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Nigeria’s troubled textile industry

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Business

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Recapitalisation plan divides aviation stakeholders www.nationalmirroronline.net

Vol. 5 No. 7

Sunday, February 15, 2015

N150

Jonathan wants power by hook or crook –OBJ

...says President has no plan to hand over on May 29

P. 7

Obasanjo plotting return via back door –Presidency

Don’t shoot anybody, IGP warns Mbu

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Curfew in Gombe as army repels B’Haram

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PASSION

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Sunday February 15, 2015

zine A Lifestyle Magaazin

APPLAUSE

It’s a man’s world, but women rule’ >>27

L-R: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina and Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso with leaders of the farming community at the commissioning of Magaga irrigation scheme in Kano State at the weekend.

INEC ballot papers found in London P.7

News

I don’t wear styles that expose my body –Oluchi Igbokwe

Human trafficking: Immigration arrests cleric, 4 others

>26 >>26 >

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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 FEBRUARY 15, 2015

been placed under surveillance by security agencies and their phones hacked.

The party listed the leaders to include the National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun; the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Senator Bukola Saraki and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.

APC, however, said that its leadership and members

run-up to next month’s general elections.

The party in a statement in Lagos by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the recent military siege to Tinubu’s residence and the Imo State Government House and the police harassment of its presidential campaign spokesman, Garba Shehu, fit perfectly into this emerging pattern.

I don’t wear styles that expose my body Tinubu, Oyegun, Amaechi’s phones would not be intimidated by hacked –APC the latest alleged clampdown –Oluchi The All Progressives Con- by the President Goodluck Jongress, APC, yesterday alleged athan-led administration in the Igbokwe that some of its leaders had

15

Controlling abdominal pain Abdominal pain is a life threatening medical condition as it can be severe and persistent pain of sudden onset that is likely to require surgical intervention to treat its cause. The pain may frequently be associated with nausea and vomiting, abdominal distention, fever and signs of shock. One of the most common conditions associated with acute abdominal pain is acute appendicitis.

It is used to describe pain originating from organs within the abdominal cavity.

Organs of the abdomen include the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gall bladder, appendix, kidney spleen and pancreas.

A 35 years old man, identified as Bright Ekene Abunwaeze, staff of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, was on Wednesday night electrocuted while trying to repair a fault at a high tension line along Nnebisi road, Asaba.

The deceased, Abunwaeze, our correspondent reliably gathered, was to take his fiancé to the altar this Saturday, but met his untimely death following an alleged careless switching on of the 450kv high tension line he was working on by his colleague.

It was reliably gathered that immediately the incident occurred, two other staff of the company

Ex-VC scores Jonathan high despite insecurity challenge

Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof Kelvin Ogon Etta, has urged the electorate to be very objective in their choice of who becomes the next president of Nigeria in the forth coming general polls, even as he scores the Goodluck Jonathan administration higher than General Muhammadu Buhari’s when he ruled.

Etta, while briefing journalist at his residence on the state of the nation immediately he returned from

India where he underwent spinal stenorosis, averred that he is putting his weight solidly behind President Jonathan based on his track records, stressing that “former Head of State, Buhari, only succeeded in ruling the country some years ago by fiat of the military, expressing doubts whether Buhari can do well in a democratic setup like ours, if given another opportunity to led the country again.

Abia guber: PDP supporters afraid of losing in court if party wins another gubernatorial asThere is palpable fear among Abia State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, supporters that the gubernatorial candidate of the party in the state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, if he wins the April 11 election, may likely lose in the court to another party candidate who comes second.

The fear is heightened by a second court case filed by

pirant, Sir Friday Nwosu, with suit No FCH/ABJ/ CS/35/2015, dated February 2, 2015 with eight questions for determination and 14 principal reliefs and 48 paragraph affidavits with 27 exhibits, challenging Dr. Ikpeazu’s eligibility to stand for election, having failed to pay his tax in line with the provision of the constitution.

who were at the scene with the deceased took to their heels.

The incident which caused pandemonium and heavy gridlock along the ever busy Nnebisi road saw residents, sympathisers, family members and friends of the deceased besieging the scene and wailing.

According to a witness, “we saw 3 BEDC staff when they came with a Hilux van at about 8:00 pm and one of them started climbing up at that night and suddenly we saw light spark at the high tension line the man was working on and immediately we saw fire and smoke all over the man.

Juliet Obiareri aka Jelyon CEO, GLASSY FACE CREATIONS AND KELEBUJU TOURS INT.

MON

Wellness

Man, 35, electrocuted three days to wedding

As an artiste, my Monday is usually light. Unlike those in the corporate world who start with meetings, I rest today. My weekends are usually tight. I go to events where I perform as a musician. After that, I don’t wake up early on Monday. When I am up in the afternoon, I do a checklist of what I want for the rest of the week.

TUE

Oluchi Igbokwe, nee Phillips, is married to Chief Edwin Igbokwe, widower of the late songstress, Christy Essien. She holds a Diploma in Theatre Arts, a Bachelor’s degree in English, and is currently studying Law at the National Open University of Nigeria.

This Nollywood actress unveils her lifestyle and why she has been off the social radar of late.

and his team.

He also dismissed statements credited to former President Olusegun Obasanjo lending support to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, arguing that it was part of opposition handiwork.

“I am sure the President thought very well before he appointed him. Even the President, the candidate of my party, expressed confidence on him. As a party, we have the confidence that he will conduct a free, fair and credible election.

I set aside today to see my clients for business negotiations or to introduce my brand, both as a musician and tour professional

WED

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The ominous signs that the conference could have been hijacked by the political class were palpable during the opening ceremony on Monday.

Edo State Governor Adam Oshiohmole had entered the International Conference Centre, venue of the parley, with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

The governor had stirred the hornet’s nest when he urged Nigerian workers to reject the President Goodluck Jonathan- led administration at the poll on account of sundry alleged failings.

National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, yesterday passed a vote of confidence on the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

Though Mu’azu explained that shifting the date for the election affected PDP programmes, he saw no reason not to retain the confidence he has on Jega especially as President Goodluck Jonathan who appointed Jega has said he does not intend to remove him

I research for my songs, new projects and proposals. I also do my voice check and training. I attend mid-week service in the evening.

THU

Passion

Violence broke out yesterday at the 11th national delegates’ conference of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, as attempt to elect a new president ended in a fiasco.

Apart from being an avenue for delegates to consider various motions, the conference was expected to usher in a new executive council which will lead the congress for the next four years.

However, the three-day programme ended in fiasco as major contenders threw decorum to the wind as they engaged in a free-for-all.

Mu’azu passes vote of confidence in Jega

Today is mapped out for rehearsal of my dance steps with my dancers and choreographers. I also rehearse my songs on my own. At other times, with my band members depending on the kind of gig I have for the weekend.

SUN SAT FRI

Election postponement: More headaches for politicians

Fracas at NLC election, ballot boxes smashed

I rest in the morning. I rehearse my songs in the afternoon. In some Friday evenings, I perform at shows.

Today is hectic for me because I attend weddings and perform at events and parties.

I go to church in the morning, attend events in the afternoon and sometimes in the evening If I don’t have shows, I would attend house fellowship in the evening. *By Adaeze Amos (08023012293)

3

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

FEBRUARY 15, 2015

A textile mill

Models in Ankara fabric

Nigeria’s troubled textile industry T

he textile industry was one of the booming subsectors of the economy in the post independence years. Fed by locally grown cotton and with huge demand for clothing by a fast growing population, it provided direct and indirect employment to hundreds of Nigerians for several decades.

In the golden era of Nigeria’s textile industry between 1985 and 1991, the sector recorded an annual growth of 67 per cent and as at 1991; it employed about 25 per cent workers in the nation’s manufacturing sector.

Some of the textiles companies that enjoyed the boom then include Kaduna Textile Ltd (KTL), Arewa Textiles Plc, United Nigerian Textile Plc, Supertex, Nortex Nigerian Ltd and Finetex Nigerian Ltd. Others were Gaskiya Textiles Mill, Kano Textile Ltd, Aba Textiles, Zamfara Textiles Ltd, Asaba Textiles Ltd, African Textile Mill Plc, Tofa Textiles and several others.

In that period the functional textile companies numbered around 180, employing about a million people, it accounted for over 60 per cent of the textile industry capacity in West Africa, empowering millions of households across all the geopolitical zones of Nigeria.

The story however changed in the early nineties and the sector took a massive dive into an industrial abyss.

At a point during the crisis in the sector, from about 180 thriving textile companies, the number came down to almost zero, with textile giants such as United Nigerian Textile Company bowing to the pressure imposed by a hostile operating environment.

The Federal Government in 2009 set up the N100bn intervention fund for the textile industry. The Textile and Garment (CTG) Intervention Fund is managed and disbursed by the Bank of Industry (BOI). However, the

The nation’s textile industry has been brought to its knees by a combination of huge infrastructural deficits and cheap imports from Asia. Attempts at reviving the sector through fiscal policy and monetary intervention seem to go nowhere. Ag, Head of Investigations, Yemi Olakitan, examines the issues behind the parlous state of the Nigerian textile sector and the way forward. fund is yet to bring the textile industry back to his former glory. According to the Coalition of Closed Unpaid Textiles Workers in Kaduna an estimated 600, 000 people are still rendered jobless in the industry.

These companies began to close down one after the

‘CHINESE FABRICS HAVE TAKEN OVER THE MARKET’

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other. Some of the Textile firms that have closed down most recently include the International Textile Industry (ITI) with factories in Isolo and Ikorodu, both in Lagos, with 800 people losing their jobs. First Spinners Limited, Ikorodu, Lagos, with about 500 employees; Bhojr Textile Industry with about 700 people and Reliance Textile, Ikeja, Lagos, with about 500 employees have also folded.

The list also includes Fahibdayekh in Kano, with more that 1,000 people sent into the labour market and Atlantic Textile Mill also in Lagos, which finally closed in 2008 with about 800 people losing their jobs.

Sunday Mirror investigations reveal that the loss of jobs in the sector hit about 100,000 when the largest textile company in the country, the United Textile Mill in Kaduna State closed down with about 5,000 people forced into the labour market. The collapse of the industry was driven largely by smuggling at the borders, failed government policies, high cost of doing business arising from high-priced raw materials, energy costs, and a plethora of challenges, which plagues the investment climate in Nigeria.

In 1995, World Trade Organisation, WTO, adopted certain agreements on Textiles and Clothing, chief of them was that that all allocations on textile and clothing will be removed among WTO member countries. The main beneficiary of the policy was China. The global textile market is said to worth more than $400bn at present. According to China Customs, the export value of China’s textile and garment alone amounted to $206.5bn. The Nigerian textile industry was one of those that suffered, because of the cheap exports from China. Nigeria used CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

‘INTERVENTION FUNDS NOT ENOUGH TO REVIVE INDUSTRIES’

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The Big Read

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Poor infrastructure, bane of textile sector’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 to be the major supplier of (Ankara) good quality waxresist textile. However, in the early 2000s, cheap imitations of these products were produced and exported from China to West Africa. Some would be slapped with Made-in-Nigeria labels and then sold in Nigeria.

Investigations reveal that Nigeria imports about N300bn worth of textiles and garments annually according to the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria. Most of the textiles and garments were imported without paying the required duties and taxes. Smuggled textiles have taken over 90 per cent of the Nigerian market.

A garment and clothing trader based in Lagos Island, who spoke with Sunday Mirror on the subject confirmed that most of the textile been sold in the Nigeria market come from China.

According to her, some are imported from Pakistan and Dubai. She was quick to point out that buyers also prefer foreign materials because of superior quality. “If the buyers demands foreign products we cannot deny them the right to have them because we are in the market to make money. The global textile and garments industry is very competitive and Nigeria cannot live in isolation. Nigerians travel and they see what they like.

There is always a demand for foreign materials. Nigerians are fashionable people. Though, I also sell Nigerian textile; it depends on what the customer wants, it is not all about high cost of production alone. Demand and supply contribute to the market situation,” she said.

Investigations have shown that most of the substandard textile goods in the country, which are mostly from China, are smuggled into the country from neighbouring countries like Benin Republic and Niger Republic.

Most worrisome is the fact that some of the imported products are of inferior quality. Reports say, some of the people behind the smuggling of textile products are employees and operators of the textile firms that have closed shop in Nigeria. Some of them have found an abode for the trade in the North, using Kaduna and Kano as bases.

According to the Secretary General, National Union of Textile Garments and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria, NUTGWN, Comrade Isa Aremu, “Smugglers have disregarded the government’s orders banning importation of finished textile products by sneaking them through the borders into Nigeria”.

Aremu said that in order to reposition the sector, the issue of funding needed to be given more priority.

He said the current N100bn textile intervention fund should be increased to about N500bn and made available to the operators in the sector at zero per cent interest rate, which should be repaid within 20 years.

He pointed out that no fewer than five textile companies in Lagos State have stopped production in the last five months. One of such, Bhajaraj (with an estimated staff strength of over 1000), closed operations. The four firms that have joined the long list of moribund textile manufacturing firms in Nigeria are Four Spinners located in Ikorodu area, ITI factories in Isolo and Ikorodu and Reliance Textiles.

The five companies were all based in Lagos and employed about 9,000 people. The sad news, however, is that some of the textile firms that are closing shops in Nigeria are shifting operations to neighboring West African countries. Some of the countries that are benefiting from the fall of Nigeria’s textile industry are Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Guinea among others.

The President of the National Union Textile, Garments and Tailoring Workers (NUTGTWN), Comrade Oladele Hunsu, said the textile industry in the 1980s used to be the second largest employer of labour after the federal government. “However, over the years, there was a steady decline in operations of the textiles firms and then an eventual collapse of the industry, which has led to loss of jobs, dearth of skilled manpower, low capacity utilization and drop in government revenue due to lack of excise duties”, he noted.

Textiles in an open market in Lagos

Industrial looms

He called on the government to engage Asian government on best trade practices and chart a new course for reviving the textile industry.

Speaking further he said the Federal Government was losing about N75bn annually on customs duty and Value Added Tax as a result of smuggling of textile materials into the country stressing that the performance of the textile industry remained at low ebb in 2014 due to lack of enabling environment and inconsistency in government policy.

According to the union leader, the capacity utilisation in the industry remained below 50 per cent and the growth had been stagnant. Cost of manufacturing textiles in Nigeria is high and this gives room for cheap foreign goods. The price of gas was increased by 15 per cent from January 2014; adding that the price of black oil remained high due to scarcity. It stated that textile industry deserved concessional pricing like other industries such as cement, saying that government’s response, however, has been inadequate.

INVESTIGATIONS HAVE SHOWN THAT MOST OF THE SUBSTANDARD TEXTILE GOODS IN THE COUNTRY, WHICH ARE MOSTLY FROM

CHINA, ARE SMUGGLED INTO THE COUNTRY FROM NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES LIKE

COTONOU AND NIGER REPUBLIC

While commending the Federal Government for the intervention fund set up for the textile industry, but noted that financing was just one out of the numerous challenges facing the textile industry. He pointed out that the key problems of the sector remained infrastructural inadequacy, raw materials shortage, unreliable electricity supply, and smuggling, counterfeiting, faking, among others. There is also lack of patronage of made in Nigeria textiles due to lack of effective policy enforcement.

Indeed, most government ministries and agencies such as police, customs, immigration and army still prefer to use imported fabrics for uniforms rather than sourcing them locally.

Other African countries have been highly supportive of their textile industry to improve their competitiveness. Ethiopia, for example, had attracted foreign direct investment in the textile and garment industry in recent years creating 28,000 new jobs as a result. Ivory Coast had one large textile mill; its government however had taken effective steps to check imported counterfeit textiles to protect local industry. Ghana on its own part had three large textile mills and only allowed import of all raw materials, dyes and chemicals and spare parts at zero per cent duty. The union called on the Federal Government to take necessary measures and put in place similar policies that would support and protect the nation’s textiles industry.

Speaking with Sunday Mirror on the subject, President, Nigeria Textile Manufacturers Association, Olarenwaju Jaiyeola, attributed the problems of the textile industry in Nigeria predominantly to infrastructure.

“If we address the problems of infrastructure, half of the problems plaguing the sector would have been solved. The problems of electricity, high costs of production are very basic problems facing the industry.’’

According to him, the smuggling of cheap textiles from abroad, which the local industry is unable to compete against, higher costs of production, high interest CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The Big Read

Sunday, February 15, 2015

5

‘Chinese fabrics have taken over the market’ HE URGED THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES TO THE TEXTILE MANUFACTURERS TO ENABLE THEM INCREASE THEIR PRODUCTIVITY AND CREATE MORE JOBS FOR

NIGERIANS

President Jonathan

El-Rufai

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 rate, and dumping of cheap Chinese wax and African prints, power failure and high cost of fuel are the problems have been identified time and time again.

“The rising cost of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, popularly called diesel has teamed up with failing infrastructure to put the final mix to make operation difficult for the surviving textile industries in Nigeria even the current epileptic supply of electricity leaves manufacturer with no options than running a generating plant. Take, for instance, a textile company consuming one million litres of diesel in a month and three million litres of fuel oil a month, the increase in the prices of the fuel will definitely reflect on the price of their products.

How then can local companies compete with the cheap materials coming from China? The deterioration in the sector can also be blamed on the weak linkages in the value chain,” he said.

On the Intervention Fund, he admitted that the Fund has stabilised the situation. He said, “The fund has not established new factories though, but it has brought some life into the industry. The problems of smuggling and counterfeiting are still robbing us of the expansion we would have enjoyed and cheap imported products still continue to litter the country. These problems are so damaging such that those who have taken the loans could not pay back. Foreign companies have dominated the scene. The cost of electricity is very high. Costs of production are generally very high.”

The Bank of Industry has said about N60bn has been disbursed to various beneficiaries under the intervention scheme and had resulted in the re-opening of United Nigeria Textiles Limited in Kaduna.

According to the bank, “Over 8,070 jobs had been saved through the intervention, adding that capacity utilisation for most beneficiaries has increased from below 40 per cent to about 61 per cent at the time while over 50 per cent of those making losses has started reporting profits.”

On the issue of local patronage, he noted that a bill has been sent to the National Assembly on the matter and the bill is there since 2003.

“As you know we are in a democracy, the bill is following the process, it has gone through second reading. It is because the problem of local patronage has not been backed by law that is why all the agencies of government are still doing whatever they like otherwise we would have seen a remarkable improvement in the industry. The central point of the bill is that all the agencies of government should patronise the textile sector for their clothing and textile needs. The bill says before you look outside look inward first. There is a ray of hope that when the bill is passed the textile industry will further improve to an extent,” he said.

Speaking further, he emphasised the gains of the intervention of the Federal Government through the Textile Fund, which he said had significantly assisted in reviving some of the dead textile companies. He however

industry has moved on from where it used to be years ago and we can no longer compete with bigger brands.

We cannot continue to use obsolete technology and expect to compete effectively with the rest of the world. It has now become survival of the fittest. There is also no enforcement of fiscal policy to ensure protection of the industry. The whole country is flooded with substandard and even contraband textile materials. The exchange rate and even the interest rate are not helping matters.

What the Federal Government has done is throw money into the industry. The intervention fund alone cannot help matters because it is not a money problem alone.

As long as the problems remain and if the cost of production is as it is, we cannot compete globally in the industry. If the enforcement of fiscal policies put in place for the protection of the industry is effective then there would be satisfactory changes.

The Federal Government itself needs to patronise the industry. Look at all the police uniforms, military and paramilitary uniforms that government procures from abroad. If there is a policy that says that they must patronise Nigerian textile companies, it will keep the industry busy and then this will in turn create employment for thousands of Nigerians. It is not a question of throwing money at them; some of the companies are already facing receivership. When you collect money from a bank and you cannot pay back, they are going to come after you. They will collect all the assets of your company and this will further weaken an industry that is already on its knees.”

According to the Yusuf, the Chamber of Commerce had met with government agencies on these issues but nobody is implementing these policies. “This has further contributed to the situation we found ourselves,’’ he said.

The Lagos Zonal chairman of Nigerian Textile Workers Union, Godspower Irobo, said the folding up of textile industries in the country poses a major threat to government’s efforts to reduce unemployment among Nigerians.

He disclosed that over a huge percentage of commercial motorcycle riders are textile workers that were disengaged by the moribund firms.

“It is difficult for a textile worker, especially those in production line, to adapt to other fields. It is also difficult for them to begin their own businesses because they do not have enough resources to do so. So, most of them end up as commercial motorcyclists,” Irobo said.

Adebola Fayemi, CEO of Fayemz Fashions Label, said the major challenge that we face in the industry concerns the lack of basic infrastructure particularly inadequate power supply.

He said, “What affects me the most as a designer is power. I donate half of my income to power generation.

We are on diesel all the time. If the government must help the textile industry which is directly linked to the fashion industry, they must improve power supply.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

urged the government to give additional incentives to the textile manufacturers to enable them increase their productivity and create more jobs for Nigerians.

According to him, the production of cotton for domestic utilisation and exports should be strengthened, adding that existing players in the sub-sector should be supported to expand their current operations in order to attract strong brands as well as enable operators to set up local manufacturing plants in the country.

Speaking with Sunday Mirror, Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and industry, Mr. Muda Yusuf, said, “The problems with the Nigerian textile industry is high cost of production, smuggling, technology, and logistics. All these factors have led to the collapse of the industry. The fact is that the global textile

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The Big Read

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Intervention funds not enough to revive industries’

Traditional dyeing pits in Kano

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 This is what will benefit every entrepreneur and have a multiplier effects on the economy because there will be jobs. If entrepreneurs do not spend their money on power generation, the cost of production will be greatly minimised. This is the major obstacle that most Nigerians face. If government can take effective charge of power and provide adequate power supply, then we can concentrate our creative efforts on other areas, which will contribute immensely to the growth of our national economy. The way I see Nigeria and this includes everybody, I see a malnourish child who has tremendous potential but is not flourishing. Nigerians are very resourceful even with the situation Nigerians have shown that they can perform wonders; given a conducive environment. Look at our Ankara textile materials, which for many years were a favorite of designers in runways all over the world in the fashion industry.

Our textile factories started manufacturing it in the 80s but it has been highjacked by Asian companies.

Some have even claimed that it did not originate from Nigeria and that it was somehow imported from Asia to Nigeria and that we copied it from them. This is because of the stagnancy in the Nigerian textile sector. If the industry had continued to grow at the rate it was growing in that period. No one could say that. The solution is clear infrastructure, infrastructure, and infrastructure.” he said.

Mrs. Fadekemi Ahmed, a textile and clothing trader on Lagos Island, also pointed out that the problems of

THE PROBLEMS OF THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY ARE THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY

CHINESE MATERIALS IN

THE MARKET AND THEY ARE OFTEN CHEAPER THAN

NIGERIAN MADE TEXTILE MATERIALS

the textile industry are that there are too many Chinese materials in the market and they are often cheaper than Nigerian made textile materials. “We don’t know how those Chinese manage to produce them at such cheaper prices. It is not true that the imported clothes are inferior quality. I can tell you that many of them are of very good quality. When you have a good quality product at a cheaper price imported massively into the country, who wants to buy another product with a lower or equal quality but higher prices even if it is produced in Nigeria by Nigerians.”

On how she gets her goods, she said, ‘I don’t travel out to import them myself; they come here to supply me.

I have heard that some people travel out to bring their goods. I don’t, I have people who supply me. The business is good.” She explained that government should do what it should do to help the industry as “we will take goods from whoever is profitable since this is where we get our daily bread.

“I have been in this business for the past 10 years and this is what I use to send my children to school”, she said.

All hope may not be lost for the industry as falling oil prices have again underlined the need for economic diversification. The issue has also featured in ongoing election campaigns.

President Goodluck Jonathan during his campaigns efforts for 2015 elections has made a pledge to revive the textile industry one of his cardinal focus.

According to him, he hopes to generate employment and boost the economy through that sector. At the PDP presidential election rally held in Kaduna, the President had said, ‘With improvement in power supply, we will work closely with farmers and manufacturers to ensure that the textile industry is back to life, thereby reclaiming his lost glory.”

The governorship candidate of All Progressive Congress, APC, in Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai also assured that if elected, his administration will revive the moribund Kaduna Textile Limited and other collapsed factories in the state. Analysts say, these comments show that government is fully aware of the problems in the sector and that one can only hope that the campaign promises would be fulfilled.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

National News

Sunday, February 15, 2015

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Jonathan wants power by hook or crook –OBJ Presidency says former leader plotting return via back door

FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

F

ormer President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday fired another salvo at President Goodluck Jonathan declaring that the decision of the Independent National electoral Commission, INEC, to shift the general elections by six weeks was a grand design by the incumbent leader to secure another term of office by all means, fair or foul.

The former president, who spoke with journalists at his Hilltop mansion in Abeokuta, the Ogun State insisted that INEC’s decision to shift the general elections was forced on the commission’s chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega and was due to insecurity of the electoral materials and the elections’ personnel.

Obasanjo accused President Jonathan of habouring a grand plan to play the script of former President of Cote d’Ivorie, Laurent Gbagbo, who in 2010 orchestrated a shift in election date in that country, lost the poll by eight per cent to the then opposition leader, Alhassane Quatarra when the elections were eventually held but refused to hand over power thereby plunging his nation into turmoil.

He dismissed the excuse proffered by the military that time was needed to fight Boko Haram pointing out that it would be a miracle to achieve what could not be achieved in six years in six weeks.

He said: “What is observable and what would appear to be happening is that the President has a grand plan, a grand plan to ensure that by hook or by crook he wins the election or if it all fails he scuttles it and creates chaos, confusion and unpleasantness in the whole country because it the duty,

function and responsibility of the security officers to provide security. The President is the chief security (officer) of the country and the commander-in-chief and if security is required anywhere, anytime it is his duty and responsibility to provide it, failure to provide it is dereliction of duty pure and simple. Either the President is following his own grand plan or he or his associates are working the script they are playing, a script which, of course, must have brought his endorsement if not initiated by him.”

According to Obasanjo, “The President is trying to play Gbagbo. Gbagbo was the former President of Cote d’Ivoire and Gbagbo made sure he postponed the election in his country until he was sure he would win and he then allowed the election to take place.

He got an inconclusive election in the first ballot and I believe this will be the sort of thing Nigeria may fall into if I am right in what I observed as the grand plan and in the runoff, Gbagbo lost with eight per cent votes behind his opponent and then refuse to hand over power.

“All reasonable persuasion and pleading was rebuffed by him and he unleashed horror in that country until nemesis caught up with him. I believe that we may be seeing a repeat of Gbagbo or what I call Gbagbo saga here in Nigeria, I hope not.”

He dismissed the excuse adduced for the poll shift saying security chiefs are setting a bad precedent by forcing INEC to shift polls.

“For me you can give any excuse or you can give any rationalisation or you can rationalise anything. Look Boko Haram problem has been with us since 2009 and now you say what we have

not been able to achieve since 2009 we will achieve in six weeks.”

“Well all I will say is that God is a God of miracle, God can do anything but look countries like Syria had election they have full scale war all over the country. Countries like Iraq had election they had full scale war and they are still having. Countries like Afghanistan had election they even had election where the incumbent had his term and moved out.

Obasanjo further stated that President Jonathan has busy himself trying to scuttle the election because of his fear that General Buhari’s presidency could institute a probe panel against him and his administration.

“I believe the President’s fear is particularly motivated by whom he sees as his likely successor that is Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.

I believe people would have been telling that, look Buhari is a hard man he will fight corruption and you may end up in jail if not in the grave, I think people would have told him that sort of thing and he is not

the only one afraid of Buhari”.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has described as odious and repugnant the allegations made by former President Olusegun Obasanjo that President Goodluck Jonathan was plotting to win the rescheduled presidential elections by “hook or crook” and planning to plunge the nation into crisis if he loses the election.

A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said that Jonathan has no such intention and would continue to give the greatest possible support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant federal agencies to ensure that the rescheduled elections are successfully conducted.

Abati stated that it was wrong to falsely accuse Jonathan of such plot, saying that it was Obasanjo that is actually is scheming to plunge the country into chaos in pursuit of a self-

ish and highly egocentric agenda.

He further said that Obasanjo is planning to return to power through the backdoor by plotting with others within and outside the country to thwart the general elections and foist on the nation an unconstitutional Interim National Government, which he hopes to head.

Abati said such plan by Obasanjo would not succeed but would fail woefully.

According to Abati, Jonathan remains faithful to his oath of office and would not contemplate putting the nation into crisis.

Abati further said, “ as we have had cause to say before, it is most regrettable indeed that a man like Chief Obasanjo, who should know better chooses to repeatedly, wantonly, and maliciously impugn the integrity of a sitting President of his country for the primary purpose of selfpromotion.

“It is obvious from Chief Obasanjo’s serial vituperations against President Jonathan who is doing his

best to positively transform Nigeria for the benefit of all its people that he has willfully chosen to close his eyes to the present administration’s good works and intentions. For reasons best known to him, Chief Obasanjo has set his mind on regime change by fair or foul means.

“Otherwise, it would be completely senseless, irrational and out of place for Chief Obasanjo, who still claims to belong to the same party as the President, to accuse President Jonathan of plotting to win the rescheduled presidential elections by “hook or crook” and planning to plunge the nation into crisis if he loses the election.

“For the record, President Jonathan has no such intention and will continue to give the greatest possible support to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant federal agencies to ensure that the rescheduled elections are successfully conducted.

“Indeed, it is not CONTD. ON PAGE 57

L-R: Political activist, Mr. Dino Melaye; National Youth Leader, All Progressive Congress, Mr. Ibrahim Talo-Dasuki; National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun; APC Women Leader, Hajiya Ramatu Aliyu and others during the ‘March for Buhari’ road walk in Abuja, yesterday.

2015 presidential ballot papers found in London

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allot papers meant for the March 28 presidential election were yesterday found at the premises of a local printer in the Essex area of London, a web news service, saharaReporters. com, has reported.

The report quoted sourc-

es as saying the sensitive election materials, which ought to have arrived in Nigeria earlier in the week, were unsecured at the premises of Panther Printing Services in London.

SaharaReporters was able to confirm that a Nigerian firm named Ce-

moz International Limited had been contracted to print some ballot papers for the 2015 presidential elections.

A spokesman for the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Mr. Kayode Idowu, confirmed to SaharaReporters that Ce-

moz International Limited was one of the firms awarded the contract to print ballot papers.

It appears that, upon getting the contract, Cemoz went shopping for printers in London to print the ballot papers and then contracted these

other printers to serially to a correspondent of SaharaReporters, said the number the ballot papers.

Although the ballot firm only had the contract papers for the presiden- to print some of the ballot tial elections for several papers for Jigawa State.

Thinking that the corsouthwest states were seen lying around the respondent worked for Cepremises of the printing moz, the representative of the Essex-based company company in Essex, a staff at the company, speaking CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

News

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Sunday, February 15, 2015

Polls: IGP warns AIG Mbu against extrajudicial killings APC slams police chief OMEIZA AJAYI

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pparently piqued by recent media reports quoting the Assistant Inspector General AIG of Police, Zone 2, Mr. Joseph Mbu, as vowing to kill 20 civilians for each policeman killed in the forthcoming general elections, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba has warned the AIG against any resort to extra-judicial killings.

According to the IGP, the job of the police is to protect the lives and property of Nigerians, not to kill and maim the very people who pay them for protection.

Abba’s warning was contained in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday and signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu.

Mbu, who was only recently posted to the zone, had at a meeting with officers and men of the Ogun State Command at its Eleweran Headquarters, Abeokuta on Thursday, declared that the elections in his zone will be “fire for fire” if politicians decide to play pranks.

He said if any of his men were shot, at least 20 civilians would pay dearly with for it.

“If one of my men is killed, I shall kill 20 of them but don’t shoot first. If they

shoot you, shoot back in selfdefense. Anybody who fires you, fire him back in selfdefense”, Mbu had ordered.

Without any consideration for the constitutional mandate of other sistersecurity agencies, Mbu told his men that they were the only authority with the power to arrest, before, during and after elections, urging them not to bother to greet any governor who comes to vote, but to arrest him should he flout any law.

“You have the power to stop the governor,” he said.

“We are in a critical period.

We are not para-military.

We must be bold and brave.

Keep an eagle eye on everybody. We are authorised by the constitution to arrest before, during and after election. Our role is to ensure free, fair and violence free election.”

However, in the statement, the IGP restated his avowed commitment to the observance of the rule of law and the respect of the fundamental rights of citizens and residents alike by all police officers.

While admitting that there are circumstances under which an officer may be provoked in the course of duty, the IGP stressed that the attributes of a police officer as contained in the Police Regulations, require of ev-

ery officer to exercise “tact, patience and tolerance and the control of his temper in trying situations.”

The statement quoted the IGP as giving the charge at a meeting with a cross section of senior officers and stakeholders in his office.

He advised all officers of the necessity to apply caution in the use of firearms, warning that except in extreme circumstances, arms shall not be used during the forthcoming elections.

He observed that the rule of law is the underpinning tenet of democracy, which will guide police officers in the discharge of their roles in the elections.

The IGP further reassured the public that the Nigeria Police has a mandate to save and protect lives, and not to kill, contrary to recent statements attributed to AIG Mbu. He equally restated the preparedness of the Police to provide fool-proof security before, during and after the elections.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has described Mbu, as a” lawless and barbaric policeman” who should urgently be called to order by his boss before he starts another around of his trade-mark nihilism in his new posting.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said Mbu’s actions since he was posted to Lagos have neither dignified the police as an institution nor portrayed him as a well-trained law enforcement agent.

It said the temperament, comportment, utterances and actions of Mbu, a very senior police officer, are capable of inciting mass killings, violence and anarchy. ‘’Since his posting to the Zone 2 Command, this contumacious policeman has exhibited an egregious act of lawlessness by barging through the Lekki Toll Plaza without paying toll and then ordering the arrest of policemen and workers at the plaza. Is it not an irony that a man, who is trained to enforce the law is the same who is breaking the law? ‘’But that action, as bad as it was, pales into insignificance when compared to his most recent statement in which he was basically inciting the police against the citizenry and encouraging the killing of civilians. It is sheer irresponsibility for a senior policeman to say that for every policeman who is killed during the election, he will kill 20 civilians.

L-R: Japanese Deputy Head of Mission in Nigeria, Mr. Masaya Otsuka (left) and Chairman, FCT Universal Basic Education, Alhaji Umar Ningi, PHOTO: NAN inaugurating one block of four classrooms at Lea Primary School, Kotongora Estate in Gwagwalada on Thursday.

2015 presidential ballot papers found in London CONTD FROM PAGE 7 asked if the correspondent could give them more jobs, adding that their company

had mastered how to print ballot papers.

SaharaReporters later obtained a bill of lad-

ing showing that Cemoz planned to ship the ballot papers to Nigeria a few hours before February 14, the day

initially set aside for the presidential election. INEC subsequently postponed the election for six weeks.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Curfew imposed on Gombe as Army repels B’Haram Govt, military facilities attacked DANJUMA WILLIAMSGOMBE AND UBONG UKPONG ABUJA

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24-hour curfew has been imposed on Gombe, the Gombe State capital following a heavy attack launched by the dreaded Boko Haram fighters on some government and military facilities yesterday morning, where many were feared killed.

Senior Special Assistant to the Gombe State Governor on Media, Mr. Ayuba Aluke, told our correspondent that Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo who was out of the state had directed that except for essential services, no movement should be allowed until further notice.

Aluke called for calm and assured that government troops were on top of the situation as successes were being achieved over the insurgents.

Residents of the state capital woke up to sounds of bombs and gunshots. which lasted for over three hours before fighter-jets later seen straffed and bombed some selected parts of the town.

Our correspondent also learnt that the Boko Haram fighters were seen in the early hours of Saturday coming into the town from the eastern parts of Gombe in many pick up trucks.

It was also gathered that the insurgents were able to penetrate the 301 Artillery Regiment Army barracks where unconfirmed reports has it that several vehicles were destroyed. It was not clear whether there was resistance from the Nigerian Army but sources said the barrack’s armoury must have been attacked, including surrounding areas like State Low-cost, Bolari and others.

Another source also told our correspondent that the Quarter Guard of the 301 Artillery Regiment of the Nigerian Army was completely reduced to ashes.

Several police posts were said to have been attacked with yet to be ascertained number casualties recorded.

However, the Gombe State Police Command’s

spokesman, Fwaje Atajiri, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed the attack but said they were still assessing the situation.

As at the time of filing this report, the insurgents were said to have retreated backwards towards the eastern part of the state were Gombe shares a border with Borno State.

It was gathered that they were sharing leaflets warning the people not to vote during elections. A source from Hinna in YamaltuDeba Local Government said the insurgents killed many people and destroyed many facilities including the ambulance of Hinna Cottage Hospital. Hinna, Dadin-Kowa, Kwadon, Liji and all adjoining towns on Gombe-Biu axis are now no more than ghost towns as no one is seen outside.

Meanwhile, the military said yesterday that its troops successfully repelled the attack on Gombe state capital by insurgents.

This was disclosed by the Defence Headquarters, DHQ,, in a tweet, stressing that the troops were already going after the fleeing insurgents. In the tweet, the DHQ said, “Terrorists attack on Gombe has been repelled. Troops are in pursuit. Details later.”

