Binder1 saturday april 26, 2014

Saturday Edition

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Saturday, APRIL 26, 2014 Vol. 1 No. 67

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Nigeria’s most authoritative newspaper in politics and business

OBINNA EKEZIE

P-SQUARE

RAY EKPU

FROM BASKETBALL TO WAKANOW p.40

CRACK IN A MUSIC EMPIRE p.22

1999 CONSTITUTION UNDER-DEVELOPED niGERIA p.53

12 days after Nyanya blast

Search for loved ones continues

l Military removes blockade but bus park remains closed lUK offers help over abducted girls Johnchuks Onuanyim, Obinna Odoh, Emmanuel Onani and Ndubuisi Ugah Abuja/lagos

T

welve days after a bomb blast at Nyanya, a satellite town in Abuja, families of the victims are still searching for their loved ones.

The April 14 blast, the sixth after the first that occurred on October 1, 2010, had killed 75 persons and left over 100 injured.

Hospitals and the Federal Capital Territory Health Management Secretariat have not been able to come up with appropriate records that could help families of victims claim their remains.

The official figure given by the security agencies was 72 and 124 for the injured, while

Why Resource Control can no longer be postponed - Victor Attah p.2

unofficial claims put the death toll above 200.

These conflicting records have been a worrying point as people continue to swarm various hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory and environs, searching for their loved ones.

A 32-year-old man who gave his name simply as Peter said he could not find his cousin since the day of the blast.

According to him, his cousin, Angelina, a 23-year-old girl, who was living with him at Nyanya came to Abuja two months ago.

He said the girl left home at 5:30am to meet up an 8:30am job appointment, and has not been heard from since, with her phones switched off.

He said: “She just came to

Obafemi Martins showers girlfriend with $25k Rolex watch on birthday p.23 Six zones should constitute federating units – Tony Momoh p.2

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Controversy trails Censors Board’s Half of A Yellow Sun ban Tunde Sulaiman and Lanre Odukoya

I

t appears the decision of the Nigeria Film and Video Censorship Board (NFVCB), to partially ban Half of A Yellow Sun film is causing some disquiet among the top hierarchy of the board.

New Telegraph on Saturday reliably learnt that the decision is primarily the position of the NFVCB’s Director-General, Patricia Bala, and not that of many of the senior members of the board, who believe there is nothing offensive in the film for it to be axed.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

KOJO WILLIAMS: Sports, Love and a Dream That Might Have Been - A ‘Loverboy’s’ Frank Talk

Etiebet to Akwa Ibom: You can’t bar Gulak p.8

2

NEWS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 APRIL 2014

Content 26.04.14 INSTYLE

The Monochrome Edge

Black and white may be understated on their own, yet lovely when mixed together.

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SHOWBIZ

Wale Adenuga’s Gospel

Singer Pastor Wale Adenuga talks about creating some of Nigeria’s best known gospel hits such as songs like Today O and You Alone Are Worthy Lord.

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SPORT

Blame Game

Ex-Super Eagles forward Garba Lawal blames Stephen Keshi for delay in the release of the country’s World Cup squad.

}27

TRAVEL

Imprint of Class

Owners of the Eko Hotels & Suites unveils Eko Signature to huge acclaim, affirming its vision to be West Africa’s leading hotel.

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CHEF’S CORNER Nike Lake’s Delight

Zimbabwean born Fortune Dandajena, Nike Lake Resort’s executive chef, talks about making meals preparation participatory.

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THE ARTS

A Feast of Films

A collaboration between the Goethe Institut and a few centres culminates in the screening of six films on Saturday and Sunday across some venues in Lagos.

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Nyanya blast: Search for loved ones continues CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Abuja in search of a job, hav ing finished her National Youth Service Corps programme.

“Angelina has been in Abuja for just two months. Where could she have gone without calling to inform me in view of the situation in Nyanya?”

Peter is just one of several people in such dilemma. Beyond the fact that hardly any new information has been released, there is an obvious challenge with regard to facilities.

The Director-General of Federal Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Idriss Abbas, said: “We visited about nine hospitals, took stock of all the victims, including those who are dead and the injured, from general hospitals at Nyanya, Maitama, Asokoro to the other six primary health care facilities that the victims were taken to.

“We observed that among all the problems associated with the hospitals, inadequate facilities were pronounced. The hospitals denying patients medical attention until payment are made and card obtained is a major impediment to implementation of service improvement plans that would lead to quality healthcare services.”

However, it has emerged that 31 corpses are still in various morgues, while 28 patients are yet to be discharged.

When New Telegraph visited the National Hospital, in Abuja, the head of the information services, Dr. Tayo Haastrup, disclosed that five corpses out of the 15 brought to the hospital had so far been released to relatives.

But when asked what the cause of the delay could be, he said: “It is the team of security agencies that will give us the order to release the corpses.

We lack the powers to do so and can only release through police clearance and order. The reason is to avoid releasing dead bodies to wrong persons or families.”

New Telegraph further gathered on a visit to FCT Hospitals Management Board that there are some patients who will be referred abroad for further

Six zones should constitute federating units – Tony Momoh • 36 states too weak • 774 LGAs greatest fraud Louis Achi, Abuja Minister of InformaFTonyormer tion and Culture, Prince Momoh, has proposed a

six-state regional government to delegates of the ongoing National Conference where the three-tier structure is retained but with states as local governments.

Momoh who canvassed political deregulation before deregulating the economy stated that government was too involved in businesses and this promoted corruption.

In his letter titled, “To Save Nigeria: Let’s Talk (A proposal To the National Conference,” obtained by New Telegraph, Momoh stated that the 36 states are too weak to constitute federating units while the current 774 local councils was the greatest fraud visited on Nigeria.

In his words: “The 36 states

• 36 states too weak •774 LGAs greatest fraud

are too weak to constitute the federating units.

“We need another buffer between the states and the federal, and that is the present zones that have naturally emerged. They are six and should constitute the federating units.

“We should retain the central government, the regional government and the state government.

“The local government system as today reflected in the present three-tier arrangement should be an affair of the regional government which will ensure its existence, structures and funding.”

According to the ex-information minister, the powers at the centre are too many and the power of the National Assembly, “as the de-facto law-maker for everything both on the exclusive and concurrent lists is

not healthy for the federation.”

Momoh added “The country is severely stressed because the structures to make it function are faulty. There is too much government…Why would any government be the effective monopoly in the major areas of the economy?

“Section 16 of the 1999 Constitution even entrenches the preponderant place of government running the economy of the nation.”

Proposing restoration of parliamentary system at the state level and re-designation of office of the governor as premier, Momoh stated that the current 774 local councils was the greatest fraud visited on Nigeria.

His words: “There are at present774 local government councils with elected council chairmen and councilors who are “working” fulltime.”

“This level of government

treatment. Dr Aminu. M. Mai, the board’s general manager said: “There are critical cases of those who lost their hands, feet etc, who will be referred abroad for further treatment and procurement of artificial limbs. But we want to make sure that they receive initial treatment and are stabilised before referring them”.

Dr Mai disclosed that “initially 27 corpses were deposited in Asokoro District Hospital; the police cleared nine corpses and six have been released and 21 corpses are still unclaimed, with 13 patients yet to be discharged out of 26.”

But there are a few redeeming points for residents of the city who have had to endure days of harrowing traffic experience on the Keffi-Nyanya-Aya Expressway.

On Thursday, residents were

relieved when the military dismantled a checkpoint initially erected at the Lugbo axis.

The checkpoint, which was occasioned by the April 14 blast at the crowded Nyanya Park, brought economic and social activities to a halt, with commuters spending about three hours to get to the city centre, from Nyanya and Karu.

In another vein, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr. William Hague, yesterday said the British government will support the federal government in its bid get the abducted secondary school girls in Borno State released.

Hague in a tweet said: “I called my Nigerian counterpart today (yesterday) to express UK support, sympathy and solidarity in search for the school girls abducted in Borno State. I

condemn the sickening abduction of school girls in Nigeria.

UK stands ready to Nigerian authorities. My thoughts goes with the families.”

Meanwhile, former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings has said Nigeria has remained outstanding as the giant of Africa and in the West African sub-region, but decried her present security challenges caused by the upsurge of the Boko Haram insurgency.

Speaking at Chief Tom Ikimi’s 70th birthday anniversary, Rawlings said the worrisome situation at the moment should not be left for the military alone, but that concerted efforts must be made by all Nigerians in collaboration with the federal government to deal decisively with the rising menace.

Additional report by Cajetan Mmuta

Why resource control can no longer be postponed - Attah Onwuka Nzeshi

ABUJA

ormer Governor of Akwa FAttah, Ibom State, Obong Victor yesterday gave reasons

why the agitation by the SouthSouth region for resource control could no longer be postponed but addressed through negotiation in good faith.

Attah who is a Co-Chairman of the Committee on Power Devolution at the ongoing National Conference warned that petroleum was a wasting asset and if nothing positive was done now, the oil-producing communities which bear the brunt of oil exploration would be left to their fate when the oil wells dry up in the near future.

In an interview with New Telegraph, Attah disclosed that as one of the presiding officers of the Power Devolution Committee, he had made attempts to let the delegates see reason why it is necessary to do something about resource control.

He said that there was an CO N TI N U ED on PAGE 9

It was learnt that three officials of the Board based in Lagos, had already watched the film, which had its international premier in Toronto, Canada, late last year, and had found nothing wrong with it.

However, clearly unimpressed with their recommendation, the DG is said to have despatched another three officials from the head office in Abuja to Lagos to carry out the same assignment.

Nonetheless the officials, made up of an assistant director, principal officer and a level 9 officer, ended with a 2-1 voting, affirming the position of their colleagues in Lagos that the film was good to air.

But despite this new endorsement, the DG insisted on accepting the lone dissenting voice, which was that of the level 9 officer, and insisted that the film should be partially banned.

Sources argued that their boss was simply holding out solely because of the ugly spectre of the Boko Haram insurgency currently wracking some parts of the country and not based on the film essentially.

A source, who has watched the film, told New Telegraph

urgent need to consider raising the derivation formulae from its current level of thirteen per cent(13%) to its original benchmark of fifty per cent (50%) over a given period.

“In seeking consensus, we must keep in focus and be guided by some very key concepts and principles such as, we are to be our brothers’ keepers, there must be negotiation and this negotiation must be done in good faith. We must recognise the need for proper resource management, resource responbility and resource accountability.

“Of course, there is absolute need to ensure that the people from whose land and waters these minerals are being taken are not made to feel that they are just being raped and that what they see as belonging to them is not being taken with impunity and arrogance,” he said.

“We have never had agreement on it because this one would say the figure was inflated; the other would say the figure was

inflated by the other group.

“Why can’t we have a correct census figure or make the issue of census so totally irrelevant and immaterial to how we live together happily in this country?

“Until they give me the definition of their resource control that say selfishness, I reject their theory because if I have something that is sustaining me today and somebody finds something sustaining him tomorrow, how is it selfish that am progressing? That is why I say that they have to give me the definition of that selfishness or definition of resource control. “ The provision has always been there - 50 percent derivation. So you keep 50 percent of what you produce in your area and bring 50 percent to the centre. If it is equitable and that goes round to everybody was that selfish? We want to devolve power and responsibility, we also devolve money to the appropriate states or governments so that new responsibilities can be met,” he said.

Half of A Yellow Sun ban that barring about three scenes in the film, it could have been given a 15 rating and not the 18 it was given.

“The Bank of Industry was one of the Nigerian companies that invested in the film, so we should be careful not to do things that will discourage other companies who would have loved to invest in future films,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian producers of the film, Shareman Media and the distributors, FilmOne Distribution, have announced a new date for its release. A press statement issued by R&B Public Relations Company said: “The highly anticipated release of Half of a Yellow Sun in Nigeria has been postponed due to delays in obtaining certification from the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board for the public release of the film. Subject to obtaining the certification of the Board, the film is now rescheduled for release on 2nd May 2014.”

Expectedly, this development has stirred furious reactions from observers.

“I think it’s wrong for

anyone to censor a work of art because the project is one. I’ve watched the movie, I like how they handled the war and the graphic sections.

And one should ask the producers why did they wait till now to hear of the ban? They should have gone for clearance before it opened. We’ve watched movies about wars in Nigeria, we’ve even seen the one about how Murtala Mohammed was killed, did anybody die after watching them? I think nobody should censor any work of art at all,” Toni Kan, a writer, said.

Actress, Bimbo Akintola, also voiced her concern. “I truly don’t understand why the film was banned on the claim it parades some steamy shots. That’s why there are ratings such as 18+, 20+ and so on. What’s to hide in the things people do and know about. If they say let’s protect our children, it makes absolute sense and that’s why they put age limit to it.

We see movies with sexual contents even on our televisions.”

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

World Bank to assist Nigeria with $8bn partnership grant LARGESSE Nigeria’s quest for job creation, social service delivery and good governance receives boost from World Bank Abdulwahab Isa Abuja

T

he World Bank yesterday said it has approved a Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for Nigeria, which will increase its development assistant to the country for job creation, social service delivery and governance to about $2 per year through the International Development Association (IDA) and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) financing.

A statement by the bank said the new CPS covers a four-year period from 2014 to 2017 and is designed to intro-

duce change in the country’s borrowing status.

Nigeria was declared credit worthy for IBRD financing last year and is officially entering blend status from July 1, 2014.

The CPS had been prepared in the context of the World Bank’s renewed commitment to the twin goals of reducing extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity in Nigeria and globally. It is fully aligned with Nigeria’s development agenda, Vision 20: 2020, and its medium-term strategy for realising that vision; the Transformation Agenda.

In support of these objectives, the CPS programme is structured around three areas: promoting diversified growth and job creation by reforming the power sector, enhancing agricultural productivity, and increasing access to finance; improving the quality and efficiency of social service delivery at the state level to promote social inclusion; and strengthening governance and public sector management, with gender

equity and conflict sensitivity as essential elements of governance.

World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Marie Francoise Marie-Nelly, said: “The CPS seeks to address inequalities in income and opportunities for the poor and vulnerable by developing more effective mechanisms for social service delivery including social protection programmes, education, health and water service delivery.

“The CPS represents the joint World Bank Group’s programme under a common donor platform known as the Country Assistance Framework (CAF) and would work in close cooperation among development partners to enhance the effectiveness and transformational impact of national efforts and avoid duplication of tasks.

“This approach of the CAF is proving as very effective for better coordination and synergies among partners’ strategies of support to Nigeria.”

Speaking also, World Bank Task Team Leader for the CPS,

Indira Konjhodzic, said: “The bulk of the financing programme would focus on increasing installed power generation and transmission capacity and improving the efficiency and governance of electricity delivery.

“Boosting agricultural productivity, improving farmers’ linkages with agro-processors, and increasing access to finance including long time financing to the citizens particularly women is a major focus of this partnership strategy.”

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has commended the new Country Partnership Strategy.

“We believe that this CPS within the CAF of the development partners would go a long way to support the government of Nigeria’s efforts of creating jobs for our teeming youths and improving infrastructure that would lead to economic growth which would impact on the majority of our people,” Okonjo-Iweala said.

NEWS

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NEWS EDITOR, SATURDAY:

NDUBUISI UGAH

ndubuisi.ugah@newtelegraphonline.com; nduby001@yahoo.com; 08033617741

The Week Ahead NECO common entrance holds today The 2014 National Common Entrance Examination (NECO) into Federal Government Unity Secondary Schools and Colleges will hold today in 111 approved centres in Lagos State.

Ohuabunwa foundation parley holds April 29

The Sam Ohuabunwa Foundation for Economic Empowerment will on April 29 hold its Nigerian Economic/Business Roundtable Conference 2014 with the theme: ‘Business Success 2014-Optimising Opportunities in the Federal and State Budgets’ at No. 9, Simeon Akinlolu Street, Off Oniru Estate Road, Beside 4 Point Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos.

2015: Rally for Jonathan holds April 30 A group, Goodluck Initiative for Transformation 2015, will hold a rally to compel President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidential election on April 30, at the Eagles Square, Abuja.

Court hears suit against NJC May 5 An Abuja Federal High Court has adjourned hearing till May 5 in a suit filed by Rivers Chief Judge, Justice Peter Agumagu, challenging his suspension by the National Judicial Council (NJC). Justice Adeniyi Ademola fixed the date, after listening to the submissions of Agumagu’s counsel, Mr. Akin Olujinmi (SAN), and Jimoh Lasisi (SAN), NJC’s counsel. Agumagu, sued the NJC for suspending, querying and threatening to sack him for accepting to serve as Rivers Chief Judge on March 18.

Dangote: Court hears Otudeko’s suit May 5

A Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed May 5 for the continuation of trial in a suit filed by Oba Otudeko against Alhaji Aliko Dangote, over a land dispute.

Otudeko, chairman of the Honeywell Group, had filed the suit, claiming the sum of $48 million as damages for breach of contract.

In the suit, number FHC/L/CS/329/06, the NPA, Bureau of Public Enterprises (PBE), Dangote Industries Limited, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Greenview Development Nigeria Limited, are listed as first, second, third, fourth and fifth defendants, respectively.

Seminar on public health holds May 6 L-R: Crown Prince of Benin, Amb. Eheneden Erediauwa; President Goodluck Jonathan, and Chairman, Ocean Marine Tankers, Capt. Hosa Okunbo, when the crown Prince came to deliver a special message from the Oba of Benin to the President, in Abuja…yesterday

PHOTO:TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Lekki-Ikoyi toll: Court orders stay of execution of judgment A Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday granted a motion for stay of execution of its judgment, which declared the collection of toll on the Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge unlawful.

Justice Saliu Saidu ordered a stay of execution, following a motion filed by the AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Mr. Ade Ipaye.

Ipaye had sought a stay of execution of the judgment pending the determination of an appeal at the Court of Appeal.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that a human rights activist, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, had filed a suit on November 26, 2012 against the Lagos State Government, challenging its collection of toll on the bridge.

Joined as first and second re-

spondents in the suit were the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

Ipaye, and the Lagos State Government were listed as third and fourth respondents respectively.

NAN also recalls that on March 27, Saidu in his judgment, declared that the imposition of such toll was unlawful, on the ground that there was no law in existence authorising its collection.

The judge had held that there was nothing before the court to show that the construction of the bridge was as a result of a Public Private Partnership Law, since it was constructed with funds of the state government.

He had, therefore, held that

the state government could only validly collect toll on the bridge, if a law was enacted to give validity to such tolling.

Ipaye, on March 28, filed a motion for stay of execution of the judgment, pending the hearing of an appeal before the appellate court.

On April 14, the judge heard arguments from parties on the motion, and reserved ruling.

Delivering his ruling on the motion yesterday, Saidu formulated a sole issue for determination: “whether the court is inclined to grant a stay of execution in view of the facts placed before it.”

The judge said: “A stay of execution of a judgment can only be granted if the court is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances which warrant stay. The

court must also take into account the conflicting rights of parties.

“In an application for stay, the affidavit in support must state sufficient grounds of appeal, and must show that special circumstances exist for the court to grant stay.”

The judge said the issues formulated by Adegboruwa in his cross appeal against the judgment, raised recondite issues of law which ought to be determined by the appellate court.

“I can hold that there exist special and exceptional circumstances that will warrant me to grant a stay of execution.

“I hereby grant an order for stay of execution on the judgment of this court delivered on March 27, pending the determination of an appeal filed against the judgment,” he said.

An international seminar, which will focus on public health, improving healthcare management and infectious disease control through behaviour change and community empowerment will hold on May 6 at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, at 12.30p.m.

Suit against PDP comes up May 7 An Ikeja High Court has fixed May 7 for ruling in a suit filed by a lawyer, Mr. Debo Adeleke, against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Adeleke instituted the action against the party over an alleged failure to pay him N10.55 million professional fees.

Fraud: Ajudua knows fate May 9 Justice Atinuke Ipaye of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja will on May 9 hear application filled by alleged fraudster, Mr. Fred Ajudua, asking it for an order permitting his extra-judicial statement to be taken. Ajudua is standing trial for allegedly defrauding a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ishaya Bamaiyi, of about N1billion.

MTN link forum holds May 9 The MTN Link Forum’s budding entrepreneur challenge will begin from May 9 (Enugu), June 13 (Lagos), July 11Port Harcourt) and August 29 (Abuja), where participants would meet and exchange ideas with select industry captains.

WOMEN4AFRICA fixes May 10 for award WOMEN4AFRICA, one of the largest celebrations of African women in Europe and the Commonwealth will honour some Nigerians and others at its third yearly awards night billed for May 10 in London, United Kingdom.

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NEWS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

KADUNA

APC seeks release of abducted medical doctor

N EWS I N BRIEF

AWKA

GUSAU

The Kaduna State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday called for the unconditional release of a 75-yearold man, Dr. Stephen Kitchener who was abducted in Zaria, on Tuesday.

A statement by the state Interim Chairman of the party, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, described the abducted medical doctor as “an icon of service and humility.”

“Dr Kitchener has dedicated his life to the service of his community, and it is almost certain that his kidnappers are mistaken in believing that he has the type of wealth needed to buy his freedom,” he said.

Zamfara sets up c’ttee for school enrolment

The Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (ZSUBEB) has constituted a special awareness committee to educate residents on the importance of enrolment of children in schools.

The Chairman of the board, Alhaji Murtala Jangebe, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Gusau.

Jangebe said the state was among the states with high rate of out-of-school children in the country based on the report of the survey conducted by the Federal Ministry of Education in Collaboration with UNICEF.

FRSC records 348 traffic offenders in Anambra The Federal Roads Safety Commission (FRSC) in Anambra State has said it recorded about 348 traffic offenders with 361 different offences during its Easter traffic control.

The Sector Commander, Mr Hyginus Omeje, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka, yeterday that four crashes, two of which were fatal and resulted to the death of three persons and 10 injuries, were recorded during the period.

According to him, 170 vehicles and motorcycles were impounded while 145 commercial motorcyclists were penalised for riding without helmets.

Japan invests N5bn to improve water supply in 12 states Dan Atori Minna

A

s part of measures to address the lack of water supply in rural communities and make water accessible to those living in the rural communities in the last 12 years, the Japanese Government has invested about N5 billion as grant in aid to 12 states.

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochekpe, said yesterday in Minna, Niger State that other equipment distributed to five other states cost about N1.83 billion.

According to her, these funds have provided 788 hand pump boreholes in various communities and enabled more than one million Nigerians to have access to portable water supply.

The minister disclosed this at the commissioning and handing over ceremony of drilling equipment and materials to five states

by Federal Government and Japan Investment Cooperative

Agency (JICA) assisted rural water supply programme in Minna, Niger state.

She said eight states had earlier benefited from the initiative adding that the need to reach out to more rural communities made them extend the programme to the benefiting states of Niger, Kebbi, Taraba, Ondo and Enugu, while the other states would soon be beneficiaries soon.

Ochekpe further disclosed that the equipment, which include drilling machines, trucks with crane facilities, air compressors, geophysical survey equipment, water analysis test equipment, pumping equipment, local government and community mechanic tools amongst others which are being distributed to five states cost N1.83 billion.

Emphasising the importance of water in strengthening the social and economic development of the country, she called on the Japanese government to extend the hand of friendship to other states so that they would also benefit from the grant.

APC, PDP differ on payment of severance allowance in Kwara Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

T L-R: Former Military Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi; former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, and former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, at the 70th birthday celebration of Ikimi in Igueben, Edo State … yesterday

Gas to Power: Nebo harps on stakeholders’ collaboration SOLUTION The power minister suggests how eractic power supply to gas can be addressed James Nwabueze Abuja

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he Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, has charged all stakeholders in the petroleum and power sectors to collaborate with the Federal Government in order to arrest the incessant interruption of gas to the nation’s gas fired electricity plants.

Nebo, who spoke at a forum, tagged ‘Gas to Power Brainstorm Retreat’, challenged participants to regard issues around power as national emergency, stressing that the nation’s

economy could only be revived if enough power was produced to drive it.

He said enormous resources were involved in the deployment of heavy duty equipment and difficult terrains are some of reasons for delay in effecting repairs on the damaged pipelines.

The minister, who blamed the shortage of gas on pipeline vandalism, said: “We have the capacity to now generate over 6,000MW but sadly we now produce a little over 4,000MW, this is not the case in other climes.”

While emphasising on the importance of energy in the socio-economic life of the nation, Nebo said: “We want the economy to be revamped, this magic can only be made manifest if we are able to produce enough power that will drive a double digit growth.”

The minister said although significant improvement of 50

46.6 The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of developed countries in 2006.

(Source: Itu.int)

per cent had been achieved in gas flaring trajectory, evidence abound around the world of technology that would guarantee full utilisation of gas hitherto flared for domestic and power plants.

Nebo also expressed optimism that President Goodluck Jonathan’s expectations for gas to power and the overall achievement of Transformation Agenda in the sector would soon be realised.

On his part, Group Executive Director, GAS of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. David Ige, who made a presentation on the Gas Master Plan, said with the realisation of most of the ongoing Gas projects, all would soon be well for the sub-sector.

He said the proposed link pipeline project that would join the eastern flank to the Western – Lagos – Escarvos line would ensure gas connectivity for har-

N3.26bn

nessed utilisation.

On vandalism, Ige said NNPC had always engaged community based approach, adding that his company, rather than providing resources to local chiefs, would rather use the community vanguards and vigilante groups to protect the pipeline infrastructure in the water ways and creeks.

The session had in attendance, key players in Oil and Gas sector including NNPC, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Shell, Seplat, Nigerian Gas Company, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company (LNG), Petrolog, BCS Energy and Gas Aggregation Company of Nigeria (GACN).

Nebo lamented that vandalism has only worsened the existing situation, wherein government was doing all what it could do to ensure full utilisation of the nation’s abundant gas resources.

33.4%

The IGR of Niger State in 2010.

The female percentage of internet users in Ukraine in 2012.

(Source: National Bureau of Statistics)

(Source: Itu.int)

he decision by the Kwara State Government to pay the severance allowance of councillors, who served in the last administration in the state has pitched the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against each other.

Similarly, the APC described as an exhibition of ignorance by the PDP that the state government should subject its proposal to access a N23 billion bond to public debate, just as the APC said subjecting the bond to public hearing was needless.

But the PDP in a statement by its state’s Publicity Secretary, Chief Rex Olawoye, condemned the decision to pay the severance of the former councillors as wasteful, which the APC argued had shown PDP’s ignorance and lack of capacity to rule.

The PDP said the decision represented “another antics of APC-led government at ruining the economic fortunes of the state

knowing well that the said sum of money has since been released en bloc by the federal government to all states of the federation at the appropriate time.”

It said further: “We are certain that while all other states have received their money and that Bukola Saraki-led government was an exemption. It is not only frivolous that the Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed-led government will be paying a debt inherited by his predecessor but it is also fraudulent on the part of the acclaimed progressive minds.

But the APC, which spoke through its Interim Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Buhari Olatunji, said: “It is worrisome that the PDP could wallow in ignorance by claiming that the federal government had released en block money for the payment of severance allowance.

The PDP by this despicable act has shown that it does not comprehend the concept of federalism.”

Olatunji queried: “What business does the federal government have with the local government administration as to offset the severance allowance of councillors?”

Lagos threatens to shut 2,500 hotels over non-registration Muritala Ayinla

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he Lagos State Government yesterday threatened to shut about 2,500 hotels and restaurants in the state over failure to register their facilities.

The Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Disun Holloway, made the threat at the 2014 Ministerial Press Briefing in Ikeja.

He said out of the 3,000 hotels and restaurants operating in the state, only 350 had fulfilled their registration requirements.

Holloway described the

situation as unsavoury and unacceptable.

The commissioner said officials of the ministry would soon be sent out to sanction defaulting hotels and restaurants.

“The law is very clear on this issue. It says hotels, restaurants and others must register. It has security implication to it. We need to know where the hotels are located, their number, the facilities available in each of the hotels and other important things.

“So far, only 300 hotels out of the 3000 we have identified have registered. We will soon begin to shut defaulting establishments. The law must be complied with,” he said.

Police arrest 14 over attack on Baraje’s house Biodun Oyeleye Ilorin

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he police in Kwara State yesterday paraded 14 persons suspected to have participated in the attack on the house of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje.

The state Commissioner for Police, Mr. Ambrose Aisabor, who briefed journalists on the development, said another set of 13 suspects were also arrested for their alleged role in the lynching of some suspected kidnappers in the state.

The hoodlums, who invaded the Baraje family house in Baboko area of Ilorin, about 8.30 p.m. on Wednesday destroyed about 10 vehicles parked on the premises.

Aisabor said: “On April 23, this year, we got a distress call from Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, at Baboko quarters that hoodlums were attacking and destroying

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property on the premises.

“So, two patrol teams were dispatched to the scene, but before the policemen got there the hoodlums had fled.

“Three people were shot and are now recovering in the hospital; 14 vehicles among other property were destroyed. The building was also riddled with bullets, in fact bullet holes are still conspicuous on the premises.

“The leader of the gang was identified and picked up. His confessional statement led to the arrest of 14 other members of the criminal gang.”

He said iems recovered from the suspects include one dane gun, one axe, one hammer, one scrapper, two charms, two raps of weed suspected to be cannabis sativa, one pack of rizzler, two palm slippers, two packet of matches, one playing ludo and seeds, two Nigerian voter’s card bearing Salihu Dauda and one vigilante grand ID card bearing Dauda Salihu.

IKEJA

OJO

PCIDSS:Banks,othersgetdeadline

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has urged commercial banks, switches and processors to be Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCIDSS) certified by November 30, this year.

A circular issued by the CBN Banking and Payments System Department yesterday in Lagos, entitled: “Timeline for PCIDSS certification by all deposit money banks, switches and processors”, said the framework would help banks to ensure safe handling of cardholder’s information at every step.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the PCIDSS is a framework used to prevent, detect and appropriate security incidents.

FCT

NBA wants LASU fees reduced The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch, yesterday urged the state government to review the high tuition fees being paid by students of Lagos State University (LASU).

The Chairman of the association, Mr. Onyekachi Ubani, made the call at a media briefing ahead of the branch’s 2014 Annual Law Week holding from April 25 to May 2.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the state government had in 2012 raised fees in the institution from N25, 000 to N198, 000 for students offering arts and social sciences, amongs other fees.

Obama visits Japan United States President Barack Obama wrapped up his three-day visit to Japan yesterday and left for South Korea, the second leg of his weeklong Asia tour.

Obama was to hold a summit meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Park Geun Hye, later in the day to discuss issues such as North Korea’s missile and nuclear programmes.

He arrived in the region amid growing concern that Pyongyang might conduct another nuclear test, while he is in Asia.

During his three-day stay in Japan, Obama and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, agreed to beef up defence cooperation.

1.22m

10.6

1.2m

The total area (in sq. km) of South Africa.

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Egypt in 2012..

The total number of adults and children estimated to be living with HIV in United States in 2008.

(Source: Worldfactsandfigures.com)

(Source: Itu.int)

5

(Source: Blatantworld.com)

Poly students protest in Abuja Obinna Odoh and Emeldah Ogene Abuja

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he National Association of Polytechnics students (NAPS), yesterday in Abuja held a peaceful protest over the protracted strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP).

The strike, which is currently in its 10th month, had paralysed academic activities in the nation’s polytechnics.

Yesterday in Abuja, the students from various polytechnics across the country blocked the roads leading to Federal Secretariat in the nation’s capital to draw the attention of the federal government to their plight.

Security was very tight around the Federal Secretariat, resulting in gridlock, just as nobody was allowed to enter the secretariat building.

The placards-carrying protesters, who were chanting uncomplimentary songs against the supervising Minister of Ed-

ucation, Nyesom Wike, vowed not to leave the premises of the ministry until they had been attended to.

The Senate President of NAPS, Mr. Salahu Deen Lukman, who spoke on behalf of the students, said about 10 students had died since the strike started while others had been exposed to different vices.

Lukman, an Higher National Diploma (HND) student of Kaduna Polytechnic, said the students were demanding three key issues which are; the removal of Wike and the appointment of a substantive minister; the removal of dichotomy between university and polytechnics graduates; and for government to look into all the ASUP demands and respond urgently before it will be too late.

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Daniel Chike Uwaezuoke, who spoke on behalf of the minister, pleaded with the students for calm, assuring them that government has constituted a committee to look into the matter.

Sultan, govs to open biggest mosque in South West

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he biggest mosque in South West, New Aiyepe Central Mosque, will be opened tomorrow in Ijebu-Ayepe, Ogun State.

According to the Chairman, Aiyepe Muslim Community, Alhaji Musibau Oyefeso, the over 5,000 capacity mosque will be opened by the Sultan of Sokoto and the President General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).Also to be in attendance are Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Babatunde Raji Fashola (Lagos) to the opening of the biggest mosque in South west –The gigantic edifice is situated in Ijebu-Aiyepe along Odogbolu Road in Ogun State.

The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Awujale, will chair the ceremony while erudite scholar Sheikh Muyideen Ajani Bello and NSCIA Secretary-General, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, will deliver lecture and keynote address respectively.

Oyefeso said the mosque was built on a land area of 30,000 square metres with the main mosque covering 6,400 square metres and ablution centre on 850 square metres.

Commenced in 1987, the over 5,000 worshippers capacity mosque according to Oyefeso, worth N2 billion.

The prayer area covered 2,700 square metres with four minarets, one of which is 30 metres long with 64 windows.

L-R: Member, Presidential Advisory Council (PAC), Prof Jide Osuntokun; Chairman, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; and Amb. Hamzat Ahmadu, after a breakfast meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO:TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN.

Hong: Malaria eradication, not the responsibility of FG Suleiman Bisalla and Onyekachi Eze Abuja

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s Nigeria, yesterday joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Malaria Day, former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Idi Hong, said the eradication of the disease ought to be the responsibility of the state and local governments not that of the federal government.

Hong in an exclusive interview with Saturday Telegraph in Abuja, said Nigeria was capable of reducing the morbidity, mortality and prevalence of the disease, adding however, that the eradication requires a concerted effort of the three tiers of government.

“Health is on the concurrent list of the constitution. We should not just be talking about federal government only. In fact, malaria

is not supposed to be an issue of the federal government; it is supposed to be for the local government and states because they are the ones closer to the people.

They will advise them about the environmental sanitation, about cleaning the environment, making sure that at least people don’t live in malaria infected areas and also provide primary health care with genuine drugs for quick and urgent intervention if a person is infected.

“Malaria ordinarily, except if it is the complicated type doesn’t go to secondary level; it is treated at primary health care level and primary health care level is the responsibility of the local government,” he added He regretted that most state governors have incapacitated local government councils financially, thereby making them incapable of building primary healthcare centers or even pro-

viding drugs for patients.

The former minister who is eyeing the governorship of Adamawa State, noted that Nigeria as “a very populous and wide country requires a very serious and strategic organisation for to eliminate malaria”.

He disclosed that when he served as minister, the intervention of the Nigerian government and international development partners resulted in the provision of over 50 million insecticide treated nets to more than 30 states of the federation.

According to him, investigations have shown that since then, about 95 per cent of the 36 states of the country have been covered while the federal government through the MDGs has provided free treatment of malaria in hospitals.

He said however, that the eradication of the disease is difficult because we are in a zone that encourages malaria to thrive.

“Now because we have been able to look after many of these challenges we are now facing more of the disadvantages of mosquitoes as a country and as a continent. We are part of the continent where malaria and mosquitoes are endemic.

“As a country you cannot eradicate malaria alone because your neighbours are also infected.

Even if you eradicate mosquitoes here you will get importation of it through different routes and manners.

“So until you have a global or continental strategy to eradicate mosquitoes and also to treat patients that have malaria plasmodium in their system and every Nigerian, every African have the parasite in his blood system and once it is there and there is mosquito to come bite and carry the parasite, if it infects somebody who is not infected before it will still transmit,” he concluded.

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OWERRI Imo set for maiden carnival

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All is now set for the hosting of the maiden edition of the Imo State Carnival scheduled to take place from May 6 to 13, 2014.

Addressing a press conference ahead of the event in Owerri, the chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the event and Special Adviser to the state governor on Culture, Mr. Paddy Obinna, said the carnival would provide a veritable platform for residents of the state to freely express their rich cultural diversity.

He stated that the 2014 Imo Carnival had been designed to further showcase the tourism potential, developmental strides, culture, business prospects and opportunities that abound in the state.

MINNA

MINNA

Customs impound goods INEC registers UPN The number of political party in worth N279.2m

The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone ‘C’, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Owerri, Imo State yesterday said it had confiscated contraband goods worth N279.2 million in the first quarter of the year.

The Area Controller of the zone, Mr Victor Dimka, made the disclosure in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri by the Customs Public Relations Officer, Ms. Ifeoma Onuigbo.

Dimka said the entire confiscated goods were made in 50 seizures as against the 36 seizures made in first quarter of 2013.

27.5%

The percentage of households with internet access at home in CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) of 2009.

(Source: Itu.int)

3.5m

The total number of internet users in Algeria in 2008.

(Source: blatantworld.com)

Nigeria has risen to 26, with the registration of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

This is the first political party to be registered by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) this year.

Last year, the Commissioner registered All Progressive Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM).

A statement signed by the Director, Voter Education, INEC, Oluwale Uzzi, said the commission at its meeting on April 17 approved UPN registration as a political party, having met the requirement to exist as a political party.

430,000

The total number of internally displaced persons reportedly returned in Uganda during 2009.

(Source: blatantworld.com)

Insecurity tops agenda as PAC meets Jonathan Anule Emmanuel Abuja

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he Presidential Advisory Council (PAC) on International Relations yesterday met with President Goodluck Jonathan to discuss the best way possible in addressing the current insecurity in the country.

The council led by former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, told State House correspondents, after the meeting that they had engaged the president in a breakfast where issues on improving Nigeria’s international relations considering the present security situation were discussed.

“We are members of the Presidential Advisory Council on International Relations.

These days, international relations have a very strong nexus

with domestic circumstances.

So, we discussed with Mr. President ways of strengthening our international relations both in terms of foreign policy activities and domestic activities,” he said.

Anyaoku explained that the president welcome most of the suggestions brought forward by the committee. He however did not disclose the actual issues.

He said: “We are very pleased with the response that we got from Mr. President. He carefully considered all the issues raised with him, he responded accordingly, some immediately, others in due course.

“We talked about the impact the current security situation in the country on our foreign policy and on our image abroad. We talked about how the government activities can check and control the security incidents in the country.”

2015: Abba, Murtala Muhammed’s son, joins PDP Muhammad Kabvir Kano

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A cross-section of Polytechnic students protesting in Abuja…yesterday

2015: Omisore flays Tinubu over comments on Osun guber POLITY Omisore warns that Tinubu’s position on forthcoming elections is invitation to anarchy Adeolu Adeyemo Osogbo

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he Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, yesterday took swipe at the National Leader of the All

Tunde Oyesina Abuja

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delegate to the National Conference, Chief Mike Ozekhome, yesterday called for the splitting of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and that of the Minister of Justice.

Ozekhome in a memo he forwarded to the chairman of the conference, submitted that

Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, over the statement allegedly credited to him that his party should resort to jungle justice if elections were rigged in the state.

Omisore in a statement signed by his Director, Media and Strategy, Mr. Diran Odeyemi, said: “It is unthinkable that in spite of bloodletting by Boko Haram, when all hands should be on deck to solve this menace, a party leader will be calling for shedding of more blood. Is Bola Tinubu hungry for blood?”

Speaking further, he said: “If Tinubu truly want free and free

election as he wants people to believe in Osun State , why are his party and people defending Akeju that he should be retained in Osun despite the fact that it has been proven that the controversial Osun State REC is a card-carrying member of the APC? “We are using this medium to urge the security agencies to be proactive and nip in the bud any sinister motive of desperate politicians as the August 9 gubernatorial election draws near because if a national leader of the APC is saying his party should take laws into

their hands and roast people in the name of seeking redress, then the evil that will be perpetrated by his supporters can be better imagined.”

He, however, condemned the statement in its entirety and wondered why Tinubu would choose an ivory tower to incite people against one another.

“We can understand the frustration of Tinubu and why he is calling for anarchy. It is simply because Justice Salami is no more on the Bench to do his bidding and that of his cotravellers that is why he is calling for anarchy,” he said.

he eldest son of late General Murtala Muhammad, Abba Murtala-Muhammad, has joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), with a declaration that he wants to contest the House of Representatives seat from Municipal Local Government Area of Kano State.

The ex-head of state’s son was ushered into the party, during the Unity Rally held in Kano, which was attended by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Abba, who was one of the political appointees of the Federal Government, during the last civilian administration between 1999 to May 29, 2007, was one of the several PDP members, who received President Jonathan at the rally.

Abba, the only male child of the two siblings left behind by the late head of state, is a native of Gandu Albasa community, in Municipal Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking to the New Telegraph in Kano, Abba said: “This move is aimed at allowing me to contribute my quota to the evolution of the Nigerian political development.”

He said he would be leveraging on his rich background working in a private company, and later for former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Privatisations and International Relations.

“I have worked in an Asset Management Company (AM-

Separate AGF from justice minister –Ozekhome

by virtue of Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the AGF is the Chief Law Officer of the country.

He noted that the AGF undertakes, prosecutes and discontinues cases for and on behalf of the government.

“The provision makes him the guardian of public inter-

est as he is expected to carry out his functions in furtherance of the public good, public interest, the interest of Justice and to prevent abuse of legal process.

“As the Minister of Justice, however, he is steeped deep in politics and is expected to be answerable to his appointor, the

President of the Federation, who is also the leader of his ruling political party. Thus, no matter the pretence towards political neutrality the Attorney General cannot effectively extricate himself from political pressure to perform certain acts or resile from performing certain acts, that are not in the public good.

“Examples of such are the entering of “nolle proseque” for former political office holders accused of corruption and other heinous crimes against their fatherland.

“It is therefore necessary to have a thorough bred legal practitioner as the Attorney General of the Federation,

CON) and petroleum company for a number of years, after which I worked with the then president, Olusegun Obasanjo, as Special Assistant on International Relations and Privatisations.

“In 2003, while I was working for Obasanjo, I also ran for the House of Representatives position for Kano Municipal Federal Constituency. I will not say I ran, I think is better to say I participated,” he said.

He explained that his presence at the Kano rally was because of his love for the party, and as an active member of the party that wanted it to succeed in the coming elections.

Speaking on what inform his choice of the PDP, a party being regarded by some people in Nigeria, as being responsible for some of the topical challenges confronting the country, he said it was more sentimental than ideological.

