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Sport

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Germany vs Argentina: Who lifts the World Cup?

Netherlands wins bronze, beats Brazil 3-0

News

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At last, ASUP suspends 10-month strike www.nationalmirroronline.net

Vol. 4 No. 31

Sunday, July 13, 2014

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Panic in Abuja over bomb threat

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Suicide bombers lurk in FCT, say Police ...list precautionary measures for residents

Edo crisis: Court rules in favour of PDP lawmakers

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Outside forces behind insurgency, says Mark Ijaw youths oppose 5% revenue for Boko Haram victims P. 9 P. 7

Traffic gridlock on Nyanya-Abuja highway as result of an accident that involved a petrol tanker that blocked the highway, yesterday.

FRSC can make number plates –Anambra court

PHOTO: NAN

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Sea piracy: Curfew imposed on Bayelsa waterways ... as Navy yields 3 oil thieves to INTERPOL P. 15, 56

Vice-President Namadi Sambo flanked by Gimba Ya’u Kumo, MD, FMBN (left) and Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, at the commissioning of 324 housing units in FMBN-Elim Estate, Enugu, at the weekend.

News

Man, 33, rapes 7-year-old girl in Ekiti

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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What’s new Politics

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Seven Days TALKING POINTS OF THE PAST WEEK

$49.8bn oil funds not missing, says Senate

Adamawa crisis: Dark hour for embattled Nyako Passion

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The Senate yesterday delcared that the alleged $498. bn missiing oil proceeed are intact just as it opposed a fresh proposal to remove fuel subsidy.

The proposal to remove subsidy was made as senators considered the report of the joint Committees on Finance and Banking and Currency, which investigated the alleged missing of $49.8bn from the Federation Account and opposed the rec-

JULY 13, 2014

ommendation of the committee that fuel subsidy should be removed.

This was also as the lawmakers advised President Goodluck Jonathan to prepare and present to the National Assembly a supplementary budget “to cover the expenditure in the sum of N90.6bn for PMS (premium motor spirit) subsidy 2012 and N685.9bn for kerosene subsidy expended without appropriation by the National Assembly.”

Deadlock in Confab over resource control

Growing up with only my mum was tough –Beauty Aghedo, 2011 Star Quest winner Beauty Aghedo, affectionately called B-Dash by her friends, is the 2011 ‘Star Quest’ winner, and the brand ambassador of Healing Wings Foundation. She is one diva who likes to explore new things. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, she speaks about her childhood and how she feels renewed each time she prays in tongues.

Wellness

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The National Conference yesterday hurriedly adjourned plenary following a bitter disagreement among delegates over the contentious issue of resource control.

The conference was forced into a stalemate on Wednesday after delegates could not reach a compromise on what should accrue to the oil-rich South-South

as derivation.

Sensing the futility in going on with the proceedings, Chairman of the conference, Justice Idris Kutigi, announced that he would today meet with the 50-member Elders/Consensus Building Committee, as well as chairmen and vice chairmen of all the conference’s standing committees bringing the number to nearly 90.

Active telephone lines hit 130 million The number of active telephone lines currently being used by Nigeria’s telecoms subscribers is now over 130 million, according to the telecoms industry regulator.

Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, Dr. Eugene

Juwah, who disclosed this at the launch of the corporate governance code for the telecommunications industry in Lagos, yesterday, pointed out that the strategic nature of the industry made good corporate governance imperative.

Lawmaker pays N5m ransom to son’s The commissioner said that abductors on March 22, at about 9.30 p.m., A member of the Oyo State House of Assembly (names withheld) whose son was kidnapped by gangsters who stormed his residence in Ogbomoso four months ago, has paid N5m as ransom to effect his son’s release.

The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Muhammed Indabawa, has revealed at a press conference during which about 30 hoodlums involved in different crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping and criminal receiving, among others, were paraded in Ibadan, the state capital.

a four-man armed gang besieged Pay- On Hotel, Ikoyi Road, Ogbomoso, and dispossessed customers of their belongings.

The director of the hotel, one Tayo Oyedapo, a son of a lawmaker, was kidnapped with his car with registration number KSF149BO, to Ilawe-Ekiti in Ekiti State.

According to police boss, the lawmaker was compelled by the kidnappers to part with N5m as ransom before his son was eventually released to him on March 26.

Navy warns against impersonation of personnel The Flag Officer Commanding, FOC, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alade, has read the riot act to individuals and security outfits whose uniforms have a semblance with that of the Nigerian Navy.

The Naval boss said, in a release issued by the command’s Information Officer, Lt.-Cdr W.A.Y. Olabisi, which was made available to National Mirror, that some unscrupulous members of the public are now using the uniform of its personnel to perpetuate illegality, especially in Lagos State.

It warned that it was ready to unleash the full wrath of the

law on such organisations and individuals.

The release read in part: “The Western Naval Command has observed with serious concern the incessant cases of impersonation of naval personnel in Lagos area.

“These persons with questionable characters use naval uniforms to commit all manners of crimes. Consequently, the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Sanmi Alade, is hereby warning these unscrupulous criminals to desist from the act of impersonating naval personnel or be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.

Jonathan names Chidoka, Abubakar as ministers

What you need to know about Parkinson’s disease Parkinson’s disease, referred to as PD, is a disorder that affects movement and is generally connected with old age. The majority of its sufferers are within the age bracket of 60. It has become a worry to medical experts as the condition is now being diagnosed in younger people.

‘APC’ll accept if defeated in 2015’ The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that his party will not protest the outcome of the 2015 election if it loses.

However, he said that would only be so if the exercise is free and fair pointing out that APC will still go to court even after Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State had conceded victory to Mr. Ayo Fayose, as the winner of last month’s governorship

election in the state.

Mohammed, who was speaking yesterday in Oro, Kwara State with newsmen insisted that the election in Ekiti State was not free and fair.

According to him, it is not enough that the election was not rigged through ballot boxes, noting that it is equally pertinent that armed soldiers and policemen were not unleashed on the citizens to intimidate people at the polling centres.

Mazi Nwachukwu Sidney

DIRECTOR, LOGISTICS & OPERATIONS STRATEGIA BLAST INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

MON

laiman Olanrewaju Abubakar as minister.

Abubakar, a political science lecturer at the University of Abuja, is to represent Kwara State in the Federal Executive Council, while Chidoka is to represent Anambra State in the council.

SUN SAT FRI THU WED TUE

President Goodluck Jonathan has forwarded the names of the Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Osita Benjamin Chidoka, to the Senate for screening and confirmation as a minister.

The President also asked the Senate to confirm Dr Su-

After prayers with my family, I do some exercises within the house. I take my breakfast and go to the office which resumes at 9 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. In the office, I start with meetings of what should be done from Monday to Friday.

I go for business meetings till about 5 p.m. and retire to the club (Embar Greek) to unwind After some office work from 9 a.m. to 11.30 a.m., I go for midweek prayer session with my group.

I get to the office, check my files, put them in order and then I’ll do what I call contact reach-out; that is checking up on my friends and new business contact via phone calls.

I start early in the office today. I work until about 2 p.m. Then, I’d go for club meeting.

About 11 a.m., I go for functions. I normally have two or three different functions to attend on Saturday.

This day is strictly devoted to God. I go to church in the morning; later go for house fellowship in the evening. At night, I watch and listen to Christian songs and movies with my family. *By Adaeze Amos (0802 301 2293)

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

THE

Big Read SUNDAY SPECIAL INVESTIGATION July 13, 2014

Defrauding through e-banking, ATM The menace of e-bank fraudsters continues to be on the increase, despite concerted efforts to check their fraudulent acts. The activities of the fraudsters are not just limited to individuals and corporate bodies; government at all levels have tales of woe when recounting their experiences. The involvement of the ‘London Boys’ is another intrigue in the business of e-bank and ATM fraud.

Is there an end in sight to this menace that is crippling the banking sector? Tayo Adelaja, Head, Special Investigations, examines the issues involved.

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ut for the eagle eyes of board members of the Gateway Savings and Loans Limited in Abeokuta, Ogun State, internet fraudsters would have succeeded in raking in the sum of N31. 4 Million. This whopping or enormous sum had already been diverted from the state’s mortgage fund to other customers’ account through internet banking service.

The attention of members of the public in the state was drawn to the multi-million naira fraud allegedly uncovered in the state-owned mortgage bank when a team of armed mobile policemen stormed the OPIC Plaza branch of Skye Bank Plc located at Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta. They came in an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and some patrol vans and attempted to whisk the bank manager and some staff members away.

The bank staff engaged the policemen in hot argument and were reluctant to allow the interrogation of their manager for about two hours before the senior official was later taken to the Ibara Divisional Police Station, Abeokuta where he eventually made some statements regarding the alleged fraud.

‘Sunday Mirror’ investigation revealed that the board of Gateway Savings and Loans through the state

‘HACKING IS A RESULT OF GROWTH IN TECHNOLOGY’

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Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, had lodged complaint with the state government over the missing money in its accounts domiciled at Skye Bank.

The bank officials were also said to have resisted all attempts by the state government to enquire about the missing money.

Our correspondent gathered that the bank officials maintained that no fraudulent practice was carried out on the company’s account and if at all such existed, the details of the account domiciled with Skye Bank must have been revealed to the fraudsters by someone from the company.

But when all persuasions to get the bank to cooperate with the state government’s officials failed, the government demanded for a statement of account wherein it was established that the sum of N13. 4 million had developed wings.

It was, however, established that the money was transferred from the Gateway Savings and Loans Limited account to so many accounts domiciled in other commercial banks.

Infuriated by the development and having been conCONTINUED ON PAGE 4

‘TO TACKLE ELECTRONIC FRAUD, BANKS SHOULD SCREEN PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES’

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The Big Read

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Hacking is a result of growth in technology’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3 vinced that none of its personnel authorised any withdrawal or transfer of funds from the account, the government decided to apply force to compel the management of Skye Bank to disclose details of transaction carried out on the account within the past three months.

‘Sunday Mirror’ further learnt that the bank had under the pretence of protecting the accounts of its customers, turned down the state government’s request for details of the transfer. It was said to have, however, pleaded for some time to enable it call its technologists to investigate the fraudulent transactions, forgetting that Gateway Savings and Loans Limited was also a customer whose interest ought to have been protected before it fell victim of the internet fraud.

But the refusal of management of OPIC branch of Skye Bank to disclose details of the transfer and to which accounts the money was transferred to, however, forced the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Amosun on Security, Patrick Akinduro, to lead a detachment of security operatives to the bank with a view to arresting the officials suspected to have a link with the transfer.

Speaking with Sunday Mirror on the matter, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Alhaji Yusuf Olaniyonu, explained that the state government had initially reported the matter to the police and that the bank’s management refused to cooperate with the police.

Olaniyonu also stated that the continued refusal of the bank’s management compelled Akinduro to get a court injunction that would make the bank to disclose the details of all the suspected accounts linked with the fraud since he was the one acting as the representative of the state government in the police investigation.

“The money is domiciled in the Skye Bank but those who carried out the Internet fraud transferred it to various accounts in other banks. They took as much as N13. 4 million from that account and transferred to various accounts in other banks,” Akinduro revealed.

As part of the way forward also, he stressed that as at last Tuesday, the Police Command headquarters at Eleweran, had interrogated the Abeokuta branch manager of Skye Bank, its Regional Manager and the Acting Manager of Gateway Savings and Loans Limited, Olakunle Salami.

Akinduro further said that the court order being awaited would be the instrument empowering the state government to carry out a thorough probe of the fraud, stressing that the state government was still on top of the situation.

However, the spokesperson of the bank, Rasheed Bolarinwa, in his reaction to Sunday Mirror on the involvement of his company and staff in the e-fraud, denied any connivance on the part of the staff.

He said, “Findings by the internal investigation team in the bank did not establish the claim ascribed to the state government that our officials were in-

Internet banking gadgets

volved in the internet scam. The police are already involved in investigating what happened and we have cooperated fully with their entire request when they visited our branch in Abeokuta. In the course of their investigation, they would be able to establish connivance or otherwise, but as a responsible bank, we remain ready to cooperate fully with the law enforcement agencies in their investigation.”

While online banking has been around for several years, virtually no case of fraud has been reported until recently.

Since the beginning of 2004, about a decade ago, reports of fraud cases nearly explode and banks are looking for ways to protect their online banking channel.

Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlements Systems, (NIBSS) Plc, Christabel Onyejekwe, said the huge losses to e-fraud are a deterrent to improving the consumer confidence and adoption of Nigeria’s cashless strategies.

Analysing the e-fraud trend in the banking industry at a forum, she said that the figure stood at N1.65 billion in 2000; N3.12 billion in 2001; N8.20 billion in 2002, but declined to N5.13 billion in 2003 while in 2004, the figure moved up to N89.43 billion.

Also, in 2005 and 2006, the electronic fraud incurred N6.76 billion and N2.74 billion losses to the banks while in 2007, the figure spiralled to N8.51 billion. 2008, according to her, marked a watershed in the trend of e-fraud, as Nigerian financial institutions recorded the highest losses, to the tune of N34.50 billion.

The Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation 2011 annual report and statement of account also revealed that the banking sector recorded N28.4 billion cases of fraud and forgeries in 2010. It was an increase of 33.4 per cent over the N21.29 billion recorded in the previous year.

It said a total of 2,352 cases accounted for the N28.4 billion fraud, adding that the frequency of occurrence represented

an increase of 53.5 per cent over that of 2010. Of the N28.4 billion involved, the corporation said about N4.07 billion was lost by the Deposit Money Banks (DMB).

The report said, “A total of 2,352 fraud cases involving the sum of N28.4 billion with expected/contingent loss of about N4.071 billion were reported by DMBs in 2011.

“That was an increase of 53.5 per cent in 2011 over the number of reported fraud cases of 1,532 in 2010.

“The increase of 53.5 per cent in the number of attempted or successful fraud and forgery cases as reported in 2011 over the preceding year could be attributed to rising scam cases through Internet banking and suppression of customer deposits.”

The report added that though frauds and forgeries increased by 33.4 per cent from N21.29 billion to N28.4 billion, the expected loss decreased by 65 per cent from N11.68 billion in 2010 to N4.07 billion in 2011. On the incidence of fraud, the NDIC said 10 out of the 20 banks that were in operation in 2011 accounted for 87.1 per cent of the banking industry fraud cases compared to 51.08 per cent in 2010.

An analysis of the types of fraud and forgeries committed at that period revealed that Automated Teller Machine scams and fraudulent transfers/withdrawals accounted for the largest number of perpetrations. This was also the case in the preceding year.

“There were also rising fraud cases through internet banking and suppression of customer deposits,” the report added.

“Of the 2,352 cases reported during the year under review, 498 were attributed to staff participation which showed an increase of 141 from 357 cases reported in 2010. The highest number of staff involved in cases of fraud and forgeries was from the clerks and cashier status as had been the case in the preceding years with the lowest being the typists, technicians and stenographers,” the report

added.

Most online banking fraud schemes involve two steps. First, the criminal obtains the customer’s account access data, i.e. logon name and password. Second, the criminal uses this information to transfer money to other accounts and withdrawas the funds. For the first step, criminals have employed different schemes in the past.

The “over the shoulder looking” scheme occurs when a customer performs financial transactions while being observed by a criminal. A fair number of cases have been reported where customer’s account access data was obtained by the criminal just by observing customers at a public Internet access point.

The “phishing” scheme involves using fake emails and/or fake websites.

The word “phishing” stems from combining the words “password” and “fishing”. Criminals send emails that appear to be from the customer’s bank that direct customers to a fake website. This website impersonates the bank’s website and prompts customers for their account access data. Over the past months, most banks have executed customer education programs, thereby reducing the effectiveness of this scheme. It will, however, take awhile before all customers are smart enough to extinct phishing.

The “Trojan horse” scheme is based on embedding a computer virus type software program onto the customer’s PC. Trojans often tie themselves into the keyboard driver and record keystrokes.

Once a Trojan detects that the customer opens an online banking website, it captures login name and password, and sends it to the criminal.

In 2003, phishing was the dominant fraud scheme. In 2004, banks experienced a sharp rise in Trojan fraud scheme attacks.

A cybersecurity researcher at University of Kent, UK, Ogor Umukoro, reacting to the increase in internet banking fraud in Nigeria, lamented that the acclaimed tools and techniques currently used by Nigerian banks are not sufficient. This is regardless of the source of the tool or technique used.

“As technology growth is in parallel with the time, it is also essential for every organisation and nation to improve themselves. It is not enough to get involved with the technology by purchasing gadgets but it is paramount to keep abreast of all and sundry regarding technology - that is, in this case - security.

“The lack of awareness by users of Nigerian e-banking system create a rift in eliminating the cause of this problem, although some experienced users protect themselves but the percentage is minimal compared to the incidents reported.

He attributed the causes of hacking in Nigeria to the growing use of technology.

He said, “Many banks around the world are targeted and a lot have lost money to e-Theft but the drastic incident recovery measure taken, give investors confidence in these banks. This is a major problem for the growing Nigerian economy. The protective measures have proven to be inCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

The Big Read

Sunday, July 13, 2014

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‘To tackle electronic fraud, banks should screen prospective employees’ Interview with the head of media and Publicity, EFCC Mr. Wilson Uwujaren takes a look at the issues surrounding internet banking fraud in Nigeria and the effort by their agencies to stem the tide in this interview with Femi Adeosun grown. Banks themselves have been quite active in sensitizing the banking public not to disclose their bank details under any circumstance. The Commission has equally been sensitizing the public on the modus operandi of the scammers.

What is the prevalence of internet banking and ATM fraud in Nigeria?

Like most innovations, the introduction internet banking in Nigeria has attracted criminal elements who cash in on weakness in the system to defraud the banking public. What we have witnessed, is that scammers tend to fish for personal bank details of individuals online. You have people who send you emails purported to have emanated from your bank, requesting for your personal details for some urgent upgrade.

Those who fall for such gimmick have unpleasant stories to tell. Because, once they get hold of such information, it is easy to move money from your account. Also people who are careless with their ATM pin numbers have regretted such indiscretion.

The Commission has also seen cases of insider abuse, involving bankers who compromise banking confidentiality by using details of customers to defraud them.

Could you enumerate some of the cases involving Internet banking that the commission is investigating and prosecuting?

The Commission is prosecuting a number of cases and we have also recorded several convictions in this regard. I don’t have the figures in front of me, but be assured that a lot is being done to prevent all types of internet scam.

What is the state of the vices in the country,

What would you say is responsible for the current state of Internet and ATM fraud in the country?

I have already alluded to the fact that once there is an innovation, the criminally minded members of the society would seek avenues to breach such innovation.

That is the situation with ATM and internet banking fraud. Of course, the driving force that propels most criminal enterprise is greed.

Ibrahim Lamorde, EFCC Chairman

would you say they have been abated or on the increase?

The issues really in not whether there is a decline or not. I believe what is important at this stage is the level of awareness among the banking public on how to safeguard their bank details. And I think the awareness has

Would you say the EFCC has done enough to address the scourge beyond the statutory duty of investigating and prosecuting?

The responsibility of the EFCC is to fight economic and financial crimes through investigation and prosecution of offenders, and public education. All of these the Commission has done and will continue to do in terms of checking all forms of internet scams, including banking fraud. But beyond the responsibility of the EFCC, banks themselves and the public have roles to play. As an account holder in a bank, it is your duty to ensure that you are not careless with your bank details, so that they do not fall into the wrong hands.

‘Billions of Naira lost to e-theft’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 sufficient, not good enough or irrelevant.

What is the CBN doing to ensure the security of customers?

“During one of my research visits to Nigerian banks, I was astonished to hear, “we have that in place” when banks were undergoing attacks. Sadly, you cannot impose help on those who really need help but do not acknowledge they do. If banks such as World Bank and Bank of America can look for research students like me to have us use their organisations as case studies, why will Nigerian banks think they have it all? Truth be told, we are still a developing country and do not have it all. No nation or bank does but it is important to know the loopholes and backdoors that attract these hackers.

Umukoro stressed:“Following quite recent news in one of the Nigerian online media, it was quite interesting to read about a Nigerian hacker. A young Nigerian student who stole a couple of thousands from a bank account to purchase some petty items, it was an intriguing case to read. What was most appalling, however, was the knowledge that he had been arrested. True he is a thief, but Microsoft, for instance, regards these thieves as assets. They get these guys to break into their system, do not report them to the authorities, in the end give

them some stipend and little treat to say “thank you for showing us how you do it; we will now block you all from further entry and theft”. Where is our sense of “quick-thinking”? It is not always about behind bars but about what to do to stop further problems of this nature.”

He exposed the fraudsters system and modes of operation when he said, “Strange how some e-Banking users have no clue about phishing attacks. Phishing attacks have gone haywire and are more advanced than previous. Do you know that phishing attacks now link you to a url that is almost similar with your bank’s url? The difference is obvious only to those who take a critical look at it and more advanced users who know about certificates. Some browsers have certificate validation techniques and can alert you if the website certificate is invalid or expired. Some users do not understand the importance of seeing the padlock sign on a secure website, whether a bank or an e-Commerce website.

He advised customers to get knowledge, be weary and at alert at all times.

He said, “It is also important to have a basic idea of computing. There are three types of computer attacks that work similar: Man-in-the-Browser, Manin-the-Computer, and Man-in-the-Middle attack. Every computer is not safe, and banks need to highlight that to users who

have signed up for any form of e-Finance.

There may be a malware in your computer (a malware is a running programme on your computer controlled by a spy somewhere monitoring everything you do) that collects or modifies any information that goes through your computer.

When you think you are safe with your bank and token (TAN generator), there may be someone somewhere spying on your login, watching the bank, the algorithm used for the banking token and compile the information which can take up to a year or two before you become a victim of electronic fraud. Anti-virus is essential but more is needed”, he added.

However, the NDIC said the cases of fraud could be categorised into institutional/ endogenous factors and the environmental/exogenous factors.

On institutional causes, it said, “Those that are attributed to the internal domain of the organisation such as poor accounting and weak internal control systems, poor management, inexperienced staff and ineffective supervision of subordinates, uncompetitive remuneration, and perceived sense of inequity in reward and overstretching of staff.”

It adds that environmental causes are those that can be directly traced to the bank’s operating environment and they include undue societal demands, low moral values, slow and tortuous legal

process, lack of effective deterrent and the reluctance of banks to report fraud cases due to the negative publicity it could attract for their image.

In view of the extent of frauds and forgeries, the NDIC said it was imperative for all banks to employ measures to strengthen their operational risk management frameworks in the areas of internal control and security systems to combat the fraud and forgeries.

“Banks should also endeavour to fully comply with guidelines, rules and regulations on good corporate governance in order to take control of the situation,” it added.

The NDIC report also called on banks to thoroughly screen prospective employees by obtaining status report from previous employers and relevant agencies adding that employees should be made to understand the risks involved in defrauding banks.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has also disclosed plans to reposition Payments System Policy and Oversight Office in order to be more responsive to challenges and realities of today. The apex bank is also working assiduously to evolve appropriate policies and regulation to proactively tackle electronic fraud in the country while putting up the legal frame work to drive e-Banking in the country.

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The Big Read

Sunday, July 13, 2014

T

he Automated Teller Machines (ATM) performs the traditional functions of bank cashiers and other counter staff. It is electronically operated and as such a response to request by a customer is done instantly. The current upsurge and nefarious activities of ATM fraudsters are threatening electronic payment system in the nation’s banking sector, with users threatening massive dumping of the cards if the unwholesome act is not checked.

An ex-banker, Olumide Osifala, who served a first generation bank for over two decades, identified the various types of ATM frauds.

He listed them as shoulder surfing, Lebanese loop, using stolen ATM cards, card jamming, duplicating ATM and card swapping, among others.

Osifala said the shoulder surfing is a method which the ATM fraudster uses a giraffe method to monitor the information the customer keys in into the ATM machine unknown to the customers. He said the Lebanese Loop is a device used to commit and identify theft by exploiting ATM. Its name comes from its regular use among Lebanese financial crime perpetrators, although it has now spread to various other international crime groups. Also, he disclosed that stolen ATM Cards can be used to withdraw if the presenter can hack into the password or have a foreknowledge of the password.

The card jamming, according to him, is the common ATM fraud. Once the ATM card jammed, a fraudster pretending as a genuine sympathiser will suggest that the victim re-enter his or her security code. When the card holder ultimately leaves in despair, the fraudster retrieves the card and enters the code that he has doctored clandestinely.

Aside from that, fraudsters use data collected from tiny cameras and devices called ‘skimmers’ that capture and record bank account information and this system, according to the ex-banker, is known as using fake ATM cards. The fraudsters use software which records the passwords typed on those machines.

Thereafter, duplicate cards are manufactured and money is withdrawn with the use of stolen Passwords.

Sometimes such frauds are insiders’ job with the collusion of the employees of the company issuing the ATM Cards.

Users of ATM in Nigeria have been facing difficult time and continue to suffer losses, according to Adebayo Adegboyega, a Fellow of ICAN, due to the invasion of a sophisticated syndicate known underground as ‘London Boys’.

The ‘London Boys’ are into the growing plastic money business in Nigeria and they are highly tech-savvy as they can use the internet and other technology gadgets to develop effective means of stealing electronic information that are the keys to unlock money saved in the accounts of ATM card users.

Adegboyega said further, “You wondered why the name ‘London Boys’, according to the information I gathered, these boys fled UK when the heat was on them and found safe haven in Nigeria where they now ply their trade. As a matter of fact, they have exported their trade to a neighbouring country like Ghana and other West African nations.

According to reports, a conservative estimate of several billions of naira was

‘Automated Teller Machines are veritable tools for fraudsters’ lost to these syndicates that specialise in ATM frauds.

A financial analyst, Uwakwe George, expressed concern about the lack of cooperation among banks in the fight to stem the incidence of ATM related frauds. He disclosed that the silence among banks on ATM frauds makes it difficult for them to share vital information that would help curb the menace.

“From experience, I have since discovered that banks always avoid being dragged into controversy because of image. At the end, customers bear the burden. In a few occasions, a customer’s carelessness exposes him to fraud but in many cases of ATM fraud, one finds it difficult to blame no other person but the banks because of their unbridled access to details of customers in their records.

To control it, CBN should not relent, from time to time; banks found wanting should be sanctioned,” George said.

Chief Executive Officer of Integral Media Limited, Lagos, Emmanuel Aina, in his own reaction stated, “The same ATM that was initially regarded as blessing in the country for its provision of easy services became a source of worry much later. At the beginning, what were common were cases of some faceless persons withdrawing from customers’ accounts.

The question then was: who divulged the pin number? Of course, fingers were

pointed at both the customers and bank officials. As a result of this, banks began awareness campaign through many platforms to educate customers on the need to guard their pin numbers jealously.

“While stakeholders were still considering possible solutions to the problem, Nigerians were rudely shocked to hear the news that some ATM machines were dispensing fake money. With that development, concerned members of the public started calling on regulators and operators to look into the matter.

“Much as I agree that ATM fraud is not synonymous with Nigeria, I still believe that we are not doing enough to control the abnormal situation in the country.

We will not however be fair to the entire industry if we draw a general conclusion, because some operators are working day and night to forestall fraud. Having said this, I will appeal to regulators and operators to be on their toes. Banks should ensure that experience officials, who have put in many years, are assigned to man the operation of the machines, not corps members or ad hoc staff that have nothing to lose if they are sacked. However, the most important thing is for banks to explore the use of IT auditors and mercury facilities to detect fake money before loading into machines,” Aina added.

George however noted that the incidence of ATM fraud has continued to

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

be on the rise and it has become one of the most common frauds confronting the banking industry in the country. He observed that the methods often used by the fraudsters are not completely different from what obtains overseas.

He bemoaned the fact that in spite of the negative effect of the fraud on the economy, there are no statistical data to show the exact volume of money lost through ATM related frauds in Nigeria.

“Neither have we seen any successful conviction of the few ATM fraudsters arrested so far to serve as deterrent to others”, he said.

In a circular by CBN to all banks, signed by Mr Dipo Fatokun, Director, Banking and Payment System Department, the apex bank said that though there is increased acceptance and usage of electronic payment channels, there is however increasing incidence of ATM fraud. It therefore directed all the banks to install on their ATMs technologies that can forestall this trend.

“We have observed with dismay, an upward increase in the number of ATMsrelated fraud in the banking system. The development does not portend good for the industry and requires urgent steps to curb the abuse.

“Consequently, in addition to the existing guidelines on card--related frauds and in order to guard against card skimming at ATM channels across the country, all deposit money banks (DMBs) are hereby mandated to comply with the provisions of section 3.2 ‘ATM Operations’ and 3.4 ‘ATM security’ of the Standards and Guidelines on ATM operations in Nigeria and also install risk mitigating devices on their ATM terminals on or before June 1, 2014. The CBN would invoke appropriate sanctions for non-compliance with this circular.”

In his submission, George stated that the solutions to ATM fraud are on the part of the customers and the bank. He submitted that, “customers must ensure that they are not careless about their Personal Identification Number (PIN) nor should they release their cards. Customers must be careful when inputting their PIN and possibly ensure that those on the queue for similar transaction are far away from them. Illiterate customers should not be issued ATM cards because they can’t use it. When your ATM is stolen or lost, the customer should alert the bank immediately. Most importantly, if your ATM got stuck in the machine, don’t reveal your PIN even to bank officials.

He urged the bank to provide adequate security around the ATM. He said further, “The ATM cards can be provided with microchip technology that will make it difficult to forge. Banks can monitor the ATMs continuously by installing closed-circuit cameras and other devices. The banks can employ customised software that records relevant information on ATM cards so that banks can establish whether unauthorised transaction has taken place or not.

Biometric tokens are the safest means of preventing ATM frauds. The most widely used biometric tokens are finger prints, irises, faces and palms. The fraudster may match everything but they can never match the biometric peculiarities.

Banks must cooperate together to fight this menace of ATM frauds in banks.

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NEWS

Sunday July 13, 2014

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ASUP suspends strike, gives FG 3 months to meet demands MARCUS FATUNMOLE ABUJA

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he Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, yesterday, suspended its 10 months old strike. The union members are to resume work Tuesday.

Suspension of the strike, which was decided in Abuja, yesterday, by the National Executive Council of the union, was sequel to a meeting between the leadership of the union and the new Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, in Abuja last Thursday.

Shekarau had pleaded with the union at the meeting to give him “benefit of the doubt” by calling off the strike “so that our over two million students in the public polytechnics can return to school.”

The meeting, which was the first official engagement of the Minister, was the first time both ASUP and government’s representative(s) would come to an agreement and smile at each other within the period that the strike, which began in October last year, lasted.

Shekarau, a former Chief Lecturer, was said to be a right man for his new office by the leadership of ASUP at the meeting, as the teach-

•Minister meets COEASU Thursday ers said he was one of their own and that he had the pedigree for solving the impasse between them and government.

It was believed shortly after the meeting that the strike would be suspended when President of the union, Chibuzor Asomugha, told reporters that National Executive Council of the union would meet to discuss what should be done given the assurance from the Minister that government would take necessary action to ensure the parties reach a compromise.

ASUP is demanding among others re-constitution of the Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics which were dissolved in 2010; the release of the White Paper on the Visitations to Federal Polytechnics; the need for the commencement of the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Polytechnics; removal of dichotomy between university and polytechnic graduates in job placements and career progression; and continued recognition of the NBTE as the regulatory body of Nigerian Polytechnics as against the union’s repeat-

ed call for the establishment of a National Polytechnics Commission, NPC. Others are: calls on government to attend to worrisome state of state-owned polytechnics in the country; refusal of most state governments to implement the approved salary packages (CONPCASS) for their Polytechnics, Monotechnics and Colleges of Technology and the 65-year retirement age; continued appointment of unqualified persons as Rectors and Provosts of Polytechnics, Monotechnics and Col-

ABUJA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who clocks 80 years today.

In a statement issued yesterday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan expressed felicitations with the globallyrenowned academic, dramatist, poet and literary icon as he celebrates the attainment of another significant milestone in a long, very fulfilled and achievement-laden life.

“As he enters the elite club of the world’s highly revered octogenarians and very special people who have made very significant and indelible contributions to their countries and humanity,” the President said he joined Soyinka, his family, friends, associates, readers and fans across the world in giving thanks to God Almighty for his glorious life of service to

. Aregbesola too the arts, his nation and mankind at large.

On the happy occasion of the Nobel laureate’s 80th birthday, Jonathan applauded his life-long dedication and indefatigable commitment to using his acclaimed genius and talents, not only in the service of the arts, but also for the promotion of democracy, good governance and respect for human rights in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.

The President assured Soyinka that he would always be celebrated and honoured by his proud countrymen, women and children for his famed literary works and for his exemplary career which has inspired others to take up a life of selfless service to humanity.

He wished Soyinka very happy 80th birthday celebrations and prayed that God Almighty would grant him many more years of good

to study the situation; that is exactly what our National Executive Council decided today (Saturday) at our meeting” in Abuja.

Efforts by ASUP and stakeholders in the sector to end the impasse under the leadership of the current Minister of State, Barrister Nyesom Wike, had failed as security agencies humiliated protesters who pushed for an end to the strike.

The then Supervising Minister of the ministry heavily came under fire, as it were, as stakeholders, comprising students, teach-

ers and civil society groups called for his sack.

Meanwhile, the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union will meet with Minister of Education on Thursday, Sunday Mirror was informed yesterday.

President of the group, Emmanuel Asagha, told our reporter on telephone yesterday: “We are meeting with the Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, on Thursday in Abuja. We sincerely hope our meeting with him will be productive and bring an end to the strike.”

L-R: Deputy Commandant, Nigeria Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI), Lt.-Col. Tukur Gusau; Director, Headquarter Army Chaplain Services, Col. Charles Iroegbu, and Commandant, NASPRI, Col. John Agim, during the 2014 graduation of the school in Lagos at the weekend.

Jonathan hails Soyinka at 80 ROTIMI FADEYI

leges of Technologies by some state governments and reluctance of the Office of the Head of Service to approve the Revised Scheme of Service for Polytechnics.

Speaking with Sunday Mirror in a telephone interview yesterday, Asomugha said: “We have suspended the strike for three months to allow government meet our demands as promised by the new Minister of Education. He said at the meeting our union had with him on Thursday in Abuja that we should give him some time

health and strength to continue with his devotion to making the world a better place for his people and all who live in it.

Meanwhile, Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has described Soyinka as a rare breed and a precious gift not only to Nigeria but also the Black continent and humanity as a whole.

In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, the Governor said Soyinka represents for the country and every black man a beacon of hope.

He described the Nobel Laureate as a poet-prophet, prodigious playwright, freedom fighter, political activist and creative enigma.

According to the governor, Soyinka has been fearless in his fight for a just society, democracy and return of, military, to the barracks.

Proposed 5% revenue for Boko Haram ravaged states, an invitation to war-IYC OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

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he Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has described the proposal by the National Conference to allocate 5 percent to the North as a result of Boko Haram insurgency, and increase the oil derivation to states by a paltry 5 percent to make it 18 percent as provocative and disgusting, saying such proposal is capable of plunging the nation into war.

The umbrella body of all the Ijaw youths worldwide said the action was an insult to the Niger Delta people, just as it wondered why the conference could recommend only 5 percent increment to the derivation percentage from resources produced in the Niger Delta region on the condition that 5 percent of the nation’s revenue would be allocated to ‘fund’ and ‘encourage’ Boko Haram activities.

“If we may ask, where would the Boko Haram 5 per-

cent revenue come from? Is it from the oil and gas revenue of the Niger Delta region and taxes mainly collected from southern parts of Nigeria or 5 percent of revenue generated from the Boko Haram sponsored states?”, the body queried.

In a statement issued and made available to Sunday Mirror in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, the spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council, Comrade Eric Omare, noted that the Ijaw and Niger Delta delegates to the conference have run out of steam to resist the arrogance of their Northern counterparts and called on them to return home honourably.

He said: “They have failed to achieve anything for the Niger Delta and have further endangered the people of the region. To increase derivation by 5 percent and allocate 5 percent to fund Boko Haram to kill more innocent children, women and Nigerians is the worst decision that any person on earth would be party to.

“The Niger Delta delegates had a mandate to demand for 100 percent derivation and if there must be any concession, concede to nothing less than 50 percent derivation and if this is not accepted by other parts of Nigeria, then return home with honour and not to sell your birthright to Northerners.

“The youths and people of the Niger Delta reject and would continue to resist the second class mentality being displayed by most Niger Delta delegates at the Confab.

The Niger Delta has given up everything to sustain the unity of Nigeria and we are not ready to sacrifice anymore”.

The statement maintained that any proposal to increase derivation by only 5 percent and allocate 5 percent to ‘fund’ and ‘encourage’ Boko Haram activities is an invitation to war, insisting that the Niger Delta people would not under any circumstance accept such provocative proposal by the National Conference.

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National News

Sunday July 13, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Edo crisis: Court rules in favour of PDP lawmakers SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN BENIN

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Federal High Court in Benin City late Friday evening struck out the prayer by Edo State House of Assembly Speaker, Hon. Uyigue Igbe and 14 other lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for an order of interim injection to restrain nine People’s

Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers from further purporting to carry out legislative functions at the Assembly pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

According to the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Liman, the prayer of the APC lawmakers was outside the ambit of Section 25, sub-section (1) (q) (r) (s) of the Constitution.

Justice Liman clarified that “It is a matter within the jurisdiction of the State High Court.”

On the applicants’ prayer for an order directing that time should not run during the period of 2014 annual vacation of the Federal High Court, which is scheduled to lapse between July 12 to September 15, 2014, the court ruled that it was not necessary

by virtue of Order 46, Rule 5 which allows for hearing of other matters by a judge at the request of concerned parties.

“The interlocutory injunction shall be taken by the vacation judge on a date assigned by her or subject to the defendant filling a motion to set aside the interim order,” the court ruled.

The court particularly

granted an interim injection restraining the first and second defendant, the Nigeria Police Force from preventing or continuing to prevent the plaintiffs including the workers of Edo State House of Assembly from having unrestricted access into the Assembly premises and their official offices pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

Furthermore, it granted an order of interim injunction restraining the first and second defendants from preventing the workers engaged by the Edo State House of Assembly from continuing the renovation and repair work to the leaking roof of the Assembly complex pending the hearing and the determination of the motion on notice.

Police, youth clash in Lagos •Traders fight police at Computer village

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Women at a solidarity rally for Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, in Yola, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Why I’m not running for any office in 2015 –Imoke

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ross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, on Thursday, offered explanations on his decision not to seek any elective office in 2015.

Speaking at a public lecture organised by Destiny Group to mark his 53 birthday at the Cultural Centre, Calabar, Imoke said it is only leaders who feel insecure and looking for where to hide after leaving office that think of the next elective office while they are still in their current position.

“As the end of my term as governor continues to count, I look forward to it with joy and satisfaction. I will leave with peace and utmost satisfaction. A lot of people keep asking me, ‘Oga, are you not going to contest for an election when you leave as governor?’ I tell them that I will leave office with so much peace and satisfaction that I will not contemplate running for another office. It is only those who are insecure and are looking for where to hide that plot for

the next office even when they are yet to serve out their current term, ” he stated.

Stressing the need for leaders to build a new generation of leaders, the Governor said: “I strongly believe that as leaders, if there is one thing we must do as a matter of deliberate policy is to build a new generation of leaders. If we keep moving from or running in one office to the other without creating opportunities for a younger or a new generation, then society will never evolve and there will be no purposeful leadership.”

Imoke, who re-echoed the decision of the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone the governorship in the 2015 election to the Northern Senatorial district, charged the people to look for someone who will give them purposeful leadership.

“As we collectively look for our new governor from the Northern Senatorial District, we must do so

in the hope that he or she will give us purposeful leadership and development.”

Delivering a lecture entitled: “Leadership, Democracy and development”, Guest Lecturer, Professor Jerry Gana, lauded Governor Imoke for setting a benchmark and providing a template for good governance, democratic ethos and dividends of democracy, just as he urged other states to emulate the governor’s examples.

While urging leaders to demonstrate courage, even in the face of adversity, Prof. Gana said it was due largely to Imoke’s courage, focus and passion that Cross River State has today become investors’ haven.

His words: “Due to the intricacies of Nigerian politics, the state lost substantial part of its territory, Bakassi to the Republic of Cameroun. The attendant consequence was the loss of its 76 oil wells to a neighbouring state.

This in turn also affected

its revenue earning from the federation account.

The state faced the biggest challenge since its creation. Nevertheless, owing to Imoke’s courage and determination, the state arose out of the ashes of the conspiracy against it and became the shining light to others. With a federal allocation hovering between N2 billion and N3 billion, nobody gave the state a chance of still surviving today. But it bounced back, thanks to Imoke’s tenacity of purpose.”

Gana said at a time the state was buffeted by daunting challenges, it need only someone like Imoke to get it out of the woods: “It could only have been Imoke with the right leadership, hunger and level headedness to have been able to surmount the odds then. His courage is enviable. His determination is uncanny. His focus and energy is unparallel.

Fortunately, your state found that messiah in Liyel Imoke. ”

he Ikorodu expressway in Lagos witnessed chaos yesterday when armed police officers clashed with rampaging youth at the Owode-Onirin area of the city.

This is even as commercial activities at the ever-busy Computer Village market in Ikeja, Lagos, were disrupted in the early hours of the day, as traders engaged the police in a fight.

The youths were protesting the alleged fatal shooting of two men by Policemenon Friday.

