Saturday, september 19 friday, september 25, 2015 by NationalWeekender

ORITSEFEMI

Why Ooni, Oba, Olu Crowns Must Wait

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Musician Mosquitoes Hate To Bite PG 10

Security Alert Over DSS Officers' Death PG 35

SATURDAY, October 25 - FRIDAY, October 31, 2014

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EEKENDER A Passion For Truth, Objectivity, Decorum

Vol. 3 No. 06 SATURDAY, September 19 - FRIDAY September 25, 2015 www.nationalweekender.net

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Court Orders Saraki's Na So! Na So!! Arrest 2Baba @ 40 PG 4

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Man, 66 Rapes Cousinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 13-Year Old Daughter

PG 6

Male Fan's Sex Dream Bugs Ella Mensah PG 19

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Fashion

Liven-Up With Blending F Accessories or most women, after the successful combination and blending of colors, accessories are the icing on the ‘cake’. The right accessory for your combination will make or mar all the effort you’ve put in combining your fashion sense. Imagine a Christmas tree without the balls and the lights, its bare. That’s the way your combination is, without accessories. The right accessory to complement your clothing and your style, is however very crucial. You can’t go overboard that is, your accessories shouldn’t be bogus or too loud, when you wear some kind of clothes and you can’t be too simple, when you need to make a louder statement with your accessories.

When it comes to piling on jewelry or sacrificing ear lobes for very heavy but so fab statement earring, some women are all for it. Nothing is ever too much or hurts at all, when it comes to fashion. Knuckle rings, ear cuffs and openended necklace, these are accessories that every girl should have in her jewelry collection. Accessories vary, as simple and usual as earrings are, they make a statement. Wrist watches, neck pieces, chains, bangles, rings and anklets, hand chains etc. are different forms of accessories. Yes, we probably get to wear wrist watches on a daily basis, but you can’t wear some kinds of wristwatch when you are dressed in traditional wear. Knuckle Rings: For a

while now, big rings have taken the back seat for those super tiny but cute rings. Knuckle rings are those tiny thin rings in gold or silver that are super feminine, that rest on the knuckles.They don’t fit entirely on the finger. They add that blind to any outfit you go with, from sporty chic to parties or, to the office. Ear cuffs: This is one trend almost every girl is jumping on because, it is very easy to pull off and it looks so cool and funky and the fact, no piercing is required. They’re a subtle style statement that can remain slightly hidden and dainty, or can be extravagant. You can style them with a shirt or opt for an elegant dress Open ended necklace: The Open-ended necklace is one trends everyone is trying out now because, it is different from the normal necklace that get hooked and because they are stunning, trendy and easy to wear.In open ended, both ends of the necklace come together but don’t actually meet. So ladies get out your accessories out of your closet or if you don’t have any dash out to any fashion store and grab some.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Lens Pick Of The Week

NNA, ODIKWA RISKY ... MOBILE PASTOR preaching on the highway

Photo By

Fidelis Isibor

Ex-Governor Slams N10bn Suit On Pensioners!!!

A former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has filed a suit through his lawyer, Okechukwu Nwaeze, demanding payment of N10 billion damages from Kano State pensioners for “tarnishing his image”. After handing over power in May, pensioners in Kano State had dragged Mr. Kwankwaso, the

immediate former governor to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, demanding recovery of N2 billion pension funds allegedly deposited by him in a failed bank. His lawyer, Mr. Nwaeze later filed a case seeking a court to stop the EFCC from arresting Mr. Kwankwaso as fear of arrest

had confined the former governor to his residence and stopped him from discharging his legislative duties. However, the lawyer later withdrew the case when Mr. Kwankwaso disowned him and denied knowledge of the legal action against the anti-graft agency on his behalf.

MARITAL BLISS

•Mr and Mrs Raji flanked by their parents during their wedding ceremony held last Saturday at Igando, Lagos

•Rt Hon Dogara

Dogara Pleads For Boko Haram

THE Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has called on Nigerian Christian community, particularly those in North East states to forgive members of the Boko Haram Islamist sect. He stressed that the country could only make meaningful development when Nigerians begin to forgive one another. He noted that although people’s sources of livelihood and churches were destroyed during the fiery days of the insurgents, the Christian community should, in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ, forgive and look forward to better times. The Speaker, who is the first northern minority Christian from the core north to hold the highest political office in Nigeria, made this appeal yesterday in Abuja at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, during the diamond anniversary lecture of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria.

Dogara re-affirmed the right of every Nigerian to subscribe freely to any religion of his choice as long as it suits his or her conscience. According to him: “The need for sober reflection is particularly important for us in Nigeria, especially in the North-eastern states of Nigeria, where the terrorist group, Boko Haram, which of late, has been flaunting its association with the world terror group, the Islamic State (ISIS), has targeted not only the Church, but also Mosques, children, women and indeed, the entire society, in mindless terror, death and destruction of all that we hold dear. “The rights of our people as entrenched in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended, to worship and choose their religion has been violated by the terrorists, who left no one in doubt that they want everyone to follow their ways.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

NewsReel

DPR Redeploys 20 Officers

•Senate President, Saraki

Court Orders Saraki’s Arrest

THE Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, sitting in Abuja has ordered the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Solomon Arase and other relevant security agencies in the country to arrest the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki. In a ruling this afternoon, the tribunal headed by Justice Danladi Umar issued a bench warrant against Saraki following his refusal to appear in court to face a 13-count criminal charge that was preferred against him by the Federal Ministry of Justice. FG had through a deputy director in the office of the Attorney General

of the Federation, Mr. M.S. Hassan, asked the tribunal to order Saraki’s arrest. Saraki, who was billed for arraignment this morning, sent his team of lawyers to serve the tribunal with a copy of the ruling of Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, which summoned the Ministry of Justice to appear on Monday to show cause why the trial should be allowed to proceed. Equally summoned by the court were the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Danladi Umar and that

of the Code of Conduct Bureau, CCB, Mr. Sam Saba, as well as Mr. Hassan who signed the charge against Saraki. Meanwhile, irked by Saraki’s absence at the tribunal for the commencement of his prosecution over alleged false declaration of assets, the Ministry of Justice prayed the Justice Umar-led panel to order for his arrest, saying “he cannot sit in the comfort of his chamber and object to his trial in absentia”. The prosecution further maintained that Justice Mohammed lacked the powers to summon the

CCT and CCB chairmen, even as it accused Saraki of engaging in “forum shopping” in a desperate bid to scuttle his trial. Meanwhile, Saraki has through his lawyer, begged the tribunal to consider his position as the Senate President and stay the execution of the arrest warrant, saying he would be available for trial on Monday. His plea was refused by Justice Umar,s who maintained that the accused person, having sworn to protect the constitution, ought to have shown respect to the tribunal by appearing before it today.

Why New Ooni, Oba, Olu Royal Fathers Must Wait By EMIKO BAKE DOG-TIRED of vainly waiting for a substantive pronouncement on the coronation dates for the three respective traditional rulers in the South-West and Niger/Delta axis of the country, who passed-on in

•Oba Erediauwa of Benin

the case of the Ooni of Ife, and went into the groves and gone on a voyage in the cases of the Oba of Benin and the Olu of Warri respectively, feelers are beginning to emerge on reasons for the seeming cloak over the ceremonies. While the coronation of the revered Ooni of Ife may have been clogged

•Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwase II

by an alleged legal action by some of the Ruling Houses over the suspected choice candidate for the Crown on the one have, and the disagreement in the Giesi House over their chosen one for presentation to the King Makers on the other; speculationsare littering the lands with both tribes’ unbridled alliance with their traditions. Reports reaching us, have it that, both the Bini and Itsekiri are unrepentant on their traditional dictate thatonly persons, who is qualified to ascend the Royal throne of their kingdoms, MUST be a true son of the soil and tribes…they MUST be parented by men and women from their tribes. According to sources close to National Weekender, the Bini and Itsekiri are bent on upholding the laid down tradition, which has been the coronation modus operandi from their generational cradle. “We are taking our time this time around to ensure that nothing swims against the traditional tide of our land,” our source from Warri hinted us via a telephone

chat. The eventual chosen Crown Prince must be the son of his father by a wife from same tribe and that could even only be done when the Royal Father’s demise has been traditionally pronounced through and by the right; and that is not even now because our tradition says he is not gone yet,” we were informed.

•Ooni, Oba Okunade Sijuade

THE Department of Petroleum Resources has redeployed no fewer than 20 of its senior officers nationwide. This is contained in a statement published on the agency’s website on Friday. It stated that the postings and deployment was to reposition the department, enshrine accountability, efficiency and performance for effective monitoring of the oil and gas sector. The statement indicated that the postings and redeployment, which was made on Wednesday, also affected some divisions at the DPR headquaters. “Consequently, Mr. Alfred Ohiani, who previously headed the Engineering and Standards Division has been redeployed to head the Planning Division. “Olugbenga Koku, who was Head of Planning is now to replace Mr. Olumide Adeleke as the new Zonal Operations Controller of Warri. “Mr. Adeleke is to head the Engineering and Standards Division at the headquarters in Lagos.” The statement directed all affected officers to report to their new locations by Monday, September 28, 2015.

Sallah: Oba Agege Plans Big For Youths

By: ADEBAYO NURUDEEN and RUFAI OLATUNBOSUN THE traditional ruler of Agege community in Lagos, HRM Oba Kamila Isiba, says he has planned competitions for youths in various endeavours to make the forthcoming Muslim Sallah festival memorable one in Agege. Isiba said on Friday in Lagos that the ruling council of the community had planned to host a carnival and competitions in football, dance, music, fashion and a beauty pageant. The traditional ruler told newsmen in Lagos that the ongoing plans and activities were to make the celebration brilliant. “The activities are to make the Sallah a fun-filled one for the youth and the residents of Agege Local Government Area. “This will be the first of its kind and we are planning it big,’’ he said. He said that the palace would be collaborating with the Agege Prestigious Guild and the Agege Local Government Council to organise the events. According to him, the Chairman of the Guild, Mr Olubunmi Ogunji, will be in charge of the competitions among the youth, while the council will provide security and necessary support during the celebration. The Oba told our correspondents that there would be refreshment for guests, visitors and the youth during the activities. He noted that gift items would be given to the winners of the competitions, while outstanding individuals and groups in leadership and community development would also be honoured. The traditional ruler added that the gesture was to promote unity among the ethnic groups living within the community and foster relationship and cultural development.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Crime

•Some arrested Boko Haram suspects in Lagos

Boko Haram’s Foiled Attempts In The South By STEPHEN AYA THE sect Boko Haram has been in existence since 2001, but did not become popular until 2009, when pumped-up its sectarian violence. Boko Haram appeared in the consciousness of most Westerners for the first time that year. It has been a growing force in Northern Nigeria particularly in the North east for over a decade. Its rise is not an accident and signals of the emergence of a dangerous, militant religious movement that threatens

Nigeria’s survival as a nationstate began to surface by 2011. However, the sect’s violent attacks were restricted to mainly, the North east at the beginning. Over time, the group spread their game and began to attack other parts of the north. Thus cities like Jos, Kano, Kaduna,Minna and federal capital city Abuja, just to mention a few were on the receiving end of Boko Haram’s fire power. The sect had tried to infiltrate the South-west; especially Lagos, with the aim of set up their terror cells and boot

camps, but was blocked at every turn by the security agencies. The game has seems changednow with the coming of President Buhari, who turned the Nigerian army from fleeing to fighting men, putting Boko Haram on the receiving end with the same weapons that had been aged old and out-dated. The recent arrest of Boko Haram members in Ijora and other parts of Lagos as well as, in the south east town of Enugu and its environs, are indications that the group is desperately looking for cities in the south to hit just to maintain its

invincibility and fear amongst Nigerians. In the past few weeks, the sect has been slowly incapacitated. Their camps and cities which were once their strongholds, from where sad stories of killings, various forms of human abuses and criminality took place, have been liberated by the Nigerian Army. Members of Boko haram, who were not killed or captured, are now on the run, taking with them huge sums of monies and weapons. All parts of the southhave now become the target to run

to and hide since no one will suspect them there. The ball is now in the court of those living in Lagos in particular, to be security-conscious and not to trust strangers, particularly those with strange behaviors. All suspicious movements of persons or vehicles should be reported to any security agent as soon as possible. The Lagos State government and indeed all State governments in the south, should as a matter of urgency, implement all security plans and be in a state of security alert in order to avoid unpleasant situations.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Crime

Man, 66 Rapes, Impregnates Cousin’s 13-Year Old Daughter THE Akwa Ibom state police command have arrested 66 year old father of two, Pa Sunday Etukudoh an indigene of NnungIkotAbianga in OrukAnam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State for raping and impregnating a 13-year old daughter of his cousin, Miss

Ofonime Saturday Okon. According to our correspondent, Ofonime, a JSS1 student of Southern Annang Comprehensive Secondary School, IkotOkono, OrukAnam LGA who moved into Etukodoh's house as a maid, was subjected to repeated rape and molestation after

Ambode’s Iron Gloves Against Rapists, Women Beaters By STEPHEN AYA

•Pa Etukudoh

Pa Etukudoh used a knife to threaten her the first time. Etukudoh, who confessed to having sex with the young girl four times before getting her pregnant, pleaded that he should not be charged to court and promised to take care of Ofonime and their unborn

child. “I have only two children and I will be very happy if her family would allow her give birth to this child for me, I will take good care of her, I promise. Please don’t charge me to court, I would die there. I will give them whatever they want, “he pleaded.

Customs Seize N56, 5m Goods •As Comptroller-General Reels-out Riot Acts By STEPHEN AYA

•Compt. Amade Abdul

MEN of the Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A of the Customs have seized goods worth (N56, 479,200.00 in fifty nine (59) in different operations between the 27th August – 11th September, 2015. This was disclosed by the new Comptroller of the unit, Amade Abdul during his maiden press conference. A breakdown of these seizures shows, Twelve (12) different seizures of 50kg parboiled Rice, totaling one thousand, eight hundred and eighty seven (1,887) bags with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of twelve million, two hundred and sixty five thousand, five hundred naira (N12,265,500.00) only. Thirty three (33) different seizures of smuggled frozen poultry products totaling four thousand, eight hundred and fifty four (4,854) cartons with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of twenty six million, two hundred and eleven thousand, six hundred naira (N26,211,600.00) only. Also Two (2) different seizures of four (4) vehicles with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of nine million, nine hundred and ninety thousand naira (N9, 990,000.00) only, and twelve (12) different seizures of general goods e.g. new & used tyres, textile materials, vegetable oil, used shoes, fruit juice, spaghetti, etc with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) of eight million, twelve thousand, one hundred naira (N8, 012,100.00) only.

“In addition, we also apprehended eight (8) suspects in connection with the seizures. ” The Comptroller also said that four (4) persons are currently being prosecuted in court by the unit. Amade further said that, the rice ware-houses that were seized and sealed up in Lagos, will remain. He said that the order to seal them came from the customs high command in Abuja and that he is waiting for fresh orders regarding the warehouses. Generally speaking and going by the official record of the Unit, this report is clearly remarkable and a milestone. We will do everything possible with your support, to improve on this record against the background of the new order, which calls for due diligence and renewed commitment. The Comptroller then gave this warning to smugglers; “My pre-occupation remains to degrade the activities of smugglers through aggressive patrol of all flanks and flashpoints. We will be very ruthless with these economic saboteurs, because we have a responsibility to protect the nation’s

economy in line with the expectations of the Federal Government of Nigeria. In view of this, I wish to advise smugglers and woul- be smugglers to be prepared for the battle ahead, because I will leave no stone unturned as we up the antennae in our anti-smuggling mandate”. In another development,ComptrollerGeneral of Customs, Hameed Ali is reported to have requested for the files of serving Customs officers found to have been involved in corrupt practices in the past with a view to determining their fate over the next few days. Ali, who formally resumed duties as the new Customs boss on Thursday last week, said that President Muhammadu Buhari gave him a three-point mandate to reform, restructure and boost Customs revenue. “The mandate he has given me are three basic things: go to Customs, reform Customs, restructure Customs and increase the revenue generation, simple. I don’t think that is ambiguous, I don’t think that is cumbersome. It is precise and I believe that is what all of you are here to do,” Ali told Customs officers in Abuja on Thursday.

G O V E R N O R AkinwunmiAmbode of Lagos State has said that there will be no hiding place for rapists and women-beaters in his government and in the state as a whole, as his government will go after them and ensure that the full weight of the law falls on them. Ambode made this known while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 15th Annual National Women Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), at the Eko Hotel and Towers, Victoria Island, Lagos. Ambode said his administration is committed to the protection of women and the girl child against violence and rape, saying that his government had continued to increase its budgetary provision for women through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation as the administration would continue in this regard and create more platforms for Women engagement. He then urge women to report any public officer who behave other wise and stress that his government is an open one, but will not tolerate any act of discrimination in all forms.

Two Nigerians Charged For Murder In UK TWO Nigerians Sodiq Adebayo, aged 22, Akeem Gbadamosi, 21 and a UK citizen Eugene Ocran, 19, have been charged with the murder of 17-yearold Marcel Addai. Marcel was stabbed in the chest on September 4 ,2015 after being chased through St John's Estate in Pitfield Street, Hoxton, London by the accuse. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A 40-year-old woman, who did not want to be named, said she saw the victim being chased before falling to the ground as she watched from her nearby flat. "There was a big chase," she said. They ran through the estate, some on bikes, and some on foot.When he died there were about 15people around him. I just heard the screams, the cries - a primal scream of death. I could really hear it. I don't know if it was one of his friends who realized that he was dead, but it was the most echoing, crying noise"

Body Dumped On Abeokuta Road Our correspondent reliably gathered from the people around the area, that the man was killed somewhere and brought to where he was dumped. A woman, who simply identified herself as Mama Itoku, said the man could have been brought to the area by his killers

just to cause problem for the residents. She maintained that the man, though, a drunkard could not have died as a result of the excessive drinking. The state Police Command spokesman, DSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi promised that the police will investigate the matter.

Public Notice Change Of Name THE corpse of a man who resides in Ago Oko area in Abeokuta, Ogun State was found lying beside a wall of a new complex located on the road. The dead man, said to a be plastic mender popularly known as ‘Dike-dike,’ was in his 40s and until his death, lived alone in a shanty-like house located at Ago Oko beside the residence of a popular Rental House in the area.

I, formerly known as KEKERE RUTH OSHE, now wish to be known and addressed as AGBAJE RUTH OSHE. All former document remains valid. Public Take Note.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Politics

Labour Hangman’s Noose For Treasury Looters •Governors Reject Call •Senate Considers Debate •Nigerians give Enmass Nod

•Gov. Amosun

•Labour protesters •Gov. Almakura

By CHARLES ENWEREM

ast week’s call by the organized labour- the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress for capital punishment for government officials, who loot the nation’s treasury, has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians of various standings. The call was made when Labour Unions (NLC, TUC, CSOs) said it was only by killing looters, that the anti-corruption crusade being championed by President Muhammadu Buhari,could succeed. It also said that if passed into law, it would serve as deterrence to others,thereby creating not just a sustainable economy for the nation, but also show Africa and the rest of the world that the fight against corruption can be won. The Nigeria Labour movement threw its weight behind Ibrahim Lamorde, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, expressing confidence in the anti-graft agency boss’ competence and commitment to the fight against corruption in Nigeria, urging Lamorde not to be distracted by recent attacks from corrupt elements, who are hellbent on undermining the EFCC’s efforts to tackle humongous corruption in Nigeria. IssaAremu, the Vice President of the NLC in his speech during the visit, urged Lamorde not to be discouraged by the recent attacks by corrupt elements,which are jittery about the Commission’s activities. He said “I remember President Muhammadu Buhari saying that, if we don’t fight corruption, it will kill us. We are here today to strengthen the work of EFCC. As a matter of fact, over the years, EFCC has done its best. As we all know, if you fight corruption, it fights back. I know in recent times, corruption seems to be fighting back. I can recollect that in 2003 when the ICPC, under

Justice Mustapha Akanbi was doing a very good job to fight corruption, the National Assembly, suddenly, watered down the system. The NLC and TUC stood up that time to defend the ICPC. So, I think we should commend both the NLC and TUC for standing up to join in the fight against corruption. We are witnessing almost the same thing now. I don’t know the details, but my brother, Lamorde, has done very well”. Giving credence to Aremu, NLC President, Comrade AyubaWabba, advocated that all hands must be on deck to stamp out corruption from Nigeria, pledging the Union’s continued support to the current leadership of EFCC in its fight against corruption. “Wearedemandinggoodgovernance, accountability and transparency, so that we can have enough to cater for the nation’s development, we also urge you to recover all stolen Nigerian monies and properties. Our prayer is that the laws must be reviewed to make penalty for offenders to include capital punishment. We need to stand in unison and fight this evil called corruption. We must kill it before it kills us all.’’ He said. But the call for capital punishment by the organized union seems to be getting more negative remarks than positive. GOVERNORS REACT Most governors have reacted to the organized labour’s suggestion however saying that the death sentence would be too harsh. Ogun State Governor, IbikunleAmosun said he would rather canvass that looters be sentenced to life imprisonment, than the death sentence prescribed by the organized labour. The governor was quoted as saying; “Everybody knows President Muhammadu Buhari is transparent and means well for the nation and would never want to hear anything about corruption. “Unfortunately as a governor, I cannot be saying that capital punishment

should be meted out to corrupt public officials. Because I cannot say that, that is why I will say that, anybody found wanting, whether you are governor or any other public officer, should be jailed for life.” Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State also said, he would rather prefer life imprisonment to death penalty. Close associates say he has always preferred life imprisonment for corrupt public officers to taking human life because to him “life is sacred.” Governor OlusegunMimiko of Ondo State however,said he was comfortable with whatever the people want in relation to punishment for looters. He said if it was the wish of the people of the country that looters should be killed by law, “so be it’’ but that the process of law must be followed in carrying out such executions. “We are not under a military rule; this is democracy and we have constitution that we follow. If it is put in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, irrespective of whether you are a governor or not, so be it. If that is what Nigerians want, it is okay”. GovernorUmaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, also said he supported that capital punishment be meted out to corrupt public office holders. “I really agree with the NLC over the call for capital punishment for any public office holder who is found guilty of looting public funds”, he said. LEGAL ANGLE Nigerian legal luminaries do not seem to share labour’s enthusiasm for capital punishment. President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Augustine Alegeh (SAN) said death penalty is against global trends and won’t help efforts to recover stolen funds.He suggests the encouragement of proactive steps that will prevent looting or make it difficult, if not impossible. He said “With respect to labour’s views, what we think we need put

in place, are more measures that will ensure that stealing is made impossible or very difficult for people to pillage treasuries; that way, we secure ourselves so that money is not taken away.Current efforts by this government are in line with modern practices. If we kill them and we don’t get the money, what have we gained as a country? “Even in capital offences, there is an increasing trend against the death penalty, so, I don’t think we should be in the opposite direction at this time of our national history.” he added. EbunOluAdegboruwa, an Activistlawyer on his part, feels that resorting to death penalty is retrogression. “I think it will be retrogressive for us as a nation, because of the frustration of corruption, to be moving backwards, to be activating what others are doing away with,” he said. Adegboruwa was also of the view that some members of the unions are guiltier of the corruption they accuse politicians of. He suggests that the cleansing must start from within labour itself, especially its civil service arm; otherwise labour would have no moral grounds to condemn anyone. He said: “Globally, the death penalty is becoming an anathema, whether it’s for corruption, drug trafficking, murder, or any other offence. The United Nations is making a campaign to abolish the death penalty. AND THE MASSES SAY A cross section of Nigerians clearly described the call by the organized labour as a right step in the right direction arguing that a death penalty for government officials who are convicted of fleecing the treasury is the only way to ride the country of corrupt leaders. Mrs. Tonia Longpet, a social commentator in her view argued that countries like China, Taiwan, South Korea and Singapore are already exploiting the capital punishment

and the results are significant in the economic growth of these countries. “In china, a former high-ranking official at China’s top food and drug watchdog agency was sentenced to death not only for corruption but also for approving counterfeit drugs, another received the same sentencing for receiving $850,000 in bribes to assist some drug companies scale through some approval processes. I believe with laws like this, our corrupt leaders won’t have the courage to swindle this nation to the tune of billions of dollars” She said. Mustapha Akeem, a civil servant was also in support of passing the bill to deter public office holders from looting the treasury adding that this would also justify the anti-corruption war which the Buhari administration is championing. Ernest Aniete, a business man however said that capital punishment may not be the end to the looting of the nation’s treasury stressing that Nigerians have a way of devising other means of getting things done. “Nigerians are cunny in a good and bad way, we have many interpretations to the saying ‘when one door closes, another one opens’. Don’t be surprised that when we adopt the death penalty sentence, or corrupt leaders would device other ways of stealing from the public purse”, he said. It was acknowledged by President Muhammadu Buhari during his trip to the United States, that the level of corruption in the nation, was alarming and this had led to the probe of the past government, a move which many say should go as far as the Obasanjo administration. It is anticipated that if the bill gets passed into law, it would help grow the nations’ economy as well give it an image worthy of note by the international community hence the declaration by President Buhari that “If we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria.”

