Sunday March 2nd 2014

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Seven feared dead in Enugu building collapse www.nationalmirroronline.net

Vol. 4 No. 11

Sunday, March 2, 2014

N113m SUBEB fraud

N150

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EX-SSG, 3 Edo govt offi cials to face trial ial ...as EFCC files 8-count charge against them Praise Worship mail:yemiolakitan@gmail.com

E-mail:cossyodi@yahoo.com

EDIFYING GOD

QUOT Just as light can never darkness, the same wa God must never be afr problems.

–Pastor Sola Ade

Sunday March 2, 2014

Abiara applauds Uganda on anti-gay law ...Says Jonathan deserves commendation too

RCCG 100-day fast

Something’ll happen after April 11 –Adeboye L-R: Former Heads of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; Gen. Yakubu Gowon; President Goodluck Jonathan; former Presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Alhaji Shehu Shagari; former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and former Head of Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, after receiving their Centenary Honours Award from President Jonathan in Abuja at the weekend.

PHOTO: NAN

ndition for lness is hteousness, s Pastor Muoka 24

‘Itt’s not sinful fo or a Christian to perform sacriÀce’ 41

What you should know about ACTS 43

Boko Haram: Military in fresh offensive

Centenary celebration’ll foster unity, reconciliation •Targets stranded insurgents after close of border –PDP ...as Sultan proffers solution to insecurity P. 7

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Again, insurgents kill 35 in Maiduguri

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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What’s new Politics

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Seven Days TALKING POINTS OF THE PAST WEEK MARCH 2, 2014

Why EFCC, ICPC can’t Reps suspend debate on probe missing NNPC funds budget revenue framework

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Sanusi would have wrecked Nigerian economy if…

–Aduwo Comrade Olufemi Aduwo is the Coordinator, Rights Monitoring Group, RMT. The group has over the years been monitoring elections not just in the country, but even in the United States of America and United Kingdom.

In this interview with Olusegun Koiki, Aduwo speaks on the removal of the Central Bank of

Misconduct: NJC axes 2 judges, warns 3 others The National Judicial removal from office.

Council, NJC, yesterday recommended the sack of two serving high court judges from the bench over alleged misconduct.

The affected judges are Justices Gladys Olotu of the Federal High Court in Abuja and Justice U. A Inyang.

They are to proceed on immediate suspension from the bench pending when President Jonathan Goodluck would endorse their

Similarly, the NJC, yesterday also issued warnings to three other justices, including the Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal in Kaduna, Justice Dalhatu Adamu.

The other two judicial officers who were warned to sin no more include Justice A A. Adeleye of the High Court, Ekiti and Justice D. O. Amaechina of the Anambra High Court.

Boko Haram: Senate orders Army Chief to relocate to Maiduguri The Senate Committee on Defence and Army yesterday directed the Chief of Army Staff to temporarily relocate to the 7th Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri and take appropriate

steps to quell the ongoing orgy of violence in the North East.

The directive followed the unabated killings by the Boko Haram sect in Borno and Yobe states.

Obiageli Egbe CEO, PINK REPUBLIC AND MUSIC LAWYER/MUSICIAN

MON

Business

tral Bank governor. According to him, the CBN governor was asked to step aside based on the allegations raised against him by the Financial Reporting Council.

He said that Sanusi was only asked to step aside to allow for thorough investigations into issues raised by the Financial Reporting Council on the bank’s 2012 audit report.

After prayer by four in the morning, I watch TV till 6, listening to news. I then bath and go to my office. This is the only day I go to office because I’ll have so many clients and visitors. I leave office for home by 2 p.m. to watch Telemundo till 6 p.m. I go to jog for one hour or more in order to keep fit.

TUE

Dubem Ikebuego is a seasoned gospel artiste who has been a back-up singer for many popular secular and gospel artistes.

She won the award of ‘Best Gospel Artiste of The Year’ in 2013. Dubem, as she is fondly called, speaks about her style, the fashion blunder she had committed and how she copes with shoe discomforts.

slave mentality.

The ASUU boss, who noted that those running Nigeria are interested in personal gains, rather than the development of the country, said the law, which protects leaders from been prosecuted for stealing public money is anti-masses.

He said: “There is no sincerity of purpose in our leaders. We cannot trust them. May be in the future we will have leadership that can be trusted.

The scandals that are taking place in Nigeria, if it happens elsewhere in sane climes, heads will roll but they are covered up here.

“In Nigeria unfortunately, when you are doing the right thing your head may roll or your job may be lost.

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said that the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Mr. Lamido Sanusi, may face prosecution if a criminal case is established against him.

Speaking during a Presidential Media chat, Jonathan also explained that he had full powers to suspend Sanusi as the Cen-

Tuesdays are my baking day. I must bake either cake or fry chin-chin or make a recipe for a sauce.

WED

–Dubem, Best Gospel Artiste, 2013

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, yesterday raised the alarm over the high level of corruption in the country.

The National President of ASUU, Dr. Nasir Fagge, raised the alarm at a symposium organised by a group, Education Rights Campaign, ERC, held at the University of Ibadan He said in normal and sane societies, heads ought to roll anytime there is scandal but regretted that such malfeasance is covered up in Nigeria while those doing the right thing “either lose their jobs or head.”

He said corruption in the country is a tell tale sign that Nigeria is a sick society where leaders are suffering from serious

Sanusi to face trial if…, says Jonathan

I have meeting in my house. Most times, these are unconcluded Monday and Tuesday meetings. I seldom eat meat today. Most times I eat vegetables. I can say that I’m a vegetarian only on Wednesdays.

THU

My body shape blends with my style

ASUU raises the alarm over corruption

Co-ordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, and other relevant agencies to present updates on the status of revenue generation, collections and remittances from 2011to 2013 and their projections for this year.

I attend morning mass in my Catholic Church, after which I help to tidy the environment. Before I leave the church premises, I discuss briefly with the reverend father.

FRI

26

The House of Representatives Committee on Finance yesterday suspended debate on 2014 budget revenue framework to allow it focus on the investigative hearing on the state of the nation’s economy.

The committee invited the Minister of Finance and the

I call Friday my Jollof rice day because it is the day I cook party-like Jollof rice, with sauce or stew, moi-moi, fried plantain and so on. I normally make it look like the day of a big feast.

SAT

Passion

before the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes to defend their 2014 budget proposal at the National Assembly.

The Acting Chairman of the ICPC, Professor Olu Aina told the committee, chaired by Senator Victor Lar (Plateau South) that the commission might need outside help to be able to probe the accounts of the NNPC. He said: “The account of NNPC is so sophisticated that it will require us hiring experts to look into the account for us, but unfortunately, we do not have the means to do that.

I play tennis in the club with my sisters or friends. But if there is a wedding to go, I set off for it without bothering myself to play tennis.

SUN

Why we want regional governance – Yoruba leader

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, have provided insights into why they cannot for now probe the alleged missing $20bn oil funds.

While the ICPC explained that their constraints stem from lack of adequate resources and technical manpower to carry out the inquests, the EFCC raised the issue of procedural challenges.

Both commissions made their positions public yesterday when they appeared

I attend 8 a.m. mass. After service, I go to Shoprite to do my shopping for the week. When I come back, I listen to classic music. I go out to unwind at Lacanpine Tropicana Beach some Sundays. *By Adaeze Amos (0802 301 2293)

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION March 2, 2014

Pundits have expressed worry that after the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential elections, no other election had been adjudged free and fair as widespread allegations of rigging, manipulations, ballot stuffing, snatching and allied shenanigans went viral. In this report, Head, Special Investigations, Tayo Adelaja, goes through the haystack of public opinions to proffer solution to the teething problem that is Nigeria’s electoral fraud.

“T

he power of incumbency in Nigeria still remains a huge factor in the determination of election outcomes. All state’s apparatus and even the state treasury are employed to ensure the return of the incumbent government, even in the situation whereby the incumbent leader is to vacate his post after spending the maximum term in office, the person will do all within his powers to ensure the election of the candidate on the platform of his political party, doing this by using the media, the security agencies, and all other resources in his disposal.

“Consequentially, the enormous advantage possessed by the incumbent government makes it extremely hard to dislodge an incumbent government in Nigeria.”

Those were the impassioned reactions of Mrs. Kemi Malomo, a Lagos businesswoman to the poser of what could have been responsible for cases of massive rigging that have stalked election processes in Nigeria.

Malomo also observed: “The activity of so-called godfathers is also a major cause of flaws in Nigeria’s elections. The history of godfathers in Nigeria’s politics is as old as the country itself; it is so pronounced and plain to see for all who care to the extent that these godfathers are seen as first citizens before the governor in the state. It might be good if the activity of these godfathers stops at financing their adopted godson for an election; but not so. They contribute a major disturbance to the polity at large,” she lamented.

Although the issue of flawed election is not peculiar to Nigeria, an acclaimed giant of Africa is expected to be an epitome of democratic values by conducting its elections in a free and fair manner. Free and fair elections entail adherence to electoral laws such as the Constitution and the Electoral Act. They also must be in conformity with the universally laid down rules and regulations guiding the conduct of elections.

Beckoning on history of election in Nigeria, the events leading to and in the aftermath of the various elections conducted in the country often testify to the flaws characterised with the conduct of elections in Nigeria. Perhaps, the only election that can be considered to be free and fair since the introduction of the elective principle into Nigeria’s politics in 1923 is the annulled June 12, 1993 election because it is the only election that its outcome showed the will of the electorate.

The 2011 general election conducted by Prof. Attahiru Jega incidentally was also contentious despite that the don was reputed for fair conducts, honesty and forthright conducts in his days as the National CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

‘GODFATHERS ALWAYS RIG FOR THEIR GODSONS’

Free, fair poll

A possibility here?

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‘SUSPEND ALL ELECTIONS UNTIL AFTER NATIONAL CONFAB’

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The Big Read

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Godfathers always rig for their godsons’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU. What makes for a credible election? What are the basic requirements of a free and fair election? What can be done to ensure a credible election in Nigeria?

At a stakeholder’s forum organised recently by the Senate Committee on INEC, in collaboration with the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre, Abuja and the United Kingdom Department for International Development, Jega had noted that the most depressing challenges of elections in Nigeria was that they were akin to a war.

Elections in Nigeria are a winner-takes-all affair, while the loser loses everything, a scenario akin to payment of reparations by an enemy defeated in a war.

Series of elections have been conducted in Nigeria from 1923 to the most recent election held in 2011. The precept, ‘free and fair election’ otherwise known as credible election is not new in Nigeria. The first election held in Nigeria in 1923 was as a result of constitutional amendment made to the country’s setting, which was later followed by the then election into the region and central legislature in 1946. An election was held in 1951 among just three parties but it was followed by the pre-independence election that was held in 1959.

After independence, the 1964 election which was conducted in order to commence republican status for Nigeria between two political parties led to military intervention. The military held sway for 13 years before conducting an election in 1979 and another in 1983 which was terminated by the military, owing to growing animosity among the major political parties then.

Another election was conducted by the then military government in 1993 between two political parties. The exercise was nipped in the bud and it was a stillbirth as the election was annulled and that gave birth to an interim government and another military rule. The ‘bornagain’ military after the death of the acclaimed winner of the annulled election conducted another election in 1999 and successfully handed over to a democratic government. The civilian administration has conducted three national elections after this: 2003, 2007 and 2011.

Nigeria is now preparing for another election in about a year and the issue of free and fair election is germane.

Jega, while receiving the new US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle who visted the INEC office in Abuja, declared that, “we are not promising a perfect election in 2015, but we are confident that we will do our best”. The statement shows the umpire’s state of mind on the past elections in the country.

Speaking further, he noted, “Pre-election violence has led to the death of many politicians, their supporters and innocent citizens. Widespread intimidation of voters persists and organised thugs spread fear across communities in the buildup to elections. Several security threats now characterise the electoral process.

These include physical attacks on INEC officials and facilities, attacks on security personnel on election duty,

Jega

misuse of security orderlies by politicians, attacks on political opponents, cyber attacks targeting INEC’s databases, especially the voter register and violence, during electioneering.

“Other threats are intimidation of voters, snatching and destruction of election materials, among others.

“These threats are now exacerbated by insecurity in some parts of the country, thereby making the conduct of elections in those parts even more insecure”, he said.

Corroborating Jega, Wale Ojo Lanre, a journalist declared that our electoral process has been reduced to a “Hobbesian state of war”, making it seem as if political violence is both a culture and an article of faith for Nigerians. On his part, the late don, Professor Claude Ake had described a typical Nigerian election “as an all-consuming business” in which the end justifies any means.

Unfortunately, the experience of the 80s through the 90s has not changed. Just before the 2003 elections, a bike-riding assassin shot dead a governorship aspirant in Ogun State. In Edo State, thugs invaded the precincts of a meeting called by the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), to settle an intra-party squabble and killed three persons. Funso Williams and Dipo Dina (both governorship hopefuls of Lagos and Ogun respectively) were assassinated and their killers are still at large.

A Resident Electoral Commissioner, Chief Philip Oloruntoba, was shot dead in his house in Lokoja, Kogi

State, by unknown persons. That same year, a group of persons yet to be identified till date, set ablaze the national secretariat of the then main opposition party- the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). Since then, the political war has not abated.

On December 3, 2010, no fewer than three persons were killed at a political party’s local government congress in Oyo State. In Akwa Ibom, an aspirant, Dr. Akpan Akpanudo was shot dead on January 3, 2011 after participating in his party primaries for the State House of Assembly.

There have been similar media reports on the destruction of lives and properties in states like Niger, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti and other parts of the country during the buildup to the 2011 April elections. The catalogue of violence, assassination, rigging, kidnapping, and many other ugly situations associated with elections in Nigeria is endless.

The incontrovertible reason for such a high level of unwholesome political behaviour is the fact that the Nigerian political system is premised on election as a zerosum game where the winner takes all. Consequently, the average Nigerian politician is dangerously desperate to win an election at all costs.

When a bomb exploded at the official lodge of Governor Chris Ngige of Anambra State on December 1, 2004, the leader of those opposed to the governor had this to say: “My mistake for which I ask for understanding stemmed from my belief that election is like a battle and since all is fair in war, I believed that the end justified the means in an election.”

Jega noted that the attitude of the political class is a big problem and it is giving the commission a major headache.

“We are concerned about this because even if the management of elections meets the highest standards, insofar as the contestants are unwilling to play by the rules, there will be grave problems,” he stated.

Can the political class alone share the blame of the problems associated with political quagmire in the nation? “Obviously no”, Seyi Oduyela, an online, US based journalist replied.

Oduyela, speaking further said, “do you remember that the election M.K.O. Abiola won in 1993 which was annulled by the military junta was universally acknowledged as being free and fair? It was also rated by Nigerians and foreign observers alike as the best election conducted in Nigeria since 1923. The buildup to the election, the election proper, the presidential debate, and the manner which the electoral body conducted the election (open ballot system) were unprecedented in the annals of Nigerian history since the first election in 1923 in which Herbert Macaulay’s party, National Democratic Party (NDP) won all three seats then. I recall that Abiola’s opponent in that election, Bashir Tofa, immediately congratulated him.

“The truth of the matter is that, free and fair election is not the sole responsibility of the politicians alone. I CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The Big Read

Sunday, March 2, 2014

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‘Suspend all elections until after National Confab’ Eze Eluchie is a legal practitioner of 25 years’ experience. He is also a civil and political rights activist and an ardent believer in utilizing public interest litigation as a tool towards attaining societal advancement. In this interview with Tayo Adelaja, he bares his mind on the performance of the INEC Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, and the forthcoming general elections. Excerpts: What is your assessment of past elections in the country?

Past elections in Nigeria have been basically shambolic, a pretense at democratic expression by citizens. From the 1954 elections when voters merely whispered their choice to the electoral officer who thereafter ticked whatsoever he felt like ticking as the voters choice, to the 1979 elections when arid zones recorded incredulous voter turnouts whilst densely populated areas were allotted far lesser votes; the level of poverty in Nigeria, compounded by high illiteracy rates has also made elections in Nigeria a mockery of what elections ought to be.

Which election in your opinion is considered to be free and fair among the past elections conducted in Nigeria?

All elections in Nigeria have been beset with their peculiar problems depending on the period in time when such elections were held. All elections in Nigeria have been bogged with widespread irregularities, comprising such antics as ‘ballot box stuffing and snatching, manipulation of figures at collating centres, under-age voters ine-up, voting by non-Nigerians and other irregularities. Having said that however, the 1993 general elections conducted by Professor Humphrey Nwosu, using the Option A-4 system had in-built mechanisms which minimised the quantum of irregularities experienced in the said elections.

The mandate given in the said 1993 general elections for results to be declared at the polling booths made it near impossible for upstream rigging, vote manipulations and other irregularities

to occur.

By a wide margin, the 1993 general elections can be described as being freer and fairer than other elections conducted in Nigeria.

What is responsible for electoral malpractices in Nigeria?

The ease with which past winners of elections have been able to get off without legal consequences for the monumental fraud they perpetuated on the polity is one single factor most responsible for electoral malpractice in Nigeria. Electoral malpractice thus became the ultimate crime – succeed in it and you are home and dry, you can loot with impunity and at will without fear of any consequences.

The return on investment is quite high. Rig all you want to get into public office and the entire public treasury accessible to that office becomes yours and your cronies’.

Has Prof Jega performed up to expectation as an election umpire?

INEC Chairman, Professor Jega, can simply not perform well. You cannot build something on nothing. Professor Jega’s initial appointment into the office of INEC Chairman was unconstitutional and all he has merely done thus far is to juggle his chances, pander to media and political sentiments in deciding which politician is declared elected and when, and run a most opaque electoral agency where sleaze and corrupt practices reign supreme.

What do you expect from the 2015 poll? Do you foresee an improve-

Eze Eluchie

ment from the past elections.

Mid-term and isolated elections where the entirety of the INEC and security machinery were devoted to particular local elections such as gubernatorial elections in Anambra and legislative elections in Edo, Imo and Kaduna states further exposes the disaster awaiting the country come 2015 when Jega’s INEC is expected to organise simultaneous elections across the 36 states of the country and the presidential elections.

I have repeatedly canvassed for the convocation of a National Conference to address and resolve issues afflicting the Nigerian contraption prior to holding any further elections (the 2015 general elections). As presently structured and constituted, our polity is not prepared for positive electoral changes. With the same structures, same electoral officials, same defective procedures and system, it will be untruthful for anyone to objectively envisage an improvement in our elections come 2015.

Electoral fraud attributed to illiteracy, ignorance CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 should even ask, what is free and fair in an election? For me, free and fair election is synonymous with credible elections. It is that process where election is transparent, and clearly devoid of electoral fraud and violence.

Preference should not be given to any party, either ruling or not. The 2011 election could have attained that of 1993 elections but for the pre-election and post-election violence, as well as Election Day violence experienced in some states, which was even made worst by bomb blasts that occurred in Abuja, Niger and Kaduna,” he added.

Speaking further on the methodology of having free and fair elections in Nigeria, Oduyela stated, “The credibility of any election begins within the political parties. The outcome of party primaries goes a long way to determine the choice of the voters. The need for proper

internal democracy during party primaries cannot be over- emphasised, the electorate can only make their choice and elect from the list of successful party flagbearers.

“Also before an election can be adjudged as free and fair, the process of registering voters for the particular election must be done in accordance with guiding rules and regulations. Only eligible voters should be registered, underage registration should not be encouraged, and also the system must not allow for multiple registrations.

“To ensure the success of an election, it is also paramount to educate the electorate, political parties, security agencies and all other stakeholders in the electoral process on the process; of what is expected of them and of their rights and privileges during the election, so that they can know how to do what they are to do and what

not to do.

“Also, the people must be encouraged through the use of the mass – media and the public orientation organs of government, to come out in large numbers to vote during elections. Politicians find it easy to perform all acts that negate the tenets of democracy which election is based on when there are few people around.

“A good outcome of an electoral process and any election hinges on proper planning and analysis of all gamuts of activities going on from the beginning to the ending. All aspects in the organisation of an election such as the recruitment and training of non-party affiliated polling officials, the early arrival of electoral materials to various states and ultimately the polling units, how to convey polling officials and the election materials to and from polling stations, proper remuneration of elecCONTINUED ON PAGE 6

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The Big Read

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Prospective voters queing to perform their civic duty

“June 12 1993 poll still the freest, fairest’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 tion officials, etc., are so sacrosanct that none should be overlooked,” he added.

Henry Oshikoya, an accountant with a private firm in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, takes a look at what he feels need to be done so as to have a free and fair election in the country. He noted that, “Candidates and political parties had in previous elections cashed in on logistic loopholes to rig elections, especially in areas designated as “dangerous terrain.” For instance in the riverine areas, elections have been found to start late in these areas because of late arrival of materials. Efforts should be geared towards making it practically impossible for politicians to make use of such opportunity to rig in those areas.

“Those that serve as watchdogs during electoral processes such as the journalists, civil organisations and the security agencies should be awake to their responsibility during elections. They should be properly mobilised, and they should also not take sides in the discharge of their duties. A free and fair election should also be simple, transparent; it must respect the secrecy of the ballot, it must be based on good, acceptable and enforceable law, it must respect human rights, it must respect the right of appeal, it must encourage the existence of genuine opposition parties, it must recognise the social and political circumstances of the people it serves, and its outcome must be acceptable to the people,” he said.

With the appointment of Prof. Jega, a man reputed as incorruptible and knowledgeable as the chairman of INEC and the enactment into law of the 2010 Electoral Act, it seemed the government itself also had come to realise the need for a free and fair election for once in Nigeria and with the shout of the slogan ‘One man, one vote’ all over the media, it seems that credible election may not be a mirage after all.

President Goodluck Jonathan before 2011 election clearly stated his belief in credible elections when he said, “I believe that the journey to a fair election is one that we all must undertake. On my part, I am irrevocably committed to ensuring that Nigeria and Nigerians have an election that we all can be proud of. Towards this end I appointed a man who is acknowledged as incorruptible and fair minded to head the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“Also, some of you may recall that when opposition party elements and civil society groups complained about the antecedents of some of the commissioners I had nominated, I withdrew their nomination not because they were not qualified, but because I was more interested in seeing that not only do we have free and fair elections but that these elections were seen to be so by the average Nigerian.

“Beyond that, I made sure that the funds requested by the INEC Chairman, Jega, were released to them with record dispatch (within a week).

The late Abiola

“All these I have done to show Nigerians my hand and motives. Some of you may recall that I even threw a public challenge to the INEC to ask for whatever they want within legal bounds and they will get it so that they cannot complain that their hands and legs were tied. I acted to reaffirm that nothing short of the actualisation of the true intent of the voters of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire in the recent elections where Alassane Ouattara polled the highest number of votes will be acceptable to Nigeria and ECOWAS. I call on you all to note that not only have I spoken about the need to run issuebased campaigns devoid of primordial sentiments such as ethnicity, region and religion, I have also walked my talk and practised what I preach.

“I say this today and I say this strongly-in 2011 there shall not be any do or die elections. As long as God permits me to serve you, we shall have genuine credible elections in which everybody who wants to will vote and every vote will count and the results will be sacrosanct,” Jonathan then assured.

However, after all the roller-coaster of pre-election and post-election events, it was clear that Nigeria did not get it right again, although there were said to be some improvements. But the fact remains that the election was flawed.

The appointment of Jega and the amendment of the 2006 Electoral Act can be seen in some quarters and those vast in the history of the conduct of election in Nigeria as only washing the outside of a used cup without washing the real dirty part- the inside. Even the resources at the disposal of Jega was not able to prevent the flaws characterised with the general election of 201. But observers contend that before a free and fair elections can be achieved in Nigeria, the dirt within must be cleansed.

So what are these rots that should be cleansed from Nigeria’s politics? What has been preventing us from having a free and fair election in Nigeria? Is it impossible for Nigeria to have a free and fair election?

Analysts particularly cited candidate imposition during party primaries, that they exterminate opposing elements within and outside their political parties that might prevent the assumption to power of their godsons, and that they also disrupt the voting process by hiring hoodlums to perform acts of violence, all in the aim of achieving their goal of controlling power and receiving huge financial returns on their investments.

On the reasons for the elusiveness of free and fair elections in Nigeria, Ojo-Lanre said, “It is the high rate of illiteracy in the country, particular in the North; most of the literate are also ignorant of the electoral process.

This development results in a flock of electorate who are unaware of their rights and privileges and this makes them easy targets of politicians’ manoeuvres. They can be easily cajoled, threatened, and bribed into the wrong exercise of their franchise, and some will even aid these politicians in ballot stuffing, election thuggery and general disruption of the electoral process.

Is it actually possible to have elections that will ever be free and fair in Nigeria? Mrs Eno Ndem, a property consultant replied, “There is nothing that stops us from achieving this feat if everyone and all of us will arise to our responsibility as Nigerians and contribute our quota to the success of all elections conducted in the country.

The 2011 general shows us that we are close; it is a joint responsibility for us all to find a lasting solution to the cause of the flaws associated with our election. We must all stand for change, we must learn to say no to powers that would want things to stay the way they are, let us all wash the real dirt from our polity.

“The point that must be made is that it is now imperative for us to review our present political system. Public office must be made less materially attractive. An analysis of all the elections held so far in Nigeria will reveal the twin unique characteristics that made June 12 extraordinary are its transparency and simplicity. Option A4 is an electioneering system and mechanism that was centrally people oriented. If the success of June 12 is to be repeated, elections in Nigeria must be people oriented and clearly transparent as well”, Mrs Ndem urged.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NEWS

March 2, 2014

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Boko Haram: Military launches fresh offensive …as closed border prevents insurgents’ escape UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

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rieved by the renewed attacks in the North East by the Boko Haram insurgents, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has drawn the battle line against the insurgents aimed at wiping them off from the country.

Sources at the DHQ told Sunday Mirror that the midnight attack at the

school in Yobe State by the insurgents, killing over 40 school children gave the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh and his Service Chiefs sleepless nights, who saw the act as a big challenge to the military, and vowed to stop the insurgents.

A source said that the Chiefs were actually quite Shocked by the incident, as they seriously conferred

among themselves with renewed commitment to do more sacrifices to not only prevent it from future occurrence, but to ensure the elimination of the scourge from the country.

Part of their resolution was to intensify intelligence and increase mobile patrol in the areas to fish out and deal with the insurgents, who were believed to have been unable to escape out of the coun-

try due to the reinforcement at the closed borders.

Prior to the attacks, government had ordered the closure of the Cameroun borders in the North East and this Sunday Mirror learnt became very helpful to the military in this new approach to capture Boko Haram insurgents.

Special troops were said to have been moved to monitor insurgents’ movement, as they lay am-

bush and had commenced trapping down the insurgents within the towns, cities and villages.

The Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major General Chris Olukolade, while briefing journalists last week on the security situation in the North East, had expressed the Defence Headquarters’ grieve over the atrocities, indicating that they were going all out against the insurgents.

Of course, Olukolade who said that the DHQ acknowledged with grave concern that mindless killing, said that the military would intensify their offensive against the insurgents.

Sunday Mirror learnt

that operatives were also combing the entire places in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa, round the clock, for the terrorists who have been trying in vain to flee after last week’s attacks.

The operations had already started yielding results as troops have continued to kill the insurgents and captured others during encounters.

Olukolade said that given the new military strategy in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states, some of the insurgents were trapped in Adamawa state while trying to escape after the atrocities that they committed, leading to several of them been killed and captured by troops.

Police arrest 7 for alleged murder in Minna

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President Goodluck Jonathan receiving a letter from the South Sudanese Vice President James Wani, during a bilateral meeting in Abuja on Friday.

PHOTO: NAN

How Nigerians can overcome insecurity –Sultan JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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he Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Saad Abubakar II yesterday said the insecurity challenge facing the country should be seen as a common enemy to all Nigerians. He said the only way out of the problem is for all the citizens to unite as one and fight the scourge The Sultan who spoke in Jos yesterday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Gbom Gwom Jos, His Majesty, Jacob Gyang Buba in his palace said: “All of us as Nigerian citizens has common problems, problems of poverty, hunger, unemployment, extremism, insecurity etc.

We need to come together as a people to fight these common enemies of our individual and collective progress.

“No doubt, we will be able to solve these common

problems if we are united as a people, we can’t overcome these challenges if we are divided, hence our unity is not negotiable” The Sultan who said he was in Jos to attend an annual general meeting of the alumni of the national institute for policy and strategic studies (NIPSS) also commented on the prevailing peace in Plateau.

His words: “My present in JOS to attend this NIPSS alumni has confirmed to me that peace has indeed returned to Jos. I therefore plead with citizens of Plateau state to make sure the current peace is sustained and make it become permanent.

“I call on people of the state to work hard to maintain this peace so that Plateau will be restored to his past glory of home of peace and tourism,” said the Sultan In his response to the visit, the Gbong Gwom Jos

said, “Nigeria has reach a stage when all of us as citizens of Nigeria should have a re-think. The current national challenges confronting the nation is not what the military alone can solve, it is not issue of the President of the country, it is an issue that should concern all of us as citizens of Nigeria.

“All of us must rise up to say no to our common challenges, work hard to redefine our collective destiny, we will fail in this battle if we are not united.

“There is no total peace in Plateau in Plateau state if other parts of the country is not at peace. For us to celebrate the prevailing peace on the Plateau, there should be peace all over the country” He salso aid, “Some of the skirmishes going on in the state is purely an act of criminality, criminals go

he Police command in Niger said yesterday that it had arrested seven persons, suspected to have killed one Safiyanu Zakari, a member of a cult gang.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Richard Oguche, named the arrested people as Abdullahi Jibrin, Abdullahi Hashimu, Yusuf Mohammed, Ubaida Abubakar, Salim Abdullahi, Salha Sulaiman and Salihu Abubakar.

Oguche told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the murder occurred at about 3 p.m. on Feb. 14, during a clash between two suspected cult groups in some communities in Minna. ``The two groups -- the `Yandaba’ cult group of Dutse Hausa, clashed with their Dutse-Gwari rivals

along London Street in Minna, during the Eidel Maulud celebrations, following some disagreements,’’ he explained.

Oguche said that during the clash, dangerous weapons like cutlasses, knives, iron rods, broken bottles and sticks were used.

The spokesman said that the deceased suffered deep cuts during the fight and was rushed to the Minna General Hospital, where he died.

He said that one Alhaji Isah Abdullahi, a retired police officer, who is the deceased’s father, reported the matter to the GRA Police Station in Minna. ``The suspected cultists have since confessed to the crime and will soon be charged for culpable homicide,’’ Oguche said.

HIV/AIDS prevalence drops in Borno –Commissioner

H Sultan Abubakar

about stealing cows here and there. And w have urged the security agencies to root out these criminals for us to have total peace” The Gbong Gwom expressed appreciation to the Sultan for the visit, saying the visit will go a long way in strengthening the bond of brotherhood among traditional rulers in the country.

IV and AIDS prevalence in Borno has dropped from 4.5 per cent to 2.6 per cent, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Salma Kolo, has said.

She announced this in her office in Maiduguri, when she received members of the state chapter of the Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) According to Kolo, the drop is noticed from 2011 to date, adding that it was due to aggressive sensitisation campaign across the state. ``This is due mainly to the efforts of the admin-

istration in educating the people on the dangers of the virus,’’ she said.

Kolo expressed the desire of the government to collaborate with the association in order to further reduce the prevalence.

She said that government had paid its entire counterpart funding for all health assisted programmes in the state, Speaking earlier, the state coordinator of the association, Malam Hassan Mustapha, thanked the government for its numerous assistance to members of the association.

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Crisis looms at Complaints Commission over appointment …As staff threaten strike KUNLE A ZEEZ

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here is a looming crisis at the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) over the appointment of Mr. Peter Nwakpa as the secretary of the body.

The staff have threatened to go on strike should the said appointment not be reversed by the Chief Commissioner, Justice

George Uloko (rtd).

Uloko has been accused of “arbitrariness and abuse of power in” the process leading to Nwakpa’s engagement.

Sources at the commission, who spoke on the development at the weekend on the condition of anonymity, said the new appointment amounted to an affront on the part of the Chief Commissioner to appoint Nwakpa, whom they described as an “out-

sider” having been brought recently from Ministry of Labour, to the office of the Secretary to the Commission, which is the equivalent of the exalted position of Permanent Secretary.

According to the sources, the only time an outsider was appointed as secretary was sometime in the 1990s, pointing out that upon an official memorandum written by the then Chief Commissioner, the said appointment was reversed.

“The position of Secre-

tary to the Commission is the position of our Permanent Secretary. We have several directors who have been in the commission for over 20, 25 years. They have mastered the process and grown through the ranks.

“They are wonderful ombudsmen. How can you now bring a complete outsider from the Ministry of Labour who was promoted as director just last year to come and head professionals who have been directors for several years? This is

L-R: Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Mrs. Janet Adetu and her husband/Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria, Mr. Seni Adetu, at the reception for the burial ceremony of Chief Mrs. Felicia Olawunmi Adetu, in Sagamu, Ogun State, at the weekend.

Centenary celebrations fostered unity, reconciliation –PDP

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he centenary celebrations have fostered unity and genuine reconciliation among the country`s leaders and people, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Olisa Metuh, made the announcement in a statement in Abuja yesterday.

He said the party was proud of President Goodluck Jonathan for organising the ceremony, adding that it had showcased the best of the nation to the international community.

Metuh said the centenary event had rekindled the Nigerian spirit and revived ``our sense of patriotism and inner love for one another as one people’’.

The spokesman said that the centenary concert did not only remind Nigerians of their com-

mon root but that it also focused on the country’s rich heritage. ``This came alive because we combined our energies as a people. ``It showed we are indeed, one people determined to succeed and that our divisions are as ephemeral as they are artificial.’’

He commended Jonathan for organising the centenary prayers and award night.

Metuh said that this was the first time in the history of Nigeria that its current and past leaders were brought under one roof, in spite of their perceived differences. ``This shows that our differences and disagreements as a nation do not get to the bones and can always be resolved.’’

Metuh thanked Jonathan for using the event to awaken the spirit of patriotism by honoring

outstanding Nigerians and engendering genuine reconciliation among the country`s leaders.

This feat, he said, had opened the portals for a new era of peace and unity among the people, irrespective of political, religious, ethnic and sectional affiliations.

He expressed gratitude to the nation’s leaders for their show of statesmanship, advising that such understanding, maturity and patriotism should trickle down to other leaders at all levels. ``The entire world is watching us. We are now in a period where the unity, prosperity and happiness of our people must be our collective priority.’’

He said that the country was now in an era where the shedding of the blood of the innocent must stop.

According to him, we are now in an era where

the nation and the people will no longer be defined by political, tribal, religious and sectional considerations but as a united people with a common destiny. ``Our nation has for long been under attack by sectional interests and this is the time to silence such interests and build a strong and united country. ``The challenges we face are transitory and cannot defeat our collective spirit.’’

He expressed the need for Nigerians to support the country’s leaders and to engage only in constructive criticisms. ``Let us stand up and collectively establish and defend the unity and greatness of our dear nation so that the labours of our heroes past shall not be in vain.’’ (NAN) Workers feared trapped as storey building collapses in Nsukka.

wrong and does not promote industrial harmony,” one of the sources, who is a union leader stated.

But speaking on the development on behalf of Uloko, the Head of Public Relations, Mr. Emeka Nwosu, admitted to the crisis, which he described as baseless even though he said his boss was already holding talks with the union [staff] to calm nerves and resolve their differences.

“If you want to see the Chief Commissioner strictly on this issue, I think it’s needless. You cannot see him. I can speak for him.

And I speak for him because I am the Head of this Public Relations Unit and therefore I am his spokesman. Indeed, there are some disagreements over the appointment of secretary and the Chief Commissioner is meeting with staff on the matter and it shall be resolved,” Nwosu said.

He further maintained that, “But it should be on record that the disquiet, protest and unrest are baseless because the Chief Commissioner has acted within his powers as provided by Section 3 [1] of the Public Complaints Commission Act which empowers him to employ or recruit servants and personnel to help him and his commission-

ers function well.”

Nwosu said the Chief Commissioner derives his powers from the Act and can appoint whomever he deems fit as Secretary, stressing “As we speak, if the Chief Commissioner sees you and likes you, without any hesitation he has the power to appoint you immediately as secretary to the commission.”

Quoting Section 3 [1] of the PCC Act , Nwosu said, “The Chief Commissioner shall appoint such additional officers and servants [not being commissioners] as he may determine to assist him and other Commissioners in the discharge of the functions under this Act.” Quizzed how the Chief Commissioner would, upon “liking” a person, appoint him as secretary to the commission, his spokesman said: “I am not the one saying so, the law has said it clearly. Once the Chief Commissioner is convinced he can appoint anyone as secretary to the commission. May be we should read the provision of the Act for emphasis and clarification?”

However, a senior officer at the commission said the powers of the Chief Commissioner cannot be used in a manner so described by his spokesman.

7 feared dead as storey building collapses in Nsukka

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he police have confirmed that some workers were trapped when a threestorey building under construction collapsed yesterday on Enugu Road, Nsukka.

Mr Ebere Amarizu, Enugu State Police Command Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the incident, said investigation was on to ascertain the cause and number of workers trapped. ``Yes we have received the report of the collapse of the three-storey building on Enugu Road in Nsukka, and we have commenced investigations to ascertain the cause and number of causalities,’’ he said.

An eyewitness who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria

(NAN), that he saw more than seven workers in the building before it collapsed at about 2.30 p.m. ``I saw some of the trapped workers because I was close to the premises when the building collapsed; some carpenters and bricklayers were even working in the building then. ``People say seven people were working there and some people ran away when it collapsed, but I know that the rescue operation will confirm how many people were trapped,’’ he said As at the time of filing this report, a combined rescue operation involving the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Federal Road Safety Commission, were at the scene to rescue the trapped workers.(NAN)

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Sunday March 2, 2014

N113m SUBEB scam: Ex-Edo SSG, 3 others for trial SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN CITY

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he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has filed an-eight count charge of fraudulent practices against a former Secretary to the Edo State Government under Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Dr. Simon Imuekemhe, and three other officials of the state’s Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEC, over a missing N113 million funds of the Board.

