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Adamawa by-election: ‘How Ribadu was misled’ Anule Emmanuel Ndubuisi Ugah Abuja/Lagos

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iting the need to stave off rancour, eight out of the 14 aspirants contesting the Peoples Democratic Party primary for the Adamawa State governorship, including former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu,

have stepped down from the race.

The decision by the aspirants came during a late Thursday night meeting which lasted till the early hours of Friday with Senate President David Mark and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

But it has emerged that Ribadu may have been led to believe the primary was a shoo-in for him.

Following the impeachment of the former Governor Murtala Nyako on July 15, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed a by-election for October 11, to get a substantive governor for the state.

The PDP primary election billed for today in the state was heading for crisis until the intervention of the presidency which prompted the meeting.

Mark, along with other of-

ficials of the party, were able to reach a compromise with the aspirants and pruned down the number of those contesting to six.

The six aspirants still in the race for the party’s ticket on Saturday are Ahmed Gulak, Buba Marwa, Ahmed Modibbo, Dr. Umar Ardo, Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri, and Jerry Kumdisi.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Ribadu

Attah endorses Eket zone for A’Ibom 2015 lUmana shocked, disappointed

A

Dominik Umosen s the contest for who succeeds Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio in 2015 gets more intense, a former governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah, has lent his voice to the clamour for the governorship seat to move to the Eket Senatorial Zone.

Attah, who was speaking at a reception organised in his honour in Uyo, explained that his conviction that Eket zone deserves the governorship seat was anchored on the imperative of equity and fairness.

Sheikh Gumi

Govt funding insurgency

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Adoke heads FG panel on Confab report Anule Emmanuel

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resident Goodluck Jonathan has approved the setting up of a presidential committee that will study and draw up a comprehensive strategy for implementing the 2014 National Conference report.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, announced the composition CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Schools reopen September 22 }5

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Conversation

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SH no cauSE R alaRm ovER EnyEfo a’S abSEncE – am ShoRunmu

Gumi

EMEKA NWOKEDI Our music is not the kind you shake your body to }13

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NTWEEKE

www.newte ND ONLINE AT legraphonlin e.com/sport

eBoIGBe vyncentebo igbe@yahoo 08099400 .com; 228, 081167068 50

Free

NEW TELEGRAPH

ON SATURDAY

6 SEPTEMBE

R 2014

AMANDA EBELE Why I stopped starring in Clinic Matters }23 SHOWBIZ

FALANA’S SON Dad respects my decision to do music }2 OPENINGSHOT

Eight pages of New Telegraph Sport }25

NIGERIA VS CONG KICK-OFF 5:00p O m

S

Vincent

alEbIosU: from hUntE r to natIon al tEam playEr

}p.26

I’m confide nt we have goalkeepers who can do the job

I’d haVE bEEn a prof If not for footb all – Udoh

}p.31

Eboigbe

uper Eagles goalkeeper er, Ike Shorunmu ’s train, has allayed fears arising from the unavailability the African of Vincent Enyeama for qualifiers Cup of Nations double against Congo Africa. and South Nigeria take on Congo Calabar before today rica to confront travelling to South in Afin the second Bafana on Wednesday match of the First choice series. been excused goalie, Enyeama, has from both as a result engagemen “of ts and Nigerians,pressing family issues” used to having assuring presence the reof the Lille stopper in shotthat second goal, are worried given Ejide, who choice goalkeeper, Austin the team onincidentally will captain both occasions, convinced has been away. any time Enyeama not has “There is have capableno reason to be afraid, we replaceme job,” Shorunmu nts to do the told our correspondent on the telephone.

“It is a pity Vincent is but that is not around, football, there be situations will always and others like that or even injuries confident will have to step up. we have goalkeeper I’m can do the s who job.

“We must ers a chance, also learn to give othVincent where he is did not get to now in one He was given day. tunity and the opporgradually has matured he into one of the best goalkeeper s in the world.

So to give others we need to show what a chance they can do.”

Shorunmu also said that the for the Congoteam was ready “We are test. good, we ready. Everybody are is in Calabar and ready best,” Shorunmu to give their assured.

EaglES will congo, SayS cRuSh TaRibo }p.27

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

OpeningShot NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

06 SEPTEMBER, 2014

How do you combine music and your law practice?

It is really difficult to combine. I will not really call myself a proactive lawyer; I only practice once in a while. Music is what I do basically and it is very demanding. I am always on the road most times.

I have to go for rehearsals, shows, etc.

Music takes most of my time, but I still find time to do legal practice. I am working in my father’s chambers. In a firm all the lawyers handle a case together; it is not that a lawyer handles a case. And the knowledge I picked up while studying law is one thing that has helped my music career. It gives me an analytical mind and the ability to continue analysing situations and come up with intelligent conclusions.

Could we get to know you more?

I was born in Lagos. I had my primary school in Ikeja and my secondary school in Osun State, precisely Olashore International School. I later went to the United Kingdom to pursue a degree in law at the University of Reading. When I came back to Nigeria I proceeded to the Law School in Abuja and qualified as a barrister. I was called to the bar in February 2012.

Is there any link between law and music?

There is no link between law and music.

Music happens to be a passion; I am very passionate about it. Law is a profession I enjoy. At the time I proceeded to study law I had not decided to take music as a profession. I thought it was just a hubby because I have always been passionate about it.

Eventually, after I qualified as a barrister, I decided to go deeply into music. I didn’t regret studying law. I like the profession, and it added to my person and knowledge.

At what point did you cross into music?

The interest started when I was in secondary school, SS 1. I liked listening to old school songs and Nigerian hip-hop. I listened to Tribesmen, Plantashun Boiz, Remedies and the late Fela Kuti. My dad exposed me to a lot of good records. I also followed the likes of Jay- Z and Kanye West. From there I developed something strong for music. I started doing rap with a friend of mine and we then formed a rap group, School Boyz.

Though my friend is not doing music again, it was fun while we were in school. We used to perform in schools, variety shows, etc. I continued when I got into the university too.

I travelled to other cities and universities to perform whenever there were events. It was also in the university I decided to take music seriously. It was around 2009-2010 and I eventually put together a mixed tape, which I released online. It was a compilation of songs I recorded around that time. I put it up for download and a lot of people became familiar with my music.

So, how did you convince your father?

I didn’t really have to do much sincerely.

People thought it would be hard to convince my dad, but he is someone that respects people’s opinions and desires. Once I told him I was passionate about it he respected my decision. He encouraged me in his own ways. The fact that I am still a barrister makes it easy and I see it as a sort of consolation for all the investments he had made on me.

Tell us about the album you recently launched The album is called the Wazup Guy and it was launched sometime around May and June this year. The album is doing very well and people like it. It is an 18-track album and I featured a lot of artistes on it, including Yemi Alade, Olamide, Pope, Dipo, Dr Sid, Show

Though Folarin Falana aka Falz The Bad Guy followed the footsteps of his lawyer father Femi Falana to some extent, he has found another contentment in music. The University of Reading graduate of law recently released an 18-track album.

He speaks with OLUSHOLA RICKETTS.

My dad respects my decision to do music – Femi Falana’s son

Them Camp and a host of others. It is my first album and it is supposed to show who I am as an artiste and I think it did just that. A lot of people now understand my style more.

The launch concert was a way bigger than the crowd I had expected. During the show too the kind of response from the crowd was unbelievable and emotional. I felt really happy that day and I was close to tears.

Do you have any favourite track?

I cannot really say, because all the songs have different messages and styles. But the fans’ favourite is ‘High Class.’ It is up tempo, a song people can move to. It is also a song with strong message despite having a touch of dancehall. I looked around and I observed the culture of having ‘sugar daddies’ by ladies and I did a song on it.

How do we describe your style?

It is a mixture of hip-hop with old school and traditional African sounds. In it, there is highlife, fuji and afrobeat. So, my style is like a contemporary hip-hop sound and I call it “Wazup Music.” I don’t believe anyone else is doing what I am doing. When you hear my lyrics it reflects the local environment.

The Nigerian flavour is my unique point and it makes you relate to my music easily.

Do you have any mentor?

Growing up, like I said earlier, I listened to Tribesmen, Fela Kuti and Plantashun Boyz a lot. I still remember listening to some of them and the feeling that I wanted to be like them. I would always see Fela as my idol. His music had great influence on me and my music. I am not going to judge Fela based on some things he did because every individual has his or her own beliefs

and we should respect that. All his songs were blessed with messages; political or social. I also try to be revolutionary. On my album you will hear at least two songs that are revolutionary and controversial in terms of the messages I put out. The titles are Senator and How Far. There are reactionary as well.

How do you deal with ladies?

I know the importance of staying focused with my music. I am trying to establish a name, so attention I get as an artiste from females is something I will not allow to hinder my progress. I don’t think that is a problem for me. It is true that during and after shows artistes get attention from ladies, but a serious- minded person shouldn’t be carried away. My major concern now is to work harder and establish my music.

How do you love to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as someone that made a difference. I wish to change the way things are being done in this nation because the state of the country is very bad at present. I think I would be fulfilled if I could be part of the change or begin the revolution.

What are your major plans for the future?

In the next five to 10 years I want to be an internationally-renowned artiste celebrated worldwide as a great artiste that came out of Nigeria. I am trying to export Nigerian music; I want to represent Nigerian music. I would get there and I have a record label already, BahdGuys Records.

We are trying to develop a new crop of artistes that would export Nigerian music

Falz (inset: Falana)

to the rest of the world Are there challenges so far?

Of course yes. It is challenging to get your music to be heard by people. Promotion is a basic problem for an artiste because the industry doesn’t have a proper structure. It makes room for people to explore artistes. I am not ready to go into details, but there is a lot of politics within the industry.

Media personalities make things difficult for artistes too. I am talking about the radio and television stations. The demands are always high when you take your materials there.

They ask for money even before listening to the jobs. It makes it expensive to do music.

How do you get inspiration?

I get inspiration by observing things around me. It could be something that someone says or does. If I am not near the studio at that moment, I write it down. It makes me not to forget. I could also be listening to music and develop a completely different idea from it. For some artistes they get inspiration from taking Indian hemp. I don’t indulge in such.

Any regrets so far?

I don’t believe in regrets. I take life the way it comes. Although there was one embarrassing moment on stage I don’t like to talk about or remember. It was an experience that humbled me and made me to reflect on my development.

What keeps you going?

The encouraging words I get from people make me happy and want to do more. He gives me the belief that I am on the right path.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

Waheed Bakare and Ibraheem Musa

K

LAGOS/KADUNA

aduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has accused the Nigerian government of tactically giving support to terrorist group, Boko Haram.

Besides, the firebrand controversial preacher alleged that the Nigerian Army was deliberately ill equipped so as to give the insurgent group an upper hand in the ongoing terror war in the country.

When asked to justify his positions, Gumi, who spoke with our correspondent in Kaduna, said the intention was to weaken Nigeria, divide the country and give credence to agitators of secession from the South South region.

He said, “Initially, there was a call for a Sovereign National Conference to decide the fate of Nigeria. It was being agitated for by the south and promoted by the government. Then the government instituted a National Conference which specifically said that the unity of Nigeria was non-negotiable. What was the use of that conference when we have a National Assembly? Then the

NEWS

Government funding insurgency, says Gumi

3

’The aim is to weaken and balkanise the country’

conference wanted to come out with a draft constitution which Justice Idris Kutigi said he was given the mandate by the president to do so. The game plan was to give the president powers to continue in office till God knows when.

“But the grand plan is for to either continue ruling the north or divide us. The idea of trying to change the constitution at the National Conference is the political wing of the plot. Undermining the very Army that is supposed to protect Nigeria’s integrity in the fight against the insurgency is the military arm of the plot. It a win-win situation because if you undermine the military, you are also dividing Nigeria. They are trying to achieve this goal of dividing Nigeria by even empowering the

insurgents!

“A White journalist went to Maiduguri and carried out an investigation. It is on the internet and it’s a must-see for Nigerians. Some members of Civilian JTF gave him over 100 film clips which show a systemic and planned execution of able-bodied young men by the Army. The man said that this cannot be perpetrated without the knowledge of the authorities.

“Soldiers used to come to me to narrate tales of woes about systemic genocide. Can you tell me that those Almajiri’s that were slaughtered as Boko Haram in the film clips are those who are capable of defeating Nigerian Army? These people are untrained, uneducated and even with a machine gun, can they defeat the Army who are

well trained? So, there is more to it than meets the eye.”

Gumi, who also alleged that government officials are funding Boko Haram, wondered why the Nigerian satellite could not pick the convoy of the insurgent group and hideouts.

“It is not possible to have a

convoy of two or three cars that can’t be picked by satellite. So, how can a convoy of 50 cars with ammunition move into a place without being spotted?

Where is the Airforce? Where is the collaboration in fighting terrorism between Nigeria and the Western powers?”

Attah endorses Eket zone for A’Ibom 2015 CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The former governor’s position was an anticlimax for the organisers of the reception who had assumed that given he is from the Uyo Senatorial Zone, he would endorse their claim to the governorship. It was particularly so for former secretary to the Akwa Ibom State government, Obong

Umana Okon Umana, who left the venue utterly disappointed.

But Obong Attah’s statement was a bold affirmation of Governor Akpabio’s insistence that the pendulum should swing in the direction of Eket zone which has yet to produce a governor in the history of the state.

CONTINUED on PAGE 54

2015: Why I’m running for presidency, by Atiku Abubakar Lateef Ibrahim and Biodun Oyeleye Abuja/Ilorin

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ormer Vice President Atiku Abubakar has indicated he will be vying for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 elections, in order to “give every Nigerian a chance to help redefine Nigeria”.

A statement issued by Mallam Garba Shehu, media adviser to the former vice president, noted that a formal declaration of intent would be made on September 24. The statement added that ex-aviation minister, Professor Babalola Borisade, has been named as the coordinator of the campaign.

“The campaign will be anchored by a veteran of successful presidential contests and a former minister, Professor Babalola Borishade.

“Borishade is also a well-known political strategist who worked for the victory of the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and thereafter, late Chief M. K. O. Abiola on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party, SDP.” According to Shehu, the former vice president and Turaki Adamawa’s decision to contest is driven by altruistic goals. “This is not about me; it is about our young people. It is about Nigerians. It is their future, not the past. It is about reforming government, securing the people and reconciling the nation,” Atiku said.

The former vice president point-

ed out that 2015 is special and a potential turning point in Nigeria’s history.

His words: “we need to seize the moment, to give every Nigerian a chance to help redefine Nigeria as a place for them and their children to prosper and feel safe. He says a change is needed now, and he is ready to lead that change.”

Although APC has fixed its national convention for October, aspirants are still keeping their ambition a close secret. The picture is particularly hazy with regard to whether former head of state General Muhammadu Buhari would be running for president for a record fourth time.

But Atiku may have to contend with former Kwara State governor,

Dr. Bukola Saraki, if the latter yields to call by deputy chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Alhaji Mashood Mustapha.

Mustapha, who represents Ilorin

West/Asa Federal Constituency, urged Saraki, currently the senator representing Kwara Central in the Senate, to take a shot at the presidency in the coming elections.

Adoke heads FG panel on Confab report CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

of the committee in a statement yesterday signed by his assistant director of press, Oise Johnson.

He said the committee will be chaired by Mohammed Bello Adoke, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

Other members include Senator Idris A. Umar, Minister of Trans-

port, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Osita Chidoka, Minister of Aviation and Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory Administration.

Others are Mr Mike Onolememen, Minister of Works and Anyim who serves as the secretary.

The committee will commence work immediately.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

Boko Haram: DSS invites Sheriff Ndubuisi Ugah, Emmanuel Onani and Ahmed Miringa

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new twist to the disclosure made by an Australian hostage negotiator, Dr. Stephen Davis, that a former governor of Borno State, Senator Modu Sheriff, is a sponsor of the Boko Haram sect emerged yesterday with the Department of State Security (DSS), extending an invitation to the former governor for interrogation over his alleged sponsorship of the sect.

Sheriff's invitation, which is sequel to damning claims of his alleged funding of the deadly activities of the sect was announced yesterday in Abuja, by the DSS’ Deputy Director of Public Relations, Marilyn Ogar.

Davis, who was in Nigeria to help negotiate the release of the kidnapped Chibok schoolgirls, had told the media that Boko Haram commanders named Sheriff as one of their sponsors.

Also, Ogar described as “uncharitable”, Davis allegation linking a former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (retd.), with the proscribed organisation.

Plans to quiz Sheriff were made known at a press conference, where six suspects, held in connection with the April 14 bomb explosion, at a motor park in Nyanya, a suburb of Abuja, were paraded.

Among the suspects paraded, was Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, an alleged comastermind of the ugly incident, which killed scores, and left many others with varying degrees of injury.

Ogwuche was arrested in Sudan, where he was said to have fled to, shortly after the bombing.

Ogar also used the opportunity, to debunk anoth-

l Exonerates former COAS l Sue me if you dare, Davis tells ex-gov l We'll defend Nigeria’s territory – DHQ l I won’t overheat the polity-Ihejirika er of Davis' claims that three of the suspects being held in custody, are allegedly related to an unnamed Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) official, who he claimed handles Boko Haram funding.

Fielding questions on what the DSS was doing about Sheriff's alleged complicity, Ogar said: “As for the former governor, he had been invited twice, and the service has invited him again.”

On the former Army chief, she said: “It is absolutely uncharitable for us in Nigeria, to reward someone, who had laid down his life, to associate him with the sect. It is being wicked.”

She charged the public not to “allow people to use our liberal nature” against our collective will.

“Further interrogation of suspects in our custody has

also revealed that none lived with or has any relationship with any staff of the CBN. “We wish to categorically state that this Service is not the source of the information credited to Davis,” Ogar clarified.

The DSS reiterated the “commitment of security forces to provide a secure and safe environment for all Nigerians.”

Apart from Ogwuche, other suspects paraded were: Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, Muhammad Sani Ishaq, Saidu, Isah and Yusuf.

In another development, Davis has dared Sheriff to sue him over allegations that he is a sponsor of the sect.

Davis insistence on his position emerged on a day the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Borno State chapter issued a 21-day ultimatum

to the Federal Government to commence investigations into the case of the alleged Boko Haram sponsors or face the wrath of the body.

“Sheriff sponsors young men for lesser hajj from where they are recruited into the group,” Davis alleged.

But the former governor has vehemently denied the allegations and threatened to sue the Australian for defamation.

But speaking to an online news portal, TheCable on Friday, Davis said he stood by his allegations.

“He is worried, is he?

He knows that if he goes to court, the evidence will be produced and he cannot escape justice. Let him go to court if that is what he wishes. It is his right to do so.

He will not be able to avoid close examination and then the facts will be known.

“Good luck to him if he decides to sue me in Australia. He can’t buy the judges here. Truth is not for

continued O N page 5

Those who have withdrawn from Saturday primary election include Nuhu Ribadu, Auwal Tukur, Aliyu Idi Hong, Andrawus Sawa, James Barka, Gen. Aliyu Kama, Markus Gundiri and Abubakar Girei.

It was learnt that the six aspirants contesting for the party’s ticket on Saturday agreed they would not vie for the position in 2015.

There appears to be an implicit agreement that only those stepping down now can contest for the party’s governorship ticket in 2015.

But, as a source told New Telegraph on Saturday, the narrative may change once a contestant is elected governor. “It would be difficult to compel an incumbent governor not to seek re-election especially in a situation where he has been on the seat for just a few months,” he said.

In the event such a sce-

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The Week Ahead Odenigbo lecture series holds today The Dean, Postgraduate Studies of Imo State University, Owerri, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, will today be the guest lecturer at this year’s Odenigbo lecture series. The lecture series, which was instituted by the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, is aimed at reviving and sustaining the Igbo language and culture.

FIFA gives NFF Sept 8 deadline The world football governing body, Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), has set a September 8 deadline for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to address some of the knotty issues which reared up during its board election in Abuja, on August 26.

The football governing body’s decision followed the decision of its Emergency Committee, which sent a letter to the NFF on September 3 confirming that the NFF will be suspended with immediate effect should there still be persons claiming to have been elected to NFF positions on August 26 and still occupying their offices on September 8.

Gani Fawehinmi scholarship interview holds Sept 9 The Gani Fawehinmi yearly scholarship interview for the South-West zone will hold on September 9 at the Nigerian Publications House, Alausa, Ikeja by 10a.m. A statement issued by the Chairman, Dr. Dipo Fashina and Secretary, Ugwuzor Adindu, said the interview was decentralised to make it accessible to indigent students for which it was meant. The board also stated that 40 students are to benefit in this year’s awards, while each of them will receive N100,000.

Court hears Adamawa deputy governor’s suit Sept 10

President Goodluck Jonathan (right), with present and past presidents of the National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), during the conferment of Commander of Nigeria Students’ on the president at State House, Abuja…yesterday

PHOTO: TIMOTHY IKUOMENISAN

Adamawa by-election: ‘How Ribadu was misled’ continued f ro m page 1

NEWS EDITOR, SATURDAY:

nario arises, that would have put paid to Ribadu’s presumed hope to run for the actual governorship election for 2015 whose primary holds probably in November. Sources claim that Ribadu had been given the impression that he would be made the consensus candidate but was peeved by the apparent inability of the party to convince other contestants to step down.

Ribadu quit APC last month for the PDP, leaving members of the former flustered. But it seems his former party is now having a laugh at his expense. “We didn’t send him there. More and more drama will still be unfolding. We are watching,” APC spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said in reaction to Ribadu’s withdrawal from the race.

Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, chairman of the Adamawa State chap-

ter of the party, Joel Madaki said: “Fourteen aspirants contesting for the position earlier has now reduced to six aspirants due to this meeting. It is a very welcome idea.

Nobody was forced to step down. Those who stepped down did so voluntarily in order to wait to contest for the position in 2015.”

“The six aspirants contesting this election are Ahmed Gulak, Buba Marwa, Ahmed Modibbo, Dr. Umar Ardo, Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri, and Jerry Kumdisi.” He added The former special adviser to the president on political affairs, Ahmed Gulak, who is contesting for the ticket on Saturday, said: “The outcome of the meeting was fantastic.

We met as family members of PDP, even before coming here all the aspirants in Adamawa have unanimously resolved that after the primaries, in a free, fair primaries, anybody that emerges will

get our support.”

“And we have resolved to go into the primaries without rancour, without acrimony and to come out of it as peaceful co-existing members.”

Aliyu Idi Hong, who is among those who withdrew from the race, said: “Peacebuilding, negotiation, giveand-take, everything went well. We have been given a caveat and one thing we have succeeded in extracting from this meeting is that the meeting started with a preamble that whoever is going to contest and if he happens to win as a governor, he will not have the right to contest the 2015 election.”

One of such offers, the New Telegraph on Saturday gathered, was a N100 million lifeline to each of the eight aspirants to help them recoup the expenses they incurred in the build up for the election due to the voluntary withdrawal from the race.

A Federal High Court in Abuja, will on September 10 hear a suit brought before it by the immediate past deputy governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngilari, which is asking the court to declare him governor of the state, following the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako, on July 15.

In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/545/14, Ngilari joined the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Ahmadu Umaru; the state assembly; Nyako and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.

A Lagos lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, had at the last hearing of the matter, moved two ex-parte motions, wherein he asked the court to serve court processes on the respondents, through newspaper publications, a request the judge granted.

Christopher Kolade lecture holds Sept 11 The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Aruma Oteh, will on September 11 deliver this year’s second annual Christopher Kolade lecture on ‘Business Integrity’ at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos. A statement issued by the organisers stated that Oteh will be speaking on the theme: ‘The Business Case for Business Integrity’.

Igbinedion clocks 80 on Sept 11 The Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, will clock 80 on September 11. An iconic man of style, quintessential businessman philanthropist par excellence is the father of the former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion.

Adadevoh for burial Sept 12 The remains of Dr. Stella Adadevoh, the late Consultant at First Consultants Hospital, Obalende, Lagos, who died on August 19 after contracting the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), from Mr. Patrick Sawyer, will be interred on September 12.

A memorial service will hold at the Holy Cross Cathedral, opposite City Hall, Lagos by 10a.m. before the interment, while a Night of Tributes has been slated for September 11 by 6p.m. at Harbour Point Hotel, Lagos.

The family, it was gathered, had obtained the ashes of the late doctor, after her body was decontaminated and cremated by the Lagos State Government. The late Adadevoh died at the Case Management Centre in Yaba, Lagos.

My successor will not face electricity challenges – Jonathan Anule Emmanuel Abuja

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resident Goodluck Jonathan yesterday assured Nigerians that his administration would fix all problems in the power sector and make work easy for whoever takes over from him as president.

The President stated this when he received a delegation of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), who endorsed him to continue in office in 2015.

NANS also decorated the President as the Grand Commander of Nigerian Students.

Speaking shortly after his investiture, the President promised that he would work hard to improve not just the quantity of Nigerian universities but also the quality of its products by ensuring institutions are rated among top

500 in the world.

“We must build Nigeria for the future of our children. We must build a Nigeria whereby the time one of you will be on this seat here in future you should not be thinking of power supply,” he said.

President Jonathan, who recalled the last strike action embarked by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for six months, said he was particularly pained that they did so based on the document his administration produced to address the decay in tertiary institutions.

“ASUU should go on strike if nothing is going well in the country, there is no problem with that.

But when you go on strike based on documents we produced to address the decay in institutions, then it is worrisome,” the president noted.

DSS invites Sheriff c o n ti n u e d F R O M page 4

sale. Australia has zero tolerance for those who might sponsor terrorism,” he said.

“No one should be above the law whether in Australia or Nigeria. Justice must be served for every Nigerian killed, every girl and boy kidnapped, every girl raped, every person who has lost their homes in the course of this violence. It seems to me the extent of involvement of every person named by Boko Haram as a sponsor should be closely and thoroughly examined by the correct authorities.”

According to the news portal, Davis said he is “very sure” of his facts having spoken with Boko Haram commanders “individually and separately” over a stretch of time and they were consistent in their assertions of Sheriff’s sponsorship of the terrorist group.

“I read his defence on the media this week. Rather than come out as a statement of facts, it read like a novel of unconvincing fiction. In the last 48 hours, I have been in touch with some commanders of the group and they maintain their stand on Sheriff’s involvement,” Davis said.

In the same vein, Borno State Chairman of the NBA, Mr. Abdulwasiu Alfa, while speaking at a press conference yesterday in Maiduguri, stated that it would initiate criminal proceedings before the office of the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), if the ultimatum expires without the Federal Government commencing the investigations.

The NBA said already, about 50 private lawyers had volunteered their services in supporting this noble course, adding that

NEWS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

the Federal Government and other relevant security agencies should act now.

Similarly, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), has assured that the military would do everything in its might, to contain the raging insurgency in the North East, and reassert the sovereignty of the country.

The DHQ in a statement yesterday, stated: “In the light of the current challenges in the counter-terrorism efforts in the north east which has understandably elicited a sense of apprehension among citizens and even foreign allies, the DHQ wishes to reiterate the pledge and commitment it made while briefing the Joint Committee on Defence of the National Assembly to the effect that everything will be done to reverse the situation and defeat the rampaging terrorists.”

Meanwhile, Ihejirika while reacting to Davis allegation, at a function held at National Defence College (NDC), in Abuja, said: “When this issue came out I was wondering, but today I find myself having to give myself the same advice I have given Nigerians time and time and over again.

“The advice I have given myself is that I will not and will never, no matter the situation and pressure contribute in any form to overheating the system.

When you join the military it is for sacrifice, our mates died in the Charlie 130 air crash along with others.

“Nigeria as a nation too has had more than its fair share of difficulties, the kind of issues that come up from time to time, threaten the very fabric of our existence, and we wonder whether the nation was going to go down. Yet, we overcome it."

JOS OGBA Al-Makura: I‘m ready for fresh Pwajok backs physically impeachment plots challenged persons

NEWS IN BRIE F

Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has said he is not in any way perturbed by reports of fresh impeachment plots against him by lawmakers in the state.

The governor, who spoke to State House Correspondents, in Abuja, after a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, explained the issue of impeachment had since been laid to rest but remains a rumour.

The state House of Assembly had last Month attempted to unseat the governor but the move was botched when the judicial panel of inquiry quashed the charges of misconduct against him.

“That is within the realm of speculation.

I don't want to respond to speculation.

But once we get to the bridge, we will cross it,” he said.

1,583

The tournament average of passes in Brazil 2014 World Cup. Source: Fifa.com

The Senator representing Plateau Northern Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Gyang Nyam Pwajok, has advised youths, who are physically challenged in his constituency, not to lose hope on their future, as God has plans for them to compete perfectly with any other person in the society.

Pwajok stated this yesterday in Jos, when he donated a television set, computer, generator and other materials to one of the physically challenged youth, Ismail Abdullahi Rabiu, at Garba Dahu Ward, Ayeni Street, Jos North Local Government Area of the state.

“I have seen people without hands, but yet they swim and compete perfectly with those who have hands, so don't be discouraged by your challenge,” he said.

€119m

The amount realized from match day revenues by Real Madrid in the 2012-2013 season.

Source: Goal.com

5

MAKURDI DSS tasks Benue schools on security

The Department of State Security (DSS) has tasked secondary schools in Benue state to carry out enlightenment programmes to educate students on security issues on regular basis to enable them identify areas of security risks and how to prevent them.

The Assistant Director, DSS in the state, Mr. Frank Obi, gave the charge in Makurdi, during the security awareness forum organized by the National Orientation Agency ( NOA) for proprietors and principals of secondary schools in the state.

Obi stated that many students were not conscious of what constitute security threat, and do not know policies put in place by the government to secure the lives and property of the people.

9.97m

The total population of Hungary (rep.

0.14% of world’s population) in 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

Ebola: FG fixes new schools’ resumption date for Sept 22 RESPITE

l EU pledges 140m euros to fight Ebola in West Africa

The Federal Government has finally fixed a new resumption date for schools across the country.

Also, the European Union (EU), yesterday promised 140 million euros ($181 million) in assistance to bolster the overstretched health sectors of four West African nations struggling to halt the worst ever outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus.

The Minister of Education, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, was quoted to have disclosed this in Abuja, after an emergency meeting with State Commissioners for Education but warned that measures put in place to curb the spread of the disease were still intact.

The minister added that the states’ ministry of education should ensure that at least two staff in each school– both public and private are trained by appropriate health workers on how to handle any suspected case of Ebola. And that they should also embark on immediate sensiti-

Mojeed Alabi, Bola Kareem and Yekeen Nurudeen

I

Lagos & Abuja

n a move aimed at sustaining the successes recorded towards the curtailment of the spread of the dangerous Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the Federal Government yesterday reversed its earlier order postponing schools’ resumption to October 13, by announcing a new date of September 22 for academic activities to return to both private and public primary and secondary schools nationwide.

sation of teaching and nonteaching staff in schools on preventive measures.

The training, the minister ordered, should be concluded before resumption of schools in order to make the adequate preparation ahead of the resumption feasible.

It would be recalled that the postponement of resumption date of schools to October 13, had been a precautionary measure against the spread of the disease but apparently following the success recorded so far, the Federal Executive Council meeting had on Wednesday ordered a review of the date.

The New Telegraph on Saturday gathered that the EU funding would be used to strengthen health systems, train health workers and pay for mobile testing laboratories in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria and Guinea where over 1,900 people

have died since the outbreak was identified in March.

Meanwhile, a plane carrying a third U.S. missionary infected with the Ebola virus in Liberia left the West African country’s capital on Thursday, and he will be taken to the Nebraska Medical Centre in Omaha, the Christian organisation SIM USA said.

Dr. Rick Sacra, a 51-yearold Boston physician, was the latest worker for SIM USA to be infected with the virus that has killed more than 1,900 people.

A Reuters cameraman saw Sacra, wearing a white protective overall, step out of the car that brought him to the tarmac. He walked onto the aircraft.

The plane was expected to arrive in Omaha yesterday and Sacra would begin receiving treatment in the hospital’s Biocontainment Patient Care Unit, the organisation said in a statement.

L-R: Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal; Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Prof. Olu Akinkugbe, during a courtesy call by Tambuwal to the Governor’s Office in Ibadan…yesterday

PHOTO: OYO GOVERNMENT HOUSE

6

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

7

8

NEWS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

ILORIN Kwara employs 100 health workers

N EWS I N BRIEF

The Kwara State Government has engaged the services of 100 village health workers as part of its strategies to enhance community healthcare in the villages through mobilisation of individuals, households and communities and also achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.

Speaking at the inauguration of the MDGs Village Health workers (VHW) programme, the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, said the workers are also expected to carry out routine household visits to enhance promotion activities such as good nutrition and immunisation practices.

The health workers, the governor added, “will sensitise communities on clean environment, hygiene practices and health education to prevent diseases such as Ebola Virus Diseases (EVD).”

17

The life expectancy of men (in years) at age 60 years of Bulgaria in 2010-2015.

Source: Un.org

ALAUSA Lagos to observe horn-free day October 15

The Lagos State Government yesterday urged motorists in the state to abstain from blaring their vehicle's horn once a year.

It also stated that it had concluded plans to observed a horn-free day every year, starting from October 15.

Governor Babatunde Fashola had earlier urged motorists in the state learn how to do away with horn while driving, lamenting that Nigerian drivers have made horning as driving culture.

Fashola, who said he observed driving without honking abroad for over 10 days, wondered why Nigerians motorists could not do without horning while on the wheel.

70,000

The total number of internet users in Turkmenistan in 2007.

Source: Blatantworld.com

BADAGRY Pitan pledges to empower youths

An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Lagos State, Dr. Leke Pitan, has promised hundreds of jobless and unemployed youths in Lagos State, mass employment in his first 100 days in office as the governor of the state.

He also promised to empower the womenfolk to engage in genuine economic activity if supported to become the next Governor of the state.

Addressing a crowd of youths and women in Badagry, during the continuation of the Dr. Leke Pitan and Friends Free Medical Outreach Mission to the area, the governorship aspirant promised that his government would centre mainly on delivering social services to the people.

44.53

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants of Belarus in 2011.

Source: Itu.int

Anambra govt approves N2bn intervention fund to boost commerce REPRIEVE Governor Willie Obiano has introduced financial palliative to boost the state's economy Okegwo Kenechukwu

D Onitsha

etermined to enhance the economic fortunes of the state, the Anambra State Government has earmarked the

sum of N2 billion as investment intervention fund to ameliorate the problems facing business entrepreneurs in the state.

The fund, which is domiciled in the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Commerce was created by the state government in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BoI) for businesses to thrive in the state.

The state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, stated this yesterday, while

Barclays boss, Diamond, buys Union Bank’s 30% stake for $270m Ndubuisi Ugah with agency reports

I

n what seems like a move to strengthen the financial wherewithal of Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN), Atlas Mara, the African investment vehicle of former Barclays boss, Mr. Bob Diamond, yesterday said it had increased its stake in UBN to almost 30 per cent, which therefore amounts to $270 million.

The deal marks the third significant acquisition by Atlas Mara, set up last year

by Diamond and Africabased entrepreneur, Ashish Thakkar, as it seeks to build the firm into Africa’s leading bank.

An online news portal, Reuters had reported on Thursday that Atlas Mara was in talks to buy the UBN stake even though it had raised $300 million last month to add to its acquisition war chest.

Atlas Mara also stated that it purchased the stake at about book value, which meant that it was a ‘good deal’.

The acquisition by Atlas Mara is coming barely 24 hours after the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) announced that it had sold its 12.5 per cent stake in Ecobank Nigeria Plc to Qatar National Bank (QNB) for about $200million.

The deal, which the Managing Director, AMCON, Mr. Mustapha ChikeObi, confirmed was also targeted at redeeming AMCON’s N800 billion bonds, which matures in October.

Justifying the increase in the stake, Atlas Mara said it was buying the additional 20.9 per cent stake from AMCON. Reuters reported on Thursday Atlas Mara was in talks to buy the UBN stake.

UBN has 340 branches across Nigeria and had about $6.3 billion of assets, $3.1 billion in deposits and $1.3 billion in equity at the end of June.

UBN was established as Colonial Bank in 1917, and from 1925 until the 1970s was owned by Barclays, the British bank that Diamond led before being ousted under a cloud two years ago.

declaring open the third council meeting of Nigeria Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), in Onitsha.

The governor, who was represented on the occasion by the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr. Ifeatu Onejeme, stated that the state government was working to ensure that some of the problems encountered in accessing the fund were removed and advised them to exploit the unique opportunity to expand the scope of the country’s businesses sector.

The governor said: “In practical demonstration of the government’s commitment to making the state investment friendly, we have reinvigorated the security outfit with gadgets and equipments to facilitate the police, Army joint venture patrol to ensure security of lives and property in the state. As you all know, no business can thrive in an insecure environment.

“The continuous determination of the state

government to ensure adequate security of life and property of the citizenry has also significantly impacted positively in the overall development of the state.”

"The state government is also determined to embark on the development of an Independent Power Plant (IPP), construction of a cargo airport at Umuleri and mechanisation of agriculture through the procurement of tractors, fertilisers and pesticides in order to enhance industrialisation and business development within the state, so as to attract investors."

Earlier, President, Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONIGMA), Chief Dr. Tim Anosike, had thanked the National President of NACCIMA for the effective representation of the interest of the nation's Organised Private Sector (OPS) through proactive interventions and mutual synergy with governments and other relevant bodies within and outside the country.

Yobe PDP endorses Jonathan for 2015 Hassan Jirgi Damaturu

Y

obe State Executive Committee members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday endorsed President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to contest for a second term in the 2015 elections.

The endorsement by the state executive party members is coming on the heels of a report that Jonathan has concluded plans to recontest as president in 2015.

In a communique issued at the end of the PDP state executive committee meeting held at the PDP state secretariat conference hall in Damaturu, 48 members of the committee threw their weight behind the ambition of the president for 2015.

The meeting commended the Transformation Agenda of President Jonathan, which was evident in the construction and rehabilitation of numerous roads in North-East region, the inauguration of the 330/132 KVA sub-station in Damaturu and the oil and gas exploration in the Chad Basin frontiers of Yobe and Borno states.

According to the communique, the distribution of 222 trucks of grain to people

free of charge in Yobe State during Ramadan by the federal government was a good gesture. It added that federal government is distributing fertilisers to farmers at a subsidised price in the state and the federal government sold over 54 tractors to farmers at 50 per cent discount for machanised agriculture in the state.

The meeting also endorsed Vice-President Namadu Sambo to contest in the 2015 election.

“The entire PDP state executive committee, Yobe State chapter hereby assure Mr. President of their unflinching support for the actualisation of his aspiration for the 2015 elections.

The meeting equally scored Mr. President 99 per cent pass mark in all his transformation intervention as enumerated above,” the communiqué stated.

The meeting commended the party’s National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu'azu, for the way he was handling the party’s members and affairs.

The meeting, therefore, “unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the party and the entire National Working Committee and assured them of their 100 per cent loyalty and support at all times.”

