Binder1

Vol. 5 No. 45

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2015

NEWS

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National Mirror Online

SPORT

Orubebe summoned U-17 World Cup:

by Code of Conduct Eaglets dare Tribunal Brazil in Chile

P.45

@NationalMirror

TOP STORY

Saraki must face Tribunal —A’Court P. 8

PDP alleges plot to manipulate Kogi, Bayelsa elections

Doctors celebrating Physicians Week in Lagos, yesterday.

h it d Ju P.26

P. 7

...says Buhari interfering with judiciary, legislature, INEC, DSS

Stop whining, rebrand or go down —APC tells PDP P. 7

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144 virgins to host Olumba Obu

Assets declaration:

Sealxk

N150

What do you know about sex?

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

Top Stories

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Oyerinde murder update

Ugolor writes IGP, demands return of property

Sebastine Ebhuomhan

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wo weeks after an Edo State High Court of Justice awarded the Executive Director of Africa Network on Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Reverend David Ugolor, a compensation of N1.

02million against the Nigeria Police Force for damages, the beneficiary has formally written the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, demanding the court-ordered return of his seized properties. The letter that was personally signed and stamped by the chambers of Ugolor’s lawyer, Mr. Olayiwola Afolabi, and made available to Saturday Mirror in Benin City, was copied to the Chairman of Police Service Commission, Sir Mike Okiro, along with an attachment of the judgment of Honourable Justice E. O. Ahamioje that ordered the Police to return all his property seized during investigation. The letter traced the genesis of the death of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s Principal Private Secretary in May 2012, and the sequential reactions to the death, including arrest, detention, discharge and acquittal of Ugolor and award of judgment compensations for a poor and inconclusive investigation carried out by the then DCP Chris Ezike-led Police special investigative team from Abuja. The letter stated, “We are writing this letter to you due to the following reasons.

“1. As the head of the Police force in the country, we are of the view that you should be aware of these crucial facts, which have generated serious tension in the country. 2. Till date, our client’s properties have not been released to him despite the court judgment. 3. Our client will not want to file contempt proceedings, which can be an embarrassment to the image of the Police which you have tried to improve upon.

Ugolor

“We therefore, humbly urge you sir to comply with the above-said judgment by releasing the properties of our client. Thank you sir in anticipation,” the letter concluded.

When Saturday Mirror called Mr. Ezike last week on his mobile telephone to react to the judgment, he replied that he could not say anything on the judgment until our correspondent brings the certified true copy with him to his office at the Edo State Police Command, where he is now Commissioner of Police.

Justice Ahamioje, who lashed Nigeria Police Force for not defending the latest suit instituted by Ugolor, awarded the claimant N1.02m compensation for damages arising from poor police investigation of the death of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, the then Principal Private Secretary to Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole.

144 virgins to host Olumba Obu Richard Ndoma CALABAR

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bout one hundred and 144 virgins from the Olumba Obu`s fold are warming up to organize a lavish banquet for their father in the lord, Leader Olumba Olumba Obu, to mark his birthday which comes up in November.

Speaking to journalists on the theme for this year`s birthday activity, which a close source to Olumba Obu, said would be centered on “World Peace” at the Headquarters of the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star in Calabar.

Chairman Planning Committee, Dr. Goodnews Brownson, said that this year father’s birthday celebration is earmarked to impact much on the less privileged like orphans and prison inmates, and award scholarships to indigent and intelligent students to pursue undergraduate programmes at the nation`s tertiary institutions.

Brother Goodnews maintained that Obu`s birthday marking would attract dignitaries from the Nigeria`s entertainment industry like Nollywood stars, captains of industries, business tycoons, academic icons and religious adherents from various denominations.

According to him, top on the agenda would be welfare visitations which had been packaged to bring succour to under privileged people, adding that Olumba would use the opportunity to consolidate on his support to orphanages and prisons, including scholarship awards to indigent people.

The Planning Committee Chairman enumerated Obu`s

Olumba Obu

strides to include establishment of orphanage called Mother Theresa`s Home (The Redeemed Home) where he is catering for over one hundred children and Brotherhood colleges in Nigeria including some economic ventures to support them.

Dr. Goodnews maintained that the event will create a platform for friends and associates of Olumba Obu to dine with the father.

The compensation brings to a total of N6.02m costs that Ugolor has been awarded for an obvious poor investigation carried out by a police ‘special team’ constituted from the Force Headquarters in Abuja to unravel the murder of Oyerinde and dispatched under the leadership of the then DCP Chris Ezike. It might also be recalled that after Justice Helen Ogunwumiju of the Court of Appeal upheld the judgment of Justice Esther Edigin of Edo State High Court, which awarded Ugolor N5 million for illegal detention and torture, the Police thereafter launched an appeal at the Supreme Court in suit: CA/B/360/12 and backed as suit: B/496M/2012, seeking not to pay the costs. Police appeal is still pending at the apex court. Afolabi listed the seized items as: one Blackberry handset, one Samsung handset, two Nokia handsets, one Ipad; a UBA Plc cheque book number 33788914; two GLO SIM card packs with serial number 8923450102110592270f, 892345010211091377944 and07055246658; two MTN welcome SIM packs: 89234010000818685403 and 8923401000081868511; SIM lines: 08060376683, 08065463138, 08037678217 and 08162496596 as well as one Airtel SIM card.

Court slams 84 years imprisonment on 7 oil thieves Wale Igbintade

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Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday, convicted and sentenced seven men to 84 years imprisonment for illegal and unlawful dealing in 1,459 metric tons of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol.

Justice Okon Abang sentenced each of the convicts to 12 years jail terms respectively.

The convicts are Adedamola Ogungbayi; Olaniran Olabode; Suraju Gasali; Moses Emmanuel; Wilson Bonsi; Okaraodi Uche and Onyeogo Happy.

Justice Abang in his judgement also ordered the forfeiture of the vessel, MT Good Success, used by the convicts in stealing the said petroleum product, as well as the recovered petroleum product to the Federal Government.

Furthermore, the judge ordered the forfeiture of the sums of N66.6m and $975,000 belonging to the convicts’ company, Hepa Global Energy Limited, domiciled with the First City Monument Bank to the Federal Government.

Justice Abang ordered the filing of an affidavit of compliance with the order within 21 days of the judgment.

The seven convicts, their vessel and company had on August 28, 2014 been re-arraigned on five counts before Abang, alongside one Padoun Jacob, who was on Friday discharged and acquitted by the court.

The judge, in setting Jacob free on all the five counts, described him as a desperate job seeker, who became a victim of circumstances.

The judge noted that the stolen petroleum product had been loaded before Jacob was employed by Hepa Global Energy Limited on February 7, 2014.

“The guilty should not escape punishment, but the innocent should not be punished,” the judge held.

He, however, described the other convicts as enemies of the corporate existence of Nigeria, who had contributed to the economic woes of the country.

The judge said: “The convicts have no sympathy for the corporate existence of this country. The seed of wrongdoing may be sown in secret, but the harvest cannot be concealed. Today is the day of reckoning.

“You call it oil bunkering or pipeline vandalism; this menace has reached an alarming proportion in this country; enough is enough.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 31, 2015

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Construction Sector crash:

What really went wrong?

When the Nigerian Economy was rebased in 2012, the construction sector, according to policy analysts, was touted as the industry to watch out for as the key attraction for investment into the country. Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo and other major cities of the country became sprawling construction sites with its attendant economic gains. But with the recent lull in the sector, necessitating massive layoff of workers; cut back in investments and consequent stalling of major infrastructure construction, it may well appear that the bubble has burst too soon. What exactly could have led to the lull in this promising industry in the last five months, asks NICK UWERU.

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he last three months for construction workers at the Eko Atlantic City project has been testy.

They have had to contend with a rash of pay cuts. Some of them had lost their jobs as a result of downsizing. On a few instances though, they have had to engage in open demonstrations along the Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Isalnd Lagos. But the big fear now is an ongoing speculation that no less than 400 work-

ers would be disengaged from work by December this year. The speculation has created no small disquiet.

“My brother, this is what has been giving us sleepless nights for the past one week,” stated Osagie Obafemi, a crane operator speaking to Saturday Mirror, at the site.

Eko Atlantic City is one of Africa’s largest single city construction projects. It is also ambitious, too.

The city under construction, sits on what used to be

the Lagos end of Atlantic Ocean. In a massive land reclamation project undertaken by the state government, the entire beach stretching from what used to be Bar Beach down to Kuramo and far into the sea was sand filled, reconstructed with road infrastructures, electricity and other amenities. The land has since been CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

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‘Construction workers losing their jobs’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Construction Works in a lull at a road construction site.

parcelled out and sold. Though estimates are inchoate, the property might well fetch an annual income of $56 billion into the Lagos State coffers after its completion.

But with the distress signals manifested by workers’ discontent and the strong speculation of possible lay off of workers, it may well appear that this investment is in jeopardy. Even so, workers at the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) are also feeling the hit of what appears to be a recession. Recently, the workers on to protest over what they said were unlawful sack and poor wage by the management of the company. No fewer than 100 workers barricaded the Iganmu office of the company in Lagos to protest their sack by the CCECC management.

Some of the workers who spoke to news men at the office located inside the national Theatre Complex said they were disenchanted with the manner which the management disengaged them. Mr Simon Uje, one of the workers said that they were aggrieved because they were sacked without notice by the company handling the Lagos State Government rail project.

“We came to work on Monday and today we resumed for duty only to be told that our services are no longer needed.

A worker will resume and work by 8 a.m. and close at 12 p.m. and the person will be sacked without pay and no prior information. This is sad,’’ Uje said.

Another worker, Mr Rufus Adebayo said that they worked every day for a month without an off day and received between N30,000 and N35,000.

“The workers have no free day. Some of us have worked with the company for four to five years but there is no condition of service and no letter of appointment,’’ Adebayo said.

Another, Mr Bello Yusuf, said that the workers do not have basic welfare package such as a health scheme to protect them because of the hazards of the job.

Yusuf said that monthly, N600 was being deducted from their salary as union due, but the workers’ rights are not well represented. He appealed to the CCECC management to properly remunerate and provide better work environment for them.

Next is Julius Berger, Nigeria’s foremost construction giant. As a result of a drop in its earnings, the company resolved to sack five percent of its workers. The profile of the company is attributable to N90 billion debt owed the company by both private and public organisations and over N34 billion which the firm borrowed from commercial

We came to work on Monday and today we resumed for duty only to be told that our services are no longer needed.

A worker will resume and work by 8 a.m. and close at 12 p.m. and the person will be sacked without pay or prior information.

banks.

The management of the company in a public forum used this to buttress the reason why the debt burden has forced it to dismiss about five per cent of its workforce as well as resort to commercial bank loans to sustain its business in the Nigeria.

During the company’s 45th yearly meeting in Abuja recently, the Chairman, Air vice Marshall Mohammed Nurudeen Imam (rtd.) noted that the present status of the company has led to the company announcing the reduc-

This is sad! tion in its turnover from N212.7 billion in 2013 to N196.808 billion in the 2014 financial year. The figure difference represents a decline of seven per cent.

“While I can report that sites performed satisfactorily, operations faced many difficulties in general. The foremost challenges were direct fallout of economic trends in Nigeria. The economy was hit by various factors simultaneously; the unfortunate but well managed EBOLA Virus, the failing crude oil price at the international markets and the adCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

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‘Construction companies critical to economy’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

justment of the Naira are but a few.

“Such serious issues adversely influenced the business climate as well as financial budgets and subsequent funding nationwide and resulted in overall downward trend which picked up momentum by the third quarter of the year. The situation led to on-going delay in payments by major clients especially in the public sector and therefore negative cash flow issues, causing the higher financial cost,” said Imam.

Explaining further, Imam said that in order to guarantee financial viability, the management made tremendous efforts to reduce outstanding payments and to strengthen cash flow. The chairman stated also that in spite of the tight operating condition, Julius Berger’s turnover is still stable with only a slight reduction from the previous reporting year.

“Consequently the Board of Directors is able to maintain dividends at the same level as the prior reporting year at N2.70 per ordinary share. Approved bonus shares of one new ordinary share for every ten existing ordinary shares already held were actualized in the 2014 financial year, resulting in an increased total gross dividend payout of N3.56 billion.”

Imam and other stakeholders in the construction industry are not just lamenting over a fate peculiar to them, rather, their experiences are part of the general recession that hit the construction sector as recent of the distress in the economy. No fewer than 60, 000 construction workers have lost their jobs in the last four months says National Union of Civil Engineering Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers (NUCECFWW). The union’s President, Comrade Amechi Asugwuni, blamed the development on the country’s economic downturn.

He described the development as a minus to the country’s quest to create jobs, grow the economy and add value to people’s lives. Asugwuni deplored the infrastructural deficit in the country, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to address the problem and other social vices to reduce poverty, joblessness and insecurity. “The economy is slowing, and promised infrastructural reforms are taking too long to implement, as over 60,000 of our workers have lost their jobs as a result of infrastructural deficit in the last four months,” he said.

The union called on the Federal Government to unfold its blueprint on infrastructural reforms to accelerate economic growth. Asugwuni said there

An overhead bridge abandoned in Abuja.

The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, for instance, puts post-re-basing contributions of the Nigerian construction sector to Gross Domestic Product, GDP, at N5.7 billion in three years. was no way the government could create jobs without focussing on infrastructural development.

His words: “We have not seen the blueprint of the government on infrastructure, but we want to urge the Federal and the state government to channel the same effort used in fighting corruption into infrastructural development.

“We believe that Buhari would re-activate all uncompleted projects. The tar-

get of any government will not just be on construction of roads, it would be on the development of every other sector of the country. ”As a result of the lapses observed in contract awards and execution by previous governments, we are calling on President Buhari to constitute a monitoring committee to check anti-labour practices by employers and poor execution of contracts.”

To tackle the nation’s economic problems, the union suggested jobs creation through infrastructural development; re-activation of on-going projects to stimulate employment and extensive rail/road networks construction, among others.

The unionist has not spoken in riddles. With the rebased economy, the construction sector of the economy has become a major contributor to the national wealth. The National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, for instance puts Nigeria’s post-re-basing contributions of the construction sector to Gross Domestic Product, GDP, at N5.7 billion in three years.

NBS, in its summary report of 2010, 2011 and 2012 fiscal years on the Construction industry, disclosed that in 2010, the sector contributed N1.570 billion, a value which leaped by 21.30 per cent to reach N1.905 billion in 2011.

The industry’s contributions closed at N2.188 billion in 2012, bringing the total contribution of the sector to GDP to N5.7 billion.

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‘Absence of policy direction hurting stakeholders’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 Construction activities captured in the report include construction of buildings, roads, railways as well as civil engineering projects. Others are construction of utility projects, demolitions as well as site preparations, among others.

Chief Executive Officer, InstinctWave, Mr. Akin Naphtal, further added that the nation’s construction industry contributes about 3.2 per cent to GDP. This contribution, he noted, cannot be neglected because it has become a veritable index in terms of employment generation for both skilled and unskilled manpower.

This, Napthal said, is an indication that construction industry has seen considerable growth, especially considering its 1.3 per cent growth in 2012. This development has made the industry to be recognised as Africa’s sector largest market which is also expected to grow at the fastest rate in the world through 2020. Factors such as a growing population, rapid urbanisation and rising demand for housing and infrastructure, were identified for this development.

These are not just mere talk, especially when considering economic activities in the sector after the rebasing of the economy.

Let us take Abuja, after Eko Atlantic City, for instance. With one of its three towers currently standing at 36 storey out of a possible 50 as projected, there can be no doubt that the World Trade Center, WTC, Abuja, is a highly ambitious architectural masterpiece under construction. The WTC would be a vivid landmark on the Abuja landscape. Its other accompanying towers would end at 25 or 35 when completed.

Situated in Garki, the three towers are meant to be seen from every corner of the FCT by a first timer in the country’s capital. Fashioned after the New York international business hub that was brought down by terrorist strike in 2011 the trade center in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, will have large expanse of office complexes, shopping mall with a major train terminal terminating within its parameters.

But more than the architectural splendour it is meant to put on the FCT landscape, the WTC, showcases federal government’s drive to to attract investment from within and without the country. Apart from going through the trouble of securing the title right to name the project a WTC, the rash of business plans, policy implementation and drive to complete the project before the end of 2015 underscores a steely resolve to make the FCT an investment haven.

For instance, its choice of Church-

Lokoja-Okene road still under construction.

The economy is slowing down, and promised infrastructural reforms are taking too long to implement.

Over

60,000 of our workers have lost their jobs as a result of infrastructural deficit in the last four months

gate, an international conglomerate in property development as partner for the project proved an astute one. Between the FCT administration through its Abuja Investment Company Limited, AICL, they were able to raise $1.2 billion for the project.

Also, the partnership has been beneficial to the FCT’s purse because Churchgate had to raise the bulk of the money while the country’s counterpart funding came in form of land charges waivers.

“It is private-government project under the PPP arrangement. But they are partnering with us. The land is ours,

we leased it to them, it is a lease agreement. And it has a reversionary period,” explained Musa Ahmed Musa, Chief Executive officer of the AICL. Preliminary projection on returns on investment also looks good. Property market, according to experts, is quite uncertain, but with FCT’s WTC, the estimate is that initial capital could be recouped within six months.

Apart from the WTC, AICL is also currently developing a property investment hub it tagged as Abuja Down Town Development Project, ADTDP. This is

another cluster of development. ADTDP is a 14 hectares stretch of property development scheme that will include housing, office spaces, conference centres and tourist attractions. Situated opposite Federal Secretariat, Abuja, the project is another public private partnership like the WTC. By the arrangement, FCT will own will own 10 percent of the equity. The ADTDP is another $2.6 billion project.

Apart from these two projects, AITCL has since completed 39 housing apartments meant to be sold. Without going to the bank to borrow money, the company invested N1 billion in the property business. When sold, AICL expects to recoup as much as N3 billion, more than half of what the country made in three years in the sector according to NBS figures.

There are strong basis for this projection. Investors willing to come into the country will necessarily want to make Abuja its destination. They will require, offices, official residence. Even so, the architectural masterpieces that the WTC and ADTDP themselves are poised to draw tourists. This is where world class retail shopping mall will find reasons to be at the WTC. But going by the trend in the construction sector, would all these be mere projections?

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 31, 2015

NATIONAL NEWS

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PDP alleges plot to manipulate Kogi, Bayelsa elections

...says Buhari interfering with judiciary, legislature, INEC, DSS Obiora Ifoh, ABUJA

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he People Democratic Party, PDP has said it has uncovered clandestine moves by

the governing All Progressive Congress, APC, to use various agencies of government to manipulate the processes and rig the outcome of the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi

and Bayelsa states in their favour.

The party also said that undue interferences by the executive arm of government on the activities of the judiciary, legislature

and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC using the Directorate of States Services (DSS) are unacceptable to it as well as the Nigerian people.

In a Communiqué Issued

L-R: General Manager, Regulatory Affairs, MTN, Mrs. Oyeronke Oyetunde; Chairman of the occasion, Eng. Ernest Ndukwe; Director General, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Emeka Mba and Ag. General Manager, Corporate Affairs, MTN, Chineze Gbenga-Oluwatoye, during the Nigerian Telecom Impact Forum tagged, “How Telecoms can contribute 25% to the GDP by 2025” in Lagos, yesterday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

Rebrand or go down —APC tells PDP T he All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed the communique issued by the PDP National Caucus on the so-called political developments in the nation as a rehash of the opposition party’s infantile whining which will not save it from going down unless it rebrands most urgently. ‘’It is time for the PDP to take a long, hard look at itself in the mirror and change everything that is ugly about the party, instead of wasting its energy and time on irrelevancies,’’ the party said in a statement issued in Lagos on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

It said the PDP cannot continue to do things in its trademark old, crooked ways and expect a different result. ‘’The PDP just doesn’t get it, despite being the architect of its own fall from power. The days of winning elections with the aid of slush funds, brigandage, deceit and rigging are gone forever, hence the PDP

must return to the drawing board to fashion out decent and empirical ways of repackaging and selling itself to Nigerians, just like the opposition did when they decided to come together,’’ APC said.

The party said the PDP’s ceaseless and ill-advised attack on the judiciary, now its favourite whipping boy, the endless put-down of government agencies and the demonization of everyone but itself will fetch the party nothing but political grief. ‘’Instead of a blanket and unsubstantiated accusation against the judiciary over the election petition tribunal rulings in Rivers and Akwa Ibom, the PDP would have shown itself to be a serious party if it had provided statistics on how many of the cases filed at the various election petition tribunals nationwide, after the 2015 elections, have so far been decided in favour of the PDP and the APC, so that Nigerians can see whether the PDP has not won any single petition or whether all the cases

have been won by the APC. ‘’The PDP has forgotten that the same judiciary that it is willfully castigating today had decided many election petitions in favour of the party and against the APC, whether at the Governorship, National Assembly or State Assembly levels, and the ruling party has not opted to bring the whole house crashing down on everyone just because of that. ‘’Going down the memory lane, when the PDP took itself to court in 2007 over the Governorship election in Rivers, the same judiciary that has now become an apparition to the PDP awarded the Governorship to a candidate who never even featured on the ballot because the party crookedly substituted his name.

Then, the PDP did not see the judiciary as being used by the then PDP Administration, neither did the opposition castigate the judiciary,’’ it said.

APC admonished the PDP to stop yowling and engage in strategic thinking that could propel the party forward, rather than con-

tinue to be nostalgic about its past, which is neither dignifying nor enlivening. ‘’The 16 years of the PDP - which the party has continued to shamelessly celebrate - are nothing to celebrate, either for the impunity that characterized the party’s governance, the massive looting of the national treasury that is still being assessed or the bastardization of all the values that the nation holds dear.

Thankfully, President Muhammadu Buhari has brought sanity to governance even as the PDP has continued to try to distract him with their endless wailing. ‘’Our parting word for the PDP: Stop throwing juvenile tantrums against everyone, especially the judiciary. Stop wasting your energy on frivolous accusations. Learn how to communicate your thoughts to Nigerians in a more civilized way and put your shoulder to the wheel if you want to reincarnate as a force to be reckoned with in our country’s political firmament,’’ APC said.

at the end of PDP National Caucus Meeting, held on Thursday night in Abuja, the party vowed to deploy every means within the law to resist such moves by the party in government.

In a release signed by the National Secretary of the party, Prof. Adewale Oladipo, the PDP National Caucus said that there is serious cause for concern in the nation’s political environment, especially as it concerns the survival of the nation’s democracy.

The communique read in part, “That the gains recorded in the 16 years of nurturing of democracy in the country by the PDP is rapidly being eroded with non-functioning of basic tenets of democracy and perpetuation of actions tilting towards dictatorship.

“That the insensitivity of the ruling government to very critical issues being raised by the opposition is a huge threat to viable democracy and dangerous to the peace, unity and progress of the country.

“That the undue interferences by the executive arm of government on the activities of the judiciary, legislature and INEC using the Directorate of States Services (DSS) is clearly unacceptable to the PDP as well as the Nigerian people and the party resolved to vigorously resist such.

“That the party finds it offensive and provocative, the judiciary’s handling of cases involving it in election tribunals in some states, particularly, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Imo, Taraba, Ogun, Plateau and Lagos states. The tainted judgments of these tribunals, which are evidently products of arm-twisting from the nation’s security operatives under the direct command of an APC member remains unacceptable to us.

“The PDP states that the conclusive evidence of external influence on the Rivers State governorship election tribunal is the fact that it was able to deliver its judgment within 24 hours, in a case that had nearly

100 witnesses, 1000 pieces of documentary evidences and nine counsel’s final written addresses; each not less than 40 pages.

The decision, in view of the rather interesting history of the case, indicates that the judiciary, like the PDP and the Nigerian electorate are victims of the APC-led Federal Government.

“The party expects the judiciary, as an institution to restore its image by taking immediate measures to protect itself from political interferences as well as ensure that needed steps are taken at the appellate levels to remedy the embarrassing ruling by some of the election petitions tribunals.

“The party has also noted clandestine moves by the APC to use various agencies of government, to manipulate the processes and rig the outcome of the forthcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states in their favour and vowed to deploy every means within the law to resist such.

“That the party calls on President Muhammadu Buhari, as the leader of the country, to stand up for justice and equity and halt the undemocratic attitudes of agents of government in the interest of peace and stability.

“Furthermore, we salute the courage and unity of purpose of our senators especially as demonstrated in the Senate chambers today in their collective stand against impunity and corruption, in line with the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian people. The PDP states that what the APC senators did today is a death knell on their party’s pretentious war against corruption.

“The PDP further notes that whilst former APC governors are being rewarded with ministerial appointments, their PDP counterparts are being hounded and harassed in the selective war against corruption.”

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NATIONAL NEWS

OCTOBER 31, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Assets declaration: Saraki Buhari mourns must face CCT —Appeal Court Pwajok

Worshippers defy blast, turn out en masse at Yola Mosques .... as Judges disagree over ruling uslim wor-

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shippers on Friday defied last week’s bombing that killed over 30 people to attend prayers at the Jambutu Central Mosque.

Worshippers turned out en masse at the mosque for the Jumaát prayers and the seventhday prayer in honour of those people killed in the blast.

The Chief Imam of the mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Awwal Ibn Usmna, led prayers at the mosque.

In his sermon, the Chief Imam commiserated with families of those who lost their lives. He told the worshippers to defy fears and threats of attacks, saying they were meant, “to stop us worshipping, and by Allah’s grace, they will not succeed. We should continue to remain steadfast and security conscious.

“You have demonstrated resilience and belief in the religion, because in spite of last Friday’s bomb blast outside this mosque, during which many lives were lost, I can see an unprecedented turn out of worshippers at the mosque.

A worshipper, Abubakar Ahmad, after observing the prayers said he was not apprehensive.

“I felt at home while praying to Allah to expose those behind the attack on our mosque and several other attacks on innocent Nigerians.

Rotimi Fadeyi

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overnor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele yesterday disclosed that more items that can be produced in the county may be excluded from accessing foreign exchange for import.

According to him, though the CBN does not have the power to ban the import of any item, what the apex bank had done is to exclude certain items that are imported into the country from obtaining

Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

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embers of the three-man panel of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal yesterday expressed different views over the trial of the Senate President Olubukola Saraki at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on false assets declaration.

In a split decision of two Justices against one, the Appeal Court held that the charge against Saraki was in order. But Justice Joseph Ekanem disagreed with the verdict, saying there was no evidence before the court that the Deputy Director in the Ministry of Justice, M. S. Hassan, has the authority of either the AGF or the Solicitor-General of the Federation to file the charge against Saraki.

Justice Ekanem premised his decision on a letter dated Sept 11, 2015 that Hassan wrote to the

tribunal to apply for the trial of Saraki.

According to him, the tone of the letter, which read in part, “I hereby apply for the prosecution of the accused person before this tribunal as per the attached charge,” shows clearly that he did not have the authority of the Solicitor-General before filing the charge, The Judge said where a word is not ambiguous and it is plain and clear, as in this case, that the proceeding was initiated by Hassan, it should not be difficult to arrive at a conclusion that Section 24 of the CCB and Tribunal Act 2004 has been breached by the said M.S Hassan.

On that ground, Justice Ekanem set aside the charge against Saraki and also discharged him from being prosecuted.

The court however dismissed the appeal filed by the Senate President, Olubukola Saraki, challenging the legality of his tri-

al at the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on false assets declaration.

Justice Moore Adumein, who delivered the lead judgement, however faulted the mode of service of the charge on the Senate President.

He held that according to Law, the accused person must be served personally with the criminal charge as preferred against him.

Adumein said the issue of service was a fundamental one and a foundation upon which a trial will be laid. He noted, however, that although Saraki was not properly served, his counsel failed to raise the issue before the CCT and therefore resolved the issue in favour of the prosecution.

Justice Adumein and Mohammed Mustapha who shared the same views also held that M. S. Hassan, being an officer in the temple of justice

President Muhammadu Buhari addressing the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit at the Indra Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi, India on Thursday .

PHOTO: NAN

and a member of the Bar, could not have initiated the trial without the authority of the appropriate person.

The two justices said that the tribunal was right in assuming jurisdiction in the matter because the chairman of the tribunal and member have no cause to disbelieve M. S. Hassan on whether he has the authority of the Solicitor General or not, having come from the Federal Ministry of Justice as a deputy director.

They also dismissed the claim of Saraki that his trial was unlawful, having not been initiated by the person of the AGF, adding that the Law Officers of the Federation Act was clear that in the absence of the AGF, the Solicitor-General of the federation may assume the function of the office of the AGF. They also dismissed another claim of Saraki that the tribunal did not form quorum of three membership, as the Justices noted that although the constitution was silent on the quorum, the Interpretation Act, a veritable legal tool, has smoothly settled the matter with a provision that two members can sit in any tribunal matter and also agreed with the prosecution that the tribunal has limited criminal jurisdiction.