“Honestly, I think my joining the PDP is based more on sentiment than ideology because it started when former President Obasanjo asked me to come and join the party, and historically most of the people that work with my late dad were either the founding fathers of the party or members of the party, such as General Ibrahim Babangida, General T.Y Danjuma, General Aliyu Gausu, the late Major Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua’s Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), so I found myself in PDP,” he pointed. whilst, the President may decide to appoint a politically active person as the Minister of Justice,” Ozekhome said.

He also called for the increase in the number of the Supreme Court Justices due to the work load on the court.

He noted that cases of 2005 are just being considered, inspite of the nerveracking handling of these cases by the Justices.

Anambra to distribute 3m mosquito nets to fight malaria Uwakwe Abugu Awka

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etermined to fight the scourge of malaria in the state, Anambra State Government yesterday said it had concluded plans to distribute a new set of three million Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) across the state.

Disclosing this in Awka yesterday, while marking the World Malaria Day for 2014, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Josephat Akabuike, said the state government had since 2009 distributed over two million nets to families to reduce childhood mortality and maternal mortality principally caused by malaria scourge.

He pointed out though that the rate at which the residents of the state come down with malaria had dropped drastically following government

intervention measures, especially in creating awareness to promote use of mosquito nets.

The commissioner explained that the ministry in collaboration with World Bank, Federal Ministry of Health and other Roll Back Malaria (RBM) programmes had since 2009 been working assiduously to wrestle the predating ailment caused by mosquito.

Akabuike also disclosed other measures, which the state government had adopted to fight malaria to include awareness creation on the use of Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACTs) for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria, supply and distribution of over 1 million ACTs 1-4 and 797,512 Sulfadoxine/Pyrimathamine (SPs) and Indoor Residual Spraying and support in the reduction of mosquito breeding in the 526 public health facilities in the state.

Encomium as Ondo Speaker is buried zz Mimiko: He was man of uncommon passion

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ndo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has described the late Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Ajayi Adesina, as a man with uncommon passion for development, adding that the vacuum he left will be difficult to fill.

Mimiko stated this yesterday, at Oniparaga in Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, during a funeral service held for him.

The service, which attracted personalities from within and outside the State provided avenue for his colleagues in the House of Assembly, his eldest son, family member and the chairman of the council area to shower encomium on the late speaker.

The governor, who appreciated the immediate family of the deceased for accepting the verdict of God with faith, stressed that God had given the deceased the unusual grace to excel in life.

He noted that it was custom-

ary to give positive tributes during funeral service but affirmed that all the tributes given at the service were true reflection of the life and time of the deceased.

He said: “I am short of words because no amount of words can describe the late speaker of our House of Assembly. What can we say, is it his passion, is it his ruggedness, his passion for development or his humility, I’ll say that we have lost a man of unequal passion.

“As speaker, the synergy between executive and legislative arms of the government was very cordial. He had passion for everything he did, God gave him unusual grace, when he was the chairman of appropriation committee, he was very diligent.”

In his sermon, Pastor Amos Ifedayo of Deeper Life Christian Ministries, Akure, enjoined the people to live their lives as if there will be no tomorrow, stating that the late speaker had fulfilled his destiny on earth.

‘Stop playing politics with lives of abducted schoolgirls’ Al-Mu’minaat Social Ahasgroup, Advocacy Project (SAP), urged the federal and Borno State governments not to play politics with the lives of the 234 schoolgirls abducted by the Boko Haram.

Besides, SAP expressed shock that over a week after the schoolgirls were abducted in Chibok town, Borno State, the Federal Government, military and intelligence organs have not been able to rescue them.

This was contained in a statement by the Chairperson of the group, HajiaSherifah Yusuf-Ajibade, in Lagos on Saturday.

It noted that the fact that some of the kidnapped students could escape from their abductors and find their way home was an indication that they were being held within

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FCT INEC prints, distributes PVCs for Ekiti, Osun

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This is coming on the heels of INEC’s disclosure that it has distributed 1, 108,495 PVCs to people, who registered in 2011 in Ekiti and Osun States.

INEC in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the commission’s chairman, Mr. Kayode Idowu, in Abuja, said the distributed cards were from 1,913,825 cards printed for the two states.

It said the commission had also conducted Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) for those who had just turned 18 years in the two states.

69.3%

The percentage of female internet users of Hungary in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

MAIDUGURI

Borno Chief Imam dies at 90

The Chief Imam of Borno, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmad, has died at the age of 90 years. The Special Adviser on Communication to Governor Kashim Shettima, Malam Isa Gusau, said in a statement in Maiduguri.

Gusau said Ahmad died on Wednesday, at a private hospital in Cairo, Egypt, after a protracted illness.

He said the governor was saddened by the death of the chief imam.

The special adviser said: “Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, on behalf of the state government and his family, joins citizens of Borno State to mourn the death of the state’s Chief Imam, Ibrahim Ahmad, who died after a protracted illness at the age of 90 years.”

290,000 The total population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Columbia in 2009.

Source: blatantworld.com

7

FCT INEC plans nationwide voter registration May 15

Following the controversies that trailed the conduct of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in Ekiti and Osun states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has decided to embark on phase conduct of CVR and distribution of PVCs in the remaining states of the country.

The exercise, which will begin from May 15, will be carried out in three phases.

596.6

The number of journalists per 1m in Sweden in 2005.

Source: blatantworld.com

Dangote set to build $420m cement plant in Niger Republic MILESTONE Niger Republic is set to begin exportation of cement Ndubuisi Ugah With Agency Reports

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arely 48 hours after Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, were named among the 100 most influential persons on earth by the TIME

Magazine, Africa’s wealthiest man, is set to build a 200-billion CFA francs ($421.35 million) cement factory in Niger Republic, which is capable of producing one million tonnes per year.

A state-owned radio station in Niamey announced on Thursday, that President Mahamadou Issoufou formally started building work on the factory on Wednesday at Keita, around 600 km (375 miles) North East of the capital Niamey and it was expected to take 18 months.

Reuters reported that the cement factory when completed would employ about 3,000 people.

Niger Republic, with a fastgrowing population of 17 million people, is one of the world’s poorest countries. It has some of the lowest government revenues per capita in Africa despite the start of oil production in 2011.

Issoufou said at the groundbreaking ceremony that: “This is an important event after the railway project started on April 7 last year. This cement factory will contribute a lot to the economic development of Niger Republic. Niger is for now a cement importer but when this project comes on stream it will become a cement exporter.”

Dangote Cement, owned

Dangote with a personal fortune of $25 billion, has cement plants spanning Africa, from Senegal to South Africa.

The company saw its 2013 profits increase by 40 per cent to N190.76 billion ($1.16 billion), from N135.64 billion a year earlier.

Niger Republic has just one cement factory currently. Built in 1964, it produces 540,000 tonnes a year and is a joint venture between the government and private partners.

Last April, Niger Republic started building a railway from the capital to Parakou in Benin Republic as part of a wider West African railways project.

the country or a border town.

SAP stated: “It is appalling that the Nigerian president has not visited the state and the state governor only appeared at the scene of the abduction after a week of the incident. It is sad that instead of declaring days or weeks of national mourning and deploring all the security apparatus of the country in search of the missing girls, Nigerian leaders were confident enough to partake in political rallies and assemblies.

“It is unfortunate that Boko Haram is justifying its grievous atrocities with Islam. Islam is a religion of knowledge, peace and justice. It is not against seeking knowledge, whether termed Eastern or Western and it has never rationalised the killing of L-R: A member of staff of Sterling Bank Plc, Jos, Plateau State, Mr. Augustine Okwuagwu, Business Manager, Zong Kadani; Michael innocent souls, kidnap and/or Nwachukwu and Ever Ogunsan (all staff of the bank) with children of City Ministries of EMS/ECWA (aka) Gidan Bege Orphanage Homes, abuse of women and girls and Jos, after the presentation of various items by the bank to the Home…recently destruction of property.”

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350,000 people may not vote in Ekiti guber poll –Investigation Adesina Wahab Ado-Ekiti

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bout 350,000 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) are yet to be collected by registered voters in Ekiti State, which means that the owners may not vote during the poll, barely two months to the conduct of the governorship election in the state.

This is coming as the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Felix

zz Police commissioner allays fear of partisanship Uyanna, allayed fears that policemen under his command were partisan.

The New Telegraph investigations in Ado-Ekiti, at the weekend, showed that the figure represented about 50 per cent of those who were registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in 2011.

The number of those who have so far collected their PVCs,

according to INEC is 371,925.

The state has about 700,000 registered voters and this is aside from those who registered during the three-day continuous voter registration exercise last month.

Commenting on the development, the Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in the state, Alhaji Halilu Pai, said the commission had taken enough steps to allow people collect their cards.

He said apart from the days given voters to collect their cards at polling units last month, INEC also directed voters yet to collect their cards to go to INEC offices in the 16 local government areas of the state to do so.

Pai emphasised that nobody would be allowed to vote with temporary voter card.

In a related development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Etiebet to Akpabio, PDP: You can’t control Gulak UNACCEPTABLE A chieftain of the PDP berates Akwa Ibom chapter of the party over comments on presidential aide Lateef Ibrahim Abuja

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ormer Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet, has faulted the warning which the Akwa Ibom State Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issued to the Political Adviser to the President, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, to the effect that he should steer clear of the

party in the state.

The warning, Etiebet pointed out, amounted to an act of disrespect to the Office of the President of Nigeria.

The State Executive Committee (SEC) of PDP at a meeting held recently in Uyo, had asked the Presidency to call Gulak to order on allegation that he was meddling in the politics of Akwa Ibom to the displeasure of the governor.

But Etiebet, who is a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the PDP, said such an action by the governor and his supporters was contemptuous of the person and office of the President, the governor having failed to officially lay the issue quietly before the President rather through the pages of

newspapers.

Etiebet, in a statement made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja, said: “It is contemptuous to hear the SEC of our Party passing such a damning and abusive resolution on the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, at a meeting where the governor was in attendance.

“One would have thought that with the closeness, support, love and respect Akpabio, the Chairman PDP Governors’ Forum, has for the president and the party, he should have reported the alleged intransigence of Alhaji Gulak when he visited his state to the president.

“He should have tried to find out why Gulak was in his state without his knowledge

and consent before he allowed the displeasure of the SEC to go public in a communiqué of the SEC meeting in which he was in attendance.

“The SEC cannot banish Gulak to Adamawa State alone as he is Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not for Adamawa State. That resolution smacks of absolute disrespect for the Office of the President whose appointee Alhaji Gulak is.

“May I ask the SEC whether the president is a delegate or a voter in the senatorial district?

I beg you, Mr. President, this is deriding your office by the SEC of our Party in my State, I apologise for their not well thought out action,” he said.

5.138m The total population of Calcutta, India in 2010.

Source: blatantworld.com

governorship candidate, Mr. Ayo Fayose, has called on his supporters and PDP members to go and collect their PVCs. Fayose, who has been moving around the state to canvass for support, urged the people not to disenfranchise themselves by not collecting their cards.

Meanwhile, Uyanna, while speaking in an interview in AdoEkiti, said his men would not be partisan as the people of the state prepare for the June 21 governorship election.

He warned politicians against name-calling and attempting to drag the command into politics, stating that his men have been professional in the discharge of their duties since the commencement of electioneering campaign.

Commenting on the upsurge in political violence in the state, Uyanna, assured that the command would think out of the box to bring the situation under control.

The CP said the arrest and prosecution of some known party members in recent time was targeted at ensuring that peace prevails in the state before and during the election.

He said no evil perpetrator, no matter how highly placed, would be treated like sacred cow as the electioneering campaign hots up across the state in preparation for the electoral battle.

He reiterated the commitment of his men to presenting a level playing field for all political

34%

The percentage of individuals using the internet in Argentina in 2009.

Source: Itu.int

parties.

The police boss said all the actions that had been taken by his men were informed by the intention to join hands with Governor Kayode Fayemi to rid the state of criminality and violence and not through partisan consideration.

Uyanna said, “We are assuring that my men have been neutral and we will be neutral to the end. Those accused of attempted murder or being prosecuted in court were arrested based on allegation that they had committed certain offences. We didn’t and we will not arrest anybody arbitrarily.

“I have been trying to ensure that thorough-bred policemen are used to perform certain sensitive operations, so that we can get the desired results.

“Nothing can be more criminal than for people to in the name of playing politics way laid their opponents or bombard campaign venues with thugs and start macheting innocent people. The command will not fold its arms to all these.

“And I want to make it abundantly clear that whatever action we had taken concerning the politics of the state was done professionally without political colouration. We are not partisan organisation and whoever said we have been displaying partisanship is only being malicious and trying to dent the image of the Force.”

N26.1bn

The internally generated revenue of Delta State in 2010.

Source: National Bureau of Statistics

BATN backs FG’s Tobacco Control Bill

B

ritish American Tobacco of Nigeria (BATN), a leading tobacco manufacturer in Nigeria, yesterday commended the decision of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to send an executive bill to the National Assembly to check the regulation of tobacco in the country.

The FEC had on April 9 agreed that an executive tobacco control bill should be sent to the National Assembly for consideration.

The bill contains stiffer penalties for smoking in undesignated smoking areas than the Lagos State Smoking bill.

The company’s Director for Corporate and Regulatory Affairs for West Africa, Mr. Freddy Messanvi, said it supported a

balanced regulation of the tobacco industry, stressing that the company’s position on regulation remains the same.

“BAT supports effective regulation of the tobacco industry.

He added that for regulation to be effective and achieve its objectives it must be balanced and enforceable.

“British American Tobacco Nigeria has always stated its support for tobacco regulation.

In the past, however, the company had asked that the drafting of tobacco control bills must be clear of ambiguities in other for it to be enforceable,” he said.

The company had also maintained that tobacco control laws must ensure that the legal industry is not affected by such laws to

the undue advantage of criminal tobacco smuggling rings.

Messanvi said: “We have not seen the bill yet, so we cannot make any comments on the proposals in the bill. All we can say at this point is that, care should be taken to ensure that the proposals in the bill do not lead to unintended consequences, then the objectives for which such bills were passed will have been met.”

Messanvi, who alluded to the recent passage of the Lagos State Public Smoking Bill, said: “The process for the passage of the Lagos State Bill was inclusive and not discriminatory in any form. This is the ideal practice which must be emulated at all times.”

I am not dead, Shareholder cries out Charles Onyekwere Port Harcourt

shareholder with Dangote AOguegbu, Company, Mr. Celestine who was mistakenly

declared as a dead shareholder has called on the company to assist him correct the mistake.

In a chat with New Telegraphy yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Oguegbu, 57, said his share certificate was identi-

fied that he was dead thereby denying him the right to receive his share dividend.

Oguegbu said for more than four years when he became a shareholder with Dangote Company, he had never received kobo from the company as a share dividend.

He said: “I was declared dead by my company, I don’t work with Dangote as an employee, but I was a shareholder with Benue

Cement before it was sold to Dangote Company, my colleagues have received their share certificates, but I was surprised when mine was written as dead person.

“I became worried after I discovered that nobody is contacting me or bank alerts on my share dividend, eventually when they post the share certificate, it was bearing a mortuary code number with a letter attached to it showing that the owner is not alive.”

SEGUN EDWARDS olaedwards@yahoo.com 08111813095

Companies & Stock

9

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

26 APRIL 2014

University Press: Cost line hurting profit T O

UN wants African nations to follow Nigeria’s lead on GDP rebasing

nly one cost element seems to be out of control for University Press Plc in the current financial year ending March 2014 and that is critical enough to hurt profit growth. It is cost of sales, the only major cost item that claimed an increased share of sales revenue at the end of the company’s third quarter operations in December 2013 has remained its albatross.

All the other major cost lines of the company moderated relative to revenue but the publishing company still lost profit margin in the third quarter.

The moderate profit growth in the third quarter is however obscuring the Impressive outlook for outstanding profit growth in the year.

The company’s third quarter result shows that an accelerated growth in sales revenue is likely to happen this financial year and it could make up for its last quarter disappointment on profit performance in the preceding year. Its 2012/13 operations closed with a lower profit figure than posted in the third quarter while the current year’s third quarter net profit is already ahead of the prior year’s profit.

The company earned N21.10 billion in sales revenue at the end of the third quarter, which was an improvement of 14.1 per cent over the corresponding quarter in 2012.

At the end of the quarter, the company was expected to close the financial year with a turnover of N2.96 billion at full year. This will be an accelerated growth of 28 per cent over the preceding year’s turnover of N2.31 billion. It had improved turnover by 11 per cent in the preceding year.

Much of the additional revenue the company generated during the period was claimed by cost of sales, which grew well ahead of sales revenue at 24.5 per cent to N1.07 billion. The proportion of turnover claimed by cost of goods sold increased from 46.4 per cent to 50.6 per cent during the review period. That depressed gross profit margin and permitted only a 5.1 per cent improvement in gross profit.

Cost control was effective in all other major expenditure lines with administrative expenses leading the benign cost behaviour. There was only a marginal improvement of 2.2 per cent in administrative expenses and an increase of 6.1

he Executive Secretary of the United Nation’s Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Mr. Carlos Lopes has said the recent rebasing of Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP), which saw the country emerge as the largest economy in Africa, “has important implications for the rest of the continent He noted that it raises the question whether there are other African economies with a systematically underestimated GDP”.

Lopes however disclosed that the real size of many African economies is likely to be larger than their current estimates, suggesting that the role of the continent in the global economy “might have been underestimated”.

According to the executive secretary of ECA ’’ the recent rebasing of Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP), which saw the country emerge as the largest economy in Africa, “has important implications for the rest of the continent… and raises the question whether there are other African economies with a systematically underestimated GDP”.

Lopes added: “As shown by Nigeria’s case, it is crucial for African countries to regularly rebase and re-benchmark their GDP figures, considering current lists in the basket of products and activities that better capture the size,

First Bank pledges support as Nigeria hosts World Economic forum

Samuel Kolawole

per cent in distribution cost.

A decline of 28.6 per cent in other operating income also affected the bottom line position while a decline in finance cost provided a little remedy.

The company is free of debt burden and maintains a net interest income position with interest earnings from short-term deposits.

The company was only able to improve after tax profit by 5.2 per cent to N285 million at the end of the third quarter against the corresponding period in the preceding year. Based on the third quarter growth rate, after tax profit is projected at N410 million for University Press for the 2013/14 financial year.

This will be a strong growth of 57 per cent over the profit figure of about N261 million the company posted in the preceding year. Net profit had grown by 15 per cent in prior year to close below the N271 million it reported in the third quarter.

University Press 2013

2012

N’000

N’000

% Increase

Turnover 2,312,711

2,082,124

11%

343,512

15%

(116,085)

14%

227,427

15%

-

(150,993)

-

60.43k

Earnings per share

52.72k

Profit before tax 393,300 Taxation (132,598) Profit after tax 260,702

structure, and trends of economy. It is also important that countries use the same classification and methodologies for better cross-country comparisons and regional integration.”

He said that using a recent base year and applying the 2008 System of National Accounts (2008 SNA) – the international statistical standard for national accounts adopted by the UN Statistical Commission – “implies that the price structure is more representative of the economy”. Also, a wider basket of products and activities are considered when national accounts are calculated.

A more diverse economy and a strengthening consumer base, as seen in Nigeria, is “expected to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI)”, ECA said.

The Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said earlier this month that the latest GDP estimate of 80.2 trillion naira or $510 billion is 89 per cent higher than the previous figure for the year 2013, based on the Central Bank of Nigeria’s average exchange rate for 2013.

According to ratings agency Fitch, which said Nigeria’s rebasing “could boost investor sentiment”, per capita GDP in 2013 rose by 89 per cent to $2,900 – but remained below both the ‘BB’ and ‘B’ category peer group medians of $4,528 and $3,841, respectively.

Dividend

N

igeria’ foremost banking institution, First Bank of Nigeria has pledged its support for the World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA) taking place for the first time in Nigeria This according to the bank is part of Nigeria’s continued a crucial role in advancing the continents growth through creation of business opportunities and enabling environment for the August event, which holds between May 7th and 9th Friday, May 9, 2014 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja.

According to FirstBank’s spokesperson Folake Ani-Mumuney, FirstBank is happy to be play a leading role at the foremost economic gathering on the continent; which will bring together regional and global leaders to discuss innovative structural reforms and investments that can sustain the continent’s growth while creating jobs and prosperity for all its citizens.

Ani-Mumuney said, asides the countless opportunities the WEFA offers to engage attendees from different spheres of life, FirstBank will also be organizing a fringe breakfast session which would bring together captains of businesses and leaders of the economy to further distill the theme of the conference, ‘Forging Inclusive Growth, Creating Jobs’.

“At FirstBank, we remain steadfast in promoting thought leadership and driving innovative reforms through our support for fora like the WEFA, Economist Conferences and NESG. As a leading financial service provider, we highlight business opportunities for small and large scale business ventures in the country, which we hope will sustain growth, enhance local capacity building and foster collaborations for expansion through partnerships with organizations.”

Transcorp joins the high-speed earnings track T ransnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) seems to have moved out of the long years of slow lane on earnings performance joining the high growth track. Its operating results in 2013 after many years of poor running show that it has taken both revenue and profit figures to new highs.

The summary of the performance in 2013 is that a new earnings trend seems to have begun for Transcorp. Many years of stagnating revenue appear to be over for the conglomerate and a high rise in profit has remedied the deep plunge in the preceding year.

The company’s revenue had been stagnant at about N13 billion in the preceding four years. In 2013, the first significant growth in turnover in years happened for the company, taking revenue to a new peak at N18.62 billion. Against a decline of 4.7 per cent in turnover in 2012,

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER GROUP 2013

2012

Diffrentials

Gross earnings

N25 229

N15 808

60%

Profit before tax

N9 032

N3 948

129%

No- current assets

N122 212

N74 942

63%

Current assets

N27 533

N24 613

11%

Transcorp achieved a growth of 42.1 per cent in 2013.

Revenue growth accelerated in the final quarter from N11.78 billion at the end of the third quarter to close the year slightly ahead of forecast. The main operating weakness of the company has been inability to grow revenue. In place of that weakness, the company found a new strength in 2013.

Nevertheless, Transcorp remains a watch candidate for the current year to

see if this is indeed a breakout into a new phase of growth or just a one-off revenue windfall. It is yet to show a definite track record of earnings performance. A stable and sustaining growth in earnings is expected from the company for it to re-establish itself in the equities market.

The company achieved an exceptional growth of 170 per cent in net profit to N6.96 billion in 2013. This is a new high in the company’s profit performance, beating the previous peak of N5.86 bil-

lion it posted in 2011. The strong growth has compensated for the fall of 57 per cent in net profit in 2012.

Like revenue, after tax profit growth also accelerated in the last quarter from N3.58 billion at the end of the third quarter. A profit advance of 170 per cent from a revenue improvement of 42.1 per cent points out that something has happened to the company’s cost structure.

Two major cost lines of the company moderated in 2013 and freed a lot of incomes into the bottom line. These are cost of sales and administrative expenses.

Cost of sales, which claimed an increased share of turnover in 2012, changed direction in 2013. It grew at a significantly slower pace than turnover at 28 per cent compared to 42.1 per cent. That permitted gross profit to grow ahead of revenue at 47.2 per

cent, improving gross profit margin from 73.7 per cent in 2012 to 76.4 per cent in 2013.

Administrative expenses were the major factor in the profit drop in 2012, as they claimed an increased proportion of revenue in the year. The position was also reversed in 2013 when administrative cost increased by 22.5 per cent and therefore moderated relative to revenue. Its share of revenue dropped from 56.8 per cent in 2012 to 48.9 per cent in 2013.

Cost saving from the two major expenditure lines plus another windfall in other operating income, enabled the company to lift operating profit by more than 172 per cent to N10.25 billion. Other operating income, which advanced by 327 per cent to N1.52 billion in 2012, jumped again by over 235 per cent to N5.09 billion in 2013.

Is it advisable for a man to live in a house built by his wife? p.12

Street DIARY NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

26 APRIL 2014

www.newtelegraphonline.com/streetdiary

L

ife may not be a bed of roses for Nigerians searching for greener pastures outside the shores of the country. This may be true going by the experiences of some Nigerian students in Malaysia. The President of the National Association of Nigerian Students, David Nwaogwugu, who spoke with New Telegraph, said this was not the best of times for some Nigerian students in the Asian country.

He said, “Nigerian students are now constantly duped of their tuition fees and falsely accused of crimes. Their apartments are being regularly raided even without warrants. They are blackmailed and set up for the purpose of extortion. At times, the police and prosecutors falsified evidence against some Nigerian students and same would be accepted by judges.

“There are cases where students would hand over their passports to the authorities of the institutions they attend for renewal of their visas. But when immigrations come around to harass such students, the schools’ authorities would not come to their aid.”

According to Nwogwugwu, when such cases are brought to the attention of the police, they in turn collaborate with the institutions to intimidate, harass and extort money from the affected students.

“There are several cases where police officers in connivance with schools’ security personnel, local and foreign agents and lawyers go after students who they believe have financial backing at home. They blackmail such students and threaten to put them in trouble if they do not pay certain amounts of money. Some of the students who refuse to be oppressed by such threats are then arrested, taken to court and false evidence presented against them.

“In the courts, the prosecutors do not allow the students to speak. The proceedings in Malaysia courts against Nigerian students are carried out in the Malaysia language of which Nigerians schooling in Malaysia are not mandated by any law to study Malay and therefore do not understand what the prosecutors are telling the judge or what the judge is saying to the court,” Nwaogwugw explains.

He listed a catalogue of cases involving Nigerians where they were either killed or maltreated.

Among cases listed by Nwaogwugwu was that of Nkem Okpa, a research student who was detained for 11 days on mere suspicion three years ago.

In the year 2010, he said one Gabriel was arrested on the street and thrown into a bus with some people who had been arrested for drug possession.

“He had never met the other people arrested with him before. Gabriel was in Sungai Buloh Prisons until 2013; his entire life was ruined for nothing. In 2013, Oyewole, a student, was arrested for not being in possession of his passport which had been submitted to his school for visa renewal. The police went ahead to carry away cloths and electronics in his apartment.

“In the same 2013, one Victor, a student, too was arrested on the school campus for being in possession of drugs he knew nothing about.

His housemate confirmed he was set up. In court, the police presented false evidence against Victor. Victor refused to succumb to the blackmail of

10

‘Nigerian students facing hard time in Malaysia’

The head of Nigerian students in Malaysia, David Nwaogwugu, who narrates the experiences of some Nigerian students in the Asian country, claims the Nigeria High Commission is not helping students in distress, CAMILLUS NNAJI writes.

Deportees

the schools security and the police inspector in charge of the case. He spent about three months in remand until his parents told him to plead guilty and be done with it. The Nigerian High Commission was informed but nothing was done about it,” the president of the Nigerian students said.

The case of Umar Garkida who was arrested in 2013 from his hostel was similar, according to him. Nwaogwugwu said the prosecutor presented false evidence against him in court.

But he refused to be intimidated. “He maintained his innocence and refused to plead guilty. He has been in jail since November. The Nigerian High Commission and his school have been silent on the issue,” he added.

Nwaogwugwu also recalled the case of Fahat Sanda, a student, he claimed was arrested in his hostel in

2013. “False evidence of drugs possession was presented in court against him. He has refused to be intimidated.

When his plea was taken, he told the court that he was not guilty and has been in jail since then,” he pointed out.

He said another Nigerian student, Umar, was arrested in front of his hostel by the police and when the security agents asked for his passport, he told them he had submitted it to the school for renewal of his visa.

Nwaogwugwu said, “He stated his case and presented his ID as the Student Rep President alongside his student ID, but the police insisted on arresting him unless he paid some bribes. Umar called Mr. Banum, the head of the school security, to come and identify him as the Student Rep President, but he never came.

“The police officer then arrested

Nigerian students at the scene where a Nigerian was killed

Umar and took him to the station and threatened to put him in trouble. Umar then succumbed to the threat and paid Rm300 to regain his freedom on the spot. On returning to the school premises, Umar confronted Banum to know why he refused to come and identify him but he said the man did not response.

“He then requested that the money he paid be refunded andBanum said he will refund it. When he did not, Umar wrote a petition against him. Till date, nothing has been heard about the issue.”

Nwaogwugwu also narrated the cases of many Nigerians who have been sent to their early graves “without committing crimes.”

He said, “Several Nigerian students in February 2014 were arrested on their school premises by the police and im-

migration personnel’s for not being in possession of their documents which had been submitted to the school for renewal. The school ignored these students for about two weeks and allowed them to suffer in detention.

“The case of Onoche Martins, a Master’s degree student in 2012 was a very pathetic one. He was killed by the Malaysian police personnel after he allegedly outraged the modesty of a 43-year-old lady by hugging, kissing and exposing himself by 11am. These accusations do not make sense to any sane being left alone attracting death penalty.

“Solomon Okolo, a student from Delta State, was killed in March last year by Malaysian citizens in the presence of Malaysian police officers after crashing his vehicle. His wife was at the scene of the incident and to date, nothing has been heard about that case or the culprits. The High Commission is silent.

“Tunde Adelabu was killed in March 2014 by Malaysia policemen who ran away after shooting him.

Later on, the policemen came back and arrested Adelabu’s friend who had witnessed the shooting. Today, nobody knows where this boy has been taken to or if he is still alive. The school he attended is now denying he was never their student.

“In India on March 25, 2014, two Nigerians were found stabbed on Devli Road, New Delhi. One of them died while the other was sent to the AIIMS Trauma Centre.

“Just last two months ago, a student was murdered at an African restaurant in Puchong, Malaysia. Two days later, another was thrown down from floor 14 of a building in Kuala Lumpur.

“The Nigerian High Commission to Malaysia should tell us what they are there for, if they cannot help defend the rights of Nigerians in Asia.”

Four Nigerian students being marched to prison

PHOTOS: David Nwaogwugu

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

Man, 65, arraigned for raping 15-year-old boy Chris Ejim Yenagoa

B

ayelsa State Police Command has arrested and charged to court a 65-year-old man, Uchenna Ignatius, for allegedly raping a 15-year-old boy along the BayBridge area in Kpansia area in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state.

The accused, an Indigene of Anambra State and a commercial motorcyclist known as okada, was reported to have been having canal knowledge of the boy since 2012 with a threat to kill him if he tells his parents.

The prosecution counsel, Mr. Kenneth Adokeme, told a Bayelsa High Court sitting in Yenagoa and presided by Justice Margaret Akpomiemie that the alleged homosexuality act was contrary to the provision of Section 139(a) of the Criminal Code, Cap.14, of the 2006 Laws of Bayelsa State.

Adokeme said, “The accused first committed the offence in 2012 when he (the boy) was returning from school at Okaka along the Mbiama-Yenagoa Road of the State capital. The accused stopped beside the boy and took him to his house at BayBridge area even after the boy told him that it was not his destination.”

“The accused tricked the boy into his house after telling him that he was a relation of his mother. But when he entered the house of the accused, Ignatius shut the door, locked it and asked the boy to remove his clothes. When the boy refused to obey him, the accused brought out a knife and threatened to kill him if he dares to shout. The boy had no option

Bayelsa State High Court

The accused had sex with the boy through the anus and he bled profusely but obeyed him.

“The accused had sex with the boy through the anus and he bled profusely. The accused, after that, repeatedly went to the school at closing hours and take the boy home to have sex with him.”

According to the prosecuting coun-

sel, luck ran out on the accused, when on the 17th of January, 2014, he visited the home of the boy and took advantage of the absence of his parents to repent the act on the matrimonial bed of the boy’s parents.

“Incidentally, the boy started crying when he heard his uncle’s voice. The uncle was told by the boy’s younger sister that a strange man was in the bedroom with his brother. The uncle forced the door open and met the boy and the accused on the bed. The accused ran into the toilet and was apprehended by a mob.

The judge ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody till May 9, 2014.

Cross River govt declares Chinese ‘wanted’ for fraud Clement James Calabar

T

he Cross River State government has urged the police to fish out, a Chinese national, Mr. Xiao Bo, for allegedly diverting government funds amounting to about N3.8 million to his private account.

Besides, a Chinese quarry company based in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state, Brothers Quarry, which employed Bo has been asked to produce their employee to answer questions from the Zonal Intelligence Bureau of the Nigeria Police.

This disclosure was made by the Acting Chairman of the state Board of Internal Revenue Service and Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget, Dr. Peter Oti, when he briefed newsmen in his office on Thursday.

Oti said the Chinese company, using Bo as an arrowhead, defrauded the state government by not paying the Road Infrastructure Maintenance levy as required by law, and that Bo “actively perpetrated the fraud.”

Although Oti agreed that the company has remitted the amount to the coffers of government, he insisted that the company must fish out Bo “to answer questions over his alleged involvement on charges of fraud/diversion of government revenue.”

“For the purpose of clarity, the amount involved was meant for payment into government of Cross River State Revenue Account No. 2022111580 with First Bank of Nigeria Plc and it is not in doubt that the said Xiao Bo diverted the whole amount into his private account with First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Akamkpa branch,” Oti explained.

He further said, “As we have also

Gov. Liyel Imoke

noted, this amount even though had been paid back by Brothers Quarry, this is not enough to exonerate Mr. Xiao Bo, hence the request for his release to the police to answer questions.”

The revenue boss also produced two First Bank deposit slips dated March 26, 2013 with account number 6612010017392 and 2022111580 respectively, all signed by the same Bo with N614,150 as the amount paid in.

Oti maintained that these irregularities were noticed by the audit team from his office and complained that the company was merely protecting Bo. But in a telephone discussion, the Managing Director of Brothers Quarry who gave his name simply as Mr. Young and spoke very scanty English denied the allegation, explaining that his company had paid up and that Bo had returned to China.

“Yes, I am the Managing Director. We do not owe the government. Mr. Bo was my interpreter and he has gone back to China. I cannot get in touch with him and my company has paid the government,” he said.

When contacted, the Zone 6 Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Tasiu Ibrahim, said the matter was still being investigated.

Meanwhile, Oti has confirmed that four of his Revenue Enforcement Officers are currently standing trial for diverting government’s money.

Although he neither gave their names nor how much was involved, Oti said their trial showed that government was strengthening leakages that had hitherto existed in the system.

STREET DIARY

11

Theft: Judge pays N700 fine for convict

P

residing Judge, Grade 1 Area Court, Aso Pada, Mr. Albert Maga, has paid N700 fine on behalf of a labourer, Victor Emmanuel, 18, who was sentenced for theft of cell phone.

The judge had sentenced the convict to four years imprisonment for criminal trespass and theft of a Blackberry Curve 7 cell phone.

The judge gave the judgment after the accused pleaded guilty to the two counts preferred against him.

Maga, however, gave the convict an option of N700 fine.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the judge, out of compassion, paid the N700 fine for the accused and urged him to repent and get close to God. Earlier, the nominal com-

plainant, Jude Mba, 26, a hotelier, told the court that on April 13, he was charging his Blackberry cell phone in his hotel room and slept off.

“I heard sound of noise and I opened my eyes. I saw the accused making call and entering the room; I went back to sleep again. When I woke up, I could not find my phone again and I reported the matter to the police,” he said.

The convict, a resident of Aso, Mararaba, was arraigned on April 16 for criminal trespass and theft.

On the same date, the prosecutor, Friday Adaji, told the court that on April 13, Mba of Morning Star Guest Inn, Aso Pada, lodged complaints against the accused at the Aso Pada Police Station.

He said the convict was later arrested with the cell phone in Aso Pada by the police.

The convict had pleaded guilty to the charges and begged the court for leniency.

Security guards jailed for stealing 22 bags of cement

A

Wuse Zone 2 Senior Magistrates’ Court Abuja yesterday sentenced two security guards, Joseph Seldom and Daman Nanum, to two months in prison each for stealing 22 bags of cement.

Senior Magistrate Simisola Adeniyi handed down the judgment after the convicts admitted to committing the offence and pleaded for mercy.

Adeniyi however gave the convicts an option of fine in the sum of N10, 000 each.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt. Abdullahi Alhassan, had told the court that the convicts were reported at the Mabushi Police Station by Haruna Andrawas, the storekeeper of the company on April 17.

According to the prosecutor, sometime in March, the complainant fell ill and decided to travel out of Abuja for

treatment.

The prosecutor said the complainant entrusted the key to the store with the convicts to assist him in issuing building materials to the construction staff before he left for treatment.

Alhassan said: “Instead of the convicts to honour the agreement, they went ahead and stole 22 bags of cement from the store.”

The prosecutor told the court that during police interrogation, they both confessed to the crime and that N36,000 being the proceeds from sale of 18 bags were recovered from them.

He added that the total value of the 22 bags was N44, 000.

Alhassan said that the convicts committed the offences of breach of trust and theft contrary to sections 79, 312 and 288 of the Penal Code.

Teenagers in court over theft of N150, 000 phones, laptop

A

n 18-year-old teenager, Bidemi Iyiola and his 17-year-old accomplice on Thursday appeared before an Abule Egba Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly breaking into houses and stealing mobile phones and a laptop worth N150, 000.

The first accused, Bidemi, an unemployed, who lives at 9, Fadare Street, Ogba in Ikeja, and the second accused, a shop attendant, are facing four counts of conspiracy, steal-

ing, burglary and having dangerous weapons.

The prosecutor, Insp. Racheal Williams, told the court that the offences were committed on April 6 at 4, Daramola Street, Oke-Ira in Ogba and on April 13 at 9, Abanikanda Street, Ifako, Lagos.

According to him, the accused burgled Kayode Oluwaseun’s house at Daramola Street, Oke-Ira, Ogba, on April 6 and stole a laptop valued

at N30, 000.

“On April 13, they also burgled the house of one Isaac Adefimilola at Abanikanda Street and stole three BlackBerry phones, a Nokia phone and some Techno phones, all valued at N120, 000. They were sighted by one of the tenants, who raised an alarm that led to their arrest,” Williams said.’

Williams said some dangerous weapons were found on the accused

when they were apprehended.

The offences contravened sections 278, 305,310 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, he added.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Magistrate, Mr. Tajudeen Elias, remanded them in prisons custody and adjourned the case to April 28 for ruling on their bail application.

Voices

12

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

Street Diary

Is it advisable for a man to live in a house built by his wife?

Not a bad idea

The man and woman are one

Of course, he can live in a house built by his wife.

Have you forgotten the bible says two shall come together and become one?

I believe whatever belongs to the man belongs to the wife and whatever belongs to the wife belongs to the husband.

(Mr. Henry Oladele, journalist)

It depends. If there is love and mutual understanding, it’s not bad. This is better if there is cooperation from both parties but if there is no cooperation, it’s very delicate. The woman might often nag and abuse the man or may be boastful.

(Mr. Afolabi Salaam, works with an NGO, Junior Achievement Nigeria)

It’s right if the woman is submissive

It is right

It is all about understanding.

After marriage, all they have belong to each other.

It is not a bad idea and it depends on the woman if she is submissive.

(Mariam Huthman, unemployed graduate)

(Olufunke Alaba, graduate of North American University, Benin Republic.)

It depends on the condition. I will say yes it is advisable that a man should live in the house built by his wife. I don’t see anything wrong in it as even the bible says ‘the two shall become one.’ So what is wrong if they both benefit from each other? Why should the responsibility rest on the man’s shoulder alone?

The two are working to build the family, I see nothing wrong in it. If the woman is a God-fearing woman she will respect her husband no matter the condition.

This is because most people are of the opinion that the women who allow their husband to live under the house built by them are always disrespectful. It is only a woman who is not respectful or lacks the fear of God that will behave in such manner.

(Rotimi Denis, marketer)

Society frowns at it

It’s not right

It isn’t; Yoruba tradition doesn’t allow it. It’s no different from living in an in-law’s house. God forbids, if she dies, the man would be taken out through the window of the house.

(Mr. Oduala businessman)

Tayo,

It’s against African culture

It is not advisable for a man to move to a house built by his wife, especially in a setting like Africa where everything has connotations. But more important reason is that many women may not be patient enough thereby displaying arrogance.

(Mrs. Mojirade Olateju, businesswoman) Man is the the family

There’s nothing wrong in it

head

of

The wife’s house is equally the man’s house. No matter what happens, the man is head of the family and by extension the man is the owner of the house.

(Onyi Sunday Daniel, accountant) It is good but…

It is not a bad idea for a man to live in a house built by his wife but it however depends on the circumstances surrounding the existence of the house and the character of the wife too.

(Olajide Omojolomoju, journalist)

Our culture is against it

Well, it is not advisable for a man to live in a house built by his wife because our culture is against it. The man lacks respect when he does this, people will begin to see him as being lazy living on the sweat of his wife. When this happens, the woman begins to think she is in charge because the house is hers. Our culture is one that frowns at a man living in a house built by his wife. But it is entirely different if the house is built by both parties.

(Dorothy Denis, computer technologist)

It is not proper for a man to live in the house built by his wife, I am totally against it. The man should strive to build his own. This is because living in the house built by his wife may not earn him respect and from the society. We are in Africa where the man is the head of the house. It won’t be totally right for the man to live in the house built by his wife.

This action can lead to different situation such as disrespect, arguments and conflict from the both parties. In order to avoid this, the man should be matured enough to respect himself and fend for his family so that there can be peace in his home.

(Inaya Fortunes, fashion designer)

It’s not right In my own perspective,

it is not actually right to reside in his wife’s house due to the circumstance that will happen in the future like disrespect and reluctance to accept the husband directives, thereby making the family and the house uncomfortable for everyone.

(Christian technologist)

NnaJi,

Information

They are partners

As for me, there is nothing wrong in it, because husband and wife are partners if there is understanding and love, there is no problem with that. Just that here in Africa, our impression is that man will always have upper hands.

My wife’s house is mine as well

From the world go what a woman has equally belongs to her husband.

The bible makes it known to us that a woman should be under the man. Any house built by my wife is equally mine; as far as I married her legally, I can live in that house.

(Orji, businessman)

Why not if there is mutual love?

It is good and I don’t see any issue there but it depends on the mutual love in their relationship. As far as we live together and there is no rancor between us, I can live there.