The two, allegedly shot by the police, were among those trying to escape when police raided a known black spot where Indian hemp is sold and smoked at the Owode area.

Two other fleeing men jumped into a nearby canal, police sources said.

It was gathered that while the youth protested an alleged the killing of their members by the police, the officers fired live bullets at them, fatally wounding three.

Ngozi Braide, spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, however, denied the claim that policemen shot dead two men attempting to evade arrest.

“The trouble started yesterday (Friday) when police officers from the OwodeOnirin Division went for raiding of black spots,” she said, adding “On sighting the police, the men took to their heels. Two jumped into the canal and got drowned while they were trying to evade arrest. This morning (yesterday), some hoodlums tried to burn down the police station but they didn’t succeed.”

But witnesses said that there was no attempt to burn down a police station,

rather the youths were protesting the shooting of one of them.

Braide insisted that the police “did not shoot anybody.”

“They said that two people drowned but we have not seen any corpse.

We have arrested 25 of the hoodlums and are currently undergoing investigation,” she added.

Meanwhile, commercial activities at the ever-busy computer village market in Ikeja, Lagos, were disrupted in the early hours of Saturday, as traders engaged the police in a fight.

The pandemonium started when the police raided the market to confiscate counterfeit products of Tecno Mobile Nigeria that had become common in the market.

After a recent rebranding exercise by Techno, the company now enjoys good patronage, as its range of smart phones and other electronic devices are affordable compared to products from other companies.

This has made its product to be the target of those dealing with fake products.

Apart from Tecno, a source revealed that there were imitations of different digital and electronic items available in the market, known as one of the leading electronic markets in the country.

However, a trader blamed the police for the breakdown of law and order in the market.

He said such raids are not new but rather than liaise with the union executives in order to arrest dealers of counterfeit products, the police created panic by firing bullets to disperse those who resorted to rioting in order to prevent the police from carting away their products.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

News

Sunday July 13, 2014

9

Panic in Abuja, as police warn of planned suicide bombing OMEIZA AJAYI ABUJA

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here is now panic among residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, following speculations of an imminent suicide bomb attack on the city.

Between Thursday and Friday, some residents along the Zone 4 Area of Wuse and customers around Ceddi Plaza were panic-stricken after a rumoured bomb scare.

However, the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters yesterday in Abuja confirmed the situation, saying “credible intelli-

gence reports” at its disposal indicate that terrorists have perfected plot to carry out attacks on the Abuja transport sector.

Consequently, the Force has issued a “Security Threat Alert”, warning residents to be vigilant and be more suspicious of strange faces.

“The attacks which are intended to cause panic amongst Abuja residents and visitors alike are planned to be perpetrated through suicide bombings, or through the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) concealed in luggage, bags, cans, and other recep-

tacles”, said Frank Mba, an Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge of the Force Public Relations unit.

The Police High Command has, therefore, ordered the FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu in particular, and other CPs in the adjoining states of Nasarawa, Kogi, Kaduna and Niger to beef up security at major parks around Abuja and its environs.

The police also enjoined the general public, particularly those within and outside the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja “to be roundly vigilant and

report any suspicious persons, objects, movements or activities to the Security Forces without delay.”

Mba, however, urged residents to not panic, assuring that the security Forces are working round the clock to neutralise and effectively deal with the threat.

“As part of additional efforts at forestalling the attacks and strengthening security around the transport sector, the Police High Command has called on the management of Motor-parks to ensure that travellers and workers’ safety comes first.

“It charges them to constantly conduct regular and

routine scanning of their environments while insisting on carrying out a thorough search on passengers and their bags as well as vehicles entering and leaving their parks. It also advises that such searches must have the active participation of the passengers involved and warns that any item or luggage unaccompanied by any passenger must be rejected outright and should not be allowed into the vehicle. Passengers are also enjoined to be on the lookout for any passenger, who might come in with luggage but will attempt to disembark without such luggage”, Mba stated.

He said while operators of motor parks are strongly advised to discourage overnight parking of vehicles at motor parks, particularly by

unknown persons, the Police High Command further advice motor park workers to reduce congestion at the parks by disallowing the indiscriminate parking of private cars, tricycles and motorcycles at the precincts of motor parks.

“In addition the Police High Command advises that the general public in other places outside the motor parks should also monitor their environments as the terrorists may likely shift attention having known that their plots have been uncovered.

“Meanwhile, the Police can be reached on the following hot lines: FCT Police Control Room - 07057337653, Force Intelligence Bureau Operations Room - 08139379245, 08075650624 and National Emergency Line -112”, Mba announced.

Terrorism: Uduaghan appeals to doctors to end strike THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

G Senate President, David Mark (left); Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim, with other senators, after the breaking of Ramadan fast at Mark’s house in Abuja, recently.

PHOTO: NAN

Boko Haram has wider network, support outside Nigeria –Mark GEORGE OJI ABUJA

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he Senate President, David Mark, has disclosed that the war against terror in Nigeria has persisted partly because the major perpetrators of terror in the country, Boko Haram sect, has wider networks beyond the nation and also enjoys tremendous support by forces outside the country.

He nonetheless assured that notwithstanding this, the Federal Government is doing everything within its capacity to ensure that it wins the battle against the insurgents.

Mark spoke at the weekend in Abuja when he hosted the American ambassador in Nigeria, James Entwistle.

The Senate President particularly assured the envoy that the Federal Government has not forgotten the kidnapped Chibok school

girls who were kidnapped last April by the Boko Haram sect, promising that in no distant time, the girls will regain freedom.

Mark specifically pointed out that Boko Haram is not only a threat to Nigeria but poses a great danger to human existence.

He assured that the nation’s security operatives were doing their utmost to bring the situation under control but would welcome support and assistance from the international community to end the activities of the insurgents.

This was also as the duo pledged Nigeria and the United States of America’s commitment to strengthen strategies to tackle the threat of terrorism confronting Nigeria with a view to bringing the activates of the insurgents to an end.

“The United States of

America is a strategic ally to us (Nigeria). We count on your support and military assistance always especially in this battle against the terrorists”, Senator Mark told the Ambassador.

While responding, the American envoy pledged the continued support and

assistance of the American government to end terrorism in Nigeria.

Entwistle however cautioned that in the war against insurgents, the security operatives should be mindful of human rights in order not to cause more damage than arresting the situation.

overnor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has called on medical doctors in the country to consider the plight Nigerians especially in the north where activities of insurgents have left several persons injured and most in need of medical attention to call off their one-week-old strike in the interest of patriotism.

Uduaghan made the appeal at the weekend while addressing journalists in the state at Government House, Asaba, saying that for medical practitioners to embark on strike at this critical time of security challenges in the country, it would give the insurgents impetus that they are winning the fight against the Nigerian state.

According to him, many children in the northern

part of the country are presently being deprived of education and should doctors who are expected to treat them also go on strike, it sends a wild signal of jubilation to the Islamic sect that they are winning.

Uduaghan said: “We appeal to the striking doctors to go back to work. This is not the best of time for our doctors to embark on strike because of the insecurity in the country. If our children in the north are denied access to school and also you deny them access to health, it means that the insurgents are winning the war.”

The governor, however, assured that the Federal Government was doing it best to have all issues resolved soon, adding that, it would be better if they can go back to their duty post to save those who are in need of medical attention while dialogue is on-going.

New number plate: FRSC has legal powers –Court

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n Anambra State High Court sitting at Awka, the State’s capital, has declared that the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has legal powers to make regulations regarding the design and production of the new vehicle number plate and driver’s license in addition to the registration of vehicles.

This judgement formed part of verdict by Hon. Justice Peter Umeadi in a suit filed by one Chief Ajefo

Ekwo challenging the constitutional powers of the Federal Road Safety Commission to enforce compliance by all motorists of its directive for the re-registration of motor vehicles previously registered, by obtaining and replacing same with the new vehicle number plates.

“I see that the six issues for determination distilled by the respondent (FRSC) flow from the eight reliefs of the applicant (Chief Ajefo Ekwo). The relief No.1 tend

to suggest that it was the respondent who came up with the idea to register vehicles by obtaining and replacing the old number plates with new number plates,” Justice Umeadi said in his ruling.

Reacting to this relief, Justice Umeadi said: “That could not be correct. The powers for such a directive emanated from the National Road Traffic Regulation (NRTR) 2012. Section 36 of the regulations of 2012 stipulate as follows “All private

and commercial vehicles shall from the commencement of these Regulations have in them Vehicle Identification Number Plates which shall (a) be carried by the motor vehicle on two plates which shall conform to the requirements of these Regulations and (b) the number plates shall be fixed (i) in such a manner that each is not easily detachable and (ii) in an upright position or within 15 degrees of such position”.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Jonathan pledges affordable housing ...as VP commissions 324 units in Enugu TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

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resident Goodluck Jonathan at the weekend commissioned a 324 units housing estate fully financed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) in Enugu, even as he restated the present administration’s commitment to providing quality and affordable shelter to Nigerians.

Represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, President Jonathan said government was mindful of the need to prioritise housing sector needs in view of the sector’s importance to the socio-economic development of any nation, particularly in view of its job and wealth creation multiplier effects on any economy.

The President described the commissioning of the estate named Elim, as an-

other visible and verifiable pointer to the success of housing delivery initiative of the present administration which commenced about four years ago.

He expressed delight at the commissioning of the estate which was financed

by FMBN using resources of the National Housing Fund (NHF) scheme and developed by NBP Projects Limited.

President Jonathan said: “It is remarkable that to enable the scheme cater for affordability issues of individuals, the estate offers 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, 3 bedroom units among others at affordable price to low and medium income earners.

“While commending the developers for prudent use of the resources, I wish to say that this commissioning signifies the usefulness of synergy and corporation between government

L-R: Justice Funmilayo Atilade; Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips and Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, during PHOTO: SAMUEL ADETIMEHIN a reception in honour of the outgoing Chief Judge in Lagos, at the weekend.

and private sector. It underscores the effectiveness of the NHF as a veritable source of long term funding and justifies the need to strengthen the scheme through the recapitalisation of FMBN. “Also, the Nigerian Mortgage Refinancing Company (NMRC) which was launched last year will bridge the cost of residential mortgages, stimulate

availability of good houses to Nigerians and reducing affordability and gaps to finance”, he added.

The Managing Director of FMBN, Gimba Ya’u Kumo, in his remarks, commended the present administration on its efforts at providing quality and affordable housing to Nigerians.

Kumo expressed delight at the quality of work by

the developers, NBP Projects Limited, and urged others to emulate them based on the timely delivery of the project and quality of work done.

The FBMN boss disclosed that that the bank had commenced the packaging of loans to workers in Enugu State and advised those who have not yet embraced the fund to do so in order to partake of the in-

herent benefits.

Governor Sullivan Chime commended President Jonathan on the achievements of his administration in the housing sector in the last few years, adding however that there is need for states in the country to collaborate with the private sector in housing with a view to bridging the housing deficit gap in the country.

NGO urges increased funding for maternal health Obiano appoints new heads for state’s media PRISCILLA DENNIS MINNA

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Non-Governmental Organisation known as the Community Health and Research Initiative based in Minna, the Niger State capital, has called on the three tiers of governments in the country to increase funding for the Midwives Service Scheme.

According to the NGO, increased funding for the scheme would help in addressing maternal health problem confronting the nation.

Coordinator of the organisation, Mallam Shehu Baba, who stated this in Minna during a meeting with Civil Society Organisations and media groups also urged government to ensure that essential drugs and hu-

man resources are available in all health facilities in fulfilment of internationally agreed commitment and obligations. ``We want issues affecting maternal health adequately looked into, especially through increase of the Midwives Service Scheme funds allocation. We also want government to ensure that essential drugs and human resources are available in fulfilling internationally agreed commitment and obligations,” he said.

Baba explained that the sole purpose for setting up the organisation is to create platform through which both the federal and state governments could be held accountable for agreed international commitments and obligations that pertain to maternal health issues.

CHARLES OKEKE AWKA

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nambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has approved the appointment of two new chief executive officers for its two media houses, Anambra State Broadcasting Service (ABS) and National Light Newspaper.

The two media heads whose appointment were approved after competitive interviews were Uche Nworah, the new Managing Director of ABS and Chuka Nnabuife, the Managing Director of Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation, publishers of the state-owned National Light Newspaper. Nnabuife was a former senior editor at the now defunct Compass Newspapers.

He is expected to bring his experience spanning over 15 years to bear effectively in his new assignment.

Similarly, the Governor has also approved the establishment of brand new digital studios for the

ABS, as well as a comprehensive retraining of the workers to make them meet the challenges of working in a modern broadcasting station.

Announcing these developments in Awka, yesterday, Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Tony Onyima, said the appointments were part of the strategic moves being made to reposition the ABS and National Light towards meeting their commitments, especially in terms of making them operate as profitable enterprises.

Onyima, who presented the Governor Obiano’s opening remarks at the one-day seminar held for journalists in Awka, stated that the governor is personally committed to make Anambra a better place for everybody.

He further contended that the vision and mission of the current administration led by Gov. Obiano

is to make Anambra State the first choice of investment destination and a hub for industrialisation, adding that the media has a crucial role to play in this regard.

Quoting the Governor, especially as it relates to the way the state is being governed now, Onyima said: “We have adopted a revolutionary approach in addressing the numerous development challenges of Anambra State. We have seen this in the new war against criminals in Anambra. We have seen it in the areas of agriculture and environment”.

The one day event featured a special lecture titled, “Onitsha: The Imperatives of Development Journalism “as presented by Mr. Nnaemeka Madueguna, the former NTA senior editorial staff and now Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of C/F Porter Novelli, an indigenous marketing and communication company.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

August 9 poll:

APC, PDP chiefs in crossfire

Politics PROVIDING FRESH PERSPECTIVES TO ISSUES JULY 13, 2014

AS A LOYAL APC MEMBER, THE OUTCOME OF EKITI ELECTION DISTURBED ME, BUT AS THE HEAD OF A PEOPLE,

I DON’T EVEN SEE THE EFFECT.

–Governor Rauf Aregbesola

Briefly Imo guber aspirant pledges to build local economy

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Adamawa crisis:

Dark hour for embattled Nyako •Plans to step aside to avoid impeachment ...as Panel submits report Tuesday

foremost Imo State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship aspirant, Mr. Ken Ojiri, has promised to build a local economy, not dependent on federal allocations if elected governor in 2015.

Speaking while receiving the PDP officers and leaders of his Obibi Ward 2 in Owerri North Local Government Area, Ojiri said, creating a viable local economy would lead to a drastic reduction in unemployment.

In his words, “What is uppermost in my mind is to employ my expertise in the direction of building a solid local economy for Imo, using our naturally endowed resources with the ultimate goal of generating economically rewarding employment for Imo residents. No economy thrives with a preponderant number of young people not gainfully employed.”

The charismatic and energetic politician promised that Imo people will start noticing great positive difference within a very short time if he becomes governor, insisting that Imo has all the resources endowed by God to be great if these gifts of nature are properly harnessed and deployed for the general good of the people.

Ojiri also told the ward leaders that their visit has afforded him opportunity for wider interaction with them and assured them of his support as always, while thanking them for their visit, he promised to carry them along in prosecuting his campaign.

UPN condemns APC over caretaker committees

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OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

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GOVERNMENT THAT HAS WORKED SO WELL WITH THE

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t is indeed a dark moment for embattled Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State and his deputy, Barr. Bala James Ngilari, as the impeachment proceedings against the duo have climaxed with their refusal for the second day to appear before the panel constituted by the State Acting Chief Judge to look into the allegations of gross misconduct, maladministration and abuse of office levelled against them by members of the State House of Assembly.

Having itself testified on Friday, the House of Assembly will now wait for the outcome of the panel’s investigation next Tuesday as neither the governor nor his proxy appeared before the panel.

Nyako had on Wednesday vowed that he would not appear before the panel constituted by the state Chief Judge Ambrose Mammadi, saying that the matter is in

With or without Saraki, Kwara belongs to PDP –Awoyale

Nyako court and expects the state legislators to act accordingly.

He kept to his promise not to appear before the committee on Friday and Saturday even as he refused to send any legal representation.

The House of Assembly was, however, represented by Chief Duro Adeyede, SAN, who led six other lawyers.

The House through its chairman of its Committee on Public Account, Hon Thelma Wafarinyi, tendered before the committee six exhibits to the panel as evidences against the deputy governor and 28 exhibits, including a video CD, against the Nyako.

A member of the House of Assembly who spoke in confidence with Sunday Mirror said that on submission of the outcome of the investigation by the panel on Tuesday, the House will act on the merit of the fact before it.

“We expect the governor to honour the invitation of the panel and at least clear himself from all the allegations. We had also expected the deputy governor to do the same.

“The law is very clear about the oversight functions of the legislature and part of it is to ask and get answers to government activities and inactivity. Where they are found CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

he Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, has condemned the All Progressives Congress, APC, for retaining unelected administrators at the local government level.

The party said this is contrary to constitutional stipulations in Section 7(1) .

Speaking through its national Chairman, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, the party said the governments of Osun and Ekiti states have failed in this regard.

“We demand that local government elections should be held immediately in these states and others that are yet to put democratic structures in place at the level”.

UPN said the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi has embarked on the ill-advised task of creating new local governments.

“Fayemi must immediately stop all his current moves to create new local governments, and instead concentrate on making provisions for the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct local government elections before his October handover date”, the party said.

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Politics

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

What happened in Ekiti won’t repeat in Osun Prof. Sola Adeyeye, the senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, is the Director General of Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s Reelection Campaign Committee. In this interview with journalists, he takes a look at the Ekiti poll and its likely effect on the August 9 election in Osun State.

Your party is still questioning the outcome of Ekiti guber poll, contrary to the initial move that suggested that it might not pursue the matter in court. What is your take on this?

Honestly, I have been reading endlessly reports about what happened in Ekiti. First, I was glad a few days ago when ‘The Guardian’ wrote a fantastic story on Fayemi’s performance. Almost in every newspaper, you get rising commendation of Kayode Fayemi.

Everybody said he did well. If that is the case, we have only two conclusions; either that the election was stolen and that we don’t know the mechanism of thievery yet, but God is eternal, there is no secret that he would not reveal and I am confident that the revelation would not take a long time before it comes out, because they’re carrying out investigation. There were some stealings that we are yet to decode or that Ekiti people made an error. If they made an error, I guarantee you, it would not take six months and they would come to the realisation. This is because the Ekiti are learned, intelligent, and the chicken would always come home to roost.

What has APC, Osun State chapter, learnt about Ekiti poll as August 9 election draws

nearer?

I don’t believe that what happened in Ekiti would repeat itself in Osun. Let’s cast our minds to three years ago when we had the election. When we held the presidential election, it was not an election, we were held under spell. We had a man who can only claim he has been lucky; what he did in office had shown that he doesn’t have the capacity to hold the Presidency and to deliver the good that Nigerians needed. On the contrary, let us say we have another man that when he was in charge of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), he had the capacity to tackle the cankerworm that paralysed Nigeria. Only one out of 36 states in Nigeria was wise enough to know that choosing Jonathan was a total tragedy; and you have seen what he has done in the last three years.

Are we better off in any infrastructure, security or national cohesion?

Osun demonstrated that even if Adamawa, Yobe and Borno would not vote for their own son, Osun is wise enough to know that they can make the right choice. Osun demonstrated that even if Lagos could make the wrong choice, it would make the right one.

Osun is unique. That is why we are supreme-

ly confident that by the grace of God, our people would make the best choice on August 9 if there’s free and fair election.

Why is it that Governor Aregbesola at every public function and campaign always recognises the group called “State Boys”, whereas before now, he usually preached against violence?

With unemployment raging all over Nigeria now, you should know that you have no choice but to find a creative way to arrest the attention of many of these young unemployed youths. Part of the efforts of doing that is the OYES programme, where people are brought in and paid some stipends and also trained so that they may have a means of livelihood to live on their own without permanently looking for government’s job. The truth is that all over the country, the governments are broke.

The “Area Boys” that nagged Lagos, thanks to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, many of them were recruited into LASTMA and parking agents. The scourge of “Area Boys” in Lagos has now been tempered. It is unfortunate that Osun State does not have one tenth of the resources of Lagos. If Osun has the same resources as Lagos, by now those people you are calling “State Boys” would have been creatively deployed in various means of livelihood. In the meantime, they are essentially being used as community patrol to prevent crime. But, you should know that because of the background from which they are coming, many of them can get very overzealous.

Adeyeye

Some of us complained about what we saw in some places, but upon investigation, PDP people wore APC uniforms and started a crisis to attack our people. It was these “State Boys” who then ran to the place and rescued the situation before the police came.

When PDP was in the process of picking its candidate for the August 9 poll, Governor Aregbesola was fond of saying that, if Senator Omisore was picked as standard bearer, he would go to sleep, because he would win the poll with less effort. But at the moment,

APC wants to use ‘State Boys’ to rig el Chief Francis Adenigba Fadahunshi is a retired deputy comptroller general of Nigeria Customs and a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State. Fadahunshi, who is also a member of the reconciliation committee of the party in the state, spoke on his experiences being part of PDP campaign team and the chances of the party in the August 9 election.

You have been actively involved in PDP campaigns, what was the reception like in the places visited so far?

We have been enjoying warm reception in every part of the state already visited.

As a group that will soon form government, we are taking notes of all those things we saw. Personally, I am taking notes about what I have seen that may help to do one or two things for these people. As you can observe, we have been going to the “forgotten ones”…the rural dwellers, who do not even know that any government exists in the state because they are just abandoned to their fate there.

Our candidate, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has been telling them his plans, if voted on August 9 and these people have been telling him also what they want him to do. I believe our job is half done already. We are only waiting for the election to be concluded; as soon as Osun people regain their mandate and hand over to us, you will see the difference. I can assure you that we have been getting very fantastic reception.

Members of your party appear to have been encouraged to work more going by

the outcome of Ekiti poll. What positive or negative effect do you think Ekiti poll will have on Osun governorship election?

I have never harboured any doubt about the chances of Iyiola Omisore winning Osun governorship election. He is here and knows the terrain very well. He has been on this project for about to 20 years, committing his time, energy and resources to it. His political structure has even helped others attain the seat of governor, so I am not in the category that became suddenly optimistic about PDP winning Osun governorship poll. By and large, having gauged the feelings of the majority of Osun people, I am certain Omisore will win by a landslide. The positive effect Ekiti poll is having on Osun people, is the open rejection of APC at the moment. In the past, may be people awee afraid, but Ekiti people have shown the way and the people of Osun are groaning in the pains their rulers inflicted on them. They are ready to free themselves from those ruling them with propaganda. That is one positive effect. It reawakes the sense of readiness to free themselves from the shackles of bad government.

The negative effect would be for us to get complacent and that will never happen. We

are working very hard to set Osun free and that will happen soon, I am assuring our people.

Insecurity is threatening successful conduct of August 9 poll, what is you take on this?

There is increase in challenges before our security operatives in this state as election draws nearer and that should be expected. I am a security expert and I know when I see a person or group that portends danger for the security of lives and property of the people.

The worrisome aspect is that the government of Osun State appears favourably disposed to those threatening security of Osun state now. The group called “State Boys” has been unleashing terror on our party members wherever we go for rally. A goverrnment that provides security for members of the party that forms it and exposed others that do not belong to its party has some explanations to do.

There was an explosion in Ife, members of PDP were attacked in Ede, one of them nearly got killed by these hoodlums that are called “state boys”. We have lost billboards and posters to these boys, who have been given specific mandate to unleash terror on innocent and harmless Osun people. There have also been massive stockpiling of firearms by some desperate politicians, who are smelling defeat.

But I can assure you that none of all these arms will be used that day. Security operatives must be alive to their responsibilities and prevent unnecessary loss of lives by acting swiftly on information.

But there have been insinuations that

Fadahunsi

some members of your party have been using the tag of “State Boys” to cause mayhem in a bid to discredit the Osun government?

If government of Osun State did not form ‘State Boys’, how would anyone impersonate them? No PDP member would impersonate that criminal gang. They carry weapons even in the presence of security operatives as if they are above the law. PDP is not associating with criminals and would never impersonate any dangerous group.

The administration of Mr Rauf Aregbesola is

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Politics

Sunday, July 13, 2014

13

With or without Saraki, Kwara belongs to PDP –Awoyale Chief Gbenga Awoyale is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and President-General of the Orisun Igbomina, a socio-cultural association in Kwara State. In this interview with Funmi Salome Johnson, he speaks on Kwara politics, saying PDP is in charge.

How would you describe the outcome of the governorship election in Ekiti State?

I am not in any way surprised by the outcome of the Ekiti State election because when you look at the entire scenario, you will discover that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had done its homework correctly by presenting former Governor Ayo Fayose who has been tested and trusted by the people of the state for once. In fact, you will also agree with me that prior to this period, Ekiti State is synonymous with PDP not until when the judiciary did what I would call Kangaroo verdict which eventually sacked Fayose from office and that also applied in some states too. There is no doubt that the governor-elect is a grassroots politician whose love for his people transcends self interest and pursuit of personal agenda.

Moreover, the people of Ekiti have spoken through the ballot without the use of rancour, force or bullet during and after the election. Their decision showed that they are in tune with the change needed in the states controlled by the All Progressives Congress, APC. What really surprised me most was the way Governor Kayode Fayemi comport-

ed himself by accepting that only God gives power to whoever he desires. He has set a pace for Nigerian politicians to see politics not as the end of everything but as a means to an end. In the history of Nigeria’s democracy, no incumbent leader has ever behaved in such a mature manner he has done but I am optimistic that his attitude will definitely pave way and earn him better opportunities in future because he has proved to be reliable and patriotic. Therefore, PDP should apply the same tactics to other states where urgent change is needed by presenting popular candidates for elections into different offices in the forthcoming general election.

The chorus on the lips of Nigerians is Power to the People! We need grassroots politicians not runaway ones. We need people who have suffered for the unity and well-being of the party and impacted positively on the people of rural areas.

We need people who are directly recognised by the grassroots and not those who believe in imposition or federal might. By so doing, I am confident that we shall have the replica of the situation in Ekiti State and PDP will win in all the 36 states of the federation without

PDP candidate then. For now, both Saraki and Ahmed are confused and they don’t know what next to do after several efforts to return to PDP failed. PDP will take over governance in Kwara in 2015 because APC is alien to the people of the state.

Awoyale any fear, coercion or intimidation under peaceful atmosphere.

There is speculation that APC would win in Kwara; what is your take?

If anybody says that APC is in charge in Kwara State, such a person may mean that the current Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, and his political godfather, Senator Bukola Saraki, have dumped PDP. Such message is clear and correct but I can tell you

categorically that APC doesn’t have any clout in Kwara politics. PDP is fully controlling the largest number of followers because people are sincerely tired of Ahmed’s government.

He is grossly confused because he cannot tell his boss that he wanted a second term and his boss is also yet to tell him where the pendulum is swinging to in 2015 owing to the fact there is a pact of four years single tenure signed in 2011 which paved way for him to emerge as the

What is the situation in Kwara politics?

There is no other situation than the fact that the APC has started planning to vacate the Government House. They planned their failure by themselves. For instance, there are about 193 wards in Kwara State and no fewer than seven appointments came from Share in the Ifelodun local government area where the current governor comes from, at the expense of the remaining 192 wards. In an attempt to balance and correct their wrong, they decided to turn appointment of Special Advisers/Assistants to bonanza in preparation for the general election whereas; many of the appointees don’t even have offices to sit. They are just roaming about the corridor of Government House. In fact, many of them don’t even have any responsibility to carry out. When you look at governance in Kwara State, Bukola Saraki has centred everything on himself as a way of checking Governor Ahmed. The Governor cannot perform any miracle. No local government can boast of N5 million project in the rural communities and if there is any, I stand to be challenged.

Nyako’s dark moment, as impeachment looms CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

wanting, they are called to order.

“It is not about the legislature, it is about the people of Adamawa. They want to know if the governor is in right standing with the people that put him there. I am talking about the electorate. There is no need of reading politics, not this issue.

The facts are before the men.

They must clear the air over the corruption charges and if they fail to do so, the law will take its course.”

Reminded that the case is already in court and the fact that any action taken now could be an illegality, the lawmaker said, “Far from that. Yes, we are aware that His Excellency has rushed to the court to seek protection but we have also gone to the court seeking to vacate that Injunction.

“But it is important to state here that the court cannot stop the legislature, another arm of government from carrying out its constitutional functions. Yes, they can query the modalities of

our action but they cannot stop us from going ahead with our duties. Supreme Court has ruled on that matter. There is sanctity of office and it must be observed and respected. As a matter of fact, no court in Nigeria can protect him. No court can stop him from defending corruption charges against him,” said the lawmaker.

Meanwhile, the last-minute effort by political leaders last Wednesday in Abuja to end the feud and bring reprieve to Nyako failed to achieve the desired result.

After the Presidency succumbed to the pressure by political leaders and traditional institutions to intercede, leading to a midnight meeting with all the parties concerned last Wednesday, a source revealed that the lawmakers insisted that the governor must take responsibility for all his actions.

According to the source, the meeting ended in a deadlock, “but the governor has promised to do all that the lawmakers are asking for, including constituting

Ngillari and inaugurating in one day, the local government council caretaker committees; but again, the lawmakers are not budging.”

To avoid impeachment, the Indication in the state is that the governor may have concluded plans to resign from office this week having failed to convince the lawmakers to back out.

Though the governor has said that he is not considering resignation, his media aide, Ahmad Sajo, has said the governor would rather not allow chaos in the state which has enjoyed relative peace and harmony as a result of understanding among its diverse peoples.

Sajo said Nyako’s readiness to sacrifice his mandate for continued religious and ethnic harmony is a testimony to his statesmanship and patriotism that should be emulated by leaders at all levels of government.

“The fact is that officials are compromising too much and it is glaring. For example, the same judge who issued a judgment that there would be no substituted service is the very judge who constituted the panel based on substituted service; the very judge who restrained the Assembly from further action is the one obeying a resolution passed in contravention of his order’”, he said.

He expressed fears that the investigation panel may not be just because the process that led to its

formation remains illegal but he noted the resolve by Nyako to challenge the whole exercise in court.

Commenting on the impeachment saga, state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Joel Madaki, supported the position of the Assembly, stressing that Nyako must account for the alleged loots against the people of the state.

He spoke of the inability of government to pay workers’ salaries for two months, which has caused the workers serious hardship.

PDP stakeholders in Adamawa, including two cabinet ministers, the Minister of Youth Development, Boni Haruna, and that of Women Affairs, Zainab Maina, recently expressed support for the lawmakers’ bid to sack the governor whom they accused of fraud.

Both Nyako and his party, the APC, have accused the PDP of using “crude means” to speed up his ouster in a clear breach of the law and in contravention of a subsisting court injunction.

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Opinion

Sunday July 13, 2014

Uncensored U nc

Sheriff S Folarin

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

t is the responsibility of the media and columnists like us to give feedback on public policy or people-oriented initiatives by government. On this occasion, the Ogun Stategovernment initiated Home Owners’ Charter comes to the spotlight. Less than two years ago, Governor Ibikunle Amosun came up with a new landed property and home ownership policy in which home owners could regularize their papers and possess legal documents backing their claim to ownership of houses.

The new scheme was to make the processing and issuance of both survey and certificate of occupancy (C of O) faster, devoid of unusually and heavily bureaucratized processes that lead to delay of issuance, and reduced rates of acquisition of such paper. Indeed, the new scheme was to make housing property legalized, affordable and insulated from corrupt or sharp practices that hugely surrounded it hitherto.

By the new scheme, the fee for C of O would be 95, 000 only, as against the prohibitive 430, 000. The erstwhile cost yet did not guarantee acquisition of the legal tenders as regular public servants and middlemen would constitute bottlenecks to the seam-

Home Owners’ Charter: Shortchanging Amosun’s initiative less procurement. With the implementation of the Home Owners’ Charter by the Amosun administration in the state, one felt extremely gratified and looked forward to better days. The idea complemented the massive road reconstruction and new network of roads and beautification of the state that the governor embarked upon.

These populist projects put Amosun in the limelight and portrayed him as the peoples’ governor.

A year or after however, the scheme seems to have lost its high tempo, rhythm and substance. Scammers in the agency or housing ministry involved appear to have taken over the beautiful bride and turned it into the usual pool of fast-lane opportunities that is characteristic of Nigerian public projects. The last time we saw any credible people from the agency was four months ago, when a group of people came around to Sango-Ota/Atan in Hilux vans to perform some specific tasks. They had called to come on a Saturday, they arrived as promised and proceeded to work immediately. They were business-like, took notes and wrapped up, driving away with promise that another group would come for the next stage. They never asked for any “Coke” or “Kola” and did not try to get too personal. They were simply professional in the performance of their task.

This was however followed by the call from another group a month later, who came around with photocopies of selected names and addresses and only called those they deemed fit. The yardstick for the se-

lective call was not known because they claimed to have come for the second stage and performed tasks indiscriminately at both places that had witnessed the first stage and that had not. This new group of persons also came on a Saturday, but they did not come with any documents as they kept on asking the house owners to go and bring document that had been submitted. The group asked every “landlord” for “fuel” and “chop money”. They barely did any work and only scribbled certain things on the rumpled photocopies of documents presented by the house owners.

They then promised to forward all they have done in Abeokuta and assured all that the second stage had been completed, while the third and penultimate stage before issuance of C of O would come soon afterwards.

The group (whose phone number I still have and have kept back from being published here) later made the error of calling numbers they had called before and asking that they were on their way to “assessing” their houses. We tried to call them again after leaving to test the entire process and they asked us to come and meet them at Atan.

We got to Atan and saw them at a “beer and pepper-soup” joint where they were having a swell time. They could not remember our faces and when we mentioned our addresses and house areas, they could not remember we had given them copies of the papers and followed us once again to the same place they had came twice. They once again asked for copies of papers and that was then we

Bisi Onabanjo on my mind YUSUPH OLANIYONU

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or those of us who had our secondary education in Ogun State between 1978 and 1983, late Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo remains a folklore hero. The man became the first elected governor of a young state which was just 44 months old in October 1979 and realized that his victory at the polls was as a result of popular support for his party, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

One of the cardinal programmes of his party was free education. While there are many enduring landmark edifices built by the Onabanjo administration in its four years, three months tenure, as a direct beneficiary, the education programme is still the area where one continues to have the most appreciation of the ingenuity of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his lieutenants. In a place like Ogun State where education was and remains a major industry as the people have by then had close to two century exposure to Western education, the UPN captured the heart of the people with its creative investment in establishment of new schools, building of new education infrastructure, supply of free textbooks, notebooks and other instructional materials, while tuition fees were abolished in secondary schools.

The quality of teaching in Ogun state was so high that some of my mates were from Lagos, Oyo and places that are now in Edo and Osun States. People from neighbouring states came to get good education in Ogun State and benefit from the free education policy. Incidentally, when I returned to live in Ogun State in 2011, I found that one area where the erosion and compromise of the Onabanjo legacy was more evident is in the area of education. Over the years, schools in Ogun State had suffered serious neglect. The infrastructure had collapsed. Qual-

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ity of teaching had become prostrate. Teachers were disenchanted and teaching had become a second profession to them. As a result of these negative developments, students themselves have become disoriented.

These are the challenges that the present administration in Ogun State headed by Senator Ibikunle Amosun had to contend with since its inception on May 29, 2011. Incidentally, the first item in the administration’s Mission to Rebuild Agenda is Affordable Qualitative Education.

With its meager resources, the present government, like that of Onabanjo, abolished tuition fees in all its 1,491 primary and 473 secondary schools. Also, an audit of number of pupils and students in public schools were taken and textbooks, notebooks and instructional materials were supplied to each of them as we enjoyed under the Onabanjo administration. The Amosun administration also initiated a programme in which it gradually began the renovation and reconstruction of blocks of classrooms in the schools as well as supply of new furniture in those schools. To enable it pay for the cost of these infrastructural facilities, the government entered into negotiation with the Universal Basic Education (UBE) and Education Trust Fund (ETF), in which it paid the backlog of its counterpart fund dating back to 2008 so that it can access the fund due to the state which had been lying fallow.

That is why one would see new buildings and furniture in some primary and secondary schools with the inscription ‘SUBEB 2008/ 2009’, yet they were built by the current administration with the money accessed in arrears from UBE for the year inscribed on them as directed by the relevant federal intervention agency. However, with the extent of rot inherited by the present administration in the area of infrastructure, it is not uncommon to still see some school buildings that are not in good shape. Definitely, renovation and reconstruc-

tion of classroom buildings is a work-in-progress that will take a few more years before normalcy can be totally restored.

As it was in the Onabanjo era when new schools were built to accommodate the growing number of students, the Amosun administration is on the verge of completing 15 model secondary schools with each of them having a carrying capacity of 1,000 students. The model schools are being constructed in preparation for the return of schools originally owned by missionaries.

Again, government has introduced the unified examinations in primary and secondary schools in which all pupils and students write the same examinations, centrally administered and paid for by the government. The implication is that tutors are forced to cover their syllabus, the quality of teaching automatically improves and level of performance of students in internal and external examinations continues to grow higher. In any case, government has religiously paid the WAEC fees of final year secondary school students while those in technical schools enjoy the same privilege.

The students are further motivated by the reward of a foreign leadership training that the foundation run by wife of the governor, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, gives to the 20 students with best WAEC results selected from the 20 Local Government Areas. These progressive policies explain why enrolment in Junior Secondary Schools has jumped from 174,820 in 2011 to 214,837 while that of the Senior Secondary Schools has moved from 146, 737 to 162,536 in the last three years. The performance in WAEC has also improved by over 100 percent from what it used to be in 2011. Similarly, the Higher Education Performance (HEP) rate has moved from 18 percent in 2011/12 to 49.8 percent in 2012/13.

Today, teachers in the state have never had a better deal. Schools now get money for running

reminded them that we had done so earlier.

They checked and could not find the scrappy paper they had scribbled those “important” details hitherto.

A week later, different persons kept calling us and asking when they could come for ‘assessments”- first or second stage! So, we wondered what the two earlier groups had come for- pre-starting stage? We then concluded that either the agency in charge is not organized or that smart alecs in charge of that scheme have turned it into another scam.

Governor Amosun should therefore know that his beautiful bride has been ‘Nigerianized”, as the hope and expectations people had about the scheme are gradually withering away in view of the seemingly scandalous manner of handling it. Amosun’s administration should therefore look into these and stop those hoodlums in government circles from turning that noble project into another personalized money spinner.

We also need information flow from a single and credible government source.

That information centre should carry us along in terms of what the next stage is, where will be visited for inspection, what to look out for in the inspectors or assessors (how to identify them), what to put together for presentation to the assessors, and of course call numbers required to make enquiries.

• Dr. Folarin is the Head of Department of Political Science and Internatinal Relations at Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria.

cost. They get 27.5 percent Peculiar Allowance and 13th month salary allowance. They are due to get the recently approved car and housing loans of between N500, 000 to N2 million and N1 million to N5 million respectively, depending on the salary scale. The loan will enable some of them to purchase comfortable apartment flats in the AAK Degun MTR Estate, Laderin in Abeokuta, specifically built by the government for public servants. Since 2011, Ogun State’s teachers have been participating in different all-year round training programmes aimed at improving their competence. No wonder, Ogun State has been carting away majority of the awards in the National Teachers Awards being given by the Federal Government. The state government also gives similar award to further motivate the teachers.

The seven tertiary schools owned by the state are not left behind. They get improved monthly subvention paid regularly to enable the school authorities meet their financial demands. The government has introduced policies aimed at overhauling the system. Infrastructural, education and transport facilities aimed at repositioning the schools and returning them to the prime position they occupied in the immediate years following the exit of the Onabanjo era.

Despite the propaganda by some opposition elements, I make bold to say the state government has not approved any request for increment in school fees in these higher institutions since 2011. Rather, since 2011, it has directed an across-the-board reduction in fees while also insisting on operation of a cashless policy aimed at institutionalizing financial discipline in the school.

It is for the above reasons that each time one reviews the developments in the Ogun State education sector, one is tempted to conclude that there is a re-enactment of Onabanjo’s golden years.

•Olaniyonu is Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ogun State.

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South News

Sunday July 13, 2014

JTF imposes dusk-to-dawn curfew on Bayelsa waterways OSAHON JULIUS YENAGOA

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s the security challenges facing the country continue, the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta has announced a dust-to-dawn curfew on all vehicular movement in Bayelsa State waterways.

This was announced by the Head of the JTF, General Emmanuel Atewe, who was represented by Air Commodore I.H Ekpa at a one day security summit organised by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital at the weekend.

He said: “We want to seize this opportunity to please announce to you this issue, that the Bayelsa State

government has directed us to stop all forms of sea robbery and by that stop all movement from 6pm.

“Please, let me say it here because it is an auspicious occasion for us; please movement on waters by night should stop henceforth because we are recording fatalities. There are lots of sea robberies these days and we want to prevent that at least for now and if you see anyone of our operatives on the waterways, please cooperate and identify yourself ”.

He said the curfew became necessary as a result of the ongoing sea robberies in the waterways and to enable his men police Nigeria waters effectively in the face of recent threats in the waterways including oil theft and il-

legal bunkering.

Ekpa, who commended the commandant of the NSCDC, Desmond Agu, for organising the summit, equally thanked the NSCDC for the synergy that exist between the outfit and other security agencies in the state.