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Politics

Rivers

Senate 8, Not Same As 7

PDP Dilly-dallies On Guber Tribunal: Chairman’s Seat

–Dino Melaye

•Promises Assets Declaration •He will never speak on the Senate President, but whatever touches the Senate touches him; Dino Melaye, that is and when our two-man news-hunting crew Of FRANCIS OGBONNA and STEPHEN AYA pricked him in Lagos last week, he spoke. Read on …

hat has the last one hundred days been like for you and your colleagues at the senate? Well it’s been a hundred days of positive impacts. The sincerity of purpose of our president, Muhammadu Buhari has given hope to Nigerians once again and we do expect Nigerians to continue to support the government of the day in the re-engineering process of this country. The challenge now is for us Nigerians to change our attitude so we could as a people build the Nigeria of our dreams. So I would say it been hundred days of growth for the country, especially as you can see that we are beginning to have international recognition. How do you mean? The green white green (our flag) is having the kind of respect it deserves, the president was invited to the G8 meeting, where he met and conferred with the leaders of the world’s greatest nations. Afterwards, he also visited the United States of America and we are now beginning to get a lot of international confidence, because we have in place a very good and transparent leadership. Even in the subregion the president has visited Cameroon, Ghana and Chad. This has given us

a lot of hope especially, in the fight against insurgency, because there is now regional co-operation to fight the Boko Haram insurgents. The president promised that he will name his ministers this month, and the Senate who has been charged with the constitutional duty of screening the would-be ministers is currently on recess. Don’t you think that will delay the screening exercise till after you resume on the 29th? The 8th Senate is a very responsible and responsive one. If we get the list of ministers today, I want to assure you that the senate will be patriotic enough to resume immediately, so when we get the list we will commence action. If we get it before 29th we will resume to attend to it as a matter of urgent national Importance What is the current status in terms of the relationship between the Senate President and President Buhari? I am the spokesperson of the Senate; I am not the spokesperson of the Senator Bukola Saraki, so I will advise that when you see him, then you can ask him that question. What about the crises in the senate, has it been

settled? We have one senate, not two, and we have been operating by the rules and regulations of one senate. I am not aware of any division in the senate How far has the senate gone with the current investigations into the affairs of the EFCC? We are not only investigating EFCC, all investigation in the senate is on-going The senate power probe, will this investigation not end like the previous once? No, eight is different from seven, this is the eight senate and we are different. Following the public declaration of assets by the President and his vice, there has been a public call for all other political office holders to declare their assets too. What is the Senate’s take on this? Making asset declaration public is personal and Senators can only make theirs public individually. I can speak for Senators on this. I cannot compel any Senator to declare his asset’ but it is a great thing that people are making their asset public and I support it. Watch out for my own too because there is nothing to hide.

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday said the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party has not decided on which zone will produce the next national chairman of the party. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh while responding to the statement credited to Ekiti state governor, Ayodele Fayose that the South West should produce the next chairman of the party said the party said the issue of zoning will be discussed before the national convention of the party slated for 2016. Fayose had said it was the turn of the South west region to produce the chairman since the presidency would be zoned to the North in the next general election. Acording to him “The SouthWest and the South-South have had their turns and, of course, the next presidential candidate of the party would be from the North. So, I believe it is the turn of the South-West to

produce the National Chairman. We have to allow the North to begin to search for a credible presidential candidate for the party,” he said. But Metuh, who spoke in a chat with newsmen said while Fayose has the right to canvass for his zone, the party is yet to take a position on where to zone the position to. “On the issue of which region will produce the next national chairman of our great party, we have not come to that”. “It is within Fayose’s right as a stakeholder in the party, a governor and a super delegate to state his own views on it. And just as he is agitating, there might be some other zones who will be insisting on their zones”. “When it is time for our convention, the national caucus will meet and take a position on zoning. But for now, we are more concerned with issues of receiving the Ekweremadu report and arranging our party for future challenges”.

PDP Begs Nigerians For Support

A former Senator, Ahmed Aruwa, has urged Nigerians not to write-off the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)) in spite of the massive loss it suffered in the last general election. Aruwa, who also lost in his bid for the Senate during the election, said the PDP still has the muscle to retake power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. “That APC defeated our party in the 2015 elections in the state and federal levels is not enough grounds to write-off the party. “ The senator told newsmen after a meeting of the party’s stakeholders in Kaduna State that the PDP would continue to remain relevant and organised in spite of the defeat. “Our members are also working assiduously to achieve the established goal of a formidable opposition party. “ According to him, the PDP still has hybrid leaders with requisite experience to provide Nigerians with a more focused leadership. He also said that the party was strengthening its structures to maintain its large number of supporters and attract more, ahead of the 2019 elections. Aruwa therefore urged members of the PDP nationwide to work closely to facilitate the party’s rejuvenation in order to reclaim power at all levels in 2019. sssss

Metuh Explains PDP Conference Shift

THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, said the suspension of its proposed national conference was to accommodate all interests within the party. National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh, stated this in Abuja while briefing newsmen on the issue. Metuhconfirmedthat the party’s leadership received a letter from Professor Jerry Gana’s committee proposing the conference. He said that on receipt of the proposal, the National Working Committee (NWC) supported the proposal but felt the need to accommodate all interests in such conference. “We felt that if we are going to do it, all interests will be accommodated in terms of the leadership of the National Assembly and the Governors’ Forum. “We will take nominees from state Houses of Assembly, nominees of youth leaders and the youth forum, because we want the party to go back to the youth. ‘’We want the youth to be involved in whatever we are doing,” he said. Metuh said that due to a communication

gap, the advert on the proposed conference was aired before Gana received the NWC’s letter. “Immediately the advertisement was aired, the NWC was bombarded with lots of complaints saying that why should we spread the membership of the committee to include some of those who have left the party. “They also complained about why we should exclude a lot of people whom they felt should have been involved and not those who walked out on this party,” he said. Metuh added that the NWC also felt it was necessary to suspend the p r o p o s e d •Metuh conference as it was still awaiting Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s committee’s report on reconciliation of members, due for submission next week. “The NWC felt that the delay was necessary, especially when the highest elected member of the party, in the person of the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, had been given an assignment that he is yet to turn in.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Editorial

Buhari’s 100 Bitter-Sweet Days In Office THE President, Muhammadu Buhari-led administration clocked its first 100 days in office, skipping the usual celebrations that mark the ‘Made in Nigeria for Nigerians alone’ day. The Presidency did not even hold a press briefing to highlight its achievements and milestones recorded during the period under review. On the other hand, as expected, opinions have been divided over President Buhari’s performance index. While some Nigerians, including political analysts and social commentators, have scored him high, others largely comprising the opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its apologists, have termed his government a total failure within the period under review. The PDP has alleged that Buhari is running a discriminatory, vindictive and divisive government vis-à-vis its anti-graft war. Concerning the economy, the former

ruling party had also said, the state of the economy within the last 100 days represented “the worst in the nation’s contemporary history” and was direct fall-out of uncertainty, created by the inability of the Buhariled government to chart a clear-cut economic policy, worsened by abuse of regulations and flagrant violation of constitutional provision” Nonetheless, a dispassionate look at the performance of the President so far, reveals that he has made progress in certain areas, while he could have done better in other areas. For example, considering the war against the deadly religious sect, Boko Haram, just last week, the Chief of Army staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Burutai hoisted Nigeria’s flag on Gamboru Ngala, a strategic and economic border town, which used to be one of the major strongholds of the insurgents. The restoration of Nigeria’s authority

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in and the complete possession of such territories by the Nigerian troops, according to security experts can be attributable to the fact that the president had upon resumption of office on May 29 order the re-location of the Military High Command to Maiduguri, supposedly the heart of the conflict zone. This, coupled of course, with Buhari coopting neighbouring countries, through which the terrorist in the recent past had escaped after major attacks, in the fight. Recall that to quell the activities of the terrorists, Buhari made diplomatic shuttles to the countries under the Lake Chad Basin Commission and Benin Republic. The shuttle ultimately, produced the Multinational Joint Task Force, which created a ring around the terrorists. The Lake Chad Basin Commission military deployment has already attracted donations, military platforms and more shared intelligence.

Now with the wall closing in on every side on the sect, it will only take a matter of days for the sect to be wiped out. Also the fight against corruption seems to have received impetus since Buhari became president. Apart from setting up probe panels to look into the books of government establishments which served as conduit pipes for the draining of our common wealth, the fact that he eventually publicly declared his assets and his body language, has made all concerned to sit up, having understood that it is not longer business as usual. Furthermore, his foreign visits have started yielding dividends already; for instance, the United States of America, as well as other Western countries, has made pledges in cash and materials in the fight against Boko Haram. More importantly, they have promised to help Nigeria repatriate stolen public funds starched away in banks abroad,

LETTER

and this they started, by revealing those who had done this in the past. Added to this, is the new leaf of diplomatic relationship opened with Nigeria and the promise of direct foreign investment duo soon. However, National Weekender, as disclosed earlier, would like the Buhari-led Government to as a matter of urgency, address the concerns of inequity and marginalization raised by Nigerians, who feel short-changed with the fact that worthy sons/ daughters from their regions so far after 29 appointments made by his government, have been left out. He should also quickly request that the Senate return from recess, so they could consider the ‘mystery’ ministerial list. His government has gone too long, without a properly constituted cabinet and this is not healthy for any country that intends to catch up with the rest of the world in terms of development.

Send Your short and simple letters or comment to the editor@nationalweekenderonline.net

Saraki Is The Beginning Of APC End THE continuous in-fighting in the APC as revealed the hunt for Senate President, Bukola Saraki is surely the beginning of the end of the governing party except something reasonable is done by the party’s chieftains. I am not sympathizing with Saraki because the man knows that the war would get to this point before engaging the power-blocs in the party when he sought desperately for the seat of the Senate President.

However, I feel that commonsense should prevail at this point otherwise Nigerians would believe that there is more to the power tussle than meet the eye. Yes, in politics there is only permanent interest and as it seems now, the interest is to get rid of Saraki. If this is done and the APC is thrown into another round of crisis then, the Nigerian people would have no choice than to revolt against the party in the next general election.

For me I will only appeal that the party’s chieftains should allow peace to reign. We have seen the good moves of President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians are ready to follow him all the way. But this endless crisis about Saraki could upset Buhari’s good plans and administration. Enough of this selfish cold war, let’s get down to the real business of nation building and help Buhari succeed. -Ronke Adelabu, Ogbomosho, Oyo State

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Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

On My Own –

hen you were starting out, did you ever think you were going to become this big? going to I didn’t really envisage that I was knew I was become this big, but all the same, I to become headed somewhere. I had a dream of guided the best at what I do and that sortYou know, me all through those trying times. hing was those days that it didn’t look like anytthing that going to come out of music. Another I had this probably helped was the fact that -rooted unusual love for music. It was this deep to music. passion that that kept me going backstudy Law Let me tell you this, I had applied to but I had at Delta State University, Abraka, my music to drop out of school to focus on in me and career. I had the fire of music burningg in school I kept wondering what I was doin to hold on studying Law. Some guys asked me couldn’t, I till I’m through with school, but I interesting, did what I had to do. Life gets more Don’t give challenging and beautiful every day. life. It has up on your dreams and aspirations in h it at the never been easy, but it will all be wort rrow. end. I look forward to a brighter tomoing up in Tell us a little bit about grow for your Ajegunle in Lagos? Were things rosy folks? struggle Things were not rosy; in fact, I had to to make to survive. I was on the streets, hustlingfrom my ends meet. I actually stayed away because family. I couldn’t depend on my dad, amist. That he had his own challenges as a polyg streets to was why at 14 years, I went into the dad was an hustle. I hawked in the street. My dismantle engineer, and he taught me how to Then, I and repair boat engines. I learnt all that. transport had my own boat that I was using tos Island. I passengers from Ajegunle to Lago ing in also worked as a bus conductor. Grow rwise, your Ajegunle, you have to hustle; othe girlfriend contemporaries would snatch yourin hustling. from you. Ajegunle residents believe would I go That time, nobody knew me, so, why ge in any into hiding. But honestly, I didn’t engamy music dirty or illegal business. I believe in today. and that’s what is seeing me through t people, There is this general notion abou

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

From Nothing To Something, Nowhere To Somewhere, Nobody To Somebody...

CONT’D ON PG 31

Y L D U O PR

. . . ! ! ! E L N AJE-GU ates name, Oritsefemi translthe s hi d, te re rp te in lly ra •Lite at you may attribute to ning th d an e M s ve Lo od G to him in his mor ve ga er th fa s hi s al ri to additional tu led him to dump a Law el op pr ve ha ay m ch hi no eyes, w llow his dream. In this wn fo d an e m m ra og pr e re t do Deg thing-to-hide verbal ge A, who no d an ng ci in -m ds or w or, FRANCIS OGBONN with our Assistant EditHE MUSICIAN REELS … not a was also an AJ dude, T shelf read … enjoy it dump-on- the-

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Entertainment

e f a c

Fans, Family, Industry Colleagues Celebrate 2face @ 40 By CHARLES ENWEREM

NIGERIAN music legend and grea “2face”Idibiaturned 40 yesterday.test pop act Innocent birthday wishes from fans and fami The star received his wife who took to her Instagramly chief of which was morning and wrote "Happy birthdayaccount early in the know... I love u today n always ... @2fa to the best MAN I u my darling .. Eternally Yours..." as ceidibia1 God bless a customized cake while his first well as making him son wrote some lines about his dad (2baba). Do2tun, Emma Nyra, Shaydee, Bez, Gideon Okeke, Angela Okorie and more were amo ng the many industry colleagues that took to social media to wish the legend a happy birthday.

In the late 90's and early 00's he R&B/Pop scene as a member of the pumped life into the PlantashunBoyz. After creating histoseminal singing group struck out in the mid 00's to pursuery with the group he at this time 2face completely changeda solo career. It was the Nigerian music game scene forever. His first album, the classic Face 2 Face heralded as the best album of our gene released in 2004 is album featured the eternally hot song ration. The flawless 'African Queen'. With this album 2face became the first bona fide superstar of our era. He became an international icon when his song “African Queen” was used in the soun ‘PhatGirlz’. In 2010 he released an “inted track for the movie his ‘Unstoppable’ album making him rnational edition” of the first Nigerian to

have an appropriately priced internatio With personal drama hitting the nal album. power started to wane in 2008. The headlines, 2face's star his third solo album The Unstoppablesame year he released . The album was not received with good reviews. 2Baba however bounced back in true The sensational star has had two albu form two years later. & Beyond', and 'Ascension' which havems after this, 'Away He is part of the Sony All African Onebeen successful. seven other musicians across Africa reco8 Project alongside R. Kelly and Prince Lee titled “Hands rding a single with Acro 2face is set to hold a concert for his ss the World”. 40 birthday, the celebration concert, which he has them ed the ‘FORTYfied All-Star Tribute Concert’, is the subj ect of huge planning and promotion. The event will hold at the Eko Hote on Sunday, September 20, 2015, and l Convention Center Nigeria's comedy icon, Basketmouth. will be anchored by Most of 2face's years on earth has been dedicated to his first love, music. His career is unarguably the most illustrious of our generation.

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Entertainment

YORUBA actress Toyin AimakhuJohnsonwho not too long ago moved back into her matrimonial home has replied people who are criticizing her marriage. Toyin and her husband Adeniyi Johnson had a brief public split when the actress found out that her husband was flirting with one of her workers. ToyinAimakhu left her home when she found out but cooler heads prevailed and she went back. In an Instagram post the actress wrote “Even people in their second or third or fourth or fifth sef marriage(s) are criticizing hiss, happy Monday fam,God bless u all..” After moving back to her matrimonial home, the actress Toyin Aimakhu is saying she has learnt from her mistakes. The actress put up a meme on her Instagram account which read “I’ve lived, I’ve loved, I’ve lost, I’ve missed, I’ve hurt, I’ve trusted, I’ve made mistakes, but most of all I’ve learnt my lessons.” This statement most likely indicates the current state of relationship with her husband. •Toyin Aimakhu and husband

BEFORE

NOW

COMEDIENNE Lepacious Bose recently shared photo of her weight loss on her Instagram page and really expressed how excited she was to tuck in her shirt for the first time in 15 years. Fans who are familiar with the Nigerian entertainment industry are aware that lepaciousbose, real name Bose Ogunboye at some point was really fat but has now worked on herself and is looking great afterwards. The comedienne has been battling with her weight for years until last year when she embarked on a weight loss journey. And it seems her hard work is finally paying off. Earlier in the year she shared a picture showing her progress so far and it got everyone talking. But she didn’t stop there, she kept at it and we are truly impressed at how much weight she has lost so far. Lepacious Bose shared this photograph today on Instagram with the caption ” so I tucked in for the first time in over 15 years, it felt really goooood. Exciting weight-loss journey…. #happierandhealthier”

2Face’s Been There For Me –Uti

Ini Edo, Fan In Verbal War the actress received as offensive and her reply was described as epic. She posted “sarahofulayiLounge Owner! Only irresponsible female run such business. Go trace ur steps or you will continue failing in all marriages u get into.. Menopause is now 40… Just saying” Response: “iniedo @ sarahofulayione can’t help but feel sorry for you. Until your opinion can pay bills, stuff it. Sad woman…”

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Weight Loss Thrills Lepacious Bose

Aimakhu Hits Back At Critics

NOLLYWOOD screen diva Ini Edo recently took to Instagram to reply an abusive fan after the latter commented on a picture the actress posted. The screen goddess took a picture in her lounge and posted it on her social media page and as always comments followed, positive and negative. One fan, with the handle @sarahofulayi however posted a comment which

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

•Ini Edo

Media personality Uti Nwachukwu took to Instagram to celebrate 2face Idibia. 2face is a year older today. Uti sent a loving message to the singer on his day. Read what Uti wrote below. THIS IS a man that Has always shown me love and support. Even when I was a beginner and a nobody and HE was already a mega super star. He has been there from day 1! An inspiration to many! A real bad sharp Guy with a rare and true heart Of Gold. HAPPY BIRTHDAY @2faceidibia1 may God bless you and continuously increase you and ur family to levels of overflowing abundance! may happiness peace prosperity joy health wealth and victory always dwell in ur home now and forever !!! amen!!! god bless you and your amazing wife @ annieidibia1

•Uti

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

London Daily Mirror-Pull-out In NATIONAL WEEKENDER

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with violating the Wildlife Act after the five-year-old bear died in 2013. The case draws comparison with that of US dentist Walter Palmer who illegally killed male lion Cecil in July outside Zimbabweâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hwange National Park in Southern Africa. The bear was called Cheeky for its habit of sticking out its tongue at researchers. Stoner, who earns

around ÂŁ2million a year ar playing for a resident oof British Colombia. If found guilty Stoner, who NHLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anaheim Ducks, ks, is ref refused to comment, due to appear in court on co be fined ÂŁ125,000. could October 9. At the time of the He is accused off k he said he had a killing, hunting without a l licence, adding: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love licence while not beingg t hunt and will to co continue to do so.â&#x20AC;?

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BRUNOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEW DEPRESSION FIGHT

The boxing legend, who has been sectioned three times in the past 12 years, went voluntarily with a â&#x20AC;&#x153;severe bout of depressionâ&#x20AC;?. A friend said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is terribly sad but Frank has been struggling for the last few weeks and needed help.â&#x20AC;? It came after family and friends grew concerned about the 53-year-old. 14&27

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

London Daily Mirror-Pull-out In NATIONAL WEEKENDER

BRUNO HIT AS

helps Britain to create jobs, secure Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;damagingâ&#x20AC;? right-wing growth, encourage investment.â&#x20AC;? economics, but pledged to reform the UKIPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Nigel Farage, who had EU from the inside: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The current begged Mr Corbyn to join his Out orthodoxy has failed. We need a campaign, accused the Labour new economic settlement.â&#x20AC;? chief of â&#x20AC;&#x153;abject surrenderâ&#x20AC;? to He also backed a Europehis own MPs. wide tax on bank transactions. In an article for the FinanThe â&#x20AC;&#x153;Robin Hood Taxâ&#x20AC;? is cial Times, Mr Corbyn made supported by 11 countries, but clear he still had doubts about opposed by George Osborne.