(Kizito, technician)

(Ola Hassan, travel agent)

compiled by

Mojeed Alabi, Camilius Nnaji, Olushola Ricketts, Victoria Ewoh and ELIJAH EDA SAMUEL

Showbiz Femi Jacob’s waltz across two worlds p.21 Travel The allure of Eko Signature p.39

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13

C o n v e r s at i o n

Born and schooled in aristocratic ways, Kojo Anthony Williams, the former Nigerian Football Federation helmsman would certainly delight any interviewer. The football administrator, analyst and consultant to Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was expelled after a few months as the head of NFF, but his lofty ideas still make soccer pundits crave his return for the Super Eagles to soar at the altitude which will be the envy of others. He spoke to LANRE ODUKOYA about his unceremonious exit, career and those other personal issues he would ordinarily not comment on

G Williams... ‘health is a gift from God’, he says of his youthful looks

KOJO WILLIAMS

THE SPORTSMAN AND THE DREAM THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN

iven his athletic physique, you would be startled to learn he is 55 years old.

His strides are like those of a lad in his teens and when asked about the secret of youthfulness, he said: “Well, the first thing I want to say is that you have to be grateful to God in the sense that health comes from God, you can’t buy it off, and the body is a temple of God. So for me the body rots away and withers away with time, and would be buried. But then to get your body in shape, you need to have that right frame of mind, your spirit and soul must be alive to God, so that godliness is what you pass to your body. Honestly speaking, looking good and keeping fit is a lifestyle for me, it’s something I’ve always done right from school, it’s a culture I’ve imbibed.

I am not doing it for anybody, I just do it for myself, it’s not about flaunting my body or showing off, I just do it because it’s a lifestyle for me, that’s all. And most importantly, it’s a spiritual thing, because health is a gift from God and you have to take care of it properly and the only way to service the body is by eating the right things, exercising, having the right frame of mind, contentment, showing love to people whether they hurt you or not, just be happy in Christ.”

With regard to his keep-fit routine, he said: “I have exercises I do on a daily basis.

Everyday, I’m up at 6.00am to do my stomach exercises and body stretches. Then I have my aerobics class from 6.30am for one hour, and after that I do my weight training for another one hour. But then, like I said, it’s the grace of God and the inner peace you have that reflects on the outside, because the reality is that there’s really nothing about the human body. But you just have to take care of it by exercising. It’s like a car, you need to service it. But because I guess I’m a sports person, and I’ve always had this training regime, so I still follow it, I still live with

it, because in this part of the world a lot of people don’t really have time for exercising the body. As an individual, you also need to know when your body needs rest, for me, if I do serious training for a stretch of three or four weeks, I can decide to take four days off and I’ll start off again, and believe me I don’t feel body pains when I do exercises regularly, it’s only when I go off exercises for a long period of time that I begin to feel pains,” he said, smiling. “As a matter of fact, I feel much better and more in shape now than 10 years ago when I was 45 years old. I might not be quicker in the aspect of speed, but I’m stronger.”

He also believes that you’re what you eat. Also, he is finicky about his diet. “I’m very cautious about what I eat. I eat a lot of vegetables and fruits. I have a good meal a day, and I don’t eat before going for training.

I only take fruits after. I’m not really a breakfast person. I eat brown rice, chicken, a lot of guinea fowl and fish. I don’t eat beef, because it’s not healthy, if you eat beef, it takes nine days for it to digest in your system, so I eat more of vegetables, and then I love roasted plantain. I eat it everyday.”

He also holds fond memories of his childhood and with amazing presence of mind, Williams recalled what used to be his pastime. “My growing up was lovely, I was very close to my dad and he was a very cultured man, very warm. And apart from being my father, he was my best friend, he gave me a lot of opportunities and exposure from a very early age. What I like about him is that

“He gave me balanced life, he’ll take me to a 7-star hotel in Europe and then bring me back to a boarding school in Abeokuta.”

14

WEEKEND | CONVERSATION

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 APRIL 2014

‘I’ve no regret leaving the Nigeria

he gave me balanced life, he’ll take me to a 7-star hotel in Europe and then bring me back to a boarding school in Abeokuta. My dad was ahead of his time in everything, he knew how to treat a woman, he was very hard working, he was very humble and sophisticated and he dressed well, everything he had was the best, so I learnt a lot from him.

My dad really pampered me, but then he was also strict because there were limits to certain things I could do. I remember that I started having an apartment of my own at age 17, but then there was a line, and if I crossed the line he would withdraw the benefits from me. But then it was all nice. Yeah, I remember as a nine-year-old kid, I loved football so much, and back then my grandparents stayed at Igbosere on Lagos Island, so I’d tell them I wanted to go and play football outside. But from there, I’d go to the stadium to watch football and enjoy myself. I was very adventurous as a child and I really enjoyed travelling a lot too.”

Williams followed his late father’s footstep on many fronts and yes, he does believe his fashion sense was inspired by his father who was spot on in his style sense.

“Well, yes. He did, he was well ahead of his time with the things he did and the way he dressed, he was a funky person.”

Apart from his known obsession with football, he also enjoys other sports. “I love tennis, I play tennis as well even though I have not played it in a while. I love female tennis; when you see Serena Williams hit the ball, you enjoy it. I also love boxing, even though it’s no longer as interesting as it used to be, but I still love to watch a good boxing bout.

I love athletics too, because I was a middle distance runner back in the days. And I don’t like golf for anything, I’m not interested, nobody can convince me otherwise.”

You would expect that given his obsession with football, he would be a fan of one of Europe’s elite club. “Well, for starters I do not have any club I support, though I do have a soft spot for certain teams, when a Mourinho is somewhere, I tend to have a soft spot for his team, because he’s a very tactical person. He’s controversial and I just enjoy him, though I am not a Chelsea fan but I enjoy the way they play. I like Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich too, Manchester City is good too. As a kid, as much as I was a Stationary Stores fan, I loved watching Enugu Rangers when they came to play in Lagos because they were strong and well built. However, if you ask me, the best player in the world now is Messi, I feel sorry for Ronaldo because he’s equally good, but Messi has an edge.”

Despite the torrent of praises heaped on the Super

“One thing I’m very grateful about is that, my kids are far better than me in terms of conduct.”

Eagles under the new manager, Steven Keshi, Williams differs in perception of the team’s performance and that’s why he remarked in February that the Nigerian national team isn’t good enough. “I said winning the Nations’ Cup was a fluke, that we weren’t good enough, and I’ll still repeat it because I know what am talking about. Technically and tactically speaking, we weren’t good enough at all. The F.A. did a good job, but for Keshi to come out and say all those things is just a joke, we are not there yet, we don’t play good football and when the World Cup comes you’ll realize what I’m saying.”

Well, like Mourinho, the man he idolizes, he is just as controversial. This trait was evident during turbulent time as chair of the Nigerian Football Association (as it was known then). He had a hearty laugh before saying, “What would I want to lobby for? With all those board members then? They were all just jammed-up people. Of course, I won’t go back. They said they impeached me, and it was fine so, I left. Of course, I know my value and I know what I brought to the table, so they are the losers, they can all go to hell. I have absolutely no regret. The only thing that saddens my heart is that if we had followed the programme I had then, our football would have improved a great deal, we would have gone far. That’s the only thing that pains me. Aside that, I have no regret.”

Away from being a sportsman, Williams relived his other childhood dreams. “I always wanted to be a business executive. I also liked marketing and public relations, but then my father was an engineer and I felt I should also be an engineer. However, I got into sport management. But I never had the ambition of being a doctor, lawyer or an accountant.”

It seemed he barely completed any statement without mentioning God. Is he really such a spiritual person?

“Worshiping God is not about the church you attend, even though a lot of people attach a lot of importance to the church they go to. I am Catholic today, I come from a very

strong Catholic background. Though at a certain time I was in the Redeemed Christian Church of God and honestly speaking, there’s nothing wrong with the Redeemed Church; just that as times goes on, you get to realize certain things and you move on. I’m a highly spiritual person, I believe worshipping God is a spiritual thing, it’s between you and God. I’m not involved in church politics, mine is to worship God and mind my business, but I do a lot of evangelism outside the church.”

As an adventurous fellow who’d taken several risks some of which may have created haunting memories. Not for him. “For me, I regret nothing at all. Of course, as a youth growing up, you must have made mistakes here and there, but that was all part of growing up. The most important thing is to realize that there are certain things that are ungodly and you’ll realign your life and your relationship with God matters a lot and for me am very grateful that I’ve been able to find that comfort and solace in God, so I have no regrets.”

Same explains why he said he’s fulfilled as a man. Looking forward, what else would he desire to achieve?

“I just keep asking for God’s wisdom and understanding, I just want to work for him and be his voice, not as a motivational speaker, but as a spiritual speaker, speaking the truth as it is in the bible, serving humanity is want I just want to achieve.”

Would he consider politics at some point? “Honestly speaking, it depends. I don’t have any problem serving the nation, I have no problem having political ambitions, but definitely not the kind of politics we play here, because it’s jungle politics. I’m not interested in that, because we are not civilized when it comes to politics. Until we get to that level when there’s a bit of civility, then I can consider it, not when it’s a do or die affair. Of course, am concerned about the state and well being of the nation, but I’m not going to join a group of thieves and people that have no fear of God in them, I won’t be part of that nonsense.”

And in case you wonder what he’s been doing since he left the FA, here is what he’s been occupied with: “I do more of consultations, sports marketing. I’m involved with some state governments and also some countries in Africa, I also do consultation for FIFA as well.”

Interestingly, there are other salacious sides to the middle-aged man gentleman not many are aware of. “Oh, I love romance,” he said, his face lighting up in a mischievous grin. “I’m a lover boy. If I love a woman, I love her with my whole being. But it has to be the right woman, it’s

CONVERSATION | WEEKEND

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15

Football Association the way I did’

not just about the looks, it goes deeper than that. But no, I’m not in any relationship at the moment. The funny thing is that I learnt a lot about romance from my dad, because my dad knew how to treat a woman. He was a lover boy to the core, so I picked a lot from him. Back then when you were chasing a girl, we wrote letters and when she replies, you keep it under your pillow for days, that feeling was priceless, but now things have changed. Then it takes months to get a girl to say yes, and the day you finally get to have a dance with her, it will feel like the end of the world. You’ve not even kissed, just a hug and you’ll be melting away; but now it’s all

changed.”

He has his turn-offs too. “I just hate fake women, just be real and be yourself.

Don’t try to fake your accent, don’t bleach your skin. Just be real, if you are local, let’s know you are local and we’ll know where we are going.”

On how he feels being in his fifties has changed him, he said, “Wow, I’ve changed.

I’m much calmer now, I just don’t like deceit, especially when you sit down and hear all these politicians talking nonsense.”

A few years back, his 15 years marriage to his ex-wife, Remilekun, crashed. That still doesn’t alter his perception of what an ideal

marriage should be. “Marriage is a very sacred thing, for anyone going into it, you have to seek the face of God and make sure that person is the right person for you, because we all have our God ordained partner from heaven, we just need to be careful and patient to find that partner, and not just chasing shadows. Marriage is highly sacred and spiritual.”

Asked whether he’d consider remarrying someday, he was emphatic. “Yea, I will. I will remarry someday by the grace of God. Or do you want me to live alone? God didn’t create us to live alone.” He may not know when, but he sure knows the kind of woman she will

be. “She has to be extremely God-fearing and I mean true godliness not just by word of mouth. Then she has to be beautiful and sexy. I like tall women with long legs.”

For all his seemingly conceited outlook, he is sufficiently humble to admit his weaknesses. “One thing I’m very grateful about is that, my kids are far better than me in terms of conduct. When I was their age, I took more risks than they did, they are more grounded kids, they weren’t as rebellious as I was when I was their age and I see it as a blessing. My kids are just much calmer, they never give me any headache. For instance, they love to stay indoors and play video games, but when I was their age, I would go clubbing, driving fast cars and so on. I remember those days when I go out late at night, my dad wouldn’t sleep till I got back in the morning. But the truth is, if you never did those things, you’ll never know life and you won’t be in a position to advise people against them.”

You might well be tempted to feel this realist is fearless until you hear him say, “Offending God is my greatest fear. I don’t like to offend God at all.” Like every other mortal, he’d also had lowest moments.

“When I lost my loved ones.” On the other hand, he probably can’t recall some moments he’d rate the happiest. “There are so many, God has done so many great things for me, so I can’t really pick out one. Maybe when I meet the next woman and settle down, maybe that’ll be next happiest moment in my life.”

He considered his father his role model and internalized much of his qualities that he tends to judge others by those idealized standards. That is perhaps the reason he hasn’t found anyone yet he could call a role model, even though he extols the virtues of the late South African president. “First, I’ll say Jesus Christ, and then I also have a lot of respect for Nelson Mandela. Though I don’t want to be like anybody. I just want to be Christ like.”

Talking fashion, he’s in a world of his own.

“Dressing is very natural to me, it comes effortlessly. I’m a trendy person who loves to wear clothes and shoes that I’m comfortable in. I have good eyes for fashionable things I wear my clothes my own way, not people’s way. And I do not have any preferred fashion accessory. I guess I will never be caught wearing an agbada. It’s nice, but I’m very uncomfortable in it, and I don’t also know how to adjust it. And then also with agbada, I think people use it to deceive people and lord over people.”

Though separated, Williams still speaks of fatherhood like a man to whom his first child has just been born. “My first child is 34. I had him when I was doing my A-levels.

But in my marriage, I have four kids. The first is 27, the second is 22, there’s 20 and the last is 14. Then I have a boy that’s seven years old.”

Rounding off, he recalls a pseudonym he earned as a child. “They called me African Child in school because they said I looked like the boy on the cover of the novel, African Child, written by Camara Laye. My best subjects in school then were history, geography and literature.”

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INSTYLE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

Smart and funky

Fashionable Cornell Udofia, publicist and a United Nations Ambassador for Peace, tells ANGELA DAVIES about his “afro funky” style.

The monochrome edge Angela Davies

T

he timeless combination of black and white never loses its irresistible appeal. Black and white may be understated on their own, yet lovely when mixed together. Adding a simple but chic black and white outfit to your wardrobe can add the right amount of oomph and sassy edge to your attitude and confidence to your walk.

Monochrome as they are called is worn on and off the red carpet and each fashionista has their own take on the trend. The black and white outfit could be a sophisticated dress shaped to create a glamorous and sleek silhouette, top and trouser paired with a blazer, skirt and blouse or elegant evening wear designed with varied fabrics. These monochrome outfits come in form of stripes, floral, checks, polka dots, panels, abstract and bold prints.

Remember that it is the way you style and accessorize an outfit that make you the cynosure of all eyes. So, add a dose of pop accessories and you will simply look fabulous.

What does style mean to?

Style to me is a personal initiative that one can create and stand out. It is not good for one to imitate anybody, be yourself.

Define your personal style My style is afro funky. I love to look very smart and funky.

What kind of clothes make up a larger part of your wardrobe?

That will be suits and simple but classy contemporary African attires.

Favourite piece of clothing My favourite piece of clothing is jeans.

Fashion accessory you cannot do without I cannot do without my belt and shoes.

Best designer I love Sandra Udofia Collection and Tessy Onokala of Needlekraft Couture. They are the two designers who cloth me for special events.

What is your style signature?

It is my bowler hat. I love bowler hats and I have as many as possible in different styles, sizes and colours.

Fashion accessory you won’t mind spending a fortune on?

Since I love quality belts and shoes, I can spend a fortune on them.

Are you a designer label freak?

I am not a designer freak. But I love quality products.

What is that clothing piece you will never be caught wearing?

I won’t be caught wearing agbada because it inconveniences me. I am not a politician but an image maker and an ambassador.

Signature perfume I like Cool Water. The fragrance is feminine, but it thrills me.

Kind of shoes you love to wear I love good quality shoes.

However, my best colour when it comes to shoes is purple. Although there are specific colours you could wear them with, I try as much as possible to combine it with a complementing colour like white. I also love black shoes because they complement all colours of outfit.

Best colour I love blue. I love green too because of the colour of our flag. Then I love white because white signifies purity.

What do you think the world will look like without fashion?

Fashion is actually a way of life. You have to define your style through fashion.

Without fashion, your style can never be defined. So for me, fashion is life, entert ainment, creativity and it actually creates jobs for people.

Udofia...although the fragrance is somewhat “feminine”, he is still thrilled by Davidoff’s Cool Water (inset) D’ltye

INSTYLE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

17

Accessories to live for

Draw attention to your finger with glam cocktail rings Small they may be, but cocktail rings are glamorous fashion statement piece - a great way to draw attention to your finger and also add style to your outfit. ANGELA DAVIES writes.

C

ocktail ring is a large, colourful and dramatic ring worn as a statement piece.

Stunning Cocktail rings make bold statements and leave a lasting impression. They could be worn to different occasions during the day and at night. However, wear cocktail rings that are slightly smaller and less sparkly during the day. And adorn your finger with an elegant cocktail ring with stones as accents for an evening event to add a little sparkle.

For more impact, choose and wear a cock-

tail ring that has only one large focal stone. If the ring has other stones, then they should complement and not distract from the focal stone. Wearing a striking cocktail ring will draw attention to your hand. So, ensure your fingernails are well groomed and polished before putting on one. It is ideal to have an array of glam cocktail rings in different designs, shapes, sizes and colours as they are a great way to express your personal style. A cocktail ring can complement an ensemble or be the bold statement that completes it.

Facts Margaret Efeturi-Ekeson, Managing Director, Meggitto Fashion and Fabrics stormed the Nigerian fashion industry with a bang in 2000 when she emerged as the best Fashion Designer of the Year at the Nigerian Fashion Show.

Thong was invented after New York Mayor Fiorello Henry La Guardia was outraged to see bar dancers performing without underwear and ordered to sew tiny panties for them to cover their modesty.

In Rome, purple clothing was exclusively reserved for emperors and magistrates.

It became more socially acceptable for women to wear shorts in public during World War 2, which introduced fabric rationing and forced women to take on more masculine jobs.

WHO WORE IT BETTER?

Off white Agbada

T

he fashion face-off this week is between Best Actor in a Comedy at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award, AMVCA, 2014, Osita Iheme popularly known as Pawpaw and Adebola Williams, television producer, actor, journalist and a youth development expert.

Both Iheme And Williams wore an off white brocade agbada, a flowing wide sleeve robe as it is called in Yoruba and babban riga as it’s known in Hausa, to the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) held recently.

Iheme was spotted on the red carpet looking stunning in a full agbada attire which consists of the sokoto, buba (inner long sleeve top) and an embroidered outer flowing wide sleeve robe called the agbada. The Igbo actor complemented his traditional look with a black cap, stylish black rimmed nerd eye glass and black suede loafers.

Williams also stepped on the red carpet cheerfully dressed in an off white agbada brocade just like Iheme. To reflect his Yoruba heritage, he harmonized his ensemble with a yellow fila tilted to one side, black signet ring and blue loafers.

For comfort, they both folded the wide open sleeve of the agbada over their shoulder. So, who in your opinion wore the agbada better? Iheme or Williams?

Williams

Iheme

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Seasoning war as Maggi struggles to retain dominance Dele Alao

T

he fight for market leadership in the country’s seasoning market is getting fiercer. And Maggi, from the stable of Nestle Nigeria Plc, which for many years assumed a generic status for all other brands of seasonings, appears to be fighting the battle of its life.

Knorr, Royco and Onga, are in the race to upturn Maggi. Both Suppy and Doyin are also itching for a sizable share of the market.

Apparently feeling a sense of comfort as a market leader, Maggi handlers practically went to sleep.

And left the market for other players to have a field day.

In 2012, the subtle war for market leadership took a new turn when Unilever Nigeria introduced two new additions to the Royco family: New Royco Seasoning Powder for stews, and another for soups in Abuja.

The company said it was introduced to give Nigerians better aroma and taste from their everyday cooking.

Observers contended that both the Abuja launch and the N5 price tag were to send signal to Maggi that it was in a serious trouble.

As if that was not an enough onslaught, immediately Unilever Nigeria Plc took over the manufacturing and sales of Knorr seasoning from Cadbury Nigeria Plc in December 2005, the company began a series of activations, which tend to create a bond between average families in Nigeria with Knorr.

One of such activations was the popular Power of Meal Times campaign project which saw the company organising family picnics every year.

Maggi, however matched the marketing platform with the Nestlé’s Maggi Cook for Mama competition.

Some observers however say the involvement of all family members in the Knorr exercise gives it a slight edge.

In March this year, Promasidor, which joined the seasoning market with Onga seasoning in powder packaging, announced its intention as a serious contender when it added the Onga seasoning cube into the market.

The introduction of Onga Cube, according to the company, is designed to further deepen the existing bond between the consumers and the Onga brand which had hitherto been in a powdery form.

Speaking at the launch of the new product witnessed by consumers, trade partners and other stakeholders, Promasidor’s executive director, Commercial, Mr Kachi Onubogu, described the launch as another milestone in the history of the company, as well as a big leap for Onga.

According to him, the company, which plays in three key food categories – dairy, beverages and food enhancement, launched its seasoning brand, Onga, in an innovative format, powder, to enhance the ease of usage and significantly improve aroma.

Earlier in May 2012, Unilever added two new seasonings, Knorr Stew and Knorr Soup, into the Nigerian market.

Managing Director, Unilever, Mr. Thabo Mabe, said these new seasoning were made with 16 nutrients.

Mabe said: “This is part of our effort at improving health and making cooking easier for Nigerians.”

The managing director said that the company has passion for improv-

Hollandia Yoghurt rewards consumers

I

n line with its promise to reward consumers who participate in the Hollandia Yoghurt’s “Refresh N Win” promo with prizes, Hollandia Yoghurt, has rewarded consumers with gifts worth millions of naira in the promo which ended recently.

Consumers who participated in the promo won many prizes including; iPads, iPhones, smart phones every week by e-draws apart from instant airtime recharge from major telecommunications service providers.

At the grand finale of the campaign in Lagos, Chi Limited, manufacturers of the Hollandia Yoghurt, raised the stake by rewarding two customers with trip to London and Paris instead of one winner making the trip to either of the two destinations as winner of the grand prize.

A consumer of Hollandia Yoghurt in Benue State, Chigozie Victor, won the grand prize of trip to London while another consumer in Oyo State, Akinwole Dolapo, was the proud winner of the grand prize of a trip to Paris.

The promo which commenced last year was closely monitored and supervised by the Nigeria Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC).

Apart from the grand prizes, consumers also won iPads, iPhones and smartphones. Among them is a consumer in Rivers State, Slyvester, who won an iPad and another consumer in Oyo State, Olumuyiwa Okeleye, who also won an iPhone.

Other lucky winners who smiled home with smartphones include Ngozi Nwankwo, Ifeanyi Uche, Eze Daniel and Afeez Mufutau, all in Lagos State. Meanwhile, hundreds of lucky winners were credited with free airtime from major telecommunications service providers every week while the promo lasted.

All the winners were visibly excited as they collected their respective gifts at the Chi House in Lagos. They thanked Chi Limited for rewarding their patronage and loyalty.

ing quality of foods and ensuring that whatever it produced brought value to Nigerians.

“We introduced two brands of soup and stew, the passion of food is our business and helping people to enjoy it, ensuring that whatever we make brings a better Nigeria ,” he said.

But recently, Nestle Nigeria fought back as it entered the markets with Maggi Chicken cube; an extension of the existing Maggi brand.

The category business manager in charge of culinary, Guy Kellaway, said the new product is part of ongoing effort to constantly improve Nestlé products and make them tastier, healthier, and affordable, with better

nutritional value.

He said: “With the new Maggi Chicken cube added to our seasoning range, we aim to deliver the best chicken seasoning in the market, delighting our consumers, rewarding our retail partners whilst maintaining the highest levels of quality that Maagi is known for.”

He described the entry of the new offering into Lagos markets and surrounding neighborhoods as the first of many steps taken by Nestlé to launch the new product into the Nigerian market.

“With a vibrant, intense and rich chicken flavor, Maggi Chicken not only gives consumers a wider choice of maggi tastes but also ensures that

we satisfy the taste and need of every woman in the kitchen, which is to create meals worthy of celebration by her family and friends,” he said.

On his part, the Brand Manager, Maggi Flavors, Mr. Emeka Nwodo, said the new seasoning enters the market in a strong position. “With a vibrant, intense and rich chicken flavor, the new product not only gives consumers a wider choice of Maggi tastes but also ensures that we satisfy the taste and need of every woman in the kitchen, which is to create meals worthy of celebration by her family and friends” he said.

Maggi may still be a leader but recent survey shows showed that its market share is fast dwindling.

L-R: International Draught Master, Franck Evers, Marketing Director Nigerian Breweries Plc, Walter Drenth and the Senior Brand Manager, Heineken, Ngozi Nkwoji, at the unveiling of Heineken Draught Beer Innovation, held at Heineken House Lagos

Nokia set to become Microsoft Mobile

N

okia is reportedly set to be rebranded as Microsoft Mobile when Microsoft completes its acquisition of the Finnish mobile company.

But it is a move analysts have said is “risky” if the company wants to make Windows Phone a true contender to Apple and Google.

A letter to Nokia’s devices and services business suppliers base leaked to the Nokia Power User blog said on the close of the acquisition the name of Nokia Corporation/Nokia Oyj will change to Microsoft Mobile Oy. “Oy” refers to the word “company” or “corporation” in Finnish.

Microsoft would not comment on

the rebrand but said in a statement: “Microsoft is excited to welcome the Nokia Devices and Services business.

We have confirmed the acquisition will be completed on April 25 (yesterday). At that time we will begin the work of integration. We have nothing further to share at this time.”

Microsoft first announced plans to acquire Nokia for $7.2bn (£4.6bn) in September last year.

The deal will see Microsoft purchasing Nokia’s services and devices business; its marketing, operations, sales and design teams and manufacturing and assembly facilities.

Microsoft will also licence some of Nokia’s patents for use across Micro-

soft’s products - such as the HERE mapping system - and it has also purchased the “Lumia” and “Asha” device brand names as part of the deal.

When the acquisition was first announced, analysts denounced the disposal of the Nokia brand name as “risky” as brand awareness of Microsoft’s Windows Phone is not as strong as the Finnish phone maker in markets outside of the US. At the time Gartner principal research analyst Annette Zimmerman, said: “The Nokia brand still has a high value to people. That doesn’t mean the Microsoft brand is not known but what does it mean to people?”

THE ARTS

Film Reinventing African cinema p.20

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The Return

Dialogue

Brushstrokes of nostalgia An exhibition of works by Bona Ezeudu that rounds off in Lagos on April 30 sheds light on the inextricable bond between man and nature, writes TONY OKUYEME

F

or Bona Ezeudu, no other media in visual art offers better means of expressing his deepest emotions and the beauty of the nature, than painting. He views art and creativity as an outflow of powerful emotions.

It is therefore no surprise to find these as recurring themes in his works, as an ongoing exhibition by the Enugu based artist shows. The exhibition titled, The Story of My Mind, opened on Friday, April 4, at the Moor House, Ikoyi, Lagos, and will run till Wednesday April 30.

A member of the famous Aka Circle of Artists that dominated the Nigerian “artmosphere” in the 1980s and 1990s, Ezeudu has received critical acclaim for his explorations of metal and colour media. He was born in Nigeria in Jos, and educated at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) in Enugu.

He taught art at the Federal College of Education, Eha-Amufu, Enugu, and IMT after which he established Bona Gallery, the first modern art gallery in Enugu with the objective of encouraging emerging artists and fostering knowledge in art.

The Story of My Mind bears a nostalgic note, and underscores his engagement with painting. As he notes in the artist statement on the exhibition: “In painting, I find an avenue, a way of expressing my deepest emotions about the people and events that touch my life.

The beauty of the nature that surrounds me inspires me constantly.”

According to him, people have often wondered why his works are characterised by flamboyant colours. “Artists react to life around them in diverse

19

ways,” he says. “I have always viewed art and creativity as an outflow of powerful emotions, one’s innermost thoughts and feelings that warm their way into visual forms.

“I am allergic to sorrowful sights and outcries of pain. I prefer painting those things that give me joy and joy can only be portrayed with bright colours.

I have discovered that even in the difficult times we are in, I can still bring us beauty and tranquility.

“If one were to paint an honest picture of our time, the anxiety, torment, anguish, anger and despair on people’s faces… what a ‘wonderful’ painting that will be. So, at times through my works, I reflect the ills of the society.”

Besides being fascinated by the beauty of nature, he also has deep passion for indigenous culture. Ezeudu says he is thrilled by activities of his people.

His words: “I cherish the warmth of indigenous culture, music, masquerading and I am thrilled by these activities of our people. I try with my works to generate an awareness of the past and an understanding of the present, with patches of bright colours made by knife strokes.”

On his chosen style, he explains: “My paintings range from the abstract and semi-abstract to the naturalistic styles. The outlook here has been and semi-abstract. The abstract works create mentally stimulating riddles for the viewer to decipher. In the past thirty years, I have been experimenting with my colours and metal sculpture. I like seeing my ideas take shape on metal.” Nubile dance

REFLECTION

Good People, Great Nation, Super Courage Naija people, I salute For come rain, or sunshine, Your super courage remains undaunted.

Early, daily at dusk, From your sweat-soaked bed you rise To face the rigours of the day.

Farmers, traders, singers, artisans, office people In search of their daily bread Rushing purposefully in different directions.

With mechanical smiles on your faces; Defying the elements you step out Full of hope that the day is good.

With coal iron to press your clothes And sachet-water to make your meals You rank the happiest in the world!

Daily stuck in traffic for hours On bumpy narrow roads You head for the mart to shop.

With prices hitting the roofs, Generously, to everyone, a smile you give Even to those who recklessly rape you with pen Thou saluteth with utmost reverence.

Aren’t you special, Naija people?

Aren’t you strong? Aren’t you brave?

Sure you are!

A good people bracing the odds of a great nation.

Timothy Akinleye

20 THE ARTS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

Reinventing African cinema

A Feast of Films from Africa Didi Cheeka

H

ere’s what Djibril Diop Mambety said sometime ago: “I believe that Africans, in particular, must reinvent cinema.

It will be a difficult task because our viewing audience is used to a specific film language, but a choice has to be made: either one is very popular and one talks to people in a simple and plain manner, or else one searches for an African film language that would exclude chattering and focus more on how to make use of visuals and sounds.” In this regard, one can equally say the same of Nollywood: either one surrenders’ unconditionally, without a fight, to the tyranny of the “popular,” or one searches for the courage and artistry to extend the borders of - and surrender to - the film experience.

Elsewhere, I’ve argued that over time, international interest in Nollywood has shifted from elite curiosity, fascination with the exotic, to a onesided gaze that is manipulative and reproduces the hegemonic gaze so central to imperialist relations. The piety surrounding Nigeria’s mainstream narrative is not a victory, but a loss. Nollywood loses its appeal as a radical reaction to an ossified, Francophied narrative, becoming the desirable, the only valid narrative – just for being popular.

All too often the term African Cinema erases all distinctions and conflates films from Africa into a common denominator. It stems from the exotic notion of Africa as Black, and as a Country. Afridance, a [mini] festival of films from Africa, on the theme, Reinventing African Cinema from a statement by Djibril Mambety - challenges this notion by presenting films from Africa in their narrative diversity. Afridance is a four-day screening of films from Africa as part of a conversation on ‘African Cinema’ - to open up filmgoers in Nigeria to alternative (non-Nollywood) narratives from filmmakers of African origin. The screenings will hold at multiple venues across Lagos.

Afridance offers an exciting mix of screenings and conversations around topics like Invisible Girls, Violent Boys: Africa´s Gangster Cinema - whose line up of films include Djo Munga’s Viva Riva!, Oliver Schmitz’s Hijack Stories, and Ralph Ziman’s Gangster’s Paradise (aka Jerusalema). The opening film, Viva Riva!, from Congolese director, Djo Munga is an exciting, well-made crime thriller with all the right ingredient. The hero, Riva (Patsha Bay Mukana), is a charming, almost naïve bad guy who has stolen a truckload of gasoline from some crooks in Angola to make a killing in Kinshasa’s fuel drought. Riva falls hard for Nora (Manie Malone), the mistress of the local crime lord, and is soon on the run not just from the gangster’s men, but also from the really cold-blooded Angolans who want both their gasoline and Riva’s life.

Hijack Stories’ Sox Maraka (Kgoroge), an ambitious young actor living with his white girlfriend in a middle class Johannesburg suburb, decides to ‘Method’ act his way into a gangster role he’s auditioning for by returning to the Soweto ghetto he escaped and living the role. Feisty township girl Grace (Motshegwa) is

“International interest in Nollywood has shifted from elite curiosity, fascination with the exotic, to a one-sided gaze that is manipulative and reproduces the hegemonic gaze so central to imperialist relations”

REVIEW reluctantly persuaded to introduce Sox to his chosen ‘teacher’ - guntoting gangster Zama (Seiphemo) who speaks a Sowetan street language ‘scamtho’. This film has the usual trappings of the genre: fast cars, wild women, cracking HipHop soundtrack, and locations that jump from the townships to uptown Jo’burg. The characters are fresh, the performances excellent.

Neither of Gangster’s Paradise’s original title, Jerusalema’s two meanings involves the Middle East.

It refers, on the one hand, figuratively to a city on a hill, the promise of dignity and economic equality held out to black South Africans at the end of apartheid; and in a literal sense, to the Johannesburg neighborhood Hillbrow, where that promise dissolved into pervasive poverty and crime. It is the story of Lucky Kunene and his friend Zakes, once teenagers living in the Soweto Township. Lucky learns he has not

earned a scholarship to continue his education. In need of money, he and Zakes meet a local Russian crime lord, Nazareth, who sets up Lucky and Zakes with several small-time robberies. These crimes escalate to large-scale car-jackings, prompting Lucky to give up his educational aspirations. Lucky’s final robbery goes horribly wrong, leaving Nazareth imprisoned and muc Mohamed Mouftakir’s Pegasus’ Zineb is an emotionally exhausted psychiatrist assigned to Rihana, a traumatized and pregnant young woman found in the street muttering unintelligibly about “The Lord of the Horse.” A series of deconstructed time sequences return us to Rihana’s childhood, where her dictatorial father, horseman chief of his tribe, raises her as the son his legacy demands. Trapped in parental delusions, but inwardly rebelling, Rihana falls in love with a young man with whom she carves out the beginnings of her own life. Soon, Rihana’s story awakens repressed thoughts in Zineb’s own troubled mind, and reality and surreality

merge into a haunted fever-dream of fear and denial.

Licinio Azevedo’s Virgin Margarida is set in 1970s Mozambique.

1975, Mozambique’s rebirth as an independent nation. The young revolution sweeps the streets of Maputo clean of prostitutes and bad habits. The prostitutes are sent to re-education camps deep in the countryside, where they will become “new women” – loyal comrades of the new nation. Margarida, a young innocent is swept up in the clean-up.

This film tells her brutal story.

In Leila Kilani’s Sur la Planche, Badia and Imane are girlfriends who peel prawns during the day in the factory and at night rob men under false pretences. In the streets, they get to know Asma and Nadal, who have jobs in the Free Zone, the European-oriented part of the city. Badia, spiritedly played by Soufia Issami, sees Asma and Nadal as an opportunity to gain more wealth, pushing her to raise her criminal activities to a riskier level. Four girls on the run, shattered dreams, and broken lives.

In Kim Nguyen’s War Witch,

12-year-old Komona is abducted by rebel forces to become a child soldier. She is given a gun and told to choose between shooting her parents, who huddle in front of her, or watching them come to a much more painful end via machete. With tears in her eyes, she shoots them. Then, with other captives, she is whisked by motorised canoe up the river and led into a forest where training exercises immediately commence.

Komonas salvation is her imagination. Stimulated by “magic milk,” a hallucinogen found in sap, she has visions of ghosts in the trees (actors in white body paint, their eyes blank), including those of her parents, who warn her of the enemy’s proximity. Word of her supernatural gifts gets back to the Great Tiger (Mizinga Mwinga), who summons her to his side and dubs her his protective “war witch.”

Mama Keita’s L’Absence is a tragic beauty. Adama Diop, a successful scientist, living in Paris travels to his hometown in Senegal to visit his aged grandmother and his semi-deaf mute sister Aicha, after fifteen years of absence. Aicha is still traumatized about their mother’s death, who died as she was giving birth to her. But the true extent of Aicha’s mental state only becomes apparent when Adama discovers she is working as a prostitute, amidst a seedy underworld of gangsters, drugs and crime.

Leandre-Alain Baker’s Ramata is adapted from a novel by Abasse Ndione is the story of Ramata (Katoucha), a hauntingly beautiful woman in her fifties married to a Senegalese Minister of Justice. They live in an elegant Dakar neighbourhood. One evening, Ramata enters a taxi stolen

by Ngor Ndong.

The last six films are screening on Saturday and Sunday at Old Film Unit (Nigerian Film Corporation) beside Voice of Nigeria, Ikoyi.

Afridance is supported by GoetheInstitut Lagos, Lagos Film Society, Old School Bar, Ayo Bankole Centre for the Arts and Cultural Expression, Institut Francais, and the Nigerian Film Corporation, Ikoyi.

- Cheeka is a Marxist critic, writer and filmmaker

P-Square Cracking walls of a music empire p.22 AFRIFF Entries for 2014 film opens p.22

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21

For Femi Jacobs, it’s a waltz across two worlds Actor Femi Jacobs dazzled fans once again with his lead role in Rita Dominic’s flick titled, The Meeting.

Not many realize that he has got a music background. Jacobs, the music director of The Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, speaks of his acting and movie career in this encounter with LANRE ODUKOYA BETWEEN ACTING AND MUSIC I am still a musician. I started by doing music for my church and I am still doing it because I believe in church’s music and I believe in touching lives through positive music. I believe in it and will still go back to record again, but my last single was released in 2010. I have a compilation which is not really in the market now. Acting just happened and it wasn’t something I could stop.

I have done a couple of films and it started right here in the church. We did a film in 2006 tilted Choices and it was directed

by Don Obaseki. I really believe in that film because aside the fact that it is my first film, it teaches morals. In 2008, we did another one which was called Tango. It was a TV series and I played the lead role in that one as well, it was all about reaching the world through the media with positive message. A couple of Nollywood producers started to notice me when I started acting in Tinsel.

The Meeting was my first big screen movie and it happened when I was on Tinsel. After the film was released, lots of people started calling me to feature in their movies but I couldn’t say no and I ended up enjoying acting. I am enjoying the whole of entertainment industry, I do presenting, I produce and I am enjoying the whole package.

I am happy because all these give me the opportunity to make someone happy. I had done about 12 films in 2013 but they are not yet released.

PLANS TO BECOME A FILM PRODUCER Yes, absolutely and I am working on that.

IN THE FACE OF POSSIBLE WAR OF CAUCUSES Everywhere you have people, you are going to have limitations. People are free to associate with whichever group they want to associate with. Every race and every group has its opportunities.

That is not to say there are not people in the industry who are reaching out across ethnic lines. The producers of The Meeting are Igbos, I am a Yoruba man and I played the lead role. Nollywood is not divided along ethnic lines. There will be that inclination to work with people you understand.

CONCEDING TO ROMANTIC MOVIE ROLES AS GOSPEL SINGER Not everyone will agree because we all have our moral convictions. Are there gospel lawyers, doctors and other professions? Acting is entertainment and it is about telling stories that will uplift people. We Africans from time immemorial have told stories to teach people morals and to pass values from one generation

to the other. It is not a thing I think should miss. When it comes to what characters do, I try to choose the story not necessarily the character. The story is the message of the film and I like to be part of films that teach something and make society to be better. There is no effective way to do it than through media and entertainment. Acting for me is an effective medium to preach morals and love which in turn will have positive effect on our society.

ON ROLES THAT ENTAIL KISSING ON SET I don’t look at it that way. My views are quite different and I don’t judge the characters that I play. How do you show affection in a film without some physical affection to show that these people are married? I am not going to single out kissing, how about smoking and drinking?

Some of those times you see water on set and you think it is vodka. We are telling a story and the body of an actor is used to tell and express a story. Even at that, I am very careful that we don’t cross the line and do things that are morally reprehensible.

DEALING WITH PASSES FROM WOMEN It takes God. Temptations abound and you don’t have to be good looking for you to be tempted. At the end of the day, God who sent you will keep you if you are willing to be kept because he has enough power to keep you from temptations. I am not perfect and I make mistakes too, but God forgives and helps us to stand and keep on.

MARRIAGE AND ITS TIMING It will happen and everything has its time.

IN THE HORIZON Apart from the fact that I don’t really plan too far ahead, I believe that life is taken in stages, if you do what you do now, very well, it would take you to the next thing you are supposed to do. If you do that very well, it would take you to another place you are supposed to be and really, those things are unpredictably better than you can ever imagine, if you do your best. A lot of people ask me about that and I don’t want to feel dumb for not having a five year plan, but I just don’t do that. I have aspirations sometimes, some are quite intangible, I can’t begin to paint them for you. I want to make movies too, I believe in things that empower people. I believe that eventually, it is the art in you that will take you where you are supposed to be.

NAVIGATING A BRAZEN WORLD AS A CHRISTIAN Those things happen every day even in business. Let’s just say, God is very realistic, he gives us the strength to conquer temptation and when we fail the strength, because the strength doesn’t fail; he gives us a means of repentance. Nothing can take away from me, my intimacy with God. It does mean, that I have to constantly check myself and repent and confess a lot. I wake up in the morning and ask him to help me and it has really been wonderful. You gain some things and you lose some things, but the walk remains. I mean, I remember when I was in the university, I went for a party. While I was there, it was the staunch unbelievers that were asking me, “what are you doing here?” That made me really unhappy. There I was, I couldn’t defend myself because the ones doing wrong were the people telling me “you are not supposed to be here”.

I think that’s the grace of God, when the word keeps you up, like ‘this is not you’, that I find very interesting and I don’t want it to happen to me again so I’m always very careful. There are things that are acceptable, you can go out and have a cocktail, but don’t get drunk or get into drugs. You know people will ask you: “didn’t you say you were a Christian?” People also believe that there is good in the world, when people like you are saved and they go to church and talk about God and you are acting straight, it gives them hope.

22 SHOWBIZ

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LANRE ODUKOYA - 08059296445 lanreodukoya@gmail.com

O

ver 10 years ago, Jude Okoye a.k.a Engees returned to Jos to bring his twin brothers, Paul and Peter Okoye of the P-Square group to Lagos. He discerned a green land in the entertainment hub (Lagos) when nearly every afro pop singer seemed flukes. So, he reportedly sold his first car to make his brothers’ first track, Sinorita which fared considerably well before the debut album, Busy Body that blew the gasket. P-Square became one of the most sought after in Nigeria and by extension, Africa.