They dismissed the appeal and ordered that Senate President, Bukola Saraki, should go back to the Tribunal to face his trial.

More items may be excluded from accessing foreign exchange —Emefiele

• Says rate of importation must be reduced foreign exchange from the Nigerian foreign exchange market.

Speaking with State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Emefiele said, “Very soon, the CBN would launch a campaign called PAVE, which means: “Produce locally, add value and export your product and earn your for-

eign exchange for your imports’’ According to him, “This is the only way we can support the efforts of CBN in intervening and providing foreign exchange in the market to meet the import needs of our people.”

“I must confess that at this stage, given the determination of some of the organ-

ised sectors to say that yes, they produce these items and that we should exclude those items from foreign exchange, we are reviewing that list and we may in due course include more items that can be produced in Nigeria in the list of items that will be excluded from foreign exchange in the Nigerian foreign exchange market,” he added.

On the devaluation of the naira, Emefiele said, “There is no intention to depreciate or adjust the currency any longer.

The President has been very clear on this, the Vice President has been very clear on this and let me further reiterate our position at the Central Bank of Nigeria that we are not considering any

Rotimi Fadeyi

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resident Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of the immediate past senator representing Plateau North senatorial district and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the April 11, 2015 election, Senator Gyang Pwajok.

A statement issued yesterday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said Buhari, who received the news of Pwajok’s death in the course of his official engagement in India, offered heartfelt condolences to his family, the government and people of Plateau State on the passage of their illustrious son.

The President says Pwajok’s demise is a great loss, not only to Plateau State but Nigeria as a whole, given his invaluable contributions to the enthronement of peace in his state and development of the country.

“His life touched so many people. He was loved by so many. That is why there is grief all over the Plateau State and many parts of the country,” the President said.

Buhari prayed God to comfort all who mourn Pwajok and grant his soul eternal rest.

further depreciation of the currency.

“What we are trying to concentrate on right now is how to improve and deepen the foreign exchange market by improving supply of foreign exchange into the market.

“And to do so, we are trying to encourage people to export and earn their export proceeds and use their export proceeds to import whatever they need to import” “We are also concentrating on how to reduce the import of items that we can produce in the country today,” the CBN governor said.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he has absolute confidence and respect for the Judiciary to do justice in the state governorship legal tussle, pointing out that based on the April 11 election, his mandate would be upheld in the course of the appeal process.

Also, Rivers State stakeholders on Thursday declared that they were solidly behind Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who was duly elected on April 11.

The stakeholders included elected senators, House of Representatives members, traditional rulers, elder statesmen and state legislators.

Speaking at the stakeholders meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Wike advised the people of the state never to criticise judges despite the judicial setback, pointing out that the appeal process would correct the judicial opinion of the state tribunal.

Governor Wike dissociated himself from a statement from one of his aides describing the tribunal judgment as judicial terrorism and gang-up.

He said the aide had no mandate to issue

Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

T

he Code of Conduct Bureau will on November 9, 2015, arraigned the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe on a 4- count charge bordering on breach of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act. A statement signed by the Head, Press & Public Relations Department of the Tribunal Ibraheem Al-Hassan, and made available to newsmen yesterday, stated that his arraignment is sequel to service of summon yesterday on him by the bailiff of the CCT .

According to the statement, the charges were filed by Peter Danladi of Code of Conduct Bureau, on the 8th of October 2015, on behalf of Attorney

OCTOBER 31, 2015

such a statement, noting that as a lawyer he respects the judiciary and knows the appellate process to seek redress.

“Be assured by the Grace of God our lawyers are working hard to file the appeal within stipulated time. I have told people that it is not in our character to cast aspersion on judges. I have also told people not to speak on my behalf to castigate judges. The tribunal is not the final appellate court on this matter.

There is no need of castigating the judiciary.

“We are not one of those when judgment favours you, you say you have confidence in the judiciary. When it does not favour you, you lose confidence in the judiciary.

“I want to say in the past two days, you must have read where they quoted me as saying judicial terrorism or judicial gang-up. I never said so. And I never authorised anybody to say so on this matter”.

The governor noted that his team of lawyers were working round the clock to complete the process of filing an appeal against the judgment.

He assured the people that he is not distracted by the judg-

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I have confidence in judiciary — Wike ment. The governor said he is emboldened by the support of key stakeholders and the ordinary people to continue to discharge his responsibility to the people.

Governor Wike claimed the Appeal Court judgment of Thursday struck out the paragraphs of the

APC petition that alleged violence and crime against named and un-named security agents and political thugs.

He said that has strengthened his case that would shortly go on appeal.

In his remarks, Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Uche

Secondus, said the people of the state were behind Governor Wike against the struggle by external forces to invade the state.

Also speaking, George Sekibo, a senator, said Mr. Wike was duly elected and his election would be upheld in the course of the appeal.

A former Minister of Transport, Abiye Sekibo; a former UBA Chairman, Ferdinand Alabrabra; and a former NBA President, OCJ Okocha, on behalf of different sections of the state, declared “the overwhelming support of the people for the governor.” (Premium Times)

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle), addressing members of the State Executive Council and Body of Permanent Secretaries, during the State Leadership Retreat at the Golden Tulip Hotel, FESTAC, Lagos, on Thursday, October 29, 2015. With him are Deputy Governor, Dr. Mrs. Oluranti Adebule (2nd left), Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello (2nd right), Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Olukunle Ojo (right) and C.E.O & President of Laing Consulting and Research Group, Mr. Zhivargo Laing (left).

Orubebe to appear before CCT on Nov 9 General of the Federation.

The charges are: “That you, Godsday Peter Orubebe, while being a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about June 29th 2011, did make a false declaration in your Asset Declaration Form by failing to declare plot 2722 Kyamu District Abuja on assumption of office on 26th September 2007 and on leaving office (at the end of your tenure), on June 29, 2011 and you thereby committed an offence under section 15 of Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act Cap C15 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 11(1) & (2) of part 1 fifth schedule to the Consti-

tution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and punishable under section 23(2) of the CCB & T Act and as incorporated under paragraph 18 of part 1, fifth schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“That you, Godsday Peter Orubebe, while being a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about June 29, 2011 did made a false declaration in your asset declaration form by failing to declare plot 2059 Asokoro District, Abuja on assumption of office on September 26, 2007 and on June 29, 2011 and you thereby committed an offence under

section 15 of the CCB & T Act, Cap C15, laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 11(1) & (2) of part one fifth schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and punishable under section 23 (2) of the CCB & T Act and as incorporated in paragraph 18 part 1 fifth schedule to The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“That you, Godsday Peter Orubebe, being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs on or about September 19, 2012 asked for and accepted the sum of fifty million naira from one Pastor (Dr) Jonathan

Alota, as bribe for the contract awarded in favour of his company, Chemtronics Nigeria Limited and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 10 of the CCB & T Act CAP C15 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 and as incorporated under paragraph 1 Federal Republic of Nigeria and punishable under section 23 (2) of CCB & T Act as incorporated under paragraph 18 of part 1, fifth schedule to the Constitution (as amended).

“That you Godsday Orubebe, while being a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, on or about 2013, asked for and accepted the sum of twenty million naira from one

Pastor (Dr) Jonathan Alota as additional bribe for the contract awarded in favour of his company Chemtronics Nigeria Limited for the construction of skill acquisition Centre at Edo State for the sum of one billion seven hundred and ninety nine million, nine hundred and fourteen thousand two hundred and fifty naira eighty eight kobo only (₦ 1,799,914,251.88K) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 10 of CCB & T Act as incorporated under paragraph 18 of part 1 fifth schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

He is expected to be arraigned on 9th November, 2015 where he will take a plea on the charges.

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NATIONAL NEWS

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

N’East rebuilding: Stakeholders demand better disaster management ... Call for impact assessment, transparency in disaster management

Francis Suberu

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takeholders in the management of humanitarian crisis in the Boko Haram troubled NorthEast Nigeria had concluded their two-day engagement forum in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital with a demand to strengthen the disaster management structure of key players managing humanitarian crisis in the region.

The North-East H u m a n i t a r i a n Multi-Stakeholder Engagement (NEHMSE 2015) with the theme Coordination, Communication and Cooperation was held at the behest of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President and Borno State Government.

The forum aimed at ensuring that activi-

ties of local and international humanitarian actors are well coordinated, monitored and evaluated, to avoid duplication of efforts and waste of resources.

The forum which was held between October 27 and 28, 2015

pointed out that there is need to strengthen the existing disaster management structure in the country.

In a communiqué jointly signed by representatives of the Office of the Vice-President, International and Lo-

cal NGOs, Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as security agencies, the forum agreed that coordination of humanitarian efforts by the lead government agencies need to be developed to fit into

the overall coordination mechanism of the country.

The stakeholders opined that State Emergency Management Agencies and Local Emergency Management Coordinators (LEMCs) are not

L-R: Deputy Editor in Chief, Nigerian Weekly Law Reports, Mr. Ayo Olanrewaju; Hon. Justice Amina Augie; Representative of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour and Special guest of Honour, Chief Richard Akinjide, during a symposium to mark 30th Anniversary of the Nigerian Weekly Law Reports, in Lagos, on Thursday.

PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN

effective and visible in some states during emergencies and need to be strengthened to work better.

They also harped on the need for better management of communication in emergency situations, just as they recommended the need for regulations as well as standards for monitoring, evaluating and transparency.

The communiqué read; “National Planning Commission (NPC) is the point of entry for International NGOs and the United Nations system while NEMA and SEMA are entry points for local humanitarian actors.

“There are frameworks for cooperation of relevant stakeholders which needs to be strengthened. The needs of the country have to be harmonized with individual organisations’ operational plan while the regulation of National and International Non-Governmental Organizations is carried out by National Planning Commission and NEMA”

Civil War Landmines: Nigerian govt to settle N100 bn damages suit out of court T WANTED !!! he Nigerian Government has agreed to an out -of-court settlement in a case alleging a breach of fundamental rights and negligence to clear land mines and abandoned explosives from the 1967-1970 civil war sites.

The case was filed against the federal government and five others by Vincent Agu and 19 others.

The plaintiffs are claiming N100 billion compensatory and general damages from the federal government.

At the resumed hearing of the case, counsel to the applicants, Alex Williams, told the court that the parties had amicably resolved the dispute but was yet to file the terms of settlement before the court.

Mr. Williams said the filing of the terms of settlement was delayed because the federal government was yet to appoint an Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice who would assent to the terms agreed to by the parties.

The counsel, therefore, asked for adjournment of the case pending the appointment of the minister.

The Counsel to the federal government and other defendants, Shola Egbeyinka, corroborated the position of the applicants’ lawyer.

Mr. Egbeyinka, from Femi Falana’s Chamber, said that parties had duly settled but the absence of attorney general stalled the necessary action on it.

Mr. Egbeyinka expressed the assurance that before the next adjourned date, the minister of justice would have been appointed and the report of settlement would be ready for presentation to the court.

The presiding Judge, Chijoke Nwoke, adjourned the case till January 19, 2016 for report of settlement.

The plaintiffs had filed the suit alleging violation of their fundamental human rights.

They alleged that the defendants were guilty of negligence for their failure to clear and remove landmines, abandoned explosives remnants of war and unexploded ordinance on time from war-contaminated areas.

They said that the negligence of the defendants had caused maiming and injuring of civilian population by landmines, explosives and remnants of war armaments in their various communities.

The claimants sought the court declaration that the stockpile of live bombs in the residential neighbourhood located at plot 108 Ndubuisi Kanu Street, New Owerri, Imo was a violation of their rights.

They sought the court order directing the federal government to embark on victims assistance and rehabilitation.

The claimants sought N50 billion compensatory damages and N50 billion general damages against the defendants.

ABIODUN OLASUNKANMI (28 Years Old)

This is to inform the general public that the bearer whose photograph and name is shown above is wanted for allegedly involved in Homosexual Activities. Anyone with relevant information about his whereabouts should report to: The Nigeria Police Force, NAS. Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.

Signed

The Nigeria Police Force

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

Falae: YSF condemns MUSWEN attack on Afenifere Ayo Esan

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he Yoruba Solidarity Forum, YSF, has condemned the recent attack on the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, by the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria, MUSWEN. In a YSF release signed by its publicity secretary, Odumosu Olajide, YSF said the attack on Afenifere in a publication signed by the MUSWEN’s CEO, Prof. Dawud Noibi, is uncalled for and unnecessary.

It would be recalled that prominent Yoruba

groups met in Ibadan after the abduction and release of Afenifere chieftain, Chief Olu Falae, and said that if the federal government cannot provide security for the Yoruba people, they are ready to do so.

However, MUSWEN reacted to Afenifere’s position by saying its secession threat is condemnable.

YSF has now condemned Noibi, saying, “By the way, how come it was only Afenifere that was singled out in his attempt to debase Yoruba when it is on record that the summit had over 27 various groups united with their voice?”

SOUTH WEST

Ooni: Installation rites progress

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...as Ogunwusi spends Day 2 in Ilofi Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

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nstallation rites for Ooni-elect, Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, yesterday commenced fully as members of Isoro cult barred visitors from paying visits to him.

Although Prince Ogunwusi entered Ilofi, a place an Ooni-elect is prepared in

for the throne on Thursday, full rites only commenced on Friday.

Heavy security presence was noticed around Iremo where Ilofi is located and residents appeared to be avoiding the area.

A shop owner around Iremo Quarters told our correspondent that the deserted street was not unconnected with the ongoing rites, adding that many peo-

ple, despite assurances by the chiefs, still harboured fear.

Also, sources said heavily armed security men were guiding Ilofi, and that only members of Isoro Cult were allowed into the premises.

Thomas Elugbaju, a shop owner along Iremo road, in a telephone chat with newsmen, said “Some of us chose not to open shop

for business because of the ongoing rites. We have been assured that business can go on. Apart from the ongoing rites, Ife is also in celebration mood and some of us chose to just enjoy the moment with other Ife indigenes.”

Across Ife metropolis, the ongoing installation rites, and expectations from the new monarch, dominated discussions.

Develop, not destroy, Usthaz tells Muslims Oseyiza Oogbodo

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call has been made on Muslims to develop, not destroy Nigeria, as it is only when they do so and lead exemplary lifestyles that people of other religions will even want to convert to Islam.

The call was made

by Usthaz Abdul Semii’ Adekola during the 2nd Shayk (Dr) Abdul Hakeem Ibn Abayomi Memorial Lecture which held at the Multipurpose Hall, Yaba College of Technology, last Sunday.

The lecture was organized by The Academy (Advanced Centre for Advocacy Development and Empowerment of Muslim Community), an organization which is a combination of a group of schools and an NGO that has Adekola as its principal.

The lecture’s theme was: Contemplating Ibn Abayomi as an Institution 11; and its topics were: The Roles of Youths in Nation Building, and Strengthening Brotherhood: A Clarion Call to all Muslims.

The father of the day was Prof Abdul-Kareem Hussain, while the main speakers were Shayk Abdur-Rasheed Mayaleeke, Chairman, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Ogun State chapter; Dr Muiz Adeyemi Banire, SAN, National legal Adviser, All Progressives Congress (APC); and

Shayk Abdul-Rahman Ahmad, Chief Missioner, Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria.

And speaking on why the Academy organized the lecture, Adekola said, “The lecture is in honour of our teacher, who came to teach us everything about life, not only about education. He was a Ph. D holder, not only in one field, but different fields.

He went abroad and learnt western education and Islam and combined the two.

“But when he came back, he felt the only thing he could do was to assist some other people, especially youths. So he started going to higher institutions to talk to the youths.

That was when I came across him, that what this man is saying makes sense, that no matter what you have in this world, you have to combine it with God. “And when you combine it with God, it makes sense. You won’t be part of those who try to destroy.

But rather be part of those who try to make the country move forward. That was what he preached. So when he left, we decided that what this man told us, we mustn’t forget it, we have to continue every year, the time he left this world, that month, we have to continue to remember him to motivate Muslims to know that when we contribute to Nigeria’s development, people will want to be Muslims.”

Minister-Designate and immediate past Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babatunde Fashola, SAN (2nd left) with President & CEO of the International Crisis Group, Mr Jean-Marie Guehenno (left), fellow honorees, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Mr Gareth Evans (right) and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Ms Emma Bonino (2nd right) shortly before Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Dr Mo Ibrahim presented the Stephen J. Solarz Award on behalf of the International Crisis Group to Mr Fashola for his commitment to building a peaceful and vibrant society; his work to improve social and economic conditions in Lagos including his role in preventing the Ebola outbreak from becoming a crisis in Nigeria during the Group’s 20th Anniversary

Ondo suspends principal, warns teachers

T

he Ondo State Teachers Service Commission has suspended the Principal of Igbatoro High School, Olokuta, Akure, Adelusi Bosede, for truancy.

The commission also queried 20 of the school’s teachers for the same reason.

In a statement released Friday, the commission said it found out while on a monitoring and inspection tour of the schools that

Adelusi stayed away from work for four days last week.

The chairman of the commission, Francis Igbasan, who handed down the suspension order, described the principal’s attitude as “unpatriotic and unserious.”

Igbasan stressed that the Ondo State Government would no longer tolerate school managers’ frivolous attitude to duty as the future of students should not

Patience Ogbo

groups.

A petition by a group called Coalition of Osun Youth alleged that Adewole has not done anything for Osun State indigenes and therefore should be dropped from the list of ministers.

Another petition by a group, Integrity Group of UI, alleged that Adewole influenced the process that brought Prof. Idowu Olayinka as the incoming

be toyed with.

He said the government was no longer interested in “occasional principals” who jeopardize its efforts at developing the educational sector considering the huge investments of the state improving the sector.

The commission also frowned at the development where only eight teachers out of 28 were present in the school at the time the monitoring group visited.

It ordered the 20 teachers

to report at its office to further explain their actions.

However, the commission commended the Principal of Ute High School, Ute, Sam-Edeki Ogun, for his commitment to his duties and putting in place a good learning and teaching environment in the school.

It also visited other secondary schools and commended the administration of the schools were standards were high.

Petitions against me mischievous —Prof. Adewole

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utgoing Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan and Osun State ministerial nominee, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has called on Nigerians to put the interest of the country ahead of personal ambition.

Adewole made this call while reacting to petitions against him by some

Vice-Chancellor.

However, Adewole has said those behind the petitions are faceless and challenged the petitioners to provide evidence to support their allegations.

“It is sad that people can bring up false allegations just to tarnish the image of others they do not like,” he said. “These persons writing these petitions against me are faceless. I challenge them to come out

and accuse me. Let’s talk face to face. Everything in the petitions is false. I was not a member of the committee that appointed the incoming Vice-Chancellor so I cannot influence his appointment.

Those behind the petitions are faceless and there is no Prof. Akanni in UI whom they claimed wrote the petition. So you can see that the petitions are false.”

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Al-Makura partners relevant agencies to tackle unemployment

NORTH

Inusa Ndahi

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asarawa state governor, Umaru Tanko A-Makua, said he will partner relevant agencies to create job opportunity for the teeming unemployed youths in the state.

The governor made pledge during the inauguration of Awango by Total Solar Entrepreneurship Project in Lafia, the state capital.

Awango by Total Solar Entrepreneurship project is a programme of Total Exploration and Production Nigeria and an NGO, Gender and Environmental Risk Reduction Initiative, GERRI, According to him, “our APC-led administration in the state is ready to synergize with relevant agencies to tackle the issue of unemployment in the state.”

Al-Makura who was represented by the permanent secretary ministry of youths and sports, Bulus Amuyi, said that the initiative was in line with his administration’s development which is targeted at providing loan opportunities and self-employment to youths.

His words: “Our doors are widely opened to support private initiatives that would tackle youth restiveness and as well improve the economic potential of the state. We commend Total Exploration and Production Nigeria and GERRI for teaching 40 youth in the state on alternative power sources that would be safer, better and ultimately cheaper.”

He said that the state government was ready to discuss initiatives on bigger renewable energy facilities to address the prevailing energy deficit in the state.

Team leader of GERRI, Elizabeth Jeyol, said that the project would empower rural communities with affordable and environmental friendly solutions in lighting.

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Borno bye election: Military restricts vehicular movement in Maiduguri

Igbawase Ukumba LAFIA

OCTOBER 31, 2015

MAIDUGURI

ollowing the Borno Central Senatorial bye-election slated for today, men of the 7 Division, Nigerian Army has said there should be no vehicular movement within Maiduguri Metropolis and its environs.

The Borno Central Senatorial seat became vacant following the death of Senator Ahmed Zanna Khalifa early this year.

This warning was

contained in a press statement signed by the Media Coordinator, Operation Lafiya Dole, Colonel Tukur Gusau which was made available to Journalists in Maiduguri on Friday.

“The Theater Command OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE wish to inform the residents of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere Local Government Areas that a restriction order will be effective during the bye election scheduled for Saturday

31st October 2015 in Borno Central senatorial zone of Borno State.

“The restriction will involve the use of vehicles, tricycles, bicycles and animals. The restriction will be effective from 6.00am to 5.00pm.

“Similarly, no vehicles would be allowed to and out of the senatorial zone during the bye election exercise. Citizens are called upon to come out freely to exercise their constitutional rights.

“Appropriate security

measures were put in place to guarantee peaceful election exercise throughout the senatorial zone.

“Please do not hesitate to send text to the following numbers (08099999753 and 08099999754) if you observe any security breach or suspicious conduct.

“The Theatre Command once again wishes to thank the general public for their unflinching support towards the success of OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE”. Colonel Gusau stated.

L-R: Bishop of Wusasa Diocese, Rt. REV’D Buba Lamido; Bishop of Kaduna Diocese, Rt. REV’D Timothy Yahaya and Diocesan Provost, Very Rev. Samuel Nwaeze, at the enthronement ceremony of Bishop Buba Lamido of kaduna Diocese at St. Michaels’ Anglican Cathedral Church in Kaduna on Thursday. PHOTO:NAN

Corps members posted to Kaduna will be safe –El-Rufai A za Msue KADUNA

T

he Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, yesterday, said corps members posted to Kaduna are safe and government would work closely with security agencies to guarantee their safety throughout the service year..

El-rufai said the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) established in 1973 remained a beacon of hope in the country’s mission for a united nation.

He noted that, the scheme in the past 42 years had exposed millions of Nigerian youths to the culture and traditions of the nation’s pluralistic society as well as impacting skills and expe-

riences to enhance already acquired knowledge while in school.

The governor stated this while declaring open the 2015 batch ‘B’ stream I orientation course for the 2,439 deployed to Kaduna for national service at State’s permanent orientation camp, kilometer 16 Kaduna-Abuja.

The state Commissioner of Youth, Sport and Culture, Mr. Daniel Dan-Auta, represented the governor at the event which witnessed the official oath taking of allegiance administered by the state Chief Judge on the corps members.

El-Rufai added that the corps members will at the end the day do the country proud through their active involvement in national integration

and unity.

On the government’s part, the governor said his administration will continue to provide enabling environment for corps members to discharge their responsibilities.

The governor said: “As the Governor of the state, I am indeed proud of the progressive relationship between my administration and the youths of the state.

“My administration will continue to recognize, the strength and vision of our youths, and we have set out to work with urgency, to help them define their path.

“This shall be predicated on our mandate and the vision of the new administration which emphasize positive change in all aspect of our national life.

“This administration will continue to support and encourage corps members

by fulfilling its statutory obligations to the scheme and providing a peaceful atmosphere for optimal performance of corps members wherever they are in the state.”

Earlier, the State Coordinator, Mohammed Momoh, reminded the corps members that the orientation course remains a fundamental aspect of the NYSC programme, meant to prepare corps members for the service year.

“This is the first of the four cardinal point of NYSC. The corps members will go through leadership training, paramilitary drills and self defense training.

“The corps members will undergo vocational and entrepreneurship training to enable them become job creators instead of job seekers at the end of their service,” he said.

Emir of Bauchi tackles legislature on job creation Ezekiel Titus BAUCHI

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he Emir of Bauchi Alhaji Rilwanu Suleman Adamu, has stressed the need for lawmakers to enact laws that would reduce joblessness in the society.

The monarch stated this, when members of the State House of Assembly paid him a courtesy visit in his palace.

The emir, who said idleness and the attendant poverty have been the major causes of social and political unrest among youths, urged the lawmakers to expedite action towards tackling the problem.

He commended the Speaker and other members of the Assembly for opening their doors for advice and suggestions and assured them of his support towards enhancing good governance in the state.

Alhaji Adamu noted the cordial relationship existing among the members and urged them to keep it up.

The Speaker Alhaji Kawuwa Shehu Damina, had earlier told the emir that they were in his palace to show their loyalty and commitment as well as learn from the exemplary leadership qualities of the emir.

He said their visit had exposed them to numerous opportunities for robust oversight in the discharge of their duties and assured the emir of their commitment towards ensuring the development of the state.

Alhaji Rilwanu Suleman Adamu

OCTOBER 31, 2015

POLITICS

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Tribunal drama in Akwa Ibom, Rivers

Lekan Adejuwon

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itting comfortably as the Executive Governors of Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, their Excellences; Udom Emmanuel and Nyeson Wike, until last two weeks, did not see it coming. But in one swell hoop, their victories at the April 11 governorship elections were upturned by the tribunals which had their sittings in far away Abuja, the nation’s capital.

A re-run election was in addition, ordered to be conducted in the two states within the next 90 days.

The tribunal verdicts however had been a subject of public discourse for what many perceived as the ‘inherent controversies’ they have generated.

Many recalled that when similar ruling was given in the case of the former governor of Ekiti State, Engr Segun Oni in 2010, the governor was simply relieved of his post paving way for the then Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon Tunji Odeyemi, to be sworn in as the Acting Governor for the three months period during which a fresh election was conducted.

In the case of Akwa Ibom, the tribunal nullified election in as many as 18 Local Government Areas from the 31 Local Governments Areas of the state where elections took place.

The tribunal was however, silent on the status of Emmanuel.

But in the case of Rivers State, the tribunal nullified the entire election and orders a re-run of the election which had earlier declared the incumbent Governor Wike as winner of the poll.

The tribunal also sent 20 House of Assembly members in Rivers State packing insisting that both the governorship and state House of Assembly elections were riddled with irregularities.

In a petition filed by filed by the All Progressives congress APC, governorship candidate, Umana Umana, challenging the election of Governor Emmanuel, of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, the three-man tribunal headed by Justice Sadiq Uma, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, to conduct rerun election in 18 Local Government Areas.

Some of the affected local government areas include Eket, Uyo, Onna, Nsit-Ibom, Nsit-Ubium, Ibiono, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit-Atai, Etinam and Oron, among others.

However, the Judgments of the Akwa Ibom and Rivers States governorship election tribunal have generated both confusions and controversies across the political landscape.

As would be expected, the opposition PDP, which obviously was hit by the court ruling, could not hid its disdain at the double ‘blow’ in the electoral fortunes of two of its most viable states describing the two tribunal verdicts as ‘unacceptable and bizzare’ Speaking through its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, the party in a statement said the judgements were premeditated; His words; “Indications to this spurious judgment had months ago been hinted to the PDP, which in turn, alerted the nation and the international community of the heinous plot by the APC government, to use the judiciary and various security agencies to reverse the victory of the PDP in Rivers, Delta, Akwa-Ibom, Taraba and Abia states.

“We invite Nigerians and the international community to recall various reprehensible steps taken by the APC government that culminated in this ruling as well as ridiculous Wednesday’s verdict of the Akwa-Ibom state governorship election tribunal, also sitting in Abuja.”

Metuh listed reasons for his party’s objection to the rulings thus:“The curious and controversial relocation of the elections tribunals from their states to Abuja without any justification.

The statement added “The bias in the judgment against the PDP in Rivers as well as Akwa-Ibom is evidenced in the contradictions inherent in the trial process of the two cases and the verdicts therein, whereby the tribunals clearly disregarded standing legal norm that a petitioner must establish prove of claims.

It further said “While it is convenient to them to use legal technicalities to deny PDP victory in Imo, Lagos, Ogun and

Wike

Udom

Yobe states, the same rules are misapplied to wickedly favour APC petitioners in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom states.

“It is therefore evinced that these contradictions are direct fall-out of compromises as well as boasts by the APC of being in direct and remote control of the tribunals. If not, how can one explain the fact that while governorship elections are being upturned in PDP states, in APC states, where similar claims and facts are in contention, elections are being upheld.

But the ruling party, the APC in a response, said the party will not leave any stone unturned In its fight to reclaim the party’s stolen mandate According to the Akwa Ibom State chairman of APC, Dr. Amadu Atai, his party will not leave any stone unturned in redressing the judgment saying the party would have won the election but for the irregularities.