Reports from Gombe, at press time, however, indicated that the insurgents have already been chased by soldiers some three kilometres away from the town.

Saturday’s attack was coming less than two weeks after a suicide bomber struck at the campaign venue of President Goodluck Jonathan in the city few minutes after his departure.

The President was in Gombe for a campaign rally on February 2, when a female suicide bomber struck shortly after the campaign train departed.

The female suicide bomber and a passerby died in the attack, while six persons were injured, the police said at the time.

In December, the Nigerian military said it killed 67 of the insurgents, who, in a convoy of over 30 vehicles and motorcycles, were on a mission to capture Ashaka, another Gombe town, the host community of Ashaka Cement Plant.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Sunday, February 15, 2015

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Fun-seekers celebrate low-key Valentine in Lagos

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ome fun-seekers in Lagos said on Saturday that the Valentine Day celebration was low key due to economic situation in the country.

Some of them told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews that most Nigerian now runs a tight budget.

Mr Oluwaseyi Adefowose, a banker said that the rise in dollars as against the naira had affected a lot of Nigerians in celebrating Valentine Day. “So many people do not have money to celebrate Valentine.

“People now plan their finances around more serious and important commitments, Valentine celebration is certainly not most people priority now,’’ he said.

Mr Temitope Ayilara, an engineer, said that the country’s economic condition had called for cautious spending.

“Most people prefer to stay at home and manage

their little resources than celebration Valentine in elaborate manner,’’ he said.

Mrs Cynthia Fidelis, the Manager of Jayvibes Entertainment at Sweet Sensation, Lagos, said that Nigerians were more concerned about addressing their pressing needs.

“Most people have not paid their children’s school fee and you are talking about Valentine.

“The Nigerian government needs to work on the current economic situation in the country,’’ Fidelis said.

Mr Emmanuel Olajide, a teacher, said Nigerians were fun-seekers but the current economic situation was affecting Valentine celebration across the country.

“Majority of Nigerians craves for fun but your pocket has to dictate to you, how you seek fun at this trying time,’’Olajide said.

He urged Nigerians to remember the less-privi-

leged and the orphanage homes during Valentine season.

Meanwhile, relaxation spots and business owners in Ikorodu, witnessed low patronage of funseekers.

Observers note that preparation for the general election was respon-

ABUJA

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he All Progressives Congress, APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) has urged the Federal Government to obey the various decisions of Nigerian courts, especially that of the Supreme Court directing that the military and all armed personnel be kept out of the nation’s election processes.

The Director of Media and Publicity of the party’s Presidential Campaign, Malam Garba Shehu, in a statement said, “Following recent calls by our presidential candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari and the chairman of our party, Chief Odigie Oyegun, that the military be kept out of our elections, so that they can focus on the challenges posed by the insurgency, we wish to draw attention to critical decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court directing that the military stay out of the election processes.”

He said the Supreme

Court had in 2005 handed down a directive to the military, the government and the electoral commission to keep the armed forces out of elections.

Shehu recalled that in a landmark case-MD Yusuf Vs. Obasanjo, 2005-in the Nigerian law reports, the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruled that, “It is up to the police to protect our nascent democracy and not the military, otherwise the democracy might be wittingly or unwittingly militarised. This is not what the citizenry bargained for after wresting power from the military in 1999. Conscious step or steps should be taken to civilianise the polity and thereby ensure survival and sustenance of democracy.”

He said that in another case, “Buhari Vs Obasanjo (2005)” as reported in the Nigerian Law Reports, the Supreme Court ruled that, “The state is obligated to ensure that citizens who are sovereign can exercise their franchise freely, unmolested and undisturbed.”

He reminded that

special event for Valentine Day celebration because of the election which was earlier scheduled for Feb. 14.

“So there is no planned activity for today, however, we have a few guests with their family using our pool facility.

“We also expect that a

few more would come at the night draws nearer to patronise our bars and other facilities,’’ he said.

Mrs Caroline Amadi, who manages a bear parlour at Odonla, Lagos, said that patronage in her shop had decreased compared to the last Valentine Day.

Minister of State for Education, Dr. Khaliru Alhassan (right), presenting a scholarship award to a 300-level medical student of Usmanu-Danfodiyo PHOTO: NAN University, Sokoto, yesterday.

Obey Supreme Court, keep military out of elections, APC tells FG OBIORA IFOH

sible for the poor patronage during the Valentine Day celebration.

Mr Peters Elijah, a hotel operator, said that there was no special programme for the celebration due to the day that initially fell on presidential election date.

“We did not plan any

in yet another majority decision, the Court of Appeal in Buhari Vs Obasanjo (2005) ruled that, “It is appropriate at this juncture to make some observations. I believe the time has come in our learning process to establish the culture of democratic rule in this country, to strive to do the right thing, particularly when it comes to dealing with electoral process, which in my view is one of the pillars of democracy.

“I believe in spite of the non-tolerant nature and behaviour of our political class in this country, we should by all means try to keep armed personnel of whatever status or nature from being part and parcel of our election processes. The civilian authorities should be left to conduct and carry out fully, the electoral processes at all levels.”

The APCPCO said that in the light of this, it is preposterous of the military to hold back the hand of the INEC from going forth with elections scheduled for February 14.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

10

Interview ENCOUNTER WITH A NEWS MAKER FEBRUARY 15, 2015

I support Jonathan to sustain Ijaw, Urhobo cohesion –Ogboru Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru is contesting for the governorship election in Delta State for the fifth time and he is one of the most consistent opposition leaders in the state. In this interview with some selected journalists, he speaks about his recent endorsement by Urhobo Progress Union, UPU, the apex socio-cultural body of the Urhobo, and his plans for the state.

THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN was there. Excerpts: How do you feel being endorsed by UPU? The UPU’s endorsement humbled me as their candidate for the governorship election in Delta State, which is by no means, not a mean task. It is a major endorsement for this campaign. I thought I should use this medium to thank the UPU executive members and its affiliate bodies, for such a wonderful endorsement. On our part, we will build on the goodwill that comes from that endorsement and make sure that we deliver for the necessary good of the people of the state by ensuring that we will form a government for the people of this state.

Your endorsement seems to be splitting the UPU, such that today, we have factions. How does it affect your political structure?

There is no faction in UPU. In very this instance,

Ogboru

there is no reason for a faction and I don’t believe there is a faction at all. If you ask the average Urhobo, he would tell you there is only one UPU. Without mincing words, I believe that over 85 per cent of the Urhobo people endorsed the position of the UPU, so if a very significant minority wants to make a fool of and call themselves faction, what can you do?

They will fizzle out with time. There is no such thing as a faction at all.

What are the political benefits of being endorsed by the UPU? That depends on who the candidate is.

The UPU is a body that encompasses well over 10 local governments in the state. Whenever it takes a decision which has the approval of the people, which they do most times, it translates into votes of the people from these local governments.

Knowing that over 85 per cent of the Urhobo nation has endorsed the position of the UPU is actually as good as saying that the elections in the 10 LGs have been settled. That is the meaning of that endorsement.

If a different

candidate was chosen in this case, it could have been contentious. But in this case where the UPU chose a popular candidate that has the necessary grassroots connect with the people, it actually settles the question beyond reasonable doubts. I think we have settled the issue of 10 LG in Delta State.

Two prominent Urhobo sons are in the governorship race and there are speculations that you will put hands together to make one give way for the other. With your endorsement, do you see any possibility of your opponent stepping down for you?

I’m sure it is the process of trying to make somebody emerge that has led to the so-called faction you talked about. Some persons will disagree because they thought they will be the preferred candidates. Unfortunately, man proposes and God disposes. This is not the agenda that the people of Delta State or the Urhobo have accepted. Nerves are frayed at this moment and a few people are aggrieved.

But that should be expected in a situation like this.

Ideally, this is a democracy; we should have as many candidates as possible. But without trying to denigrate the UPU for their wonderful and bold decision, I want to say it has always been a two horse race in this business anyway. The governorship race for 2015 is between the Labour Party, LP, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. At the end of the day, the electorate are quite vast in their knowledge and understanding of the issues that for them to have a three-horse race would be very difficult in the circumstances. The endorsement of the UPU has only narrowed it formally for the Urhobo nation. But as far as Delta State is concerned, it was always a two horse race.

But some other persons are of the opinion that it is between the PDP and APC and your endorsement has polarised the UPU. What’s your opinion?

Whatever time the endorsement comes is always welcomed. We accept that it was a two horse race, but this endorsement has foreclosed 10 LGAs elections. Those who believe in the UPU will vote for us.

What is your message to those leading the faction in UPU and their supporters in Urhobo nation?

I’m sure we have agreed it is a two horse race, so it is not a difficult thing to convince anyone that the reality of the situation demands that we should join forces. If you want to be part of the new dispensation, come join forces with your brother or political allies so you can do what is right. We all cannot win at the same time. In this case we have won, they

should congratulate us. Had they won, we would have done the same thing.

Your party has endorsed President Jonathan of the PDP as its presidential candidate while you are contesting as LP candidate for governor. Won’t you end up confusing the electorate during the poll?

It’s not true. If you remember in 2011, we had a similar situation. We had the presidential and National Assembly elections on the same day. We had a PDP president who is Jonathan. President Jonathan won his election, the late Pius Ewherido won his election, Ogbaburhon won his. Those elections were conducted on the same day. I believe that the electorate are sufficiently knowledgeable of the typical political issues and the actors involved. They take the decision not because we tell them to, but because they have made up their minds to do so. Those who will vote for Obaisi who incidentally is the next Senator of Delta central will vote for him. There is no basis for confusion.

How true is the report that you are trying to woo Emerhor to join forces?

Politics is about interest. If it is in their interest to align with us, I believe they would do so, irrespective of whatever their party would say. In any case, we have short, medium and long term goals. What is the immediate agenda they want to prosecute? That is what will decide that. I believe that O’tega Emerhor alliance which was on the agenda of the UPU is a good initiative. Whether he accepts or not is another issue. The bottom line is it will still end up as a two horse race and we must contest this election on that basis.

What are you doing to ensure that you gain votes from other ethnic nationalities?

You cannot become governor of this state with 10 LGs. It is a necessity that we must join forces from other places. Our party is not one restricted to Urhobo land. We are well positioned in the 25 LGs of this state and I believe in a free and fair basis, we should be able to get the necessary spread in all the local governments in the state. Without trying to mince words, we think we would do better than before and we should in these very elections take not less than 18 LGs from PDP. What are you doing to check election manipulation?

Over the years, we have worked on it. Today, seemingly in Delta North, 75 per cent of elections there are free and fair; in Central, 75-80 per cent is free and fair. The problem we had in the last election was in Delta CONTINUED ON PAGE 55

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

APGA, PDP, APC in battle royale for Anambra

Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES FEBRUARY 15, 2015

I HAVE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT REMOVING THE INEC CHAIRMAN, THOUGH I HAVE THE CONSTITUTIONAL POWER TO DO SO. 12

PDP, APC in tight race for Osun National Assembly seats P 52

Briefly

–PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN

Election postponement:

More headaches for politicians

Lagosians fed up with APC’s impunity –Cleric

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Lagos-based clergyman, Archbishop Samson Benjamin, has said that Lagosians were fed up with the impunity of the All Progressive Congress, APC-led government and were determined to effect a change through the coming elections.

Benjamin urged Lagosians to vote out the current regime and install a PDP government with Jimi Agbaje at the helm of affairs.

“Lagos State’s sickness is more than Ebola and it needs a pharmacist to give it the drug that will cure its ailment. Jimi Agbaje is a professional pharmacist. And this professional pharmacist will not prescribe to us any drug that has expired. And one drug that has expired is APC,” the cleric said.

According to him, Agbaje had a few days back demonstrated humility by personally serving the people of Ajegunle kerosene when the PDP campaign train stopped there.

His words: “Jimi Agbaje is an embodiment of humility and simplicity. He is also a man of sound pedigree. The truth is that he has not got into power yet, and he has started sharing kerosene. That is one reason the people love him. Agbaje is very much unlike some other people who have not got into power, yet they have started to threaten people.”

Imo Accord guber candidate pledges to uplift economy

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Buhari

AYO ESAN

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enultimate Saturday, the dates for this year’s general election which were earlier fixed for February 14 and 28 were shifted to March 18 and April 11. The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, while announcing the postponement through its National Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, cited inability of the military to provide security for the February elections This decision by the electoral umpire drew mixed reactions from many Nigerians and the international community, who have since accepted the postpone-

Jonathan

ment with many of them skeptical of the new dates.

In his reaction to the shift in dates, the United States Secretary of State, John Kerry, said America was “deeply disappointed” by the decision. It is critical that the government was not using security concerns as a pretext for impeding the democratic process. The international community will be watching closely as the Nigerian government prepares for elections on the newly scheduled dates.”

British Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, said the postponement was cause for concern.

“The security situation should not be used as a reason to deny the Nigerian

people from exercising their democratic rights. It is vital that the elections are kept on track and held as soon as possible.”

United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki moon, urged officials to take all necessary measures to enable Nigerians to vote “in a timely manner”, including rapid distribution of voter cards. “This is imperative for ensuring credible, free and fair elections,” he said.

No doubt, the shift in the polls dates will have its socio-economic implication on the country and its inhabitants.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

he Imo State Accord Party gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Ken Ojiri has vowed to boost the state’s economy and remove hunger and poverty from the state.

Speaking at the flag-off of his statewide campaign Ojiri said.: “You are aware that there is hunger and poverty in the land. What we will do in 2015 is to drastically reduce poverty and put food on the table of Imolites.”

Using the phraseology of “stomach infrastructure” he told his supporters that his government will ensure that every person in the state feeds well.

To achieve that goal, he stressed that his administration will start with agriculture as Imo State according to him, has abundant land and human resources which if effectively employed, will deliver the goal.

Ojiri announced his second agenda to ensure free qualitative education at all levels in the state by making beneficiaries be highly competitive in the global market such that those who pass through the state education system would have gainful employment anywhere in the world to reverse the present backward trend.

“Added to that, keen application of skills development will be of serious attention for quality entrepreneurship to boost human capital development, employment and wealth creation”, he said.

12

Politics

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, February 15, 2015

APGA, PDP, APC in battl CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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n March 28, 2015, the competitive politics of Anambra State shall be in the public focus again, as the candidates of the three dominant political parties, namely All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA; Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and All Progressives Congress, APC, shall engage in a battle of the ballots to grab the three senatorial seats for Anambra Central, Anambra South and the Anambra North, respectively.

Their candidates, comprising people who are like veterans in contemporary Anambra politics, are expected to have their fate determined by voters on a day also fixed for the presidential election.

The fact is that since the ban on election campaigns was lifted, all the competing candidates like Chief Victor Umeh, Senator Chris Ngige, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, Dr Andy Uba, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, Ethel Obiakor, Princess Stella Odua, Chief Dubem Obaze and Hon. Ralph Okeke have been criss-crossing to various electoral wards, homes of key individuals and community leaders, soliciting votes.

In some cases, some of the contestants went to the extent of giving freebies such as cash and bags of rice to the prospective voters. These are usually distributed to the beneficiaries at the end of emotive campaign speeches.

The contest is expected to be arduous and largely contentious in the Central Senatorial Zone, where APGA, PDP and APC chieftains like Hon. Ekwunife, Chief Umeh and Senator Ngige, respectively, hail from. This is because they all

AS EXPECTED THE CONTEST FOR THE CENTRAL

SENATORIAL SEAT IS NOW GENERATING TENSION IN THE POLITY AND CREATING ACRIMONY AMONG THEIR DIFFERENT SUPPORTERS WHO WATCH WITH CONSTERNATION AS THE CONTENDERS ARE THROWING BRICKBATS AT EACH OTHER.

Oba aze

have all that is required to come tops in the district.

And as expected the contest for the Central Senatorial seat is now generating tension in the polity and creating acrimony among their different supporters who watch with consternation as the contenders are throwing brickbats at each other.

It is also expected that the contest for the Anambra South and North Senatorial seats will be very dicey and the outcome difficult to predict as almost all

the strong contenders like Senator Andy Uba of the PDP, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe of the APGA for the South, and Princess Stella Odua of the PDP and Chief Dubem Obaze of the APGA for the North, have swung into action, oiling their campaign machines through mobilization of their supporters.

Although it is difficult to predict who among the contestants will emerge winners, a look through their strength and weaknesses may help in suggesting the ones whose chances are brighter than

terror acts had started in 2010. So where was the ability to guarantee security then? ” he asked.

Looking at the implication for the politicians, especially the candidates in the elections, Lagos State gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, said the shift in date by INEC though fell in line with the Nigerian Constitution, it meant more expenses and stress for competitors.

According to him, the postponement will facilitate the holding of more credible and better inclusive elections by INEC. He said that a slight delay in the polls should raise no eyebrows so long as the May 29 handover date remained sacrosanct.

“It is apparent to everyone now that the postponement is within the confines of the Constitution and the electoral guidelines. As long as May 29 remains sacrosanct, everything is in order. And it is obvious that May 29 remains sacrosanct,” he emphasized.

Some PDP supporters who do not want their names in print believe the postponement will give their presidential candidate, President Goodluck Jonathan, six extra weeks to rally support and be able to defeat the APC candidate, General Muhammadu Buhari.

According to them, the incumbent president has enormous power and resources

and therefore will have more money to spend on campaigns than the opposition who may need to start shopping for more money to run their campaigns in the additional weeks. To them, the ruling party would be at an advantage.

Political watchers in the country also believe that the postponement will also intensify the long-running acrimony between the two major political parties, aggravate tensions between the North and South and could provoke further violence.

Sunday Mirror observed that the role of the military in the postponement has further raised serious questions about its political neutrality. The opposition may not accept the army as a credible peace enforcer if, as it seems likely, post-election violence erupts.

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also expressed concern about the negative impact of the election postponement on businesses and investors’ confidence. It said investors needed to have an idea of the direction of the country’s political and economic governance in order to manage policy and political risks of investments.

Its president, Mr. Remi Bello, said: “Political transition periods were typically characterised by profound anxiety and

Ndu ukwe

the others’ The Central senatorial zone: This zone is made up of seven local governments, namely Awka South, Awka North, Idemili North, Idemili South, Dunukofia, Anaocha and Dunukofia. Before now, the zone had had about five senators, including the incumbent, Senator Ngige, who fought hard to defeat the late Prof. Dora Akunyili in April, 2011. Ngige who hails from Alor in Idemili North is re-contesting for the Central Senatorial seat alongside Hon. Ekwunife who hails from Nri in Anaocha Local Government and Chief Umeh who also hails

‘INEC must test-run CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

Raji Fashola (SAN) has said the rescheduling of the elections was “a low point in governance”, insisting that it was capable of undermining the nation’s democracy and investment.

“I think Nigerians must be disappointed by the postponement of the polls from February to March because it seems as if INEC was ambushed to take that decision.

The shift will have consequences for us as a nation; the credibility of our governance is regrettably diminished. I do not know of any serious democracy that has set election dates, then changed them.

“I think when a country sets a process in motion like this; it ought to know that there would be political and economic consequences.

“Investors watch what is going on. It is really disappointing and when you hear the Federal Government say they cannot guarantee security, it is more disappointing. Security is the primary responsibility of the government and whether the nation holds election or not, it is the duty of government to provide security. If countries like Afghanistan and Syria where there is war and internal conflicts still had elections, I do not see why we can’t. Again, we had elections in 2011 and some of these

Jega a

uncertainty. Prolonging these conditions has adverse impact on the confidence of investors.

According to him, major investment decisions were difficult to take at times like this, saying that the tempo of economic activities had expectedly decelerated as a result of the impending polls.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sunday February 15, 2015

Man in the News Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd)

Flying the kite of election postponement AYO ESAN

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he National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Professor Attahiru Jega, has announced a shift in the earlier dates fixed for this year’s general elections. Many Nigerians however believe that the real person behind mask of the election postponement is no other than the National Security Adviser, NSA, to President Goodluck Jonathan, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

Jega had cited security challenge as the reason for the shift in dates of the election when he said the Service Chiefs said they could not provide security for the February elections and therefore forced a shift for six weeks.

Addressing the media after several consultative meetings penultimate Saturday, Jega said the general elections slated for February 14 and 28 could not hold as scheduled because of inability of the Service Chiefs to guarantee security. He gave the new dates as March 28 and April 11, based on a request for a six-week postponement by the military high command.

The change in the dates of the elections came on the heels of an earlier suggestion by Dasuki that the ballot should be postponed.

Dasuki, had in London on January 22, suggested the postponement of this year’s national elections by three months to enable the INEC distribute the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, to about 30 million Nigerians who were presumed not to have obtained the cards.

He spoke at the London think-tank Chatham House, during a lecture entitled, ‘Nigeria’s insecurity: Insurgency, corruption, elections and the management of multiple threats’, that “INEC had distributed 30 million cards in the past year but had another 30 million to hand out.”

Dasuki had said during a question and answer session that he had suggested to the Chairman of INEC that a postponement by three months was allowed by the law and that it would be a good idea if next month’s elections were delayed to give organisers more time to distribute millions of biometric voter cards to voters. He said there had been technical hitches in data collection, while election officials had not explained how they would conduct the poll in parts of the North-East gripped by a violent uprising by the Islamic Boko Haram fundamentalists.

Dasuki further said Jega had assured him that, “It would achieve this in time for the February date, but he thought it will make more sense to take more time

and there was a 90-day window during which the election could legally take place. It costs you (INEC) nothing; it’s still within the law,” adding that it was, however, for INEC and not for him to decide.

Though the view of Dasuki over a likely postponement of the election dates was condemned by many Nigerians, especially the main opposition party , the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the human rights community, it kept re-echoing among the topnotch of the ruling party, PDP. According to the election time-table, which was designed over a year ago, the Presidential, Senatorial and House of Representatives polls were to hold on February 14 while the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections were fixed for February 28.

As expected, the shift in the election dates drew mixed reactions with APC and the American government condemning the act while the ruling PDP praised the decision of INEC, saying it would afford the commission the opportunity to distribute the PVCs to Nigerians who had not collected theirs.

But in a way to wash his hands of the postponement, Dasuki said the military only advised that the polls be shifted in the troubled states only, the point which

he described as in order.

“NDI and IRI expressed concern “that millions of PVCs have not yet been distributed by INEC. They also observed that the voter card readers, VCRs, which INEC branded as an innovation in Nigeria to strengthen the voting process, its “procurement (as at January 15) is still underway and not all card readers have been delivered to INEC,” one month to the first scheduled election.

The DHQ, in recommending for the shift in three states of the North-East, said only 13 local governments are under the control of the Boko Haram insurgents: 10 in Borno, two in Yobe and one in Adamawa, which explains why it recommended the shift of polls in the three states, and not in the entire country.

Meanwhile, he has given the assurance that the new dates of March 28 and April 11, for the presidential and National Assembly and gubernatorial and state House of Assembly elections respectively remain sacrosanct.

He assured that the military and the combined regional forces from Chad, which is donating a 2,500-strong contingent, Cameroun and Nigeria, would clear the troubled zones in three weeks.

Dasuki, a retired Colonel is the current National Security Adviser to President Jonathan. He was appointed NSA

on June 22, 2012 following the removal of General Owoye Andrew Azazi, (rtd).

He had military training in many institutions in Nigeria and overseas including the Nigerian Defence Academy; U.S. Army Field Artillery School, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in the United States.

He also attended American University, Washington DC where he bagged a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and George Washington University, Washington DC where he obtained an MA in Security Policy Studies.

Dasuki was former Aide de Camp (ADC) to Nigeria’s former military head of state, Genera Ibrahim Babangida. He was also a former Managing Director of Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPMC). He resigned in protest from the NSPMC following its controversial privatisation by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Dasuki is the son of Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, who was deposed as Sultan of Sokoto by the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha. His uncle, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, is the incumbent Sultan of Sokoto and head of the Nigerian Muslim community.

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Opinion

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

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

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f numerous accounts and pictures shared on the social media are anything to go by, the troops from Chad who retook Gambouru from Boko Haram have hoisted the Chadian flag in the town. The Chadian troops had been dispatched to Northeast Nigeria to help the Nigerian military authorities intensify the campaign against the Islamist group. In an arrangement backed by the United Nations, African Union and Economic Community of West African States, the countries of Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria would be joining forces to combat the terrorist group, whose activities have since become trans-border, with Cameroon being the worst hit.

Boko Haram has been on a clueless campaign of terror, causing maximum damage to life and property in their places of operation. The group’s modes of operation have included suicide bombing, planting of IEDs at schools and market or public transport stations, arson, abduction, ambush on military detachments, raid on military barracks and police stations, scorched earth, direct battles with soldiers and civilian collaborators, and lately, seizure of territories. In the course of their

HAMIDU MOHAMMED ‘Great leaders are never satisfied with current levels of achievements. They are relentlessly driven by possibilities and potential achievements’ –Donna Harrison

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rue meaning was given to Nigeria’s democracy by the Federal Government with the last downward review of fuel pump price by acceding to the yearning of the people. The fuel pump price reduction debunked the long held opinion of many Nigerians that it is impossible for prices of goods to come down once they go up.

With uncommon zeal in this season of belt-tightening measures , the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Alison Diezani-Madueke, rose stoutly in deference to the aspirations of many Nigerians penultimate week to announce a downward review of pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, (petrol) thereby demonstrating clearly that the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration has a listening air.

Prior to the announcement of the slash in the per litre price of the product from N97 per litre to N87, the organized labour, economists and others conversant with the dynamics of the international oil market had strongly called for the downward review to reflect the cost of fuel importation as a fiscal imperative.

Rather than hastily acceding to the agitation, the Minister, with her team of professional colleagues took the issues before the highest level of government and by her persuasive approach and humane disposition to issues that touch on the welfare of the ordinary Nigerians, she was able to

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Rethinking foreign military presence in Nigeria campaign, Boko Haram commanders have declared a stretch of territory the size of Belgium in Northern Nigeria as an independent Islamic Caliphate.

The reign of terror has left more than 15, 000 people killed and over 1.5 million persons displaced within and outside Nigeria. The recipient countries of these Nigerian refugees have been Niger, Cameroon and Chad, with the last two countries making it mandatory for their Nigerian guests to learn the national anthems of their hosts.

The expanding terror operations and incursions into neighbouring soils of the Boko Haram group startled Nigeria’s Francophone neighbours and the direct threat two months by “one of the Shekaus” to unleash attacks on “lowly” Cameroon jolted Paul Biya, who promptly cried out for help from foreign (European) allies and Chad. The French and Chadian governments quickly resolved to meet their Nigerian counterparts to strike a deal that would present the most effective counterforce ever to Boko Haram. The French government, for obvious reasons of mistrust between both countries and age-long cold war and suspicion over regional hegemony, had to reassure Nigeria that it would not operate directly on the latter’s territory in order not to compromise Nigeria’s sovereignty.

The African countries were however allowed to operate directly from within Nigeria, with Chad leading the pack and settling to work immediately. In a space of 24 hours, the Chadian forces had routed

Boko Haram cells in Gambouru and liberated the town, making it the first time since independence that Nigeria would be having foreign troops on its sovereign soil. And immediately too, they had allegedly hoisted their flag. While hoisting it in their base might be a general practice of nationals in war time to remind them of and indicate their presence in a particular war zone, it may not be the same inside a sovereign territory of a country that is being helped. At worst, the Nigerian flag should be side by side with the Chadian flag.

The African Union had approved a 7, 500 troops to add up to what is currently on ground, which implies that more foreign soldiers will be coming soon to help in the war against Boko Haram. It is understandable that the terror activities and ominous spread of its operations might consume not only Northern Nigeria but the rest of the Sahel area, particularly Cameroon, Niger, and Chad. The rate at which the terrorist group was operating: abducting school children, raiding villages and towns and engaging in large scale killing and destruction along the borders, was alarming enough to warrant a multinational approach to resolving the international problem. The January 2015 attack on Baga, with satellite images showing massive arson and slaughter of unprecedented proportions attracted international concerns and adding up to pent-up anger following the abduction of and still missing 219 Chibok girls since April 2014, there arose a global outrage

matched by strategic planning on how to decimate Boko Haram. But the acceptance of Nigeria to have its smaller and less powerful neighbours, known for their own skirmishes and forceful taking of Nigerian villages in the past, was going to talking points and cause for concern.

Chad had been helped in the 1980s by Nigeria to quell its internal strife as well as stabilize it after the war. Most of Chadian food supplies and exotics are imported from Nigeria. Chad also makes a huge percentage of its revenue from selling livestock to its Anglophone neighbour. The protracted Boko Haram war had impaired free flow of goods and services, which had hampered economic growth for Chad. The other alternative that Chad had, Cameroon, was also gradually coming under the Boko Haram siege and sooner than later, the trade and commercial routes too would be blocked. The Chadian state thus had no choice than to help fight Boko Haram. It is for national survival, a ‘raison d’être’, very much in alignment with Morgenthau’s position about the very essence of the international politics of states.

But we cannot also forget so soon, how Chad had been indicted in the Boko Haram menace in Northeast Nigeria, particularly in the wake of the phantom ceasefire talks and agreement. It all looked like a Chadian conspiracy with Boko Haram to buy time and recoup for a more organized onslaught, which eventually happened. Before his decampment CONTINUED ON PAGE 58

Diezani’s petrol pump price adjustment strategy secure government’s approval for a N10 reduction on petrol pump price to the delight of the citizenry.

Quite remarkably, Mrs Alison-Madueke, has by the latest move once again demonstrated her unwavering commitment to making the petroleum sector work for the greatest number of the Nigerian people.

Though many Nigerians may not necessarily understand the complexities and underground political issues that come into play when the management of the nation’s hydrocarbon resources is the matter, the truth is that the Minister has consistently weighed the options and opted for the best whenever the interests of the ordinary Nigerians are concerned.

For those who are familiar with the fiscal position of the Nigerian government consequent upon the prolonged dwindling revenues from crude oil export over the past seven months, the N10 slash in the PMS pump price could be likened to swallowing a dry bitter pill by a government that has continued to grapple with the enormous challenges of macroeconomic stability and improved socio-economic well-being of millions of Nigerians.

Announcing the downward review of the pump price at a media briefing on January 18 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Alison-Madueke said the fiscal measure was necessitated by the reduction in crude oil prices at the international market, but more particularly to demonstrate government’s readiness to act in the interest of the people.

The Minister, who is also the President of the Organisation of Petroleum Export-

ing Countries (OPEC), noted that crude oil prices had been on decline in the international market in the past few months and that based on the powers conferred on her

by Section 6, Clause one of the Petroleum Act, she had directed the Petroleum Products Prices Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and Department of Petroleum Resources to immediately effect the new price from 12 midnight of January 18, this year.

Her words: “Therefore, with the approval and directive of Mr. President and by virtue of Section 6 clause 1 of the Nigerian Petroleum Act, it is my responsibility as Minister of Petroleum Resources to hereby announce a reduction in the pump price of Petroleum Motor Spirit (Petrol) from the current N97 per litre pump price down to N87 per litre pump price, effective from twelve (12) midnight Sunday, 18 of January 2015.

“Accordingly, I have directed the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to ensure strict compliance of this price adjustment by all marketing companies”, the minister said.

Beyond the façade of the new pricing regime on petrol lies a fundamental question. This is, has the reduction of the pump price by government in any way affected the general price level? This, to me, is one of the contradictions that should agitate the minds of Nigerians. The issue for concern of many Nigerians is how best to ensure that policy measures do not end at the decision making level but are concrete benefits for poor Nigerians, the primary target of such measures.

Ordinarily, one would have expected by now that transporters, traders and other commercial agents would have reflected the slash in the petrol pump price in transport fares and prices of goods and services but two weeks after, nothing seems to have changed in the exploitative tendencies of transporters and sellers of goods and services. In other climes, the impact of the fiscal measure would by now be reflecting on general price level. Ironically, this hardly happens in Nigeria.

What this ugly scenario calls for therefore is that the organized labour should rally their members, including the transporters, to ensure that the benefits of the adjusted pump price of petrol are felt by the masses.

To do otherwise will be tantamount to playing the Ostrich by a group that has always pretended to be representing the interest of the masses but at the same time closing its eyes to the hardships its members are silently imposing on hapless and helpless ordinary citizens in the country.

What one is saying here is that rather than returning to the trenches preparatory to another ‘Aluta’ war against the government over what remains a rumoured plan by government to reduce fuel subsidies this year, the organised labour should show more concern about how the impact of the reduced pump price of petrol will be felt at the grassroots in form of reduced cost of transportation and by implication, cost of doing business and living in the country.

•Mohammed, who wrote from Abuja, is of Diezani Promoters Group (DPG)

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES February 15, 2015

Controlling abdominal pain TITILOPE MORAKINYO

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bdominal pain is a life threatening medical condition as it can be severe and persistent pain of sudden onset that is likely to require surgical intervention to treat its cause. The pain may frequently be associated with nausea and vomiting, abdominal distention, fever and signs of shock. One of the most common conditions associated with acute abdominal pain is acute appendicitis. It is used to describe pain originating from organs within the abdominal cavity. Organs of the abdomen include the stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, gall bladder, appendix, kidney spleen, and pancreas.

Abdominal pain is felt in the abdomen. The abdomen is an anatomical area that is bounded by the lower margin of the ribs and diaphragm above, the pelvic bone (pubic ramus) below, and the flanks on each side. Although abdominal pain can arise from the tissues of the abdominal wall that surround the abdominal cavity such as the skin and abdominal wall muscles, the term abdominal pain generally is used to describe pain originating from organs within the abdominal cavity.

However, the lowermost portion of the area described previously. is the pelvis, which contains the urinary bladder and rectum as well as the prostate gland in men, and the uterus, Fallopian tubes, and ovaries in women. Practically speaking, it often is difficult to know if lower abdominal pain is coming from the lower abdomen or pelvis.

Occasionally, pain may be felt in the abdomen even though it is arising from organs that are close to, but not within, the abdominal cavity. For example, conditions of the lower lungs, the kidneys, and the uterus or ovaries can cause abdominal pain. On the other hand, it also is possible for pain from organs within the abdomen to be felt outside of the abdomen. For example, the pain of pancreatic inflammation may be felt in the back. These latter types of pain are called “referred” pain because the pain does not originate in the location that it is felt. Rather, the cause of the pain is located away from where it is felt (i.e., it is referred to a different area).Abdominal pains occurs between the chest and pelvic regions; it can be cramp-like, achy, dull, or sharp.

Inflammation or diseases that affect these organs can cause pain in the abdomen. Viral or bacterial infections that affect the stomach and intestines may also cause significant abdominal pain and it is sometimes referred to as a stomach ache.

It can range in intensity from a mild stomach ache to

severe acute pain, while the pain is often nonspecific and can be caused by a variety of conditions. Many organs are found within the abdominal cavity. Sometimes the pain is directly related to a specific organ such as the bladder or ovary, while at other times it is more diffuse or non-specific. Usually, abdominal pain originates in the digestive system and the pain can be caused by appendicitis, diarrheal cramping, or food poisoning.

In an interview with Sunday Mirror, a medical practitioner with Mild Gate Hospital, Maryland, Lagos, Dr Tayo Iyimade, explains abdominal pain as the discomfort that a sufferer feels, a pain between the lower chest to the distal groin. It is caused by inflammation, contraction of the intestinal muscles or hyper sensitivity to normal intestinal activities.

It is caused by inflammation by stretching or distention of an organ such as the obstruction of the intestine, blockage of a bile duct by gallstones, swelling of the liver with hepatitis or by loss of the supply of blood to an organ, Food allergies or intolerance, ulcers, stomach flu, bowel blockage or obstruction, heartburn and swelling or infection of the pancreases.

He added that the symptoms of abdominal pain is severe and they include fever, painful or unusual frequent urination, inability to keep food down for several days, difficulty in breathing, tender abdomen and pains during pregnancy.

The doctor explained that abdominal pain are in different forms such as the generalised pain that felt in more than half of the stomach. This type of pain is more typical for a stomach virus, indigestion, or gas and when the pain becomes more severe, it may be caused by a blockage of the intestines. Localised pain is found in only one area of the stomach. It is more likely to be a sign of a problem in an organ, such as the appendix, gallbladder, or stomach. While the cramp-like pain is not serious most of the time. It is likely to be due to gas and bloating, and is often followed by diarrhea. More wor-

UNFPA partners NAN on reproductive health Mrs Ratidzai Ndhlovu, the Country Representative, United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA), has sought to revive the fund’s technical partnership with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as part of its strategy to strengthen its operations.

Ndhlovu said this in Abuja on Friday when she visited the Managing Director of NAN, Mr Ima Niboro.She said UNFPA acknowledged the importance of

the media in its operations and was eager to strengthen existing relationships while it remained focused in reviving broken ones.

“When I first arrive in the country my first question was where is the media, where is the partner, because I am used to working with a media as a partner, then I discovered that we used to have it but now it is not there.

“I said no we cannot work with the media on ad hoc basis; we

need a proper relationship and for us to have a relationship we need the mother body, so that is how we started now trying to meet you so that we could discuss.