And for many years, they lived with their growing fame and fortune peacefully. The superstars they’d become would even court international stars, Rick Ross and Akon were once their guests here in Nigeria. But the chummy relationship that existed between the twin brothers and their elder brother who also doubles as manager and videographer got its first sour bite in 2010 when Peter fell in love with a rich kid, Lola Omotayo said to be some years older than him. Their mum and nearly all the family members frowned at the romance, but the more they discouraged the affair, the bigger it extended. Lola had a baby boy along the line, but that would not change anything. Peter still couldn’t defy her mom’s instruction to find another woman. But their mother died in 2012.

Before she passed on, Lola, though unmarried was already carrying Peter’s second child. So, Peter and his lovebird decided to solemnize their union - and it happened in grand style.

But Jude boycotted the wedding even as he was very much around in Lagos where and when the colourful gig was staged.

About two months ago, Paul had his wedding and Peter made some damning remarks.

He had the mic and said that he named his son after Paul, but Paul failed to reciprocate the gesture and that Paul never stood for him as a brother when he married Lola. He congratulated Paul and wished him well, but the public went home with the perception that the group was at the verge of collapse. So, Jude Okoye tweeted recently that he was done after ten years. The tweet caught public attention and from there it became a whirlwind of scandal against the Africa’s biggest pop group.

Fans have since taken to the social media to express worry over the unhappy development.

Here are words from one of those who registered their displeasure, Chino Simon: “It is so disheartening to hear of the rumored split, as much as I don’t want to hear that P-Square may split, I will be lying if I say as an adept follower that I have not noticed things to be scared of.

First and most torturing is the silence of Peter, it is like playing a radio and forgetting it’s on mute.

The Peter we are used to should have said even a sentence. Secondly, Paul who rarely speaks wrote through his preferred Facebook account (Peter prefers Twitter) and denounced the rumors, while announcing shows in Durban and St. Lucia but both statements disappeared from his wall hours after.

Thirdly, a non P-Square fan laughed at me when I announced the wedding telling me that if P-Square gets married, they will not last one more year, as a true fan I ignored him, but I was shocked when Jude did not attend Peter’s wedding. Moreover, I was worried when no album was released in 2013, which is a sway from the normal two years gap, also worrying is the fact that only one video was shot the whole year and two singles released. Well

E-BRIEF

T

Paul, Peter and families

P-Square: Cracking walls of a music empire

The Okoye brothers

this might be regarded as the crazy thought of a fan but true superfans noticed them. P-Square it is part of the thrill to know that you two have always argued about songs on your albums amidst other disagreements as twins.

Let it be known also that we don’t love Paul Okoye neither do we love Peter Okoye but WE LOVE PSQUARE, we do not also love Jude Okoye but WE LOVE PSQUARE VIDEOS, we did not even know Anita Isama or Lola but we love PSquare wives. What is P-Square without good dancing? What is P-Square without smooth duet

vocals? What is P-Square without high quality videos? The answer is nothing. I painstakingly write this with heavy eyes not because I think you guys will see it, but for the world to know that I have watched all my P-Square videos again and listened to all the albums and singles once more and I’m yet to convince myself of a world without P-Square. I and other super fans around the world know that you have made money that can last you three a lifetime so you have nothing to lose, but do not forget that there are millions of people out there who love you for no reason.

They can only judge you with just your voices and faces, they wish to hear and see you always together. We do not believe P-Square can split, but please if you selfishly do without considering us then do not even attempt solo careers. We will never buy a Mr. P album or a Rude Boy (another pseudonym of theirs) but we are only waiting for the sixth album of our most consistent and ever ascending intercontinental superstars PSQUARE. Thank you.”

As it were, some fans are of the opinion that Jude should have overlooked their mom’s disapproval and showed his brother some love by being part of the wedding that held last year. They also think that the raging rancour can be quelled by Lola, who is said to have such huge influence over Peter. But neither Paul nor Jude is willing to put up with the most important woman in their brother’s life. Peter allegedly said Jude has almost relegated him to being just the choreography head of the group, showing preference for songs composed by Paul against his. This build up of rage might well have informed Peter’s assault on Paul before he allegedly left the mansion for a rented place in Lekki.

If Peter suddenly starts crying foul of the things he can no longer tolerate, someone should please ask, were those things not there before they got married? So, if Peter had truly summoned a lawyer to see to the sharing of their mansions in Omole, Ikoyi, both in Lagos, and Atlanta, his grouse would then be clearly understandable. These and more are the reasons why many insist the responsibility to see them live happily together from this trying times on rests on Jude’s shoulder.

AFRIFF calls for 2014 film entries

he call for movies by AFRIFF, a veritable platform which seeks to give expression to African cinema by recognising and rewarding excellence in the industry, follows the announcement of date for the pan African festival’s fourth edition scheduled to hold between November 9th and 16th, at the prestigious Tinapa Resort in Calabar, Cross River State.

Eligible films, which must have been produced after January 1, 2013, are invited for submission while organisers say preference will be given to films which are yet to be screened globally or in Africa.

Categories for entry include Feature, Short, Documentary and Animation, all with monetary award prizes ranging from $3000 and $6000. For those who wish to have their films

considered for the 4th edition of Africa International Film Festival, a DVD copy of the film plus a synopsis and/or press kit are to be sent as part of the entries.

An entry submission form is also required to be completed by the submitting film maker and the deadline for receipt of entry submission forms and screeners for Short films (40 minutes or less) is fixed for June 13, 2014 while that for feature length films (more than 40 minutes) is fixed for June 30.

As part of last year’s edition of the exciting festival, AFRIFF held an intensive acting workshop for up and coming African actors supervised by notable actor and former president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Segun Arinze.

The festival has continued to improve the industry in many ways as classes were taken in speech, diction, vocalisa-

tion, characterisation, gestures, acting for television, film and more, using the school of thoughts of Robert Benediti, Stanivlasky, Peter Brooks and Antoine Chekov through theory and practical sessions for over 200 actors. Others areas also touched include script writing, sound, cinematography and talent development to inculcate more professionalism in film making in Africa.

Executive Director and founder of the Africa International Film Festival, Chioma Ude, who last year announced Rita Dominic and American actress, Lynn Whitfield as ambassadors of the festival, said “planning has started in earnest for the 2014 edition of AFRIFF and this year’s edition will witness further exciting improvements for which AFRIFF is known and globally respected.”

Mildred Okwo accepting her award for Best Authentic Nigerian Film with Minister of Culture and Tourism, High Chief Edem Duke.

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Wale Adenuga’s gospel Gospel singer Pastor Wale Adenuga has his imprint on some of Nigeria’s popular Christian choruses such as songs like Today O and You Alone Are Worthy Lord. Adenuga, Head Pastor at Jubilee Christian Centre, Surulere, Lagos, speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS When was your last recording?

My last recording was in 2012, although it was not a release of new songs that I wrote.

It was a compilation of songs written by other people. I did it while I was in the United States of America. Personally, the last recording we did was in 2010. The way music is marketed now is different from the way it was done in the past. We do not go through any marketers anymore because we do not get anything from them again. They tell us that our songs are being pirated. In fact, the 2012 compact discs were given out free. We had to use our own strategy; we gave thousands out. People may not really know about it but it is out there in the domain.

Also, when you have live audio recording without video, people think nothing is happening.

Are you related to Wale Adenuga, the film producer?

There is always a mix up, but the interesting thing is that he is actually my uncle. He is my dad’s younger brother. A lot of people do not know.

Who were your mentors as a child?

Growing up, I read a lot about Martin Luther and his views on Black American history, especially the race struggle. He was a major person that inspires me and still continues to inspire

me. In Nigeria, I wouldn’t say I don’t have anyone. Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili is someone who inspires me. The truth is that not so many people inspire me. For someone to really inspire me, he or she must have a track record. Track record is what you achieve overtime, but a lot people get distracted when they get to position of power or influence.

Why gospel?

For me, it is a calling and I believe it is what God wants me to do. I am also of the belief that being a Christian doesn’t mean I should only sing Christian songs. This might sound controversial but I believe that there are a whole lot of things to sing about. I want to be able to sing to my wife and tell her I love her. There should also be songs that talk about what is happening in the nation. We need Christians who can stand and sing about those things, but they really have to be strong and know where they are coming from. For instance, Bono, the leader of U2 is somebody I look up to. U2 is the number one rock band in the world. He is a Christian but he has no apologies about it.

Do you have any favourite track?

My favouriste track might not be known to everybody because of the story behind it. This track was part of the CD that we gave out free.

It was basically from the story someone told me about a man who was given a car and started oppressing people. He would sit at the back and nobody dared to sit beside him. If there were more than two people, they will all have to move to the front with the driver. And whenever he wanted to give a direction to the driver, he would use a walking stick to hit the driver. God has all the power, yet he is still merciful to us.

It is my favourite but not necessarily the most popular song compared to songs like Today O or You Are Worthy Lord. The title is You Are The Only One I know.

How many albums do you have at present?

We have done like seven albums over the years. We had Hosanna in 1997, Of A Truth in 2001, Friend of The Light in 2003, Too Much For Me in 2004, You Are The Only One in 2009; Great And Mighty in 2010 and Songs I like to Sing in 2012.

How do you combine your passion as a singer and your role as pastor?

I only began to pastor a church four years ago. But in terms of going around, I do not go around like I used to. Beyond singing and being a pastor too, I also do my own business and other things.

23

Can you tell us about your business?

I run a business, Unboxed 2.0. We basically run conferences and it was introduced officially last year. Although I have been involved in organizing conferences, I just want to organize series of conferences different from what is obtainable out there. I want the conferences to address some questions that a lot of people are afraid to answer.

How about the Fountain of Praise?

The Fountain of Praise started out as the choir of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Jubilee Christian Centre, but we later found ourselves doing other things. We started doing recording, Worship Conferences and a host of others. Despite being a local church, we decided not to do things locally when we started. We targeted doing things that will affect the kingdom positively. So that is what The Fountain of Praise stands for.

Recently, you gave out the money realized from the last edition of the Worship for Change Concert to two orphanages. What really informed the Concert?

We introduced Worship for Change Concert in 2006. But as a kid, I have always been interested in social justice, helping people and equal right. I am not a civil rights activist, but I grew up reading a lot of books, including books on Martin Luther King Jnr. Along the way, I asked myself how I could better the lives of people. So the idea came to me that the fame that I have can be used as a leverage to impact other people. It was how Worship for Concert began. We use the concert to influence the lives of less-privileged in the country.

How do you view music in Nigeria?

I think the reason a lot of people do music now is that they are hoping it would be a hit. But it doesn’t always happen that way. Sometimes, you have to pay your dues or ask yourself if this is really who you are. Musicians put themselves under huge pressure. The fact is that we have very few musicians who can live off music.

Even in the secular world, I do not think you can count 50 persons. People should look for other means of survival because it would reduce the pressure they put on themselves. I sincerely do not see any wrong in doing something and money still comes in somewhere else. Not everyone is going to be a Psquare or a D’banj.

Another thing I would love to say is that nobody remains on top forever. If you are on top today, some guys will bring in new beats, and styles and they will displace you. It does not mean you will not be valuable again. Sunny Ade is still relevant today and same applies to Ebenezer Obey too. For me, my goal is not really to be on top of the chart; my goal is just to express my heart. I am not under any pressure because what I am doing is ministering.

What is your view on piracy?

We should start understanding that it is a global phenomenon. Piracy or not, there is a wakeup call globally for people to reevaluate how music is being sold. The truth is that in two or three years, CD is going to be dead just like cassette is dead. Music is now going digital.

I have a 15-year-old daughter who does not handle cds; she transfers music via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. We need to understand that the way music will be sold has changed. If you think piracy is a problem, you have not seen anything yet because everything digital is tending towards free. The goal now is that you should probably start preparing to sell your music free and try to see how you can make money elsewhere.

Which gospel concert do you regard as the biggest in Nigeria?

Of course, it is The Experience.

What are your plans for the year?

We are planning a live recording this year.

I am also working on creating a platform for emerging gospel artistes to help them enhance their skills. I’m trying to also see how we can create a platform for them beyond the shores of the country.

Adenuga

What have been the challenges?

I think it depends on how you see it. But for me, challenges are part of life. I do not even see myself praying against challenges because I see it as a waste of time. When the problem comes, it is meant to be solved.

24 SHOWBIZ You recently won the most valuable sports presenter awards; how does that make you feel?

Wow, I feel great winning the Nigerian Broadcasters Award. I really cherish the award because it remains the biggest in our industry, and it was organized by the Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria. It wouldn’t have been possible without my colleagues, fans, listeners, my wife, family and of course my mentor, Dr. Larry Izamoje. Truth is now I know how Cristiano Ronaldo felt when he won the Ballon d’Or. How did your journey into broadcasting begin?

It all started sometimes in 2003 at NTA, Ile-Ife. Then I was still an undergraduate.

That was when the Nigeria Television Authority had Ben Murray-Bruce as director-general.

I realized the quality of sports programmes we were getting there could be better, so I went there, was auditioned by the principal producer at that time, Bola Ladele, and then it started. The general manager of the station at that time was Patrick Loko, who was very supportive and encouraging. He gave me a free hand to turn the sports desk around and I built a good team for the desk with three sports programmes running every week. I’ll share a funny experience with you. When I was undergoing the audition with the script in my hands, I started running the script just like a radio commentary, obviously I was used to the style Dr. Larry Izamoje brought to the scene when he was presenting the Bournvita Sports Special on OGBC. The principal producer just laughed and said, “my friend, this is TV o. Good job but calm down a little”. Very funny scene, I tell you.

So how did you end up at Brila fm?

That was in 2007 December. I went for an audition at Brilla fm and was one of the three that pulled through. Then in February 2008 I started fully. But I must tell you, the screening exercise was tough, the final one was conducted by the chairman himself, that’s Dr. Larry Izamoje.

So far, how has the journey been?

It has been really interesting., I was a core field guy in my early days at Sports Radio 88.9 Brila fm. I would source for stories and rush back to the studio for my on-air duties. God has been faithful and I have risen through the ranks. We provide a unique form of service, and to remain at the top, you have to keep climbing. Re-invention has been the watchword, and am glad to be part of this great team. My colleagues have been wonderful, my wife, Tiyeyosi, has been very supportive.

When I say supportive, I mean it in the real sense, she’s my biggest fan and critic too. The chairman and his wife, Mrs. Bridget LarryIzamoje, whom I adopted as my mum, since I lost my mother nine years ago, have all been wonderful to me. it’s been a great experience and it’s been quite challenging too. I recall when I started, I had the most rigorous of trainings. Dr. Izamoje would tell me to get a script, we would be in the recording studio with Jide Ojo, our group manager in charge of monitoring and planning and start presenting.

He really pushed me hard. In the evening, around eight, he would call, ask me to get a script and right there on the phone would ask me to start presenting. Sounds funny now but then it wasn’t funny at all. It has paid off, that’s the key thing and I’m still learning and improving because excellence is a journey and not a destination.

Have you always wanted to be on radio or it happened by chance?

Yes, I have always wanted to be a broadcaster and it started with TV though. So radio wasn’t by accident. I remember back then during my school days, after listening to sports programmes on radio, I would rebroadcast to my colleagues then. They always wanted updates and I was their radio.

Looking at your career so far, are you fulfilled?

That’s a tough one. Fulfilment is in stages; the first stage is achievement. When you become fulfilled, then you thirst for bigger accomplishments. So, yes, I am fulfilled to an extent but very open to bigger challenges. The fact is Brila fm as an international brand has

We all can’t own a radio station - Babafemi Raji

On radio he’s famously called the “Topmost Striker” - a fitting sobriquet that highlights Babafemi Raji’s status as one of Brila fm finest sports presenters. Raji, an English graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University and indigene of Ibadan, Oyo State, was recently honoured with the “Most Valuable Sports Presenter” award at the recent Nigerian Broadcasters Award. He spoke with LANRE ODUKOYA provided that, and I am still ascending on the fulfilment scale.

How long have you been a broadcaster?

Eleven interesting years, I started very early.

What challenges have you faced so far?

The truth is radio sportscasting is in itself very challenging. First you have no visuals, so how you tell the story must be short but detailed enough for the listener to truly understand and visualise the story, digest it and be entertained. Modern radio doesn’t give much room for broadcasting anymore, interactivity is the in-thing. The listener wants to feel you, and you must be creative enough to do that. Fact is, apart from the big exclusives we get, most of the information you want to give is already on various social media platforms, and to serve such to listeners, you must dress it nicely so it sounds reasonable fresh and different. These are challenges that are good anyway; it helps in re-invention.

Have you ever thought of quitting broadcasting?

Quit? I’m still very young o. Broadcasting is truly broad and it is a profession that allows you serve as long as you live, so quitting is not on my plate at all.

How would you describe your relationship with Dr Larry Izamoje?

Wow. It’s a father-son relationship. He is my father in radio sportscasting. It has really been great. He gave me the radio name, Topmost Striker, and even the jersey number, 299. I also gave him a name, “Coachie”. He is a great teacher.

He is a very firm, visionary leader who has made a very huge impact in my life Would you at some point consider setting up a radio station?

I knew you would ask. Truth is that people would expect that.

But

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

the fact is that, no, I won’t. Rather, when I have such funds, I can think of investing in Brila. That is how a true legacy is sustained.

We can’t all break away and then keep setting up more stations. Modern global business trend is about pooling resources, mergers, acquisitions, integration and not disintegration. It doesn’t mean I am scared of challenges or competition, but I can still contribute my quota to this industry by being an investor here. There is room for expansion here and we can build a true international brand. Question is, where are we going to be in 15 years.

The answer is: well tailored strategies which includes effective succession will propel us to the future we desire for Brila. Today I am a staff here, but I see a future where higher responsibilities will be required, God willing.

What exactly is your job specification at Brila fm at the moment?

To the glory of God, I am the manager, sports services. I oversee content sourcing, generation, production and dissemination. It also entails implementation of programmes strategies on all our stations. I also present the station’s flagship show, multiple award winning show, The Sports Machine, which runs 7am Monday to Saturday, and then I also anchor Sports on the Go which runs from 10am Monday to Friday.

What’s next for you?

Next level, keep improving, keep growing, groom more broadcasters that can sustain our legacy. Take radio sportscasting to a different level. I want to be a better person all round.

SHOWDOWN AT ANFIELD LIVERPOOL TACKLE CHELSEA IN HOME STRETCH p.28 OBOABONA, EMENIKE CLASH IN TURKEY

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I snubbed Pillars because of insecurity - Ezeji

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Blame Keshi for World Cup list delay – Lawal

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Mikel returns to EPL Starting role at Anfield

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I can stop Messi again in brazil– Haruna }p-27

Scoring winning goals in Tunisia, Atlanta gives me joy –Amuneke

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26 SPORT

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Leaguemania with Chimaobi Uchendu princehench@yahoo.com

08114495359, 08092747532

How to produce worthy champion – Singabele

F

ormer board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Peter Singabele, has advocated a change in attitude by players and administrators, if Nigerian clubs are to regain their place in African football.

In a chat with Leaguemania, the former Bayelsa FA chairman said recent results posted by Nigerian clubs on the continent call for concern from all stakeholders and mangers, as they reflect the extent of the slide of the league.

“I’m surprised that only Bayelsa United are the only club left on the continent; it does not portray our league in good light.

The fact that our Champions League campaigners crashed out in the first and second round, puts a question mark on the calibre of champions we produce in Nigeria,” Singabele said.

He maintained clubs slump on the continent because rules made to guide and regulate every aspect of the league are not followed diligently.

“Some people benefit when crises engulf the league, while others position themselves to defend offenders. How can a rule that is well spelt out be manipulated to favour a club? I think our greatest undoing is favouritism, and as soon as we do away with it the better for our league,” he added.

“The rules and regulations must be jealously guarded by all, and as we begin to do this we will begin to see positive results. Again I want to urge League managers to call match officials to order regarding the kinds of calls they make during matches, because if they are allowed to continue with impunity, the league will be destroyed beyond redemption.

“Match officials must be cautioned to be at their best, although we might have human errors from time to time, but they should be minimal. But a situation where match officials mess up matches due inducements from clubs must be stopped.

Rangers’ Ifeanyi Oriaku (left) in action against an Akwa United attacker in a league match

Akwa United and the burden of leadership

A

kwa United of Uyo surrendered the league leadership to Sharks of Port Harcourt, after falling 1-0 to new comers, Giwa FC in Jos last Wednesday.

Sharks got their first away win of the season in Kaduna, to climb to the summit after eight weeks of action.

It is easy to climb to the top, but the burden of remaining at the top is tough, hence the question, how long can sharks hold onto the top spot.

Akwa united’s technical adviser, Patrick Udoh, has played down his side’s displacement from the top, saying, that the league is a marathon that could see any team at the top, until the final day, when the champion would be crowned.

Udoh said that it is still early days in the league and as such they’re not counting their chicks before they’re hatched. Udoh further disclosed that they will not relent in their effort and will keep drumming it into the ears of the players to improve their performance.

“Well what we’re doing is for us to keep making sure that we don’t relent in our effort to make sure that the team performs well in our subsequent games,” Udoh said.

“My own philosophy is that the league is still fresh and you cannot open your Champagne before the end of the war.

We try to keep the players in that mindset and we ensure that the players don’t get carried away by their position on the table. So we continue to drum this into their ears letting them know that we have not arrived yet until the end of the season.” Udoh posited.

Udoh, however, promised that his side will bounce back from the defeat this weekend as they host Sunshine Stars of Akure in Uyo. “We look good to bounce back after the defeat in Jos against Sunshine, and continue to do well all through the season.

I’m more concerned about the quality of our play even if we lose, and I can say my players are doing well,” he added.

Heartland confused over poor home run

H

eartland players have admitted they cannot explain why they are yet to win in the new season as they are now marooned in the lower rung of the ladder.

Heartland have played seven games without any victory, and several of the players said they are confused over the Owerri’s club’s indifferent run in the new campaign.

“I can’t say really say what the problem with us is. I don’t just know what to say about our poor run of results,” one of the players said.

Another player of ‘The Naze Millionaires’ simply said: “I don’t know what is happening to us at this club.

We have been playing well, but the results have just refused to come.”

Team captain Chinedu Efugh said Heartland have not been lucky.

“I think it is just hard luck. There

have been some games that we played that we deserved to win, but we have not been lucky. I am sure things will change for the better soon,” said the experienced defender.

Efugh

I snubbed Pillars because of insecurity -Ezeji

F

Udoh

Match Day 9 Fixtures Abia Warriors vs Warri Wolves Akwa United vs Sunshine Stars Crown FC vs Nembe City FC Taraba vs Rangers Int’ Gombe United vs Kaduna Utd Heartland vs Enyimba Int’ Lobi Stars vs Kano Pillars Nasarawa United vs Dolphins Sharks vs El-Kanemi Warriors Bayelsa Utd vs Giwa FC (pp) DAY 8 RESULTS El-Kanemi 1-0 Crown FC Enyimba FC 3-0 Lobi Stars Giwa FC 1-0 Akwa United Rangers Int’l 2-1 Abia Warriors Dolphins 1-0 Warri Wolves Sunshine Stars 1-0 FC Taraba Nembe City 1-1 Heartland Kaduna Utd 1-2 Sharks FC Nasarawa Utd 1-0 Gombe Utd

ormer Dolphins captain Victor Ezeji, has stated that he turned down the opportunity to play for Nigeria Premier League Champions, Kano Pillars this season because of the security situation in that part of the country.

Ezeji revealed that he had agreed a very lucrative deal with the Kano-based team, but had to turn down the offer because his family was totally against the idea of his playing in Kano.

The player who had also played for Enyimba, regretted not lacing his boot for the two-time Nigeria Premier League champions, but stressed that he had to listen to his family members who insisted that they do not support the idea of moving to Kano.

Meanwhile, Ezeji noted that he is already discussing with some clubs with a view to signing with one of them when the transfer window opens in few weeks’ time.

“Right now, I cannot tell you the club I am discussing with. I want to keep it a secret until it has been

Ezeji

tidied up. But one thing I can tell you is that I will bounce back during the second round of the league.

Ezeji was part the Enyimba side that won the CAF Champions League trophy. He has since played for several other Nigerina clubs.

Enyimba recall suspended Baraje

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he management of Enyimba has recalled suspended coaches Zachary Baraje and Monday Odigie.

Baraje and Odigie were asked to step aside after they lost two consecutive games, 1-0 at home to local rivals Abia Warriors and a shock 1-0 loss at FC Taraba.

In their absence, Imama Amapakabor took charge of the team for a Week 6 game against Akwa United, where they ended the league leaders unbeaten run with a 1-0 home win.

“Coach Baraje is back with us, he has been conducting training since Wednesday. We are all doing well,” an Enyimba player informed.

Baraje

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I can stop Messi again in Brazil –Haruna Ifeanyi Ibeh

T

he football world would readily recall Vincent Enyeama’s exploits in goal against Lionel Messi when Nigeria came up against Argentina at the last FIFA World Cup in South Africa, but not many are able to recall the role Lukman Haruna played in that 1-0 loss to the Argentines.

Already renowned for his passing ability and his long range shots, Haruna showed that not only could he locate his teammates across the pitch and test goalkeepers from a distance, but that he could also dish out tackles and excel in a man-marking role after being handed the job of stopping Messi by then Super Eagles coach, Lars Lagerback.

Although Messi still managed to find a way to get a few shots on target against Enyeama, Haruna was most of the time in the face of the Argentine superstar and even bagged a yellow card in the process.

So effective was Haruna against the Argentines that he was rated Nigeria’s best outfield player at the end of the encounter by FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG).

And as the Super Eagles get set to come up against the former two-time world champions in June, in Brazil, Haruna is confident of putting a stop to the mazy runs of the Barcelona star if selected by Stephen Keshi for the World Cup. “He (Messi) is one of the best players in the world; a player a lot of us admire; someone who can on his day singlehandedly win a game for his team. But I guess I had a good game against him, even though we lost,” said the Dynamo Kiev midfielder.

“Yes, he got a few shots at goal but they weren’t when I was around him. He is arguably the best in the world but I have great confidence in my ability to stop any player,” he added.

One snag however for Haruna is the fact that he hasn’t played for the Super Eagles since the end of the 2010 World Cup and has been unable to add to the seven caps and one goal he has grabbed playing for his father-land.

It is a situation that continues to baffle

Charles Ogundiya

P

layers of Nigeria Premier League outfit, Sharks, have promised to build on last Wednesday’s away victory over Kaduna United. The Port Harcourt-based side won 2-1 in Kaduna.

According to the club’s media officer, Peter Abaje, in an interview with New Telegraph, the players have resolved to continue their impressive start to the season by picking more points on the road.

“The victory against Kaduna United was a welcome success and the players have promised to continue in that rich form in their remaining league matches,” said Abaje. “To get to the top is easy, but to remain there is the most difficult part of it.”

Sharks coach, Gbenga Ogunbote, had in a post-match interview described the victory as one that had been in the pipeline for some time.

“The victory means a lot because we have been working towards it right from the beginning of the season,” said Ogunbote.

“We thank God we were able to get it. It shows that we can really get what we planned to get at the start of the

Blame Keshi for World Cup list delay – Lawal

the 23 year-old former AS Monaco player especially as he feels he has something to contribute to the Super Eagles’ quest of reaching the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in 16 years.

“I am much more matured than I was four years ago, and playing regularly for one of the biggest clubs in Europe,” said Haruna, who joined the former UEFA Super Cup winners from Monaco in 2011.

“I had previously stated that my best chance of returning to the Super Eagles is to give my best for my club every time I get to play, and I have been doing that.

“So the only thing left is to wait and see if it is good enough for the national team coaches. I have always given my best anytime it comes to playing for my country and that is what I will continue to do if the coaches consider me good enough for their plans for the World Cup. “I have been following the team’s progress and I believe we have a realistic chance of qualifying from our group and going very far at the World Cup, and that is why I want to be in Brazil.

But the decision doesn’t rest with me; it is up to the coach if he wants me or not, but I hope he does.

I really hope he does,” stressed Haruna, who captained the Nigerian U-17 side to success at the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea.

Vincent Eboigbe

G

arba Lawal has stated in very categorical terms that Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, is to blame for the delay in the release of the World Cup list, provisional or otherwise, with barely 46 days to the start of the Mundial.

The meeting between Keshi and the Nigeria Football Federation, which was supposed to resolve the matter of the squad, was deadlocked on Tuesday, as both parties could not arrive at a compromise with regard to players who should make the list.

While Keshi was said to favour taking along certain players like much maligned goal keeper Chigozie Agbim, and Gabriel Reuben, the Federation insisted on Ikechukwu Uche, a player Keshi is dead set against including in the World Cup party.

The stalemate eventually necessitated a situation where the coach was given more time to ruminate over the list, as the NFF also engages in more ‘consultations.’

But Lawal, a former Eagles midfielder, told our correspondent on the telephone that not having the list already is inexcusable.

“If by now we don’t have the

Sharks to build on away victory season because if you really want to achieve success you must learn to win away from home,” added the former Sunshine Stars coach.

On his own part, the hero of the match against Kaduna United, Super Eagles fringe player, Christian Pyagbara, while appreciating God for giving him the opportunity to score the two goals, however promised to work hard and get more goals for the team

Sharks FC players

after fluffing so many scoring chances against Kaduna United.

“I missed a lot of chances against Kaduna United, but I am working on that aspect of my game,” he said.

Sharks replaced Akwa United at the top of the league table after the victory and will be home to El-Kanemi Warriors this weekend in Port-Harcourt.

27

World Cup list it is clearly the coach’s fault. What is he waiting for? Maybe there are players he wants on the list; that could be the reason there are issues,” Lawal said.

“So what was the reason for the meeting in the first place, if the issue of the squad which was supposed to be sorted out could not be resolved. I was not at the meeting for instance. I think it is a difficult situation.

“By now as a coach, Keshi should have his 35-man or 40-man list as the case may be. But apparently he doesn’t. The truth is we don’t have a list and the fault rests with the coach no matter how you look at it. It is his responsibility.”

Lawal, who incidentally is a member of the NFF Technical Committee, added that this situation is capable of impacting negatively on Super Eagles’ outing at the Mundial in Brazil, but he gain maintained that Keshi will have to take the rap.

“If the inability to have a World Cup list with just 46 days to the World Cup affects us in Brazil then Keshi must accept all the blame, not you not me and certainly not Nigerians. That is why he is the coach,” affirmed Lawal who is also the General Manager of Kaduna United.

Children Foundation: Elegbelye, Maigari encourage past players - Okoku Chimaobi Uchendu

F

ormer Green Eagles player, Paul Okoku has said that the support he received during the launching of his trust fund for the less privileged in the society from the sports fraternity would go a long way in encouraging other athletes to give back to the society after retirement.

Okoku said the commitment of the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, president of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Sanni Ndanusa and the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari has humbled him to do more for the society.

“I am humbled and grateful to everyone that attended the launching, and with humility, I want to say that this gesture would spur other retired athletes to give back to the society.

“I want to thank, Elegbeleye, Ndanusa and Maigari for leading the sports fraternity to the launch.

“This collaborative initiative will take a collective effort to succeed and I want to urge all Nigerians

to ensure that we empower lessprivileged children have a brighter future through our humanitarian projects. The government cannot do it alone,” Okoku said.

Okoku

P 35 35 34 35 35 35 34 35 35 35 35 35 35 34 34 34 35 35 35 34

P 34 34 33 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 34 33 34 34 34

No. Team

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SERIA A

No Team P 1.Bayern 31 2 Dortmund 31 3Schalke 31 4Leverkusen 31 5 Wolfsburg 31 6 M’gladbach 31 7 Mainz 31 8 FC Augsburg 31 9 Hoffenheim 31 10 Hertha 31 11 Bremen 31 12 Frankfurt 31 13 Freiburg 31 14 Hannover 31 15 Stuttgart 31 16 Hamburger 31 17 1. Nürnberg 31 18 Braunschweig 31

BUNDESLIGA

NO TEAM 1 Atlético 2 Barcelona 3 Real M 4 Bilbao 5 Sevilla 6 Sociedad 7 Villarreal 8 Valencia 9 Espanyol 10 Málaga 11 Levante 12 Vallecano 13 Celta Vigo 14 Granada 15 Osasuna 16 Elche 17 Valladolid 18 Getafe 19 Almería 20 Real Betis

LA LIGA

NO TEAM 1 Liverpool 2 Chelsea 3 Man City 4 Arsenal 5 Everton 6 Tottenham 7 Man Utd 8 Southampton 9 Newcastle 10 Stoke 11 C/ Palace 12 West Ham 13 Swansea 14 Hull 15 Aston Villa 16 West Brom 17 Norwich 18 Cardiff 19 Fulham 20 Sunderland

Pts

Pts 81 64 58 54 53 49 47 43 40 38 36 35 35 35 31 27 26 25

Pts 85 81 79 62 59 54 52 45 41 41 41 40 40 37 35 35 32 32 30 22

PTS 80 75 74 70 69 63 57 49 46 44 43 37 36 36 35 33 32 30 30 29

PREMIER LEAGUE

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A

tletico Madrid could have both Raul Garcia and Arda Turan avail-

missed Atleti’s last four games.

Mundo Deportivo re-

Garcia, Turan train for Atletico

relegation zone.

Chelsea has a chance if it can press the issue on offense. The Reds have scored the most goals in the league, but their defense has allowed 44, which is only the seventh-fewest in the EPL. The Blues have scored five goals in their last four matches, but three came in one match.

Chelsea goals leader Eden Hazard missed the Sunderland match due to injury, and he is questionable for this big EPL encounter. Samuel Eto’o did score in the Blues’ last match, and he and Oscar may have to carry the torch for the Chelsea attack.

Raheem Sterling scored two goals in

Liverpool 157 69 35 53

157 53 35 69

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Chelsea

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Head-to-head

the Reds’ last match, and Luis Suarez (whose Uruguay national team inched slightly upward in World Cup future odds) and Daniel Sturridge are the two leading scorers in the EPL. The Chelsea defense will have its hands full. While Sturridge did not play in the Norwich match, he may be fit for this one. The line could move further in Liverpool’s favor this week if he is confirmed ready to play.

Earlier this season at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea beat Liverpool 2-1. Last season at Liverpool, these two teams played to a 2-2 draw.

The Blues dominated the time-ofpossession battle against Sunderland.

But if they lost that match to the league’s last-place team, how will they fare at Liverpool?

Not only does Chelsea have to win this match to stay alive for the league title, but it also has a big Tuesday night encounter in Madrid in the semifinals of the Champions League.

SHOWDOWN AT ANFIELD

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Depleted City face Palace

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aris Saint-Germain will secure their first back-to-back Ligue 1 titles with victory at Sochaux on Sunday.

The men from the capital are three-time French champions, but have never lifted the trophy in consecutive years.

In truth, achieving that feat this time around has rarely looked in doubt and Laurent Blanc’s charges could seal top spot with three games to spare.

While admitting facing a Sochaux side fighting for their Ligue 1 survival could prove tough, Blanc is hopeful of having the title wrapped up by the end of the weekend.

“If we can win the Ligue 1 title this week, it will be a very good thing,” he said. “We still need a few points.”

Second-placed Monaco travel to basement club Ajaccio - already relegated from the top flight - but the principality outfit must better PSG’s result to keep their slim title hopes alive.

Claudio Ranieri’s men bounced back from their humiliating 3-1 Coupe de France semifinal defeat to Guingamp with a 1-0 derby victory over Nice on Sunday, and will be hoping to extend the gap between themselves and third-placed Lille in the chase for a place in the UEFA Champian City are hoping to keep ons League group stages. up the pressure on Liverpool with a victory over Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Chelsea’s loss against Sunderland means Manchester City are now solely reliant on Liverpool losing one of their remaining fixture’s - against Chelsea, Newcastle or Crystal Palace - to win the Premier league. They are without Jesus Navas, David Silva, and Matija Nastasic through injury, whilst Yaya Toure should return.

Manchester City have won three of their last six fixtures with two draws and one loss, averaging a scoreline of 3-1.

Once battling relegation, Palace now causing chaos for teams both above and below them. Toni Pulis has completely transformed Crystal Palace into a well organised unit, who currently stand just 1 point below his previous club Stoke City. The team has the

PSG set to clinch title Sunday

Global Football Special

Liverpool tackle Chelsea in home stretch

helsea left the door open to the Premier League title, and Luis Suarez and Liverpool can barge in and claim it with a win this weekend.

Chelsea’s shocking 2-1 loss to Sunderland left Liverpool five points clear atop the table with only three matches remaining. The Reds own a nine-point lead over Man City, which has played two fewer matches than Liverpool.

Even if the Reds lose this match, Chelsea and Man City both need help.

But help may be hard to find, as Liverpool’s last two matches are facing Crystal Palace on the road and Newcastle at home. Both squads are in the middle of the league pack.

Liverpool has at least made it interesting as of late. In its last three matches, it is 3-0 but has given up five goals while scoring eight. In its last match, it gave up two goals to a Norwich City squad that is fighting to stay out of the

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www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

NEW TELEGRAPH

Oboabona

arring unforeseen c i r c u m s t a n ce s , Super Eagles midfielder, John Mikel Obi, is certain to return to Chelsea starting line-up in the Premier League when the Blues face Liverpool on Sunday.

The Nigerian mid-

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Mikel returns to EPL Starting role at Anfield

uper Eagles defender, Godfrey Oboabona, will match his words with action when his Turkish side, Rizespor, arrive at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium for a league clash with Emmanuel Emenike’s Fernabahce on Sunday.

Oboabona has been talking tough,saying he will not be intimidated by the talent of his compatriot when the proceeding begins.

Emenike has become one pof the biggest strikers in the Super Lig, the Nigerian has managed impressive 12 goals so far and he’s one of the reasons for Yellow Submarines’s unassailable lead in the league.

However, Oboabona has also established himself as a reliable force in Rizespor squad. He’s in inspiring mood after scoring his second goal of the season in the club’s victory last weekend and he will fancy his chance against the best team in the land.

Elsewhere in Turkey, John Utaka will host another team from Istanbul, Besiktas. The striker who is pushing for a place in the Nigerian team to the World Cup has scored six goals for the club four.

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Oboabona, Emenike clash in Turkey

Emenike

EAGLES FOCUS

28 SPORT NEW TELEGRAP 26 apr

Team Torino Juventus Verona Napoli Inter Genoa

suolo on Monday.

With four games remaining, Antonio Conte’s Juve are eight points clear of rivals Roma at the summit after Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Bologna, their third on the bounce.

Juve, who are on track to break the 100-point barrier for the first time in Serie A history, have collected 90 points after 34 rounds, with Roma managing 82 from the same amount of games.

The Italian giants are set to meet early next month but that clash could be made redundant if Juve take the points from their trip to the Stadio Citta del Tricolore and Roma fail to beat AC Milan this weekend.

And Juve are expected to get the better of the relegation-threatened outfit, who will be without three key

Riviere

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A buoyant Lewis Hamilton has paid tribute to the crew of Mercedes engineers who have laid the foundations for his stunning start to the new season.

Hamilton completed his third successive victory on Sunday in the Chinese GP as he closed the gap to World Championship leader and Mercedes team-mate - Nico Rosberg to just four points in the standings.

“I really couldn’t do this without all the hard work from the team, it’s incredible. Honestly, I just can’t believe how amazing the car is, and how hard everyone has worked,” said Hamilton afterwards.

Hamilton

S Monaco striker Emmanuel Riviere has been offered to Newcastle United.

The Evening Chronicle says United are on a list of top-flight clubs Riviere has been offered to in recent

months.

Riviere has netted 13 goals in 33 games for moneybags Monaco this term and the 24-year-old is understood to be keen to make the move to the Premier League.

Monaco striker Riviere offered to Newcastle

Bundesliga Pos.Player Goals Team 1 Lewandowski 18 Dortmund 1 Mario Mandžukic 18 Bayern 3 Adrian Ramos 16 Hertha B 3 Josip Drmic 16 (Nürnberg 5 Stefan Kießling 15 Leverkusen 5 Marco Reus 15 Dortmund

Serie A No Player Goals 1 Ciro Immobile 20 2 Carlos Tévez 18 2 Luca Toni 18 4 Gonzalo Higuaín 17 5 Rodrigo Palacio 15 6 Alberto Gilardino 14

La Liga No Player Goals Team 1 C. Ronaldo 28 Real Madrid 2 Diego Costa 27 A’ Madrid 3 Lionel Messi 26 Barcelona 4 Karim Benzema 17 Real Madrid 4 Alexis Sánchez 17 Barcelona 6 Adúriz 16 Athletic Club

EPL No Player Goals Team 1 Luis Suarez 30 Liverpool 2 Daniel Sturridge 20 Liverpool 3 Yaya Touré 18 Man City 4 Sergio Agüero 16 Man City 5 Wayne Rooney 15 Man United 5 Jay Rodriguez 15 Southampton

TOP SCORERS

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players.

Sassuolo climbed out of the drop zone with a hardfought 1-0 win at Chievo but it came at a cost, with top scorer Domenico Berardi, Davide Biondini and Simone Missiroli receiving one-match bans after picking up yellow cards.

As for Roma, they are guaranteed a top-two finish and UEFA Champions League football next season.

Rudi Garcia’s team have exceeded all expectations this season and while they are eight points off the pace, their manager has not given up on claiming silverware.

But the Rome-based club, who have won eight on the bounce, must beat seventh-placed Milan at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday if they are to keep their faint title hopes alive.

Milan are in good form themselves, unbeaten in six matches since their 4-2 defeat to Parma last month.

Juventus ready to seal Serie A title

1 Juventus 34 90 2 Roma 34 82 3 Napoli 34 68 4 Fiorentina 34 58 5 Inter 34 56 6 Parma 34 51 7 Milan 34 51 8 Torino 34 49 9 Lazio 34 49 10 Verona 34 49 11 Atalanta 34 46 12 Sampdoria 34 41 13 Udinese 34 39 14 Genoa 34 39 15 Cagliari 34 36 16 Chievo 34 30 17 Sassuolo 34 28 uventus can virtually 18 Bologna 34 28 secure a third consecu19 Livorno 34 25 tive Serie A title with 20 Catania 34 23 victory over lowly Sas-

ports both players trained without issue on Friday and are at the disposal of Coach Diego Simeone.