He insisted that the party would also proceed to the Supreme Court after the appeal to pursue the issue of removing the governor before the re-run election.

Atai said the party was expecting outright cancellation of the governorship election since it nullified the elections in 18 out of the 31 local government areas.

“The tribunal has cancelled the governorship elections in 18 local government areas and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to conduct elections in the affected areas.

“But we are going to file an appeal because we expected cancellation in more local government areas where discrepancies were pervasive,” he said.

Also In a swift reaction to the judgment nullifying his election Governor Wike expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment and vowed to challenge the verdict at the Court of Appeal.

His Counsel, Chief Chris Uche [SAN] who spoke on behalf of the respondents said they will surely test the popularity of the judgement at the Court of Appeal and even to the Supreme Court.

The lawyer accused the tribunal of trying to pre-empt the judgment of the Supreme Court challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal.

In a related development, after reviewing the arguments and submissions of counsel to parties to the petition, the tribunal said it agreed with the petitioners, APC and its governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside that the April 11, 2015 election was characterized by intimidation, harassment, snatching of ballot boxes, diversion of electoral materials, ballot stuffing and allocation of figures in favour of the PDP candidate.

In similar vein, the controversies generated by the tribunal verdicts had thrown up mixed reactions among some legal minds.

For instance, a constitutional lawyer and author, Sebastian Hon [SAN], said the judgment is confounding.

According to him, even if the tribunal had nullified election in half of the local government areas in the state, the tribunal

ought to have removed the governor and called for a rerun.

“I think an error of judgment has been committed, by nullifying election in 18 local government areas, it means the governor was not validly elected and should not continue in office.

“However, under the Electoral Act, even if a governor is removed, he cannot vacate the seat until the time appeal is exhausted.

“But it was the duty of the tribunal to have made that pronouncement as a consequential order. It is an order that flows naturally from the judgment.” He said Corroborating his position, another lawyer, Emmanuel Gbanfa, equally expressed surprised at the judgment saying the judgment left some gaps which were difficult to understand.

According to him, by cancelling election and ordering rerun in 18 out of the 31 local government areas in the state, the tribunal has left some questions unanswered.

“For instance, he said, “we know that the governor of Akwa Ibom State cannot be deemed to have been elected on the basis of 13 local government areas given the fact that the state has 31 local government areas”.

“The governor could only be validly elected if he had scored at least 25 per cent of the votes in 24 local government areas of the state.

“By upholding election in 13 local government areas effectively means that the present governor was not validly elected.

But because the tribunal did not expressly say so at the end of the day, gives room to confusion.”

The electoral body, INEC on its own part, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition and affirm the governorship election result it declared in Rivers Stat.

The commission spoke through its lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, said; “We pray this tribunal to dismiss the evidence of the PW-40.

“Assuming that the issue of irregularity was brought to the attention of the INEC and it looked into it and took the decision to declare the result, it means that INEC did not accept the opinion expressed by the PW-40. It also means that INEC rejected those reports, it can therefore never amount to admission against the election,” Ikpeazu objected Earlier, lead counsel to the PDP, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, also prayed the tribunal to dismiss the petition and uphold governor Wike’s election.

A new twist was however added to the controversies trailing the two judgements on Tuesday when Wike’s fresh suit challenging the relocation of the tribunal sitting to Abuja instead of Port Harcourt The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision, thrown out the suit saying the precarious security challenge in the oil rich Rivers State before and during the election necessitated the relocation.

As the controversies are ongoing what is not in dispute is that both Rivers and Akwa Ibom States would remain a theatre of political chest game in the coming months.

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POLITICS

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Human rights abuse worse under civilian rule – Igho Akeregha Comrade Igho Akeregha is the Acting Chairman of Civil Liberties Organisation CLO. The rights activist in this interview with LEKAN ADEJUWON x-rays the past few months of President Muhammadu Buhari in power, the renewed activism of CLO and human rights abuse in Nigeria.

L

et me start by knowing your critical assessment of the state of affairs in the country in the past six months since the inception of this administration. How has the journey been so far?

Basically, President Muhammadu Buhari since his inauguration as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, there’s been a lot of expectations especially as a lot of huge expectations of Nigerians were not adequately met by the last administration headed by former President Goodluck Jonathan, but we are quite amazed that six months after on, this government is still groping in the dark and for us in the CLO, we are interpreting what is playing out as a deliberate plot by the administration to hoodwink Nigerians.

They made a lot of promises and it is on the basis of this promises that PDP was thrown out of power and one would have thought that within the first two months that certain concrete things would have been done to reassure Nigerians that they indeed voted right. We are scared, worried and disturbed because a child that will run fast will run fast later in life, but the first step he takes as a toddler you will know the pace he would take, but this government is not prepared for leadership and our position in CLO is that they are not prepared for leadership. Look at the screening of ministers, it has become a huge exercise as if it has become the only project they are doing because once they screen the ministers this year, it would then mean that, that is the only thing the administration has done in 2015. For 2016, they would take one or two other things and divert so much attention, so much media hype, so much noise and people are suffering in this country. Look at the inflation rate, it has gone beyond the reach of the common man. Now, for a government that rose to power on the basis of fighting corruption and stemming insecurity but what have we seen? There has been a rise in insecurity, in banditry, armed robberies, kidnappings and what have you. Boko Haram has even become embolden. Prior to the inauguration of this administration,

Akeregha

they (Boko Haram) were fighting from the bushes, now they are back in the towns fighting and throwing bombs in mosques churches and everywhere so that nobody can sleep very well. The National Minimum wage still stands at N18,000.

But as we speak, the inflation rate is well over 3 digits. For us in the CLO, we are very disturbed. People are getting poorer, starvation is also the order of the day those who have stolen the Nigerians common patrimony, have held on to it. Seriously, I have not seen any committed fight against corruption. We think that within six months, persons should have been brought to justice to come and account for their deeds whether they are in PDP or APC because, for President Buhari, he has history to make. He has to be very careful because, before 2015 election, the profile of President Buhari was very high, but from the way he is running the government, if he is not careful, I am not too sure if his rating is still very high except he is able to deliver on at least, 60 per cent of the promises he has made. The President has given a deadline to end insurgency now, there is a fresh debate that December is no longer feasible. So I think we are back to the same circle.

Going back through your analysis especially, where you claimed that the government seems not prepared for leadership, have you equally gone through the government point of view that it was overwhelmed by the kind of rot it met on ground?

I think when people talk of the rot APC government met on the ground that for me, is a fraudulent argument. Also, the argument cannot fly that Jonathan’s administration for 6 years, destroyed Nigeria. Government is a continuum.

Nigeria got her independence on October 1, 1960. That presupposes that any government that has failed to meet the expectation of the people has contributed to the existing rot. If you take the argument from there, President Buhari was a military Head of State, so he may have also contributed to the rot. So the rot is a

continuum. So if there is a rot and Buhari has been angling to take power since the advent of democracy since 1999,he cannot pretend that he does not know the extent of the rot. And what is the rot we are talking about?.he has introduced the Treasury Single Account TSA where all monies are paid into single account. There is money in the treasury now, that is a good way of actually stemming the filtering of resources, but what is he doing with the money? The point I am making is, if you meet rot, deal with the rot. So people cannot use rot as excuse for non performance I like to take you on the organisation you represented, the CLO. Nothing much has been herad from an organisation that prided itself as the voice of the voiceless. What has become of the CLO in the current political dispensation?

To the best of my knowledge, we are still very much alive. I think what has happened in comparison to the question of whether CLO is cold. CLO is not cold.

What happened was that CLO became very popular during the military era because everybody agreed that there was need for military to go back to the barracks and to protect the territorial integrity of Nigeria. But they didn’t want to go to the barracks but for us we came out in full throttle to confront the military. we also thought that we should give democracy a chance. In the past 16 years, we have been occasionally speaking out even though we don’t want to be seen as the clog in wheel of democratic process then we are a little bit silent but if you have been following events in the polity, we have been having a number of press conferences. Some few months back, we had to go and shut the EFCC, Lagos office over allegation of corruption. There was a whistle blower in the Yaba College of Technology and it looks as if they are covering it up. So we had to raise the alarm. Again, the funding through which we operate is no longer there for us now because our funding partners think that we should be given a chance to stabilize our democracy. Today,

we are continuing the struggle through our membership support. In the next few months, we are going to see re-invention of the traditional activities of the CLO. we also think there is a need to aggregate our actions to the expectations of Nigerians so that we cannot be acting outside the expectations of the people. We don’t want to be seen as we are not giving democracy a chance to thrive. Now it is becoming obvious to everyone that there is a need to talk and mobilize towards a saner society.

Politicians are known to play politics but we think enough is enough, politicians have played their part. The infighting is becoming worrisome and disturbing so,it is time we get Nigerians to retreat their sovereignty from the politicians.

Coming nearer home, many have raised concerns about the deplorable spate of insecurity in the city saying that government is virtually on leave of absence due to inability of the government to stem the tide of high rate of crime and general state of insecurity. What is your take on this?

Chapter 4 of the Constitution says the major duty of government is to provide security for its citizens. What you have just mentioned is not limited to Lagos. It is part of what obtains in every part of the country.

Residents of Lagos are now looking like animal in the zoo that need to be rescued.

The last administration in Lagos State headed by Governor Babatunde Fashola did his best to try and clamp down on crime but it appears that the Ambode government is sleeping and of course, it is part of the docility that is spilling out from the centre. But Lagos is a peculiar state. Now people can no longer sleep well and that is sufficiently disturbing.

The governor should wake up to his responsibilities and take up the gauntlet because he is the number one chief officer of the state and he is responsible for any life that is lost in Lagos State. Very soon, we will begin to drag officials of Lagos to court for the loss of lives and property lost in the state. From what we have seen, it appears the current administration in Lagos State is sleeping and we call on the government to wake up I won’t like to end this interview without recourse to one of your primary objectives in the area of human rights abuses. How will you rate human right abuse in the past 16 years of Nigerian democracy?

It is a common misconception to think that human rights abuses are more prevalent in a military regime and that the rights of citizens are fully protected and guaranteed but from what we have seen, there have been more deaths, more killings, more illegal detentions, forced evictions of Nigerians from their places of abode under the current democracy than even under the military. Look at number of citizens that had been felled by police bullets in the last 16 years under democracy. It would be alarming, yet we are in a democracy.

The prisons are congested with awaiting suspects. Now if you are not able to enjoy to the fullest, your democratic right which include freedom of movement, freedom to live anywhere of your choice, freedom of worship and all that, you will discover that all these basic fundamentals have been taken from Nigerians.

OCTOBER 31, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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TALKING POLITICS ‘Buhari’s ministers are intellectuals’ —Chief John Odigie Oyegun, APC National Publicity Secretary

“E

ven though I am an insider, I must also confess that the quality of the ministers that are coming on board has far exceeded my expectations, especially watching each of them perform at the Senate screening and that has been a thing of joy.

“These are people of experience, people of intellect, people of passion, people of commitment to the new nation that the Buhari administration has committed itself to establishing.

“It is going to be a huge task, it is going to be a most challenging responsibility.

But it is a task that must, in the interest of our nation be perform.

“There are going to be difficulties ahead because of the state of the economy. It is clear that our value system has to change, it is clear that our ethical

standard has to change, it is clear that our moral standard has to change, it is clear that as a people, we must begin to once again implant that knowledge of what is right and what is wrong and we must start drawing lines on the ground which we don’t expect any decent person to cross.”

‘I’m concerned about traffic gridlock, robberies in Lagos’ —Governor Akinwunmi Ambode

“W

e have already hit the ground running. I’m deeply concerned about

the issues that Lagosians are sending back to me and the issues range from security issues, traffic gridlock and the environment itself. But again just as we are looking at the immediate solutions to them, there are medium term solutions that Lagosians will see in the next few weeks that we will roll out.”

“We have declared zero tolerance on potholes and we are deploring more men to ensure free flow of traffic. As we are now in the ‘Ember’ months, I just want to appeal to Lagosians to be more vigilant, and cooperate with us in all the measures we will be carrying out,”

15

‘Govt measures’ll hurt some ­­— President Muhammadu Buhari

“W

hat is required of us, to which we are strongly committed, is the implementation of tight expenditure controls, effective fiscal and monetary policies, including the husbandry of scarce resources, which our introduction of the Single Treasury Account has begun to address.

“We are aware some of these measures may hurt operations of some businesses in the short term, but we believe they are right for a sustainable economy,”

‘There’ll be no Coordinating Minister for the Economy’ —Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo

“W

e are not going to have a system like where there was a coordinating minister. No, there would not be anything like that.”

“As Vice-President, my role is to ensure that everyone that is involved in economic activities is coordinated in such a way that the president is fully briefed of what everyone is doing, such that we are all on the same page and to make it easier for the president to make decisions”.

I won’t rest until Appeal Court Nobody can intimidate the Senate’ sacks Jang from Senate “T — Senator Ali Ndume, Senate Majority Leader

— Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong

“T

he APC in Plateau would not sleep till the Court of Appeal also recover our senatorial mandate from Jang. We are in court because we are confident that we won the elections and we would ensure that our mandate is given to us”.

“I am not surprised at my victory at the tribunal, because we won the elections.”

his Senate does not belong to Saraki, Senator Ali Ndume or anybody”.

“The Senate is an institution, an independent arm of government and should be

respected and strengthened.

“Besides, if the President takes his discretion to take his time to submit the (ministerial) list, which Nigerians patiently awaited, why are Nigerians not patient with the Senate to wait for its conclusion?

“And why don’t you take us on issues other than these trivialities? Supposing we said, ‘let’s take it off till next week.’

We have that right to do that. But, the constitution is guiding us that we have to do this within 21 working days.

“And we are still within the 21 working days. It is not 21 days, it is 21 working days. And our working days in the Senate plenary is three days in a week. So, if you are talking about 21 working days, (it means) that the Senate will do this within seven weeks because we sit for plenary Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.”

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

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17

Women in the world of men

Women behind the wheels

Eric Elezuo

T

he Bible calls them the weaker sex.

Men treat them as second class citizens. Society relegates them to the background when matters of importance are put on the table. Religion muffles their voices and subjects them to only watchers whose contributions are not required.

Those are the women!

However, Wole Soyinka, in his book, The Lion and the Jewel, and in apparent defense of the folks referred to as weak, stated thus: “Is it the weaker vessel that straps a baby

to the back and pound the yam, and till the farm� among other questions presented to portray the women as capable.

From the inception of life, every business

endeavour or trade has been ascribed to the male folks, with of course the exception of child birth, which is statutory. Consequently, apart from procreation, everything else in

There is nothing special about these jobs. It is only the outsiders who see it as specially made for men. We (women) that are already in it know there is nothing special. I was just looking for daily bread and here I am

life has been adjudged male vocation, until the female folks begun to break barriers, take the frontiers and demystify the monopoly of the men in various professions. The women had therefore, been seen as usurpers in every trade where they dare or successfully enter.

This has been the practice that hitherto leased a few vocations to the so called weaker vessel. But days are gone when women are just seen and not heard.

As a result, there has been a kind of unconscious recoiling each time one comes in contact with a woman who heads an CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

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‘What a man can do, a woman can do better’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

organisation or anything reputable, before he realizes that things have changed and immediately tows the line.

It must be recalled that until Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti of blessed memory drove a car in Nigeria, driving was particular reserved for men, and she was looked at with disdain when she did.

Again, until Mrs. Alele-Williams headed a university, it was never believed that the ‘weaker vessels’ had such capacity. In the same vein, until the first woman flew an airplane, it was a no go area for the female folks. Today, the tide has changed.

Notwithstanding, there are trades or businesses which supposedly have the shape, size and colouration of men; trades which are believed to be male signed or oriented. These are businesses which the female folks have found difficult or completely impossible to penetrate.

But today, the situation has changed as the hitherto weaker vessels have made small the male dominated world, thriving in areas where it was they originally thought they would not dare penetrate. These areas include the world of sports such as boxing, weightlifting, football and many like it.

But that is just a tip of the iceberg.

Women have not only delved into the world of engineering, but has become road side mechanics, vulcanisers, iron benders, conductors, commercial bus drivers, okada riders, and even touts (agbero) displaying wanton vagaries at bus stops, and wherever there is mischief to perform; matters that before now were male stamped.

At the Waterside Garage, Ojo Road, where tricycle operators, popularly known as ‘Keke Marwa’, park and load, is Elizabeth Osewele, who the male folks and every other person within the area derogatively call Papa Eliza just because according to them, she is in a man’s business. Eliza claims to be a secondary school leaver, who found herself in the vocation because of lack of academic sponsorship, and since she was not cut out to sit at home while other people cater for her at her ‘ripe age’ or dabble into office work where she would just sit before the table, and serve someone else’s purpose, she had to learn the skills of operating a commercial tricycle. In her semi polished English Language, she told our correspondent: “My name is Elizabeth Osewele, but everybody calls me Papa Eliza because they think that what I am doing is a man’s job. Though I don’t like the name, I have to tag along as the more I try to dissuade them, the more it becomes popular. I am from Edo State, and have completed my secondary education, but because I could not finance it further, I found myself here,” she said.

In her world, there is nothing like male domination, anything is possible so long as there is the will. She maintained that she is out to cut a niche for herself irrespective of the number of men in the vocation, or even who the vocation is supposedly meant for.

“I didn’t enter this profession by accident. I entered it to make a living, and it doesn’t matter who is already involved.

Chinyere Kalu

Professor Alele Williams

The job, just like every other thing is every man for himself. I am here for myself, and they are here for themselves; it’s a struggle for survival,” she narrated.

It is even more interesting why these women get into these vocations believed to be male dominated or oriented. A female commercial bus (danfo) conductor, who simply gave her name as Gift, and operates within the Iyana Isashi area of Lagos said: “There is nothing special about these jobs. It is only the outsiders who see it as specially made for men. We (women) that are already in it know there is nothing special. I was just looking for daily bread and here I am,” she said.

It is not hard to imagine what they go through considering the hazards of maneuvering the Lagos traffic, and the ever ready to fight touts on the road. However, the women laughed off the suggestion, and stressed that they are given preferential treatment, may be because of their sex, especially by the dreaded touts. Gift said: “I flow with the touts very well because of my female qualities, and even when I am not dancing to their tune, they give me the benefit of the doubt which we take as preferential treatment. You know in the event of a fight, where will they hold you? On the chest, with the breast fully representing itself ? So they just let go.”

But what really motivates the women folks to dare the path of men in terms of vocation, Solomon, a keke operator where Elizabeth operates said that they just want to rub strength with men because ‘woman no dey respect man again’.

But why admit the women into such vocation since there is a regulatory body

A commercial bike operator

that monitors membership and entry, an executive of the tricycle riders association, who spoke after he was promised his identity will not be used said; “Yes we consider their frail nature, but most of these things are not done with ‘muscles’ but with the mind and determination, so any woman who shows the zeal, determination and commitment to the job will be admitted. We don’t want anybody accusing us of discrimination,” he said.

Mrs. Titilayo Aboderin, a clergy, went biblical, saying that ‘since the days of John the Baptist, the Kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent take it by force’, adding that no one sits still again and wait for ‘manna to drop from the sky’.

According to her, “Days are gone when the woman is just known for procreation.

Today, the setting is different, and women are taking the bull by the horns, and they are the better for it. There is nothing anymore like a world exclusive to men. The veil was broken when Jesus resurrected.”

Mr. Fidelis Irhomber, a staff of the Ministry of Women Affairs, explain that much as women have developed the irk to go into anything, the Beijing Conference of 1990 was the icing on the cake that catapulted the zeal to undertake anything ‘undertakeable’ irrespective of how hazardous it is to their frail nature.

“The women first conquered the

We consider their frail nature, but most of these things are not done by ‘muscles’ but with the mind and determination, so any woman who shows the zeal, determination and commitment to the job will be admitted

Mrs. Funmilayo Ransomekuti

academic setting because it is purely a thing of the mind before discovering the mental capacity to delve into the menial aspect of the so called male vocation. We must not rule out the influence of the Beijing Women Conference of 1990, which in its own way broadened the horizon of the women folk, prompting them to undertake anything undertakeable,” he said.

This trend is all encompassing. At the Obalende bus stop garage, a female tout (agbero) who Saturday Mirror tried to interact with, violently rebuffed the invitation, in the exact way their male folks do, betraying every drop of womanhood.

Saturday Mirror’s attempt to find out why she behaved the way she did was responded by a male tout, who nonchalantly said, “find am something, she go cool down”.

It is obvious that women are out to claim their rightful places in the scheme of things, and it seems there is no going back.

However, most men have frowned at the foray of women into most vocations supposedly exclusively reserved for men saying that it is appalling that instead of settling down at home for the men to do the hustling, they just have to prove equality.

Mr. Chike Onyekwe, who viewed with disgust the foray of women in the world of men dominated businesses, expressed that he would not give to a woman who ventured in the so called men oriented business.

“This is unpalatable. I won’t get involved with a woman of such reputation. Such a woman will ‘ride’ you with silly ways of life to the extent that one may hardly have a say in his own house,” he said.

He posited that he can cope with professionally engaged woman, such as bankers, accountants, journalist and the rest, but bus conductors, vulcanisers, touts and their likes are completely out of the question.

However, Segun Rotimi, an electrician, based in Shagamu, said that there is absolutely nothing wrong with a woman engaging in whatever vocation she desires, saying that it is her choice, and as long as it brings in revenue to the family.

“There is nothing bad about a woman or my wife doing any of these jobs described as man’s job if she can do it. It is her choice and should be encouraged. I will surely marry such a woman so long as income is raked into the family through her,” he said.

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

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19

A tragedy waiting to happen at Ndi Ebe Abam

Collapsed bridges

Until July 2014, life was good for the people of Ndi Ebe Abam, Arochukwu, in Abia State. But the rhythm of their pastoral life changed last year immediately the only bridge linking the community to others collapsed and isolated them from the rest of the world. The community, a major source of agricultural produce, is now facing untold hardship as indigenes can no longer convey harvested crops to central markets for sales. This has not only adversely reduced their incomes but has resulted in a general drop of their standards of life, reports JULIET UMEH.

M

rs. Nkiriuka Ibeh, an indigene of Ndi Ebe Abam, Arochukwu, Abia State, is apparently passing through a rough life. For this widow, whose source of livelihood are farm produce, despair, anguish and hopelessness became her lots recently when three of her children were sent out of school for their inability to pay fees. Her plight is however understandable because since three years ago when she lost her husband, a richly blessed farmer with a lot of agricultural produce such as palm oil, plantain and other seasonal fruits, she has become the bread winner of her fam-

ily of four.

Inasmuch as she is able to take farm produce to the nearby markets, her family’s revenue base is guaranteed, but since last year when there was no access road to transport these farm produce to nearby markets, commercial activities came to lull, the widow and mother of three had not been able to sell, no customer was coming to buy, even most of the produce harvested have perished. Now, she makes no gains, and has nothing to maintain her family.

She laments: “After the collapse of Igwu Bridge last year, our people have

been going through untold hardship and harrowing experience to survive on a daily basis. This is due to our inability to convey our farm produce such as yam, rice, garri, palm oil, plantain, banana, maize, pineapples, vegetables and some other items to markets in our neighbouring towns and villages like Ozu Abam, Bende and Umuahia.

She continued: “To make the matter worse, most traders from within Abia here and Imo State that used to come to our market, Ndi Ebe Abam Eke Market have stopped coming due to the fact that no vehicle enters our community,” Mrs. Ibeh recounts.

Ndi Ebe Abam, a small community with a population of over 9,500 citizens is definitely coping with the realities of a trying period as the living standard of indigenes continues to drop after the collapse of the bridge. However, the collapsed bridge is not the only daunting challenge the community is facing as the indigenes of the town are having rough times in the hands of hoodlums at the present.

Recounting the agony of her people is Princess Ada Dike, a journalist and an indigene of the town. “My town was a ghost one when I visited there recently. I wept

because it was desolate, almost had a resemblance to a war-torn environment.

Some of our indigenes, who normally park their vehicles beside the Igwu River, are having it rough as unknown persons always vandalise their vehicles before dawn. I hereby appeal to the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, to help us build a modern bridge that will last longer than the former one which was made with irons and planks and maintained by the indigenes for many years. We also implore the government to help us construct the road which has been neglected for years,” she sadly implores.

But the damaged bridge also attracted comments from no mean personalities as the Eze Ogo (Chief) of Ndi Ebe Abam, Chief Dike Iroegbu, who recalled their problems started when a 25-ton truck conveying stones to a building site in Ndi Ebe Abam damaged the bridge around 4.45 pm on Tuesday, July 1, 2014. Though no life was lost, the driver of the truck and his conductor sustained minor injuries. According to Iroegbu, “The Igwu Bridge was first constructed on May 7, CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

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‘We are hopelessly helpless’

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 1960, but on August 1, 1984, it collapsed when a caterpillar tried to pass through it and the weight caved in. It was reconstructed on August 24, 1984 through the combined efforts of former Chief of General Staff, Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd), and his cousin, a retired Deputy Director of Nigeria Customs Service, Chief O. O. Awah.

“We are hopelessly helpless. Since the collapse of the bridge in July, we have been suffering and this has inflicted huge economic loss to the community since we cannot transport our farm produce to markets with ease. In fact, all commercial activities have been halted and come to a standstill. Our women cannot go to Afor-Ukwu Market at Ozu Abam and AforBende Market and Umuahia Market to buy and sell. They cannot go to Orie-Amuru Market.” He however, appealed to the Abia State Government to come to their aid by rebuilding their bridge and construct their roads in a modern form.

“All we the elders are asking and begging is that this bridge be reconstructed for us and our road tarred. Ndi Ebe Abam has common boundaries with Abiriba, Ozu Abam, Ndi Ojiuwo Abam, Amuru Abam and Umuhu Ezechi. Road networks from the town to other neighbouring towns are bad so, Ndi Ebe Abam has been cut off from her neighbours due to collapse of some bridges, potholes and flood as commuters have deserted the roads.

“In the 1980s, many Abiriba indigenes and visitors plied Ndi Ebe Abam roads to Abiriba, but since 1999, after elections, the roads have become havens for reptiles and wild animals because Abia State Government abandoned the road and could not even grade it as the military governments used to do on a regular basis.

However to prior to this difficult moment , it is pertinent to note that a native of Ndi Ebe Abam, St Kingsley Uzoaru JP, had raised the alarm over the bridge on the social media in 2013. “Anybody who travelled last December, and every visitor to Ndi Ebe Abam last Christmas, will bear me witness that we do not have a road from Ndi Ojiugwo Abam to Ndi Ebe Abam. The once popular and beautiful Igwu Bridge is now a death trap. We are waiting for the first victim to fall inside it in his car, probably with his family. …This bridge has started rusting. Why won’t it rust when it was hastily re-constructed in 1984 after the collapse of the former one when a heavy vehicle tried to pass through it?

“Igwu Bridge is a death-trap which may collapse any moment from now. Its concretes have cracked and almost fallen while the irons have rusted so the bridge shakes when a vehicle is passing through it. Also, the Ogbuebulu and Ogbele bridges made with concrete and built in 1960s have holes in them and may soon collapse,” Uzoaru lamented.

He stressed that: “Ndi Ebe Abam is housing many governmental projects like the Anambra-Imo River Basin Authority, Rice/Irrigation Project, as well as World Bank projects. The bridge links Ndi Ebe

Collapsed bridges

Abam to the outside world. “Through the bridge, Ndi Ebe Abam gets access to other Abam communities in Abam (26 in numbers). It also links Ndi Ebe to Bende, Umuahia and the world at large. The bridge is also a link between the world to Ndi Ebe, Abiriba and Amuru Abam, as well as over 20 equally industrious settle-

ments (plantations/clans).

“Our reaction is that of despair, anguish and hopelessness, especially, when it happened, those that drove out for their businesses could not drive back in; and some were forced to drive back to where they were coming from, some were forced to sleep outside, because it rained. So, the

The once popular and beautiful Igwu Bridge is now a death trap. We are waiting for the first victim to fall inside it in his car, probably with his family. …This bridge has started rusting. Why won’t it rust when it was hastily re-constructed in 1984 after the collapse of the former one

People stranded at the Igwu River

river (Igwu River) overflowed and was yet to recede.

“It has greatly paralysed business activities like those traders, palm oil producers, teachers and so on cannot even go about their businesses like before,” Uzoaru avers.

“Ndi Ebe Abam is one of the four most populous communities in Abam Onyerubi in Arochukwu LGA of Abia State. It is pertinent to note that Ndi Ebe Abam has produced many lawyers, journalists, Customs and Excise officers, policemen, teachers, pharmacists, medical doctors, politicians and so on, who have sacrificed their time, lives and resources for the development of Abia State and Nigeria,” Uzoaru concludes.