LABOUR will fight for the In campaign during the EU referendum, Jeremy Corbyn has told his relieved MPs. The leader bowed to pressure from his party after suggesting he might support quitting the EU. In an email, Mr Corbyn told his 232 MPs: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We will make the case that membership of the European Union %

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The ventriloquist, a regular on our screens in the 90s, said he was â&#x20AC;&#x153;totally speechlessâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;bowled overâ&#x20AC;? to beat nine acts in the final of Simon Cowellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show. As well as a ÂŁ640,000 prize, he will get a lucrative headline slot at Planet Hollywood in Vegas. Speaking of his win in New York on Wednesday, Londonborn Paul, 43, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I never thought it would be like this. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just thought Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d nip over to America, have a go at this talent show and if it didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work out I could come back to the UK and no one would be any the wiser. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the one thing I forgot about was social media â&#x20AC;&#x201C; everything filters back and everyone knows everything.â&#x20AC;? Paul admitted he thought runner-up Drew Lynch, a comedian, would win the contest. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153; I had my congratulations speech all worked out in

my head, just to say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Well done, mate, you deserve every moment of it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And then, when they called my name out, I was a bit lost for words - which as a ventriloquist is not really a good thing.â&#x20AC;? Paul, who voices the cheeky puppets Sam, Baby and Albert, impressed millions of viewers as well as judges Mel B, Heidi Klum, Howard Stern and Howie Mandel. Mel told him: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a well-polished act, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re flawless.â&#x20AC;? Howard added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a reason Paul breezed through every single

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time he came on, because heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a master of what he does. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s taking the art of ventriloquism to new heights.â&#x20AC;? Scotsman Stevie Starr, a professional regurgitator, and magician John van der Put, from London, also got to the final. Paul started his career during the early 1990s on childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shows Tricky Business on the BBC and GMTVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rise and Shine. In 1996, he won ITVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Big Big Talent Show, hosted by Jonathan Ross. Paul went on to appear in the Royal Variety

Performance three times in 1997, 2002 and 2009 and has starred in a series of pantos. Last season he shared the stage with Jane McDonald in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Birmingham Hippodrome. The ventriloquist is still due to join Gok Wan on the cast of Cinderella at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, this Christmas. Paul put his success down to hard work and explained: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You have to have determination. I remember having an ashtray thrown at me at a working menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s club, and someone threw a shoe at me once. And a bottle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had some pretty hairy nights. Someone got up and punched the puppet once. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I thought, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the ultimate compliment really he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t punch me, he punched the puppet. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He really objected to what the puppet was saying to him.â&#x20AC;? O LIONEL Richie, 66, has earned a 20-gig residency at Planet Hollywood in Vegas on the back of his Glastonbury performance. After signing the deal Richie said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m so excited. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait.â&#x20AC;?

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% " % $ !" # ! ! ! ! ! " But the 53-year-old boxing legend was hiding the anguish of his continuing struggle against bipolar disorder â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and was last night in hospital following a relapse. Former world heavyweight champion Frank, who has been sectioned three times in the past 12 years, voluntarily went into a hospital that specialises in treating his condition. It came after friends and family grew concerned about him. One close friend said last night: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is terribly sad but Frank has been struggling for the last few weeks now and needed to get some help. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He has taken this step in a bid to try to make sure he gets better and back to his best as soon as he can. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All that matters now is that Frank focuses on getting well and his recovery. Frankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fighter and this is a battle he is determined to win.â&#x20AC;? His spokesman Dave Davies added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;After a very busy period Frank decided to seek medical assistance to help with a se v ere b out of depression.â&#x20AC;? Frank was due to talk about his glittering It is terribly sad career at a dinner in Lincoln tonight but but Frank has been pulled out due to his illness. Boxer struggling for David Haye will weeks and needed host the event. told how he got through Frankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hospital to get some help the ordeal by doing 4,000 admission is a ppress-ups a night and by heartbreaking blow. ppraying to God. But he Three years ago he told how during one told the Sunday hospital stint another Mirror he wanted to be out for good after another spell battling patient had tried to stab him. Frank used the experience as a catalyst the condition on a psychiatric ward. Speaking in harrowing detail about for change. He was highly critical of the being sectioned twice in the space of six care he received and immediately started months following a relapse, he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was working alongside the Sunday Mirror by in there five weeks but it felt like five years. becoming a mental health ambassador. It is harder than being in the ring. â&#x20AC;&#x153;At least in boxing it is 12 rounds and then you come out. In hospital I could never see when it was going to end. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I felt it was a bad place for me. In the end all I wanted to do was get out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now I am out I want to stay out. I take my medicine and I do what the doctors say. I am just working on staying alive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After I got out I remember sitting at home looking at my belts again. I hold my memories of boxing very, very close, in many ways it does inspire me. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This may well be the toughest fight of

# $ " " my life, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll do all I can to win it.â&#x20AC;? Frank # " !"

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Business

Oil Vessels Ban:

Federal Govt Back-Pedals By OGUNOJEMITE AYODELE

FEDERAL government have had a change of mind as it on September 10th, lifted the ban, which had hitherto brought foul breath of fear and inclement business weather to tanker owners. The ban, which was imposed on these oil vessels on July 15, was placed as a result of the inability of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and crude oil buyers to reconcile figures of crude oil shipped, and what is reflected on the bill of lading. President Muhammadu Buhari issued a directive to NNPC to prohibit the 113 crude oil vessels involved, from engaging in crude oil, gas

loading activities in any of the terminals within the Nigerian territorial waters. The directive, which was contained in a circular signed by the Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division of NNPC, Mr. G.O Komolafe, read in part; ‘‘I am directed to convey to you the directives of Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, regarding prohibition of some crude oil vessels. The affected vessels have also been barred from movements within the Nigerian territorial waters forthwith. Finally, enforcement of the above directives takes immediate effect pending a notice to the contrary by government” it stated. Platts, a global energy trading

information source disclosed that, the NNPC’s grievance with the shipping companies stemmed from issues surrounding output figures related to crude oil exports at the port of discharge. The source further disclosed that, there have been a few incidents between Nigerian authorities and their crude oil buyers on differences between the volumes of crude that was discharged, compared to the volume on the bill of lading. A trader who is active in the West African crude oil market, said; “We hear it is about the out-turn figures, as there are sometimes differences between the loading and discharge figures, especially with certain countries.”

Other sources said, the ban could be related to settling dues such as port and maritime fees, adding that, the majority of Nigerian crude cargoes are lifted on Suezmax and VLCC Tankers. “We suspect it is part of fallout from the level of scrutiny that NNPC is currently under,” a Nigerian crude oil trader said. He added that, this may be a part of the new government’s drive to target “vessels that have not paid dues or have been involved in incidents with the Navy. In this new administration, such lapses are being corrected,” he added. However, the federal government in a letter dated September 8, said the

president had approved the consideration of all in-coming ships subject to a letter guaranteeing that they are free and will not be used for any illegal activity. It added that the president had directed a review of activities of all affected vessels, to determine culpability in illegal operations in Nigerian territorial waters. Recall that the ban on the 113 oil vessels was greeted with protests by affected tanker owners, who argued that the ban would adversely affect their businesses and result in new charter-party clauses. But, with the lift of the ban on these vessels, all their fears are allayed while business is expected to improve.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Business MARKETS/ COMMODITIES

CBN Exchange Rates FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES 18/09/15

DOLLAR 196 POUNDS 302.6828 EURO 220.01 S/FRANC 201.0256 YEN 1.6256 CFA 0.3187 WAUA 275.8032 YUAN 30.7567 RIYAL 52.243 D/KRONA 29.4834 SDR 275.6544

197 304.2271 221.1325 202.0513 1.6339 0.3387 277.2104 30.9146 52.5095 29.6339 277.0608

PRICE MOVEMENT AS AT Fri Sept. 18, 2015

Top Gainers SEPLAT 240.00 NB 136.00 GUARANTY 24.60 GUINNESS 155.10 BERGER 9.93

7.00 1.48 0.50 0.50 0.47

PRICE MOVEMENT AS AT Fri Sept. 18, 2015

Top Losers NIGSEWING NIWICABLE STOKVIS FO UACN

223.01 31.82

-3.49 -1.18

FLIGHT SCHEDULE

FIRST NATION AIRWAYS

Lagos – Abuja (Mon – Fri) 06:05, 09:30, 11:45, 16:00 (Sat) 06:50, 11:45 (Sun) 11:45, 16:00

Abuja – Lagos (Mon – Fri) 09:00, 11:30, 13:40, 18:30 (Sat) 09:00, 13:40 (Sun) 13:40, 18:30 Lagos – Portharcourt (Mon – Fri) 14:45 (Sat) 16:15 (Sun) 14:45 Portharcout – Lagos (Mon – Fri) 14:45 (Sat) 18:20 (Sun) 16:50 AERO CONTRACTORS Lagos - Abuja (Mon – Fri) 06:50, 13:30, 16:30, 19:00 (Sat) 12:30 (Sun) 15:30 MEDVIEW AIRLINES Lagos – Abuja (Mon – Fri) 07:00, 08:50, 12:00, 15:30 (Sat) 10:00, 15:00 (Sun) 17:30, 18:30 Abuja – Lagos (Mon – Fri) 09:00, 14:00, 15:00, 18:30 OVERLAND AIRWAYS LAGOS-ILORIN (MON-FRI) 07:15 LAGOS-IBADAN (MON-FRI) 7:00 IBADAN-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 08:00 IBADAN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 16:30 ILORIN-ABUJA (MON-FRI)08:30 ILORIN-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 17:00 ABUJA-ASABA (MON-FRI) 10:00 ASABA-ABUJA (MON-FRI) 14:15 ASABA-LAGOS (MON-FRI) 11:30 LAGOS-ASABA (MON-FRI) 13:00 ABUJA-ILORIN 16:00 ABUJA-IBADAN 15:00

NLNG Declares N38.7bn Boost To Rivers Economy

THE Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) has declared over N38.7 billion it may have pumped into Rivers State, especially in Bonny Island, to boost the economy of the host state. The company also says it has put down another N5 billion to upgrade the Bonny Vocational Centre (BVC), which had already gulped N3 billion. The company used the opportunity of the award ceremony of 15 post-graduate scholarships in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to reveal what it had been doing to support the developmental strides of the host state since its inception, saying the company had so far pumped over N20 billion into corporate social responsibility (CRS) infrastructure projects in Bonny. Kudo Eresia-Eke, general manager, external relations, NLNG, said in a speech at the occasion that the company also paid N6 billion yearly in taxes to the host state government. This could amount to N18 billion in the past three years or more that the NLNG had relocated to Port Harcourt following ceaseless pressure by the ChibuikeAmaechi administration backed by huge commitments, especially on security, to woo the company to the Garden City. Giving a breakdown of the spending mostly in education and skills development, Eresia-Eke said NLNG was spending between N9 million and N13 million on each of the 15 graduates heading to the United Kingdom through the handling of the British Council in Nigeria, a project that could gulp over N165 million. He said 23 others

had gone in the first earlier two batches since 2013. The company, according to him, has a scheme of topping up the salaries of teachers posted to the island, which has gulped N270 million so far. The NLNG scholarship scheme has consumed N1 billion so far, while Universal Support Programmes (USP) to six Nigerian universities has so far gulped N1.5 billion. EresiaEke reminded the people of Rivers State that the NLNG had just committed N4.5 billion to build what he called a worldclass secondary school in Bonny to match the model built by the out-gone administration in some other zones of the state. There is the annual prize for Science and one for Literature at $100,000 each, which has been running since 2004, now probably gulping up to N500 million so far. Despite these, protests had erupted in the state, especially in Bonny few weeks ago when news broke that NLNG was floating a dry-dock in Badagry, but despite denying being the actual financiers, groups had pelted the company for insensitivity to the plights and interests of the oil region. The company had struggled to show it was corporately alert to the desires of the host state and the Bonny Kingdom. “Clearly, education is at the heart of our CSR activities, focused mainly on our host communities and indeed the state, Rivers. In fact, 95 percent of our spending on CSR is in Rivers State, of course highly skewed towards Bonny,” Eresia-Eke said.

•Gov Wike

CBN Rates Nigerian Banks World’s Best

THE Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in charge of economic policy, Mrs. Sarah Alade, has said banks operating in Nigeria are one of the most regulated in the world and expressed optimism that

BoI’s Hits N2bn Creative Industries’ Redemption

THE Bank of Industry’s (BoI) intervention in the film scripts and associated budgets submitted Nigeria’s creative industry has hit N2 billion. to BoI by movie producers and make technical Seven projects are currently accessing the bank’s recommendations to BoI management for final credit facilities while another 10 are at different stages of appraisal and subsequent approval in line with the loan approval, BoI has said. bank’s credit policy. Speaking during a visit to KunleAfolayan, Rasheed “The visit to KunleAfolayan’s set for the production Olaoluwa, managing director/ of his new movie, ‘The C.E.O,’ is CEO, said the development part of the bank’s activities in bank had restructured its assessing the utilisation of the operations to improve access facility approved for a project. to its services, saying the It is the same way when we peculiarity of each sector was visit factories to see how funds being considered for loan were utilised,” he said. disbursements. According to him, According to him, the bank NollyFund has an initial has relaxed its criteria to aid programme limit of N1 billion access to the facilities, as and a single obligor limit of viable distribution channels N50 million for individual are equally being financed to loans, adding that over N2 aid loan repayment as well as billion has been accessed so mitigate default. far by the industry. He said the bank, in “KunleAfolayan is the first line with its mandate, had person to access the fund, developed a special product while others are underway,” tagged ‘BoINollyFund’ under he disclosed. which Nigeria’s leading movie On his part, KunleAfolayan, producers would receive movie producer, commended financial support to produce the bank for improving access •Rasheed Olaoluwa, international quality films and to the facility, noting that the managing director/CEO screen them through various project would not had started platforms of movie distribution without funding from the available both in Nigeria and internationally. bank. “To support this process and ensure that only “The BoI initiative for the creative industry should commercially viable scripts with good story-lines be encouraged. We had applied for facility some few benefit from the scheme, the bank did set up a years back but we got denied. With the restructuring NollyFund Implementation Advisory Group to of the loan processes, we have been able to access advise the institution on loan approval to the creative the funds easily, while the innovative approach industry,” the BoI CEO said. to financing by the bank is highly commendable,” “The Group’s mandate is to critically review all Afolayan said.

the era of bank failure was gone. Alade declared this at the second AdegboyegaAwomolo and Associates Colloquium in Abuja,whereshe dismissed the insinuations that the action of JPMorgan would lead to collapse of the Nigerian banks She said the various economic policies already put in place by the apex bank to supervise and monitor banks in the country would prevent the financial institutions from collapse. The CBN deputy governor who spoke through a director in the bank, Mr. Emmanuel Ukeje, explained that the JPMorgan was just an international bank whose action cannot in anyway spell doom for the country with its removal of Nigeria from the index. She disclosed that the international bank felt angry with Nigeria when the authorities refused to succumb to its recommendation that the country’s currency, the naira, be further devalued. Apart from her point that the JPMorgan’s delisting of Nigeria’s bonds would not adversely affect the banks, Alade also hinted that the foreign investors would not suffer any setback in their investment in the country. The CBN deputy governor commended the organisers of the colloquium for chosing the theme: ‘Accountability and Integrity as pillars of National Development,’ and appealed to Nigerians to shun economic crimes in order to make the country a great nation of the world. She said: “Feelers have indicated that a section of Nigerians especially in the economic sector has been troubled over the action of JPMorgan to the Nigerian nation “Let it be known here that there is nothing to worry about. Even if it is a challenge to the nation, it is one that will be overcome without any major adverse effects to the economy. “JPMorgan is just an international bank, well respected but has an axe to grind with this country because the authority has refused to further devalue the naira.”

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Health

L iving

Supernatural with

PASTOR EBENEZER BAMISHE 08066440970

The Mercy Of God (PSALMS 23)

Perfect Skin Food A

re you tired of using different expensive and ineffective beauty products? It’s time to throw away all those ineffective products and start eating foods for perfect skin. Experts believe that it’s possible to go from terrible acne five months ago to not having acne now. It may be hard, but it is possible, and less expensive than turning to pricey products. While some foods can aggravate your skin, others can enhance it. Here is a list of foods to eat every day for perfect skin. SALMON Salmon is an excellent food to fight stress, anxiety, and depression. Salmon also provides most of your daily vitamin D needs. And as you may already know, Vitamin D is responsible for keeping your heart, bones, colon and brain healthy. It also helps prevent colon cancer, anxiety, depression, heart disease and bone disease.Salmon is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are excellent for fighting inflammation, wrinkles and acne. Its high omega-3 content also helps hydrate your skin from the inside out. Moreover, eating salmon keeps your scalp hydrated and promotes strong, healthy hair. RED BELL PEPPERS (TATASHE) Red bell peppers are a tasty vegetable that can be enjoyed either cooked or raw. One red bell pepper contains more than 100% of your daily vitamin C needs. It also contains significant amounts of dietary fiber and vitamin B6. Moreover, it is rich in carotenoids that can help prevent wrinkles and increase blood circulation to your skin, helping it look more youthful. Due to their carotenoids, red bell peppers are also great to fight acne.A red bell pepper is a perfect, low calorie snack that contains about 30 calories and has a really satisfying crunchy bite. Keep slices of red bell peppers in the fridge, so you will always have something healthy and tasty to reach for when you are having a snack attack. The fiber that a bell p pepper pp contains will help you to feel full longer longger

with very little calories. Plus, you will have a flawless skin. CARROTS Carrots are good not only for your eyes, but also for your skin. They are especially good for clearing up breakouts. Carrots are rich in vitamin A and they help prevent the overproduction of cells in the outer layer of the skin. That’s where excess sebum combines with dead cells and clogs pores.Another great reason to snack on some carrots is because Vitamin A reduces the development of skin-cancer cells. So make sure you nibble on a half-cup of baby carrots every day for perfect skin. Carrot lovers believe they make a good snack. DARK CHOCOLATE For quite a few people, this is their favorite foods to eat every day for perfect skin.Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids and flavanols that promote glowing skin. The antioxidants in dark chocolate will help reduce roughness in your skin and protect it against sun damage. Moreover, cocoa relaxes arteries, increasing blood circulation that leads to healthier skin. And if you like dark chocolate, eat your ounce of dark chocolate every day and make sure you choose at least 80% cacao content in order to avoid milk and added sugars found in a traditional chocolate bar. COCONUT OIL Coconut oil is one of the richest sources of saturated fat with about 90 percent of calories as saturated fat. It contains lauric acid, a powerful antibacterial and antiviral agent that keeps away viruses, infections, inflammation and acne. Coconut oil is also rich in essential fatty acids and Vitamin E, which are perfect for keeping your skin moist, soft, and wrinkle-free. People who use coconut oil as a body cream and consume 1 tbsp have testified to the wonders of raw coconut oil every day. Coconut oil is especially good for your thyroid. Plus, there’s considerable evidence that this oil can help p lose weight. g So manyy health too much to benefits, t be ignored. igno red.

SPINACH (EFOTETE) Spinach is a healthy and nutrientrich food you should certainly include in your everyday diet. You may hate spinach, but it is a wonderful source of iron, folate, chlorophyll, Vitamin E, magnesium, Vitamin A, fiber, plant protein, and Vitamin C. Due to their antioxidant abilities, Vitamins C, E, and A are especially great for your skin. Spinach contains antioxidants that fight against all types of skin problems. Add it to your everyday diet and see what happens. By eating spinach, you’re just cleaning your skin from the inside out. GREEN TEA Well, some saygreen tea is actually a beverage, but tea leaves come from a plant. Even though lovers of black tea sometimes drink green tea every day because it is a great source of antioxidants and a unique amino acid, L-theanine that helps relaxes your body and lower stress.When the tea is hot, the bionic brew releases catechins, a kind of antioxidant with proven anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea may also reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure. Drink 3 or more cups of tea every day for better results. PAPAYA (PAW PAW) Papaya is a wonderful fruit which has a rich history and numerous nutritional benefits. It is very low in calories (only 39 calories per 100 g) and also contains no cholesterol. So if you are trying to lose weight, consider eating papaya every day to maximize its health benefits.A great beauty food, papaya is low in fructose and is excellent for digestion. The antioxidant nutrients found in it, including Vitamins C and E and beta-carotene, are great at reducing inflammation and acne. Moreover, Vitamin C may also protect your skin against sun damage. You don’t have to eat all these foods every day, but even some of them would be great. Be sure to avoid junk foods, too much sugar, g tans fats and refined carbs for f the best skin possible.

"WHEN God's mercy is available, His glory will manifest" "No man has ever ran away from his shadow: therefore, where God's presence is, is where God is" Exodus 33:14-15. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give the rest. v15. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. Ex:33:18. And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. "A divine encounter with God is all you need, to have a good description of whom God is" Exodus 33:19-20 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.v20: And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. "God never leaves the destitute without an alternative, What man prescribe as alternatives are solutions generating calamities But God has a readymade calamities solution free from every problem" Habakkuk 3:2. 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. "Mercy is the divine hand of God used to design and redesign man's destiny" Isa:59:1-2 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. "The only thing that separates man from God is sin." Proverb18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. "The name of Jesus is the only seal for the redemption of man's soul" “The fortified tower is a surety stronghold that holds the hope of the destiny of every dynasty” Mark 9:23 Jesus said unto him, if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. "Your faith is the key to the supernatural and your life is tied to it, therefore, when it is applied, you untie the hands of God and make things happen in the natural" Mark 10:27. And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. “Mortality is not sufficient to make that which is impossible possible you need God to make the impossible possible" John11:4,40 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.v40: Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? "The only condition attached to your miracle is your faith in the name of Jesus Christ the miracle worker." “Faith unlocks the doors of mercy and makes mercy an agent change” Joh:11:33-39 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, v34: And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. v35: Jesus wept... When God’s mercy avails in your life every other excuse becomes irrelevant, because of mercy the law of gravity is defied, though your case might have defied all probable solutions and all hope is totally gone, today mercy is coming on your way, it once happened to Lazarus, so your situation is not exempted, Jesus groaned in the spirit and was troubled, the mystery in it is very simple, Jesus is the agent of divine mercy: the groaning and the trouble in the spirit is the key that unlocked the heavens and untied the hands of God for the release of divine abundance. Jesus the mercy carrier is right here with you, say Jesus please come into my life, I believe in my heart that you died and was raise from the death and I confess that you are my Lord. Jesus come into my life and be my Lord and saviour now and forevermore. Amen

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Campus Square

ACADA

SNIPPETS 57,200 Candidates Will Not Get Admission –UNILORIN VC AS many as 57,200 of the candidates 65,000 seeking admission into the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) will be admitted the 2015/2016 academic session. According to the Vice chancellor of the university, Professor Abdulganiyu Ambali, only 7,800 of those that sat for its Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) will get in. He told newsmen that 30, 384 of the candidates are in contention for admission after scoring 50% and above in the Post-UTME. Ambali however noted that the university has written to the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), through the National Universities Commission (NUC) to increase its admission quota because it has the capacity to admit more students.

Two In N1.6m Job Scam Arrested TWO suspected fraudsters have been arrested for allegedly defrauding 24 people seeking employment at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, Imo State. According to a statement issued on Friday by the Special Assistant on Media Matters to the Rector of the polytechnic, Fidel Onyeneke, the suspects succeeded in defrauding 24 people of the sum of N1.6 million before their activities were uncovered. Onyeneke said the alleged fraudsters were apprehended and handed over to security operatives. “The Management of the Polytechnic has alerted members of the public on the activities of fraudsters who dupe people of huge sums of money with a promise to offer them employment in the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri," the statement read. "Recently, two persons were arrested and apprehended in Owerri following reports that they collected sums totaling over N1.6 million from more than 24 persons under the pretext that they would secure jobs for them in the polytechnic," he said. Established in 1878, the Polytechnic was originally called the College of Technology, Owerri.

Benue Varsity Gets Accredited After 12 Years The Benue State University Makurdi started is medical program in 2003 and ever since none of her students could graduate. After the last visit of the Nigeria medical and Dental Council (NMDC), the University finally scaled through with the accreditation and is now fully ready to graduate her pioneer set that have spent 12yrs already. According to the school’s management, the university is planning to graduate its pioneer set next month.

VOX POP With

OGUNOJEMITE AYODELE OG ogunojemiteayodele@yahoo.com

How Important Is Friendship To You?

