Nok. During these operations, one of the miners found a small terracotta of a monkey head. Other finds included

Alzheimer’s Syndrome Has Made My Lovely Husband So Violent CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 in a motorbike accident while holidaying with his girlfriend in Spain. A lawyer, he was just 41. I went into deep shock. John tried his best to be supportive and understanding, accompanying me to the funeral and letting me cry endless tears. But he was now incapable of empathising. Sometimes he would ask why I was so upset, as though he had forgotten Jonathan was dead. Alzheimer’s was transforming my loving husband into a selfish child. This was just the beginning. During our usual three months winter holiday in France, John had become increasingly forgetful, although he had remained docile and sweet natured—following me on and off ski lifts like a little child. But back home, in March 2006, his mood changed. One evening I was trying to persuade John to sit down and eat his supper. Suddenly he lost his temper and lashed out at me. I buckled in shock. It was totally out of the blue and so completely out of character. Afterwards, he seemed bewildered to see me crying and with a huge bruise on my cheek. His face crumpled when I told him what he’d done, but he wasn’t really sorry. How could he be when he’d forgotten already? Soon he began attacking me for no provocation at all. John is 5ft 11 and a stocky 12 stone. I was frightened of him. I tried to be patient with him and do nothing to antagonize him, but the stress was terrible. On several occasions, I was so scared that I had to dial 999. The police would arrive to find John sitting in his armchair. Completely unconcerned that two policemen had walked into his house, he would have no memory whatsoever of hitting me. Out of control Although I realised that Alzheimer’s was now progressing very rapidly, I desperately wanted to keep John at home with me. Ill as he was, I couldn’t bear the thought of being parted from him. But then one night in December 2006, we were lying in bed when John started opening and shutting the drawer of the bedside cabinet. When I asked him to stop, he snapped. He smashed his hand into my face and then viciously grabbed the bed clothes off me. I thought he was going to strangle me. I ran into the spare bedroom, scared for my life. A few minutes later, John stumbled through the door. ‘What are you doing in here?’ he asked. He had absolutely no recollection of attacking me. He couldn’t understand why I was crying or cringing in fear. I realised we couldn’t live like this any more. John was so out of control he might actually kill me. The children knew how ill their father was and were worried for me. So were social workers. They made emergency arrange-

ments for John to be admitted to a private care home. However, John had only been there a few hours when he attacked a member of staff. He then escaped and ran into a neighbour’s garden. When the woman confronted him, John hit her too. After that, the home refused to keep him. Instead, John was transferred to a private hospital in Sandhurst about 20 miles from our home. Harts Leap specialises in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with enduring mental illness such as Alzheimer’s. Its elderly patients, like John, all have complex mental needs or suffer from forms of dementia.

In 1932, a group of 11 statues in perfect condition were discovered near the city of Sokoto. Since that time, statues coming from the city of Kastina were brought to light. Although there are similarities to the classical Nok style, the connection between them is not clear yet. Later still, in 1943, near the village of Nok, in the central part of Nigeria, a new series of clay figurines were discovered by accident during the tin mining activities. A worker had found a head and had taken it back to his home for use as a scarecrow a role that it filled (successfully) for a year in a yam field. It then drew the attention of the director of the mine who bought it. He brought it to the city of Jos and showed it to the trainee civil administrator, Bernard Fagg, an Archaeologist who immediately understood its importance. He asked all of the miners to inform him of all of their discoveries and was able to amass more than 150 pieces. Afterwards, Bernard and Angela Fagg ordered systematic excavations that revealed many more profitable lucky findings dispersed over a vast area, much larger than the original site. In 1977, the number of terra cotta objects discovered in the course of the mining excavation amounted to 153 units, mostly from secondary deposits (the statuettes had been carted by floods near the valleys) situated in dried-up riverbeds in savanahs in Northern and Central Nigeria (the Southwestern portion of the Jos Plateau). Later, new discoveries had been found in an increasingly larger area, including the Middle Niger Valley and the Lower Benue Valley. Hugely historical, archeologists have found human skeletons, stone tools and rock paintings around this area, not to mention the main act. The inhabitants of what is now called Nok Village, were known to make some of the oldest and culturally intriguing sculptures found in Africa. This led to discoveries that the ancient culture of Nok has been around for some 2500 years. An excursion and tourism to the Nok village will intrigue your senses and you will be delighted to rediscover an amazing group of people culturally and socially. Nok artifacts include ancient sculptures made from wood, metal and finely fired clay or terra cotta. Art historians say Nok terra cotta is the earliest known sizable sculpture a terracotta human head and a foot. The colonel, at a later date, had these artifacts placed ever produced in Africa. Archaeologists agree “Nok culture made the tranin a museum in Jos. sition to the Iron Age,” and that the traditional occupation of the ancient Nok was subsistence farming and animal husbandry. Nok village is a great place to take your family and be able to learn together about our world’s amazing past civilization. Courtesy: nokculture.com Photo: www.anambra-state.blogspot.com *Are you an upcoming model, artiste or actor/actress? Call Mike via 07031028714, 07032944123, 08023700641. *If you want to advertize or sponsor Love & Life call 07031028714, 07032944123.

Lovers’ Answers Game The rule: Ask the opposite sex one question about love, and choose your lover from the top 3 answers. Chynwa, 18, in Awka, on 07032551137, is asking all men: How do you know that a guy loves you? *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

Delta Finally Reveals: ‘Why I Love Seal’ Voice coach can’t contain her affection TtoHEforcome, Seal any longer, and with live shows there’ll be even less room to hide.

Love News

With pet names, public kisses, wedding jokes and red-hot chemistry, Delta Goodrem is falling even more in love with Seal before our very eyes. Now a close source in Delta’s camp has confirmed toWoman’s Day the couple are “definitely” on, saying she was left with no doubts after hearing the couple speak on the phone when they spent a week together in LA recently. “When Seal called she couldn’t wipe the smile off her face. She ended the call with a ‘Love you’,” reports the insider. When they stepped out together last month for the launch of the US version ofThe Voice, backstage staff were shocked by the chemistry between the two stars, with one saying, “It was an absolute flirt-fest.” Fans can only be excited for unlucky-inlove Delta, 28, with the singer and actress appearing happier and more confident than ever. And as much as she cherishes her privacy, she wears her heart on her sleeve when it comes to the handsome star, declaring last week: “I love it when Seal kisses me!” In a recent interview, Delta said she and Seal had a “connection”. “There’s a real love there. He is the first person, when things go down, to protect [you]. He always

steps up when you need him.” While Delta still denies the relationship, their body language continues to scream “romance” to millions of viewers. The beautiful singer positively glows when she gazes at Seal, 50, and looked blissfully happy last week as she jumped on his lap and cuddled the superstar, who she repeatedly declares she

“loves”. Viewers flooded Twitter with their suspicions. “The sexual tension between Delta and Seal, my goodness,” writes one fan. “Can Delta and Seal stop the PDA [public displays of affection]?” comments another. Courtesy: ninemsn.co.uk *If you want to advertize or sponsor Love & Life call 07031028714, 08023700641, 07032944123.

TheGuardian

Saturday, April 27, 2013 17

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Love&Life

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Chisom ... Celebrating The Feelings You Share!

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With Michael Uchebuaku

Love Connection

IN THIS EDITION

Special Requests Ade, 48, from Oyo, in Lagos, wants a responsible, fat, working, Yoruba woman of 30-40 years. 08059036757.

True Confession:

‘I’m Dating The Father Of My Daughter’s Boyfriend!’

Professionals: Ehi, 35, an Accountant, HIV-Positive, wants a graduate, working, HIV-Positive man of 37-43 years for marriage. 08128749630. *If you’re a single & searching nurse, doctor /professional, call/text 07031028714. Blackberry Pin(g) Connect: Exclusive Dating & Marriage Forum For The Smartphone Community. Melchizedek, 33, self-employed, needs a supportive and gainfully employed woman of 26 years+ for a relationship that can lead to marriage. BB PIN 2901F3DE. Smith, 24, fair, in Lagos, needs a workingwoman of 35-42 years for a romantic affair. 08105326305. BB PIN 226826E6. Oluwatobi, female, 27, graduate, from Ondo, needs a responsible, working man for a serious relationship. 08143949051. BB PIN 23884562. *Connect to Mike on WhatsApp or BlackBerry Pin: 21978F71 for details on how to send your BlackBerry or Smartphone Connect request.

Love Adventure: ‘Alzheimer’s Syndrome Has Made My Lovely Husband So Violent That I Can’t Look After Him’

Women Looking For Relationship/Marriage

Nok Culture: World’s Amazing Past Civilization! Romantic Jokes Link-Up (Love/Dating Connections)

True Confession From Abroad: ‘I Sedated My Mother-In- Law!’

Micaela Reis,

Love News

Miss World 1st Runner-up for 2007

Delta Finally Reveals: ‘Why I Love Seal’

If you want to be our next Princess of Love, e-mail or forward your photos/data to ireto007@yahoo.com. Call: 07031028714, 07032944123.

Angolan girl,

Princess Of

Love

Blessing, 38, from Anambra, tall, slim, pretty, needs a dark, slim, Genotype AA, responsible man of 40 years+ for marriage. 08164325554. Augusta, 33, tall, graduate, needs a well educated, working or businessman from Anambra or Enugu for marriage. 07080991716. Tolu, 33, nice, humble and principled, needs a gentle, mature man of 40-52years for a serious relationship. 08037435805. Lawrencia, 28, a student, in Nassarawa, needs a man of 35-45 years for friendship. 08175225886. Chichi, 24, chocolate, needs a caring and responsible man of 35 years+. 08036236683. Ayo, 29, gentle, sexy, needs a reliable and sexually active man of 30-45 years for a lasting relationship. 08066642286. Tessy, 21, tall, slim, sexy, needs a sugar daddy. 08145677845. Chidinma, 25, student, dark, plump, from Anambra, in Owerri, needs a mature man. 08188670583. Matilda, 22, slim, chocolate, from Abia, needs someone to support her. 08105635509. Michelle, 23, from Rivers, wants a sugar daddy. 08099569461. Morayo, 35, tall, plump, busty, in Lagos, needs a mature man of 45-60 years. 08182097850.

Men Looking For Relationship/Marriage

Onyeka, 38, from Imo, businessman in Lagos, fair, needs a lady of 28-36 years for marriage. 07033467234. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

‘Alzheimer’s Syndrome Has Made My Lovely Husband So Violent I Can’t Look After Him!’ ugby legend John Williams was one of the fittest was always a great treat. law giving doctors the authority to hold and R and most skilful players of his generation, but We had a very old-fashioned marriage. I ran Love Adventure treat a patient. eight years ago, at the age of 68, he was diagnosed the house and looked after the children—I don’t with Alzheimer’s. Last week, the Mail launched the Action On Alzheimer’s appeal to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society. Here, in a moving interview, John’s wife Mary talks about the terrible impact the disease has had on their lives. Mary, 70, who lives in Woking, Surrey, has three children from her first marriage and two children with John—James, 38, and Kate, 35. Our son James went to visit his father a few weeks ago. When he told me what had happened, I thought my heart would break. James had taken his father for a walk in the grounds— something he does regularly. But this time, James produced a rugby ball. Gently, he passed the ball to his father. And, to his amazement, John passed the ball back. Together father and son jogged around the garden for 20 minutes, passing the rugby ball back and forth. The smile on my husband’s face was, apparently, a joy to behold. Alzheimer’s has robbed my husband of so much—his memory, his dignity, his independence, the very core of his character. But one thing remains, buried deep in his psyche where the evil grip of this cruel disease is yet to reach, and that’s his love of rugby. John (Johnny) Williams played for Middlesex and England. A scrum half, he was one of the finest rugby players of the Fifties and Sixties, representing his country on several occasions— most famously on a tour of South Africa with the British Lions in 1955.

It’s almost impossible to equate the ruggedly handsome, energetic sporting hero I fell in love with and the broken man who cannot even remember his own name. While it’s wonderful to know that for those few fleeting moments John was happy, I find it unbearably painful to think of all my husband has lost. Most of all, I am terrified for the future. This kind, generous and good man is now held for his own safety in the secure unit of a hospital specializing in patients with mental illnesses. And although my husband is suffering from a disease of the brain, we have to pay for his hospital bills to the tune of £4,000 a month. Now John’s savings of £100,000, money he had worked hard to accrue over a lifetime, are almost gone. Just £3,500 remains in his bank account. I lie awake at night terrified about what will happen when the money runs out. I need John’s pension to live on. If the authorities insist on taking half to meet his hospital bills, as they say they are entitled to, I will have to leave our family home. The alternative is for John to come home. But my husband, who is now 76, is incontinent and unable to feed or wash himself. The dementia has made him so aggressive towards me and others that for months he was detained under Section 3 of the Mental Health Act, an extreme

My only comfort is that John is so ill he has no idea about any of this. John and I met at a dinner party in Wales. The attraction was instant. John was handsome, fun and charismatic. Everyone at the table that evening noticed the chemistry, not least of all my poor husband. I’d married young and when John and I met, I already had three sons. But, guilty as I felt, I was powerless to resist him. My marriage collapsed and John and I wed in March, 1969. We honeymooned in Austria where John, a keen skier, taught me how to ski. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier. By then John, who at 37 was six years older than me, had retired from rugby and was working as a sales manager with a steel company, based in Cheshire. He was a loving, devoted stepfather and was thrilled when our own children were born: James in 1970 and Kate three years later. When Kate started school I got a job as a sales rep for Club Med. It meant we could all enjoy wonderful holidays on the Mediterranean. By then, we had moved to West Byfleet, Surrey, as John’s job had taken him down south. John kept in great shape. Tall and slim, he drank and ate in moderation and prided himself on keeping fit—playing golf and squash several times a week. He was thrilled to be able to teach James to play rugby and the game remained a big part of our lives. He watched every match on TV and we were invited to internationals, which

think John ever bought a birthday present in his life. I even chose and bought the clothes he wore. So, it was a massive shock when, in 1998, aged 60, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had to have a double mastectomy. As I recuperated at home, John, who was never one to wear his heart on his sleeve, could not have been more loving or supportive. He never once made me feel less feminine or attractive and told me constantly that he’d love me whatever I looked like. I felt so blessed. My illness was a huge jolt. It convinced us to live for the day. We moved into a smaller, more manageable, home in Woking, Surrey. John had recently retired and we started taking long holidays, often for month at a time. We adored skiing so every winter we rented a chalet in France. We enjoy Wales where we’d hold open house for children and our 10 grandchildren. Cancer had taught us to count our blessings, but honestly, I didn’t realise just how l lucky I was nor what lurked around the corner. Many people say that the symptoms of Alzheimer’s appear gradually, but with John, the onset was dramatic. It was Christmas 2000 and we had just returned home from a blissful few months skiing in France. When we walked in the front door, John looked around in CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

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TRUE CONFESSION FROM ABROAD

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

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LOVE&LIFE

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

RELATIONSHIP

Envy As A Positive Force By Alita Joseph HEN my co-worker told me that she wanted me to work in the same office as herself, I was distrustful. And when she explained, ‘so that there would be two of us’, I saw an ulterior motive,” Nkechi (not real name) confessed to me. She continued: “I looked at Lisa properly: this close encounter gave me the chance to see her clearly; not the usual stolen look, so I stared. “Lisa whom every girl in the company desires to look like. I took in the expensive suit, the shoes and bag that complement her dressing always. No matter the tales (never proved) about office affairs, we know that Lisa is very intelligent, ambitious and dedicated. We are aware that is the reason she is the only female worker in her department. I shrunk a size when she sashayed away in her cute dressing leaving me frowning. “With humility, I admit that I could not be called a fabulous dresser. It is not that I do not try, but it never comes up to Lisa’s standard. Yes, she is a yardstick. Another thing is that I would not want to blow my salary on a wardrobe because I have other expenses. But most of all, we know that Lisa, who is several scales above the other middle level executives, has a rich husband; a fact that makes all the girls envious. I am the most hit and virtually go into fits when she passes by. That is why I take every opportunity to attack her verbally; it’s all because of her good fortunes. “Now, she was inviting me and giving me the chance to prove that I am brilliant too. I felt flattered initially, but when the implication of her request dawned on me, I was afraid that my jeal-

“W

ousy would mess things up. “However, having worked with Lisa for almost one year now, I can’t believe the positive changes that have come on me. I have become more confident. I walk with a new jauntiness in my step. But what makes me most happy is that the “higher ups” are noticing me to the envy of my old crowd. I even feel annoyed that I ever had anything in common with those girls and I am surprised that a woman can get fulfilment working with another woman.” What a confession! What a lesson! Many of us think that we have become criminals when we feel envious of our friends. However, it could be a positive emotion which helps us to succeed. It encourages competition and success because some people do not know what they want until they see it in the possession of another. Some do not know that they can perform a feat until they see someone succeed in doing it. When you feel envious of your friend, it does not mean that you want to occupy the very chair or position he sits in at the moment or that you want to take over her perfect matrimony. When your eyes pop with envy when you behold how her husband goes to Iddo Market to do bulk-shopping for her on Saturdays, it does not mean that you want to wreak havoc on her good relationship. Display, throw tantrums around your significant other to show him that you feel envious and demand change in his contribution to work around the house. Envy can help you to succeed because you feel challenged and work hard to obtain that object. But you must know the difference between jealousy and envy. When you feel envious, you are admiring and you want to get something similar or even better. But jealousy makes you feel entitled

to what does not belong to you by right. You feel bitter when good things happen to your neighbour and complain that it should have come to you. Make most of your envious feeling: Look Inwards When your friends succeed, look at how you can do it. Don’t waste time castigating her or wondering how

she could have done so much in a short time. Is It Worth It? People compete over unimportant things. When people are desperate to buy the latest lace - Ankara combo. Think of the long-term satisfaction. You may prefer to improve on your taste. Changing your wardrobe when you can’t af-

ford because Sukanmi in Accounts has become the talk-of-the-moment may prove harmful. Don’t Destroy Others If you try to pull down that person you envy because you think the road to success would be smoother, you would not be happy. Think of your own thing which may turn out to be far better than what your friend has.

Boost Your Chances Of Meeting Better Men

By Kemi Amushan OMETIMES, I sit back and think on how to improve my love life and believe me, thinking about that does get tiring. I start thinking to myself: I Want to start meeting better men. And to start doing that, I must know what these “better

men” want in a woman! We need to learn all about how to catch a great guy’s attention. Now think back on the men you dated in the past. Did you meet quite a few losers or idiots? Or commitment-phobic men or unmotivated, mediocre assholes? Today’s discourse is all about attracting

better men into your life. Or if you’re married, the secrets I’ll share with you today will give your relationship with your man a breath of fresh air! Granted, improving your love life -- whether you’re single or married is a process that involves several steps. But it all starts with the one step. Let me start with a little fact about love and dating. Like Attracts Like When it comes to love, “like attracts like.” It means you attract men with around the same fashion sense as you, or the same income bracket as you, or the same confidence level as you. Some women may disagree I’m sure: some say opposites attract and they are attracted to men who are the exact opposite of who they are. Sure, opposites can attract. But I’ve simply observed that most good relationships are formed by couples who have more similarities than differences. Yes, couples with contrasting personalities can work out, too. But “like” couples significantly outnumber (and outlast) “opposite” couples. Hence my bold statement. Now, back to “like attracts like...” Here’s a tip: One of the easiest ways to “upgrade” the men you attract into your life is to simply upgrade your look. If you dress better, you’ll start attracting better-dressed men -- which is a good thing, because men who take care of the way they look tend to have the rest of their lives in order! Again, some of you might disagree and say “You can’t tell whether a guy is good at love just by the way he dresses!” Okay, let’s say you can’t be 100% sure about a man’s readiness to commit just by judging his appearance. But even then, who would you rather attract? a well-dressed man you’re not sure about, or a shoddily-dressed dude you’re not sure about? My point exactly. Now let’s move on to these quick tips on upgrading your “physical attraction profile. You Need To Smile More If you can’t afford to have your teeth whitened by a professional, then buy teeth whitening

strips. And practice your “celebrity smile” in the mirror every morning. It boosts your mood, too! Superstar Hair Take good care of your hair. Invest in good hair products, go to nice salons that know how to make hair very well and if your style looks dated, go for a new look. Cleavage Men love seeing a bit of cleavage – not because they’re horny, but because it takes a really confident woman to show some cleavage without worrying about it. To the right kinds of men, that confidence is sexier than your looks! If you don’t have the chest for it, that’s fine. Off-shoulder tops have nearly the same effect. Makeup Consult your stylist or a friend that knows a lot about fashion for makeup tips to make your *skin tone look more even, *lips look kissable, and your *eyes and eyebrows look perfect. The Size Of Your Handbag I bet you didn’t know the size of your handbag could make you more or less attractive! As tempting as it is to carry around the biggest, flashiest handbag (or shoulder bag), it’s actually a bad thing. Why? Because the smarter men out there see it as a sign that you’re high-maintenance -even if you’re not. So use a bag that’s appropriate for the occasion; but if you can afford it, not one size bigger than you need. Simple…That’s it! These tips will instantly make your self more attractive to men. They don’t cost you a lot of time or money, but they play to something good men want and admire -- a woman who can take care of herself. These tips will be enough to help you weed out the losers, the idiots and the commitment-phobic ones from your dating circle and instantly make your love life more enjoyable and rewarding. Now that’s Awesome! To the relationship we all deserve, good luck in love and life, cheers.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

loVE & lIFE 21

WEEKEND with AMARA

08033832503 Email: amara@amarablessing.com

The Place Of Sex In Marriage Good morning Amara, I want to thank you for the good job you are doing. I love my wife, but the problem is that she is always dry each time I want to penetrate. What do you think should be done about this? Dear Amara, I am happy whenever I read your articles; you have kept me strong in my relationship. But I have a problem my dear Amara. My husband is not always interested in sex. To him, sex is just for baby making and he doesn’t have time because of his job, which I don’t believe. I am tired of him and I may go out any moment from now to satisfy myself because I am still young. Madam Amara, I am a married man with two kids. But my wife complains of pain after sex due to the size of my penis. Please tell me what to do, as I don’t like having her go through pain after sex. I decided to pick the three comments above to aid us in this article on the place of sex in marriage. lTHoUGH couples seeking marriage help frequently mention the lack of sex or good sex as a source of unhappiness, few people really understand the strong psychological effect frequent sex has in a marriage. It can be the antidote to the poisons in your relationship and one of the best ways you and your spouse can rekindle a level of intimacy that hearkens back to the beginning of your journey together. I want us to look at the problems mentioned above: vaginal dryness, extra large penis, and absence of sex due to time. Chronic vaginal dryness, which results from less-than-normal lubrication in your vagina, is usually caused by changes in your estrogens level. Your production of estrogens may drop while you’re breastfeeding, for example; some women experience vaginal dryness all the time they’re lactating, but the problem disappears once breastfeeding stops. And just before menopause, your estrogens level begins to decline, which can lead to vaginal dryness as well. Chronic vaginal dryness is different from the occasional dryness you may feel if you aren’t relaxed during sex or have intercourse before you’ve had enough time to become aroused. In such a case, you may not produce the lubrication that normally accompanies

Sexually compatible sexual arousal, and intercourse may feel uncomfortable. Dryness in young women is usually due to an inability to relax and ‘let go’. It’s only when you really throw yourself into sex that the vagina starts lubricating. Douching can result in vaginal dryness, and yeast and other common infections may irritate your vagina and cause a feeling of dryness, even though the vagina is actually well lubricated. Women who have had their ovaries surgically removed or have undergone pelvic irradiation for cancer may also experience vaginal dryness, which usually goes away on its own. What is expected of a husband whose wife experiences this dryness? I know you love her and because of that love, you should give her your time. Time here is not about you staying back home with her; I am talking about time in the bedroom. Give her time to get turned on and ready to take you in. Yes you want her badly and can’t wait to devour her, but sir, she needs more time! When we talk about foreplay, some guys think it’s just about you running your hands through her body for just five minutes and then pushing your way into her. The act of foreplay starts

IMAGE AND ETIQUETTE With Pamela

from the time you wake up in the morning till evening when you are ready for the actual thing. Hey; sex must not always be kept for the night; the quickie sometimes is a big turn on and stirs the love pot. If your office is somewhere close to the house, you can drop by and catch a quick one; that’s where the fun and excitement lies. But girl, you know your man won’t enjoy a quickie with you if your feminine body is not properly taken care of and kept the way it should be. If he stops by and all he gets is some odour oozing out of your vaginal, I am sorry, but wahala dey (there’s trouble). That your ex-girlfriend loved it when you sucked her nipples does not mean every woman gets turned on once their nipples are sucked. For you to get it right with foreplay, you must make the sacrifice of exploring your woman’s body and on your own, discover her G-spot; that makes you her hero in the bedroom. Calm down and try it out on different parts of her body and as you do this, bear in mind that she may not tell you when she is enjoying it except your communication life is intact. Some women enjoy it when you gently touch their clitoris, others enjoy it when you touch the back and tender part of their ears, while for others, the running of your mouth through their body down to their clit does it. Be careful not to be too hard on her as a result of your nerves that are all standing at that very point. Women love it when their man is tender in bed. Even a woman who has reached menopause will get wet and turned on when foreplay is given its right place. To a woman, foreplay is more important than the actual penetration. Talking about a very big penis, you will be surprised when you finally decide to engage in proper foreplay. The problem could be solved just by getting her ready for action. Get her wet and in a different world where she forgets everything about pain. Also learn to take it easy with her. Find out how she wants it. Some women want it fast and hard while others want it soft and tender. Another problem we have in marriage is that of lack of time and wrong understanding of sex. To a lot of married people, sex is just for procreation and nothing more. Sex is valued

08167089656 (SMS only). E-mail:regalgraces@yahoo.com

Filling out New Slates HE end of a year usually brings T with it a note of fi-

nality and the perception of a seemingly new slate in form of a new year. This springs up the frenzy of New Year resolutions that seldom get accomplished. Most of us wish for better futures, fewer witness those dreams come to pass. This article is dedicated to those of us who have written resolutions and failed at them but remain resolved to try again. Do not look down on every small beginning or fail to be grateful for your good fortune. However, small they might appear. Whatever misfortune you might have encountered, never forget the story could have been worse. Make a Road Map not a Wish list I remember how much fun it was to make New Year resolutions when I was much younger. It didn’t matter how many items made up the list. Most of all, it was fun daydreaming and imagining how fulfilling it would be eventually to tick each item off my list! As time passed by, the list became a symbol of my incapacity and defeat, the items, great mountains. Not because they were impossible to achieve but because of…well, many reasons! The most important though was that I failed to plan. Writing down your desires is not the same thing as planning their accomplishment. The difference should be clear; the former is a wish list and the latter a road map. Start With Your Most Ardent Desire There are so many things we hope for.

only when it’s time for the woman to carry another baby and dropped the moment she takes in. This is not God’s plan for marriage. Who is to blame for this damaging mistake in our homes? I think both partners are to blame. A good number of African women ignore their husband the moment they start making babies. I still wonder when I see young women live with the old-wives-tale which says that your children are your husband and this makes them ignore the man for the children. Sir, your job is not supposed to take you away from your family. You work hard to keep them comfortable; I am happy about that and she is grateful, but she needs you. Sex shouldn’t be for procreation alone; it’s also for enjoyment and a fulfilled life. Sex has a way of taking stress away from us. When you see a woman who is sexually fulfilled, she glows and smiles even often. In all practicality, the rigors of financial responsibilities and stresses that tend to hold your routines hostage means there is less time for intimacy unless you make it. Unfortunately when it comes to making time for our personal relationships, we are our own worst enemies. We allow work and daily routines to take over. More often than not, people don’t realize it until it’s too late and there is a problem in their marriage. Keeping connected emotionally and physically is an extremely important part of a marriage. A sexless marriage is not only psychologically unhealthy for both partners; it could be a contributing factor to a marriage in crisis. Sex is great between a husband and wife when there are mutual trust, freedom, security, respect, play, and excitement. Good sexual relations in marriage are not just physical; they are also emotional. Make it a fulfilling one for your spouse. You can be your woman’s dream man or vice versa. Sex has a way of restoring peace and tranquillity in our homes. Sex is a good thing and should be enjoyed. Never spiritualize sex in your home. Keep fit; maintain a good skin that can be caressed by your man without some roadblocks. Keep it smooth and keep the genitals well groomed. Next week, I shall be looking at those things that hinder good sex in the home. But before then, sex shouldn’t be hard work; enjoy it!

However, the ones we desire the most are but a few. Start with those! They are the precious few that have the capacity to rekindle passion when stamina wanes. Those are the stubborn dreams that, if seen through, will announce and celebrate you before kings. Break Them Up Into Manageable Tasks When you break up your desires into smaller, manageable tasks it makes the mountain small and the steps easier. For instance, your wish might be to have a polished and sophisticated image. You can create a road map for this list like this: a. Week 1: Break down the image you desire into a list of sentences you can understand. b. Week 2: Enrol for an etiquette course c. Attend at least a seminar on the subject in a quarter. d. Start eating at the table every day and not in front of the television, etc… Be Consistent, Be Humble Researchers say it takes 21 days to form a habit. While that fact is not written on stone, subsequent consistency creates habits. Try to encourage yourself at every point. If you do falter, pick up from where you did and surge on. If it helps you, enlist the assistance of a close friend or relative. Pay heed not to blow your trumpet prematurely; research show that a great percentage of those who announce their dreams before they begin either never start or never finish. on the other hand, those who begin the journey before announcing it accomplish much more and very often, go on to accomplish their dreams. The Most Difficult – looking Back So often, we tend to make plans and not

consider the road in which we took that got us to where we are. We ought to look at where we faltered and where we triumphed. When we look back and dare to assess ourselves, we give ourselves a better opportunity to triumph over passed mistakes. It is a man of great courage and resilience that has the grace to consider his own weaknesses without falling into despair. With humble acceptance and in the spirit of accountability, rise above your weaknesses to

pursue a better and brighter future. If, indeed a man wants to move forward, he has to first resolve passed issues; either by some act of redemption or of simple acceptance, make peace with his past. only then will he be able to soar. No eagle ever soared with tons on its back: in storms the eagle rides on the strong winds, which lift them high above the clouds. When other birds seek shelter, they glide and rest their wings... neither can any man achieve his potential with burdens in his heart (such as regrets, un-forgiveness, malice, anger, pride etc) or toxic thoughts and imaginations fuelling his mind. To achieve great accomplishments, it is, therefore, necessary to deal with unfinished business when making new resolutions. A note of warning: Assessing yourself is no excuse to plunge into despair. Keep your head above water. For Christians, I find praying psalm 139:23-24 works. “23 Search me, o God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” God will answer any request that is according to His WoRD. When He does, repent of them and accept the grace He freely gives to move on. Move on, then – without looking back. Image and Etiquette addresses general perceptions, societal norms and expectations and personal expressions with the goal to cultivate social graces, suavity and a dignified presence for interpersonal relationships. If you have questions on Image and Etiquette please send them to askpamela@regalgraces.com or SMS 08038240870. Pamela also covers online Correspondence Courses, Workshops and Keynote speeches on Corporate Image and Etiquette, and manages Perfect Healthlife Wellness Center. For online correspondence courses email info@regalgraces.com with the title “online Course (Saturday Guardian)” for our promotional price

22 LOVE & LIFE

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

MARITAL SEX

Don’t Let Erectile Dysfunction Ruin Your Sex Life By Ebere Ameh ODAY, we are discussing a very T common yet hardly discussed area of health known as Erectile Dysfunction (ED). In spite of our freedom of speech and information, issues about our sexuality are still discussed in hushed tones. Because no man wants to have anything to do with impotence, discussing it with a doctor is also difficult for most men. This has led to discord between some married couples as such men rather refrain from the sex act than give poor performances. Though we are in the information age when all kinds of information are got at the press of a button, getting the right ones from the right source is always a Herculean task. It is on that note that we present to you excerpts from an interview with Dr. Funmilade Omisanjo, a Consultant Urologist. As an expert in the field, he has given us the facts, including, causes and treatment options for the disease as contained in the following. What is erectile dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction is another name for impotence. It is the inability of a man to achieve or maintain an erection that is satisfactory for sexual intercourse. It may be a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to achieve erection, or the ability to only sustain a brief erection. Having erection trouble from time to time is not necessarily a cause for concern. But if it is an ongoing problem, it may cause stress, relationship problems or affect ones self-confidence. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), up to 30 million men are affected with ED. Causes A number of factors contribute to ED. According to Dr Omisanjo,

“ An onan knew that the seed should not be his; and it came to pass, when he went in unto his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother” – Gen. 38 vs 9. REMATURE ejaculation is defined P as the inability of a man to control his ejaculatory reflex. Once he is sexually aroused he will reach orgasm very quickly, sometimes even before he penetrates a women’s vagina. Some men reach orgasm more than half the time before their partners does. However, the time it may take for a woman to reach or need to reach orgasm during a sexual encounter, is highly variable. It depends on the woman. For a man to be good in bed, he must be able to engage in fore play while he is in the state of sexual excitement without reaching orgasm before his partner does. This will require good self-control and training. What are the causes of premature ejaculation? 1. Prostatitis, or infection and inflammation of the postrate gland, for example may cause premature ejaculation. It could also because by syphilis and multiple sclerosis. It is important to visit the hospital so that there can be a thorough examination of the man’s urinary and nervous systems to find out if a dis-

“erectile dysfunction is a spectrum and is caused by so many factors. It could be stress, injury to the blood supply to the penis, hormonal problems, aging process of some sort, and chronic diseases.” One major cause of erectile dysfunction is premature ejaculation. This is the inability of a man to maintain an erection long enough for mutual satisfaction. There is primary and secondary premature ejaculation. Primary premature ejaculation is a learned behaviour that begins when a man becomes sexually active. Secondary premature ejaculation is the one that occur after years of normal ejaculation and intercourse grow progressively shorter and ejaculation, more quickly. This type is always caused by some underlying ailments, which affect the penile arteries and veins. Other causes of ED include performance anxiety, depression, diabetes, venous leak, neurological causes, hormone and drug-induced impotence among others. The risk factors or the things that make people prone to ED include medical problems like hypertension, diabetes, vascular disease, low testosterone, high blood cholesterol, smoking, alcohol abuse and drug. Treatments for erectile dysfunction It is always advised that patients see their doctor instead of resorting to self-medication and the patronage of quacks, ED is not an exception. Most men resort to the use of Viagra and other performance enhancing drugs and drinks to manage their impotence. It is unfortunate that some go to the extent of using concoctions like paraga, burantashi and other local concoctions that enhance their performance on a daily basis. The most unfortunate is that both people with erectile dysfunction and those without it, now resort to these medications for enhanced performance without considering the implications on their

health and general wellbeing. It is good to see your doctor because he will assess you to know your age, your overall health and medical history. He will also try to find out the extent, cause and nature of the condition, your tolerance for specific medications and procedures among other things, which, put together, will help him determine the right one for you. According to Dr. Omisanjo, “There are other treatments besides medication, which may just be to change your lifestyle, change a medication, or tackle psychological stress. It may be to lose weight, reduce alcohol intake or do more exercise. All these can only be detected if you seek medical help instead of depending on performance enhancing drugs.” He added: “the primary use of Viagra is to correct a deficit, to restore a normal erectile function. The patient requires a stimulus to have an erection and it eases off after sex so that he has something close to a normal experience. An abnormally pro-

longed erection could be a side effect and the person should be treated for that.” “Viagra is made for men who are unable to have or maintain an erection that is satisfactory for sexual intercourse. We don’t encourage people who do not have ED to be taking Viagra just to enhance sex. The drug is a prescription drug and generally safe but we do know that when people are on some other medication or have some cardiac diseases they have to be cautious in the use of Viagra and should opt for other forms of treatment because it can have fatal consequences,” he added. On Paraga, he said “We hear about paraga used by the Yorubas and burantashi, by the Hausas. They are all mixtures of herbal extracts and roots. The bottom line is that we don’t know what they contain. Some of them do enhance sexual performance but beyond that, it is thought that when they are abused or used for long periods, they may have damaging effect on the kidney and the liver. These side effects may not be

Premature Ejaculation ment, and thereby delay orgasm. Thought this method is not conclusive, there is no harm in trying it. 4. There is the squeeze method. Where the man squeezes the penies when stimulated and about to ‘come’ just below the rim of the glans. It will make the erection subside. This can be repeated several times. He can also stimulate his penis manually until he feels he is about to experience orgasm. At this point, he stops until the sensation is gone. After three or four stroking sessions, the man will ejaculate. If he does this, after several weeks, he will be able to tolerate the experience indefinitely. It does help.

from the roots and herbs but the alcohol that it is mixed with or the dosage, which is not standardised, among other things. Generally, we discourage self- medication and the consumption of these concoctions,” he concluded. According to Paula Hall, a psychotherapist , the long-term side effect of Viagra is still unknown. “I worry about so many people becoming habitual users of Viagra. We simply don’t know what the long-term effects might be. The producers deny the possibility of dependency, but admits it is not possible to predict the long-term impact,” she noted. Though sexual problems may seem awkward to discuss even with a doctor, it is very important to forget ones ego, summon courage and talk about it because it may be a warning sign of a heart disease, diabetes or other ailments that require urgent attention. Treating the underlying problem may just be enough to reverse your ED and save your sex life. ered one of the major causes of sexual dysfunction. Instead of reaching orgasm and ejaculation too soon, as in premature ejaculation, this person will take much longer than usual to reach this phase of sexual excitement, and in some cases may not reach it at all. Drugs and other physical issues may contribute to it, but in most cases, however, the man’s inhibitions against ejaculation during sexual intercourse has a psychological reason. Sometimes it is anxiety or fear of ejaculating, especially when the man sees his partner as a ‘mother figure’ and may not want to ejaculate in her vagina because he will ‘soil’ her. Or by holding back, he may be expressing anger, hostility, or guilt complex, caused by some difficulties in their relationships. A man is usually encouraged in counseling, to be relaxed during sex, or even to have erotic fantasies during intercourse which help him to let go and reach orgasm and ejaculation. Many times the man’s partner will be asked to assist in the treatment. Here oral, or manual stimulation (masturbation) is highly recommended. Gradually the man will overcome the inhibition. Have a better sex

Counseling is absolutely necessary in solving sexual problems. Open communication and proper understanding and acceptance is necessary. Love and intimate trust in each other is a huge help. Couple’s should learn to put their fantasies aside and Sometimes it may mean that the man enjoy what each partner has and ease or injury is responsible. It is expressing an intense and uncon- understand what turns one each partcould also be psychological, and a number of techniques may be used scious hostility toward women. There ner be very patient, loving and understanding. is need for counseling and in most to effect a cure. cases prayers. E. C. Samuel Though not as common as premature 08027173447 SMS ONLY 2. It could be caused by a deep-seat3. Use of condoms can help make the ejaculation, retarded ejaculation is ed neurosis, and therefore would Intimatefaithministry@yahoo.com penis less sensitive to sexual excite- prevalent enough for it to be considneed some psychoanalysis.