“For the media they are most critical partner because they cut across what the other partners are doing.’’ Ndhlovu stressed the need for UNFPA to resuscitate its relationship with NAN and faulted the suspension of the earlier partnership with the agency.

risome signs include pain that occurs more often, lasts than 24 hours, or occurs with a fever.

“Abdominal pains can be controlled by drinking water or other clear fluids. The sufferer avoids food for the first few hours. When the pain in the abdomen is high and occurs after meals, antacids may help, especially when the victims feels heartburn or indigestion. Patients should avoid citrus, high-fat foods, fried or greasy foods, tomato products, caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages. Drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medications, and narcotic pain pills should be avoided, unless it is prescribed by the health care provider, meals that are well-balanced and high in fiber should be encouraged with fruits and vegetables.” he explained.

Dr Iyimade advised that patients should call on health or medical provider when they experience an abdominal discomfort that lasts a week or longer. Pain that does not improve between 24 and 48 hours becomes more severe and frequent and occurs with nausea and vomiting.

HEALTH NEWS

Parents take wards from school in Guinea over Ebola fear The Red Cross Society in Guinea said parents have taken their children out of school in some parts of Conakry because of fears that the Society was spreading the Ebola virus on campus.

This was happening less than a month after schools reopened, Youssouf Traore, the President of the Red Cross Society of Guinea, said on Friday in Conakry.

He said parents took their

children out of school, accusing Red Cross of infecting the schools with Ebola and vaccinating the children.

He, however, added that there was nothing like that because the society never entered the schools or vaccinated children.

He said “we only disinfect the homes and places where sick Ebola victims have been and then only with the permission of their family and community.’’

Traore said efforts to wipe out the deadly virus were hampered by people’s mistrust of health workers, and by the number of people still hiding sick friends and relatives from authorities, particularly in Conakry.

He noted that the school term normally starts in October in Guinea, but the government delayed the reopening of schools until Jan. 19 in an effort to contain the virus.

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A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR PUBLISHER All the Facts, All the Sides SUNDAY OLAJIDE

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SEYI FASUGBA

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FIDELIS LEMCHI OWOAMANAM

GM, ENERGY NEW PRESS

Wanted: Better deal for pensioners

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s 2014 wound down, many pensioners in Nigeria pathetically embraced 2015, with anguish and the gnashing of teeth.

What with the looting of pension funds that is now fashionable and widespread non-commitment of many state governments to the welfare of pensioners. The depressing experience of pensioners at the Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS), who are being owed 93 months arrears of unpaid pension entitlements, is vividly illustrative of the hard times many pensioners are compelled to put up with in the country. Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), Enugu State Chapter, Comrade Damian Udeani, narrated the ordeal of its members lately on this year’s Pension Day. Retired primary school teachers in the same state are also waiting for their 27 months’ yet unpaid outstanding pension. And since 2010, Enugu State pensioners have neither received their gratuities nor benefitted from increases and adjustments in pensions. Between 2010 and 2013, three pension increases were made - 6.5 per cent, 15 percent; and 33 per cent, respectively.

The Federal Government also owes its pensioners over N500 billion; while the governments of states in the country’s North-East zone have a backlog of over N60 billion to pay to its pensioners, according to the NUP. The foregoing will assist in casting more light on the public outrage and disappointment that trailed the January 2013 seeming compromising verdict of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court presided over

by Justice Mohammed Talba, which sentenced Mr. John Yesufu, a public officer entrusted with pension funds, but who chose to steal a whopping N32 billion from the funds, to two years’ imprisonment with an option of N750,000 in lieu of imprison-

ment, which Yesufu paid off-pocket and regained his freedom. The only consolation, however, was the quick interventionist role played by the National Judicial Council (NJC) then headed by former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar. The NJC suspended Justice Talba for one year without pay for the very suspicious ruling.

Our concern, however, is that most pensioners, having spent virtually all their productive lives serving the nation, somewhat represent not just a vulnerable unemployable group that should be catered for with rapt attention in any country that truly appreciates the meaning and value of service to the nation;

PENSIONERS, WE INSIST, DESERVE A BETTER BARGAIN EVEN AT THE TWILIGHT OF THEIR LIVES they also represent the conscience of any caring nation. They are scarcely able to meet their basic needs, and therefore cannot put body and soul together without the handouts they receive as monthly pension. There thus exists the need for a robust pension system, backed by an efficient social welfare policy that towers above any form of bureaucracy compromise and corruption.

On the contrary, and regrettably so, however, the Pension Reform executed by the FG in 2004 appears to have compounded the woes of the average Nigerian pensioner. Year-in-yearout, hundreds of thousands of them drawn from various services are made to sweat, travelling to and fro far-flung destinations for one form of dubious documents’ verification or the other. Some of them stand in queues under the rain or scorching

sun in their attempt to comply with suspect orders contrived strictly for the purpose of cutting their entitlements or entirely denying them of the pay. Not a few pensioners have slumped and died in the process.

A 2012 Senate report following the upper legislature’s investigation into alleged mismanagement of pension funds from 2005 to 2011 contained the startling revelation that top government officials in charge of pension funds stole N273.9 billion. According to that report, out of a total sum of N1.025 trillion received as pension funds by various pension offices and boards within the period, only N751.4 billion was expended, with the balance of N273.9 billion heartlessly looted. It is shocking that in spite of the so-called reform of the nation’s pension administration system, pensioners in the country are yet to witness a good deal because of an incorrigibly corrupt bureaucracy.

There are, indeed, insinuations that the new pension scheme is designed not for pensioners, but strictly for the benefit of the country’s economic elite, most of whose members are bereft of any modicum of conscience and moral bearing.

This seems why many, including the academia, are agitating for a reversion to the old order. Indeed, there is the urgent need to return to the old pension system, since the one in operation is routinely tainted with massive corruption. Equally needed is an Independent Central Data Management Authority that will ease the burden of pensioners, so that PenCom can focus only on its regulatory functions and ensure compliance by all stakeholders.

Pensioners, we insist, deserve a better bargain even at the twilight of their lives. Achieving the goal seems impossible with the grave abuses and corruption currently trailing the management of pension funds.

Reminiscences FEBRUARY 15 IN HISTORY 1933: U.S. - Chicago mayor shot The Chicago Mayor, Anton Cermak, was shot by Giuseppe Zangara, who was attempting to assassinate Presidentelect Franklin D. Roosevelt at the time.

Cermak was seriously injured and had died on March 6.

1937: Workers end strike Both Union and non-union workers of Guide Lamp and Deco-Remy factories in the United States have returned to work.

This decision was made in complete peace after a short period of violent protest that had caused military troops and law enforcement to be sent to Anderson, Indiana.

1938: Japan invades China An attempt to conquer China was made by the Japanese when 60,000 soldiers entered Northern China by way of planes and tanks.

1950: Soviet Union, China sign treaty The Soviet Union (USSR) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) signed a treaty, which pertained to mutual defence and assistance. This pact was signed after the completion of negotiations between PRC leaders Mao Zedong and Zhou EnLai, along with Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin and Foreign Minister Andrei Vishinsky.

1951: Europe US urged to defend Europe from Soviets The plan was to involve the U.S. in defence of Western Europe. The reason for this was to prevent the fall of Western Europe to the Russians.

1952: England - King George V1 buried More than a million people gathered in London to mourn the death of King George VI, he was buried in St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle.

1965: Maple leaf becomes Canada’s flag symbol Queen Elizabeth II of England proclaimed that the Maple leaf would become Canada’s new national flag symbol. This new national flag had been raised today above Parliament Hill in Ottawa, capital of Canada.

1982: Scotland - 84 die as Ocean Ranger sinks The world’s largest oil rig (The Ocean Ranger) sank in the storm-tossed North Atlantic with the loss of 84 crew members.

1989: Soviet troops pull out from Afghanistan Soviet troops were withdrawn from Afghanistan, nine years after they went into the country to support the struggling communist government.

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Praise Worship E-mail:yemiolakitan@gmail.com

E-mail:cossyodi@yahoo.com

EDIFYING GOD

QUOTE “Recognize that the giving covenant gives us things that money can’t buy.

Money can’t deliver you in times of trouble; but giving to the poor delivers you from trouble – Bishop David Oyedepo

Sunday February 15, 2015

According to thy works, by Pastor Muoka 24

God’s will shall prevail 42

42

Churches with queer names

Pastor Oloruntimilehin asks: Why not obey?

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Vineyard

Briefly Ojo passes on

Celebration

T

he death has been announced of Br. Abayomi Ojo, the Public Relations Officer of the Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State. He died in an auto crash on Tuesday, February 3, 2015, while returning to his Sango-Otta home from work. He was aged 51.

The deceased, a graduate of Psychology of the prestigious University of Ibadan was a fervent and passionate Christian who held several offices in his life time. He was appointed Public Relations Officer of the Crawford University, an establishment of the Apostolic Faith Church in 2009. He had worked assiduously in this position to project the image of the foundling institution and rose steadily to the position of Principal Assistant Registrar/Public Relations Officer. He also made available to the larger church administration his communication skills and wide media contacts with the Public Relations Department of the Apostolic Faith.

He is survived by his wife, four children and an aged mother.

Sunday February 15, 2015

Fajana, others harp on credible elections

L-R: National President of The Bible Society of Nigeria, Dr. Aaron Nuhu; Dr. Christopher Kolade; General Secretary of BSN, Dare Ajiboye and Prof. Sola Fajana The late Ojo

Glory Church of Zion Holy Revival Service

G

lory Church of Zion headquarters Ori Oke Oluwanifise has concluded plans to organise a seven-day power packed revival service with fasting and prayer session from 15th – 22nd February, 2015. It is billed for 9, Esomoju Street, Ajegunle Road, in Agboyi/Ketu Local Council of Lagos State. Themed; Wealth & Abundance (Oro Ati Ola). The programme features morning service at 5am, afternoon services at 11:30am and evening worship at 6pm daily while the Sunday service is at 9am respectively.

The host, Prophet Ariyo a.k.a Omo Ogun Oba said all worshippers will receive salvation, healing, breakthrough, deliverance among others.

RCCG Holy Ghost Zone LP26 Programme

T

he Redeemed Christian of God Holy Ghost Zone Lagos Province 26 will on Wednesday 18th commence a five days special programme at 6pm daily. It will continue on Sunday 22nd, February, 2015 at 8am. It is billed for Fountain of Life Parish auditorium; 40, Agege motor road, opp. Oando filling station, Mosalashi bus stop, Mushin, Lagos. Themed; “A New Era”.

The host, Pastor B.T. Akinyeye said it is time and period for radical change for those who have been ailing adding that they will begin to experience abundant.

Odinaka Uruakpa

I

t was celebration galore last weekend when the Bible Society of Nigeria held its 7th annual Founder’s Day lecture in grand style.

The event, which featured awards presentation by the organization to some eminent Nigerians had in attendance a former High Commissioner to the United Kindom, Dr. Christopher Kolade; business mogul and philanthropist, Captain Dr. Idahosa Okunbo; the Presiding Steward of Soul Winning Chapel, Reverend Dr. Moses Iloh and the Director General of Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa, who were honoured with the award of Selfless Service to God and Humanity.

While presenting a paper titled, “Credible elections: Key to national economic growth and development”, the Vice Chancellor of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State, Prof. Sola Fajana called on all stakeholders, aspirants, electoral body and citizens alike to learn to act for Gods within the framework of existing political process so as to restore the country’s glory and take Nigeria to her rightful place in the comity of nations.

Also speaking on the occasion, DirectorGeneral of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa urged citizens to take active part in the forth coming elections by ensuring that they get their Permanent Voter Card, PVC and vote in candidates of their choice.

He said: “We should take a cue from the

General Secretary, who told us that he got his permanent voter card in Maryland Lagos but for fear that he might not be able to vote because he has moved from that area to another location, he went to pay for hotel room closest to where the voting will take place; meaning that he is ready to vote, he wants to vote and would not allow vehicular movement restriction on that day stop him from voting. So, people are already taking necessary precautionary measures to ensure that their votes count.

“For those who are agitating violence during the elections, I am assuring them that there won’t be any the President has given us the assurance to make it violent free. In his various pronouncements he has said that the well being of citizens is more valuable than his aspirations to be president.

“It is not a do or die affair for the president to be reelected; therefore, if the head of government does not want violence, there will never be and he has vowed concerning this. The issue is that when people try to raise arguments or talk along violent lines, it is aimed at creating fear in others, either to go vote or not to, but in this cases, Nigerians themselves know quite well that the government does not want any violence. Jonathan wants to consolidate his efforts; he wants the transformation agenda to continue; so if there is violence during elections, then it doesn’t make sense.”

Concerning the postponement of elec-

tions, Akinterinwa said the situation in the country would tell if elections need to be postponed or not.

“This is objective analysis; when you look at it, at the end of the day those who are asking for postponement have advanced many reasons including insecurity, poor distribution of PVC and other constitutional analysis they considered including environmental and peaceful elections. The way it was put, it is such that if we don’t address all of it, it is better to postpone the election to still hold within lawful and liquid framework before May 29 to avoid the fear for people that are moving from cities to their villages. Going by newspaper reports, there is the situation where people in a state like Kano are returning to their villages in the East and South for fear of violence and that they would be the victims.”

He called on politicians to begin to address issues of interest to the people objectively and do away with negative and trivial ones.

“Our problem is that we create problems where they don’t exist; we need to stop that if Nigeria is supposed to move forward and this is the way I want us to look at it. I wish to say at this point that Christians even Muslims if they should come up with their own candidates, they should sit down and look at issues critically and objectively. BSN should go beyond the printing of Bibles and translation, the Bible study of Nigeria should now come with godly philosophies and preach and translate them and give to every person to adopt so that what is contained in the Bible is not given political interpretation”, he concluded.

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Sunday February 15, 2015

The Chorister’s World

Music is food of thought –Dare Melody Folashade Oguntade

M

odamori Damilare Timothy is a chorister in Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

He was born on March 20, 1988 to Mr. and Mrs. Modamori.

Damilare from KaabaIjumu Local Government area of Kogi State. Damilare grew up in Kogi State, Ayetoro Gbede to be precise. He attended Community Nursery School Ayetoro, Community High School Ayetoro Gbede. He joined the adult choir of the Redeemed Christian Church as a teenager and left his home church when he relo-

W

cated to Lagos about 15 years ago. His childhooddreams were to someday become an international gospel song minister, have his own music ministry, music studio and music school.

He gets fulfillment from gospel music because it is his calling and now he is a full-time song minister organising musical out-reaches in churches and grooming choir for churches.

God has given him a musical ministry called Melody Voice.

On his challenge as a chorister, he said, “I detest worldliness and immorality.

You will find any of these in any choir if they are not prayerful and watchful. The role of the choir is to charge

the atmosphere of the church with God’s presence, thereby enhancing the flow of the pastor’s ministration. My vision for any choir is that they should be able to bring down the glory of God’s presence through gospel music, because that is the primary role of the choir.

The fear of God and determination have kept me going.”

Speaking on what inspires him, he said: “I use to get inspiration from quiet places when I am alone, I love a quiet room; it gives me high groove to write, compose and sing.

On what motivates him, he said” I believe in my true ability, confident that I have a talent and am not inferior. His advice for all upcoming choristers is to purse the talent not the money, because money will come after. He however said he has been avoiding some problems that usually affect most upcoming artist like her which include disobedience to authority, indiscipline, late coming and absenteeism concerning shows saying these problems hindered the progress of gospel musicians.

Vincent

When God approves you, men will refuse you

hen Samuel saw Eliab’s height and stature he thought Eliab was the chosen king, but God said to

him, “Look not on his outward countenance or his stature because I have refused him, I Sam 16:6-8. God knows the end of everything even before it begins.

In the journey of your life, before you start anything, God already knows where it will end. Everything you need for every aspect of your life has already been planned by God. When Samuel saw Eliab, Abinadab and Shamar he was carried away by their physical appearance, he was eventually made to understand that God does not judge one with the stature God always looks beyond the physical appearance of people; He looks at their spiritual abilities.

I Samuel 16:5-10 The physical appearance of the trio of Eliab, Abinadab and shamar made Samuel believe that they were the people God had sent him to, but God told him they were not. In the midst of Jesse’s seven children that were in the city there was none that God favoured until the least expected of them who happens to be the last born of Jesse appeared on the scene.

When men approve you it is not a license for you to rejoice if you are not approved by God. There is someone there that is reading this message today; your family may hate you because of your closeness to God or because you have no money to give them today; it may also be because you came from a poor family background. God asked me to tell you that you shouldn’t lose hope; you might become the star of that same family.

Your approval by God has nothing to do with your faith when you have what is right before God, You become his loved

Prophet Lai Bamidele, General Overseer of Christ Glorious End Time Evangelical Church, AbuleEgba, Lagos, in this exhortation, harps on prudence. Excerpts:

Pastor Bamidele

one. There are so many people that claim to be children of God and people see them and believe that they are truly serving God, but God does not deal with your outward appearance but He searches the heart of man.

So many brothers and sisters will be jumping from pillar to post in the church for their pastor to notice them but their service is not acceptable to God. Don’t forget the scripture that says ‘friendliness with men is enmity with God. You cannot please men and still please God. You either serve God or you serve men.

There are people in the church that are not noticed or reckoned with that will make heaven, while there are some people that you feel are serving God rightly whom God has not approved of that will not make heaven including Pastors, Reverends,

Bishops etc. It is your attitude towards God that determines your altitude in life.

When Saul was instructed by God through his prophet Samuel to go and destroy the Amalikites, both living and none living things, because of Saul’s covetousness and greed, he obeyed God’s instruction partially and he was refused by God. Any partial obedience to God’s word or instruction is absolute disobedience to God. Another man that was refused by men is the man called Jephthah. Jephthah was not reckoned with by his people because of his bad paternity; he was literarily sent away from his mother who was a harlot but his people did not know that Jephthah was loved by God. After he was driven away, God proved to the nation of Israel that there was something Jephthah possessed that they would eventually tap from. Judges 12:1-11.

When God wanted to prove to the elders of Israel that Jephthah was His approved one, the enemy struck against Israel and they had no one to help them to fight their battle.

There is someone that is reading this message today whom I am assuring that those that mocked and looked down on you, will soon look up to you.

Jephthah eventually won the battle for Israel as he led them to defeat the children of Ammon who fought against them.

I prophesy to the life of someone today, I don’t know where you have been rejected disgraced, mocked or disappointed; I assure that very shortly those who rejected you will celebrate you.

No matter how many times you have failed in the past, this year 2015 people will

celebrate you in Jesus name.

Finally another man that was rejected by people whom God loved is the man called Mephiboshet. When David asked Ziba if there was anybody of the house of Saul who was son of Jonathan for him to show kindness, Ziba used the deformity of Mephibshet to condemn him before David the king, but because he was approved

by God, David insisted on seeing him to bless him. II Sam 9:1-13. What Saul lost as grandfather of Mephiboshet was restored to Mephiboshet. There is someone reading this message what your fore fathers have lost all these years because you are approved, God he shall restore them back unto you in Jesus name.

Let everybody learn from this even when Saul was still on the throne as king, he thought God was still with him, he never knew that God has deserted him a long time ago. No matter the position you are privileged to be in life today, you will one day leave it either you are removed or you die, remember that whatever you do today when you are on the throne, people will talk of it when you leave the throne.

Those you meet on your way up that you didn’t reckon with, you will still meet them on your way when you are coming down. Remember as a Christian and a child of God, you should fear God and not men.

Remember your last days when no one will be there with you, it will be you, your conscience and your God. How many people have you destroyed with your mouth, how many people have you killed because of position and power. God is seeing everybody.

•For counselling, contact: Pst_lai@yahoo. com.

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Everywhere one goes around in cities across the nation, one is confronted with the fact of proliferation of churches under different names.

Indeed, the rate at which these churches, ministries and worship centres or organizations emerge is enough to keep officials at the Corporate Affairs Commission busy for many years to come. Since each must have a different identity, many of these ministries have come up with creative names ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Generally, these names attempt to convey to prospective worshippers that the “fire of the Holy Spirit” or some miraculous healing power is indeed present in the respective churches or more specifically in the hands of the pastor, prophet or even “bishop” who in most cases is the sole owner of the “ministry”, Some of these names people must have come across include Fist of Fury, Run for Your Life Ministry, The Yoke Must Broke Ministry, Jesus Heal Ministry, Face to face ministry, Angels on Fire Chapel of Peace, Liquid Fire Ministries, By Fire by Fire Ministry, Holy Fire Overflow Ministries, David Killed Goliath Ministry, House of Jehova’s Padawans, Jesus in his Mightiness Global Ministry, Other People’s Money and God in Action Ministries. Others are Moving Mountain Gospel Church, My Brother is a Christian Church of God, Fellowship of the Wings, Power Foundation Ministries, Holy Ghost on Fire Ministry, High Tension Ministry, Devil go Hear am Jesus Ministry, Power Pass Power Church of the Mountain Ministry Incorporated, Ministry of the Unclad Wire, Perfect Christianity Ministry, El-Shaddai Shall Not Die Ministries and the list continues.

According to the General Overseer of Calvary Kingdom Church, Archbishop Ojo Joseph, Jesus Himself had predicted the emergence of ministries that would appear to be doing the will of the Lord, but in actual sense have no meaningful agenda.

“Already in the Bible, Jesus has foretold of the coming of such churches that pretend to be doing the work of God and yet do not have any meaningful agenda.

The Lord said that by their fruits you will know them; one should be able to identify a church by its name. Some churches sole aim of establishment is for reasons far different from that which the Christians of old had to spread the gospel to the whole world. You will see people who do not have the calling going into the business of ministry and because such were not called, they do not seek God for a choice of name for their ministry and in the event they end up giving themselves such funny names that when you hear them you begin to wonder how they came about such.

“At times when I look at these churches I feel pity the people who established them because this is a clime where you find graduates who do not get jobs after school looking for alternatives to make ends meet and before you know it, they have concluded that church business is the best for them without considering the implications of not receiving the gift or calling from God.” When asked what he believed was

Sunday February 15, 2015

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Churches with

With the proliferation of churches in Nigeria, names and identities of these houses of worship have ranged widely including some queer and funny ones that have sprung up lately, ODINAKA URUAKPA takes a look at the strange identities of churches

A sign post showing the name of the church

the solution to ending the mockery of Christendom that some of the queer names connote, Ojo pointed out that Jesus Christ had stated in the Bible that the wheat and chaff should be allowed to grow alongside each other.

“As long as the Corporate Affairs Commission is granting this people the right to register, what can one? We must not forget that Nigeria is a secular state and everyone is free to exercise their freedom and way of doing things, so I would say again that the wheat is left to grow with the chaff. Since this people do not have the inspiration and guidance of God, they just go calling their ministries all sorts of funny names”, he said.

Pastor John Obinna of the Freedom Christian Miracle Assembly, Surulere, Lagos, said though funny names of churches could be found in other countries of the world, but Nigeria seems to top the list of such countries.

“Though bearing of funny names is not only practiced in this country, but come to think of it Nigerians have a penchant for establishing churches and for those who allegedly do not have the calling, they just run into one kiosk or the other to establish churches and people patronise them all in the name of seeking miracles without even tak-

though funny names of churches could be found in other countries of the world, but

Nigeria seems to top

the list of such countries

ing a closer look at the sign post reading the name of the church they have come to. Funny enough, these churches are supposed to belong to the new generation churches. “ Imagine a church with the name Jesus of God Mission; I saw this church somewhere in a village in Imo State. It still baffles me that someone could wake up on a particular good day having believed they have been called and decide to give their ministry such queer names.

There was also this one on my street called God’s Mennonite Church, I didn’t know the meaning till the pastor changed the name. It is a pity that the Christendom so to say, is littered with so many worship places with funny names” he said.

He further said that Jesus Christ had already foretold that many will come in His name, but that they are not of Him

and neither were they sent by the Father, adding that he is not surprised to see or hear of such names.

In another chat with Pastor Simon Chidire of the Accession Power Ministry Aba, Abia State, he said he never knew of the existence of such churches until he had a personal encounter with one where he took his ailing mother to some years back.

“A few years back before I had my call to be a minister of God, I took my ailing mum to a church where it is believed that the pastor possessed strong spiritual powers which he used to heal people. When I first took my mother there, I didn’t even bother to check what the name of the church was because I was eager to see her cured of her illness. It was not until the man started asking for money to buy goat, white cloth and other items that my eyes got cleared. As I was

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Cover

queer names

Sunday February 15, 2015

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It was not until the man started asking for money to buy goat, white cloth and other items that my eyes got cleared

taking my ailing mother away from the place, after I had promised to bring the money he demanded, the sign post caught my eye and what I read there was the queer name, Nothing Goes for Nothing Ministries. Then I saw this I said to myself, ‘No wonder’. I eventually took my mother to the hospital, went to my church and asked for prayers for her and as God would have it, with the drugs and prayers, she got healed of her ailment. I would advise anyone in problem who goes seeking for spiritual help to check the sign post for the name of the place they are entering, because no serious minded man of God who had a calling from God would wake up and give his church a name that has no meaning”, he insisted.

On the part of Mrs. Henrietta Adah, President of the Good Women Choir Ministry, Holy Chapel church, Mushin, Lagos, she never believed that such names existed until she came across one.

“It is not good for pastors to name their churches without inspiration from God whom I believe would have called them in one way or the other.

Just as names affect people, the name of a church also affects the people who worship in the church. Why some of these churches with funny names are being patronised is because of the people are looking miracle from one place to the other due to one problem or the other.

“These pastors give all these names

to make people come to their church on getting there, what they see may not be what expected. Some of them do all sorts of things all in God’s name; in such ministries somebody that is sick could be asked to fast for some days, which is not proper, some would be asked to bring goat, white cloths and other items and people still be call those churches. For me, those are not churches but herbalist shrines. It is only God that will save people from the hands of these so called churches who are only after their pockets”, she submitted.

She further said that they were all money oriented churches that pretend to preach the word of God but do not act according to the dictates of the Bible.

There are churches you would go to

for prayers, after these so called prayer sessions, you end up coming out with more problems than you went there with. All these churches are fake and can lead someone astray thinking it is the right way.

Can you imagine a church telling the church members to bring money before prayers could be said for them? While browsing through the internet recently, I saw a thread discussing really queer and hilarious names of some new generation churches such as Guided Missiles Church, Hurricane Miracle Ministry, Healing Tsunami Ministry, Satan in Trouble Ministry, Fire for Fire Ministry among many such funny names.

May God deliver us from all these”, she added.

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From the

Pulpit Sunday February 15, 2015

According to thy works, by Pastor Muoka Romans 2:3-4, 6, 11 says, “And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Who will render to every man according to his deeds: For there is no respect of persons with God.”

I

n the divine circle, the works of an individual is the only factor that determines where he goes at the end of life. Our Creator who

by His will all came into the world has warned all that at the end of this life, all will render account of his/her stewardship. And the unjust and the holy shall each be rewarded according to his/her works, according as his life and conversation has been. He will give every man either life or death; heaven or hell, the crown or the curse according to his works, that is as he/ she deserves. This is a fact everybody must embrace regardless of your position in life, colour, race, language, status and size.

Whether you are a pastor or a pope, priest or minister, or whatever designation you are known for, you must give account of your action and inaction in this world. God will on the Day of Judgment, reward or punish every man according as his life and conversation have been. In the world today, many do not take heed to the counsel of the Lord. Yet God has made it clear that His counsel shall stand and everyone would be rewarded or judged according to his/her works.

Isaiah 46:10 says, “Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” Without doubt the counsel of the Lord shall prevail. The counsel of the Lord stands for ever. God does not change His purpose; neither could it be frustrated by actions of men. His counsels produce ordained results with unerring certainty. His determination to bring His counsel to fulfillment can never be scuttled by the changes of whether, time and political situation for all the elements of the world are created to support His will and counsel. The stroke in a clock may move contrary one to another, some one way, some another, yet all serve the intent of the workman, to show the time. So in the world, the providence of God may seem to run across to His promises, sometimes, good men may go one way, and wicked men another, yet all in conclusion accomplish the will of the Almighty God. What he has determined shall be done.

He determined to make a world, and He made it; to create man, and He created him.

He determined that at a certain period God would be manifested in the flesh, and it was so; that He should taste death for every man, and He did so; He determined that The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement shall be established, it was done; that the church will take the world by signs and wonders and today behold the world is witnessing unprecedented display of the

Pastor Muoka

power of God in such a dimension that has never been experienced before. And other of His counsels which refer to the future shall be accomplished in their times.

So wisdom demands that we understand His ways and principles; for once He has said it, nothing can change it. His standing counsel is that whatever a man sows, that he shall reap. You cannot change the course of His counsel by deceit. Whatsoever kind of grain a man sows, that shall he reap. Rice will not produce wheat, nor wheat rice. It is what a man sows that he reaps, the reward or punishment shall be according to your works.

Galatians 6:7-9 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

The reward you receive will be according to your deeds. If you deploy your purposes toward His service you will reap accordingly. You cannot deceive God to think that you are for Him when you are sowing to your flesh, and spending your money in

purchasing pleasure, and in luxury and vanity. No zeal or prayer no matter how long and fervent it may be would be used to deceive God. To make such prayers and manifest such zeal while the heart is with the world, is to mock God but God cannot be mocked.

Every kind of grain will produce grain like itself. So it is in regard to our works. He who is righteous, shall be rewarded; he who is a sinner, shall reap according to his deeds.

Justice and examples of those he judged in Bible days Knowing that justice demands that everyone would be rewarded according to his or her deeds and that our God is the God of justice, we must endeavour to understand this aspect of God in other to follow after or adhere to it for our own good in this present life so that we can be in heaven at last.

Luke 19:13-24 says “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, we will not have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money,

that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.

And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds”.

Our blessed Saviour made us to understand from the context above the great advantage we shall reap by a charitable good works and what will be the great detriment and disadvantage that we shall have if we do otherwise. If we are not faithful in a little thing committed into our hands, it means that we cannot be faithful if bigger things are committed into our hands, and thus must not expect reward but rather retribution. God is just, and will be eternally justified in denying His special grace to those, who do not make use of His common gifts.

One’s works determines the position he holds both in life and in heaven. Whatever God has put into your hands should be judiciously utilized so that at His coming He will reward you abundantly in Jesus name 2 Kings 20:1-6 says, “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live. Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed unto the LORD, saying, I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore.

And it came to pass, afore Isaiah was gone out into the middle court, that the word of the LORD came to him, saying, Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

PASSION A Lifestyle Maga Magazine azine

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Sunday February 15, 2015

APPLAUSE

It’s a man’s world, but women rule’ >>27

I don’t wear styles that expose my body –Oluchi Igbokwe >>26 >>26

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Sunday, February 15, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

I don’t wear styles that expose my body –Oluchi Igbokwe Oluchi Igbokwe, nee Phillips, is married to Chief Edwin Igbokwe, widower of the late songstress, Christy Essien. She holds a Diploma in Theatre Arts, a Bachelor’s degree in English, and is currently studying Law at the National Open University of Nigeria. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, this Nollywood actress unveils her lifestyle and why she has been off the social radar of late.

You have been missing at social events recently, what happened?

I have been kind of scarce because I need to concentrate on my studies. I’m studying Law at the moment and it is a professional course you can’t combine with any other thing. I need every concentration you can think of. That is why I have been away from social functions. I need to read my books and, honestly, I’m not yet through with my studies yet.

Did you opt for acting just to become a celebrity?

I never opted for acting because I wanted to be a celebrity. As I said before, I studied Theatre Arts, and I love entertaining people even before I joined Nollywood.

Having hit stardom, what are your regrets?

I don’t regret being a star. Neither do I regret hitting stardom. That is what goes with my acting career or showbiz. The only thing is that I don’t have privacy anymore. My acting career has taken my privacy.

Which university did you graduate from?

I studied English at University of Uyo. How many movies have you starred?

I can’t count, they are many.

Which is your most challenging moment?

My most challenging time was when I faced the camera for the first time. All the while, I was doing stage acting, and they’re not the same.

Which of your movies did you find most challenging?

That was the ‘Lost Kingdom’.

Which of them brought you into the limelight?

I can’t really hold on to any to say that one brought me into limelight, because the different roles were all challenging.

Who would you like to be paired in Nollywood to be able to interpret romance roles better?

As a seasoned actress, you should be able to act with anyone you are paired, because if you start saying I like this or that actor, by the time you are paired with someone you don’t like, you won’t bring out the best in you.

You shouldn’t consider that for you to interpret your roles well.

Is there any you role would turn down no matter the amount at stake?

I would turn down a role that is porn-like. Indeed, what morals are we teaching the young ones by acting a porn movie, because I can see that is what is reigning now in the industry. But good producers do not opt for porn movies.

What do you enjoy most in acting?

What I enjoy most is working with a director that will drill me and bring out the best in me.

What thrills you about being a woman?

What thrills me most and I’m sure same goes with other women, is the attention we get from the male folks. Our society says ladies first, when goodies come.

In my next world, if there is anything like that, I would want to come as a woman, because I love being a woman. Ever asked why all these trans genders turn themselves from men to women? It’s lovely being a woman.

Who in Nollywood lured you into acting?

Nobody in Nollywood lured me into acting. It’s something I opted for by myself.

Who are you aspiring to be like?

I want to be like Genevieve Nnaji; she is my role model.

Are there lapses in Nollywood you want to talk about?

The lapses I want to talk about are, most times, the actors are not given enough time to study their scripts, and also the presumption is that some of them do not rehearse with the actors before going on set. Check out foreign movies, they spend close to three months or more to shoot one. They would also have extensive rehearsals before going on set.

What are qualities of your ideal man?

The qualities of my ideal man are being a loving and caring person. He must be a sweet man in every ramification, and that’s what I have got. I’m not looking at settling down because I’m already settled.

What is your philosophy of life?

My philosophy is, “don’t pray to be like others, but pray to be what God has destined for you”.

What lesson has life taught you?

Life has taught me to be informed and keep stepping up.

What puts you off people?

The main thing that puts me off people is lie. I dislike people who you can’t take for their words.

When you are down, what do you do to be inspired?

Whenever I go down, I start praying. Prayer relieves me a lot and faster.

Besides acting, what else do you do?

I am a businesswoman as well.

What part of you would you flaunt proudly?

I can comfortably flaunt my legs.

What is style to you?

Style is the way you do your own things.

Do you follow vogue?

Yes I follow vogue. I don’t want to appear as if I’m lagging behind in the style world.

What is that fashion item that makes a larger part of your wardrobe?

Shoes.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, February 15, 2015

It’s a man’s world, but women rule’ ADAEZE AMOS

B

arbara Onyekachukwu Ossai has been in showbiz for a reasonable length of time. Acting, she said, is instinctive in her. The Oguta, Imo State-born actress was brought up in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“Acting is an innate ability in me. I didn’t opt for it. Nature just fine-tuned me in that light. I have been an entertainer from youth. Though I studied Community Development at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, my passion lies in acting. Since I started performing, I have featured in a lot of movies. ‘Days of Sorrow’ brought me into the limelight because in that movie, my mum died, and it was very emotional. I went to my bank of emotions and brought out tears. Honestly, tears flowed because it was like I was reliving my life the experience when my mother died. The death of my biological mum has been my greatest loss,” she said, her voice emotion-laden.

Because this black beauty is an exceptionally good actress, her friends and fans would always want to watch movies in which she starred.

“From the inception of my career, my friends and family have always been eager to see my newest act. Even in movies where I didn’t come out much, I wouldn’t go unnoticed,” she explained.

On romance roles, she would desire being paired with Jim Iyke for some reasons. “Growing up, I had a crush on Jim Iyke. Funny enough, he is like a big brother to me now. So, for romance roles, it would be him or my newest crush, Kalu Ikeagwu. I’m happy because I finally met him in person,” she emphasised.

But there are roles she would not accept.

“I would never have to be nude, like being stark naked. Even though I have imbibed some westernised attributes, I am a full-fledged African with dignity, morals and pride,” she said.

What excites her about her acting career is “the entire process of bringing to life what is written in ink and on paper. What I like about life generally is that I am thrilled about tomorrow because it holds all kinds of possibilities. My dreams and aspirations are made whole in tomorrow, which is every passing day. I don’t mind the saying that ‘it’s a man’s world’. I am very positive that women rule. All of man’s dealings are tied entirely to embrace and impress the woman. I would be a woman again and again,” she said.

How does she mean that women rule the world?

“We hold the key. We are the answer to every damn problem. God created us to complete the man. I will forever remain grateful to God for making me a woman because He knows that we are a vital part to the completion and perfection of His work,” she said.

Ossai listed the movies she had starred as ‘Sinful kingdom’, ‘Heart of a beast’, ‘Tears of blood, ‘Occult brother’, ‘Days of sorrow’, ‘Royal wedding’ and ‘Princess’, among others.

No one in Nollywood lured her into acting.

“Just like Jonah in the Bible, I tried out the white collar job, though very lucrative, my passion was elsewhere. To live a fulfilled life, I turned to my natural calling. I am creative, innovative and spontaneous. I have always loved the spotlight, that is why I’m an actress,” she stressed.

Ossai is not aspiring to be anyone but herself.

“I’m aspiring to be a brand, better person and worthy ambassador upholding the almost lost glory of the old Nollywood,” she said smilingly.