Earlier in his welcome, the Chief Host and Commandant of the NSCDC, Desmond Agu, said the summit would not have come at a better time than now that the nation is facing serious security challenges especially the Boko Haram insurgency, kidnapping, armed robbery, oil theft and illegal bunkering.

He said there was the need for all hands to be on deck to face the present situation as there will be no meaningful development in

the face of the present security challenges, adding that it was important and fundamental that every facet of the society should be well informed about their individual and collective responsibilities to security threats.

Also speaking, Secretary to the State Government, Professor Edmund Allison Oturu, said insecurity is giving both the Nigeria government and even the international community a sleepless night, and commended NSCDC for taking the challenge of organising the summit.

He said the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson inherited a very bad security situation but said they have been able to keep it under control by the various reforms and proactive action of the governor.

15

Delta community gives ‘quit notice’ to NPDC •Laments Neglect THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

I

rked by the continued neglect of their environment, the people of Polobubo (Tsekelewu) community in Warri North Council Area of Delta State have issued a one 7-Day ultimatum to the management of Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, to stop operations in the community.

The community said should the company fail to leave their environment within the stated time, it will be left with the use of force to evict them out of the area.

The community gave the order at a press briefing in Warri, organised by the Polobuba (Tsekelewu) National Council (PNC), weekend, lamenting that since the company took over from its original owner, Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, it has failed to follow the path of peace with the community.

Mr. Ebilate Mac-Yoroki, National President of the group, said the people of the community had tried to get the company to follow proper channels, but that the management of the NPDC had chosen to follow the path of war.

Mac-Yoroki explained that the earlier lease existing between his community and the SPDC had lapsed and that it was in the process of enter-

ing another agreement that the company sold its stakes to Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, accusing it of commencing dredging of a channel from their community into the ocean without carrying out an Environmental Impact Assessment, EIA. He said: “They have a draft GMOU and inside that GMOU there is clause that the document will not be effective until it is negotiated and signed into. To our amazement, instead of the company to call us to say we should sit down and discuss this document, there has not been anything like that, rather the company preferred to go through the back door and operate, even to the extent of exploiting the crude as we speak.

“We see it as a way of slighting us and as if that is not enough, telling us that we don’t have enlightened people, who know their right from their left. Otherwise, there’s no way the company will draw a draft and for another year running, it has not even said let’s talk about it. The national body has written about twice, written and then sent a reminder to the company, calling them to dialogue table, but the company didn’t bother; no response and no acknowledgement of the letters that we have written at the national level to the NPDC.”

Obi served Anambra well –Cleric

R-L: Prof. Jerry Gana, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke, Governor Liyel Imoke, Dep. Governor Efiok Cobham, PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, at the 53rd birthday anniversary lecture in honour of the Cross River State governor in Calabar recently.

Man, 33, rapes 7-yr-old girl in Ekiti •Cleric in soup for attempting to corrupt policemen ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

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he Police in Ekiti State have arrested 33-yearold Omoniyi Ademola of 6, Oke-Odo Street, IkoleEkiti, for allegedly defiling a seven- year-old girl.

A cleric has also been arrested for allegedly inducing policemen to secure the bail for a suspect and as well extorting money from relatives of suspects under the pretence of securing bail for them.

According to the mother of the rape victim, Ademola had on July 3 lured the seven-year-old girl into

his room with a 50 note.

The woman said she was attracted to the scene of crime by the sob of the victim coming from the suspect’s room.

However, on getting to entrance of the room, she discovered that the door was fastened from within which made her raised alarm.

She said that she found her daughter on the couch with blood and semen stain after other neighbours joined her to break the door open.

The suspect was consequently handed over to the police.

Spokesperson for Ekiti

State Police Command, Mr. Victor Babayemi, who confirmed the incident, said detailed investigation into the case had begun.

Babayemi said the suspect would be arraigned in court and diligently prosecuted as soon as the result of the medical examination had been obtained.

The police also on July 7 arrested a Christian cleric at Igede-Ekiti for allegedly attempting to offer bribe to their officers to secure the release of a suspect in custody.

The cleric was arrested at the Police Station, Igede Ekiti, while allegedly attempt-

ing to induce the officers to release a suspect with the intent to jeopardize police investigation into the criminal case against a detainee.

Babayemi said N7,500 was recovered from the suspect as exhibit and he was promptly charged to Magistrate Court Igede-Ekiti.

According to the police spokesman, preliminary investigation had revealed that the suspect was fond of approaching relatives of suspects in police custody and collecting huge sums of money under the pretence that he was using the money to secure the bail of detainees.

T

he Catholic Bishop of Nnewi, Most Rev. Hilary Okeke, has said that Nigeria would be a better place if those that govern states imbibed the spirit of the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi. The bishop said this yesterday during the ordination of 12 new priests at St. Mary Catholic Church, Ukpor.

The bishop who called on the new priests to imbibe the virtues of Christ in Christian witnessing, said that Obi as the Governor of Anambra State lived his life daily in a manner that was worthy of emulation.

“He does not eat as if he will die tomorrow and does not build castles as if he will live forever and this is a lesson for all of us,” the Bishop said.

Similarly, the Anglican Bishop of Ihiala, Most Rev. (Dr.) Raphael Okafor, dur-

ing the first session of the Second Synod of the Diocese at St. Andrew Church, Lilu, yesterday, thanked former Governor Peter Obi for the true leadership he provided to Anambra State in spite of the evil plans of enemies of progress.

Speaking further, the Bishop said: “His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State, will always be celebrated in the state. We cannot forget him and his government, which was a Golden Era in this state which we hope will continue.”

Congratulating the incumbent Governor on his victory, Bishop Okafor prayed for his success.

In his response, Obi said that whatever he achieved was through the abiding grace of God and the partnership with, and support of the Church in the state.

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North News

Sunday July 13, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Abuja embroiled in Lawmaker urges FG to deploy more NBA election manipulation scandal troops to Chibok, others A INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

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he member representing Gwoza in the Borno State House of Assembly, Hon. Ahmed Usman Jaha, popularly known as Babawo, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to deploy more security personnel to Chibok, Damboa and Gwoza federal constituency and other volatile places in Borno State in order to curb activities of Boko Haram insurgents.

Hesaid the rate at which the insurgents were wrecking havoc on innocent people particularly those at the grassroots is worrisome, as the situation has not only placed majority of the people into poverty, but also displaced them from their ancestral homes and have now become refugees in their fatherland.

Babawo, who is aspiring as a member of the House of Representatives come 2015, said this at the weekend while presenting keys of 63 vehicles among other poverty alleviation materials to the people of Chibok, Gwoza and Damboa federal Constituency.

Giving the breakdown of 11 vehicles to Chibok, 13 to Gwoza, 10 to Damboa, while about 29 others to his campaign organisations, Babawo said the gesture is aimed at assisting the youth and women to make them self-reliant and have the test of democracy dividends, even as he said the vehicles will also assist benefitting communities to ease transportation.

“As I called on the Federal Government to deploy much resources to crush Boko Haram, I want to call on all and sundry especially in the period of Ramadan

Kareem to pray fervently for the restoration of peace to our dear state and the country at large. Our people have suffered untold hardship from the hands of insurgents, but we believe, God in his infinite mercy will touch the hearts of whosoever is behind destruction of lives and property to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue, peace and tranquillity in our dear nation,” Babawo said.

He noted that the reason he is aspiring for a higher position as lawmaker for Gwoza, Chibok and Damboa federal constituency is to ensure adequate representation of his people at the federal level and how best to provide them with basic amenities such as potable drinking water, health care delivery, agricultural transformation and above all ensure security of lives and

property of the citizenry.

The Borno State Secretary of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, Alhaji Bello Ayuba, while presenting the keys of the vehicles to beneficiaries, urged them to utilize the vehicles for the progress of the party in their respective wards and villages, as the party is ever determined to provide dividends of democracy to the door steps of the electorate irrespective of tribe or ethnic considerations.

The APC Chairman of Gwoza Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdullahi Dan Jato, who received the keys of 13 vehicles for onward distribution to ward executives, thanked the lawmaker for the gesture and promised that they will work hard to ensure that the APC is the only political party to beat come 2015 general elections in the state.

s the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) bi- annual elections reaches a feverish peak, discordant tunes have emanated from the Abuja branch of the association as a member have kicked against the manipulation of the branch’s delegates list by the chairman, Mr. Desmond Yamah.

The election is scheduled to take place in Abuja on July 15, 2014.

A member of the branch, Mr. Innocent UgbedeAgala, in a petition he wrote to the chairman of NBA electoral committee, Mr OkeyAmaechi SAN, complained that the Abuja chairman single handedly drew the delegates list without following the provisions of the byelaws of the branch.

Article N (V) (A) & (B) of the bye-laws of the branch provides that delegates of the branch be shared from lawyers of one year post call to the ones who have attained more than 20 years post call.

It distributed the delegates in a manner that all members are represented.

Moreover the bye-laws also provided that “Where more delegate slots are allocated to the Branch, it shall be distributed in the proportions listed above”. It also provided that “ a delegate

must have attended at least four meetings consecutively within 10 months preceding April of an election year and served the association in at least one committee.”

Agala in his petition stated that Abuja branch did not select its delegates at any of its meetings, whether in April or at any other time.

“Abuja Branch did not select its delegates in its April 2014 meeting held on 4th April, 2014, at M &M Events Centre, behind International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja or at any other meetings held on 16th May, 2014 and 13th June, 2014 at the same venue thereafter. The 47 (Forty-Seven) names contained in the purported delegates list submitted were solely compiled and secretly transmitted by the branch chairman in flagrant disregard to the clear and unambiguous provisions of the Branch Bye Laws”.

He therefore urged the electoral committee to reject the delegates list submitted by the Abuja branch chairman as it is a gross breach of the constitution of the NBA and will consequently lead to a challenge of any elections conducted with the said list.

Jos: Rotary Club elects president, directors JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

T New pharmacy graduands of Ahmadu Bello University taking oath during their induction in Zaria recently.

PHOTO: NAN

Insecurity: Kogi launches N2.5bn security fund WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

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n bid to tackle the seeming security challenges in Kogi State, the State government has launched a N2.5 billion appeal for the State Security Trust Fund to assist the security agencies in the state carry out their assignment efficiently.

The State Governor, Captain Idris Wada (rtd) who disclosed this while speaking at the official launching of Kogi State Security Trust Fund at the Government House in Lo-

koja, the state capital, yesterday, stated that security is the concern of everyone and need to work hard to enjoy peace in the state.

He explained that his administration’s transformation agenda is growing by the day, adding that the state had signed several Memoranda of Understanding and therefore there is the need to protect lives, property and investments in the state.

The Governor noted that in view of the security challenges confronting the state, the state executive council has recom-

mended the State Security Trust Fund to be managed by a board of Trustees to assist all the security agencies in the state.

Earlier in his the address, the Executive Chairman Kogi State Security Trust Fund , Hon. Tolorunju Joseph Faniyi, stated that in view of the current security challenges in the country, the state government was not leaving any stone unturned to ensure adequate security of lives and property in the state.

Faniyi explained in view of the foregoing, the

state government had constituted a Security Trust Fund Committee to raise fund as part of measures to tackle the daunting security challenges in the state.

He explained that the idea was conceived by the committee and modelled on a Public - Private - Partnership (PPP) arrangement, adding that this has become imperative as a way and means of combating growing menace of violent crimes in the state and seeming inability of the security agencies to confront this challenge.

he Rotary International Club of Jos in Plateau State has elected new set leaders who will pilot the affairs of the club for the next one year with Mr. Santos Ayuba Larab, as president.

Larab, who was inducted into the club in 2007, has served as an active club member in various capacities including Secretary, Chair/Director of Public Relations among others before he was installed as the 44th President of the club alongside members of Board of Directors at a colourful ceremony which took place in Jos, the Plateau State capital, yesterday.

The new President, who spoke with journalists shortly after the installation, said the club under his leadership will do its best to step up its services to humanity especially in the area of peace

and conflict resolution, Disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy as well as economic and community development.

His words:” We are slaves to service. Our intervention will be in segregated communities, strengthening the bonds of humanity, bringing people in their diversities to a common fellowship for community service and also for the purpose of collaborating to foster unity and solve society’s problems”.

The ceremony which attracted dignitaries from across the country also witnessed the presentation of awards to deserving recipients including the Nigerian Television Authority and Silverbird Television, Rhythm 93.7 FM , Jos Zonal offices respectively, who were given awards in recognition for their peaceful broadcasting and reportage on the Plateau.

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Sunday, July 13, 2014

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HEAD, GRAPHICS

Mohammed Abacha and the N36.32b loot

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uite embarrassing, though, probably not many Nigerians were surprised when the Federal Government recently withdrew charges of receiving stolen property worth N100.38 billion against Mohammed, son of the late military dictator, General Sani Abacha. This is against the backdrop of the impotent, indeed, castrated war the President Goodluck Jonathan administration has been waging against corruption in the country. The war has woefully failed to deter corrupt officials and persons suspected to be corrupt; and is exceptionally generous to even people convicted of corruption.

It was like Mohammed knew the FG would sheathe its sword when last April, for instance, his absence from court stalled proceedings in his trial over fresh charges of unlawfully receiving about N446.3 billion his father allegedly stole from government’s coffers between 1995 and 1998. When the case came up for hearing before the trial judge, Justice Mamman Kolo, of the Abuja High Court, he was not present at the court, purportedly on grounds of ill health. The N36.32 billion, however, was said to have been stolen by the late Abacha when he was serving as head of state and ferried to the Principality of Liechtenstein, a small country in Central Europe that shares borders with Austria to the East of Switzerland. The FG said it would soon receive the sum of 167 million Euros (about $227 million or N36.32 billion), being part of looted funds recovered from the Abacha family from the Government of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Special Adviser on Media to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Paul Nwabuikwu, said President Jonathan, working with the Finance Minister, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Muhammad Adoke; and the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki;

made the recovery of the loot possible.

“The President has also directed that part of the funds be saved in the Future Generations Fund, one of the funds managed by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) to help secure the economic future of both Nigerian youths and unborn Nigerians. In line with the agreement reached with the Principality of Liechtenstein, the World Bank will assist in monitoring the utilisation of the funds on specific projects,” he said.

The return of the funds was said to have been delayed by a suit instituted at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) by companies owned

THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT IS, WITHOUT DOUBT, ANOTHER MAJOR SETBACK FOR THE NATION’S PURPORTED WAR AGAINST CORRUPTION by the Abachas, alleging an infringement of their rights to a fair trial and to the peaceful enjoyment of their possessions.

The Abacha family agreed to discontinue their suit before the ECHR as part of the negotiations to expedite the recovery of the funds, while the FG reciprocated by withdrawing its case against the Abachas, in what appears a special version of plea bargain. Indeed, an obviously excited President Jonathan was said to have constituted an inter-ministerial committee to manage the expected N36.32 billion. But notwithstanding the persevering efforts the FG invested in retrieving the funds, the FG’s acceptance of just N36.32 billion to free Mohammed Abacha seems mere spittle when related to the monumental amount of funds, in both local and

foreign currencies, which the late Abacha allegedly stole while he was in office. Indeed, the FG-Mohammed Abacha deal can be compared with the case of Justice Mohammed Talba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court. Talba had in a suspicious ruling on Monday, January 28, 2013, convicted one John Yesufu, who was accused of stealing about N32 billion from pension funds and sentenced him to two years imprisonment with an option to pay a fine of N750,000 in lieu. The convict happily paid the fine and ‘regained’ his freedom. But public outrage compelled the National Judicial Council (NJC) to suspend the judge for one year without pay.

The latest development is, without doubt, another major setback for the nation’s purported war against corruption. It will further justify public outcry locally and internationally against Jonathan administration’s weak battle against corrupt practices in the country. No nation can go far in taming corruption when acclaimed cases of fraud are treated with kid gloves; when persons convicted of corrupt self-enrichment are graced with state pardon; and when persons indicted for corrupt practices are rewarded with greater public offices, as are now being witnessed in the country.

Besides, a ministerial committee was said to have been constituted to manage the funds. The committee is expected to identify the best projects and programmes in which to invest the funds, while the World Bank would assist in monitoring the utilisation of the target projects. But in a country where corruption is so pervasive in the public sector, and where extant rules and processes for the award of contracts are routinely circumvented, it is doubtful that the little loot recovered would be prudently applied. Consequently, the FG should henceforth strive to ensure that it takes decisions that will be beneficial to Nigerians and serve as deterrent when handling high profile corruption cases.

Reminiscences JULY 13 IN HISTORY 1922: U.S. - President Harding cautions against rail strike

President Warren Harding announced that Federal troops may be used to enforce the president’s proclamation that interference with the United States Mail Service by the rail strike will not be tolerated.

1943: World War II - Russia ends German offensive

The biggest tank battle in history, The Battle of Kursk, involving 6,000 tanks, two million men, and 5,000 aircraft, ends the German offensive of Russia.

1951: U.S. 24 persons die in Kansas flooding

Major flooding caused by rivers in Kansas overflowing brought the greatest destruction in the midwestern United States. Half a million people were left homeless and 24 people died in the disaster.

1955: UK - Thousands protest hanging of woman

Ruth Ellis, the last woman in England to be executed, is hanged at Holloway Prison.

Thousands mass outside protesting the death penalty.

1960: Kennedy wins Democratic nomination

Senator John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts is nominated for the presidency by the Democratic Party Convention, defeating Senator Lyndon B. Johnson.

1998: Russia gets $22bn IMF loan

As Russia continues its economic problems, the International Monetary Fund, IMF, has agreed to give her $22bn loan to help stabilise its economy.

2000: Fiji - Rebels release hostages Rebels led by leader George Speight have released 18 hostages including the former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry after eight weeks from parliament.

2006: Israel blockades Lebanon

Hezbollah fire dozens of rockets into Israel causing Israel to impose a naval blockade on Lebanon and blasted the Beirut airport and army air bases.

2007: Beckham joins Los Angeles Galaxy

David Beckham, former British soccer captain, and his wife Victoria, former pop star from “The Spice Girls” arrived in the United States.

Beckham joined the American soccer team the Los Angeles Galaxy with hopes that his star power would revitalise the sport in the United States.

2008: Terrorists kill 21 in Afghanistan

Twenty-one people were killed after a suicide bombing in the province of Uruzgan in Afghanistan. Of the 21 dead, 17 were civilians.

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Sunday, July 13, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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19

Praise Worship E-mail:yemiolakitan@gmail.com

E-mail:cossyodi@yahoo.com

QUOTE There are three vital forces that rule life. They are faith, vision and love, but the greatest of these is love. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is love

– Bishop David Oyedepo

EDIFYING GOD Sunday July 13, 2014

Polygamy: Permitted

by God?

God’s mercy is available for you, cry to him, says Pastor Muoka 24

‘God is more than 10 per cent’ 42

Guard your mind, counsels Prophet Oloruntimilehin 41

xxxxx

20

From the Pulpit

MOMENT OF MIRACLES with Pastor W.F

Kumuyi

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ext: Matthew 6:26, 27

Worry is a self-imposed, internally generated disease in the human family that slowly but surely kills many.

Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Great Physician, the Healer of both mind and body, has provided an effective cure.

The causes of worry and anxiety are many and varied. The rich and the poor, villagers and city-dwellers, men and women, married and unmarried, old and young, even the fortunate and the less fortunate all find things to worry about. Whatever the cause of our worry or anxiety may be, there is a cure that never fails. Permanently cured from worry and anxiety, there is no limit to how peaceful, purposeful and profitable our lives can be. The Lord has prescribed the means for total and perfect cure and we must follow His prescription. A fulfilled and fuller life awaits us as we become free from worry and anxiety.

Priesthood House with Pastor Bola

A

Bello

“

nd hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen - Rev 1:6. The two-fold ministry of Church was unveiled as Kings and Priests during our last edition.

The office of priest superintends over the kingship office. The priest ordained the king; hence, you cannot become king in this kingdom until you are a priest.

Until the sin of Eli, when priesthood office was abused and denigrated, the kingship was alien in Israel. According to the scripture, the priesthood function was first performed by God himself, when He sacrificed for the sin of Adam and Eve. A coat of slain beast was stripped to cover their nakedness which sin had hitherto exposed them to - Gen 3:21. I will speak further on this later.

As earlier mentioned making decree is the glory of a king but most glorious is a king who excels in warring. Warfare is the calling of kings. “Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.” What makes you a king as

Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is the great Physician as well as the great Master-Teacher. Effective teaching requires much repetition and that is what our Lord has done in the last ten verses of Matthew chapter six.

The experienced teacher knows that it is not enough to teach an important principle of life only once; it needs to be repeated. So, He repeats “take no thought” a number of times and illustrates it with convincing realities.

1.

Behold the birds and stop worrying Matthew 6:26; Job 38:41; 39:26-29; Genesis 8:6,7; Psalms 84:3-5; 104:10-12,16,17; 145:15-19; 147:7-9; Song of Solomon 2:11,12; Isaiah 34:13-16.

“Behold the fowls of the air.”

Jesus said, behold the birds and learn not to worry. Birds are inferior to men but we can learn from them; just like ants are much inferior to men, yet we are instructed to learn from them and become wise (Proverbs 6:6-11; 30:25). Above all, we are to learn from Christ who lived to

Sunday Mirror Sunday July 13, 2014 www.nationalmirroronline.net

Antidote for worry and anxiety fulfill the divine purpose without a moment of worry (Matthew 11:29).

The purpose of creation and existence for the birds is different from the purpose of man’s creation and redemption. The birds eat, live and fulfill their divinely appointed purpose without worry and anxiety. Men, the crown of God’s creation and regenerated men, citizens of God’s kingdom are to discover the divine purpose of existence and fulfill it. Why are we alive at such a time on earth? (Genesis 1:28,29; Acts 13:22; Esther 4:14b; Jeremiah 1:5; Ezekiel 3:17; John 15:16; 1 Peter 2:9). We are not alive only to eat and be clothed. Our preoccupation must not end with finding food, clothing and shelter. All these things are provided to keep us healthy and happy in order to fulfil the main purpose in life.

We must not allow distracting worry and distrustful anxiety to make us lose focus. God who has ordained our life and its purpose will provide all that is necessary to keep us alive.

2.

Better than birds and significantly worthy Matthew 6:26; Luke 12:24; Matthew 10:29-31; Psalm 8:4-8; Luke 12:6,7; Job 28:7,8,1228; Exodus 19:4,5; Malachi 3:1618; John 15:16; 1 Peter 2:9.

“Behold the fowls of the air.

Are ye not much better than they?”“Ye are of more value than many sparrows.”“How much more are ye better than the fowls.” One single child in the family is more important to the parents than all the birds in the country. One single believer, a child in God’s family is of greater value to God than all the birds on earth. If God cares so much for birds and feeds them, having no need to worry and be anxious, will He not care for you and set you free for His eternal purpose?

Think of how valuable you are to God. He created you in His own image. He saved you by the precious blood of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. He has chosen you to praise Him and to reveal His glory on earth. He sanctified you to love Him supremely. He is teaching you His Word to make His whole mind known unto you and through you to others. He has commissioned you to serve Him and to bring sinners to salvation in Christ. The price He has paid to bring you to Himself, to fulfill His eternal purpose in you and to prepare youfor heaven cannot be estimated in any monetary currency on earth. If He feeds the birds, if He cares for these inferior, insignificant creatures, will He not take care of you? He will, even beyond your expectation.

3.

Behave like believers and stop worrying Matthew 6:27; 10:16,19,20; 1 Kings 17:2-6; Isaiah 26:3,4; Psalm 27:13,14; John 14:1,27; Acts 27:2125; 2 Timothy 1:11,12; Hebrews 4:3; Philippians 4:6-8.

“Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? ”Which of you by worrying can prolong his life or add to the quality of his life?

Worry is useless and unprofitable. What can man’s worry or anxiety accomplish except to weaken him from taking positive, progressive action? Whatever God has appointed, like man’s stature, height, age or heritage, our worry is of no avail and can do nothing to change it. God does not respond to worry, anxiety, unbelief, discontent, or murmuring as He responds to prayer and faith (Genesis 18:17-26; Exodus 32:9-14; 2 Kings 20:1-6; Jonah 3:110). What we cannot do or add by worrying, we can only have by faith, by trusting in God who can do all things. Living by faith, God will add material benefits and spiritual blessings to our lives (Matthew 6:33).

What is the use of worry or anxiety? Who, by anxiety, can add to life’s quality or life span?

Anxiety hinders growth. Faith aids growth and progress. Have faith in God.

Church as God designed it (8) a Christian is not your dominion over others but your dominion over sins and situations. The arch enemy of man is sin. No matter the number of nations you have captured, until you overcome sin, you remain a slave to sin. Sin has consistently dominated and conquered until Christ the king came to the earth. What made Christ the king was His power and rulership over sin. Sin is a great warrior. Sin is the individual that conquered all. ”All have sinned and come short of the glory of God” Rom 5:12. What empowered death is sin. There was no death until there was sin. What sin feasts on is life of a man. Sin is the enemy of all humanity. Sin does not have respect for religion, tribes, races or colour. It was sin that dethroned Adam from his loftier towers and brought him down to terrible toil. It was sin that dethroned Nebuchadnezzar and wasted him to a grass grazer. Sin turned the wisest King, Solomon to a fool. Strength could not fight sin. Religion has tried so hard but could not prevail. Morals put up a good weapon and isolate itself in monastery but falls to the hands of sin. Sin is your enemy. Sin is our enemy. The problem with man is because sin lives in man.

Not that sin was only inherited; sin is birthed along with man. Ir-

respective of your age, once you are a human, you are a sinner. Sin is the hater of humanity. Sin does not have respect for title. The titled men are the most targeted.

Kings, the rich even the poor are the worse hit. Pastors, Bishops, Deacons, Imams, etc, are easy targets. Sin has no regard for the Professors or academicians. In his struggles with sin, the zealot Paul screamed; “Who can deliver me from this wretched man”. It is easy to win all battles but sin.

A woman was caught in adultery, and men cried abomination.

She was dragged before the one considered as holy, righteous and true judge. “She was caught in the very act,” they all screamed.

This was heinous against the law of marriage more so amongst the Jews. The judge reasoned with them and agreed that it was an anathema. The woman was judged. “Amongst the accusers, only the very person without any sin should stone her to death.”

The judgment was made, but no one could execute the judgment.

They were all sinners in one thing or the others. This is the extent of the strength of sin. Can you execute that judgment, if you were to live that period? You cannot possibly try it.

Man has come under the sledge hammer of sin. Let no one deceive

you, there is no formula for overcoming sin. Sin is not respecter of devotion. Fasting and praying has never saved man from it. It is sin that brings brother against brother. Sin stirs up religious fight. Sin provokes envy, hatred and jealousy. Lust is the strongest bait for sin. The desires for wealth, the pride and the trend of life, competitive spirit and fame breeds sin. Appetite to be like others rather than self would subtly lure you into it.

In his own description of sin, Apostle Paul called sin three names; thief, murderer and destroyer. Who can rescue man from it? Do not forget the judgment against the adulterous woman; “he without sin” is the only individual who can judge sin. He is the Son of God. He was the only one with no sin. All men were sent to examine Him. Women came with all their lustful desires. He was lured with food; He did not fail the Father; He was tempted with fame, glory and wealth of this world; He resisted it. He was asked to be crowned as the king of this world but refused.

He knew that though, He was a King but not the kingship of this world. The scribes, the Pharisees, the Sadducees came in the night with their best lawyers and found him faithful. Nothing incriminat-

ing was found against Him. Yet He was dragged before the court for examination. The sitting Governor screamed; “I found nothing against this man”; yet one man must die to save man from sin, a wise man reasoned. Therefore, he was crucified and hanged upon the tree. No wonder, John the Baptist called him the “Lamb of the Lord who takes away the sin of the world”.

Jesus did not only die for the Church alone, Jesus died for the whole world. Church is the platform where the gospel of kingship against sin should be preached.

Someone has removed the barrier to kingship throne. He is the Christ, the anointed lamb who paid the bills. “For as many as received Him, to them gave power to become the sons of God.” God is the King. The son of the king is a Prince. Prince is synonymous to kingship. The only way to overcome sin is through him. Overcoming sin is coming into kingship and having dominion over sin. This is when you truly become king. Then you proceed to the office of priesthood. May the Lord God bless the Church. Amen. Join me next week for continuation.

Pastor Bola Bello – The Priesthood House bolabelo@gmail.com 08033704564

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Sunday July 13, 2014

Desti Destiny Hour with Pastor Femi

Lanre-Oke

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elcome to a new and fruitful week in Jesus’ name. This week, the Lord will be lifting your head and opening a door of remembrance unto you for good in Jesus name.

Last week, I made mention of three things God gave unto man to help him (man) live satisfactory on earth and still fulfill God’s purpose.

The first was dominion. God gave man dominion over the created things.

Second, God gave man the Blessing. Genesis 1:28 states that, “and God blessed them, and God say unto them…”

The word blessed as used in the scripture above is the same as ‘empowered’ and that is why all through the Bible, whenever God blesses a man, He speaks further. He tells him what He (God) has empowered him (man) to do.

When God blessed man- (empowered man), He went further to state what the empowerment was meant for, it was for man to be fruitful, multiply and replenish and subdue the earth. Fruitfulness here connotes increase and it is not limited to child bearing alone. The Bible in the book of Proverbs 10:22 make reference to God’s blessings that He gave unto man in the beginning. It said, “The blessing of the Lord maketh rich and addeth no sorrow with it”. The blessing being referenced here is the same bless-

Deliverance Today with witness

Kiishi

Adejuwon

I

n the second level, the Bible says “the word of God is sharper than any two edged sword”. The only thing that is sharper than two edged sword is a laser beam, which does not even exist in them. What is the Bible saying? The Bible is saying; in the word, there is a weapon that functions like laser.

Here is what the Bible is means: the rod corrects you, but there are some issues in your life that correction cannot deal with, it will require surgical operations. So by the operations of the word, you must be ready to “receive with meekness, the engrafted word of God which is able to save your soul”. Can you see that?

God is not dealing with all our problems by the rod. There are some problems that the rod cannot handle, so it needs the laser of the word, it needs a surgical operation. It is wrong for a believer to harbour the mindset that God does not care about how ‘I live my life for as long as am churchy’. This is the reason there are more sick and depressive people in the church than in the world.

Most problems in the lives of our brothers and sisters today require surgical operations. Unfortunately, the pastor is yet praying for them to be blessed and prosperous forgetting that the prosperity of fools leads to destruction. God is saying,’ the hearts of

From the Pulpit

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Understanding God’s purpose for creating man (2) ing God gave unto man in Genesis 1:28.

To be blessed means to be empowered to do things. When a man is not blessed, he is cursed (which means to have negative powers working against his success). Blessing is the empowerment a man receives to do the will, counsel and purpose of God with ease.

Curse was what man received after the fall of Adam. Praises be unto God in the highest because according to Galatians 3:13-14, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree: that the blessings of Abraham might come unto the gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the spirit through faith”. Hallelujah, praise God. Man through sin brought curse while God through Jesus Christ brought the blessing. Once you are a child of God, you are detached from the pedigree of cursed men and grafted to the blessings of God-which is His empowerment to do His will and counsel on earth. However, the genuine knowledge of this truth plus practical demonstration of this knowledge through prayer is what guarantees the manifestation.

As God’s child, (if you are bornagain), you are no longer cursed but blessed because of Jesus Christ, therefore, walk in the reality of this truth.

Once you are born-again – a member of God’s family, you qualify for the blessing. If the blessing is on you, the fruits of the blessing will show forth. Being part of God’s family is what qualifies

you for the blessing but you will also need to take a bold step of faith by living a blessed life. For example, a blessed life gives to the poor and needy, gives to support God’s work on earth, gives to honour his/her parents. So irrespective of what you consider little or small, you can start exercising your faith as a blessed one in Christ Jesus, Hallelujah. Beloved, your part in walking in the reality of this truth is simply to BELIEVE. Praise God. Apart from dominion & the blessing, the third thing God gave man is: The Seed: Genesis 1:29 states that “and God said, behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of the earth and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you, it shall be for meal”.

Furthermore, Genesis 8:22 states that, “while the earth remaineth, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall not cease”.

The seed is a powerful gift of God for mankind. With a man’s seed, he can predict the future. God has given man the seed for him to determine what he desires his tomorrow to be like; for whatsoever a man soweth, that he shall reap also. The law of the seed is a universal law that applies to all.

We can always get our desired future by the “seed” God has given unto us.

Speaking to them in Genesis 1:29, God told him,“…behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed…” God needed to add emphasis (behold). God knew that man would never see the seed if He did not emphasize, that was why He told

Adam to behold it (that is., to look, observe carefully). Every man created by God has gotten a seed which was why he told man to be fruitful; a man cannot be fruitful if he is not ‘seedful’. Being fruitful demands being ‘seedful’; seeds vary from words, services, acts, gifts, prayers amongst many other things.

Seeds are not limited to money as so many think. Your skills, special abilities are seeds that can bring forth fruits to God’s glory. Identifying and recognising your seed plus maximizing it well will connect you to unlimited greatness.

Don’t forget that you are blessed and not cursed and cannot be cursed because you have given your life to Christ and if you have not, the process is simple: • Believe in your heart that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself.

• Believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross of Calvary paying the price for your sins and rose from the dead the third day to establish your victory • Confess with your mouth that Jesus is lord and saviour.

• Repent of all sins before the Lord and forsake them.

• Welcome into God’s family.

• Please locate a Bible believing church and share you new birth experience with the church leaders.

•For further prayer & counseling Please contact: Pastor Femi Lanre-Oke Jesus Praise Evangelical Ministries International, Ibadan, Oyo State +2348030752799, +2348053695097; Email: femi_lanre01@yahoo.co.uk

The rod, the sword, and the Javelin of Phinehas (2) these people are not right with me’. God is saying, ‘these people are rebellious’. God’s servant can’t see that, all he wants is fat offering bags at the expense of a dying soul.

Most preachers have put down the laser.

What they are brandishing on the pulpits are palm and olive branch whereas, God ordained that His children be well and highly favoured; but they are sick and diseased because the sword; the two edged sword proceedeth no more from the pulpits.

Most people coming to church today openly rebel against the rod. When people hate correction, how can they embrace something that is sharper than two edged sword; how can they cope with a surgical procedures? This is the reason we have so much money, but we are poor in health. There are more deaths in the church than among Muslims. Just as the rod is the instrument of Apostleship, the laser of the word is. Let those who lead the people of God go back and use it. This is the only way we are going to have a healthy church; this is the only instrument that God uses to remove the wrinkles and blemishes and making ready His church for a glorious exit.

Thirdly, I introduce the third weapon which I have used deliberately because of its importance for the title of this message. The Psalmist said “thy rod and thy staff they comfort me”. The staff is the instrument you use to silence enemies and their accomplishments. In Numbers 25:7-8, it says, “And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest saw it, he rose up from among the congregation and took a javelin in his hand: and he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and

thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.

“And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand”.

Without any doubt, we are living in the very dispensation of the fullness of Grace.

What does this mean to us as believers in this dispensation? It means that we do not experience instant judgement of God. The reason is that God had exhausted all His anger and wrath on His only begotten son Jesus Christ on the cross; there is no wrath or anger left in God’s bosom. What a blessing.

Nevertheless, we are not to make light of evil because Jesus took all the wrath. If we keep this type of mentality, there are consequences not because God is angry but because whatever we sow to the flesh, the flesh will reproduce for us. Every evil engaged in, in the flesh, will ultimately reap corruption for us.

The rod in the word corrects us; the laser of the word is for surgical operation. The staff (the Javelin) is to stop evil in the camp.

The operation of the Javelin of Phinehas has practically left our pulpit. Evil and evil people prevail in the church unstopped. Am aware we are in the dispensation of the fullness of Grace and we can not physically engage this type of action that Phinehas undertook. Nevertheless, we do have to learn the moral principle that the story present for us.

It will not matter that we are under the dispensation of the fullness of Grace; we have a responsibility to engage the Javelin of Phinehas where nothing else will work. Evil prevail in many families because there is no Phine-

has to put an end to acts that publicly insults God and His worship.

Many believers refuse to take a stand against evil among the professed people of God. They condemn as “Javelin throwers” those who take a stand against evil out of love for the worship of God. They forget that Grace is indeed immeasurable for man but Grace has things that He can not compromise: Grace must retain the truth. Those who want to hear about the love of God refuse to accept that the God of the Bible is also light. If we dwell in darkness, when light come, it must expose it.

Light can not keep darkness.

The children of Israel have gone away from God’s Holiness. They failed to accept what suited the righteousness of God. They joined the nations and committed idolatry with them and moderated lewdness with their women. Then the wrath of God was kindled against them and God required His servant Moses to go and kill the leaders who had joined Baal poer. Church leaders of this generation should hear this. If you are using Church to cover up while you have joined the world, death is already in operation your life and family.

There are a lot of people today who profess Christianity yet they have made a pact with Satan and their assignment is to import into the church the wickedness of the nations and insult God through the idols of the world system.

Witness Kiishi Adejuwon teaches at Wisdom Restoration Ministry at 31,Ijoko Road, Yomdok, Akute Ogun State.

Tel:08033181847

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ill his death, a certain pastor (name withheld) of a major denomination in Nigeria was known with one wife, a Lady Evangelist who was the mother of his children in accordance with the doctrine of the church he represented. However, shortly after his death, four mistresses, with their children, born out of wedlock, ranging from 15 to 19 years of age appeared at his funeral. These mistresses, who had their children for the pastor, were shrouded in ultimate secrecy to the members of the church while he was alive.

Another pastor, a major figure in one of the nation’s largest denominations died in a plane crash. Shortly after his death, it was discovered that he had a secret second wife and children. This second wife surfaced after his death with photographs of a traditional wedding in which the pastor appeared with the second wife. It was a major embarrassment to the church and the General Overseer held a press conference to explain the position of the church.

In a chat with Pastor Adeyemi of Life Church, Lagos, who spoke on the subject, he said polygamy is African culture, adding that no matter how we try to impose monogamy on Africans, there are people who will not be able to practise it.

“It was Christianity that imported the culture of one man one wife, it is alien to us. The Whiteman is known with one wife and then a mistress outside the marriage. African men are known with polygamy. What we see today is African men trying to practice monogamy along with the mistress culture. There are many men who claim to have one wife publicly but they have several mistresses in secret and some of them are men of God. This is very shameful. I personally feel that it is better for them to be open. Let them marry these women, bring them home instead of living a life of hypocrisy which is worse. There are advantages to monogamy and there are disadvantages to polygamy. I don’t think Jesus will ask me how many wives I married while on earth. I believe that he will ask me about my assignment in life whether I fulfilled it or not. If a man of God has more than one wife, he should come out in the open instead of keeping it secret until death which is far worse,’’ he said.

In a chat with Superior Evangelist Oladokun J.P of the Celestial Church of Christ, Ifelodun Parish, Lagos, he said “there is no law in the Celestial Church of Christ that forbids one from marrying more than one wife, although in the Bible, Apostle Paul advised that anyone who desires the office a Bishop should be husband of one wife”.

“The Celestial Church of Christ does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of polygamy. The Apostle gave this advice because of the problems that are associated to a polygamous home; one expects that the women will quarrel.

The Bishop is expected to live an exemplary and peaceful life. How can that be if he is settling quarrels within his own household? This was why Apostle Paul gave that advice, not as a commandment.’’

Speaking further, Oladokun said: ‘‘My personal opinion is that one wife

Sunday July 13, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Polygamy: Does the

A South-African Polygamist with his wives

Polygamy is generally not acceptable in Christendom. Nevertheless, there are denominations where it is not frowned at. Senior correspondent, Yemi Olakitan, examines the subject with scriptural texts and Christian views. is better; a man that is married to one woman is likely to have a more peaceful household than a man with several wives. I personally will encourage monogamy instead of polygamy but we do not impose it on anyone in the Celestial Church and we don’t think that should stop a man from doing the work of God. If we look at the scriptures, there are people who married more than one wife. People like Abraham and Jacob were polygamous men and God accepted them. Furthermore, African culture is about polygamy, Christianity brought in monogamy into our lives. Don’t forget that before the advent of Christianity, our forefathers were marring more than one wife and they did so because they were farmers and needed a large family for their farm work. Polygamy was also a matter of prestige to them.

They did not condone adultery and instead of them to commit adultery, they rather married the women.’’

In another chat with Most Senior Apostle Deji Oyenowo of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement, Gethsemane Garden, Ajah Lagos, he opined that monogamy is preferable to polygamy.

“I grew up in a polygamous home and my father tried with all his might to ensure that we all live in unity but it was

I PERSONALLY WILL ENCOURAGE MONOGAMY INSTEAD OF POLYGAMY BUT WE DO NOT IMPOSE IT ON ANYONE IN THE

CELESTIAL CHURCH AND

WE DON’T THINK THAT SHOULD STOP A MAN FROM DOING THE WORK OF

GOD. IF WE LOOK AT THE

SCRIPTURES, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO MARRIED

MORE THAN ONE WIFE.

PEOPLE LIKE ABRAHAM AND JACOB WERE POLYGAMOUS MEN AND GOD ACCEPTED THEM.