New Telegraph wins award of excellence Okegwo Kenechukwu Onitsha

N

ew telegraph, Nigeria’s most authoritative Newspaper in business and politics yesterday won the first award of excellence in packaging and reporting in the South-East.

The award, which came from the South-East Patent Proprietors’ Medicine Dealers Union was in recognition of her contributions so far in shaping the nation’s democracy within so short a time of her existence.

Giving the award at the body’s headquarters, Presi-

L-R: Suspects of the Nyanya bomb blast: Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, Muhamed Sani, Yau Saidu, Anas Isah, Adamu Yusuf and Aminu Sadiq Ogwuche, during their parade by the Department of State Security (DSS), in Abuja…yesterday

PHOTO: ELIJAH OLALUYI

dent of the union, Mr. Ugochukuwu Nwosu, poured encomium on the publisher of the newspaper, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, for his commitment in championing the cause of Nigerian democracy and as well as affording the Igbo nation a strong voice base to contribute to the nation building.

“I want to explain that the owner of this paper is our own brother and also the owner of The Sun Newspaper pointing out that the gesture was to encourage him and his team of erudite management who have demonstrated genuine commitment, integrity and intellectual competence in championing the cause of not only the Igbo people but Nigeria. We, therefore, needed to encourage them, and sustain the paper through patronage," Nwosu said.

Receiving the award on behalf of the management, the representative of the newspaper in Onitsha, Mr. Okegwo Kenechukwu, thanked the union for the award and assured them that their encouragement would spur the management and the publisher to serve them better.

He called for feverent prayers among Nigerians to enable them to sustain it so as to restore the confidence reposed in the establishment.

Companies & Stock

SEGUN EDWARDS

6 SEPTEMBER 2014

Skye Bank fails to grow revenue, lowers cost to grow profit

S

kye Bank could not improve its earnings in 2013, but it raised profit reasonably in the year through cost-saving in three major expense lines. These are interest expenses, loan loss expense and taxation. Revenue declined slightly from the 2012 peak, but profit improved for the second year after a major turnaround in the preceding year. Profit margin has improved but remains well below the best industry numbers.

At N127.34 billion, gross earnings slipped by 0.3 per cent in 2013 against an increase of about 22 per cent in 2012. This is a set back on the bank’s recovery process after a drop in gross earnings in 2010. Gross income has therefore remained below the 2009 peak of N131.5 billion.

The actual revenue in 2013 is 7.2 per cent below our full year forecast of N137.2 billion for Skye Bank.

Fee-based income accounted mainly for the inability to grow gross earnings in the year. Investment and other operating income dropped by 17.5 per cent to N22.03 billion in the year while interest income improved by 4.2 per cent to N105.31 billion. This was insufficient to counter the drop in non-interest income.

Despite the revenue weakness, the bank grew after tax profit by 26.7 per cent to attain a new peak of N16.02 billion. The bank therefore sustained the recovery trend in profit for the second year after it achieved a big turnaround in 2012.

The actual profit figure is almost at par with our forecast net profit figure of N15.8 billion for the bank in 2013.

Skye Bank improved its ability to convert revenue into profit in 2013.

Net profit margin improved from

9

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

olaedwards@yahoo.com 08111813095

Timothy Oguntayo... CEO, Skye Bank

Skye Bank Q1 2014 Results 2014

2013

Change

Gross earnings

N34.33 billion N34.69 billion -1.0%

Profit/Loss before tax

N3.45 billion

N4.63 billion

-25.5%

Taxation

N686 million

N927 million

26.0%

Profit/Loss after tax

N2.76 billion

N3.70 billion

-25.4%

9.9 per cent in 2012 to 12.6 per cent in 2013, still one of the lowest profit margins in the banking sector. It is however one of the few banks that were able to improve profit margin last year when a decline in profit margin was a general industry trend.

So far in the current year, the bank has recorded a lacklustre first quarter performance of 25.4 profit

decline from N3.70 billion in the corresponding period of 2013 to N2.76 billion in 2014.Gross earnings in the period stands at N34.33 billion as against N33.69 billion in the same period of 2013, which represents one per cent decrease. It equally recorded a significant 25.5 per cent profit/ loss before tax from N4.63 billion in 2012 to N3.45 billion.

The ability to achieve a reason-

able gain in profit margin in a flat revenue situation reflects major cost saving during the review period. The bank saved costs in three main expense lines in the year – interest expenses, provision for credit losses and taxation. Interest expenses dropped by 22.8 per cent to N43.62 billion against the moderate improvement of 4.2 per cent in interest income. This more than compensated for the inability to improve revenue by lifting net interest income by 38.6 per cent to N61.70 billion.

A drop of 64.3 per cent in tax expense in the year made the big difference in the bottom line. It accounts for the ability to grow after tax profit by 26.7 per cent from only 3.8 per cent improvement in pre-tax profit. This means the other cost savings could not flow down to the bottom line and only the tax saving accounted for the gain in profit margin the bank recorded last year.

One major cost item stood in the way of converting the cost savings from interest expenses and loan loss provisioning into profit. This is operating cost, which rose by 29.7 per cent cent to N53.91 billion in 2013.

Operating cost therefore claimed a bigger proportion of gross earnings in 2013 than in the preceding year.

Operating cost margin increased from 32.5 per cent in 2012 to 42.3 per cent in 2013, still at about the average industry figure.

The bank earned N1.21 per share in 2013, improving from 95 kobo per share in the preceding year. Net assets per share has also improved from N8.09 to N9.11 during the same period. The bank has proposed a cash dividend of 30 kobo per share against 50 kobo per share it paid in the preceding year.

DRC Revokes StarTimes’ Operating Licence

T

he government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has revoked the operating licence of the digital terrestrial television operator, StarTimes. The revocation, according to Media Congo, took effect from 1 September and was on the orders of the Prime Minister, who directed the Post and Telecommunication, New Information Technologies and Communication (PT-NTIC) Minister, Tryphon Kin-Kiey Mulumba, to enforce it.

The saga around StarTimes began in July, when the PT-NTIC alleged that the company illegally carried on television and television distribution practices in the country. Mulumba insists that StarTimes never received an agreement to operate from the School of Authority for the regulation of Posts and Telecommunications of the Congo (ARPTC), according to article 17, paragraph 3 of the framework law cadre n° 013/2002 dated 16 October 2002 concerning telecommunications.

The PT-NTIC minister added that Startimes also operated illegally by using the public enterprise RTNC2’s frequency and that of the private organisation Télé7, alleged to have been transferred to them. However article 42, paragraph 1 of the framework law states that telecommunication public services dealerships and authorisations delivered according to this law are issued in a private capacity and therefore not transferrable.

Once the operation licence is revoked, StarTimes will have to remove all its advertisements, failing which it will “exacerbate it’s criminal liability”, insisted Mulumba who, thus, wins the contest against his colleague Lambert Mende, Media Minister, who strongly intervened in favour of StarTimes.

Can Ecobank return to profit path in 2014?

E

cobank Incorporated seems to have returned to the path of recovery and growth this year with high profit expections of a new peak for the pan African bank this year. From the sharp fall in profit last year and the performance so far this year it has so far showed that the lender is able to remedy the disappointment. At the end of the second quarter, net profit was already more than 34 per cent above the full year figure in 2013. Prospects are very good for a rise of more than one and half times in profit for the bank at the end of 2014.

Albert Essien, Group Chief Executive officer of the bank is quite pleased with the bank’s high growth rate at the end of the first half. The bank’s management said the earnings numbers are evident of operational improvements made in the business The bank posted an after tax profit of N31.63 billion at the end of the second quarter, which is an improvement of about 15

ETI Q1 2013 Results 2013

2012

Change

Gross earnings

N109.83 billion N93.84 billion

17.0%

Profit before tax

N19.26 billion

N15.69 billion

22.7%

Taxation

N4.27 billion

N2.69 billion

-58.7%

Profit after tax

N14.98 billion

N13.0002. billion

15.3%

Earnings per share

N72.00

N66.0

9.1%

per cent over the corresponding figure last year. Profit growth has stepped up from the N15 billion the bank reported in the first quarter.

The year-on-year growth however isn’t showing the strength in the bank’s earnings this year. The real improvement is revealed by the fact that the bank closed last year with a lower profit figure than it reported in the second quarter. Consequently, the second quarter profit figure is already standing 34.2 per cent above the N23.57 billion at which it closed

Albert Essien... Ecobank’s CEO

last year’s operations.

Based on the second quarter growth rate, after tax profit is projected at N63.5 billion for Ecobank in 2014. This will be a major advance of 169.4 per cent over the full year profit figure in 2013. The bank had maintained strong profit growth until last year when after tax profit went down by 44.7 per cent from the all-time peak of N42.61 billion in 2012.

Ecobank is maintaining a stable growth in gross earnings with a year-on-year increase of 13.1 per cent to N225.26 billion at the end of June. This is an accelerated growth from the first quarter gross income of N109.84 billion.

Based on the second quarter growth rate, gross income is projected at N454.2 billion for the bank at full year. This will be an increase of 10.5 per cent over the gross earnings of N411.18 billion the bank posted in 2013.

It has maintained a strong growth in revenue in the past three years after a drop in 2010.

Revenue driver this year is feebased income, which rose by 23.1 per cent to N87.19 billion in the second quarter. Interest income grew moderately at 7.0 per cent to N135.39 billion during the same period.

The strength to grow profit in the second quarter came largely from cost moderation. Operating expenses grew by 9.3 per cent to N119.21 billion in the second quarter and therefore moderated relative to revenue. Operating cost margin declined from nearly 55 per cent in June last year to about 53 per cent this year.

Interest expenses also moderated and permitted a decline in the cost-income ratio. At N47.53 billion, interest cost claimed 21 per cent of gross income at the end of June, down from 22 per cent last year. Interest expenses grew at a much lower rate of 8.6 per cent than the 18 per cent advance in customer deposits during the review period, which enabled the bank to cut down the average cost of funds.

Can you marry your best friend’s ex? p.12

Street DIARY NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

6 SEPTEMBER 2014

www.newtelegraphonline.com/streetdiary

I bought over 48 cars from robbers – Car dealer M

Shola Adefuwa

r. Adedokun Adewusi, 39, is a car dealer, believed to be from a good family and has a good reputation. He resides at the Abule-Egba area of Lagos State, where he is quite popular. But nobody however knows that the rich man who is seen as a gentle businessman in the day time and well revered in the community is a chameleon who wined, dined and held nocturnal meetings with suspected robbers at night.

He was among four suspected robbers recently arrested by the police. Adewusi was arrested along with Henry Adebayo, 30, Chigozie Orji, 35 and Adigun Kareem, 35.

Police said that most of the cars showcased in his shop were stolen ones.

Although the suspect denied being an armed robber, he, however, admitted that he only buy stolen cars from a gang of robbers.

He said: “I’m not a robber! Yes, I used to buy stolen cars from robbers, but I’ve never gone to rob with them. Yes, I know they’re armed robbers. I’ve bought more than 48 cars from them. I prefer Honda and Toyota cars. I may buy a car for N500, 000, N600, 000 or N700, 000 and sell for N1 million or N2million.”

It was gathered that aside from selling stolen cars to people in Nigeria, the gang also sold to people outside the country.

The suspects were arrested by the operatives of the Special AntiRobbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos Command. The officer in charge of SARS, Mr. Abba Kyarri, a Superintendent of Police (SP), led the police team that arrested the gang.

A police source said: “The suspects have carried out series of robbery operations, including car snatchings. They were once sentenced to prison. After they were released, they went back to robbery. Investigations revealed that the gang met and regrouped in prison.”

Adewusin, a father of four, said he was just a receiver of snatched

vehicles. He explained that he used to buy cars from Republic of Benin until he formed the unholy alliance with the gang.

Recalling how he started buying stolen cars from the suspects, Adewusi said: “There was a time I went to Cotonou to buy cars and officers of the Nigerian Customs seized all the cars. It affected my business. I became bankrupt. I later started buying cars from armed robbers and sell. Most of my customers reside at Abule Egba.”

Another member of the gang, Adebayo, confessed that he and some of his friends used to break into people’s homes to steal phones and laptops, until luck ran out on them.

They were arrested, charged to court and sentenced to prison.

According to him, after he was released from prison, he did not know where to go, but remembered a friend he met in prison, who was freed before him and decided to link up with him.

He said: “I called a friend. His name is Monday Ogukwu. We met him in prison. I told him that I would like to stay with him. I got a call from him one day that we should go and rob.”

Adebayo said that when he was called for the operation, he had no choice than to join because, “I didn’t have any job.”

He continued: “We stole two laptops and two phones that day.

The next day we did the same.

We sold the laptops to a guy. After making some money, I told Ogukwu I would be going to stay with my family.”

He recalled that after two months, Ogukwu called him for another robbery operation, but he turned it down. “I told him that I had stopped that sort of life.”

Adebayo thought he had walked away from his old life for good, but he just couldn’t resist for that long.

The victim whose home was attacked by Adebayo and Ogukwu reported the robbery to SARS and investigation commenced. The buyer was soon traced. Detectives used the buyer as bait to get Adebayo. Apparently sensing trouble, Ogukwu disappeared into thin air.

10

L-R: Dokun Adewusi, Henry Adebayo, Chigozie Orji and Adegun Kareem

I prefer Honda and Toyota cars. I may buy a car for N500, 000, N600, 000 or N700, 000 and sell for N1 million or N2 million.

Police are still hunting for him.

Orji, a trader in Lagos Island, was described by the police as the leader of the gang.

Orji confessed that he had been arrested twice by SARS. “The first time I was caught with a gun. I’d used the gun for robbing. I was charged to Ikeja Court,” said Orji.

He was sentenced to prison, but after a year, he was granted

Adewusi

bail.

“My mother paid N250, 000.

The second time is this present problem. I started snatching vehicles again. Our operational car is a Highlander Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). Adebayo is part of the gang. I met Sunday through Adebayo.”

Recalling how they snatched the SUV, Orji said: “The owner of the Highlander SUV was drunk.

Sunday opened the car door and simply pushed him out. Adebyo and Sunday sold the car, but didn’t give me a dime! I tried calling, but they changed their phone

numbers. I stopped using guns after I was arrested. I met Ogukwu in the prison, but I contacted him after I was released.

“I went back to robbery because there was no money to start a business. I’m praying now that God should set me free. If He does, I’ll never go back to robbery the third time!”

Kareem, a phone engineer, is the fourth suspect. But just like Adewusi, he said he was only guilty of buying stolen phones and laptops from Orji. He claimed he didn’t know the items were stolen.

Police however believed he was being economical with the truth because Kareem had once been arrested in 2012 for also buying stolen phones. He spent two days in prison before he was released, the police source said.

Fear grips cops as Boko Haram plans attack Juliana Francis

I

nhabitants of Mopol 24 barracks, Mpape, FCT, Abuja, are now living in fear following a purported letter written by the Boko Haram sect that its members will soon attack the barrack.

A senior officer residing at the barrack, who pleaded for anonymity, said the letter was the third one received by the community this year alone warning them of impending attack by the terrorist group.

He said that this present letter was not being taken with levity due to the attack carried out by the group at the police mobile training academy in Gwoza, Borno State.

Boko Haram had on August 21 attacked the police school

in three armoured vehicles and dozens of motorbikes. Some of the policemen were spirited away while the school has since become a training ground for the sect.

A senior mobile police officer living at mopol 24 barrack however said: “We did not receive any letter. What we got is an intelligence report that they would be coming to attack our barrack.

Yes, this is the third time we’re getting this intelligence report and we’re not toying with it and especially not after the attack on mobile police training school at Gwoza.”

Although security had always been beefed up around the facility, it was learnt that the police had up the ante following the latest development.

“Every person, including se-

nior police officers and their cars are subject to intense search,” said another resident, adding, “We don’t know if the attack would be frontal or through use of a suicide bomber. We have to take all precautions.”

A senior police officer, attached to the Inspector General of Police Task Force on Terrorism and Heinous Crimes, who craved anonymity, however dismissed the said threat letter with a wave of hand.

“Intelligence report or not, Boko Haram will not dare to attack any mobile police barrack in Abuja. If they try, that would be like embarking on a suicide mission. There’s no cause for alarm. We’re on standby 24/7 hours. We’ve not only fortified barracks, but also other public places in Abuja,” he said.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

STREET DIARY

11

Why I organised friends to rob my uncle –Suspect

D John Edu

etermined to teach his ‘old-fashioned’ uncle a lesson he would never forget in a hurry, a vengeful nephew invited robbers from Delta State to rob his uncle in Lagos for daring to bundle him off to the village.

The suspect, Emmanuel Ererie, 24, said he was angry with his uncle, Godwin Ererie, a car dealer and had vowed to deal with him. He therefore connived with others to rob Godwin’s home at Ajangbadi area of the metropolis.

Emmanuel hired three men, including himself, to rob Godwin.

Though the robbery was painstakingly hatched, it was however botched.

Rather than execute the robbery operation, the suspects arrived the victim’s home and promptly started fighting among themselves.

The manner and intensity of the argument that led to their fight sparked Godwin’s suspicion, prompting him to alert people in the neighbourhood.

When the suspects were searched, a gun was recovered.

The police later recovered five more guns, bringing the total haul of guns to six.

Emmanuel and his gang members are now in the custody of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Ikeja, Lagos Command.

A police source said that the gang terrorised the area with several robbery operations before it was smashed.

The source added: “This same Emmanuel is the person who used to bring information and targets of places and people the gang would attack. They however admitted to only three robbery operations.”

Aside from Emmanuel, other gang members in police net are Joseph Ovonogbarho, 22, Victor Ezenwa, 23, Innocent Ibe, 21, Ukerume James, 32 and Oyoma Akpojiuovwi, 34.

Emmanuel, Ezenwa, Ibe and Akpojiuovwi are those who came for the operation. But James and Joseph are accomplices.

Recalling his journey into police net, Emmanuel said that he was living with his uncle in Lagos until he took the man’s car without his permission and damaged it.

The man whose car was bashed reported the incident to the police and Emmanuel was arrested and even imprisoned.

Although Godwin was angry with his nephew but facilitated his bail, the nephew began nursing a grudge which eventually consumed him.

Immediately after securing Emmanuel’s bail, Godwin bundled him back to their village in Delta State.

Emmanuel, a mechanic apprentice, blurted: “I was arrested and jailed for six months, just because I rammed my uncle’s car into another car. I was locked up by the owner of the other car. I was charged to court and imprisoned until my uncle came to bail me.”

Emmanuel said he thought Godwin had forgiven him, thus he was shocked when the man dragged him back to the village and abandoned him there.

The suspects

“He warned me never to return to his house again,” recalled Emmanuel. “I decided to conspire with three of my friends to rob his house!”

Emmanuel said he was stunned to discover a gun with Ibe, one of those who came for the botched robbery, after people intervened in the fight that broke out in front of his uncle’s home.

“We decided to go with three bullets because my friend, Ovonogbarho, told me that he would get a gun, which we could use.

When it was time to go for the operation, we couldn’t locate my friend, so we had to go without the gun.”

Emmanuel was however assured by one of the hired suspects that the fact that they all looked huge and muscular was all they needed to scare Godwin and dispossess him of his money.

Recollecting the fateful day of the operation, Emmanuel said: “When we reached my uncle’s home, I pressed the bell at the gate. When I saw my uncle coming, I hid. When he saw the guys, he asked who they wanted to see. They replied that they were directed to the house to do some plumbing work. My uncle told them that they had the wrong address.”

Three of them agreed it was a failed operation, but Ibe wanted the gang to make another try at robbing Godwin.

Soon they were arguing among themselves. Suddently, the argument snowballed into a fight.

“The noise created attracted people, including my uncle. Some of us ran away. But they got Ibe. A gun was found in the custody of Ibe. I had no intention to hurt my uncle. All I wanted was just some money!”

Ezenwa, a painter said he joined the gang because the end just refuses to meet.

He added: “I was arrested by SARS because we went to rob his uncle. A gun was found on Ibe. Some of us ran away. We were later arrested through Ibe.” Ovonogbarho, a plumber said: “We came to Lagos to rob, but we didn’t succeed. I joined robbery because of temptation and frustration. Since I finished learning plumbing job, things had not been working out well for me and I couldn’t bear it anymore.”

Another suspect is Akpojiuovwi. He was arrested because his friend, Ovonogbarho fingered

This same Emmanuel is the person who used to bring information and targets of place and people the gang would attack him as the person who gave him gun.

Akpojiuovwi denied being part of the suspects that attempted to rob Godwin.

According to him, he and Ovonogbarho belonged to a local vigilante group at Delta State. The group used to leave Delta State for security work.

Akpojiuovwi said: “I didn’t give Ovonogbarho guns, only bullets. He is a security officer in the community. Members of the community provided the guns and bullets for the vigilante group. When the police came to my house, they found four guns and 12 cartridges, which I use for security purposes. I keep the guns because I’m the youth leader in the community.”

When Ovonogbarho reached Lagos, he has bullets, but no

gun. He needed a gun and called James, his cousin.

James, who denied being a robber, blamed Ovonogbarho for dragging him into police problem.

He said: “Ovonogbarho called me to know where he could buy a gun. I told him that I know one or two persons who would want to sell a gun. After police arrested me, I took them to Ovonogbarho home at Delta State, but he wasn’t at home.”

The police however finally tracked and arrested Ovonogbarho.

James continues: “I don’t know any of the suspects. I know Ovonogbarho. He’s my cousin. I didn’t know that they came to Lagos. I didn’t know what they had done. I only know I was arrested because of the gun issue.”

Innocent is a friend to Ovonogbarho. They met at Warri and became friends.

He said: “I met Ovonogbarho when I was hawking electronics in Delta State for top world ventures Nigeria LTD. I resigned from the company because I wasn’t promoted.

“I later called Ovonogbarho to tell him that I was out of job.

He asked me to come to Delta.

He said I should be assisting him with his plumbing work. We were managing that work until Emmanuel introduced the business of robbing his uncle to us.

“Emmanuel promised to pay us any amount if we agree to the deal. He paid us N150, 000 each for the two deals.”

Baby factory: General Overseer’s wife petitions IGP Juliana Francis

A

fter allegedly escaping being arrested by the police, Dr. Chinyere Emeka Precious, owner of God’s Gift Maternity and wife of a popular General Overseer church located in Elelenwo Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has petitioned the Acting Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, asking him to investigate the invasion of her home and hospital by the police.

A few weeks ago, some policemen comprising operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos Command and men of Rivers State Command, had stormed her residence and hospital following allegation of her involvement in baby-selling saga.

However, effort to arrest her was foiled by some policemen from the Special Protection Unit who, it was learnt, were detailed to protect her.

A police source had said Precious, who is believed to be a medical doctor and pastor, had escaped from the scene and subsequently travelled to the United States.

But her lawyer, Emeka Alo, had in the petition to the acting IG, accused the police of invading the residence and hospital of his client without any justification.

The petition reads in part: “The culprits conspired and without any justification invaded our client’s hospital and dwelling house at Elelenwo, Port Harcourt and with explosive (not one of the police

Precious

instrument) maliciously damaged both the components of the hospital building and the dwelling house of our client for no justification.

“The crux of the matter as narrated by our client is that the 1st culprit (Madam Christi Omagu) of Port Harcourt gave birth to a baby boy after some antenatal care which up to the time of this petition she is still owing the hospital, but that because she had DNA test negating the status of the child, the second culprit conspired with others invaded our client’s hospital and home and demanded return of the money she paid.

“Our client told us that she was not on notice of such spurious demand but that the D.P.O Elelenwo who had boasted to kill our client capitalised on the demand led the operation, ransacked our client’s apartment and removed some personal items without search warrant.”

“We are instructed to raise this

petition before you because the culprits acted outside the known conventional practice of police covered by Police Act and Regulation.

“Our client is being pursued like Boko Haram member by D.P.O Elelenwo and the culprits have employed the explosive mechanism meant for Boko Haram insurgency on our client for no justifiable reason.

“Our client is not a Boko Haram member and does not constitute security risk as to be pursued like common criminal. Our client is right now hiding from being killed by the culprits for no justifiable reason.”

A letter from the office of the IGP showed that Abba has already ordered an investigation into the matter.

The letter directed the DIG in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department to probe the matter.

In a similar vein, the police at SFU admitted receiving a petition from the woman’s lawyer, but added that the petition was vague and did not mention issues relating to baby factory racket, which they were interested in.

A police detective added: “We’re waiting for any invitation from any quarters on this case. The woman has links and connections with wives of society men, police, soldiers and navy. She always uses those connections. In fact, we’ve located where she’s in USA, but there are international protocols to observe.”

12

Voices

Street Diary

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

Can you marry your best friend’s ex?

If I was not aware of their relationship Well, it is possible, that’s if I don’t know they were in relationship before I met him and we’re deeply in love before I knew. But if have known that before, I won’t try such because it doesn’t speak well of a person. However, it does not matter.

(Toke Khadijat) Yes, if it is sanctioned by God Yes if God says she’s my partner then I would and no one can stop me. And no, if it’s not God’s will, but the most important thing is doing God’s will.

(Pastor Timothy Of course I can Why not, if I didn’t know when they were dating and moreover the person I am going to marry will be another person’s ex.

(Tobi Banjo) If there is genuine love If I love her genuinely from my heart and she does love me as well and she is ready to spend the rest of her life with me.

(Segun Otesanya)

There is no reason for that There is no reason I should ever think of getting married to my best friend’s ex because I might have known them together before then and that friend will be very mad at me.

(Kofoworola Remi, youth corper) I can I can marry my best friend’s ex if the reason for their breakup was not my best friend’s ex's fault.

(Mrs. Onome Emeka)

It is not biblical I can’t date her because it is not biblical and it is uncalled for because she has already dated my best friend.

(Monday Ajola, student)

When he is not the only man on earth I can’t get married to my best friend’s ex. No matter how much I love him. I will control my feelings because he is not the only man on earth and I believe that is all about the mind.

(Ayishat Olorunfemi, student) There is no big deal I don’t think there is any big deal in getting married to my best friend’s ex. One man’s food is another man’s poison. She might not love the man because of a reason that may be the reason for me to love her the

most.

(Adeyemi Afeez, student)

That can’t stop me from marrying the man of my choice I never can tell because they might just be secret lovers that I don’t know about. Or maybe before we became best friends she might have dated my friend, so this reason can’t stop me from getting married to the man of my choice.

(Edu Helen, student) I can’t because of my friend I can’t date her because my friend won’t trust me and also I won’t be free dating her since she was my best friend’s ex and it can cause uproar between me and my best friend.

(Fabian Umeofia, a resident of Ogba)

I will not want to disappoint my best friend I can’t date her because I like my best friend and if my best friend loves me he won’t do that to me too.

(Augustine Uche, photographer)

compiled by

BOLA KAREEM, KEVWE OWUMI, DUROJAIYE AYORINDE, SHADRACK YUSUF, FAITH OBADAN AND GLORY UCHE TITTY

of Journalism)

Yes, since they are no more together Yes, since they are no more dating and their relationship has ended.

I can go ahead with her as a new blood and we can get married.

(Uwala Samson, student of Nigerian Institute

I need God’s direction My decision will be based on the response of God. He knows the beginning and the end, so, I think He will be in the best position to direct my actions.

(Akande Ade-dotun Olaitan, student of Redeemer’s university)

I can’t No. This is because of human feelings.

Instead, I will try to solve the dispute between them and serve as an intermediary.

(Deji Olaoye, printer)

It would hurt me No. I won’t be free with the relationship. It would hurt me so much.

(Augustine Amanze, trader)

It is a sinful relationship No. I feel it is a sin. I don’t think it is right.

(Dayo Kosoko, technical engineer)

Instyle

Flirty and sexy cut-out dresses p.15

Hospitality

Lafia Hotel: What’s age got to do with it? p.39

NTWEEKEND

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

www.newtelegraphonline.com/weekend

6 SEPTEMBER 2014

13

C o n v e r s at i o n

The choirmaster’s tale If there was any office as the choirmaster-general of the federation, it’s inconceivable anyone would be better suited than the Music Director of Lagos City Chorale’s Sir Emeka Nwokedi writes Elijah Samuel

T

hrilled by the sound produced by the harmonium in his church and how it helped accentuate the choristers voices, Sir Emeka Nwokedi would sit in the front pew to listen to the organist.

“That attracted me to join the choir,” he said. That was in 1962 and he was just 10. It might have seemed like the spontaneous action of a child, but it inevitably shaped his future career choice.

“Given that students who had interest in the harmonium were restricted from getting close to it, I started teaching myself how to play the harmonium.

Besides, we were lucky in the secondary school that I attended because music was taught as one of the subjects there, and we had an encouraging music teacher; by the time I got to Form 4, I had started playing the harmonium to accompany hymn-singing because it was an Anglican school. That’s how my interest developed.”

But it wasn’t an easy road as the young Nwokedi had to listen to several admonitions from older relatives about how the idealism driving his passion to pursue a career in music was incompatible with the real world. “It wasn’t easy because people were asking: ‘what are you going to do in life with music? Will you be able to feed yourself?’ They thought it was only about singing. For about two years there was a barrage of criticisms, but I stood my ground. However, after another year, I had the opportunity to read music at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. But because of some criticisms about my choice to read music at, I was at a dilemma on what to do. During my indecision, I got involved in playing for a church in Lagos and this helped deepen my love for music. Thus, I made up my mind not to yield to any discouragement and seized another opportunity to study music in 1977.”

Born “some 62 years ago in Anambra State”, Nwokedi’s early education was interrupted by the civil war between 1967 and 1970.

“I went to St. Simon Primary School, Ichida in Aniocha Local Government Anglican Secondary school where I actually developed great love for music. I was there from 1967-1973. I came to Lagos in 1974 where I had a stint with National Manpower Board as data processing assistant for the Federal Office of Statistics.”

But meeting Prof Laz Ekwueme in

1975 rekindled his earlier resolve to take music as a career. “He had just returned from the United States in 1974. His achievements inspired me,” he recalled.

A similar inspiration would occur 12 years later when he met the late Senator Lere Adesina. He was the secretary of the synod of the Anglican Diocese of Lagos and had organized a singing competition which the choir of St. Bartholomew Anglican Church, Aguda, Lagos, led by Nwokedi won. Impressed, Adesina would later comment that the “quality of professionalism” which he had demonstrated should not go unnoticed.

“That signaled the birth of fraternity between us.” Of course, that bond inspired both to co-found the Lagos City Chorale.

“As time progressed, we realized the need to extend the singing beyond the confines of the church; that the general public should also know what good choral singing is all about.

“Besides, I also had the desire to train young people in the art of quality

“People were asking: ‘what are you going to do in life with music? Will you be able to feed yourself ?’

They thought it was only about singing.”

Nwokedi

singing and to perform major choral works. This was because there was no choir then that could these works.”

Nwokedi was then a lecturer at the Lagos State College of Education, Ijanikin and that helped facilitate the recruitment of members given there were students trained in classical music. “Members from the school, the choirs that I was running then and others who knew about the plan came and joined the Lagos City Chorale which was born in 1988. We were about 30 in number.”

Today, the number alternates between 40 and 60. “We keep a number that is manageable. Also, we are not always together at a time because of some having to leave Lagos for a while,” Keeping the group to a manageable number was informed by the fact that it’s not a money-making choir. “It is the love that people has that inspires them to get involved in the arts. If not, how much money will one get to pay the number.

That is the way it is generally with the arts. But whenever we have concerts and we are paid, we also give envelopes to the members.

“Nobody is paid monthly anywhere in the world, except you are a solo artist invited to do a solo performance in a major concert. It’s a vocation that you do because of the love you have doing it.”

But despite the paucity of fund, the Lagos City Chorale has excelled on the world stage at several music festivals like the World Choir Games. “Whenever we go outside Nigeria to perform, we try to rebrand Nigeria by showcasing our cultural richness through our indigenous choral music. Acceptance out there is overwhelming; people want to hear what they have not heard, the way we dress and our costume are admired.

“Once, we were in China where we performed among other choirs that were present. After the performance, words went round about our exploits. So, the following nights, in our subsequent performances, people left the other halls where performances were simultaneously going on to our hall in order to watch what we were doing.”

You would expect that such tales of triumph bolster the group’s purse. By no means. “There are no cash incentives attached to these music events; what you win is the prestige and the laurels according to performance. You win all these for your country. The conditionality is that you have to pay your way through the competition. Although they arrange for food and transport that will take to and fro the venue of events, you’ll have to pay for them.

“The organizers are voluntary organization with some measure of support from their government which only help them to organize the venues and pay their staffs, but no cash-incentives to numerous choirs that usually come from all over the world. It’s all about the prestige of participating at the world biggest choral music event. Art music receives great acceptance because they know it’s a civilizing art. And because they know the importance of art music, they lay more emphasis in seeing as part of their curricula in schools. It is satisfying and fulfilling, and better appreciated practicing music over there.”

Nwokedi started music as a career in 1981 when he left the university and describes the experience as “very challenging”. “One of the challenges is that people don’t see music as something that will contribute to the development of mankind, and the development of a nation. Even in schools, attention is not given to music; people tend to believe that what is to be studied is engineering, science, accounting and the likes. Thus, music is often neglected.”

But given how robust the indigenous music scene has become, it doesn’t quite seem true that music has been neglected.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

14

WEEKEND | CONVERSATION

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

‘Our music is not the kind to which you dance and shake the body’ C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 1 3

With an avuncular smile Nwokedi reminds his guest that theirs is not “music of the feet to which people want to dance and shake the body”. “It is a different kind of music; it is music that elevates and you must be mentally developed for you to appreciate. It’s not something that you just grab and rush to the studio like most people do. It’s a kind of music that requires total concentration and adequate rehearsals for you to be able to sing or play classical musical instruments very well. Our environment does not have that kind of patience.

“Even among parents, you find that many do not want their children to have anything to do with music. But they do not understand what music is capable of doing in their children. Some parents scold their children for being in the choir.”

Not so for the Nwokedis where everybody - barring the wife - in the family is involved in music. “When I married her in 1989, we were going to the choir

together but when babies started coming she couldn’t cope any more. As a musician, I was always going out either for one performance or rehearsals. She stayed back at home looking after the children.”

She still comes around though whenever the group is having a major concert to help out in a few other areas apart from singing.

“We introduced the children to music from the age of three or four years. They started playing the piano from that age and when they are eight or nine years old, they start following me to choir rehearsal. Irrespective of what career you choose, music must be part of you. From my daughter who is a medical doctor to the youngest who is still in the choir, everybody is actively involved in music.

They even travelled with me during international engagements.

“I encouraged them and facilitated their graded exams both of Associated Board of Royal Music, in London, and Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON).

They are in different profession but ev-

Take a bow... Nwokedi and members of the Lagos City Chorale after one of several performances

It runs in the family... Nnenna, daughter of Sir Nwokedi shows her skill on the piano

Nwokedi

“It is a hard-sell.

Because it’s not noisy like football, the government has not given attention to what we are doing. ” erybody has the core family thing which is music in them.”

He wouldn’t mind if any of his children decided to pursue music as a career.

“They are free to do what they like. My youngest daughter, Chizoba, said she wanted to take music as a profession but later said she would like to have a degree in something else. So she’s now at Covenant University reading industrial chemistry.

“My first daughter, Chidinma, is a medical doctor and still practices music along her profession. She is the music director at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University’s chapel. In fact, she was retained because during her school days in the university she was their choir mistress.

So, by the time she was looking for a place for her House practice which is not easy to get these days, she was given automatic space. She still helps in the chapel music.”

His son, Chidubem, was the assistant choirmaster while he was at Covenant University. “He’s still very active musi-

cally even though he’s doing his national service now. He assists me in the choir whenever I am not there.”

Although a private initiative, Nwokedi is peeved by the less than enthusiastic way the group has been received by the government. “It is a pity. A number of times, we have tried to reach the government but it has not clicked. Before we went on each trip, we always tried to inform and update the relevant bodies like the ministry of culture under whose jurisdiction we fall. For the past four years we usually told them that we are representing this country and not ourselves.

We would explain that even though we are called Lagos City Chorale, we represent Nigeria because it is the Nigerian flag that is usually hoisted like it is in any other country at international events.

“When we win awards and are called to receive laurels, it is the Nigerian flag that is lifted and flown. So it is pure representation of Nigeria. Just like football and any other sports and arts, this thing involves so much effort in doing rehearsals. Whenever we went for any competition, we would spend months sometimes almost a year making preparations. Young people are contributing their talents to lift this country up.

“It is a hard-sell. Because it’s not noisy like football, the government has not given attention to what we are doing. They have not really appreciated what we do maybe because they have not understood the importance of the music. But it is a veritable tool in rebranding, and we are sufficiently deploying this in rebranding Nigeria. We are getting young people to donate their talents in building this nation but nobody is listening.”

Surely, some recognition or support from the government would be a fitting climax to the career of an accomplished, even if unheralded, culture ambassador.

INSTYLE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

15

Fashion that reflects age Ex-international model and creative director of Alabi Couture, Meg Alabi, has no pretensions about her sense of style.

Her love of fashion does not verge on the frivoluos, writes ANGELA DAVIES.

C

Angela Davies

ut-out dresses are trendy and flirty. These sexy and dazzling dresses which feature unique cuts are also a subtle way to bare for those who dare.

These dresses show off a little flesh in a really strategic way. In essence, it does not show too much skin and also does not make you feel uncomfortable especially when the cut-out is in the body area you are comfortable with. These cut-outs could be in body areas like the back, side, midriff or bust area.

To wear these super fun dresses without being vulgar, it should be worn in the right way and for the appropriate occasions. They come in a variety of colours, styles, fabrics and sizes to select from to make your own fashion statement when paired with the perfect accessories.

Tips on how to wear cut-out dresses •Choose a dress that shows only one body area and ensure it is an area you are confident with. The trick is not to overdo it. Exposing too much skin will make it look like you are calling for unnecessary attention.

•You should stick to smaller displays of skin.

If the dress is short or has a deep neckline, make sure the cut-outs are small or covered in mesh, sheer or lace material. If the back is open, stay away from more cut-outs on the side.

•If you feel uncomfortable in showing off too much skin but still want to try out this trend, then, opt for a cut-out dress that is covered in sheer material and you will still achieve the elegant and sexy look you desire.

•Choose and wear a colour that suits your skin tone. However, black is always a safe and elegant option for everyone.

• Cut-out dress is not suitable for every occasion but you will sure make heads turn on the red carpet if pulled well.

Note that cutout dresses if worn right could be adorable and sassy. But if worn wrongly, could put you in an immediate danger of a wardrobe malfunction. Remember, less is more.

Ebube Nwagbo Gbemi OlateruOlagbegi

Joselyn Dumas Jumai Shaba

Tina Newman

Define your personal style My personal style is timeless, comfort, stylish.

When I mean timeless, I could pick up an outfit I made five years ago and it is still relevant and wearable today. And for comfort, I always look out for comfortable clothes in the cut, fabric, design and the fit. Then my style always has a touch of me and this could be in my outfit, shoes or bag.