When she had a heart-break, “I mourned the relationship, dressed in black for 24 hours, reliving the good and sad times amid tears. I then braced for a brighter day. With t h a t , I tried to forge ahead,” she recalled.

Who is her ideal man?

“He has to be God-fearing, a goal-getter, who is sound in body and mind.

He should be cute and 10 times intelligent as I am.

My ideal man should be someone I can learn from and who is not afraid to say things the way they are but in a refined manner,” she declared.

Her philosophy of life?

“To do the best I can to be a better person balancing the equation of life. Living each day and a ch i ev i n g my goals gradually.”

S h e speaks about w h a t life has taught h e r , “Life has taught me to be the best I can, not minding the obstacles present in today’s world.”

Barbara is a style devotee who thinks life would have been empty without fashion.

“Life without fashion would have been a jungle experience. I’m glad to say I look good in whatever I wear.

Without sounding arrogant, I can flaunt every part of my body while trying to define my style, which of course is simple and chic,” she emphasised.

Applause

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Sunday, February 15, 2015

GROWING UP with

Aunty Titi

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Once upon a time

TTuan uan tthe he kkind-hearted ind hearted m man an

Hello children, How are you going about your studies? Ensure you do your home assignments and read your books so as to excel in your examinations. In this edition, there are interesting and educative articles and cartoons that are meant to improve your learning skills. Have a wonderful week.

The Chimpanzee

O T

he name is derived from a Tshiluba language term kivili-chimpenze, which is the local name for the animal and translates loosely as “mock man” or possibly just “ape”. The first use of the name “chimpanzee”, however, did not occur until 1738. The colloquialism “chimp” was most likely coined in the late 1870s.

Chimpanzee as well as other apes had also been purported to have been known to Western writers in ancient times, but mainly as myths and legends on the edge of European and Arab societal consciousness, mainly through fragmented and sketchy accounts of European adventurers. Apes are mentioned variously by Aristotle, as well as the English Bible, where they are described as having been collected by Solomon. Scientists described these first chimpanzees as “pygmies”, and noted the animal’s distinct similarities to humans.

Chimpanzees are members of the family Hominidae, along with humans, gorillas, and orangutans and split from the human branch of the family about four to six million years ago. They are the closest living relatives to humans, being members of the tribe Hominini (along with extinct species of sub tribe Hominina). Chimpanzees are the only known members of the sub tribe Panina. The two Pan species split only about one million years ago Chimpanzees live in large multi-male and multi-female social groups, which are called communities. Within a community, the position of an individual and the influence the individual has on others dictates a definite social hierarchy.

They live in a leaner hierarchy wherein more than one individual may be dominant enough to dominate other members of lower rank. Typically, a dominant

male is referred to as the alpha male. The alpha male is the highest-ranking male that controls the group and maintains order during disputes. In chimpanzee society, the ‘dominant male’ sometimes is not the largest or strongest male but rather the most manipulative and political male that can influence the goings on within a group.

Female chimpanzees also have a hierarchy, which is influenced by the position of a female individual within a group.

In some chimpanzee communities, the young females may inherit high status from a high-ranking mother. Dominant females will also ally to dominate lowerranking females: whereas males mainly seek dominant status for its associated mating privileges and sometimes violent domination of subordinates, females seek dominant status to acquire such resources as food. High-ranking females often have first access. Both genders acquire dominant status to improve social standing within a group.

Community female acceptance is necessary for alpha male status; females must ensure that their group visits places that supply them with enough food. A group of dominant females will sometimes oust an alpha male which is not to their preference and back another male, in whom they see potential for leading the group as a successful alpha male. Chimpanzees make tools and use them to acquire foods and for social displays; they have sophisticated hunting strategies requiring cooperation, influence and rank; they are status conscious, manipulative and capable of deception; they can learn to use symbols and understand aspects of human language including some relational syntax, concepts of number and numerical sequence and they are capable of spontaneous planning for a future state or event.

Children, you can send your contributions and pictures through this email address jokkyisland@yahoo.com or call telephone number: 08050324794

nce upon a time, there lived a farmer who had a little land. His name was Tuan and he was a very kind and good-natured person. He lived in a hut on his land with his wife and children and earned by selling whatever crops he could produce on his small land.

Tuan loved to help others, whenever someone fell ill or needed something badly; Tuan was there to help that person. If someone died in the village, Tuan assisted the family members of the deceased person in whichever way he could. If anyone fell ill at night, Tuan was right beside the village doctor to help him prepare the medicines and tend to the sick. There seemed to be none who hated this man. He appeared to be loved by one and all.

But there was one person who hated Tuan with all his heart. He was Juan, a neighbour of Tuan, who live in the next flat he is a lazy person, Juan hardly put in as much effort to cultivate his land as Tuan did to produce crops in his own. So when the harvest season arrived every year, Juan found that he had very few crops to sell. Tuan on the other hand, earned a handsome profit through the selling of his produces.

As time passes, Juan could no longer restrain his jealousy. Just some days before Tuan was to reap his harvest, Juan set fire to his crops at night. Tuan was asleep at this time and it was only the awareness of one of his other neighbours that saved much of his crops from being perished in the deadly flames of the fire that Juan had lighted.

When the flames were doused, Tuan saw which direction the fire had started from. Juan’s animosity towards him was unknown to Tuan. So he kept it in his mind and decided to take action only if

he saw Juan repeating his dastardly act once again.

However, Tuan sold his crops at a good price but he could not make much profit for a good part of his produces had been burnt. He had a heavy heart but he did not like to tell anyone about it.

Only days later, Tuan was awakened by the sound of lamentations. He went out to find a troop of people wailing and crying beside Juan’s hut. He rushed to find that Juan’s son had fallen ill. He found that the village doctor was unable to provide a cure to his illness. Tuan knew what he had to do. He untied his own horse and rode it. Then he rushed to the town that was ten miles away and fetched a more experienced doctor who lived there.

This doctor was able to guess the disease correctly and provided an exact cure for it. Within hours, the boy was found to sleep soundly and Tuan went with the doctor to take him back to the town.

A day later, Juan went to Tuan’s hut and began to weep bitterly. He confessed to his sins but was surprised when Tuan told him that he knew about it all.

“You knew that I had set fire to your crops? And still you fetched the doctor for my son?” asked the astonished Juan.

Tuan nodded and said, “I did what I knew was right. Could I do wrong just because you had done so?” Juan stood up and embraced Tuan. Both men were in tears and so were the others who stood by them. From that day, Juan changed himself. Within a year, he could produce many crops in his land through his hard work. When the others asked him how he had changed so much, he only replied, “It was the goodness and love of Tuan that transformed me.”

Moral: Be nice to your friends. Be nicer to your enemies.

WORDS ON MARBLES

With the affairs of active human beings it is different. Here knowledge of truth alone does not suffice; on the contrary this knowledge must continually be renewed by ceaseless effort, if it is not to be lost. It resembles a statue of marble which st.

–Albert Einstein

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Sunday, February 15, 2015

Dude Style

victorudoh804@yahoo.com 07067124302

‘I love to experiment with styles’ Olatunji Daniel Oluwatobi, aka Tobi Sax, is a style pundit. He has been in the music world for a decade. In this interview with Victor Udoh, he speaks about his new single ‘To worship you I live’ and his style, among others.

How did come into music?

Music is a calling for me. It is my own way of spreading the gospel of hope to humanity. I didn’t just venture into it; I have a serious passion for it from my tender age.

Who is your mentor?

My mentor is Abidemi Ojo, who is now in the United Kingdom. He taught me how to play the trumpet in just four years. Mike Aremu and Grover Washington Junior also inspire me.

What are some current projects you have at hand?

By the grace of God, I just released my first album entitled, ‘To worship you I live’ which was launched and dedicated to God by my bishop, Dr Chris Kwakpowe, the publisher of ‘Our Daily Manna’ and the album is also on radio and the social media.

Very soon the video will be out.

What actually excites you about music?

Music is the food of the soul. If I didn’t play music in a day, I would feel incomplete.

When I play music, I feel joy in my soul.

What lessons have life taught you?

Life has taught me how to face so many challenges, trials and battles that I cannot imagine in my wildest dreams. I never believed I could come out and do what I have much passion for. Life has also taught to be strong and courageous.

What kind of style do you infuse into your genre of music?

The works that I have done so far can be classified as contemporary African music, with a little difference. But I would still say that I am versatile when it comes to music and I’m not lacking in any area.

Tell us the qualities of your ideal woman.

My ideal woman has to be God-fearing and intelligent.

Aside from music, what else do you do?

I am a producer; I arrange songs and work with some up-coming artistes in the studio. It’s music all the way on a full time.

What is your brand of fashion?

I so much love our sense of fashion in Nigeria, especially the way we create and weave in foreign concepts into our fashion. Personally, I like to wear corporate and native attires.

What is that fashion item you love to wear?

I won’t say there is anyone in particular because I love to experiment a variety of styles with a touch of class.

What is your philosophy of life?

Treat whoever that comes your way with utmost courtesy, humble yourself and be wise. Try your best to be at peace with everyone. Do not ever part with fellow human beings on the note of quarrel, never hurt or underrate anyone, because in this world we meet to part, and we part to meet. Also, do all you can as much as it lies in your power to solve people’s problem. By so doing, you too will not be stranded in the journey of life.

Where do you see entertainment industry in Nigeria in, say, five years?

I see it transformed into an industry that would create more jobs, professionally, for Nigerians, and attract more foreign investments.

What is your advice to upcoming artistes?

Whatever your goal is as an artiste, keep your dream alive no matter what. Remain focused, put in your best, anywhere you find yourself and always say to yourself with all confidence, boldness and power is what I wish. Be prayerful, hand over your life to God Almighty to lead, teach, instruct and direct you in your endeavours.

&

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

You can call this line 08050324794

CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS FEBRUARY 15, 2015

I respect his integrity –Kate TITILOPE MORAKINYO

A

s Alfred and Kate tied the nuptials in a traditional ceremony, the families of Iyonmana and Momoh played host to a large number of family-members, friends and well-wishers from far and near who came to rejoice with Alfred Igunma Iyonmana and Kate Osariemen Momoh last Saturday.

There was no dull moment as it was fun all through. The couple was dressed in Benin traditional attire with beads on purple lace.

The occasion took placed at the bride’s family house, situated at No. 4, Felicity Avenue, off Goodwill Street, Benin City, Edo State.

When asked how it all started, the bride revealed, “When I newly came back from Lagos to Benin in 1991, I was always seeing him in my dreams even before he came to me in real life, I see him trying to be my friend. “The day he

approached me on the street, I immediately recognised his face. But as I was trying to ponder on his request, he said ‘baby, we are destined to be together forever.’ At that moment, my heart got arrested and I gave

him the nod. So far, I respect his integrity.

On his part, Alfred said “the first day I saw her; I knew she was the right person for me to marry.

In the party, there was surplus to eat and drink.

Tessy is the best choice for me –Johnson

T

h families he f ili off Chief Chi f Samuyi Isele and Chief Enoch Ikumawoyi of Araromi-Obu in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State celebrated the holy matrimony of their children Adesuwa Tessy Isele and Johnson Oluwanisola Ikumawoyi in grand style.

The wedding took place at Assemblies of God Church, Udo Town in Edo State. After the conjugal blessings, family members, friends, colleagues and guests moved to Chief Isele’s compound (The Eribo of Udo Kingdom) where the reception took place.

The groom was decked up in a white suit which he paired with a yellow shirt and blue bow. The bride wore a sequined ivory satin gown and floral hair piece. She harmonised her bridal look with a lovely set of earrings.

Johnson and Tessy met a year ago when they were both employed the same day at the Assistant Human Resources Manager’s office of Rubber Estate Nigeria Limited, Osse Branch in Edo State. They started off as friends on a platonic level. However, a

f few months th later l t the th relal tionship blossomed into an intimate one. At this point, Tessy, who was already aware of the new chemistry evolving between them pretended that was not the case, while earnestly waiting for Johnson to be the man by proposing to her.

At last her prayers were answered and he eventually did.

Excited Tessy said she

fell her soull f ll iin llove with ith h mate, Johnson, “because he is ever sacrificing, ready to listen, gentle and calm,” Speaking on the qualities he adores in Tessy, “she is kind, humble, respectful, and God fearing.

He is convinced he made the right choice and advises bachelors and spinsters thus: “Hope in God, pray and watch”.

Oshin O hi Ol Oluwadarasimi d i i EEwa Ad Adura

Tiwalolaoluwa Jessica Ologunmeta

shin Oluwadarasimi Ewa Adura was born at B e s t Consult Hospital, Abesan Estate Ipaja, Lagos to Kehinde Anuoluwapo and Adebayo Oshin. He was delivered at 4.00am and weighed 3.5kg.

According to Anuoluwapo, “During the pregnancy I longed for rice and stew, and I loved taking apple. And for drinks, I craved for Coke.”

Were there obvious physical body changes? “I had swollen legs, nose and my complexion were a bit darker,” she said.

The odour of alcoholic drinks irritated

iwalolaoluwa Jessica Ologunmeta was born at Subol Hospital isheri-ikotun area of lagos, to Olabanji and Yewande Ologunmeta.

She weighed 3.2kg at the time of birth.

During the pregnancy the mother, Yewande explained, “I craved for fruits, pineapple and fruits water melon to be precised.” The obvious physical body changes during pregnancy, she explained caused her to gain a lot of weight during the pregnancy and change in complexion.

Yewande was aggravated by the smell of food like noodles and rice during the pregnancy.

What does she love about her? I love every-

O

her at the time. “I was irritated by the smell of alcoholic drinks,” Anuoluwapo revealed.

What do Oluwadarasimi parents love about him? ”He is cute, active and full of life, he smiles a lot,” Anuoluwapo noted.

On what they want him to become in future: “We want him to be an anointed man of God,” Adebayo said.

On the meaning of her names, they said, “Oluwadarasimi means ‘God is good to me’, while Ewa Adura means ‘Beauty of Prayer’. We gave him the names because God gave us uncommon favour,” she disclosed.

T

thing about my baby. Everything about her is perfect, revealed Yewande.

What are the meanings of the names? According to Yewande, “Tiwalolaoluwa m e a n s G o d ’ s wealth is ours and Jessica means g i f t f r o m God”.

What t h e p a r e n t s wants T i walolaolu-

wa to become in future?

“We want her to become someone great in future, let the will of God be done in her life” Yewande enthused.

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What to wear …to a glamorous evening bash JANUARY 15, 2015

ADAEZE AMOS

I

f you plan to attend a glamorous evening bash and you’re confused over what to wear, you have the answer on this page. For the strikingly slender person, you can try this long tulip skirt on a simple top.

Check out how model, Zoe Salandra, wore hers. You may opt for a simple top and not a floral type on this so that your combination wouldn’t appear raucous. If this top is too revealing for you, choose a simple type that has tea-cup sleeves and allow the skirt to take all the attention.

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Perfect Cut

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Today’s style de ADAEZE AMOS

T

he colour, blue, is lieve. Ladies too r style aficionados as a if tomorrow would see se how sweet you loo

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, February 15, 2015

evotees cherish blue too

s not strictly for guys or dudes as some seem to beheck out these rock this colour. If you doubt this, check this colour ing donning life of walks different s from yellow and for opt dress, blue your For come. d not ok.

Perfect Cut

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L

OVE

TALK

Sunday, February 15, 2015

with Yemisi

Adeniran

Some annoying mistakes men make with their women

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Heart-throb ...Find your soul mate here

Send text only to 08023012293

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My name is OC. I’m a dog breeder in Enugu, Enugu State. I need a good woman to marry –08032397441.

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Ade is my name, 50. I need a partner –08188226424 Alao is my name, 37-year-old single, living in Lagos. I need a Yoruba Muslim lady, below 30 years of age for marriage –08170141833.

My name is Shola, 41, a single mother. I want a mature man for marriage –08091027827.

I am Victor, 28 years old, 5ft tall, fair-complexioned, live and work in Ojodu Berger, Lagos. I need a lady between 17 and 22 years old for a relationship –07087515984/ 08171864525.

Models

“A

Woman needs Love Just like You Do,” is a song recorded by R & B vocalist and song writer Ray Parker Junior. A hit song it was in the 80s for both men and women, unfortunately, the real message up till today, is yet to be considered and applied by men, the concerned people. With civilization and the mega hype of technology awareness, it remains a wonder that Nigerian men still find it hard to give love to their women just the way they will want the latter to give them. Is it that they are selfish? Are they just acting under the influence of the male-chauvinistic African culture? Whatever the answers may be, it is important that men improve in their loving acts with their women this year and beginning from right now. They will do justice to this by taking note of the following mistakes they make with their women.

Not creating a conducive environment: Creating the right atmosphere for intimacy is always helpful towards seducing your partner, but not many men do realise this. There is no doubt that everybody loves a clean environment. So, making the scene clean will help. Having your dirty clothes thrown around or having dirty glasses of wine or bottles of drinks will make things untidy. Rather, put on a cool and good music, dim the light and let the environment smell sweet. With almost everything put in the right place, you are sure of having a pleasant experience.

Avoiding foreplay most of the time: Hard pressed, so to say, many men often forgo foreplay and jump into action at the least opportunity. This is wrong.

It denies your partner the kind of sweet sensation derivable from having sex. Foreplay should never be considered a waste of time. And if forgoing foreplay cannot be avoided, then, it should not be made a regular thing. Remember that unlike men, she needs a little “warming” before the action. That lustful caress, whispering of some sweet nothings, sensual kisses among others go a long way in making that moment more wonderful than you can imagine.

Going too fast: Some restraint should be observed in bed because it will make the sexual experience a lot hotter than you may think of. Taking time, for instance, to dwell on the different sections of the exercise will be very rewarding to the two of you. Restraint on your part will make her want you more and lead to a better sexual experience.

Ignoring her body language: Many women are too shy to say exactly what they want in bed, but the onus lies on the man to listen to her body language as that will tell what she wants. It will therefore be wrong of you to just treat her your own way without being sensitive to her. What to do is watch how she responds to your touch or certain movement or pace.

A careful study of her responses will tell you what to do at any particular time. So, don’t ignore her body language. It is also in your interest.

Ignoring her erogenous zones: Forgetting her erogenous zones while the in bed is a mistake a man can make. Fondle her breasts during sex; kiss her collar bone; run your fingers along her back; caress and kiss her hips and she will in return respond in ways that will make you enjoy that moment of ecstasy.

Disrespecting her: Exposure to pornography has made normal, many things that some consider as odd. Some men now take things for granted and carry out some of these things they watch on their partners. To many women, it is like disrespecting them in bed. For example, calling a woman a derogatory name or ejaculate on her all in the name of having sex can be annoying to some. Except you are sure that it is what she agrees to, doing such things will amount to disrespecting the woman and that is a mistake men should avoid.

The list can be longer and it will include being too bossy, believing that you have satisfied her and abandoning her after the coital experience.

So, men, correct those mistakes and you will be assured of a romantic relationship this year. Have fun.

RNA is my name; I’m 34 and I live in Ibadan, Oyo State. I want a lady or sugar mummy who is 25 years and above, who can take care for me –08034887092.

My name is Bimbo, 39-year-old Christian. I live in Lagos. I need a tall, dark born-again man, a graduate with a good job, between 40 and 45 years old for a serious relationship that would culminate in marriage. He has to be very good on bed as well –07040936959.

My name is Shola, 41, an employed mother of one. I need a mature man ready for marriage –08091027827.

Femi is my name, male, 38 years old and 5.4 ft tall. I’m from Oyo State.

I’m a Christian. I need a level-headed, godly, pretty and working-class lady of 27 years old for purposeful relationship –08059889260.

I’m Bukky, pretty, slim, sweet and a sexy dancer. I need someone for a lasting relationship that may lead to marriage –08028719007.

My name is Patrick. I live in Osun State. I need a lady between 29 and above for a serious relationship –08184539761.

I am Niran, 30, male, graduate and working-class, living in Lagos. I need a God-fearing Muslim lady, aged 22-33, for intimate relationship that can lead to marriage –09091153810.

Abbey is my name, an accountant and divorcee. I need a God-fearing woman for marriage –08023139219.

My name is Paul, 47, dark, tall, handsome and caring graduate. I want a mature lady, between 33 and 55 years of age, for marriage –08180743815.

I’m Olamilekan from Lagos. I need a true and serious lady, between 24 and 28 years old, for a relationship that would lead to marriage –07069476676.

I’m Steve, 28, average height, and dark skinned. I live in Akure. I need a lady between 22 and 28 years old for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage. She can come from any part of the country and a Christian –09096466082.

My name is Faith, 32-year-old single parent of two. I live and work in Lagos State but I’m from Delta State. I need a man between 45 and 55 years old for a serious relationship –08127703636.

I am Biola, 38, a Muslim. I need a responsible, God-fearing Muslim lady, between 30 and 35 years old for a serious relationship –07055921793.

My name is Ade, 29 years old. I need a tall, rich, busty, sexy, working-class lady that lives in Lagos or Abeokuta for a relationship –07013768742 08068921975.

I’m Kunle, 22 years old undergraduate. I need a lady between 18 and 21 years old for marriage –07062204823.

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Sunday, February 15, 2015

Pregnancy Talk

Naughtiest Thing

with

The naughtiest thing I’ve ever done

Adaeze Amos 08023012293 (SMS ONLY)

Lurrenzo Onuzulike

I tricked my fiancee that I was in Europe

Effect of inactivity during pregnancy

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hen Stella, 22, was heavy with child, she was pampered like an egg. The husband stopped her from doing house chores. She was chauffeur-driven, a cook was employed who did the cooking and tidying up the kitchen. Her houseboy was also responsible for the washing and cleaning of all the rooms in the duplex.

She stopped going to her hair salon and beauty shop but monitored her workers on the phone. All she was doing was to wake up from sleep, step into her bathtub, take her bathe, powder her face and sit before the telly till nightfall when she would go back to bed. But her TV, telephones and some of her friends who visited to gossip with her kept her busy.

Stella is the second wife of her husband. The first couldn’t give birth in the 15 years that she had been married. When Stella took in but wasn’t married yet, the pregnancy was miscarried after four months. But when she became pregnant again, her husband married her immediately and brought into the main house while the first wife was sent to the boys’ quarters of the house. For that reason, she was barred from doing anything but to carry her unborn baby in her uterus.

One thing this expectant mum noticed about herself was that she was constantly complaining of back pain, joint dysfunction and swollen legs, maybe, for sitting for too long at a place. The regular 30 minutes of moderate physical activities medical experts advise that pregnant women should be doing, she wasn’t doing it, just for the fear of having a miscarriage.

Medical experts frown at this kind of sedentary or inactive lifestyle and they have reasons for that.

“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 idly and not doing anything in the house is

not ideal for you,” said a Lagos-based medical doctor.

Exercise, however, is good for both mother and the unborn child. It keeps you aerobically fit and your weight under control. It probably reduces the chances of difficulties while in labour.

Researchers asked almost 12,000 new mothers how many times they had their exercise during pregnancy. 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, increased the chances of giving birth at least three weeks earlier 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 mum 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 such as jogging, squash and weight training even until late in pregnancy.”

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

O

ne of the naughtiest things I’ve done still amuses my fiancee till date. It happened when I called her from Europe that I would be sending someone to her to bring gifts for her in a couple days. She was excited when she heard that.

On that day, I sent her a message on Facebook that the friend I told her about was in the city and that I would want her to go and meet him in one of the popular restaurants. I told her that he detested lateness or African time.

She hurriedly had her bath, dressed up and scurried to the place. She was driving to the place not knowing that I was the one waiting at the restaurant.

When she showed up, she was surprised to see me. She began to run round the whole restaurant screaming happily. Indeed, she never envisaged that I was coming to Nigeria. I still smile each time I remember how happy she was to see me and how crazy she ran about unmindful that there were many people in the restaurant.

Onuzulike is an actor and movie producer.

–ADAEZE AMOS

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

36

African Look FEBRUARY 15, 2015

Knot wrapper trend remains popular!

AD DAEZE AMOS

K

not wrapper trend or Lilly wrap as some call it, is ever present in the fashion circles.

Fashionistas are seen tycir ing in it either to the knee or down their ankles. Whichever way you th choose to tie yours is in order. One ch good go thing about this trend is that it doesn’t cage your legs. You can therefore walk fast or alight from th the th car with ease. If you have not tied tie it before, why not give it a try!

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Growing Up

Sunday, February 15, 2015

37

DO YOU KNOW? Physical exercise

Baird John Logie developed the colour television

E

J

xercise is great for your physical and emotional health and it also improves your skin,

It helps give you a glowing complexion, reduced wrinkles, acne relief by boosting your circulation, keeping the stress

hormone cortisol at bay, and supporting collagen production - which keeps your skin firm, supple and elastic.

RIDDLES AND JOKES QUESTION A frog jumped into a pot of cream and started treading. He soon felt something solid under his feet and was able to hop out of the pot. What did the frog feel under his feet?

ANSWER The frog felt butter under his feet, because he churned the cream and made butter.

QUESTION A horse is on a 24 foot chain and wants an apple that is 26 feet away.

How can the horse get to the apple?

ANSWER The chain is not attached to anything.

QUESTION If a blue house is made out of blue bricks, a yellow house is made out of yellow bricks and a pink house is made out of pink bricks, what is a green house made of?

ANSWER Glass

TONGUE TWISTER I need not your needles They’re needless to me; For kneading of noodles, t’were needless, you see; But did my neat knickers But need to be kneed, I then should have need Of your needles indeed POP

WHO INVENTED WHAT?

x

ohn Logie Baird (1888-1946) was a Scottish inventor and engineer who was a pioneer in the development of mechanical television. In 1924, Baird televised objects in outline. In 1925, he televised human faces.

In 1926, Baird was the first person to televise pictures of objects in motion.

In 1930, Baird made the first public

broadcast of a TV show, from his studio to the London Coliseum Cinema; the screen consisted of a 6-ft by 3-ft array of 2,100 tiny flash lamp bulbs. Baird developed a colour television in 1928 and a stereo television in 1946. Baird’s mechanical television was usurped by electronic television, which he also worked on.

YOUNG FASHION

Sunglasses

S

unglasses are a form of protective eyewear designed primarily to prevent bright sunlight and high-energy visible light from damaging or discomforting the eyes. They can sometimes also function as a visual aid, as variously termed spectacles or glasses exist, featuring lenses that are colored, polarized or darkened.

Sunglasses can be worn to hide one’s eyes. They can make eye contact impossible, which can be intimidating to those not wearing sunglasses; It can also be used to hide emotions; this can range from hiding blinking to hiding weeping and its resulting red eyes.

Fashion trends can be another reason for wearing sunglasses, particularly designer sunglasses. Sunglasses of particular shapes may be in vogue as a fashion accessory. Fashion trends can also draw on the “cool” image of sunglasses.

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

38

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

Wizkid, others make debut on MTV’s Naija Top Ten

F

ast-rising talents, Falz, The Bahd Guy, Yemi Alade, Emma Nyra and Emmanuel Ikubese had a swell time on this week’s 100th anniversary episode of OfficialNaijaTopTen with MTV Base VJ, Ehiz.

The special episode treated the celebrity guests to an exciting time with loads of games and comedy.

On the chart this week, P-Square’s Shekini has continued to maintain the number one spot for the third consecutive week as Oritsefemi’s ‘Double Wahala’ and Wizkid’s ‘Ojuelegba’ follow closely on number two and three spots.

Debut entries this week include M.I’s Bad belle, Falz Marry me, Seyi Shay’s Crazy, Emma Nyra’s For my matter and Wizkid’s Ojuelegba Davido’s Owo ni koko moves up to number four as Dammy Krane’s Amin drops down two spots to number six.

Ehiz

L-R: Faiz, Alade and Ikubese

2Face, Wizkid premiere Dance Go

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he long-awaited video for ‘Dance Go’, the smash hit collaboration between Hennessy Artistry 2014 headliners 2Face and Wizkid is finally here.

The video, which is for the official Hennessy Artistry 2014 theme track, ‘Dance Go’ was shot at the popular Koga studios in Lagos and was directed by award-winning director, Kemi Adetiba, with Hennessy as executive producers.

The video, which premiers on Soundcity boasts of cameos from Dj Caise, Shaydee and EFA, among others.

It showcases an exciting burst of colours and special effects. The video shows 2Face as king whose daughter is under a spell and seeks for her redemption with promises of wealth to whoever breaks the spell. “ ‘Dance Go’ video is just the perfect blend of the classic and new school... This is the first video featuring just me and the legend, 2Baba... It’s an honour,” Wizkid said.

The theme song, ‘Dance Go’, which was produced by Sarz, had thrilled music lovers and club goers across Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa throughout the Hennessy Artistry 2014 project, and it is still receiving massive airplay on radio stations and clubs across the country.

Nyra and Ehiz

Songz, Blige, others perform at BET Honours 2015 Aramide

Aramide releases first single

Titled ‘Iwo Nikan and Odun Tuntun’, AfroSoul diva, Aramide, new single has captivated the old and young music lovers and stands her out as a serious artiste to look out for. She worked with fellow label mate/producer Mr Chidoo and talented producer Laitan Dada and she delivered well in her usual captivating way.

Scott Tu Baba

Screen shot

Trey Songz

Blige

I

nternational superstars, Trey Songz, NeYo, Mary J. Blige, Patti LaBelle, Charlie Wilson, Jill Scott, and K. Michelle have been revealed as performers at this year’s ‘The BET Honours’. Joining the starstudded line-up who will pay tribute to this year’s honourees are presenters, Anthony Anderson, Bobby Brown, Diahann Carroll and Glynn Turman.

Celebrating the outstanding achievements of extraordinary leaders, ‘The BET Honours 2015’ recognises trailblazers in art, music, theatre, education, technology and business.

Television personality, actor and comedian Wayne Brady will host the show for the second year, and will honour Director of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art, and former president of Spelman College, Dr. Jeannette Betsch Cole (Education Award). Tony Award-winning actress, singer and stage director Phylicia Rashad got the Theatrical Arts Award; recording artiste, songwriter, actor and philanthropist, Usher Raymond (Musical Arts Award), Chairman of Microsoft and CEO of Virtual Instruments, John W. Thompson (Business and Technology Award); and musician, producer, artiste, author and designer Kanye West received the Visionary Award.

The BET Honours 2015 will be premiered on BET (DStv channel 135) on February 28 at 11:00 p.m.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Movies & Music

Sunday, February 15, 2015

39

Ikubuese, Ezeamaka, others return for MTV Shuga

E

mmanuel Ikubese, Sharon Ezeamaka, Chris Attoh, Timini Egbuson and Olumide Oworu have returned to the long-awaited TV series, Shuga.

Mr Nigeria, Ikubese returns in the role of unluckyin-love music promoter, Femi, after failing to find happiness with long-time crush Foye, which was played by OAP, Maria Okanrende, in series 3. Femi has been living with HIV for several years, having more success in affairs of the heart, although somehow the path of true love never seems to run smoothly for him in season four.

Troubled teenager, Princess, played by Sharon Ezeamaka, is struggling to deal with her pregnancy after discovering that she is HIV+, but will her older lover, Solomon, come through and support his child or will Princess be left to face things all alone?

Other returning characters include Tobi and Weki, played by Timini Egbuson and Olumide Oworu respectively.

A number of key roles, including a brand new family from South Africa, remain to be cast. Auditions for additional walk on parts will be held at the three ‘On Tour with MTV Shuga’ events, being held in March.

A new focus for 2015 will be an increased emphasis on promoting HIV testing, in partnership with the Elton John AIDS Foundation, with the goal of encouraging 25,000 youths to be tested, motivated by a series of special ‘MTV Shuga on Tour’ festivals to be held nationwide in March.

Fusing sexual and other public health messaging with world-class storytelling and relatable characters, the new series of MTV Shuga will focus on a range of themes relevant to young Nigerians, including adolescent girls, stigma, prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, HIV testing and 6222 (NACA helpline), gender-based violence, first sex, and disclosure of HIV status.

Charass Coco

Coco Butter gets visual treatment

O Attoh

The fight I won’t forget –Ann Jay

S

Ezeamaka

Egbuson

ongstress, Ann Jay, says there is an incident still etched in her memory. Whenever she remembers it, she would be wondering why she was that daring. Hence, she sees that as one of the naughtiest things she has ever done.

“It is of course one of the naughty things I did while growing up. It happened during my school days when my course mate and I were having an argument over something. She hit me hard on the face. I fumed to the extent that I had to pull off my top not caring that I was wearing only my bra.

That was when I descended on her and beat her black and blue. I used to be a tomboy then. It was after the fight that my dad sat me down and spoke to me that a lady was not supposed to do what I did. That was one fight I won’t forget.

ne of the most exciting tunes of the year gets a befitting visual treatment. Remember Davido had called the original ‘Coco Butter’ by Charass the favourite song of the moment when it was released. Immediately an offer to contribute a verse for a remix was put forward to him, then Phyno’s followed.

Charass, a renowned artiste, is back with visual for the sleeper hit - Coco Butter (Remix) feat. The Adasa Cookey-directed visual premiered on MTV Base recently.

D’banj plans 10th anniversary tour

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D’Banj and Amber Rose

opular music icon, D’banj, reaches out to his fans on his 10th-year anniversary.

“First, I must tell all my fans out there that I know how much love you all have for me, so I know that this 10thyear anniversary will not and cannot just be one event, it will last through the whole year.

“My first album called, ‘No Long Thing’ came out on March 25, 2005 and that was why we kicked off recently with the kick-off party hosted by the sexiest herself, Amber Rose. I call it a party because I invited people who came, had fun and celebrated with me.

“Then throughout the year, we’ll visit different cities, nations, we’ll be partying in some and at some places, we’ll be having the Koko concert,” D’banj said.

On why he chose Amber Rose who is popular for several things such as her curvy body, bald head, ex-boyfriend Kanye West and ex-wife of American rapper Wiz Khalifa, he said, “this first night with Amber Rose is just to party”.

Ruth Eze, Biola Ige’s face-off deepens

T

Jay

hey are actresses who have starred in so many movies. They used to be the best of friends until something happened that tore them apart.

Remember the time Biola Ige’s nude pictures went viral on social media? Perhaps, she was thinking such pictures would shoot her into stardom.

People frowned at the pictures at the time. She however regretted that action, though pointed fingers at Ruth, that she was the one behind her nude pictures on the net.

That marked the beginning of a serious face-off between Ruth and Biola so much that when they saw on the red carpet recently at Eko Hotels, Victoria Island Lagos during the ‘Vanguard Man of The Year Award’, they kept straight faces, not even saying hi to each other.

Biola Ige

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Lessons of Life

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ADAEZE AMOS Adanneamos@gmail.com 08023012293 (sms only)

TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART FEBRUARY 15, 2015

‘My marriage will soon hit the rocks’ We conclude Philomena and Thomas’’ intriguing story started last week.

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hen Thomas lost his job, life became difficult for him and his wife. The situation improved when Philomena started a petty trading business. But the couple lived for five years without a child. No sooner had Charity her sister-in-law come to live with them than their marriage became unstable.

“I had no problem with my husband.

He never worried me for not giving him a child because he saw that I was desperate to have at least one. I was prayerful about it and I wasn’t taking my gynaecological appointments and medications for granted. My husband’s attention was centred on getting a new job so that he would fend for his family. But when his elder sister came to live with us with her two sons, she did not give us notice because her husband drove her out. She insulted the man, according to the story I heard, and when he couldn’t endure it any longer, he threw her out. Having come with her two sons, I had no option but to move my belongings from my room to the master’s bedroom. She and her children occupied two rooms. I welcomed that idea because I had no child,” she said.

But after a while, Philomena’s patience snapped.

“My sister-in-law started cooking for my husband. She rearranged my kitchen without my permission, parked my pots into one big carton and dumped it in my store. When I asked why, she retorted that I should be ashamed of cooking my husband’s meals with such outdated pots. I kept my cool, though I was hurt. The last straw that broke the camel’s back was when I hurried home from the place I sell foodstuff to prepare dinner for my husband, and he was bold to tell me that I shouldn’t bother giving him dinner any longer because his sister had promised to be doing that. What added salt to my injury was when his sister sauntered out of the room and asked me how much I was making from my petty trading business that I couldn’t sit down and see if I could give her brother a child.

She said it with a measure of disdain.

I flared up and gave her a piece of my mind. Sadly, my husband sided with her, and I was beaten up. Thomas had never raised a finger at me until his sister came to live with us. Worse of all, she didn’t stop her brother from hitting me. She watched me being battered by my husband. When her first son tried to stop my husband, his mother pushed him aside and warned him never to go close to where a husband and wife were settling their problem.

Later that night, he started begging me

to forgive him in a hush manner. He didn’t want his sister to hear that he was begging me,” Philomena recalled.

Charity became very autocratic in “my matrimonial home because she was the one feeding my husband. He no longer had a say in his own house.

When I reminded him that he was behaving like his sister’s toy, he warned me sternly, reminding me that he had to respect his elder sister. A visitor visiting us for the first time would go home with the impression that the house belonged to my sister-in-law.

When the landlord’s lawyer came for the house rent, my sister-in-law would be the one to see the man and plead to be given sometime to offset the debt.