Imuekemhe recently retired from the public service amid pomp and ceremony and was applauded by the governor to have discharged his duties creditably, while in the public service.

But at the weekend, our correspondent exclusively obtained an eight-count charge sheet dated 20th January 2014 and signed on behalf of the EFCC Executive Chairman by Mr. Aso Larrys Peters of the Legal and Prosecution Department.

The EFCC filed the case on the 27th January 2014 on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria against the four accused persons with charge number B/EFCC/1/14.

According to the first count, the accused persons spent some money allocated for a particular project on another project contrary to Section 22 (5) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

The particulars of offence stated, “Joseph Sule Emoabino, David Eson Igbinoba, Aghator Gaskin Efen and Dr. Simon Imuekemhe being Chairman, Secretary, Director of Finance and Accounts of State Universal Basic Education Board, Edo State and Secretary to Government of Edo State respectively, on or about the 5th of June, 2012 in Benin within the jurisdiction of Edo State High Court, spend the sum of N16, 853,242.58k (Sixteen Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-three Thousand, Two Hundred and Forty-two Naira, Fifty-eight Kobo) for construction of perimeter wall fence in Ivbiore Primary School, Ugbor, a project not covered by the intervention funds allocated by the State Universal Basic Commission/ State Government and thereby committed an offence.”

According to the second count, the accused persons spent money allocated for

a particular project on another project contrary to the law stated above.

The particulars of offence further stated: “Joseph Sule Emoabino, David Eson Igbinoba, Aghator Gaskin Efen and Dr. Simon Imuekemhe being Chairman, Secretary, Director of Finance and Accounts of State Universal Basic Education Board, Edo State and Secretary to Government of Edo State respectively, on or about the 5th of June, 2012 in Benin within the jurisdiction of Edo State High Court, spend the sum of N13, 216,457.26k (Thirteen Million, Two Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty-seven Naira, Twenty-six Kobo) for renovation of six classrooms block in Ikirodah Primary School, Ugiekha, a project not covered by the intervention funds allocated by the State Universal Basic Commission/State Government and thereby committed an offence.”

Under the third count charge, the four accused persons were alleged to have inappropriately spent in the same manner, date and place, N18, 220,000.58k “for renovation of eight classrooms/stores block in Ekpenede Primary School, Benin City, a project not covered by the intervention funds allocated by the State Universal Basic Commission/State Government and thereby committed an offence.”

In the fourth count, the four accused persons were alleged to have inappropriately spent in the same manner, date and place, N17, 883,215.15k “for renovation of six classrooms/ stores block in Oweigie Primary School, Orio, a project not covered by the intervention funds allocated by the State Universal Basic Commission/State Government and thereby committed an offence” under the same law.

In the fifth count, they were accused of spending in the same manner, date and place, N12, 405,154.25k “for renovation of six classrooms/stores block in Ikabigbo Primary School, Ikabigbo, a project not covered by the intervention funds allocated by the State Universal Basic Commission/ State Government and thereby committed an offence” under the same law.

In the sixth count, all the accused persons were accused of spending in the same manner and place but on the 4th of June, 2012 the sum of N22,

190,434.77k “for renovation of six classrooms/office block in Ogan/Oviawe Primary Schools, a project not covered by the intervention funds allocated by the State Universal Basic Commission/State Government and thereby committed an offence” under the same law.

All the accused persons were alleged in the seventh count to have spent in the same manner, place and date above, the sum of N13, 146,757.42 “for construction of perimeter wall fence, water closet suits and drilling of borehole in Ebenezer Primary School, Benin City, a project not covered by the intervention funds allocated by the State Universal Basic Commission/State Government and thereby committed an offence” under the same law.

In the last count, EFCC accused the government officials of conspiring amongst themselves in the same manner, place and date above and “did agreed amongst yourselves to spend public funds allocated for a particular project on another project and thereby committed an offence,” an offence under the provisions of Section 26 (1) (c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Act of 2000.

Last week Thursday, however, the EFCC could not arraign before an Edo State High Court in Benin City, Imuekemhe and his fellow accused persons It was learnt that Justice Esther Edigin, who was dramatically re-assigned the case same day from the court of Justice Ikponmwen where it was initially listed, could not hear the case because she had not received the case file. She assured that a date would be fixed for the formal arraignment of all the accused persons once she received the case file.

It would be recalled that the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, raised the alarm sometime in 2012 over an alleged missing N320m in Edo SUBEB after National Mirror had exclusively reported the alleged scam. While the state governor immediately relieved the Commissioner of Education then, Mr. Ekpenisi Omorotionmwan of his duties before explaining later that no money was missing, the PDP called for a probe of the missing money and petitioned the EFCC, thereafter.

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Man in the News Ex-IGP Sunday Ehindero

And yet another scam trial AYO ESAN Reprieve failed to come the way of former Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, as the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal ordered him to return to the High Court to face a criminal trial.

Ehindero, alongside a former Commissioner of Police in charge of Budget, Mr. John Obaniyi, were earlier arraigned before an Abuja High Court for alleged complicity in the misappropriation of N557 million belonging to the Nigeria Police Force.

They pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge preferred against them by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and were consequently admitted to bail.

In the suit, ICPC claimed that Ehindero and Obaniyi diverted N300 million out of N557 million that was donated to the Force by the Bayelsa State Government when President Goodluck Jonathan was the state governor.

The N557 million was said to have been donated to the Police Force for procurement of arms, ammunition and riot control equipment.

ICPC traced the diverted N300 million to a fixed deposit account at Wema Bank Plc where it had already yielded N9.8 million interest.

It was further alleged that the accused persons placed another N200 million in a fixed deposit account at Intercontinental Bank Plc where it yielded N6.5 million interest.

Both men had filed notices of preliminary objection, challenging the jurisdiction of the court as well as the leave granted the ICPC to file charges against them.

They also prayed the court to quash the six-count charge preferred against them by ICPC. However, in his ruling on the objection, the trial judge, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi, dismissed the application and asked the accused to face trial.

Not satisfied, they approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the decision of the lower court on three grounds: (a) whether the Abuja High Court had jurisdiction to entertain the charge against them wherein the allegation is bordering on the revenue of the Federation vis-a-vis the provision of Section 251 (1) (a) – (f) of the 1999 Constitution; (2) whether there is a prima facie case linking them to the charge preferred against them by the prosecution and (3) whether in view of the constitutional powers of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF enshrined under Section 174 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) , Mr. Paul Bassi, or any other officers of the ICPC, could validly prosecute him without a fiat of the AGF. Ehindero hails from Oyin-Akoko, Ondo State but was born in Jos, Plateau State. He attended Gboluji Grammar School in Ondo State, obtained a Bachelors of Science degree from University of Ibadan and a Law degree from the Nigerian Law School.

He started his working career as teacher in Abeokuta, Ogun State and later moved into the Police Force in the early 70s. He is one of 14 living children of his parent.

Ehindero speaks Yoruba, Hausa and English and he is the author of many books and currently works as a lawyer in his law firm.

In January 2005, the then Inspector General of Police , Mr Tafa Balogun, was forced to resign after it was revealed that he was under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC and was re-

In the suit, ICPC claimed that Ehindero and Obaniyi diverted N300 million out of N557 million that was donated to the Force by the Bayelsa State Government when President Goodluck Jonathan was the state governor. placed by Sunday Ehindero.

In February 2006, Ehindero said the Force would send a bill to the National Assembly to amend Police Act to remove gender bias. He also expressed pleasure that the Supreme Court judgement had declared that police lawyers could prosecute criminal cases in any court in Nigeria.

In May 2006, after a pipeline explosion at Inagbe beach on the outskirts of Lagos, he called for Communities and officials to play a greater role in securing the pipelines.

In August 2006, Ehindero spoke at a meeting attended by officials of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, EFCC and ICPC. He said the police were concerned with control of corruption in the society and within the Force itself. He said his administration had started addressing the second issue through improved pay to policemen.

On the first issue, he said he was taking steps to educate the National Union of Road Transport Workers to resist N20 illegal extortion. He also voiced support of community partnership in policing. In September 2006, the police chief was subject to over three hours of

searching questions by the Senate. He noted that police roadblocks were not by his orders. He said the duplication of anti-corruption commissions like EFCC and ICPC was not needed as the police could handle the jobs In December 2006, Ehindero said the police had bought 30 armoured vehicles to combat crime in Lagos, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers states. In March 2007, he disclosed that he was confident that the police could cope with any problems that might arise in the forthcoming national gubernatorial and presidential elections. Earlier, he had noted that 80,000 weapons and 32 million rounds of ammunition had been procured for the police.

Also in 2007, he announced that more than 10,000 officers would be sacked in an attempt to root out dirty cops. He said that the previous IGP, Mustafa Balogun, later convicted on corruption charges, had employed thousands of officers with criminal records.

On April 9, 2007, three weeks before the then newly elected President Umaru Yar’Adua was sworn in, Ehindero recommended promotion of the Chairman of the EFCC , Malam Nuhu Ribadu, from commissioner of police to assistant inspector general. In August 2008, questions on the subsequent demotion of Ribadu were challenged on the basis that the original promotion was “illegal, unconstitutional, null and void, and of no legal effect”.

After his retirement in 2007, Ehindero faced a probe of over N21 million fraud, N2.5 billion of police cooperative money, N300 million police funds and the source of money for allegedly building about eight magnificent houses. His passport was seized. When interrogated by the acting IGP, Mr Mike Okiro, the Commissioner of Police in charge of Budget, Mr John Obaniyi, said that money found being smuggled out of police headquarters was being taken to Ehindero.

In April 2008, the ICPC interrogated Ehindero on how money meant to buy arms and ammunition for the police allegedly ended up in his private accounts.

He stated that the money was provided by Goodluck Jonathan, the then state governor of Bayelsa and later vice-president, at his request. He said it was placed in police accounts and he did not see any of it.

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Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES MARCH 2, 2014

Two years on, Dickson awards administration pass mark

I AM CONVINCED THAT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE WILL STRENGTHEN THE BONDS OF UNITY, THE FABRIC OF OUR FEDERALISM AND THE PILLARS OF OUR NATIONHOOD --CHIEF TONY ANENIH.

P 12&13

Why we want regional governance –Yoruba leaders

Outcome of Confab should go forr referendum –Gani Adams P 14

Briefly Sokoto APC urges prayers for leaders Sokoto State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, yesterday urged Nigerians to pray for more wisdom for their leaders in their bid to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and united country.

The party made the appeal in a message to Governor Aliu Wamakko of Sokoto State, who turned 61 yesterday.

The message, signed by the Interim Chairman of the party in the state, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, observed that Wamakko had dedicated his life to the service of humanity and the development of the state. ``It is heart-warming that this significant milestone coincides with crucial moments when major decisions had to be taken on the political turf. ``We are happy that our great leader has never been found wanting as he had correctly read the mood of his people,’’ the message read.

The statement said APC would continue to identify with the lofty ideals and political agenda of Wamakko, calling for support from stakeholders toward a stable Nigeria and a better Sokoto State.

Group wants Anambra to produce Oduah replacement

Falae

KEMI OLAITAN

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or prominent Yoruba leaders and organizations from the six states of South West geopolitical zone extending to Yoruba speaking tribes in Kwara, Kogi, Delta and Edo states, last Thursday will be a day to be remembered for a long time to come as they converged at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to speak with one voice on the position of the Yoruba race to be presented at the forthcoming National Conference scheduled for the nation’s capital, Abuja.

Leaders present at the event include Chief Reuben Fasoranti, Chief Olaniwun Ajayi, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Chief Olu Falae, General Alani Akinrinade (rtd.), Dr. Kunle Olajide, Ooni of Ife represented by Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, Oba

Akinrinade

James Adegoke, Owaoye Oke-Mesi, Oba Gbadebo Adedeji and the Olubadan of Ibadanland represented by High Chief Omowale Kuye Others were Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, Hon. Sola Ebiseeni who represented Governor Segun Mimiko, Speaker Suraj Ishola Adekunbi represented Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Prof Dawud Noibi of Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Dr. Femi Akinola, represented Governor Kayode Fayemi, Chief Wale Osun of Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Otunba Gani Adams of Oodua People’s Congress and Prof. Bunmi Ayoade represented Oodua Foundation, USA. The Yoruba Unity Forum was represented by Senator Tony Adefuye, Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu, Chief (Mrs.) Ritalori Ogbebor (Itsekiri), Senator Kofo Bucknor Akerele, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Mr. Felix Adenaike.

Setting the tone for the gathering,

the master of ceremony at the event, Dr. Kunle Olajide, who was part of the three-man committee, said the coming together that day was a culmination of series of meetings that had been held by leaders across the region in places such as Akure and Isara.

While welcoming all to the event, the Chairman of the occasion and leader of Afenifere, Chief Reuben Fasoranti, charged the ethnic group to see the impending national conference as an opportunity for the race to actualise what the past leaders had been advocating for. According to him, while the Yoruba is not interested in dismembering of the country, it would not sit by and allowed other ethnic groups disturbed its march towards meaningful development in a federal system of government.

Delivering his speech at the occasion, the host and governor of Oyo CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 & 13

An Ndigbo group, the Igbozurume Worldwide, has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to pick a credible candidate from Anambra State to fill the ministerial slot of that state made vacant with the removal of Aviation minister, Mrs. Stella Oduah.

National Secretary of the Ndigbo group, Chief Odinaka Iwu, who made the call in Lagos, noted that the Igbo have supported the administration of President Jonathan so far, and should not be sidetracked.

According to him, the former minister of aviation did so well in her assignment, saying that her facelift renovations of the nation’s airports deserve applause.

Chief Iwu also stated that Mrs. Oduah must have stepped on some toes in the discharge of her duties, and that his group was not surprised that she was being prosecuted by disgruntled elements.

He called on President Jonathan to consider credible Igbo sons and daughters to fill the slot, even as he enjoined Ndigbo in the country to rally round and end any internal bickering that may jeopardise their chances.

Chief Iwu stated that the former Ambassador to Austria, and ex-House of Representatives member, Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe, deserved to be considered to take over from Oduah and to continue the transformation agenda for the Aviation industry in the country.

He said given Ugokwe’s track record, and the fact that he came from Anambra, he was very qualified, even as he noted that Ugokwe would bring a lot of experience to bear in the present administration.

Chief Iwu pledged continued support to the Jonathan administration, and its transformation agenda in the Aviation industry.

He also called on the Igbo to get involved in the coming general elections to ensure their interest is protected, by electing credible sons and daughters to represent them.

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Two years on, Dickson awards

BY EMMA GBEMUDU,YENAGOA.

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arrister Henry Seriake Dickson, the fourth executive Governor of Bayelsa State marked his second anniversary in government with the commissioning of several projects in the state.

Among projects commissioned by Dickson include the Governor’s VIP Guest House, Government House Car Park, Government House Security Gate, Dualised Hospital Road, Water Board Road, Bayelsa Driving Institute, Remodeled Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre and Governor’s Aides Quarters, electrification of Toru Orua and a 2.5km internal road in Toru-Orua, among others. To add colour to the celebration, three members of the senate and five members of the House of Representatives from the state graced the event. King Amalate Turner was also in attendance.

The administration has embarked on several projects especially on infrastructure so as to open up the coastal state. Dickson said it had completed 42 projects in the past two years in the state. The much expected visit to the state by the President had been rescheduled till April due to his crowded engagements in Abuja. A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Iworiso-Markson said the President would commission the major projects during his April visit to the state.

Government said projects listed to be commissioned by the President in April include the Youth Development Centre, the General Hospital in Kaiama, Ecumenical Centre at Igbogene, the Opolo-Elebele road, the new Governor’s office, Multi door court house, the Flyover at the NNPC junction, the Yenagoa-Oporoma road, the tower hotel among others.

The Governor had inspected the ongoing Igbogene-AIT road, Azikoro road, Isaac Boro expressway flyover, the SagbamaEkeremor and Toru Orua-Angalabiri roads, Model Secondary School, Sagbama and Teachers Training Institute, Bolou Orua.

Others projects inspected by Dickson

were the Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro College of Education, Sagbama, Bayelsa State Sports Academy, Asoama and the permanent NYSC Orientation Camp, Kaiama, headquarters of Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, The Castle Hotel, Polo Club, Golf Course, Governor’s Office, Government House Hospital and Command and Security Control Centre.

During the monthly Transparency Initiative briefing to mark the two years of government held at the Government House banquet hall, the Governor opened up that his administration decided to halt the probing of the transactions of the former Governor of the state, Timipre Sylva to avoid distraction. Dickson’s administration had been probing Sylva’s government over alleged financial misappropriation and doubtful contractual deals in the state.

Sylva had viewed the probe as a witch-hunt exercise.

He stressed that his government would no longer be involved in any blame game with successive administrations in the state. According to Dickson, “rather than probing failed policies and programs of Sylva’s administration, he would consolidate on the noticeable paradigm shift in infrastructural development, economic empowerment, peace, security and friendly investment network in the state.”

The Governor said the last two years of his administration had witnessed a distinct paradigm shift by building confidence in the people and transparency of spending of public funds.

He said:”With the support of the people, we have achieved peace and rapid development that has increased confidence among the people. Instead of engaging in blame game, we have created an all inclusive government. Every month, the Finance Committee sits and deliberates on the judicious spending on state obligations and commitments.”

“Bayelsa can no longer be a state where everything is free including the payment of PHCN bills. We can no longer be a state where power bills are paid for the people.

Must government pay electricity bills for you? It is no longer possible. We are building a foundation for a modern economy. It

Dickson

Why we want regional governance CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11 State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, said contrary to the view expressed by President Goodluck Jonathan that the 1914 amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorates by Lord Luggard was not a mistake, the amalgamation had earned the country several pains and calamities.

His words, “as you all know, the Yoruba people, like every other ethnic nationalities that make up this country did not willingly join the behemoth that was to later become Nigeria. We were coerced by the British overlords in the evergreen magical marriage of inconvenience called amalgamation

of 1914.

“Since then, Nigeria has presented as the forcefully conjured seeds in the walnut pod, what our people call ‘Omo inu awusa’. Different world-views, different ideologies, different cultures, different political beliefs, yet we were soldered into one component by the British colonial masters.

“We, the Yoruba people, are one of the most blessed ethnic nationalities in the world. Blessed with human and natural resources, we demonstrated during the First Republic that we could hold our own in the comity of other republics.

“The current pseudo-federalism that we practice merely gathered, as our

people would say, having the hen and dove under the same cage. It breeds redundancy, cheating and parasitism.

It is a recipe for chaos. This is why we are very strong in canvassing a return to that system where our forefathers proved their mettle to the rest of the world as brilliant administrators of men and resources.

“For us as Yoruba, no system is as potent enough to bring out the best in us as true federalism. Forget political party configuration, there is no Nigerian who honestly did not suspect the current decision of the federal government to convoke a national conference.

“We have been fooled in time past, only for our time, resources to be wast-

ed on the altar of political leadership’s strategizing to hold on to power. As Yoruba sons and daughters, you will recall that our forefathers were never easily held captive. They were not, because, they learnt to look before they leapt.

“That was why we were circumspect about the call for a national conference, a few months before the general elections. However, as you elders have taught us, the art of knowing when to flee and when to fight are twin qualities of a valiant warrior at the war-front.

“Yoruba people will participate at this constitutional conference armed with our own arsenal. At this conference, Yoruba must strongly canvass

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Politics

Sunday, March 2, 2014

13

administration pass mark is our duty to lay the foundation”, he said.

Speaking at the occasion, former Governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau in his assessment scored the administration high based on the United Nations and World Bank’s six characteristics of development.

Shekarau said the Governor had excelled in all the criteria, which include accountability, political stability, effectiveness of government, regulatory control, rule of law and control of corruption.

He said: “ I honestly do not have enough words to say how happy I am to congratulate the Governor, his deputy and other members of his team for institutionalizing this culture of speaking out how much money comes in and how it is spent. I am impressed and I want to join all other well wishers of Bayelsa to thank God and pray hard for many more Dickson’s to come.”

While appraising the Governor, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, who spoke on behalf of the Bayelsa Caucus in the National Assembly, said Dickson’s stint in the National assembly had sharpened his leadership skills. That has also enhanced his revolutionary achievements within the short period and had equally proved skeptics wrong.

Lokpobiri said that with the Governor developmental feat in two years, his further commitment to achieve more in the remaining part of his present tenure would serve as his campaign weapon.

He said: “I want to congratulate you for what you are doing here in the state. I believe that even your worst enemy will agree that you are doing excellently well.

We have always had abiding confidence in you as members of the National Assembly.

We decided to agree that you should come back home so that Nigerians will get to appreciate what the National Assembly can make of anybody. You were there for five years and that has improved your mental and leadership capacity which you are exhibiting.”

He advocated for a synergy between the State Government and members of the National Assembly from the state. He

stated that the synergy would attract development from the Federal Government as well as avoid duplication in project execution. He appealed to the people of the state to support the government to record what he described as ‘more success stories’ rather than distracting him.

Highpoint of the occasion was the unveiling of the Mid-Term Report tagged, “Two Years of Restorative Governance”

by Governor Dickson after a brief preview of the publication by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Edmund AlisonOguru.

Dickson had said the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, would go a long way in resolving land disputes and also engender wealth creation for land owners with the establishment of the Bayelsa Geographical Information System (BGIS). He made this known while signing some C of Os at the monthly transparency briefing to mark his mid-term anniversary in office.

Dickson said as part of activities to celebrate the second year of the Restoration Government, he has put in place a mechanism for the verification of land title.

He said: “I also signed in your presence, certificates of occupancy pursuant to the law that we proposed to the Bayelsa State House of Assembly with the promulgation of the Bayelsa Geographical Information System Law.” “Among the factors of production, land is probably the foundation of all development. If we free up most of the titles we have and give verifiable and reliable certification of those titles, that by itself is empowerment because we would have made it possible for persons to trade with their titles,” he added.

The Governor noted that one of the challenges plaguing the State was the classification of wealth in view of the absence of reliable certification to land. He said that there was the need for government to take pragmatic steps to create wealth and a sustainable economy as land was the foundation of all development. “That is one of the reasons why we are not as involved as we ought to be in our local economy. That is why you cannot have small and medium scale businessmen and women because you cannot transact with your titles; meanwhile if you

go to our communities or even in Yenagoa almost everybody has land but they cannot trade with it since there is no proof of ownership.”

Against this background, the Governor said investment teams had been directed to work out the details with which they would interact with financial institutions to streamline the empowerment programme government intends to run.

In his comments, the State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mr Furoebi Akene gave an insight on some features of the new C of O which he noted, is electronically produced .Akene further said the issuance of the C of O from the date of application, if all the requirements are met would not exceed 14 days In an interview with our correspondent, the Paramount Ruler of Bolou Orua community, Chief Felagha Tounarigha lauded the massive transformation of infrastructure taking place in the community and the State as a whole. The monarch appealed to the people to jealously guard the various projects already put in place.

Governor Dickson while commending the youths for their patience and non-violent attitude towards contractors working on various projects in the state assured that with the commissioning of the road into his community in Toru Orua and the accelerated work on the Ogbia-Nembe road project in Nembe, “we hope all coastal communities in the state will have road access and indigenes will be able to drive into their communities.”

He said the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), had experienced a 60% increment, from the previous N4bn to N10bn in the last one year.

He solicited for the active participation of the Organized Private Sector (OPS) in improving the revenue base of the State, stressing that his administration had provided enabling environment for local and foreign investors.

In realization of his economic goal, Dickson while signing additional three new bills into law urged land and property owners to prepare for the payment of taxes in the state.

According to him, it was in line with government’s tax policy which was geared towards improving the revenue base of the state.

The new laws signed were the Bayelsa State Investment Promotion, Bureau for Development Cooperative and Bayelsa Anti Corruption Amendment, which brings the total number of laws to 37 aimed at creating institutions for effective governance for the progress of the state. Dickson explained that the essence of government’s tax policies was to create wealth and a sustainable economy that was not dependent on revenue from oil and gas.

The Governor promised to make Bayelsa self-sustaining particularly in the payment of salaries without relying on proceeds from the Federal Allocation. According to him, in due course the people would stand to benefit from government’s diversification programme. .Dickson had launched the registration of Tax Identification Number (TIN), as part of efforts of government’s revolutionary revenue drive. Tax Identification Numbers (TIN), were also issued to Governor Dickson and his deputy. Dickson said experts were working on the law that would harmonize all revenue legislations in the state, with the aim of ensuring that taxable persons were captured both in the formal and informal sectors. While acknowledging the constraints in the informal sector, he directed that inter-ministerial teams should work together to ensure that all taxable adults in the state were captured for tax purposes so as to aid development.

He said, “Our teams are working on the law that will harmonize all revenue legislations in the state with the intention of ensuring that every person that is taxable in this state is captured. For the formal sector, we have done a lot but, for the informal sector, we know that the challenges are there”.

Giving some insights to the tax identification number, Executive Chairman of the State Internal Revenue Board, Mr. Godson Torukuru said the scheme was a collaborative effort between the State and Federal Government to shore up the IGR. Torukuru said the benefits accruable from the tax identification initiative include access to free medical services for some categories of persons, obtaining government contracts, driving license, international passports and will aid the processing of land documents among others.

–Yoruba leaders the return of the country to regionalism.

We must ask that Nigeria becomes again a union of federated regions where each of us will be at liberty to restructure the current artificial state structure that we have.

“The sub-set of this is that we must canvass a return of the regions of the federal union to their separate constitutions as was present in the 50’s and 60’s.

Personally, I am in favour of a presidential system of government but it would seem that the consensus of our fathers and mothers gathered here is that Nigeria should return to the parliamentary system of the First Republic. We must all learn to subordinate our personal preferences to collective preference”.

It was then the turn of Gen. Akinrinade to present the 15 page draft titled,” Yoruba Agenda”. He said it centred on a new Nigeria consisting of a central union/Federal Government and six regional governments (based on the current six geo-political zones -including all other Yoruba outside the imposed artificial boundaries, that is to say, in Edo, Delta, Kogi and Kwara) operating federal and regional constitutions.

He listed other areas in the Agenda to include negotiated legislative Exclusive, Concurrent and Residual list; the Westminster model of parliamentary government; the right to self determination on and up to the right to secede; and a just and equitable taxation system that will

make the federating units equal and coordinating at the federal level in order to eliminate the current reinter syndrome.

Also raised in the Yoruba Agenda, according to him are other specific issues to be addressed like new peoples’ constitution, true federalism, regionalism with Fiscal Federalism in varying degrees, role of traditional rulers, status of Lagos and Federal Capital Territory among others.

On his own part, the Chairman, Yoruba Agenda Committee, Chief Olu Falae stated that he led two others, Gen. Akinrinade and Dr. Olajide, as the ViceChairman and Secretary respectively, said what was being presented was not a new document. He maintained that the

journey started as far back as 1994 with series of meetings in some of the palaces of Yoruba Obas to produce the Yoruba Agenda, which was modified in 2005 and revised in 2012 With speeches from leaders and representatives such as Alhaji Lateef Jakande, Otunba Gani Adams of Odua Peoples Congress(OPC), representative of governor of Ondo, Ogun and Ekiti States as well as representative of the Ooni of Ife; Chief Olaniwun Ajayi then moved for the adoption of the proposed agenda as contained in the draft copy while it was seconded by the Salu of Edun Abon, Osun State, Oba Elijah Oyelade, and was unanimously adopted by all in attendance. .

14

Politics

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Outcome xxxx of Confab should go for referendum –Gani Adams Otunba Gani Adams is the National Coordinator of the pan Yoruba group, Oodua People’s Congress, OPC. In this interview with Ayo Esan he speaks on the planned national conference and the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan. Excerpts: The national Conference is being organized by the Federal Government. How do you see the arrangement so far made for the conference?

Well, I think it is an historical move from the government of President Goodluck Jonathan. We have to thank him for taking the bull by the horn and ensuring that the national conference holds. Although the modalities for the conference do not go down well with our demands especially the issue of no go area. I think it is a serious minus for the conference. But basically, we have to thank President Jonathan for providing opportunity to express our words or opinion, express our feelings, and express what we want for our country and for even providing the opportunity for discussion on how to move this country forward. This is more important as Nigeria clocked the centenary age.

So for him to have agreed that the conference should hold showed that we have a president who believes in the voice of the people. It also shows that we have the president who listens to the wish of the people.

So I commend him for taking the bold step for convening this conference.

Many are not happy about the pronouncement by the president that the outcome of the conference will be subjected to the ratification of the National Assembly. What is your position on this?

That is a serious issue that people are contesting now. Our view is that the outcome of the conference should be subjected to referendum. We are not in support of the proposal that the national assembly should ratify the outcome of the conference. The danger is that most of the political parties will influence their representatives in the national assembly based on their own interest and not in the interest of generality of Nigerians. We should remember that each of the political parties are given two representatives and so the number of core politicians will not be up to 15 or 20 out of over 400 delegates. But if at the end of the conference, you take their decisions to the national assembly for ratification, political interest will now comes in. We know that most of the members of the ruling party do not want a change. I mean the PDP, they want the status quo to remain. They want a strong central and weak states and weak local governments. Many of them believe that even when they do not win election in the states, they will benefit from the centre.

And it is their belief that they can use the power at the centre to suppress opposition and this has resulted in confusion , acrimony and overheating of the polity because of too much federal power and weak structure at the state and local government level .All these issues must be discussed. If you send the outcome of the conference to the national assembly,

Adams

most of the strong areas where agreement was reached at the national conference will now be narrowed down, weakened and they will ensure that the status quo remain. If that happens, the aims of using that national conference to correct a lot of anomalies and a lot of lopsidedness that happened in Nigeria will not be achieved.

We want a new Nigeria. We want a new constitution; we want the constitution of the people. It is not a constitution where some partisan people that have the opportunity of being in the national assembly will decide on. We want Nigerians to decide their faith. We should discuss for instance that if we want to live together as a country how do we live together? What kind of the system should we use? What kind of structure, what type of federating units are we going to operate? Do we want to practice federalism at all? If we want to practice federal system, why don’t we practice true federalism and apply fiscal federalism. So that is the most important thing to be discussed at the conference.

And since the national assembly has already had a constitution review in which they rejected the State police, Local Governments autonomy, there is no need for the national assembly to ratify the outcome of the national conference.

From our discussions in the three geopolitical zones in the Southern part of Nigeria, none was against granting of autonomy to the local governments. Nobody goes against four tiers of governments namely; Federal, regional, states and local governments. I am very sure especially from the influence of leaders of political parties, they will want to change all that.

APC is not the same as the ACN we had before, we have a lot of PDP members now in APC. APC is not a kind of progressive party that we had when it was ACN. So definitely most of these people have their representatives in the House of Representatives and Senate and so most of the effort to reconstruct the country which we

would have agreed at the conference will be killed through their ratification.

Yoruba people have been meeting on the national conference and you have been attending these various meetings, will you say that the Yoruba has a position paper that they will present at the conference?

Definitely we have a position paper.

You know we have been in this course for a long time. The agitation for the national conference started from Yoruba land through late Alao- Aka Bashorun of blessed memory in 1991. And this agitation brought the Yoruba to a conclusion that this country has to be restructured and that there should be true federalism, fiscal federalism, and the outcome of these was the Yoruba agenda in 1994. The Yoruba sat down and look at what would benefit the country and tactically adopted the 1963 constitution that we called Republican constitution. So when you studied the context of the 1963 constitution and compared with what the Yoruba people agreed with in 1994, there is only a slight difference. Yoruba believes in parliamentary system of government. Yoruba believes that federating units should develop at their own pace based on regionalism. We believes that there should be a derivation principle , a kind of percentage of every resources that is taken from any place or section or region or state of Nigeria, even tax. This includes money realized from the sea port, the borders, and the airports. When we talk of derivation formula it should not be for oil alone. For instance Lagos that has about 75 per cent of economic input of this country, what has it be deriving from that? And all heavy duty vehicles are plying Lagos roads and the population of Lagos is increasing every day. Lagos is not getting any percentage as derivation from the money the Federal government is getting from the sea port. It is not been given any deri-

vation from one of the busiest airport in Africa, Murtala Muhammed Airport.

Majority of tax revenue the federal government is making is from Lagos State.

Derivation principle must be extended to all these. Even all these Border States in the north like Borno, Sokoto and Katsina the money generated on duties from these Border States, federal government must share the revenue accordingly.

We took spirits in this part of the country. By spirit I mean alcohol, the northerners because of their religious belief and Sharia forbid alcohols. Our people smoke a lot and the tax being generated from the alcoholic consumption is being shared with the northern states which forbid alcohols. So more money should be given to those states where the money is derived. If you share equally, how will the states face the challenges of the consequences of alcoholic consumption? Certain percentage should be given to those states on derivation principle.

On education, Yoruba believes that every section of the country should develop at its own pace. We found out that, we have a lot of backwardness on issue of education now due to developing education simultaneously within the country. All of these have to be corrected by giving the regions the power of taking care of their educational sector without the control of the Federal. Health, water, agriculture also should be the burden of the region or state governments and not that of the Federal.

You have just commended President Goodluck Jonathan for providing the forum for people to express their opinion through a national conference but some people said he should not contest for another term comes 2015. What is your position on this?

Well I don’t have problem on Jonathan running for a second term in as much as the constitution permits him to contest for a second term. There is nothing wrong in Jonathan contesting for second term. It is left for his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, to decide if they will give him the ticket or not. If PDP presents him as its candidate, so be it! It is in the constitution that he can contest a second term. The years he spent in power after the demise of former President Umaru Yar’Adua was the tenure of Yar’Adua, not his own tenure. Jonathan’s first term started from 2011 and will end next year.

The second term will start from May 2015 and end in 2019. That is the truth, we must not deceive ourselves. This is the only country where people hide behind one finger. If you are a strong opposition party what you can do is to have a campaign and ensure the incumbent is voted out, not that you start propaganda that he has no right to contest. The issue of zoning is not reflected in our constitution, a Yoruba man can stand up now and says he want to contest for presidency talk less of somebody in power who has not finished his first term. He has the right to contest the election. If you know you want him out of power convince Nigerians on why they should not vote him and not embark on propaganda that he should not contest. You need to convince Nigerians that you are better than him and you should be voted to replace him.

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Interview

Sunday March 2, 2014

15

Fayemi scuttled my ambition to be senator –Bamidele House of Representatives member, Hon Opeyemi Bamidele, is the Labour Party (LP) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State.

In this interview with Abiodun Nejo, he says Governor Kayode Fayemi frustrated his ambition to be in the Senate, but expresses optimism about his chances of winning the June 21 governorship election in the state, among others. Excerpts: How do you think your entry into the governorship race has impacted on the administration and politics of Ekiti State?

To the glory of God, I see and hold myself as a change agent. The record will show that in the last 11 months, I have been actively involved in the governorship race in Ekiti State. A lot has changed in the style of governance. Please, go round and see party elders, they will tell you that the same governor who did not know they were in existence for two years and would not contact them on any issue concerning governance in this state, is today going round their homes and offices; sometimes quietly driving himself, going about in a car or two, to visit party leaders and stakeholders to apologise. And in an unusual manner, offering different kinds of largesse.

The same governor also following my own criticism, also going about to labour unions and their leaders, student unions and their leaders. That was the same governor who has proscribed students’ unionism on virtually all the campuses in Ekiti. The only institution in Ekiti that didn’t have its students’ union proscribed was the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, which is a Federal Government-owned institution. Today, because Opeyemi Bamidele is in this race, and because of my own critique of the state of the state, the governor has been going round trying to do all sorts of damage control.

As a change agent, I even see this as an achievement on my part.

But some people believe you are in the guber race as a spoiler?

Beyond all of this is also the fact that this race is not about any individual, pecuniary interest, personal interest of any kind, but it is about Ekiti people. Yes, we may have personal relationship, our political ideology differences but it is about Ekiti first. So, if as a stakeholder who feels so about development and growth of Ekiti politics and economy, I disagree with the manner and style of governance of a sitting governor, I should be able to offer myself for service.

Events are beginning to show that I am not a gambler. I am in a very serious contest. I take this race very seriously.

I am in this contest to win an election for Ekiti people, for democracy, for the growth and development which have become a major desire of the people of this state. So, playing a spoiler’s role cannot be on my agenda. If at the age of 50, I feel strongly about something and I had asked as a democrat, that we should go

through the part of internal democracy and people made it impossible; and I chose to seek another platform to run a race, I cannot see justification or basis for anyone trying to describe my move as a spoiler. I think it is part of the attempt to give my dog a bad name so that they can hang it. I believe definitely that June 21, 2014 will soon be here. It will be obvious to everyone that Opeyemi Bamidele is not a spoiler because, by the grace of God, I’m the next governor of this state.

There are insinuations that you got to the House of Representatives with the support of the governor. Why are you now contesting against him?

That is the difference between the governor and I. Some reporters asked him a few months ago in an interview that they knew two of us together as friends and that they knew the roles that God used me to play in encouraging Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to support him to contest the governorship election in 2007 to become the governor of Ekiti State.

Rather than say yes or no, the governor simply said he believed I needed psychiatric help. That was his response. Even though somewhere down the line in the interview, he conceded that I was one of those who played the role.

But, today it does not really matter what role I played or anybody played in his becoming a governor. It was God almighty that purposed that he would be a governor.

That was the reason I decided not to address the issue again because what does it matter who took him to Asiwaju? What does it matter who gave him money? What does it matter who supported him? What is important is that, to the glory of God, He has purposed that he would be governor and God used everyone of us to realise His purpose in Governor Fayemi’s life. If today, Governor Fayemi is saying that God used him to put me where I am today, well it means it is for a purpose because he did everything in his capacity to frustrate the purpose of God for my life.