Apart from Igwu River, Ndi Ebe Abam is surrounded by beautiful rivers and streams namely: ‘Ogbu-ebulu,’ ‘Ogbele, Ogbele-aga,’ ‘Iyi Elu-ogo,’ ‘Okpu-ufie,’ ‘Ogbu-Ocha,’ ‘Nfia-anyi’ and so on. Many of these rivers usually overflow their banks and cover the roads which sometimes hinder Ndi Ebe Abam natives from going to farms or market.

This town, called small London, is a tourist centre renowned for a bi-annual celebration known as Ekpe-aka, which can be likened to a unique, tall masquerade of about 50 feet tall, in which a boy below nine years of age would be on top, waving and dancing to the rhythm of songs rendered by young men and women. This celebration attracts thousands of visitors from all walks of life.

It is however doubted if the sense of belonging of many illustrious natives of this town cut off from modern communication with their roots by a collapsed bridge might not have also damaged their loyalty to their roots and their decision to transfer their love to other lands with better infrastructures.

Entervaganza

The Saturday Mirror Magazine

Fashion

White hot!

P.28

Sex talk

What do you know about sex?

P.32

Relationships

Is weight a factor in lovemaking?

P.32

Imanse

... under pressure

c Why someone called PAGE

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OCTOBER 31 , 2015

22

ELEBRITY

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me a beast —Jojo Body Beats Jojo Body Beats is one of Nigeria’s most unique performers because his style of performance is virtually unique to him. OSEYIZA OOGBODO met him and he revealed how he discovered his extremely unique talent.

You beat your body to make entertaining sounds and music and you call it bodiophone. Is this term coined by you or bodiophone is a recognised entertainment genre like comedy, rapping, etc?

Well, I actually coined the word, bodiophone, by myself as the name for what I do which is beating my body to produce sounds to entertain people and I therefore call myself a bodiophonist.

I derived bodiophone from the music instrument, xylophone, and I had to do so because beating the human body to make music is not common so I had to come up with a unique name for it so people can make reference to it in future for academic studies and research.

Although for laymen, I call it Jojo body beat but for corporate shows, I call it bodiophony.

Why don’t you just call yourself a musician?

What I do is more than just music and also more than just entertainment.

I’m a creative performer, a total artist.

My performance is theatrical arts and it consists of dance, pantomime, stunts like walking with my hands on stage, singing, comedy and many other elements so it’s a total performance on its own. When I performed for Professor Wole Soyinka at his 70th birthday celebration, he said what I do is poetry and that it’s not until I speak before I am a poet. When I asked people what he meant, they said he meant that I talk with my body.

How long have you been doing bodiophony?

I started professionally in 1995 with Tunde Kuboye’s Jazz 38.

How did you know you could beat your body to make pleasant sounds?

When I was very young, I was always making sounds with my voice unconsciously. I also made sounds with anything I saw to relax my nerves whenever I was stressed or bored. Even when my younger ones cried, I would also pet them by rhythmically tapping their bodies.

How did you then turn it into your profession?

As I grew older, it was only natu-

ral for me to start playing drums in the church and then I had this unisex hair saloon where I was always making sounds so my brother Benjamin advised me that I should join Jazz 38 which we were always watching on TV so I can become known too. He even went as far as telling them about me that I play drums and make music with my body so one day we went to meet them at 10 pm. I followed him just hoping for a meeting with them to discuss but they put me on stage immediately to perform immediately with my body. I was very raw then. I beat my body so vigorously that I felt pains all over, but now I beat it with technique, body language.

What have you achieved?

I’ve achieved in terms of knowing people and exposure, enough expose that can turn to wealth, but the wealth is yet to manifest, but spiritually it’s manifesting, but physically, soon.

That means you are not yet where you want to be. Why is that? Is it that you are not packaging yourself properly?

Not truly. I’m trying in terms of packaging. But acceptance of the art in terms of the reward is just the problem. The art itself is not for every event.

Why is it not for every event?

Because of the quality of production that we want to

achieve and if you tell the sound man do it this way, do it that way, they believe you want to control them. The French Cultural Centre understands the quality of sound we need and they ensure we have a good sound balance but Nigerian shows are a big problem sound wise. So I try all my possible best to perform at only those events that the sound quality needed will be provided.

Or is it that your style is not appreciated?

They do actually. They love it but the Whites appreciate it more.

Most appreciation in Nigeria is applause and presidential hands h a ke.

Most of my performances are for just honourarium.

Some corporate bodies also pay well. But Whites pay me well and give m e

more shows. And churches too are really coming on board as I’m more or less representing God’s creativity so I praise God too with my body now and I encourage youths to hold on to whatever they have in terms of talent and not be discouraged.

What’s the way forward?

I’m hoping to get steady concerts. I’m also imploring organisations that have appreciation for unique art to sponsor me. I don’t perform alone again but with a 5-piece band so I’m bringing something really different and exciting to the table.

Yeni Kuti even said if I have the chance to get out of the country, the sky will be my limit. Sunny Ade too said it that I have to go abroad to perform to know my true worth.

KSA, Yeni Kuti have adviced you. Which of them has helped you?

Well, you get verbal promises here and there, but they can’t do anything about it. Sunny told me that if he says he can help me, he’s just lying, that it’s only God that can help me. I was supposed to go to London in December but it was postponed. I have a management consultant, Yomi Opakunle, and he’s always trying his best to promote me to the best of his ability. He even plays my music on TV and radio.

Has your talent been a blessing or a curse to you then?

I’s a blessing oh. I’m blessed to have the talent. It’s God’s gift to me. Even though I’ve not made the money now, I’m happy because my talent makes people happy as it is unique. One friend even called me Jojo Body Beast as I’m another person totally on stage.

Tell us your biggest performance till date.

I guess it’s the one in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Emem, formerly of KUSH, was the one who arranged for me to travel to Zanzibar to perform in 2008 through the British Council. Even Atiku was so amazed when I was performing the national anthem that he opened his mouth. That performance was transmitted live on CNN and CNN also interviewed me.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

s w ne Wande Coal blasts Don Jazzy ‘You are not God’

Coal

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t seems all is not really well between the erstwhile close duo of Wande Coal and Don Jazzy. Coal used to be signed on to Jazzy’s labels, Mo’ Hits initially, and Mavin afterwards, but he split from Jazzy totally about a couple of years ago, and since then it’s been alleged that there’s bad blood between them and that Jazzy is not happy that Coal quit their work-

ing relationship.

All along, it has been widely believed and accepted that Jazzy and his former partner, D’Banj, were the ones who made Coal into a success.

And while he was working with them, Coal used to sing their praises to high heavens that without them he was nothing.

But with his sophomore album,

Bez holds Gbagyi Child listening party It’s a good year for African music going by the sounds heard and felt at the Gbayi Child album listening by Bez Idakula in Lagos last Sunday at the Fuse Lounge, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Letting friends and the media sample his new album, the alternative soul singer hosted the album listening party where tracks on his sophomore album, Gbagyi Child, were played and performed live by him and his band.

The listening showcase was attended by a host of stars and media personalities including Seyi Shay, Falz The Bahd Guy, Olisa Adibua, Audu Maikori, Toke Makinwa, Timi Dakolo, Kunbi Oyelese, Tito Idakula, Kaylah Oniwo, Makida Moka, OC Ukeje, Ozzy Agu, Lala Akindoju and many more.

Produced by Cobhams Asuquo, the Gbagyi Child album features diverse sounds with different origins and stories which Bez explained.

H also revealed that the creation of the album began two years ago, and ended just a couple of weeks ago.

Featured tracks on the project include Hold You Down, If To Say, You Suppose Know, There’s A Fire, Breathe, and Eternity. While some of the songs were made

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

08036961187 kingseiza@gmail.com

with

Oseyiza Oogbodo

Jazzy

Wanted, finally out, after it failed to come out on both Mo’ Hits and Mavin Records, Coal has been like an open tap, gushing and gushing out his innermost feelings that are telling us the way he actually feels.

For instance, when he released the artwork and tracklist of Wanted prior to its official release this week, he said that Wanted was for those who

hate him, and people immediately took the statement to mean he was inferring to Jazzy and D’Banj.

And in an interview with Channels TV, he came down hard on Jazzy, saying, “I give glory to God Almighty, he’s been the one that brought me out, because everyone is saying Don Jazzy is the one that brought me out.”

Over to you, Jazzy.

Oritsefemi follows Ruggedman to China

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ouble Wahala and Igbeyawo singer, Oritsefemi, will today round up his three-club tour of China at the Gipsy Night Club, Guangzhou.

Bez

by infusing the traditional drum sounds obtained in Bez’s village in Nassarawa, he also worked with Beyonce’s percussionist Marcie Chapa on others.

He treated guests to a fine blend of traditional sounds, a breathtaking feature with Simi, and rock music specially engineered to be enjoyed at international musical festivals. He engaged the guests in a question and answer session, offering insight to the intricacies of making his genre of music.

Gbagyi Child is an entirely live recorded album, and it is scheduled for release next month.

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The tour, packaged by Beijing Faajihouse, began on Thursday at Masters Club, Shenyang and helds Chocolate Club, Beijing, yesterday.

And as is usual with all celebrities worldwide nowadays, Oritsefemi made sure he splashed pictures of himself in China all over the internet just so his fans would know that his China performances aren’t mere hype.

With his China tour, he becomes at least the second Nigerian artists to perform in China this year as controversial rapper, Ruggedman, also performed in China earlier this year.

Oritsefemi

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

CLASSICAL LYRICS

I’m under immense pressure —Imanse A

merican returnee singer, Imanse, has revealed that she’s under immense pressure in the Nigerian music industry that she’s aspiring to make an impact in.

According to the sexy singer, the pressure is basically about her style of music which she’s expected to change.

“There is pressure to do the kind of music that is popular,” she confessed. “Pressure to play it safe and conform to what everyone else is doing, not doing love songs and expressing yourself. A lot of pressure to go ‘commercial.’ You know when they are doing the big shows, they don’t usually call those who are pouring their hearts out talking about love and all.”

Explaining her music, she said its focus is love.

“My music focuses on love. You know they say ‘love is the greatest,’ ‘love makes the world go round’ and all that. Well, love seems to cover everything. Within its context, you will find everything else. Love for family, friends of both sexes, God, country and other people.

It’s not just portraying or lamenting about what is going on in the society that’s important, but also what we can do about it and I think love is the answer. Love is a verb. It’s proactive.”

And on why she left her former base, America, to return to Nigeria to do music, she said, “It’s not just me.

A lot of other people have taken that risk at so many different levels. They left better conditions than the one I was in to come back home. The thing is, you can’t come back home with a double mind, with a soft mind.

You have to be all in to be just to stand a chance.”

Imanse

I can’t drive in Lagos ­—Jeffrey, PFWA 2015 winner

Jeff, Pearl, Anderson in their cars.

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he latest winner of the highly successful music talent hunt, Project Fame West Africa, Jeffrey, has said that PF has made his dreams come true.

Speaking after he was officially presented with the Hyundai SUV that comes with being PF’s winner, he said, “My life after Project Fame has been wonderful. I get calls, messages, and my social media followership has increased by like 100%.

It has really been a wonderful experience because I never knew it would turn out to be this huge and I am very grateful to God for this pleasant change in my status.

“For instance, something happened to

me two years ago and I told myself I must get my car before age 20, even though I had no idea of how it would come. I am going to turn 19 in some days from now and I now have not just any car, but a luxury car.

I feel truly blessed and grateful that this has been achieved through Project Fame.”

But he then added that he won’t be able to drive the SUV in Lagos because “truth is I can drive but I will get a driver, Lagos is not an easy place for soft drivers like me.”

Jeffrey wasn’t the only one who got his SUV prize. The second place winner, Pearl, got her Hyundai Elantra saloon while

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the third place winner, Anderson, got his Hyundai Accent saloon.

Meanwhile, Jeffrey and his fellow PFWA 2015 finalists have presented their recording collaborations with their established colleagues. The presentations were made last weekend and Jeffrey presented his collabo with Iyanya titled Dip It. Pearl presented hers with Yemi Alade, Whatever You Do; Anderson/Sound Sultan, Number 1; Arewa/Praiz, Anything For You; Ada/Chidinma, Celebrate; and last but not the least, Deinde/9ice, Aiyemi.

Crazy Artist: Seyi Shay featuring Wizkid Intro Legendury Beatz Oluwa lo seyi Wizzy baby You be the boss Lo lo lo La la la la Doo doo d i… yea yea I be the bosseth Chorus (Wizkid) You be calling me, calling you I be calling you, calling me Will you die for me … die for me Cause I go die for you If I no get money Will you be there for me If things goes funny Will you stand by me … aro Hook (Seyi Shay) I’m in love with my baby I’m in love with my baby I’m in love with my baby yea yea You be driving me crazy I’m in love with my baby I’m in love with my baby You in love with your baby yea yea You be driving me crazy, crazy eh … yea yea Verse 1 (Seyi Shay) Boy you are my lover You are my sweetie sugar No need to bother Cause I got you covered I got your back any day I know I’m the omo ele you are looking for East to the west, me go let them know No do me wrong and we be fine oh (Wizkid) Could it be your love … your love Could it be your touch … your touch Could it be the stuff … the stuff Wey dey make me wan marry you go today Could it be your love … your love Could it be your touch … your touch Could it be the stuff … the stuff Wey dey make me wan marry you go today eh eh Chorus [Wizkid] You be calling me, calling you I be calling you, calling me Will you die for me … die for me Cause I go die for you If I no get money Will you be there for me If things goes funny Will you stand by me … aro Hook (Seyi Shay) I’m in love with my baby I’m in love with my baby I’m in love with my baby yea yea You be driving me crazy I’m in love with my baby I’m in love with my baby You in love with your baby yea yea You be driving me crazy, crazy eh … yea yea Verse 2 (Seyi Shay) You tell me jump baby I say how high baby You do me something and I just can’t laugh This your love no be wayo Strong thing o I dey kolo We take it oh ah … aro Early in the morning … na ah ah Boy if you wan party … na ah ah You dey scatter my brain o High me like champagne You be the boss, I be the bosseth Give me your love, baby I loveth Repeat chorus

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

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Bankable entertainers

Cuppy

Bim

t’s not easy to be a billionaire. That’s why there are just a few of them in the world. According to a recent statistic, there are just over one thousand, six hundred billionaires in the world’s population of six billion people.

Many of these billionaires made their pile themselves. And some of them inherited theirs from their parents or husbands or whoever who made it, kicked the bucket and left it all to them.

And when you now relate billionaires to the Nigerian entertainment industry, you’ll discover that there are some potential billionaires in the industry.

Potential billionaires, we say, because none of them is an actual billionaire, and neither are any of them in line to make billions of naira in the nearest future. All the same, they are potential billionaires because their parents are billionaires so they can inherit billions thereby.

So these entertainment billionaires are very successful in entertainment because they have too much money to buy themselves fame. They are very successful because they do entertainment out of passion and not because they are desperate to become successful materially through entertainment.

Top on this list of Nigeria’s entertainment billionaires is definitely the Omo Baba Olowo himself, Davido. When it comes to the issue of money, it’s not a secret that Davido has so much of it, courtesy of his father who has just too much of it himself.

Davido is probably the only entertainer in the country that if he says he bought an item for a whopping sum, he can be believed, because his father has the money and his father gives it to him, and what he makes on his own is just extra.

So when he disclosed that he bought a mansion in Lekki for over a hundred million naira, no one doubted him. Likewise when he said he bought a Mercedes Benz G-Wagon for forty million, or that

his father chartered a luxury plane just to fly him to a show.

Another person that is on this exclusive list, and must be thanking her lucky stars for making her so privileged is Eku Edewor.

She’s known as an on-air personality, a compere and a socialite who’s fashionable and beautiful.

Many people probably just see her as the beautiful girl next door, but she’s more than that. She also comes from great wealth and even if she has not been entrusted with the family fortune at this point in time, that might just happen one of these days.

While Eku doesn’t seem to be popularly connected with billions like Davido, DJ Cuppy is also popularly connected to billions.

She’s a DJ who has handled the wheels of steel at some prestigious events and trends for the littlest things like strolling in New York.

But not a few people would argue strongly that her major fame at this point in time is due to her father being the billionaire oil magnate, Femi Otedola.

Unlike Davido and Eku who have actually achieved some tangible things in the entertainment industry, Cuppy is yet to really prove her worth as an entertainment practitioner. But people don’t really care whether she proves herself or not.

Just by being Otedola’s daughter, she has proven herself and it’s enough for many people that they have access to her through her entertainment aspirations.

Aspiring singer, Bim, is yet another billionaire child who probably broke daddy’s heart by electing to go into entertainment instead of daddy’s business.

Her father, who died recently, was the renowned billionaire, Antonio Deinde Fernandez.

Like Cuppy, Bim is not yet making major waves in the Nigerian music industry, but she has what it takes to get to the top. She started playing music instruments from when she was just four years old, on the directive of her father, and she released her

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Davido

Morgan

debut single, Let’s Take It Naked, last year.

Though these four are definitely not the only entertainment personalities who might inherit billions, they are the most prominent of such entertainment billionaires and they are fully living the jet set lifestyle, not faking it like many other entertainers.

Oh well, everybody cannot be born with a diamond spoon.

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

u d u A h it d Ju – g n si ’t n o w I y h W Funke Akindele,

ji e k E a d in L r, A e g g lo b ty ri b in fresh tiff with cele

cting and singing are two professions that complement each other. In fact, back in the day, most actors had to know how to sing mandatorily. “(The post has portrayed) Funke Nowadays, it’s mostly the live theatre actors Akindele’s brand in bad light,” her who still bother to sing a little bit. management said. “It has promoted elebrity movie artiste, However, Nigerians are veryFunke resourceful and unhealthy rivalry where there is Akindele, is more rarelythan upset about try their hands at one profession, so none.” publications about her. But with many Nollywood actresses have tried their best Reports has it that Ms. Akindele’s Linda Ekeji, celebrated blogger, the to sing and failed woefully. lawyer, said the post was “borne out movie maestro of ‘Jenifa’ fame is ready of exception. them who took on singing are of pure malice for our client who has to Some make an Genevieve, Omotola, Dayo Amusa, Gabriel carved an inch (sic) for herself in the Popular known as Jenifa, Akindele entertainment industry whilst also Afolayan and we have has askedand Ms.Jim IkejiIyke to withdraw andto commend inciting hatred between our client and them for even apologize for a trying. post on Ms. Ikeji’s blog Toyin Aimakhu on one hand and our But while actors tried published onsome January 25,have titled, Didit and client and her fans on the other hand,” Funkemore Akindele Toyin Aimakhu many are shade willing to try it, respected in a seven paragraph letter made last night? actress Judith Audu, who’s currently wrapping available to the media outfit.

In the post, Ms. Ikeji suggested that up the post-production of her maiden fullMs. Ikeji was subsequently advised an Instagram on Ms. Akindele’s length movie,picture Just Not Married, has declared to remove the post, offer a retraction page was intended as a slight on emphatically that she’ll never sing becauseand sheMs. Aimakhu had “shaded” Ms. and make available a link to Ms. fellow actress, Ms. Aimakhu, who was Akindele over the latter’s 2014 divorce. can’t sing.

Akindeke’s team. recently rumored to have separated Ms Akindele, through her According to her: “I can’t sing to save my life!

As at the time this report got to us, from her husband, Adeniyi Johnson. management, said thanks to Ms. Ikeji’s That’s how bad my singing voice is.

So it’s a no Ms. Linda Ikeji is yet to say anything According to Ms. Ikeji, the two blog post, she was exposed to “cynical concerning the case. for me. Buthad most of my colleagues are blessed actresses previously fallen out comments and hasty judgements”. with very lovely voice to sing, so why not? But for me, I can’t simply because I don’t have talent in that area.”

Audu being shown agape love by members of her production crew Well, if you say so, J.

‘Armed robbery attack inspired my album’

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Victor Udoh

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s he prepares to release his album, I Am Not Afraid, aspiring gospel singer, Victor Uche, has told E-News that he was inspired to record the album because of his encounter with

‘Don’t compare My first client was Eedris Abdulkareem —Cornell Udofia Nollywood to Hollywood’

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ornell Udofia is one of the entertainment industry’s most riveting personalities. He isn’t an actor neither is a singer. He’s however someone whom entertainers can’t do without. He’s a publicist, and a very successful one at that, having been a publicist for several big names that include Oge Okoye, Faze and Jim Iyke.

And speaking with E-News recently on why he became a publicist and who his very first client was, Udofia didn’t

Udofia

hold back.

“I became a publicist because I was not happy with the level of publicity and projection artists were given by the press and media players so we decided to exploit the vacuum by going into it,” he explained. “Moreover, the gladiators themselves were not helping matters either by not understanding the fact that without packaging, an artist is incomplete. Most of them find it very strange and uncalled-for to engage the services of a publicist, image maker, manager and even designer who should handle their affairs, thereby making them able to concentrate and focus on dropping good songs. I thank God we took the bull by the horns to actually pioneer the importance of artist being represented by publicists.”

And on whom was his very first client, he said, “When we started then, we were not looking for money nor fame but to make a name believing that with good delivery, money must surely come. Our first client we experimented with was Eedris Abdulkareem of Mr Lecturer fame. We publicised his activities so perfectly well that Seye Kehinde, publisher of City People, was forced to look for me to arrange how Mr Lecturer would perform in City People Awards of Excellence of that year.”

M

Balogun

ovie producer and director, Akin-Tijani Balogun, has said that it’s unfair to compare Nollywood to Hollywood.

He made the statement when E-News asked him his financial status, considering that American movie producer-directors like Steven Spielberg and James Cameron are billionaires.

Replying, he said, “If you look at the financial angle, that juxtaposition, that analogy you made, of comparing America to Nigeria is farfetched. The kind of marketing structure they have over there is much more different when you look at the structure of our own industry. Let me just say we are living the Nigerian way. What we are doing at least enables us to live and live well in Nigeria. Of course we know that if we do it outside, we’ll make much more.”

And speaking on his plans, he said, “My own plan is to have a film village, a place that’s structured, designed to be a film village for complete productions, because movie is just one out of the several things we do. So I want to have a film village, a place where you can shoot a game show, a commercial, anything that goes on the screen.”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 31, 2015

le StyGlam and

with Yemisi Adeniran

Chif fon G lofa m o u r

Style & Glam

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27

(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com

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Style & Glam

White h OCTOBER 31, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Fashion

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Fashion

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n frenzy

hot!

n frenzy

OCTOBER 31, 2015

Style & Glam

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Fashion

OCTOBER 31, 2015

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Guest G

Looking good is what More evidence based every woman’s got to health and nutrition tips do – Ituen Bassi Continued from last week

If you love to look good but at a loss on how to achieve this, you need to read this. “It is not good to get careless with our bodies or appearance just because we are having kids or for attaining a particular age. A heart that is kept young will live longer,” says pretty Ituen Basi.

You have been married for over a decade yet you look pretty and gorgeous. What’s the secret?

I’m into health and fitness, so I practice what I preach. I eat right, I exercise regularly, I drink a lot of water and I hardly drink sweet stuffs. I generally maintain a healthy lifestyle. Above all, God has helped all to work out well for me.

You are a mother of three lovely boys, a wife and an actress. How do you manage these responsibilities?

The fact is we just must do whatever needs to be done. Every working mother has a challenge of coping with career and family.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re an actress, a banker or even a tomato seller in the market; you still have to cope somehow. For me, I just know that I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do. I’ve got to be a wife, a mum and an actress and I’ve got to combine them very well. I’ve got to figure out ways to make sure no one is suffering and that’s the reason why I can’t do every movie. That’s why I need to have time to spend with my family. When I’m not around, they know that okay, mummy is working. but when I’m around, they know that mummy is around because I’ll be making sure everything is fine and they have nice new things that they don’t have when mummy is not around.

What do you advise mothers that find it hard to keep a good shape in spite of all their efforts?

I will advise that they do more. It is never over if it is not over. They need to be more disciplined with their diet and exercises. As far as a I know, nothing in this life is unachievable.

They just need to try more. It must also be stressed that beauty is a thing of the mind just as age is. It is a self-made decision. If you make up your mind to remain pretty even when you are eighty, you will still be looking good because you will just find yourself in things that make the younger ones look pretty. So, it is all in the mind. Most importantly, it is not good to get careless with our bodies or appearance just because we are having kids or for attaining a particular age. A heart that is kept young will live longer.

11. Eat vegetables and fruits Vegetables and fruits are the “default” health foods, and for good reason. They are loaded with prebiotic fiber, vitamins, minerals and all sorts of antioxidants, some of which have potent biological effects.

Studies show that people who eat the most vegetables and fruits

live longer, and have a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and all sorts of diseases 12. Eat enough protein Eating enough protein is incredibly important, and many experts believe that the recommended daily intake is too low. Protein is particularly important for weight loss, and works via several different mechanisms. A high protein intake can boost metabolism significantly, while making you feel so full that you automatically eat fewer calories. It can also cut cravings and reduce the desire for latenight snacking. Eating plenty of protein has also been shown to lower blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

13. Don’t smoke, do drugs or drink too much If you are a smoker, or you abuse drugs, tackle those

problems fast. If you choose to include alcohol in your life, then do so in moderation only, and consider avoiding it completely if you have alcoholic tendencies.

14. Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil Extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest fat on the planet. It is loaded with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and powerful antioxidants that can fight inflammation. Extra virgin

olive oil leads to many beneficial effects on heart health, and people who consume olive oil have a much lower risk of dying from heart attacks and strokes.

15. Minimise added sugars Added sugar is the single worst ingredient in the modern diet. Small amounts are fine, but when people eat large amounts, it can wreak havoc on metabolic health. A high intake of added sugar is linked to numerous diseases, including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and many forms of cancer.

16. Avoid refined carbohydrates Not all carbohydrates are created equal. Refined carbs have been highly processed, and have had all the fiber removed from them. They are low in nutrients (empty calories), and can be extremely harmful.

Studies show that refined carbohydrates are linked to overeating and numerous metabolic diseases.

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

Male Essentials

31

08036961187

with Oseyiza Oogbodo kingseiza@gmail.com

When fashion meets technology W

hile modern technological conveniences accommodate our on-the-go lifestyles, they fail to do the same for our wardrobes. The ability to carry our music libraries, phones and calendars with us at all times leaves us with devices stuck on our ears, accessories clipped to our belts, and objects stuffed in our front pockets. But luck is on our side because there is a better way to sport these instruments. When Nike announced plans to make all its running shoes iPod-compatible, the company set the tone for where men’s fashion is going: the seamless blending of our technology into our daily attire and routine.

So gentlemen, let us heed Nike’s call to arms — and belts and pockets — in the battle to incorporate our gadgets more stylishly into our wardrobes. iPods When it comes to iPods, the rule of thumb should be “out of sight, but not out of mind.” The arm strap and belt clip are the most common means of wearing iPods, but these are not ideal fashion accessories. These items mar the visual appeal of any casual or business outfit because they look cumbersome, juvenile and unprofessional. As you go about your everyday routine, your iPod should disappear into our appearance.

A couple of options exist for achieving the unobtrusive iPod look. One, simply place your iPod inside either your inner coat pocket or your back pocket, not on your belt or bicep. You can even use the clip to hold your iPod in place. Much like your wallet, your iPod will be out of sight while also being instantly within reach.

Two, buy clothing with built-in storage.

Not surprising, most designers — especially outerwear designers — have made iPod accommodations in many garments.

Express, for example, recently released a line of suit jackets that includes a pocket created especially for your iPod. Going

this route with your clothing provides a seamless integration of music and wardrobe.

As you shop for new clothes, look for items that complement not only your body but also your lifestyle.

Cell phones Cell phones are a staple of daily attire; seldom do we leave home without them. The problem comes when we leave home with them clipped to our belts or with Bluetooth headsets stuck to our ears.

Ideally, cell phones blend innocuously into an ensemble, not hanging obnoxiously at your waistline or requiring gadgets strapped to your ear. Sure, these things are functionally practical, but they are also aesthetically distasteful. Attaching cell phones (or any other gadget for that matter) to your belt imbalances your appearance by drawing attention to your midsection, and clipping Bluetooth headsets to your ear just looks silly. Clips and headsets should be avoided at all costs, and cell phones, like iPods, should be carried strategically.

Today’s cell phones are sleek and compact, allowing them to be concealed inconspicuously on your person. Similar to your iPod, your cell should be kept in inte-

rior pockets that allow it to be hidden from plain sight — this includes not stuffing it in your front pocket where it will be visible — but accessible at a moment’s notice.

The outer pocket of a bag or briefcase is an excellent choice too. Or, if you’re going to be unreachable for an extended period of time, go ahead and store your phone in your briefcase or luggage. Hey, you might even enjoy the break.