Indeed, the lawyer thought she was the one that rented the three-bedroom flat. I was now tip-toeing in my house like a stranger. I hardly cooked in my kitchen except on Sundays when I would be at home throughout after church service. What surprised me was how my husband would change at the sight of his sister. He even stopped going to the church we had been attending together for five years for his elder sister’s white garment church.

A model

She is a renowned prophetess in that church and, according to her, my husband would not be able to make me pregnant until he starts following her to her church and become a member and perhaps go for spiritual cleansing.

That was what he did and he insisted I should join him. I obeyed for peace sake but I was not happy. When my sister-in-law said I ought to be given a spiritual bathe so that evil forces hindering me from giving birth would let me be, I reacted. I would never go to any river for spiritual cleansing. I’m not possessed by any evil spirit. If my husband wants to drive me away because of that, I would go home peacefully. I still sneaked out to attend my former church on week days, but I go the white garment only on Sundays,” she stressed.

Philomena said she now has a plan B. “I called my elder brother who lives and works in America for financial help and he promised sending some money to me. He was the one who sent money with which my husband used to beg the landlord to give us some more months before my sister-in-law moved

in. When I told him what I was going through, he said he would send some money to me. He told me to leave that house and get a new apartment, pay and move in and leave him with his sister. If he wants to join me, my doors are open to him alone. If not, I’m okay staying on my own. I will still remain his wife but perchance his sister insists on moving into my house, I would not allow that.

“That is what I have made up my mind to do. I have got an apartment, soon, I would have the money to pay. I didn’t disclose this to my husband because he would discourage me. My fear now is that her sister may tell him not to marry me again. She said something about getting another lady from her church for her brother to bail me out of this childless situation. She laughed while saying it. That sounded like a warning to me. That is the only fear I have now. What if I move out and my sisterin-law gets somebody to be keeping my husband company? The man now behaves like a zombie.”

•Readers, what’s your advice for Philomena?

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Pulpit

Sunday February 15, 2015

41

Pastor Oloruntimilehin asks: Why not obey?

General Overseer of Omnipotence Mission of God, a church with headquarters at Ipaja area of Lagos, Prophet Joshua Daramola Oloruntimilehin, in this admonition, stresses the importance of obedience: Excerpts:

P

eople that go to the house of God or attend church services, do so to receive the teachings of God. After receiving the teachings and then fail to make use of them, if evil should befall the people, then they have themselves to blame. There is nothing that will happen by their gnashing of teeth or complaining that God has not done well. If they are not careful, their problems could be compounded by God, inflicting more punishment on them. Many people die suddenly every day because they heard the words of God but failed to use them for the betterment of their lives. Similarly, many people fall everyday because they refuse to use the words of God they heard in the church. These people see God and His messengers as foolish people. Their failure to practise the teachings of the Lord brings about Satan blocking their ears and making the words of God to be nothing to them. Why are the children of God falling into pit or falling down and Satan mocking them?

It is because of their disobedience to the words of God and failure to put them into practice. Jesus said in the book of Luke 6:46-49; “Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice…” Imagine, a person told me he was suffering and did not know why God did not intervene in his matter. Angrily, I responded that if care was not taken, he would perpetually be suffering for life. Why? He refused to heed and obey what the spirit of God instructed him to do. He felt so bad with my response and saw it as a slander. But I did not allow that to bother me and saw him as a person who was not ready to enhance the work of God. Brethren, it is imperative for peo-

ple to know the leader or head of their churches and to learn a lot from the servant of God. This is because some of the heads of churches know themselves very well. For instance, there is nothing I eat, drink or do that I cannot stop doing. There was no enjoyment or catching of fun that I did not do. But when the time came, I stopped everything willingly. It was not the Holy Spirit that instructed me to do so. Therefore, people should know themselves very well and have the courage and power to take decisions that would be of benefits to them.

People have the grace and power to abstain from habits and ungodly acts that are detrimental to God’s relationship with people. As it is written, God made man to have dominion over other creatures, both animals and plants (Genesis 1:28). So also, man should have power over ungodly acts, to reject them in all ramifications. Therefore, people have power over adultery, stealing, fornication, etc. When people do not have power over all these acts, then they are sinners. These people may be loved by others but heavenly kingdom would kick against them. It behooves on all the servants of God to teach their followers the right ways of God. The Bible says in Hebrew 13:7 “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you, consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” As a prophet /messenger of God, I always use myself as example for my followers and want myself as example for my followers and want them to believe me because the Bible says 2 in Chronicles 20:20 that “…Have faith in the Lord your

God and you will be upheld; have faith in His prophets and you will be successful.”

In my teachings both in practice and theory, emphasis are made on the need to place God above any other thing, either man or material.

Many people are using this teaching and are practising it and they are successful. The Bible says in Matthew 10:37, Jesus said, “Anyone who l ove s his father o r mother more

called by his Creator to give account of his works. Hezekiah had a good work, thus he reminded God his good stewardship, how he walked before Him in truth and with a perfect heart, and did that which is good in His sight. He did not tell God to spare his life but rather he reminded Him of his good works. And God spared him. Beloved, God deals with us according to our works.

Genesis 6:5-8 says “And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD”.

The Lord found out that the heart of man was so wicked in the first world and He decided to destroy the entire world which He did with flood. However Noah found favour in the sight of God and escape

destruction along with his family because he was a righteous man living in the midst of unrighteous people. When the rest of the world was wicked, Noah kept the good work of integrity. Noah did not find favour in the eyes of men; they hated and persecuted him, because both by his life and preaching he condemned the world: but he found grace in the eyes of the Lord, and this made him more truly honourable than the men of renown. Let this be our chief desire, let us labour in good work that we may be accepted of Him. The Lord made use of Noah to recover the entire human populace that was till then threatened with annihilation.

Beloved, similarly, the Lord shall single you out for blessing and protection as long as you are living right even if trouble seems to have surrounded you because He is the God of justice.

Genesis 24:1 says “And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things.”

The Lord blessed Abraham in all things as a result of his good work and faith in God Almighty. We must go on to do our best by His grace and endeavour to do that which is

than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” The children of God need not to suffer if they obey and adhere strictly to the words of God and of His prophets. The understanding of how God Almighty does things is paramount for people. This will enable them to follow God’s ways and that of the prophets, obey divine instructions. Whatever the prophets of God tell a person and not obeyed, then problems of affliction and suffering will be the consequence of disobedience. The Bible says in Exodus 15:26, “…if you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to His commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases…”

In the same vein, there are blessings for people who are obedient to the words of God and His prophets.

The Bible says in Deuteronomy 28:14, “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands that I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all nations on earth. All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God…” Brethren, disobedience is the foundation of sin, and death is the wages of sin. Therefore, I fervently pray that the spirit of disobedience will be cast away in the life of people in the name of Jesus.

Prophet Oloruntimilehin

According to thy works, by Pastor Muoka

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24 the LORD. And I will add unto thy days fifteen years; and I will deliver thee and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria; and I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.”

Whatever you find yourself doing today, please do them well to the Lord and to the end because it would be a disaster to abandon such work halfway and go into unrighteousness while almost there, for all the righteousness you have done shall not count in your favour as they would be forgotten on the day of reckoning.

Prophet Isaiah told Hezekiah that his disease was mortal, and, if he was not recovered by a miracle of mercy, he will certainly die. Therefore he must, with all speed, set his house in order and get ready for death. This we ought always to do when we are in health, but are most loudly called to do it when we come to be sick. We must always set the heart in order by good works of charity and renewed acts of repentance, faith, and resignation to God for no one knows the hour he will be

right unto the Lord and be faithful to Him. If you do righteously the Lord will surely bless you and if you do wickedly the Lord also will surely judge you because He is the righteous judge.

Revelation 22:11-12 says, “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”

Brethren, I want you to be strong and working the work of righteousness in the Lord for time shall come when no man can work again. Therefore, as you have this opportunity ensure that you do the work of righteousness in the Lord for every man shall be rewarded according to his works. All those who are faithful will surely be rewarded gloriously, whilst the wicked shall never go unpunished as they shall be rewarded with the works of their hands and cast into hellfire. So, it is according to your works that it shall also be done unto you.

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From the Pulpit Learn with Kunle

Macaulay

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Email: profkunlemacaulay@ yahoo.com (08023032698, sms pls)

he matter of Nigeria has become a wonder to many people but to those who study Bible diligently and understand the MIND of God, it is clear that until Nigerians give God his rightful place in the affairs of the nation can we start to find an explanation and answer to what is happening in Nigeria. No matter the decision of human government or threats of human militants, God’s will for Nigeria shall prevail.

A right-thinking person knows that order is the key to everything but when we see something disrupting the order, interfering with it and breaking the order, the result is disorder and all its baneful consequences – confusion, misunderstanding, physical and spiritual pains.

We all know that the shifting of the date of election announced by Prof. Attahiru Jega, the chairman of INEC has created disruption and dislocation. I am sure that the next thing some people will do is to start blaming the cause of this shift on some people, group of people and certain human situations but to me, if we do that, we miss the way and we shall make the matter worse. Satan knows that Nigerians are incapable of functioning as a nation because we are divided. We are paralyzed and cannot do anything or get to anywhere.

Something special has happened and it is not imagination. It is expected to be a life re-adjusted and harmonized. Some of us have recognized the religious plural-

Destiny Hour with Pastor Femi

Lanre-Oke

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e looked at the place of prayer and fasting in enforcing God’s plans and purposes for you in 2015 a few weeks ago and then moved on to explaining why we need to secure the hand of God upon the political arena in Nigeria and we believe that by the grace of God, only His purpose will come to pass in Nigeria in Jesus name. Moving on today, we will continue on securing prophecies in 2015 and we will be looking at the dimension of God’s word.

It is impossible to over-emphasize the need for children of God to prepare and be ready for the future God has promised them. If you fail to see the fulfillment of prophecy in the year 2015 over your life, your family, home and country, it won’t be because God is a liar but because man has failed to secure the reality of promises.

One crucial way to secure the fulfillment of prophecy over your life and a way which guarantees that you see the reality of God’s promises is to ensure that you carry a full understanding on how your life should be. God’s word is authority for every child and it must dic-

Sunday February 15, 2015

God’s will shall prevail

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ism of Nigeria and by all means as religious experts try to teach what the spiritual life of a nation and its people should be. It is necessary to understand the plan of God for Nigeria and Nigerians. The supreme thing in the MIND of God is that people should understand and know him. The Bible confirmed what God himself said, “Let not the wise boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches but let him who boasts boast about this that he understands and knows me……. Jeremiah. 9:23-24a. We must see in God, the answer to our questions and problems and to every cry of our need and heart.

Few days to the former proposed election day (February 14, 2015) every prayer house was filled with Christians praying for non-violent election and the will of God to prevail. Both Muslims and Christians prayed without ceasing. This confirmed that Nigerians recognized the need for God to direct the affairs of man. The hope of many Nigerians is in the direction of God having it according to his plan. It is important for Nigerians to see God moving in with his purpose this time and making all things happen according to his plans.

Politicians have enough time between now and March 28, 2015 to convince the electorate how they will achieve their plans for the nation. They and their supporters should stop negative advertisements on the past life of the opposition or pointing to the failure of the present government. This is an election period; the electorate want to know your plan and how you will carry it out for the

next four years. This is not the time for our fighting youths (militants) and their sponsors to acquire weapons of destruction. Rather, it is a time to see that people are encouraged to vote wisely and that INEC is encouraged to announce the winner after a free election. Efforts of all Nigerians should be directed to curbing and exposing election riggers (if any).

If Christians at this particular time cannot be an inspiration to others, then there is something seriously lacking in what we call Christianity. The presence of politicians in some of the mega churches in Nigeria for prayers at this particular time is a bad omen for the church leaders and the churches concerned. Christian leaders have the responsibility to pray for the peace of the nation and to God to give the nation a good leader since the nation belongs to him but not to be seen in the public with these political leaders. This type of romance is questionable; moreover, we can see the effect of this open romance when somebody accused PFN leadership of receiving a bribe of N6b to influence election. We learned that the President of PFN debunked ‘’the ugly rumour”. Even though many of us respect the leadership of PFN but we hereby warn them to desist from visiting the palaces of politicians for special prayers and welcoming politicians to church as special visitors.

We all know that it takes Satan only a second to destroy what many of these leaders have built for years. I cannot rule out the attitude of Gahazi the servant of Elisha in some of the lieutenants of these great men of God. They can collect money on behalf of their masters. If there is

no fire, definitely there will be no smoke.

This is the time for every reasonable Christian leader to openly disconnect himself from office-seeking politicians.

Nigerians have a good reason to go to God to choose a leader for them. It is the only way to get it right this time. The weaknesses and strengths of the two men in this race are known to many Nigerians. Many people are confused on who to choose. In the past, people depended on prophets but today there are many fake prophets. Many pastors are not reliable and if the situation is like this, then, how do people know the will of God. Many people pray ceaselessly and even command God to give then their desires by showing them signs for them to decide.

God spoke to Joseph through dreams, he went to Moses in the bush and spoke to him while Philip was led by an angel. Cornelius received directions from the Lord through vision. Most of the people of the Bible were guided miraculously through voices, visions, angels or by natural means. Many people are confused today on how to make vital decisions - whom to marry, the kind of profession to choose or even in minor areas of life. How do we know the will of God for us or how do we make a decision that will glorify the name of God? It is difficult today because many Christian leaders are not spirit-filled, they lack the knowledge of the word of God and many of them are not called or even trained.

tate what you experience per time in life.

Until you ignorant of the power behind the word of God, the enemy cannot cheat you. Understanding of your rights and privileges as a kingdom citizen ensures that you easily dispel whatever illusions the enemy brings you way at every point in time.

Listen to me, the sickness you see is not your reality, it is an illusion; the reality is that you are healed by His stripes, when sadness or depression knocks on your door; the reality is that the joy of the Lord is your strength. It is expressly stated in the scriptures that the greatest destroyer of God’s people is not the enemy that comes only to steal, kill and destroy but ignorance of their divine rights and authorities Hosea 4:6.

When you carry an understanding of what the scriptures say about you then the devil is reduced to a defeated roaring lion that is ultimately toothless and powerless against you. Listen to me, the devil’s weapon is to ensure that you encounter darkness and confusion as you go on in 2015 but you can beat him to that game.

How? God encountered darkness in Genesis 1 and ultimately the first thing that came out of Him was ‘light be’ and light came up. This light ensured that the entire work of creation was completed in 6 days. When you encounter light then the strategy of hell to cheat you in darkness is defeated.

Listen to me, Psalm 119:130 say ‘The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple’. The word of God that enters your spirit man and becomes a part of you, it becomes light that illuminates your world and situations. Matthew 5:14 which says, ‘You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden’ becomes a reality in your life only when you encounter the word of God. If you carry light then darkness can do nothing about you.

How am I so sure that light makes darkness powerless? The Bible says in John 1:5 that the life in Jesus became the light that shines in darkness and forever darkness cannot overcome, understand or comprehend it. When the light of God’s word illuminates you, darkness shrinks and stays away and this is the mentality I want you to carry in 2015. We are face to face with an enemy that wants to contend the scriptures and contend prophecies. He knows he is defeated and his time is short but he still comes around to test and see if you know what is written concerning you and if you can enforce the reality of scriptures.

There is no aspect of your life that is not adequately covered in the word of God, there is no aspect of your destiny that is not adequately treated in scriptures, all you need to do is to locate what is written concerning you. Jesus defeated the enemy in Matthew 4 during the temptations in the wilderness by quoting the

word of God that has become life inside of Him Listen to this, the word of God you believe in becomes life in you, John 1:1-4; Jesus is the Word that was with God in the beginning through whom all things were created, this same word became flesh and came to die for our sins. This same word is the Genesis of life that as we know it and ultimately becomes the light that illuminates darkness. It means ultimately that once you accept Jesus as your Lord and savior and then allow scriptures to sink into you with understanding, His life in you becomes the light that illuminates your world and your circumstances.

God’s creative power comes alive in you when you understand the reality of scriptures and just as He perfected the world in Genesis 1, bringing into reality all He wanted to see irrespective of the prevailing circumstance, you can do the same through the word of God that comes alive in you.

Next week by the grace of God, we will discuss how to ensure that the written word of God enters you, comes alive in you and becomes the light that illuminates your life. Till then God bless you.

•Prof. Kunle Macaulay is the Director of Studies of United Bible University, Lagos. Phone: 0802 – 303 – 2698; email : profkunlemacaulay@yahoo.com; Twitter. com/Kunle Macaulay1

Secure prophecies through scriptures

•For further prayer & counseling, Please contact: Pastor Femi Lanre-Oke, Jesus Praise Evangelical Ministries International, Plot A22 Power Crescent, Arab road, Kubwa. Abuja, +2348030752799, +2348053695097, Email: femi_lanre01@yahoo.co.uk

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Sunday February 15, 2015

Divine Encounter with Pastor DSA

Adegoke

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nd the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin – 1 John 1:7.

Two of the greatest evangelists in the world, D. L. Moody and Billy Graham, have been criticised for preaching on the subject of the Blood – without which there is no remission of sin! When D. L. Moody started preaching, a woman wrote him a letter and said, “Brother Moody, if you want to be effective, you are going to have to leave out that blood stuff ”. When Graham was getting started in ministry, a professor from Cornell University wrote him a letter and said, “Mr. Graham, you have great talent, and you have what it takes to be a successful minister. But if you want to continue to be successful, you are going have to leave out the preaching on the blood. It is out of date and no enlightened man of the 20th century will swallow it”.

Both of these awesome men of God had the same response – they continued their preaching on the Blood of Jesus Christ!

They refused to listen to people like an extremely liberal person that said, “I am sick and tired of this slaughter-house religion, and we need to get it out of our pulpits and out of our churches as quickly as possible.

Medically speaking, when we take the

Nothing but the Blood blood out of the human body, the body dies! Also, when we take the blood out of the “Body of Christ” – the Church, without spot or wrinkle (the Body of Christ) dies! We need to understand that we are not only a people of the Book – the Word of God; the Holy Bible – but we are a people of the Blood – the shed Blood of Jesus Christ. The Holy Bible is not only a blessed Book; but it is a blood Book! The worwd “blood” is found 447 times in 375 verses of the KJV of the Holy Bible! There is a scarlet thread that binds every page of the Holy Bible. If we cut the Book, it bleeds! Why? Because all of the Holy Bible can be summarised by the statement: “The Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin”. The only spiritual detergent that can remove the stain of sin from the human soul is the shed Blood of Jesus Christ.

The Blood of Jesus Christ comes from a supernatural source! It is not ordinary blood; there is no other blood like it! It therefore cleanses with supernatural power! The Bible does not say that his Blood has cleansed us, nor does it say that His Blood will cleanse us.

It says specially that His Blood cleanses us! That means the Blood of Jeuss Christ cleanses us and keeps on cleansing us! Every day that we need to be cleansed, His Blood is available

And the blood of Jesus Christ his son to do the job! If we want God to forgive us, we need to let Him cleanse us! cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 1.

What can wash away my sin?

When God sees sin, he wants to cleanse

Nothing but the blood of Jesus! it; when we see sin, we want to cover

What can make me whole again? it! When God forgives sin, he wants to

Nothing but the blood of Jesus! cleanse us; however, we need to want

Oh, precious is the flow to be cleansed! We need to admit that

That makes me white as we are sinners and need cleansing; we need to understand that with God, a snow!

No other fount I know; person who is partially clean is totally

Nothing but the blood of dirty! God will not let anyone into heaven unless they have been cleansed from Jesus! all of their sins!

2.

For my cleansing this I seeMany of us have idea that salva Nothing but the blood of Jesus! tion is on the instalment plan! Jesus

For my pardon this my pleaChrist made the down payment for

Nothing but the blood of Jesus! our sins; and, then we make the instalments by going to church, keeping the 3.

Nothing can for sin atoneTen Commandments, being religious,

Nothing but the blood of Jesus! being good! Wrong! Jesus Christ paid

Nought of good that I have doneoff the entire bill when He voluntarily

Nothing but the blood of Jesus shed His own Blood so that we might be saved! He has thrown us a rope – a 4.

This is all my hope and peacelifetime – all we have to do is take it! I

Nothing but the blood of Jesus! don’t know about you; but, my “rope of

This is all my righteousness hope” is nothing less than Jesus’ Blood

Nothing but the blood of Jesus! and righteousness! We must not forget the words of the hymn, ‘What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the Blood of •For further prayer and counseling, Jesus!’ please contact: Pastor D.S.A. Adegoke.

Brethren, have you been washed?

Christ Apostle Church Kings ChaHave you been cleansed? Will you make pel, 2, Ogunwoye Street, Mowe, Along it into Heaven?” Remember, “Without Redemption Camp, Ibadan Expressthe shedding of blood, there is no forway, Ogun State. Tel: 08028275896, giveness of sins.

08142302342

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Top pastors have failed the Lord –Pastor Fasola

…says one presidential candidate may die, if...

Joe Agulanna

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eneral Overseer of Living Favourites Bible Ministries, Alayo Ibafo, Ogun State, Pastor Clement Fasola, has revealed that God is not happy with some prominent clerics in the land.

L-R: Rev Femi Popoola, Pastor-In-Charge, Divine Mercy Baptist Church; Adebisi, his wife and Olutayo Irantiola, Church Secretary at the vigil

Born Again Revival Church holds inaugural vigil

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he Born Again Revival Church of Christ is inaugurating a new vigil programme which is slated to hold on the first Friday of every month. The next vigil, according to the Pastor-inCharge, Evangelist Samuel Oyewole, is scheduled to hold on March 6, 2015 by 10:00p.m at the Church auditorium located at 14, Opeyemi Street, Koye Oke, Lambe, Ogun State.

The General Overseer, Pastor Emmanuel Akinbobola, revealed that God directed him to create the programme with the theme “Door of mercy” where the Lord will be turning around people’s lives and open doors of mercy for them.

At the inaugural vigil which took place recently at the Koye-Oke, Lambe branch, there

was large turn-out of worshippers including the Board of Trustees, led by the Assistant General Overseer, Pastor Clement Adegbola.

The programme will also feature guest ministers, choir ministrations from various gospel singers, drama and a host of other spiritual activities.

The Church has its

Headquarters at 65, King’s Avenue, Opposite Bemil Nigeria Limited, Ojodu Abiodun, Berger, Ikeja, Lagos.

The general Overseer is seizing this opportunity to invite the general public as they are expected to come with great expectations and be ready to receive the power of the Lord for miracles and restoration.

The man of God, known for his predictions that have most times come to pass, also said that God revealed to him that one prominent presidential candidate of a top political party may die, if he doesn’t pray well.

On the pastors, he said he got a revelation from the Lord that they had soiled their hands in illgotten wealth. The pastor said the Lord told him that he would subsequently fail these pastors.

“Most of the big pastors have failed me on this election and I will fail them,” the pastor said of the Lord.

On the forthcoming elections, the cleric believes there would be no

problem because Nigeria is a country of God. His words: “No matter how people want to use the election to scatter Nigeria, God will intervene because our welfare is not carnal, and the nation has power in God that can pull down the devil of the country.”

He said that one of the presidential candidates may lose his life, if care was not taken.

“He has to pray. I, too, have been praying for them,” he disclosed.

Pastor Adesola is reputed for his prayers for pregnant women for safe delivery and for the barren for the fruit of the womb, and there have been testimonies of the wonders of God performed in his ministry.

During the programme with the theme, ‘O Lord, meet my need’ held every second Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of the month, he said ‘God has been meeting the needs of people who have been testifying animatedly to the power of the Almighty’.

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From the Pulpit

Sunday February 15, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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From the Pulpit

Sunday February 15, 2015

45

TLCCRM holds From sorrow to joy crusade Odinaka Uruakpa

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till basking in the Euphoria of its Mgbidi crusade, The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, TLCCRM held another power packed crusade in grand style.

The two day annual international programme tagged “From sorrow to joy” held at the Chosen revival ground, Ijesha, Lagos saw not only the presence of the Chosen members worldwide, but also that of top government functionaries, including the President and Commander in Chief of the federal republic of Nigeria, Dr, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

While speaking on the significance of the crusade, the General Overseer of TLCCRM, Pastor Lazarus Muoka said the programme was organized for the benefit of those who are in deep sorrow and are afflicted in one way or the other.

He said: “The benefits of this crusade is that all the people that are in deep sorrow because of the afflictions of the devil, the wicked ones as they attend this programme, those things will be removed and their sorrow would turn to joy. This period is also a time for us to pray and usher the people properly into the New Year so that the children of God; the chosen people will gather in the presence of God and receive His blessings, guidance and protection. It is also a time for the children of God to pray for the Lord’s favour and His continual preservation of them through the year and others to come. It is a special time also that we pray and ensure that God almighty will take care of our nation and take us away from all the past calamities that befell us and

Pastor Muoka

bring us into lasting joy and peace unspeakable.”

Speaking on the state of the nation and its future especially concerning the postponed general elections, the cleric gave an assurance of peace throughout the electioneering and beyond it.

“With God on our side, we believe that peace shall be our portion throughout the country in the time of elections.

I believe that God almighty will take care of event before the elections, during and after elections. I also believe that come what may, God almighty will prevail over the situation of this country and we shall witness lasting peace.”

As to the sensitization of members

on the collection of their Permanent Voter’s Cards and engaging in the voting process, Muoka said that the important thing is that citizens should follow and abide by government rules and decisions regarding the process of PVC collection and voting at the appropriate time.

I would advise that whatever the time allocated or added on for the people to collect their PVCs, everybody should comply and make sure they get theirs. It is only right that they are properly equipped to exercise their rights to vote because we are all expected to have our cards at show it at the poling centre. I believe that by the

grace of God that the chosen members are getting their PVCs because they have been educated and sensitized severally on its importance and I believe everyone of voting age here taking this process seriously because they know that if they do not, they would only end up disenfranchising themselves and I believe they don’t want to take that risk”, he insisted.

In his message to the nation, he called on all citizen to join hands to ensure that peace, stability and unity of this nation is promoted at all times adding that if anybody is delighted to cause war or trouble in the nation, such people such learn from the past where the country’s warring situation had done nothing but drag it back economically and otherwise.

“We must realize that no nation can survive two wars in so short period, so we should continue to live in peace for the interest of everyone. It is my prayer and counseling to people that they should draw closer to God and he would ensure that we do not encounter any problem and our country will continue to flourish and wax stronger against all odds”, He said.

In his advice to aspiring political office holders in the nation, he admonished them to stay away from all forms of violence during campaigns, seek the face of God and go about their electioneering business in a godly manner.

“Elections and campaigns are not meant to be do or die affair, for this reason all who are seeking political offices must shun all forms of violence and rather seek God and allow His will be done in their lives. My prayer is that the will of God be done because when his will is done, in every aspect of our lives, it shall be well for everyone”, he prayed.

‘Next year, we expect greater manifestation of God’s glory’ Pastor Lazarus Muoka, General Overseer of Lord’s Chosen Revival Ministries, in this interview, speaks about God’s wonders and expectations in next year’s ‘From sorrow to joy’ programme, among others.

We learnt that the annual programme entitled ‘From sorrow to joy’ is as old as your ministry, could you tell us when and what gave rise to it?

Our international annual programme with the theme, “From sorrow to joy” started in 2004, two years after the establishment of this ministry and almost a year when we relocated to our permanent site which is located in Ijesha area of Lagos. What gave rise to this crusade was that we felt that there should be an avenue through which we would be ushering people into the New Year. This is because we assume every New Year will be a better year than the previous one. So, it is a time we usher our brethrens into a new year so they would face the year with a refreshed joy. Thus, the essence of it is to bring people out from all kinds of negative hangover of the previous year vis-à-vis their

physical and spiritual challenges and bring them into a better New Year; hence, we called it “From sorrow to joy” which is ushering people from their old experiences in life to a new experience of joy.

out of sorrow and out of darkness into the Light. It is therefore very certain that since it holds such obligation it is in tandem with our threefold vision of grassroots’ revival all over the world, revival of the apostolic Christian experiences among the body of Christ and revival of heaven consciousness among believers. Besides this vision, it is also one of the windows through which our mandate of winning ten billion souls for Christ could be actualised.

Is the programme an offshoot of the vision of the church?

Yes, it is one of the wheels that drive the vision of the Church. God Almighty established the ministry purposely to bring people out from darkness into His marvellous light. All that is associated with sorrow are deduced as things that people are not convenient or comfortable with. Through this program, people receive their healings from sicknesses and diseases; some are delivered from physical, mental and spiritual oppressions and above all, they are brought to Christ who is the Light. So, during the program people are brought

Do you think that the programme is on course?

By the special grace of God, it has gathered momentum as more people see reason to participate in the program, in order to have their sorrows turn to joy.

President Goodluck Jonathan attended the just concluded 2015 edition of the programme; was his presence at the crusade evidence that the idea behind the event has been actualised.

It is our wish that everybody irrespective of status, creed and race will attend this spiritually inclined program. However, the presence of Mr. President is an

endorsement that this particular program of the ministry is from God. God has confirmed it by bringing the President of the federal republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Goodluck Jonathan so that we all can move into a fresh year of unspeakable joy.

So, I want to say that the coming of the president has given us lots of encouragement for the program. I therefore believe that more leaders shall be attending this program, including governors and other national office holders. The program is meant for everybody not only those in the government, it is meant for every one of us so that we shall all face every year of our lives with joy.

As this year’s event is presumed to be successful, what shall we be expecting next year?

Next year, we shall be expecting greater manifestation of God’s glory and power. We expect to see the presence of presidents and governors from other countries of the world; we expect that they too will come and have their sorrows turned to joy.

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From the Pulpit Endtime Revelation with Bishop Bernard

Ojemeni (JP)

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hroughout history God has always been against the nations that oppress Israel for example – Egypt, Assyria, Babylon etc. why did God say, He is against Russia even when she has not come into existence.

It is because God had foreseen that Russia will assume the dominant position of atheism which is the belief that God does not exist. All the nations prior to Russia God opposed were polytheistic i.e. belief in many gods which goes against the word of God in Exodus 20:3. Not to talk about the one who says there is no God. Psalm 14:1 “The fool has said in his heart, there is no God” How utterly ridiculous atheism is. There is no doubt about the fact of Russia atheistic government under communism. Joseph Stalin said “We have deposed the czars of the earth and we shall now dethrone the Lord of Heaven.

When Russia put a rocket, called the Sputnik past the noon, as it neared the sun the following comment was heard on the radio in Russia: “Our rocket has by-passed the moon.

It is nearing the sun. We have not discovered God. We have turned out lights in Heaven that no man will be able to put on again. We are breaking the yoke of the gospel, the opiate of the masses. Let us go forth and Christ shall be relegated to mythology”. You can

The bride voice with Pastor Moses

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Alu

esus Christ was walking with people who were with him; his disciples and he turned around and asked them who do men say I the son of man am I ? people are following and calling Jesus and they know nothing about who he is and he asked them that question. They gave different answers.

He turned to them and asked them the same question. Watch the screen again and see how a believer captured it.

Hallelujah. Upon this rock of who you know him to be, he will build his church… and the gates of hell shall not prevail; upon the rock of the revelation of who Jesus Christ is.

Hen we speak this way, they say, Bride Assembly likes to criticize.

Praise the Lord. Listen church, there is something about God; a mystery that we have to understand. God created every human being with a self will; that is, the power of choice. God gave us this as human beings and he does not interfere with your choice.

That is why even his own children; the children of Israel that he showed his supernatural powers at a level never seen since the creation of the world still rebelled against him. He manifested glory and came down in their camp in a supernatural cloud which followed them by day and in the night, it was a supernatural pillar of fire.

His presence was among them in their camp. He parted the Red Sea; struck Egypt with different plagues that left every one in no doubt that there was a living God somewhere. At this time, he was communicating to them through a prophet. since we cannot stand His voice, what does He do? He chooses a man. But when it came to the turn of Samuel, they suddenly said they no longer

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday February 15, 2015

The signs of the second coming of Jesus Christ

now see why God is against Russia. God is not a partial God. Any nation that makes herself an enemy of God by maltreating His people or not having regard for Him or His word in the Bible will get it hot from Him. He does not equally spare his own people if they sin against Him. That is why He punished Israel, the Jews over the years for their trespasses. In A.D. 70 they were scattered all over the world for crucifying Jesus Christ. Is it the horrors of the Holocaust in 1947 when Adolf Hitler of Germany massacred 6 million Jews? And so God did not spare Israel, they also had their own share of punishment for their disobedience. However, now because of their repentance and their prayers and devotion to God. He has decided to have mercy on them. At least I was in Israel sometime ago and I saw how the Jews were praying to God of their father Abraham in many synagogues and centers of worship and in particular on the wailing wall, the remains of the fence of the temple of Solomon in Jerusalem praying for the peace of Jerusalem.

And Amos 9:15 talks about the present condition of Israel with God. It says “And I will plant them upon their, land, and they shall no more be pulled out of their land which I have given them saith the Lord thy God”.

With this cordial relationship exiting between God and His People, is when Russia and her allies [which are all countries that have maltreated the nation of Israel in one way or the other as we are going to examine the nations one after the other] will invade Israel. No wonder God is waiting for

a day like this to prove to Russia/her allies and the entire world that He is the God of Israel and that Jesus Christ is the only saviour of the world and that the Bible is the only authentic and inerrant word of God the basis for God’s acceptance. In Genesis Chapter 12:1-3 made it clear that any nation that blesses Abraham (Israel) will be blessed and curses Abraham (Israel) will be cursed. Israel is the seed of Abraham that gave us Jesus Christ, through which the whole earth will be blessed. Speaking with the woman of Samaria in John chapter 4:22, Jesus said it categorically that salvation is of the Jews.

The allies of Russia Who are the allies of Russia in this unholy war to destroy the nation of Israel and exterminate the Jews? God gives the names of the major ones and their addresses and many others whose names are not mentioned probably because of the role they will play may not be significant.

I thank God that my country Nigeria has renewed her diplomatic relationship with Israel. One could recall that our economy suffered terribly during the years we severed our relationship with the Jewish nation. And our soldiers must be happy because they will not be part of this war that God has vowed to use to announce to the whole world that He is the God of Israel and the God of the Bible only. Ezekiel 38:5-6 listed the nations or countries in alliance with Russia. Number one is Persia which is the modern – day Iran and Iraq. Others are Ethiopia, Libya, Gomer

i.e. Germany, Togarmah i.e. Turkey – of the North quarters and all his bands and many people with thee i.e. other Countries /Arab countries that see Israel as common enemy. Russia will lead them. Ezekiel 38:7 says “prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you and be a guard for them. That is be thou a commander unto them”. Ezekiel leaves no doubt that Russia is leading the attack. Looking at these nations in alliance with Russia you will discover that they are not friendly nations with Israel.

In Ezekiel 38:8-23 the word of God made it clear that it is going to be towards the end of time and the number of Soldiers will be outrageous. Russia will think an evil thought as one of the reasons for invading Israel. Number two reason is to revamp her economy. Ezekiel 38:13. And somebody may ask what could lead to this evil thought? It is obvious that America has attacked Russia’s allies in the past and even at present is not well disposed to some Russia’s allies – Afghanistan, in the name harbouring terrorists, the Taliban and Iraq for chemical weapon. Now with what is happening in Syria President Assad of Syria is loyal to Russia.

•For further information, contact us at: Endtime Believers’ Ministry Inc.16/18, Johnson Street, off Kajola Street, Yakoyo, Lagos. Tel: 08023261219, 09095268897, 08036116881; Email: bishop.bernard@yahoo.com

Valentine or Jesus ant a prophet to lead them but a king like other nations. God did not stop them. Samuel knew the implication of what they were doing and he was crying and appealing to them but they had made up their minds.

God told Samuel it was not he (Samuel) they had rejected but they had rejected Him (God).

God does not interefere whenever we make our choice. It is for this that He created negative and positive; light and darkness; good and bad. It was for the same reasons He left the two trees in the Garden of Eden.

And He told them the benefit of eating some and the effect of eating a particular one (death). Why didn’t He destroy the one that can bring death He left it there but warned you of the consequence that will follow once you eat it.

He created life and death. He created satan and allowed satan to be the negative of Him; yes to pervert things. Even when it came to salvation, God say there are two ways. This is why Jesus said I am the way but he still said there are two ways; one is narrow but the other one is wide. The way to worship god is the narrow way, yet there is the broad way. There is a scripture that says, there is a way that seemeth right unto man but the end thereof is destruction.

You can now see the two ways. Adam and Eve were judged and they are our examples so that when he will be judging every man, he will be justified.

A sister was Christian enough to come to my office the other day to confess to me.

She said she had a dream where god came to warn her that she should never pen her legs for any man. And that if she does not obey, she is finished. She said she forgot the warning and went contrary to it and opened her legs for one useless man; yes both of them are useless. I asked her if she truly forgot the instruction. I then told her that if she forgot God’s warning, what about the one I

kept shouting every Sunday and other service day.

Praise the Lord. Now, things started happening with her and she cannot blame god because it was for that reason the mercy of God came down to warn her. It is for this reason that God gave the substitutes. There is the spirit of error and the sprit of truth. But listen church; man in his rebellious estate has always looked for the substitute to God and godliness and satan is there to give you not enough, you want a king also. Instead of worshipping god, they need a substitute.