I was running for election to go to the Senate. I won the primary election, but Governor Fayemi took my popular mandate and gave it to Babafemi Ojudu to go to the Senate. Governor Fayemi went round to get other party leaders to appeal to me to go to the House of Representatives. I ended up in the House of Representatives because I did not want to rock the boat of the party. So if Governor Fayemi granted an interview, like he did in a national daily recently and said God used him to put me where I’m today in the House

Bamidele

OUR GOAL IS POSSIBLE BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THE POPULAR DESIRE OF EKITI PEOPLE AND ALL LOVERS OF DEMOCRACY WITHIN AND OUTSIDE NIGERIA of Representatives, well, since he has used the name of God for his action, for influencing my election, he would still need to explain to God why I ended up in the House of Representatives instead of being in the Senate, which members of the party had voted me and given me the ticket before he denied me the ticket. It is God’s will that I will start from the House of Representatives before moving to another level. The only reason God allowed me to be in the House of Representatives is so as to use that for a purpose or as a basis to prepare me for the governorship election. If I were in the Senate, I probably won’t be running for the governorship today.

So Governor Fayemi frustrated my senatorial move, definitely. And I ended up in the House of Representatives. But for me, the House has become a charitable

environment and a very viable platform for me to create more time for my politics and devote more time to issues in Ekiti, to give me more time to consult very widely with stakeholders and, at the end of the day, make up my mind to run. So God has really wanted me to run for the governorship and allowed all those things to happen. So if Governor Fayemi is saying that he was an agent that God used, fine, because He can use you through different means. Dr. Fayemi frustrated my senatorial ambition. Maybe God allowed him to play that role so that at the end of the day, I could really go to become governor that God has really wanted me to be.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Interview

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Sunday March 2, 2014

‘Rep is God’s design to prepare me for governorship’ Above all, I have attracted more constituency projects to Ekiti State in the last two and a half years beyond anybody who had ever represented my constituency before.

Of course, I will say those who have gone before me have tried their best while they were there. In 2012, I attracted 33 projects to this state, to my constituency. In 2013, I attracted 27 projects to my constituency.

That makes 60 projects. As we are speaking now, I am still talking to a lot of ministers, urging them to hasten their contractors to finish those projects that have not been completed. They have completed some of the projects and some are ongoing.

These include 11 primary health centres, two ICT centres, two computer centres, one vocational training centre, over 20 boreholes, including 10 of them which are motorised boreholes. I’ve done a lot in the two councils making up my federal constituency, bearing in mind that we are not given a kobo to do that because it is executive function. I only used my personal influence to bring the projects. The people of my constituency know that I have been a blessing to them and that I have been adding a lot of values to the constituency.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15

Bamidele

Don’t you think your sight on the governorship is the reason your opponents accuse you of non-performance as a National Assembly member?

What else would my opponents say?

But remember that these same opponents some months ago would tell anybody that cares that I was a blessing to the party and Ekiti State, and that I was a blessing to the nation and one of the best representatives Ekiti had ever sent to the National Assembly.

The governor also said on tape and published in the newspaper at some point that Ekiti had never sent a team like this to the National Assembly, and personally commended me as the Ekiti Caucus Leader.

Then I was not his opponent because I had not said I was running for governorship.

Today that I am his opponent, he would not say the same thing. It shows the level of our insincerity. In other words, it means you can say wonderful guy today as long as your interest is not at stake. That means if a person is doing certain things consistently today and you are commending him, the moment that thing he is doing consistently conflicts with your interest, the hero will suddenly become a villain. I was their hero yesterday but they are trying to make me a villain today just because I insisted on internal democracy. Just because I insisted the party should conduct a primary election for me and Dr Kayode Fayemi.

He was afraid that I would defeat him at the primary, as such, he started using divide and rule method to instigate some of the party

DR. FAYEMI FRUSTRATED MY SENATORIAL AMBITION.

MAYBE GOD

ALLOWED HIM TO PLAY THAT ROLE SO THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY,

I COULD REALLY GO

TO BECOME GOVERNOR THAT

GOD HAS REALLY

WANTED ME TO BE leaders against me. How can anyone who is not being mischievous say I did not perform well? I want to know how familiar such person is with the quality of debate I have participated in on the floor of the House, with the motions I’ve moved and bills that I’ve sponsored in the House and with my Committee assignments that I have carried out diligently. I chair one of the most sensitive committees of the House of Representatives.

Through the House Committee on Research and Budgets of which I’m the chairman, we have been able to carry out a lot of reforms in the budgeting process in this country. I represented Ekiti State in the Constitution Review Committee of the National Assembly and to the glory of God, we’ve been able to make a lot of achievements in trying to amend the Constitution.

What do you think the present administration is not doing right?

A lot. That is why I want to come in to put things right. Over N400 billion has come into this state, into the administration of Governor Kayode Fayemi in the last 40 months. What has he done with it to better the state and the lives of the people? I want them to show to Ekiti people and the whole world where tap water is running in this state. That is part of their agenda to the people of the state. No water to drink for our people. Agriculture that is supposed to be the mainstream of our economy, being an agrarian community, is going down the drain. Pensioners are dying because they are not paid their entitlement. People retired from service, waiting for two, three years for their gratuities.

This administration has been in office for about three and a half years without conducting election into the local governments. They have turned the local government to an extension of the Governor’s Office. These are the people who are criticising me. Where is the moral authority or basis? What should stop me morally from contesting against this governor in a sincere attempt to take over the leadership of the state and give the local government administration back to the people, give the people water to drink, give agriculture in this state a boost and carry out reforms in the civil service, local governments and every facet of our lives. These are the issues for me. Events in the next few months will show. Ekiti people know better, and that is the tragedy of this administration.

They fooled the people; including some of us who recommended them very strongly, we were fooled. It is either because we didn’t know the people we are dealing with or they got into office and power got into their heads and they derailed. It must be one of those two or a

combination of both. For me the issues are much more fundamental than the way they are taking them. I’m excited about the next few months and the course that this election will take and the issues that will be debated. Of course, I am much more excited that June 21, 2014 will witness an election that will mark a turning point in the lives of Ekiti people.

Some people view this as an uphill task for your party, especially with APC and PDP as two formidable parties in the race; what do you think?

Our goal is possible by the grace of God, the popular desire of Ekiti people and all lovers of democracy within and outside Nigeria. I never did anything as a politician because my party was popular. When the Alliance for Democracy (AD), of which I was a member, was in control of only one state and one governorship position in this country, that did not discourage me from being an active member of the party. That did not take away my faith or hope for a better future for this party and for this country. We rose again from being in control of one state and took control of five additional states.

And the party was in control of six states, because of our tenacity, our belief and what we stood for. It was not about how many people were in the party. It was more about what kind of characters were in the party.

I want to say that if I apply that to LP, the event in the last three months that we have collaborated with other parties to join the LP, have shown that the LP is the party to beat. We went into LP as a coalition. A coalition of well-meaning Ekiti people, home and in the Diaspora! A coalition of members of the political class drawn from across different political parties: ACN, CPC, ANPP and PDP. We even have people who are not politicians. Very credible people, retired permanent secretaries, directors, teachers and principals, medical professionals, a lot of artisans, and so many others, also went with us to LP. You know, they are not typical or conventional politicians.

They just joined us because we are involved. Today, our story is such that, as I said, we are the party to beat. Talking about two formidable parties being already in place and our party being the third one to face the other two, that is to tell you that it is not about party but about the people. Please note this, that all the members of the three parties put together, are not up to the 10 per cent of the people of Ekiti State. This is a state of about 2.5 million people. So if the general voting public is saying this is the direction it wants to go, all you need as a popular candidate is just to have a credible political platform.

If you have a party, and within three months, you can now say you have not less than 500 members in each of the 177 wards in the state, that is very interesting. That is definitely a party to beat. I am more interested in such a group. That is a party of the future.

I’m more interested in building such a credible political party. That is the goal of all the other leaders with who I’m organising. Our goal is to build a strong political party that will change the landscape of this state. Many people, who saw themselves as being in the warring factions before, are today working together on the platform of LP in the state.

We are using that platform to reach out to politicians and non-politicians alike, to now preach the gospel of the need for a new and united Ekiti. For me, this is much more fundamental. We will win this election on the platform LP by the grace of God.

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Sunday, March 2, 2014

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HEAD GRAPHICS

Defections, political realignment and brinkmanship

D

uring a season like this, which is a prelude to the 2015 general elections, all sorts of chicaneries and political manoeuvres are expected. Defection from one party to another, campaigns of calumny, cheap blackmail by political rivals, faulting of policies of the ruling party, subterfuge by the government of the day to discredit the opposition, among other intriguing devices, are common. It is, however, perplexing that the popular trade, politically speaking this time around, is prostitution passed off as defections. The party that gets more members or publicly humiliates the other through the open declaration of defecting party members has taken over the centre stage of Nigerian politics.

The brinkmanship had particularly started with the much anticipated defection of five of the seven governors of the new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), who had bolted out of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) owing to a plethora of unresolved matters and irreconcilable differences within the ruling party’s leadership. The five governors, led by former PDP leaders, including one of its past national chairmen, had openly and in a ridiculous manner, dumped the ruling party to ply their trade in PDP’s greatest rival, the All Progressives Congress (APC). This was a big blow for the PDP. Indeed, it appeared the political perfidy, some may say game, was just beginning.

Weeks later, a group of PDP members in the House of Representatives also openly dumped the party for the APC. This technically gave the APC the majority status in the lower chamber of the legislature, which qualified them to take over the leadership of the House. While a vicious brinkmanship was going on to determine who, between the PDP and APC, controls the House, eleven

senators in the upper chamber (Senate) also submitted a letter indicating their defection from PDP to APC to the Senate President, David Mark, for public reading. The idea of public reading and open show of defection is an effective and deft move in partisan politics. These will demoralize the party in power and possibly attract more members, particularly from other less potent parties, to the main opposition party.

This was what apparently galvanized the PDP to desperately apply counter-offensives. No sooner had the APC ‘gained’ majority than the PDP struck back with sudden defections of a number of APC members and one or two members of other political parties to the ruling party, which gave PDP the majority once again. An attempt by the defecting senators was also blocked by the PDP Senate President, who clearly outlined the legal implications of the planned defection of Senator Bukola Saraki and others. As expected, the actions and reactions in the Senate have generated furore; and have continued to heat up the polity.

The defection strategy has also been closely followed up by party membership registration pioneered by the APC. The nationwide registration exercise supported and supervised by the Independent National Election Commission (INEC) was massive and properly organized, nonetheless. It has, however, been viewed as a publicity stunt and a ploy to poach members of rival parties, particularly the PDP. Although no clear cases of manipulation or coercion have been reported, there were allegations that the APC induced with money or forced neutral and other parties’ members, particularly those in the APC-governed states, to register under its umbrella and bear membership cards of the opposition party.

The defections and membership registration initiative are expected in an election season, but the former seems too sudden, politically immature, non-principled and petty.

Embarking on such should, and it indeed, has rules and guidelines.

We implore political stakeholders to approach the issues involved in the gale of defections currently pervading the country with circumspect.

Section 68 (1) (g) of the country’s 1999 Constitution (even as amended), is very clear on the modalities for defection, for instance. The Senate ought to comply with the constitutional provision. It should not rely on mere sentimental judgement or moral intelligence and sermons in pacifying disgruntled members of the ruling party bent on joining another party, as have been the case since eleven senators tabled their letter of intent to vote with their feet from the PDP. We are, however, not endorsing the debasement of Nigerian political values. Morally speaking, it is befuddling that a politician who contested and won a position under a particular political party platform should suddenly turn around to dump that party for more of selfish and personal reasons than any other excuse.

Where then are party discipline, collectivism or responsibility to the party that offered the platform to win? What considerations are there for the electorate in the process? As it stands in the country presently, individuals don’t expressly contest elections as independent candidates.

Political parties and not personalities win elections most times. It is, therefore, expected that moral obligations to the party should be followed.

Therefore, it will make more sense if intending defectors resign from their positions and membership of the party through which they rode to power before joining another party.

Reminiscences MARCH 2 IN HISTORY Queen Elizabeth II admitted in hospital 2013:

UK - As a precautionary measure, Queen Elizabeth II is admitted to the hospital for observation after experiencing symptoms of gastroenteritis.

Mississippi girl born with HIV/AIDS 2013:

US - A two-year-old Mississippi girl born with HIV/AIDS is pronounced HIV negative after receiving treatment for the virus within 30 hours after her birth.

Mitt Romney wins in Washington State 2012:

U.S. - Presidential candidate Mitt Romney wins the caucus in Washington State.

Warragamba Dam overflows 2012:

Australia’s Nepean-Hawkesbury River system floods after the Warragamba Dam overflows, causing evacuations in the Sydney suburbs, Richmond, Pitt Town and Grono Point.

UN releases report on food prices 2011:

The United Nations releases a report stating world food prices are at the highest in 20 years.

U.S. airlines increases fare 2011:

U.S. airlines continue increasing fares as a result of the high cost of jet fuel.

33 people killed in Iraq 2010: At least 33 people were killed, more than 50 wounded, by multiple suicide bombers in Baquoba, Iraq.

Gladstone, British Prime Minister, resigns 1894:

British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, submitted his resignation to Queen Victoria, ending his fourth and final premiership.

Turkish Airlines crashes 346 people on board 1974:

A Turkish Airlines DC-10 crashed shortly after takeoff from Orly Airport in Paris, killing all 346 people on board.

Islamic extremists kill 80 in Maiduguri.

Maiduguri, Nigeria — Islamic extremists killed eight people in an attack targeting teachers and Muslim clerics in northern Nigeria

171 Nigerians die in plane crash 1973:

Nigeria - 171 Nigerian Muslims returning from Mecca and five crewmen died in a plane crash.

In Russia 96 passengers were killed April 10, Smolensk, Russia:

All 96 passengers and crew onboard Polish Air Force Tu-154 were killed, including Polish president Lech Kaczynski and his wife, former president Ryszard Kaczorowski, other government officials and military officers. Also, on the plane were relatives of victims from the Katyn massacre. The plane was en route to Warsaw where passengers were going to attend an event for the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre.

Opinion

18

Sunday March 2, 2014

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

E-mail: sheffie2004@yahoo.co.uk 08094217972 (SMS only)

I

ndicators in the last few weeks have shown that the Federal Government is losing the war on terror. Despite the federal might, deployment of tens of thousands of troops to Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, use of the Joint Task Force (JTF) hitherto, declaration of state of emergency, establishment of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army to replace the JTF in dismissing the monster, training and mobilization of special counter-terror squads, sack and replacement of service chiefs, et cetera; Boko Haram has rather exuded more confidence, been rather more motivated, undeterred, organized, more vicious and destructive. No day passes by without news of another successful strike that claims lives.

More disturbing was the three-day onslaught last week in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa in succession with maximum casualty and inability of the soldiers to detect, confront and repel the attack. In one fell swoop, about sixty-nine (69) students of a federal college in Yobe were murdered in their sleep. A night before, the Boko Haram had struck in Borno, killing a score and more. A night after the Yobe incident (that is, two days ago), Adamawa had its own (un)fair share with the attack by suspected Boko Haram members, which claimed the lives of twenty-five (25) people.

The lack of inhibition demonstrated by the sect members; the courage and accuracy of delivery of their assignments in three straight days, show the lacuna and flaws in the fight against terror in North-eastern Nigeria. The sect members simply demonstrated more gusto, skills and finesse.

The coordinated attacks in the three cases,

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Winning the war against Boko Haram (1) particularly the raid on Michika, Kirchinga and Shuwa in Adamawa in which the terrorists used eleven (11) Hilux vans and sophisticated weapons to raid, pursue and kill their defenceless victims, show that the emergency rule lacks will-power and confirm the insinuations making the round that highly and lowly placed persons are rallying round Boko Haram. People in the federal cabinet, National Assembly, army and police high commands, state governments, and even radicalized Muslim lecturers have been pointed at as compromising the war on terror by wiring confidential and delicate messages to Boko Haram members, as well as shielding or helping them to escape. Among the lowly placed people are villagers, farmers and residents of cities who hide and protect the identity of the members of the evil but cowardly group.

There is no doubt that the war on terror has failed, and by extension, this means that the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has failed in providing security and the good life to the people.

Even in the air in the corridors of power where Jonathan holds sway is that fatalistic feeling that all is lost. The President sometimes appears clueless on national television on what next to do about the war; and he sometimes goes back and forth on proposed dialogue with the terrorist group. On Thursday last week, when making a broadcast, he had shocked the world (particularly Nigerians) when he rather presented a speech on the centenary celebrations whereas the heart of the nation was still bleeding afresh with the bitter news of the massacre of the 69 children of the secondary school in Yobe.

That can kill the morale of the nation and the troops fighting the war. More shocking and demoralizing was the jamboree that followed the Friday centenary celebrations, as government gathered at the square, “Tufacing” and “Whizkidding” in Abuja. This was coming two days after

the massacres in Borno and Yobe, and few hours after world leaders converging in Abuja had bemoaned the terrorist attacks and solidarized with the “nation” after paying glowing tributes to Nigeria for its greatness and large heart over the years, towards African nations.

The Friday party and presidential carriage after the attacks were de-motivating, and of course the president’s Thursday speech- like many other of his speechesexcept the address to the UN of last year, was uninspiring. The disposition of the leader appears defeatist. The war cannot be won that way. The first thing Mr. President should be doing is to first sound solemn, to look sober, but to moments later sound hopeful, stern and firm immediately after a terrorist attack. There should not be any jamboree or attendance of some unserious functions after these, because the soldiers, the citizens and even the terrorists are watching his body language for different reasons. The soldiers want motivation; the people want inspiration; while the terrorists seek demoralization or find out if the President only barks and cannot bite. I refer President Jonathan to the speeches and mien of President George Bush of the United States after the 9/11 attack- he cut short his visit to the secondary school far away, returned to Washington immediately, consulted with his chiefs and cabinet, and then made an immediate appearance in which he made one of his most inspiring speeches: first to commiserate with his people, regret the action, and then send a dangerous message to A-Qaeda, a message followed with immediate, sustained and consistent action. No jamboree a day, a week, or `a month later. It was all about how to comb the world for the terrorists and get them.

Secondly, if President Jonathan’s reelection bid is what is causing all the disaffection and constructing this atmosphere of violence, then he has to be the statesman and for the sake of the children, men and

women of this great country, and for the love of peace and Nigeria’s unity, proceed to Otuoke or wherever he chooses to, after his second term and six years in office. This may sound controversial, but Nigeria is bigger than any personal interest. If people in high demand like Mandela could cede seat of power in an atmosphere devoid of rift and rancour, why cannot Jonathan who is not in the ilk of Mandela, and in a climate of terror?

Thirdly, President Jonathan and his service chiefs should temporarily relocate to Borno or Yobe or Adamawa, for more direct control and to direct the operations.

This will boost the morale of the troops and they could fight to finish in the process. You cannot abandon and condemn your troops to die in the desert while you are frolicking away in Abuja. They see these things and will certainly be demoralized.

Fourth, a more inclusive approach to fighting the war is pertinent. Raw military power is good at times, particularly for over-brainwashed Islamists like Boko Haram members. However, military intelligence will always be the best approach.

You catch idiots with brain, not with force.

After catching them with your head, you can then waste them with brute force, or else they will waste you. It makes no sense prosecuting persons who have sold their souls to the devil in the name of religion.

You will be congesting the cells and prisons, and they will someday be freed and return to kill the defenceless people again anyway.

They waste the innocent people in Nigeria; and the principle of natural justice demands that they should die. After all, they seek death so that they can be martyred and meet their seventy-two (72) virgins in hell. Sending them to hell fast enough will help decimate their population.

Dr. Folarin is the Head of Department of Political Science and International Relations at Covenant University, Ota,Ogun State, Nigeria.

To be concluded next week

FRSC and the 2015 rear seat belt enforcement Safety Tips with

Jonas as Agwu u Email: j.agwu@frsc.gov.ng Tel: -8033026491, 8077690055

Y

ou probably heard the announcement by the Federal Road Safety Corps a few days ago on January, 2015 enforcement of seatbelt for all occupants of vehicles. Few days after that announcement, I have received calls, text messages, tweets and other sundry contacts on the issue, ranging from outright condemnation, passive inquiry, passionate outcry, and a few commendations on the issue.

Yahaya Usman says, “I rather sell my car than to go for seat belt construction.

Sir, make una fear God oh and know the kind of policy u giving us”! He continues “If you want to save lives, u no

where to go. But if u want to inflict pain on us, its not a new thing. We’r used to many pains!” Tally (Tallyjena007) says “FRSC did not finish with number pleat (sic) issue, now is back sit (sic) belt, the should think before making dis policies”, while Akin Raphael Akinsipe maintains that the intention is money making, since having lived in the UK for over ten years, he knows that wearing seat belt for back seat passenger is only compulsory for a child less than seven years. Bassey Unaowo says FRSC with its Corps Marshal is out to exploit Nigerians again, bla bla la. And so many other such indicting comments, too numerous to mention here, some of them bordering on the very ridiculous.

But on the brighter side, I did receive quite some responses that support the initiative. Iffiok Akpanim wrote to say that God used it to save his life in 2010 when he ran into a deep ditch, was thrown up and rolled sideways. He came out unscratched.

Eye @cike864 sounded quite irritated in his outburst. “For God’s sake, seat belts are affordable, ...... .... and are

available in all motor spare parts shops!

HABA NAA! I commend FRSC”. Wish there was enough space to show all the comments, as they make for interesting reading on people’s perception of the implications of the use of seatbelt.

Seat belts save lives. It can’t be put simpler than that. Seatbelts have been adjudged to be the most effective traffic safety device for the prevention of death and injury in the event of a crash. Wearing a seat belt can reduce risk of crash injuries by fifty percent, according to the Global National Safety Council.

For those who insist that the use of seat belt is not an issue that merits the kind of attention been given to it by the FRSC, for those who believe that it is another money spinning venture for FRSC, for those who believe that we are making much ado about nothing, it is hoped that by the time FRSC commences and concludes its public enlightenment activities preparatory to enforcement, opinions and perception would have changed.

On January, 1st, 2003, the Corps

launched a decisive enforcement on the use of the front occupant seat belt nationwide. One could say without fear of contradiction that the launch was extremely successful, with about 90% compliance level recorded all over the country. Ten years down the line, the need arises to take another long look at the issue of seat belt usage in the country.

Evolving times come with evolving technologies, which in turn come with associated complications and risk factors, which in their own turn require commensurate strategies to combat. As technology improves on vehicles and roads, traffic management strategies must also be employed to examine ways to minimise crash causative factors inherent in these.

Nigeria, like most other African countries, is witnessing population explosion, with its attendant vehicular increase and activity on the roads.

Juxtaposed against this is the skyrocketing technology advancements .... hightech vehicles, high-tech gadgets (with CONTINUED ON PAGE 57

19

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EDIFYING GOD

QUOTE Just as light can never be afraid of darkness, the same way a child of God must never be afraid to tackle problems.

–Pastor Sola Aderibigbe

Sunday March 2, 2014

Abiara applauds Uganda on anti-gay law ...Says Jonathan deserves commendation too

RCCG 100-day fast

Something’ll happen after April 11 –Adeboye Condition for wellness is righteousness, says Pastor Muoka 24

‘Itt’s not sinful fo or a Christian to perform sacrifice’ 41

What you should know about ACTS 43

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Briefly Pope down with fever, skips seminary visit

P

ope Francis skipped a planned visit to student priests at a Rome seminary on Friday evening because he was suffering from a slight fever and was advised to rest, the Vatican said.

It was the first time since his election nearly a year ago that the 77-year-old pope had cancelled a public engagement and came after a very busy period for the pontiff, with a number of events outdoors in cold weather.

“Pope Francis will not go to the Roman Seminary tonight because of a slight indisposition with a slight fever,” chief spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said in a statement.

Churches cry out against landgrabing in Ogun

C

hurches in Ado-Odo otta local government have cried out on the activities of land grabbers in the community.

The clerics are concerned about the recent wave of land grabbing that has hit their communities. According to a group of church elders who spoke with Sunday Mirror on the issue, the matter is causing great concern to them as the land grabbers are taking various families in Ado-Odo township to court, claiming that they own about half the of the city of Ado-Odo, which according to them is impossible.

A cleric of the Methodist church who spoke on condition of anonymity said, the situation might lead to violence as the families are agitated against threats to their ancestral inheritance.

Speaking further, he said that a certain family named the Oborun family in AdoOdo is responsible for the development.

They take indigenes of the Ado-Odo to court on porous claims of land ownership which cannot be substantiated. This, according to him, might affect peaceful religious coexistence in the community.

“We are therefore crying to the state government under the leadership of Governor Ibikunle Amosun to come to our aid and nib the problem in the bud before it comes uncontrollable.

“We do not want violence to erupt in these peaceful communities because of the activities of land grabbers. We are not new to the activities but the recent occurrence has taken huge proportions that are causing us serious concern.”

Lagos church holds programme

A

ll is set for five days prophetic programme of Upper Room Brethren Ministries (Interdenominational Prayer And Deliverance Ministry) billed to start on Monday, March 3 through Friday, March 7, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. It is tagged ‘No More Delay’ (Kosi Idaduro Mo) -Isaiah 3:1. The venue is the open ground beside Railway Police Station, Mushin, Lagos.

Host Prophet, Paul Esupofo, has assured everyone that attends of salvation, healing, liberty, deliverance, breakthrough, testimony, joy and other blessings.

Vineyard Celebration Sunday March 2, 2014

Immaculate Sisters celebrate diamond jubilee …in grand style ODINAKA URUAKPA

A

n inwardly perceived cloud of glory had descended on the gathering, as of morning dew. With palms clasped in gratitude to the Almighty, members of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, IHM, otherwise known as Mother of Christ, gathered in celebration of the association’s 60th anniversary in Enugu, recently.

The diamond jubilee anniversary which drew men and women of the Catholic faith also had in attendance, Reverend Sisters and Brothers, Priests, Bishops, Mothers and Fathers in the faith of the IHM sisters’ congregation and a host of other guests and invitees who had come from far and near to be part of the historic celebration.

The anniversary began with the Holy Mass officiated by Most Rev. Calistus Onaga, Bishop of Enugu Diocese. While preaching the sermon for the day, Rev. Fr. Augustine Onyeneke traced the history of the association to the coming of the missionaries to the southern part of Nigeria and their activities thereafter.

He recalled how the Holy Ghost priests endeavoured to spread the faith into the hinterland with the Sisters of St. Joseph Cluny. And when the Sisters of St. Joseph moved on to Calabar, Bishop Shanahan had to establish the congregation of Sisters of the Holy Rosary in Ireland, to assist in the enormous work of evangelisation going on in different regions of the country.

He said Archbishop Charles Heerey who took over from Bishop Joseph Shanahan founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Most Pure Heart of Mary (Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother

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The sisters dancing at the venue

The Immaculate Sisters planting the diamond jubilee tree

of Christ) to continue the mission of Christ in Enugu. The congregation which he said was established to fulfil the immediate need of uplifting the women in Igboland has so grown in number that it has become the pride of the Church and of ‘mothers’ in the Catholic faith. He urged the Sisters to keep the faith and let the light handed over to them continue burning bright.

Regarding the state of the nation, he said that as a religious leader and a servant of God, he would advise the Federal Government to seek God first in whatever they are doing and allow him direct them, especially in the area of decision-making, and that when this is done, they would have less problems on their hands.

He said, “I would advise that at a time like this, leaders and citizens alike should seek God first in everything they do; when you see people fighting, quarreling or involving

themselves in one nefarious activity or the other, that means that the presence of God is missing in such a place. Where God is present, these things will not occur.

God is the only one that has the solution to all problems especially those being encountered in our country. If we want lasting solutions, then we must call and seek Him in all our deliberations.”

He urged the church of God in general to have a time and day like this to celebrate and appreciate God for what He has done for them, especially giving them a mission and people who would direct them in the right direction, adding that when they do this, God would continue to bless them in return. He further admonished political leaders in the country to let the fear of God be uppermost in their heart.

“Our political leaders must realise that it is God who put them in the office they are in right now; so, they must have the fear of God in them and put Him first in all that they do. Nigeria is a blessed nation which if the leaders lead the people aright and justly, the country would be a better place to live in. I must say that we need righteous leaders to achieve this because like the Bible says, ‘when the righteous are on the throne, the people will be happy, and they will rejoice.’

So I would continue to hammer it to our leaders to seek God first. Many of them are working for their own selfish ends, amassing wealth and riches that would spread to their generations yet unborn. God has so blessed this country and if our leaders lead us aright, then this nation would be one if not the best in the African continent.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday March 2, 2014

Abiara commends Uganda on anti-gay law O DINAK A U RUAKPA

T

he General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide, Prophet Samuel Kayode Abiara, has commended the Ugandan President, Yoweri Museveni, for his pronouncement regarding same-sex marriage offenders, whom Museveni said would be facing life imprisonment if caught in the act.

Abiara also commended President Goodluck Jonathan and his cabinet for taking a firm stand on the issue of same-sex marriage and refusing to compromise to allow such act which the cleric described as abominable, but instead pronounced 14-year jail term on offenders.

The prophet while thanking God for showing mercy and kindness to the people of Nigeria by giving them a morally upright leader to steer the affairs of the country, said 2014 is a year of happiness, peace, joy and achievements for those people who would obey and keep the commandments of God and also for

those who would listen to His directions.

He also appealed to wealthy men and women; people who God has helped and blessed in Nigeria to help the helpless and poor people by giving them the necessary help and putting a smile on their otherwise sad faces.

He said: “You should know that it is God that helped you by providing for you all the wealth that you possess presently; so for this reason you must show mercy to the lessprivileged by giving them little out of the plenty that the Lord has given to you.”

The man of God also called on politicians and the government to be careful of their acts during the coming elections, adding that the reason God put them in the position they are is so that they can help the masses by listening to their cries, for it is this same people that voted them to power.

“You must not make life miserable for the masses who have put you there, because one day, whether you like it or not you will leave that position, so do the work that speaks after your tenure and death”, he admonished.

Cleric urges Nigerians to seek God

T

he situation of the country requires urgency for the seeking of God and until Nigeriansas a whole seek God’s intervention, our leaders will labour in vain, but God’s hand will restore sanity and peace to the country.

These were the words of Prophet Oladipupo Funmilade-Joel (Baba Sekunderin), the General Overseer, The Way of Reconciliation Evangelistic Ministries (TWOREM), Lagos at the quarterly prayer summit programme held at Sekunderin Int’l Miracle Prayer Mountain, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Sekunderin asserted that the only way Nigeria could move forward is for the people to turn to God. The cleric added that prayer would resolve this nation’s problems but, but as at now, there are many invading forces of hell that want to destroy this country. s country.

According to Sekunder-

in, for Nigerian leaders and the citizenry to manifest royalty, they must imbibe the doctrine of ‘our Lord Jesus Christ’.

He also regretted that the country is facing the problem of leadership. The cleric however warned politicians and those in government, making things difficult for the masses to repent or face the wrath of God. On the anti-gay law, Sekunderin commended President Goodluck Jonathan for signing into law the bill against same-sex marriage thus, abiding by the nation’s socio-cultural, traditional and religious values The cleric added that the proposed National Conference is to reshape the nation and correct all the imbalances, injustices and grouses of all ethnic groups, while its success or failure depends on the uprightness and sincerity of the participants.

Praise & Worship News

21

Lagos Methodists conclude 52nd synod K AYODE FALADE

A

s the Methodist Church Nigeria Diocese of Lagos concludes its 52nd Synod, the church founded by the Wesley brothers, Charles and John, has again reiterated its belief in evangelism.

The four-day-event which began on February 27 comes to an end today at Hanson Street, Mushin, Ilupeju, Lagos.

Last year’s synod which was the 51st was held at Olorunda Methodist Church, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos.

It attracted a large number of the church members both of the clergy and laity.

It started on Thursday with ministerial and lay sessions followed by communion service.

The Diocese of Lagos arguably the oldest in the country, is an off-

shoot of the old Lagos District, which was created out of the old Gold Coast District.

The Lagos District was then made up of two Circuits created in 1899, namely Olowogbowo and Faji (Tinubu) Circuits. The Yoruba Interior Circuits developed thereafter, spreading to Ilesha, Ekiti and Ijebu.

The old Lagos District transformed to be the Diocese of Lagos in the 1976 Constitution of the church.

At inauguration in 1976, it comprised 10 circuits: Olowogbowo, Tinubu, Ereko, Ago-Ijaiye, Yaba, Ikorodu, Ogbe, Itesi, Egbado and Badagry.

The Diocese of Lagos created and inaugurated the Diocese of EgbaEgbado, now Egba-Yewa, comprising Ogbe, Itesi and Egbado Circuits on 16 January, 1983 and Trinity Church Council comprising Tinubu Circuit on 23 October, 1986.

Additional Circuits of Palm Ave-

nue, City Mission, Ikate, Ikoyi, OdiOlowo, Agege, Oshodi, Ado-Odo, Somolu, Ijesatedo, Bariga, Agbowa, Festac Town and IgbobiHowever, in spite of the depletion in circuits, the diocese still comprises 10 circuits to date, namely Olowogbowo, Ereko, Ikoyi, Olorunda, Araromi, Ikorodu Road, Talabi Coker, Ota, Igbogila-Ipaja, and Obun-Eko. A synod historically is a council of a church, usually convened to decide an issue of doctrine, administration or application.

In modern usage, the word often refers to the governing body of a particular church, whether its members are meeting or not. It is also sometimes used to refer to a church that is governed by a synod.

Originally, synods were meetings of bishops, and the word is still used in that sense in Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy.

The Supreme Head, C & S Unification Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence Abel Akinsanya (left), Rev Apostle Lekan Akintayo of Ikirun Conference, Baba Alakoso of Sacred C & S Church, Solomon Adegboyega Alao presenting staff of office to the newly installed Baba Aladura of The Eternal Sacred Order of The Cherubim and Seraphim, His Eminence Dr Michael Erebi Ebahor, at St. Moses Orimolade Cathedral, Egbe, Lagos, recently.

C & S Church installs Ebahor as Baba Aladura

T

he Eternal Sacred Order of The Cherubim and Seraphim has ordained His Eminence, Dr Michael Erebi Ebahor, as the Supereme Head and Baba Aladura of the Holy Order.

The spirit-filled event which took place at St. Moses Orimolade Cathedral, Egbe, Lagos last weekend was witnessed by hundreds of church members within and outside Nigeria.

Leading a retinue of Baba Aladuras to the historic event, the Supreme Head of the C & S Unification Church of Nigeria, His Most Eminence Abel Olujimi Akinsanya, praised the elders of the church for allowing Holy Spirit to guide them in choosing their leader, which he noted, was devoid of rancour.

He also charged the new Baba Aladura of the Holy Order to see to the take off of Moses Orimolade University (MOU) at Omu Aran, Kwara State which has been partially approval by the Nigerian University Commission (NUC).

He said the determination of the church to ensure commencement of

the university by October this year should be given the utmost priority by the new Baba Aladura and all Seraphs worldwide.

Following his installation, two elders of the church, David Ojo and Godwin Okulaja were installed as Vice Baba Aladura of the Church while Elder Kola Odunsi, the Secretary General of the Holy Order was ordained Superintendent General.

Ebahor in his speech, charged all Seraphs to do away with evil vices and focus on winning souls for Christ, “I admonish you to do away with Prophets of baals who engage in rituals, sacrifices, slaughtering of rams, docks and blood spilling which were never part of the doctrine of this Holy Order.

“This is the time to redouble our efforts in reaching out to those who have not accepted Jesus Christ and evangelize to the nooks and crannies of the world, he said”.

In his message to Nigeria, he condemned the level of cor-

ruption in the country and high unemployment rate among the youths. He, however, urged the governments at all level, to rule the country with the fear of God. On the forthcoming general elections, the spiritual leader said, “Let us pray for peace and ask God to give us political leaders that will address multi-facets challenges that are threatening the corporate existence of the country”.

He also urged the government to address the killing of Christians in the North by the Boko Haram sect through meaningful dialogue and rehabilitation.

Ebahor, however, commended the initiative of the Federal Government for signing into law the same-sex marriage bill. In his words, “marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God; it is between a man and a woman, any strange doctrine in the name of modernisation which recognises same-sex marriage marital union between man and animals should be condemned”.

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Cover

Sunday March 2, 2014

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100 days fast: W expect after Apr Ap

YEMI OLAKITAN

P

astor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, globally strikes as an oracle of God, being both a pastor and a prophet who relishes simple living. The septuagenarian minister of God who is renowned for unfailing prophesies and words of wisdom had announced a 100-day fasting period for members of the Church starting from January 2 to April 11, 2014. The announcement came as Pastor E.A Adeboye released prophecies for the New Year, during a crossover service held on January 1, declaring that “2014 will be the year of overflowing blessings.” He also said, “Nigerians will see the end of all her enemies, after the fasting period.”

In another service tagged, ‘Divine Placement’ in his honour at the Solid Rock Parish, Lagos Province 40, Ojodu, Adeboye stressed that it had become dangerous to continue to tolerate “our enemies for a longer time, as they are capable of waxing stronger and creating more havoc.

“All those enemies blocking your progress in life and the progress of Nigeria must disappear to pave the way for the much-needed change in our lives and nation. That is one of the reasons for the 100 days’ fasting and prayer period by the church,” he said.

ALL THOSE ENEMIES BLOCKING YOUR PROGRESS IN LIFE AND THE PROGRESS OF NIGERIA MUST DISAPPEAR TO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE MUCHNEEDED CHANGE IN OUR LIVES AND NATION. According to the man of God, the 100 days fasting and prayer period are being observed to eliminate all enemies of progress, who have refused to repent and change, for good. He said such enemies of progress would be eliminated in the nation and in individuals’ lives after the 100 days fasting and prayer.

Adeboye is perhaps the greatest pastor in Africa and one of the greatest in the world. According to Newsweek magazine in 2008, Adeboye is one of the 50 most powerful people on earth. The RCCG General Overseer is the pastor of one of the fastest growing churches in Christendom today.

He is the national president of RCF (an interdenominational fellowship in all the campuses in Nigeria). He is the Convener of the annual December three-day Holy Ghost Congress in Nigeria with an average attendance of over six million people. He is also the host at the annual March three-day Special Holy Ghost Service with an average attendance of over six million people. He in the same vein hosts the monthly Holy Ghost Service with an average attendance of over one million people.

The story of Adeboye is not one of in-

stant success as he was born into poverty.