Randy Lecturer Caught Pants Down By OGUNOJEMITE AYODELE

randy Lecturer of the Federal College of Education, Asaba, Delta state, Mr. Simeon has been caught pants down in with a woman in a hotel on Abraka Road in Asaba. The lecturer was caught in the act in the hotel room with a married woman identified as Winifred. Campus file gathered that, the lecturer escaped amidst a crowd of people who thronged into the hotel to catch a glimpse of the unfolding drama

when relations of the woman’s husband allegedly caught her dressing up outside the hotel room and called the husband, who immediately mobilised persons to the hotel. It was further learnt that the bubble burst, when the lecturer, who taught the woman while she was a student in the school, sent a love text message to her GSM phone, and was read by the husband, who mobilised secretly to monitor her activities. Winifred while being beaten, confessed to the act, but was rescued by policemen

at the ‘B’ Division, Asaba who were called to the scene of the crime. Police officers, who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the woman’s clothes were already torn before their arrival, adding that upon interrogation, she said it was the devil’s work. Meanwhile, the husband, Mr Moses, a senior staff of the State-owned newspaper company, said he would send her packing. “It is over for my wife. The only saving grace is that the lecturer escaped,” he said.

25-Yr-Old 400 Level Student-Cultist Nabbed In Ogun By RUFAI OLATUNBOSUN A 25-year-old 400-level Geography Education student of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Babatunde Abiodun, has been arrested by the Ogun state police for cultism. Abiodun was arrested alongside, a 23-year-old 200 level Political Science student of the same school, Tobi Richard, and an HND 1 student of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Ifeanyi Ubamwa. Our correspondent gathered that the suspects were arrested on Saturday at different location by officers of the Ago-Iwoye Police Division. According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said Richard and Abiodun have confessed to being members of the

Buccaneer confraternity while the suspect is an Eye confraternity member. “The suspects have confessed to being members of the cult groups,” Adejobi said. “The Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali has directed the Department of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence, Eleweran, Abeokuta to take over the case for proper investigations and that the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigations." The police spokesman said the State Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, has vowed to stop cultism to in the state. It will be recalled that in late July, the Commissioner ordered his men to "to shoot on sight any cultist or ritualist seen perpetrating any of these activities" and added that "a cult member would be treated as an armed robber or a murderer.” These arrests would be seen as a confirmation of his resolved to bring student cultism to an end.

CorpersTackle Drug Abuse On Lagos Streets Some members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Lagos have taken drugs abuse education to the streets of Nigeria's economic capital. The corps members who belong to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Community Development Service (CDS) group organized a sensitization rally about the dangers of prohibited drugs. Our correspondent report that the corps members moved from the New Garage Bus stop to Ojota bus stop. They talked to youths and other passersby about the dangers of drug abuse.

The President of the CDS group, Olaitan Ogunwande, reportedly said the ultimate aim of the initiative is to encourage youths stop abusing harmful substances. “Our aim is to sensitize Lagosians on the harmful effects of drug abuse," Ogunwande said. He added that the group hopes to replicate the event for greater effect. "We have

achieved some level of success but we hope to organize more sensitization rallies in other cities, so that youths will drop the habit.”

“We become like those we associate with”. From the obvious point, no man is completely selfmade. Those around contribute in one way or the other. It has been argued that for a man to attain his major objective in life he must have the right friends. Don’t forget that we become like those we associate with .It invariably means that, if a student keeps mediocre or an unserious person as friend, he or she will equally take the shape of their mediocrity and unseriousness. But, if they be great achievers, we become like them with time. Ajah Anayo, an inspirational writer wrote “If you dream to become great, why then do you choose to associate with mediocre minds and people who are comfortable with the average? Andres Lara also opines that “It is easy to become great where everyone is into mediocrity, yet it is not easy to be mediocre where everyone is into greatness”. When one has a great dream or vision, the right friends are those who share the same big vision. There is a popular saying “Show me your friend and I will tell you whom you are” In other words, if a student keeps a cultist as his friend, there is every tendency that he is also a cultist or at worst will become one in a matter of time. There have been reports of friends and roommates in schools, forcing their friends into cultism. This is the same for student prostitutes and other anti-social activities students indulge in.A Japanese proverb says “If a man’s character is not clear to you, watch his friends” Friendship is not in all bad as long as a student can make friends with only those who can help him succeed in his or her academic work. According to Olotu Oluwaseun, Best Graduating Student of Ajayi Crowther University, while addressing newsmen last year said, his success could be attributed to positive influence from friends who he studied with. “Keep Company with the wise and you will become wise. If you make friends with stupid people, you will be ruined” I have learnt that ‘It is better to be alone than in the wrong company’. There are some people you stay with after which your spirit and sight are raised. “Our best friends are those who bring out the best in us” said John Mason. Finally, friendship has positive and negative influences. Relating with people from different backgrounds could have negative effect if one was not careful with the kind of friends to move with. Some students are in school because they just wanted to be part of the crowd. Some of my colleagues were in school to spend money and some were in school to display their parents’ affluence. From relationship with roommates and classmates, a student is exposed to various forms of influences. Some people would want to draw others back if allowed, while others can push to one’s success in academics. Joy 400L I don’t keep friends. Although I have people that I say hi to but I can’t say that they are my friends. Friendship to me is not compulsory because if you consider the kind of trouble a friend can get you into you will understand that it’s better not to have one. I am okay by myself.

Blessing 400L Well for me friendship is good as long as your friend is good. I have friends that I trust, who encourage me to do better, read more and remain focused and am not regretting having them. Uche 400L Friendship especially in school for me speaks trouble. Hardly can you find a friend who has your interest at heart and wish you to succeed, they are very few.

Victor 300L Friendship is good. The important thing is to keep good friends.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Celebrity Cruize

No formal education in Theatre Ar become a glamour actress in Ghants, yet she has Bride in Nigeria. She tells how shea and a Screen drop-off an actress friend in Ghana only went to in the acting web which has becomeand got caught can’t afford to miss until thy Kingd an opium she this down-to-earth gist with FRAN om comes; In STEPHEN AYA, she unveils how a ChCIS OGBONNA & terrorizing her with his sex-dreams inonso has been love to her, she speaks of how she where he makes has tried to shrug him off her shoulders to no avail. Ou r ho personified ELLA MENSAH, over tot and beauty you …

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

ow was the feeling like, winning? It was wonderful, I thank God for that. For record purposes, what was the award for again? It is for the best in face Gollywood Nollywood. It means that I am the face of Ghana in Nigeria as at today. When did acting start

for you? It all started in 2012, October 1. And this is my seventh award in three years. So far so good, God have been good to me, I tell you. So you have close to three awards per year? No, I think I got most of the awards last year, City

CONT’D ON PG 20

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Celebrity Cruize

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

GOING NUDE!??? NOPE … Bedroom’s Bedroom ‘N’ Movies’s Movies

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Celebrity Cruize

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

CONT’D FROM PG 19 people, “The hottest Ghanaian actress in Nollywood”, Fashion 1000, and Nolly fans achievement award all in Nigeria. What has been your greatest challenge acting these last three years? The first is trying to fit into Nigeria since I don’t understand their local language. Because my colleague most of the time, don’t use English on location, so sometimes I get confused and wonder if they are “selling me”and what they are saying about me. So, communication is a major challenge for me but am coping and trying my best to learn the languages. You said that you won an award the face of Gollywood in Nigeria, is that to say that you are the Gollywood Ambassador in Nigeria? Yes, and I am so happy about this because, it is another big thing for me. It means so much to me; it means that Nigerians are noticing me and my efforts. They are now saying that there is a Ghanaian lady here that is doing well, an outsider, it is highly appreciated. How do you manage to ward-off love advances from men and women who are your fans, considering how beautiful you are? It is crazy, to say the least. I have a few men who have been stalking me especially, there is this guy, and I think his name is Chinonso or something like that. This guy can give me as many as 87 missed calls a day. He sent me messages of how he made love to me at different locations in his dream and how I should be with him. He follows me everywhere, sometimes even to location. Sometimes, when I post things on Facebook or Instagram, he is there. He follows me everywhere. In fact, it got to the level that, when I was hosted and I invited my fans to come around, he was there.There, he sent me a text message telling me that was looking at me and how he was going to make love to me. Worse of all is that, I don’t know how he got my number. In fact, this situation went on and I had to go to MTN to change my number. You know being beautiful and on screen makes

It is crazy, to say the least. I have a few men who have been stalking me especially, there is this guy, and I think his name is Chinonso or something like that. This guy can give me as many as 87 missed calls a day. He sent me messages of how he made love to me at different locations in his dream and how I should be with him. the situation more difficult, it is disastrous. Anyway, that is what we signed up for, it is our job and I’m managing it. Do you sometimes regret it? No I don’t. As a matter of fact, I have never regretted anything in my life because I knew that things like this are bound to happen. Like I said, I have never regretted anything in my life, not even in my job. The only thing is that I am extremely careful in my choices. I only go out with people that I know. I can never meet somebody today and we become close like that never, not here in Nigeria. But in Ghana yes, I can. I am more careful and vigilant in anything I do. If you have to compare the movie industry in Nigeria with Ghana, which would you say is bigger? I have answered this question many times before and I have always said this, in Africa, am a Ghanaian, I love my country but, let the truth be said, Nollywood is bigger than Africa. Ghana is a small country of about 36 million people, Nigeria is about two hundred million people so what are you talking about? There are no bases at all. We shoot more here in Nigeria and the market is bigger than in Ghana. That is why all artistes want to come to Nigeria because once you make it in Nollywood, and then you have made it everywhere. If you act in any other African country, you will only be known there, but once you act and are known in Nollywood, you are known everywhere. There are no bases to compare them. Re-locating to Nigeria, how challenging was it for you? Coming from Ghana the first major Challenge was the accent, as you know, the way we speak our English language in Ghana is different from the way you do here in Nigeria. Another was starting in Ghana, known but not well known, then coming here. But Nigerians here accepted me, I think it has to do with the appearance, they also saw the talent and they said oh, she is good. Now I end-up shooting

CONT’D ON PG 22

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Celebrity Cruize

He Trails Me Everywhere I Go CONT’D FROM PG 21

more in Nigeria than in Ghana. I have shot about 10 movies this year alone all here in Nigeria, and just two in Ghana. Do you feel more comfortable in Ghana than Nigeria? Of cause, I feel comfortable in Ghana than Nigeria, Ghana is my country. It is home. I was born and bred there and I will always feel more comfortable there. But Nigeria is my second home right now and I feel O.K. Are we likely going to see you pick a Nigerian husband? So far I don’t know and I am not even ready for marriage. But you can never tell when it comes to relationship in life; I may get married to a Nigerian, a Ghanaian or someone else. Let’s make do some comparison; Nigerian men, Ghanaian men which does it for you? They are all different, good and bad in their own ways. Traditions are different. The people in Ghana are different from the people in Nigeria. Here in Nigeria, the life is fast, and sometimes I wonder where they are

No, let us not deceive ourselves, this is Africa, and no matter how we try to copy the western world, we will always be different. Yes, I am acting a film and I want to be the best, but to go nude, No! It is not in our culture, we Africans don’t do things that way. If it’s a bedroom scene, it is a bedroom scene; nobody wants to go nude in an African movie running to. But in Ghana we take things easy, you can’t compare them. But one thing stands out and that is, that a man is a man regardless of where he comes from. Did you get a formal acting training in school? No, I studied Journalism and Media and I was working in a TV station in Ghana called, MuchTV. I did my attachment there and I was about to be a newscaster, but then I went to drop a friend at a casting of a movie and the producer said I think you will fit into one of these roles, but I told him no. He insisted and they gave me a role. When I went to the location and I saw the way the the camera was, the make-up, I mean the whole set up, I kind of liked it, so I decided that I wanted to be in front of that camera. Just how far are you willing to act and prove that you are a true professional? As far as, I can go and as God wants me to go. Will you be ready to go nude? No, is No let let us not nott deceive decei eive ive ourselves, our urse sellves es, this thiis th is is Africa, Afri frica ica, and and d no no matter how we try to copy the western world, we will always be different. Yes, I am acting a film and I want to be the best, but to go nude, No! It is not in our culture, we Africans don’t do things that way. If it’s a bedroom scene, it is a bedroom scene; nobody wants to go nude in an African movie.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Foreign News

Burkinabe Coup Protesters Killed Trump Doesn’t Challenge AntiMuslim Questioner At Event DONALD Trump came under fire Thursday night for his handling of a question at a town hall about when the U.S. can "get rid" of Muslims, declining to take issue with that premise and an assertion that President Barack Obama is Muslim. "We have a problem in this country. It's called Muslims," an unidentified man who spoke at a question-and-answer town hall event in Rochester, New Hampshire asked the mogul. "You know our current president is one. You know he's not even an American." A seemingly bewildered Trump interrupted the man, chuckling, "We need this question. This is the first question." "Anyway, we have training camps growing where they want to kill us," the man, wearing a "Trump" T-shirt, continued. "That's my question: When can we get rid of them?" "We're going to be looking at a lot of different things," Trump replied. "You know, a lot of people are saying that and a lot of people are saying that bad things are happening. We're going to be looking at that and many other things." The real estate mogul did not correct the questioner about his claims about Obama before movingg on to another audience member. r. His comments were quickly uickly denounced by Democrats. Hillary lary Clinton, the party's fronttrunner for president, personallyy tweeted late Thursday that Trump's remarks were "just plain wrong." "Donald Trump not denouncing false statements about POTUS & hatefull rhetoric about Muslims is disturbing, & just plain wrong. ng. Cut it out.

t least l three h people l have h been b killed and 60 injured during street clashes in Burkina Faso's capital as protesters demonstrated against a military coup, a senior source in the main hospital has said. Witnesses said that soldiers fired warning shots on Thursday to disperse crowds gathering in the streets of Ouagadougou, who responded by throwing stones. The military had taken to the airwaves earlier on Thursday to declare it now controlled the country, confirming that a coup has taken place on Wednesday - just weeks before national elections. Ban Ki-moon, UN secretary-general, called for the country's military to "exercise restraint". Ban condemned "in the strongest terms" the coup led by a close ally of toppled former leader Blaise Compaore. "Those responsible for the coup d'etat and its consequences must be q accountable," held acco he said in a

statement. In a statement, Susan Rice, the US national security adviser, said: "We call on the responsible parties to release immediately those being detained, order aligned forces to stand down, respect the rights of civilians to peacefully assemble, and put Burkina Faso back on the path to presidential elections in October. "We are deeply disappointed that the self-interested actions of a few are threatening the historic opportunity that the people of Burkina Faso have to cast their ballots and build a new future for the country." The statements came a day after members of the elite presidential guard unit of the military arrested the transitional president and prime minister. A communique read by Lieutenant Colonel MamadouBamba criticised the electoral code, which blocked members of the former president's party from taking part in the October 11 elections. Anyone who supported the former

Ahmed Mohamed After Clock ‘Bomb’ Arrest:

‘This Won’t Be My Last Invention’ A Muslim teenager arrested for br bringing a homemade electronic clock to school has told how he was excited to b be invited to the White House by Pres President Barack Obama, but would be even happier h to visit the Massachusetts

US Church Massacre Suspect’s Friend Arrested FBI agents have detained a friend of Dylann Roof, the suspect in June's massacre of nine black churchgoers in South Carolina. Joseph Meek, who gave 21-year-old Roof a place to stay at a mobile home in the weeks ahead of the killings, was held by FBI agents on Thursday afternoon Meek, 21, was being investigated for allegedly making false statements and concealing knowledge of a crime from authorities, according to a letter he received from the FBI. He has previously described how Roof, while drunk on vodka, complained that "blacks were taking over the world" and that "someone needed to do something about it for the white race".

president's id ' bid to amend d the h constitution so he could seek another term is also banned from running. Bamba on Thursday announced the beginning of a "coherent, fair and equitable process" that would lead to inclusive elections. The power grab violates the country's constitution. Burkina Faso was due to hold elections on October 11 that many hoped would strengthen democracy. Cynthia Ohayon, West Africa analyst with International Crisis Group (ICG), described the turn of events as "unsurprising". "It is still very unclear how this crisis will now resolve itself - the only outcome will come through negotiation and compromise [but] I don't see what sort of of compromise will be acceptable to both sides, considering both sides have gone all in so far," Ohayonsaid in Paris. The transitional government came to power after the president for 27 years, Blaise Compaore, was toppled late last year in a public uprising.

Meek told how Roof said he used birthday money from his parents to buy a .45-calibre Glock handgun, which Meek took away from him the night of his rant, but returned to him once Roof had sobered up. His arrest comes a day after Roof's lawyer said his client was willing to plead guilty to state murder charges if that would spare him a death sentence.

Attorney Bill McGuire said a guilty plea by Roof in exchange for a sentence of life in prison without parole also would spare the victims' families and survivors of the shootings the trauma of a trial.

Institute of Technology. Ahmed Mohamed, 14, the son of Sudanese immigrants, was handcuffed by police after his clock was mistaken for a bomb by staff at MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas. The boy said the experience was "scary" but nothing would stop his passion for inventing, telling Good Morning America: "This isn't my first invention and it won’t be my last invention." After a picture of Ahmed in handcuffs appeared on social media the hashtag #IStandWithAhmed was shared more than a million times, including by Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Pope Francis Heads To Cuba After Months Of Secret Diplomacy

WHEN Pope Francis lands in Cuba on Saturday he will find a changing country. He may well take some pride in those transformations since they came about in part through the Pope's own involvement in secret diplomacy worthy of a spy thriller. President Obama announced last December that the United States and Cuba would restore

diplomatic relations. Since then, the island has been buzzing with the possibilities of a new era. Just this week, the United Nations announced that Cuban President Raul Castro would travel to New York to attend the U.N. General Assembly. It will be his first visit to the U.S. in more than a half century. And U.S. and Cuban

officials have said that President Obama could visit the Communistrun island next year, if the two countries progress sufficiently in normalization talks. The change that Francis helped bring about has been so dramatic that even longtime atheist and Marxist Raul Castro has said the Pope has made him consider praying again.

TIT BITS... Cartel Figure Arrested In Mexico Over 43 Missing Students FEDERAL authorities in Mexico have captured a suspected highranking drug cartel member who they says is implicated in last year's disappearance of 43 college students in the state of Guerrero. State prosecutor Miguel Angel Godinez Munoz announced the arrest of Gildardo Lopez Astudillo, whose nickname is 'El Gil', in a statement on Thursday, and National Security Commissioner Renato Sales later confirmed the detention. Sales called Lopez Astudillo, 36, the "intellectual author" of the students' disappearance. He was arrested in the city of Taxco and is suspected of drug, extortion and organised crime offences. In November, then Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam said it was Lopez Astudillo who informed his drug gang boss, SidronioCasarrubias Salgado, that rivals were causing trouble in the city of Iguala. Casarrubias allegedly instructed him to defend their turf. The government's investigation maintains that local police in Iguala illegally detained the students from the Rural Normal School of Ayotzinapa on September 26, 2014, and turned them over to the GuerrerosUnidos gang. Authorities say they were killed and incinerated at a rubbish dump.

Lebanese Journalist Convicted Over Hariri Assassination Broadcasts A Lebanese journalist has been acquitted of interfering with the administration of justice by revealing the identities of witnesses in the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri. But a judge at the international court in The Hague, Nicola Lettieri, ruled that Karma Khayat, a journalist at Lebanon’s al-Jadeed TV station, had committed contempt of court by ignoring a court order to remove the 2012 broadcasts from the station’s website. The TV station was acquitted of corporate liability on both counts. Prosecutors at the special tribunal for Lebanon had argued that exposure of witnesses would make others reluctant to testify in the case over Hariri’s assassination, but Lettieri said he had been able to find no evidence to confirm this.

US Repatriates Frst Chinese Sky Net Suspect Yang Jinjun The United States has repatriated one of China's most wanted criminal suspects, China's Communist Party said. Yang Jinjun, who is accused of bribery and embezzlement, fled to the US in 2001, state media said. He is the first alleged fugitive to be brought to China under the highprofile Sky Net initiative, the party's internal disciplinary body said. The plan is aimed at helping bring to justice corrupt Chinese officials who have fled overseas. In April, Beijing published a list of 100 wanted economic fugitives. It is part of efforts spearheaded by President Xi Jinping to crack down on rampant corruption and comes ahead of a state visit by him to the US next week. China does not have an extradition treaty with the US. In the past US officials have asked for more evidence from the Chinese government before helping to track down those wanted under Sky Net, says the BBC's Celia Hatton in Beijing. But according to Chinese anticorruption officials Mr Yang was brought to China as a result of "close co-operation" between the Chinese and American authorities.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Foreign News

Student Hospitalised After Being Forced To Hold In Pee During Exam A student has been taken to hospital after she was barred from going to the toilet after the end of a university entrance exam. Invigilators prevented the 19-yearold from leaving the exam room for 40 minutes even though she had completed the test, to study medicine at the University of Palermo in Sicily. The student, who suffers from a

urinary tract problem, was forced to suffer in painful silence despite desperate pleas to examiners. The delay led to bleeding as a result of cystitis, forcing the woman to attend hospital, her sister told local media. The Local reported stricter exam rules had been introduced by the Italian university this year because of a spate of cheating in recent times.

After returning from hospital, the student, who has not been named, returned to claim her iPhone – handed to invigilators – only to find that it had “disappeared”, the news website said. Her older sister, Floriana, said: “She suffers from a urinary tract problem and was visibly suffering. “But they told her that if she went

to the bathroom her test would be annulled. But the long wait caused serious consequences. “As soon as she got to the bathroom she was bleeding due to a hemorrhagic cystitis.” “In addition to the physical damage caused by her holding her wee longer than she should have, there was moral damage too.”

Migrant Crisis:

Croatia Closes Border Crossings With Serbia Serial killer’s Brother Arrested Over Six killings In Japan A man suspected of killing six people in a spree of murders in Japan is the brother of Peru’s most prolific serial killer, known as "The Apostle of Death". Vayron Jonathan NakadaLudeña was taken into custody by police in a suburb of Tokyo following the murder of six people in three homes this week. The 30-year-old is reported to be the brother of Pablo NakadaLudeña, who killed 25 people in Peru between 2000 and 2006 who he considered to be drug addicts, prostitutes, homosexuals, and criminals that God had ordered him to kill. VayronNakadaLudeña remains unconscious in hospital with a fractured skull after falling from the second storey of one of the victims’ homes while being pursued by police. Japanese news agency Kyodo reported that he attempted suicide by cutting his wrists before he fell. He is the prime suspect in the killings of six people including a woman and her two daughters, aged seven and 10, who were found dead in wardrobes in their home in

the residential neighbourhood of Kumagaya, northeast of Tokyo on Wednesday. An 84-year-old woman was also found dead hours earlier in the bath at her home around 100m away. A couple in their 50s were stabbed to death in their home in the same local area on Monday. VayronNakadaLudeña is suspected of killing the victims randomly after fleeing a police station where he was being questioned on Sunday, after being found in an incoherent state in a fire station. The suspect's older brother, Pablo NakadaLudeña, 42, has been held in a psychiatric prison in Peru since his arrest in 2007. In 2011, he gave a television interview from prison in which he said: "I am not a criminal, I’m a cleaner, I got rid of homosexuals and the homeless from society. I killed 25 people to clean the world of scum." VayronNakadaLudeña is believed to have worked in a deli food factory in Isezaki, near to where the killings took place. Peruvians are the second largest non-Japanese community in Isezaki, after Brazilians.