What determines the kind of outfit you wear?

My mood and the event I am attending dictate what I wear.

What kind of outfits take up the largest space in your wardrobe?

I will say long flowing gowns and dresses because I have stunning legs to flaunt them in.

Are you a fashion freak?

I love fashion but I am not a fashion freak.

Most expensive fashion item or accessory you have ever bought It is a pair of shoes.

Is there any attire you would rather not be seen wearing?

I will not wear anything that is not age appropriate. So I won't be caught wearing clothes like a skirt that is too short or too clinging outfits.

Fashion accessories you can’t do without That will be wristwatch because I like to keep to time.

What kind of jewelry appeals to you?

I love wrist watch, earrings and necklaces.

Signature perfume It is Cerutti 1881. It is strong and sexy, a definition of who I am.

How do you love your makeup?

This depends on where I am going to.

Usually I like light make up for my day outing for the office or a meeting and heavy makeup evening events.

Best designer Of course, it is Alabi Couture.

The designs are unique and inspiring to wear. They complement the personality of the wearer, regardless of the occasion.

Best colour I love all bright colours.

What kind of shoes do you love to wear?

I wear all kinds of shoes ranging from stilettos, pumps down to flats.

If you were a fashion accessory which one would you be?

I will be a wrist watch. Because it tells the time and everyone can't do without a Alabi watch.

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INSTYLE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

Accessories to live for

Facts

Step out in chic sling-back pumps

These chic shoes which come in a variety of styles, colours and fabrics are loved by women of style and can be worn to different occasions.

To wear a pair to the office, choose sling-backs in neutral colours with simple design and wear a skirt or gown suit or even a pencil skirt with lovely Sling-back pumps are comfortable, easy blouse and accessorize properly. Black colour slingto wear and are meant to be shown off in backs will give a simple whatever outfit you choose to pair them with but sophisticated look.

For a smart casual writes ANGELA DAVIES look, you could wear a nice pair of trousers, ling-backs are stylish shoes that have a single strap simple blouse and a that wraps around the back of the heel, thus, pair of sling-backs with preventing these shoes from sliding. embellishment like bows These flirty and cute shoes often feature or buckles that defines buckled strap or elastic band in a fixed position so your style. slipping them on is easy and instantly adds a feminine However, for an evetouch to any outfit. Sling-backs are often peep toe heels ning event, opt for sling-back pumps shoes that leave some of the upper's toe area open, rewith glitzier styling featuring embellishments such as vealing the tips of the toes underneath. Also, some come bows, flowers, beads and sequins to add an interesting in rounded toe styles which do not reveal the toes. The element to the outfit. style you prefer depends on your fashion taste.

For any occasion, choose and wear the right pair Sling-back pumps look great with outfits like pants, to show off your personal styles. Also, remember to skirts, dresses and even shorts. Shorter cloth styles help show off your lovely sling-back pumps in your outfit. high heels to visibly lengthen the legs for a lean look.

S FASHION ETIQUETTE

Black tie event O

nce in a while, men usually receive an invitation to attend a black tie event. Meaning that the event is strictly formal; therefore, you have to conform to the dress code.

So, what does attending a black tie event entail? Black tie event requires you to wear a black tuxedo, along with a white shirt and black bow tie. It also requires wearing a polished black dress shoes. If you do not have or want to wear a tuxedo, you could opt for a plain black suit with a white shirt and then add the black tie.

Also, you may be able to pull off a quality black long tie as well if you don’t want to use a black bow tie.

BEAUTY

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Yvonne Nwosu is the creative director of female brand, Vonne Couture, founded in 2009. Her love for fashion began at a very young age from making dresses for her miniature dolls. Her passion for fashion grew into adulthood and led her to pursue a career in fashion.

The unique use of damask gives Vonne’s pieces a very timeless look.

Cuff links are worn to replace the buttons of cuffs

Designer Rudi Gernreich took the bikini to the next level in the 1960s with the monokini, which was a one-piece swimsuit with a completely exposed top.

The first miniskirt was unveiled by designer André Courreges in 1965.

It ended a modest four inches above the knee.

Get the Smoky eye effect

lam Smoky eye makeup is perfect f o r glamorous events. Classic smoky eye effect suits everyone and will surely transform your look for a night time event and make heads turn if done flawlessly. However, smoky eye makeup is not limited to the red carpet. You could also wear this makeup for a special date or outing with friends.

To achieve this look, here are tips to help you.

• Clean your face thoroughly to remove any previous makeup. Also, properly tweeze your eye brows.

• Choose a colour. Smoky eye is done with one colour of eye shadow. Brown, grey or black are good choices. But you could also try something extraordinary apart from these colours. But ensure that your eyeliners match with the colour you settle for.

• Prepare your lid. So, apply a thin layer of foundation across your lids. Better still use a concealer. This will help hide any dark circles under your eyes and to even out your skin tone, makeup stay on longer and appear bolder and more vibrant. Then, sweep on a coloured shadow or powder.

You can use a light glitter to add some oomph.

• Use a dark pencil liner to line your eyes perfectly. Using your pencil, trace your lashline. Always work from the inside and get thicker towards the end, flicking for a fancy and cat-eye fashion.

• Start applying your eye shadow. Don’t apply a thick layer all at once, try different layers to perfect the look.

• Apply a nude shimmering colour to your brow bone. By accentuating the highest

point on your face you are bringing out your facial features and complimenting your eyes.

• Apply two coats of mascara on curled lashes to polish the smoky eye look and to make the smoky eye look pop out, you should try fake lashes.

Well, you are done!

With this awesome smoky eye makeup look, you can look glamorous and fabulous for any occasion.

However, if you desire this look and cannot do it yourself, then, visit a makeup artiste.

Amanda Ebele Why I stopped starring in Clinic Matters p.20 Bimbo Thomas I'd never been offered sex-formovie role p.19 NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

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17

Shina Peters: Women love me because I sing on their behalf Energetic musician, Oluwashina Akanbi Peters, popularly known as Sir Shina Peters thrilled Nigerians with his afro juju series, Ace and Shinamania in the late '80s. The soar-away success of those albums won the singer a huge fan base across tribes. Of course, it also brought him immense fortune. SSP - as he's also known - speaks with ANGELA DAVIES.

What should your fans be expecting from you?

Well, they should be expecting a collaboration with Timaya and few other artistes. You will be very surprised when the songs drop.

What is the secret of your ageless look and energy on stage?

The secret perhaps is because I love what I am doing. I love music so if you love what you are doing, you don’t age. But if you are doing something just because of the money involved without passion it becomes stress and that will make you age. From my experience, if deep down you love what you are doing no matter the profession, you will keep enjoy doing it so you will not see it as stress that will make you age fast.

How would you compare when you started and now since you have been in the music industry for so long?

You see, you can’t compare then and now really because time waits for no one. Back then, producers beg us before we enter the studio to record songs and we give them conditions. I still remember when I recorded my first album, I asked for one million naira which we called advance royalty. I also asked for a brand new Peugeot 504 car and two brand new buses. One bus to convey my band boys while the other was to convey my equipment. Also, I said that I wanted to go and buy instruments in Los Angeles, but you dare not ask for all these things now. But the good thing today is that there are so many artistes doing what they know how to do best in their different unique styles. At least people don’t listen to western music like before.

How long have you been in the music industry?

I started singing at the age of 10. However, I have been in the music industry for 47 years and I am 57 years old now. I have played with Ebenezer Obey, Prince Adekunle and partnered with Segun Adewale before finally starting my own band.

What was the first album you released under your band, Sir Shina Peters and his International stars?

The first album was Ace, the first in the afro juju series in 1989. Ace was a musical fusion of juju and afrobeat, a melodious collaboration which surpassed ethnic, cultural and language barriers. The next album was called Shinamania which was the second in the afro juju series.

Will you say that music has paid off well for you?

I will say that it has been great. I can categorically tell you that God has really blessed me through music.

I have received numerous awards and recognition in and outside the country. I have taken my genre of music which is afro juju to various countries as well and so much more. So, I will say that music has really paid off well for me.

How do you feel knowing that people prefer listening to songs by younger artistes?

I feel great. I don’t have any cause to envy them.

They are doing their thing, I am doing mine and I believe we all have our fans. The truth is that God has really blessed us, so now we are praying for them to rise above us.

You always look well dressed. How much would you typically spend on your dressing?

One thing I don’t compromise is my style of dressing because appearance is very important for me. I always like to look well-dressed wherever I go to because people address you the way you are dressed. If you are shabbily dressed, people will not respect you no matter who you are in the society. So, there is no amount I cannot spend on my dressing to look good.

What’s your style signature?

I know that people say my style signature is my sunshade because you cannot see me without it. Although I have never said this before but the truth is that I wear sunshade all the time because I’m a little bit shy. So what better way to cover that shyness than using sunshades?

Why do you think women love Sir Shina Peters?

That is because I am the only artiste who sings on their behalf. Do you remember part of my song that says "Give our women chance to rule?" At least today, we have women in government and those who occupy top positions in different places.

Women are also courageous to openly vie for political office which is better than years ago.

'I don't compromise on my style of dressing', says Peters...Top left: in a live performance

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Olamide, Phyno, Eva thrill at Guinness ‘Madeof-Black’ launch

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aves of the moment, Olamide, Phyno and their female counterpart, Eva, lit up the fun spot, Bheer Hug, Ikeja City Mall last Tuesday at the launch of the "Made of Black" campaign. The mesmerising performances saw elated guests take to the dancing floor to outdo each other in what later seemed like a dance competition fuelled by the rhythm of the beats.

On Wednesday, August 27, it was a total take over on popular TV station, MTV Base when celebrities signed up by Guinness swarmed the studios to show they are truly "Made of Black". The musicians were also part of the new the dramatic new 45 seconds clip for the campaign.

The new commercial features American music superstar, Kanye West.

According to Guinness, the "Made-ofBlack" campaign celebrates the bravery of Nigerians who are not afraid to express themselves. The show provides a platform for these individuals to showcase their flairs and inclinations while sharing their own ‘MadeofBlack’ attitude.

Mr. Seni Adetu, managing director

and chief executive officer of Guinness Nigeria Plc explained the idea behind the made of black campaign: “Made-of-Black is part of the global Guinness ‘Made-of-More’ campaign.

Guinness embodies the mindset of Nigerians who are not afraid to express themselves and who are carving their own path in life. It is an iconic beer that has the darkest liquid, but the brightest flavours. A beer that has lived in the hearts and minds of millions in Africa and across the world for over 250 years, Guinness has always had the authenticity, boldness and vision to do things differently.”

In the new Guinness campaign, Phyno joined by other prominent Nigerian

acts including Olamide and Eva expressed why black is more than just a colour. The cast told their stories in short "Selfie" videos available online. Viewing and listening to their experiences, consumers will also be encouraged to tell their own stories about what they are made of and what makes them "special" as individuals.

Phyno later made his remarks: “Guinness is celebrating individuals across Nigeria who share the madeofblack attitude. We are asking real people who have a boldness that cannot be contained, to join the movement and tell us what they are made of. I am made of passion, I am madeofblack. What are you made of?

Phyno, Eva and Olamide

Share the attitude. Leave your mark”.

Espousing the enthusiasm in the campaign, Ms. Tayo Salami, Head, Consumer Planning and Research, Guinness Nigeria Plc stated that, “the ‘Made-of-Black’ campaign will showcase a cross section of real people and the true stories of their greatness. The creative ones, the entrepreneurs, the dancers, the singers, the artists, the dreamers and the doers; people united by their shared attitude”.

As the campaign traverses other cities, Nigerians and esteemed consumers of Guinness are encouraged to get involved and share their "Made-of-Black" selfies.

Recapping Project Fame’s Night of Reggae and dancehall hits

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aturday’s show remains one of a kind as all the contestants brought on their game like never before to impress the audience and judges, especially highlife and R&B maestro, Paul I.K. Dairo, who graced the studio as a guest judge. The contestants set it off with their spectacular group performance – a medley of the legendary Michael Jackson's popular hits.

After going through over 50 hours of tutelage over the week, the contestants were all set to treat everyone to their top 10 selection of reggae and dancehall tunes from around the world.

Emeka opened up the stage with an impressive rendition of the Mandators’ Rat Race and was followed by Flourish who worked the crowd with her performance of Patra’s Worker Man. Ugo dropped jaws with a wonderful remix of UB40’s upbeat track Cherry Oh Baby while Ruky entertained her audience with Tiwa Savage’s Wanted.

The night got more exciting when Christian brought an air of mysticism with Bob Marley’s Natural Mystic which garnered him a roaring applause from the crowd. Geoffrey also got the crowd off their feet with his breath taking and engaging performance of Majek Fashek’s preacher-like song Genesis.

Back on his feet again, Clem-

ent entertained us with his own style of Try Jah Love by Third World while Daniella thrilled the crowd with Sean Paul’s I’m Still in Love With You. Then came Debbie’s turn and she proved she still has what it takes to be in the competition with Rihanna’s Man Down.

Shola rounded off the show with a beautiful cover of Alubarika by Patoranking.

By and large, the contes-

tants brought the real essence of reggae and dancehall into their performances and left the audience craving for an encore.

With just 10 contestants left in the academy, the competition is indeed getting tougher and the viewers’ votes are the surest way to ensure that fans’ favourite contestant remains in the competition and wins.

The contestants had put up a fantastic show the previous

MTN Project Fame contestants in a group performance

week, performing songs from the International Billboard. It was then time to know the ones who had impressed viewers enough to earn their votes and who had not. It was that moment the contestants had been dreading all week long, when the names of the contestants with the least number of viewers’ votes will be announced.

Interestingly so, Shola, Taiwo, Daniella, and Christian again

fell in this particular category.

Just before they passionately took turns to perform in a bid to secure their space in the competition, an alumnus of Project Fame, Ese (Season 4 second runner-up) stepped on stage to thrill the audience and douse the tension in the air. She sang Where You Belong, a song currently enjoying airplay.

Then it was time for the contestants on probation to perform their songs from the previous week in order to impress the judges and faculty who would be saving one contestant each.

At the end of all the performances, the judges decided to save Daniella, Christian was again saved for the third time in a row but this time around by the Faculty. The contestants on the other hand, for reasons best known to them decided they were not ready to say goodbye to Shola just yet and so they saved him.

This left Taiwo, nicknamed "Taiwo rolling Naira" by Uncle Ben saying a sad goodbye. He appeared to take his eviction in good strides as he said “I have lost the battle but not the war".

For his last performance, he sang Have Mercy by The Mighty Diamonds. He was joined on the stage by the other contestants who sang along with him amid hugs and encouraging pats on the back.

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Bimbo Thomas: No director has given me sex-for-role option Vivacious and curvy actress, Bimbo Thomas, is one of the most admired actresses in Yoruba movies. So enchanting was her major outing in a Yoruba flick, Omo Ghetto, in 2011 that she got an SUV and some other gifts from fans. Since then, it’s been a rollercoaster ride for the graduate of creative arts. She talks about career, romance and sundry issues in this interview with LANRE ODUKOYA. How did you start acting?

I started with an introduction from a friend, Tayo Odueke, popularly known as Sikirat Sindodo and it was just for the fun of it. But she saw it in me and at last, what seemed a play became a passion that’s today my livelihood.

What was your first love before acting came along?

I’d actually thought that I’d end up doing something in the direction of corporate communications, public relations, promotions, advertisement or broadcasting. But all that instinctively gave way to acting.

Who were the first actors you worked with and how was the experience?

If I can remember any, I'll say the likes of Antar Laniyan, Yinka Quadri, Taiwo Hassan, Funsho Adeolu, Moji Olaiya, Kelvin Ikeduba and Fathia Balogun. As a matter of fact, acting with these people was challenging but brought out the bigger strength in me.

People believe Omo Ghetto brought you fame; was that your most challenging movie outing actually?

Yes, that’s absolutely correct. Though, it wasn’t my first movie and definitely not the first challenging role I played. It was really tasking nonetheless.

Yoruba movie industry tends to parade a few factions and you work across board; how easy do you find this?

Well, how else will I respond to a question as sensitive as this but to tell you that 'the gift of a man makes way for him', just as you find it in the Bible. The gift was later

You should come straight and ask, what will make me want a man?

And I’d tell you unequivocally that I look out for intelligence with courage plus affluence driven by a passion that makes being a star absolutely easy.

Who has challenged you the most among the colleagues you've worked with? Would you say a particular act once brought out the best in you?

I can't drop any particular name as a matter of fact.

I won’t say anyone has got the magic wand that made me break even, I'm still working to be best at what I do. But I owe Abbey Lanre a debt of gratitude for the opportunity given me to see the confidence within and the job ethics he put me through in my formative years as an actress. He practically enrolled me in the Odunfa caucus of the Yoruba film industry.

How has 2014 been for your career?

2014 is my strategic year and a locomotive ready for flight. Somehow, without sounding immodest, the year has brought a lot of fulfilment. The job has taken me farther than the shores of this country and there’s still a line-up of works to do. Though, we’re close to end of year, I can boldly say 2014 is still giving me landmark achievements.

Some of your colleagues have become producers while some are either into one business or the other; are you also doing other things by the side?

Still what 2014 opens my eyes to see. A lot is yet to be unveiled. There are still several weeks before we round off the year and I have plans that will interest my fans when they come to fruition.

Your physique has been described in many endearing terms, what has been your nastiest experience from a male fan?

If you mean I look good, to God be the glory. It’s a privilege beyond description.

To be honest with you, I’ve not had any nasty experience from my male fans, none that I can recall.

Away from the spotlight, what kind of woman is Bimbo Thomas?

It might interest you to know that Bimbo Thomas is a simple, reserved, approachable young lady, light-angered and a total opposite of role played on screen.

Yoruba actors have been said to be poorly paid compared to artistes in the English genre. What do you think is the reason for that?

We have the government, marketers, some self-centred independent producers and pirates to blame. For the umpteenth time, we’ve made complaints through the appropriate quarters, but the more the outcry, the more frustrations we are made to see on the job. So somehow, some of us have resigned to fate as we try to employ other marketing strategies to get to enjoy the fruit of our labour.

What is your greatest fear in life?

I have never thought about this before now, but if I want to be sincere to myself, failure is my greatest fear.

I dread the thought of even imagining it.

What strikes you in a man?

You should come straight and ask, what will make me want a man? And I’d tell you unequivocally that I look out for intelligence with courage plus affluence. Poverty is not a good thing.

What would make you turn down a script?

A combination of factors would make me reject a movie script. I despise the sight of bad and ill-refined contents, negative stories and I won’t work so hard and earn so little.

Have you ever been in a sex for role situation?

Things like this are actually absurd to me. I have never encountered it. Well, maybe because I'm never desperate to achieve any aim in life.

20 SHOWBIZ

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

Amanda Ebele: Why I stopped starring in Clinic Matters Just six years as an actress and Amanda Ebeye’s profile seems like she’s been here for ages. Ebele hopped on the Nollywood train after graduating with a BA in international studies and diplomacy at the Benson Idahosa University. Ever since, there has been no hiding place for this enthralling actress who shot to fame starring in popular television series, Clinic Matters. She speaks to LANRE ODUKOYA What is happening to Amanda now?

I am busy as usual, going to locations and contributing my quota.

You seem to feature more in TV soaps now more than you actually do in movies?

That is not correct. Probably you are yet to watch some of the movies I have featured in.

I have done lots of movies, far more than soaps. Since 2011, I have not done any soap apart from Bella’s Place and Super Story which I also featured in this year. It is unfortunate that we churn out a high quantity of movies without good quality in Nigeria. I have featured in many soaps and I didn’t want to be on many soaps at a time because it drops your face as an actor. For me, an actor should not be on more than a soap opera at a time.

What do you consider before picking up scripts?

Before, I wasn’t careful about what I was doing, I just did all the jobs that came my way, but now I am very selective. For me to feature in a movie now, the story has to be good and the role has to be challenging. I don’t do regular stories a lot but I go for challenging roles which will bring out the best in me. I picked up the scripts of the soaps I featured in lately because they were very challenging.

Is that why you decided not to feature on Clinic Matters any longer?

I did just 39 episodes on Clinic Matters and it has not gotten out of people’s head long after I left Clinic Matters. I left because I and the producer didn’t agree on some things. I got a better offer somewhere else and I moved on.

What would you rather have the industry do differently?

The industry is good and growing. I am very optimistic that the industry will be bigger and better in the next couple of years. The cinemas are doing well but I feel we should always have a touch of our culture in every film we do.

There are so many stories we haven’t shot yet and it is as if we have exhausted all stories. The industry will be better if we can pay attention to our stories. Right now technical aspect is improving in the industry.

The major change I hope to see is the story. We should endeavour to inculcate our African culture in our stories because we have so many stories to tell.

When will you produce your own film?

I am thinking towards that direction and hopefully someday I will do that. I am not considering that now because I can’t afford the funds now. It will be a high budget movie. I will put my all in it and that is why I am taking my time to do it.

Apart from acting, do you have anything else to which you devote your time?

I’m doing nothing else at the moment.

Not even trying to sing?

Everybody can’t sing, but I sing to myself in my bathroom anyways.

What were your earliest influences?

Growing up as a child, I always wanted to be on TV. I have always loved the camera and I have always been a spokesperson. I found out that I learnt from TV apart from my parents, siblings and church. Most people sit down to watch TV and I found out that I could be a teacher being on TV, that attracted me and also motivated me as I can do what I love doing but instead of going to classroom to teacher, I can do it on TV. That is why I have cut out lots of scripts because if I cannot teach which was the first reason I chose acting then there is no point appearing on screen.

Six years in Nollywood, what’s your experience like?

It has been good, rough, tough, it keeps fluctuating but it will get better.

Do you see yourself being employed in the foreign affairs minister as a diplomat later in future owing to the training you had in the university?

I don’t know, but if I am made an ambassador I will gladly accept it.

How did your parents react to your career choice at first?

My father initially didn’t like the decision because he wanted me to do something in which I will make more money. He views actors, painters and artists as poor people. My mum always supported my dream of becoming an actor right from a very tender age. My daddy is cool with it now anyway.

Why won’t he be cool with your choice now that you bring money home?

I can’t give my dad money. I don’t have a pinch of what my parents have, so I can’t give them money. They could be happy that I can take care of myself, but it doesn’t affect them.

Aside fame and fortune, what other good has acting done to you?

It has taught me a lot because coming to the industry I thought it was going to be smooth and rosy. I used to watch Bimbo Akintola, Genevieve and others and I used to feel acting is so easy. When I came in, I realised that it isn’t easy but rather, very hard. It has made me to be humble because when you get into the industry, there is so much pride attached to you because you want to think you can do it, but later you will realise that it is not easy. Lots of people that have been there grew and every single person coming into the industry must grow. Acting has made me to understand that life is not easy because I thought life was.

I thought it was about speaking English, but later I realised that it is beyond that. I had to start learning how to do some local things because if you want to be a centralised actor, you have to appeal to diverse sets of audience. I couldn’t speak pidgin before, but now I can speak pidgin fluently.

My younger siblings don’t really like it when I speak it, but I am happy I can now speak pidgin.

When will your wedding bell ring?

I should just say very soon.

What is that question you are tired of answering?

I am tired of answering the last question you asked me.

People keep asking me that question from time to time. I think they should stop asking me and wait till that time when I will send out my wedding invitation out to them.

CONFLUENCE

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Between Oyakhilome and Okotie

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For Fayemi, it's a possible return to academics

Chris and Anita Oyakhilome

he Nigerian church community is again rattled by a major scandal that may result in divorce from all indication. Sadly so, this involves Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and his estranged wife, Pastor Anita, of the Christ Embassy church. With the couple resorting to legal actions to call off a wedding of over two decades, Pastor Chris may be joining his arch rival, Rev. Chris Okotie, of the Household of God to share the "divorced" status soon. If there’s any difference at all, it will be that while Okotie is yet to announce divorce from his embattled wife, Stephanie, from a perspective of law, Oyakhilome seems to be getting there first. Okotie announced his separation from Stephanie and holds a record of previous divorce, but Oyakhilome is getting whipped by his wife on the reverse. The two pastors are rich, but you dare not compare their affluence. Both Niger Deltans, Oyakhilome hails from Edo State while Okotie is a son of Delta State. They both lead liberal Pentecostal ministries mostly populated by elites and their head parishes are on Kudirat Abiola way, Oregun, Ikeja, Lagos. The proximity of their head churches was the reason Okotie accused Oyakhilome of snatching some members of his church a few years back.

With four wives in tow, Alaafin was quite a hit in London

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ext month, Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State will vacate the state’s seat of power, making way for the governor-elect, Ayodele Fayose.

But what’s in life after office for this academic turned politician? Fayemi may well open his diplomatic networks and begin to find international engagements abroad or return to the classroom. But, typical of humans, Fayose’s mistakes may also wake a possible clamour for Fayemi’s return.

R Alaafin, his four wives and some admirers in UK mall

Who wins Aquafina Elite Model Look Nigeria?

Esama plans big for 80th birthday

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sama of Benin, Sir Gabriel Igbinedion, will turn 80 on September 11th, and a month-long celebration which will stretch around three continents has kicked off in Benin.

Colourful activities to mark his birthday started in Benin last week and on Thursday, he went to University of Ibadan for the launch of his biography written by four professors from the University's department of history. It's said to be the first honour of its kind at the institution. From Ibadan, the party will move to South Africa, then there's a party in London and the US. The Esama is said to have ordered a new wonder-on-wheel to celebrate this milestone. And for your information, Esama has three Rolls Royce phantoms, all specially ordered in his Benin mansion.

Chris Okotie and ex-wife, Stephanie

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legance and glamour will be showcased on the runway on Saturday, September 6 at 8pm in Lagos, as Aquafina Elite Model Look Nigeria contestants strut the runway for the grand prize at the cavernous Eko Hotel events centre. The prestigious international modelling event will see contestants exhibiting designs from 10 top fashion companies within and outside Nigeria.

After weeks of rigorous drills and style tutelage at the boot camp, the 20 male and female finalists will seek to win the Aquafina EMLN 2014 diadem with cash prize of $5,000.

The winners in the male and female categories will represent Nigeria alongside 80 other countries at the global contest in China and stand the chance of winning $150,000 (One hundred and fifty thousand U.S Dollars).

The contestants took time off to visit the corporate headquarters of Seven-Up Bottling Company Ijora and Ikeja bottling plant and were received by the staff and management led by the managing director, Mr. Sunil Sawhney, who charged them to seize the opportunity provided by the Aquafina Elite Model contest to aspire to be one of the top models in the world. Sawhney noted that Seven Up Bottling Company has been giving young Nigerians platforms to realise their dreams either in the Pepsi

Football Academy which has produced football stars such as Mikel Obi or the Harvard Business School MBA scholarship in which four Nigerians have so far benefited from the two-year scholarship.

Since 2013, Aquafina table water, a brand from the makers of Pepsi has been sponsoring Elite Model Look Nigeria. This year’s edition has been exceptional as models from different parts of Nigeria participated massively with over 4,000 at the casting. The final is expected to be a night filled with entertainment and fun, as popular Nigerian music acts such as Banky W, Praiz and American-based artiste, Gina, will serenade the show with hit songs.

Seven-Up Bottling Company Plc head of marketing, Mr. Norden Thurston, said: “Aquafina as an international brand is happy to be associated with Elite Model Look Nigeria. Aquafina is pure table water, one of the biggest water brands in the world and we believe pure beauty begins from within which can be guaranteed by drinking a very pure table water like Aquafina.”

Neoma Anosike, an 18-year school leaver won last edition’s contest. This year’s edition has male category added to give equal opportunities to every aspiring young model not minding the sex.

evered monarch, Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi who travelled to the UK with his four wives last week to celebrate his 76th birthday was spotted at Westfield Mall in London with all his wives and they inevitably became the centre of attraction in the mall. Nigerians who knew who he was, of course went to pay their respect and this startled some non-Africans who couldn’t but approach the royal father to have some photo-op.

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ACROSS 1. ALRIGHT 5. LOT 7. ROE 8. TIV 9. USE DOWN 1. ACTINIC 2. RAVAGE 3. GLUT 4. TREMOR 5. LESS 6. TIE

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10. MAST 11. NAGS 12. NO 16. AX 17. VAIL 18. BAIL

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22. EEL 23. ABA 24. AIG 25. OPS 26. ITERATE

13. SALVAGE 14. PATEGI 15. TARABA 19. ALAS 20. FLEE 21. AGO

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StartUps

22

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

6 SEPTEMBER 2014

What does your area of expertise entail?

It is a threefold business; publishing requires your knowledge, your ability to condense things, or words into literary work, with attention on editing.

The printing involves the machinery aspect of it, whereby you have to materialise that literary work into, something that is enticing and lovely. The end result is the total output. In the case of the concept development, it is more like idea generation manifestation and materialisation. For instance, you can develope ideas from your environment.

Music is a concept of what is going on in the society. It is also like an archive. You can make reference with music, to what happened in the 60s or 70s.When you look at the society, you try to look at the social engineering, you marry arts and science together to bring out something useful to the society. So, you can see how versatile I am. I am not just an ordinary printer, but I transfer ideas into reality.

The dullest person can do printing –Jinodu Sylvester Abiodun Jinodu, the proprietor of Jo- Macabis Resources with specialty in publishing, printing and concept development, speaks with BLESSING ORUCHE on why passion and creativity are key to printing entrepreneurship.

What are the basic requirements to commence this type of business?

The basic requirement for publishing, is that you must be literary minded.

Publishing is the business or profession of the commercial production and issuance of literature. You require the brain, the input, you need reasonable level of education preferable a university or polytechnic degree, it is only at this level that you can understand what a story line is all about. To read, interpret it and make corrections you need to have good command of spoken and written English to be able to edit literary works. If you don’t have all these a piece of literature, it will look strange to you. For printing, you need to have basic not necessary university education, even if it’s primary six, so long as you have the basic training, and determination in other to succeed in the business terrain. You also need a good drive to do it. Passion; Just like every business, you must have that transfer of knowledge.

Your passion is empty if the knowledge has not been transferred once you assimilate and imbibe it then you can begin to develop ideas and concept along the way. You also need capital an office space manpower but at the initial stage you can hire few hands in other to cut cost, but you can begin to employ more manpower as work load begins to increase and expand.

Does an entrepreneur, in this type of business need constant training?

Yes, because everyday new machines and ideas are invented. Science and technology are moving at a very fast and amazing rate, so one need to be abreast with the current trend if not one will subject yourself to the past. So, someone must continue to transfer that knowledge into you, or you can equip yourself with information from the internet. Just like the computer, I started with, Corel draw 2.0 but today science has gone beyond that, and people are talking of Corel 17 and it has also gone beyond that. Photoshop was the basic picture manager people were using before, but today Corel draw has developed its own photo manager, likewise Microsoft picture manager. Even auto card design has gone far. Most of the things I trained with are no longer in use. I studied lotus 123 then another package called lucid 123 but one can hardly hear about them these days. So someone can be stagnant, if you are not up to date with the current trend.

If I haven’t been making myself amiable and available to constant training, I won’t be able to flow with the trend.

What are the requirements in the area of expertise to be able to provide quality service to customers and become

You can get a big contract that might require your funds to produce and where you can’t meet up, it becomes an issue.

Businesses need money to survive and expand. Loans are sometimes difficult to secure.

Another thing is raw materials. These are expensive sometimes, because of the tariff at the port, the custom duties and the inland revenues. You just need to continue to adjust. You need to service your machines, the cost of toner is not generous, the blade drum, the developer and it is usually difficult to increase cost of production.

What are your future prospects?

I want to expand beyond this level, have branches and train more people.

What can you say in respect of the present power supply in the country?

Well it is terrible, but we are always trying to adjust, though it is not favorable for any type of business. I made analysis some years back, on how much I had been spending on fuel to power my generators, the result I got was alarming. This was the money that would have gone into expansion but rather I spend double, on electricity which I don’t enjoy and I still buy fuel. The government needs to do more on power generation or else some small scale medium enterprises will not be able to function; this may lead to eventual frustration, lack of interest and collapse. SME is part of nation building. We are doing our own part to build our nation by equipping ourselves and reducing unemployment. So constant power is one of the basic things we need, with that in place you will begin to see enthusiasm and work will move at a faster rate and entrepreneurs will make reasonable profit. Lack of power generation can discourage some wouldbe entrepreneurs, they will see it as an added stress.

Jinodu

When you are having fun out of what you do, you won’t have course to look at defeat and failure successful in the business?

First you need the right things in place, such as the computers, the printer’s scanners, generators or small leisters depending how large or small you want to begin. When you talk of printing you begin to talk of machines. It is a very big industry you also talk of the paper aspect then the finishing. The printing machines are different ranges such as the daisy wheel printer the large format printer. The finishing involves the human aspect where you make the work presentable and commercially viable.

How much commitment in terms of finance would be needed to start up?

You need to know the aspect you want to go into. I have been able to venture into other areas. You need computers, printer’s scanner and other accessories that go with it. You can get printers worth a N100, 000 I have digital printers which I use there are Toshiba products.

In a nutshell we should be talking of N500, 000.

Do you have the capacity to train people?

Yes I do. I have the space, the technical knowledge. In fact since inception, I have trained between 300 t0 500 people even more than that.

What are the major challenges inherent in the business?

There is no amount of money you have, without constant electricity you can exhaust all you have. The second issue is funds to execute the business.

What kind of advice will you give some venturing into this type of business?

You must have the passion first, that is only when you can enjoy what you do.

When you are having fun out of what you do, you won’t have course to look at defeat and failure, rather wheel of success you continue to propel you. Gradually, you begin to develop ideas, which will help you to minimise your stress in getting result. I usually have the type of passion the famous Argentine footballer Maradonna use to have in the field while at work. The Australians aborigines’, due to their environment, developed the boomerang to kill animals once it doesn’t hit the target it comes back but if it does it stays there with the target this is done in order to minimise stress. Bear in mind that no matter how good you are it gets to certain point where the business can suffer challenges and setback. It is a natural process. When you go down then you will be able to see your faults and then re-engineer yourself. Thomas Edison made over 10,000 attempts to create the bulb people said he failed 10, 000 times but he didn’t see it that way, but he said I learnt 10, 000 times. Printing is easy to pick up, even the dullest person, academically can do it, all you need is concentration and then you begin to develop speed and you find out that you can stitch 1,000 books in one hour.

THE ARTS

Exhibition In Chijioke Onuora's drawings, less is indeed more p.24

ON SATURDAY NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

6 SEPTEMBER 2014

www.newtelegraphonline.com/arts

Family Ties – Drawing

Tony Okuyeme

T

hree years after its brilliant outing at the fourth annual International Art Expo Nigeria at the National Museum, Lagos, Artzero, a member-support artist group, announced their return to the art scene in Nigeria with Thoughts In Lines", an exhibition of drawings by members of the group.

Known for promoting art appreciation at the grassroots with focus on the Lagos mainland, Artzero, in an art exhibition titled Thoughts in Lines, which ran from August 9 to 23 at Alliance Francaise, Yaba, continues a 10-year-old mission of art for all. The theme and focus of the exhibition is the second outing of Artzero in promoting drawing skills.

The exhibition featured 13 artists, three of which are veterans of the 2004 debut drawing exhibition. The participating artists include AtoArinze, Muraina Akeem, Mukaila Ayoade, Keke Chidih, Chinonye Ejimofor, Adebesin Adedamola, Busayo Lawal, Babatunde Osho, Celestine Pius, Ogunlade Babatunde, Ajayi Oluseyi, Jefferson Jonahan, Ismaila Lawal.

According to the group, the "Thought in Lines" drawing exhibition is all about how each artist interprets his thoughts through what inspires the artist. Each artist is expressing its line of thoughts with whatever medium, either, pencil, pen or ink. So I think it is ideal we for us to come up with the title.

“We are simply having a re-launch of its activities. We have been visible on social media. We went on a recess four years ago. To be candid, the show is a clarion call to the members to wake up. Initially, artists were randomly selected, but when we realised that virtually every artist is a member of the group, we decided to make it an Artzero show.

“Artzero programmes have always been self-supported programmes. Participating artists are levied base on the total cost of packaging the show. Usually, all our shows have always been low budget ones.”

Coordinator of Artzero, Akeem, stated that irrespective of the kind of art an artist

23

The Best Legacy – Pen on Paper

Artzero returns with Thoughts in Lines

Relaunch

“Any form of art starts from the known to the unknown. Be it installation, performance or sculpture”

makes, he cannot run away from drawing skill. He added that drawing goes beyond art as a profession. “It has been the basics of life generally, from the stone age till date,” he said, adding that all form of art takes off from the known before finding expression in any form. “Any form of art starts from the known to the unknown. Be it installation, performance or sculpture.”

Indeed, the Artzero group has been a great synergy on the national art scene which is now creeping into global relevance with an outstanding follower ship on Facebook.

Established over a decade ago, the member-supported artist group has been sustaining self, corporate organisations, government agencies, diplomatic missions, patrons and the public through two major extensive and well documented interactive programmes – the Annual Art on the Mainland exhibition series and Lagos Artists forum for the group's distinct art exhibitions, intellectual discourse/ exchanges, film presentations, virile workshops and marketing in a diverse competitive economy.

The group has gone on an almost three years of passive recess shortly after the remarkable outing at the fourth International Art Expo Nigeria, held at the National Museum, Lagos, in December 2011.

It was therefore, not be a mere coincidence that Artzero group is now relaunching itself back into the physical art scene through this second thematic drawing exhibits, "Thought in Lines" in collaboration with Alliance Francaise.

“We hope to bring back our flagship event Art on the Mainland by next year.

We have also created another exhibition that will always take place on the island for the art students called Artzero Students’ League.”

It has, over the years collaborated with Alliance Francaise, National Gallery of Art, Children Living with Cancer Foundation, Art Galleries Association of Nigeria, Institute of Applied Spiritual Technology, in Washington D.C., Communicating for Change and Development Initiative Network.

Other projects undertaken by Artzero include Ist Lagos Annual Art Bazaar, an all-sales miniature exhibition across Nigeria and Ghana; regular presentations at the yearly Art and Book Fair of Committee for Relevant Art (CORA).

In the past, Arrtzero has exhibited masters such as Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya and Prof. Abayomi Barber along with young artists to inspire members and new artists.

24 the arts

In Chijioke Onuora’s drawings, less is indeed more

nuances of a culture he was born into and has remained in touch with.

“Three Haloes For Nwoye” is an adaptation from the book “Things Fall Apart” The three haloes or the nimbus are the metaphorical aura of glory which surrounds the simplified figure of Nwoye holding firm to the Cross which he embraced to the chagrin of his father, Okonkwo, the tragic hero in the book “Things Fall Apart”.

Perhaps Onuora’s portrayal of Nwoye in glory may be his way of capturing the triumph of the new religion and way of life which made son abandon a father who stuck to the ways of a familiar culture under attack and annihilation.