According to him, he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth and did not have shoes for the first 18 years of his life. However, he had vision, determination, diligence and a passion for hard work which he considered to be far more valuable than money. Born in 1942 into a humble family in the village of Ifewara, Osun State, Adeboye stated that his family was so poor that even the poor called him poor. In 1956, he was admitted into Ilesha Grammar School, Ilesha, Osun State and as a young man, he discovered a passion for books, and an aptitude for science, particularly Mathematics.

This led to an academic journey in the face of numerous challenges.

He eventually obtained a Bachelors (BSc.) degree in Mathematics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1967, and afterwards a Master’s (MSc.) Degree in Hydrodynamics and Doctorate (PhD) in Applied Mathematics, both from the University of Lagos in 1969 and 1975. Adeboye worked as a lecturer at the universities of Lagos and Ilorin before joining the church.

Initially, his greatest ambition was to become the youngest Vice Chancellor of

a prestigious university in Nigeria. It did seem that his ambition would be realised as he was making progress with his plan.

However, a divine hand took him into the service of the Lord. He said, ‘‘I came to know God in a fairly dramatic way. I was born into a Christian home and always went to church because my parents said we had to go. But after I grew up and left home, I drifted away from the church until I had a problem that defied solutions and then someone invited me to the RCCG and I came expecting the pastor to pray for me and my problems would just go. But instead, he said I have to give my life to Jesus Christ, that if my sins are gone, my problems would disappear. I resisted, for a while, but eventually, I surrendered and gave my life to Jesus Christ and my problems left me.’’

Adeboye thereafter became an interpreter of the sermons of the then Pastor and founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Rev. Josiah Olufemi Akindayomi, a man who though was illiterate, had been endowed with the ability to read the Yoruba version of the Holy Bible. In 1981, he was appointed General Overseer when Papa Akindayomi passed away. He resigned from his university lecturing after three years to devote himself to full-time pastoral work.

In 1977 when he was ordained as a Pastor in RCCG, Enoch Adeboye displayed an incredible passion for the gospel, pioneering Bible Study meetings, crusades, revivals, outreaches and evangelistic programmes known as the Congress. When the founder passed away in 1980, RCCG had 42 parishes.

The founder left a sealed document pronouncing Enoch Adeboye as the next General Overseer. Adeboye was thus ordained the General Overseer of the Church in 1981.

The Lord has today through Adeboye, built over 5,000 churches all over the world.

In Nigeria, and almost all the nations of Africa, the US, the UK, Canada, South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Australia, India, China, Hong Kong, the Far East and even the Middle East, RCCG branches can be sighted.

In the United States alone, there are over 500 parishes and still increasing. In Nigeria alone, it has more than 14,000 branches in cities and rural communities. Adeboye said his vision was to plant a church in every five minutes’ walking distance of developing nations and in every five minutes’ driving distance of developed nations, like coffee shops. According to him, in every family on earth, there must be a Redeemed member. Adeboye founded the Model Parishes which targeted the elite in Nigeria and there are the classical parishes which

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Cover

Sunday March 2, 2014

What Nigerians should ril 11, by Adeboye was more conservative.

The model parishes were an instant success and it helped the Redeemed Christian Church of God to increase astronomically, bringing into the church, a harvest of souls and financial pillars which helped the church in its evangelistic programmes.

Adeboye’s deep compassion for souls also push the church into rural communities as there is nowhere the GO is not willing to take the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to.

The Holy Ghost Services which he started in the 80s was a once-a-month revival programme which brings the churches together from every corner of the country. It was initially held on the premises of the church headquarters in Lagos but the place was too small for the huge crowd that was coming. The church then required a change in location.

Under his leadership, RCCG purchased an uninhabited forest land located on the outskirts of Lagos. Adeboye moved his family to this forest and called the place, the Redemption Camp. He constructed a large auditorium and began to hold the monthly Holy Ghost Services there which has continued to draw crowds to this day.

Today, the crowds in attendance run in the millions every month. From the Redemption Camp, Adeboye faithfully ministers to the body of Christ all over the world. The Redemption Camp is also the home of the Redeemers University, and the other secular and theological schools which were established by the church. The Redemption Camp is a city as many believers now live and worship there, making the place another religious nation in the like of the Vatican city of the Catholic Church.

On December 18 1998, Adeboye hosted the very first Holy Ghost Festival with an attendance of over seven million people.

In 1999, there were no fewer than 12 million worshippers present. This programme has since been replaced with the annual three-day Holy Ghost Congress held every December at the Redemption Camp.

23

I CAME TO KNOW GOD IN A FAIRLY DRAMATIC

WAY. A

I WAS BORN INTO

CHRISTIAN HOME

AND ALWAYS GONE TO CHURCH BECAUSE MY PARENTS SAID WE HAD TO GO.

BUT AFTER I

GREW UP AND LEFT

HOME.

I DRIFTED AWAY

FROM THE CHURCH UNTIL

I HAD A PROBLEM

THAT DEFIED SOLUTIONS AND THEN SOMEONE INVITED ME TO THE

RCCG AND I CAME EXPECTING THE PASTOR TO PRAY FOR ME AND MY

Pastor Adeboye and wife, Folu

In addition to this is a Special three-day Holy Ghost Programme held in the first weekend of March yearly. At these events, miracles, signs and wonders have become commonplace as the power of God moves to set free, heal, anoint, deliver, bless and empower. Adeboye is a father in the lord to many great men of God. He ordained hundreds of pastors at the Redemption Camp on regular basis. He is also pastor and spiritual father to many heads of governments.

He travels to minister to unreached places where others may not go.

Adeboye has been conferred with several honorary degrees and national merit awards in appreciation of his contributions to humanity. In 1999, he received the honorary citizenship and key of Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. In 2000, he dedicated the first chapel in the Nigerian Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nigeria. In 2005, he received honorary citizenship and key of Dallas, Texas, USA. In 2005, he received honorary citizenship and key of Baltimore, Maryland, United States. In 2008, he was awarded a National Honour of the Federal

Pastor Adoboye, wife and Present Goodluck Jonathan at the Redemption Camp recently

Republic of Nigeria and led the Pre-Summit Prayers at the 64th General Assembly of the United Nations headquarters in New York. He is the author of the globally-distributed daily devotional manual, Open Heavens.

PROBLEMS WOULD JUST GO BUT INSTEAD, HE

I HAVE TO GIVE MY LIFE TO JESUS CHRIST.

SAID

Rules and guidelines for the RCCG 100-day fast 1.Fast for 100 days and break daily at 6pm 2.Take only liquid while fasting for 30 days (This is equivalent to the complete 100-day fast) 3.Take only liquid while fasting for 21 days (This is equivalent to 63 days of the 100-day fast) 4.Take only liquid while fasting for 14 days (This is equivalent to one month of the 100-day fast) 5.Take only liquid while fasting for seven days (This is equivalent to 14 days of the 100-day fast).

Exemptions: 1.Newlywed couples and elders over 70 years old.

2.Nursing mothers and pregnant women •You can drink water during fast •You can drink tea if you are overseas and it is cold.

•If you miss a day, you must substitute it for 2 days.

Why Fast?

2 Kings 13:15-19 “And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows. And he said to the king of Israel; Put thine hand upon the bow.

And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands.

And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in

Aphek, till thou have consumed them.

And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.”

(KJV) The ‘bow and arrows‘ in the days of Elisha could be seen today as ‘fasting and prayers’. Like the Syrians in Aphek, there are enemies in our land, in our family, in the Church and even in our lives that must be smitten. The siege is inevitable if they are not totally destroyed.

As we take our bow and arrows, we will not shoot for awhile and stop like the king of Israel erroneously acted.

But we will shoot again and again “till every foe is vanquished and Christ is Lord indeed.”

These 100 days of fasting and prayers are days of the arrow of the Lord’s deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from our enemies: we shalt smite the enemies around us till we have consumed them.

Just as Elisha was sent to the king, God has sent our father-in- the- Lord, Daddy E. A. Adeboye, to the Church to take the arrows and shoot. Let’s take our bow and arrows and shoot continuously to experience VICTORIOUS OVERFLOW over our enemies, this year.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

24

From the

Pulpit Sunday March 2, 2014

Condition for wellness is righteousness, says Pastor Muoka In this special message, General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, says righteousness is a pre-requisite for well being. Excerpts:

I

saiah 3:10 says, “Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings” Psalm 92: 12 says, “the righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cader in” The righteous are compared to palm tree which is constantly green and flourishing and that great cedar of Lebanon which lives long and is an incorruptible wood. The text above tells us not only what the righteous is, but what he shall be, come what may. He shall flourish, and flourish in a noblest manner and fulfilled his years. That is why the Scripture says the emblem of the Christian is the palm tree, which stands for centuries.

Brethren no matter what you are going through for righteousness sake, I implore you to remain steadfast, for it shall be well with you. Of course, there is work going on against the people of God, and the true church of God but it should not deter the righteous or cause him to compromise because, righteousness is profitable now and in eternity.

Mk 10:28-30 says, “Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life”.

The righteous will have a hundredfold the value of all that he forsakes.

This consists in the pardon of his sin, in the favour of God, in peace of conscience, in support, trials and in death, and in raising up friends in the place of those who are left. The righteous is not moved by the scorching and withering blasts of temptations or persecutions, but is sustained by the secret springs of Divine grace. It is well with him even when all others are withered. I want to let you know that whatsoever that you may have suffered in the course of living righteous life is worth it, both in this world and the world to come. The

righteous God will bless you in Jesus name.

Matt 25: 46 says, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal” The Bible says that everlasting life shall be the portion of the righteousthe Children of God while the wicked shall have everlasting punishment.

Righteousness is a sign of who you are in the Lord and where you belong to.

It is a sign that you belong to the kingdom of righteousness, Jesus Christ and our God, the embodiment of holiness and righteousness. And if you belong to God’s Kingdom eternal life awaits you and in addition hundredfold of the blessing of God. There is no reason why any should compromise righteousness. On no account shall you compromise your righteousness, because that will amount to losing your relationship with God and be rejected by the Kingdom. Although you shall suffer persecution, at the hand of the devil and his human agents but at the end it shall be well with you if you continue in righteousness.

Gal 4: 29 says, “But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born the spirit even so it is now” As it was in the case of Abraham, Esau and Jacob, as it was in the case of Isaac, Ishmael, that he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born in the spirit, likewise it is still the same today. If you are born again, it is very certain those that are not born again whether father, mother, brother or sister will persecute you. If you are righteous it is definite compromisers, backsliders and sinners, will look down upon you, speak evil of you, and persecute you. If you are truly born again, all those wicked people, agents of the devil will persecute you. If you have made up your mind to live righteous life, wicked people will persecute you.

2Timothy 3:10- 12 says, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience 11:persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch at Iconium and at Lystra what perse-

Muoka

cutions endured, but out of them all, the Lord delivered me. 12: Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution” Apostle Paul said that righteousness has been the way of his life, so he declared, ‘Yea all that live godly in Christ shall suffer persecution’. So, if you claim to be a Christian but you are not living right nobody will trouble you, nobody will speak evil of you and nobody will ridicule you, but if you have made up your mind to live a godly life in Christ Jesus persecution will come, trials will come, opposition will come, they will mock you, deride you and if that is not happening in your life now as a Christian it means something is wrong. If they are not persecuting you or speaking evil of you, it may be that you are a fake Christian. And that’s why unbeliever find it very comfortable to mix with you.

Indeed all that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution. We should understand that Satan was cast down from heaven, and never to enter into heaven again, thus he attacks the children of God here on earth, -the righteous people, so that they will not enter heaven. So if that attack is coming against you, you should not be moved because you have been told already that all that are living righteously in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution. Are they speaking evil of you in the family, office, market place and church because you are standing on the righteous place, my friend don’t be daunt-

ed for the prophecy must be fulfilled and that is the sign of whom you are, and where you belong. You must maintain your righteousness because a great reward awaits you in this world and in the world to come.

THE REASONS AND COUNSEL Every genuine member of the body of Christ, should know that the devil hate righteousness and everything about it. I am not talking about self righteousness, human efforts to live right, am talking about righteousness in the Lord, righteousness in the kingdom, righteousness as a result of being born again, let it be known to you, devil hates you and your righteousness.

1Jn 3: 8-9 says, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remained in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God” Sin belongs to the devil, everything wickedness belongs to the devil and if you are living that kind of life you will not have any problem at all, because devil is the father of all wicked people and he is comfortable with those who commit sin, but those who are born again, he persecute.

When you have received the Spirit of righteousness and your life has changed, CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

PASSION A Lifestyle Lifesttyle M Magazine agaziine

25

Sunday S undayy March 2, 2014

MUSIC & MOVIES

Though I interpret bad guy roles, I’m good –David Nwajie ≥≥38

NAUGHTIEST THING

I stole my mum’s N1 to buy kulikuli –Gloria Chiazor ≥≥29

Always, my shape blends with my style –Dubem, ‘Best Gospel >>26 Artiste 2013’

26

Passion

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

My body shape blends with my style –Dubem, Best Gospel Artiste, 2013

Du Dubem Ikebuego is a seasoned gospel artiste who has been a back-up sin singer for many popular secular and gospel artistes. She won the award of ‘B ‘Best Gospel Artiste of The Year’ in 2013. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, Du Dubem, as she is fondly called, speaks about her style, the fashion blunder sh had committed and how she copes with shoe discomforts. Excerpts: she Can you tell us more about yourself; are there laurels you have won?

My name is Dubem Ikebuego. I’m from Anambra State. I’m a gospel artiste. I have worked with both local and intentional artistes.

I was awarded ‘The Best Gospel Artiste’ at Classic African Merit Awards, last year.

I’m the fifth child in a family of six.

Can you define your style, and what exactly does it mean to you?

My style is anything that would boost my confidence and comfort. Style, to me, is my person - an expression of myself.

What dress tips do you have in mind when attending a red carpet of glamorous events?

If I’m getting set to attend a red carpet of a glamorous event, I must be sure that my hair is good. My make-up would also be considered because it has a lot to do with my style. Also, my dress and shoes should be right. If my dress is loud, my make-up would have to be simple or subtle; and my hairdo would have a touch of glamour.

If I sport a simple dress, I could go for a loud make-up. I love make-up a lot.

Do you have a national or international fashionista in mind that you admire you’d want to look like on the red carpet?

The international fashioinista I have in mind while dressing up is Victoria Beckham. She is a very disciplined dresser... and never goes wrong in her dressing. She has a good and mature taste. Same goes for Kim Kardashian. Her style is simply amazing...not exposing much, but looks very sophisticated and glamorous.

Could you relive your first fashion blunder; if you are to change anything at all in the style world, what should it be?

I wore one lovely green dress with snickers which of course was wrong. Each time I remember this, I laugh. I would change unnecessary fashion drama Have you ever had shoe discomforts?

I always make sure I have my slippers

wrapped and put right inside my handbag.

When I’m in the car, I pull off my shoes for my toes to rest. When I get to where I’m going, I stylishly pull my shoes off and place my feet on my shoes because shoe discomforts can be terrible.

What about having the feeling of being slender, perhaps, because you want to be dressed in styles meant for slim ladies?

I have not. I actually love to wear what fits my body frame.

What is the most expensive clothing item you have in your wardrobe?

It is one lovely black dress. I treasure it so much.

What is your most comfortable attire as well as that fashion accessory you wouldn’t mind spending a huge amount on?

My jean and T-shirt are my most comfortable attire.

My wedding ring is priceless.

Are you a designer label freak? And what’s your best colour?

No, I’m not a designer label freak rather I insist on dressing in something good that would stand me out.

My best colour is red.

It goes with anything.

It is true colour of love and I desire to love. Red is also a bright colour.

Who are the fashionistas you admire?

Genevieve Nnaji, a popular actress; Stella Damasus and Pastor Ibidun Ighodalo.

Who is your favourite fashion designer; and what’s your opinion about Nigerian fashion designers?

My favourite fashion designer is Lv. N Zara. They understand the language of feminine style.

Nigerian fashion designers are awesome. I must say they are on top now.

What is your beauty routine as well as that part of your body that peps up your style?

I take a lot of water. I try to eat healthy. I do my facials, walk out and stay happy.

My body shape jazzes up my style so much.

What would you love to change about yourself?

To be frank with you, I have nothing to change about myself. I love being me. I’m comfortable in my own skin.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Applause

27

Ekiti Commissioner, Eniola Ajayi, to ladies:

Don’t be desperate to get married ADAEZE AMOS

D

r Eniola Ajayi is the Commissioner, Ministry of the Environment in Ekiti State. She admires women who dream big.

These are women who make positive efforts to get to the height they desire in life and who do not allow their sex to deter them from making reasonable contributions to the society.

Hence, she suggests that government can be of help to such women if more space or quota could be created for them, so that they can contribute to betterment of the society.

“One of the ways the dreams of women can come true or be accomplished in our society is to do a deliberate quota more or less for them. That means setting out spaces for them within the political spheres, the academia and what have you,” she said.

Buttressing her point, she said, “It is more like making room for women to come in and deliver because the competition is usually very tough. It’s not because the womenfolk are not capable, b u t as women, we are not prone to struggle or fight for stuff. When the terrain gets too tough or very hot, the natural inclination of a woman is to pull back. But when men make deliberate spaces available for them, then women would be easily empowered that way.”

Fondly referred to as ‘the iron lady of Ekiti State’, Dr Ajayi asserted that women should be included

whene v e r rightful decisions are being made in every facet of life so that they too could make meaningful contributions.

“The other one is what I call the inclusion. It is what you know about that you can participate in.

If you are left out, there is no way you can make any contribution. But if you are included, then you would have a space to have a say. When you have a say, the people would have the opportunity to know what you are able to offer,” she said.

If that be the case, how about women whose husbands frown at their wives’ participation or inclusion in things that would enable them achieve their dreams in life?

“I would advise that women should make meaningful decisions with their spouses before marriage else that may hinder them from getting to their

dream targets in life. I won’t also forget to say that the thing about husband and wife relationship is that it starts from the beginning. If you are in a relationship where your husband doesn’t really allow you, even when you were his girlfriend or when he was courting you, then you can’t hope that things would change in future. The kind of arrangement you should make before you go into marriage depends on what you want from it. If you want a husband for the sake of being called a Mrs, then whatever you find in the process is your making. But if you negotiate and agree on a level playing field, then you can have your say within marriage,” she asserted.

But can such negotiations be possible when, perhaps, a lady is in her late 30s or early 40s and she is desperate to settle down?

“You shouldn’t be desperate to get married because if you are desperate, you would come out desperately,” she counselled.

To some women who have petty jealousies that hinder them from getting closer to those that are succeeding in life so as to learn one or two things from them, she has some words.

“It is exposure that can really help to curb petty jealousy among such women. When we exposed ourselves, allow for freedom to look at things objectively, we won’t need to be jealous about anybody. Because everybody, no matter your level in life, has your own challenge,” she emphasised.

Is Nigeria not a male-dominated society where there is the feeling that a woman cannot get to the height of being the president of the country? Dr Ajayi disagreed with this notion. She said sex doesn’t make any difference.

“I know that we live in a male-dominated society, but it doesn’t matter your sex or what anybody feels.

What matters really is what the fact of the case is. At a time in the United States of America, for instance, nobody could dream of a fact that a black man could become the American President. But because Barrack Obama knew how to navigate the top and how to stay the curve, he became the first black person to be President of the United States. I want to watch that space because very soon it is more likely that a woman would become the President of the United States of America,” she said unequivocally.

With this, Dr Ajayi left a few words of encouragement to women.

“I want us to keep the pace, never lose hope and always be focused. With that, the sky would not even limit us,” she added.

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Sunday, March 2, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Faces & Events MARCH 2, 2014

Queen Ure Okezie, musician

Chioma Ohakwe filing out with inhabitants of the home

Students of Bethesda Home for the Blind dancing

Eucheria Ugorji

L-R: Zdon Paporrella, musician and Victor El-Kennedy

Queen Ure Okezie Fan Club visits Bethesda Home for The Blind ADAEZE AMOS

Queen Ure singing praises with the students

Q

ueen Ure Okezie, accompanied by members of her fan club, recently visited the Bethesda Home For The Blind at Agege Motor Road, Surulere, Lagos.

They presented them with gifts of pillows, mattresses and food items, among others. Promoter of the home, Chioma Ohakwe, with the dwellers gave their warm welcome. The fan club members were entertained with praises from the home choir and traditional dances.

In her speech entitled ‘Fulfilment’, Ure told members of the Home that they can be fulfilled in life irrespective of the fact that they are visually-impaired, because ‘fulfilment is a thing of the soul’.

Esther Ubochi

Monica Ihunwaeze

Anne Igbechi

Beatrice Madu, fashion designer

L-R: Chioma Ohakwe promoter Bethesda Home for The Blind and Queen Ure

One of the blind students giving a vote of thanks

Jane Samuel

Joy Uadia, air hostess

Chinyere Ton

Fan club members with gift items

Ure with all the students and the proprietress

Ure dancing with them

Members of the Club

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Sunday, March 2, 2014

Dude Style My style slogan? Dress the way you want to be addressed –MC Ray Mgbakor Chukwuma Raymond, affectionately known as MC Ray, is an inspirational al cs speaker, comedian and the CEO, Laff Inspiro Entertainment. He studied Economics at the Delta State University, Abraka. In this interview with Victor Udoh, he speaks ers. about his lifestyle, four years in professional comedy and dress sense, among others.

You are an economist by profession, but why did you opt for comedy?

I ventured into comedy because it is a gift from God. Moreover, I have passion for comedy because it’s inborn. If you wake me up at anytime, I would deliver my jokes without any iota of doubt.

What is your kind of comedy?

My kind of comedy is rhymes, because I bring similar words together that are meaningful and make jokes out of them. With that, I have been able to carve a niche for myself, because I’m the only one that does this What are some of your achievements so far?

The first achievement is that I have a comedy CD entitled Inspired 2 LAFF, which was sponsored by Apostle Wole Oladiyun of CLAM. Another achievement I wouldn’t forget in a hurry is that I have received several awards, but my major achievement for now is the fulfilment in the eyes of my audience when they listen to my rhyme comedies.

Who is your mentor?

My mentor is the Senior Advocate of Comedy, SACO, “A mentor that is not a tormentor”. I chose him because of the values he stands for; uprightness, fear of God and, most importantly, his Integrity. He’s the first comedian that believed in me. He tutored me through corporate skills. When he saw the gift in me, he decided to pick interest in me. He prayed with me, accepted and corrected my mistakes, gave me job, put me through in the business of comedy, made me to understand its nitty-gritty. Also, he had been helpful to me and my family. He is a guy who sees positive in anything you are doing.

Where do you see comedy in the country in the next five years?

I see comedy as the game of the learned in the nearest future as my rhymes go, “If you are not in the KNOWN, you can’t be in the FLOW; if you are not informed, you are mentally deformed and that will slow your ability to perform on any platform”. However, I see Nigerian comedy taking over every sector here, every university in Nigeria teaching a course called Comedy. I see the country having a minister of Comedy. I foresee great things coming out

from this industry.

What is your philosophy of life?

Be value driven and greater values will come your ur way! Deep calls unto deep. Try as much as possible ble to add value to people’s lives; respect other people’s e’s opinion and feeling, don’t ever see yourself as the he master of all; remember there is somebody up there re who has your manual.

What is your brand of fashion?

Native attires make me look good and nd I do stand out in them. I don’t take my dress sense for granted because I’m m always in the public eye.

What else do you do apart from comedy?

Apart from comedy, I’m also so a professional telemarketer, er, creative artiste and radio preresenter.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I see myself as a worldldclass brand to be reckoned ed with globally.

What is your style slogan? n?

Dress the way you want nt to be addressed.

What is your advice to upcoming comedians?

Keep your values right ht and you will achieve your ur dreams. Believe in yoururself. Don’t allow anybody dy to intimidate you in whatatsoever you are doing. B Be the best in your field. Look up to God; He is the sole provider of those who seek Him. What are your parting words for your fans?

Be yourself and ensure you represent God everywhere you see yourself. He would give you grace to run your race. Also, don’t forget to give Him praise all the time.

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Weddings Engagements CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS MARCH 2, 2014

Crème-de-la-crème as Senator Okonkwo’s son, Harris, marries ADAEZE AMOS

S

enator Annie Okonkwo’s son, Harris Uchenna Okonkwo, walked his beautiful bride, Nkiruka nee Ezendiokwelu, down the aisle as they exchanged marital vows recently.

Parents of the bride, Mr Christopher and Mrs Helen Ezendiokwelu, were present and they were full of smiles on their daughter’s happiest day. Also, the parents

of the groom, Senator Annie and Lady Chinyere Okonkwo, were also in attendance, happily watching their son vowing to love his wife forever.

The look on the faces of the bride and groom glowed with affection when they started exchanging marital vows …to love and to cherish, till death parts them.

After the vows, Harris slipped a golden ring into the marriage finger of his wife and Nkiru did same to her hubby and they both sealed it up with a passionate

kiss.

The applause from the congregation was so resounding that people thought they would stop kissing. They continued until they were satisfied within their souls and spirits. It was an interesting and colourful wedding ceremony.

It is a day that Harris would never forget in a hurry, “because it was indeed the day the Lord has set aside for me to tie the knots with my sweetheart, Nkiruka Chidinma Ezendiokewlu,” he said.

You have a story to tell us about your wedding/engagement, or your new born baby.

You can call this line 08062704002

The wedding took place at the Catholic Church of Assumption, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos by 12noon. Reception started at exactly 2 p.m. at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

It was indeed a gathering of who-iswho in the country as senators, ministers, moguls at home and abroad came to unwind and celebrate with the bride and groom. The likes of Chief Patrick Chidolue, Chelsea Hotel boss; Chief and Lolo Tony Ezenna of Orange Drugs came; Honourable Emeka Ihedioha; Senator Annie Okonkwo; Sola Isaac Ojo; Chief Cosmos Maduka; Alhaji Lai-Mohammed to mention but a few were present to add colour to the occasion.

The groom was looking cute in his tuxedo white suit with black lapel, black bow tie, sparkling white shirt and black designer label shoes to match.

Pomp as Adeola hooks Adedayo YINKA ADEPARUSI The wedding ceremony of former Miss Adeola Happiness Akinbo and Adedayo Emmanuel Durojaiye took place at St Michael Anglican Church, Egbeda in Lagos recently. A grand reception held later in the Foursquare Conference Centre at Idimu, Lagos.

The elated couple could not hide their excitement as their dream came true, amid dancing and jubilations among family members, friends and guests who graced the occasion.

The couple, Adedayo and Adeola.

L-R: Bride’s mother, Mrs. Folake Akinbo and groom’s dad, Pastor Jide Durojaiye.

L-R: Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Dotun Kehinde and his wife, Adebisi.

L-R: Groom’s mum, Pastor Yemisi Durojaiye and bride’s father, Engr. Tunde Akinbo

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What to wear ‌ to a glamor glamorous award-giving event MARCH 2, 2014

ADAEZE AMOS

A

re you about to attend a glamorous award party/event, where an honour will be bestowed on you or to cheer up a friend who is going to be honoured? And you are considering what to wear?

Take a look at what glamorous Mercy Osuya, a TV personality put on to City People Political Excellence Awards 2014 last Sunday. Of the style aficionados that stepped out on the red carpet that afternoon, Mercy stood out.

She wore a floral black and white halter- neck jumpsuit with the right colour of pump shoes to complement. She is exuding the confidence that one can think of. Isn’t she cute?

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Perfect Cut

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Floral accessories idea

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, March 2, 2014

al in modest black dresses ADAEZE AMOS

I

f you want to know how colourful floral accessories can blend on a plain colour, try black. Little black dresses add lustre to floral accessories - shoes, clutch bags, costume jewellery, scarf etc, thus radiating their sweet colours on you. Check out these fashion aficionados on this page.

Floral power can draw out any dull black dress and make you stand out in any event. If you are in doubt, take a clue from these fashionistas and get the feel.

Perfect Cut

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African Look MARCH 2,, 2014

Nigerian fashion designers modernise native wears ADAEZE AMOS

N

igerian fashion designers are making the country and the continent proud. If you look at today’s African look/style, you would agree that there is a tremendous improvement.

A look at the models on this page, for instance, will show that our prints are now used to design all sorts of wears casual, dinner, beach, party, etc. Our designers have made it possible for us to wear styles made with our own local fabrics. It’s kudos to Nigerian fashion designers.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sunday, March 2, 2014

Pregnancy Talk with

Naughtiest Thing The naughtiest thing I’ve ever done

Adaeze Amos 08023012293 (SMS ONLY)

I stole my mum’s N1 to buy kulikuli –Gloria Chiazor

Be active during pregnancy

W

hen Ugochi, 22, was pregnant, she was pampered like an egg. Her husband stopped her from doing house chores. She was chauffeur-driven. A cook was employed for her who did all the cooking and tidied up the kitchen. Then her houseboy was responsible for the washing and cleaning of all the rooms in the duplex. She stopped going to her hair salon, beauty shop and monitored her workers on the phone. All she was doing was just to wake up from sleep, step into her bathtub, take her bath, powder her face and sit before TV till night when she would go back to bed. But her TV, telephones and some of her friends who visited to chitchat kept her busy.

Ugochi is the second wife of the husband. The first gave no birth 15 years since her marriage. Her first pregnancy was miscarried after four months. When Ugochi became pregnant for a man who had been longing to hear the cry of his baby, she was received immediately and brought into the main apartment while the first wife was sent to the boys’ quarters of the house. For that reason, she was barred from doing anything but just to carry her unborn baby in her uterus.

But one thing this pregnant mum noticed about herself was that she was constantly complaining of back pain, joint dysfunction and swollen legs, maybe, for sitting too long in a place. She never adhered to the 30 minutes moderate physical activities medical experts advised pregnant women about, for fear of miscarriage.

Medical experts frown at this sedentary or inactive lifestyle that Ugochi is involved in for because: “The aim of moderate physical activities or mild exercising during pregnancy is to maintain a good health condition for both mother and unborn baby. So, sitting idle and not doing anything in the house is the perfect excuse for lazy mothers to abandon the washing up.”

increased the chances of giving birth at least three weeks early by up to 25 per cent. Although it isn’t clear why, researchers think it may be that boring tasks increase levels of stress hormones involved in triggering labour.

This is a good point after all, no pregnant mother would love to carry her baby above term and go through the rigours of inducement before labour can set in. So, pregnancy shouldn’t hinder your being active.

Researcher Hajo Wildschut, of Erasmus University in Rotterdam, said: “Pregnancy is not a disease. In fact, most women who are pregnant are healthy and most of them are being delivered of perfectly healthy babies. Women who are healthy and do not have pregnancy complications should not restrict their activities in order to achieve a better pregnancy outcome. They may safely continue their normal daily physical activities, including such actions like jogging, squash and weight training even until late in pregnancy.”

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists says that in most cases exercise in pregnancy is safe but you should avoid strenuous ones like cycling, ice-skating and horse-riding.

Below are benefits of not living sedentary lifestyle while pregnant: Exercise, however, is good for both mother and unborn child. It is good in pregnancy as it keeps you aerobically fit and your weight under control. It probably reduces the chances of difficulties and it makes it easier to deal with the birth and afterwards.’

Researchers asked almost 12,000 new mothers how much they had exercised during pregnancy – including housework. The women were also asked about their jobs, the weight of their babies and whether they were born early.

The information showed that mentally unstimulating work, including doing jobs around the house day-in day-out,

Eliminates toxins All that water in cucumber acts as a virtual broom, sweeping waste products out of your body. With regular eating, cucumber is known to dissolve kidney stones.

Eat more of cucumber when pregnant: Have you just bought firm, dark green cucumbers to eat? That’s good, you have just bought yourself stuff full of good health. Check out the tips below Cucumber rehydrates body If you are too busy to drink enough water, eat the cool cucumber, which is 90 per cent water. It will cheerfully compensate your water loss.

It fights heat inside and out Eating cucumber will get your body relief from heartburn. Apply cucumber on your skin and you will get relief from sunburn.

Replenishes daily vitamins Cucumbers have most of the vitamins the body needs in a single day. A B and C, which boost your immune system keep you radiant and give you energy. Make it more powerful by juicing cucumber with spinach and carrot.

Don’t forget to leave the skin on because it contains a good amount of vitamin C, about 12 per cent of the daily recommended allowance.

There were so many naughty things I did when growing up. The time I was indulging in them, it never occurred to me that they were bad. I thought I was just living my life, being a smart child, and manoeuvring my ways.

Of the numerous pranks that I played, I still remember one acutely.

I laugh each time I do.

One of the biblical stories that thrilled me a lot when I was very young was Jesus Christ turning water into wine. Being a regular church goer then, I thought every Christian or anyone who went to church should be able to perform such a miracle with ease. My Sunday school teacher told us that the Bible says that whatever miracles that Jesus performed, He has given us power to do them even double. One day, I stole my mum’s one naira coin and used that biblical story as a cover up, but I wasn’t that lucky.

I stole my mother’s money and used it to buy kuilikuili. I never knew she would find out that her money was missing because there were so many coins in her handbag. I put the money inside my bag and went to school. When I got there, all my thought was about the money and how I would buy kuilikuili, which was my favourite during recess. Immediately the school was on break, I moved out, bought some and gave to my friends because they too usually gave me whenever they buy. I didn’t tell them where I got the money from. I considered that as my little secret.

While I was in school and had spent the money, my mum started looking for it. She believed I was the one that took it. As I was returning, my elder sister, a no-nonsense person, confronted me. She enquired about who gave me the money with which I bought the kuiluili that I was eating on my way back. I suddenly became scared and started stammering. Before I could answer her question, my favourite biblical story of how Jesus turned water to wine flashed back in my mind.

When she shouted at me to answer her question, I lied that I picked a stone on my way to school and started singing the song of how Jesus turned water into wine, and that miraculously the stone turned to one naira, which I used to buy the kulikuli. I thought I had convinced her because she was nodding while I was telling my story.

She said that was good and that since I now had the power to perform miracles that I should repeat such prowess in her presence, so that she too would have enough money to buy what she needed. She picked some stones and gave me.

It was not an easy task for me that evening because I had to sing on the stones for several hours, and nothing happened. I was sweating, crying and thinking that after a while she would pardon me. It was after passersby who saw what was happening, how I was sweating and fretting, that came to my rescue. Since that day, I vowed never to take anything that belonged to my mother without her consent.

Chiazor is a Nollywood actress.

–Adaeze Amos

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Sunday, March 2, 2014

T

alking with Yemisi SEX Adeniran

Stop the fire brigade approach!

T

ime after time, men have complained (they are still complaining though) that women are less exciting when it comes to lovemaking. Some say they don’t ever ask for love-making, others say even Models when they try to lure them into it, they come up with one complaint or the other and when they finally agree, they are less active.

What they fail to know is that women indeed love love-making and they can make it enjoyable than men can ever do. Unfortunately, Nigerian men are used to employing the fire brigade approach. They usually forget the fact that the make of a woman’s nature is outright different from that of a man. While a man simply needs to see any part of his wife to put him in the mood or just wake up normally to his everyday call of nature to want to have sex, a woman needs more than that. And if any man desires to really have fun every time he makes love to his wife, he needs to understand this and find a way around it. The following tips may be of help: Get her out of her head The first thing that hinders women from looking forward or desiring sex is the many loads of responsibilities on their shoulders which, at the end of the day, usually end up in their heads. If a woman will be free of the burden of work load both at work place and home front, she would be more relaxed and accept her man with open arms. But if a woman is made to work herself out in the office and still have to face the responsibility of the kitchen, the laundry and maybe look entirely after the kids, she would consistently be tired. She will be mentally and emotionally burdened and, I tell you, sex, will be the last thing on her mind. What do you do in this instance? Get a way of relieving her of those burdens. Get her some help somehow and your wish will ever be her command.

If she has to complain any day, you will have no reason to doubt her.

Be persuasive, romantic Most men believe sex is one right they should not be denied. They often forget that it takes two to tango. When they finally lose it with their wives, they come up with all kinds of complaints. It takes us to the rule of the game: avoid the fire brigade approach. Don’t rush your woman, don’t force her either. It is a right of the two of you, a game of both of you. So, talk her into it. Lure her into it. You will succeed at this by saying sweet words to her, get her beautiful things and be more romantic. Most men forget playing the romantic boy as soon as they are married. They become formal and the home becomes dry because of this. They go straight for

their women as soon as they are in the mood.

This is wrong. You need to put her in the mood too and you must take your time in doing that. Touch her, by now, you should know where to touch and how she likes it. So, do that and wait patiently for her to slip into the mood. Don’t rush, work on yourself and don’t be selfish.

Treat her like a lady When you treat a woman with great respect, she feels like a lady and will respond to you as one. Be polished too in your choice of words to her, especially when you are in the midst of others.

Spring up surprises Everyone loves pleasant surprises and the more you come up with one, the better for the two of you. Mere mentioning a trip with her in a few days time is enough to prepare her soul and body for you without asking. And when you finally get to that place, God help you if you have to stay the night in a hotel, you will surely have a swell time. It will be wrong of you to take your woman out only on days you plan to sleep with her. Give her gifts too not only on her birthdays, your wedding anniversary or Valentine days.

Rather, you should do this often to warm her up to you from within.

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Heart-throb

...Find your soul mate here Send text only to 08023012293 3

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Tease her in public Most men cannot hold their women in the public, least of all giving her a kiss. Learn to do this and you will be shocked at the magic that this will bring to your bed.

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Start flirting at 9 a.m.

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Touch her slowly Nothing turns a woman on more than when a man slowly touches her all over her body. Starting with a light massage of her feet up her legs, moving on to caressing her on every side. It can be very amazing. Well, the question is how many men will be ready to go all these way.

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Movies & Music

Sunday, March 2, 2014

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Faces at City People Political Excellence Awards ADAEZE AMOS

T

he Oramiyan Hall of Airport Hotel, Obafemi Awolowo Way Ikeja, Lagos was groovy last Sunday, attracting dignitaries, style aficionados and celebrities who came for the First City People Political Excellence Awards 2014.