This is why they are worshipping idols and it is for the same reason we have so many religions and gods. They are substitutes to the true living God. God has given us instrument and talents of worship. This is why some of our musicians here can sing. But while they are here singing to the glory of God, others are in the night club using their voices to glorify satan. They are singing worldly and demonic songs. Instead of them to dance for god, they are dancing for masquerades and shrines.

Yes, substitute!

Instead of singing through revelation things that pertains to the spirit, as led by the Holy Ghost, because he is the revealer of things to us, they seek for substitute through mediums. This is where man discovered astrology. They forgot God but the things He created are what they are using to know what will happen tomorrow; to know what will happen today.

They are looking for protection but are not satisfied with the one God has provided and are going to ‘babalawo’ to give them charms; a substitute. They join cult so that they can find protection. The Bible says it is god that giveth thee power to make wealth but satan tells them to forget that because they can also join a cult and make the same wealth faster. And people are always looking for substitute. Some pastors use occultic

powers to cast out demons and make people fall under anointing. Yes, they exist! The foundation of some churches is charms; substitute to the real power of the Holy Ghost as of old.

What is the meaning of adultery? Adultery is a married man or woman looking for a substitute partner. The one God has given him is not enough so he wants a substitute.

What about homosexuals? The hole God gave man they are looking for another hole. Okay, sorry it is not hole but mouth.

The mouth God gave them to eat from is not enough so they are looking for another mouth. Substitute! A woman will lust after another woman when god’s design is for a woman to have affection for a man. But you re having affection for another man; looking for substitute.

And god, our god is a god of peace. But when they are looking for peace, where do they go? Beer parlours to drink alcohol, so that they can have some peace! It is for the same reason some take drugs. These are substitutes to what god freely gives. And why is drugs. These are substitutes to what God freely gives. And why is satan giving them these substitutes? It is to deny god true worship; to deny god the glory that is due to Him because satan has always tried to compete with god, so whatever God can give, he will give the perverted version of it. But the Bible tells me that God will not share His glory with any man. So if you are looking for substitutes to what god has given freely, you are looking for trouble because what you are doing will not glorify God,. He created us to give Him glory in all that we do.

•Pastor Moses Alu; The Bride Assembly, Odofin Park Estate, OshodiApapa Expressway, Ijesha Bus stop 08033524903 : Email: pastormosesalu@yahoo.com

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The voice of wisdom

with Dr. David

Oyedepo

L

ast week, we examined among other things, a qualifier for financial blessings.

Also, I gave you an example of the Macedonian Church, whose addiction to giving resulted in strange financial fortune. Apart from that, we looked at the need to be empowered over self, to maintain a giving life.

This week, I will be showing you some basic truths about money, benefits of giving and why we are blessed.

Some basic truths about money: Recognize that money is part and parcel of living. As soon as a child is in the womb, it starts consuming money. This is so right from conception to childhood and from childhood to adulthood. So, money is an essential part of life.

Money was so essential that Jesus could not do without it, during His earthly ministry. Note, from adulthood to the grave, you need money!

Giving is God-ordained gateway to financial favour. If you are not a giver, you are not entitled to financial fortune. However, love is the essential facilitator for giving. The proof of our love for God is in our giving to the poor and needy.

Miracle Arena with Bishop

T

Theo Ugochukwu

he concept of grace (God’s active involvement on behalf of his people) receives a sharper focus in the New Testament. Divine grace becomes embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus demonstrates visibly the dynamic nature of God’s grace, and his ministry fulfills the promises of grace for everyone, found in the old covenant (John 1:14, 17).

God’s grace revealed in Jesus Christ makes it possible for God to forgive sin and to gather sinners into the church, the new covenant community. During his ministry, Jesus repeatedly pronounced the words of forgiveness to a great number of sinners and ministered to a variety of desperate human needs.

Through teachings such as the prodigal son and the search for the lost sheep, Jesus made it clear that he had come to seek and save those who were lost. Ultimately it was his death on the cross that enabled sinners who repent to access God’s forgiving and restorative grace.

This simple truth is described as the doctrine of justification by faith through grace (Romans 3:23). According to this teaching, Jesus substituted himself for us by dying so that we could be declared “not guilty.” As a result, repentant believers enter into God’s eternal plan of grace, which enables them to participate in the purifying work of the Spirit of God. God’s grace bestows on believers undeserved benefits that enrich their lives and unite them together in the church, the body of Christ. Grace awards them a new status as

From the Pulpit

Sunday February 15, 2015

47

Understanding the secrets of financial blessings! (3) There is no substitute to giving for anyone that must enjoy financial fortune. You are giving to access financial fortune and you need giving to sustain financial fortune. You need the giving grace (2 Corinthians 8:7).

There is an anointing that empowers us to walk in God’s statutes without stress (Ezekiel 36:27). That is the anointing of love, which empowers our obedience of scriptures without stress (Romans 5:5; John 14:21).

Benefits of giving:

Recognize that the giving covenant gives us things that money can’t buy. Money can’t deliver you in times of trouble; but giving to the poor delivers you from trouble.

It will keep you alive and make sure you are immune to sickness. Money can’t buy you all these; but giving grants you access to them.

Every giver is endowed with discretion and intelligence (Psalm 112:5).

Giving secures your posterity (Psalm 112:1-3).

You can give your way to super healthy life.

Apart from material returns, giving is heaven’s joker! That is why no true giver ever gets stranded!

You can give your way out of poverty, lack and want (Proverbs 10:22).

You are not where you are by your physical strength; you are where you are by your giving.

Why We are Blessed: God delights in our

financial fortune and riches. However, at the root of man’s challenges is spiritual ignorance. Hosea 4:6 says: My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee….Behind the affliction of the afflicted is basically spiritual ignorance. Everyone’s ignorance is his mountain.

In Genesis 12:2-3, the Bible recorded that God told Abraham that He would make him a great nation and in him shall all families of the earth shall be blessed. In Genesis 22:1718, the Bible recorded: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed… And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

1Timothy 6: 17-18 says: Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

The Bible says: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work (2 Cor. 9:8).

From the above four scriptures, we are primarily blessed to be a blessing. Until you open up to be a blessing in your life, you have shut God’s channel for blessing you in life. So,

abundance answers to a giving heart. Without a giving heart, you have placed a limit to God’s blessings on your life. You don’t grow big to manage well; you manage well to grow big! So, start giving from where you are. That is how to move to the next level!

Friend the grace to be a blessing to others, is the birthright of children of God. You become a child of God by accepting and confessing Jesus as Lord. If you are not yet a child of God, you can do so by saying this prayer: Lord Jesus, I come to You today. Forgive me of my sins. From today, I accept You as my Saviour and Lord. Thank You for saving me. Now I know I am born again!” I will conclude this teaching next week.

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, you can get my books: Understanding Financial Prosperity and Breaking Financial Hardship.

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., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11:30 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

Grace in the New Testament

children of God, members of the household of God, so that they relate to him as to their heavenly Father (Galatians 4:4-6). Because of this, they become members of a community where race, class, and gender distinctions are irrelevant. All have become equal inheritors of God’s long-ago promise to Abraham (Galatians 3:28-29). The Holy Spirit then graciously energizes believers with a variety of spiritual gifts that benefit the body of Christ, the church (Romans 12:6-8). In eternity the church will demonstrate, by its very existence, the immeasurable riches of God’s grace in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:6).

Finally, God’s grace manifested in Jesus Christ makes it possible for God to cause believers to reflect his grace in their character and relationships. The condition for receiving God’s grace is humility (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Such humility before God enables believers to practice humility with other people. From a position of grace, they can set aside selfishness and conceit in order to treat others with an attitude of servanthood (Ephesians 5:21), and in a spirit of forgiveness (Matthew 18:23-35), so that even their communication can demonstrate divine grace (Colossians 4:6).

The essential meaning of grace in the Bible refers to the nature of God’s character to exercise goodwill toward his creatures. This nature finds its supreme expression in Jesus Christ.

By its very definition, this grace is fully accessible to all humans with no other condition than a desire to repent and receive it (Titus 2:11-12).

As a result, alienation from God becomes access to his otherwise unapproachable majesty.

His grace becomes available to meet human need (Hebrews 4:16). The tragic alternative to receiving God’s grace is to remain in hopeless alienation or to pursue futile attempts to earn God’s favor (Romans 1:21).

Christ represents the fulfillment, the embodiment, and the dispenser of divine grace.

In fact, the early Christians freely referred to

God’s grace as “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This grace was conceived as being so basic to their existence that they combined the traditional greeting of shalom (“peace”) with a reference to the grace of Jesus Christ.

This is the reason for the basic greeting formula found in almost every book of the New Testament, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:18).

2 Corinthians 8:9 . . . You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was.

Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich. Grace involves self-sacrifice, giving something up in order to give it away.

Daniel 9:18 . . . We do not ask because we deserve help, but because you are so merciful.

Recognizing and requesting God’s grace takes humility, for we realize that we do not deserve it-which is exactly why we need it.

Israel was devastated by times of intense rebellion and sin. Yet when the people repented and returned to God, he delivered them.

God puts no limit on the number of times we can come to him to obtain mercy, but we must come in order to obtain it, recognizing our need and asking him for help. This miracle of grace should inspire us to say, “What a gracious and merciful God you are!” If there is a recurring problem or difficulty in your life, continue to ask God for help, and be willing and ready to make changes in your attitude and behavior that will correct that situation.

Grace is God’s voluntary and loving favor given to those he saves. We can’t earn salvation, nor do we deserve it. No religious, intellectual, or moral effort can gain it, because it comes only from God’s mercy and love. Without God’s grace, no person can be saved. To receive it, we must acknowledge that we cannot save ourselves, that only God can save us, and that our only way to receive this loving favor is by faith in Christ.

New Testament Christianity is essentially response to the revelation of the Creator as a God of love. God is a tri-personal Being who so loves ungodly humans that the Father has given the Son, the Son has given his life, and Father and Son together now give the Spirit to save sinners from unimaginable misery and lead them into unimaginable glory. Believing in and being overwhelmed by this amazing reality of divine love generates and sustains the love to God and neighbor that Christ’s two great commandments require (Matt. 22:3540). Our love is to express our gratitude for God’s gracious love to us, and to be modeled on it (Eph. 4:32–5:2; 1 John 3:16).

Grace is the gift of God by which he extends mercy, loving-kindness, and salvation to people. God’s grace enables him to confront human indifference and rebellion with his unlimited capacity to forgive and to bless. God is gracious in action.

The doctrine of divine grace underlies the thought of both the Old Testament and New Testament. However, the Old Testament merely anticipates and prepares for the full expression of grace that is revealed in the New Testament.

As rightly said last week, that Grace cannot leave you the way it met you. If you sincerely meet with Grace it will certainly transform you. Below is the continuation of what GRACE did in the scripture, as we stated in our previous article.

•For more information, contact: Bishop Theo Ugochukwu – General Overseer, Miracle Assembly Bible Church, a.k.a. The City of Joy, 80, Ajose Street, Mende, Maryland, Lagos; Tel: 08033461482.

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From the Pulpit Chapel of Holiness and Testimony with Pastor K. I.

T

Bona

he world we live in is a compound entity full of challenges. These challenges speaks to everyone the language of impossibilities. If you stand at a vantage point and take a close look of the world, you would see a lot of images of construent and impossibilities. Even after God had created heaven and earth, the next thing that emerged was, figment of impossibilities, which God addressed, decisively by speaking to those figments. Then light came, out of the light the world was born. I prophesis that the same light that came out of the voidness of the earth, will emerge in your life and give birth to your star, as you read this message in the name of Jesus.

The people who changed their world are those who have taken away impossibilities out of their dictionaries. Men and women who have made a mark in the seed of time, are those who boldly confronted the waves and storms that stood against their forwardness Luke 8:22-25 “Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples and he said unto them, let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep and there came down storm of wind on the lake, and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, master master we perish.

Then he arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased and there was a calm. And he said unto them where is your faith. And they being afraid wondered saying, what manner of man is this? For he commanded even the winds and the water, and they obey him”. The other side of the lake Jesus commanded his disciples to cross over signifies the journey of this life,

Rapture is coming

with

Pastor

Ade-David

T

Email: jacobpastordavid@yahoo.com

he apostle having at large asserted, opened, and proved, the great doctrine of justification by faith, for fear lest any should suck poison out of that sweet flower, and turn that grace of God into wantonness and licentiousness, he, with a like zeal, copiousness of expression, and cogency of argument, presses the absolute necessity of sanctification and a holy life, as the inseparable fruit and companion of justification; for, wherever Jesus Christ is made of God unto any soul righteousness, he is made of God unto that soul sanctification, 1 Cor. 1. 30.

The water and the blood came streaming together out of the pierced side of the dying Jesus.

And what God hath thus joined together let not us dare to put asunder.

On sanctification What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid.

How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are

Sunday Mirror Sunday February 15, 2015 www.nationalmirroronline.net

Discover who you are (6)

and or viable ventures one takes in business, career or life. The storm of wind that came down against them followed with the waves, which worked contrary to their smooth sailing, signify; the challenges and obstacles to every life endeavour. While they were battling with the storm and the waves, Jesus was sleeping though he was with them. There are situation in your life as a child of God that may appear stubborn, irresolute and unrepentant, though you may have given it every spiritual approach. You may see yourself, going through some huddles of life even though, you have actually prayed fasted and remained faithful to God in whatever he had committed into your hands, and obedient to the rules of faith. Still the situation remained unchanged. It did not mean that God has abandoned you or you have committed an unpardonable sin, but is called a silent moment. It is the moment God wants you to prove you are a son, not a child. God wants you to exhibits your maturity in faith. Hebrew 6:1 “Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection: not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.” It is the time God expects you to go unto perfection. It is challenges you overcome that makes you perfect. Perfection, does not come, by prayer or fasting, it comes when you overcome the battle of your Gethsemane. Gethsemane, is a Greek word, meaning a secluded a garden. Garden of decision. Jesus was once in this garden.

When he was in between two opinions either, to accept the will of the father or to ask for alternative. At that moment, the father had turned his back to him.

Expecting him to go forward, Glory be to God, the father in the highest, that Jesus, did not disappoint the mandate of the trinity. I may not know what you are going through in your life now. May be for sometime now, you have been praying and seeking the face of God. But nothing has shown up. Do not be

discouraged, do not give up, God is still with you, all he want of you is to show your Christian maturity and take a Godly decision irrespective of the odds, or who you may have offended and march forward. The Bible says Jesus stood up and rebuked the wind and the storm, and there was calmness in the water.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WIND, AND THE STORM IN OUR PRESENT DAY LIFE: Winds and storms are contradiction to every good step one wishes to take in his/ her life. Such as: A) Advices, counseling, and opinions that are not constructive and are negative to your positive ideas.

B) Poor valuation: When people, because of circumstances rates you below your real value. And you tend to believe or agree with their valuation.

C) Poor foundation: When you believe that, since nobody was able to make it in your foundation. It is impossible for you to make it. Such negative believe becomes contrary wind and storm to your progress.

D) Bad foundation: The moment, you begin to nurse the most circulated belief, that there is a curse, or an omen in your foundation. That everyone who rises to a certain limit in your family most fall. Automatically, you have invited the destroying wind and storm into your life. Whether your family is poor, or there are stories of charms, and curses, trailing your foundation, do not cast your mind upon such. In the scriptures, we were told that it was believed that nothing good will come out of Nazareth, but God who turns an accursed or poor foundation to a blessed one changed the foundation of Nazareth, and out of it come Jesus the Son of the living God. You are a star in your father’s house that was why God made you to come into this world

from that foundation. You are the one to change that foundation. You are the one holding the light your family need.

You are the one that will dig out the glory of the house, which has been buried, since the days of your ancestors. Do not disappoint God. God has given you the mandate of dominioniarism. Stop believing what they believed, or saying what they say. Act differently get up and rebuke the wind. You can do it.

E) Marital problem, such as delays in marriages, misunderstanding in marriages and conceptional issues. All these are storms and waves contrary to life, success, and testimonies.

F) Lack of resources: When there is poor or lack of resources whether human, material or financial resources, it constitute a serious set-back to viable ventures. It is a class of its own wind and storm.

G) Sickness or infirmities: When one is going through health challenges it is a set-back to his/her endeavour.

H) Natural calamities and other disasters: All these constitute storms and winds confronting issues of life.

The Bible says, Jesus stood up and rebuke the wind and the storm, and there was calmness in the water.

THE SIGNIFICANCES OF REBUKING THE WIND AND THE STORM a) To rebuke the wind and the storm is to resist the challenges by the word of God b) To keep on confessing positively in every situation c) To stand on your faith and never allow any pressure make you compromise it d) To reject outright any opinion suggestion and or counselling that does not agree with the plans of God in your life. e) To separate from those, who does not see, or believe your real value.

No matter who they are. f) To get started anyhow, looking unto God, for-lifting and connection.

Dead to sin, alive to God (ii) buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then?

Shall we sin, because we are not under the

law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The apostle’s transition, which joins this discourse with the former, is observable: “What shall we say then? v. 1. What use shall we make of this sweet and comfortable doctrine? Shall we do evil that

good may come, as some say we do? Ch. iii.

8. Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Shall we hence take encouragement to sin with so much the more boldness, because the more sin we commit the more will the grace of God be magnified in our pardon?

Is this a use to be made of it?” No, it is an abuse, and the apostle startles at the thought of it (v.

2): “God forbid; far be it from us to think such a thought.” He entertains the objection as Christ did the devil’s blackest temptation (Matt. iv.

10): Get thee hence, Satan. Those opinions that give any countenance to sin, or open a door to practical immoralities, how specious and plausible so ever they be rendered, by the pretension of advancing free grace, are to be rejected with the greatest abhorrence; for the truth as it is in Jesus is a truth according to godliness, Tit. i. 1. The apostle is very full in pressing the necessity of holiness in this chapter, which may be reduced to two heads:—His exhortations to holiness, which show the nature of it; and his motives or arguments to enforce those exhortations, which show the necessity of it.

I. For the first, we may hence observe the nature of sanctification, what it is, and wherein it consists. In general it has two things in it, mortification and vivification—dying to sin and living to righteousness, elsewhere expressed by putting off the old man and putting on the new, ceasing to do evil and learning to do well.

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Business

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FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Sunday February 15, 2015

Planned airlines’ recapitalisation divides industry stakeholders OLUSEGUN KOIKI

A

viation stakeholders in Nigeria are at loggerheads over the planned recapitalisation exercise of the airline subsector in the country by the government.

While a section of the stakeholders said that the exercise was not the solution to the myriad challenges facing the sub-sector in the country, others described the exercise as a welcome development that would further enhance safety in the system.

The Federal Government through the Ministerial Committee on Aeronautic and Non-Aeronautic Revenues, had proposed another recapitalisation exercise to the Ministry of Avia-

tion in its report, saying that this would make the airlines stronger and competitive.

A member of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineer, NAAPE, Mr. Sheri Kyari told our correspondent in an interview in Lagos that the proposed recapitalisaiton of domestic airlines by the Federal Government would be misconstrued by stakeholders.

Kyari said that any recapitalisation attempt at this time would be perceived as a step by the government to willfully kill the indigenous carriers in favour of the planned national carrier.

He however said that before the government could go on with the idea, it should introduce more incentives

to the domestic carriers and creates a more enabling environment for them to operate, warning that without these, the exercise would go the way of the others.

Besides, the Director, Zenith Travels, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, told our correspondents that the planned recapitalisation of domestic airlines was not a solution to the problems bedeviling the nation’s carriers.

Ohunayo pointed out that rather than introduce another recapitalisation exercise, the government should beef up its regulations concerning the issuance of Air Operator’s Certificates, AOCs, to the domestic operators.

He insisted the approval of the report would only ensure that the industry was once again progressing in

error and deceit, stressing that concerned airlines in conjunction with their bankers would prefer to see the “airlines limping than being taken to the theatre for surgical operations.”

“Looking at the list of airlines that recapitalised and satisfied the aspirations of the government as it were, at that time, only Arik has increased in equipment and operations while others have shrunk in size and operations or simply vanished or in coma. So what has recapitalisation achieved?

“The regulatory body recently issued AOC’s to Azman, Discovery, Hak and Air Peace airlines using the archaic two minimum aircraft rule, these airlines with the exception of Air Peace are either

grounded or struggling to overcome the vagaries of operation”, he said.

But, the Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria, Capt. Nogie Meggison, said that the impending recapitalisation was a welcome development, which would boost safety in the sector.

The AON boss argued that since safety is a continuous process, the exercise would further put the operators on their toes, insisting that there was nothing wrong with such exercise for the operators.

He emphasised that all over the world, the sector is not static and that the country’s aviation industry could not operate in isolation from others.

He argued that for Nigeria to get the United States Federal Aviation Admin-

istration, FAA, Category One Status in 2010, the FAA carried out a certification exercise on the industry while for its retention last year, a recertification exercise was equally carried out on the country.

He said, “Aviation is an ongoing thing. When FAA came to Nigeria some years back, they did not come here to shoot down Nigeria aviation, but to correct anything that was wrong. It is part of the industry” It would be recalled that the Federal Government had in April 2007 carried out similar exercise in the sector as a part of regulatory measures to restore confidence in the local airlines following the spate of crashes that occurred especially in 2005 and 2006.

Airlines flying domestic routes were compelled to have N500m capital base minimum while regional operators were required to have N1bn while N2bn capital base was set for airlines having international flight operations.

FG to release policy on sesame seed development, utilisation REGINA OTOKPA ABUJA

T

he Federal Government has unveiled plans to introduce a policy guideline to facilitate the development and utilization of sesame seed by the industrial sector.

The Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, Dr. Hussaini Ibrahim, disclosed this during a stakeholders’ meeting on ‘Sesame Seed Derivative/By -products Project’ held in Abuja.

Ibrahim, who was represented by the Director, Agriculture and Agro-Allied Department, Dr. Moyo Jolaoso, noted that over the years the Council had supported farmers in the production of quality sesame seed to further develop the sector.

This is just as he revealed that the Council had supplied improved varieties of sesame seedlings to members of the out growers association in relevant

states to boost commercial production.

He said: “The council has been involved in the areas of R&D in genetic improvement of the seedling for the development of improve varieties; establishment of sesame cleaning centers in some selected states of the federation; promoting the establishment of sesame processing plants in some states and also promoting the establishment of sesame production and processing clusters”.

He further hinted that the next stage of the project by the Council would be to harness the potential of the product along its valve chains for domestic and export market.

According to him, the initiative would avail the nation a platform to become a major power base for the production of DE hulled sesame seed for Tahini, Humus, Halva, Chocolate, Salad, Cake, paste, which were excellent health products for the food and pharmaceutical industry.

L-R: Director, MTN Foundation, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi; Executive Secretary, Ms. Nonny Ugboma; Director, Mr. Dennis Okoro, and former Chairman, MUSON Board of MUSON Trustee, Chief Femi Adeniji Willams, during the MTNF/MUSON Alumni Valentine concert in Onikan, on Friday.

FCMB launches PayPad, MPoS JOHNSON OKANLAWON

F

irst City Monument Bank, FCMB, Limited has unveiled a Mobile Point of Sale, MPoS, terminal, christened FCMB PayPad, in demonstration of its commitment to further support the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, SMEs, and the success of the cashless policy initiative in Nigeria.

The FCMB PayPad is a

portable device that allows merchants securely process payments in a seamless manner, driven by a robust mobile application on a smart phone or tablet.

The device, which the bank is providing at no cost to its merchant customers, can easily be customized to suit the needs of merchants with its application ranging from inventory management to airtime vending.

A statement by the Bank on the new device indicated

that the FCMB PayPad provides a more secure, simple and efficient payment solution to merchants in the Nigerian market and easily synchronises with any smart phone or tablet running the customised application that is freely downloadable from the app store.

The benefits of the device include, availability of transaction details via SMS, email and paper print and long lasting rechargeable battery which

ensures fewer recharging frequency. It is also portable (smaller than a mobile phone) which makes handling very convenient.

According to FCMB’s Executive Director, Service Management and Technology, Mr. Nath Ude, the robust nature of FCMB PayPad makes it very reliable for secured transaction processing for merchants that run mobile businesses and also for small, midsize and large merchants.

50

& Faces Events

Faces & Events

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

FEBRUARY 15, 2015

Celebs at Selma premiere VICTOR UDOH

T

he highly anticipated award-winning drama, Selma, premiered in Africa at the Rock Cathedral, Lagos, last Sunday.

The premiere, which was hosted by the House on the Rock Church in collaboration with the US Consulate, went perfectly, and it wasn’t surprising that it was a gathering of socialites and celebrities.

Pastor Paul Adefarasin, Julius Agwu, Timi Dakolo, IK Osakioduwa, Joke Silva, Olu Jacobs, OC Ukeje, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Busola Dakolo, Emmanuel Ikubese, Omoni Oboli, Joseph Benjamin, TeeY Mix, Enyinna Nwigwe and Sasha were some of those who graced the event alongside Hollywood stars David Oyelowo and Carmen Ejogo.

Chidi Mokeme

Carmen Ejogo

David Oyelowo

Deola Sagoe

Jimi Agbaje

Joke Silva

OC Ukeje

Olu Jacobs

Omoni Oboli

Omotola Jalade-Ekehinde

Julius Agwu

Paul Adefarasin

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Opinion

Sunday, February 15, 2015

51

Valentine bash and marriage concerns

Y

esterday would have broken to usher in the much-awaited general elections. But it was not to be. To be somewhat jocose, the day would have ended with a clash of interest between love and hate, romance and rivalry and chumminess and churlishness.

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day, the day set aside to celebrate the impact of love. But better put in modern era, it was a day devoted to the felicitation of romantic escapades, either through statutory means or stolen-candy pedestals.

If the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega, had not shifted the polls slated for the day, how would lovers regale in the acoustic bang of heavy music of love, to be rocked with the buggy implantations of the intertwining of under-the-belt endowments, which will all be carried out at the retirement of the white-dress apparel of Valentine? A big question there…

But beyond the salacious fantasy of Valentine celebration is the main undercurrent of life, which is the need to promote the institution of marriage.

Going by the situation of the Nigerian economy, it would seem that marriage is best expressed as an institution, which like the University of Lagos, UNILAG, for example, remains an institution and should be left alone. Rather than seek to dismantle it, common sense has indicated that a leeway should be sought in the mould of individual’s preference for discreet enjoyment and sundry fulfillment.

A sort of acronym for the Biblical observation that, “stolen waters are sweet”, it would also seem.

As life is not a bed of roses, so is marriage. Not a few marriages have hit the rocks while others endure jerkily with the partners papering over the cracks, so as to keep afloat in the social setting; or, to sustain certain economic or political values. Yet, some marriages have blossomed in the naturalness of some animating impact. This is talking of the mutually good volition of the two partners contracting the lifetime deal.

This endearing dimension could be summarized to mean love. But shall we not love or scamper for the fruit of love to sustain the health of the society?

Family researchers and marriage counsellors alike are agreed that broken marriages account mostly for the debasement of otherwise promising children to the inglorious column of urchins, gradating felons and ever irascible, modern Goths. It is their belief that a child under the combined tutelage of the fa-

ther and mother grows up to become a responsible citizen or one who is the pride of both parents.

But granted that marriage should remain to sustain useful protégés needed to build a comely Nigerian society, have we also given much thought to factors required to keep the home in its rightful grandeur? A home ravaged by hunger wherein the parents are out of job resulting from economic recession or a drop in the price of petrol at the international market is not likely to produce a child of the society’s desire. Wrenched by hunger, the male child, even as a teenager mingles with peers who assure he can be linked up with those who can bail him out of the painfully familiar raid of hunger. To that extent, he would either resort to stealing or outright robbery or fraud of the genre called 419.

As for the female child, beginning from adolescence, she is easily made to realise by her equally hungry mates that she has an abiding industry in her soft underbelly, which has a precursor in the seductive flaunting of the upper torso, as she flaps her budding breasts rather voluptuously, to attract men. Assuredly, lack of money or outright poverty is a gale of ill-wind that can upturn a marriage or dirtily shake it to its foundations.

A certain friend met at a pub somewhere in Ajuwon, an Ogun State community on the Lagos border, had re-

called how his wife and mother of his four children, at a time he was sacked, gave vent to extra-marital affairs, dating a policeman operating at a highly rewarding check-point. His tragedy was signposted in that, his wife called him and said, “Look, Mr. Man, you can’t feed yourself, me and our four children; a mission which this God-sent policeman has been fulfilling. So, allow olopa (the policeman) to enjoy his life. But I can assure you that I won’t have a child for him.”

While the jobless, Ajuwon-based fellow was expected by his associates to call it quits with his faithfully unfaithful wife, our friend endured the humiliation. He patently swallowed his pride, claiming that “it is for the sake of my children; after all, they (policeman and wife) have not been performing the acts in my presence.”

Today, that jobless man has got a job and has stoically resolved to allow his wife retain her matrimonial seat. Curiously, however, the lover-boy policeman is somewhere in a native medical home, struck by a strange illness for which his family has spent fortunes. While chastity in marriage, therefore, is a virtue needed to promote love, sustain a family and groom up offspring to become responsible citizens, responsible government policies are also required, to make marriages work and be sustained.

Happy Val’s Day, in arrears.

The driver and pedestrian safety

L

ast week I told you that speeding is vital when dealing with pedestrian-vehicle crashes because speed influences these crashes in two ways. First, speed increases the chances of a collision because the, faster the vehicle speeds it becomes more difficult for drivers to see pedestrians. On the other hand, high speed reduces the amount of time the driver and pedestrian have to avoid a crash. Secondly, the faster the vehicle, the more severe the injury to the pedestrian. Therefore, speeding, tailgating at high speed, lack of courtesy, not using turn signals, quick lane changes without signaling, speeding up to a stop light or stop sign or a stopped vehicle then braking as if it were an afterthought, making unsafe left turns (without signals), not yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks among others, all add to the pedestrians worries.

If you read the piece on pedestrian folly a fortnight, you will remember that I identified that pedestrian are sometimes not aware that they are at risk when using the road. Drivers sometimes are unaware of their own risk of hitting a pedestrian.

For instance, alcohol, familiarity with the routes, and cell phone use might reduce a driver’s ability to recognize the risk of hitting a pedestrian. This is why drivers must remain focused while on the wheels and show courtesy which unfortunately is one ingredient that is missing in the dictionary of the average driver who finds it difficult

to share the road by giving way to other road users. This tendency is worse when it applies to pedestrians’ safety.

Drivers, irrespective of ages must heed the Scripture I cited from the book of 1 Samuel on obedience of traffic rules, courtesy, and safety especially to pedestrians.

Drivers must be patient with all road users as safe driving involves learning the basics of operating a vehicle, internalizing traffic rules. It also requires good judgment and reflexes, experience, patience, common sense, emotional, physical and mental balance. While younger drivers understanding and judgment may not be as developed as an experienced driver’s, middle-aged drivers quite often become complacent after years of driving.In the case of older drivers despite their experiences on the wheels, peculiar age challenges such as losses in vision, hearing, attentiveness, decision-making ability, or reaction time sets in although these can be improved upon through training.

Distracted driving is a major concern to us in the Corps because of the grave danger it portends in our efforts to cut down crashes. I have treated distracted driving severally because it plays a major role in road traffic crashes. I am equally passionately about this because a distracted driver maimed my driver for life .Distracted drivers like the one who crashed my staff by Bolingo Hotel in Abuja,the Federal Capital Territory often engage in texting habits such as reading, typing, sending text messages or reading and sending emails, endangering both themselves or other road users. Research states that anything that takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, or your mind off your driving is a risk to avoid. Research by Transport

Laboratory in the United Kingdom equally shows that the human brain cannot give full attention to more than one activity at a time. It simply says that you cannot do two things at the same time with the same measure of competence or efficiency especially when the two tasks are competing for the same resources. Simple tasks such as tuning a radio can be risky in bad weather or heavy traffic.

To minimize this danger, learn to designate a front-seat passenger to serve as a standby driver or “co-pilot,” rather than fumbling with anything that distracts such as phones, newspapers, or even babies. But if you are alone, learn to be proactive and practice adjusting the temperature or radio settings without taking your eyes off the road, preprogram your favorite radio stations for easy access and arrange tapes and CDs in an easy-to-reach spot and properly buckle up your children. For our womenfolk who indulge in converting cars to grooming arena, practice completing personal grooming before you start driving or preferably when you arrive your destination. While driving, always remember that a one second distraction can lead to a crash.

Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Avoid using cell phones, texting devices, navigation systems, and other electronic gadgets. If you must use a cell phone, the best practice is to make your call while your vehicle is safely parked. Do not take notes, read, or look up phone numbers. Avoid involved, stressful, or confrontational conversations. If you can’t avoid eating, choose easy-to-handle items and make sure all drinks are secured in cup holders. Take a break if you find yourself “lost in thought” or tired.

I mentioned earlier that most drivers

rarely give way to other road users especially pedestrians. It is imperative for drivers to watch out and give right of way to people walking, jogging, biking, crossing a street in the middle of a block, or darting from between parked vehicles. Drivers must take extra care when people with disabilities are crossing the road and watch out for children playing or entering the street especially when approaching built up areas such as schools, playgrounds, or residential neighborhoods. After a traffic light turns green, yield to people crossing a street or vehicles that may still be turning in front of you or crossing the intersection.

Even if traffic lights or crosswalks are not present, drivers must still yield the rightof-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway. Never attempt to pass any vehicle that has stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross.

Drivers must take every possible precaution to avoid a collision with pedestrians.

Motorists are cautioned that pedestrians are likely to cross in the middle of the block, whether or not a crosswalk is present. Aggressive driving and road rage is mostly pronounced under the present economic challenge in the face of falling oil price and devalued naira. Aggressive drivers run stop signs and red lights, they speed, tailgate, weave their vehicles in and out of traffic, pass on the right, and may make improper hand gestures. They sometimes yell at you, honk their horns, or flash their headlights. In extreme cases, they are prepared for what late Afrobeat King, Fela describes as ‘roforofo fight.’

•Agwu, an Assistant Corps Marshal, is Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone 7HQ of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

52

Politics

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

PDP, APC in tight race for Osun National Assembly seats BOLADALE BAMIGBOLA OSOGBO

T

he two leading political parties in Osun State the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidates for the national assembly polls are currently running neck to neck as the race for who fills the three senatorial seats at the Red Chamber hits home stretch.

Obviously, because the state will not be having governorship poll, all attention seems to be on the National Assembly elections, especially the Senate as the parties are clearly not sparing efforts to ensure their candidates emerge victorious.

In the 2011 general elections, the ruling party in the state, APC, won the three senatorial seats defeating the three incumbent senators elected on the platform of PDP in 2007. Of the three incumbent senators representing the state now, only Senator Madashiru Hussein from Osun West failed to secure APC ticket for another term at the upper chamber, as the party’s ticket had since been handed over to former Osun State governor, Senator Isiaka Adeleke who Hussein replaced in 2011.

Senators Babajide Omoworare and Olusola Adeyeye, both incumbent federal lawmakers, got APC tickets for Osun East and Central senatorial districts for the general election.

For PDP, two of its senatorial candidates, Prince Francis Adenigba Fadahunshi, Osun East and Dr. Oluwole Oladaisi Aina, Osun Central have not contested any elective office before now while former senator representing Osun West, Chief Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, was given another opportunity by PDP to stage a return to the Red Chamber.

Apart from the high calibre of the candidates being paraded by the parties, the battle for the seats at the upper chamber has been toughened by the seemingly endless political rivalry between the two powerful and colourful politicians in the last decade in the state, Governor Rauf Aregbesola and Senator Iyiola Omisore.

The candidates both APC and PDP are fielding for the National Assembly poll appear to have been drawn from the pool of the best personalities in the camps of both Aregbesola and Omisore, the two men that are fiercely battling to prevent further damage to their political ego or break dominance of the other camp.

Other political parties in the state are also fielding candidates but many of these candidates only pasted posters in the state capital but have not been campaigning.

Osun East Senatorial District Senator Christopher Babajide Omoworare is the current senator representing the senatorial district and was elected on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN. Omoworare, an indigene of Ile Ife, who is the second youngest man to be elected senator in the country having cut his political teeth serving as a member of Lagos State House of Assembly has enjoyed good followership since entering Osun politics.

He is believed to be very close to the national leader of APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, during whose tenure he was elected into Lagos State House of Assembly. His manner of emergence during the primaries for APC ticket was quite rancorous and the exercise had to be held twice and yet, the man that contested the ticket with him, Mr. Sola Lawal, still rejected the outcome of the exercise.

Chief Francis Adenigba Fadahunshi

Adeleke

Olasunkanmi

Aina

Adeyeye

Omoworare

Fadahunsi

He is the immediate past chairman of Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, CRIN, Ibadan, Oyo State. He retired as Deputy Comptroller General of Customs. Fadahunshi, who is running on the platform of PDP, is seeking political office for the first time. Despite being relatively young in politics, Fada, as he is fondly called, is becoming a factor in Osun politics. He has large following across the state. A philanthropist of note, Fadahunshi is a recipient of national honours of Member of the Federal Republic, MFR, for his efforts at developing communities in his area. A native of Ilase in Obokun Local Government Area of the state, Fadahunshi is seen as a core Omisore person and the support of the

governorship candidate of PDP in the last governorship poll in the state will be key to his ambition.