Play the world’s most challenging Fantasy Football Game by building your Team from Europe’s best 5 leagues. Pick your favourite stars including Luis Suarez, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to compete against friends.

Toure

smallest injury list in the league featuring just Marouane Chamakh, who is expected to return for this fixture. They have won five of their last six with one loss, averaging a scoreline of 2-1.

American superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. said he will treat his upcoming welterweight showdown against Marcos Maidana as a “chess match,” as he vowed not to make any reckless moves against the dangerous Argentine.

Mayweather and Maidana will battle in a title unification bout on May 3 at the MGM Grand, and the unbeaten American has been installed as a massive favorite.

La Liga Granada v Vallecano Getafe v Málaga Real v Osasuna Betis v Sociedad Sunday Espanyol v Almería Valencia v Atlético Bilbao v Sevilla Villarreal v Barcelona

EPL Saturday Southampton v Everton Fulham v Hull Stoke v Tottenham Swansea v Aston Villa West Brom v West Ham Man Utd v Norwich Sunderland v Cardiff Liverpool v Chelsea Crystal Palace v Man City

Bundesliga Saturday Mainz 05 Nürnberg Hoffenheim v Frankfurt Bayern v Bremen Hertha v Braunschweig Wolfsburg v Freiburg Leverkusen v Dortmund Sunday Augsburg v Hamburg Schalkev M’gladbach

Serie A Saturday Bologna v Fiorentina Inter v Napoli Sunday Verona v Catania Cagliari v Parma Livorno v Lazio Sampdoria v Chievo Torino v Udinese Atalanta v Genoa

FIXTURES

Emenike

Musa

While the PGA Tour continues to roll on with golf tournaments and new champions, a lot of the focus still sits with a man that is recovering from a back surgery.

Tiger Woods, the No. 1 player in the world, missed the Masters because of a surgery on a pinched nerve in his back, but his agent, Mark Steinberg, believes we could see Tiger return as early as the summer.

Steinberg said that Woods has already started some chipping and putting, and he expects a return to the PGA Tour by this summer.

Woods

hmed Musa may play a part in CSKA Moscow’s league match with Rubin Kazan on Sunday.

The Nigerian has been injured for about ten days but the medics at the club have given an indication that the winger could return for this tie.

He returned to training last Monday but he has to pass fitness race ahead of the clash.

Musa has seven league goals to his credit and could add to that tally if he bounces back ontime.

In Spain, Ike Uche might not be so lucky as he is expected to be missing in action when his La Liga side, Villarreal, host Barcelona.

Uche copped an injury about two weeks ago and there have been indications that he may not return to action soon.

A

Musa to face Kazan, Ike Uche still doubtful

fielder has not feature in Coach Jose Mourinho starting libe-up in the Premier League since their 3-0 win at Southampton on New Year day but he will bounce back to reckoning as the Portuguese is set to rest some of his regulars for the Champions League second leg match with Atletico on Wednesday.

Mikel has played 22 games for the former champions, most of them as substitute and has sone goal to his Mikel credit.

Andy Murray had something of a rough ride during a flight from Paris to London this week - when his plane was hit twice by lightning.

The tennis ace tweeted about the ordeal immediately afterwards, writing: “Lightning just struck twice... the plane I was on from Paris to London. Been a rough few days travel. #sweatypalms #whiteknuckles.”

And, as he hinted at, it wasn’t the fist travel hiccup he’d experience recently. On 20 April he tweeted: “Engine problem en route to Paris.”

Murray

of Barca, must overcome an examining hurdle to achieve a ninth successive La Liga victory, even though their opponents were involved in UEFA Europa League action on Thursday.

Valencia have lost just one of their last 12 home games in all competitions, while Atletico have not won a league game at the Mestalla in over 11 years.

Ancelotti’s Real, six points off the pace but with a game in hand on the top two, face an Osasuna outfit unbeaten in four matches – just three days before a decisive trip to face Bayern Munich.

The Italian claimed Cristiano Ronaldo was “only 50 percent fit” in Real’s 1-0 win over Bayern on Wednesday, but the Portuguese has since declared himself in “perfect condition”.

SPORT BRIEFLY

Messi

transfer ban lifted by FIFA. Encouragingly, Barca hold a nine-match unbeaten run against Villarreal, while Messi has scored six goals in his last four starts against them.

Villarreal made a superb start to their first term back in the top flight, but Marcelino’s men have won just three of their last 12 games to drop to seventh.

Atletico, four points clear

Mayweather

rested Barcelona will hope to capitalise on the fatigue of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid and fellow contenders Real Madrid this weekend.

Gerardo Martino afforded his players a day off on Monday and they visit Villarreal on Sunday having not played in midweek for the first time since mid-March.

Atletico and Real, by contrast, were involved in exhausting UEFA Champions League semi-final first legs. Carlo Ancelotti’s side host fourth-bottom Osasuna on Saturday and Diego Simeone’s team visit Valencia the following day.

It has certainly been a positive week in Catalunya. They responded to three straight defeats by beating Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, took a step closer to extending Lionel Messi’s contract, and had a

Barca seek to close in on tired Atletico

A

Garcia

able for the weekend’s game against Valencia.

Garcia suffered a thigh injury towards the end of Tuesday’s goalless Champions League draw with Chelsea while Turan played only the final half hour of the match.

The Turkey international has only just recovered from a groin injury and reported no reaction to the run-out against the Blues, having

PH ON SATURDAY ril 2014

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Aguero prepares for title run-in with golf

S

ergie Aguero is expected to return to the City starting line-up as Manuel Pellegrini’s side look to rein in Premier League leaders Liverpool after playing some rounds of golf.

Liverpool moved five points clear at the top on Sunday with a 3-2 win at Norwich, but while City are nine point adrift of Brendan Rodgers’ side they do have two games in hand.

Aguero has scored 15 goals this season despite missing much of the campaign with a persistent

Lifestyle

hamstring injury. He made his latest comeback off the bench in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland last week.

Pellegrini is eager to see his side bounce back from the disappointment of that previous outing.

He said: ‘I think all the games are different.

‘It would be very easy to just focus on what has happened in other games. ‘The performance in every game is very important and I hope we are going to improve our performance against West Brom.’

Tyson and son

IRS writes off Tyson’s tax debt

Aguero

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Gunnarsson takes a break from Cardiff’s relegation fight

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Gunnarsson (left) and his partner, ‘Kris J’

ardiff may be struggling with life in the Premier League, but midfielder Aron Gunnarsson had a reason to smile on Sunday when his girlfriend finished second in a bikini competition.

Gunnarsson uploaded a postcompetition photograph with his girlfriend on Twitter, alongside the caption ‘Proud of my missus’.

Both Gunnarsson and his partner, who goes by the name ‘Kris J’ in competition, are from Iceland and the Bluebirds midfielder has made 42 appearances for his country.

How Ronaldo’s girlfriend celebrated Easter

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s Cristiano Ronaldo trained to return to first team action on Wednesday were he helped Real Madrid get past Bayern Munich in their Champions League semi-final first leg. His girlfriend Irina Shayk shared a photo of herself at home in a semi- nude Easter bunny outfit.

Ronaldo, 29 recovered

from the 1.5cm tear in his left hamstring after three weeks without playing.

The sight of Ronaldo on the training park was an encouraging sight for treblechasing Real fans who haven’t seen their superstar in action since he limped off in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund.

ike Tyson has a new-found respect for the IRS after revealing that they forgave some of his owed backlog of taxes - while Evander Holyfield admits to have had financial problems too.

The 47-year-old has infamously struggled with his finances for years and declared bankruptcy in 2005, stating that he was $23million in debt.

He has been working his way back to even with the IRS after failing to pay taxes for years.

At a Tribeca Film Festival talk over the weekend, he alluded to the fact that the debts were not necessarily paid off but he is working towards it, saying ‘Just look at the IRS check I just sent!’

‘The IRS was very kind to me the other day.

They excused $2million off my bill. I like the IRS now,’ he said.

Tyson spoke about his appreciation for the government agency during a talk that coincided with the launch of a documentary called Champs which profiles Tyson, his former rival Holyfield and fellow boxer Bernard Hopkins.

Holyfield, who had a part of his ear bitten off

by Tyson during a fight in 1997, was by his side at the Manhattan event on Saturday and said that he had similar financial problems.

‘All of sudden when I started making $20million a fight, and they started talking about things I had never heard of before, so I just listened and figured they’d do the right thing,’ Holyfield said according to The New York Post.

‘Unfortunately, it’s not people you don’t know, it’s people you do know and people you trust.

A lot of the time we trust our family members, but you have to forgive. Because I have forgiven.’

Zauzau Emirate celebrates the return of Polo Festival

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s the Nigerian polo family and enthusiasts of the sport of kings’ warm up for Zaria Polo Festival, the management of Zaria Polo Club is finalising arrangements for its much touted annual tournament.

Traditionally billed for the Easter holiday period, but pushed forward, The Zaria’2014 competition would provide a convivial ambiance for the polo fraternity to celebrate the return of Maiduguri polo to the national calendar and to the foremost Zauzau kingdom.

The prestigious fiesta that attracted over thirty seven teams from all the major polo centres across the country last year, enjoy the royal backing of the Emir of Zazzau, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Shehu Idris and the Emir of Katsina who is the Life Chairman Nigerian polo, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulmumuni Kabir Usman.

Organised by the Nigerian Polo Federation (NPF), the glamorous fiesta that gallops-off the second stage of the national polo tour, is chiefly sponsored

by MTN Communication, with strong support from the governments of Bauchi, Niger, Kaduna states and Katsina Emirates Council, among others Captain of Zaria Polo Club, Alhaji Muktar Isa Hazo who dropped this hint, said the glamorous polo festi-

WITH

Chimaobi Uchendu

princehench@yahoo.com

08092747532

val would feature top teams from Port Harcourt, Yola, Bauchi, Minna, Abuja, Jos, Katsina , Kaduna, Minna and Sokoto in a weeklong galloping showdown.

According to Hazo, the over thirty seven battle ready teams loaded with all the big names of Nigerian polo, would vie for honours in four major title categories with a handful of subsidiary prizes at stake.

He listed the major prizes to include the high stake, Royal Signal Cup which is the biggest cup, the medium-goal Emir of Zauzau Cup, The Governor’s Cup and the lowgoal University Cup. In their bid to compete favourably for the top prizes at stake, host Zaria is packaging over five strong teams that would carry the hope of their teeming fans throughout the weeklong campaign and the captain has specifically singled out the University Cup as one of their biggest targets.

“Polo and the Zauzau Kingdom have a long history of partnership

Polo players in action recently

which dates back almost a century and by our own reckoning, MTN/ Zaria’ 2014 polo tournament promises to be most exciting parade of kings the ancient city has witnessed in decades,” the captain pointed out.

“Arrangements are being finalised and the club management has been holding high level discussions with our patrons, benefactors and potential sponsors and everything

is looking good for a grand event that would further consolidate the return of the noble game to the ancient Zauzau kingdom,” Hazo added.

Zaria Polo Club Secretary, Alhaji Aliyu Musa says the whole city is bracing up to host its second annual tournament since coming out of decades of idleness five years ago. “We are overwhelmed by the huge interest our tournament is generating,

and we are eagerly looking forward to a real festival.”Musa who will be leading the Zaria MTN team during the fiesta added.

Already, the polo club nestling on the Queen Elizabeth Road in Zaria GRA, is wearing a new look as communication giants, MTN is seeking to get Zaria under its growing sponsorship bouquet of international polo events in the country.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

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Scoring winning goals in Tunisia ’94 and Atlanta ’96 still gives me joy –Amuneke Emmanuel Amuneke was known for his terrific runs down the left flank for the national team in his heyday. Now coach of the Under-17, the former Barcelona man in this interview with CHARLES OGUNDIYA, talks about his success as a player, his target with the Golden Eaglets, among other issues. Excerpts: Your career as a player Talent in football is God-given, but how the talent flourish is another thing all together. I was lucky I had the talent as a player, and through hard work and God’s grace, I was able to develop into a good player and achieve what I did.

Now I am giving back to the country that made me what I am today. I will continue to work hard and let God take all the glory. I was given the opportunity to play in the national team which was a great blessing, for which I’m grateful to God and to Nigerians. That is the greatest thing a man can do for his country.

On scoring the winning goals against Zambia in the Nations Cup final in ’94 and against Argentina in the Atlanta ’96 football final They were a blessing for me. I also believe that is the way God wanted it. A sign of responsibility, I was called upon to represent my country and scoring those goals gave our team victory and the people back home were happy; they also showed their appreciation for what we did. Those goals are still a source of great joy to me and nothing can compare to that; that is why we are encouraging these youths to be focused and give their all to what they are doing; it is not just playing football or wearing the green white jersey, it transcend that; more than 160 million Nigerians are there watching you. It was a good moment for our generation, winning the Nations Cup in 1994, qualifying for the first World Cup and two years later winning the first Olympic gold medal in football for Africa that brought a lot of joy and glory to the country. It is not that we were the best players in the country, or that I deserved to score the winning goal, but God used me to score those goals and I will continue to be grateful to him.

Compare 1994 squad and the current squad going to World Cup This squad can surpass our achievement, but they have to believe in themselves, they have to work very hard, they have to know that the World Cup is played every four years and, if they’re are privileged to play in one, then they should count themselves lucky. They have to know that the road will be rough, nothing comes easy in life and the only way to become great is through hard work and dedication. They have to give their best and as nation we should be able to support them. Even the players having difficulties in their clubs must be encouraged rather than being constantly criticized, they must be able to have some sense of belonging, they have to be respected;

is you cannot become a good player with talent alone, there are a lot of factors surrounding such development and if you don’t know all those things, it becomes a problem when you find yourself in the national team. There will be a lot of tactical errors and so on. We try to work towards a situation where the players know that they need to understand other things apart from playing football.

they must have the feeling that Nigerians love and appreciate what they are doing.

Crisis in Barcelona For a team like Barcelona to crash out of the Champions League in the quarter final and to be in the third position in the La Liga, must be a difficult time for the team and the players; this is a team that is built to win trophies every year, so losing in the Champions League which is the big one, losing the Copa dey Rey final to Real Madrid and about losing the league must be a bad time for the players. It is a big crisis, I have been there before and I don’t think it is a pleasant thing for the players at the moment. What the players need to do now is to believe in themselves and hopefully they can still get something out of their season and build from there at the beginning of the next season. Although it will be very difficult, especially with the transfer ban placed on the team; this is the time for them to show the stuff they are made of as a big team.

Returning to wing play which is Nigeria’s traditional approach It is not playing from the wings that matters; what you have to understand is that football is changing every time, what is good today, may be outdated tomorrow; we must find a formula that can accommodate the players invited, we must find a pattern of play that will confuse opponents; that was what we did with the wing play back then. If you have a team where five players attack and the other five defend, then you don’t have a team, but when everyone work for one another on the pitch, that is modern football. If you look at the playing pitch now, the space is reducing and you need players with intelligence who will already know what to do with the ball before it gets to them. Now it is difficult to find someone that plays from the wing like in our days when Finidi (George) and I were making good use of the wings to terrorise defenders thus making it possible for other players to get the goals.

Getting a left sided player to replace Amuneke We are looking forward to getting someone that can even be better than Amuneke, it has been my prayer that one day, a player will come up to do better than

Amuneke

wearing the green and white of Nigeria.

what I did for the country. It all boils down to determination. Football unites all Nigerians, and it can only give them joy when there is a great performance from the players representing the country. Anybody coming to represent the country must be ready to assume responsibility and also to do it with dignity. Sometimes it is not about winning or losing, but that even when you lose but gives your all, the country will appreciate you. Our players should be ready to give over 100 percent when

Target as the Under 17 coach I was part of the last project, but I believe it is the same idea. I look at it as a channel of production that we can use to develop good players that can measure up to the demands of the modern game. The most important thing is to remain focused, and work very hard knowing that nobody is going to give you anything for free in football. You can’t win just by talking; it has to be through hard work and patience. We have talented boys coming from different academies, but talents alone can’t achieve results. We need to gradually introduce them to the demands of the game, and that is what I am interested in, not to impress anyone, or about winning. The only person I want to impress is God. Players’ transition to the national team from the junior sides Our dream is for the players to

This squad can surpass our achievement, but they have to believe in themselves, they have to work very hard grow by understanding the game.

When the time comes, that is if they have the luck to continue playing football, because we have to consider a lot of factors that come into play especially injury, then we can hope to see the boys grow and develop to become better players, such that when they finally find themselves in the national team, they will know what to do. Most of these young players are good, but if they fail to develop their talents as players and later in the future they meet players from other countries who have developed their talents, then they will find it difficult to compete. That is the problem of young players here in Nigeria; truth

Allegations of taking bribes from players It is normal that people will say a lot of things about you. Some will say good things, some will say bad things, but you don’t let people’s opinion about you turn you away from your objectives. I am only focusing on what I want to achieve as a person. We had a two-week screening exercise where I had to face almost 500 kids every day for just two hours training. Despite that, I gave everyone a chance, even players who weren’t good enough.

But if people believe we have to give players hours to show what they can do, then I think they’re mistaken. We shared the training pitch with the Flying Eagles and the Super Falcons, so we didn’t have the luxury of giving a player ten hours to convince us. If you are good, then you are good. But some of these people are only angry because they believe I am about to block their source of making money.

I made it known from the beginning that any player who wants to serve Nigeria doesn’t have to pay anything to anybody; that the only thing they had to do was to get themselves to Abuja, where they will be given a fair chance like every other player. So, it is normal for some people not to appreciate what we are doing. They will cook up stories, saying we are taking bribes, selling players and all sort of things. I don’t care about what they have been saying. All I care about is how to raise a good team and see how my players can grow from match to match.

Most memorable time of your career I had good times as a player and also some difficult moments; there are beautiful times like when we won the Nations Cup, the Olympic football gold and also becoming African footballer of the year in 1994. One of the bad moments was when I had the injury, but to me nothing remains rosy all the time which makes me grateful to God always. If I was dead, it will be another thing but now I am still alive.

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Countdown to Fifa World Cup HISTORY

2002 World Cup… slide sets in for Eagles!

Vincent Eboigbe

F Dzagoev, Russia Feghouli, Algeria Park Chu-Young, S’ Korea

Hazard, Belgium

It’s Belgium and others in Group H Ifeanyi Ibeh

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fter a brief tranquil era in the 1980s, when a golden generation of Belgian players placed fourth at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, the Red Devils failed to make any meaningful impact at the next four tournaments before failing to qualify for both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.

But they will be returning to football’s biggest stage in June and will be led by a coach, Marc Wilmots, who was on the pitch the last time the Belgians played at the 2002 World Cup. On that occasion, the Red Devils lost 2-0 in the round of 16 to Brazil, who went on to claim a fifth world title after defeating Germany in the final. But things might have turned out differently had the referee not wrongly ruled out a perfectly good goal by Wilmots.

Twelve years later, after several frustrated campaigns, Wilmots and his young Red Devils head to Brazil as one of the tournament outsiders, all thanks to the impressive way they qualified for the World Cup, going undefeated in qualifying and winning all five of their away games, including victories over Croatia and Serbia.

With players like Eden Hazard and his brother Thorgen, as well as Vincent Kompany, Marouane Fellaine, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, no other country coming to Brazil can boast anywhere near as much young talent as Belgium does. But they are also internationally inexperienced, and that could be a problem for Wilmots as Brazil 2014 will be their first major tournament.

They should be able to make it past their Group H rivals – Russia, South Korea and Algeria – and into the round of 16. And from there, it’s anyone’s guess how much farther this young and fearless side can go.

Same goes for the Russians who, over two decades after ceasing to be such a mystery to the rest of the world, following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, can’t seem to find their footing in world football.

While, the Soviet Union had a rich World Cup history, which included four

straight quarterfinals appearances and one semi-final run from 1958 through 1970, Russia have only made it to two of the last five tournaments, crashing out in the group stage on both occasions.

And even though Fabio Capello’s side qualified for the World Cup ahead of Portugal, and will be in Brazil with one of the most exciting youngsters of the modern game in Alan Dzagoev, their lack of international experience, and the fact that most of their players ply their football back home, could prove to be their weak spots in Brazil.

Not so for the South Koreans, Asia’s most successful team at the World Cup who can boast of a plethora of players playing their football overseas, especially in Europe.

The Koreans have also not missed a World Cup since 1982, and even though it took them until their sixth World Cup appearance to even win a game, when they finally did, they went on to make it to the semi-finals in front of their home crowds back in 2002.

Another round of 16 appearance at the 2010 World Cup proved that the South Koreans were no one-hit wonders, and they will be looking to re-enact that in Brazil.

One side who will not be hoping to re-enact their 2010 performance this time around though will be an Algerian side that is a far cry from the team that shocked the world back in 1982.

That 1982 team, consisting of players like Lakhdar Belloumi, Menad Djamel and Rabah Madjer, marked its debut appearance at the World Cup with a stunning 2-1 victory over West Germany. A second victory over Chile should have been enough to qualify for the second round, but the West Germans and the Austrians played out their final group game to

GROUP H FIXTURES 17 June Belgium vs Algeria 17 June Russia vs Korea 22 June Belgium vs Russia 23 June Korea vs Algeria 26 June Korea vs Belgium 26 June Algeria vs Russia

ensure both sides progressed on goal difference in the wake of a 1-0 West German win.

The return trip four years later in Mexico did not match those exploits and it took another 24 years for the Algerians to make a third appearance, but that excursion also ended abruptly at the group stage.

But with most of the players from South Africa 2010 returning for an encore in Brazil, the Algerians could stun an unsuspecting foe or two along the way. However, only time will tell if it will be enough to steer the Desert Foxes past the group stage.

FACT BOX BELGIUM FIFA ranking: 12 Appearances: 12 Best Ever Finish: Fourth (1986) Key players: Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard Captain: Vincent Kompany Manager: Marc Wilmots SOUTH KOREA FIFA ranking: 56 Appearances: 9 Best Ever Finish: Fourth Place (2002) Key players: Son Heung-min and Ki Sung-Yueng Captain: Lee Chung Yong Manager: Hong-Myung Bo

or the first time in the history of the World Cup, Asia had its turn at the championship. Also for the first time, a joint bid between South Korea and Japan hosted the quadrennial fiesta.

Having qualified for the last two editions, Nigeria again made it to competition. But crisis which arose during the African Nations Cup in Mali earlier in 2002 trailed the Super Eagles to Asia and made nonsense of their outing.

Following all the controversies and distractions in Mali, where the players refused to have anything to do with then Director of Sports, Patrick Ekeji, the senior players in the team like Sunday Oliseh, Finidi George, Daniel Amokachi etc. were all cleared out together with the coaching crew led by Amodu Shuaibu. Interestingly, current coach of Super Eagles Stephen Keshi was an assistant coach to Amodu.

Adegboye Onigbinde was drafted in on a rescue mission, and the old man brought his own bagged along.

For instance followers of the game still struggle to find justification for the inclusion of Mutiu Adepoju, who was already past his prime in that team. If that was strange, the inclusion of Femi Opabunmi was even stranger.

Ultimately, the spectre of Mali trailed the team to Asia and ensured Eagles didn’t progress beyond the group stage for the first time. Losses to nemesis, Argentina and Sweden and a draw against England ensured Eagles took the next flight home.

Brazil won the championship for the fifth time in South Korea/ Japan, beating Germany two nil in the finals. Defending champions France failed to progress beyond the group stage, famously losing to Senegal in the opening match of the championship. The African representative went on the make it to the quarter finals, equaling Cameroon’s feat in 1990.

Brazil’s Ronaldo became the highest goal scorer eclipsing Gerd Muller’s 14-goal haul.

The record stood

RUSSIA FIFA ranking: 18 Appearances: 10 Best Ever Finish: Group Stage (1992, 2004) Key players: Alan Dzagoev and Aleksandr Kerzhakov Captain: Igor Akinfeev Manager: Fabio Capello

from 1974. Other records in this edition saw Turkey qualifying for the first time since 1954, and Portugal for the first time since 1986. The Netherlands failed to qualify, while South Korea set a record by appearing in a fifth successive finals tournament, the first nation from outside Europe or the Americas to achieve this feat.

For the first time since making their debut in 1994, Nigeria failed to qualify for the Mundial in Germany 2006. Then Nigeria Football Federation Chairman, Ibrahim Galadima made the ill-timed remark that qualifying for the World Cup was not Nigeria’s birthright. That statement sounded the death knell for Galadima’s regime. The din that followed would consume him.

But qualification for the World Cup is not the birthright of any country, even Brazil. Every team has to go through the rigours of the qualifiers and pass the test. And Nigeria simply didn’t measure up.

Italy won this edition, bringing their overall tally to four.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup and the first to be played in Africa. As a powerhouse, the Super Eagles were expected to make some impact in the African World Cup, but they crashed out in the first round.

Losses to Argentina, Greece and a draw against South Korea sent the team packing early.

Ghana, one of Africa’s representatives, carried the continent’s hopes admirably, making it to the quarter finals only to lose to Uruguay after Luis Suarez blatantly stopped a goal-bound goal with his hands.

In the final, Spain, the European champions, defeated third-time finalists the Netherlands one nil after extra time, with Andrés Iniesta’s goal in the 116th minute giving Spain their first world title. Spain became the eighth nation to win the tournament, and the first European nation to win it outside Europe.

Hosts South Africa, 2006 champions Italy and 2006 runners-up France were all eliminated in the first round. It was the first time that the hosts were eliminated in the first round. New Zealand, with their three draws, were the only undefeated team in the tournament, but that was not enough to stop them crashing out in the first round.

ALGERIA FIFA ranking: 25 Appearances: 4 Best Ever Finish: Group Stage (1982, 1986, 2010) Key players: Madjid Bougherra and Sofiane Feghouli Captain: Madjid Bougherra Manager: Vahid Hililhodzic

VERDICT: Group H seems to be devoid of the talent seen in other groups. Belgium will top the group, with South Korea and Russia battling for second spot.

Casillas, Spain

Enyeama, Nigeria

33

NTWEEKEND

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

CONFLUENCE

... a finger on the city’s pulse

On Obaro Ibru, Louise Priddy’s nocturnal face-off

Meet executive producer of Half of a Yellow Sun I

n the last few months, the career profile of Yewande Sadiku has been on the rise. This intelligent lady is regarded as one of the most outstanding female bankers in Nigeria. Sadiku, the Head, Investment Banking of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, produced the screen adaptation of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s bestselling novel, Half of a Yellow Sun. The film tells the story of the effect of the Nigeria’s Civil War (1967-1970) through the dynamic relationships between two sisters and their lovers. It stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, O.C. Ukeje, Genevieve Nnaji, Onyeka Onwenu and many others. An experienced investment banker, also of the Atedo Peterside School of Investment Banking, Sadiku is currently the Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited. She served as the Head of Finance Department of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc (formerly, IBTC Chartered Bank Plc). She was responsible for the execution of debt and equity issues, mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and financial advisory assignments handled by IBTC and

O

baro, the son of Cecilia Ibru has scampered off the social radar and this is not accidental.

And, according to sources, he intends to stay hidden until the backlash of his alleged assault on rested Bacchus club manager, Louise Priddy dies down. The former banker reportedly assaulted Louise Priddy on Saturday, April 19. The infamous incident reportedly transpired in the course of a night out at a growing classy joint, Quilox on Victoria Island, Lagos. According to insiders, Obaro had sauntered over to the table Louise and her friends occupied seeking “audience”. He was ignored for some inexplicable reasons.

He was said to have left the ‘ladies’ only to meet Louise who he suspected to be the reason other ladies denied him audience. The member of the famous Ibru clan reportedly pulled her close and a scuffle ensued. While some claimed he head-butted Louise, others alleged he bit her lips in uncoordinated attempt at a forceful kiss. Security personnel at the fun place reportedly rescued Louise from Obaro’s grasp, but not before allegedly manhandling him for “assaulting” a lady.

Ibru is said to have gone underground since the incident - sending emissaries to Louise to make peace. Informants claim the former night club operator, reportedly spotting a cast on her right hand and bruised lips is being pressurised by friends to make an issue of the development. But it’s uncertain whether she’d budge.

also responsible for the packaging, analysis and execution of a variety of assignments. At Stanbic IBTC Bank, Sadiku has handled transactions for clients in virtually every sector of the Nigerian economy, including the utilities, financial, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, packaging and conglomerate sectors. Sadiku and husband, Muktar Bakare, in their quest to actualise her dream of producing the screen adaptation of Half of a Yellow Sun, had embarked on an Eisenhower Fellowships in the United States of America in 2010. The fellowship was the cornerstone of her journey to the actualization of the film, and she was able to bring everything she learnt at the programme to bear in structuring the fund raising. The fellowship also afforded her the opportunity to study the role of the financial sector in supporting the development and growth of the media and entertainment industry in the U.S. During this time, Sadiku became inspired by the use of film to allow inner city communities to tell their stories.

Awujale’s 80th birthday anniversary gathers steam

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llustrious sons of the Ijebu kingdom domiciled home and abroad have set plans in motion to celebrate their paramount ruler and a press conference was staged by the Ijebu Renaissance Group last Tuesday to unveil the plans. On Wednesday April 2, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona (CFR), Ogbagba 11, the fifth Awujale, was fifty four years on the throne. And this feat currently makes him the longest reigning first class monarch in Nigeria. The revered traditional ruler will be eighty years old on May 10. At the press conference were Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, chairman Troyka Group whose sister company, Quadrant is handling the publicity and press affairs of the weeklong jamboree, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Chief Fassy Yussuf (Baagbimo of Ijebuland) who is also the vice chairman, planning subcommittee among several notable others.

So, for six days, the birthday anniversary programme will run starting from noon on Sunday, May 4 when a Special Thanksgiving

service at the Cathedral Church of Saviour, Italowajoda-Ijasi, Ijebu-Ode. This activity will be followed by a Colloquium on the Ijebu nation, a coffee-table book presentation on Oba Adetona and Awards for the winners of Oba Adetona Essay Competitions at the tertiary institution and secondary school levels. It holds at Adeola Odutola Events Hall, Folagbade/Degun street, Ijebu-Ode. On May 7 at 4pm, the maiden edition of the Awujale Football Competition will climax at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, GRA, Ijebu-Ode. Day four and five will feature a Grand Reception where the 50 Obas in Ijebu kingdom will be paying homage to the paramount ruler and Special Prayer session at Ijebu-Ode central mosque respectively.

The grand finale holds on May 10 at the marquee, Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state.

And all the festivities to celebrate the royal father are put together by the Ijebu Renaissance Group.

Obafemi Martins dazzles mistress on birthday

Mike Adenuga’s heir Jide launches Montaudon champagne

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S

ounders’ striker, Obafemi Martins recently surprised mother of his only child, Abigail, who is AC Milan player Mario Balotelli’s sister with some gifts to restate his commitment to their love. He showered the lady in her early twenties with gifts comprising a $25,000 Rolex, designer bag and wallet. Abigail shared this photo of the gifts on her Instagram with a note, “Thanks Boo; Priceless.”

LANRE ODUKOYA - 08059296445

L-R: Biodun Shobanjo, Oba Sikiru Adetona and Chief Fassy Yussuf

ecently, Jide Adenuga, (CEO, 3 Inclusive Ltd – exclusive importers of Montaudon) and first son of Dr. Mike Adenuga, the Chairman of Globacom, hosted the launch of Montaudon Champagne at the Porsche Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The brand was unveiled by the Vice Consul General of France to Nigeria, Serge Kuhn (who stood in for His Excellency, Monsieur François Sastourné). In attendance were the General Managers of Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Radisson Blu, Anchorage Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Lagos, Animex Hotels and a large representative of the diplomatic corps with the creme de la creme of the Nigerian society.

SOLUTIONS TO CROSS WORD PUZZLE

K A T S I N E R N R D O C A O U H G A P E H E E A N B E B O A R N P A I A E N D B I H E X

A A I D ACROSS 1. KATSINA 11. GAPE 23. NOA B A D I 5. AID 12. HA 24. END R I E 7. BAD 16. BE 25. BIN 8. RDO 17. SLOT 26. EXPIATE O A T H 18. BOAR A S 9. CAR 10. OATH 22. AIL D P A S L O T DOWN 1. KEROGEN 13. SATIATE S A I 2. TROUPE 14. ABRADE L N O A 3. INCH 15. PLANTA A T T 4. ABROAD 19. OPEN 20. SLAP P I A T E 5. ADIT

LAST WEEK’S

6. DIE

21. NAB

U N P A G E M L L U S E A N A A L H O S E C I E S A A T B A I L S W A S A K I A P E A M A

D S O W R U E E I M T V E E R E D R B R Z A K I P F F A F I T S L E S S E U R

THIS WEEK’S

ACROSS 1. SHELTER 5. SOW 7. RUE 8. USE 9. ANI 10. VEER

DOWN 1. UMUAHIA 2. PLEASE 3. GOAL 4. DRIVER 5. SEME 6. WET

11. HOSE 12. CE 16. AT 17. ZAKI 18. BAIL 22. ASA

23. FIT 24. KIA 25. PEA 26. MASSEUR

13. DRIFTER 14. SALAAM 15. BAFFLE 19. AWKA 20. PASS 21. SAP

My Weekend NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

26 APRIL 2014

34

Okeowo and Atinuke

I derive relaxation from community service –Oderinde

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keowo Oderinde, deputy director at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), no doubt is a grassroot person who holds the wellbeing of members of his immediate community Ona Ara community, Oluwo Ope Ilu in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State in esteems. This, he demonstrates, by always creating time outside his busy official schedules to ensure that things always augur well for the people.

Hear him: “In my community, Ona Ara community, Oluwo Ope Ilu in Ifo where I live, I participate in community development activities as the chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA).

I create time for CDA activities, visitations, meetings, liaising with government officials of the area to bring development to the area.”

This, however, does not rob off negatively on his individual wellbeing as he equally devotes time to himself at weekends, when he is not engaged with official duties.

“Outside official duties I create time to attend church services and activities of my professional body ICAN, the Ikeja Disctrict which I’m very much involved in. I bringing the young one up participating in the programme set up by the district society and even the main body, ICAN. “I participate in their programmes regularly while once in a while in the functions of Ikeja Business Club which organises seminars and meetings at regular intervals,” Oderinde adds.

In his relaxation period, he says he enjoys the company of his immediate family as he relishes playing with his wife as well as the children when there is a full house.

He carries his homely attitude further as he says “I do go out with my spouse. I attend family functions to celebrate with them and also cheer them up. And for the sick, I visit them. I participate in community activities generally. I do that a lot to relax.

He also does not leave the issue of his health to the vagaries of medical checks as he engages in regu-

Despite his professional discipline as an Accountant, Oderinde Okeowo, a Deputy Director Finance and Account with the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO), and a former chairman of Ikeja branch of the Institute Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), is emotionally committed to communal and family values as he tells SEGUN EDWARDS in this interview that his community and family rank first in what he does. lar exercise to keep health in shape. “ Okeowo says, “I do exercise regularly, jogging and even engages in indoor exercises to keep the body fit because the nature of my job is sedentary. I sit for a long time in the office, in meetings and attending to people. To keep fit, one must exercise regularly because it helps the body to function properly particularly the heart which helps to pump blood and circulate to every parts of the body to function properly.”

Okeowo, who clocked 50 on April 15, adds, “I go eight kilometres on the average after that I take my bath, take my breakfast, listen to news and go through some newspapers. Thereafter, I arrange my books and documents that I may need for the new week. lf I need to send some cloths to the drycleaner I arrange them and send them across or call the drycleaner to pick them.

“At times I visit some community members as the chairman to see to their welfare. If there is need, I hold brief meetings with them. If I have functions, social functions I do go out, but usually by 6 to 7 pm on Saturday I’m back to prepare for church service on Sunday.

After the service, I normally come back home except I have very important function or invitation to attend. This is to enable me to for the new week.”

On occasions when he attends social functions he says he rarely does it alone. Rather, he does it in company with his wife. “She is my best friend. We attend functions together, except where we have to attend more than one, she goes to represent the fam-

ily in one and I have to attend the other, without that we go together all the time,” he enthuses.

He also attends some functions with the entire family, adding, “Except some functions where there are restrictions on invitees. But if there is no restriction, I do go with the children. It is part of bringing them up in family way, to let them know our culture, appreciate people, to meet our friends and members of our extended family.”

When asked if he also engages in exercise with the family or do it alone, he says since he does it during the early hours, it is difficult to do it with his family.

“But once in a while that I do it with my children and it is usually very interesting. One of them, the last born, a boy, is much more interested. He is in boarding school and whenever he is around he likes to jog along with me,” Okeowo points out.

For his menu, he prefers something light in the morning, like pap, and at other times he takes yam with fish stew in the afternoon. Whenever he wants solid food, according to him, it has to go with either vegetable or local draw soup ‘ewedu’ which must be complemented with wellprepared fish soup.

“My favourite menu is the menu that is well prepared. Once it is well prepared, I will be happy with it. I don’t dictate what to eat to my wife because she is in charge of the kitchen,” he adds.

He always chooses the clothes that he wears on weekend saying: “On weekend, I like to dress in native attire. However, if I’m officiating at the Guild

of Stewards in my church on a Sunday, I put on suits but ordinarily on weekend, I like to put on our native dress like ‘buba’ and ‘sokoto’ and at times with agbada.”

On whether he embraces any particular or favourite colours he prefers on weekend, he says his favourite colours range between white and blue for his clothes. “But If I have to attend an occasion I adapt to the selected colour for the event. I have different colours of caps at home but if I have to make a choice I will choose between, blue, grey and silver or green I’m not so particular about colour of cap depending on the occasion and also the mood.”

For his favourite drink, he says he prefers water as a source of good health, adding, “But once in a while I do take red wine with my meal.”

He also says he relates with all members of his family equally, without any preference for any particular child stating: “All members of my immediate family are my friends. It’s an open house, you need to be there. It is a house of boys. I have three boys and my wife is the queen of the house. We have open relationship with one another, and as much as possible refrain from making any one of them a favourite in order not to create a division in the house, I relate with them equally by the God’s grace,” Okeowo says with a smile.

Asked if there anyone in his family that shows concern in the way he either dresses or does anything, he says “all of them do, but the last child seems to be more curious and much more interested in this regard but honestly all of them do.”

Okeowo says his career has been very interesting but challenging. “It is a profession that requires discipline, integrity, puts you on your toes all the time because you just have to perform and there are rules and regulations everyday. You must be up to date and that is the beauty of the job that makes you thick and it has really made me happy because I like learning.

I like challenging situation and environment and the job and profession has really provided that.”

Life Experience:

‘I went to freeze my eggs and they told me I didn’t have any left’ p.36

Odd News: ‘Vagina transplant for woman born without one’ p.38 NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/loveliving

L ve&Lv ng MICHAEL UCHEBUAKU

ireto007@yahoo.com 0813 116 1840

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

26 APRIL 2014

35

‘I’m not allowed to live with my husband’ Love Confession The expectation of many couples is that they would live together during marriage. But for this writer, immigration policy has turned her dream of living together with her spouse into a mirage.

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n December 2011, I was studying for my Masters degree in London. In the span of a year I went from a harried, emotionally fragile student, desperately searching for any job that would have me to a confident, successful, selfemployed graduate engaged to be married to the most wonderful man I have ever met. We’re now married and should be reveling in newly wedded bliss, but we’re not. I’m married and I’m not allowed to live with my husband.

We met by chance while I was still a student, through a mutual friend, and immediately clicked.

After our first weekend together I told a friend, “I know it’s cheesy and unlikely, but I’m going to marry that man.” True story.

Four months in, my student visa expired and I had to return to the States. Neither of us were prepared to jump into marriage at that point, so we made a plan that he would come and visit for a few months and stay with me in the US. We needed time. I think we were both fairly certain at that point that we had met our match, but smart enough to know that if we got the timing wrong, we could wreck it.

He was denied a visa waiver. Then he was denied a visa. His interview lasted four minutes and ended with the officer simply telling him, “No.” We assume they thought he would be a flight risk and try to immigrate illegally. This is a man who, to put it mildly, is America adverse.

But we wanted the time and he wanted to get to know my family and we knew it was a temporary measure. Instead he is now not able to set foot on American soil and has a permanent black mark in his immigration record.

I immediately planned to return to the UK. After three months apart, I arrived at the airport in Glasgow. As an American, I was allowed to visit the UK without a visa for up to 6 months as long as I didn’t work while I was there.

When I landed in Glasgow, I was detained at immigrations for 2 hours while they grilled me about my reasons for being there, combed through my luggage and called my now-husband to verify my story. Jetlagged, confused and generally not one who handles overbearing authority figures well, I sobbed throughout my interrogation.

They asked me how I was supporting myself (answer: savings, low expenses by staying with my boyfriend, and my parents in a pinch).

They asked me about the nature of my work (by now I had successfully started up my freelance translation business and most of my work was done online). They finally let me through with a stern warning that I should not work under any circumstances.

We got engaged less than a month later, in May. We got married in July. We had a small but cozy ceremony at the (surprisingly nice) registry office and a reception back at our flat. It was lovely. We made all the decorations, splurged on a fancy cake and a bouquet, and had a few

friends and my husband’s family with us and my parents on Skype (they were not able to book a last-minute transatlantic flight and take off the necessary time from work to attend). We rented a car and drove down to Somerset for our honeymoon, where we spent a week hiking, sightseeing, visiting friends and eating cheese (that’s where Cheddar comes from, after all).

Two weeks later I was flying back to the States again. Did you know that if you want to apply to live with your British spouse in the UK that you cannot do it from within the country? I had to go back to the US, pay £800, send in about 70 pages of forms and supporting documentation (including very personal love letters to prove our relationship was genuine) and send them my original marriage certificate (which I still don’t have back) and my passport.

I paid an extra fee to have the process expedited so I could get back to my husband and just settle into my life as a newlywed. Every day I checked my email waiting to see the notification that my visa had been approved and was on its way to me.

About 3 weeks after applying, the long-awaited email from the UK Border Agency appeared in my inbox. To my horror, my application had been refused, but weirdly placed on hold at the same time because of an ongoing court case regarding the rules.

On the application, they asked about our earnings. In order to qualify for a spouse visa, you need £18,600 per year in income. What I didn’t understand when applying was that your “sponsor” (the UKBA’s horrible word for spouse) needs to be earning at least that much. I thought that my earnings would be considered as well and make up for any shortfall. I was mistaken.