Lots of political personalities were present to pick their awards themselves. Among them were the Commissioner, Ministry of the Environment, Ekiti State, Dr. Eniola Ajayi; Iyalode, Adunni Bankole, Bunmi Dipo Salami, Special Adviser Millennium Development Goals, Ekiti State, Honourable Oluremi Ajayi, Special Assistant, Community Development, Ekiti State, Antonia Omolusi, to mention but a few.

Oleku gals

Azeez Oletu

Gbeminiyi Adegbesola

L-R: Nelly Edet, actress, Chawa Khalik, musician and Ella Mensah, Ghanaian actress

Dr. Eniola Ajayi, Hon. Comm. Ministry of Environment, Ekiti State

Anita Oafor

Debola Fadeki

Cordelia Peterside

Mercy Osuya, TV gal

Bunmi Dipo Salami, Special Adviser, Millenium Development Goals, Ekiti State

L-R: Barikor LB from Rivers State and Peterside Cordelia

Joyce Clement, actress

L-R: Dr Eniola Ajayi, Bolaji Olagbaju and a guest

Kenny Aiyeola

Olori Topsy Ibile and hubby

Ella Mensah, Ghanaian actress

Mummy B, Ozigboszo’s mum

AMB Cornel Udofia, renowned publicist

Ozigbosco, musician and his group

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Sunday, March 2, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

& ovies M usic M Edited by Adaeze Amos 08023012293 e-mail: adaezeamos@gmail.com

Though I interpret bad guy roles, I’m good –David Nwajie David Nwajie is a popular actor who is known for his weird roles. Although, he graduated in Accountancy at the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State in 1994, he started acting professionally three years later. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, he speaks about his lifestyle and first time on a movie set.

W didn’t you study Theatre or Creative Arts Why since you have passion for acting? s When I was a little boy in primary five, I used to be a mass server in a Catholic Church. u We used to do stage drama then for the whole W congregation. I usually interpreted my roles so c well that one day my reverend said to me, ‘Daw vid, when you grow up, you would become an v actor and a very renowned one for that matter’. a I didn’t know what it meant for one to become a rrenowned actor. What he said followed me until it came to pass in my life.

When did this come to manifestation?

W It started manifesting when I was through with my tertiary education. I found myself in w acting. a Now that you are a full scale actor, how do you N see acting? s Acting is something that is in-born in me, my talent. I didn’t bargain for it because I never m thought of becoming a known actor. The pasth ssion for acting rekindled when I was watching a movie one day and somehow I became interested to be part of the movie world. I joined the e movie industry in 1997, three years after gradum ating from school. My first movie was Presidena tial Pardon. I acted the role of a president inti sside a prison yard. I did another movie entitled Above God. After that, movie roles started rollA ing in. in Which movie brought you into the limelight?

W I did yet another movie in the 2000 entitled Scout, that was a very powerful film but it still S did not bring me out. I did one with Teco Bend sson, entitled Formidable Force in 2002. That movie brought me out and from that day, so m many people began to recognise me. All the m marketers became inquisitive about using me m to sell movies.

You usually play a bad boy role and you do it so Y well that some people believe that you are bad; w how bad are you? h No, I’m not bad. That is not real me. After all, I do other movies where I played different roles.

There was one comedy movie, for instance, T that I did entitled Retired Worker. I didn’t play th a bad boy role in that movie. But I usually receive bad boy roles often and because of that, c people think I’m indeed a bad guy. I interpret p ssuch roles so well that most producers prefer to give me such roles because they know I would g

deliver well. It’s either I feature as an armed robber or as an assassin. People now think I’m a bad guy for real. But I’m not. Let me use this opportunity now to tell my fans that I am not a bad guy. Though I interpret bad guy roles, I’m not bad after all.

You smoke in movies like a hardened criminal, how did you master this so well?

The fact is that if you are given a role or a character to interpret, you are expected to deliver...to interpret it well. I would do exactly what that character says. I wouldn’t want to be partial about such a character. I would want to bring out the best in whatever character I’m interpreting. When you watch my bad guy roles, you would know that even when you see genuine bad boys on the street, there is not much difference.

Can you relive your first time in a movie?

It was a very great experience, an opportunity to do the job I had been dying for after I had seen my colleagues in the industry. The first day I was given roles to interpret in the first audition I attended, I did them well. I was asked to interpret roles that had to do with my happiest and saddest moments. Many people who attended that audition couldn’t deliver the way I did. I just showed up for the first time and interpreted those roles well. That was when I was discovered; and my zeal for acting rekindled.

How do you cope with fame?

It has not been easy coping with fame, living to impress your fans. For instance, if you are using your car and it suddenly breaks down on the way, and you are stranded, you dare not hop into the next available commercial bus for the fear of what your fans would say. You may wriggle out of that situation if you pick a cab but what if you don’t have enough money to do that?

Apart from that, I don’t eat in public restaurants. I used to do this before I hit stardom. Honestly, I’m missing ‘Mama Put’ a great lot and those pomo, roundabout, saki that I used to eat.

I like to be myself, I hate fake life but because of stardom, I now live fake life just to impress.

How I manage to cope is to leave the environment where I was living, where people knew me before I hit stardom to another location where I’m not easily recognised. It’s in such places where I’m not known that I can lead my normal life. I went and hid myself in a suburb known as Ikotun. I’m not easily recognised there.

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Sunday, March 2, 2014

A tale of two actresses: Anita Joseph, Oluchi Sylvia

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ake a close look at both of them. They share the same features; are Nigerian actresses, from the Igbo-speaking part.

They are fashionable, hot and daring, especially when it comes to delivering their movie roles. Their names: Anita Joseph and Oluchi Sylvia.

This twosome deliver their movie roles so well that they may not bother to bare it all provided it makes sense to the show; it is done tastefully or if that would add glamour to the film and enrich the story.

A quick glance at their pictures would convince you that they have got spotless body, style and swag. Oluchi, the Theatre Arts graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State affirms that she has no boundaries and can go nude or bare it all in a movie as her body is her laptop.

“I don’t have any boundaries because my body is my laptop.

Others have their laptops and files, but what I have is my body and voice. Even the concept of nudity, I don’t have any problem whatsoever about it, but it has to make sense. If it enriches the story and done tastefully, why not? I mean sometimes you can see nudity being done for a good reason. I don’t have problem with that. I just want it to make sense,” she said.

Then for Anita, she is ready to post some weird pictures on the net without giving a hoot whose ox is gored. After all, the fashion truism says, ‘if you have got it, flaunt it’. This picture, for instance, was posted on her Blackberry display picture recently. She left a comment on thus, “This outfit is not for the faint-hearted. Don’t get confused between my personality and my attitude. My personality is who I am. My attitude depends on who you are”.

Of these two, who do you think is hotter?

–Adaeze Amos Sylvia

Joseph

Most amazing day of my life –John Agoha, musician

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here must be days that some amazing things had happened to you in life. Of these, there may be a particular day something most amazing happened to you, which you would not forget in a hurry. What could that be? John Agoha, a celebrity, musician and model relives the most amazing day of his life.

The most amazing day of my life was when I was called that I had been selected as one of the Star Quest Housemate. I would never forget that day in a hurry. The call was divine because it came and I picked it at once. Unlike some other days when people would complain that I found it difficult to pick my calls, the call came from a friend who told me he saw my name on the net with regard to that. It amazed me so much that I could not sleep when I heard it.

What happened was that, I used to sing a lot in the church and that made me realise I had a talent to sing but I hadn’t hit the limelight which I longed for until that day. How it started was that my best friend saw my name on the internet that I had been selected and he quickly called me. That wasn’t enough; he came all the way from Lagos to Benin the same day where I was living and told me about it. Both of us went happily to the cyber cafe so that I could see things for myself.

I later had my form submitted and the man that accepted it told me I was very lucky because many superstars who applied for it were not invited. Out of 5,000 people that went for it, I was the only one that was chosen.

When they went through my form, I was called for auditioning. I went late because I had to go to church first. I don’t joke with church praise and worship session. My belief in life is to serve God first and He would take charge of everything that concerns me. I was amazed that I was called, that I had been selected to be one of the housemates for Star Quest. Star Quest has changed my life, career because before it, I was just a church boy who was merely singing in the vineyard of God. I never knew I could be known outside the shores of the country. Star Quest is a South African thing. That gave me the positive exposure I was believing God for. It has made me believe in myself. I realised that I have a talent that can take me higher in life. I never knew that I was going to be called because they had fantastic singers that applied for it. There was an amazing guy from Osun State. He played the keyboard so well. But I was chosen.

During the auditioning, I was just given one minute. It’s not as if they gave me all the time I needed. They were giving others up to five minutes but in my own case, when I was singing, they stopped me, just after one minute. I was worried, that they didn’t wait to hear me the more...not knowing it was me they wanted to call. That amazement robbed me my sleep. I was so excited that I nearly died. It was from that night I knew that excitement can kill. I was awake till the morning, waiting for the day to break so that I could go to Lagos for the auditioning.

Kardashian goes through laser surgery on boobs to remove stretch marks

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hat celebrities go through to remain spotless and beautiful is a great lot, especially in the western world. Do you know that on last week Monday’s episode of ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’, Kim Kardashian an American television personality, fashion designer, model actress, born and raised in Los Angeles, California visited her plastic surgeon Dr. Simon Ourian and complained about wrinkles on some parts of her body - her toes and hands? When she realised t h a t laser treatment helps to reduce stretch marks, she also enquired about getting the surgery done on her boobs to removed stretch marks.

“I’m like obsessed with my hands. I think they look really wrinkly. Is there anything to tighten them?”

Kim asked her surgeon.

She also said she would like to remove a scar from her toe. From the picture here, you can see that the celebrity was having laser treatment around her cleavage, and she muttered, “the things you do for beauty”.

Kim having laser surgery

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Sunday, March 2, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Pulpit

Sunday March 2, 2014

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‘It’s not sinful for a Christian to perform sacrifice’ Bold, sure-footed and well grounded in the words of God, General Overseer of Omnipotence Mission of God, Pastor (Prophet) Daramola Oloruntimilehin, in this teaching, counsels that Christians should desist from overlooking the prophet’s instructions regarding having to perform one sacrifice or the other. He boosts the counsel with real-life stories. Excerpts:

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acrifice is something valuable or important being given up, as an offering to honour or appease a god or God Almighty. Also, it is the giving up of something of great value to oneself for a special purpose. Christians call it offering while the Muslims call it sakat (offering). Our forefathers were doing sacrifice by slaughtering of animals on iron pallets or rods called Ogun (god of iron) and pour palm oil on them or on a stone called ESU (devil). In the old testament of the Bible’s Law of Moses, sacrifices are offered to God by killing animals e.g. oxen, goat, sheep and pigeon.

They were either eaten before the Lord or consumed by fire. There were different kinds of offerings e.g. sin-offering (Leviticus 4:1-35); guilt-offering (Leviticus 5:14-19): burnt-offering (Leviticus1:1-17); fellowshipoffering (Leviticus 3: 1-17). On each day animals were sacrificed to be burnt-offerings to God Exodus 29:38 “….This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day; two lambs a year old….”

These sacrifices were always accompanied by offering of cereal or grains. Similarly in the new testament of the Bible, Jesus Christ our Lord shed his precious blood as sacrifice on the cross of calvary for the atonement of our sins. John 1:29 says, “The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said look, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” The atonement is for the righteous Christians and those that have converted.

Some people commit atrocities of different kinds and still think they are born again.

Imagine people that are made to suffer, cry, and put in pains and agonies through these atrocities. Some families have been bereaved by killing their breadwinners and some children were denied of accomplishing their mission on earth by killing

them for rituals. Are these people that committed these acts born-again? No! Our forefathers offer sacrifices to relax hard time they were experiencing after making several consultations on what to do. Now some people do not subscribe to sacrifice making and do not believe in it. Either by omission or commission, some churches slaughter cows, cook rice with it to feed people. What they have done is sacrifice or offering. The book of Luke 14 :12 – 14 attests to this.

Whenever a person is making offering in a manner of food, it is advisable for that person to give the offering to the disabled and less-privilege people, instead of families and friends so that it will not seem to be an exchange or payback. Sacrifices are not something to be forbidden if they are not meant to perpetrate evil acts. For instance, a woman brought her pregnant daughter to me whom the medical doctor had slated her to undergo caesarian operation to deliver her of her baby. But the spirit of God through me told her that she would not go through surgery and that the solution was for her to buy different types of fruit, put them in a tray or basin, then place it on her head and pray by saying ”leaves drop from trees easily without stress, and I should deliver safely without undergoing surgery or labour pains”. After saying the prayer point, she should put the tray containing the fruits down and give them to little children by herself.

To God be the glory, she delivered her baby before the evening of that day without undergoing operation or labour pains.

What she did to have safe delivery was sacrificial. Another instance is a pretty lady that was worshipping in one of the big Pentecostal churches; she had been a member of the choir for over two decades. In fact,

Oloruntimilehin

she was the lead singer of the choir and when she was singing, the angels dance. Several times she had fasted and prayed and even the General Overseer of the church had prayed and done deliverance for her so that she could get married but to no avail. Her mother became worried and disturbed because she was about 40 years old.

The mother brought her to me for prayer and counseling, In fact, she reluctantly followed her mother. At my place, she did not want to participate in our discussion. Then I told them that if all the G.Os in this world should pray for her, it would be to no avail because the spirit of God revealed to me that she had committed an abomination by having sexual intercourse with her uncle who broke her virginity (her mother’s younger brother) and even aborted pregnancies for him. Immediately, she knelt down and confessed that the affair took place whenever she was at her uncle’s place on holidays several years ago. Then I told her that for her to get solution, she would have to go to their hometown in Edo State and do what they do for cleansing such abomination. The uncle who had travelled abroad was passing through the same dilemma. Eventually, the mother and her travelled home and did the cleansing which I learnt involved a lot of sacrifices. On

their way back to Lagos, the commercial bus they were travelling in broke down and there was the need for them to get alternative vehicle and while they were waiting, a BMW car stopped and the driver requested her and the mother to join him for the journey back to Lagos. In the course of their journey, the man gave her his complimentary card and that was how their relationship started which eventually cumulated in marriage, blessed with children.

Imagine that she failed to do the cleansing and say the blood of Jesus was enough for her, that Jesus had shed his blood on the cross as sacrifice for her sins, she will remain with the spell till the end of her life.

Many people do not know that the blood of Jesus Christ is so precious that we are not fit to stand on it because of our atrocities and the blood stain in our hands. Nowadays, neither the pastors nor the members could be trusted. Some churches condemn people seeing vision or prophesying but now, ministers of God are seeing vision, saying in crusades that ‘there is a woman here that has cancer that God has healed her.’ Initially, some churches condemn the use of different items such as handkerchief, water, anointing oil, soap, etc for deliverance and spiritual works.

It shall be well with the righteous –Pastor Lazarus Mouka CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 and you are living your life according to the will of God, you will not have business with sin at all, but you will discover the devil will hate everything about your life because it is contrary to his nature and his will. So if you are living righteous life it means you are a child of God and the devil will not be happy with you.

He will fight and persecute you but don’t shake your ground for they will never destroy you, because the Lord will keep you.

1Jn 5: 18 says, “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not” Whosoever that is righteous has cleansed himself from sin. He has preserves himself from the contagion of idolatry, into which the devil seduces a great part of mankind. He belongs to God, and is from God, and to Him, and for Him, while the wicked is from the devil and do his works, and support his

cause.

Nobody should be deceived nor be discouraged from living a righteous life because of the suffering, persecution, or the trials that accompanied it. If you are living a righteous life no matter what you are going through, don’t compromise your stand. Don’t ever say you don’t know what is happening to you, why the suffering is increasing, why everybody hated you, or speaks evil of you. Let it be known to you devil and his agents will attack you.

Before now, when you were not born again those people attacking you were your good friends, but now you want to live a righteous life, they will persecute you, but do not let any amount of persecution makes you to compromise your stand, or discourage you. The Scripture says, ‘yea all that shall live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution’. So, no matter what you are going through don’t forget that word, because persecution is the way of life for those

who are born again and are living right.

Remember the devil and his children hate righteousness. Yes they hate it, and fight against those who are giving to righteousness. Wherever those that are living righteous may be, whether in the office, yard, market, on the road devil knows about them and will use people against them.

He could use bus conductors to get at you, you will pay money and he will deny collecting money from you. You could give him hundred naira [N100] and instead of giving you N50.00 change, the conductor will say you did not give him any money, all because he want you to be angry and speak evil word in order to rubbish your Christianity, he want you to begin a fight, and if you allow such thing to happen, the devil will rejoice he has gotten you.

In the yard you may have paid complete rent and the landlord will demand for more money and when you refuse he will ask you to pack out of his house and

from that moment everything about you irritates him because you are living a righteous life. Take note, compromisers, backsliders, and idolaters will hate you if you are truly born again. They will mock you, and even try to cheat you, look down on you. There are many ways the devil uses his agents to persecute the children of God. I want you to know if you stand against unrighteousness the Lord God whom we serve, will see you through, no matter what you are passing through. So don’t compromise at all no matter the way devil comes, no matter who he uses to attack you, remember the devil is behind all that persecution and trials that you are going through now, so don’t ever compromise, for he that endures till the end shall be saved.

Psalm 128: 2 says, “For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee” Beloved, everlasting joy shall be the portion of God’s saints and it shall be well with the righteous.

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From the Pulpit Peace Tabernacle International with Pastor Sola

Aderibigbe

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t’s great to have you here once again. May the Lord meet you at the point of your needs.

Every living creature in the world was created by God. Satan did not create anything. He does not have the power to.

However, He is not the father to everyone. Therefore God is the creator of all but the father of few.

Heb. 2:10 reads thus, “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Christ has suffered for us to become sons of God. 1John 3:1 says “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” This shows the love that God has for mankind that He gave opportunity

Let’s go

BIBLE with Favour

Tioluwani

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Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

used to be a great sinner and deeply involved in all sorts of shameful and unmentionable acts. I was eating and dinning with the devil until l met with the Lord three years ago through a friend and since then everything about me has changed. The bible says in 2 Cor.5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” I had a change in character, friends, business and even the way l talk. However my wife refused to give her life to Christ, thereby not allowing my home to experience the change l really wanted. I know l had made a lot of mistakes before but the Lord is helping me and I am trying to put so many things right but my wife still walks in evil ways like keeping demonic friends, visiting native doctors, attends frivolous parties etc. I tried to make her understand but to no avail. Now our children have been affected since they are now torn between two options and not knowing which to follow. My marriage is in serious jeopardy, for how can two walk together except they agree. Amos 3:3, “Can two walk together when they do not agree?”

Should l leave her? Please I need your advice. Shola, Ibadan, Oyo state.

Dear Shola, the Bible says in 1Cor. 7:12-15. “If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away. And the woman who hath a husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving hus-

Sunday March 2, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The problem solvers of having the sonship status.

Rom. 8:14 says, “As many as are led by the spirit of God, they are sons of God.” This shows that the leadership of God’s spirit leads to sonship of God status. To be led by the spirit of God, one has to be born again (New birth).

Many wonder how possible it is to begat a son without reproduction process.

However, scientifically, if amoeba can produce younger ones without male or female, it can’t be difficult for God to have children without reproduction process.

Furthermore, the masterplan of God for His children (believers) is to be problem solvers, to be solution to generational problems. That’s His general mandate for His children. Rom. 8:19 say “for the earnest expectation of creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.” That means that the whole world is waiting for God’s children to manifestation of the sons of God.” That means that the whole world is waiting for God’s children to manifest mandate of God. It is also said in Matthew 18:18 that

He has given us the keys to the kingdom of Heaven. Also that whatever we bind or loose on earth is stamped to be so in heaven. That is great authority required to operate mandate on earth.

God’s general mandate for all his children is further confirmed in Matt. 5:1314. Salt is a solution to the problem of tastelessness, and that’s what God says we are. Also, darkness is a big problem but God says we are light (the solution to the problem of darkness).

For more understanding, God’s general mandate is for His children to have dominion and be solution to problems.

While His specific mandate is the particular assignment He gave to individuals to fulfill on this planet.

Just as light can never be afraid of darkness, the same way a child of God must never be afraid to tackle problems.

Just as he said that whatever we lock or loose is stamped from heaven, the same was what Elijah did in 1Kings 17:1. He said unto Ahab “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew or rain these years, but according to my word.” He keyed into

the manifold wisdom which says that God is omnipresent. Though, he was not seeing God physically, he knew God was around. He saw himself as in front of God. Truly, there was no rain for years.

The solution later came through him in 1Kings 18:1-45.

However, to become such authority, one has to believe in Christ and accept the sonship status. Let’s refer to Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not is damned.” Baptism is a way of accepting the membership of the family of God. Baptism is one of the media that would allow you do greater work than Christ just as he has said. Shalom.

Wishing you the best week ahead. *For testimonies, comments, enquires, counseling or prayer, don’t hesitate to contact me at: Peace Tabernacle Int’l (Power Palace) Between FRSC and Atiba Police Barracks Oke-Ebo, Oyo, Oyo State or 08067142127 or bunmichristy75@yahoo.com

band is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such case, but God hath called us to peace.”

From the scripture above, we can understand that it is only if your wife decides that she wants to leave that you can do away with her. If she wants to leave then let her leave but not you, you are to hold on until she is sanctified alongside your children. You have to put your children into consideration, for a broken home is one of the major factors that lead to physical and spiritual destruction in children.

From your letter, it is clear that you still have feelings for your wife, for this reason I would implore that you exercise patience and wait a bit more for her; she definitely will come around someday soon.

I want you to consider one important fruit of the Sprit; Patience. Gal 5:22-23 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” We are looking at a very difficult fruit of the spirit to obtain and that is patience. According to Melvin M. Newland, he says; “I cannot think of a virtue that is more desperately needed, or harder to produce in our lives, than patience.

This story is told of a young Christian who went to an older Christian for help. “Will you please pray for me that I may be more patient?” he asked. So they knelt together while the old man began to pray. “Lord, send this young man tribulation in the morning; send this young man tribulation in the afternoon; send this young man...” At

that point the young Christian cut the man short and blurted out, “No, no, I didn’t ask you to pray for tribulations, I wanted you to pray for patience.” “Ah,” responded the wise old Christian, “Don’t you know that it is through tribulations that we learn patience?”

God is in control.”

Sometimes the tragedies that break our hearts can become the bases for more beautiful designs in our lives. Be patient with the hurts which you have no control over. In God’s hands they may even become a source of healing, help or beauty.

Be patient with your wife, her heart is in the hands of God, for the hearts of kings and servants are in the hands of the Lord and He directs them as He wills. Let her creator handle her case, just watch and wait and God will end up surprising you. At first, it might look as if she is getting worse be rest assured that the devil will never let go, but at the end of it all, God will always prove Himself to be a superior being.

I remember the story of a young father who went to the minister of God and said to him “I need God’s help to be patient with my wife, with my kids, with the people at work; he said “could you pray for me.” The minister started, “Dear God, please bring many different situations and trials, suffering and tribulation into this man’s life…STOP! The young man yelled “I need patience and not more stress!” However, the simple truth is that we can only learn patience by being patient. All we need to understand is that God is trying to transform us into His image as He gives us trials and situations in which we can practice our patience.

Don’t give up, keep on PREACHING and PRAYING for her, God will bring back joy and unity into your home, just hold on. Keep on living a life of righteousness; it might be your new behaviour that will change her.

Patience: a necessary virtue

WHAT IS PATIENCE? 1. Patience could be defined as selfrestraint which does not hastily retaliate against a wrong.” This is getting pretty good. So here is a poser for you: How do you respond when someone commits a wrong against; do you react in patience or anger 2. Here is another definition: “Patience is the ability to accept delay or disappointment graciously.” How do you deal with delay or disappointment? For some that’s really tough.

Yet, patience is the ability to accept it without becoming unduly upset.

3. Yet another: “Patience is the powerful attribute that enables a man or woman to remain steadfast under strain and still continues pressing on.”

This is where you are. You’re dealing with a difficult circumstance.

You’re weary, but patience is that voice which says to you, “This too, will pass.

It’s almost over. I can keep on keeping on.”

4. “Patience is calm endurance based on the certain knowledge that

SOMETIMES THE TRAGEDIES THAT BREAK OUR HEARTS CAN BECOME THE BASES FOR MORE BEAUTIFUL DESIGNS IN OUR LIVES.

You can send in your QUESTIONS and the Holy Spirit will be set to give you the ANSWERS. Barr.

(Mrs.) Favour Tioluwani Tel: 08050272259 or 07062738213. Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

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From the Pulpit

Sunday March 2, 2014

43

What you should know about ACTS Learn with

Pastor Kunle

Macaulay Email: profkunlemacaulay@ yahoo.com (08023032698, sms pls)

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he Association of Christian Theologians, ACTS, of which I am President, is an association of men and women nationwide, conceived and founded by some professional theologians and bible scholars and registered and recognised by the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a learned and professional body for theological and biblical experts. The association unites those with or are interested in biblical and theological education and also in the application of biblical and theological knowledge to develop individuals and Nigeria.

The vision of having a regulatory body for theologians in Nigeria came to my humble self, a bible teacher and theologian who realised that there are many Bible Colleges and Christian Universities in Nigeria but there was non-existence of professional and accrediting body for theologians in early 1998. I, therefore, shared the vision with some reputable theologians and bible scholars who agreed to have a body capable of recognising the importance of theology and theologians in Nigeria and developing theology for Nigeria.

Desti Destiny Hour with Pastor Femi

Lanre-Oke

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ast week, we looked at effective prayer principles part two where we discussed certain things God does when He visits in the morning; How to make effective use of the morning season and furthermore what to do to carry God’s presence throughout the day. Today by God’s grace we will dwell on how to carry God’s presence through the day, the night season and the power of the midnight encounter.

How to carry God’s presence from His visitation period throughout the entire day 1. Keep meditating on what has happened to you during the hour of visitation.

Do not let the word of God depart from you (Joshua 1:8) 2. Carry a God consciousness do not do anything without Him. Christ is in you (Colossians 1:27) and you are in Christ who is in God (Colossians 3:3). Nothing can stop or hurt you.

3. The word of a king carries power and authority so let no negativity come from you (Ecclesiastes 8:4). As you have spoken into your day begin to speak into all situations around you. God is with you.

4. If anything wants to discourage you boss shouts at you, situation not going well as expected; make sure your bible and what

The first meeting was held in Ibadan, Oyo State in 1998 with only 12 theologians in attendance. Two other meetings held in Lagos after the first one constituted the body.

In 1999, the trustees and executive members were empowered to register the Association for recognition and acceptability. The trustees and the executives prayerfully presented the constitution of the Association to the Federal Republic of Nigeria for approval and registration.

In April 2002, Association of Christian Theologians (ACTS) was eventually registered and a Certificate of Registration No 14,511 was issued.

Association of Christian Theologians (ACTS) therefore became an incorporated body.

Really, a registered Christian theologian is one who has successfully completed a course of study in an institution approved by the association and holds an approved or recognized degree or qualification to that effect.

It is our desire to serve you and the world and bring the world under the leadership of Jesus.

Education has a lot to do with training of the mind and of character.

Knowledge is a product of the educated mind. Practical application is wisdom which in turn sustains knowledge.

Education is for expanding of awareness and deepening of human relationship.

Education is for liberation. It should

free people to discern, decide and act on their own. The bible said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.”John 8:32 The ACTS thus emerged out of a situation in 1998 that demanded for accreditation of theological colleges, regulation and standardisation of theological education and profession in Nigeria.

The term ‘theological education’ is used to include Bible Colleges, Theological Colleges and Theological Seminaries.

All Bible and Theological Colleges in ACTS are accredited by approved and recognised Christian accrediting bodies and all the theological courses in these colleges are inspected and approved by the ACTS. Theological colleges that are corporate members of ACTS are recognised worldwide as providers of quality theological education.

Our call as theological experts entails involvement or commitment to the gospel that must reach the end of the world. Therefore, professional studies in theological teachers education are provided for those who want to teach in approved colleges. These theologians who are members of ACTS are trained, licensed and registered to teach in Christian and theological colleges worldwide, where their services are needed.

Besides, the ACTS has been worried

over the activities of some untrained persons who have ascribed to themselves the title of pastors, setting up churches and thereby committing various atrocities. This is an issue for another day as I welcome you to come along with me towards the activities of theologians toward the promotion of the body of Christ, in Nigeria

Ogun PFN Chairman tasks new Reverend FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

C

hairman of the Ogun State brach of the Pentecostal Federation of Nigeria (PFN), Rev. (Dr.) Tunde Akin-Akinsanya, yesterday charged his Chief Press Secretary, Pastor Tolulope Taiwo who was ordained Reverend to do more for the body of Christ across the world.

The PFN chairman gave the charge while speaking with Sunday Mirror yesterday in Abeokuta, the state capital shortly after the ordination of his CPS which held at the headquarters of Christ Word and Prayer Life Ministry (CWAPLIM), Abeokuta.

Reverend Tolulope, who is popularly referred to as “Pastor T” of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Paramount FM station had served at the capacity of a pastor in the same ministry for the pastor period of 20 years before he was ordinained as Reverend.

Effective prayer principles (4) God has ministered to you are within reach because the only thing that is allowed to affect and influence your day is the word of God to you, in you and spoken through .

Night Season (The midnight Encounter) The night season is equally effective and it carries certain virtues are dropped. There are certain battles that can only be won when you maximally pray in the night season. In Matthew 13:25, The Bible says while men slept the enemy came and planted tares among the good seeds. The harvest of every good seed you sow depends on how well you maximize your night season.

The night seasons are for fighting battles and the successes recorded during the day are pointers to how well a man maximizes his night season. Night season is a time to cease physical work so that spiritual work can be concentrated upon without distractions. Children are asleep people have gone home but powers and principalities have just woken up.

You know spiritual beings by how well the night season is maximized. A matured and disciplined child of God realizes that a lot happen in night season and multitude of evil can be concealed in the dark, well the enemy too is aware of this hence he only sows tares in the night. Are you not angry, you toil and labour hard during the day but at night an enemy somewhere is not sleeping but trying to corrupt what you have sown.

What empowers a man to stand and destroy the works of the enemy, the Bible says in 1 John 3:8 that Jesus came to destroy these works of the devil. The devil is out to

stop you from maximizing God’s potentials in you but he does it subtly; he won’t say you should not work or serve God out rightly but will seek to corrupt what you have done, taint your testimony, accuse you, corrupt your seed and steal and ultimately your harvest (John 10:10).

Man’s life is a seed sowing life, all you do is sow and God gives the reward (1 Corinthians 3:6). Unless you spiritually water your sown seeds with prayers and ensure your harvests are not diverted you might miss Godly encounters. The night season is the time to do so.

The evening period before twelve (12) midnight is a time of thanksgiving for all you’ve enjoyed during the day because thanking God is application for more. This is why evening family altar is necessary as it is a more relaxed time to recount all that God has done, discuss lessons learnt during the day and share the word of God. It will do you and the your family a whole lot of good to learn memory verses, pray covering prayers against the dangers of the night and sanctify your mind and environment such that the dreams you have will be heavenly communications.

However, for those who will go further with God in their Christian journey, waking up at midnight is an absolute necessity.

The midnight gate Every day, week, month, year has a gate, the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 16:9 that a great door and effectual is opened to me and there are many adversaries. The gate or door is at twelve (12) Midnight which is why adversaries wait at the gates to tamper

with a man’s destiny. Other gates include; childbirth, naming ceremonies, birthdays, weddings and many more. He wants to have an advantage of speaking negativity into your life but Isaiah 45:1 conversely says God will open the two leaved gates unto me and give me the treasures of dark places i.e. treasures of the night. So when you rise up at midnight you contend at the gate and at the same time you are keying into the mystery revealed by Jesus as to asking for a thing at midnight.

What happens at midnight? This we shall discuss next week by the grace of God. Don’t forget that you are blessed and not cursed and cannot be cursed because you have given your life to Christ and if you have not, the process is simple: • Believe in your heart that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself.

• Believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross of Calvary paying the price for your sins and rose from the dead the third day to establish your victory • Confess with your mouth that Jesus is lord and saviour.

• Repent of all sins before the Lord and forsake them.

• Welcome into God’s family.

Please locate a bible believing church and share you new birth experience with the church leaders.

•For further prayer & counseling Pls contact: Pastor Femi Lanre-Oke Jesus Praise Evangelical Ministries International, Ibadan, Oyo state 2348030752799, 2348053695097 Email: femi_lanre01@yahoo.co.uk

44

From the Pulpit

T The Voice o of wisdom

with Dr. David

Oyedepo

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e walk by common sense, we run by principles, and we only fly by instructions. So, those who hate instructions never end up in the air.

You are due for a flight. The Bible says: Who are these that fly as the clouds? (Isaiah 50:8). You are born to fly; you are not born to be struggling on the road. Exodus 15:11 says: Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods?

Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? We serve a wonder-working God, working wonders in the lives of His people.

Isaiah 7:14 says: Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. So, Jesus came as a sign, and as the Father hath sent Him, so has He sent us. So, we are heirs, and everyone that is born again is redeemed a sign and a wonder to their world (John 3:8).

So, everyone born of the Spirit is born a sign and wonder to his world.

Jesus said: …Go ye into all the world,

Sunday March 2, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Unlocking the supernatural! and preach the gospel to every creature.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues … (Mark 16:15-17). So, every believer is ordained to be a wonder.

When the first miracle man by name Moses, surfaced in scriptures, the Lord gave him an instruction, “and thou shall take this Rod in thy hand wherewith thou shall do signs (Exodus 4:17).

There is what to take in your hand for signs to answer to you.

What is this Rod? The Bible says: A Rod shall come forth out of the stem of Jesse and a branch shall grow out of his root and the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him (Isaiah 11:1). So, that Rod is Jesus, and Jesus is the Word (John 1:1-9, 14). So, without the Word in your hand, you are never qualified to be a wonder (Exodus 4:17). It is the Word at work in your life that makes you a wonder. So, the Word is the master key to unlocking the supernatural in any area of your life. Every sign and wonder that is not rooted in the Word is fake, and it will fade!

Every Word-generated miracle in my life has stayed, for whatever the Lord doeth shall be forever (Ecclesiastes 3:14). You are too ‘rodless’ to command

anything. Moses without a Rod is a casualty about to happen! The Rod is your defence against all satanic assaults. The Holy Ghost is the Grand Commander of signs (Acts 2:17-19).

Where is the Rod for Working Marital Wonders? God said, “It is not good that a man should be alone (Genesis 2:18).

God did not only institute marriage, He is the Maker of marriage. Whosoever findeth a wife, findeth a good thing and obtaineth favour of the Lord (Proverbs 18:22). Favour is the heritage of the redeemed.

How To Encounter God’s Favour: 1. Salvation: Favour is the heritage of the saints (Psalm 5:12). Every child of God is to enjoy God’s favour, including marriage.

2. Kingdom stewardship: Kingdom stewardship entitles you to divine favour (Psalm 102:13-15). When you are out of God, you are out of favour!

3. By prayer of faith: While the servant of Abraham prayed, Rebecca showed up (Genesis 24:42-44).

4. By sacrifice: It is a spiritual device for the turning of captivity (Psalm 125:1-6). You can turn your captivity by sacrifice. You can turn your misfortune into fortune by sacrifice. “Whatever He tells you to do, do it” (Luke 1:45). That is how to fly in wonders!

5. By the ministry of the prophets:

Prophets are agents of divine favour (Hosea 12:13). When they step into a place, God’s favour answers.

Friend, accessing God’s favour, is the preserve of those saved. You are saved by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. You can do so now if you haven’t been, as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I can’t help myself. Forgive me of my sins. Cleanse me with Your precious Blood. From today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.

Now I know I am a child of God.” I will continue this teaching next week. The Exceeding Grace of God shall be your portion this year, in the name of Jesus!

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books — Commanding The Supernatural and Walking In The Miraculous.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:35 a.m., 9:10 a.m. and 10.45 a.m. respectively.

I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

Overcoming the temptations of life G eneral Overseer of Christ Glorious Evangelical Ministries with headquarters in Abule Egba, Lagos, Pastor Lai Bamidele, gives a series of tips on how to overcome the temptations of life.

There are three points to know on how you can overcome temptation: 1) 2 Tim 2: 21. But the truth of the matter is, many believers don’t want to purge themselves. If you can purge yourself of sin, you will live an honourable life.

If you know something is not good and you are doing it because everybody is doing it, it is not good. When l was small in those days, my mother went to the market and bought kulikuli which we use to drink garri in Yorubaland and l didn’t know she counted it. We were still Moslems then. And it was fasting period. When l passed where the kulikuli was, l was salivating and said I don’t know whether my mother counted it.

But something told me Mama didn’t count it. I quickly took four and put them inside my pocket. I now went to look for garri and soaked it and took two of the kulikuli leaving two remaining in my pocket and cleaned my mouth. Every day is for the sinner, but one day is for the owner. I now left it in my pocket and went to sleep. When my mother wanted to wash the cloth, she saw the kulikuli in my pocket. My mother saw it and l said I didn’t know how it got to my pocket.

Temptation. My mother beat me that day and l said I will not steal again. She removed my clothes, beat me and used pepper to rub my body. In the journey of Christianity you must accept responsibility. Don’t do your things the way others do it. You don’t have to be corrupt in a corrupt environment.

Two years ago, one of my spiritual daughters that is in US her mother was sick and

the moment l entered Benin City, l stopped an Okada man who said he will collect N200.

The Okada man wanted to take short cut and l was just following him and all of a sudden l just saw about 10 LASTMA officials of Benin and a towing van wanted to tow my car. And l know asked the Okada man why he took that side. And they said they will collected N50,000. I told them I am a pastor and I don’t know anywhere in Benin. I chartered this okada in order not to enter into any trouble. After much time, they said we should go and pay N30,000. Later they said I should pay N5,000. I said I am not paying 5 kobo. I now said that the only thing l can do is to release a word into his life and the man hissed and left in anger. He now told his colleagues that this man is a delicate man.