The sleekness of today’s phones makes them very stylish and more fashionable than a Bluetooth headset. And for those who always carry a phone and an iPod, most cell phone manufacturers like Nokia and Motorola sell phones with music capabilities, combining two gadgets into one.

PDAs PDAs (personal digital assistants) are an integral part of one’s daily routine.

How else would you stay on schedule, keep your contacts organized, and add meetings on the fly? No doubt your PDA works for you, and you should also make it work for your wardrobe. So, it must be taken off your belt and out of your pockets, unless it’s an ultra-small model; it must be incorporated more fashionably into both your wardrobe and your routine.

To up the style ante on your PDA, store it somewhere off your person. The easiest alternative is to keep your PDA in your briefcase. If you don’t carry a briefcase, do one of the following: Store it in your current planner or in an all-new leather case.

Either option gives you and your PDA a refined, polished look. The first option is simple; it’s a PDA-attachment insert for your current planner. The idea is small in theory, but big on impact. It incorporates

your PDA in your existing planner, cohesively tying your PDA into your already established routine.

No planner? No worries. Invest in a new leather binder with built-in storage. These binders give you storage for your PDA and other business items such as cards, pens, phones, and notepads. They create a more professional look not only for your PDA, but also for you, making you look more put together and efficient.

Laptops No doubt laptops are the most obtrusive gadget around. And since they can’t be disguised in a coat or camouflaged by a binder, they should be carried openly and stylishly. But this doesn’t mean carrying your laptop loosely under your arm, in a knapsack or in a rolling case. As with all other gadgetry, there are style rules for laptop transportation, and these options are the most outward ones for showing your fashion sense.

The most fashionable way to successfully incorporate your laptop into your wardrobe is with a high-quality leather bag. While nylon is available and is less expensive, these bags can show their age and lose their shape quickly. Be sure to choose wisely; that’s why a rich brown or classic black leather bag will earn you compliments.

Aside from their finish, laptop bags also come in a variety of styles, so shoot for the one that best meets your needs. Never sacrifice form over function. Today’s styles range from the traditional briefcase to the casual “man purse.” And any style works, as long as it works with your own particular style. For instance, if you dress more conservatively and work in a buttoned-up office, you should go for a more traditional bag. Simply stated, your laptop case is an outward expression of you and your lifestyle, so choose a high-quality, functional case that supports who you truly are.

Hi-tech fashion Everywhere we go, gentlemen, our gadgets go with us. But from this point on, let us march forward with them in style.

While we may have previously lost the battle, here’s our chance to finally win the war.

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Male

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Angle

Jide animashaun 08034710902 jidemashaun@yahoo.com

Is weight a facto I

When there’s a will!

f you have too much body fat, you are obese or overweight, just like millions of people all over the world. It happens because you eat more calories than you use, and your body converts the excess to fat. There are lots of reasons that this can happen. Our lifestyle may lack exercise or we are given portions that are too big and too caloric when we eat, and some of us are just more efficient genetically at converting food into fat than others. These days, the media and a lot of keep-fit enthusiasts have also made the desirability of slim women to be uppermost in people’s minds when it comes to issues relating to sex. This has therefore increased the desirability of slim women by a lot of men. Men believe that a slim woman is definitely a healthy woman even if that may not be the case since a lot of slim women may now even suffer from a medical condition called anorexia.

African cultures a few years back were different on the issue of slim being desirable. Common folklore also partook in creating a different perspective. There’s a popular Yoruba song in the fuji music genre which was all over the airwaves a few years back that if translated meant that it’s the man with the big tummy that money should be given to, respected and even sexually desired. A lot of people took it beyond that to mean that the fat or overweight man should be the one that ladies should flock around because they were supposed to make very good husbands since the general assumption then was that obesity or being overweight connoted wealth and showed a man who could take good care of a woman.

Would that this is true but it is far from it. Africans in the past culturally assumed that obesity was the height of sexual attractiveness and some cultures even went as far as creating “fattening rooms” for their young girls to enrich them with the wealth of wisdom of the older married women who would have become obese from the lifestyles they lived as married women within the community. A lady that

passed through the fattening rooms was supposed to look rotund and well fed. This was the height of good health. She was also supposed to become sexually attractive because of the glow of good health that according to the popular myth she would have gotten through being obese or overweight.

It’s also no secret the media has helped in flaunting the idea that thin is sexy, and while beauty remains in the eye of the beholder, there is a definite link between weight gain and sex drive.

Sex is physical and requires one to be able to move. Obesity can be physically restrictive and therefore prevent intimacy and sex.

On another level, psychologically speaking, feeling good with oneself through good self esteem that comes from feeling healthy and not overweight will go a long way in increasing the desirability of one and one’s spouse towards love making. A man or woman who is obese psychologically speaking most times after a lot of verbal, emotional and psychological abuse from the generality of the populace will feel unattractive and that will go a long way in determining how that person will react to sexual overtures from the opposite sex.

From the medical field also, it has been proven beyond any reasonable doubts that one’s sex drive is also affected by high blood pressure and diabetes, conditions you’re likely to have if you’re medically unfit and overweight. Additionally, erectile dysfunction can be a problem for as many obese and overweight men. Other medical conditions such as high cholesterol and insulin resistance which can come from being overweight do have the ability to impact on sexual desire, which in turn impacts on ability to perform, particularly in men. A man who has problems having an erection is going to lose his desire for sex in not too long a time. But be that as it may, the truth about sex is that experience and the will to make your partner enjoy the act in itself and not being selfish are what really matters and not whether one is slim, overweight or obese.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

What do you know about sex?

1.

During 30 minutes of active sex, the average person burns approximately 200 calories.

2.

On average, adult men think about sex every seven seconds.

3.

Having sex at least once per week can lower a man’s risk of heart disease by 30%, stroke by 50% and diabetes by 40%. It has also been shown that men with an active sex life are more likely to live past 80 years.

4.

The average size of an erect penis measures between 5 and 6 inches, while the average size of a flaccid penis is about 3.5 inches.

5.

The sperm count of the average male in 2008 was down nearly 30% from the sperm count of an average male 30 years ago.

6.

Viagra, the well-known blue pill designed to help with erectile dysfunction, made $411 million in profits within the first three months of its release in 1998 before going on to make $1.8 billion in 2003.

7.

Use of the condom was first noted in published literature in the early 1500s. The device was originally made of linen, and historians believe the legendary lover Casanova used linen condoms.

8.

Historical records show that even in 1850 B.C., women attempted to practice birth control. The most common method was a mixture of crocodile dung and honey placed in the vagina in the hope of preventing pregnancy.

9.

Just a decade ago, only 25% of women reported experiencing orgasm as a result of intercourse. In recent years, this number has ris-

en to about 45%. In contrast, over 80% of women report experiencing orgasm though oral sex.

10. The vibrator, a common sex toy for women, was originally designed in the nineteenth century as a medication to combat the anxiety-related symptoms of hysteria.

11. Homosexuality was listed as a mental illness with the American Psychiatric Association (APA) until 1973. It has since been removed and is now considered an orientation by the APA instead of an illness.

12. Approximately 1% of people worldwide identify as asexual (having no strong sexual attraction to either sex).

13. Statistics suggest that approximately one in every five persons has indulged in sex with a colleague at work.

14. During 2007, more than 2.5 million people worldwide became infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. With these new cases, there are now 33 million people living with AIDS throughout the world.

15. Since AIDS was first diagnosed in 1981, more than 25 million people have died as a result of the virus. Two million people died from AIDS in the year 2007 alone.

16. The average male produces several million new sperm daily. Conversely, a female is born with a finite amount of eggs and will produce no more than that throughout her lifetime.

17. Statistics show that approximately 90% of men and 65% of women masturbate from time to time.

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or in lovemaking?

B

This column is x-rated 18. Worldwide, 27.5% of women report that they felt pressured into having sex for the first time compared to 15% of men reporting the same feelings.

19. According to a 2007 worldwide sex survey, the average age when people first have sex is 19.25.

20. Outside of the bedroom, the most common place for adults to have sex is the car.

21. The average couple spends about 20 minutes engaged in sexual foreplay prior to intercourse.

22. Worldwide, sexually active adults report having sex an average of 103 times per year. This number is down from an average of 127 times per year in 2003.

23. One report states that 48% of women have faked an orgasm at least once in their life. Interestingly, an identical 48% of men also report faking an orgasm at least once.

24. Throughout the world, approximately 25% of sexually active persons report having had only one sexual partner. Conversely, 21% report having more than 10 sexual partners in their lifetime.

25. One survey reports that 53% of sexually active persons claim to have sex at least once weekly. However, only 48% report being satisfied with their sex life.

26. Many of the ingredients in chocolate are proven to cause arousal similar in effect to sexual foreplay. In fact, some experts believe chocolate may be even more effective than foreplay for sexual arousal.

27. Both men and women can be turned

This column is x-rated on by the aromas of wine. The scents of many wines are believed to replicate human pheromones, the chemical substances that cause behavioural responses in humans.

28. Endorphins released during sexual activity create a euphoria similar to that produced by opioid drug use. These same endorphins also act as extremely effective pain killers.

29. A woman is more likely to want to commit adultery during ovulation than at any other time in her cycle.

30.

Telling a convincing lie to someone is much more difficult when you find them sexually attractive.

31.

Minute quantities of over 30 different substances have been identified in human semen. These include nitrogen, fructose, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, inositol, cholesterol, glutathione, creatine, pyruvic acid, citric acid, sorbitol, urea, uric acid and Vitamin B12, along with various salts and enzymes.

32.

Women who have given birth have darker labia minora than women who haven’t.

33.

The majority of women experience a peak in libido just before their period.

34.

The point at which the average man reaches his sexual peak is between the ages of 17 and 18.

35. The earth could be re-populated to its current level using the number of sperm that could fit into an aspirin capsule.

Female

Angle

JACQUI IWU 08165049669 email: amiicaregroup@aol.com

Pls seek help!

eing over-weight is a body and health condition that has robbed lots of people the opportunities of enjoying good life. In Africa, old schoolers still see being overweight as an evidence of good living which makes no sense to those who understand what being overweight is.

Relating overweight or what those in the fitness and wellness business call –obesity to lovemaking and how it affects couples who are married has always been a very sore corner for most married people. Am looking at where either the man or the woman or both are overweight and how it affects their love making as husband and wife.

Love making is approved by God for men and women who are married in the eyes of God and each partner has no right to deprive each other the right to indulge in it happily. There are women who after giving birth to few children fall out of shape and do not look appealing and attrractive to the husband any longer. Their weight even gets to the extent of them not having the stamina to satisfy the husband during love making.

Most times, these women are in a very bad shape that making love does not also appeal to them and when this happens, the marriage relationship suffers. Such women while battling with overweight battles with other health issues as well. They are mostly sick and always complain of exhaustion even to the extent of keep a good body hygiene.

To be honest, being overweight is not something anyone should enjoy even if you want to enjoy it so i wonder why people at this age we are in still see it as an evidence of being wealthy and rich.

Total Crap ...if you ask me!

When a married woman finds her self in this weight mess and refuses to do something about it, her husband has no option than to look outside and seek for a woman who pleases and attracts him sexually. This is not a situation of- if he really loves his wife truly or not. The true love could still be there among them but the woman is just not what she used

to be when the man first met her.

The attraction is no more there and most men in this situation, do not owe anyone any explanation or apology when they keep a mistress outside the marriage. Such attitude from the man angers the wife and making her to start making torubles with the husband. At this stage, what a sensible woman must do is not to start sniffing if the husband is keeping a mistress or not but rather find solution to her weight problem. I keep telling married women to stop giving child bearing as an excuse to be overweight. The fact remains that our women eat so much, without caution during pregnancy . After child birth, the voracious eating and sedentary life style continues even more. You see a condition where a woman is out of work for months, breastfeeding the baby and eating more than three times in a day. If you check what they feed on....mostly carbs and lumps of beef with plenty of sugar drinks. If while pregnant, you were consious of your diet(pregnancy cravings or not) the accumulation of fat will not be too much. Again if after child birth, you start early to watch your diet and keeping active, you will shed off the pregnancy weight faster and easily. Who says a woman breast feeding should not lose weight? You can if you consult a proffessional body coach to help plan your fitness/diet regimen that will not affect your breast feeding.

An overweight wife is always a loser when it comes to lovemaking satisfaction in marriage and do not expect your husband to pamper you to lose weight. Fight for your life and keep your marriage.

On the side of the men who are overweight, their own problem is even worse. There are issues of premature ejaculation, fertility and not performing sexually at all. If such a man happens to have a woman who does not respect him, the woman will be bringing men into his matrimonial home without care. This is the worst insult any wife could give to the husband..if you ask me. Such men should seek proffesional help and counseling.

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

WOMAN k o o l d l u o h s n a m o w y r e v E n a m e l b i s n o p for a res – Mide Funmi Martins

Mide Funmi Martins is not just a renowned actress but a beautiful one at that.

She spoke with YEMISI ADENIRAN on her life after the sudden demise of her mother Funmi Martins, her marriage and the secret of her beauty despite motherhood.

How would you describe life after your mother’s sudden death?

Her sudden death was not just a shock to me particularly but an eternal pain. I was very young when the incident happened, so, I thought my life had come to an end. Honestly, it was hard for me to believe or nurse the thought of continuing life. But you see, my life did not stop at her

death and I cannot but wonder at the awesomeness of God. He raised the right people for me among whom is my husband.

He stood by me and I bless God for that.

You look beautiful everyday in spite of the fact that you are a mother of two. How have you been able to maintain this?

Just as the popular and true saying in the Bible that all things are possible, there

is nothing that we set our minds to do that will not be possible. The only thing that is important and that has worked for me in this wise, is my mind set on looking good.

I love to look good all the time, I don’t see any strong reason to look shabby at any point in time. Looking god is a very serious business for me. Apart from the fact that it is a major tool for my own kind of

work, I personally feel good when I appear beautiful and people appreciate it.

What do you say to women who stop looking beautiful because of motherhood?

I will say they are just not the naturally beauty-conscious women. I say this because motherhood is no excuse for ugly looks. It should even be the best time to showcase our beauty because it is the time you have this consciousness of achieving one important success as a woman. In Africa, if a woman is unable to get married in life, she is regarded as a failure. So, the inner conviction that you have crossed this huddle should be enough for one to feel good from inside. If one is in addition able to have children, she has added another feather to her cap in life. All these should make one feel fulfilled. When one feels fulfilled, she exhumes joy and beauty from the inside. And if one is happy from within, she will naturally look beautiful without any stress. Beauty , they say is from within. I am grateful to God that He has made looking pretty a natural thing. It runs in the family. Although this is a fact, I cannot but appreciate God for my husband on this too.

How is he connected to this?

There is no how one’s beauty can blossom everyday and for people to see if one’s home is a hell. My husband is a lov-

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A responsible man is he who respects his wife in all things. He treats her as a queen in the presence of everyone especially his family members.

He

makes his family his priority in all

things.

He leaves all things to cater for his family. He does not joke with the welfare of his immediate family. He would not allow anyone talk or treat his wife anyhow.

ing and supportive man. He has given me peace of mind right from the beginning of this marriage up till today. He is not a wife-beater, he is a very responsible man who gives me my respect and provides for his family. He is not just a co-worker, he is a friend, a brother and has been filling the gap that my mother left when she left us suddenly.

Many are yet to believe that the love between you is natural?

Well, they may have to keep wondering for a lifetime. What people always think and line up for themselves where marriage is concerned is always what undo them in that marriage. It is funny that they usually transfer this to others most times. Marriage goes beyond physical appearance. It involves other things like the person’s honesty and commitment to that marriage. It involves the boldness of the person and not just what the person looks like or even the amount of money he has at that point.

Are you saying good looks and money is not important in marriage?

They are both important but applying wisdom in marriage is most important.

A man that looks like he just steps out of style magazine or who is very comfortable materially but treats you shabbily during your courtship will definitely make your life unbearable when you finally get married to him. That a man does not have as much money as his counterparts at the initial point does not mean he will remain poor all his life time. If he is ambitious, enterprising and promising, he will definitely provide one with the right comfort in the future. A responsible man is what women should look out for when set to settle down.

What‘s your idea of a responsible man?

A responsible man is he who respects his wife in all things. He treats her as a queen in the presence of everyone especially his family members. He makes his family his priority in all things. He leaves all things to cater for his family. He does not joke with the welfare of his immediate family. He would not allow anyone talk or treat his wife anyhow, he does not see beating or battering as an option to correct his wife. He puts God first in all things, makes God his only confidant; he is ready to be corrected by his wife.

He does not see himself as the alpha and the omega of the family. I mean he is not the dictatorial type. He allows his wife to have a say in the affairs of the family. He is not the proud type. He sees himself and the wife as one. A responsible man loves

his wife without any condition. He goes the extra mile to provide for his family.

He considers his wife and children’s feeling before taking any step or making any decision.

What would you blame the numerous broken marriages that we have today?

Before I will blame it on anything, I will like to stress here that the success of any marriage is not based on the players of that marriage, their spectacular good attributes but on God who has helped them. Marriage is good but very complicated. What one person experiences in his or her home is far different from what another faces. Issues and matters arising from marriages differ from one home to the other. It won’t be right and accurate therefore for one to judge anyone from a distance. However, I will say couples should go into marriages ordained by God; otherwise the foundation won’t be firm. I t is rather wrong for one to opt for marriage just because he or she feels time is up or that all her friends are married. It is not also right to marry for the sake of material things and mere emotional reasons. You must be convinced that you are ready to live the rest of your life with the partner you have chosen. If a woman or a man marries for the sake of physical attributes, if anything should happen in the future to affect that attribute negatively, the attraction is gone and the person’s interest in that marriage might evaporate also. These were some of the guidelines they thought us while we were growing up and I guess, they are applicable. I am not that old in marriage but I think God has helped to choose my husband for me.

He is the best partner I can get; he is the perfect partner that completes me. I love him with all of my being. I must not forget to add that couples must endure each other’s faults. The fact is there are many other things we tend to discover of our partners when we finally get married, we have to learn to endure otherwise, there will be problems. We must also learn to respect each other’s views, likes and dislikes. You must not like or do what your partner do not like, we must do only those things that appeal to each other. That way, the fire of love will be re-kindled. Above all, couples must seek God’s face before settling down into marriage. They must equally seek him even after for easy dwelling. No matter what and who a woman is, she must honour her husband and his relatives. The man should do the same too.

Keeping ABREAST

Can sharing a husband be GOOD for women?

Polygamous households are wealthier and have healthier children —Study

I

t’s the dream of some men and the nightmare of ALL women.

But now scientists have discovered that having multiple wives can actually be good for the entire family.

A new study into polygyny where a man has more than one wife (polygamy is the umbrella term for multiple marriages) found it leads to greater health and wealth for women and their children.

While countries around the globe ban or restrict marriages to more than one spouse at a time, University of California, Davis (USA) researchers looked at the established practice in parts of Tanzania.

They compared polygynous and monogamous households in 56 villages in northern parts of the country, where polygyny is widespread among certain ethnic groups, including the Maasai.

It was found that polygynous households often had better access to food and healthier children.

They also owned more cattle and farmed more land than monogamous households. “f you have a choice of a guy who has 180 cows, lots of land and other wives, it might be better for you to marry him rather than a guy who has no wives, three cows and

one acre,” said anthropologist and study lead, Monique Borgerhoff Mulder.

Scientists suggest the findings support early accounts of marriage - that polygyny can be in a woman’s strategic interest when they depend on men for resources.

The practice of taking several wives has been practiced for many centuries by cultures from all over the world.

It can often be found in areas where food is scarce and there is poor health amongst children.

But rather than being the cause of this, researchers suggest it can be beneficial to these people.

So while the United Nations states that polygyny contravenes a woman’s right to equality with men and that such marriages ought to be discouraged and prohibited, the study found this depended on local factors.

They suggest that in some settings, prohibiting polygyny could be disadvantageous to women by restricting their marriage options.

“The issue is not the number of partners,” Professor Borgerhoff Mulder said. “Women should be assured of the autonomy to make the decisions they want.”

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

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Parenting

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression

10 ways to help your baby learn to walk step in learning to walk and can also help her to avoid falling in a way that can hurt her.

T

hough it is true that most children will start walking on their own, kids have to learn to walk and won’t walk unless given the opportunity to do so. Consequently, there are several things you can do to help your child learn to walk a bit earlier.

Don’t use a walker Walkers pose numerous safety threats, even though they can be fun to babies. Walkers are so risky and have resulted in so many injuries. And, despite their name, a walker can actually cause your child to take longer to learn how to walk. Your child may not learn that she can support herself with her feet, and steps taken in a walker don’t move your child forward, so it’s harder for your child to make the connection between taking steps and moving forward. If you want your child to walk early, don’t use a walker.

Try a jumper As an alternative to walkers, jumpers are top notch, though they can be dangerous if your child is left unsupervised, so make sure you are right next

to her when she’s in the jumper. Jumpers encourage leg strength and confidence, and also help your child learn that when she moves her legs in a certain way her whole body will move. A word of caution: jumpers should be used sparingly.

Encourage strong back muscles Though we often think of walking as primarily involving the legs, the most important muscles we use when we walk are our back muscles. You can encourage strong back muscles from birth by giving your baby ample time on her stomach. Encourage her to lift her head and neck by showing her interesting objects and making tummy time exciting. The muscle control she learns during this period can help her develop strong walking skills in a few months.

Practice muscle control while sitting Encouraging your baby to stack and reach for things while she’s sitting up can help her develop the coordination and muscle control that will ultimately help her begin walking.

ParentingUpdate

A

n unbalanced diet in pregnancy can increase children’s odds of getting ageing-related illnesses like type 2 diabetes in later life, research on rats suggests.

Women who have a poor diet during pregnancy may have children who are more susceptible to age-related diseases than those who have a healthier diet, scientists say.

The warning comes after research found that rats that had poor nutrition during pregnancy gave birth to young with a high risk of type 2 diabetes, an illness that typically strikes in middle age.

Researchers at Cambridge University traced back the effect to subtle genetic changes that normally accumulate with age. Similar changes are likely to occur in humans.

The work is believed to be the first

evidence that poor maternal diet during pregnancy can make people more vulnerable to the effects of ageing.

Type 2 diabetes affects the way the body produces and responds to insulin, a hormone made by beta cells in the pancreas. The disease is mostly diagnosed in the over-40s, but is becoming more common in younger people.

According to the head of the study, it is found that a poor maternal diet led to so-called epigenetic changes that reduced the activity of a gene called Hnf4a in a mother’s young.

The gene governs how many insulin-producing cells grow in the pancreas and the organ’s ability to respond to high levels of glucose in the blood.

Practice coordination while crawling Crawling teaches your child to move his arms and legs at the same time, which is an important skill to have when he first begins walking. Encourage your child’s efforts at crawling by encouraging her to crawl across the room and even reach for things when crawling.

Let him push something When your baby is able to stand up, try giving her a light

stool or box that won’t collapse but is light enough to push.

He’ll feel safe balancing on it but is likely to take a few steps forward pushing the object. Be sure to be there to catch him in case of any falls or missteps.

Tiny Feet

Encourage independence Encourage this by allowing your child to explore her environment from a young age..

Go barefoot Bare feet can grip surfaces more easily and shoes are foreign objects that can distract kids from walking.

Provide soft surfaces Your child won’t be tripped by moving rugs and can easily grip the carpet with her feet.

Practice pulling up When babies start cruising and trying to walk, they love pulling up on surfaces. Show her how to bend her knees to return to a sitting position. This is a critical

NAME: Erioluwa Ola BORN TO: Mr. and Mrs. Ola AGE: 8 days BIRTH WEIGHT: 3.5 kg Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

Mother’s poor diet in pregnancy increases child’s risk of Type2 diabetes -Study

“It’s well known that maternal diet and growth of the foetus in the womb impact on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in later life, “ observed the researchers.

Writing in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers describe how the Hnf4a gene was steadily silenced as all the rats got older. But those born to mothers fed on a bad diet began life

with much lower levels of gene activity and developed diabetes sooner.

In the study, rats were fed on either a nutritionally poor diet of 8% protein, or a normal diet containing 20% protein.

Both had the same number of calories.

While genetic mutations can have an immediate effect on

a person’s health, epigenetic changes are more subtle and can take decades to cause problems.

“It is remarkable that maternal diet can mark our genes so they remember events in very early life,” said a co-author on the paper.

People born to mothers who ate badly during their pregnancy are not destined to develop the illness,he said. “Diabetes is a very multifactorial disease and poor nutrition and growth in early life is just one risk factor.

“It doesn’t mean you will definitely get type 2 diabetes, it just increases your risk. If you have that risk, it is probably a good idea to ensure your adult lifestyle is going to reduce other risks, for example by having a very active life, eating a good diet and not smoking,” shesaid Culled from www.sciencedaily.com

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

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Dear Bukola

Having problems with your marriage, family, relationship, career or life generally?

Help is at hand with Bukola Oyetunji, Relationship Expert, Life Coach, Motivational Speaker, Author of Stranded With a Status and One Good Spouse Deserves Another. www.bukolaoyetunji.blogspot.com, Follow on twitter @bukolaoyetunji

bukola.oyetunji@gmail.com. +2347012974472

My wife prefers her siblings to us Dear Bukola, hat can I do as my wife here in UK loves her younger ones (brothers and sisters) in Nigeria more than our children here in the UK. This always causes a lot of arguments in this marriage. She is the first born and I am the last born.

For example, if they call her from Nigeria that one of her brother or sister has head ache and we are about to be intimate she will be sad and will refuse to be close to me that time... This is one of the many questions I like to ask.

W

Dear Neglected Husband, ou wrote that your wife is the first child and she is usually more concerned about her siblings than she is with your children. Sometimes this is the case for female first born because they feel they owe their younger ones the responsibility of taking care of them (especially when their mother is no more). Women are usually more concerned about their family than men, it’s just their nature. However, she has to know how to balance everything together, that is why she is a mother too. Her immediate family i.e., you and your children should be top on her priority list, you are more important to her than any other person in the world. Let her know that you do not feel okay with the way she takes her younger ones more important than you and the children.

It is also very mandatory for her to know that the issue of her siblings should never steal away your time of intimacy. You are her husband so she should learn to adequately satisfy you as often as possible. As long as she can create a balance that would make everybody happy, there shouldn’t be a problem. Lastly, find time out to have a heart-to heart talk with her about how much you feel neglected. If she adjusts afterwards, great! If she doesn’t, you should take it a notch higher by discussing this issue with her parents or someone she listens to, let them talk some sense into her. Hopefully, she would become a better wife and mother after this. Finally, please try to support her more with the children and her extended family (In case you don’t do that already) so that she would have more time and strength to cater to your needs also. Wish you all the best

Y

My parents hate me, now I can’t love my children!

Dear Bukola,

do not know where to start my story from because each time I want to write it I get emotional.

Anyway, I grew up knowing that my parents hate me! As a young girl, they treated our housemaids better than me.

Whatever I ask from my parents, they give me the opposite. The worst thing they did to me was to marry me off to a man old enough to be my father as his third wife (actually, he is my father’s friend). Every time I complain to them about how unfair they have been to me they call me an ingrate. Now, I think it has affected me negatively because I find it very difficult to love or connect with my children. What should I do?

Dear maltreated,

I

I

am going to be very frank with you here. You know what? That your parents deprived you of the love you should have as a child does not mean you should allow them deprive your children of the love they deserve from you. Yes what they did to you must have affected you psychologically because like my favourite quote says ‘Nemo dat quad not habet’ – what you don’t have you can’t give.

In your case you never got love from your parents so you feel you do not have any love to give to your children but come to think of it, does that make you a better person? Can you take a minute to think of the type of adults you want your children to grow into? I know as a mother that you would want them to be wonderful adults that are capable of loving appropriately. Those

children have been born into a polygamous home which most times is an environment of fierce competition, quarrels, war and you name it. If as their mother you cannot connect with them how you do want them to come out as unscathed adults? Yes you do not have much love in you because you were deprived but because of your children, acquire some... there is no positive thing a woman shouldn’t do for her children. You also need therapy because you need to heal from the hurt and emotional abuse you went through. You should see a counselor for this. Lastly, take your time to connect with your children and in no time you would realize that they can give you all the love that would last you a lifetime. Best of luck with it.

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

divorce court

‘My wife’s hobby is fighting’

• She fights me and neighbours regularly, and because of her frequent fighting, we are always ejected from any house we rent —Husband • He is an irresponsible father —Wife

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65-year-old pastor, Kunle Akinseyi, has pleaded with an Igando Customary Court in Lagos to dissolve his 32-year marriage, alleging that his wife constantly beat him.

Akinseyi told the court that his wife, Titilope, with whom he had six children, had turned him into a punching bag.