My husband earns £17,950 per year. My additional £7,000 earnings did not merit consideration. £650 per year was the sole reason I was not permitted to join my husband and live with him in the UK. Now, £18,600 does not sound like much, especially to an American, but the average worker in the UK earns about £13,000 per year. The £18,600 may seem random, but that is the amount of money a person needs to disqualify them from claiming benefits. The argument is that foreigners are a drain on the welfare state and it is too easy for them to abuse the system.

Did you know that, as a non-European, when you get a UK visa they write “No recourse to public funds” in it? My husband has never claimed benefits. I can’t claim benefits.

After a couple of months apart, we couldn’t stand it any longer. I got my passport back and returned to the UK as a visitor again. The simple act of getting my passport back was kind of miraculous. All of the information given by the Home Office indicates that you must withdraw your application to get it back; they do not tell you that you can simply request for your passport to be returned but for your application to be kept on hold. It’s all very sneaky and complicated and frankly soul-crushing. Every single step of the way.

I was interrogated at the airport again. I was told that I was very suspicious, that I had gotten married illegally and that I was really lucky to be allowed to enter the country but if I tried to do it again without a spouse visa, I would not be afforded the same luxury. It turns out that when we got engaged, I was supposed to have gotten a fiancée visa.

When we went to get our marriage certificate, we specifically asked if we needed anything like this and were told it wasn’t necessary. When I told this to the border agent, he replied that the

“After months apart, we couldn’t stand it any longer. I got my passport back and returned to the UK as a visitor again” registry office had no legal obligation to tell me I had to get a fiancée visa, so I had broken the law.

By all accounts you are presumed guilty until proven innocent, which seems to be an impossible thing to achieve.

Though it kills me that I have to break the law to have any semblance of a normal life, I have continued working and have done pretty well for myself. Our combined income this past year was just over £30,000. We have more than enough to comfortably live on and are working on building up our savings.

Speaking of savings, did you know that if you want to make up for the shortfall in income on a visa application that they won’t even begin

to consider your savings if it amounts to less than £16,500? And that’s the base line. If you don’t meet the income requirements, you need £16,500 plus double your shortfall. For us this means we would need savings of £17,800.

We make a decent amount of money and live within our means, but we do not have that kind of money in savings. Even if we could suddenly pool that kind of cash, they do not take it into consideration unless you have held it in an account for at least 6 months. My husband’s parents very generously loaned us a “wedding gift” of £20,000 to store in my husband’s account. As of April, we will have met this 6 month mark and will hopefully qualify when we re-apply.

This is something that I feel guilty about every day because there are so many other people going through this (almost 18,000 at the moment) who might not have the option of doing this. Furthermore, it is technically illegal since we plan on returning the money as soon as possible.

They do not accept letters of support from family -– the only option is to act underhandedly. They continues on page 37

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36 LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

Woman finds 1951 love letter in book and uses Facebook to track down letter writer

S

andi Blood of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina made an intriguing discovery in a used paperback novel she purchased which led her to a new friend miles away. While Sandi was flipping through the book’s pages, an old letter fell out.

It was dated November 1951 and sent from Army Private Gilles LeBlanc to his girlfriend Carole Petch. The two were separated while LeBlanc was stationed in Japan and Petch was in Toronto, Canada.

The letter spoke about the military man’s army life before he shipped out to Korea and also professed his love for Carole including thoughts like, “Honey you can’t realize how much I love you and think and dream about being with you. It’s hurting me all over.” The two were apparently engaged and the letter

Love Crime

Love News

included plans for the couple’s upcoming nuptials.

After reading the letter from the past, Ms. Blood, a self-professed “hopeless romantic,” couldn’t help but find out more about the soldier and his love. She decided to take her search to social media.

“I reached out to some Facebook friends.

I figured that seems to be how things get done nowadays,” said Sandi.

Shortly after her post, a genealogy expert friend instructed Sandi to find LeBlanc’s military ID on the envelope.

That piece of info proved to be the key in tracking down Gilles LeBlanc, now an 84-year-old Royal Oak, Michigan resident.

The two connected by phone and spoke for 45 minutes. Gilles told Sandi about his experience at the start of the Korean conflict and about his love Carole, who later became his wife. Gilles said, “You get a 30 day leave at the end of your tour, so when I came home in December for 30 days, we got married.”

The pair had six kids together before divorcing in the 1970s.

Courtesy: Yahoo.

‘She’s dead. I have the last laugh’ ... Man strangles girlfriend for leaving him and texts her parents

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20-year-old Washington man is behind bars after allegedly strangling his girlfriend and then taunting her family through a series of coldhearted text messages.

Authorities say Gabriel Galan Navarro is being charged with first-degree murder for the death of Allison Leedy, also 20.

Navarro learned that his girlfriend was planning to leave him after a three year relationship and go to college in California.

Officials say Navarro allegedly strangled Leedy in their apartment and then texted her family members, including her

Life Experience

I

decided to freeze my eggs. I had recently gotten out of 12-year marriage -– a marriage I was sure would result in children. Ha. We’d never even tried. Not because I didn’t want to -– hell, it was in the vows. I had their names all picked out, and imagined family trips to Disneyland, piano recitals, and eventually college applications.

Why it took me so long to get out of a marriage in which my partner and I clearly didn’t want the same things is something I could ask myself forever. But, now, at the age of 40, there was no time to dilly-dally. If I wanted biological children, I had to do something fast.

When I learned that two of my friends had their eggs frozen -– the answer was clear. Time is of the essence, and every month that goes by, more fertility is lost. While women age 20 to 24 show only a 7% rate of infertility, women age 40- 44 show nearly a 30% chance. According to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), married women between the ages of 40-44 have a 60% chance of remaining childless, and all women in this age group have a 34% risk of miscarriage. At 40, there’s a 1 in 106 risk of Down Syndrome.

I chose USC Fertility and made an appointment immediately.

Dr. Karine Chung was wonderful -– kind, warm, explained everything in detail. She wanted to make sure I understood the process. It’s the same as IVF (in vitro fertilization) -- they would give me medication, including self-injections, in order harvest my eggs and freeze them. When I am ready to come back to defrost and use my eggs, there is only a 33% success rate per IVF cycle. That is why they recommend doing three cycles. There is actually financing for “IVF packages” that include two or three cycles at a discount.

That was my plan. If I didn’t get pregnant

father and younger sister, saying they turned Allison against him.

‘If you are getting this you are responsible for Allison’s death.

You turned her against me,’ Navarro wrote. Navarro then allegedly texted Allison’s father saying, ‘She’s dead. I have the last laugh.’

The prosecutor’s office charged Navarro in King County Superior Court with first-degree murder. The documents say he was ‘determined to prevent Allison and her family from realizing her dreams.’

Courtesy: dailymail.co.uk

Love Song

PHIL COLLINS

Can’t stop loving you So you’re leaving in the morning on the early train I could say everything’s alright And I could pretend and say goodbye Got your ticket Got your suitcase Got your leaving smile I could say that’s the way it goes And I could pretend and you won’t know That I was lying Cause I can’t stop loving you No I can’t stop loving you No I won’t stop loving you Why should I?

Love Poem

MARGARET ROSE

Love lost How high the moon, why have you come surely you see my true love has gone he will not court me by your light... no more and sadness is all you give to me i need not be reminded by thee of the pleasures my lost love once gave to me yes, you are bright and do rule the seas but, moon, go away... i despise thee, where are you, sun, with all your warmth just like my true love once gave to me where are you, sun, i am cold as cold as my true love be.

Send your poems with your name to ireto007@yahoo.com, call 08131161840

Romantic Jokes

Unloving Husband

Wife to Husband : You don’t love me at all.

Husband points towards their two children and says: “Then do you think I’ve downloaded these from Google?

Words of Wisdom: Money is not everything

‘I went to freeze my eggs and they herself, my heart dropped into my stomach.

naturally in a couple of years, I would defrost the eggs, and do the IVF, even thought some number show a less than 15% chance of success per cycle at age 40. Freezing my eggs still seemed like the smart thing to do.

Dr. Chung asked how old my mother was when she reached menopause –- I said that she had my youngest sister at age 40. My eldest sister had also given birth at age 40. Another sister has four children, including a set of twins. She indicated that my family’s record was a positive, and anecdotally, that was a good sign.

She drew sketches of ovaries and fallopian tubes, and wrote out numbers and statistics for me. The first step was to do a simple blood test (AMH or Anti-Mullerian Hormone) that measures one’s remaining egg supply, or “ovarian

reserve.” She explained what statistically the result numbers would mean: 2.0 – Optimal. Usually see this in young women, in their 20s and early 30s.

1.0- 2.0 Good to Fair -– She said we usually see this is women age 30-42 1.0 – Low -- often after age 45 Undetectable = “too late” –- we usually see this in women age 49 or 50 She underlined the words “too late.”

I had just been to the grocery store and had pulled up to the dry cleaners when my phone rang. It was Dr. Chung’s nurse, Teri, who I was told would contact me for the next step. When she said Dr. Chung would like to speak to me

The doctor greeted me warmly, giving me the name of a urologist she had promised to look up. I thought, Oh. Good. It’s fine. She probably just wanted to give me the name of that doctor.

Everything is all right.

Then, she paused.

“Remember we went over the levels and the AMH and what those numbers mean,” “Yes…” “Yours, unfortunately, are undetectable.”

I couldn’t speak.

“I’m so sorry,” she said. “These levels are unusual for someone your age. We don’t know why it happens, but sometimes it does.”

For a moment, I said nothing. Did I hear her correctly? Was she really saying what I thought she was saying? I had my hand over my mouth and was trying not to cry over the phone.

“I know this is not the news you were hoping for.”

“But…but,” I finally got out, “what about the other tests? Aren’t there two more tests?” I tried to sound calm, but there was a gust of sobs threatening to burst through.

“There are. One measures your FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) which responsible for promoting and sustaining ovarian follicular growth. The other is an ultrasound where we look to see how many follicles you have.” She paused. “But I want to clarify that the first test is the gold standard.”

“But there’s still a chance?”

“We would estimate your chance of success as very, very low. Something around 3%. “ I sobbed outright.

“I don’t want to give you false hope,” she said.

“But, I do want you to keep in mind that the only women coming in to test their AMH levels are

LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

Relationships & Love Advice

‘After my ex disappointed me, I vowed never to date any guy again’ Dear Love Doctor, My name is Chisom. I am 20 years old and based in Kano. My former guy disappointed me after two years of relationship and married another girl and since then l feel cheated and ashamed of myself, that l vowed never to date any guy again until l see my rightful husband. Please am l right in the decision I have taken? Please tell me wat to do.

From Chisom BB PIN: 7A76870A. Love Doctor’s Advice: You are not right in your decision because in so doing, you have wrongly passed judgment on all men because of the actions of one - your ex. Your decision therefore appears to be borne out of despair and/or frustration. Maybe you expected too much from that relationship; that may be the reason you ended up disappointed. Never expect too much from a relationship, and don’t

be too quick to love or to trust.

Please do not despair. The fact is that people are different, and pnot all relationships are meant to lead to marriage.

Again, husbands don’t fall from Heaven. So how can you know your ‘rightful’ husband without courtship or dating? The fact is this: Relationships are like trying on new clothes, you have to keep changing them until you find the perfect fit. So have faith in God and keep searching, and in due course you will find the one for you. Don’t give up!

If you want daily love tips or advice, download The Color of Love Guide on your iPad and iPhone. Search for ‘Color of Love’ on your Apple App store now and download the App. *Send your comments/stories to Love Doctor. E-mail: ireto007@yahoo.com If you’re in a crisis, call for help: 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641. For free marriage/relationships counseling, call Love Doctor Mike 07031028714, 08023700641 or Chris 08023913619. Visit www.romancestory.org

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usually have fertility problems that brought them to us in the first place. We have no way of knowing how many women out there just have low AMH levels and get spontaneously pregnant, or how valid the AMH test is for women who have never tried to get pregnant.”

A glimmer. Just a glimmer of hope.

I’d been crying for a week straight. I kept kicking myself -- if only I’d frozen my eggs at age 30, when I was ready but my husband wasn’t. Or age 33. Or 35. As it was now, I was prepared to take out a loan for $9,000 just to freeze the eggs, never mind the future IVF.) My sister, an R.N., reiterated what the Dr. Chung said about the statistics being skewed. She suggested getting the book “Taking Charge of Your Fertility.” I wish I had read this book when I was 20 years old.

It’s sex-positive, empowering, and should be required reading for every woman, regardless of if they want children or not.

I researched everything you could possibly learn about ovarian reserve, diminished ovarian reserve, and premature ovarian failure. I educated myself about AMH, FSH, and estradiol levels. I had to know my exact AMH level -– had I reached zero? I emailed Dr. Chung’s nurse, and she wrote back with the number, and a sympathetic note, “Please let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

Less than .1 My AMH level was less than one tenth above zero.

I was desperately trying to find a way to see a glimmer of hope and couldn’t take the second and

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third test until I got my period; you had to come in on Day 3 of your cycle. I’ve never wanted to get my period so badly in my life. That’s when I did the FSH test to measure Follicle Stimulating Hormone and the ultrasound to see how many follicles on each side of my ovaries.

I saw a different doctor at USC for the ultrasound.

I kept trying to see the screen while the doctor was doing it –- and he kept turning it toward him. I wondered– is he trying to get a better view, or trying to keep me from seeing something? He pressed some buttons and took some pictures, and occasionally moved the transvaginal wand around a bit. I could see the grey and white picture moving. I had always imagined one day doing an ultrasound like this, looking at a tiny baby on the screen.

“See,” he said, “here’s a follicle right here,” and he pointed to a black spot. “For someone your age, we’d like to see five or six follicles on each side.”

I watched his eyes search for more. There had to be more.

He moved to the other side. “And… here’s one on the other side,” he said. “This is in line with the other tests. At this point, if your goal is to achieve a pregnancy, I recommend using a donor egg.”

Achieve a pregnancy? It sounded so clinical. I didn’t want to at some point “achieve a pregnancy.” I wanted to have a baby. I wasn’t ready to hear about donor eggs, or even international or domestic adoption. (Please, if you have a friend dealing with infertility, a what-not-to-do is flippantly say, “Well, you can always adopt!” as if it’s as easy as one, two, three (or free).

In time, I will research those options. I do know there is more than one path to parenthood. But what I need to do right now is grieve the baby I will probably never conceive, or give birth to, or see my eyes or my smile in his or hers.

Courtesy: xo.com

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told me I didn’t have any left’ “I wanted to have a baby. I wasn’t ready to hear about donor eggs, or even adoption”

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A girl via 08187450076 is asking all men: “How would you know that the person you are relating with loves you?” *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

c o n t i n u e d f r o m pa g e 3 5

‘I’m not allowed to live with my husband’ did not accept a letter we submitted from my husband’s employer stating that he was eligible for non-salaried bonuses that would put us over the income threshold.

They do not accept my income or my earning potential. Studies have shown that if every British citizen were subjected to this requirement, 47% percent would not pass.

Even worse, I consider myself fairly lucky that I am the foreigner instead of my husband and that we don’t have children.

Imagine trying to care for a newborn on your own while at the same time holding down a full-time job that pays you way more than the minimum wage to meet the financial requirements.

Add to that the heartache of missing your spouse and knowing they are missing out on the milestones of your child’s life and that your child is being deprived of valuable bonding time with their father. It is cruel.

I understand that the economy is rough and people don’t think there are enough jobs to go around. You know what? That’s the case pretty much everywhere at the moment, and I am not an employment statistic or a job thief, I am a person. I am self-employed. I work online for customers that are mainly located in Europe. I “steal” jobs from approximately no one.

By applying for the right to live and work in the UK, I am essentially asking the British government if I may pretty please pay them taxes in addition to the economy bump that I am giving them by spending all of my money there. Forget about me; my husband, as a British and European citizen, has a right to family life that is currently

37

Blackberry Connection

Chibugo, 33, needs a good working man for marriage.

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being denied him by his own government.

I have a Master’s degree from a British university. I don’t think that education itself (and often the privilege that accompanies access to it) should give me an advantage over others, but the fact that I have proven myself worthy of living in the UK, meeting the standards of a wellregarded university, contributing to the local economy during my stay and not breaking the rules while there should at least count toward granting me the benefit of the doubt when judging my character.

But they don’t judge your character. They judge a number.

I have to go back to the US in April and hope that my previous refusal doesn’t impede my new application. I also reluctantly have to pay another £900 for the privilege (surprise, they have raised the price since last year).

Even if I do get my visa, it only lasts for 30 months. I can’t apply for permanent leave to remain until I’ve been here for 36 months, so I will have to go through this all again in 2.5 years. We want to start a family but are sincerely reluctant to do so since the income requirement increases to £22,400 for one child and another £2,400 for each additional child.

My nightmare scenario is having to choose between aborting our wanted child or being able to live with my husband if I accidentally get pregnant. I have panic attacks and wake up in the middle of the night because I dreamed about being interrogated at the airport or deported. I’m plagued by guilt because, compared to others, I am lucky and have it relatively easy in this battle. There is an eventual end in sight when so many others have simply run out of options.

Hold your loved ones close and be thankful for their presence. I’ve learned not to take this for granted.

Courtesy: xojane.

38 LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

True Confession from Overseas

Love Education What is MRKH syndrome?

‘I had a baby with my sister’s husband’ W

hen I first met Rob, I thought my older sister, Clare, was so lucky to be with a guy like him; he was handsome, kind and so sweet to her.

Being the baby sister, I was only 19 when I first met him and he was 27 just like Clare. I idolised him but I never felt anything else for him except for admiration and when he married my sister I welcomed him into the family just as much as everyone else did. Everyone loved Rob. Three years into their marriage, my sister got pregnant and they had a baby boy named Chris and they couldn’t have been more overjoyed but that’s when things began to go sour.

Clare developed post-natal depression and became increasingly difficult to be around. We knew it was a mental condition and we all tried to be there for her but Rob bared the brunt of it.

She was angry all the time and started throwing temper tantrums.

She became so violent that she once threw Rob’s computer out the window then tossed a kitchen knife at him telling him to get out of her face.

Nothing helped, medication, therapy, she just kept getting worse.

I was over at their house all the time, I loved my sister but I could see the strain it was putting on their relationship. I was a shy, introverted girl and had never had a boyfriend.

Maybe the odd kiss but I was a little awkward, I never had the confidence Clare had.

One night, I was trying to calm

Clare down from one of her terrible tirades when she screamed at me, ‘Shut up Teresa! I don’t care what you think! You know, you should spend some time taking care of yourself rather than hanging around here. How are you ever going to get a boyfriend looking like that? You’re just ugly!’

I couldn’t take any more of her abuse and ran outside, Rob chased me as he saw that she had struck a chord with me, I couldn’t help it as tears rolled down my face. I didn’t know what was wrong with me!

It was true, maybe I was ugly, and maybe I will never meet a guy who would want me.

I raced into my car but Rob was right behind me. He got into the passenger seat as I slammed the door.

He tried to comfort me and tell me she didn’t meant what she said.

I don’t know how it happened but he put his arm over me, trying to comfort me and I looked at him and that was it. I felt something and I knew he did too. His touch just made my skin heat up and I couldn’t control myself. He lent down and kissed me and I kissed him back.

He had been needing affection and he wasn’t getting it from Clare and I knew he always had a soft spot for me but I never knew in this way.

But it was so intense, my desire for him was so wrong but so uncontrollable.

He told me that I was a beautiful and sweet girl and that any man would be lucky to have me. He just made me feel so good about myself.

Wedding Traditions:

No Smiling: Congo

W

eddings are considered a thoughtful affair in this part of Africa, and for everything to be taken seriously, the couple cannot smile before, during or after the ceremony. Nor are they allowed to smile in any wedding day photos.

As Kristee Watson rightly observed: “The one thing I can’t get past, and really taints my view of Congolese weddings, is the tradition that the bride and groom cannot smile. Never! Not in the photo for the invitation, not at the pre-gathering, civil ceremony, wedding or reception. If you smile it shows you are not serious about the marriage. And the bride has turn her face down towards the floor. It was awful; the wedding party looked like they are at a funeral while the rest of the guests are whooping it up. In fact, the bride looked terrified; I have never seen hands shake like that.”

Courtesy: huffpost.com

M I couldn’t help it.

We started an affair and eventually we fell in love. Clare started getting worse and Rob lost it when Clare dropped boiling water onto Chris when he was two, sustaining 2nd degree burns.

Rob decided to leave her then and fought for sole custody of Chris. He

“His touch just made my skin heat up and I couldn’t control myself ” wanted me to leave with him but how could I do this? She was my sister. Three weeks later I found out I was pregnant.

When I told Rob, he was overjoyed but also worried about the effect it would have on Clare. My family would never believe I would have had a one night stand and after much consideration, I told my parents the truth. They went ballistic.

They couldn’t believe what I had done, especially to their favourite daughter. I was always second best, no one’s favourite.

They refused to talk to me and barred me from their house. I knew

what I had done was so wrong but I couldn’t help who I fell in love with.

Rob won custody over Chris and we left. I was so sorry for my sister but I had a baby to think about now and Clare never showed any motherly affection to Chris. She needed to be taken care of and I knew my parents would do that but she wasn’t fit to be a mother.

I loved Chris and would care for him as if he was my own. I gave birth to a daughter, Sophia and Rob and I were so happy. But I wasn’t sure how we were going to tell Sophia one day that Rob was both her father and her uncle.

It’s been 6 years since we’ve left and my family still refuses to speak to me. Clare never got better and was institutionalised with manic depression.

I secretly visit her sometimes, she never knew what happened with Rob, only that he left but I think somewhere deep down, she knew. I wanted to tell her I was sorry but I couldn’t bring myself to tell her the truth.

I will always live with the guilt that if Rob hadn’t left with me, she may have gotten better...

Courtesy: ninemsn.com Call Mike:+234-703 102 8714 if you have a story.

Vagina transplant for woman born without one Odd news

A

woman given a vagina grown in a laboratory has spoken of her hope to have a family one day. She is one of four women born without a vagina who have been given the new treatment, revealed last week.

Scientists at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s Institute for Regenerative Medicine engineered the organs using the women’s own cells.

The new organs have been given to women born with MRKH - Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome, a rare genetic condition in which the vagina and uterus are underdeveloped or absent.

The unnamed woman, who lives in Mexico, was 18 when she was diagnosed with MRKH. She said she had experienced ‘moments of desperation’ - especially when she was told she wouldn’t have children - and the process had been difficult and painful.

But it was worth it - eight years on she says the organ works ‘as if it weren’t made in the lab’ and her body has accepted it incredibly well.

HOW THEY DID IT The organ structures were engineered using muscle and epithelial cells (the cells that line the body’s cavities) from a small

biopsy of each patient’s external genitals.

The cells were extracted from the tissues, expanded and then placed on a biodegradable material that was hand-sewn into a vagina-like shape. These scaffolds were tailor-made to fit each patient.

About five to six weeks after the biopsy, surgeons created a canal in the patient’s pelvis and attached the scaffold to reproductive structures.

At the same time the scaffolding material is being absorbed by the body, the cells lay down materials to form a permanent support structure – gradually replacing the engineered scaffold with a new organ.

She now hopes to have children, despite her options being limited - and dreams of the day she is interviewed surrounded by a large family, The researchers also hope the treatment could be used to help women with vaginal cancer or injuries.

Courtesy: dailymail.

RKH (Mayer Rokitansky Küster Hauser) is a congenital abnormality which affects one in 5,000 women in the UK. It is characterized by the absence of the vagina, womb and cervix.

Women suffering from the condition will have normally functioning ovaries and so will experience the normal signs of puberty but will not have periods or be able to conceive.

The external genatalia are completely normal which is why MRKH isn’t usually discovered until women are in their teenage years. It’s usually discovered when the woman tries to has sex or fails to get her period.

Many women are able to create a vaginal canal using dilation treatment, which uses cylinder shaped dilators of different sizes to stretch the muscles.

However, if this is unsuccessful then surgery will be used to stretch the vaginal canal. Following treatment women are able to have intercourse and can have their eggs removed and fertilised to be used in surrogacy.

A variety of materials can be used to surgically construct a new vagina – from skin grafts to tissue that lines the abdominal cavity.

However, these substitutes often lack a normal muscle layer and some patients can develop a narrowing or contracting of the vagina.

Source: dailymail.

SEXUAL COMMUNICATION

Which sex position is good during pregnancy?

M

any people look at sex position in pregnancy as the right (or safe) one and the wrong one. Nothing is further from the truth. There are infinite safe ways to have sex during pregnancy.

As a general rule, a good sex position for pregnant sex is one where both partners are physically comfortable, and the position allows for the kind of sex and physical contact you want to have.

The edge of the bed sex position offers many possibilities for greater comfort during pregnancy.

You can lie on the bed (on your side, or briefly on your back) at the edge of the bed and your partner can be off the bed, either on their knees or standing up. Combined with the rear entry position, you can be off the bed on your knees (with a pillow underneath them) and rest your upper torso on the bed, with your belly off the bed.

Other sex positions during pregnancy include: The side by side pregnant sex position. This allows for more equal physical contact but penetration can be a bit trickier. You can cross your legs over each others and this may help.

The woman on top pregnant sex position offers the benefit of you being in control of the depth and angle of penetration. Later in the pregnancy you may find this position more tiring, and if balance is a concern you may prefer a lying down position.

Lastly, the rear entry sex position is said to be good for g-spot stimulation.

Travel&Tourism ON SATURDAY

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/travel

Destination Zimbabwe sets to shine with Harare Int’l Carnival p.42

Travel Personality OBINNA EKEZIE: From basketball court to the travel world p.44

ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA, EDITOR, TRAVEL AND TOURISM andrew.okungbowa@newtelegraphonline.com

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

26 APRIL 2014

39

Eko Signature: A masterpiece from the merchants of good taste HOSPITALITY Iconic, classic and everything in between is what the newly opened Eko Signature present to lovers of high end taste in the city of Lagos, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA with additional report from OLUSHOLA RICKETTS

I

Ts vision and mission statement clearly stated thus: “We aspire to be the leading and preferred hotel in West Africa, we are committed to exceeding the guests’ expectations, we are dedicated to providing impeccable facilities and personalized services, we are proud to deliver genuine care, comfort and warmth to all our guests, we pursue growth and development through continuous learning, and we are constantly adapting to an ever changing world.”

Right from the first day of arriving on the scene, the promoters of the Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos – based Eko Hotels and Suites have never left anyone in doubt of their intention to pursue vigorously the avowed vision and mission statement.

From its Eko Hotel property to Eko Suites property, the culture of “nestling international standard with African hospitality” has proved not to be a mere marketing slogan.

Years later it debuted with Eko Garden within the same precincts and just before you knew it the group took dining and wining to another level with the opening of Sky Restaurant and Bar - upscale in nature with iconic setting in terms of its scenery and fitting: Providing offerings that are exploration of the best culinary experiences across the globe.

And just when everyone thought that there couldn’t be more surprises from the outfit, it has come with a mindblowing property, Eko Signature, which by all standard, is very exciting and creatively executed. It is a blend of class and global culture infused into one. With this property, the group has taken Nigerian hospitality to a greater height, a height that may be difficult to surpass by any other group in years to come judging by the fact that it is simply luxury personified; oozing sheer opulence right from the moment you walk through the glass door leading to the bowels of this wellkept secret by the group all the years.

And not sparing any effort to announce its birth to the world, Eko Hotels and Suites got the cream of society to its formal opening and presentation two weeks ago with the governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, leading the pack of important personalities and patrons that toasted the newest

Presidential suite

pitality sector in Lagos and Nigeria.

For him Eko Signature has not only come to redefine quality and class, but it helps re-affirm the prime position of Eko Hotels and Suites. He added that the property stands as a benchmark for many other property in Lagos State, describing it as a welcome development in the state.

“The idea is to make Eko Hotels and Suites a one-stop hotel destination in Africa that can compete with similar establishments globally,” said the general manager of this new initiative.

Sitting area

and most colourful property in the city with a lot of promises and commitment to offering impeccable and high quality services.

For years to come the N2.5 billion worth facility would be not just a reference point in the sector but perhaps the most preferred and sought after property by connoisseurs of the good life.

Eko Signature features 171 exquisitely furnished and fitted suites with each category of suite bearing a unique and distinct signature in terms of its amenities - a taste that is somewhat bespoke in outlook. The classes of suites range from Club, Premium, Signature to Presidential. If you think that you have probably seen it all from the finely laid out scenery of the suites then wait until you explore the dining facility, which stretches the imagination in the sense that it seems a combination of the finest dining experience across the world’s culinary capitals.

Move on to the Eko Signature Bar, which also presents another iconic and captivating setting with its array of drinks laid out in a posh setting while the spa setting appears to be in a different world of its own. Of course, ample thought has also been given to conferences and other social events with its six meeting rooms, namely, Africa, Asia, America, Australia, Antarctica and Europe, all fitted with standard facilities to ensure a blissful event.

Some of the unique services to savour here include personalized and

butler services, room services round the clock to be provided by experienced professionals who have been tutored on the culture of excellence and upscale quality service delivery of Eko Signature.

The heartbeat of hospitality Ghasan Faddou is the managing director of Eko Hotels and Suites and for obvious reasons, he just couldn’t mask his excitement and how elated he was to present the new property to the public on the night of its opening. He described it as setting a benchmark and being the heartbeat of the hos-

Signature Suite Lounge

A boost for Lagos tourism Fashola who was the special guest of honour at the event spoke in effusive terms: “This is a great development to tourism and hospitality in the state. It would increase business opportunities and the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Lagos and Nigeria.

“From my part, it represents the vote of confidence in the policies and the programmes that the government in the state has implemented towards ensuring that businesses thrive here, polices of efficiency, service delivery, access to justice, protection of citizens rights, proprietary and personal and I

think that security of life and property.”

The governor also noted that the new hotel is an investment that creates diverse opportunities for people who would be directly employed there and people whose businesses would be defined by what happens there.

“People who supply their goods, people who supply their drinks, people who bring customers there, the taxi drivers, operators of transport system, the people who supply the beddings and the people who will do the maintenance and people who would fit all the appliances are also involved in a positive spin-off of the value chain engendered by the new 5-star suites.”

He maintained that the new investment being commissioned could not have happened without the appropriate government policies which included the creation of a ministry of tourism, enunciation of the right policies that inspires investors’ confidence.

“This is an investment that shows that our regulation is okay. This is partnership that works. There is opportunity for economic exchange and a whole value chain while Lagos is increasingly becoming the destination for real business,” he added.

40 TRAVEL&TOURISM

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

CHEF’S CORNER

At Nike Lake, Chef Dandajena is lord of the hearth ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA recounts an enlivening encounter with Fortune Dandajena, Nike Lake Resort’s Zimbabwean executive chef.

T

HE ABAKPA–NIKE, Enugu–based Nike Lake Resort’s most appealing quality is perhaps the natural aura that the landscaped garden–like environment exudes, while on the flip side it also flaunts it indigenous appeal, which guests are said to appreciate.

Its Omenala bush bar is known for its unique offers of local delicacies. The list includes Isiewu, nkwobi, abacha, ugba, catfish, among others, which are prepared with local ingredients and served simmering hot. The executive chef of the hotel, Fortune Dandajena says they are eaten with relish by the guests of the hotel.

He explained that the hotel’s food are served fresh and in very hygienic manner “as the health of the guests is very paramount to the hotel”. Service here is ala carte and sometimes buffet depending of course on the number of guests and the occasion.

It also parades a list of continental dishes with the most popular being Chinese, Italian, Mediterranean, Indian and English dishes all served at its Lake View Restaurant, which gives a good view of the lake area, a unique aspect of the hotel. Cool and breezy, the resort offers an ample experience of nature.

He rates the hotel’s buffet breakfast as a great offering. ‘‘Our buffet breakfast sets the tone for a great day ahead.’’ According to him, some of the most cherished local dishes by the foreign guests are okra and egusi soups with semovita. They are familiar with the ingredients and also have them in their countries.’’

While for non–Europeans guests, Zimbabwean–born Dandajena reveals that ‘‘the Mongolian stir-fry (Chinese) is very popular because the food is prepared right in front of the guest and allows direct contact with the chef. The guests participate in the preparation of their own meal.’’ However one of the special offerings of the hotel also includes the

BBQ nights and stir-fries (Chinese) nights and buffet.

He describes Nigerian food as “very ‘exciting”, noting that the varieties are extensive.

“Nigerians prefer eating their local cuisine even when they visit hotels; they assume the food to be nutritional and naturally healthy.

Little attention is given to continental foods.’’

Working as a chef in Nigerian, the executive chef says, presents its challenges but adds that it’s yet an ‘‘interesting and adventurous experience in combining local and continental dishes’’. “It has been fantastic and interesting due mainly to the cultural diversity compared to Southern Africa.’’

However, one of the somewhat frustrating moments, he says, has to do with sourcing and preserving some of the materials for cooking. ‘‘A bit frustrating as most continental vegetables are not easily available locally. They come from the north.’’

Giving a thumbs-up to the local dishes, Dandajena reveals that ‘‘I have enjoyed most of the dishes with the exception of ogbono and snail, but mostly egusi, okra and vegetable soups”. Apart from eating these local dishes, he has also learnt how to cook some of them and these include egusi soup, okra soup and a few others. While he enjoys the local dishes, however when it comes to adapting to the Nigerian culture, he finds it a different ball game as he says that ‘‘our ethics and culture are the opposite or just different”.

He describes working with Nigerian cooks as ‘‘very interesting’’, adding that a few challenges exist such as the fact that the cooking method differs while communication is also another challenge. ‘‘Our cooking methods differ while the use of Pidgin English at times leads to communication breakdown”.

The executive chef who has had a short stint with a hotel in Lagos gives his view of life in Lagos and that of Enugu. ‘‘I have had some work experience in Lagos before coming to Enugu. Life is a bit slow in Enugu and the rate of crime is low compared to other areas.

I find this place accommodating and I feel at home here.’’

While not in the kitchen looking after the guests, he enjoys tennis, table tennis, walking and experiencing nature as well surfing the net.

Dandajena

HOSPITALITY BEATS Kenya Airways shatters Swiss International partners cockpit glass ceiling Business Consulting Group Global HISTORY was made recently as the Kenya Airways announced the elevation of Captain Irene Koki Mutungi, the first female Kenyan pilot, to be the first female African pilot to fly the Boeing B787 Dreamliner, world’s largest aircraft.

Mutungi flew as a First Officer on the 767-300ER, the second largest aircraft in the Kenya Airways fleet after the Boeing B777-300ER, and then became the first female Kenya Airways Captain of a Boeing 767-300ER until she finished her course for type conversion successfully and was elevated to fly in the left hand seat of KQ’s latest acquisition.

Capt Mutungi’s latest professional accomplishment is a first indeed for the world of aviation and as such a cause for celebration, as she becomes the first black female Boeing 787 Captain in the world.

Kennedie is confident that Gupta would deliver on the business expectation given his vast knowledge and experience in the industry.

“We are delighted to work together with Ram Gupta. He knows many owners and hoteliers and is very much abreast with the developments in our industry.’’

Founded in 1982, Swiss International Hotels was established in Switzerland and has hotels in Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, Greater China, the Middle East and Africa. The company is registered in Baar, Switzerland and is operating from the UAE (Ras Al Khaimah).

SWISS International Hotels has signed a partnership deal with Business Consulting Group Global headed by Mr. Ram Gupta, to represent the hospitality outfit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE0 and India with the hope that Gupta would use his contacts and experiences to attract the right hotel partner and brand for their real estate assets.

Swiss brands include Royal Swiss (Luxury), Swiss International (Upscale), Swiss Spirit (midscale international quality) and local

affinity. Gupta is a management professional with proficiency in hospitality, real estate, product and e-marketing. He has over four decades of experience in India, Far East, Middle East and Europe.

Gupta expressed delight over the new partnership, ‘‘we are looking forward to a very fruitful cooperation. We are convinced that the brands of Swiss International will fill the void of a fresh and new brand in our region.’’

While the Chairman and CEO of Swiss International, Mr. Henri

THE Africa Business Travel Association (ABTA) is to host a business travel industry education forum and cocktail in Nigeria. It is schedule to hold at the The Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Lekki, Lagos on May 20.

The aim of the forum include – providing an opportunity for industry debate and discussion

ABTA to host business travel forum, cocktail between travel management companies (TMC) and travel agents, suppliers and buyers; discuss the importance of the tripartite relationship between buyers, suppliers and travel management companies and to address how a company travel

policy assists companies in managing their travel, consolidating suppliers and TMC’s and reducing costs.

It is a fee-paying forum for both ABTA and non–members as well as those aspiring to be members.

Emirates cuts flights to 41 destinations EMIRATES Airline has concluded plans to reduce it flights to over 41 destinations beginning from May 1 this year and also change timings on some of its flights while it wouldcontinue to serve all of its worldwide destinations during the 80-day period of runway upgrading works at Dubai International starting on May 1.

These changes will not impact customers booked to fly between May and July, as the flight schedules have been planned and implemented months ahead of time.

Customers or travel agents searching for flight options on Emirates will only see those flights that are available.

The airlines president, Tim Clark, said adequate arrangement has been to ‘‘ensure that there will be as little inconvenience to our customers as possible, and we look forward to resuming our full schedule of flights in July’’.

Emirates will ground 20 aircraft in May, 22 in June, and 22 in July, as Dubai Airports launch a comprehensive runway upgrade project which will see both runways at Dubai International close alternatively for resurfacing and other enhancement works.

All Emirates passenger flights will continue to operate from Dubai International Airport (DXB) during the runway upgrading period from May 1– July 20 while its freighter operations will move to Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC) on May 1 as planned.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

TRAVEL&TOURISM

41

Dash of colours and energy as Lagos rocked

With the celebration of the Lagos Carnival on Easter Monday, Lagos once again executed its triple heritage celebration this year. It was a befitting climax to a medley of activities planned for the festive period, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA, with additional report by OLUSHOLA RICKETTS

F

OR many people the month of April in the city of Lagos is best described as “Lagos rocks,” because it is the time of the year, leading to the Easter celebrations when the city comes alive with a triple celebration of sort with the Lagos Black Heritage Festival (LBHF) heralding the events. Others are the Lagos Water Regatta and the Lagos Carnival.

As has been the tradition, the Lagos Carnival was meant to be a befitting end to the about three weeks cultural and communal feast. And as expected on Easter Monday, April 21, the carnival did not disappoint as it proved to be a well–orchestrated entertaining and colourful climax to the festival of Lagos’ art and culture.

Lagos Island and its surroundings on this morning woke up to a pervading mood of celebration and colours as the various carnival bands numbering over 20 poured into the streets - all headed towards the starting block for the commencement of the yearly feast.

Led by the carnival king and queen, the carnival train, featuring troupes from areas such as Ikeja, Ketu, Agege, Ifako-Ijaiye, Ikorodu, Ogba, Isolo, Surulere, Odi-Olowo, Mushin, Ilasamaja, Oworonshoki, Awoyaya, Addo, Langbasa, Epe and Badagary as well as the traditional Fanti groups of CamposLafiaji, Epetedo and Oko Faji, was a beauty to behold and as they paraded through the streets (Bourdillon Road, Giwa Barracks, Falomo Roundabout, Awolowo Road, King George-Igbosere Road, Campos Square, Catholic Mission Street, among others), one could see the reason why this year’s carnival was tagged “Lasgidi” (a moniker alluding to Lagos’ bustling nature). The train exuded excitement and thrilled the crowd of people who lined the carnival routes with their colourful display, artistic and theatrical pieces, well–choreographed dance steps, which totally enraptured the audience who danced and sang along.

The best of Lasgidi was kept for the culminating point, the Tafawa Balewa Square, which from the early hours of the day had become a beehive of activities and a celebration ground of sort as many people clothed in different attires, had taken over every available space waiting for the carnival train to make its entry into the ground. It was a joyous and riotous crowd that bided the train welcome to the square when it finally made its grand entrance amid a rich display of colourful theatrics. A well-coordinated showpiece was exhibited by the various bands as they paraded the square dancing and gyrating in tune with their various sub–themes and music.

In all, the bands gave a good account of themselves and in the estimation of many, it was an entertaining, appealing and joyous celebration. The organization and coordination were also highly rated as one of the best in recent times.

The audience, a mixed crowd of the high and low comprising the minister of culture, tourism and national orientation, High Chief Edem Duke, and Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola accompanied by the wife and the organiser of the carnival, the Lagos State commissioner for tourism and inter–governmental relations,

Disu Holloway, among others, cheered and greeted every move of the carnival bands. *Views from the square FOR the teeming crowd of people at the square, the day was a fulfilling and entertaining one as there was no dull moment. A National Youth Service Corps member from Ogun State, Yetunde Brown, found the huge crowd simply overwhelming even though she concedes it was quite spectacular.

David Oluwasanmi, a student, described the day as a colourful one: “It was really interesting watching them and I was surprised to see some of my former secondary school friends in their different costumes.” He also commended the government for providing free BRT buses to convey the people to the event.

Michael Duncan, an American who was witnessing the carnival for the second year described it as captivating and beautiful cultural display. He said he has seen the Rio Carnival, which he described as having similar quality as and standard as the Lagos Carnival. Alhassan Aziz, a tourist from the United Arab Emirates, said the carnival was an annual ritual for him and his family. He has always attended with his family, describing it as a display of high cultural heritage. He praised the state government for providing adequate security and lots of fun at the venue.

Another spectator, Miss Mario Roberto, an Italian, was captivated by the display of culture, colour and glamour. ‘‘I enjoyed the music and the food and the hospitality too,’’ she said. *Edem Duke calls for carnival institute THE minister of culture, tourism and national orientation, Edem Duke, said he was impressed with the colorful and creative display. However, he called for more attention to be paid to the infusion of local materials in the carnival costumes, insisting that it is a huge industry, which should be exploited.

According to him, this would further boost the nation’s economy and expose the rich culture of the country to the world. “It will embellish the carnival. We don’t want to be criticised for maintaining only the Caribbean style; we must enhance our local content. From Badagry, Epe, Ikorodu and others, there must be some indigenous or local content in the carnival.

The minister emphasized the need for a carnival institute where Nigerians would be trained on the various aspects of carnival so as to enrich the performances of carnival across the country. “To develop this, we need to have a carnival institute. With the institute, Nigerians can be certified as professional costume designers for carnivals. With such certificate, one can go to anywhere in the world to design costumes for carnivals and festivals,” he explained. *The carnival represents the real spirit of Lagos - Fashola GOVERNOR Babatunde Fashola described the carnival as representing the real spirit of Lagos State, which is that of prosperity and progress, adding that it has come to boost the economy of the state and its people. He pointed out that all the materials used for the event were procured at

local markets.