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

TheGuardian

Saturday, April 27, 2013 23

Life&Style

WOMAN

‘Women Make Better Administrators’ People should start realising that there are women out there who can blaze the trail, who, through genuine efforts, can on their own achieve success and surpass their male counterparts in the same position. In addition, it has been proven that women by their nature make better administrators. They are more passionate, more patient and they are endowed with persuasive skills,” By Fatima Abubakre N encounter with the outgoing Registrar of A the University of Ilorin, Mrs. Olufolake Oladunni Oyeyemi leaves no one in doubt about the passion she has for her job. She has made her name as the longest serving Registrar of the university, having worked with three successive Vice Chancellors and served a two-term tenure of 10 years from April 2003 to April 2013. Oyeyemi, who rejects the notion that a woman cannot rise to the highest point of her career without compromising her integrity, observed that female registrars now constitute about two-thirds in Nigerian universities. “People should start realising that there are women out there who can blaze the trail, who, through genuine efforts, can on their own achieve success and surpass their male counterparts in the same position. In addition, it has been proven that women by their nature make better administrators. They are more passionate, more patient and they are endowed with persuasive skills,” she averred. She has no apology for those who are of the opinion that women in positions of authority like her could be overtly emotional. “If I am not emotional, then I am not a woman. Women are unique creatures of God, designed for some special purposes. We express ourselves passionately to achieve results. When you exhibit passion, you cannot but achieve the desired results. Yes, some men would say, ‘o, she’s too emotional.’ But we achieve results. I am proud to be emotional and I will continue to be passionate if that is what I need to pass my message across in this male-dominated environment.” Asked to comment on the challenges that came with her office, she first adjusted herself on her seat, then looked this reporter in the face: “If I tell you I didn’t have challenges, I will be deceiving you. Every circumstance of life has challenges but what I have discovered is that the more challenges you have, the stronger and resilient you become. If you don’t have challenges to tackle, then you are not actually fit for that position.” Earlier in life as a young graduate, she had wanted to work with the Foreign Service, which informed her decision to study French at the University of Ibadan. But that was not to be. Oyeyemi, who has brought panache to the office of Registrar, says of her working relationship with the past helmsmen of the institution: “It will be very unfair for me to compare the three of them because they all worked under different environments and circumstances. Each had his own different followership and of course, they are of different personalities. For me to have been able to adapt to each style, I think it is a unique opportunity that I really enjoyed. I enjoyed working with each of them as I was able to adapt to their varying administrative styles. It has also enriched my own experience as an administrator.” Mrs. Oyeyemi who began her career at the University of Ilorin in 1979 said that she considers herself a lucky person having had the opportunity of serving three Vice Chancellors. She ascribed her work ethics to the way she was brought up. “I was brought up under a

very strict disciplinarian atmosphere. So, I was already used to working extra hours. The training I had prepared me for the challenges I later faced in life, fortunately. Moreover, my marriage has not stood in my way.” “But one thing that I know I missed a lot was sleep. I didn’t have enough sleep throughout my 10-year service because you go to bed late and wake up early. So, I am hoping to have a lot of that as soon as I leave this office,” she says with a smile. On critical decisions made as the institution’s longest serving Registrar, she identifies the issue of punctuality to work, decent dressing among staff and students, as some important milestones achieved during her tenure. “In the past, we used to go around chasing late comers, but now people come in at 7.30 am in their vehicles and they keep working sometimes till 6pm without any coercion. It is gladdening to note that the culture of hard work and sacrifice has sunk in and I think it is a beautiful thing seeing that it is now well entrenched in the system. I want to urge the staff to please continue the practice. I am leaving the system a fulfilled Registrar. I believe that I have fought the fight by the grace of God and I have won the race.” With a single term of five years tenure now approved for Registrars and Principal Officers of Federal Universities in Nigeria by the National Assembly, Oyeyemi will be the last Chief Administrative Officer to have served a two-term tenure of 10 years in the system. She is however of the opinion that the system needs continuity to grow, adding that the policy tenure was ill-conceived and ill-advised. “The issue was not brought to our attention but was maliciously smuggled through the back door. If it were publicised, we would have gone there to supply the needed information to guide the legislators. Unfortunately, we only heard about it at CORNU and before you knew it, it had been passed. “By the law establishing a typical Nigerian university, the Registrar is the keeper of all records and regulations, tradition, culture and precedents. That job demands not only experience, but a thorough historical understanding of the system. He/she is the continuity officer who is equipped to guide and advise a new Vice Chancellor to ensure a smooth transition. This is why the tenure was held till retirement in the past. Later, it was reduced to two terms of five years each. Recently, for no justifiable reason, it was reduced to only one term of five years. There is no doubt that a Registrar’s performance improves with time. It is understandable for Vice Chancellors to spend five years, since they are essentially academics who will go back to the classroom to do what they are trained to do. But Registrars are there to sustain stability. “When this policy came, it also said Registrars would serve one term of five years, while the retirement age of non-academic staff has been in-

WOMAN

PEOPLE

creased to 65 years. The policy makers failed to realise that it is possible to be a Registrar at the age of 45 or even 50. At that age, you are agile, strong and energetic. After spending five years, you will be deployed to other activities in the university. You cannot retire until you are 65. What I am saying is that we should revert to the two-term tenure of five years each, making a total of 10 years for Registrars,” she said. Continuing, Oyeyemi added: “I am not compelled to retire until I am 65 years old. So as it is, I remain a staff of the University of Ilorin and I may choose not to retire until I am 65 years. I may choose to retire now but I am not compelled to. I may go before then, that is left for me to decide. “The implication is that the system is now being forced to keep several ex-registrars in the system who are deployed to other assignments. We now pay their

GARDENING

salaries. It sounds stupid as all the experiences that I have gathered over the years will now be there wasting away”. While she reveals that she has enjoyed a robust working relationship with the generality of members of staff, she speaks on the issues of staff welfare. “I believe that all staff are important. I love my staff and care very much for their welfare. In the areas of welfare, I have tried my best and they know; I don’t have to give details. “Nevertheless, you can’t but have a few who don’t like your style as some often say she is ‘Iron lady’ because they can’t get her to do things their own way. You can’t satisfy everybody within the limits of the law of the university. Sometimes, I want to really do something but because of regulations, I can’t. Therefore, if I come back 10 times as Registrar, under the same circumstances, I will do the same things that I have done now based on extant regulations. By and large, I have loved working for this system.” Her advice to young women is this: “Aspire to the peak of your career, perform to the best of your ability, be honest, be simple because when you try to live above your means, then you get into trouble. I am leaving this office with a peaceful mind because I have not had any dirty dealings with anybody. I do my work, I don’t even know contractors here. I just sign their papers when they complete all the procedures. So, nobody is going to say, there was a deal with that woman”.

HOME & DECOR

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

PEOPLE

Toast To The Grand Commander Adenuga At 60 landscape, and indeed, those of the West African sub-region. N Monday, April 29, one of the A cerebral business mogul, legends of our time will clock Otunba Mike Adenuga’s entry into the economic arena became 60 years. Expectedly, the media, noticeable in the 1980’s and in especially the print will be agog with congratulatory messages to quick succession he founded and nurtured Devcom Merchant Bank celebrate this unique Nigerian Limited, Equitorial Trust Bank who has made a success of his Limited and Conoil Limited to socio-economic endeavours. enviable heights. The advent of Otunba Mike Ishola Adeniyi Adenuga (Jr.) has become a busi- the Global System for Mobile ness colossus and the barometer Communications (hitherto known as Groupe Special Mobile) for benchmarking the country’s in Nigeria saw the enigmatic Mike economic and philanthropic

By Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf

Adenuga

Adenuga (Jr.) floating what, to date, is the only indigenous and private telecommunications company, Globacom Limited to challenge the earlier three entrants - Zain (now Airtel), MTN, and NITEL. Ever since, the industry has never been the same as Globacom brought with it innovation, patriotism, and zeal yet to be matched by any other telecommunications company. The auspicious event of Adenuga’s diamond birthday is a consequential and monumental moment to celebrate success, resilience, excellence, generosity and kindness, humility, optimism, patriotism, corporate social responsibility, and many more as exemplified and personified by this thoroughbred Ijebu. How do we define or determine success? To paraphrase Bessie Stanley, to achieve success is to live well, to gain the respect of those around us, to fill our niche and accomplish our task, to leave the world better than it was met, to look for the best in others and give them the best one could, for one’s life to be an inspiration to others, and for one’s memory to be a benediction. The cumulation of all these points to the fact that Adenuga (Jr.) is a success story in every material sense. A resilient entrepreneur, his achievement in life has been built on concrete personal achievement and damning the challenges of failure. No doubt, business has not been a bed of roses. He once made an attempt to acquire the moribund and defunct NITEL, but for some inexplicable reasons, this did not materialize. Re-strategizing, he launched Globacom, which introduced what was then said to be impossibility, the Per Second billing regime that has now become the vogue in the mobile telecommunications community. According to Rick Pitino, ‘excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer,’ while Booker T. Washington, said that ‘excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.

Adenuga (Jr.) is a man of rare and consummate excellence. He does not belong to the wasted or wasting generation. Rather, he dazzles us with his virtue and outstanding qualities, and above all, his commitment to achieve the best for his race. Talking about his generosity reminds one of the quotation from Albert Pike that, ‘what we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; and what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.’ Equally true is the fact that ‘those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.’ These two statements exemplify the spirit of Adenuga (Jr.). He has done much for Nigeria and Africa. He has also brought fame, honour and prestige to the black race. A leader among men, he has always avoided putting himself above others. To some, he is elusive or evasive, but those who know him attest to his uncommon humility and shyness. Humility, according to George Arliss ‘is the only true wisdom by which we prepare our minds for all the possible changes of life.’ The transformation of Adenuga (Jr.) to one of the richest men of our time can surely not have been achieved without a good dose of humility. It is no gainsaying that ‘no pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit (Helen Keller).’ The achievements of Adenuga (Jr.) have been built on optimism - seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. His life is telling us that we can conquer our nightmares because of our dreams, and that there are possibilities in impossibilities. Indeed, it is possible to operate from a higher level of consciousness if and when we identify the opportunities in any good, bad and ugly environment. The dream in us will die if we are pessimistic. A patriot of no mean order, his business empire attests to his commitment to and belief in the country. Directly and indirectly employing over 500,000 workers, he is a major stakeholder in

the Nigerian project. The queuing into the philosophy of corporate social responsibility has been a great uniqueness of Mike Adenuga (Jr.). Every part of the country has benefitted from his tremendous spirit of giving to charity, sports, culture, education and many more. Recently, he was conferred with the second highest national honour, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). He is the greatest ambassador of Ijebuland in the socioeconomic sphere and an indefatigable Pillar of sports and youth development in Nigeria. Adenuga (Jr.) is an indomitable employer of labour and the economic generalissimo of our time. On a personal level, after the Awujale of Ijebuland appointed me the Coordinator of the centuries’ old annual Ojude-Oba of Ijebuland some seven years ago, the involvement of his company, Globacom has changed the face of the festival. The festival, through the instrumentality of Adenuga (Jr.) has become a global event playing host to millions of people annually including Presidents, Governors, National and State legislators, diplomats and foreign tourists. He is undoubtedly, the foremost benefactor of our Ijebu’s cultural heritage - the Annual Ojude Oba Festival. In conclusion, the diamond jubilee of the Otunba Apesin of Ijebuland, Mike Adenuga (Jr.), is indeed, a unique opportunity to salute his selfless and unwavering commitment to humanity and astonishing accomplishments in life. May his Diamond Jubilee usher in more grace to his glory as he continues to further manifest his destined greatness. Happy Birthday to a quintessential and an amazing son of Ijebuland. May his mega vision, far-reaching mission and journey of purposive and selfless service to humanity continue to magnify. Chief Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf, the Baagbimo of Ijebuland, lawyer, media scholar and management consultant, is former Ogun State Commissioner for Information

For Being Benevolent, Onicha Ugbo Honours Kachikwu as Odogwu Onicha Ugbo, a town in Aniocha North Local council Area of Delta State, has produced illustrious indigenes like the Vice Chairman of Exxon Mobil, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on MDG’S, Professor Sylvester Monye; retired Army Generals and top ranking Police officers in the country. Recently, the Agbogidi Chukwumalieze I, the Obi of Onicha Ugbo performed the ‘Ida Nzu’ on an indigene into the traditional stool. In this interview with ODITA SUNDAY, who witnessed the ‘Ida nzu’ ceremony at his Eze Chime Palace, the monarch bares his mind on the installment of designated persons to certain traditional titles, measures in place to protect the community against the insurgence of kidnappers in Delta State and sundry issues. HAT is the ‘Ida nzu’ celebration all about? W What is actually going on is that our last Odogwu, in the person of Late Justice Augustine Maidoh, passed on last November and because of Christianity and modernization, the burial rites took place within a very short time. Otherwise, traditionally, it is supposed to be longer than that. With his death, the seat became vacant and there was clamour for a new person to occupy the Odogwu stool. But Odogwu is not a title anybody in Onicha Ugbo can take. There is a particular village that traditionally takes the title. For instance, Onicha Ugbo is a community made up of five villages and each is entitled to a particular traditional title. Ogbeobi village for instance, has Esama title; Ishiekpe has Odogwu title; Ogbekenu has the Iyase title, Umuolo has the Oza while Agba has another unique type of culture because of certain things that happened in the past. Their

own title is Iyase. When stool became vacant, it is only from Ishiekpe that an Odogwu will emerge. It is not my duty to appoint one, but I am to confirm an Odogwu after the appointment. It is the duty of Ishiekpe village people to appoint. They are to come together and choose a particular person. When they called to say that they have chosen somebody, they gave the name as Dr. Ibe Kachukwu. But the person in question, Kachikwu was not in town. He was in the United States of America then. He was chosen in his absence. When he came back, he welcomed the decision and accepted to be the Odogwu. Members of the Royal family went to his house to perform the “Ida Nzu” which is to start the process of initiating him into the Council of Chiefs or the Obi-in-Council. What took place today at the palace is that he came to confirm his acceptance of the Odogwu title, otherwise called ‘chalking’ ceremony, as the Odogwu. That is to say, he has accepted. That is why I said it is not yet a ceremony but acceptance of the offer to be the Odogwu (Warrior) of this community Have you informed the necessary quarters about the condition of the Onicha-Ugbo police station? I have not written to the Inspector General of Police. But the state Commissioner of Police is aware of our predicament. He however cannot manufacture policemen on his own and he has no right to employ policemen when he is not asked to do so. Are you in support of the creation of state police? This issue came up when we went for a certain seminar where we bore our minds on the issue of security and the constitution. But I must tell you; I am yet to be properly lectured on the pros and cons of state police. So, I will not be able to state anything concrete on it. I want to study the concept first before I would be able to conclude whether it is the best for us. What has been the contribution of the Odogwudesignate to the progress of Onicha Ugbo as a

Onicha community to warrant his nomination? His contribution is enormous. I will only mention three. When I ascended the throne in 1999, Onicha-Ugbo was the only town that had no access road to the Lagos-Benin expressway and that issue was like an arrow in my heart. The only outlet then was the old road, which was neglected for a very long time. If I was going to Agbor, I would go through Igboodo but it was never easy. Everyday, I kept asking God what we could do? It was not something we could contribute money to construct. How much are you going to tell a market woman or a peasant farmer to contribute? But one day, I was driving to Issele Uku when I saw people working on that access road; I was surprised. I approached the present Iyase who was the contractor and asked who said they

should do this work? He said it was Dr. Ibe Kachikwu. The following morning, I went back to that road and discovered they had started tarring the road. So, I went to his house and asked if he was the person constructing the road. He said yes, that it was just part of his support to his community. I came back and summoned my council chiefs and told them my opinion to give Dr. Kachikwu a chieftaincy title, they agreed. We wrote to him but he came back and said he would not accept it except his father gave his consent but that it won’t stop him from helping his community. But at last, he took the title of Isagba of Ezechime. He has given more than 900 scholarships to students in Anioma. He is still doing it. He bought motorcycles for most people in Onicha Ugbo. He does that annually. Every year, he gives rice and other food items to women of this community. For women who cannot afford a cup of rice, he gives them at least half bag every Christmas. Go to Onicha Ugbo All Saints Catholic Church, he built it. There is a Catholic Nursery and Primary school he is building here in this community. In fact, he told all the catholic churches to remove their hands, that he will complete it. In addition to this, he built the Reverend Father’s residence. Kidnapping has assumed a worrisome dimension in Delta State. What are you doing to secure your community against this surge and ensure it is not used as a hiding place for kidnappers? Onicha Ugbo has a very formidable vigilante group. The Police have no power anymore over kidnappers. If you go to the police station in Onicha -Ugbo now, you will not see more than two policemen there. The Divisional Police officer and one other person. Police cannot cope with the issue of kidnapping at the moment and it is not their fault. It is the fault of government. This is because the police are not well equipped. We have taken our destiny into our hand, so our people are very vigilant. Once a stranger is noticed in the town, the vigilante group would be informed. We will not allow my community to become a hiding place for criminals.

TheGuardian

Saturday, April 27, 2013 | 25

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Weekend

CELEBRITY

By Shaibu Husseini It was a good year for Nollywood at the just held Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). Practitioners of the industry whose works were nominated picked up most of the awards but again, they lost the vital technical awards like production design, sound, lighting, soundtrack and cinematography to countries like Burkina Faso, South Africa and Kenya. However, Nollywood dominated in the acting department and they picked up the awards for best film of the AMAA’s (Confusion Na Wah by Kenneth Gyang), best director (Nijji Akanni), best visual effect (Twin Sword), best actor (Justus Esiri), best costume (the Hausa language movie Blood and Henna), best supporting actor (Gabriel Afolayan), best promising female actress (Belinda Effah), best editing (Heroes and Zeroes), best screenplay (Heroes and Zeroes) and best documentary (fuelling poverty). If there was any AMAA crest Nigerians would have loved to have for keeps, then it is the best actress crest. They wanted home girl Rita Dominic to win the crest back to back. Rita won the crest in 2012. But by the time curtain drew on the 9th edition of the prestigious award held at the Gloryland Cultural Centre in Yenegoa, Bayesla state, it was on the head of South African star, actress Florence Masebe that the crown of the best actress in a leading role rested. Masebe who was in Bayelsa to receive her crest and who knelt in obeisance before she received the AMAA crest, got the jury’s commendation for the award for her more than beatific performance in the language movie, Elelwani. Masebe, Esiri (even though deceased) and all the other winners have by these feats confirmed their ratings as practitioners that can be relied upon on the continental and even international acting turf. Florence Masebe : Elelwani ALENTED actress Florence couldn’t hold back excitement after she was named best actress in a leading role. The popular South African actress screamed, hugged the fellow next to her, walked up the stage, knelt in obeisance before she received the coveted crest for the best actress in a leading role. When she received the microphone to do the victory lap, she stated that it was one award out of the many the film Elelwani was nominated in, that she earnestly wanted to win. One time continuity presenter on SABC2, Florence Masebe showed stuff and proved that she was an actress with immense range in the South African film Elelwani. Florence played the lead role of Elelwani and she was on top of her game from start to finish. Only an actress who puts up such a performance can run past dependable actresses like Rita Dominic and Yvonne Okoro. A seasoned actress and one of South Africa’s leading ladies, Masebe, star of e.tv’s prime time soap Scandal and Mzansi Magic’s prime time tele-novella Inkaba, was favoured by critics of African Cinema to emerge winner of the leading actress category because of the strength of her characterization in the South African movie. With this win, the star of the initial seasons of SABC1’s Generations has confirmed her rating as one of the continent’s leading ladies. Masebe thanked the organizers of the AMAA’s for the award and recognition and dedicated the award to all those who worked on the film project. “It was a tough one for us all because the language we spoke was the least spoken in South Africa. So we decided to make a film

Gabriel Afolayan

Wetin Dey and SoundCity’s Finding Aisha, for which he won Screen Producer of the year at the Future Awards. To date, Kenneth has directed two feature films: the political love story Blood and Henna (2012) and Cinema Kpatakpata’s debut Confusion Na Wa (2013), which received funding by the Rotterdam Film Festival’s Hubert Bals Fund. In 2010, he was listed by the popular Nigerian youth culture magazine, Y!, as one of 50 people under the age of 35 that will change Nigeria. Niji Akanni- Best Director (Heroes and Zeroes)

Florence Masebe And Justus Esiri …

And The Winners Are

about the language and the people and with this award and many that we have received and will receive, I think we have achieved the aim.” Masebe said.

Esiri has received at the AMAA’s. He received the best supporting actor’s crest in the 2009 edition of the AMAA’s for his role in the movie, Eagle’s Bride.

Justus Esiri : Assassins’ Practice There was first a pin drop silence and then a standing ovation when the late veteran stage and screen actor, Chief Justus Esiri was named winner of the AMAA diadem for best actor. Chief Esiri, popularly known as the Village Headmaster, was nominated for his role in the across the border offering titled Assassins’ Practice starring Kate Henshaw. The deceased actor of numerous credits walked past actors like Bimbo Manuel and Femi Jacobs to pick the crest for the leading man. Last Saturday’s award is the second

Kenneth Gyang: (Blood and Henna and Confusion Na Wah) Young filmmaker Kenneth Gyang is the directing force behind two films– Blood and Henna and Confusion Na Wah – that dominated the AMAA’s. The films had more nominations than any other Nigerian film in contention. In his early 30s, Gyang is a writer and director that has been working in film and television since 2006 having graduated from the National Film Institute in Jos. Notable projects in television included working as a director for the BBC’s

Belinda-Eﬀah

kenneth Gyang

An established screenwriter and director in the Nigerian film and television practice, Niji Akanni is the continent’s best director by reason of his AMAA winning last Saturday. A trained screen writer and director, Akanni holds a B.A. (Dramatic Arts) from the University of Ife, an M.A. (Film Studies) of the University of Ibadan and an M.F.A (Screenplay Writing and Film Directing) of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. He has written many award-winning films for first-rate Nigerian producers, including Dangerous Twins and Playing Games (for Tade Ogidan), Saving Alero (for Francis Onwochei) and Narrow Path (for Tunde Kelani). He has directed three 35mm short films (Just Do It, Hollywood Goodbyes and Vini Vidi) as well as home videos (including Jogun O Mi, Bojuboju, and Ewe Oju Omi), and several TV drama series/sitcoms as well as documentaries. He is currently the Director of Nowhere To Be Found, a weekly TV soap opera from the stable of AK Media Concepts. He has also featured as Director in all the top Reality TV shows in Nigeria, including Amstel Malta Box Office (Season One, 2005), Big Brother Nigeria (2006) and The Apprentice Africa (2008). In 2009, he co-directed the second season of the Oceanic Bank Football Talent Hunt TV Show featuring Jay Jay Okocha. He directed Abobaku, a Super16mm celluloid film, produced by Femi Odugbemi’s DVWORX, as Nigeria’s entry for the 2008 MNET New Directions project. This work was adjudged the Best Short Film at the 2010 ZUMA Film Festival in Abuja, Nigeria. It was also chosen as the Best Short Film at the TERRACOTA Film & Television Awards. Heroes and Zeroes, which earned him the AMAA crest was in official selection in the video section of the 2013 Festival of Pan African Cinema in Ouagadougou otherwise called FESPACO. Belinda Effah (Best Promising female actress) Belinda Effah was named best promising actress for her role as Kokooma, in the movie of same title. She shared the award with Joseph Kairumu from Kenya who was voted best promising actor for his effort in the wellhelmed movie, Nairobi Half Life. Described as one of the most exciting new faces in Nollywood, slim, tall and pretty Belinda is notable for her role in the soap Tales of Eve and her impressive performance in movies such as Kokomma and Udeme Mmi. A native of Cross Rivers State and a graduate of Genetics and BioTechnology from the University of Calabar, Belinda has her eyes on the summit and it will not be too long before she becomes the face in every movie poster in Nollywood. Gabriel Afolayan (Best actor in a supporting role) The multi-talented Gabriel Olasubomi Afolayan was named best actor in a supporting role for his effort in the musical thriller, Hoodrush featuring OC Ukeje and Bimbo Akintola. Critics have predicted that the actor who sings and dances very well, will win in that category and the ‘Kokoro Ife’ (Love Bug) crooner won. Son of the late legendary filmmaker, Chief Adeyemi Afolayan, G-Fresh, as he is fondly called by close friends and colleagues, has acquitted himself severally as an actor and he has raked in plenty awards as an actor including Most Promising Actor’ award at the 2012 Yoruba Movies Academy Awards and the awards of ‘Best Actor in a Supporting Role’ and The ‘Rising Star’ at the Nollywood Movies Award (NMA). This AMAA crest is just a confirmation of the rating of the native of Agbamu in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, in the continent. Born into the arts, Gabriel studied theatre arts at the University of Ibadan (UI). He graduated in 2004, returned to the acting scene and since then he has not looked back.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27 2013

FITNESS With Oyinkan Talabi (Bodyworks)

Take Your Life Back How do you respond to deadlines? Based on research, there are some simple practices all based on principles that you can incorporate into your life daily and slowly until you are practicing as many as you can effortlessly. tional to take you where you need to be? Even though you’re smart, hardworking and good at what you These will bring you into a state of wellbeing that appropriate do, sometimes, life just seems like a relentless set of demands responses will flow out of you Sleep: Get sufficient sleep every night. Sleep is often the single you have to meet. Relax; you are not alone. Everyone feels like that, some more often than others: from the driver to the cEO, most undervalued behavior in our lives and the one with the most immediate power to improve our responses and experirich and poor, life can become so stressful, you wonder if you ences in every waking moment. Try to get 6-7 hours of sleep; if are ever going to keep up. you can, add 1-2 more hours to your sleeping period and you’ll This shouldn’t be; life should be lived and lived to the full. We feel more physically energized, emotionally resilient, and mencan’t control life and some things that come our way. Howtally clear. ever, there are certain things we can control like our REMove more: It’s not only good for your body; it’s also great for SPONSES. How do you respond to an angry person? How do you respond to stress- yours and those of people close to you? your mental health. Do some form of exercise that significantly O you feel like you know where your life is going? Are D you satisfied? Are you living the life you wanted? Do you have enough energy- mental, physical, spiritual and emo-

raises your heart rate for 30 minutes at least four times a week and move frequently during the day. Eat less, more often: Like I say, think of food as fuel. Lean proteins and complex carbohydrates are high quality fuel. You’re best off keeping the engine of your body running with small intakes of food throughout the day, beginning with breakfast. Take your break: Human beings aren’t designed to work continuously. We’re meant instead to move between spending and renewing energy. Ideally, take a break every 90 minutes, even if only to spend a minute or two breathing deeply or going to get a drink of water. Invest in your relationships: The greatest gift you can give a loved one is your absorbed undivided attention. In our BB and Ipad age, this is getting rarer; it is better to be fully present with someone for an hour than physically present, but distracted for multiple hours. Give thanks: We’re far quicker to notice what’s wrong in our lives than we are what’s right. At least once a week, write a thank you note (okay you can sms or email it) to someone who deserves it, telling the person exactly what you’re grateful for. Do the most important thing first: Early in the morning, you’re likely to have the most energy, and the fewest distractions. Start your workday by focusing without interruption, for 60 to 90 minutes, on the most important and/or challenging task you can accomplish that day. Reflect more: We’re so preoccupied with the urgent that we rarely take time to think about what it is we’re doing. Set aside 15 to 30 minutes at the end of each day to reflect quietly and without interruption on what you learned that day, and what your highest priorities are for the following day. This can be your way of winding down before going to sleep. Just BE. In a world changing so fast, we are perpetually trying to keep up, doing one thing or the other, buying one thing or the other. Take a day at least once a week and just BE yourself, in yourself. You don’t have to do ANYTHING! Keep learning: Our brains work better if we challenge them, and life becomes more interesting when we do. Reading books is a simple way to learn and grow, but so is building a daily practice around learning a new activity, a language, a sport, a musical instrument, to draw etc. Give back: Take at least one hour a week to put your own needs aside and devote that time instead to adding value to the world at large. One hour a week is very little time, but it’s

WELLNESS & BEAUTY By Victoria Ekanem

Causes Of Dark Circles Under The Eyes (2) Fatigue AcK of sleep is a common cause of dark circles under the eyes. That would suggest that the solution is simple: get more rest. Unfortunately, for many people, that is impossible. Insomnia affects as many as one in four people. This is not just an occasional difficulty getting a full night’s sleep. Insomnia is a recurrent inability to sleep. It affects the daily lives of sufferers immeasurably. It’s not just insomnia that can cause dark circles, though. Any loss of sleep can contribute to the darkening of the skin around your eyes. If you’ve been working late, you will almost certainly develop some darkening. Burning the midnight oil isn’t just bad for the skin around your eyes. It’s also bad for the eyes themselves and for the complexion of your whole face. If you’re having occasional problems getting a good night’s sleep or you’ve been working late, try to get more rest during the day. Take a nap during your lunch break and take it easy whenever you can. Give your body a chance to

catch up. Don’t over-stimulate yourself before you go to bed. Avoid caffeine and high-sugar food and drinks. Don’t over-consume alcohol, though a small glass (and I really mean a small glass!) may help you to sleep. Sit and read for a few minutes before you go to bed, try not to watch the television. Listen to music but make sure that it’s soothing; heavy metal or rock or pop is not ideal. A warm bath surrounded by scented candles is a great way to relax before you go to bed. Earplugs and eyeblinds might prove useful to reduce any noise and light that could interrupt your night’s sleep. To improve your quality of sleep, it’s important to reduce stress. That’s easier said than done but there are ways to avoid getting too uptight and worried. Keep calm and take time to deal with issues rather than allowing them to get on top of you. Try to avoid situations that you know will make you angry or upset, especially later in the day.

Staying calm and preparing for bed properly will help you get a good night’s sleep if you’re having occasional problems. If, however, you suffer from insomnia, you need to seek medical advice. The insomnia itself may be indicative of another, more serious, health problem.

Over-the-counter sleeping medication may not be the best choice for any form of sleep deprivation but, in particular, insomnia requires more careful management. If the dark circles under your eyes are the result of lack of sleep, the only way to prevent or cure them is to get more rest.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

Tips For New Look Kitchen

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HOME&DECOR

By Ekwy P. Uzoanya HERE is the need to add decorations to the kitchen to enliven it since it is T where meals are prepared and in some homes, members of the family converge and eat there. There are many ways to add decorations to a kitchen and make it inviting and warm. Here are some tips on how to decorate a kitchen. To create a harmonised look of the kitchen, choose a theme and select decorations that blend with it. The decorations can be got from stores dealing in home decorations. It is better to focus on some specific things you want to touch or do in the place than taking on everything at the same time. This could be re-painting the walls, changing the tabletops or replacing the dishes. Dealing with one project at a time will make you not to feel overwhelmed. Colour in any space goes a long way in creating its overall look. It is what makes a place feel warm, relaxing or uninviting. Therefore, consider the colour of the walls or items like the cabinets. Fresh plants and flowers will add lively decoration to any room and are good for the environment. You can use fresh-cut flower decoration in a kitchen table vase, which can be replaced every few days to keep it looking new. Give the kitchen a facelift by changing small details. Paint window and door frames to give the room more dimension and colour. You do not need to spend money replacing old kitchen appliances. Rather, small details such as doorknobs, drawer pulls and cabinet handles will attract attention. For instance, changing your drawer pulls to brushed steel will give your kitchen more personality. Seasonal switching of linens or curtains will add a new touch to the place.

ED linens add a touch of luxury to your bedroom if well B chosen. In their style and colourfulness, they can be used to turn a drab and uninviting bedroom into a place of elegance. To keep them in top form and shape over time, bed linens need to be handled in a manner that they can retain their beauty. To keep bed linens fresh and free from wrinkle, try the following tips. • All washable linens should be washed before storing them. • Remove linens from the washing line when dry and fold neatly. • Store linens in a cool, dark and dry spot. • Use cotton, linen or muslin if storing linens in a garment bag. Do not use anything synthetic. • Put linens on shelves or linen closet. • Place a lavender sachet with the linens to keep them smelling fresh. Take note: • Avoid storing linens in anything plastic, cardboard or cedar. Each of these materials emits fumes and acids that can stain or yellow linens. • Do not store linens in the bathroom, as the moisture will cause mildewing.

Bed Linen Storage

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

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ELIZABETH DREAM WEDDINGS withBADEJO elizabethbadejo2002@yahoo.com eb_africadreamwedding@yahoo.com 08097360766

SK a wedding guest what she would most A likely remember for a long time and ‘food’ will definitely be top on the list, especially if the food was mouth-watering and of great variety too. Another guest will also memorize a wedding experience where the food perhaps didn’t meet her expectations. Food is definitely an important aspect of a truly unforgettable wedding experience. Therefore every prospective couple must decide what part food will play in their wedding and how they plan to achieve it. People like to eat and drink and the success of the day will be partly judged on the catering whether it is a full sit down meal or a buffet style. Planning The Catering There are two main options for wedding catering depending on your choice of venue and their rules of engagement. You have the venue inhouse catering team and professional outdoor catering services. Whichever option you choose, they both need to know your dates, proposed timing, your budget and your expectations. Venue Caterers: Grand venues such as hotels will have their own catering services and this may be the most convenient way of providing good standard catering experience. The venue should be able to supply you with a sample menu, containing several options and prices. At some stage a taste test should be done, preferably with your spouse and parents so that opinions and suggestions can be exchanged. Most venue catering will be charged as a total package based on a price per head, usually a minimum number of 100 guests may be required and also expect to pay a minimum of N7, 000 per head for a buffet which may or may not include soft drinks. A three-course dinner will cost you more if that is your preference. Food will usually be accomplished with tea/coffee and mints. But also be prudent and try to negotiate a discount where possible. At the time of booking, you will be expected to pay a certain percentage of the total catering expenses as deposit and the balance due date will also be advised. Professional Caterers: Outside caterers are hired and booked independently. They may be more flexible than the venue caterers: however, you must ensure they are a reputable company. With outside caterers it’s often best to use those that have been tried, tested and recommended to you by your friends and families but it is also advisable that you do your own assessment of every caterer you plan to take on board to ensure that they meet your standard and expectations. Charges Professional caterers will charge per head, provide servers according to the number of guests in addition to the food costs. Make sure you are clear on the charging method from the beginning and you must also be clear whether the servers’ costs are included in their charges You need to know what is included in the catering price you have been quoted. If the caterer doesn’t supply crockery etc. it will need to be hired. Ensure that the caterer knows they are responsible for this. You will need to oversee the task, particularly if you are dealing with a small caterer. Crockery Check the quality of the crockery before the wedding day. Worn or chipped plates will not be acceptable. The bridal couple must also be happy with the style of crockery. They may wish to choose specific colours to fit in the theme of the wedding. Most venues and caterers use white crockery, but you can hire charger plates in a variety of different colors to match the wedding colour scheme Serving Staff Another area you must consider while planning a wedding is the amount of serving staff needed. Your caterer may want have their recommendations, but it is also advisable to review this and include or exclude as appropriate to meet the requirements of your guests. For a sit-down meal, one server per 20 guests. But this is only for recommendation. An effective service delivery will need

more hands especially if the guests arrive at the same time. A buffet style will require less waiting staff since the guests will be getting up to serve their own food or assisted in the process. Four to five servers will be required per 100 guests, a great way to cut cost too. Cutting Cost (Families&Friends) To save cost on food if you are planning a lowbudget wedding, you can engage the services of family members and friends who will be more than happy to work within your limited budget. While great savings can be made using this method, it should be used with prudence and it can also have its own repercussion in terms of service delivery and your expectations .You must be tactful and diplomatic when dealing with families and friends nevertheless you must ensure that they are can: Adhere to health and safety regulations Are experienced with catering for your number of guests Can remain calm under pressure Tips For My Diva Bride As a bride, it is your role to work with the caterer to create a feast to remember and do not leave that decision in the hands of your parents alone. A good caterer should be able to provide you with something special on a budget if you ask for ideas. *Cutting cost on your catering is great if you find a friend or Aunty who has catering experience and is able to manage your funds, but it can also be a recipe for disaster if care in not taken. Therefore, spell out your expectations and the standard you want to set in terms of food so that you can both be able to reach an agreement. *The disadvantage is that a professional caterer will certainly be able to deal with potential problems that can arise, whereas Aunty Rose or your mum’s best friend may not be so confident! Every professional caterer will also be more than likely able to accommodate small budget within restrictions of the varieties of food. Speak to a few of them before you decide to outsource it to a family or friend. Always ask for quotes and confirmation of everything in writing and keep copy of your receipts for verification.