A Ploygamist and his wives

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Sunday July 13, 2014

Bible support it? we were able to come together as one family but it did not happen in his life time. In my one opinion, it is better to be a husband of one wife than to marry many wives. However, in the constitution of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, it is said that polygamy should not stop a man from doing the work of God either as an evangelist, a shepherd or even a Bishop. Although the founder of the church, Moses Orimolade, himself was a celibate, and he lived a very pious life, devoting everything he had to the work of God. He however did not impose this on anybody. We have to understand that traditionally Africans marry more than one wife. Monogamy is a foreign culture, so the founder of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church did not impose his celibate life on anyone. He did not impose it on anybody in the church, although in the Bible, the Apostle Paul in the book of 1st Timothy 3: 1-12 said leaders in the church should be husband of one wife. He also did not impose his celibate life on anybody,” he said.

In another chat with Rt. Rev. Adekunle Ilesanmi Dawodu, Bishop of Kogi Diocese of the African Church Cathedral, he said the African Church does not condone polygamy. According to him, anyone who has more than one wife in the African church cannot hold a position of leadership.

“If he holds a position of leadership, he will be removed. Although, in the beginning when the African Church started, one may marry more than one wife because of the prevalent culture of the people at the time but as time went on, the people became enlightened to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus and now the church forbids polygamy. It is not acceptable in the African church at all,” he said.

Speaking with Reverend Olamide Mobolaji Thompson of the African Church Cathedral Bethel, CMS, Lagos, on the same subject, he said polygamy is not accepted in the African Church.

Said he: Although polygamy might not be regarded as sin but the things that might be associated with it makes it a sin. For example, a polygamous family is usually laden with infighting, quarrels and squabbles. Therefore, we cannot accept it in the church of God. If a man has more than one wife, the church will not send him away. Monogamy is an issue that cannot be imposed on anyone. It his personal life but he cannot hold a leadership position in the African church”.

In another chat with Deaconess Shola Abimbola of the Global Church of the Living God, she said: ‘‘A Christian must be husband of one wife. In the words of the Lord Jesus, the clearest evidence that monogamy is God’s ideal is from Christ’s teaching on marriage is in Matt. 19:3–6. In this passage, Jesus cited the Genesis creation account, in

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President Jacob Zuma and his wives

POLYGAMY IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN FOR CHURCH ELDERS

(1

TIM. 3:2). AND THIS IS NOT JUST FOR ELDERS, BECAUSE PAUL ALSO WROTE: ‘EACH MAN SHOULD HAVE HIS OWN

WIFE AND EACH WOMAN HER OWN HUSBAND.

PAUL GOES ON TO EXPLAIN MARITAL

DUTIES IN TERMS THAT MAKE SENSE ONLY WITH ONE HUSBAND TO ONE WIFE,’’ SHE SAID.

particular Gen. 1:27 and 2:24, saying ‘the two will become one flesh’, not more than two. Jesus commanded monogamy in this particular verse, she said.

Speaking further, she said, an important biblical teaching is the example of husband and wife with Christ and the Church in Eph. 5:22–33, which makes sense only with monogamy—Jesus cannot not have multiple brides. He was celibate.

“Polygamy is expressly forbidden for church elders (1 Tim. 3:2). And this is not just for elders, because Paul also wrote: ‘each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.

A monogemous couple

Paul goes on to explain marital duties in terms that make sense only with one husband to one wife,’’ she said.

Elder Ajibola Theophilus of the United African Church (UAMC) said: ‘‘God forbade the kings of Israel to be polygamous (Deut.

17:17)”.

“When they disobeyed, there was trouble, including rivalry between David’s sons from his different wives (2 Samuel 13, 1 Kings 2); and Solomon’s wives helped lead Solomon to idolatry (1 Kings 11:1–3). Jesus was celibate and he encouraged monogamy. Abraham and Sarah were polygamous because of temptations when Hagar became a second

wife and this caused problems later. Jacob only wanted Rachel, but was tricked into marrying her older sister Leah, and later he took their slave girls at the sisters’ urging due to the rivalry between the sisters.

(1 Sam. 25:42–43). Polygamy is like divorce, which God tolerated for a while because of the hardness of people’s hearts, but was not the way it was intended from the beginning (Matt. 19:8). When the Moses Law had provisions for polygamy, it was only conditional: ‘If he takes another wife to himself …’ (Ex.21:10), not an encouragement,’’ he said.

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From the

Pulpit Sunday July 13, 2014

God’s mercy is available for you, cry to him, says Muoka General Overseer of the Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Ministry, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, in this piece, teaches on availability of God’s mercy . Excerpts:

H

abakkuk 3: 2-2 says, “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.

2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy” There is no doubt that what we are experiencing today in our lives, businesses and country is as a result of many years of our disobedience to the word of God, many years of corruption that nobody cared to address, many years of bloodlettings, rituals, abortion, etc.

And now it is very clear t h a t God’s judgment is at hand against us. The judgment He reserves for sinners who refuse to repent could be discerned from every cranny of our lives.

But

Pastor Muoka

although the Lord has pronounced judgment upon us, He can still abate the judgment if we all can cry for mercy; for in the midst of His wrath, He will remember mercy and spare the souls that return unto Him with cry for mercy.

In the passage above, during the days of Prophet Habakkuk, the people were afraid when they heard God’s threatening, and the prophet cried to God on their behalf and prayed for mercy and God revived His work among the people p pe ople in the midst of the t e years of adversity. th Our situation today in this country is like what was obtainable in the days of Prophet Habakkuk, and if we all can cry in the midst of these trials, insecurity and ask God for mercy, He shall show uss mercy and u we w e shall rejjoice oice again. It is on His mercy that we must flee to for refuge.

W e

must not pray to God to remember our merit, but, that He should have mercy. We must pour our heart to Him and tell Him we have seen the sentence of death against us and are pleading for mercy so that our nation shall live again.

So, that we shall become once more numerous, united and powerful, that our enemies may be put to shame.

James 2:13 says, “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”

God exalts mercy above judgment. On the Day of Judgment, justice might condemn every man according to the rigour of the law, yet if we cry to God for mercy, He will cause mercy to triumph over justice for us.

Beloved, maybe you have been going through terrible or adverse situations for a very long time and have done everything humanly possible to overcome it, but the problems have persisted. Or you may have discovered that there is danger ahead of you as a result of your past evil life and nothing works for you and you are afraid of what the next hour may bring. Or it may be clear that judgment and its effect are looming around you and you are terribly afraid you may die soon and go to hell. It may be that you know that God is not happy with you and the signs around you are pointing to His judgment against you. And you are not sure of your future and sorrow is the order of the day. I want you to understand that the only option or remedy is the mercy of God. I don’t know your past history. It may be you have killed, committed abortion and these have brought a lot of terrible things into your life and you are going through a lot of challenges and affliction and there is no hope of survival. I want you to understand that the cry of mercy is the only option.

Examples and reasons Many people offended the Lord in the time past and as a result they were under the judgment of God. For example, the Israelites of old had such cases severally but Moses pleaded for mercy and the Lord pardoned and removed the judgment from them.

If God by the measure of His judgment has decided to destroy our country, all we need to do in order to avert the punishment is to cry unto Him for mercy. National repentance, prayer, and reformation are required in order to attract God’s mercy. God expects people, who are called by His name, that His pe have dishonoured His name by their if they hav iniquity, sshould honour it by accepting the punishment of their iniquity. They must punishme themselves, pray for the removal humble th judgment, seek the face and favour of the jud of God and an above all turn from their wicked ways, and return to the God from whom they have revolted and He will have mercy. forgive their sin, which brought the God will fo judgment upon them, and then heal their land and rredress all their grievances.

If God has marked to destroy you and into hell but you are still alive, there cast you in opportunity for you; the mercy of God is an oppo available. By the mercy of God, you shall is availabl delivered. I do not know what you are be deliver through, but let it be known to you passing th that even in wrath, God can remember His mercy and forgive.

I don’t know what you may have done and favour is eluding you, sickness is ravaghealth, your business has collapsed ing your h reproach has become your portion. I and repro am telling you that if you can cry unto God mercy shall come your way in Jesus today, mer name.

When tthe Israelites turned from God to idol, Baal, and provoked God more, worship id judged them severally but as soon as God judge they cried unto God, mercy came their way.

Judges 3:12- 14 says, “12. And the children did evil again in the sight of the of Israel d and the LORD strengthened Eglon LORD: an the king of Moab against Israel, because done evil in the sight of the LORD they had d 13 And he gathered unto him the children of and Amalek, and went and smote Ammon a Israel, and possessed the city of palm trees. children of Israel served Eglon the 14. So the c Moab eighteen years.” king of M It is not good to abandon the Lord. Whenabandon the Lord, you will go into ever you a captivity; the enemy will capture you and will afflict afflic you. When the children of Israel chose to worship other gods, God caused the people of Moab and Ammon to smite them and those that survived sm the t onslaught were taken captives to th serve the king of Eglon. Israel was s weakened, and Moab strengthw ened against them. But when Ise rael prayed again and cried unto r God, G He raised up Ehud. As a minister of Divine justice, Ehud put to i death Eglon, the king of Moab, and de CONTINUED ON PAGE 41

PASSION Sunday July 13, 2014

A Lifestyle Magazine

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Even with fame, I’m still humble –Toyin Alausa >>27

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‘I can’t be seen wearing earrings’ >>29

Growing up with only my mum was tough –Beauty Aghedo >>26 > >26

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Sunday, July 13, 2014

Growing up with only my mum was tough –Beauty Aghedo, 2011 Star Quest winner Beauty Aghedo, affectionately called B-Dash by her friends, is the 2011 ‘Star Quest’ winner, and the brand ambassador of Healing Wings Foundation. She is one diva who likes to explore new things. In this interview with Adaeze Amos, she speaks about her childhood and how she feels renewed each time she prays in tongues.

What is Star Quest all about?

It’s all about a talent hunt for singers and instrumentalists. I won it in 2011. Actually, the competition n started as a regional ovation that went all over such cities as Lagos, Benin and Port Harcourt. I was auditioned ed in Benin and afterwards, they called me to Lagos for grand audition that would enable 36 people to be taken into the house. That was how I got into the house.

What was it like when you performed before a large crowd?

I wasn’t scared. I have never had a stage fright before in my life. Even on the night of the competition, on, I was home with my performances on stage.

When did you start singing?

I started singing when I was still very little. In fact, I was about six years old when I started singing. g. At first, I wasn’t allowed to sing before a large crowd because I was young and naive. I wasn’t even allowed d to sing in my church until they discovered I could sing. I used to sing at home very well. I knew how to sing all the Celion Dion lyrics off hand. I used to be in my room then; I sang and screamed joyfully. I could say I discovered my singing talent at home before I started in my church and in my school.

Can you relive the experience when you won the ‘Star Quest’ in 2011?

It was exciting. I ran out of breath. It was shocking to me because, with all the good contestants in the house, I still won. I was indeed excited.

As the winner, what were your duties?

Actually, I won with my band which was known as The Beat. So, we were given a one-year recording contract in Now Music which is owned by Mr Ese Morufe, after which we were given a car each. We went for tours all over the cities of Nigeria.

What aspiration do you have for the future?

Actually, I just started my personal project as a single artiste. Apart from being a brand ambassador for Healing Wings Foundation, I dropped my single recently, entitled God Bless Me For Your Eyes. It’s a pop song.

Is Healing Wings Foundation a church or miracle group?

You can call it a miracle thing now that I’m there as the ambassador. Actually, it is not a church. We go about preaching awareness on cancer, empowering the youths, the vulnerable in the society, the women education as well. It is a package meant to develop our society.

Can you tell a little about your childhood?

My childhood was okay though I had some ups and downs. I grew up in Benin with my mother and dad, but when I was about eight years old, I lost my dad. It wasn’t really funny growing up with just a mum around. But thank God for everything. I had other siblings, it wasn’t only me. We were seven in number and I was the last child. I have a twin brother.

My parents weren’t expecting us actually but we had to find our way into the world.

Who are you aspiring to be like in the entertainment world?

I won’t say I’m aspiring to be like anybody, but I had mentors while I was growing up. I really loved Beyonce a lot because of her voice and the energy she puts in while singing. At times, her songs are very emotional. She could really pull you out of yourself and make you listen to her songs all over again. They sound fresh each time you listen to them. I also love Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson. At home, I love Victor Uwaifo. He is a legend.

When you are down, how do you get inspired?

At first, whenever I’m down, I would always love to be left alone. When I’m alone, I would start praying in tongues.

When did you learn to pray in tongues?

When I was in secondary school, I was a member of my school fellowship. I saw people praying in tongues and the atmosphere was charged. I was indeed excited and longed to be part of it.

I was then asked if I would like to be filled with the Holy Ghost. Hands were laid on me and I saw myself praying in tongues. That was how I started. Each time I prayed in tongue, there is this renewal of strength I feel in my system. That makes me feel like I can do all things.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Even with fame, I’m still humble –Toyin Alausa ADAEZE AMOS

T

oyin Alausa, a Yoruba movie star who also features in some soap p operas was seen recently looking radiant. She revealed what she he had been doing well, although she bemoaned some happenings in n the land.

“I decided to give myself inner peace and relax with the belief that at at the right time things would fall into place. The country itself is not ot encouraging right now. If you have been checking most newspaper er headlines about our country, a nation I so much love, you would agree ee with me that they are not palatable stories. People are being killed in n droves. Oh that is sad. The Chibok girls are still missing and so many y things are going wrong. There is no light, no good education and I must say anytime I go out and see the youth, leaders of tomorrow, my y heart bleeds because there are no leaders of tomorrow as far as I’m m concerned. But despite all these, I decided to give myself peace, I think k it’s reflecting on me,” she bemoaned.

How does she feel about the sudden deaths in the entertainment nt industry?

“I feel very sad. Unfortunately, the young ones are the people dying ng in their 20s and 30s. It’s alarming and it is painful. What can we do than n draw closer to God and try and avoid sins. Because the Bible says whooever breaks the edge, the serpent would bite. So, if there is anything ng we are doing that is attracting death, I think we should try and avoid d it. Another thing is that Nollywood needs serious prayers, in fact, the he whole entertainment industry needs prayers for God to show us mercy cy and preserve our lives,” she counselled.

Surprisingly, sudden death is not her greatest fear in life.

“Not succeeding is my greatest fear. I have a phobia for not succeedding. I don’t want to see myself fail. I pray to God it never happens to me,” she enthused.

This actress who has been in the industry for a reasonable length h of time compared Nollywood when she newly joined the industry and d what is obtainable now.

“When I started, acting was a thing of passion. It wasn’t much about ut money or zeal to become a star or celebrity by force and be seen on the he pages of newspaper and magazines. That was not why the people then n started and that was not why I personally joined. As I usually say, the he Bible states that the work of your hand is what God would bless. Again, n, it adds that there is no food for a lazy man, so acting for me has now w grown from a passion to job. It is my profession. Thus, I’m a professsional actress. It has nothing do with having passion for acting or actting as a hobby or whatever. That is not it now. It has become something ng that puts food on our table. So, I think there is a difference,” she said.

What excites her as an actress?

“I’m happy when I’m able to deliver my roles exceedingly well. When n I make my director smile, and make my fans love me more. Someone ne just told me that he didn’t know I was this pretty in real life…that I look prettier than I do on the screen. He actually said he had seen me on the screen regularly but that he had never met me in person. That at is something that gives me joy. You cannot really say this is the actress ss when you see me in person. But those that are my diehard fans recoggnise me at a quick glance. That gives me joy.

Having become a golden fish that can’t be hidden because of popuularity, how does she cope with fame? “I’m still level-headed, humble le and kind. It has not changed anything in me. My name is Toyin Alausa, a, and there is no extra attachment to me,” she said.

How does this mother of one cope with motherhood and her vocaation as an actress?

“I combine acting with motherhood very well. My son is grown up p now. He is in the higher institution. I don’t have to be there every time me for him. He can take care of himself. I trained him very well, so I’m at peace when I’m on location or outside.

Being famous, she said, has not been a bed of roses. It has robbed d her of her solitude.

“Fame honestly has robbed me of my privacy. There is nowhere to hide my face and live like the girl next door. It’s that bad. But that does es not mean I’m regretting it. No, not at all! Fame has been working for or me positively,” she smiled her warm, friendly smile.

Applause

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& Faces Events

Celebrity

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

July 13, 2014

Thanksgiving service for Aduba, retiring Delta CP

A

valedictory church service was recently held in Asaba, Delta State in honour of the

state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikechukwu Aduba, who is retiring from the police service. It was an

occasion laced with encomiums for the superannuated super cop. Below are faces at the event: Photos: Goddy Umukoro

Bishop of Asaba Diocese, Anglican Communion, Rt Revd Justus Mogekwu (middle), retiring Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikechukwu Aduba (left) and his wife Mrs Chizor, at the Eucharistic Service, in Asaba.

Rt. Revd Mogekwu (second right), his wife, Dame Theresa, (right); retiring CP Aduba (left) and his wife, Chizor, at the event.

Bishop Mogekwu (left) welcoming CP Aduba to the church service.

CP Aduba, his wife, Chizor (middle) and the Assistant commissioner, Criminal Investigation Department, Mr Noah Adesoyin, on the occasion.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Celestina Kalu (right) and SP Ogujiofor Raymond.

L-R: Special Adviser to Governor Uduaghan on Health Matters, Dr Rekevwe Ogumba, Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious Matters, Rev Godspower Agbauduta, and Adesoyin, at the event.

CP Aduba (third left), his wife, Chizor (fourth left), Bishop Mogekwu (fourth right), his wife, Theresa (third right); Bishop Onekpe (second right) and other priests.

Aduba (right), his wife, Chizor (second left), the son, Jide Tochukwu (left) and the daughter, Ngozi, on the occasion.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sunday, July 13, 2014

Dude Style ‘I can’t be seen wearing earrings’

Uzoeshi Finan Ugochukwu, aka Triple U, is a great comedian. He studied Pure and Industrial Chemistry at Anambra State University, ANSU, Uli. In this interview with Victor Udoh, he unveils his dress sense and his plans for the comedy industry.

92.9FM, Ikoyi, Lagos. It will be starting soon. My life concert tagged ‘Triple Laff Sunday’ is coming up in August. It will be featuring some of Nigeria’s best comedians such as MC Shakara; Funny Bone; Akapella; Baba De Baba; Filosopher; Koloman; Mog and more. Also in attendance would be OC Ukeje and Okey Uzoeshi. It would take place at Saint Leo’s Catholic Church Hall, Ikeja, Lagos.

How did you become a comedian?

I didn’t just take up comedy because people are doing it. It is my talent. I am from a talented and entertaining family. My cousin, Okey Uzoeshi, is a Nollywood star, who left music for movie.

However, it was in my university days that I started practising comedy, though not the stand-up stuff. It was more of comedy drama. After graduation in 2012, I moved to Lagos and decided to take up stand-up comedy professionally. I left Lagos after four months in February 2013 and went for my youth service (NYSC) in Benue State. At the NYSC camp, I anchored comedy in all the social events. I was also part of the Orientation Broadcasting Service (OBS) where I hosted a comedy programme in the morning and night. After the NYSC camp, my comedy life became silent because I was posted to a remote and primitive village where I could not practise it.

What is your comedy slogan?

Rt. Hon. of Comedy. I chose this because I was a Student Union Government, SUG, Speaker in my school in 2011-2012.

What kind of comedy do you do?

My comedy is flexible. I structure my jokes, depending on where I am administering it. I chose this style so as to be versatile.

Have you ever been embarrassed on stage?

The most notable was at Ozone (Koko Lounge), and that happened to be my first performance in a comedy club. It was devastating. I was lucky though to have some senior colleagues like AJe Baba and Odogwu who encouraged me. They told me it was the normal thing in the industry.

What’s your achievement so far?

So far, I have secured a radio programme at Bond

Who is your mentor?

My mentor is MC Shakara, and that is why I made him a top priority to be on my show.

I chose him because I love his personality; he is simple and accommodating. In the next five years, I believe that comedy will be generally accepted as a career and profession, irrespective of gender or class.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I believe I will be on top of my game. I should be among the best, by God’s grace. This is because, logically, I have practised comedy professionally for 12 months.

I am already close to the top.

What is that thing you can never be caught wearing?

I can never be seen wearing earrings.

Apart from comedy, what else do you do?

Apart from comedy, I’m also a business consultant.

One of my major clients is Sommy Creations, who is a make-up artiste. But since I started consulting for her, she has grown into an outstanding make-up artiste and she has a modelling agency that is based in Enugu and Abuja. We are working on how to break into the Lagos market as well. I am also into the media. I founded www.10ment.com, an entertainment news and music publication website.

What is your philosophy of life?

To aim high, but never feel high, because the height of success is unlimited.

What is your advice to upcoming artistes My advice is that they should be creative and consistent. A talent without concept is limited. It is not all about being funny, but bringing concept to boost your talent. Check this out; most of the funniest comedians in this country are not among the richest because they lack concept. But, you can become the richest, like AY, Teju Baby Face, Basket Mouth and others.

Do you like tattoos or body adornments?

I don’t like tattoos or studs. I like to look simple.

What is your dress sense?

If not for the high demands of corporate jobs, I love wearing T-shirts and jeans. Maybe, because they make me feel free and simple.

&

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Weddings Engagements CELEBRATING THE JOY IN MARITAL BLISS JULY 13, 2014

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

You can call this line 08062704002

Lecture room discussion culminates in marriage

F

or the families of Barrister Andy Emele and Mr Kingsley Ogboru, Snr, it was a memorable event as their children, Itepu Oghenero Amele and Kingsley Ogboru, Jnr married amid friends and family members.

The couple who are both practising lawyers met in 2010 while in Law school in Kano.

On how they met, the bride told ‘Sunday Mirror’ that, “It was during one of those lectures when you just feel the class should end. Just when the lecturer was to step out, someone raised his hand to ask a question and everyone was very angry.

However, when he started talking, he was actually making several tangible points, so I decided to go and meet him after class and find out where he got his materials. I went to him and despite the fact that almost everyone wanted to see him for the same rea-

BABIES OF THE WEEK

M son, he was patient in answering and directing each of us. That was how our friendship began and we started dating after a few weeks.”

The couple got married in Harvest Haven Church at Ajah, Lagos. They had their reception at the Trills Event Centre, also in Ajah.

For their reception, they had a peach and cream coloured theme which was also dimly decorated with lovely flowers and bulbs.

The bride wore a princess lace dress accessorised with beads and veil while the groom wore a cute black suit for their wedding.

After 8 years friendship, Osayande weds Phillips AYODELE WEKE

she would deliver through operation.

Nonetheless, after much effort from the doctor and midwife, she had her baby naturally.

On what she enjoyed eating while pregnant, she said rice and beans. She reacted to any oily food during the period.

What does she love about her baby?

She said the fact that he sleeps well at night gives her time to also sleep.

The Sulaimans wish for their son to be successful in whatever legitimate he chooses to do when he grows up.

B

O

monye Osayande and Seun Phillips met at a party while in college in the United States. She was Phillips junior in the same school.

According to Osayande, Phillips approached her for a conversation because he noticed she was not dancing or mixing with people around. He introduced himself as Sean. However, when he found out that she was a Nigerian he changed his name from ‘Sean’ to Seun and that was the beginning of their acquaintance.

Their friendship lasted for eight years before they started dating at the end of 2012. The bride spoke about how her groom proposed to her.

She explained that it was over dinner with some friends, and he suddenly stood up and was talking about their relationship and the next thing he asked her was marriage.

The couple got married on at Thomas Moore Catholic Church in the United States in the company of friends and family members.

The bride wore a mermaid wedding dress which drew lots

r. and Mrs. Sulaiman of No. 5 Ajose Street, Odunlade Shomolu, Lagos named their newborn boy Ayodele Habib.

Baby Ayodele weighed 2.91kg at birth and was born in Palmgrove community health centre in Lagos.

His mother described her period of pregnancy as stressfree. The only stress she experienced was during her final trimester and this was in the form of occasional tiredness and dizziness.

She however explained that her delivery was stressful and that at a point, she feared that

of attention, while the groom looked dashing and dapper in his black tuxedo suit.

For their traditional attire, they opted for the traditional outfits of both their tribes of Edo and Yoruba.

The traditional wedding was a beautiful blend of Edo and Yoruba cultures.

Omonye is a pharmacist while her husband Seun is an engineer.

aby Damilola Adejuwon was born at the New Testament Clinic at Okitipupa, Ondo State.

His mother, Mrs. Alice Adejuwon, a trader explained how she felt during her pregnancy period.

The body changes she experienced included back ache, chest burns, swollen hands and feet.

She said she enjoyed eating the local soup of the Apo people which was made from blended vegetable.

According to her, she loved eating this soup, especially because of its medicinal values.

She disclosed that her baby was named ‘Bidemi’ because he was born at a time when his father was not around; he was away at work.

Bidemi is described

by his mother as calm and he sleeps well.

On what she would love for him to become in future; she said a banker.

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

What to wear ‌to colour-blocking event JULY 13, 2014

ADAEZE AMOS

C

olour-blocking is not totally out of fashion. You can’t rule out the fact that some people who love e to combine bright colours still organise parties and want their attendees to come in attires that have myriyriads of colours. Indeed, there is an annual event like that. hat.

If you have a colour-blocking event to attend soon, on, and you want to look girlish, why not go for what the fashion enthusiast on this page wears!

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Perfect Cut

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Between flamboyant and c dresser: rules to abide by ADAEZE AMOS

F

ashion is indeed a lifestyle. Put simply, you are the way you look or dress. This means that you can easily know a flamboyant person from her style and colours. When a person is conservative, you can tell from her style too. If it is believed that you are what you eat, then it won’t be out of place or wrong to tell who you are from your dress sense. If you love bright and alluring colours, your wardrobe would be awash with such accessories. But if the reverse is the case, don’t be surprised if you regularly wear dull colours such as black, navy blue, brown, metallic ash, et cetera.

But whether you are a conservative or flamboyant dresser, what is paramount in fashion is to abide by its rules which are: *Blend your colours well. *Ensure you wear what fits you and carry yourself well in it. *Don’t flaunt what is offensive to decent minds. *Wear moderate heels you can be comfortable in and not ‘skyscrapers’ you would be fidgeting in. *Stick to the things you can afford. Don’t go bankrupt because you want to be fashionable.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday, July 13, 2014

conventional

Perfect Cut

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Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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African Look JULY 13, 2014 4

Models go swimming in bikini ADAEZE AMOS

T

he vibrant African print fabrics can be used to deesign all sorts of styles, including bikini or swimsuit. it.

If you are in doubt, check out these models who are re about to go swimming. Have you seen why Ankara is still treasured in fashion circles? Apart from serving as accessories, they are also used for swimming costumes. s.

If you are a fashion designer, you can, therefore, creeate styles with our home-made fabrics, of ankara, asoooke, akwa-ete, kente, among others, for Afro-bikini colollections.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sunday, July 13, 2014

Pregnancy Talk

Naughtiest Thing

with

The naughtiest thing I’ve ever done

Adaeze Amos

Yemi Blaq

08023012293 (SMS ONLY)

Having positive attitude when pregnant is imperative It doesn’t help when you are pregnant and you think it is a burden or punishment. For this reason, you begin to be antagonistic to your friends, family members, colleagues in the office and even your husband.

When you see pregnancy as a punishment, it becomes such for you. Have positive attitude to it even when you are nauseated. You should know that some ladies went through it and had their babies at last.

For instance, when super screen diva, Ufuoma Ejenobo, was pregnant with her son Isio, she glowed all through. She granted press interviews to ‘Pregnancy and You Magazine’ and did photo-shoot.

When she was asked how she felt about nausea, being her first pregnancy, her response was positive.

“Even though there are some other changes going on, that is not fun at all; there is just this great awe about the whole experience. There is the joy of knowing someone is growing inside you… Being pregnant is so much fun, especially when I feel the funny movements of the baby, I get to laugh and giggle a lot,” she recalled joyously.

What a positive thought unlike some pregeg-

nant mums who would almost bite off your ear when you tell them to adjust slightly in a commercial bus.

You don’t shout at everyone around you because you are pregnant. If you do, people would isolate you; beware, you might need them and you won’t find them when you require their help and presence most.

Always have a positive thought. Read the stories of other ladies who were once pregnant and find out how they coped, especially if this is your first pregnancy. Find out what they did right to remain gorgeous even with their protruding belly. Do not be lazy and start living a sedentary life because you are pregnant.

“I have been able to keep up with work in pregnancy… I anchor shows, events and do other things. Pregnancy has not really stopped all that; I still move around, have fun, go to places and attend my business meetings,” Ufuoma said.

Be happy that you are pregnant. Sooner than later, you would be called a mum because of the life you carried for nine months.

If you are confused about how to go about it, check out Ufuoma’s photos when she was pregnant and see how radiant she was. This can definitely help you!

I stole my mum’s money to buy fake magical pen

W

hen I was young, I was very gullible. I easily trusted people.

Soon, I paid dearly for my naivety. When I was in primary four, a friend of mine introduced a magical pen to me. He told me a lot about the pen. In fact, he praised it to high heavens.

He said the moment I started using it to write, that it would be dancing on its own. He assured me that there was no need to read my books during my exams; that my pen was up to the task.

When I mentioned the subjects that were difficult for me to pass, he quickly assured me that the magical pen he had given me knew all the subjects and that I should not waste my time reading. I believed him and I was happy.

Having been convinced about the wonders his pen would do for me, I went in search of money to buy it. When I searched and couldn’t find any, the option was to steal from my mother’s money.

I couldn’t tell her because she would definitely kick against that idea. I stole three naira and headed to buy the magical pen. Three naira at that time is equivalent to about N3,000 today. A tin of milk, for instance, cost 20 kobo then. When I got the pen, I didn’t bother again to open my notebooks. What for! After all, I had a magic pen that could do all things, I told myself.

Thus, when I brought out the pen on the day of the exam and placed it on my answer sheet for it to dance and write out answers of the questions for me, it couldn’t move. I was shocked. The unfortunate aspect was that I didn’t read my books. If I had read for that subject, I would have done well. But I trust a fake magical pen.

After the exam, I had to go back to my mum to confess that I stole her money.

Consequently, I took her to the boy who sold the pen to me, and she forcefully collected her money from him.

Blaq is a renowned Nollywood actor.

–Adaeze Amos

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Sunday, July 13, 2014

T

alking with Yemisi SEX Adeniran

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Models

Menopause is no excuse from having fun M

enopause is that period when women begin to experience some changes before or after they stop menstruating. In short, menopause marks the end of women’s reproductive period and it comes with aging. Menopause comes with a reduction in the sexual drive of the woman, as a result of the loss of estrogen and testosterone. With this, women are no longer easily aroused as the case might have been in the past.

The interest in sex is therefore reduced.

Specifically, with the reduction in the level of estrogen, the supply of blood to the vagina is low, therefore causing it to be too dry for good sex.

Sex, to most women at this time becomes irrelevant.

But does this mean that women who are experiencing menopause can no longer enjoy sex? No, some sex experts have said. As far as they are concerned, all that a woman in the state needs to do is to comply with the simple rules and continue to enjoy her sexual life as it used to be in the past. Here are some tips to make this happen: Get lubricated: Because of the resultant dryness of the vagina as a result of menopause, a woman in this state may feel uncomfortable having sex. But not to worry, all she needs to do is get a lubricant and apply. They come in varieties and different flavour. With that, the issue of dryness of the vagina is taken care of and she can enjoy herself.

Have more sex: Your response to sex may decline because of the state in which you are. You may not reach orgasm as early or as much as you used to. Again, you need not worry. Just embark on having more sex and the pleasure you have so much yearned for will come.

Stimulate yourself: Here’s another way to

ensure that your response to sex is not reduced.

Simply stimulate yourself and you will witness an increase in the blood flow to your vagina.

This will help lubricate and help your sexual desire and pleasure.

Increase your foreplay: Because of the longer time it may now take you to reach orgasm or get quite aroused, you need to encourage foreplay. Increase the tempo and watch yourself enjoy what ordinarily, you may have thought would be impossible.

Try new sex positions: Don’t confine yourself to those old styles you had always enjoyed.

Try new ones that can make the stimulation of your clitoris easy or possible. Try the positions that would make your G-spot easily accessible.

It could be the doggy style, woman-on-top or any other style that you can think of.

Make your demand: Since it is no longer business as usual, all you need to do to get what you want is to demand for it. You know how your body responds to touch; you therefore can determine how to be stimulated. So, tell your partner what you want and see how glad he would feel giving it to you. He would also be excited to see that you are enjoying the game as much as he is also doing.

Update your look: Make yourself look good and sexy. Get all that you require to make you sexy. A new piece of sexy night gown among other things may be necessary. So, ensure that you look your sexy self.

Do some exercises: Engage in some exercises to keep your body prim and proper. To keep your vagina tone intact, experts advise that you can squeeze and release the muscle used to control your urine flow. You can do it in small, quick motions and then, mix that with long, extended contractions.

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I have twin sons but I’m single for now. I need a wife from any tribe and she should be between 25 and 53 years old. Call me on –08180743815.

My name is Dennis, 25 years old. I live in Abuja and I’m working. I need a lady of 20-23 years of age for a serious relationship that will lead to marriage –09030465717.

My name is Ken and I’m mature, gentle, romantic and understanding graduate. I want a sexy, loving and caring sugar mummy for a serious relationship –09037415634.

I’m Desmond from South-East. I need a good-looking, educated HIVpositive woman for marriage –08094329913.

I’m Alex, 29 years old, fair in complexion and I live in Abuja. I need a sugar mummy of 38 years and above for a relationship –08061500561.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Celebrity

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Celebs at Yunusa’s birthday bash VICTOR UDOH

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ne of the best Yoruba actresses, Memunat Yunusa, celebrated her birthday at the popular restaurant, The Place, at Isaac John Street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos recently.

Celebs from the movie and music industry, such as Lanre Teriba, Pencil Comedian, Remyte, Osonwa Chioma, Adetipe Adebayo and Ajebutter Yomi Casual, among others were on hand to felicitate with her.

Esther (left) and Rita

Adetipe Adebayo

Ajebutter

Eletu

Lanre Teriba

Memunat Yunusa

Osonma (left) and Memunat Yunusa

Pencil

Precious Okon

Remyte

Yomi Casual

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Sunday, July 13, 2014

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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

I’m in govt to sell Nigeria through entertainment –Kanayo In 2006, Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, aka Kanayo O. Kanayo, won the African Movie Academy Award of ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role’. In 1992, he made his debut appearance in Nollywood’s first major film ‘Living in Bondage’. This actor who was appointed by the Federal Government as a member of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHTS) shares his experience with Victor Udoh on how he combines his political appointment with acting.

What does your new appointment by the Federal Government entail?

It’s a challenge to which we have also decided to square up to. One thing about public office is that it is a responsibility and you must carry it as a service to mankind. It is a matter of national pride; you are an ambassador to a particular aspect of government. Why I say this is that when you are appointed as a director-general, chairman of board, minister, and so forth, what it means is that you are the President of that place. Invariably, that is to say that you are the eye of the President in that place. The only way you can help the President who appointed you is by doing well. So, it’s a very big responsibility for me.

How do you intend to impact on the common man through this?

Through job creation, skill acquisition, making sure that the agency or the parastatal creates more wealth for Nigerians. Definitely, we cannot give everybody job, but with a triple down effect, we will create an avenue to run on.

How do you intend to combine the present task with acting?

The demand of the job is to create manpower for training in the capitalism and tourism sector of the Nigerian economy. It is intertwined as what we were doing before now was part of tourism. That is what the home movie industry is all about - selling Nigerians through entertainment.

Tourism, no matter which way you look at it, also has to do with selling the country. We are all agents of tourism. Wherever you serve, you are a tourist.

You left Ipaja this morning to come to Victoria Island, Lagos; that makes you a tourist here. You are going to patronise a restaurant here; likewise, when you buy a drink here, you have also patronised someone who is selling drinks as well. When you move from one locality to the other, you are a tourist. People must not see tourism as only moving out of countries, but to understand that one can tour to patronise products, engage in activities, lodge in hotels, and so on.

We have noticed actors going into politics; is that a new trend in the movie industry?

I cannot speak for anybody. I just told you my own perspective about my idea of politics and where I can serve my people and so on. I don’t know about anybody who ventured into politics or

are going into it.

Do you think you lost in an election because you are an actor who people view as a double character and can`t be trusted?

I haven’t, because I am coming with this mindset of providing service to the people. With the experience I have had from my sector, and being a learned person, it would be so unfortunate for me to be at home and my mother would be taken to the war front. We must, as a matter of fact, render responsibility to our people, and offer ourselves for service when the time comes.

Davido wins Best Africa act at BET Awards!

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Davido

t was a night of electrifying performances, emotional speeches and unforgettable moments at the “BET Awards ‘14” - also known as the “Black World Cup,” according to hilarious host, Chris Rock. It took place at the Nokia Theatre at Los Angeles, United States of America.

Young Money and Beyoncé both took home three awards, as did acclaimed film “12 Years A Slave” which swept the film award categories.

Pharrell Williams and August Alsina each won two awards, while Nigerian phenomenon, Davido, bought home the trophy for Best International Act: Africa.

Presenter Kerry Washington, making her first television appearance since giving birth to daughter Isabelle in April, got in on the night’s fun with co-presenter Kevin Hart, who tried to convince the crowd that he was, in fact, Oliver Pope, a reference to Kerry’s alter-ego Olivia Pope on her hit show “Scandal”.

Williams opened the show with an

energetic rendition of “Come Get It Bae” surrounded by a bevy of cheerleaders, and was joined by surprise performer and fellow Virginia native, the amazing Missy Elliott, who brought the crowd to their feet to “Pass That Dutch.”

Williams became a familiar face on the stage after winning both “Best Male R&B/Pop Artist” and “Video of the Year,” and again coming on to present music icon, Lionel Richie, with the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’.

Chris Brown also made a triumphant return to the “BET Awards” stage that drew a standing ovation.

He proved he hasn’t missed a beat delivering an incredible performance of “Loyal”, which was amped up even more with appearances by Lil Wayne, Tyga and Travis Barker.

Taking a cue from Ellen DeGeneres’ pizza delivery at this year’s Oscar® Awards, Rock provided the audience with a delivery of Roscoe’s Chicken ‘n Waffles, which they accepted with enthusiasm. Rock had the crowd laugh-

ing throughout the night, thanks to his riffs on a range of hot topics, from Donald Sterling to Jay-Z and Solange to Dr. Dre and the Beats/Apple deal.

A taped performance of Beyoncé and Jay-Z of “Partition” capped the epic night, which delivered on its promise to be the hottest ticket in town. The “BET Awards ‘14 drew the biggest names in music, entertainment and sports, with appearances

by Gabrielle Union, Keke Palmer, Regina Hall, Larenz Tate, Bow Wow, Keshia Chante, Eva Marcille, Terrence Jenkins, Keyshia Cole, Mike Tyson, Nick Cannon, Zendaya, DeSean Jackson, Boris Kodjoe, Gary Owen, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Chadwick Boseman, Tyrese and Nate Parker.

Tim King (Founder, President and CEO of Urban Prep Academies) and Denzel Thompson (a 19-year-old founder and manager of a successful community urban farm and garden) were recognised as the 2014 Shine-ALight recipients.

–Adaeze Amos

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Sunday, July 13, 2014

Search for hottest lyricist continues

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fter a successful and exciting episode one, the VS Class Episode 2 is ready for take off !

Last episode, The Chairman, MI, multiple award lyricist, Mode 9, Rap diva, Sasha P, Rap Duo Show Dem Camp and a number of top MCs came together in April to launch The VS Class, the first of its kind hip-hop radio show in Nigeria.

The first episode, which was hosted by OAPs, Olisa and Jimmie at the Beat FM featured 10 underground MCs who showcased their skills by dropping 16 mind-blowing bars for the opportunity to be named Nigeria’s biggest MC. At the end of the show, underground rapper, Eclipse, emerged winner of episode 1.

M.I, Mode9, Show Dem Camp, Sasha P performed breathtaking freestyles, non-stop that got everyone in the studio screaming with excitement.

The VS Class episode 2 held recently at the Beat 99.9FM studios and had a set of judges as Illbliss, Reminisce, Falz and Yung6ix!

The show, which was sponsored by Hennessy, featured three episodes in 2014 and had guest judges including veteran rappers and DJs in the Nigerian music industry. The show honoured rap icons in the country’s rap scene.

Sasha P and friend

Award-winning actor Wale Ojo joins Tinsel W ale Ojo, popularly known for his television series ‘Meet The Adebanjos’, has now joined the hit TV soap opera Tinsel.

He plays ‘Nosa’, a well-known established comedian and lawyer by training; known for uttering outrageous truths and taking positions that go against conventional wisdom but always with a grain of truth in them.

Nosa is a well-travelled, educated and informed but a street-savvy Nigerian with humble roots which makes his materials as a comedian well thought out and informed.

Soon coming to the realisation that he wants marriage and children, he embarks on a mission to find a partner. He soon realises that as a result of his fame and his many unsuccessful romantic relationships in the past due to his battle with bipolar disorder, he would face difficulties selecting the right partner, but will soon be romantically linked with the most unusual Tinsel character.

AfricaMagic audiences will see Ojo bring his craft and talent as a trained actor to DStv viewers come July 7, as his onscreen character, Nosa comes to live on Tinsel.

Ojo’s career as an actor spans over 30 years, and he’ll be bringing to Tinsel the grace and expertise of a TV, stage and film veteran.

Ojo

He started his acting career as a child prodigy and star on Nigeria’s first television station, WNTV, Ibadan in the 80s while turning into a professional actor at 21 in the United Kingdom, starring in both TV and stage productions.