While reiterating the need for security and peaceful co-existence among the people, he said the season of Easter is that of celebration of triumph and so the people must look with faith to overcome every challenge. “Let me congratulate all of you for this season of Easter, a season of sacrifice and triumph. I urge you that as you go from here, you must expect that we will triumph over all our challenges,’’ he said.

Fashola also described the triple celebration as exciting and fun filled: “It is my pleasure to be here with you at this year 2014 Carnival called Lasgidi. It has been a whole week of fun from Badagry to the waterways in the regatta and many other activities at the Freedom Park.”

Photos: suleiman Husaini

42

TRAVEL&TOURISM

DESTINATION

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

Zimbabwe sets to After a successful debut last year, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, prepares the ground for an enthralling second edition of the Harare International Carnival, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA

T City Hall, Harare

Rainbow Towers

HE carnival train birthed in Zimbabwe last year with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), which is charged with the promotion and development of the country’s tourism industry spearheading the Harare International Carnival, which attracted hundreds of tourists from across the world to Harare, the ‘jacararela city’ to share in the communal celebration and explore the beauty of the city.

Billed to hold between May 16 and 25 with an array of activities slated to attract huge visitors and investors to the country, the vision of the carnival according to the ZTA is ‘‘to contribute positively towards achieving 100 percent Gross National Happiness by 2020,’’ while the stated objectives include: *To grow the Harare International Carnival into viable and sustain g lobal economic activity; *To be the vehicle for active promotion of destination Zimbabwe; *To be a tool for destination image transformation; *To celebrate and unify the people of Zimbabwe; and *To present and preserve the intangible cultural heritage of Zimbabwe.

Following a clarion call from the country’s Vice President, Amai J. T. R. Mujuru in 2011, after visiting the Sey-

chelles to see the Carnival De Victoria, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry last year debuted with the first edition of the Harare International Carnival on the grounds of promoting the country’s national heritage and culture, to boost development, encourage peace and make the country a more exciting tourist destination by offering interaction opportunities for local people and visitors.

The theme for this year’s carnival celebration is “celebrating our diversity,” which is expected to bring to the fore the socio–cultural diversity in unified platform for the benefit and exploration of both the people and the expected visitors.

According to the ZTA over 23 countries have officially indicated interest to participate in the carnival. These countries include Angola, Botswana, Brazil, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Sweden, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom and Zambia.

Besides, in terms of the level of preparation for the carnival, ZTA said things are in top gear with the local participation attracting a lot of enthusiasm from the people as over 22 schools, eight drum majorettes and four junior

Victoria Falls

National Social Security Authority (NSSA) Office Building, Harare

Event

Venue

Date

Organizer

Carnival Queen

HICC

16/05

ZTA & Zim Gossip

Carnival Jazz Night

Pamuzinda

17/05

Mr Josh Hozheri

Carnival Exotic Night

Red Fox Motel

18/05

Mr Robert Zhuwao

Carnival Fashion Show

First Street

19/05

ZimGossip

Carnival Gospel Competition

HICC

19/05

Benjamin

Blast from The Past

Meikles

20/05

ZimPromo

Welcome Reception

Jacaranda 1,2 & 3

21/05

City of Harare

Carnival Bira

TBA

22/05

Chiefs’ Council of Zimbabwe

Africa Day Discussion

Book Café

22/05

Mr Paul Brickhill

Carnival Samba Night

Airport Lounge

23/05

Mr B Chinoperekwe

Ethiopian Night

HICC

23/05

Ethiopian Embassy

Carnival Street Party

Harare CBD

24/05

ZTA

Zim-Dancehall Concert

Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex

24/05

Mr Patson Chombodza

Carnival Music Concert

HICC

25/05

ZTA

TRAVEL&TOURISM

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

43

shine with Harare International Carnival performing arts organisation have signed up for the event at the junior level while at the senior over 62 groups have also lined up.

Both the ministry of tourism and ZTA as well as the people of the city of Harare are enthusiastic about the prospect and success of the forthcoming carnival with the tourism minister, Walter Mzembi, describing the carnival as a national event that would over the years grow into a mega event supported by the Zimbabwean people and businesses. ‘‘The Harare International Carnival will grow much more in years to come, into a sustainable and viable national event supported by talent, expertise, skills and knowledge that is uniquely Zimbabwean.

It is our fervent hope and vision that the carnival will deliver considerable economic benefits, not only to the host city, but to the entire country and become an essential stimulus to business growth. ‘‘Carnival is big business which, in my view, can only be advanced through the creation of sustainable partnerships between the public and the private sector including the media. It is through such practical synergies that we can enhance the ability of the Harare International Carnival to attract tourists to Harare in particular and Zimbabwe in general and drive economic benefits for the country,’’ declared the minister.

The minister further promised that ‘‘this year’s edition will be bigger and better as we continue to cultivate the carnival culture in Zimbabwe’’. He urged the people and businesses to take active part and support the growth of the carnival in order to achieve the ministry’s plan for the carnival to ‘‘contribute to the economy as we work towards achieving a five billion dollar tourism economy by 2018.’’

Mzembi, an engineer, said ‘‘our tourism industry and hospital-

Kaseke

Mezembi

ity related service industries will be the major beneficiaries from the projected influx of visitors attending this event. The manufacturing sector will also have a big share of the benefits as they supply the mega event with different goods. What more value addition and beneficiation will one need for our cultural and artistic resources? We are convinced that this was the vision that our esteemed patron of tourism, the Hon. Vice President, Amai J.T.R. Mujuru had, when she challenged us to conceptualize our own carnival having witnessed the Carnival De Victoria, Seychelles in 2011.’’

Taking a cue from the minister, the Mayor of Harare, Clr Benard Manyenyeni, expressed the wish for the carnival to help in the restoration of the past glory of Harare as a “sunshine city”. He said no other city could have been more befitting for the carnival than Harare, which is also the cultural city

of Zimbabwe apart from serving as the capital city of the southern African country.

While revealing that steps would be taken to put the event on the world calendar, he enjoined the people of Harare to come out in their numbers to pay homage to the carnival. ‘‘Harare residents should come out in droves to witness world acclaimed Samba dancers from Brazil among other cultural groups from within and outside Africa,’’ he said.

“Let Harare rock! We have given you the streets.

Let us Wall forget our hardships and take this as an opportunity to showcase our lovely Harare and of course Zimbabwe,” enthused the mayor.

Chief Executive of Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Karikoka Kaseke, on whose shoulders the organisation rests, said the global underlining factor for carnival is destination market-

ing and tourism promotion. He promised that the Harare International Carnival would not fall short of this global standard. ‘‘It is clear that carnivals have become sustainable marketing vehicles that harbour great potential to steer economic growth,’’ he said, while revealing that the carnival, which is in its second year has recorded appreciable recognisation from across the world as the numbers of foreign countries has increased from 14 recorded last year to over 23 this year as at the last count.

Kaseke also expressed delight at the various organizations and businesses as well as the people of Zimbabwe who have embraced the carnival. ‘‘One important issue we want the nation to appreciate is that the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority introduced the carnival concept and we are very happy that Zimbabweans have accepted it and they love it as they see its potential. It is our vision that in the near future we will release its coordination and organisation to the private sector. This is only attainable if we have a shared vision.’’

Therefore, he pleaded with the people to put on their carnival costumes and come in their thousands to savour the broth being cooked by the ZTA for their benefit. ‘‘I want to urge everyone to come out and attend the carnival activities in your carnival costumes and commemorate the beauty of our diversity! Let us enjoy the biggest street party in Southern Africa! The street party is the soul of the carnival and it is our wish to see the Harare International Carnival becoming the grandest holiday in Zimbabwe drawing thousands of people across the globe.’’

Nigeria troupe Participants at th

e carnival

Zimbabwean dancers

Harare at a glance zz Landmass 872 square kilometers zz Population of 2.1 million zz Official languages are English, Shona and Ndebele zz Heritage, Harare got its name from the Shona word, meaning “one who does not sleep,” and true to type, the city rocks, is vibrant, colourful and full of activities. It is a beautiful city to behold with a discernible layout and captivating scenery of garden parks, flowers and vast array of jacaranda tree –lining the street, which is while the city is popularly referred to either the ‘jacaranda or sunshine city.’ zz Harare also has a variety of shopping malls, the list include the Westgate Shopping Mall, Eastgate Shopping Mall, Avondale Shopping Centre and Flea Market, Sam Levy’s village and the legendary Mupedzanhamo shopping centre - meaning “the end of your problems,” as it stocks the cheapest of goods in the city. zz Some of the attractive spots to explore in the city include the National Hero Acre – a burial ground and monument spanning 57 acres and a memorial to the liberation fighters; Tomb of the unknown soldier

– a monument dedicated to soldiers who died during the liberation war; The eternal flame – a 40 metre high tower, depicting the spirit of the country’s independence, visible from every part of the city, the tower is built at the top of the southern hill in the city and accessible through a flight of stairs extending from the foot of the hill; Domboshawa rock paintings – a rural community located about 35 kilometers north-east of the capital, bears some of the finest heritage of the people; Mbare musika – a major fruits and vegetables market; National museum – located at the civic centre of Rotten Row; The National art gallery; The Kopje; a granite hill rising above the south-west corner of central Harare . It’s a great place to go to have a full view of the central business district and western suburbs and Industrial side; Chapungu Village; and Epworth – is the most famous balancing rocks formation located at 13 kilometres from southeast of Harare, off the Chiremba Road; Lake chivero – is a recreational part spanning about 6, 100 hectares land offering a number of fauna and flora existence; Mbizi game park – offerings a wildlife experience; Mwanga lodge – is a private estate located within a game park; and Lion and Cheetah park – also boast a rich wildlife experience.

44 TRAVEL&TOURISM

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

Obinna Ekezie is the founder and managing director of wakanow. com, Nigeria’s pioneer online booking platform. In this interview with ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA, he speaks on his life-time commitment to bringing the travel world to people’s doorstep.

H

IS engagement with the travel world is not an ordinary one. By nature and scope, it could be described as larger- than-life.

It is not out of place to say that only a man with a large heart and undoubting spirit can take such audacious ambition and succeed within a short period of time the way Ezekie has done.

Ekezie, is over six footer with an intimidating physique and personality, which earned him a place of pride in the America’s star-studded and prestigious National Basketball Association that spanned almost a decade. After a successful career as a professional basketballer, he quitted the slamming and dunking game and ventured on business world, pioneering an enterprise which most businessmen would have dreaded because of the attendant challenges that come with new business idea.

But since ‘nothing venture, nothing gained,’ Ezekie says he was determined to brave the new world of travelling by introducing the novel idea, which gave birth to Wakanow.com in 2008.

But after two years of incubation, it made its debut in 2010 as Nigeria’s first and only online booking platform.

“We sell online flights of all the major airlines in Nigeria both international and domestic, at competitive and cheapest available rates. ‘‘We sell hotels around the world with over 200, 000 hotels on our platform. We offer visa assistance services, airport pick up services round the world, bundle packages – we package tours round the world, so it is a full service travel company but mostly focused online,” he says.

Motivation To set up the platform, he says his experiences as a frequent traveller and his ability to study the Nigerian environment and discover a business opportunity, are major factors that aided the business.

On what motivated him, Ezekie points out, “I have had difficulties booking flights from Nigeria, talking with travel agents, talking with airlines, it was not very conducive and it was not very easy. There was no transparency, when I say transparency; I couldn’t really see what the available options were as a customer. Well in America where I lived I used online platform like expedia.com and I could see all the available options and could chose my preferred flights. I

OBINNA EKEZIE From basketball to wakanow could pay online with my card and could also book my hotels. ‘‘So, it was very convenient and when I saw this opportunity in Nigeria and the difficulties I had during booking my own flights. I thought it was a massive opportunity to build an online travel company and that is where we are today.”

Wakanow For someone that has experienced the best that the world could possibly have offered, the expectation would have been to stay back in either the US or Europe to set up his enterprise but the former dunker opted for Nigeria.

He was one of the few Nigerians that were disgusted by the ‘419’ label of Nigerians by the international community as a result of the wrong conduct by a few Nigerians.

“I felt that it was quite a disaster for a country to be labelled the way that we were labelled because of a few people who were doing the wrong things,’’ he says, adding, “I thought that the only way that we can redeem this was to start to show the good people of Nigeria; people who are doing positive things, the medical doctors, the professionals and the business people.”

With this, he notes that “when I decided to start this company I wanted to call this company a name that Nigerians would recognise and would be significant to what I was trying to achieve. I thought about it. How do I come out with a name significant to what am trying to achieve?

And so, he harped on ‘waka’ a Nigeria lingo, which means ‘move’ and then the coinage – ‘wakanow.com.’ “I thought that was a very good name, very perfect for what we are trying to achieve. And then when people see it and they see the quality of the company, the technology, the quality of the costumers service and they know that it is a Nigerian company then that gives a very positive light about the country and by the time that we take it around the world and people know that it is Nigeria’s company it would give a different perception about Nigeria and that is what is important to me.”

The challenge From day one Ekezie was abreast of the challenges that he would confront as a technology-based company that was focused on customers’ services. ‘‘Obviously the biggest challenge that we had at the beginning was funding, a massive investment was required

in funding the company and also human capital, training people to be able to provide the level of services that we wanted to provide and that has been an ongoing process and we are getting better at it,” he states.

The environment Thankfully, he says the environment has been responsive and totally overboard with the new platform, saying “it is picking up.” It is regarded as one of the fastest growing companies in Nigeria, as it was picked as one of the top five fastest growing companies in the land.

He attributes this success level to the customers who judged the platform as most convenient.

“This is because customers who have used our platform have found it very easy and very convenient. That has helped us grow and most of the times we get a lot of referrals through our website because people visit our website and we are actually focused on building the brand Wakanow.com, which many people now know as the site to go to when you want to book your travels or hotels.’’

The Nigeria travel industry He sees the Nigeria travel industry as quite big and growing fast with massive opportunity for investment but laments the fact that of the 160 million Nigeria population, only about nine million travel by air. “So, I think there is still

RESUME Ekezie is from Orlu in Imo State but was born and raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. In 1993, when he was 18, he left Nigeria for the US for prep school and attended Worcester, Academy Massachusetts where he took to basketball alongside his studies. He was approached by many of the colleges but finally settled for University of Maryland at College Park where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Business. In 1999, he was one of the second-round pick during the NBA draft and joined the Vancour Grizzlies. For six years, he played for five different NBA teams and Europe where he also played for three years.

In 2005, he sustained an injury but it was not until 2007 that Ekezie finally called it quit with the career that had brought him fame and fortune.

massive opportunity for growth in that area and as the economy keeps growing and people are able to earn more they would always aspire to travel to different destinations.”

He says the improvement of facilities across the various airports in the country is commendable but calls for more work to be done in order to take Nigeria to the level that it rightly belongs as the biggest economy in Africa and the most populous black nation in the world.

Building a tourist destination ‘‘We can build a tourist destination but we have not really done that yet,” he says of Nigeria’s non – committal to tourism, which is a major job and revenue provider. But to achieve this level, he advises the government to adopt a holistic approach to its development rather than the half-hearted approach. “So, it is a full integration of different elements to make tourism successful. But with that said I think that we have adequate infrastructure to attract people but what we have not done is build actual destinations, the actual facilities for tourism to thrive,” says Ekezie.

Besides, if the country hopes to make headway with tourism, he calls for focus on domestic tourism rather than foreign tourism. “The key is to focus on internal first, build that up and let it start to grow from there and then look for in-bound tourism at a later stage when you are able to build up the necessary infrastructure. I think that is the strategy.”

Relaxation Despite his tight schedule, Ekezie reveals that he still finds time to engage in sport. “I work out, I still love to exercise. I play tennis, and I travel a bit but mostly for business. Most of what I do is work because there is still a lot to be done,” he enthuses.

Recognition Wakanow.com is not like the proverbial prophet without honour at home as the company has not only earned the respect of Nigerians but also that of the Nigerian government, especially the sports officials. Ekezie was appointed two years ago as the official tour company of the Nigeria team to the London 2012 Olympics and this year again, the company has also been appointed as the official tour company to Brazil 2014 World Cup.

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Talking Point Clashes without borders: Will IG’s committee end Fulani/ farmers’ feud?p.50 Faceoff Kwara PDP congress, a sham – AbdulSalam p.48

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Obasanjo was mischievous to bring Ondo, Imo and Abia to NDDC –Briggs A Niger Delta Environmental activist and a delegate to the ongoing National Conference, Annkio Briggs, in this interview with SONY NEME speaks on oil theft, establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Sovereign National Conference among others.

Oil theft has remained a recurring problem.

How in your opinion can this menace be tackled?

Who is responsible for securing the oil and who are the thieves? These are the key issues I believe we should be looking at. I live in the Niger Delta. My local government is oil-producing. I live in the creek, which is where the oil theft takes place. The pattern of oil theft and the method of oil theft are very clear.

We see it blatantly every day, before now we didn’t know what oil theft is all about. Even when we saw the activities, we didn’t know it were activities of people stealing crude oil. Now we know that this is the process of stealing crude oil.

The theft of crude oil started at Oloibiri when oil was discovered in the Niger Delta until military took over the stage. The oil companies had encouraged oil theft as at then because of the ignorance of our people as to what was going on. You need technical knowledge, you need the cover of the security forces and need people who know where to sell it before you can steal crude oil.

Oil theft started from when oil was discovered at until military took over the stage and continued therefrom.

With the benefit of hindsight can you give us a graphic detail of how these thieves operate?

First of all, before you can access the creek to steal oil at the level in which it is being stolen today you can’t come in with a ship that will carry 2.5 or three million barrels of oil. Those are called the mother ship. They berth at the Atlantic Ocean.

You have badges and the smaller badges that will carry perhaps 100,000, 200,000 barrels depending on the capacity.

These are the ones that transport the crude oil from the point where the pipe is broken into and piped into those small badges. They in turn move them to a larger badge with about 500,000 that will subsequently transport them into the deeper sea, where they will put them into the ship that will contain one or two million barrel of oil per day. The Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Airforce, and of recent, the Joint Task Force, JTF, are supposed to be patrolling these waters. The military and the JTF have the responsibilities to protect our waters. If they can’t stop oil theft, who will stop it? If all these security cannot arrest this brazen process, is it Annkio Briggs, is it Abonema people that will arrest? Is it Bayelsa State people or is it Delta State riverine community people that are supposed to do these things? My answer is no because our people neither have the technical nor security capacity to protect the pipelines or stop the oil thieves.

Therefore, the responsibility to protect and stop

the people who are stealing the crude oil lies squarely on the people who are actually involved in the oil theft. That is why the oil theft is going on. The oil companies should tell us how much oil they are taking because Nigerian government has no independent means of knowing whether Shell Petroleum Development Corporation, SPDC, is telling the truth when they say, today they have lifted 1.5millions barrels of crude oil.

Is that not why NNPC is a joint partner with all the oil companies?

They don’t know and they don’t have the capacity of ascertaining. I am aware of this. They don’t just know. It is the oil company that is telling the world how much money is being lost. The figures were not brought out by the Nigerian government. What is happening today has been has been going on for a long time. Oil theft did not start at the creation of Rivers or Bayelsa State. Oil theft did not start with the agitation of Adaka Boro, Ijaw youths, or Ken Saro Wiwa. It all started the day oil was discovered.

How come the thefts persist even after the Federal Government engaged some ex-militants to complement the security forces in the protection of the pipelines?

As at the time the Yar’Adua/ Jonathan government came into being in 2007, we already had militancy issues during the Obasanjo’s government. The issues had started in Rivers State as early as year 2000. By 2008, militancy had reached such a level. As at then, the minister of defence was Yayale while the secretary to the Federal Government was Alhaji Babagana Kingibe.

At a point I reached out to Yayale and Kingibe with 15 active men (militants) of River State origin that were holding on to the creeks under Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND. It was agreed between the 15 key people representing CONTINUED ON PAGE 46

the participants in River State as at then, my-

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THE SATURDAY INTERVIEW

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‘Amalgamation of Nigeria is not working’ corruption. The British government was spending its money to run the Northern protectorate, and was using the money realised from the southern protectorate to run the south. So the stealing of oil and gas from the Niger Delta is part of the amalgamation process. What Nigeria is going through today is as a result of the amalgamation.

That is why we must have a Sovereign National Conference. If that is not done before the 2015 elections, the problem that we will have today will be small compared with what we will have later Because the argument that Jonathan should not present himself for a second term that he is constitutionally entitled to is grave. No Nigerian should stop Jonathan from aspiring for his constitutional right. And if he does not, he won’t come back to this Niger Delta.

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self, the minister of defence and the secretary to the federal government; that the security of the pipelines in River State would be given to these key participants.

The reason was because as at that time, the output of crude oil was already below 800,000 barrel per day. And the Federal Government was looking for a way out. That was when the government first accepted the idea of involving the people they were blaming for vandalising pipeline to be involved in securing same pipelines.

The idea I had at that time was to give the responsibility of securing the pipelines to those accused of vandalising them. It was like a psychological test.

That gave birth to the understanding between Rivers State, so-called militants and the federal government. That is the back ground to your question. So the securing of the pipelines today is not something that was decided by this administration. It was an understanding that was taken when Yar’Adua was the president. I was the facilitator of this concept.

Unfortunately, at a time, there were people who opposed that concept.

Are those people not justified today based on the fact that years after, oil theft remains a recurring decimal?

It was agreed and for whatever reason the government went back on it. And militancy continued until 2009 when output of oil dropped even further. Then we got involved in the offer of amnesty.

Unfortunately, Yar’Adua died without seeing full implementation of his programme. Jonathan had to continue with what Yar’Adua had started.

The concept that I developed then and what is happening now are two different issues because I am not involved with what is happening now concerning pipeline security. I am not part of the discussions that led to the job of securing the pipelines. Therefore, I do not know why the theft is continuing. If you bear in mind, therefore, that we from the Niger Delta have been able to identify that the major actors are people that are supposed to be solely protecting them.

But that is not the case here. The JTF is involved.

It is joint oil theft activity that is going on: the owners of the ships that come from Europe, America and wherever. Also , somebody is buying the stolen oil.

It is not Niger Delta people that are selling, and definitely not the Niger delta people that are stealing it.

There is a joint international criminal conspiracy against the Niger Delta people to steal their oil in collaboration with the oil companies and the Nigerian system. This has been ongoing. It is not a personality issue. I don’t want to be misunderstood. I am not saying the president or the petroleum minister is involved. What I am saying is that the system that has been operating when oil was found is the problem.

It was when armed Niger Delta youths went into the creeks that they found out that oil stealing was going on. To associate the corruption within the oil system with Jonathan’s administration is like associating the 50 years oil theft with Niger Delta people.

And Niger Delta people cannot be thieves of what is rightfully given to them by God. What is found on or in your land is yours. The opinion I hold on to is that I will never accept that the oil in Niger Delta belongs to the Nigeria. It does not.

How best can we manage this criminal enterprise, if not totally eliminated?

Well I won’t subscribe to it being managed, because that is to encourage it to continue. Oil theft is an illegal activity. The oil is being stolen from my backyard, from my region and my waterside. I am being stolen from, so I can never steal what belongs to me. This country is blessed. Every state is endowed with resources. The only way out is having a true sovereign national conference. Not dialogue.

The report gathered by this committee set up by the president is ready, as far as I am concern. Whether we agree with its content or not is another story.

My suggestion has been that Nigerians need to see the report, which has been done. Because Nigerians went to meet with the committee at different zones, and told the committee what they want. I support the Yoruba that have been driving and calling for a sovereign national conference for a very long time.

As far as I am concerned, the only way out for the mounting issues confronting Nigeria today, is the issue of governance, corruption and which region

Briggs

must or must not occupy the presidency. All these will be tabled and sorted out as Nigerians will have the right to sit down and tell one another what they do not want. It doesn’t matter if the Igbo are 20 million and the Hausa Fulani are 100 million and the Ijaw man is 500,000. It doesn’t matter because we are all equal in this country. You cannot claim to have landmass and claim to be more in number by coopting even the Middle Belt people. Yet the Middle Belt people are a different people with a distinct culture and traditions.

The amalgamation of Nigeria was not in the interest of the country. Because it was not in the interest of Nigeria, the amalgamation is not working and will not work. If we continue to drive on the basis of the amalgamation, which is one-sided, it will continue to drive on number. That you are more, therefore you have a lager take, and you must control the political power. I disagree with this. One must not swallow the other. For instance, it is wrong for the Federal Government to drive away the people that owned Abuja, and make it a capital. What injustice.

We forget that a generation of those people will rise up against Nigeria someday, because they are suffering. They were just driven out without adequate compensation. That is what is happening today in Nigeria. 100 years of Nigeria, is a 100 years of figures. Not 100 years of development, not 100 years of achievement and nothing to be proud of. This again, is not against the Jonathan administration that will be three years old in May as the elected president.

I do not think it is time to blame him for anything that has failed so far. He came to merit this mess.

Funny enough people from a region that ruled Nigeria for over four decades are asking Jonathan, what has he done for Niger Delta. From the late Abubakar Tafawa Balewa era through all the military government they controlled, what did they do for their region, not to talk of Nigeria? Which one of them built the number of universities that Jonathan has allocated to them? How many of them built Alma jiri school for them? Jonathan wants to educate the uneducated in their region; ironically, they in the north don’t want their people to be educated, because when they will be aware of their rights and privileges. This is why they don’t want them to be educated and raised Boko Haram instead.

In some countries people are killed if they are found guilty of corruption because these are things that will deter people from going same route. But you are making sure the incumbent is unable to fight corruption by the obstacles you are placing on his part and you turn around to accuse him of corruption.

You cannot claim to have landmass and claim to be more in number by co-opting even the Middle Belt people What kind of obstacle is stopping corruption?

People who have stolen Nigeria blind, who own oil blocks, who bought NITEL buildings, and other national assets are people who have held political powers in this country. Past presidents are rich; past vice presidents are very rich with assets everywhere.

Part of Ikwerre by the East/West Road (Port Harcourt, Rivers State) is wholly owned by a politician who wants to become the president of Nigeria. How did they get these money? Are they the most brilliant people in Nigeria?

Obstacles facing anybody who is out to fight corruption in Nigeria are embedded in the system. The system that governs Nigeria is corrupt. Each state of the federation has a ministry of works, yet we have a federal ministry of works. Now tell me, where does the federal ministry ends and where does that of the state start. Then you created Niger Delta Development Commission, NNDC. Then you said NNDC is supposed to develop the Niger Delta, and then what is the government at all levels supposed to do? Then you create the ministry of Niger Delta and said it is also supposed to develop the Niger Delta. They collect money from Niger Delta every month. They will go and share it and they say there is corruption in Nigeria. Even the process of sharing is corrupt.

At present, Rivers and Bayelsa states are fighting over oil-well. This is a problem created by boundary commission. How can you just move people from state to another at will, and you want to blame Jonathan for that? It is all for economic reason that is why some people who were originally in Imo State are now in Rivers State.

But the buck stops at the table of the president because some of the agencies are federal parastatals?

The system itself is eaten up by corruption. That is why I said the amalgamation was the beginning of

Another sore point has been East/West Road, how in your opinion could this be fast tracked with a rail network to ease movements of people and goods?

The issue of rail is almost a certainty because from all indication, the project is coming this way. I believe this will possible before the end of 2014. We also need the coastal roads that are in the budget.

We need to see it manifest.

On the issue of the Ministry of the Niger Delta, I will not talk about it without bringing the NNDC and the amnesty issues. At the inception of NDDC a mistake was made. The mistake is that there are six states in the Niger Delta, but the commission is made up of nine oil-producing states. You cannot leave in two geo-political zones at same time. You are either in South East, South West or South South.

So it is political mischievousness for Obasanjo to bring Ondo, Imo and Abia states, and then joined them with South South to form NDDC. It should be called oil-producing intervention commission, because NDDC has no capacity to develop. If oil is found in Sokoto as they are claiming, would it now be called Niger Delta? Why fooling ourselves? The Ministry of Niger Delta on its own two does not have the capacity to develop the region when you take its budget into consideration. It is not its responsibility, but those of Niger Delta states to develop Niger Delta. But that power has been taken away from us, because the resources we own, that we should use to develop our region has been taken away by the Federal Government. We need to fight to get that back. That is the one way forward.

The ministry was carved out for the Niger Delta people on the platform of our agitation, which is also hooked directly to the amnesty process. Therefore, if it is truly a ministry of Niger Delta, it should be located in the region. So long it is in Abuja, it should not be called the Ministry of Niger Delta, but the emergency development commission of the Niger Delta, as far as I am concern.

For whatever it is, if it meant to develop Niger Delta, it should be located here, overseeing the Niger Delta and developing the area. Secondly, employment into that ministry should not be by federal character.

It should be by technical and developmental inputs of accountability. But because the federal government does not mean well at any given time for the Niger Delta people that are why, when the Wilkinson Commission suggested that we have the River Basin Development Authority, the north also agitated for same. And they changed the Niger Delta category A to category D, and make the north as category A. The money that was meant to develop Niger Delta was diverted. So when you look at these agencies, they were set up to deceive Niger Delta people. And because of the passion by the so called politicians from the Niger Delta, they are not able to put up a good fight for what is right for their people. We need politicians from the Niger Delta that are prepared to fight for justice and right for our people. We will stand by such politicians through thick and thin.

What is the way forward in all these?

The way forward is to also recognise that the amnesty programme has done a lot. It was able to provide a platform of what people are seeing today as a progress for Nigeria and Niger Delta. I say this with all sense of responsibilities, because I was involved.

What I expect from the amnesty itself and from the Federal Government is a removal of that word, ‘amnesty’ and replaces it with youth development and capacity commission.

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A reception to celebrate the wedding between Aderonke Oreoluwa Ajakaiye, daughter of ex-managing director of FAAN, Richard Aisuebeogun and Olukayode Joshua Omotilewa was held on April 19 at Martinos Hall, Ikeja. Below are some guests who graced the event.

Father of the groom, Mr. Julius Omotilewa; bride’s Mother, Mrs. Toyin Ajakaiye; Groom, Olukayode Joshua Omotilewa; bride, Aderonke Oreoluwa Ajakaiye; bride’s father, Prince Adeniyi Ajakaiye and groom’s mother, Mrs Caroline Omotilewa, during the wedding reception between Olukayode and Ronke in Lagos

L-R: Mrs Titilayo Afolabi; Ekiti State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Ronke Ekundayo and Mrs. Bukola Ajeniran.

L-R:Mr. Ranti Adebisi; Mrs. Abinusewa Bimbo and Mrs Sade Adebisi

Former MD of FAAN, Richard Aisuebeogun and Capt Adebayo Araba.

Babafemi Ojudu (left) and Kayode Afolabi.

L-R: Mr Bolaji Tunji; Jide Shadakin and Mr. Bayo Idowu.

Mrs Bamisaye Oni; Olori Adejoke Ojo and Mrs Jadesola Ajayi.

The couple… Aderonke Oreoluwa Ajakaiye and Olukayode Joshua Omotilewa.

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Kwara PDP congress, a sham –AbdulSalam Dr. AbdulSalam AbdulSalam is a member of the Freedom Group.

In this interview with BIODUN OYELEYE, he insists the Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party’s congress was a sham.

What really are your grievances against the outcome of the congress?

Let me start by clarifying that I have nothing personal against the personalities that make up the Unity Group, but it is important that people write petition when they are not happy about the conduct of an election. In the first place, there are a lot of procedures an election should observe and where these are not followed, people are bound to write petition. In an election of PDP magnitude, if the procedures were not used, people are bound to petition.

But let me reproduce for you our grievances in some more details: we are aggrieved because the congress was conducted in a way that indicated the selling and allocating of offices to the highest bidders. We are also complaining against the evident calculated attempt to truncate the due processes. For instance, there was a muddling up of the processes so as to frustrate others and eventually achieve the highest bidder’s interest. The processes of counting were characterised with fraud, accreditation of delegates was intentionally made cumbersome so as to frustrate delegates to achieve the desire of the highest bidders, denial and refusal of delegates from voting, disenfranchising of party members, invasion of party grounds by mercenaries, refusal by the caretaker committee chairman from disclosing the venue of the congress, with the intention of creating confusion. The voting and zoned offices were muddled up because they envisaged fraudulent intent.

The Kwara State Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, Mr. Solomon Edoja, allocated offices to the highest bidders. Edoja stated clearly that he had to take care of some person(s) that have been there for him. He stressed that there was no way he would not take care of those people. Edoja and his cohorts used the collective interests of the people of Kwara State to settle their selfish interest. He had his plan and as a matter of fact, he made sure that the congress was a sham. He did not advertise the list of contestants. The names of contestants were not even known to the delegates as the names of who they were to vote for. Some delegates were denied opportunity to carry out their constitutional and membership duty. As part of the scheme to ensure that those that were not in the camp of Solomon Edoja and his allies were denied the rights to vote, accredited delegates were prevented from voting when they got to the venue. Despite the fact that, the Caretaker Committee chairman was called to address this anomaly, he turned a blind eye to this and several others.

The delegates were further taken to an unknown and unadvertised venue. Edoja and his

allies did this in order to achieve their aims and illicit plans. Some party members were not allowed to exercise their rights to be voted for. Mr. Gabriel Olatunji from Kwara North senatorial district contested an election; voted for himself and others equally voted for him. Only for the result to come out and show that he got zero vote at the election. We suspect that his votes were either stolen or recorded for an opponent. Beyond that, MR. Ebun Folayan from Kwara South, got a form , was screened, and was at the venue of the election only for his opponent to be announced unopposed. This was immediately reported to the chairman, again he looked the other way.

Barrister Ibrahim Olajide Sarafadeen, obtained a nomination form, was screened and accredited only for his name to be callously removed at the election venue.

When he protested to caretaker chairman, he gave no reasonable response. He went to Senator Barnabas Gemade, the chairman of the electoral panel. Senator Gemade told the complaint that he was too busy to attend to his complaint.

The counsel threatened that he will seek redress from appropriate quarter if his demands were not attended to. Sena-

tor Gemade told him to write his full name, which he did and he folded the piece of paper and tucked it in his pocket. When he was asked as to what will become the fate of the name, he said, ‘we will see to it.’

Ballot papers were carelessly flying around while Edoja watched unperturbed.

His nonchalance was not hidden, as he watched unauthorised and unaccredited people who are not delegates handle ballot papers. These ballot papers were used by miscreants to carry out their nefarious acts. It was clear that the election process was characterised with deceit, fraud and an open show of shame. The congress or election can only be described as a sham. We therefore call for the cancellation of the elec-

“Even if we were part of the process, one was not part of the conduct. There are a number of people; we were supposed to be part of the planning”

tion. The people of Kwara State are seeking freedom, emancipation and opportunity for them to decide their fate by themselves.

What happened on April 15, 2014 was a total show of another journey back to slavery.

But you were part of the process?

Even if we were part of the process, one was not part of the conduct. There are a number of people; we were supposed to be part of the planning. For instance, there is the INEC procedure that was not followed.

Names and the list of delegates were supposed to be submitted to INEC but that was not done. The list is expected to be displayed for people who have objections to raise them but that too was not done. There were many things that happened that were wrong.

So what specifically are your prayers?

Another election should be held because people are not happy about this one. There were so many things that went wrong so why should such an election be ratified?

But the new exco has been inaugurated?

That will not stop anything; people that feel aggrieved can still go to court and get the election nullified.

Won’t this agitation affect your party negatively?

I don’t think it will. We are all in the process of building democracy. We are growing in the process and for democracy to grow; there is need for us to do a lot of things correctly. If you continue to build on a wrong foundation then your house can’t last. For a party like the PDP, for the magnitude of the party, we need to build on a platform that is right so we see the need that the election should be cancelled.

Won’t people see your agitation as arising because your group didn’t win the majority seats in the congress?

Group or no group, the procedure for the election was faulty. If the other groups did what they were supposed to do and people that conducted the election also did what they were supposed to do then suppose the other group wins then so be it. But if people that were supposed to conduct the election did the wrong thing then it is wrong you are then building a house with a faulty foundation. Let me draw this analogy: you are building a house; the structure is bad because of a faulty foundation, would you continue the work just because you want a house?

The house that is wrongly built right from foundation? I would rather appreciate if that house is destroyed and you start building another one. That is the way I see it anyway.

The new chairman said he has been reaching out to some of you, can you confirm that?

AbdulSalam

He certainly will not reach everybody.

Maybe he has been reaching some of those who are aggrieved.

Edoja and his cohorts used the collective interests of the people of Kwara State to settle their selfish interest.

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The congress is the best –Olawoyin Chief Segun Olawoyin, former chairman, Offa Local Government Area is a member of the Unity group and now PDP youth leader in Kwara State.

He tells BIODUN OYELEYE in this interview that there is no basis for the petition by the Freedom Group on the party congress.

You were part of the congress and emerged as the Youth Leader; there are allegations that the congress was marred by irregularities, that it was a big farce.

How would you respond to that claim?

It is not true, what happened from the beginning to the end; from the ward congress to the local government congress to the state congress has been the best in the history of PDP in Kwara State. In particular, the one that happened during the state congress was too open. There is nothing bad about that. All the contestants, especially the major ones were in the hall; they witnessed the events themselves, not through their agents.

Well, the outcome might shock some people because it was a delegate election, but the mind they went in with was as if it was a general election. Under the delegate election, few people would participate; a particular number of people from a local government would participate, it is not a general election wherein a lot of people based on the INEC registration would participate. This was an election where only three persons per ward plus the few local executives would conduct the state congress.

So, if you base your strength on this you will know where your strength would lie and you have to be closer to the people to know their intention because if you are not close to them, you will not know the intention of the delegates. All you will be thinking is projecting that ‘yes, I have my people, I own Offa, I won Ilorin. No no no, it is a delegate election. You must be with your delegates. Six, seven, eight from your local government, six, seven eight from your ward, you must know their intentions before you can say it is free or not.

But some people based their projections on, ‘yea this guy greeted me before entering the hall, so he will vote for me.’

No, that is not how it is done, this was a delegate election. So, what happened was a transparent exercise and it was a true reflection of what people wanted.

And that is why people like me could win because of my involvement in the politics of the state in the last 13 years; Akogun Oyedepo, who is now the chairman could also win because of his involvement in Kwara politics for over 25 years. So, he is well known. The moment they mentioned his name, some people who were not aware before getting to the hall as a delegate, the moment they knew he was contesting, voted for him and that was why he could have that large vote.

What factors accounted for the success of your group?

One, we had consensus; the chairmanship was zoned to the south and the leadership of the south agreed on the candidate. They first of all picked

three candidates and I was one of them but we were dropped. They picked two others, but they too were dropped based on interactions with people and to know really what the expectations of the other districts were and what they really wanted since it was going to be a delegate election. So, the south agreed that they wanted to field Oyedepo and the entire south, apart from one or two local governments voted for Oyedepo. So, that was where he derived his strength from. Then the other local governments outside the southern district joined the train and they voted him in.

But the Freedom Group is saying the outcome of the election is going back to another era of slavery?

What I will assure you is that it is normal for people to complain, but I think we have to move a bit further now because we are rebuilding the party. If someone has won, like people came to hug me, I think they should embrace the chairman. Because if you look at each local government, I told the candidates that they should go round to all the local governments and see how the delegates voted and they will see that it is not as if somebody cheated on him or that there was manipulation.

They claimed somebody hid ballot papers in his pocket.

It is not true, it is not done. It was open. We were all looking at them. Chief Gemade was there, all through; he kept his eyes opened all through the night so for somebody to now say that it was fraudulent is not possible. Contestants were looking at the boxes like this, nobody could do that. Nobody, it was not possible.

They also argued that it was against natural justice for some members of the interim exco to have screened candidates and still contested the election?

Well, since it was a consensus thing, it was agreed by each senatorial district to field their candidates. If they fielded their candidates it meant they saw them as their best and that was why they put them forward. Like in Kwara South, the vice chairman came in unopposed because the person that was contesting against him stepped down there. That was to show how open it was. So it is not the way people look at it. It was so open, even the media men were there; they saw everything.

So why are they complaining?

It is normal; it is politics nobody wants to see himself as having lost an election.

But the most important thing now is how you win a future election. If you have the strength which you feel is better than

Olawoyin

Has the current exco received a copy of the other group’s petition?

“What happened was a transparent exercise and it was a true reflection of what people wanted” others’ then let’s come together and build the state instead of levelling allegations. So what will happen during the gubernatorial primaries when you will have six or seven or more persons contesting? Who will step down for the other? I think now is the time for us to come together, not one group blaming the other. We need to harness our resources for future election.

No, I believe they will drop it with the caretaker chairman.

What do you make of their petition generally?

We are meeting, we are talking with them and most of the things I assume they wrote in the petition are things they have discussed with us as far as I am concerned. I have been on the ground here for some time and I can’t’ say it holds no water but it’s nothing we should discuss if we want to move this party forward.

We should not discuss it.

Are you saying there is no basis for their petition?

No basis.

50 talking point

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

Clash without borders: Will IG’s In the north central states of Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau farmers and herdsmen are engaged in some of the worse conflicts in history. Outside the north central, the two groups are also clashing in Katsina, Zamfara and Taraba States. Hundreds of people are being hacked to death in their prime; women and children are not spared either. Will the peace and security committee of the Inspector General of Police end the conflict? IKE ABONYI AND SULEIMAN BISALLA write after a visit to Benue State.

W

hen Fulani and Tiv leaders met recently at the Government House in Makurdi, it was time to crack jokes. “Where are the herds, bring them to us,” a Tiv leader asked. “No, we will give you rats,” the man leading the Fulani delegation to a peace meeting replied. This is reminiscent of the historic relationship between the two tribes who, however, are now at daggers-drawn.

The story is being told of a Fulani man in ancient times that left his herds in the custody of a Tiv man and when he returned to take them, they were nowhere to be found. The only reply he got was, “Mun ci”, literally translated as “we have eaten them.” Mythology has it that this became the reason the Fulanis call the Tivs ‘Mun ci’ till date.

However, the last two years witnessed scenes of bloodbath in clashes between the two tribes. In the last few months, the clashes escalated, with severe impact on seven local government areas of Benue State. From Agatu, Gwuer, Guer West, Logo, Kwande, Guma, Katsina-Ala, suspected Fulani fighters fought their way to the fringes of Makurdi, the state capital.