That his silence is a delicate one. They now released me. And I said God bless you. Once again, I was travelling out. As the Customs opened my bag they saw pepper and ogbonno and my clothes in a bag and customs said l was contravening the law. They said why am I keeping food items where I kept clothes? I said they are all mine, what was his business? They said they will arrest me and said there is a paper I need to collect before keeping food items with clothes. I said I won’t give them anything. I told them I travel all the time. I’m not a first time traveller. They said I should go and talk to the man and I said I can’t talk to him. The man they arrested after me gave them N8,000. They now vented their anger on him. I was once going on a journey and sat by the window. A man was greeting me incessantly and keeps saying journey mercies that l was tired of his greetings. He kept saying journey mercies, and later he now said sir, you’re not dropping? I said drop what? Temptation.

Bamidele

2) The power of fasting. One of the instruments you can use to overcome temptation is fasting. Fasting is an escape route from temptation. Fasting empowers you. So each you fast, you can’t see a man that is fasting and such see a woman. Every time you fast it’s the time you separate yourself. Fasting helps you. Fasting brings you to God’s frequency. You can’t see somebody that is fasting and still be looking at a woman, unless the person is not serious. It empowers you to put off resistance over temptation.

Temptation leads to the work of the flesh.

Fasting brings you to God’s frequency. Fasting makes you to put up resistance against temptation. Every time you don’t fast, your immunity is weak. The immunity is the thing that resists sickness. Every time you fast, it empowers your immunity. The devil wants you to fall. He wants you to disobey

God. 3) Another one is if you are not faithful in your tithing. Many of you have been tempted because of your condition you won’t pay tithe. The devil will say you paid last month and you want to pay again t his month. And that you have challenges, you should settle the challenges first. Is it not God Who will bring you out of your challenges? If you are not faithful in small you can’t be faithful in big. No believer can be exempted from temptation. Are you tempted in your marriage, or ministry, education, job, hold on to your God. The other day I travelled to Port Harcourt and when I landed I saw a blind man begging for alms.

For Counselling Contact: Pst_lai@yahoo. com. Phone: 0807448415, 08027502864 and 08161285586

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Pulpit

Sunday March 2, 2014

45

The ultimate choice: Bitterness or reconciliation

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ally relates an experience with a lecturer, Dr. Smith, who was known for his elaborate object lessons: on the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person’s picture. The class lined up and began throwing darts.

Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart.

Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced. Dr. Smith said only these words: “in as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me” (Matt 25:40). No other words were necessary; the tears filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.

Every time you get back at your enemy or offender, you are hitting Jesus Christ! The test of a true Christian is not how you treat your friends, those who care or agree with you. It is not how you treat those you are very familiar with or your family members or those who are kind or nice to you. The true test of a genuine Christian is how you treat your enemies, critics, and attackers! William Blake noted: “the glory of Christianity is to conquer by forgiveness.”

Bitterness: Bitterness lies beneath our inability to forgive and be forgiven. It is corrosive and steals our peace and destroys our

Pastor

Ade-David Email: jacobpastordavid@yahoo.com

P

salm 103:30 sates, “then are they glad because they be quiet, so He bringeth them unto their desired haven, sometimes we feel as though all is hopeless, but trouble can lead us to depend on God as we cry unto Him for help when he saves us we will praise Him for the good He has done. Ecclesiastes 9:17 the word of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of Him that rule among them our society honors wealth, attractiveness and success above wisdom, yet wisdom is greater than strength although it is often unrecognized.

Wisdom is not always heard and wise people go unheeded.

Cynthia and I have a friend who every year takes time usually a week (sometimes more) to spend in a monastery. He’s a fine Christian friend of ours who has discovered that a monastery is one of the last remaining places on earth where

relationship. It is always destructive and never constructive. “Root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many are defiled” (Heb 12:15). KorantengPipim warns: “Bitterness is like cancer.

It eats upon the host.” “To cherish bitterness, anger, or hate is to be faithless, miserable, and a loser. You are much better than that. Forgive and move on!” Revenge is a dead end! (Prov 14:10). Martin Luther King, Jr. reiterates: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.

Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

The cliché: “Revenge is sweet,” is a recipe from the pit of hell! Revenge often leaves us with a haunting emptiness. It can never bring satisfaction, nor replace what/who was destroyed. “Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; revenging an injury makes you but even; forgiving it sets you above.” [Joyce Hollyday, “Hearts of Stone,” Sojourners Magazine, MarchApril, 1998.] Bitter angry parents often fling verbal javelins at their children, shattering their children’s self-esteem, their sense of belonging, their sense of competency, thus destroying the children’s lives. Bryant H. McGill resolves: “the ability to forgive is one of man’s greatest achievements.”

Forgiveness, truth, and justice: Forgiveness does not prohibit justice. Someone you have forgiven may still have to be fully subjected to the criminal system of the land. The offender may be punished or jailed or even executed by the authorities. Your forgiveness of their offence is a personal thing; justice may still run its course, for which you are not responsible. Justice may be restorative justice or retributive. Never feel obliged to stop the proceedings. It is not part of forgiveness. Finding out the truth about the crime or painful incidence may also be needed.

While forgiving the criminal or offender remains a Christian duty, we need not be insensitive to the pain of the victim by forcing and blackmailing

them to pronounce forgiveness at the sympathizers’ pace. “Forgivers are not doormats.” “Forgiving is a journey; the deeper the wound, the longer the journey.”

Forgiveness is not a superficial event. It is “a deep healing, a thorough repair of broken relationships, a removal of the poison that destroys love and harmony, a restoration of wholeness and open trust,” notes Thomas G. Long.

Reconciliation: Forgiveness should ultimately lead to reconciliation. God has commanded all believers to become His ambassadors with the “message and ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:18-20). As much as possible, live in peace with all persons!

(Rom 12:18). This is the ultimate destination of the painful process of forgiveness.

It is Christlike. It is possible by God’s grace.

However, reconciliation might be impossible if the offender has died or is unwilling to communicate with you.

However, forgiveness is always possible— even if reconciliation is not.

Forgiveness and reconciliation are not one and the same thing. Forgiveness is your own inner personal job. Reconciliation will take both parties deciding and working on the relationship. It may or not ever happen. Sometimes, it may be ill advised.

Forgiving someone who breaks a trust does not mean that we give him his job back.

Forgiving does not require us to reunite with the person who broke our trust.

During Bishop Tutu’s “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” in South Africa, a South African woman who listened in court as a white police officer acknowledged his part in the murder of her son. He rehearsed how he shot the 18-year old boy at point blank range and then partied with other officers as they burned his body, turning it over and over in the flames until there was nothing but ashes. Eight years later he returned with others and seized her husband. This time she was forced to watch as they bound him on a woodpile, poured gasoline over his

body, and set him ablaze. The last words she heard her husband say were, “forgive them.”

After relating his horror story, officer Van de Broek awaited judgment. The judge asked the widowed woman what sentence she wanted. And she stood to speak: I want three things: First, I want Officer Van de Broek to take me to the place where they burned my husband’s body so I may gather his ashes and give him a decent burial. Second, since my family is gone and I have so much love to give, I want Mr. Van de Broek to come to the ghetto twice a month and spend the day with me so that I can be a mother to him. Third, I would like Mr. Van de Broek to know that he is forgiven by God and that I forgive him too. I would like to embrace him now so he can know my forgiveness is real. With that, the old woman stood and started across the courtroom and Van de Broek began to tremble. The power of forgiving love permeated that room and the officer was overwhelmed by it. He fainted on the witness stand. Someone began singing “Amazing Grace” and gradually the entire courtroom joined in. [Stanley W. Green, The Canadian Mennonite (9/4/00).] Choose the high road of forgiveness. So help us God! *Tunde Ojewole, PhD, is the Babcock University Pastor in charge: Division of Spiritual Life. Get your copy of the newly released book: GOD’S FOOTPRINTS. For enquiries, contact: ojewolea@babcock.edu. ng or call/SMS 08058299434/08060376577 Answers to 23/02/2014 quiz 1.

Laban to Jacob- Gen31:49 2.

Asia- Rev 1:4 3.

Paul- Rom 7:15 Quiz for the week 1.

Who prevailed with men and God? Provide scriptural evidence.

2.

What is the meaning of John and who is his father?

3.

Fill in the spaces and supply the scripture: As many as are led by the Spirit of ... are the … of God.

Necessity of solitude, obscurity you are expected to be silent. He thinks, he prays, he reflects, he eats lightly. Walks slowly, that busy attorney from Vancouver admits that without those times he would lose all perspective on life. He confessed, “when I’m alone and the solitude is so quiet it’s deafening, it’s amazing how I rediscover who I am, and how things become clear that I’d never been able to unravel before.” That’s what happened to Saul in Arabia. He met with God, who helped him figure life out.

Some of us talk so much we can’t even remember what we’ve said, we’ve formulated answers to questions nobody asks, and we put words on parade, few of them worth anyone’s attention. So on and on we talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, and talk.

Third instead of seeking a place of power, be still and release. This is particularly applicable to the life of people In vocational Christian service, especially pastors. I’ve hung around the training of ministers long enough to know that there can be an enormous amount of envy among individuals in our line of work. Insecurity surfaces as competition abounds. The push for power is so evident it’s sickening. No doubt the same sort of silly battles with pride and prestige exist in other professions

as well.

What is it going to take for us to give up this idea that we’ve got to be somebody?

Everyone joins the race to the top. Sadly, I can report that the loneliest, most unfulfilled people I’ve ever met are people at the top.

They‘ve arrived. Most are lonely, living on empty, desperate to find a meaning for their existence. Sadly, Christians aren’t immune.

We spot some gifted individual and push them into action. With little thought for their lack of depth, we find new ways to keep them busy. Their popularity outgrows their maturity, which means image must be substituted for integrity. Rootless insecure, superficial, and unaccountable, they fall.

And we’re surprised?

Today we have forgotten the importance of this hidden work of God. As a result (and remember this), we immediately thrust people into notoriety, bestowing on them unbelievable power, will destroy us. This is no small matter in the church today.

Because of our whole sale ignorance of the importance of hidden preparation, we have thrust untold numbers of workers into the limelight before they were ready.

The professional athletes are classics

examples. Often they are recruited fresh out of high school, many more off the college playing fields, with virtually the life training under their belts. They sign contracts worth millions of dollars a year.

They’ve never been prepared for what they are facing. Soon, the world watches in shock as many of them turn to drugs and alcohol to ease the disillusionment and pain that results. They simply cannot handle the power of the prestige. They know nothing of the value of living a simpler, deeper life.

The shallow layers of their young, fragile souls rupture, and their lives are fractured by the rush and the race to the top.

Odds are you’ve never been offered a million-dollar deal. On the contrary, you may be one of those individuals desperately seeking a way off the treadmill. My advice to you is to stop trying to be the tops in your field. Be an excellent whatever. Do the very best you can with what God has given to you.

•Your Steward PASTOR JACOB ADE-DAVID 54/56 Okesuna Street, Lagos Island Lagos. TEL: 08023535110, 08023539857, 08034078158 Email:jacobpastordavid@yahoo.com.

46

From the Pulpit

Sunday March 2, 2014

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We‘ve quality leadership in our party –Pastor Iyiogwe Pastor Sam Iyiogwe is council Chairman of Nkanu East Local Government area of Enugu State and a former member of Board of Directors, Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited, a subsidiary of NNPC. Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, In this interview with DENNIS AGBO, the council boss who also worked with the National Orthopedic Hospital shares his experience in politics and political intrigues in the state, among other issues.

Excerpts!

Given the impression that politicians are bad people, what has been your experience as a Pastor in practical politics?

I must tell you first that I was ordained pastor in Time in Short End Time Church, otherwise known as Liberation Chapel based in Port-Harcourt. I was formerly an officer of Nigeria Customs Service where I retired from in 1993 and went into the Oil and Gas industry. I had a call from God to go into politics to represent my people, to speak for them and in 2003 I aspired to represent Nkanu East/Nkanu West constituency in the House of Representatives. The leadership of the party then told me to hold on and in 2007 I declared interest again but didn’t go far because I was also asked to hold on again, which I obliged as an obedient and faithful party member of our party; the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I believe in practicing what our Lord Jesus Christ said.

To answer your question, politicians are not the worst set of people in the society.

Everywhere you go to be it the medical sector, financial institutions, oil and gas, churches, mosques and the rest. I bet you must see good and bad people all in one spot.

So one can’t just conclude that every politician is a bad person otherwise we won’t have people like Goodluck Jonathan who is working tirelessly to change the destiny of his country and people, restoring the lost glory of Nigeria; so also our own Governor, my boss and friend,Barrister Sullivan Chime who practically has changed the destiny of Enugu state, changed the model of politics in the state and Enugu is now a model in Nigeria and this is why everybody from South east want to own property in Enugu.

There are other good men and women who are involved in politics, this assessment should not be generalized. When we talk about people being Christians, people who serve God are actually the people who are supposed to lead the nation. Let me take you to the bible; Abraham was a servant of God, the word of God said he loved and feared God and that is why we ask to benefit from blessings of Abraham. He was a Godly Man and he was a leader. Moses was a leader and a prophet, David was God’s own person, who led his people and he was a King a godly person. People like Mordecai; you talk about Esther the queen, Nehemiah, and Joseph who God used to change the destiny of the Israelites.

Joseph was a Godly Man; he was still a prime minister. Daniel also became a prime minister, he was a Godly man. So God is interested in a Godly seed because he will al-

Pastor Iyiogwe

ways use this to change the destiny of every nation. If you know God you fear him because you follow his rules. If I fear God, they won’t give me money for Nkanu East and I go and put it in my private account. If I fear God, a woman won’t come to me and I say I will sleep with her before I render her assistance, if I love God I won’t collect money from a job seeker before he or she is offered a job or admission. So there is nothing wrong in a Christian to enter into politics, rather it will enhance political activities in a nation.

Why did you accept to serve as council chairman instead of the House of Representatives that you first aspired for?

Well, all is for service. Serving at the local government level does not really mean coming down, as long it is a service to the people I am okay with it. I don’t even see anything wrong with somebody being a former Governor coming to serve at the local government level. What I have is the popular demand of my people to serve them and to show that we can do it better and if you take evolution of what we have done in Nkanu east, you will realize that we have done it well and God’s name is being glorified.

Now that the 2015 general elections are here with us, are you still interested in going to the House of Representatives?

Well, my primary concern is for the assignment I have at hand now, which I plan to do it excellently well. I tell you any man that says he doesn’t have aspirations is a dead man. When you stop aspiring, you’re a dead person. Yes, people have been asking that I run for House of Representatives for one reason or the other but in Enugu state, we have quality leadership so we don’t fight for positions in our party. All those things will be discussed by the party leadership, so at the end the issue of whether I will contest for House of Representatives or not will come up and everybody will know. For now I am much committed that my boss Governor Sullivan Chime succeeds, I am so much concerned about peace in Enugu state, I am much concerned that the leader of Enugu east senatorial zone Evangelist Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo excel in her assignment and that she moves forward. I am so much concerned that the primary assignment given to me by my people and the PDP government as the chairman of Nkanu-east local government t excels, when that time comes we will know.

Why did you council chairmen in Enugu east

POLITICIANS ARE NOT THE WORST SET OF

PEOPLE IN THE SOCIETY.

EVERYWHERE

YOU GO TO BE IT THE MEDICAL SECTOR,

FINANCIAL INSTITU-

TIONS, OIL AND GAS,

CHURCHES, MOSQUES AND THE REST.

senatorial zone endorse Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo for senate barring every other aspirant from the zone?

I am not even aware that there is any other aspirant for the position.

She never came to us to say she is aspiring; it was a fulfillment of our peoples demand. Our people saw what she has done and what she is still doing. In honesty she has excelled in performance, in transparency, in honesty and in service to Enugu state and her boss who is the longest serving Chief of Staff in Nigeria. Some governors have had many Chiefs of Staff within their tenure. As chairman of Nkanu east some groups like youths, women groups and traditional rulers have come to me to say look they have passed a motion instructing her and not begging her and in Nkanu land like in the rest of Igbo land, a wife does not say no to her husband. They said that having seen how she has helped the Governor to mould Enugu state, how she has helped our people in Enugu east senatorial zone where she comes from giving transformation to the area, how she has been able to agitate and brought one position or the other for appointment to Enugu East senatorial zone, how she was able to see that credible council chairmen were enthroned in Enugu east senatorial zone, other relationships, peaceful atmosphere everywhere, that she must give herself up to contest for the position of the senate.

So if my people have said that and I too have seen what she has done in supporting our jobs, advising us on human relationships and empowerment, on projects and other things. After all these, I have no option than to give her my maximum support to ensure that she gets to the Senate come 2015. So we are just fulfilling the desire of our people.

Why were you not mindful that Mrs. Nwobodo is being branded with many names such as Iron Lady, defacto Governor and all that before endorsing her for Senate?

I think we need to celebrate her and thank God for that. I tell you before I was ordained a pastor in 2007, long before then, people called me Bishop, others called me Reverend, Evangelist, Pastor but I was then just a Deacon. That was because they saw what I was doing, doing the work of a Bishop, doing the work of a Pastor, etc. So if you call her Your Excellency or all that, what it means is that she is doing well, what they are telling us is that she is performing whether Governor is there or not, that responsibility given to her she is capable of doing it and she is doing it well. I think we need to celebrate her and thank God for that. It shows she can be trusted, that she is reliable. I became a local government chairman without anybody asking me for a kobo or giving me condition.

That is what she represents and that is what Sullivan Chime represents in Enugu state.

I came back for a second tenure without seeing even the Governor same as the Chief of Staff. I didn’t go knelling down for her.

She is the Esther of her own generation, she is a virtuous woman and we should all give our hands to support her.

What are the developments on some of the projects you embarked upon in your local government?

We are on course; we are moving forward doing what we were called to do. If you talk about Amankanu today vehicles can now move into the community for the first time in history same as Amuzam-Umunevo Amagaunze. I am grateful to God, the people of Nkanu east, the Chief of Staff for her push and sometime her rebukes, the Governor who release our money in a whole that has enabled us do the projects. Today a vehicle could drive to Amankanu, it is a legacy, a history that nobody believed would happen.

Today vehicles run across the Idodo River where we all removed or shoes and trousers to cross the river. The Idodo Bridge has been completed; the Ora Bridge has been completed, the link roads from Ubahu to MbuluOwoh, Ohuani-Owoh to Obeagu-Owoh to Owachi, Odobudo have all been completed.

The link road from Mburubu to Nkerefi has been completed same as a link road from Amofia-Nara to Ihuokpara and they are testimonies and something to celebrate God for. My Governor, the stakeholders in Nkanu east don’t come harassing me to bring money. I am relaxed in the work because the Grace of God is upon my life. Nkanu east is today the most peaceful local government in Enugu state, all we do here is on 21st of every month we gather to pray to God and celebrate his goodness.

Don’t you think that the peace in Enugu state for some time now has been disrupted by the ensuing political rivalry between Governor Chime and the deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu?

Sincerely, I read some of these things in the newspaper and you know Nigerians know how to create emotions especially in politics when election time is coming. As much as I know, we don’t have any problem; we don’t have any division in PDP Enugu state. The PDP in Enugu state is hundred percent under the leadership of Governor Chime who is in total control and we don’t have distractions.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Opinion

Sunday March 2, 2014

47

Now, Jonathan needs a War Council Kayode K Fasua

kayodefasua@nationalmirroronline.net (08034101207; SMS only, pls)

W

hile it is understandable that to chase shadows is to pursue inanity, it is likely unclear what it means to be chased by shadows. But never to be be-fogged any longer, the grim picture of the roiling insurgency in the northern parts of the country has risibly presented a Nigeria being chased by shadows. It is thus in tandem with A.G Wells’ The Invisible Man, an 1897 classical novella of a scientist, Griffin, who is so fecund he cannot be seen by any mortal; but in the long run, he lacks the ability to reverse the procedure of his being invisible. Wrenched sore, the invisible man thus becomes an invidious, insidious and iniquitous man.

Lain bare on that threshold, can it be now safely assumed that Nigeria is at war with the unknown? While the name Boko Haram and the philosophy behind it are as clear to everyone as the marks on the palms, what has remained contentious is the face behind its masquerade, the identities of the group’s sponsors and who authentically its leader is. Though a certain Shekau is being bandied to spearhead the insurgents, it may in the end whiff off as smokescreen, a decoy needed in the strategic roadmap of this group that seeks to exterminate, as it claims, ‘the evil of modern education’ and then enthrone ‘the

full Islamisation of Nigeria.’

It is indubitable that the American Civil War of between 1861 and ’65 was spurned by the secession of seven southern slave states of the Union, against whom the northern states stridently resisted. In the same vein, the civil war of 1967 to ’70 that shook Nigeria to its foundations was being led for the eastern part by then Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu, who had an axe to grind with his military fellows. But in the case of the Boko Haram warriors, no two persons are ever agreed on what specifically angered them to declare an operation ‘no retreat, no surrender’, clearly targeted at making Nigeria ungovernable for President Goodluck Jonathan.

While a school of thought traced the sect’s strong emergence to the fallout of the 2011 presidential election in which then Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari (rtd) was rationalised to have been rigged out in favour of President Jonathan, others simply demurred, concluding that it was precipitated by Borno State’s local politics. In the Borno instance, it is being permutated that the sect was indignant over the foisting of All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) candidates on otherwise unwilling and fanatically religious locals.

In the first place, citing Buhari’s contentious election defeat appears plausible for the reason that the North went up in virtual conflagration when their hero, who is a former military head of state, was not declared winner of that election.

Again, the second reason being adduced also gains credence for the fact that not

just Borno, but the three states of which Yobe and Adamawa add, were all ANPP strongholds, which are where the emergency rule currently subsists.

Yet, other analysts would rather prefer to view Boko Haram from the prism of the wave of rabid Islamism, spilling from the Middle East, through North Africa, to pour unto other parts of the continent.

The September 11, 2001 suicide bomb attacks on America’s edifices of World Trade Centre and the Pentagon building in which hijacked passengers’ planes were rammed into targeted structures became a livid re-awakening for a world terrified by what has now become a shadowy war.

Al-Queada, the sect which claimed responsibility for the horror, then led by Osama bn Laden, apparently went into celebration. Thereafter, there have been offshoots of Al-Queada, recruiting young men with parched souls, who are led to chorus a desire for suicide attacks and are buoyed by the assurance that once they are dead, they naturally land in paradise, where they will chummily rejoice forever.

Thus in the Nigerian case, hapless citizens in the northern parts, especially those in Borno and Yobe, are daily harried by bomb explosions, the boom of gunshots and the sling of arrows. They are often bombarded unawares by strange invaders, who sometimes sneak in from neigbouring Niger and Cameroun, crossing the nation’s borders to fight persons with whom they have never associated. On daily basis in Maiduguri, the Borno capital, the streets are familiarly stalked with deaths while those still alive appear to be set to be felled as they go about their ‘normal’

business, smiling dryly to shoo at the triumph of sudden death.

It is in that streak, that the entire country was horrified last week when the Boko Haram sect struck at the Federal Government College in Buni-Yadi, headquarters of Gujba Local Government area of Yobe state, killing about 60 persons, who included 46 students. At about 11.30 pm while their targets were set for bed, the attackers struck, shooting and burning.

It is no doubt pathetic and sickening.

But what is most reprehensible in all is the lackadaisical attitude of the Jonathan government to the cocktail of daily slaughter in the North, an apparent indication that for as long as the administration is in no way threatened, those who should die can die. It would either seem that the declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa is more decorative than combative, especially with no discernible intelligence and war reports to make government know who its real opponents are. In the usual trite manner of morbid camouflage, government has its ready-made words of ‘our sympathies go to the families of the victims of this wicked attack.’

While it is no one’s fault that warfront battle is hard when faced with hard opponents, it is bad enough to smile on in the hue of self-preservation, while a section of your domain is doomed. The so-called Centenary celebration of last week amid the mass slaughter of 60 innocent souls, therefore, was far from being noble, however exigent. At the moment, Jonathan needs a war council, not a tea party.

Enugu and the flight of safety LEO-PERKINS NWAKOR

I

write because I am desirous of bringing certain home facts to notice. Perhaps, who knows, through this, we may have a well deserved redemption. I want to note that Enugu State is no more the safe and peaceful haven we the people of the state used to pride about. Car snatching, mobile phone lynching, petty thievery, cult activities, armed robberies, daylight robbery, acts of vandalism and various other anti-social activities are all orders of the day here in Enugu now. People are no more safe and don’t know who to turn to even though the police are still our best friends.

Governor Sullivan Chime has a good record of always providing the enabling environment for a peaceful execution of police duties. So many patrol cars, vans and SUVs have been supplied by the state government. This is direct evidence that the governor wants a crime-free coal city state. In recent times, the governor donated brand new patrol cars for all road junctions in the Enugu metropolis that one now observes police cars with such labels as “IBB Flyover,” “Abakpa Junction,” “Chris Chemist,” “O’Connor Road,” etc, indicating different locations that each of the over 100 vehicles keep vigil.

Even with this security wherewithal, on a Sunday afternoon of February 2, 2014, a Toyota Sienna with its passenger doors

open rushed downhill from NOWAS junction of Trans-Ekulu and drove into the NOWAS filling station. From the opened passenger doors were gun totting armed men, with gruesome-looking machine guns. From time to time, a machine gun barked into the air, causing commotions as pedestrians, drivers and local people ran for dear life.

They made into the filling station and grabbed all the monies they could and drove downhill and made a quick exit from the newly constructed Agulu Street, which afforded a gateway to the Onitsha Expressway but not before snatching a car from an unfortunate road user at the Amurri Road/Agulu Street junction. The alarming thing about the operation was that a few meters up the hill is the permanent spot where the NOWAS police patrol car donated by our proactive governor Chime stations to collect N50 from buses and Keke NAPEP drivers.

Less than a week later, on a Friday evening, an armed group made another entrance, this time at the NOWAS filling station. There was great pandemonium and chaos as pedestrians, vehicles, buses, Keke NAPEP and taxis all swerved off the road and all tried to make a U-Turn around NOWAS. People dashed towards Nomeh Drive and the two arms of Nike Lake Road as the armed men were shooting sporadically in the air. After the shooting spree at NOWAS they headed towards Abakpa Nike, still firing with

reckless abandon. An unfortunate man who did not know what was happening was caught up in the shooting frenzy. He realised too later what others knew before him. As he got off his car to flee, a spit of bullets lacerated his guts and disembowelled him. The big man continued running until another well aimed bullet snuffed out his life.

The pandemonium spread like wild fire. Traders abandoned their wares at the nearby Abakpa market and fled. People ran into their homes and for more than one hour, there was a state of anarchy and fear in that part of the city.

This writer passed by the crime scene same time in the following evening and saw the police in their police post near NOWAS causing a road traffic while collecting their usual money from drivers, without a care in the world.

The Irony of the Matter and what puzzles everyone in Enugu is that between NOWAS Filling Station and Nike Road in Abakpa, there are two Police check points. Governor Sullivan Chime donated one patrol car for NOWAS and another one for Texaco down the hill in Abakpa. Where were the police men who were supposed to be manning those police posts when these incidents happened?

There are possibly two theories. On the one hand, people deduced that the police men disappeared into thin air once they got wind of the commotion. On the other hand, people deduce that there was a pre-

knowledge of the operations and hence the patrol cars were conveniently not in their duty posts during the crimes.

Why people are puzzled is that once the operations are over the police appear and make a show of trying to figure out what went wrong, pick up the unfortunate casualties, like in the case of the man that was gunned down in NOWAS. Sometimes innocent people on the streets are arrested and taken to police stations. Every Nigerian knows that ‘I no follow’ plea at any police station attracts a fee of between N3000 and N5000, depending on the level of kindness of the IPO and his cohorts. People are also puzzled because the police cars are always in the check points collecting money N50 without argument or more when you are asked to park your vehicle from commercial drivers and begging private vehicles for money, on daily basis. Then whenever anything sinister is about to happen, they would conveniently not be available until after the crime.

As nothing is impossible in Nigeria, perhaps the police use black magic to know when there is danger and disappear before the danger comes to them? We would like the Inspector General of Police, MD Abubakar who declared Enugu as the safest state to look into this matter and come out with reassuring results that the general public would be proud of. *Nwakor, an environmental consultant, lives in Enugu

48

Growing Up

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

GROWING UP Kids celebrate Nigerian Aunty Ayo cultural heritage with

Hello children, How did you enjoy your weekend? I hope it was not all play and no work! Please, you should take your studies seriously. Your parents would be happy if you perform well in your examinations. I wish you a wonderful week.

Sharks

• There are different types of sharks including the great white shark, hammerhead shark, bull shark, tiger shark and mako.

• Sharks do not have a single bone in their bodies. Instead they have a skeleton made up of cartilage; the same type of tough, flexible tissue that makes up human ears and noses.

• Some sharks remain on the move for their entire lives. This forces water over their gills hence delivering oxygen to the blood stream.

• If the shark stops moving then it will suffocate and die.

• Sharks have outstanding hearing.

They can hear a fish thrashing in the water from as far as 500 meters away.

• If a shark is put into a large swimming pool, it would be able to smell a single drop of blood in the water.

• Although most species of shark are less than one meter long, there are some species such as the whale shark,

which can be 14 meters long.

• A pup, baby shark is born ready to take care of itself. The mother shark leaves the pup to fend for itself and the pup usually makes a fast get away before the mother tries to eat it.

• Not all species of shark give birth to live pups. Some species lay the egg case on the ocean floor and the pup hatches later on its own.

• Great whites are the deadliest shark in the ocean. These powerful predators can race through the water at 30 km per hour.

• Unlike other species of shark, the great white is warm-blooded. Although it does not keep a constant body temperature, it needs to eat a lot of meat in order to be able to regulate its temperature.

• A shark always has a row of smaller teeth developing behind its front teeth. Eventually, the smaller teeth move forward, like a conveyor belt, and the front teeth fall out.

I

t was a day filled with lots of rich cultural displays and heritage, when the pupils of Brightlight School in Langbasa, Ajah, Lagos celebrated their cultural day. The proprietress of the school Mrs C.B. Weke in her opening speech encouraged the students to embrace the Nigerian culture rather than emulating other cultures.

The children were seen dressed in several native attires. Attractions that were on display on that day include cultural dances, cooking of native foods, cultural fashion show, among others.

Cultural dance display of Bright Light students

A student of the school dressed as a traditional Yoruba king

QUOTE

Children must be taught how to think, not what to think. –Margaret Mead Children, you can send your contributions and pictures through this email address Adanneamos@gmail.com or call telephone number: 08023012293

Alo story telling

Some of the students dressed as traditional Igbo bride and groom

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

DID YOU KNOW? Earth is referred to as the blue planet Earth is referred to as the blue planet. That is because from space, the oceans combined with our atmosphere to make our planet look blue.

Also, the name earth means ground or soil. More than 80 per cent of the earth’s surface is volcanic.

Growing Up

Sunday, March 2, 2014

JOKE Burnt ears

A man walks into the doctor’s office with his two ears burnt. The doctor surprised asked him, “So how did you burn your ears?” The man replied, “I was ironing my clothes when the phone rang. So, I accidentally picked up the iron and put it on my ear.” Then the doctor asked again, “Alright, how did you burn the second one?” The man answered, “The phone rang again and I accidentally picked up the iron and put it on my ear again.”

My mum is a great cook

A seven-year-old boy was about to eat his lunch when their church pastor walked in. Then the following conversation followed.

Pastor: “Don’t you pray before you eat your meals?”

Little boy: “There is no need for that, my mum is a great cook.”

BRAIN TEASERS

TONGUE TWISTER

There were two fathers and two sons on a boat fishing. They each caught a fish, but only three fish where caught. How can this be so?

Answer: There was a grandfather, his son and his son’s son in the boat.

To whom do all men take off their hats?

Answer: The barber.

RIDDLES I am around long before dawn.

But by lunch I am usually gone.

You can see me in summer, fall, and spring.

I like to get on everything.

But when winter winds start to blow; Burr, then it’s time for me to go!

What am I? Answer: The dew.

Robert Rolly rolled a round.

If Robert Rolly rolled a round roll round.

Where is the round roll, Robert Rolly rolled around?

WHO INVENTED WHAT?

Elias Howe discovered the first American-patented sewing machine

E

lias Howe was born in Spencer, Massachusetts, United States of America on July 9, 1819. After he lost his factory job in the Panic of 1837, Howe moved from Spencer to Boston, where he found work in a machinist’s shop. It was there that Elias Howe began tinkering with the idea of inventing a mechanical sewing machine.

Howe was not the first to conceive of the idea of a sewing machine. However, he originated significant refinements to the design concepts of his predecessors, and on September 10, 1846, he was awarded the first United States patent, U.S. Patent #4,750 for a sewing machine using a lockstitch design. His machine contained the three essential features common to most modern machines which are - a needle with the eye at the point, a shuttle operating beneath the cloth to form the lock stitch, and an automatic feed.

For the next nine years, Howe struggled, first to enlist interest in his machine, then to protect his patent from imitators who refused to pay royalties for using his designs. His lockstitch mechanism was adopted by others who were developing sewing machines of their own.

During this period, Isaac Singer invented the up-and-down motion mechanism, and Allen Wilson developed a rotary hook shuttle. Howe sued those who had infringed on his patent and won royalties on all machines sold. He was paid $5.00 for each sewing machine sold. He saw his annual income jumped from three hundred to more than two hundred thousand dollars a year. Between 1854 and 1867, Howe earned close to two million dollars from his invention.

He contributed much of the money he earned to providing equipment for the 17th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry of the Union Army during the Civil War, in which he served during the Civil War as a private in Company D and regimental postmaster from August 14, 1862, to July 19, 1865. He died on October 3, 1867

FAIRY PUZZLE Little Jack lost his horn. Follow the path and find it for him.

49

POP

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

50

Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES MARCH 2, 2014

Hope rises for Sickle Cell patients ODINAKA URUAKPA

S

ince creation, the human race has been confronted with problems ranging from wars, famine, crime, natural disasters and a host of life threatening diseases. These include sickle cell disease (SCD) which unfortunately has continued to ravage mankind.

Experts in the health sector over the years have gone to great lengths to carry out one research or the other so as to discover drugs which could be used by sufferers of the ailment, which, according to them, is a hereditary blood disorder characterised by thevpresence of abnormal red blood cells.

A medical practitioner with Reddington Hospitals, Lagos, Dr Sabinus Chukwudi, while speaking with Sunday Mirror explained that the sickle cell ailment which causes blood disorder makes blood cells not only to become rigid but also take a sickle shape or ‘sickling’ which decreases the flexibility of the cells and can lead to complications. The ‘sickling’, he further explained, is owing to mutation in the haemoglobin chain of red blood cells.

According to him, the life expectancy of the sufferers is usually shortened about 40 years and below, but that with recent advances in medical management, people with this condition can live into their 70s or beyond.

SCD, he said, occured commonly in people who live in the tropic and subtropical sub-Saharan regions where malaria is common.

He said: “Sickle cell anaemia is a form of SCD which the haemoglobin genes are

Sickle cell patient

Dr. Chukwudi

A doctor attending to a sickle cell patient

both abnormal i.e. sickled and referred to as HbSS. There is a condition known as hetero-

Osotimehin lauds Nigeria’s coverage of routine immunisation Executive Director, UN Population Fund (UNFPA), Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin, at the weekend said that 80 per cent of coverage in routine immunisation

by Nigeria was highly commendable in eradicating polio.

Osotimehin said this when he paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Ado Muhammed, in Abuja.

He said the initiative had brought down child mortality rate in the country adding that the success stories needed to be reported, especially to the international

community.

“When I met with the executive director before I came here, he actually informed me that you now have routine immunisation running at more than 80 per cent.

“That is really excellent, because that is what will drive down child mortality.

“He also informed me that polio is also within reach of total extinction.

“I think these are stories that should be told, because when you go out people still talk of Nigeria being the purview of polio to the rest of the world, but actually that is not true.’’

He also commended gov-

ernment’s human resource for health initiative, which introduced the Midwife Service Scheme (MSS).

He said the MMS, which started in his tenure as a minister of health, had expanded.

He said it had also provided a means of reaching out to other health workers to carry out basic health needs in the hospitals.

Osotimehin said the ability to provide universal healthcare for all Nigerians was what would strengthen the health system. ``I am also happy that we are not looking at midwives alone, but we are looking at other health workers.

zygosity where there is only one sickled gene referred to as HbAS. There are other types of SCD namely HbSC and HbCC

“The signs and symptoms of SCD arise as a result of its complications, which are expressed as sickle cell crisis.

The period of crisis for a sufferer lasts between five and seven days. Ailments that trigger the various crises include infections, dehydration, acidosis and a host of others.”

The crises, he added, are namely the Vaso-occlusive, caused by the ailment which obstructs tiny vessels (capillaries) thus restricting blood supply to the organs, eliciting pain, ischaemia, necrosis and organ damage. It is the commonest form of crisis.

Aplastic crisis is when there is worsening of the anaemic state where production of RBC (erythropoiesis) is suppressed owing to parvovirus infection CONTINUED ON PAGE 51

HEALTH NEWS

Regular water intake essential for health, say experts Some health experts at the weekend stressed the need for people to increase their consumption of water, for a healthier physical and mental well-being.

The experts, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, said that water provides very essential hydration for body metabolism.

Dr Sola Coker, a haematologist, said that water performed key functions in the body make up, especially as it helped the body to transmit blood.

“It is estimated that a person can live for about a month without food, but only about a week without water. ``The blood, an important

body fluid, is made up of mostly water, about 70 per cent of water, the majority of our blood and every cell in the body is composed of water. ``Blood cells are suspended in blood plasma and this plasma which constitutes about 55 per cent of blood fluid, is mostly water, about 92 per cent by volume.

“Therefore, water is needed to function properly,’’ Coker said.

He said that blood delivers necessary substances such as nutrients and oxygen to the cells, as well as transports metabolic waste products away from the body.

According to him, water plays important functions

in regulating temperature, lubricating joints, transporting nutrients and waste throughout the body.

A physician, Dr Obi Anyanwu, said that water is needed for digestion and absorption of food and all nutrients.

“We can’t overemphasise the importance of water in the body.