Migrant Dies Boarding UK-Bound Train A migrant has been killed trying to get onto a UK-bound freight shuttle close to the entrance of the Channel Tunnel in France. The victim was reportedly electrocuted after attempting to climb onto the train at around 10pm on Thursday. Eurotunnel, which operates the tunnel, said the shuttle involved was stopped shortly after leaving the platform in Calais because of migrants on the tracks. A number of people were found during a search of the MILITANTS have killed at least 17 people after attacking an air shuttle. One was unconscious and force base in the northern city of Peshawar. another was injured. The gunmen, dressed in police A Eurotunnel spokesman said: "The emergency services uniforms, stormed the Badaber air base were called and immediately on Friday morning, Major General AsimBajwa said. took them into their care. Sixteen of the victims were killed "The authorities have subsequently confirmed the during morning prayers at a mosque death of one of those taken inside the compound, Gen Bajwa added. The other victim was an army into their charge. "This sad incident shows officer. The Pakistani Taliban said they once again that any attempt to travel illegally through the ordered the attack. Peshawar has Channel Tunnel is fraught frequently been targeted by militants. Gen Bajwa said the militants entered with danger."

CROATIA has closed seven of its eight road border crossings with Serbia following a huge influx of migrants. Officials said they had no choice after more than 13,000 people entered the country since Hungary fenced off its border with Serbia earlier this week. Many have been taken by bus to reception centres but some say they plan to walk to neighbouring Slovenia. Huge numbers of people heading north from the Mediterranean have created a political crisis in the European Union. Croatian officials said roads leading to the border crossings had also been shut. The crossing on the main road linking Belgrade and Zagreb - at Bajakovo - appeared to be the only one left open. Local media reported severe congestion at the crossing, with a 6km queue of lorries back into Serbia.

Gunmen Attack Pakistan Air Force Base In Peshawar the base, which is 10km (6 miles) south of Peshawar, at two points and then split into groups. A rapid response force was dispatched to the scene and contained the attackers around a guard room, he added. Thirteen militants were said to have been killed by security forces, although the Taliban said just one of their fighters died. The total number of gunmen involved is unclear, but Gen Bajwa said his forces were hunting for the remaining attackers. Reports say about 20 people, including 10 soldiers, were injured in the exchange of fire.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Business

Lidl Stops Irish Wage Increase

Apple Flushes Galaxy Off Samsung

APPLE has won a US appeals court ruling which could force Samsung to stop using certain features in some earlier models of the Galaxy smartphone and tablet range.

The ruling on Thursday will prevent the Korean technology company from using Apple’s slide-to-unlock, autocorrect and quicklinks features. Bloomberg reports it follows a jury

verdict in May 2014 against Samsung, which was found to have infringed Apple’s patents for the slide-tounlock, autocorrect and quicklinks features. At the time the judge declined to force Samsung to remove them from its mobile phones, saying monetary damages of $119.6m would be adequate.

The ruling applies to older models including the Galaxy S2 and Note 2 that would still have the features Those devices have since been superseded by the likes of the Galaxy S6. Samsung indicated that since it was a split decision, it would ask that the issue be considered by all active judges of the Federal Circuit.

McCarthy Dismisses Fear On Labour, Food, Farming Policy THE newly appointed Shadow Defra Secretary has said she will continue to campaign against badger culling but has insisted the fact she is a vegan will not influence Labour policy on farming issues. New Shadow Defra Secretary Kerry McCarthy has insisted her veganism will not affect Labour’s policy when it comes to farming. Her appointment, while warmly welcomed among environmental and animal welfare campaigners, was greeted with a degree of bemusement within the farming community. Ms McCarthy, who chaired a Parliamentary group on agroecology until her appointment has been one of Parliament’s most vocal critics of mainstream farming. The 50-year-old Bristol MP, a vegan of 20 years, has campaigned to encourage the public to eat less meat and highlighted the ‘immense suffering’ she believes is inflicted on animals by the UK farming industry. In a blog in 2013, she wrote that most UK farm animals ‘spend their entire lives crammed inside dark, filthy sheds’. “They don’t get to breathe fresh air until they are on their way to the abattoir, where many have their throats slit while they are still conscious,” she wrote. A vice-president of the League

Against Cruel Sports she has also been a trenchant critic of the badger cull, as well as and hunting and shooting, and has campaigned on farm pesticide and antibiotic usage in farming. She is also a keen campaigner on food waste and introduced a Food Waste Bill in Parliament last week. Writing on her blog this week, Ms McCarthy said she was ‘delighted’ with her new role. Pointing to her place on various Parliamentary groups connected to ‘sustainable farming’ and the environment, she said: “As you will know, I have a long standing interest in the issues within this portfolio: protecting our natural environment and biodiversity; promoting sustainable food and farming; campaigning on food waste and food poverty; marine conservation; and animal welfare. She added: “Although I have been vegan for many years, this will not affect Labour policy in relation to the farming industry, although I am of course keen to see farmers adopt the highest welfare standards, and keen to develop policies which promote a move away from intensive, industrialised farming.” She noted the ‘considerable pressures’ facing the dairy industry. She said: “I will no doubt be meeting with farmer’s representatives soon, and when the new Shadow Minister for Farming and

Food is confirmed in post, this will be one of his/ her first tasks, to look into the urgent need for farmers to get a fair deal for their milk.” She said she would continue to oppose the badger cull but stressed this and opposing hunting were already Labour policies. “Animal welfare is an important priority for me. I am a VicePresident of the League Against Cruel Sports, and will continue with the long-established Labour

Lidl has said it has no plans to introduce the living wage in Ireland, as it has done in England, Scotland and Wales, and said it has no further comment to make on the matter. More than 9,000 staff at the supermarket chain in England, Scotland and Wales are to receive a pay rise worth £1,200 a year after the discounter said it was hiking its minimum wages there. Lidl will pay a minimum of £8.20 an hour across England, Scotland and Wales and £9.35 per hour in London from October 1. But the company said it has no plans to increase wages for its staff in Northern Ireland. In a statement, the company said that Lidl NI, which operates independently of Lidl GB, currently offers “attractive wages for all staff members”. It said that these wages are reviewed annually and as such in August, it increased the hourly wage paid to staff, to ensure they were in line with the proposed living wage for Northern Ireland. “Lidl NI continues to monitor all discussions and proposals in relation to the living wage in Northern Ireland and will review and update accordingly when required,” the company added. Lidl claims it will be the first supermarket in the UK to adopt the higher rate being set by the Living Wage Foundation. The supermarket chain also confirmed it would not be raising prices as a result of the wage increases. But other retailers have warned over the impact of higher staff costs from the UK national living wage, with Next and Whitbread, which owns Costa Coffee and Premier Inn, last week cautioning they may need to raise prices as a result. The national living wage announced by British Chancellor George Osborne in his summer budget will see all workers aged 25 and over paid £7.20 an hour from next April, rising to £9 from 2020. Lidl launched in the UK in 1994 and reported more than £4 billion in sales over the last financial year.

policy of opposing any attempts to overturn the ban on fox-hunting. “It is also Labour policy to oppose the badger culls, as both ineffective and inhumane, and I will continue with that policy, particularly in opposing the Government’s attempts to roll out the culls in Dorset.” Ms McCarthy described food and farming policy as a ‘hugely important area of public policy, currently facing major challenges’.

Worldpay Share Flotation Aims To Raise £890m PAYMENT processing company Worldpay has said it plans to raise £890m by listing its shares on the London stock market. The flotation could give the company a market value of nearly £4bn and push it into the FTSE 100 index of the largest UK-listed firms. The company says it processes about 31 million transactions a day on mobiles, online and in stores. Worldpay said it would use the money raised from the

flotation to reduce debts. In 2014, the company’s revenues were £863.4m, with underlying earnings of £374.7m. Worldpay is currently owned by two private equity firms, Advent International and Bain Capital, who bought the company from Royal Bank of Scotland in 2010 for £1.7bn. “Worldpay has been transformed into a global leader in payments since it became an independent company in 2010,” said Worldpay chief executive Philip Jansen.

“The IPO is an exciting and logical next step as we seek to continue this momentum. It will enable us to access new capital for growth, augment our global proposition and further enhance our ability to serve customers across the world.” There were reports earlier in the week that Worldpay had received a takeover approach from French company Ingenico. Shares in Ingenico were up more than 7% in Paris on news of Worldpay’s flotation plans.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Business

Forex Talk Mike Fowope

Biz Bits & Pieces Lagos Hosts Second Rice Fair

With

08056905612

wale.fowope@gmail.com

Leverage In Forex Trading

Leverage allows you to enhance your profits Leverage is essentially the borrowing of capital to increase your returns on investment. In the Forex industry, a Forex broker can “lend” capital to a trader, allowing the trader to open a much larger position, just as if they had a much larger trading account than they actually do. This means, however, that a trader can also lose just as much as if they had a much larger trading account. Brokers can afford to make this arrangement because the losses are limited to the trader’s account balance only. Once the loss exceeds the amount of money the trade has to start with, the broker will close all the trades that are currently open. This avoids the scenario where the trader has borrowed more than they have in their account and owes the broker money. How Forex leverage works When a position is opened in the Forex market, the market moves either in the direction of the trader’s position or against it. For each pip that the market moves, there is a fixed amount of capital added or taken away from the trader’s account. If the move is in line with the trader’s position, they make money; if not, they lose money. Currency trading is completed in “contracts” for a standard amount of units called lots. Each lot is worth 100,000 units of a currency. Using the US dollar for denomination, if a trader opens a position with one standard lot, then he is buying or selling 100,000 units of that currency. As the currency moves in pips – which are increments of 0.0001, each pip – when a standard lot is traded, it is worth $10 (0.0001 x 100,000 = $10). If the trade moves ten pips in favour, then the trader gains $100. If the trade moves ten pips against the position, then he is down by $100. Not everybody has an account big enough to buy or sell $100,000 worth of a currency and so you can use leverage, i.e. borrow from the broker in order to trade $100,000 when you do not have $100,000 in your trading account. When using leverage, the capital is lent to you when you open the trade, but you do not actually see this money go into your trading account. You do, however, see the effects when your trade is open, because each pip movement has a greater value, allowing for greater potential profit or loss.

Leverage requires a minimum amount in your trading account Usually, in order for a trader to borrow capital to enhance their position size, they must put up a certain amount of capital themselves as a security – this is referred to as margin. In other words, in order to use leverage with a Forex broker, you will have to have a minimum amount in your account to start with. This minimum amount will differ between brokers. Different brokers lend different amounts Different brokers also offer different amounts of leverage and these are expressed as ratios, such as 1:100, meaning that the amount lent to the trader is 100 times the amount they have in their trading account. For example, if a broker offers a leverage of 100:1, then a trader can purchase a standard lot, which is $100,000 of currency, with just $1,000 – the $1,000 is the margin. This means that a trader can trade with each pip being worth $10 and still gain $100 with just ten pips, but with only having $1,000 in their account instead of $100,000. Maximum leverage Maximum leverage is the maximum amount of leverage available to use at a particular time. This cap is set by the broker. Some brokers have been known to offer anything up to 500:1 leverage; however, 100:1 is likely to be more than enough. The dangers of leveraged Forex trading A prominent mistake that new traders make is to use leverage with no regard for the risk per trade based on their overall account balance. When there is no concern for the downside risk, leverage can destroy a trading account. Consider a trader that has a $1,000 trading account and uses a leverage of 100:1. This means that each pip movement is worth $10. Let’s say his stop loss is ten pips away from his entry. If the stop loss is hit, then the trader has lost $100 – 10% of the entire trading accounts, far exceeding the acceptable level of money management. Limit the dangers with money management If the correct money management rules are applied, the amount of leverage can become irrelevant. The reason for this? Traders base their risk on a percentage of their total account balance. In other words, the total amount risked per trade, even

with leverage, is less than 2%. Consider the same trader as above that has a $1,000 trading account and has the same ten pip stop loss. Instead of using leverage of 100:1, where each pip is worth $10, he instead uses leverage of 10:1, where each pip is worth $1. Now if the trade goes against him by ten pips, this is only a $10 loss – only 1% of the trading account. By incorporating money management and only risking, you can safely use leverage, because the leveraged amount is less than 2% of the trading capital. The impact of leverage on transaction costs Leverage also impacts the cost of Forex trading, as each trade costs a certain amount to enter. This is either through a spread or a commission charged by the broker. The more leverage is used, the higher these costs are. The higher the costs, the more profit is required to cover them. Here is an example to illustrate: A trader opens an account with $10,000 and decides to buy 10 standard lots of EUR/USD that have a 2.5 pip spread. The leverage being used is 100:1 ($10 per pip x 2.5 pip spread x 10 lots). This means, on that particular trade, the cost for each lot is $25 and the trader is buying 10 lots. The transaction cost of the spread is therefore $250 across all 10 lots, which is 2.5% of the account when the trade has been entered – this does not even take into account the total risk from the stop loss on the trade. The trader has to make a 2.5% profit just to break even on a single trade at the moment of entry. This is unsustainable and the reason that traders who use high leverage without considering risk or money management tend to lose their entire trading capital. Compare this with a trader using a leverage of 10:1, where each pip would be worth $1. The cost of each position is just $2.5 ($1 per pip x 2.5 pip spread x 10). This means that the total cost of the trade is $25. This is much more sustainable and the trader is substantially more in line with money management principles. Summary So far, you should have learned that... • ... Leverage is the borrowing of capital to maximize profit. • ... Forex trading is completed in contracts called “lots”. • ... A standard lot is 100,000 units of currency, which means that, using US dollars for denomination, each pip movement is worth $10. • ... In order to use leverage, a Forex broker requires a minimum amount of capital from the trader – this is called margin. • ... Different brokers offer different amount of leverage, the most common is 100:1. This means that a trader can open a standard lot with just $1,000. • ... When traders use leverage without employing money management, they are in danger of losing their entire trading account.

THE Lagos State government is playing host to a three-day rice fair targeted at boosting Nigeria’s quest to attain self-sufficiency in rice production and processing. Organized by Growth and Employment in States – Wholesale and Retail Sector (GEMS4), with funding from DFID/UKaid and the World Bank, the Lagos Rice Fair is coming after the successful Kano Rice Fair. The Lagos fair is billed to take place between September 17 and 19, 2015 in Alausa, Lagos under the theme, “Growing Business Opportunities with Nigerian rice.” It would provide a platform to the general public to experience first-hand the quality of Nigerian rice, and the business community on the huge opportunities in wholesale and retail distribution of the products. The organizers said the

stimulation of market system changes would encourage growth and access; promote the creation of 10,000 new jobs, and ensure increased incomes for over 500,000 people, especially the poor and women in the rice value chain. The project would be implemented in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna and Cross River states, though interventions would be extended to other states where impact could be maximized. The Lagos Fair, which would give further impetus to Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to attain rice sufficiency through building local capacity in rice production, is expected to attract over 13 major Nigerian rice brands in attendance. “Stimulating effective demand and consumption for Nigerian rice brands is crucial for food security and self-sufficiency,’ said GEMS4 Senior Intervention Manager, BusuyiOkeowo.

Poor Purchasing Power Slows Air Travel

THE decline in air traffic in the second quarter of 2015 is a reflection of the slowdown in consumers’ purchasing power and the broader economy, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has said. The statistics office made this known in its latest quarterly report on air passenger traffic. With Nigeria’s population at 170 million, the poor road networks and derelict railway system, air transportation is widely used, but high cost of fares has made people not to embrace it. The data, which was arrived at through the data provided by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), covers arrivals and departures for both domestic and international flights. Total traffic in second quarter 2015 was estimated at 3.4 million passengers, representing a decline of 11 per cent. The NBS equally stated that total aircraft arrivals and departures for the quarter also dropped by 12 per cent to 56,600. It attributed the fall to the fuel scarcity the country faced during the reviewed quarter, which led to a series of domestic flight cancellations during the period. Unsurprisingly, it noted that Lagos and Abuja again registered the highest number of passengers in the second quarter of this year, accounting for 49 per cent and 30 per cent of total air traffic respectively. It described the favourite destination spot for airlines as Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt, with Lagos accounting for 43 per cent of total aircraft traffic and Abuja 31 per cent. The NBS disclosed that financial constraints have led to a delay in the infrastructure upgrade for domestic airports under construction. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, HajiaBinta Bello, penultimate week, announced plans to remodel five international airports in line with best standards by first quarter 2016. The cost of the project is estimated at N100 billion ($500 million).

NAAJ Wants Agropreneur As Agric Minister NIGERIAN Association of Agricultural Journalists (NAAJ) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint a businessman, who is an agricultural expert, as the next minister of agriculture so that the nation can be self-sufficient in the area of food production. The association made this plea in a press release jointly signed by the President, Mr. Stanley Ihedigbo and Secretary, Mr. Ayo Fadimu. The association reasoned that for the efforts of the last administration in the area of the agriculture to be sustained, the President needs to appoint someone who will not see agriculture as a vocation but as a business. “Mr. President should note that agricultural sector has witnessed steady development in the last few years and this can only be sustained with the appointment of a business-minded Minister of agriculture who has deep

knowledge of the sector and is also a team player that can carry all stakeholders in the sector along,” the statement read. The association congratulated the President, saying that by virtue of his being a pastoralist, he is a farmer, urging him not to appoint a politician who will see the ministry as a cash cow and thereby rubbishing the integrity and well thought out plan of the President to make Nigerians to be self-sufficient and self-reliant in food production. “Mr. President should desist from appointing politicians who are of questionable characters and whose images had been stained with corrupt allegations. These bread and butter politicians will not only stain the integrity of the current administration but will also make nonsense of the anti-corruption stance of the President and ultimately make Nigerians hungry and angry,” the statement read.

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Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

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27 15

BIPOLAR DISORDER COMES BACK

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Last year, the dad-of-four joined Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb in a campaign trying to improve the care offered by the Government to people suffering with conditions such as bipolar and depression. He was widely credited in helping bring about improvements. Frank, who remains one of Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most-loved sports stars despite quitting the ring 16 years ago, has openly spoken about his illness in the past and the need

to break down mental health stigma. In a 2011 interview he said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being sectioned was the best thing that ever happened to me. Getting put in hospital meant I could stop, get myself sorted and come back stronger. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Up until that point I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t surrender, I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give in. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel ashamed to say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yes, I needed help.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;If there is one thing Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve learned from my illness it is that there is no shame

and no harm in saying you need help. Mental illness can happen to anybody. You can be a dustman, a politician, a Tesco workerâ&#x20AC;Ś anyone. It could be your dad, your brother or your aunt. People need to have compassion for others. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After I came out of hospital people would cross the road rather than walk past me in the street,â&#x20AC;? he says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I felt like I was in panto again. It made me realise there is still a huge stigma attached to mental health. It is

embarrassing barrassing for many ple to deal with. But people admitting you are ill and getting help is nothing to be ashamed of. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not shameful to have a nervous breakdown like it was in the old days. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nice just to let it out because the more you keep it in, the worse it can be when it does come out. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I now realise there is no shame in asking for help if you need it.â&#x20AC;? Two years ago, the

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Londonerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s battle with bipolar was featured in a moving BBC documentary fronted by his daughter Rachel Bruno. My Dad Frank, Bipolar Disorder and Me was widely acclaimed for the way it described the fighterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s torment. Speaking two years ago, Rachel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a campaigner on the condition â&#x20AC;&#x201C; said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Before he was sectioned weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d lost my dad and if he hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t got treatment Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure we would have got him back. It has brought us closer together. Now we can say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Oh, you seem a bit down today, whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wrong?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; And that can perk him up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If I saw the signs returning Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d tell him straight away.â&#x20AC;? Frank won 40 out of 45 professional fights and was crowned champion of the world in September 1995.

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Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

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A FINALIST in Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Shed Of The Year competition has been told to knock it down because it does not have planning permission. Jonathan Melville Smith, 62, crafted the 80 sq ft â&#x20AC;&#x153;pixieâ&#x20AC;? shed from recycled wood in his back garden and rents it out as a holiday home. Neighbours complained about the land being used as a campsite and the smell from the chemical toilets. He applied for planning permission but the council has refused and is ordering the shed to be demolished. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;wibbly-wobblyâ&#x20AC;? shaped building reached the finals of the 2014 Shed of the Year contest thanks to its intriguing design. Jonathan, from St Keverne, Cornwall, who is appealing the decision, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t set it out as a holiday let. I suppose I thought at the time, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a shedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.â&#x20AC;?

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AMERICAN comedian Steve Rannazzisi has revealed he lied about escaping from the World Trade Center on 9/11. He had claimed he was on the 54th floor of the south tower in his old job with finance firm Merrill Lynch. But the New York Times discovered he worked elsewhere in the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Midtown. Rannazzisi, 37, star of US show The League, tweeted: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was not at the Trade Center that day. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know why I said this. I am truly sorry. I made a mistake I deeply regret.â&#x20AC;? Comedy Central, due tomorrow to air the starâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s special, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are disappointed to hear about Steveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s misrepresentations.â&#x20AC;? FX, which screens The League, added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is upsetting he would fabricate a story about having survived that horrible tragedy.â&#x20AC;?

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Jamal Muhammed Raheem Ul Nasir had appealed the seven-year term handed to him for abusing two underage girls, claiming it was longer than usual because of his â&#x20AC;&#x153;ethnic and religious originâ&#x20AC;?. It came after his victimsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; own origins were cited as an â&#x20AC;&#x153;aggravating featureâ&#x20AC;? in sentencing last year as their marriage prospects may have been harmed. But yesterday the sentence was upheld â&#x20AC;&#x201C; splitting opinion between campaigners who agreed and those who said such cases should be a â&#x20AC;&#x153;level playing fieldâ&#x20AC;?. Jasvinder Sanghera of Karma Nirvana, which works with the survivors of honour-based abuse, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We feel this judgment provides an injustice to other victims of similar sexual abuse that are not from a South Asian Community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;shameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; factor highlighted in this case is a common feature for all victims of sexual abuse.â&#x20AC;? A spokesman for NSPCC said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;British justice should operate on a level playing field and children need to be protected irrespective of cultural differences.â&#x20AC;? But John Bird of The National Association for People Abused in Childhood said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There is evidence that cultural differences in Asian communities can make it harder for victims to adjust back to life in the community later on â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy for any victim of a sexual offence.â&#x20AC;? And Diana Nammi of the Iranian and Kurdish Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rights Organisation said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s truth in the argument that Asian girls can suffer greater consequences within their own communities. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a reality borne out by our experiences.â&#x20AC;? At Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Court of Appeal yesterday Mr Justice Paul James Walker said it was proper for Ul Nasir to have been given a tougher than normal jail term. He said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The The victimsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fathers were concerned about the future mar marriage prospects for their daughters.â&#x20AC;? He said the ssentencing judge â&#x20AC;&#x153;was having particular regard to the hharm caused to the victimsâ&#x20AC;?. Ul Nasir, 32, oof Liversedge, West Yorks, was convicted of two counts of sexual assault on a child under 13 and four of sexual sex activity with a child last year. Sentencing him h at Leeds Crown Court in December, Judge Sally Cahill Cah QC said the victims and their families had suffered particular â&#x20AC;&#x153;shameâ&#x20AC;? in their communities. pa There were also a cultural concerns that their future prospects of bbeing regarded as a good catch for arranged marriages might be damaged, she said. m

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

e f Entertainment ca Bollywood Chrissy Notes Teigen

Salman Ahmad Partners Peter Gabriel For HBO Film Open Your Eyes

Opens Up On Fertility Issues M

odel, Chrissy Teigen has opened up about the challenges she and her husband, John Legend are having as regards fertility issues. The 29-year-old model has spoken out many times before about wanting a large family with Legend, but as she explained to her fellow co-hosts — Tyra Banks, Joe Zee, Leah Ashley, and Lauren Makk — being so vocal about their love life doesn’t mean everything’s fine. Speaking on an episode of FABLife set to air on Monday, Sept. 21, spoke about plans to start a family with her husband, R&B crooner: “John and I have been together for so long now. I met him when I was 20, and I’m almost 30 now. Our relationship, before we even got engaged, was pretty significant too. But I will say that, just two years into being married, the questions come from all over. It’s kind of crazy. I can’t imagine being that nosy, like, ‘When are the kids coming?’ because who knows what somebody’s going through, who knows if somebody’s struggling? I would say, honestly, [that] John and I were having trouble. We would have had kids five, six years ago if it had happened, but my gosh, it’s been a process.”