“I live every minute of my life in fear; save me from the

‘I don’t know if her pregnancy is mine’

• My husband gave me money to abort my baby; I collected the money but used it for another thing. When he later discovered that I did not do the abortion, he started beating me and moved my belongings into the kitchen —Wife Stories by: Muda Oyeniran

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here was a mild drama at Igando Customary Court in Lagos when a herbal practitioner, Morufu Ajah, confessed that he had asked his wife Deborah to terminate the pregnancy.

The 33-year-old man told the court that he had given his wife money for abortion because he was not sure if the pregnancy belonged to him.

“I gave my wife money to abort her pregnancy because she used to leave home without my consent to unknown destination and come back after 21 days or 30 days.

“She may even tell me she was going to her parent’s place, after some days, I will call her parents; they will tell me they did not see her.

“So, when she comes back home and told me that she was pregnant, I doubted it. I gave her N7, 000 to terminate it. She collected the money, lied to me that she had done it but never did it,’’ he said.

According to the husband, his wife turned his mother into a `punching bag’ as she constantly beat her and tore her clothes into pieces.

“She always curse and abuse my mother, calling her a witch and telling people that my mother always fly in the night,’’ he added.

Ajah described his wife as a very aggressive and cruel woman as she used to hit him any time they had misunderstanding.

The husband also alleged that his wife was fetish. He recalled that several times he came back from work and saw salt sprinkled all over the house.

The man called on the court to dissolve their 3-year-old marriage because he was no longer in love with his wife and his mother’s life was in danger.

Addressing the court, a 30-year-old Deborah denied all the allegations. According to her, the fight in the home was because she refused to terminate the pregnancy.

‘My wife pretends to be a single lady’

A

policeman, Anthony Ibemere, has told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos that his wife, Uloma, should return his N1.2 million bride price if she insisted on divorcing him.

38-year-old Anthony was responding to a divorce suit filed by Uloma, his wife of four years, who accused him of battery. He accused his wife

of hiding her marital status by telling people that she is single.

In the words of the husband: “Uloma should return the money I gave her parents during our traditional marriage if she insists on the dissolution of our four-year-old marriage.

“She joined a group of single ladies in her church. I went to the church with our wedding pictures as a proof that she’s

married which led to her suspension.”

Anthony said Uloma had abandoned their matrimonial home since November 24, 2012, when he informed the church of her marital status. He pleaded with the court not to grant the divorce until he sees his money.

On her part, 27-year-old Uloma, a factory worker, told the

“My husband gave me money to abort my baby; I collected the money but used it for another thing. When he later discovered that I did not do the abortion, he started beating me and moved my belonging into the kitchen.

“He later left the house to unknown destination, it was my neighbours that always contributed money for me to feed till my delivery,’’ she said.

The mother of two asked the court not to grant her husband’s petition because she was still in love with him Adegboyega Omilola, the court president, called on the couple to maintain the peace and adjourned the case till December 7, 2015. court that Anthony turned her into a punching bag mostly when he was drunk. “My husband is a drunkard. Whenever he comes home drunk and wants to make love to me, I always refuse him.

I want him to make love to me when he’s in his right senses.

“And when I refuse him, he will make love to me by force,” she added. She begged the court to separate them, saying she’s tired of the marriage.

The court president said more time is needed to rule on the controversial case .

cruel hands of my wife; I have suffered so much in silence.

“Anytime we have misunderstanding, she can beat the hell out of me.

“Most times, it is our neighbours that always come to rescue me from her hands,” he said, describing his wife as a “troublemaker and a fighter”.

“My wife’s hobby is fighting; she fights me and neighbours regularly, and because of her frequent fighting, we are always ejected from any house we rented,” Akinseyi added.

He therefore prayed the court to dissolve the marriage, saying that he was tired of the union and was no longer in love.

In her response, Titilope, 56, denied that she was beating her husband.

“I have not raised my hands towards my husband since the beginning of our marriage,” she said.

Titilope, who described her husband as an “irresponsible father” said that he was not ready to train their children.

“When I got pregnant for our sixth child, he denied the pregnancy; he went to my family in the village and told them that I was carrying a bastard child and that they should come and take me.

“He refused to give me money for ante-natal; so, I delivered my baby in the house.

“It is our first born that has being training the boy till now,” she told the court.

The mother of six denied being “a fighter”, saying that her husband always owed landlords and that was why they were always evicted from their accommodations.

Titilope alleged that her husband, though a pastor, wanted to marry another woman and that it was the reason he wanted to divorce her.

She begged the court not to grant her husband’s wish, claiming she still loved him.

While adjourning the case, the President of the court, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, advised the couple to maintain peace

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 31, 2015

‘He threatened to kill me’

divorce court

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• He woke me up at midnight and started placing curses on me with a red piece of cloth. Before I could say anything, he threatened to strangle me. I became so scared of him that when he went out to urinate, I ran for my life —Wife • I never threatened her. I also didn’t use any fetish power on her —Husband

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40-year-old fashion designer, Tosin Elegbede, has pleaded with the Agege Customary Court Lagos to dissolve her union with her husband, Femi Elegbede, because, as she claims, there was no more love in the marriage, threat to life, lack of care and other irreconcilable differences. The couple, who have been married for 14 years with three children, started having issues since March 2011.

“He woke me up at midnight and started placing curses on me with a red piece of cloth, before I could say anything he threatened to strangle me. I became so scared of him that when he went out to urinate, I ran for my life till today,” Tosin said.

The petitioner (Tosin) told the court that she was tired of the marriage and does not want to live withhim anymore, adding that he does not live up to his responsibilities as the man of the house. She said she had reported him to his family members, adding that it barely changed anything until she went to the police.

“When he threatened my life I reported him to Isokoko police station where he signed an undertaking. His mother and sister were witnesses. He promised to start taking care of me and the

children. I pitied him and took his word.”

However, Mr Elegede stated that all the allegations against him were false, insisting that it was his wife that started it all.

He told the court he never used cutlass to threaten his wife.

“I never threatened her, not even with a cutlass. She was the one who even bought the cutlass for me and I do put it in my car in case of danger at night since I return very late every night. I also didn’t use any fetish power on her.

I used the calabash to consult Ifa oracle due to some things I noticed about her. We used to do it together before, but when she started going to sleep in church, and going out without telling me, we stopped talking to each other.

So I could not tell her I put a calabash under the bed; but I told my children,” he said. He added that he still loves his wife and is not ready to divorce her because he does not have another wife yet, and also for the sake of the children. Tosin pleaded with the court to grant her custody of the children and make her husband provide for their upkeep. The court president, P. A. Williams told the couple to go to their homes and be at peace till the adjourned date for judgement.

‘My husband wants divorce because I refused him sex’

• My husband wants to leave me because I refused to satisfy his demands for sex.

I have lost the urge for sex, but my husband still wants sex —Wife • I am tired of the marriage. My wife does not care for me, she goes out and comes back at will. I want a divorce —Husband

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69-year-old housewife, Mrs Simbiatu Oduntan, has told an Orile Agege Customary Court in Lagos that her husband, Alhaji Mustairu Oduntan, 84, wanted to divorce her because she refused him sex.

Simbiatu, a trader, who lives with her husband at 3, Olaleye St., Orile Agege, told the court that the 45-year-old marriage had witnessed ups and downs.

“The main reason my husband

wants to leave me is because I refused to satisfy his demands for sex.

“I have lost the urge for sex. My thinking is not towards that direction again; but my husband still wants sex.

“I have told him to get another wife,” she said.

Simbiatu said she could not cook for her husband again because she suffers from swollen legs each time she stood for long.

The mother of four children, aged between 18 years and 25 years,

told the court that she supported her husband’s request for dissolution of the marriage.

Earlier, Oduntan told the court that his wife would not cook for him and often went out at will.

“I am tired of the marriage. My wife does not care for me; she goes out and comes back at will. I want a divorce,” he said.

The court president, Mr Adegboyega Omilola, told the couple to maintain the peace, and adjourned the case for judgment

‘ My wife has a child for her secret boyfriend’ • My wife left my house to an unknown destination and I did not know that she was pregnant until she gave birth later in her new man’s house —Husband

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67-year-old man, Jimoh Ayinla, has filed a case at the Igando Customary Court in Lagos to divorce his 59-year-old wife, Anike, for alleged adultery.

He told the court that his wife whom he had married for 38 years with seven children was adulterous which led to her being impregnated by another man while she was still in his matrimonial home.

In the husband’s words: “My wife left my house to an unknown destination and I did not know that she was pregnant until she gave birth later in her new man’s house.”

Jimoh told the court that 14 years after his wife had left her matrimonial home and refused to

return, he had to marry another wife in 2013.

“I married another wife because our children that used to cook for me had all married and I was getting older to cook for myself.

“It was after I had remarried that my wife returned to our home and I had to accommodate her. But, I rejected the child she bore for another man asking her to send the child back to her father,” he said.

The petitioner said Anike had been fighting him and his new wife since he allowed her back in his home.

“Anike was always engaging my younger wife in physical fight on daily basis and I am afraid she might kill her one day. She always

slaps me whenever we have heated argument.” Jimoh told the court.

He alleged that Anike would leave the house for weeks without his consent and that he was tired of having to repay her indebtedness to people she borrowed money from without his consent.

The husband, therefore, pleaded with the court for the dissolution of his 38-year-old marriage, saying there was no more love in the relationship.

However, the wise, who did not deny the allegations, begged the court not to grant her husband’s application for divorce saying she was still in love with him.

The court President, Adegboye¬ga Omilola, had to adjourn the case for judgement.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 31, 2015

N

epal made history on Wednesday, electing a woman as head of state for the first time.

Bidhya Devi Bhandari, of the Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), received 327 votes of the total 541 ballots cast in Nepal’s parliament.

Nepal’s presidency — introduced after the country abolished centuries-old monarchy in 2008 — is seen mostly as a ceremonial post. But Bhandari and her party, which leads the new government, have a major responsibility to lift Nepal out of a political crisis as it struggles to recover from the giant earthquake earlier this year.

Although 54-year-old Bhandari was involved in politics at a young age, she has said that being a wife was her primary role after she married. But her husband, who is to this day considered one of the most charismatic politicians the country has had, was killed in a mysterious car accident in 1993, suddenly forcing her to the forefront of mainstream Nepali politics.

A year later, she won a mid-term election, defeating a former prime minister from the rival Nepali Congress party. Bhandari went on to hold several positions as a minister, most recently in 2009 as the country’s defense minister, while also rising to the ranks of the vice chair within her own party.

Bhandari held the Defense Ministry at a time when the country was marred by political deadlock, as Maoists leaders demanded that their former rebel fighters be integrated into the national army. Bhandari was defiant in her support for the army, which at the time was vehemently against inducting Maoist fighters into the institution.

The election of Bhandari as the new president was expected, as she is a close confidante of the newly elected Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli. Her candidacy was backed by at least eight political parties, some of which have formed a coalition in the new government.

Although Bhandari is one of the leading women politicians in the country, she raised some eyebrows after remarks she made at a program to discuss the new constitution were published in a local newspaper. The report said she criticized feminists and women’s rights advocates who are demanding more rights as being influenced by Western values.

“Whether we agree with it or not, in Eastern culture and tradition, a woman is entirely devoted to a man,” she said according to the report. “This may be a discriminatory system, but our society has always functioned this

People

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Meet Nepal’s first female president

Whether we agree with it or not , in E astern culture and tradition , a woman is entirely devoted to a man ,” “T his may be a discriminatory system, but our society has always functioned this way way.”

Nepal’s new constitution — although it provides quotas for women to serve on constitutional bodies — makes it difficult for a single mother to pass her citizenship to her child.

According to the constitution, a child of a Nepali woman and a foreign man cannot get citizenship by descent unless the man first takes Nepali citizenship; but children can become Nepali automatically if the father is Nepali, regardless of the mother’s nationality.

The constitution also makes the path to citizenship longer and more cum-

bersome for people marrying Nepali women compared to foreign nationals who marry Nepali men.

Bhandari has been criticized for defending her party on such citizenship provisions.

The new constitution, which was controversial even before it was adopted last month, is considered discriminatory by a large segment of Nepal’s population who live in the southern plains bordered by India. The interim constitution adopted in 2006 set a goal of 58% of the parliament to be elected via proportional representation, with

the aim of bringing in voices from lower-caste and indigenous groups.

The new constitution, however, has set that number at 45%.

For over a month now, supplies of everyday goods into the country have been disrupted by protests near border towns. Demonstrations have turned violent as protesters, children and police officers have been killed in the last month. Human Rights Watch has asked the government to conduct an investigation into the deaths, including arbitrary use of force and extrajudicial killings by country’s police.

Nonstop protests have led to a fuel crisis in the country, in part triggered by neighboring India’s restriction of supplies even at border checkpoints that aren’t affected by protests. India denies imposing a blockade, but customs officials say trucks have been deliberately stopped from entering the country with goods.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

41

Infertility I

n recent times, there has been an upsurge in cases of couples who are trying unsuccessfully to achieve pregnancy or carry a pregnancy to term. It is not a mere coincidence that as the age at which people get married increases, due to economic and educational reasons, infertility also increases. This situation has opened up such poor individuals to pressure from unsympathetic family members, and the whims of fake pastors and medical quacks who promise heaven on earth, assuring them they only need to wait for nine months and a child will surely be born. More often than not, what is birthed after nine months is disappointment. Though these individuals sometimes don’t help matters, when rather than visit the hospital on time and undergo the necessary diagnosis towards getting a viable solutions, they wait until it is almost too late. Perhaps a discussion of infertility will encourage people to seek available medical solutions early enough to make a difference and also to understand the need for patience in obtaining results.

Definition: Infertility is when a man and woman having regular unprotected sex are unable to achieve conception within twelve months; or six months if the woman is above 35yrs or the couple already has a history of infertility.

Causes: Unlike the general belief in the past, infertility is now known not to be an exclusive preserve of women. Medical literature has it that 40% of infertility problems are related to men, 40% to women and the remaining 20% to both partners. The causes are also diverse and some are preventable while most others are treatable. They are detailed below: Men: In men, situations that negatively affect the testes affect sperm production and result in abnormal quality of the sperm. In such situation, the

count may be low or the shape may be abnormal. Such factors include Varicocoele: In Varicocoele, veins on the testes are large and overheat the testes affecting normal sperm production.

Smoking and Alcohol: heavy indulgence in these substances or in hard drugs affects sperm quality Medical conditions: such as diabetes or sexually transmitted infections may impair sperm production Injury: which could be physical (direct blow or riding accidents), chemical (pesticides, chemotherapy) or radiation injury may damage the sperm producing apparatus.

Retrograde ejaculation: This and other problems with ejaculation such as premature ejaculation or even erectile dysfunction contribute to male factor in-

fertility. In this case, the problem is not with sperm production but with sperm delivery into the woman’s reproductive track. In retrograde ejaculation for example, rather than the sperm entering the vagina during ejaculations it goes back into the man’s bladder.

Women: Aside quantitatively and qualitatively viable spermatozoa, a woman requires three other things to be in place before pregnancy can occur.

One is a normal womb that can carry a pregnancy, a functional ovary that can produce normal eggs and an open tube that will allow the passage and meeting of the sperm and egg. At any point along this reproductive line, challenges may occur. Female factor infertility therefore may be due to: Ovarian problems: sometimes the reason why a woman is unable to get pregnant is because she is not ovulating, as such there is no egg for the sperm to fertilize. Absence of ovulation (anovulation) may not always be obvious and a woman may think wrongly that she is ovulating. Common causes of anovulation are: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS): in this case, there is hormonal imbalance that makes the ovaries produce small immature eggs that are not useful.

Premature ovarian failure: ovaries in some women stop working earlier than usual, rather than this happening around menopause. Such ovaries will stop releasing eggs due to reason not yet fully known.

Exercise induced amennorhea: high velocity exercise in a woman may lead to distortion in hormonal signals from the brain and prevent the ovary from getting the signals that menstruation or ovulation should occur.

Tubal problems: one or both tubes could be blocked and effectively prevent the passage of the egg from the ovary to the tube in order to meet the sperm. This could result from past sexually transmitted infections, especially if poorly treated. Sometimes also, the injury to the tube may be after a surgery.

Uterine problems: it is important to say here that uterine fibroids usually will not cause infertility except in cases where it encroaches into the endometrium or blocks the pathway for egg transport. While it is desirable therefore to remove symptomatic fibroids, it is good to educate expectant women that their removal may not necessarily lead to return of fertility .Sometimes the problem is with the shape of the uterus which is abnormal from birth and not suitable for carrying a baby.

Other factors that may contribute to female infertility are Age: as a woman increases in age, the ovaries produce fewer eggs and fewer healthy eggs. Increasing also is the probability of a pregnancy ending in miscarriage. Also at older ages chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension begin to rear their heads, reducing fertility while also increasing complications in pregnancy Smoking: a woman desirous of pregnancy should not smoke. Smoking not only contributes to infertility but also increases the chances of having an abnormal baby.

Alcohol: Affects pregnancy almost the same way as smoking Obesity: Too much body fat redistributes the hormonal complements in the body and leads to infertility. Ironically, women who lose substantial weight over a short period of time may also have difficulties getting pregnant.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

TOURISM

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Dance with the sun at Gurara Falls A

waterfall is a place where water flows over a vertical drop in the course of a stream or river.

Waterfalls also occur where meltwater drops over the edge of a tabular iceberg or ice shelf Waterfalls are commonly formed when a river is young. At these times the channel is often narrow and deep. When the river courses over resistant bedrock, erosion happens slowly, while downstream the erosion occurs more rapidly. As the watercourse increases its velocity at the edge of the waterfall, it plucks material from the riverbed. Whirlpools created in the turbulence as well as sand and stones carried by the watercourse increase the erosion capacity. This causes the waterfall to carve deeper into the bed and to recede upstream. Often over time, the waterfall will recede back to form a canyon or gorge downstream as it recedes upstream, and it will carve deeper into the ridge above it. The rate of retreat for a waterfall can be as high as one and half meters per year.

The above must have transpired in only God knows how many years ago in where we now refer to as Gurara Falls located on the road between Suleja and Minna, Niger State.

The waterfalls span 200 meters across with a sheer drop of 30 meters. Gurara River is a large tributary of the great Niger River and it is always in full spate during the rain seasons.

But in the dry season, the falls are a trickle and visitors can swim in clear pools at the bottom of the falls.

The Gurara Falls change their shape every season of the year. From calm water ponds with slowly flowing water and meagre waterfalls – in the dry season (December to March), to a vast, huge flow of water with giant falls all around the site – in the rainy season (July to September) and every possible variety in between.

The place is worth visiting at list twice a year in order to witness the enormous change between the seasons.

At Gurara, small streams diverted from the main Gurara River running softly around rocks on top of the cliff, converging from scores tributaries in the narrow rugged pass and dashing out from the cliff with almighty power.

Finally, the water, shining under the sun, as beautiful as fireworks, falls into a pond some 20 meters below before returning to tranquillity.

There are two main streams of waterfalls, but in the rainy season, the whole cliff would be covered with a curtain of waterfalls. To get close to the waterfalls, visitors need to make a daring walk.

Apart from the spectacular view of the waterfall, Gurara is also a pretty good place for bird watching. The scene

Gurara Falls Abuja

is most beautiful when viewed at a distance below the ridge. The spray of water cascading rhythmically over the top gives off a stunning, dazzling rainbow effect and forms a cloud in between and glittering foam below after which the waters flow fast and slowly and gently down

Gurara Falls Abuja

the rocky streams in regal simplicity before they disappear from sight, hidden by the vegetation.

This nature’s beauty is full of natural performances as in a fairy opera.

The water comes with a force resulting in brilliant foam just like cloud when it

hits the waters below and form a snowy white covering and mist which emit a cooling effect on the surrounding.

Gazing steadily at the waterfall, one has a swelling feeling as if one would fall into the form.

During the dry season, the falls span shrink to about 30 meters exposing the beautiful rock patterns of the Falls walls that are usually covered by cascading waters during the rainy season.

During this period, the water is calm and swimming is possible in the small pond under the falls. It is good to visit the Falls during the rainy and the dry season so as to appreciate the changes in the water volume and temperament of he falls.

Moderate in that there is a bit of climbing down a steep hill and climbing back up it. The park service has recently put in somewhat crude concrete steps, but this has made the climb much easier.

Also, the river is rocky and slippery.

Along the stream below is an array of amazing brownish rock formations blending with the beautiful flora of wild trees and bushes. The rocks are usually very slippery because of the contact with water.

It is an adventure to try to climb the up back to the top through the rocks beside the fall. Many tourists venture to the base beside the cascading waters and some even dare to have some shower under it but only a few try to climb up by the slippery rocky walls.

On the whole, the Gurara Falls is a sight to behold; a wonder of nature; fresh water cascading and constantly making rainbow, especially in the brilliance of the sun.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 31, 2015

LEISURE

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From the

OCTOBER 31, 2015

Civil Service

44

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Crisis rocks Customs:

NCS retires 34 officers ...including all five Deputy Comptrollers-General

T

he Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Friday announced the retirement of 34 of its officers. A statement by the Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Mr Wale Adeniyi, said the retirement was part of the re-organisation in the service.

He said the retirement of the affected officers was with immediate effect. ``As part of the ongoing re-organisation in Nigeria Customs Service, 34 Senior Officers have been retired from Service with immediate effect. ``The re-organisation

of the service is one of the core mandates of the Comptroller-General of Customs, retired Col. Hameed Ali,’’ the statement read. He said those affected were five Deputy ComptrollersGeneral of Customs (DC-Gs) who had earlier

given notification to the Comptroller-General for voluntary disengagement.

They are John Atte, Ibrahim Mera, Musa Tahir, Austin Nwosu and Akinade Adewuyi.

Adeniyi said the three Assistant ComptrollersGeneral involved are Madu

Mohammed, Secretary to the Nigeria Customs Board, Victor Gbemudu, Zonal Coordinator Zone ‘A’ and Bello Liman, Assistant ComptrollerGeneral (Headquarters).

Others are Comptrollers serving in Customs Headquarters,

Zonal Offices and various Area Commands. The statement quoted Ali was as saying that the retirements were part of measures to kick-start the repositioning of the service for improved performance.

...as DC-Gs drop joint resignation letter I

n what seems to be an unprecedented move in the history of the Customs Service in Nigeria, all five Deputy Comptrollers-General, DC-Gs, jointly announced their resignation in a terse letter dated October 29, 2015.

Titled “Voluntary Retirement,” the letter was addressed to the Chairman of the Customs Board.

The letter stated: “We the underlisted officers currently on the rank of Deputy Comptroller-General met today, 29 October 2015 and unanimously agreed to voluntarily retire from the service of the Nigerian Customs Service, having risen to the privileged rank of Deputy Comptroller-General.

We need to thank the President for giving us the opportunity to serve our great nation, Nigeria.

The letter was signed

by Atte, A.J with service number 31441; Musa T.A, 31454; Mera I.M, 37595; Nwosu A.C, 34421; Adewuyi A.A, 30727.

Though they gave no reason for their resignation, it is believed that the DCG unanimously quit service following the no-nonsense leadership style of Mr Ali, a retired army Colonel, known for his anti-corruption stance.

Mr. Ali has been talking tough since he assumed duties as head of revenue agency in September.

On his second day at work, he read the Riot

MUSA ADEWUYI

NWOS

to share these ideas with you. These ideas shall be the guiding principle and platform for a smooth takeoff.

“First and foremost, it is important that we

know where we are going.

We can start by ensuring that we pick up the mantle of Mr. President’s policy thrust. Therefore, in conjunction with you, moving with you and

MERA

ATTE

The joint resignation letter

Act to officers and men, vowing to jail anyone who indulges in corruption or any other unethical practices. He was widely quoted to have said, at a meeting with top Customs officers:

“Since I took over, I have been receiving briefing notes to enhance my understanding of the Nigeria Customs Service.

I have articulated some ideas to start with, and I have found it necessary

fighting with you we will fight corruption and restore discipline through attitudinal orientation for effective service delivery.

“However, I must stress this for emphasis. I will not tolerate indiscipline.

I will not tolerate corruption. I have zero tolerance for corruption.

“Considering my military background, I believe punishment must be punitive for others to see it as a deterrent. Therefore, as an officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, if you are caught involved in corruption, I am not only going to dismiss you, I will make sure I prosecute and jail you. That is basic!”

LASU staff unions advise Ambode on VC’s appointment

S

taff Unions of the Lagos State University (LASU) on Friday urged the Lagos State Government and the governing council to follow due process in the appointment of the university’s next vice-chancellor.

The Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU),

LASU Chapter, Dr Adekunle Idris, made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reports that Idris made the call on behalf of the Joint Action Committee of the staff unions comprising ASUU and its Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities

(SSANU) counterparts.

Others include the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) in the institution.

The tenure of the incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa, ends on Oct. 31.

Idris said that the

unions were expecting that the appointment of the new VC would follow due process, without any interference from any quarters.

He said that the unions had proposed that the three short-listed candidates for the position should address the university congregation before presentation to the institu-

tion’s visitor. ``This would be an avenue for us to weigh the intellectual capability of the candidates as well as study their body language. ``This best practice should be incorporated into the LASU law, as the search team for the position must be properly constituted.’’

Sport

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 31, 2015

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Golden Eaglets in training session ahead of their quarter final match against Brazil.

U-17 World Cup Q/Final

Eaglets dare Brazil in Chile Ifeanyi Eduzor

N

igeria’s Golden Eaglets will have their hands full when they confront World football powerhouse, Brazil tomorrow in one of the quarter final matches at the on-going FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

The match to be decided at the Estadio Sausalto, Vina Del Mar will see both countries try to overcome each other and emerge one of the four finalist of the cadet championship.

To get to the last eight of the competition, the Eaglets’ last Thursday at the Estadio Sausalto, Vina Del Mar beat their counterpart from Australia 6 -0 in the round of 16 game while Brazil edged out New Zealand with a 1-0 victory to set up a clash between the two best ranked teams at the U-17 level.

Reigning FIFA U-17 World Cup champions Nigeria advanced to the quarter-final meeting against Brazil on the back of a hat-trick from the tournament’s highest scorer, Victor Osimhen, ending Australia’s run in the petit competition after the Aussies survived the ‘group of death’.

Tomorrow’s game will be a battle between World number one ranked team at the U-17 level; Nigeria and the number two team; Brazil . While Nigeria will be looking forward to pass through football power house, Brazil and win a record five titles to maintain their enviable record of being the national team to win the most U-17 tournament, their South American opponents will be hoping to put a stop to Nigeria’s ambition of achieving that feet as well as increase their record win of the trophy from three to four having won the petit World Cup in 1997, 1999 and

2003 respectively.

It is expected that Coach Emmanuel Amuneke will make use of the same squad that annihilated the Aussies in the last match in prosecuting tomorrow’s encounter. Players such as tournament highest goal scorer, Victor Osimhen, team captain, Kelechi Nwakali, Funsho Ibrahim Bambgboye, Edidiong Michael Essien, Samuel Chukwueze and goal keeper Akpan Udoh to inflict pains on the Brazilians.

While it is true that the Golden Eaglets which rediscovered its form after a 1-0 loss to Croatia in their last group match is capable of beating Brazil to move into the final four of the competition but there is the need for the technical crew to do a thorough work since Brazil is a more better opponent than the Aussies.

Meanwhile, Head coach of Nigeria’s U-17 team, Emmanuel Amuneke, has vowed to go

shoulder-to-shoulder with Brazil, when they face each other in the quarter-final of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

He noted that Nigeria which won the maiden edition of the championship in 1985 as well as in 1993, 2007 and 2013 is not in a hurry to exit the championship and as such is prepared to face Brazil in tomorrow’s encounter even as he noted that the match will be more difficult than the tie against Australia.

“Everybody knows that any Brazilian team is always difficult to beat but we are going to go shoulder-to- shoulder with them.

“Brazil boosts of good players who can cause heart ache to any team but we also have quality players who are capable of stopping the Brazilians. My players have been improving with any game and I am confident that our South American opponents

will not stand between us and moving to the last four of the championship.

On his part, Coach Carlos Amadeu while admitting that Nigeria will be difficult to handle, expressed confidence that his team made up of such players as Leo Santos, Evander, Ronaldo, Andrey, Lincoln and Leandro, their leading marksman will make things difficult for the defending champions.

According to him, ‘A Canarinha’ who are finalists 14 times and runners-up twice in 1995 and 2005 respectively are ready to stop Nigeria’s run in the competition. “ We are aware that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with in the championship and as defending champions, they have performed very well in all their matches but we are going to stop them from qualifying for the final four”, he boasted.

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MIRROR SPORT

OCTOBER 31, 2015

I’m fit for Stamford bridge clash ­—Benteke C hristian Benteke has declared himself fit to return to the Liverpool squad for today’s Premier League trip to Chelsea.