Delight Your Wedding Guests With Good Food

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

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FOOD&DRINKS

Marinated Vegetable Salad F you are looking for a tasty and nutritious dish, then Iyouperhaps marinated vegetable salad might be just what need. Marinated vegetable salad is a tasty, nutritious and satisfying main course as well as being a delicious accompaniment to many other dishes. It is one of the easiest and the least time consuming side dishes that you can prepare. Marinated vegetable salad uses Marinated Zucchini as a base. Simply add steamed vegetables – broccoli and carrots – for a wonderful complement to any meal. It is a rich source of vitamin C, vegetable fibre, provitamin A (betacarotene) vitamin B6 vitamin E and potassium, calcium, manganese and phytochemicals. Studies have shown that regular consumption of vegetables helps to keep fit, promote healthy living, reduce agerelated negative processes in the body up to 40 per cent, protect against cancer, treat digestive disorder, prevent eye disorders, prevent / treat cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary disease and atherosclerosis (a condition in which the arteries become hardened and narrowed because of an excessive accumulation of plaque and fat), constipation (difficulty in emptying the bowels, usually associated with hardened faeces) treat/prevents asthma and many diseases. This dish is also an ideal food for pregnant women and nursing mothers for their wellbeing. Children and adolescents can benefit from consuming marinated vegetable salad to help in their physical growth and development. Sick patients can recover quickly from their illness by consuming this nutritious food. It is also an ideal food for preventing anaemia (lack or shortage of blood). Those that want boost their immune system against infectious diseases can also benefit from this dish. Consider presenting your visitors with this unique marinated vegetable salad when next they pay you a visit. They will surely like it. Ingredients Broccoli or cauliflower (sliced) Tomatoes and cherries (halved) Carrot (cut into matchsticks)

preparation First make the marinade by adding all the ingredients of the marinade in a jar and mix them well. For making the marinade for the vegetable salad you require Place all the vegetables in a big plastic bag and pour the marinade over the vegetables. the following ingredients: Seal the bag and refrigerate it for eight hours. Balsamic vinegar ½ cup Keep mixing the vegetables occasionally so that they get Olive oil ½ cup marinated in a proper manner. Parsley (fresh chopped) 3 tablespoons Once the marinating is over, transfer the vegetables into a Sugar 1 tablespoon big bowl and stir it again. Fresh dill (finely chopped) 2 tablespoon Let the salad come to the room temperature and serve. Salt ½ cup Ground pepper ¼ teaE-mail: chineloeby@yahoo.com spoon Celery (finely sliced Zucchini (thinly sliced)

By Chinelo Nwagbo

¼ cup 1 small size

Method of

Quantities 1 cup 150g 1 large size

New And Trendy By Bukola Apata

OR the female consumer yearning for a new Ffinement, liqueur made to make her experience a level of reluxury and sophistication like never before, Nuvo sparkling liqueur is one to note. It possesses the beauty and elegance associated with champagne but at the same time has the purity of a spirit. Nuvo sparkling liqueur is a lifestyle choice for trendy individuals. It is more than one’s average spirit and the ultimate wine for any get-together. This wine is made in Paris, France, this drink is a unique combination of premium French vodka and a touch of delicate sparkling white wine infused with passion fruit nectar. It feels light and airy and is not as carbonated as soda or bubbly as champagne but just enough to dazzle one’s taste buds and bring delight to the palette. Nuvo sparkling liqueur comes in a gorgeous, perfume-liked bottle that adds flare and décor to any event which is available in three sizes – 200ml, 375ml and 750ml at any wine store or supermarket. It comes with 15 per cent alcoholic based volume. It is best served chilled to capture the essence of its special experience or used to mix up a variety of delicious cocktails. This can be paired with foods macaroni, sweet potato and bell pepper omelet.

With Sereba Agiobu-Kemmer

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

sereba.agiobu.kemmer@ngrguardiannews.com

Plants For Pest Control

GARDENING

abundant, environment and user-friendly. Mentha arvensis (Lamiaceae) wild mint, field mint, corn mint It is a perennial that grows from creeping rhizomes. It is an edible and medicinal plant HILE some plants attract insects, othtal and health issues. In addition, the conweeks. Here are some more. having quite a strong minty flower with ers repel them. Insect-repelling plants trasting behavior of different mosquito vecStriga hermonthica, (cyperaceae) ‘witchslight bitterness. The leaves are used as usually have strongly scented oils or tor species leads to variation in the effective- weed’ or ‘wutawuta’ in Hausa flavouring in salads, cooked foods, to spice odours. ness of different methods in controlling It’s a bushy grass mainly found along tropi- soups and add flavour to meats in cooking. Mosquitoes and other insects have always local mosquito populations. Hence, there is a cal rivers and streams. It is reported to be They are also used to make herb tea and bevbeen terrible, one is desperate to get some need for integrated sets of control methods widely used in Northern Nigeria as an expec- erages. The leaves repel mosquitoes and varirelief from the fight against mosquitoes adapted to local settings, which can be protorant and stomictic. The rhizomes are incin- ous insects. Native people used the leaves and mosquito-borne diseases like malaria vided at minimal cost and are thus accessierated around dwellings to drive away mos- and stem as a perfume to deordorize houses. and other fevers. ble to local people. quitoes and insects. Garlic Whereas synthetic repellents like DEET can one is desperate to get some mosquito Catmint, Nepetacataria has been found by Though garlic is well-known for its culinary reduce biting to an extent that can be suffi- relief. researchers to be ten times more effective uses, few people know that garlic is a moscient to suppress outbreaks of malaria, The new breed of mosquitoes these days are than DEET (a neurotoxin found in most quito repellent as well. The reason as to why there are issues of cost, logistics and toxici- VIP mosquitoes as big as chickens; they don’t chemical insect repellants). The catmint garlic repels mosquitoes is unknown as of ty, and in some cases, of resistance. attack only in the night but in broad dayplant contains nepatalactone, which has now. However, some say it is the strong Plant repellents are still extensively used light. recently been declared as an insect repellent. smell of this herb that wards off the mosquiin the traditional way throughout rural When it comes to warding off harmful Catnip oil, extracted from the catmint plant, toes. The bulbs of garlic are specifically used communities because for many of the poor- insects, we can plant these insects-repelling is used in the preparation of mosquito repel- as mosquito repellents. est, they are the only means of protection plants, as it was the common practice in tra- lents. There are other plants such as Ocimum available. ditional life. Catmint (catnip) can be found thriving suave, Ocimum kilimandscharium, Ocimum In the past few years, a plant-derived repel- We can also be active participants in the almost anywhere. A member of the mint forskolei, Ocimum canum, Ocimum amerilent PMD has been proven to be efficacious control of malaria and other vector borne family, it grows abundantly both as a comcanum, all members of the Ocimum species and safe to compete with DEET (synthetic disease by finding and planting those plants mercial plant and as a weed. (mint family); salvia officinalis, wildsage insecticide) in the field of disease prevenwhose scent will ward off mosquitoes and Ocimum gratissimum (Lamiaceae) “basil,” onions, which are also mosquito repellent. tion. Also, plant repellents have been recog- other pesky insects. “scent leaf” ‘daidoya’ ‘efirin’ Since Ocimum plants are abundant and nized by WHO as a useful to complement While no form of insect repellent is foolIn southeastern Nigeria, it is commonly locally available, the use of such repellent insecticide-based means of vector control. proof, there are plants that are highly recom- called “Nchu anwu” meaning mosquito repel- plants to complement existing control measAlthough early efforts to control vectors mended. Ever heard of lemon grass? Or lent and is cultivated around houses. it is ures is feasible. Growing these plants in your with insecticides were highly effective, lemon eucalyptus tree, they are great for used as a remedy for cold and catarrh, stom- garden or surrounding will give you double their reliance on spraying inside houses to repelling mosquitoes. These are some of the ach pain, diarrhoea and piles. It is a natural benefits-freedom from mosquitoes and a kill resting females has raised environmen- plants mentioned in writings of the past two source of mosquito repellent that is cheap, beautiful colorful garden.

Lantana camara flowers fuchsia pink margins

Giant onions growing

Flowering elephant garlic

Striga hermonthica witchweed, wutawuta

Catmint nepeta species

Salvia officinalis ‘sage’

Cyperus articulatus (cyperaceae)

Mentha arvensis “wild mint”

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

FASHION

Pregnant And Corporate

Maternity Shirt

Maternity dress

Maternity dress suit

What makes a great maternity business suit depends somewhat on a woman’s body type and sense of personal style, but there are many stylish maternity clothes and accessories for the professional workplace, casual Fridays and client meetings at their disposal. By Nike Sotade The shapeless smocks of yesteryears AN a woman be pregnant and yet are out and attractive, fashionable look corporate? The answer is ‘yes’ clothing are widely available at affordable prices for mamas-to-be. as paraded by these women with This is the message that maternity beautiful baby bumps. clothier, Moma, is sending across With more women working in the with these chic and trendy cuts corporate corridors today, it Moma, a clothing brand for women, becomes imperative for them to was launched in July 2012 as a prouddress well to impress their clients, ly Nigerian brand committed to proeven during pregnancy, without viding trendy clothing for the workcompromising their comfort. ing pregnant woman. The stylish And maternity business suits help designs are shaped to provide ease keep professional women looking and comfort for mummy and her their best during pregnancy.

Moma offers style and comfort for trendy mamas-to-be

bump, while the fabrics used are organic and skin friendly, allowing the skin to breathe and flourish during pregnancy. The brand was birthed as a solution to the needs of the working pregnant women in Nigeria with little or no option for fashionable maternity wear in the corporate place. Three working mothers came together as a result of this, first to provide alternative maternity clothing for themselves and eventually to provide the same opportunity for every working woman with the same issue. The brand also carries other clothing that can be worn on casual days and for occasions that require a bit more dressing up at its outlet on Ozumba Mbadiwe Road in Victoria Island. There are also little pieces for the little ones when they finally

make their grand entry. Complementary pieces for the pregnancy period like maternity bra sets, lingerie and skin care products are also available at the store. The brand promises to constantly provide unique and trendy pieces that celebrate motherhood and help the working mother maintain her lively lifestyle in those special nine months of her life. In celebration of workers day, the

brand is giving out a dress to one lucky winner who can list the different categories of clothing Moma makes and sending the answer to sales@momasonline.com with name and phone number. Don’t get stuck in the rut, take a bit of time to find some flattering clothing for your new body, and your growing baby will thank you for it! PHOTOS: MOMA

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

FASHION

Get Ready For The Rains In Chic Jellies Funky and fun jelly sandals are sure solution to women’s fashion needs in the rainy season By Ibukunoluwa Kayode S the rainy season A approaches women are naturally more concerned about how to keep their feet and those expensive leather shoes from being soaked by the downpours. Since the April showers bring…May showers and June showers and apparently July showers. When it seems the weatherman won’t stop calling for the rains, then you have to tell yourself ‘I’m not going to let the rain dampen my shoes.’ Then go and get hold of a pair of on-trend, wet weatherdefiant jelly sandals. Although considered as populist shoe in the 80s, the jelly shoe made from PVC plastic has experienced reinterpretation by a number of high-end fashion designers in the early 21st Century. These pair of shoes was great when we all were kids, and, in the past few years, the refereed kiddies shoes has been rocking the world of adult fashion. Jelly shoes, which are now making a comeback, are really reawakened from the old school designs and revamped to a well-modernized designs by different designers jumping to create update chic jellies to light up the collection of every woman’s wet season wardrobe. At first glance, you aren’t able to tell that these peep-toes are pretty plastics. Displayed in dazzlingly vibrant colours, these sandals are sure to shake up your clothing collections as the rainy days approach, at an affordable price. Aside from being super beach friendly, they deliver flexible comfort on the feet. Jelly sandals are funky and fun designed for both young and old to wear in the rains. Theses shoes come in sandals, flip-flops and loafers. But recently, many designers are beginning to capitalize on their playful appeal by spicing them up with additional designs like, killer pumps and wedges. These plastic sandals can be beautifully paired with both formal and casual wears. For that fashionable statement look, jelly shoes can fit in for corporate clothing, short dresses or even a pair of tight-fitted jeans. When choosing your jelly shoes make sure they are sophisticated enough for work, stylish enough for afterwards, footfriendly enough to hit the city streets running and reasonably priced. So why not have a go at them, they are beginning to hit the shores of fashion scene in full force.

Samsung empowers local talents in the fashion industry N furtherance of its commitment to Through its Galaxy S4 Design for Life Iopment facilitating economic growth and devel- initiative, a programme aimed at harin Nigeria, one of the world’s largest makers of mobile handsets, Samsung Electronics, is offering five young, “up-and-coming” Nigerian fashion designers an opportunity to showcase their designs at the upcoming launch of its flagship Galaxy S4 smartphone.

design proposals for Samsung brand ambassadors, Kate Henshaw and Banky nessing and promoting local talent in W via Samsung’s website. Of the submisthe fashion industry, Samsung is prosions received, 18 entries were initially viding young talents access to skills, chosen by a panel of fashion experts training and support that are pivotal to including Kate Henshaw, Chief Executive ensuring that they achieve both comOfficer of Beth Model Management mercial and creative success. Africa, Mrs. Elohor Aisien; Creative Participants in the programme were Director of CLAN, Ms. Teni Sagoe and required to submit evening wear Hakeem Balogun of Kimono Kollection. A second and final selection process took place in Ikoyi, Lagos, last Saturday, with five lucky designers emerging as winners of the competition. The five finalists will be given the opportunity to present their collections to buyers, consumers, the media and the general public at the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S4 in Lagos on May 10, 2013. Samsung Electronics West Africa’s Business Head for Hand Held Products, Mr. Emmanouil Revmatas, described the programme as an avenue for the company to provide emerging stars in Nigeria’s fashion industry with the much-needed pre-requisites for success, including publicity, mentoring services and networking opportunities. “At Samsung, we are committed to providing an enabling environment for

Nigerian youths to pursue their dreams and passions, as we believe that this would help to unlock the country’s huge economic potential. We are very proud to support Nigeria’s growing fashion industry with our ‘Galaxy S4 Design for Life’ programme,” he said. In addition to providing the five finalists with the opportunity to showcase their collection at the launch of the Galaxy S4, Samsung also organized a workshop last Sunday to enrich and expand the overall fashion experience of the participants in the programme. The workshop encompassed training and mentoring by fashion icons Teni Sagoe and Hakeem Balogun, as well as networking opportunities to equip the emerging, creative talents with the necessary tools for launching and managing a fashion business. Also speaking, Samsung Electronics West Africa’s Marketing Manager for Hand Held Products, Ms. Olajumoke Okikiolu said, “The new Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone is a combination of innovation, class, style and beauty; and what better way to launch it into the Nigerian market than to showcase Nigerian designers’ sense of style and creativity.”

TheGuardian

Saturday, April 27, 2013 | 35

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Entertainment

Peace

Dickson

Ibinabo

Sony Neme nemesony@yahoo.co.uk 08111813096

Edem Duke

AMAA 2013, What Went Wrong? HE ninth edition of Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA has T come and gone with a litany of woes in its wake. Organisation was at its worst ever as feelers from the venue revealed that guests who had arrived a day earlier, as usual, waited endlessly till very late at night before they were provided accommodation. That is after the long journey from Port Harcourt Airport to Yenogoa by road. Organizers can spare themselves this situation as guests to such awards like Canes pay their way through. Those who watched the annual show from the comforts of their homes were spared the boring moment with long hours of wait as the awards ceremony dragged endlessly. Broadcast quality and the absence of the likes of Omotola Jolade Ejeinde – Time Magazine Influential Person; Genevieve Nnaji (MFR), Mercy Johnson and other top rated stakeholders robbed the show of the usual shine. Poor organization reared its head again at the Port Harcourt airport as over 50 local and international guests were stranded as the charter flights could not lift them back to Lagos. The ugliest scenario was when Chioma Chukwuka Akpotu, a former AMAA winner, threw caution to the wind as she spoiled for war with Yemisi Suleiman of Vanguard newspapers. The conflict went on inside the aircraft with international dignitaries seated. Impeccable sources revealed that, the scramble for seats on the plane also saw some notable artistes jumping AMAA protocol to thus denying bona fide occupants their seats. The highly unprofessional conduct of the artistes, most of who came in from Zik Zulu’s mother’s burial ceremony at Ibusa, Delta State uninvited, left most journalists and other guests stranded in Port Harcourt. Artistes who kept back their return tickets and boarded the available charter aircraft to Lagos worsened the situation. Poor organisation has become a recurring decimal of the annual awards. It was not all gloom however, as London-based international film curator, June Givanni, head of this year’s AMAA Jury, pointed out that “Apart from the fact that the numbers of entries this year have increased, the quality of entries received also

improved tremendously.” Nigeria set a new record for the continent by winning a total of 14 out of the 27 available awards. South Africa trailed far behind with three awards (Florence Masbe emerged the Best Actress In Africa for her role in the hit movie “Elelwani.” Apart from award winners, AMAA honoured some film legends whom it described as pillars of Nollywood with Life Time Achievement Awards. The recipients were Chief Eddie Ugboma, OON; Sir Osifadinma Okeke, Ayuko Babu, Pete Edochie and Tunde Kelani. Special Recognition awards were bestowed on others like ace movie director and producer, Emem Isong; top actors, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Kenneth Okonkwo and the Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria, FVPMAN. The late veteran actor, Justus Esiri, emerged the Best Actor in Africa at the event, held at the Gloryland Cultural Center in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. Esiri was adjudged the Best Actor for his Lead Role in the movie, “Assassins Practice”. He beat others like OC Ukeje, Lindani NKosi, Bimbo Manuel, Hlomla Dandala, Femi Jacobs and Amurin Wumnembom to clinch the coveted prize. The legendary actor’s statuette was received by Ibinabo Fiberesinma, President, Actors’ Guild of Nigeria. In keeping with its tradition, AMAA invited Mario Van Pebbles, a famous Hollywood actor, as a special guest. Van Pebbles, who produced the hit gangster film, “New Jack City” was visibly excited being in Africa for the first time. He reportedly said, “I feel so good being around here. I have been so enthralled by the green scenery and the flyovers. I wish to see more of these in your movies.” “Heroes And Zeroes”, a story film by Koga Entertainment Production, clinched Achievement in Editing, Achievement in Screenplay and Best Director awards for Niji Akanni. Obi Emelonye’s “Last Flight To Abuja” continued its winning streak as the flick won the “Best Film By An African Abroad”. “Confusion Na Wa” a part-pidgin movie won the Best Nigerian Film, while the Promising Act of The Year award went to fast- rising actress Belinda Effah.

Other Nigerian winners were Gabriel Afolayan - Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Hoodrush”, the Achievement In Make Up award went to “The Meeting” and the Achievement in Visual Effects was won by “Twin Sword”. Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, had in his welcome speech expressed delight that the awards ceremony was brought back to the state where it began. Dickson said his government was determined to position he Bayelsa State as one of the key investment destinations in Nigeria with emphasis on entertainment and tourism. He buttressed his speech by announcing an initial donation of a N250million for the Bayelsa Film Trust Fund to encourage Bayelsa youths in developing their creativity. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, CEO, AMAA, had expressed joy that the awards ceremony is gradually achieving its set goals of unifying African filmmakers, just as she promised to make the tenth anniversary of the awards a grand event next year. She later called for a minute silence in honour of Efere Ozako, the late entertainment lawyer who died last week. Some actors who died in the last one year were also remembered during the ceremony. After the submission of entries for this year’s edition of AMAA, closed on January 30, there followed a flurry of activities leading to the announcement of nominations on March 15 in Lilongwe, Malawi. The 9th edition of AMAA with the theme: ‘Africa One’, got a record 671 films in competition with Francophone countries leading with entries. The awards, regarded as Africa’s Oscars, held a superlative gala night in Malawi with the country’s President Joyce Banda, as chief host, literarily bringing the country to a standstill. The icing on the cake for Malawi, little known for film, is that Flora Suya, got nominated for the AMAA 2013 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role in Last Fishing Boat, which walked away with four other nominations, including the prize for Best Film. It was a big celebration for the country and it continued with a concert by music sensation PSquare the next day at the Golf Club in Lilongwe with many attesting to the show pulling one of the most unprecedented

The Competition Was So Close At This Year’s Carnival, Says Holloway By Victor Olushola AGOS State Commissioner Ltalfor Tourism and Inter-GovernmenRelations, Disu Holloway has disclosed that the competition at the just concluded Lagos carnival and beauty pageant was so close during the prize presentation ceremony for the winners held at Glover Hall, Lagos Island. According to him, they decided to recognise the hard works of all the participants at the carnival. He said that the high point of the programme was the visit of the Zimbabweans to take part in the carnival. “They arrived on Friday and took part in the carnival. I was also surprise at the popularity of the carnival itself. The stadium was full to the teeth and we really appreciated the Lagos residents for coming out en masse.” However, he revealed that the short-

comings of this year carnival would serve as prerequisites for planning next year’s. “We are going to improve more on the awareness next year so that we do not have vehicles en route while the carnival is going on. It was one of the major problems we faced. We are also going to work more on the crowd control and ask security men to assist us because we understood that some things happened along some of the ways,” the Commissioner promised. He added that starting from next year different groups would be required to design their costumes themselves. He further said that the economic relevance of the carnival was seen in the numbers of people that showed up. “The markets women and exhibitors capitalised on that. The government also engaged people in the making of the costumes, and things needed for

the carnival and other activities. These are people who were not gainfully employed but will provided them jobs and we have the culture of using them subsequently. It also provided people the opportunity to relax.” The winner of the beauty pageant, Olutimelehin Banke, who went home with a car and the cash of N2.5 million, attributed it to the grace of God. “I feel honoured and grateful to God, Lagos State Government and the ministry of Tourism. It was God that gave me the victory because all the girls were pretty,” she admitted Prizes were given to the winners at the junior and senior categories. While Kings College, Lagos came first at the junior level, Locomotion group was crowned the winner of the senior category and went home with N3 Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations, Disu Holloway with the queens million. Consolidation prizes were given out to all the participants.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

36 |

ENTERTAINMENT Stories by Sony Neme

Omotola As Time Magazine 100 Influential Person HEN the news filtered in that NollyW wood actress, Omotola JaladeEkeinde, has been named among the 100

and Italian footballer; Mario Balloteli. Others in the category are Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton; Chinese tennis most influential people in the world by champion, Li Na; three times Oscar awardTime Magazine, it came with little surprise winner and Daniel Day-Lewis. to those who have followed her rising caMost interesting is Richard Corliss, a movie reer. For the influential tabloid, who decritic on the profile of the actress who rescribed the 34-year-old as “Africa’s most cently launched a reality show about her life renowned leading lady,” they had taken on M-NET. For Corliss, Omotola is the into cognizanceher reputation as singer “Queen of Nollywood.” Known as Omo Sexy and philanthropist. She is the founder of by her numerous fans, friends and colthe Omotola Youth Empowerment Proleagues, Omotola, wife of Mathew Ekeinde, gramme. a pilot, has made 300 or so features, from The Nigerian actress was named in the the 1996 Mortal Inheritance to the 2010 super 2013 icons segment of the list alongside production Ijé, shot partly in Los Angeles. young Pakistani activist, ; US first lady, Almost everything about this lady is Michelle Obama; Malala Yousafzai, unique; her wedding took place on a flight Burmese democracy leader, Aung San Sun from Lagos to Benin, she has brought a jugKyi, RnB diva, Beyonce; Justin Timberlake gler’s grace to her roles as actress, singer, re-

ality-show star and mother of four. The movie critic who admired Omotola’s recent declaration in an interview that she will never go to Hollywood, reportedly said, “success hasn’t spoiled Africa’s most renowned leading lady; rather than going Hollywood, Omotola wants to stay Nollywood.” According to Collins, Nollywood is the world’s most productive English-language film industry and not Hollywood. “The world’s most productive English-language film industry is not Hollywood but Nollywood. The teeming Nigerian cinema grinds out some 2,500 movies a year, mostly direct-to-DVD quickies mixing melodrama, music and an evangelical Christian spin. (Think Bollywood via Tyler Perry.)” Omotola

Ebele, The Flutist...

A Fresh Breath In Gospel Music Not many people appreciate instrumental music in this clime, especially that played from the flute. But this is Ebele’s forte. A comtemporary-gospel music artiste, she is now warming her way into many hearts with her refreshingly different sounds of inspiration. She spoke with OLAWUNMI OJO on her brand of music, her three singles currently enjoying playtime on radio stations and how she wants to inspire youths to do good in the society. HEN she did her first song with the flute, it W sounded odd; people told her it would be difficult to find acceptance with the Nigerian au-

When I did my first song with the flute, people told me it would be difficult to find acceptance with the Nigerian audience, considering that the only musician who plays the flute today is Tee Mac. I was advised to travel overseas where I would readily find audience for my kind of music. But the passion I had for the flute and my belief that God called me out for this, kept me on. Today, the beauty of it all is that anytime I step out at occasions to do my music, people love and enjoy what I do Ebele

dience. But Ebele knew what she had and how far she could go with it, so she was not deterred. Today, the story is different; those who attempted discouraging her at outset are being inspired by her transformative sounds. Like it is with virtually all accomplished musicians, music started for Ebele quite early at age 15 as a member of the church choir. Initially, it was like an hobby. Nothing serious. She just loved music and sang everywhere - in the house, at church and in secondary school. However, the instrument aspect crept into her music because of the influence of some Phillipines who came to her church and taught the young wards how to use musical instruments. She caught the bug, picked special interest in the flute and, instead of attending extramural classes in school, she would make her way to the music class. The result was that she became more rounded as a singer, songwriter, composer and instrumentalist. Her father did not like the idea nor sanctioned her fledgling romance with music. But with time, he gave in. Since then, Ebele have never left the flute. A graduate of Accounting with a Post Graduate diploma in Business Administration, after her youth service, she was a member of a musical group, The Agape Voices. “We performed around the country. I later withdrew from the group, moved to Lagos and got a job as an Accountant. But by then, I had decided to go into music fully, to further push my passion. I explained to the President of my company, Mr Uche Ogah who has since then been supporting and sponsoring me all the way,” she recalls. That passion has led Ebele to become a professional artiste who, armed with the flute, now sings melodious gospel tunes at concerts, church programmes, corporate functions and social events. Professionally, full-time music began in 2010/2011. And for her, it has been three years of beautiful experience, though, not without some challenges. “Aside the challenge of finance, when I did my first song with the flute, people told me it would be difficult to find acceptance with the Nigerian audience, considering that

the only musician who plays the flute today is Tee Mac. I was advised to travel overseas where I would readily find audience for my kind of music. But the passion I had for the flute coupled with my belief that God called me out for this kept me on. Today, the beauty of it all is that anytime I step out at occasions to do my music, people love and enjoy what I do. That is partly because the songs I do are quite enjoyable, they cut across different genres,” she says. Drawing inspiration from God and relaying purposeful messages in lyrics, her gospel-contemporary brand of music is vast. It involves all genres of gospel music from worship to high praise, jazz, classic, orchestra, hip-hop and RnB. Ahead of her first album scheduled for release later in the year, Ebele has released three singles and videos to create awareness for her music and get Nigerians accustomed to seeing a lady play the flute. Her three singles are a refreshing departure from the norm. The first one, Jawa Chineke, which featured Mike Aremu and BMG, is a highpraise song that is jazzy and hype. The second one, If you don’t know, is classic; it has violin and orchestra playing in it. The third single, Ogama, is also very jazzy. And, according to her, her upcoming 10-track album is a fusion of hip-hop, RnB and other genres of gospel music. “The first one was released in 2011, the other two and the videos were released in 2012. They have been on now for a while; they are also on YouTube and I have a lot of audience. People are now getting used to the fact that Ebele, the flutist is here to stay and can identify with me,” the Anambra State indigene says. When she performs on stage, Ebele uses both the flute and her voice. “That is one other advantage,” she chips in. “It is not just all flute. In my upcoming album, there are some songs that have the combination of my voice and flute, while others are mainly instrumentals. I sing and play; this is my style on stage,” she adds. Ebele dreams using her music to correct societal ills, not just for entertainment and moneymaking. For her, the focal message would be to convince the young ones to look inward and find that gift they can exploit to make them a success in life. “This music would seek to let the youths know that they can use their gift to positively impact on society. In no distant future, I want to have been able to use my music to inspire a generation of youths to do good in the society; I want people to be able to tell me that I have inspired them to great things in life. “In addition to music, I want to probably, in no long a time, have an NGO that would run a talkshow and encourage the youth to live positively. Using Ebele, the flutist to get the required egde, I want to have a talkshow that would talk to young people about their belief systems, being positive and how they can believe in themselves and succeed in life. So music would be a means to other ends for me,” she says. Ebele has been strongly influenced spiritually. Rev Sam Adeyemi of Daystar Ministries is one key figure. Mike Aremu, a trumpeter; Phil Driscole, Shirley Ceaser, and Cece Winans are others.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

| 37

ENTERTAINMENT

COSON Songs Awards: Oriental Continental Is New Venue gle to pay artiste royalties from their so-called internally generated revenue is simply unacceptable. N a bid to provide Nigerians with in the panel of four assigned to apthe best of entertainment, the MUSON Centre when the crème de la According to him, “Most of these stations were set up for political reaCopyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) praise the aspiring hostesses. Also in crème of the society come together has changed the venue for its Songs the panel were vivacious Aisha Joy for the COSON Green Ball on Wednes- sons. They have very little chance of Omosun and rap icon, Ruggedman. day, May 22. COSON promises uncom- generating proper revenue. Yet, they Award earlier billed for Eko Hotels sustain their operations by freely and suites. The new venue, according At the end of the audition, Okoroji mon beauty and fashion at Teslim using the intellectual property of inposted the following on his facebook Balogun Stadium for the finals of to Chief Tony Okoroji, Chairman of nocent citizens who have invested in COSON, is Oriental Continental also page: ‘Thank you Ruggedman, Queen the All Stars Table Tennis Blowout on creativity with hard-earned money to Ure, Kween Onokola and Joy Omoin Lagos. Thursday, May 23. Meanwhile, COSON was on Saturday, sun. I am proud of the professionalFor the COSON Song Awards holding produce the music. I have said elsewhere that the Nigerian music indusApril 20 ‘invaded’ by pretty girls of all ism with which the girls were treated on May 25, Mr Chukwuji declares, sizes and all shapes to participate in despite your probing for intelligence, “the only way to describe the fashion try cannot be expected to subsidize the contest for the 100 damsels who values and dignity; especially as you and beauty that will be on display is broadcasting in Nigeria. “The capital requirements of the staemphasize that every woman is will act as hostesses at the different “wow!” Do not forget that one of the much more than her physical looks. I objectives of COSON is to make Lagos tions are budgeted, the salaries of the events of the COSON Week in Lagos staff are budgeted but the royalties to am happy we are doing it differently. the undisputed capital of entertainfrom May 19 through 25. those who create and invest in the The Guardian reliably gathered that Those girls are some people’s daugh- ment, fashion and beauty in Africa music which sustains the stations are ters, sisters or friends. They deserve to with the massive economic and sothe girls had converged hours before 9 am when the audition was be treated with respect.” cial benefits to the Nigerian nation.” not budgeted. The royalties are the ‘salaries’ of those in the music indusThe chosen beauties will be seen billed to begin at Omodara Street in Meanwhile, Okoroji has tasked Natry whose works are broadcast and at COSON in the Church, the red carpet tional Assembly on the need to Opebi , Lagos. this is left to the vagaries, whims and Chief Okoroji flew in from Abuja that national day of prayer and invocation budget copyright royalties payable caprices of ‘Internally Generated Revmorning to ensure that the girls were which will be transmitted live from by government-owned stations. He enue’. The reality is that most of the treated with dignity. Also on hand to the Household of God Church in called on the National Assembly to Lagos on May 19. Some of them will handle the situation were COSON’s make clear provisions in the budgets stations, in defiance of the law, do not pay any royalties or when they General Manager, Mr. Chinedu Chuk- be at the National Theatre for of all Federal Government-owned the COSON Lecture to be delivered by broadcast stations for the payment of pay at all, what they pay is absolutely wuji; Head, Finance & Administralaughable.” Professor Helge Ronning of the Uni- copyright royalties. tion, Ms. Bernice Eriemighe; Head, For him, “This appears to be stateCommunications, Media & Strategy, versity of Oslo on Monday, May 20. He spoke during a courtesy visit to sanctioned robbery of the people, a Mr. Chibueze Okereke among other The damsels will join the stars on the the Acting Director General of the streets of Lagos on Tuesday, May 21, officials who ensured that the audiFederal Radio Corporation of Nigeria lot of them young Nigerians, who invest in the music industry in our nawhen an array of Nigeria’s top tion was smoothly conducted. (FRCN), Dr S.A. Shaibu, at Radio artistes meets their fans on the Two of Nigeria’s showbiz beauties, House, Abuja. Chief Okoroji said that tion. The National Assembly has a Kween Onokala and Queen Ure were streets. They will also be there at a situation where the stations strug- responsibility to bring this robbery

Stories by Sony Neme

…As Girls Flock COSON For Hostess Roles

Artiste Releases Ninetrack Album, ‘Essence’ GOSPEL artiste, Olayinka AkinA sulie, known for wholesome Christian songs, maintains a strong dedication to spreading the gospel through music. Owing to his continuous progression in his calling, he recently released a nine-track album titled “Essence.” Prior to the debut of the album on April 8, this year, Akinsulie already had two singles to his credit—“I No Fit Shout” and “Oba Awon Oba”. The gospel singer, who has been singing for 26 years, became fascinated with music as a kid and felt certain that he was born for it. Gradually, he progressed into a professional gospel artiste, having passed through the choir and held the privileged role of Assistant Music Director in House On The Rock, The Refuge, Abuja. Speaking on the album, Akinsulie said: “This album is loaded! It will get you past God’s gate into God’s courts with exuberant praise session and will ultimately land you in the holy of holies ...” The prolific artiste said he is greatly influenced by other gospel singers both home and abroad, adding that he sincerely believes that a lot more can be done in Nigeria re-

GIDIGBA music crooner, A Tim Godfrey, has been confirmed to entertain at

the maiden Wise Women Awards Nigeria (WWAN) which will take place at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, on June 8, 2013. The initiative by London- based Pastor Marjorie Esomowei, founder of Wisdom for Women International (W4WI) and co-pastor of Triumphant Church International, is being organised in conjunction with a Nigerian organisation, Connecting Hearts Initiative. According to Pastor MarAkinsulie jorie, “Wise Women Awards Nigeria presents an opporgarding gospel music. tunity to celebrate and He opined that gospel artistes in recognise the achieveNigeria should be celebrated, apments of Christian women preciated more and recognised as professionals by the different bod- in Nigeria irrespective of their denominations.” ies in the sector “as this would enDetails of participation courage them to maximise their which started on April 1, potentials and do much to God’s 2013 are on www.wisewomglory.” enawardsng.org. The Wise Akinsulie expressed faith that his Women Awards has its best days are still ahead, noting that there is always a next step to be roots in the UK, where it held its 9th annual ceretaken. But ultimately, he is determined “to attain greater excellence mony on March 9, 2013. Meanwhile nominations in the delivery of my God-given via www.wisewomemandate, which is to make the nawardsng.org., which gospel widely known through close on April 30, are open music.”

Xover Lounge

for the 10 categories that include Music, Business, Professional, Ministry, Leadership, Media, Missions, Life Transformation, over 60s and youth. Marjorie said, “Winner of each categories will be decided by a panel of judges comprising leading professionals like Mrs Ibukun Awosika, CEO, The Chair Centre Ltd with offices in Ghana and Nigeria and Revd (Mrs.) Obii Pax-Harry, CEO, Nehemiah Apostolic Resource Center, Abuja,” among othGodfrey ers.

GUS 7 Winner Gears Up For Nollywood XPECTEDLY, Gulder UltiE mate Search 7 Winner, Oyekunle Oluremi, has de-

ment of the Nigerian film industry. The Ekiti State-born model, actor and presenter recently returned to the shores of the country with brimming plans for Nollywood. After emerging the GUS7 winner from a tensionsoaked competition that, as usual, took a combination of

mental and physical strength, Oluremi said he is ready to give the same dedication and focus to his career in acting. clared his intentions to Oluremi, who spoke with the make a Nollywood statejournalists on his plans after ment. After completing his his brief stint at the movie studies in the New York academy abroad said he deFilm Academy, United cided to utilize the largesse States of America, Oluremi from the prize money to actuis set to contribute his alize his desire to be an actor quota towards the developand so he travelled to America to learn the art of acting at New York Film Academy, Universal studios, Hollywood, Los Angeles where he obtained a Diploma in Acting for film. April 11 where he became UKERE music exponent, His words: “I have learnt the Iyanya Mbuk and Emma the second African artiste art of the trade and now I am Nyra have concluded their to perform at the Shrine ready for projects that will ten-city USA tour organised after 2Face. The place was challenge me. Over the years, Nollywood has matured in by Big A Entertainment and named so by fans of the terms of the movies that it African Muzik Magazine for legendary Feal Anikulapo-Kuti. churns out and it is my desire Made Men Music Group, The tour continued at to give my best to any worthy MMMG artistes. In an online chat with Ubi Franklyn, Dallas the next say before Nollywood project that I am the train moved to Mary- invited to be part of.” CEO of MMMG, the artiste land on April 14, MichiOluremi, who is also a Bachemanager said, “In the history of Africa music, Iyanya gan Detroit the next day lors of Science student in Tourism and Hospitality Busiand Rhodes Island in and Emma Nyra are the Boston the day after. The ness Management at Shefield first to have successfully last port of call was Seat- Hallam University, United gone through a 10-states’ Kingdom, is already living out tour in the United States of tle, Washington. He added, “…from April his dreams as he has been opAmerica.” portuned to be part of a series 26, the train moves to The tour, he said, had canada to continue with titled Two Sides Of A Coin kicked of in New York on which ran on Africa magic; April 5. The next port of call the shows. In Canada they will be performing and three movies titled Unspowas Oakland, San Franat Toronto, Winipeg, Cal- ken Principal directed by scisco on April 4, while Daniel Ademinokan; His Will gary and Montreal.” Chicago took its turn on and The Garbage Between.

Ibinabor In May

OME May 12, 2013 the Xover C Lounge will be rolling out the red carpet in honour of the first female president of Actors’ Guild of Nigeria, AGN, Ibinabo Fiberesima. According to Ibinabor, “Fans are invited to come and share the glorious moment as the event is designed to also accommodate networking with your movie stars, producers and directors, music stars and fashion icons.” She said red carpet begins at 4pm at the venue oposite the new House on The Rock Church. There will be music, comedy and fun.