The attacks left in their wake desolate towns and villages with thousands of displaced persons taking refuge in public schools. On top of this, a gruesome spectacle stares them in the face; the rains have begun and they don’t know how soon they will get back to their farms. So the cost of the conflict in human and material terms is enormous.

In a conflict of this magnitude, no side of the divide fares any better. The Fulanis would have had their grazing areas substantially reduced due to the violence in the better part of the Middle Belt, extending to Kaduna and Zamfara States in the North West.

Already, the Boko Haram insurgency in the North East has effectively blocked herders’ movement to central Africa.

A common adage in northern Nigeria sums up the experience of parties in the conflict: ‘a child who vows that his mother will not sleep, must himself keep a sleepless night to achieve that’.

Chemical weapons suspected The conflict is assuming a dangerous dimension, according to government officials. Governor Gabriel Suswam says there are indications that chemical weapons might have been deployed in the fighting.

“We became worried because lately most of the people who died from these attacks have no machete wounds; no gun wounds. And we have been told by the people who witnessed some of the attacks that there is a chemical that had been thrown at them, and once you inhaled it you die.”

Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission Professor Bem Angwe has

mobilised experts from the commission to Benue to commence preliminary investigation to ascertain the veracity of the claim that chemical weapons had been deployed in fighting.

Speaking to New Telegraph in Makurdi, Angwe said: “We are in Benue to assess the human rights situation, particularly as it affects the recent killings of innocent citizens by unknown gunmen. We are more concerned when the commissioned monitored media reports last week that chemical weapons are being used in some of the killings.

“We are concerned because this constitutes a direct threat to humanity. The use of chemical weapons is condemned by the international community.

The use of such weapons is today not only a violation of human rights but it amounts to crime against humanity. So the commission was alarmed because of the potential threat to the nation.

“So we are on a mission to verify the truthfulness or otherwise of claim that chemical weapons had been used so that the commission can invoke its mandate of having our international partners to come and verify the situation, and analyse the weapons being used to see if these are actually chemical or biological weapons.”

Governor Suswam had said: “Presently we have some people at the medical centre where we want them examined to ascertain the type of chemical that affected them. We haven’t got that result yet but we recovered some canisters from the scene of an attack in Guma local government, about three, from the boys who engaged them. Perhaps in the process of running some dropped and our boys carried them.

We have been trying to find out where they can be tested for us to ascertain what substance they are. If it is ordinary tear gas it is still chemical, but I believe tear gas does not kill people.”

From sticks to AK-47?

Fulani herdsmen are reportedly fighting local farmers in many states. But the sophistry in tactics as well as arms and ammunitions being deployed have raise fresh questions over those actually involved in some of the fighting. Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations Michael Zuakumor expressed worry that fighters “normally come with stick in those days but these days they come with AK 47 rifles.”

Governor Suswam also notes: “the way they fight shows that they are highly trained people. I have been told that there were some arrests and it is obvious that those arrested are not the ordinary Fulanis we know. Even if they are Fulanis, they are not the ones that we have here. The Fulanis we have here have not engaged in this kind of fight to give them

this level of expertise in fighting. It is only people who are used to fighting that can have that level of proficiency in handling sophisticated weapons and tactics. They (soldiers) told me that these are well organised fighters.”

But Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Bodejo, National President of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, absolved the Fulanis saying, “We tend our herds with sticks not AK 47.” He wondered why Fulanis are being fingered in some of the deadly attacks. “Each time there is attack they will say suspected Fulanis; let them arrest them and bring them to book.”

“We have lived with the Tivs peacefully for hundreds of years; we have had issues with farmers but

we have never been so violent, so why now? Alhaji Bodejo asked. Against the background painted therefore, some questions stand out: “Are there mercenaries in the clashes? Who invited them, and what is the motive?”

Clashes without borders The violent clashes between suspected Fulani herdsmen and local farmers are not confined to Benue State. In fact they did not start there. In Nasarawa State, which shares borders with Benue State and accommodates indigenous Tiv people, the clashes are rampant. The situation in neighbouring Taraba State is not any different. And in Plateau State,

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TALKING POINT

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committee end Fulani/farmers’ feud? the 2008 local government elections in Jos North which sparked a wave of ethno-religious killings gradually gave way to violent clashes between the Fulanis and the Berom tribe. Somewhere close to the border with Taraba, Fulanis have also engaged the Taroh people of Langtang in some of the most deadly clashes. Then in Kaduna State, violent clashes between Fulanis and local tribesmen around the border with Plateau State have claimed men, women and children in the most gruesome manner since the post presidential election violence. The conflicts have gone unabated. Worse still, the perpetrators have remained under some cover.

The search for peace The Federal Government, through the Inspector General of Police, has set up a peace and security committee headed by DIG operations, Mr Michael Zuakumor. In both Nasarawa and Benue, the state governments have set up local committees to work for peace too. The IG’s committee has been to Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba State and is billed to visit Kaduna, Plateau and Zamafara States, all areas ravaged by similar conflict.

Chairman of the Committee, DIG Zuakumor explains: “Our mission is in response to peace and security committee set up by the IG of which he made me chairman. He gave us a time frame to go to Nasarawa state, Benue, Zamafara, Plateau, Katsina, Kaduna and Taraba, and come up with solution to this problem.

“The terms of reference include to identify the immediate and remote causes of the clashes between Fulani herdsmen and farmers; to unmask criminal elements disguising as herdsmen and farmers to perpetrate and promote these kinds of

The Fulanis we have here have not engaged in this kind of fight to give them this level of expertise in fighting. It is only people who are used to fighting that can have that level of proficiency in handling sophisticated weapons and tactics.

crises; to identify the dimension of the crisis; and make far reaching recommendations that will bring lasting solution to the affected areas.

In Nasarawa and Benue, the point first visited by the committee because of the seeming interrelation between the conflicts there, the parties had signed agreements after noting that the clashes were ‘needless and avoidable’.

“We have done the first step to achieve peace.

After our agreement those who love peace will not want to attack, but there are some who may want to do it again. I must say that who does not want to cooperate with us and wants to take the law into his hands will not find it easy,” DIG Zuokumor warned.

Looking the way of Israel DIG Zuakumor who spoke to New Telegraph in Makurdi drew analogy between the herdsmen/ farmers conflict in Nigeria to what obtained in Israel shortly after the creation of the Jewish state in 1948.

“One of the problems that the young Israeli state had at the beginning was with the people known as the Bedouins. They are tribesmen like the Fulanis, and they moved from one end to the other in search of pasture. In the course of grazing, they have conflict with farmers. They are not quite educated.

“Another problem with the Bedouins, just like the Fulanis, if you had offended them; or your grandfather had killed their own grandfather about 20 or 30 years ago, that killing must be avenged.

If you visit them, they are happy to receive you; they will give you food, they will give you water and a place to sleep, but if your grandfather had killed their own grandfather father, and they are able to identify you as the descendant of that man who killed their grandfather, that killing must be

avenged.

“But the Israelis were always happy with the Bedouins because anytime there is an attack on the neighbourhood; the Bedouins would carry their arms to protect the Jews. So the Jews loved the Bedouins but in the course of their occupation, the Bedouins would always have clash with Israeli farmers, so Israel government decided to take action.

“They introduced the Bedouins to modern animal husbandry. With that they do not have to move from one place to the other again. Where they are they can still take care of their cows and even produce more cows and make more money.

So if the Israeli government could do that, we in Nigeria can also do it in other to solve the problem between farmer and cattle bearers. We have this problem right from time.”

For several decades, there have been grazing areas across the country –so designated. But due to population explosion, some areas originally meant for grazing are no longer there; they have become farmlands. But the Fulanis must rear their cattle, an ancient occupation past on from generation to generation. The farmers also must cultivate the land, it is their dominant occupation. The problem is further compounded by desert encroachment, which made grazing areas even smaller than they used to be.

But the biggest evil of all is the insurgency in north east, which has made arms readily available to those who want to kill at the slightest provocation. These are some of the biggest challenges of the peace and security committee, and unless workable solutions are found, the conflict is growing in sophistication and no one knows what form it will assume in the nearest future.

52 POLITICS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

Ngige made me defect from APC to PDP – Odedo Why did you dump APC? I resigned from the APC because I felt my ambition to return to the House of Representatives may not be realised in that party. I have fallen out of favour with Senator Chris Ngige. Ngige gave me the opportunity to return to the House of Representatives in this seventh Assembly, so when I noticed that the relationship was not as good as it used to be, I knew it was time to go. He is my leader; I will not stay in his party to fight because he gave me a chance when nobody wanted me. I will rather go away quietly. I have fallen out of favour and I am no longer his favourite. I want to use this opportunity to publicly thank Senator Ngige for giving me that opportunity. I am most sincerely grateful. My ambition to return to the House of Representatives is very popular among Idemili people, but a few elites want to frustrate the will of the people. Only Idemili people can decide my fate. I am their choice.

What really happened between you and Ngige?

I really do not know what my offence was, but I noticed that a clique of sycophants around Ngige were no longer happy with me. They constantly criticise all my actions. They use lies, threats and blackmail to advance their agenda. They managed to get close to Ngige more than anybody else. Let me give you a few examples of what I am talking about.

The signs that showed me that I have really fallen out of favour with Ngige. I was not allowed to put an acting chairman in my ward. One ward out of 326 wards in Anambra State. When in 2012 my ward chairman was removed for disciplinary reasons. I actually appointed an acting ward chairman pending the time of election for proper replacement.

One of the members of the clique from my ward invited Ngige to his house, ganged-up with the suspended chairman and convinced Ngige that the appointment I made cannot stand. I was summoned and directed to reverse that ap-

One of the members of the clique from my ward invited Ngige to his house, ganged-up with the suspended chairman and convinced Ngige that the appointment I made cannot stand

Odedo

The only member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Anambra State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Charles Chinwendu Odedo, recently defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with NDUBUISI UGAH, Odedo explains why he took the decision, his relation with Senator Chris Ngige, 2015 elections amongst other issues. pointment. The Irony of this is that this particular man is a printer and has been given over N40 million printing job by me since I joined ACN in 2011.

Secondly, the people that followed me from PDP to ACN were never fully accepted and were always marginalised in the scheme of things. For example, senior members of my campaign organisation were never invited to critical meetings despite my consistent demand. At one of the stakeholders meeting, one of my senior directors got angry and went to the meeting uninvited. He was thrown out of that meeting. During my 2012 empowerment programme for the Constituency, Senator Ngige called me to explain the 10 people I had empowered with 10 vehicles. The clique had reported to him that I was only interested in those that followed me from PDP. After an audit of the distribution, to their shame it was discovered that

the vehicles had been shared 50/50 by me.

During the governorship flag-off, I had offered to bear the expenses of the flag off as it relates to my constituency. This offer was rejected despite the fact that the campaign needed funds at that time. Four days to the November 16, 2013 governorship election Ngige changed his security and one of the cliques, a brother to Ngige prevented me from going to his suite to see him. I was turned back. This act was unfair and most humiliating. There was this very important assignment that I was given, after carrying it out to the best of my ability and with great cost to me financially, I did not receive a thank you. When I asked his Excellency, he told me that my report was sub-standard.

The Chief of Staff to Senator Ngige has called a party meeting to announce that he was going to contest election for the House of Representatives and announced to everyone that Ngige has zoned my position to Idemili North, effectively zoning me out. Other aspirants from the zone had been calling similar meetings for the same reason. I protested to Ngige and the was not address rather I was told not to worry about it. During the ward and local government gongress of APC, a person I had reported to Ngige as being very arrogant and therefore unfit for grassroots politics was made the chairman of the party in the local government by eight members of the clique. These are people that are clearly opposed to my ambition to return to the House of Representatives. These people are now being put in strategic positions of the party. A situation that led me to conclude that the conspiracy against me had been perfected and I had no choice but to leave the APC. You are seen as one of the foot soldiers of Senator Ngige in Anambra State, do you think your resignation would affect the his political career in the 2015 elections?

Not at all. I do not think that my exit will affect his political career in 2015. Before my entry into politics in 2005, the Ngige was already a governor. Remember also that in 2011 he was elected a senator against Dora Akunyili who was supported by Governor

Peter Obi. I benefitted a lot from Ngige’s goodwill and the good works he did in Anambra Central especially in Idemili North and South. I think that I will struggle to make it on my own. But I am willing to take my chances.

My experience with PDP in 2007 was a bitter one because after winning the PDP primary election in 2007, my name was removed. I fought all the way to the Supreme Court before entering the House of Representatives in July 2008. I lost about 1 year and 1 month. I was already a member of the House of Representatives before I joined Ngige in ACN in 2011. I was to be denied the ticket of the PDP that was why I left for the ACN where I won the election. Now that I perceive that I may not get the ticket of APC, I have to make a move in order not to allow those who want to frustrate the will of the people. I am the choice of my people and they are only people can decide my fate.

Which political party are you planning to defect to and why the choice of that party ahead of the platform you rode on to become a member of the House of Representatives?

I came into the 7th Assembly on the platform of ACN (now defunct) and not the APC. ACN merged with some other parties to become the APC. So, I did not come to the House on the platform of APC. I really do not believe in the APC as I see it as a gang up against the President. The Constitution allows me to leave if I am uncomfortable with the merge. Section 68 (1) (g). Now, I am returning to the Peoples Democratic Party, my original party.

The PDP is broad-based and with the effective leadership of Mr. President and the enthronement of internal democracy by the national chairman. I am confident that the PDP will win the 2015 general elections. So, my defection has to do with the fact that APC in the South East revolves around some personalities and is more or less a one man show, is almost a dictatorship and not a democracy.

Do you see the National Conference providing solution to some of the key problems facing Nigeria?

Thank you for this very important question. The quality of people in the conference have the capacity to deliver good result to Nigeria. However, the national conference has not been given adequate time to do their job. I think as a matter of urgency that the conference should be given an extension of time immediately. This must be done in order to save this Country with the quality of work that the conference will produce. Extension time now will bring out a more thorough and quality outcome. How can you start from day one to be in a hurry? I am an Estate Surveyor by training. If you give me three months to construct a five storey building, you are setting me up for failure or at best for the production of a very poor quality job. For a more effective and through assignment the time of this conference should not be less than six months.

As Nigeria prepares for 2015 elections, are you optimistic with regard to INEC’s preparedness?

I think that benefit of doubt must be given to INEC. They seem to have started well. We at National Assembly have appropriated necessary funds needed by INEC. The media should educate the general public on the need for a peaceful conduct during the election. The government should provide a safe environment for the elections and most importantly, INEC must ensure a transparent, free, fair and credible election.

This can lesser tension and bring peace to our land.

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‘I999 Constitution under-developed Nigeria’ Journalist and a delegate to the National Conference, Mr Ray Ekpu, rues the inadequacies of the constitution and the failings of state legislatures. He spoke with DOMINIK UMOSEN

What exactly do you mean when you say the 1999 constitution under-developed Nigeria?

I said so because the 1999 constitution is a perfect recipe for under-development. The 1963 Republican Constitution listed 45 items on the Exclusive Legislative list belonging to the federal government. Only the federal legislature can legislate on these items. It is also because wherever the federal legislature conflicts with the state legislature, the federal legislature will supersede. While the federal legislature can legislate on the 98 items, the states can only do so on 30 items. Even with a number of limitations. Translated into real terms, the federal government has overriding responsibilities and obligations. It has roads, for instance, that it can not fix . Some of the state governments try to fix the roads linking some of them and where they do, they leave the proviso that this was done by us. It is a sad thing which creates the impression of indictment for government. It is an indication of the failure of government. In terms of electricity, some state governments try to do partnerships in terms of electricity. This is what we are talking about. Look at how the federal government is failing to deliver on provision of electricity. We are talking about how the FG is failing to deliver on 3000 megawatts of electricity. A huge country like Nigeria. It is our hope that Nigerians who are rich, who can buy diesel generators, who can buy petrol generators and can buy the so-called ‘I better pass my neighbor generator’, will not

T

hings have finally fallen apart. Our girls and daughters have been abducted and till the time of this writing, no traces of them have been found. Kai, which kind country is this.

Where is that chief of Air staff that was said to have personally flown his fighter jet to drop bombs on the insurgents? Where is the jet now, or is there no fuel to power it on another journey to look for our daughters.

This is a shame. Great one. The biggest country in black Africa and yet we cannot protect our children. I have just read that the women have decided to take the matter into their hands. They have decided to enter the forest to rescue our children. This shows a total loss of confidence in our ability to redeem the situation.

When harmless women decide to take this kind of decision, then things have really fallen apart.

I pray for those girls. I can imagine the trauma they will be going through right now in the hands of these animals. Look one day, I went on a trip to Ife. I checked into the hotel and promptly slept off. I was however woken by some noise and actually heard someone say, “I will kill you”. In my sleepy haze, I thought robbers had entered the hotel, the fear that gripped me, can only be imagined. I switched off the lights, went under the bed and peed on myself. When I was not satisfied, I went into the toilet, locked myself and tried to squeeze myself through the tiny window in an attempt to jump down from the third floor.

At some point my heart stopped beating and I was even too weak to pray. After three hours

resort to the big ones. They might buy kerosene generators if they see but they might not be able to settle for darkness. Either the federal government is overwhelmed or something is happening that we can not say.

Are you implying that the government has failed?

It is a failure of the 1999 Constitution.

That constitution can not deliver. It overexaggerated the power of the centre. That is responsible for the confusion at the centre.

Too much resources are concentrated at the centre. The centre has been given too much powers than it can handle and we are paying for it. The way out is to decongest the centre, reduce its powers so that the states and local governments can be relevant. I say that advisedly because some of the states are behaving responsibly, including local governments. They must show responsibility. We must make sure that we are not exchanging lions for hyenas. Right now, many of the states legislatures are not displaying responsibility. They are not doing what is expected of them. Most of the legislators are in the pockets of their manipulators. They have not provided the checks and balances that the constitution envisaged. It is a function of the constitution. Except in the South-West, states do not have strong and adequate representation in the legislatures.

It’s instructive you talked of the quality of state legislature. Would you agree

Ekpo

with the notion the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly members have literarily gone to sleep?

I may not know the representation. I am only speaking generally. I may have seen the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr Sam Ikon, once or twice. But I really do not know some of the principal officers. So it will be difficult for me to talk about them. They may have been rich to win elections, but that is as far as it goes.

The Akwa Ibom electorate should ask them

Things have fallen apart EDGAR’s WORLD JOSEPH EDGAR josephsamsponedgar@gmail.com

of this torment, I decided to go and be killed. I could not endure the suspense, fear and paralysis again. I opened the door only to meet a group of drunken lecturers drinking and playing. I just collapsed. I had gone through hours of fear, pain and anguish believing I was about to be killed only to find out that I had been deluding myself.

I have not reached Ife since then.

So you can imagine what this young children would be facing in the forest now. I swear in those three hours, I saw Jesus talk less of days and God forbid weeks with these terrorists pointing guns at them, yelling and generally maltreating them.

My pain is that, we are still moving ahead as if nothing has happened. Government is holding meetings, people are still campaigning, going to work, markets and all without as much as putting the authorities under pressure to seek their immediate release.

To me, there is no need for negotiations o.

We should all surrender. Me I am ready and I have spoken to others. Whatever is the terms of the release we are ready to give. If they want their own country, they should just take. If they want all of us to be Muslims, we have converted.

Even if they want that particular forest to be our new capital - agreed.

what contributions they are making to their lives. At any given opportunity, the electorate must demand what the electorate, the judiciary and the legislature are doing to improve their lives. That is the only way to ensure that these people do not run amok.

Most of the legislators are in the pockets of their paymasters. There are no checks and balances that the constitution provided.

Except in the South-West to some extent, the constitutional provisions have been lost.

They should just bring out the kids. I join with the mothers to plead. We will stop sending them to school if you can please just release them for us.

Na beg o. My poor mother in Uyo who fought in the civil war has even decided to join in the crusade. She has been calling to ask if the girls have been released, she has been so worried that her blood pressure has gone up. I don’t want to lose my mummy o. Jonathan do something.

A national state of emergency should be called. This must not be like the Malaysian airplane o. These girls must be found. Let us swallow our pride and beg for help. Let us ask the Americans and the Israelis, the Russians and Britons. Let them bring all the technology, the satellites, the drones to detect the whereabouts of these girls.

I once met one Professor in Bayelsa. He was then the chairman of the States Scholarship Board. He told me he was a space technologist.

He told me Nigeria now had satellites in orbit that we use to monitor crops and the weather; that the satellites are so strong they are also used to monitor troop and weapons movement.

If I see that man now, I swear I will strangle him. If what he said was true, where are the satellites now, why can’t they use them to detect the whereabouts of over 100 girls, when according to him they can detect four grains of corn in Yenagoa from space?

We need an urgent solution. Once again, enough is enough.

I thank you.

54 PERSPECTIVE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

A glimpse of the good life as Cross River hinterlands gets makeover Charles Eyamba

H

ave you ever visited a community, where, rather than being welcomed, you find yourself pitied by your hosts and hostesses and later offered some form of “compensation” upon your departure? Or as a first-time visitor to a community, have you ever found yourself being told “sorry sir”, rather than “you are welcome” by your hosts?

Welcome to Old Ekuri, a sleepy, but pristine rainforest community in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State, where until recently, visitors were offered gifts for a dreadful and tortuous journey to the area.

For more than 50 years of no access road, no basic amenities to make life worth living and completely cut off from the rest of Cross River State, life in Old Ekuri could best be described as challenging and horrendous.

Even though Old Ekuri used to be a Cross River community, yet it could never be said to have been in Cross River State because a wide gulf which prevented the villagers from engaging in any form of social and commercial activities with neighbouring communities separated them from the rest of the state.

Vehicles were often a rarity and a novelty to the Old Ekuri community where pupils and students tramped a five-hour haul every day to seek knowledge.

The Old Ekuri nightmare was just one of several such realities that graced the state’s landscape until the advent of Governor Liyel Imoke-led administration.

From Obudu-Okwei-Obudu-Begiaba, UkpeOkiro-Ubang roads in Obudu Council Area; Bashua-Abonorok-Danare road in Boki Local Governement Area; Ekukunella Abaragba-EkpokpaObang road, Nta Nselle Ayaghasa-Oyenge roads in Ikom; Okpeche-Ochagba in Ogoja to IkparikoboAbuochiche road in Bekwarra Council Area, the story bore similar refrain of lamentation, abandonment and despair from residents who hitherto, were literarily excised from the rest of the state, owing to absence of access roads to link them to neighbouring towns and communities.

But the communities’ nightmares, abandonment and stories of separation from the rest of the state are fast receding into distant memories, as the Governor Liyel Imoke-led administration, determined to address this glaring infrastructure deficit and to open up access to rural communities so as to bring added value to agricultural produce, established the Rural Development Agency (RUDA).

Besides RUDA, the administration has, in conjunction with ADB, through the Rural Access Mobility Programme (RAMP) been providing road infrastructure through the length and breadth of the state.

Through these two agencies, the administration has constructed about 1000 kilometres of rural roads to intervene in the crisis.

Reliving those harrowing days when it was not only challenging but hellish to tramp for five hours to acquire primary education along Ochon-Okokori-Ekuri Onai road, currently under construction, Dr. Oliver Oji Enoh from Old Ekuri, Akamkpa, spoke of his nightmares as a pupil: “As someone who was born and bred in Old Ekuri, I started my elementary education in the village. It was not easy trekking for over five hours every day to school because of lack of motorable road. So, I had to cut short my primary school at Old Ekuri and later moved over to Saint Patrick’s Primary School, Iyamoyong which was along the highway in Obubra Council Area.

“As a child, we had to trek for five hours every day. It was always a struggle. While I would not say life in Ekuri was harsh, it would not be out of place to say it was challenging to live in Ekuri. It was not easy to leave the community to buy basic

Completed section of old Ekuri road, Akamkpa, Cross River State

Imoke acknowledge cheers from villagers of Nta-Nsele

necessities like toiletries. To do that, you needed to trek for about five hours to buy items such as salt, matches and soaps from the nearest market along the highway.”

Continuing, Oji Enoh offered further insight: “So, that was the experience in those days. Being a rainforest community, the terrain from Old Ekuri to the Calabar highway was very difficult.

While Old Ekuri is in Akamkpa, you needed to access the area through Obubra Local Government Area. There was no road from the Akamkpa axis.

Access from Akamkpa was through Uyanga and terminated at Ofumkpa. It was a major challenge to access neighbouring communities bordering Old Ekuri.”

On how the community was able to find a way round the depressing road challenge that was already exacting its mortal toll on the residents, Dr. Enoh hinted: “After my NYSC in 1983, I returned to my community and found out that life was still nasty and hopeless and I wondered how we could function as a community under that discouraging condition. I recall that my elder brother who is currently the village head of Ekuri lost his pregnant wife through childbirth in 1990 because no vehicle could enter the community to take her to hospital for delivery owing to lack of access road.

The experience was devastating and it left a sour taste in our mouths.”

Disclosing how Old Ekuri was famed for sympathizing with and rewarding visitors who

were able to make it to the community, in spite of obvious challenges the road posed to motorists, and how the area was accessed with vehicles, Dr. Enoh said: “The truth is that that road was always a nightmare to motorists. That is why until this intervention by Governor Liyel Imoke-led administration in collaboration with the African Development Bank (ADB), only Sport Utility Vehicles could access the community because of the many extremely steep hills on the road usually very loamy.

“For instance, if you were conveying people and goods from Ochon to Old Ekuri in a Land Rover, the passengers must disembark and push the vehicle while it struggled to ascend the hills. So each hill a vehicle got to, all the passengers must come down from the vehicle and push it if it got stuck. By the time you got to the village, you were already messed up as a result of mud splashed all over you while pushing the vehicle.

“It was this kind of scenario that made the villagers to offer apologies or tell you sorry with offers of gifts whenever a visitor made it to the village in a vehicle. Often times, you could spend over three hours instead of 20 minutes just to wade through the hills to get to Ekuri. But today, the story is different. So when you made it through and you were completely messed up by the red mud.”

On how Governor Imoke’s road infrastructural intervention has changed the socio-economic life

of Old Ekuri community, Dr. Oji Enoh said: “As rainforest dwellers, the people are blessed with plantain and bananas. But despite this endowment, it did not provide much of an economic lifeline to the community. In those days, it was difficult to engage in any commercial enterprise beyond the local community as a result of lack of access roads to the city centre. Apart from bananas and plantain, Old Ekuri is also home to wild vegetables. In spite of the abundance of these crops and vegetables, the community had no access to the market. Nothing ever sold in good price.

A few willing buyers would trek a long distance and after buying the produce, they would hire head carriers. But what they paid to head carriers was three times more than what was paid for the goods. This always impacted adversely or negatively on commodities.

“People came from places like Aba, Owerri in Land Rovers to Old Ekuri to buy plantain and bananas. They could buy a room full of plantain or bananas for 50 kobo because they knew you were at their mercy. The nature and state of the road made prices of farm produce very poor.

But today, with the ongoing construction work on the road by Governor Imoke government in collaboration with the African Development Bank, it is now an entirely new chapter in the story of Old Ekuri. The price of plantain has risen astronomically as other smaller vehicles can access the village.”

Signs that there is a new lease of life for Cross River State rural communities could be seen in the buoyant mood of the villagers as the gulf that once separated them from the neighbouring towns and communities are progressively being bridged.

Farmers are now in control of the price of the same commodities which prices were dictated by buyers.

It is little wonder that during Governor Imoke’s recent inspection of the various road projects under construction, he was greeted by a throng, usually in their thousands who lined the newly asphalted roads in a fashion similar to a guard of honour for a leader who is bringing them closer, through access roads to the city centre. Both the old and the young surged not just to have a glimpse of the governor, but to touch and shake hands with him. And for their sake, Imoke has had to often break protocol to hug the aged whose eyes were flooded in tears of joy for a historic transformation they thought would never happen in their lifetime.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 26 april 2014

LMC moves to lure pros back home

‘Proud’ Giggs outlines vision

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nterim boss Ryan Giggs says taking charge of Manchester United is “the proudest moment” of his life.

The 40-year-old Welshman is manager for the season’s final four Premier League games after David Moyes’s sacking.

Giggs, the Old Trafford club’s most decorated player, wants to secure a Europa League place next season for the club, who lie seventh in the table.

“I am proud, I am happy and a little nervous,” said the midfielder at his first news conference as boss.

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scheme aimed at attracting to the Glo Premier League, Nigerian players with international exposure has been launched by the League Management Company and this is already accommodated in the 2013/14 Nigeria Professional Football League Framework and Rules.

The scheme, christened the ‘Elite Players Project’ was explained in detail to the 20 Premier League Clubs in a circular signed by Salihu Abubakar, the LMC Chief Operating Officer and listed the major objective to include the improvement of professionalism in the NPFL by permitting clubs to register a maximum of two ex-international players in addition to the maximum 35 allowed in a season.

The LMC further explained that the benefits of the scheme to clubs, players, fans, sponsors and the League. “It has been designed to increase and deepen players-experience pool of the league, bolster the morale and confidence of younger players in the NPFL, project the image of the league as a welcoming and conducive playing environment for the return of Nigeria’s finest crop of international professional footballers and boost the mass appeal of the league for commercialization.”

The LMC however also listed criteria which will qualify any player to benefit from the scheme. “The ex-international

Irabor

player must have played for Nigeria at the Olympic Games, Nations Cup, World Cup or alternatively have earned at least 20 international caps and must have played in a world class league of undisputable pedigree for a minimum of five seasons.”

Already, Enyimba International of Aba may have been the first to take advantage of the project as

they are on the verge of presenting former Super Eagles defensive midfielder, Sani Kaita, for registration on a short loan stint.

“To encourage the players settle down, the LMC will pay additional stipends that will make life more comfortable to the elite players and help them adjust faster “, Abubakar said.

NFF banishes Bayelsa Utd to Benin Chimaobi Uchendu

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he organising and disciplinary committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has overturned earlier decisions of the League Management Committee, by declaring that Bayelsa United will now play their next three matches in Benin City, behind closed doors.

The committee after deliberation on evidence by both El-Kanemi Warriors and Bayelsa United over the outcome of their Week 2 match at the Sapele Township Stadium, announced that the League management committee was in a haste in its judgement, as they did not consider all the facts before banishing the Bayelsa team to Abuja.

In addition to playing their next three matches in Benin, they would have to play the matches behind closed door.

The organising and disciplinary committee also fined El-Kanemi the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira for their role in the crisis that took place during the match.

They claimed that one of the El-

Kanemi players head booted the centre referee and the El-Kanemi officials were also ordered to fish out the player who did that.

The O and D stated that El-Kanemi will pay the Nigeria Football Federation the sum of one hundred thousand Naira every week until they produce the player who head booted the referee.

They ordered that the result of the match which ended 1-1 should Maigari remain.

Cameroon arrive for Nigeria friendly Charles Ogundiya

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head of Nigeria’s Super Falcons friendly match against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon at the National Stadium Abuja on Tuesday, Cameroon’s contingent of 32 members will arrive in Lagos on Saturday evening aboard an Arik Air flight from Douala.

The visitors will fly to Abuja on Sunday morning.

The friendly international pits two of the leading women football teams in the continent against each other, as both nations look ahead to the final round of

qualification series for the 2014 African Women Championship.

The Falcons have a date against She-Amavubi of Rwanda, with the first leg away in Kigali on May 24, and Tuesday’s session is expected to provide the six-time African champions a good idea of what to expect in East Africa.

In his letter dated April 23 and addressed to NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, the General Secretary of FECAFOOT, Mr. Tombi Sidiki, listed 32 members of the contingents comprising of 18 players and 14 officials for the friendly match.

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Giggs appeared relaxed and jovial as he addressed the media at United’s Carrington training base, saying he wanted to “bring back some smiles on the faces of the fans”.

Ahead of Saturday’s home Premier League match against Norwich City, he said: His first call upon being appointed was to former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson: “I wanted advice and I wanted to know just what to expect.”

That he had not thought about his long-term future: “My mindset is on Norwich first and then the remaining three games.”

Ex-Barcelona coach, Vilanova dies at 45

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ormer Barcelona coach, Tito Vilanova aged 45 has died after a long battle with cancer.

Vilanova had a tumour removed from his throat in November 2011 before suffering a relapse in December 2012.

He stepped down as Barca boss last July to continue his treatment, with Gerardo Martino taking charge.

“FC Barcelona is in immense mourning. Tito Vilanova has died at the age of 45. May he rest in peace,” said a statement from the Spanish club.

The ex-Barca youth team player was Pep Guardiola’s assistant before stepping up to replace the now-Bayern Munich boss when he decided to take a sabbatical from football in June 2012.

Vilanova had surgery in December 2012 and spent 10 weeks in New York having chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but he returned in March 2013 to see his side take the Spanish title in his sole season in charge.

Vilanova

Rutherford

Rutherford sets British long jump record

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lympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford has become the outright British record holder after jumping 8.51m at an event at the Olympic Training Centre in San Diego.

Rutherford, who won gold at London 2012, previously held the record jointly with Chris Tomlinson at 8.35m.

The 27-year-old tweeted: “It’s 10pm in San Diego and 6am in the UK. “If you’re just waking up I am now the British record holder after jumping 8.51 today in San Diego.”

Rutherford, who jumped 8.31 to win Olympic gold in 2012, had an injury-hit 2013 season, rupturing his hamstring at a Paris Diamond League meeting barely a month before the World Championships in Moscow, where he failed to qualify for the final.

SOLUTIONS TO CROSS WORD PUZZLE Still on some fruits which can give you health and vitality.

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A L F R S K B F I T F F

NUT LIME LEMON LIME DATE GUAVA

L G F S J I M E H R H N G P D A I A L J Z R G K W E A N J Y L D E G B N N E E N U A R W O T M G J M A L C O E D D B H L

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16 Laos currency unit 1 Having no page numbers 17 ‘Lion’ in Hausa language 5 Female adult pig 18 Remove water from a boat 7 Feel regret for 22 Nigerian phenomenal female singer 8 Employ 23 Be suitable for 9 Former Finance Minister 24 Type of Korean saloon car 10 Change direction suddenly 25 Climbing plant 11 Flexible pipe for liquid 26 Man who massages 12 Cerium’s symbol

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Give pleasure

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Successful shot

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Lagos-Benin border town

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Soaked in water

13 Person who moves aimlessly 14 ‘Peace’ in Islam 15 Perplex 19 Anambra state capital 20 Be successful in an exam 21 Plant fluid S e e s o l u t i o n o n pa g e 3 3

TRAVEL

SPORT Sanctity of Truth w ww. n ew te l e g r ap h on l i n e . c om

Zimbabwe sets to shine with Harare International Carnival P.42

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha

SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2014

N150

BLAME KESHI FOR WORLD CUP LIST DELAY – LAWAL P.27

The Yoruba candlelight glows on the mantelpiece of the traditional rulers G enuine patriots often wonder why our rulers travel the world and encounter awesome civilization and order but fail abjectly to emulate the rudimentary thoughts and ideas that wrought such impressive human accomplishments, much less replicate them in tangible forms here at home. No one has as yet proffered a cogent explanation.

To wake up and breakfast in Enugu and proceed to lunch with the Alaafin of Oyo and round it off with an evening homage to the Etsu Nupe is a stunning privilege. And to trek a marathon with the most common of the common people of the State of Osun, alongside their Governor and his deputy; to feel the physical temperature of the infirm and debilitated in world class hospitals in Ondo State as the Governor showcased his remarkable achievements; to share a prayer session with Onitsha market traders and thrill to the rhythm of Yoruba women as they celebrated love and joy at the ancient and modern Palace of the Soun of Ogbomosho is to bear witness, in a minute but profound way, to the very Nigerian nature that ought to inspire us to great deeds. We have little need to seek reference to the glitzy sights and sounds of foreign cities.

As a fortunate member of a self-propelled unity and peace mission led by former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, the homage to the Ooni of Ife and the Alaafin of Oyo (this sequencing might spark a diplomatic incident!) quickly evolved into a classical education in the histories of great monarchies.

The very being and essence of the Yoruba originated from Ife and the kingdom, to this day, prides itself as “the spiritual source”. The political supremacy is claimed by the Kingdom of Oyo – so went the oral rendition of the utterly rich and captivating history by Barrister Kolapo Alimi, the young and knowledgeable Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development in the State of Osun. The being and essence in question go beyond expressions of physical manifestations of sentient beings or mere professions of faith. The depth of the transcendence of these elements of a people’s sense of their creation and spiritual destiny is beyond the constrictive narrative of a newspaper column.

This new student of this great history will soon embark on his elaborate thesis.

But for present purposes, it is sufficient to simply telegraph the hope that burns eternal and rests on the solid shoulders of the survivors of the combat of warrior kings. History books are replete with the outstanding feats achieved by the kings of the various Yoruba kingdoms. The light that glows from that proud history is today reportedly enshadowed in minor squabbles and contests for primacy. Do not be deceived. This clash of egos is largely unremarkable and lacks the potency to benight histories that have endured for multiple millennia.

But there is something of a teleological dynamic going on. One of the benefits of an expensive education at the London School of Economics and the Inns of Court School of Law is achieving expertise in the theory of autopoiesis. The theory posits that intellectuality has advanced from postmodernism to a supremely refined condition of mind where we can grasp the notion that systems and disciplines function independently (operational closure) but still retain reflexive connections with other systems (structural coupling).

Whatever their monarchical bickering, the utility of independent operation is fully realised through the structures, histories, emotions, traditions and destinies that connect the Yoruba peo-

BROADSIDE EMMANUEL ONWE agubata@aol.com

ple. The enduring strength of the race is secured in the longevity and durability of the institutions of the Obas. When they lock horns, it is to shed dead skin in order to engender renewal.

The supreme political authority, encompassing the social, economic and martial structures and dynamics of the Yoruba lie with the people. The monarchs derive their lifeblood from the complex of respect, acquiescence, obedience, devotion, adulation and congenital institutional pride that pulse in the people’s souls. As a snapshot, a spontaneous 20-minute drive from the Palace of the Alaafin to the Plaza de Haruna brought the citizens onto the streets and motorways, waving, bowing and prostrating, clasping hands and looking onto heaven in supplication to God for the welfare of the Alaafin.

It was both moving and instructive.

The mundane politics of the permanency or rotationality of the chairmanship of the Council of Obas are, in the global context of history, mere details, reducible to a clash of personalities. What the Obas represent, both to their subjects and to their majestic inheritances are continuity, a fierce sense of identity and the bulwark against decoupling the present from the past.

All the occupants of the respective thrones are godly giants rendered human by their humility, fierce sense of history, dedication to their subjects, expansiveness of mind, generosity and broad appreciation of their place in the hierarchy of terrestrial lords.

It is submitted that the tension between the “source” and the “power” essentially arose from the bond in homogeneity of the people’s anthropology. Otherwise, two distinct kingdoms with clearly delineated histories – histories separately distinguished by great independent accomplish-

LIPSTICK

ments – might be expected to have pursued their separate destinies, each with a complement of its own political and spiritual authority and distinction. But the inevitable disputation lies in the fact that these are the same people over whom preside a duality of imperial powers each with a claim to supremacy. It has been a healthy competition, at least in the modern manifestation.

Two extraordinary characters, reminiscent of the classical world of majestic gods such as Poseidon and Zeus, the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife, are not just repositories of ancient hereditary royalty but custodians of stability, peace, harmony, wisdom and justice in volatile contemporary times.

The Oba of Ilesha insists with a resolute conviction that Ijesha language is the only tongue intelligible to God. The Ewi of Ekiti laments that the monarchs are condemned by Nigerian political rulers to a wasteful cycle of 4-year vacations, only to be remembered and courted during seasons of political campaigning. It’s not just what they have to say but the magisterial authority of their declarations that are compelling.

Every single one of them is incredibly articulate, insightful, gifted with that certain depth of iterative knowledge which longevity on a particular duty post confers. When it came to offering gifts, they did not present us with cultural souvenirs but with tomes of well written books essaying their biographies or histories from antiquity to this moment. How classy is that?

Dinner was refined, civilized, and intended to achieve a larger objective beyond culinary delectation. The Soun of Ogbomosho and the Ooni of Ife have cultivated tastes in palatial entertainment.

A couple of years ago, a Cameroonian, on a

visit to Lagos, had this to say: “On the contrary, I found smartly dressed police officers with a sense of professionalism and politesse.... Leaving the Douala International Airport and landing, an hour or so after, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos was, to say the least, an embarrassment to me. There was such a big dichotomy between the two countries that I wondered why Cameroon is so left behind. The difference was so clear about disorder and lack of vision on the one hand, and order and focus on the other. Douala represents the former, while Lagos represents the latter.... Lagos, as I saw it, is a city of flyovers and banks, broad roads and big visions and men with dogged determination to make it big. In fact, it is a city that never sleeps.

This article does not try to suggest that I didn’t see the downside of a big city like Lagos. However, I have chosen to focus on what Cameroon can learn from this former Nigerian capital and thus move a step forward from our current state of apparent stagnation, in spite of overwhelming potentials that can trigger wealth creation and wellbeing for the teeming masses of Cameroonians.” [An excerpt from Ernest Sumelong, This is Lagos, Nigeria Village Square, October 5, 2012].

As an essayist and a discriminating metropolitan, I loved the masterful craft of his piece and began, for the first time in my life, to give due regard to Lagos – a city towards which I had an indifference verging on detestation.

When morons and addled minds embark on foolish campaigns of ethnocentrism, seeking to ridicule, besmirch and diminish the nature of the other in order to promote their own, their efforts are defeated by the better angels in men such as these eminent chiefs. We are all diminished and ridiculous in some ways. But in many more ways, we are absolute champions.

There is Little Nigeria, the fragile ceramic bowl offering primitive accommodation to small minded little Nigerians convulsing in pathetic prejudice, who have reduced this nation to a clinical case of tribal paranoia. And there is the Great Nigeria of promise and potential, given steely backbone by the warrior kings of Yorubaland. They pre-existed Nigeria and will, if unavoidable, outlive Nigeria. I pray that they sink into the firmament of eternity along with Great Nigeria, for, a republic wrought with their moral fibre and courage shall endure forever. That is the coming Great Nigeria of which I am already proud to call myself a patriot. This, then, is looking backward in order to peer into the future.

BY CHUKWUEMEKA EMENIKE

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