The Belgium striker sat out Wednesday’s Capital One Cup win over Bournemouth at Anfield, three days after scoring in the 1-1 league draw with Southampton having entered the fray as a halftime substitute.

Injury problems have restricted Benteke to eight appearances in all competitions this season but the £32.5m signing from Aston Villa is hopeful his problems are behind him.

“I’m good. I just felt something during the game against Southampton last week. Now it’s behind

Benteke

Wenger defends medical staff

A

rsenal manager Arsene Wenger has defended the club’s medical staff after Alex Oxlade -Chamberlain and Theo Walcott were injured in midweek.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was substituted after just five minutes of the 3-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup with a hamstring problem, while Walcott came off at Hillsborough with a calf injury.

Dutch fitness coach Raymond Verheijen has criticised the

Mourinho

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

number of injuries the Gunners have accrued, but Wenger insists he is not unduly concerned by the club’s injury situation.

He also confirmed Oxlade-Chamberlain is expected to return to action ahead of his Arsenal and England team-mate Walcott, although both are set to be on the sidelines until after the next international break in mid-November.

“I trust my medical and coaching staff to do well. We are very well organized on that

Jose Mourinho says he “cannot promise” that Chelsea will qualify for the Champions League next season.

The defending Premier League champions sits 15th in the table after winning three league games this season.

Reports have suggested the 52-year-old could lose his job if the Blues are beaten by Liver-

me and I’m looking forward to the Chelsea game,” Benteke told liverpoolfc.com.

“It was a bit hard for me during the transfer window I didn’t really have a normal pre-season.

Now I’m trying to get back to my old level.

“Injuries are part of football but I’m trying to do everything I can to be fit for the rest of the season and to play every game.

Benteke watched from the stands on Wednesday and was impressed with the fringe players given a chance to shine by manager Jurgen Klopp.

“I wasn’t on the pitch and I wasn’t the only one, but you could see that everyone was happy with how we played,” he added.

front,” Wenger said ahead of today’s Premier League trip to Swansea.

“I still believe the quickest to be back will be Alex. Theo might be out of action longer. The gut feeling will be one will be 20 days and one will be a bit longer.

“We always have to answer the question of whether it is more than being unlucky when we have injuries, but we analyze every single case and every Wenger exercise.

Martinez refuses to comment on Lukaku’s claim

Lukaku

R

oberto Martinez has refused to be drawn on claims from Romelu Lukaku’s agent he would be sold

by Everton if the right offer came in.

Mino Raiola reportedly told a French radio station they had been given the Spaniard’s blessing amid rumours of interest in the 22-year-old Belgium striker from Paris Saint-Germain.

Lukaku has impressed this season, scoring seven goals in 13 appearances, and Martinez is focused on that rather than any potential departure.

He said: “I’m not here to try to do the job of agent. I’m not going to entertain any sort of rumours and speculation.

“I have to do that during the transfer window, against my wishes, so as you can understand I’m quite happy now not to make any comment.

Mourinho: I can’t promise Champions League spot pool on today.

But Mourinho refused to comment on whether he has received reassurances from Chelsea’s board and owner Roman Abramovich about his future.

Asked if he had been given a guarantee, Mourinho replied: “I don’t have to tell you.”

In August, Mourinho signed a four-year contract extension until June 2019, but Chelsea have suffered the worst title defence since the Premier League began and have lost half of their 10 league games this season.

Abramovich has previously axed managers when Chelsea’s

place in the Premier League’s top four and qualification for the Champions League the following season had been in doubt.

But Mourinho pointed to the failure of Manchester United and Liverpool to qualify for the Champions League in recent seasons.

SPORT NEWS

Title Defence: Power Lee gets new opponent Ifeanyi Eduzor

A

s the November 1 date for the defence of the Pro Wrestling Africa (PWA) heavyweight title approaches, the wrestling body has approved that the continental champion, Power Lee should defends his title against the third contender, Marvelous Buffalo of Angola.

Power Lee was supposed to defend the title against Michel Noudem “Le Matraqueur “of Cameroon whom he defeated on 19 September at the Palais De Sports, Yaoundé, but the continental body after its meeting to review the fight, decided that the number three contender should be allowed to challenge for the title.

Public Relations Officer of the body, Sesan Olukoya told Saturday Mirror that the continental body took the decision in order to give the third contender a chance to prove himself.

“The continental body after reviewing the last fight in Cameroon decided that for equity , justice and fair play, it is good to give the third contender a chance to go for the title instead of the two wrestlers who fought themselves in Cameroon fighting again in Nigeria.

Speaking on the development, Power Lee whose real names is Godspower Ikpide and hails from Owhe in Isoko North local government area of Delta State stat-

ed that he is prepared to take the Angolan to the cleaners with an appeal to Nigerians to troop out en mass to the Asaba Township Stadium on November 1 to witness the best form of wrestling.

He restated his resolve to use the occasion and present the belt as birthday gift to the Governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the creation of Delta State as well as congratulate him on his victory at the election

Ifeanyi Eduzor

Nwosu, Okocha, others for VCN Cup final

E

at the Legacy pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Sponsor of the tournament and Chief Executive Officer of VCN sports limited, Chief Victor Nwaribeaku told Saturday Mirror that all the former Super Eagles stars have confirmed their readiness to partner his sports kits distribution firm to boost youth football even as he stated

x Nigeria football stars like Henry Nwosu (MON), Joe Erico, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, Victor Agali, Kanu Nwankwo alongside FIFA/CAF top official; Paul Bassey are among dignitaries expected to grace the final of the 2nd edition of VCN Sports U- 15 soccer challenge slated for Saturday, November 7, 2015

petition tribunal even as he appealed for financial support for the successfully defence of the title. “ I want to tell Nigerians that I am ready for the title defence but I need the financial support of both the Federal and Delta State Governments, Niger Delta Development Commission, Isoko Development Union and well meaning Nigerians to accomplish it and ensure the belt remains in the country”, he concluded.

that their presence will motivate the two finalists; Fortune F.C of Oshodi and Tao F.C of Igando to put in their best in the finals.

Nwaribeaku who named Honourable Tajudeen Ajide, Chief Casmir Emenim, Chief Martin V. Muoghara, Tajudeen Disu, Mike Dominic, Chief Idowu Egboje and Bremner Alada as other special guests revealed that the winner

Lee Man

of the competition will go home with the sum of two Hundred thousand Naira while the runners- up will be one hundred thousand naira richer.

“At VCN Sports we believe the youths should be given total motivation to be the best they can be. Our involvement of Super Stars like Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Kanu Nwankwo, Joe Erico, Henry Nwosu and others is purely to inspire the players.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

MIRROR SPORT

OCTOBER 31, 2015

MirrorGolf With Pius Anakali

Tel: 08023367071

Retaining European Tour card was emotional, says Ford

M

att Ford says that retaining his European Tour card was an emotional moment.

The 37-year-old tied for seventh place at the Hong Kong Open at the weekend, securing a top-110 finish in the Race to Dubai and his card for 2016.

This year was Ford’s first on the European Tour, having come through Qualifying School last year.

“I was very emotional afterwards. It is hard to stop it when you have been pushing it back for so long,” he said.

Ford had started the week

118th in the Race to Dubai, and says he had doubts about whether he would be able to remain on the Tour.

“I was always in a good position but the thoughts build as the week goes on,” Ford stated.

“You have to accept you are nervous and the mind will wander. It was heightened even more as you know what it means.

“People asked me whether, on the 18th green, I knew what the scenario was and what I needed to do.

“It was the last hole of the year so there was no come-

back. I had to keep those thoughts at bay and focus on the single shot in front of me and that’s what I’m most proud of.”

Ford’s best result this year came when he finished second at the Africa Open in March, and he believes he can capitalize further in 2016.

“I can pick and choose which events I play,” he said. “I am pretty much guaranteed nearly all the big events and it is huge from that point.

“My game is suited to certain courses so I can make sure I am ready for those tournaments.”

Scotland to host Solheim Cup

T

he 2019 Solheim Cup will be held at Gleneagles, the Ladies European Tour has announced. The biennial women’s match-play event between Europe and United States was last held in Scotland in 2000.

This year’s tournament, held in Germany last month, was won 14½-13½ by the American team.

Gleneagles hosted Europe’s successful defence of the Ryder

Cup last year and the course was chosen ahead of Bro Hof Slott in Sweden for the Solheim Cup. Ladies European Tour chief executive Ivan Khodabakhsh said: “I want to congratulate the Scotland bid team for their work.

“It was an extremely close decision and our heartfelt thanks go to our friends from Sweden for their hugely impressive bid.

“The Bro Hof Slott Golf Club is one of Europe’s very finest

courses and we look forward to working with them in the future.

“The competitive nature of the bidding process for the 2019 event is testimony to the growth in interest in women’s professional golf and women’s sport in general.

Solheim Cup has grown to be the biggest event in the women’s game, delivering outstanding value to its partners at a local, national and international level.”

Taiwan Open: Ko regains number one position

N

•Ko

ew Zealand’s Lydia Ko has reclaimed the world number one spot after winning the LPGA Taiwan Championship.

Ko hit a final round seven-under 65 as she eased to victory by nine shots to overtake South Korean Inbee Park, who was not playing in the tournament.

It was the 18-year-old’s fourth round of U-70 as she became the youngest to earn 10 wins on the LPGA Tour.

England’s Charley Hull (70) was fourth on 10 under, while Scotland’s Catriona Matthew (75) finished on three under.

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McIlroy focused on regaining top form

R

ory McIlroy says he is concentrating on a return to his best form, having regained full fitness as he chases a third Race to Dubai title.

The former world number one ruptured a ligament in his left ankle during a game of football with friends in July, ruling him out of several tournaments.

“I guess I’m more concerned about form than fitness at this point. My fitness is totally fine,” said McIlroy. “I’m pretty much back to where I need to be and I’m happy about that.”

He added: “I’ve started to train the way I was before the injury.

Now I’m trying to get my game back into the shape that I know that I can. I feel like I’ve made a few steps in the right direction.”

This season’s European Tour has four events remaining and McIlroy, who enjoys a 271,214-point lead over Danny Willett in the Race to Dubai, will play in this week’s Turkish Airlines Open, the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai and the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

McIlroy’s injury ruled him out of the Scottish Open and the defence of his Open and WGC-Bridgestone Invitational titles.

The 26-year-old returned to action in time to defend his US PGA title at Whistling Straits and played in three of the FedEx Cup play-off events before starting the new PGA Tour season with a tie for 26th in the Frys. com Open in California.

•Koepka

Koepka gives up European Tour membership

B

en Evans did all he could to try to secure his European Tour card for next year when he closed with a 66-65 weekend and tied for 11th at the Hong Kong Open. He needed a little help, and it came from an unlikely source; Brooks Koepka.

Evans narrowly missed his card by finishing 111th on the European Tour money list. His big break came when Koepka chose to give up his European membership. That removed him from the money list, and moved Evans up one spot.

Koepka will not defend his title this weekend in the Turkish Airlines Open and is not playing the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions next week in Shanghai. He will be short of the required 13 events, and he informed the tour he would no longer be a member.

It was the second straight week that an American came

to the rescue of a European.

Rich Beem agreed to give up his invitation in the Hong Kong Open to Ian Poulter, who otherwise would not have met the minimum requirement and been ineligible for the Ryder Cup next year.

Koepka’s decision figures to help one other player on the Race to Dubai. For the moment, Stephen Gallacher moved to No. 60, though the field of 60 players for the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai won’t be determined until after the BMW Masters, the third event in The Final Series.

His manager, Blake Smith at Hambric Sports, said one reason Koepka chose not to defend in Turkey was a change in the schedule. The Turkish Airlines Open typically is the third event in The Final Series. It switched spots with the BMW Masters to avoid a conflict with the G20 Summit in Antalya that week.

Turkish Airlines Open

Westwood makes strong start

L

ee Westwood made a strong start at the Turkish Airlines Open by carding an eight-under-par 64 to sit three shots off the lead after the first round.

England’s former world number one, 42, did not drop a shot as he recorded eight birdies,

including four in a row from the 14th.

Westwood trails leader Jaco van Zyl by three shots after the South African shot a superb 11-under-par 61. World number three Rory McIlroy is in contention on five under after a 67.

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48

MIRROR SPORT

OCTOBER 31, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NSC to partner Chukwumerije’s Sports Foundation Ifeanyi Eduzor

I

mpressed with the ingenuity and immense contribution of Chika Chukwumerije Sports Foundation to taekwondo development and promotion, the National Sports Commission has promised to enter into a four-year strategic partnership with the foundation.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the championship held at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, Director General of NSC, Alhassan Yakmut said with what the foundation has been doing in terms of its programmes, it is clear that it has been able to champion the ideals of the commission.

“I am convinced beyond any doubt that the foundation has

done a lot to promote and develop taekwondo in Nigeria. For us at NSC, we want to partner organizations like this because they are doing things that are in line with our vision.

“The atmosphere at this year’s tournament is what obtained globally in terms of international standard and I don’t think any reasonable person will not be impressed with what we have seen here. Apart from the tournament, they have done workshop and other developmental activities to support the upcoming athletes.

With this, NSC will be entering into four-year strategic partnership with the foundation to champion the development and promotion of taekwondo which is an Olympic sport in Nigeria’, he said.

Amalgamation of women coaches make football pledge Ifeanyi Eduzor

U-17 World Cup

Nwosu urges Eaglets to beat Brazil Ifeanyi Eduzor

T

he new Executive Committee of the Amalgamation of Women Football Coaches have vowed to take development of the game to the highest level beginning with the forthcoming women football carnival slated for January, 2016 at the National Stadium Surulere, Lagos.

President of the association, Chief Goddy Esezobor told Saturday Mirror that the next competition to be organized by the body will be an improvement from previous editions as several women footballers from all states of the Federation and Abuja would feature.

He said it would be a platform for women footballers to be picked by clubs and the various national teams Vice President of the association, Hans Krammer, a Swiss disclosed that some corporate organizations including the Embassy of China in Nigeria, E.W Abuja and Liebh Air have agreed to partner them towards a quality 15th carnival aimed at the general upliftment of women football in the country.

“We are indeed grateful that the Embassy of China in Nigeria, E.W Abuja and Liebh Air are now fully behind us and we are certain of doing more in discovering and nurturing quality women footballers.

“With this development we shall not go Cap in hand again.

We are already planning towards the annual tournament in January and we are encouraged by the support just as we appeal to other corporate organizations and the Nigeria Football Federation to compliment our effort”, Krammear said.

Assistant Secretary/ Public

Golden Eaglets striker, Chidebere Nwakali in action against Al Sadd in Doha, UAE

A Krammer Relations Officer, Mike Ayoka noted that after discovering Super Falcons Stars like Aishat Yusuf, Ebele Orji and Azizat Oshoala, other quality footballers who would storm Lagos are bound to be unveiled, just as scouts of various clubs would get stars ahead of the next season. The new Exco of the Amalgamation of Women Football Coaches are; chief Goddy Ezezobor, (President), Hans Krammear (vice president) Chinedu Ogbonna (Treasurer) Diana Ansak (Secretary) Mike Ayoka (Assistant Secretary /Pro) and Femi Soluade (Training officer).

s the Golden Eaglets prepare to confront football power house Brazil in one of tomorrow’s quarterfinal matches at the on-going FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile, ex- international and former handler of the team, Henry Nwosu has charged the Coach Emmanuel Amuneke led side to ensure they beat the South Americans and qualify for the final four of the competition.

He told our correspondent, that although Brazil boosts of

very talented players in their squad but the performance of the Nigerians since the commencement of the tournament is an indication that they are capable of beating their opponent in tomorrow’s all important cracker.

“I have watched some of the matches of both teams and from what I have seen, they have some of the best attackers in the championship.

“There is no doubt it is going to be a very difficult game but I want the Eaglets to be focused and approach the game with seriousness to enable them beat Brazil because they are beatable.

Siasia faces sack after media attack

T

he Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have put on standby a coach to replace Samson Siasia as head of the country’s U23 team after his media attack against his employers.

Siasia has been queried by his employers after he blasted them in the media, accusing them of abandoning his team just a month before crucial 2016 Rio Olympics qualifiers in Senegal.

NFF officials have described

Siasia’s comments in the media as “gross misconduct” and have moved ahead to place a coach on standby should the U23 coach not answer the query satisfactorily.

An official said: “One of the coaches with the national team has been put on standby to replace Siasia should he not answer his query satisfactorily.

“That coach will be the one who will lead the team to Senegal if Siasia is fired.”

NSSF commends Copa Coca-Cola tourney Ifeanyi Eduzor

N

ational President of the Nigerian Schools Sports Federation (NSSF), Mallam Ibrahim Muhammed has commended Coca-Cola Nigeria for its Copa Coca-Cola football tournament.

Mallam Muhammed lauded the beverage giant for the initiative that supports development of the Nigerian youth through grassroots football. He made this commendation during the Coaching

Nwosu advised the team not to be carried away with the 6-0 defeat they recorded against Australia in the round of 16 game because the Brazilian team is more tactical , disciplined and focused than the Aussies which will make the game interesting.

“The most important thing at this stage of the tournament is to be focused and not be carried away by the results they have posted so far in the championship. Brazil will prove a more difficult side to handle but I am convinced that at the end of the day, Nigeria will be victorious”, he concluded.

Clinic segment of the program, chaired by ex-international and former Assistant Coach of the Super Eagles, Daniel Amokachi at Jabbi Junior Secondary School, Jabbi, Abuja.

Tagged “Everything for Football”, Amokachi trained the U-15 students from the various schools ahead of the Abuja Copa Coca-Cola tournament.

Mallam Muhammed used the occasion to highlight his belief in the youth and urged Coca-Cola to continuously give its support to initiatives geared towards youth

development in the country.

“These children have hidden talents and despite their various backgrounds, they need to nurture their talents. The investment made in the training of these children would go a long way in aiding them in terms of discipline, education, and their overall development,” Muhammed said.

Speaking on behalf of the company, Marketing Director, Coca-Cola Nigeria, Patricia Jemibewon expressed her excitement with the turnout of students at the coaching clinics.

Siasia What has irritated the NFF leadership the most is that a top executive committee member had met with Siasia to explain the federation’s financial situation to him only for the coach to still go to the media hours later to declare he should not be blamed should the country fail to qualify for next year’s Olympics.

It was further gathered that Siasia is already sober after he received his query.

“He is already begging and apologising to everyone, but what is crucial is how he answers the query. That will determine whether he stays or he is booted out,” another source disclosed.

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 31, 2015

Crime Watch

49

Four fake soldiers paraded in Lagos

F

our fake soldiers identified as John Izunwanne, 25, John Otu, 23, Richard Acha, 22, and Simon Anthony, 39, who were arrested at various times along Mile 2 road, Idi-Araba and Agege area in Lagos state, were paraded by the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni at the force headquarters in Ikeja on Thursday October 29th.

When interrogated, one of the suspects, 39 year old Simon Anthony, said he decided to wear the military uniform to secure free transportation from his base in Adamawa to Lagos state “I was dismissed in January 2014 for falling out from duty.

I am from Adamawa state. I wanted to use the uniform to travel to Lagos because I had no transport money. But unfortunately, I was arrested by soldiers,” he told the Nation.

Also one of the arrested fake soldiers, John Izunwanne said he wore the uniform because he wanted to secure free transportation.

“I wanted to go and sign my army recruitment form at

Suspects Ojo Barracks when I bought the uniform at the Mammy Market. However, on October 7, my friend had a court case and I was to appear in court

as a witness. The court was in Agege and I did not have the transport fare to go, so, I decided to wear my uniform to save me the cost of transpor-

tation.”

One of the arrested fake soldiers Otu who is a member of the Citizen for Peace and First Aid Missions in Nigeria, said

Udoh, 20; Daniel Adeyemi, 28; Saheed Mohammed, 25; and Wasiu Aborisade, 40.

The 13 accused are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, membership of unlawful society, breach of peace and causing grievous harm.

According to the prosecutor, Iyobosa Onaiwu, the offences were committed on September 27 at about 9.00 p.m. at Maidan Junction, Mile 12, Lagos.

Two of the accused — Messrs.

Mohammed and Adeyemi — allegedly killed Tunde and Okesola Yusuf before dumping their bodies in the Maidan River in

Mile 12, he said.

Mr. Onaiwu said the accused, believed to be members of Eye Confraternity and Federal Boys cult, had been terrorising the public and dispossessing them of their valuables.

Among the dangerous weapons found in their possession were a jack knife, cutlasses and matchets.

“Olalekan Olatoye was stabbed on the abdomen, while the throat of Babatunde Rilwan was slit,’’ the prosecutor said.

Mr. Onaiwu noted that the offences violated Sections 41, 42, 221 and 231 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused may be sentenced to life imprisonment on conviction.

he heard his friends were arrested and went to the police to secure their bail, only to be arrested for wearing the uniform.

13 suspected cultists remanded in Lagos for murder T hirteen suspected cultists, who allegedly murdered two men before dumping their bodies in a river, were on Thursday in Lagos remanded in Ikoyi Prisons.

An Ebute Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court which rejected their plea, said they should be kept behind bars pending advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The accused are: Ismail Bello, 26; Shola Jaiyeola, 28; Kabiru Wahab, 23; Akeem Adeyemo, 36; Monsuru Ojopagogon, 29; David Lasisi, 35 and Bayo Bakare, 30.

Others are Daniel Yosue, 30; Ademola Ayelabowo, 27; Joshua

The Magistrate, Ope-Agbe adjourned the case to November 16.

Do you have a story for us? Contact 08138773277 or crimewatchmirror@yahoo.com

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Crime Watch

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 31, 2015

Police arraign teenagers over gang rape of 13-year-old girl Policemen attached to the Special Anti Robbery Squad Lagos state police command are investigating three teenagers over allegation of robbery.

The suspects identified as Kadiru Yusuf ,16, Ibrahim Agu 17, and Sherrif Aminigun ,18,were arrested after a gang of robbers robbed residents at the Ajah area of the state.

The police stated that the teenagers were trained by a gang of cultists to steal phones and laptops.

Narrating how the gang operates, the suspects blamed bad friends for luring them into the gang.

Sheriff said “I am a student of Anointed secondary school at Ajah. It is my friend Kudus that introduce me into cult gang in secondary school. We were taught how to steal when nobody was watching.

We will go to s shop and pretend as if we wanted to buy something. We will look out for where they keep phones and laptops so if nobody is watching, we will go back and steal. We usually steal and take to our gang .The stolen goods are usually taken to a receiver who will sell for us.

I have stolen phones last year but I repented after I was arrested by the police in Ajah. I was heading home from my mother’s shop one evening when I was accosted. One of our gang members led the police to arrest me. I told them I have changed but they refused to believe me. I have not stolen this year and this is just a set up because the gang members are angry that I left”.

Narrating how he was arrested, Ibrahim who claimed to be a student of

Ojukwu and Ngene

Baboye secondary school said “ I was going home after attending a club party with my gang members and some friends. As I was heading home, I decided to go to a bakery to buy bread. I saw a

phones lying carelessly and I took it and left without buying the bread. I ran away but the residents informed the police and they came after me. I was arrested in my house and taken to police custody. When

we steal, we take the phones to a receiver who buys at a cheap rate. We steal to prove ourselves as committed members of the gang. Sometimes we steal just to get money to eat’’

...three others docked over rape of another 13 yr-old

T

hree teenagers – Elijah Adebowale, Suleiman Balogun and Shefiu Adam – were on Thursday charged before a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State over the alleged gang rape of a 13-year-old girl.

Adebowale (15), Balogun (16) and Adam (14), who all reside at the Iju area of Lagos State, are being tried on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor.

The Prosecutor, Inspector Rita Momah, told the court that the teenagers and three others, now at large, committed the offences on October 5 in an uncompleted building at Olopade Street, Iju-Ishaga, Lagos.

Momah said the accused all conspired to lure the 13-year-old to the building, where the six of them took turns with her.

She explained that the accused persons spotted the 13-year-old coming out of a church and sent her to get

drinks for them.

According to Momah, the accused offered the 13-yearold a bottle of assorted drink that was already spiked and each of them all had carnal knowledge of her.

The prosecution submitted that the offences contravened

Sections 409 and 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against them.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Section 137 prescribes life imprisonment

for anyone found guilty of child rape.

The judge, F.A Adeeyo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N300,000 each, with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the case to December 7 for continuation of hearing.

16-year-old boy arraigned for sexually abusing toddler

T

he police on Wednesday arraigned a 16-year-old boy at the chambers of the Gudu Upper Area Court, Abuja, for allegedly abusing a toddler sexually.

The accused is standing trial on a charge of gross indecency.

The prosecutor, Adama Musa, said Samuel Zakka

of Pegi village, Kuje, Abuja reported the matter at the FCT command, Abuja on September 22.

He said the accused deceived and took the complainant’s two-year-old daughter to a nearby uncompleted building and abused her sexually.

He said the accused

dipped his finger into the girl’s genital.

Mr. Musa said during police investigations, the girl was taken to the hospital and it was confirmed that she had been abused sexually.

He said the offence contravened Section 285 of the penal code of the Laws of

the Federation.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty.

The judge, Umar Kagarko granted the accused bail in the sum of N100, 000, with one surety that must reside within the court’s jurisdiction.

He adjourned the case to Dec. 17 for hearing.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 31, 2015

RRS nabs five teenage traffic robbers

T

he Rapid Response Squad in Lagos State on Thursday said it has arrested five suspected teenage traffic robbers in Oshodi area of the state.

The RRS said it also arrested 37 miscreants after raiding black spots in the metropolis.

The five teenage robbers were arrested at about 9pm on Wednesday based on a tip-off from one Okechukwu Abes.

Abes gave the information after her handbag was snatched at at Oshodi Under-Bridge.

The bag contained her mobile phone and other valuables.

The suspects are Ajala Lateef, 16; Salami Sodiq, 15; Raji Kazeem, 19; Bashiru Adeyemi, 19; and Ikechukwu Ukueje, 15.

Lateef, a secondary school dropout from Isale-Eko, said their ring leader, Taiye, still at large, pretended to be a passenger and snatched Abes handbag while she was boarding a commercial bus.

Lateef said: “I know Taiye very well.

Crime Watch

“He used to sleep in Oko-Mola at Oshodi Under-Bridge.

“I have seen him on different occasions dispossessing passersby in Oshodi of their bags, phones and other belonging.

“Most times, we pretend as passengers to rob people.”

The Commander of the RRS, Olatunji Disu, said his team would continue to work round the clock to make Lagos a safe haven.

Disu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, said the police have been charged by the state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, and Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, to rid the state of all forms of crime.

He called on Lagosians to assist the police by supplying information that would help the police to curb crime and track down criminals, adding that perpetrators of crime live among us.

The suspects have been transferred to the State Investigation and Intelligence Bureau, Ikeja.

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Knife-wielding robbers killed in Bauchi ... while attempting to snatch motorcycle

Court jails security guard for raping 9-year-old girl

A

n Akure Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday sentenced a security guard, Onoja Abel, to five years imprisonment for raping a nine-year-old girl.

The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Victoria Bob-Manuel, sentenced the convict, after he pleaded guilty of rape and assault.

“Having admitted and found guilty of two offences, the accused is hereby sentenced to five years imprisonment for unlawful carnal knowledge of the girl.

“And two years imprisonment for indecent assault without an option of fine, with hard labour and to run concurrently,” Bob-Manuel said.

Earlier, the prosecutor, ASP. Isah Atanegbe said that the convict had unlawful carnal knowledge of a minor girl

without her consent.

Atanegbe further told the court that Abel lured the girl into his room and raped her three times, between September and October 2015.

He said that the accused committed the crime at about 6.00 p.m. at Toyosi Pure Water Compound of High School Area, Akure.

Prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 218 and 360 of the Criminal Laws, Cap 37 Volume 1 of Ondo State, Nigeria, 2006.

The accused had pleaded guilty to the two-count charge of rape and assault, saying, “I only slept with the girl once in the month of September and twice in the month of October.

“I regretted my action because I have a child of 10 years, my second child,’’ Onoja told the court.

MOPOL arrested for tennis star mum’s murder

T

he trigger-happy cop who allegedly shot dead mother of Nigeria’s teenage tennis sensation, Angela Macleod, Nnenna, has been arrested, The suspect was on duty at Emperor’s Guest House in Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday, and during an altercation with Nnenna Macleod, a single mother he allegedly shot her to death.

The deceased and her bereaved daughter were said to have lodged at the hotel as at the time the incident happened. angela Lagos State Commission-

er of Police, Fatai Owoseni in a television interview monitored by our correspondent confirmed the arrest of the police, a mopol. He said the suspect is currently detained at Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID), Panti, and will be appropriately charged to court.