Regional Director, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, who spoke on the new addition to the Tinsel casts, said, “Africa-

Magic is very proud of Wale Ojo’s addition to the fantastic Tinsel line-up, which further reiterates our commitment not only to identifying and developing new talents but also working with the best in the TV and film industry. This is as a result of his track record as an established and professional actor”, adding that “Tinsel fans are in for a wonderful season with some ribcracking and A-ha moments.”

In 2013, he took home the award for best actor in a film at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards for his role as ‘Akin’ in the film, PHONE SWAP. On his new role, Ojo said: “I am very excited and looking forward to the wonderful challenge to be a part of the Tinsel train, hoping that with the commendable gang of casts and crew, we’ll all be able to ride the Tinsel train to higher glory.”

Ojo can be seen in Oliver Parker’s JOHNNY ENGLISH REBORN with Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean), a doctor in John Mcdonald’s THE GUARD, alongside Oscar winner, Brendan Gleeson, and Don Cheadle.

He has made guest appearances in THE NO. 1 Ladies Detective Agency alongside Jill Scott and played a rebel army commander in NBC’s THE PHILANTROPIST with James Purefoy.

King Salvage dedicates song to the late Fela

King Salvage

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nyeahialam Christopher Sunny aka King Salvage has dedicated a new album, ‘Wetin Dey Happen’ to the late Afro beat superstar, Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

The palm wine tapper crooner, a multiple awardwinning singer, music producer and audio engineer, started music at the age of 12 in his village in Imo State.

He, however, dropped his first album titled, ‘One Love’ in 2007; the second, ‘Wicked Doctor’ in 2009, and now he is about to drop his third, which is titled “Brutality”.

According to Salvage, “this album contains 10

track songs, and the contents are all reggae-highlife/ dance hall.

He also said that it is a must-listen-to song by all the leaders as it is going to change the phase of the Nigerian music industry.

In one of the tracks (‘Wetin Dey Happen’), he talks about security unrest in the country, Boko Haram, abduction of our young girls, ‘insufficient’ minimum wage, African culture promotion, and the spirit of “Felabration” by the late Afro-beat King Fela Anikulapo Kuti.

–Victor Udoh

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Lessons of Life

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

TRUE LIFE STORY ON MATTERS OF THE HEART JULY 13, 2014

‘My husband has married my widowed friend’ We conclude the Lucas, Agatha and Eugenia story started last week. When Lucas and Agatha became married, all was well at first until Agatha could not conceive and have a baby. While she was attending a gynaecological clinic, she also met a lady, Eugenia, who had been married for over a decade but was barren. They became friends…but the friendship eventually wrecked her marriage.

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few months after Eugenia late husband’s burial, his two elder brothers showed interest in taking his property. They were unmoved how his widow would feel about it.

“They didn’t waste time in doing that because Eugenia never had a child for him after 12 years of marriage. She was chased out from her husband’s village mansion and she ran back to Lagos. When she heard from a reliable source that her inlaws were planning to take her husband’s houses in Lagos, filling stations, and building material outfits, including her school which is one of the biggest primary/secondary schools in Ajao Estate, she ran to me. She locked up her house, took some important documents and came to me. My husband and I provided her shelter because we took pity on her. When she heard that her brother-in-laws had gone to her late husband’s petrol stations to take charge; Lucas introduced her to a lawyer,” Agatha said.

Eugenia lived with Agatha and Lucas for almost a year while her court case was going on. When she became strong enough to live alone, she moved out of “my house but she stole my husband’s heart. I later discovered that she had fallen in love with my husband before she parked out,” she revealed.

The discreet affair between Lucas and Eugenia started right inside Agatha’s matrimonial home but she wasn’t aware of it.

“I accepted Eugenia as a sister. I allowed her into every part of my house including the master’s bedroom. I trusted her so much that when she was less busy and I was at work, she would prepare our dinner. She was a wonderful cook and I never believed she would stab me in the back. I liked the way she related well with Lucas my husband but I did not know she had an ulterior motive. My husband felt at home with her maybe because she was good in cooking and tidying up the home. Being an interior decorator, the first thing she did was to rearrange the chairs and beds in my house. She placed them accordingly and we had more spaces, especially in the master’s bedroom,” Agatha said.

When she started suspecting that something amiss and intimate was going on between Lucas and Eugenia was “one night when I woke up from sleep around 1.45 a.m.

I looked for Lucas and he wasn’t in the bed.

I went to the living room and I saw him and

Eugenia watching late night movies. When I opened the door, they pretended as if they didn’t notice me. They were engulfed in the movie. When I asked Lucas to come to bed, he said he wanted to sit and watch the movie to the end. When I requested that he should come inside his bedroom to watch since the TV in the room had same connection with the one in the living room, he was adamant. When I spoke to Eugenia, she looked at me with disdain. When I asked if she would not go to sleep, she hesitated before she said she wasn’t feeling sleepy and that I should leave her alone to think about her life. I walked back into the bedroom shocked. It was difficult for me to sleep. I waited until Lucas joined me in the room, about two hours later.”

When Lucas sauntered in, Agatha told him that she would ask Eugenia to pack out of her house since she had won the case and her lawyer was able to stop her late husband’s brothers from taking his property.

“As if that was what Lucas expected me to say, he cut me short. He said he knew I would throw a poor widow out just because she was better than me in everything. I was shocked at that statement, but I insisted Eugenia must leave my house.”

She did the next morning when Agatha asked her to leave. She went back to her house at Ajao Estate “and that was the day she left with my husband’s heart. Lucas was always with her in her house and when I queried him about that, he would tell me he went to see whether all was well with her.

When I warned him to desist, he still continued but started making his visits secret.

There was enough reason to believe he was still going to see Eugenia. First, he stopped

eating my food regularly. Also, he discontinued making love to me. Though we slept on the same bed, we did like strangers until one night when I complained that I needed to be pregnant for him after seven years of marriage. At that, he shouted loudly, ‘Give me a break woman! Haven’t I tried in making sure that this marriage bears fruit?

Just two years ago, we went to see a doctor together and I spent a huge sum of money on medications he gave to both of us. The doctor said I should make love to you every night for one month at a stretch so that you could get pregnant. Didn’t I do it? What was the result of it? Nothing! I nearly died on top of you while doing it. Months after, you came back with some horrible-looking herbs, with foul odour from your granny for me which I drank till the last bottle to make sure you became pregnant, yet nothing. Leave me alone! At a time, I felt as if incapacitated, although doctors said I had no problem about fertility. I almost started doubting them until your friend Eugenia proved them right. She is pregnant for me and that means we would get married soon.

She has accepted to be my second wife. She would remain in her house and it would not change anything between us. It’s just that she too longed to be pregnant but her late husband had some challenges! When I heard Lucas comment, I broke down and wept,” she lamented.

In the morning, Agatha took ill. She had fever and couldn’t go to work. She locked herself up in her room refused to see Lucas. While she was there brooding over Lucas’ bombshell, her phone rang; it was her mother. Her mother informed her that her granny was dead.

“She died in her sleep. I wonder why

this should happen now that I’m not feeling well. They have deposited her body in the morgue. Help me tell Lucas your husband.

I would call you back in the evening,” she said mournfully.

Agatha listened in shock. When she dropped the receiver, her mind suddenly flashed back to her last encounter with her granny. In her mind’s eyes she saw herself in her granny’s house in the village, sitting before her and taking the freshly prepared herb, according to the old woman’s prescription. The elderly woman looked at her deeply and shook her head in pity. Her words flashed back at her memory, “Agatha Nwa-nwa m (my grandchild), hmm! I have seen it, but take heart my child. It would not kill you; it would only shock you to your bones…unless you hearken to my instruction on what to do to avert it. Something would happen to you that would shock you terribly. A friend would betray you and Lucas your husband would do something you never expected or imagined. Since you are as stubborn as your mother who refused to hearken to my instruction in the past, because a prophetess is not recognised in her kingdom, don’t worry then. But the good thing is that the problem would not kill nor swallow you; it would only teach you a lesson of life.”

At that, Agatha wept and started soliloquizing, “Chai, granny was right. If I had known, I would have listened to her.

She said there was something I could have done to avert it. But I rebuffed her and reminded her how she had been called unprintable names because of her visions.

Oh poor granny, how sorry I am for rebuffing you. But if I had known, I would have listened and allowed you say the things I ought to have done to avert it. Now, it is late, you are gone. She sobbed until she heard a knock on her door. She knew it was Lucas. Hesitantly, she delivered her mother’s message.

“My mother called and said her mother, my granny, died in her sleep and that her body had been deposited in the morgue.”

“Oh so sad,” he said, looking at her with pity. Before he walked out of the room, he paused to deliver Eugenia’s message to her.

“Eugenia said I should give you her Honda Accord car which she wanted to sell because it had been parked for a long time in her compound. Here is the key. The car is still strong and clean. We are going to see her aged father soon for our traditional marriage. Since it is up to one year that her husband died, she can remarry. She said I should tell you that she would give you your due respect as the first wife,” he said.

As he was about to walk to the living room, Agatha threw the key to the car at him. She broke down again and sobbed uncontrollably.

Readers, Agatha needs your advice.

If you were in her shoes, what would you do?

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

From the Pulpit

Sunday July 13, 2014

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Guard your mind, counsels Prophet Oloruntimilehin General Overseer of Omnipotence Mission of God, Prophet Joshua Daramola Oloruntimilehin, in this admonition, harps on the need to watch what goes on in your mind. Excerpts:

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piritual investigation and study reveal that whatever a person bears in his or her mind before going to sleep at night, he or she would dream about of it. If the person does not dream about it that very night, in a week’s time, the person would dream it. The person would have forgotten that he or she thought of it before going to sleep at night.

Similarly, if a person desires to eat a particular food before going to sleep at night and he or she could not get the food to eat, it is possible for the person to dream a week or month later that he or she ate that particular food in his or her sleep. Then the person would be worried and troubled that somebody gave him or her food in the dream. This is one of the spiritual researches carried out. If it is the food people claimed they ate in dreams that causes their problems and predicaments, then many people would not have been alive today or they would not be happy and enjoying their lives.

Whenever a person is hungry and wants to eat a particular food which he or she saw another eating and the person could eat it before going to sleep, the eyes would have captured and recorded it in the retina and transferred it to the brain which would be played back as a dream while sleeping.

A man or woman that is nursing the spirit of adultery in his or her mind would always want to have sexual intercourse with the opposite sex. Also, a mother that always thinks and shows too much concern for her child and could not sometime damn and ignore the child would always have problems. In fact, such mothers do not command any regard and respect from the children. Truly, mothers are to show concern for their children but not a burden in their minds. When a mother or father damns her or his child occasionally, the child would caution herself or himself not to offend

his or her parent.

A great prophet of God shared his experience with me during our discussion on why people should be wary of giving preference to worldly things than God in their minds. Since the advent of mobile phone 12 years ago, this prophet of God had never entered the church with his mobile phone for service. On a particular Sunday, he came into the church with his phone and placed it in his office behind the altar. While the service was in progress, he entered his office and found many missed calls of the same number on the phone. Then he decided to call the number and got response that a member of his church had a fatal accident and the person was in the hospital. Immediately, he called some of his elders and pastors to go and see the victim. He was so thankful to God that if not for the phone he brought to the church, he would not have known what happened to his member.

After the service, the people came back and gave him feedback. About two weeks later, he came into the church with the phone again and went to his office and saw missed calls of the number. He dialled the number and got response that the church patroness was critically ill. He became worried because the woman was not in the church. In the same vein, he sent some emissaries to the woman in the hospital.

Later, he noticed that whenever he did not come into the church with the phone, he was not getting distressed missed calls. Then he reflected and thought deeply on the matter and noticed that prior to his coming into the church with phone, he was not receiving distress calls and his church members were not encountering problems. Immediately, he realised his undoing and stopped the act of coming into the church with phone.

The implication is that the man of God had

Prophet Oloruntimilehin

allowed the phone to be important than his life.

He was having the phone because he wanted to receive distress calls and definitely distress calls would come in. God knew he was putting his mind on vain things.

The spirit of God does not stay in an unsettled mind, so a doubtful mind does not create an avenue for the spirit of God to dwell in a person’s mind.

Imagine Peter, a disciple of Jesus Christ, who had double mind. He and other disciples saw Jesus walking on water and Peter requested if he could come. Jesus obliged him. He then stepped into the water and found he was walking on the water. When he imagined himself sinking, he immediately started sinking until Jesus rescued him and told him he had little faith. Matthew 14 verse 25 – 31 says,”…immediately, he reached out his hand and caught him. You of little faith, he said why did you doubt?”

Therefore, a person that believes that some-

‘God’s mercy is available for you’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 24

thus executed the judgments of God upon him as an enemy to God and Israel.

Judge 3: 15- 22 says, “But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man left handed: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab 16. But Ehud made him a dagger which had two edges, of a cubit length; and he did gird it under his raiment upon his right thigh. 17. And he brought the present unto Eglon king of Moab: and Eglon was a very fat man. 18. And when he had made an end to offer the present, he sent away the people that bare the present. 19 But he himself turned again from the quarries that were by Gilgal, and said, I have a secret errand unto thee, O king: who said, Keep silence. And all that stood by him went out from him. 20. And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat. 21. And Ehud put forth his left hand, and took the dagger from his right thigh, and thrust it into his belly: 22. And the haft also went in after the blade; and the fat closed upon the blade, so that he could not draw the dagger out of his belly; and the dirt came out”.

It does not matter the degree of sin you

have committed that has caused God to bring the judgment of sickness upon your body, failure of your business and lack of favour, what matters is your willingness to repent from your evil way, amend your ways and cry for mercy to the Almighty God, and mercy will come. God has the power to reverse all the ugly experience your sin has brought to your life, family and business. You might be suffering for years and you do not know that you have forsaken God. You have gone into evil and that is why God allowed you to suffer and you have been struggling to be free from sickness and no way from poverty, barrenness and unemployment because you have done something wrong and evil.

So God abandoned you and the enemy has taken over your life. But there is still hope if you can cry to God today for mercy today. David found himself in such situation and he cried unto God for mercy and God answered him.

Psalm 51:1-6 says, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.2.

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.3. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.4. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5. Behold,

I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.6. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom”.

When David was under the judgment of God because of his sin, he cried out for mercy and the Lord heard him.

He, being convinced of his sin, poured out his soul to God in prayer for mercy and grace.

David had not only done much, but suffered much in the cause of God; yet he ran to God’s infinite mercy anytime he discovered the presence of God was no longer with him, and he depended upon that alone for pardon and peace. He knew that without mercy, he would be totally ruined.

So this great man of God knew how to pull the God’s hand for deliverance. If only you can repent with all your heart, God will show you mercy and all judgment against you shall be no more.

2 Samuel 12:13 says, “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die.”

As you cry and ask God to remember mercy, God will answer you and your problem will be over. Remember that there are many people that cried for mercy and God had mercy on them. Peter denied Christ and said he did not know Him but when he cried out to God; God had mercy on him and recovered him, and many others who pleaded for mercy

thing would happen to him or her has already cursed himself or herself. Brethren, let your mind be very light. Do not allow anything to bug your mind. If a person’s mind is not light, there is nothing the person requests for that would be granted for him or her. If a person wants the spirit of God in his or her life, what is required is to relax the pressure exerted on the mind. In the process, start rejecting and forsaking certain things and allow your mind to be clean and pure to man and God. Do not fight, endure and tolerate that anger that is coming, and the stain and insult that are coming. Do not claim to be too wise because you might eventually be the foolish person. When all these are done, then the body and mind would become lighter. Avoid telling lies, committing adultery, greed, etc. All these are sins that make the mind to be heavy. Finally, endeavour to be doing what is godly so as to have free mind.

when they saw the effect of God judgment on their lives and God had mercy and cancelled the judgment that was against them.

No matter your evil in the past and its consequences which are currently all over your life, it doesn’t matter the trouble you are passing through now; maybe because of that prison you are into, you lost your opportunity in the Lord because you have done something contrary to the will of God, He has allowed your enemy to capture you. It could be that right now, no progress at all in whatsoever you are doing and you are wondering when are you going to be free from all these and these have been the effect of you abandoning God, turning away from God, living in sin and you think you are going to make it by living in sin. If this is your case, I want to let you know that mercy is the option.

If you repent and ask God for mercy, am assuring you that God will show you mercy. I want to let you know that whenever you are away from God, things will not work in your favour.

All you have to do if you want God’s intervention in your life is to cry out for mercy and He will show you mercy and cancel the judgment in Jesus name. Remember the Bible said mercy rejoices over judgment. As God lays His hands on you today, the judgment would be cancelled in Jesus name.

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From the Pulpit Learn with Kunle

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

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hristianity which is a religion of mystery is beyond human comprehension. It is spiritual and can only be understood by spirit filled people. Christianity is not about church worship, clapping of hands, dancing or tithing. It is more than all these. It is not about keeping the rigid tenets or doctrines of a church. It is about individual relationship with the living God. Many people who attend churches today are not Christians but worshippers of God they do not know. The Bible says, ‘’You, however are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ’’- Romans 8 : 9. A Christian is one that accepts Jesus Christ into his life and lives a pure life in Christ. Bible confirmed this, ‘’….he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come’’- 2 Cor 5 :17. We all know that many people go to church today not to worship or appreciate God for the gift of life but for selfish and personal purpose.

This is why church has become a booming industry.

Bible is not the Word of God but the MIND of God. It expresses the will of God for humanity and it contains prophecies, history and poetry. It cannot be read and understood by non-spirit filled man because the Words are too theological and technical to understand and interpret; that is why Jesus sent his disciples out to ‘’go…and preach and teach’’ Matt 28: 18-20, after making them stay with him long enough to know his purpose in life and he also told them that Holy Spirit ‘’….

Let’s go

BIBLE with Favour

Tioluwani Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

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’ve heard so much about in-laws; so many people with terrible experiences.

My prayer has been, I should not have any. That they would have died before I entered into my husband’s house. Now I am married and already having some bad experiences with my in-laws. What do I do.?

In-laws are human beings just like you and me. It’s not that when they get into that position they will acquire some special power. No. If you wish them dead that means the man or woman that is about getting married to your son or daughter will be praying for your death too. And if your boy is getting married at 25 and you are just 45, that means you would have dead before 45years old leaving your other children motherless. It all depends on how you allow God to handle your in-laws for you.

Starting from the basics: Adam and Eve learned that the husband/wife relationship must be a couple’s first and foremost priority.

It must be without parental prying! It must be without interference from in-laws! God’s plan and purpose for marriage is that husbands and wives leave their parents in order to cleave to one another.

Sunday July 13, 2014

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God is more than 10 per cent

will teach you all things…’’- John 14 : 26b.

Bible must be studied historically and exegetically to be appreciated properly.

There is always confusion or misunderstanding when Bible passages are quoted or preached out of context. We must not forget that all the events recorded in the Bible covered a period of over 3,500 years before the Bible was written. Some of the events reported or theologically explained

by Paul were situational. Moreover, the Old Testament of the Bible contains the dealing of God with the Israelites as a nation and also talks about the plan of God to send a Saviour that will save the world.

Christianity is about Jesus Christ bringing all men and women—Jews, Greeks and Gentiles to God and keeping them together under his grace and not controlling them by laws or any particular doctrines. Paul said, ‘’We do not want you to be uninformed brothers….’’ 2 Cor 1: 8 and moreover he said, ‘’ Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant….’’ - I Thess 4 : 13. I do not want to be involved in any argument about church denominationalism or doctrinal rigidity of any sect of Christianity, rather I want to talk mainly and plainly about biblical and theological interpretation of the Bible, proving how to use the word of God for our generation.

Bible is historical and it contains human events that happened especially with the life of Israel and Jesus Christ. God is more than ten percent and he did not demand it for himself. He demanded this from Israelites, so that the Levites who were responsible for the keeping of the Synagogue and maintaining the Laws can have something to maintain themselves because they were not given any land to plough and farm while the remaining

twelve tribes had land and other skills to survive. Studying the main Bible passage normally quoted by church leaders to harass people who refuse to pay tithe, one will find out that it refers to the ‘’ descendants of Jacob ‘’ and said,’’ Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them…..’’ and it went on to where God said to them, ‘’Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me….In tithes and offerings…You are under a curse—the whole nation of you…

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house….’’

Mal 3 : 6 – 10. God was going to put a curse on the whole nation of Israel not on an individual. God is Spirit and does not need food. I am not against donation in the church, after all, church must be maintained but people deserve the truth.

I am sure that many people will pay more than ten percent if they are encouraged and not manipulated. I was a pastor for 13 years and we never collected tithes and while the church grew spiritually, numerically, financially and intellectually, the members were richly blessed by God whose responsibility is to bless, counsel, instruct, protect and provide. Ps 32 : 8; 37 : 3-5.

Judaism which is the religion of Jews is man dominant and about strictly obeying laws while Christianity is about Jesus Christ and grace. ‘’ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ ‘’ - John 1: 17. In Christ, God does not separate man from woman. In the prayer room, both men and women were there when Holy Spirit descended on the 120 people. I am sure that women were there when Jesus told his disciples to stay in Jerusalem

until they are endued with power. Acts 1 : 4, 8. The Samaritan woman Jesus met at Sychar became the first evangelist in the world. John 4 : 7 – 30, 39 -42. She was even a woman despised by people of her town but she was a chosen vessel of God. Church leadership is about spiritual gift, knowledge and skills and not about gender. Every Christian is a minister and a leader to lead people to Christ through actions, words and behaviour.

God is not interested in church hierarchy which has become the interest of many people to earn public respect and fame. People who are not called, who do not understand the Bible, who have not served any apprenticeship or internship or assistantship or who have not received any pastoral or leadership training now claim to be bishops and archbishops. Many church leaders that have not attended any Bible college now claim to hold degrees because it is easy to buy them from non accredited colleges. There is no control in church profession in Nigeria. All Christian organisations like Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN ) and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria ( PFN ) have no legal power to punish any erring member, leader or church.

God calls all the people of the world to salvation but chooses few for leadership position with special gifts to prove his livingness. Every believer is directly responsible to God to render the account of his or her stewardship while on earth.

2 Cor 5 : 10.

•Prof. Kunle Macaulay is the Director of Studies of United Bible University, Lagos. Phone: +447448533586; email: profkunlemacaulay@yahoo.com

Should my parents-in-law die?

Genesis 2:24-25 says, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”

In the original text, the words for “leave” and “cleave” are very strong ones. The word for “leave” literally means “to abandon, to forsake”; and the word for “cleave” literally means “to adhere firmly, to be strongly attached.” If a husband and wife want to have a good and growing marriage, they will put a boundary around themselves and they will not allow anyone or anything to separate or divide them against themselves.

Naturally, husbands and wives should love their parents and in-laws. Naturally, husbands and wives should love and nurture their children. But God’s purpose and plan for husbands and wives is that their marriage be first and foremost. For only when their marriage relationship is shielded from outside influence and interference can a husband and wife truly grow and mature in marriage together.

Only when a couple “leaves and cleaves” will they be able to develop a healthy and adult relationship to their parents and in-laws.

For one thing, we genuinely tried to practice the “leave and cleave” principle. God said, “For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife” (Genesis 2:24). God’s direction in our lives took us more than a thousand miles away from our parents’ homes, and that forced us to weaken our parental ties and strengthen our bond to each other whether we understood God’s com-

mand clearly or not. But the point is, knowingly or unknowingly, we did obey the exhortation of Scripture.

Then, beyond leaving and cleaving, we read that a husband and wife are to be “weaving.”

They are to become one flesh. This involves the intimate joy of knowing and being known, of loving and being loved. The sexual union of husband and wife is God’s gracious gift for consummating the marriage bond - intended for procreation and intended for pleasure. Indeed Solomon’s poetry affirms the beauty of sexual expression within the one-flesh marriage relationship involving spiritual, emotional and physical dimensions.

Leaving, cleaving and “weaving” - these are the steps a husband and wife must take if they are to have a successful and satisfying marriage. Certainly, the first couple followed this threefold guidance from the Lord.

However, when questions start arising as such as those below, you have to sit up.

“You think more of your folks than you do of me, don’t you?”

“How can you say you love me when you side with them against me?”

“You’re always ready to do what they want you to do, but you seldom want what I want.”

“Why don’t you ever cook like my mother?”

“You sound just like your mother when you nag me like that.”

“You let your parents run our lives. Why can’t you stand up to them?

Even though you both came from fine Christian homes and had parents who wanted to do the will of God and who had no desire to

interfere in our lives. They wanted only God’s will for us-nothing more, nothing less. And as a result, we probably had far fewer problems over in-laws than most young couples have.

Yet statements like some of those above were heard our home periodically.

Many couples are not able to get geographically removed from their parents, and so it becomes more convenient for them to put their parents’ wishes before their mate’s. But the scriptural principle is unmistakable -after we marry, our mates come before our parents. Our parents are no longer in charge of our lives.

There may be times when we need to make decisions that will be unpopular with them.

While they may think they know what is best for us, that is not necessarily so.

In Christian love, we will listen to their opinions and consider them prayerfully, but in the end, we must decide on the basis of what will be best for our spouses and our children. It may take a great deal of courage to stand up to our parents, but God will provide that courage if we turn to Him in faith. We must always act in love and kindness, but we may need to act decisively.

We had to remember also that we could no longer depend on our parents for material support. If they gave to us (which they did, generously), we would accept it gratefully.

•You can send in your QUESTIONS and the Holy Spirit will be set to give you the ANSWERS. Barr. (Mrs.) Favour Tioluwani Tel: 08050272259 or 07062738213. Email: letsgobible@gmail.com

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Rapture is coming

with Pastor

Ade-David

Rapture Expectant Ministry Email: jacobpastordavid@yahoo.com

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ur Lord Jesus Christ was found as a man in every respect, and as such He slept on a pillow, rocked by the waves of the sea.

The storm and the billows beat upon the vessel, although the Creator was on board, in the person of that weary, sleeping workman.

Profound mystery! The one who made the sea, and could hold the winds in His almighty grasp, lay sleeping in the hinder part of the ship, and allowed the sea and the wind to treat Him as unceremoniously as though he were an ordinary man. Such was the reality of the human nature of our blessed Lord. He was weary – He slept, being tossed on the bosom of that sea which His hands had made. Oh, let’s pause and meditate on this wondrous sight. Look closely, think upon it. We cannot expatiate upon the scene; we can only muse and worship.

But, as we have said, unbelief roused the blessed Lord out of His sleep. ‘They awake Him, and say unto Him, master, caress thou not? How it must have wounded the sensitive heart of the Lord! How could they ever think that He was indifferent to their trouble and danger? How completely must they have lost sight of His love, to say nothing of His power, when they could bring themselves to say “caress thou not?

And yet, have we not in all this a mirror in

From the Pulpit

Sunday July 13, 2014

Looking unto Jesus (2) which to see ourselves reflected? Assuredly we have. How often, in moments of pressure and trial, do our hearts conceive, if our lips do not utter the question, “caress thou not? It may be we are laid on a bed of sickness and pain, and we know that one word from the God of all power and might could chase away the malady and rise us up: and yet the word is withheld. Or perhaps we are in need of temporal supplies, and we know that the silver and gold, and the cattle upon a thousand hills, belong to God – yea, that the treasures of the universe are under His hand- and day after day rolls in and our need is not supplied. In a word, we are passing through deep waters, in some way, or another: the storm rages, wave after wave rolls over our tiny vessel, we are brought to extremity, we are at our wits’ end and our hearts often feels ready to send up the terrible question, ‘caress thou not? The thought of this is deeply humbling. To think of our grieving the loving heart of Jesus by our unbelief and suspicion should fill us with the deepest contrition.

And then the absurdity of unbelief! How can that one who gave His life for us – who left His glory and came down into his world of toil and misery and died a shameful death to deliver us from eternal wrath- how can such a one ever fail to care for us? But yet we are ready to doubt, or we grow impatient under the trial of faith, forgetting that the very trial from which we so wince is far more precious than gold, for the former is an imperishable reality, whereas the latter must perish the using. The more genuine faith is tried, the

brighter it shines: and hence the trial, however severe, is sure to issue in praise and honour and glory to Him who not only implants the faith, but also passes it through the furnace and sedulously watches it therein.

But the poor disciples failed in the moment of trial. Their confidence gave way.

They roused their master from His slumber with that most unworthy question, “caress thou not that we perish? Alas, what creatures we are! We are ready to forget ten thousand mercies in the presence of a single difficulty.

David could say, ”I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul”; and how did it turn out? Saul fell on mount Gilboa, and David was established on the throne of Israel. Elijah fled for his life at the threat of Jezebel; and what was the issue? Jezebel was dashed to pieces on the pavement, and Elijah was taken to Heaven in a chariot of fire. So here, the disciples thought they were going to be lost, with the son of God on board; and what was the result? The storm was hushed into silence, and the sea became as glass, by that voice which of old had called worlds into existence “And He arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, peace, be still and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”

What a combination of grace and majesty is here! Instead of rebuking them for having disturbed His repose, he rebukes those elements which had terrified them. It was thus he replied to their question, “caress thou not?

Blessed Master! Who would not trust thee?

Who would not adore thee for thy patient grace and unupbraiding love?

Ingredients that procure good success in life Prophet Lai Bamidele, General Overseer of Christ Glorious Endtime Evangelical Ministry, Abule-Egba, Lagos, in this exhortation, explains ingredients that lead to success in life . Excerpts:

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n everything you do, just like in preparing your dish, you require certain ingredients to make good that which you like.

It is what you know that guarantees your success; it is what you do with what you know that makes your life prosperous. You cannot get out of life what you have not put into it. I like to encourage you that when you want to do anything, there must be an input.

Listen to me: if ever you will make it in life, you must take some progressive steps for you to move forward in life. Destiny is not a matter of change; destiny is a matter of choice.

Listen to me: I have chosen in life when I was nothing, I told God that I must succeed in life.

Life is a matter of choice, what you choose to become is what you will become. If you choose to fail, failure is sitting at your table; if you choose to succeed, success is beside you.

Life is all about choice. What you choose to be that is what you will be.

Listen to me! There are some Christians what they do in every journey of their pursuit, when they fail, they will say ‘I have failed again’ and because of this pronouncement of theirs, failure continues to follow them and naturally becomes their portion. Whatever you choose to become is what you will become. Have you decided to choose success or do you want to choose failure? Those that fail have no base in life. Listen to me! I told God no matter how many times I fall, I must succeed.

Listen, life is not only about trials before your labour stops. In every storm in life, if you can hold yourself, success will be yours at the end.

In every journey in life, no matter the trial, no matter the temptation, if you choose success, nobody can stop you from succeeding in life.

Do you know some of you the ingredients you need to succeed are in your hands? Ignorance

has made you not to discover this, and until you discover, you cannot recover. That is why I said in every of my teachings I told you that it is the attitude of an airplane that determines the performance of that airplane.

Listen to me! To every pilot that refuses the instruction of his instructor, he will only crash that aircraft. One of the ingredients you require to succeed in life is for you to obey every word that you hear from the Lord. But many of you, you hear a different thing and you go about doing a different thing. Some people will go to members of the church telling them one reason or the other they should not come to the church; they are not fighting me, they are fighting God who is the owner of the church.

I am just privileged to be directing the affairs of the church. If I leave today, the ministry will continue. So why would anybody choose to destroy what God has not destroyed.

I like to encourage you that if you want to succeed in life, there is only one thing I would advise and that is that when you are tired of a place, no one forced you to go there, and you don’t need any force to leave there; so if you know you are not blessed there, move from there and do well to leave peacefully because you do not know, but there may be something which could bring you there at a later date. We have seen people whom God called and they go to their spiritual fathers and ask for blessings before establishing their own ministries and still maintain the relationship they have with their spiritual father. Such persons will always receive blessings from God for their humility and good conduct.

Here me today: Everyone that follows faithfully with all your heart under this race, under this anointing, if I be a prophet of God, before the close of this year, you will have a tangible testimony to share. Those who follow faith-

Pastor Bamidele

fully, without doubts in their hearts; those that believe this race; that believe this purpose, if I be a prophet of God, year 2014 will not end until you encounter an outstanding person.

The Lord spoke to me that there is someone, you have been following God for quite some time now and have not had testimony but God said to me, that within a short time, he will surprise you, he will visit you.

When you don’t have strategy in life, you will suffer tragedy in life. Listen to me; you must learn to add to what you know. Do you know that the graduate of 20 years ago is equivalent to diploma holder today because we are in computer age, those days were analogue days. I want to encourage you to learn those things you don’t know so that you will not be fizzled out. You can’t be cooking the same soup all the time without adding another taste; people will get tired of your food.

Sometime ago, a Yoruba woman used to come to me for prayers and was complaining that customers were not coming to eat her food.

One day, the Holy Spirit led me that I should go visit her and pray with her. The day I went

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There is something perfectly beautiful in the way in which our blessed Lord rises, without an effort, from the repose of perfect humanity into the essential deity. As man, wearied with His work, He slept on a pillow; as God, He rises, and, with his almighty voice, hushes the storm and calms the sea.

Such was Jesus – very God and very man and such He is now, ever ready to meet His people’s needs, to hush their anxiety and remove their fears. Oh that we trusted Him more simply! We have a little idea on how much we lose by not leaning on the arm of Jesus day by day. We are easily terrified. Every breath of wind, every wave, every cloud, agitates and depresses us. Instead of calmly lying down and reposing beside our Lord, we are full of terror and beside our Lord, we are full of terror and perplexity. Instead of using the storm as an occasion for trusting Him, we make it an occasion for doubting Him. No sooner does some trifling trouble arise than we think we are going to perish, although He assures us that he has numbered the vary hairs of our head. Well may He say to us as he said to His disciples, “Why are ye fearful?

How is it that ye have faith?’

It would indeed seem at times as though we had no faith” but oh, His hinder love is ever near to shield and succor us, even though our unbelieving heart is so ready to doubt His word. He does not deal with us according to our poor heart of Him, but according to His own perfect love towards us.

•Your Steward: Pastor Jacob Ade-David can be reached at No. 54/56 Okesuna Street, Lagos Island Lagos. Tel: 08023535110, 08023539857,, 08034078158, Email:jacobpastordavid@yahoo.com

there, I saw the reason she didn’t have customers. The curtain at her entrance was dirty; flies were flying all around inside the shop. I told her that I am not praying and asked her to tidy the place up because I will be back the week after to inspect. When I went back, she had tidied the place and I prayed for her and after this, people started coming.

Listen to me today: In the journey of life, you can’t expect me to accord you recognition or you want to see me and you are garbed in rags. The first impression I get even without praying I ask myself ‘is this person normal.’ It is your attitude that determines altitude; it is the way you dress, that you will be addressed.

You can’t say you want to go visit the state governor or go for an interview putting on bathroom slippers or wearing tattered clothes, the soldiers will accost you and drive you away.

No matter the idea you have, the idea has nowhere to go. Life is all about packaging. Some people may not have any knowledge; even in the church, you will see someone without any anointing having an air conditioned building as church and people rushing to the place because he has packaged things well. I like to encourage you, even if you are a minister of God, if you don’t read, you have nowhere to go.

One of the greatest stigmas in a man’s life is for a man not to know what to do next. You must learn to take steps beyond where others have stopped. I implore the youth as they have known God, to take the right steps so as not to make same mistake as their parents. If I had not taken the step I took which by going against the religion which my parents practiced, I would not have made it to where I am today. So you need to take some bold steps in life. You are a youth in the church, you don’t have anything you do in the church; you are a bench warmer.

You are the type that checks the chair for dirt before sitting lazily in church on Sunday. If you follow the path of your parents, you will end up like your parents, but if you follow the path of God, you will end up gloriously.

•For Counselling, contact: Pst_lai@yahoo. com. Phone: 0807448415, 08027502864 and 08161285586

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From the Pulpit

T The Voice of wisdom o

with Dr. David

Oyedepo

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ast week, I told you that love is our connectivity to divinity, which confers dominion on our lives. Love for God is the master key to a supernatural walk. Apart from that, I showed you things that qualify you for divine encounters. Also, I showed you the three categories of love recognized in scriptures.

This week, I will show you three vital forces of life and proofs of being in love.

Three Vital Forces Of Life There are three vital forces that rule life. They are faith, vision and love, but the greatest of these is love. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (1 Corinthians 13:13).

These are the three vital forces that define the quality of any man’s destiny.

Hope means vision, but the Bible says, the greatest of these is love. Vision works by faith, and faith works by love.

When a person’s love for God graduates into marriage, such a person becomes a first lady of the kingdom of God,

Sunday July 13, 2014

The miracle power of love! (2) enthroned to command the supernatural — a spouse of the King of Kings.

Every genuine lover of God is entitled to His unending visitations. As long as your love is in place, your fellowship with God remains intact. An encounter with the love of God, as a way of life, is the greatest spiritual experience anyone can ever have.

Proofs of Being in Love • You will love His Word: If you are actually in love with God, you will be in love with His Word (Psalm 119:97-100).

• You will love His house: I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord (Psalm 122:1).

• You will obey Him: Obedience is one of the vital proofs of true love. If you are not walking in obedience, you are not in love. Every time your obedience becomes questionable, your love is questionable (1 John 5:3).

What love does is to celebrate obedience (John 14:21).

• You will take delight in speaking of Him: You speak of Him to everyone who cares to hear. Love becomes like fire shut up in your bones — you can’t hold it.

You can’t love Him and not take delight in speaking of Him at any given opportunity.

Please, get in love with Christ. Get

your love for Christ empowered, and seek revelations that will turn you into an addicted lover. Nobody ever looses out with God; you are always on the winning team with God. The midst of the year Although the month of June has come and gone, June and July are the most sensitive months of this year. God has special packages for His people in the middle of the year. All we need is to be awake and sensitive, so we can encounter God’s presence.

I am speaking to you as a prophet, and by the raw Word of the Lord that came to me concerning the season that we are in. God has His wonder agenda for the midst of the year (Habakkuk 3:2-3).

Though June is gone, endeavour to make this July the most spiritual season of your life.

This is the season of greater glory.

The Bible says: The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former... (Haggai 2:9). This is a season of divine appearance of God to His people, which will change everyone’s story.

However, you must pass the love test, in order to take delivery of these packages. Also, expect supernatural change of stories, as you engage heartily in soulwinning this season. I pray that the won-

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ders of the midst of the year will answer for you this season, in the name of Jesus!

Friend, the power and grace to love God is the preserve of those born again.

You are born again by confessing your sins and accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour.

You can do so now if you haven’t been, as you say this prayer: “Lord Jesus, I come to You today. I am a sinner. I can’t help myself. Forgive me of my sins.

Cleanse me with Your precious Blood.

From today, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Now I know I am a child of God.” I will continue this teaching next week.

The Exceeding Grace of God shall be your portion this year, in the name of Jesus!

Every exploit in life is a product of knowledge. For further reading, please get my books — Born To Win and Walking In The Miraculous.

I invite you to come and fellowship with us at the Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, the covenant home of Winners. We have four services on Sundays, holding at 6:00 a.m., 7:50 a.m., 9:40 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. respectively.

• I know this teaching has blessed you. Write and share your testimony with me through: Faith Tabernacle, Canaan Land, Ota, P.M.B. 21688, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria; or call 7747546-8; or E-mail: feedback@lfcww.org

The ambiguous deceiver and the acquiescing deceived (3)

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he world has been baptized into the Church. The Church has mingled and mixed up with the world. Too many wolves in sheep’s clothing litter the religious landscape. Robbery kingpins have some Pastors and Imams as their gang-members and godfathers.

Ministers are molesting our boys and girls. Is the Church not fast becoming more dangerous than the world? God have mercy! We are truly in the last days!

These religious “book-haramists” are “enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is their shame”- (Phil 3:18-19). They practice, teach and promote covetousness, lust of uncleanness, lust of the flesh, and worldliness. The doctrine of godliness with contentment is alien to them.

They are desperate to become rich, ambitious for vain glory and recognition - (2 Pet 2:3, 14; 1 Tim 6:9-10; 1 John 2:1517). They use feigned words, words that eat like a cankerworm, speak swelling words; indulge in cheapening and undermining biblical truth by using enchanting and appealing words, rhymes, poetic and philosophical statements, unwholesome words in order to impress, excite, arouse emotions and manipulate their listeners (1 Tim 4:2; 6:3).

Avoid people who always indulge in bitterness, criticism, profane and vain

babblings, vain disputing, arguments, rioting, strife, envy, perverse statements, and scoffing (Acts 20:30; Rom 13:13; 1 Tim 1:6; 6:4-5, 20; 2 Tim 2:14, 16; Heb 12:15). They are critical of everyone and cynical. They despise government and divinely constituted Church authorities; speak evil of dignities in the sight of God; are presumptuous, self willed, proud, empty, unstable and ignorant (1 Tim 1:4, 7; 2 Pet 2:10-12).

They have corrupt and un-subdued minds and seared consciences (1 Tim 4:2; 2 Tim 3:8).

Many of them accept, believe, teach, and practice doctrines of devils and seducing spirits; indifferent to or accommodating of the doctrines and practices of spiritualism and spiritism (e.g. diviners, observers of times and stars and palms, enchanters, charmers, necromancers, witches and wizards. See Deut 4:19; 18:10-12; Isa 8:19-20).