Tim Godfrey For Wise Women Awards Nigeria

Iyanya/Emma Nyra Concludes 10 City US Tour

Honour

Nyra

Iyanya

to an immediate end and every state assembly must do likewise’” Okoroji who commended Dr Shaibu on his appointment recollected that the historic breakthrough in the payment of royalties by FRCN became possible as a result of a committee headed by Shaibu which negotiated with COSON. “I know Dr. Shaibu. He is a leader. Where other people run away from dealing with problems, he plunges on and finds solutions. He is not afraid to do the right thing. I have no doubt that FRCN will produce better results with a man like Shaibu at the head.” Resesponding, Dr. Shaibu applauded Chief Okoroji for what he described as ‘the tremendous progress that COSON has made under his leadership. He also agreed that the direct budget of copyright royalties by the legislature would make it incumbent on the stations to pay proper royalties and ensure the sustenance of jobs in a growing part of the Nigerian economy. Dr Shaibu also announced that directives had been given to FRCN stations across the country to give full support to the big events of the COSON Week. In the FRCN team that received Chief Okoroji at Radio House were top directors of the corporation.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

38 |

ENTERTAINMENT

Switching From Etisalat To MTN:

Saka in MTN advert

I Will Not Like To Talk About My Endorsement Of MTN For Now — Saka It happens all the time to artistes, but not only the artistes but also anyone who is doing well, the musicians, the politicians or anybody else doing good for himself or herself. How does your art come to you? Do you practice to be funny or it comes to you naturally? It is a natural thing. I think God gave me the talent and the grace to pass through various training programmes handled by able teachers. So I came out as a trained theater practitioner. So the training and the practice as a lecturer help me a great deal. When did you realize that you are funny person and decided to follow that line? I am surprised myself that people find me funny. Most of the things I do are just natural things to me. And people keep saying you are funny. But I am a theater practitioner and I can play any role. I have always been in the theatre. OW is your PhD programme going and Maybe the way I look or the way I say things that makes people consider me to be funny. what do you specializing in? I specialize in Performance How did your name, Saka come about? study at Institute of African Studies, University Saka is a stage name. Mr. Gbenga Awodapo, my good friend and Head of Theatre Arts Departof Ibadan and I am in the second year doing ment at Adeniran College of Education and myfieldwork. With your new engagements at various places, aren’t you distracted? I teach theater arts and I am practicing it. And God is helping me manage my time. I do not have problem managing my time. How do you combine teaching, schooling and practicing your art with family life? I like my family. I am sitting right beside my wife now. We are just leaving her shop and we are on our way home. I come home as early as possible. I manage my time very well. I don’t drink, I don’t party, I don’t club, and I don’t run after women. My time is spent between my work and my house. The little time I have left after work, I spend with my family. Do you realize your face is becoming popular even on people’s personal phones? Well, that is the grace of God. I thank God for the grace, but there is nothing I can do about it. I have not seen any of those phones though. I am a lecturer and my school is conducting exam at present, so I have not really gone out in the last three days. What do you think contribute to your rising profile? I don’t know. But it is not a special occurrence. Saka in Etisalat advert

Afeez Oyetoro (aka Saka) the comic actor in the TV comedy, House Apart and lecturer at the department of Theatre Arts, Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Lagos was the former brand icon of Etisalat. In the new television commercial launched recently by MTN, Saka was seen as the brand face of the telecom company. In an interview with AJIBOLA AMZAT, Oyetoro responded to questions around his jobs and the decision to switch from Etisalat to MTN.

self created a TV series in 2004, the play was produced by Mr. and Mrs. Odutayo of Royal Road Communications and was transmitted by so many TV stations. That series made the name Saka popular. You seem to be going into the branding now. Companies are using you as a brand ambassador. How did you get into that? It is a normal thing that when a corporate body sees that a particular model can be used to market their products they invite the person. I just happen to be one of those persons that they find acceptable. It is not as if I am special or better than anyone else. The “I don Port “slogan is generating buzz in the town, what is it about? I am sorry I won’t like to say anything about that., please do me a favour. When the time comes to talk about it, I will. But I can tell you that as an artiste, God has given me some talents and I am using it. That one you have just mentioned now, please let’s forget it. Will you instead like to talk about why you changed from Etisalat to MTN? I won’t like to say anything about it.

Why? Not now. I am sorry. Please we can talk about it later, but not now. So when Can I ring you to talk about it? As soon as possible. But please do me a favour I won’t like to say anything more about it. I don’t want to have any discussion about that for now. Let’s just keep to general talk. People with bald head are said to be romantic. How true is that about you? I am an average person who loves his family. I thank God I am blessed with a wife who happens to be my mother, my sister and my friend, all rolled into one. My wife is a woman who had turned my house into a home. It takes grace of God to have that kind of woman as a wife. The greatest mistake that a man or a woman can make is to marry a woman or a man who does not share his or her vision. God has given me that grace to marry a woman who shares my vision. No problem in my family. When I leave locations after days of work, I feel so happy to return home. It’s being almost 10 years now that we are married, and I have never been accused or suspected of infidelity by my wife. She trusts me and I trust her. And she is a very romantic woman, I don’t have any regret marrying her and my life has changed for better. Regarding your finances, would you say your life has also changed for better in the recent time? Remember that I am a civil servant. I have promotion as at when due. I collect my salary as regularly as possible. As a lecturer, my salary is averagely okay. And I have other jobs here and there. So, financially I am okay. I am not a millionaire; I am not a big man. Yet, I am comfortable, but my situation can be better. My condition is better than what it was 10 years ago. It may interest you that your fans are presently discussing the reason why you may have switched from Etisalat to MTN. Do you have anything to say to that? Well people are bound to talk, but for me, I won’t like to say anything about that now. That is why you cannot find me on the social network right now, because I really would not want to talk about it for now.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

DIARY

Country Director of DQS Holding, Mr. Ogudu Lawrence, presenting International certificate for Standard to the Managing Director of Cardinal Security, Mr. Silvester Ibeh at the Ocean View Restaurant in Lagos…recently Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State presenting key of a Hummer bus to one of the beneficiaries of Abia state Youth Empowerment program, Mr. Sonny Nwakodo, Chairman NURTW Abia state in Umuahia… recently

Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), Prof Abdulwaheed Olatinwo, receiving the 2013 Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award from the All African Students Union (AASU), led by Yinka Dallas, and induction into AASU Hall of Fame in Ilorin… recently

His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu (Obong of Calabar V) conferring a chieftaincy title of Ada-Idaha-Ke Efik Eburutu on Engr. (Chief) Giandomenico Massari FNSE, JP. at the Palace of the Obong of Calabar… recently

(Right-left) Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Andrew Yakubu, his wife, Sarah, and wife of the deceased, Mrs. Victoria Laah Yakubu at the interment last Sunday of Yohanna Laah Bamal Yakubu, the late chief operator at the Power Plant and Utilities Department of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, in Zango-Kataf, Kaduna State, who was killed by gunmen along Kaduna-Kachia road two weeks ago. Chairman, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Nigeria Group, Mr. Barin Epega, presenting a plaque to the guest lecturer Chief Mr. Kola Akomolede during RICS’ continuing professional development programme held in Lagos on Thursday.

Secretary General to the Hon. Consul Republic of Djibouti in Nigeria, Dr. Fola Rogers-Saliu; Abisola Doherty; her husband, Tokunbo Isama; Columnist at Vanguard, Bunmi Sofola and Brigadier General Alabi Isama at the 48th birthday ceremony of Tokunbo held in Lagos… recently

Mr. and Mrs. Dotun Olufowokan and family during the one-year anniversary celebration of their daughter, Dorothy Ewaoluwa Olufowokan in Lagos …recently

Bride’s parent, Mr. and Mrs. Babatunde Olaniyi (left); Groom’s parent Mr. Ifeoluwa and Mrs. Alice Akinmoladun (right) and the Couple, Mr. Kola and Mrs. Oluwafunke Akinmoladun (middle) signing their wedding register at Ikeja Registry, Lagos…recently

Mr and Mrs Kamil Kunle Mukilah at their child (Fridaoz) naming ceremony in Lagos recently

TheGuardian

40 Saturday, April 27, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Arts&Culture Our Passion Sustains Nigeria Book Fair, Says Samuel Kolawole Starting from May 6 till 11, the 2013 edition of Nigeria International Book Fair will take place at its usual venue at the Multipurpose Hall of University of Lagos, Akoka Campus, Lagos. Chairman of Nigeria Book Fair Trust and Ibadan-based Managing Director/CEO, University Press Plc, Mr. Samuel Kolawole said in a recent interview that all was set for the book tourism that the fair has come to be known amongst book lovers. Exceprts: By Anote Ajeluorou HAT are preparations for the book fair, W which is only a few weeks from now? And how have you been able to ensure consistency for the fair? Well, so far so good. Everything is in place to make it better than that of last year. So far so good; all the people we need to consult we have consulted and everything has been put in place for a successful fair. I think it’s the passion that people have for the book industry that has sustained it thus far. The book business is a risky business; you may not make millions from it but it can keep you going for a number of years. But if you have passion for it, it can keep you going for a very long time. There is not much money in it anyway, so it has to be a passion for books. The fair is made up of booksellers, authors, publishers, printers, librarians – people who have passion for books. And I think it’s that passion that keeps us going over the years. So, in spite of the challenges, the passion keeps us going; it’s what is responsible for the consistency. For the past 13 years, there is no year the Nigerian International Book Fair didn’t hold. To a large extent, the fair is self-sustaining except for the international conference part that we have one or two bodies that come to our aid. There’s Repro India Ltd, a book printing company from India that had partnered with us for a few years now, as a way of giving back to the Nigerian economy where they also do business. We used to get support from the Norwegian embassy but that support has finally stopped. But the main support has been what we make from the fair and contributions from our members. As you know, support from our government is not there. You know the nature of our country; we keep talking about improving reading culture in the country and access to books, but when it comes to putting money down to drive it, many people, including government, shy away from it. For that reason we’ve not really had the support we ought to get from government. Do you get enough support for the fight against book piracy from Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC)? Well, they’ve been listening, especially in the last couple of years. We’ve got a lot of support from NCC. What we have found is that the problem is so big and whatever effort they are making is like a drop in the ocean. NCC cooperated with us last year. With the kind of system that has been put in place by the booksellers, the publishers, NCC and Nigerian Customs Service, we’ve been able to arrest a number of containers of pirated books that came into the country. So, we had a lot of cooperation from those government agencies because of the agreement we had with them. About two years ago we visited and solicited the support of the Comptroller-General of

Kolawole Nigeria Customs Service to help us savage the situation. In the past, the pirates were here producing books in the country; but with the improvement of technology, we discover that the pirated books are becoming better than the ones produced in Nigeria. And so, we had to get them involved; we solicited his support so they have a way of clearing with publishers first once books are coming in. With this system, the Custom contacts us first to know if the books are from us before clearing them at the ports. We also had arrangement with NCC so that Custom get authorization from NCC before you can clear books coming into the country. So, these are measures we put in place linking these two agencies; and it has worked well for

us. With these measures, we hope to confiscate more books than before. Of course, it has been challenging for publishers and booksellers because of the procedures that are now involved. But it’s better to waste a few days and arrest the situation than allow everybody to do whatever they like to ruin our business. So, they are cooperating but there is a lot more that can be done. Recently, we had stakeholders meeting on new copyright regime and how to improve the laws to make them more effective and to incorporate the idea of digital rights into the legal framework. We hope contributions of stakeholders would be incorporated into the legal framework for better copyright regime in the country.

The theme for this year’s book fair is ‘Investing in Knowledge Economy for Sustainable Development’ Do you think there’s enough investment being made in knowledge economy in Nigeria? It’s interesting to say that investment is taking place in the knowledge economy. It may not be as the coordinated way that people can see. But I’ll give you an obvious example that we don’t even think about; look at the number of private universities that are spring up across Nigeria today. That is investment in the knowledge economy; it’s happening even at secondary and primary school levels. It also happens in materials being used in schools including books. So, there’s investment being made there. We move along with the times; the idea of conventional books is changing across the world although we’re still far behind here in Nigeria. We need to begin to invest now so we can prepare for the future. There’s a lot of money to be made otherwise people will not invest in knowledge economy. Opportunities are there but people are only looking at establishing schools. There’s the area of technology waiting to be invested in. In some countries, they don’t really have much but you see them conducting admission clinics in Nigeria for their universities and colleges. Students going from Nigeria to their universities constitute part of their revenue like the U.K., Canada, U.S.; you also see Nigerian students attending universities in Ghana and other African countries. This suggests that there’s market there. Investing in knowledge economy can really help Nigeria. Investing in books is part of investing in the knowledge economy. Look at all the stakeholders that are involved in the book chain – printers, publishers, authors, booksellers – they all contribute to the economy; they are all investing in the knowledge economy. If there’s good investment in the knowledge economy, all these categories of people will benefit. With the money made, they will employ people and contribute to the GDP of this country. The same goes for the authors who write the books. But these are opportunities that the government doesn’t see.

POETRY Across Horizons By Kayode Are Heaven splays its hues and tones We streak into a mist unknown Hearts pounding with spirits askew Stiff! The metal bird slicing through the clouds And the pliant resistance of fluttering mist We rise above the mist into clear skies To see grey cloud mushrooms skittering As the nascent sun heats dawn’s dew Grace! The glimpse of light and a calm silver sky Visible for many miles, created a sense of bliss A stubborn pocket of air crossed our path In spite of the translucent ambience of a clear sky The vessel shakes in fits and hearts throbs in fear Bumps! We waffle through space timidly In awe of the imagined turbulence ahead Streaming through the skittering clouds In the shimmer of the ascending Yellow moon Flashes of the receding Sun glimmer hazily Hush! As slices of perceived horizons conflate Lush grass with the rumble of a slithering torrent

Book lovers doing business at book stands during Nigeria International Book Fair at UNILAG Multipurpose Hall. The fair opens May 6

Heaven splays its hues and tones We ride into calm weather and bliss returns Floating on a bed of ivory cloud with occasional bumps Crashes! The sudden drop of altitude with heart in throat Buried in an envelope of hope upon which we drift

tHe GUarDian Saturday, april 27, 2013

artS 41

How Oshinowo Led Lagos Art Auction 2013 Kolade Oshinowo’s Royal Procession (32 x 60 in, 2011). By Tajudeen Sowole rOLiFiC painter, Kolade Oshinowo has recorded his biggest P art auction sale in Lagos when the hammer stopped at n3.9m on a group portraiture titled Royal Procession (32 x 60 in, 2011) during the last terra Kulture-Mydrim auction. it was a brief bidding shortly after the attendance inside the multi-purpose hall of terra Kulture, Victoria island started thinning out; the work which had an asking price of n2, 500, 000 – 3, 500, 000 was sold as the highest of the day’s sales. Perhaps the artist’s closest auction record in Lagos occurred when his work Koma Village, oil on canvas, (122 x 152.5 cm, 1987), was sold for n2.5m at a different auction organized by art House Contemporary in 2011. With n47 million total sales under the hammer prices of debutant art auctioneer, Yinka akinkugbe, the terra KultureMydrim’s sixth auction was an improvement on last year’s sales of n38, 125, 000, 00. Out of a total 96 lots put up for sale, 60 were sold, according to the results released by Mrs temitope Sanya of Finance Department, terra Kulture. Shortly before the sales, the terra Kulture-Mydrim’s Lagos art auction 2013 was described as the richest collections of contemporary african art among the six outings of the partnership. also, aside the regular masters such as Ben enwonwu, elanatsui, Bruce Onobakpeya and Kolade Oshinowo, who fea-

tured in the past auctions, the terra Kulture-Mydrim art auction had quite a number of young artists who impressed during the sales. artists such as Fidelis Odugwu b 1970 and Segun ayesan b 1971, for examples were among those whose works made the top ten sales of the auction. at the terra Kulture multipurpose hall where most of the previous five editions of the auctions were held, a five-day preview of show had offered bidders an opportunity to connect them with works on offer. the two ladies behind the movements of the hammer sales of terra Kulture-Mydrim auctions, Bolanle austen-Peters and Sinmidele Ogunsanya in a joint statement said the auction “is in furtherance of our goal option to project nigerian visual art as a viable and sustainable investment.” aside the increase in the young artists featured at every terra Kulture-Mydrim auction, bringing a new auctioneer, akinkugbe was aimed at spreading the opportunities and give the auction a fresh breath, they stressed. auctioneer of the previous sales, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, Ogunsanya said, is still with the terra Kulture-Mydrim team “as a patron, supporting and helping in other areas”. akinkugbe, according to the auction house “is an art enthusiast, who is bringing his wealth of knowledge of the visual arts and indeed the art market to bear.” the “success of the previous five auctions”, it was disclosed, has led to more people showing interest in collecting works

just as “those who are in possession of great collection want to exchange such for higher value.” ten of the top sales from 96 lots at terra Kulture-Mydrim’s Lagos Art Auction 2013 1. Kolade Oshinowo Royal Procession 3,900, 000. 00 2. elanatsui Towel II 3,500,000.00 3. Fidelis Odogwu Wazobia I,II, III, 2,200,000.00 4. Kolade Oshinowo Road To My Village 2,100,000.00 5. David H. Dale Oke Arin Market 2,100,000.00 6. Segun aiyesan Odion 1,950,000.00 7. abiodun Olaku Bliss 1,600,000.00 8. alex nwokolo Global Energy 1,500,000.00 9. Chidi Kubiri Wait On God 1,300,000.00 10. Bunmi Babatunde Alarede 1,200,000.00

Pungent Punctuations…

Ighodalo’s Outbursts On Canvas ainter, ighodalo P George’s Pungent Punctuations adds to the

One of Duke Asidere’s works

After Orakwue, Asidere Takes Over With His Periods, Others tiLL in the mood of what looked like a consolidaScircuit, tion for its two years stay in the art exhibition after Onitsha artists’ Orakwue, alexis Galleries and the Lagos art community appeared to have a common love in art. this much the gallery continues as it prepares to show Duke asidere’s solo show, which holds in the first week of May, about a month after Orakwue. Courtesy of the support from its major sponsor, Diamond Bank, alexis Galleries has been answering the yawning of artists who are frantically seeking more art spaces to showcase their works. a group known as Onitsha artists, few weeks ago exhibited paintings and sculptures under the title Orakwue {Let the Whole World Talk) at alexis

Galleries, in honour of the Obi of Onitsha, HrM, Obi of Onitsha, nnemeka achebe on his 10th anniversary. During the opening of the show, the director of alexis, Patty Chidiac disclosed that the gallery was “very excited and privileged” host the monarch. Chidiac noted that in the two years of the gallery, “we desire to take the nigerian artist to greater height”. While commending the support of Diamond Bank, particularly what she described as the bank’s Head, Corporate Communication, Mrs ayona trimnell aguele’s passion for nigerian art. For the next artist, asidere, his show, among other themes include retrospection as he displays from his periods such as Protests and Women.

One of the works from George Ighodalo’s Pungent Punctuations

early set of art exhibitions at the remodeled Didi Museum, Victoria island, Lagos when the show opens tomorrow, ending May 8, 2013. Based on his diverse background as an artist, ighodalu disclosed he could not but implore more than one expression. Part of his artist Statement reads: “there are artistic pangs and sensibilities in my creative tensions that call to me seeking articulate expression through diverse means, varied media, acting as receptacles for my forays, visually speaking. “i welcome you to a body of works showcasing my past oeuvre and the transformation into my present creations: a new merging of several techniques from my explorations and creative forays, my pastiche, blended into limn.”

TheGuardian

42 | Saturday, April 27, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Health Natural Health With G. C. Ihesie

Mobile phone no: 08033065263, E-mail: ihesie84@yahoo.com.

Natural Ways of Maintaining Prostate Health (V) Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate Gland HE prostate gland surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder and the semen to outside the body). Therefore, the symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland are mainly due to the obstruction of the urethra and gradual weakness of the urinary bladder. In the early stages of prostate enlargement, the gland presses on the urethra and narrows it partially, and this usually results in the first symptoms of BPH which include difficulty starting urination or straining to urinate properly, a weak or interrupted stream of urine, dribbling of urine, especially after urinating, leaking of urine, a sense of not completely emptying the bladder, getting up frequently at night with an urgent desire to urinate (nocturia), blood in urine, pelvic and lower back pain, and occasional episodes of erectile dysfunction. The continuous enlargement of the prostate may cause serious health problems such as: *Acute urinary retention (a sudden and painful inability to urinate) — a medical emergency that may require the insertion of a catheter to drain the bladder. Acute urinary retention may be triggered by the intake of over-the-counter cold or allergy drugs or alcohol, or by cold temperatures or immobility for a long period or long-distance journeys. *Prolonged urinary retention may weaken the bladder and make it susceptible to infection, to form stones, or to lose its ability to empty itself. Incontinence is the inability to control urination due to the weakness of the bladder; and if the bladder is permanently damaged, treatment for BPH may be ineffective. *Urine retention may also put pressure on the kidneys – thus causing kidney swelling. Infection can also travel from the bladder to the kidneys and cause recurrent kidney infection, or pyelonephritis which may give rise to fever, chills, pain in the testicles, lower back or flank. In addition, toxins in the urine can impair the kidney’s ability to filter wastes from the blood or cause a more serious permanent damage in rare cases. *Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, kidney infection (pyelonephritis), overflow incontinence, bladder or kidney damage are some of the complications of BPH that can be prevented if the condition is promptly managed. Only few men develop the complications associated with prostate enlargement. It is important to note that a developing

tumour or cancer in the prostate gland can cause enlarged prostate. However, a benign prostate enlargement (otherwise known as BPH) is not the same thing as prostate cancer which grows very slowly and may take years to spread. Having BPH does not increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Although the symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland vary from person to person, almost 95% of all men over the age of 50 will have some degree of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Not every person that manifests the symptoms requires treatment. Treatments become imperative only when the symptoms become severe enough. Diagnosis or Examination of the Prostate Gland Some men with benign prostate enlargement (BPH) may first notice the symptoms by themselves or the healthcare practitioner may detect an enlarged prostate during a routine medical checkup. Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) A Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) is one of the routine physical examinations performed by a physician to access the state of health (size and texture) of the prostate gland. The doctor simply inserts a lubricated gloved finger (usually index finger) into the patient’s rectum and feels the condition of the prostate: to sense the prostate tenderness if there is prostatitis; to detect an enlarged prostate or to feel the presence of hard lump-like areas, nodules or sunk-in regions which may indicate a malignant growth or a prostate cancer. The physician may also carry out a simple urinalysis test to help rule out bladder infection and bladder cancer which can cause symptoms similar to those of BPH. Apart from the digital rectal examination, a blood test called Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is usually conducted to screen for prostate cancer. PSA is a protein/enzyme produced by the prostate gland, and it’s main function is to liquefy semen after ejaculation. Under normal conditions, very low levels of PSA can be detected in the bloodstream of all adult men. In the past, PSA levels of 4.0 mg/ml or lower is considered to be normal. However, elevated level is found in the blood of men

who have prostate cancer. Also, PSA level greaterthan-normal may also indicate: prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate), Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) or urinary tract infection. PSA test is mainly used to check or to screen for prostate cancer. However, on its own, it is not a very reliable parameter for knowing about

pathological conditions of the prostate. It is usually used in combination with other tests to make an accurate diagnosis. When DRE indicates abnormality and there is elevated level of PSA, the physician carries out tests like biopsy in order to rule out or confirm prostate cancer.

PetLife With Dr.Tunji Nasir

Pet Adoption In Place Of Children

By Dr. Tunji Nasir

T is often very hard to admit that life comes with a lot of disturbing possibilities. Atimes, one wonders if what happens to a man at any given time is part of a roller-coaster of events in the cycle of life that must be spinned and fitted into a 360 degrees revolution, returning

to the same spot where it all started. After all, we have had to make choices that are not to be ordinarily knitted into our gowns of affection. But life, as a smart metaphor, always springs surprises that often leave us swimming into its dead sea. It is not always a normal choice for man to

divert the natural love that should flow from a parent to his or her child to an animal, (in this case, a pet) if life has not played one of its dirty tricks. My interest in this subject stems from the pity I always feel towards people who are laden with this fate any time I come across them —- which is very often as a care-giver to pets. Many do not believe that people can adopt animals in place of children. Still many argue that it is a rarity around here, while not a few consider it totally abominable. But the truth is that the practice of pet adoption is very noticeable around us now, although, it is not being done officially. My experience over years, has thrown me into many situations; face to face with women who have had to make this difficult choice. But, don’t be deceived. Men are also involved, but they rarely admit the fact. It may be safe to conclude that man is a creation of love, who strives to love and be loved. To many, a vacuum cannot just be allowed to exist. Love must flow... The people I have encountered who have had to make this choice are, to me, about the most enchanting specimens of creation. The kind of love they lavish on their pets really touches me. It is both innate and expressive. To them, this affection is not a

condescending affair but a display of what I call the “purest of love”. You often wonder how these relationships were nurtured and are sustained because the natural flow of understanding and sense of camaraderie between these animals and their owners show that love flows in all directions and indeed, immeasurably. Suffice to say that the choice made by these people is a very difficult one, especially when a more conventional approach is adopting children. But we all know this is not easy. The legalese involved, the social demands and the emotional downsizing that must be done require inner strength with a lot of heavenly grace. World Veterinary Day Today is another World Vet Day. It is a day set aside to celebrate the veterinarian and his accomplishments in the discharge of his largely unappreciated services to mankind. This year’s theme, “Vaccination To Prevent And Protect” is very apt as it addresses a very germane issue that is the very basis of animal health. The goal therefore, is to alert owners of pets and livestock to the importance of this aspect of animal care to help improve disease prevention, welfare and production.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

HEALTHFEATURES

‘Mosquitoes Will Win The Malaria War Unless…’ Dr. Bamgboye Afolabi, Chief Executive Officer of Health, Environment and Development Foundation, is a consultant malariologist and paediatric epidemiologist, who had worked with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) as National Professional Officer in Malaria Unit and Chief Medical Research Fellow respectively. As Nigeria joined the world to mark World Malaria Day last Thursday, the former consultant to the National Malaria Control Programme of the Federal Ministry of Health, who conducted clinical trials on Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACTs) in 2002 and 2004, xrays what Nigeria loses as a result of malaria. HAT’S your appraisal of Nigeria’s W fight against malaria? One thing we have to be clear of is that malaria is a very, very deadly disease. We often underrate malaria when we say ‘common malaria’. Malaria is not an ordinary disease. Malaria is as dangerous as snakebite... Malaria is one of the deadliest parasitic conditions for mankind. So, we can’t fight it with kid gloves and half-hearted attitudes. The government is doing everything possible to control the disease. However, it takes lots of political will, funding, training to eliminate malaria. Nigeria is not a small country. We should see malaria from that perspective. The government alone can never eliminate, or control malaria. It requires social mobilisation, advocacy and communication. So far, I will give Nigeria a pass mark because of the commitment of the Minister of Health. We have to look at new information, new strategies of doing things so that we can push the frontier of malaria control forward. But we have done everything you just recommended, yet malaria remains with us. Why? Funding is never enough. Funding at the local government is virtually not there. Where does not malaria strike? Malaria does not strike people at the top; malaria strikes people at the community. If we take survey at the local government to know how many of them release funds for malaria...what we often hear is “there is no money”. Mind you, resources are scarce. Many programmes are competing for our funds. We have to work towards achieving WHO-recommended malaria budget. Until that is done, we may be shooting ourselves in the foot. The reason is that if funds are not provided adequately, appropriately and on time, the nation loses. Mind you Nigeria loses about $20 billion on malaria every year. How? For example, everybody wants to control malaria the best way he/she feels. So, they go and buy mosquitoes spray and coils. Supposing a family buys spray for N300 every week, that family will be spending N120, 000 on malaria monthly. Therefore, each family would be spending between N15, 000 and N20, 000 on aerosol alone. If you calculate that with families in Nigeria, it will runs into millions of dollars. Furthermore, when malaria strikes a child, the mother has to leave whatever she is doing, takes transport to hospital, she spends money. When the child is admitted, she has to care for the child at the hospital and she will spend money as well. The children at

home also need care, she spends money on them. If the malaria is getting out of hand, she calls the father, who has to leave his office; he loses money as well. They have to buy blood and drugs. In all these, money is being spent for a disease that is easily preventable and treatable. This is why we are saying let’s us mobilise ourselves to attack the mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are attacking us, but we have not done much to repel the attack. Man-mosquito relationship is a war. May be the mosquitoes are winning the war because the usual statistics we have is that Nigeria loses at least 300,000 children to malaria annually. That is not acceptable. Malaria in pregnancy is devastating not only to the mother, baby but the community and Nigeria. Many pregnancies are being wasted because of malaria. You mean malaria can cause abortion? Malaria does cause abortion. Malaria causes abortion, bleeding in pregnancy, death of the mother and foetus and abnormality in a child. The reason is that when a woman is pregnant and has malaria, the malaria parasites will go to hide at the placenta where they take the nutrients meant for the baby. Instead of the placenta being very soft and spongy, it becomes like rubber and football. So, the mother cannot pass food to the child. In this way, even if the child survives at all, the child dies quickly, or will not be intelligent. The placenta may attach abnormally in the womb and cause bleeding. The mother can develop severe anaemia so that her blood, instead of having red colour, becomes watery. The scenario neither sustains the mother’s nor the baby’s life. Malaria also affects the community in that when children keep dying, community may blame the deaths on witches. This is passed to generations. Hence, we need community education. Other people buy drugs that do not treat malaria-they buy herbal medicine, which reduce fever but does not kill the parasite so that the fever goes today, but resurface after four or five days because the parasite that hid behind the body tissues see that the coast is clear. When they come out, they want to survive too and multiply quickly and thus bring severe fever. The end result is the death of the patient if not taken care. Children die from malaria, if not treated, within three or four days because the system cannot cope with malaria parasite. For adults, it results in loss of man-hours in form of sick

leave. So, productivity is very low because of malaria. When a child dies, the parents also spend money to bury the child. About 10 years ago, we calculated that it would cost at least N20, 000 to bury a child that died of malaria. It will cost probably about N60, 000 today to bury a child that dies from malaria. The government must check whether the people are benefiting from malaria programmes. Many scientists and senators are raising concerns over the effectiveness of tackling malaria through our long lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs) strategy. What strategy was used in Europe to eradicate malaria? Malaria is a disease of filthiness. Where people are filthy, you find malaria. Because malaria is endemic in Nigeria, it goes to show that we are filthy. We have no respect for environment; we feel that the environment is not alive so that we defecate and urinate everywhere without being taken to task by law enforcement agents. This is the difference between Europe and Africa. Europeans raised the standard of living for their own people. One cannot urinate on the streets of Europe. Gutters are not visible in Europe. But here gutters are open everywhere. There are certain mosquitoes that breed in gutters.

Afolabi

This is the strategy government has to key into. What strategy? Elevating the living standard of the people. That is the first strategy before we can talk of indoor residual spraying, which is what WHO recommends. We have to use it to spray indoors and certain pools of water. We have to take the war to the mosquitoes, instead of allowing the mosquitoes to take the war to us. While we use indoor residual spray to spray the environment, we ensure that the environment is clean, and educate our people how mosquitoes live. If we know how they live, we can attack where they live. They would not be able to breed again. Even if they breed, we can still use LLIN. The question about LLIN is where did they come from? Are they actually long-lasting insecticide? This calls for evidencebased policies. Before we can say this thing is not working, there must have evidence. Government has to carry out research on the effectiveness of LLIN. We did that in Gambia, Kenya, Ghana and Senegal. There must be a forum for decision makers and research scientists to meet so that we have research to support policy and policy to enhance research. I will love the Senate President or Senate Committee on Health to call a meeting

of health research scientists. And the president’s wife, Patience Jonathan, needs to call meeting of research scientists and women so that we know how healthy our women are.

Malaria is a disease of filthiness. Where people are filthy, you find malaria. Because malaria is endemic in Nigeria, it goes to show that we are filthy. We have no respect for environment; we feel that the environment is not alive so that we defecate and urinate everywhere without being taken to task by law enforcement agents. This is the difference between Europe and Africa. Europeans raised the standard of living for their own people. One cannot urinate on the streets of Europe.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

JUSTHUMAN

Help Save Jude From The Jaws Of Death From Anietie Akpan, Calabar

ThisDay correspondent in Calabar, Cross River State, Mr. Jude Okwe is in dire need of financial help to save him from a lifethreatening heart disease. He is asking governments at all levels, non-governmental organisations, religious groups, social groups and individuals to come to his aid. HE ThisDay correspondent in Calabar, T Cross River State, Mr. Jude Okwe is in great need of urgent medical attention abroad to survive and write again. After a series of tests at Echo-Scan Heart Centre and Heartland Cardiovascular Consultants in Abuja, Okwe was said to be having an enlarged heart. He was referred to these places for test by Primus Inter Specialty Hospital, Karu, Abuja, where he was admitted for almost a month before he was discharged last week. After a series of futile effort in hospitals in Calabar, Okwe, with assistance from the Cross River State government, was flown to Abuja where he was admitted into the Primus Inter Specialty Hospital, Karu, Abuja. Medical reports from Heartland and signed by the Medical Director, Dr. Onye Achilihu said: “Mr. Okwe has severe heart failure due to cardiomyopathy. He will urgently need proper treatment which will include optimal medical therapy, cardiac catheterization, and angiogram to exclude a reversible cause. In addition, he will need internal defibrillator to prevent sudden cardiac death.” Okwe who came back from the hospital in Abuja is now lying helpless at his 8, Edem Oyom Street, off Mbukpa Road residence

with a failing heart and swollen legs. In a low tone, he spoke with some of his colleagues, saying: “The heart problem is still there but it has been brought under control. But the doctor said I have an enlarged heart and I need N8 million for heart transplant in India. If the money can be raised quickly, it would be better because the doctor said too much delay might lead to sudden death. The doctor said my heart has enlarged like twice the size of a normal heart and for it to normalise again, I need heart transplant. My heart has become flat and the blood circulation is very poor. “The problem has been there since 2010 when I discovered I had difficulty in breathing and I went to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and you know that it is a government hospital. Instead of finding cure, they were now using me as a guinea to teach students. The doctors there were not attentive; they only tested my BP and other minor things and then prescribed some drugs for me. I would take those drugs but no relief. If I had known that my heart was enlarging, I could have gotten alternative treatment and I think it would not have gotten to this. “Government should assist me because I don’t have N8 million. Where will I get such money? I am appealing to members of the public, churches, philanthropists to help me out of this condition because I still have enough to offer journalism and the society. This sickness is weighing me down and I am really missing journalism. Each time I miss news, I don’t feel happy. It’s affecting my family already. “I have four children in the university and for a man who is down, it is not easy. I am just appealing to the public and the government for help. I know Governor Liyel Imoke has tried but I urge him to do more. My brother who is a teacher has done the little he could within the limit of his resources. My younger ones are not financially strong. Please, I need help.”

Jude

A Second Chance To Live … By Oghogho Obayuwana (Foreign Affairs Editor) EMEMBER the publisher of the rested Everytime Magazine, Ben R Iheanacho? On being told of the passing on of John Abba Ogbodo who had just then been promoted Assistant Political Editor of The Guardian, Iheanacho screamed: “So it was accident? You think say that no be Odooo?” I asked what that word meant. But he just sat there in a reflective mood. Then calmly, he began the story of how he was declared clinically dead and yet came back to life. “It all started on the 27th of November 2012. I had gone to the National Hospital after three days of vomiting to check my blood pressure. I was informed by the hospital staff that my blood pressure was 250 over 150. Shortly after that, I went into a coma that put me out for nine days. Unfortunately. It was difficult finding a bed space It was my wife and two of my friends – Dr. Sam Amadi and Dr. Marylne Amobi who quickly took a decision that saved me. She told me that before being transferred to a private hospital, in the early hours of 30th November, she got a call from the person looking after me that I had passed on and that her attention was needed at the hospital. “I had been on life support machine for days, as the unexpected happened in the early hours. The doctors had given up on me because the entire attempt to revive me failed. They had suspected a spiritual attack because everything failed. For days, I was fed through tubes, as my body was not accepting food. Later, they resorted to using iron spoon to force my mouth open. The doctors and medical personnel were had battled but it seemed it was all in vain. “My wife called Dr. Amadi early morning and together, they mobilised two pastors and went to the hospital.” And so it happened that in the early hours of the 30th of November, I died and my wife and friends were supposed to come pick up my corpse and head for the mortuary.” They headed straight to where I was lying. Then, I was told, intense prayers began... Deep into the prayer, the Lord showed himself. Suddenly I sneezed! That was how I returned to life.” Asked how it feels to cross over and return to earthly life, there was a long pause. Was there any interaction with beings of light? Did he hear any sound? Could he remember anything that happened during the hours he was pronounced dead? His only response was “What can I tell you? I have also heard stories of people dying and coming back to life. It is indeed God’s way of responding to the evils of this world. For God, it was the right moment to show himself and what he is capable of doing.”

Asked how the life is now, He replied: “I spend more time with my loved ones almost fearing for the time I will start work again and then start to see them only very early in the morning and then when I am back from work, while other engagements always compete with the fleeting hours of Saturdays and Sundays… But I have a second chance to live again, thanks to Almighty God who ensured that I have the opportunity to live well and right too for a second time.”

Ben

When we are given the sort of chance to continue experiencing on earth when we might have been called away, we must find the purpose. What we make of it determines whether we were deserving of the grace and whether we recognize the significance of the gift of life on earth. Unfortunately, in these days of spiritual highwaymen, other interpretations may be read to this grace and a soul may never awaken by so doing. For Ben, it’s welcome back to a more familiar terrain.