“Okwu Agwu” is an Igbo exclamation of indignation which may be realised in the pidgin English expression “matter don finish” or another expression made by the Christ at the peak of his sorrowful passion on the Cross before his final end “It is finished.” It is an expression of helplessness and powerlessness before a situation that is both baffling and confounding. This expression precurses the “Sidon Dey Look” type of utter resignation where nothing seem to matter anymore.

Ibo N’Ibo Kwulu is a poetic rehearse on the inherent duality of creation found in Igbo cultural milleu and almost every other culture of the world. This idea of duality is given vents in concepts such as Positive and Negative, Black and White, Light and Darkness, Heaven and Earth, Man and Woman, Good and Eviletc. “If Ikemefuna were my Son” and “Ekwe Kuo Ama Agbaari all reverberate with the same culturally rich contents.

In “Neighbours I” and “21st Century Neighbours” Onuora makes a compari-

Dr. Chijioke Onuora’s recent solo exhibition at the National Gallery of Art, in Enugu, will keep art enthusiasts and collectors refreshed for a long time, writes AGWU ENEKWACHI

P

ulling together, the who's who in both the Enugu and Nsukka art communities, the exhibition started with a grand opening befitting the class of the artist who happens to be the first artist to stage a solo exhibition in the recently inaugurated gallery.

Onuora is one of the most gifted in the art of draughtsmanship from the Nsukka Art School. His creative trajectory traverse channels where he has left milestones. From his rich textile designs which he climaxed with a solo show in the late nineties to his colourful relief paintings and skilfully rendered relief works and sculptures-in-the-round, Onuora has maintained good command of the channels. And he has a long list of exhibitions both local and international as well as solo and group shows to show for his fidelity to the practice of art.

In the beckoning of time, Chijioke Onuora has further broadened the vista of drawing, the channel of creativity as old as man’s discovery of his creative aptitude on the walls of prehistoric caves. In the rendition of the drawings (Akala), Charcoal (Unyi) is the medium of choice. Charcoal is a well-known medium in the art of drawing and it is as ancient as the art itself. In Akala Unyi it lends itself to the control of the master, whose versatility commands the obedience of any medium he chooses.

Coming in contact with Dr. Onuora and his works in the early nineties as an undergraduate under his tutelage in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he has taught draughtsmanship and sculpture till date helped shape my notion of drawing-that it should be taken seriously.

It is important to veer off to touch on Onuora’s teaching methodology which borders sometimes on going beyond the classroom to inquire about the persons behind the students. Years after, working as a collaborator with the Jesuits I came across Cura Personalis, a cardinal principle of the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm, and this provided me with the code to understanding the key element of Onuora’s methods. It helped in further deepening my understanding of the portrait of a man who has influenced many generations of Nsukka Art School graduates. His success as a teacher is not completely in the orthodox/steely classroom atmosphere of pin-drop silence but in the playfulness of his style which does not consign his students to the rigid limitation of confined space and conventions. In his art studio, art classes and lifestyle in general, his humanity is constantly evident.

I saw Onuora’s charcoal drawings for the first time in 1994 and I was enthralled by their sheer brevity and spontaneity. A drawing from that early period titled “You are the one in the Mirror” is one of Onuora’s drawings that I considered a masterpiece in those early times and it represents the first generation of his emerging mutant expressive style, incidentally, it is one of the pieces on display. Noticeably, from that piece is the continuous evolution of the linear and tonal qualities of his drawings. He has continued to minimalize the additional elements, including the ubiquitous uli symbolism to the extent that the drawings exude the power and simplicity of punctuation marks.

The ultra-simplification of Onuora’s drawings is reflected in “The Face” the

Ibo N’Ibo Kwulu

Sidon Dey Look

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

REFLECTION

Deadly Valentine In The South Timothy Akinleye 365 by two days ago somewhere in the South: A valentine suddenly turned sour When Pistorius his trigger pulled, Lifeless, laid Rivas in her bloody pool.

Somewhere in the quiet of the night He heard some noise... and in fright, He rose on his mechanical limbs in arms With a pistol, but to her he meant no harms.

A model and a fleeting star in love An intruder outside the door in gloves?

Determined to gain an entry Carrying with him a double tragedy.

With Rivas on his mind to protect without a shout Into the loo, he fired a shot Without a noise, and with a gentle thud Rivas flows down from the tub!

A man in fear has shot his fiancé!

Not with Cupid Arrow and its comic fancy Mistaken for an intruder without a doubt His world came crashing down in a bout.

Students of the Department of English and Literary Studies of Kogi State University on excursion to the National Gallery of Art, Enugu, view Dr. Onuora’s Akala Unyi

simplification of forms is stretched to a new limit which makes “You Are The One In The Mirror” a far more detailed drawing.

The facial features are reduced to the barest minimum of the eyes, nose, lips without losing the feminine emotional content that it sought to capture. The scanty facial features are laid on the clear white background of the white paper medium leaving the viewer’s imagination to complete the picture. The artist himself an Igbo, from the same cultural and linguistic root as Chinua Achebe, the literary maestro whose use of the rich lingo of the Igbos gave birth to the classic, “Things Fall Apart”. Onuora is greatly inspired by the deep well of Igbo culture with which he properly laced the exhibits with. From the title of the Exhibition “Akala Unyi” to “ Three Haloes for Nwoye”, “Okwu Agwu”, “Kindred Spirits”, Ibo n’Ibo Kwulu”, “Ekwe kuo Ama Agbaa” all the works bear the eloquent

son of the closeness that exist in a typical African community where everyone interacted freely knowing whether his next door neighbour was sick, sad, hungry or happy between today’s emerging highly individualised (selfish) living of the 21st century. He captured lonely people in the midst of a busy world. We are all in a world where technology is further exacerbating the creation of private worlds. For example, the social media which, while creating an illusion of closeness and interaction make otherwise neighbours strangers to one another.

As we savour Onuora’s most recent offering, from his expansive creative channels, the soft transparent strokes, freedom of movement, the formal simplicity and spontaneity resulting in Akala Unyi can only be aptly described as poetic minimalism where less is more, and simplicity a definition of maturity.

Now on trial as a premeditated murderer For Pistorius, 'tis tripple wahala With Rivas' blood stains on his conscience, And the winds of public opinions blowing against his defense.

Who is the guilty one really?

The system that is broken is guilty Raising bandits and street urchins out of school Terrorising their neighbourhood.

The South is unsafe, So Lucky Dube couldn't make an escape, Today, Southerners live in fear Petrified in their caged atmosphere.

Will Pistorius be freed?

Will the South be truly free?

Let justice be served I plead?

So Rivas can at last peacefully sleep? © Tim: August 2014 0809 866 8480

Ivory Coast await improved Sierra Leone

p.28

DR Congo, Cameroun target opening wins

p.29

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/sport

SPSPLASH RT

VINCENT EBOIGBE

vyncenteboigbe@yahoo.com; 08099400228, 08116706850

FREE

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

6 SEPTEMBER 2014

No cause for alarm over Enyeama’s absence – Shorunmu NIGERIA VS CONGO KICK-OFF 5:00pm

Alebiosu: From hunter to national team player

}p.26

I’d have been a prof if not for football – Udoh

}p.31

S

Vincent Eboigbe

uper Eagles goalkeeper’s trainer, Ike Shorunmu, has allayed fears arising from the unavailability of Vincent Enyeama for the African Cup of Nations double qualifiers against Congo and South Africa.

Nigeria take on Congo today in Calabar before travelling to South Africa to confront Bafana on Wednesday in the second match of the series.

First choice goalie, Enyeama, has been excused from both engagements as a result “of pressing family issues” and Nigerians, used to having the reassuring presence of the Lille shotstopper in goal, are worried given that second choice goalkeeper, Austin Ejide, who incidentally will captain the team on both occasions, has not convinced any time Enyeama has been away.

“There is no reason to be afraid, we have capable replacements to do the job,” Shorunmu told our correspondent on the telephone.

“It is a pity Vincent is not around, but that is football, there will always be situations like that or even injuries and others will have to step up. I’m confident we have goalkeepers who can do the job.

“We must also learn to give others a chance, Vincent did not get to where he is now in one day.

He was given the opportunity and gradually he has matured into one of the best goalkeepers in the world. So we need to give others a chance to show what they can I’m confident do.” we have Shorunmu also said that the team was ready goalkeepers for the Congo test.

“We are good, we are who can do ready. Everybody is in Calathe job bar and ready to give their best,” Shorunmu assured.

Eagles will crush Congo, says Taribo}p.27

26 SPORT

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

Nigerian League Rendezvous with charles Ogundiya

charlesog2001@yahoo.com, charles.ogundiya@newtelegraphonline.com

08098042287

Sterling Bank targets local league

Glo league table No

Team

P

W

D

L

SF

SA

Pts

GD

1

Kano Pillars

25

12

7

6

38

28

43

10

2

Nasarawa Utd

25

12

5

8

27

19

41

8

3

Enyimba

25

11

7

7

29

17

40

12

4

Dolphins FC

25

10

9

6

26

17

39

9

5

Abia Warriors

25

11

4

10

35

28

37

7

6

Sunshine Stars

25

9

10

6

33

29

37

4

7

Warri Wolves

25

11

4

10

25

26

37

-1

8

Lobi Stars FC

25

12

1

12

27

30

37

-3

9

Akwa Utd

25

10

6

9

20

21

36

-1

10

El-Kanemi

25

10

5

10

28

22

35

6

11

Sharks FC

25

9

8

8

25

22

35

3

12

Giwa FC

24

10

5

9

22

21

35

1

13

Heartland FC

25

8

10

7

23

20

34

3

14

Gombe Utd

25

9

5

11

29

27

32

2

15

Taraba FC

25

10

2

13

17

27

32

-10

16

Rangers

25

9

4

12

32

31

31

1

17

Bayelsa Utd

25

9

3

13

29

37

30

-8

18

Kaduna Utd

25

9

3

13

21

31

30

-10

19

Crown FC

25

8

3

14

18

30

27

-12

20

Nembe City

24

5

9

10

13

34

24

-21

O

ne of Nigeria’s leading banks, Sterling Bank, is planning to penetrate the Nigeria Professional Football League after a successful partnership with English Premier League side, Arsenal FC of London.

Speaking at a recent forum, the head of Retail Product Unit, Gbenga Adegoke, informed League Rendezvous that the bank has contacted some local clubs in the country for partnership.

According to him, the Arsenal partnership is an eye opener to the bank and they are looking forward to expanding their reach to the local league.

“We are already discussing with some clubs in the country and very soon, we will make known our intention.

“Football is a big thing in Nigeria and we don’t want some of our customers that support the local clubs to be disadvantaged, hence our plan to delve into the local scene.

“The only obstacle so far is organisation. In England, the structure is there and this is what we don’t have in Nigeria.

In as much as we want to partner some of these clubs, we are mindful of the fact that we are a financial institution and should also look at the bank’s interest too,” he said.

Warri Wolves are currently in partnership with Zenith Bank Plc, and it will be interesting to see more financial institutions partnering with local clubs.

Players should respect the game – Kogi United coach

A

ssistant coach of Kogi United, Yinka Adeniyi, believes the only way for a player to get to the top of his career is to respect the game.

Speaking with our correspondent, Adeniyi, popularly called ‘Number One’ in his playing days as a goalkeeper, described football as two-faced.

He said that the white side of the ball appears when a player is giving his entire commitment to the game and getting the expected accolades and rewards, while the black side of it shows when a player sees himself as the best and decides to look down on the object.

“In football generally, you need to respect the game, players should respect the round leather object. If you are committed then the white side of football will show you the good side of the profession. But if you want to toy with it, forgetting that it’s your career, then the ball will show you its black side; a player needs to be disciplined both on and off the pitch,” he said.

Emeka Eze clinches Wonder Goals award

R Gombe United’s Uche Yarma

PHOTO: shengolpixs

Segun Alebiosu: From hunter to national team player T he rise to glory of Kwara United striker, Segun Alebiosu, came as a surprise to many people who believe nothing good can come from the young man.

Growing up in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, Alebiosu was known as a hunter; while other children will be in school, the young man will be in the bush with his father hunting.

“I am a hunter; after coming from the farm with my father, I will go to Government Day Secondary School, Sango, playing field to train and people will be making jest of me.

“I usually played bare-footed and nobody believed something good could come from me. But today all the people who used to make jest of me are praying

Alebiosu

to get to where I am,” he said.

According to him, he was discovered while playing with some local lads and signed by Kwara United at the beginning of the 2012/2013 league season where he emerged the top scorer of the club in his first season as a

professional.

On how he was able to achieve a lot in a very short time, despite all the challenges, the Kwara United top scorer said it was through hard work, dedication and the favour of God. “Before joining Kwara Unit-

ed, I was told that the only way to become a good footballer was hard-work, dedication and not allowing distractions, he said.

Flying Eagles coach, Manu Garba, gave Alebiosu his first national team call-up when he was invited to camp ahead of a 2015 African Youth Championship qualifier against Lesotho in August. Despite failing to make the final list, Alebiosu informed League Rendezvous that he learnt a lot under Garba which helped him to improve his game.

He said: “I learnt a lot when I was invited to the Under-20 team. I was able to discover more about myself, but I can tell you, it was not easy. My game improved after the camp and I am looking forward to more invitations.”

angers International midfielder, Emeka Eze, has been voted the winner of the second edition of the Nigeria Professional Football League Wonder Goals competition.

Three goals were under review for the second edition of the Wonder Goals competition, but Eze’s belter from about 35 yards against league champions, Kano Pillars, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu polled the highest number of votes.

Eze’s goal got 51.6 percent of the total votes to beat Cletus Itodo’s winning goal for Abia Warriors against Enyimba in Aba on March 30.

Itodo’s goal amassed 41.9 percent of the total votes while Chisom Chikatara’s goal finished a distant third with just 6.5 percent votes.

The winner of the Wonder Goals II, Eze, will receive his award when the league resumes, the Chief Operating Officer of the League Management Company, Salihu Abubakar said.

Interestingly, the inaugural Wonder Goal Award was won by another Rangers striker, Osaguona Ighodaro, who was presented his prize and a commemorative plaque on Match Day 25 in Akure where Rangers played Sunshine Stars.

The winner of the competition, which is weekly, will be rewarded with N100,000 with half of the reward going to a charity organisation of the winner’s choice within the location of his club.

T h e award is a platform to engage fans and build club, community Eze affinity.

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NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

27

Eagles will crush Congo, says Taribo

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Vincent Eboigbe

x-international, Taribo West, is confident the Super Eagles will defeat Congo in their Africa Nations Cup qualifier today despite the crisis rocking Nigerian football.

The African champions will take on their less-fancied opponents in Calabar, but build-up to the match has been overshad-

owed by off the pitch crisis in the Nigerian game.

But in an interview with our correspondent, the former Inter Milan defender said that he counts on Coach Stephen Keshi’s experience to get the best out of his team and get the full points on offer.

He is optimistic that Eagles will follow up a good performance on Saturday with another successful outing against South Africa on Wednesday when they

travel to Cape Town for their second match in the qualifying series.

“I see the Eagles sailing through against Congo and they will also go to South Africa and get a good result. I hope that all the problems will not affect them. I also believe that Keshi will be able to pick a good team that will do a very good job,” he said.

The former Auxerre of France defender also praised belea-

guered President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Aminu Maigari, for his friendly disposition towards ex-internationals and the way his administration has involved them.

He said several retired national team players have benefitted from the magnanimity of Maigari-led board having given former stars opportunity to serve their country in several capacities.

“Maigari did very well in his

time. The problem did not start with him, it has been there for a long time and I think government is big part of the crisis,” Taribo added. “Maigari has been one president that has favoured ex-internationals. Look at the number of ex-stars that he engaged starting for Keshi, Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorunmu.

There are also Nduka Ugbade, Emmanuel Amuneke, Garba Lawal, Victor Ikpeba, Austin Okocha, Manu Garba etc.”

Glo urges Super Eagles to tame Red Devils

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Nigeria’s Kenneth Omeruo, vies with an Iranian player during the World Cup

UEFA invites ex-Falcons star, Ayisat, for racism conference Emmanuel Tobi

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urope football governing body, UEFA, has invited former Super Falcons right full back, Ayisat Yusuf-Aromire, to the European ‘Respect Diversity’ conference in Rome slated for September 10 and11, to raise awareness on how to deal with all aspects of intolerance in the game.

The Finland-based retired player was nominated by the Finnish Football Federation for the conference based on her contribution to the League having featured for three clubs namely OLS FC (2005), Nice Futis (2007) and K.M.F. Kuopio (2008).

The conference organised by UEFA, with the support of the Fare Network and FIFPro, the world player’s union, and hosted by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), will bring together key stakeholders, with delegates representing UEFA member associations, European leagues, clubs, political and governmental

organisations, non-governmental organisations and minority groups.

About 70 people from 28 countries will form the Fare delegation to the event. The attendees will take part in the conference debates or speak in workshops.

UEFA President Michel Platini will open the conference with a keynote speech, followed by a panel discussion with decisionmakers from politics and sport.

Speaking from her base, Ayisat, who worked with the migrants women sports federation in Finland as a member of board in 2013-2014 and in Mondial Stars migrant women football groups, expressed happiness at being picked: “I feel honoured to be nominated by the Finland FA for the conference in Rome and I hope the experience garnered will be helpful for future assignments both in Finland and Nigeria.”

Ayisat with Argentina superstar, Lionel Messi

he National team, Super Eagles have been tasked to defeat the Red Devils of Congo Brazzaville outright in their AFCON 2015 Group A qualifier scheduled for the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday.

“We wish to enjoin the Super Eagles to ensure a great start towards Morocco 2015 finals with a resounding victory over the Congolese,” Globacom said in a statement.

The last clash between Nigeria and Congo Brazzaville was a group match at the AFCON 2000 which ended goalless.

Glo called on the team to file out with determination to excel and win the match convincingly to take commanding position in Group A. “We also appeal to all Nigerians to forget what happened at Brazil 2014 World Cup and troop out en masse to the stadium to spur the team to victory.

Nigeria is the reigning African champions and we want the fans across the country to support the team massively as they start the journey towards defending the trophy won in South Africa in 2013.

“We feel there is no better way for Nigeria to begin another quest for African glory than winning this encounter convincingly and we believe the Eagles are capable of meeting the expectation of Nigerians,”the statement said.

The telecommunications giant also commended the government of Cross River State and the good people of Calabar for the hospitality it has accorded the national team.

“It is our hope that the Eagles will reciprocate the gesture by recording success against Congo,” the statement concluded.

GOtv to broadcast Nigeria match, other AFCON qualifiers

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ootball lovers are in for an exciting time this September with select matches of the AFCON qualifiers scheduled to air live on the SuperSport Select channel on GOtv. Football fans will also have the opportunity to watch live the qualifying games by the defending champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria when they take on Congo on Saturday, September 6 at 5.00pm local time and South Africa on Wednesday, September 10, at 9:00pm local time.

Other games to be broadcast on SuperSport Select on GOtv are Zambia versus Mozambique at 3.30pm local time and Ghana against Uganda at 9:00pm local time, both on Saturday, 9 September. This is after the pay network had screened live the September 5, game between Senegal and Egypt to the TV screens of GOtv subscribers at 9:00pm local time. SuperSport Select is available on GOtv channel 30.

16 states for Para-Soccer championship Charles Ogundiya

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resident of Para-Soccer Federation of Nigeria, Musbahu Didi, during the week in Abuja said that 16 states would participate in a championship to celebrate this year ’s world polio day.

The World Polio Day is recognised globally on October 28 every year.

According to the president, PSFN in conjunction with Association of Polio Survivors of Nigeria would be organising the second edition of the National Para-Soccer tournament.

The championship is scheduled to hold at the package B of the National Stadium, Abuja from October 19 to 28.

Para-Soccer is a team sport invented by Didi, a paraplegic Nigerian who doubles as the President of the federation and played with the hands on a roller skate board.

“Having looked at the significance of the day globally and the achievement on the polio eradication by the government at all levels in the country, we have resolved to organise the championship,” Didi said.

Para-Soccer players in action...recently

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Grobkreutz

sion in this game,” Strachan said. “It was a celebration of football, a celebration of Germany’s win [in the World Cup final in Brazil].

“I thought Argentina were terrific as well. It was a wonderful game to watch from a neutral’s point of view but we didn’t take anything from it.”

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ortugal begin their bid for a place at UEFA EURO 2016 with a first UEFA meeting against Albania at senior level, the visitors eager to make a positive start in Aveiro after drawing their last game in Portugal.

They will be without their talismanic captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, after the team’s medics deemed him unfit to play, ruling him out of the contest. ‘’Regardless of whether he has been playing more or less regularly, at the moment he can’t play,’’ Portugal manager Paulo Bento

time in UEFA competition.

The sides first met in 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Artur Jorge’s Portugal won 3-0 in Tirana on 9 October 1996, with goals from Luís Figo, Hélder Cristóvão and Rui Costa. João Pinto and Figo were on target as Portugal won the return fixture 2-0 in Porto.

The sides next met in an action-packed friendly in Lisbon on 11 October 2003: Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side took a seventhminute lead through Figo, but it was 2-1

Portugal set to batter Albania without Ronaldo

cotland coach Gordon Strachan expects Sunday’s opponents Germany to be a different proposition from the team that lost 4-2 to Argentina.

The Scots’ European Championship qualifying campaign begins in Dortmund and Strachan believes he learned nothing from Wednesday’s match.

“It will be a completely different team,” predicted the Scotland boss.

“It’s a competitive game and the Germans come alive when it becomes competitive.”

“When the Germans have to compete, they are a different animal.

I can’t remember the last time they didn’t qualify for anything.”

World champions Germany were 4-0 down after 50 minutes against Argentina in a re-match of this summer’s final at Brazil 2014. Andre Schurrle’s goal and an own goal by Federico Fernandez reduced the Germans’ deficit.

“We expected free-flowing football, people trying to make an impres-

T Ajibade Olusesan

he Super Eagles will today begin their 2015 African Nations Cup qualifying campaign against Congo amidst upheavals in the Nigerian football.

The build-up to this tie has been overshadowed by leadership crisis which has engulfed the Nigerian football since after the Brazil 2014 World Cup. In fact, there could be two individuals parading themselves as the president of the Nigeria Football Federation at the State Box of the UJ Esuene Stadium today.

Although FIFA has ordered Chris Giwa to stop parading himself as the

gles will be withPresident of out the services the football of Vincent Enbody and yeama who restored has been exAminu cused while Maigari C o a c h as the Stephen helmsm a n , Keshi also the foroverlooked mer has Osaze Odenwingie, Vicinsisted that he will tor Moses and preside over Brown Ideye.

Congo coach, affairs in CalaOsaze, however, Claude Leroy has sustained injury. bar.

However, it remains The visitors will also be to be seen how the protracted missing Jordan Massengo crisis will not affect the team and skipper Delvin Ndinga as they take on Congo. Ea- but they can rely on the form

Despite NFF crisis

Super Eagles star, Emmanuel Emenike, left, battling for the ball against an Ethiopian opponent during AFCON 2013

of youngster Kader Bidimbou.

The two teams have met nine times with Nigeria winning on five occasions, Congo have won once and there have been three draws between them. The last meeting between the teams was a group game of the Nations Cup in 2000, which Nigeria co-hosted with Ghana.

Congo held the Eagles to a barren draw, while the Red Devils only win was achieved in 1970, when they beat Nigeria 2-1 in a 1972 AFCON qualifier in Brazzaville.

The Red Devils were reinstated to the competition after Rwanda fielded an ineligible player against them in the previous round of the qualifying series.

EAGLES READY TO SOAR OVER DEVILS

AFRICAN NATIONS CUP 2015 UPDATE

Global Football Special

Wounded Germany target Scotland scalp

EUROPE 2016 UPDATE

ajibade.olusesan@newtelegraphonline.com

ajibade oluSesan

www.newtelegraphonline.com/metro

NEW TELEGRAPH

Yaya Toure

vory Coast will look to make a positive statement when they begin their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone on Saturday.

This Group D fixture will take place at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.

The match was originally in doubt due to Ivory Coast’s reluctance to host their opponents, who have reported cases of Ebola.

However, an agreement was reached with Sierra Leone confirming that all the players and staff members were based outside the country and had not visited in the last three weeks.

With that sorted, it’s now time for new coach Herve Renard to lead the Elephants for the first time since taking over the reins after the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The Frenchman has made some changes to the squad and he insists that European-based players will not necessarily be given first preference.

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Ivory Coast await improved Sierra Leone

fixtures Sudan v South Africa Nigeria v Congo Ethiopia v Algeria Mali v Malawi B/Faso v Lesotho Gabon v Angola DR Congo v Cameroon Ivory Coast v Sierra Leone Guinea v Togo Ghana v Uganda Zambia v Mozambique Niger v Cape Verde Senegal v Egypt Tunisia v Botswana

28 SPORT NEW TELEGRAP 6 SEPTEM

England must learn from India’s aggressive style of play if they are to turn around their dismal one-day form, according to all-rounder Moeen Ali. After three heavy defeats, England are 3-0 down in the series with only Friday’s match at Headingley remaining.

Moeen, who backed under-fire captain Alastair Cook, said: “Watching the way the Indians bat, you can learn a lot from the way they approach it.

“They play with no fear. If there is a risk, they just take it.”

Moeen Ali

While the verbal spats between 50 Cent and Floyd Mayweather continues to intensify, especially after Floyd’s father got involved, it seems Floyd has a more diplomatic approach to the situation. According to a report via AllHipHop, Mayweather thinks 50 Cent should do something more commendable with his money rather than try to exploit’s Floyd’s reading abilities. “I was thinking about something when you asked me about 50 Cent. If you really want to donate money, how about you donate money to Michael Brown’s family? I shouldn’t stop you [from donating money to charitable organisations]. Our company has been donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to different organisations for years without looking for the media attention.”

Mayweather

Bolt

Ferguson

to Albania by the break, Ardian Aliaj and Igli Tare on target. Simão Rui Costa, Pauleta and Miguel all scored for Portugal after the break, Aliaj replying as the game ended 5-3.

Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt has revealed that he had the talent to play top level cricket, but his father convinced him to give up running between the wickets for a more lucrative track.

Bolt, the world record holder in 100m and 200m sprinting, was in Bangalore in India this week, to play a seven-a-side game against a team captained by India all-rounder Yuvraj Singh.

Bolt told AFP when asked why he didn’t pick cricket as a career: “Blame it on my dad. My father is a huge cricket fan, but when I got to higher secondary, I had two options - cricket or athletics.

“My dad said because of the system in Jamaica, it would be better to take up athletics. He said, ‘You just have to run fast in athletics while it’s tougher to get into the national (cricket) team’.”

SPORT BRIEFLY

urope’s top club coaches have been contemplating whether to scrap the away goals rule at a meeting of the elite coaches’ forum at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

The rule was introduced nearly 50 years ago when playing away in Europe was a novelty, but critics say it has now become counter-productive, unnecessary and unfair.

“There was a bit of a debate about whether it has any significance today,” said former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

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Away goals rule comes under European scrutiny

Ronaldo

said.

The countries have met five times with Portugal boasting the record W4 D1 L0 (W2 D1 L0 at home – W2 D0 L0 in Albania). They are meeting for the first

idfielder Andre Ayew says the Black Stars are determined to win back the fans with good outing against Uganda on Saturday in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The 24-year-old is joining his international teammates late after seeking permission to sort out his club future on transfer deadline day.

Fans in Kumasi have been hostile to the Black Stars since

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W esley Sneijder feels he was treated badly by Inter, but still hopes the Giuseppe Meazza side will win 2014-15’s Scudetto.

The creative midfielder was one of the undisputed stars of the Inter team that won the treble in 2009-10, but was then frozen out after

alatasaray winger Armindo Bruma has been the subject of interest from Monaco and Everton, according to the player’s official representative.

The 19-year-old attacker was hoping to leave the Turkish giants in search of first team football and he had quite a few top sides showing interest in his services.

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After Sunderland had puled out of the race last January as the youngster suffered a knee injury Everton and Monaco both attempted to recruit Bruma on loan in the summer transfer window.

rsenal will continue to monitor Antonio Candreva’s situation at Lazio with a view to making a January swoop.

The Gunners were linked with a move for the Italian international midfielder throughout the summer but were unwilling to

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match Lazio’s valuation of €30 million.

However, the price could come down in January as he has yet to pen a new deal with the Italian outfit, which could leave the door open for Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to swoop.

slightly better than hosts Gabon.

In August they drew against Botswana and beat Ethiopia while drawing with Iran and beating Morocco in May. Gabon meanwhile have not been in the best of form, losing home and away to Rwanda in July and managing a draw with Morocco in March and with Libya in January.

But on Saturday night at Stade d’Angondjé n Libreville, Gabon will look to superstar striker PierreEmerick Aubameyang to turn their fortunes around. The Borussia Dortmund man has improved during his time at the German giants and will spearhead the home team’s attack.

Lazio star on Wenger‘s radar

hen Angola take to the field in Gabon for their 2015 Africa Nations Cup Qualifier on Saturday, they will once again turn to the experience of lanky striker Manucho.

Palancas Negras have not used Manucho since the Africa Nations Cup finals held in South Africa in early 2013, but for this important Group C qualifier in Libreville, the technical team has called for experience.

The Rayo Vallecano striker as well as Vunguidica and Geraldo have all returned to the side after head coach Romeu Filemon turned their way.

Angola’s form in recent games, if anything to go by, has been

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refusing to accept a pay cut.

Sneijder eventually left Inter for Galatasaray in January 2013,

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Manucho

Angola to count on Manucho

Monaco,Everton vie for Bruma

EUROPE BITS

be angry. If they are angry, there is a reason, Ayew said.

“Black Stars are for the fans and the fans are for the Black Stars. I had information earlier that Asamoah (Gyan) had to intervene and I spoke to him too, but I am confident we’ll make Ghana proud again.

“We love Kumasi and Ghana fans and I believe whatever happens, is just for a period of time. I believe things will change.”

yet he has not forgotten how some people at board level within the San Siro side treated him.

“I’ve been thinking about my time at Inter and I realised that the team that won the treble has been dissolved within a matter of seasons,” the Netherlands international told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Inter mistreated me,claims Sneijder

they arrived in the Garden City on Monday for training.

A section of supporters who were inside the Baba Yara Stadium on Tuesday booed the players and it had to take captain Asamoah Gyan talking to them to reverse their stance.

“I think if the fans were not happy, it is important to know why they were not happy.

“I don’t think the fans can just wake up one morning and

Ayew backs Black Stars to bounce back

he Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroun will both be looking to get their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers off to a winning start when they meet in their Group D opener at the Stade TP Mazembe in Lubumbashi on Saturday afternoon.

This match will see AS Vita coach Florent Ibenge leading the national team for the first time in an official match following his recent appointment as the interim coach.

Ibenge called up a balanced squad with local and European-based players and his charges defeated local club side TP Mazembe 2-1 in a training match on Tuesday.

Cameroun have kept coach Volker Finke despite a disappointing 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign which saw them losing all three group matches to exit in the group stage.

Long-serving captain Samuel Eto’o has recently retired from international football and Finke has Cameroun’s moved swiftly to appoint Sevilla Assou-Ekotto midfielder Stephane M’Bia as the new skipper.

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DR Congo, Cameroun target opening wins

PH ON SATURDAY MBER 2014

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30 SPORT

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Vincent Eboigbe

hen President Goodluck Jonathan suspended Nigeria from football for two years following the dismal outing of the Super Eagles at the World Cup in 2010 and the subsequent avalanche of crisis that ensued and drowned ex-Nigeria Football Federation president, Alhaji Sani Lulu, there were those who railed against the very notion.

They harried the president into reversing the decision, an action that they thereafter gleefully hailed as listening to “reason” as if the mere contemplation of a break from football was unreasonable in the first instance.

Four years down the road, the matter, which like a cancer had been in remission, has reared up again only this time deadlier.

The sequence of the crisis - court cases followed by the ministry of sports’ interference, spectre of FIFA’s suspension, election or no election and the bickering back and forth - has become all too familiar, and Nigerians, tired of it all, are calling for a long break from football.

Those who favour such a move have grown understandably frustrated with the periodic convulsions that grip the game and want a drastic action. The argument is that such period of forced hibernation will allow for the much-needed introspection that can pave the way for a final solution.

Professor Ademola Onifade, former Chairman Lagos State University Sports Council and ex-Director of Centre for Environment and Science Education, says drastic action needs to be taken to get Nigerian football out of the woods.

“Two years may be alright, but I would suggest five. Our football is not organised at all and we are just deceiving ourselve. Look at the issue of the election for instance, FIFA said don’t conduct election why flout their order knowing full well they will override and overrule you?” queries Onifade “FIFA has its rules and regulations and every country abides by them, now they are telling us they have done an election and Chris Giwa is the new NFF President. They are deceiving themselves and Nigerians.

“What is the attraction in the NFF and why are they so desperate to get there? Of course it is not about service because if it is really about that they won’t be so desperate. These people are only interested in the money; it is all about embezzlement. And that is why I’m strongly in favour of taking time off to really sort out the mess in our football.”

A former board member of Rangers International, Mr. Kenneth Boardman, is no less emphatic about the need to bring sanity into the game.

The ex-Green Eagles defender, who runs an executive MBA programme in Nigeria in conjunction with Lincoln University in the United States, argues that all options are open so long as the needed solution is achieved.

“The problem emanates from the selfish people who run our football and will drag things down and not want change to take place for the good of the country and the game. These people are the obstacle and so long as they are there, the game will continue to suffer,” notes Boardman.

“I’m in support of taking a break from international football so that we can use that period to organise ourselves because the same issues have been coming up every so often to bedevil our lovely game and the country.”

A former FIFA and CAF instructor, Adegboye Onigbinde, has argued over time that unless there is a long break to get the game on a sound foundation administratively and technically, Nigerian football will continue to stumble from crisis to crisis.

He insists that when a sound structure has been put in place the right people will be thrown up to hold positions of authority in the NFF, adding that those who run the game now are misfits.

“I have been saying this for many years now, indeed when President Jonathan suspended Nigeria from football some years ago, I was one of the people who supported

“Nigeria needs a break from football now…”

Musa in action for Nigeria at the World Cup

that move. The truth is that the structure is wrong from the beginning: you have government appoint board members of clubs and it is these government appointees who make up the congress that in turn elect the national officers. That is illegality from the word go,” explains Onigbinde.

“A FIFA clause says clubs must be independently run and elect their officials democratically but none of them meets that condition, they are all government appendages. So we must get back to the basics to get it right otherwise we are going to keep running into trouble with FIFA and you cannot blame Zurich for insisting you abide by their rules.

“Now all of them all jostling to be NFF president yet several of these people in the recent past were discredited and some of them still have EFCC cases hanging on their heads. Yet they are struggling to get on the board. I am not saying they don’t have right to contest but where is the honour.”

The former Super Eagles coach points at the desire to use the NFF for personal enrichment as the driving force behind the intense race for the Glass House.

“The belief is that there is money to be stolen and that government money is easy to embezzle, that is the reason for all the struggle,” Onigbinde says.

“These people are “square pegs in round holes.” When I first became the Green Eagles coach in 1983, the NFA chairman then almost slapped me for demanding 30 balls to train with. He wondered why I needed so much balls and not just two. I didn’t blame him because he didn’t know better, that is what happens when you put people who are ignorant in positions.

“I spent 25 years in CAF and 20 years in FIFA and in Cairo five years ago we took a decision to grade referees in Africa; within that period, Ghana has graded 3000 referees, Egypt 4000, but Nigeria has graded only 300. These people are not serious, they just want positions for their own selfish interest.”

Mr. Mitchell Obi, Vice Chairman Mastersports International, a sports marketing and consulting outfit, says the crisis that threatens to drag football into the abyss is traceable to deficiency in leadership.

“There is so much delusion of positioning, everybody wants to be the NFF president; football has its own spirit, although it calls for teamwork it also necessarily demands leadership. Leadership that understands the dynamics of the game and is prepared to organise it and not only playing it. If we play the game so well, there must also be a corresponding ability to organise it so well,” says Obi. “If you say the players should go out and win, then you must also provide the environment to achieve that. Excellence is a culture, a habit and we have been found wanting in this regard. What are those planning to lead presenting which is different?

It is same of the same. Some people have argued that it is a problem of a developing polity and that our football is not different from our politics.”

Obi however baulks at calling for a break that will afford the country the chance to clean the “Augean stable.”

“If we take a break will that ensure that all the problems will disappear? Don’t forget we won’t defend the African Nations Cup and you know the joy winning that championship brought Nigerians,” Obi points out

What is the attraction in the NFF and why are they so desperate to get there? Of course it is not about service because if it is really about that they won’t be so desperate

“Again look at our girls at the U-20 Women’s world Cup and the comfort they brought us even though we had to stay awake in the middle of the night to watch them. We won’t be able to take part in such competitions for the period we take a break.”

Howbeit, calling for a break is neither here nor there. How would it work? What happens to the footballers themselves, the coaches, referees, medics and all the other adjunct staff who depend on the game for their lively-hood?

“No, the break is not to say football won’t go on in the country. It will still be played, but we would not have the executive committee of the NFF running the game, we can have an interim body in place to run the game within the country,” adds Prof.

Onifade.

“Those involved in the game in the country won’t be affected, the game will still be played within and those involved will still be doing their various jobs. But the bigger picture, the final outcome of the break, should be the overriding consideration.”

“As far as I’m concerned if it takes 20 years for us to get it right so be it, rather than witnessing these crisis over and over again,” Onigbinde stressed.

The latest round of crisis was contrived beginning with the court case in Jos in the desperation to get rid of NFF President, Aminu Maigari, and matters quickly went downhill from there.

Walter Scott’s admonition: “What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive,” rings true here and they are caught in their own web.

As it stands now the proponents of taking a break from football may not have to wait for President Jonathan, at any rate the president’s attention is engaged elsewhere, to suspend Nigeria, as FIFA is set to wield the big stick given that the gladiators in the NFF crisis are adamantly sticking to their guns.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

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31

I would have been a professor if not for football – Patrick Udoh How and where did football start for you?

I was born in October 1964 into the Udoh family in Akwa Ibom State. In 1966 before the war, my father moved to Lagos and took me along. I started my primary school in Ajegunle where my football also started.

I attended African School and I proceeded to do some of my professional courses in banking and finance. In 1986, I joined First Bank as a staff and also a player. I spent my entire career as a player at the bank, but after 20 years in 2006, I resigned to fully concentrate on football as a coach because I believe I have a lot to contribute to the game in the country.

Can you recall your club and national team career?

Like I said, I played for First Bank throughout my career. I also played for the national team; I was the goalkeeper of the Flying Eagles to the 1983 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. In 1984, I was a member of the Green Eagles team.

I started my coaching career as an assistant coach at Akwa United in 2007 while I was also in charge of the Akwa Talent. In 2010, I travelled to Lagos and resumed as the Chief Coach of Julius Berger where I was untill the end of 2013 before joining Akwa United as the Technical Adviser.