You can see them romancing with the sciences of phrenology, parapsychology, mesmerism, artificial intelligence, metaphysics, New Age theory, and the theory of evolution, etc. (2 Thess 2:9-11; 1 Tim 4:1; 6:20-21). These they use to perform lying miracles, signs and wonders with all deceivableness of unrighteousness (2 Thess 2:9-11; Rev. 16:13, 14; 2 Cor. 11:13-15). They possess a lying spirit or demon, who uses them to impress, deceive and to perform signs and wonders (Deut 13:1-3; 2 Chron 18:3-24; 2 Cor 11:13-15; Rev 16:13-14).

Some manipulate their flock and deliberately plot the spiritual downfall of their flock like David Koresh of Waco, Texas, USA (Num 25:2-3; 31:16; Rev 2:14). They conjecture and appeal to

people’s fear by use of unclear prophecies and dreams and some supernatural knowledge. They deliberately feed the flock with “chaff ” (or “milk”) and not with balanced diet of spiritual food (Jer 23:1-2, 28-29; Ezek 34:1-10). Some even claim to be “progressives”, “liberal,” and “Postmodern” and deliberately seek to overthrow the “pillars”, “landmarks” and “foundations” of biblical faith while claiming New Light (Jer 6:16; Col 2:8).

They have polarized the congregation or denomination because of their inordinate ambition, envy, politics, eye service, and hunger for power and human praise (Ps 106:16-17; Jude 10-11).

They major in minor issues that are divisive in nature. They “have a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Tim 3:5). They are busybodies and war mongers. They are unthankful, unforgiving, malicious, double-tongued, irreverent, irritable, idolatrous, slanderers, intemperate, divisive, quarrelsome, violent, unruly, and with filthy language. They do not have the love for the truth but have pleasure in unrighteousness (2 Thess 2:10-12).

To obey halfway and rationalize everything like King Saul is suicidal.

Delayed obedience and part-obedience are tantamount to utter disobedience.

As far as God was concerned, Saul had “turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments” (1 Sam 15:11). Saul’s excuse was to offer gains or profits from disobedience as sacrifice to the Lord (v.15). “To obey is better than sacrifice . . . Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you

have rejected the word of the Lord, He has also rejected you from being king” (vv. 22-23).

Disobedience or part obedience is a great deception of Satan. We even compare and measure our degree of deviation with other deviants and give ourselves a passing grade. God has not called us to compare ourselves with others. “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Cor 10:12). His word is the standard of judgment.

God is issuing final warning to all lying prophets and prophetesses, greedy shepherds and deceptive leaders. Repent now or perish! Just as Nebuchadnezzar’s false prophets were being killed (Dan 2:12-13), all deceitful teachers and preachers shall meet their “waterloo!” “Whoever loves and practices a lie” shall end up outside the gates of the New Jerusalem (Rev 22:14-15) and be cast “into the lake of fire and brimstone” to be “tormented day and night forever and ever” (Rev 20:10). Then shall all workers of iniquity and deception receive their due reward. While time lasts, today is the day of salvation; tomorrow may be too late! Repent.

“Now is the accepted time” (2 Cor 6:2).

•Tunde Ojewole, Ph.D., is the Babcock University Pastor in charge: Division of Spiritual Life. Get your copy of his newly released book: GOD’S FOOTPRINTS. For enquiries, contact: ojewolea@babcock.edu.ng or call/SMS 08058299434/08060376577.

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Chapel of Holiness and Testimony with Pastor K. I.

Bona

The Baptismal level This is the highest level of relationship with the Holy Spirit. It is the level of demonstrating spirit power. In 1 Cor. 2:4, Apostle Paul says that his message was not characterized by the enticing word of men’s wisdom, but done by demonstration of spirit powers. This is the level of power region. The level where the anointing in you makes things happen.

At this level, your life affects your word positively and blesses your generation.

Without this level, Christianity is a load, a burden, a life without enthusiasm. That is why some Christians have not the joy of salvation neither do they have the testimony of his grace. I have heard that some Christians asked what is the difference between being a Christian and or being an unbeliever? Nehemiah said ‘the joy of the Lord is my strength’.

When you see yourself demonstrating his power to turn things around for good, put joy in the life of many, control your environment and bring all powers under your feet that means you are experiencing this joy. In Luke 10:19, the bibles says “Behold, I give unto you powers to tread on serpents and scorpion and over all the powers of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you”. This is the heritage of them that operate at Baptismal level.

In Luke 3:16-17, John the Baptist told the Jews that though he baptized them with water that “one who is mightier than I cometh”, whose shoe latchet he was not qualified to untie and that when he comes, “he will baptize you with Holy Ghost and fire”. This is the baptism we are talking about. The is the baptism of fire.

Beloved, you need the baptism; it will make every cooked path in your life straight. As I

The Rock of Salvation with Pastor Utibe

Abasi

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n my vision “I was in a farm (cleared and deserted) and at a corner, I saw a tree covered with grass. As I opened the grass, I saw two; one was marked cross with a pen. I carried it and laid it on a palm leaf. I broke the egg and there were two white polythene bags inside it.

The opening of the bags was locked with iron rings. I tore the first bag, I saw three children squeezed inside the egg. There you see some children after birth becomes deformed and all see it as polio. This is the work of evil.

The second bag contained the mother of the children. They were very weak. I carried the palm leaf that I laid them on and planted it by the water side alone with others that had already been planted. It started to germinate immediately and they became strong. I then saw the woman’s mother-in-law walking towards me. I said to her, ‘why have you done this? She did not reply; she just walked past me.

A young man had undergone deliverance after suffering for many years of good opportunities but no good result. He had a dream and in that dream his father opened a door on the wall and brought out a tree that had been dead for a long time and was just starting to germinate with two leaves on it (one each at both sides). His father said: “If this tree is planted, it will become a very big tree that peo-

From the Pulpit

Sunday July 13, 2014

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The Power Region (8) had already stated, one could be filled with the Holy Ghost at the receiving, and indwelling level, yet he lacks fire. It is that fire that produces power region. It is that fire in you that will make you claim some of these Bible passages positively. “No weapon that is formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue that shall rise against me in judgment shall be condemned. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this righteousness is of me, says the Lord -Isaiah 54:17. “Surely there is no enchantment, neither is there any divination against Israel, according to the time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, what hath God wrought!-Numbers 23:23. Without this fire in the life of a believer, Christianity becomes a mere religion. Believe you me; a Christian without experience of Holy Ghost baptism is empty. He/she is a dustbin for witchcraft. May I ask this question? If you put meat on frying pan and set it on fire, can flies go near it? The answer is No but if the same meat is put on frying pan without fire even though it is on frying pan, wouldn’t flies feast on it? The answer is yes. Beloved, a Christian life void of Holy Ghost baptism is vulnerable to witchcraft attacks and any other elemental demons. Jesus said in John 10:10: “The thief cometh not but to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life and they might have it more abundantly”. The release of abundant life is the demonstration of spirit power.

Abundant life is life that overflows with other things that makes life comfortable such as money, luxury, good health, peace and success.

All these are the products of fire.

Today, I challenge you to go for fire. The entrance of the word of God in one’s life brings transformation; the indwelling spirit in one’s life brings translation but the baptism of fire produces transfiguration. See-Mark 9:2-5. Joel 2:23 says, “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the later rain in the first

month”. God told the children of Zion to be glad and rejoice because though he had sent the former rain moderately but now he will send the latter rain. The former rain is the receiving and indwelling level, while the latter rain is the baptism level. This latter rain level is the baptism level. Joel 2:28-30 says, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke”. For God to show wonders in heaven and signs on earth, there must be outpouring of the spirit fire. It is the baptism of the spirit’s fire that makes you a sign and a wonder. Isaiah 8:18 says, “Behold I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts which dwelleth in mount Zion!” I hear people pray, God, make me a sign and wonder.

It will not work except such persons are baptized by fire. Those who desire to be a sign and wonder in their generation must desire fire baptism.

Condition for receiving Holy Ghost baptism: In Luke 24: 49 which says, “And behold I send the promise of my father upon you, but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high,” one glaring condition here is that they should tarry.

The Greek word for tarry is “Kathizo” which means to sit down, to settle down in expectation in hope because it is faith that produces hope and hold our hope in Christ will never fail. Kathizo is unlike waiting casually, carelessly or negligently. Rather it is a function of “Kathozing” in burden, in pains of expectation and in hope of fulfillment. How do they do it? They should tarry in the city of Jerusalem. Where is our city of Jerusalem

The risen Christ

ple will find shelter under it. This is your destiny that I have held for a very long time, take it. Then the father kissed him and ear came out from the father’s mouth into his and he (the father) said to him, “Take your ear. With this ear, I had monitored you and destroyed all your plans because I knew and heard all your dealings through it, but for sometimes now, when I listen to hear what you are saying or thinking, I only hear you praying. The ear is useless to me, so take it. He now has a great testimony.”

A young man after graduating for many years could not get a job. After deliverance, he had a dream. A man told him in that dream, “pick a stone and throw it to your enemy”. He picked a stone and threw it (he did not know who the enemy was). In two days time, the mother died complaining of a terrible headache. After that, he had to choose a job from the numbers that called him for employment.

Who had done this? The enemy! And where is this enemy from? Your household! “A man’s enemies are the men of his own house”- (Micah 7:5).

In my vision, I saw a baby girl sitting on the ground. I raised her up and tried to teach her how to walk. To my greatest surprise, I realised that it was not a baby but a grown woman transformed by the wicked into the image of a baby. I then saw myself in a very big house filled with bulbs, most of which were dead; some dimed, very few were still working. I tried to charge up the dimed ones by putting on the generator (which is prayer) and replacing the dead ones with new bulbs.

After my vision, I called my congregation to a revival and prophesied it to their lives according to Ezekiel 37:11-14. Many that believe received their testimony. I’ m not telling you my visions out of pride but for you to know what is happening in the spiritual realm. The Scripture says in 3 John 1:2, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest proper and be in health even as thy soul prospereth”.

When your soul is in bondage spiritually, automatically you are in bondage in the physical. Sometimes you may dream and see yourself going to school, but in the physical, you are looking for a job. How can you get a job when your soul is still in school or you may see yourself as a child in your vision? How can you progress in the physical when all a child does is to play and run errands? So all you do is to run errands for people that even are supposed to be running errand for you, just for you to have a plate of food.

The lady I saw in my vision in the image of a baby, for many years now has been struggling, travelled abroad, stayed for some years, couldn’t make it, came back to Nigeria, continued with her struggling, still no progress. Now she is living with her parents because babies should be under the care of their parents, a lady of about 45 years of age. The enemies have done this. She told me some days back that she saw her younger sister in the dream begging for her forgiveness.

Your enemy is not far from you, but how can you overcome them. Mark 16:6 states, “And he saith unto them. Be not affrighted, ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified;

today? It is our local churches, our homes in quiet time, and family altar. Those husband and wives who fight continually are not tarrying. He shall come to them like a thief and they shall be disappointed. Those youths who while away their time and future in ballroom parties, disco houses, cinema houses, in worldly functions and gatherings, in dancers club and any other social gatherings, they too are not tarrying and he will come to them suddenly as a thief. That is why the Bible said to us in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil as roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour”.

May God help us in Jesus name. Do join us in our next message. God bless you. Please, if you are led, you can assist us for this publication, financially. Just call us and we shall forward you our details.

Prophetic words of the week There is someone reading this message, you are at battle line with your landlord. Presently, he has given you quit notice but you have no money to pack out. I prophecy before the end of this month, God will give you the financial provision you need. Please call for more prayer.

Testimony: God gave me undiluted favour!

I am a cyclist rider. Somebody introduced me to the church. When I came I met the man of God who told me that God has great blessing awaiting for me in future.

He further told me that the spirit of delay is working on me, that is why those good things of the Lord in my life have not come.

He advised me to go through Deliverance. Immediately after my deliverance, my in-laws gave me a brand new car free. Praise the Lord.

Bro. Wilson •Pastor K. I. Bona is General Overseer of Chapel of Holiness and Testimony Ministries, 6 David Egbetuyi Street, Fagbile Ijegun, Ikotun, Lagos.

Tel:08038206508, 08023404926

He is risen, He is not here, behold the place where they laid him. Matt. 28:17 says, “And when they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted”. We talk about Christ, we sing about Christ, we hear about Christ everyday of our life but still we doubt. Even now, this time some of the elect have started doubting. The devil has blinded so many not to believe in the power of the risen Christ.

Now a common pepper seller will not sell without a charm around her waist to call customers. You worship the man that can only destroy your body forgetting the one that can destroy both your soul and body. We need the risen Christ in our everyday life. People die with their charm in their pockets, witches with all their powers die. All these things you seem to enjoy fails. You accumulate so much wealth, one day you just die untimely. What is the pleasure there? Christ can never fail you.

Psalms 37:23 says, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighted in his way”.

No matter how powerful you are, if you do not have the risen Christ in you, you are empty and can never be established. Only Christ can give you the type of life you deserve. Colossians 1:17 states, “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist”. Romans 11:36 says, “For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things to whom be glory forever. Amen.

APOSTLE UTIBE – ABASI EMMAUEL IS OF THE ROCK OF SALVATION CHURCH, IJU – ISHAGA – LAGOS. HE CAN BE REACHED ON 08037187775.

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From the Pulpit

Peace Tabernacle International with Pastor Sola

Aderibigbe

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he God that answers by fire has always been my God and he would continue to be. Therefore, glory to His holy name for He has delivered us by His power from the hands the enemies. Welcome to today’s session. This series of “Maturity For Mandate Fulfillment was scheduled to be seven (7) series. However, the Holy Ghost gave us a bonus last week for the second half of the year, thus, the reason for the extension to the eight series.

Today, we would be examining the weapon that can be used by matured Christians to begin and to continue to walk in the reality of mandate fulfillment. It is often said that knowledge is power. But knowledge without spiritual operation can’t become power. Also, you must understand that the only language Satan understands is power, hence the need to understand the weapons available for spiritual battles.

A matured Christian does not have to be crying, feel or look pitiable when faced with challenges posed by the enemy. The right action is to step straightaway into spiritual battle. The weapons below would go a long way in helping out. This is because any soldier that goes out for battle without weapon is a prey for the enemy. As a foundation, we must know that every battle must be premised on God’s word so as to be valid (Ps. 107:20). II Cor. 10:4 also says that the weapon of our warfare is not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. (i) The Name of Jesus: The name of Jesus is a very powerful weapon of warfare for believers. Phil. 2:9-10 says 9. “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given

Sunday July 13, 2014

Maturity for mandate fulfilment (8) him a name which is above every name 10.

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” Many have been calling the name of Jesus just like a recitation without the consciousness of what it’s capable of doing. Henceforth, as a matured Christian, you must begin to call the name of Jesus with a great consciousness of what it can do and an assurance that it would do just that and it would answer for you. See also II Cor. 10: 4-5; Acts 3:6; Acts 9:33-34; Acts 16:16-18. (ii) The Blood of Jesus: The blood of Jesus is another powerful weapon of sure victory in spiritual warfare. In Ex. 12:3-13, we could see how God asked the children of Israel to use the blood of lamb to mark their door post for protection. The Old Testament is a shadow of things to happen in the New Testament. Jesus is the Lamb of God (John 1:29). His blood has been shed on the cross of Calvary for Israelites. Everyone of us bornagain Christians are Israelites by salvation (Gal. 3:13-14). Insecticide is very dangerous and also a medium of death to insects. The same is the blood of Jesus to the enemies.

All powers of darkness including witches, occults, etc, cannot withstand the blood of Jesus. The goodnews is that you can turn any liquid to the blood of Jesus. If Christ can turn water to wine that is not impossible. All you need to do is call on God’s name to turn the liquid to the blood of Jesus and use. You can also use your mouth and your imagination to sprinkle the blood of Jesus wherever you want (on the road, in your car, in the atmosphere, in your house, into your brain, etc). Though you may not see it physically, yet it’s happening in the spiritual. The blood of Jesus gives you immunity against the enemy.

See also Heb. 12:24; 13:20. (iii) Communion: Another powerful weapon of spiritual fortification against the enemy is the communion. Matt. 26:26-28 says in verse 26, “And as they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it, and break it, and

gave it to the disciples, and said, take eat: this is my body. 27. And he took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28. For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

Furthermore, Christ said in John 6:53 that without the communion, there is no life in us.

In verse 56, he said “he that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him.” So, communion is a medium of making Christ to dwell inside you. Therefore, any sickness or diseases that can’t happen to Christ can’t happen to you. Any power or principality or witch or demon that cannot withstand or attack Christ can’t do same to you because you have become an embodiment of Christ through communion. Any arrow that flies by night and day are returned back to sender by Jesus dwelling in you. (iv) Anointing: Acts 10:38 says “How God anointed Jesus Christ of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” When one is anointed, power comes and it ushers one into the realm of the miraculous just like it happened to Jesus. He was anointed with the Holy Ghost and power was also present, and he began to fight the operating of the Kingdom of darkness. (v) Materials (Mantle, Apron, Handkerchief, etc): You have to know that the power of God is such that it can be transferred around through various media. Acts 19:11-12 goes thus: 11. “And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul 12. So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or apron, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirit went out of them.”

Let us also examine 2Kings 2:8 and 14.

8. “And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters

The attitude of God: Orderliness (1) (The Coach) Pastor Moses A Omogbehin

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he greatest attitude of a leader is to live by example in everything, everywhere and every time, irrespective of the present happenings.

Let us start with an honest look at what is happening around us. Here in this nation, Nigeria, our government makes laws that are not respected and obeyed by themselves. Our political leaders have no respect for the laws that guide their decision and many people always think that they are above the laws. Some break these laws for their satisfaction. We have law enforcement agents that compromise with the law makers or turn their eyes away when action should be taken. This statement above was just the fact of the matter as touching our political leaders but the truth of the matter is this, we Christians must live by example in all things, everywhere and all the time, why? Christians are the light of this country and of the world.

“Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” Matt 5:13.

But also read Matt 5:13-16. When God wanted to

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deliver the children of Israel from bondage in the land of Egypt, he sent His prophets Moses and Aaron to go and deliver what thus said the Lord God of Israel Ex. 5:1 With all sincerity and humility of heart, this message was given by the spirit of the Most High God only to promote His kingdom that had been in existence before the foundation of the earth and that would forever reign. Amen.

It was also written for correction, inspiration, perfection of the saints, for the work of the ministry and for edification of the body of Christ in Nigeria and across the globeEph. 4:12.

It is not for self glorification, pride, or trying to take the Grace of God upon any man of God, individual, organisation, ministry and Church for granted, neither is this message meant to promote the government and demote the people of God and the Church of the living God. It is the Church of the living God that gave birth to the government (local, state or federal). That had been the way God of heaven ordained it to be from the beginning. In the Bible days, it is the Kings who used to visit the Prophets of God in order to hear what the living God said to his people not the prophet visiting the government to hear what they have for the people. This also is a part of disorderliness in the kingdom of the living God. If there is a problem (challenge) in a nation (which would always be), the king (those who are in authority such as Honourabes, Senator, Chiefs, Obas, Governor and the President) are to receive direction and the details of the present administration from God

through His Prophet.

Hear this, brethren: It is possible for the word of God to be preached by an individual and yet the same word preached by him is doing a work of transformation such as reproving and correcting his own life – 2 Tim. 3:16 – 17. So the only thing to do in such a situation is not to kick against the word of God, but to change in order to experience the blessing that is in obedience.

Every word of God heard in any form (written in the Bible, Christian novels or received directly from any preacher of the word) is meant to change both the listener and the preacher unto perfection not unto condemnation or criticism.

The attitude of God is orderliness. There are three keywords which are very important in this message. These words are “Attitude, God and Orderliness”. We should ask what the definitions of each word are: Let us define, or find what these words mean. i.

Attitude is the way you think and feel about somebody or something. Attitude is also a favourable or unfavourable evaluation of something. Attitudes are generally positive or negative views of a person, place, thing, or event. ii.

Who is God? God is the creator of Heaven and earth; the only truthful and faithful that knows all things. He knows what is good, better and best. iii.

On the other hand, Order is: a) The way in which people or things are placed or arranged. b) The state of being carefully and neatly arranged.

and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.

14. “And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, where is the LORD God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over”.

Therefore, it is not heretic to transfer virtues or power through materials. However, be sure that the source of the power truly has the power of God because no one can give what he does not have. That’s why in Acts 3:6 Peter said “…such as I have give I thee….” (vi) Feet washing: Feet washing have delivered so many people from the trap of the enemy. See the example of this in John 13:5-16. When you wash your feet, every place you step with your feet, you can possess. Anywhere you step with your feet speaks favour for you notwithstanding the trap the enemy has set for you. When Jesus finished washing his disciples’ feet, in John 13:16 he said “verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord, neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” Therefore, feet washing is a medium of declaring submission to the leadership and superiority of Christ in your life. You are telling God that you are His servant and you aren’t greater than Him. You are submitting to His mastery.

He therefore takes over your battles.

Henceforth, begin to use these weapons in the consciousness of what they have done and can do. Surely, they would answer for you if you are an upright Christian. The weapons are not limited to the above. Shalom!

• For testimonies, comments, enquires, counseling or prayer, don’t hesitate to contact me at: Peace Tabernacle Int’l (Power Palace) Between FRSC and Atiba Police Barracks Oke-Ebo, Oyo, Oyo State. Or08067142127 Or bunmichristy75@yahoo.com

c) The state that exists when people obey laws, rules, or authority. d) Something that somebody is told to do by somebody in authority.

Now hear this: this mean people can be disciplined and be trained to be in order. So also things can be placed or categorized in relation to each other.

The second point say: “The state of being carefully and neatly arranged”. Which is to say on the other hand; a man can carefully package himself neatly and things can be packaged neatly.

The last point is this: “The state that exist when people obey laws, rules and authority of a place at a given time, irrespective of who you are and your present, past and future position.

What is order and what is orderliness?

Based on my personal revelation, “order can be defined, as the ability to stay tuned in line, on line, discipline and abide with the present laws, rules and authority of every place and everywhere a person finds himself or herself at a particular time (in a school, hall, hospital, home, organization, church, ministries, in the bus, car, rail, air, and others) most especially when the law is in line with the word of God. •I know this teaching has blessed and imparted you. Please, write and share your testimony with me through: Covenant and Fulfillment Ministries 10, Onuwusasoigwe Close, Hostel Bus Stop, Egbe, Ikotun, Lagos.

Email: omogbehin31@yahoo.com or Call: 08034980921, 08054120540

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Praise & Worship

Sunday July 13, 2014

47

The

Chorister’sWorld Churches in Nigeria should invest more in music –Vincent VICTOR UDOH

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incent Aiyegbeni, a Music Director and Gospel artist, has called on the Church to invest more in the choir and the music ministry. Affectionately called Vincentarry by friends and fans, he said music is important and its significance is emphasized by the scriptures.

Vincent is a member of the King’s Church int’l located at Ikeja Lagos where he is the Music Director. He studied Business Administration and also attended Jazz Comb music school. According to him, his musical focus is the training of young choristers and the development of choirs. ‘‘I joined the choir in 1995 in Church of God Mission Int’l. Presently, I attend the King’s Church Int’l headed by Rev. Fred Igho. It’s a church where the word of God is genuinely taught and the overseer is a father indeed; lives are being changed and destinies are being shaped. The choir which is called the K.C.I Angels is a fast growing choir with a lot of potentials. I took over the choir training spanning over 3 years now and they have improved tremendously. Right now, we are working on an album which will come out soon; it’s a great choir,’’ he said.

Speaking on his contributions to the choir ministry, he said: ‘’I have contributed to the

The bride voice with Pastor Moses

D

Alu

emas was one of the trusted ministers working with Apostle Paul. But suddenly, some evil thoughts started entering his mind, ‘If I continue to stay with this man and keep working, I will not be able to build my own house and marry, and there will be nothing to show for all then years of working with him.’ Because he loved this present world, and remember Apostle Paul didn’t say Demas loved the world but this present world which means he was just interested in what he will eat and drink today. He was not ready to wait for God’s time. He left Apostle Paul to go and start his own ministry. What type of ministry will Demas start? It will be a ministry for him to eat now, now, now. It will not be your portion in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

That is what it means when the Bible says, ‘so many have erred from the faith.’ The initial vision became blurred. Love for money!

And in the same scripture, it says, they did not just err from the faith but have also pierced themselves with many sorrows. Is that not the story of Gehazi in 2 Kings Chapter 5? Gehazi in verse 26 received leprosy. Listen, I am sure we all know the story of Gehazi. Gehazi was a servant to Elisha who would have studied Elisha, so that he can have another double portion of the spirit Elisha received. Today, we would have been talking ‘Gehazi’ anointing because it would have been higher than that of Elisha because anointing is supposed to

music ministry immensely. I run trainings for choirs, I also minister in churches and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) Ikeja chapter programmes and also help plan growth seminars for choirs. Furthermore, I have invested so much time in seeing that music is well understood and practiced’’.

Aiyegbeni said he has faced a lot of challenges while leading choirs, some members are not naturally gifted so he had to take them through processes, sometimes he does not have their co-operation, also the attitude of some choristers can be frustrating so he takes them through the bible and nurture them, also the unavailability of musical equipments in the church, and good musicians and lack of motivation from pastors are some of the challenges he has faced in his music ministry to choirs.

Aiyegbeni is happily married to Mrs. Destiny Aiyegbeni who runs a beauty company.

Speaking on how he has been able to combine marriage with the music ministry, he said: ‘‘Marriage is a blessing from God and I see it as such. I married a woman who understands my vision and calling and by the grace of God, she has made it easy for me with her high level of understanding. I am very grateful to God for having her. Whenever I have to go and minister, she goes with me and gives me her support in all forms. She is a lover of God and music.’’

He said: ‘’Churches in Nigeria can improve

music by first making music a priority. Many pastors see music as not important, forgetting the fact that music waters the word they preach, touches lives of people faster and lifts the atmosphere of the service. Sound instrument should be made available; they should also enroll the choir for music trainings, create time for forums where the pastor meets with the choir and get to hear from them what they feel. More so, the church should invest both time and money on the talents they discover and see how they can help them come to limelight.’’

Aiyegbeni believes that the Choir is a very relevant ministry in the church, and that it was initially ordained by God to give praise to him and help the people to worship God. He said God mentioned the importance of music in the Bible. ‘It took only praise to pull down the walls of Jericho,’’ he said. ‘’I have released one album, and I’m very close to releasing another coming out very soon with a lot of beautiful tracks you cannot resist such as “great and mighty, it’s your time, fruitful in the land and we love you. It’s a 9 tracks album, you’ll love to hear it”, he said.

Aiyegbeni advised young choristers not to stray away from gospel music for God delights in it. According to him, some hide under the tag “inspirational singer” ‘‘I believe God gave the talents so one must use it to glorify him and stay focused, also patience is a necessity. One must spend more time on im-

Vincent

proving him/her self and invest more on the inside not outside,’’ he said.

On his vision for the music ministry in Nigeria, he said: ‘’I see the choir emerging strongly in the next five years with a formidable team that will touch the world and impact singers generally. I see a high level of understanding in music and the church. I see a large area of development.’’

The gods of this world (4) increase and not decrease. If Elisha received double portion, Gehazi would have received triple portion.

Naaman, a Syrian General was afflicted with leprosy and was directed by his maid (a Jewish girl) to Elisha so as to pray for him to receive healing. He brought gifts to Elisha.

Elisha, a servant of the true God, cannot receive gifts from a leprous hand. A Jew will not have anything to do with a leper or his gift because the law forbids it and anything leprous is isolated. It is a type of sin and for you to be cleansed, you have to offer certain sacrifices before you can now come into the presence of God. Leprous people are therefore forbidden from mingling with normal people- don’t touch and don’t talk to me. Then a gentile leprous general carried gifts to a genuine servant of God. That is the type of unbelievers that will not follow our doctrine or follow the teachings of our God, but want the gifts. What do they use to servants of God? They bring their leprous gifts and contaminated money. A man engaged in 419 will bring his ill-gotten money to a man of God to pray for him is the same as Naaman bringing his leprous gifts to Elisha.

You will pray for him but will not collect that gift because by the time you finish preaching to him, he won’t be able to give you those gifts. That is the truth. By the time he knows what you stand for, ‘I am a son of God, I am a daughter of God, you need help, give your life to God so that he can save you, so that you will know that my God is a true God’, you bind and loose him. And you tell him to go. God will back up that kind of prayer to prove that you

are serving a living God. Elisha did not even come out of his room to see Naaman. When Gehazi came to tell him that a big fish had come; a Syrian general, telling him about the things the man brought, and how Elisha’s God is so great, I am sure Elisha would have asked for his name and when he discovered it was Naaman, Elisha just sent said to him to go to River Jordan and deep himself in that water seven times and he will receive his healing.

This was to let him know there was a God in Israel. Gehazi would have asked, ‘Master, what about all the gifts? And Elisha would have responded, ‘What gifts? Leprous gifts? Send him away.’ Gehazi would have been wondering what the problem was with his master. ‘If I follow this man work his way, I will just die of hunger.’

Naaman left with his gifts. Gehazi decided to take permission and lied that his mother was sick. He took off after Naaman and also lied to Naaman that his master sent him to collect some of the gifts because he just received some visitors and needed to entertain them.

He collected the gifts. When he came back… how can you do that before a true prophet of God? Is there anything that is hidden from our God? And everyone that hides in this ministry to perpetuate evil, to go against what we believe, preach and stand for in this ministry, they will equally be exposed like Gehazi in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Whether you say amen or not, it will come to pass because the God that revealed what Gehazi did to Elisha is still alive now and will reveal all evils to us also.

And it is expected that after today, there will be repentance. That is why I am saying it hard this way. When Gehazi came back to Elisha, he still tried to lie, but Elisha told him, ‘You have not only collected Naaman’s gift but also his leprosy.’ From that day, Gehazi became leprous. It will not be our portion in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

The love of money! Apostle Paul said because of money, many have pierced themselves with many sorrows. Forever, who will cure Gehazi? And that is why there is no mention of him again in the Bible. What will God do with a leprous person? What of Judas? He betrayed his master; the Lord of glory! For what? Money!

There is another character in Acts Chapter 8. He is Simon the sorcerer. Let us read it from verse 5. “Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.”

Verse 6-9, “And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one.”

•Pastor Moses Alu; The Bride Assembly, Odofin Park Estate, OshodiApapa Expressway, Ijesha Bus stop 08033524903 : Email: pastormosesalu@yahoo.com

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Vineyard

Briefly Akoko Anglican diocese ordains deacons, priests

Celebration

T

he Diocese of Akoko (Anglican Communion) last Sunday ordained two deacons and two priests for sacred service for God. Those ordained are Reverends Olu Kosemani, Titus Ademolu, Rotimi Adelaja and Moses Alademomi.

The ordination which was held at St. Stephen’s Cathedral Church, Ikare Akoko, was presided over by the Bishop of the diocese, Rt. Rev. Gabriel A. Akinbiyi with support of other ministers.

Also at the service, six Canons were installed at the Cathedral and two Archdeacons were collated who are Canons Victor Opaleye, Aderemi Oke, Felix Omosulu, Robert Akinsanmi, Omotoki Oluwole and Joseph Fowowe and Vens. Olawuwo Olusakin and Fredrick Adaramola respectively.

In his homily with the theme, “Making our Calling and Election Sure” - 2 Peter 1:10-11, Ven. E.A. Adeniyi, enjoined the ordained, installed and collated to ensure that their calling and election are sure in all available ways in their different stations and proclaim Jesus when it is pleasant or not.

He advised them not to be like Queen Vashti who disappointed King Xerxes in Esther 1:11-12.

He reminded them that God who has called them may ask them to do something that will bring glory to Him, and pleaded with them that they should not disappoint God.

RHEMA Chapel holds anniversary/convention

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hema Chapel International Churches, with national headquarters in Yaba, Lagos, will hold its 23rd anniversary/convention with the theme “Receiving the power of total transformation.”

The four-day event holding from Thursday July 10 to Sunday July 13 will feature activities, including visitation to orphanages and other organisations for the less-privileged.

Ministering the word of God are notable ministers of the gospel such as Rev. George Adegboye and Rev. Victor Adeyemi. Chief host on the occasion is Pastor Caleb Ayinla.

Sunday July 13, 2014

Pomp as C & S dedicates church ODINAKA URUAKPA

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t was celebration galore when the Hand of Glory Cherubim and Seraphim Church (Beulah), Aremolekun Parish (Oba Alafia Olorun Ododo), Ipaja, Lagos, was dedicated by the Primate and Supreme Head of Beulah C and S Worldwide, Her Eminence, Elder Supt. Rev (Dr.) Elizabeth O. Abiodun.

The event which drew notable figures from the Cherubim and Seraphim, also had in attendance important personalities from other denominations including the founder, Celestial Church of Christ, Okiki Imole Ayo Cathedral, Prophet Moses S. Fabiyi, and others who came from far and near to be a part of the celebration.

The minister-in-charge and spiritual head of the new parish, Prophetess Morenike Olasunbo Akinlolu, popularly known as Otiribee, could not contain her excitement as she claimed that the day which, marks her freedom after apprenticeship she had undergone to prepare her for leading a flock of her own, also happens to be her birthday.

She said: “I am one of the happiest people on earth today because first, today is my birthday and secondly, the church which the Lord has called me to lead is also being dedicated. I am also celebrating my freedom after going through training under the guidance of the supreme head to learn the ropes before taking the mantle of leadership of the church.”

The prophetess whose journey in the vineyard of the Lord dates to her

Prophetess Akinlolu, singing with members of her church

childhood age, maintained that the Lord had been wonderful and good to her since He led her into the ministry as she had held some relevant posts in previous parishes she had found herself.

“The Lord has always been faithful to me since He called me, and as He has given me this parish and flock to lead, He will continue to give me the grace and guidance to lead in a pleasing manner. I also use this opportunity to call on members to believe and trust God as they join hands with me to win souls for Christ.”

While urging the government and leaders to do all they can to bring to an end, the sufferings faced by citizens, the prophetess said she foresaw a peaceful Nigeria where Boko Haram and other

APM for success night

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scension Pentecostal Mission will on Friday 18th of July hold an allnight session starting from 10pm.

The programme tagged “Success night” is billed to hold at the church premises located at 12 Alafia Street, Iyana-Ipaja, Lagos.

The host and General Overseer of the church, Pastor Caleb E. Anyamele, promises that this all-night programme will afford everyone that attends the opportunity to testify to the mightiness of God adding they will all receive abundant blessings and success from God as he urged all to attend.

L-R: Prophetess Morenike Akinlolu; Rev. (Pro.) Abosede Olusegun and Rev. (Dr.) Elizabeth Abiodun at the event

problems will become a thing of the past.

She called on the people to join people of God in prayers; men and women who have not had sleep over these problems for the timely intervention of God. Speaking with Sunday Mirror, Rev Abiodun said she had come to rejoice with Prophetess Akinlolu whom God has showered tremendously with gifts that has led to her to becoming a prophetess in the church and He further gave her the grace to build a place of worship to His glory.

She said: “As we hand this building into the hands of the Almighty God this day, I pray that He bestow upon this messenger of His, the grace, wisdom and power to pastor her congregation in the way and manner that is pleasing to Him. “As you can see, I handed some items of worship to her which include the Bible which predominantly is the tool for preaching the Word to the people.

God has commanded that this book of His must never depart from us, and we should meditate upon it day and night.

For this reason, I have handed the Bible which contains the word of God to her and admonished her not to depart from it as it will guide her in her pastoral duties”.

She implored members of the church to cooperate with the prophetess whom she said God had called to work in His vineyard from a youthful age and now, He is handing them over to her to pasture.

She further implored Nigerians not to relent in prayers regarding the myriad of problems confronting the country, adding that in good time and with the concerted prayers of the people, God would intervene and deliver the country from these problems.

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Quil

...of arts, people & places Sunday, July 13, 2014

At 80, I am creatively insatiable –Wole Soyinka W

ith a Noble Prize, the most coveted honour in Litereature aside several other garlands, one would thtink that Professor Wole Soyinka, who turns 80 today is done with strivivng to achieve. But he is not. The literary icon who described himself as insatiable creatively says in spite of what he has achieved he is restless when it comes to creativity and does not see himself being satisfied. Accoding to Soyinka, in an interview with the newspaper, “None that I can think of. However, that does not mean that I feel creatively fulfilled. I am somewhat creatively insatiable.”

This is a clear manifetstaion of what is ideals have been even as a teenager when he fell in love with books, mostly provided by his father’s libarary.

Mixture of literature and activism

A precocious reader, he soon sensed a link between the Yorùbá folklore of his neighbors and the Greek mythology underlying so much of western literature.

He moved quickly from St. Peter’s Primary School to the Abeokuta Grammar School and won a scholarship to the colony’s premier secondary school, the Government College in Ibadan. At this boarding school he continued to distinguish himself in his studies, writing stories and acting in school plays, the beginning of his lifelong preoccupation with the practical aspects of theatrical performance.

After graduation at age 16 from the Government College, Soyinka deferred immediate admission to university life and moved to the colonial capital, Lagos, to work in an uncle’s pharmacy for two years before entering university. During this period of personal independence, he began writing plays for local radio. In 1950 he entered the University at Ibadan. Two years later, won a scholarship to the University of Leeds in England, and left Africa for the first time.

In England, he joined a close-knit community of West African students. The petty racism they encountered in Britain seemed less important than the reports they read from South Africa of black Africans being subjected to legally enforced racial discrimination in their own country by the white-led apartheid government. Along with his fellow African students, Soyinka imagined a pan-African movement to liberate South Africa. He went so far as to enlist in the British program of student military education, in hopes that he could use this training in a future campaign against the apartheid regime in South Africa.

He dropped out of the program during the Suez Crisis, when it appeared that students might be called up to serve in Egypt. As Britain prepared to leave Nigeria, students like Soyinka were excused from further military service.

After graduating from the University of Leeds, Wole Soyinka continued to study for a master’s degree while writing plays drawing on his Yorùbá heritage. His first major works, The Swamp Dwellers and The Lion and the Jewel, date from this period. In 1958, The Lion and the Jewel was accepted for production by the Royal Court Theatre in London. Beginning in the late 1950s, the Royal Court was the major venue for serious new drama in Britain.

Soyinka interrupted his graduate studies to join the theater’s literary staff. From this post, he was able to watch the rehearsal and development process of new plays at a time when the British theater was entering a period of renewed vitality. His own next major work was The Trials of Brother Jero, expressing his skepticism about the selfstyled elite of black Nigerians who were preparing to take power from the British colonial regime.

In 1960, Soyinka received a Rockefeller Foundation

grant to research traditional performance nce practices in Africa. Nigeria was poised sed to become independent from Britain, in, and Soyinka’s play A Dance of the Fororest, another satire of the colonial elite, te, was chosen to be performed during the he independence festivities. Soyinka joined ed the English faculty at the University of Ibadan. He also formed a theater compaany, 1960 Masks, to produce topical plays, s, employing traditional performance e techniques to dramatize the many isssues arising from Nigerian indepen-dence. His writings, including his 19644 novel The Interpreters, were bringing g him fame outside his own country, but he faced increasing difficulties with censorship inside Nigeria.

Independence from Britain had not brought about the open democratic society Soyinka and others had hoped for. In negotiating the independence of the country, Britain had overestimated the population of the northern region, dominated by Hausa-Fulani people of Muslim faith, and given them greater representation in the national parliament, at the expense of the predominantly Christian stian peoples of the southern regions:: the Yorùbá in the West and the Igbo in t he East.

In Western Nigeria, the results ults of a 1964 regional election were set aside so that a candidate favored red by the central government could uld clam victory. With some friends, ds, Soyinka forced his way into the local radio station and substituted da tape of his own for the recorded ed message prepared by the frauduulent victor of the election. This is escapade caused his arrest and d detention for two months, but ut international publicity led to hiss acquittal. Following his release, e, Soyinka was appointed to the e English department of Lagoss University, and completed the comedy Kongi’s Harvest, which would be produced throughout the English-speaking world.

Soyinka had become one of the best-known writers in Africa, but political developments would soon thrust him into a more difficult role.

The discovery of oil in the Southeast in 1965 further heightened t d ethnic th i and d regional i l tensions in Nigeria. A 1966 military coup led by Igbo officers was followed by a counter-coup, which installed the young army officer Yakubu Gowon as head of state. Massacres of Igbo living in the North sent more than a million refugees fleeing south, and many Igbo began to call for secession from Nigeria. Hoping to avoid further bloodshed, Soyinka traveled in secret to meet with the secessionist General Ojukwu and urged a peaceful resolution. When Ojukwu and the Eastern forces declared an independent Republic of Biafra, Soyinka contacted General Obasanjo of the Western forces to urge a negotiated settlement of the con-

flict, flict sided with but Obasanjo O national government, and a full-scale civil war the na ensued. Soyinka’s friend, the poet Christopher ensue Okigbo, joined the Biafran forces and was killed in Okigb action. action Soyinka was accused of collaborating with Soy the Biafrans and went into hiding. Captured by Nigerian federal troops, he was imprisoned for the rest of the war. From his prison cell he wrote a letter asserting his innocence and protesting his unlawful detention. When the letter appeared in the foreign press, he was placed in solitary confinement for 22 months. Despite being denied access to pen and paper, Soyinka managed to improvise writing materials and continued to smuggle his writings to the outside world. A volume of verse, Idanre and Other Poems, composed before the war, was published to international acclaim during his imprisonment.

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Sunday, July 13, 2014

Qs

for Soyinka!

At 80 is there anything more you feel you have not achieved literally speaking?