TheGuardian

45 | Saturday, April 27, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

YourMoney

Aganga By Chidi Wilson Nwachukwu HERE could not have been a worse adverT tisement for the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) and the awful state of education in Nigeria than the article published in The Guardian of Saturday, April 13, 2013, entitled “Foreign Direct Investment: A Vote For APCON Reforms” written by one Mr. Edwin Madueme. “I have not seen a doctor that opened shop in the country legally,” declared the writer, “ without first of all registering with the Nigerian Medical Association.” How has mercantilism pervaded the consciousness, the very being, of some Nigerians that they now refer to medical doctors as not setting up clinics but opening shops? As the exceedingly brilliant economist, Dr Pius Okigbo told the nation at the University of Lagos convocation lecture in 1992, we are now in times when “everything is calibrated in pecuniary terms.” Madueme, a supposed mass communication specialist, pontificates, without any sense of embarrassment, that doctors in Nigeria must register with the NMA before they can be licensed! This writer confuses the Nigerian Medical and Dental Registration Council with the NMA. Professor Chinua Achebe would describe a person like Madueme as a personification of “combative ignorance trumpeting its own values”. The essence of Madueme’s article is two-fold: to establish that advertising is so crucial to our national existence that it borders primarily on national security and that local advertising firms are world class. The article is, indeed, a resounding failure. Not even during the malevolent Sani Abacha regime when all manner of atrocities were committed with impunity under the guise of protecting national security was advertising regarded as a national security issue. Nigerians need to bear in mind that the three areas where international investment is not allowed by the Nigerian government for security concerns and domestic economic development are security, cabotage and defence. APCON’s leadership just came up with the brainwave that advertising borders on national security simply because Prima Garnet, an Ikeja-based advertising firm founded and run by Lolu Akinwunmi who is the APCON chairman, has just lost the multimillion dollar advertising Airtel account to an interna-

Akinwunmi

Advertising And APCON’s Xenophobia tional advert agency whose name unfortunately I cannot remember now. Prima Garnet went to the extent of suing the international agency. If Prima Garnet had retained the account, there would not have been all this media frenzy generated by Lolu’s APCON, under the pretext of nationalism and patriotism, against foreign firms operating in the Nigerian advertising industry. This simulated, orchestrated, artificial, mechanical, unnatural and contrived campaign reminds all literate Nigerians of the passage in Lee Kuan Yew’s book entitled From Third World to First: The Story of Singapore from 1965 to 1990 where the great Singaporean leader narrates how shocked he was listening to Finance Minister Festus Okotie-Eboh happily announce that he was banning the importation of shoes in the country so that his personal shoe factory in Sapele in today’s Delta State would prosper! Mr. Lee, easily the most successful statesman of the 20th century from the developing world, notes in his captivating memoirs that Nigerian leaders merely use their positions to further private interests. No wonder the First Republic failed in a very popular military coup less than two weeks after Chief OkotieEboh’s infamous confession at the Commonwealth Summit in Lagos in January, 1966. Far from changing for the better since the

First Republic collapsed, things have gone from bad to worse. We are not longer talking of ministers using their high office to feather their own nests but of chairmen of government agencies and even civil servants serving their own private interests at our expense. How long will public policy be formulated in our nation and implemented for purely personal gains? Former British Prime Minister Disraeli once famously stated that “patriotism is the first refuge of scoundrels.” Akinwunmi’s APCON argues that it amounts to undermining national security if an international agency handles the advertising account of Airtel, an Indian company, but the same advert will not hurt national security if run by Akinwunmi’s private firm, Prima Garnet! Pray, how can an advert campaign sabotage national security when the same campaign must be cleared by Akinwunmi’s APCON in the first place? Or is the APCON chairman passing a vote of no confidence in the regulatory agency he heads? Truth be told, all the inelegant actions and statements we have been seeing from APCON of late owe to one thing: conflict of interest. And this circus show will continue in the entire advert industry until the nation chooses to do the right thing by separating APCON’s leadership from the com-

mercial interests of one or two ad agencies. Nigeria must be the only country in the world where an industry player doubles as the chair of the regulatory agency! The other issue which the Madueme article touches upon to which I will respond briefly is the claim that local ad agencies are world class and, therefore, highly professional. This claim is fatuous through and through. How many banks with high advertising budgets, for instance, still patronize local agencies? How many films are still shot in Nigeria, and not South Africa or Kenya? Doesn’t Nigerian Breweries, for one, use a Dubai-based agency because of its gross dissatisfaction with local agencies despite decades of patronizing them? Is there a newspaper or magazine or television or radio station not owed several millions of naira by these agencies, which have long been paid by their clients? Is it possible to discuss the woes of the media in Nigeria without a preeminent place reserved for local ad agencies whose chief executives live opulently like Saudi sheikhs even when they have not paid staff salaries for several months? APCON’s stance on driving international firms out of the country threatens our national economic interests. When international agencies are here, they hire Nigerians, do all the work here, pay taxes, transfer technology, enhance local capacity and serve as models for Nigerian businesses to work in a professional and ethical way. But if they are outside and do all the work there, as has been largely the case, the Nigerian economy suffers. APCON’s leadership is creating and orchestrating xenophobia in an era when bringing foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country is a cardinal plank of the government’s economic policy and even of our foreign policy. Such a pity that APCON, which should have been working in line with government’s economic vision, is part of an attempt to hoodwink the Nigerian people and government. Enough of this nationalistic card at a time Nigerian firms like Dangote, United Bank of Africa and Guarantee Trust Bank are moving fast into all parts of sub-Sahara Africa and even beyond. Nwachukwu , a lawyer, media researcher and social activist, heads Centre for Environmental Management in Africa based in Abuja. He can be reached via chidiown@gmail.com

46 YourMoney

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

With DESMOND EKEH desmondekeh@yahoo.com; 08023215535

Digital Advertising: Mounting A Challenge To Conventional Advertising In Nigeria By Adeshola Ogbodo DVERTISERS in Nigeria are steadily coming to terms with the realities of the digital media and the benefits the platform has to offer their brands. Latest trends in the marketing and communications industry in the country reveal that briefs agencies get from clients have seen an increase in clients’ demand for digital integration in campaign execution. It has therefore become a commonplace for brands to run only online campaigns. Brands across different sectors have realised that digital marketing is a veritable platform for brand management. Only recently, Star lager, a beer brand from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc initiated the “Star League – ‘Text & Play’ promo. The success so far of the promo is largely hinged on the digital platform it is riding on. In the banking sector, GTBank has distinguished itself as the most customer focused bank. GTB’s robust digital media strategy played a significant role in elevating the bank’s status. Telecoms companies in Nigeria especially MTN continuously exploit digital platforms in getting their message out to their audience. Digital ad spend is fast becoming a critical part of advertising budgets in Nigeria. The internet convergence in Nigeria has been on a steady rise and this has proven to be a huge attraction for advertisers. Advertising across different digital platforms has witnessed huge increase. Towards the last quarter of 2012, advertising experts predicted that this year, there would be a shift in ad spends from traditional to online media platforms in Nigeria due to the latter’s expanding influence in the country. So far, there has been an unprecedented increase in online ad spend in the first quarter of the year. Nigeria has about 110 million telecoms subscribers. This would further boost internet penetration and usage, because majority of Nigerians are fast adopting Smartphones and other digital devices with internet access for their daily browsing needs. This increase would also attract more spend in digital advertising. As at November last year, Nigeria had over five million Smartphone users and analysts have predicted that the country’s Smartphone usage will rise above 25 million in 2016. At the moment, Blackberry is Nigeria’s number one Smartphone with over 2.5 million Nigerian users and the figure is fast increasing. Over 97 per cent Blackberry

users in Nigeria make use of Black Berry Messenger (BBM). BBM use is very popular among Nigerian youths, which form a major target for advertisers. It can also be effectively used as a marketing tool. The number of Nigerians using Smartphones to access social media is increasing daily hence, advertisers are keen to maximise social media platforms in getting their messages to their target audience. Mobile and social media are fast becoming the delight of digital advertisers’ in Nigeria. Managing Director of foremost creative powerhouse, DDB Lagos, Mr. Ikechi Odigbo, stated that clients request for online marketing campaigns that cut across diverse digital platforms is on the increase. According to him, more clients are beginning to realise the effectiveness of online ads and therefore are very eager to run campaigns using online platforms. Odigbo highlighted huge internet penetration in Nigeria as a major factor responsible for the upsurge of online ads. “When you consider the fact that the youths make up over almost 70 per cent of the population and you have about 40 million youths who are already internet savvy and active on the web, then that is a huge and significant reach for advertisers,” he noted. He stressed further that online ads are more cost effective, noting that their impact are much easier to measure. “What it also does is that it makes the audience part of the campaign. You are able to capture their opinions and understand their trends,” Odigbo added. He is of the opinion that the rise in digital ad spends would not affect the ad spend on other traditional media platforms. “I don’t think the rise in digital ad spend will affect other traditional platforms at least not for now. What it will enforce us to do is to make our TV ad campaigns work harder. It would force us to take a second look at the way we develop campaigns for conventional media and look at the positives of digital advertising that we can bring into conventional media,” he said. On the effectiveness of digital ads, he said, “digital advertising tends to engage the consumer as a person that it wants to build a sustainable relationship with. It doesn’t look at a consumer as a faceless statistic. What it does is that it seeks to establish an enduring relationship and to provoke a response from the consumer. Our conventional advertising should borrow a leaf from that. They shouldn’t see consumers as just something that

Infinix Gives Exciting Prizes To Customers At Road Show NFINIX Mobility, a joint venture company of Mobiwire I(formerly known as Sagem Wireless) and Earning Way recently held a give away road show called “I Love Naija” in Lagos. The company used the event, which was anchored by famous comedian Owen Gee, to give out a range of Infinix android mobile devices like Joypad, Surf smart, Race, Race lite, Buzz, and Race bolt, among others, as gifts to customers who participated. The event was quite entertaining and engaging with several interactive sessions like ques-

tion and answer, mobile gaming competition, flash share transferring, and of course Owen Gee’s humorous way of presentation. The event held on the Mainland and Victoria Island parts of the city at four different retail stores—Micro Station, Mega Plaza, MTN Yellow City, and Dax and Belle Vista. Speaking on the event, VicePresident of Infinix Mobility, Mr. Jean Alexis said, “we are having this event with the brand spirit of challenging the norms. Infinix smart devices are designed specifically for young

A staff of Micro Station, David Babine (left); Infinix Mobility staff, Cynthia James; a customer, Izuka Chigozie; and Trade Sales Manager, Network Operator Accounts, Infinix Mobility, Mr. Adebayo Shobanjo during the give away show at Micro Station, Ikeja, recently.

people who want to stand out, reach out and in sync with the world. It inspires your daily life, with access to key features that young people look for, such as social networking, access to thousands of free apps and entertainment.” The Trade Sales Manager, Network Operator Accounts, Infinix Mobility, Mr. Adebayo Shobanjo also said: “What informed our decision to put up this road show is to enable Nigerians to know that we have products for the Nigerian market that are affordable. You don’t need to cut your neck before you buy a good mobile device. Our devices are so affordable yet they do so much. And we are already doing well in the Nigerian market because we have the experience, the technology, and the market penetration. Our products compete effectively with other popular brands in the market.” Infinix Mobility recently entered the Nigerian market with 3G android Smartphones and a tablet known as Joypad. The company has also entered into partnership with MTN Nigeria and Qualcomm to make its entry into the country a commercial success.

brings money to the table but as people to build an enduring relationship with.” Chief Operating Officer, HotSauce Limited, a digital marketing outfit, Mr. Dayo Adefila said that anecdotal evidence points to a 20 to 25 per cent year-on-year increase by brands on digital ad spend when compared to this period last year. He affirmed that the advertising industry in Nigeria is currently witnessing an increase in spending on digital advertising. Adefila concurred with Odigbo that digital advertising is cost effective and ensures efficient spend of resources once it is done with well-defined objectives by people with the know-how. He stated that better understanding by brand custodians of the role of digital marketing in helping a brand to better identify, connect with and evaluate its customers is one of the factors that have led to the increased relevance of digital advertising in Nigeria. He further stated that the increasing relevance of digital advertising would not significantly affect TV, Outdoor and Radio ad spend, “because for major brands and businesses,

digital is not a standalone platform that they spend on. It is something that is part of a broader communications mix. So, other factors beyond the use of digital will affect TV, Outdoor and Radio spend because it depends on the habits of the consumers and how you leverage the platforms to achieve overall objectives. Small businesses however have found digital to be much less expensive yet more measurable and affordable so they tend to experience significant change in media buy”. On the future of digital advertising in Nigeria, Adefila said: “More international advertising networks will come and lay a stake to the Nigerian market. More brands will continue to patronise it until it gets to a point where a clear 30-40 per cent of their communications budget goes to digital spend (digital includes advertising, technology solutions and social network engagement). Mobile advertising will become more sophisticated and even more affordable than it already is even as local-international agreements come into play.”

VConnect Expands On-line Marketing Benefits S the numbers of interA net users in Nigeria hit an all-time 48 million, VConnect Global Service Limited, a front line search engine and on-line information service provider, has increased its capacity to give on-line visibility to Small and Medium Enterprises local businesses. Propagating this new initiative through a market storming exercise at Ikota shopping complex, Lekki, the company explained that business owners will not only gain cost effective online visibility for their businesses, but would also have the opportunity to win awards within the on-line

business community which will be transmitted on the various media platforms. Speaking at the in-market activation initiative in Ikota Shopping complex, Regional Sales Manager of the company, Olawale Onibudo, stated that the market storming activation is a strategic way of leveraging on the company’s second year anniversary. “We are here at Ikota shopping complex to interact with these business owners. Although, this noble initiative started off as an enlightenment initiative, it has snowballed into an empowerment programme. VConnect provides informa-

tion of goods and services and give businesses opportunities to be visible on-line. Everything is going virtual and there is the need to enlighten business owners that they can gain on-line visibility to their brands with less money,” h said. Olawale also spoke on the timeliness of market storming in Nigeria. “It is heartwarming to know that business owners can actually reach out to as many people as possible with targeted SMS. Also, we are very mindful of the fact that the hub of Nigeria’s economy is the SME’s. Hence, we are projecting VConnect as a partner,” he said.

Keskese, Brand Activation Clinch MTN Account FTER several rounds of A pitch battles by 17 agencies that jostled to grab the juicy MTN Below-The-Line (BTL) account, two agencies, Keskese Ltd and Brand Activation have emerged tops, putting to rest the long wait to know who handles BTL activities for the telecom giant. The development has been

communicated officially to the agencies involved and they are expected to begin work on the implementation strategy. The new account managers replaces EXP Marketing and Towncriers, which had managed the account for more than two years. According to industry sources, the new managers

presented topnotch strategies that are in line with latest trends that won them the account. In a related development, the MTN brand sponsorship activities will now be managed by BTL Solutions and Connect Marketing. The two agencies also took part in the pitch for the BTL account but were not successful.

YourMoney 47

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

BRANDNEWS

BRANDINTELLIGENCE

Dufil Empowers 25 Women La Casera Unveils ‘Share Your Tang Fruit-Flavoured Story’ Campaign With Mobile Carts Beverage Debuts In Nigeria N demonstration of its belief in the popular axiom that life UFIL Prima Foods Plc, N a bid to expands its brand She stated that Tang, which is behind the initiative during Iitself is a collection of stories, the La Casera Company, makers D makers of Indomie I relevance and provide a satis- available in available in apple, the official presentation of of La Casera Apple Flavour carbonated soft drinks has unveiled Instant Noodles, has once fying beverage experience to its orange and pineapple variants, the Mobile Carts at the comagain empowered 25 unemployed women as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative. The development brought the total of women that have benefitted from the scheme to 283. The company executed the initiative by giving the women Indomie Mobile Carts otherwise known as ‘Indomie Buka’ to start up small scale businesses. A statement from the company noted that the empowerment scheme, which was initiated two years ago, is particularly aimed at providing decent means of livelihood for the less privileged, particularly women, by helping them to start up some form of mini restaurant through the provision of necessary utensils by Indomie. Public Relations/Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju gave an insight into the rationale

pany’s head office in Surulere, Lagos. He said the company is delighted to continue the scheme which started two years ago as part of its contribution to the society by providing a sustainable source of livelihood for the less privileged. Ashiwaju stated further: “As a corporate organisation, we strongly believe that providing a sustainable means of livelihood for less privileged people, would go a long way, in having positive effects on their families and the society at large. The Mobile Cart possesses all that is needed to start a business, with the exception of water. “Not only do we give out these mobile carts, we also make conscious efforts to train the beneficiaries on different ways to prepare Indomie noodles as a delicacy.”

Public Relations Manager, Dufil Prima Foods, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju (left) and beneficiaries of Indomie empowerment programme—Miss Basirat Subair, Mrs. Omowunmi Onafuwa, and Mrs. Monsunmola Lookman at the presentation ceremony in Lagos recently.

ADVAN To Unveil New Industry Magazine Next Month N consonance with its objective to constantly provide members and industry professionals with latest research reports, Itrending marketing reports, and analyses, the Advertisers’ Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has partnered with the World Federation of Advertisers (WFA) to launch a quarterly marketing journal in Nigeria tagged ‘Advertisers’ Quarterly”. The journal will be unveiled next month. The ADVAN magazine will bring to its readers articles, insightful analyses, and best practices on the latest topics and trends to transforming the marketing community, as well as profiles on today’s leading-edge marketers globally. The all gloss journal is in print format and will be published four times in a year. The Advertisers’ Quarterly according to the President of ADVAN, Mr. Kola Oyeyemi, was created to ensure that members and industry practitioners as well as the general public are more informed, enlightened, educated and entertained on global marketing practice and issues as well as the local ones. He said: “I am particularly excited over the prospects and values this initiative will add to the marketing firmament in Nigeria. Partnering with WFA to serialise some of their best research efforts particularly free is one of the best things to happen to the industry and even to the media. It is a laudable project and we urge everyone to embrace it.” The magazine will be circulated throughout the marketing community in Nigeria, and will serve as the leading journal for marketing information.

Knorr Rewards Retailers In Lagos Island KE-ARIN market in Lagos O Island was filled with excitement recently when Knorr, one of the leading food seasoning from the stables of Unilever Nigeria Plc, rewarded numerous retailers of the brand with different prizes ranging from brand new cars, deep freezers, refrigerators, etc. The reward is part of the ongoing Knorr/Royco Market Visibility Contest targeted at retailers simultaneously in 42 markets across different regions in Nigeria. Explaining the modalities for participating in the competition, the company stated that retailers need to have a minimum of 10 cases of any

Unilever seasoning product. Retailers would also be awarded points for the creative display of these products in their outlets. Speaking at the presentation of prizes to retailers, Sales Director, Unilever Nigeria Plc, Mr. Kwaku Boateng, said: “Knorr is a brand that has been in Nigeria for a very long time. This is the way Knorr says thank you to its numerous customers. Overtime we have been targeting the wholesalers, but we are beginning to diversify our focus to both retailers and wholesalers. This particular activation is targeted at retailers. It is our way of appreciating customers for patronising Knorr.

a new thematic campaign, ‘Share Your Story, Be a Star’, to further delight and engage its teeming consumers. Speaking on the campaign, the Group Brand Manager of the company, Mr. Mani Siddartha said the campaign was designed to increase the bond between the brand and consumers in an exciting way. He also stated that the campaign is “pivoted on excitement, energy and fun—the three major intrinsic brand offerings of the drink.” “The new theme of the campaign promises to exude a lot of fun and excitement while engaging our consumers. The ‘Share Your Story, Be a Star’ campaign is an entirely captivating one with a new twist to it. This is so because at the end of the campaign, the winner gets to star in a television commercial,” he said. Commenting on the campaign, the General Manager, CTI, Mr. Gray Carlton, described it as thrilling and expandable platform that would build an emotional connection with consumers by encouraging them to share personal and exciting stories for a chance to win prizes, with the final winner starring in a television commercial.

teeming consumers, Cadbury Nigeria Plc, makers of wellknown confectionery and food beverages have introduced Tang fruity-flavoured beverage into the Nigerian market. Speaking at the launching of Tang, Managing Director of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Emil Moskofian spoke extensively of the nutritional compositions of Tang. She said: “Tang is a fruityflavoured powder beverage made from a 100 per cent natural flavour base and formulated to include many vitamins such as Vitamins A, B, C, and minerals.”

was introduced into the Nigerian market as a mark of Cadbury’s leverage on its global status as a force to reckon with in the confectionery and foods segment of its category. “We are reputed among our contemporaries in the food, drinks and candy segments of our niche market which has recorded huge success over the years. Now, with the entrant of Tang, as a part of our inventiveness and resourcefulness, no doubt, our brand profile within the powered beverage segment of the market puts us ahead of our competition,” he noted.

‘Nigerian Advertising Has World-class Potentials’ HE Chief Executive Officer T (CEO) of Scangroup, Mr. Bharat Thakrar has noted that Nigeria has the potentials to become a global advertising powerhouse and play in the world stage. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Thakrar revealed that “the phenomenal rise in the Nigerian entertainment industry did not happen overnight. There were initial difficulties, challenges and insufficient appreciation at the local level. But with persistent, international exposure and a strong entrepreneurial drive, the industry has now been transformed and Nollywood is now amongst the top three in the world, rubbing shoulders with the mighty Hollywood.” He added: “The trend in developed markets also shows a positive correlation between the growth in the entertainment industry and the advertising and marketing communications industry. This is so because advertising in addi-

tion to its inherent core role of informing and educating, also delights by infusing entertainment into its output, thereby elevating entertainment and the arts as a whole.” Bharat hinged his optimism about the long-term prospects of advertising in Nigeria on three platforms. “Firstly, Nigerians have a strong sense of entrepreneurship and drive, which are essential success factors in business and marketing. Secondly, the country has a new breed of consumers that are discerning and are rapidly moving from mindless consumption to value driven mindful consumption, which itself will put a positive pressure on advertising to also raise its game. Thirdly, Nigeria’s economic and business model inspired by oil, a global commodity, will see the country riding more and more comfortably on the train of globalisation and the accompanying global best practice,” he posited.

Swiss Biostadt Named Second Fastest Growing Company In Nigeria LLWORLD Network, an A international growth and competitiveness organisation run by Prof. Michael Porter of Harvard Business School in collaboration with Tony Elumelu Foundation, a body dedicated to the promotion and celebration of excellence in business leadership and entrepreneurship has awarded Swiss Biostadt Limited the second fastest growing Nigerian company in a business growth research conducted by both organisations. Swiss Biostadt emerged second fastest among the 50 Nigeria companies that made the list of top Nigeria 50 with staff strength of 85 and annual compounded growth rate of 2544 per cent between 2009 and 2011, which was the period under review. Chief Executive Officer of the

company, Prince Emma Ajayi while receiving the award recently at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos thanked the two organisations for their efforts in promoting leadership and entrepreneurship in Africa. He said: “The award will spur us to constantly focus on the future by delivering brands and services that are based on tomorrow’s cutting edge technology and geared towards satisfying our teeming stakeholders—customers, staff and shareholders—through aggressive value prepositions”. Ajayi described his company as an iconic brand in the field of Agrocare, Medicare and Pharmacare, noting that it would continuously work to contribute to the sustainable development of Nigeria and the African continent.

Marketing Director, Mr. Dele Anifowoshe (left); Sales Director, Mr. Paul Udochi; Managing Director, Mr. Emil Moskofian, all of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, and Corporate Affairs Manager, Cadbury West Africa, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, at the unveiling Tang fruit drink in Lagos recently.

Binatone Storms Market With New Blenders

NTERWORLD Products Limited, the sole distributor of Binatone Imarket products in Nigeria, has stormed the West African electronic with three different models of household blenders. The company’s Managing Director, Mr G. Sridhar, said in a statement that the new blenders were released after a thorough research to ensure that its numerous consumers are satisfied with quality and reliable products. According to him, a market study has shown that the singular problem with blenders and grinders has been the breaking of their jars when it is accidentally dropped from the hand of its users. “Binatone’s R&D therefore decided to come up with the right answer as the company’s engineers recommended the use of polycarbonate which is a very strong and unbreakable material used in the building industry as a major raw material for the production of the jar of the new blenders.

BATN Foundation Backs Safe Environment HE British American storm on “Investing in the T Tobacco Nigeria Foundation Environment: Alternative (BATNF) has taken issues of environmental change to heart because of its adverse effects on the poor and vulnerable in communities. So, the Foundation is working with governments and experts on initiatives to ameliorate the impact. Area Director, Corporate & Regulatory Affairs, BAT West Africa, who doubles as Director BATNF, Freddy Messanvi, disclosed this at the 2013 BusinessDay Annual Giving Back Conference. The event, a corporate social investment initiative, brought stakeholders together to brain-

Sources of Energy for a Sustainable Future” in Lagos recently. Messanvi, represented on the occasion by Head, Corporate Affairs British American Tobacco, West Africa Area, Oluwasoromidayo George, said “Nigeria needs to develop holistic strategies that will in addition to encouraging cost effective solutions for clean energy, create awareness and encourage adoption of environmentally friendly solutions for areas such as agricultural development where massive growth potentials for the poor have been identified.”

Chrisgate Expands Brand Equity With Success Summit HRISGATE Motivational Network, a subsidiary of Chrisgate C International has expanded its brand equity with success summit for students preparing for today’s upcoming University

CEO of Swiss Biostadt Ltd, Prince Emma Ajayi (left); Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu; and Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga at the 2013 Nigeria 50 Fast Growth Awards and Summit in

Matriculation Examination (UME). The summit, which is focused at adding voice to the fight against the menace of examination malpractice, was held at the corporate head office of the company in Ogba, Lagos. The summit was themed ‘Why Not the Best’ and had dignitaries from educational institutions, the media, concerned parents and intending students seeking admission into various Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions in attendance. Speaking at the summit, President of Chrisgate International, Mr. Christopher Alabi disclosed that the summit, which initiated nine years ago, is part of the organisation’s corporate social responsibility plan to give back to community and a way of encouraging hard work and diligence in the quest to achieve success.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

48 |

SHORT STORY By Segun Durowaiye (08055356855) HARLES Igunoba and Monica had been datC ing each other right from their secondary school days. It was one of those childhood love experiences with all its frenzied emotion. Coincidentally, after their secondary education, they both gained admission into the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Their flaming love continued to blossom without any hitch and there was no cause for alarm. They had promised to get married after their university education. Charles studied Electrical Engineering while Monica read Microbiology and everything looked perfect. It was like the relationship was consummated in heaven. Charles was a tall and handsome young man while Monica was a beautiful lady. It’s amazing how time flies! Before the mention of ‘love,’ they had graduated from the university and it was exactly 15 years since they started courting. But Charles felt he had had enough of Monica and decided to renege on their love promises by going to the altar with another lady by name Rachael. This action, Monica assumed, was based on the philosophy of ‘eating the banana and throwing away the peel’ or ‘licking the honey till the last drop and killing the bee’. She was surprised that Charles could use her for 15 years, raising her hope only for him to dump her like a ragged and worn out cloth. She made up her mind to show him her true colour. She bared her fangs one Sunday evening: “Ha, you don’t mess around with Monica and go scot-free! I’ll show Charles that no one can use the puff adder snake for a tie!” Monica, by nature, was a hot-tempered lady and full of vengeance but she had kept this other side of her disposition secret to Charles while the relationship lasted, thinking Charles was a saint and perfect man. But now that things had taken a bad turn, she swore by the devil that she would spit fire and sting Charles like a most poisonous scorpion! The real reason why Charles dumped her was because of her hot temperament. A date had been fixed for the wedding between Charles and Rachael but Monica had some sinister plans up her sleeves. She was in a bitter and terrible mood. When it was about a week to the grand wedding ceremony, Monica visited Charles in his house and did the unthinkable and shocking thing that took everyone by surprise. On entering Charles’ apartment, she threw caution to the winds and destroyed his properties. Material possessions worth several thousands of naira were destroyed. The fury and anger she exhibited that day reminds one of Shakespeare’s memorable aphorism that ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’. Charles was dumbfounded and worried. Neighbours who came to Charles’ apartment to placate her were aghast at the extent of damage she had done within some few minutes. “I’ll show you that if you play with the jaws of a shark you’ll end up in its belly!” she screamed. “May thunder gorge out your eyes and strike you dead for jilting me and planning marriage with another woman. I’ll let you know that you’ve transcended your bounds by hurting Orisha’s daughter,” she roared to the shock and dismay of onlookers. Charles was a gentle and easy-going man. He was simply lost for words. People advised him to invite the police to arrest Monica but he declined, saying he didn’t want to create undue scene and worsen the matter. That day remained permanently etched on peoples’ minds. She continued to rave and spew like volcanic lava. After wreaking havoc on Charles’ property, she boasted that what he just saw was a child’s play and a tip of the iceberg. But at last, the wedding day came. The marriage was to take place at a posh resort in Ibadan where the parents of the bride lived. It was all pomp and pageantry as Charles looked spick and span. He was dressed in a very flamboyant Italian suit. Everything was in the right order, or so it seemed. The bride was also dressed like an angel, with her flowing immaculate white gown and very expensive shoes to match. Without much ado, the journey to Ibadan, Oyo State began in earnest. A few hours later, the bridal train was at the location of the grand event. There was a little delay for Charles’ entourage, but all the same the journey to Ibadan began too. It was a smooth journey at the beginning without any inkling of disaster but unfortunately, when they were almost at the end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, calamity struck! The car conveying Charles swerved to the right and veered off the road. It had a headon collision with a broken down lorry. All the occupants survived but unfortunately, Charles lost his life! When news filtered to Monica that Charles had died in a ghastly car accident, she jumped

Restless Ghost Of A Lover

up in joy and and said gleefully: “That serves him right, the son-of-a-bitch! May he die a million times and more! You can’t escape from the snares of Orisha’s daughter! There will be reasons to celebrate tonight in the coven of Orisha where the tears of the innocent bring joy to the wicked! Ha, haa, haaa!” It became glaring that Monica had a hand in Charles. Exactly one week later, nemesis caught up with Monica as Charles’ ghost rose and started haunting her. She was busy eating that Saturday morning when the ghost appeared to her and knocked the spoon off her hand. She was terribly shaken. “Yeee! Olorisha, help me. What’s happening?” she screamed. But before she could fathom what was happening, the ghost gave her a thunderous slap which sent her crashing to the floor.

“Yee, Olorisha, bail me out of this misery. Help me. Somebody help me! It’s Charles, he’s beating me!” she screamed and ran out of the room. People rushed towards her to find out what the problem was but she continued to scream, “it’s Charles! Olorisha, it’s Charles!” People wondered what was really wrong with her because they knew that Charles was dead and they could see no one with her. They thought she was going out of her mind. The next minute, she took off her clothes and went naked while chanting strange sentences. At that very moment they grabbed her and held her down because they knew she had actually gone mad. She was rushed to the psychiatric hospital where she spent six months before she escaped from the rehabilitation home. She walked the streets for another six months half-naked and bare-footed, saying nonsensical things and men-

tioning Charles name at intervals. On the very 13th month of her travails, she confessed to on-lookers that she was actually the one who killed Charles through supernatural powers. It was so shocking to people. “Don’t mind me, I killed Charles. Of course, I had to kill him. How could he eat the sweet banana and throw the peel away? You don’t toy with Orisha’s daughter! May he die a million times or more,” she said. Her confession infuriated the people watching her. Instantly, they descended on her and started throwing stones and missiles at her. She took to her heels and ran for her dear life. She escaped from the jungle justice the mob would have meted to her that sunny afternoon. About a month after that incident, people thought Monica had finally overcome her travails. That very day, she looked sober and morose. She sat in front of Charles’ former house and started murmuring some words to herself: “I can see you, Charles, I can really see you. If you won’t let me rest I will escape eternally from you. Take it or leave it.” The next minute Monica unwrapped a piece of paper in her hand, emptied the content in her left hand and swallowed it. She jerked in pains and screamed Charles’ name seven times. She had swallowed poison. Before long, she collapsed and died.

TheGuardian

Saturday, January 5, 2013 49

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

Cover Menace Of The Herdsmen

By Godwin Ijediogor and Samson Ezea T a time the level of insecurity of life and A property is increasing and life becoming cheaper, the activities of herdsmen across the country is coming under closer scrutiny. Nigerians, and indeed West Africans, have lived with the nomadic nature of these cattle rearers for years, complaining only when their actions become extreme, especially when they move their cattle to graze on people’s farmlands. But the involvement of some of them in robberies and attacks on individuals and communities of late, has raised the ante. Perhaps it is for this reason that some Nigerians are calling for a check on their activities and movements, just as others proffer solutions to the incessant clashes between farmers and herdsmen, including creating, through legislation, grazing routes/zones for them. There have been several reported cases of the negative activities of some herdsmen through Nigeria, especially as they migrate down south in search of pastures for their flock. The nomadic herdsmen, who were formerly known for their seasonal grazing of their cattle in parts of the country, have in recent times occupied several lands in different communities, which they sometimes see as their homes, a development that has brewed suspicions, anxiety and clashes between them and their host communities. Apart from the allegation and menace of using their cattle to destroy farmlands in the process of grazing, the herdsmen have been also been accused of engaging in armed robberies, killings and raping. Worst hit by the menace are communities in North-Central states, which serve as the food basket of the country. On Tuesday, May 22 last year we, about 75 Tiv farmers were reportedly killed within a short space of time by herdsmen and mercenaries hired to unleash mayhem on Agagbe in Gwer West Council of Benue State. Just recently, on April 10 this year, 17 persons were said to be missing following the killings and destruction of property in Tse-Madugu, Iortim and Tse Antee in Guma and neighbourhood of Makurdi by the invaders, with three of them said to have raped a 13-year-old girl. This attack made women and children, who bore most of the brunt, to barricade the Makurdi-Lafia expressway in protest over the insensitivity of the state government to their plight, causing gridlock on the road until soldiers from the 72 Airborne Brigade intervened and dispersed them. But Secretary of Miyyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Garus Galolo, denied the allegation that herdsmen had been killing Tiv farm-

ers. He lamented that some people who were benefiting from the Tiv/Fulani crises were fuelling the problem, adding that many Fulani herdsmen have also been murdered by Tivs too. Galolo disclosed that in the past, Tivs would only take one or two cows belonging to Fulanis, lamenting that these days, they elope with a whole herd of cows, sometimes up to 200. He stated that the solution was to call the two parties together and fashion out a workable solution to the matter. Just recently, suspected herdsmen invaded Mbalaagh community in Makurdi Council Government Area of Benue State, murdering Felicia Asongo, a mother of a very young baby. The baby was ferried to safety by her grandmother, Margaret Asongo during the attack which claimed 27 lives. Margaret said the armed invaders struck around 6.30am and started killing everyone in sight. “When they got to our compound, I quickly carried my granddaughter and went into hiding. But my daughter-in-law could not run because she just had a baby that week. So, they killed her,” she recounted. Recently, Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan confirmed that lives were lost in clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the state. Uduaghan, who stated this while receiving the Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, and members of the National Good Governance Team on a courtesy call on him in Asaba, added that the development was another challenge currently confronting the state. Worried about the activities of herdsmen, the state Police Command ordered them to surrender all illegal arms in their possession or face the wrath of the law. Its Public Relation Officer, Charles Muka, said the decision was taken following some discoveries by the command, adding: “We have taken measures to check the activities of herdsmen in the state and anyone caught breaking the law will be dealt with. “The command will not tolerate any unlawful acts from anybody. Therefore anybody keeping illegal arms should surrender them to the police or face the wrath of the law.” He however commended Hausa/Fulani leaders for their cooperation in checking the activi-

ties of herdsmen. It would be recalled that the herdsmen attacked Onicha-Ugbo community. A prominent community leader who craved anonymity, said: “We are beginning to discover that they are here for something else and we are concerned. “Tell me, if you are rearing your cattle, won’t you take them to the bush to eat grass and drink water? Why will they rape women in their farms? Why do they eat people’s yams and crops? Why do they take people’s property? Is that what they are expected to do? “They are supposed to lead their cattle to eat grass, but they will not do that. They will see a blossom farm and lead their cows to eat up farmers’ cassava, yam, corn and all the crops and rape our women in the farm. “We have tolerated these people enough and have therefore shifted everything to the state government to look into it. We will not tolerate their excesses anymore.” No fewer than 10 persons were killed and more missing during a bloody clash between herdsmen and villagers in Ogume, Ndokwa West Council, who challenged them for allowing their cattle to graze on their farmlands. According to Austin Ogude, a community leader and rights activist, the herdsmen invaded the community, wielding AK 47 rifles. Suck attacks are becoming a recurring decimal in the state where some of herdsmen have been linked to armed robberies, especially along the Kwale-Ogwashi-Uku road and the Benin-Asaba expressway. It got to a point that communities, such as Obetim in Ndokwa banned the presence of herdsmen within their community, following their ordeal, which had led to loss of lives and detention of very old men by the police, most of who died after long period of incarceration for an alleged involvement in the disappearance of some cows that constantly invaded and destroyed their farmlands. Youths in Atakar village in Kaura council of Kaduna State recently went on rampage to protest the alleged killing of a hunter, one Stephen Abui, by herdsmen. They allegedly vandalised the residence of their village head, Tobias Nkom-Wada who tried to pacify them, forcing him to flee the village. They also vandalised about 150 houses belonging to Fulani herdsmen in Sabon Gari area of the council. Muhammadu Chiroma, a victim, said 350 cows

Tell me, if you are rearing your cattle, won’t you take them to the bush to eat grass and drink water? Why will they rape women in their farms? Why do they eat people’s yams and crops? Why do they take people’s property? Is that what they are expected to do?

were killed and about 2,000 others missing. Plateau State has become noted for recurring clashes between farmers and herdsmen which usually result to loss of lives and destruction of farmlands and crops, particularly in councils such as Jos South, Barkin-Ladi, Riyom, Langtang North and Wase. This year alone, no fewer than 200 people, mostly children and women, have been killed on both sides and many houses razed and cattle killed in the areas. In Riyom and Barkin-Ladi alone, herdsmen suspected to be mercenaries from neighbouring Niger and Chad, killed over 50 people. Sometime last year, a member of the Plateau State House of Assembly, representing Riyom Constituency, Daniel Dem and 12 journalists narrowly escaped death in Kak village when a group of herdsmen attacked their fact-finding team in response to a report that some suspected herdsmen sacked over 20 villages in the area and killed eight people, who allegedly razed over 150 houses. Over 13 were killed in Rastas and Tapo villages in Barkin-Ladi, over 20 in Mangol and Mantol in Bokkos, another 20 in Da-Jak and Attakar in Kanawuri district of Riyom. There were skirmishes between the Fulani and Tarok in Wase and Langtang North councils, forcing most of the villagers flee to safety elsewhere. Last year, seven members of the same family were killed in an attack on Torok-Rim village in Riyom while mourning their father who was killed in an earlier attack. Apart from these usual attacks, the people were often waylaid on their farms, raped and killed by the assailants suspected to be herdsmen. Not quite long ago, Dogo-Nahawa was attacked by herdsmen, leading to the death of over 40 persons, mostly women and children. Senator Gyang Dantong, representing Plateau North, and a member of the state Assembly, Gyang Fulani, were killed last year while trying to escape attacks by marauders during a mass burial for some victims of attack on villages in Barkin-Ladi. Both the Fulani herdsmen and the native Berom have advanced various reasons as causes of the violence and killings, bordering on encroachment on farmlands and cattle grazing. Chairman of Riyom council, Sam Gyang Audu, attributed the frequent attacks on the people to an alleged quest by the Fulani to acquire Berom ancestral lands. A community leader, Choji Pam said the crisis goes beyond cattle rustling and encroachment of cattle into farmland. But Secretary of Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Saleh Bayeri, said the attack

CONTINUED ON PAGE 50

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

COVER

In Taraba, Herdsmen Are Under Check From Charles Akpeji, Jalingo

Instead, Communal, Religious Crises Threaten Farming Activities

ERE it not for the timely intervention of the ailing governor of Taraba State, Mr Danbaba Incessant communal and religious clashes are embark in any form of crisis again following the Suntai, the activities of herdsmen in the state presently threatening farming activities, espepromise made to them by the governor, that would have been worse than what presently cially in the southern geo-political zone of the does not mean that they will fold our hands obtains in some parts of the country. state. The recent religious crisis in Wukari watching while enemies want to displace our Although the plans mapped out by the gover- council and that of Ibi are a pointer to the fact cattle.” nor to halt clashes between herdsmen and farm- that unless something drastic is done, the state He urged the acting governor whom he said ers which include the creation of special routes will be confronted with food scarcity as farm“is a Fulani man like the herdsmen and I,” to and grazing points for the herdsmen were yet to ing activities are more pronounced in the areas revisit the promises that were earlier made to come to reality when Suntai was involved in a compared to other parts of the state. “our people by the governor” before the October plane crash in October last year, it has gone a “That herdsmen no longer take laws into their crash. long way in preventing herdsmen’s menace from hands is not enough reason for us to sit back Apart from the solutions proffered by the govresurrecting in any part of the state. and relax without fashioning out ways that ernor, Ardo opined that steps should be taken to Other mapped out plans that urgently led to would bring to reality, the dream of our sick halt future herdsmen’s restiveness by establishthe peaceful co-existence between the herdsmen governor to them (herdsmen)”, says Gidado ing nomadic schools in various parts of the and their various communities include the deci- Ardo. state. This, he said, would as well go a long way sion of the governor to bring to book, village Ardo, who is a Fulani man added: “Despite the to checkmate their activities. heads who fail to prevent such skirmishes from fact that my people have resolved not to “Another way out of this as far as I am conoccurring in their domains. This was demonstrated when six village heads in Chanchagi village in Takum Local Government Unlike other communities in various parts of the country that are still being council of the state were not only bundled to bedeviled by the menace of herdsmen, the reverse has been the case in Jalingo, the state headquarters by security operatives, but were as well detained in the state police Taraba State as what is often witnessed in the state are communal and relicommand for several days. gious crises, not herdsmen’s restiveness. The directive which was issued by the governor, as observed by The Guardian, has no doubt played a great role in putting to an end, the incessant clashes between herdsmen and their immediate communities. In the past, the Fulani herdsmen clashed with Tiv farmers or other tribes which include the Jukun and Kuteb. Following Suntai’s swift intervention, herdsmen in the state have seen the need to eschew things that would herald any form of upheaval by directing their cattle on the right paths, thereby preventing their cattle from destroying farmlands. Unlike other communities in various parts of the country that are still being bedeviled by the menace of herdsmen, the reverse has been the case in Taraba State as what is often witnessed in the state are communal and religious crises, not herdsmen’s restiveness. Farmlands worth millions of naira have in the past been destroyed and several lives lost due to the activities of herdsmen, but that has now become history as they have all seen reasons to sheathe their swords and let the much needed growth and development see the light of the day.