“We need to take more water, clean water, especially in this our tropical environment. ``Water keeps you hydrated, aids the digestion process, prevents constipation, is essential for proper circulation and is the primary mode of transportation for all nutrients in the body.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wellness

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Know your organs

T

The human Eye

he eyes are undoubtedly the most sensitive and delicate organs we possess, and perhaps the most amazing. They present us with the window through which we view the world and are responsible for four fifths of all the information our brain receives.; this is probably why we rely on our eyesight more than any other sense.

An eye is a round-shaped organ that works with the brain to provide us with vision. The shape of the eye is maintained by the pressure of the aqueous humor. The aqueous humor is the fluid that fills the front chamber of the eye.

found in the retina: (i) Rods (ii) Cones that absorb long-wavelength light (reds) (iii) Cones that absorb middle-wavelength light (green) (iv) Cones that absorb short-wavelength light (blue) Pupil: The pupil is the hole in the centre of the eye where light passes through.

Its function The main function of the eye is to work with the brain to provide us with vision. The eye and the brain translate light into a sensation we call vision.

Cornea: The cornea is a transparent dome which serves as the outer window of the eye. The cornea is the most powerful structure focusing light entering the eye.

Eye parts: The eye has many parts. Some of the main parts are listed and described below.

Retina: The retina is the innermost layer of the eye. It is composed of nerve tissue which senses the light entering the eye. The retina sends impulses through the optic nerve back to the brain, which translates impulses into images that we see.

There are four types of light-sensitive receptors

Lens: The transparent crystalline lens of the eye is located immediately behind the iris.

Iris: The iris is the coloured part of the eye. It is a thin diaphragm composed mostly of connective tissue and smooth muscle fibers. The iris lies between the cornea and the crystalline lens.

Optic nerve: The optic nerve is a continuation of the axons of the ganglion cells in the retina. It acts like a cable connecting the eye with the brain. The optic nerve is also called the cranial nerve II. Sclera: The sclera is the white, opaque portion of the eye.

It provides protection and serves as an attachment for the extraocular muscles which move the eye.

Zamfara First Lady launches breast cancer kits IDRIS SALISU GUSAU

W

orried by the outrageous figure of women suffering from cancer worldwide, the wife of Zamfara State Governor, Hajiya Asma’u Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar, has launched a cancer centre and the distribution of breast cancer kits to women for self examination free of charge under her newly established pet project, Hannun Taimako Foundation.

The centre located at the Government Reservation Area (GRA) Gusau, has branches at all the 14 General Hospitals in the local government areas of the state where medical services and treatment for cancer victims would be provided.

A United Nations Agency, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has disclosed that cancer is now the world’s biggest killer disease with a number of cases set to explode in coming years.

A report recently by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) said that cancer deaths are expected to rise from 8.2 million to 13 million per

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year with the growth in world population, and as more people adopt risky lifestyle habits. This is also in addition to a report compiled by more than 250 scientists from over 40 countries.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) which oversees t IARC said the overall impact from cancer wiould unquestionably hit developing countries the hardest.

According to report, more than 60 per cent of world’s cancer cases and 70 per cent of deaths recorded in 2012 occurred in Africa, Asia and South America.

The maiden event which took place at the JB Yakubu State Secretariat complex, in Gusau, the state capital, was also designed to educate and sensitise women on the risks associated with breast cancer diseases, and moves to be taken towards preventing the disease.

All the wives of the 14 local government chairmen were at the official launch of the self-examination breast cancer test kits and each have collected her allocation for distribution to women at their respective localities.

Hajiya Asma’u explained that the kits can be used by any woman that wants to

Zamfara Gov’s wife and wives of local government chairmen displaying self-examination breast cancer kits.

ascertain her breast health condition, adding that, they could be used for a long term period.

“This event of distribution of breast cancer test kits is not only relevant but timely considering research reports the world over, especially where Africa is most hit. We understand that when women are educated in this area, prevention and control will be easy to the point that our women will not know their status but also seek health information that reduce risks of infection,” said Asma’u.

According to her, the foundation had recently excelled in its three thematic areas of intervention: women in health, women in agriculture, and women in education.

The governor’s wife disclosed that research had shown that one third of cancer cases are preventable with early diagnosis and treatment.

Speaking on the occasion also Chief Consultant of the hospital, Dr. Musa Kurfi, said the foundation’s main activities and the first lady as the founder of the NGO was initiated to champion for girl-child education, to promote maternal health and reduce infant mortality, mother to the orphans as well as empowering the women.

He also maintained that under health and security issues, the First Lady had under her pet project rendered health care delivery services.

According to him, they have gone round all the 17 Emirates Councils of the state where they met with emirs and talked on insecurity issues and how people should work together to progress themselves.

The consultant further explained that under Foundation activities and under Women and Health program like education, the First Lady assisted hundreds of women studying at School of Nursing and Midwifery Gusau, Health and Technology School ,Tsafe and other related health Institutions outside Zamfara

‘There’s hope for Sickle Cell patients’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 50 which invades and destroys the precursor of red cells. This occurs for about 2-3 days and leads to severe life threatening conditions.

Sequestration crisis occurs in the spleen because of its narrow vessels and function in clearing defective RBC. It can become infracted with a resultant damage to the spleen in a condition referred to as Autosplenectomy, an acute stage where there could be trapping of blood resulting in its painful enlargement. This eventually leads to anaemia, hypovolemic shock and death if not treated.

Haemolytic crises are acute conditions where the haemoglobin levels drop as a result of haemolysis or breakdown of RBC. Some of the complications that occur as a result of the disease include overwhelming post (auto) splenectomy infection, OPSI, caused by organisms such as streptococcus pneumonia and haemophilus influenza. This should be treated with daily penicillin therapy or vaccination against streptococcus pneumonia and haemophilus influenza.

Stroke is another factor that results from progressive narrowing of the blood vessels due to prevention of oxygen supply to the brain. Cerebral infraction occurs in children while cerebral haemorrhage occurs in adults.

Cholelithiasis(gall stones) and cholecystitis are due to excessive bilirubin production following prolonged RBC destruction, avascular necrosis of the hip and other major joints owing to ischaemia, decreased immune reaction as aresult of malfunction of the spleen (hyposplenism).

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Sunday March 2, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Centenary: Civil servants, others recount ordeals MARCUS FATUNMOLE, ABUJA

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housands of civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory on Thursday rather lamented than celebrating Nigeria’s 100 years of existence.

Major activities lined up for the country’s centenary celebration, organized by the Federal Government, took place on this day in the city; and they unleashed untold pains on mainly workers.

Part of the programmes for the event was a Centenary Lecture titled “Human Security, Peace and Development: Agenda for 21st Century Africa” which had leaders from different parts of the world in attendance; including prominent Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora.

The event led to partial or total closure of major highways around the Conference Centre, located opposite Radio House, where the lecture took place; with resultant heavy gridlocks characterizing vehicular movements in adjoining roads to the Centre.

The worst came in the evening at the National Stadium Road when workers returning home were caught in the web of gun-wielding security personnel who forced them to trek long distance, covering over 10 kilometres.

Vehicles that could have picked them at bus-stops were initially disallowed from plying the road. When eventually the road was opened to motorists, the drivers dared not stop to pick passengers in the faces of guns.

Left with no option, the workers had to trek past the Stadium which is not less than 10 kilometres from Bolingo Junction, the major bus stop along the road.

Some of the roads which encountered heavy vehicular gridlocks for hours, having been flooded with vehicles diverted from the Airport Roads were Berger-Area One road; BergerWuse road, NICON InsuranceOld Parade road among others.

“It was my worst experience in life,” said Mrs Babatunde Olaseeni while recounting her experience to Sunday Mirror.

She added: “I left office with the hope of going to Bolingo Junction where I always board cars to Airport Road; what I experienced was too dehumanizing.

The soldiers, police and other road traffic officials did not allow any car to come towards us.

They were all diverted to other roads where I couldn’t say how they were able to get to their destinations.

“I thought it was like a joke, I began to trek with so many other workers returning from work like myself till we were made to walk past the Stadium. Imagine that will not be less than ten kilometres. Even, when the road was eventually opened, no car was allowed by the military to stop,” she added.

Another civil servant, Akeem Abdulrahman told our reporter: “It was just too callous that Nigerians could be treated this way. I queued for almost two hours to get fuel at petrol station. I left the fuel station by 5:48pm, having been there some minutes past four.

“For me to drive past the Stadium, I was forced to make a uturn through other road which took me over four hours to get to my home at Lugbe. Nonsense!

What is the essence of celebration that is of no significance to the larger populace?”, he queried.

Meanwhile, President Jonathan had justified the need for

the celebration in his earlier nationwide broadcast.

He said: “I consider myself specially privileged to lead our country into its second century of existence. And as I speak with you today, I feel the full weight of our hundred-year history. But what I feel most is not frustration, it is not disillusionment. What I feel is great pride and great hope for a country that is bound to overcome the transient pains of the moment and eventually take its rightful place among the greatest nations on earth.

ABUJA

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he Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Football Association at the weekend inaugurated a 7-man Board of Abuja Municipal Football Council (AMFC) to oversee the affairs of football in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

Speaking at the inauguration of the Board at the Old Parade Ground, Area 10 in Abuja, the FCT Football Association Chairman, Alhaji Musa Talle, said the Board for Gwagwalada and Kuje were inaugurated last

year, stating that they have being doing a great job.

He charged the newly elected board to ensure that competition is being organized especially at the grassroots level to discovered talented players.

Talle said: “Age group competitions should be taking seriously especially for U-13, U-15 and U-17 stating that other Area councils had started grassroots progammes for talents to be harnessed. You have a lot of work to do; we have so many talents out there looking for the opportunity to exhibit their talents.

“Gwagwalada has being a

ward for our nation,” the President added.

Although the activities marking the end of the four-day national event will be concluded today with Thanksgiving Services in churches nationwide, not many civil servants and other residents in the Federal Capital Territory would like to see more of such celebrations, especially given the harrowing traffic and other socioeconomic hardships they went through last Thursday.

L-R: Coordinator in Oyo State, National Youth Service Corps, Mr. Moses Alao; Director General, Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi and State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Alhaji Umar Alao, during an inspection tour of the new permanent orientation camp in Iseyin on Friday.

Tourism Minister inaugurates NCAC Governing Board JOEL AJAYI, ABUJA

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n furtherance of effort of the present administration’s drive towards deploying its capabilities, especially in the creation of jobs and economic

Football Association inaugurates council board JOEL AJAYI,

“Like every country of the world, we have had our troubles.

And we still do. We have fought a civil war. We have seen civil authorities overthrown by the military. We have suffered sectarian violence. And as I speak, a part of our country is still suffering from the brutal assault of terrorists and insurgents.

“While the occasion of our centenary undoubtedly calls for celebration, it is also a moment to pause and reflect on our journey of the past one hundred years, to take stock of our past and consider the best way for-

good example for others to follow, since their inauguration they had always been in the forefront to organized tournament for their council and we want to encourage you to follow their steps. We charge you on grassroots development, we want the board to come together and make resolution that will help the council”, he said The Chairman of the Board, Mrs. Godiya Jezhi, said members would do everything within their capabilities to ensure that talented players were selected from the grassroots.

empowerment as key components of the Vision 20:2020, the Federal Government has created additional directorates in the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.

Giving the hint at the inauguration of newly Governing Board of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in Abuja, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, said that the creation of additional two directorates would promote efficiency in the culture/tourism industry.

He explained: “The Federal Government has created two more directorates in the cultures department to make it three directorates to cater for domestic and international tourism development. It needs be made clear, however, that the Board does not constitute the management of the parastatals.

“As you all aware, this government places high premium on due process, transparency, accountability and rule of law.

I therefore expected you to familiarize yourselves with the necessary statues governing the

operations of governing “You shall therefore not involve yourselves in the dayto-day running of the agency.

Issues that cannot be resolved between the board and management should be referred to the ministry for resolution. Government will not accept situations where board versus management face-off distracts the parastatals from carrying out its mandate”, Duke warned.

The Minister charged the Board in which Prof. Nelson Branbayefa is serving as Chairman to provide appropriate framework and atmosphere for the agency to pursue its mandates in accordance with its establishing Act and by so doing, support the transformation agenda of the government guided by extant policies and procedures.

In his remarks, Prof Branbayefa promised that the Board would do its best by ensuring that members work together to refocus NCAC to the right direction, adding that “there won’t be friction, the rules are there already”.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Civil Service

Sunday March 2, 2014

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Aviation workers set agenda for in-coming Minister TOLA AKINMUTIMI, ABUJA

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or hundreds of middle and lower cadres of civil servants in the Ministry of Aviation, the issue of improved staff welfare for them should be one of the priorities of their in-coming Minister if he expects optimal performance from them when he assumes office.

Some of the workers spoken with at the weekend on condition of anonymity said they were not particularly concerned about who is coming but how his or her tenure will improve their social and economic well-being.

Most of the civil servants had described the regime of the immediate past Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, as not spectacular on matters of staff welfare.

Reflecting on the challenges of the ministry and what needed to be done to address them, a middle level officer, who simply identified self as Grace, pointed out that “one of the problems that was experienced during the last tenure was that junior and most of the senior employees were not properly orientated on the various policies and activities of the Aviation Roadmap agenda as most workers read more about it on the pages of newspapers.

“It was like the agenda was more politically driven that administratively run. To that extent, you find many workers not even in the know about what was happening. If you ask some officers about the goals of the Roadmap, I doubt if many will be able to say except the Directors and their immediate subordinates.

“So I think the new Minister should try to engage workers on planned policies and programmes in order to enable us give our best.

We cannot give what we don’t have and therefore if we know, we can give our best. Secondly, prompt payment of salaries and training will go a long way to enable the workers do their best”, she said.

Another member of staff, Akin, told Sunday Mirror that the incoming Minister will do well if the person looks into staff welfare and take personal interest in their career challenges.

According to him, so many workers are not only due for promotion or upgrade but could not get to other levels of the civil service cadre because they could not pass their promotion exams, adding that if this category of employees are trained and re-orientated, they will become better and be motivated to support government policies.

“I can tell you that the issue of training is very important to any effort to make give our best. Some of us have not been promoted for over five years and they are

NSCDC canvasses more civil protection

T

he Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps yesterday called for accelerated development of structures for civil protection and emergency services in the country.

The Sokoto State Commandant of the corps, Alhaji Yushau Aliyu, made the call at a news conference to mark the 2014 World Defence Day in Sokoto.

The theme of the celebration is ``Civil Defence and Culture of Prevention for a Safer Society’’. ``We must create a culture of civil defence, based on prevention rather than response,’’ he said.

Aliyu said the prevention programme played a crucial role in saving people’s lives and that it helped in preventing material losses by improving the capacity of national structures of civil protection. ``However, while prevention is a vital factor, it is also a complex task that requires adaptation to each new situation. ``Many emergency response

simulation services should be inspired from the various types of risks that exist to specialise in response capacity and proper handling of emergency interventions.’’

Aliyu advised that prevention programmes should focus on areas such as risk assessment through the adoption and development of national as well as regional mechanisms and tools. ``The implementation of these programmes involve close cooperation with national higher authorities and monitoring from the private sector as well as public sector utilities.’’

Aliyu said the consequences of global warming, resulting from intensive industrial and technological development were threatening civil defence and emergency services nowadays. ``To fight this new crisis and to ensure the safeguard of the population and the environment, we need to disseminate and implement prevention measures.’’ (NAN)

still working. The fact that they failed promotion examinations did not really mean they are not good on the job.

“So, I feel one of the key areas the minister, whenever one is appointed, should look to is staff welfare. Junior workers and their senior counterparts should be encouraged through trainings and other means by which they can improve their knowledge and pass the examinations.

Unfortunately, no minister in the past set this as something deserving urgent attention.

“Again, there is the need to ensure that the minister engages

the workers from time to time on policy thrusts and goals. If this is done once in a quarter and every worker is involved, the idea of collectively moving the ministry forward will sink into everybody’s mind and they will do their best”, Akin added.

A junior staff, Mohammed said that junior workers are not being considered in travels and other external official engagements from which they could benefit and that workshops that will enhance the technical and administrative capacities of those at the lowest cadres should be encouraged.

“For people like us, we will like to ask the minister to help us so that we can develop. Some of us are still planning to improve our knowledge and since some of us don’t have the means of going back to school, workshops and seminars will help us to understand what government is doing.

“If some of the programmes are put in place like Nasarawa State for two days, we will learn and still get some allowance as some of the big Directors are enjoying. We also need to be taken care of to give our best”, Muhammed said.

L-R: Corps Marshal Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr. Osita Chidoka; Ghana Vice-President, Chief Kwesi Arthur, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Amb Godknows Igali, during the 5th Annual Lecture Series in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Minister assures on Idu-Kaduna rail line project GEORGE OJI, ABUJA

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he Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, has assured Nigerians that the construction of the 186km modern standard guage rail line from Idu (Abuja) – Kaduna railway transportation would be completed.

He disclosed the project had reached 72 per cent completion level and expressed satisfaction in the quality of work executed so far in the areas of track laying, construction of culverts, railway bridges, overpass bridges, concrete sleepers, site clearing, design and survey, among others.

A statement by his Special Assistant (Media), Mr. Innocent Ebirim, confirmed that the minister’s observations followed the outcome of the trip led by Umar with the management team of

the transport ministry after an inspector tour of the project at the weekend.

It said the Minister described the achievement recorded so far in the corridor as a boost to the current administration’s Transformation Agenda in terms of infrastructural component of the Agenda to revolutionize the transport sector of the economy.

Ebirim also quoted the Minister as directing the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) to remodel the Idu (Abuja) station of the rail line to meet up with the modern and international standards in railway project execution.

Umar gave the assurance that the two major challenges confronting the work in the corridor namely the water pipeline and the right of way are being resolved with the Federal Capital Territory Administration to

allow for a seamless flow of the rail lines and urged the local community residing along the rail lines to cooperate with government projects for the overall benefits of all in the society.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Engr. Nebolisa Emodi, said that the ministry maintained effective supervision of the work and assured that it would not fail to call the contractor to order for any perceived lapse in the project.

The representative of the Managing Director of CCECC Mr. Lv Feng, promised that the company would complete the work by the end of the year which is the expected date of completion because the major aspects of the project had been done leaving the minor ones to be completed in the course of the year.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Sunday March 2, 2014

NSE records marginal growth, as indices rises by 0.06% T

ransactions on the Nigerian Stock Exchange recorded marginal growth on Thursday with the market indices appreciating by 0.06 per cent.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the All-Share Index appreciated by 23.06 points to close at 38,885.93 against the 38,862.87 posted on Wednesday.

Similarly, the market

capitalisation, which opened at N12.483 trillion, grew by N7 billion to close at N12.490 trillion. Guinness led the gainers’ table, gaining N8.58 to close at N180.36 per share.

Presco came second on the gainers’ table with N2.10 to close at N44.10, while Dangote Cement inched by N2 to close at N237 per share.

Unilever gained N1.68

to close at N45 while UBN rose by 34k to close at N9.20 per share.

On the other hand, Flour Mills topped the losers’ chart, dropping N4.12 to close at N78.38 per share.

Oando dipped by 82k to close at N19.18, while Ashaka Cement lost 74k to close at N17.90 per share.

GT Bank dropped 45k to close at N24.30, while Zenith Bank depreciated 39k

to close at N20.60 per share.

NAN reports that the volume of shares traded dropped by 45.11 per cent as investors exchanged 197.101 million shares valued at N2.10 billion in 4,228 deals.

This was against the 359.064 million shares worth N3.46 billion traded in 5,815 deals on Wednesday.

The Financial Services

sector remained the most active as Zenith Bank was investors‘delight with a total of 22.51 million shares valued at N463.15 million exchanged in 379 deals.

UBA trailed with 20.58 million shares worth N156.36 million traded in 207 deals while Access Bank accounted for 18.39 million shares valued at N142.47 million in 198 deals.

Lagos NURTW organises safety seminar for drivers AYO ESAN The Lagos State Chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in collaboration with Ballykleff, is organising a life-changing mobile seminar tagged, “A mission to promote sanity on our roads.”

The statewide seminar has kicked off at Oshodi Motor park.

The Seminar which was approved by the Lagos State Chairman of the union, Alhaji Tajudeen Agbede, will take place throughout the branches of the union in Lagos State.

Speaking at the Oshodi seminar, the Oshodi Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC boss, Mr. S.O. Ogundayo stressed the importance of the seminar saying the FRSC and drivers must always partner to reduce road accidents.

He advised the drivers to always obey traffic laws and regulations, as well as ensuring that the lives of the passengers should be paramount in their minds while driving.

In his own speech the chairman of Oshodi branch of the NURTW who is also the state treasurer of the Union, Alhaji Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya reminded the drivers and participants to shun alcoholic drinks, excess speeding.

L-R: Marketing Director SuperSport, Ms. Nomsa Mazibuko; General Manager, Strategy, West Africa, Mr. Felix Awogu and Marketing Manager, DStv, MultiChoice Nigeria. Chioma Afe, during the SuperSport Editors Networking Session in Lagos on Friday.

Glo celebrates King Sunny Ade in Lagos

Nigerian telecoms giant, Globacom, on Friday night at the Intercontinental Hotel, Lagos, celebrated legendary Juju musician and guitarist, King Sunny Ade (KSA), with a wonderful musical show.

It was at the second edition of the Glo Evergreen Series.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event kicked-off 9 p.m. and ended in the early hours of Saturday.

It featured performances from KSA, D’banj, Yemi Sax and comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka as the Master of Ceremony.

KSA was dressed in light green matching attire with shiny silver embroideries to match.

With his 19-piece band including 10 female danc-

ers, KSA performed some of his most popular tunes to the delight of the highly select audience.

He also performed a duet with D’banj while Yemi Sax thrilled the crowd with his saxophone of some of the best Nigerian tunes.

NAN reports that the event was strictly by invitation with no tickets sold.

The Managing Director of Globacom, Chief Mike Adenuga Jnr. paid tribute to Sunny Ade. He said that the company felt ``a deep sense of fulfillment and elation to celebrate one of the most colourful entertainers and guitar masters’ the African continent has ever produced.’’

Adenuga’s address was read at the occasion by Mr Kamal Shonibare the Head of Corporate and Post-Paid

Unit at Glo. “King Sunny Ade belongs to that rare gem of musical icons that over the years have not only churned out evergreen songs, but have also devoted their time to use music to teach generations about the virtues and values of life.

“He is indeed an evergreen King,’’ he said.

Adenuga disclosed that Glo intended to hold the series quarterly in different parts of the country with each edition featuring an ‘outstanding music legend’.

He said that as a ``true African brand, Globacom would continue to fulfill its promise of providing affordable telecom services to Nigerians and contributing its quota to the development of indigenous

music.’’

In a pre-recorded speech beamed to the audience, KSA said that he went into music because it was his passion, adding that he wasn’t interested in nothing much else.

The legend said that he shortened his name to King Sunny Ade when he noticed the difficulty people, especially foreigners, had in pronouncing his full names -Sunday Ishola Adeniyi Adegeye.

He said that he followed the example of the leading stars of the time like IK Dairo to shorten his name.

KSA revealed that his second reason for shortening his name was to disguise it from his family who had sent him to school in Lagos and did not know that he had diverted to music.

Expert tasks FG to address

unemployment A tourism practitioner, Mr Moses Anieke at the weekend urged the Federal Government to use the nation’s potential in tourism to address the current unemployment in the country.

Anieke said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He said that tourism could be used to provide jobs for men, women and youths, adding that the sector was an increasingly vital part of the nation’s economy. ``Over the years, the sector has developed and provided jobs to the unemployed youths in the country,’’ he said.

Anieke said that Nigeria could generate a lot through arts, crafts, museums and film industries, thereby contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

He added that if well developed, tourists could be attracted to the country’s diversity, scenery and the festivals offered by the various regions.

He said that tourist sites such as Obudu Cattle Ranch, Osogbo Groove, Olumo rock, Agbokim Water Falls in Calabar, beaches and coastal features could attract foreign visitors, which in turn could boost the economy. ``Tourism industry makes room for foreign earnings; it does this by attracting foreigners to Nigeria.

“Not only are foreign tourists coming to the country, Nigerians have started taking vacations to visit the sites because of the awareness created by the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).

“Tourism broadens one’s experience and knowledge of his culture and that of others through visits to tourist sites

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Business

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Sanusi would have wrecked Nigerian economy if… –Aduwo Comrade Olufemi Aduwo is the Coordinator, Rights Monitoring Group, RMT. The group has over the years been monitoring elections not just in the country, but even in the United States of America and United Kingdom. In this interview with Olusegun Koiki, Aduwo speaks on the removal of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, among others. Excerpts: What is your view on the forthcoming National Conference as organised by the Federal Government?

Personally, I will say it is a good development. There is nothing wrong in dialoguing especially in democracy, but my fear is that some of the delegates going for the conference may not see themselves as a federalist. I want to urge them to see themselves as federalists and not as a regional leaders or militants who want to get things they want 100 per cent. I don’t think it should be that way. If you are looking for a 100 per cent and you are able to get 20 or 30 percent, I think such a person should move forward because even in the most democratic country, we still have some internal crises.

Some issues are very germane to the continuous survival of this country. For instance, the issue of religion has been recurring in our society even before the amalgamation of in 1914. Also, the issue of resource control is a major concern in this country. My own advice is that people should go in there as a federalist and propose things that can move the nation forward.

At present, some civil societies are condemning their noninvolvement in the conference, as one of the civil society coordinators, what is your say about this?

Let me tell you something, we have hundreds of civil societies in this country and out of these numbers, how many of them can be selected as delegates? Mr. President asked the stakeholders in the civil society groups to submit names. Let me tell you this, it is very easy for the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, or the Guild of Editors to forward their names to the presidency, but the reverse is the case with the civil societies in this country.

What I discovered is that when the presidency asked us to submit names, more than 300 Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs applied and about 550 people were selected from the NGOs and from this number, you are only going to select 24 delegates.

Before you can come to the national conference as a civil society, your expertise and relevance must be considered and I think these are parts of the issues the presidency will consider before nominating anyone to attend the conference on its behalf.

What is your say about Mr. President appointing most of the delegates; will this conference still be people oriented as agitated for by the public?

I don’t think that statement is totally correct. Each governor is appointing three delegates each, which is over a hundred and the presidency is appointing about 71 delegates out of over 400 members. So, it is neither here nor there. If you look at it critically, other professional bodies like the NUJ, Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC and National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, among others are the ones going to elect their own representatives. If Mr. President appoints even all the delegates and they are credible Nigerians, so be it. We will still get there, but if Nigerians themselves select criminals, we will still get the same answer we deserve.

What is your comment on the suspension of the Central

Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi barely a week after the allegation of missing $20bn from the coffers of the National Nigerian Petroleum Corporation, NNPC? At the beginning, Sanusi told the whole world that $49bn was missing from the NNPC account, but when they met at the Senate, he reversed it to $10.8bn and suddenly, the whole money became $20bn. The question people should ask him is that at what point did he get to know about the missing money? Was it yesterday, last week or even last year? Why is he raising the alarm now? Why these variations?

As a chief monetary officer of the federation, Mallam Sanusi has showed to the whole world that he’s not a part of this government and over the years, he has always presented himself as a Mr. Saint. There are many issues that a lot of us may not understand about the system. Here we are in this country where Sanusi will tell us every week that the CBN is mopping so much naira from the economy and the question is where are these monies coming from?

Who release them to the public? For how lon have you seen new currencies in circulation in this country?

The easiest way for anybody to become acceptable to the people overnight is to call the government unprintable names. How can the CBN governor spend N150bn of the people’s money for charity? And the major sum of the money is for a section of the country. Right from the outset, Sanusi knew he won’t be reappointed as a CBN governor.

What we should ask Sanusi is that with all his reforms, what is the state of the banking industry in the country?

You are not in a government and still rock the boat.

Personally, I don’t see Sanusi as a seasoned banker.

There are people in this country who know how he came from the UBA, a manager in the First Bank and how he rose in the system before he became the governor of CBN. I will say Sanusi performed woefully as a CBN governor.

Don’t you think his suspension will affect the credibility of the government and its fight against corruption especially

when the constitution said he can only be removed by the 2/3 majority of the House?

There is no portion of the Nigerian constitution that says the CBN governor can only be removed by the 2/3 majority of the House. He’s only quoting the kind of law that the CBN stipulates, but the country’s constitution is supreme. If Sanusi was allowed for an additional one month in the system, he would wreck the Nigerian economy. His removal is very justifiable. He has less than two months to go.

In 2015, Nigeria INEC will conduct elections into various positions in the country, with the Anambra election debacle; do you have confidence in the ability of the electoral body to conduct acceptable elections?

I want to use this opportunity to tell the whole world that in 2010, I served as a board member on Anambra State election; that was the first time election in this country was not conducted by INEC. Section 160 of the constitution empowers Mr. president and INEC chairman to approve a board to conduct election on behalf of INEC and the former INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu put in place electoral board in that year in which I was made a member.

Then, some certain politicians accused me of working for a particular political party and candidate. In Nigeria today, if a politician losses an election, he will be looking for excuses everywhere why he was rigged out. None of them has ever come out like America or United Kingdom to hug the winners. They blame everyone for their loss. Democracy all over the world has its own challenge. Even in the UK, several electorate are disenfranchised from voting for numerous reasons and the heaven has not fall down.

I want to say it here that if the players play according to the rules, most of the challenges we face in this country on election days would not be there, but in this part of the world, where people are perfecting ways to woo the electorate to their side, we are busy planning how to rig elections.

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Sunday, March 2, 2014

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STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU MARCH 2, 2014

Day BPW celebrated candle-lighting ceremony, inducted new members ODINAKA URUAKPA

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xcitement galore! This was the mood that pervaded the serene surroundings of the Yoruba Tennis Club Onikan, Lagos last Sunday when Business and Professional Women Lagos Club held its 2014 candle-lighting ceremony, induction of new members and formal launch of a cooperative society amidst pomp.

Perhaps, the group may not have witnessed such celebration and large turnout for such an event in recent times. That picture expectedly gave the club members who were gorgeously dressed in stylish African attires all the kicks to flaunt themselves as they filed out graciously one after the other. They recounted the achievements and benefits they had derived from being part of the fold.

Speaking on the occasion, president of the BPW club, Lagos and first vice nationalpresident, Mrs. Titilola Adisa, commended the members for their dedication, commitment, trust and confidence they reposed in her which she said must have geared them into re-electing her to lead.

She said, “BPW is a non-profit, non-partisan organisation funded and run by members with special interest in uniting and pursuing friendship among professional and business women. We are not a social club; neither are we a political nor charitable organisation. We aim at developing the professional, leadership and business potentials of women at all levels all over the world, through advocacy, mentoring and empowerment programme.

“Though we are not a political group, as women who work together as a family to see that our gender is duly and positively represented in all spheres of life, we will give full and total support to any one among us that decides to vie for any political post.”

She said though they may be an all women group, the members never failed to car-

L-R: Titilola Adisa, Nnamo Mawadza, Patience Ngene, Keji Goriola

ry their families along, especially their husbands in activities concerning the progress and well being of the group. He maintained that no matter what one may be in life, one cannot succeed in anything he ventures into if he does not have the support of his spouse or family as the case may be.

She called on women outside the fold to avail themselves the opportunity of becoming members of the organization, which she said aimed solely at bettering the lot of women, both young and old. She also urged members to introduce the club to friends, neighbours and family members so they too can enjoy same benefits as the members, especially where it concerns the cooperative which she says has been established for the availability of funds for members and non members alike.

A message from BPW International president, Freda Miriklis, read by the Lagos president, Miriklis, expressed delight at the way the organisation was inspiring businesses, empowering communities and creating opportunities in the work places, marketplaces, communities and indeed the world. She commended this category of women for being pillars of sustainability both socially and economically while integrating females all over the world and bring-

Yetunde Oladehinde receiving an award.

ing to reality the dream which the founder of BPW, Dr. Lena Madesin Philips had conceived when she called the first general assembly 80 years ago in Geneva, Switzerland.

Her vision was having women at all levels, especially at top cadres where it is possible for them to have equal access to resources and opportunities and also be involved in decision-making in their societies.

According to her, the mission is already taking shape and “within a short time, we are building momentum, increasing visibility and influencing change from top, at all levels and in our communities. It is the passion, people, energy and enthusiasm that come together on a day like this where we are joined in spirit and common purpose in one place that gives rise to what can be achieved.

“The warmth and radiance of the candles give us inspiration to see what can be possible when we have equal access to resources and opportunities and are part of decision-making process. Women can become agents of change and drivers of sustainable development. When one woman makes decisions, it changes her. When more women make decisions, it changes policies, plans and priorities.”

Highpoints of the event included light-

FRSC and the 2015 rear seat belt enforcement CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 high tech distractions!). While the FRSC is totally focused on battling to ensure that reduction of crashes to the barest minimum is achieved even in the face of the distractions, it nevertheless must put in place machinery to ensure that in the event of a crash, minimum level of injuries and fatalities are recorded. That is the all-encompassing mandate. The Federal Road Safety Commission Establishment Act 2007, part II, section 10 (4) (ee) mandates members of the Corps to arrest and prosecute persons reasonably suspected of having committed any traffic offence including driving a vehicle not fitted with seat belt or where fitted, not wearing same while the vehicle is in motion.

The National Road Transport Regulation 2012, part XII, 126 (1) stipulates that every vehicle shall have fitted in the Front and REAR SEATS, seat belts and child safety seats which shall be securely worn by the driver and THE OTHER OCCUPANTS of the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion.

Is Nigeria running ahead of others? Are we leaving substance to pursue shadows? I do not think so. The United Kingdom is not enforcing back occupant seat

belt? And how has this affected crash fatalities? A study shows that while driver and front passenger fatalities fell by 21% and 28% respectively, fatalities for non-seat belt wearing rear passengers rose by 16%. Countries all over the world are looking for ways to entrench safety in all facets of community living, and traffic safety happens to be one that every country is giving optimum attention to. Data gathering all over the world attests to this. In the United Kingdom, out of the 1,432 car occupants killed in 2007, 34% had not belted up. An estimated 565 people were not using seatbelt when killed in 2005. 370 would have probably survived if they had been properly restrained.

In Canada, the ‘insignificant’ 7% of people not wearing seatbelts account for almost 40% of fatalities in crashes.

In the US, seatbelts saved almost 13,000 lives in 2009. What is the data in Nigeria? I wish I could state that. But what needs to be stated is the fact that I, personally, have lost quite a number of people who could have lived if they had used their seat belt, and I have heard the testimony of others who believed they were spared because of seatbelt use.

A seatbelt is designed to protect the occupants of a vehicle against any dangerous movement in the event of

ing of white, blue and pink candles; each stick representing different regions of the world and arranged symbolically, presentation of awards of excellence to some executives and ex-officio members, swearing-in of the new executives and a host of other fun-filled and glamorous activities to make the day a memorable one for the women.

Chairperson of the occasion and Deputy General Manager of Life and Retail Union Assurance, Nnamo Mawadza, while felicitating with the group on their trigonometric celebration commended them for their enthusiasm and efforts in empowering the female gender. He said women are really needed at every level and sector of the economy insisting that they be part of the emerging Nigerian market contributing their quota while charting the way forward in the economy and wealth of the nation.

He said, “Poverty is a disturbing issue that exists in the society and for it to be totally eradicated, there is need to involve women both young and old in governance and decision-making so as to get the desired result that everybody expects. Women are also agents of change that are needed to lead this country which happens to be one of the largest in Africa to its rightful position in the comity of nations.”

a crash or sudden stop. A seatbelt reduces the severity or even the possibility of an injury in a crash by preventing the occupants from colliding with interior elements of the vehicle or other passengers. It keeps occupants positioned correctly for maximum safety, and prevents them from being ejected from the vehicle. Seatbelts have been adjudged the most single traffic safety device for preventing death and injuries. On January, 1st, 2003, the Federal Road Safety Corps launched a decisive enforcement on the use of the seat belt nationwide. However, the focus as at then was on front seat occupants. Ten years down the line, the need arises to take another long look at the issue of seat belt usage in the country.

As I said before, our roads are getting better. Anyone who has done a long distance journey by road in the recent past can attest to this. The GSM craze is on the rampage. The built-in vehicle video screen is competing with it. All these, while good, creates a large room for driver distraction and recklessness, resulting mostly to road crashes. Speeding has been identified as the major cause of these crashes. A crash resulting from speed usually throws its occupants off the vehicle, somersaults, apart from its other haywire attributes. A properly restrained occupant of a vehicle stands a better chance of survival than an unrestrained passenger.

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North News

Sunday March 2, 2014

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Niger passes bill on up Sharia law PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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he Niger State House of Assembly has passed into law, a bill seeking the setting up of Sharia Penal Code for the state, following the adoption of the report of House Committee on Judicial Matters.

The new law is expected to come into effect from the 26th of this month.

With the new Sharia Penal Code law in operation, it would be unlawful for any Muslim that professes lslam as his religion to marry more than four wives, just as anyone convicted of rape case would spent 21 years in jail.

The Chairman of the committee, Hon. Isah Kawu, presenting the report on the floor of the house said major stakeholders were invited for their contributions and aside that, a public hearing was held to do a thorough work on the bill.

The Speaker, Barrister Adamu Usman, in his speech

after the passage of the bill, commended the lawmakers for their hardwork, adding that, the bill is in conformity with section 36 of the 1999 constitution as amended and the law would be effective from the 26th of this month.

He also disclosed that the bill is in line with the injunctions of the Holy Quran and

the sayings of Prophet Muhammad, adding that what the legislature did in its passage is to codified the punishment for rape cases.

Usman maintained that the new law also stipulated punishment for those who drugged their victims before raping them.

He explained that hence-

forth no Muslim in the state is allowed to more marry more than four wives.

The speaker then called on parents to always monitor the movement of their children, saying, “ cases of rape should be reported to law enforcement agents in their localities for prompt action.”

Bomb blasts kill 35 in Maiduguri

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The campaign office of a member of the All Progressives Congress, Sen. Ibrahim Gobir, torched by unknown persons in Sokoto, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

hirty five persons lost their lives following a twin car bomb explosions yesterday in Maiduguri, near NgomariBulumkutu, Borno State.