None that I can think of.

However, that does not mean that I feel creatively fulfilled.

I am somewhat creatively insatiable.

If you were made the President of Nigeria, what immedi-

8

Memorable

Wole Soyinka: The Conscience of Africa

NGUGI WA THIONG’O

E

ven before his arrival at the now famous 1962 Conference of Writers of English expression held at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda, his fame as a guitar playing poet and playwright and member of the nascent Mbari Writers club had preceded him through the oral narratives of Gerald Moore -one of the organizers of the conference. Gerald Moore was then Director of the Extramural Department at Makerere, and also a friend of Ulli Beier, with whom he would a year later put together the Penguin Book of Modern African Poetry, which would include works by all Nigerian poets at the conference: JP Clark and Chris Okigbo. There were other writers, the late Chinua Achebe, for instance, and a large contingent of South Africans writers in exile among them Eski’a Mphahlele, Lewis Nkosi, and Bloke Modisane. While I don’t recall a single Soyinka’s text dominating the conference the way Achebe’s text Things Fall Apart did; or his remarks sparking fire the way Okigbo’s quip that he wrote his poetry for poets did, he was a big presence at the Conference.

For example, he had already written and published a considerable body of work including the plays, The Swam Dwellers, A Dance of the Forests and The Lion and the Jewel. He had shown the literary versatility and output that later in 1986 would earn him the Nobel Prize in Literature. But at the conference he was just a writer among other writers whose sensibilities were shaped by their experience of colonialism, apartheid, and anti-colonial nationalism. These writers were also united by a vision of the possibilities of a different future for Africa. Ever the realist, Soyinka had already punched holes in any starry eyed vision of the future with his play, A Dance of the Forests and, elsewhere, he had coined the cautionary line, “a tiger does not sing its tigritude, it pounces,” in response to tendencies in some negritude poetry to typify the African

Quotes

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ate things or measures would you take?

Rescue the Chibok pupils, no matter what it takes. Next, destroy the abductors, no matter how long it takes.

Why did you not show interest in any elective position?

Temperament and time.

What will you tell those who are baffled that you were a member of Pirate Confraternity?

When this nation understands the differThe greatest threat to freedom is the absence of criticism.”

“Suddenly the world has run amok and left you alone and sane behind”

A tiger does not proclaim his tigritude, he pounces”

The hand that dips into the bottom of the pot will eat the biggest snail.”

The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.

My father used to tell me stories before I fell asleep. When the children

past as glorious and conflict free. Because of the stories preceding him, I expected him to stand up and recite Telephone conversation, the poem that Gerald Moore would always talk about, or play the guitar, the way Moore had described it. He did neither. But I did see him once at Top Life Nightclub, the most famous night spot in Kampala at the time, dancing cha cha cha, and even some the other dancing pairs paused to enjoy his moves.

His brief arrest was forerunner of things to come with his eventual imprisonment for striving for peace in a conflict that would plunge Nigeria into a Civil War over the Biafran secession, an experience which lead to his prison memoir, The Man Died. The book came out in 1972, but little did I then know that The Man Died would visit me in Kenya Kamiti Maximum Security prison, five years later.

I was put in Kamiti Maximum for my activities with Kamirithu Community Theater, principally because of my play I Will Marry When I want, co-authored with Ng g wa M ri . I joined a group of political prisoners already there but we lived in solitary confinement, one man one cell. We were not allowed pen and paper and certainly no books except the Bible and the Quran. But suddenly one day a package of my books was allowed through. Any material that had the words colonialism had been censored: No works with politics in them were allowed through.

Amazingly, Soyinka’s The Man Died was among the religious and apparently innocuous texts allowed to reach me. I have always wondered whether they thought it a religious text or some kind of metaphysics of death. After all my block was between that for those condemned to die and others thought to be mentally deranged. Soyinka’s book, The Man Died, was read by every political prisoner, as a testament of hope, not a treatise on death. I have narrated this in my own prison memoir, Detained: A Writer’s Prison Diary. To this day I still find the lines, “the man dies in he who keeps silent in the face of tyranny,” inspiring.

I came out of the Maximum in December 1978, following the death of the authoritarian Big Man Jomo Kenyatta and the accession to power of Dictator Big Man Daniel Arap Moi. My daughter, Njoki, born when I was in prison, was now among the family members that welcomed me home.

In an act of solidarity, Soyinka had named her Ayerubo, a name she still carries to this day.

Can it get closer home than that? We have met in other places sharing the common experience of writers in exile, the most memorable being Leeds in 2007 when Soyinka robed me for my honorary Doctorate, an honor he himself had received 1972. The occasion reminded me that Leeds was our common alma mater. I went to Leeds in 1965 after

ence between “cults” and “college fraternity”, such bafflement would become a source of selfridicule.

Is it true that you love hunting a great deal?

One of my very few hobbies.

Can you write with as much proficiency in Yoruba language?

No. But enough proficiency to have translated two Fagunwa novels and a number of poems - from Yoruba into English. would gather, at a certain point, I had a tendency to make up my own elementary variations on stories I had heard, or to invent totally new ones.” “[It] takes a jaundiced view of the much-vaunted glorious past of Africa. And I suppose since then I’ve been doing nothing but the danse macabre in this political jungle of ours.”

Makerere to find echoes of Soyinka who had been there before me. The Leeds of my time had brought together students from all over the world. I still recall two students from Iraq who had been condemned to death in absentia by the Ba’athist leadership that took power in 1963, for their alleged membership of the banned Iraqi Communist party. To me they were marked men but they did not seem to be overly concerned. When, in 1994, I read that Soyinka was condemned to death in absentia by Dictator Sani Abacha, I recalled the images of the two Iraqi students on the grounds of Leeds. As Soyinka was putting the ceremonial hood on me, the experience of the two students and his own merged in my mind.

There’s the irony of current residence in Southern California. Our two roads from the Makerere of 1962 to different parts of the world had finally led us the city of angels.

Soyinka along with Derrida was on the board of directors of the International Center for Writing and Translation of the University of California Irvine, and which lured me from New York University in 2002 to become Distinguished Professor of English and Comparative Literature and run the center. Irvine is only half an hour away from Loyola Marymount University where Soyinka was Professor in Residence.

We last shared a platform at Loyola Marymount University in 2010. We both read from our memoirs; he, from Ake, and I from Dreams in a Time of War. We had not planned it so, but we both read sections that dealt with our childhood experience of growing up during the Second World War. I could not help but recall the 1967 Afro-Scandinavian Writers conference where we were expected to deliver on memories of childhood.

To celebrate Wole Soyinka’s 80th birthday is to cerebrate an extra-ordinary journey of a remarkable man of letters, action and conscience. He is the Byronic hero, or better, a renaissance figure, dashing, defiant and daring. His writings - plays, poems, memoirs, and novels - carry the one common banner: the man dies in him who keeps silent in the face of tyranny. As a writer and public intellectual who has voiced his concerns over major happenings in the different parts of the continent over the last fifty years and more, he has become the moral and democratic conscience of Africa.

Wole Soyinka: The Conscience of Africa – A Tribute’ © Ngugi wa Thiong’o Essays in Honour of Wole Soyinka at 80: UK/Europe/US edition © Ayebia Clarke Publishing Ltd, Oxfordshire, UK. Crucible of the Ages: Wole Soyinka at 80: Africa edition © Bookcraft Nigeria.

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IIn the Patio

Kayode Fasua

kayfasua@yahoo.com (08034101207; SMS only, pls)

C

ome next October, the nation would naturally be jolted to the fact that it’s two years after sauntering governor of Taraba State, Danbaba Suntai, was involved in a plane crash in Yola, Adamawa State, which has left him bodily and possibly, mentally paralysed till date. For months, the governor was first admitted to a German hospital before being flown to the US where he eventually ended up in a rehab, apparently to aid in firming up his ebbing psychosomatic orderliness.

While the reign of medicament endured, Danbaba’s deputy, Garba Umar, who was only two weeks old in office when disaster be-struck his principal, took over as acting governor, a position he still holds; while Suntai, possibly turned as of an effigy at home, is being nursed by his wife and other family members, in a cottage of dramatic, mental health therapy.

But for the Suntai debacle to be lucid enough, it is only apposite to rehash how it all happened and how it has been happening, so far.

Suntai is no doubt a pilot, who obtained his training four years ago. He reportedly

L

anguage, the source of Wole Soyinka’s fame; the reason also for his alienation by the average reader. The Nobel Laureate is a man of complex locution. Besides his political forays, the density and immensity of his literature is perhaps the major thing that trademarks him. The fact is, there can be no indolent or perfunctory reading of Wole Soyinka; his literary rampart is impregnable. You peruse him; then the fortress can give way.

However, the language employed by the playwright in his prison memoir is in a class of its own. Set in the Civil War Nigeria, The Man Died is a riveting account of the atrocities perpetrated by the military regime against the civil populace, in which the author was also a major victim - of solitary confinement without trial for fifteen gruelling months. The abuses fill you with horrors: the flogging syndrome, detention and imprisonment without trial, killing, torture as pastime; sadism and crushing of the civic will; the climate of appeasement against the rule of law, etc. His critics believe that language and power cannot be placed on the same pedestal. The former must defer to the latter.

Language, in all its ramifications, must kowtow to power, however malevolent is the latter. But the human rights activist disagrees, “When power is placed in the service of a vicious reaction, a language must be called into being which does its best to appropriate such obscenity of power and fling its excesses back in its face.”The Man Died interrogates the silence of the intelligentsia in the face of horrendous human rights abuses, accusing it of criminal complicity through conduct and warning that “the boundaries of the geography of victims of (power) eventually extends to embrace even those who think they

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As Suntai’s wondrous drama lingers… attended the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State, and graduated in 2010.

Reputed as a man of little means before he was drafted into the governorship race by then outgoing Governor Jolly Nyame in 2007, Suntai came as a maverick, in his rabid passion for flying objects. To demonstrate his sagacious, bold step to transform the sleepy, rural state to an orbital glean of primal fancy, the governor, reckoning that the state had two aircraft parked in Kaduna, since the state’s airport in Jalingo, the state’s capital was not condusive, descended the pilot in him.

He reportedly spent the state’s fortune, conservatively put at N9 billion, to reconstruct the Jalingo airport, even though the port till date totters for want of planes to land on its tarmac.

During his first tenure, Suntai bought a small aircraft for the state and only three years ago added another one, with the antithetical din that none of the newly purchased jets had the temerity, as it were, to land at the Jalingo airstrip. They were thus landing, taking off and parking at Yola Airport in neighbouring Adamawa State.

A dashing Suntai then successfully saw to the impeachment of his deputy, Sanni Abubakar, whom sources said was rather too pesky for him. His place was given to Umar, whose providence has now made the state’s governor, acting or no.

A flip through the profile of the 55-yearold ailing governor, however, presents him in the main, as a 1984 graduate of Phar-

Soyinka: The Man Lived SOYOMBO OPEYEMI

Opinion

Sunday July 13, 2014

are protected by silence.” The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny. In any people that submit willingly to the ‘daily humiliation of fear’, the man dies.

While in Ikoyi Prisons, as a prisoner of conscience, the author saw and heard the accounts of the victims of the Gestapo. The Black Hole in Dodan Barracks; the torture and flogging syndrome by soldiers. The picture of sadists who dined and wined and lulled themselves to sleep with the sounds of the tortured was grim and stupefying. Here is a narration of the writer-activist about one of the casualties of the flogging syndrome.

“I went and looked at a back of purulent sores. There was no skin. None at all. It was a mass of sores which no longer had definition as each weal had merged into another... My mind returned to the back I had seen, the still suppurating furrows, dark raised permanent swellings, the potholes where the tip of the whip must have dug more than once. A few scabs that seemed an inch thick. And his neck, even to the base of the head, covered in weals.”

“They were flogged in the open, you said.”

“Yes.” “And they screamed?... But Gowon lives in those barracks. He must have heard the screams.”

Agu said, “Frankly, I don’t think he knew.

He lived far away from the guardroom.”

“Those screams must have penetrated concrete.”

Often, the offences ranged from being from a particular tribe, to a section of the country, to being in their company, a mild protest at injustice, to what was considered a slight. It was an era of lawlessness... Journalists are usually the first victims of any dictatorship Segun Sowemimo eventually died as a result of having been “brutally beaten, he and other colleagues, by soldiers on the orders of a Military Governor.”

Soyinka himself was framed, said to have confessed to “an arrangement with Mr Ojuk-

macy from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Why he ‘waited’ till after 2007 when he became governor to train as a pilot is as clear to the simpleton as the marks on the latter’s palm. Perhaps, Suntai could not have afforded the tuition fees in an aviation school, much less later graduate with the acquisition of planes for state-trotting; as his case turned out.

Quite jejune as it is rudely tickling is also the claim that the governor bought the multi-billion naira Cessna 208 plane, which he crashed two years ago for the state government. If the jet was bought for the state, did the state also appoint the governor as pilot for the aircraft?

While not ruling out the fact that governors, presidents and other high-ranking persons in power are also humans and are susceptible to shores that can result in accidents, the trajectory of the air rave involving Suntai recedes in the face of humble mishaps that had befallen other people in power.

Recall that in 1981, the Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Shehu Kangiwa, while playing polo, fell off from his horse and the mule accidently galloped on him, ripping out his bowels. He died thereafter. It was only in a game; not that Kangiwa bought the horse for the state government and chose to be gallivanting on it around the streets, amid a regale of flutes of kakaaki.

While he was the governor of Ondo State too, the late Dr. Segun Agagu broke his leg while playing golf in the Government House. In the same vein, former American

wu to assist in the purchase of jet aircraft to be used by the rebel Air Force”, and was later said to have admitted “he had since changed his mind.” He was also said to have agreed with Victor Banjo “to help in the overthrow of the Government of Western Nigeria. Soyinka further agreed to the consequent overthrow of the Federal Military Government.”

But the radical was not put on trial. Although there did exist a Third Force, Soyinka had confessed nothing to anyone. “I was framed and nearly liquidated because of my activities inside prison. From Kirikiri I wrote and smuggled out a letter setting out the latest proof of the genocidal policies of the government of Gowon. It was betrayed to the guilty men...” Soyinka believes that “a commitment to absolute ideals cannot plead the excuse of immobilization to turn his back on the fight for an equitable society.” One of the government goons among the academic staff in Ibadan got to know about the letter “made a photostat, and dutifully passed it on to his military bosses.” That was the turning-point in the incarceration of the human rights campaigner and the horrendous sufferings that were to be his lot.

But The Man Lived despite the plot to annihilate him. The machination: “They argued that the public would believe their prepared story which was: while being flown to Jos, I pulled out a gun, tried to take over the plane and was shot in the attempt. A violent man meets a violent end; the dramatist overdramatizes himself once too often.”

I agree the story would have been believed.

Soyinka’s past in holding up the Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service at gun-point in 1965 would have stood against him in the court of public opinion. He was alerted, hence his attempt to stymie the scheme through an orchestrated riot at Ikoyi prison on the D-day. Smarting from the failed evil plot to eliminate the gadfly, he was transferred to the Maximum Security Prison and manacled 24

Vice-President, Dick Cheney, while in office, had mistakenly shot his friend, Harry Whittington, in a quail hunting game. Two years ago too, Mauritanian President, Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, was shot and wounded, when an army unit of his country accidentally fired on his convoy.

All these passed as accidents; but in the Suntai case, controversy is the middle name of the Yola crash of two years ago.

But the major controversy which politicians in Taraba appear to be handling with some queer maturity is tied to many questions. Does the constitution, for instance, permit a sitting governor to ail in perpetuity, with such severity that he can no longer discharge his official functions? Is Suntai on a two-year-on official vacation or sick leave? How come the ailing governor is occasionally seen in video footages, smiling robotically and unable to speak intelligibly, and yet he has neither resigned nor been impeached?

The reality in Taraba is thus that there is an ailing governor and there is an acting governor. Perhaps, Suntai is the spiritual head of Taraba while Umar is the political head.

That way, the political hawks in that state have fully taken over, experimenting with some home-grown abracadabra, ahead of the 2015 governorship election.

This format of politicking, indubitably, requires the attention of not just political researchers but also the confab members, who wish to tie up loose ends in the Nigerian Constitution. Wondrous drama, indeed.

hours a day. Public humiliation was to follow.

Another forgery announced that Soyinka had been caught ‘skulking along the wall’ in an attempt to escape from prison!

In spite of his embittered articles in the press condemning the carnage perpetrated or condoned by the Federal Military Government, Soyinka was never under any illusion about the futility of secession, in a context.

The loss of his excitable friend, Christopher Okigbo, in defence of boundary was sobering enough. “It is better to believe in people than nations... And any exercise of self-decimation sorely in defence of the inviolability of the temporal demarcations called nations is a mindless travesty of idealism. Peoples are not temporal because they can be defined by infinite ideas. Boundaries cannot.” The revolutionary never saw hope in Enugu nor Lagos. So also were Alale and Banjo. It is better to defend humanity, ideals than boundaries.

The trio were united on this score: Esta tierra/ Este aire/ Este cielo/ Son los nuestros/ Defenderemos - those lines by Castro - This earth is ours/ And the air/ And the sky/ We will defend them. “In defence of that earth, that air and sky which formed our vision beyond lines drawn by masters from a colonial past or redrawn by the instinctive rage of the violated we set out, each to a different destiny.” A melancholic peroration indeed by the poet: Banjo, Alale to the firing squad, Soyinka to prison...

The book features also the exuberance and excesses of Gowon. On that former, I have always argued, could be located the immediate reason that led to the Civil War. I refer to the youthfulness of some of the gladiators. Gowon, 32; Ojukwu, 33; Danjuma, 28; Katsina, 33; etc. Where is age? Where is experience? Some of them were not even married as at the time they held the most important posts in the nation. The fratricidal war, I humbly submit, is, also, a price the nation paid for youthful exuberance.

•Soyombo is a media practitioner

52

Wellness

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wellness YOUR HEALTH AND HEALTH RELATED ISSUES JULY 13, 2014

What you need to know about Parkinson’s disease ODINAKA URUAKPA

P

arkinson’s disease, referred to as PD, is a disorder that affects movement and is generally connected with old age. The majority of its sufferers are within the age bracket of 60. It has become a worry to medical experts as the condition is now being diagnosed in younger people.

Former heavyweight boxing champion, Muhammad Ali, who was diagnosed with the disease in 1984 at the age of 42, is one of the high-profile people battling with the condition. Reports say Ali is suspected to have developed PD from repeated blows to the head.

The late Pontiff, John Paul II, also suffered from Parkinson’s disease which he purportedly developed after a series of surgeries from gunshot wound.

While speaking with Sunday Mirror, a neurological surgeon with Sheffield’s Hospitals, Ikeja, Lagos, Dr. Olufemi Onasanya, said Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, neuro-degenerative disorder that affects movement, muscle control, and balance as well as numerous other functions.

According to the medic, “it is part of a group of conditions known as motor systems disorders. Parkinson’s disease was named after James Parkinson, a general practitioner in London during the 19th century, who first described the symptoms of the disease. The ailment is the most common movement disorder and the second most common neuro-degenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s.”

He said: “The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are asymmetric tremors at rest, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowness in movement). There is currently no cure for the disease; it is always chronic and progres-

Pope John Paul II

Muhammad Ali

sive, meaning that the symptoms always exist and worsen over time. The rate of progression varies from person to person, as does the intensity of the symptoms.”

Dr Onasanya explained that it is not a fatal disease as many people live into their older years. Mortality of Parkinson’s disease patients, he added, is usually as a result of secondary complications, such as pneumonia or falling-related injuries.

According to the medic, PD is grouped according to age of onset, the most common type being the adult-type, where average age of onset is approximately 60 years.

He stressed that the incidence of adult onset PD rises noticeably as people advance in age into their 70’s and 80’s.

“Another group is the Young-Onset PD where age is between 21 a40 years and Juvenile PD which though rare occurs in people before age 21. Knowledge is Critical needed when dealing with a life-altering condition such as Parkinson’s disease

which can significantly impair quality of life not only for the patients but for their families as well, and especially for the primary caregivers. It is therefore important for caregivers and family members to educate themselves and become familiar with the course of Parkinson’s disease and the progression of symptoms so that they can be actively involved in communication with health care providers and in understanding all decisions regarding treatment of the patient’, he submitted.

He listed the major non-motor complications that are often associated with Parkinson’s disease to include cognitive impairment, dementia, psychosis, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbances, constipation, sexual dysfunction and vision disturbances.

He stressed: “Currently, there is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease; therefore, understanding the standard treatments and the treatment options is critical

HIV/AIDS: BSN canvasses abstinence ODINAKA URUAKPA The promotion of condom as a form of protection against the dreaded HIV/AIDS by organisations including the government has been condemned by the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN).

The body is, therefore, encouraging people to apply the right conduct such as staying faithful to their partners and abstinence, needed to curb the spread of the ailment.

General Secretary, Bible Society of Nigeria, Rev. Dare Ajiboye, said this at a press conference to start the free distribution/campaign of HIV/AIDS resource material entitled, ‘Conduct not Condom’ produced by BSN and held at the Bible Guest

House, Ilupeju, Lagos.

Rev. Ajiboye introduced the book to the public which he said would be distributed free, starting at the primary and secondary schools.

“We are concerned about the physical health and wellbeing of those we distribute the Bibles to. For this reason, we have been involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. In 2004, we produced a book entitled, ‘Take charge’, and others in subsequent years. Now, BSN is presenting a resource material on the fight against the dreaded disease. These are aimed at helping the young ones take charge of their lives so as not to fall victims of being infected with HIV,” he said.

Enumerating the notion

behind the cover design of the book, Rev. Ajiboye said: “We have carefully chosen this design to reflect the whole concept we are trying to project. The title of the book is ‘Conduct not Condom.’ When you look at the cover design, you will see a rose and around it you have thorns.

The thorn is a risk factor and a danger to the rose flower.

“But you can see we have some green leaves around them also, telling us that there is hope. This means that if we have the right conduct, HIV/ AIDS would not affect us because the thorn would not be able to pierce the flower. Also, it means that there is hope for us in the future that HIV/AIDS will soon become a thing of the past with the right conduct”.

for better controlling of the symptoms and preserving the patient’s overall functional capacity and quality of life. Families with a PD sufferer in their midst need to avail themselves of some guidebooks which they should read, especially the section that focuses on the treatments for the disease. With these they can specifically learn about medications that are commonly used to increase the levels of dopamine in the brain of patients, in an attempt to slow down the progression of the disease.

There are surgical treatment options that are available for Parkinson’s patients with severe motor symptoms that cannot be controlled with medications.

“They include pallidotomy and deep brain stimulation. It has been found out from studies that patients with Parkinson’s disease who indulge in weekly, onehour exercise sessions show improvement in their daily activities compared with those who don’t exercise.”

HEALTH NEWS Anambra: 50 women diagnosed with cervical cancer FRANCIS EKPONE National President of Anambra State Association (ASA) of women in USA, Dr. Uche Umeh, yesterday said that over 50 women have been identified to be cervical and breast cancer victims from seven communities.

Dr. Umeh stated this at Women Development Centre, Awka, Anambra State during the ASA women’s health summit which featured lectures on cancer prevention and treatment.

She said the summit was aimed at creating awareness and construction of a cancer centre at Amaku General Hospital, urging both the public and private sectors to assist

in building the centre that has been estimated to cost over N451 million.

State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, in a lecture entitled: ‘Cervical Cancer: Prevention and Management in Developing World’ revealed that cervical cancer is sexually transmitted but can be preventable and treatable through a vaccine that ought to be administered on children before puberty age.

“We thank God we have vaccine that can be used to immunise against the virus and government is preparing to give the young school children that vaccine to prevent them from having cervical cancer, and we also warn the people to desist from sexual promiscuity,” he warned.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Sunday, July 13, 2014

–Senator Adeyeye

PERSPECTIVE:

Why Ambode after Fashola?

ON EKITI GUBER POLL

THERE WERE SOME STEALINGS THAT WE ARE

YET TO DECODE OR EKITI PEOPLE MADE AN ERROR.

the apparatus of federal might was used to supplant his mandate and he had to fight a tough battle to get that mandate restored. To me, Aregbesola cannot allow that history to repeat itself. I was not allowed to vote for myself in 2007. Therefore, as director general of this campaign, I must make sure that never again would anyone be deprived the sovereignty of casting his vote for whoever he or she wants, even if it is for our opponent.

Aregbesola

he is stepping up campaigns in every part of the state. Is Omisore now a threat to his reelection?

All human beings, including politicians, speak in hyperbole. When Aregbesola said he was going to sleep if Omisore emerged as the candidate of the PDP, he was not being literary because no matter how weak your opponent is, you cannot go to sleep.

Even, with your eyes open, in Nigeria, your mandate can be stolen, much less when you go to sleep. In the recent history of Osun, Aregbesola can never forget that by 2007, he was equally loved by the people, but

Why is APC mobilising supporters from every part of the state for its rallies, instead of concentrating on people living in the area where the rally is being held?

When we have mega rallies, it is a celebration of our strength. It is a demonstration of your capacity or a way of saying let’s come together and examine issues. When you bring a man from Ila to Iwo, he can see whether Iwo has done better or worse and he can learn from it. In any case, no politician would change a formula that has worked well. The concept of mega rallies was how Aregbesola ran his campaigns in 2007. We had many rallies, but we had nine special ones at the headquarters of federal constituencies. It is only in those rallies that we brought people from everywhere so that together you can see the strength in the state.

lection –PDP Chief ON SECURITY AHEAD GUBER POLL

THE WORRISOME ASPECT IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF OSUN STATE APPEARS FAVOURABLY DISPOSED TO THOSE THREATENING

SECURITY OF OSUN STATE NOW.

Omisore

seen as paying attention to turnaround of basic infrastructure in the state, what is your take?

He is building some roads in Osogbo and a few other places but how has that improved the quality of lives of Osun people? First, some roads are built in the city centres but those ones in the rural areas where the farm produce that feeds the state comes from are neglected. Even those renovated or constructed by this government are done at cut throat prices that will still put Osun at the receiving end. I was part of PDP campaign to some places under Ila and Oke Ila, the roads in all those areas are impass-

53

able and no one is looking at the plight of these people. The secondary school in my village; I employed 10 teachers there and wanted to demolish it under the reclassification policy of Aregbesola’s government, but people resisted them. The economy of the state is not in proper shape because of low purchasing power. New market has been commissioned but no money to trade there. Local contractors are not being patronised and this is affecting everyone.

The rate of failure in external examinations has increased, drawing education back several years. The gains recorded under previous governments have been destroyed on the altar of politics. Honestly, the economy of the state has been totally affected by lack of respect for Osun people by the government.

‘POJU AKINTAYO

A

s the search for a successor to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola progresses, the need for us in Lagos to be very diligent in making a choice in 2015 becomes more pressing. This is because the next election in the state will determine many things. Our choice in 2015 will reveal, to the whole world, what our resolves are.

2015 for Lagos is a time to decide whether to move and continue on the parts of development and unhindered growth we trod under former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu and continued under Fashola, or to swerve off and toe the opposite path.

In making such a decision, many factors are to be stringently considered, according to pundits who have been having a field day discussing what the fate of Lagos State is likely to be after the 2015 election depending on what choice we make as the voting public.

Recently, I attended an inaugural lecture of an association of media practitioners where the guest lecturer, an American expert in electioneering, using Lagos State as a case study, said whoever is thinking of enthroning a Governor after Fashola must seriously consider the fact that Lagos cannot go from having a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to having a mediocre as its Governor.

He also suggested that the ideal candidate need not be too old, but must be brilliant, innovative, matured, and had a brilliant career and such person must be prepared to handle the rigours of leadership in a populated state such as ours.

For Lagos to continue on the path of greatness embarked upon since 1999, it is also instructive to consider furthermore the reputation of the man who will manage Lagos after Fashola. It was these criteria that forced me to commence, alongside my age mates, a peer search for the next occupant of Lagos House. After what I can boldly call a thorough check amongst those jostling for the job, across party divides, the mantle fell on a man befitting of the position of Lagos state Governor in 2015 and beyond.

The man on whom the mantle fell is Akinwunmi Ambode, former Auditor General for Local Governments in Lagos State and Managing Consultant/CEO of Brandsmiths Consulting Limited, a public finance and management-consulting firm with enviable understanding of the Nigerian market.

It wasn’t difficult for me and my peers, all professionals, to see the potentials that qualified Ambode as the best man for the job after Fashola because even his critics agree that he is an A-list candidate. With Akinwunmi Ambode as a candidate, any political party will only have to tell

Ambode

the voters what he has in stock for them to emerge victorious easily.

Ambode credentials are unassailable dating back to when he was born in Epe, Lagos on June 14,1964.

His educational journey traversed St. Jude’s primary school Ebute Metta, Federal Government College, Warri and the University of Lagos.

What is more, he is a chartered accountant of note. A fellow of many professional bodies, he conveniently comes across as a man who should succeed a SAN in a state like Lagos.

So with Ambode as candidate, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will simply be telling Lagosians to go from having a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to having a highly respected chartered accountant as its Governor. That will not be a hard sell by any standard.

He is also a determined character. A trait he started showing early in life. After losing his dad at a very tender age, Ambode, who had the second best result in the entire West Africa in the Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1981, went on to graduate with honours in Accounting from the University of Lagos at 21.

He has a Masters’ degree in Accounting combined with being a Chartered Accountant at 24. His brilliant career in Accounting later in life only confirmed his pedigree.

In his insatiable quest for quality knowledge he has also had stints at reputable institutions, including Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield, England, the Institute of Management Development, Lausanne, Switzerland, INSEAD Singapore and Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Boston, U.S.A. Now, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).

And at a time when the best brains seek the multinationals to ply their trades, Ambode chose the civil service. Only a man with passion for selfless service would do that. And truth be told, there are few of them, not only here in Lagos but the entire Nigerian nation. So if Lagos is now searching for a man with a career progression that has benefited his society and prepared him for leadership roles. Ambode fits the bill. A peep into his records of service, I am sure will attest to this.

‘Poju Akintayo writes from Ikorodu, Lagos.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

54

STORIES THAT TOUCH YOU Sunday July 13 2014

Rivers: Ogunsakin’s 100 days of crime busting DENNIS NAKU

PORT HARCOURT

•CP parades armed robbers, kidnappers, rapists, ritual killers

R

ivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin who succeeded then controversial CP, Mr. Mbu Joseph Mbu who is now in charge in Abuja, has had a lot to say, after spending 100 days in the saddle, in politically restive Rivers.

Ogunsakin’s deployment in the oil and gas rich state came as a relief to many, especially the political class, most of who are members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, following the accusation of Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his loyalists that the erstwhile CP was dancing to the Federal Government’s tune.

Mbu, however, saw himself as a professional, who would not be intimidated by politicians. Also for Ogunsakin, the new helmsman, the issue of professionalism, of curbing crime and restoring peace in restive areas, seems his main focus, in the last 100 days.

In well over 100 days since he assumed office, the police under his command have between March and June this year, busted high profile criminal gangs involved in car snatching, kidnapping, impersonation, cultism, murder, rape, rituals, to mention a few.

On March 10, 2014, men of the State Security Service, SSS, arrested a notorious, three-man robbery gang that specialises in armed robbery, car theft and car snatching. Their operations include breaking into parked cars in the middle of the night, snatching vehicles at gunpoint and robbing their victims of valuable possessions.

Andrew Atusi, 29, one of the suspects, is said to be the leader, as he posed as a military captain with a fake identity card. The others are Onyekachi Ebeh, 25, and Endurance Emmanuel, also, 25.

Ogunsakin while parading the suspects before newsmen said “the gang was busted while trying to sell one of their stolen cars; a pathfinder jeep. After preliminary investigations were carried out by the Police, the suspects were transferred to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Port Harcourt where further investigations were carried out.

“The investigations revealed

(Up and down) Armed robbery and kidnap suspects paraded last week by Rivers State CP in Port Harcourt, last week; inset is CP Ogunsakin

that the gang had an organised operational circle that covers Rivers, Edo, Imo and Lagos states with their base in Port Harcourt.

One of them, the kingpin, Andrew Atusi also poses as a Military Captain, and has a fake military ID card and uniform.

“So far, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad has recovered 24 vehicles and is recovering more as investigations are still ongoing,” he said.

Similarly, Rowland Chimezie, 35 years, Emeka Ogoke, 51, Paul, 30 and Saidu Mudi, 32, all suspects involved in car snatching, car theft and insurance fraud were apprehended by men of the SARS. The gang members, according to the state police boss, specialised in related crimes of snatching or stealing cars, changing of physical features of cars and forgery of car documents. “They were apprehended while trying to forcefully snatch a highlander jeep in June, 2014. Other members of the gang are at large as

investigation continues,” he said.

For cultism, kidnapping and rituals, 41-year old Onwuzuruike Nwaokagwu was nabbed by operatives of the SARS who responded to a tip-off and led a combined team to arrest a suspect of cultism, kidnap and ritual killing in his home in Igwuruta, Rivers State on June 24, 2014.

“At the point of his arrest, the

suspect was discovered to be in possession of two locally made pistols, live ammunition and a human skull. These were recovered from him.

“Upon subsequent investigation, it was revealed that the skull belonged to a lady who was murdered by the suspect and his gang; the suspect also owned up to using the skull as a medium to

get rich, claiming that the skull speaks to him and provides him with notes of 10, 20, 50 Naira after special sacrifice.

“The suspect has since confessed his membership of the brutal cult group, ‘Dey-well,” Ogunsakin said.

For 40-year-old Eze Onyebuchi, a dismissed police officer involved in conspiracy, kidnap and impersonation, the anti-kidnapping unit of the Rivers State Police Command responded to an intelligence report and rounded up a gang of kidnappers led by Onyebuchi.

“The suspect, a dismissed police officer had, in August 2010, been dismissed from the police service in Anambra State for conspiracy to kidnap one Mr. Nwa Okafor who he was assigned to serve as an escort.

“On June, 2014, his phone number was tracked in connection with the kidnap of one Elizabeth Odili. The suspect was assisted by the security man of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 55

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sunday July 13, 2014

Opinion

SMExtra

Rotary Club gets additional district in Lagos

55

Safety Tips with

Jonas Agwu

Email: j.agwu@frsc.gov.ng Tel: -8033026491, 8077690055

The BlackBerry madness

S Rotary International District 9110, now immediate past District Governor (DG), Oluwagbemiga Olowu; DG Special Representative, Bayo Windapo; Rotary Club Anthony Metropolitan Charter President, Modupe Bankole-Erikitola; Vice President, Basirat Giwa; DG, Aloysius Balogun and his wife and Rotary Club Gbagada President, Tayo Adelaja, at the Charter Presentation of Rotary Club, Anthony Metropolitan, at the Jabital International Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, at the weekend.

A

new arm of the Rotary International, District 9110, has emerged. It is Rotary Club, Anthony Metropolitan, Lagos.

The club held its charter presentation ceremony at the Jabithal International Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos recently.

In a cool and relaxed atmosphere laced with conviviality and amidst members of other Rotary Clubs, friends and relations, members of the new club were called forward and got the clip with the pin of the RI which signifies their induction into the international philanthropic organisation which membership spans no fewer than 200 countries with over a million members.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chartered President and President of the new club,

Rotarian Modupe BankoleErikitola chronicled its evolution.

According to her, the club was not exactly making its debut at the Anthony Village. There had been a Rotary Club once in the community in the 80s and that the Rotary Club of Anthony Metropolitan is like a resuscitation of the previous one which had gone obsolete.

Bankole-Erikitola, an engineer, described the RC as a humanitarian organisation spread all over the world, giving the milk of kindness to those whose who need it.

To her, the RC is where to be.

Corroborating her, Rotarian Basirat Giwa, the Vice President, said the membership drive for membership was intensified so as to spread the cost of catering for humanity in the RI and

such the resuscitation of the club at Anthony Village and its rechristening as Anthony Metropolitan.

Giwa added that at its first coming, club in 1992 built a library for the Anthony Village community within the Anthony Village Mini Stadium also known as Beko RansomeKuti Mini Stadium.

Also at the event were the now immediate past District Governor (DG), Oluwagbemiga Olowu, DG, Aloysius Balogun, DG Special Representative, Bayo Windapo, Chairman, Club Extension, Femi Adenekan, President Rotary Club of Gbagada, Tayo Adelaja, Editor-inChief, Governor’s Magazine, Arinze Okamelu and friends, family of the members.

Ogunsakin’s crime busting in Rivers CONTINUED FROM PAGE 54 victim, one Peter and accompanied by one Uzoma who is now at large. Recovered from the suspect are police uniforms, rifles and live ammunition,” the CP said.

Mary Amadi, 25, a female, was arrested for his threatening violence. On June 11, 2014 at about 1400hrs, operatives of Anti Kidnapping Unit (AKU) trailed her to Monkey Street, Elele town, where she threatened one Rachael Ohiowele popularly known as ‘Ehidianah’, a radio presenter with Wazobia FM, Port Harcourt.

According to the police, “She repeatedly sent text messages to the victim threatening to do to her what had been done to Anthony Akatakpo, aka Akas baba (also of Wazobia FM) who was kidnapped in February 2014. The suspect also demanded for N15 million from the victim. The sus-

pect (Mary Amadi) has since confessed to the crime.”

Ndubuisi Udensi, 41 and David Joseph, both males were arrested for suspected kidnap and unlawful possession of arms. “Late last year, the manager of a filling station along Omagwa-Isiokpo road was kidnapped by a gang of four, shot and conveyed to an unknown destination. The suspects also demanded and received ransom of N1.2 million.

“The gang’s modus operandi includes sending threat messages with dreadful photos and live ammunition attached to them and subsequently making death threats to their victims “Men of the AKU stayed on their trail and have arrested the kidnappers who attempted to kidnap another filling station manager, one Promise Elemah. The phone

calls made were tracked and the leader, Ndubuisi Udensi was arrested with a pistol, dynamite detonator, fake dollar bills and numerous mobile phones.

Also, a patrol team from Elimbu Division, Rivers state arrested one Mohammed Abdullahi at Bentab Hotel, Port Harcourt and recovered a Nissan Primera with registration number KHE 157 BC property of one Ulo Ajie while another Toyota corolla with registration number PHC 67 AM, property of Nest Oil Plc was recovered at Rumukwurushi pipeline.

“The suspect belongs to a syndicate that specialises in stealing cars and transporting them to Kano state from where they are taken across the border to Cameroun and Benin republic and sold as ‘Belgium’ vehicles,” the police said.

ome call it the new craze in town.

For others,it is the voque,the latest status symbol.It comes in all shades; blackberry bold,blackberry storm and blackberry curve.Truth is that this latest invention for freaky phone lovers is a delight to behold.

For the mobile man,it provides all the tools to run your business on the move but for us in the Federal Road Safety Corps, blackberry is a killer because of the level of abuse seen daily on the wheels.I know i wrote about the phoning phobia over a year ago,but this craze doubles by the day and scares me stiff. Check out the average blackberry users, especially the ones who own cars.One trait among them is their mannerism on the wheels even though a good number display gross ignorance of relevant traffic rules and a diehard penchant for violating these rules.

These traits is no respecter of sex, education, tribe or height or even looks.Whether the user lives on the highbrow Lekki, Ikoyi or Victoria Island in Lagos; be it Banana Island also in Lagos, or maybe Douglas Road in Owerri, Imo State or even Nyanya in the Federal Capital Territory, the show off is the same. All blackberry users have their peculiar swag-attitude.

Daily on the road, in all manner and shades of vehicle,they flaunt their new toy as they text, send email,chat,phone, browse the facebook and do all sorts in the name of displaying their new status. Some are bold enough to display this’’craze’’right inside the premises of the Federal Road Safety Corps and would go to any length to deny their act when caught.The major highways are not even spared by them despite the speed craze by most drivers. Even in the church during services,they do same.

Section 4; Sub-section z (ff) of the Federal Road Safety Commission, (Establishment Act) of 2007 prohibits making or receiving phone calls while driving. In fact, it was because of this ugly trend that as Sector Commander in the Federal Capital Territory a couple of years ago that, I introduced a compulsory psychiatric test for such offenders at the national hospital, in addition to one-week public enlightenment. You would be shocked to know that a good number of those arrested were found mentally unstable.

Today, the use of phone while driving, reading and sending text messages on the wheel has become the vogue all over the country. In Abuja, it is the pastime for even drivers still struggling to master their grip on the steering. Here in Lagos, Kaduna, Kano and other cities, the madness has even caught up with okada (commercial motorcycle) riders and trekkers as they compete with drivers. Phoning craze is not just a Nigerian problem. It is global. After

all, human beings exhibit same mannerisms irrespective or color or race.

In far-away England, a derby, Haulier was slammed four and a half years jail term for causing a fatal crash while talking on a bluetooth headset. According to ‘Care on the Road’, a publication of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, Marvyn Richmond, aged 49,was so engrossed in a conversation with his mother that he failed to notice traffic ahead of him had come to a standstill, and ploughed into the back of the queue, killing a passenger in the van. He was jailed after being convicted at Lincoln Crown Court for causing death by dangerous driving.

Richmond, a driver for 25 years was oblivious to all around him, because of the 23- minute call to his mother and did not even apply the brakes of his Scania HGV before plunging into the traffic. Michael Buston was killed outright, his brother-in-law, Peter Long, was badly injured, and the driver of the lorry at the front of the queue, Andrejz Matkowski, lost both arms.