I want a huge family. We want a lot of kids. When it happens, it happens. For us it’s hard because he’s on the road so much and I’m working. People think it happens so easily..but the stars really have to align to have a baby and it is a little miracle, so when it happens …we will be so happy. Once you open up about those things with other people, you start learning that a lot of people are seeing these people [fertility doctors], and they have this shame about it. So anytime anybody asks me if I’m going to have kids, I’m just like, ‘One day, you’re going to ask that to the wrong girl who is really struggling and it’s going to be really hurtful to them, and I hate that. Stop asking me!” During the FABLife episode, Banks, 41, also opened up about her own struggles with infertility, getting emotional as she revealed that she’s affected by fans who put pressure on her on social media to have kids. “When I was 23 years old, I used to tell myself, in three years, you’re going to have kids. Then I turned 24,” she said, wiping away tears. “And then just every single year I kept saying that. And after a while, it’s like, ‘Okay, I want to, but it’s not so easy."

Naomi Campbell Frees Nipples On Instagram IT seems there are no limits when it comes to modelling and no one knows this better than the divine Naomi Campbell. While the legend is usually known for expertly showing off the best in fashion, her latest Instagram was just a little barer than she's usually seen. It’s a photo with a great message — that’s also totally racy! The 45-year-old model took to Instagram on September 16 to share an amazing shot from her upcoming two-volume book from Taschen, highlighted in a shoot from Garage Magazine and she's completely topless! Naomi is a huge supporter of the #FreeTheNipple campaign, and she showed her loyalty by doing just that! "#freethenipple sneak peek of my TASCHEN two-volume book #naomicampbell in @garage_ magazine No. @mertalas@macpiggott," she captioned. #FreeTheNipple refers to the campaign many women have joined to fight back against censorship on social media sites like Facebook and Instagram; the sites will not allow showing women’s nipples — even in artwork or pictures of breastfeeding.

Chris Brown Calls Daughter His ‘Twin’ SINGER, Chris Brown, is one proud dad as he cannot stop talking about his little princess,Royalty. The proud father shared a picture collage of passport sized photographs of himself and Royalty in different poses and looking exactly alike Chris Breezy captioned it: "My Twin".. She sure is!". The resemblance between father and daughter in the collage is uncanny.The singer is definitely enjoying his joint custody settlement over his daughter, with her mother,Nia Guzman. The Singer, recently fired back at reports that he didn't show up in court for his daughter, Royalty’scustody hearing. TMZ claimed that despite Chris Brown not attending the hearing, the judge shut down his baby mama, Nia'smotion to move the case from Texas to California because California courts tend to award more money in child support cases than Texas. Nia Guzmanwas requesting for $15k a month instead of the $2,500 Chris pays for child support. Chris shared a selfie from the custody hearing and wrote: "Sorry TMZ, I think u got your info wrong. I've been in the court for the last 2 hours. #ILOVEROYALTY" Chris had earlier in the month begged his baby mama to have his daughter, Royalty at his Texas ‘One Hell of a Night’ tour. A close source to the singer revealed thatChris was desperately asking Nia to allow Royalty to come with him on tour while he’s in Texas. But Nia is blocking his request, telling him flat out no.

Mel B’s Daughter Dazzles At Red Carpet Event With Mum SPICE Girls singer Mel B’s daughter, Phoenix turned heads at a red carpet event in Los Angeles. The Britain’s Got Talent judge is known to have three daughters and this is her oldest. 16 year old Phoenix attended an award ceremony in Los Angeles with her mother on Thursday night and looked amazing. She spotted a figure hugging white top with long see-through sleeves on pair white lady pant trouser and a loving pair of sandals to match while Mel B rocked a white sleeveless top with a bow and a long pink pencil skirt as well as a pair of brown heels. The pair looked so great they even took selfies on the red carpet while fans cheered.

JUNOON member Salman Ahmad is soaring high; from his acting debut in Bollywood to his collaboration for an upcoming HBO film, this talented musician is fast gaining traction internationally. The musician speaks exclusively to The Express Tribune about his collaboration with Peter Gabriel for song Munn KuntoMaula in HBO film Open Your Eyes and how the opportunity came knocking at his door. “I’m honored to have been asked by Oscar-nominated director Irene Taylor Brodsky and Oscar-nominated producer Dr Larry Brilliant to compose the musical score for the film. Both of them are fans of Sufi music and have been frequent guests at my concerts in the US,” Salman said.

“Failed Relationships Are Not Baggage” ACTRESS, KanganaRanaut has said that failed relationships are not baggage that should be carried along for the rest of ones’ life. She said this recenty in an interview as her latest movie “KattiBatti” hits the theatres. In her words “Failed relationships are not baggage. I see the good part of my experience no matter how hard it is to put an end to one story and move on to the other. I am a good loser. I have seen myself fail relentlessly. But I still like myself. People say, “Oh God! You’re so much in love with yourself.” But I’ve seen myself through the worst. I’m a true hero, because of the way I emerge like a phoenix. If my relationships don’t work, the beautiful thing is that I’m never left bitter or pining or craving for that man. Whereas I’ve seen women who can’t get over it! It just takes me one month to move on. And it would be hard for these women to imagine the kind of passion or madness that I experience when in love. But when I have to let go, I let go like a true Sufi. (Laughs) I tell women that if you believe a man can destroy you, you’ve got to know my story. I’ve evolved. I carry that story in my heart even if it is tragic. It’s beautiful, right?

Rishi Kapoor Hits Back At Haters BOLLYWOOD veteran actor Rishi Kapoor after expressing his views on ‘beef ban’ in India has indulged in a war of words on micro-blogging site Twitter. Rishi Kapoor got in a Twitter spat with a user, who wrote, “Fools like Rishi Kapoor eat beef; have a mini church at home and then call themselves a Hindu and comment on Hindu Saints. Think!”. The ‘Bobby’ actor retorted, “What I do, eat, drink or pray is none of your business”. In another post he wrote: “There is a perception that I am anti- Hindu. ‘Sad’ I am a proud two time a day praying Hindu. But, I respect other faiths too, I just say the truth.”

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Entertainment

Prince Ifeanyi Dike Discloses Next To Godliness Stance •Living with a kidney disease is quite horrible, and coming out of it to narrate the horrors one went through, is much more horrifying, but here, with faith hung in his Creator, our Host, Ifeanyi Dike in a brief, but all-revealing chat with our Assistant Editor, FRANCIS OGBONNA and Correspondent, STEPHEN AYA recalls all …

or a while now, apart from the fact that your produce and present your own show on TV, you have not featured in any major movies like you used to back in the days. Is it a deliberate decision? As the Chairman Board of Directors of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), I tend to not want to struggle for roles with up and coming artistes and that I suppose should be the case, because it will be wrong for me and my contemporaries not to give these young ones opportunity to grow as well. It is not that I don’t act as well, but I don’t go for the scripts, but allow the scripts to come to me. It also depends on who the producer is and my relationship with him. After you handed over as president of AGN, your Guild has been engulfed in different kinds of crisis… I keep telling everyone that there is no crisis within the Association, because you can’t be struggling for what you don’t even lay claim to. I can’t say today that I am the chairman of your publishing house, even if I have a relationship with the owner or the organization. In the same vein, Emeka Ike cannot lay claim to being the president

just because he is a member of the Guild. He is just using his supposed relevance in the industry to be in the news. So we don’t have a problem. It is just that he and his group went to court and got an injunction. His group didn’t even serve us any notice to that effect that they were going to court. Even at that, the court didn’t say that Ibinabo Fiberesima is no longer the president. It just said that the results of the election which she won be suspended pending the determination of the suit. We have appealed, because the court was misled and very soon the case will be resolved once and for all. So you are saying Ibinabo is the rightful president of the Guild? You know, because of the fact that the case is still in court and I as Chairman of the BoT would not want to pre-empt the final judgment of the court, but I can tell you that members of AGN know who their president is. It is just a question of time and all this mess would be resolved. What is your board doing to avoid a reoccurrence of this issue in future? Nigerians are just bad lovers. I need you to understand a few things and they are one,

Emeka Ike did not contest any elections. What he did was to go somewhere else after the elections were over to arrange a kangaroo election where only the office of the president was up for grasp. He started during Segun Arinze’s era about six years ago and he is still president till today, in spite of the fact that the constitution stipulate that you can only rule for two years. So why hasn’t his tenure ended? He and his group are just using it as an avenue to make money from unsuspecting Nigerians and organizations. This is unbecoming of a true actor. Every actor who knows his onions should be able to feed from his profession and not through those shady means. You had a health challenge that kept you off the scene for a while what is this health challenge about? I had Kidney diseases and so had to undergo a kidney transplant, but I don’t look it. That is why apart from the health related programme I produce and present on NTA, I also arrange for people to go on medical tourism. I just want to give hope to people going through it right now. They call it big man disease, because you need a lot of funds to do dialysis alone.

When you do about ten dialysis alone, about a N1 million is gone already, and consider the fact that you need about three dialysis per week. There is no way that you won’t have to beg before you get the transplant. I did mine for about a year; imagine how much I had to spend. In fact let me tell you, I had to sell my property, sold my car at a point, so that I could be able to survive and that still wasn’t enough. That is why today I am thankful for my wife; she stood by me all through those trying times. So how did you manage to raise the sum required for the transplant, since you said the amount you raised from selling your car and property was not enough? I was fortunate that it happened to me when Segun Arinze was President of the Guild. He ran to Fashola and pleaded with him, saying “this man is so good to the industry this must not happen to him”. Fashola gave his support and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; the former President also gave his support. If Nigerians see anybody, with a similar challenge on TV begging, please try and sow a seed. Are you in actual sense saying Nigerian should support the likes of Prince Uche James, who

is faced with kidney problems? They should support him. I have featured him on my show since he developed that problem. The problem is that when a person has this sickness, he keeps spending and spending and before you know it, you become penniless. What will make people survive is getting the money in bulk and having the transplant once and for all. Little sums per time don’t really help, because as people when they come in drops, they are used up for dialysis and other treatment. So they need bulk contribution. I will like to ask his governor (I think he is from Abia State) to please come to his rescue. He is an ambassador of the state and shouldn’t be allowed to go unaided. So how has it been since after your transplant? I am doing fine, but the spending is not over. Do you know that I spend about N250,000 every month for drugs? Will it be for just for a while or you would continue spending this amount for drugs forever? You must be on drugs for as long as you live after the transplant. That is why I am closer to God now than ever, my life is now dedicated to the things of God. I try as much as possible not to offend anybody.

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On My Own –

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

From Nothing To Something, Nowhere Nowhe To Somewhere, Nobody To Somebody...

ORITSEFEMI Musician Mosquitoes Hate To Bite CONT’D FROM PG 10

who grew up in Ajegunle being ‘bad boys’, what is your Ajegunle story? Growing up in the hood or what you would call ghetto, made me what I am today. I learnt a lot of lessons about life growing up in that vicinity. I have had several challenges in life, but Ajegunle taught me how to fight. I was born and raised in a polygamous family of 25, in Ajegunle and am the third child of my mother. I briefly attended Mayday Secondary School in Ikoyi, but had to switch to Tolu Primary School in Ajegunle, because my folks were unable to maintain the high cost of schooling in the affluent neighborhood of Ikoyi. Were things rosy at home? Can you share some of these challenges? Living in ghettos like Ajegunle, exposes you to a lot of social vices. I, like most of the guys, who grew up in Ajegunle, got mis-led and delved into some things that today, I am not proud of. It took God’s mercy, which came by the prayers of my mother to deliver from these vices. My hit song, “ M e r c y of the Lord” was inspired by my personal

experiences with worldly things and how the prayers of my mother rescued me by awakening the spirit of God in me. I owe my mom a lot, so much I can’t ever point out. I actually suffered depression while drifting off from the Godly up-bringing I had. So what happened after you dropped out of school? My rise to stardom is a story filled with Promises, Disappointments, Hopes, Failures, Many Ups and Downs, before I eventually became successful. You have many lessons to pick from his twist. Things were really difficult. Of course, my parents were really angry with me. You know, most parents then wanted their child to become great someday, but as long as they were concerned, the only path through which a child could attain greatness is through education. At first, things were really tough. I couldn’t go back to them for any kind of support, who would? So I decided to make it on my own. I remember paying fifteen thousand naira a year for an apartment made with pako (prefabricated) in Ajegunle; you know a house made out of wood. There were times I had to go without food, you know while we were hustling. Were you tempted to return back to your folks? Do you feel like making a u-turn at any period, particularly those days that things were very rough? The thought must have entered my mind once or twice, but because I was determined to succeed as a musician, I forged ahead with my music pursuit; today I am very glad I did. I actually owe my strong-will to Fela Kuti, Daddy Showkey and Sizzla Kalonji. They are my greatest influences and role models and I wouldn’t have been where I am today, if I didn’t key into their lives and achievements. When did things begin to change? I think it was in 2004 that things began to look up for me. It was that same year that I got my first car, a Mercedes Benz 190. It was like Christmas Day to me, the best day I recorded then, whilst in the hustling game. I saw hell before then and it is because of this and most of the things I had gone through in life that I decided to embark on a new project “Feed a child”.

What is this new project “Feed a Child” really about? It is a massive project. This initiative is a non-governmental organization aimed at feeding and providing shelter for underprivileged children, particularly those who live in Nigerian slums. It is my way of giving back to the society that has richly blessed me. This foundation is an international one, with presence across the globe. I am just the CEO of the Nigeria chapter. It was released in 2007/08 during the elections and turned out to be a hit. How did Ajegunle influence your music? The environment gave me a lot to sing about. My family lived close to the canal around Agbo Malu area of Ajegunle. It was an area prone to heavy flooding and water spilled into our homes. We spent hours bailing the flood. Mosquitoes were also my good friends and there were times they refrained from biting me because they already had enough of my blood. What was the experience of being born in a polygamous home? I had a wonderful experience. All my brothers are very humble. My father taught us to be humble. Unlike what obtains in some polygamous homes, my brothers are always very supportive. There has never been sibling rivalry in my family. You actually came to limelight after your hit-song, “Mercy of the Lord” was released, but after that effort, literally went out of circulation, of course until the release of “Double Wahala”. Was it a deliberate move? After my song, “Mercy of the Lord”, with ‘Da Grin’, I tried my best to bring out a better song, but I was unlucky to get any. I had to go back to the drawing board to create the kind of sound people would like. I finally hit gold, when I got the inspiration to sing “Double Wahala”. That is why I laugh when people say I went to Satan to succeed, it is not possible. I advise many of my childhood friends that to make it in life, you have to work hard. I say this because some of them may believe the rumour that I did juju, no. It is through hard work. Hard work pays and nobody should do juju. It is my hard work that is paying off. I am popular now due to hard work and I am always in the studio. Some even said I went into 419, during that period. Did you? Frankly speaking, I have never ventured into ‘419’ business before. I don’t defraud people nor deceive them. I am contented with what I have achieved. Back in Ajegunle, I had some street boys as friends, who were into dubious businesses. But I was bent on creating my own business. When did music begin for you? It all started when I was still in school. I always performed during parties and students’ get-together. When people noticed I was talented, they encouraged me to go into music. I picked up a lot of ideas from the choir of Cherubim and Seraphim, Ajegunle, where I served as lead vocalist and instrumentalist. Also, in those days, we had a boss, Johnny Nap, who owned a music school in Ajegunle. He brought in some Jamaicans who taught us reggae music. People like Daddy Showkey, Daddy Fresh, Baba Fryo and others, passed through the music school. My association with them made me know more about reggae, which became the genre I concentrated on during the early days of my career. Later on, with my reggae experience and the experience I had in church, I started projecting my kind of African music, called Reality or Conscience music. It is a kind of music that touches the feelings of the people. Some people call it hip-life because it has all the elements of several brands of music including our popular highlife. What inspired your latest hit, ‘double Wahala’? I prayed to God first for inspiration. I was also pushed by the fact that my music in the past failed to generate the desired response. I went back to the drawing board to look at where the lapses came from. I was determined to be on top and also project myself to the international audience. I realized that my fans would want something dynamic for a change. The music we are doing is afro Hip-Hop. Since Fela Kuti is the king of Afro hip hop, I decided to begin the music by paying homage to him. There has been some confusion over your marital status. For the record, are you married officially? Honestly, for now, I am not married. But definitely, I am going to get married very soon. I have a fiancé and we have been together for close to two years now. But you have children? Yes, I have two beautiful daughters who are between ten and nine years. I have a family and I’m from a polygamous home. I have a responsibility as a father. Isn’t your fiancée the mother of your two daughters? No. My two daughters are from different mothers and I am not marrying any of them. What happened? It’s a long story. Back in time, as a street boy, growing up in the ghetto city of Ajegunle, I had some childhood girlfriends who got pregnant. Then, I had no means of livelihood to sustain them. But I ensured that I took care of my kids’right from when they were born. Unfortunately, I couldn’t take care of their mothers because of my financial status then. But now, that God has elevated me, I am planning to take my children abroad.

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Relationship

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I Have Phobia For Marriage some do not want it mentioned where they are. But let me quickly and hastily establish here that our perception and disposition on polygamy stems from our religious beliefs, cultural education and the historical lessons from those who had took part in the past. Therefore, it is safe to be cautiously scared if one's experience on the subject has been harrowing in the past either as a child or otherwise. Omone, that you and Tega are from a polygamous home with five and nine wives sharing one man respectively is not to mean that you will end the same way. This is an important point I must clarify here. But the t looks Dear Omone, like you have spent the sincerity of purpose and actions from both bulk of your childhood and early Fear is an incredible thing to both of you will bring your desires into fruition. adult life abroad? rational and Biblical thinking on One important thing that I am happy I may have lived the bulk of my life polygamy to ask what the root been about is that you are conscious about this abroad,and butI have my heart has always ofatsuch fear is? What isCheck deep within thatskit fact home-Nigeria. out the I and you do not want it in your life. brings up such feelings? Could it to That in itself is a very good beginning. But did for Bovi strong and you would be able stem being on heart, this subject then, it is not about just being conscious. tellfrom that, it’swrong in my I amanda fullthus serious doubts cast onso, every other Appropriate steps must be employed to blown Nigerian…More I was born in testimony heard concerning this out. From my diagnosis, I can Nigeria,one leftmay for have a while and came back.work I polygamy? After all, so many personsNovember have only ascribe two reasons to why you are just relocated back to Nigeria lasthappily year, sowith youit. could that I go lived Or asay situation of back filled with fear. Firstly, your experience andasked forth.to live the lifestyle? Or could being while growing up in your family may be prompted it beWhat as a resultactually of exposure to things of the you playing a crucial role to your fears, which decision past to come home? individual's which back somehow cultural is quite normal. Secondly, may be Tega to take mytocareer the next viewsI wanted on polygamy seem refreshtoafter may have been indulging in hanky-panky level.of suppression? Who can answer years games (I.e, engaging in other affairs) which careerThis you mean your acting suchBy questions? subject has deposited you are quite aware of but have chosen to career? more fear in the life of so many, so that remain calm. I am just saying but then it Dear Aunty Rose, My name is Agboti Omone. I am 25 years old from Delta State currently living and working in Abuja. My boy friend that we have been dating for two years, Tega is in a rush to get married to me. I don’t want to marry now because of fear of polygamy. We are both from polygamous homes. My Dad had five wives while Tega’s Dad had nine wives. How do I escape from the fear of polygamy? I wish to marry from a monogamous home.

Yes, my acting career. Before you came to Nigeria, have

News

Missing Bauchi State-Owned Aircraft Lands In Nigeria With Aunty ROSE 08097639574

may not be farfetched. If the first reason I gave above is the cause, you have to let the past go so that you can begin a fresh phase of your life. ‘We simply cannot drive forward if we're focused on what is happening in the rearview mirror' says Steve Harvey in his book 'Think Like A man Act Like a Lady’. You’ve got to be sure of yourself before you can ever win a prize. We call it self determination. Once you're determine not to tiny the line then every necessary step should be adopted to put you in the right part. This also include that if your boyfriend has the trait of marrying more than one wife which is against your will, 'you have to let him go 'just the same way Bishop T.D Jake says whatever was not meant for you, 'you have to let it go'. You should not hold on to something that was never meant for you. I want you to look critically at where the fear is coming from. Ask yourself salient questions and be truthful in providing answers to yourself. Once you identify the source then, you can begin to find solutions to it. If the issue is with Tega you must call him to order through a round table talk and get him to commit himself to his promises to you. However, if the problem is from you, you should caution yourself and know how to overcome it.

THE allegedly missing Bauchi State-owned aircraft, has landed in Nigeria from Morocco where the state government claimed it was found. The Embraer ERJ 145 touched down on the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport Bauchi at about 10 am Friday. Its whereabouts had been a subject of controversy as the new government suggested the aircraft was stolen by its predecessor and hidden in Morocco. In an address two weeks ago, Governor Mohammed Abubakar announced the airplane had been found in the north African country. Mr. Abubakar said the state’s public Property Recovery Committee traced the plane. “I wish to announce the fruitful efforts in locating the state owned “Embraer 145 aircraft in Morocco and soon it will land at the Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa

international Airport in a matter of days,” the governor said. He said the plane would be returned to Nigeria within days. In response, former Governor Isa Yuguda told journalists the plane was on lease to Overland Airways. Mr. Yuguda said he had provided full details about the plane, which was bought by former Governor AdamuMu’azu, in his handover notes. He said the new administration did not require any assets recovery committee to know what happened to the aircraft. The state deputy governor, NuhuGidado, who acknowledged the arrival of the aircraft, told journalists that, “we have been longing to see our aircraft is back and we are glad that the aircraft is back we will be meeting with the crew to see what next and how to move forward”.