Menace Of The Herdsmen CONTINUED ON PAGE 49 on the people by the Fulani was a vengeance over the large number of Fulanis violently killed in 2007 and 2010 by the natives. Towards the end of last year, over 1000 women and youths in Imo State protested against the incessant rape of women and destruction of economic crops by herdsmen who have overrun most of their agrarian communities. A middle-aged woman from Ihe Umuapu in Ohaji Egbema Council said the herdsmen swooped on her in the farm while she was harvesting cassava and raped her in turns to a state of coma. In 2010, a violent clash between the villagers and herdsmen resulted in the death of three members of the community. The committee set up by the council to tackle the menace of herdsmen called on the state Assembly to assist them in their fight against the invasion and threat of the herdsmen, noting that their means of livelihood had been totally destroyed. The recent clash between farmers and herdsmen in Gwako village of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) typifies how the menace is growing. Following the report of a committee he set up to look into the crisis, FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed, directed the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCTDA) to procure suitable land for Fulanis as a grazing reserve within a month in response to the plea of the vice chairman of Miyyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Abubakar Sulaiman. In 2008, following these clashes, Senator Zainab Kure (Niger North) sponsored a bill for the establishment, preservation and control of National Grazing Reserves Establishment and Development Commission, saying: “Grazing and cultivation have direct bearing on issues of land rights and conflicts in this country,” citing the clashes in Oke, Ogun State in 2010 and the recurring Tiv/Fulani clashes in Nasarawa and Benue states. The bill, which passed second reading on the floor of the Senate in March last year, is also to provide for the establishment, preservation and control of stock routes. Gyang Dantong (PDP-Plateau) called for caution in the implementation the bill, arguing that if the herdsmen were given lands, a bill might one day come up to also give farmers lands. Grazing reserves in Nigeria are areas set aside for the

use of pastoralists. There are 415 grazing reserves across the federation, covering 4,288,725.64 hectares of land, with only 141 of them covering just 2,728,676.23 hectares of land gazetted. In the current law, grazing reserves are under state governments which have to gazette them for them to be protected from encroachment. Sometimes, the issue of reserve goes beyond existence. For example, the Paikon-Kore grazing reserve in Gwagwalada is dotted with pockets of farms by Abuja indigenes, who are yet to be compensated for their land since the idea for the grazing reserve was conceived in 1996. Recently, the National Security Adviser (NSA) to the President, Col. Sambo Dasuki, at the House of Representatives Committee on Climate Change, suggested the establishment of National Grazing Fields and Cattle Routes in the country to end the recurring clashes between herdsmen and farmers. Dasuki, who was represented by the Special Adviser on Economic Intelligence, Prof. Soji Adelaja, attributed the growing insecurity to the impact of climate change on the environment and its impact on the means of livelihood of the people. He explained that the rising sea level in the Niger Delta and the desert encroachment in most parts of North had forced even the herdsmen to migrate thousands of kilometres away from their homes in search of green pasture and water, resulting in their involvement in conflicts with farmers. He described the situation as disturbing, saying President Goodluck Jonathan recently held a meeting with state governors to find ways of stemming the tide of insecurity in the country. The meeting, he said, discussed the possibility of establishing grazing routes to ensure that herdsmen no longer clashed with crop farmers and solicited the cooperation of the National Assembly in the formulation of legislation for the establishment of National Grazing Route as a way of addressing the problem. As Nigerians await the final passage and signing into law of the bill, despite severe criticisms and commendations already trailing it from different quarters across the country, the incessant clashes between the herdsmen, farmers and host communities, which have led to loss of lives and property has to be addressed, and urgently too, as it is further aggravating the already precarious security situation in Nigeria.

cerned, is through proper education. To achieve this, government should make available nomadic schools for our people as it is presently being done in most parts of the North. “Some of the farmers, you will agree with me, that they are as well troublesome. So the government should endeavour to take more pain in embarking on awareness campaigns, especially to the farms,” Ardo said. One of the farmers who narrated his ordeal in the hands of some herdsmen in the last Chanchagi Tiv/Fulani clash to The Guardian on Saturday, said all his farm produce were not only destroyed by cattle, his fish pond which he said was located at the centre of the farm, was as well messed up. The farmer who gave his name as Tenenge, said: “That year was my worse year in this world because I was forced to become a beggar for my family to survive.” Whatever resources it would cost the government, the much-needed attention, he suggested, “should be given to these people (herdsmen) because that would go a long way in allowing us to concentrate on our farm.” Tenenge added: “To be frank with you, we live in fear during farming season because you don’t know the time they will invade your farm with their cows. And each time such thing happens, the level of destruction is always very great.” “Grazing points as well as special routes which we learnt our governor planned before the plane crash, will not only help the herdsmen, but would as well give us relief,” said another farmer. A member of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) who spoke on the issue, said: “God loves this state because apart from the last herdsmen’s activities that occurred in Takum in which Governor Suntai immediately intervened, we have not experienced any.” The SEMA official who craved anonymity, regretted that what is consuming the state’s finance “presently” is the “communal and religious crises” which he believes are being perpetrated by “overzealous politicians.” An aide to the acting governor who bared his mind on the issue, said: “My boss is very much aware of the plans to spread smiles on the faces of herdsmen and I am very much sure that he would act at the right time. After all, he is one of them.”

Imo Indigenes Bemoan Lack Of Enforcement Of Laws Restricting Herdsmen From Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri several years, indigenes of FWestOR Ohaji/Egbema and Irette in Owerri Local Councils of Imo State have been urging governments at various levels, to check the activities of herdsmen who graze their cattle on their farmlands. Ohaji/Egbema has expansive landmass which has propelled many people from different parts of the state to buy land and farm on them. But herdsmen take their cattle from far distances to such locations to graze them. Recently, there were reported cases of killings, rape and other vices perpetrated by the herdsmen on the farmlands in Irete and Ohaji/Egbema councils. Even on major roads in Owerri, herdsmen their cattle along ever-busy Port Harcourt Road, grazing them. Ditto in the New Owerri axis, near high brow Imo Concorde Hotel, Imo State House of Assembly and new Government House compound. Mr. Oliver Enwerenem, then Chairman, Imo State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture (1999-2007) in an interview with The Guardian on Saturday, expressed misgivings that the law put in place restricting the herdsmen and their cattle to particular areas is not enforced, thus causing problems for Imo people. “It is really a big shame that people who are supposed to enforce laws and rules allow people to break them with reckless abandon. We know what we

suffered to ensure that the activities of the herdsmen were regulated, restricting them to the bush to graze their cattle. But today, you find people struggling with cattle on the road. More devastating is the destruction of farmlands by the cattle. Why are we not ensuring that these herdsmen obey the law? Why should people lose their crops which they have suffered for several months and years to these deaf men? “Look at what we are hearing today, that our women are raped to death by these men. What kind of nonsense is this? I want to use these medium to beckon on our leaders in this state to sit up to their responsibilities and ensure that they enforce relevant laws on cattle rearing and the restrictions. This will check the activities of the herdsmen,” Enwerenem said. But a Hausa man in Owerri told The Guardian on Saturday that the accusations were exaggerated by the people. “This is not as people exaggerate this. Efforts are been made by us in the community to ensure that these herdsmen conform with the rules and laws in the state. We cannot fold our hands and allow them to do anything contrary with cattle,” he said. The Imo State government has severally made announcements, urging the herdsmen to obey the laws of the land by restricting their cattle to the designated areas and not on the farmland and unauthorized places. A police source hinted that more investigations were being made on the allegations against the herdsmen.

Enwererem

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

COVER

Menace of Herdsmen: Like Sudan like Nigeria By Ajibola Amzat TORIES of the attack by Fulani herdsmen Scountry against farmers in different parts of the are becoming frequent in the media,

Berom, Herdsmen Meet To Resolve Differences In Plateau From Isa Abdulsalami-Ahovi, Jos S attacks and counter-attacks persist between A the Fulani herdsmen and the native Berom people in Plateau State, the two groups have finally met to amicably settle their differences. The two sides had hitherto been adamant, refusing to shift ground for dialogue in order to bring the incessant attacks to an end. The clashes and attacks have resulted in heavy casualties on both sides in different parts of the state. The Fulani herdsmen have always been accusing the Berom people of stealing and killing their cows, while the Berom have always been accusing the Fulani herdsmen of attacking them in the night and destroying their farmlands. But on Wednesday, April 24, it seemed that reality had dawned on the two sides when they met and agreed to settle amicably as there had been heavy bloodbath and casualties on both sides. The truce between the two sides was brokered by the Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Gyang Pwajok. The truce meeting was held behind closed doors. But the Senator spoke after the meeting which was hosted by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Chris Olakpe. Pwajok described the meeting a very fruitful and revealing. He said: “Both sides aired their grievances and appeared finally willing to reach a true. The Fulani accused the Berom of killing and

rustling their cows and also accused the Special Task Force (STF) charged with maintaining the peace in Plateau of complicity in the killing of their people. The Fulani also wanted unmitigated access to grazing fields of their cattle.” On their part, according to the Senator, “the Berom leaders accused the Fulani of destroying their farmlands and also killing farmers working on their farms in addition to midnight attacks. Incidentally, the Berom also accused the STF of taking sides with the Fulani to unleash mayhem on their people. In fact, both groups called for the removal of the STF commanders in Riyom and Barkin Ladi, the two areas most hit by the violence.” Commenting on the outcome, Pwajok said: “From the tone of the submission by both groups, I suspect there are external mercenaries fuelling the violence because the two communities have been together for centuries. So, clearly, an external force must have infiltrated them.” On its alleged complicity in the violence, spokesman of the STF, Captain Salisu Ibrahim Mustapha dismissed it, saying it is very unthinkable to insinuate that the force that was sent to quell the violence being perpetrated by the warring groups, will now turn round to attack the same people. He advised the people to be constructive in their criticisms and not be carried away by sentiments.

perhaps, not much less frequent than the stories of Boko Haram onslaught in the northern Nigeria. This week an incident of attack by Fulani cattle herders was reported where not fewer than 10 persons were killed and their property destroyed. The incident occurred in Mbasenge community of Mbagwen, Benue state. In Yewa North of Local government area of Ogun State, the villagers and Fulani nomads have always locked horns in deadly contention. Same for Jos, Plateau State, where bloody clash between Fulani settlers and Beron natives are rampant. Other states where conflict between herdsmen and farmers have led to loss of live and property include Nasarawa, Enugu, Osun, Yobe, Borno, Jigawa, Taraba, Delta and FCT Abuja. This widespread attack has been a source of worry to the concerned citizens. In a newspaper study of conflicts/crises in Nigeria between 1991 and 2005, two researchers, Fasona and Omojola found that farmer- herdsmen conflicts accounted for 35 percent of the major clashes reported by selected Nigerian newspapers. The menace of herdsmen in different Nigerian communities brings to mind the gory tale of humanitarian crisis in Darfur region of Sudan, which according to historians claimed over 200, 000 lives and rendered over a million

homeless. Though there are several factors identified as the cause of the Darfur crisis, the land dispute between herdsmen and farmers was considered to be the origin. Scholars de-emphasised the religion factor because majority of the population of Darfur is predominantly Muslim. The crisis began when Arab Nomadic herdsmen and non-Arab African farmers disagreed over land use. The desertification, which started to engulf northern Darfur, drove cattle herders southward. And the farmlands belonging to non-Arab Dafuris became the target of the herdsmen. Attempt by farmers to prevent grazing led to skirmishes, which contributed to the full-blown humanitarian crisis in Sudan. But in what way are the herdsmen of Nigeria related to those of the Sudan? Historical account shows that the Fulani are a Sahelian people mainly located in the West African regions of northern Nigeria, southeastern Niger, Sudan, Cameroon, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and Chad and smaller communities scattered throughout West Africa. They are a nomadic tribe, herding livestock across the vast dry hinterlands of their domain, and keeping distance from the local agricultural populations. Another account describes them as the first tribal group in West Africa to convert to Islam through jihads, or holy wars, and was able to take over much of the Sahel region of West Africa and establish themselves not only as a religious group but also as a political and economical force. Notwithstanding, activities of the Fulani herdsmen both in Nigeria and Sudan present a threat not only to the peace and security of the two countries but to the sub-Sahara Africa.

In Rivers Communities, Beheaders Replace Herdsmen

From Ann Godwin, Port Harcourt HE spectre of cattle rearers terrorising some communities in T Rivers State seems to have abated. Previously, cattle belonging to the nomads grazed on crops and farmlands in some communities across the state without causing any nuisance, but two years ago, in the guise of their flock scavenging for food in farms, the rearers started raping women who went to farm, and stealing animals caught in the hunters’ traps. Some of the affected communities were Ubima in Ikwere Council and others were in Ahaoda East and Ahaoda West Councils. The development scared the villagers from their main occupation which was farming. The women explored all the peaceful

avenues to forestall the danger ahead, including calling for the intervention of government and security agencies and even meeting with their leaders in Elele to wade into the matter. But when no solution appeared in sight, they held a peaceful protest to Government House in Port Harcourt. The leader of Ubima Farmers’ Association, Mrs. Gladys Amadi, who led the protest, also revealed that some policemen who were later deployed to their farms, retreated when they discovered that the herdsmen had superior firearms. The situation became more worrisome when news filtered in on how the villagers had been forced out of their farmlands by the rearers, prompting youths of the community to brace up for a showdown. But the elders and some government officials and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) prevailed them upon. South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Umesi Emenike, told The Guardian that they were able to manage the situation by bringing the state where the herdsmen came from and the community people together for discussion. An agreement was reached for the cattle rearers to return to their home states. Emenike harped on the need to provide grazing areas for cattle rearers to avoid similar crisis in future. That taken care of, another kind of danger is now threatening some of these communities. Farmers in Umukwa, Igbo Etche in Etche Council are being forced out of their farmlands in this crucial farming season by the horrible activities of criminals looking for people to behead. It was gathered that four persons, mostly farmers, have been beheaded in the area, a situation that has caused pandemonium in the community and consequently scared the villagers from

going to the farm. A resident, who gave his name as simply Anayo, said: “The situation has become very worrisome because the farming season is running out and if we do not plant anything now, during the harvest season, we will have nothing to harvest and that will lead to hunger and deaths.” The Guardian gathered that one of the criminals has been arrested and confessed to beheading just one person and was preparing to complete his assignment with two extra heads before his arrest. Shaken by the development, Samuel Okere, one of the community activists, said it was necessary for government and security agencies to urgently address the matter and bring the culprits to book before it escalates. Okere warned that if government fails to intervene speedily, the people might be forced to handle the security situation themselves. He lamented that the problem was adversely affecting the farmers, as their planting materials were rotting away, warning that the situation may cause food shortage and affect the economic lives of the people. Some of the farmers described the situation as strange and horrific. One of them, Francis Ibe, said: “I am not used to staying at home. I get sick whenever I stay at a place. It is unfortunately that this ugly development has forced me to stay indoor for some weeks now, while my seedlings are dying and the farming season is running out. “We are just helpless because we don’t want to die. If you go to the farm, those hoodlums will come and behead you.” Another farmer, Michael Uzo, in an emotion-laden voice, said: “Farming is the only occupation we know. It is the only source of income for us. Hunger is looming in our land. We want the government to look into this matter urgently. We don’t want hoodlums in our community.” A human rights lawyer, Ken Atuwette, regretted the development, saying the rights of the people were being violated. He blamed the situation on the failure of the security operatives who he alleged don’t think about the security of the common men, but are only interested in providing security for politicians and oil workers because of what they gain. He said: “Measures are supposed to be put in place to protect the common man, including farmers who produce what we eat. “The situation, if not nipped in the bud, could lead to food shortages and hunger and even deaths, as several persons be deprived of their source of livelihood.”

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THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

COVER

Herdsmen Allegedly Involved In Highway Robbery In Kwara From Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin

NE area in which the negative activities of the herdsmen have remained nightmarish to the people of Kwara State is the incessant highway robbery allegedly linked to them. But the recent destruction of over 500 acres of farm owned by Doyin Investment at Agbamu in Irepodun Local Government Area of the state by the cattle of the herdsmen, seems to have added another dimension to their nefarious activities. However, Seriki Hausawa in Kwara State, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar believes that the herdsmen who are being linked with the crimes are not those living in the state, but those passing through due to their itinerant way of life. Motorists and passengers plying such routes as Ajase Ipo/ Ilorin, Ajase Ipo/Omu-Aran and Bode Saadu/ Share roads do so with apprehension, not

knowing the fate that awaits them. Mrs Sunday Otayorke, a yam merchant, narrated her ordeal along Bode Saadu/Share thus: “I was travelling in a bus with some other traders to Lafiagi to purchase some tubers of yam for sale. It was around 7:30am when we suddenly ran into a strange blockade on the road. “Immediately, about 15 fully armed Fulani men emerged from the nearby bush on the road, speaking bad English, asking us women traders to willingly surrender our igbanu, the local purse we use as belt around our waists. “They started brandishing their cutlasses with a threat to kill anyone resisting. I lost all the money on me in order to save my life. They shot one woman for trying to hide her money from them.” Another victim, Kunle Yahaya said: “I was travelling along Ilorin/Ajase Ipo at about 6pm when my vehicle rammed

into a big stone on the road. The vehicle somersaulted but I came out alive. I saw about five Fulani men running out of the bush and they inflicted serious matchet cuts on me. I pretended to be dead and they searched my pockets and went into my car where they went away with a sum of about N300, 000. “I was in a coma until some good Samaritans picked me up on the road mistaken me for an accident victim. I later woke up on hospital bed at University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH) to narrate my ordeal in the hands of the Fulani highway robbers posing as herdsmen.” Presently, one effective way of curbing the activities of the robbers is the heavy presence of armed vigilance groups at the black spots. They are being paid by the authority of council areas where they fall into. Also narrating her loss to the herdsmen, Mrs Omolola Olobayo said the cattle that

passed through her farm on several occasions destroyed cassava plants and maize valued at over N10 million. “When challenged by those farmers employed to work on the farm, they chopped off the wrist of one of them. We are still battling with that now. Some people counselled me on the need to employ some Fulani men to serve as guards on the farm,” she said. The spokesman of the state Police Command, Deputy Superintendent Olufemi Fabode said there are grazing routes legally approved in the state, adding that when such routes are not followed, it remains an offence for those flouting the same. Fabode, who claimed that although there are some suspected herdsmen fingered for highway robberies in some parts of the state, that should not be interpreted to mean that only the herdsmen are engaged in robbery activities in the state.

Ahmed

Benue In Dilemma Over Menace Of Herdsmen From Joseph Wantu, Makurdi S many states across Nigeria grapple with the negative activities of herdsmen and their invasion of farmlands, Benue, as an agricultural state, has in no small measure been at the receiving end and has indeed had more than a fair share of the attacks by the nomads. The incessant invasion of farmlands by the cattle rearers, some of who have become marauders, has caused socio-economic dilemma as they are not only gruesomely killings hundreds of people, but also burn houses, destroy farms and subject people to physical as well as psychological torture. Investigation in the state revealed that in recent times, three local government areas are worst hit by the menace caused by the herdsmen who, at many intervals, allege that indigenes steal their cows. The three local councils currently under siege by the herdsmen are Guma, Gwer-West and Makurdi the state capital. The inhabitants of these local councils are predominantly the Tiv people and as serious farmers, the consequences are very glaring. The people are deserting their farms even as rains have set in. Much of the farmlands have been destroyed by the herdsmen just as no day passes by without dead bodies being retrieved from the bushes. Worst still, is the looming hunger. Perturbed by the wave of killings theñherdsmen in his domain, Chairman of Guma council, Mr. Terna Usa Adi told The Saturday Guardian that the invasion of his area has created pain, psychological torture and fear as many people have deserted their homes and farms for safety. Adi appealed to the Federal Government to take more drastic measures against the herdsmen. He described the killings as genocide, revealing that recently, four corpses were found in Mbagwen district, four on the University of Agriculture- Gbajimba Road, three in Nyiev district and two in Uvir. On whether he is in support of the creation of grazing areas, he said if that will help the situation he will support it; noting that with grazing areas if the herdsmen go out of the areas, they would be cautioned. But he said the local government has deliberately decided not to create camps for the displaced people; stressing that similar

In Enugu, No Law Restricts Herdsmen’s Movements From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu

N Enugu State, there are no restrictions to areas where herdsmen who move from place to place with their cows in search of food and shelter, are expected to operate. With kegs of water hung between their armpits and shoulders and big sticks over their necks which they use to whip recalcitrant cattle into line, the herdsmen move from one location to another in search of pasture for their cows. Dressed in rather tattered clothes, carrying mats and sharp knives among other objects, one thing about these men is that they are ready to cover several miles daily and wherever night meets them becomes their home. In some cases, some of them are boys whose ages rang between 10 and 12 years and who rarely have control of some of the cows in their midst. On a daily basis, as they move their cattle from one location to another for grazing, so also do they constitute threats to either human lives or farmlands. The cows freely defecate along major roads and streets in the city as they move. In the same vein, various farmlands have been destroyed as the cows eat up crops. A farmer at Emene, Enugu, Mrs Njideka Ugwu told The Guardian on Saturday how she gathered wood with which she fenced round her farm to prevent entry by cows. She lamented how she got to her cassava farm one morning to discover that cows had eaten up crops. “I could not believe it happened because the day before the incident, I was here with workers I hired to clear the grasses and plant new crops in other areas. However, returning the next morning, I saw that the herdsmen moved their cow through here in the night and these cows made feast of what was left in the farmland. “This year, I do not want to take chances. I have decided to use these woods to regulate movement

into the farm so as to save the growing crops”, she said. Mrs Ugwu said that some farmers have resorted to using woods to secure their farmlands so as to ward off the cows from attacking their crops, stressing that anytime they were attacked, they either go back to replant the crops or abandon the farms completely. She stated that though the droppings of the cows constitute major manure to the farmlands, the herdsmen should restrict their movement to areas without planted crops, adding that farmers in the area had fallen out on several occasions with herdsmen due to the destruction they cause in the farms. Last year, a community in Nkanu East local government petitioned the state government over the menace of herdsmen in the area. They did not only accuse them of destroying their farmland, but of occupying a vast majority of their farms, thereby preventing farming activities. One Chikezie Omaba who signed the protest letter, added that the herdsmen had severally attacked people in the area, leaving them with injuries for daring to ask them to vacate their farmland. Travellers on the Enugu-Onitsha highway have been attacked and robbed severally along the Onyeama Hills by persons suspected to be herdsmen operating in the area. They attack their target very early in the morning or late in the evening and cart away items like food, money and jewelries. Travellers had at times sustained injuries while attempting to flee from the herdsmen. When the situation rose to an alarming state last year, the police and other security agencies in the state launched a patrol and surveillance around the Onyeama Hills to Ninth Mile corner axis of the state as part of the effort to protect travellers and other road users.

camps established in the past were grossly abused by people put in charge. “What we decided to do this time is that we have encouraged our people to come back to their settlement areas and to be on alert and report any suspicious movement to security agents. We have created security camps across the affected districts in my council and they are now on 24 hours patrol,” Adi stated. But in spite of the security up in the affected areas, on Wednesday April 24, herdsmen again ambushed Tiv farmers in Guma, killing no fewer than 10 of them with many others still missing. Irked by the wanton killing of Tiv people by the Fulani herdsmen, the royal father of the Tiv nation, Dr. Alfred Akawe Torkura at a recent press conference at Anyiin, Logo council area of the state, frowned at the lackadaisical manner the federal government has been handling the mayhem caused by Fulani despite committee reports on the crises. He then called for the evacuation of the herdsmen from the state to guarantee peace in the land. A farmer in Mbagwem, one of the affected areas who pleaded anonymity and is currently taking refuge with a relation in Makurdi, said he lost his beniseed farm on about 20 hectares to the herdsmen. But no official of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) was available to explain why no camp has been created for the displaced persons who are now roaming the streets of Makurdi in their hundreds, as at the time of filing this report .

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday April 27, 2013

COVEREXTRA

President Jonathan with members of the Presidential Committee on Amnesty for Boko Haram during their inauguration in Abuja on Wednesday

Boko Haram Amnesty: How Far Can The Presidential Committee Go? By Samson Ezea FTER many months of dilly-dallying and footdragging over the use of dialogue or amnesty to tackle the menace of Boko Haram insurgency which has claimed lives of many innocent Nigerians and property worth billions of naira, the Federal Government finally succumbed to the clarion call for dialogue in engaging the sect by setting up a Presidential Committee on Engagement with members of the sect. The committee, which is headed by the Minister of Special Duties, Mallam Kabiru Taminu Tukarki (SAN) and was inaugurated in Abuja on Wednesday by President Goodluck Jonathan, was given 90 days to complete its work. The president urged members of the committee members to come up with solutions that will restore peace in the troubled Northern part of the country. Inaugurating the committee as well as the committee on the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Jonathan prayed Allah to grant members of the committees the wisdom to do their job. He said: “Nigerians are expecting this committee to perform magic and we pray that Allah should give you the wisdom to do so, because without peace we can’t develop no matter how committed we are.” He implored members of the committee to establish a link with members of the Boko Haram sect and develop a framework through which disarmament will take place. Members of the committee include Sheik Ahmed Lemu, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, Col. Musa Shehu, (rtd.), Sheik Abubakar Tureta, Senator Sodangi Abubakar, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Hon. Mohammed Bello Matawalle, Amb. Zakari Ibrahim, Hajiya Naja’atu Mohammed, Malam Adamu S. Ladan, Dr. Joseph Golwa, AVM A. I. Sheh, Mr. R. I. Nkemdirim, DIG P. I. Leha, and Prof. Nur Alkali. Others are Malam Salihu Abubakar, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Lugga, Barrister Ibrahim Tahir, Brig-Gen. Ibrahim Sabo, Amb. Baba Ahmed Jidda, Group Capt. Bilal Bulama, Rtd, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi and Representative of SGF as Secretary. Two members earlier nominated, Mallam Shehu Sani and Alhaji Datti Ahmed rejected their membership of the committee, saying they were not consulted by the Presidency before their names were announced. In his response, Chairman of the Committee and Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki said: “Members of this committee are prepared to bring everything that we have, our diverse experiences, our education, professionalism, tactics, skills and above all our integrity to bear in the work of this committee.” But barely 24-hours after President Jonathan

inaugurated the committee, an Abuja based legal practitioner, Mr. Silas Onu on Thursday approached the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, asking it to abort plans by the Federal Government to grant amnesty to members of the sect. Besides, Onu, who maintained that granting amnesty to the sect would set a very dangerous precedence in the national polity, also prayed the court to issue a consequential order halting the continuation of amnesty programme across the country. He urged the high court to go ahead and halt further payments to ex-militants in the oil rich Niger Delta region were President Jonathan hails from. While Nigerians await the outcome of the suit and look forward to the committee’s recommendations, the question is: how far can the committee go considering the enormous challenges facing it? Would it end up like previous committees set up by the government before it? What effect will the withdrawal of two key persons appointed into the committee, Comrade Shehu Sani and Alhaji Datti Ahmed have on its work, considering the prominent roles of the duo in engaging the sect members in dialogue before now? Who is Onu and who is he working for in a bid to scuttle the proposed amnesty for the sect? How will the judgment of the court on the pending suit affect the work of the committee? It would be recalled that Sani who made name through his pioneering efforts in engaging the sect and leading former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the family of the sect’s slain leader, Mohammed Yusuf had said: “When I took the personal risk and facilitated a dialogue with the insurgents, to end the violence in my country, the government threw away all my proposals because they ‘want to crush them by force’ and because they can’t talk to terrorists’ and said that ‘I’m seeking self glory’. “Now, the government wants to talk to terrorists and I said I am not interested, Mr Okupe and his friends call me unpatriotic. My position remains unchanged. I don’t have time to waste with an un-serious government.” Sani said only a freelance journalist, Mallam Ahmed Salkida, who has constantly had interviews with Boko Haram leaders, will be able to mediate and bring about true amnesty. Salkida is not on the committee. Sani, however, argued that Salkida would be in a better position to dialogue with the Boko Haram leaders than even the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III. He said Salkida must definitely be in any committee that would meet with the Boko Haram leaders for the committee to succeed. But when reminded that Salkida has fled the country, he replied: “Nigerians should ask themselves questions. Why should such a person flee when he has made sacrifices and even offered to arrange the first meeting directly with the Boko Haram group? Such a Nigerian should be encour-

aged if he has access to Boko Haram and these people trust him. Why don’t we bring him and make him Chairman of the committee? Must he be a billionaire? Must he be a politician or is it because he is a journalist? Didn’t they know that sometimes a solution to a problem may just be before you? I know the kind of effort and sacrifice that man has put in.” On his part, Ahmed who also declined his membership of the Committee said Nigerians would have since forgotten about Boko Haram but when he (Ahmed) offered to mediate, the government disappointed him. “We had even reached the stage of talking with them and they had agreed to come out to discuss with the authorities but the government refused to play its own part. We have played our own part so the way out is left for the government. “We sat with the government and told them that we can talk to this people (Boko Haram) and we did talk to them. “They told us their conditions to come out for discussion and we gave feedback to the government but it refused to do anything. I participated in the first one and in the second attempt to dialogue with the sect but the government failed on what it was supposed to do. You will not expect me to keep doing what I know will not yield any meaningful result,” he said. On its part, pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere advised members of the committee to focus on bringing an end to the Boko Haram insurgency. National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin said: “Looking through the committee’s set up, there are some credible names in that committee who should know what to do. It depends on the chairman that is going to lead this committee. If the committee is to look holistically at Boko Haram, what led to the insurgency, how to interface with the group and bring an end to this crisis and also address the issues that led to Boko Haram, all well and good. But if it is another committee to facilitate another scam without addressing the issues that led to the problems, it will be a sheer waste of time.” In his reaction, Second Republic lawmaker, Dr Junaid Mohammed said: “The setting up of amnesty committee is a bloody waste of time and resources by the Federal Government because government has failed to get the group to the table for discussion. So, who are they going to discuss with? A former Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav said: “I don’t know the terms of the committee, but what I am saying is that Boko Haram members should come out and talk to the government. They should tell the nation why they have been doing what they are doing. But the government should guarantee the safety of the sect members when they come out. They must ensure that nothing happens to them.”

Spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi, averred: “It is the absolute right of Sani and Ahmed to decide where to serve or not to serve. The most important thing is how to achieve peace in the North and across the country. Former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, urged all Nigerians to support the committee in its work because of its national importance. Also in his reaction, the former coordinator of General Mohammed Buhari Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Buba Galadimma said that he would not know how far the committee can go now, but stressed that it is obvious now that the military approach is not the solution to the problems. Meanwhile the The Northern Governors’ Forum on Thursday begged members of the sect to accept the proposed amnesty extended to them by President Jonathan. Chairman of the Forum and Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu made this known while receiving the report of the forum’s Committee on Reconciliation, Healing and Security in Abuja “Members of the insurgent group are called upon for immediate ceasefire; accept the offer made by the Federal Government and come forward for dialogue and eventual submission of arms,” Aliyu said. In his remarks, Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda, said: “We have investigated enough, we have killed our people enough, the entire Northern Nigeria is filled with our own blood, that of our wives, our parents and our grandparents without reason.” Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State said: “The North is a sleeping giant. It has potential in terms of human and material resources. Its eminent sons and daughters have performed credibly well in the affairs of this nation for decades. There is no excuse for the North to keep hurting itself.” Earlier, Chairman of the Committee, Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim, observed that the insecurity in the North had dire consequences for the corporate existence of Nigeria. Zakari said: “The North has suffered very serious economic, social and psychological devastation with relationships among the people severely fractured. Specifically, the underlying sources of insecurity in the Northern states are deeply rooted in the following: Economic inequality and narrowing opportunities, conflicts and unhealthy competition among ethnic and religious identities, ownership and access to resources (land and territory), unequal access to political power among groups and the feeling of lack of respect; and appointments into traditional headship positions, the deterioration in personal and inter-group relationships, poverty, illiteracy and ignorance, widespread impunity, injustice and disregard for the rule of law.”

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

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Remembering Prof. Akintunde Cole Onitiri (1944-2012) By Onyedika Agbedo IS death on April 27, 2012, took his loved ones, especially members of his immediate family by surprise and left them downcast. Tears flowed! And on Friday May 25, 2012, when he was lowered to the grave at the Vaults and Gardens, Ikoyi, those who witnessed the solemn ceremony knew that a great man, who devoted his life to the service of God and humanity, departed this sinful world. And so, bidding the late Prof. Akintunde Cole-Onitiri a final farewell was not an easy thing for them to do, but tributes flowed. One year after his demise, his family, still recovering from the shock of his unexpected departure recalls his life and times, experiences with him and how he impacted their lives. His wife, whom he fondly referred to as Mma Ceecee writes in her tribute: “All the years we spent together. Starting from nothing, we struggled together, we joked together. We shared all together. My childhood love where are you? That night, the last night you slept with me, we talked, we planned, we joked, there was so much laughter…we continued in the morning. How I held your head in my arms as we discussed! The future looked so bright; little did I realise that that would be the last. But you know something? I remember what you always said to me in difficult times—“It is well. I believe it is well because I know God’s presence is a friend to me. He will keep my lamp burning and turn darkness to light.” To her daughter Funke, “my father’s life was an example of all that is good…I have listened to so many people talk about my father and I am proud, proud to be his child and at the same time humbled by the testimonies of his humility and humanity.” Banke Claude-Wilcox, also his daughter writes: “You were always there for me…You always encouraged me through difficult situations telling me, “Fear not” and that “It is well”. You encouraged us not to be like others but to be ourselves. You always sang that song, “A good name is better than silver and gold” and taught us that “Vanity upon vanity, all is vanity”. All these are words I will never forget.” His son, Akintunde Cole-Onitiri (Jnr) has this to

say: “As a father, he was the “Cool Dad” but yet he was a disciplinarian. He was strict with his children and made sure we grew up with the right principles when we were kids. But as we got older, he allowed us to think for ourselves and establish our own path in life and we did that; but we knew that he was always there for us to give us advice when we wanted it, a shoulder to cry on when we needed it and a good talking too when required. He was the kind of father/man that you can rely on, someone that would never let you down; he couldn’t let you down because it was against his principles to disappoint you. He was wise, kind, caring, loving and a man of principles.” Born on the August 28, 1944, in Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, Port Harcourt to the late Mr. Olawale Cole-Onitiri of the Onitiri family of Lagos and the late Mrs. Angelina Ibifuro Cole-Onitiri (nee Banigo) of Grand Bonny Kingdom, Prof. Akintunde Cole-Onitiri was the second-born, though the oldest son in their family of eight children. He attended St. Cyprian’s Primary School, Port Harcourt, where he was identified as a shining star and made to take the National Common Entrance Examinations when he was just in Standard Five. His performance was excellent and he was accepted into the prestigious King’s College, Lagos and was the youngest in his class. While in King’s College, he continued along the path of tremendous distinction and won many academic laurels for Best Student and for Services to College Life. He also went on to become School Prefect, House Captain and Company Quarter Master Sergeant (head) of the King’s College Cadet Unit. He won Entrance Scholarships as well as the Federal Government Scholarship for Best ‘A’ Level scores (his scores being the best in the whole of West Africa) into the College of Medicine University of Lagos in 1964. He stood out in his academic work at the university and was chosen to pioneer the intercalated Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Programme between the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester New York and College of Medicine University of Lagos. He obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Sciences and his

Onitiri MB.BS. degrees and subsequently attained a Masters degree in Chemical Pathology as well as a Doctoral degree in Chemical Pathology at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital, London. Thereafter, he joined the University of Lagos, College of Medicine as Lecturer Grade 1 and as a result of his outstanding work, speedily became Professor of Chemical Pathology—the first alumnus of the University to become Professor and the youngest professor in his time! He was exceptional in his training of B.Med Science students, MSc and Ph.D students. He was external examiner in almost all the Colleges of Medicine in Nigeria and also in the University of Nairobi in Kenya, the University of Ghana and in addition, the University of Zimbabwe in Harare. He later left the College of Medicine and was the Proprietor and Chief Medical Director of Shalom

Encomiums, As Family Marks Jacob Udoakagahe Esuene’s 20th Memorial Service By Anietie Akpan, Calabar KET, one of the ancient cities in Akwa Ibom State Nigeria literally came to a standstill last Sunday as people from all walks of life gathered to celebrate the virtuous life led by the late Brigadier-General Udoakagha Esuene at the 20th year remembrance and thanksgiving service held i n

Esuene

his honour at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Treasure House), Eket Oron road, Eket. The event had the presence of notable Nigerians who poured encomiums on him, saying he impacted many lives in the country. The Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, who stood in for the Senate President, described the late Esuene as a “model of good governance and development.” Ndoma-Egba said: “A moment ago, I was whispering to His Majesty King Alfred Diete Spiff, OFR, JP Seriya II, Amanyanabo of Twon Brass who was governor at the same time with Brigadier Esuene that he was in his 20s as governor. The late Esuene was 31 when he became governor of the then South-Eastern State. I remember when he was announced as a military governor; we were just at the threshold of the Nigerian civil war. Calabar was under Biafran occupation so he had to set up an administration from Ogoja. At the age of 31, he made Cross River and Akwa Ibom State the most toasted states in Nigeria today. “When he died, he was a year younger than myself, but he left behind achievement that some people even on their 57 years, may not have achieved. So, when is the best time to die? The best time to die is when you die! There is no better time to die than when you die. For General Esuene, he came and in 56 years, played his part and took an honourable bow into eternity. That is why 20 years later, we remember him vey v e r y fondly.” On his part, the

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Gosdwill Akpabio, who referred to the late Esuene as his motivator, said Nigerians should learn to put in their best while in office and leave lasting legacies. “The lesson we must pick from here is that, whenever God gives you an opportunity to be in a position, leave that position better than you met it. Ask yourself questions in your various endeavours as a headmaster of a school, as a principal, as a politician, have I left that place better than I met it?” The late Esuene’s colleague, Chief Diete Spiff also relived his experiences with the late Esuene, saying, “he was indeed a brother and a colleague.” He added: “Gen. Esuene and myself were also members of Eastern State Asset and Liability Commission and we worked very closely together to see that the resources of Nigeria was evenly shared to the three comprising states at that time. General Esuene was very dynamic even as a military officer from school days. He was known to be a great athlete; he was a seasoned boxer and also a tennis player. “He had a great fight; he did a lot to Cross River and Akwa Ibom. And the good Lord at His own mercy recalled him back to his bosom 20 years ago. Although it is 20 years since his demise, his memory is still fresh with us and his dear wife must be thanked for keeping his memory alive. A book was written about his life and legacy and it was launched on the 10th anniversary of his demise. I am very happy that today, heavy weights all over the country have come to remember my dear colleague. This shows how much he was loved and how much we all appreciate his efforts during his time as governor.” The late Esuene’s wife, Senator Helen Esuene, representing Eket Senatorial District, in her remarks expressed appreciation to God Almighty for the memorial celebration of her late husband. She also thanked all those that made it to the event, which was also used to commission the Male Surgical Ward of Immanuel Hospital, Eket, which was renovated by the Esuenes.