Their chances....

Both Omoworare and Fadahunshi have good chance of emerging at the poll. They have good backing of their leaders and this, coupled with massive support of followers that cut across Ijesaland and Ife, the two candidates are standing neck –andneck in the race.

Osun West Senatorial District Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke is the first executive governor of Osun State. He was also elected into the Senate in 2007 on the platform of PDP. His attempt to return to the Senate in

2011 was blocked by the emergence of Mudashiru Hussein, who contested the poll on the platform of ACN. He was late last year handed APC senatorial ticket for West District and will be seeking to replace the man that succeeded him in 2011. He is a grassroots mobiliser and has good grasp on the politics of the state. His influence in the two local governments in his Ede hometown and neighbouring Egbedore and Ejigbo councils brought in good votes for APC in the last governorship poll.

His first shot at elective post landed him in the Senate in 2003. He is from Ode Omu, a town in Ayedaade local government area.

He served for four years (2007 to 2011) as cabinet minister in the Yar’Adua government in charge of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Development and remained the only minister that held same portfolio in the Yar’Adua and the Jonathan presidency.

Their chances Based on the outcome of last year’s polls and the pedigree of Adeleke, APC may have an edge in that senatoral district, but given how the two men emerged, Akinlabi has a good chance of making it.

He is the only candidate that emerged through consensus arrangement, a development that underscores his high acceptance among his members.

Osun Central Senatorial District Prof. Emmanuel Olusola Adeyeye is the current senator representing the district in the Red Chamber. A U.S. trained academic, Adeyeye led the campaign team for the reelection of Governor Aregbesola last year and did exceptionally well to mobilise voters for him.

He is also close to Chief Bisi Akande, former interim national leader of APC. Besides being well respected and accepted by elderly generation in APC, he is also enjoying a good measure of acceptance among the younger generation.

He had previously served as caretaker chairman of Ifedayo Local Government, Oke Ila and was in 2007, elected into House of Representatives, where he shone like a million stars, especially during the time the battle over alleged tenure elongation by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, was raging at the National Assembly.

He clinched the APC ticket to stage a comeback at the National Assembly, fighting off challenge of some prominent politicians.

Dr. Oluwole Oludaisi Aina He is the PDP candidate for the senatorial district. An Abuja-based politician and businessman, Aina picked PDP ticket after winning the primaries, defeating a seasoned campaigner such Chief Kunle Alao.

Aina has good following outside Osogbo, the state capital, as followers see in him fresh ideas and the capacity to deliver.

An indigene of Iresi in Boluwaduro Local Government, Aina is growing very fast in political circles in the state following the surprise he pulled during the last governorship poll in the state. He was credited, though with the collaboration of others, with the efforts that won his local government for PDP in the last governorship poll despite the presence of some APC heavyweights.

He campaign has been well structured and very effective covering all parts of the senatorial district.

Their chances Osun Central is the stronghold of APC in the state as evident in the result of the last governorship poll. But going by the present reality, none of the two candidates has a clear edge, thus the outright winner may not be known until the election is held.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Sunday, February 15, 2015

53

le royale for Anambra THE CENTRAL

DISTRICT IS HIGHLY BLESSED WITH ENLIGHTENED

CITIZENS/RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN PLAYING VERY ACTIVE AND INFLUENTIAL

ROLES IN ANAMBRA

POLITICS, RIGHT FROM

1991 WHEN THE

STATE WAS CREATED. Ngig ge

Odu uah

from Aguluzuigbo in Anaocha Local Government.

The Central District is highly blessed with enlightened citizens/residents who have been playing very active and influential roles in Anambra politics, right from 1991 when the state was created. And elections are expected to be conducted in all the 109 wards in the zone at the end of which a winner would emerge.

The North senatorial zone: The zone is also an area noted for a beehive of political activities to the extent that it has produced leading politicians like the late Dr Nnam-

di Azikiwe and Dr Chuba Okadigbo, and other political leaders such as the incumbent governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano. Also from there are Anambra House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Chinwe Nwaebili, and Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, a key PDP chieftain, among other key political actors.

The local governments in the North Senatorial zone include Onitsha South, Onitsha North, Oyi, Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum and Ogbaru.

Already, the candidates of the three

dominant parties-Chief Dubem Obaze of the APGA, Stella Oduah of the PDP and Ralph Okeke of the APC are gearing up for the major political battle of their lives as they move their campaign trains from one community to another, wooing voters for support and pledging to render effective representation for their people if they come out tops at the end of the contest. But keen watchers of politics of the North District have said that the race is actually between the PDP and the APGA. South senatorial zone: This district comprises Ekwusi-

According to the LCCI, the circumstances and sequence of events leading up to the postponement are prone to suspicion and could undermine the credibility of the electoral process. It said the credibility of the electoral process was critical to the sustenance of political and social stability as well as economic progress of the country.

“The process needs to be managed in a way that would inspire the confidence of all stakeholders. Business cannot take place in an environment that is socially and politically unstable. This is another reason for investors to worry about current developments.

According to the LCCI, the postponement has disrupted many plans, programmes, meetings, academic calendar, conferences, and important business decisions locally and internationally, adding that rescheduling of these activities and the attendant dislocations would come at a cost to investors and the citizens alike.

It further said the date shift would put additional pressure on the campaign budgets of the political parties and the candidates for the various elective positions, adding that, there would be additional funding requirements to sustain the tempo of mobilisation and service the campaign apparatuses of the parties and their

candidates.

“This will take its toll on the finances of the candidates and the political parties. This however may be good news for the beneficiaries of such campaign spending – media houses, logistics providers, printers of posters and banners, billboard providers, PR and advert agencies, etc.

The momentum of spending will have to be sustained for another six weeks,” LCC added.

Another implication of the shift is that it will afford INEC more time to prepare for the elections and therefore provide it with more room to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

One sore point of INEC’s preparation for the polls has been the bad handling of the distributionof the Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs. The shift therefore would afford the umpire more time to distribute the PVCs to the electorate.

National Coordinator of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, Dr Gani Adams, said as of the time the election was shifted, the shared PVCs were just 66 per cent while the remaining 34 per cent were still to be given out to the electorate, adding that ‘when you realise the population of this unfortunate electorate, it is about 24 million eligible Nigerians’.

n PVC readers’

Sam mbo

He said the shift forward of the dates is a prolongation of the suspense in the business sector.

“Therefore, the quicker these conditions are dispensed with, the better for investors. This is a major impact point of the election postponement,” he said.

go, Ihiala, Nnewi North and South, Aguata,Orumba North and South local government areas and is noted for producing most of the dominant actors like Sir Emeka Ofor, Chief Chris Uba, Dr Alex Ekwueme, a former Vice-President and host of others who routinely influence the dynamics and direction of Anambra State politics.

For the senatorial contest, the zone parades stars like Senator Andy Uba, PDP; Engr Ernest Ndukwe, APGA, and Ethel Obiakor, APC. The APC candidate is, however, touted as an underdog in the race as the candidates. The contest, it is said, will be straight one between the PDP candidate and his APGA contender, Ernest Ndukwu who reportedly took the APGA ticket after his influential Oraifite kinsman, Sir Emeka Ofor, threw his weight behind him and made it possible for him to emerge winner at the party’s primary.

Candidates’ strength, weaknesses Their is no doubt that the array of candidates from the three key political parties competing for the three senate seats of Anambra Central, Anambra South and Anambra North have varying potentials and chances of winning the contest at the end of the day considering the nature of their support base, financial strength and political experience.

CHIEF VICTOR UMEH: He stands as the APGA candidate for the Anambra Central Senatorial contest.

Although this is the first time he is contesting for an elective position, Umeh is fully equipped for the battle as he is well CONTINUED ON PAGE 54

He therefore said that INEC should make use of the six weeks to ensure that the 24 million citizens that would have been disenfranchised if the election had taken place get their PVCs before the new dates.

Delta State governorship candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Chief Great Ogboru, has also called on INEC to use the six weeks shift to carry out a test-run on the PVC reader machine to ascertain its workability.

Ogboru expressed worries about the workability of the card readers introduced for the general election.

He urged INEC to carry out a mock or trial election as that would ensure a better understanding of the workability of the Card Reader Machines under real election condition.

He chided Jega for not test-running the machines before attempting to push them forward for the February 14 polls.

According to him, the six weeks postponement should avail the commission the opportunity not only to ascertain the data efficiency and power outage capability of the machines but also to afford it the chance of test-running the machines, if the confidence of the electorate on the conduct of free and credible elections must be assured.

54

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Sunday, February 15, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Political big wigs flex muscles in Anambra CONTINUED FROM PAGE 53

versed in the character and dynamics of Anambra politics.

Umeh who is being backed by the incumbent governor is banking so much on his experience as the National Chairman of APGA and one of the arrowheads of the electoral success of APGA in Anambra the last Anambra governorship election.

Umeh with his heavy financial muscle is now beating his chest and expressing optimism for victory. His campaign team has almost visited all the key wards and personalities in Anambra Central with messages of giving Ndigbo a voice in the Senate.

Umeh has since described himself as the best among his contenders, while insisting that it was time for him to take over the Central Senatorial seat. He considers Uche Ekwunife and Chris Ngige, both of who are his major contenders as people he could be defeated easily.

Speaking to journalists recently on his chances of victory and how he regards the challenge posed by Ekwunife, Umeh contended: “Well, I have campaigned across the seven local government areas and I can tell you that Uche is not a threat in my election. The way people came out in support of me and acknowledged that I stand quite above my other contenders. In fact, I am not afraid of any candidate from any party in this election.” It is expected that the governor will deliver victory for Umeh, notwithstanding the murmuring and grandstanding of some aggrieved APGA members who are threatening Umeh with protest votes.

HON. UCHE EKWUNIFE: She is also a strong contender for the Central Senatorial seat. Iyom Ekwunife who has been declared by the Court of Appeal as the senatorial candidate of PDP is well versed in Anambra politics, having been the gubernatorial candidate of Progressive People’s Alliance, PPA in 2010 and a member of the House of Representatives since 2007.

Iyom who currently represents Dunukofia/Anaocha/Njikoka Federal Constituency in the House of Reps is a fearless and dogged fighter, who is now positioning herself to beat her opponents.

And as part of the strategy to beat her opponents, Ekwunife who is fully embedded in the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan, has since made campaign tours to all the wards and communities in Anambra Central, where she interacted with key stakeholders on her achievements as a federal legislator and gave reasons people should vote for PDP in all the elections.

And as she wooed the electorate with sundry gifts and other forms of ‘stomach infrastructure’ items, Iyom stated that it was high time Anambra people joined the main stream of Nigerian politics by voting out APGA, which Ekwunife has described as a minority party, a description her contenders have since rejected.

Speaking when she visited AdaziNnukwu Ward One in Anaocha Local Government area recently, Ekwunife urged the people to show commitment on

Ekwunife

Umeh

NGIGE HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT A RECURRING DECIMAL IN ANAMBRA POLITICS, TO THE EXTENT THAT IN 2010 AND 2013, HE CONTESTED AGAIN FOR THE GOVERNORSHIP POSITION AND LOST AS HE WAS BEATEN BY

PETER OBI IN 2010 AND WILLIE OBIANO IN 2013. the election day and vote for PDP. Her words: “We expect that PDP will win everywhere in Anaocha, especially now that Obi has joined the party. You must vote PDP hundred percent; so there is no question of voting for PDP for President and APGA for other posts.” And with her high pedigree and enlarged followership, drawn from both within the PDP and outside the party, it is expected that Ekwunife will put up a strong performance and rattle her opponents on March 28.

SENATOR CHRIS NGIGE: Senator Chris Ngige, who currently serves as the incumbent senator representing Anambra Central in the Senate is the leader of APC in Anambra. He will be remembered for the drama of how he was one day abducted by his political godfathers when he governor of Anambra State between 2003 and 2006.

And since leaving office as governor following the termination of his tenure by the Court of Appeal, Ngige has been somewhat a recurring decimal in Anambra politics, to the extent that in 2010 and 2013, he contested again for the governorship position and lost as he was beaten

by Peter Obi in 2010 and Willie Obiano in

2013.

However, after losing the governorship election of 2010, Ngige returned to the trenches again and ran for the Central Senatorial seat in 2011 and won amidst the controversy that trailed that election.

And with his almost four years in the Senate, Ngige is now pushing to return to the Senate in 2015 on the basis of his sterling qualities and achievements. His campaign train has toured the key wards and communities in Anambra Central, where he urged the voters to support his re-election bid.

Ngige’s major strength lies in the fact that he has been basking so much in the glory of his achievements both as governor and an APC Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Giving reasons for his re-entry in to the senatorial race when he addressed journalists in Awka sometime in January, Ngige said: “I want to use this opportunity to declare that I am running for the Senate seat again and I am doing this declaration with all humility, having served very well for the people of Anambra Central in the Senate. In terms of bills, I have about 12 of them to my credit. And in terms of oversight function, I have per-

formed very effectively in that regards.

We have built classrooms, awarded scholarships, built health centres and dug boreholes in various communities.”

SENATOR ANDY UBA: He is a key contender for the South Senatorial seat on the platform of PDP. His main opponent in this election would be Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, the APGA candidate, who is allegedly being backed by Sir Emeka Ofor.

Andy Uba, a veteran of Anambra politics, having been a Senator since 2011 is expected to use his wealth, experience and connection both within and outside the state to give his main contenders the greatest political battle of their lives.

And since the appellate court re-affirmed and validated his PDP ticket, Andy Uba has re-engineered his hitherto dormant campaign machinery which is now wooing voters in the various adverts they are sponsoring in key provincial newspapers However, whether Andy Uba will win the March 28 election will depend largely on how the voters will rate his main contender, Ernest Ndukwe, who although is highly educated and experienced, is a new entrant to the competitive politics of Anambra.

ENGR ERNEST NDUKWE: Ernest Ndukwe who is the APGA candidate for the South Senatorial contest represents one of the newbreed politicians as he is a first-timer. Ndukwe who has never contested for any elective position in Anambra before now, is basically going to rely on his experience as former Executive Chairman of National Communications Commission, NCC, and his relationship with Emeka Ofor and key members of the APGA, to give his competitors a serious challenge in the race.

It is expected that both Sir Ofor and Governor Obiano will mobilise to deliver victory to Ndukwe.

CHIEF DUBEM OBAZE: Obaze is the APGA Senatorial candidate for Anambra North Senatorial seat.

And like Engr Ndukwe, this is the first time Obaze who was a kitchen-cabinet member of the defunct Peter Obi’s administration is contesting for an elective position on the ticket of APGA. Obaze whose brother is now serving as the Secretary to the Government of Anambra State, is expected to utilise very effectively in the contest, all the experience he gathered as a key director that enthroned Willie Obiano as Anambra governor.

Obaze’s main opponent in the contest for now is the new PDP candidate, Princess Stella Oduah who hails from Ogbaru Local Government as himself.

Although Obaze has got all that would be required to win the contest, for now, nobody knows what will be the outcome as his main PDP challenger also has a formidable support base and adequate resources to prove her worth at the end of the contest.

STELLA ODUAH: Oduah, the former Aviation Minister and PDP chieftain has been involved in the campaign for Jonathan’s re-election and is expected as the PDP candidate, to give Dubem a serious fight for the North Senatorial seat.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Interview

Sunday, February 15, 2015

55

‘It’ll be difficult to rig this election’ Otunba Gani Adams is the National Coordinator of the Pan –Yoruba Group, the Oodua People’s Congress, OPC. In this interview with some journalists in Lagos, he speaks on the shift in the dates of election, the position of the Yoruba in the forthcoming general elections among other issues. Ayo Esan was there.

Following the shift in the dates of election some people are saying that President Jonathan is working towards interim government, what is your view of this?

Jonathan cannot propose an interim government and at the end of the day be the head of such arrangement; such move won’t be in the interest of Jonathan.

But most Yoruba are not supporting Jonathan’s re-election bid, how do you expect him to scale through?

We don’t need to deceive ourselves. The main group in Yorubaland, Afenifere has spoken; Afenifere the political arrowhead of Yoruba people have declared support for Jonathan. Even Dr. Frederick Fasehun, leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN has endorsed Jonathan, even before Afenifere did so. I don’t have problem with Buhari, but I have serious problem with the people that surround him. I am talking of no other person than people like Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. For the four years of Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, they shut their doors against our organisation; the OPC and definitely, if this group has access to the centre it will shut more damning doors. Most importantly, the Afenifere has endorsed Jonathan, the OPC has endorsed Jonathan; the Social Democratic Party SDP and Accord Party AP which happen to be among the main parties in Yorubaland as well as the Labour Party LP have endorsed Jonathan. In the East, the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo has endorsed Jonathan; most groups in Niger Delta have endorsed him as well. It is only Tinubu, APC and handful of social media parasites who need to

follow suit. Most religious bodies including Christians Association of Nigeria, CAN and the PFN have doffed their caps for the president.

But some people are calling for the head of Jonathan in Lagos, why this?

I honestly don’t know how you come about this information because I quite know that only partisan politicians in the opposition want him out at all cost. As a grassroot leader in the South West, Nigerians in the zone want Jonathan; Nigerians especially Lagosians want Jimi Agbaje as governor. Some who never loved Jonathan now want him because of Jimi Agbaje. In a nutshell, our own independent studies show that 85 per cent of Lagosians want Jonathan.

The job of election is house to house campaign not using Facebook to write jargons about personalities. Someone that God has ordained, you start attacking him and someone who does not even have any known name in his street will just sit down and be writing anyhow. So in conclusion, 85 per cent of Lagosians want Jonathan.

Let look at the issue of violence during the campaigns which had led to killings and injuries. How do we curb violence in our campaigns and elections in this country?

I think it is as a result of some politicians who do not have conscience because I don’t see how and why you are employing violence in elections. With the introduction of PVCs, it will be extremely difficult to rig this election.

With the system that Professor Jega used in

2011 and during some of the governorship elections that were held recently it will be very difficult for people to rig. This is because you go to the polling booth and do accreditation till 12 o’clock, after 12 o’clock voting will start and it will end before 5pm and at each polling booth, the winner will be announced, whether it is the state assemblies, the national assemblies, governorship or the presidential election. So at the polling booth you will know the winner. And through the process you can use the figure by the returning officers to collate the results yourself even before the announcement of the results by INEC. So within three hours after election, the people of a state would have known who won among the parties.

So I believe that Nigerian politicians should not concentrate on thuggery or acts of intimidation but they should continue to tell the people what they will do when they get to power. They should stop blackmailing or discrediting each other. They should come out with facts to convince people, stop calling people who have sacrificed for the nation different names.

Adams

Do you see any of the parties having an avantage?

In my own opinion, there is no difference between the two major political parties , the APC and the PDP .Ninety nine per cent of people in APC today are from PDP , Audu Ogbeh, Saraki, Oyinlola, Atiku , Oni . Most of the people in APC were PDP stalwarts .

Saraki served two terms as governor under the PDP , Oyinlola served about six years as governor under the PDP , Atiku was vice president for eight years under the PDP. The few people in APC who were not in PDP are may be Tinubu, Aregbesola and Oshiomhole as well as some of the South West governors. Okorocha was in the PDP to APGA to APC. Most of them don’t have strong antecedents when you talk of ideology. And those are the people crying for change, what kind of change do they want to produce?

You are talking of change I remember vivid-

ly when we were going for the national conference most of these APC leaders condemned the national conference. They are calling for personality change but they are not calling for institutional change. When you said the present structure should not change and you are saying the President should change. What do you really mean? If you say Buhari should be the president what of the institutions that have not changed. We went to the national conference to restructure Nigeria, to change the institutions. And the institutions are always more powerful than any individual. If you defeated Jonathan, don’t be surprise that most of the people that worked with Jonathan will come to the APC and they will infiltrate your government and cause the same problem. There is no way you can check them out because after winning the election, you need more people to lend voice to the victory and to the growth of the government.

the platform to be. But we will not judge people because of the idiosyncrasies of some others in the past. We had a bad experience with those elected on our platform in 2011 but you are not supposed to apportion all the blames to them. Ninety per cent of the problem was the oppressing tendency of the government of the state to make them defect and disloyalty to their party. It’s not because they had grievances against us. The condition became unbearable for them and they were forced to leave their party for another.

That is why I laugh when I hear the PDP campaign that some people have changed names from one party to the other. You should ask them what they had been doing with the other party men who won elections. Instead of allowing them to responsibly respect their party positions, they force them to decamp. Sometimes they are induced and if they refuse inducement they look for ways to punish them. It is not so much as to this people being disloyal or opportunistic, but PDP government has been undemocratic and dictatorial, unable to accept any opposition at all. But that will come to an end because we will defeat them in the polls and then we will create an enabling environment where people can

freely choose the party they’ll belong.

As the governor of Delta State, I do not want to see a situation where every member of the house is a member of my party. I want to see a complexion of parties that will reflect the will and wish of the people of this state as voted for.

As governor of Delta, if you defect from your party, you won’t see me again. We will encourage them to be responsible opposition in the state so that we can be a good government. Without that opposition we can do nothing and that’s where PDP gets it wrong thinking everyone must be from the same political party. That is myopic, insensitive and politically immature because that’s not how the world was created.

We have different affiliations and perspectives. If we are not able to reflect that in the way we position ourselves on a platform, then we are at fault. This is something the PDP should learn to do.

The fact that UPU has endorsed me does not mean I am an Urhobo irredentist. I am pan-Delta. I want to believe I represent the views and aspirations of the people of Delta State. Incidentally, the Urhobo ethnic nationality, their aspirations and expectations coincide with my goals for the state. That is why I have that endorsement.

‘Delta guber election is between LP and PDP’ South, from the Ijaw and Itsekiri communities. Some of the topocal political issues then have changed. The complexity of the situation is different, dynamics are different, and the actors also are different. We think that all of this put together will bring to bear different results from those communities. If that is the case, then we are strongwitted to say that the mandate of Deltans will be protected.

I am saying that the problems we had before were from two communities. So long as those communities are not together, we have won the elections.

have the support of one of both of them.

The issue of President Jonathan; I support him but I don’t campaign for his party.

I don’t know whether he supports me. What I can tell is that I support him for good reasons, which go beyond President Jonathan.

The reasons are strategic. It’s nothing to do with President Jonathan as a candidate but to reinforce the age long relationship that has existed between the Ijaw and Urhobo and to strengthen the social cohesion between these two ethnic nationalities. To do otherwise will be socially and politically irresponsible on my part. After all, we must ensure to have good relations with neighbours.

What efforts are you putting to safeguard results from riverine areas?

The results coming from those communities can only cost us if they go straight to one person. In this instance, those are not going to one person and anytime those votes are shared, we will win the elections, because what they did in 2011 was to write results to exceed what we had. We don’t believe that we’ve lost contact with the electorate. We want to assume that in about 20 LGs the results will be about the same. This means we will win convincingly. Now, we

It’s believed that politicians rally around you to gain political relevance and when they win elections, they defect to other parties.

What’s your take on this?

Every individual is a political animal and I want to believe that I am a good politician. Whatever I do is informed by my immediate environment and, of course, political ambition. To that extent, I am a politician. You are not going to stop people from being opportunistic. Some people will be, some won’t. Some would want to use this platform because they believe it is

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

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Civil Service

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NEMA introduces air ambulance for emergency healthcare

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he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday introduced the first Air Ambulance at the National Hospital, Abuja, for emergency health care.

The launch that took place at the Trauma Center of the hospital is for easy transportation of patients with emergency cases by air.

The Director, Research

and Rescue of the agency, Mr Ibrahim Mamman, said the project was part of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

“The air ambulance can be used to transport patients with critical and traumatic health situation from any where the individual is.

“As a matter of fact, the jet can go anywhere in the world; it has the range of

3000 miles.

“It can go to as far as Europe, Asia, nonstop and it is also available here in Abuja but it all depends on the location where the patient calls from.

“We can go anywhere and pick you; if you want us to bring you to National Hospital, we can,” Mamman said.

He also said that the project was a demonstration of

the beginning of air ambulance in Nigeria.

The director said that there were plans to expand the project to make other air ambulances available to all parts of the country.

He said the air jets were still new and could last for a period before they wore out.

Mamman commended the Director-General of NEMA, Alhaji Sani Sidi, for championing ``such a capi-

tal intensive project’’.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr Gaff Momoh, recalled that the trauma center of the hospital was commissioned with the sole aim of managing emergencies.

Momoh said that the air ambulance was for easy evacuation of patients from any part of the country.

“The jet is to move patients from wherever they

are in the country and still land at the appropriate time within a very short notice.

“It is always best for the patient when he is treated at the adequate time in cases of trauma or natural disaster.

The CMD noted that the hospital had always had patients brought by road but that the jets would facilitate the transportation of patients by air.

Lagos govt protests FERMA’s ‘illegal acts’ on roads

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Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Economy News Desk, News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Idris Abdulrahman (right) and Associate Professor, Arizona State University, School of Letters and Sciences, Prof. Patience Akpan-Obong, during her familiarity visit to the agency in Abuja recently.

Cross River LG gets first ATM

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he Vice-Chancellor of University of Calabar, Cross River State, Prof. James Epoke, yesterday inaugurated the first customised Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River.

Inaugurating the machine, he promised that

the bank would open more branches in local government areas across the state.

Epoke, who is also the Board Chairman of the Microfinance Bank in University of Calabar, said: ``opening more before the end of this financial year will be in line

with the expansion plan of the bank. ``This is to enable more micro, small and medium scale business operators avail themselves of the high quality and diverse banking services of the bank. ``The upgrading of our banking infrastructure

has enabled us to offer e-banking services and also created open doors in terms of diverse business opportunities’’.

In his response, Mr John Owan, the Managing Director of the bank, said the inauguration would bring banking services closer to the people.

he Lagos State Government at the weekend asked the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, call to order all its agencies including the Federal Emergency Road Management Agency (FERMA) over their various illegal activities in the state, which, according to the government, constitutes both environmental nuisance and a danger to road users.

Addressing an interministerial press conference at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, listed the activities to include taking over traffic control on highways, illegal and indiscriminate placement of billboards and painting of road-kerbs in green and white saying these activities constitute a breach of the nation’s Constitution.

The Commissioner, who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Aderemi Ibirogba, and his Transportation counterpart, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, among others, said for the

fifth time in recent times, a faceless group of men and women dressed in black uniforms had taken over some highways in the state, aided by four armed policemen purporting to be controlling traffic, a job which is legitimately performed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

Recalling that the state government has made series of complaints in the past about the activities of the faceless men, Ipaye said on one of the occasions when a policeman was attacked by the group, the police made some arrests, adding, however, that since then, the activities have continued.

The Commissioner who noted that there was no record of any employment letter, regulations, laws or a Federal circular that pointed to the establishment of the group, said the concern of the state government was based on the probability that criminals and hoodlums could also wear the uniform and perpetrate criminal activities under such cover.

Community lauds Plateau govt for road project JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

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he Utan Community in Jos,the Plateau state capital has applauded the state government for intervening on the road linking the community to Jos metropolis

The five-kilometre road was abandoned over seven years ago by the contractor handling the project ,a development which the community members said had caused untold hardships and suffering to residents “We have suffered so

much on this road as a community because of shoddy job done by the former contractor. A part from Asthma which has become common among community members because of dust,many people have also died as a result of poor condition of

the road..

So We really want to thank the government for coming to our rescue by mobilizing a new contractor to start work on the road project. The intervention is a relief to us”, Chairman of the Community Chief Mo-

ses Kaze,told the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs ,Mr Chris Kwaja,who inspected the ongoing construction work on the road yesterday Kwaja who is also the Chairman of Plateau state Project Monitoring

Committee said the intervention on the road was in line with government’s commitment to revamp all road network in the state.

He assured the community that the project would not only be completed soon but would be of high stand.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Sunday, February15, 2015

57

Two die in Benue auto crash HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

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Former governor of Anambra State and the Deputy Director General of the PDP National Campaign Council, Mr. Peter Obi (right), and the Minister of State for Finance, Amb Bashir Yuguda, during an interactive session with Nigerians living in Dubai yesterday

Obi, Yuguda storm Dubai for President

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he former Governor of Anambra State and the Deputy Director-General of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Campaign Council, Mr. Peter Obi, and the Minister of State for Finance, Amb Bashir Yuguda, yesterday held interractive meeting over dinner in Dubai with Nigerians resident in the Emirate.

In his remarks, Yuguda, who happened to be the first Nigerian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates said the visit was to share with Nigerians in UAE the good things happening in the country and to take questions on all aspects of development at home.

Ambassador Yuguda described President Goodluck Jonathan as

one Nigerian leader who is genuinely committed to the development of the country and the best thing to have happened to the country.

His words: “I am from the North, and I can say it everywhere that President Jonathan should be returned.” He said that under his government, Nigeria has been witnessing tremendous development in all sectors: Aviation, Commerce, Road construction, power, diversification of the economy, improvement on Agriculture. He said that in the next 3 years, Nigeria would stop the importation of rice.

Answering questions from Nigerians, Obi explained to them what president Goodluck Jonathan is doing to make Ni-

geria a better place. Obi said that considering the strategic importance of the South-South in the country that Nigerians should see the wisdom of supporting, them to govern for the next 4 years, saying that four years was nothing in the life of a country.

Assuring Nigerians of Jonathan’s abiding goodwill, Obi said that Jonathan had done a lot in all areas. “On corruption, Jonathan is doing a lot to control it through institutional means, example is the institutionalization of the method of getting fertilizer to the people and that reduced by over 97% the corruption in that sector.

In the area of Aviation, a lot has been done, besides remodeling of 22

old airports, Jonathan is building five new international terminals in five airports simultaneously.

In the area of power, with the unbundling of PHCN, the revolution that we witnessed in telecom, will soon been witnessed in the power sector. In education, Jonathan had recorded more progress with the building of 14 new universities in the country.”

Calling on Nigerians to support and vote for Jonathan, Obi said the alternative is not better in any way. He said among those contesting that it was only Jonathan that had the advantage of age, virtue of humility and patience, and the national quality of seeing the entire country as one and working becomingly towards a better Nigeria.

wo persons were yesterday at about 6 p.m. killed in a motor accident involving a Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf at Uchi, Makurdi-Gboko expressway in Benue State while other occupants in the vehicles sustained various degrees of injury.

The two vehicles were engaged in a head-on collision leading to the killing of the two unidentified persons who occupied the front seats of the Corolla car.

Eyewitnesses told Sunday Mirror that the Corolla car in an attempt to overtake another vehi-

cle, ran into the Golf car, leading to the mishap.

Though no occupant of the Golf car was reported dead at the time of filing this report, it was, however, gathered that the six passengers on board were unconscious.

The victims were evacuated by sympathizers and taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention.

Efforts to get the comment of the Public Relations Officer of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Benue State Command, Mr. Samson Audu, were futile as several attempts on his mobile line did not yield positive result.

Sierra Leone failed to account for Ebola funds –Report

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ierra Leone’s auditorgeneral’s report has alleged that the government could not account for nearly a third of the 20 million dollars earmarked for fighting Ebola in 2014.

The report which was released yesterday in Freetown indicated that bad governance might have hindered the battle against the epidemic.

The Auditor-General’s Office in the country said the report looked at 19.5 million dollars that government set aside for fighting the hemorrhagic fever from the start of the outbreak between May and October, 2014.

It noted that most of the money came from tax revenues and donations by domestic institutions and individuals.

It said the funds were mostly disbursed on personal protective equipment, medical supplies, consumables and bonus payments to healthcare workers.

The report said it found that more than more than 5 million dollars from the government’s emergency health response account had no supporting documents to substantiate how they were spent.

It said a further seven million dollars spent from the same account were missing receipts and invoices.

“Monies that have been set aside for the purpose of combating the Ebola outbreak may have been used for unintended purposes, thereby slowing the government’s response to eradicate the virus.

Jonathan wants power by hook or crook –OBJ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7

President Jonathan who remains faithful to his oath of office who is trying to plunge Nigeria into crisis, but Chief Obasanjo who is scheming to plunge the country into chaos in pursuit of a selfish and highly egocentric agenda.

“Chief Obasanjo’s plot with others within and outside the country to thwart the general elections and foist an unconstitutional Interim National Govern-

ment, which he hopes to head, on the nation is well known to us, but by the Grace of God Almighty, his odious plan to return to power through the backdoor will fail woefully.

“As President Jonathan has also assured the nation, the rescheduling of the general elections was in the best interest of the nation and was never driven by any ulterior motive on the part of government as Chief Obasanjo and others have alleged”

“President Jonathan will continue to put his best efforts into giving Nigeria quality leadership and will not be distracted from his purpose by unwarranted and needless criticism by persons who ought to know better” “The President also continues to trust in the good judgment of Nigerians and to believe that in appreciation of his sincere efforts to move the country forward over the past four years, they will re-elect

him for a second term on March 28, 2015 with a mandate to pursue his agenda for national transformation to a successful conclusion”, he added.

Director of Media and Publicity, PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode in a statement also said that it was most uncharitable and unfair for President Obasanjo to suggest that President Jonathan wishes to remain in power by hook

or by crook because that is not the nature of Jonathan.

“It is even worse for him to compare him to President Laurent Gbagbo.

“It is sad and unfortunate that President Olusegun Obasanjo, a father of the nation and a man that we all revere and have immense respect for, could have misread the situation so badly.

“It is simply not true that President Goodluck Jonathan wishes

to remain in power at all costs and the suggestion that he has a hidden agenda or that he somehow imposed his will on INEC by getting them to postpone the elections is baseless and absurd.

“The security chiefs made their recommendations and there were numerous other challenges that INEC had which caused them to postpone the elections for six weeks. This was INEC’s decision and not Jonathan’s.”

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Sunday, February 15, 2015

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

INEC will conduct elections as scheduled –IBB

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ormer military President Ibrahim Babangida says he is optimistic that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct elections as rescheduled.

He spoke in Minna when he received the

members of Arewa Citizens Action for Change on Saturday.

He said people should not look at insecurity as only a problem restricted to a particular zone of the country but as a problem confronting the entire country.

“I think people should not see the insecurity as restricted to North East alone; it is the problem of the entire country.

“Nigeria is under insurgency not only north east. Nigerians should see it from that perspective and for that; they should

support the Military to end the insurgency,’’ he said.

On whether the shifting of election date will affect the outcome of the election, he observed that the election would be conducted peacefully considering the arrangement on

ground.

He also urged INEC to improve in the provision of information in respect of Permanent Voter Cards’, especially on where to collect them.

Babangida commended the members of the group for propagating the

gospel of peace, particularly at this period where electioneering was at its peak.

In his remark, the state coordinator of the group, Malam Mohammed Mohammed, appealed to INEC to conduct peaceful and credible elections.

Kano spends N20.2bn on water supply ABDULGAFAR OLADIMEJI KANO

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General Overseer, Christ Evangelical Intercessary Fellowship Church, Pastor Yohana Buru (middle) distributing drinks to the children of Muslims and destitute to mark the Valentine’s Day celebration in Kaduna, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Bird flu: FG compensates Kano farmers with N100m

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he Federal Government has approved N100m compensation for poultry farmers in Kano State, following the scourge of avian influenza in which thousands of birds were lost either owing to deaths or depopulation exercise carried out to stop further spread of the disease.

Announcing the payment of the compensation in Kano on Friday, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, said every farmer affected in the state has been compensated.

The minister, who assured that Nigerians need not panic, as the situation is being brought under control, said, except only three farmers who don’t have bank accounts, all others have had their compensation paid into their bank accounts as at Friday.

Since the beginning of reported cases of outbreak of avian influenza, otherwise known

as bird flu, a couple of weeks ago, Kano State has had a fair share of infections involving 70,000 birds across 15 local government areas, the highest in any state.

On measures to bring the bird flu infection under control, Adesina assured that NVRI in Vom has done a lot and has been very helpful in diagnosing the problem.

He assured that there was no cause for alarm, as “eating poultry is safe.”

The minister stressed the importance of the poultry industry pointing out that “Nigeria is the number one producer of eggs in Africa.

Representing the beneficiaries of the compensation, the Kano State Chairman of Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Aminu Adamu, described the compensation of affected farmers as “a good move by the federal government,” saying that “we appreciate it as farmers.”

According to him,

“Not giving the compensation helps to spread the disease. For fear of losing, the owners sell their birds secretly.”

He noted that “compensation always remedies and comforts, and gives a chance to start again. It encourages the people who have dis-

eases to report quickly.

Anybody that has birds with a disease will not hurry to put them into the market. I am happy they were given compensation.”

He pledged his association’s continued efforts at sensitising fellow farmers to biosecurity.

he Kano State Government has expended the sum of N20.2bn on the provision of potable water, the state governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has disclosed.

Kwankwaso made the disclosure at the commissioning of the state Water Board ultra-modern administrative office complex located at Mubi Quarters, Kano.