I Have Dated Married Women All My Life Dear Aunty Rose, My name is Haruna Modibo, I am 35 years old and a graduate from one of the Federal Universities in Nigeria, currently working with one of the Unity schools in the North. I have dated married women all my life. Now, I find it difficult to date or marry a young girl between the ages of 25 and 30. I really need to settle down, raise a family. How do I go about this? I need your help Aunty Rose. Dear Haruna, The case you just stated is not peculiar to you alone. For many men, there is just something about a married woman that is more attractive than anything else. Maybe it’s the way that so many of them seem to convey a sense of self esteem or confidence in themselves and their situation. It’s the woman who’s not afraid to offer a passionate kiss, even though she’s just taken a bite of garlic or has not brushed her teeth for the day. It’s the woman who has enough confidence in who she is that a slightly dimpled bottom is not the end of the world. It’s the fact that many married women know how to please themselves and the man that they are with. For lots of guys, this is just what they want and need. Again, dating a married woman comes with so many stolen moments at odd times. Most of the

time, once the initial date has taken place, she’ll be the one making arrangements and planning your next get together, or date or meeting which is why it’s really easy to date a married woman. But I must be quick to say here that guys who enjoy this kind of relationships are usually not ready for serious commitment. They are more interested in catching fun. However, while both parties may enjoy this fun unhindered, there could be a danger if the man in question is younger and single. It is that of settling down to establish for himself a family he can call his own. This brings me to your question on how to skillfully navigate such herculean task of coming back to your normal self so that you can marry a woman of younger age. The two points that I shall list below may be of help. PURGE YOUR HEART: The thought that you can no longer date a girl younger than you is a thing of the mind. Hence, you must deconstruct such idea from your head. Failure to do this, you may not be able to leave behind your past adventures. When you fulfill this important task, it shall serve as the base to your recovery process. Please take note, the mind is a powerful tool. You must use it to your own benefit. All you simply need to do is to begin to tell yourself that you can marry or date a younger woman and once this idea begins to click in your mind, be rest assure that you will start putting the thought into fruition. Like the saying goes, ‘whatever the mind of man can

conceive and believe, the mind can achieve’. If you conceive to start dating a girl younger than you are, this will automatically become your desire. Also note that your desire is the starting point of all accomplishment. BE MORE RESPONSIBLE: like I have earlier noted, there is no gain saying that guys who date married women are guys who shy away from serious commitment. Dating a single girl of their age or even younger comes with so much responsibility. For example, the girl may be looking up to them for their basic needs which the guys may not be ready to shoulder. However, the married woman only needs one thing from her date; the emotional attention to spice up their lives. They have fallen into the rut of the day to day regime of their marriages, and are bored, neglected, lacking a sex life, seeking thrills, or even sometimes, seeking revenge on their OWN cheating husband. But the guys in question go into relationship with married women with the initial intent of biological release. So it is a case of getting what you want at less cost. But that has to change. When you get a younger date, you must be ready to give her listing ear. You should be ready to take care of her basic needs; showing understanding and care. This is a new way of life that you can learn to live. Once you put these two points into use you may well be on your way out of the challenge. You need to break free as soon as possible to begin your own family. Thank you.

MISSING LINK Aunty Rose, Kindly link me with a lost friend, Rose Mba, a primary school teacher from Uzoakoli. Her last known address was no. 24, Owosheni street Benin City. Since the 80’s, I desire she eats out of my sweat for the true love she showed me. My name remains Moses Ero, this is my phone number: 08078172177

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Police Bans Siren In Rivers THE Rivers Police Command on Friday banned the use of siren by private individuals in the State. The Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, disclosed this in a statement in Port Harcourt. The statement said the ban forbids private individuals from using siren in the state. ‘’No private individual is allowed to use siren anywhere in the State. ‘’Bullion vans are also not allowed to use siren, except when piloted by police pilot vehicle,’’ it said. According to the statement, top government officials- the

President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker House of Representatives and Inspector-General of police (IGP) were exempted from the ban. Others include Governors, Service Chiefs, General Officer Commanding(GOCs),Assistant Inspector-General of Police and commissioner of police. The statement added that ambulance vehicles and fire fighting vehicles were also exempted from the ban. It said that command had given unauthorised users in the State seven days to comply with the directive or face arrest and prosecution.

N12m Theft: Court Grants Ghanaian N12m Bail MAGISTRATE B. O. OpeAgbe, of an Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate’s Court, sitting at Oyingbo yesterday, granted a N12 million bail to a Ghanaian technician, Paul Johnson, who worked with a foreign construction firm, over an offence of alleged theft of a truck valued N12 million. The 29 year-old Ghanaian was charged before the court, for stealing a Howo Truck, valued at N12,000.000, belonging to his employer, China Railway Construction Company, CRCC, Lagos. He was arraigned on a two count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing, preferred against him by the

police. The offences, according to the prosecutor, are contrary to and punishable under 409 and 285 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011. The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charges. Upon his plea, his lawyer, O. Osodu, urged the court to admit him to bail in the most liberal term. The prosecutor, IyobosaOnaiwu, who did not oppose the bail application, said granting of bail is at the discretion of the court. Consequently, the magistrate, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N12m with two responsible sureties, in like sum.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Politics Emerhor Forecasts Buhari’s Ministerial Formula THE flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State governorship election, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor yesterday assured members of his party that President Muhammadu Buhari will take into consideration, the need to balance political interests in the state by choosing his ministers from the state. The assurance came as a response to the protests that greeted the circulation of the alleged list of Buhari’s ministerial nominees, especial the names of those who will fill the slot for Delta, by some online and other media platforms. The purported nominees include Prof Pat Utomi believed to be from the same zone as Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. Reacting to this, the APC leader in Delta assured party faithful that the president was conversant with the zoning political arrangement of the state and would ensure balancing in his appointments. He explained that the seeming delay in the appointment of Buhari’s aides and ministers was a result of his interest in consulting and reaching out to stakeholders in order to manage the peculiarities and sensitivities in the different states. Disclosing this in a statement he issued and personally signed, Emerhor said: “President Buhari only recently appointed Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, a Deltan from Delta North, as Group Managing Director of NNPC. He is aware the current Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa and the current Governor of CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele are Deltans also from Delta North. “I believe being aware of this situation, the president will strive to balance further appointments from Delta State by looking towards the other zones, that is Delta Central and South,” he stated. The gubernatorial candidate urged members of the party and the people of the state not to panic or resort to protests, saying the lists being circulated in the media were not authentic.

•Emerhor

Senator Labels Oshiomhole ‘Attacks’ Minister • Sen Ighoyota

INEC Defends Rivers Governorship Poll THE Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,opened its defense of the Rivers State Governorship Election with a declaration that the election was held in compliance with the Electoral Act and the electoral guidelines. INEC tendered relevant documents and electoral materials to prove the peaceful and legal conduct of the election with the Commission’s Electoral Officer of Obio /Akpor, Mr Ebikoro Tebekaemi testifying to the smooth conduct of the election. Tebekaemi stated that INEC used both card readers and manual accreditation for the April 11 governorship election in Obio /Akpor Local Government Area. According to him, a total number of 304,745 voters were accredited using both card readers and manual accreditation. He said of the number, Card readers accounted for 40,281 voters. The Obio/Akpor Local Government Area INEC Electoral Officer said that the distribution of election materials and actual voting took place under a peaceful environment ensured by the Police, the Army and other security agencies. He said that all through the election he did not receive any reports of snatching of election materials, clash between INEC staff and thugs and the disruption of election. Tebekaemi denied the

allegation by the Rivers State APC that INEC officials colluded with the PDP and security agents to engage in multiple thumb printing and electoral malpractices. He added that it was untrue that security agents arrested a bus conveying electoral materials and INEC staff to an unauthorized destination, adding that no such report was brought to his notice. The INEC Obio / Akpor Local Government Area Electoral Officer said that enough election materials were distributed to all the wards of the LGA on April 11. He further informed the tribunal that out of the 17 wards in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, governorship election held successfully in 15 wards. He said the two wards where election did not hold are: wards 12 and 13. He was led in evidence by counsel to INEC, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and was cross examined by counsel to Governor Nyesom Wike, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN ). Under cross examination by Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), Tebekaemi maintained that at no time did INEC meet to decide that only card readers be used for governorship election. He said he was not aware of any press release stopping manual accreditation as it was never communicated to him officially. INEC has 6 days to present her case. The matter was adjourned to Friday for further defence by the Electoral Body.

SENATOR Ighoyota Amori (PDP), Delta Central has said that having taken stock of the activities of governor Adams Oshiomole in the Buhari-led administration, he has abandoned the job for which he was elected and now performing a new role of ”attacking” people when nothing calls for it. Speaking with newsmen in his office, he stressed that President Buhari’s inability to appoint his Ministers from the beginning as it ought to have been due to reasons best known to him, created a vacuum, hence people like Governor Oshiomole, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Rochas Okorocha were the only ones capable of doing the job. He faulted Oshiomole for allegedly attacking people because he wanted to be seen as important to President Buhari. “Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Adams Oshiomole and partly Rochas Okorocha have turned themselves as Minister of Information and Defence and particularly Oshiomole, who has suddenly become EFCC Boss and Minister of ‘Attack’ on behalf of the government”, Ighoyota said. “In fact, Oshiomole works as security agent now, as he has figures of what happens in America, what happens in Britain or here and there and he knows all the corrupt people,” he added. He wondered what has become of Oshiomole of late, that having been governor of

Edo State in the last 7 years, he has suddenly woken up from slumber to take advantage of the vacuum President Buhari created by not having his cabinet in place. According to him, Oshiomole benefitted heavily from former President, Goodluck Jonathan, who helped him to become governor of Edo against all odds even in his second tenure, but now he has turned against all of those people. “When Jonathan was President of this country, he benefitted so much from him. Jonathan helped and the People’s Democratic Party helped him to become government of Edo State,” he maintained. Ighoyota berated President Buhari for not hitting the ground running as promised, noting that not much progress has been made and nothing bankable has happened. “I am speaking as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as one that represents the interest of the entire nation, and as far as I am concerned, not much activities, not much progress has been made by the present administration,” he stressed. He said that the National Assembly was waiting for Buhari as he is taking his time to select ‘Angels’, and to appoint ‘Popes’ and ‘Imams’ to become Ministers.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Politics

Kogi 2015:

One APC Imposition Not Fair By FRANCIS OGBONNA In what has been described by political watchers, as a typical All Progressives Congress (APC) modus operandi meant majorly at acquiring and/or maintaining political control, the party’s hierarchy literally hand-picked Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, a serving member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency of Lagos State, as the running mate to the governorship candidate of the APC for the November 21 governorship election in Kogi State, Alhaji Abubakar Audu. As should be expected, this development has drawn the ire of APC faithful in Kogi, particularly those eligible to serve in that capacity, who interpret this decision as a conscious attempt by some persons in the party to short-change them. These individuals have argued that, although Hon. Faleke is a bona-fide indigene of Kogi state, his choice as deputy governorship candidate is inequitable and has succeeded in rubbishing all the effort they have made in building the party from inception; more so, judging by the fact that Hon Faleke has always played his politics in Lagos. “There is no doubt that, the choice of Faleke is a tactical error on the part of Alhaji Abubakar

Audu and those, who promoted that choice. It is an error because by this, they have succeeded in telling us that, those who have worked hard to build the party in the State, are no good materials worthy of consideration. Why bring somebody, who by every standard is an outsider in the politics of Kogi State?” a visibly furious Chieftain of the APC in Kogi queried. Recall that he (Faleke) was a two-term chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Area and a second-term member of the House of Representatives, representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Lagos. During his time as a council boss in Lagos, Abiodun Faleke was the chairman of Forum 57, a forum of LGA and LCDA bosses in Lagos State. Reacting to this development, some commentators have said that the imposition of candidate is the political trademark of the self-acclaimed national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Citing several instances, including the recall of Hon. (now Senator) Adeola ‘Yayi’ Solomon from contesting in Ogun state, who had registered in Ilaro, Yewa South of Ogun state to contest for senate as senator representing Ogun West senatorial zone, they claim Tinubu would do anything to maintain hegemony and arguably the most debated, the present Governor of Lagos

state, Akinwunmi Ambode, who reportedly had collected bursary as a student from the Ondo State government while in the secondary school. “It is like the case of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who had served as Commissioner For works in Lagos and then sent by Senator Bola Tinubu to be governor of Osun state; Senator Yayi, Governor Ambode, the former Lagos State House Speaker, Kuforiji who was imposed on Ikeja to facilitate his second tenure possibility, the imposition of Professor Osinbajo on Buhari and a host of others, all Tinubu wants is just to be able to call the shots at these levels. Remember, aside his prominence in the politics of Lagos State, Faleke is believed to be one of the trusted loyalists of the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” one commentator said. “Except Tinubu and the APC are saying that Lagos is a no man’s land or just a training ground for politicians, his recent choice of Hon. Falake as running mate for Audu is an anomaly and should be frowned at. Tinubu does not own Nigeria and so shouldn’t be allowed to act as if it (Nigeria) is his fiefdom and he the feudal lord,” another commentator added. However, these analysts have maintained that, if the Tinubu’s camp continues in this pat it may likely lead to their already

depleting influence in the party waning further. “Tinubu needs to learn a lesson from what transpired at the Senate and House of Representatives, where the Lawmakers in response to his over-bearing influence, decided to revolt. As a result of this, he (Tinubu) at the end of the day, got the shorter end of the sticks, making do with just the majority leader stool. If he continues in this fashion, it may lead to a national revolt of sort, which may lead to his political extinction, at least within the APC circle,” said an analyst. “The party (APC) in Kogi, really needs to retrace its step and drop Hon. Faleke now, or else this move may result in mass defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or even staying back to sabotage the efforts of the party in the forthcoming elections, both situations that either way, may see the PDP coasting home to victory without stress,” another analyst added. Asides Faleke being a political ‘foreigner,’ some concerned members of the party in the State have also decried his pairing with Audu saying, it was not in concert with the age-long zoning formula the western part of the State has been practicing. According to reports, it has never happened in the history of Kogi West for two high-ranking political offices to come from the same local government, as it is

likely to happen, if Audu sticks to Faleke as his running mate. It is believed that Senator Dino Melaye is from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of the State, while Abiodun Faleke is from Ekirin Adde, also in Ijumu Local Government. This, the source said, will certainly be restricted by other LGAs in the senatorial district, as it will be an injustice to them. This zoning formula, according to sources, may spell doom for the APC candidate and his running mate if something urgent is not done to correct the seeming imbalance. The APC would have willingly played into the hands of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and ruin its chances of wresting power from the ruling party in State. Former Governor of Kogi State, Prince Abubakar Audu in rather keenly contested gubernatorial primaries, emerged the flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 21 elections in the State. By virtue of this victory, Prince Audu in the forth-coming polls, will be pitched mainly against the incumbent and likely Peoples Democratic Party (PDP’s) sole candidate, Captain Idris Wada. Captain Wada supposedly after several months of persuasion and adoptions, formally bowed to pressure to contest once again for the state governorship election.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Crime

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Lagos Robber Gets Jungle Justice By OGUNOJEMITE AYODELE

A suspected thief was on Thursday, lynched by angry mobs at the Ikeja area of Lagos. According to eyewitnesses, the suspect was caught while attempting to rob a woman in broad daylight. The brave woman reportedly raised an alarm, which attracted passers-by and traders and the suspect was apprehended and delivered jungle justice. Speaking with our reporter, an eyewitness, who identified himself as Stanley said; “I was in my shop when I saw people running in to witness what was happening and I decided to see for myself too. When I got there, people were already beating a man with sticks, iron

and throwing stones at him. “I asked what he did and I was told he tried to rob a woman with a knife” he said. It is becoming a daily occurrence in the country these days, where mobs take laws into their hands to mete out jungle justice to suspected criminals. Though some people think this sort of action is necessary to send a message to would-be criminals, others believe it is because the police and other security agencies are not to be trusted if these suspects are handed over to them. Incidences of such jungle justice have been going on unabated, especially in most metropolitan cities like what happened in Onitsha in a spate of two days, where suspected armed robbers were set on fire.

Man Of God Docked For N500, 000 Fraud THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on September 17, 2015 arraigned a pastor, Emmanuel Anga, and his accomplice, Atin Victor Generous, before Justice Abubakar Jauro of the Gombe State High Court, Gombe State on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and

Murder Of DSS Officers:

Security Swoops On Ikorodu By STEPHEN AYA

FOLLOWING the Killing of seven operatives of the Department of State Services on Wednesday by pipeline vandals in Ikorodu, Lagos, there has been a heavy presence of security men in the Area. National Weekender gathered that the presence of police, soldiers and plain cloth security men was to get more information about the killers. Our correspondent further gathered that the DSS and men of the Lagos State Police Command, who were on ground at Ikorodu, were given an express order by the State’sCommissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, to smoke-out the killers as soon as possible. We further gathered that the operatives, nine in number, were on a random surveillance of the area when they were accosted by the armed pipeline vandals, who gunned them down. It was further revealed that the DSS operatives did not engage their killers in a gun battle. “They were not expecting to engage anybody

in gun battle,” said our source. Our correspondent further gathered that the two others, who managed to escape the murderous onslaught have submitted their security reports to their superiors. Sources close to the Presidency, have confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari had been

briefed on the matter. While men of the Nigeria Police Force, Navy, Army and other security agencies have cordoned-off the affected area with a view to ensuring that no one escaped. However, as at the time of going to the press, there is still no official press release from the DSS.

obtaining N500,000. Anga and Generous, are alleged to have in November 2013, deceived David Madison, into believing that they were employees of a foreign exchange business – Gora Commanding Resources, which they claimed belonged to Philemon Gora (still at large). Madison was lured into believing that his investment of N500, 000 would yield 10 per cent as returns on a monthly basis. He was to however, discover later, that the 10 per cent on his capital reflected on his account only in the first month. All attempts to get his money back, however, proved abortive. One of the counts reads: “That you, Pastor Emmanuel Markus Anga, Atin Victor Generous and Engr. Philemon Gora (now at large) sometimes in November 2013 at Gombe, Gombe State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, did fraudulently obtain the sum of N500,000 from one Mr. David Madison under false pretense that the said sum was to be invested in FOREX trading,

a sum you never invested, instead diverted same to your own personal use, thereby committed an offence contrary to the provision of section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, LFN 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.” The accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them. The prosecuting counsel, S. M. Aliyu asked the court for a trial date and also prayed the court to remand the accused persons in prison custody. The defense counsel, Y. P. Malum, who held brief for the substantive counsel, I. G. Turaki, filed an application for the bail of the accused persons and urged the court to entertain same. Aliyu, however, opposed the bail application on the grounds that he was not served same. Justice Jauro, thereafter, adjourned till September 30, 2015 for hearing of the bail application, and ordered the accused persons be remanded in prison custody.

the aim of extorting N20 million from the FCT Water Board director. They had written a letter to him, purported to be from the EFCC, and notified him of being under investigation. They however, offered to help him quash the

investigation, if he could part with the sum of N20 million. Uwujaren noted that while suspecting that he was about to be swindled, the director alerted the EFCC, which swung into action, and caught the three suspects in their web of tricks. They will be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed. He however reiterated that the EFCC has consistently warned members of the public to desist from offering money to persons claiming to be officials of the Commission and trying to interfere with ongoing investigations by the Commission. Solicitation for gratification by both fake and genuine officers of the agency should be reported to any office of the EFCC in the zones or the nearest police station.

EFCC Arrests 3 Fake EFCC Officials Over N20m Scam THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, said it has arrested the trio of Yakubu Dankaba (aka Yakubu Hamisu), Yahaya Baba and Usman Abdulhakeem (aka Chairman) at Area 3 of Garki

District, Abuja for their involvement in a N20 million fraud. According to a statement signed by the spokesperson of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, the suspects allegedly posed as operatives of the EFCC with

Five Niger-Delta Ministry Directors Docked Over N655m Fraud By STEPHEN AYA FIVE directors of the Ministry of Niger-Delta Affairs, have been arraigned before Justice Baba Yusuf of the Federal High Court 4 sitting in Maitama, Abuja for allegedly defrauding the Ministry of N655 million and $100,000.

The officials arraigned were Mr. Yusuf M. Agabi, former Director of Finance, Mr. Akpore Okeroghene, Deputy Director of Finance; Mr. Ayinla Abibu, Director of Finance; Mr. Idowu A. Adewale, Deputy Director of Accounts and Mrs. Ntu J. Ngozi, also a Deputy Director of Accounts, on charges of conspiracy, fraud and forgery. The accused persons were arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices

and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on allegations of fraudulently obtaining the sums of N655 million and $100,000 between December 2013 and December 2014 from the Ministry’s account. In the charges preferred against the accused persons, the ICPC counsel Mr. Paul Bassi had a 22-count charge against Mr. Agabi who was specifically accused of defrauding the Ministry of N458 million.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Crime

•Ohakim

•Chime

•Gov El-Rufai

•Late Yakowa

ENDLESS ‘EXECUTIVE’ SLUMPS:

The Gods Are Not To Blame By STEPHEN AYA

IT is a well-known fact that the African man is a very spiritual person. It is also a known fact that we do ascribe any and everything that happens to us as the act of the gods or spiritual powers. But nothing good is referred to these deities. Rather, we tend to criminalize them, pointing to them in every situation even if the situationis as a result of our careless attitude. Take the case of Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai of Kaduna State, who had gone to Kogi State to preside over the selection of APC’s gubernatorialprimary for the

forth-coming governorship election in State. According to reports, thegovernor reportedly rushed back to Abuja immediately after concluding the exercise, due to his weak health status. He had barely reached his Abuja home, when he collapsed. He was quickly rushed abroad for treatment and was there for ten days. On his return, Governor ElRufai was quick to point an accusing finger at the age-long ‘criminal’, has alwaysbeen used as being responsible for such sudden slumps. He, as had been done by some others, accused spiritual forcesof being behind his ailment or plight; further saying that his political

enemies were responsible for his failed health. Governor Rufai is not alone in this. Former governor of Enugu state Sullivan Chime had also had his running battle with the spirits. Shortly after he took over as the governor of the state he became ill and as our culture here, he was flown abroad for medical treatment. By the time he came back, he wasted no time in pointing accusing fingers at his enemies, whom he cited as using spiritual forces against him. Infact he believed they were the ones responsible for his nose cancer. Former Governor, DanbabaSuntai of Taraba State also pointed to spiritual

forces as being responsible for his predicaments. The man did not trust anybody with his life and at a point, that he did everything by himself, for himself. It was in one of those instances, that he crashed the State’s aircraft, which left him unable to carry out his duties as the State governor. The late governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa’s death was also pinned on spiritual forces. Late Mr. Yakowawas in Bayelsa to attend the burial of the father of former President, Goodluck Jonathan’s aide on Strategy and Documentation late Barr. Oronto Douglas.Mr. Yakowa and five others including a former National Security

Adviser, Andrew Aziza, died when thehelicopter crashed in Bayelsa. But his death was linked to spiritual attacks and his political enemies were said to have resorted to spiritual criminality to get him. His wife, Amina was also said to havepublicly confirmed it. The spiritual deity was also needled as being responsible for his political fall. He was said to have been cursed by a man of God. Governor Ikedi Ohakim had slapped a man of God for interfering with government matters, when he was governor. The man of God in turn, was said to have cursed him and that marked the beginning of his political downfall.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Sports

Mikel, Moses Now On Oliseh’s List NIGERIA coach Sunday Oliseh will recall Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel to his side when they take on Cameroon and Congo in October’s friendly matches in Belgium. The 41-year-old will also recall on-loan West Ham winger Victor Moses as well

as Watford striker Odion Ighalo to his team, according to reports. It seems the coach has been impressed by their showing at club since the start of season and is looking to strengthen his team ahead of the two internationals.