Hospital of International Medical Check-up Centre in Surulere, Victoria Island and Lekki, Lagos, a position he held since 1984. The late Cole-Onitiri was a Fellow of the following organisations: The University of Cambridge (UK), the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York (USA), The National Medical College, The West African College of Physicians, and the American College of Clinical Pathologists. He was a Chairman of the Committee for Basic Medical Sciences in the College of Medicine of the Lagos State University and helped in the assessment of new professors in that university as well as other universities in Nigeria. His broad expertise spanned Laboratory or Investigative Medicine, Cardiology, Endocrinology, Nutrition, Obesity (Bariatric Medicine), Preventive Medicine, Wellness Medicine, Stress Management, Geriatric Medicine, Risk Factors for Disease, Molecular Biology, Immunology and Genetics. He was an active member of King’s College Old Boys’ Association, holding several portfolios, culminating in his appointment as Chairman of the King’s College School Based Management Committee. He was a member of the Board of Regents of Covenant University Ota and Chairman of the Research Committee of the Board. Prof. Cole-Onitiri surrendered his life to Jesus Christ in 1988 at a meeting of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International. He was thereafter baptised in 1990 in All Nations Church of Jesus Christ, FESTAC, Lagos where he then served as a Deacon, was afterward ordained a Pastor. He later became an Elder of the church. The late Onitiri was a man of many parts—medical practitioner par excellence, economist, prolific writer, bank director, inspirational speaker, chairman of businesses in oil and gas, finance and construction industries of the economy, pastor, church builder, caring husband, father grand father and brother. He is fondly remembered by his wife, children and grand children, brothers and sisters. May his gentle soul continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord.

Ohiorenoya For Burial May 3 RENOWNED Quantity A Surveyor and Minister of God, Rev. Vincent Oisaye Ohiorenoya is dead, aged, 55. Born on January 12, 1958, in Ake-Ievbu in Owan East Local Council Area of Edo State, Rev. Ohiorenoya was a 1981 graduate of Quantity Surveying of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi in Edo State. As an intelligent and brilliant scholar, he furthered his education to earn a Masters in Business Administration and a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Science from the University of Benin. With a strong desire to serve God, he added to his academic excellence other degrees in Theology. He dedicated his entire life to God right from his schooling days to when he passed on. Until April 2, this year, when he triumphantly joined the saints, he was an Associate Pastor at Church of God Mission, Praise Centre, Effurun, Warri and the Principal, All Nations for Christ Bible Institute, Warri. He served in the Bible School for 13 years. He was also a core professional quantity surveyor, consultant and businessman. He authored books Ohiorenoya

such as New Life in Christ, A Letter to My Daughter, A Letter to My Son and Look before You Leap. He has many other unpublished titles and articles. According to the burial arrangements announced by the family, a service of songs will hold at the Church of God Mission International, Praise Centre, Jakpa Road, Warri at 4pm on May 2, this year. This will be followed by burial ceremony in his hometown, Ake Ievbu, Owan East Local Council Area, Edo State at 11 a.m. on May 3. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Enakeno Rosaline Ohiorenoya; two sons and two daughters—Ohiozoje Ohis Ohiorenoya, Ohizuajeme Ohiorenoya, Amieghogho Ohiorenoya and Enahoro Ohiorenoya.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

TRANSITION

Rev. Canon John Omatseye Binitie (JP), 10 Years After By Onyedika Agbedo OMORROW, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Warri, Delta State will play host to numerous guests who will throng the church to be part of the 10th year memorial service of the late Rev. Canon John Omatseye Binitie. The late Binitie was an educationist and evangelist who was renowned for his humility, discipline and hard work in carrying out his duties as a teacher and winning souls for Christ as an Anglican priest. Born in 1912 in Okitipupa, Ondo State to David Binitie and Lydia Ariesibiro Binitie, daughter of Chief Ereku of Irigbo Quarters of Ode Itsekiri, Big Warri, the late Binitie’s parents were itinerant traders who traded in foodstuff between Okitipupa and Benin, Warri, Ethiope Rivers between 1905 and 1930. As a boy, he accompanied his parents on trading expeditions and these trips interrupted his early education. Between 1925 and 1928, he attended the village school at Okitipupa. In 1929, he had a brief stint in a school in Lagos. However, real schooling did not start until 1931 when he moved to Warri with his aunt. It was in Warri that God charted a course for him that eventually blossomed into a distinguished career in the education sector. In a yet to be published Autobiography, the late Binitie wrote: “In 1931, I started school in St. Andrew’s School, Warri. It was not easy to determine what class to place me (I was 19). Eventually, after some tests I was placed in Standard III. Early in 1932, my aunt and her husband returned to Lagos but my aunt who recognised my ability and aptitude wisely left me behind in Warri to continue my education, which had suffered so much set back and interruption. I was left in the care of a friend of my aunt and her husband. While with this couple, I had a number of experiences and adventures, such as fetching firewood from the creeks, apprentice to fishermen and selling tins of water to women

food sellers in the market. “My master loved me for my industry. In the school, I was the darling of teachers and headmasters. I won a scholarship in the school; I was exempted from paying school fees in Standard V and VI when I was the Assistant School Monitor and Chief School monitor respectively. The school fee then was Six shillings a term or 18 shillings a year. At the end of 1934, I finished my Primary/Elementary school course and obtained the First school Leaving Binitie Certificate” The late Binitie was a pupil teacher at St. Andrew’s School, Warri (1935-1937); Headmaster, C.M.S School Owodoawaren-Ughelli (19381939); a student at Awka College, a foremost teacher training College in the Eastern Region (Anambra State) (1939-1942). He obtained his Higher Elementary at the end of 1942. From 1943 to 1947, he was a tutor at the Teacher Training College, later St. Michael’s College, Oleh. He was also the CMS (Anglican) Visiting Teacher for the whole of Warri (later Delta) Province from 1947 to 1948. He was the first indigene to perform such a duty and was thus a pioneering educationist in the Province. His duties included opening new

Tribute To Efere Ozako By Inyang Etim-Inyang RENDON Burchard’s Bestselling book:” The Charge” essentially reflects on 10 human drives, five of which are called ‘baseline drives’. The other five are called ‘forward drives’. He contends that activating these human drives like the drive for control, competence, congruence, contribution and so on and so forth guarantees a life of fulfillment and abundance. In other words, a ‘charged’ life! In the same book he reflects on a near death experience after a car accident. In fleeting seconds he is faced with three profound questions: Have I lived? Have I loved? Have I mattered? I met Efere in 1979. I had only just transferred schools from FG Kano to FGC Warri to begin my Fourth Form. What struck me most about ‘Omanuhunduoho’ was his sheer lust for life, and for practical and verbal jokes. Zakilo was never one to be silenced. He just had to throw in his two cents no matter what. Our relationship blossomed through out university life, he at the time in UNIBEN and I, at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology where we each studied Law. Throughout the Law School we kept in touch almost on a weekly basis and after that we lived only five minutes apart as young, eligible bachelors in Surulere. That Efere’s presence and aura was infectious is to say the very least. You were almost in state of whimsical fantasy as he weaved through tales, stories and personal experiences with an

Ozako uncanny comedic bent. One almost felt as though one was the protagonist in the stories. His command of the English language was unparalleled. One often wondered why he didn’t quit his ‘day job” as a lawyer. His talent as a movie scriptwriter would have been unmatched. But alas even as a lawyer he introduced an unusual intellectual twist with his ‘Wetin Lawyers Dey Do Sef’ series. And he is, without any doubt, the Founding Father of Entertainment Law in Nigeria. He always pushed the envelope and couldn’t imagine a life where he would settle for anything but the best of himself. In his acclaimed book, The Prophet, Khalil Gibran ex-

horts: “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give”. If you were privileged to have been Efere’s friend, Gibran’s exhortation would resonate with you. For Efere truly gave of himself. No matter the obstacle, no matter the challenge, no matter the seeming constraints, no matter the distance, Efere was always there to celebrate with you, mourn with you, empathise with you and horseplay with you. He did not believe in the inordinate accumulation of wealth. He was content with all he had. What mattered to him, above all things, was personal fulfillment. It is said that “there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.” He loved his wife Ann with the passion of Minerva’s Lover. He loved his beautiful kids and spoke about them with child like awe. So I ask you dear friends: Did Efere live? Did Efere love? Did Efere matter? And all, bar none would say YES, YES, AND A RESOUNDING YES! We are after all, spiritual beings living a temporary human existence. I choose to remember my friend, nay my brother, Efere just as he was— the life of the party, the intellectual, the practical joker, the consummate professional, father, husband but most of all THE FREE SPIRIT. And so it is that, as we all must, he has returned to his Maker. But guess what? He’s putting a smile on the face of God. Farewell Omanuhunduoho! Farewell Zakilo!! You lived a charged life!!!

schools, inspecting the work of Headmasters and teachers as well as giving lectures to trained and untrained teachers. In his determination to acquire the best in his time, he sat for the Senior Teachers Certificate examination. He was a foundation student of the University College Ibadan affiliated to London University. The course he studied was styled ‘Special Teachers’ Training course and only 20 teachers were specially selected from whole country. In 1950, at the end of the course he was awarded the Teacher’s Senior Certificate. He then served in several schools and educational bodies in different capacities between 1950 and 1975 when he retired having gloriously put in the required number of years. Conferred with Justice of the Peace (JP) by the Mid-Western State in Benin City in 1968, Binitie’s journey in the Lord’s vineyard started with his training in Awka College, which included pastoral work. In the late 60s, the then Diocese of Benin decided to bring into the fold as priests distinguished educationists

who had served the communion meritoriously. The late Binitie was one of those ordained as a worker-priest in 1969. Like he did in the educational field, he took up the new challenge with zeal and enthusiasm and endeared himself to his flock, especially the Itsekiris who hitherto had no priest in the Anglican Communion. To his credit, several crusades to evangelise neighbouring Itsekiri villages were held. He was also among the group of Itsekiris who translated the Holy Bible into Itsekiri language. In 1980, he was preferred a Canon by the Rt. Reverend J. O Dafiewhare (of blessed memory), the pioneer Bishop of Warri Diocese. He served in that capacity until 1988 when he again retired from active service in the Lord’s Vineyard, having put in about 53 years serving the Anglican Communion as an educationist and priest. The late Binitie was married to Miss Naomi Ighobeduo Edjedegba-Onwah of OgharaIyede in Isoko North Local Government Area in 1950. The marriage is blessed with eight children–three girls and five boys. In 1964 however, Naomi answered the inevitable call at 38 years leaving behind eight young children (the youngest less than two years) for him to cater for. He firmly took up the challenge and never wavered. In 1968, he re-married to Miss Mercy A. Ezo of Ukpude village, Aviara clan in Isoko South local government area. They both lived happily together until the evening of April 29, 2003 when he passed on peacefully at 91 years. He was a faithful and enduring father, uncommon mentor, and uncle to many. He doted his children, relatives and others who were fortunate to have lived under his roof. He was a detribalised Nigerian who spoke fluently his native Itsekiri language, Yoruba, Igbo, Urhobo, and Isoko; and had friends from all these tribes.

Samuel Tobi Ewolor Ani-Uti Opiti (1925-2013) HE late Chief Samuel Tobi T Ewolor Ani-Uti Opiti was born into the great Ogwu Onyeme/Ani-Uti family in 1925. He attended primary schools at Sapele and Native Authority Primary School Akoku/Ebedei and obtained his Standard Six Certificate in 1952. After several years, he established a model night primary school at Onodi-Ani-Oso Quarters of Ozuede Umuaja, which was attended by many indigenes, who passed through the system before going to St Michael’s Primary School, Umutu and C.M.S Primary School Ozuede Umuaja to complete their primary education. The late Opiti married four wives and had 21 children, 81 grand children and 46 great grand children. He became the chief of the town by circumstance during the Nigerian civil war. During that time, his father, the late Chief Egwuanumkwu who was the town’s chief left Umuaja to Akoku-Uno for safety leaving the town without a Paramount Chief. Meanwhile, the soldiers who were stationed at Umutu frequently came to Umuaja to request for their Chief. This continued until a day Chief Opiti summoned courage and told the soldiers that he was the town’s Chief and from that day on became the town’s Paramount Chief. The late Opiti recorded many achievements during his tenor as the Chief of the town. Under his leadership, Umuaja community was engaged on a land dispute over Udaba farmland and came out victorious. The commu-

Opiti

nity was also able to establish a secondary school after an initial agreement with Umutu community to jointly establish one failed. The late Opiti also did a write-up that led to the inscription of the name of Chief Ochonogor Ofioenya who was the then Onotu-Ukwu of Umuaja at the Onoku shrine at the source of River Ethiope. With his write-up and inscription, the shrine was renovated and that turned the source of Ethiope River (Onoku) into a tourist centre that has become a source of income to the town till date. Also, it was during his tenor that the community started to avail land freely to any indigene wishing to acquire

land for building purposes free of charge. Moreover, his leadership witnessed electrification and connection of the community to the national grid. The Aja Day celebration, which was initiated as a yearly event on December 25, 1975, by the Lagos branch of the Umuaja CDA to solidify the unity of the people both home and abroad, also happened during his tenure. The late Opiti gave his life to Christ in January 2011 and remained in Christ until his death. He is survived by four brothers, three sisters, two wives, 19 sons and daughters, 81 grand children and 46 great grand children.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April, 27, 2013

Change of Name ABIODUN: Former Miss Olaoluwa Abiodun Jaiyesimi now addressed as Mrs. Olaoluwa Jaiyesimi Adebanjo. All former documents remain valid. LASU, Nigerian Law School, public note. ABUBOKHAI: Former Rosemary Avedoya Abukbokhai now Mrs. Rosemary Idornigie. Previous documents remain valid. Public note. ADEBAYO: Formerly Miss Adekemi Egele Adebayo now Mrs. Adekemi Egele Mobee. All former documents remain valid. Public note. ADENIYI: Formerly Miss Adeniyi Kudirat Aderonke now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Bello Kudirat Aderonke. Former documents remain valid. Lagos State Government and general public note. ADERIBIGBE: Formerly Mrs. Aderibigbe Arinola Omobolanle now Mrs. Balogun Arinola Omobolanle. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADESANYA: Formerly Miss Temitope Oluwakemi Adesanya, now Mrs Temitope Oluwakemi Adedokun. Former documents valid. Public note. ADESOLA: Formerly Bolaji Ademidun Deborah Adesola now Mrs. Bolaji Ademidun Borah Oluwafemi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADEWUMI: Formerly Miss Adewumi Yemisi Esther now Mrs. Ogundele Yemisi Esther. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADEWUSI: Former Adewusi Kehinde Adebimpe now Kehinde Adebimpe AdewusiOlolade. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ADEYEMO-MAYA: Formerly Miss AdeyemoMaya Oluwabusola Veronica now Mrs. Babarinde Oluwabusolami Veronica. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

ADICHIE: Formerly Miss Ogechukwu Janefrances Adiche now Mrs. Ogechukwu Janefrances Onaku. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AFOLABI: Formerly Miss Afolabi Oluwayemisi Temitope now Mrs. Adegunle Oluwayemisi Temitope. Former documents remain valid. Court of Appeal, Lagos and public to note. AGBATO: Formerly Miss Toluwalope Oyeyemi Agbato now Mrs. Toluwalope Oyeyemi Adaramaja. Former documents remain valid. General public note. AGOMUO: Formerly Miss Agomuo Ihuoma now Mrs Onyendi Juliet Ihuoma. Former documents valid. Federal Ministry of Interior, Public note. AGUSIOBO: Formerly Miss Agusiobo Obiamaka Lilian now Mrs. Chukwurah Obiamaka Lilian. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AJAYI: Formerly Miss Ajayi Oluremi Olamide now Mrs. Alao Oluremi Olamide. Former documents remain valid. General public note. AKALA: I, formerly Miss Oluwakemi Esther Akala now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Oluwakemi Esther Oyelekan. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. AKANBI: Formerly Miss Maryam Omolabake Akanbi now Mrs. Maryam Omolabake Kareem. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. AKENZUA: I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Omorose Akenzua now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Omorose Lawal. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. AKINGBADE: Formerly Miss Akingbade Omolola Eunice now Mrs Kinyomi Omolola Eunice. Documents valid. Public note AKINMOLAYAN:

For-

merly Miss Deborah Akinmolayan now Mrs. Deborah Daniel Ololade. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AKORODA: Formerly Miss Aghogho Akoroda, now Mrs Aghogho Eze. Former documents valid. Public note. ALABI: Formerly Alabi Folasayo Julianah now Mrs. Daniel Folasayo Julianah. Former documents remain valid. Osun State Govt. and public note. ALABI: Former Miss Alabi Folake Grace now Mrs. Akinyele Folake Grace. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AMANARI: Formerly Miss Amanari Chinyere Chinonso now Mrs. Onyegbula Chinyere Chinonoso. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AMUSIRE: Formerly Miss Amusire Comfort Folake, now Mrs Olaseni Comfort Folake. Former documents valid. Public note. ANENE: Formerly Patience Favour Anene now Mrs. Patience Favour Afegbai. All documents remain valid. Public note. ANUCHA: I, formerly Miss Chinwe Ngozi Anucha now Mrs Chinwe Ngozi Obayi. All former documents remain valid. Public note. ANUMUDU: Formerly known as Miss Maudlyn Amaka Anumudu now Mrs. Maudlyn Amaka Anumudu Olaomi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ANYANWU: Formerly Anyanwu Ijeoma Cynthia now Imo Ijeoma Cynthia. Former documents valid. Public note. ARINZE: Formerly Miss Arinze Chisom Scholastica now Mrs. Offiaeli Chisom Scholastica. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ARIYO: I, formerly Miss Taiwo Adeleye Ariyo now wish to be known as Mrs. Taiwo Adeleye Ologun. Former docu-

ments remain valid. Public note. AREMU: Formerly Miss Aremu Adejoke Ibitola now Mrs. Azeez Adejoke Ibitola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ASAGBA: Formerly Onome Magdalene Asagba now Mrs. Onome Magdalene Edu. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ASOEGWU: Formerly Miss Asoegwu Chinaemelum Kyna now Mrs. Agbakoba Loretta Chinaemelum. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AWONUGA: Formerly Miss Awonuga Grace Olubukunola now Mrs. Ogunsanwo Grace Olubukunola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AZEGBOBOR: Formerly Miss Anna Azegbobor now Mrs. Anna Osigbemeh. Former documents remain valid. Public note. AZEH: Formerly Miss Azeh Patricia Odujet now Mrs. Oloko Karima Odujeli. Documents valid. Delta State Education Board Asaba. Public note. BABAJIDE: Formerly Babajide Olusegun Adedokun now Victor Olusegun Adedokun. Former documents remain valid. Public note. BABAJIDE: Formerly Miss Babajide Joy Peace Oluwaifise now Miss Ajayi Joy Peace Oluwanifise. All documents remain valid. Word of Faith Group of School Abuja, public note. BAKARE: Formerly Bakare Abimbola B. (Miss) now Ola Abimbola B. (Miss) now Ola Abimbola Temitayo (Mrs). Former documents remain valid. Public note. BAKARE: I, formerly known as Bakare Elizabeth Omowunmi now addressed as Mrs. Adekoya, Elizabeth Omowunmi. Former documents remain valid. CHI LTD., general public note. BASSEY: Former Miss Comfort Effiong

Bassey now Mrs. Comfort Gabriel Ofefagha. Former documents remain valid. Public note. BOLARINWA: I formerly known as Miss Abiodun Bolarinwa now Mrs. Abiodun Eguabor. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. CHIDOBEM: Formerly Miss Chidobem Chisom Ifeoma now Mrs. Mgbodile Chisom Ifeoma. Former documents remain valid. Public note. DAUDA: Former Miss Dauda Afisetu Grace now Mrs. Charles-Aiso Grace Enimhien. Former documents remain valid. Public note. DELE-IGE: Former Miss Dele-Ige Abimbola Akolade Becky now Mrs. Adeladan Abimbola Akolade Becky. Former documents remain valid. Public note. DIKE: Formerly Miss Dike Lynda Chidimma now Mrs. Emmanuel Lynda Chidimma (Nee Dike). Former documents remain valid. Public note. DIMNWAKA: Formerly Mr. Chigbo Nnaemeka Dimnwaka now Dimnwaka-Obed. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. DIMNWAKA: Formerly Mrs. Chinwendu Ifeyinwa Dimnwaka now Mrs. Chinwendu Ifeyinwa DimnwakaObed. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. EHIWARIO: I formerly Miss Ehiwario Nwakanma Helen now wish to be known as Mrs. Agu Nwakanma Helen. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EJIDE: Formerly Ejide Omolabake Joy now Mrs Ogunsakin Omolabake Joy. Documents valid. Public note. EJIEKE: Formerly Miss Ejieke Ifeoma Favour now Mrs. John Ifeoma Favour. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EJIKE: Formerly Mr.

Kingsley Ekweozor Ejike now Mr. Kingsley Ekweozor EjikeNnaemeka. All former documents remain valid. Public note. EJINKONYE: Formerly Ejinkonye Eucharia Chinyere now Mrs. Ngwudo Eucharia Chinyere. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EKPEMANDU: Formerly Mr. Ekpemandu Felix Uchechukwu now Mr. Dikeh Peter Chukwudi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EKEOWA: Formerly Miss Ekeowa Jane Umebe now Mrs. Oji Jane Umebe. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EKWUE: Formerly Miss Ifeoma Cordelia Ekwue now Mrs. Ifeoma Cordelia Ikeoha. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ELEBEKE: Formerly Miss Nkechi Dorothy Elebeke now Mrs. Nkechi Dorothy Orhaga. All former documents remain valid. Public note. ELUEMUNOR: Former Evelyn Eluemunor Izediunor Okoboshi now addressed as Evelyn Izediunor Ikemefuna. Former documents remain valid. UBA Plc and public note. EMUAN: Former Patricia Osas Emuan now Mrs. Patricia Henry Oboro abaro. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ESANGBEDO: Formerly Miss Esangbedo Abu Queen now Mrs. Onifade Aderemi Queen. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ETIOBHIO: Formerly Miss Ziegbe Judith Etiobhio now Mrs. Ziegbe Judith Halim. Former documents valid. Former documents valid. Public note. EYO: I, formerly Mr. Ime Princewill Eyo now Mr. Ime Princewill Emmanuel. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April, 27, 2013

Change of Name EYO: Formerly Miss Victoria Eyo now Mrs. Victoria Gabriel. Former documents valid. Nigeria Police force, public take note. EZEH: Formerly Helen Uzoamaka Ezeh now Helen Uzoamaka Oguebinike. Former documents remain valid. Public note. EZEH: Formerly Miss Ezeh Nnenna Cindy now Mrs. Ogbodo Nnenna Cindy. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

mer documents remain valid. Public note.

remain valid. University of Ibadan. General public note.

IBRAHIM: Formerly Miss Ibrahim Ummulkhayr Titilope now Mrs. Adebayo Ummulkhayr Titilope. All documents valid. (MDCN), NYSC, public note.

ISINGENE: Formerly Miss Isingene Ngozi Jacinta now Mrs. Ogbonna Ngozi Jacinta. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IFIDI: Formerly Miss Ifidi Bodisere Joan now Mrs. Ebose Ifide Bodisere Joan. Former documents remain valid. General public note.

EZIKE: Formerly Amara Chimfumnanya Ezike now Mrs. Amara Chimfumnanya Nwaigwe. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IGBELEMA: Formerly Mr. Igbelema Siegfried Ugochukwu to by Okafor now wish to be known as Mr Siegfried Ugochukwu. Former documents remain valid public note.

FASEUN: Former Miss Faseun Alimat Folashade now Mrs. Adedokun Alimat Folashade. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IGWESI: Formerly Miss Ogechi Igwesi now Mrs. Ibeabueke Ogechi. All former documents remain valid. The general public take note.

FATUNSIN: Formerly Miss Fatunsin Temitope Ruth now Mrs. Adedoyin Temitope Ruth. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

IKECHUKWU: Formerly Ikechukwu Godson Atuonwu now Ikechukwu Godson Ibezim. Former documents remain valid. Public take note.

FAYOMI: I, formerly Miss Temitayo Uzoamaka Fayomi now Mrs. Temitayo Uzoamaka Sojebe. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. FOLARIN: Formerly Miss Folarin Bosede now Mrs Oyadele Bosede. Documents remain valid. Public note. FOLORUNSHO: Formerly Miss Foluso Martha Folorunsho now Mrs. Foluso Martha Babalola. Former documents remain valid. Embassies, public note. IBEKWE: Formerly Miss Oluchi Ibekwe now Mrs Oluchi Obioma Okoro. Former documents remain valid. Public note. IBIAM: Formerly Miss Uchechi Aruo Ibiam now Mrs Ibezim Ikechukwu Uchechi. Former documents remain valid. Public take note. IBINE: Formerly Miss Ibine Oluwajuni Lydia now Mrs. Fasuyi Oluwajuni Lydia. For-

IKPECHUKWU: Former Nneka Ikpechukwu now to be known as Nneka Kelechi Uche. Former documents remain valid. The general public take note. ILOBAH: Formerly Miss Florence Ogugua Ilobah now Mrs. Florence Ogugua Ohanele. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ILOERIKA: Formerly Miss Iloerika Stella Nnedimma now Mrs. Emeh Stella Nnedimma. Former documents remain valid. Public note. INEGBENEHI: I formerly known and addressed as Dr Inegbenehi Martina Ilobekemhen now wish to be known and addressed as Dr OlatayoMartina Ilobe kemhen. All former documents remain valid. MDCN and general public take note. IRIBHOGBE: Formerly Iribhogbe Maurice Ehichioya now John Maurice Ehichioya. Former documents

ISRAEL: Formerly Miss Israel Nancy Ugochi now Mrs Nwogu Nancy Ugochi. Former documents valid. Public note. ITINYI: Formerly Miss Itinyi Chioma Rejoice, now Mrs Mbakogu Chioma Rejoice. Former documents remain valid. Public note. JACKSON: Formerly Miss Jackson Bosede Kate now Mrs Robert Bosede Kate. All former Documents remain valid. Public note. JOLAOSHO: Formerly Miss Oreoluwa Tosin Jolaosho now Mrs. Oreoluwa Joan Fadahunsi. All documents remain valid. Public note. JUNAID: Formerly Junaid Lateefat Adenike now Mrs. Adekola Lateefat Adenike. Former documents remain valid. Public note. KALU: Formerly Mr Uduma Thompson Kalu, now Mr Kalu Jason Nnanna. Former documents valid. Public note. KELANI: Formerly known as Miss Kelani Fausat Olaide now Mrs. Kelani-Kasali Fausat Olaide. All former documents remain valid. Public take note. KOLADE: Formerly Miss Kolade Oluwabusayo Abimbola now Mrs. Akintan Oluwabusayo Abimbola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. KOLADE: Formerly Miss Kolade Oluwakemi Esther now Mrs Sanusi Oluwakemi Esther. All former documents remain valid. Public note. LADELE: Formerly Miss Taiye Omowunmi Ladele now Mrs. Taiye Omowunmi Bode. Former documents valid. Public note.

LADELE: Formerly Miss Kehinde Eyiwunmi Ladele now Mrs. Kehinde Eyiwunmi Fawole. Former documents valid. Public note. LAWAL: Formerly Miss Ebunoluwa Lawal now Mrs. Ebunoluwa Omibiyi. Former documents remain valid. Standard Alliance Insurance Plc, general public note. LAWAL: Formerly Miss Lawal Baliqis Olufunmilola now Mrs Abe Adeniyi Baliqis Olufunmilola. Former document remain valid. Public note. LAWAL: Formerly Miss Aderonke Mutiat Lawal now Mrs. Aderonke Elizabeth Adewunmi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MADU: Formerly Miss Madu Chinwe Joy now Mrs. Amaechi Chinwe Joy. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MAURICE JULIET: Formerly Miss Juliet Adaku Maurice now Mrs. Akinkoulie Olalekan Wheed. Former documents valid. Public note. MBA: Formerly Miss Mba Francisca Ifeyinwa now Mrs. George-Onwe Francisca Ifeyinwa. Former documents remain valid. Public note. MERE: Formerly Amarachi Adaku Mere now Amarachi Nene Kenneth. All former documents remain valid. NTA, VISAFONE, public note. McAnthony: Formerly Miss McAnthony Cynthia Ifeoma, now Mrs Udeozor Cynthia Ifeoma. Former documents remain valid. State Education Management Board, public note. MERUNSO: Formerly Miss Merunso Esther Oluwakemi now Mrs Okewole Esther Oluwakemi. Documents valid. Public note. MICHAEL: Formerly Michael Ani now Myike Odison Ani. Former documents remian valid. Public note. MOHAMMED: Formerly Mr. Gabriel Ikponwonsa Mo-

hammed now Mr. Gabriel Ikponwonsa Momoh. Former documents remain valid. University of Lagos, GTBank, public note.

which indicates Oluwabusayo as my surname. All other documents remain valid. Embassy and general public to note.

MOLOGWU: Former Susan Ekpe Mologwu now Susan Ekaette Ekpe. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OBIALIFE: Formerly Miss Obialife Chinyere Ataa now Mrs. Nwangwu Chinyere Augustina. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

NIKORO: Formerly Miss Nikoro, Ejovwokoghene Omotefe now Mrs Ifie, Ejovwokoghene Omotefe. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

OCHEI: I, formerly known as Mrs. Gloria Chukwudumebi Ochei now wish to be known as Mrs. Gloria Chukwudumebi Nwoko. Former documents remain valid. Total NKWUO: Formerly Miss Nigeria Plc and general Nkwuo Fidelia Akunna public take note. now Mrs. Enyi Fidelia Akunna. Former docu- ODE: Former Miss Ode ments remain valid. Oluwakemi Mojisola now Mrs. Ibiwoye Public note. Oluwakemi Mojisola. NLEMADIM: Formerly Former documents reMiss Peace Chimechi main valid. Public note. Nlemadim now Mrs. Peace Chimechi Onya. ODEBUNMI: Former Former documents re- Miss Odebunmi Omomain valid. Public lara Abiola now Mrs. Adeyemi Omolara Abinote. ola. All former docuNWAEZE: Former ments remain valid. Nwaeze Virtue Chi- Public note. jindu and Nwaeze Angelight Nmerichim ODENYI: Formerly Miss now to be known as Joy Ogochukwu Chinwendu Virtue Chi- Odenyi, now Mrs Joy jindu and Chinwendu Ogochukwu Makwe. Angelight Nmerichim. Former documents Former documents re- valid. Public note. main valid. Public ODILINYE: Formerly note. Miss Odilinye NWAONEY: Formerly Ogechukwu Grace now Obiakonze Miss Nwaoney Vivian Mrs Ogechukwu Grace. ForAsika now Mrs Elegbede Vivian Asika. mer documents valid. Documents valid. Pub- Public take note. lic note. ODOEMENAM: ForNWAOYO: Formerly merly Miss OdoemeMiss Ngozi Nwaoyo nam Oluchi Linda now now Mrs. Ngozi Itodo. Mrs. Onyebarah GodFormer documents re- spet Oluchi. Former remain main valid. Public documents valid. Alvan Ikoku Colnote. lege of Education OwNWOSU: Formerly Miss erri, public note. Nwosu Ijeoma AnastaForcia now Mrs. Okoli ODUKOMAIYA: Ijeoma Anastacia. For- merly Miss OluwafunOdusolape mer documents re- milayo Odukomaiya now Mrs. main valid. Public Oluwafunmilayo Odunote. solape Lawal. Former remain NZOMIWU: Formerly documents valid. Public note. Miss Nzomiwu Obianuju Chinyere now Mrs. Emebo ODULEYE: Formerly OdObianuju Chinyere. uleye Precious Modupe Former documents re- now to be addressed as main valid. Public Mrs. Peters Precious Modupe. Former docunote. ments valid. Public OBAFISOYE: I, note. Oluwabusayo Adefunke Obafisoye OGBA: Formerly Miss wishes to state that my Lauretta Udoka Ogba, surname is Obafisoye now Mrs Lauretta A d e f u n k e Udoka Nicholas Aliri. Oluwabusayo as Former documents against the present valid. Public note. arrangement on my National Passport

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April, 27, 2013

Change of Name OGBONNA: Formerly Mr. Ogbonna Nnanna S. M. now Mr. Ogbonna Nnanna Simeon Munachiso. All former documents remain valid. The public take note. OGUNBANWO: Formerly Miss Ogunbanwo Olabisi Oluwakemi now Mrs. Osobajo Olabisi Oluwakemi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNBIYI: Former Mr. Ogunbiyi Ajibade Emmanuel now Mr. Oluwabiyi Ajibade Emmanuel. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNBIYI: Former Mrs. Ogunbiyi Anneke Oluwatoni now Mrs. Oluwabiyi Anneke Oluwatoni. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNDARI: Formerly Miss Kemisola Busola Ogundari, now Mrs Kemisola Busola Olafisoye. Former documents valid. Public note. OGUNFOWORA: Formerly Miss Ogunfowora Bukola Shakirat now Mrs. Ibitoye Bukola Shakirat. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OGUNOIKI: Formerly Ogunoiki, Taiwo Musiliudeen now wish to be known and addressed as Idris, Taiwo Musiliudeen. General public take note. OHAYAGHA: Formerly Miss Ezinne Ngozi Ohayagha now Mrs. Ezinee Ngozi EjikeNnaemeka. All former documents remain valid. Public note. OJAKOFO: I, Mrs. Esegbuyota Faith Ojakofo is the same person as Ojakofo Esegbuyota Faith. Public note. OJIKE: Formerly Miss Ojike Javita Chika now Mrs. JK-Agu Javita Chika. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OJO: Formerly Miss Oluwakemi Jolade Ojo, now Mrs Oluwakemi Jolade Olawoye. Former documents valid. Public note. OKAFOR: I, formerly

Miss Okafor Nkem Adesewa now wish to be addressed as Mrs. Sadiku Nkem Adesewa. All former documents remain valid. Public note.

take note.

OKOYE: Okoye Afamefuna Okechukwu Wilson is the same as Okoye Afamefuna Okechukwu/Okey Wilson. Former docuOKAFOR: Formerly ments remain valid. Miss Okafor Ngozi B. Public note. now Mrs. Offor Ngozi Blessing. Former docu- OKWECHIME: Formerly ments remain valid. Miss Ngozi Agatha OkPublic note. wechime, Now Mrs OKAH: Former Miss Ngozi Agatha Oshunkoya. Former docuOkah Victoria Onyeisi ments valid. Public now Mrs. Igbokwe Vic- note. toria Onyeisi. Former Former documents remain OKWUAZU: Eucharia valid. INEC, public Miss Ogochukwu Okwuazu note. now wish to be adOKECHUKWU: Former dressed as Mrs. EuMiss Okechukwu charia Ogochukwu Gladys now Mrs. Okonkwo. All former Aladenika Gladys. All documents remain former documents re- valid. Public note. main valid. Public OLASOJI: I, formerly note. Miss Olasoji Florence OKE: Formerly Mrs Oke Folasade now Mrs. Dick Adesumbo Salimot Folasade Florence. All now Mrs Oguntoyinbo documents remain Adesumbo Salimot. valid. Public note. Documents valid. PubOLAWUNMI: I, formerly lic note. Simeon Victoria OKEREKE: Formerly Mr. Olawunmi now VictoUche Godswill Okereke ria Simeon Olalomi. now wish to be known Former documents reas Mr. Uche Godswill main valid. Public Onyema. All former note. documents remain OLEMBA: Formerly valid. Public note. Miss Olemba Lovemary OKEY: Formerly Miss Chikodi, now Mrs OgOkey Melody Ifeoma bonna Lovemary now Mrs. Eze Melody Chikodi. Former docuIfeoma. Former documents remain valid. ments remain valid. Public note. Public note. OLUKITBI: Formerly OKOLI: Formerly Miss Miss Juliana Toyin Chizoba Cordelia Okoli Olukitibi now Mrs. Junow Mrs. Chizoba liana Toyin Cordelia Okeke. For- Kponkanou. Public mer documents re- note. main valid. NYSC and OLUSUSI: Formerly public note. Olususi Olatubosun OKOLI: Formerly Miss now Olususi OlatuboGloria Okoli now Mrs. sun Oluwaseun. ForMadu Gloria. Former mer documents documents valid. Pub- remain valid. Public lic note. note. OKOLI: Formerly Miss Okoli Adeline Uduji now Mrs. Uchendu Adeline Uduji. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OKOLI: Formerly Miss Okoli Chinelo Vivian now Mrs. Chukwu Chinelo. All former documents remain valid. University of Nigeria Nsukka, NYSC, ETISALAT, public take note. OKORIE: Formerly Miss Chinedu Okorie now Mrs Chinedu Godspower. Former documents remain valid. B.I.R., Umuahia, public

note. OMOYINBO: I, former Miss Folayemi Omoyinbo now wish to be known as Mrs. Folayemi Egboh. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ONIGBO: Formerly Miss Joy Oluchi Onuigbo now Mrs. Osita Joy Osita Joy Oluchi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ONISHILE: Former Miss Olajumoke Stella Onishile now Mrs. Olajumoke Stella Alaiye. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ONUBOGU: Formerly Chizua Ifeoma Onubogu now Mrs. Chizua Ifeoma Whyte. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ONYEACHUSIM: Formerly Miss Onyeachusim Nwakaego Nneamaka now Mrs Ogbata Lily Nwakaego Nneamaka. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ORIAKU: Formerly Miss Oriaku Chigozie Precious now Mrs. Akujobi Precious Chigozie. Former documents remain valid. Public note. OSHO: I, formerly known as Abimbola Felicia Osho now wish to be called Mr.s Shobowale Abimbola Felicia. Former documents remain valid. Public note.