What prompted your choice of career banking and football?

Well, while growing up, bankers were regarded as honest people and they were highly regarded in the society. Also their mode of dressing was one of the things that attracted me to the job. As for football, I remembered growing up around the Navy barracks in Ajegunle, we always watched the soldiers playing and that was how I got interested. My father was also a footballer.

Why did you choose to be a goalkeeper and not an outfield player?

I started from day one as a goalkeeper. In my primary school, we usually play on a sandy pitch with tennis balls; I loved jumping to catch the ball while others throw it. Although I played for

Despite having a lucrative job as a banker, former Flying Eagles goalkeeper, Patrick Udoh, decided to resign and concentrate fully on football as a coach.

The former First Bank goalie tells CHARLES OGUNDIYA in Uyo, the reason for that move, as he also recalls memorable moments in his career. Excerpts… a while as an outfield player during my early days at First Bank, but I loved goalkeeping.

What was your parents’ reaction to your choice of career?

Actually my father was a teacher and also a footballer. I could remember him telling me stories of his playing days, how he represented various schools because during his days you could play for many schools as long as they identified you as a good player. So growing up, I didn’t have any problem playing football as I was also doing well in my academics. My dad knew that I played because of my passion for football but he also knew that I took my education seriously.

How did you manage to combine banking and football?

I would like to thank the management of First Bank for giving those of us who were footballers the opportunity to play football and also work in the bank. During that

My children play football, but I lay more emphasis on education than football

time the bank would give us the chance to represent the country and also play for the First Bank team.

What informed your decision to go into football fully after your resignation from the bank?

I have always had passion

for football. Having made a name for myself playing in Nigeria I believed then that I could make an impact in in coaching.

Your current job makes you travel frequently; how has your family coped?

It has been a very big challenge. I’ve not been able to integrate very well with my family because of the nature of my work. Sometimes I sit back and query myself because I haven’t been able to spend quality time with my children. I think that is the greatest disadvantage of my job. But by God’s grace we are coping.

Are any of your children following in your footsteps?

My children play football, but I lay more emphasis on education than football. At the moment two of my children are already doctors while another one is on internship. I am grateful to God for that achievement. Maybe after their education they can go into football, but that would be their personal decision.

Can you compare players these days to those of your time?

There is a lot of difference between the modern players and those of our time; we played for the passion of the game, so anything we were told by the coaches we simply adhered to it.

We believed so much in our coaches and consequently learnt a lot from them. The players these days aren’t creative, they are not quick thinking.

Most of them just play so that they can make money and names for themselves.

What advice would you give to your players and athletes generally about education, as they won’t play football for life?

I have always advised my players to embrace education because it even helps them to be better players and also better people in the future. I keep telling them that it is only when they have good education that they will have a brighter future. I tell them that when they play football alone without also having the benefit of good education, it limits the scope of their success.

Your greatest achievement in life My greatest achievement was finding my name in the FIFA book as a footballer.

What is your biggest regret?

My biggest regret was my inability to become a professor. I’ve always wanted to be a scholar and probably a professor. That was why I decided to invest on my children’s education as a way of achieving that.

Udoh (left) celebrating after winning a trophy with First Bank

Udoh

32 Sport Bolt

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

Usain Bolt participates in Lifestyle exhibition cricket match

H

e often talks about becoming a professional footballer for Manchester United, but Usain Bolt showed that his sporting talent also extends to cricket after taking part in an exhibition match in India.

The world’s fastest man headed to Bangalore on his first visit to the country after his sponsor, Puma, organised a seven-aside, four over match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Bolt and his team faced off against India international Yuvraj Singh, also a Puma ambassador, and his own side as local fans flocked

Ronaldo’s fiancée strips down for racy shoot

H

er exotic beauty and incredible body have made her one the most lusted after models in the world. But it seems Irina Shayk’s stunning looks can also prove a distraction.

Cristiano Ronaldo girlfriend appears in the latest campaign for Spanish footwear brand XTI, but threatens to outshine the product she’s promoting as she shows off her incredible figure in a series of skimpy outfits.

The 28-year-old then changes into a number of eye-catching ensembles - including denim hotpants, a leather mini-dress and a sheer lace vest - as she promotes the Autumn/Winter collection.

The shoot hots up as she poses for a series of provocative pictures alongside hunky model Stephen James, who is covered headto-toe in tattoos.

The Russian model lays behind the handsome Scot as she wraps her legs around him in one racy image, while another shows her sat in between his legs on the floor.

Ex-Swansea star bathes with lady friend

F

ormer Swansea defender Chico pearances for Swansea afFlores seems to be bathing in his ter signing from Italian club own success after posting a Twitter Genoa and helped the club picture of himself in a tub shared with an to Capital One Cup trophy unknown lady. success in 2013.

“It feels like I am leaving At best, the Spanish centre-back appears to be using the woman’s painted my family,’ Chico said.

“I have really enjoyed toes as a makeshift chin rest as he reclines covered in bubbles, while few my time here. When we won the cup it was one could argue with the accompanying caption that simply reads ‘Relax’. of the best moFlores left the Premier ments in my career.”

League in the summer to be re-united with former Swans manager Michael Laudrup at Qatari Stars League champions Lekhwiya.

The 27-year-old was joined by teammate Pablo Hernandez, with the pair arriving in the Flores Middle East for undisclosed fees after t wo-year spells at the Liberty StaRonaldo’s dium. girlfriend, ‘Ch ico’ Shayk made 75 ap-

to watch the action after free tickets were handed out.

The Jamaican star showed that he’s more than just a fast runner by displaying both his batting and bowling skills as his side came out on top in the short match.

After losing at his own game, Singh was then given a chance for revenge in a 100 metre race inside the stadium.

The 32-year-old didn’t disappoint, somehow managing to leave Bolt in second place as Batistuta (left) with his doctor he tasted victory for the first time on Tuesday.

Batistuta begged doctor to remove his legs to end pain rgentina legend Gabriel Batistuta A begged a doctor to amputate his legs due to the excruciating pain he felt after

retiring in 2005.

The former striker, who netted 56 times in 78 international caps and terrorised defences in Serie A for years, suffered terribly from the stress he had put on his body during a 17-year career.

Batistuta, who netted a penalty against England at the 1998 World Cup, was unable to walk and would wet the bed as he could not face dragging himself to the bathroom.

And the former Fiorentina and Roma striker felt so much pain at the age of 36 that he longed to have his legs removed, just like South African athlete Oscar Pistorius.

The now 45-year-old told TyC Sports: “I left football and overnight I couldn’t walk.

“I wet the bed even though the bathroom was only three metres away. It was 4am and I knew if I stood my ankle would kill me.”

World boxing champ stabbed in England

W

orld champion boxer Kell Brook has been stabbed while holidaying in Tenerife with his wife Lindsey.

The attack is believed to have happened during an evening out on Wednesday where Brook sustained an injury to his leg and a cut to his arm.

The 28-year-old was then taken to hospital where he is understood to be in a stable condition and not in a life-threatening situation.

The incident comes less than a month after Brook shocked Shawn Porter to win the IBF Welterwight title on American soil in California.

Kell-Brook

Stories courtesy Dailymail

Ideas&Brands ON SATURDAY

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

With KINGSLEY OGBONNA

www.newtelegraphonline.com/weekend

kingchudy@yahoo.com; 09091809827

Spirit of Lagos calls for song entries

A

s part of efforts aimed at changing the mindset of Lagos State residents towards their environment, public infrastructure and fellow humans, Spirit of Lagos (SOL), a non-political, non-religious organization, has invited Lagos residents to participate in a song competition to select a theme song that will resonate with Lagosians and promote the ideals of Lagos State.

The competition, which is expected to drive engagement and adoption of SOL’s messages among Lagosians, is open to residents of Lagos, irrespective of their states of origin, ethnicity, religion, class, gender etc. The competition will run from September 1 to 26, 2014.

Niyi Omotoso, project director of the organization, at a press conference held in Lagos on August 29, said “the theme song competition was conceived to engage Lagosians and create an opportunity for musical talent to thrive as well as generate thought and conversation around the values of Spirit of Lagos.”

According to him, “the best theme song must, amongst other things, be new and never been played in any of the media platforms or performed anywhere prior to the competition, promote the unique attributes that made Lagos a centre of excellence, inspire social justice, civic responsibility, citizenship and neighbouliness, and must not exceed three minutes.”

“The winning theme song must align with the objectives of the Spirit of Lagos’ ‘Change Your Thinking’ campaign which is to restore those unique values that made Lagos a safe, just, prosperous and neighbourly place to live in and visit in the past,” Omotoso added.

L-R: Dr Mariam Masha, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Transport Education, Oyinkan Badejo Okunsanya; General Counsel to the Governor of Lagos State and Olaniyi Omotoso, Project Director, Spirit of Lagos at the press conference to announce the Spirit of Lagos theme Song Contest in Lagos earlier this week

He explained that the winner of the contest will gain, amongst other things, a recording contract, opportunity to be considered as an SOL ambassadorship, cash prize of N500,000 and a chance to perform the song alongside some notable Nigerian artistes at the Lagos State Governor’s Ball scheduled for the third quarter of this year.

The first and second runners-up in the contest will be rewarded with cash prizes of N200,000 and N100,000, respectively, while the song with the highest vote will get N50,000 as a cash reward.

L-R: Director, Health Planning, Research & Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Ansa Ogu; Technical Advisor to Minister of State for Health, Dr. Faisal Shuaib; CSR Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Chinda Manjor and Permanent Secretary/ Board Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Oguntimehin Olukayode during the donation of mobile phones and SIM cards by Airtel Nigeria to the Ebola Isolation Centre, Yaba

T

6 SEPTEMBER 2014

33

British Airways to reward travel consultants

B

Airtel hailed for fight against Ebola

he special medical team constituted by the federal and state governments to lead the fight against the spread of Ebola Virus Disease has commended Airtel Nigeria for its support and contributions to the ongoing effort against the spread of Ebola The Ebola Team in Lagos comprises top Federal and State Governments health officials, personnel from the World Health Organisation, experienced medical personnel from Nigeria Center for Disease Control &

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

Prevention and other partner agencies.

Airtel Nigeria donated 100 mobile handsets, complimentary airtime for each line and a Closed User Group (CUG) facility to improve overall communication and efficiency of the response.

Speaking shortly after receiving the donations from the Airtel Team, the Technical Advisor to Hon. Minister of State, Health as well as Incident Manager, Ebola Emergency Operations Centre, Lagos, Dr.

“The selection of the winning song will be presided over by a panel of judges consisting of performing artistes and record label owners. Each song will be judged on creativity, originality, message content, balance & blend, and overall acceptability,” Omotoso concluded.

The group announced that all Lagosians have a say in choosing the winning theme song as the competition allows all residents of all Nigerians irrespective of where they live to vote for the songs of their choice on SOL Facebook Page or any of the SOL online media platforms.

Faisal Shuaib, said Airtel responded swiftly and showed enthusiasm to support the Ebola centre.

“The phones and other facilities donated by Airtel will be used by response staff in the field to communicate more effectively and efficiently. Additionally, these phones will be given out to EVD patients that need to be in isolation at the hospital.

“The phones will allow these patients to communicate with their families, enabling them to receive the support and encouragement they need to recover from the disease,” he said, noting that the phones will be destroyed once the patients and workers are out of the Centre.

Those who were in attendance during the donation include the permanent secretary and board secretary of Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Oguntimehin Olukayode; member, Emergency Operations Center, Prof.

Oni Idigbo; WHO Ebola Team lead, Dr. Musa Emmanuel; co-founder and director. eHealth Africa, Adam Thompson; director of Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. Ansa Ogu; Ebola Team lead, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, John Vertecenille and incoming team lead, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nancy Knight.

Airtel Nigeria was represented by Chinda Manjor, CSR manager and Erhumu Bayagbon, media relations manager.

ritish Airways and Iberia Airlines have announced plans to give their travel consultants in Nigeria a special Yuletide with bumper rewards of elite shopping experience. The company will be rewarding travel consultants at their travel agencies across Nigeria with gifts up to one million naira from October through December. The offer which is in partnership with Shoprite in Nigeria is a way of appreciating the travel consultants for their roles in air travels in Nigeria.

British Airways’ regional general manager for West Africa, Mr Kola Olayinka, said that the travel consultants are encouraged to book British Airways and win the shopping vouchers which are available in in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

According to Mr. Olayinka, “This offer is our way of saying thank you to our partners. We thought of a better way to show our appreciation to these valuable consultants, so we went into a strong partnership with one of the national biggest outlets, Shoprite who have outlets all over Nigeria and stock a good range of household items.

With this, we are giving our partners the opportunity of early preparations for the yuletide season.”

Anyembugu: Priest as church’s brand ambassador

R

ev. Fr. Lawrence Soja Anyembugu, the parish priest of St. Sylvester’s Catholic Church, New Nyanya in Nasarawa State, could be described as the face of the Catholic Church in Nasarawa and Federal Capital Territory. And this is poignantly attested to by the series of activities which the priest has been undertaking in recent times.

Last year, for instance, Anyembugu sponsored a massive free medical checkup and treatment for his parishioners and host community alike. Even while the ovation had yet to subside, the priest extended the gesture to his home town in Nasarawa, offering free treatment to a legion of his compatriots.

One other effort which endeared Anyembugu to not a few hearts was his book, Shadows of Existence, a compendium of wise sayings, religious and historical expositions, etc. The book launched last year, attracted Nigerians from diverse walks of life (including ex-military ruler Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Senate President David Mark).

And just a few months ago Rev. Fr. Anyembugu dazzled all at his old school (Government Secondary School, Alo, near Akwanga in Nasarawa State) by sponsoring a quiz competition. The event, which drew a large audience, subsequently led to Anyembugu election as president of the Old Boys’ association.

An old boy of the school, obviously spoke the minds of many when declared: “There are priests and there are priest; in Fr. Anyembugu we have the quintessential cleric whose thoughts and selfless deeds epitomize commitment and service at the highest level. In fact, one dares say without fear of contradiction that he is not only the face of his old school, but the poster boy of the Catholic Church.”

My Weekend NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

6 SEPTEMBER 2014

34

I socialise through old boys’ association –Ajose Mr. Abdul-Ganiu Owolabi Ajose, is a Nigerian who plied his legal practice in the U.S for over two decades before returning home. He tells SEGUN EDWARDS that being born a silver spoon gave him lots of opportunities to have the best of the good life.

Ajose

A

bdul-Ganiu Ajose’s Cherubic disposition gives an impression of a well exposed young man, yet, he is very humble.

“My name is Abdul-Ganiu Owolabi Kayode Ajose, I was born on Lagos Island over 50 years ago, to the family of Kareem Ayinde Ajose ‘Alowomatanna,’ which translates to ‘the rich who does not illuminate his surrounding’ as we are popularly known,” he says.

He relishes his background as he reels out his forebear’s identity with all the pride saying, “My grandfather was actually a tobacco merchant. One of the core 12 people that owned almost all of Lagos Island. I remember growing up in my father’s living room with his father, my own grandfather seated with 10 other indigenous Lagosians and an Hausa man called Bawa. The Animashauns were there and a few other people that I remember, and they were seating with the Governor of the Protectorate of La-

gos o f

the colonial days.”

Relishing the nostalgic feelings his humble background evokes, he enthused: “I still have the picture of that scene in my seating room, from what I understood, those were the people that owned practically the whole of Lagos Island at that time. So, I am from the Ajose Family on Lagos Island. I attended the Christ Church Cathedral, from there I went to Aunty Ayo Preparatory at Biado, in Ikoyi and from there, I gained admission into Igbobi College, from Igbobi College , I went to Bell College in Essex, England, where I did my A’ Levels and when I secured the pre-requisite for university. I gained admission to read Law at University of Hull in England, where I graduated before proceeding to the Law school in Nigeria.”

Ajose enjoys the rare opportunity of being one of the few Nigerian attorneys who plies the learned profession in the God’s own country.

Asked to comment on some memo-

rable moments of his legal career in the US, he recalls that “There are so many. I can’t really pick one but the most memorable I would say concern the Wackenhut detention facility, off Gibower in Queens New York, and everybody that came into JFK Airport where a harmful of people who came into the US with questionable immigration documents were detained, I used to be the champion. I had not less than 30 clients in that facility, a lot of Nigerians, and other nationals, there was always court session at the facility. I was in good terms with the immigration officials, and even the judge.”

Though it was usually difficult to get people out of immigration detention, but for me I had good relationship with them at the facility. I secured for a Nigerian victimised Naval commander, who was hounded out of service back in Nigeria by top hierarchy of the Nigerian Navy because he refused to allow a shady oil bunkering activity, while he was the commanding officer in Atlas Cove. He was forced to flee with another person’s passport, and was detained. I was able to secure asylum for him. Today he is an American citizen, whereas, he would have been killed.”

Ajose says his life revolves around his family, adding, “I have two set of families. My first family is my wife and children, my second family is my political family. The political family takes a lot of my time but life is about balancing, however no matter what I have to do with politics, I leave adequate time for my wife and children.”

Giving an insight into his daily routine, he says he get up at 6am everyday and go jogging “to set me up for the whole day.”

“When I was growing up, my dad used to take me to school himself. We had drivers but he will not allow the driver take me, until when he was growing older. From that experience, I see it as an opportunity to always interact with your kids to know what is going on in their lives.

“So, I take my children to school, except if I’m not around. If I am not around, I will insist my wife takes them, or my mother-in-law can take them but definitely, not driver although I have drivers. I always take my children to school and take them after the school

No matter what I have to do with politics, I leave adequate time for my wife and children

hours. No matter what I have to do with politics, I create adequate time for my immediate family,” he says.

He strives as much as possible to leave the best of life in terms of relaxation, as he says he embraces exercise to keep fit in his everyday life.

“I used to play a lot of soccer even in the US, at a park in Brooklyn, apart from jogging. I skip in the US, I ride bikes, I’m actually in the process of bringing my bikes to Nigeria to ride, not motorbikes any more. I did all of that in the past, when I was younger; but bicycIes because it is a very good exercise,” he says of the need for him to keep fit.

On how he spends his weekend, Ajose explains that it is important that he spends quality time with his family if he has no political or other engagements that can take him away from home on weekends.

“I take them out, we just create fun for ourselves. We can go on a trip wining and dining somewhere interesting.

If don’t go to the beach, we go somewhere to catch fun. We go to interesting places around town. My children love Ice cream, pizzas and other good things kids love, but we go somewhere to enjoy ourselves,” he enthuses.

He however says he does not crave any special menu on weekend. Explaining this, he says he has not been cut for such idea since his childhood days.

Ajose recalls, “While I was growing up, my dad knew I wasn’t that kind of person that craves most of the basic traditional Yoruba menus. They used to taunt me then because I get scared with anything menu that contained pepper, even now my wife tries to ensure that I eat menu like amala. She knows I am not endeared to eating eba and other Yoruba meals. It is usually rice or bread.

“It only now she forces me to eat amala. As amatter of fact, I have always been scared away from eating all the local menu stuffs, I remember when I was a child, my dad used to frighten me a lot over my allergy to eating pepper. I have never cherished the idea of eating all the local delicacies.”

On the social front, Ajose describes himself as a conservative person when it comes to socialising.

Although he is not a member of any social club, he admits that he and his family do visit some social clubs like the Ikoyi Club and the Island Club due to his affiliations with some members of the clubs.

But he adds that he may formally register with any of the clubs as his immediate family members are putting pressure on him to join any social club.

“My family has access to those places (Ikoyi and Island clubs) but because my wife wants me to register, I’m considering joining any of the clubs. Besides, my kids like swimming and this may also be a factor to join social club. But I always have something to do with the old students’ association of my school, Igbobi College. We meet regularly. These days when most of us are turning 50 and over 50, we meet regularly and that is socialisation enough for me.”

L ve&Lv ng

Dear Love Doctor, ‘I have a crush on my boss' p.37

Life Experience: 'I paid my ex-boyfriend to impregnate me on behalf of my husband' p.36

MICHAEL UCHEBUAKU

NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

ireto007@yahoo.com 0813 116 1840

www.newtelegraphonline.com/loveliving

'My mother wants me to marry her boyfriend' Love Confession It is said that the love of money is the root of all evils. In this story, a mother's love for money makes her desperate to give out her daughter's hand in marriage to her own lover.

M

y mother was a single mother. On her own she struggled to feed, clothe, shelter and send me to school, and I appreciate her for it. My mum had married at a young age and my father had died before I was born.

My mum was still young and needed a man to take care of her, so I grew up used to seeing different men with my mother. She instructed me to call them ‘uncles’, which I respectfully did.

I was in Year 1 in Poly when I returned from school one day to meet my mother in the arms of an Alhaji. Their affair became so passionate and continued for years and Alhaji confided so much in my mother.

He told her all his secrets. And my mother always advised him.

But recently, Alhaji told my mum that he wants to marry a second wife because his first wife has only two children for him.

He wanted to have more children, which he felt befitted a rich Muslim man like himself. But my mother surprised me by recommending that Alhaji should take me, her own daughter, as his second wife.

I hated the idea. Alhaji then tried his best to talk to me in order to secure my consent to marry him.

––Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Name: DESTINY Tel: 08122737282

And my mother continued pressing me with reasons I should agree to marry Alhaji.

She told me how much she suffered to train me even in the absence of a father and breadwinner in the family.

She told me about all the financial hardships that our family was facing, and that if I accepted Alhaji’s proposal, our family would never be poor again.

“Joke,” my mum said, “please marry Alhaji and bear him more children, which he needs. If you do so our family will never be poor again.”

I told my mum that it was incest for a man to sleep with both mother and daughter. How could Alhaji, after dating my mother, now turn around and marry me, her daughter.

But my mum said it was because she was unable to bear children for Alhaji that she could not marry him. So, in order not to lose out on Alhaji’s money, it was better I married him to keep his money flowing in our family.

I wept and ran away from home.

But after a second thought, I returned home and told my mother I would marry Alhaji if only marrying him would ensure the continued survival of our family and the school fees of my junior ones.

Now we plan to do the official marriage ceremony in a month’s time, after which I’ll move into Alhaji’s house as his second wife. I feel so bad about everything.

But what can I do? It’s like an insult marrying me after sleeping with my mother. And I know that what I feel for Alhaji is not love.

People say I’ll never have a happy married life with Alhaji, because he’ll continue to date my mother even after I become his second wife.

But when I think of it, I pity my mum too and I don’t blame her for pressing me to marry Alhaji, because I know that our family’s poverty is the cause of all this rubbish.

“I love you the way a drowning man loves air. And it would destroy me to have you just a little.”

––The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

6 SEPTEMBER 2014

MODEL OF THE WEEK

Romantic Quotes “And in her smile I see something more beautiful than the stars.”

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

Colour of Model's dress: Vermilion, an orange red PHOTO: GODWIN IREKHE

35

36 LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

Love News

Inside Brad and Angelina's secret wedding B zz How they pulled it off!

rad Pitt, 50 and Angelina Jolie, 39, finally wed last weekend and managed to keep the whole event secret which is quite a feat to pull off in the age of camera phones and social media!

A representative for the pair has confirmed the couple tied the knot on Saturday, at a small chapel on the couples wine growing estate known as Château Miraval in Correns - a town in rural France. Apparently even local officials were surprised by the news. "No one in Correns knew a thing," an official from the French village told People. "It was a marriage which seems to have been carried out in total intimacy and absolute discretion."

The estate of Château Miraval is a location close to Brad and Angelina’s hearts, set on over 1,100 acres, the prop-

erty features a 35-room main house and a working vineyard in addition to an ancient chapel which it’s understood is where the nuptials took place.

The estate of Château Miraval is a location close to Brad and Angelina’s hearts, set on over 1,100 acres, the property features a 35-room main house and a working vineyard in addition to an ancient chapel which it’s understood is where the nuptials took place.

The family arrived by private jet in Nice on Friday before being chauffeured on the 90 minute drive to their private estate, according to a local paper the Nice-Matin.

Angelina wore a dress that was "very traditional, but very Angie," a source toldE! New."It was comfortable with plain white floor length antique lace and silk."

She also wore a veil and according

to the source: “Brad lifted it [he] gasped because she looked so stunning.” Angelina also wore small gold locket that once belonged to her late mother Marcheline Bertrand.

There were only 22 people in attendance including Pitt’s parents Bill and Jane Pitt, his brother Doug and sister Julie plus of course the couple’s six children. Angelina’s father, Jon Voight, was not in attendance. The representative for the couple told the Associated Press that Maddox, 13, Pax, 11, Zahara, 9, Shiloh, 8, and 6-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne all took part in the private ceremony.

Maddox and Pax and Knox are believed to have played ring bearers with rings specially designed by the couple’s friend Robert Procop. Zahara, Shiloh and Vivienne were the flower girls with baskets of rose petals they'd picked in the garden on the estate that morning, in details revealed by a source to E! News.

The source said that: “The chapel smelt of rosemary and jasmine from the bushes outside the window and the sun streamed in the tint-stained glass windows."

After the wedding, the couple and their guests returned to the “Great Hall” at the main house on the estate and “had a big celebration lunch with local hams, cheeses, freshly caught sea bass, Italian pastas and champagne, as well as Chateau Miraval rosé wine [Pitt and Jolie's own brand]," the source reveals.

"There were three different types of cakes, all picked by the kids—one was a strawberry ice cream one, another was a three chocolate gateau and a third had fresh cream and raspberries."

Brad is believed to have discretely made arrangements for the big day on a recent 10 day visit in July when it’s reported he contacted a local florist – no doubt to prep floral arrangements for the wedding celebration.

Courtesy: Woman's Day.

Life Experience

'I paid my ex-boyfriend to impregnate me on behalf of my husband'

H

ow can you know that a man is infertile or impotent before getting married to him? I love men with muscles, and so I was naturally attracted to Charles. He was 47, I was 36, and we were both happy about having an affair leading to marriage. We knew both of us were getting older and needed to settle down fast so that we could begin to have children before old age comes. Charles was almost 50 and I was already over 35, so we had to take the decision to wed rather fast.

Charles and I only courted for two months, and our courtship was like paradise on earth. Right from the moment I knocked on his door and he opened for me to enter, he would carry me in his arms from the doorstep straight to the bed and make sweet love to me in a way I have never experienced. His touch was a memory, because I never could forget the way he touched me and made me reach cloud nine.

He was a good artist. And sometimes after we had made love, he would tell me to pose naked on the bed and use a pencil to make a breathtaking sketch of me on paper. I framed some of his black & white drawings of me nude because they were so beautiful.

Charles told me I had eyes like a cat; that my skin was the colour of honey, and that my hair was as beautiful and black as midnight. He was tall and had to look down into my eyes to

However, the first seven years of our marriage were of deep concern to me, because all attempts to get pregnant for Charles failed woefully say I love you. I couldn’t resist him when he kissed me, because his kiss was as soft as a feather and as satisfying as rain on dry land. I was both hungry and thirsty for his love. And I thought I would die if I didn’t have Charles all night by my side.

However, the first seven years of our marriage were of deep concern to me, because all attempts to get pregnant for Charles failed woefully.

Initially, I thought I hadn’t taken in because we didn’t have plenty of sex due to job stress. So we started having sex as if there was no tomorrow. But still, it didn’t work. And after 10 years of marriage, I was at my wits end.

I asked Charles if there was anything wrong with us, and he said nothing. He just kept silent whenever I raised the issue. His silence was suspicious and I told him so. Then one night, Charles woke me up from sleep at 3am and said he had a confession to make. He now confessed to me that

Love Songs

NICKI MINAJ

Pills N Potions Pills and potions We're overdosing I'm angry but I still love you Pills and potions We're overdosing Can't stand it, but I still love you I still love, I still love I still love, I still love I still lo-o-ove, I still lovee I still love, I still love I still love, I still love I still love, I still love I still love, I still love I still lo-o-ove, I still love I still love, I still love I still love, I still love Hey yo they could never make me hate you Even though what you was doing wasn't tasteful Even though you out here looking so ungrateful I'm a keep it moving, be classy and graceful I told 'em it's no friends in the game You ain't learned that yet All the bridges you came over, don't burn that yet Niggas want respect, but niggas ain't earned that yet Self-righteous, and entitled But they swearing on the Bible that they love you When really they aint no different from all your rivals But I still don't wish death on them, I just reflect on them Pills and potions We're overdosing I'm angry but I still love you Pills and potions We're overdosing Can't stand it, but I still love you

Love Poem

Angiee Thoroughman

My Love For You I love you with my heart I love you with my soul I know you don't believe in me but trust me for I know my love is deep my love is true and it will never fade so tell me now and tell me true DO YOU LOVE ME TOO?

*Send your love poems along with your name and number to ireto007@yahoo.com

Romantic Jokes when he was younger he contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD), which affected his reproductive ability.

My husband said his sperm count was extremely low and therefore, it was going to be very difficult, if not impossible for me to bear a child for him. I now asked him why he didn’t tell me all these things before marrying me. I asked him why he had wasted my time for 10 whole years before telling me the truth about his condition. And he said he was sorry and that if he had told me during our courtship, I wouldn’t have agreed to marry him. Charles now said that people have been referring to us as a barren couple and that it is his entire fault. He suggested we get children from outside to hide our shame.

I called my ex-boyfriend and promised to pay him N50,000 if he impregnated me. And he succeeded in making me pregnant. Of course, Charles, my husband, celebrated when I got pregnant twice and bore two children purportedly for him in quick succession. And then our stigma as a barren couple vanished. We are now living happily in Abuja.

Satan's Sister

One bright, beautiful Sunday morning, everyone in tiny Smithville wakes up early and goes to their local church.

Before the service starts, the townspeople sit in their pews and talk about their lives, their families, etc.

Suddenly, at the altar, Satan appears!! Everyone starts screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in their determined efforts to get away from Evil Incarnate.

Soon, everyone is evacuated from the church except for one man, who sit calmly in his pew, seemingly oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy is in his presence.

This confuses Satan a bit.

Satan walks up to the man and says, "Hey, don't you know who I am?"

The man says, "Yep, sure do."

Satan says, "Well, aren't you afraid of me?"

The man says, "Nope, sure ain't."

Satan, perturbed, says, "And why aren't you afraid of me?"

"Well, I've been married to your sister for 25 years."

A programme for Singles and Married takes place at Holy Family Catholic Church, Festac Town, Lagos, every Monday by 7.00pm. Hosted by Rev. Fr. Sebastine Ukwandu.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

Relationships & Love Advice Dear Love Doctor, I have a crush on my boss. I can't stop thinking about him. He is so cute and nice and I've fallen in love with him. The truth is that I find my boss very attractive.

However, the rule at work is that you can't date someone over you or under you.

So what do I do?

‘I have a crush on my boss' even though the boss has no interest in romance. If the attraction is truly mutual, and if neither of you is married, the next rule is to talk to your boss about the possible consequences of becoming a couple.

From Lizzy.

Love Doctor’s Advice: Dear Lizzy, Office romance doesn't sound quite right. You must avoid it if you can, because it could interfere with your level of productivity and adversely affect your job. However, though dating your boss is considered risky business, in one survey of 600 respondents in the US, 84 people admitted to dating a superior, and 114 said they had dated a subordinate. In other words, it’s possible that one third of today’s workers allow romance to develop despite their boss – employee relationship. A human resources vice president reports that although romantic liaisons are discouraged, preventing them is “impossible” because of the long hours that many of us work, in addition to socializing outside of the workplace. It’s a fact that many of us spend more waking hours with our coworkers than with our family and friends.

So even though your situation is not

Blackberry Connection Ada, 28, in Abia, needs a man of 35 to 40 years for marriage.

BB PIN: 21D29ECD.

• Connect with Mike on WhatsApp or BlackBerry Pin: 7ab29e22 or 21978F71 for details on how to send your BlackBerry or Smartphone Connect request.

• Call Mike on 07031028714, 08131161840 or 08023700641 to link up and for direct hookup.

unique, it still requires caution, especially considering that sexual harassment lawsuits are most common among relationships between a boss and a subordinate, as compared to relationships between two equal coworkers.

Be Realistic The first rule to follow if you have a crush on your boss is to do a reality check. Are you confusing admiration of your boss’s skills with romantic feelings? Might a mentor-mentee relationship be more appropriate, and beneficial? If your feelings are genuinely romantic, are you sure that the feelings are mutual? Some people fantasize so much about having a relationship with a superior that it starts to seem real,

Practice Discretion If you both decide to give it a try, be discreet. That means no displays of affection at all during work hours. No flirting, no sexy e-mail or text messages, no touching, no gazing into each other’s eyes and no private jokes. While at work, do nothing but work. After hours, be sure to socialize in places where no one else from your company will see you.

Finally, if you are going to engage in any boss to subordinate type of relationship, have a plan, even if it means finding another job. Best wishes!

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. For free marriage/ relationships counseling, or if you have fertility problems and need help; call Love Doctor Mike 07031028714, 08131161840. Visit lovedrmike. blogspot.com

H ♥ ♥ K U P . . . f i n d y o u r h e a r t ’s d e s i r e Women SEEKING relationship/marriage ♥ Mimi, 37, big, busty and sexy, from Delta, needs a mature man of 55 years and above who is romantic and caring. 08142142659. ♥ Esther, 34, civil servant in Abuja, single mother, needs a man of 37 years and above for marriage. +234 8114226917. ♥ Favour needs a mature and responsible man of 30-40 years to love. +234 708 083 1522. ♥ Jennifer, 25, from the East, a student of UNIPORT, needs a man for a serious relationship. 08100648387.

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08131893005.

♥ Damilola, 26, in Lagos, needs a guy of 30-35 years for a serious relationship. 08137057971.

♥ Khalid, 33, 5.9ft, handsome, needs a HIV positive lady of 23-30 years, graduate and working, and preferably a Muslim from either the north or Kwara. 08117673371.

♥ Becky, 30, a nurse from Gombe but works in Jigawa, needs a responsible man from the north for marriage. 080777042830, 07030829342.

♥ Chinwike, 30, from Enugu, state, handsome, works with NSCDC, wants a humble, hard working, lady between 30-45 years for marriage. 08137193518.

♥ Tracy, 41, tall, homely and honest, needs a loving and caring mature man from 50 years and above for a serious courtship.

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♥ Divine Joy, 29, Imo, 5ft, orphan, undergraduate, needs a true pentecostal and educated Igbo widower of 30-35 years for marriage. 08169279907.

♥ Chidera, 40, from Ebonyi, civil servant in PH, needs a good Christian lady between 23-31 years with a nice shape and very big breasts for marriage. 08037317375.

ROMANTIC TEXT OF THE WEEK

“When the sun rises, I can't help thinking about you, because you are the sunshine of my life"

♥ Kindness, fair, handsome, wants a sugar mummy. 07061252367.

Lovers’ Answers Game: The rule: Ask the opposite sex one question about love, and choose your lover from the top 3 answers.

A lady is asking all men: "What can a woman do if her husband doesn't make her reach orgasm?" Contact the lady via 08160508580. *Call Mike: 07031028714 to send questions or issues.

LOVE&LIVING

37

Odd News

Eating meat is causing 'dangerous climate change', claim scientists E

ating less meat is "essential" to ensure future demand for food can be met and "dangerous" climate change avoided, experts have warned.

A study by leading university researchers in Cambridge and Aberdeen found food production alone could exceed targets for greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 if current trends continue.

Population growth and the global shift towards 'meat-heavy Western diets' has meant increasing agricultural yields will not meet projected food demands for an expected 9.6 billion world population in 30 years, according to the researchers.

Increased deforestation, fertiliser use and livestock methane emissions are likely to cause greenhouse gas emissions from food production to rise by almost 80 per cent, experts from the University of Cambridge and University of Aberdeen found.

Could eating less meat and dairy mitigate climate change?

A report released earlier this year came to similar conclusions, that emissions from agriculture threaten to keep increasing as global meat and dairy consumption increases.

If agricultural emissions are not addressed, nitrous oxide from fields and methane from livestock may double by 2070. This alone would make meeting the climate target essentially impossible.

'We have shown that reducing meat and dairy consumption is key to bringing agricultural climate pollution down to safe levels,' said Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden.

'Broad dietary change can take a long time. We should already be thinking about how we can make our food more climate friendly.'

By 2050, estimates indicate that beef and lamb will account for half of all agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, while only contributing three per cent of human calorie intake.

Cheese and other dairy products will account for about one quarter of total agricultural climate pollution.

Lead researcher Bojana Bajzelj, from the University of Cambridge's department of engineering, said: "Agricultural practices are not necessarily at fault here - but our choice of food is.

"It is imperative to find ways to achieve global food security without expanding crop or pastureland.

"Food production is a main driver of biodiversity loss and a large contributor to climate change and pollution, so our food choices matter."

He added: "Cutting food waste and moderating meat consumption in more balanced diets, are the essential "no-regrets' options."

According to the study in Nature Climate Change, current trends in food production will mean that by 2050 cropland will have expanded by 42 per cent and fertiliser use increased by 45 per cent over 2009 levels.

A further tenth of the world's pristine tropical forests would disappear over the next 35 years, it said.

Courtesy: Daily Mail.

38 LOVE&LIVING

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

True Confession From Overseas

'I sold my engagement ring to pay my debt' M y husband Eric is amazing. He is very organised, healthy, thoughtful, sensible with money and very handsome. He ticks all the boxes.

We met through a dating site and clicked on the very first date. I have a good job and also earn good money, but at the beginning of our relationship I was not very sensible with my money and overspent regularly.

When I was single I didn't care as I only had myself to consider, but when I met Eric, I became ashamed of my spending habits and my ever mounting credit card debt. Worried I would lose him, I decided to keep my huge credit card debt a secret, but I did decide to change my habits.

I consolidated my credit cards into a personal loan and chopped them up, and started using debit cards instead.

It was difficult to cut down my spending at first, but I soon found it to be a fun challenge. Once I stopped spending and thought about just how much

SEXUAL COMMUNICATION

Sex as a Stress Management Technique S We met through a dating site and clicked on the very first date

money I wasted each week on lunches, coffees and gossip magazines alone, I was horrified!

I felt very proud of myself, and for the first time in many years I was starting to save money. Things were going well with Eric and we decided to open a joint account to save for a house.

With Eric as my motivator, there simply was no option to withdraw money or skip instalments. It felt great.

As we were rapidly coming close to approaching a bank regarding a loan I knew my secret would soon be out.

There was no way I could pay off my large personal loan in time without Eric finding out.

I began to panic and would wake up at night, wondering for hours on end what I was going to do. I knew Eric would have been disgusted in me for lying to him for so long and that he would end our relationship. I just couldn't risk losing him.

After weeks of thinking I finally worked up the courage to come clean.

We were at home sharing a lovely dinner discussing our plans to buy a house when Eric surprised me and proposed. He popped the question with a beautiful BIG diamond ring.