He stated that the sum of N11bn was utilized in providing 1,000 ductile millimeter iron pipes for the project, adding that N300m was spent on the purchase of generators that are being used for the pumping of water to consumers, while another N200m was spent on the maintenance of pumping/generating machines.

He guaranteed that on the completion of the ongoing pipe-laying , water would flow adequately from Challawa and Tamburawa water treatment plants to all

parts of Kano city, adding that other regional water schemes would be upgraded to supply water to their immediate environs and other parts of the city.

Kwankwaso appealed to residents to always intimate the state Water Board about water pipe leakages for immediate remedy of the situation,.

Even as he appealed for the judicious use of water.

The governor also disclosed that over N200m was spent on the construction of the water board administrative office, noting that the complex was named after Alhaji Abdul Azeez Umar (Sardaunan Hadejia), an erstwhile managing director of the board, adding that the decision was inspired by his immense contribution to water management in the state.

Responding, , Alhaji Abdulaziz Umar, the Water Board boss, thanked the governor for the honor done to him, assuring that his doors remained open for advice on issues related to water supply in the state.

Rethinking foreign military presence in Nigeria CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14

to the ruling party, the alleged founder of Boko Haram was a permanent guest of the Chadian President, Idris Debbie, with whom he handled the ceasefire hoax. Debbie was also a product of the rebel group that invaded old Borno in the1980s after the Chadian war, to seize lands and displace Nigerians in cities and villages.

It is therefore pertinent to note that the forces of liberation might end up to forces of occupation. The history of Nigeria-Chad relations is

not a particularly pleasant one. This is why Chad cannot be trusted; just as France, their benefactor, also cannot be trusted.

It is humiliating enough to have foreign troops on the soil of “almighty” Nigeria. Never before had the country been a global, continental or regional ’security charity’ case or needed external forces to tackle its internal security problem. The coming of the foreign troops depicts a sorry case and a country that cannot help itself. It shows, and awfully so, the deteriorated state of our security architecture. It can be more

humiliating to watch the foreign soldiers conducting themselves in a manner that portrays ridicule or slight, to underscore the demystification of the Nigerian military power, honour and pride.

Let us not however be deceived that France or the African neighbours have come to help us. They have come to help themselves. First, they can see the end of a threat from their biggest and stronger neighbour.

Second, they can potentially dead whale washed ashore from which they take deep cuts. Third, they need to secure their

neighbours to avert a Boko Haram doom on them too. Fourth, Nigeria is their major source of economic stability and the protracted terrorist crisis was spoiling trade and commerce for them. Fifth, they have to use their military presence in Nigeria to showcase their own military strength and leverage on it to shine and move up the ladder of strong armies on the continent, the same way smaller countries have climbed on the back of Nigeria’s Super Eagles to move up the ladder of football ranking.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South News

Sunday, February15, 2015

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Human trafficking: NIS arrests cleric, 4 others

T

he Nigerian Immigration Service(NIS) in Oyo State says it has arrested a cleric, Olufemi Timothy, and four others for allegedly engaging in child trafficking.

The State Controller of the NIS Command, Innocent Akatu, said in Ibadan yesterday that the accused persons were apprehended at various locations in

Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Among the victims were 12 boys and four girls who were allegedly being used by the accused persons as part of a slavery ring.

“They would be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for appropriate legal actions to be taken

against them,’’ he said.

“Human trafficking is a crime government is trying to end.

“We have young children being taken away from their parents under the pretext that the traffickers would get jobs for them or give them better standard of living,’’ he said.

He said many of the

victims were brought into Nigeria from Benin Republic, Togo and other neighbouring countries, adding that “they were sold into slavery by those who brought them into the country.”

The NIS boss explained further that those who were arrested by NIS personnel were from Benin Republic and Benue in Ni-

geria.

He cited the case of a nine year- old boy from Benue who was brought to Ibadan by his brother and sold into slavery.

“He does not know where he is. These children do not receive the wages paid on them. The money goes to the people who brought them. So it is pure slavery.

“Before, when we arrested children like these, we reconciled them with their parents.

“Even the foreigners would be taken to their countries. But we now feel that the method did not help to check the problem.

“That is why we are handing them over to NAPTIP for appropriate legal actions,” Akatu said.

N70m presidential donation: Ijaw youths warn PDP leaders OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

I

jaw youths from Bayelsa State yesterday faulted as “wrong timing,” the decision of the State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to suspend the state chairman of the party, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd) over the controversy surrounding the N70m presidential campaign donation to the party in the state, saying such decision could cost President Jonathan vital election votes during the presidential election in the State.

The youths, drawn from the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State, said though the suspension of the PDP chairman over the alleged diversion of N40m from the campaign donation is strictly a party affair, the timing of the suspension and the dragging of the name of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Dizeani AllissonMadueke through the mud, is wrong and could make the PDP lose votes during the presidential election in the state.

The Ijaw youths under the aegis of the Niger Delta United for Jonathan, in a statement issued in Yenagoa and signed by its Secretary, Azibaayam Iborisi, and Public Relations Officer, Ebimiewei Timi, said the decision of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the party was questionable in view of the timing.

“It is particularly worrisome that those orchestrating the crisis behind the scene have decided to drag the good

name of the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Deziani Allison-Madueke into the crisis of confidence between the state governor and the Presidency.”

“Considering that the said rally was meant to galvanise the home base of President Goodluck Jonathan, the idea of igniting a controversy over a donation less than a week after the rally is clearly a deliberate act of sabotage and a disservice to the people of the state and indeed the South-South who stood for many hours under the scorching sun and later rain, to give our President a heroic homecoming.

This decision could cost the President vital votes during the presidential election in the state.

“It is, however, instructive that while those claiming to have suspended the chairman are alleging sharp practices with the said donation, the embattled chairman claims his woes are as a result of his refusal to do Governor Seriake Dickson’s bidding to suspend certain highly placed party men, perceived to be loyal to Mrs. Patience Jonathan from the PDP at the state level for alleged anti-party activities.

“The question is why the hurry to suspend the chairman, knowing full well that it is less than five weeks to the presidential election and the party needs to keep a united front, a call Mr President himself made in his speech at the rally?” he asked rhetorically.

Some female artisans celebrating after receiving some gifts and cash from Chinedu Ogah Foundation on St. Valentine’s Day in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Poll shift was in national interest, says ex-lawmaker ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

F

ormer National Assembly member, Senator Bode Ola, has said the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC should be praised for its courage to postpone the general elections, based on the advice of security chiefs and the inadequacy of voter cards all over the country.

The former lawmaker said that the doubts raised about the inadequate training of INEC adhoc

staff, fool-proof status of card readers, printing of sensitive election materials and how to factor in internally displaced persons made the shift imperative until when the issues were resolved.

Ola said in a statement in Ado-Ekiti yesterday that, “if the elections had been held under the present security challenges facing some parts of the country, it would have provoked an inevitable constitutional crises if the electorate in the affected states were left out, just

as many who had no voter cards would have been disenfranchised.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP chieftain said that rescheduling of the dates for the general elections was a necessary step towards ensuring peace and stability in the country.

According to him, the move has saved the country from the constitutional crises that could have erupted if the polls had held without necessary provisions and preparations.

Speaking on the need

for avoidance of constitutional logjam, Ola said, “How constitutionally defensible would it have been if four states are excluded in elections where the law says 25 per cent of votes are needed to be garnered in at least twothirds of our 36 states and Abuja?

“It becomes inconclusive if this result is to be derived from 32 states. This is why it is reasonable to secure all the affected four states at the time when the security is ready for the election,” the PDP chieftain said.

Stop politicising poll postponement, PDP chieftain tells APC

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he All Progressives Congress APC has been advised to stop politicising the issue of polls postponement by INEC, by feeding Nigerians with wrong information on the matter.

Making the appeal in Lagos at the weekend, a top notcher of Peoples Democratic Party PDP and governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Mr. Akintoye Branco-Rhodes, accused APC of maliciously linking PDP and the Presidency with the postponement.

“It is very sad and painful that at a moment when all stakeholders should rally round to support efforts being made to tackle insecurity, APC has been on the loose feeding members of the public with wrong propaganda that polls postponement was as a result of hidden agenda by PDP and Presidency. Why must APC link PDP and Presidency with the postponement when INEC that is saddled with conduct of elections has come out with reasons for the post-

ponement. INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, made it clear that insecurity in the north eastern parts of the country and PVC’s collection problem are the reasons. APC is just being mischievous,” he declared.

Branco-Rhodes, who noted that INEC’s action was backed by the constitution, warned APC to stop “its campaign of calumny” on the issue.

“President Goodluck Jonathan has restated his resolve to hand over power

if he loses the election, and not only that the president also declared May 29 hand over date as being sacrosanct, what does APC want again? Is APC saying that over 20 million Nigerians that have not collected their PVCs should be disenfranchised? Is APC saying that the lives of millions of Nigerians resident in North East are of no value? President Goodluck Jonathan believes in the due process, and that is why he didn’t interfere with INEC work.”

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU Sunday February 15, 2015

Incredible!

Imojuba: Tale of violent, vicious land disputes In a rustic town near Idiroko, a border town, famed for its smuggling routes and banditry, land disputes between two long-standing settler families threaten peace despite clear court rulings as to who owns the land titles, Titilope Morakinyo reports

H

er anguish and anxiety are quite understandable. They both stem from the tussle, with a certain land developer over a vast acreage of land in Imojuba, a town along Aton-Ota, Owode, along Idi Iroko Road in Ogun State. Funmilayo Idowu, a traditional titleholder and the woman in distress, says that Mutairu Owoeye, the developer, has instigated a major persecution against her and her family over the said percel of land.

She claims to have been harassed by thugs, arrested by the police, locked up for days and dispossessed of money and other valuable by police and thugs, all at the instigation of Owoeye over the ancestral land.

“We need help urgently.” We beg Governor Ibikunle Amosun, our state governor, and Nigerians at large to come to our rescue before Owoeye sacks us from our land in Imojuba,” Idowu said in an interview with Sunday Mirror. on behalf of Fatusi and Ogedengbe family who claim ownership of the land in dispute in Imojuba.

But Owoeye, the land developer, insists that he is the victim and not the aggressor, as Idowu claims.

“I am just a businessman. The clear ownership of the said land has been decided by the High Court of Justice, Ogun State, since April 2014 in favour of the Akinboyede family,” Owoeye stated through his personal assistant, Ademola Adeyemi, who also made his way to our office to explain his boss’ side of the story.

Owoeye also claims that apart from the court that has clearly decided the true ownership of the land in favour of his principal, Akinboyede, he also has the power of attorney which clearly empowers him as the principal developer of the land in dispute said. “We have lost time and money to conflicts instigated by Mrs Idowu,” the assistant averred. He also added that Idowu, in her capacity as the Iyalode of the town has most of the miscreants in the town at her beck and call. “She had instigated them to harass some of our agents, vandalise our properties on the land and make us lose money and time,” Adeyemi added.

The land in question, measuring 6, 477 acres, according to Akinboyedes, is part of a bigger parcel of land that comprised seven villages namely, Ajegunle, Ajibawo, Onse Olose, Kajola Iboro, Oke Ore, Maku and Olorunda.

So, if the court has since ruled in favour of Akinboyede against Idowu and her people, why is there still contention over the said land? Why do Idowu and indeed

her people, as she alleges, still claim that they are the owners of Imojuba? The answers to these posers may well lie in the cultural and traditional attachments to land titles in this part of the world. In this instance, winning a legal tussle in a land dispute may just be akin to winning just a battle in a long drawn war. Particularly in Lagos and its environs, activities of land speculators and thugs are legendary. They have been known to have tenacious hold on land titles. And where conflicts arise, it has been known to pop up fast, soaking up an entire communityin bloody crisis. The crisis in Imojuba has all the elements of a classic land dispute that may drag for very long.

By implication, even if the court has decided in favour of Akinboyede family and they may have since contracted Owoeye to develop the land in question, such development may well happen over the dead bodies of the Fatusi and Ogedegbe clan, going by trend of this fight. Since 1994, as alleged, there have been intermittent conflicts over ownership of the land.

Even after the court ruling, there were still incidents of fighting.

For instance, between December 15 and 16, last year, policemen from the divisional office in Sango raided Imojuba. By Idowu’s account, the policemen came in the dead of night.

“They came with sledge hammers and broke down our doors. Young men and women were rounded up and taken away; some housewives were raped,” she recounted. She was also arrested and detained, she claimed. According to Idowu, the police alleged that she was an armourer for armed robbers in the community. Again in January, the police allegedly raided the town again arresting people and slamming them in detention.

But Adeyemi, Owoeye’s aide, countered that Idowu is only being economical with the truth. According to him, the police raid was in response to the previous activities of the Fatusi’s and Ogedengbe who had set upon agents from Owoeye, beating and chasing them away from the land.

“The Fatusi are only being unnecessarily

difficult,” explained Adeyemi. According to him, Owoeye had since made overtures to the aggrieved family, asking them to meet with Ogunboyede who was ready to make compromise.

This much, Idowu admitted. According to her, Ogunboyede had offered that the land in dispute be shared on 50-50 basis. The Fatusi family rejected the offer out rightly. “We don’t know them; how can we share our ancestral lands with a complete stranger,” asked Idowu. Indeed, the Fatusi family may well have to seek the assistance of the appellate court to address these problems because a high court in Ogun has ruled that the land actually belongs to Ogunboyede family.

Ironically, the court ruling at the high court that decided the land matter was actually instituted by Fatusi against Ogunboyede. The suit, No HCT/392/05 had as claimants Chief Elijah Abiodun Fatusi, Chief Biodun Fatusi, Mr Olurotimi Olusoji, Mr Olayeme Aremu Fatusi, Segun Dada Ogedengbe, Chief Dada Ogedengbe, Miss Aina Fatusi and Mr Abayomi Omosanya, all known as the Fatusi Ogedengbe family. They had instituted the case against Jelili Akinboyede, Najeem Balogun Anibire Mobolaji Ibikunle Anibire and Akin Alabi, all collectively known as the Ikoriko Ajangboju Koniwo Agbogbo Akindipe family.

Fatusi Ogedegbe claimed that the land has been their patrimony for over three hundred years after their forefathers, settled in the land in dispute. According to the claimants, Aiku and Ogedengbe, moved out of their fathers home in Ebiti compound, Ota to settle in what is today called Imojuba 300 years ago. Ever since, the family claimed to have been exercising right of ownership on the land. As evidence, the Fatusi Ogedengbe produced a court paper dating to 1925 where the family was affirmed as having right to oversee tenancy on the land.

But the Akinboyedes have a totally different version of who actually founded the community. They claim that the real founder of Imojuba which is part of seven other villages was Ajayi Ajangbo, a hunter who migrated from Ile Ife. Ajangbo, according to Akinboyedes settled on the land in dispute, hunting and farming on it. The defendants also pointed out at modern relics and traditions brought to the place by their ancestors.

The accounts of both disputing families are quite persuasive. But court judgments are not rendered on the basis of rhetoric, especially when ownership rests on patrilineal holdings. Rather, facts and precedence and the ability to prove who arrived at the said land first.

In this instance, the court had to determine who founded the land as opposed to first settled on it. Secondly, was the land in dispute part of bigger whole or was it settled/founded in isolation? The court also determined the link between the said ancestors with the current claimants.

Given these instances, the court ruled in favour of Ogunboyede because the family proved that its ancestor founded the land. They were also able to link their lineage to the first founder. The court also determined that Imojuba was part of seven villages founded by the original ancestor.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ideye’s brace sinks West Ham P. 63

Eaglets get NFF backing Paul Erewuba

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has for the umpteenth time, reiterated its commitment to the Golden Eaglets over their participation in the 16th African U-17 Championship which begins today in Niamey, Niger Republic.

Director of competitions, Mohammed Sanusi, said the NFF would meet its financial obligations to ensure the team achieves its goal even as he urged the players to be determined in their quest to conquer the continent.

He reminded the Golden Eaglets to bear in mind that Nigeria is the defending world champions and must, therefore ensure qualification for the next edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile as well as gun for the trophy.

“The Eaglets are going to Niger for business and they know that we are the defending champions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the main objective is to qualify for the next edition in Chile.

“Nigerians are solidly behind them and on our part as a federation, we have made adequate arrangement for their allowances to be paid”, he added.

Pinnick

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Sunday February 15, 2015

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Van Gaal plays down Scholes’ criticism

KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS February 15, 2015

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A Group r Nige a Nigeri a e Guin a i b Zam Golden Eaglets training ahead of today’s opening match against Niger in Niamey

B Group voire ’I d e Cot Africa South Mali oon Camer

African youths set to rumble in Niamey discovered through this competition.

In its 20 years of existence, the tournament has been won only by seven countries frica, which is still reveling in a suc- with West Africa dominating. The trio of Nicessful Ebola-Free Africa Cup of geria, Ghana and Gambia has won the troNations (AFCON) final in Equato- phy on two occasions while Burkina Faso, rial Guinea, will be agog again from today, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroun and Egypt have all as the continent’s youth gather in Niamey, won the trophy once.

Niger Republic for the kick-off of the 11th Golden Eaglets of Nigeria and Black edition of the African U-17 championship Starlets of Ghana have been the most sucslated for February 15- March 1. cessful teams in this tournament. Apart The eight-nation tournament will in- from the two countries winning on two occavolve the hosts, Niger, defending champi- sions, they have also taken their dominance ons, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Guinea, Zambia, beyond the continent as they remain strong South Africa, Cameroun and Mali with force in the world at the youth level. the semi-finalists automatically qualifying Nigeria has won FIFA U-17 World Cup on for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup slated for three occasions while Ghana has two titles Chile later in the year. to her name. But the two countries later lost Apart from the participating teams try- their rhythm as they failed to qualify for the ing to dethrone Cote d’Ivoire, qualification 2009 (Algeria) and 2011 (Rwanda) editions, for this year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup will also but came back in Marroc 2013 where Nigebe up for grabs which will make this year’s ria emerged runners-up. edition keenly contested.

In the run up to this year’s edition, GhaOrganized biannually since its incep- na also fluttered and will not be part of the tion in 1995, the petit competition has served battles in Niamey, leaving Nigeria as the as a breeding ground for future African stars. country with the most participation in the Players such as Nwankwo Kanu, John Mikel cadet championship.

Obi, Christiantus Macauley, Haruna Lukman, Although, the competition has been Kelechi Ihenacho, Ghana’s Andre Ayew, An- bogged by the issue of over-aged players thony Yeboah, Nee Lamptey and Morocco’s over the years with its adverse effects on Yousuf Hadi just to mention but a few were all players from the continent but the introduc-

Ifeanyi Eduzor

A

tion of MRS test to determine the true age of the players and the sanction that goes with it have gone a long way in checking age cheats.

Golden Eaglets’ will battle their West African neigbours and host, Niger, in the opening match at the General Seyni Kountche Stadium in Niamey while Guinea and Zambia will meet in the other Group A match later in the day at the same venue.

The Coach Emmanuel Amuneke tutored side who acclimatized in Sokoto ahead of the championship could be said to be one of the tournament’s favourites considering their pedigree but their performance against the host nation to be backed by expected vociferous crowd will go a long way in determining their chances in the championship.

On paper, Eaglets runners-up in the 2013 edition where they lost 5-4 penalties to Cote d’Ivoire are the best side heading into today’s opener, but their Nigerien counterparts who have not made any meaningful impact in the championship since its inception could be looking for an upset which will make the opening match interesting Meanwhile, Coach Amuneke has assured Nigerians that the crack team of 20 players he took to Niamey are capable of not only qualifying the nation for the World Cup, but winning the trophy a record three times.

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Confed Cup: Dolphins set for Vegetarianos challenge Ifeanyi Eduzor

D

olphins’ coach, Stanley Eguma, has said his wards are in high spirits ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup clash with the Equatorial Guinean side, Leones Vegetarianos.

The 2014 Federation Cup runnersup will be the guests of Leones Vegetarianos in today’s first round clash of Africa second tier club competition in Malabo.

Eguma said though the side has put in near decent preparations for the clash, his wards will not disappoint in Malabo.

“The players are all looking forward to having a good outing in Malabo and with the preparations we have put in place, there will be no hiding place for the hosts.

“We’ve been in close camp since the end of the Super Six tournament preparing for the clash; I believe

we’re ready to confront the Equatorial Guinean side, Leones Vegetarianos in Malabo today.

“It is true that we having some challenges regarding unpaid allowances, but I believe every logistics has been put in place by the management to ensure we have a comfortable outing.

“Though we’ve been in close camp

since the end of the Super Six tournament preparing for the clash, I believe we’re ready to confront the Equatorial Guinean side, Leones Vegetarianos in Malabo today.

Eguma said in the absence of duo of Emem Eduok and Peter Ebimobowei , Christian Pyagbara will be relied on to score the goals in Malabo.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Knockout IFEANYI Eduzor with

08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

le Barry tips Ugonoh for world tit Renowned boxing coach, Kevin Barry has described Nigerian born Polish heavyweight boxer, Izuagbe Ugonoh (10-0-0) as a potential World heavyweight champion.

The 28 year old boxer has been refining his skills under Barry, sparring the likes of Bermaine Stiverne and later this year will spar with heavyweight champion, Vladimir Klitschko as the later prepares for his April title defense against Bryant Jennings.

Speaking on the potentials

of Ugonoh, the respected coach noted that the boxer is improving greatly in training and will soon be ready to challenge for honours in the heavyweight “Izu is a great athlete. He’s a guy who spent years as a kick boxer. I found out that he was born in Poland, from Nigerian parents and he was a former world kickboxing champion and I needed to teach him to sit down on his punches and that has being the biggest developmental thing for him.

Action recorded during a Premiership match between Enyimba FC and Dolphins

Directors of sports commend NOC Ifeanyi Eduzor

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irectors of sports from across the country who successfully completed the international Olympic Committee/ Nigeria Olympics Advanced Sports Management Course held in Lagos have commended the Nigeria Olympic Committee for the foresight in bringing the course to Nigeria.

The commendation was made during the closing ceremony of the fifth session of the course that ended at the Board room of the Nigeria Olympic committee when the participants were presenting their project.

Course facilitators, Professor Clement Fassan of the Lagos State University and Jonathan Dyagas from ANOCA headquarters, Abuja equally commended the executive committee of the Nigeria Olympic committee led by Engr.Habu Gumel for the good initiative and prayed for more of such courses which they believe will put Nigeria Sports administrators in their right frame of mind as well as place them at the Zenith of their career.

Some of the course beneficiaries includes; Director of sports, National Sports Commission, Hauwa Kulu- Akinyemi,Okere Emmanuel, Salami Abiodun and Ukpong Joseph Essien. Others are Umudu Joseph Obey, Ezebube Barth Eberechukwu, Lizzy Onyenwenwa, Amina Amanchi, Iheanacho Samuel, Edward-Dappa Rachael and Dr O’Neill Charles Bassey among others.

In his closing remarks, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Gumel who was represented by the Secretary General, Babatunde Popoola described the IOC/

NOC advanced management course as first class saying they have been running similar programs in the past but this year’s edition is exceptional following presentations made by the facilitators who proved complete understanding of what the course is all about.

He charged them to go back to their various duty posts to exhibit what they have learnt even as he expects nothing but good output and excellent result from them.

Izuagbe Ugonoh (R) exchanging punches with Patrick Berger during their heavyweight clash.

Gumel

‘Why NFF Tech Committee opted for Keshi’

Anyansi

Paul Erewuba

T

he Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has explained reasons it could not ask Stephen Keshi to go, hence the need to renew his contract as Coach of the Super Ea-

gles.

The Committee’s Chairman, Felix Anyansi said his members have passed their recommendation to the NFF to retain Keshi “because they believed he can still deliver for the country”.

Keshi’s contract as the Eagles’ coach expired after the 2014 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil.

But the federation engaged him on a part-time basis to prosecute the last few games of the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, which ended in Nigeria not qualifying for the tournament held in Equatorial Guinea.

Speaking further, Anyansi said “We deliberated on a whole lot of things and you know there was a lot of grey areas in that deal but we’ve made a recommendation which the board will consider and decide on”,

Kano Pillars beat Al-Malakia 2-0 in Juba

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igerian champions Kano Pillars got their Caf Champions League to the best possible start with a 2-0 win over South Sudanese outfit Al-Malakia in Juba on Saturday.

The match was the first leg, preliminary round of Africa’s biggest club competition, and Pillars, who have won the NPFL three times

consecutively, served a notice of intent.

Strikers Gambo Muhammed and Christian Obiozor scored the goals for the Kano club.

Kano Pillars coach Okey Emordi opted to stick with the same squad that started their last two warmup games against Accra Hearts of Oak and Ghana’s U-23 team.

oots Uwegbe canvasses grassr boxing development Proprietor of All Stars Boxing Club, Peter Uwegbe says there is need to embark on massive grassroots development of boxing so as to arrest the dwindling fortune of the pugilist game in the country.

He told our correspondent that the country boosts of many talented boxers at the grassroots but lack of encouragement is preventing them from excelling in the game.

“There is need for us to go back to the basics and embark on massive grassroots development of the game as that is the only way to reposition boxing in the country.

“It is a well known fact that the country boosts of many talented boxers but it only when we embark on grassroots boxing development that these boxers could be discovered and nurtured to become future champions.

Mayweather is a nice person, says Pacquiao In the midst of the anticipated mega fight that will see pound for pound fighter Floyd Mayweather Jr. facing Manny Pacquiao, there seems to be calm area, a mutual understanding and respect of true character from both ends.

Speaking on their recent meeting during a basketball game in which Mayweather approached him for a personal face-to-face communication, Pacquiao noted that

he saw a good and nice guy in him.

“When Floyd approached me across the court, we were surrounded by a lot of people. Maybe they’re thinking that we’re going to fight, there and then. I agree that this was indeed a very important moment in the history of the drama surrounding us and might have been the catalyst to the fight possibly coming to reality.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Ideye’s brace sinks West Ham R

ecord-signing Brown Ideye scored twice as resurgent West Brom thumped West Ham to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2008.

The striker who has found the net in the last three matches against Burnley, Swansea and West Ham, side-footed the Baggies ahead after 20 minutes before a 25-yard shot from James Morrison made it 2-0. Ideye headed the third goal from eight yards early in the second half.

West Ham substitute Morgan Amalfitano was sent off for pushing Chris Brunt in the face before Saido Berahino drove in the final goal at the near post.

West Brom are still fighting

Ideye

against relegation in the Premier League but manager Tony Pulis who has lost just one in his first eight games in charge had made it clear he also wants a sustained cup run.

And the performance of his side reflected that as they moved to within two wins of giving Pulis the chance to make amends for the defeat he suffered as Stoke manager against Manchester City in the 2011 FA Cup final.

The Baggies dominated throughout against a West Ham side who according to manager Sam Allardyce, were also intent on trying to win the trophy with no fears of their own about league safety.

Confed Cup: Wolves’ coach Van Gaal plays down Scholes’ criticism talks tough, dares Bobo

M

anchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he is not worried

by Paul Scholes’ criticism of his team’s style of football.

United legend Scholes claimed he was not impressed by the brand of football being played under the Dutchman this season, criticizing the current players for not taking enough risks nor playing in the “traditional United way”.

Speaking at a news confer-

ence ahead of United’s FA Cup trip to Preston on Monday, van Gaal refused to get drawn into a row with the former Old Trafford midfielder.

He said: “I don’t worry about that, it is not so interesting. I think because Paul Scholes is one of our friends I hope, he may criticize, friends can criticize us that is not the problem.

“I am used to that and all the players are used to that because they are not for the first time proVan Gaal fessional football players.

Paul Erewuba

W

Wenger targets first four finish

A

Wenger

rsene Wenger claims every Premier League match is like a cup contest for Arsenal in their bid to secure a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.

The Gunners play Monaco later this month after qualifying for the knockout stages of Europe’s elite competition for a 15th consecutive season, but their participation in next term’s Champions League is in doubt in a competitive Premier League race.

Arsenal continues their FA Cup defense in today’s fifth-

round clash with Middlesbrough, but Wenger knows priorities lie elsewhere.

“Our basic is always to finish in the top four and then win a trophy on top of that,” said Wenger, whose FA Cup success last term ended a nine-year trophy drought.

“We want always to be in the Champions League and this season it will be very difficult, because it’s very tight if you look at the table, every game now becomes a cup game.”

Having won the FA Cup five times in his time as Arsenal manager, it remains a competition Wenger wants to do well in.

Ramsey gets ‘Kick It Out’ backing

C

hris Ramsey’s appointment as QPR manager until the end of the season will give Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) coaches the belief they can succeed, according to football’s inclusion campaign Kick It Out. Ramsey has been tasked with keeping QPR in the Premier League, two days after guiding the club to victory at Sunderland following a run of 13 consecutive away league defeats.

Around 30 per cent of league footballers are non-white, yet

Ramsey becomes only the sixth non-white manager amongst the 92 league clubs, and the only one in the Premier League.

And Kick It Out Professional Players Engagement Manager Paul Mortimer insists aspiring BAME coaches can take heart from seeing Ramsey at the helm of a Premier League club.

“I think it’s fabulous it’s a great step forward, Chris is an incredibly positive role model and first and foremost he is a fantastic coach with experience of management,” Mortimer said.

YY

arri Wolves will today confront RC Bobo Dioulasso in far away Burkina Faso for their first round, first leg match of the CAF Confederation Cup. And Chief Coach of the Delta State-owned club, Paul Aigbogun, has assured that Wolves will make Nigeria proud in this year’s tournament.

Speaking before their departure, ahead of today’s battle, Aigbogun said although the team did not do well at the recently held Glo Super 6, he believes the team is battle ready for the challenge.

“We are determined to begin our campaign in the continent on an inspiring note and I’m impressed with the response of my players to the task ahead.

“The team did not jell during the Super 6 because we were experimenting with some new and old players in camp, but the event helped us to sharpen our players. Things are fast chang-

Aigbogun

I’ntl friendly: F/Eagles battle Black Satellites …Ikpeme upbeat

Paul Erewuba

N y Ramse

ing as the problems noticed in the pre-season tournament in Abuja have been looked into. I’m very positive the club will do well in the Confederation Cup”, Aigbogun explained.

Our correspondent gathered that a delegation of 18 players and nine officials flew to Burkina Faso for today’s encounter.

The players are: goalkeepers Daniel Akpeyi and Okiemute Odah, Goodluck Onamado, Eyimofe Joseph, Semiu Liadi, Monday Osagie, Oke Ogagotewho and Ibenegbu ‘Mosquito’Ikechukwu.

Others include Micheal Egbeta, Michael Okoyoh, Joseph Osadiaye, Stanley Dimgba, Abu Azeez and Bright Akpojuvwewo.

igeria Football Federation (NFF) Deputy Secretary General, Emmanuel Ikpeme, has expressed confidence over the Flying Eagles friendly encounter against their Ghanaian counterparts in Accra on Monday, saying the Garba Manu-tutored squad will come out victorious.

Ikpeme, who is the leader of the Nigerian delegation to Ghana, said this before the team

left Nigerian shores on Friday for Accra, for the two friendly matches.

Both teams are preparing for next month’s African Youth Championship in Senegal.

The Flying Eagles first test game against the Black Satellites is fixed for Monday, 16 February, at the Accra Sports Stadium, while the second match has been fixed for Thursday at the Tema Sports Stadium.

The 22-man Flying Eagles squad reportedly, flew into Kotoka International Airport in Accra by 5pm local time, which is 6pm Nigerian time.

N I G E R I A

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Vol. 5 No. 7

Sunday February 15, 2015

Back Page

Comment E-mail:

nwaunah@yahoo.com Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Dean, School of Languages and General Studies, The Premier University of Sao Tome and Principe

with Jim Unah

I

n the ongoing campaigns for the 2015 general elections, now rescheduled for March 28 and April 11, virtually all the democratic institutions and other institutions of society that support democracy in the country have been rubbished as compromised by the major contending political parties, especially the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, and the coalition of opposition parties, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in their desperation to regain or capture political power, respectively.

For the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had credibility and was well-prepared for the elections on the originally scheduled date of February 14, in spite of the evident lopsided distribution of the Permanent Voters’ Cards, PVCs, and the large number of qualified voters about to be disenfranchised for no fault of their own. Yet, as soon as the INEC saw reason to shift the date on security report and the need to improve its logistics and interface properly with members of the public, the APC

www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Politicians as threat to democracy

denounced the electoral umpire, INEC, as reduced in credibility and compromised.

Similarly, for the PDP, the INEC appeared to be caving in to the pressure from the opposition when it kept insisting that it was fully ready to conduct election on the originally scheduled date, the tensed atmosphere surrounding the distribution of the PVCs notwithstanding. Under the circumstances, how could the electoral institution ever earn the trust and confidence of Nigerians? Even the security forces, especially the military, have come under fire for warning of the dangers that lurk around should the February date not be shifted, as the threats from disenfranchised citizens could further fuel and complicate the insurgency factor militating against the successful conduct of the elections.

To make matters worse, there is an advertorial in which the APC has been said to threaten to form a parallel government should it be rigged out (or is it fail to win?) by the PDP. In that same advertorial, the APC ruled out the question of going to court since they feel that the courts have been compromised. Yet, the courts have given justice to candidates of both parties at different times, perhaps, as the facts of the cases dictated. How could the politicians publicly renounce faith in the support institutions of democracy whenever they are at a disadvantage, but praise the same institutions only when they get a fair

deal? How could we ever grow our democratic institutions and culture under the circumstances?

Again, it is the same institutions, badly vilified, that the opposition will rely on to run the affairs of state whenever they capture political power. If the politicians are not called to order by a coalition of civil society groups and the press, by constantly reminding them to keep within the tenets of decorous language in selling their programmes to the electorate, they will ultimately truncate democracy and make a mess of the civil order.

The dispensation is such that if the PDP is not accusing the APC of scheming to hack into the INEC database, it would be the APC celebrating victory without the ballot and bad-mouthing the PDP of being too terrified of the prospect of losing election. All of this, needless to say, unduly over-heats the political temperature of the country. As far as the APC is concerned, it has gathered so much momentum in its rallies that losing to the ruling party is inconceivable. Likewise, the PDP is so convinced that it has done so well in repositioning the national economy that any talk of losing to the opposition is balderdash. This is still within reasonable limits.

The wicked and politically very dangerous aspect of the contestations is not about how to get the job of good governance really done for the benefit of the citizens of

Usain Bolt sets 2017 retirement date

J

amaican sprinter Usain Bolt says he will retire from athletics after the 2017 World Championships in London.

The 28-year-old six-time Olympic gold medalist also says that he will just focus on the 100m in 2017.

Bolt had suggested that the Rio Games in 2016 would be his last major championship but he now appears to have changed his mind to make a return to London.

“That was the initial plan to sign off after Rio,” he told the Daily Mail.

“But my sponsor has asked me to go on for another year; to 2017 and London.

Usain Bolt’s honours include six Olympic gold medals: 100m, 200m & 4x100m - Beijing 2008;

N40

bn, amount the bn, , money the Nigerian National Katsina State Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, is government asked the Debt to spend on rehabilitation of ailing refineries.

Management Office, DMO, to refund.

100m, 200m & 4x100m - London 2012. Eight World Championship gold medals: 100, 200m & 4x100m - Berlin 2009; 200m & 4x100m Daegu 2011; 100, 200m & 4x100m - Moscow 2013 and One Commonwealth Games gold medal in 4x100m at Glasgow 2014 Bolt’s main focus for 2015 will be the World Championships in

Beijing from 22-30 August where he will be looking to add to his haul of eight world gold and the 28-year-old also has one eye on breaking his own 100m world record of 9.58 seconds, set in Berlin in 2009.

“But I’ll be doing one event, the 100. I’ve already discussed it with my coach. I can concen-

trate on that, and on retiring on a winning note.”

“If everything goes well this season; in my life anything is possible. If I can get myself in good shape, it should be wonderful this season,” he added. “I live for competition. I thrive on competition and I live to compete against the best.”

the country. The wicked and dangerous aspect is the incendiary advertorials, in both the print and electronic media, often loaded with out-of-context half-truths that ruthlessly assassinate the character of targeted candidates. This political shootto-kill strategy of electioneering advertorials has been the stock-in-trade of both the PDP and the APC in the ongoing contestations. Look at how badly the PDP has caricatured General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC and how terribly the APC has rubbished President Goodluck Jonathan of the ruling PDP. Yet, one of them is supposed to emerge, at the end of the election, as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria! How very disgraceful!

From their indecorous, foul and provocative utterances, and their hyper-aggressive, daredevil modes of mobilization and sensitizations of the electorate as well as the confounding allegations and counter allegations that they trade against one another and against established institutions of society such as the security apparatus, the INEC and the Judiciary, the politicians appear hell bent on dragging the nation, once again, to the brink of a precipice.

And the mass media—the Fourth Estate of the Realm—that ought to mediate the contest responsibly, is aiding, in no small measure, to fan the embers of discord and acrimony which could easily snowball into open anarchy.

African youths set to rumble in Niamey P. 61 ENGLISH FA RESULTS West Brom 4-0 West Ham Blackburn 4-1 Stoke Derby 1-2 Reading Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool

Today’s Matches Aston Vila v Leicester 12: 30 Bradford v Sunderland 14: 30 Arsenal v M/borough 16: 00

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