According to the report, the fact that he had both hands on the wheel did not alter the fact that he was severely distracted by talking on his bluetooth headset. The use of hands free, according to the transport research laboratory, makes drivers four times more likely to have an accident, with concentration levels reduced for 10 minutes after the call had ended.

The report also showed that drivers making hands-free calls had slower reaction times than those who were slightly over the drink limit. This case is similar to the incident in Abuja, except that no life was lost and nobody jailed, although the act cited above in Section 20 now provides a seven-year jail term for anyone who causes death by dangerous or reckless driving.

In the United Kingdom, around 30 deaths on the roads each year are linked to mobile phone use even though the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accident (ROSPS) believes this is “just the tip of the iceberg” because so few drivers admit to using mobile phones when they cause crashes. Back home, the scenario is not different. However, statistics available to the FRSC, Lagos Sector Command indicates that in the year 2008, a total of over 372 offenders were arrested for driving and phoning as at December 22 in 2009; the figure is 381. Some have crashed in the process.

Some were lucky while others ended up with injuries or death. Despite these, the urge to own a blackberry has become the most dangerous virus. It is hoped that the new FRSC regulations, which make it illegal not to report an accident, would no doubt improve data collections with respect to crashes caused by phoning and driving, if only we own up to our daily blunders on the wheels.

•Agwu, a Corps Commander, is Corps Public Education Officer, Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

56

Business FRESH BUSINESS NEWS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Sunday July 13, 2014

Navy yields 3 suspected oil thieves, vessel to INTERPOL THEOPHILUS ONOJEGHEN WARRI

T

he Nigerian Naval Ship, ‘NNS Delta’, has handed over three suspected oil thieves and a vessel carrying 75 metric tons of Automotive Gas & Oils (AGO) arrested along 200 nautical miles off the Angola terrestrial waters to the International Police, INTERPOL. Parading the arrested suspects in Warri, the Commander, NNS Delta, Navy Captain Musa Gemu said the handover was done

to enable the INTERPOL carry out further investigations on the level of involvement of MV Gare in illegal oil activities.

While handing over the suspects to INTERPOL representatives led by Mr. Soji Idowu, the Navy Commander gave the names of the suspects as Takoradi Doghor, who is captain of the ship, William Asegieme and Ovwakporaye Osagada, who are chief Engineer and able seamen respectively, on board.

Gemu noted that acting on a tipoff, he gathered

that the arrested vessel had been involved in hijacking products, especially AGO, adding that he did his investigation and discovered that the information was true.

He said: “We have just handed over this ship you are seeing behind me, MV Gare. Sometimes in March, she was used for product hijacking. They hijacked MT Kerala, 200 nautical miles off the coast of Angola. As at the time of the hijack, MT Kerala was carrying product worth 10 million Dollars and this ship

was reported to have been involved.”

“We saw her in Nigerian territorial waters and in my own Area of Responsibility (AOR), I arrested her and commenced investigation. And it was confirmed she was around that place.

“But I have some limits of my investigation and therefore handed over to the police for further investigation. So what you have just witnessed today is the handing over to the police for further investigation; that is all, the naval officer explained.”

L-R: Managing Director, Nigeria Commodity Exchange, Mr. Yusuf Abdurrahim; Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga and DirectorGeneral, Security and Exchange Commission, Ms. Arunma Oteh, during the inauguration of electronic warehouse receipt system in Abuja last week.

PHOTO: NAN

We’ve no powers to liquidate insurance firms –NDIC The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has said that liquidation of insurance companies does not fall under its purview and therefore its proposed amendments bill now before the National Assembly was not designed to seek powers to liquidate such entities.

Making the clarification in a statement issued yesterday, the Head, Communication and Public Affairs of the Corporation, Alhaji Hadi Birchi, pointed out that the clarification was necessary to correct the erroneous impression created in the public by a section of the media that CBN opposed the proposed NDIC powers to liquidate insurance companies sequel to the public hearing last Tuesday by the House of Representatives Committee on Banking and Currency.

According to him, as a deposit insurer and liquidator of insured deposit taking financial institutions, the liquidation of insurance companies does not fall under the purview of the NDIC, adding that Corporation’s proposed amendments bill now before the National Assembly did not seek for powers to liquidate insurance companies or terminate the insurance firm’s licenses as erroneously published in the national dailies.

Birchi stated that contrary to the misrepresentation of the provisions

of the amendments bill, the proposed amendments were forwarded to the Legislature as a necessary step towards enabling the Corporation discharge its mandates effectively and efficiently in view of the emerging developments in the local and international deposit insurance environments over the past years.

He explained: “The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation was established in 1989 vide the NDIC Act of 1988 with powers among others to supervise insured institutions, resolve banks distress conditions and to act as liquidator of closed insured financial institutions whose licences have been revoked.

“These powers were not only retained by the NDIC Act 2006 which replaced the NDIC Act of 1988 but were strengthened for greater effectiveness. The NDIC Act of 2006 had enabled the Corporation to collaborate effectively with the CBN in resolving banking crises in Nigeria, particularly the crises of 2009.

“However, emerging challenges after the crises as well as the experience garnered in the operation of deposit insurance in Nigeria in the past twentyfive (25) years have necessitated the need for a further review of the 2006 Act in order to empower the Corporation to address the emerging challenges. The proposed amendments are therefore to enable the Corporation discharge its mandates effectively and efficiently”, Birchi added.

national Airport, Mr. Tajudeen Olanrewaju, commended NAHCo for raising the bar in cargo service delivery in Nigeria.

Olanrewaju, who was accompanied by top officers of the body at the airport, showered encomiums on the company for the donations, while advising his men to put the facilities to optimum use.

Commenting on the development, the Managing Directo, NAHCo/Aviance, Mr. Kayode OluwasegunOjo, who led other management staff of the company to the formal handing-over of the facilities to the Customs, thanked the latter for the excellent relationship that had existed between the two organisations over the years.

TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

NAHCo increases cargo service to 24hrs OLUSEGUN KOIKI

T

he Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCo/Aviance) has announced 24 hours cargo operations at all the major airports in the country.

The company said that the essence of the 24 hours cargo service operations is

to further develop air cargo industry in the country.

The ground-handling company said that the 24 hours operations began following the agreement it reached with the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, to extend its hours of operation at the Cargo airport complex.

NAHCo in a statement by its spokesman, Mr. San-

ya Onayoade, and made available to journalists in Lagos stated that with the 24 hours service, cargo facilitation would be faster and easier for clearing agents and other businessmen around the country.

Onayoade emphasised that this would further reduce the stockpiling of cargo at the tarmac and bulk-breaking areas due to

enhanced operational capacity, adding that it would also lead to proper maximisation of cargo potentials, thereby expediting on timely delivery to customers and daytime capability.

At the presentation of furnished portakabin and other items that would facilitate the scheme, the Customs Area Comptroller, Murtala Muhammed Inter-

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Kano customer wins N1m in FCMB promo TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

A female customer in Kano, Chizoba Perpetua Azilugwu, at the weekend emerged the regional star prize winner of N1million in the 30th Anniversary Promo Reloaded contest of First City Monument Bank (FCMB) which kicked off across the geo-political zones in the country.

This is even as five other customers who emerged as zonal winners in the electronically-processed Draws conducted at the Zone 4 regional office of the bank in Abuja also carted home prizes, including a generator set, LED television, DVDs and others.

The winners at the zonal draw included,

BUSINESS

Sunday, July 13, 2014

Mallam Suleiman Muhammed Tukur, the winner of the generator set; Emegwara Remigius , winner of the LED television set; David-Kane Sorbarikor, Tonia Aowanachi Mbanaja and Rita Areh, who won DVDs respectively. Other consolation prizes were given to scores of customers who witnessed the raffle draw.

Speaking at the Abuja event, the bank’s Head, Federal Capital Territory Zone 1, Mr Baldwin Onuigbo, said the promo was being held simultaneously in other zones of South-South and South West as part of the management’s commitment to reward the bank’s customers and thank them for being invaluable partners over the years.

57

National crop insurance policy underway –Adesina TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

T

o protect farmers from climate-induced occupational hazards and ensuring that the country is not exposed to food security shocks, the Federal Government yesterday said plans were being made to launch and commence the implementation of a National Crop Insurance for farmers by next year.

This is even as it also canvassed judicious utilisation of the nation’s water resources as a strategic option of enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to boost food production and protect the arable land on a sustainable basis.

Disclosing this at the two-day Inception Workshop on Water Management Solutions for

Flood-Recession and Dry Season Agriculture in Nigeria, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, who spoke elaborately on the food security and job creation gains of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA), said it had become imperative for government to design appropriate policy frameworks and other necessary measures to ensure improved management of the nation’s water resources.

The minister said to achieve this agenda, attention would be given to small-scale water management systems as against the current practice in which substantial attention is devoted to largescale irrigation systems.

Noting that the massive expansion of small-

scale water management system embarked upon during the last dry season farming had improved rice production significantly, Adesina explained that as part of government’s efforts to achieve improved management of the available water resources , water vouchers would be provided to women farmers to improve their access to water in their farming engagements.

In addition, the minister disclosed that other operational supports, including support for leasing of irrigation equipment, subsidies for farmers to acquire smallscale motorised pumps and local manufacturing of pumps and financing for improved watersheds and community-based irrigation systems would

also be provided for farmers with a view to encouraging the youths and other unemployed people to take to agriculture as a business.

On the planned deployment of the Integrated Water Management solutions by the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), the first phase of which is scheduled to take off in Anambra, Benue and Kogi State, the minister said the phase would focus on creating an evidence-based framework on assessing floods and flooding patterns for decision-making purposes.

According to him, in the mid to long term, the second phase will focus on agricultural water management solutions which will be scaled up to support and improve dry season farming.

AT THE OFFICIAL COMMISSIONING OF FMBN - ELIM ESTATE IN ENUGU

L-R: Estate Developer, Surveyor (Rev.) Ugochukwu Chime, Managing Director/CEO, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Mr Gimba Ya’u Kumo, Minister of Federal Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Akon Eyakenyi, Vice President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Arc Muhammad Namadi Sambo and the Governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime at the official commissioning of the FMBN-Elim Estate in Enugu state, Friday, July 11, 2014.

A cross section of the FMBN Elim Estate Houses

L-R: Estate Developer, Surveyor (Rev.) Ugochukwu Chime; Managing Director/CEO, Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Mr Gimba Ya’u Kumo and Vice President Sambo admiring the plaque during the commissioning ceremony

Executive Director Loans Production/ Securities Issuance and Market Development of FMBN, Bola Ogunsola (left), Executive Director, Policy and Strategy/Loans Set Up/ Payoff, Mike Nwogbo, at the commissioning

58

Sunday, July 13, 2014

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59

Sport

Blame Keshi for Eagles’ P. 60 poor outing in Brazil –Ajayi KEEPING YOU ABREAST OF SPORTING NEWS

Lehmann: Germany will win 2014 P. 61 World Cup

July 13, 2014

...Kick-off 9p.m.

CURTAIN FALLS ON BRAZIL 2014 WORLD CUP

Germany, Argentina re-enact rivalry in Maracana

•Messi, Klose hope for best •Gold trophy, $35m at stake

IFEANYI EDUZOR

G

ermany and Argentina will today at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro revive memories of their World Cup appearances as they face each other for a record three times in the history of World Cup finals.

The competition which began on June 12 with 32 teams representing all the continents of the World will also see billions of football fans across the World glued to their television sets to watch a grand finale by the two teams parading some of the best players in the World.

Both their last World Cup triumphs came against each other; with Argentina winning the trophy in 1986 in Mexico after beating Germany 3-2 in Mexico City and four years later in 1990 when the competition was held in Italy, Germany defeated their perennial foes by 1-0 to be crowned champions.

Should the Germans who inflicted the heaviest defeat on Brazil in the semi-finals triumph in today’s encounter, they will make history as the first European side to win a World Cup

on South American soil while any of the country that triumphs will enter the history books as the first country to win current World Cup trophy for third time; but they will not have it for keeps. They will receive a replica and pocket the $35million at stake.

Prior to qualifying for the finals, Argentina scored only nine goals, compared to Germany’s 17. After their drubbing of the hosts, the Germans are now the highest scorers in World Cup history with 223 goals, overtaking Brazil.

As the two teams go into today’s final, all eyes will be on four -time World Footballer of the year, Lionel Messi, who at the age of 27, will be playing in his first World Cup final. Argentines will be hoping that the greatest player of his generation will be able to summon the spirit of Diego Maradona and honour the memory of recently deceased Alfredo Di Stefano by leading them to victory on the soil of their biggest rivals while Germans who have been runners-up on four occasions namely in 1966, 1982, 1986 and 2002 will be hoping to re-enact the same form that made them annihilate Brazil as they hope to lift the trophy for the fourth time.

Today’s encounter which is a departure from the all Europe final witnessed in South Africa four years ago has already been dubbed as football war between Europe and South America and considering the pedigree of the two teams in international football, the outcome is very difficult to predict. Both teams boast of talented players who know what is at stake in a World Cup final and will be ready to give football fans a good match that will be remembered in the next four years when another World Cup will be hosted by Russia.

Although Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella believes a well-rested German side will have the advantage against the weary South Americans, but the reason might not be true of La Albiceleste who are known for their doggedness, hard work and seriousness on the field of play.

But Sabella who spoke admiringly of German football whom he praised for their physical might, tactical, mental prowess admitted that the match will be extremely difficult but was quick to assure his fellow countrymen that they will not disappoint in today’s encounter.

WORLD CUP PAST WINNERS HOSTS

WINNERS

SCORES

2014 Brazil

–

Germany vs Argentina

2010 South Africa

Spain

Spain 1-0 Netherlands

2006 Germany

Italy

Italy 5-3 France (penalties)

2002 Japan / S. Korea

Brazil

Brazil 2-0 Germany

1998 France

France

France 3-0 Brazil

1994 USA

Brazil

Brazil 3-2 Italy 3-2 (penalties)

1990 Italy

Germany

Germany 1-0 Argentina

1986 Mexico

Argentina

Argentina 3-2 Germany

1982 Spain

Italy

Italy 3-1 Germany

1978 Argentina

Argentina

Argentina 3-1 Holland

1974 Germany

Germany

Germany 2-1 Holland

1970 Mexico

Brazil

Brazil 4-1 Italy

1966 England

England

England 4-2 Germany

1962 Chile

Brazil

Brazil 3-1 Czechoslovakia

1958 Sweden

Brazil

Brazil 5-2 Sweden

1954 Switzerland

Germany

Germany 3-2 Hungary

1950 Brazil

Uruguay

Uruguay 2-1 Brazil

1946

not held

–

1942

not held

–

1938 France

Italy

Italy 4-2 Hungary

1934 Italy

Italy

Italy 2-1 Czechoslovakia

1930 Uruguay

Uruguay

Uruguay 4-2 Argentina

60

Sport

Sunday July 13, 2014

Knockout IFEANYI Eduzor with

08055829770 ifeduz24@yahoo.com

Bash Ali fans club Harps on boxing development A

passionate appeal has been made to President Goodluck Jonathan to focus more on the development of other sports other than football in view of the poor showing of the Super Eagles at the on-going Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup. President of Bash Ali Fans Club of Nigeria, Dickson Ayorinde Oshin, said that despite all the public funds spent on the Super Eagles’ preparation for the Mundial, all the team could achieve was a second round ouster from the competition even as he canvassed for a return to such sports as boxing that had brought fame and glory to the country in the past.

“I think it is high time Mr. President looks into how the government can support other sports instead of wasting the country’s meager resources on football at the detriment of other sports.

“It is no longer news that our own Bash Ali is planning a Guinness Book of World Record fight against American Rick Camlin in Nigeria and he is asking for the support of the government which in return will bring sports investments such as setting up of five sports academies across Nigeria and a pay-per-view revenue of $500m as well as one sports equipment company.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Blame Keshi for Eagles’ poor outing in Brazil –Ajayi IFEANYI EDUZOR

M

ore reactions have continued to trail the Super Eagles early exit from the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup with a retired Grade 1 referee, Michael Ajayi, blaming Coach Stephen Keshi for poor player’s selection prior to the tournament.

He told our correspondent that the team selected by Keshi was structurally defective which contributed to their inability to go beyond the second round of the Mundial.

“When you look at the team, you will discover that most of the players he selected are not playing regularly for their clubs.

“The implication of this is that the team lacked a good bench that is capable of turning the tide as well as adding

an excellent value to the team.

And that was why when Onazi was injured; we could not have any replacement.

“His team also lacked skilled players in some key areas of the game. A good team is expected to have good penalty takers, set pieces takers, specialists in long and short distance free kicks as well as corner kicks” , explained Ajayi who also doubles as the Chief Patron of Lagos State Referees Council.

He expressed regrets that Keshi because of personal reasons shut out the likes of Ike Uche and Taye Taiwo who’s non- inclusion in the team affected their performance as well as exposed the striking options available to the technical crew.

According to him, Keshi lacked the necessary technical qualities to lead the Super Eagles and advocated the hiring

Keshi

of Coach Samson Siasia as an interim Coach why efforts should be put in place to recruit a foreign Coach of international repute who must reside in Nigeria to develop the country’s football.

Glasgow 2014: Boxers’ preparation worries Obisia Ajunwa thumbs up Supporters’ Club denies quality of ARS South/ misappropriation allegation F ormer national boxing coach, Obisia Nwankpa has expressed concern over the shoddy preparation of boxers for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games; saying that it could have a negative effect on the pugilist performance in Scotland.

He told our correspondent that people should not expect much from the team because they started preparations for the Games late unlike other countries which began preparation for the Games more than three years ago.

“People should not expect much from the boxers because they started preparation very late unlike their counterparts from other countries which have been preparing for the Games more than three years ago. “ It is unfortunate that few weeks to the Games, we are still talking of training tours for the pugilists when they are supposed to have finalized all their training programmes and this will definitely affect their performance in Glasgow”, Obisia concluded.

Lukmon Lawal of Nigeria (l) in action with Ihab Almatbouli of Jordan at the London 2012 Olympics.

...Lament dearth of tournaments N igerian boxers have urged the National Sports Commission and the Nigeria Boxing Federation to put modalities on ground towards organizing tournaments on regular basis as a way of arresting the slide in the pugilist game.

Some of the boxers, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, noted that a situation where boxing tournaments are not organized regularly is

impacting negatively on the development of the Game with a warning that if nothing is done urgently to arrest the situation, the country will continue to witness poor result at international competitions.

“There is the need for sports administrators in the country to map out strategies towards encouraging corporate organizations to sponsor boxing tournaments regularly as is done in other countries.

South Zonal tourney ANDREW EKEJIUBA PORT HARCOURT

N

igeria’s Olympic gold medalist and Technical Adviser of the Port Harcourt zone of the just concluded Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) U-17 Football Tournament, Chioma Ajunwa-Oparah has hailed the quality of play exhibited by the competing teams.

Speaking to our correspondent at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt, venue of the competition, she said the technical crew is working very hard to fish out the best from the pack in the zone ahead of the national finals in Lagos later this month.

“The South /South zonal competition of the Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) U-17 Football Tournament has witnessed a tremendous display of good football artistry and the situation is making it very tough for us to get the best from the groups among the wonderful players who took part in the competition, “Seeing the ages of these players and the quality of football they exhibited has thrilled many football fans and enthusiasts. In fact there is a bright future for Nigerian football from what we have seen here and I strongly believe that the South / South zone will be the team to beat in both the male and female categories at the national finals in Lagos.

Six U-17 female teams and eleven male teams from the various states of the South/ South geo-political zone of the country took part in the weeklong competition which ended yesterday in Port Harcourt.

IFEANYI EDUZOR

N

igeria Football Supporters Club has denied report in some sections of the media that its Globacom sponsorship and the Federal Government’s largesse that enabled it travel to Brazil to support the Super Eagles at the 2014 World Cup is causing disharmony in the club, describing the report as not only malicious but false.

According to a statement by the club signed by its Secretary General Rev, Samuel Ikpea and made available to our correspondent, the club wondered why the writer of the malicious article did not deem it fit to cross check his facts before going to press even as it stated that it will not allow the false report affect its cordial relationship with the Nigerian media.

He noted that it was wrong for the reporter to insinuate that the President General of the Club, Rafiu La-

dipo single handedly managed funds raised for the Mundial since according to him, a committee was set up for that purpose and what Ladipo did was only to supervise the committee. “ It beats my imagination that the writer of the offensive and inaccurate story not only accused Rafiu Ladipo of perpetuating himself in office but also alleged that he single handedly disbursed funds for the Brazil trip.

“The truth of the matter is that a committee was appointed for the handling of the funds and all members were aware of how such funds were disbursed. All Ladipo did was to supervise the committee as the President General.

Ikpea also faulted the allegation in the report that non members of the club were sponsored to Brazil, noting that only Journalists who have been working for the upliftment of the club were allowed to be part of the trip to Brazil.

Members of Nigeria Football Supporters club cheering Super Eagles in Brazil.

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What have your impressions been of the World Cup in Brazil?

The impression I’ve had watching from Germany has been confirmed by phone calls I’ve had with people who are at the tournament. It’s one of the best World Cup’s there’s ever been. The locals are said to be very helpful and hospitable and I’m told the atmosphere both in and outside the stadiums is fantastic.

What have you made of Germany’s performances in Brazil so far?

They’ve been very good. We’ve got the best team at this World Cup: we’re organized, compact and fantastic on the ball. You can tell that a lot of our boys, including some of the ones on the bench, are used to playing in the latter stages of the Champions League.

What are your thoughts on your successor in Germany’s goal, Manuel Neuer?

He’s had a perfect World Cup so far.

He’s without doubt the best goalkeeper there is at the moment, and I’m especially pleased about one thing he does.

Back when I was a player I think I was one of the first keepers to play in the style he’s been so successful with today.

A lot of people called me crazy when I did it, which makes it all the nicer to see that I was actually on the right track.

Have you been able to make sense of what happened in the semi-final against Brazil?

This might sound harsh but at the moment Brazil just aren’t good enough to reach the Final. The way Germany’s first goal was scored says it all really; a high ball came in from a corner and Thomas Muller was free to volley it in from knee-height. The subsequent goals came about because Brazil had a collective blackout and their heads weren’t in the right place. However, the main thing was the difference in quality between the teams. Even if Neymar and Thiago Silva had been playing it would only have reduced that gap a little bit.

Germany will face Argentina today in the final. What memories do you have of

Sport

Sunday July 13, 2014

61

Lehmann: Germany will win 2014 World Cup Between 1998 and 2008 Jens Lehmann earned a total of 61 caps for Germany, but one match in particular stands out above all others. At the quarter-final stage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup on home soil, Lehman became a national hero as Germany beat Argentina 4-2 on penalties after the game had finished 1-1. The former Arsenal goalkeeper spoke to FIFA.com about his thoughts on that match, why he is especially pleased with the success of Germany’s current No1, Manuel Neuer, and why he believes his countrymen are clear favourites going into today’s FIFA World Cup Final in Brazil. playing against the South Americans?

The first thing that springs to mind is of course the quarter-final at the 2006 World Cup. Before that game everyone demanded that we beat them because we hadn’t defeated a big team for a few years. Fortunately we managed to do that via spot kicks.

And after saving two penalties in that shoot-out you were the hero of the side.

How many times have you been asked about that encounter since?

(Laughs) I’ve stopped counting. Sometimes I have the impression there are peo-

ple who believe that was the only match I ever played. I knew back then that we had good penalty takers and I had the feeling that I would save at least two. Luckily enough, that turned out to be the case.

How would you assess the Argentinean team?

They’re a compact unit and are very strong at the back. It’s no coincidence that they’ve only conceded three goals throughout the whole tournament.

They’ve also got fantastic players up front too, with Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain and Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Will that be enough for them to be able

to beat Germany?

I don’t think so. Germany has got greater strength in depth and we’ve got more players who play at the highest level every year. You only need to look at the kind of big international games the Bayern players have been involved in over the last few years. That makes a huge difference because you gain a lot of experience from those sorts of encounters.

Do you think Germany will win the World Cup again for the first time in 24 years?

Yes, I’m sure of it, and at the moment I’m frantically searching for a flight to Brazil because I’d love to be there.

SPORTS NEWS

Rivers shine in AIRS P/Harcourt zonal championship

Ejele boosts Sapele Stars

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Sapele, Delta State based politician and renowned sports philanthropist, Honourable Michael Diden, popularly known as Ejele has extended his philanthropy to Academy for Stars Sapele by sponsoring nine of their players to Europe for trails.

Ejele who had earlier promised financial help to the club fulfilled his promise by sponsoring nine members of the academy to Europe for trials.

Speaking before the players departed Murtala Mohammed International Airport to Albania on a Turkish Airways flight, he stated that his decision to empower the youths through sports prompted him to offer help to the players.

“It has always been my desire to touch the lives of youths in Sapele, Delta State and Nigeria generally. It is not about the mon-

ey but it’s about producing and inspiring youths that the country can be proud of in future.

“I have done this to inspire other youths and it is my prayer that they get good clubs abroad towards the betterment of their lives, families and the Nigerian society as a whole”, declared Diden Ejele who beside his tight political schedule does not miss training every weekend with Sapele All Stars such as Jerome Ezaba, Emma Abbah, Daniel Odedede, Julius Etegbiku and others at the Sapele Township Stadium.

Meanwhile, England based President of Academy for Stars who is also a registered player Agent; Elvis Ewruje has expressed gratitude to Hon. Micheal Diden Ejele for not only sponsorship the trip but being in the vanguard of developing the youths of Sapele.

•as Enugu records massive turnout ANDREW EKEJIUBA PORT HARCOURT

T Ejele

AIRTEL RISING STARS U-17 PORT HARCOURT ZONAL FINALS MALE Rivers Team A 4-3 Delta (Penalties) THIRD PLACE Akwa Ibom 2-1 Rivers Team B FEMALE Rivers Team A 3-1 Akwa Ibom THIRD PLACE Cross River 3-0 Bayelsa

eam Rivers emerged winners in both male and female finals of the AIRS Port Harcourt zonal championship which was rounded up yesterday in the Rivers State capital.

In the finals of the male category, Rivers Team A defeated hard fighting Delta State 4-3 on penalties after a pulsating 1-1 draw while in the female category, Rivers Team A also defeated Akwa Ibom 3-1 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 at regulation time.

Meanwhile, Coaches handling the Enugu Zonal finals of the Airtel Rising Stars Season

4 Football championships have been battling with the large turnout of kid footballers during the screening exercise.

Enugu Zonal coordinator Ann Chiejine told our reporter that it is clear Nigerian kids are in search of where to express themselves through football.

“The players here are too much for such a short period given us. Many will be screened out because every one of them looks determined and eager to do well,” she said.

She said the case was complicated when some of the players that had already been screened still come back under different platform for another screening.

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Sport

Sunday July 13, 2014

Maradona: Messi will define World Cup final

Mertesacker warns against complacency

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ermany defender Per Mertesacker warned his team-mates against complacency as they prepare to face Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final.

Joachim Low’s men progressed to the World Cup final in emphatic fashion, routing host nation Brazil 7-1 in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday.

Of the seven goals scored at the Estadio Governador Magalhaes Pinto, five came before the half-hour mark as Germany produced a devastating period of football in their quest for a fourth World Cup title.

With Germany and Argentina, who have kept a tournamenthigh four clean sheets, set to go head-to-head at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, Mertesacker said his team must maintain the same level of performance if they are to claim their first World Cup since 1990.

Coincidently, Germany known as West Germany at the time overcame Argentina 1-0 to win the 1990 showpiece at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

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Mertesacker

ionel Messi will “define” Argentina’s FIFA World Cup Final against Germany, national legend Diego Maradona expects.

Messi has captained Argentina to the final, scoring four goals and turning in a number of match-winning performances early in the tournament.

Though his output has been stifled in the knockout rounds, a defensive solidity established by Alejandro Sabella has helped Argentina reach a first final since 1990 - when they also faced the Germans.

Furthering the rivalry between the nations, Germany have eliminated Argentina from the last two World Cups, including a 4-0 hammering at the quarterfinal stage four years ago when an attack-minded Maradona took charge.

With the South Americans eyeing a first global triumph since Maradona’s sparkling display at Mexico ‘86, the former captain believes 2014’s skipper will be the one to lead from the front at the Maracana on today.

Lehmann: Germany experience will count

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Lahmann

ormer Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann believes the side’s biggame experience will lead them to victory in the FIFA World Cup final today at the Maracana.

Joachim Low leads Germany into today’s showpiece against Argentina as favourites after a ruthless 7-1 destruction of host nation Brazil in the last four.

Lehmann who won 61 caps for Germany is confident they will win, citing the large number of Bayern Munich players at Low’s disposal as crucial.

The keeper was his nation’s penal-

Italian referee for World Cup final

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talian Nicola Rizzoli has been chosen

by Fifa to referee the 2014 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina.

Englishman Howard Webb, who refereed the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa, was one of Fifa’s shortlisted officials but was not selected.

Germany and Argentina play in the Maracana stadium, Rio De Janeiro, at 20:00 BST today.

Rizzoli, an architect from Bologna, has already refereed three matches at

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

this year’s tournament in Brazil.

The 42-year-old took charge of Spain v Netherlands, Nigeria v Argentina and Argentina v Belgium.

Rizzoli also refereed the 2010 Europa League final between Atletico Madrid and Fulham, and the 2013 Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

He will be assisted by compatriots Renato Faverani and Andrea Stefani, while Ecuadorian Carlos Vera will be the fourth official.

Rizzoli

ty-shootout hero in their 2006 World Cup quarter-final win against Argentina and Germany beat them at the same stage four years ago.

And Lehmann is convinced Germany will end Argentina’s World Cup for the third time in a row.

“I’m sure of Germany winning,” Lehmann told FIFA’s official website.

“We’ve got the best team at this World Cup: we’re organized, compact and fantastic on the ball.

“You can tell that a lot of our boys, including some of the ones on the bench, are used to playing in the latter stages of the Champions League.

Messi

Scolari gets Brazil FA backing

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nder-fire Brazil Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari deserves to keep his job, according to the president-elect of the nation’s football federation.

The FIFA World Cup hosts were humiliated 7-1 by Germany in their semi-final and face the Netherlands in a third-place play-off on Saturday.

The loss to Germany led to calls for Scolari to be sacked despite the 65-yearold leading Brazil to FIFA Confederations Cup glory just last year.

But president-elect of the Brazilian Football Confederation, Marco Polo Del Nero said Scolari should stay on.

“To me, he stays,” Del Nero told the Estado de Sao Paulo newspaper.

“What happened was a tactical error.

That was the problem. But we all make mistakes. It can happen to anyone.

“The important thing is that he did a good job. The campaign and the preparations were good. A base exists.”

Del Nero takes over from Jose Maria Marin in April 2015 and it was the first time either man had spoken since the loss to Germany.

Scolari refuses to talk about his future until after the World Cup, which finishes with the final between Germany and Argentina on Sunday.

Sunday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Sunday July 13, 2014

Silva endured sleepless nights

Muller, Lahm focused on fulfilling their dream T homas Muller may have a reputation as being one of the most light-hearted members of Joachim Low’s Germany side, but ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final against Argentina, even his seemingly permanent smile was replaced by an expression of steely resolve.

While cities across his homeland prepare for the tens of thousands of fans expected to attend public viewing events today, the attacker is focused on preparing himself for the “biggest” of big games at the iconic Estadio Maracana.

“In terms of prestige and importance, the World Cup Final is the biggest game you can play in as a footballer,” Muller said. And having found the net five times

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rustrated Brazil captain Thiago Silva has lost sleep since his team’s humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany at the FIFA World Cup. Thiago Silva was badly missed by Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men, who were torn apart and conceded five times in the opening 29 minutes in the semi-final loss. But said the defeat would only make Brazil stronger.

“The frustration is immense. I spent some nights with insomnia, thinking about this World Cup, on this possible final match and this won’t happen anymore,” Thiago Silva told a news conference.

“But, I always had motivation to play football. I think when we love what we do, and it doesn’t matter the situation we have to learn with our mistakes.

“Our errors during the last game will make us stronger.”

already at Brazil 2014, his objective is clear: to help Germany win a fourth FIFA World Cup after triumphs in 1954, 1974 and 1990.

There is, he explained, no time for anything else. “Unfortunately we’ve not managed a sightseeing tour of Rio de Janeiro to get to know the magic of this city,” he said, “So for me there’s only one reason to come back to Rio: to win the Trophy.“ “Now we’re just a step away from making our dream come true and achieving our common aim,” said Philipp Lahm, winner of a UEFA Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup. “When you’re this close there’s only one thing you can do: stay fully focused and just concentrate on the task at hand. That’s what we’re going to do today.

Lizarazu lauds Argentina’s craftiness

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Lizarazu

ormer France international Bixente Lizarazu praised Argentina’s ability to break up the play ahead of the FIFA World Cup final.

Argentina and Germany, two of the most successful footballing nations with five world championships between them -will meet in the World Cup decider at the iconic Maracana in Rio de Janeiro today.

Alejandro Sabella’s men kept four clean sheets en route to the final -more than any other nation in Brazil including their penalty shoot-out triumph over the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Argentina restricted the Netherlands, who dismantled defending champions Spain 5-1 in their World Cup opener, to just one shot on target throughout their semi-final contest, despite Louis van Gaal boasting the likes of Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder.

And Lizarazu a World Cup (1998) and European Championship (2000) winner with France said Argentina’s defensive capabilities could prove to be a deciding factor against the three-time champions, who edged the South Americans in the 1990 final.

World Cup Final to be filmed in 360° Ultra HD

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roduction of the 2014 FIFA World Cup final will pioneer a 360-degree viewing experience thanks to a panoramic, Ultra HD OmniCam developed by scientists at the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute in Berlin.

Football fans will be able to re-live all the drama and emotion of today’s match between Germany and Argentina in this groundbreaking format for the first time at the new FIFA World Football Museum

in Zürich, which is scheduled to open its doors to the public in early 2016.

The innovation is the latest visual technology to be introduced by FIFA as part of the production of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, alongside live 4K and 8K productions of matches and a multimedia revolution in sports entertainment.

Positioned at the halfway line, the OmniCam will record the complete stadium in one panoram-

ic view. This means that soccer matches can be watched on the 360° or 180° screens of future panoramic cinemas, as if the viewer is sitting in the stadium watching the match in person.

OmniCam video content will also soon be coming as second screen apps to tablets, smartphones or laptops. Users will have the opportunity to navigate through the stadium and thus become their own camera operators.

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Muller

Germany honours Bangladeshi fan

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he German government on yesterday honoured a Bangladeshi farmer for making a massive German flag in support of the country in the World Cup final against Argentina.

Ferdinand von Weyhe, charge d’affaires at the German embassy in Bangladesh, travelled nearly 200km from the capital Dhaka, to hand a lifelong membership of the official fan club of the German national team to farmer Amjad Hossain, 65, in the western Magura district.

Hossain was also given a small gift pack.

More than 500 people gathered at a ceremony at a local playground, where the flag was put on display ahead of today’s match between Germany and Argentina in Brazil.

The farmer said he started supporting Germany in the 2006 World Cup; two years after he recovered from an illness using homeopathic medicine made in Germany.

“I started supporting Germany as a mark of gratitude,” Hossain, a father of 10, said by phone. “I never expected that anyone from the embassy would come to see me.”

IOC President commends Brazil

I

nternational Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach on Friday praised Brazil for its organization of the World Cup and said the 2016 Rio Olympics would benefit from the “passion and efficiency” of the people.

Bach was speaking after a meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff in Brasilia to discuss the legacy from the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. “I was pleased to hear the confidence President Rousseff has in the Games and what they will deliver, and it was good to hear that the Games and their legacy will be a top priority,” Bach said.

“The IOC will contribute $1.5 billion to the Games, which will leave a huge sporting, economic and social legacy.”

Looking at the football World Cup currently being held throughout the country, Bach said “Brazil and Brazilians can be proud,” of how the tournament was run.

IOC president Thomas Bach

N I G E R I A

N100 Vol. 4 No. 30

Sunday July 13, 2014

Back Page

Comment E-mail:

nwaunah@yahoo.com Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Dean, School of Languages and General Studies, The Premier University of Sao Tome and Principe

with Jim Unah

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he spread of a dangerous fallacy and the root of the breach of trust In all of these, nothing has been said about the bankruptcy of the moral capital of those who happen to be in control. Here, the real culprit is not just the leader. To think that the leader is the only culprit in the breach of the triangle of trust in absolute terms is tantamount to contending that a street urchin who has lived without parental care and responsible social and citizenship education is the culprit for criminality in society. The CEO has not been sufficiently trained in leadership culture. The little training received in adult life in Political Science and related courses woefully divorced morality from politics. This privation, with the active complicity and connivance of civil society, is compounded by the rumour, hearsay and illiterate and lazy reading of Nicolo Machiavelli’s The Prince where the only dictum people hastily takes away is that “The end justifies the means”. From here, the dangerous fallacy that there is no morality in Politics gained currency and popularity.

www.nationalmirroronline.net

N150

I N

m- Amount the Oando foundation has so far invested in the development of five adopted schools in five local Govt areas in Cross-River state.

F I G U R E S

m- Amount the N28 Jigawa Government has released for the

purchase of improved seeds for sale of farmers.

The collapse of the Tripod of Trust (2) A similar conspiracy was hatched in Law and Business Science where the contention that learners are quick to identify with and store in their mental attic is the hubris that there is no morality in Business and that the Law should be completely purged of all moral elements as if the legal man who administers and interprets the law is not a moral man; as if the business leader is bereft of every iota of moral inclination. Thus, the real culprit is that the moral capacity of those who would become leaders has not been properly developed by Western European intellectual tradition and scholarship.

Mankind is yet to invest in and develop the moral resources of would-be-leaders, and this has deprived them of the timeless ethical-leadership training programme foreshadowed by the works of Socrates and Plato in the Republic which sought to embed in would-be-leaders the ethical and political capacity to cognize and synthesize the conflicting interests in society.

Are we then clueless?

Plato’s Republic is a timeless clue on how to embed the practice of politics and ethical virtuosity in would-be leaders.

Also, apart from prescribing for César Borgia the potent political medicine to reinvigorate a comatose, corrupt and profligate body politic in The Prince, Machiavelli’s prescription on how to run a republic, in The Discourses, where

people have become civilized is instructive on how to do ethically sound politics.

Then, there is the Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle and Kant’s Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, among other great traditions in ethics that connect morality properly to politics and, thus, would constitute literatures for the initial grooming and growing of leaders.

Fortunately, the University of Oxford has long taken a lead in the embedding of ethics, politics and business in would-be leaders with its most popular programme christened “Philosophy, Politics and Economics” (PPE). In this very important programme, Philosophy is structured to provide orientation on first principles (most important things), logical and critical reasoning and sound ethical values on which to anchor the moderation of desires which makes society possible and peaceful. It is instructive to note that one of the compulsory reads in the philosophy syllabus of the PPE programme is Nicomachean Ethics or the Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals or any other major classic in Ethics. Political Science is to provide rigorous training in forms of government, the various theories and modes of political organization and strategies for the management of institutions of state and society and the regulation of motives by legislations which ensure order, stability and civilized progress. Then, Economics

is to equip would-be leaders with competences and strategies for wealth creation and generation; budgeting, fiscal planning, monetary theories, banking, international financial institutions and organizations, et cetera.

Conclusion Ultimately, therefore, while Lalit Johri is correct in insisting that leaders must be held accountable for failure to tap opportunities that beckon all over for the creation of value to benefit mankind and thus reduce the bellicosity of civil society (as the buck stops on their table), it is the fundamental responsibility of society to give appropriate training to its would-be leaders to ensure that leadership capacity is adequately developed in the citizens; that those who lead must grow and develop others through adequate educational opportunities for all citizens to be fully knowledgeable of their world and thus leverage their competitive advantage in exploiting the enormous opportunities offered by the world in addressing the quotidian needs of people whose expectations and desires are almost limitless.

That would be how to rebuild the broken triangle of trust and restore peace and stability to chaos-prone societies and, by extension, mitigate the threats of nihilism portended by the counter-productive mind set of leaders who run government and corporations.

FIFA World Cup: Netherlands grabs bronze, beats Brazil 3-0

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ranje Boys of Netherlands compounded the woes of Brazil when they defeated them 3-0 before their fans to emerge as the third best team in the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup. The Brazilians who came into the game hoping to salvage their battered image following a 7-1 bashing by Germany in the semifinals on Tuesday got every foot wrong from the first blast of the whistle.

Their woes began in the third minutes when Robin van Persie converted a penalty for the Dutch after Thiago Silva was adjudged to have fouled Arjen Robben inside the area.

Daley Blind piled further misery on Brazil when he steered home from the middle of the area.

Brazil improved as Ramires shot wide, while Oscar was denied a penalty but the Netherlands wrapped up third place when Georginio Wijnaldum scored the third goal.

It completed what was a hugely disappointing World Cup for Brazil, having started as one of the tournament’s favourites before limping out in embarrassing fashion with their biggest defeat in football history last Tuesday.

In the build-up to yesterday’s game, Brazilian Coach Felipe Scolari had spoken of the need to play with honour and restore some of the country’s wounded pride, giving what is often seen as a needless fixture and added sense of importance.

For the Netherlands, it likely re-

mained little more than an unnecessary additional game, having perhaps overachieved in their run to the semi-finals where they lost on penalties to Argentina.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, whose attention now turns to new club Manchester United, said play-off games should never be played.

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