I was shocked and of course said yes, but in the back of my mind, panic was rising in me as I remembered what I was about to confess.

The next week as I gazed at my beautiful ring, I formed a plan. After work I raced into a shop that specialised in good quality, but fake jewellery and I had my ring replicated. I sold my beautiful, expensive ring and started wearing the fake one instead.

Eric never noticed the difference.

With the money I got from the sale of my real engagement ring plus some money that I borrowed from my brother, I was able to pay off my loan and Eric has never found out.

We have been married for four years now and I still get regular compliments on my beautiful, but fake, diamond ring. I hate what I did and feel so guilty, but I know it was for the best. I also know I will never allow myself to get into credit card debt ever again.

Your say: Have you had a similar experience? Share your stories and thoughts with us.

Courtesy: nine.com

Love Education

What is Sexual Assault?

Courtesy: Wikipedia.

Good Sex and Good Mood In an Arizona State University study on 58 middle-aged women, physical affection or sexual behavior with a partner significantly predicted lower negative mood and stress, and higher positive mood the following day. Simply put, researchers found that sex and physical intimacy led women to feel less stressed and be in a better mood the next day. (These results weren’t found when women had orgasms without a partner).

The same study found that being in a good mood predicted more physical affection and sexual activity with a partner the next day, showing that the sex-stress management connection works both ways: sex can lead you to feel less stressed, and being less stressed (or at least in a better mood) can lead to more sex. Further proof of the importance of effective stress management.

Sex and Blood Pressure Another study examined participants’ blood pressure as a measure of their stress responses during public speaking or challenging math problems—situations that often elicit stress. It was found that those who had recently had intercourse tended to have either lower baseline blood pressures, less of a blood pressure rise during stressful events, or both. These findings suggest that having sex can lead to less of a stress response during challenging situations, which is a good thing.

Sex and Stress Response Another study looked at women’s heart rate and cortisol levels as a measure of stress response, and found that women exhibited less of a stress response after ‘positive physical contact’ with a partner. Emotional support alone didn’t have the same effect.

S

exual assault, a form of sexual violence, is any involuntary sexual act in which a person is threatened, coerced, or forced to engage against their will, or any non-consensual sexual touching of a person.

This includes rape (such as forced vaginal, anal or oral penetration or drug facilitated sexual assault), groping, forced kissing, child sexual abuse, or the torture of the victim in a sexual manner.

In legal terms, sexual assault is a statutory offense in various jurisdictions, including United States, Canada, England and Wales, Ireland, and Scotland.

The legal definition of the crime of sexual assault is determined by each jurisdiction.

Specific legal jurisdictions and research often use highly technical or detailed definitions of the term.

In some places, such as New South Wales, the crime of sexual assault has replaced the traditional crime of rape, and is being defined as nonconsensual penetrative sex.

By contrast, in other jurisdictions, the crime deals with non-penetrative sexual contact.

ex and stress are linked in several ways.

Most of us instinctively know this already, and feel it unmistakably when a particularly stressful week or two zaps us of our sex drive. But while stress can have a hand in low libido, it can also be a great stress reliever, which is why jokes about uptight bosses needing a good roll in the hay are always good for at least one knowing chuckle. Have you ever wondered how much truth there was to the idea that a healthy sex life works nicely as a stress salve?

Orgasm and Health Orgasm itself has many benefits for health and stress relief.

Wedding Traditions

China: Crying for One Month

A

lthough weddings are usually accompanied by tears, brides and females of the Tujia people in China take matters to a whole new level.

Starting one whole month in advance the bride starts to cry for one hour everyday.

Ten days into the ordeal the mom joins the picture, and then ten days later the grandmother does the same. By the end of the month every female in the family is crying alongside the bride. Why? Well, it’s actually supposed to be an expression of joy as the women weep in different tones, kind of like a song…a very salty, wet song.

Courtesy: list25.com

PHOTO: MSN.COM

Travel&Tourism ON SATURDAY

Destination NTWEEKEND ONLINE AT

www.newtelegraphonline.com/travel

Travel Personality

With Sanganai-Hlanganani, Rosemary Duamlong: Zimbabwe keeps the A tour operator with world coming p.42 uncommon touch p.41

ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA, EDITOR, TRAVEL AND TOURISM iroandy@ymail.com

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

6 SEPTEMBER 2014

HOSPITALITY

39

NEW TELEGRAPH PARTNER HOTELS

FESTAC, LAGOS

PARKVIEW ESTATE, IKOYI, LAGOS

A typical chalet

Lafia Hotel: What's age got to do with it?

Lafia Hotel may be one of the oldest hotels around town but age has not slowed its ambition as it moves to upgrade its facilities and services towards its dream to be at the top tier, writes ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA.

L

afia Hotel, Ibadan is the oldest hospitality home in Ibadan and the country. However the managers are not content with this distinction but rather seems eager to re-position itself as a unique hospitality home. The makeover facilities have undergone lately is a strong indication to that end.

Set in a very serene environment of Apata area of Ibadan, the hotel exudes a natural pull with its beautiful and distinct outlay spread on a sprawling expanse of land spanning about 15 hectares.

Besides, it flaunts a breezy and soothing garden-like ambience linked by an arcade that lend itself to a leisure stroll.

Owned by the Odu’a Investment Company Limited, founded decades ago by the defunct Western Region government, it is a testimony to the success of that once glorious era in the history of Nigeria. The hotel is constantly on the renewal lane as it looks to attain the top spot in the city in the face of competition from the

new boutique and luxury hotels springing up daily in the city.

The general manager of the hotel, Mr. Olawale Ilori, described this move as a commitment to the vision of the company’s dream to grow and improve its many subsidiaries, including the hotel and putting them on the fast lane to success. The hotel recently completed its new banquet hall otherwise known as Lafia Hall, which Ilori said is a full service one–stop shop for different event. It seats between 1, 500 and 2, 000 and fitted with different facilities. It has a gallery sitting about 200 persons.

With this new facility, Lafia Hotel is fast gaining the attention of event planners, a fact evident in the rising number of the major business and social functions held at the facility.

There is also the Gan gan Hall, which sits about 250 people and is fitted with basic facilities as well. Both are dedicated to events such as conferences, seminars, retreats, wedding and

LAGOS

Swimming pool area

birthday ceremonies, banquet and companies’ annual general meetings.

Its leisure and entertainment packages have also witnessed some retooling spearheaded by the general manager who draws from his experience as the former entertainment manager of Lagos Airport Hotel, Lagos. ‘‘My team and myself have greatly improved on the entertainment package as we have introduced different activities and facilities to cater for the leisure needs of the people thus making us one of the top rated entertainment spots in the city,’’ said Ilori.

In this regard, he said the swimming pool has witnessed great improvement with a canopied sit–out area, a pool kitchen for such local delicacies as ofada rice, pepper soup, suya, asun, cow skin, beer meat and drinks, table tennis and snooker games.

He has also introduced happy hour, featuring a live band entertainment and heavily discounted drinks. There is also a traditional night for old time music and weekend packages. There is also Gan gan Night Club.

Wellness is also a notches high affair here with a privately-man-

aged gymnasium and fitness centre. It is open to walk –in guests as well. The ample space enjoyed by the hotel and the lush green walkways enable guests to enjoy a number of physical exercises, guided by a professional trainer and fitness coach in charge of the fitness centre.

The Odu’a Restaurant serves both continental and Africa dishes while Jobi Bar is stocked with assorted drinks.

The hotel offers 59 rooms of different types. These include royal suite, royal double, executive double, standard double and VIP suite while some of the features are flat screen TV with satellite, refrigerator, telephone, internet and in–house video entertainment.

The chalet design and spacious layout and landscaped garden give the hotel the home ambience. The idea is to create that feeling of naturalness.

The hotel was established in 1947 and it was the first hotel in the then Western Region acquired by the Odu’a Investment Group of Companies. It has since remained focused on delivering quality product and services.

ABA

BENEFITS There are lots of benefits to derive as one of our partner hotels. For enquiries and details on how to join the programme, please contact Andrew Iro Okungbowa: 08023152195 (sms only), e-mail: iroandy@ymail.com or Chinyere Opara: 08063768131 (sms only) e-mail angela_curtis-2@live.com

40 TRAVEL&TOURISM CHEF’S CORNER Nkoka Chikodi Nnamdi, a chef at Clever Restaurant, Lagos, shares his expertise on preparation of soup with BOLA KAREEM

N

koka Chikodi Nnamdi has been a chef since 1992 and has over that time worked at various eateries and hospitality outfits.

At present though, he delights guests at Clever Restaurant on the LASU–Iba road, Igando, a sprawling Lagos suburb.

Though Nnamdi is adept at both continental and Africa dishes, he gets a thrill when it comes to African dishes. ‘‘My specialty is African dishes, all tribes to be precise,’’ he said. He explained that most Nigerians seem to prefer English dishes when hosting parties and other social events, but added that guests would often rather have African meals because they ‘are very rich and nourishing. ‘‘African dishes are always of high demand in occasions because people are tired of taking the same type of dish every time in their various homes. So they prefer African soup whenever they have the opportunity too.’’

The list includes ogbono, edikang ikong soups, nkwobi, bitter leaf, okro, banga and egusi soups, fish and beef pepper soups.

Others are yam porridge, beans porridge, abacha, snail kebab and the different variety of vegetable soups.

But top on his list and, of course, the favourite at his restaurant is edikang ikong soup, which he says diners always request and eat with relish. He gives his ingredients and preparations for this soup: Ingredients: Pumpkin leaves Water leaves Beef, kanda and dry fish Pepper, salt and ground crayfish Palm oil Periwinkle Onions Seasoning Preparation: Step 1: Wash and cut the pumpkin and water leaf into tiny pieces. Put them in separate sieves to drain out all the wa-

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

For indigenous meals, it's no longer the second fiddle

ter as much as possible. Cut the skin into small pieces; cook the beef, skin and the dried fish with bulbs of diced onions and seasoning such as magi cubes and with as little quantity of water as possible.

Step 2: When the meat is cooked, add a generous amount of palm oil, the crayfish and pepper and leave to cook for about 10 minutes. The palm oil serves as water in the edikang ikong soup. You should try as much as possible to make it the only liquid in the soup.

Step 3: Add the periwinkle and water leaf and leave to cook for another five minutes. You may have to cook for less time at this stage so that the water leaf is not over cooked.

Stage 4: Now add the pumpkin leaf and salt to taste. Stir the contents of the pot very well and turn off the heat. Cover the pot and leave to stand for about five minutes.

The soup could be eaten with any of the following - garri, semovita, amala and pounded yam.

Background Nnamdi was exposed to the culinary world from his childhood, as his parents are retired caterers. The parents earned a wealth of experience in the industry working with restaurants including Mr. Bigg’s.

Nnamdi who is the first of six children reveals that he was inspired and motivated by his mother’s love for the profession.

"I fell in love with the profession because of the way my mother talks about it,’’ he said.

According to him, cooking is challenging but it becomes a stroll in the park once you are in love with it. ‘‘It was not so easy when I started, but to God be the glory I am now enjoying the job. This job has been

a great opportunity for me to meet great people in the country and internationally and has exposed me in various ways."

For this Lagos State University graduate of economics cooking was actually not his first choice of profession despite falling in love with it from his childhood.

He had his sights on the corporate world but given that his dream remained unrealized with the passing of time, he decided to give his childhood fancy a chance.

Today, he is highly sought after by some of the leading eateries in the city. ‘‘Due to the high rate of unemployment then I didn’t bother to hunt for job because I thought I won’t be employed too. Since then I haven't even bothered to further my education because no one will ask for your certificate as chef; all they need is good food.’’

Fulfilment Obviously, Nnamdi is a fulfilled cook because he derives joy from satisfying people’s gastronomic needs. There is another - even if vain - reason he has found fulfilment in his job. ‘‘I became a chef because I wanted to fulfil my dream of cooking for big people and meeting very important people that my mother and father used to tell me about when I was young.’’

TRAVEL BEATS

NTDC partners Keystone Bank for WTM 2014 For the first time, Nigeria’s participation at the annual World Travel Market (WTM) in London, this year may enjoy the sponsorship of a major financial outfit as the management of Keystone Bank has indicated interest in partnering the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC). The global travel trade exhibition would hold in November.

This new move was revealed by the managing director and chief executive officer of Keystone Bank, Mr. Philip Ikeazor, who led his management team on a courtesy visit to the office of NTDC's director-general, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, at the group's headquarters in Abuja headquarters.

Ikeazor lauded the many strides of the NTDC’s DG in the last one year, noting that Nigeria is richly endowed with natural and man-made tourist attractions of immense benefits.

"The appointment of Mbanefo as the director-general of NTDC is divinely orchestrated to reposition the nation's tourism industry, and make Nigeria stand tall in the comity of tourism nations," said the CEO, adding that her push for domestic tourism is in the right direction. ‘‘Domestic tourism remains a viable catalyst to developing tourism in any nation, and Mbanefo is getting it quite right."

He assured the DG of the bank’s support

and corporate sponsorship of her many events with particular reference to the forthcoming WTM exhibition and building of an information desk at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

"We are willing to ensure that NTDC has a befitting information desk at the airports in Lagos and Abuja to enable the corporation further promotes Nigeria and her tourist sites. NTDC has been doing wonderfully well in this course, and we are ready to support the course," Ikeazor assured.

The new NIHOTOUR's DG Mrs. Chika Balogun, the newly appointed director general of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), until her appointment she was the Senior Special Adviser to the minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke. She takes over from the former DG, Dr. Munzali Dantata who has completed a two term tenure of eight years.

ABTA commits to improved travel agent and airline partnerships in Angola The African Business Travel Association (ABTA) holds its next seminar in Luanda, Angola on September, the association has expressed commitment to helping the country strengthened it travel industry as its seeks to partner the travel agents and airlines operating in the country.

The event holding at the Talatona Convention Hotel will provide a platform for the different sectors in the industry to network, share their current challenges in developing strong partnerships, encouraging improved communication, and brainstorming solutions that will

benefit travel agents, airlines, hotels and their numerous clients.

According to the founder of ABTA, Monique Swart, "for the business travel industry in any region to thrive, strong relationships and partnerships are required between all industry sectors which will see mutually beneficial outcomes. In Angola, we see that there is often an environment of competition between Travel Agents and Airlines (and sometimes

hotels) who are all trying to win and 'own' the same clients. This unfortunately leads to a lot mistrust and miscommunication in the industry, with the clients often being caught in the middle."

The forum is opened to all business travel industry professionals and will feature a panel of experts’ discussion on the current competitive environment and address the reasons behind this while offering potential solutions.

Kenya to showcase at Akwaaba As preparations for this year’s Akwaaba, Africa travel marketing forum hots up, the organizers, African Travel Quarterly (ATQ), has disclosed that Kenya has signed up for the event scheduled to hold between October 26 and 28 at the Expo Hall of Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. ‘‘One of Africa's leading destinations, Kenya, will be extending its reach to Lagos come October. In view of the recent facts which put Nigerians as one of the largest travellers in Africa and the biggest economy in the continent, the Kenya Tourism Board is set to lure more Nigerians to visit Kenya,’’ said Mrs. Rita Ikechi Uko of Akwaaba, adding that ‘‘an

aggressive push by Kenya into West Africa will see them exhibit at the only largest international trade and tourism fair in West Africa, Akwaaba.’’

Famous for its rich wildlife, Kenya received 15, 029 Nigerians in 2012 with business and conference visitors holiday makers topping the list. The country plans to showcase and promote Kenya’s rich savannah and timeless culture, which has remained unchanged by the modernity. Pristine beaches and coral reef, equatorial forests and mighty snow-capped mountains, searing deserts, cool highland retreats and endless opportunities for adventure, discovery and relaxation.

TRAVEL&TOURISM

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

41

TRAVEL PERSONALITY

ROSEMARY DUAMLONG: A tour operator with uncommon touch Her forte is engaging in the uncommon and achieving resounding results for the people who depend on her expertise and commitment to their course. Rosemary Akaette Duamlong, the principal consultant at Gren Business Dimensions, speaks to ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA on business tourism and related issues.

R

Journey to the world of business travel osemary Akaette Duamlong is the principal consultant at Gren Business Dimension, a Lagos-based tourism outfit, which, according to her, provides specialised services that, is not common place in the travel industry.

“We are a business tourism outfit and basically we provide networking platform for individuals and organisations in Nigeria and outside Nigeria,” she informs.

She adds: “Off shoot of that is that we offer travel management packages in the forms of tours, ticketing and others. We advise clients on destinations, where to go, tickets availability and where they can holiday and enjoy themselves.”

She refers to what her firm offers as business tourism, which is not common and dedicated to linking people and businesses to opportunities available within and outside the country.

“Business tourism is a branch of tourism which is actually not common as a lot of people are not into it. It is about networking businesses here in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. We have a large network of organisations that we work with in Nigeria, South Africa and Europe. Currently we just got some links to the United Kingdom. So, that is what business tourism is about: networking businesses across borders and what we do, we provide that platform,” explains Duamlong.

Duamlong’s first exposure to the business travel world and its many possibilities was at the Nigerian-American Chambers of Commerce where she served as the publicity and programme officer. Then she was charged with organising business trips for the members.

It was both learning and discovering moment for her as she reveals how mutually benefiting such trips was for the members. “I saw people who you will call small businesses and at such platforms they meet with someone who is interested in what they are doing and before you know it there is an explosion in their businesses. I saw people who grew from small businesses to large businesses, so that is where I learnt business tourism.”

Having learnt the basics of business travel, she later moved on to HSSL Global where she was privileged to pioneer the business tourism operations of the company. Duamlong also did same with increasing passion and commitment at Five Star Travels, which was her next port of call after ending the tour of duty at HSSL Global.

Duamlong

Carving a world for herself When over seven years ago she decided to call it quit with Five Star Travels and start off on her own, it was very easy for her to follow the familiar path. “So, when I started off it was like a continuation of what I have been doing before. I have my network already, which I had built and I also had my contacts that I have made over the years. So, it was like continuing from there. It was not really a big challenge,” she recounts.

She describes her field of engagement as uncommon tourism, which fitted perfectly with her flair for the uncommon. “It is the type of tourism that is uncommon. I like doing the uncommon thing. The fact that I am empowering people and making them go beyond their present level made me to focus on business tourism. The joy it brings to people and that you are solving a problem.

“For me, the joy of what I do is the fact that I am able to give people a platform where they meet people who meet their needs. That joy inside of me when I was working with the chamber was the most beautiful thing for me. When people come to you and say I need someone who is into this business, do you think I can find someone who would help me and you are able to solve that problem that was the joy for me.

“The fact that you are able to make an impact, you are able to provide solution, you are able to be of help is my joy. It is an area of business that is not common which makes me happy. You need to have strong network to do what I am doing. It is different from carrying people to a destination for just leisure,” she says of the fulfilment she derives from linking up people.

The many benefits of business tourism Duamlong recalls that the first trip of Gren Dimension was to South Africa at the instance of Ikoyi Club. About 50 people signed up for the trip and this was later followed by a tour of America for the same Ikoyi Club with over 40 persons on the trip.

Ever since, she has never looked back as her portfolio continues to grow.

“Calabar is a classic example of what tourism could do to a place in terms of its transformation and development" The benefits from such trips, she says, are too numerous because it is essentially avenue for people to explore business opportunities in Nigeria and overseas. “As benefits from the trips, we can proudly say that some of our clients can testify about the successes and business links that they have recorded.

“I can say to you authoritatively that the gains you make depend a whole lot on you as a person and how you follow up on the links.

It is a general platform and the opportunity is opened to everyone. One of the things that I do on these trips is to make sure that we are linked with the chambers of commerce.

“We provide the platform and what you do with that platform entirely depends on you. A lot of people have gotten benefits from it,” she says as she recalls among others some of her clients who have bought into real estate in South Africa, a client who set up a vending machine business due to one of the trips to South Africa and another who set up a company dealing on fragrances as a result of contact made in Canada.

It is not all about business Though the primary focus of every of her trip is business. However, she clarifies that leisure packages are also built in to the packages as a minimum of two days are devoted to exploring the leisure and entertainment offerings of every country visited. This, she says, is very essential as its helps the people to relax and refresh.

A growing interest in real estate She rates the real estate sector is top rank

for many Nigerians on the business tours.

“The sector people are interested in outside the country is the real estate. A lot of Nigerians want to own houses outside the country,” she says while the wine industry and tourism also attract Nigerians.

While for the in – bound tourists, oil and gas commends the highest interest and tourism, she says in the last two years have also gained the attention of some of the tourists.

Calabar catches the attention of the people She reveals that when it comes to interest in Nigeria tourism, the destination on the radar of many tourists is Calabar with the yearly Calabar Festival as the centre of attraction. To drive home this development, Duamlong recalls her recent experience with a tourist wishing to visit Nigeria.

“In fact, I met someone recently, just last month who said to me that he wants to buy a holiday home in Nigeria. I said why Nigeria and he said ‘I have never been there and my heart keeps beating about Nigeria, especially the Calabar Festival. So I need a house in Calabar, can you help me buy one?"

Other states should follow the Cross River’s example For her, what this means is that other states in the country have attraction or tourism product, which can be developed and promoted just the same way Cross River State government has done with the Calabar Festival.

“It is because they branded what they have, it is now a brand. We are not looking inward to brand what we have at all.

We have a lot but we need to start looking inward to brand what we have and explore them. Some governments have taken their eyes off the oil and are looking inward but tourism is one aspect that they have not looked into yet apart from few states.

“Calabar is a classic example of what tourism could do to a place in terms of its transformation and development. So, our government, instead of pushing other things, should look inward and brand their tourism. Their tourism would attract all those things that they are pushing for.”

42 TRAVEL&TOURISM

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

DESTINATION

An exhibition pavilion at previous edition

With Sanganai-Hlanganani, Zimbabwe keeps the world coming Its story might not rivet in some other areas, but Zimbabwe has proved to be a major force in tourism especially as it prepares to host this year’s Sanganai/ Hlanganani travel and tourism fair. ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA presents a preview of the fair.

W Overview

ITH continued impressive reports posted in world tourism over the years and given the high expectations of improved performance this year, many of the world’s destinations have continued to explore different ways of attracting more tourists and businesses to earn their share of the expected windfall.

Authorities of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) have not taken their eyes off the ball; from rebranding the destination some years back to introducing many creative products and employment of a blend of marketing communication to keep the destination as one of Africa’s frontline tourism broths to explore.

In this wise, ZTA has since set the ball rolling, buoyed by the its determination to make a statement with the annual travel and tourism trade exhibition christened Sanganai/Hlangangni, otherwise known as "world travel and tourism Africa fair," - where the world reputedly meets Africa.

According to ZTA, the event "showcases the widest variety of Africa’s best tourism products and attracts international visitors and media from across the world to the country."

Scheduled to hold between October 16 and 18 at Harare International Conference Centre, the annual gathering has a rich history and tradition as it took its root from

the former Shanyai/Vakatshani, the Zimbabwe International Travel Expo (ZITE) that was staged yearly at the Harare International Conference Centre.

It blazed the trail in 1982 as a city expo, but over the years grew in scope and influence to become one of Africa’s leading tourism exhibitions. By 2007, it became known as Sanganai/Hlanganani and moved to Bulawayo. But few years ago, it moved back to its original base and since then has continued to attract the attention of the world with many countries, tourism stakeholders, buyers and sellers of travel and visitors attending in their numbers.

Attendance of the three-day travel and tourism trade exhibition is open to national tourism boards, embassies, airlines, tourism destinations, tour wholesalers, tour operators and travel agents. Others include hotel chains of the world, car hire,

Tourists enjoying elephant ride at Victoria Falls

transport operators, suppliers of goods and services to the tourism industry, investors, government ministries, agencies, departments and parastatals related to the travel industry.

The ZTA is convinced the exhibition promises many benefits and advantages for participants. These include meeting and networking (Sanganai) with exhibitors, visiting buyers, investors and suppliers of services to the tourism sector from across the world, establishing strategic business partnerships with world tourism players. Besides, participants can showcase destinations, products and services, acquire knowledge about different source markets, generate value from well structured, themed and informative International tourism conferences and workshops, interact with the global travel media, establish strategic partnerships with other destinations/cities and network across gov-

ernmental and ministerial divides.

Various activities are expected to be held during the fair, some of which include the young professional’s forum, specialized conferences, seminars and workshops, the greening economy, social marketing and marketing in source markets while entertainment-based events such as cultural and musicals would be staged alongside dinner and gala nights for the guests.

Also, an important point about the exhibition is the fact that it is a business to business (B2B) dedicated platform. This fact was highlighted by the executive director of the national convention bureau, Mrs. Tesa Chikaponya. "This seventh edition will be strictly a business to business fair for tourism exhibitors,” she said.

According to her, this year's exhibitors will have face to face interactions with visiting buyers and prescheduled meetings for business interactions which could be booked in advance. The move to reposition the fair as a business to business expo is meant to grow the fair and enhance value for participants from all over the globe. The networking events will run during the exhibition days to also allow for after meetings interactions.’’

Chief executive officer of ZTA, Kasege Karikoga, says the event is ‘‘a must attend business platform for networking for all leading African destinations and major world tourism markets.’’

Details of the programme of events indicates that the three-day travel platform opens on Thursday October 16 with a colourful ceremonial opening ceremony and ends on Saturday October 18 with a moving and revealing closing ceremony and musical fair. The first two days as trade days are opened to the exhibitors, buyers and sellers to conduct businesses and networks amongst themselves with seminars, workshops and other dedicated events on the bill while the last day is open to trade visitors to explore the various products, services and destinations on display.

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TRAVEL&TOURISM

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Given past experiences, expect a lot of colourful social and cultural events during the opening hours and after hours as part of the effort by the tourism body, organisers of the expo, to bridge the gap and bring about socio – cultural engineering. And knowing the uniqueness of Zimbabwe culture and the premium placed on hospitality, participants at the three days gathering should expect a lot of colourful entertainment and exciting moments.

A World of Wonders Zimbabwe is a wonderful, friendly and welcoming destination, situated on a high plateau in Southern Africa and lies between the Zambezi and the Limpopo rivers. It is a unique and fascinating tourist destination, endowed with a lot of wonders, such as its warm and friendly people and unique culture, the mighty Victoria Falls, the Great Zimbabwe national monument, its rich history and heritage, pristine wildlife and the Lake Kariba, Matobo and the Eastern Highlands which are counted among the leading tourist attractions found in Africa.

These wonders contribute immensely to the high degree of attractiveness that position the destination as a prime tourist destination in the world. It is a landlocked country, bordered by Zambia, Mozambique, South Africa and Botswana. The climate is generally warm, with a daily sunshine average of seven hours all year round.

Zimbabwe is a plural society where people of different races live in harmony.

Zimbabweans living in urban areas have a westernized lifestyle, while in the country areas many African traditions have been preserved. For visitors there are a lot to explore in the country, which has rebranded its tourism offerings into what is now called ‘the seven wonders of Zimbabwe with each tourism clusters availing visitors distinct attractions.

To have visitors make the best of their visit and enjoy a savoury treat, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), is putting together a pre and post tour packages covering the seven wonders of the country. Perhaps the first place to begin from for many should be a city tour of the country’s capital city, Harare, which is known for its natural beauty and enticing landscape, hence it is referred to as the ‘sunshine or jacaranda city.’

Harare The sunshine and Jacaranda city is the country’s capital, commercial and industrial centre. It is a modern but not so sophisticated city, characterized by flowering trees, colourful parks and contemporary architecture. It provides direct air access links to major regional airports. It is only an hour and a half flight from Johannesburg and an hour from the majestic Victoria Falls.

There are a number of airlines flying into Zimbabwe while the city offers amazing options to tourists. What with its many diverse adventurous and wonderful places of interest and a warm and friendly people!

Major highlights are the National Heroes Acre, Mbare Msika, The Balancing Rocks, Lake Chivero and the National Art Gallery.

The Harare International Conference Centre, venue of the travel trade exhibition also holds significance and amazing attraction for the people with the Rainbow Towers, which is the city’s most luxurious hotel and event centre, built 26 years ago and formerly called the Sheraton Harare Hotel and International Conference Centre, a high end attraction to explore. The hotel, which is now owned by one of Zimbabwe’s hotel groups, the Rainbow Tourism Group, is a symbol of the country’s hospitality sector.

It offers excellent facilities including private check-in and express checkout. The hotel comprise of 305 rooms of which 160 are standard rooms while the conference centre is the largest and most sophisticated facility in Southern Africa.

Vibrant Culture: Zimbabweans are truly friendly and hospitable people with rich and diverse cultural and traditional form of entertainment to savour as one travels from one part of the country’s divide to the other.

Rich History and Heritage: The country boasts a blend of enduring history and cultural heritage of enchanting and exciting nature domiciled in different art and natural formats.

The Eastern Highlands: It is one of the regions to explore the alluring nature of

Exterior view of Kingdom hotel, Victoria Falls

the country’s landscape and other natural endowments.

Wildlife: Zimbabwe also beckons nature lovers with its diverse ranges of natural and wildlife enclaves across the country. The Hwange National Park, presents the best of savoury wildlife exploration in the country.

Great Zimbabwe: A visit to this site – stone city - is an exposition to the ancient beginning of the country. It is one of the country’s many World Heritage Sites and the country derives its name from this historic enclave.

Mystical Kariba and the Mighty Zambezi: Kariba is an artificial lake knows for its legendary mystic and breezy landscape that offers different possibilities for visitors.

The Zambezi, which is Africa’s fourth largest river, also presents a good proposition for tourists to explore.

The Majestic Victoria Falls: This is one of Zimbabwe’s finest and most appealing tourist products. Unarguably one of the seven wonders of the world, it is a must visit attraction and the country has done everything possible to make one’s visit to the fall a life time experience.

Breathtaking ...Victoria Falls

Great Zimbabwe

Exhibitor's pavilion

Harare

Arts and craft market at Victoria Falls

Short Story NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

6 SEPTEMBER 2014

The Officer's Wife I will follow my heart To the grave.

"C

an you make me feel like a real woman?" Rose said to the undergraduate who sat opposite her at the dinner table. "All I need is a young man who can get me pregnant. That was why I invited you to have dinner with me here in this expensive restaurant."

Chris looked bewildered. He couldn't understand why the ravishing Mrs Rose Samson needed a young man to get her pregnant. After all, she was married to a man who looked virile, he thought.

Her husband was an army officer and army officers were thought to be virile enough to sleep with many women and father many children.

So why was she asking him to get her pregnant? Chris had for long been a secret admirer for Mrs Rose Samson, his lecturer at the private university where his parents had enrolled him.

He had always enjoyed her lectures but beyond that he was attracted to Rose because of her great sex appeal.

Indeed, Rose was a very sexy woman; a woman who made heads turn wherever she went. Many men had wanted to marry her but only one had been lucky enough to win her heart - the officer.

The officer had wooed her like a real gentleman. On their first date, he had taken her to a romantic restaurant for a candlelight dinner.

Afterwards, he had sent flowers and perfumes to her as gifts of love.

On their second date, they had gone sailing in a small beautiful boat, and as the sea breeze caressed their faces, Frank had sung love songs in her name and composed love poems dedicated to the beauty of her shadow. One day, he had gone down on one knee and proposed to her under the moonlight.

The first time the officer kissed her, a full moon was dancing in the sky and the air was filled with the scent of love. His lips tasted like saltwater from the sea; and when she asked him why his lips tasted like saltwater, he said it was because his love for her was sweet like salt and as deep as the sea. *************************************** "Why do you want me to get you pregnant?"

Chris asked Rose, his lecturer. "It's true that I fantasize about you day and night because you are a very attractive woman, but I wouldn't like to break your marriage or cause any problems between you and your husband," he said.

Rose looked lovingly into the student's eyes.

She knew that it wouldn't be easy trying to persuade or to convince this poor, handsome student to put her in the family way.

"Why don't we just have a relationship and safe sex without you having to get pregnant," he pleaded with her.

"I'm having challenges in my marriage," she said to him. "And you're the only one, I think, who can save me."

"How," he asked.

"I have been married for the past 10 years without a child. I've had a medical examination and the doctor says there is nothing wrong with me. Apparently, my husband is the one who has a problem. He has little or no sperm and as a result, he just can't get me pregnant."

She took a sip from her glass of wine and continued.

"My husband has asked me to do whatever is necessary to get pregnant and bear a child for him. He does not want his relatives to know that he is responsible for the childlessness in our marriage because he fears that if his mother finds out the truth, she could die from depression.

"That's why I need you. I can pay you good

The first time the officer kissed her, a full moon was dancing in the sky and the air was filled with the scent of love money for your services and it should remain a secret between us. Nobody needs to know."

The undergraduate thought about his lecturer's proposal for a moment and decided to help her. After all, he had nothing to lose. He needed money to pay his school fee and to live like a big boy on campus, but his parents were so poor and gave him little or no assistance.

Chris was now in 300 level but he had struggled to do part-time jobs from his first day in the university in order to get money to pay his tuition fees.

"I will do anything you say," he told her. "But in return, you must be responsible for my welfare on campus until I graduate."

"Thank you very much, my boy. You will never regret making me a mother and making my husband the happiest man in the world," she said.

"Now we need to get it started immediately. So finish your drink quickly and let's spend the rest of the day at the Sheraton Hotel."

Chris finished his drink and stood up quickly. He followed Rose to her car with a smile on his face. He felt on top of the world because at last he was going to have a feel of his sexy lecturer. ******************************* While Sergeant Frank Okoro was fighting for his country as part of the ECOWAS peacekeeping force to Liberia, his wife, Rose, was fighting for her marriage back home in Lagos, Nigeria.

Her in-laws had come to throw her belongings out of her husband's house and she was still trying to resist even though she was outnumbered by her mother-in-law, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

As they stormed her home that day in broad daylight, they demanded nothing but an instant divorce.

"Barren woman, get out of my brother's house. We are tired of you in this family," her sister-in-law said to her.

Rose thought that she had established a good relationship with her mother-in-law but she felt disappointed when her mother- in-law told her that her marriage was of no use.

"Your marriage to my son, Okoro, is of no use to me because of your barrenness. You have deprived me of having grandchildren. Now I want you to pack your things and go away.

Leave my son alone so that he can marry another wife who will give me grandchildren," she said.

Rose decided to drop the bombshell the moment they started throwing her things out of her husband's house even in his absence. "I'm pregnant," she said to her mother-in-law.

"You are what?" Rose's mother-in-law barked at her. "I'm pregnant and I mean it.

So you better stop throwing my things out of my husband's house, or else I will run away with this pregnancy and you will never see your grandchild again." to be continued next week

Writer in focus:

Michael Uchebuaku 08131161840

44

FACEOFF There won’t be another election into NFF board, says Ogba p.48 What they had before was a jamboree not election – Shehu Amadu p.49

POLITICS ON SATURDAY

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A hand that is stained with blood should not lead Nigeria, says Gumi Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi is a retired military officer, medical doctor and a doctorate degree holder in Islamic studies. The Kaduna-based cleric revealed to IBRAHEEM MUSA the real sponsors of Boko Haram; the group’s ideology as well as its proclamation of an Islamic state. (However, the interview preceded Senator Ali Modu Sheriff fingering the brains behind the group, including his defence which was exclusively published last Tuesday by New Telegraph).

Some Nigerian soldiers reportedly fled to Cameroun after a fierce battle with Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state. While Nigerians interpreted their action as cowardice, the Defence Headquarters said that it was a tactical manoeuvre. As a former military officer, explain what this tactical manoeuvre means?

Actually, it is called tactical withdrawal and is authentic military strategy. But the question is, why would armed soldiers tactically withdraw from battle when they are facing a rag-tag militia. Yes, by withdrawing they saved themselves from humiliation and it is better for them, than to stay and be annihilated. The Defence Headquarters should answer why they withdrew in the first place. The answer is common knowledge; the army is ill-equipped. And it is a grand design to defeat the army, but one will ask for what purpose? It is simply for political reasons. Sothern Sudan separated from the north because of religious divide. They are all black Africans. In the south, they have Juba Arabic and even amongst the various tribes, they speak Arabic. So, the separation was not for cultural reasons but religious.

Just like Sudan, they want to divide Nigeria which is multi-religious and cultural. The only way that they can succeed is to divide it along religious lines. So, when Nigerian Army that is supposed to protect the integrity of Nigerian nation starts to succumb to religious insurgency, the section of Nigeria that wants to secede will have a strong justification and reason to do so. This is happening in Iraq. The Kurds area, which is the richest in crude oil, agitated for separation even during Saddam’s time.

The West, which is thirsty for oil, is helping them. So, if the Iraqi Army is crumbling in the face of a religious fanatical group, then

the Kurds now have a reason to secede. The same thing is happening in Nigeria with the expansion of Boko Haram. Soon, Maiduguri may be captured, then Kano and so on. This will give the people who have been agitating for autonomy, which are supported by thirsty western powers, the reason to secede.

This fits into their game plan because when a small nation has large deposits of crude oil, it is better for them. So, they infuse the idea to such minorities that they will be richer when they secede but they don’t know that they will be enslaved and are being manipulated.

Explain your argument for secession, especially as it relates to Nigeria and Boko Haram. Is the secession plan engineered by the people from the North East who want to secede or by people outside the region?

Ok, look at it this way. Initially, there was a call for a Sovereign National Conference to decide the fate of Nigeria. It was agitated for by the south and promoted by the government. Then the government instituted a National Conference which, specifically, said that the unity of Nigeria was non-negotiable. What was the use of that conference when we have a National Assembly? Then the conference wanted a draft constitution which Justice Kutigi said he was given the mandate by the president to do so. The game plan was to give the president powers to continue in office till God knows when.

But the grand plan is to either continue ruling the north or divide us.

The idea o f

trying to change the constitution at the national conference is the political wing of the plot. Undermining the very army that is supposed to protect Nigeria’s integrity in the fight against the insurgency, is the military arm of the plot. It a win-win situation because if you undermine the military, you are also dividing Nigeria. They are trying to achieve this goal of dividing Nigeria by even empowering the insurgents! A White journalist went to Maiduguri and investigated. It is on the internet and it’s a mustsee for Nigerians. Some members of civilian JTF gave him over a 100 films clip showing a systemic and planned execution of ablebodied young men by the Army. The man said that this cannot be perpetrated without the knowledge of the authorities. Soldiers used to come to me to narrate tales of woes about systemic genocide. Can you tell me that those Almajiri’s that were slaughtered

by Boko Haram in the film clips are those who are capable of defeating Nigerian Army? These people are untrained, uneducated and even with a machine gun, can they defeat the Army who are well trained? So, there is more to it than meets the eye So, what is the purpose of equipping the Nigerian Army.

There are two phases of the war.

The first was when a group of soldiers were posted to the area where a state of emergency was declared.

These soldiers went and committed these atrocities which have gone viral. When it became evident and Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch started writing about these atrocities, there was a change of tactics; 7 Division was created.