OYAKEYE: Formerly Oyakeye Abraham Akinola now Oluwakeye Abraham Akinola. All documents remain OMORUYI: Formerly valid. Public note. Miss Ufumwen Omoruyi now Mrs. OYAKEYE: Formerly OyUfumwen Enang. For- akeye Musibau Ayoola mer documents valid. now Oluwakeye Godsproject Ayoola. All Public note. documents remain OMOTOSHO: Former valid. Public note. Miss Sherifat Omowunmi Omoto- OYEBEFUN: Formerly sho now Mrs. Sherifat Oyebefun Funmilola Omowunmi Olufeko. Esther now Mrs Ajulo Titilayo. Former documents re- Funmilola documents main valid. Public Former valid. Auditor General note. Office, public note. DOHERTY: Formerly Miss Oluwakemi OYELAKIN: Formerly Omowunmi Abiodun known as Miss OyeOluwatosin Doherty now Mrs. lakin Oluwakemi Abiodun Toyin now wish to be Adebajo. Former docu- known and addressed Mrs. Dosumu ments valid. Public as

Oluwatomisin Toyin. Former documents remain valid. Borkir International Co. Ltd., the public please note. OZIM: Formerly Miss Ozim Nwabugo Ivy, now Mrs Oradiegwu Nwabugo Ivy. Former documents valid. Public note. OZIYEREYI: Former Miss Mussa Hafsat Oziyereyi now Mrs. Hafsat Afolabi. Former documents remain valid. Public note. PITAN: Formerly Miss Pitan Olushola Pelumi now Mrs. Oyedele Olushola Pelumi. All former documents remain valid. General public note. RAJI: Formerly Raji Adetayo Sarat now Ayinla Adetayo Sarat. Former documents remain valid. Public note. SERIKI: Formerly Miss Seriki Basirat Oyindamola now Mrs. Rabiu Basirat Oyindamola. Former documents remain valid. Public note. SHODE: Former Miss Shode Adewunmi Olufunke now Mrs. Onafowokan Adewunmi Olufunke. Former documents remain valid. Public note. SIMBIAT: Formerly Mrs. Simbiat Adenike Irawo now Mrs. Marie Adenike Ibiyemi Irawo. All documents remain valid. PUblic note. SOBANJO: Former Sobanjo Ireoluwamide Eriifeoluwa Daniel now Ayobanjo Ireoluwamide Eriifeoluwa Daniel. SOWEMIMO: I, formerly Miss Elizabeth Olufisayo Sowemimo now Mrs. Elizabeth Olufisayo Ogunronbi. Public note. SULE: Formerly Miss Binta Sule now Mrs. Joy Cyril Giwa. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UCHENDU: Formerly Miss Jecinta Chikaodili Paul Uchendu now Mrs. Jacinta Chika Oguekwe. Former documents remain valid. NOCEN, public note. UGOCHUKWU: Formerly known as En-

wegbara Ugochukwu Virginia now Enwegbara Ugochi Virginia. NHIS, Nigeria Immigration Services, NYSC, public take note. UGWUOKE: Formerly Miss Ugwuoke Jacinta Chinenye now Mrs. Anele Jacinta Chinenye. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UKOHA: Formerly Miss Ukoha Ujunwa Grace now Mrs. Ekwebelem Uloma Obianujunwa. Former documents remain valid. Public note. ULUABUDIKE: Formerly Miss Uluabudike C. Hope now Mrs. Nwajei C. Hope. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UMOREN: Formerly Miss Edobong Joshua Umoren now Mrs. Eduobong Emmanuel Adasigwungs. Former documents remain valid. Public note. UZUEGBU: Formerly Miss Chinyere .L. Uzuegbu now Mrs Nnenna Chinyere .L. Atuonye. Former documents valid. Public note. WENIKE: Formerly Miss Rita Chisa Wenike now wish to be known as Mrs. Rita Siegfried- Ugochukwu. Former documents remain valid. Fidelity Bank Plc and general public note. YUSUF: Formerly Yusuf Taiwo Awawu now Mrs Adogba Taiwo Awawu. Documents valid. Ondo Subeb, public note. YUSUFF: Formerly Miss Yusuff Aminat Anike now Mrs Opesusi Aminat Anike. Documents valid. Public note. IF FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS CHANGE Of NAME YOU WANT TO BUY A COPY PLEASE CALL 0802 306 4437

TheGuardian

Saturday, April 27, 2013 59

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

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By Gowon Akpodonor FFICIAlly, the Nigerian U-17 team, Golden Eaglets, have conO quered the African continent twice (2001 and 2007), but the success story of the team actually began back in 1985 when the Nduka Ugbade-inspired team over-powered their fellow African brothers, Guinea, 2-1 on their way to the World crown in China. The Nigerian cadets survived a stirring Tunisia fight back to win 4-2 during the week to set up a final re-match with fellow West Africans, Cote d’Ivoire this afternoon. The Ivoirians are the only team to have beaten the Eaglets so far in this year’s competition. When the Golden Eagles emerged world champions at China ‘85, what is today known as the African U-17 Championship had not been put in place by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). In that competition, three countries, Nigeria, Guinea and Congo represented Africa. While Congo fell by the way side in Group B in Tianjin, Nigeria and Guinea sealed through from their group stages in Dalian and Beijing respectively. The two African brothers eventually clashed in the semifinal in the city of Shanghai with the Golden Eagles having the upper hand in the match, which ended 4-2 in penalty shootout after 1-1 at extra time, thus confirming the Eaglets as African champions in that competition. The team went on to beat Germany 2-0 in the final played in Beijing. One of the heroes in the Golden Eaglets’ team in 1985, Nduka Ugbade, is now an assistant coach of the current squad and he feels the team has what it takes to win the African crown this afternoon in Morocco. He said that the boys have learnt from the defeat they suffered in the hands of Cote d’Ivoire in their second group match. Speaking on a radio programme in lagos from the team’s camp in Morocco yesterday, Ugbade said: “We have played the Ivoirians before and we lost to a last minute goal. We have learnt from that game and I want to assure Nigerians back home that we will not fall a second time to the Ivoirians. After the Eaglets opened their campaign with a 6-1 bashing of Ghana in the group stage, the Nigerians went down 0-1 to the Baby Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in their second game with Dogbole Niangbo’s late lone strike making the difference. To Ugbade, the mistake of the group stage will not repeat itself today. “We know that they have a compact midfield and play

Golden Eaglets… African Kings In Waiting defensive football, but we also know they could also attack like we saw against Morocco.” The Golden Eaglets have won the continental title twice with their last triumph being in 2007. They were unsuccessful in 1995. Golden Eaglets Chief Coach, Manu Garba is spoiling for a payback against the Baby Elephants this afternoon. Today’s final between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire is the first at this level, but it is Nigeria’s fourth final appearance. Speaking from the team’s camp yesterday, Garba said: “In my life, I have always been an optimist and I remain confident that we shall win the trophy by the grace of God. Of course, it was not as if we didn’t prepare well before our last meeting because we anticipated that they were going to sit back, but unfortunately, some of our players were not at their best that day. “But we took some positives from the game and we know how to deal with whatever they are going to come up with on Saturday (today). Now we have another opportunity against them and we

We have played the Ivoirians before and we lost to a last minute goal. We have learnt from that game and I want to assure Nigerians back home that we will not fall a second time to the Ivoirians.

are looking forward to the final with a lot of optimism,” Garba stated. On the team’s motivation for today’s final, Garba said: “As a team, we are motivated and personally, the motivation has always been to excel in whatever I do. We thank the management and the board of the NFF for all the assistance and support. We are motivated because we know that winning the trophy would confirm the superiority of the country at this level. Nigerians should continue to pray and support this team. On our part, we shall strive to do our best.” The Golden Eaglets started well by beating Ghana 6-1 before losing 0-1 to Cote d’Ivoire in their second game. They went on to win their last group match by beating Congo 7-0 before handing a 42 defeat to Tunisia in the semi final on Tuesday. Golden Eaglets’ forward, Chiderah Ezeh, says playing in today’s final means a lot for him and his teammates. According to him, it was especially rewarding as he made his first appearance of the tournament after recovering from a hamstring injury. Ezeh is confident that Nigeria will turn the table against the Baby Elephants in today’s clash. “We have done our home work very well and I don’t see Cote d’Ivoire surviving this time around. “We lost to them in the group stage because we didn’t know anything about them, but now we know a lot about them and how they play. So for us, it’s revenge time,” he promised. Former Super Eagles skipper and Nigeria football ambassador, Nwankwo Kanu, has tipped the Eaglets for the crown this afternoon. Kanu won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1993, and he wrote on his Facebook wall that the Eaglets are champions in waiting. “The champions are one game to be crowned. Well done our dear Golden Eaglets! We are proud of them. So let’s keep praying for them,” Kanu said. But Cote d’Ivoire coach Ibrahim Kamara is one of the respected coaches in the African game. He has two Europe-based players on his squad to Morocco – Bekanty Angban from Chelsea and Bile Bedia from Tours FC in France. The Ivoirians are bigger in than their Nigerian foes and showed superb tactical awareness to beat the rampant Eaglets with their effective counter attacking style. And goal scorer in the first clash, Niangbo, is still the man Nigeria must watch today.

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, April 27, 2013

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SPORTS MOROCCO 2013 AFRICA U-17 CHAMPIONSHIP

Eaglets On The Wings Of Glory ADEYINKA ADEWALE: Born: 14.12.96 Recruited from the Kwara State Football Academy (KFA).He was the star goalkeeper when KFA won the 2012 Shell Cup, conceding just five goals in the entire tournament. Nicknamed Olowo (the rich man) by friends but Adewale’s dream is to be rich with honours as his idol, Iker Casillas who led Spain to win the 2010 World Cup as well as successive European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

ADAMU ABUBAKAR: Born: 15.10.97 His craftiness and agility between the sticks helped Gombe State to win the 2011 Airtel Rising Stars tournament in Lagos. Charity begins at home for Abubakar as he picked Ahmed Yusuf of Gombe United as his favourite goalkeeper. He has likeness for Barcelona FC.

EMEKA NWABULU: Born: 20.10.96

MUSTAPHA ABDULLAHI: Born: 18.01.1996 Speedy- defender recruited from Nathaniel Idowu Boys with whom he won the 2012 Lagos State Junior League championship. Hails from Katsina state and wait for this: Musty as he’s called is the 28th child in large polygamous family. He likes Potato chips with chicken. Favourite player is Dani Alves of Barcelona and he also supports the Spanish team as well.

CHIDERA EZEH: Born: 02.10.1997 One of the success stories of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) catch-themyoung policy. Former star striker of the National Under13 and Under-15 teams, who has led his local Riverlane Football Club of Enugu to several conquests. He scored a remarkable hat trick on his debut for the Golden Eaglets in the 3-0 spanking of Junior Wasps of Rwanda in an International Friendly last September. A fan of Manchester and admirer of Falcao of Atletico Madrid.

IFEANYI MATTHEW: Born: 20.01.1997 Junior brother of erstwhile Abuja Road Safety’s player, Chukwuma Matthew. Of the Igbo extraction but speaks the Hausa language fluently since he was raised in Kano. The fifth child in a family of four boys and two girls, who wants to be as good as two-time African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure. His goal against Botswana in an international friendly ahead of CAN U-17 tournament is being touted as the best in recent time at the U.J Esuene Stadium in Calabar!

BERNARD BULBWA Born: 11.10.1996 Cut his footballing teeth at Mkar Rocks in Gboko before joining Shuttle Sports Academy in Lagos. Nicknamed Tsumcy which is coined from his middle name, Tsumegawhich literarily means ‘no mistake’ in his native Tiv dialectic. Good on the ball, Tsumcy is a fan of Barcelona FC and he’s the last born in a family with six other children. IZU OMEGO Born: 15.08.1996 Last born and the only boy in a family with five other children. A player from Standard FC Academy in Abuja. Fondly referred to as The Don or Barbwire by teammates, Omego is a great fan of Manchester United and admirer of the club’s Serbian defender, Neman Vidic. He’s one of the only three players (along with Musa Mohammed and Akinjide Idowu) that featured in the team’s six qualifiers en route to Morocco.

ZAHARADDEN BELLO: Born: 21.12.97 Drafted into the team after an excellent performance at the 2012 Airtel Rising Stars Championship in Lagos. Zaharadden is a great admirer of Thiago Silva- the Brazilian who plays as a centre back for Paris Saint-Germain and the Selecao.

CHIDIEBERE NWAKALI: Born: 26.12.1996 Hardworking midfielder who dazzled at the 2012 Airtel Football Competition where he finished as runner–up with Imo State. But Nwakali is not ready to play the second fiddle despite being one of the late comers into the Golden Eaglets. He’s a great admirer of Italian 2006 World Cup-winning midfielder, Andrea Pirlo. He relocated to Lagos from Owerri to improve his quality at Shuttle Sports Academy.

AKINJIDE IDOWU: Born: 09.09.1996 One of the only three players that featured in all the Golden Eaglets’ six qualifying matches to book the ticket for the 2013 CAN Under-17 tournament in Morocco. He was a runner-up with National Foundation Academy of Delta State during the 2012 Shell Cup tournament. He polished his skill at the Calabar Soccer Academy. His favourite meal is fried rice with chicken but the ever-present ‘Jide is known for his bravery.

From Enugu which is noted for producing the legendary Emmanuel Okala who distinguished himself for many years with the Green Eagles. Last born with three other boys and a girl as siblings, Eshin as Nwabulu is fondly called picks Chelsea’s Peter Cech as his favourite goalMUSA MOHAMMED SHEHU: Born: 31.10.96 In Musa there is the truism that leaders are born and not made. Cool, calm and confident player, the Golden Eaglets’ captain is a great admirer of Carles Puyol, the Barcelona’s captain known for his offensive adventure. He scored one of the goals in the 6-0 thrashing of Niger in Calabar and he featured in all the team’s six qualifying matches en route to Morocco.

AHMED UMAR: Born: 12.07.1996 Started his career as a right back but was converted to a midfielder at GEELEC Soccer Academy. Come from a large polygamous family but the last born of ‘my adorable mother.’ Pint-sized midfielder with excellent skill, he scored one of the goals in the Golden Eaglets’ 5-0 defeat of Junior Wasps of Rwanda last year in an international friendly match. A great fan of John Mikel Obi, the Nigerian Chelsea’s midfielder.

KELECHI IHEANACHO Born: 03.10.1996: The ‘real deal’ of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) catch-them-young policy having played for both the National Under-13 and Under15 teams. Started his career with Taye Academy in Owerri, Kelechi is the team’s overall top scorer with 21 goals in both the qualifiers and friendly matches ahead of the CAN U-17 Championship in Morocco.

SALIU ALI-BABA: Born: 10.08.97 Former captain of the National Under 13 and 15 teams who represented Nigeria at the 2010 Copa CocaCola tournament in South Africa. The sixth-born of a family with nine (four boys and five girls) children. He hails from Bida in Niger State, his leadership qualities on and off the pitch is highly commendable. Picks Lionel Messi as his favourite player and Barcelona as favourite club. MUSA YAHAYA: Born: 16.12.1997 Yahaya is an introvert that allows only his velvet soccer skill to do the talking for him. Started his career at Mutunchi Football Academy in Kaduna but now with Hearts Academy in Kano, Yahaya adores Real Madrid’s Brazilian and 2007 World Player of the Year, Kaka. Always wearing a smile, he’s called Musa Iniesta!

SUCCESS ISAAC: Born: 07.01.1996 Burly striker snapped from famous Megap Soccer Academy (now known as B-J Foundation) in Benin which incidentally produced Super Eagles’ Elderson Echejile. A great admirer of fourtime African Footballer of the Year, Samuel Eto’o Fils, Isaac is already on a successful path and was Golden Eaglets’ jointtop scorer on five goals with Alhassan Ibrahim in the qualifiers.

TAIWO AWONIYI21: Born: 12.08.1997 Drafted from the National Under-15 team that missed the Addidas Tournament in Mexico last year. Taiwo has blossomed in the Golden Eaglets, scoring a brace on his debut against Botswana in an international friendly match. Enlisted at the Imperial Soccer Academy, Odogbolu in Ogun state where he started his budding career. Supporter of Arsenal FC; he picks ex-Gunner Cesc Fabregas as his favourite player.

ThE GUARDIAN Saturday, April 27, 2013

SPORTS

Football Power Shifts From Spain To Germany! O one foresaw what happened. No one could have predictN ed the results of the first-leg semi-final matches of the 2013 Uefa Champions league. Not even Paul the Octopus. No one saw it coming – at least not to the extent of the complete overhaul of two of the greatest football clubs in the world in the past 14 years (both of them Spanish) by two German clubs. Perhaps, the most appropriate way to explain it would be to say that the matches were a loud announcement of the shift of European football power once again. This time from Spain to Germany! It was Real Madrid FC that started the Spanish ascent to the

Dortmund’s Mario Goetze (left) vies for the aerial ball with Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos during their UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg match on Wednesday. PHOTO: AFP.

top of European football some 14 years ago. Between 1998 and 2000, the club won the Uefa Champions League three times in four attempts. FC Barcelona was then handed the baton, and from 2006 won the championship three times, in 2006, 2009 and 2011. This ‘infection’ caught on even at national team level. This period became, undoubtedly, the best era of Spanish football in the world influenced in no small way by the arsenal of Spanish players in Real Madrid FC and FC Barcelona. Their performance for Spain enabled the country to realize its full potential of winning the European Nations Cup in 2008 for the first time and again in 2012. In between those two victories in 2010, at the World Cup level, Spain also won its first World Cup title. It is no surprise that Spain has since been the world’s dominant and highest ranked national team for some years now, no thanks to the brand of football hewn and mastered in Nou Camp. The story of German football is slightly different. It has a deep and rich history even if it now takes a little bit of dusting up of the archives to recall it. At club level, in the modern era, German teams have only 1997 (Borussia Dortmund FC) and 2001 (Bayern Munich FC) to show as victories in European club football. At the European Nations Cup level, before Germany won again in 1996, they had only recorded two previous cup victories – in 1972 and in 1980. Since 1996, and for 18 years, it has been one long night. The World Cup presents the ultimate test in football. This is where as a World football power there is no question about Germany’s towering height and record of achievements. Only very few countries in the world have better credentials with seven appearances at the finals, at least getting to the quarter-final stage in every competition since 1982, and winning it three times - in 1954 in Switzerland, in 1974 at home in Germany, and the last time in 1990 in Italy. It seems like eons ago! When Germany lost to Brazil in 2002 at the Korea/Japan World Cup finals the Germans were so distraught about the state of their football that it was reported they went back to the drawing board, assembled the country’s best coaches for a football retreat where it was decided a new football philosophy was needed in order to regain its past glory several years down the line. They also knew that developing a new football culture is a marathon, not a sprint race. It may have finally come together. Last Tuesday and Wednesday nights, I was one of millions of the football faithful that witnessed, perhaps, the maturity of a new football style that may have decoded and neutralized Spain’s adopted Tiki Taka style of movements and passes that has left defenders all over the world bewildered and mostly on the losing side of many an encounter with Spanish sides. A few weeks ago I was wondering on these pages if the Barcelona-style of play has been decoded by other teams, and asked if question Spanish football was on the decline? FC Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich FC, two German

Segun Odegbami clubs, playing on their home turf, may have now provided some kind of answer. Playing against two of the best clubs in the world in the past few years was a humble eye-opener. True, even with Barcelona having been showing some vulnerability in the team’s defense, it was not anticipated they would be completely dismembered and made to look so ordinary. Now, although not impossible, only a miracle can see them qualify for the finals with their four-goal deficit. Real Madrid that just could not raise their game last Wednesday night and looked tired and dispirited at times, scored a goal that can now mean so much in the return leg. With that goal in the kitty, the contest is not over as many people believe. They stand a better chance than Barca of creating a major upset. But realistically, looking at the previous contest between them and the Mount Dortmund FC may just be too high to climb. Borussia Dortmund FC played against Real Madrid FC with such discipline, confidence and composure that they looked like the champion-in-waiting. Bayern Munich was also very well organized, so much so that FC Barcelona, master of possession and attacking football, did not glimpse the Bayern goal in 90 minutes of play. Lionel Messi that could have posed the greatest threat to Bayern Munich was rendered impotent by some clever tactics and his unfit condition. It was sad to see the world’s current best player bungling! The stage is now set once again for two return-leg matches that will be as intriguing and interesting as the first matches, and portend all manner of possibilities. One thing I know is that the results of the matches will be as different from the first matches as day is to night. Mark my words! Any kind of win for the Spanish teams will provide some consolation. The matches will again be intriguing because of their potential for the unexpected and unpredictable. Germany And The 2014 World Cup German football appears to be back, riding on the crest of their two great clubs, and building a new tradition of football that will make them authentic contenders for the 2014 World Cup. Some of us have started to draw the conclusion that the world is witnessing the morning of a new day and a possible major power shift in European and World football. Next week, I still perceive the scent of Germany all over the

Helping Kids Chart Glo Path To Football Success By Tony Nwanne hEN in September, 2012, leading telecommunication company, Globacom, demonstrated its commitment to sports development in West Africa at the unveiling of the Glo Soccer Academy, a television reality show tagged ‘ The Dream Team,’ not a few believed that they were in for something unique and a refreshingly different concept in youth development. True to the promise of Globacom at the formal launch of the academy that the programme was conceived to discover and train talented young footballers in Nigeria, Ghana and Republic of Benin, the Academy ignited the passion of youths in the round leather game across the West African region. Pre- Academy activities kicked off with the screening for talented footballers between the age of 14 and 17 years, which officially started in Ghana. This search took the team to Tamale, Kumasi and Accra, which was followed by Benin Republic where the screening took place in Cotonou and Port Novo. The search team comprised Coaches Zion Ogunfeyinmi, Tony Baffoe, Tijani Babangida and the Team Manager, Victor Ikpeba and Technical Director, Segun Odegbami. The screening team later proceeded to Nigeria where the exercise was conducted in five cities of Benin-city, Enugu, Port harcourt, Lagos and Abuja. The screening centres in Ghana, Nigeria and Benin Republic was characterised by massive turn-out of aspiring footballers. At the end of the gruelling exercise, 51 outstanding young

players were selected for the semi-finals. They were later pruned to 33 players who eventually entered the Academy. For five weeks, these lucky boys ran, jumped, dribbled, shot to ensure being picked for the Dream Team. To further encourage them, they received training from UEFA Grade ‘A’ coaches from Manchester United who complemented the efforts of their African counterparts to groom and tutor the boys on modern football. Iconic football stars like Jay Jay Okocha, Dan Amokachie, as well as veteran stars visited the Academy to give tips to the young footballers on how to be outstanding by going the extra mile through discipline and hardwork. Gradually the footballers were pruned to 16. Another unique feature was the reception held for evicted footballers in their respective communities, which compensated the boys who were given VIP treatment and blessings by their traditional rulers. It was the very first time that evicted footballers would be accorded such treatment and their parents were effusive in praising Globacom for such honour. At the end of the academy, 16 players final players eventually emerged, as the Dream Team was formally unveiled. They were rewarded with mouth-watering prizes including N5 million for the Most Valuable Player and N1 million each for the remaining 15 finalists. They also got G-BAM scholarships worth 750,000 each. In Addition they were rewarded with a training trip to Manchester United Schools in Carrington, U.K. In the final team were 10 Nigerians, Four Ghanaians and Two Beninoise. But 12 boys from Nigeria and Benin Republic made it to

the UK for the training at Manchester United Soccer Schools while the remaining four boys from Ghana, who were not issued visas to England, will undergo a training tour of Dubai’s Soccer Academy. In England, the team was exposed to different trainings modules, including: ‘’Dominating the 1 vs 1 in the game and dribbling challenge’’, “rules of challenge, free kicks and conditioning on the field,’’ spectacular drills that made Christiano Ronaldo, Zidane and Giggs soccer greats as well as “make it count skills and control challenge”. In addition the team attended several workshops including: ‘’the training ground”, ‘what makes a great team’’, ‘everyone is a winner’’ and ‘Win the battle technique’’.

One of the major highlights of the recent training tour of Manchester United Soccer Schools, Carrington, UK, by the Glo Soccer Academy team was the defeat of the Manchester United trained Irlam and Cadished College Team in a friendly encounter. In an action-packed match played at the Irlam and Cadished College pitch, the Glo Soccer Academy team outclassed its host through purposeful and coherent football, which resulted in 1- 0 victory. The only goal of the match was scored in the dying minute of the game by the most valuable player of Glo Soccer Academy, Muri Lawal, who netted the ball after a free kick from the edge of the box was blocked by an Irlam and Cardished defender.

Midfield action during the match between Glo Soccer Academy boys and Manchester United trained Irlam and Cadished College team.

THE GUARDIAN Saturday, April 27, 2013

SPORTS English Premiership

Wenger Predicts English Revival, Focused On United Clash RSENE Wenger believes English clubs will be challenging strongly again in the Champions League next season after this term’s German dominance although his side face an anxious few weeks trying to secure their place. The north London club have been ever-presents in the Champions League for 15 consecutive seasons, but face a scrap with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur to keep that run going. With champions Manchester United visiting the Emirates tomorrow seeking the first of four wins that would set a Premier League points record, third-placed Arsenal are just one point ahead of Chelsea and two ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, both of whom have played a game less. With Tottenham at struggling Wigan on Saturday and Chelsea at home to mid-table Swansea on Sunday, the pressure is on. Wenger said the fact United had already won the title was unlikely to make his side’s task any easier. “What we know is that no matter what state Man United will be in, we will need a great performance to beat them and that’s what we want to focus on,” Wenger told reporters. “I don’t know (if they are motivated by a record points haul). I expect them to come and try and play their game and win the game, like they always do when they come to the Emirates.” “We can only focus on our

own performance. We are on a very strong run in the last 10 games and we have a good level of confidence.” Wenger has been impressed with the feats of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, whose stunning defeats of Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively this week mean this year’s Champions

League final is likely to be an all-German affair at Wembley. No English team even reached the quarter-finals with Arsenal and Manchester United going out in the last 16, Manchester City finishing bottom of their group and reigning European champions Chelsea dropping into the Europa League.

Wenger

OTTENHAM Hotspur T should be the club feeling the most reassured by Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson’s promise yesterday that the Premier League champions will not be putting their feet up for the rest of the season. Over the next two weekends, United face Arsenal and Chelsea, the two clubs locked in a tight battle with Spurs for Champions League berths. “Having won the league, there’s always a danger of falling into the trap of ‘it’s all over and we can relax’ and enjoy ourselves but I think we’ve got a duty to other clubs who are chasing Champions League places,” Ferguson told a news conference. “Also, the rivalry we’ve had with Arsenal and then Chelsea over the years does put an edge to these games anyway so hopefully we’ll represent ourselves in the right way.” His side travel to third-placed Arsenal tomorrow, where Arsene Wenger’s side will form a guard of honour for them, and then host fourthplaced Chelsea the following weekend at their Old Trafford ground where they secured a 20th title this week. With last year’s champions Manchester City closing in on the runners-up spot, it leaves two Champions League places for the chasing pack of Arsenal on 63 points, Chelsea on 62 and Spurs on 61. Arsenal have played a game more than the other two. Everton, on 56, are mathematically, if rather unrealistically, also involved. Ferguson said he would field a strong side for the trip to north London, where top scorer Robin van Persie could face boos from fans at his former

Man City Need To Shop Faster This Time, Mancini Insists ANCHESTER City need to M act faster in the transfer market than they did last year if they are to win back the Premier League crown they have just handed over to Manchester United, manager Roberto Mancini said. The Italian has made no secret of his disappointment at losing out on the signature of striker Robin van Persie, whose goals drove behind United’s charge to a 20th title which they sealed on Monday with a hat-trick

from the Dutchman against Aston Villa. “We need to have our target in mind (for next season), you should move very quickly, we didn’t do that last year, we moved so slow,” Mancini told a news conference. “We lost the players who were our targets to improve our team. When you have a target you should move quickly. When you start in the market you need to buy important players who can help you during the season.”

With the huge bank balance of their Abu Dhabi owners, affording big-name players is not a problem although since they failed to lure the likes of Van Persie when they were Premier League champions, it can only be harder when they are not. They could still win the FA Cup as they face Wigan Athletic in the final on May 11 but that will not mask the huge 16-point gap between them and United in the league. Trimming that deficit to something more respectable is still a goal for the season and they will be working on it starting with Saturday’s home match against West Ham United. “I don’t think the gap is correct. We have five games, we have time to recover six or seven points, this is possible,” said Mancini, adding that David Silva, Sergio Aguero and James Milner were all fit after injuries.

Mancini, whose team have 68 points to United’s 84, did not want to take anything away from his neighbours’ success but also pointed out where it had gone wrong for his team. “The crucial moment was when we played QPR, Liverpool, Southampton - in that moment we had big problem with our players injured, we lost key points,” he said, referring to a spell from the end of January into early February where they picked up just two points from nine. “United had more attitude (to cope with) this, they have more experience for this than us. “We did some mistakes, we did everything to win this title, but they did better than us. We could score more goals, we were missing a lot of goals,” he added. “They deserve to win this title, many congratulations for Manchester United for what they did in this season.”

Fixtures

Mancini

Today Man City v West Ham (1145) Everton v Fulham (1400) Southampton v Westbrom (1400) Stoke v Norwich (1400) Wigan v Tottenham (1400) Newcastle v Liverpool (1630) Tomorrow Reading v QPR (1230) Chelsea v Swansea (1400) Arsenal v Man United (1500)

Man United Face Key Role In Another Race club. “We have a few bumps and bruises from the other night but it is hopefully nothing serious and I expect to have a strong side on Sunday,” Ferguson said. Motivation also comes from the record points total that United are still chasing and they know if they win their four remaining matches they would surpass the mark of 95 set by Chelsea in 2004-05. Van Persie, whose hat-trick

against Aston Villa on Monday secured the 3-0 victory that clinched the championship, also has a second successive golden boot in his sights as he tops the scoring chart with 24 league goals. Luis Suarez, his closest rival with 23, will not play again this season after the Liverpool striker accepted a 10-match ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, giving Van Persie the opportunity to run away with it.

Suarez

Suarez Accepts Ban, Seeks Forgiveness striker Luis LnessIVERPOOL Suarez has asked for forgiveafter accepting a 10match ban for biting Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic during last weekend’s Premier League match. The Uruguayan had until yesterday to contest the Football Association’s decision to add seven gamers to the usual three for a violent conduct charge but opted against it. “I hope that the people I offended last Sunday will grant me forgiveness and I again repeat my personal apology to Branislav,” Suarez said on his Twitter account. “While 10 games is clearly greater than those bans given in past cases where players have actually been seriously injured, I acknowledge that my actions were not acceptable on the football pitch so I do not want to give the wrong impression to people by making an appeal.” Suarez, who bit Ivanovic on

the arm during the 2-2 draw at Anfield last weekend, will not be eligible to play for Liverpool in domestic competition until September. The FA charged Suarez with violent conduct and its Independent Regulatory Commission decided on Wednesday that the automatic three-game ban for a violent conduct charge was not sufficient, adding a further seven matches to his suspension. Liverpool, who fined Suarez, reiterated their disappointment with the FA’s decision to ban Suarez for 10 games. “The charges against Luis were his to consider and we have to respect his decision to not appeal the 10-game ban,” managing director Ian Ayre said. “We are all disappointed at the severity of the punishment and, in particular, the differing standards that have been applied across various previous incidents.

Table Team Man Utd Man City Arsenal Chelsea Tottenham Everton Liverpool West Brom Swansea West Ham Fulham Southampton Norwich Sunderland Stoke Newcastle Aston Villa Wigan QPR Reading

P 34 33 34 33 34 34 33 33 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 33 34 34

GD 43 29 30 31 33 13 19 -1 1 -7 -8 -7 -20 -7 -11 -17 -27 -23 -27 -28

Pts 84 68 63 62 17 56 51 45 42 42 40 39 38 37 37 37 34 31 24 24

THE GUARDIAN, Saturday, April 27, 2013

TheGuardian

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Conscience, Nurtured by Truth

NCS Applauds LMC Over NPFL HE League Management T Company (LMC) has received the support of the National Council on Sports (NCS) following the feud, which broke out between the Nduka Irabor-led LMC and the club owners. At the end of its three-day meeting in Ilorin, the NCS urged club owners to rally round the LMC in its drive to improve the Nigerian football l e a g u e . The club managers have been at loggerheads with the LMC, claiming they have not been carried along by the LMC, while also reaching a decision not to recognise the company. However, the NCS declared that the body is convinced that the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who also supervises the NFF, has provided needed leadership modalities for things to work out. Also at the meeting, which was held at the banquet hall of the deputy governor’s office in Ilorin, Kwara State, the NCS appealed to all stakeholders to support the LMC in its bid to implement the necessary reforms aimed at improving the Nigerian league. The NCS, which is made up of all commissioners of sports and directors of sports from the states of the federation, said it has scrutinised the LMC documents and “believe strongly that its intentions are well outlined to improve football and the welfare of the players and coaches of the teams.” According to the communiqué, the states of the federation were also called on to set up structures towards the privitisation of their football clubs.

Golden Eaglets’ Chidiebere Nwakali and Ifeanyi Matthew cage a Ghanaian attacker in their opening game of the African U-17 Championship, which Nigeria won 6-1.

CAN African U-17 Championship By Gowon Akpodonor HEN the Golden Eaglets line up today for the final match of the 2013 African Under-17 Championship in Marrakesh, Morocco, the only thing they would be thinking is how to celebrate their anticipated victory over Cote d’Ivoire’s ‘Baby Elephants.’ It is not about avenging the defeat the team got from the Ivoirians in their second group game of the competition. That episode is firmly confined to the history books. The Nigerian team had its last training session ahead of today’s game yesterday morning with the exercise consisting mainly of stretches and tactical plots with the bullish style of the Ivoirians in mind. Speaking on the team’s preparation for this encounter, Coach Manu Garba said the team is psychologically prepared for today’s battle, adding that it has no hang ups from the defeat to the Ivoirians early in the competition. He said, “Right from the beginning of the competition, we knew that if we played our game we would be successful in our campaign. “The loss to Cote d’Ivoire is now history and what matters now is what happens tomorrow. The boys are all fired up and with the support from the Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, and the NFF President, Aminu Maigari, as well as Nigerians, who have been praying for us, we will excel.” Garba disclosed that all his players are fit and ready to go, adding that the boys see this competition as the springboard to success in their careers and therefore are ready to give anything to win the cup.

Eaglets Sing Victory Song, As Minister, Others Tip Team For Meanwhile, Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, has again requested the Golden Eaglets to give President Goodluck Jonathan something to cheer about at next Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja. The minister, who is also the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), urged the Golden Eaglets to go all the way and emulate the Super Eagles to become African Champions at the cadet level. “Nigerians are behind you as you take on Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday and Mr. President is eagerly awaiting you with the trophy,” the minister said. “Personally, I am looking forward to taking the CAN U-17 trophy to the FEC meeting on Wednesday to present it to Mr. President and be assured of his best wishes.” Two members of the NFF technical committee, Christian Chukwu and Paul Bassey, say the Golden Eaglets’ preparations for today’s match could not have been better. Chukwu and Bassey were at the team’s final training session yesterday at the Stade Zarktoni.

Chukwu, captain of Nigeria’s maiden African Cup of Nations winning team in 1980, said, “as members of the technical committee, we rubbed minds with the coaches based on what we observed during their last game against Tunisia and we are very happy that they have corrected them during training today.

“Of course, it is now left for the players to go out on Saturday against Cote d’Ivoire and put all of these into good use. “If they are able to do this, I believe victory would be ours because they have shown at this tournament that they are the best attacking team and if they go all out against Cote

d’Ivoire, I have no doubt that Nigeria would win.” Bassey echoed the same sentiment. He said, “As a Nigerian, I have high expectations and anything short the cup would not be good enough. I have had the opportunity of seeing at a glance the technical report of CAF about this championship and the Golden

NCS Endorses National Open Sports Festival By Christian Okpara HE National Council on T Sports (NCS) has endorsed the introduction of the National Open Sports Festival and the National Youth Games, which it believes would help the country regain its place among the elite countries in world sports. And to drive the competitions, the NCS has set up a 12man committee to work out the modalities for the organisation and management of the events. Rising from its 19th session on Thursday in Ilorin, the NCS disclosed that the National Open Sports Festival and the National Youth Games

Committee would comprise a representative of the National Sports Commission, as Chairman; six states’ Directors of Sports, each representing a Geo-Political Zone; and representatives of Sports Stakeholders (Chairman of Committee of Directors of Sports, President, NAPHER-SD, Representatives of the NOC, Nigerian School Sports Federation and Military/ParaMilitary). In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the NCS noted the three Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of Sports in Nigeria as derived from the Sports Thematic Group of the Vision 20:2020. These include the improvement of quality of life for the

entire citizenry, development of the sports sector to a worldclass level and the provision of regulatory and administrative services for sports. It enjoined States’ Sports Councils/Commissions/Minis tries to adapt the KPIs to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the Sports Sector. The NCS believes the National Open Sports Festival and/or the National Youth Games would help in the development of infrastructure, job and wealth creation, revenue generation and tourism, rise in profile of host city, political Instrument and national patriotism and public awareness. It directed the National Sports Commission (NSC) to

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FELIX ABUGU

Eaglets are by far the best team. “But having said that, the boys need to go all out and avenge their earlier defeat against Cote d’Ivoire because that is the only team that has dented our record. We saw their training session and I was happy that the coaches did not take anything for granted.”

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“present a memorandum to the Council of States to acquaint states’ governors and the Minister of the FCT with these benefits and encourage them to express interest in hosting these games. According to the communiqué, the “Council noted that the Board of National Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM) has been reconstituted to make it more efficient and effective in developing schools sports in the country,” adding that the board is charged with strengthening school sports, enhancing talent identification, developing a sustainable programming structure for community and school sports, establishing effective private sector participation; and also to collaborate and partner with key stakeholders.