Eyewitnesses told newsmen that the bombs were neatly packaged inside a fire wood truck, believed to had taken-off from the Sambisa Forest in Dam Boa Local Government Area.

The eyewitness, Malam Mohammed Buba, said that the blasts occurred around 6 p.m. when most residents were preparing

for the evening prayer. ``Nobody can say exactly how it happened, the first blast occurred just about 15 minutes before the second one. ``Only few people were injured by the first blast, but while people were trying to rescue the victims of the first blast, the second one occurred killing many people,’’ Mohammed said.

The Commissioner of Police in Borno, Alhaji Lawal Tanko, confirmed the blasts, saying that 35 bodies had been evacuated so far.

Sokoto campaign office of Sen. Gobir torched

NAFDAC launches campaign against drug hawking in Kaduna parks U A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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ational Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday launched campaign against hawking of counterfeit and sub-standard drugs in Kaduna Metropolis motor parks and environs.

Addressing the people on the dangers of drug hawking at the flag-off campaign ceremony at Kawo Central Motor Park in Kaduna metropolis, Kaduna State, NAFDAC coordinator,

Mr. Kenneth Azikiwe said since the inception of the present Director General, DG, Dr Paul Orhii, he has introduced cutting edge technologies and established local government desk offices nationwide to curb the menace of drug hawking.

Represented by the Chief Regulatory Officer, Monsukolu Nzekwe , the Coordinator stated that, most of the hawked drugs are expired and unregistered drugs that are smuggled into the country through illegal means, adding that, many of them have already

lost their efficacy, quality, purity and strength.

He urged members of the public to patronise only registered drugs outlets, which he said can only guarantee genuine drugs.

Also speaking , the Public Relations Officer, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Kaduna state, Mallam Adamu Adamu said effort have been put in place with the support from NAFDAC to seize hawked drugs and ban drug hawking in Kaduna motor parks.

He therefore called on

government at all levels to provide medicine stores in all motor parks for quick access to quality drugs by drivers, passengers and the public in general before embarking on their journey.

The Public Education Officer of Federal Road Safety Corps FRSC Kaduna sector command, Mr. Dajangla Martins on his part commended NAFDAC for the flagging off ceremony which he said will help in checkmating motorists that patronize hawkers before embarking on their journey.

nknown arsonists on Saturday set ablaze the campaign office of Sen. Ibrahim Gobir, located on Western Bye-pass Road, Sokoto.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the office, a block of six rooms, was partially razed by the attackers, that struck in the early hours of the day.

Gobir, an APC lawmaker, who represents Sokoto East Senatorial District, expressed shock at the incident, which he described as ``barbaric heinous’’.

The senator, who spoke through his Special Assistant, Alhaji Almustapha Hamza, condemned the act, and advised Nigerians

against ``politics of violence, chaos and destruction.’’

He, however, advised his supporters to remain calm and to continue to be law abiding.

Gobir said he lost property worth ``about N15 million,’’ and regretted that many sensitive items like computers and stationery were burnt.

Alhaji Shuaibu Gambo, Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, confirmed the incident, adding that, the security guard was being detained by the police. ``We are detaining him for further interrogation; we want to ensure a thorough investigation into this incident, ‘’he said.

Nigeria Customs’ Anti-smuggling team records N183m seizure ALEX MOMOH KANO

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he Nigeria Customs Service has recorded major success in its anti-smuggling campaign as it made N183m seizure in the north western states of the nation bordering Benin and Niger Republics in the last two months.

The Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge the

Anti-Smuggling Team of the zone, Hassan Shallangwa in a media briefing in Kano state yesterday said “the seizures have a total Duty Paid Value, DPV, of over N183,020,523.00M comprising of assorted goods seized at the various borders between January and February this year.”

Deputy Controller Hassan Shallangwa who controls the North West zone comprising of Kaduna,

Katsina, Kano Sokoto, Kebbi and Jigawa said some of the goods being smuggled into Nigeria already have licenced companies producing them in the country, citing the British-America Tobacco producing cigarettes as an example, adding that, “They pay their excise duty to the federal government as such any attempt to smuggle unapproved goods into the country will con-

tinue to be resisted.

Some of the notorious axis mostly used for the smuggling according to him, includes but not limited to, Katsina, Sokoto, Baba Mutum and Jibia..

He said the seizures made within the period under review include, 590 cartons of assorted cigarettes, with duty paid value of N131, 968, 368:00, 1,561 bags of rice, with DPV at N18, 029,550:00; 31 ve-

hicles used in conveying the smuggled items with DPV at N17, 968,888: 00; 13 bales of US-aid mosquito nets, with DPV at N479, 212: 00 and 25 cartons of body spray with DPV at N1, 244, 414:00.

He said some of the seized goods have legal entry qualification from which the government would have made huge revenue, while others are completely prohibited.

“Smuggling is a risky business because seizures such as these represent heavy loss of money to the smuggler and the possibility of being prosecuted and jailed is there.”

According to the deputy comptroller, the achievement was made through the hard work of the antismuggling team because their moral was boosted via materials and training.

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South News

Sunday March 2, 2014

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South-East Pilgrims take off from Bishop Gbonigi loses wife Akanu Ibiam International Airport, HAKEEM GBADAMOSI AKURE

CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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outh-East Pilgrims were flown from Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu to Israel for this year’s pilgrimage.

The historic event comes a year after Governor Peter Obi, out of protest, prevented Anambra State from participating in the yearly pilgrimage to holy land for not being airlifted from Akanu Ibiam International Airport.

Speaking at a brief airport ceremony before departure, the Executive

Secretary of the Nigerian Christians Pilgrims Commission (NPCP), John Kennedy Opara, JP, thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for granting permission for the pilgrims to be airlifted from Akanu Ibiam International Airport.

He also thanked Obi for his relentless efforts and countless phone calls which made it possible for the pilgrims to be airlifted from Enugu to Israel.

Addressing the pilgrims, he told them that pilgrimage was not a jamboree, but a spiritual journey for encounter with Jesus that would

touch their lives for good. He charged them to be good ambassadors of Nigeria.

In his prayers for the pilgrims, the Primate of All Nigerians, Anglican Communion , who also doubles as the Chairman, Nigerian Christians Pilgrims Commission, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Nicholas Okoh prayed for all those that made the pilgrimage possible, including President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Obi. He also prayed for a smooth and spirituallyrewarding pilgrimage and exhorted the pilgrims

to pray for Anambra State and Nigeria at large.

In his own speech, Obi thanked the President for all his support and for approving the airlift from Enugu.

He said the President had shown enough love and care for the people of the South-East as he had shown to other Nigerians and assured him of the support of the people at all times.

The climax of the event was the flag- off of the pilgrimage by the President, represented by Obi and the inspection of the plane for the journey.

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ife of the retired Bishop of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Akure Diocese Bishop Emmanuel Bolanle Gbonigi, Mrs Alice Ebun, yesterday died after a brief illness.

The wife of the renowned Bishop died after being hospitalized for a week. She was aged 81.

The foremost Yoruba leader and the convener of the Yoruba Unity Forum could not muster enough words when Sunday Mirror visited him at his Oba-Ile residence in Akure North Local Gov-

ernment area of the state.

He managed to say that his wife of over 50 years was loving and caring while the daughter of the deceased, Omolara Gbonigi, who spoke on behalf of the family, said her mother died of old -age related disease.

She said her mother had been in and out of hospital for the past two years but was rushed to the hospital nine days ago but died yesterday morning when she was feeding her.

Some of the early callers in the residence of the octogenarian was the leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, clerics from the Anglican Church and family members.

Nnamani not a PDP member –ward chairman DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

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Gov. Peter Obi ( middle), with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christians Pilgrims Commission (NPCP), John Kennedy Opara, JP,( left) andHis Grace, Most Rev. Dr. Nicholas Okoh (right), during the flag-off of the 2014 Pilgrims taking off from Kanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu, yesterday

Lagos residents task FG on fuel shortage

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ome Lagos residents on Saturday urged the Federal Government to address the lingering fuel scarcity in the state, to make life more meaningful for the people.

The residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that commuters now wasted a lot of time at bus stops as the fuel crisis takes a turn for the worse.

Fuel queues were long at some filling stations, slowing down traffic on

major highways.

An artisan, Mr Yusuf Ismaila, told NAN that he was at a filling station for over two hours and was not been able to buy fuel. ``I do not know why we suffer for basically everything in this country. ``There is no frequent power supply and now that we have a generator to use, getting fuel is also a problem. ``I have been on the queue for over two hours,” he said.

Ismaila advised gov-

ernment to tackle the fuel shortage and to also address the epileptic power supply in the country.

A commercial bus driver, Mr Jare Olawale, said it was unfortunate that Nigerians were experiencing fuel shortage at this point in time.

Olawale said the scarcity had encouraged sharp practices by filling station attendants, who now made brisk business.

He said that a litre of petrol now attracts over N100 at

some filling stations against the official price of N97. ``I have been on this queue for about an hour before I was able to buy petrol. This is very bad,’’ Olawale said.

A businessman, Wale Shogeyinbo, said he was not happy with the fuel scarcity as it had disrupted his business. ``As a businessman, I operate a viewing centre, where you can watch football and play games but now, the business is affected because of scarcity of fuel,” he lamented.

oth the chairman of Agbani ward and the Nkanu West local government chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu state have denied that former Governor of the state, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani has been readmitted into the party.

Both executives spoke during ward meetings held across the state on saturday.

They stated that to the best of their knowledge, the former Governor who contested election in 2011 under the Peoples Democratic Change, PDC, is yet to fulfill the party’s requirements for re admission of a defected member.

The cited provisions of the PDP Constitution of 2012 (as amended) which states that such a defected member would either be granted waiver by the National Working committee, NWC, of the party or that he communicate the secretary of the ward through a letter before re admission.

They disclosed that none of the conditions has been

met by the former governor and asked the general public to ignore the rumour that Nnamani has been readmitted into the party.

In a communique issued at the end after their monthly ward meeting, the Agbani Ward executive of the party led by Ndubuisi Nnamani as acting Chairman, stated that the purported re-admission of Dr. Nnamani by the suspended ward chairman of the party, Monday Ngene was null and void and of no effect.

The communique dismissed as a sham, earlier meeting on February 27, 2014, in which Monday Ngene and the former governor, with his supporters, stormed the ward office at Agbani in celebration of the former governor’s return to the party.

The ward executive maintained that the former governor did not follow the due process as he did not write to the ward secretary as required by the PDP constitution. They therefore insisted that Dr. Nnamani was still a chieftain of the People for Democratic Change (PDC), which he formed after he left PDP.

House demolition: Ogun lawmaker appeals to residents ODINAKA URUAKPA

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member of the Ogun State House of Assembly representing Ifo Constituency 2, Honourable Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye-Oladapo, has ap-

pealed to the people of the constituency, especially those whose structures were demolished due to expansion of roads in the area to bear with the state government.

Adeleye-Oladapo who noted that the demolition

was not punitive, advised the affected residents to exercise patience as the state government would compensate them all, in due course.

The lawmaker made this appeal at the weekend while delivering an address at the graduation

ceremony of the three outstanding batches of the free ICT training Centre, which she sponsored Akute, a community in her constituency.

While commending graduands of the centre who are over 500 from

diverse background, religions and tribes, the lawmaker hailed the government of Governor Ibikunle Amosun on the commencement of the very important Ijoko-Agbado-Akute-Ojodu Road which she said is the only

road that links Ifo Constituency 2 directly with other parts of the state.

Still speaking on the centre, Adeleye-Oladapo said aside from training the students, the centre also exposes them to other opportunities.

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Brazil 2014: Klopp tips Germany, P. 62 Brazil for gloryKEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS March 2, 2014

Enyimba set for Real challenge Enyimba International Football Cub of Aba.

IFEANYI EDUZOR

WITH AGENCY REPORT

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igeria’s remaining representative at the 2014 CAF Champions League, Enyimba International FC of Aba will today face giant killers AS Real Bamako of Mali in the second round, first leg of the money spinning competition.

To qualify for the second round, the Peoples’ Elephant survived a scare from Togolese side, Anges de Notse on 4-3 aggregate, while the Malian side edged out Moroccan side, AS FAR on away goal rule to pave the way for the all-West African sides clash.

The match which will be played at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba will see the twotime CAF champions aiming for a wide goal margin to make the return leg in Bamako in a week’s time a mere formality.

However it is expected that their opponent will try to re- enact the form that made them send Moroccan champions, AS FAR out of the lucrative league.

While it could be said that Enyimba are no strangers to the most lucrative club competition, and may have an edge over their Malian counterparts having won the competition back-to-back in 2003 and

2004 respectively, their Malian counterparts could not be considered a push over considering their pedigree in the championship. The Malians were finalists in the 1966 edition of the tournament, with a record seven appearances at the championship and only recently recorded an upset against AS FAR in the first round.

Also, the Malians has been described as the giant killers of the championship, but playing against Enyimba in Aba where the hosts hardly lose matches, the visitors might find it difficult to re- enact the form that made them send out the Moroccans from the competition.

Already, Enyimba’s central midfielder, Bala Zakkah has hinted their opponents that there will be no hiding place for them when they visit Aba today.

Zakkah said though the encounter will be tough, his side will see off AS Real Bamako in both legs of the fixture.

“AS Real Bamako tie won’t be easy but we’ll shock them in both fixtures.

“We’ve been toughened by the experiences we had in the hands of the Togolese side, Anges de Notse and we hope to utilise those experiences when we meet AS Real in Aba today.

“We’re determined not to let Nigeri-

ans down no matter the tough challenges we’ll encounter on the way,” said the former Kwara United playmaker.

Meanwhile, former Enyimba coach, Paul Aigbogun expects Enyimba to advance past the first round hurdle and is tipping the Aba club to impress in the competition this season.

“I watched and played against them in the Super four in Abuja last month. When I left Enyimba, I left a very good team behind and the new coach (Zachary Baraje) has been very smart and clever too by building the team around the nucleus,” Aigbogun told supersport.com.

Femi Thomas, Markson Ojobo, Bright Esieme, Kingsley Sokari, Sibi Gwar and Chinedu Udoji have impressed in recent months for Enyimba and Aigbogun, who knows the players well believes their telepathic understanding will be key.

“Whenever I look at the Enyimba team sheet, it’s usually the same set of players in defence, midfield and attack. Continuity is a very important thing in football.

“That gives them a slight edge over a lot of other teams. Also, Enyimba is a club that is well run from top to bottom so I really fancy them to do well this year,” Aigbogun said.

Glo League Irabor insists on minimum wage

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hairman of the League Management Company (LMC), Nduka Irabor, has stated that there is no going back on the N150, 000 minimum wage for players in the Glo Premier League this new season.

Irabor warned that clubs that fail to comply with the requirement will be docked six goals and six points as punishment among other sanctions.

“They have up to Tuesday to do registration and they say they’re not paying one hundred and fifty thousand Naira per player, we will ask questions, but nobody is going to get away with it,” Irabor said.

“It is mandatory, a six points, six goals punishment awaits clubs that fails to meet these conditions. The clubs are supposed to earn some revenue, we might decide to withhold the revenue and impose further levies on clubs that are unable to do it.

“We have to be financially solvent otherwise you just end up a season owing players from whom there is expectation of protection of their welfare by the League managers.

“If you’re unable to pay your players, why should I pay you your fifteen million Naira income when you’re already saying to me that you’re not going to be able to pay your players, so we might just withhold revenue coming to some of the clubs.”

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Sunday March 2, 2014

Costa Rica 2014: Nikyu tasks Flamingoes on goals scoring ANDREW EKEJIUBA

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ead coach of the Nigeria U-17 women national team, Bala Nikyu has urged his players to improve on their goal scoring abilities ahead of the FIFA 2014 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

Nikyu in an appraisal of the Flamingoes, after two victories in two friendly games in Portugal said the team is doing everything possible to ensure that no stone is left unturned in preparations for the World Cup. “I’m happy with the progress so far. Playing two matches and winning both is good, but not the ultimate. We are not still good enough at converting chances when we create them, knowing at the World Cup such chances are not easy to come by. We missed some early chances against the Portuguese U-14 boys, which if it was at the World Cup could cost us a lot.

“Winning the friendly games

is not the issue, but watching the games and knowing where we are lacking, seeing lapses and improving on them is what I’m after. We had several scoring chances in the first five minutes but lost them. We will continue to work on improving and creating chances and also converting them,” he said.

Ahead of the scheduled friendly matches against Benfica’s women club and Belgium U-17 women national team respectively, Nikyu stated that he is not keen about the pedigree of their opponents but hope to expose the players with the friendly games.

“We are not after the division where the teams play, but seeking to learn from every opponent that comes our way.

“We need to note areas we still have problem and try to solve them before the World Cup,” he said.

Nikyu however, appealed to football loving Nigerians for their prayers, promising that they are all focused on recording success at the

Maigari

World Cup. Flamingoes will trade tackles with Benfica’s women clubside today and later travel to Belgium to play its U17 women national team on March 4.

MTN/Lagos Polo: Auden/Delany wins Independence Cup ANDREW EKEJIUBA

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agos Auden/Delany polo team has emerged the winner of the Independence Cup concluded on Friday, February 28, as Governor Fashola’s Cup keeps making all the headlines at the on-going MTN/Lagos International Polo Tournament which is billed to climax today.

The Musty Fashinro powered Auden/Delany team which started off two handicap goals advantage, built on their advantage to narrowly defeat the hard-fighting Kano Titans 11-10 in a fiercely fought Independence Cup final game. The Independence Cup which remains the oldest high goal polo prize in Lagos is competed for annually at the MTN/Lagos Interna-

tional Polo Tournament by the best performing teams from Lagos and visiting teams from the north.

“We were unlucky. Apart from the fact that our captain who led Titan could not finish the game after a fall, the players who were playing together for the first time were still getting used to their horses and in a high goal game like the Independence Cup, everything counts,” said Farouk Ibrahim from Kano.

Governor Babatunde Fashola who is a patron of the Lagos Polo Club, is expected to lead members of his cabinet and his counterparts across the South Western region to the grand fiesta that has been attracting top corporate chieftains and polo enthusiasts in their thousands since it galloped off with fanfare last week.

Action recorded when Lagos Auden/Delaney clashed with Kano Titans for the Independence Cup at the on-going MTN co-sponsored Lagos International Polo Tournament on Friday.

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08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

Helen Joseph’s world title fight suffers setback I BF Intercontinental female champion, Helen Joseph of Nigeria (12-2-1-7Kos) hope of being crowned a world champion suffered a setback Thursday when her opponent and current International Boxing Federation female featherweight champion, Dahianna Santana of Dominican Republic (32-6-14kos) relinguished the title.

The Central American champion was supposed to defend her title against the Ghana-based Nigerian boxer on April 25, in Accra, Ghana.

When both boxers met in San Domingo, Dominican Republic in 2012, the 29-year-old champion recorded a unanimous decision against her challenger.

In his letter to the Golden Mike Boxing Promotion Syndicate, Lindsey Tucker who is the IBF/UUSBA Chairman of the Championship Committee informed them of the unexpected move.

“As you know, the IBF has been trying for a couple of weeks to get Dahianna Santana to sign the contract.

I have sent e-mails and Jeanette Salazar has sent e-mails and made several calls to her manager Carlos Zapata and Dahianna Santana herself. I finally discovered that she vacated the IBF Female Featherweight title on February 22, 2014. I’m sorry for all of the trouble this has caused you,” explained the letter to the Golden Mike promotion.

NWF to honour Tinubu, others IFEANYI EDUZOR

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rrangement has been concluded by the Nigeria (Pro) Wrestling Federation to honour the former Governor of Lagos State, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife Senator Oluremi Tinubu with the Good Governance and Peace Award.

The award nite which comes up on March 9, at the Gymnasium Hall of National Institute of Sports (NIS), Lagos is expected to attract his political associates as well as all the Governors from the South West geo- political zone of the country.

Disclosing this to our correspondent, the President of the Federation, Alhaji Hammed Olanrewaju Mohammed noted that the decision to present the award to the former Governor was in recognition of his numerous contributions to the development of the country.

He noted that while the former Governor will be bestowed with the Governor Emeritus/Leadership award, his wife will receive the Best Senator/Good Governance Award.

“We are organising this award in conjunction with the Current World Wrestling Federation and I can assure you that this will be the best organised award nites in recent times.

“Apart from the former Governor and his wife, we also intend to honour chairmen of Orile Agege, Yaba, Mosan/Okunola, Ojo, Apapa, Ifelodun, Eti-Osa, Ifako Ijaiye, Itire/ Ikate, Iru/Victoria Island, Iba, Lagos Mainland, Isolo and Olorunda Local Government Areas,” he said.

Helen Joseph (left) exchanging punches with Dahianna Santana during their first meeting in 2012.

Ikhuoria calls for revival of amateur boxing F ormer national boxing coach, Isaac Ikhuoria believes that amateur boxing needs to be revived to enable professional boxing thrive in the country.

He told our correspondent that if boxers receive the right kind of exposure in competitions, it could lead to them plying their trade in the paid ranks.

“When amateur boxers go out for international competitions on regular basis, they will get the experience, exposure and confidence that will make them go into

professional boxing.

“It is a well known fact that boxers are groomed from the amateur cadre and once we are able to get it right at that stage, we can produce many boxers that will make their mark at the professional level.

“What is important is exposure and it can be likened to the education system because you can’t pass through a curriculum without a test. And likewise training without going out for international competitions will lead nowhere,” he said.

Khan accuses Mayweather of choosing easy opponent to fight Mayweather. mir Khan has accused “I’m upset about the fight Floyd Mayweather of A not happening,” Khan, 27, taking the easy option in choosing to fight Marcos Maidana on May 3.

Khan, who has won 28 and lost three of his 31 career fights, thought the fight with the WBC welterweight world champion was a done deal and says he turned down a match with IBF champion Devon Alexander in December in order

said. “I know there are a lot of fans throughout the world who wanted to see the fight.

“I even called off the fight against Devon Alexander which was for the world title last December. I pulled out of that fight because I thought I had the Floyd Mayweather fight coming”.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Klopp tips Germany, Brazil for glory Brazil 2014

If there is one man whose passion and exuberance seemingly outdoes the rest in football it would be Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp. The 46-year-old first took charge of BVB in July 2008. He has guided them to two Bundesliga championships, one German cup and to the final of the 2013 UEFA Champions League. Klopp previously spent several years at the helm of Mainz, leading them from the second division into the Bundesliga in 2004.The affection and deep admiration shown for Klopp is not only based on trophy success but also his palpable love for football. As the ball is to the game, so are emotions and enthusiasm to Klopp. Speaking exclusively to FIFA.com Klopp discussed his coaching philosophy, his personal career highlights and tips Germany or Brazil to lift the FIFA World Cup in June.

You were on the shortlist for FIFA World Coach of the Year with Jupp Heynckes and Alex Ferguson. What do you think of your two counterparts?

Both are true greats and I admire them. It feels as though Alex Ferguson was Manchester United coach for as long as I’ve been alive. I’ve come to know Jupp Heynckes over the last few years and can honestly say I’m really, really delighted he won it. It would have been absolutely fine by me if he’d bowed out with just the two trophies. But the way it turned out is totally OK. Do you think you could learn anything from the pair?

Lots of hopeful young coaches think they can learn by watching, and that includes watching me. I always recommend they try copying as little as possible. At the end of the day it all boils down to how you deal with players, and to get that right, you have to feel it for yourself. I’m never going to tell anyone what they should or shouldn’t do. I also want to keep growing as a coach but not by just watching how others do it.

How would you describe yourself as a coach and what role do strong emotions play?

[Laughs] I’m a genuine team player actually. In the course of a day I do take a relatively large number of decisions, but fortunately I’ve assembled a team around me and I’m no longer forced to take all the decisions myself. Lots of expert eyes see more than just the two of mine. I don’t care much for being thought of as a hero. I like to treat my players as co-workers. Provided the team accepts this approach, it can work well. However, if any of my players was to start thinking he now had the right to debate line-ups or training drills with me he’d be making a fundamental error.

What I say goes. But outside of training you can deal with me as you would with anyone else. I don’t want to come across as remote or distant towards other people and definitely not to my players. For all that. I’m not the kind of lovely bloke people looking in from the outside seem

to think.

What’s been the highlight of your coaching career so far?

The most emotionally moving was the 2012 DFB Cup final against Bayern.

I honestly didn’t care about the margin of victory. It really was because of what rested on the match. Everything was building towards this one single game. Then it all came to a head and we were playing Bayern Munich in a final with absolutely everything at stake.

The Champions League final was a magnificent experience too. We proved ourselves Bayern’s equals. I don’t know how I would have felt if it had ended up going our way. And I have to admit winning promotion in 2004 with Mainz was a massive day. I’ve been lucky enough to experience a couple of sporting highlights as a coach.

Once you’ve been to the Champions League final for the first time as a coach, it must increase your desire to make it there again. Is it not?

Some clubs are under pressure to make the final every year, but at other clubs everything has to come together just to get there in the first place. We’re somewhere in between. My priority for 2014 is to have my team complete the second half of the season in better physical shape. We’ve been hardly recognisable due to all our injuries. We needn’t bother talking about the German championship. Bayern Munich are the best team in the world at the moment, and unfortunately they play in the Bundesliga, so we’re up against them all the time. We don’t have a chance in the league any more. But why would we write off our chances in the other two competitions German cup and Champions League before we’ve been knocked out? We’re strong when we have everyone fit, and even when we don’t have everyone fit we still have the desire. We’ve proved that and that’s why we’re in a relatively good position. We want to make the most of it.

If you could pick one of the players who featured at the FIFA Ballon d’Or Gala

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp.

and put him in your team, who would it be?

Lionel Messi. I love his game. I like the way Franck Ribery plays, and I like Cristiano Ronaldo. But when I watch Messi, I think what he does is just magnificent. It gets even better as time goes on.

Why is Jurgen Klopp so obviously the right man for Dortmund?

Actually I think the decisive factor is this: why does the club fit me so well?

Why do I like working there so much? It’s an emotional thing. How we do so obviously matters to the people there, and I really like that. There’s basically nothing more important in Dortmund than football. Munich is just too nice a city to restrict yourself to football, you’re halfway to your holidays when you go there.

Hamburg has the coast, Cologne has annual street festival Karneval, and Dortmund has football, end of. I think that’s cool, and it all fits together. That’s why I’ve been doing it for quite a while.

Where will you watch the 2014 FIFA World Cup? I don’t yet know but I definitely won’t

Brazilian national team

be in Brazil. I can watch it on TV. And if a player really stands out I’ll be told anyway. I don’t have to be there in person. It would be better if I went to a U-21 World Cup or EURO. My face is too well-known these days for me to just turn up at a football event and hang out. If that was still possible I’d be there.

Who are your favourites for the Trophy?

Germany and Brazil. And we should hardly ignore the fact it takes place in Brazil. They were very good back at the Confederations Cup. Could you imagine taking charge of a national team at some point?

Not yet, but obviously it’s basically a very attractive proposition. I’m very happy living in Germany, I think it’s a fantastic country and the people are pretty cool. If they were enthusiastic about me taking on the national team at some point I’d obviously think it over, although quite a lot of things would have to come together for that to happen. But joking aside we have a fantastic national coach and I have a terrific job with Borussia Dortmund, so everything’s fine.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kaka relishing Juve clash

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C Milan playmaker Kaka is looking forward today’s clash with Serie A tabletoppers Juventus, believing the Rossoneri can take three points from the match.

Clarence Seedorf ’s side go into the game on the back on two wins in the Italian top flight, with a 1-0 UEFA Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid sandwiched in between.

Despite a poor season - with the Rossoneri sitting in ninth in the table, a massive 31 points behind Juve - Kaka believes the hosts can prevail in the San Siro.

“The game against Juventus is a derby of Italy, an international derby, games that are felt deeply by us as players, by you in the media and by the fans.

“All week you live waiting for this derby.

We hope to be able to write another small page in the history of Milan, to say: ‘We played a great match against a great team’.

“For us, the three points are very important for the table but also on an emotional level and for our growth.

“To beat Juve would give us a great boost for the end of the season. This Juventus is very strong, they have great talent and are doing well,” Kaka said.

EURO BRIEFS Walcott on road to recovery rsenal winger Theo Walcott expects to return to action stronger than ever after stepping up his recovery from a season-ending cruciate ligament injury. The England international jarred his knee during the Gunners’ 2-0 FA Cup victory over Tottenham in January and scans later revealed ligament damage that ruled him out of the rest of the domestic campaign and the World Cup.

incent Kompany has urged his Manchester City team-mates to learn from past mistakes ahead of today’s League Cup final against Sunderland.

City were victims of one of the biggest FA Cup final shocks in history last year when they were beaten 1-0 by Wigan Athletic, who were relegated from the Premier League just three days later.

Roberto Mancini was sacked as City manager shortly after that defeat, and his replacement Manuel Pellegrini has the chance to lift his maiden piece of silverware at the club today.

However, despite their tag as heavy favourites to beat Premier League strugglers Sunderland, City captain Kompany believes form tends to go out

of the window in finals; as was proved in their reverse to Wigan.

“A cup final is a cup final,” the Belgian said.

“It’s a one-off game and there isn’t any logic other than we have to be as hungry as we have been all season and be at our best on the day - if we are, we’ll have a good chance but anything else represents a big risk.”

Former City winger Adam Johnson has been in superb form for Sunderland recently, and Kompany reckons the England international will provide Gus Poyet’s men with a real attackKompany ing threat.

Rummenigge: Bayern won’t apologise for success

Mannone wants a place in Sunderland’s history

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underland goalkeeper Vito Mannone is hoping to secure a place in the club’s folklore by helping them lift the Capital One Cup today.

The Italian will celebrate his 26th birthday by taking on Manchester City at Wembley and he is desperate to make it a landmark day in his career.

He said: “It’s something I want to achieve for my career, something that stays in history. Being there with Sunderland and having a great chance is something I have always dreamed about.

“When you are a kid, you are looking at the games and you are looking at people lifting the cups and it is really emotional, so you want to be there.

“Each one of us always watched the TV and thought, ‘I want to be a winner and I want to lift the cup’, and I think that’s us, really.

“Each one of us will be thinking about lifting that cup and being important in that game. To have this chance - we are only one game away - is something unbelievable.”

City are warm favourites to win the game but Mannone is confident the Black Cats have grown since Gus Poyet took

Barca confirms Halilovic move B Walcott

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City must remember Wigan shock, says Kompany

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Sunday March 2, 2014

arcelona boss Gerardo Martino has confirmed that teenage midfielder Alen Halilovic will join the club from Dinamo Zagreb. The highly-rated 17-year-old had previously announced via Instagram that he would be moving to the Spanish champions and he will initially link up with the club’s B team.

Mannone

over the reins from Paolo Di Canio.

He added: “It could turn out to be an amazing season, especially because of how it started. We had a few problems in the Premier League and we didn’t get as many points as we would have liked in the first 10 games.

“But slowly after the gaffer came in, we changed our style and we changed our mentality, and now we have a chance to fight for survival.”

ayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says he will make no apologies for the German champions’ domestic dominance.

Pep Guardiola’s side are unbeaten in the Bundesliga this season having won 20 of their 22 league games, and sit 19 points clear of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.

And while their achievements have led to some suggesting the lack of competition is having a detrimental effect on German football as a whole, Rummenigge believes his side should be lauded for their achievements.

“I don’t remember anyone in Sochi at the Winter Olympics demanding that the dominant German league competitors should go slower so that that the opposition could keep up,” Rummenigge said.

“Bayern Munich will neither excuse nor apologize for our fine work.

“It should be remembered that this is a sporting competition, which is about achieving the best conditions and putting on the best performances and imposing yourself on the opponent, whether it be at the Winter Olympics or the Bundesliga.”

Ayew yet to hold talks over new deal

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arseille forward Andre Ayew has revealed he has yet to make a decision over his future at Stade Velodrome. Ayew is in the final 18 months of his contract at Marseille and he admits he is unsure over his long-term future.

Rummenigge

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Sunday March 2, 2014

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. Barrels per day alloca445,000 tion that should be reviewed to the actual refining capacity of the refineries.

The Sanusi ouster from CBN

Back Page

Comment

E-mail: nwaunah@yahoo.com Unah is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Lagos

with Jim Unah

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www.nationalmirroronline.net

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. Amount the Appeal court orders the former Inspector-General of police Mr. Sunday Ehindero to return or face trial.

he Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi ouster from the apex bank is a welcome development. In the first place, his sins are legion. It was the national legislative body that first plotted to whittle down his powers which he flaunted with reckless abandon.

But the National Assembly was prevented from that mission by public outcry; especially since the Sanusi punches at the time was directed at the whopping allowances of the lawmakers. There were allegations of plagiarism over some paper he presented at a public forum, for which he tendered unreserved apology. Then he dragged the nation into the controversy of Islamic banking, which he eventually implemented in spite of public outcry. And to make matters worse, he invested a huge sum of the nation’s money in a profitless Islamic banking project in far away Malaysia.

The Sanusi tenure and activities in the CBN raised the question whether public officers should be running their mouth like tap water in matters relating to the crucial function of the apex bank such as reconciling the books. Given the sensitive nature of banking in regard to the economic health of a country, reconciling ac-

counts should be done discretely, quietly, to guide against throwing the entire financial system in a lurch by creating unnecessary panic for the investing public.

Is it the likes of Sanusi who should be hemorrhaging in the mouth or bellyaching about corruption in government in which he is a principal actor, especially when he is as guilty as those that he accuses? It is social critics and public commentators that should really be tackling governments over corruption of power, not serving officers or those reveling in the abuse of power like the Kano Emir-to-be.

Cerebral observers and commentators would not readily share the facile presumption that the Sanusi whistle-blowing over some quantity of oil revenue alleged not to have been remitted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation—NNPC—to the designated account about which he had made three or more conflicting disclosures, thus qualifying as a “voodoo statistician” is the genesis of his ouster. Assuming that those many conflicting figures from 49 billion US dollars to 10 billion US dollars to 12 billion US dollars to the current 20 billion US dollars spat out by the suspended CBN boss were presented in a court of competent jurisdiction as evidence that the NNPC had not been remitting oil revenues into the appropriate account, wouldn’t Sanusi be treated by his Lordships as a frivolous and unreliable witness or plaintiff or whatever he qualifies to be called? Is that the person to take seriously? Is that how

a banker should be bandying inaccurate figures over so serious an allegation?

No one wants to enter into a defense of the NNPC here that money was not missing or that the oil agency had executed the remittance of oil revenue appropriately, accurately. Far from it. The point here is that Sanusi had not behaved properly for the exalted position of a Central Bank Governor. There is a supervisory Ministry of Finance with which he could have reconciled the account discretely, quietly, without causing a furore. And even if he finally fails to get higher authorities such as the Presidency to prevail on the NNPC to comply with financial regulations and requirements, and feels strongly that the administration is derailing, the way to register righteous indignation, assuming he is an upright man which he is not, anyway, is to tender his resignation. The sad thing about his conflicting and confounding figures is that the accuser is himself guilty of financial recklessness; making large financial donations to Mosques, and to Churches only when reminded that he has been partial to Muslims, and donating to institutions of higher learning mainly from his geographical origin. This is no way to use public funds equitably and prudently. And there are allegations from some of those favoured institutions that only a negligible fraction of the amount claimed to have been donated by the CBN “Sole Administrator” was actually received by the beneficiary institution.

Shouldn’t a right thinking person find all

EPL: Rampant Reds down Southampton,hits second spot

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iverpool strengthened their title challenge as a clinical 3-0 victory over Southampton yesterday lifted them into second spot in the Premier League table.

Striker Luis Suarez scored his first goal for six games with a low finish from just inside the penalty area in the 16th minute.

Southampton’s Adam Lallana was denied an equaliser by a post before Reds substitute Raheem Sterling made it 2-0 in the 58th minute.

The teenager netted with his first touch after Suarez’s cross, and Steven Gerrard added the third with a penalty at the 90th minute.

The spot-kick was awarded after the tireless Suarez, making his 100th Premier League appearance, was hauled down

by Jose Fonte deep in stoppage time.

With Arsenal losing 0-1 earlier yesterday at Stoke and Manchester City not playing, Liverpool are now table-top-

ping Chelsea’s closest rivals.

The Reds head into a twoweek break four points behind Jose Mourinho’s leaders with 10 games remaining.

But they leapfrog Arsenal

because of a superior goal difference and, just as importantly, are nine points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham in the race for Champions League qualification.

these repugnant to good conscience? Why should anyone agonize about Sanusi’s suspension from an office on which he arrogated absolute authority?

A permutation of the events regarding his disturbing activities in the CBN in the last couple of years will reveal that the so-called whistle-blowing of Sanusi over missing money is a sort of blackmail on his principals and, indeed, diversionary if one considers that those series of events regarding his disturbing activities which attracted a query from the Presidency happened rather quietly, and preceded Sanusi’s precipitate outburst about missing NNPC money.

On good authority, Sanusi was already being queried and quietly investigated over allegations of financial recklessness and improprieties long before he latched onto the issue of missing money to silence those he saw as his traducers.

Little wonder then that the ousted CBN Governor spat out the figures of missing money rather precipitously, thoughtlessly, evidencing a panic measure. By talking like a chatter-box, Sanusi reduced himself to the status of dumb creation; thus degenerating from the sublime to the ludicrous.

The position of a CBN Governor is an exulted one and the occupier should be urbane, decorous, circumspective; threading delicately and ponderously with the stately aloofness of an Arch-Bishop, never to reduce himself to the megaphone or ally of political opposition.

CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS

Dynamos FC 0 – 0 Vita Club Gor Mahia 2 - 3 Esperance Nkana Red Devils 2 – 2 Kampala CCA Young Africans 1 – 0 Al Ahly CAF CONFEDERATION CUP RESULTS CARA 1-0 Etoile du Sahel Union Douala 2-3 Warri Wolves PREMIERSHIP RESULTS Everton 1-0 West Ham Fulham 1-3 Chelsea Hull City 1-4 Newcastle Stoke 1-0 Arsenal Southampton 0-3 Liverpool CAPITAL ONE (LEAGUE) CUP FINAL Man City v Sunderland 15:00

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