A n d

those soldiers were withdrawn. This new Division is comprised mostlyof Northern Muslim elements in the Army and they are ill-equipped. So, in short, the few officers and men that we have in the Army are now being gathered and sent to Maiduguri, illequipped and slaughtered like chickens. So, the strategy is to filter out Muslims within the Army and send them to Maiduguri and they are supporting Boko Haram from the other end. Only one authority can do this in Nigeria and it is the government which controls the two sides. But why would the government do that? The intention is to weaken Nigeria and divide the country. The president is from a section of the country that agitates for secession, so is the Chief of Army Staff. So, the dots are linked.

But all these sound like presumptions...

Let’s assume there are presumptions.

Nothing explains why Nigerian Army is weak, given the trillions of naira that are ear marked for fighting terrorism. If the insurgents can take a very short time to improve their ammunition stock, how come that a government that can import weapons legally, cannot equipped its soldiers? It means that the government is not ready to fight the insurgency. Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno state once said that the insurgents are better armed than the Army but he was shouted down, instead of the Federal Government to look at the merit or otherwise of what he said. Remember, he was on ground and had first-hand knowledge of what is happening. Now, it turned out to be true because government is looking for a loan to buy arms. Former Governor of Adamawa state, Admiral Murtala Nyako also spoke about the genocide that is being perpetrated by the government and he was indirectly indicting the President. He was not only shouted down but also impeached and now Nyako is on the run. And now, international Human Rights groups and a documentary that was compiled by a foreign journalist have proved him right. They proved that there was indeed a genocide which was perpetrated by the military and highranking people should know about it because it is too widespread for them not to know. This requires the international criminal court to prosecute.

Seriously, are the insurgents being armed by the Nigerian state or from outside the country?

No, they are funded by people in authority in Nigeria. Because it is the government that oversees the air space. It is not possible to have a convoy of two or three cars that can’t be picked by satellite. So, how can a convoy of 50 cars with ammunition move into a place without being spotted? Where is the Airforce? Where is the collaboration in fighting terrorism between NiCONTINUED ON PAGE 46

46 THE SATURDAY INTERVIEW

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

‘Boko Haram has committed atrocities in the name of Islam’ C O N T I N U E D f r o m PA G E 4 5

geria and the Western powers? Look, you cannot go into the internet and post even a letter without being traced to the location where the word was posted. But Youtube is full of Boko Haram video clips and nobody is tracing them. In a nutshell, the forces that want to divide Nigeria are behind Boko Haram. Once they make the world to believe that fanatical Islamic militants have taken over the north, so the south will have no option than to opt out. They had to resort to this because all the political manoeuvres did not work. The National Conference was a political manoeuvre. How can Kutigi say that he was mandated by the president to draft a constitution behind Nigerians!? So, the government is playing games with Nigerians and that explains why the Army is ill-equipped.

If you allege that the government is playing games with Nigeria with the aim of balkanising the country, are Northern Muslims not part of this game plan? I am saying this because the Minister of Defence is a Muslim, as well as the National Security Adviser and the Inspector General of Police?

A very good question. The question is that at which point of the disease, let’s use a medical term now, did they come in? When did the new NSA appear on the scene?

When did the new Minister of Defence come on board? They were brought in to cover up for those who initiated and funded the problem. Before Col Sambo Dasuki, who was the NSA? Azazi. He was given trillions of naira to fight insurgency without result.

After messing up, he was removed and Sambo was brought in. I once questioned the rationale behind having both the NSA and president from the same zone. So, after what Azazi did, Sambo is just doing crisis control and management. General Aliyu Gusau is also doing the same. Secondly, the office of NSA and Minister of Defence are all advisory offices; they are not in the chain of command. The Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander in Chief are the ones that give the firing order. For every man that is killed, these are the people that will be held accountable and not the Minister of Defence or NSA. You can even recall that the service chiefs refused to see General Gusau when he assumed duty as Minister of Defence. They denied they were under him. You also said that the IG is a Muslim.

What was done to the police is to effectively paralyse it completely. The military has now taken over police functions! Even in Kaduna, where we are not in a state of emergency, soldiers police the community. So, what can an IG, whose powers have been taken, do?

There is an attempt to kill prominent northerners; Emir of Gwoza was killed, Shehu of Borno was attacked, the late Emir of Kano was attacked, I was attacked and lately Dahiru Bauchi and General Buhari were attacked on the same day.

Most Nigerians don’t know what Boko Haram wants. It says it wants to enthrone an Islamic state and yet it kills muslims and christians alike. Can you explain?

Boko Haram is fighting, primarily, the Nigerian government. Secondly, it is fighting those who support the government. And thirdly, those who agree in the principle of the corporate existence of Nigeria. Buhari is

Genocide has been committed by the military in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states

in the opposition but he believes in both the corporate existence of Nigeria and democracy but he is not supporting the government. But he is still an enemy to Boko Haram Someone like Dahiru Bauchi can be said to be supporting the government because they dine with the president and prays for them. So, he can be described as a secondary enemy of Boko Haram. If they had attacked the convoy of the governor, or GOC or the Police Commissioner, they would have attacked primary targets; those who are fighting them. But they attacked Buhari that is even opposing the government that is killing them! Is this sensible? They also attacked another harmless fellow who just supports the government for peace. If it was Boko Haram that carried out the Kaduna attack, they would have rather attacked the governor, GOC or Police Commissioner because the anger is more on the military and security forces than these two people. If only Buhari was attacked, it would have been clear that it was the government but by also attacking someone who is supporting the government and who prays for peace, the finger of Boko Haram will be on Are you absolving Boko Haram of that attack?

No, I’m not exonerating Boko Haram.

What I’m saying is that Boko Haram has been appropriated by a very strong authority in Nigeria. All kinds of things are ascribed to Boko Haram but who is Boko Haram?

Like I told you, there are Christians in Boko Haram, there are Chadian mercenaries and all sorts of people in Boko Haram. It’s just a group that is meant to destabilise us. Its just two faces of the same thing. The only victims are ordinary Nigerians, be they in the military, who are going about their lives.

But the responsibility of protecting lives and property rests on the government and if there is any short fall, the government is directly responsible.

So, how can these killings be stopped?

Genocide has been committed by the military in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states. And the president who is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces bears responsibility for this crime against humanity.

The president should not be eligible for election in the 2015 election until his name is cleared by an independent court of law. There ought to be an international investigation into the crime.

So, the PDP should f i e l d someo n e else from

wherever. It is not possible for the hand that is stained with blood to continue leading Nigeria and for us to have peace. We call on all of them to cooperate because everyone is tired of these killings.

This suggestion is in line with the allegation in some quarters, that the Boko Haram is being sponsored by the opposition so as to make Nigerian ungovernable for the president because power has slipped from the hands of northerners. How do you reconcile your suggestion with this allegation?

Any politician who has been established to have links with to any crime is automatically disqualified to run for any post. Boko Haram has been planting bombs and killing people but can you link those crimes to any politician in the north?(NB: this interview was conducted before Senator Ali Modu Sherrif was accused as the brain behind Boko Haram) But the Nigerian Military has committed crimes against humanity and the president is Commander in Chief. That disqualifies him from standing for election.

But Nigerians have an option to file a suit stopping the president from contesting even if he decides to run, until he is cleared by an international inquiry.

Let’s go back to your argument that Boko Haram was sponsored in the north so that the rest of the country can secede.

But you will agree with me that the group’s activities started during the time of President Umaru Yar ádua...

Very good question. But is the Boko Haram during Yarádua the same as the Boko Haram now? During Yarádua, Dambazzau was Chief of Army Staff and no atrocity of killing innocent people was recorded.

The atrocity started with Ihejirika. This is different from the massacre that we are having now. Some residents of these states under emergency confessed that whenever a bomb explodes and soldiers will come and evacuate the corpses. The people even suspected that it was soldiers that used to plant the bombs. General Mamman Shuwa had soldiers guarding him and people went into his house and killed him. Up till

now, there has not been any investigation.

In my own case, I was going for the Tafsir during the Ramadan fasting and two men on motor bikes who were carrying a bomb, exploded. Their corpses were taken by the Military. What happened to the corpses?

What is the outcome of the investigation?

Boko Haram has hoisted their flags in Gwoza, Dikwa and other towns in Borno state, declaring them as Caliphates that are independent of the state or federal governments. In Islam, how is a Caliphate proclaimed?

In Islam, Muslims have to come together and choose a leader. It is specifically said in the Qurán that if any person extends his hand to another person and says that that person is the Khalifa or leader, the two of them should be killed. It has to be the consensus of the Muslims. So, before you create a Caliphate Muslims have to come together and appoint a leader. A leader of a sect can’t just proclaim a Caliphate and call himself Khalifa. The Qurán is specific when it said that those who divide themselves and their religion and become sects, the Prophet has nothing to do with them; because they will start fighting each other.

Again, the Prophet had already said that the life span of Caliphate that he had established will be 12 years. After that, the leadership will turn into a monarchy, a tyranny, then it will turn into a dictatorship.

The last Caliph which all Muslims were under was Yazid bn Al Walid bn Abdul Malik. He was the 12th Imam whom all Muslims were under. After him, everybody went their separate ways. So, there is no way you can have an Imam under a Caliphate until all Muslims come together and select him. In other words, Shekau’s Caliphate is an illegal Caliphate; it has no justification. They have been killing people and imposing their will all in the name of Islam. When you disagree with them they kill you. But companions of the Prophet used to disagree with each other on issues but with them can you even suggest something?

So, what is a Muslim leader referred to in a theocracy?

There is no theocracy in Islam; leadership in Islam is civic. Everything is done by consensus. A leader does not wait for revelation or vision. God has given us the principles of governance and they include, freedom of speech; freedom of religion; a leader should be fair and just. All these are in the Qurán.

A Khalifa was once preaching to the people to obey constituted authority, then one of the companions stood up and said that ‘’we will not listen to you.’’ He continued by saying that ‘’why are you wearing a long robe when the cloth that was divided to everyone was a short one that is not enough for this long garment? It means that you have taken double.’’ Caliph Umar asked his son Abdallah who was present, to explain why.

Abdallah said that when he discovered that the cloth that was shared was not enough to cover his father because he was tall, he gave him his own. Then Caliph Umar sewed the two together and that explains why his robe was long. Satisfied with the explanation, the man who questioned the Caliph’s authority said, ‘’now I will listen to you.’’ In Islam, its not government that will be dictating to the people.

POLITICS

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

Jackson Lekan Ojo, a professional security consultant and graduate of the International Foundation For Protection Officers, Florida USA, in this interview says the federal government should negotiate with Boko Haram.

As a security expert, what method do you think we can employ to bring these Chibok girls back to their families?

I think if we copied security and democracy from America, then I think we should copy America to the letter. Recently, the American government swapped its soldier that was being held hostage in Afghanistan in exchange for five Talibans that were being detained in Guantanamo Bay Detention Centre. I think the Boko Haram gave conditions, and these conditions may not be too favourable to us, but because of the love we have for our citizens, especially for those our over 200 girls. I think that the federal government should accede to the demands of Boko Haram, by releasing of some of the detained Boko Haram members in exchange for those girls. But if the federal government turns deaf ears to their request that means Boko Haram should keep these girls and let them die.

So, candidly, we should follow those conditions to the letter.

I may not be disposed to those conditions too, but it is taking t o o

47

Boko Haram war is not insurgency, says security expert long, and today, we don’t know the conditions of those girls. I would want to believe that if those girls die, Nigerians would begin to shout that we should have released detained Boko haram members. And again, I’m not inciting Nigerians against the government, but I want to tell you that among those girls, if three senators , four governors, lawmakers, 10 local government chairmen and two ministers have their daughters there, do you think those girls would still be there? No, they won’t be there. They would have taken every condition into consideration and release them.

What you are saying in essence is that the federal government should negotiate with Boko Haram?

The federal government should negotiate. The negotiation may not be an easy thing; it may be a bitter pill. Let them swallow it, so that those girls would be released. We were

thinking before now that no matter what, the girls would have been out by now. But we have seen it that the girls are not out yet. We don’t want them dead. Whatever we can do, let us do and release those girls.

I believe we must still negotiate because if we go there with force, there will be counterattack. Boko Haram members may kill those girls. We must negotiate. I may not be in the best position to tell the federal government what to do, but to me, whatever negotiation, let us do it fast before it is too late.

But the argument is that if the government negotiates, there could be insurgency in other regions. The militants or bandits may be demanding something from the government My own point of argument is not about negotiating on how to share booties. I’m not saying they should go and share spoils. What I mean is negotiation. These people have put some conditions on the table; let us address those conditions.

Let us study them critically and know what to do. These guys are not begging for money.

They want their members to be released. First go and study those conditions. They are not saying they want to negotiate to get millions or billions from government. The negotiation is about how to release those girls.

After then, we can begin to do whatever we want to do.

The federal government placated the militants in the Niger Delta by sending them to schools abroad and paying those who surrendered their arms. Now the Boko Haram group is holding people hostage. If government negotiates, other groups in other regions could start crises the nearest future Let me tell you something.

I’m based in the Niger Delta.

I want to tell you today that the mistake we are making in this country is to compare the Niger Delta militants with the Boko Haram. In Nigeria today, we still regard the activities of the Boko Haram members as insurgency. Insurgency is when a group of aggrieved men come out to fight for their rights and gain the support of their people.

The activities of Boko Haram are not insurgency, but terrorism, pure and simple. I’m still

surprised that we still regard their activities as insurgency.

The people are at the receiving end of the violence. They are criminals and terrorists. It is not easy for the terrorists in Europe, America and other parts of the world. That is why they are coming to this part of Africa where they know that governance is weak. We lived with the Niger Delta militants; we knew what they were fighting for and why they were fighting.

You are uprooting yam from my father’s farm and I’m hungry. I will fight. The militants were fighting for their rights. When late President Umaru Yar’ Adua came and addressed the issue, they stopped, and today, they are living a better life. What is the complaint of the Boko Haram group? They say western education is a sin. This is not sensible. They don’t know the premise of their own argument.

You say western education is a sin. Western education brought about YouTube. You publish yourself; western education brought about the bombs; western education brought about the guns; western education brought about the phones you are using.

We invited America to come and solve the problem of Boko Haram, a country that had predicted that Nigeria would break up before 2015.Now we are moving towards that and you still call them to come and solve our problems. Since America has come, have they been able to free our Chibok girls? They described their involvement as technical assistance, something we could acquire. If it is technical assistance, we would go and use our money to buy the technology. We can send our men to the USA for training. If we can afford to sponsor our men for training and we can still afford to buy the equipment,

then why do we need to go and bring those people here? How can an American go to Kanuri, Hausa or Fulani land to go and rescue somebody? Americans do not understand the language and the terrain. Do you think they will succeed? No. And when they come to Nigeria, they want to boss our men. I love Americans, but I hate their policy. They are not friend to any nation in the world. America should go back to America to solve American problems. We should acquire the technology.

Our men are super intelligent, but they lack something. During the Liberian crisis, American soldiers did not do better than Nigerian soldiers in Liberia. When they sent people to Mali recently, did American soldiers fight more than Nigerian soldiers? Intellectually, we are better than these people. Technologically, they are better, but we can acquire it.

How do you think we can stop the terrorism in Nigeria?

One thing is this, when they kill soldiers, all the newspapers will come and publish it. This encourages terrorists. If they kill one soldier, the Nigerian press will come out and say they have killed 215 soldiers.

The terrorists will be happy.

Again, the way we handle security system here is faulty. This is probably the only country where security matters are discussed on the pages of newspapers.

We don’t have leading leaders. I pray that Nigerians will not take to self-help because self-help is always chaotic. We are moving towards self-help now where we no longer trust government security apparatus. What are we really doing to encourage our uniform men?

What are we really doing to encourage military? Nothing. If our government stops corruption today, all these we are talking about will reduce tomorrow. Unfortunately, people are not ready to give information, and without information, you can’t succeed as a military man.

We invited America to come and solve the problem of Boko Haram, a country that had predicted that Nigeria would break up before 2015

It was alleged that the terrorists have hoisted their flag in major towns in Borno. What is the implication of this?

That is to tell you that they are telling you that they have claimed that place. Gradually they will be coming. This thing is gradually getting to a civil war.

GAMES/CROSS WORD PUZZLE Some Areas in Lagos-1

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KEY WORDS

IKEJA ILUPEJU SOMOLU SOGUNLE PAPA AJAO ABULE IJESA IWAYA ANTHONY IGBOBI MENDE OBANIKORO YABA MAFOLUKU PEDRO ONIKE OSHODI BARIGA ONIGBONGBO

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I K O R P A P A A J A O

N S O R D E P S H O D

A B I O G U A E U B A R U G E L E N E A T I Y A J A J E W E S I K

B N K I U L O M O S T

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16 Chopping tool 17 Lower 18 Persecute 22 Snake-like fish 23 Town in Abia state 24 Asst. Insp. General (abbr.)

25 Organised private sector (abbr.)

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15 Governor Nyame’s state

3 Excessive supply

19 Regrettably

4 Minor earthquake

20 Run away

5 Smaller in extent

21 In time past

6 Deadlock 13 Save from destruction

See solution on page 21

FaceOff

48

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY

6 SEPTEMBER 2014

There won’t be another election into NFF board, says Ogba Vice president of the Chris Giwa faction of the Nigeria Football Federation, Obinna Ogba, tells Comfort Chukwu in Abuja, that the election held on August 26 is the only one that will be conducted and that the Giwaled executive committee is ready to exercise its mandate.

How would you describe the August 26, NFF election where Mr Chris Giwa and the other board members emerged?

It was a very peaceful election, very transparent election, well-organised, some people won, which includes my humble self, and some people lost. In election, certain people must win and certain people must lose. What remains is the ability of those who won to carry people along and for those who lost to accept defeat. I think so far we have extended our hand of fellowship to those of them who lost, some of them have accepted and some are thinking otherwise.

Some people who participated in that election also moved to the other congress as well, but they later came out to deny taking part in the election. How do you respond to this?

It all boarders on credibility, and that is what we are talking about, when people are affected in one area, they try to rock the boat. Some of these people before now they do not have a name, if you have a name, at all times you will thrive to protect it.

Was Maigari’s arrest on the day of the election contrived to see Giwa emerge as president?

There was no time Maigari was supposed to contest, ask those who were there, his name was not among those that were to contest. He even said it by himself, he bought a form, but he did not return the form, which means he was not one of the contestants, i don’t think that the arrest was done in order to stop him from contesting or participating, after all his tenor has ended it ended 12 midnight Monday25th before that Tuesday. He was not arrested that morning, he was arrested a day before that day, to the best of my knowledge his arrest had nothing to do with the congress because I don’t think the congress had any issue with the police, but you are also aware that in the secretariat there was a lot of allegations about, corruption levelled against him, and there was also a fire incidence so it could be some of those issues that prompted his arrest by the police.

refused to identify with you; People like Emeka Inyama and Musa Amadu for instance have distanced themselves from your board, what do you say to this?

Emeka Inyama can never continue with the board, because his board has been dissolved so he can’t continue, it’s when the electoral committee is set up they will fix election for the board.

How do you respond to claims that election will still be held at a later date and that the one of August 26 was a sham?

“I don’t know the type of election they are going to hold again, it could be the election of any other association because the election of the Nigeria Football Federation has been conducted already. Some of you journalists should also take the copy of the statutes of the NFF and go through it so that people will actually know who is causing trouble,” “The congress of August 26 was deemed an elective one and there is no other body who has the right to change that date, except the congress itself.

The Maigari-led board was still in office then so if they had wanted that date to be changed they could have called an emergency congress and I know that if they had done that the congress would have done their bidding, but they failed to do that until the day of the election so the election had to go on.

All of them were present at Chida Hotels, the venue of the congress, none of them will say he or she was not accredited. So why go to the streets to say you have stopped the congress.

The statutes say for any election there has to has to be an accreditation date, how would they now inaugurate an electoral committee today ( Tu e s d a y ) and give them

Some members of your board have

All of them were present at Chida Hotels, the venue of the congress, none of them will say he or she was not accredited

Ogba

seven days to conduct an election, if they even used the former electoral committee, it could have been a different thing, because the names of the members of the committee have been with FIFA for over five months.

How will they now appoint a new electoral committee and ask them to conduct election under seven days, under which law are they operating. We should not allow these illegalities to be happening in Nigeria and they will sit and draft a letter and import it from FIFA threatening Nigerians but when it is time to get money from the government it is not government interference but when it is election it becomes government interference. Who is fooling who?

They have said Giwa is the minister‘s candidate how true is that also?

When the president emerged after the August 26 election we went and paid courtesy call on the minister and informed him that we have won and that we are now thenew executive committee of the NFF. The ministry of sports is in charge of anything about sports in this country and football is part of sports. If you don‘t respect or recognise the minister then I don’t know where you are coming from.

FIFA was registered under the Swiss law there is nothing FIFA can do that will go contrary to Swiss Law, go and find out; so why do they want Nigeria’s football law to run contrary to the laws Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Has FIFA responded to your letter?

No, but we know they will respond, we got their letter asking us to vacate office.

Whether the letter is from them or not I don’t know but we saw the letterhead of FIFA. Did you reply directly to FIFA? Yes we have written to them to make our position known to them, but we are not leaving office, we will do everything within our power to protect the mandate given to us by the congress.

Why was your board invited by the National Assembly?

I don’t know why they are calling us, so I cannot say what is going to be the outcome.

Have you made good preparation for the AFCON qualifiers?

We have finished every arrangement about that match, all arrangement is in place, we will move to Calabar to give our team the support they deserve.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

FACEOFF | POLITICS

49

What they had before was a jamboree not election – Shehu Amadu

A vice presidential candidate in the coming election into the board of the Nigeria Football Federation, Shehu Amadu, tells Comfort Chukwu in Abuja, that they are getting prepared for the poll now slated for September 26 and that what transpired on August 26 was a sham.

What really happened during the August 26th election?

That day was scheduled and agreed to by stakeholders, which comprised of both warring parties to come together and chart a new course. We agreed that August 26 should be ordinary congress and seven days later we will have the elective congress, that was the agreement that we had, and that couldn’t be done until we had the full support of the congress members, some said yes while others said no.

Everybody knows that the Aminu Maigari tenure had elapsed on the 26th of August, and there must be a new board as soon as possible. The Nigeria Football Federation Statutes do not give room for any vacuum so that was why we said the election must take place immediately after the ordinary congress of 26th and the 4th of September was fixed as the elective congress.

But why did the congress reject the election of August 26?

There was no election. Can you call all the people here 39 members of the electoral congress?

We have about 34 FA chairmen, and the five athletes to the foot-

And about 39 out of the 44 voting members of the Nigeria football congress were there, and we charted a new course

Shehu Amadu

ball federation are here; we have 39 out 39, and you can’t compare it to the 35 they have over there? I can even mention some of the congress members that are there. They were trying to run with far less congress members and I told them it will not work, it will not stand, why don’t we come together so that we can chat a new course for Nigerian football.

The way they have been going about is the reason FIFA is threatening to hammer Nigeria.

What about your members that participated in that election and still changed sides afterwards?

I was there and I saw the people there; when I saw what was happening I told them no, that today was an ordinary congress not elective congress, anybody who came for ordinary congress should move out, that was how we moved out of that place and converged somewhere else on the same August 26 at about 8pm, at Bentley Hotel in Abuja. And about 39 out of the 44 voting members of the Nigeria football congress were there, and we charted a new course. It was on that day that we officially dissolved the board of Aminu Maigari. Musa Amadu was the anchor, he was the principal a c tor

that oversaw all the on the day because the congress mandates him to do so.

But why is he (Amadu) not available or visible?

I cannot say the reason why he is not on ground, he is in a better position to answer that question, but I can tell you he is one man I don’t envy at this point, because he is under pressure from those people who are purported to be elected. He has to now stand in the middle to ensure he does the right thing at the right time. But I think the congress is 100 per cent behind him, the congress that has the voting power and is the supreme body of football administration in Nigeria has given him the mandate and the road map to act. The new electoral committee on that same day was put in place after the former was dissolved.

FIFA’s hammer is dangling on the NFF. In case the other group refuses to vacate and FIFA bans us, what will be the situation?

We are all Nigerians, everybody will be sad, but I don’t think this will happen because this is a responsible government, one that cares for the people and willing to do the right thing, doing the right thing is part of the transformation agenda of our government. Before then I think our government will come in to make sure the right thing is done.

But Chris Giwa is believed to have the backing of the federal government, he has paid courtesy visit on the minister of sports and was well received.

Well that is his own opinion, but my opinion is with the general congress that has absolute power to be the custodian of football in Nigeria, and they have said no to it. What is he afraid of, why doesn’t he want to come and join and fight to be elected? We have said any Nigerian can buy form and contest. As far as I’m concerned what they had was a jamboree not an election.

There are rumours that Maigari’s arrest that day was a ploy disorganise, the congress, what is your view on that?

I was not there when he was picked so I

cannot say, I cannot comment on that because when I came I was informed that he has been picked, up till today I don’t know why he was picked and I am not interested to know because it is not my business, his arrest is a different case entirely.

What is the preparation by the congress for the AFCON qualifiers?

Technically and tactically the team is preparing itself, in order to defend the African Cup of Nations that we won.

Amadu has been providing the logistics, to the Super Eagles team to make sure we win the match against Congo. That is a different matter entirely and Amadu is 100 per cent in charge of that area. For the congress, we don’t deal with money, ours is purely politics; they are the ones that will ensure that the money and other logistics are available for the team.

Should Nigerians believe that Dr. Shehu Adamu and Mike Umeh are fighting a just cause? After the fallout of the August 26th election it was obvious that Adamu and Umeh re-joined the Maigari camp that they were fighting initially.

What would you say about that?

In the beginning Nigeria had one football family but conflict and communication gap brought about the separation; now if there is a call for everyone to take one direction to fight a just cause, why not? That is exactly what happened, we are fighting for a cause that will put us all in the right direction. We are not fighting with anybody, we are fighting on the side of administrative procedure; the right thing is not being done and that is why we say no to it. We are fighting to set Nigerian football free and in the right direction. And I don’t think anybody can come over night to spoil all that we have done.

What is the update on FIFA letter?

According to the FIFA letter on September 8, exactly 7 amNigerian time, if Giwa doesn’t vacate the NFF offices the hammer will fall on Nigeria, meaning that no international football of any sort for Nigeria, both the ones organised by WAFU, CAF and FIFA. It is the emergency committee of FIFA that met and came up with this conclusion There are doubts about the authenticity of this letter?

Who will come out and say it is a fake letter? Let the person come with the proof. Let the person come out and say this is a fake letter, if they are doubtful the phone number of the secretary general of FIFA and website are open. Let them write him and confirm if FIFA sent the letters or not. Let them follow all the procedures even forensic to know if the letter is real or not .

As a contestant for the post of the Vice president, what is your philosophy?

To me things have been happening in the past and we have to sit down and think of the future and see what we can do to avoid a recurrence of this crisis in the future. Anybody who knows that he cannot add value to the football in Nigeria should not be a part of the board. As an aspirant I am here to add value; during Maigari tenure the board recorded a lot of success based on performance and I was a part of that board.

50 PERSPECTIVES

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t the food court of the Accra Mall, around Tetteh Quarshie round-a-bout in Accra, Ghana, I was sitting, trying to devour what I termed to be a healthy meal of fresh garden salad and french fries. No meat, I must watch my cholesterol. Across from my table, I spotted the odd couple that had just arrived. A caucasian lady, plump-looking with curly auburn hair, in the tourist attire of tight jeans and a white flowery blouse, is accompanied by a dark-skinned Ghanaian who profers a pair of shorts with a white t-shirt . They take a seat in the cafe, the man obviously about 10 years younger, makes towards the counter to place an order. Its lunch time and I am biding my time before I go for my next appointment at the Graduate School for Governance and Leadership Studies(GSGL )on Spintex Road.

Instantly my journalistic antennae twitches, as the lady looks around the cafe in apparent assessment of her surroundings. Her apprehension tells me she might be a first time visitor. As soon as her host returns, they begin a rapid dialogue and one look in her eyes tells me the whole story. She is love struck.

The difference in age makes me suspect that the duo met on-line. I whisper a prayer,and hope that this is not just another love- interest scam fuelled by the internet!

Cyber crime is on the up in West Africa with the English speaking countries of Ghana and Nigeria being the main hubs.

Foreign currencies are being remitted in millions to accounts in various banks around the sub-region. The amounts of single deposits are always below the sums that can trigger alerts at the Central Banks of both countries. Some scammers have up to three or four banks in accounts that are opened in different names. Ghana cybercriminals are young (21-35 years of age), highly IT skilled, agile and technologically

T

Yahoo Boys!

BUSINESS SENSE ALEX OGUNDADEGBE alexogundadegbe@gmail.com

Some operators ply their trade in cyber cafes around Spintex Road and Labadi in Accra as well as the Ikeja axis in Lagos alert, and thought to be operating inside the country, but also moving swiftly across the sub-region,says a report in Biztechafrica. Ghana calls them Sakawa.

Nigeria is perhaps worst. They are about the same age in the giant of Africa, sometimes older and called Yahoo boys, after the world reknown free mail website that is often used as a scam tool.

Some operators ply their trade in cyber cafes around Spintex Road and Labadi in Accra as well as the Ikeja axis in Lagos. Others that are more sophisticated operate from houses they have either built or have rented in the estates around the various locations in Accra and Lagos. I have tried to divide these scammers and their modus operandi into categories: Love Interest: Young men often posing as women on Social Media send

photographs of girls in seductive poses, asking for friendship first and then money and favours later. Some of them pose as foreigners, but their use of words and language in chats can often betray them as being either Nigerians or Ghanaians. Some of the young men show their real photographs, parting with parts of their real identity. This they use in dating websites trying to hunt and attract older women who are wealthy and lonely. They set the women up, chatting to them daily, sending photographs, gifts of minimal substance by courier, until it gets to a level when the lady thinks she is in love. Often, its the lady who will suggest a trip to Africa to seek out her love interest! The fish has taken the bait when this happens and the man will find a way to sponge as much money off of her as possible.

Business Interest: It is amazing how gullible some people can be! Why respond to a competition people claim you have won when you did not enter for any competition in the first place? There is a category of scammers who are experts at erecting what appears to be business deals in gold, oil, real estate and mining that go to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars. In cyber space almost anything can be forged: letter headed

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

paper with what appear to be authentic water marks of various agencies across the world. Online, everything looks suited up to the nines! Some scammers have set up their target and taken the victim from cyber to real life contacts in buildings disguised for the purpose. The exchange of cash or valuables is always the point at which the scam ends.

Demoniac: This might be hard to believe, but several people have stepped forward with complaints of internet aided demonic oppression! Going almost crazy with desire to do strange things after meeting with people on line. We have had situations where ritual murder was the result of meetings arranged via the internet. A young acquaintance explained how he met other young men on Facebook who promised him a job.

They met at a location in Lagos and were talking when all of a sudden he lost his bearing. By the time he came back to his senses, he discovered that his phone was missing, so was his money! He begged and hitched his way back home to relate his ordeal to his parents. He found out later that other people had found themselves in similar circumstances, except that some of them were not to lucky to escape alive. Some of the other victims had ended up dead with body parts missing!

Hackers are an entirely different category who can assume the online identity of another person and use it to their advantage. We have had cases where people who take cyber holidays, that is they stay away from the internet for days at a time, end up having imposters break into their email accounts and use them to make demands on other people.

If the receivers of such messages from your account do not double check, they could end up sending money to a hacker with a view to helping a friend who is in financial difficulty! Whatever you do online. Please be careful.

The Australian and Boko Haram

he following people have been named as major sponsors of Boko Haram in Nigeria and if the Government cannot move in to arrest and prosecute them, I will lead a march of one thousand virgins to Aso Villa to put pressure on President Jonathan to act.

The fact it will take me more than 100 years to get one thousand virgins above the age of consent in this our country will not deter me. I saw the list just before the Australian fled. He showed me and I marveled at how comprehensive it was.

From entertainers to sports journalists, from doctors to witch doctors, from teachers to tailors and even lorry drivers and bush meat sellers, all were well represented on the list. All these people were being accused of sponsoring Boko Haram and contributing to the daily mayhem we are seeing.

Something has to be done and very quickly. These set of people were even involved in the funding of Sawyer’s trip to Nigeria on his first and last Ebola journey.

On a close look at the list, I saw my name. Me? This Australian man must really be out of his senses. He must have kangaroo brain. Me, who cannot even spell Boko, let alone Haram. This to me is just another avenue to distract us in this fight.

The above just shows how I have taken this revelation. A joke. I don’t know about the other name mentioned apart from the Army man? That is the joke of the century.

A top dog in our Army, a man that was almost prosecuted for human rights violation because of the way he prosecuted the war to now turn around and be accused of funding the people he almost massacred.

To what purpose would he be fund-

EDGAR’S WORLD JOSEPH EDGAR josephsamsponedgar@gmail.com ing them? So he can be president of Bama or Borno? Or so he can drive away Muslims and form a Christian caliphate?

This whole thing is total rubbish, it is a distraction and should be kicked out immediately.

This is what we will get as a people when we allow all sort of charlatans and jobless, kangaroo brained maniacs interfere in our internal dealings. What did he negotiate? Where are the freed girls?

He failed, and to justify whatever his pay masters would have paid him he comes out with this ridiculous assertion.

Ebola will pursue him to his native Australia. Rather than be truthful and say exactly what he knows, he has started playing games when lives are lost daily, families are daily decimated and wives are being raped in the presence of their husbands. Kai, I read the story of the man who along with his middle-aged wife was kidnapped by these people and he endured watching this grandmother raped daily by at least five men. What kind of punishment is this?

By the way, I hear it is now N100,000 per day to work in an Ebola Isolation

He failed, and to justify whatever his pay masters would have paid him he comes out with this ridiculous assertion ward. I am sending my cv. That is like N2m in a month. I have started rewriting my resume. I remember I did health science in WAEC and scored like p7. That is enough qualification. I have always loved helping people. The other day when my neighbour fainted, I helped him. I ran to call his wife.

Please I am going there tomorrow.

I have written my will just in case they give me fake protective gear and throw me into my early grave. This Ebola thing is changing our lifestyles, people now wash their hands with sanitizers, drink it and use it as body cream. Instead of clutching three phones, they now have three bottles

of sanitizes. One in the front pocket and two in the back pockets. Before you greet, you sanitize, when your son asks for school fees you sanitize and urge him to do the same. When your wife asks for chop money, you sanitize your ear so you can hear well and when someone annoys you, you say, “Sawyer punish you” instead of the usual “God punish you”.

Banks now check temperature before you go in. When I entered a bank last week my temperature was stable, but when I got in and saw my balance, on the way out the temperature had gone up. They wanted to quarantine me, but I begged them and showed them my account statement and they understood why the temperature went up so fast. Security men have suddenly turned to health care practitioners, taking and reading temperature and even prescribing and diagnosing treatment as people walk in and out of banks. So instead of wasting time and risk being infected with Ebola in our hospitals, when you have some feverish symptoms just go to the nearest banks and meet the security men; they will take your temperature and advise you on the next cause of action.

Ebola will come and go just like others before it and we will still remain the happy-go-lucky and hard working people we have always been. We will still wear our aso ebi and go for our Owambe and Tinubu will still fight Jonathan and everything will come back to normal.

Viva Nigeria

PERSPECTIVES

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51

TAN’s South-South Rally: A candid post-mortem

T

Dan Amor

he age-long statement that a prophet is not honored among his people, was debunked by the people of the South South geopolitical zone who thronged the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers State in large numbers Saturday August 30, 2014 at the zonal rally of Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), to place a demand on President Goodluck Jonathan to run for the 2015 Presidential election.

The stadium, one of the largest sport facilities in the country with a capacity of one hundred thousand seats was filled to the brim as the overflow would also fill another stadium.

The event which attracted people of the six states that make up the core Niger Delta namely, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers, was billed to commence at 10.00am, but as of 8.30am, the people had already defiled threat of early rain and the alleged spread of Ebola virus to invade the arena. Dignitaries at the event included members of the National Assembly from the zone, ministers, state governors and traditional rulers from the zone.

To those who witnessed the three rallies held so far in Awka, Ibadan and Port Harcourt, the South South show is the Mother of all the rallies organized by TAN in the Southern part of the country. As a prelude to what the zone plans to unveil come 2015, the South South rally which drew politicians and people of the Niger Delta extraction together irrespective of political and ideological divides was the most enduring socio-political gathering ever held in any part of Nigeria in recent times.

The zone endorsed their son for the 2015 Presidential election with 4,156,000 signatures. A breakdown of the signatures shows that Rivers State has the highest

number with 1,100,000 persons; followed

by Akwa Ibom, which gave 800,000 signatories; Delta endorsed him with 750,000 signatories; Cross River with 520,000 and Bayelsa, 516 signatories while Edo gave 490,000. It was a superlative outing which has confirmed theTAN narrative from its trajectory to a conceptual reality.

Not only did the people of the Niger Delta come out in complete gaiety to celebrate their outstanding son, their leaders stood to be counted, and the roll call is intimidating! Aside from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, who collected the registers of signatures for Mr. President, notable South South politicians in attendance included Sir Emem Akpabio, the godfather of Akwa Ibom politics; Obong Emmanuel Gabriel Udom, Secretary to the Government of Akwa Ibom State who represented Governor Godswill Akpabio; Dr. Glory Edet, Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs & Social Development, Akwa Ibom State, Dr, Steve Oru, Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and Hon. Ely Iyak.

Others are, Chief Gordon Bozimo, PDP Board of Trustee member and Chairman NYSC board; Chief Edem Duke, Hon. Minister of Culture & Tourism; Arc. Mike Onolemenem, Hon. Minister of Works; Chief Celestine Omehia, former Governor of Rivers State; Senator Lee Maeba, Chairman NIFM; Senator Effiong Bob, Chairman, Uniben Governing Council; Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Chairman Senate Committee on health; Hon. Victor Nwokolo, member of House of Representatives; Senator Clever Marcus Ikisikpo, Chairman Senate Committee on Special Duties; His Royal Highness King A. J Turner, Chairman, Federal Inland Waterways; Air Commander Idongesit Nkanga, former Military Administrator of Akwa Ibom State.

His Excellency Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan led the Delta State delegation to the rally. The ebullient and hardworking governor who is alleged to be preparing hard to represent Delta South Senatorial district come 2015, stole the show when he quipped that President Jonathan would be declared persona non grata from the Niger

Delta should he failed to run for the 2015 presidential election. Others who honored the Port Harcourt rally include His Excellency Dr. Peter Odili, former governor of Rivers State; High Chief Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman of Daar Communications; Dr. Ray I. Ugba Murphy; Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Hon. Minister of Finance & Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Chief Mike Ogiedome, former Chief of Staff to the President was also there; Chief Tunde Akogun, former Leader of the House of Representatives was sited as well. Others are, Captain Okunbo Osa; Chief Clifford Odiah; Gen. Charles Anhiavbere; Comrade Joel Imagwe; Chief Bright Okogwu; His Excellency Amb. Desmond Akawor; Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Hon. Minister of Sports; Prince Hon. Nnamdi Obi; Chief Mrs Betty Efekoda; Barrister Nyesom Wike, Hon. Minister of State, Education; Senator James Manager; Hon. John Owan Enoh of House of Representatives; Barrister Effiong Cobham, Deputy Gov, Cross River State; Senator Ita Enang; Chief Otu Robert; Rt. Hon. Nse Ntuen and a host of others.