It was gathered that the deceased’s daughter, teen tennis sensation, Angela Macleod, will turn 15 years old next Thursday, about a fortnight after her mother, who equally doubled as her coach and mentor was brutally murder.

Mobile policemen Inset: Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase

A

n angry mob in Bauchi State on Friday attacked and killed two suspected armed robbers who had tried to snatch a motorcycle from a commercial motorcyclist.

The suspects attempted to steal the motorbike along Maiduguri road when the an angry mob descended on them and beat them to death.

The Bauchi State Police Public Relation Officer, Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, said the hoodlums stabbed a motorcycle rider with a knife while struggling to snatch away his motorcycle.

“Two suspected hoodlums armed with a knife and pretending to be passengers opposite NIDB Building along

Maiduguri road, Bauchi, stopped a motorcycle rider and stabbed him with knife at his lower abdomen and struggled to snatch his motor cycle but the victim overpowered them and raised alarm.

“The incident attracted the attention of passers-by and angry mob beat the suspects to a state of coma.

“Police detectives attached to Housing Estate Division visited the scene and rushed all the casualties to ATBU Teaching Hospital Bauchi for medical attention and the two suspects were certified dead by the medical doctor while the victim is responding to treatment,” he said.

The police spokesman said the knife used in carrying out

the attack was recovered at the scene.

Mr. Mohammed identified the deceased suspects as Haruna Abdullahi and Burhanudeen Usman, both residents of Tilden Fulani in Toro LGA of Bauchi State.

He urged members of the public not to take laws into their hands whenever they arrest suspects, warning that the command would not fold its arm and watch such disregard to law and order in the state.

(Premium Times)

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Investment Profiles with Godwin Uba ubagodwin@yahoo.com 08034494437

Animal feed, fish meal production

P

oultry meat and egg are high quality food, containing about 60% of protein. They are also very rich in vitamin and other nutrients which are important to human health and growth.

According to annual nutrition experts, the addition of variety of vegetable products and carbohydrates to the meat and egg constitute a complete and balanced diet.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended egg consumption at least one egg a day because of its high content of digestible protein.

The cost of breeding chicken in the country is growing every day.

This has resulted to an increase in the prices of eggs and chicken. It is always a good combination between poultry farming and feed mill plant for business success. For one to make it in this business there is need to reduce the cost of feed by establishing feed mill plant.

There is therefore every need to invest in this aspect to increase the production of livestock feeds and thereby reduce the pace of raising chicken and production of eggs, since feeding constitute 65-68% of cost rearing poultry.

In this, the writer looks into the market position, the required raw materials, the plant and machinery, location and the total financial requirement for livestock feds production.

MARKET ANALYSIS A large potential market for poultry business exists in Nigeria.

With a population of over 150 million, the demand is enlarging every day.

According to industrial source, the demand was over 120,066 metric tons in 1987. Demand for poultry meat and eggs have been growing at the rate of 4.8% per annum. The demand for poultry meat reached about over 75.9 million or 151, 784 tons in 1992.

The present demand figure for this product is projected for 291, 882 tons as at mid-2014.From all indications, the demand will continue to increase.

The supply on the other hand is from both local and imported sources.

Information from the federal office of statistics reveals that over N2,653, 643 was spent in importation of livestock feeds in 1986; N3, 542,762 in 1987, N4, 542, 762 in 1988 and over N15 million in 1996. With the imposition of import restrictions on this aspect, local producers are therefore encouraged.

Despite this encouragement from the government, supply of poultry feeds is still very low.

More investors are required to invest more into this aspect so as to boost production to match the demand with the supply and possibly reduce the increasing cost of feeding chickens for both eggs and meat.

To be successful in this venture, there must be an integration of complete feed

financial projection stated below.

When the project commences operation with only 500MT of grounded Oyster shell it will yield about N35million gross profit in the first year of operation.

Deducting the operation costs of N5.8 million an investor is expected is to earn a pre-tax profit of N29.2 million in the first year.

The viability is very encouraging.

The payback period is less than 2 years.

Also the Return on Investment is over 70 per cent and cash flow result is very good.

Analysis has shown that this project is commercially, technically and socially viable.

mill plant to provide all the feed required by the farm. This will in turn reduce the over head cost of the proposed project.

The raw materials required for the production depends on the type of feed the producer has in mind. There are three types of feeds, namely chick mash, growers mash and layers mash.

In all cases, the major raw materials are as follows: Palm Kernel Cakes (PKO), Soya beans, Groundnuts, Maize, Fish and Oyster shell, Wheat grains, one meal or calcium carbonates and clean water are also required.

These materials are locally available.

For instance oyster shell is found mainly in the coastal areas of the country like Ondo, Warri, Port-Harcourt, Lagos, Rivers, and Cross Rivers etc. Oysters shell (sea-shell) contains about 75%

calcium and 15% phosphate minerals.

The major plans and machinery are Mixer Machine, Dryer Microniser, Pulveriser, Crusher etc.

The machinery is 100 percent locally fabricated. It is designed to use either electricity or manual. Interested investors will have them on request.

The plant under consideration has capacity to produce 5 tons per shift. The production technology is very simple.

It involves crushing of the ingredients (like Oyster shell, palm kernel cakes (PKC), Soya Beans, Groundnuts, Maize, Fish meal & Bone meals etc) with the crushing machine.

The chemical like calcium carbonate are added. They are dried and packed for marketing.

The project will need from N12.5million to start as shown in the

FUNDING The Federal Government just released through CBN over N500Billion for injection into small and medium scale industries development in Nigeria. Anybody with good business plan will benefit from the funds. There are also financial institutions and Special Project Funding Organizations that would be recommended to prospective investors on contacting the writer.

Interested investors are advised to contact the writer for further investment advisory services, preparation of comprehensive feasibility report, procuring the required equipment and project financing arrangement.

Uba Godwin Global Trust Consulting 56, Ishaga Road (1st floor), Surulere, Lagos Tel: 08034494437, 08023664368, 09093939140 E-mail: ubagodwin@yahoo.com

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

OCTOBER 31, 2015

Carry us along or we secede, Igbo group tells Buhari

N

ot satisfied with the manner the Buhari-led Federal Government is neglecting the Igbo ethnic nationality in the scheme of things, Ndigbo had threatened to secede if President Buhari continue to marginalise the ethnic group.

The ethnic nationality made the threat through the Ezeigbo 1 (Custodian of Igbo tradition) in Abuja, Eze Ibe Nwosu, at an event organised to promote Igbo cultural heritage, customs and tradition.

According to Nwosu, the threat does not in any way mean that the Igbo are fighting against the government, but as citizens of Nigeria, it is their right to demand equal treatment

with other ethnic nationalities in the country.

He said: “Well, if Nigeria is not taking us serious, we can have our Biafra, and I don’t see anything bad in that. We are not fighting the government, but only saying that if we are not treated well, we will find our original bearing.

“If your father disowns you in a family setting, you can find your way, and do something else with your life.”

Ibe Nwosu said Igbo all over the country and in the Diaspora are watching with keen interest unfolding events in the country, saying “we are seriously watching what is going on in the country.”

Poor power supply: Ohafia consumers protest Eric Elezuo

T

he Ohafia Rural Electrification Committee, in conjunction with the Ohafia Electricity Consumers Protection Association, on Friday staged a peaceful protest against poor power supply in the ancient town of Abia.

The chairman of the association, Mr. Ukpai Ndukwe, said that the community has not enjoyed light for more than four hours on any given day, and was usually at the end of the month. ``They will do this for only a few days during which they will distribute new bills, disconnect those who could not pay

and then take their cables away,’’ he said.

Ndukwe also said that the community was always made to contribute money to fix faulty installations belonging to EEDC. A protest letter from the community, jointly signed

by Ndukwe, the chairman of the committee, Mr. Uma Uma, as well as the secretaries of the two groups, Messrs Ojo Ojo and James Ukpabi, was presented to the electricity company.

The letter stated that it was fraudulent to bill and collect money from consumers for services not rendered.

It further decried the billing of consumers on estimated bills, saying that the method was unacceptable to them.

Pirates beat me back and blue — Ex-MPDAN president

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or allegedly daring the illegal activities of pirates, the immediate past National President of Musical Product Dealers Association (MPDAN), Deacon Joseph Nkem Okpalakunne, was beaten to coma at the Onitsha International Electronics Market, Anambra State.

Narrating his ordeal while handing over the baton of leadership to his successor, yesterday after the election of new executive of MPDAN, Deacon Okpalakunne said the forces against him were both internal and external.

He said: “On that fateful day, I led the taskforce team that consists of officials of the Nigerian Copyright

Commission (NCC), Police and others to raid the Onitsha International Market of fake musical products that comprised CDs, DVDs and VCDs among others.

“When the pirates sighted me, they defied the security that was attached to the taskforce and made straight at me, beat me up mercilessly, and I was vomiting blood.

“They wanted to kill me for daring them, and thank God I was unconscious and was rushed to a hospital where I stayed for about one month.

“We, through our doggedness, invaded the electronic market in our quest to end the scourge of piracy and other related anti-copy crimes.”

SOUTH EAST

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Group moves to save Igbo language from extinction

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n a calculated move to save the Igbo culture from extinction, an Igbo educational group, Centre for Igbo Arts and Culture (CIAC), in collaboration with Igbo Language Teachers Association (ILTA), had taken the Igbo curricular activities to school where inter-school debate, essay and quiz competitions were held and winners subsequently emerged.

Amongst the mission of CIAC is the total preservation and promotion of the Igbo cultural heritage with the intention to inculcate same to Igbo sons and daughters who hitherto were on the verge of losing their identity.

In an interview with

journalists at a ceremony to honour Igbo Students from various secondary institutions in Abuja who excelled at the event, Chairman of CIAC, Ezeani Dr. Kanayo Okoye, who frowned on the decline in interest by Igbo sons and daughters on their language said any attempt by the Igbo to forget their language also amounts forgetting their identity.

He said: “Language is what God has planted in you to make you different from the other person. If you don’t go along with your language, customs and traditions then you are losing yourself.

He revealed that over 100 schools in Abuja partici-

pated in the competition where about four schools like the Junior Secondary School, Nyanya, JSS Apo Legislative Quarters, JSS Apo Resettlement Area as well as Regina Pacis Girls College, distinguished themselves in the overall competition.

The Chairman, who encouraged parents as well as guardians to ensure they teach their children and wards the art of speaking the Igbo language also said, “Mothers should insist in relating in Igbo language because if our language is gone, our identity is gone.”

Continuing, he said “there is no place in the world where you find a Jewish kid who will not

speak Hebrew and this applies to all of them.”

In his reaction to the programme, the Ezeigbo (leader Custodian of Igbo tradition) 1 of Abuja, Eze Ibe Nwosu in commending CIAC for organising such laudable event said the turn out of the people at the event was very encouraging.

Responding, one of the winners of the competition from Regina Pacis Girls College, 12 years old Amajuonye Odochi, said she was delighted coming out second position in the competition, but lamented the growing lack of interest by her colleagues in studying the language in her school.

L-R: Sen. Samuel Anyanwu; Senator Mathew Urhoghide and Mrs. Obiageli Urhoghide, during the Investiture and Award Night of the Nigeria Academy of Pharmacy, on Wednesday.

Ekwulobia calm after alleged relocation of Boko Haram suspects

E

kwulobia community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra is peaceful and calm after the relocation of 47 Boko Haram suspects.

A correspondent who visited the prisons facility on Thursday, reports that there was heavy security presence at the entrance of the prisons.

Boko Haram suspects had been transferred to Ekwulobia Minimum Prisons in June amidst protests.

A native of the town, John Ezendu, said there was nothing to be excited

about as there had been no threat to the tranquility of the community since the suspects were transferred to the town.

Mr. Ezendu said that what was important to the people of the town was for the government to construct good roads in the area as host of such facility.

“We understand that the Boko Haram suspects have been moved from here; that was no problem to us, as you can see there is no excitement.

“What we are praying and hoping for is the construction of our roads so

that we can enjoy the benefit of Federal presence,” he said.

A trader at the popular Ekwulobia market, who identified himself as Chibuzor, said he was not aware of the relocation of the prisoners from the Ekwulobia prisons, adding that it was responsible for normal commercial activities.

Chibuzor however, said that the situation was in contrast to the protests that followed the transfer to the town.

“We don’t know about it; we do not have problem here; what I know is that

after they came, there was protest but for us, market boomed because the prisons authorities came to buy foams and other things,” he said.

A senior prisons official who pleaded anonymity said the transfer of the suspects was effected in the midnight of October 27.

The source also said the relocation was a great relief to the inmates as the prisons was almost at full capacity before the suspects arrived.

“I can confirm to you that the Boko Haram suspects have been moved,”s the source said.

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OCTOBER 31, 2015

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Ogoni communities support efforts to implement UNEP report T

he Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Nnimmo Bassey, said in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital t​hat​the communities took the decision after a capacity building workshop in Ogoni on Friday.

Mr. Bassey said HOMEF organised the workshop on Building Community Resilience towards the Implementation of the UNEP Report at Ken Saro-Wiwa Peace Centre, Bori, Ogoni Rivers as a peace building effort to avert conflict.

He said the training sought to develop the skills needed for participants to promote, mentor and serve as watchdogs on the implementation of the UNEP report.

He said the participants drawn from Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme Local​ ​Government Areas observed that Ogoni environment is a disaster zone in dire need of clean up.

“They observed that the plan by government to implement the report of the United Nations Environment Programme on the Ogoni Environment is the right step to take.

“The implementation of the UNEP report will not be effective without the full support of the Ogoni people.

“That there is the need for a holistic monitoring of the environmental clean up and remediation processes to ensure that a thorough work is done in line with the recommendations of the UNEP Report,” he said.

Mr. Bassey stated that stakeholders in the proposed clean up and remediation of Ogoni land resolved to undertake sensitization and awareness of all Ogoni communities on the UNEP report.

According to him, the sensitization will ensure that everyone is fully aware and understand the implications of the UNEP Report and to correct mis-

conceptions about the environmental clean-up.

He said that the participants further resolved that the institutions to oversee the clean-up should be supported,

while the institutions should ensure that work plans, milestones are fully discussed with the Ogoni people.

They also agreed to clarify to everyone that

the clean up budget is for cleaning up the environment and is separate from funds that may be needed as compensations.

Mr. Bassey said the workshop ended with the

Inauguration of the Ogoni Ecological Defenders and Monitoring Network to continually train, monitor and report on the clean-up and other ecological incidents.

The Chief Judge of Edo, Justice Cromwell Idahosa (middle) and his wife (right), with other judges, during a ceremony to mark the opening of the 2015/2016 legal year, in Benin-city, yesterday.

‘Politicians must translate political experience into economic development’ Richard Ndoma CALABAR

T

he immediate past president of Pentecoastal Fellowship of Nigeria PFN Cross River State branch, Bishop Emmah Isong at a book launch in Calabar charged Politicians in Nigeria to translate their political experiences into economic development so as to bring succour to under privileged citizens.

Isong made the remark while fielding questions from journalist at his 2nd public lecture and 51st birthday celebration/ launching of his book, titled;”Crossing the Boundary” stressing that “ all was not really well with under privileged people in the country.

Isong said that he was the link between the underprivileged and the very rich peo-

ple in the society and as such it was his responsibility to speak in their stead.

The clergy chastised the nation`s politicians for establishing financial empires for themselves in big cities at the expense of under privileged citizens who are allowed to wallow in the lurch and abject poverty with no capacity to afford a square meal in a day.

Bishop Isong who is the General overseer of Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI) Calabar, urged the nation`s political class to do everything within their reach to ensure that the much preached change mantra spearheaded by President Muhammadu Buhari makes its desired impact.

The gosple preacher called for the establishment of good and accessible roads, effective health care delivery

systerm, constant electricity supply and other good things of life.

Bishop Isong averred that the ordinary man was tired of the nation`s politicians who delight in engaging the people on television without taking cognisance that the common man knows nothing about the nation`s Gross Domestic Product GDP often mentioned on television.

“What our politicians do is to heat the system with political language, that are not translated to tangible dividends of democracy,”The cleric queried.

The Cleric stated that the essence of the public lecture is to motivate Nigerian politicians to put structures in place to attract development instead of talking with their mouth alone.

He promised to send copies of the lecture, ‘Translat-

ing Nigeria’s Democratic Experiences to Tangible Economic Developments,’ delivered by a member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Onofiok Luke, to 36 states of the federation, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, states commissioners and governors.

Speaking earlier in the lecture, Luke who is current lawmaker for Nsirebom state constituency and former Chairman for finance and Appropriation in the Akwa Ibom state House of Assembly, said that the causal link between democracy and development has been a controversial one. “When the countries of the world are examined as a whole, democracies appear to perform better in terms of economic development than autocracies or mixed polities do.

C’ River suspends Perm Sec over ban on morning devotion Richard Ndoma CALABAR

T

he Cross River State Government yesterday, said it has suspended indefinitely, the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Education, Mrs. Anne Odey.

The suspension followed a directive reportedly given by Mrs Odey banning morning devotion in both primary and secondary schools owned by private and government across the state.

Government source said, Odey was suspended for flouting civil service rules.

Last week, Mrs Odey wrote a letter to all the private and public schools across the state, ordering the suspension of morning and afternoon devotion.

This directive, said to come from the Commissioner for Police in view of security challenges facing the nation, has been declared unacceptable by the state chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN. Reacting to the issue, State Security Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade, Mr Jude Ngaji, who spoke with journalists, said the governor is not aware of such directive neither did the Permanent Secretary pass the information through the governor’s nor his office.

Consequent upon the action, Ngaji averred that the governor has directed that the permanent secretary should be suspended indefinitely while the ban has been lifted with immediate effect.

“It is true that police got intelligence information that Boko Haram are planning to bomb schools during morning devotion and therefore directed authorities in the ministry of education to act fast. but the permanent secretary did not bother to revert to the governor nor call for stakeholders’ meeting to that effect.

“So, the governor feel pained that the PS got such sensitive information without seeking for his advice and rather went ahead to issue directive suspending morning devotions in private and public schools knowing that such sensitive could be counter-productive.

“In the light of the above, the governor has directed that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Anne Odey, be suspended forthwith, while the ban has been lifted immediately as there is no instruction to that effect from the governor’s office,” Ngaji queried.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

OCTOBER 31, 2015

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55

U.S. to send Special Operations forces to Syria

T

he United States is set to deploy troops on the ground in Syria for the first time to advise and assist rebel forces combating ISIS, multiple officials said Friday.

A senior administration official said that the U.S. would be deploying “fewer than 50” U.S. Special Operations forces to Kurdish-controlled territory in northern Syria. The American troops will help local Kurdish and Arab forces fighting ISIS with logistics and are planning to bolster their efforts.

The deployment of U.S. Special Operations forces is the most significant escalation of the American military campaign against ISIS to date.

The U.S. Special Operations forces will first be deployed to northern Syria to help coordinate local ground forces and U.S.-led coalition efforts to fight ISIS, the senior administration official said. The local forces in that area have been the most effective U.S. partners in confronting ISIS. The U.S. will also boost its military footprint in confronting ISIS in Syria by deploying A-10 and F-15 fighter jets to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. And the U.S. is also eying the establishment of a Special Forces task force in Iraq to boost U.S. efforts to target ISIS and its leaders, the administration official said. President Barack Obama has also authorized enhancing military aid to Jordan and Lebanon to help counter ISIS. The U.S. has bombed targets in Syria since September 2014 without stopping ISIS, and it has largely failed in a mission to recruit and train moderate rebels in Syria to take on the terror group.

In recent months, the U.S. has also bolstered its aid to local forces, air-dropping weapons, ammunition and other supplies to rebel forces inside Syria.

Obama has long resisted an American military

presence on the ground to combat ISIS in Iraq and Syria but has reluctantly escalated U.S. involvement in that fight over time since launching the military effort in 2014.

The number of U.S. military forces in Iraq has swelled to more than 3,500 since Obama first announced the deployment of up to 300 American military advisers to Iraq in June 2014.

U.S. Special Ops have previously conducted some secretive missions on the ground in Syria as well. But the deployment marks the first permanent presence of U.S. ground troops in Syria since the U.S. began leading an international effort last year to confront ISIS, the militant Islamist group which now controls broad swaths of territory in Iraq

and Syria.

The troops are set to be deployed to Syria in the coming days, according to these officials.

The decision comes on the heels of the first death

of an American military service member in the fight against ISIS. Master Sgt. Joshua Wheeler died last week in Iraq as he and other American Special Operations forces conducted a raid to rescue hostages held by ISIS. The troops to be sent

to Syria are not expected to serve on the front lines with rebel forces.

But they are entering a very hot combat zone and have the right to engage the enemy if they come under fire. They could also join Syrian and Kurdish forces on raids if they

get explicit permission from Washington.

The Syrian Kurdish fighting force in northern Syria welcomed the decision to deploy U.S. troops to assist them but reiterated the need for more assistance and weaponry to fight ISIS.

Scary faces at the UNICEF Halloween Ball in Mayfair, London

Last UK Guantanamo Bay detainee arrives in UK T

he last British resident to be held in Guantanamo Bay has landed in the UK, having been detained for 13 years.

Shaker Aamer was held at the US military base in Cuba over allegations he had led a Taliban unit and had met Osama Bin Laden, but was never charged.

Downing Street said there were “no plans” to detain him after his arrival.

Mr Aamer said he felt “obliged” to everyone who fought for him to be released, and to “bring an end to Guantanamo”.

“My thanks go to Allah first, second to my wife, my family, to my kids and then to my lawyers who did everything they could to carry the word to the world,” he said.

“I am overwhelmed by what people have done by their actions, their thoughts and their prayers, and without their devotion to justice I would not be here in Britain now.”

Concern has been raised over the health

of the Saudi national, 48, whose family live in London, and the BBC witnessed an ambulance arrive at the airport.

Number 10 said Prime Minister David Cameron “welcomes” the release of Mr Aamer, who has permission to live in the UK

indefinitely because his wife is British.

It also said any necessary security measures “will be put in place.”

The father-of-four landed at London’s Biggin Hill Airport shortly before 13:00 GMT. Mr Aamer’s father-inlaw, Saeed Siddique, said his release was a “miracle.”

“It’s a delightful day,”

he told BBC News while admitting it was also a “surprise.”

Mr Aamer, who was first held by US authorities in Afghanistan in 2001, maintains he was in the country doing charity work.

Since 2007 Mr Aamer, who claims he was tortured, has been cleared for release twice, first by US president George W Bush and then Barack Obama.

It is understood Mr Aamer will go through standard immigration checks now he has arrived in the UK. Mr Aamer’s legal representative Clive Stafford Smith told BBC News “Shaker only wants the truth to come out he is not interested in persecuting anyone.

“His first priority is health - he really is in terrible shape.”

lanski under house arrest for nine months.

The film director’s Polish lawyers had argued against his extradition, citing claimed legal flaws in the US process and the 42 days Polanski served in prison at the time, according to the Associated Press news agency.

Polanski grew up in Poland and is regarded as one of the country’s greatest living artists.

He survived World

War Two in the Krakow ghetto but his mother died at Auschwitz.

Polish voters elected a conservative government at the weekend - and officials from the Law and Justice party had said Polanski should be sent to America to face justice.

If a Polish court were to rule in favour of extradition, the final decision would rest with the justice secretary.

Roman Polanski: Polish court rejects US extradition

A

court in Krakow has ruled against a US request to extradite film director Roman Polanski for having had sex with a 13-year-old girl there in the 1970s.

Judge Dariusz Mazur said the request was “inadmissible.”

Polanski was not present in court on Friday. Prosecutors can still appeal against the ruling.

The Oscar-winning

director, who admitted unlawful sex with a minor, fled from the US ahead of sentencing in 1978.

The 82-year-old has French and Polish citizenship. He lives in France - which does not extradite its own citizens - but has been working in Poland on a film project.

Swiss authorities turned down a US extradition warrant in 2010, after placing Po-

Quote of the day We are not exporting significantly and the way things are, devaluation will not help the local economy. What we need to do is to start spending more on the economy and then things will ease up a bit.

— Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, while explaining why devaluation of the naira was not an appropriate option in the current economic situation of the country.

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Sanusiconometric theory of Naira devaluation!

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2015. www.nationnationalmirroronline.net

I

n his multi- billion Naira palace, right in the middle of his highly revered historic kingdom, located in one of Nigeria’s most important cities, his Royal Majesty, the Emir of Kano, has added to his busy schedule of traditional duties the duty of ‘big brother and adviser’ to the Nigerian economy and ‘extended supervisor’ to the Central Bank of Nigeria, of which he is former governor. Very kind of him!

He could be speaking after gazing into the crystal ball, as is typical of traditional rulers when they consult the oracle or whatever equivalent of spiritual guide they favour. When they wake up in the morning, they find out from the ‘gods’ what the day will bring. In Emir Sanusi’s case, it makes sense to also find out what the economy will look like, given that he has played such a huge role in the economy in his previous life. As anyone who is familiar with such exercises knows, what the oracle will pronounce depends on how much hot drinks, kolanuts, salt and alligator pepper you offer it. It will make more important pronouncements if you add palm oil and dry fish to the mix. That is when it can get into the realm of whether to devalue the naira or not!

The chief priest will then interpret these pronouncements to His Eminence. As the proceedings progress, the priest consumes the hot drinks on behalf of the oracle. His Eminence also takes little sips now and then to get him into the ‘spirit.’ The dry fish, salt and alligator pepper continue to disappear into these wise mouths and more pronouncements spill out. As the session moves to an end, with all or most of the hot drinks gone, the pronouncements become more profound. “Tell Buhari to devalue the Naira now....”

This is not the first time the oracle of the palace will make vexing pronouncements on very important national matters. I still remember with great affection the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade of blessed memory. He represented the Yoruba race at a meeting with the then President Babangida. The mandate of the meeting was to attempt to reclaim the mandate of the late MKO Abiola. The late Ooni had consulted Ifa and the whole array of Yoruba gods (all 200 of them!) in

CFR

His Eminence needs to know how we in the private sector are doing today

(before the devaluation) ...just before we all say goodnight to business!

preparation for the historic assignment.

When he got to Abuja, rather than convey the displeasure of the gods about what became of MKO’s mandate, the revered royal father said Babangida was “talking sense.” My brother, Dele Momodu, will explain the rest!

Another serious problem with these ‘supernatural’ beings is that, these days, they collect a lot of money before they make their pronouncements, unlike in the days of old when you only needed to give them a few cowries to get information from them. Times have really changed.

I am still waiting for the new Ooni of Ife to settle down before I ask him to explain to Nigerians why Ifa, Igba Irunmole and the other sundry gods collected so much money from Jonathan, even in the presence of the no-nonsense Oranmiyan, and told him he would win the elections.

Upon this pronouncement, the royal highnesses whipped out their royal horsetails and pronounced profuse royal blessings on Jonathan, only for him to be

roundly defeated by Buhari, even though Buhari did not settle Igba Irunmole. There must be a good explanation for this!

Maybe the traditional hot drinks were mixed with Crystal Champagne. The Irunmoles are clear about their preference for Ogogoro (local gin). I am not sure local gods are used to foreign bubbly intoxicants! Maybe they don’t even like Crystal Champagne. The urbane, highliving Ooni Sijuade (God rest his classy soul) should have known better than to replace good old Schnapps and cat fish with Champagne and Caviar when dealing with the gods!

Or maybe the gods were confused by the wads of dollars which were rolled out instead of naira. Ifa and Igba Irunmole are not used to dollars unfortunately. That may have convinced them that there is a scarcity of Naira, and therefore of the need to devalue the Naira. Print more money!

That is probably why the oracle is now speaking from Kano on the urgent

need to devalue the Naira. So whoever is saying that His Eminence does not know what he is talking about should please shut up! Only ignorant people who don’t understand the ways of traditional rulers and their oracles would utter such profanity The Sanusiconometric theory of devaluation is new to the praxis of modern events, except of course the oracle says so. His Eminence must be talking from a back-of-the-envelope scenario; otherwise not even the probability of Monte Carlo simulation will predict devaluation at this time. I don’t know if His Eminence is just coming from holidaying in France.

Perhaps he visited Monte Carlo City for the simulation exercises and came back with the conclusion that devaluation of the Naira is the way to go. Otherwise, he must certainly be conferring with beings from ‘the other world’ on behalf of Nigeria and Nigerians.

I have produced the graph below to let His Eminence know how we in the private sector are doing today (before the devaluation) ...just before we all say goodnight to business!

The above graph simply shows that today’s entrepreneurs are operating at a level where all known costs are far above marginal revenue. All President Buhari is doing is to help create an environment where marginal revenue will be above all known costs. We pray the oracle speaks sense soon. (Amen) • Jimoh Ibrahim writes from the MBA class of the University of Cambridge.

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