Bilic Predicts Moses’ EPL Rise WEST Ham manager Slaven Bilic has said Victor Moses could go on to become a top star in the English Premier League if he settles down at the London club. Nigeria international Victor Moses is on loan to West Ham from Chelsea. This is his third loan in as many seasons after such stints at Liverpool and Stoke City. He shone on his West Ham debut against Newcastle United on Monday night and he is set to start at Manchester City this weekend. An impressed Bilic has now said he hopes Moses’ West Ham arrangement could become long term for the player to establish himself in the EPL. “Victor Moses is a class player. He hasn’t had continuity at one club. He didn’t make it at Chelsea, maybe he didn’t make it at Liverpool – which is hard,” Bilic said. “But last year at Stoke he was one of their best players. His first game was really good for us. His composure, linking play and his work rate are great.”

Coach Blames Mal-nutrition For Falcons’ Loss

Ighalo’s Upbeat About Watford

•Moses

Monaco’s Elderson Echiejile will also get a look in but captain and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama is not likely to be recalled. Four players from the domestic league will make the trip to be part of the friendly, the report also stated.

SUPER Falcons interim coach Christopher Danjuma has attributed his team’s 2-1 loss to Cameroon in the women’s soccer event of the on-going All-Africa Games in Congo to poor feeding, insisting that the Cameroonians couldn’t have beaten his girls if they had been properly fed. In a post-match chat after his side were mauled by the Lionesses, in the second semi-final of the women soccer event, Danjuma said the girls “fed mostly on bread and butter and, occasionally, rice with stew,” pointing out that “this affected them a lot”. According to him, the Ghanaians and Cameroonians, who will clash in the final made private arrangements for their local delicacies for their teams, which was one of the reasons his lasses lacked the strength to match the robust play of Cameroun. “I won’t blame it only on the kind of food the host and organisers serve us, but it [the kind of food] is a big factor why we lost. The early goal unsettled my players and they lost concentration and allowed the

WHAT is always apparent when watching Odion Ighalo in action,that strikes you apart from his power and pace, is the confidence with which he plays. “Everything I have achieved and hope to achieve in the future I owe to the Almighty God” says the Watford and Nigeria striker. “I am a Christian and I believe in God and how He orders my footsteps”. This explains why after each goal he kneels down fingers pointing heavenward in thanksgiving. Ighalo spoke at the London Colney training headquarters of the newly promoted Premier League club Watford. “I have played in the Italian and Spanish leagues but I feel that the football in England is so much more entertaining even if more physical”. The move to England came from Granada in La Liga. The Spanish club who just last week named one of their Gates after their former Nigerian striker “it was not easy for me to leave Granada because I was loved by all there having spent nearly 5 seasons”. Ighalo seems to have found the same support at Watford “since the first day I arrived here I have been made to feel at home and the fans love me and support the club fully during tough matches.”

•Ighalo

Sani Toro Endorses NFF’s Conditions On FIFA Presidency ONE time Secretary-General of then Nigeria Football Association, Honourable Sani Ahmed Toro has given thumbs up to the Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation for the conditions it has rolled out for those Nigerians, who have pronounced their aspiration to vie for the Presidency of world football -governing body, FIFA. The administrator insisted on Thursday on the NFF site, said that the conditions listed by the NFF Executive Committee at its meeting of September 7 in Port-Harcourt were very much in order. “I want to commend the NFF for the conditions the body has rolled out. They have done very well. Just as they said, we cannot allow people to go out to the international sphere to ridicule Nigeria. “Look, vying for the FIFA Presidency is a very serious business with strong political waters to navigate. It is not a picnic. How many votes does Africa as a whole have? Fifty-four, out of the 209 votes. And which of the Nigerian aspirants will be hoping to get block African vote? Let us stop deceiving ourselves.”

NATIONAL NA AT TIIONA AL L WEEKENDER R

Saturday, urday, September 19 - Friday, Se September epptteem mbbeer 225 25, 5, 220 2015 01155

Sports

Carneiro Gets Chelsea Call-back DR Eva Carneiro, who was banned from the Chelsea bench after being criticized by manager Jose Mourinho, has been told to report for work at the club’s training ground on Friday morning. Carneiro has not been seen at Chelsea since the incident on August 8, possibly through the legal advice she has taken from law firm Mishcon de Reya, but has been informed that she needs to return to duty now. Whether Carneiro turns up at the Cobham training ground in Surrey remains to be seen – although physio Jon Fearn, who also had his duties cut, has continued to work during the intervening period with the first-team

League Table Pos 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

•Hazard

Team Man City Leicester Man Utd Arsenal West Ham C/Palace Everton Swansea Norwich Liverpool S’ampton Tottenham Watford West Brom Aston Villa B’mouth Chelsea Stoke Sunderland Newcastle

P GD Pts 5 11 15 5 4 11 5 3 10 5 2 10 5 5 9 5 2 9 5 3 8 5 2 8 5 -1 7 5 -3 7 5 0 6 5 0 6 5 -1 6 5 -3 5 5 -2 4 5 -3 4 5 -5 4 5 -4 2 5 -5 2 5 -5 2

Fixtures Sat. Sept. 12

Chelsea v Arsenal Aston Villa v West Brom B’mouth v Sunderland Newcastle v Watford Stoke v Leicester Swansea v Everton Man City v West Ham

Sun 20 Sep 2015

Tottenham v C/Palace Liverpool v Norwich Southampton v Man Utd

•Walcot

e h T n O e Battl e g Y d i r B y SSHhAak K

nho

ri u o M r o F ls il P ty fe a S s e b ri sc •Wenger Pre

•Carneiro

Willems To Replace Injured Shaw MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool could be preparing to battle to sign PSV Eindhoven defender Jetro Willems, according to reports. Willems is currently sidelined with a knee injury, however, the 21-year-old has reportedly stalled on signing a new contract. And the Premier League duo are said to be tracking developments at PSV hoping Willems could leave the club in a cut-price deal next summer. Dutch outlet Eindhovens Dagblad claim Willems may only sign new deal when he returns to action, however, he may take the opportunity to head to England. United may attempt to sign the defender in January after Luke Shaw broke his leg earlier this week.

A R S E N A L manager Arsene Wenger believes Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho must deal with the pressure that comes with starting their Premier League season poorly. Ahead of the sides’ meeting at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, Chelsea sit 17th in the top flight, having taken just four points from five league games, as Wenger and Mourinho come face to face once more.

Wenger played down the pair’s fractious rivalry over the years but warned Mourinho of the need to stand up to his current situation. “These are situations that are difficult to assess. It’s less enjoyable when it doesn’t go well but every manager in the game for a long time has to do deal with that,” said the Frenchman, famously branded a “specialist in failure” by Mourinho last term. “What is important is what people will see at 12.45 and let’s

focus on that. I focus on what I love which is football... and all the rest doesn’t affect me. What is important is football for me. “We know our position at the end of the season will depend on how we do in the big games. “I do not consider too much where Chelsea stand. I focus on us performing well tomorrow. I leave that to the specialists and take care of my own team and my own problems.” Strikers Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott had contrasting

United Shaw Shows-off Broken Leg

Tottenham Fans Hail Alli

•Alli

HEUNG-Min Son might have got a brace on his home debut but as Tottenham beat Qarabag in the Europa League it was Dele Alli who wowed the fans. Spurs signed the 19-yearold in February before loaning him back to former club MK Dons in League 1, but he’s had no problem stepping up a few levels this this season. Alli put in a superb performance and got an exceptional assist too, with a lay-off to Son for Tottenham’s second, moments after sending a defender sliding into touch with a Cruyff turn. And the White Hart Lane faithful, and Lilywhites legend Glenn Hoddle, reckon he’s going to have a big future with the club in north London, after singning his name all night long.

fortunes during Wednesday’sChampionsLeague defeat to Dinamo Zagreb - the latter continued his fine form with a goal, having come off the bench after the Frenchman was dismissed for two bookings. “Yes [he is making a case to start] but every game is different and that’s why I don’t deny the quality of Walcott,” Wenger added. “I’m happy he has scored so many goals and he shows he can score when he comes on as well like he did in Zagreb.”

MANCHESTER United’s Luke Shaw will have a second operation on his broken leg. Shaw, currently being treated at Holland’s St Anna Ziekenhuis, broke his right leg in two places during United’s 2-1 Champions’ League defeat away to PSV Eindhoven.

Shaw’s tibia and fibula were fractured in a tackle from Héctor Moreno who was later named man of the match. Roy Keane, the former United captain, called it a “brilliant challenge”. Moreno has expressed his regret at the injury and visited Shaw in hospital.

Navas Ready For De Bruyne, Nasri Challenge JESUS Navas has joined the Manchester City 100 club - and is ready to meet the challenge of Kevin de Bruyne and Co to keep on adding to his appearance record. The Spanish flyer made it a ton of games in a Blues

shirt against Crystal Palace last weekend. But he faces competition from new boy De Bruyne - keen to make his full City debut - Samir Nasri and even David Silva for the right wing slot, depending on

which formation manager Manuel Pellegrini opts for. And after losing his starting place to Nasri for the midweek defeat to Juventus, Navas is keen to regain it for Saturday’s clash with West Ham.

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

Sports

TABLES Spanish La Liga

Farah Clear To Continue With Salazar UK Athletics Atthletics has found “no reason to be concerned” about Mo F Farah’s coach Alberto M h’ h Alb Salazar and his training regime at the US-based Nike Oregon Project. After a full review into allegations of doping against Salazar, UKA restated its view there is “no evidence of any impropriety” from Britain’s double Olympic champion or any reason to “lack confidence” in his training

programme. A BBC Panorama programme accused Salazar off practising d S l ii doping techniques with other athletes, which he denies. There is no suggestion Farah, 32, has been involved in doping. Salazar has worked as a consultant for British Athletics since 2013. UK Athletics said it will not sever links with the Oregon Project, with its “focus” being

on the coaching and support for Farah. However, UKA said H idiits oversight i h group had made “organisational and procedural recommendations” which would be put in place in the coming months. In July, UKA said none of the “extensive information” supplied to the review panel contained any evidence of impropriety by Farah or gave them reason to “question the appropriateness of the input”

into his preparation by Salazar’s team. The body Th governing i b d will ill not release further details until formal investigations by the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) and UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) are complete. Farah became the first man to complete the long-distance double at two World Championships with his 5,000m and 10,000m victories in Beijing last month.

Kessler Is My Biggest Inspiration –Henriksson SWEDISH amateur star Hampus Henriksson makes his debut tomorrow night against Ivan Sakic at the Rosvalla Stora Ishallen at the Nyköpings Arenor in Nyköping, Sweden. Ahead of his professional bow,

BBC Extends Wimbledon Contract Until 2020 THE BBC has ended fears of losing coverage of Wimbledon tennis to pay-per-view television by agreeing a threeyear extension to the current contract, it was announced on Friday. A statement from the corporation said rights for television and radio coverage had been agreed until 2020. “The BBC consistently delivers large national audiences for Wimbledon and they deliver those audiences with highquality production values, live across multiple platforms and always with a strong narrative,” said Richard Lewis, chief executive of the All England Club. “Importantly, as host broadcaster for The Championships, the BBC also ensures that we can provide a comprehensive and premium service to our global media partners.” (Reporting by Steve Tongue; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)

the 21 year-old reveals his greatest inspirations and love of poetry. “I’m very inspired by Mikkel Kessler,” says Henriksson. ‘’He was a great boxer, who had an amazing career. I’ve met when sparring with Danish fighter Abdul Khattab. He was very humble and down to earth. “I really hope that I can become a multiple world champion like Kessler someday. I will work hard for it. That’s what I want to achieve. There is obviously a long way to go, but I have time ahead of me.” For now, Henriksson’s focus is on Saturday night where he joins compatriot Erik Skoglund on the bill for Team Sauerland’s historic Swedish event. “Erik is another boxer I look up to,’’ he says. ‘’He is very important for the Swedish boxing and has paved the way for many of us. He is truly a talented athlete.” The third name in Henriksson’s inspirational trio is Sylvester Stallone’s boxing hero Rocky

Balboa. “It was the Rocky movies that inspired me to become a boxer, when I was 12 years old,” says the young fighter. “I played football, but I was not very good. And I do like to win! Then I starting boxing and everything fell into place. It was as if I was always meant to be a boxer. That is really how it felt, and I was told that I had talent.”

•Henriksson

Mayweather Criticised By Beristain HALL of Fame trainer Ignacio the American’s approach to ‘Nacho’Beristainis‘celebrating’ the sport. Floyd Mayweather Jr’s In an interview reported decision to retire from on boxingscene.com, boxing. Beristain said: “I The 76-year-old didn’t like his way Mexican, who of fight. He would trained the likes of execute a plan for Oscar De La Hoya himself without and the Marquez satisfying the brothers Juan public or making Manuel and Rafael, some kind of •Beristain was unimpressed by spectacle.

The Flyinge-boxer’s amateur career was successful: three times Swedish elite champion, Nordic youth champion and over 40 appearances for the Swedish national team, including participation at the World Championships in Kazakhstan in 2013. Now, he is ready to make the transition into the paid ranks.

Team Barcelona Real Madrid Celta de Vigo Villarreal Eibar Atl Madrid Deportivo Valencia Real Betis Ath Bilbao Granada Espanyol Las Palmas Levante Málaga Sociedad Gijón Sevilla Rayo Getafe

MP 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

GD 3 11 4 4 4 3 2 1 -4 -1 -3 -7 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -3 -5 -4

Italian Serie A Italia

Team Inter Milan Chievo Sampdoria Torino Roma Sassuolo Palermo Fiorentina Lazio Atalanta Genoa Milan Udinese Napoli Verona Juventus Empoli Carpi Bologna Frosinone

MP 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

GD 3 6 5 3 3 2 2 1 -1 1 0 -2 -2 -1 -2 -2 -3 -4 -4 -5

Pts 9 7 7 7 7 6 5 5 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 0 Pts 9 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 4 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 0 0

German Bundesliga

Team Dortmund Bayern Wolfsburg Frankfurt Schalke Bremen Hertha Köln Ingolstadt Mainz Darmstadt Hamburger Levekrusen Augsburg Hoffenheim Hannover Stuttgart M’gladbach

MP 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4

GD 12 10 4 6 1 0 0 -1 -2 2 1 -2 -2 -3 -4 -6 -7 -9

Pts 12 12 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 1 1 1 0 0

French Ligue 1

Team PSG Rennes Reims ASSE Caen Lyon Angers Monaco Bastia Nantes Marseille Bordeaux Lille Guingamp Nice Toulouse Lorient Troyes Montpellier Ajaccio

MP 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5

GD 7 5 4 2 -1 4 2 -1 0 -2 5 1 0 -2 -1 -2 -2 -8 -5 -6

Pts 13 12 10 10 9 8 8 8 7 7 6 6 6 6 5 5 5 3 1 1

national

Desmond Ekwueme

NATIONAL WEEKENDER

Saturday, September 19 - Friday, September 25, 2015

EEKENDER A Passion For Truth, Objectivity, Decorum

Saturday, September 19 - Friday September 25, 2015

•Oba Fatai Oyegbemi Aromire (Ojora of Lagos) By OGUNOJEMITE AYODELE A Lagos High Court has declared that the Ojora Ruling House has the statutory rights of occupancy of a vast parcel of land that has been a subject of litigation. The ruling is in addendum to an earlier one that gave legal rights to the Ojora Royal Family to take possession of the entire Iganmu community, with effect from the 31st of July, 2007. The property includes a substantial part of the land hosting a Bottling Company in Ijora, Lagos. Justice Kazeem Alogba handed down the verdict in a page judgment in Suit No. LD/443/2002: Oba Fatai Oyegbemi Aromire (Ojora of Lagos) and two others versus Chief Ogunyemi and thirty (30) other respondents. Following the delivery of the judgement on Wednesday, September 16, the Ojora ruling family swung into action in the early hours of Thursday, September 17, taking legal possession of the their land. The family, in company of policemen and High Court Deputy Sheriffs, pasted notice informing occupants of Badia of the ruling of the High Court. The notice read “The claimant are persons entitled to possession of the parcel of land in Ijora Badia between Orile-Iganmu,

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Badia Back To Ojora 12 Years After Ijora Express road and container i l to Eb terminal Ebute – IIganmu Ij Ijora more particularly delineated and edged red on survey plan”. The notice further declared the occupants illegal trespassers and promised to deal with them if they refused to vacate the area according to the dictates of the law. “Any person who remains in illegal possession or is found on the land covered by the judgement would henceforth, be treated as trespassers and would be dealt with according to law” Oba Aromire had prayed the court in year 2002, for among others, a declaration that his ruling house is entitled to the statutory rights of occupancy of the disputed land, stating categorically that the defendants are trespassers on the land and prayed the court to issue an injunction restraining them from further trespass. While speaking with National Weekender on the verdict of the judgement, the elated Oba expressed fulfilment and gratitude to God for allowing the recovery of the land during his reign. “I am happy that this judgement is coming during my reign and I thank God for helping the Ojora family to recover this stolen land. This land dispute has been in court since 2002 and after much controversies and court sessions, the judgment was delivered, returning our land to us.

Both the land and structures now bl h Ojora Oj ffamily” il ” h id belong to the he said. The Oba insisted that there will not be any form of negotiations with the occupants noting tha, they are squatters. “They are migrants who were pursued when the National Theatre was to be built. They came to Badia and the Ojora of that time accommodated them. They started building and expanding so much, that they claimed the land. It was not as if they bought the land. So, there won’t be negotiations.” he said. Also speaking with our reporter, Barrister Kunle Jimoh, a lawyer from Segun and Segun Legal Practitioners, who handled the case from inception for the Ojora family, disclosed that legal battle over the land lasted 12 years until Justice K.O Alogba delivered judgment in favour of the Ojora family on Thursday. He said that many justices had sat over the case within the 12-year period of litigation until Justice Alogba finally gave judgement. He said that although the Nigeria Railway Cooperation (NRC), tried to delay the course of justice, Justice Alogba against all odd, delivered the judgement. Our correspondent made a further attempt to speak with occupants, house owners and tenants of the said community, just to have their side of the story, but they were reluctant to speak.

On SATURDAY

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Boko Haram: Negotiation Or Romance? IT is good that President Muhammadu Buhari in his characteristic of openness has come out to tell Nigerians that the Federal Government is actually discussing or negotiating with Boko Haram over the release of the abducted Chibok Girls. Before this piece of information reached Nigerians last week we have heard or we keep hearing of how the military has almost caged the terrorists thus forcing them to flee the North East to seek safety majorly in the South West and precisely in densely populated Lagos where a number of terrorists were rounded up a couple of weeks back by security operatives placed on high alert. So if the military has the upper hand or is winning the war against the terrorists, why do we need to negotiate the release of the abducted girls? Is it possible for a well beaten and displaced terrorists’ gang to listen to someone who is already sniffing life out of it or its members? The FG’s position is that since the military now has the upper hand, the terrorists would gladly accept negotiation as a face saving move to avoid being totally wiped out, more so, since it is believed they have the girls intact, it is an opportunity and offer to come to the table of discussion with the FG. In other words we may see a win-win arrangement or agreement between the FG and the terrorists. Win-win because the FG will be proud to present the girls to Nigerians which will be a great political point scored by the Buhari administration and similarly the terrorists would be glad that they would be allowed to leave in peace once they can release the abducted girls. But in this win-win arrangement or result one factor creates a major challenge. It is the assurance that the Chibok Girls are still alive and intact. The Presidency spokesmen have maintained that if the FG is not sure that the girls are alive, it won’t and can’t be considering sitting on a round table with the representatives or go-between of the terrorists. Suffice this to mean that intelligence report has it on good authority that the girls are not only alive but hale and hearty. However recent developments have proven that go-betweens or representatives don’t make good bargain in discussions or negotiations with the terrorists. Recall that during Goodluck Jonathan’s era a meeting was fixed for Saudi Arabia with the terrorists’ representatives which turned out sour and ugly as the leader of the terrorists Abubakar Shekau denied the group and continued with his mindless activities. So it would be nice if the FG is negotiating with the real or recognized representatives of the terrorists. And talking about negotiation with Boko Haram, permit me to say that after the Amnesty granted the creeks boys (Niger-Delta militants) we as a nation appears to have institutionalize or legalize the dialogue and compensation act with bodies or groups that rebel against the system. Personally I support every move to negotiate with such bodies for peace to reign but on condition that the FG should be on its toes to nip the activities of some of these groups in the bud before they escalate and threaten to bring the nation on its knees. Sadly government and its agencies are always in the know when these groups commence operation yet they wait till situation gets out of hand. Now we are watching with keen attention how the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) came up with a powerful radio station that was at the verge of upsetting the federal government before the latter clamped down on it. We also watched how security operatives opened fire on the group during a peaceful protest near the Premier Breweries at Onitsha killing two members. That is not the best way to stop the activities of these groups. In fact the negotiation or dialogue should start at this point and not a war posture which is likely going to toughen the members of these groups. Take another example, the Egbesu Boys have been identified as the group that killed some DSS operatives last week in Lagos. Intelligence reports suggest that it is the same group that robbed a bank in Ikorodu killing several people about two months ago and fleeing through the lagoon that was involved in then latest fiasco. Another report says that this same group has been involved in the endless oil theft and killings in Arepo area of Ogun State. The question is how is government going about tackling the problem? Is it by confronting the group of seeking lasting measures to solving the problem? One of such measures is to understand the real motive behind the dastardly acts. For me the right step is setting up a well funded body to look at the emergence of these groups and how best to nip their activities in the bud by a non-violent approach.

Oil Theft: Navy Arrests 30 Ships In 9 Months THE Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Nigerian Navy on Friday said it had arrested 30 ships in the last nine months. Rear Adm. Henry Babalola, outgone Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) the ENC, disclosed this in Calabar during a handing over ceremony to his successor, Rear Adm. AtikuAbdulkadir. “In the last nine months, we have arrested a total of 30 ships which include tug boats, Cotonou boats,

and we have as well arrested a good number of oil thieves,“he said. Babalola said that the ships were arrested under his leadership of the Command, adding that they were arrested for conveying adulterated crude oil and other stolen products on the waterways. “It is to the glory of the command that during my watch as FOC, we had gallant officers who had the passion to ensure that crude oil theft and maritime crimes are reduced.

“The Command under my watch had also destroyed several illegal refineries on a daily basis. We get the information, we proceed on patrol, we arrest and destroy them,’’ he said. Babalola said the destruction was done in line with the Nigerian Navy’s mandate, which was to clampdown on crude oil theft and illegal refineries. He said that the damage which illegal refined product does to car engines, generators and boats was unquantifiable.

•Oba Erediuwa •Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram leader

NATIONAL WEEKENDER is Published by SportsDay Printing & Publishing Company Limited. Corporate Head Office: 19 Gbemisola Street, Off Allen Avenue Ikeja Lagos. Tel: 234 1 3426352. Editor: DESMOND EKWUEME. All Correspondence to the above address, ISSN: 23543043