Aside from various traditional rulers from the six States of the South South geo-political region who graced the occasion, TAN’s patrons and enthusiasts such as Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah and other dignitaries were conspicuously there at the Liberation Stadium. The team is observing a few days recess while strategizing to storm North Central in Mina on Saturday September 13, 2014.

In its self-assigned role of propagating and packaging President Jonathan for 2015 through showcasing the enormous achievements of his administration, TAN has dominated the public advocacy space in Nigeria to the consternation of his political opponents.

•

Amor is of the Media Team of TAN.

‘Summit’ll showcase transformation in Akwa Ibom’ The Chancellor of the Akpabio Centre for Leadership Development, Pastor Bassey James tells DOMINIK UMOSEN about the need to sustain the uncommon transformation in Akwa Ibom What is the Akpabioism Economic Summit all about.

The Akpabioism Economic Summit which holds at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Lagos on September 13, this year is an offshoot of what we have already put on ground to sustain the uncommon transformation that has been the thrust of the administration in Akwa Ibom State in the last seven years. This uncommon transformation should be sustained, especially by getting the youth to buy into the ideal. The Akpabioism Economic Summit is our contribution to strengthen, energize and to support the desired objective of getting incoming administrations in the state to invest in the need to sustain the uncommon agenda of the administration. The Akpabioism Economic Summit is going to be the first of its kind in the sense that a private body is setting out to generate the interest of the masses to support of what a leader is doing. Governor Godswill Obot Akpabio is a great leader from our state and in the South-South. We believe that there should be sustenance of the giant strides by his administration. I developed the Akpabioism ideology to encourage this and other governors who will come after Akpabio to appreciate the fact that once there is a good performance, there will always be good followership. We have done that and, by the

grace of God, we have opened invitation to all Nigerians; we are bringing captains of industry; past and present governors; legislators and people in diaspora. People are already gearing up for the summit, including those in diaspora; those doing business in Lagos and others scattered along the west coast. We want to unveil the great potential of Akwa Ibom. We will talk about six key issues, including agriculture, security, tourism, business management and others. It is generally accepted that Akwa Ibom is the most peaceful state in the country so we want to advantage of the security management to invite tourists to come to the state.

Some of the infrastructure that the governor has provided to boost tourism are unprecedented in the history of the country. You can see the Tropicana which is the best in the country. Actually, Akwa Ibom is already a tourist centre with the influx of Nigerians to the state, almost on a daily basis. We wan t to take advantage of that. In terms of agriculture, the state is the only in the country- and I stand to be corrected or contradicted –whose land is so wonderful that anything could be planted without the aid of artificial fertilizer. The ground is naturally rich and already fertilized. We believe that people should come and take advantage of that. We are also challenging the world to come to Akwa Ibom State because in addition to the land mass, excellent security, wonderful soil and traditional hospitality of the wonderful people, beautiful environment and a government that is willing to encourage these mix, you can find all these in Akwa Abasi Ibom State. The Akpabioism Economic Summit is a brand that must be sustained by this government and any other government that succeeds it.

want to come and showcase their expertise.

I believe that every Akwa Ibom entrepreneur, every Akwa Ibom business person is invited to display his or her products or whatever. Akwa Ibom is already open for business but this is the only way we can support the governor.

James

When exactly is the Summit holding?

We are working towards making sure that the event holds in September which explains why work is at a break-neck speed complete the Akpabioism Centre for Leadership Development in Uyo, the state capital. The logistics involved in hosting the summit is massive. All those invited, within and outside the country, have to be accommodated, in addition to other details.

Without any doubt, we are looking at a mini trade-fair that will provide the needed exposure to all our brothers doing business in any part of the world. These people

Is it only businessmen and women from Akwa Ibom that the summit is open to.

No, participation is open to any one intending to do business in Akwa Ibom. As a matter of fact, the former governor of Kano State, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau who has graciously consented to be the guest lecturer. We have also talked to people in the Slok Group which is owned by the former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu; we have approached so many people to make sure that the event is successful. All Nigerians are invited because Akpabioism is just not an Akwa Ibom affair, even though it is an Akwa Ibom product. The governor has become an international brand. Every body wants to identify with him. For example, major business personalities in Alaba International Market in Lagos; others in Ariaria Market in Aba and others in Nnewi have also indicated interest. We want people to know that the state is over-ripe for business and big-time investments.

What has been the reaction to your invitation There has been great enthusiasm from prospective participants. Everybody wants to come and witness the miracle of uncommon transformation which the administration has spent a fortune to sell. In terms of performance and in terms of having solid infrastructure and in terms of road network, I stand to be corrected, that there is no state in that can boast of a similar road network as in Akwa Ibom.

52 PERSPECTIVES

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Tobacco as antidote to Ebola

ing patients. The issue of HIV/AIDS and subsidising the drugs to enable HIV infected patients access to it, finding a lasting solution to the problem of malaria and addressing the problems of maternal health.

It is pertinent to address the basic issues which have tied down the delivery of a sound health system to Nigeria people for decades.

This is where our focus should be right now, without getting the priorities right and pumping all the resources we can get into addressing these problems then we are nowhere near the Olusegun Samson sustainable development that we so fervently desire and yearn for, neither can we address n a twist of events and as global response the problem of inclusive growth. When just to the issues associated with tobacco con- a few can afford to access good medical care sumption continues to remain divergent by flying out to other countries then there is depending on which side of the divide the unfairness and injustice in leadership. proponent is, it looks like the controversial The African culture in itself is a strong mititobacco is now a part and parcel of the cure gating factor to any rising trend in tobacco for the much dreaded Ebola.Tobacco is one of consumption. If WHO or any of the NGOs the elements which constitutes the makeup of involved in Tobacco Control Advocacy really the new EVD drug been tested for potential want to do anything serious, it will be to ride cure of Ebola. This drug according to various on the African culture which largely frowns media reports was administered on the two at smoking and embark on more education American doctors who were infected with the in order to support the right form of lifestyle disease. The doctors are said to be recovering choices.

The use of tobacco has progressed and to the treatment.

In the past couple of months, it has be- many more scientists are looking at how to use come more obvious that the overriding focus this as fuel for airplanes and now as potential of WHO and their local NGO affiliates both cure for this dreaded Ebola disease – we, therein Nigeria and West Africa seem to be mis- fore, need to transcend beyond the current placed. The deteriorating state of the Nigeria’s debate and look for what can be done with medical sector and health delivery system is tobacco. This will include backing up research one that worries everyone. While aggressive into how to take away the smoke constituent advocacy for tobacco control continues within that causes the harmful effect when smoking the country with millions of dollars backing and offering consumers healthier choices and it up, more and more life threatening issues also ensuring that more work is done in assisting people to choose the right kind of lifestyle continue to rear its ugly head.

The health sector problems are enormous that promotes healthy living and this is not and clearly show that the donors and their only in tobacco but also in other areas where local implementers have misplaced priorities. Nigerians and African are most susceptible to.

As the drama in the sector If the product EVD truly continues to increase in works in curing Ebola and These factors can also act as a vaccine it tempo with the doctors going on strike once more, will be a major break for us make malaria, for as they usually do, which in Africa. has invariably led to about The recent WHO report instance, more 16,000 doctors been fired on the health sector in Afintractable in Africa rica paints a grim picture by the presidency, we are suddenly hit with the Ebola for Africans: than elsewhere epidemic.

“A child born in Africa faces more health risks Right now Nigeria and most African countries than a child born in other needs to be focused on the salient issues such partsof the world. Such a child has more than as getting the basics in place and more resourc- a 50% chance of being malnourished, ahigh es needs to be pumped into seeing that this is risk of being HIV-positive at birth, while maaddressed aggressively. Therefore issues such laria, diarrhoeal diseases and acuterespiratoas tobacco control advocacy and the often ry diseases account for 51% of deaths. A child times media sensationalism that comes with born in the African Regionis more likely to it as opposed to research and education of Ni- lose his or her mother due to complications in gerians and African seems like a self-seeking childbirth or to HIV/AIDS, while that child project. A lot more can be achieved if half of has a life expectancy of just 47 years, and is the enormous energy and funding pumped very likely — atleast once in his or her short into tobacco control advocacy had been sunk life — to be affected by drought, famine, into some form of advocacy in ensuring the flood or civilwar, or to become a refugee. health care delivery system is brought up to People living in the African Region are more standard – this will save the lives of millions exposed to a heavy and wide-rangingburden of Nigerians who are dying not from tobacco of disease partly because of this Region’s smoke but from lack of basic health care de- unique geography andclimate. These factors livery systems. Very few people in Nigeria make malaria, for instance, more intractable can afford good health care and even many in Africa than it iselsewhere. At the same of those who can also go out of the country time, non-communicable diseases and injuto places like South Africa and India to get ries are emergingas significant contributors medical treatment. The number of lives that to the disease burden.Nowhere has HIV/ have been lost in Nigeria due to poor health AIDS killed such large proportions of the system delivery, lack of equipment, shoddy population as ithas in Africa. Nowhere has health care system and wrong diagnosis is the old scourge of tuberculosis re-emerged not only tremendous but frightening. This is to fuel theHIV/AIDS epidemic as it has in in addition to the number of brain drain that the African Region. No other region has witnessedso many armed conflicts and other huwe have in the sector today.

It stands to reason that more money needs manitarian emergencies.Nowhere is poverty to be pumped into more life threatening is- so prevalent. The population of the African sues – such as cataloguing those diseases Region represents about 10% of the world’s that currently have no cure and are peculiar population, but an estimated 45% or more of to our region/country and funding research itspeople live below the poverty line, on less of same, making sure that the Ebola scourge than US$ 1 a day. About 330 millionpeople is truly gotten rid off, and a permanent cure i n this Region — one-third of the secured and also sensitising various health world’s 1.1 billion poor — are care delivery sectors on what to do and how caught in thispoverty trap, in to ensure that the which low household standard health incomes lead to low household consumpcare delivery is tionand, in turn, given and in place such that the countries health givers in which they are themselves live have low capacity and not exposed to low producsuch trauma tivity.” while treat-

I Biem

2015: The Man Benue Needs

H

Terkura Kor

e parades an enviable and uncommon credential, firsts amongst equals. A distinguished and seasoned technocrat, an accomplished journalist, sports enthusiast, a mentor per excellence, philanthropist of no mean repute and a thorough-breed family man.

Amongst the political class in Benue State today, when John Hingah Biem sneezes, politicians catch cold. This grassroots mobilizer, who spends his weekends in his village, Tse Agenor in Mbaapen, Gwer Local Government, has a firm knowledge of how to take state to greater heights. Many agree Governor Gabriel Suswan has indeed done a lot for the state in all the sectors.

They however argue that someone with adequate knowledge of the states’ teething challenges must succeed him to guarantee sustainable development for Benue people.

This is where Biem holds sway. Many assert that he will effortlessly sustain the tempo of development in the state with awesome experience and dexterity. As someone who has dedicated most of his life to the service of humanity, Biem remains invaluable Benue’s quest for sustained good governance. As his kinsmen, Tiv, would put it, “ka mtile u ivo I te I er” (a good product sells itself).

Who actually is John Hingah Biem? Born on August 10 1958 at Taraku, Gwer Local Government Area of the state, he attended Saint Patrick’s Primary School, Taraku (1964-1971). He was later to enroll at Mount Saint Michael’s Secondary School, Aliade in 1972, and then gained his West African School Certificate in 1976. In 1977, Biem attended the School of Basic Studies, Ugbokolo, Benue State and passed the IJMBE in 1978. Following this, he gained admission into the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in the same year to study English Literature.

At the age of 23, he graduated with flying colours with a Bachelor of Arts. Biem’s professional calling started as an Information Officer in the then Benue State Ministry of Information and Culture, in 1982. In the same year, he moved to the Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation with the portfolio of a features writer and was elevated to the position of Editor of the “Sunday Voice.” Between 1988 and 1991, he became

At the age of 23, he graduated with flying colours with a Bachelor of Arts

the Vice Chairman, Editorial Board of the Voice Newspapers, during which period, he enrolled at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos where he bagged a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism. He later became Editor and Chairman Editorial Board of the Voice Newspapers, a position he held until February, 1992 when he assumed the position of Director-General, Bureau of Information, Benue State, where he meritoriously served till April 1997.

Other positions Biem has held include, Director of Personnel, Government House Makurdi, (1997); Director of Personnel, Ministry of Land and Survey; and Sole Administrator, Ohimini Local Government ,which midwived the transition to civilian rule in 1999 to the civilian chairman. Others are Director, Finance and Administration, Ministry of Finance; Director, Office of Head of Service (2000); Director of Projects; Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Service Welfare (2006); Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Internal Affairs and Special Service; amongst many others. In all, he served the state meritorious for 32years of his life.

A lover of education and knowledge, Biem later enrolled at the Benue State University, Makurdi where he earned Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) and Master of Science, Public Administration respectively. Not done, he is currently a Ph.D candidate in the Department of Political Science of the same university.

This son of a soya bean farmer has crisscrossed the length and breadth of the state and is determined to turn around its fortunes in the agricultural sector, generate income and contribute immensely to the improved welfare of the state. Indeed the success of past and present administrations in Benue State cannot be written without the mention of Biem’s pivotal role. As his political camp continues to experience rapid growth in all parts of the state, Biem has remained detribalized, insisting that politics should not be a do-or-die affair.

After meeting several opinion leaders and reading the political tempo of the state, I dare say emphatically that Benue deserves an experienced leader and manager of the 4M’s (man, machine, material, money) to help accelerate the level of governance in the state and make Governor Gabriel Suswan’s performance a child’s play. Biem’s overwhelming capacity and integrity has made contestants for the office of governor see him as their main contender and man to beat.

He has the capacity to deliver on promises made as he makes himself available for service. The choice of Biem as governor is a vote for a more prosperous, just and egalitarian Benue State.

• Kor, a sociopolitical commentator, is CEO of Babsco Group

Ribadu, Awwal Tukur's supporters may back Modibbo

A

head of the conduct of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries in Adamawa State, some supporters of a former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, have opened talks with Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo's camp.

Also confirmed to be discussing with the former UBEC boss are some of those initially working for the governorship ambition of Awwal Bamanga Tukur, son of the immediate past national chairman of the PDP. It was confirmed that series of meetings and consultations began between Modibbo and the supporters of the two after he returned to Yola from Abuja, yesterday.

The development fol-

NEWS EXTRA

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

lowed Thursday's late night meeting of all the aspirants with PDP's NWC and Senate President David Mark in Abuja, where eight of them including Ribadu and Tukur withdrawn from the race.

The supporters most of who will form a large population of delegates at today's primaries seem to now be in last minutes rush for Modibbo, claiming that they prefer him to Acting Governor Umaru Fintri another noticeable aspirant.

The elected delegates described Modibbo as a mature and surer party man who could be trusted if elected as a governor.

As it stands now, Modibbo and Fintri remain a formidable duo out of the six aspirants that will partake in the primaries to hold at Lamido Cinema Jimeta-Yola.

NEWS IN BRIE F

IKEJA

JOS

Group seeks financial refund from hostage negotiator

Gbong Gwom Jos tasks Igala leader on patriotism

A group, Ndigbo Cultural Society of Nigeria (NCSN), yesterday urged the Federal Government to demand full refund of all monies paid to the Australian hostage negotiator, Davis Stephen, for the release of the Chibok girls, since he had failed woefully to secure the highly needed liberty of the girls.

A statement issued by the group’s President, Chief Udo Udeogaranya, said it was disheartening that, “the incompetent negotiator having failed woefully in the assigned mission to free the abducted girls, instead resorted to name dropping as a decoy for services rendered.”

3,800

The number of pending asylum seekers of Iraq at the beginning of 2010.

Source: Blatantworld.com

The Gbong Gwom of Jos and Chairman Plateau State Traditional Council, Chief Jacob Gyang Buba, has tasked the new Onu Igala in Jos to exhibit culture of patriotism and dedication to the service of humanity.

Buba stated this yesterday in his Palace in Jos, when the New Onu of Igala In Jos, Alhaji Ibrahim Agumu, who paid him a courtesy visit.

He commended the effort of the Igala people for being peaceful and also maintaining their cultural heritage.

The paramount ruler assured that he is prepared to work with the Igala people in the state in fighting crimes and criminality.

53

MUSHIN APC members lament neglect in constituency

Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have allegedly accused some chieftains of the party of neglecting them in the activities of constituency at the local level.

Speaking during a meeting at the APC Secretariat in Mushin, the party supporters who spoke to New Telegraph through the Supervisor for Chieftaincy Affairs, Cultural Matters, Mushin Local Government, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, said two of its top chieftains forwarded 286 names from 26 wards without considering the interest of those at the grassroots and denied them a place in the political activities of the state.

€1.381m 144,000

The world record transfer fee paid for Johan Cruyff by Barcelona 1973.

Source: Goal.com

The number of fixed-telephone subscriptions of Barbados in 2012.

Source: Itu.int

SUG leaders, others remanded in prison over protest in Edo Cajetan Mmuta BENIN

T

wo leaders of the Students Union Government (SUG) and seven others of the College of Education, Ekiadolor, in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State were yesterday remanded in prison in Benin.

The SUG President, Comrade Emmanuel Amenaghamwon, the Deputy Speaker of the SUG parliament and seven others were arrested by the police in connection with the violent protest that occurred within the institution’s community on Tuesday in the state.

The nine students are to remain in the custody of Oko Central Prisons till September 8.

They were arraigned yesterday before the Magistrate's Court Benin on Sapele Road for disrupting public peace and inciting other students against the management of the institution.

The SUG executive members and the seven fresh under graduates of the institution were ar-

rested on Wednesday following a violent protest over the indefinite strike embarked upon by the lecturers, poor facilities and sundry complaints by the students on the state of the institution.

They were arrested and taken to the Area Command at Ekiadolor following “an order from above.”

Efforts by some of the students’ leaders and associates of those arrested to bail them yesterday proved abortive.

One of the SUG executive members, who spoke on condition of anonimity told New Telegraph that the victims were arrested on the order from above.

It was learnt that two cars in the convoy of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion were allegedly destroyed by the students during their protest on Tuesday which led to the blockage of the dual carriage BeninLagos Road for several hours.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Noble Uwoh, a DSP, could not be reached for comment on the situation.

APC calls for dissolution of Osun Governorship Election Tribunal Bola Kareem

T

he All Progressives Congress (APC) has called for the immediate dissolution of the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the reconstitution of a new one, in order to engender the confidence of the public in the work of the tribunal.

In a statement issued in Benin, Edo State, yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the reported removal of the

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice I.M. Bako, on the basis of a petition written by some people, had tainted the Tribunal, hence the need to constitute a fresh one.

“According to the information at our disposal, the PDP used one of the candidates in the August 9 gubernatorial election in the state to orchestrate the removal of the tribunal chairman, whom the party (PDP) considered not pliable enough for the achievement of its evil machination," the statement stated.

L-R: Mrs. Dayo Keshi, director/chief executive officer of National Council for Arts and Culture; Mr. Ferdinard Anikwe, director general, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation and Mrs. Chika Balogun, director general, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), at the handover ceremony for newly apointed heads of parastatals in the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, in Abuja...recently

Panic in Delta community over Ebola scare SCARE

Authority in Delta State allays fears over Ebola scourge.

Joe Obende and Umar Danladi Ado

T

Warri/Sokoto

here was palpable panic yesterday in Eku and its environs in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State over a reported death suspected to have been caused by Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

Former Baptist Specialist Hospital, Eku, now Government Hospital, is one of the three designated isolation centres set aside by the state government for the study and treatment of cases of persons presenting EVD symptoms.

But in a swift reaction, the Delta State Government debunked the EVD rumour, allaying the fears of the public by explaining that the case was that of acute diabetes.

Also, the Emergency Unit

l Patient tests negative to disease in Sokoto of the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto State, yesterday announced that a 25-yearold patient with Ebola-like symptoms has tested negative to the disease.

Investigations by New Telegraph on Saturday revealed that the patient, whose identity was not disclosed as at the time of filing this report and who was admitted into the hospital in the early hours of yesterday, collapsed later and eventually died.

A community leader, Comrade Jimitota Onoyume, who spoke to journalists on the phone, confirmed the panic in the communities but that normalcy was creeping back following the swift move of government to dispel the rumour.

According to him, the deceased, who allegedly had a Port Harcourt history, had been taken to her community for traditional care, but was rushed to the hospital when her condition deteriorated.

“To the best of my knowledge, no Ebola case in Eku. Although I don't work for the hospital, I heard from the side that a lady was brought in, she slumped and died and they saw traces of blood on her.

That is how the place went viral. You know that the hospital is one of those designated as an isolation centre. She may have died of hypertension or whatever.

“There is tension in the community, even as far as Okpara down like that, to Abraka. I learnt that they have taken blood samples of the deceased for tests, just because of the way the people have been reacting,” he said.

Confirming the incident, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chike Ogeah, denied the EVD rumour, explaining that the deceased died of diabetes.

According to him, he had spoken with his colleague, the Health Commissioner, Dr. Joseph Otumara, whom he said had told him that the deceased was a known case

of diabetes at the hospital, adding that a recent social media prank, which advised people to drink salt water to avert Ebola had worsened her case.

“It is not true, there is no Ebola. The lady had diabetes and she was a known case at the hospital, so they brought her in from Port Harcourt. I think around the time they asked people to drink salt water and all that, she also took it and that worsened her situation. So, there is no Ebola case in Eku or Delta,” Ogeah maintained.

Meanwhile, a statement signed by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the hospital, Dr. Yakubu Ahmed, and made available to journalists in Sokoto yesterday said the lady has tested negative for EVD. The statement said the hospital had got approval of the Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, to inform the general public that the result of the investigation was negative to Ebola, Lassa, Dengue and West Nile diseases.

54 NEWS EXTRA

Intending pilgrim slumps, dies at Ogun hajj seminar

Kunle Olayeni Abeokuta

A

n intending pilgrim to this year ’s Hajj, Mrs. Oladokun Silifat Ajinni, on Thursday slumped and died in Abeokuta during the final seminar organised by the Ogun State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

The woman, whose age could not be ascertained at press time, died during the seminar held to sensitise intending Muslim pilgrims for this year’s holy pilgrimage at the Secretariat Mosque, Oke-Ilewo, Abeokuta.

Sources said Ajinni had hitherto been advised to consult her physician having been diagnosed of high blood pressure during earlier medical screening in August.

New Telegraph on Saturday learnt that when the woman appeared at the seminar for immunisation exercise on Thursday, a team of medical experts screened her again and advised her to abide by the earlier advice.

Sensing that she may be disqualified due to health challenges, the woman was said to have started panting and breathing heavily.

She was therefore asked

to take some rest while her son who accompanied her to the seminar venue reportedly bought her food which she ate before slumping.

Ajinni was subsequently rushed to the hospital where she was confirmed dead.

When contacted, the head of the board’s medical team, Dr Nasirudeen Bello, described the incident as unfortunate.

Bello explained that the woman had been hypertensive and was consequently

advised to approach her physician and come back with evidence.

He allayed fears that the victim might have died of Ebola Virus Disease, saying the woman had no symptom of the dreaded virus.

Bello said: “One of the intending pilgrims was at the seminar yesterday (Thursday) where she also participated in the inoculation exercise for intending pilgrims as well as the medical screening. The woman

was elderly and she was accompanied by her son to the venue. The woman had initially been identified as being hypertensive but was not on any medication whatsoever.

“We had sent her to see her physician in order to put her on appropriate medication but when she came, she has not been taking any medication and in the process of evaluating her, she slumped.

“Immediately we came around and commenced resuscitation to revive her.”

Youths defy downpour, back A’Ibom SSG for 2015 Tony Anichebe Uyo

O

ver 100 youths yesterday defied the downpour in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital to identify with the aspiration of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who is aspiring for the office of the governor of the state in 2015.

The youth, who sang solidarity songs through the streets of Uyo to Ibom hall ground venue of the Akwa Ibom Youth Day rally were met with several top

government functionaries including the representative of the state Governor Chief Godswill Akpabio.

Addressing the youth, Akpabio urged them to remain united and resist any negative influence that would expose them to any form of thugery or criminality in the coming election.

Represented by his special adviser on political affairs, Chief Emmanuel Ibiok, the governor maintained that his administration had over the years build massive infrastructures in preparation for total industrialisation in the state.

Akpabio stressed that his

administration had empowered the youth and promise never to relent in giving them a pride of place in the scheme of things in the state.

On his own, the state Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr. Monday Ukoh, urged the youth to continue their unalloyed support for Akpabio’s administration to successfully hand over power in 2015.

He appealed to them to remain resolute in their support for Emmanuel to succeed Akpabio in order to consolidate the ongoing transformation in the state.

SPORT EXTRA

NigeriavsvCongo: Congo: Nigeria

Spectators to be screened for Ebola

T

here are indications that spectators who will watch today’s match between Nigeria and Congo will be screened for, among other things, the Ebola virus at all entry points to the U.J. Esuene Stadium, in Calabar.

This indication was given by the Cross Rivers State Security Adviser, Rekpene Bassey, on Friday while speaking exclusively to New Telegraph on preparations for the match.

Bassey said security would be tight at the stadium because of the threat of insurgency and in order to ensure that no one takes advantage of the match to cause any problem. Although the state is far from being threatened by terrorists, Bassey said security chiefs in the state reviewed the situation and made provision for effective security, just in case of any eventuality.

“Yes, we have outlined our security arrangements and I can tell you that both security personnel and medical teams would be stationed at all entry points to the stadium to ensure that we do not record any crisis and to screen spectators. If your temperature is above a certain level, we will not hesitate to refund your money to you,” Bassey hinted.

Port Harcourt joined the growing list of cities to have been hit by the Ebola virus, and Bassey added: “We cannot pretend that there is no Ebola in Nigeria, and Port Harcourt is so close to us.

People are coming to watch the match from every part of the country and we do not want to take things for granted.”

The security adviser also explained that all the security agencies would be mobilised for the match and that the state government would not want to record any ugly incident during and after the match.

Residents flee Maiduguri as Boko Haram intensifies attack

H

undreds of civilians yesterday fled Maiduguri, the Borno State capital as fears grew that Boko Haram terrorists were trying to assault the state capital, after seizing towns and territories around it.

Residents said yesterday that heavily-armed Boko Haram fighters using captured military vehicles and weapons had taken over towns and villages to the north, east and south of Maiduguri in the past few weeks and days.

An online news portal, Saharareporters, reported that apprehension among Maiduguri residents grew after fierce fighting since Monday between Nigeria’s military and the militants over the town of Bama, 70kilometres southeast of Maiduguri.

It was gathered that thousands have fled Bama amid conflicting reports of who had control as the militants took the smaller town of Bara on Tuesday, to the southwest of Maiduguri.

C O N T I N UE D f r o m PA G E 1

“A tribute to Obong Attah is also a tribute to Obong Godswill Akpabio because Akpabio has taken the first step towards liberating Akwa Ibom State,” guest speaker at the reception, Mr. Kanu Agabi, SAN, said.

Although he did not give the number of security personnel expected at the venue, he assured fans that all the security agencies would be mobilised to make the match hitch-free.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles trained for the last time ahead of today’s match on Friday morning, even as the Congolese team finally arrived in Calabar.

Earlier this week, the NFF stated that the Congolese were playing a “hide-and-

seek game” regarding their travel plans to Nigeria.

But the Central Africans flew into the Cross Rivers state capital on Friday evening and afterwards were conveyed to the Channel View hotel.

Congo coach Claude Le Roy has been outspoken about his team’s concern over the outbreak of the Ebola virus in Nigeria, with the welltravelled coach calling on CAF to move the match to a safer venue.

“Let the state unite so that it can take its leadership position in Nigeria,” Agabi noted at the event that had guests like Obong Uffot Ekaette, former secretary to the government of the federation and several other dignitaries from the Uyo Senatorial Zone.

NFF crisis: Olopade calls for peace O

Emmanuel Emenike (left) going past Argentina’s Marcos Rojo at the 2014 World Cup

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau last month declared a “Muslim territory” in the northeast after capturing the town of Gwoza on the Cameroun border.

He is believed to be trying to mimic the example of the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, which announced the creation of a trans-national “caliphate”.

Travellers packed bus stations in Maiduguri waiting for transport to Damaturu in neighbouring Yobe State, the only safe exit route. Vehicles laden with passengers and possessions were also seen on the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road.

Civil servants, traders and the families of soldiers were among those moving out, residents said.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s government and the armed forces have faced mounting public criticism because of their inability to quell the Boko Haram insurgency.

Attah endorses Eket zone

Ifeanyi Ibeh

...as Congo team arrives Calabar

Clement James Calabar

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

ne-time Commissioner of Sports in Ogun State, Bukola Olopade, has called on the various factions in the ongoing leadership crisis in the Nigeria Football Federation to find an amicable solution to the problem, and avoid a clampdown from world football governing body, FIFA, in the interest of the country’s footballers.

And it is with the threat of a ban in mind that Olopade has called on the parties jostling for the leadership of the NFF to sheathe their swords and find a lasting and peaceful solution to the crisis in the interest of the ‘main actors’ of the world’s most popular sport.

The main actors in this case are the footballers, and Olopade, in an interview with New Telegraph, expressed concern that if the situation continues unabated it could end up ruining the fledgling careers of many upcoming footballers in the country.

“The administrators must know that they are not the main actors. As far as football is concerned, the most important people are the players.

“Without the players nothing can happen, so they should think about the interest of these players, especially the young ones, because they will be the ones that will be most affected if FIFA clamps down on us,” he said.

Okagbare flops in Brussels

B

lessing Okagbare on Friday night placed sixth in the women’s 200m at the IAAF Diamond League finals in Brussels, Belgium.

In a crowded King Baudouin Stadium, the Nigerian was unable to re-enact her Commonwealth Games form as she finished in a time of 22.60

seconds in a race won by Allyson Felix of the United States of America who crossed the line in 22.02 seconds – the year’s fastest time.

Her compatriot, Justin Gatlin, also recorded the fastest time in the world this year to claim the men’s 100m Diamond League title and also 200m.

NEW TELEGRAPH ON SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

55

HOSPITALITY

LAFIA HOTEL: WHAT’S AGE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

P.39

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SPORT Sanctity of Truth w ww. n ew te l e g r ap h on l i n e . c om

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth – Buddha

SATURDAY,SEPTEMBER 6, 2014

N150

No cause for alarm over Enyeama’s absence – Shorunmu

P.25

In praise of competence

raise is seldom dispensed in this column. Whenever it is offered, it draws inspiration and impetus from the highest considerations of merit, competence and exceptional industry.

The Nigerian Health Minister, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu, is fully deserving of commendation for his competent handling of one of the most terrifying health emergencies ever to confront this nation.

The scale of the Ebola challenge can be measured in the degree of fear and panic it has generated in the population. Of course, this is a fundamentally unscientific measure, established only by way of ordinary human impulse.

The demonstrable evidence paints an intimidating, but, at the same, becalming picture.

According to the Minister’s own figures, and he is a man of science, there are currently 18 cases of Ebola in Nigeria; 255 individuals are under surveillance in Port Harcourt and 41 in Lagos; 8 cases have been successfully managed and their case files closed; total deaths in Nigeria thus far stand at 7.

To have in our public service a servant of state who is able to have this measure of control is reassuring. The confidence to tell the truth, even in circumstances where political exigency demands the opposite, comes from both personal integrity and the self-belief that emanates from competence.

Dealing with an Ebola type public health emergency in an environment of poverty, superstition, infrastructural inadequacy and ignorance is a complete nightmare. Nigerians should be thankful that we have in charge a man meant for the hour and for the moment.

The immensity of what Professor Chukwu has been able to manage and contain within the tolerance of the culturally fluid emotions of Nigerians is best captured through third party observations: “The Ebola epidemic can be stopped in its tracks, but it will take at least six to nine months and cost more than $600m (£365m), according to the director general of the World Health Organisation.

“Speaking in Washington, senior WHO leaders including director general Dr Margaret Chan, called for a massive global response to the outbreak and suggested it would take longer to control than has yet been assumed.

“The Ebola outbreak is “the largest, most complex and most severe we’ve ever seen”, said Chan and spreading at a pace that outstrips effort to control it”. [The British Guardian, September 4, 2014].

With paucity of resources, inadequate or non-existent specialised manpower, cultural practices that can be inimical to efforts to contain the spread of communicable diseases, one would not have been surprised if our health system had become totally overwhelmed and buckled under the Ebola panic. But when push came to shove, the broad shoulders of competence, equanimity in the face of immense pressure and dexterity in the management of lean resources enabled Professor Chukwu to stand firm and erect a firewall against a national catastrophe.

The government of Lagos State must also be commended for outstanding emergency response measures followed by contact-tracing strategy that averted a public health disaster of unimaginable proportions.

The response of our international partners, particularly the West, has been less than impressive. It has been disheartening to listen to the same old platitudes, watch the customary

BROADSIDE EMMANUEL ONWE agubata@aol.com

Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu

indifference bordering on carelessness emanating from some western capitals in response to a genuinely existential threat in West Africa.

Keiji Fukuda, WHO’s assistant director

general for global health security, who has just concluded a tour of the countries affected by Ebola in West Africa, has this say: “We don’t have enough health workers, doctors, nurses, drivers and contact tracers.

Most of the infections are happening in the community, and many people are unwilling to identify themselves as ill. And if they do, we don’t have enough ambulances to transport them or beds to treat them yet.”

Médecins Sans Frontières, which says its volunteer doctors on the frontline are overwhelmed, has called on UN member states to send in teams of military and civilian biohazard experts.

Dr David Nabarro, the UN coordinator for the Ebola response, said the UN system is working together on 12 detailed steps for the global response, which he estimated will cost at least $600m and require “several thousand people to scale up our response by three to four times.”

My conclusion is that reliance on the West is

futile. Two comments I read on British Guardian’s Comment is Free (CIF) thread which discussed an Ebola-related article are instructive: “Sorry; but the Western governments are busy now. Please come back after we are done with replacing the regime in Syria, killing off the ISIS gang, splitting Iraq into three countries, and forcing Putin’s genie back into the bottle.”

- HeadInSand2013 “They’re not going to bother stopping it. If they were serious they’d already be doing a lot more about it. Interesting the way industrialised countries have been so eager to ‘play test’ their Ebola containment and treatment facilities on home ground when it’s proved so deadly and difficult to stop in Africa. A convenient epidemic?” - Barbearian The first comment, while satirical, draws attention to the sort of priorities that skew global choices and, therefore, response to international emergencies. All terrorist atrocities and all wars since 1950 put together have claimed only the equivalent of 15% of the quantum of deaths caused by malaria every single year. And, yet, while the West has spent trillions of dollars combating terrorism and waging pointless wars, wretched African nations have been left to grapple with this eradicable disease.

Ebola as a convenient epidemic? You bet.

As the second comment makes clear, the West has exploited the opportunity to test-run their response strategies while hoping that the disease will escalate and decimate the disdained African population. But with men such as Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu standing as the sentinel at the entrance gate of this epidemic, I feel confident that Nigeria will prevail. And give the two fingers to the so-called international community.

Jonathan, Ndigbo and the psychology of symbolic politics (2) CONTINUEd from last WEEK

It would be naive to ignore a central fact of human nature and political competition.

Ethnic politics in an environment of discrimination, injustice and inequity is no more condemnable than class politics or gender politics or the politics of sexual orientation.

Race or ethnic politics have both wounded and healed nations and I refer to the United States and South Africa. The recent election of a whole Pope revolved almost exclusively on race, ethnicity and nationality. The just concluded national conference showcased, on the most dramatic and prominent stage, the tribal innards of our national politics.

Some of the most sophisticated and most successful politicians this nation has ever produced were tribal politicians who understood the absolute unavoidability of fighting rearguard action against domination, exploitation, swamping, subjugation and suppression by others. And it’s in the nature of man to dominate, exploit, swamp, subjugate and suppress whenever possible and wherever competition for scarce resources is a supreme political question.

There were few exceptions.

Nnamdi Azikiwe played some sort of detribalised politics but, in so doing, he failed to feel the pulse of this nation. He understood his country on the intellectual plane but failed to dance to the tribal rhythm of his country’s heartbeat. He was perhaps

beguiled by the early advantages the Igbo gained in the federal civil service and the military. The young Igbo officers who shared a similar intellectual understanding of the nation, without attuning their steps to the tribal rhythm of motherland’s heartbeat, staged a coup to either rescue an intellectual ideal or establish a utopia.

In that coup, the President, Azikiwe; the President of the Senate, Nwafor Orizor; the Head of Service; the Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations Minister, Jaja Wachukwu (the most powerful government functionary after the Prime Minister then); the General Officer Commanding the Nigerian Armed Forces, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi; a competent and merit-based federal civil service under the pre-eminent command of Igbo technocrats, and so forth, were overthrown. It led to a revenge coup in which Nigeria’s first Major General was murdered and 300 career officers of Igbo extraction were slaughtered.

This, in turn, led to the war that ultimately upturned the Igbo destiny as a people and wrought the disastrous outcomes that endure till today. That coup overthrew the Igbo pre-eminence in Nigeria. Most Igbo wish it never took place, both for the sake of Ndigbo and for the sake of the families of the Bellos, the Balewas, the Maimalaris, and the families of all those whose sons and patriarchs were murdered. In the same sense, they wish that the British had minded their own business and had not dissuaded the Murtalas and the

Danjumas to reverse the original intent of the revenge coup which was Operation Araba, the secession of northern Nigeria. In such a context, Ndigbo would have suffered less.

The radical officers failed in their bid and the Igbo paid and continue to pay a shockingly high price in spilled blood and lost treasure as a consequence. If those young officers had any understanding of the nature of a tribal republic, they should have let a sleeping dog lie. The very architecture of this nation would have been quite different today – in all ramifications.

Nigeria will forever remain an ethnically diverse nation and its politics will follow the tribal fault lines, to a greater or lesser extent. Any idealist that tells you otherwise is way too simple-minded and delusional.

What must preoccupy the citizens is how to employ civilized and just tools to manage our differences and harness our immense collective potentials. What is foolish is to wish away our tribal reality and deeply fundamental differences in culture and aspirations.

Through symbolic gestures of immense political significance, Jonathan has successfully wooed the Igbo. That he enjoys an astonishing wave of support verging on emotional bond in Igboland is a measure of his ability to tweak the delicate psychology of a population that was abandoned in the political wilderness of suspicion and neglect.

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concluded